A/N: Welcome back from the edge of the cliff, I hope you all are ready to find out who that person was. Just a heads up, this chapter is way longer than the previous few, 6000 words again. I honestly just didn't want to cut this chapter up. You'll see that the first half is mainly dialogue and the "flashback" is more of a retelling of major plot points (or just stuff I wanted you to know) up until the beginning of the story. Take it that their years happened the same as the books, but with what I've added, or changed. I didn't want to split this chapter up (although I really should have) because I didn't want you all to have to wait another week just to have an entire chapter of only back story. I also wanted to throw in a bit of conflict, so I hope it's okay. I can't foresee and end to this yet. I know where I want the fic to go, but there are also a bunch of little plot points that I've got floating around in my head, so I hope you all stick with me for a little while longer. If you have any ideas, let me know in your revieeeewwwwsssss!
I want to shout out to everyone who reviewed and took a guess at who the mysterious figure was. As of now, no one has guessed correctly, and I'm really glad that I threw you all for a loop :) I love how creative you've all been, and the fact that you picked up on a couple minute nuances I threw in there really made me a special mention to Teekalin, I hope that all of your questions are answered in this incredibly long-winded answer. You read my mind as to what this chapter was going to be about, I laughed reading the review. Anything else, or anything I didn't cover, be sure to ask me some more :)
Tl;dr: find out who mysterious person is now!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognisably Harry Potter things in this fic. All credit to the incredible JKR :)
Chapter Six – How
His face was as red as his hair, anger visibly radiating off of him, his magic crackling in the air. A million questions sprung to Hermione's mind, only one of which was 'why is he so angry?', although she could deduce that for herself.
Ronald Weasley, standing before her with a murderous look in his eyes. She really wouldn't have picked it, but he had always been suspicious of her – especially after she started dating Fred and she needed to sneak around more.
"How are you here right now?" Hermione asked, remaining firmly behind George's protective arm. It wasn't that she couldn't fight for herself, but this side of Ron always scared her.
"What? No welcoming hug for your best friend? You looked pretty cosy with George just a minute ago." Ron said, malice evident in his voice.
"You haven't once contacted me since your recent outburst at the family dinner, why exactly would I go throwing myself into your arms?" Hermione asked incredulous.
"I thought I'd wait for you to send me an apology owl. You really were quite rude, turning my family against me. Mum hasn't talked to me since she found out you hadn't owled me." Ron sent his lumos as an orb into a corner of the room and walked to a sturdy looking chair, taking a seat.
"I still don't understand how exactly you are here right now." Hermione pressed.
Ron was calm suddenly, "You've been awfully quiet, George. Is it because your twin, our brother, is being murdered in the hallway right outside?"
Hermione had to grip George's wand arm to make sure he didn't do anything he would regret. She knew Ron was only saying these things because he was mad.
"You make an excellent point, Ron. How about we all just head back into our own timeline and we'll discuss all of this then?" Hermione began to pull the time turner from inside her blouse.
"No, Hermione. Let's discuss everything now." Ron placed his hands on the desk in front of him, palms down in a commanding fashion, "How long have you been coming back to the past?"
"Around three months now. I took a month to recollect myself and George has accompanied me for the last two weeks." Hermione answered. It seemed easier for her to go along with his temporary insanity than risk being hurt or drawing attention to themselves in the past.
"Why? Do you enjoy watching our friends die?" Ron asked, curiosity edging its way into his voice.
"Of course I don't. Watching anyone die the first time is hard enough." Hermione replied smoothly. She wasn't sure if she wanted Ron to find out about her relationship with his brother, especially in the state he was in, and their current situation.
"You're bringing my brother along too. This is obviously about Fred. I don't need to be half as smart as you to know that it's about him. What I still don't understand is why." Ron twirled his wand between his fingers. It was unsettling and Hermione was afraid.
"At first it was to get some closure–" Hermione began.
"Closure? You barely knew Fred. I thought I made that clear last time." Ron barked out a laugh, seething.
"Mate, you obviously don't know your best friend as well as you think you do." George stated, emphasising "best friend" with air quotes.
"What do you mean? I know Hermione. Of course I do! I love her!" Ron became defensive, standing from his seat, hands placed back on the table.
