Chapter 7: A Good Kind of Strange

She sat by herself, the picture perfect student. Books lay scattered about the table as she bent her head down to continue writing furiously on parchment. She was so immersed, so oblivious to everything and everyone around her as she delved deeper into her work.

He watched her nose slowly inch closer to the parchment as though all the rapidly firing words in her mind would magically transfer onto the paper because her hand wasn't fast enough. Despite the freshly made scars on her hand, it still looked like a fast blur of quill and hand to him, but he figured she was always too smart for her own good sometimes.

He examined her, taking in the bushy hair that was now folded into two plaits on her head, the soft look of her skin, the sparkle in her eyes as they squinted in concentration, the perfectly arched bow of her lips-

"What are you doing?"

Fred jerked away from his position facing the study tables to see his twin glancing at him curiously. All trace of his voyeurism disappeared from his face. "What do you mean? I'm not doing anything." George rolled his eyes as he plopped down on the couch next to Fred.

"You may be able to fool our daft little brother with your lies, but I'm your twin. Give me some credit here, mate." Fred fought the urge to stick his tongue out at his brother's knowing look and instead sighed in defeat.

"I don't know what's going on." He ran an agitated hand through his messy ginger hair.

"Care to elaborate?" Fred hesitated, his eyes flickering over to the tables where a certain bushy haired girl sat. His eyebrows knitted in thought. "Fred?" George nudged his brother upon seeing the glazed over look Fred had adopted as he stared at the unaware Hermione. Fred snapped his gaze away and focused on George, blushing slightly at being caught.

"That's exactly it! I don't know what this," his hands flittered about his face which had lost its far off look, "is! I don't like Hermione. Not in that way. I can't! She's Ron's best friend, for Merlin's sake! I don't like her."

"Yeah," George muttered, inwardly snorting at his brother's naivety. "You made that exceptionally clear tonight at dinner, you blimey idiot." Fred felt an uncomfortable tightening in his stomach. Suddenly George looked around. "Have you seen my twin? It seems as though he's missing because from the looks of it, I swear I'm talking to Ron's twin than my own normally confident, charming twin. But then again, I always did tell mum that I was the better twin anyway."

Fred shoved his twin before he pouted. "Git. It's not funny."

"Look, what's the point in denying what's so completely obvious? You like her. It's as simple as that. I've seen the way you look at her and that's definitely not the same way I look at her. I'd be embarrassed having that lovesick look on my face all the time. It's bad enough I have to see it on yours." Fred shoved his brother again and glared despite the slight red blush creeping up his neck.

"I saw you leave the Great Hall after she left to go to her detention with Toad Lady. You can't fool me like you fooled those girls with that lame excuse about how you weren't feeling well and weren't hungry anymore. The last time you were sick, you ate everything at the Burrow including the Yorkshire pudding we used for an experiment!"

"I had the stomach flu! How would you feel if you weren't able to eat mum's food for two days?" They both paused before shuddering at the idea. Food was a big thing among the Weasley family and to not be able to eat their mum's delicious food while everyone else devoured it was torture for Fred.

"You need to fix this because not only are you going to bugger up whatever chance you have with her, you're going to make a complete arse of yourself if you don't. Not to mention Ginny'll be on you like white of rice if you don't do something."

Fred glanced at him confusedly. "What does that mean 'white on rice'?"

George shrugged, "Don't know. Dad said it a couple times. Said it was a muggle saying. Seemed fitting to say." He then pointed happily at Fred's already red face. "Anyway, from the look of the famously endearing Weasley blush on your face, I know you know I'm right. So why don't you stop acting like Ron and go over to her?"

Fred's heart picked up speed as he glanced at the bent figure at the tables. Okay, so maybe George was right and maybe he was in denial. Maybe he had started thinking of Hermione in a more than just friendly way, but he couldn't just waltz up to her and ask her out. He'd buggered it up by storming off like a mad man just like Ron. And for Merlin's sake, he had much more charisma than Ron could ever have if Ron even knew the meaning of the term.

He was fine talking to all the girls that surrounded themselves around him. He'd had to deal with them since he and George started going to Hogwarts. But then again, Hermione wasn't just any girl. She was a bookworm know-it-all that held endless secrets and that was why he fell for her. She didn't constantly spew the gossip and frilly girly noise many of the girls around him would make. She was straightforward, yet modest. Sure she was extremely studious and righteous, but when put to other uses, such as pranks, she was just as intimidating. She-

"Are you going to go over there or do you need me to hold your hand and bring you over there myself?" George's voice interrupted his thoughts. Fred frowned hearing George's teasing tone and promptly elbowed his brother in the side before he stood up.

