When We Try to Deceive.

Chapter 6: The Truth Will Out


Author's Note:  As always, thank you to my kind reviewers (Topaz Waters, I lov Redheads w/ Fangs, Wedgie Antilles, British-BrownEyed-Beauty and Twinkey). And I am BEGGING you... please review!

***

After watching Hermione retreat rapidly down the corridor, George turned to his twin. He didn't know whether to be shocked, amused, or angry. As a result he was mostly confused. Fred still had fires burning in his cheeks and was rubbing his forehead, his face scrunched up and his eyes closed. He was the perfect picture of someone who knows they have just done something unbelievably idiotic, but now it's too late to do anything about it and they're stuck living with the repercussions.

"What do you think you're doing?" George asked, emphasising the 'do' heavily. He waited patiently for Fred to lift his chin slightly and squint at him through one eye before he continued, "It's bad enough you get a ridiculous crush on a girl who's practically your brother's girlfriend, but then you kiss her? In the middle of a school hallway? Pretending to be ME?!" Fred grimaced.

"Yeah, so it looks bad..."

"Yuh huh! It couldn't look much worse!" came the instant reply. George had has his fair share's practice at snappy dialogues with his twin. Now he was at the stage where he could usually anticipate what Fred's last words were going to be, and so he had a split-second to think of a reply. That didn't mean he was good at the witty comebacks though. As the following conversation could well be used in evidence of.

"She was upset, alright?" Fred replied, irritated at himself more than anyone. He lowered his tone a little when he carried on. "I was comforting her. And one thing led to another..."

"You kissed her!" Fred sent George a death stare that would very likely have been replaced by "Duh" had this been an American story. Alas, it is not. So we will have to make do with the meaningful looks and suggestive body language. *Sigh*.

"It was a mistake. I'll explain to Ron. Apologise- whatever," Fred muttered curtly. George faltered a little. He had been quite enjoying this little skit, and hadn't expected Fred to concede so quickly.

"Well... you better!" was his half-hearted attempt to reverse the situation again, but Fred wasn't having any of it. It seemed his priorities were now clarifying the situation to Hermione, and apologising profusely, before begging her not to tell Ron. Or else he'd have to tell both Ron and Hermione it was a genuine mistake and apologise profusely. Either way he'd have to grovel... and he wasn't about to practice on his twin. Speaking of which, George was stood rather awkwardly opposite Fred, looking down at his trainers under his robes as he scuffed his toe against the polished floor.

"I suppose it's not the end of the world," he granted. Fred smiled wryly. He considered replying something along the lines of 'Speak for yourself! I've just completely blown my chances with the only girl I've ever loved- not to mention gotten my brother in a bit of a mess to say the least! So yeah, for at least three people this probably will feel like the end of the world in the next few hours!' While this would have been a mature, effective way of coping with the situation- Fred took the coward's back door and nodded briefly before showing an intense interest in the cuff of his robes. They really are fascinating, you know. The way the end has been cunningly folded over before being stitched meticulously, and- wait, I don't need to convince you. I'm sure you feel like this already. I'm so sorry for talking down to you.

"One question," George broke the silence with. "Why did she think you were me?" Which just so happened to be the one question Fred couldn't answer.

"I- uh- I don't know. She was upset. Confused," bluffed Fred.

"Oh right." Thankfully both boys were still looking down and so neither noticed the other blush uneasily. There was a fairly long pause.

"And there's the whole identical twin thing!" George suggested, looking up and shrugging reasonably.

"Yeah! Yeah, good point."

An even longer pause.

"She, um..." George cleared his throated and Fred tilted his head questioningly. "Well, I mean... she knew you were, er- you know- you when she kissed you, right?" George grinned. Fred stared at him open mouthed. "Right? Please tell me she knew you were Fred!"

OH. MY. GOD.

"Yeah- sure," Fred assured him, laughing far too loudly. "Anyway- gotta go!" and with that he paced off in the direction Hermione had taken, without a backward glance. It's pretty obvious what he was thinking. Hermione had thought she had been kissing George.

***

Hermione needed to be alone right now, to gather her thoughts, and try to find a way to sort out this huge mess she was in. Unfortunately, she was just about to go into Potions class, and she was already a couple of minutes late. She burst through the door, panting due to her run.

Professor Snape looked at her and smiled coldly. "A point off Gryffindor for lateness. Hurry up and take your seat, Miss Granger."

Hermione immediately slipped onto the bench she was accustomed to sitting at every Potions lesson... next to Ron. Who was also sitting next to Harry. The tension was unbearable. Hermione couldn't stand to turn and look at either of them, and so looked straight down into her cauldron the whole lesson. Ron kept trying to catch her eye, whilst studiously ignoring Harry who was trying to catch his eye.

Snape picked up on the fact that something was going on with them when he came round to inspect their Potions. Hermione's was, of course, perfect; so he passed her by with nothing but a sneer. When he stopped at Ron's cauldron he let out a snort of disgust. Ron's cauldron was violently bubbling bright orange and letting out a steam that smelt remarkably of rotten eggs. Harry's was not much better. It was murky brown and every so often would gurgle and make rather rude noises.

Snape was intrigued. Evidently, Hermione "star pupil" Granger had not been helping her two boyfriends this lesson. He grinned maliciously, before clapping his hounds quietly yet authoratively until he had the whole class' attention. The Gryffindors looked sympathetically towards Ron and Harry, and Dean gave them an encouraging smile. The Slytherins gathered around smirking, and making a big deal of holding their noses and wafting the air in front of their face.

When there was silence, Snape spoke.

