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Disclaimer: I might be british but harry isn't mine.
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Hermione sat side by side with Brian in the Forbidden forest. The darkness forbidding her to go further and hiding all imaginable dangers from her sight, but she knew she was relatively safe with Brian. With those teeth, she couldn't imagine any other beast coming close to her.
"What you been up to then chuck?" Brian said with a grin as he looked down upon the curly headed child.
"Well…" Hermione said biting her lip as she thought through her week. "The club I'm in is going well, learnt to do my patronus the other day as Harry is quite a good teacher when it comes to defense. Would you like to see it?" She said with a smile, looking directly into the pair of burnt orange eyes. She grinned as he nodded the once, wondering what kind of animal would emerge.
"Expecto patronum." She said in a loud clear voice after thinking of her happiest memory.
Brian grinned broadly as he watched the large creature run around them in the forest. Not very subtle or sneaky but it seemed to sum up the young girl perfectly. Her Patronus stopped in front of them and sat down as though waiting for any danger.
Brian looked over it, smiling as he watched the dark eyes of the Patronus do the same to him. The large paws sat sturdily upon the damp floor beneath it and its teeth bore slightly. "Your Patronus is a bear?" Brian said with a grin. "Full of strength, courage and tenacity. With a liking to honey aswell? Suits you to the ground." he said with a quick wink in Hermione's direction.
Hermione simply stuck her tongue out at him, not giving the beast the satisfaction of a response. However the lack of maturity caused Brian to laugh out loud, causing Hermione to sniff with derision.
"what are yer little friends doing today then?" Brian asked after a few moments of silence, remembering the little hell cat was like.
Hermione paused as she looked out into the distance of the forest, watching for any movement from any creatures. It was always strange how she only ever saw Brian when in the forest.
"Well its strange really. I haven't seen any of them over the last few days. Neither Harry, the Weasleys or Russ." Hermione said in a quiet voice. "It's like they have disappeared. Harry only appears for food and lessons. In the evenings he just stays out really late and then goes to bed. And the Weasleys? No one has seen them for days."
Hermione sniffed quietly to herself as she tried to bring herself back together. She wouldn't allow the tears to run down her cheeks so she breathed in deeply, allowing her emotions to become under control once more.
It had been a lonely few days in the castle. She felt like she was in first year again, the loneliness becoming unbearable as she didn't even have her parents to write to. She had spoken briefly to Lavender and Parvati while getting ready for bed the previous night, but they didn't know anything either. They both seemed to know as much as her, that the Weasley family had disappeared over night.
Hermione hoped it was okay but she hated being left in the dark.
Brian put his arm around Hermione, bringing her close to him for a one armed hug. "That does sound strange indeed don't it?" Brian paused in thought then said with a frown, "I wouldn't think anything of it. Young Mr Potter probably has detentions and the Weasley's might have a family emergency. You will find out soon enough nosey one." He said with affection, giving her a quick squeeze.
"Now tell me more about this club of yours." Brian said with a smile as he watched the excitement in her eyes return once more as she started to tell him all about the DA. It would useful information to tell Severus as well.
Hermione made her way back to the castle after an enjoyable few hours with Brian. The beast was becoming one of her good friends with his good humour and ability to be always there when he needed her.
She walked up the steps towards the castle, childishly counting the steps as she went. "34…35…36…" She mumbled to herself as she jumped up the tall steps, tiring her out at the extra effort she had to undertake for the extra height.
"Well, well, well what do we have here then? Poor little mudblood without her bodyguards." Said an arrogant voice ahead of her.
Hermione snapped her head up to look into the cold grey eyes of Draco Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle as they all looked down upon her. "I would have thought you would have been told not to go anywhere alone Granger. There are a lot of dangers to those…required by the Dark Lord." Malfoy said with a sneer.
Hermione stepped back to the step below to allow more space between them, pulling out her wand to point at the three, causing them to laugh at her with pity.
