A/N: I FINALLY got to write a Fremione fic! 😁

I've been dying to write them together, they're another one of my absolute favorite pairings. This was such fun fest to take part in, and I highly recommend you check out the other stories on Archive of our Own! The collection is called HermionesNook_Naked_Weasley_Fest.

Huge beta love to CinnamonFreckle and FaeOrabel!

Hope you enjoy! 💕

P.S. To anyone that has followed my work may have noticed a name change! I decided to update this the other day after some help from my beautiful writers group. FaeOrabel and I came up with this, and I'm super stoked to have a nod to HP in my penname 💕

Chapter One: Moments in Time

Second Year, September 20, 1992

Hermione stared into the fireplace of the Gryffindor common room, her forgotten homework spread on the couch beside her. Malfoy's words from earlier that day still repeated in her head like a broken record.

Mudblood. Mudblood. Mudblood.

When he had first said it she, of course, had no idea what it meant. Then, once Hagrid and Ron explained, well... now it was eating away at her. Would she truly never belong to this world?

"You okay, Hermione?"

Hermione jolted from her thoughts, turning to find Fred standing beside the couch. With hands tucked into his trouser pockets, he looked at her with concern.

"I'm fine, Fred, thanks," she replied, blushing at being caught musing.

Fred grinned and moved to sit in the armchair next to her. "Y'know, you're the only person I've met that can tell me and George apart."

Hermione scoffed and began collecting the pages of her Herbology report. "Oh, please, it's not hard. Even though you're identical, your freckles have enough variation that it's quite obvious to anyone who's really looking."

She glanced at Fred, who had an odd look about his face that quickly disappeared. "Well, I just wanted to make sure you were alright. Malfoy's a right git, and if I hadn't been held back, I would've socked him right in the face."

"Well, I'm glad you were then!" Hermione exclaimed, though something warm bloomed in her chest at his words. She didn't condone violence in the slightest, but there was something... sweet about the idea of him wanting to stick up for her.

"I'll get him next time." He winked and stood, patting the top of her wild curls. "Oh, and thank you for the compliment, think I'll have it engraved on my tombstone; 'Fred Weasley: Made The Gryffindor Quidditch Team on Pure Talent'."

Fred let out a loud laugh as Hermione's face burned, and when she tried to hit him with her Herbology book, he ran to the boys' dormitories. As she returned to her seat on the plush couch, a small smile graced her lips, and all thoughts of Malfoy calling her a mudblood were replaced with the sound of Fred's laughter.

Third Year, December 8, 1993

The sound of a scribbling quill was going to haunt her dreams.

Hermione sighed as she finished her Arithmancy report, set it aside, and pulled out a fresh piece of parchment to begin the one for Muggle Studies. As she dipped her quill into her inkwell, she nearly blotted the page as someone plopped into the chair across from her.

"Hard at work, Hermione?" Fred asked as he placed his elbows on her History of Magic textbook and leant forward.

She glared, "What do you want, Fred?"

"Well, you seemed like you could use a break," he grinned. "How about I teach you to fly, hmm?"

Hermione huffed and returned back to her report, managing to write down the opening sentence before the parchment was suddenly snatched from under her.

"Hey!"

A large mischievous grin spread across his face as he rolled the parchment up. "C'mon Hermione, let's take a break, do something fun—"

"Fred Gideon Weasley, you give me my report back this instant." Hermione could feel her anger rising, and her magic tingled on the tips of her fingers. She didn't have time for this, three reports were due in the morning, and she had only finished one so far.

Fred didn't answer, but continued to collect her things, humming a tune under his breath.

Hermione lowered her voice to a whisper, "I swear, Fred, I will tell your mother about that map you gave Harry!"

Fred's hands stopped as he stared at her, his dark brown eyes squinting as if in an attempt to figure out if she was lying or not.

Seeming to come to an answer, Fred held up his hands in surrender and handed her back the parchment. "Alright, alright, you win. But don't think you're all high-and-mighty, Miss Rule-breaker. We both know you've got something too."

Hermione's eyes went wide as Fred grinned again. "George and I have a bet going on how long it'll take the two nit-wits to figure it out."

"I—I don't know what you're talking about," Hermione stumbled out, a fresh blush rising to her cheeks.

Fred stood and reached forward to tug on a curl that had escaped from her sorry excuse of a bun. "Just try not to get too carried away, yeah? Wouldn't want our Hermione getting into trouble."

She tried to shove the curl he tugged on back into place as he left the library. Her heart fluttered in her chest, and she couldn't figure out exactly why. It had to be because he called her out on her bluff. Yes, that had to be it.

It was no way related to him tugging on her curls, or calling her 'our Hermione.'

Fourth Year, December 5, 1994

"Nice look, Ron. That'll go well with your dress robes."

