A/N: After a few weeks, here it is! YAY! I'm sorry I wasn't able to post a new chapter in this story. Thanks for following this story. I really appreciate it :))) Thanks guys.

Disclaimer: The usual-not mine.

Hermione became used to her hectic and loaded schedule the previous year that classes turned out to be easier for her to handle this year. So far, Hermione enjoyed all of her classes. The only problem she encountered was Ron's whining about classes, assignments and his hunger. Also include the fact that almost all the students kept on talking about the upcoming tournament and the two other schools that would be competing.

Students' anticipation over the tournament overshadowed their dislike over classes and lessons. Hermione could understand why they were really excited about the event. It was a rare experience for all of them. However, listening to students talk about the Triwizard Tournament all day is tiring.

Another thing that bothered Hermione was their Defense Against the Dark Arts class, particularly their professor, Professor Moody, who is an ex-auror. He discussed the Unforgivable curses and performed them in front of the class during their FIRST MEETING. It was a disturbing lesson. Professor Moody was a bit mad, in Hermione's opinion. Poor Harry. He had to endure and watch him as he killed the spider with the Killing Curse. How can he be inconsiderate? Harry's parents died because of that curse! That same curse was even used on him! And then there's Neville. He was really scared and horrified. Who wouldn't be? It's the Cruciatus Curse for Merlin's sake! He took the situation the hardest.

On the next lessons, he used the Imperius Curse on them (which was of course, illegal but he said was okay for Dumbledore permitted him to do so.). Harry was the only one who managed to fight it. Hermione had to admit, despite the awfulness of the situation, she was quite impressed with Harry's capability.

Hermione barely saw Fred. She was already missing their usual banters, chats and even his shameless flirting. She was busy with her classes, helping Harry and Ron with their homeworks, reading at the library and campaigning for the rights of the elves.

Fred and George, to everyone's confusion, were usually seen sitting together at the common room, heads together, one scribbling furiously on the parchment, the other whispering. They've been like that for quite some time. It was very unusual. It was actually the first time Hermione saw them act that way. They usually like to be the center of attention. But now, it's as if they didn't want other students to know what they're up to. They were being secretive. And that was really suspicious.

Even though Hermione didn't get the chance to talk to him, she still managed to enjoy her evenings by simply watching Fred.

That particular evening, she, Harry and Ron were sitting on the couch, just a few feet away from the twins. Harry and Ron were talking about the tournament while doing their Potions essay. Hermione was already finished with hers a few days ago so she just brought a book with her. The book was only a prop though. She wasn't actually planning to read. She would only use it to camouflage her real goal-
Fred-gazing.

While half-listening to whatever Harry and Ron were saying, she opened the book and nestled it in her lap. She would use this moment to observe Fred –his face, his clothing, his voice, his laugh, his movements. Although at some point, Hermione felt like a stalker. She just put that thought at the back of her head and resumed her activity.

"Hermione, Hermione." Ron whined.

"What?" Hermione growled. Ron looked at her sheepishly and pleaded, "Please help us. We swear we'll try our best next time. It's just this essay is bloody difficult to do. I wonder what Snape was trying to do to us."

Hermione rolled her eyes at her friend's foolishness. "That was an essay assigned a week ago! If you weren't just fooling around these past few days, you might have been playing wizard's chess by now!" she chastised him. Hermione looked at Harry. He was smiling sheepishly at her. She wasn't as irritated with Harry as she was with Ron. Hermione sighed. There are really things which wouldn't really change.

She leaned over to check on Harry's essay, much to Ron's chagrin of course. She was very pleased to see that Harry's essay has substance. He just needed to fix some details. She pointed it out to Harry, which he immediately fixed. The boy affectionately ruffled Hermione's hair. She tried to remove his hand from her head by pushing him away but he just moved closer and closer to her.

"Harry!" her glare would have been effective if it weren't for the traitorous smile on her lips.

"What? I'm just thanking you." he said innocently. Hermione just laughed at her friend's childish act.

"Herrrmmmioooonnneeeee," she heard Ron whined yet again. She groaned as she faced her red-haired friend and smacked him on the head.

"Oy! What was that for?! Bloody Hell Hermione! You're getting too violent for a girl."

"Hey! I'm not violent!" she protested, accompanied by another smack on the head.

"Are you going to help me or what?" Ron dodged another smack from Hermione.

"I'll help you of course!" she answered with a smack.

"Hey! You didn't even hit Harry! You even helped him first. And I was the one who asked for your help not him!" he huffed indignantly.

Hermione just gave him a sweet innocent smile before saying, "That's the point Ronald."

The red-haired boy growled playfully and muttered something which Hermione didn't catch.

"What was that?" challenged Hermione as she raised a brow at Ron. The boy just grinned widely and said, loud enough for half of the common room to hear, "You're always paying Harry more attention than me. I wonder if there's something going on between the two of you." Ron looked at Hermione and then at Harry. He had this 'innocent' look on his face which, if what he said was not about her, she might have laughed at because of the face her friend was making. He was just ridiculous.

"What?!" Hermione and Harry both hissed. Her face was already starting to heat up and she noticed that Harry's just the same. Though that wasn't because they were 'caught' but because those who heard Ron were already looking at them, obviously interested as to what they would say.

Ron just guffawed. When Hermione finally recovered from the shock, she started hitting Ron again with the book she was holding.

" You. Are. A. Great. Prat. Ronald Weasley!"

"Ow! Ow! Stop that!" Ron said as he tried to dodge Hermione's book.

"Why would I? I'm enjoying this." Hermione laughed as she saw Ron's red face.

"Alright. Alright. Fine. You're not dating or whatever. So stop." He muttered.

"Good." She said, satisfied with his answer. It was only a short-lived satisfaction though as the Boy Who Lived started edging closer to her and said loudly, "Hey Hermione."

"Yes Harry?" she asked concernedly.

"Why don't we really go on a date?" he asked loudly as he put his arm around Hermione's shoulder.

"What?!" Hermione shouted as she jumped out of her seat. Ron started laughing again. This made Harry's serious face disappear and was now replaced by the same amusement as Ron. He also started laughing. "Honestly Hermione!"

Finally, Hermione saw the hilarity with the situation. She also started laughing. She and Harry would never be a couple. That's just like dating her brother (although she didn't have one). She sat back and lightly punched Harry. "You idiot!"

Her smile was gone in an instant as she saw Fred looking at them, his expression unreadable. When he saw that Hermione was looking at him, he offered her a small smile which didn't reach his eyes and went back to talking to George.

I know there wasn't a Fred/Hermione interaction here. Sorry if you're expecting. Especially after not posting for a long time. Anyway, I'm really trying to squeeze a few chapters until Christmas. I don't if I'd be able to. Anyway, please tell me what you think.