"Ron, I didn't want you to find out this way, but Fred and I are together. We've been dating for about four years now, moved in together, and he proposed." Hermione waved her wand over her left hand, revealing the ring that she'd kept so well hidden. She reasoned that it would be better for him to know it all and be angry once, rather than at each separate step of their relationship.
Ron was silent for a second, fuming and stewing. Hermione wasn't sure what was going through his head, but before she could say anything, he began, "You say all of that like he's still alive and your relationship is current. But Hermione, he's dead." Gears were turning in Ron's head. It was almost painful to watch, "That means you're single now." Ron stated, a conclusion that Hermione had not thought he was coming to.
"I mean, technically I suppose you could say that, but we were in love. I still love Fred. Our relationship is living on in me, for now." Hermione wasn't sure what to say.
"For now? What does that mean?" Ron asked, looking between Hermione and George, "Are you planning on using the other twin now?" Anger flashed in his eyes again.
"Gross!" George said before Hermione got the chance to answer, "I mean, no offense Hermione, but you're practically my sister, by law, and there is no way I'd want to get with you. I have Angelina." He added to Ron.
A loud noise in the hallway signalled Fred's death. Hermione breathed out and gripped George's arm gently. He gave her a knowing look and sighed.
"We're trying to find a way to save Fred. It's why I've been coming back into the past, and why George has been coming with me." Hermione answered Ron evenly, "'For now' means until I can have him back."
"That's stupid and impossible. Hermione, you know what happens to wizards that meddle with time." Ron warned, reminding her of Professor McGonagall, "I won't allow it. You should hand over that time turner. You'll go spare!"
"You won't allow it?" Hermione was angry now, her magic frizzing her hair in its unkempt bun. It was George's turn to place a warning hand on Hermione's arm, "Ron, you don't own me, or did you not listen to your own mother?"
"But you're single now, and if Fred stays dead, then we can be together like it was meant to be." Ron reasoned.
"When are you going to get it into your head that I. AM. NOT. IN. LOVE. WITH. YOU!" Hermione all but yelled those last words.
"That's fine. I wasn't in love with you the first time I saw you either. I just thought you were a know-it-all with bushy hair and buck teeth. I learnt to love you, Hermione, and I know that you're good at learning, so I'm sure it will be easy for you to learn to love me." Ron explained.
Hermione felt sick. Her fiancée was dead in the hallway outside while his younger brother claimed her as his own in the next room. It was completely messed up.
Hermione found reasoning with Ron wasn't getting them anywhere, and decided to present him with the facts instead. She motioned for them all to sit down on the sturdiest looking chairs, hoping to calm the situation. George sat protectively close to Hermione. It was hard for him, knowing that his twin and his younger brother both loved this woman, but only one could have her. He wished there was something he could do for Ron, perhaps showing him that his love for Hermione wasn't really true. He'd seen how Fred and Hermione were and he knew that they loved each other for who they were, flaws and all.
She looked at the engagement ring on her finger and smiled wistfully, twisting it before raising her hand to show Ron more clearly, "Fred proposed to me just before we went on the run. It was almost two weeks before Bill and Fleur's wedding and he'd been planning it for months. He even asked my dad for my hand before I wiped their memories, he was really prepared. He knew we were going to go hunting for Horcruxes, so he decided that we needed to be engaged before I left." Ron stayed silent, so she continued with her story, "Fred woke me up with breakfast in bed, like he always did on our days off from the shop together. Then he presented me with a new outfit and told me to 'change before we go', which was cryptic enough for me. He called a taxi and we were driven to an amusement park, where we spent most of an hour going on rides. When it was almost time for lunch, we rode the ferris wheel, which was the largest structure for miles around, and when we reached the top, Fred pointed out to a field off to the left. Written in the grass in wildflowers was 'Hermione, will you marry me', and when I turned around, Fred had dropped to his knee with this ring. I accepted at once, of course, and he had prepared a picnic in that very field. Magic is really wonderful sometimes. We spent the rest of the day walking through London, and the evening with George and Angelina. I can honestly say it was the best day of my life." She dropped her hand.
Ron looked irritated, "That sounds nice, but I still can't accept that my brother did that to you. He shouldn't have put you in a position where you had to accept his proposal. That was my job."
George ground his teeth but remained silent, knowing that Hermione needed to get Ron to understand her perspective without George's input.
