1Is He Flirting With Me?

September 10

Honestly I don't know what to do. I can't believe Harry and Ron they are being completely ridiculous. I wish they would just grow up I can't spread myself between the two of them it's completely maddening. Both of them are completely moody and miserable without the other so I just wish they would apologize and get it over with. Although I have to admit I am feeling rather selfish because of this whole mess-I just mean they are my only friends (besides Ginny of course) and since they're not speaking I do feel kind of lonely. Harry spends most of his time with Neville or trying to prepare for the first task. Plus I think he kind of finds me annoying at times and Ron well he's with Seamus and Dean and I certainly don't fit in with them. And Ginny has her own group of friends so I'm really on my own most of the time. I mean yes I have a heavy load of work to do but even I enjoy free time.

However, Harry and Ron are not the only boys that are driving me completely bonkers. Fred Weasley. If it wasn't for those stupid hormones he wouldn't be bothering me at all. But sadly even I can't avoid them. They were working full force today during class too. I walked into my Muggle Studies room and made my way over to Fred who was talking to some blonde girl in front of him. I couldn't but feel what I can only imagine was the tiniest bit of jealousy. The two of them were laughing and the blonde girl kept throwing her long perfectly straight hair over her shoulder. She was a Ravenclaw, which surprised me because I didn't think many of them were fond of Fred and George, but then again they are both extremely popular and good looking. I took my seat and Fred immediately stopped talking to the blonde, "Hey Granger."

"You know I hate it when you call me that." I muttered taking out my book and parchment.

"Aren't you just a regular stick in the mud?" The blonde said making a face at me.

I opened my mouth to say something but Fred beat me to the chase, "Excuse me you don't even know her and I'll have you know she's anything but a stick in the mud."

The blonde looked very taken back, "I think just about everyone knows that Hermione Granger is about as bookish and serious as they come."

I could feel the tears coming but I refused to let myself cry. Fred put his arm around me, "Just because she's smarter than the whole lot of Ravenclaw and the rest of the school for that matter does not mean she is bookish and seeing as how she's friends with me she is definitely not a stick in the mud."

The girl looked defeated and turned around without another word. I sniffled, "Thanks Fred."

He smiled, "Anything for you 'Mione-that's your new nickname." He winked.

I giggled, "Well I prefer that to Granger."

"I thought you might." He smiled and combed his fingers through his hair. Just then our professor walked in so we didn't get much time to talk.

Even though I found the lesson extremely interesting (Muggles and their obsession with the electricity) I could not concentrate at all on what was being taught. I kept stealing quick glances at Fred who was surprisingly taking a lot of notes. Every now and then he would turn and smile and I would stupidly blush and turn away. But out of the corner of my eye I could see he was still smiling. Was this considered flirting? I don't know, I don't know the first things about boys. I would have to ask Ginny about this even though she would never would let me the end of it. I could always go to Lavender and Parvati...wait what am I thinking that would be much worse. Ginny it is then. Anyway back to Fred. When I wasn't looking at him I found myself thinking about how he had defended me in front of that blonde and how he wasn't ashamed to say that I was his friend. I mean yes everyone at Hogwarts knew that I spent most of my summer at the Weasley's but that was because I was friends with Ron and Ginny not really Fred and George. Actually I'm sure most people think that I don't get along with the twins at all. That's not the case at all though as childish as I feel their pranks are I cannot deny that a high level of magic goes into each of them and part of me admires them fo that. I do wish, however; that they would put that much effort into their schoolwork. Plus I do know a side of the twins that I'm sure many people don't: they are extremely sweet. Especially Fred, I just thought it was absolutely adorable how he carried Ginny back the night of the World Cup. Everyone thinks they're just big pranksters but I know that they're big pranksters with even bigger hearts. Ok I am getting really sappy now I must stop that.

Class went by extremely fast but I suppose that's because I was too busy trying to decipher Fred. Anyway what happened after class just further added to my confusion. I was packing up my book and getting ready to go to the library before lunch when Fred stopped me, "Did you wanna work on the essay tonight?"

"Um... yeah sure."

Fred smiled, "Great, I'll meet you in the library at around 8?"

