Fourth Year (part one)

~o0o~

It was raining.

The sky hung dark and heavy as streams of water fell into pools on the ground, puddles which surfaces were disrupted by the quick feet of students hurrying out of their carriages into the castle.

From where she stood outside Hermione heard someone cackle loudly.

Peeves, ever welcoming, was throwing water balloons at people, and when Fred, George and Lee emerged from their carriage, they were just in time to see one hit Ron.

"Brilliant, Peeves is starting off the year well, "said George.

Fred didn't answer, but muttered a spell and flicked his wand. Following the direction in which he'd pointed she saw that he was making the balloon that had been headed mini 'Mione's way land with a 'splash' at Harry's feet instead.

The sweet gesture barely had time to register in her mind when Hermione went from standing by the castle's entrance to standing in the Great Hall.

A quick observation told her that Dumbledore had announced the Triwizard Tournament a moment earlier. And it also seemed like the students had learned about the age limit.

"They can't do that!" said George, who had not joined the crowd moving toward the door, but was standing up and glaring at Dumbledore. "We're seventeen in April, why can't we have a shot?"

"They're not stopping me entering," said Fred stubbornly, also scowling at the top table. "The champions'll get to do all sorts of stuff you'd never be allowed to do normally. And a thousand Galleons prize money!"

At the time, Hermione had assumed the twins were after the money for the same reason as Ron, who at the moment was sighing at the prospect of having more money. Now, she knew they had been in need of starting capital for their shop. They were upset because they wanted to use the money to develop their idea. She admired them for that ambition. In some ways, always had, even when she was younger. If only she'd been able to look past them stealing toilet seats…

'Mione began leading them out of the Great Hall, sad for the Weasleys' sake and their financial troubles.

"Who's this impartial judge who's going to decide who the champions are?" said Harry.

"Dunno," said Fred. "But it's them we'll have to fool. I reckon a couple of drops of Aging Potion might do it, George…"

"Dumbledore knows you're not of age, though," said Ron.

"Yeah, but he's not the one who decides who the champion is, is he?" said Fred shrewdly. "Sounds to me like once this judge knows who wants to enter, he'll choose the best from each school and never mind how old they are, Dumbledore's trying to stop us giving our names."

"People have died, though!" said 'Mione in a worried voice as they walked through a door concealed behind a tapestry and started up another, narrower staircase.

"Yeah," said Fred airily.

The first time around, Hermione thought his light attitude had been due to his reckless nature, but knowing what she knew now…the way his face lit up, while with a hint of smugness…

Oh dear, he's overjoyed that I care whether he lives or dies…

Hermione rubbed her forehead in incredulity, laughing.

"But that was years ago, wasn't it?" Fred continued. "Anyway, where's the fun without a bit of risk?"

On the other hand, he might just be reckless…

Her younger self stared at him pointedly, still concerned. He broke their eye-contact. "Hey, Ron," Fred said, turning to his brother. "What if we find out how to get 'round Dumbledore? Fancy entering?"

Next thing she knew, Fred, George and Lee were walking into the Great Hall.

Rather difficult to keep up when these things switch so abruptly, she thought and turned her attention to the boys.

"That was the coolest lesson we've ever had!" said Lee.

"Can't wait for the next one," said George.

They walked to the Gryffindor table, only to have 'Mione rush past them.

"Where's the fire, Granger?" said Fred, grinning.

She swished her thick hair around. "The library!"

He kept his smile going, and Hermione noticed he chose to sit down at the seat she'd just vacated. "Moody!" he said to Ron and Harry. "How cool is he?"

The people blurred but the environment remained. Only difference was that Hermione was standing by another side of the table.

"Shame it didn't work, but we'll find another way to get money," Fred assured his brother.

George rubbed his chin. "Maybe I shouldn't have let Madam Pomfrey shave the beard. I was growing rather fond of it."

Fred chuckled.

"So, we both agreed Krum over there will be Durmstrang's champion," George pointed to Viktor, entering with Karkaroff, just ahead of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

The latter three started for the Gryffindor table, where Fred and George sat.

"Yeah, but Lee was talking about some bloke called Belikov, whoever that is," said Fred and rolled his eyes. "I'm not sure about Beauxbatons though, are you?"

"For once; no. I have no clue. Who d'you reckon will be Hogwarts'?"

"Hope it's Angelina," said Fred as the trio sat down.

Her younger self leaned in excitedly and Hermione blushed.

Had I no shame?

"So do I!" 'Mione told him breathlessly. "Well, we'll soon know!"

Fred looked almost grateful when she withdrew and then directed her attention to the Feast. He, at least, seemed to have been aware of their closeness.

The surroundings changed completely now.

Fred, George, Ron and Lee were seated at a table at the Three Broomsticks.

