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Chapter Text

It was January 11, 1984, when Professor McGonagall received a letter from the ministry about a burst of magic in a Muggle neighbourhood. They had a suspicion it was a muggle born witch or wizard who had its first burst of magic since it wasn't registered at the ministry. So, McGonagall read the address on the bottom of the letter and summoned her coat before she walked out in the snow to Hogsmeade. She apparated to Epsom, Surrey, and transformed into her cat form behind an abandoned house and toddled over to the townhouse around the corner. When she hopped onto the windowsill in the garden, she peered inside, already hearing the voices from within the house.

"Mummy, I don't know what happened." The girl said as she sat down on the barstool.

"Macy's mum said you threw a snowball right in her face."

"But I didn't! I was reading on the playground, and when I looked up, a snowball came flying towards me. I held up my hands, but it never hit me. When I looked up, Macy was on the ground, snow all over her face."

"I believe you, sweetheart. I know that Macy girl is mean to you." Her mother smiled and wrapped her up in a hug. "If she bothers you again, tell me, alright, or tell a teacher."

"Mum, if I tell the teacher, my life will get even worse."

Her mother hummed as she looked down at her young daughter. "Alright. Now, want to make some granola bars with me?"

The young girl smiled broadly as she hopped off the barstool and started gathering the supplies. It was from then on that Professor McGonagall would check on the girl every so often as she hid under a tree in her tabby cat form.

The tabby cat sat stiffly under a tree watching a now 7-year-old girl reading Alice in Wonderland on her own as she slowly swayed on a swing set. She had been watching the girl for several weeks ever since Hermione had her latest outburst of magic. The last time a bug-eyed girl at school was teasing her, and out of nowhere, the girl flew back, landing in the grass a couple of meters further. The bushy-haired seven-year-old was still clutching her books as she watched the bully fly back. Now, the girl was so lost in her book, she didn't notice when it started to rain. The cat's eyes widened as she watched how the girl and her book didn't get wet. It looked like she was hidden under an invisible dome.

"Hermione, sweetie?" Her mum called out the kitchen window. "Come inside. It's raining."

Hermione looked up from her book and gazed in the direction where she heard her mother's voice come from. The moment her attention was averted from the book in front of her, raindrops started to fall on her hair and her book. She looked up at the grey sky in surprise before she hurried inside.

A year later, the tabby cat sat on the little stone wall just outside Hermione Granger's school watching the girl as she sat in class. She had already finished her assignments and was now working on next week's lesson that lay on her lap. When she finished it, she leaned her head on her hand and let her gaze wander outside in boredom. Her eyes fell on the disguised Minerva McGonagall, and her eyes widened in recognition. She had seen the cat several times over the last years. Appearing under the tree in her garden, sneaking around at her school. When Professor McGonagall saw her staring, she calmly turned in a circle before she rolled up in a ball. The eight-year-old smiled at the cat before turning her attention back to her teacher.

At 9 years old, Hermione got angry with a teacher because she was explaining a math problem wrong. When the teacher didn't want to listen to her and waved her off, a burst of magic flew from her towards the teacher, making her trip and fall, headfirst against the school board, the side of her face covered in white chalk. When the teacher excused herself to freshen up, Hermione walked over to the board and fixed the problem before sitting back at her desk, pretending like nothing happened. All to the amusement of the cat sitting outside the window once again.

Professor McGonagall saw Hermione Granger cry for the first time when none of her classmates came to her 10th birthday party. McGonagall had noticed that over the years, she didn't have many friends as they all were intimidated by her intelligence. But she never expected them to be so cruel. She was sitting at the windowsill of the kitchen watching as the little girl was being embraced by her mother as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Her father stood in the study yelling on the phone as he called the parents of the kids that said would come. The whole house was still decorated with flags, balloons, and cupcakes spread across the living room. When Hermione calmed down, she locked herself up in her room. Her parents shot each other a worried look when they sat down on the couch.

"I don't know what to do. Maybe we should change schools?" Mrs Granger asked her husband.

"I don't think that will help, dear." Mr Granger rubbed her back. "Every kid her age is afraid or jealous of her intellect. And with the weird accidents that happened over the years..." He trailed off, looking at the stairs his daughter disappeared on. Mrs Granger sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence for a while before they started to take down the decorations.

Professor McGonagall hopped onto the tree at the side of the house and climbed her way to the top until she landed on the branch next to the girl's window. Hermione was sitting in her bed fighting the tears as she worked on next year's class assignment. McGonagall watched her for another 15 minutes before she decided to go talk to the headmaster. She leapt off the tree branch and toddled over to the next street before apparating away.

Half an hour later, the Professor knocked on the door of Albus Dumbledore's chambers.

"Come in." The voice called from the other side of the door.

"Albus," McGonagall greeted as she entered his office. Dumbledore was sitting at his desk as he peered over his half-moon spectacles at her.

"Minerva. I assume you came here to talk to me about the young Hermione Granger?"

"Well, yes..." Minerva looked a bit surprised at the headmaster as she sat down in front of him. "I was wondering if we could make an exception."

Albus stared at her with a little twitch at the corners of his mouth, not interrupting, waiting for her to continue.

"Hermione is extremely intelligent for her age. She is being bullied by her classmates because of her intellect and the weird things that keep happening around her. She isn't happy. I just left her place; she's been crying all afternoon because her classmates told her they would come to her birthday party, and no one showed up." Minerva McGonagall took a deep breath before she continued. "My proposal is that she start a year early. Her birthday is September 19th. If she had been born just a few weeks earlier, she would have come to Hogwarts next year, not in two years. Here she can flourish, she can learn, and she wouldn't be looked at weird because of her magic."

"Hmm." The headmaster hummed before he pushed his glasses up his nose. "Do you think she can handle it?"

"I believe so. If necessary, I will guide her along the way."

"Even if she's not in Gryffindor?"

"Even then." Minerva said certainly and straightened her back.

"Alright. I'll send a letter to the ministry explaining the situation. I want you to go over to the Granger's house and explain everything."

"Of course, Albus. I'll go over there next week."

"Excellent." Dumbledore smiled. "Now that is out of the way, Minerva, would you like a cockroach cluster?" He asked, holding out a glass bowl full of sweets.

"Hermione, sweetheart? The professor from that private school will be here shortly. Can you come down?" Her mother called up the stairs.

"Coming, Mum!" The bushy-haired girl ran down the stairs.

"Calm down, sweetie."

"Sorry, just nervous." She smiled at her mother before she took a glance out the window. "What school does she represent?"

"Uhm." Mrs Granger frowned as she took the letter from the table. Before she had a chance to open it, the doorbell rang. She dropped the letter and walked to the door, followed by Hermione. Mr Granger came out of the study and walked over to his wife and daughter, and they opened the door together.

"Good afternoon, Mr and Mrs Granger. Hermione." The tall woman smiled friendly, looking down. "I'm Professor McGonagall."

"Nice to meet you, Professor." Hermione smiled broadly at the witch.

"Come in." Mr Granger stepped aside and let them onto the sofas.

"So, may I ask how you got our information?" Mr Granger looked at the women in front of him.

"We receive information about special children all over England. And your daughter is one of them."

"Special children?" Hermione asked with furrowed brows.

"Not only are you exceptionally bright. There... how do I put it? Did strange things, accidents, happen to you in the past few years?"

The three of them looked at each other with raised eyebrows. "How did you know?"

"This may be a bit of a shock, but Hermione is a witch. She can practise magic."

"A witch?" Hermione whispered as she thought back to the events that happened to her.

"You can't be serious? There are no such things as witches or wizards."

"I'm very serious. How do you explain the things that happened?"

"Those were just some freak accidents." Mr Granger exclaimed. He looked over at his wife, who had remained silent. "You don't believe this, do you?"

"I – Daniel, it would explain the things that happened over the years." She turned to the witch in front of her. "Are you a witch?"

"Yes, I am." The witch smiled as she stood up. She pulled a wand out of her skirt and waved it over the vase that stood in the middle of the coffee table. Within a second, the vase turned into a cat statue and back. Hermione looked surprised but interested while her parents looked shocked, not quite believing what they had just witnessed.

"How did you do that?" Hermione asked in awe.

"You will learn how to do so and so much more if you decide to come to our school."

"Mum, Dad. Can I go? Please?"

"Can you tell me more about your school?" Mrs Granger asked as she looked from Hermione to the Professor.

"Hogwarts resides in Scotland. Where she will be sorted into a house. We have Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. She will attend classes with fellow students from the same house. She'll have a dormitory where she stays throughout the year. She can go home over the Christmas holiday and the summer."

"We will have to discuss this."

"Of course. I have some letters that contain extra information. And if you have any questions, you can call this number." She handed them a small card. "That's Professor Burbage. She is our Muggle Studies teacher."

"Muggle?"

"Non magic folk."

"Oh," Mr Granger said quietly as he took the letters.

"If you decide to come to Hogwarts, there is information on how to buy your school supplies and how to get to Hogwarts."

"How do you know about the accident?" Mrs Granger asked politely.

"From the ministry. We have our own, the Ministry of Magic, and they get notifications if there is a magic outburst in the vicinity of Muggles. Then, someone will check on that person from time to time."

"So, someone checked in on me?"

"Yes. I have been looking after you since you were five, after your first accident."

"Oh," Hermione said slowly. "How come I've never seen you?"

"I was in disguise. Maybe I'll show you later." The witch smiled at her, which made Hermione almost squeal in delight. "Witches and wizards start school at the age of eleven."

"So, she will start in two years?" Her father asked.

"Hermione can start next year. Because her birthday is so close to the beginning of the school year, she can start early. I cleared it with our headmaster."

"Why do you want her to start early?" Her father asked a bit accusatory.

"Like is said, I've been watching her since she was five. I have seen how she gets bored in class because she already knows everything. That she is being bullied by her peers because she is smart, and weird things happen around her. At Hogwarts, she will be accepted for who she is, a witch."

"Alright." Her mother started slowly. "We'll let it all sink in and discuss this later."

"If you want, I can make arrangements for someone—a witch or wizard—to accompany you to the train station and to buy school supplies."

"Yes. If we decide to do so, it may be best to get some guidance. Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

"If that is all. I'll give you some time to process everything. Let me know what you decide, and I'll make the arrangements." The professor smiled as she stood up and shook her parents' hands. They opened the door, and when Minerva passed through it, she looked back at Hermione.

"I hope to see you soon, Miss Granger."

"I hope so too, Professor McGonagall." She piped up, smiling widely. 

Chapter Text

Two months later, Hermione finally convinced her parents to let her go to Hogwarts. She was so excited that she had asked Professor McGonagall if she had any books to spare for her. The Professor immediately replied, sending her the books: Hogwarts: A History, Book of Charms & Spells, and a beginner's guide to transfiguration through owl, no less.

Her parents carefully tied a reply to the owl's leg to ask the costs of the books, but the Professor waved them off, telling them they were old copies that were lying around at the school and if they wanted, they could still buy the new books when they get their official school list.

On Boxing Day, Professor McGonagall made a surprise visit to the Granger house, and her parents welcomed her warmly. She had brought Hermione some other books because she had already finished hers. She brought The Toadstool Tales, Quidditch, throughout the Ages—because the Professor played herself when she was young—and History of Magic. The last volume was so thick that the professor thought it would take some time for her to finish it.

She explained a bit more about Diagon Alley and the train she's going to take to Hogwarts on September 1st as they ate homemade cookies.

Hermione woke up at 6.30 on August 3rd, the day she was finally going to Diagon Alley to get her school things. She took a quick shower, got dressed, and ate breakfast in silence, waiting for her parents to wake up. When she finished breakfast, she began pacing from the living room to the kitchen and back. At 8.30, her parents walked downstairs still dressed in their pyjamas.

"Morning, sweetheart. How long have you been awake?" Her mother smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"6.30," she mumbled quickly. "Why aren't you two dressed yet?"

"Hermione dear, we're only meeting... What was the name?"

"Wesleys? Ah no, the Weasleys." Her father spoke up as he poured himself some tea.

"We are only meeting the Weasleys in London at 11. We still have plenty of time."

Hermione huffed as she sat down next to her mother at the breakfast table, arms crossed. Her foot tapped the floor anxiously.

"So, sweetheart, do you have a favourite house you would like to get sorted in?" Her father asked, looking up from his toast.

"Not really. Just not Slytherin, from the little I read about them... no."

"We can ask the Weasleys what house they are in when we get there. Then you'll have a better idea."

"Yes, great idea, Mum. Professor McGonagall is the head of Gryffindor, so that's a big plus."

They talked about Hogwarts for a bit before her parents made their way back upstairs to get ready. They drove the car to London, and when they arrived at their destination, a whole pack of redheads were standing in front of a shabby looking tavern.

"I think that's them." Mrs Granger nudged her head in the direction of the redheads. "Didn't Professor McGonagall say they all had red hair?"

"Yes indeed, that's a big bunch, and look at their clothes." Her father cocked his head as he watched the family of eight standing in front of the Leaky Cauldron.

"Staring is rude." Hermione pointed out and opened her door. Her parents shook their heads, chuckling, and stepped out. They walked over to the ginger family.

"Hello. Are you the Weasleys?"

"Yes, yes. Good afternoon. I'm Molly, and this is my husband, Arthur." The mother-witch smiled.

"I'm Daniel. And this is my wife, Jean. Nice to meet you." They shook each other's hands while Arthur stood there gaping.

"Arthur," Molly hissed and elbowed him in the ribs.

"Sorry. Did you drive the car here?"

"Uhm, well, yes." Mr Granger said nervously. The kids of the couple were trying to hide their snickers behind their hands.

"Can I take a look?"

Before either of her parents could answer, Molly interrupted. "Not now."

"Oh, right," Arthur shook his head and looked at Hermione. "You must be Hermione Granger. Professor McGonagall told us all about you."

"Nice to meet you, sir." She said politely.

"You can call us Molly and Arthur, dear. This here is Charlie; he is starting his last year in September." The boy named Charlie smiled and gave a little wave. "This is Percy, fourth year. And the twins, Fred and George, they are starting their second year."

"I'm George." Said Fred.

"I'm Fred," said George.

"Hmm." She looked over at the two identical redheads before shaking her head. The twins looked flustered and opened their mouths to reply before their mother interrupted again.

"This is Ron and Ginny. Ron will start next year, and Ginny the year after."

Ron shuffled his feet, and Ginny smiled widely at her.

"Nice to meet you all."

"We better get inside."

"Lead the way." Her father smiled.

Arthur and Molly went first, followed by the two youngest, then Charlie and Percy. The twins bowed dramatically before them. Her mother chuckled and glanced over at Hermione.

"I think they are going to be a handful." She whispered, grinning.

"It seems so."

"Sweetheart, remember to have fun at school, make friends, don't hide behind your books."

"I'll try, Mum." She looked at her feet.

As they made their way inside the dark, lit tavern, she heard the twins behind her whispering. She glanced over her shoulder to look at them and saw that they were both looking at her. They both gave her lopsided smiles before she turned back.

She could just see between Molly and Arthur and saw the latter tapping his wand against a brick wall. Her parents frowned at each other before their eyes went big as the stones parted.

"Magic." Her father whispered slightly, like he had never seen it before. Of course, he had. The couple of times Professor McGonagall came by, he always asked her to show him some spells or transfiguration.

Hermione and her mum giggled and heard the twins behind them chuckle softly. Her mother gave her a wink before she looked over her shoulder to the two twelve-year-olds.

"I think we could blow your minds with what we so-called Muggles have." She grinned at the twins. The twins' mouths dropped open, making Hermione laugh before they shook their heads and grinned at her mother.

"Well, Mrs Granger... maybe you should show us. Then we could tweak it a bit." One twin said, Hermione was certain it was Fred.

"Don't let Dad hear that. I think he will be questioning all three of them throughout the day." Charlie laughed as he came to get them. He explained further as he saw the raised eyebrows of the Grangers. "He's weirdly fascinated by all things muggles."

"Don't really know what's so fascinating, but then again look at my husband and magic." She chuckled.

"The mysteries of the unknown." Hermione piped up. "You should see Dad when Professor McGonagall stops by."

"Professor McGonagall? She comes by your house?" Charlie asked, surprised, the twins listening in on his other side as they walked to the open wall.

"Yes, she's been by, I don't know, three? No, four times this year?" She asked her mother, who nodded. "It's because I'm a muggle born, and I start a year earlier than one normally would."

"Earlier? How old are you then?"

"I'll turn 11 on September 19th."

"Then why...?" Charlie was interrupted as they heard her father gasp. They all turned to Mr Granger, who looked in awe at Diagon Alley.

Hermione broke her eyes away from her father and followed his gaze. Witches and wizards were scurrying around the streets, walking in and out of the shops. Outside the shops hung cauldrons, plants, even owls.

"Arthur?" Molly called. "Why don't you take Ron and Ginny to the apothecary and get the ingredients they need?"

"I'll come with you!" Mr Granger called over, and Arthur practically beamed at this. "Dear, what does she need from the apothecary?"

Mrs Granger quickly scribbled down the ingredients and handed the paper over. She smiled as she heard Arthur starting to bombard him with questions.

"I'm sorry." Molly said as she came over.

"No worries. They are both fascinated with each other. They'll talk each other's ears off."

"Let's get started then. It's quite busy. Boys! Here are your lists. Let's go to Flourish and Blott's first, you can find your books and meet me back at the entrance, alright?" Molly said as they neared the bookshop. Hermione looked over at the list her mother held in her hands.

"Why don't I get these books? And you can go snoop around." Her mother said with a wink.

"Thanks, Mum." She kissed her mother's cheek and darted inside.

Hermione was sitting in a quiet corner of the bookshop surrounded by books she had taken from the shelves, stacked neatly next to her. She was so focused on the book on her lap that she didn't see two identical redheads planting themselves in front of her. The twins cocked their heads as they watched the 10-year-olds focus, raising their eyebrows at each other before looking back at the girl.

"Little Granger," Fred said, waving his hand between the book and her eyesight. She jumped slightly before she looked up, annoyed.

"God! You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Sorry. But we-"

"Have been sitting here -"

"For about five minutes."

"And besides... your mother -"

"Is looking for you," George finished. Hermione's eyes had ping- ponged between the two as they spoke.

"Do you two always do that?"

"Maybe." The twins said in unison, grinning.

"Your mum asked us to come look for you. You've been gone for almost an hour."

"Oh, no!" she cried as she jumped to her feet in a panic.

"It's okay, little Granger. Your mum said to just choose the books you want, and she'll ring them up."

"Oh, okay." She said as she turned to look at her books. "And don't call me that!"

"Call you what?" Fred asked innocently.

Hermione glared over her shoulder before choosing the books she wanted to take home. George offered to carry some of the books and nudged his twin as he kept leaning against the bookshelf looking at the bushy-haired 10-year-old. Fred sighed and picked up the remaining books, and the three walked down the stairs.

"Hermione dear, did you find something interesting?" Her mother smiled as she saw them coming down the stairs.

"I think she wants to buy the whole store." Fred laughed, showing Mrs Granger the books in his hands.

"Yes, she loves her books. She can read all day if she wants to."

The twins looked appalled by the idea of spending the day with their noses in books. Mrs Weasley came to a stop next to the twins.

"Maybe you should consider reading instead of joking around."

"WE READ!" the twins called out together. They looked at each other, grinning.

"JINX!"

"LAUGH! CHEER! YOU OWE ME A BUTTERBEER!" they called again in unison. Mrs Granger laughed at their antics while Hermione and Mrs Weasley rolled their eyes.

"You two, out! Your father is waiting at the ice cream parlour." She waved the twins off. The twins looked at the two Grangers and bowed deep.

"Mrs Granger."

"Little Granger."

"BOYS!" their mum called. They grinned and took off to the front door of the shop. "I'm sorry." Mrs Weasley said as she turned back to them.

"It's okay. I think they're quite funny."

"Mum, can we ring these up, please?" Hermione changed the subject as she looked up at her mother.

"Of course, dear."

"I'll wait outside. Then we can go to the ice cream parlour together."

"Thank you, Molly." Her mother smiled, and the red-headed witch headed out the door.

"What else do we have to get?"

"Just your wand and your robes. When you were busy reading, your father stopped by and asked for the list. He and Mr Weasley got everything you'll need. He gave me their wizard money. And when you come home for the holidays, we can open an account for you at Gringotts."

When they reached the till, Hermione and her mother placed all the books on the counter as the salesman started to ring them up.

Hermione and Mrs Granger went to Madam Malkin's to get her robes after they found the others at the ice cream parlour. The time they spent in there was considerably amount shorter than they thought because of the magic the witch used.

Hermione was nervously shuffling her feet as she stood in front of Olivander's. She was standing there alone after she had told her mum she wanted to do it by herself. She saw an old man walking behind the counter as he pulled small rectangular boxes out of the wall.

Suddenly, two redheads popped beside her in the window reflection.

"It's not that scary, you know," George said.

"Olivander is a bit weird, but he's nice."

"He'll help you find the wand that fits you perfectly."

Hermione took a step forward and turned to the twins, finding no humour or jokes in their eyes. "Can I see yours?" She asked nervously as she bit her lip.

The boys smiled simultaneously, pulling their wands out their back pockets and holding them out in front of her in their open hands.

"Dragon heartstring, both of us."

"But mine is cedar," Fred explained as Hermione examined the wand. "While George's is—"

"Dogwood."

Hermione compared the wands next to each other. George's was sleek and had a light brown colour. While Fred was a darker brown with engravings around the base. She looked up at the boys in front of her.

"I don't want to be rude, but why are you here?"

"Your mum asked us to see if you went in," Fred said, shrugging his shoulder as he pocketed his wand.

"She asked you?" She glanced between the two.

"I think she likes us," George grinned. "Now -" He placed his hands on her shoulder and turned her around. "Go inside and find your wand."

Hermione chuckled lightly as she opened the door. She glanced over her shoulder to the twins before she fully entered to shop. "Thanks." She smiled and closed the door behind her.

Chapter Text

The store was silent, and the shop owner was nowhere to be seen. She looked out the window and saw the twins grinning at her with their thumbs up. She turned back to the counter and took the last steps towards it.

"Hello?" she called out to the empty hallway on her right.

"Good afternoon, miss." An old man walked from the other side of the room, appearing out of nowhere. "Your first wand, I presume?"

"Ye-yes, sir." She tried to sound confident as she straightened her back.

"Let me see what I can find for you." The man named Olivander smiled and turned to the wall full of boxes. 

He grazed his fingers over them as he quietly muttered to himself, glancing back at her occasionally. After about ten minutes, he came back and placed four boxes in front of her. She looked from the boxes to the wizard.

"Try one."

Hermione gently reached out and took the wand out of the box, further to the right. It was a black thin long wand that felt a little uncomfortable in her hand.

"Give it a wave." Olivander encouraged. She waved it in front of the counter and the till flew open, screaming. Olivander whiffed his own wand over it as Hermione placed the wand back on the counter with shaking hands.

"I don't think that's the one for me."

"I believe you're right. Why don't you try this one?" He opened the box and revealed a light vine wood wand. 

She took the wand from the box and immediately felt a warm feeling coursing through her body. She shifted her hand a bit before giving it a wave. Fall leaves started to fall on her as she smiled.

"Brilliant!" The wand maker grinned. "I think the wand found its rightful owner."

"Thank you, Mr Olivander." She grinned back, still holding her wand. After she paid for her purchase, she walked out of the shop beaming.

"You didn't have to wait."

The twins shrugged. "It's still a new place for you, Granger. Don't want you to get lost on us now, would we?"

"No, your mum wouldn't like us anymore." Fred pouted. Hermione rolled her eyes as the boys. "Now... let us see, little Granger."

She proudly showed the twins her wand as they started walking back to the others who were waiting at the Leaky Cauldron.

All the Weasleys and her parents took a turn looking at the wand she had purchased, as it was passed between the group. Ginny talked excitedly to Hermione about her wand and hoped she would find the perfect one for her in the future as they walked out the Leaky Cauldron to the car.

Hermione heard her father making plans to meet up with Arthur once the kids left for school, next to them a chuckling Molly and Mrs Granger as they saw their husbands talk excitedly. Her father started loading the car with her bags as she said goodbye.

"See you in a few weeks, little Granger."

"Don't forget all your books," George teased.

"I won't. Bye, George. Bye, Fred." She waved at the twins as she walked to the car. The twins looked surprised again, looking at each other wide-eyed.

"Did she get it right?" Their younger brother asked.

"Yeah," Fred answered with furrowed eyebrows. "Must be beginners' luck."

"Must be," George agreed as he saw the car with the bushy-haired girl in it driving away.

"Sweetheart, hold on!" Her mother called out as she ran through the train station. "The train doesn't leave for half an hour."

Hermione didn't stop until she reached platforms nine and ten. She looked around and saw a tall boy with wavy brown hair walking to the wall with his trolley. With a quick glance around, he found her watching him, he winked at her before he casually leaned against his trolley, that rolled through the wall; the boy disappearing after it, followed by an older man, his father she thought. She stood there for a few seconds; her mouth opened.

"Did you see that?" Her father asked, shocked. "They just went through it."

"Mrs Weasley and Professor McGonagall explained it, but seeing it makes it real, you know."

Hermione hummed in agreement and looked up at her parents. "Together?"

