1995

Gryffindor Try-outs

Hermione tugged her coat around her as she sat on the empty stands. Angeline Johnson was busy talking with the rest of the team whilst several other students stood in an awkward huddle with their brooms. She recognised Ron, Dean and Ginny. But none of the others. In truth, she knew anyone who did make the team would more than likely be acting as reserves. They only needed a keeper since everyone else was still on the team. Angelina finished talking with the team and made her way over to the other students. Hermione spotted Fred and gave him a small wave. She instantly dropped her hand; wondering if he'd just find that awkward. But he waved back and blew her a kiss. It still felt odd despite nearly a year of being together. But then Hermione had always seen herself as the nerdy bookworm, and Fred the popular one. And she had certainly never seen her being the one Fred fancied. Angelina clapped her hands and the group of students mounted their brooms and began flying round the pitch. Hermione knew she didn't really need to be here. But she'd promised Ron and Ginny she'd come and watch. Not that she had any doubts they'd make the team. The current Gryffindor players kicked off and Hermione grinned as Fred gave her another wave. A snort from her laugh caught her attention and her eyes narrowed at the sight of several Slytherin students. Other students weren't exactly banned from watching try-outs, but Hermione knew they were only there to find something to mock. She forced herself to focus on the players in the sky. All the while keeping her fingers crossed her friends would do okay.

Even though she was the only person there, Hermione couldn't help but clap at the news Ron, Dean and Ginny had all made the team. Ron was going to be keeper while the other two would be in reserve. Ginny shot her a smile and Hermione wondered if this is what it felt like to have a young sibling. That sense of pride whenever they succeeded in something.

"At this rate, it'll be more of a family gathering than a Quidditch team."

Hermione grinned at Fred as he clambered up the last few stands to sit down beside her. He planted a quick kiss on her cheek before settling down.

"I mean, I'm glad Ron and Ginny got in, but Quidditch was my escape from the stresses of my family." He winked at her. "And now they've just decided to come and join me."

Hermione took his hand and settled against him. "Just don't hit a bludger in Ron's direction during the game."

"Well what's the point in him even being on the team then!"

Hermione would have replied when the Slytherin students began sniggering. Fred glanced over at them.

"Wow. Life as a Slytherin must be so boring if this is all they could find to do today."

"Ignore them. They've been shooting me funny looks all afternoon."

Fred narrowed his eyes and Hermione was aware of the students moving their way.

"Hey Weasley! See you decided to hook up with the likes of her. No one else want you?"

"Nah, he's just waiting till some pure-blood takes a shine to him. She's just to pass the time."

Hermione grabbed Fred's arm as he shot to his feet. The rest of the team were starting to move in their direction.

"Fred it's fine. Just ignore them."

He didn't reply. Instead he was fixing the middle student with a glare. Hermione got to her feet and gave him a shake.

"Fred. Ignore them."

"Yeah. Best listen to your girlfriend Weasley. I am curious though? What's it like screwing around with mudbloods?"

Hermione dove forward to grab Fred and haul him back. The Slytherin burst into laughter.

"Hey!" Angelina snapped. "This is a private training session. Clear off!"

With a smirk, the Slytherin turned and began moving away. Hermione moved in front of Fred and took his hands. The murderous look in his eyes startled her.

"Fred? Hey, look at me."

He shook his head and Hermione could feel his body shaking. "That word shouldn't be allowed to be said at this school."

"Fred it's fine. Just ignore them and they'll leave it alone."

He nodded before kissing her thickly. Hermione had no qualms about returning the kiss. But, as she felt tears on her face, she pulled away. Fred wiped his eyes.

"Sorry. Sorry for getting upset. I just…. Hermione you know I'm serious about you. About us. You aren't just something for me to 'pass the time' with. You're so much more. Please tell me you know that."

Hermione nodded and a glimmer of a smile returned to Fred's face.

"Of course, I know that."

"They're just trying to get a rise out of us." Angelina said. "They know they can't beat us fairly, so they'll try and throw us off our game."

Hermione nodded and Fred kissed her knuckles.

"Well trust me when I say I'm going to take great pleasure in thrashing them in our first game."

Gryffindor vs Slytherin

The roar as the players entered the pitch never got old for Hermione. Sat in her usual seat right up against the barrier, she was cheering along with everyone else as the Gryffindor team made their entrance. Ron and Harry zoomed around the pitch together while Fred and George spun twice around their usual turret before sinking back down. But whereas George headed for the middle of the pitch, Hermione noticed Fred flying slowly past the stands. His smile grew wider and he came to a halt just in front of her.

"Wish me luck?"

"You'll be amazing," Hermione waved her flag. "You always are."

Fred grabbed hold of the barrier with one hand and pulled himself towards it.

"Any chance of a good luck kiss?"

Hermione shook her head, yet the smile was filling her face. She leant forward and took Fred's face in her hands. The cheers around them intensified as she kissed him. Fred cupped her face with one hand and – aware he was no longer holding onto his broom – she broke away.