Hermione's glare moved from Ron to find Fred and George grinning at their little brother. They sat down at the table with the trio, and Ron felt to see how much he had singed his eyebrows from his game of exploding-snap.

"Ron, can we borrow Pigwidgeon?" George asked.

"No, he's off delivering a letter. Why?"

"Because George wants to invite him to the ball," Fred said sarcastically, giving Hermione a wink. With a sudden blush, she tucked herself back into her Care of Magical Creatures textbook.

"Because we want to send a letter, you great, stupid, prat," George said, flicking Ron on the forehead.

"Oi!" Ron yelled and swatted George's hand away, rubbing at where he'd been flicked. "Who d'you two keep writing to, anyway?"

"Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you too," said Fred, waving his wand threateningly. "So... you lot got dates for the ball yet?" Hermione looked up to find Fred glancing at her, and her heart raced to think he was asking because... because he wanted to ask her to the ball.

"Nope," Ron said flatly.

"Well, you'd better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone."

"Who're you going with, then?" Ron asked, crossing his arms and glaring at Fred.

"Angelina," Fred replied without a moment's hesitation, though he did glance towards Hermione again.

Hermione felt her heart plummet to her stomach. Of course he'd want to go with Angelina, they were much closer than she was with him. It was stupid of her to even think he'd want to ask her of all people.

"What?" said Ron, taken aback. "You've already asked her?"

"Good point." Fred turned his head and called across the common room, "Oi! Angelina!"

Angelina, who had been chatting with Alicia Spinnet near the fire, looked over at him.

"What?" She called back.

"Want to come to the ball with me?"

Angelina looked Fred over from head to toe and cocked her head to the side. "All right then." She turned back to Alicia and carried on chatting with a small grin on her face.

Hermione felt her eyes start to water. Oh, for Merlin's sake, she would not cry from this; she could handle it. It was just a stupid dance.

"There you go," said Fred to Harry and Ron, a broad grin splitting his face. "Piece of cake."

He got to his feet, yawned, and said, "We'd better use a school owl then, George, come on."

They left through the common room portal hole, and Hermione watched their figures disappear with a frown. Ron stopped feeling his eyebrows, and looked across the smouldering wreck of his card castle at Harry.

"We should get a move on, you know—ask someone. He's right, we don't want to end up with a pair of trolls."

Hermione sputtered with indignation at Ron as her focus returned to her friends. "Excuse me, Ronald. A pair of what?"

"Well, you know," Ron shrugged. "I'd rather go alone than say with... Eloise Midgen."

Hermione could feel her temper rising at his hurtful words. "Her acne's loads better lately—and she's really nice!"

"Her nose is off-centre."

"Oh I see," Hermione said, bristling. "So you're just going to take who'll have you, as long as she's good-looking, even if she's completely horrible?"

"Er—yeah, that sounds about right." Ron shrugged again as if that was a totally normal thing, and maybe it was.

Maybe that was why Fred didn't ask her to the ball. Angelina was much prettier than she was, even with her fixed teeth; she was nice, too, which only made it worse. If Angelina were a horrible snob, maybe it wouldn't have hurt so much. But she was perfectly agreeable, and Hermione was sure Angelina and Fred would have a wonderful time at the ball.

It made her stomach clench.

With watery eyes, she suddenly couldn't stand to be in Ron's presence any longer. "I'm going to bed."

She heard Ron mutter something about girls under his breath, and a silent tear rolled down her cheek as she ascended the stairs. Well, she supposed there was no use waiting anymore; she would tell Viktor tomorrow that she'd accept his invitation after all.

Fifth year, August 28 1995

Molly sniffed as she gave Ron yet another kiss on the cheek, and bustled from the room, muttering on about what broom to get him for making Prefect.

Fred and George exchanged odd looks that Hermione could only decipher as annoyed.

"I hope you don't mind if we don't kiss you, Ron?" asked Fred in a flat tone.

"We could curtsey if you like," George said, imitating a very poor curtsey.

Ron scowled and shoved his Prefect badge into his pocket. "Oh, shut up."

"Or what?" asked Fred as a cat-like grin spread across his face. "Going to put us in detention?"

Hermione felt her anger flare at Fred's teasing. She'd been made Prefect, too, and rather than congratulate her, they treated it as a great big joke.

She meant to say something eloquent, but in her rage her brain could only come up with, "He could if you don't watch out!"

Fred and George exchanged another look, and then burst out laughing.

"Drop it, Hermione," Ron muttered.

"We're going to have to watch our step, George," Fred winked, "with these two on our case."

Hermione felt her face flush with anger.

"Yeah, it looks like our law-breaking days are finally over," George shook his head in mock sadness.

They shared a grin, and with another loud crack, the twin's Disapparated.

