Hello, fanfiction readers! I'm sooo sorry it took so long to update. I really have no excuse. Well, now that the apology is out of the way, I have a favor to ask!! Actually, two. First of all, is anyone willing to BETA for me? Second favor is, you know that last chapter, the little fluffy scene? Could somebody draw a picture of that? Thanks…. On with the story! God, you ramble on and on… -fred Shut up, you've been missing for how long now? If I were you I'd be begging for forgiveness. ~smacks face~ Sorry sorry. Have fun with this chapter! –fred
"WAKE UP! WAKE UP!"
Fred groaned and placed and arm carelessly over his eyes, trying to block out the rays of the sun. Hermione stirred underneath him, but didn't wake up.
"What'chu want?" Fred mumbled, his voice raspy and thick from sleep. He lifted his arm a little to see Ginny hauling his trunk downstairs. Hermione sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"THE TRAIN LEAVES IN AN HOUR! GET YOUR ARSE OFF THE COUCH!" Ginny shouted, realizing that she can just use magic to move her trunk. Fred stretched and yawned a few times, carefully maneuvering his legs so they wouldn't hit Hermione when he sat up.
"I'm coming… I'm coming…" Hermione mumbled, starting to stand up. She swayed a bit, and fell back on the couch.
"Fainting from the sight of me, luv?" Fred asked, smirking.
"No, Fred. And are you serious? Your acting like last night never happened. Like no ones going to die… and…" Hermione trailed off, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. Damn, Fred thought, I was hoping that was just a dream.
"Don't cry, Hermione. It'll all be OK. Come on, let's go take a shower." Fred whispered, standing up and hugging her.
"You mean you'll take a shower and then I'll take a shower. We will not be sharing one." Hermione asked, trying to hide a smile. Fred chuckled a bit and released her. Hermione walked up the stairs and got ready for her shower. In the bathroom, she started the shower. Taking off her clothes, she realized how long it's been since she's had one. She stepped into the shower and let out a sigh of relief as the warm water massaged her body, releasing most of her tension. She knew she had a lot to do today, but she wanted to enjoy this shower without thinking of any of that. About ten minutes later, Hermione stepped out of the shower and magically dried her hair. She put on her clothes, a blue plaid shirt, jeans, white socks and winter boots. Then she went into her dorm and got her trunk ready. She decided to leave all but a few of her books here, and quite a few clothes. She packed in her stuffed bear her grandmother gave her, and some chocolate frogs she had leftover from the last hogsmeade trip. She threw in her toothbrush and a pile of clothes, and headed downstairs. Once she got there, she noticed George laying on the floor with his head in Fred's lap, chatting animatedly with him. Fred looked up as Hermione walked in, and smiled at her. He had clean clothes on, and his hair was slightly wet. She figured he didn't know how to dry his hair with magic.
"Hey, Mione. C'mon, let's get a move on. We have to be at the great hall in ten minutes." George said, shoving Fred off his lap and standing up. Fred followed suit, grabbing his and Hermione's trunk and following George downstairs.
They arrived in the great hall, with all the other students going home for the holidays. Dumbledore led them out the doors onto the train, and, after bidding farewell to Dumbledore and Hagrid, Fred, George, and Hermione walked onto the train and searched for a compartment to sit in.
"Oh, right, Fred, I promised Lee we'd sit with him. Is that OK with you? Or would you rather have 'alone time' with 'Mione?" George asked sarcastically, a slight frown on his face. Hermione looked at him and Fred, a bit worried.
"What's with you, George? You've been mad at me for a while with no apparent reason!" Fred asked, slightly concerned. George had never been angry with him before, no matter what happened.
"Nothing, Fred. Let's go find Lee." George said, resuming his happy and cheerful smile, although this time it did not quite meet his eyes. Fred, George, and Hermione finally found Lee, and they all settled in.
"Hey, Hermione. I haven't seen you in awhile. I've missed your presence." Lee said, giving her an exaggerated wink. Hermione laughed, and rummaged through her trunk for a book she was reading.
"So, Lee, how is it with that new girl in your class, oh what was her name…. Ginny really liked her…. umm… " Fred started, trying to remember.
