We had to do career advising today, and I hadn't a real clue as to what I wanted to be. I'd looked through hundreds of pamphlets, and I was really beginning to worry. I knew Harry would be an Auror, and Ron would probably join him, but I really didn't want to be a dark wizard catcher. I wanted to do something more, I don't know, more. I wanted to change things, make life better somehow. I wanted to free house-elves, improve the working conditions for magical creatures, make our system less prejudiced. I just didn't know what field would cover that.

I mean, what career does one choose to change the world? At least I knew one thing: it wasn't banking. I tossed the booklet on training trolls aside, diving back into the seemingly endless supply of pamphlets for another career.

"Hey," a low voice said in my ear. A smile erupted on my face and I turned to see Fred and George coming to join us. George sat beside me on the couch, while Fred sat on the arm of the couch. I grabbed George in a brief hug before he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his side. Fred rolled his eyes at his twin but turned to Harry.

"Ginny's had a word with us about you," he said, stretching his legs out on the table, which made half of our pamphlets fall to the floor. I rolled my eyes at him but snuggled into George's side, enjoying the brief study break. Fred continued talking, eyes still on Harry. "She says you need to talk to Sirius."

"What?" I asked sharply, sitting up and glaring at Harry. George gently tugged me back down, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah…" Harry said, paling as he tried to act casual. "Yeah, I thought I'd like-" I didn't give him a chance to finish.

"Don't be so ridiculous. With Umbridge groping around the fires and frisking all the owls?" Surely I wasn't the only one who thought in this school, surely he knew he couldn't. It would be sure to get him in trouble, and Sirius caught.

"Actually," George said, squeezing me to his side and kissing the top of my head, "we think we can find a way around that. It's a simple matter of causing a diversion." I froze against him, our conversation from last night echoing in my mind. They were going to do their last prank? No, that would mean they were leaving…. I clutched his side tightly, unconsciously pulling him closer to me as I realized what they were going to do. "Now you may have noticed that we have been rather quiet on the mayhem front during the Easter holidays?" George continued, gently rubbing my back. Everyone else nodded, not having noticed my tensing up.

"What was the point, we asked ourselves, of disrupting leisure time?" Fred continued for George, who was starting to grimace at how tightly I was holding him. "No point at all," Fred went on, "we answered ourselves, and of course, we'd have messed up people's revision, too, which would be the very last thing we'd want to do." Tears filled my eyes and I turned my head into George's shoulder. No, he couldn't leave yet, it was too soon, too soon!

"But it's business as usual from tomorrow, and if we're going to be causing a bit of uproar, why not do it so Harry can have his chat with Sirius?"

I thanked Merlin as I spotted a gaping hole in their plan. I leaned forward quickly, looking at Fred from beside George, my eyes were full of tears, so he was blurry, but no one other than the two of them seemed to notice my distress.

"Even if you do cause a diversion, which I've no doubt you will, how is Harry supposed to talk to him? All the floo's are being watched."

Harry answered which surprised and irritated me. "Umbridge's office," he said quietly. I froze next to George and turned towards him slowly, my eyes murderous no doubt.

"Are-you-insane?" I asked, my voice quavering. Was he really going into her office, illegally?

"I don't think so," he said quietly, thinking I was really asking the question. I shook my head in exasperation. They didn't understand! If George and Fred went through with this prank, they wouldn't be coming back.

I'd lose him, and I wasn't ready to, not yet.

"And how are you getting there in the first place?" I questioned quickly, hoping to throw him off with logic. It had always worked before.

He answered just as quickly, seeming ready for it. "Sirius's knife." The speed of the answer, and his actual answer threw me off and I actually stuttered.

"Ex-excuse me?"

"Christmas before last Sirius gave me a knife that'll open any lock," he explained. "So even if she's bewitched the door so Alahomora won't work, which I bet she has."

"Is there no other way?" I asked quietly, staring at George sadly.

He looked at me softly, brushing a lock of hair out of my face. "'Fraid not," he said.

"Right then," Fred said quickly, probably sensing my impending melt down. "We're thinking of doing it tomorrow, just after lessons because it should cause maximum impact if everybody's in the corridors. Harry, we'll set it off in the east wing somewhere, draw her right away from her own office. I reckon we should be able to guarantee you, what, twenty minutes?" he asked George.

George, still staring at me, answered quietly, never taking his eyes off me. "Easy."

