Disclaimer: The characters? They aren't mine. They are J.K. Rowling's
A/N: Beginning is shaky, I don't know where to start. Sorry, again!
As the three of the of them crept through the forest, maneuvering to be closer to the mansion before going out in the open, the checked for spells that would alert their arrival. They hoped they found each one. Otherwise, it would make their job harder. Suddenly a twig cracked to their right. All three of them sent stunning spells over their. Just as carefully, they made their way over to the spot where the twig had cracked. Each sighed in relief. It was just a rabbit. Fred turned, carefully.
"I believe the entrance we want to take is right over there." he muttered quietly, nodding in a direction. As they all turned in that direction, Fred glanced down at Angelina and noticed that she looked almost frightened. He was feeling almost the same. Taking a chance, he reached over and grabbed her hand, squeezing it in reassurance. She glanced up and smiled a little, almost to herself. She squeezed back, and their hands remained linked. Fred knew that he should let go soon. It was his wand hand that she was holding. Sighing, he squeezed her hand once more and transferred back his wand to that hand. He could still feel the warmth of her hand. He smiled down at Angelina and quickly transferred his attention back to where they were going. They had reached the door. He stood back, Moody was better at breaking the charms on the door than he or Angelina were. Turning, he scanned the area, watching for people or anything else coming for them. Suddenly he saw a movement in the distance. It seemed to be a person, out for a walk, perhaps? The figure was in complete shadow, a silhouette. It was outlined against the dark sky, and surrounded by silhouettes of plants. It seemed to be walking amongst them. Sighing, Fred whispered to Angelina out of the corner of his mouth. Together, they faced the oncoming figure. While Angelina muttered 'Protego' protecting them both from harm, Fred sent a stunning spell in the direction of the figure. It worked. He sighed. Aim hadn't ever been perfect for him. He hoped the spell would last long enough and the figure wouldn't be found before they were able to escape. After waiting for a few minutes, Moody finally broke through the spells, and they entered the house. It was magnificent and intimidating at the same time. Plush carpets and glass cabinets, stone statues glaring down and portraits with people who looked surprisingly familiar filled the hall they were in. Gray eyes followed them as they crept silently down the hall, ears tuned for any noise signifying someone else. It was surprisingly easy to find the dungeon. By now, thin echoes of the battle happening on the outside of the house could be heard.
Moody used his magical eye to look through the doors of each of the rooms. It seemed as if they had put her in the very farthest place from the door. "Here she is," he said, finally stopping in front of a door. He swiftly broke through the charms on this door. Opening the door, they saw a thin woman huddled in the corner. She looked up with wide eyes, fright very prominently in there, but, surprisingly, there was a hint of defiance in there. Fred smiled slightly to himself. So this was where Hermione got her defiance towards those who disliked her. He had been on the receiving end of her fury several times in his seventh year when she had been made prefect. Poor Ron, he had been in a difficult position. Angelina was at Mrs. Granger's side, checking for injuries. Moody was watching the hallway, making sure no one was coming. Fred hunched down next to her.
"Mrs. Granger, perhaps you remember me? I'm Fred Weasley. You may have seen me in Diagon Alley when you brought Hermione there. I was one of the crazy twins. I um got to your house with Angelina here seconds after you were taken. I have to apologize for not getting there faster. We were seconds away and we were unable to apparate because we didn't know exactly where we were going. We're gonna do our best to get you out of here tonight, alright? I would like you stay directly behind Moody at all times. He will be able to see you, his eye sees everything. Just trust us. Once we are outside of this house, we will take a portkey back to headquarters." At her questioning expression, he said "Just follow us and when we give you something, take it without hesitation. Ok? We don't have time to explain it all." Fred flashed a little smile at her nod and stood up. Glancing up, he noticed a window. It had bars on it. "Hey Moody, would we be able to use the window?"
"No. Too many charms on it. I've already broken the ones in the hall. That would take too long. Besides, it might be charmed to look as if it goes somewhere it doesn't. So it might not even be useful to us." Moody said, shortly. Fred grumbled under his breath. It irritated him that he hadn't thought of that. Putting his arm around Mrs. Granger's waist, he stood up slowly, making sure that Mrs. Granger wasn't hurting too much. He saw her wince, but it couldn't be helped. Angelina had given her a potion that would help with all the cruciatus that she had experienced. With Angelina and Fred supporting Mrs. Granger, the group made their way out of the cell. Moody was on high alert. His eye was moving every direction. Suddenly, he muttered a spell around them. It made them invisible. Fred's jaw dropped. His grip tightened on Mrs. Granger. He knew their was a reason for this. He kept silent, keeping his breathing light. Obviously, Moody would have performed a silencing charm on them, but still. To be careful, he muttered silencio, casting it around them. Keeping his arm around Mrs. Granger, he pressed himself against the wall. He assumed the others were doing the same. Voices grew louder. Thankfully, they turned right into another corridor before they would come to the room Mrs. Granger was kept in. Moody had apparently muttered another spell because everyone became visible again. However, their seemed to be a shimmer around them, so Fred assumed that they were probably still invisible to anyone else. Slowly, they made their way down the dark stone corridor. Soon, they were up the stairs. As they neared the door to the outside, where they would be able to take a portkey to the headquarters, a voice sounded through the darkness.
