Chapter Two
Over the next few weeks Hermione found her mind drifting more and more to Fred Weasley. She found her eyes searching the common room each evening for him as she read a book by the fire. He was more often than not with George and Lee, occasionally joined by Angelina, Katie Bell and Alicia. She watched him as they sold their merchandise for Weasleys Wizard Wheezes and she watched as Alicia threw him glowing looks. Frowning at the pages of her book she scolded herself. She had no right feel jealous. Fred was a perfect liberty to date whomever he wanted. She was two years younger than him after all and Alicia was a very pretty quidditch player.
"Hermione?!"
She jumped and looked up to see Harry staring at her.
"Are you coming?" he asked.
"Oh, yes, just give me a moment to put my books away" she stacked her books in a neat pile and waved her wand so they disappeared. She joined Harry and Ron as they clambered out of the portrait hole and headed down to the feast. Tonight was the night that the delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were to arrive. Fred and George caught up with them and Ron quickly dragged George into his and Harry's conversation about how the foreigners would be arriving. Hermione fell back to walk with Fred.
"Hey" she said shyly with a small smile.
"Hey yourself" he answered, "how is the elf rights liberation front going?"
Hermione frowned slightly, "not good to be honest. No-one seems at all interested in actually helping them, a few people have bought badges but I need to think bigger. I'm currently drafting a letter to the department of magical creatures, but I'm not sure how far that will get me. You heard about how Mr Diggory treated Winky at the world Cup?"
"Well, if anyone can change his mind it will be you"
Hermione looked up at him and they smiled at each other.
"Oi Fred!" called Ron "don't you agree with me that Durmstrang will be arriving on dragons?" Fred flashed Hermione a quick grin as he jogged to catch up with the others, "Not a chance. Durmstrang will be coming in a flying ship."
