"When were you going to tell me you've dry humped my brother?!" Asked Ginny, covering her mouth as she squealed and jumped up and down.
Hermione's eyes widened, shushing her best friend as she looked around the empty common room.
Tuesday nights were always roudy in the Gryffindor common room; Seamus would be talking about another awry experiment while Dean listens closely, Ron would be begging Hermione to help him with yet another potions homework, the twins would be selling more of their mischevious gadgets. However, after having Professor McGonagall assign everyone projects and Snape taking 50 points away from Gryffindor, everyone was locked away in their dormitories.
"You're being too loud, Ginny!"
"Oh please, like you weren't being too loud while you were dry hu-" Hermione threw a pillow at her, causing both girls to giggle in front of the fireplace which hadn't been on for a few weeks due to the sickly hot weather.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Complained Ginny, chewing on some nougat chunks
"Well, I couldn't tell you right away, not in front of everyone! This is the only time we've actually had alone."
"I just can't believe it... And what he said about shagging you? Oh Merlin, I thought I was having a weird dream and didn't hear him well!" Joked Ginny, causing her friend to laugh quietly as they remembered what had happened a couple of nights ago.
"Well, Hermione of course."
The moment those 4 words had spilled out of Fred's smirking mouth, Hermione thanked Ron's awful retching. His loud gags were all everyone could hear before everyone reacted differently. Seamus laughed loudly at Ron while Harry and Neville rubbed his back. Most of the girls covered their mouth as they avoided joining the redhead in coughing up their stomach contents. Everyone's attention was focused on the drunken boy, except for 4 teens.
Hermione's cheeks were burning, her stomach doing somersaults. Had she heard Fred right? At least she knew no one has heard Fred, at least no one else except his twin and his sister.
"I just can't believe it... I mean, I thought you two would definetly have something going on, but then that whole Katie thing happened and I really though there was no chance. I've got to admit it, I'm actually really rooting for you both. Can you imagine? My best friend and my brother, together!" Giggled Ginny.
"Hold on, Ginny. I never said anything about actually being together with Fred! I mean, it's Fred." Said Hermione, her eyebrows furrowing.
"So, you don't have any feelings for him then? Because I am all for you shagging all the boys you want."
Hermione chuckled at the ginger in front of her, not doubting her for a second.
"It's just... I thought I did, you know? But then Katie happened, and it made me snap out of it. Fred is funny, nice, and just so fit. And so, so good at things, you know. But he's also your brother and he's probably slept with most girls here. I don't see him as the type to stay with one girl, especially with someone like me." Explained Hermione, stretching her legs infront of her as she picked at the bottoms of her pijama shorts. "And I am all for people expressing themselves and being free to do whatever they want with their bodies, but the fact that Fred has shagged so many girls here that he's been voted number 1 out of all the boys here... I don't know how I feel about it. Plus, I don't like being played around like that. He knew I'd be embarassed when he said that, and I've asked him plenty of times to leave me out of his stupid pranks."
"First off, when you say someone like you do mean a girl who is fit as fuck and probably the best girl out there for anyone?" Argued Ginny, "Mione, you're honestly one of the most imporant people in my life. I consider you to be my family, so take it seriously when I say that I would easily fall in love with you if I were into girls."
Hermione giggled, covering her mouth so she wouldn't make too much noise.
"You know, dear sister, sometimes I wonder if you really are as straight as you say."
Ginny and Hermione gasped as the voice spoke behind them. Hermione didn't have to turn around to who's it was, so she remained still with her gaze on the floor.
"You're interrupting prime girl talk, you know." Said Ginny, crossing her arms at her older brother.
"I can see that, I was just on my way to the kitchens. Fancy a treacle tart?" He asked and Ginny's mouth curled into a smile.
"Of course I do, you wanker." She chuckled at him.
"Hermione?"
Hermione turned her head slowly, not wanting to face him. She knew there was a big chance he had heard their conversation and all the things she said about him.
"Yeah, Fred?" She asked, her voice coming out as a whisper.
His messy hair had confirmed that he had just rolled out of bed. The top three buttons of his night shirt were unbuttoned, most likely because of the heat.
"Would you like one? A treacle tart?" He asked, his voice smooth and gentle.
His eyes looked tired, as if he had to fight the sleep in order to get a snack. His face was soft, no sign of his signature smirk and a cheeky shine in his eyes. If Hermione didn't know him, she'd think Fred was probably one of the most gentle boys she'd ever met.
"Yes, please." She answered, smiling softly at him and watched his figure sneak out the portrait door.
Once he left, Ginny sat back down next to her.
"Was it just me, or did you guys telepathically snog while I was watching?" Asked Ginny, making both of them laugh again.
"Don't be daft." Giggled Hermione.
"I'm serious! You guys were just like, staring at each other. I was debating whether I should go upstairs just to give you two some alone time" She joked.
Hermione rest her head on Ginny's shoulder, sighing as she hugged her friend's arm.