Hermione grew annoyed, "It was the logical next step in our relationship. When George and Fred left Hogwarts, during the summer holidays before our sixth year, the three of us and Angelina went house-hunting. Harry had given the twins more than enough money to buy the shop and the apartment over it, but Fred and I had both been saving up our own money. We decided that George and Angie should stay in the apartment over the shop as it was also easier for her to get to her parents' house from there, and Fred and I decided to buy a flat in muggle London for ourselves. We even got permits from the Ministry for floo connection and magic inside the house. I know how uncharacteristic of me it sounds. Normally I'm the logical one, and a sixteen-year-old shouldn't be moving in with her boyfriend and buying houses; but with Voldemort coming back, I knew that a war was coming, and I wanted to spend whatever time I had with Fred. I'd explained everything to my parents and they were supportive – they actually really loved Fred. Obviously it was the right decision, considering the circumstances we are in now, and my living arrangements currently are much more welcoming than my abandoned childhood home."
"No wonder you didn't come stay at the Burrow as much after that." Ron said as if it all just hit him at once, "Harry and I thought you were staying at your parents' place."
"Alright, now I've answered some of your questions, will you at least answer some of mine?" Hermione asked. The tension in the room had dispersed somewhat, and Ron seemed to slowly be coming to terms with the relationship, or so she hoped.
"Fine, but I want to know how you two got together in the first place." Ron huffed. It seemed her 'barrage him with the facts' tactic worked a little.
"How did you get here?" George asked, speaking up for the first time since Hermione explained her story.
"So I thought Hermione was acting a bit odd about the Fred thing. She even said she loved him back when we were fighting at mum's, so I thought I'd do a bit of digging." Ron explained, "I asked Harry first, but he didn't seem willing to tell me anything. I knew he knew something though, 'cause he told me 'if you want to know so badly, just ask her yourself'."
Hermione stifled her laughter and George smiled at Harry's reaction.
"So I did what any normal person would do." Ron continued, defensively, "George, you know that vial of Veritaserum that mum keeps in her sock drawer to threaten us with when she's super mad?"
"Ron, you didn't." George's face grew stern.
"I took the Veritaserum and poured a little in Harry's morning cup of pumpkin juice, then I asked him all the questions I had before, but this time he actually responded. He's going to be right mad when he finds me." Ron grimaced, "But it will all be worth it."
"Wait, but wouldn't Harry have told you that I came back here for Fred? Did you not already know my motives?" Hermione questioned.
"I didn't believe him, I had to see for myself. So I borrowed Harry's copy of Advanced Potion-Making, you know the one with Snape's notes. He retrieved it from the Room of Requirement before it was burnt, because he thought it might come in handy one day. Turns out Snape had a modification for the Shrinking Solution and Swelling Solution. The Shrinking Solution that he made has the ability to shrink the user but without them getting younger, which was really useful, and the Swelling Solution modifications were so that the user could drink it to get larger. I brewed them both," He pulled two empty vials from his pocket, "and I used them today. I borrowed Harry's invisibility cloak, and I followed you from your apartment to the store. Luckily the wards still recognise me, and you left the door open while you looked around the shop for some reason, so I slipped inside. After that, I just had to wait until you apparated, where I grabbed on to George and came with you. Once you were inside the castle, I took the Shrinking Solution and it made me about bug size. You nearly bloody killed me when you went and scratched your arm. Your fingernails were about this close to my head!" Ron indicated a small amount with his index finger and thumb, "Then while you were cosying up to my brother, I took the Swelling Solution and stayed hidden under the invisibility cloak, and you know the rest."
Hermione was conflicted. On the one hand, she wanted to castrate Ron for going to such ridiculous lengths to find out what she was doing, and being so jealous that he wouldn't see reason, especially because it was his brother. On the other hand, she wanted to praise him for such a brilliant and well thought out plan, along with some masterful potion brewing. Normally she was the brains of the trio and schemes tended not to come so naturally, especially for Ron. She settled on both.
"Ron, I understand that you were well-meaning with all of this, and your intentions were in the right place, if not a little misplaced; but you should have just asked me. What were you thinking!? You could have gotten yourself killed. You know that Snape's book has dangerous spells in it, what if the potions had harmed you?" Hermione chastised, "You owe Harry one hell of an apology, probably along with a year's supply of sweets. And to be honest, I'd like an apology myself." She paused for a moment, hoping for an apology that never came, "Although I do have to admit that I am a little impressed with how well you did, coming up with the plan on your own and brewing those potions by yourself. It sounds like something I would have thought of."
