1994

Ireland vs Bulgaria - The Quidditch World Cup

"I still don't see why Krum caught the snitch! They weren't going to win if he did it."

"Probably to salvage some dignity."

Fred shook his head. He'd had to endure Ron going on about Viktor Krum long before they had even arrived at the World Cup final. He'd hoped that with Irelands victory, his little brother would have stopped. How wrong he was. At least Ron had Harry to talk to. Meaning Fred was given a much-earned break from Ron's fangirling over Krum. He did sometimes wonder if his brother really did have a crush on the Bulgarian seeker. It would answer a lot of questions.

Wandering back through the campsite, Fred could see Ginny and Hermione were a few feet ahead of them. Whilst he hadn't been surprised when his parents invited Hermione along. She was surprised she had accepted. She went to the games at school, but she was hardly a fan of the sport. Then again, it probably gave her something to do over the summer. After experiencing the wizarding world, it must be strange to go back to the Muggle one for a few months.

"Ugh save me," George's voice appeared in his ear. "If I hear Ron going on about Krum one more time, I might recreate the spider-teddy bear trick."

Fred grinned, "Why? Not a fan of his little crush then?"

George smirked at his choice of words. "Well you're one to talk. You haven't taken your eyes of Hermione since she first arrived."

Fred fell silent. He could still remember the Quidditch final at Hogwarts last year. Even now he still didn't know what had possessed him to ask Hermione for a kiss if they won. It had just sort of slipped out. But the biggest surprise had been when she actually did kiss him. Fred rubbed at his cheek again. As sudden and unexpected as it had been. He'd liked it. There was a lot about Hermione he liked. And it was really only over the past few months that he was starting to realise just how much his feelings had grown.

"Hey," George nudged him. "You still with us? Or is the sight of Hermione just too much for you now?"

"Ha-ha," Fred said dryly. "Look it's not…I don't know okay. I just…I really like her."

"So, ask her out?"

"Here? Right now? With everyone watching?"

George rolled his eyes. "Well no not exactly here and now. But, well at some point. I mean she did give you a kiss after the final last year. So, she must like you as well right?"

Fred gave a small nod. In truth, neither he nor Hermione had mentioned the kiss. But then again, she had been busy helping Harry and Ron deal with Sirius Black. And discovering Professor Lupin was a werewolf. And dealing with who had really betrayed Harry's parents. He sighed. Those three really did seem to attract danger wherever they went. And as cool as it all sounded when the tales were being told afterwards; he couldn't help but feel nervous at what possible danger Hermione was likely to end up in this year.

"So, you're telling me you didn't find any of them attractive?"

His sister voice caught his attention. Fred looked up to see the two of them walking with their heads close together. Not that it seemed to prevent him from hearing what they were saying. Hermione shook her head.

"Just not really my type."

"Oh, come on," Ginny said, "Quidditch in the wizarding world is like…well that muggle sport you told me about. Where they kick a ball around a pitch?"

"Football."

"Right. Football. Well, everyone has at least one Quidditch player they fancy. Just like muggles and football players. So, who is yours?"

Fred clenched his fists tightly. He already knew what Hermione's answer was probably going to be. He had never met a single female Quidditch fan, who didn't find Viktor Krum attractive. He didn't see it himself. But everyone else seemed to. Hermione shrugged.

"Well…there is one, I guess. But you can't tell anyone. I mean it Ginny."

She bent her head closer and Fred could have groaned as he found himself unable to hear a single word she said. Ginny gasped and Hermione shushed her quickly. Fred sighed. Of course, Hermione would prefer someone like Viktor or even Cedric. They were able to flirt and charm any girl they came across. Of course, she wouldn't have any feelings of that sort about him. He kicked at the ground; allowing the chatter and faint screaming to wash over him.

Screaming.

Fred spun round to see hoards of people running towards them. The cries and screams were getting louder, and he turned to George.

"Where's mum and dad?"

George shook his head. Fred realised the others had stopped walking, just as the edge of the crowd reached them. A sea of people began pushing their way through, screams getting louder and louder. George stumbled backwards from the force while Fred tried to keep the others together.

"FRED!"

"GEORGE!"

Fred spun round, trying desperately to spot his twin. But all he could see were the blurs of moving faces as people tried to get away.

And then the green flashes began to appear.

