For the If You Dare Challenge on the HPFC.

— Prompt & Prompt Number: Let's Get Going, Prompt 144


The Welcoming Feast, 1993


"Have you seen Ron and Harry?"

Fred glanced up and down the tables in the Great Hall. "I thought they'd be with you."

"No." Hermione's eyes were welling with tears. "I didn't even see them on the train."

"Merlin, don't... don't start crying." Fred looked up at her, alarmed. "Just sit here, will you? Oi, George. Move over."

George barely looked up from his conversation with Angelina, but he shuffled to the side just enough for Hermione to slip onto the bench between them. Fred immediately set about placing a piece of chocolate cake in front of her.

"Eat," he said. "They'll be here soon, I reckon."

But by the time the feast was winding down, Fred still hadn't spotted his little brother and his friend anywhere in the Great Hall. Come to think of it, he didn't think he'd seen them on the train either. He frowned, grabbing Hermione by hand and pulling her up from the bench. They fell easily in the middle of the swarm of Gryffindors making their way to the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Maybe they'll be in the common room," he said. Truthfully, he was starting to worry too. A wave of relief rushed over him when Hermione started to pull on his sleeve and point to the staircase across the way. "...or they'll be right over there."

Hermione's look of joy, however, very quickly turned sour as they neared the two boys.

"Where have you been?" she exclaimed. "Why are you covered in mud? You're filthy!"

She only stopped berating them to give Fred a quick look over her shoulder and a small wave. From a distance, he thought, it almost looked like she was blushing.


The Yule Ball, 1994


"You're not even going to ask her for one measly dance?" George asked. "Come on. When did you get so shy?"

"I'm not shy," Fred retorted. "It's just—well, she's clearly having a good time."

Fred looked over to the centre of the dance floor, where Hermione was laughing into Viktor Krum's shoulder. He had her hands on her waist and was swaying her from side to side. With each turn, curious eyes and whispers followed them. Their coupling, it seemed, had been quite the shock to other students. Neither party, however, seemed all that bothered.

"Well, at least stop staring," George teased.

"I'm not staring."

"Well, if you're not going to ask her..." It only took Viktor to leave Hermione for a moment for George to bound through the crowd and pull at her arm. "Granger! Dance with me for a minute."

Her hands landed easily on his shoulders. He shot his twin a wink and then whisked the young witch away.

"You've caused quite the stir tonight."

"Excuse me?"

At Hermione's frown, George continued. "Bagging Viktor Krum! Very impressive. Knew you had it in you, Granger."

"I didn't bag him. We're friends." Then quietly, "I think Ron's a bit upset about it, to be honest."

"Ron's a prat," George replied dismissively. "Wouldn't worry about that."

The two spun around the room together, George occasionally throwing up his arm and guiding her into dramatic spins. The two eventually ended up back in front of Fred, who had been watching the two make their way across the room with a wry smile.

"Your turn, Freddie." George took Hermione's hand, placing it in his Fred's. "Now, he's not quite as talented a dancer as me, Granger, but I promise you'll keep all your toes."

"I'm sorry, Fred." She was looking past him, a small smile on her face. "I think Viktor's waiting for me."

"Already?" George exclaimed, seeing the flash of disappointment in Fred's eyes. "He's not been gone five minutes."

"Mm. He's a very attentive date." She sounded distracted. "Thanks for the dance, George."

As they watched her walk away, George couldn't help himself from exploding into laughter.

"That's some stiff competition, mate."


The Gryffindor Common Room, 1995


Hermione was curled up on a couch, book in hand, when Fred finally stepped through the portrait and into the common room. She sprung up immediately at the sound, calling him over. He looked mildly surprised, but obliged. He watched her carefully as she put a small bowl on the table and began to pour from a small vial.

"Ron told me you had lines with Umbridge." She gestured to the bowl, now full with a blue liquid. "Soak your hand. It'll help."

"Oh?" Fred looked curiously at her as he gingerly unwrapped his poor attempt at a bandage. He exhaled loudly as he submerged his hand. "Oh. Hermione, that's brilliant. Thank you."

"Murtlap Essence." Hermione smiled wryly. "I'm surprised you haven't come across it before... given your experiments."

Fred laughed quietly. "We've had our fair share of bruises, but so far we have managed to avoid open wounds. Surprising, I know."

She hummed her agreement, gently pulling his hand out of the essence and patting it with a small towel.

"George and I are leaving." Her hand stilled on his, and he continued, "Leaving school, I mean."

