Fourth Year (part 2)

~o0o~

The sudden burst of sunlight blinded her temporarily, but the shrieks and laughter echoing across the grounds were received quite clearly.

Hermione blinked and waited for her eyes to adjust. The weather was very similar to the one she had experienced earlier that afternoon in real life; a fresh coat of snow lying mostly untouched and the sky empty of clouds. The exception was that her view now included Harry and the Weasleys engaging in a snow ball fight.

Harry was chased at the moment by Ron throwing snowballs at him, the latter howling a battle cry worthy any Centaur, while the former did his best to keep his friend at bay.

Hermione smiled as Harry narrowly dodged one of the snowballs, but in doing so lost his footing and stumbled into Ginny. He clutched the redhead for balance as she blushed.

"Sorry," he said.

Ginny gazed into his green eyes, her face scarlet. Then, she snapped to, took the snowball in her hand and crushed it against the top of Harry's head. "That's all right."

They laughed.

Removing her attention from the most certainly future Mr. and Mrs. Potter, Hermione spotted herself sitting down on an aged bench. Her nose was red from the cold.

"Granger, you'll freeze if you stay put like that," said Fred, who stood a few paces away.

Her younger counterpart merely cocked her head to the side and conjured one of their signature blue flames, and put it in a jar.

"Always got to have the last word, don't you?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, that would be you, Fred."

He grinned. "Oh! Right you are."

He rejoined the fight when Ginny sent him a ball of snow to the stomach and the others continued throwing and hexing snow at each other and managed to build several forts before 'Mione decided to head back to the castle.

"I'm going to go get ready for the ball," she said.

Ginny stopped sending snow at Fred for a second to tell her she would join her later.

"What, you need three hours?" said Ron to mini Hermione. A large snowball hit him on the side of the head. George prepared to send him another one, when Ron continued, yelling after her now, "Who're you going with?"

She left without answering.

"Ouch," he said when she disappeared. He glared at the others. "Which one of you gits was it?"

"Charming, Ron. And you wonder why she won't tell you," said Ginny.

"You know it then, Gin?" said Fred.

She raised an eyebrow at her brother. "Yes. But it's her business, so you won't be any more successful getting it out of me."

"Oh, really?"

The twins took it as a challenge and soon snow was once more flying all over the place, starting the whole snowball war again.

The white was traded for red.

Harry just passed through the common room with Parvati, and Hermione saw Fred give the nervous boy a wink.

When Harry, Parvati and Ron were out the portrait hole, Angelina came out of the girls' dorm wearing a gorgeous, dark purple dress.

Her date let out a low whistle.

"Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming; you look absolutely stunning, Miss Johnson," said Fred and took her hand.

She grinned at the compliment. "Don't get any ideas, Mr. Weasley. As fun as I imagine this evening will be, I'm only doing this as a favour."

They were out into the hallway now.

Fred blinked at her. "You sure know how to bruise a man's heart, don't you?"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You know we're only going as friends. Not to mention you looked so desperate when you asked me, I couldn't help but take pity on you. And I might also have seen it as a chance to get even from when you got me the library book and needless to say; I took it."

Fred laughed. "That's a shame. I had another favour in mind, relating to my brother and Hogsmeade actually…" He trailed off and watched her reaction.

Slightly red, the Gryffindor Chaser avoided his hinting stare. "Oh, speaking of your brother; there's George and Katie!"

They spotted George and his date standing in the Entrance Hall. It was packed but Hermione supposed that the red hair made them easy to distinguish from the crowd.

"Ange, you look amazing," Katie Bell beamed at her friend when they approached. "Doesn't she, George?"

George smiled brightly. "Yes, she really does."

Katie and Fred exchanged knowing looks.

"Thank you," Angelina said. "You too."

Hermione wasn't sure whether she was referring to George or Katie, but gave the matter no further thought as she instead couldn't help but marvel at seeing them all so young; it made her heart soar and ache at the same time. Every other second, Angelina and George's pained expressions would unbiddenly flash before her eyes, a cruel reminder that as soon as she plunged out of the Pensieve, those were the faces she would see, not these bright ones.

