The air was still and partly silent in the common room a few hours later, only punctuated by the quiet talking of a few girls, the occasional book set down, page turn, and paper rustle.
Yet these were not the only sounds that would soon be in the common room...
Five minutes later, the portrait hole opened, and Hermione stepped in, eyes wide and looking a little odd.
At seeing Harry and Ron, she went up to them, eyes drifting around for Fred, but when she realized he was not there, turned back to her two friends with a weak smile.

"You are... you are... -such- a... a..."
"... Clever person? I mean, come on, I pulled the wool over his eyes perfectly..."
"No! You are an arse! That's what you are!"
"Why? It is not as if we've never done this before."
"Well, I never tried to sabotage you when you're... you're..."
"... Planning on spending the evening with my girlfriend?"
"George!"
"Bah. You should be happy! And at least we're speaking again, eh?"
Fred and George stomped into the Common Room, following Hermione soon after through the portrait hole - Fred was fuming. It seemed that George had gotten into a scrape with Filch, and as his defense he decided to convince the caretaker that he was his brother. This was, perhaps, a way of revenge for their brief period of not speaking to each other. So it was that Fred found himself saddled with detention for a crime he didn't even commit - that night of all nights! Worse off, George wasn't even the slightest bit sorry.
"Well," Fred said decisively. "I am not going. You are going to get yourself out of this."
"Aww, come on, Fred! It won't be so bad. Besides, I've gotten you out of trouble loads of times..."
"I can't, this time! I've already got plans."
"Well, we'll see what Master Filch thinks of THAT..."

"You sure you're alright, Hermione? Did you take your potion last night alright? You kind of rushed out of class early to take it..." Harry asked quietly, looking a bit concerned.
Hermione smiled in a not-so-normal way. "Yes, the potion ... e-everything was fine."
Ron raised his eyebrow. "You know, I'm really surprised that you haven't reported him, 'Mione... after what that creep did to you..."
An impatient noise escaped Hermione's throat. "I told you, something happened that –"
"– once again you cannot tell your friends?" Ron asked, this time not angrily, but a little annoyedly. "Look, we care about you, that's why we want to know,"
"And if I am telling you that everything is fine, and that I've taken care of it – you've done your job of caring and everything is just wonderful! I took my potion, then went to the grounds, and now I am here!"
"The grounds?"

"Come on, Fred," pleaded George. "Please? I have something to do tonight."
Hearing her voice and that of her friends, Fred glanced in Hermione's direction. He and George still lingered just inside the portrait hole. He sighed, and ran a hand through his vibrant hair. Hermione most definitely would not appreciate this. And, for that matter, neither did he! He made up his mind quickly, although the last thing he wanted was another fued with his twin.
"I can't, George, I am sorry," he said patiently. "I have already made plans to do something with Hermione this evening. You will have to go on pretending that you're... you're... me..."
He paused. A thought just truck him - if George was to pose as him while doing detention with Filch, why, that would be the perfect alibi for him. If something did backfire in their plan, they would not be able to pinpoint the blame on him, because he would supposedly be in detention. And Hermione? Like he already said, multiple times, no one would suggest that she would do such a thing due to her clean record.
"You know, that is a great idea!" he said happily, slapping his hand genially on George's shoulder. "Right! You go to detention, pretending to be me! Good thinking, mate. I'll make it up to you, somehow, I'm sure. Now, 'scuse me."
He beat a hasty retreat from a befuddled George, and made a b-line for Hermione, Harry and Ron.
"Hullo," he said with a grin, though he sent a cautious look in Ron's direction as he drew near. "What're you all up to?"

Harry grinned at the sight of Fred, and Ron gave a kind of half odd-ish smile.
Hermione turned at the sound of the voice.
'Oh hey Fred." She said in a very peculiar quiet way, almost as if she were covering up something and pretending to be cheery. "I didn't see you come i–"
"- Hermione," Ron interjected. "Please tell us what's going on. We're not stupid. You look different, and this is very weird."
Harry silently agreed as Ron continued to look concernedly at Hermione.
The brown haired girl raised her eyebrows. "Honestly, stop it. Nothing's wrong with me."

A bit befuddled by Ron's words and Hermione's reactions, Fred arched an eyebrow at the two, and then eyed Hermione curiously. After a bit he agreed with his brother, though it felt rather odd now to be doing so if one put to light all the happenings of the last day or so. Somehow he would have prefered taking Hermione's side, but lately he tended to realize if Hermione said nothing was wrong, then something was, usually, quite wrong.

"If you do not tell us what's wrong," Fred said slowly, and then he granted, "IF there is something wrong, you know one of us will find out eventually. We only want to help, if you'd like to put it out into the open now rather than later. Or else we'll have to resort to bribery."