"Together." They smiled and walked up to the wall. Hermione pushed her trolley against it first, and when it disappeared, she followed along with her parents. The platform was crowded with families as they said goodbye to their kids. She glanced around but couldn't find the mops of red hair.

"They're probably running late." Her mother said as she looked around too.

"I should find a seat before the train fills up." She turned to her parents and flung her arms around both of them. "I'm going to miss you."

"We are going to miss you too, sweetheart. But you'll do great. Just relax once in a while, okay?"

"I'll try, Dad." She smiled as she pulled back.

"Write as soon as you're settled in." Her mother said as she kissed the top of her head.

"I will. I love you, and you'll hear from me soon." She said as she pushed her trolley to the train.

She heaved her trunk, struggling to push it up onto the train. Before her father could come over and help, the boy with the wavy brown hair walked out and pulled her trunk in. She waved for the last time to her parents before walking up the steps of the train.

"Thanks." She smiled shyly at the older boy.

"No problem. Let's find you a seat, yeah?"

She nodded as they made their way past full compartments. After passing seven or so, they found an empty one.

"Ah. Here you go." He opened the door and pushed her trunk onto the luggage rack above her. "I'm Cedric Diggory."

"Hermione Granger." She smiled as the boy walked to the slide door.

"Nice to meet you, Hermione. You can leave your luggage on the train when we arrive. Someone will pick it up for you."

"Alright, thanks." Hermione sat down on the seat next to the window and pulled out a book from her rucksack.

"I'll see you later."

"Thanks again, Cedric."

"No problem." He smiled and closed the door.

Hermione turned her attention back to her book as she enjoyed the silence of the empty compartment. But that didn't last long. When she heard the whistle blow, the door flew open. She jumped at the sound and looked up from the book, seeing the twins standing there with their trunks.

"Hiya, Granger."

"Hiya, little Granger."

"Weasleys." She said as she closed her book. "Cutting it close, aren't you?"

"The Weasleys' first day of the school year morning rush." George shrugged. They stumbled a bit as the train started moving. "Do you mind if we sit here? Everywhere else is full. And we couldn't find Lee."

"Sure."

The boys stepped further in and pushed their trunks on the rack and flopped down on the seat opposite her. Hermione looked at the twins for a second before opening her book once again. The boys started talking about some of their pranks, which made Hermione look up.

"Pranks?"

The twins cut their conversation and looked at her.

"Yeah. We make our own pranks, invent them."

"We used to buy them at Zonko's in Hogsmeade or ask one of our brothers to send us some, but we started improving them or creating our own versions of them since our last year at Hogwarts."

"Okay," she said slowly. "But why?"

"Why not? Better than reading all the time, " Fred grinned.

"Because it's fun, and we are some fun blokes." George added.

"Hmmm...I'm not entirely convinced about that one, George."

"LITTLE GRANGER!" Fred yelled. Hermione's head snapped his way, eyes wide.

"What?!"

"How the bloody hell do you know that he is George?"

"Because I do." She said simply and looked back at her book.

"Nobody can tell us apart. Even our parents have trouble with it."

"Probably because you have been tricking them for years." She said her eyes remained on the pages.

"Well, yeah, but still—"

"This is only the second time you've seen us."

Hermione sighed slowly as she closed her book again to look at the gingers.

"There is one thing that is quite obvious." The twins raised their eyebrows and waited for her to continue.

"Fred is the one who calls me 'little Granger'."

"Oh," Fred said, surprised. "Hmm, we need to watch that."

"That we do." George laughed. "But that still doesn't explain how you know which one is which from the start because we pretended -"

He was interrupted when the door opened, and a boy with black dreadlocks was standing there grinning. "Fred, George. Here you two are."

"Lee, mate. Yeah, we just arrived in time and couldn't find you." George said as they clapped each other's backs. Lee did the same to Fred before his eyes fell on Hermione. 

"Uhm... Hi, I'm Lee. Lee Jordan. These two, best mate."

"Hermione Granger. Their family showed my parents and me around Diagon Alley a few weeks ago."

"Muggle born, hey? Yeah, I can imagine it would be overwhelming if you find out there is a world you never knew about."

"It was, but Professor McGonagall helped me through it. My father is like a giddy schoolboy." She chuckled as she shook her head.

"Just like Dad and his Muggle addiction." George grinned.

"So, you two want to meet up with Ange and Alicia?"

The twins looked at Hermione, but she was already reading again. They shrugged and stood up.

"See you later, Granger."

"Okay, Weasleys and Lee." She smiled as she kept on reading.

About an hour later, the door slid open, and she expected the twins to walk back in, but it was a girl about her age with a brown bob, a frightened look in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, worried, and placed her book aside.

"Do you mind if I hide out here?"

"No, come in." Hermione stood up and closed the door behind the girl as she sat down. "What happened?"

"A few Slytherin boys were following me."

"Did they hurt you?"

"No, I got away." She said, still catching her breath. "I'm Katie."

"Hermione. First year?"

"Yeah, you too?" Hermione nodded her head, her head snapped to the door when she heard footsteps arrive. She pulled her wand out of her pocket and locked the door with a wave of her wand, and closed the blinders. They heard someone pull on the door.

"She's just a tiny first year. She can't lock those doors with magic. Come on." A deep voice said. The shaking of the handle stopped; the footsteps faded away. Hermione let out a breath and looked at Katie, who was watching her with big round eyes.

"How did you do that? How did you lock the door?"

"I just got some books with charms last year, and I've been practising the incantation and wand movements for almost a year."

"Still... That's really impressive."

"Thanks." Hermione mumbled as she put her wand away. "I'm guessing you don't want to be sorted into Slytherin?"

The girl laughed. "No, not really. My mother was a Gryffindor and my father a Hufflepuff, so we'll see. What about you?"

"Certainly not Slytherin. From what I've read; my kind is not welcome there. Not that I want to."

"You're a muggle born?" Katie asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, is it that surprising?"

"Well... it's just that you performed a locking spell on the door even though you didn't have someone to teach you yet."

"Oh. I read a lot. Ever since I found out I'm a witch, I've been reading books on magic and the magical community. Professor McGonagall was the one who told me and lent me some books."

"How is she like?"

"She looks strict and serious, but she can be quite funny and is really nice. But that's outside school. I don't think I want to cross her in class." Hermione laughed, and Katie joined in. They talked about the wizard and muggle communities alike, and after another hour, someone was pulling on the door. Hermione and Katie both raised their wands.

"Little Granger?"

"Hermione?" The twins' voices came from the other side. "Everything alright?"

Hermione's shoulders slumped in relief, but Katie still looked worried. "It's okay, Katie. I know them, sort of." With a wave of her wand, the door opened, and the twins looked worried around the compartment.

"Why was the door locked?" Fred asked as he sat down next to her while George took his place next to Katie.

"Fred, George, this is Katie. She was being harassed by some Slytherins. So, she hid out in here."

Katie gave the twins a shy smile. The twins both turned to her.

"If they ever bother you again, just come find us, alright?" George said.

"Who locked the door?"

"Hermione, with a spell." Katie answered, grinning. The boys' heads snapped to her in surprise.

"It was just a locking spell." Hermione shrugged as she glared at Katie, who just grinned back.

"If you say so. We'll be arriving soon. Why don't you two get ready, and we'll get dressed in the restroom."

"My trunk is still on the other side of the train." Katie said nervously as she wrung her hands.

"I'll escort you, milady." Fred stood and bowed in front of the witch. The girl looked surprised from Fred to Hermione.

"They are always like this. Their mother warned me the first time we met." Hermione chuckled as she shook her head.

"She did?" The twins asked in unison.

"Yes, now go get her robes before we arrive." Hermione shooed Fred away. Katie stood up and followed him out the door. George pulled Hermione's trunk from the rack and placed it on his seat without her needing to ask.

"Thanks, George." She said before someone appeared in the doorway.

"I see you already have some assistance." The boy named Cedric smiled. "And from a notorious Weasley twin, nonetheless. Hey... George?"

"Right in one." George grinned. "I'm just going to go change." And he pulled his robes out of his trunk and walked out.

"A Hufflepuff, I see." Hermione pointed at his robes.

"Yes, second year. I share some classes with the twins."

"That must be fun." She said sarcastically.

"It is actually. Especially in History of Magic. It's been taught by Professor Binns, a ghost."

"Yeah, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

"Don't get me wrong, there are interesting parts, but he tells it all in such a dull way. You'll see in a few days. I'll let you get dressed. I'll see you at the sorting."

Cedric left, and Hermione took her robes out of her trunk and quickly changed. When she sat down, a knock came from outside the door.

"Come in."

The twins and Katie shuffled inside, all fully dressed. Katie sat down next to her while the twins sat on the other side after George placed the trunk back up the rack.

"So how do you know Diggory?"

"What is it with you and last names?" Hermione chuckled. "He helped me load my trunk on the train and carried it to the compartment."

"Oh, those Hufflepuffs, always helpful." Fred grinned.

"So is your twin. He helped me with my trunk earlier."

Fred's eyes widened, and clutched at his heart in shock. "My brother, my own twin! Getting soft for a damsel in distress."

"Oh, shove off, you." George threw his arm around Fred's neck and pulled him in a headlock.  

Chapter Text

Hermione and Katie stood together with the rest of the first years in a crammed room, hearing the voices of the older kids in the Great Hall just behind the door in front of them.

"I hope we're in the same house," Katie said as she looked over to her.

"Me too. Then at least we'll have each other." Hermione turned her head when the door opened, and Professor McGonagall walked in. The Professor gave her a quick smile before she turned her attention to the rest of the group.

"You will be sorted into your houses in a moment. There are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. You will sleep and eat together as well as take classes together. Now, if you will please follow me and keep up." The professor turned and walked into the great hall. 

All the first years followed her out, and when Hermione and Katie walked in, their mouths dropped open when they saw that the ceiling was exactly like the night sky. Under it, hundreds of candles were floating above four long tables, which were filled with students. She could make out which table was which house by the colour of the students' robes. She spotted the four redheads immediately, and Charlie gave her a thumbs up.

Professor McGonagall stopped next to a black pointy hat that lay on a stool, in front of the whole school. The first years all looked at each other, confused.

"When I call your name, you can come up and I'll place the hat on your head. Please remain seated until it calls out your house." She rolled open her list and called. "Allen, Patrick."

A lean boy with pitch black hair walked up smugly and glided up the stool. The Professor placed the hat on his head, and the hat got lines that looked like it formed a set of eyes and a wide mouth. After a few seconds, the hat called out Slytherin. He hopped off the stool and walked over to the table that cheered him on.

"Bell, Katie."

"Good luck." Hermione gave her hand a squeeze and smiled as she walked up. It took the hat only about 20 seconds before it called out Gryffindor. She saw the wide grin on the girl's face as she walked to sit next to Lee Jordan. Conner Brack was sorted into Ravenclaw alongside Amanda Garder. Hermione was nervously pulling her robes as she knew her name would come up next.

"Granger, Hermione." Hermione took a deep breath as she walked up. She glanced over at the Professor who gave her a wink before she placed the hat on top of her hair.

"Oh, a great mind I see." A voice inside her head spoke up, making her jump a little. "Don't be frightened. I'm just looking to see which house you best fit into."

"I'm not frightened." She thought back.

"No, I think you're right. So, great intelligence, bravery and kindness for others. You are making it difficult for me, Miss Granger. We have Hufflepuff, who would accept you no matter what, but can you excel there? Hmm, maybe not. That leaves Ravenclaw and Gryffindor."

"Gryffindor," Hermione mumbled to herself quietly.

"Gryffindor? Why's that?"

"I already made a friend there. And I don't make friends easily."

"Yes, yes, but in Ravenclaw you could excel and fully get appreciated for your intelligence."

"Maybe, maybe not. In Gryffindor, I'm sure I have at least one person looking out for me, maybe even more." She said as she thought about the Weasleys.

"Alright, if you're sure. It better be... - GRYFFINDOR!" He called the last part out to the great hall. The Gryffindor table hollered as McGonagall pulled the hat off her head, beaming down at her. She glanced to the Gryffindor table and saw the Weasleys standing and clapping alongside Katie and Lee. She hopped off the stool and sat across from Katie, next to Fred.

"The hat certainly took its time with you." Charlie called over across from Percy as McGonagall kept calling out names.

"What do you mean? It only took 10 seconds or so."

"No, Hermione, you were on that stool for about 4 minutes."

"Four minutes?" Hermione's eyebrows shot up.

"Yeah. We were starting to wonder if the Sorting Hat ate your head." Fred grinned. "What houses did he want to put you in?"

"Gryffindor and Ravenclaw."

"Hmm... well, it doesn't happen a lot, that it takes so long to decide. The last one I know that took so long, or even longer, was Conor Graham from Bill's year. It took almost seven minutes before he was sorted into Ravenclaw."

"Jeez, seven minutes on that stool!? My butt would fall off." George laughed. The rest of them falling into tune with him.

Hermione just rolled her eyes as she leaned forward, looking at George. "Honestly, George."

"Tell us!" The twins called in unison all the sudden as they looked at her.

"How did she know?" Percy asked, surprised as he looked away from the sorting. "Did she get it right?"

"She always gets it right." Fred sighed.

"And she won't tell us how." George whined, giving her a pouting lip.

"Oh, the sorting is almost done." Hermione grinned as she turned back to the front.

All but the twins chuckled as Hermione turned her back to them. Hermione felt a bit proud as she got the twins riled up as she watched to last one to be sorted. Leanna Mars, Nico Leigh, Penny Parter, Nicky Zane, and two others were sorted in to Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw gained 5 others and Slytherin gained four more. Hermione glanced next to her and saw that three boys had joined them. She looked back at Katie.

"Are we the only girls?"

"It seems so. Strange, isn't it?"

"Some years the classes are smaller than others. This year was a small herd." Fred shrugged.

"A herd? We are not animals." Hermione huffed at the boy next to her.

Fred opened his mouth to answer but was silenced as the headmaster started to speak. After his welcome speech, he gestured his arms in front of him and suddenly the table was covered in food.

After dinner, Katie and Hermione followed Charlie up the stairs to the Gryffindor tower as he was a prefect. Hermione looked in awe at the moving staircases above her and came to a sudden halt as she bumped against the student in front of her.

"Sorry." She looked up and saw that they had stopped at a portrait.

"The password is cauda leonis." The portrait swung open, and the first-years followed him in. "The password changes every few weeks. One of the prefects will find you and tell you the new one. You can't tell the students of the other houses our password. Boys' dormitories are on the right, girls' on the left. Your luggage is already in your chambers."

The first years glanced around the room and, one by one, the common room emptied out as they walked up the stairs.

"Hey, Hermione." Charlie walked over, smiling.

"Hi, Charlie."

"Can I talk to you?" He asked as he gestured to the couch in front of the fireplace.

"Yes, sure." She walked over. "Can Katie stay?"

"Yeah." Charlie sat down in the armchair across from her, and Katie slid down next to her. "Can I ask why you started a year early?"

"Wait, you're not 11?" Katie asked, surprised.

"No, I turn eleven in a few weeks. Professor McGonagall made a request to let me start early. Because I'm a muggle born, she has been watching me since I was about five years old. She noticed that I didn't really have friends, partly because of the strange accidents that happened around me, partly because I was way ahead of them at school, and they didn't like the 'little know-it-all'. I didn't fit in. I was bored at school, had my head buried in my books. Professor McGonagall could see that I was finding it difficult. If I had been born just a few weeks earlier, I would have been able to attend this year. So yeah, here I am."

"Hmm... I didn't know that was possible." Charlie said contemplative.

"It happens very rarely; the last time was over sixty years ago."

Charlie stood up from his seat and looked down at her and Katie. "Well, if you need any help or if the twins get on your nerves, just holler, alright?"

"Thanks, Charlie." Hermione smiled as she stood up, followed by Katie. "Up to now, the twins have been rather calm."

"That's not going to stay like that for long." Charlie chuckled as the portrait swung open. "Ah, speak of those devils."

Hermione and Katie turned to see the twins walk in with Lee and two girls they hadn't met before.

"Devils?" Fred asked. "You wouldn't be talking about us now, would you?"

"Who else?" Charlie grinned back.

"Don't believe anything he says, Granger. We are an absolute delight." George said with flair. The girls and Lee laughed behind him.

"I don't think they believe that." Hermione smirked as she pointed at the laughing trio.

George and Fred looked over his shoulder and waved them off before looking back at them.

"So, what were you talking about?" Fred inquired.

"I think that's none of your business, Fred." Hermione huffed as she turned to walk up to the girls' dormitory.

"Wait!" The dark girl called her to a stop. Hermione stopped and turned back to the group. The girl turned to Fred, frowning. "Is she right? How does she know?"

"We don't know." Fred sighed dramatically, falling in the Charlie's vacant seat. "I didn't even call her little Granger."

"We need to keep an eye on that one," George said and flopped down on the couch; Fred nodded in agreement. Charlie walked past the twins and to Hermione, whispering loudly.

"You tell me later, alright?" He winked at her. "I'm off on my rounds. George, Fred, stay in!"

"Sir, yes sir!" They saluted before he disappeared through the portrait hole.

Hermione turned back to the staircase and started climbing, Katie right behind her, when she heard the twins call in unison.

"Night, little Granger."

They walked two sets of stairs before they found their room. They had the room all to themselves. Four beds lined against the walls, two on each side. The two at the back, near the window, had their trunks placed in front of them. Hermione on her right and Katie on the left. They opened their trunks and put their clothes and things in the closet. 

Hermione looked at the two empty beds and thought she could ask Professor McGonagall to transfigure one into a desk. They changed into their pyjamas and crawled into bed, both exhausted from the long day. Hermione grabbed her transfiguration book and started to read, only to fall asleep not even 10 minutes later, the book still on her lap. 

Chapter Text

"I think we are lost." Hermione said as she frantically looked around. "We can't be late for our first class. Professor McGonagall will kill us."

"I would say we could ask someone, but no one's here." Katie frowned at the empty corridor.

"We're dead!" Hermione sighed as she pulled Katie through the corridor.

"Do not fret, your saviours are here!" Fred called, coming from behind a statue, followed by a grinning George.

"Fred, don't give me a heart attack!" Hermione cried out, clutching her heart. "Where did you two come from? Never mind, we are going to be late for transfiguration." Hermione turned and started walking.

"Wrong way, Granger!" The twins called out. She turned slowly with a raised eyebrow.

"Come on-" George started.

"We'll show you."

"We are heading that way anyway."

Hermione sighed as she turned back to them. Katie's eyes bounced between the twins as they finished each other's sentences.

"No jokes?" She asked the twins. Fred and George grinned as they crossed their hearts. "Fine."

"This way, ladies." Fred bowed and gestured at the statue. The girls looked sceptical at the entrance. "It's a shortcut."

"One of the secret passageways. It's an honour to know about them, you know." George winked. "We don't tell just anyone."

Hermione huffed as they followed George inside, Fred pulling the statue back in place, closing them in. The passageway was rather dark. Only a few torches were lit on the wall.

"So, what classes do you have today?" George asked, walking up next to her.

"Transfiguration, potions, herbology and... flying class."

"You know Professor McGonagall, so you should be fine there. Professor Snape, he-" George frowned, thinking of the right words. "He's a git. Just be quiet and do your work."

"Professor Sprout, she's a marshmallow." Fred continued walking next to Katie. "And flying class is awesome! We already knew how to fly, though."

"I can't wait for flying class!" Katie smiled broadly. "I borrowed my dad's broom a few times this summer."

"We are trying out for Quidditch this year. Beaters."

"Oh, really?" Katie's eyes went wide as she looked at Fred. "When are they? I would like to come and watch."

"Are you okay?" George whispered. Hermione directed her attention away from Fred and Katie and looked up at George.

"Hmm, yeah." She said unconvincingly. George raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm nervous about classes—healthy nervous, you know, but flying... I'm absolutely terrified."

"Why?"

"You guys grew up with magic, grew up with flying a broomstick to be the most normal thing in the world. I'm a muggle born, George. Flying a broomstick is something you read about or watch in a movie. It doesn't happen in real life."

"Never really thought about that," George mused. "How it would feel to someone who didn't grow up with magic. But Madam Hooch is a great teacher, though. You won't do much first class. You just hover a few inches off the ground."

Hermione still looked nervous as they reached the portrait that led to the right corridor. "Hey." George grabbed her attention again as he touched her shoulder. "If you still have doubts about flying after today's class, I could teach you, if you want."

"You would do that?" She asked, surprised, as they halted at the portrait.

"Sure, I need to show off my flying skills now, don't I?" George grinned. "And there are some books about flying and broomsticks in the library. I know you would love some research."

"Thanks, George." She nervously gave him a quick hug. George startled at first, patted her head, smiling.

"No problem. So, ladies." He gathered everyone's attention. "Just go to your right, second door on the left."

Fred glanced at his watch, grinning as he looked up. "And with 3 minutes to spare."

"Well, thank you." She said a bit sarcastically. "And thanks, George." George winked at her, while Fred looked confused between them before she locked her arm with Katie and walked out the passageway.

"What was that?" Fred asked as they walked in the opposite direction of the girls.

"What was what?"

"Little Granger, thanking you. Duh!"

"Oh." He looked over his shoulder and saw the girls walk into the classroom. "You and Katie were talking about Quidditch, and she paled at that. So, I asked what was wrong, and she has a terrible fright of flying, flying on a broom to be precise."

"Why would she be afraid of flying?" Fred asked, bewildered. "It's amazing!"

"She's a muggle born, Fred. It's not something she grew up with."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh, so I tried to reassure her and promised her that if she's still scared after today's lesson, I'll teach her."

"I could help." Fred noticed George's raised eyebrows. "No, maybe not. I'll probably make it worse." Fred chuckled as they reached their DADA class. "Still weird she can tell us apart so fast."

"Yeah, even when you scared her to bits, she immediately knew it was you. Very strange indeed." George said, placing his bag on the ground as he dropped down on his seat. Fred sat down next to him as the professor rolled his eyes at the two latecomers.

"Maybe we should try to trick her." Fred suggested with a grin.

"She's going to hate that." George looked at his brother. "Let's do it!"

Hermione and Katie took the last available seats in front of the class, looking around the classroom but couldn't find the Professor. She looked at her watch before she took the book from her bag and placed it in front of her. In the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar cat stretch and jump from the closet. Her eyes went big as the cat walked closer.

"Hermione? Are you okay?" Katie asked as Hermione's gaze was fixed on the tabby cat. Then the cat transformed into Professor McGonagall. Several gasps were heard around the class along with some oohs and aah's. Professor McGonagall gave her a small smile before turning to the rest of the class.

"Good morning, everyone. Today I'll explain the first steps you need to learn to do simple transfigurations."

Several hands shot up in the air. "Professor, that was incredible." A Ravenclaw boy said in awe.

"Thank you... mister Stevens?"

"Are we going to learn that, Professor?" The girl next to Arthur asked.

"Becoming an Animagus is not something you do on a whim. It takes months of work and is very dangerous. If you are still interested in your sixth year, we'll talk about it. But now we'll start with the basics."

The rest of the class went by fast, and after the class emptied, Hermione and Katie stayed behind to talk to Professor McGonagall. Katie wanted to ask Hermione why she was so shocked to see the cat but didn't have the chance because Hermione was focused on the lesson at hand.

"Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked as they neared her desk. The professor looked up and smiled.

"Miss Granger. I'm guessing you were a bit surprised?"

"Well... yes."

McGonagall smiled as she stood up, looking at the two first years.

"Miss Bell. I'm sure you are wondering what we are talking about?"

"Yes, Professor." She said eagerly as they followed her to the door.

"Well, since Miss Granger here is a muggleborn, I was assigned to keep an eye on her from the very first time she had a magical outburst. I always went in disguise."

"The tabby cat," Katie said, her eyes wide.

"Yes. I've been seeing the cat over the last six years around my house and school. So, I was a bit surprised to see her here. Why didn't you tell me, Professor?"

"Magic itself is a big shock to most Muggles. If I had to transform into my cat form. I don't know how your parents would have reacted."

"I understand."

"Is there something else you wanted to discuss? Because it might take you a while to find your next class."

"Just one more thing, Professor. Since Katie and I are the only girls in our year, I was wondering if you could transform one of the beds into a desk for me?"

"I think I can manage that." She gave a small smile as they reached the door. "By the time you get back to your dormitory, you'll have a brand-new desk."

"Thank you, Professor." Hermione waved over her shoulder as they walked out of class.

Like George suggested, she kept quiet during potions. After only a few minutes, it became clear that Professor Snape loathed Gryffindor. So, she kept her nose down, which wasn't easy because she knew every answer the pale professor asked. With his paper-white skin and long black hair, he looked like he had never seen the light of day. 

When she finally put up her hand, he ignored her and looked at the other students. After that, she just wrote everything down. She didn't know why he treated her like this, but after the two hours were up, he called her over.

"I'll be out in a second." Hermione said to a worried Katie. Katie looked at Professor Snape and back at Hermione before she closed the door behind her.

"Miss Granger," Professor Snape called for her. Hermione carefully walked closer to his desk. "Professor McGonagall speaks highly of you; I've been informed you started a year earlier than planned."

"Yes, sir." She said nervously, fumbling with her hands.

