Chapter Ten
Hermione was walking slowly back from Hagrid's. She had spent the past hour trying to explain to him about Umbridge and how he needed to follow Grubblyplank's lesson plan, but it had all fallen on deaf ears. She looked up at the castle, which made an impressive sight silhouetted against the grey clouds. She was so happy that Hagrid was home, so glad he was safe- but for how long? Umbridge was bound to target him, what with her obsession with half breeds. Hot hate bubbled up in her as she thought of the old hag. She thought of her plans for the secret defence group, Dumbledores Army, and smiled to herself. As she walked, her thoughts drifted as they often did, to Fred Weasley. Madam Pomphrey had commented on Fred's presence the night she had passed out, asking if he was going to collect her in the morning, and that he had seemed quite worried about her, stayed by her side for hours. Hermione tried to picture Fred as he sat by her bed and the thought filled her with a warm glow. She was fast running out of reasons to stay away from him. Ron's behaviour, far from encouraging her to fall in love with him, had done the exact opposite.
Dumbledore Army was turning out to be a huge success. Hermione beamed around the room as she watched how far everyone had come. Harry was a brilliant teacher and even if he needed small prompts from her every now and then, he had managed to get the respect of everyone in the room. Especially Cho Chang, who she noticed couldn't take her eyes off him. She smiled to herself as she looked over at Fred, who was partnered with Neville as they practiced the jelly legs jinx. Neville was rolling around the floor his legs flopping in a totally uncoordinated way as both he and Fred roared with laughter. Feeling her eyes on him he looked up and winked. She blushed and returned to perform the counter jinx on Ron who was also rolling around on the floor. Ron hadn't tried to kiss Hermione again and the entire incident was being awkwardly ignored by both of them. She made sure to walk a few steps ahead of him whenever they were alone, and cut him off whenever he tried to talk to her. On the final DA meeting of the holiday, Ron had left chatting to Dean and Neville. Hermione hung back to walk back to the dormitory with Harry when she noticed Cho was also hanging back. Giving Harry a 'good luck' smile, she closed the door behind her. She was surprised to see Fred waiting just outside the room of requirement.
"Fancy some company?" he asked lightly. Hermione's heart constricted, this was the first time he had spoken to her since Grimmauld Place.
"Yes" she said, a slow smile spreading across her face. They walked together down the hallway, occasionally sneaking a glance at each other.
"Where's George?" She asked
"With Angelina," he replied with a smile "they are actually really good together"
They kept a safe distance between each other but Hermione could feel what felt like static joining them, trying to pull them closer to each other. When they reached the tapestry that hid the alcove Fred had once pulled her into they both stopped and looked at each other. Hermione's breathing was shallow as she looked up at him- his blue eyes fixed on her own hazel ones. Her heart was pounding so hard she felt certain Fred must be able to hear it. Fred held up his hand, palm facing her, she mirrored the movement and they paused, hands held an inch apart. Her entire palm felt like it had a form of pins and needles, but it wasn't an unpleasant feeling. It sent tingling shivers up her arm and down her back.
"Do you feel that?" whispered Fred.
"Yes… What is it?" Hermione said in wonder.
"I don't know" said Fred looking confused. They heard footsteps approaching and Fred smartly stepped back away from her. Harry came into sight looking slightly dazed.
"Oh, hey" he sent absently as he walked between them. With one last look at each other, they followed him through the portrait into the common room.
