The first day back at Hogwarts was hectic, I was running all over the castle doing errands for various people, from delivering Harry's meeting notice, to telling Madame Pomfrey that Hagrid needed more cabbage for the flobberworms. By the time I actually got to sit down, I was exhausted and sad. I hadn't got to see George before I'd had to leave, he had been doing some sort of 'Order' business, and I hadn't been allowed to know about it.

That wouldn't be a problem much longer, when I took the note for Harry from Dumbledore, I asked to officially join the Order. I am 17 after all, I should be allowed to join. He hadn't made any comment's when I requested to join, just asking that I be sure and take the letter to Harry as soon as I saw him. I wonder if George had any trouble joining… Wouldn't hurt to ask.

I grabbed my galleon out of my pocket and typed a message to George, smiling as I remembered the way his eyes had sparkled on new year's eve night.

Dearest George, the handsomest twin, (with a great arse ;D)

How is everything going? I'm well. I had a lot of fun on new year's eve night with you, it was the highlight of my year so far. The fireworks were wonderful, and awfully funny. My parents didn't even notice them, how did you manage that?

I have a question for you, because you're so smart and knowing (is the flattery working?) How did you and Fred join the Order? I'm of age now, and I figured since my best friend is the one destined to bring down You-Know-Who I might as well join the organization dedicated to bringing about his downfall. When I mentioned it Dumbledore though, he didn't say anything. What should I do? Do I keep pressing the issue or just wait for him to answer?

When shall I get to see you again? I don't think I'll make it till Easter weekend… that's far too long off. What can I say, I'm needy for your attention, plus I'm still mad that my dad cut your visit short last time. Sorry about that by the way.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and thanks for everything. Hope business is going well (with the number of pranks that have been pulled this semester I can't see it going any other way though)

Love and kisses,

Hermione

I sent the message and then got up off the couch to trudge upstairs to my dorm room. I decided to go ahead and turn in for the night, I'd start early in the morning with Ancient Runes and I wanted to be well rested for it.

The first day of school was not good. Harry won at potions again, and all he did was hand in a bezoar. I had spent the entire class working frantically to make the stupid antidote, and he hadn't done a thing! To top matters off, he didn't listen to my suggestion on getting hold of Slughorn's memory, and now the professor wouldn't even talk to him.

It wasn't until dinner time, when I finally got a reply from George that I found my dark mood lifting.

Dearest darling Hermione, (with a great everything!)

Everything is great, how couldn't it be? I'm glad you had a lot of fun on new year's eve night, I did to. Not that often I have a worthy opponent for a snowball fight since Fred and I always fight on the same side. As for the secret of how I did the fireworks, I'll never tell. Now the curiosity will drive you mad! Ha!

Seriously though (shocking, I can be serious!) about joining the Order, are you sure you want to join? It's crazy dangerous, even if you are Wonder Boy's best friend.

Since I know precisely how you're going to respond to that question (George, I'm a grown witch, I can take care of myself. I've already been in dangerous situations, I helped Harry in first year, in second year, in third year, in fourth year, in fifth year, and probably in this year. I'm not helpless, I'm the brightest witch of my age and I can hold my own in battle.) I'll go ahead and tell you what we did. After our grand, riveting, legendary, extraordinary, incredible, wonderful, hilarious, daring, awe inspiring, unbelievable, astonishing, courageous, mind-boggling, amazing, breath-taking, impressive (forgotten what I was talking about yet?) escape last year, Fred and I found Dumbledore at the Order head quarters when we went to find Mum and dad and tell them about what we had done. We told him that we wanted to join the Order and he didn't say anything either.

Being Forge and Gred though, we didn't leave it at that, we obviously kept bugging him. Once he saw that we were really serious, he agreed to let us in. I think you'll just have to prove to him that you're serious. It's a big decision and he doesn't want it made lightly.

Aww, do you miss me? I know, I'm that way with all the birds, just can't get enough of me. Seriously though, I miss you too. No idea when we'll get to see each other again though. Dumbledore still isn't allowing Hogsmeade visits… I'll think of something though.

Have there been a lot of pranks going on? Wish I was there, I'd love to add to the chaos, we've come up with some really great new items that we can't wait to test out. By the way, you may want to watch out for dung bombs and snack boxes, we've sold a lot of them over break.

I love you, and I will see you soon (you know I'll find away)

The man with the great arse,

George

I laughed out loud while reading his letter, I missed him even more, but I also felt happier after reading it. I needed to get a grip on myself, yes, Harry was completely in love with a stupid potions book that could be extremely dangerous. Yes, he was obsessing over Malfoy and what he was doing. Yes, he ignored my suggestion and blew his chance with his potion professor because of it. I was one of his best friends though, and he was my best friend, so I would forgive him like I always do, and help him in any way I could. Starting with figuring out just who the heck the 'Prince' was.