"Let's go find Lee and Alicia so we can get this party started," said Fred. He held his arm out to Angelina who took it.

She leaned into his ear as the group began to walk. "I forgot to mention, I saw Hermione earlier. She looked amazing too."

Fred coughed loudly and some people around them turned their heads. "I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered.

Angelina raised one of her dark eyebrows. "No wonder you boys get caught all the time. You are horrible liars."

"No, that's just Fred, really," said George in front of them.

Angelina smiled, while Fred aimed a playful punch at his brother.

The scene switched.

"Roasted potatoes! You know, I could get used to this," said George as he watched the food appear on his plate.

Angelina and Katie laughed. Lee was sitting on George's other side, busy being scolded by Alicia for taking her pork chops.

Fred, who sat next to Angelina, looked at the top table. His date traced his stare.

"Wow, I think that's the first time I've seen Krum even close to smiling," she said.

"Surprising, since that means he's either deaf or the only other house-elf activist in the world," said George, chewing on a piece of chicken.

Katie laughed.

"Don't be mean," said Angelina, but her grin betrayed her.

"Never would have suspected he was the one who asked Hermione, though, got to admit," said Katie.

Fred smiled. "She looks like she's having a good time."

Angelina and George traded a worried glance.

George leaned in, careful to avoid having the others overhear. "Are you sure you're all right, Freddie? You know, about her going with Krum?"

"'Course," he answered. "She deserves to relax and have a good time."

George frowned. "You are being scarily mature right now for someone who's been pining for her these past months."

Fred waved him off and ordered a plate of pork chops for Lee. Alicia thanked him, relieved to have her plate to herself again.

The tables disappeared and Hermione knocked into several people. Or rather, through several people.

The Weird Sisters were playing a rather fast and upbeat song, and the crowd danced enthusiastically.

Next to her, Fred offered his hand to his date. "How about we give them a show, Ange?"

"Thought you'd never ask, Freddie."

They began spinning and twirling at great speed and were gradually creating an empty space around them: people looked afraid of getting too close and injure themselves. Hermione, needing not to worry about that, slightly jogged after the exuberant dancers.

They managed to steer their dancing whirlwind to where 'Mione and Viktor were dancing.

"You look beautiful, Hermione," called Angelina with a bright smile. The fourth year's cheeks turned red. Angelina grinned and when she came in from a twirl she elbowed her date. "Doesn't she, Fred?"

"Oof," was all he said as the air was knocked out of him.

Viktor and 'Mione were no longer in sight.

"Blimey, that hurt, Ange," said Fred after coughing a few times.

She didn't look too bothered.

Time sped forwards.

Hermione heard someone shout.

"No it isn't! It's about winning!"

Ron, she realized.

Not much later did younger Hermione storm past Fred and Angelina on the dance floor.

They stopped dancing and watched her gradually disappearing figure. Fred turned to his date.

"She looked upset. Go," she said, nodding to where mini 'Mione had gone.

Fred looked toward the crowd again, seeming prepared to go console Hermione's Yule Ball self, but stopped when a certain wizard passed them.

"Hey, Krum!" he said. "Hermione went that way!"

Viktor stopped and his surly expression turned less so. "Thank you," he said.

Fred gave him a polite nod. The Bulgarian marched away.

Angelina sighed. "What are you doing? That could have been your moment."

Fred twirled her around, resuming the dancing. "There'll be more."

"Don't be so sure."

He was silent for a second, but then said, "Last thing she needs when she's upset is to have her friend's older brother confuse her. She wouldn't know what to make of it."

Angelina nodded. "I suppose that's reasonable. But there might not be more chances for you now that Krum's there instead. I mean, what if they end up together?"

Fred shook his head. "Nah. He's a cool bloke, but I don't reckon he's her type."

Angelina raised her eyebrows at her partner as he twirled her around once more. People around them immediately cleared away. "Not her type? He's a professional Quidditch player."

"Exactly."