Hermione glared at the spot where they'd both just been standing, and suddenly her anger morphed into something hollow in her chest. Without a word to either Harry or Ron, she darted out of the house and towards the woods. Wetness coated her face, and she hastily and angrily wiped the tears from her cheeks.

The crack of Apparition sounded behind her, and she whirled around to find Fred, his hands shoved in his pockets with a guilty look on his face.

She turned back to the trees so he couldn't see her crying. "What do you want, Fred?"

"Don't be mad, Hermione. We were just having a go at Ron. Can't risk him getting a big head, y' know?"

"I'm sure," Hermione sniffed, refusing to look at him.

"I'm thrilled you made Prefect. You've earned it." His hand landed on her shoulder, and the warmth seeped through her shirt.

She nodded once, and Fred sighed, "Alright, I'll go. I'm sorry, Hermione."

She nodded again, and he Disapparated, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Sixth Year, August 27, 1996

Hermione's heart fluttered as they entered a very packed Weasley Wizard Wheezes. She hadn't seen the twins in over a month, and the thought of speaking to Fred again made her stomach twist. Sleeping in his bed had been a small reprieve, but his scent had faded from the sheets ages ago.

Eyeing an impressive display near the counter, Hermione broke from the group and made her way over to it. She picked up a box bearing a highly coloured picture of a handsome youth and a swooning girl standing on the deck of a pirate ship, and read the information on the back of it.

It was brilliant.

"One simple incantation, and you will enter a top-quality, highly realistic, thirty-minute daydream, easy to fit into the average school lesson and virtually undetectable. Side effects include vacant expression and minor drooling. Not for sale to under-sixteens'. You know," Hermione looked to Harry, who came to stand next to her, "this really is extraordinary magic!"

"For that, Hermione," said an amused voice behind them, "you can have one for free."

Hermione turned to find a beaming Fred standing before them, wearing a magenta suit that clashed magnificently with his bright red hair.

"How are you, Harry?" He came forward to shake Harry's hand before turning to her, "And Hermione, what's happened to your eye?"

Hermione felt her cheeks heat. "Your punching telescope," she said ruefully, a small smirk curling her lips. Honestly, she wasn't upset about it; it was her own fault for snooping through his things.

"Oh blimey, I forgot about those," said Fred. "Here..." He pulled a tub out of his pocket, handing it to her, and she unscrewed it warily to reveal a thick yellow paste. "Just dab it on, and that bruise'll be gone within the hour." He scratched the back of his neck with embarrassment. "We had to find a decent bruise-remover. We're testing most of our products on ourselves."

"It is safe, isn't it?" Hermione looked at the paste nervously. She trusted Fred well enough; if he had said he made this bruise-paste himself, she wouldn't even have a second thought before using it. But as it was made from someone she didn't know, she hesitated.

"Course it is," said Fred bracingly. He narrowed his eyes and slung an arm around Harry's shoulders. "Come on, Harry, I'll give you a tour."

The pair left Hermione to herself, and she tried not to let it upset her that this was the only time she would see Fred for an entire year, and she had made him angry.

July 26 1997

"You ready for tomorrow?"

Hermione looked up from her book to find Fred standing at the base of the stairs. A strained smile spread over his lips, and Hermione returned it as she closed her book.

"Is one ever ready for something like this?"

Fred huffed out a laugh. "No, suppose not. Wonder how Harry'll take all of us turning into him." He moved forward to sit beside her on the couch, and they both stared into the fireplace as it roared and crackled. "I'll make sure Dad flies near you and Kinglsey."

Fred placed his hand on her knee, and she felt her heart jump in her chest. She opened her mouth, but she only managed to whisper, "thank you," as she turned to look at him.

The fire glinted in his chocolate eyes as he turned to look at her, and her heart continued its hard rhythm.

"Hermione, I... I want you to know that I—"

"Hermione? Are you coming to bed soon?"

They both jolted at the sound of Ginny's voice from the top of the stairs.

"Y-Yes!" Hermione replied, her heart hammering for an entirely different reason now. Collecting her things, she quickly retreated towards the staircase, but not before risking a glance back to Fred. He stared into the fire, a rare frown turning his mouth downwards. Hermione paused a moment before deciding to be daring; anything could happen tomorrow and well...

Making up her mind, she strode back to Fred and leant over to press a quick kiss to his cheek. A blush crept over his face as he turned to look at her with wide eyes.

"Be safe tomorrow, Fred." She said as she retreated back to the stairs.

A mumbled, "you too," sounded from him as she climbed the staircase to Ginny's room.

May 2, 1998

Hermione ran until her legs turned to jelly, her mind racing as she turned corner after corner searching for Fred.

