Chapter five

The second task

Fred anxiously searched the surface of the lake pacing along the stands.

"Stop worrying Freddie, Ron will be fine. Dumbledores not about to let anything happen to him" George said to his twin. Fred grunted a reply but continued to search the black water. Sure, he was worried for Ron, but it was the thought of Hermione in the depths of the lake that was causing his such anxiety. He felt totally useless and heavily resented having to sit at the side whilst Krum attempted a daring rescue of 'the thing he would miss most'. His heart leapt into his throat when Cedric and Cho burst out of the water. Not Hermione. Where were they? They were well outside the time limit of one hour. Then, at last, Krums head broke the surface followed by Hermione. Her lips were blue and her face stark white. She watched as she gave Krum a shivering thanks and was pulled from the water by madam Pomphrey who promptly wrapped her in a blanket and forced pepper up potion down her throat. As he drank in her bedraggled features, steam pouring out of her ears he felt the tension ease out of him. She was okay. Now, where the hell was Ron and Harry?

Hermione walked down towards the quidditch pitch in the balmy summer air. The third task was a few days away and she had left Ron and Harry practicing the Reducto curse. Her mind was stewing over the problem of Rita Skeeter and how she was eavesdropping on private conversations when she heard a whooshing noise above her. Pulling out her wand she stepped into the shadows of the stands and stayed very still. She knew it was foolish to be wandering around at dusk alone, especially after what had happened to Mr Crouch, but she had needed some fresh air.

"Easy Granger" came an achingly familiar voice as Fred landed his broom a few paces away.

"You scared me" she said smiling at him.

"Not my intention" Fred replied with a grin. She arched an eyebrow at him.

"Ever get the sense of De Ja Vu?" she teased. Fred's grin grew wider remembering the night of the Yule Ball.

"What are you doing down here this late?" Fred asked

"Trying to clear my head"

"I think that would be impossible, for you"

"Yes, its starting to feel that way" she sighed. Fred stepped close to her and for a moment her heart jumped into her throat as she thought he would kiss her again, but instead he grabbed her arm and pulled her onto his broom and took off, rocketing up into the sky.

"Fred!" Hermione shrieked as she clung onto him. Laughing Fred soared out over the destroyed quidditch pitch, with its 20ft hedgerows and skimmed over the trees of the forbidden forest. The sun had just set and the light had that mysterious feel about it as darkness began to close in. Hermione's racing heart slowed as she realised she wasn't going to fall off and she relaxed a little, into Fred's arms. She laughed out loud as the wind rushed through her hair and heard Fred laugh behind her. He circled an area at the farthest edge of the forest, right near the Hogwarts boundary and gently set them down in a clearing. It was dark in the forest, the blackness between the trees was impenetrable. She muttered "Lumos" and her wand lit. Fred gently lay his hand over hers and said "nox" extinguishing the light. He held his finger up to his lips, indicating she should be quiet and took her hand. Slowly he led her through the trees towards the sound of running water. The edged around trunks, eyes trying to pierce the gloom. Hermione was surprised at how clear the ground was here- hardly any brambles. It didn't take them long to reach the source of the sound. A small waterfall that cascaded down mossy rocks into a crystal clear pool. Fred pulled her to a fallen tree at the edge and settled back against it, pulling her down with him.

"Fred.. wh-" she began.

"Shhh, just wait" He whispered.

A few moments later tiny lights began to appear in the bushes as the fairies woke up. One by one they fluttered out of their homes and began swooping and spinning over the surface of the pond in an intricate dance.

"Oh my" breathed Hermione.

A few fairies came over to where they sat and flittered about their heads making Hermione laugh, fairy dust sprinkled down onto them and settled on their hair and eyelashes. Hermione looked at Fred and beamed at him.

"This is wonderful" She said "Thank you" Fred smiled at her and pulled her close to him as they continued to watch the fairies sky dance. They stayed there until all the fairies had left and the darkness descended again. Then silently got up and walked hand in hand back to Fred broomstick.