A/N: Halfway through writing this chapter; I realized it need something. More dialogue, duhh. So the second part of this chapter will hopefully be more focused not on what the characters are doing, but what they're saying. I feel like you don't get the feel of their personalities. If you think I'm wrong though, review! I want feedback for future stories! If you don't like spoilers; don't read this. Fred will not die, but because he doesn't, that means someone else (more than likely in the Weasley clan) will have to go. Also, I'm sorry it's been so long since a last update, but my PC wasn't working and my desktop doesn't have word -_-

The days come and went, but Fred still hadn't asked Hermione to be his girlfriend. There were many reasons, but he felt that "going out" just didn't defy what their relationship actually was. He loved her, wanted to protect her, and felt a sort of drawing towards her. But since they obviously couldn't get married, he would have to settle with them being boyfriend and girlfriend.

Soon it was time to get on the Hogwarts Express and though Hermione's dreams were toned down; the closer they came to returning to the school the jitterier she was, the more she feared what was coming.

On the way back to Hogwarts; Ron, Harry, Ginny, George, Fred, and Hermione could all be found in their usual compartment at the back of the train. Ginny sat in between Ron and George, and Hermione in between Fred and Harry.

Hermione and Fred had become a bit more public about their relationship. They had occasionally kissed, not snogged, in public and we often found cuddling up again one another, which was exactly what they were doing now. As Hermione's breath steadied and her eyes dropped, it was safe to say that she was sleeping.

"Do you really have to do that in public?" Ron stated irritably, but only because it was Fred he was speaking to. He and Hermione were as close as ever, but he wouldn't hurt her in such a way to talk about Fred.

"Yes, yes we do. When you have a girlfriend you'll understand," Fred responded just as icily.

"Of course, like I'll be able to… never mind, then. Chocolate Frogs, anybody?" Ron asked the group and whereas he received a glare from Fred, the others had asked for their candy fix.

Most of the ride came and went with some conversations about Quidditch, the upcoming ball and exams, and even slight conversation about their classes, but was cut short when Hermione began to stir in her sleep.

"No, no stop. Stop! Ow!" she shrieked uncomfortably. She began to twitch as sweat poured down her skin and expected to wake up in Fred's arms and she did; but also found intense stares on her.

"Hermione…" Harry began to say, but was cut off abruptly by Ron.

"What the bloody hell!" He exclaimed.

"Can it Ron! Hermione, I've only seen one person react to a dream like that… and sadly that person is me. You've been so distant lately… don't think I haven't noticed. What happened, Mione?" Harry asked intently, putting his hands over his best friend's.

"Harry, oh Harry! Don't go crazy, please don't. It's just that…" And by the end of her explanation, the only person that wasn't in shock was Fred (and that was only because he had already known). He also received wide eyes from George, and their twin telepathy had allowed the other to know that what they were planning, well; it just wasn't the time for it.

"How… how could this happen? How the hell did we not know? Hermione, we need you to be with someone at all times. Whether with Fred or Harry or Ron, you just need someone. I… I couldn't stand being without you Hermione- you're my best friend." Now, Ginny Weasley was the girl that was always strong, the girl that never shed one tear. But there was a first time for everything; and apparently that time way now. She leaned into George's shoulder and cried until it was completely possible that all liquids had left her body.

The 6 mates had established a plan of who was going to be with Hermione and when. Ron got her on nights of patrolling, Harry during the weekdays that Ron didn't have her (Harry needed help studying anyways) and Fred and/or George would accompany her on the weekends. Ginny would be with her when she needed to go to the bathroom, stay in her dorm, or if she just wanted to get away from the guys.

It worried the lot to no end, but Hermione decided that it would be for the best if they didn't tell Dumbledore. Only if and when Harry would tell him about his dreams; then Hermione would even think about telling him. They all had so much to have to think about right now with Voldemort on the rise, and with the Dumbledore's Army meetings, O.W.L's, and regular homework; Hermione had barely enough time to handle everything, let alone think about what would happen to her if she were caught alone.

Her relationship with Fred stayed stagnant; they hadn't really snogged, they'd spent their time getting to know one another before they took their relationship to the next level. All was going well, and though he didn't want to be put into danger; Fred knew that the only way he could receive Hermione's full attention and trust was if she were his girlfriend.

"Lee, George? I need your advice," Fred asked carefully, he rarely ever asked for advice.

"Asking out Granger, eh? Yes, thought so." Lee sniggered.

"Give him a break mate, it's not his fault he hasn't the Gryffindor courage we all thought he did" George smiled at his brother, but then continued. "Asking her out. Boy, that's a challenge now innit? I suppose you should do something simple; with everything… er… going on you know? Just sneak out into the hallways during rounds dressed as a knight in shining armor, and you're good to go."

"Brilliant! I should've thought of that, but I guess since I got the looks, it was only so that you got the brains," Fred smirked evily.

"I believe that your equation is not balanced correct, Forge. For I have the brains and the looks."

"Alright, alright. Enough you two, Fred has a girl to propose his love to!" Lee joined in. Fred sighed and left the room to find a knight suit he could get by tonight, but in a school of magic it couldn't be too hard.

He proceeded by transfiguring his muggle clothes (that only Merlin knows why he even had it in the first place) into a metal knight's costume, and put a charm on him so he couldn't be seen until he knew that he was in Hermione's regular patrolling spot.