"Bribery?" Hermione said reprovingly with a smile. "Hmm, what might just work... but I am telling you, I'm fine, just a little put off at Malfoy..."
She paused thoughtfully, then added. "Only because he gave me the usual torture in the great hall. Nothing big. Honesty, you three...."
Her hand oddly ran up and down her arm as she peered at the three, not her usual self, but seemed to be in the state of a girl who was getting over something – and Draco was most certainly something to get over. A slimy git would be sure to put someone off into their un-normal selves! Unless the ones who were un-normal were un-normal for a different reason...

((( Sorry everyone, I'm missing a whole section here. They finished the conversation not getting anything out of Hermione, and where you come in again is where Fred and Hermione are walking down the hall towards GCR.) )))

"Ah," Fred said, raising his eyebrows a bit. The title of the book had gone in one ear and out the other, but he did recognize that it was something boring and probably very big. He tried to imagine buying it for Hermione, but he decided that he should probably stick with his original idea. He'd make Ron get that Theory of Numbers book for her, or whatever it was called. "Hmm, sounds... interesting..."

He had noticed the decline in teasing as well, though he never really did get the brunt of it so much as Hermione had. He didn't even have to hit anyone lately, which was a comforting thought, he supposed.

"Say, Hermione?" he said, masking his voice in a careless tone. He paused, trying to decide on his wording. "Do you remember that letter you got a while ago? I was wondering. It's been a while... do you think you could tell me what was in that thing soon? I'm still dying to know..."

He grinned, and then on an afterthought he added, "Please?"

Hermione jumped out of thought like a cat being hit by a toy when it was asleep.
"Oh – the letter?" She said uncertainly, wondering why Fred had brought it up and biting her lip.
The thought of telling him frightened her beyond words, but he couldn't go on without knowing FOREVER.
Even so, what would he think? Even more so – what would he do?
Trying to decide on this for Hermione was like trying to decide between... between what classes to take the next year! It was terrible.
She decided just to be honest. There was no harm in that, and it might stall her some time...
"Well I really do want to tell you Fred, but quite frankly, I'm a little worried about the outcome..." She said slowly.

"Hermione..." the Weasley twin sighed, realizing that once again Hermione was expecting a bad reaction from him. He wondered if he should start feeling insulted by now. He had already promised to take whatever she told him in good grace, the last time he had tried to get information of this mysterious letter out of her. Oh well.

"Please? I promise, whatever it is, I won't freak out, okay? I won't - er - hurt anyone, I won't yell, I won't even say anything if you don't want me to," he added, again, "Please?"

By now he was literally dying to know what it was. If she was so reluctant to tell him what it was, he could hardly imagine what it was that she was keeping from him.

"Oh it isn't you I expect the bad reaction to come from," Hermione added quickly, not wanting to insult him.
This was only half true – she was mainly concerned about two things; a) Fred doing something brash, and b) the news spreading all over the school and ruining her and a few other peoples lives.
"Its other things... and I believe you Fred – I really do... I'm considering telling you, seriously, but the only thing is – it needs to remain a secret."
She had in all truth been with Fred long enough to know he could keep a secret. He, along with Harry and Ron had kept her secret about the potion taking from the curse Malfoy sent very well indeed.

Hmm. De-ja-vu. He could have sworn that they had this conversation some time ago, and it had ended more or less the same way that this one was apparently ending, also. Oh well. He sighed, and stared at Hermione with a rather morose look on his face. He held it for a few seconds before he turned to look ahead of him, again. It was not good for one's health to walk into a wall one too many times. He learned this from painful experience.

What could he say? He could promise to keep her secret until he was old and gray (and perhaps even after that, if she was REALLY determined to keep him in silence), but he doubted that it'd make any difference. How could he blame Hermione for hesitating to tell him this "big secret", anyway? Why, everyone KNEW what a gossip he was.

Obviously this wasn't the right time to bring it up. Besides, what was the harm of a bit of reverse psychology?

"Alright," he said absently, as if his mind was already on other matters. "I understand. Perhaps some other time, then."

Hermione was a bit taken aback by this response. Okay, not a bit – very much so.
She had thought Fred of all people would say something along the lines of, "Sure Hermione, you know I'd keep it secret." And then continue to listen to what it was, certainly not, "Okay. Maybe some other time then."
Was he giving in because he knew he wouldn't be able to keep the secret?
Or was he offended and being cool with her?
She didn't know, and was frightened by what it could be. The last thing she wanted to do was anger the very person she wanted to be with.
But then again, she didn't really want to tell him yet – it at all, and maybe Fred just was respecting what she wanted... she didn't know. Maybe to just ignore it...
She looked up and realized they were nearly to the Gryffindor Common Room. Down the hall was the Fat Lady.