"As much as I know you'd love to hold my hand and watch as I fail at trying to woo our dear lioness, you are more mental than I thought if you believed that your own twin brother will fail. I always did tell mum you were the one with all the mental problems. Now," George chuckled as Fred steeled himself, "I have a lioness to go prank."

George grinned boyishly as he clapped his twin on the back. "Welcome back, Gred."

"Thanks Forge." Fred smiled as he sauntered toward the unsuspecting Hermione. He approached somewhat cautiously hoping she wouldn't run away just like before. "Hermione-"

"Fred!" Angelina exclaimed, causing Hermione to look up and stare at Angelina then at him. He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. The quidditch chaser sidled up next to him, quickly latching on to his arm and leaning in. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you! Let's go on a walk before curfew!"

Despite Angelina's hopeful tone, Fred couldn't seem to break his gaze from Hermione's. A multitude of emotions flittered across Hermione's eyes before she feigned indifference and went back to scribbling on her piece of parchment. Her hand gripped the quill so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"Fred?" Angelina asked, but he paid no mind as his eyes caught sight of the fresh color of red on the back of Hermione's hand. Following his gaze, Angelina knitted her eyebrows seeing the familiar bushy hair. She tugged again on Fred's arm. He cleared his throat, finally turning his attention to the girl next to hm.

"I can't. I'm sorry, Angelina." He didn't say anymore, but he was sure the dark girl understood the meaning because her eyes widened glancing between him and the girl at the table. Suddenly realization dawned on her.

"You're kidding right? Oh, Fred!" Angelina swatted his arm playfully and grinned. "Merlin, you're such a joker! Come on! Let's go before curfew." She pulled his arm harder as she stepped toward the common room door, but he did not budge.

"No. I-"

The sound of books slamming shut cut him short. He and Angelina stared at the fuming chestnut haired girl as she slammed her books together. Fred inwardly winced.

"Honestly! Can't you see that not everyone wants to hear the useless dribble that spews from your mouths? If you hadn't noticed, this area's for people who actually want to study and get good grades. Next time find somewhere else to discuss your next shag date," Hermione hissed as she stomped up the stairs.

"Well," Angelina huffed, "I wonder what's gone up her bum. Are you ready to go?"

Fred frowned and stepped away from Angelina's grip. "I'm sorry, Angelina. I meant what I said. I can't. I don't like you in that way." When she opened her mouth to protest, he held up his hand to stop her. "I know you know I'm right. We're better off as friends." Anger, rage, jealousy, pain, and disappointment passed through her brown eyes before her shoulders finally slumped in defeat.

She sighed unhappily before she muttered, "Fine." Everyone in the common room who had been watching the scene unfold flinched at the loud slam of the door.

Fred heaved a breath glancing at the stairs Hermione stormed up. A hand plopped on his shoulder. He didn't need to turn to see the amusement on George's face. "Don't even say it." He warned causing George to belt out a deep laugh as he dragged his brother over to their usual corner.

…..

She was furious. The rate at which her heart picked up speed multiplied in her anger and, yet, she still didn't want to come to terms with why she was feeling that way. She shouldn't be affected by Angelina and Fred. She shouldn't.

Her hands gripped the edges of her book tightly in order to deal with the painful clenching of her heart. Why would anyone like her anyway? She was plain and unattractive. She found more interest in books and knowledge than in the latest gossip or fashion trend. She dressed comfortably and didn't go out of her way to dress up and primp unless needed.

It was impossible for anyone to like her and before she knew it she would be the ripe old age of one hundred with no one but cats to call friends. She sighed heavily. Of course no one knew how she truly felt. She built her wall of self-confidence so perfectly no one would know the turmoil boiling underneath.

The sound of the door opening cut her thoughts short and upon hearing her roommates' loud gossiping, Hermione close the drapes around her bed for privacy. A quick silencing charm blocked out any sound.

As she continued reading her texts, her eyelids began to droop. The anger she felt had dissipated any energy she had and sitting on her bed was not helping at all. By the third time she caught herself drifting off, she swung open the curtains. Her roommates were sound asleep. Hermione softly padded out of the room, book nestled under her arm.

No one was left in the room since classes started routinely early the next day, but Hermione had lost so much studying time planning with the twins she had to squeeze in as much time before OWLs descended.