"Spending so much time together, you're bound to have rubbed off on me somehow." Ron smiled. "I am not going to apologise for looking out for your safety though, Hermione. You're being ridiculous with this and I don't understand why. Sure you were engaged, but you were a bit young for that anyway. You're only nineteen. Couldn't you just forget about him and move on?" 'with me,' his eyes added.
"There is literally no possible way for me to 'forget about him and move on'." Hermione sighed, "Let's head back into the future, and I can explain."
The three wrapped themselves in the chain of the time turner and in an instant were back in the present. Hermione apparated them back to her flat and began preparing a large pot of tea.
"This is our flat," Hermione gestured around the living room as she brought in the tray of tea, "make yourself comfortable, this is a long story."
Flashback
Hermione felt like she had spent almost every day of her fourth year, so far, looking out for the twins and their antics. She didn't know why it always ended up being her, but it was becoming an increasingly common event, and this particular Thursday was no exception.
"I told you that it wouldn't work." Hermione stood, hands on her hips with a smug expression on her face, leaning over Fred and George's aged bodies which were lying on the floor, ten metres away from the Goblet of Fire.
"Hermione, you may know everything, but George and I, we experience everything." Fred said from his position on the floor.
"We have seen a lot in our time. How old do you think we are, Fred? Ninety?" George asked drawing a hand to his face to feel his impressive, grey beard.
"Nah we've got to be about as old as Dumbledore, I reckon." Fred replied, mirroring his twin's actions.
Hermione shook her head and reached her hands down to help the pair up, "Need a hand? I've heard that you get all sorts of aches and pains in old age."
The twins laughed, but accepted her outstretched hands, pulling themselves to their feet.
"Alright then, because you know of our aches and pains, maybe you could do us a favour and help us to the Hospital Wing? I think I broke my hip when we landed." Fred looked at Hermione hopefully.
Hermione took advantage of her superior position, conjuring walking frames for the pair of them, "This should help. I'll see you back in the common room later." And with that she took off.
"Clever, Miss Granger." Fred called after her. She turned back and winked before she disappeared from the hall altogether.
Hermione didn't know when it started, perhaps it was back in second year, when the twins had attempted to attack Malfoy after he called her a 'Mudblood', Fred had made sure she was alright every day for a month after that. Or maybe it was during a summer at the Burrow, when she first saw Fred shirtless as they dove into the lake behind the house. All Hermione was certain of, was that she had developed feelings for Fred Weasley, and she didn't know what to do about them. She reasoned with herself every night, explaining that he's older and he must only see her as an annoying friend of Ron's or another sister, but then there were moments where he'd help her with her book bag between classes, or kiss her cheek when Gryffindor won a quidditch match, that made her take pause.
"I'm being silly." Hermione said to herself, shaking her head. She was alone in the girl's dormitory, attempting to study away from the throngs of students that seemed to be swarming throughout the school.
"You, silly?" A voice said from the doorway, "And they call me a jokester."
Fred was leaning in the doorframe, mirth written all over his face. It had been a few weeks since she'd picked the twins off of the floor as the elderly and he had returned to his youthful self. Hermione noticed all at once that she was alone with her crush in her bedroom.
"How'd you get up here?" She asked, "The stairs-"
"I flew, of course." Fred pulled his Cleansweep broom from the corner where he'd stashed it, "George and I thought it would work, but we hadn't tested our theory 'til now."
"Well I'm flattered that you've gone to all the effort, but I don't know what could be so important that you had to come all the way up here to find me." Hermione blushed, attempting to sound irritated.
"Do I need a reason to come and talk to you, Mia?" Fred asked, unsure of himself and how to proceed, "Why are you being silly?" He finally settled on.
Hermione's face turned bright red. 'That silly nickname of his is going to be the death of me,' she thought to herself. Fred was the only one who called her 'Mia' and, probably because she was absolutely infatuated with him, it made her act like a complete fool every time he said it.
"I'm trying to rationalise something that cannot possibly be rationalised." Hermione stated, cryptic enough but still not a lie.
"Maybe I could help you out?" Fred walked fully into the room, sitting down on her bed which was closest to the desk she was working at.
"I don't think you can. Really, it's not important." Fred arched one eyebrow and glanced down at the blank parchment in front of her.
