Hermione ran back to Gryffindor Tower, scooted up the stairs to the dormitory, and dove onto her bed. She shut the curtains tightly and placed a silencing spell around her bed. She hadn't seen Parvati, Lavender, or any of the other girls in the room, but she didn't want to chance them overhearing her.

"What. Was. That?!" she asked herself breathlessly. Touching her lips with her fingers, Hermione thought back to the moment when she almost kissed Fred. Fred Weasley. Of the infamous Weasley twins.

The same Fred Weasley who teased her mercilessly, played pranks with gleeful abandon, and never seemed to take anything seriously.

The same Fred Weasley who always had a smile for her, clearly adored his mum and little sister, and could be counted on to enliven anywhere he happened to be.

The same Fred Weasley who already stood nearly six feet tall, had sparkling blue eyes and broad shoulders, and moved with a casual grace that made other girls giggle and sigh.

Hermione caught herself dreamily gazing toward the ceiling.

"This is ridiculous," she told herself. Sitting up quickly, she shook her head to clear her thoughts of Fred and climbed out of bed. "VIKTOR. Viktor is who you're going to the ball with tonight."

A few hours later, Fred stood with George in the Hogwarts entry, trying not to be obvious as he cast glances toward the grand staircase. Hermione had not arrived at the ball yet, and he found himself eager to see her entrance.

"Fred, who are you looking for?" George whispered. "Your date is over there." Angelina and Katie stood with a group of other sixth years, gushing over each other's gowns and admiring the general splendor.

"Ron," Fred responded quickly. "Can't wait to see him in his new dress robes."

George snickered. "I hope that Colin Creevey kid brings his camera tonight. We have to get a picture of Ron in those robes."

"Yea-" Fred's jaw dropped. He heard a low whistle from beside him and knew George had seen her, too.

Hermione was hovering at the top of the stairs, seeming reluctant to join the students below. Her hands nervously grasped the skirts of her shimmering ball gown, and she slowly started to descend. Glancing around almost desperately, Hermione's eyes found Fred, standing dumbstruck below. She sent him a tentative smile, not quite sure what was between them and feeling so self-conscious in her gown.

That smile brought Fred back to his senses and he returned it with a blazing grin. To his delight, Fred saw Hermione relax immediately. Her posture loosened up and her timid smile turned into a grin of her own. By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, she was acting more like the Hermione he knew and loved.

Wait, what? Loved? Fred's grin faltered for a moment, then he pushed the thought aside and grasped Hermione's hand. Bowing low, he kissed her hand with his best flourish and announced, "Hermione, my love, you look ravishing."

"Why thank you, Fred, you look dashing yourself," she replied playfully to hide her own reaction to seeing Fred in dress robes. At the sound of a throat clearing, she turned and said, "As do you, George. Perfectly stunning."

"Thank you, my lady," said George with a bow of his own.

"Herm-my-ownee!" The heavily accented name boomed across the entrance hall, and the trio looked over to see Viktor Krum making his way through the crowd. "There you are, Herm-my-ownee. I haff been looking for you!"

Fred tried not to glare.

"Hello, Viktor," Hermione said sweetly. Too sweetly in Fred's opinion.

The Quidditch star smiled appreciatively as he took a long look at Hermione. Too long in Fred's opinion.

"You look vonderful," Viktor said. "Shall we dance?"

"I'd love to." Hermione gracefully took the hand Viktor extended and, with a parting smile over her shoulder for the twins, let him lead her to the dance floor.