He walked up to the fourth floor where he took off his charm and began to stand as still as he could, when he heard footsteps evenly clicking ferociously down the corridor. As Hermione came into view, Fred realized that she was alone. Why wasn't Ron with her? He could now she that she was running, possibly sprinting for her life while he heard the raspy voice of a woman? Man? Following her.

"Mudblood! I said get back here, take it like a true Gryffindor! That's what you get for interfering with my master's plans, and that's what you get for telling all your pathetic little friends. Crucio!"

Fred was shocked at what was supposed to be a wonderful night, dishevel in front of his eyes. He tried to think of the worst spell he knew, but hearing Hermione's scream pained him so much, that he almost felt her pain (which he found odd, he had only had that sensation with George).

It hurt so terribly to watch the woman he loved cringe and scream in front of his eyes, and while her voice was usually heavenly to him, her shriek was the worst sound he had ever heard.

The perpetrator hopefully hadn't been aware of Fred's presence, so he shot a stupefying charm at him and they flew back, not revealing a face, but dark and disheveled hair that could only belong to a woman..

"Hermione!" Fred yelled, rushing to his love's side.

"F-f-f-Fred." She whispered weakly. Her whole body was trembling with hurt and fear, but she slowly gained strength back. "What are you doing here? In a knight's wardrobe? Fred, didn't you know that Ron was supposed to… Ron!"

"What about him, where is he?"

"He… he was stupefied by… it… three or four time about a half an hour back… Fred don't be mad at him! He tried to do an Expelliarmus but the dark magic prevailed… oh, Fred. People are getting hurt because of me. Because of what I know! Maybe I should just go home and leave you be… then he'll leave you alone. Nothing can happen to you…. Nothing-"

"Shut up! Shut up! You're not going anyway Hermione, you're staying right here. Let's go back to Gryffindor tower, we'll find out who this person is, I promise."

"Stop trying to be the hero Fred, I'm trying to be practical. We know that as long as me and Harry here it isn't safe. And as for finding who the person is why don't we just take their mask off, you idiot? I'm sure we could… what the hell? Where did it go? Fred, we have to go back. Now!"

And so they ran, among the corridors and thankfully not running into any other students on the way. The body had practically evaporated out of thin air… almost like apparition. But people couldn't apparate in and out of Hogwarts.

"I'm sorry for snapping back there, Fred. I just… thought that you would be in danger and… I can't lose you. I just can't. But I know I have to stay; how are you nit-wits going to solve this without me?" Hermione smirked, but still; she was trembling with fear, but had a confused look on her face when Fred got down on one knee.

"Hermione, we only just because close this year, but I have known you for five years now and you can't say that there isn't anything between us. I need to protect you. I meant what I said over the holiday break; I would do anything to save you. I've never felt this way about a girl before. I need to ask you something. Will you, Hermione Jean Granger, do the honor of being my girlfriend?" Fred had stuttered every other word and was looking down at his feet, hoping that his plan would work.

Hermione was taking aback. "Fred, this isn't the time…"

"Who gives a damn about time Hermione? We might not have any left if… Voldemort is on the run. I need you just as much as you need me."

"The others-" Hermione muttered quietly.

"You're always thinking about other people, love. Never once have I seen you do something out of spite. You want me, I know you do. And if you don't, tell me. Then I'll leave you alone-promise."

"I love you."

Fred broke out in a grin and Hermione said the words he wanted to hear all along. He didn't care if she'd said them before- this time was different. Who cared about everything that was going on? Not him, that's for sure. He loved Hermione, and that was that.

"Let's go inside the common room, eh? People might begin to wonder if we've eloped."

Hermione laughed a genuine laugh, one that she hadn't been able to produce in weeks. But she was carefree now too. Sure, she would have that sick person in the back of her mind; but Fred was all that mattered now. Her friends were all that mattered. And so were the O., but she could worry about that later.

"Fred, let's not think about marriage just yet alright?"

As the newly found couple walked into the common room, Fred saw his pair of Extendable Ears just outside the door and smirked, pretending not to see so he wouldn't spoil Hermione's wonderful mood.

"Oi, there they are! You were gone so long mate, that I thought you'd eloped!" George smirked, one that was identical to his brother's. Hermione thought that they'd had to have practiced it to make it so perfect.

"Alright, either your twin telepathy is becoming so strong that you actually think the same, or…" Hermione snatched the ears from George's back pocket. "You're hiding those silly ears of yours. 10 points from Gryffindor for have Weasley products, George. Don't let me catch you again."

"Aw, mate! Your girlfriend isn't going easy on me!"

"Wait, how did you know? Oh, ears. Of course, well I should go st-"

"'Mione! You and Fred are dating? Oh that's wonderful, simply sublime! I'm so happy for you! How did he ask, when did he ask, was it romantic?" Ginny jabbered on. And that's when the whole common room heard, and the two were being bombarded with questions.

"Girlfriend?"

"Boyfriend?"

"What?"

"When!"

"Why?"

"How?"

And so it continued until Hermione returned to her room after bidding everyone a-do, and planned on sleeping soundly through the night. That was, until an owl came pecking at the window at about 3 in the morning. Pecking in a rhythmic pattern on the windowsill was a light brown barn owl, and it only woke Hermione up. As she mumbled about being waken up at this hour, she became stiff as a lamppost when she read the contents of the letter.

You shouldn't get too comfortable with being comfortable, Mudblood. Before long, you will be betrayed by one you have learned to trust, and someone will indeed escape from your grip… if I allow you to live that long.

-B.L

A/N: Short I know- but I have writers block and I couldn't put this off any longer. Sorry guys!