The boys joked around, but Ron was looking slightly grumpy. Hermione realized this was during the time he was convinced Harry had entered the tournament without him. He had been trailing after his older brothers a lot back then. She wondered how they'd managed to not hex each other when they otherwise would bicker about every single thing after only five seconds of interacting.

"I overheard the girls talking about that article," said Lee. "D'you reckon it's true? I mean, Ron, you would know right?"

Ron only grunted something unintelligible in response.

Fred and George shook their heads, laughing. "You're acting like our mother. There are more interesting things than gossip, Lee," said George. "Who cares if Harry and Granger are snogging in the back of the library?"

Fred put down his butterbeer.

"You know they're not, right?" he told their younger brother who was clutching his own bottle, mouth set in a firm grimace. The twins exchanged worried glances, while Lee was turning his head, observing the other customers.

"Yeah," said Ron finally.

Fred did not look convinced. In fact, Hermione thought he looked worried.

A gust of wind swept through the pub, and through the door came memory Hermione, seemingly alone.

Real Hermione, however, remembered that, unbeknownst to the others, Harry also was there; only he was hidden under his invisibility cloak.

"Why does she sit all by herself?" said Lee.

Ron grumbled. He appeared to have realized she wasn't actually alone.

"Now that's just sad," continued Lee. "She's scribbling in that Spew book of hers."

"Should we call her over?" said Fred, ignoring his twin's smirk.

Ron took a swig of butterbeer. "Don't bother," he muttered.

"Okay…"

The other three eyed him. Fred looked even more worried than earlier, and Hermione wondered why. Surely it couldn't all be because of Ron? As his brother, he must've been privy to his childish behavior before. Family and friends knew that this was just Ron lashing out, so how come Fred looked like he had a really bad stomach ache?

Maybe because he doesn't know what Ron's actually bad-tempered about…He doesn't know Harry's under an invisibility cloak…

The pub turned into a Hogwarts corridor and Hermione hurried to catch up with the twins. She was beginning to get better at keeping up with the shifts.

"-I'm just saying, what's been with you lately? It's like last year, when you avoided her. Sure, she was biting everyone's heads off at the time, but now you're almost ignoring her-"

"We've been busy with Bagman," Fred snapped. "Excuse me if I've been otherwise occupied." Then he slowed down and rubbed his neck. "And...you saw Ron. I think he fancies her, George."

George sighed. "Does it matter? The miserable sod probably won't realize it, and he'll keep treating her like dragon dung because he has the mentality of a five year old. You, meanwhile, have it so bad that you don't even comment on her Spew thing-"

"It's S.P.E.W," Fred began but stopped when this only appeared to make his twin more exasperated. "Never mind, and I didn't join, remember?"

"And thank Merlin for that, but I do recall when she went on one of her tirades, that you, Fred Weasley, the king of talking, went quiet as a mouse, staring at your bacon."

Fred sighed. "And you went on to ramble-"

"-I only told the truth. The house-elves like serving us."

"I know."

Hermione glared at them, despite knowing she wasn't visible to anyone here. She would have to have a talk with George about elf rights again.

She followed their steps down to the kitchen, and was taken aback as always at the sound of a dozen excited squeaks greeting them.

"Masters!"

"Hello, everyone," Fred and George greeted the house-elves.

"What can we do for you today, Masters Weasley?"

"How many times do we have to ask you to call us Fred and George, Dotty?"

The house-elf smiled. "At least a hundred more, sirs."

Fred laughed. "Very well, then. D'you mind whipping up some food and drink for the Gryffindor tower, Dotty? We're having a bit of a celebration."

"Certainly!"

After getting their food, the twins (and real Hermione) headed for the common room, but instead of using the way they'd come from, they turned a sharp left down the corridor. They paused by a tapestry and tapped a few bricks next to it with their wands. A hole appeared and they went through it, like it was nothing. It sealed itself behind them and after just a few minutes of walking up a flight of stairs, the boys emerged through another tapestry and Hermione noted they were now only two hallways away from the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"You should get a move on though, Fred," said George as they kept walking, appearing to be continuing their conversation from before. "At least talk to the girl. Be civil."

Fred only scrunched his nose.

They stepped through the portrait hole, arms full of food and Hermione watched as people cheered.

It didn't take long until Harry, Ron and she herself entered, and had the room fill with even more cheers. Lee let out some fireworks which sparkled nicely against the banner Dean Thomas had made.

She watched as their fellow Gryffindor's urged Harry to open the golden egg he'd won from beating the Hungarian Horntail during the first task. Harry complied.

A horrible noise filled the room.

Holy Circe, Hermione thought and clutched her hands to her ears.

"Shut it!" Fred bellowed, his ears also covered.

Harry slammed the egg shut.

