A/U: The official tumblr for this fanfiction, .com, is home to this story and it's graphics!
"Professor McGonagall." The small, brunette girl stood before the Head of Gryffindor House's desk with her head hanging. She stared intently into the ground.
"Yes, Miss Granger? If you are wondering about the memory charm placed on your parents, Dumbledore personally took care of it himself. They have no recollection of the events that took place." Professer McGonagall said, leaning up from her work. After a moment of awkward silence, McGonagall continued. "Is there something else, Miss Granger?" Hermione nodded, attempting to hold back her tears. "For heaven's sake, child. Is there something I could do?"
Hermione nodded again, attempting to look at McGonagall, but she instead looked out the window, wiping a tear from under her eye. "I… I can't sleep," she replied.
McGonagall took a moment to process. "What can I do? Do you want to stay with him?" Hermione nodded, no longer crying. "I can arrange that. But, no one must know. Do you understand me?"
Hermione finally met McGonagall's gaze. "Yes, ma'am."
"There is an old staff quarter at the top of the tower of Gryffindor that is no longer being used. I will see to it that Mr. Weasley's things will be taken up there along with yours. There is a portrait similar to the one that allows access to the Common Room."
"Thank you, Professor." Hermione said, turning to leave.
"Miss Granger." Hermione turned around to meet McGonagall's face once more. "Don't be afraid, whenever you need something. I will be here for you."
Hermione attempted to reassure McGonagall with a smile, but could hardly manage one. "Thank you, Professor. So very much." She turned, leaving the classroom.
In the hall, she heard her name being called. "Hermione! Hermione!" Fred ran to catch up with her. "How are you feeling?" He was much taller than she was. She looked up into his eyes. "You didn't sleep, did you?" She shook her head. He pulled her gently into his arms as she wrapped hers around his torso.
"Fred?" she said, muffled by his chest.
"Yes?" he replied. He stroked her hair and waited patiently for what she wanted to tell him.
"McGonagall's moving us to a new room." She was barely audible. "Because, I'm scared. I can't sleep and I'm getting stressed over nothing. I just want to be comfortable."
Fred sighed. "People are going to ask questions."
"No one will know," she said, pulling away from his embrace. "It's some old staff quarters. Protected by a portrait."
Fred leaned down, resting his hand on her cheek. "Are you sure this is what you want?" She looked into his chocolate brown eyes, taking a moment to evaluate her choice. After moments of deliberation, she finally nodded. "Will it make you happy?"
"Yes," she said. He actually believed the delight in her voice.
"Then, I will go pack my things and talk to George, okay?"
"Yes! Tell him I'm sorry for stealing you away."
"No worries, love. He figured this was how it was going to work out." Fred said, kissing her forehead. He turned and waved goodbye from behind. Hermione thought the way he strutted was hilarious.
"Now… to tell Harry…" she muttered to herself, starting down the corridor after Fred. She wasn't aware McGonagall had left her room and was aware of their conversation.
"Professor Dumbledore, I am really worried about Miss Granger," McGonagall began, standing in front of Dumbledore's desk. The door burst open before she could finish her thought. In strutted a short woman, covered in pink from head to toe. "Professors. I wish to have a word with Professor Dumbledore, if you wouldn't mind, Professor McGonagall."
"It's alright, Minerva. Just do what you think best. We can finish discussing at a later time."
"If I was interrupting something, please… continue." Professor Umbridge said, ushering them to continue their conversation."
"Thank you, but I have things to attend to. Albus," She nodded toward Dumbledore, who followed suit.
"Professor Dumbledore, there are things I wish to speak with you about…" was all McGonagall heard as she shut the door to the Headmaster's office.
"Did you see that, Lee? Ridiculous. Completely mental," George said, looking through the window of the seventh year boys room.
"Georgie."
George turned to see Fred coming in through the door. "Hey, mate…" George fell silent at the look of Fred's face.
"Can I speak with you alone, please?"
Shocked, Lee left the room. George had let him know that serious things had happened over the holidays, but not any details, not even who it involved. He was slightly hurt that his best friends would keep this kind of information from him, but was slowly starting to understand why. He never saw Fred's face look so serious before, and it somewhat frightened him. "Yeah, sure mate."
"It's okay, Lee. I know. Don't wory about me, Freddie. I understand." George smiled, attempting to reassure Fred.
Fred walked across the room and hugged his brother tightly. "Thanks, Georgie." Fred waved his wand, and his things began filing themselves neatly into his trunk. Fred left, with a small spring in his step. George laughed as soon as the door closed behind him.
"What the bloody hell was that all about?" Lee said, staring at George.
"If I could tell you, you'd think he's a bloody idiot." George said, still chuckling to himself.