The noise-level of number 12 Grimmuald Place had gradually decreased as all the Weasleys filed out of the kitchen following dinner. Remus had disapparated to set off and give word to the other members of the Advanced Guard. The thirteen members would all gather in the main foyer of headquarters tomorrow eve. There, they would receive a few words of encouragement from Remus before heading over to the coordinates.

Ron and Harry were bunking together for the night and had decided to strand Hermione alone with a rather frazzled Fred Weasley. The duo were currently in her chambers, bickering like an old married couple. Earlier that morning, when first coping with Hermione's decision to go off on the mission with the others, Fred had been reluctant, but had eventually caved. Now, however, his anxiety was presenting him with the inability to permit her to go. He was set against it, which caused the present row.

"You're not thinking logically," Fred groaned from his place, pacing back and forth in front of Hermione as she watched from her position on the king-sized bed. She looked less than pleased with the argument.

"I'm not thinking logically? You must be joking! You're the one wishing to keep me caged up like a prisoner, here. Instead of saving my own son!" Hermione bit out, narrowing her eyes in aggravation.

"It's bleedin' dangerous!" Fred growled, more than frustrated with her stubborn-as-a-mule mind-set.

"Do you think I bloody care, Fred? It's for James!"

"You could be caught and handed over to The Hunter. The exact opposite situation that the Order needs to deal with at a moment like this!"

Hermione almost growled as the argument that he had been reiterating for the past hour was brought up again, "For heaven's sake, Fred! I'll be in my animagus form for the entire mission," She stood up to emphasize her confidence in the matter, "I am no more likely to be captured than anybody else leaving on this mission tomorrow night. I actually am less likely to be caught, being a fox. Anybody could-"

Fred's thunderous voice interrupted her, "Anybody, is not you!" He yelled, "You, Hermione, are the single most important thing in my life! What would I do if anything happened to you out there?" His voice wavered at the end, pent up emotions boiling beneath the surface of his eyes. "I couldn't handle that." His voice no longer contained the enraged quality she'd been hearing for the majority of their squabble. Instead, his voice filled with defeat.

Hermione's eyes softened at this, her heart swelling for this compassionate man, "We can't only think about the negatives. The what-ifs." Taking a deep breath to calm her sudden waves of emotion for him, Hermione stepped forward and encased him tightly in her arms. "Everything will be fine, as long as we remain optimistic."

Fred sighed and wrapped his arms around the woman who had captured his attention in ways no other bird possibly could. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, breathing in her delicious scent, "I can't help it, Love. I don't want to lose you." He wouldn't admit that the fear of never seeing her again was a thought that plagued his nightmares for the past few days. He was nervous that the way he felt about her was intensifying too quickly.

"I don't want to lose you either," Hermione whispered, pressing a kiss to his temple.

"Then don't go."

Hermione had to chuckle at the faint tinge of pitiful hope in his voice, "I'm going, Fred. I have to. You should of known that no matter how much you yelled at me, I'd stand by my first decision."

Fred leaned out of her embrace and placed a gentle hand upon Hermione's cheek, "I didn't mean to upset you. I couldn't help but shout. The thought of anything happening to you…It makes me barmy."

"Then, don't fret about it anymore. I can't have an nonsensical boyfriend, now can I?" Hermione smiled and pressed her face against his touch, loving his tender hands. "I've got something to give you."

Raising an eyebrow, Fred smirked, "Oh? Is this gift, of a physical nature?" He trailed his hands down the sides of her torso, settling them on her hips and pulling her against him. Her lips parted in anticipation as he leaned in and touched his to them.

Hermione chuckled at his assumption, but kissed him back none-the-less. He deepened the kiss, entering her mouth with his tongue and receiving a soft moan from her as he explored her warmth. It was only when his hand began to move stealthily up her shirt, that she pulled away. "That's not the type of gift I was going to give you," She managed to get out as her breath began to return to her.