Stifling a yawn with her hand, she winced from the sharp pain that travelled up her left arm. Now that she wasn't angry or busy studying, her body reminded her of its previous injury. Hermione glanced down disdainfully at the familiar red scars and knew that she wouldn't be able to heal it without the twins' cream.

She sat down in a huff. The gentle cracks of the fireplace lulled her into a comfortable silence as she managed to fall back into her studious demeanor. Hermione became so absorbed in her studies she didn't even hear the sound of bare feet descending down the stairs.

"Hermione?"

Hermione jerked her head up to see the one person she didn't want to see at the moment. She sniffed and returned back to her books hoping he would get the hint.

"Hermione." She could hear the rising frustration in his voice, but she paid him no mind. With a large agitated sigh, he jerked the book out of her hand and promptly threw it into the fireplace. The embers sparkled as it engulfed her beloved book.

"Fred!" she shrieked not caring whether she woke up the slumbering Gryffindors. She flung herself at the fireplace, but Fred grabbed her. "Fred!" she growled and pushed against him.

Fred shook his head at her, the angry hue in his eyes slowly abating to its normal hazel color. Hermione glared at the ginger haired twin and breathed heavily through her nose to keep herself from exploding.

"Before you explode and curse me to the heavens and back, I want you to listen to me, Hermione Granger." His voice was steady and uncharacteristically serious. He cupped her cheek with his hand. She could feel the tension through his hand. "I don't know what it is about you, Hermione Granger, but somehow amongst all the planning and pranks I've been feeling different. Hermione, what I'm trying to say is," Fred glanced straight into her eyes and the words left his mouth.

She was getting frustrated with the silence. She wanted to save her book! Fred remained silent. He couldn't think. She looked so beautiful and innocent. The words wouldn't form in his mind and she was getting impatient. The situation was getting tenser by the second, so he blurted out the first word that came to mind. "You make me feel really strange." Her eyebrows knotted unhappily.

"I mean… not strange-strange. I mean a good kind of strange you know?" She shook her head not understanding. "You know that time when Harry and… Oh wait, never mind. That's something else. What I mean by strange was that it is awfully different and weird." Slowly he watched the annoyance build at his words. "No! No! I mean… Hermione. Argh! Why is this so difficult?" He ran a hand agitatedly through his hair.

He didn't want to say outright what he felt because he didn't want her to throttle him after what Angelina had done earlier. Fred knew she was ready to explode at him for reasons that didn't just include the book burning merrily away in the fireplace.

Oh bugger it all.

Fred took a deep breath and caressed her cheek with his thumb. He leaned in close to her face, could hear her breath catch. "Hermione, I-"

"Whas goin' on?" Hermione jumped several feet away from the now agitated twin. Ginny glanced curiously between her friend and brother, taking in Hermione's blushing face and wide eyes. Her eyebrow rose in suspicion. "Why does your face look all funny?" Hermione's face flushed deeper.

"No reason, just poking fun at the Bookworm," Fred replied nonchalantly despite the extreme disappointment in not being able to do what he had planned. Hermione nodded in agreement. Ginny narrowed her eyes in suspicion but gave up upon seeing Hermione's smile. Ginny glanced over to the fireplace.

"Hey, Hermione? Why's your book in the fireplace?"

"Oh!" Embarrassment suddenly forgotten Hermione hurried toward the fireplace in hopes of trying to salvage what was left of her book. Multicolored sparks began emitting from the embers, but she paid no mind. Her sights were set on rescuing her beloved book.

"Wait, Hermione, what-" Ginny interrupted causing Fred to follow where her finger pointed.

A fraction of a second later, Fred's eyes widened. "Hermione, no!"

The room exploded with a loud boom and bright white light.

A/N: Hello everyone! I know all of you are probably ready to annihilate me for not updating as promised, but it's been extremely busy this semester. On top of the 6 classes I'm taking, I'm also working, volunteering for events, planning events (we raised $3,050 for the local children's hospital—Yay!!!), and other miscellaneous things that have been taking up my time.

So I honestly, wholeheartedly apologize to you, readers, for leaving you all hanging. Don't worry, though, I will continue writing on! It'll still be slow since finals are coming up in the next 2-3 weeks and I've got other events to take care of, but it'll come. Promise!

I want to thank all my readers, reviewers, and those who have put my story on alert or on their favorite list. It seriously means the world to me! As per usual, please read/review!

Thanks for hanging in there, fans!