She grinned. "So you believe that the bookworm would prefer the prankster, do you?"

"I believe-"He stopped spinning them around. "That you should take the next waltz with my dear brother."

Angelina blushed slightly. "You're changing the subject."

"No, Ange, you are." And with that he guided her right into the arms of his twin, who had stood nearby thanking Katie for their dance. George was clearly taken aback by the sudden appearance of Angelina in his embrace. He quickly recovered and helped her steady herself. However, he shot Fred glares when he thought she wouldn't notice.

As he was, he spotted something behind Fred and mouthed 'Bagman'. The twins nodded to each other in understanding.

"I'm so sorry, Angie, there's something we need to do," said George. "Save me the next dance?"

"Sure," said Angelina, looking slightly confused.

Fred and George stalked away to where Ludo Bagman had just finished a dance with Professor McGonagall.

Time sped forwards again.

"Well, I don't know what you wanted with that other man, but at least you managed to do some good," Angelina said and pointed to where Viktor and Hermione were dancing again.

Present Hermione saw that though her past self smiled, it wasn't as radiant as before. She mentally cursed Ron. So childish, accusing her of trading secrets with Viktor…

Not just childish, he was jealous.

And if Hermione realized it, then Fred certainly must have.

He looked to where Angelina pointed. "I suppose," he said.

George looked equally glum.

Katie sighed. "Oh, come now, you two. I bet whatever business you have with the Bagman fellow can wait a little while longer. Now, someone dance with me or I'll put dungbombs in your breakfast tomorrow."

The twins smiled.

"Can't have that," George said. He and Katie joined the crowd.

Angelina took Fred's hand and they too joined.

"I think he fancies her, Ange," said Fred as he settled his hand on her waist.

Angelina's eyes bulged.

"Not them," he hurried, indicating to where his brother and the other Chaser danced. "I think," he sighed. "I think for sure now that Ron likes Hermione."

"Wouldn't be too unlikely, given the way he's behaving towards her this evening," Angelina admitted. "But if you don't think an international Quidditch player is competition, then I don't understand why you're worried your brother would be. No offense to Ron."

Her date let a scoff escape at that last part.

"I'm not worried about him being my competition," he said. "I don't want to compete against him. I don't want to hurt him." Fred smiled but there wasn't anything happy about it. "Despite everything, I do love my prat of a brother."

Angelina leaned onto his shoulder and gave a sigh. "Oh, you're too good, Fred Weasley."

He rested his cheek on the top of her head. "I know."

They were swaying on the spot as a slow song played.

"But," Angelina continued, "you do understand that people survive crushes? I'm sure it would be better to have you nip it in the bud and woo Hermione before Ron's 'fancy' turns into something more."

Fred shook his head. "You don't know Ron. He never took it well when you got something that he deemed his."

"You make it sound like she's his property."

Fred shrugged. "Just the way my brother sees things."

They continued slowly spinning around.

Angelina sighed again. "I wonder if everyone else's evening's been as dramatic as ours."

Hermione blinked a few tears away as the scene switched. She wasn't sure why she was tearing up. She wasn't even sure when she'd started doing it.

Focus, Granger. We're not done yet, she thought. After rubbing her sleeves on her face, she looked around. Okay, so… er, the Three Broomsticks again. And Mr. Bagman has just left… oh no.

Indeed, Ludo Bagman had just left, and Fred and George looked very let down…again. They took a table and ordered a couple of butterbeers.

"We need to up our methods, George," said Fred. "Being polite obviously isn't working, is it?"

"I dunno," said George. "What else's there to do?"

"Well-" Fred started, but was interrupted when a loud shout had everyone in the pub go silent.

"Who cares if he's half-giant? There's nothing wrong with him!"

Harry stood facing Rita Skeeter, looking very upset.

Having been distraught from the previous memory, Hermione hadn't noticed they were there.

Rita, as opposed to Harry, was smiling. It made Hermione's insides turn. The woman still repulsed her. Last Hermione heard, she was on her way to publish a book on Harry and another one on Snape. She didn't know which publication would be filled with most made up drivel.

