Still shaken up from their face-to-face incident the night before, Hermione was unsure of how to go about tutoring. She knew they had once kissed, she knew he couldn't remember and she also knew that despite all, she fancied Fred Weasely a little too much for her own liking. The idea of spending lunch together- possibly alone- was both a dream come true and an absolute nightmare. She managed to push this aside through her classes, something the witch was very good at doing. She went about her classes, for the most part studying intently, but at times listening closely to the comments made about Harry (and even Fred by some Slytherin) and before she knew it, her and her two friends were making their way to the hall.

"Ron, could you walk ahead I need to talk to Harry," Hermione whispered into the boys ear, hoping this approach would avoid an argument amongst the three. Ron gave a simple excuse about talking to Ginny and rushed ahead of the group, leaving Hermione and Harry alone.

"I heard you ask him, 'Mione," Harry said lightheartedly.

"Well, yeah, but in light of the less glamorous arguments Ron and I have had, I think we both have a silent agreement that we both shouldn't be present for some conversations," Hermione replied.

"Thats healthy," Harry said sarcastically, getting a light shove from his friend.

"Anyways- I need to ask you something. Fred asked me to tutor him in some defence spells, but I wanted to get your permission. Since its a competition and all, and you are my friend, I don't want to betray you by helping your opponent-"

"It's fine, Hermione," Harry said, cutting her off.

"No, but-"

"'Mione, really," he continued, wrapping his arm around hers in a cross. "Fred's already helped me heaps- I don't even want to be in this stupid tournament. And besides, if I do need help, I know I'll still be able to turn to you- regardless of whoever else you're helping."

Hermione smiled softly with a full heart. Despite all their bickering and disagreements, it was moments like these that she was reminded why Harry, and even Ron, were her best friends. And not only that, she liked the idea of being needed by people. As hard as it could be at times, Hermione liked to help.

"Thanks, I was worried you'd be mad," she admitted.

"It's fine. Probably smart you sent Ron off," Harry replied. "He wouldn't care about you helping the enemy, but he's not dumb. We see the way you and Fred talk and it weirds him out, but with the last argument you guys had I doubt he'll say anything soon."

"What?!" Hermione replied blushing. "There's nothing going on with Fred and I at all, this is just me helping a friend out. He's Rons older brother, I can't believe you two thinking anything of the sort!"

"Whatever you say, Hermione," Harry said, the two now entering the great hall arm in arm, walking to Ron and taking a seat. "Hey Ron, Hermione and Fred are in love." Harry said with a grin, Hermione frowning at him and then Ron.

"Harry's full of it. I'm just helping him out with some spells. Don't listen to him," Hermione said, as Ron held a chicken drumstick in his hand with a scowl.

"Is that what you two had to talk about? Weird enough you're going on a date with my brother- but asking Harry for permission? Mental, you are," Ron replied begrudgingly.

"Its not a date! I'm just helping him out for the tournament. You two, I swear-"

"Whats this about a date? Spilling our secrets are we, Granger?" a familiar voice said from behind her. Hermione shuddered, knowing the awkwardness was only going to increase. Both Fred and George approached the trio, making themselves comfortable as George sat to pick at Rons food and Fred held Hermione by her shoulder tauntingly. "I know you're excited, but I didn't think you'd announce our affair so soon, dear."

Hermione shoved the boy off of her with a frown and faced him. "Do you want my help or not? Because I will happily break our agreement if you keep this up," she stated, nose in the air proudly.

"Alright, don't get your panties in a twist. But I suppose we best be going before time runs out," he continued, now turning to his brother and Harry. "Don't worry, I'll have her back by curfew." he winked before picking two apples from the centre of the table and handing it to Hermione.

The two walked off in silence, Hermione deliberately putting two feet of space between them so as to avoid looks from their friends. "You're unbearable, you know," Hermione said, looking at the apples he handed her. "And what's this for, I'm not some servant to carry your food."

"You're dense, Hermione. It's for you, since you haven't eaten yet," he replied, ruffling her hair as he did so.

"Oh," she blushed, biting into one as they continued their walk. "Thank you."

The two continued their walk through the castle in silence, Fred occasionally stopping to hi-five first years who eagerly encouraged him for the tournament. They eventually made it to the library within a few short minutes and found a private space to study. Hermione grabbing the first few resources on dragons that she could find and gathering them at the table.