Fred couldn't help the smirk that extended across his face at her flustered appearance. She looked thoroughly snogged, "Then what is it? Because, even though the original plan wasn't physical. Now it is." He pulled her closer, again, and placed light kisses to the sides of her throat.

Hermione sighed in content. Leave it to Fred to make the horrors of the world disappear with a simple touch, "I have something to relieve some of that anxiety you have with me going on the mission with you all tomorrow."

That had Fred freezing in his ministrations and looking directly into her eyes, "Really?" It came out with traces of doubt.

"Yes," Hermione pulled at the collar of her t-shit, revealing a necklace chain hidden underneath. She tugged the chain from under her shirt and held it up for Fred to catch a good look at. "I want you to take it."

Fred tried to keep his hesitation veiled, "Why?" He eyed the pendant before him, recognizing it as the All-Seeing-Eye. They had the symbol all over the place, when the Weasleys had took their vacation to Egypt all those years ago.

"I received it as a graduation present from my Ancient Runes professor at Hogwarts. She adored me and had picked it up while visiting the pyramids with her husband," Hermione explained, reaching behind her neck to unclasp the chain. She held it out for him to take, "It'll work wonders for our situation."

Picking up the necklace, Fred looked at Hermione perplexed, "I still don't get it, Love. Your not really giving me anything to go on. It's just an shiny piece of medal."

"No, its authentic gold. And it's definitely not just a necklace, either." Hermione nodded her head at the pendant, "That eye is charmed to detect when the person tied to it is in grave peril."

Fred jerked his head up and scanned her face for a sign of scam. Finding nothing but honesty in her brown eyes, he said, "Okay, but that still doesn't explain how it will help my concern. I mean, I need to know when you're in danger. Not when I am."

The brunette shook her head, "No, Fred, you misunderstand me. When I said that it shows when the person tied to the necklace is in grave peril…I didn't mean the person who is literally tied to it. I mean the person whose blood runs through the pendant."

"Blood? You mean there is real blood in this damned thing?"

Hermione couldn't help but laugh at the look on his face. He looked utterly disturbed, "Well, its only a drop of my own. It's not as if I spilled a few ounces in, Fred. Grow up."

"I am grown up!" Fred defended.

"Yeah, right. So, anyway. The drop of my blood is held within the pupil of the All-Seeing-Eye. When I, being the one tied to the necklace, am in grave peril, the pupil will shine red. When I am fine, the pupil will look completely ordinary like it does now. Just plain black. Whenever you wear it, you will know when I am truly in danger. It will not turn red if I'm just around threats. Only if I am singled out and attacked or captured."

"Handy."

"Exactly my thoughts."

Fred couldn't refrain from grinning when he reached back and clasped the chain around his neck, tucking it beneath his shirt. It was exactly what would keep him even slightly at ease come tomorrow night. "Thank you, Love. I'm going to need this."

Hermione laughed, moving forward to wrap her arms around his neck, "I figured it'd be helpful."

"This still doesn't mean I'm thrilled about you going as another member of the Advanced Guard."

"I know."

"I still hate that you won't quit the stubborn act and listen to me."

"I know."

"I'll chop off heads with my bare hands if anyone tries to hurt you."

"I know, Fred."

"Good. So about that physical gift…"

The next day, Hermione was roused by blaring shouts. Being a heavy sleeper, she hardly managed to pull a pillow over her head, never mind realize there were two red-heads backbiting each other in her chambers. She pulled the covers over her body, yawning and rolling onto her belly. When the irksome noise didn't cease, she groaned and pulled herself up to look around her room.

Fred was standing at the foot of the bed, with his back to her, wearing nothing but green boxers and her necklace, and yelling at his twin. It wasn't until she heaved herself all the way into a seated position, allowing the double act to become conscious of her wakefulness, that she remembered she was fully naked beneath the thin sheet. No wonder Fred and George were staring a bit more intensely than normal. With a harsh yelp, she pulled the covers up to her neckline; wrapping them firmly around her body and sending a reprimanding glare at her boyfriend as his brother. "Boys!"