"Don't expect me to go easy on you. You will not get any special treatment. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"You may go." He waved his hand at the door, which opened automatically. She hurried out and looped her arm with Katie's as they made their way to the great hall.

"What did Professor Snape want?" Katie asked the moment they sat down for lunch. Hermione quietly explained why he had held her back.

"As if!" She huffed as the twins sat down next to them with Lee, Angelina and Alicia.

"So, how did it go?" George asked, sitting next to Hermione. Fred dropped down next to Katie.

"Professor Snape held her back after class." Katie explained.

"What?" the group chorused together.

"Why?" George looked down at her.

"He just wanted to tell me he will not go easy on me because I started earlier. Like I would've asked?!" she said as she stabbed her salad. George and Fred looked at each other's brows raised.

"Just ignore him, little Granger. He's a git to everyone." Fred said. She just snorted in response.

"Why do you call her little Granger?" Alicia asked, bending forward to look at Fred.

Fred grinned. "Because she's so little." He patted her head. Hermione slapped his hand away, not looking up from her bowl.

"I don't think she likes that." Alicia pointed out. Fred just shrugged his shoulders, grinning.

"Hermione?" Angelina asked. Hermione looked up at the tall, dark girl. "The twins said that you're a muggleborn."

"I am." She answered, tilting her head at the girl.

"My dad's a muggle and he packed me some muggle board games. If you are feeling homesick or something, we can always play a game."

"Thanks, Angelina. That would be great. My parents and I have a weekly game night."

"Oi! What about us?" The twins yelled.

"You don't even know how to play." Angelina rolled her eyes.

"We can learn."

"I don't picture you two sitting still for more than an hour." Hermione chuckled, shaking her head.

"More than an hour?" Fred scowled. "What sort of game takes that long?"

"Risk, Monopoly..." Angelina started.

"Catan, D&D," Hermione added.

"Hmm, well, why don't you two sit inside and play some boring games. We'll be out having some real fun." Fred grinned.

"Promise?" Hermione asked excitedly. "You promise to leave us alone?"

The rest of the table started laughing at Fred's astonished face, eyes wide, mouth dropped open. Fred glared at his brother. "She's talking about you too."

"I don't know, Freddie. I don't call her little Granger." George smirked.

"And he doesn't almost frighten me to death." Hermione grinned back.

"One time, littl- Granger." He corrected himself.

"For now. It's only the second day here," Lee laughed.

"Oi! You're supposed to be on my side."

"I'm just telling the truth. Gotta prepare the girl."

Hermione stood up, looking at the group. "Well, this girl is leaving."

Katie stood up and followed her out. Hermione glared at Fred over her shoulder as he shouted. "Have fun flying!" 

Hermione grinned as George chucked him on the head. 

Chapter Text

The last class she had that day was flying class with Madam Hooch, a witch with cat-like eyes and short grey hair sticking in every direction. When they reached the grounds, she told everyone to stand next to a broom that lay spread across the grounds. Hermione and Katie took the last ones as she looked back at Madam Hooch and listened to her as she explained the first steps.

She put her hand over the broom and took in a deep breath before calling out: "Up!"

The broom lay still on the ground, not moving a twig. She looked around and saw that only two people managed to get it up in their grasp. Katie and a boy from Hufflepuff. Katie smiled happily, which made her mimic her expression. She focused back on the broomstick at her feet. After four more tries, the broom flew up in her hand. Finally. She thought to herself. She looked up and saw Katie giving her a thumbs up. About five minutes later, everyone held a broom in their hands.

"Now everyone, mount your brooms," Madam Hooch said as she walked past the students, watching their form. Hermione bit her lip nervously as she watched the other students climb their brooms with ease.

"Hey, Hermione?" Katie placed her hand reassuringly on her shoulder. "You'll be fine." She swallowed thickly and nodded before looking back at her broom. She swung her leg over the broom and clenched her hands tightly around the handle.

"Now that everyone is in the right position. You can pull the broom up for a few seconds and back down. Just a slight nudge up, not too far."

Hermione again waited for the other students to start. A few of them dared to go a bit higher, but most kids just flew a few inches above the ground. Her knuckles started to go white from her grip on the broom.

"Miss Granger, you need to relax. Loosen your grip." Hermione's head snapped up to the professor in surprise. She loosened her grip and shuffled a bit on the broom. "Now just tilt the broom up. That's it."

Hermione's grip became tighter again as her feet left the ground. She was just starting to lean down again when an explosion happened behind her. 

The unexpected noise made Hermione pull up her broom too quickly and shot up in the air screaming. She was so scared she didn't hear the other students shout or Madam Hooch trying to calm her down. 

She swerved from left to right, not being able to control the broom or her fear. She was nearing a large oak tree. The trunk and thick branches were coming closer and closer. Down on the ground, Katie quickly pressed her broom into Madam Hooch's hands. She was just getting on the broom when Hermione was unable to avoid the tree and crashed against it. Her head banged on a thick branch, it made a sickening sound. Before everything turned black, she heard shouts coming closer.

"HERMIONE!"

"GRANGER!"

Hermione woke up with a pounding headache. She lay on something soft and could hear voices nearby.

"You think she'll be alright?" Katie asked right next to her.

"Pomfrey said she'll be fine." She recognised Fred's voice.

"This is all our fault! Mum is going to kill us. Mrs Granger too," George said on her other side.

Hermione frowned before she opened her eyes. The light made a sharp pain course through her head, but she pushed it away. From her position in the bed, she saw several neatly made beds pushed against the walls. She figured out that she way lying in the hospital wing. Three sets of eyes looked at her with worry.

"Why is it your fault?" Hermione croaked as she sat up.

"Hi," Katie said softly. "Madam Pomfrey said you need to take this for the pain the moment you woke up." Katie handed her a vial, and she drank it quickly, pulling a face as the bitter liquid made its way down her throat. She felt the pain subside immediately and smiled as she passed the vial back to Katie. She turned back to the twins, glaring.

"So, tell me."

"Fred and I were in the courtyard to- "

"Prank Filch. The explosion wasn't supposed to be that big," Fred added with a shrug.

"What were you trying to explode?" Hermione said, anger rising.

"Not something, they were exploding peppers. We just tried to enhance them."

"So instead of giving Filch an irritable red rash, you exploded him!"

"We didn't explode him! Calm down, little Granger." Fred started to get angry himself.

"Calm down?" She shouted, glaring at the older twin. "Calm down!? Because of you, I'm in the hospital wing on my first day!"

"What is going on in here?" Madam Pomfrey hurried over quickly. "You two out!" She pointed at the twins. Fred jumped to his feet and stormed out. George looked worried at his twin before standing up slowly, looking at Hermione.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I really am."

"I know, George." She gave him a small smile. "At least one of you is."

"I'll talk to him." He gave her a reassuring squeeze on her shoulder.

"No, it's okay. If he doesn't think he did anything wrong... You probably can't change his mind. Just... keep him away from me."

George frowned a bit before giving her a small nod and followed his twin out. Madam Pomfrey turned back to Hermione once the doors closed behind the second twin.

"I want you to stay over for tonight, just to make sure you don't have a concussion. Miss Bell can stay until curfew. If you want, I can get some food delivered for you two."

"Thank you." The girls said in unison.

For the next few weeks, Hermione didn't talk to Fred. She acknowledged him when she would talk to George, but they never struck a conversation. She saw that George had a difficult time with it, so she tried to stay away from both of them, so she would not make it harder for George.

Angelina and Katie still talked to her, but most went to sit with the twins. 

Katie tried to talk about it with her but stopped the moment she shot her a pointed glare. Katie backed off a bit and spent some time with Angelina and Alicia as she dived back into her schoolwork. 

Ever since that fateful day, she hasn't mounted a broom. Professor McGonagall tried to convince her to try again, but to no avail. She agreed that Hermione could drop the class after that.

"Hermione, do you want to come with me?" Katie asked as they sat in the library. She looked up confused, brows knit. "To quidditch try-outs. Angelina and Alicia are trying out... and the twins."

"Oh," She wanted to talk to George anyway and wanted to see the two older girls try out. "Yeah, sure."

"Brilliant! Let's go. It starts in 10 minutes." Katie said, already packing her things. Hermione chuckled as she rolled up her parchment and put her books in her bag. They hurried across the grounds towards the pitch. The clouds are dark and grey, like rain could fall out at any moment.

When they arrived, Charlie smiled and waved at them as they passed and took a seat in the stands. There were a bunch of older students she didn't know, all bunched up together as they waited for Charlie to start.

"Charlie is the Quidditch captain." Katie explained. "He's the seeker. That tall boy next to him is Oliver Wood—he's the keeper. The one on the other side is Astrix Alixan, chaser. They are looking for two new beaters and two new chasers."

"What are Angelina and Alicia trying out for?" She asked as she looked at the group.

"Chaser. Fred and George for the beater positions. But there are quite a lot trying out." Katie tapped nervously with her foot. "I want to try out next year."

"Really? I think you'll do great, Katie." She smiled at her friend. Katie beamed at her before turning back to the pitch. 

Angelina and Katie waved as they saw them. They waved enthusiastically back and gave them a thumbs up. Fred and George followed their gaze, and George grinned as he saw them. Fred turned his attention back to his older brother.

Charlie let the chasers try out first. So the rest stepped aside, and about 7 people still stood there. Charlie, Oliver and Astrix flew up on their brooms, and the others followed. 

Oliver guarded the goalposts, Astrix took the quaffle and Charlie pulled out a beater's bat. They first let them start by trying to score goals. The two with the fewest goals at the end of the first run could step aside. That was the case for a fourth-year boy named Kevin and a seventh-year girl, Lisa. 

The next step was evading bludgers and trying to keep the quaffle between them and Astrix.

"Go, Alicia!"

"Go, Angelina." They shouted.

The two girls worked perfectly together as they passed the quaffle between them and Astrix, easily avoiding the bludger Charlie shot at them. 

"If they don't get in, I'll need to have some strong words with yet another Weasley."

Katie laughed as the group landed back on the ground. They leaned over the banister to hear Charlie's answer.

"Great work, everyone. After the beaters try-out's, I'll let everyone know who made the team."

Hermione and Katie grunted as they fell back against the bench. 

"Seriously?" Katie huffed. "I hate being in suspense."

They saw the twins and the other try-outs each pick up a beater's bat out of the chest and flew up in the air. Six wannabe beaters were circling in the air waiting for the others to come up. Charlie made them team up—the twins, of course, together—and made them do practice shots.

"Fred and George almost look bored." Katie said, pointing at the twins. 

Hermione followed her gaze, and it indeed looked that way. The twins lazily smacked the ball through the hoops, like they had been doing it for years, which they obviously did.

"George told me that they play a lot at home."

"That explains it." Katie said as Charlie instructed them to try to hit him, Oliver or Astrix. 

Most of them failed miserably, not even coming close. Charlie, Oliver and Astrix were masters in evading the bludgers. Marc, two years higher than Hermione, got close, but it was the twins that stole the show. 

They worked perfectly in sync and knew exactly what the other was going to do. They hit Oliver's broom's tail, making it spin. The next move hit Astrix's broom from below, and it hit right on the nose. Charlie got a bludger right in his stomach, making him double over and cough.

Hermione gasped as she leaned forward, looking worriedly at Charlie. Charlie landed, rubbing his stomach before he grinned and clapped the twins on their backs. Hermione let out a breath of relief, falling back in her seat.

"Come on, let's get down," Katie said, pulling her up impatiently.

As they made their way down, Hermione saw how Charlie, Oliver and Astrix were deliberating. Her legs were still shaking from the hit Charlie had taken, but she forced herself to calm down. He was fine. Charlie was okay and happy. She told herself.

When they arrived at the group, they were putting the equipment away. Hermione sauntered off to Charlie.

"Hey, Hermione. Enjoyed the show?" Charlie grinned.

"A bit gruesome." She admitted.

"Can be." He shrugged.

"Are you alright?" She asked, pointing at his stomach.

"Just a bit bruised. I'm used to it."

She hummed, not convinced, but turned her attention to the people waiting anxiously for the results. "So, who are you going to pick?"

"You'll just have to wait like the rest of them, missy." Charlie laughed and booped her nose. "I heard you and Fred had a spat?"

"Oh." Hermione looked around to see that no one was listening in as they talked amongst themselves. "It was not that bad, but we were just not meant to be friends."

"What about George?"

"We're friends, sort of. I kind of backed off, because I saw it was hard for him when we ignored each other in front of him. And besides, they only tried to become friends because of your mother."

"Maybe..." Charlie said as he looked over at the twins, who were watching them. "But I think George sees you as a friend, a real friend. And Fred... well. You are indeed very different from each other, but so are you and George."

"I know, but George, he has always been kinder. Fred, not that he's mean, but sometimes the things he says really hurt. Back in primary school, I've been bullied a lot, and maybe I'm just overly sensitive about it."

"No, Hermione." Charlie placed his hand on her shoulder, making her look up. "Do they know? Does Fred know?"

"About me being bullied? No, why would I tell them?"

"I think that Fred would pay more attention to what he is saying if he knew."

"That still doesn't change the way he sees me." She said, shaking her head. "Just announce your new team players. They are getting anxious." Hermione stepped away and went to stand next to Angelina, Katie on Alicia's side.

Charlie looked at her for a moment before clearing his throat. "Thank you all for coming. Sadly, we can only pick two chasers and two beaters this year. For the chasers, it will be... Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet!"

"Congratulations, Angelina!" Hermione gave her a quick hug before switching with Katie and hugged Alicia. "You too, Alicia."

"Thanks, Hermione." Alicia smiled as she pulled back. 

The twins came up behind her. George wrapped his arms around Alicia and Hermione. While Fred did the same with Angelina and Katie.

"Congrats, girls!" They chorused.

"Okay, okay." Charlie chuckled. "Now, for the beaters!" The twins quickly let go and looked anxiously at their brother. "Fred and George Weasley!"

"No surprise there." Fred grinned and walked up to Charlie, clapping him on the back.

"We are just that amazing," George chimed in, making the girls and Charlie roll their eyes.

"Let's get something to eat, alright?" Charlie chuckled, shaking his head.

"Hey, George!" Hermione had to run a bit to meet his pace. "Congratulations, you did amazingly."

"Thanks, Hermione. I'm happy you came to watch. I'm sure the girls appreciated it too."

"I-" Hermione started but closed her mouth when Fred appeared next to his twin. "I think Katie called for me. Bye." She said at the flabbergasted George and walked back to Katie and the girls. Charlie saw the whole ordeal and walked up to his younger brothers.

"Boys," he said, placing his arms over their shoulders. "We need to talk."

Chapter Text

"Why do you two pester me about being friends with her? I don't have to be friends with everyone, you know." Fred sighed as Charlie tried to talk to him on their way to the Great Hall. "She's a bookworm and I'm a prankster. She couldn't even see the funny side when we tried to prank Filch."

"Well, she sort of landed in the hospital because of us."

"It's not like it was serious."

"Fred," Charlie said seriously. "She's been through a lot. Just... watch what you say around her!" Charlie scowled at his brother and walked away.

"Been through a lot? She's not even eleven! What in the world could she have been through?"

"I don't know, Freddie... Wait, eleven?" George frowned as he looked to the girls in front of him.

Hermione walked between Angelina and Katie as they made their way inside the Great Hall. George walked a bit faster and sat down next to Katie, leaving a flabbergasted Fred behind.

"Katie..." George whispered as he filled up his plate. Fred sat across from him, next to Hermione, who was looking the other way, talking to Angelina and Alicia.

Katie turned her attention away from the girls and looked at him curiously. "Yes, George?"

"Hey, congrats! You know it's me." George clapped with a grin.

"I know, because I can see Fred sitting there uncomfortable." Katie pointed at his twin. George looked over and saw that Fred's gaze was fixed on his food, sitting as far away as possible from Hermione, almost sitting on the lap of another first year, Magnus Drake. "This is getting ridiculous."

"Yeah, I know, but we can't force them, can we?" He turned back to look at her. "So, what I wanted to ask... Isn't Hermione's birthday in a few days?"

"The day after tomorrow, actually."

"Are you planning something?"

"No, she doesn't want to celebrate her birthday." Katie sighed, glancing over at Hermione.

"What? Why not?"

"I don't know. She won't tell me." She turned fully to George; brows close together. "Do you really care? I mean..." she said nervously. "Hermione says you're just being nice to her because your mothers asked."

"I'm going to be honest. Yes, my mum and Mrs Granger asked us to keep an eye on her, but I do care about her. I do really see her as a friend."

Katie sighed as she looked at her plate. "Alright, it's just... I don't think she had many friends back home. She won't talk about it, but I see her face when someone calls her a bookworm or uptight or something like that. She just... freezes and her eyes get fogged over."

George looked surprised at Katie before glancing over at Hermione and then at his twin. "And Fred..."

"Yeah, but not only Fred. Even the other students in class aren't really nice to her when she knows more than them, and you know how Slytherins can act against a muggle born."

"Yeah..." George said unfocused as he tried to process everything Katie had just said.

"George?" Fred's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Are you ready to go?" George looked up and saw Fred standing at the table.

"Yeah, yeah. Uh, can we make a stop at the owlery?"

"Sure," Fred answered, frowning. The Great Hall was nearly empty by the time they walked out and made their way outside. "Why do you want to stop by the owlery?"

"Oh, I want to send an owl to the Grangers."

"The Grangers? Why?" Fred asked. 

George started telling everything Katie had said during dinner. Fred's shoulders stiffened, and he started to play with the hem of his sleeve as his twin told him about the bullying and the little Katie knew about Hermione's past. 

"But it's not like I said those things on purpose to hurt her."

"I know." George said, running his hand through his hair. "I just want to ask her parents if they might tell us what happened and what she would want for her birthday. She might not want a party, but she at least deserves a present."

Fred nodded his agreement. But his thoughts went to little Granger. About how he had treated her, how he made light of the accident. Maybe he didn't react the way he should have after the entire ordeal.

But maybe a birthday present could be the thing to bridge this gap he had forced between them.

The next morning at the breakfast table, a barn owl dropped a letter in front of George, right on top of his cup of pumpkin juice. He grabbed the letter and looked up at Fred, nodding his head towards the doors. Fred gave him a look, and they both stood simultaneously. When they reached the hallway, they walked into the first empty classroom and closed the door behind them. George ripped the letter open and started to read out loud as hopped on a desk.

Hi George. Hi Fred.

We received your letter late this evening.

But I don't know what to say. If Hermione didn't tell you herself, I don't know if it's my place to tell you two.

But what I will tell you is, she has been through a lot. She didn't have any friends in primary school and got bullied. Things... happened. That's one of the reasons she started Hogwarts early.

Please tell me she isn't getting teased or bullied at Hogwarts?

I know she's very different from you two, but once you get to know her, she can be very funny and sweet. She just needs someone to loosen her up, to make sure she isn't with her nose in her books, day in and day out.

Please let us know if it is happening again.

Greetings Mrs Granger.

P.S.: You know she likes her books, but maybe you should give her something entirely different. Something fun.

George folded the letter again and put it in his pocket before looking up at his twin.

"I wonder what those bullies did to her," George said, anger evident in his voice.

"Yeah, but at least she has friends here. She has Katie. Angelina and Alicia seem to like her. And then there is you."

"She doesn't think so. Katie said she thinks I'm only nice to her because of mum," George said as he hopped off the desk. "I mean, it started as such, but not anymore. And for the last few weeks, she's been avoiding me. I think it's because of.-"

"Me." Fred finished. "I know I've been a dick to her. I should've at least apologised after what happened."

"You still can, Fred." George placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's start by getting her a birthday present."

"Have something in mind, twin-o-mine?"

"Indeed, I have." He grinned.

On the morning of her birthday, Hermione received a package from her parents with a few new books. She smiled as she flitted through them before she placed them on her desk and headed to breakfast with Katie.

"What?" Hermione asked Katie, who sat grinning opposite her.

"Happy birthday!" Katie opened her bag and took out a neatly wrapped present.

"You didn't have to. You know I don't celebrate my birthday."

"I know, but you can't say no to a present, can you?" She grinned, urging her to take the gift.

Hermione rolled her eyes but accepted the box with a smile. She opened the lid and saw a book named Tales of Beedle the Bard. She carefully took the book out of the box and turned it in her hands.

"It's a collection of stories. They are popular children's bedtime stories."

"It's amazing! Thank you." She smiled widely at her friend before standing up and pulling her into a hug over the table. When she sat back down, George, Fred, Lee, Angelina and Alicia had joined them. "Oh," Hermione said, surprised as she saw them. "Good morning."

"Good morning and ..." Angelina started, smiling.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all yelled.

"Oh no! Not you too!" Hermione dropped her head in her hands while the rest laughed.

"Come on, Hermione, it's your birthday." Angelina nudged her. She looked up and stared into her deep brown eyes. "Here." Angelina pushed a present into her arms. "It's from me and Alicia."

"Open it." Alicia chimed in. Hermione offered them a small smile before turning back to the box; inside was the Muggle board game Trionimos. "Angelina picked it out. I have no idea how to play." She laughed.

"We gladly teach you. Thank you." Hermione smiled wide before another box was shoved under her nose.

"I know we don't know each other that well yet, but I couldn't buy you nothing if the rest got you something." Lee grinned.

Hermione laughed. "It's okay. You really didn't have to get me anything." She said as she started opening the present.

"Maybe not, but if you're not going to celebrate properly, you at least deserve a present." "The girls told me you played a lot of games with your parents, so when I saw what they got you, I got you a magical game, Wizard Skittles."

"Thank you, Lee." She looked up, smiling. Lee waved her off as scooped up eggs on his plate. "I'm going upstairs to put it all away before class starts." She said as she stacked the presents on top of each other before standing up. 

But she was pushed down again by two large hands on her shoulders. She looked up and saw George grinning down at her.

"Now wait a second, Miss Granger," George said as he squished himself between her and Angelina. "You didn't think we forgot about you, did you?"

Fred sat down on her other side, grinning a bit more uncomfortably, letting George do all the talking for once.

"Honestly, I hoped so." Hermione grinned at George.

"No such luck, little lady." George grinned. "An eleventh birthday is something special. We couldn't just let it pass. But you will have to wait until tonight."

"Maybe I'll just hide out until my birthday is over." Hermione answered. She turned her head as she heard Fred chuckle behind her.

"We have our ways of finding you, little Granger."

"We can find anyone." George winked when she turned back, confused.

"We'll see about that." Hermione huffed as she stood up and grabbed her presents. "Katie, I'll see you in the greenhouses in a bit, okay?"

"Later, Granger!" The twins called after her teasingly.

Her day went by quickly and quietly as her only friends already wished her a happy birthday. She grabbed an early lunch so she could avoid the twins. Her lessons ended early, so after she flipped through the books that she got for her birthday, she and Katie went down for an early dinner, sitting on the end of the table next to a few fourth years so the others couldn't join them.

She was talking to Katie when she saw the group walk in. Hermione quickly finished her dinner and said goodbye to Katie, saying she was off to the library. She looked the other way when she passed the group.

"Hey, Granger! Don't think we forgot about you!" George called over, laughing. Hermione ignored them, biting her lip trying to hold back a smile as she made her way out.

When she reached the library, it was mostly empty. She sat down at her favourite table in the corner near the window and pulled out next week's homework. Hermione was almost finished with her potions essay when a shadow fell over her. She looked up, thinking it was the twins. But to her surprise, it wasn't a redhead looking down at her, but a boy with wavy brown hair.

"Cedric?" she asked, surprised, smiling.

"Hi, Hermione. Mind if I join you?"

"No, not at all." She pushed her books aside so he could sit down.

"Thanks." He sat down across from her and took his books out of his bag. "Happy birthday, by the way."

"Oh, thanks. The twins?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes," he chuckled. "Heard them talking about your present."

"Oh, gods!" She sighed, leaning back and looking up at the ceiling. "It's bad, isn't it?"

"No, it may not be your style or the way you would choose to spend your birthday. But I think you'll like it. Just... don't expect it to be quiet."

"Thanks for the warning." She grinned at him before pulling her essay back to her. 

Cedric took her in for a moment before opening his own book. They started to study in silence. They worked until it started to get dark. Hermione stifled a yawn, which made Cedric look up. He glanced at his watch and back at her, closing his books.

"We should better get going. It's getting late."

"Yeah," she said, putting her books in her bag. They both stood and walked out of the quiet library. They talked a bit about classes before they reached the place they would part ways.

"Do you want me to walk you up to your corridor?" Cedric asked.

"No, I'll be fine. Thanks."

"Are you su—Oh, a Weasley twin to the rescue." He grinned behind her. She turned and saw Fred walk over, stuffing a piece of parchment in his jacket. "Goodnight, Hermione, ..."

"Fred," Fred and Hermione said in unison. Cedric chuckled.

"See you in class, Fred."

"See you, Cedric." He waved, and Cedric disappeared behind the stairs.

"So..." Fred started uncomfortably.

"We should get going. It's past curfew." Fred nodded in agreement, and she started to walk up the stairs. "Where is George?"

"Oh, he's getting everything ready." Hermione turned so fast that Fred bumped into her. "Sorry."

"What have you two planned?"

"If I tell you, it isn't a surprise, little Granger." Fred rolled his eyes and walked past her. 

At that moment, they heard someone walk closer. Hermione instinctively looked around, and Fred quickly pulled her into an alcove. Footsteps came closer and stopped not that far from them. Both of them held their breath, not making any sound. Keeping their eyes on the small opening, they waited, waited to be discovered.