He smirked a little, though he was careful not to let her see it. Oh well. Let her think. He wasn't angry, but he wasn't exactly pleased with the situation either. He could gather much of what she was thinking from her silence. Let her be a bit flustered for a while - maybe she'd feel a bit more obliged to be open with him next time?

He, too, noticed that they had reached their destination. Well, almost. He eyed the Fat Lady curiously.

"What's the password again?" he asked, turning to Hermione. "I completely forget."

Actually, that was a bit of a lie. He never went to any great lengths to learn it in the first place. Someone was always handy if his memory failed him. He hoped George was inside. If not, they had a whole lot of searching to do. Who knew where one of the Weasley twins could be at any given moment?

Hermione, who had previously been rubbing her hand over her forehead, looked up and paused for a moment. "Its beetle-bug... but I don't know if it's changed since..."
Her words were cut short however by the Fat Lady's portrait opening to reveal the hole to climb inside. Without a word, Hermione stepped through looking confused and strode over to the fireside, where Ron and Harry sat in chairs with books.
"Hello you two," She said, blinking at them. "Actually studying on your own? That's a big improvement. . ."
Ron looked up and his face didn't change at all when he noticed that his best friend was speaking to him.
"Yea, well we figured we'd better do it sometime..." Harry said, grinning at her.

As Hermione went off to talk with Harry and Ron, Fred made a bee-line for his twin. He spotted George almost immediately. He was thoroughly engrossed in a conversation with Lee Jordan at the moment, not far away from where Hermione's companions were situated. The two were looking rather shady, discussing something in low tones. It made Fred wonder if this meant George had found a replacement for him. The two hadn't spent half the time they used to together - in fact, it had been absolute ages before they pulled any pranks together worth mentioning, except slipping a canary cream into some random bloke's food the other day for making a face at them. He did not want his brother to feel left out. Maybe they should try to plot something together soon. Still, now wasn't the time for that. He strode purposefully up at them - flashing Harry and Ron a quick (and probably unseen) - grin as he passed by their chairs.

"Oy, George!" he said as he drew near, and blurted out without any preliminary greeting whatsoever, "I need to ask you a favor, mate."
"What is it?" asked his mirror image, arching a brow.
"I need to borrow your broom."
"What for?" George narrowed his eyes a little.
Fred snorted. "Don't worry, we won't bust it, no reason to look so suspicious."
"'We'? You and Hermione, then?" he sounded scandalous. "She is going to ride my broom?"
"Yes or no, George," Fred said flatly, lifting his eyebrows a bit.

After some hesitation, George finally shrugged, turning back to Lee Jordan with his conversation. Grinning, Fred walked back to Hermione.

"It's a go, then," he said happily.

Hermione nodded with an approving smile as Ron gave a grunt. She ignored him.
"So how've you been doing lately, you guys?" She asked brightly.
"Oh," Ron turned his neck up to face her so quickly, that he appeared to have hurt it. "You actually care now, do you? That's surprising..."
Hermione's smiled faded. "Ron, I ––"
"Oh Hermione, go sod off." He spat all of a sudden, going back to his book.
Hermione looked very confused and worried. "Ron, this isn't about me spending time with Fred again is it?"

Fred was slightly taken aback by Ron's derisive comment. He stared blandly at the other red-head for a few moments, and then shook his head in disgust. What was with the bloody prat? Some brother he was acting. His dislike for Ron was steadily growing, to a point that was uncommonly high between siblings. This jealousy was getting completely out of hand. He and Ron used to get on relatively well before this. Why couldn't he just grow up a bit? He wondered if he should hex him in his sleep or something, just to save him the misery of his presence. He leaned over Hermione's chair, folding his arms over the back of it and narrowing his eyes at Ron.

"No," he drawled insipidly, not exactly caring that he was butting into their conversation. "I think his problem is, Hermione, that he's been so much of an immature prat lately they decided to take away his fancy Prefect's badge, and move him back to fourth year."

He arched an eyebrow at Ron, but he was not in the mood to get into any further confrontation. He drummed his fingers against the back of the chair and then moved away.

"I'll go get those brooms, Hermione," he said in a low tone. He added, as an afterthought, "'Lo, Harry."

Hermione was looked at Ron uneasily. When Fred spoke, she turned to him, then back at Ron and sighed. Her eyes suddenly looked more tired than usual. Or perhaps it was just the lighting.

Harry looked up at Fred after staring at Ron with an expression that suggested he was tired of Ron's comments. "Hey Fred," then added, "How's the joke shop coming then?"
He suddenly remembered that Hermione and him had been spending an awful lot of time together, so how could he been planning the joke shop?

