Note: I told you it would be soon. Enjoy!

Fred

It's hard to believe, but for once Peeves was actually being helpful. He was very cooperative when it came to annoying Umbridge and possibly Filch. He kept Umbridge busy while we set off our portable swamp, then made sure Umbridge found the swamp just as we were leaving, giving us a little bit of a head start. We soon learned that Umbridge could move faster than her toad-like figure would have led us to believe, so she was right behind us as we reached the Great Hall. We were forced to stop because while Umbridge could part the sea of students, we could not.

Did you know that even if you're terrified, faking confidence can get you every where?

"So… you think it amusing to turn a school corridor into a swamp?"

"Yeah I thought so." Filch appeared at the top of the steps.

"I've got the form, Headmistress. I've got the whips waiting… Let me do it now…"

"Very good Argus. You two are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school."

"You know what? I don't think we are." My heart was pounding but more from anticipation than from fear. "George, I think we've out grown full-time education."

"I would have to agree."

"Accio Brooms!"

There were a couple terrifying seconds before our brooms appeared but appear they did. We soared above the heads of the gathered students and faculty. It was time for us to leave Hogwarts but we could leave one last legacy.

"Give her hell from us Peeves!"

We sped off into the crisp clear air, relishing our freedom. George let off a celebratory shout, I did a couple loop-de-loops on my broom, laughing. We flew toward London, careful to skirt muggle villages. It's hard to hold a conversation while riding two separate broomsticks at a high speed so George and I didn't say much until we landed in front of a blank store front in Diagon Alley.

"Well this is it."

"Got the key?"

"Yep."

I pulled it out of my pocket and unlocked the front door. Our footsteps echoed in the emptiness of the warehouse. Tomorrow our inventory would arrive and the space would be full of color and light, but tonight it was a dark, empty space. A dreary welcome home if I do say so myself.

We headed upstairs to the flat above the store. Unlike the space below, it was already full of boxes and bags. We'd been mailing most of our stuff here over the past few weeks. Everything else, we had sent by owl this morning. We pushed our way into the room.

"You know what I miss about Hogwarts?"

"Umbridge?" That got me a pillow to the head.

"The food, dimwit!"

"Oh the food, let me guess you want me to cook."

"I don't have a death wish!"

"Say we visit the Leaky Cauldron then?"

"Capital idea, good sir! Give me a moment to change."

"Another capital idea. These robes are going to the Second-Hand Robe Shop first thing in the morning." After we had changed into casual robes, we headed down to the Leaky Cauldron. When we entered, Tom looked up in surprise.

"Aren't you two supposed to be in school?"

"We were but we've moved on to bigger and better things."

"A joke shop to be specific."

"A joke shop?"

"People are going to need some fun around here."

"Why do you say that?" George and I glanced at each other.

"People can always use more laughs Tom."

Hermione

I have to admit, Fred's – sorry the twins' exit was impressive. I was proud of them for standing up to Umbridge and leaving, but at the same time it made me sad. I felt like I'd been left out of the loop. I felt resentful and betrayed but why? There wasn't anything between me and Fred except an almost kiss that had caused more confusion than it solved. I knew now that I liked Fred, but I also felt guilty about it. It was my fault Fred and Angelina had broken up and now that Fred was gone-

"Hermione? Earth to Hermione!" I shook my head.

"Sorry Ron."

"You didn't hear a thing I said did you?"

"Um to be perfectly honest… No." He rolled his eyes.

"I wanted to know if you had time to look over my potions essay for tomorrow."

"How much of it is written?"

"All but like two inches."

"Then yes."

"Thanks 'Mione! You're the best." He scampered up the steps a little bit ahead of me. I turned towards Harry.

"Do you want me to look over yours too?"

"Only if you don't mind."

"I don't mind."

"Thanks! Mine's almost done I just can't think of a good conclusion."

"Good! I'm glad you guys are getting better at doing you won work."

Harry laughed, "You didn't give us much choice!"

"You'll thank my someday."

When we entered the common room, it was buzzing. The twins' exit had caused a small uproar. Everyone was talking about Fred and George which actually made me feel really uncomfortable. It was the last thing I wanted to think about right now.

"You guys want to give me your essays? I think I'm going to head down to the library where it's quieter." Both boys dug lengths of parchment out of their bags and I headed back out. I had finished all my homework and fixed both boys' essays and was reading when somebody joined me at my table. I put my book down and found Ron sitting across from me.

"You've been gone for a while. Harry had to go to detention."

"I got your essay done." I pushed the sheets of parchment toward him.

"Thanks… I – I have a question for you." I closed my book expectantly.

"Next Hogsmeade weekend is coming up pretty fast and well… would you… would you want to go together?" I felt panic start to well up inside. I knew what he was asking but I really didn't want to admit it. I hesitated as long as I dared but no matter what, I still couldn't quite meet Ron's eyes.

"We always go together Ron."

"No, I meant… I mean I was… My question… Never mind." He went back to writing his essay and I went back to my book but I couldn't concentrate. I had had my suspicions about how Ron felt but I really didn't want to deal with them so I ignored them. I pretended they didn't exist but here they were. Forced out into the open. I didn't know what to do with them. Ron's a great friend, but did I see him that way? Ron finished his essay and we headed back to the common room. We were almost there when Ron spoke, almost desperately.

"Harry doesn't have to know about that question I asked, does he?"

"Why should he? It's not going to change anything." Ron nodded.

The common room was still buzzing and we spent the rest of the evening sitting in front of the fire, trying to maintain the appearance of normalcy. Even if others were suspicious, I got the impression that Harry didn't notice anything out of the ordinary when he came back. Either the tension was always there, or he was too tired to care. I went to bed soon after. I couldn't cope with the talk about Fred and the uncomfortable tension with Ron. It was just too much for me to handle at that point in time. Bed seemed to be the safest place to be at that moment.

Note: Thanks to everyone who is following this story! You guys are amazing :)