When the shock of having their eardrums tortured subsided, the others began interpreting the eggs meaning and trying to figure out what the second task could be. As the speculating voices filled the room, Fred grabbed a plate of desserts. He glanced to where Hermione sat, took a deep breath, and put on a polite smile.

"Want a jam tart, Hermione?" he said.

Though but of age fifteen, she'd known better than to trust a Weasley twin. Especially when he suddenly called her by her first name.

At least now I finally know why…

Her younger self looked doubtfully at the plate he was offering her. Fred grinned.

"It's all right," he said. "I haven't done anything to them. It's the custard creams you've got to watch-"

Neville, having just taken a bite out of a custard cream, choked and spat it out. Fred laughed.

"Just my little joke, Neville…"

No, Hermione realized. He wasn't just joking around…he was being nice to me…

Her younger self took a jam tart. Then she said, "Did you get all of this from the kitchen, Fred?"

"Yep," said Fred, grinning at her again. He seemed happy she continued speaking to him. In a high-pitched voice he began imitating a house-elf. "'Anything we can get you, sir, anything at all!' They're dead helpful…get me a roast ox if I said I was peckish."

"How do you get in there?" mini 'Mione asked him, in a casual sort of voice.

"Easy," said Fred. "Concealed door behind a painting of a bowl of fruit. Just tickle the pear, and it giggles and-" He stopped and looked at her suspiciously. "Why?"

"Nothing," she said quickly, hiding her blushing face behind a curtain of curls.

Fred grinned.

"Going to try and lead the house-elves out on a strike now, are you?" said George, who'd been standing nearby, obviously happy that his twin had taken his advice. "Going to give up all the leaflet stuff and try and stir them up into rebellion?"

Several people chortled. 'Mione didn't answer.

That had actually been my plan, silly as it might have sounded…Though, I still fail to see how it's funny…

"Don't you go upsetting them and telling them they've got to take clothes and salaries!" said Fred warningly, but Hermione could spot the teasing glint in his eyes. "You'll put them off their cooking!"

Then, an outburst of shocked exclamations followed by ones of hilarity as Neville turned into a large canary.

"Oh- sorry, Neville!" Fred shouted over the laughter, "I forgot-it was the custard creams we hexed-"

When he spotted 'Mione laughing along, Fred's grin grew even wider.

Neville turned back into a human after a moment and was equally as entertained as the rest of the house.

"Canary Creams!" Fred shouted to the excitable crowd. "George and I invented them- seven sickles each, a bargain!"

The scene shifted.

The boys were in their dorm, and the discarded watch on one of the nightstands told her that it was two in the morning.

It was the first time Hermione saw the twins' dorm. It was very similar to how Harry and Ron's room had looked.

I suppose it's a boy thing to be messy.

Kenneth Towler had already pulled his curtains, but Fred, George and Lee were chatting excitedly.

"You sold plenty of the creams today," said the Quidditch commentator.

"Yeah, who knew Neville eating one would help us market them," said George.

Lee yawned and bid them good night. He pulled his curtains closed and short thereafter, tiny snores were heard.

Fred and George lay down on their beds, their own curtains opened just enough so they could keep talking.

"Thank you," said Fred.

"For what?"

Fred didn't answer but George gave a nod in understanding. "She seemed to have fun. You make her laugh, you know."

Hermione swore she saw Fred's cheeks turn scarlet. "We make everyone laugh."

"Yeah, but she's not everyone. It matters. And she makes you smile too."

"Since when d'you become such a romantic?"

Now George turned silent.

Fred looked at his twin. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Ang-"

"Oh, would you look at the time. Best sleep. Night, Fred," said George and closed the final gap.

The walls dematerialized to quickly be rebuilt differently.

Hermione looked around. It was another late one in the Gryffindor common room.

Fred and George whispered to each other as they emerged from the door leading to the boy's dormitories.

"We could use another owl," said George.

"Well, I suppose…let's find our brother then," said Fred.

They scanned the room.

"But it might take weeks to work it out!" said Hermione, sitting by a table with Ron and Harry. "You're going to look a real idiot if everyone else knows what the next task is and you don't!"

"Leave him alone, Hermione, he's earned a bit of a break," said Ron. He placed two cards from his deck of Exploding Snap on top of his castle of cards and the whole lot blew up, singeing his eyebrows.

Fred snickered. "Brilliant."

He and George approached the trio.

"Nice look Ron…go well with your dress robes, that will," said Fred.

They sat down at the table with the fourth years, while Ron touched his face, trying to appraise the damage.

"Ron, can we borrow Pigwidgeon?" asked George.

"No, he's off delivering a letter." said Ron. "Why?"

"Because George wants to invite him to the ball," said Fred sarcastically.

