A few days later, in the library, Hermione found herself surrounded by a ton of books. Actually there were twenty-seven. But who was counting? She was pouring herself into her studies, even more so than usual. Ron still wasn't talking to her. Harry wasn't exactly ignoring her but since he spent all of his time with Ron he might as well have been.

Across the library sat another Gryffindor. Fred Weasley was taking the night off from his normal antics to do research for a new product. However, he'd been finding it increasingly more difficult to concentrate since he became aware of the petite brunette that had entered the room just an hour before.

Fred smiled to himself. She looked adorable when she studied. He'd been watching her as she went back and forth between the rows of books and her table which already held over a dozen thick tomes. Fred knew he was starring but he couldn't seem to help it.

Hermione's skin itched with the feeling that she was being watched. She looked around and didn't see anyone. Maybe all the extra time to herself was making her paranoid. She stood up and went to search for another book she needed. Hermione didn't notice the tall redhead follow her into the maze.

Row after raow of books was passed as Hermione looked for the one she wanted. Finally she spotted it. However, as she approached it's shelf Hermione began to realise something. The book was just high enough to be beyond her reach. She sighed in frustration.

Quietly, Fred came up behind her, stopping only inches away. "Do you need help?"

Hermione jumped at the sound of a voice so close behind her. She turned around, eyes still wide in surprise. Fred laughed. Hermione realised how much she loved his laugh.

"Do you need help, Hermione?"

Feeling heat creep up her neck Hermione nodded. The blush traveled into her cheeks as Fred reached behind her and effortlessly picked the book from the shelf. He handed it to her.

"Thank you." She whispered as she made an attempt to leave.

"Are you in a hurry?"

Hermione's brows furrowed in thought. "No, I don't suppose I am."

"Then is it me you're trying to get away from?" Fred asked, already starting to feel a bit selfconscience.

She wouldn't meet his eyes. Fred sighed. "What do you want from me, Hermione?"

Her voice trembled as she said, "I want to be friends."

Fred took a step closer and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her eyes. As he did so his fingers caressed the curve of her neck. Hermione shivered. "We are friends."

Hermione shot him a pointed look making Fred chuckle softly. "Okay, I don't know what we are."

"We should be friends." she told him. "Just friends."

Leaning in closer, Fred put his hands on the shelf to her back. Hermione found herself trapped between the bookcase and Fred's body. He leaned in close enough to whisper in her ear. "I want to be more than your friend, Hermione. Do you feel at all the same way?"

Did she feel the same way? Of course she did. And he smelled so good. Hermione had never noticed just how good he smelled before. He could make her laugh like nobody else could. She felt free to be herself and not the prim and proper know-it-all image that everyone seemed to expect of her. Nobody made her feel the way Fred did.

But on the negative end she really had to concentrate on her studies. With the tournament going on her work was already slacking. Being with Fred would create an even bigger distraction. And they were so different. He was boisterous and wild. She really was the bookworm. Hermione loved to have her quiet. She loved for things to be organized and for events to run smoothly. Not to mention, they had about a one in a billion chance of working out. She would end up with her heart broken. And there was Ron. Being with Fred could ruin their friendship. Hermione didn't know if she was ready for all the implications involved.

After a long while Hermione let her eyes meet his. "No, I don't."

Fred shrugged. He tried to act like the information didn't completely destroy him.

"I'm so sorry, Fred."

He smiled softly at her. "Don't worry about it. I'll see you around, Hermione."

Turning around abruptly Fred left. And when she was sure he was gone Hermione let herself cry.