Fred was still leaning against the banister where George had left him, when Hermione walked up.

"Hey," She said quietly.

"Why'd you do it?" He asked without looking at her.

"I told you I had to leave..." She trailed off.

He shook his head angrily. "Why did you say yes, if you didn't want to?" He asked bitterly, turning to face her. "You didn't even take my ring!" He accused.

Hermione felt her throat tighten. "I-I'm sorry..."

"Why?" He asked, his voice cracking.

"I thought that it'd be easier... If I didn't make it... If we were never real. You could have gone on without me... The ring wouldn't be tainted with my memory. You could give it to another girl.." She explained, her voice filled with pain.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her roughly. "What's wrong with you?" He asked. "How could I ever go on without you?" He asked, smoothing her hair down her face. "I love you. I need you." He said quietly.

She sobbed quietly and shook her head. "I'm sorry..."

He cupped her face, making her look at him. "Please.." He begged quietly. "Don't break my heart."

Hermione felt her own heart clench. "How could I without shattering my own?" She asked quietly.

He pulled her flush against him. "Stay close to me tonight. I need to keep you safe." She nodded and stood on her toes to kiss him gently.

"I'll try. Keep yourself safe, first though. I can handle myself."

He smiled and leaned against her. "I know you can love."

Hermione and Ron were running from the chamber of secrets, when she saw him. Fred was standing next to Percy, laughing. Laughing in the middle of battle! Nevertheless, Hermione was glad to see him. She was jogging towards him, when she saw a Death Eater not far behind him. Fred couldn't see them though, he was too busy talking to Percy. She ran harder, but she wasn't going to be fast enough. The Death Eater was raising their wand...

She raised her wand, "AVADA KEDAVRA!" She yelled, throwing the killing curse for the first time ever. The Death Eater dropped his wand, and slumped to the ground.

She took in deep gasping breaths and fell back. She was saved from hitting the ground, however, by strong freckled arms.

"Bloody hell Hermione!" Ron exclaimed, holding her up. "I didn't think... The killing curse?" He said, confused.

"He was going to get Fred..." She whimpered as she clung to him to keep from collapsing in shock. "I couldn't let him get Fred..."

Ron nodded and hugged her. Fred had heard Hermione yell the killing curse, and had come running for her, but Ron had beat him there. "What happened?" He growled as he watch his younger brother hold his fiancee. She may not being wearing his ring, but she had promised to be his.

Ron shook his head. "We were down in the Chamber of Secrets..." He trailed off, grinning like an idiot. He shook his head at the memory of kissing Hermione, and continued, "We were coming back up to the battle, and she must have seen something I didn't because she came running this way like mad. I was right behind her, but out of nowhere she cast a- uh curse at that Death Eater over there." He said, not wanting to incriminate Hermione for using an unforgivable curse. "I guess he was about to attack or something, because she kept saying he was going to get you." He said looking at Fred.

Hermione sobbed, and launched herself at Fred. He stumbled back, but held her tight. "It's okay, love." He whispered in her ear. "I'm okay, but the battle's not over yet... You need to keep it together, alright?" He whispered.

She sniffled, but pulled away. "I need to talk to you.." She said her voice hoarse.

He shook his head. "No time.. We'll talk later, though."

She bit her lip, but nodded. She wiped at her tears roughly, but turned back to Ron. "We need to find Harry..."

Ron nodded, and pulled her wrist. "Come on..." He said softly.

Fred watched bitterly as his brother led the girl he loved away. He wondered, not for the first time, of anything was going on between them.