"What?" George asked, innocently keeping his eyes fixed upon her. Fred boxed his ears in, causing George to groan, "What'd I do now? Merlin, everyone is beating me today. It isn't even past ten."

"You bloody deserve it. Keep your eyes off my girlfriend," Fred shook his head, "Merlin, can't you just clear off? You wake me up, with your face fuckin' an inch mine, and start whining when I shout at you!"

"There was no need for the shouting!"

"You woke me up earlier than eleven when I was in bed with Hermione!"

"Pardon me, but not everyone gets shagged on a daily basis," George said matter-of-factly.

"Well I do, so bugger off!"

Hermione's face turned a delightful tomato-red at Fred's antics. He was announcing, to the entire mansion thanks to his noise-level, their actions last night. Brilliant, really. "Fred, please," her tone held that of beg, "Let it go and come back to bed."

Fred treaded over to the door, opened it, and gestured from his twin to the hallway, "Out you go. Chivvy along."

George bowed his head in a dejected way, glancing from Hermione to Fred with a pout, "Fine. But I was only given my two favorite people in the entire world a proper morning greeting. Glad I'm appreciated."

With his head now held high, he strutted out of the room past Fred who was shaking his head. "'Two favorite people in the entire world' he says. That's bullocks."

Hermione smiled at Fred's obvious bother, "Am I not good enough to be his most favorite person in the entire world?"

Fred glanced down at the stunning, curly haired, witch in front of him, "Why's it matter, Love? You're already my favorite person in the entire world."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, really. In fact," he beamed and fell into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her waist and placing a kiss softly on her lips, "You are the most enchanting woman I've ever laid eyes on."

Blushing at his flattering words, she lifted her hand to touch his cheek, "You're so charming," A grin spread across her features, "You never fail to astound me."

Fred pressed his lips into her open palm, "And why's that?"

"Because, you make me feel loved by you." Hermione whispered, not realizing she had actually expressed the statement until he stilled under her touch. Her eyes widened at her own stupidity. It was his fault, though, his presence always made her mind go haywire.

Fred took a second to seek out comprehension in her gaze. He wanted to understand what he was supposed to take out of that confession. He opened his mouth to say something, anything. Nothing came out at first. Finally regaining his wits, he said, "I-I do love you."

Hermione had never-in-a-million-years thought that Fred Weasley would ever even admit ardor for a person. Especially a person outside of his relation. Never mind, love. She couldn't bring herself to grasp the concept initially. Her mind was racing for a logical approach to this. He had to be teasing. "Are you…Are you serious?"

Many replies were running through Fred's head, but he wasn't expecting that one. "Uh, yes. I'm in love with you, Hermione. I know its been rather quick and you probably are going to say I'm too naïve to know what love truly is, but I do know. It's the way I feel every time I look or even think about you."

Hermione almost burst into tears at that moment. He made her feel like everything would be absolutely perfect. That the horrors in the world wouldn't even be an obstacle as long as they were together. It had only taken less than a week, but it had happened. She had fallen head-over-heels in love with Fred Weasley. "I love you, too."

Everyone who had already turned up at the Black Mansion in the late afternoon, was bustling around in preparation for that night's events. Fred had disappeared a few hours prior with George. Hermione hadn't the tiniest clue where they were off to. Ron was helping Bill enchant the cloaks that the Advanced Guard would be using on the mission. Harry had stayed behind to watch after Hermione. It wasn't until at least five that Harry pulled Hermione aside, making sure to distance themselves from anyone's snooping ears.

"What's the bother, Harry?" Hermione asked, wondering what had gotten his wand in a twist.