"Let's go, Mrs Norris. No one's here." Filch voice said. They waited until the sound of his shuffling grew quiet. 

They both released their breaths and stepped out of the alcove only to find Professor Snape standing in front of them, a smug smirk plastered on his face.

Chapter Text

"Well, well. Isn't it Miss Granger and a Weasley? Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Professor—"

"It's my fault, Professor. I was studying in the library and lost track of time. Fred came to get me."

Professor Snape looked surprised from Fred to Hermione. Fred was trying to keep a neutral expression like this wasn't news to him. "Be that as it may, detention for both of you. This Saturday evening, eight o'clock."

"But—" Hermione stopped as she saw the warning on Fred's face. "Yes, professor."

Professor Snape looked at them for another second before he turned to leave. "Now, up to your dormitories. Quickly."

Fred and Hermione watched him walk away before turning back to the stairs that led to the Gryffindor Tower. They walked in silence for a bit before Fred spoke up.

"Thanks, you didn't need to cover for me."

"It's okay. You were looking for me, remember? And I hoped you wouldn't get detention again." She chuckled. "I know you had detention at least 3 times this month."

Fred shrugged, grinning. "Yeah, busy year so far. But at least he didn't deduct points. Flubberworm." The portrait swung open, and they walked in.

"Where have you been!" George shouted.

"Merlin, George. You sound just like Mum." Fred laughed, clapping his twin on the shoulder. "We bumped into Snape."

"How many points?" Angelina chuckled, rolling her eyes.

"None actually. Granger came up with an excuse. We just have detention Saturday."

"Together?" George asked with a raised eyebrow, looking between her and Fred.

"Hermione Granger, getting detention? Where should I put this?" Katie said as she pretended to search for a quill and parchment.

"Professor Snape wouldn't let us do anything horrible, is he?" Hermione asked nervously.

"Well, he despises Gryffindors, doesn't like me or George-"

"Why in the world wouldn't he like you?" Hermione teased; Fred looked a bit flabbergasted at her, at her joke before he stuck out his tongue at her. "Very mature, Fred."

"And he doesn't particularly like you too, as I remember." He grinned at her. "But let's worry about that later-"

"Now it's time for your present!" George chimed in. George and Fred guided her to the sofa, and the others sat down around her, looking up at the grinning duo. They pulled something out of their pockets and with a wave of their wands, little fireworks exploded in the sky, creating the number eleven above their heads, Happy Birthday written in sparkling fireworks. Hermione's mouth dropped open when the fireworks ended.

"Happy birthday, Granger." The twins called in unison.

"Wow! I never – I mean – That was ... -" The twins were looking unsure at her as she stumbled over her words while the others had curious expressions. "AMAZING! Thank you." 

She leapt up and gave George and tight hug before going over to Fred. That hug was a bit more awkward but grateful, nonetheless. She turned back to the others, smiling. 

"Thank you, really. This has been the best birthday I've ever had."

"There is always next year." George smiled mischievously. "Now we have a whole year to plan."

"Oh, gods!" Hermione's eyes turned big.

"That's wrong, little Granger," Fred said. "It's: oh, Merlin or Godic. Or if you want: Forge or Gred would do."

"Yeah, that is never going to happen." She snorted.

"Ready to go?" Fred asked as she finished her dinner. She looked up in surprise.

"What?"

"Detention... Snape."

"Oh, right." She finished her goblet and stood up. "Let's get this over with."

"See you guys later." Fred waved to the others.

"Good luck!" Lee called over.

"Where to?" Hermione asked as they walked out of the great hall, looking from left to right.

"His office." Fred said and started walking to the stairs that led to the dungeons.

They walked in awkward silence to Snape's office. Passing a bunch of Slytherins who looked at Hermione with distaste but didn't say anything. Hermione frowned at the boys and back to Fred, who kept looking forward. Weird. She thought. The Slytherins always teased or called her names when she passed them. 

The further down they walked, the colder it got. Hermione buttoned up her coat as they walked down the corridors. Suddenly Fred halted in front of a black wooden door, but before he had the chance to knock, a voice called out.

"Come in!"

Hermione and Fred shared a look before he pushed the door open. Professor Snape sat at his desk going over some essays. He didn't even look up as they entered. 

Fred and Hermione stopped in front of him and waited for the professor to finish. After Snape gave the essay a failing grade, he looked up.

"All the cauldrons need cleaning. Without magic!" He added, looking pointedly at Fred. "I'll be back later to see your progress." He took the essays and walked out of the room, leaving them alone in the classroom.

"Better get started then." Fred shrugged and walked over to the pile of dirty cauldrons.

Hermione took the buckets and went to fill them. When she came back, Fred was sitting on a desk, cross-legged, shooting golden sparks out of his wand. She dropped a bucket next to him and walked over to the second pile of cauldrons. They started working in silence. When they were midway, she saw Fred glancing at her a couple of times.

"Spill it!" She turned and glared at him.

"What?"

"You keep looking at me. What is it? Do I have dirt on my face?"

"No, no... Hermione—" Hermione's eyes went big when he used her first name. "I wanted to apologise for what we—for what I did. I'm truly sorry I scared you and that you crashed with your broom because of me."

"Oh," she said quietly, taking him in. Looking to see if he was serious, which seemed like he was. "I'm sorry too." Now it was Fred who looked surprised, his eyes turning comically big. "I never really had any friends, and I know we are very different people, but maybe that's a good thing."

Fred looked down at his rag. "How come?" He elaborated when he saw her confused look. "How come you didn't have any friends?"

"Numerous things... I was always with my nose buried in books. I was ahead of everyone in class. And of course, the weird accidents."

"Accidents?"

"Yes, magical outbursts, Professor McGonagall called it. Things happened around me that Muggles didn't understand. It started when I was five. They -" Hermione took a deep breath, looking down, rubbing a cauldron with a cloth, tears forming in her eyes. "They called me a freak." At the last word, her tears rolled down her cheeks. 

Fred stood there in shock as he watched the girl cry. He pushed all his feelings aside and jumped off the desk and wrapped his arms around her, letting her cry on his chest. They stood there awkwardly for a moment before they both relaxed into the hold.

"They're wrong, you know. You're not a freak. You're a witch and, my guess... a very powerful one." He whispered in her hair when she calmed down. Hermione pulled back and wiped her tears on her sleeve before looking up.

"You think so?" She asked in a quiet voice.

"I do. Merlin, Granger, you cast a locking spell on the door even before someone taught you!"

Hermione chuckled wetly and quickly stepped back when the door of the room flew open. Fred stepped back to his cauldrons as Professor Snape came closer.

"At this rate, you won't be done by next year." Snape looked between the two. "You can go, but you'll have to finish this tomorrow." He waved them off. Fred and Hermione quickly gathered their things and hurried out of the room.

"Are you okay?" Fred asked as they climbed the stairs. Hermione looked up from her fingers, which she had been fidgeting with.

"Yeah, sort of. I never thought I would tell anyone this, especially you. No offence."

"None taken. I get it. We never really tried to be friends, did we? But my lips are sealed." He made a zip-line move over his lips. "I promise."

"Thank you."

"Is that why you don't celebrate your birthday?"

"No," she said as she gazed the other way, avoiding his eyes. "I don't know if I'm quite ready to tell anyone about that yet."

"Well, if you are, or you need someone to talk to," he left the sentence open as he looked at her. "I'm pretty easy to talk to once you get to know me. I know I'm all fun and games but..."

"I know." She gave him a small smile. "Flubberworm." She muttered as they reached the portrait. Fred looked in front of him, surprised that they had already arrived at the Gryffindor Tower.

"I'm sorry. The password changed an hour ago." The fat lady informed, keeping the portrait shut.

"What?! But -"

"We just came back from detention with Snape. We didn't know there was a new password." Fred finished, looking at the fat lady, who gave a crooked grin and shrugged. Fred sighed and turned, looking at the empty staircases, before he dropped himself down, resting his elbows on his knees.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked with her head cocked.

"What do you think?" He said, looking over his shoulder. "Waiting."

Waiting, Hermione mouthed, looking around nervously before she sat down next to Fred.

"Fred..." Hermione asked carefully after a moment. "Can you tell me what it's like growing up with magic, growing up with such a big family?"

"Oh..." Fred said, surprised. He had not expected that question. "I - I don't know. Once the war was over, my mum would relax more and let us explore in the neighbourhood. We didn't have our wands naturally," he said while he played with his wand between his fingers. "- but like you said, we already had magic inside us. But because we knew we were wizards; we had more control over it."

"Control?"

Fred put his wand down next to him on the stone staircase and held out his hand. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Hermione's eyes widened when snowflakes started to fall down on his hand.

"Wow." She sighed. 

Fred opened his eyes, and the snowflakes disappeared. "When George and I focus, we can combine our magic, make it stronger."

"That's incredible." She yawned. "Sorry, it's been a long day."

"Come on," he said, gesturing her over. She looked confused from him to the portrait, where the fat lady was already sleeping. "I won't bite. I'll wake you when someone gets here."

She bit her lip nervously, looking around before giving up, sighing. "Alright." Fred leaned back and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and she slowly laid her head on his chest, fighting another yawn. "Can I ask you something else?"

"Sure."

"The war—do you remember anything?"

"Not much, George and I were only about four years old. But there was one time that... that there was an attack on the house. Bill was 10 years old at the time. He gathered us—Charlie, Percy, Ron, George and me. Charlie was holding Ron, who was just a baby. Bill rushed us out of the back door and hid us in the woods until Mum and Dad came to get us."

"That must've been so scary."

"Not that I wasn't afraid—I was four—but I was so scared something would happen to my brothers, to George. I can't even think about losing him. He's my best friend."

"Hmm," Hermione hummed sleepily. "Must be nice growing up with a best friend."

"It was," Fred answered quietly, looking up at the ceiling. "Hermione, can you tell me how you can tell George and me apart?"

Fred looked down after a minute because he didn't get an answer. He saw her sleeping soundly, her hair everywhere. Fred shifted a bit so he could lean his head against the banister. He yawned widely before letting his eyes fall shut.

"Fred? Hermione? Wake up." A gentle voice nudged them. They slowly opened their eyes and lifted their heads. They both groaned from the pain in their necks due to the uncomfortable position. A worried ginger looked down on them.

"Charlie?" Fred asked with a sleepy voice.

"What are you two doing out here?"

"We had detention with Snape. And when we came back, the Fat Lady said the password had changed."

"Oh, it's Snitch Snatcher. Come on, let's get you two to bed."

"Where did you come from?" Hermione asked as Charlie helped her up. She saw Charlie's ears turn red.

"Was it perhaps the lady Veronica?" Fred grinned at his brother.

"I was doing rounds," Charlie said quickly, turning around.

"At this time of night?" Fred looked at his watch, still grinning. Charlie ignored his brother and walked up to the sleeping fat lady. Fred and Hermione shared a knowing smirk before looking back at the annoyed portrait.

"Snitch snatchers." Charlie mumbled, ears still red. He darted inside when the portrait swung open. By the time Hermione and Fred walked into the common room, Charlie was already halfway up the stairs.

"Goodnight, lover boy!" Fred laughed.

"Fred." Hermione nudged his side with his elbow. 

Fred turned his eyes away from the staircase, a smile still on his lips as he looked at her. She nudged her head towards the sofa in front of the extinguished fireplace. An almost replica was asleep on the sofa, flat on his stomach, one leg still on the cushions while the other hung over the side. 

Fred walked closer to his twin and crouched down next to his head. Hermione stood a few feet away from them, watching them with interest.

"Georgie?" Fred gently nudged his shoulder. George let out a grunt before mumbling, turning his head. "George?"

"Five more minutes, Mum," George talked in his sleep. Hermione snickered as the youngest twin slept on. Fred rolled his eyes and pushed him a bit harder. "Just let me play Quidditch."

"Do you want me to try?" Hermione asked as she walked closer. 

Fred leaned back. "Be my guest." 

He expected her to nudge him awake gently, to whisper his name quietly. What he didn't expect was Hermione clearing her throat and...

"GEORGE!" she called out as she pinched his arm. George shot up immediately, wobbling as he landed on his knees on the ground next to Fred.

"I'm up, I'm up." He started, then stopped to rub his arm. "Auch!"

"Sorry, George, but you wouldn't wake up. My uncle Eddie had the same problem, very deep sleeper too."

"Was I?" he asked Fred.

"Yep, about Quidditch." Fred laughed. "Better be careful or Granger here will know your deepest and darkest secrets in no time."

"You talk in your sleep too, you know." George pointed his finger at his twin. "Were where you? I've waited up for you."

"After detention, we came back here, but the password had changed. We had to wait until someone got here." Hermione explained, leaning against the sofa.

"Charlie let us in." Fred grinned.

"At this hour? Where... Oh, the lady Veronica." George laughed.

"I'm off to bed, goodnight Weasleys." She said as she stood up and walked to the girls' staircase.

"Night, Granger." They called back.

"So, how did it go?" George asked quietly as they climbed the boys' staircase.

"Good. We're good." George cocked an eyebrow at his brother. "No, really, we are. We talked. No more teasing, no more weirdness."

"That's great," George said, clapping his back. "Better late than never."

Fred chuckled as he pushed George into their dormitory and tripped over Fred's trunk, falling down with a hard bang.

"I swear to Godric, if you two don't keep it down, I will glue you to the wall!" Lee grumbled behind his curtains. Fred and George looked at each other and fell into silent laughter as they changed into their pyjamas.

Chapter Text

It wasn't long until the twins, Angelina and Alicia, had their first game. Hermione descended the stairs wearing a red and gold scarf, buttoning her coat up as she followed an excited Katie down the many staircases.

"Katie! Wait up!" Hermione called out, out of breath.

"Sorry." She looked slightly embarrassed. "I'm just really excited."

"I can see that," Hermione snickered as they slowly walked down the stairs.

"It's your first game, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I don't really know what to expect."

"Well, you've seen the try-outs, so you know it can get pretty nasty."

"I don't know if I'm ready for that." Hermione said nervously.

"They'll be fine!" Katie said calmly. "They have the twins on their team. They're the best beaters they've had in years, or so I've heard."

"I hope so," Hermione said quietly as they reached the front doors.

"Let's go to the changing rooms." Katie said. "Wish them good luck on their first game."

"Alright," Hermione agreed as they walked the grounds.

When they reached the changing rooms, they heard Charlie giving them a pep talk inside. Katie and Hermione waited until Charlie stopped talking, and they all came out together.

"Hermione? Katie? What are you two doing here?" Charlie asked when he walked out of the changing rooms.

"We just wanted to wish you all good luck on your first game."

"Thanks, girls." Charlie smiled as the other team members walked out holding their brooms. Charlie leaned closer to Hermione and Katie. "They are a bit nervous, seeing it is their first game." He whispered.

Hermione looked over Charlie's shoulder and watched the two female chasers biting their lips as they glanced nervously over at the Quidditch pitch. When her gaze shifted to the right, she saw the twins playing with their beater bats, looking at ease at first sight, but she saw their worried glances going over to the full stands.

"Why don't you talk to the twins? I'll talk the girls up." Katie was already walking away before Hermione could answer.

"Hermione, before you go..." Charlie asked as he reached for her elbow. "I know it's been a few weeks since the night I found you and Fred asleep in front of the portrait but... is everything okay? Is Fred -"

"All is good, Charlie." Hermione chuckled, glancing over her shoulders at the twins for a moment. "Since that night, we've been friends, sort of. We are still different people, no doubt, but that's okay."

"Okay, good to hear, but if anything happens..."

"I'll know where to find you. Thank you." She turned to go over to the twins before looking over her shoulder, smiling. "And Charlie... Show them Ravenclaws what the Gryffindors are made of."

Charlie grinned wide, placing his broom over his shoulder as he strutted his way to the pitch, followed by Oliver and Astrix. She looked back at the twins, who were still standing in the same place, but now as still as statues. One held a broom. The other, a bat.

When she stepped in front of them, she didn't get a reaction. She waved her hand in front of their eyes, which made them finally snap out of it.

"Hey," she said to both of them. "You're going to do great!"

"We know." Fred tried to say confidently, but she heard the uncertainty in his voice.

"We are the Weasley twins after all."

"Hmm." She hummed as she took them in. "Just remember, you two have been playing for years, if anything is true in what you've told me." She chuckled. "And Katie and I will be cheering you on."

The twins looked at her for a moment before glancing at each other, grinning.

"Well, little Granger-"

"What about a compromise?" George continued.

"We are going to play amazingly if you—"

"Take flying lessons with me or us." George grinned wide.

"I—uh—what?" Hermione stuttered, looking between the redheads.

"Come on, Hermione. You don't want to give up on it after one bad experience, do you?"

"And if you want, I can be on the other side of the castle with my hands bound together, so I can't cause any disruptions." Fred grinned.

Hermione bit her lip, looking at the ground as she contemplated what they were saying. She had thought about it. She wasn't a quitter after all—she wanted to try again but was afraid, afraid of falling, of failing. 

Hermione looked back up at the twins and took a nervous breath. "Alright."

"Alright?!" the twins asked, surprised, eyebrows disappearing behind their messy fringes.

"Never mind." Hermione mumbled and started to turn. But the twins grabbed her, resting their arms around her shoulders.

"No, no. You're not getting out of it, little Granger."

"We are going to make you the best muggle born flyer there ever has been." George called out, gesturing wildly with his free arm.

"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Probably." The twins said in unison, grinning.

"Oi! Weasleys! Let's go!" Angelina called out. The boys turned at Angelina's cry and grinned mischievously before dropping their arms from her shoulders.

"Good luck!" Hermione called over to the team before going to stand by Katie. The others waved before walking up to the pitch. "Lee, hi. Where did you come from?"

"Oh, I'm the unofficial mascot." He grinned. "Was in the changing rooms with them."

"And Charlie let you?" Hermione chuckled as they walked to the stands.

"Charlie, yes. Next year when he's gone, that will be another story." He laughed as they took their places with the other Gryffindors.

When the players flew up in the air and took their stands, the crowd went wild, screaming and howling boomed through the quidditch pitch. Hermione glanced around, looking at all the spectators. On the other side of the stands was an older boy with dark brown hair and frosted tips, holding what looked like a microphone, and next to him stood Professor McGonagall.

"Who's that boy next to Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked, pointing in the boy's direction. "With the microphone."

"Oh, that's the commentator, OJ. He calls out what's happening during the game, the players, the fouls, points," Lee answered, waving with his arm. "He's a sixth-year Hufflepuff."

"Why do you need a commentator when you are seeing it live?" Hermione asked, eyebrows raised.

"You'll see. It's hard to keep track of every player and every ball. Not everyone can do it. You must have eyes everywhere. And OJ is quite good," Lee said in awe, leaning over the banister.

"I think he's in love." Katie laughed, winking at Hermione.

"Oi! I'm not in love with anyone!" Lee called out, straightening his back. "I just hope I can take his place when he graduates."

"You want to be a commentator?" Hermione asked, looking up at the sky as Madam Hooch was talking to the two teams.

"Yes, I—" His sentence was cut off by Madam Hooch's' whistle and the game started.

Hermione didn't know where to look. It all went so fast. She tried looking at the girls, the twins, Charlie and back to Oliver. She felt herself getting dizzy from switching between the players.

"Hermione," Lee said gently. "I told you, it's a lot. Try to focus on one thing at a time and listen to OJ. You'll hear it from him when anything changes. Once you are used to it, you can switch between the positions."

"Thanks." She smiled at Lee. She chose to turn her attention to the chasers, and she tried to block out the noise from the other students and single out OJ's.

It was 80 to 60 for Gryffindor when OJ's voice rang through the pitch and her head snapped to the ones he was talking about.

"The bludger is going straight to Oliver! Can one of the Weasley twins hold the-" He was interrupted when a flash of red hair swooped in front of Oliver and smacked the ball to a Ravenclaw player. "What a safe!" OJ yelled. "We don't need any more proof that the twins got on the team for their amazing skills and not because their older brother is the Quidditch captain! And there is the other twin, number 5, George Weasley then, protecting their chasers! Truly amazing work for the newly hired players."

Hermione's gaze went to the oldest Weasley. Charlie was hovering high above the stands, looking down at the players, searching for the golden snitch. When suddenly Charlie's eyes narrowed before he leaned close to his broom and flew at high speed to the ground.

"He's seen it! Charlie Weasley has seen the Snitch." 

Hermione had screamed out, even before OJ had noticed it. Lee and Katie's heads snapped to where Charlie had been flying and followed his movements. Charlie was getting closer to the ground as he lay almost flat against his broom, going as fast as he could. 

OJ was calling out different things through his microphone, but Hermione didn't hear anything. Her ears were buzzing with excitement as she watched Charlie chase the little golden snitch. Charlie was flying almost against the stands, low to the ground. Getting closer and closer to where they stood. 

Hermione was so entranced, much like all the other spectators, she didn't see one of the Ravenclaw beaters hit the bludger in Charlie's direction, their direction. Charlie zoomed by, and the next second another Weasley was hovering in front of her, his beater's bat only a few inches away from her face as he hit the bludger to the other side of the pitch. Hermione's eyes were large, and her heart had stopped before she heard.

"Charlie got the Snitch! The game is over! Gryffindor wins, 260 to 90!!"

The stands where the Gryffindors sat began the shake from the dancing, stomping and chatting of the other students. Hermione was pulled out of her shock from the bludger as a gentle hand touched her shoulder.

She filled her lungs with air as she looked up at the redhead, who still floated in front of her. Heart racing behind her ribs.

"Hermione?"

"You—you saved me."

"I might have saved you a trip to the hospital wing, but I didn't save you." He said, tousling his hair. Hermione smiled as she reached forward, engulfing him in a hug.

"Still thanks, George."

"That's my job." He winked before he turned to Lee. "Lee, mate, we won. You know what to do."

"Indeed, I do." He grinned at George, saluting him before George flew over to the changing rooms.

"Wat do you need to do?" Hermione asked in a stern voice.

"Nothing illegal." Lee grinned as he wrapped his arms around the two girls, leading them out of the stands. "But I could use your help."

"Where are we?" Katie asked as they walked through a corridor they had never been through. Lee only turned around when they reached a portrait of a large fruit bowl. "We've never been here."

"Well, you two have quite a lot of exploring to do." Lee chuckled as he brought his hand over to the portrait and tickled the pear. The pear jiggled a bit before the portrait swung open. 

Lee stepped back and gestured to the girls to walk in first, offering his hand to both of them as they stepped in. "These are the kitchens." He gestured proudly with his arms, looking over at the large room.

House-elves were hurrying around, washing, cutting and cleaning the dishes with a snap of their fingers as they prepared food and drinks. Hermione turned wide-eyed to a smirking Lee.

"Lee Jordan! You said this wasn't illegal."

"It isn't. At least I don't think so. Fred, George and I have been coming here for ages. The house-elves always make us something to eat. They are really, really friendly." When he said the last part, two house-elves walked over in a hurry, smiling widely.

"Master Lee." The bigger house-elf piped up.

"Darius. Nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you too, Master Lee. Is there something I can get for you and your new lady friends?"

"Yes, actually. Gryffindor won its first match this year, and we wanted to celebrate a bit."

"Of course, Master Lee," the smaller one said, looking up at them with big grey eyes. "Are the Masters Weasley going to be there?"

"They certainly are, Darla. Master Weasley saved miss Granger here from a bludger during the game."

"I'll bring them their favourite cupcakes then." The elf smiled as she looked at the three of them. "Masters Weasley are very brave and kind. They helped me when I first started here at Christmas. I was so lost, and they helped me find my way back."

"That was very nice of them." Hermione smiled as she bent down. "I'm Hermione Granger, and this is my friend Katie Bell." She gestured to Katie over her shoulder.

"I'm Darla, and this is Darius. We'll gather some things for you. We'll be right back." 

And before any of them could utter another word, the two elves turned and started gathering supplies. After a couple of minutes, the two elves came back with four baskets floating behind them. Lee smiled as he grabbed two of them out of the air, and Hermione and Katie took the others. They gratefully thanked the elves and climbed back out of the portrait.

"This could feed an entire army. It's way too much." Hermione said, looking inside the baskets.

"They always give too much. I think these two are filled with drinks." Lee grunted as he lifted the baskets into a better position.

"Wait," Hermione said as she halted them. She placed her basket on the ground and pulled out her wand. With two simple waves of her wand, an extra handle appeared on each basket. "Let us help you. I'll take this side. Katie, you take the other."

Before Lee could protest, the girls trapped him between them, and they each reached for the handle before they walked up the enormous staircase. They still had a long way to go.

"Alright, let's go." Lee took in a breath as they stepped together up the steps. "They are probably already waiting for us." 

Chapter Text

"Finally!" the twins called out as the three of them stepped in the common room already bustling with students.

"You brought Katie with you?"

"And little Granger?"

"To our little secret spot?" The twins said at the same time.

"I needed help to get everything up, as you two were too busy feeling good about yourselves." Lee rolled his eyes as they dropped the baskets on the floor with a loud thump.

"You know you're a wizard, don't you?" George laughed as he took one of the baskets and placed it on the table near the window. Fred did the same with the others.

"Yeah, and the last time we put a levitation charm on it, it all crashed against the wall."