Fred's stomach dropped as he heard people yelling curses and spells in the background. A bright green light filled the sky and his stomach churned as he saw two figures being lifted into the sky. He'd heard enough stories from the War to know what this was. His ears began to ring from the constant screams.

"Fred?"

A hand grabbed his and he saw Hermione, Ginny, Harry and Ron. Out of habit, Fred stood in front of Hermione to block out the sight of the people in the sky. If Death eaters really were here, they'd come for people like Hermione first. He tightened his grip on her hand while pulling Ginny close with the other.

"Where's mum and dad!" Ron yelled. Fred shook his head.

"No idea. But we need to move!"

No one needed any convincing. Fred had no idea where they were going. All he was really aware of, was keeping a tight grip on Hermione and his sister as they pushed their way out of the remaining people fleeing the campsite. As worried as he was for his brother, Fred was startled to find the majority of his panic was aimed at Hermione's safety.

If this was Death Eaters, there was no way he was letting them hurt her.

Fred had no idea how long they'd been running for. All he was aware of, was when they did stop, they were in an abandoned forest. Harry leant against a tree to catch his breath whilst Ron pulled Ginny close. Fred smiled at Hermione and let go of her hand.

"You okay?"

She nodded. "Where's George? And your mum and dad?"

Fred bit his lip. He was less worried about his parents than his brother. His mum and dad would have probably gone to help. But George had just been ripped from him by the fleeing mob of people. Who knew where he was? Fred took a deep breath and Hermione forced herself to smile.

"They'll be fine. If this is…if this is what I think it is then they'll be after people like me. Not purebloods."

Fred hated that word. He hated how people like Hermione were still being persecuted, years after the war. And he hated how matter of fact she was being about the whole thing. This shouldn't be a part of her life. Of anyone's life.

"Yeah but…well, our family have never exactly subscribed to the whole 'purebloods only' thing. The people attacking us would call us blood-traitors. They would hurt us if they got the chance. If they come across mum and dad or George…" he forced himself to stop before the images filled his mind. Hermione took his hands.

"They'll be okay. Trust me."

Fred did. But that didn't do anything to stop the nausea creeping through his stomach. Hermione forced a smile on her face.

"I didn't expect the Quidditch World cup final to be quite so eventful."

Fred settled on a shaky laugh. "You mean you didn't want to get caught up in a riot?"

"It wasn't really on my list of things to do this summer."

"Well, isn't this nice? Three Weasels, Potter and Granger? How cosy."

Fred put an arm out in front of Hermione as Draco Malfoy stepped forward. The boy's pale hair shone in the moonlight.

"I wouldn't really hang around here. Not with a muggleborn like Granger. Not exactly safe company, is she?"

"Hermione's a witch," Harry spat. Draco shrugged.

"If you say so. But if you honestly think a Death Eater can't tell the difference between a real witch and someone like her then you've even more of an idiot than I imagined."

"Piss off," Ron snarled. "Go and find your precious father."

Draco backed away. "I'm just saying, if Death Eaters do find you, they aren't going to like the sight of people associating with a mudblood."

"Oi!" Fred marched forward; fist already raised. Draco's smirk was wiped from his face as Fred's punch sent him to the floor. Fred shook out his hand.

"Like my brother said. Piss off!"

No one said anything as Draco ran back in the direction of the campsite. The screams were starting to die down. But the silence wasn't exactly a calming presence. Fred glanced at Hermione.

"You okay?"

She nodded. But Fred could see the look in her eyes. Up until now the threat against muggleborns had always been a rumour. This was making everything much more real now.

"Thanks for…. well for that."

"No problem. He deserved that a long time ago."

"Fred? Ron? Ginny?"

"Over here mum!" Ron yelled. Fred watched as his parents burst out of the trees and fell on him, Ron and Ginny. His mother pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"We were so worried! We looked and looked but you weren't…. Oh, Harry and Hermione come here!"

Fred stepped back as Harry and Hermione were swept into a hug by his mum. As happy as he was to see his parents; he still had no idea about…

"Looking for someone?"

"George!" Fred spun round and tackled his brother into a hug. He half expected his twin to make a joke, but he was aware of George clinging tightly to him.

"That was scary," George whispered. "I found mum and dad, but I had no idea where you were. Are you okay?"

Fred nodded. "We're good."