"Fantasia." Hermione spoke from behind her book, Blood Sinister.
"Geez, Hermione, do you know EVERYTHING?" George exclaimed, looking at her curiously.
"No. If you had of payed attention during the speech at the beginning of the year, you would have remembered that her name was Fantasia. Dumbledore introduced her." Hermione sighed, exasperated. She wanted to finish her book.
"Ya, that girl. You did go on for awhile about how hot she was…" Fred grinned, earning him a smack from Lee.
"Terrible. She's a bitch. Oh well, all the hot ones end up in Gryffindor anyway, she was just a fluke." Lee laughed. Fred grabbed Hermione around the waist, and put her on his lap. She giggled slightly, then leaned into him and continues reading. Fred smiled.
"You two are a couple now?" Lee asked, looking dumbfounded. He would never have guessed his best friend, a prankster extraordinaire, would go for a know-it-all bookworm.
"Yup!" Fred replied, giving Hermione a quick kiss on the cheek. George frowned slightly.
"I have to go to the washroom. Be back soon." George grumbled, stalking off. Hermione and Lee looked confused, while Fred just sighed. He couldn't figure out was making his brother so upset, but he knew George would tell him eventually.
"Is he OK?" Asked Lee, staring at the door.
"No, yes, maybe. Probably not. I don't know." Fred replied with a shake of the head. They remained in silence for awhile, Hermione leaning on Fred, Lee lying down on the seat, eyes closed.
"I think he's asleep." Fred whispered to Hermione.
"Great detective work, Sherlock." Hermione grinned, putting down the book and stretching her legs out on the seat. Fred ran his fingers through her smooth hair, marveling at the softness. Hermione couldn't fight of the waves of fatigue any longer, and fell asleep on Fred. Lee sat up a bit after that.
"Hm. Where's George, Fred? Did he come back at all?" Lee asked, concerned now.
"No, I don't think he did. I should find him…" Fred trailed off, looking down at Hermione. He gently moved her head, and got up.
"Be back soon. Wake her up when the Lunch trolley comes, I bet she's hungry." Fred whispered, and walked out the door. Lee shut the door with a barely audible bang, and sat down, staring out the window. Why's George so upset, and what's with Fred? He's acting so… different. Lee thought to himself. A few minutes later, Fred returned with a very red eyed George behind him. They noticed Lee staring at their intertwined fingers, and quickly let go. Lee dismissed it, it wasn't important.
"Where were you, George?" Lee asked, wondering why George looked like he'd been crying.
"Nowhere." George asked, sitting down beside Fred. Fred and George shared a quick look, then George slumped in his seat and pressed his forehead against the window pane. The lunch trolley came then, and the kind old witch knocked on the door before entering.
"Any sweets, dearies?" She asked, fixing her pale blue skirt. She was a witch of about thirty years old, and adored working on the train.
"Yes, please. Four chocolate frogs, eight licorice wands and a box of Bertie Botts every flavor beans pleased." Fred asked, searching his pockets for money. The lunch trolley witch grabbed the sweets, and gave them to Fred.
" Nine sickles, please." She asked, outstretching her hand. Fred gave her the shiny silver coins and she walked out, slamming the door behind her. Hermione woke with a start, reaching for her wand.
"Hermione, calm down!" Lee laughed, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder. He handed her a licorice wand, and they sat in silence, George leaning on the window, and Fred, Hermione, and Lee laughing and eating.
The train lurched to a stop an hour later. Fred grabbed Hermione's trunk and they walked with George to Mrs. Weasley, who greeted them with giant bear hugs. Hermione was thrilled to see her, but worried about what would happen tomorrow. Fred looked happy, but Hermione could detect a hint of worry in his eyes, too.
"Oh, Hermione," Mrs. Weasley, smiled, "You and Harry will be staying with us at the burrow, and …"
HAHAHAHAHA Cliffy! Who are the mysterious guests? We'll see… We'll see. Thanks, Daniel, for reading!! :D:D:D Faith too!!! I have fun writing these! Once again, sorry it took so long to write this and, as always, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! :D