Chapter 15
"How dare you Ronald Weasley! I let it slide last time because you were drunk but I will not tolerate it again do you hear me? You can wait as long as you want but I do not plan on breaking it off with Fred anytime soon. It is my life and I'll be damned if I listen to that bloody skeeter woman! I decide who I fancy, not her, and certainly not you! And if I even so much as think, that you're letting your hurt feelings keep you from helping out in this war, I will not hesitate to hex you six ways from Sunday. And make sure you stay that way." Hermione finished in a huff.
She quickly stormed into the common room, grabbed her bag and headed to the library, ignoring the calls from Fred and Harry. When she got to the library she quickly found her favorite seat. It was located in a secluded corner that kept her hidden from everyone in the library, yet allowed her to see everything. She took out her work and quickly started her potions essay that was due next month. 15 minutes she felt a vibration from her waist, where she kept her cell phone. She took it out to see, 'Text Message: Fred.' Hello love, could hear the row from inside! Bloody fantastic hit I must say. Ron's face doesn't look too well. Meet you in the library soon! –Fred. She sighed happily at that, and put her work away and started a list.
Horcruxes
Diary
Ring
Diadem
More?
~Fred's POV~
When Ron walked into the room fuming, I knew he did something stupid. I stomped my way towards him and backed him into the wall.
"What could you have possibly done now, you git?" I asked glaring at him. I could see George behind me and starting his way towards me.
"None of your business." He spat back at me with a scowl that could rival Malfoys.
"I believe it is my business, Ronniekins, since it involves my girlfriend." He winced. I knew it wasn't nice to rub it in his face, but if he hurt her feelings... Ron said nothing and shoved me away, making his way up to his dormitory. I sighed, told George I was going to the library, grabbed my phone and texted Hermione, no doubt she was in the there. I made my way out of the portrait.
~Regular POV~
Hermione quickly put her phone away before Madame Pince could see. The order was really taking well to the cell phones, all of them now had them but they were only used to contact other order members, trying to keep it top secret, their use of the latest muggle technology. So far Hermione and Fred were the only ones who used their phones regularly. Hermione got up to put her phone in her bag and didn't see Fred until he wrapped his arms around her waist. She jumped, a blush appearing on her face when she felt the heat of Fred's hand through her shirt.
"Oy! Blushing already and I haven't even said a word." Fred chuckled in her ear, sending chills down her spine. He finally let go and sank into the chair she had just vacated, bringing her down with him. He adjusted himself so she was sitting in between his legs comfortably. She gave him a smile and tried her best to concentrate on her list. After an hour she was finally took a break and promptly finished her potions work instead. It would have taken less time if Fred wasn't so bloody distracting. She thought as she glanced at Fred.
~Hermione's POV~
Every time I turned around he was playing with his phone. I sighed and he laughed.
"What have you been doing on that phone this whole time?" I asked.
"I've been playing this game called tecris, wait no Tetris!" He said happily. When I frowned he spoke again. "Hermione, everything's going to be alright, Ron will come around, no way would that prat let us do this all alone." I nodded my head and leaned back into him, loving the way he said us. He wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his hands on my stomach while I played with my necklace.
"Cmon," Fred said with a smile on his face, lifting me up, "You are going for a ride." He shrunk my bag and put it in his pocket. Then he turned towards me with the familiar glint in his eye.
"Oh fiancé of mine, you are looking terribly dead on those little feet of yours, it would be dreadful if you were to damage then, Might I give you a lift?" Before I could stop him, I was on his back with him racing out of the library with Madame Pince yelling at us. I laughed as we made our getaway. Fred slowed down as we rounded a corner; it was getting too close to curfew.
~Fred's POV~
When we reached the common room it was empty. Instead of letting go of Hermione, I plopped down on the couch, on my back.
I heard a muffled "Freeeeeed!" From under me, but I knew she was smiling. I finally got off her and sat down beside her. She huffed cutely and smoothed her wavy hair out of her face. I smiled, knowing I had cheered her up.
~HG HG HG~
The next day dawned bright and the trio made their way down to breakfast meeting up with the twins. George was up to date on what was going on and was more than ready to help out. Ron's black eye wasn't looking to good, but he refused to go to the hospital wing. Ron didn't say anything to Hermione or Fred, choosing instead to ignore them both as he gobbled down as much food as possible.
"Guys I have free time while you lot are in divination," Hermione said addressing Harry and Ron. "If you need to find me I'll be in-"
"- the library." Ron said. She glared at him.
"I was going to say, the room of requirement." And with that she grabbed her books and huffed away. Fred laughed while he grabbed another piece of toast.
"Not gunna go after your girl?" George said next to Fred.
"Moines a tough girl. She'll get mad if I always try to help her, sides, we have class soon Gred." I said. Everyone went silent. Fred looked up from his plate. "What?" He asked.
"Hermione sure is rubbing off on you." Ginny said happily. Fred's eyes darted quickly to Ron but didn't linger.
"Oh shove off." He grabbed his bag and he and George made their way to class.
Hermione grabbed her stuff, put it all together and walked to the room of requirement. Walking back and forth she thought, I need a place to play my music and do my work. When the doors appeared she stepped into an exact replica of her room at Grimwald Place, except this time there was a set of speakers in the place of one of her bookshelves. Once inside she took her ipod out and attached it to the speaker, starting her work. She realized with satisfaction how much easier it was to do her work with her music playing. Having done so well the last time, Sam and Ally had asked that she make the flyers again for the upcoming dance. After the last prefect meeting, as Hermione made her way out, she was approached by Terry Boot, the male prefect for the Ravenclaw house. Hermione shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, he had asked her if he could accompany her to the ball. She had politely declined. Most of the school did not know about her relationship with Fred. You think they'd have figured it out by now, I suppose not, we don't spend so much time together out in the open, She thought to herself.