"Alright," Hermione said finally, answering Fred's question in a sort of delayed way. She was staring at Ron, who was glaring right back at her with a funny look in his brown eyes. Hermione couldn't place it in her mind, but they were staring at each other in a slightly softened way. Perhaps one different than the other.

Hermione continued to stare at Ron, without even noticing Fred's absence.

They seemed to be having a silent conversation. Ron was just sitting there staring at her blankly, and Hermione's eyes were soft.

Harry didn't know what to think. "Er – yeah. Bye," He said to Fred, then turned to his two friends. "Like old times, eh? Us three again."
Hermione nodded slowly. Ron blinked. "Sure. Like – old times," She said softly.

Lee Jordan however, broke off his conversation with George quickly and sped after Fred. "Fred – hey FRED! Wait up,"

Fred nodded, watching as Lee returned to his brother. He glanced quickly in Hermione's direction. He had missed her look at him, and with a short shrug he started back towards the boys' dormitories. After about three minutes' rummaging he found his and George's brooms, and as soon as he did he immediately forgot about his plans with Lee and George. It seemed forever since he had been on his broom, and he could not help but look forward to teaching Hermione how to fly on it. Well, perhaps "teach" was the wrong word. Surely she had mounted one before, at least in First Year. All First Years were taught how to ride a broom. Oh well. He still looked forward to it. Holding both brooms under one arm, he dashed out of the dormitories and back into the common room.

He strode over to where Hermione, Ron and Harry were still convened. He came to a stop just a few feet away, and looked from one to another curiously.

"Ready, Hermione?" he asked.

Hermione had already stood up before Fred had even reached the chair; and was mildly surprised at the timing of it.
When she saw the brooms in his hands her face brightened slightly, even though that ashamed air still hung.
"Right then," She said awkwardly, glancing in Ron's direction, then to Harry, before grabbing her bag from the floor and asking Fred, "Need me to carry one?"
Harry had looked up and blinked. "Fred, are you actually letting Hermione fly one of those?" He asked.

Fred grinned broadly. He nodded to Hermione, and held out George's broom to her – not because he thought anything of the burden, but rather because he thought the girl would like to hold it. Of course, the brooms were as identical as their owners, but he could tell his broom from his brother's as easily as – well, he could tell himself from his brother. He eyed Harry.

"I don't see why not," he replied. And then added, matter-of-factedly, "She'll probably fly better than all of us, just you watch. Or, er, hear about later."

He was willing to wager, at least, that she flew better than Ron. Maybe she could take his place as keeper next year. Interesting thought, that, but one he didn't want to voice aloud.

"Well, we better hurry, or it'll be dark by the time we get out there," he cautioned.

Hermione nodded and took the broom, smiling at Fred's words.
"I doubt it. I'll probably fall flat on my bum as soon as I get out there. Harry's the master at it – in first year his broom just jumped into his hand, and mine was. . . – a little skeptical."
It was an odd feeling, Hermione thought as her fingers tightened around the smooth wood. Not that she was going to get into a career in Quidditch, but it was a good thing to enjoy.
What was she saying – she hadn't even been on the broom yet!
Harry grimaced. "Alright, whatever you say Fred, but one thing's for sure -- Hermione's done more studying on it than we ever will." He grinned.

Fred snickered.

"That she has, mate."

Now that he thought about it, Hermione probably understood the general idea and rules of Quidditch better than he did. She shouldn't have any trouble at all, then. He lifted his broom over his shoulder and turned back to grin at Hermione.

"Are you ready, then?" he asked. "I promise, if you fall on your bum, I won't laugh."

The very thought, however, almost made him snicker. He glanced in the general direction of the portrait hole, eager to be off and in the air.

Hermione shoved Fred on the arm playfully and threw him a mock-disapproving look, before lifting her head high and walking to the portrait holes' exit.
"Fine then, tease me all you want you two." She eyed Harry and Fred, before pushing open the Fat Lady and exiting with a grin.
Harry looked up at Fred. "Alright, have fun – but be careful she doesn't bore you too much before hand. And remember, the Quidditch match is tomorrow, so get training. My Word I sound like Wood. . ."

Fred watched after Hermione with an expression on his face that could only be described as "goofy". He was about to follow her when Harry spoke. He readjusted his much-less-goofy gaze on the boy, lifting his eyebrows a bit.

"Ah, she hasn't bored me yet," he grinned. It was true – sure, he had probably been a bit bored during the times he studied with her, but she had never actually bored him. Actually, he found much of what she said fascinating, even if he wouldn't admit it openly at times. "And yes, you're starting to sound a bit like Wood, mate. It's scary. First Angelina, now you..."

He gave a little shudder, and then with a short, "See y'later, then!" trotted after Hermione