That was far, far easier said than done. I spent hours in the library to absolutely no avail. I couldn't find anything on 'Prince.' It was annoying and irritating. I felt like the library had failed me, I'd never had that happen before. What's worse, it didn't just fail me once, it failed me twice.

Not only could I not find any 'Princes' I also could not find a single explanation of the word Horcrux. I went through the restricted section and read the most horrible books, and I'm now guaranteed to have nightmares on what I read. All the information I could find was in The introduction to Magick Moste Evile: "of the Horcrux, wickedest of magical inventions, we shall not speak nor give direction"

What good did that do anyone? Why the bloody hell even bother mentioning it? Just to taunt the reader?

So, though I was still determined to help Harry in any way possible, my dark mood returned and I spent most of the month of January locked away in the library, desperately searching for Horcrux or Princes. February arrived, even drearier than January had been. It brought apparition lessons with it though. I couldn't believe the number of splinches, that occurred. I was in no hurry to learn to apparate, I hadn't enjoyed it any of the times I'd actually done it with George, and I really hated the squishing, squeezing sensation.

Unfortunately, the lessons also brought about new news on Malfoy. Apparently, whatever he was doing, he was using Crabbe and Goyle as guards. What could he be up to? Did he really have a task like he said? If so, what on earth was it? Was there anything I could do to stop him? He'd been avoiding all of us this entire school year, he hadn't even teased me.

February 14th arrived on a Friday, and it brought my spirits down even further. I missed George more and more, and now I wouldn't even get to see him on Valentines day.

Bugger my awful luck.

I went to the great hall and sat next to Harry, smiling softly when he waved me over. Ron wasn't at the table, and a quick glance around the hall showed Luna to be missing too. I wonder what they were doing… Oh well, at least one of my friends got to be with their valentine.

"Good morning." I said to Harry, grabbing a muffin and apple. He nodded his head glumly in acknowledgment, glancing down to where Ginny and Dean were sitting by each other. Neither one looked very happy, I wonder if he noticed.

"You doing anything with George today?" He asked after a moment. I shrugged my shoulders sadly.

"I don't think so. Hogsmeade visits have been canceled, that was the only way I was going to get to see him." I said, feeling more depressed. Harry nodded his head and seemed to grow even sadder. Merlin, what an awful pair we made. We needed something more cheerful, what could we do that would be fun?

"'Mione?" A voice to my left called. Terry Boot was back again. Harry raised his head from his plate of food and shot me a genuine smile, stifling a laugh with the back of his hand. I glared at him before deciding I would just try and ignore Terry. Maybe, just maybe, he would actually go away.

"Hermione, Hermione, Hermione." He began to chant my name, calling me again every ten seconds. I finally turned around on the bench and glared at him, ready to snap at his constant call.

"What do you want?" I screeched. I took a breath and calmed myself. I did not need to have a break down in the Great Hall.

"You doing anything today?" He asked, a huge grin on his face.

"Yep, she's doing lots." Harry said, rising to my defense as he stood up from the table and grabbed my hand.

"We're heading to the common room to do some homework, see you later Boot." He said, pulling me up with him and leading us down the hall.

"Thanks, Harry." I said once we were out of the hall.

"Don't mention it." he said, smiling. "I didn't want you to kill him in the middle of the great hall."

"Amour." I said to the Fat Lady, she nodded her head and swung open. Even the portrait had to remind me I didn't have George, and poor Harry that his girl was with another. I walked over to a couch, talking animatedly to Harry about where else I might find information on Horcrux's, when I noticed he wasn't behind me anymore.

I turned around, intending on questioning Harry, but I was struck speechless by what greeted me. George was standing in front of the Portrait hole, a few meters away from me, a huge grin on his face and a bouquet of butter cups in his hand.

"George!" I squealed, running forward and grabbing him in a hug. He laid the flowers on a table and grabbed up me in his strong arms spinning me around once before setting me back down and keeping his hands on my hips.

"Happy valentines day, Love." He said with a big grin.

"When did you get here?" I asked, my grin growing even larger.

"About ten minutes ago, I haven't been waiting long." He replied. He tightened his grip around my waist and pulled me into his firm chest, moving one hand up my back, and wrapping the other around my waist.

"Harry," I gasped, realizing he was still in the room with us. He was standing in the corner with an amused grin on his face.

"That's alright, I was just going to go talk to Sirius. He's alone at the apartment, apparently Remus had a date." He gave me on last smile and headed for the stairs to his dormitory.