After classes that day, the group all sat down in the great hall for supper, trying to be discreet as they ate their food as slow as possible. Hermione was sitting in between Harry and Fred, while Ginny, George and Ron were across from them. They had to be very careful, because they were not keeping Ginny in the loop. Harry felt bad that he wasn't telling Ginny about all this, but Harry knew that the more people who knew the more people who were in danger. Though he was aware that Ginny could take care of herself, he wasn't about to test that theory out. Hermione was also quick to point out that the twins were pros at mischief and hiding and such and were also much older than Ginny.
~Fred's POV~
All of us tried not to eat too fast, and kept stealing glances at Dumbledore up at the teachers table. Soon I decided I was going to go for a walk. I got up and turned toward Hermione.
Leaning down I whispered, "How about a walk?" I saw her nod her head as she pushed her plate away. I held out my hand for her and was once again surprised by how well her hand fit into mine. As we walked away I gave Harry a nod, telling him we would meet in the bathroom. I shook my head, laughing at how horrible that sounded. Hermione gave me a look and I just shook my head, letting go of her hand and putting my arm around her shoulders to bring her closer. As we walked out of the Great Hall I noticed several bewildered looks pointed at Hermione and I. Did they not know we were dating? It surprised me, but then again we did spend most of our time in the common room.
~Hermione's POV~
When Fred put his arm around me I started hearing distinct whispers and turned my head to see several people looking at us. Many girls look jealous and angry; I saw several of them scribbling letters, and strangely, saw guys glaring as well.
"Fred, several people are looking at us." He looked down at me and smiled.
"Well of course love, I'm walking beside the most beautiful and brilliant witch to walk the halls of Hogwarts." Blushing I leaned into his chest and felt safe, loved. Loved? I thought, Yes loved. Lately I'd been starting to think about just how much Fred meant to me, scared about what would happen down in the chamber.
"What do you think is going to happen when we destroy the horcrux? The first one, well Harry explained that it was sort of like a beam of light destroyed him. And you've seen what's happened to Professor Dumbledore's hand. What do you think this one will do? How could we possibly destroy it safely?" Fred looked thoughtful for a moment and then a sad look appeared on his face.
With a sigh he said, "Voldemorts an evil evil person, who knows what that horcrux will do. I'm just hoping it won't be as bad as what happened to Dumbledore. Maybe it will be as easy as the beam of lights." He finished with a slight smile. Fred looked behind us and quickly pulled me into an alcove. I saw the grin on his lips before they were on mine. I quickly kissed him back, loving the way his lips felt on mine. As our lips moved together Fred's hands slowly went under my shirt, caressing my hips. A chill went up my spine and I moved my hands to Fred's waist pulling his hips towards mine. I heard Fred gasp in reply as he moved his lips to my neck. At that exact moment I turned my head to see Harry walk past. His eyes bulged open and he moved back in time to stop Ron from seeing us, or so I thought. Though our relationship wasn't exactly news to him, I wasn't going to flaunt it in his face.
~Ron's POV~
Harry roughly pushed me back, claiming he tripped, but I saw. How could he? How could he be with her! He knew I liked her even before I did, and he took her away from me. You missed your chance when you got with Lavender, my mind said back. I had my reasons. Yeah, because you convinced yourself she'd never want you, that you weren't good enough. She actually wanted you and you just couldn't see the signs.
I cursed inwardly at myself for being so stupid. All the signs were right in front of me and I was too busy snogging her. Ugh how I regret that. I was so angry but at that moment I couldn't let it show. I slowly breathed in and out and faked helping Harry up, pretending I hadn't seen them. I can't turn my back on Harry, and I have to make sure I'm there for Hermione when she realizes Fred isn't serious. That thought erased a bit of my tension and I couldn't figure out whether I was angry or sad. I chose sad. I don't want that to be the reason she comes back to me. I thought bitterly. It's better than nothing.
~Regular POV~
The group quickly assembled and made their way into the bathroom. Harry whipped his head back and forth, making sure no one was inside, though Moaning Myrtle did a good job of keeping people away herself.
"Harry," She said, her ghostly form perched above a toilet stall, "So nice of you to visit me." She practically cooed.
"My apologies Miss, but Mr. Potter is not here to visit you today." Everyone turned to see Dumbledore standing in the door way, "If you would please excuse us for the time being." He said, sounding tired. With a huff Moaning Myrtle zipped into the nearest toilet creating a splash that most of them had to dodge.
"Now Harry," Professor Dumbledore said, while everyone turned to face him, "You know what to do." Harry quickly walked to the sink that had the insignia of the snake, with a hiss the sink started to move. Soon enough there was a large hole leading into blackness. Hermione looked into the hole with a frown.
"See, Ron said you both just jumped down." Hermione turned to Dumbledore, "No offense sir, but Harry you really expect Professor Dumbledore to just jump?" Harry looked a bit sheepish, having not even thought of that.
"Well, Harry, I'm sure Tom didn't just jump down either, perhaps there is a way to call up some stairs or a ramp of sorts." Harry nodded, acknowledging Professor Dumbledore's suggestion and quickly hissed. After he hissed a slight rumble was heard. Through the walls of the hole stairs where appearing out of the sides. The stairs where quite large, being able to fit two people side to side, but each stair was not connected. Neither was there a handle or anything to hold on to but the wall.
"Well that's safe," George said sarcastically with a grin.
"Why couldn't Voldy have fallen off at some point? Would have been damn convenient, the bugger." Fred finished.
"Fred!" Hermione hissed, "Language." Fred smiled sheepishly at Professor Dumbledore who just nodded. And together, they made their way down.