"We're not going to do anything….too bad Granger. I'm sure you know we're not allowed to hurt you. But you should know…there is more than one way to skin a pig. And there is more than one way to hurt a girl." Hermione swallowed her fear as she saw the sinister gleam in his eyes as he looked her over. "You never know…You might even like it!"
Hermione jumped out of the way as Malfoy jumped forward to grab her by the arms, causing him to stumble upon the steps. "Get her you Idiots!" She heard Malfoy cry as she ran around the small group towards the castle, turning her head briefly and pointing her wand over her shoulder shouting curses and spells she hoped would hit a target and slow them down.
She didn't' have time to look behind her to see if she had hit the three boys with her spells, her concentration was just to reach the front door. She would be safe there.
She almost yelped with joy as she saw two red heads close together as though sharing secrets. An abstract portion of her mind realised with joy that the Weasley's must be back from their excursion.
She skidded in front of George, her chest heaving as she gasped for air.
"Blimey Granger. I thought you might be happy to see us but there is no need to put the goods on show." George said, looking intently into her eyes. She wondered if he was trying not to look downwards, causing Hermione to internally laugh despite herself.
"Sorry." She gasped, "Just had a run in with Malfoy and his cronies."
This instantly got their attention, looking her up and down looking for injuries. Their blue eyes studying her with worry.
"what happened? Why were you alone?" Growled Fred.
"well I was walking back from...Hagrid's." Hermione said with a frown, not willing to give too much information away about her friend in the forest. "And he didn't say much, but he kind of implied there was more than one way to hurt a girl…I was afraid just for a brief moment that he was going to do it. I know he wouldn't, he wouldn't risk it but…" She said with a whisper, looking to ground to avoid the uneasiness in their eyes.
She felt a pair of arms move around her and crush her against a firm chest. She looked up briefly to see she was in George's arms. "Now don't you worry Granger, we will sort the little idiot out." He whispered. "I suppose you have been alone since we left the school haven't you?"
Hermione nodded briefly against his chest, enjoying the moment of safety she felt. "Right." George said with a smile, "Fred you know what to do. I will take Granger to the kitchens for a cuppa or six. Come along." He said releasing her from his arms and pulling her into the school, not allowing her to see the other twin move in the direction she ran from.
The two sat opposite one another on a small table hidden away in the kitchens. The house elves flitted around them, setting out tea and chocolate cake for the both of them before disappearing to do their jobs.
George looked up and quirked a small smile, "been out causing trouble then Granger?"
Hermione gave the red head a small half smile and winked ever so slightly, "its what I do best!"
George looked at her for a brief moment before throwing his head back and laughing, "indeed you do! Now you going to eat that cake or what?"
Hermione grinned and picked at the cake in front of her and placed small pieces into her mouth, watching as George did the same.
She watched as he sighed and looked her in the eye. "I suppose no one had explained to you why we left have they?" He growled softly to himself as she shook her head, it seemed as though Dumbledore was not exaggerating his incidence that Hermione wasn't to know.
"Dad was attacked doing some Order Assignment." George said looking down into the cup that was resting upon the table, his eyes bleak when he looked Hermione in the eye once more. "They weren't sure he was going to survive a few days ago-" George said, choking on a sob, causing Hermione's hand to move across the table and grip the back of his hand in silent support, her own eyes filling with tears.
George smiled slightly as he looked down at their joined hands, "however he's beginning to recover and the Healer's say he will be alright. I think ol' Snapey had something to do with his anti-venom." He said with a cheeky grin.
"I'm glad Mr Weasley is alright George." Hermione said with a smile, "do you know what he was doing though?"
George simply shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, "they won't tell us. Only that You-know-who's snake attacked him."
Hermione's eyes widen slightly as she finally realised how close Mr Weasley had come to death. It was strange to think how close many of them were to death due to the War that was raging quietly in the background of their lives.
Cedric was a quiet reminder that children could die but many had forgotten its lesson. The ministry brushing over his death as a tragic accident. It was horrid to think he had died in vain.