"Have a little lovers' spat now did we?" he jibed. Hermione and Ron just ignored him but Harry looked up startled. Seeing his reaction, the Potions master moved over to Harry.

"Not got your girlfriend to help you with your potion anymore Potter?" he continued. The Gryffindors all glared at Snape's back, and Seamus muttered something about a weasel swimming. Or so it sounded to Hermione, but there is the distinct possibility she misheard him. Snape was clearly enjoying himself, as were all the other Slytherins, not least Malfoy. What a celebration they would have if they knew the whole truth, Hermione thought wryly. Her thoughts were interrupted by Ron.

"She's not his girlfriend! Nobody is!" he shouted. The he added, as an after thought, "or ever will be!" Harry looked at him, clearly appalled. Inside his heart was breaking. One of the few people he thought he could trust completely in this world had just turned his back on him. Because of one stupid kiss. Only it wasn't stupid- it was magical, and wonderful, and- if only Hermione hadn't interrupted them. If only it had lasted a few seconds longer... Hermione. What did Ron see in her? She was nothing compared to Harry. Harry glared at Hermione, who had been looking at him empathetically. She blushed and looked away. Harry didn't feel any lament. He just felt jealous, and angry, and hurt. Most of all hurt.

Snape's eyes lit up. He'd just stumbled upon a goldmine. A goldmine, in the sense that the gold was hormonal Gryffindors' feelings to exploit for his own amusement...

"Care to elaborate on that, Weasley?" he goaded, his eyebrows raised and the corners of his mouth twitching.

Ron was about to speak when the door burst open. Surprisingly, it was not Hagrid- who was usually the cause of doors being burst open in Hogwarts. It was Fred.

"Hermione!" he exclaimed, relief showing all over his face. "I've been searching all over for you!" he added as means of an explanation of his bursting into a lesson.

"Not now," Hermione muttered. She was flushed and although she appeared embarrassed, Harry could tell she was inwardly seething. 'Good. Let her suffer' he thought spitefully. Ron was too busy staring in bewilderment at his brother to pay any attention to Hermione's facial expressions.

"Why do you want to speak to Hermione?" Ron asked, clearly puzzled.

"Nothing," came the instant response from Hermione. She glared at Fred and he looked remarkably uncomfortable, stood in front of the class with nothing to account for his awkward presence.

"It's kind of important-" Fred continued, but Ron got there first.

"What is it?!" he insisted.

"Yes Weasley, do spill the beans," smirked Snape.

Fred shifted from one foot to the other and glanced at Harry, looking for support. Instead Harry was mentally cursing Hermione and had hardly noticed Fred. So Fred addressed Hermione yet again, his voice tentative and unsure.

"I'm really sorry, Hermione. I should have told you the truth. I know that. And I'm am so, so sorry."

Hermione met his eye and for a moment she melted in the intense attraction between them. But then she broke the gaze and reminded herself of what exactly had happened.

"I'll speak to you later."

"But-" Fred began, upset that Hermione was being so dismissive.

"I will meet you at lunch, alright?" she spoke forcefully. After she looked at the door pointedly, Fred began to edge towards it. Hermione turned her back to him, and so Fred reluctantly made his way down the corridor.

"Fifteen points from Gryffindor for that shameless display. Now carry on with your work." Snape was instantly in control again, although his voice was laced with malice.

"What the hell was that about?" exclaimed Ron.

"Let's just get on with our Potions shall we?" Hermione dismissed him, all the while measuring out extra ingredients.

"No- what did my brother want?"

"Nothing!" Hermione started to chop up the magsweed violently. Ron was motionless.

"I'll just ask him..."

"He won't tell you," Hermione muttered, sweeping the chopped herbs into the cauldron.

"HERMIONE!" Ron grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her round on her stool to face him.

"SHUT UP!" Hermione shouted back, before looking around at the rest of the pupils, clearly embarrassed.

"Listen, I don't care what everyone else thinks. Just bloody tell me!" Hermione finally through down her palette and looked Ron in the eye.

"Fine! While you were busy making out with Harry, I kissed Fred. I kissed your brother. Happy now?" She jumped up and stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door behind her.

Back in the lab, Snape looked as though Christmas had come early. Everyone's eyes were boring into Harry. He followed suit and ran out of the room, chasing Hermione.

He finally caught up with her and pinned her against the wall. Hermione was too upset to even struggle.

"What the hell are you playing at?" Harry shouted in her face, his eyes blazing with fury. Hermione pushed him away from her and retaliated.

"I could say the same to you!"

Harry was indignant.

"You told the whole class I kissed Ron!"

"So? It's true!"

"That's low, Hermione." Harry was disgusted. He turned and walked away from Hermione.

"Harry!" she called, but he didn't even show he'd heard.

"Harry! I'm sorry!" she called again, realising she had begun to cry. As Harry turned round the corner Hermione sunk to the floor and wiped her eyes. She heard footsteps coming along the corridor and looked up. Ron.

"Hey!" Hermione begun, but Ron just glanced down at her. His eyes were red and his mouth was quivering. Ron carried on past, without speaking a word.

"Ron!" Hermione spoke louder. No response. Ron had just blanked her. He hated her. Harry hated her. Fred lied to her. George wanted nothing to do with her.

If she had any tears left, Hermione would be in sobs right now. But instead she got to her feet and began walking to her next lesson, knowing she had lost everything.

***

Audrey: Duh duh duuuuh... and I'm not updating again until I get 35 reviews.  Nah ah; not happening.  Thirty-five reviews, people!  It's not a lot to ask, now is it?