He glanced at Hermione with a smile.

"Yeah, we're all good."

Non-Official Beater Training

Was Fred excited the Tri-Wizard tournament was being held at Hogwarts? Yes. Was he happy it meant Quidditch had been cancelled? Not in the slightest. The team had been riding high on last years success and Angelina Johnson had hoped to repeat it again this year. Plans which would now have to be put on hold for a year. Lounging on one of the armchairs in the common room, Fred glanced over at where Harry was sitting with Hermione and Neville, whilst Ron and Seamus sat on the far end, shooting Harry dirty looks. Fred raised an eyebrow at the sight. Whilst he had been just as surprised as everyone to see Harry's name be spat out from the goblet; he knew that Harry was the most surprised of them all. He knew Harry hadn't put his name in and he couldn't help but be slightly disappointed by his brother's reaction. Then there was the issue of how Ron was treating Hermione. He was equally annoyed at how much attention Hermione was getting from Viktor; but that didn't mean he got to take it out on Hermione. He had been spending less time with her. But that was more to avoid himself getting hurt. He wasn't going out of his way to make her miserable.

"Mind if I join you?"

Fred glanced up to see Hermione standing by the chair next to him. With a small nod he watched as she sat down. An awkward silence settled on the pair of them and Fred cleared his throat.

"You okay? You know with Harry and Ron being…. well, not exactly on good terms."

She nodded. "I get why Ron's annoyed, but surely he can tell Harry didn't put his name on the goblet? And then you have all the snide comments he keeps making about me and Krum. I mean he was practically worshipping him at the world cup! But now the poor person starts paying attention to me, and Ron wants to throw him off the astronomy tower!"

Fred raised an eyebrow as she smacked her clenched fist into the arm of the chair.

"I just wish those two would sort things out! It's a nightmare being in the middle of this and having your two best friends constantly snapping at each other whilst one of them is also getting jealous over a guy even though nothing is going on! It's infuriating!"

"So…. you and Krum aren't…dating?"

Hermione shook her head. "Nope. Trust me, Ron is more his type than I am. But he said he doesn't often get people who treat him like a normal person. Most people want to get to know him because he's famous. Not because he's actually a genuinely nice person. It's the only reason we've been spending time together. And I have explained that to Ron multiple times, but he refuses to believe it. It's not even like I'm choosing Viktor as a friend over Ron. Ron's the one making that choice by ignoring me all the time. He's such an idiot!"

Fred nodded. He hoped a calming smile meant that Hermione wouldn't be aware of how much his insides were dancing at the news she wasn't dating Krum. He took another look at her face; the frustration still raging in her eyes. An idea began to form.

"You need something to take the stress away," he jumped to his feet.

"Meet me and George by the Quidditch pitch in an hour."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

"Just," Fred leaned closer and shot her a smile. "Trust me."

"So, let me get this straight," George swung his bat in the air. "We've going to help Hermione let off some steam by letting her take a few swings at a bludger?"

Fred nodded. "They've cancelled Quidditch, but they didn't say we couldn't use the fields. Plus, Ron's been a real git with her lately."

"Right," George nodded. "So, what you've done is asked her out on a date?"

"No! It's not a date!" Fred gave him a gentle shove. "It's not a date."

"Of course. You just asked the girl you happen to be crazy about, to spend an evening with you. Because to me that sounds like a date."

"Well it isn't" Fred picked up his own bat. "It isn't a date. Okay?"

George held his hands up. "Okay. But listen mate, you clearly like and you do clearly want to go out with her. So why not ask her? I mean you know she's not dating Krum now?"

Fred shrugged. "It's just…well she wouldn't really like me, would she? Not in that way."

"She's an idiot if she doesn't." George snorted. "Look if you don't want to ask her out then fine. That's up to you. But please stop moping around after her then."

Fred opened his mouth when he caught sight of Hermione walking towards them. She'd changed from her uniform into jeans and a pink hoodie. Fred tugged at his own jumper sleeves as she smiled at him.

"So, why am I here?"

"Because Granger," George opened up the Quidditch chest.

"Our younger brother is – as usual – being a complete pain. And we know how stressed out you've been getting over it. So, we thought we'd help you let off some steam."

Hermione eyed the bats in their hands.

"By getting me to play Quidditch?"