"What happened with Malfoy earlier?" George said with a frown, his eyes full of worry as he looked over the table to the young woman.
George would never say it out loud but Hermione was growing up into a beautiful young woman. He knew Ron would have his guts for garters if he ever mentioned his thoughts out loud, Ron believing that Hermione's was his but over the last couple of years his thoughts had become more evolved around the know it all.
He couldn't show his affection in front of people. He thought Fred might know his feelings towards Hermione but he had never said them out loud.
When Hermione was in his arms earlier, God how his blood had sang at the contact. All he wanted to do was sweep her up and take her somewhere safe. His fury almost blinding him at what could have occurred with Malfoy.
He hoped Fred had kicked the ferrets arse because all he wanted to do was to kill the son of a mother.
His thoughts were brought out of such darkness when he heard her sweet voice, "He snuck up on me when I was coming back from Hagrid's." She paused momentarily before continuing. "He said he wouldn't hurt me…but the look in his eye was horrid. I have never seen him look like that before…like a death eater." She said, George frowning as he saw the shudder moving her body.
George gently squeezed her hand that was still gripping his in a soft embrace.
"I think there is something I'm not being told." She said in a whisper, looking up from the table to look George in the eye. "The Death Eater's keep mentioning some protection over me, how You-Know-Who wants me and that I'm some beacon! What do you think it means? Why won't anyone tell me a straight answer?"
George looked at her for a brief moment before shaking his head for a moment, "I don't know Granger. The adults have some weird notion in their heads that we're all children but then forget all the battles and upset we have witnessed. I think there might be something but Snape is keeping it a secret to stop the troubles from getting on top of you." He paused for a moment before grinning broadly, "But you know how rubbish Hogwart's is at keeping secrets so you will probably find out soon."
Hermione grinned broadly at George for a moment, seeming to light up her eyes and face with happiness just for a few moments causing George's breathe to catch in his throat.
They remained quiet as they happily sipped their tea, happy to be in one another's company. After a few minutes of silence Hermione looked to George with a broad grin, her eyes sparkling mischievously as she bit her lip.
'Oh god she isn't making this easy.' George thought to himself.
"Did I tell you what I witnessed about a week ago? I think it is right up your street!" Hermione said with a chuckle.
George shook his head and with a smirk, "Don't keep me in suspense Granger."
"Well!" Hermione said leaning forward, slightly reminiscent of Lavender when sharing her gossip; an image not lost on George. "I was walking down one of the corridors on my way to Charms when I came across Umbridge and Russ!" She said with a grin.
George simply raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
"Anyway! Umbridge actually started flirting with him. It was quite disgusting to witness; it was like watching a car crash."
"No!" George said sitting forward in his seat, his eyes alit with roguish gleam. "What happened?"
"She said, and I quote 'Oh Severus, I have a long night of marking ahead of me and I was wondering if you would like to join me. I have a good stamina when it comes to lasting all night but I could use some help in some techniques and information on the Syllabus.'"
Hermione looked over to George who had turned slightly green at the images that had come to his head, causing her to laugh.
"That's exactly how Russ looked! He started mumbling that he had detentions planned for the next few nights and practically ran off. He bumped into me; he was in such a rush."
George grinned at Hermione, "Please tell me you took the mick out of him."
Hermione beamed in response and nodded, "I started laughing of course, causing him to blush and take 10 points off me. Worth it though. When I didn't stop laughing at his expression, he simply glared and stormed off."
"Brilliant!" George said with a laugh, throwing his head back at the image she had conjured. "You can't imagine Snape being desirable…however it does seem fitting that the toad would fall for the bat."
He didn't have time to duck as a playful slap hit him around the back of the head, causing more laughter to ring around the kitchens.
The house elves smiling as they saw the young man and woman, enjoying each other's company, forgetting about the world outside of their little sanctuary.
Thank you and good night. :)