"Yeah...ok." I found myself not being able to formulate a sentence whenever he addressed me, this was becoming a serious problem. Plus I could feel my face burn under his gaze.

He smiled, "See you then Mione."

I didn't bother putting my parchment away instead I just rolled it up because I was no longer going to go to the library, instead I made my way back to the common room because I was about ninety-nine percent positive that Ginny would be there. I got up there and sat on one of the couches by the fire near a group of first years who were playing Exploding Snap. After a couple minutes Ginny walked in with a group of her classmates, "Hey Hermione." she smiled.

"Hi Gin." I smiled back, "Could I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure." she waved bye to her friends who were headed up to their rooms, "What's up?"

"Um...let's go up to my room." I said knowing that my room mates would be in Divination class right now. Once safely in my room I crashed onto my bed, "I need guy help."

Ginny's eye lit up excitedly, "And what guy do you have in mind?"

"First off, I'm not saying that I fancy this guy...I just want to know if his actions are you know...flirty?"

Ginny rolled her eyes and smirked, "Ok ok so you don't fancy Fred you just want to know if he's flirting with you."

"I never said it was Fred."

Ginny eyed me suspiciously, "So you're not talking about Fred?"

"Nope." I said as confidently as I could.

Ginny smirked, "Then why is his named scrawled all over your parchment?"

My eyes widened in horror as I looked down at the paper, Ginny was right his name was all over it. And worst of all he probably saw it since it was the parchment I was using for Muggle Studies, "Oh my God this is so embarrassing." I hid my face behind my hands.

Ginny sat next to me and put her arms around me, "I'm sure my dim-witted brother didn't even notice. And even if he did he probably would have been flattered, in case you haven't noticed he does fancy himself quite a bit."

I laughed a little and uncovered my face, "Ok so I am talking about Fred."

Ginny smiled, "The first step is admitting you have a problem."

I gaped at her, "I do not have a problem."

Ginny laughed, "You like my older brother, and not the one who's your best friend either you like the prankster playing twin."

I sighed, "I don't know why though I've never really noticed Fred until this summer."

Ginny shrugged, "You can't control who you're attracted to."

"Fair enough."

"So, tell me what happened in class."

I told Ginny about the snotty blonde girl and how Fred defended me and the new nickname ("I like that" Ginny commented.) And then how he wanted to work on the essay tonight.

"Wait-he actually wants to do his homework?" Ginny was shocked.

I nodded, "Yeah I had the same reaction."

Ginny thought for a moment, "I dunno, seems like he might have a crush on you. I mean if it was Ron asking to study together I would say he's being a git and just wants to copy but I mean Fred really doesn't do his work and he's not one to copy."

I laughed, "I don't even wanna talk about Ron...or Harry for that matter."

"There still going at it?"

"Oh yeah, and I have no idea what to do because if the one sees me hanging out with the other then I get yelled at. It's so annoying."

Ginny nodded sympathetically, "Well at least you don't have to worry about it tonight."

I nodded, "C'mon let's get to lunch."

The rest of my day went by rather uneventfully. I had Potions and History of Magic, which are obviously two of my lesser enjoyed classes. However, I did have Transfiguration which is by far my favorite class (well that and Charms). After Transfiguration Harry and I walked to dinner much to the annoyance of Ron, I really wish the two of them would just make up I know they both miss each other.

"Hermione, do you think you could help me with something?" Harry asked.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, I still have no idea how to battle a dragon so I was just wondering if you could help me practice some spells and such."

"Oh, um I really want to help you Harry bit I can't tonight, I'm kind of busy."

Harry's face fell a little, "Oh ok."

"But I can help you tomorrow night." I offered.

"Yeah, ok." Harry brightened up a bit, "Can I ask what you're busy with tonight?"

I rolled my eyes, "I'm not hanging out with Ronald. I have a Muggle Studies essay to work on and I told someone in my class I would work on it with them tonight."

Harry raised an eyebrow, " I didn't know anyone in our year was taking that."

I tired really hard not to blush but I don't think it was working, "Um he's not in our year."

Harry smiled, "Does our Hermione like a boy?"

I glared at him, "No I don't, I'm just helping him."

"Then why won't you tell me who he is?" Harry teased.

"Because it's none of your business." The I added hastily, "And you don't know who he is."