"Just our part." Fred handed her his bat. "Get you hitting a few bludgers to let lose all the anger."

Hermione held the bat. "And it's safe?"

George nodded. "Trust me, I'll be right beside you. And if you think you'll miss then just duck."

"I just thought you needed something to take your anger out on," Fred said. He knelt down to unlock one of the bludgers and Hermione gripped the bat.

"Okay. Do it."

Fred grinned at her before unlocking the bludger and allowing the shoot up into the sky. Hermione instantly widened her stand and held the bat up. The bludger shot towards her and she swung at it. Fred whistled as the ball spun off into the sky.

"Not bad. Me and George might need to watch ourselves. You'll be trying to take our places next year."

Hermione hit the bludger again and this time Fred had to duck to avoid it. She smiled at him.

"This is making me feel better. Thank you."

Fred said nothing. Instead just content to watch as she managed to hit the bludger every time. George had even relaxed slightly and was no longer standing ready to stop it from hitting her. As the bludger was knocked back into the air, Fred smiled at her.

"I probably shouldn't say this, but if this is how you're feeling at Ron right now, I actually feel sorry for him."

"You're right," Hermione held the bat up. "You probably shouldn't."

The bludger whizzed towards her head. She ducked at the last second and it flew past her. Fred watched it fly through the air before doing a slingshot round and heading back towards them. Hermione turned just as the bludger crashed into her and knocked her backwards.

"Hermione!" Fred dove at her and grabbed the bludger against his chest. He could feel it wriggling in an effort to break free. George grabbed the box and he forced the bludger back under lock and key. Leaving the small chest with George, he turned to see Hermione starting to sit up.

"Merlin's beard I'm so sorry! Are you alright? Are you hurt? Where did it hit you? Let me take you to the hospital wing!"

"Fred," Hermione forced herself to her feet, "I'm fine."

She shook her body with a slight wince. "Nothing feels broken."

"You should go hospital wing anyway," George said. Fred could see the concern filling his own eyes as well. He nodded firmly.

"Of course, she is." He put an arm around Hermione and began leading her away.

"No arguments."

"Fred honestly I'm-"

She was cut off with a cry and Fred scooped her up into his arms and began carrying her back towards the castle. He knew George would still be watching and he knew what jokes George would have ready later on. But none of that mattered. The girl in his arms clutching at her shoulder, on the other hand, did.

"Hermione I'm so sorry. I just wanted to help what with how Ron's been recently. I never meant for you to get hurt."

She smiled at him. "Fred it's fine. I'm fine. Please stop fussing."

"I know I just-"

"Fred just stop for a second and put me down."

Fred did so, aware she was still smiling at him. Hermione took one of his hands in hers.

"What's going on with you? I thought…. well we were growing close last year and then you ask for a kiss at the Quidditch final. But when I gave you one you never brought it up again. Then during the summer, you were your usually jokey self and you looked after me during the Death Eater attack. But when the tournament started you began pulling away from me? Only now you're fussing over me even though I'm fine."

"I just…" Fred hung his head. "Hermione I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to confuse you or upset you."

"Well can you please tell me what the matter is?"

"The matter is that I like you. A lot. I have done for ages now. But I assumed you and Viktor were dating so I didn't want to make myself feel even worse by hanging out with you. Only it didn't really help because I still care for you."

Fred choked out a laugh. "Why do you think I asked you for that kiss last year? Because you are the girl, I'm crazy about. No one else comes close. But then I heard you and Ginny talking about which Quidditch player you fancied and…I dunno…. I just accepted it was never going to be me."

Hermione took his other hand and interlaced their fingers together.

"When Ginny asked me which Quidditch player I was attracted to, I said Fred Weasley."

"You…. you did?"

Hermione nodded. "I've liked you for over a year. And I honestly never imagined you would have feelings for me or be crazy about me, but-"

Fred cut her off with a kiss. Hermione let go of his hands and instead curled her arms around his waist. Fred pulled her close and gently cupped her face with his other hand. He broke away with a grin.

"You're Hermione Granger. How could I not be crazy about you?"

AN: So we have only one more chapter to go after this one! Decided we needed some happy Fremione moments given what happened on this day back in 1998 (and yes I will never forgive J K Rowling for that decision and it will never appear in any of my stories) Feel free to let me know what you think xx