"Hermione, wake up!"
Hermione woke up to small hands shaking her awake. She blearily opened her eyes and saw Ginny's tearful and frightened face hovering over her. She sat straight up, fear shooting down to her stomach. "What is it?" She asked, her heart racing. "What's wrong?"
"It's Dad," Ginny replied in a shaky voice. "He's been – He's been attacked. Harry, Ron, Fred, and George back at Grimmauld Place with Sirius, waiting for some news." Tears silently streaked down Ginny's face and Hermione quickly got out of bed, pulled on a robe, and slipped on her shoes.
"Why didn't you go with them?" Hermione asked, putting an arm around her friend.
"I'm – well, we're going to go right now. McGonagall's asked Tonks to come and get us. She'll be here any minute." Ginny's voice had become mechanical and he eyes seemed to be unfocused. Suddenly, Tonks appeared in their room, holding a Portkey. This snapped Ginny back to herself and she got up and hugged Tonks.
"Ginny, I'm so sorry," She murmured, kissing the top of her head. Hermione felt icy drops of dread pool at the bottom of her stomach. She got up to join Ginny and Tonks drew her into a tight hug as well. "I know it's scary, but we've got to stay strong," She added softly. Wordlessly, she held the Portkey out for Ginny and Hermione to hold. The three of them disappeared from their dormitory and landed in Grimmauld Place. Ron, Fred, and George seemed to be immobilized, sitting statuesque around the blazing fireplace. Fred's eyes flickered up to Hermione, but he made no other move that acknowledged she was there. Ginny sat between Fred and George, still on the verge of tears. The twins rubbed her back as Sirius passed her a bottle of Butterbeer. Ginny took a sip and leaned her head against the back of the couch and closed her eyes. Hermione took the spot between Harry and Ron, taking both of their hands in hers. Harry had his head bowed and she heard Ron swallow thickly beside her. She wanted to say that everything would be all right, but found that the words dried up in her throat. She gave Ron's hand a tiny squeeze and she saw the corner of his mouth twitch up before dropping down again. The silence seemed to stretch on forever until an owl swooped into the house with a letter tied to its foot. George got up and read the letter quickly. A relieved, albeit tired, smile broke out on his face.
"Dad's all right for now," He sighed with relief. "We can visit him in the morning."
"For now?" Fred frowned. "That makes it sound like…"
"The important thing is that your father's all right," Sirius cut in, a large grin gracing his features for the first time in months. "Let's all get some sleep and we can visit Arthur in a few hours." The Weasleys trudged to their rooms. Hermione sat on the couch with Harry, who hadn't moved.
"Harry, Mr. Weasley is going to be all right," Hermione reassured him quietly. "Sirius is right, we should get some sleep."
Harry lifted his head his expression was in between relieved and guilty. "I know, I just need to talk to Sirius about something," He admitted. His thoughts flashed back to his dream, remembering how it felt for hi—the snake, to sink its teeth into Mr. Weasley's flesh. Sirius looked up curiously from the table he was cleaning up, but said nothing. "I'll see you in the morning, Hermione." Hermione looked at him, puzzled, but went to her room. She flopped onto her bed and instantly fell asleep.
oOoOoOo
"Well, well," Arthur Weasley looked around at the group surrounding his bed. "I hadn't expected so many visitors," he joked lightly. Molly Weasley was the closest to Arthur and was clasping his hand in hers. He looked pale and thinner than normal, but seemed to be in good spirits. "I'm fine, really. No need to look like I'm about to snuff out at any second." He raised his eyebrows at his children meaningfully. They gave half-hearted smiles to thinly mask their concern. "You're going to have to do better than that," Mr. Weasley looked at Ginny, who took a deep breath before grinning convincingly at her father and hugging him. Mr. Weasley winced slightly, but wrapped his uninjured hand around her. Ginny sniffed slightly and pulled away and stood by Mrs. Weasley who stroked her hair lightly.
"We're glad you're all right, Dad," Fred replied, his voice a littler tighter than normal, but his expression was normal.
"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Harry," Mr. Weasley said, nodding in Harry's direction. Hermione looked at Harry and he had the same odd expression on his face as last night. "Thank you, Harry. I owe you my life."