"Oh, right." George laughed, thinking back now.

The rest of the team entered the common room as Hermione and Katie finished placing the food and drinks on the table. Hermione smiled as they saw the celebrating team walk through the doors, wide eyed, at the food and drinks that were displayed on the table. 

She congratulated everyone, giving Angelina, Alicia and Charlie a hug before she took a seat in the corner and opened her book. Katie was talking excitingly with Angelina and Alicia as they went over the game. Hermione zoned everything out and turned her attention to her book, letting the whole Gryffindor tower celebrate.

After a while, a redhead sat down next to her, out of breath because he had been singing loudly only a few seconds ago. She didn't even have to look up to know which Weasley sat down next to her.

"Hey, Charlie. Congratulations!" She smiled before looking up at the seeker.

"Thank you. You really have a knack for telling us Weasleys apart. You didn't even look up, and I hadn't said anything yet." Charlie grinned.

"It's a gift." Hermione shrugged, hiding a secret smile.

"Thanks for talking to the two jesters." He nudged his head to the two laughing twins, who were joking around with Lee.

"They would've done great either way."

"Maybe." Charlie shrugged. "So, what did you think of your first game ever?"

"It was okay." Hermione said simply. Charlie's stunned face made her laugh. "Just kidding. I loved it!"

Charlie let out a full-blown belly laugh that made heads turn to them in the common room. "You had me going for a moment."

"Aaaannd... what's going on here?" Fred asked as he and George sat down across from them.

"Nothing really, Hermione just got one on me. So, elaborate, please." Charlie grinned at her.

"I was afraid it would be too violent, but those two," she waved her hand to the twins. "Did a good job."

"Good? Great. Brilliant even." They chorused.

"It was a bit hard to follow everyone—" she said, ignoring the twins. "But Lee said I'll get the hang of it soon enough. So, I focused on the girls first as I listened to OJ's commentary. Charlie, you did amazing! The way you saw the Snitch from so far away!"

"I try." He laughed as he bumped her shoulder.

"And thanks again, George. If it weren't for you, I would've been in a hospital bed for a second time in three months."

"Got to take care of our number one fan, don't we?"

"Oi!" they heard Lee call over the room.

They all laughed as Lee glared at them. "I think that spot is reserved for one Lee Jordan."

"Probably." Fred grinned as he glanced back at him.

"So, are you going home for Christmas break?" Hermione asked the Weasley clan.

"Yeah, Bill's supposed to come home for a couple days."

"And Ginny's getting crazy with only Ron around." George chuckled.

"She just misses her favourite brother," Fred said.

"Me!" the three Weasley men said together. Hermione shook her head, amused as the brothers looked at each other, eyebrows high.

"What about you, little Granger?"

"I really need to find you an annoying nickname." Hermione sighed, with a small smile on her lips. "But I'm going home.I've never been away from my parents for such a long time before. I miss them." She said quietly.

"I know it's hard, especially in your first year. But you'll get used to it," Charlie said reassuringly.

"I actually thought it would be worse, but since I have Katie and even you guys." She rolled her eyes as the three of them clutched their hearts in mock hurt. She ducked her head, his cheeks heating up as she admitted. "I feel like I finally belong."

"And that you do," George squeezed her shoulder. "Do you have any plans?"

"Yes, we are going to France for a week."

"Wow, France!" George's mouth dropped open in envy.

"We've never been out of the UK," Fred said, rubbing his neck.

"We have family there, so we stay there every other year."

Charlie fumbled with his fingers as he looked from George to Fred and back.

"Charlie? Are you okay?" Hermione asked as she saw him nervously sitting next to her.

"Yeah," he looked from her and then back to his brothers. "Fred, George... I need to tell you something, but you can't tell anyone yet, especially Mum. I'll tell her when the time is right."

Fred and George looked at each other, surprised, before turning back to their brother. "We promise."

"After I graduate, I'll be moving to Romania."

"ROMANIA?" The twins yelled, jumping up. Shock and disbelief dripped from their expressions.

"Hush you!" Hermione pulled them down on their sleeves. "Let him talk."

"You know I always wanted to work with creatures. Professor McGonagall and Professor Kettleburn called me into their office last week with a job offer. I'm going to work and live in a dragon reserve in Romania."

"Dragons?" Hermione whispered in shock.

"You did know about them, didn't you?" Charlie asked.

"Not really. There are muggle stories about them, but they are just stories."

"Well, here in the wizarding world, they are real. Hold on a sec." He put his finger up before he darted up the boys' staircase.

"What?" She looked from the empty staircase to the twins, who shrugged. After about a minute, Charlie came running back down the stairs, clutching a book in his hand.

"Here." He sat back down next to her and handed over the book. She turned it in her hands so she could read the title. Dragon breeds in Europe. " We all know you love your research." The twins tried to hide their snickers behind their hands. "So, here. Do your best. I've read it cover to cover a couple of times already."

"Thank you, Charlie." Hermione leaned over and hugged him before jumping up. "You three enjoy the festivities. I'm going to dive into this." She tapped Charlie's books. "Can you tell Katie?"

"Sure, little Granger." Fred grinned as Hermione walked up the stairs excitedly. "We lost her for the rest of the night."

"Take a deep breath, Hermione," George said as she climbed in front of him on the broom. "You wanted to fly with me first, remember? And Katie and Lee are keeping Fred busy in the common room."

"Yes, yes, I know. But—"

"I'll just fly a few feet off the ground. I won't let you fall, I promise."

She just nodded her head, too afraid to speak. She clutched her hand hard on the handle as George leaned forward and placed his hands before hers.

"One, two," George pushed them softly off the ground. They hovered a bit before George leaned forward and slowly zig-zagged slightly. "Breathe, Granger." George chuckled behind her. She let out a breath as George set a steady pace.

After about five minutes of flying low to the ground, Hermione summoned her Gryffindor courage. "George?"

"Yeah? Are you okay?"

"Yes, you can go higher, but slowly." She knew George was grinning behind her as he gently pulled the handle up. George went higher than he first intended to, but Hermione didn't tense when they reached the lower branches of the trees. Since they were practicing at night, the moon shone brightly down on them, lighting up the grounds beneath them.

"Wow, George, look!" Hermione nervously took a hand off the handle and pointed at the castle. George followed her gaze and looked at the castle, surrounded by the moon and stars.

"I've never really looked at the castle like that. It's quite impressive." George said behind her as they hovered back and forward before the castle. "Are you ready to call it a night?"

"Yes, it's getting late." Hermione nodded her confirmation.

"Should I just fly us back to the common room?" George started flying up to the tower.

"NO, GEORGE!" Hermione yelled.

"I'm just kidding." George laughed as he lowered them to the ground. He was still laughing as they landed and stepped off the broom. George easily flung the broom over his shoulder as they walked back to the castle. "You did great."

"I did nothing." Hermione chuckled.

"Technically speaking, no. But you didn't scream or pull on the broom or anything. You did well, Hermione."

"Thanks." She blushed. She never got any compliments from kids her age before.

"Maybe next time you can try alone?"

"No, I'm not ready for that. Do you mind flying with me again?" She asked, looking up to the younger Weasley twin.

"Of course not. I promised you I'd make you a great flyer."

"Yes, you did." Hermione chuckled as they walked up the stairs. "But maybe next time I can steer? If anything happens, you can easily intervene."

"I can do that. So, after Christmas break then?"

"Yeah, there's no other way. Break is starting tomorrow, remember?"

"Right, forgot." He gave her a lopsided smile. "Are you meeting up with Katie during break?"

"No, probably not. I don't think I'll have much time for that."

"We usually meet up with our friends during summer break. Christmas is usually pretty busy with our family."

"I can imagine with such a big family. Our Christmas is rather quiet, just me and my parents."

"Sounds boring." George huffed a laugh.

"We play a lot of board games."

"Like the ones Angelina has? Domi asservaretur. " He suddenly said to the fat lady, and the portrait swung open.

"Yeah, like that." 

When they entered the common room, she saw Katie and Fred waiting for them at the round table near the window.

"Hey, where were you? We didn't see you out there," Katie asked, pointing out the window as Hermione pulled out two chairs as George went upstairs to put away his broom.

"George took me to the other side of the castle." She said as she sat down next to Katie.

"Why?" Fred asked.

"Because I knew you would be watching and make Hermione nervous." George said as he reached the table.

Fred just grinned.

"Can I ask? How do you feel about Charlie moving away?" Hermione asked the twins as she and George sat down.

"It will be an adjustment for sure, but we went through the same thing with Bill. He's working in Egypt right now," Fred said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Yeah, I think Mum will have the hardest time. Not only is her second child moving abroad, but like Bill, he chose a dangerous job."

"When do you think Charlie will tell her?"

"He's probably going to wait until the last second." Fred laughed. "So, how did it go?"

"She didn't scream." George said proudly as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"That's a start." Katie chuckled.

"We flew together tonight. First just a few feet off the ground, then we went higher. I'm just getting her used to the feeling of flying. Next time, she gets to steer."

"So, if you hear me scream, meet me in the hospital wing." Hermione joked, and the others laughed.

"Oh, Hermione, you're back." Angelina smiled, holding several boxes under her arm as she came down the girls' dormitory with Alicia.

"I'm back too, you know," George said dramatically. Angelina just waved him off as she turned her attention back to Hermione.

"Since we're all leaving on break tomorrow. I thought we could play a game, a Muggle one."

"I'd love to. What do you have?" Hermione smiled, eyeing the boxes.

"Let's sit in front of the fireplace, more room." Angelina said, already walking up to the sofas. Hermione stood up and followed quickly, behind her the twins, Katie and Alicia. "Oi, Lee! You in for a game?"

Lee looked up from his essay to the group, scowled at his parchment and quickly stuffed in his bag and made his way over.

"What are you working on?" Hermione asked as he sat down on the ground in front of her.

"My transfiguration essay." He sighed. "I need to hand it in tomorrow before we leave. I've already had it postponed once."

"Do you want me to look it over?" Hermione asked carefully, trying not to offend him. Lee's eyebrows shot up.

"You're a first year." He stated, not in a mean, condescending way but just confused.

"So?" Alicia started. "She helped me and Angelina a bunch of times. She's wicked good at transfiguration."

"Little Granger!" Fred called out.

"Why haven't we gotten your wicked good assistance?" George continued.

"You never asked." She said simply, shrugging her shoulders. 

She turned her attention back to Angelina, who displayed the games, ignoring the still shocked twins. "Let's start easy, Ange. Monopoly. Why don't you try to explain the rules to them?" She turned back to Lee and held out her hand. "And I'll go over the essay."

"You're a lifesaver, Hermione Granger," Lee pulled out the crumbled piece of parchment and tried to straighten it out before handing it over.

"Oh, can I be the car?" Hermione asked as she started to read the essay on Vera Verto.

"Only if I can be the hat," Angelina said as she put the dice on the table.

"A car, a hat? What kind of game is this?" George asked, frowning as Angelina pulled out the board grinning.

"Okay, now everyone, listen up—"  

Chapter Text

As Hermione stepped off the train, she immediately saw Molly and Arthur waiting for their kids. Her gaze didn't have to go far as her father was talking animatedly to Arthur Weasley. Hermione turned back when the twins and Katie stepped out from behind Angelina, Alicia and Lee.

"See you after break!" Lee called over with a wave and headed to his parents, and the group waved back as Lee disappeared in the crowd. Hermione gave Angelina and Alicia a quick hug before they went to go find their parents.

"Katie, would you like to meet my parents?"

"I'd love to." She smiled as they walked over to the group with Fred and George in tow. "They're tooth doctors, right?"

"Dentists, yes." Hermione chuckled when they reached the group. "Mum, Dad!" Hermione yelled as she flung her arms around her parents. "I missed you."

"We missed you too, dear." Her mother murmured in her hair.

"Oh, Mum, Dad," she said as she pulled back, beaming. "This is Katie."

"It's nice to meet you." Katie smiled.

"Nice to meet you too, Katie. We heard so much about you." Her father smiled. "We are so glad Hermione found a good friend."

"She has more than one!" George yelled as he stepped away from his mother and walked closer with Fred in tow.

"She has us—"

"And Lee, Ange and Alicia."

"But we are the best!" Fred grinned.

Her mother chuckled at the twins, shaking her head fondly. "Hello boys, how are you?"

"Brilliant, Mrs Granger." They called out.

"Oh, little Granger. Ginny wants to say hi."

"Okay." Hermione looked between her parents and the twins, unsure. "Katie, I'll see you in two weeks." She hugged her best friend.

"Yes, I'll write when you're back from France." Katie smiled as she pulled back. "Bye, everyone." She waved and darted over to her parents. 

"Hi, Mrs Weasley." Hermione smiled as she walked up to the group.

"Oh, hello Hermione dear." Mrs Weasley smiled big, then a frown followed. "The twins aren't too much trouble, I hope?"

"No, nothing I can't handle." She chuckled as she glanced over her shoulder at the boys in question, who were standing with her parents. "And I always have Charlie here to watch my back." She grinned as Charlie walked over and draped an arm over her shoulder.

"I'm glad you all get along." Mr Weasley smiled next to his wife.

"How was the sorting? How's quidditch?" Ginny started firing questions at them.

"Ginny dear, let the girl breathe."

"Hermione?" Her parents called over. "We better get going. We have a plane to catch this evening."

"A plane?" Mr Weasley asked, his eyes like saucers.

"Oh, no," Ron groaned next to Ginny. Hermione found his reaction amusing and turned to Mr Weasley.

"I'm sure my dad will explain everything the next time you two meet. Maybe you can go see one. Charlie, I'll see you after break." She gave him a side hug before going over to her parents. "What are you guys talking about?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Just this and that." Her father grinned suspiciously. "Boys." Her father gave a nod to the twins.

"Mr Granger." The boys mimicked his movements with a grin.

"I'll see you after break. Bye George, bye Fred." And she turned to follow her dad but was stopped by two large arms pulling her back.

"Not so fast, Granger," George said before they engulfed her in a twin hug. Four strong arms locked her in place.

"Oh, for the love of—let me go. You'll see me in two weeks!" Hermione sighed but couldn't help the laugh that followed. The twins let her go, grins plastered on their faces.

"See you then." They said and walked over to their parents. Hermione huffed as she took her mother's arm and walked through the stone wall.

The week in France flew by fast as she visited museum after museum with her parents. They also went to meet her cousin for the first time, baby Louisa. She was happy to be with her parents, but she had a hard time not pulling out her wand and using it. She wrote letters to all of her friends and tucked them in her bag as she would send them when she got back home.

After she got home, she ran to her room, where she dropped her bag on the bed and pulled out the letters before sprinting down the stairs.

"Woah, Hermione. What's the rush?" Her father asked as he walked out of the kitchen.

"I want to send out my letters." She said, waving the envelopes in front of her.

"Alright, why don't we go to the post office while your mum unpacks, ."

"We need to go to Hardy's Owl Service."

"That's right. Let me see where Professor McGonagall put the address." Her father said as he looked through the papers on the desk. "Here we go. Honey?" He called up the stairs. "We're just going out to post Hermione's letters."

"Alright." Her mum called back down.

"Let's go, sweetheart." And they walked out to the car. After about five minutes of driving, Hermione spoke up.

"Will we be going to Gardens Eve for Christmas?"

"No, not this year." Her father said, elusive.

"Then where?"

"That is a surprise." He grinned. Hermione looked with furrowed eyebrows at her dad but didn't push the matter. It was only three days until Christmas after all. She could wait till then, couldn't she?

When they arrived at the little shop, it was simply hidden on a Muggle street. A small brick house stood between two rows of trees, separating them from the Muggle houses. It had small openings for the owls to fly through. Hermione peered inside the window, alongside her father.

"Minerva said you can only enter if you're aware of the wizarding world." Her dad whispered. "Let's head inside."

Her dad straightened his back and walked to the front door, holding it open for Hermione. The little shop was filled with owls, the walls covered with tree branches where they could rest. There must be a cleaning spell in place because there wasn't a stray feather or bird poop to be seen anywhere. She walked over to the man who stood behind a desk, going over some papers.

"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, drawing his attention. "I would like to send these letters."

"Auch!" her father yelled behind her. She turned and saw her father with his finger in his mouth. "Bloody owl... he bit me." He grumbled as he came over.

The man behind the counter laughed. "Which one?"

"That black one with the large white spot."

"Ah, that's Steve." The man hummed.

"Steve? Who names an owl Steve?" Her father asked.

"My daughter." The man shrugged. "And you just tried to pet the only owl who will bite your finger off—good choice." He chuckled, and Hermione had to bite her lip trying not to let a laugh slip. "I'm Dean Hardin. You can choose any owl you want. The ones on the back right are express, the ones here are for overseas, and the ones on the left are for in the UK."

"These two I can send together. Alicia and Katie live near each other. Then one for the twins." She said as she placed the letter on the counter. "And Angelina and Lee, they need to go separately."

She looked over at the owls on the left. "Can I just—" She gestured over to the owls.

"Yes, pick the ones you want and bring them over, or I can call them for you."

Hermione nodded as she walked over to the owls. She selected four random owls, most of them church owls, and carried them one by one to the counter. As she was tying the letters to its paws, and voice called out behind her.

"Hermione?"

Hermione turned and saw a lanky boy with wavy brown hair, holding a barn owl in his hand. "Cedric? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question." He chuckled as he walked closer, placing her owl next to hers. "I live near Box Hill."

"Really? I'm from Epsom," Hermione said, surprised. She heard her father clear his throat next to her. "Oh, this is my dad."

"Dad, Cedric Diggory. Remember the boy who helped me carry my trunk on the train?"

"Nice to meet you, sir," Cedric said politely, holding out his hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Cedric." Her father took his hand and shook it.

"Planning on sending some letters, I see." Cedric smiled as he gestured at her letters.

"Yes, we just got back from France, so haven't got a chance to write them."

"Oh, to the Weasleys, you know I used to live very close to them, but we moved last summer after Dad got promoted."

"That must've been loud." Hermione grinned as she tied the last letter.

"That's one word for it." He grinned back as he tied his own letter to the owl and handed over his payment. "Thanks, Dean." He turned back to the Grangers, already making himself ready to go. "Hermione, mister Granger. Maybe I'll see you around sometime."

"Yeah, see you around, Cedric." They waved at each other before Cedric walked out, where his dad was waiting. Hermione turned back to the shop owner and handed over the money for the owls.

"We better get going. Mum's probably already making dinner." Her father said as he rubbed his grumbling stomach before they walked back to the car.

It was the day before Christmas, but she still didn't know how they would celebrate. She asked her mum after dinner the day they got back from Hardy's Owl Service, but she didn't let anything slip. They have been going to Gardens Eve for years now, so what changed?

"What do I need to wear?" Hermione asked her mum as she looked in her closet. "Is it somewhere nice?"

"Just wear whatever you are comfortable with, dear."

"Alright," she said apprehensively as she pulled out jeans and a jumper. "Can I bring my books?"

"I don't think you'll have the time to read, but maybe one for the road." Her mum said as she put the newly washed clothes in her dressing.

"Mum." She whined. "Just tell me."

"You'll know soon enough."

"Fine," she grumbled as she pulled the jumper over her head.

"Oh, pack your overnight bag as well."

"An overnight bag?" Hermione asked, surprised, eyes wide.

"Yes." She glanced over at her watch. "Better hurry. We're leaving as soon as your dad gets back." She took the hamper and walked out of the room.

"I'm bringing my books!" Hermione called over to her mother.

They had been driving for over an hour, Hermione quietly reading in her book. When her dad had to hit the brakes, something heavy slid to the other side of the trunk. Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw several presents in the back.

"Who are those gifts for?" Hermione asked her parents, turning back to face the front of the car.

Her mum looked over her shoulder. "Oh, for friends." She smiled before turning back to face the road. 

Hermione sighed as she turned her attention back to her book. Every once in a while, she looked up to see where they were, but they kept on driving. Her parents were quietly singing along to the music on the radio.

"We've been driving for over two hours!" Hermione almost yelled as her dad stopped at a gas station to stretch their legs.

"We're almost there." Her father said as he looked over at the map that lay open on the hood of the car. Hermione came closer to look at the lines he had drawn on them, but her father quickly folded the map before she could see it. "Let's get going. We don't want to be late."

Hermione grumbled before sliding onto the back seat again, already with her nose in her book when her mum started to drive. 

Ten minutes later, they finally went off the highway, near Devon.

"Devon? Who lives in Devon?" Hermione asked her mum and dad, closing her book.

"I told you, friends." Her dad answered as he looked over a letter. "When you reach the church, turn left, dear."

Hermione's eyes were fixed on her surroundings, trying to find out where they were going. But as far as she knew, they didn't have friends in Devon, or even family. After about fifteen minutes of driving through small streets and dirt roads, they reached a clearing. Her mum looked at her dad, who was reading the letter again with furrowed brows.

"Uhm, you can just drive through the field." Her dad said unsure.

"Through the field? Are you sure?"

"Yes, there is a small path that goes to the house, but he just says: drive up the field until you reach a big oak tree."

Hermione looked curiously at the empty field in front of her, her book forgotten on the backseat. Her mum looked nervously around her before she turned the wheel and drove through the field that was on a hill. When they almost reached the top, her father pointed out the window to his right.

"There. The oak tree."

"Is... is that a house?" Her mum asked, pointing to the left. 

Hermione followed her mum's finger and saw a house that looked like rooms had been added and plastered against and on top of each other. Her mum parked the car, and the three of them stared at the strange-looking house when suddenly a familiar redhead stepped out the door.

"Mr Weasley?" Hermione asked. "Are we celebrating Christmas with the Weasleys?"

"Yes, Molly and Arthur asked us a few weeks ago. And we thought, why not. It's only ever the three of us, so."

"Does Charlie know? Fred, George?"

"No, no one knows." Her father grinned as he went out to open his car when a beaming Mr Weasley walked closer.

"Mum? Who's coming?" George asked as his mum put extra plates in his hands. Fred and Charlie looked up from setting the table.

"Oh." She looked nervous. "Just some friends."

"Friends? From whom?" Fred asked.

"Bill's?" Charlie interjected.

"No, not mine," Bill said as he walked into the kitchen. "Mum?"

"You'll see, they'll be here shortly." She said, looking at the family clock. "Just set the table and go clean your rooms. Oh, can someone get Percy?"

"Perce?" Bill called out to the staircase. After a few minutes, Percy came down and walked into the kitchen, a quill behind his ear.

"You'll have to bunk with Ron tonight. Bill will help you set up the cot."

"What? Why?" Percy asked defensively.

"Because people are coming over and apparently staying the night too." Fred said as he hopped onto the kitchen counter.

"Who is coming?"

"Dunno, Mum won't tell us," George said as he munched on an apple, leaning against the counter, next to his twin.

"I have to give up my room for someone I don't know?" Percy huffed.

"You know them." Their mum said calmly as she stirred in her pot. "Most of you."

"Most of us?" They all called out. Their mum kept her eyes on the pot as she hummed a song.

The brothers all shared a look before they went upstairs.

"Who do you think is coming?" George asked their oldest brother.

"Don't know. They didn't say anything to me. It's the first I've heard of it."

George and Fred shared a look, and Bill followed Percy to Ron's room. The twins stopped at Ginny's and knocked on the door.

"Ginbug?" Fred called out before he opened the door. 

Ginny was sitting on her bed, reading Witch Weekly. "There are people joining us this evening, and they will stay the night. We all need to clean our rooms."

"Really? Who?"

"Don't know." The boys shrugged and walked back out of the room.

"Fred? George?" Their mum's voice carried up the stairs.

"Yes, Mum?"

"A letter arrived for you!" She called up.

"You get the letter, and I'll start upstairs." Fred said as he walked up to the highest landing. George bounded back down the stairs, where his mother was giving the owl some treats before it flew back out the window. She turned when she heard George coming behind her.

"Here." She handed over the letter with a neatly written handwriting on it. "Is it from Angelina or Alicia?"

"It's from Hermione," George said as he looked up from the letter.

"Hermione?" Her mother said as she looked from the letter to the clock.

"Probably talking about all the museums she went to in France," George joked as he turned and headed back up the stairs.

After an hour, they were all seated in the living room. Bill and Ron were playing chess, while the others played exploding snap. Percy was sitting in the corner, reading a book. Molly and Arthur were sitting in the kitchen, glancing out the window.

"I hope the directions were clear." Arthur said, peering out the window. "Oh, there they are. I'll go meet them outside. Keep the kids in, Molly."

Arthur quietly walked out the kitchen door and smiled as the car stopped near the oak tree.

"Daniel, Jean!" he called out, smiling widely. "Did you find it alright?"

"Yes, we were a bit miffed when we had to drive through the field, but we're here." Daniel answered with a wide smile.

"Hermione, welcome! I hope you were pleasantly surprised."

"I was." She grinned as she closed the car door. "This will be quite a different Christmas."

"Are the kids still in the dark?"

"Yes, they have been asking questions all day."

"Ha! Yeah, Hermione here has been asking our ears off for the last three days."

"Let's go surprise them. Let me help you with your bags." Arthur flicked his wand, and the bags flew out the trunk and hovered behind them as they walked to the house.

"Is all this land yours?" Jean asked, looking around.

"Yes, if you go down the hill, there is a pond, and a forest connected to it. You should really explore the grounds tomorrow." Arthur said and stopped as they reached the door. "Ready?"