"What sort of diversion is it?" Ron asked.

"You'll see little bro," Fred said, standing up with a smile. George rose too and I had to fight all the harder not to break down into tears. "At least you will if you trot along to Gregory the Smarmy's corridor round about five o'clock tomorrow." Ron looked annoyed but nodded his head, not that I could really see him, my eyes were blurry again with unshed tears.

"Hermione, could you come with us?" George asked before they left. I nodded my head. I only had until five o'clock tomorrow to spend time with them. No way I was missing a minute. I hopped off the couch and went up to George. I wrapped my arm around his waist and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me towards him.

"Ange?" Fred called up to the dormitory. An answering call sounded, and a moment later Angelina was trotting down the stairs, a worried look on her face.

She must have known too.

Fred grabbed her in a fierce hug before leading the way out of the common room. Ron and Harry watched us leave with curious looks. We walked down the halls quietly, no one saying anything. The silence was heavy and felt like it would suffocate me.

Fred opened a secret passageway that George had taken me to to snog once or twice and I felt a painful twang in my chest at the memory. Instead of stopping at the entrance like we always had, though, they led us deeper. The path went on for a while. We seemed to be traveling far. The darkness of the tunnel was oddly soothing to me. It calmed me, helped me think clearer. An idea occurred to me and caused me to wipe away the tears. I wouldn't be able to floo Georgeor Owl him, but this idea would work, and probably be better. I just had to make sure to do it before the night was over.

We'd been walking for a good half hour and I was beginning to wonder if this was some sort of prank when we suddenly came to the end of the tunnel. A single ladder rose up to a trapdoor in the ceiling, but it was shut so we couldn't see what was up there.

Fred gave a mocking bow and pointed to the ladder. "Ladies first," he said, smirking at Angelina. She gave the ladder one look and then turned back to Fred with her hands on her hips, looking a lot like Mrs. Weasley.

"I don't think so, Frederick." He laughed at the use of his full name before stepping towards the ladder.

"Relax, love. I'll go first," he said, springing up the ladder as quickly and agile as a monkey. George gave me a squeeze and then followed him, leaving me and Angelina alone.

She looked at me with one raised eyebrow. "Do you know what's going on tonight?" she asked. I shook my head, mildly amused at their antics. "I'll go first. You're younger, but I'm faster," she said, smiling widely as she grabbed hold of the ladder. I was right behind her, climbing the ladder a bit more clumsily, but just as quickly.

My head emerged and I was blinded by the bright light. It had been extremely dark in the tunnel, and my eyes weren't used to this light. A pair of strong arms pulled me up and off the ladder, cradling me to a warm, solid chest that I loved so very much.

"Okay," Fred whispered, leaning towards me. My eyes were adjusting so I could make everyone out. George was on my left, holding me to him as he leaned towards Fred. Fred was across from us, with Angelina on his right. "We're going to apparate out of here. We're in Honeydukes so be quiet."

"Ever apparated before, Hermione?" George asked quietly. I shook my head no, feeling only a little nervous. He smiled reassuringly at me. "Don't worry, it's not bad. Just grip my arm tightly and don't let go. It's a little unpleasant and you'll probably feel better if you close your eyes." I nodded my head and tightened my grip on his arm, closing my eyes tightly.

"Go!" I heard Fred and George say together. He twisted sharply and I was suddenly being pulled, stretched, squished, and contorted. I was being pressed in all directions and I felt like hot iron bands were wrapping around me. I promptly felt I was going to lose my lunch. Thank Merlin I had kept my eyes close and hadn't eaten anything, I would have lost it. I was not about to let myself get sick in front of George.

He held me steady as I swayed momentarily before regaining my footing. "Wow," he said, smiling proudly at me. "You handled that really well. Most people get sick."

I smiled wryly, my hands on my stomach. "Can't imagine why, delightful way of traveling." He laughed at that and helped me straighten up, putting his arm around me. I leaned into him, taking in his scent and his warmth. I looked around and was surprised to see that we were by the lake at the Burrow. Fred and Angelina were just ahead of us, sitting down on a blanket that had been laid out. We walked over to them, our hands swaying gently back and forth as we walked. We sat by them, a small distance, before Fred and George spoke.

"As you both know," Fred started.

"We're going to be leaving tomorrow," George continued.

"We have the shop ready to go."

"Now we just want to do what we can to help Harry."