As she darted around the rubble of a fallen wall, she finally spotted him with George and Percy, battling off two Death Eaters. A warmth bloomed through her chest for only a moment, before it was replaced with dread as another Death Eater appeared from seemingly out of nowhere.

She recognized him instantly, and her heart plummeted as he cast a bright yellow light at Fred, who had broken from the group to battle one of the Death Eaters by himself. Darting out her wand, she sent a shield charm in front of him, and managed to block it before it could hit. The spell bounced off the barrier and directly into the pillar next to them, causing it to explode from the impact.

"No!" Hermione yelled out, and with barely a moment's hesitation, sent the strongest Imperturbable Charm she could as the pillar fell around Fred. She only hoped the barrier had reached him in time.

"Rookwood!" Percy yelled at the Death Eater that had cast the spell. Both he and George, finally taking care of the Death Eaters that they were battling, raced after Rookwood.

Hermione ran to Fred, mindlessly yanking stones from the pile before remembering she could use magic. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Her voice sounded muffled in her ears, but the rocks quickly moved to reveal Fred, lying motionless on the stone ground.

"No, no, no," Hermione repeated as she moved to sit beside him, pushing the long red locks from his face. "Fred, please wake up."

"Hermione..." He mumbled out, though his eyes remained closed.

"You're going to be okay, Fred." Her mind reeled as she started to cast a healing spell over him. Just as the bright blue light swept over his body, his hand lightly gripped her wrist to stop her actions.

"Hermione... I'm not..."

"Sshh." Tears started to flow down her cheeks, "Save your strength."

Her shield charm hadn't been fast enough, and now the man she loved was dying before her. Reaching up to cup his cheek, she pressed a gentle kiss to his lips and her tears now coated both their cheeks. Feeling Fred kiss her back with the last bit of strength he had left, Hermione's heart soared as she pulled away.

"You are not dying Fred, do you hear me?" She sternly whispered, her resolve hardening as she set the tip of her wand against his skin. Fred didn't answer, but his chest still rose and fell with laboured breaths. She didn't have much time, and she quickly cast healing charm after healing charm, coating his body in waves of bright light.

"Hermione? Hey," George said, coming to kneel on the opposite side of Fred. "Hermione, he's okay, you can stop." He reached forward and set his hand atop hers, pulling her from her spell-casting.

"Hermione, Harry and Ron are looking for you. Don't worry about Fred, I'll take care of him. You've gotta go."

Hermione nodded, took one final look at Fred and ran to find her friends, silently praying to anyone that would listen to keep Fred alive.

Eighth Year, September 1, 1998

A wide smile spread over Hermione's face as the glittering Hogwarts Express pulled into view. She turned to Ginny, and they gripped each other's hands tightly, sharing a grin.

"Girls! Come on, let's get you a good seat!" Molly called from down the platform.

The pair quickly made their way to her, meeting up with the rest of the Weasley's and Harry. Hermione gave Harry and Ron quick hugs goodbye as Ginny did the same, though Harry pulled her in for a swift kiss that made Ron sputter. They had both accepted Auror jobs, and wouldn't be coming back to Hogwarts to finish their education. Hermione, of course, jumped at the opportunity to return, though she would miss her friends terribly.

"Hermione, hang on a sec," George said, pulling her aside. "I've got something for you."

He produced a small necklace from his pocket and handed it to her. It was a smooth piece of rose quartz hanging from a golden chain.

"Oh, George, thank you. It's magnificent." Hermione said as she took it from him and held the stone in the light.

"I didn't buy it, Fred did. He said it's any early birthday present, and he wanted me to apologize for not being able to make it today. He drew the short straw, and had to watch the store."

Hermione tried to hide the wave of disappointment she felt, for they had yet to discuss what had happened during the War. Once everything was over, Hermione had gone straight to Fred's side, and when he woke up, he acted as if he didn't remember a thing. He only remembered up to the blast, and that was it, nothing of the kiss they had shared. Hermione said nothing, and let him live without the knowledge of it. Maybe it was better that way, as opposed to being humiliatingly rejected.

"You alright?" George asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Is this about you and Ron breaking up? Because I hope you know we love you more than him."

Hermione laughed, pulled the necklace over her curls, and tucked it into her shirt, "George! You know very well that Ron and I never dated. He kissed me in the Chamber of Secrets, and that was it. I'm just... nervous about the new year."

"You'll be brilliant, Hermione." George pulled her into a quick hug, oblivious to her white lie.

Ginny came and looped their arms together, and they stepped onto the train, finding an empty compartment. Waving goodbye to their friends and family, Hermione tried to ignore the sinking feeling of not being able to see Fred for another year.

Maybe she could use this time apart to finally forget her feelings.

Post A/N: So I'm sure you'll have noticed there are some canon moments in here. While I did use the conversations originally written, I tried my best to change them up so they weren't verbatim.