"Leaving to open your shop?" She sounded almost thoughtful as she put the towel to the side and said, "It'll be nice to see some cheer in town."

"Didn't think you'd approve."

She frowned. "Then why'd you tell me?"

Fred blinked. He wasn't sure what had possessed him to say it. They hadn't told anyone except Lee yet, and that was only because they'd been trying desperately to convince him to go with them. He looked, distracted, at his hand. The words were still there, but the angry red had faded to a subtle pink.

"Does it feel better?"

"Yeah. It does. Thanks." His eyes darted to dormitory stairs. "Uh, it's late. Maybe I should head upstairs. George'll be waiting up for me."

"Yeah, I should probably head up too."

Fred immediately sprung up and made his way across the room.

"Fred?" Hermione called out. She waited for him to face her again before continuing, "At least make a good show of it, will you?"

He grinned. "Always."


Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, 1996


"You know, that really is extraordinary magic!"

Fred looked down at her from the staircase, grinning. "For that, Hermione, you can one for free." He bounded down the stairs, and gave her a gentle nudge. "Go on. Take it."

"Can I really?" she asked, voice still full of wonder. In the palm of her hand sat a Patented Daydream Charm. "Giving things away for free isn't a very good business model, you know."

"Don't worry." Fred leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "We charged Ron at least double, so I'm sure we can spare at least one gift for a friend."

Hermione laughed and pocketed the charm. "When you put it like that, how can I refuse?"

"I will, however, expect a very thorough review," he said, winking at her.

"Oh, don't be so lewd." But there was no bite in her tone. "You'll have to tell me how you did it."

"Maybe. Can't reveal all my secrets, Granger." He nodded after Ginny, who had deftly navigated her way through the crowded store and was making her way quickly to the front door. "You should…"

"...go." Hermione smiled up at him. "Yeah. See you later, Fred."


Bill and Fleur's Wedding, 1997


"Care to dance?"

Hermione laughed, taking his hand. "Only if you promise not to make me look like a bumbling idiot."

"Never." He pulled her hands around his neck, and then placed his on her waist. "Good?"

"Good."

The two danced around the room together, falling into easy chatter about the wedding. How radiant Fleur looked in white. How Molly hadn't taken a moment to stop fussing. How Ginny and Harry had been stealing secret glances from each other all night.

"We're leaving soon," Hermione said hesitantly. "I don't know when, but…"

"...probably soon," Fred finished. He looked down at her, offering a hopeful smile. "I don't suppose you can tell me where you're going."

Her fingers mindlessly curled at the hair on the nape of his neck. "I don't really know, to be honest."

"You wouldn't tell me if you did though."

"I wouldn't," Hermione agreed. "But I would want to."

Later, when Shacklebolt's Patronus burst into the tent and announced the death of Scrimgeour, Fred pushed Hermione towards Harry.

"Go," he shouted, his eyes already scanning the room for his younger brother. "Over there! Grab him and go."


Shell Cottage, 1998


"You're not supposed to be here," Hermione said quietly, smiling weakly up at him.

Fred sat, cautious, on the edge of the bed. His fingers intertwined with hers, his thumb rubbing slow circles on the back of her hand. "Don't you want me here?"

"Of course I want you here." Her eyes began to well with tears. "Fred, it was...I was so scared. She—"

"I know." He glanced for a moment at her bandaged arm, before forcing himself to look back at her face. He wasn't used to seeing her look so frail...so small. "I know. You should rest."

"Can you stay long?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Not long," Fred replied, hesitant. "Bill reckons I should head out by morning, but maybe I can—"

"No. It's okay." She bit on her lower lip. "Can you stay until I fall asleep?"

Fred smiled, giving her hand a squeeze. "Yeah. Of course."


The Battle of Hogwarts, 1998


When the wall crumbled, Hermione couldn't help from crying out. She hit the ground between Percy and Ron, all the three of them scrambling to remove the debris. Harry stood over them, throwing up shields and hexing any Death Eaters that got close. It was only when she could see Fred's chest, still faintly rising and falling, that Hermione felt herself begin to breathe again.

"Hermione..." Ron knelt next to her, trying to keep his voice from wobbling. "He's alive. We need to go."

But Hermione paid him no heed. She was too focused on trying to hold her hand steady as she pressed her wand against Fred's wounds, muttering as many healing spells as she could remember in quick succession.

"I can handle this," Percy assured her, pointing the tip of his wand next to hers and following her movements. "Hermione, I can do this."

