Chapter 7- Love and War

"So, you and Fred, huh?" Alex poked Hermione in the ribs, as soon as the twins were out of earshot. Hermione grinned.

"Not how I imagined things would turn out, but I'm glad they're going this way." Alex smiled at her friend.

"So I can have George, right?" Alex winked. Hermione laughed.

"You're welcome to try. They can be right stubborn when they want to be, though, I warn you." The girls laughed.

Half an hour later, the women rejoined the men, and the four of them set off to explore the sights of Washington, D.C.  Alex, being the socially forward person that she was, linked arms with a disgruntled George, who kept eyeing Hermione as Alex was chattering away about taking the metro. Fred was acting detached, keeping his hands in his pockets and avoiding eye contact with everyone.

"Tired," he explained, when Hermione gave him a worried look. She nodded, but wondered what was really going on. After waiting for quite a while for one of the AU summer busses, the four rode out to a metro stop. Alex made sure that Fred and Hermione sat next to each other on the metro, and sat herself next to George. The twins were not making things easy, however; George squirmed uncomfortably, not looking at anyone but Hermione, and Fred looked out the window, ignoring everyone else.

"Well, someone. . .s. . . got up on the wrong side of the bed," Alex mumbled to Hermione. Finally, the metro stopped, and the brutal ride was brought to an end. The four exited the metro extremely quickly. They started walking toward the strip of monuments.

Alex began to take over as tour guide. She talked about the US presidents, led them through the Jefferson memorial, explained about the cherry blossom festival that took place every spring. Hermione's eyes grew wide. She had seen Washington, DC, but hadn't had much of a chance to explore it, and certainly not with a tour guide such as Alex. Despite their foul moods, the twins began to have a good time, listening to Alex explain about the history of each landmark. They even began to smile a bit, and joke with the girls.

"Who's hungry?" Alex asked, a couple hours later. Everyone murmured agreement at the idea of food. "Well, George and I will go find some nice street vendor, and you guys can go over there to the park and find us a good eatin' spot," Alex demanded. Hermione smiled up at Fred, but was greeted by an empty look and a shrug. Her smile wavered, and she looked pleadingly at her friend. But Alex had already led George away toward a street vendor on the other side of the street.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked Fred, as they ambled toward the park. She glanced up at him, trying to make eye contact.

"Listen, Hermione," Fred answered, "about last night. I. . . I shouldn't have. . . I mean that I. . . I have a girlfriend already." He still refused to look her in the eye. Hermione looked at the ground dejectedly.

"Oh. . . I didn't realize. . . then, what. . ."

"I don't know," Fred snapped, a little harsher than he had meant to. He regretted his actions as soon as they happened, but he couldn't find an easy way to deal with the emotions welling up inside of him.

Hermione's mouth was drawn into a thin line, as she pondered this new development. There was something that he wasn't telling her, but she didn't know what.

Alex and George returned, laden with hot dogs. They were both laughing, and chatting away. Depressing as the situation was, Hermione was glad that she had Alex there for moral support.

After lunch, the foursome traveled to a giant mall. The guys groaned, even though they were highly interested in a store that carried games, and only games. Agreeing to meet up in an hour, the girls split from the guys. Shortly after, Hermione had filled Alex in on the details of Fred's confession. Alex's mouth dropped open.

"What a scum bag! He had a girlfriend?" Alex fumed. Hermione, however, wasn't so sure.

"He's never mentioned a girlfriend before, though," she argued. "And I'm sure that Ron or Ginny would have told me if he did. . . It's so strange, I know he's hiding something." Alex had her suspicions, but didn't voice them. "I wish," Hermione continued, "that there was a way to know what he's thinking." Alex nodded.

"I wish I knew what George was thinking, too," she added. "I've been trying to flirt with him all day, but I don't know if I'm getting anywhere!" Hermione laughed. Then Alex got a glint in her eye, that could only mean something mischievous. Hermione looked at her inquisitively. "Well," Alex said, "are we witches or are we witches?" Grinning, she grabbed Hermione's hand, and they ran to find the twins.

*-*-*

"We HAVE to take you to Marsh Road. It's the best wizarding spot in all of DC." Alex was excitedly telling the twins about all the wonderful things that could be found on Marsh Road, and the twins were getting quite excited about it. Hermione did her best to agree and enhance her friend's story. The four boarded the metro, rode to the stop that Alex pointed out, then disembarked and headed toward an archway that seemed to lead into a park. The streets surrounding the park were occupied by small specialty stores.

Alex called her three friends aside, and led them toward a small gift shop on a side street. They entered the shop, and Alex called to the girl sitting behind the counter.

"Hey, Maria, what's up?"

"Alex!" The girl got up excitedly to greet her friend.

"Anyone shopping?" Alex asked.

"Not right now," the girl sighed. "Completely dead. No one's been in for hours."

"Oh good," Alex grinned. Hermione had just enough time to see Alex draw a long wand from her pocket before a flash of light bounced around the room, causing her to shield her eyes. When she opened them again, the twins were frozen in place. Alex grinned at her. "It's about time we get some answers from these two," she said. Maria, Alex's friend, was laughing.

 "NOW what are you getting me into?" she laughed. Alex just kept grinning.

"Still have that telepathy book I gave you?" Alex asked. Maria nodded, and headed into the back of the store. Moments later, she emerged with a small blue book in hand. The title on the cover read, 'Merging with the Mind.' Hermione's eyes grew large.

"You're going to read their minds." Alex laughed.

"Why not?" She was thumbing through the book now, looking for something. Finally, her search was successful. She got out her wand, and waved it at the twins.

Your behavior has been odd and strange
Signature of one deranged

The reason for this manner seems

To be found within your heart's dreams

Share with us your thoughts most deep

The one who makes you lose most sleep.

To Hermione, it didn't seem to be a very GOOD spell. But sparks shot from the end of Alex's wand, and then a moment later, the twins said at the same time,

"I love Hermione." Alex's jaw dropped. Hermione felt tears come to her eyes. Maria started laughing again.

"Well," Alex stated, "that explains that."