"Ginny, being serious, does this bother you? The whole Fred and I situation? Because if it does, you know I would never even look at Fred ever again. I mean, it's not like it's going anywhere." She said and she felt Ginny chuckle next to her.
"Hermione, I know it might be too soon for me to even say this, but I honestly think you and Fred might just be made for one another."
They both sat in silence, resting their tired heads on each other. The room was so silent, the only thing Hermione could hear was Ginny's heavy breathing which let her know that her friend had fallen asleep. Hermione's eyelids began to feel heavy, slowly closing as sleep took over.
She could hear the faint sound of the portait door opening, and the quiet footsteps of the boy sneaking in.
When she opened her eyes, she saw the boy kneeling down with a basket of tarts in his arms.
"Did you raid the kitchen, Fred?" She giggled as she whispered, not wanting to wake her friend.
Fred smiled softly, "Dobby put a charm on them and gave me enough for a week, said he doesn't want any of Harry's friends getting hungry."
He handed Hermione a small, individual tart before biting into one himself.
They both ate quietly, sitting across each other with their legs stretched out. Hermione didn't want to ask him about what he had heard earlier, primarily because she knew he had probably heard all of it, and also because she didn't feel like breaking the comfortable silence between them.
Looking at each other, they both held eye contact. It wasn't an instrusive, sexual type of eye contact like the one they've been having recently. Instead, it made them feel calm, as if they were both just assuring one another that they were okay, the silence is okay. It made Hermione's stomach twist, especially after she knew he had heard the things she said about him.
After a couple of minutes, Fred took another tart and wrapped it in a napkin.
"Can you give that to Ginny once she wakes? She'll hex me tomorrow if she finds out I didn't give her any." He whispered as Hermione giggled.
"I will. Thanks."
He stood up and stretched before picking up the basket.
"Goodnight, Hermione."
"Goodnight, Fred."
Wednesday morning was Ron's second favourite morning, Saturday mornings being the first. He would only have 2 lessons in which he would sit next to Harry and not have to look at Snape's greasy hair every time he stalked around the dungeon.
Wednesday mornings reminded Ron of eggs and sausages, some buttered toast on the side slathered with baked beans (which Hermione though was disgusting compared to her toast with lightly smeared raspberry jam).
However, this particular Wednesday morning was absolute hell for Ronald Weasley.
"So you're telling me you've already studied for exams?!" Exclaimed Ron, not believing Hermione when she had asked him if he had been keeping up with his lessons. "Bloody hell Hermione, you could've given us a heads up! We've got... 5 days to study!"
"Believe it or not, Ronald, I'm not your calendar nor am I your mother." She sighed, sipping her english breakfast tea as she sat across the red-faced redhead. "Besides, it is nearly the end of fourth year. Did you somehow forget exams always take place at the end of the year?"
Ron's nostrils flared as he sipped his pumpkin juice. "You'll help us though, right?"
"You keep saying us, who are you even referring to?"
"Harry, of course! Who else would I be talking about?" Ron looked at Hermione like she had lost her mind, who on earth would forget about their best friend.
Hermione gave him a dirty look, "Harry isn't taking the exams, remember? I've only mentioned it about a dozen times, Ron."
"Right, because of the tournament."
The mood has changed, both of their faces had paled as their eyes glued themselves on the wooden table.
"Has Harry said anything to you? About... you know." Whispered Hermione.
Ron shook his head, "He's been avoiding the topic, which I don't blame him for."
The memories of having Harry and Cedric appear in front of them, both clutching the TriWizard cup for their lives. It had been a miracle they had made it.
"Maybe... Maybe we could talk to Cedric? See how he's feeling?" Asked Hermione, not knowing how to comfort the two "champions" who had been face to face to the wizard who was feared the most.
"Sounds like a good idea. I reckon you should talk to him though, I'll go back to the dormitory before lessons start and see how Harry's doing." Agreed Ron before he stood up and left to go check on his friend.
Hermione's eyes scanned the hall for Cedric, he was quite easy to spot. Tall, pale, handsome. She spotted him leaving the hall and sped walked after him, not wanting to look like she was chasing after the Cedric Diggory.
"Cedric!" She called out when she was closer to him, watching his broad back stop and turn.
"Hermione. How are you?" He asked, giving his a small smile. "Are you ready for your exams?"
She smiled at him, he was always a kind boy.
"Well, you know me. I've been ready for about 2 months now." She said, causing Cedric to chuckle lightly at her. "I wanted to ask... I just don't know if you'd be okay with me asking, but I wanted to ask you how you're doing? How you're actually doing."
Cedric's jaw visibly clenched as his eyes scanned the hallway, his mouth setting in a line.
"I don't think this is something to talk about here. Maybe another time, Granger." He said as he began to walk away.
"Cedric, wait! Please." She begged. "I know it's hard to talk about, but Harry needs someone. Ron and I want to help, but we don't know how."
Cedric paused once more. "Okay. But not today. Meet me tomorrow morning at the quidditch field. Early."
Before Hermione could say anything, he turned back around and walked away.