"Hermione!" Ron shouted. He grabbed her arm and pulled her up to her feet. "Hermione! Focus. We have to go. We have to kill the snake. We have to go."

"Okay!" Hermione's hand gripped tightly onto Ron's shoulder. "Okay. But we need to move him. Just let me move him. Please."

"She's right," Harry called, blue light shooting from his wand. "He'll need cover."

Ron and Percy moved quickly, Ron hooking elbows hands under Fred's underarms and Percy grabbing his legs. Stumbling over the rubble, they carried him towards a small cavity. Hermione looked it over and gave a nod.

"Okay."

"Now we go," Ron said. He slipped his hand in hers and tugged her away.

Hermione nodded, following easily, but her eyes were still on the alcove. "Now we go."


St. Mungo's Hospital, 1998


Time in hospitals seemed to pass much more slowly than it did anywhere else. Fred's eyes stayed closed for just one month, but for those huddled in his hospital room leaning against the stark white walls or curled on hastily transfigured couches, the month of May felt like years.

With each day after his eyes flickered open, the daily crowd in the room began to get smaller and smaller. Eventually, there were two seats left. One for George. One for Hermione. And if either seat got cold, a guilt-ridden Percy was always nearby to fill it.

"Mum wants us to come by the Burrow tonight," Percy said to George. "Just dinner. She sounded worried."

George's response was instant. "You go. I can't leave."

"Georgie, I'm not going anywhere." Fred looked imploringly at his twin. "You should go. Eat. Sleep. You look like shit."

"Fred..."

"George. I'll be here when you get back. Promise."

But George did not look convinced. If anything, he looked even more determined to resist.

Hermione hovered by the door. "You go, George. I'll stay."

"None of you need to stay," Fred insisted. "It's just a few hours. I won't even get out of bed. Hell, I'll probably fall asleep the second you leave. All this chat is very tiring, you know."

"I want to stay," Hermione murmured. Then, with a small smile, she said, "At least until you fall asleep."

He faltered at her words. "Fine. Hermione stays. Just until I fall asleep."


The Leaky Cauldron, 2000


Fred picked at his chips, listening with interest as Hermione happily chatted about her day so far. She had only been at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for one week, but already the young witch seemed to finding her feet.

"I can already see so many opportunities," Hermione gushed. "I really think I could make a difference, Fred. For elves like Dobby...for people like Remus..."

"If anyone can do it, it's you."

"I hope so." Hermione glanced down at her watch. "Oh..."

"Gotta get back to work, eh?" Fred put up his hand when she opened her mouth. "Don't apologise. It's your first week. I know you want to make a good impression."

She pursed her lips, frustrated. "But I didn't even get to hear about your improvements to the Shield Hats."

"Maybe I could tell you about it over dinner tonight."

"Yeah." Hermione grinned brightly at him. "That sounds great."

"Great," Fred echoed. Then, smiling, "I guess it's a date."

"I guess it is." She pressed her lips to his cheek before pressing some galleons into his hands. "See you then."


The Flat Above Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, 2001


Fred watched Hermione, amused as she paced back and forth.

"Don't laugh at me," she snapped. "I'm nervous!"

"Yeah, I can see that," Fred replied, still chuckling. "But I don't know why. It's just dinner at the Burrow."

Hermione stood with her hands on his hips, glaring at him. "Yes. But we're going to dinner at the Burrow. Together."

"Something we've done hundreds of times." Noticing her frown deepen, he continued, "Come on, you're not exactly meeting the parents, Hermione."

"We've never gone together. As a couple."

"And that worries you." He leaned against the doorframe. "Why does that worry you?"

"I..." Hermione trailed off. "I don't really know."

At this, he erupted into laughter. Before she could scold him, he crossed the room towards her. "It's going to be fine, Hermione. You're practically family already. If we're happy—and I have it on good authority that we make each other very happy—they'll be happy."

"Right."

"Besides, I'm pretty sure everyone already knows," Fred mused. "George, obviously. Ginny, again, obviously. Bill saw me with you at Shell Cottage. Percy saw you with me at the hospital. Ron...well, even Ron can't be that dense. Really it's just the parents, and I reckon they suspect something too."

"We weren't actually dating all that time," she protested, but he could see the tension in her shoulders slowly slipping away.

He shrugged. "Doesn't change that they know. But look, we can skip it if you don't want to go. No big deal."

"No. We should go." Hermione shook her head. "You're right. It'll be fine."

"Brilliant." Fred placed his hands on her waist, readying himself to Apparate. He waited patiently for her to place hers on his shoulders. "Let's go."