"Just where do you think you are going?" it said, dripping amusement. Did you really think it would be that easy?" Fred cursed under his breath. Looking around he couldn't see anyone. Suddenly a voice proclaimed crucio. Angelina screamed. She didn't stop. Fred took a step toward her, Moody was obviously preoccupied with trying to find the instigator. Then he remembered that Mrs. Granger was there. No matter what happened, he had to protect her, that was what he was here to do. He knew Moody would protect Angelina. It was at this moment that he realized just how deeply he felt for her. He wouldn't be whole if he lost her. Something like how he wouldn't be whole if his brother was separated from him. It wasn't the same though. He grabbed Mrs. Granger and backed away, slowly. It was the hardest thing he had ever done. Everything in his heart was telling him to go towards Angelina, but he knew that wouldn't help. He realized that he probably would have one chance to get Angelina away from this freak. As soon as Moody found him, and distracted him, he and Mrs. Granger would have to grab Angelina and run. Mrs. Granger looked thoroughly frightened.
In a sudden movement, Moody shouted "Impedimenta" in a direction, concentrating hard. Suddenly Angelina's screams stopped. She lay there panting. Fred ran forward, hearing Moody yell "Stupefy in the same direction he had yelled Impedimenta seconds before. There was a distinct thump, but Fred wasn't listening. He grabbed Angelina and picked her up. Making sure that his wand was out and that Mrs. Granger was right next to him, he ran for the door. He heard some thumping, so he assumed that Moody was behind them. He burst out of the door and kept running. He slowed as he reached the wood. Angelina was slumped in his arms. She was barely conscious and breathing heavily. He turned to Mrs. Granger. "Are you alright?" he asked. "I'm sorry I made you run. But I'm sure you know how it is after being under the cruciatus." He smiled apologetically. Just then Moody arrived.
"Let's Go. We shouldn't dally here." He took out a broken pocket watch and muttered portus. He glanced at Mrs. Granger and nodded. She reached out and touched it. He took Angelina's hand and they touched it together. The tug on their naval came and they soon found themselves back in Headquarters. Since he had had Angelina in his arms, he found himself sprawled over her. He pulled back quickly, and looked at her. She wasn't doing well, her skin was a pasty grey color. Leaving Moody to deal with Mrs. Granger, he took Angelina in his arms and took her upstairs. He knew there were a few bedrooms. He kicked the door open on the right. The room looked relatively clean, and the bed looked fine. He walked over to it and lay Angelina down on it. She shifted, turning her head slightly. Fred sat next to her, and brushed some hair out of her face. She mumbled something, not really awake, still looking bad because of the curse. "I just want you to know, Angelina," he whispered, looking at her face, "I think I'm falling in love with you. It really frightened me when you were hit with the cruciatus." With that, he remembered that someone probably had some of the potion Angelina had brought with her. "I'll be right back." he whispered and stood up. He walked swiftly out of the room, turning he went down the stairs. He ran into Dumbledore at the bottom of the stairs, who was talking to Mrs. Granger. "Dumbledore! Do you have any of that potion that people take after having cruciatus? Angelina was hit with it and I didn't want to take her to Hogwarts 'cause it would be too tiring." he said, all in one breath.
"No, I don't, Fred. You might ask Professor Snape." he said, gesturing across the hall.
Fred frowned. He really didn't want to have to talk to Snape, the stupid git. Mumbling, he made his way over to Snape, who was currently deep in an argument with Remus Lupin. He didn't look happy.
"I told you Lupin, Don't be an idiot. You always were the most sensible of your crazy friends."
"Erm...Excuse me Professor?" Fred said, expecting Snape's wrath to be turned on him. Sure enough, it did.
"What do YOU want?" Scorn dripped from Snape's voice.
"It's just that..tonight, Angelina, she was hit by cruciatus, and she's not feeling well. I was wondering..if you'd give me some of the potion that helps people after that? I know you don't like me and you're mad, but please, for Angelina? What did she do to you?" he hurried on, seeing the murderous expression on Snape's face.
"Fine. Angelina never did anything to me, so I suppose I can't find a reason to do her a favor. But you. Keep out of my way for the next year, and maybe I'll calm down when I see you." Snape spat out.
"Gladly, as long as Angelina feels better after this." Fred said, truly worried over Angelina. Grabbing the proffered flask of potion, he sprinted up the stairs. Entering the room he had placed Angelina in, he found her asleep, albeit fitfully. Sitting, perched on the edge of her bed, he shook her shoulder. Slowly, she woke up. She gazed up at him, smiling a little. It was obvious that she had a bad headache and was trying to hide it. "Here, I got you some potion that will help. Take it and sleep, alright, Angel?" he said, not realizing he had shortened her name. Neither of them did. Slowly, she worked her way up so that she could drink the potion. Fred sat by her, supporting her back. Slowly she drank the potion. When she had finished, Fred took the flask it had been in and placed it on a table that was next to the bed. He eased her back so that she was lying down again. Taking her hand, he held it until she fell asleep, some of the paint that had been etched on her face eased. Fred smiled slightly, leaned down and kissed her cheek. Squeezing her hand, he got up, he had to apparate to his flat to tell George that he would be staying at the Headquarters for the night. With a smile, he stepped out of the room and shut the door with a soft click.