"How about giving me an interview about the Hagrid you know, Harry?" said Rita. "The man behind the muscles? Your unlikely friendship and the reasons behind it. Would you call him a father substitute?"

Hermione saw Fred and George glare at the reporter, before her attention quickly shifted to the screeching of a chair.

Mini 'Mione had stood up very abruptly, clutching her flagon of butterbeer like a grenade, seeming prepared to chuck it in Rita's face.

"You horrible woman," she said through gritted teeth. "you don't care, do you, anything for a story, and anyone will do, won't they? Even Ludo Bagman-"

Rita Skeeter was looking at her coldly. "Sit down, you silly little girl, and don't talk about things you don't understand. I know things about Ludo Bagman that would make your hair curl…not that it needs it-" she added, eyeing Hermione's bushy hair.

"Let's go," said 'Mione. "C'mon. Harry-Ron…"

The three Gryffindor's left as many people around the pub stared after them.

Hermione turned and saw that George was clutching Fred's shoulder. Fred looked as if he'd been prepared to jump out of his seat.

Slowly, chatter began filling the room once more.

"The nerve of that woman," said George, letting go of his brother.

Fred seemed to have calmed down but kept glaring at Rita's yellow clad figure. "She'll go after Hermione now. I know it."

George didn't look as concerned as his brother. "I'd like to see her try. What's the worst she could get on a student like Granger? One average essay?"

Fred let his eyes leave the reporter. "Did you catch the part she mentioned about Mr. Bagman? I'm telling you, George, we need to fight dirty. He's obviously not an upstanding bloke."

"And I'm telling you, that no good will come out of lowering ourselves to his level."

There was a bang as a chair tipped over. Rita's photographer had his tongue grow rapidly and made quite a ruckus in his frantic state.

Fred cursed.

"Oh, really, Freddie? A Ton-Tongue-Toffee? They'll be able to trace it to us!"

"I can't believe he took it from her, greedy bastard," said Fred. "And don't worry, I doubt she'll make that effort for her photographer."

George smirked. "And what would you have done if she had been the one to eat it?"

Fred mirrored his brother's smile, making them look even more identical. "Celebrated."

The pub was replaced with a Hogwarts corridor. Hermione turned at the sound of footsteps echoing throughout the hall.

A woman clad in emerald green robes walked along, coming to a stop when she spotted two heads of red hair.

"Ah, Mr. Weasleys!" McGonagall waved the twins over.

"My dear Minerva, have you finally agreed to join me for a drink at Hogsmeade?" Fred asked, clasping his hands hopefully.

The Transfiguration professor pursed her lips, but there was a glint of amusement in her eye. "Not quite."

George pushed his brother aside. "Then is it perchance my lucky day?"

Fred rubbed his arm. "Keep away from my dame, Gred!"

McGonagall pursed her lips tighter. "Neither of you will be taking me anywhere," she said, and thereafter her expression turned solemn. "I called you over here to ask you to bring your brother and Miss Granger to my office."

This peeked their interest. "Why do you need Ron and Hermione, professor?"

McGonagall looked wearily at Fred. "I'm afraid I cannot say, Mr. Weasley. I wish I could. Now, if you would be so kind as to find them and bring them to my office within the hour, thank you."

She proceeded down the hallway, leaving the twins looking curious.

"That was odd. Where do you suppose they are?"

Fred smiled. "Knowing Hermione; the library."

They departed for the library and ignored the skeptical look Madam Pince was giving them as they entered.

The sun was setting outside, casting an orange glow on the shelves. The twins passed several before finding their targets.

The Golden Trio was sitting at a table, mountains of books in front of them. They all bore the same tired expressions.

"Oh, this is no use," said Hermione and snapped one of the books shut. The title was visible and real Hermione saw that it was 'Weird Wizarding Dilemmas', a book she had found to be utter rubbish back then. "Who on earth wants to make their nose hair grow into ringlets?"

Fred and George chose that moment to emerge from behind one of the bookshelves.