"Don't mention it," Harry replied, turning red but beaming at Mr. Weasley all the same. "I'm just glad you're safe."
"Dad, we got you something from a Muggle store in London," Ron finally chimed in. He looked like he was struggling to keep his composure. He fished in his pocket and produced a small pocket watch and a small box of chocolates. Mr. Weasley grinned at his son, hugging him after Ron placed the items on the table next to his bed. Mr. Weasley released a rather pink-faced Ron and Ron sidled back next to Hermione and Harry.
"Thank you. All of you," Mr. Weasley responded, smiling. Mrs. Weasley had brushed a tear from her eye.
"All right, Arthur, Sirius, and I have to discuss some Order business," Mrs. Weasley said to the group of teenagers, her business-like tone suddenly quavering. "After that, we'll leave. Your father needs his rest." She added, looking pointedly at Fred and George who looked as though they were about to protest. Clamping their mouths shut, Fred and George bid their father goodbye and were quickly followed by Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. They sat down in the waiting room, sipping the tea laid out for them quietly.
"So, how did you know, Harry?" Fred asked the question that was on everyone's mind. Ron and Harry exchanged a look, which wasn't lost on Hermione. What as Harry not telling her?
"I saw it in my dream. I was dreaming that Voldemort's snake was attacking Mr. Weasley. Ron saw my thrashing around in my bed and he woke me up and that's when I told him."
"Thank Merlin you did, mate," Ron said. "Who know what would have happened if…"
"There's no use talking like that," Hermione cut in, her voice tight. "Sirius is right, the important thing to remember is that your dad is all right." She looked at Fred who was munching on a biscuit. He caught her eye and gave her a half-smile and finished the last part of his biscuit. "I heard that Sirius and Mrs. Weasley are having a party for Mr. Weasley's homecoming."
"Knowing Mum, she'll start baking a cake and cooking as soon as we get home to keep herself busy," Ginny said. "And I'll be the one roped in to help because these three –" Ginny gestured at her brothers – "would have all mysteriously disappeared." They all laughed, feeling lighter than they had in the past two days. Mrs. Weasley and Sirius walked out of Mr. Weasley's room and all of them joined hands and Disapparated. Harry, Ron, and Hermione swayed a bit unsteadily on their feet (Hermione could have sworn she saw Fred smirking at her lack of balance.) when they landed in the Burrow.
"Arthur is going to be home at the end of the day," Mrs. Weasley announced and the little tension left between everyone evaporated. "I'll need help cleaning up before the party, obviously. "Fred, George, start de-gnoming the backyard. Ginny will help me in the kitchen and you three can start cleaning up the rooms," Mrs. Weasley assigned in a business-like manner. The lot of them trudged off to do their respective tasks. Ginny turned and mouthed What did I tell you to Harry, who bit his lip to keep from laughing. Harry, Ron and Hermione busied themselves with cleaning the dining room, living room, and their bedrooms. After a while, there was a loud bang from Hermione's bedroom and she emerged from the doorway, covered in soot. Ron and Harry hurried from their bedrooms to investigate the sound of the noise.
"You found another one of Fred and George's inventions, then?" Ron asked, plainly trying not to laugh as Hermione attempted to wash off the soot from her arms and face.
"At least it comes off," Hermione reminded him, scrubbing her elbow particularly viciously. "Honestly, why don't they leave their stuff in more conspicuous places?" She sighed with frustration.
"I don't think they remember where they keep half of them," Ron answered honestly.
"I hear them coming upstairs. They probably heard the noise," Harry chimed in, trying to arrange his face so he wouldn't be laughing at Hermione as well. Two pairs of feet came thumping up the stairs and Fred and George reached the three of them.
"We heard a noise that sounded like one of our Detonating Donuts," George explained, looking over Harry and Ron to see what had caused the commotion. When he saw Hermione covered in black powder, he pressed his lips together to keep from laughing and nudged his twin. Fred looked over George's shoulder and let out belly laughs, clutching the wall for support. Hermione narrowed her eyes but said nothing.
"I…I c-c-an't believe this happened for the s-s-econd time this year," Fred exclaimed between laughs. "I-I'm sorry…Hermione," Fred took deep breaths in and wiped tears from his eyes. Harry and Ron were careful not to make eye contact with each other or George, seeing as the three of them were on the verge of giving into their laughter as well. Fred finally sobered up and repeated, "I'm sorry. We're sorry. Really."