After the twins lost the last game of Exploding Snap, they stood up to get something to drink. Mrs Weasley was cleaning her hands on her apron when the garden door creaked open, showing their dad walking in.

"Right on time, boys!" Arthur stepped in, and three people stood in the doorway, looking in.

"Little Granger?"

"Hermione? What are you doing here?"

"They are our guests." Arthur said as he ushered them in, their bags flying in behind them. "I invited them a couple of weeks ago."

"I didn't know. I just figured it out when your dad walked out the door."

"We just got your letter." George grinned as he walked over and hugged her. When he pulled back his arm still rested on her shoulder. "Mr and Mrs Granger."

"You get to meet Bill!" Fred said excitedly as he walked closer. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder as well. "Do you mind if we steal her for a bit?"

"No, no, take her away." Mrs Granger laughed softly.

"I'll show your parents where they are staying and then we'll have some tea in the kitchen. You can stay in Ginny's room, if you want."

"That will be nice, thank you, Mr Weasley."

"Enough talking, let's go." Fred grinned, and they turned her to the door.

"Our surprise guests have arrived." George called over before he pushed open the door to the living room. 

Chapter Text

When George opened the door, five redheads looked up at them. Ginny squealed and jumped up from the sofa and wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist. When Ginny pulled back, Hermione looked in awe at all the traditional and magical Christmas decorations in the room. From a simple elf-on-a-shelf to a Santa Claus flying around the tree in his sled.

"Hermione?" Charlie asked, a smile on his face as he got up. "Never thought you would be the surprise."

"Yeah, me neither. I was in the dark as much as you guys." She laughed as Charlie hugged her, pulling her away from the twins. Charlie let her go and walked her over to Bill.

"Bill, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione... Bill."

"Nice to put a face to the stories." Bill smiled as he put his hair in a low ponytail.

"Stories? What have they been telling you?" Hermione looked at the guilty party.

"Nothing bad, I promise." He gestured for her to sit next of him.

"They better not." She chuckled. "Hi Ron, Percy." She waved over to the two quiet Weasleys. "I heard you're a curse breaker?" She asked when the other two gave a small nod in return.

Bill beamed at her question and started to talk about his work in Egypt. Charlie, George and Fred looked at the talking duo.

"We lost her to Bill. Figures." Charlie grinned.

"She's drawn to the smartest person in the room." Ginny laughed as she shuffled the cards for another game.

"Oi!" The three of them cried out. Hermione rolled her eyes at them before turning back to the oldest brother.

After a few games, her mother entered the living room. "Dinner is ready, kids."

"Coming!" the twins called out and packed up the game. Ron was already running to the kitchen. When the rest entered, Ron was already waiting impatiently at the table. The twins placed Hermione between them, Bill and Charlie across from her.

"Oh, Ginny. Hermione will be staying in your room. They had a long drive. It would be too long to head back tonight."

"How long does it take?" Bill asked as his mother started filling up the plates.

"By car? About three hours."

"Three hours? Blimey!" Ron said already with his mouth full.

"Dad, can't you get a connection for their Floo?"

"Floo?" The three Grangers asked.

"It's a way of transportation." Percy explained. "You step into a fireplace, and with the use of Floo powder, you can transport to another one in seconds."

"That sounds," her mum said uncertainly, unable to finish her sentence.

"Can it be used by Muggles?"

"As long as you have Floo powder, yes."

"If you want, I can see if it is possible." Arthur said. "We'll show you how it works tomorrow, then you can decide."

"Sounds good." Hermione's father agreed.

"Molly, this all looks delicious." Her mother smiled, looking at all the dinner she had prepared. "I wish I could've helped."

"Nonsense." She waved her off. "You are our guest."

"Mum doesn't like help in the kitchen." Fred whispered as he reached over for the mashed potatoes. "Do you want some?" He asked after he loaded his plate.

"Thanks, but not as much as you."

"That's the Weasley appetite. Everyone here has it, even Ginbug."

"Do you have a nickname for everyone?" Hermione asked with a cocked eyebrow.

Fred grinned wide at her as he filled their plates with steamed carrots. Hermione shook her head, chuckling, and turned her attention to the others.

Dinner was... loud, very loud. Hermione wasn't used to such a busy Christmas. She had been a bit prepared with her hanging around the twins and Charlie for the last few months, but this was something else. They all talked over each other, yelling across the table; laughing, whispering, everything. It didn't even sound like anyone was eating. 

But still, the dishes grew smaller as the Weasley clan ate and talked their way into the evening. Hermione finished her plate first, and after listening and talking to everyone at the table, she excused herself for a moment.

Hermione walked out of the loud kitchen and closed the door behind her, letting out a deep breath. Glancing around the hall, she saw moving pictures hanging on the walls. She walked over and studied the photographs. She giggled as she saw the twins—about a year old—running around the garden buck naked. 

Next to it, a photo of Charlie sitting in the living room reading a children's book about dragons, holding a red stuffed dragon. One where Bill and Charlie were standing side by side in front of the Hogwarts Express. 

Ginny and Ron as babies together in a tub, splashing each other. The wall was covered with pictures of them as babies until just last summer. She was so focused on the picture of two twin boys who looked a lot like Fred and George that she didn't hear someone come up behind her.

"Those were my mum's twin brothers." Charlie said, making her jump. "Uncle Fabian and Gideon."

"Fred and George's middle names." She said as Charlie walked up next to her, looking at the photo.

"Yeah, they died in the war."

"I'm sorry." Hermione whispered. "What were they like?"

"Funny. Jokesters like the twins. Their friends called them Matchstick and Rusty." He laughed. "The twins admire them. I wish they had gotten to know them. They were only three when they died."

They stood there in silence for a bit, looking at the photographs on the wall, the noise in the kitchen muffled by the closed door.

"A bit much, I presume?"

"Huh, what?" She tore her eyes away from the wall.

"The noise, the famous Weasley racket." Charlie grinned as he led her to the living room.

"Yes, I thought with being around the twins it would be okay, but this is next level." Hermione chuckled as she sat down next to Charlie.

"I thought so. That's why I came up to see if you're okay. You didn't even agree to come here."

"No, I didn't. But I don't mind, really. It's always quiet and a bit boring at our house with only the three of us. So yeah, this is a bit much, but I'm really enjoying myself."

"Thank Merlin, you and Fred get along now then." Charlie laughed, and Hermione chimed in. They were still laughing when the rest came out, looking like they just lost it.

"What's so funny?" Her dad asked as he took the armchair to her left.

"Charlie just said: It's good Fred and I get along now, or else it would've been quite awkward." Hermione grinned as her laughter died down.

"You didn't get along?" Her mum and Mrs Weasley asked, looking from her to Fred, who sat there sheepishly.

"Not at first." Fred said nervously, rubbing his neck. "She got along with George just fine, but— "

"But with Fred, it took a couple weeks, but that's okay." She hastily added. "We are very different people. Isn't that right, Rusty?"

"Rusty? That's the nickname you chose for me, little Granger?" Fred asked, smirking. Hermione looked at Charlie, smiling, before glancing back at Fred.

"I think it's perfect for you." Hermione turned when she heard a sob from the other side of the room. Mrs Weasley had her hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes. "Mrs Weasley?"

"I'm- I'm fine, dear. It's just—that was a nickname for one of my brothers."

Hermione stood up and walked over to the witch, smiling. "I know... Charlie told me. That's why I chose it."

Mrs Weasley couldn't hold back her tears anymore and wrapped her in a bone-breaking hug. Mr Weasley stood up and pulled his wife away from Hermione and led her to the sofa. Hermione walked back and sat down next to Charlie, who was talking with her father. She saw Fred eyeing her, taking her in.

"What?" she asked in a low voice.

"Nothing," he answered, leaning forward, closer to her. "It's just—thank you, little Granger." He smiled before leaning back. 

Hermione didn't know what he wanted to say, but she smiled back before her mum brought out Monopoly and called everyone over. They paired everyone up, the ones who had played with the ones who didn't. Her dad with Mr Weasley, Mum with Mrs Weasley. Fred and Ginny, George and Ron, Charlie with Percy, and Hermione with Bill.

"At least now the twins can't cheat." Hermione said as she counted their money.

"We didn't cheat!" The twins called over.

"Yes, you did. You copied your money. But now you can't use your wands." She pointed out. "Let's see how far you can get now."

"Oh, you wait and see." They called back challenging. 

Bill and Hermione won by a landslide. Fred and George's team didn't have anything left at the end. No money, no houses, much to the chagrin of their teammates.

After the game, Mr Weasley dragged her dad to the shack in the garden.

"Shack?" Hermione asked as the two of them disappeared in the dark.

"Dad loves to tinker with Muggle stuff, but Mum won't let him do it in the house," Bill explained.

"With a reason, the last time he did that, the back of the house was gone." Mrs Weasley said before she went to the kitchen to make a pot of tea.

"Oh, Hermione, you should come see their clock." Her mum said. "It's just brilliant!" 

Hermione stood and followed her mother to the kitchen. There she pointed at a large wooden clock, but instead of numbers it said: Home, Work, School... Seven hands pointed at home. On each hand was a picture of a Weasley attached to it.

"It's beautiful, Mrs Weasley."

"Thank you, dear," Mrs Weasley said fondly as she looked dreamily at the clock. "Mr Weasley made it as a wedding gift."

"Wow," she breathed as she took in every detail she could see. After she thought she had seen everything, she turned to Mrs Weasley. "Do you need any help with the dishes?" Hermione gestured to the full sink.

"No, no. You just go relax with the others."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." She smiled. "Thanks for offering."

Hermione smiled back before heading to the living room but was intercepted when Ginny grabbed her arm.

"Hi, Gin."

"Uh, do you want to see my room? Where you will be staying?" She asked nervously.

"Sure, Ginny. Lead the way."

Ginny's smile turned big as she ran up the stairs. Ginny's room was small, but next to her bed was a cot placed for her, her bag on the foot of it.

"I know it's not much."

"It's great, Ginny." Hermione smiled as she looked around the room. "You're a Quidditch fan?" She asked as she saw a Quidditch magazine on her bed.

"Yeah," she looked out her door before whispering. "Don't tell the others, but I steal their brooms at night and go practice. I never get to play with them."

"That doesn't sound fair."

"I know, but what can you do?"

"Steal their brooms, apparently." Hermione chuckled. Ginny walked over to her closet and took her pyjamas out.

"I'm going to go change. I don't think I can hold out much longer." She finished with a yawn. "If you want to change or brush your teeth, the bathroom is the second door on the right."

When Ginny left and closed the door behind her, Hermione walked over to her cot and opened her bag, pulling out her warm dark red pyjamas. She walked over to the door and looked into the empty hallway. Hermione quickly changed into her pyjamas. She had just pulled up her pyjama bottoms when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Nice PJs, Hermione." George grinned as he and his twin leaned against the doorframe. Both rocked flannel pyjamas. George was wearing a purple one with bludgers, and Fred an orange one, with beater bats on them.

"You're one to say," she raised an eyebrow, pointing at them. The twins grinned and pushed themselves off the door and twirled in front of her.

"You're just jealous."

"Yeah, that must be it." Hermione rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"We wanted to ask if you wanted to play a game of Exploding Snap with us?"

"Ginny will be going to bed. Your mum and dad are busy with ours, and Ron and Percy are playing chess. So, it's just us, Charlie and Bill."

"Alright. I kind of enjoy the company of your brothers." Hermione teased as she walked past them, out of the room.

"She's getting cheeky." They said together, looking at each other, eyebrows high.

"So, how is Cedric doing?" Bill asked after his card exploded. "Did you meet with him during break?"

"No, he moved last summer." Fred said, flipping a card.

"Do you know him?" Bill asked Hermione, who nodded. "He lived near us, just behind the forest."

"Yeah, I know."

"You do?" Fred, George and Charlie asked.

"Yeah, I bumped into him when I went to the owl service to send your letters." She said, looking at the cards. "He doesn't live that far from me now."

"Are you two friends?" Bill asked.

"More like acquaintances. Cedric was the first person I met besides them." She pointed to the Weasleys in front of her. "Helped me load my trunk onto the train and carried it to a compartment. Since then, we talk on occasion, say hello. But since we're in different years and houses, we don't talk that much."

"You should get to know him. He's a good guy. Broaden your horizons a bit, away from these two knuckleheads." Bill grinned as the twins yelled. "Oi!".

"Charlie is graduating this year, so he'll be gone too. And he can be a great study partner."

"I have seen him in the library before, unlike those two." Hermione contemplated.

"Oi!" they yelled again, and Hermione challenged them with a raised eyebrow. Their shoulders slummed. "Alright, we'll give you that one."

The next morning, she was brutally shaken awake by Ginny.

"Wake up, Hermione. Time for presents!"

When Hermione opened her eyes, she saw Ginny's long red hair disappearing down the stairs. She rubbed her eyes and climbed out of her cot. She took a hair tie and twisted her bushy hair into a messy bun on top of her head. When she walked down the stairs, her parents appeared behind her.

"Morning, sweetheart." Her father smiled, his eyes still blurry with sleep. "They really like their Boxing Day."

"Apparently. Ginny nearly gave me a heart attack waking me." Hermione said as they reached the living room. 

They were the last ones to enter the room. Ginny and Ron sat impatiently near the tree. Molly and Arthur cuddled together in their seat, holding a camera. The twins whispered to each other, and Charlie and Bill were still half asleep on the sofa.

"Good morning." The Grangers said together as they looked around the room.

"Morning." came a tired but excited call from the Weasleys.

Fred and George stood and offered them their seats and dropped themselves on the ground in front of them.

"Ginny, why don't you pick one first?" Mr Weasley smiled at his youngest. 

Ginny didn't need to be told twice and hurdled at the presents underneath the tree. Everyone passed each other presents, and after the Weasley family was done, her father picked a large box from under the tree and handed it over to Mr Weasley.

"You didn't have to." Mr Weasley started.

"You invited us to your lovely home and made an outstanding dinner. This is the least we could do."

Mr Weasley looked like a giddy schoolboy as he unwrapped his present, much to the amusement of his children. His mouth dropped open when he saw what was inside. He pulled out piece by piece and placed them on the coffee table in front of him. The kids all looked at each other with confused expressions.

"What is all that?" Ron asked.

"That is a Gameboy, a Tamagotchi, a Walkman, a videocassette and an old video player."

"All things muggles like us used to entertain themselves."

"Thank you! Molly, dear—"

"You can go." Molly snickered. Arthur gave her a chaste kiss, put everything back in the box and dragged her dad out to the garden. 

Her mum stood up and carried a pink box with a white bow on top to Mrs Weasley.

"Don't think we forgot about you." Her mum smiled and took Mr Weasley's seat next to her. Mrs Weasley smiled as she undid the bow and opened the box. "Remember when we took you to Muggle London? I went to the bakery you loved. I had them put together their best cookies."

"Thank you, Jean," Mrs Weasley said with tears in her eyes. "You really didn't have to do all this."

"Maybe not, but I wanted to." She hugged Mrs Weasley tight against her. 

Hermione smiled at the two women—who became fast friends—before she stood and stepped over the twins. She reached behind the tree, revealing the last presents of the day. She walked closer and tossed one to Charlie, one to George and one to Fred. All of them looked surprised up at her.

"What?"

"We didn't get you anything." The twins said, Charlie agreeing. She sat down back behind the twins and looked at the three of them.

"You don't have to. Charlie, you already gave me that book. And what you two did for my birthday, I'll never forget. So, no protesting. Open up."

"Yes, ma'am." The three of them grinned as they opened their presents.

"George, Rusty. You can share yours." She said before they fully opened them.

Fred pulled out a book with a frown, but when he turned it over, his eyes went big. "The Kid's Guide to Pranks, Tricks and Practical Jokes." He whispered as he began flipping through the pages. Even George stopped unwrapping as he looked at the book.

"Thanks, little Granger!" He grinned over his shoulder.

"Yeah, thanks, Granger." George smiled before looking back at the box on his lap. And just like his dad, he took out several pieces and placed them on the floor in front of him. "What is it?" He asked, looking up.

"Gag gifts, sort of muggle prank items. The description is on the back. Just don't use them on me!" She pointed at the little box he was holding.

"Wouldn't dare." George crossed his heart and put his attention back on the presents. "Sneezing powder, fart whistle, dirty face soap, whoopee cushion, doctor crap-a-lot's teabag." George laughed so hard as he read all the boxes out loud. "Hermione, these are great! Thank you." 

He pulled her leg, so she came crashing down to the ground, half on top of Fred. Fred just grinned and scooted over before the both of them pulled her into their twin hug. She looked over at Charlie, who grinned and mouthed thank you as he pointed at his book 'Romanian for dummies.'

After Fred and George showed the Grangers around their property, going to the lake and the forest, they packed everything up in their car to leave. Bill and Arthur showed them how the Floo network would work, and they agreed it would be easier for Hermione to meet up with her friends. 

Hermione was now waiting for her dad to get back with Mr Weasley as he asked if they could take a drive in the car. She was looking out the window and saw the car reappear on the hill. She grabbed her coat and her mother's and handed it over.

"Thank you again, Mrs Weasley. I had a wonderful time."

"You're always welcome, dear." She smiled and gave her a hug. "Jean, I'll see you in a couple of weeks." Mrs Weasley turned to her mother and hugged her. 

Hermione turned to the young Weasleys. "I'll see you in a few days." She hugged the boys goodbye. "Bill, it was really nice to meet you."

"Yes, it was really nice to meet you too, Hermione."

"Ginny, thank you for letting me sleep in your room."

"I'll miss you." She wrapped her little arms around her. Bill snickered and pulled his little sister off Hermione.

"Ron, Percy." She waved at the boys in the living room before she followed her mother outside.

Mr Weasley was beaming as he exited the car and walked over to the door, wrapping his arm around his wife. The twins and Charlie were looking out the kitchen window. Hermione slid onto the backseat and waved to the Weasleys one last time before her dad drove off. 

This had been the best Christmas she had ever had.

Chapter Text

"Katie!" Hermione yelled as she saw her best friend walking at the train station.

"Hermione!" she called back once she found her. They met midway and hugged tight. "How was your Christmas?"

"Crowded." She chuckled. "I'll tell you on the train."

"Lee and Angelina already found us a compartment." She said, pointing at one of the windows of the train.

"Great." She turned back to her parents. "Mum, Dad, I'll write soon." She hugged them both. "I love you."

"We love you too, sweetheart." Her father whispered. "Now go before the train leaves."

"Bye!" she called over her shoulder as they walked to the train and tried to heave their trunks on.

"Always in the same predicament, aren't you?" Cedric's voice came above her.

"Seems so. And you always seem to be my knight in shining armour."

"I try to." He grinned as he pulled both trunks up the train in one go. "Do you need help to find a compartment?"

"No, Angelina and Lee already have one. Thanks Cedric. Again."

"I'll see you around." He waved and walked in the other direction.

Hermione followed Katie through the train, pulling their trunks behind them. Katie pulled open a compartment door and stuck her head in, Hermione doing the same. Lee and Angelina didn't notice them walk in as they were laughing at something on the platform. Katie let go of her trunk and tiptoed behind them.

"What's so funny?" She asked behind Angelina. Lee and Angelina both jumped back at the sudden intrusion.

"Merlin, Katie!" Angelina said, taking shallow breaths, before pointing outside the window. "Poor Alicia has been stuck talking to Astrix for ten minutes, probably about quidditch tips."

"Poor Alicia."

"Let me help, ladies." Lee grinned as he pulled the trunks one by one up on the rack.

"Thanks," Hermione and Katie said together. Katie dropped down next to Angelina, and Hermione sat down next to Lee.

"It seems Alicia made a break for it." Hermione pointed out the window. 

Alicia had distracted Astrix to a classmate of his before she disappeared on the train, only to emerge at their door a couple of seconds later.

"Hi, all. I really could've used one of the twins' bats right now." She sighed as she sat down next to Katie.

"We saw." The rest grinned.

"Where are the twins, anyway?" Katie asked, looking out the window.

"They always come at the last second." Lee chuckled as he gazed at the clock on the platform. "The train leaves in exactly six minutes, so they'll probably arrive in about four minutes."

"Guess again." Two identical voices came from the door. Everyone turned away from the window and gazed at the smirking twins in the doorway.

"Once in 5 years—"

"A Weasley can arrive on time." George finished, pushing his trunk in the rack above her. Fred did the same on the other side, only with a little more force. "Scoot over, Granger."

Hermione shuffled a bit closer to Lee, so George could take the seat next to her. Fred looked between the two seats, seeing they were full. He considered his options before he flung himself onto his twin, sitting on his lap with his back against the wall. 

Once George stopped shoving him, he made himself comfortable and placed his legs on Hermione's lap. Hermione looked at him with a quirked eyebrow, the redhead's grin already in place. She shook her head as Alicia asked her a question.

"So, Hermione. How was your break?"

"Yeah, you said something about 'crowded'?" Katie asked. The twins snickered, and the group looked at them.

"My parents surprised me with Christmas at the Weasleys. They didn't know either."

"Christmas at the Weasleys? I would've used another word than crowded." Angelina laughed.

"Well, it's not the only word I would use for it." Hermione glanced at the twins before turning back to the others. "How was your break?"

One by one, they talked about their Christmas break. Hermione talked a bit about France before the twins cut her off and told them about their surprise visit. When the twins started playing with some of the prank items, she shoved Fred's legs off her and stood up.

"Oi, where are you going?" Fred asked as he shuffled off his brother's lap and sat down next to him. Hermione had just pulled her book from her backpack and walked to the door.

"I just want a bit of peace and quiet." She said, looking over her shoulder. "I need a break from the famous Weasley racket. I'll be back in an hour, two tops, relax Rusty" She grinned before walking out the door. She heard the others laugh at the nickname she had for Fred.

"Rusty?" Lee choked out between laughs. Hermione just saw Fred's proud grin before the door closed.

After walking through the train for about ten minutes, she found an empty compartment. She took off her shoes and made herself comfortable on the seat, stretching her legs in front of her. She opened her book and started reading, glad to have a moment to herself. 

When she was halfway through the book, the door slid open, showing a certain redhead.

"Hermione?" Charlie asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, hi Charlie. It got a bit crowded with seven in one compartment, including the twins." She said as she placed the book on her lap. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, my rounds. This was my last check-up." He smiled. "Can I join you? I have a book of my own I'd like to read as I couldn't do it at home." He winked as he pulled out the book she had gotten him for Christmas.

"Da, desigur. Yes, of course." She grinned as Charlie walked in. "I may have peaked inside when I bought it."

Charlie took the seat across from her and took the same position, kicking off his shoes and placing his legs stretched out in front of him. He opened his book and started reading.

The compartment was blissfully silent. Only the sounds of the tracks and pages turning filled the compartment. 

"Cedric!" Charlie yelled out of nowhere. Hermione dropped her book in shock as she looked wide-eyed around her, her heart hammering in her chest. Charlie waved at the boy, and he strode in.

"Found yourself a little book club, I see." He smiled, looking between them.

"We just wanted a break." Charlie shrugged, placing his feet on the ground and his book next to him on the seat. "Want to join us for a bit?"

"Why no," he shrugged as Hermione took the same position as Charlie, her book still in her lap. Cedric sat down next to her. "What are you reading?"

"Hermione got me this book, Romanian for dummies. It's a Muggle book." He held out the yellow book. "I had to ask her what kind of book it was."

"Romanian?"

"I'm going to Romania after graduation to work at the dragon reserve."

"That's great, Cha—"

"Something from the trolley, dears?" The trolley lady interrupted, waving her hand over her cart.

"Heya, Mrs Dale." Charlie smiled friendly at the older witch. "I'm good."

"Flavour beans, chocolate frogs." Cedric started excitedly as he jumped up and walked over to the trolley, while he searched his pockets for money. Hermione stood up and walked up next to Cedric, who was still choosing his favourites, looking over at the candy.

"For me, pumpkin pasties and do you have some sugar quills?" Hermione asked expectantly as she looked over to Mrs Dale.

"Uh yes, I think I have some left." The witch said as she moved some boxes underneath her trolley. She came back up smiling, holding a pack of sugar quills. "Here you go, dear."

"Thank you!" She accepted them and looked over her shoulder to Charlie and back to the trolley. "Just some jelly slugs and a couple of acid pops." She said as she started to count her money. Mrs Dale packed everything up in a brown paper bag before handing it over. Cedric had already sat back down in his spot when she walked over. Cedric smiled before tossing each one a chocolate frog.

"Dig in." He smiled and pulled his frog box open. Hermione rummaged in her bag and tossed Charlie the jelly slugs.

"Here, Charlie. I know they're your favourite."

"You two didn't need to get me anything."

"I know. I got some things for the twins and Katie too." She shrugged as she opened her chocolate frog, reading the card that came with it.

"Just eat." Cedric grinned.

They ate, talked and laughed until it started to get dark out. Empty boxes of candy scattered around the room. Hermione and Charlie's book long lay forgotten on the seat next to them.

"I swear! My dad had an imp hidden in his office. It took him over a week before he caught it." Cedric laughed, the others joining. 

No one noticed when the door slid open, and the twins were looking at the trio.