"Good luck."

With a wink, he turned and shot off to join the rest of the team. Hermione watched as Ron took his place by the Gryffindor goalposts. Even from this distance she could tell how nervous he was. Harry flew up and whispered something in his ear. Whatever it was, Ron's whole body relaxed, and he clapped Harry on the back. A hush fell as Madam Hooch held the Quaffle up.

"A nice, clean game!"

Hermione had a feeling that wasn't quite how it was going to go.

That feeling was right.

Within minutes of the game starting, the Slytherin tactics were soon to be shown as 'play dirty and get them off their brooms'. Twice, Slytherin players had grabbed hold of Gryffindor brooms. And twice Gryffindor had scored their penalties. Whilst most of her attention was on Fred, Hermione hadn't been able to stop watching Ron. He was lacking in confidence, but so far, he'd saved every attempted goal thrown at him. If they won, the game she knew he'd settle into his position a lot more. Satisfied Ron would be okay, she switched her attention back to Fred. He and George had their work cut out with Slytherins aiming the bludgers directly at people's heads. One bludger had already nearly gone into the crowd, it had been hit with that much force. Hermione gripped the barriers. As long as Fred didn't do anything reckless then he'd be fine. Except doing reckless things did seem to be his strong suit. One of the Slytherin beaters gave a bludger a might whack and it spun through the air.

In her direction.

Hermione and the students beside her gasped as a blur of red shot in front of them. Fred hit the bludger back towards the Slytherin beater.

"That's my girlfriend you idiots!"

He glanced over at her. "You alright?"

Hermione gave a breathless nod and he shot off back into the game. As Harry whizzed past, Hermione hoped he caught the snitch soon.

As the team celebrated on the pitch, Hermione stopped walking and just allowed herself to savour the sight. Two of her friends and her boyfriend were all dancing around madly whilst the other followed suite. She knew this was Fred and George's last chance to win the cup again. Whilst Fred hadn't said anything, she knew how much he wanted it this year. To win it twice in a row would be something special.

"There she is!" Fred picked her up and swung her around. Hermione kissed him on the cheek before letting him put her down. Fred grinned.

"Knew that kiss would bring us luck."

"Well," Hermione kissed his other cheek. "it didn't hurt me much either. I'm sure I can happily make it a regular match tradition."

Fred beamed at her. However, he was cut off from replying when a voice trailed from behind them.

"How touching. Celebrating your little win, are you?"

"Just go away Malfoy," Hermione folded her arms. "They won, you lost. Get over it."

Malfoy shrugged and Hermione could see several of the other Slytherin players crowding behind him. Fred's grip on her waist tightened and she realised one of them was the student who'd insulted her at the try-outs. His slick back hair glistened in the sun. Malfoy raised an eyebrow.

"With so many weasels on the team I'm surprised you're able to achieve anything."

"How many times do we have to tell you?" George cut in. "Piss off!"

"Aww. Upset because I'm saying bad things about your family?" Malfoy cooed. He glanced at Harry.

"What about you Potter? Apparently, your father was meant to be a good Quidditch player. No doubt that's why your pathetic mother liked him. He was just like these lot," he pointed at Fred, George and Ron.

"Always did taint himself with mudbloods."

"Harry!"

"George!"

Hermione watched as Harry tackled Malfoy to the ground. Fred had moved forward but Hermione placed a calming hand on his arm. Aware that no one was really rushing to stop the fight, she noticed George – under the pretence of breaking it up – getting a few sneaky hits of his own in.

"Still hanging round with people like her Weasley?"

Hermione turned to see the Slytherin from the try-outs facing her and Fred. He swung a bat in one hand, and she couldn't help but wonder if he was the same person who'd hit the bludger at her earlier. Fred seemed to be thinking it to.

"You deliberately hit that bludger at my girlfriend! Cheating git!"

The Slytherin shook his head. "I would never do anything like that! Although I am still curious about you two. Never been with someone like that? What's it like?"

"Fred," Hermione whispered, "Ignore him."

Fred's whole body was coiled, ready to snap at the slightest provocation. The Slytherins sniggered and the beater eyed Hermione up and down.

"Would you let me find out? I could have her over a table and-"

"FRED!"

He broke free from her and pushed the Slytherin to the ground. His bat had dropped to the floor, but Hermione noticed that wasn't stopping him landing several punches to the other player. She inched forward in a show of going to break it up when a shrill whistle came from behind. Madam Hooch and several other teachers were running onto the field. Hermione stepped back as Harry, Fred and George were pulled to their feet. Fred grabbed his bat and jabbed it at the Slytherin beater who was holding a hand to his fleshly bleeding face.

"You go anywhere near her," he yelled, "and I swear you'll regret it!"

"That's enough!" Madam Hooch gave him another shake and Hermione's heart sank at the sight of Professor Umbridge.

