Note: Sorry for the extremely long space between up dates. I hope you' forgive me!

Hermione

Between Dumbledore's Army, O.W.L. year work, prefect duties and simply living in a school run by a woman like Umbridge, I was quickly becoming overwhelmed. I was actually starting to think this was just as bad as third year with ten million classes and the time-turner. Eventually, I just couldn't deal with it anymore. I slammed my Transfiguration book shut, making Ron and Harry jump. In frustration I slammed the book on the table once, twice, and again before I marched out of the room. I heard one ot the boys, probably Ron call after me but I just kept moving. I don't remember how I got there but I found myself in the midde of the quidditch pitch, screaming into the night with tears running down my face. I heard footfalls behind me and I whirled around to find Fred Weasley standing there in his full quidditch gear, holding his broom. He was only half lit by the glow of the distant castle, but he looked genuinely concered.

"Are you okay Hermione?"

"… I'm better I think. There's just so much going on right now." He smirked.

"Well you picked a great place to de-stress."

"I honestly wasn't planning on coming here. It just kinda happened."

"Even better." He laughed and we fell into and awkward silence.

"You- um… you wanna go for a ride?" He motioned to the broom.

"No, thanks. I've never been much of a flier."

"Aww come on Hermione! Live a little!"

"I swear I'm okay."

"It'll make you feel better." His smile was making me weak in the knees. Not that I was going to tell him that any time soon.

"I feel fine."

"Please?"

I hesitated. He held his hand out and I took it. He helped me onto the broom and mounted it in front of me. I wrapped my arms around him, tight, so I wouldn't fall off the back. He glanced over his shoulder.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be…"

He kicked off. My heart dropped and I wanted more than anything to scream, but al I could manage was a tiny mouse-like squeak that made Fred laugh. When I finally caught my breath I joined in. I became aware of the pleasant sensation of wind throughmy hair and across my face. Fred was right. This was relaxing whe a person could actually fly.

I also began to notice something else. Fred. He smelled amazing! It reminded me of cedar and ashes, the pleasant kind that came from a hearth fire. Even through his robes, I could feel well toned muscles. I laid my head against his back and closed my easy. His heart was beating franticly against his rib cage. I giggled.

"Nervous, Fred?"

"What makes you say that?"

"You are, aren't you?!"

He didn't say anything but his ears turned redder than his hair. That was all the confirmation I needed. I leaned forward and whispered in his ear.

"Me too."

"You sure it's not from flying?"

"You know, for once, I'm fifty feet up in the air and I feel perfectly safe." Fred went into a perfectly controlled dive (which was absolutely terrifying by the way) and within seconds we were back on solid ground. I didn't want to let go but I did. When we had both dismounted I found myself within inches of Fred, facing each other.

"Hermione, I-"

"I know. I feel it too." He drewme closer and that's when it happened. Or I guess almost happened. Our lips were milliseconds from touching when, without thinking, I whispered, "Angelina."

Fred stopped. He put his forehead on mine and sighed.

"Angelina." He moved away abruptly.

"Oh, Fred. I'm so sorry! I just-"

"No! Don't be! You're right I should have thought of her first."

"Ya think?" We both whirled to see Angelina in tears arms crossed.

"Angelina!"

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Does it matter? Long enough."

"I think it's time for me to go."

"Don't bother. I'll go. I'm obviously the one who isn't wanted here." Angelina started running back up towards the castle.

"Angelina!" Fred turned to look at me. He opened his mouth to speak but I never gave him the chance.

"Go. You need to make things right. I'm sorry…" He turned and sprinted after her. I stood in the middle of the quidditch field for a little longer. Fred was right. It was a good place to think.

Fred

I screwed up big time. At least Hermione had the sense to pull away, so there was some hope of saving my relationship with Angelina. Not much though. I sprinted up the lawn after Angelina, kicking myself for what had almost happened and regretting that it hadn't happened at the same time.

"Angelina! Angelina, wait!" She pulled to an abrupt stop and turned to face me.

"Why?! Why should I wait? You cheated on me, you lying, filthy-"

"Nothing happened Angelina, do you hear me? Nothing… Happened."

"You were alone. On the quidditch pitch. With- with her wrapped in your arms! What am I supposed to think? That nothing happened? That you're just hanging out as "friends"? Seriously?"

"Yes! Because that's what happened. I need you to trust me Angelina."

"Trust?"

"Please?"

"No. I can't do that right now. Maybe not ever, but especially not right now. Now please just leave me alone."

She walked away from me then. For good. What she didn't know, what nobody else knew, was that George and I were leaving the next day. I had gone down to the quidditch pitch to say goodbye. Umbridge had taken my broom away but I had… let's say borrowed Ron's broom. I figured some of my best memories of Hogwarts were made on that pitch, one last trip around it would be fitting. Instead I ended up with newer, better memories. I realized I wasn't feeling as sad as I thought I would. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I hadn't wanted to try to maintain a relationship after I left. Or it was quite possible that I had been looking for someone else all along.

When I got back to the dormitory, George was waiting for me.

"So…"

"The flying was great!"

"What made it so special?" I just grinned at him. "You're not going to tell me are you?" I laughed and fell back onto the bed.

"Nope."

"I'll find out eventually."

"That does not mean I have to tell you."

"But you will."

"Probably. Okay yes, I will, but not tonight. Are you all packed?"

"Ready and waiting."

"One more night. Let's spend it with friends." We headed down to the common room.

That night, after we had crawled in bed and George's snoring filled the room, I lay awake thinking. The almost kiss with Hermione lingered on my mind. It had felt so right. I'd never felt like that before, but the instant it started I knew. Something was going to happen here.

Note: The next piece will be coming soon! Please rate, commet, and follow.