"So... not dead." George said as he crossed his arms over his chest. The three of them snapped their heads to the boys in the doorway. Charlie had a piece of red liquorish wand sticking out of his mouth. Hermione was nibbling on her sugar quill, while Cedric had just popped a pepper flavoured bean in his mouth. His eyes watered as the candy slid down his throat.

"Just here having the time of her life." Fred said, crossing his arms like his brother. "I thought you wanted to read in silence, missy?"

"I did for about an hour or two. Then these two joined."

"I think my brothers don't want to share you, Hermione." Charlie snickered.

"We just feel—"

"Abandoned." They said with a pouting lip, which made Hermione roll her eyes before grabbing the acid pops out of the bag and tossing them to them.

"Happy now?"

"Very!" They grinned as they put the pops in their mouths.

"We should probably go change." Charlie glanced at his watch. "We arrive in about an hour." Charlie said as he picked up the candy wrappers and empty boxes.

"I didn't even notice it getting dark." Cedric said, surprised, looking out the window, before helping Charlie clean up. "Matt and Gavin are probably wondering where I am, was supposed to just go to the restroom."

After the compartment was clean, they walked out. 

The twins wrapped their arms around Hermione's shoulder, leading her back to their compartment.

"See you later, boys!" Hermione smiled over her shoulder, the other two going in the other direction.

"Thanks for the pops, little Granger." Fred grinned, popping the candy out of his mouth.

"I got some for the others too, don't feel too special, Rusty." Hermione smiled between the two lanky boys.

"What do you have for us?" Katie asked as they had reached the compartment.

"Just these." Hermione tossed the bag over to Katie as she walked in. Angelina leaned close as she looked with Katie in the bag.

"Lee, let's let the girls change here. We'll go to the restroom." George beckoned him over as he reached for their robes.

"But..." he said, looking between Fred and Katie. "But I want one." He said, pointing at Angelina, who was already sucking an acid pop with a smile.

"Don't worry, I'll save you one." Hermione chuckled, shaking her head.

"Thanks, Hermione." Lee grinned as he grabbed his robes and almost ran out the door.

"Boys and their candy." Alicia laughed as the door closed behind the boys. Hermione looked at the three girls in front of her, who were all sucking on their acid pops."

"Yeah, just the boys." She smiled at them as she stood on her toes to grab her robes out of her trunk, the other girls doing the same behind her. 

Chapter Text

Hermione and Katie were making their way down the dungeons for their potions class, the fumes already spreading through the halls from the previous class. When they reached the classroom, Professor Snape was nowhere in sight. They took their usual table and placed their bags on the ground. They saw the other students trickle in. Magnus and Leroy sat in front of them, whispering. The Slytherins walked in all smug, like always, knowing they had their favourite teacher in their corner. When everyone was seated, Professor Snape walked in, looking grim, as always.

"Today you will learn how to brew the Wiggenweld Potion. It is a powerful healing potion that can be used to heal injuries or reverse the effects of a Sleeping Draught." He started as he flicked his wand at the board, the ingredients and instructions appeared out of nowhere. "Turn to page 259."

Hermione—alongside the other students—quietly reached into their bag and pulled out their potions book and flipped through the pages. Hermione was just shuffling out of her seat to get the ingredients when the professor spoke up.

"What are you waiting for? Come on, we don't have all day." He gestured tiredly towards the students, who all quickly scrambled out of their seats. 

Hermione sighed as she turned back to the cupboard. She reached it first and took the stuff she and Katie needed for the potion.

"Thanks, Hermione." Katie smiled as Hermione handed over the ingredients. "Let's get started before he comes picking on us again." Katie said, risking a glance over her shoulder to the professor.

Hermione hummed in agreement and started to organise her workspace. About thirty minutes later, when her potion was softly bubbling, she weighed the horklump juice to the right amount, taking notes in her notebook when she suddenly heard Katie hiss.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked worried, turning to the girl, who was holding the palm of her hand tightly in the other. Blood trickled between her fingers.

"Gruzeman bumped into me when he walked by," she said with tears in her eyes. Hermione looked at the table Tobias Gruzeman was working on and saw him and Glenda Lize chuckling at them.

"They are going to regret that." Hermione grumbled before she turned her attention back to Katie. "Let me see."

"No, no, it's fine." Hermione raised an eyebrow at her. Then she sighed and gave up, holding out her hand. Hermione gasped as she saw the open wound, blood trailing down her wrist. "When he bumped into me, I was cutting the mint leaves, and the knife got away from me."

"Professor Snape?" Hermione called over to the professor, who was inspecting the potion of Magnus. He raised an eyebrow, turning to her. "Katie needs to go to the hospital wing. She got a nasty cut after someone bumped into her."

The professor slowly walked over and looked at her hand before looking at their potions. "Since neither of your potions is close to being finished, you can go to Madam Pomfrey. Miss Granger, you can accompany her, but I expect you to come by later today to finish both of your potions."

"Oh, alright. I have a free period after herbology. I'll put these in stasis." Hermione said, already pointing her wand at the cauldrons. She quickly packed both bags and ushered Katie out. They rushed to the hospital wing as the bleeding increased.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione called out when she pushed the doors of the hospital wing open.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" The healer walked over quickly, looking between the girls.

"Katie has a large cut. The bleeding is only getting worse." Hermione said as she looked over at Katie, already turning pale. She wrapped her arm around her waist, afraid she might faint.

"Let's get her seated." The healer said as she ushered them to an empty bed.  Katie lay down as her legs started to tremble. "Okay, let's have a look." 

Madam Pomfrey gently took the piece of cloth—which had already turned completely red from the blood—away. She raised her wand and pointed it at the palm of her hand. Hermione was holding her other. Trying to comfort her. 

The wound was already starting to close, and then the bleeding stopped. Hermione sighed in relief, looking from the healer to Katie, who had a tired smile on her lips. 

"I'll get a replenishing potion for the blood loss. You should stay here until lunch, then when you feel better, you can eat and go to the rest of your classes."

The healer straightened her back and walked off to her office, taking the bloody cloth with her. Hermione squeezed her hand as she looked up at her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better. The pain is gone, but I feel so tired." Katie said with droopy eyes.

"I'll let you sleep. I'll come by before lunchtime, alright?"

"Don't you want me to come help with the potions?"

"No, I think Professor Snape wants me to do it. You just rest."

"Hermione... don't tell the others what happened."

"Why not?" She asked, surprised.

"I don't want them to go after Gruzeman."

"Believe me, Katie, he's going to be sorry. I don't need the twins' help for that."

"Be careful, alright." Katie said, reaching out for her hand. Hermione gave her a soft smile as she squeezed her hand before heading to the door. 

Madam Pomfrey was just making her way back with the replenishing potion for Katie. Just before she closed the door behind her, she saw Katie drinking it and she almost immediately fell asleep.

After herbology, she made her way back down to the dungeons, where the next class was already filing in. She stood behind the taller boys and girls as she waited to get in.

"Little Granger? What are you doing here?" A voice came from behind her. She turned, and the group of second years looked at her confused.

"Oh, I-"

"Get in!" Professor Snape called over impatiently.

"I'll tell you guys later." She whispered before walking into the classroom. 

The table that Hermione and Katie had been working on looked exactly as she had left it. She dropped her bag on Katie's seat and rummaged in it before pulling out her potions book.

Angelina and Alicia had the table behind her, while Fred and George had the one all the stood in the back, away from prying eyes. Lee was standing next to a student she didn't recognise. She ignored the questioning looks and turned back to her two cauldrons that were still on stasis. She looked up as Professor Snape started to talk to the second-year class.

"Today you'll be making the fire protection potions, also known as—"

"The ice potion." Hermione said a bit louder than intended. The people closest to her look at her wide-eyed. Professor Snape scowled as he walked closer.

"If you know so much, Miss Granger, can you tell me what ingredients we need?" He practically snarled.

Hermione gathered all her courage and looked him straight in the eyes. Then she started listing them all one by one. "Twenty-five grams of bursting mushrooms, two ounces of salamander blood, ten grams of Wartcap powder, thirty grams of powdered griffin claw, five grams of chopped dragon liver and thirty grams of ginger."

Professor Snape looked at her with the same expression before he turned to the class. "You heard her, get started!" He turned back to her when the others started collecting their ingredients. "I want this finished before the end of the class."

Hermione watched as the professor turned and walked back to his desk, flicking his wand so the instructions covered the board. Looking back at the two cauldrons and she put them off stasis, and she started to work on them. 

Hermione finished hers first as she got further than Katie due to the accident. Bottling her potion, she placed it on the table and turned to Katie's cauldron. She added the last ingredients and stirred the potion counterclockwise six times before she put a cooling spell on it and bottled it like hers, putting Katie's name on it. She cleaned up her table and looked over at Angelina and Alicia.

"What did you do?" Angelina whispered.

"Nothing." She whispered back. "I'll tell you later, before I do get in trouble." She turned back and walked over to Professor Snape, two bottles in hand. She placed them in front of her, which made him look up from the essay he was grading. "I finished, Professor."

"Did you get help from the older students?" He asked as he inspected the potions.

"I worked on it myself, like I always do." She said through gritted teeth. The professor held her gaze as she spoke, trying to see if she was lying.

"Do you have another class?"

"Right now?" Hermione was slightly surprised at the sudden change. "No, I don't have any classes until the afternoon."

"If you want, you can participate in this class for extra credit." He grumbled, looking back down at the essays.

After the initial shock wore off, she said. "I would love to."

"I have a second-year potions book in that cupboard—"

"I—I already have one, sir. It's in my bag." She said nervously.

"You do?" Hermione nodded at the professor, who couldn't mask the surprise completely. "Alright. You should get started, or you won't have time to finish."

Hermione quickly turned to the cupboard with the ingredients and pulled out everything she needed. She sat back down at her table and ignored the surprised looks of the other students and started working on the fire protection potion. 

She worked quickly, and quietly as she saw that the others were way ahead of her. Occasionally she heard the twins laugh softly at something in the back. She just huffed to herself as she tried to ignore them. 

The two girls behind her didn't ask or interrupt her, but she felt it when they were looking at her back, trying to uncover why she was there in the first place.

"Five more minutes." The professor called up. Most of the class was already done with their potions and were talking to each other, making the classroom loud as their voices and laughter echoed against the walls. She pulled out her earplugs from home and stuffed them in her ears so she could focus.

After stirring for the last time, she sighed and dropped down into her seat, hot and exhausted. She pulled out her earplugs and looked up to the professor, who was standing in front of her table. 

Angelina and the others were already packed and stood at the door, watching. Professor Snape waved his wand, and the group stumbled out, the door closing in front of them. 

Hermione took a quick glance around the room, seeing it empty, before she turned back to the professor and stood up. He ignored her as he looked at the potion, pointing his wand at it. A purple glow came from the potion for a second before it disappeared again. He bottled her potion and put her name on it.

"The second years must write an essay about the use and side-effects of the potion. If you want—"

"I'll do it, Professor." She said eagerly, even interrupting the mean professor.

The professor hummed as he took her in with a calculating expression. "You did well, Miss Granger, for a Muggleborn. Maybe Professor McGonagall was right." He said, his eyes flicking towards the potions on one of the cupboards. "I'll examine your potions later and see you in class Friday. Now clean up." He said grimly and walked back to his desk, potion bottle in hand.

Hermione quickly cleaned up her table and packed her bag before heading out of the damp classroom. As she expected, the whole group was leaning against the door, trying to eavesdrop.

"Hear something interesting?" She asked as the group stumbled forward when she opened the door.

"No, I think he put a silencing charm around the room." George grumbled as he straightened his back. "So, what were you doing here?"

Hermione explained what happened during the potion class, what happened to Katie. It was out before she could stop herself. And as she and Katie expected, the twins were already forming a plan to get back at Gruzeman.

"No, boys! Let me handle it. I just need some of your fireworks." She said, looking at the twins. "I have transfiguration in the afternoon. And I don't think Professor McGonagall will appreciate it if someone sets off fireworks in her class."

"Brilliant! Here—" George pulled out a small tube.

"You carry around fireworks?" The girls all asked, surprised.

"Of course." The twins called out.

"You never know—"

"When you might need one or two," George finished, both grinning.

"You don't want to know what else is in their pockets." Lee laughed as they walked up the stairs.

Hermione carefully pocketed the fireworks as they reached the hospital wing to pick up Katie, who looked ready to go the moment they walked in. They grinned as Hermione and Alicia wrapped an arm around her, leading her out the doors and towards the Great Hall. During lunch, Hermione told her what happened with Snape and explained her plan to Katie.

Both grinned as they walked in five minutes early for transfiguration. While Hermione distracted Professor McGonagall, Katie planted the fireworks, right under Gruzeman's table. She quickly sat down when other students started to walk into the classroom.

Twenty minutes into class, Hermione discreetly waved her wand at Gruzeman's table. A puff of smoke formed before the fireworks exploded in the air above Gruzeman and Glenda. Professor McGonagall looked shocked at the fireworks before waving her wand at them, making them disappear. She walked closer to the two stunned Slytherins.

"Who did that?" McGonagall's face set in stone.

"It wasn't me." Glenda said quickly.

"Me neither, professor. I didn't—"

"Think it would explode in my classroom?" She asked, looking at the two of them. "I won't have such things in my class! Both of you, detention for a week. Meet me at 8 tonight in front of the Great Hall."

"But, professor..."

"Want to make it two weeks, Glenda?" Her gaze fell on the girl.

"No, professor." She answered quietly, looking down. 

The professor turned her back to the two Slytherins and addressed the class again, informing them of the wand movement. Hermione and Katie both had the bite the inside of their cheeks to keep them from laughing.

That Friday she got her grades from Snape back, two O's. One for her potion and one for her essay. She followed her first-year class assignments, but when she finished early, she took her second-year book and started studying, not only for potions but for all of her classes. 

Chapter Text

The months ticked by, and before Hermione knew it, it was March. Hermione had her fourth flying lesson with George that evening. In her second lesson, George had let her steer as they flew close to the ground. He didn't need to intervene once. On the third lesson, she flew by herself, just a few feet above the ground, but alone. 

Today she would fly higher, she told herself as she walked back from the library that evening. She was clutching her books as she walked through the empty corridors. 

When she almost reached the grand staircase, she heard a few voices coming from behind a corner. Then suddenly she was standing in front of two big third-year Slytherins, who grinned wickedly at her, as they figured out who was standing in front of them. As if she mouse and they were hawks. Prey and predator.

"Oh, it's the little mudblood." One of them spat at her.

"I told you the know-it-all mudblood didn't have any friends. Would she be all alone if she had any?" The other cackled. "Those twins just feel sorry for her. Why else would they hang around buckteeth over here?" He nudged his mate. "Maybe we should show her some Slytherin hospitality, Broze?"

The boy named Broze grinned creepy, before lunging out at her. Hermione sidestepped him quickly, holding her books tight as she ran for it. Her footsteps were loud in the empty, silent corridors. She wasn't sure if they were following, so she kept running and running, not stopping until she bumped into someone. 

"Oomph." The person gasped as she nearly knocked him over. Hermione fell on her bottom. "Hi, little Granger." Fred smiled down at her, but it quickly faltered as he saw her crying. He pulled her up. "What happened?" He placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Nothing." She said, looking at the ground before pushing Fred away, and ran past him.

"Hermione?!" Fred called after her.

"George!" Fred called to his twin as he climbed through the portrait. George looked up from the parchment he and Lee were looking over and found his doppelgänger quickly. Fred nudged his head toward the staircase, and they made their way up together.

"What happened? Aren't you supposed to go flying with Hermione?" George asked as they reached their dormitory.

"Yes, I was on my way and suddenly Hermione bumped into me, crying. She said nothing had happened, and then she ran off. I looked for her, but couldn't find her. I need the map."

George looked at him for a moment before diving into his trunk. "What do you think happened?" He asked, his head still in the trunk, tossing prank items behind him.

"Don't know, but it didn't seem like nothing."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, you have detention, remember?"

"How can I forget? Last time, Snape made me clean out bedpans." George shuddered as he pulled out the map. "Got it!"

"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good." Fred pointed his wand at the parchment the moment he grabbed it out of George's hand. 

Fred sat down on the bed and unfolded the map, spreading in out on his covers. George sat across from him as their eyes searched the parchment for one Hermione Granger. After a few minutes, George called out, pointing to the right corner of the parchment.

"There! She's in the Muggle Studies classroom."

"Great! I'll go get her. You better get going before Snape gives you double detention."

"Right. Mischief managed." George said, pointing his wand at the map. Fred folded it back up and stuffed it in his back pocket. They both jumped off the bed and hurried down the stairs.

As they crossed the common room, Lee looked up for a moment, waved at them, then continued working on his essay.

"I'll see you later, George," Fred said before they parted ways. Fred checked the map again, looking to see if she was still in the same spot, before heading down the secret passageway.

When he reached the Muggle Studies classroom, the door was closed. He leaned his ear against it, hearing nothing before he softly pushed the door open.

"Hermione?" he asked in the room. It was dark in the classroom—no lights were flicked on. No light coming from the windows.

A soft chuckle was heard emanating from behind the professor's desk. "I can only assume that you were extremely concerned when you referred to me as Hermione."

Fred grinned as he walked closer and leaned over the desk, looking down at Hermione, who was watching little blue flames dance around in a glass jar. 

"I'm just worried you'll be missing my brilliant teaching skills." Teasing her, he walked around the desk and lowered himself down next to her.

"Teaching skills?"

"Yeah, flying."

"I was supposed to meet George." Hermione pointed out.

"That's going to be hard, since he has detention with Snape right about now." Fred chuckled. "That's why you bumped into me earlier. I was on my way to get you."

"Oh," she said quietly, looking back at the flames.

"What are those?" Fred asked, nudging his chin to the jar before them.

"Just something I keep myself busy with. They give off light and warmth." She took the jar in her hands, holding it up. "I can transport them in a glass jar without them going out."

"That's brilliant." Fred said as she handed over the jar. He watched the flames closely. He didn't look away from the flames when he asked. "So, want to tell me what happened?"

"I—it was just some Slytherins." Hermione shrugged, looking at the ground. Fred placed the blue flames back down and turned his head to her.

"What did they say? What did they do?"

"The usual. Calling me a know-it-all mudblood and buckteeth. They say I don't have any friends and—and that you and George only talk to me because you feel sorry for me."

"You know that's not true, right?" Fred asked seriously. Hermione just shrugged in response. Fred nudged her with his shoulder, making her look up. "I'm serious. You are our friend, little Granger. It may look like an odd pairing, but it works. Oi!" He suddenly cried out. "What do you mean by 'the usual'?

"Well, the Slytherins tease me, bully me whenever they get a chance."

"Katie mentioned it at the beginning of the school year, but I thought it stopped. I haven't seen or heard of anyone doing that to you."

"Because they never do it when you, George or the others are around. Mostly when they find me alone or in class with Katie. I think they are afraid of you two."

"Well, we do have quite a reputation. But why didn't you tell us?"

Hermione shrugged again as she looked back at her flames. "How did you find me, anyway?" She asked, changing the subject.

"In the spirit of cheering you up." He said as he pulled something from behind him, holding out a blank parchment. Hermione arched an eyebrow as she looked from the parchment to Fred. Fred smirked before pointing his wand at the piece of paper. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good."

Hermione's eyes went wide when she saw a map forming on the parchment, names filling the page in certain parts of the castle.

"What is this?" She said in awe.

"This is the Marauder's Map. It's a map of Hogwarts, and you can see every person on it and where they are now. See here, because it's getting late, the common room is now full of students. Here are Professor McGonagall and Sprout." He pointed to the left-bottom corner. "And we are here."

"How did you get it?" Her eyes went over every available inch.

"Nicked it from Filch's office last year. Took us ages to find out what it did and to let us see what's on it. Just managed it right before summer break."

Hermione started to snicker as she looked over at the parchment.

"What is it?" he asked, leaning forward to look at the map. Hermione grinned as she pointed to a cupboard on the fourth floor. "Oh, Charlie and Veronica. They're still going at it then." He said, laughing.

"Do you still want to do your flying lesson?" He suddenly asked. "I know I'm no George, but-"

"Yes, I'm feeling better now, thanks to you. So, I think I can endure a flying lesson with you." She grinned as she folded up the parchment and handed it over.

"Brilliant!" he said, standing up, holding out his hand to help her up, which she took. "Ah, and if you're done, just say: mischief managed." He said it while tapping the paper. The map disappeared within seconds. Like the ink was sucked out of the parchment.

"How are we planning on flying without brooms?" Hermione asked as they walked out of the classroom.

"That would be hard indeed. Accio brooms!" He called out as he walked further.

A flabbergasted Hermione followed him quickly, nervously looking around. When they rounded the corner, Fred stopped as he heard the whizzing of the brooms come closer. He winked at Hermione before holding out his hands. Two brooms slowed down when they neared and carefully flew into Fred's hands. Fred smiled before handing one over to her.

"Thanks." She snickered as they walked out into the cold air. "There is something I don't get, though."

"There is something Hermione Granger doesn't know!?" Fred gasped. "Pray tell, what don't you get?"

"Even though you and George have the map, you still get caught by the professors doing Merlin knows what!" She grinned teasingly.

"Oh, you'll pay for that, little Granger." Fred laughed as he lunged after her. Hermione ran away onto the grounds, Fred hot on her heels.

"Ready?" Fred asked as they both mounted their own brooms.

"Yes," she answered, nodding her head.

"Three, two, one." And they simultaneously rose from the ground. 

Fred took the lead and flew a bit higher than her and let her catch up. They did it like that until they were about 5 meters in the air. 

"Don't look down, look at me," Fred instructed as Hermione tensed up as she glanced down. She looked back up and locked her eyes with him. "Just look at me, follow my movements."

She did as she was told, following Fred around in the air as they flew above the ground. Fred zigzagged a bit, and Hermione nervously followed every move. After about fifteen minutes of flying and zigzagging in the air, Fred stopped next to her.

"Georgie taught you well." He grinned, hovering next to her.

"Georgie had a lot of patience with me." She admitted. Fred wrapped his hand around her arm suddenly, making her look at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't freak out, alright." She nodded, heart in her throat. "Look down."

Hermione looked down and sucked in a breath. She didn't notice they had climbed higher as they zigzagged through the air. And because Hermione had her eyes fixed on Fred, she didn't notice the trees getting smaller, that they were now hovering only a few feet away from the Gryffindor tower.

"You're a great flyer if you don't focus on the height."

"T—thanks." She choked out. Fred suddenly grinned mischievously at her.

"Want to give Katie and Lee a fright?" He said, pointing at the window of the tower. Hermione flew closer to Fred and looked through the window.

"I don't know." She said unsurely, biting her lip.

"We're already up here, may as well have a good laugh."

Hermione shook off the nerves. "Alright. What's the plan?"

Fred sat up straight on his broom, releasing the handle as he searched for his wand in his jumper. When he found it, he pointed it at the window, whispering something. 

Hermione looked at the duo near the window and saw Lee's papers suddenly flying around. Lee and Katie looked shocked at the papers around them as Lee searched for the culprit around the common room. When he didn't find anyone, he grabbed the papers and sorted them neatly back onto a stack. 

Hermione and Fred laughed as they watched through the window. Hermione let one hand go off the handle and reached for her own wand, pointing it at Katie's papers. 

Fred had to squint to see what was happening more clearly. On Katie's paper, words appeared out of nowhere. I SEE YOU. Katie frowned at the newly appeared text before glancing over the common room, just like Lee had done a few seconds ago.

"I see you?" Fred asked.

"It's from a movie." She flicked her wand again, and the words disappeared before Katie could show Lee. 

Katie shook her head as she glanced down at the paper. 'I spy with my little eye.' appeared next. Katie suddenly shook Lee's arm and pointed at the sentence before it disappeared again. The both of them jumped up and glanced around the room.

"I'm betting they are searching for me or George." Fred laughed. "I spy with my little eye, a jokester in training." He grinned at her.

"No, no. No, you don't." She shook her head. "Come on, big finish." She directed his attention back to their friends. "Let's fly closer, heads almost pressed against the window, I'll write. 'Look outside'."

"You're already at stage 3 of jokester in training, well done, Miss Granger." Fred snickered as they flew closer. 

Hermione pointed her wand at the papers again and wrote 'Look outside' on Katie's and Lee's parchments, appearing at the same time. Fred and Hermione flew as close as they could get before the pair looked wide-eyed at each other and then slowly turned to the window. 

The both of them shrieked as they saw their heads almost flat against the glass, falling off their chairs in fright. Fred and Hermione were leaning against each other as they laughed. 

Angelina and Alicia got up from the sofas when they heard the commotion. When they looked from their friends at the ground to the window they were pointing at. Their eyebrows raised before they started laughing. Angelina walked closer and opened the window.

"Good evening to you, milady." Fred bowed his head.

"Flying lessons are going well then?" Angelina said between laughs.

"It's going great!" Fred grinned, placing his arm around Hermione's shoulder. "As long as she isn't focused on the ground."

"You two better get in before curfew. Filch is on a warpath after your latest escapade, and he's not going to let up until he's caught you." Alicia said, standing next to her best friend.

"Is it that late already?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Yeah, you two and George have been gone for a while now."

"George's not back yet?"

"Snape likes to keep us as long as possible." Fred grunted.

"Because he loves you so much?" Hermione teased, shoving his shoulder. "Come on, let's get down."