"Hermione, if it's causing you to not do work, then it's definitely important." Fred took hold of her shoulders and spun her around to face him, "Tell me what's on your mind."
'YOU!' she screamed inside her head.
"Really, it's nothing important. Ron and Harry are in a fight because Ron thinks Harry wanted the fame of being a Triwizard Champion." Hermione lied, although that, too, had been weighing on her mind a little.
"You're a terrible liar, Hermione." Fred teased, and then he became serious – more serious than Hermione had ever seen in him before, "Look, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine, but I'm always here for you if you need to talk."
"Thank you, Fred. That means a lot to me." Hermione replied honestly, "Now tell me why you were up here in the first place."
Fred hesitated for a moment, not knowing how Hermione would react to his proposition, "Do you trust me, Hermione?"
"Of course, but don't you go doing something reckless to us both." Hermione warned.
Fred laughed then nervously asked, "Would you trust me with an experiment I'd like to test on you?"
'Gryffindor courage,' she said to herself, "Okay, but nothing too permanent."
"No promises!" Fred smiled, then he pulled his wand out and spoke a short incantation, waving the wand over the two of them.
"What did you just do?" Hermione asked, intrigued by the spell that she hadn't heard before.
"Give it a minute." Fred said quietly.
The two sat in silence for a moment, nothing seeming to happen.
Fred stood from the bed, "Can you stand up with me, Hermione?" he asked her, holding out his hand as she had done for him just days before.
As soon as Hermione took Fred's hand, a glowing, white light emitted from their joined fingers. Fred looked at it in wonder. After a second, he smiled at Hermione, pulling her into him in a warm hug and sweeping her up off her feet.
"Fred, I don't know what this means!" She exclaimed, noting that every place that their bodies touched, a white light was now emanating from them.
"It means, will you be my girlfriend, Mia?" Fred asked as he lowered her to the ground.
"What?!" Hermione's instant reaction made Fred's face falter for a moment so she continued, "I mean, I have this giant crush on you, and I didn't think that it would be possible for you to actually like me back, I thought it was so silly, so unfathomable. But here you are, standing in my bedroom, asking me to be your girlfriend, I just-"
Hermione's sentence was cut off as Fred placed his hands on the sides of her face and kissed her deeply. Hermione was shocked at first, but soon gave in to her first kiss with the boy she had been infatuated with for years. When they broke apart, they were both completely flushed with identical goofy smiles.
"I look forward to stopping you mid-sentence more often, Miss Granger." Fred smiled, "And I take that as a yes."
"I want to say yes, but I would also like to know a few things before I do." Hermione stated pragmatically.
"Of course." Fred's heart lurched, uncertain of her final response.
"When did you realise you liked me? I mean, you do like me, right?" Hermione asked.
"I first noticed you when you came over that very first summer. You were always reading books – your thirst for knowledge is admirable, and I am in awe of you. There were times that Harry and Ron were off doing their boy things, so me and George used to keep you company; we still do. I realised then, that you weren't just some bookish little girl, you were a complex person, and Harry and Ron never appreciated that. You were always just some fountain of knowledge for them, writing their essays and breaking up their fights – you still are. Then over the last year you just started developing more and more in character, and everything that you were, and are, is something that I really like. Your morals, your looks, your intelligence, everything about you is something that I find completely attractive, and altogether, you're perfect." Fred explained, "I suppose I can't tell you when exactly I realised, because it just sort of happened."
Hermione was close to tears, never had she felt more appreciated and noticed in her life at Hogwarts, not even reaching the highest possible marks in every class, could she feel this kind of elation.
"Fred, that so sweet." Hermione was about to accept his proposal when, "Wait, what was that spell you cast?"
Fred looked sheepishly at her and Hermione pursed her lips, "I found this old book in the library at Grimmauld Place when George and I were snooping around one day, looking for new spells. It had a bunch of ancient spells in it with diagrams and explanations. The one that I cast on us was an ancient spell to see if our magic was compatible. Basically to find out if we were soulmates, a little 'cause I was curious, and a little because I felt like I already knew."
"What did the white light mean?" Hermione asked, feeling as though she already knew the answer.
"What do you think it meant?" Fred asked, tilting his head to the side cheekily.
"Yes. I would like to be your girlfriend." Hermione kissed him, knowing that they were made for each other, "But I'd like to see this book, please."