"Nothing, nothing, not a thing," Harry ensured, "I just…I wanted to make sure you were definite of your decision to go to Surrey with us. I mean, trust me. I know better than most how extraordinary you are, 'Mione. I just don't want you going in and getting hot headed. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Hermione knew she should have been a tad more annoyed at him for placing even the slightest doubts, but she had gone through this with Fred for an hour yesterday. Harry just didn't want her to get herself killed. "Harry, I know you worry. You've always been watchful of Ron and I, but I'll be fine. I promise not to go irrationally bonkers on you all."

Chuckling, Harry nodded, "I can't help it if I'm protective."

"No worries. I deserve it, for all those years of mothering you and Ron in Hogwarts," Hermione grinned at the memories.

Harry laughed, "Blimey, you were more menacing than Mrs. Weasley was when we set fire to her curtains "accidentally" after graduation. She kept yelling about how they were-"

"-priceless, hand-made, décor passed on by her great-great grandmother," Hermione finished, chuckling over the past situation.

"She took it out mostly on Ron."

"Pulled the whole 'Ronald Weasley, how dare you!…Oh, Harry, Hermione. I don't blame you, dears.'" Hermione mocked, in a perfect imitation of Molly, "Ron was steamed."

"Can't blame the chum, really. He was lucky we weren't still in school. It would have called for, yet another, Howler," Harry almost shuddered at the thought.

"Merlin, we must have received about twenty by time we graduated."

"That we did."

"It was better than Neville, though. He got one nearly once a week from his Gram," Hermione shook her head at the memory of their pitiful friend who had blossomed into quite the courageous character somewhere in the midst of the war.

"He kept forgetting things," Harry murmured.

"Damn, Rememberall didn't do a bloody thing. He never remembered what he had forgotten. That's usually what Gram yelled at him for. Neville was so bloody forgetful."

"Haven't the slightest clue as to how he grew out of it. Now he's one of the most helpful Order members. Along with Luna." Harry smiled, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Amazing how time changes all," Hermione smiled, not able to keep her mind from wandering over how much a certain boyfriend of hers had changed throughout the numerous years that she'd known him.

Harry sighed, "We'd best get back. The briefing begins at a quarter to eleven. We'll leave precisely at eleven, knowing Remus. He hates been off schedule almost as much as you do. Sometimes I wonder, that if he wasn't about twenty years younger, you and him would be soul mates."

Hermione laughed, "Tell Mooney that for me. He needs a good chuckle."

"Sure thing, c'mon," grabbing her by the hand, he led her back into the kitchen where conversation was flowing heatedly through a horde of fellow members of the Order.

At 10:45 on the dot, the foyer of 12 Grimmuald Place was packed with the thirteen members of the Advanced Guard, along with the other members of the Order of the Phoenix that had made their appearance to see the group off. Hermione's undivided attention was directed at Remus as he instructed the sea of people on recent occurrences and what to expect when the Advanced Guard arrived at the coordinates in Surrey that Dean Thomas had provided.

"Has everyone put on the cloaks provided by Bill and Ron?" Remus asked in an authoritative voice. The Advanced Guard nodded in unison. Bill and Ron had charmed thirteen cloaks with an Invisibility Spell. It will work to hide the guards, but not necessarily make them unplottable by Death Eaters who are tracing the land.

After Remus had essentially gone over everything he'd explained in the kitchen yesterday, they were given five minutes to collect themselves before departure. Hermione closed her eyes a took a deep breath. Shockingly, there was no fear in her mind. Just tension. She felt a hand slip around her waist and place an open palm on her belly, pulling her against them.

"All right, Love?" Fred's suave, calming voice whispered in her ear.

"Yes, I'm fine. You?" Hermione spun in his arms and glanced up at his breathtaking sapphire eyes.

Fred sighed, "Oh, I'm just peachy."

Sensing his complete and utter sarcasm, Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Merlin, Fred. Stop worrying. You'll know it if anything happens to me," she placed a hand on his chest where the pedant hung, "Until then- if that moment even happens- settle down."

