A/N: Hello again. I told you it would be up shortly. Again Lyss has not touched this chapter yet. I hope you are enjoying it. I am not the one and only J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Two

As Hermione made her way back to the work bench, she smiled. Something was starting to shift already. They had spent the last few weeks in virtual silence, either mourning or hiding and the stark contrast made her stop walking. She was allowed to have a future now. She could happily think about a family she will have someday and the friends she was fortunate enough to keep. Hermione finally began to walk again and sat next to Fred. As they went through the potion, Hermione found that Fred matched in her in skill level. This surprised her since they were known for their slacking.

"I-I have to say I'm impressed." she broke the silence suddenly.

"Really, why is that?" Fred asked slyly.

"Well, I always thought the Weasley Twins were slackers. I obviously knew how much skill your products took, but I didn't know you could apply them to school work so easily. I guess I figured you wouldn't care much." Fred put a hand over his heart and mocked being wounded.

"Why, Hermione, you think so little of us." he smiled and she could not stop herself from smiling back. "Actually, you would have been right in our sixth year. We didn't care enough to apply anything we knew to classes, but now it just seems insulting not to. We have been given a gift and I don't intend to waste it." he finished with conviction. Hermione just stared. Fred noticed and laughed. He bent down and whispered in her ear. "Just full of surprises aren't we?" he laughed again as she nodded slowly. They finished the rest of the potion in relative silence.

0o0

Fred sat in Defense, waiting for the new teacher to show. Snape had been a greasy git and a foul teacher, but everyone felt his loss. He had given his life to the order. He died a spy to one side and hero to the other. Scrolls had been found hidden in Dumbledore's office explaining their agreement and, therefore, clearing Snape of all charges against him. When he went on the run with Malfoy, he went back to Voldemort and reported the mission complete. Malfoy turned spy not too long after. Dumbledore's last words forever etched into his memory.

Fred was taken out of his reverie by the swirling of a cloak. At the front of the class stood Tonks. Gone was the klutzy, girlish pink haired auror. The woman who stood in front of him had long mousy brown hair and one arm. Her eyes were empty and swollen. Remus' death had changed her so much. She could no longer find the energy or will to morph.

"Hello everyone. Welcome to another year of Defense Against the Dark Arts. This particular class is a joke of sorts. If there is anything I could teach you about Defense you learned it first hand from either Harry or Hermione." she smiled at the two seated in the front row. "So, after discussing it with the Headmistress, this is going to be more like a show and tell. You all have unique experiences which makes your strengths different. Today, you can have a free, quiet period to think over what you wish to share with us. Each day will be a different student. The sign up is in the back of the room. Harry, Hermione, Draco, and Ron get two days by their request. We all know the threat of the few remaining Death Eaters, so let's be prepared. The actual presentations will start next week and go through to winter holiday. After that, this will be mostly private study or a free period, depending upon what you students wish to do. For now, you have access to the small defense library here and you can go to the library as well, if you wish. Get to work." she sat down at her desk and shuffled through papers.

Fred looked around and found most people were talking quietly amongst themselves. He was most surprised to see his twin speaking amicably with Draco. They were not enemies anymore and Draco had softened a bit, but the war had made him bitter and, well, not very good company. His lover, Colin, had died during the war. He was tortured right in front of Draco, trying to punish him for associating himself with a half-blood. Ever since, Draco did not talk much and when he did it was not exactly friendly banter. So, to see a smile cross his face was truly shocking. Fred saw George laugh and turn back to his conversation with Hermione. He caught himself staring at her. Fred had been doing that more often these last few days. Even when they were still locked up in Grimwauld, he could not help but feel attracted to her presence. He shook his head and turned to his book.

0o0

Hermione sat in the common room, doing her homework. She had been made head girl this year, but opted to stay in her dorms. She wanted to stay close to her friends. If she chose the dorms set up for her on the other side of the castle she would be far too isolated. As she scribbled furiously, she felt someone sit in the chair next to her.

"Hey Hermione." she heard Ron say.

"Hey. So have you chosen what to do for Defense yet?" she asked eagerly.

"I'm not sure. I figured I could go over strategy, since it is my strongest point. You and Harry will cover most of the advanced spell work and Draco's got all the inside knowledge of the Dark Arts. I just don't know how I'm going to present it." there was a long pause as Hermione finished a sentence and looked back up. Ron was staring at her.

"What?" she asked suddenly self conscious.

"Do you like my brother?" he asked smiling.

"Which one?" she said, trying to get around the subject, but failing.

"The one that isn't gay."

"I don't know." she said simply. Ron's eyes twinkled. "Ronald Weasley, if I so much as hear you speak my name to him, I will hex you into next year." she said fiercely, but Ron just smiled broader.

"I think I just got my answer." he said in a sing song voice. Hermione flushed and closed her books. There way no way she would get anything done with Ron pestering her.

"Whatever Ron. I'm going to the library." she got up and left. Ron was still smiling, obviously plotting, since that is what he did best.

A/N: Well, let me know what you think. I'd like to note that Draco/Colin intrigues me to NO end. I can't find nearly enough stories with them as main couples. If anyone knows of any, please let me know. I would be grateful! Review. aLtO