Fred laughed, "I knew you'd say that." He produced the book for Hermione and she marvelled at the old text, "I've even marked the page for you." Fred flipped to the page with a small dog-eared corner.
Hermione set the book down on the desk and sat down beside Fred, "There's only one thing about this relationship that I'm worried about."
"What's that?" Fred asked, turning his body to face her fully.
"I'm worried that if it gets out that we're dating, Ron will become furious. I mean, did you see how jealous he got when I told him that I thought Gilderoy Lockhart was charming? Or how upset he's been over the articles about me in the Daily Prophet?" Hermione asked, "Until we see where this is going, can we keep it between ourselves?"
"Always the logical one." Fred pulled her into a one-armed hug, "Of course we can." He paused, "But I'm telling George."
"And I'm telling Harry." Hermione replied.
They laughed together, and spent the rest of the afternoon chatting.
Three months later, Hermione had collected all of the information that she could find from the book that Fred had given her, and a few late-night trips into the Restricted Section of the library, and she was ready to confront Fred.
"Fred, I don't know whether to be furious with you, or happy about this." Hermione laid out scraps of parchment that she'd been taking notes on over the common room table.
"What did I do?" Fred asked, looking around the common room and noticing that it was empty.
"From what I have found in my research, the spell that you cast on us binds us together magically. Basically, the books that I found in the Restricted Section explain that once the 'soulmate' is found using this spell, it is impossible to break the connection that the two have. Their magic is superficially bound until they consummate the relationship, then bound again during a marriage ceremony, and they will yearn for their mate long after either dies. Accounts have shown that one soulmate will die and the other will go insane with longing after a prolonged period of time, eventually dying from heartache." Hermione looked pointedly at her boyfriend, "So, Fred Weasley, are you ready to be bound to me for life?"
Fred looked up at the fiery witch standing in front of him, hands perched on her hips and doubt written all over her face. He smiled suddenly, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her down on top of him. As he perched her on his lap, he turned her face towards him, looking her directly in the eyes, before professing, "You're my best friend, you already know me better than even George knows me. I'm in love with you, Hermione Granger."
Hermione looked stunned for a moment, before she launched herself at him, pulling him into a tight hug, exclaiming, "I love you too!"
Throughout Hermione's fifth year, the two would secretly date using the Room of Requirement. There, they realised that the war was coming, and Hermione – being the martyr that she was – refused to let their relationship become public. It occurred to her that Fred may be used to get to Hermione, as she was so close to Harry, and she refused to let Fred become a casualty of war just for her sake. She was also unsure as to how the soulmate news would be taken by anyone else, so they had decided to keep that to themselves, opting to keep their entire relationship secret until the impending war was over.
Fifth year also came with new responsibilities for Hermione, and more often than not, she was scolding Fred and George with her new Prefect position (although she admitted she was slightly in awe of how advanced the twins' magic was, even if they only used it for mischief).
Fred pointed out to Hermione that there would be at least two years that they'd be apart whilst Hermione finished her schooling, so during their dates, the pair would work on a set of mirrors like the ones that Sirius gave Harry, in order for them to communicate whilst they were apart. By the end of the year, they had been completed and neither would go anywhere without their corresponding mirror.
During the Christmas holidays, Hermione and Fred lost their virginities to each other, a night full of passion and love. The spell that Fred had cast bound their magic together more permanently, and both Fred and Hermione felt magically stronger after they had made love.
When Fred and George departed Hogwarts, effectively banishing Dolores Umbridge, Hermione and Fred had their first fight. Hermione urged Fred to continue with his schooling, attempting to get him to see reason. Fred reminded her that himself and George were destined for a different life to hers, and that where he supported her in her completion of her schooling, she needed to support him with his own business ventures. After some time, Hermione's rational brain saw Fred's side of things and she apologised with promises to support him in everything that he did, but also to keep him heading in a good direction. Hermione kept her promise by working in the shop alongside her boyfriend and his twin during the holidays, and corresponding with them both about various products and bookkeeping whilst she was at school the next year.
Sixth year for Hermione consisted of stolen moments through their mirrors, or using the Marauder's Map to sneak out of the castle and apparate to their flat (once she had her license). Fred would visit her in Hogsmeade if she could sneak out, but the shop was a constant presence in their life, and he was usually kept quite busy. Once a month, she would join Fred, George, and Angelina for dinner at one of their apartments, usually on a weekend, and during the school holidays it became a weekly routine.