"Wait- what?" Fred asked in a surprised tone.

"What's wrong?" Hermione replied, just as curious.

"We're reading?" he continued. "I thought you were going to teach me spells and things- not read."

"Are all of the boys this dense or are you and Ron a special exception?" Hermione replied sassily before taking a seat, indicating for him to join her. "There's no point learning spells if you don't know where to apply them. First we need to know how to battle a dragon, and then you practice the spell."

"I suppose that makes sense," he mumbled as he sat with Hermione. The two continued to read in silence- Fred more distractedly watching Hermione than studying himself, which led Hermione to forcing her cheeks not to heat up. A few short minutes of intense silence eventually passed before Fred's boredom forced him to intervene. "Found anything yet?"

"The process would be faster if you helped- but no," she snapped, turning back to the book as she mumbled to herself, trying not to pay attention to the boy, but failing. "Is something amusing to you?" she asked with a hiss, feeling flustered and insecure at his silent attention.

"Not at all- thats the problem. I can't pay attention to the book," he admitted, looking down at the text filled book on the biology of dragons.

"Well then pay attention to something else and stop staring at me," she replied, making the boy look away in a fluster as he mumbled a silent 'sorry Hermione'. Fred looked down again and began speeding through the words in the book, Hermione making a silent note that theres no way he'll pick up details with that speed. Just as she turned to look back into her own readings, she was cut off once more.

"Oh!" Fred exclaimed excitedly. "Hermione! Get this!" he said, a large grin growing on his face. Not a cheeky one, Hermione noted, but one full of amusement.

Hermione craned her neck to look, just as she did, Fred grabbed the leg of her chair and dragged it from her spot to his side, a blush growing on Hermione's face at the sudden closeness. Their knees and elbows were now touching and she could smell the familiar scent of his clearly.

"Get this. If a dragon breathes a fireball at you, you can stun it by shooting the fireball back into its mouth. Apparently it makes it sick and they just run away," he said. Hermione looked at him with wide eyes of horror as he smiled back at her in madness.

"How in the bloody hell would you pull that off?!" she asked, leaning back so as to make distance between their awkward proximity.

"I'm only the best beater Hogwarts has ever had. How much different could a fireball be from a bludger?" he replied. Hermione could have passed out from this, but composed herself and pushed her fear and frustration aside.

"How can one boy be so stupid?" she asked herself in clear earshot of Fred, who sat closely beside her.

"C'mon, Hermione. My face will be fine, and besides even if it isn't you can always fancy George," he said cheekily, elbowing her arm in a humorous manner.

"I couldn't care less about your face," she spat, rolling her eyes. "I care that you'd rather take the first silly option you see in the name of glory than figure out an actual strategy that won't get you potentially killed. I mean- you won't even have a broom in there, let alone a stick to beat it with. And besides, what if your dragon doesn't even breathe fire?!"

"Alright good point- but if it does I'm keeping the plan. I may not be the best at spells, but for a man like me, mastering Accio is necessary in life, so don't worry about a broom or a beater if the need comes up," he replied quite proud about the obvious laziness that had made him a master at the spell. "But you are right, we'll need other tactics if I want to win this."

The two continued until the very end of lunch, Fred keeping a surprisingly focused attitude towards studying- going as far as writing things down on a small piece of parchment, much to Hermione's surprise. Eventually their free time had finished and the two had to pack up and part ways, something Hermione wished wouldn't have to happen. Studying with Fred was nice, and unlike Ron or Harry, he seemed to respect the silence that she needed to help him- though this was likely because she was doing his work for him, she figured.

"Thanks for everything, Hermione," Fred said as they walked out the library, a soft smirk on his lips. "If you're free tonight do you want to continue this- I think I found something pretty interesting that you'd like." Hermione returned the smile and politely agreed, happy to know that he too enjoyed their time.

The two then separated, walking towards their respective classes in a content silence, neither of which knowing how brightly their smiles had grown as they thought about each other.

—

It's probably pretty obvious but the story is going to start to pick up a bit more romance-wise (as well as the tournament FINALLY beginning) I didn't even realise what a slow burn this has been until I saw how many chapters I've written- considering the first task hasn't even happened. Regardless I hope whoever has read this far is enjoying the story and feel free to critique me if you think things aren't making sense because this is my first story :-)