Both Hermione's grinned, both unnoticed by the others.

"Because we want to send a letter, your stupid great prat," said George.

Ron narrowed his eyes on the twins. "Who d'you keep writing to, eh?"

"Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you too," said Fred, waving his wand threateningly.

Ron soured, while Harry kept watching the exchange, his book lying forgotten in his lap. Fred's gaze drifted over them quickly, lingering slightly on Hermione's younger self.

"So…" he began, changing the subject. "You lot got dates for the ball yet?"

"Nope," said Ron.

"Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone," said Fred.

"Who're you going with, then?" said Ron, his eyes quickly darted to where 'Mione sat. Apparently, he hadn't forgotten about the hot chocolate incident.

Fred noticed his brother's stare. "Angelina," he said. He wasn't blushing, but looked rather calm about taking a girl to the ball.

Hermione found she thought he behaved quite maturely, and recalled having been impressed by this at fifteen as well. Even Viktor had appeared nervous when asking her, and he'd been older than Fred.

"What?" said Ron, taken aback. "You've already asked her?"

"Good point," said Fred. He turned and called across the room. "Oy! Angelina!"

And there went that maturity again, Hermione thought but laughed just the same. Her counterpart, however, was scowling at the loud Weasley twin.

Angelina and Alicia, who had been talking near the fire, looked over at their teammate.

"What?"

"Do you want to go to the ball with me?"

Angelina gave Fred an appraising look. She agreed and turned back to Alicia, continuing their chatting.

"There you go, piece of cake," Fred told Harry and Ron. He avoided looking at 'Mione, though.

Interesting…

He got up, gave a yawn which Hermione observed as fake, and said, "We'd better use a school owl then, George, come on…"

They climbed out the portrait hole.

Blimey, Hermione had forgotten all about George. She paced next to the twins as they made their way to the Owlery. George had been surprisingly quiet during the whole exchange and now she saw the way the boy clenched his jaw.

They began climbing the steps leading to the owls when George stopped, causing his brother to stagger into him.

"What was that, Fred?"

"What was what?" said Fred as he grabbed the railing.

"Don't play stupid with me! Why didn't you tell me you were planning on inviting Angie?"

"Angie, is it now?"

The glare George shot over his shoulder wiped out whatever grin that had been spreading through Fred's face.

Fred rubbed his neck. "Well…it wasn't entirely planned, if you get me. So there was no real time for me to tell you."

George sighed. "Are you honestly saying you invited her on a whim?"

Fred shrugged. "She's a nice girl, sure you'd agree. And it would probably be the most fun to attend the ball with one of your best friends."

Something about the last word made George snap out of whatever temper he'd been in. He blinked as if realizing how he had behaved, and got very red.

"Yeah," he said, continuing up the steps, his back turned to Fred and Hermione.

Fred smiled, looking as if he'd just had a theory confirmed. He followed his brother up the stairs. "And I wanted to show the boys that it's not that big of a deal, of course. They need guidance."

George laughed. "I'm sure you inspired them. Knowing Ron, he'll probably shout at the girl he's asking, too."

They reached the top.

"I didn't shout," said Fred.

"You literally shouted 'Oy' to her," George scanned for a school owl. "You know, you pretend to be this confident bloke, but you didn't even have the balls to ask Granger to the…well, Ball."

Fred took out a letter from his pocket and pointed it threateningly at his twin. "Hey! Do not drag my balls into this!"

George snatched the letter out of his hands and attached it to a barn owl wearing the school sigil. "Look, I know you're thinking about Ron's feelings and such, but I'm telling you that this was probably your chance. You could have spent the evening together, dancing close, and maybe end up under a mistletoe or two. Really sweep her off her feet."

"Who's to say she even would have said yes if I asked her?" Fred challenged, but then shook his head. "No, that's a silly question, of course she would have said yes."

George exhaled loudly. "No wonder you haven't made any progress! You're not scared, you're in fact so bloody confident that you won't even make a move! Blimey, Fred, maybe you should realize Granger's not going to wait around forever. Even Viktor Krum's been spending more time with her than you lately. From what I hear he's in the library all the time."

Fred muttered something that sounded pretty rude, but before Hermione had time to figure out exactly what it was, she was transported to a different location.

~o0o~

A/N: Greetings!
I just want to thank you for all of your kind reviews and tell you it means a lot to have you take the time and put into words how you feel when reading this story. And yay! I made you feel things!
And to all the new followers; hello! Awesome to have you join!

Next chapter is going to be the Yule ball and I can't wait to see your reactions!
Hope you enjoyed this one and thanks again!

Until next time!
/Primrue

P.S. We all lost an amazing actor yesterday, but the Harry Potter family also lost its Professor Snape…Rest in peace, Mr. Alan Rickman. You will be missed. Always.