During this year, she began to feel guilty for keeping the relationship she had with Fred a secret from Ron, and decided that she would tell him. Unfortunately, the moment that she chose had been the same moment that Lavender Brown had decided to attach herself like a parasite to Ron's lips and never let him go. Hermione wasn't particularly phased by their relationship, although she did find their public displays gag-worthy, as did everyone else in Gryffindor Tower. Ron, however, seemed to think that the relationship that he had with Lavender was causing Hermione to become jealous, and remained with the blonde to continue attempting to 'make Hermione see reason'. Hermione became furious with Ron when Harry had relayed his intentions to her, and questioned if she could ever tell Ron about her secret relationship with his brother.
On one non-descript day in sixth year, whilst Hermione and Ron were not speaking to each other:
"He thinks that Lavender's a good shag, but I don't know if he really likes her. The poor girl; you can tell that she's absolutely smitten with him." Harry commented.
"That's because, from all of your accounts, Ron's practically smitten with… me?" Hermione said, repulsed by the thought, as she loved him like a brother, but also questioning where he got the idea of the two of them as a couple in the first place.
"Maybe you should just tell him about Fred. Maybe that will make him see that you're not interested." Harry offered.
"Or maybe his short temper will make him snap and he'll go completely bonkers at me. Harry, I would never hurt Ron, but if he laughs off my relationship with Fred, I don't know what I could do. To be honest, I'm scared of his temper. He can't always keep it in check, especially around me." Hermione sighed.
"I know, Mi. That's why I've always got your back here." Harry placed a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"Lavender thinks she's in love with Ron. She comes back to the girl's dormitory practically skipping every time. The way she gushes about him makes me queasy. I honestly feel sorry for the poor girl." Hermione lamented, "Maybe after they break up, and Ron's had some time to be alone, I'll tell him then. I wouldn't want to go looking for Horcruxes with the two of you and have this hanging between us."
When the trio went on the run, Fred knew they were safe almost every step of the way. Hermione didn't reveal specific locations to him, just in case, but the mirrors that they had created had become useful. The lack of contact after living together, though, was the absolute worst.
Fred used to say that his nightmares were about losing Hermione. He never wanted her harmed, and he was constantly worried for her when she was away from him, in the centre of the war, with Harry Potter of all people. However, his nightmares changed as he witnessed the night that Bellatrix had carved 'Mudblood' into her arm. The deranged witch had found the mirror on Hermione's person, thinking nothing of it, but Fred had watched, helpless. Her screams haunted him every night. He had almost tried to break into Malfoy Manor, if not for George, the voice of reason at the time.
During the Battle, Ron had attempted to kiss Hermione in the Chamber of Secrets, and she quickly turned, striding away from him to keep her distance and not let him get any ideas – which obviously didn't work. The last time that she had seen Fred was in passing during the Battle, mere minutes after his younger brother had tried to kiss her. The two shared a brief embrace, a quick "I love you" and a chaste kiss, before heading back into the fray.
"And I guess you know the rest." Hermione concluded her story.
George looked at her, concerned, "You might die, Hermione."
She nodded sadly at him, "But what Fred and I have is worth it."
Ron's face showed every emotion as plain as day. Confusion, anger, hurt, jealousy, betrayal. He was processing her accounts of the years that they had spent together, trying to fit it altogether with the warped reality that he had been living in where he deluded himself that Hermione had been in love with him.
"You're soulmates with my brother." Ron said finally. It wasn't a question, just a statement of the fact. It was obvious that he was struggling with his conflicting feelings about Hermione and Fred. He loved and hated them both simultaneously and he wasn't sure what to do about it all. He finally settled on his resolution. He loved Fred unconditionally, but this may be the one thing he couldn't forgive him for – taking his witch. Hermione on the other hand, maybe she'd see that he could be a wonderful replacement for Fred; they both came from the same family, both were her best friend, and Ron believed he had far greater qualities than Fred ever possessed.
'Yes,' Ron thought, 'I will find this spell and I will show her. Hermione is my soulmate, and she will be mine.'
A/N: Oh Ronald, you're going to get yourself killed. Unless Hermione starts dying first... Let's hope she can get Fred back in time whilst fighting off his possessive brother.
As always, leave me a review.
Love to you all xx