"Can Mr Potter, Mr and Mr Weasley and Miss Granger follow me to my office please?"

"She didn't do anything!" Harry protested. Umbridge raised an eyebrow.

"Hem-hem, just follow me so we can have a little chat."

Hermione took Fred's hand as the four of them followed the professor back towards the castle.

"You are joking!" Hermione's mouth dropped as Umbridge merely nodded.

"I am perfectly serious. You three attacked two members of another team in an unwarranted and unprovoked attacked."

"Unprovoked!" George spat. "Didn't you hear what they were saying about Harry's mother?"

"You can't give us a life-time ban," Harry said. "Not when they're getting away scot free."

"I think you'll find the punishment perfectly sound considering how brutally you all attacked those two students."

Fred shook his head. "Did you not hear what that bastard said he would like to do Hermione? How is he getting away with that?"

Hermione couldn't help but glance down at the floor. Although she knew none of this was her fault, the only reason Fred was even here was because he had been defending her. Umbridge cleared her throat.

"To my recollection he simply made a comment which you could have ignored."

"He didn't 'make a comment'," Fred growled. "He practically threatened to-"

"Enough!" Umbridge snapped. "Please go and collect your brooms and hand them over to me. You may all go."

Hermione seemed as stunned as Harry and George when Fred turned and stormed out of the office. Harry quickly followed, whilst George let her go first. As they headed down the steps, Hermione glanced over at George.

"Will Fred be okay?"

He shrugged. "He was really excited for this year. He was hoping we'd win it again. Well we both were. But for Fred…Quidditch always meant a lot to him."

"Oh," Hermione glanced down at the floor. George pulled her in for a hug.

"It's not your fault. And Fred doesn't blame you."

"Yes, but it was because of me-"

George shook his head. "No, it wasn't. It was because some disgusting people thought they could say horrible things. It's because of them not you."

He forced a smile onto his face. "Now then. Go and find my brother while me and Harry go and give Angelina the bad news."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Good luck."

George sighed. "Thanks. But when she hears this…. well, it was nice knowing you."

Hermione watched him and Harry wander off. She waited a few minutes before turning and heading back towards the Quidditch pitch. She knew exactly where Fred was going to have gone.

She poked her head through the tent flap to see Fred sitting in a chair with his broom in his hands. Hermione slipped through. Usually the Gryffindor tent was reserved for the team to go through pre-match pep talks or to have a private meeting after the games. But last year due to the tournament, it had become her and Fred's private place. Fred let out a shuddery breath and she cleared her throat.

"Are you…I didn't know if I should give you some space or…"

Fred gave her a weak smile and she knelt down in front of him. He gripped the broom tightly.

"If you've come to tell me I shouldn't have hit him then please don't." His voice sounded hoarse, and a look at his red eyes told Hermione exactly what Fred had spent the past few minutes doing.

"I know it was stupid and I shouldn't have reacted that way but…" he trailed off. Hermione took the broom from his hands and gripped them in her own.

"I'm not going to tell you off. I actually came to say thank you for defending me and I'm so sorry you go punished for it."

Fred chocked out a laugh and forced his head up to look at her.

"Even when Draco said…. that word, I told myself not to rise to it. But then when that other student was saying all those vile things he'd want to do to you…. I just lost it."

He pressed a kiss to Hermione's hand. "I'd never let anyone hurt you. Never."

"I know." Hermione got to her feet and pulled Fred to his. Holding him close she pressed a kiss to his shoulder.

"I know."

Fred smiled weakly. "I'm sorry I'm getting so upset. I was just so excited about playing this year and," he blushed, "being able to show off and impress you."

"Fred you don't need to impress me. You're amazing."

He nodded. "Well I do know one thing," he pushed Hermione's hair from her face.

"I'm not sorry I did it. I'd never forgive myself if I just let people like that say what they wanted about you and make threats without trying to stop them. If doing the right thing means getting banned from Quidditch then fine."

"But-"

"Hermione, I mean it," Fred's smile was far brighter now.

"You are everything to me. I…" his face was now on fire.

"I love you."

Reaching up Hermione hurriedly kissed Fred's forehead.

"I love you to Fred Weasley."

A small chuckled slipped from his mouth. "Really? You actually mean that?"

Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed his broom. "Yes! Now come on, lets get this over with."

Fred linked hands with her as they exited the tent and began to make their way back towards the castle.

Whilst that might have been Fred's last quidditch game at Hogwarts, it certainly wasn't the last time they said, "I love you". Nor was it the last time Fred ever played Quidditch. The only change was that instead of playing alongside other school students, he taught their two children how to become the next great pair of Weasley beaters. And when they were playing their first game on the Gryffindor team; Hermione and Fred were in the stands cheering them on.

AN: And there we have it. The final chapter. Had to get a little epilogue in there just to make even clearer that I will always be denying what happened to Fred! Let me know what you think.