Hermione pulled a face at him but said, "It's ok. I should know better than to be surprised by now." Fred grinned and moved forward and hugged Hermione. Ron looked at him oddly. "Now you're going to be covered in soot!" She pointed out, pushing him away and shooting a small warning glance at Ron. Fred shrugged and vacuumed the rest of the soot off with his wand. Hermione looked down at herself, pleased with her clean outfit. "Thanks," She said, beaming at him.
"It's the least I can do," Fred replied, smiling.
"FRED! GEORGE! The garden isn't going to de-gnome itself," Mrs. Weasley called from downstairs. Grimacing dramatically, the twins made their way downstairs to the garden.
"So," Ron said, pausing slightly, "You and Fred seem to be getting along quite well."
"Yes, I suppose," Hermione said noncommittally. Shifting uncomfortably in between them, Harry suddenly decided that his energies were better spent finishing up cleaning his room. He walked back into his room, hoping the awkwardness would subside in the corridor.
There were a few more moments of awkward silence, when Harry overheard Ron asking, "So has anyone asked you to the dance at the end of the year?"
"I thought we were going as a group," Hermione lied, side-stepping the issue of Fred. "Right?"
"Right," Ron said awkwardly. "It's just that Harry and George have dates, so I thought, well, maybe you and I should go." Harry scrubbed the dresser more vigorously, hoping to drown out the rest of the conversation.
Hermione bit her lip, unable to think of a way to not tell Ron she was going with Fred. "Ron, I'm sorry, but someone's already asked me," Hermione said slowly. It was their fourth year all over again.
Ron seemed to register that coincidence and he narrowed his eyes and asked, "Who?" He seemed to know the answer before she said it.
"Fred."
"Fred? Fred asked you?" Ron asked, more hurt than incredulous.
"He asked me at Hogsmeade a few days ago," Hermione replied softly, gauging Ron's reaction.
"And you said 'yes'," Ron stated coldly.
"Yes," Hermione said in the same soft tone.
"You are unbelievable." The cold fury in Ron's voice startled Hermione. "How could you do this to me, Hermione?"
"Me? Ron, it's been five years. I can't wait for you forever."
"With my own brother? Ron stopped suddenly, straightening up. "I'm going to kill Fred, I can't believe –" He didn't even finish his sentence as he whirled away from Hermione and ran down the steps, his expression thunderous.
"Ron, it's not his fault!" Hermione exclaimed. Harry emerged from his room and Hermione cast a helpless look at him. The two of them rushed down the stairs to find Ron in the garden, red-faced, breathing hard and shaking his injured hand. Fred was holding his nose and looking up, trying to keep the bleeding to a minimum.
"Ron, you git, what the hell are did you punch him for?" George growled at his younger brother. Hermione rushed into the garden, Harry a few paces behind her, and went see if Fred was all right.
"Are you ok?" Hermione asked him, looking at Fred's nose worriedly. She pulled out her wand and calmly said, "Episkey." George gave a short yell of pain, but his nose jerked into its original position and stopped bleeding.
"He asked her to go to that bloody dance with him, when he knew how I –" Ron cut himself off, glaring at Fred. "I knew it. I knew something was going on with you two."
"Ron, maybe you should calm down," Harry muttered, trying to steer Ron out of the garden. "Now's not really the right time to –"
"So what if there is?" Fred shouted, his facing turning the same shade as his hair. "You don't own Hermione, Ron. She's not your girlfriend."
Ron turned to look at Fred, hands shaking with anger. "I told you how I felt about her. You betrayed me."
"Ron, you've had years to tell Hermione how you feel. What is she supposed to do? Wait around for you?"
Ron tried to lunge at his brother, but Harry held him back,
"Ron, stop, just stop," Harry muttered, pushing Ron back. "Let's just talk about this when everyone has cooled off," Harry addressed everyone, not wanting Ron to sucker punch anyone else. Ron glared at him and Harry suddenly feared for the safety of his own nose. Ron seemed to deflate as he took in the situation. He shrugged off Harry's restraining arm and headed into the house, slamming the mesh door behind him.