Pairing: Fred Weasley/Hermione Granger

Note: Takes place during OOTP, Fred is 17 and Hermione is 15.

Disclaimer: All properties belong to their rightful owners.


Act II, Scene II

I Wanted to Surprise You


Most afternoons over the next few days, Fred and Hermione could be found at the courtyard, sparring and reading books under the shade. When people started to notice, however, they decided it was best to do it somewhere more private. All the staring was starting to make Hermione uncomfortable.

Luckily, they found a classroom they could sneak into that was empty on Monday and

Friday afternoons. And for the days when it was occupied, they simply waited until lights out and rendezvoused to the courtyard.

Tonight was one of those nights. As soon as he was sure George and Lee Jordan had fallen soundly asleep, Fred had quietly changed into his robes and grabbed his wand from the nightstand.

Just as he was about to tiptoe outside the door, however, he heard someone turning in their bed. A second later, the lights flickered on.

"Fred?" His twin asked sleepily. "Where are you off to so late?"

"Just sneaking off to grab a bite from the kitchen," Fred replied coolly.

"Well, how come you didn't invite me?" George sounded hurt.

"I wanted to surprise you," Fred amended.

"So much for that then," George promptly got up and rolled out of bed. " I'm awake now. Just give me a moment and I'll get dressed."

Fred winced, "Oh, you don't have to do that, Georgie. Don't even trouble yourself."

"And let you get all the good stuff from the kitchen? Don't be ridiculous! Of course, I'm coming along," George hollered from where he was kneeling to rummage through his suitcase. "Just as soon as I find my trousers."

"I just think that–"

"Oh, get off your rocker, George," Lee laughed, sitting up from his bed and turning on his light, too. "Can't you see? Fred's obviously sneaking off to go meet with some girl."

George stopped abruptly and turned to face his brother with a wicked grin. "Is that true?"

"I–" Fred stammered.

"Oh, Freddie, you sly dog!" George guffawed and looped his arm around Fred's neck, "You been keeping things from me?"

"George, I'm not–"

"Boy, you move on fast," Lee chimed in and patted Fred on the back. "I mean, you and Angelina broke up just a couple of months ago and now you're already seeing someone new?"

"Well, go on, then, tell us all about her," George said expectantly.

Fred ducked and freed himself from both of their grips. "Ah, listen, I'd rather not–"

"Oh, look at that, Georgie, he's shy! How adorable!" Lee teased, much to Fred's chagrin.

"For Merlin's sake, aren't you two ever going to let me finish my sentences?" Fred grumbled under his breath, but his two friends were still laughing too hard to hear him.

"My, my, Freddie, never seen you at a loss for words before. You must really fancy this girl, don't you?"

"Or he's too embarrassed to admit who it is," Lee said. "What, is it McGonagall or something?"

"Nah, that's Ron's girl. I bet its Trelawney."

"What, over Madam Pomfrey? I mean, have you seen the way Fred's been making eyes at her. He's got it bad!"

"No, no, no, I've figured it out! It's Professor Sprout!"

"Ha, ha, you're hilarious. Well, at least you make each other laugh," Fred smacked them both on the head. "I'm leaving. Don't wait up."

"Yeah, sure, don't wanna be late for your hot date tonight with Pompom," George teased, and Lee laughed harder.

Blood rushing to his cheeks, Fred walked a little more hurriedly than usual to get away from the pair and out of his dorm room.

When he finally met with Hermione, all she said in greeting was, "You're late."

She was sitting by the benches with her wand lit up and a book in her hand, the invisibility cloak dangling over her shoulders.

"George caught me sneaking out," Fred answered.

"Oh, where is he then?" She looked around.

"I asked him not to come along."

"Why?" She asked, and Fred wondered that himself.

"I don't know," he said, but he did know. "Let's just start, shall we?"


Author's Note: This chapter was so much fun to write. Let me know if you liked it, too, by leaving me a review :))