"I wouldn't mind," said Fred. "Be a talking point, wouldn't it?"

Hermione's two best friends and she, herself, looked up. 'Mione looked as if she wasn't sure she was thankful for the twins' appearance or if she would end up regretting them coming. Harry was just too tired to think anything of it, while Ron seemed confused.

"What're you two doing here?" he asked.

"Looking for you," said George. "McGonagall wants to see you, Ron. And you, Hermione."

"Why?" she said, looking surprised.

"Dunno…she was looking a bit grim, though," said Fred.

"We're supposed to take you down to her office," said George.

This made the trio anxious. They did not wish to be split up so close to the second task.

"We'll meet you back in the common room. Bring as many of these books as you can, okay?" Mini 'Mione told Harry.

"Right."

They left him to research further by himself.

As they walked through the corridors and stairs to McGonagall's office, Fred fell into steps with the bushy haired witch.

Is that really what my hair looks from behind?, Hermione thought but it was quickly followed by a shake of head. What a thing to focus on.

Her attention returned to the people ahead of her, specifically mini her since she'd started talking.

"Maybe she wants to tell us to stop helping Harry?" she was saying to Ron.

"I hope not. If she wants to make sure we don't then there's not much we can do, is there? Woman can be scarier than Snape when you cross her."

"'S true," said George with a shudder. "Remember second year, Freddie?"

"I still can't look at raccoons the same way again…"

'Mione looked up at him. "What did you do with the-you know what, never mind," she said as the twins smirked at each other.

They neared the steps to their Head of House's office, when 'Mione set a look of determination on her face.

"Well, even if she threatens to take points from our house or to send us off to live in the Forbidden Forest, I'll still help Harry," she said.

"What if she fails you in every class?" teased George.

"Then…er…"

Ron managed a laugh.

She shot her best friend a look which shut him right up. "Then I'd still help him, George."

Fred smiled. "You're very admirable, Hermione. Ah, and here we are." He knocked on McGonagall's door. "Well, this is where we leave you. If you need escorting somewhere else, don't hesitate to ask."

George leaned into Ron. "And you might need escorting to the Hospital Wing if you bring up the raccoons to her."

Ron paled while 'Mione rolled her eyes. "C'mon." She grabbed his sleeve to face the door.

When McGonagall opened to let the two fourth years in, Fred and George were already around the corner.

"'If you need escorting somewhere else…?' Blimey, Fred…" said George.

"I'm testing the waters. Since she didn't hex me, I'm going to assume it would be safe to joke about taking her places."

"You're not even planning on taking her places, what's the point?"

"Well, yes, because of our dear brother, I'm not, but I can still dream, can't I?"

"You're pathetic, you know that, right?"

Fred sneered at his brother. "Yeah, because the progress you and Angelina are making is so much better. Tell me again, how was it to share the one dance with her?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," said George who suddenly sped ahead towards the Gryffindor Tower.

"Now who's pathetic?" Fred shouted after him.

~o0o~

A/N: Hello, everyone!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS STORY HAS REACHED OVER 100 FOLLOWERS!

I never expected this when I first published the prologue! Over a hundred people want to keep reading this story, my story! That's insane! Just, wow, THANK YOU FOLLOWERS! THANK YOU!

Thank you also, of course, to all of you who favorited!

And lastly, thank you as always for your kind, encouraging words in your reviews! They make me so happy! (that happiness helps fuel my writing so extra thanks for that)

Now for info on the story: There will be one more part to Fourth Year, and I'm sorry if you've grown tired of waiting for the different parts, but there was just so much I wanted to include so I decided to keep it all in there instead of shortening it in order to have less chapters. (Fifth year is going to be insane…Order of the Phoenix is basically THE Fremione book)

Speaking of, when I first started I hardly thought this would become more than 10, maybe 15 chapters…But the way things are looking I might be going as far as 30. We'll see, but if you wished for this fic to last a while, well, your wish has been granted.

Hope you enjoyed and continue to enjoy in the future!
Until next time!
/Primrue