"And cause Umbridge as much grief as possible."

"We have one request we'd like to ask of you two," George finished.

Angelina and I both spoke without having to think. "Anything."

They both smiled before grabbing our hands simultaneously, and then clasping them together, so I was now holding Angelina's hand.

"Watch out for each other. We're not going to be around anymore, and we know you don't need protecting," Fred said, staring at Angelina softly.

"But we'd appreciate it if you tried to keep each other safe," George finished, looking at me with a slightly wistful look. I tore my eyes from his and looked at Angelina. She'd become my friend over the last few months. I'd never really had any girl friends except for Ginnyand Luna. Somehow, though, she had worked her way through and become a real friend. I could talk to her about random stuff, clothes, books, studies, even George. Plus, she never got embarrassed or grossed out like Ginny did because she was his brother.

"Of course," I said softly.

At the same time Angelina said, "I will."

Both boys visibly relaxed before grabbing us. "Great!"

George let go of me too quickly, pulling back and reaching into his robe pocket. "I have something to give you. You know, so you don't forget about me over the next month. So you don't get the urge to go after Terry or something." He had a sparkle in his eye as he spoke, drawing a small box out of his pocket. He handed it to me, and I grabbed it with shaky hands. It was small, and a beautiful white, as though it were made of pearl. I opened it very slowly, trying not to damage it. Inside was a beautiful locket. The front contained the firework rose that George had made me. He'd somehow managed to charm it so that it was the size of a quarter and stuck to the front of the locket.

"Ooh," I breathed, eyes filling with tears. It was incredibly beautiful.

"Open it up," George said softly. I obliged and the tears fell out of my eyes as I saw a little projection of George and me dancing on the left side, the right side had two strands of hair intertwined, mine and his.

I closed it carefully, squeezing it to my chest as I closed my eyes and wiped the tears away. I promptly handed it back to George and turned, lifting my hair up so he could clasp it around my neck. I felt the cool metal against my neck, and then he clasped it, letting it go so that it fell between my breast, the cold metal lay beside my heart. I turned back around and grabbed George in a strong hug, squeezing him to me until there was no space between us.

"Thank you so much, George," I whispered in his ear as he hugged me back. I then let go and pulled him into a fierce kiss. He returned it eagerly, pressing me into him as he wrapped his arms around my waist. We kissed for a while, oblivious to Fred and Angelina sitting just a few inches from us. Finally, we broke apart for air, gasping and holding onto each other. Fred and Angelina broke their kiss a moment later, gasping as well.

"Forge," Fred said, breathing heavily, "I think it's time to start the night's entertainment."

"Couldn't agree more Gred," George answered. He turned around and laid down on the blanket, pulling me down beside him so I was lying on my back, head resting on his arm. Fred did the same, and then he waved his wand. We waited quietly for a moment, and then the sky lit up in a show of fireworks. Where the show at Hogwarts had been flashy and wild, this one was reserved and romantic. Millions of flashes lit the sky in beautiful colors, the endless stream of light creating an affect much like the northern lights. It was wondrous magic, beautiful to behold, and I knew I'd never forget this night, regardless of what happened. The show went on for a while. I didn't know how long-I lost track of time gazing at the beautiful lights. But they faded eventually and I knew we needed to return. Fred and George both stood, holding their hands out to help us up. We rose quietly, still in awe at the beautiful show. They led us towards the middle of the yard and I barely had time to realize what was going on before we apparated back to Honeydukes. We hopped down the tunnel and began the long walk back to Hogwarts.

We were quiet on the way back, but it wasn't like the quiet on the way here had been. This was a peaceful quiet, full of promise and hope. We were quite near to Hogwarts before I remembered my plan.

"Guys," I said, suddenly, causing Angelina to jump slightly. "Let me see your DA galleons." They looked at me curiously, but obliged. I took themand my own out, and began making complex incantations and wand movements. A few moments later I handed them back, smiling bashfully.

"I charmed them so we can talk to each other now. Just start by putting down the first letter of the person's name and you'll open a connection to them, and then you can send your message. I thought it would help us keep contact. I don't think Umbridge will let owls through, and the floo won't work."

"Hermione," George started, beaming down at me.

"You are bloody brilliant," Fred finished, and equally large grin lighting his face. I just smiled happily and hugged George.

A/N: Thanks to Ninja Goldfish who beta read this.