Harry laughed, " You're just making it more obvious that you like this nameless kid."

"I don't have time for guys, Harry. You and Ron are enough as it is."

"Whatever you say Hermione but-" However before Harry could finish what he was saying Mad-Eyed Moody appeared and told Harry he need to speak with him.

Harry gave me a worried look and waved bye. I looked around for someone else to eat with but Ron was with Seamus and Dean and Ginny was with her friends. I didn't see Neville either so I just continued to eat in silence. A little ways down the table I saw Fred chatting happily with George and Lee. He saw me looking and winked. I smiled back and then grabbed my stuff and darted out of there. I don't know why I always act like such an arse in front of him. I went up to the common room and decided to take a shower before meeting Fred. Once out of the shower I picked out some clothes (a lavender colored sweater and a pair of black pants). I threw my hair up into a ponytail, put my robe one, grabbed my books and headed to the library.

I found an empty table near the back where it was pretty quiet and got out my stuff. I didn't have to wait long before a tall red-haired wizard approached me, "Hey 'Mione."

"Hi Fred." I said without looking up. Fred sat down across from me and took out his book and parchment.

"So I have to admit I'm not really sure what the homework assignment is, I wasn't paying very much attention."

I looked up at him in surprise, "But you were taking a lot of notes."

Fred blushed a bit, "Actually I wasn't, I was just scribbling stuff-atthis I could have sworn he blushed even more- to make it seem like I was paying attention."

I laughed, "Well we need a foot on Muggles and their uses for electricity."

"Ok that doesn't seem too bad...what's elestricty?"

"It's elec-tricity." I sounded out, "And muggles use for about everything: light, heat, entertainment, it's pretty much the base of their civilization."

Fred smiled widely, "Cool."

For the next couple hours Fred and I worked on our essay as I told Fred the many uses of electricity. He was surprised how quickly he was able to get a foot by the time we finished our essays we each had a considerable amount more than was required.

"Man if all homework was the easy I would definitely do it more often." Fred joked rolling up his parchment.

I laughed, "You sound just like Ron and Harry."

Fred grinned, "Well, Ron did learn from me. I have no excuse for Harry's laziness."

I laughed and Fred continued, "Oh wait, he's the boy who lived, he doesn't need to do his homework."

"Fred that's horrible." I said playfully slapping his arm.

"Oh, you know it's true Mione."

I rolled my eyes smiling, "You're unbelievable sometimes."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Fred winked. I blushed and rolled up my parchment, "Well, I'm heading back to the common room I have to get ready for Astronomy."

Fred nodded, "I'll walk with you."

I hoisted my bag onto my shoulder when Fred made a tutting noise and held his hand out. I giggled and handed the bag over. He smiled in return and we made our way back to the common room. As we walked Fred said, "So...we make a pretty good team when it comes to Muggle Studies."

I nodded, "Yeah we do. I guess it doesn't hurt that I'm Muggle born and that your father is fascinated with them."

Fred laughed, "Very true. So I was just thinking maybe we could do this after each class...you know work on our Muggle Studies homework."

I was pretty shocked that Fred wanted to spend every Tuesday and Thursday night with me (Although I'm sure he'll hang out with George and Lee afterwards but still he wanted to hang out with me...in the library no less), "Sure, but on Thursdays it'll have to be closer to 9 since I have Arithmancy at 7."

"Ok." Fred said motioning for me to walk into the Common Room ahead of him.

The common room was pretty packed when we got in. Lavender and Parvati were off in the corner whispering to a couple other girls. Seamus, Ron and Dean were all playing Exploding Snap while Harry and Ginny were at a table talking excitedly (I have to remember to ask one of them about that later). Harry, Ron and Ginny all said hi and then Harry and Ron shot a glare at each other and turned back to their previous activities. Fred whispered. "Still fighting, eh?" I nodded sadly. George and Lee came down the stairs and spotted Fred, "Oi, where have you been all night? Come on we have stuff to do." George said to Fred.

Fred turned to me and handed my bag back, "See ya later."

"Bye." I smiled and walked over to Ginny and Harry. Ginny, Harry and I talked for a while before Harry and I and the rest of our classmates left for Astronomy.