Fred opened his mouth to object, but found himself nodding. He really didn't want to get into this again. He'd much rather take in her every feature, imprinting it into his brain everlastingly. "I'm good. Never you mind."

"If you say so," Hermione grinned, leaning on her tiptoes and gently tugging his head down to meet her lips.

Remus interrupted one more time, "Okay. Now, remember to disapparate back to base if the mission goes SNAFU."

"SNAFU?," Hermione whispered, questioningly, to Fred.

"Situation Now All Fucked Up," Fred chuckled lightly and kissed her temple.

"Oh."

"Constant vigilance," Moody grumbled in addition, causing a few people- mainly the 'Golden Trio'- to laugh.

"Now," Remus turned to Hermione, "You should change at this time. I don't want to take any risks of your cover being botched."

Hermione nodded and squeezed her boyfriend's hand before stepping forward and turning into the same auburn coated fox that she'd shown most of the people here already. Some people, however, either hadn't gotten the memo or were just taken off guard.

Dedalus Diggle lurched about two feet at the sight, "Wicked!," he said in astonishment, which was weird being he isn't all that youthful. His jump caused the violet top hat- he'd refused to be without- to fall sideways over his face. Hermione- in her fox form- cocked her head to the side at the sight. Fred distinguished the animal's amusement by her brilliant brown eyes.

"All right, c'mon folks," Remus said after a few chuckles at the scene, "You all know the coordinates. Fred, you'll have to do a Side-Along Apparition with Hermione. She won't be able to do it herself in her animagus."

"All right," Fred said and turned to the fox, "You don't have Rabies or anything like that. Right? No, fleas?" Hermione growled menacingly at his humor. "Blimey, it was a joke!" Fred held his hands up innocently and motioned for Hermione to come closer. When she was at his feet her reached down and wrapped an arm around her, "We're ready when you are, Remus."

"Wonderful, let's go," Remus said, before disapparating. Everyone else followed his example, while distantly they could hear Mrs. Weasley's pleas to be careful.

Fred felt the familiar pressure throughout the apparition, finally give way. His feet hit the ground and he immediately glanced down at the fox to ensure her wellness. Satisfied with the check, he glanced at his surroundings. There was high grass everywhere. They must be in a meadow of some sort. The darkness of the night, swallowed most of his range of sight. Hermione tugged a little, indicating it was fine to release his hold on her. In the faint distance there was a flicking light, the indicator that the rest of the Advanced Guard were stationed there.

Hermione set off in that direction, quietly trailed by Fred. She could already feel her extra senses kicking in. Scents flowing at her snout from all directions. The most calming was Fred's though. He always smelt somewhat of chocolate. The light had stopped flashing, due to already having gotten the attention of any members who needed to find Remus. All eleven other guards were there when they arrived. Only their hoods were off, therefore, they were basically whispering heads.

"Excellent, we all made it," Remus nodded, "Hold on." His voice sounded somewhat strained all of a sudden.

"Wotcher Remus?" Tonks whispered.

"There was another light, down that'd way," George whispered from somewhere behind Remus.

"That must be the location of the site, then," Bill said.

Hermione made a little sound to direct Remus' attention to her. He must have understood what she was getting at, because he nodded, "Right, go on. But if you're not back in an hour, we're just heading out. We'll wait here until then. You'll be able to sniff us out, even in the dark."

Hermione bowed her head a tad at him, to show comprehension. She glanced up at Fred before bolting out into the night. Though she was quick, she barely made a sound. The slyness of her inner fox was taking over. Her nose was twitching in the air, searching for the scent. James' scent. Running through the trees, she turned upon catching an abnormal odor. Blood.

She made the way towards the scent, this time cautiously. As she rounded a clearing, she caught sight of a run-down house. The shutters were hanging off their hinges, the main door was knocked in. The closer she got to the house, the stronger the smell of blood became. She was so distracted by the aroma as she trotted closer, that her hearing was off. She didn't hear the malicious hissing of, "Sectumsempra," until it was too late.