"See you in ten, girls. Bye Lee, Katie." Fred grinned as the pair recovered from their shock, took their seats again and stuck out their tongues at him.

Chapter Text

"Oi! You two!" Lee called the second they walked through the common room.

"What's wrong?" Fred asked innocently.

"What's wrong? You two bloody gave me a heart attack!" Lee said, walking over, jabbing his chest forcefully.

"You should have gotten used to it by now." Fred grinned, sidestepping him, and flopped down on the sofa.

"Suppose you're right, but I think it was more of a shock seeing Hermione up there with you." Lee chuckled, sitting down next to him. Angelina and Katie were sitting on the ground with their backs to the fireplace, Alicia nowhere in sight.

"Thanks," Hermione said, rolling her eyes as she snuggled down on the armchair, her feet tucked underneath her. "Where is Alicia? It's past curfew."

"Oh, just upstairs. She had a disagreement with her sister." Angelina shrugged. "About something stupid really."

"Marcy saw her laughing at your antics. And she started going on about how she should be more responsible and not hang out with the twins if she ever wants to become a prefect," Lee said.

Hermione looked between them, frowning. "I didn't know Alicia wanted to be a prefect."

"She doesn't." The others said simultaneously.

"Her sister doesn't get why she would choose Quidditch over responsibilities."

"Talking about Marcy, are you?" George asked, appearing from the portrait hole.

"Yeah," Angelina said, looking at the girls' staircase, before she turned her head back to George, grinning. "Fred and Hermione pulled one on Katie and Lee."

"What?" George asked excitedly as he flopped down next to Fred. "Tell me everything!"

They all took turns filling George in on what had happened. Fred started with his flying lesson, which he described as very successful, and how they flew up to the tower. Lee told them he thought the twins were behind it, calling their names through the common room after his papers started flying. 

When George's laugh died down, he told them he had to restock and organise Snape's cupboard with the ingredients while Snape watched him carefully, sitting on a chair right behind him, commentating on everything he did.

Exams were getting closer, and Hermione had spent a lot of time in the library for the past few weeks. When she entered the library, it was full of students who finally had decided to start studying. 

She huffed as she shifted her heavy bag on her shoulder. She walked into the library looking for an empty table. Not spotting one, she walked a bit further to the back behind a couple of shelves. Sighing as she saw that everywhere was full, she started heading back to the doors.

"Psst... Hermione." A voice came from behind her. She turned and frowned as she didn't see who it belonged to. Just when she was about to turn and walk away, a head with wavy brown hair appeared from behind a bookcase. "I have some room, if you want." He whispered.

Hermione smiled wide as she walked closer. Seeing a small table with two chairs, hidden deep in the library, with only Cedric seated on it. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, sit down." He grinned as he shifted some of his books to the ground.

"Thank you. It looks like everyone just got the memo that exams are getting close." Hermione chuckled as she sat down, dropping her bag on the floor.

"I know, right? It started filling up earlier this week, but this is just nuts."

"So, you've been here for the past few weeks? I haven't seen you."

"Yeah, I mean I come here a few times a week since I started school, but I always sit here. It's my secret hideout."

"Well, thank you for sharing." She smiled before taking out her books and a sugar quill.

"Anytime." He answered, looking at her for a moment as she studied before bringing his attention back to his book.

They studied together in silence. Each had their own heap of study material to go through. They met up at Cedric's little hideout to study a couple of times a week, when she wasn't studying with the others.

Hermione walked into the Great Hall with Cedric after another study session and parted ways, both going to their own tables. Hermione sat down between Katie and Alicia.

"Did you just come in with Cedric Diggory?" Alicia asked.

"Yeah, we've been studying together." She said as she started loading up her plate.

"Where?"

"What do you mean, where? In the library." Hermione chuckled at Alicia's question. Alicia looked over her head to Katie, frowning.

"Hermione, we were in the library. We didn't see either of you." Katie said.

"Oh, that's because—just like the twins—Cedric has a secret hideout."

"What?" the twins called out. "We don't have a secret hideout."

"Oh, no?" Hermione challenged. "You have secret passageways and get into the kitchen, and you want me to believe you don't have a secret hideout? Maybe found out about it from Padfoot or Moony?"

The twins grinned at the younger witch, knowing well enough what she was talking about. The others looked confused between the three of them, not following. Before one of them could ask any further, Charlie walked up.

"Hermione?" he asked as he stopped in front of her, next to the twins. "Professor McGonagall wants to speak with you."

"Now?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"I don't think so." Charlie searched his pocket and pulled out a letter before sitting down next to George. "She asked me to give you this and to tell you not to worry. It's nothing bad," Charlie grinned.

"Oh, okay." Hermione said as she opened the letter, with trembling hands. "She wants to speak with me after dinner in her office."

"It will be fine, Hermione." Katie said reassuringly, putting her hand on her shoulder. "If it were something bad, she would've said something this morning after class."

"You're right, thanks, Katie. So, Charlie, how's studying going for your NEWTs?"

"Brutal." He groaned, filling his plate to the brim. "Can't wait until it is all over."

"For you! We still have five years to go," Fred said dramatically.

"I'm going to miss you, Charlie. Are you really leaving me alone with those two?" Hermione sighed, pointing at the twins.

"I'm sorry, Hermione." Charlie chuckled as the twins clutched their hearts in mock hurt. "But you have Katie and Angelina and Alicia."

"And me." Lee spoke up, next to Fred.

"You're almost as bad as them," Hermione said and received a pea at her head, which Lee flicked at her. "You've just proven my point."

When dessert arrived, she left the others to enjoy it as she made her way to Professor McGonagall's office. The hallway was quiet as everyone was still in the great hall. When she reached the office, the door stood wide open. She looked inside and saw the professor at her desk, writing.

"Come in, Miss Granger, please sit," Professor McGonagall said, without looking up. Hermione walked in, nervously pulling her sleeves. When Hermione sat down, the professor looked up from her papers with a small smile. "You don't need to worry, Miss Granger. I just wanted to check up on you."

"Oh, check up on me?"

"Yes, I know you've been doing very well in all of your classes, but how is studying going?"

"Good. I have been preparing for weeks. Katie and the others study with me most of the time, Cedric too."

"Diggory? From Hufflepuff?" Hermione nodded. "He's an excellent student, one of the top students in his year. He is a good option to help you." She mused as she looked at her papers.

"Help me, Professor?"

"Hmm. The Diggorys' moved last year, yes? Not far from you?"

"Uhm, yes."

"And the Weasleys put a Floo connection at your house?" She asked as she scribbled things down on her paper.

"Yes, Professor, but what—"

"Well, Miss Granger. All the teachers—yes, that includes Professor Snape—informed me you've been working on second-year assignments when you finish early."

"Yes, but they won't ask that on the exams, right? Because I haven't been—"

"No, no, nothing like that," McGonagall said, looking up with a reassuring smile. "If your grades come back positive—which I'm sure they will—we have, if you want, put together a summer package with some second, a bit of third-year schoolwork. Some essays, potions, things you can do without using magic of course. Just so we can see where your abilities lie, your strengths. I want you to get the most out of your education here. We don't want you to get bored like at your Muggle school now, do we?" 

"I would love that. I already have some of the second-year books, been borrowing the others from Angelina and Alicia."

"That's what I thought." The professor smiled. "I'll put together everything you need, including the list for next year's books."

"That's great, Professor!" Hermione said excitedly, smiling widely.

"I also heard you started flying class again."

"Yes, George and Fred taught me. I guess they felt guilty about what happened. But George is a really great teacher."

"Really? The Weasley twins?" Professor McGonagall asked, surprised. "What about Fred?"

"Just had my first lesson with Fred recently because George had detention, but it went great. As long as I don't look down, it's okay."

"I might have an idea for that. Your fear is of falling, right? Not heights?"

"Yes."

"I have a book with spells that healers and referees use during Quidditch if something happens, like falling from a broom. I will send it over to your dormitory later. If the Weasley boys keep practising with you, it might be wise to learn them, you and the boys. I know they are great flyers, but if they are too far away, a spell might come in handy. And Hermione... trust yourself, trust your instincts."

"Thank you, Professor. For everything."

"No problem, Miss Granger. Now hurry along to your friends. They are probably waiting to hear what this was all about." The professor chuckled lightly as she stood up, Hermione following her example. 

Hermione smiled wide as she left the office and hurried up the staircase. When she reached the fourth floor, she bumped into a boy with dreadlocks.

"Lee?" Hermione asked as she stumbled back. The boy turned, looking like it's Boxing Day. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back up. "Where did you come from? Isn't everyone in the common room?"

"Yeah, probably." He said, still with a smile on his face.

"Now I'm curious. What makes you grin like a fool?"

"OJ called a meeting at the Quidditch pitch. He's stepping down as commentator and is looking for a replacement."

"Wow, and you offered right?" She asked, grinning.

"What do you think? But I wasn't the only one. So, he's having auditions."

"That's fair. Why is he stepping down?"

"Something about focusing on school, on focusing on what he wants to do after." Lee shrugged.

"How and when is the audition taking place?"

"You'll come cheer for me, Granger?" Lee chuckled.

"Of course I will." She said seriously, looking up at him. He looked surprised at her statement.

"Really?"

"Yes, I support all of my friends. I did cheer the twins and the girls on too, you know, and next year I'll cheer on Katie as she tries out for the team."

"Acromantula," he said as they reached the portrait. "OJ is looking for a few Quidditch players to play a friendly match, since the season is over. I said I would ask—" He said, climbing through the portrait hole, looking around the common room. "Oh, there is the lot. Come on." They went over to the others. "I'm sorry I forgot to ask. How did it go with Professor McGonagall?" Lee asked as they walked over to the fireplace.

"Did Miss Granger get detention?" George chuckled as they flopped down on the ground, in front of the fire. Hermione glared at him before sticking out her tongue.

"No! Besides, Lee has something to say and ask of you."

Chapter Text

Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw Lee falling behind the rest of the group as they walked to the pitch for the auditions. Alicia and Angelina had their Quidditch robes on and brooms over their shoulder, just like the twins, Charlie and Oliver. Astrix didn't want to join the friendly match, so Katie had been asked to step in, much to the delight of her best friend.

Hermione slowed her pace until she reached Lee in the back of the group. "Nervous?"

Lee looked up from the ground to the others in front of them. The Quidditch players all talked excitedly with each other as they walked the grounds. "Yeah. I thought with Fred, George and the girls coming to play, I would be less nervous, but they will all be listening."

"No, they won't. You know how they get with Quidditch. They won't think of anything else." Hermione chuckled. "Hey." She gently pulled on his sleeve, making him look at her. "How long have you wanted this?"

"Since I saw my first Quidditch match, I was about 6 years old, so half my life." He chuckled nervously.

"And how long have you been practising?"

"About the same."

"Then you will do great. And I'll be there right beside you." Hermione said, smiling up at him. Lee wrapped an arm around her shoulder, giving her a side hug.

"Thanks, Hermione."

Hermione started to laugh when they reached the pitch, still tucked under his arm.

"What?" Lee asked, surprised, looking down.

"I just have a picture in my head. Of you, in front of a mirror, holding a toothbrush, commenting on an imaginary match."

"That's where you're wrong, little Granger," Fred said as the twins enclosed them.

"It was his mother's hairbrush," George added, both grinning.

"You're all wrong. It was a handmade microphone." Lee grinned, dropping his arm from Hermione's shoulder as they walked up to the others. 

Hermione looked around the field and saw the Hufflepuff team already standing there, fully dressed, with their brooms in hand. About five others were auditioning too, with only a few spectators.

"Ah, everyone is here," OJ called as he saw them arrive. "Since this is just a friendly match to see who the new commentator will be next year, there will be no referee, so play nice, everyone." OJ looked at the players before turning to the others. "For you who are auditioning today, each one of you gets 10 minutes, so give it your best. Let's get up to the stands." He waved them over.

"Good luck, mate." The twins clapped his back before walking to the Hufflepuffs'. Angelina, Katie and Alicia came over to wish him luck. Hermione gave her best friend a hug, whispering good luck to her before the girls followed the twins.

"You'll do great, Lee." Charlie smiled, Oliver already heading to the others.

"Thanks. Hermione, are you going to come up?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Yeah, just for moral support."

"Then of course I'll come up with you." She smiled as they followed OJ and the others to the stand. Suddenly a familiar boy with wavy brown hair walked up next to her. "Hi Cedric. Are you auditioning too?"

"Hi, Hermione, Lee. No, I want to try out for the Quidditch team next year, so I've come to watch the game."

"Katie is going to try out next year too. She's filling in for Astrix today. She's trying out for chaser, what about you?"

"Seeker." The boy grinned. "Marvin is graduating this year, so I'm going to try my luck."

"You'll do great, I think." She grinned. "I've never actually seen you fly or play, so maybe I'm wrong."

"Oh, you're teasing now? Must've gotten that from the twins." Cedric laughed.

"Yeah, that silent little bookworm is long gone, my friend." Lee laughed. Hermione chuckled at the two boys as they reached the stands. She looked over at the pitch and saw the players already soaring through the air.

"Who wants to go first?" OJ asked, looking at the candidates. Hermione glanced around. One first-year from Ravenclaw was nervously pulling his sleeve. Next to her, a broad sixth-year Slytherin, who was sticking up his nose at everyone. Two girls from Hufflepuff, looking with lovesick eyes at OJ, then another Gryffindor from 4th year, maybe? And then, of course, Lee. Hermione gave him a gentle nudge to make him volunteer. Lee puffed his chest and stepped forward when the others didn't.

"I knew you wouldn't mind going first, Lee." OJ smiled broadly and clapped Lee on the shoulder before leading him to the commentary station.

"Good luck!" Hermione called over, at the same time as Cedric. Lee smiled a bit nervously before glancing back to OJ. Hermione and Cedric took the front seats as they looked over at the players that had already assembled. Cedric leaned closer after his eyes looked at the others behind them.

"That guy from Slytherin can't even create a full sentence, so he won't be a problem. The two girls from my house, Louisa and Emma, just have a huge crush on OJ, so that's going to be funny." He chuckled slightly. Hermione joining in. "The first year from Ravenclaw is too nervous, poor thing. That leaves the fourth year from your house."

"Michael. I don't know him, but Lee is nervous about him." Hermione said as she looked over her shoulder to the boy in question, who had his gaze fixed on the players.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" Lee called through the microphone. His voice carried long past the empty pitch. "Welcome to our first friendly match, Gryffindor against Hufflepuff." Lee started confidently as he named the players of both teams. "Let the match begin!"

The players stood there hovering, waiting for the usual sound of a whistle. Hermione rolled her eyes as she stood up. She put two fingers in her mouth and blew, letting out a high-pitched whistle sound. When it reached the players, they started flying. Lee started calling all the passes and manoeuvres, not missing a single thing. The ten minutes were over before anyone knew it, and OJ called the first-year Ravenclaw to his side as they switched places with Lee. Lee came over and sat down, grinning, next to Hermione.

"You did great!" Hermione yelled excitedly, giving him a hug.

"Thanks, Granger." He smiled, patting her bag. "Nice going with the whistle."

"Ha, yeah, thanks. They looked a bit lost." Hermione chuckled.

She glanced over at the first year, who was stumbling over his words. OJ patted the boy's shoulder and guided him away after only a few minutes.

"He's just too nervous. He knew all the plays but—" Lee said as his eyes followed the boy.

"Maybe when he's older," Cedric said as he too looked over at the boy. "Oh, it's that git from Slytherin."

Lee watched in silence as the others tried their hand at commentary. The bloke from Slytherin never finished his sentences, and bystanders always had to look twice at the players to know what had happened. The two Hufflepuffs giggled every time they glanced at OJ and even commentated on how good he looked instead of the game. 

Hermione and Cedric looked over at each other, grinning. Last came Michael from Gryffindor. H did great, said all the right things, but one thing was different than with Lee.

"Shit! I hoped he would choke or something." Lee grumbled, his head falling in his hands.

"Lee," Hermione said, placing a hand on his upper arm. "Yes, Michael did great, but there is one big difference."

"What?" Lee asked, lifting his head a bit so he could look sideways at her.

"Enthusiasm. Michael said everything really monotone, you were very excited and fun to listen to."

"I hope OJ sees it that way."

"He's mad if he doesn't." Hermione said reassuringly.

"I'm with Hermione on this one, mate." Cedric agreed. "If OJ—"

"Thanks for playing, guys." OJ called through the microphone. "You can continue this match, but I'm going to announce the new commentator."

Hermione saw a blur of yellow and red flying down to the stands, all the players sitting down on the stands with them to find out who would be chosen.

"Alright then." OJ said stepping away from the microphone. "It was a close call." He started.

Hermione felt Lee's knee nervously bouncing up and down. She reached over and grabbed his hand in hers. Lee looked at her in surprise. She gave him a reassuring squeeze and smiled. Lee smiled in gratitude before looking back at OJ. 

"But the one who will be taking over is ... Lee Jordan!"

The whole Gryffindor team jumped up, and the twins started chanting. Hermione and Lee jumped up at the same time and hugged each other.

"Told you." She whispered in his ear before pulling back.

"You did." He grinned. "Oi!" he called over to the singing twins. "You know what this means, right?"

"Yes, we do." They called in unison, already climbing their brooms.

Hermione turned back to Lee, laughing. "I'm guessing they are going to raid the kitchens?"

Lee squinted and tapped the side of his nose, grinning. Hermione chuckled and turned to Cedric when OJ came over to Lee.

"This was fun. But I better get back to studying."

"Maybe I'll see you later." Hermione said as they started to descend the stairs. "There will a party later in the common room, so if it's too crowded..."

"Then you're always welcome at my table."

It was an hour after dinner, and the party in the common room was already in full swing. Hermione was sipping her pumpkin juice as she glanced around the loud, full room. Fred and George had just hoisted Lee up from a chair and were chanting loudly. 

Katie was talking excitedly about the match to anyone who would listen. Suddenly she was pulled from her chair by Angelina, who dragged her across the room to Alicia and started dancing. Hermione looked wide-eyed at the dancing girls, not sure what to do.

"Come on, Hermione. Dance with us!" Alicia called over the music, swaying her arms over her head.

"I can't dance."

"Sure you can. You can't be worse than Oliver." Angelina laughed as she pointed to the keeper. Hermione turned as saw Oliver dancing like a robot, still holding his glass of fire whiskey. "That boy shouldn't be drinking."

Hermione chuckled as she looked back at the laughing girls, and she slowly but surely started to dance to the beat of the music. Angelina took her hand and twirled her in circles—Hermione did the same—but Angelina had to duck to get under her arm. Katie soon joined as she saw the others dance. She grabbed Hermione's hands and started to twirl each other around.

They danced for half an hour before Hermione had to sit down and relax. She grabbed a new drink before dropping down onto a seat in the corner. To her far-left Charlie was sleeping in an armchair, his head hanging to the side, mouth slightly open, still a glass of fire whiskey in his hand. She saw the twins sneak up on him, trying to take the glass from his hand without waking him up.

"Rusty! George! You better not be doing what I think you're doing?" She yelled over, the twins stiffened and quickly turned around, their hands shoved in their front pockets, trying to look innocent.

"We aren't doing anything!" They called back. Hermione's eyebrow shot up and grinned.

"Is that what you tell your mum when she catches you?" She laughed as she rose from her seat. The twins just grinned at her, confirming her suspicions. "That's what I thought. You two surely aren't thinking about drinking firewhiskey, are you? You're thirteen!" She asked sternly as she passed the twins and crouched down next to Charlie.

"We were just going to try it, just a sip, little Granger."

"Like you haven't tried it before?" She huffed as she shook Charlie's shoulder. "Charlie, wake up."

"No, Mum. It's a weekend." Charlie mumbled. Hermione rolled her eyes as she looked over at the twins.

"Do you all talk in your sleep?"

"Bill doesn't, I don't think." George said, tapping his chin as he was thinking. "Ginny snores loudly, but you've figured that out."

"Ron talks too, and Percy..." Fred looked around the common room to see if his older brother was close before continuing. "He sleeps like a dead person. I think it's because of all the studying. He doesn't move, snore or talk. He barely even breathes—it's very unnerving." Fred finished with a shudder.

"Okay then." Hermione dragged the first word out. "And why do you all think I'm your mum when I try to wake you?"

"I dunno." George shrugged. "Maybe because she's the one who always wakes us up." George said, looking over to Fred. "Are you going to wake him, like you did me?" George said, already holding his arm. "I think I still have the bruise from the time you woke me."

"Oh, you big baby! And yes." She grinned devilishly, looking back at the older Weasley, and pinched his arm. "Charlie!"

"What!?" Charlie jumped up, making Hermione fall on her bum. "Merlin! I think something bit me!" Charlie cried as he rubbed his arm. "Oh, hey, Hermione. What are you doing down there?"

"Nothing bit you." George said as he pulled Hermione from the ground. "Hermione here pinched you since you didn't wake up. That's how she wakes people. The tyrant."

"Then you need to find another way! For such a small person, you sure have a lot of strength." Charlie said, still rubbing his arm.

"It's the only way to wake my uncle up, and George." She said as she nudged the younger twin's side. "Why don't you go to bed, Charlie? You've been working hard the last few weeks, with Quidditch, prefect duties and your NEWTs."

"You're starting to sound like our mum." Charlie chugged his drink. The twins sighed disappointed.

"Well, somebody has to keep you Weasleys in check. Now off to bed you."

"Yes, Mum," Charlie mumbled, but Hermione heard it and when he reached the stairs, she sent a jinx at him, making him yelp and run up the stairs.

"Hermione Granger, jinxing a prefect!" George said in mock shock.

"It's just Charlie." Hermione grinned as she rolled her eyes. "You two better not try to steal some firewhiskey, or I'll jinx you too." She said as she grabbed her bag from her previous seat.

"Where are you going?" Fred asked as she walked to the portrait hole.

"I'm going to try to get at least an hour of studying done before the library closes up."

"Don't work too hard, Granger—" George called out as the portrait flew open.

"Or you'll end up sleeping like a dead person just like Percy!"

"WHAT?!" Hermione heard Percy yell before the portrait closed again. She snickered as she bounded down the stairs.  

Chapter Text

"Ugh!" Katie groaned as she dropped her head on her transfiguration book. Hermione was studying with Katie in their room, since the library was closed because of a run-down fifth year, who tried a spell and flooded the entire library. "I need a break! My eyes can't focus anymore." She said as she rubbed her eyes.

Hermione looked up from her book and saw the tired look on her face. "I have an idea. Why don't we ask the twins if we could borrow their brooms, and then we can go practice. You can give me some pointers."

"That would be great, and after we can raid the kitchens!"

"Sure, we can do that too." Hermione smiled as she put a bookmark between the pages and closed her book. "Let's go find them."

They quickly made their way down to the common room, finding Alicia and Angelina in front of the fire.

"Do you know where Fred and George are?" Katie asked the girls.

"I think they're up in their room. Lee just walked down, saying he needed to get something," Alicia answered as she looked up from her potions book.

Katie and Hermione turned and looked at the boys' staircase with their heads tilted to the side.

"Can we go up there?" Katie whispered.

"Officially no, but I've already seen girls go up." Angelina said as she looked at the two first years, who were still eyeing the staircase. "They are probably working on some joke stuff, so best knock before entering."

"Thanks for the warning." Hermione smiled at Angelina.

"With those two, they should wear a warning sign." Angelina chuckled before turning back to her own book.

"Let's go." Hermione said as she pulled on Katie's arm and made their way up the stairs.

They climbed until they reached the second landing. When she went to knock on the door, she noticed it was ajar. Hermione gestured Katie over and they both glanced inside. 

The twins were sitting in the middle of the room, still wearing their pyjamas. Hermione's joke products she got them for Christmas spread on the ground between them. She glanced around the room, it was exactly like the girls, only mirrored and a lot messier than their room—clothes scattered across the floor, beds unmade, closets open. 

When Hermione pushed the door open a little, it creaked.

"Oh, Lee. You're back." Fred said, not looking up.

"Not quite." Hermione said as she pushed the door all the way open. The twins jumped in surprise and tried to hide the products. "What are you hiding?"

"N-nothing. What are you two doing up here?"

"You do know this is the boys' dormitories, right?" George asked, still using his foot to hide the little boxes on the floor.

"Of course, I do." She huffed. "And I don't care what you are doing with my gift."

"We just came to ask if we could borrow your brooms." Katie said, as she stepped a bit more inside.

"Our brooms?" They asked surprised, looking at each other before glancing back to the girls.

"Why do you need our brooms?"

"For cleaning our dorm." Hermione said sarcastically, making Katie chuckle. "Flying, of course."

"We just need a little break from studying, and we don't have our own brooms, so we thought we could borrow yours?"

"You want to go flying?" Fred asked surprised. "Without us?"

"Well yes. I need to try it someday, and Katie is a great flyer. We've had about ten lessons now, don't you two think I'm capable?" Hermione asked, feeling a bit hurt.

"No, it's not that." George quickly added. "We just don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't. You know we've studied the books Professor McGonagall got me, remember? And I taught Katie the ones that may come in handy."

"We promise we'll be careful." Katie said pleadingly.

"Fine, but don't break them!" Fred said as he jumped on his bed, flat on stomach as he searched under it, George doing the same.

"Got it!" They yelled simultaneously, holding their brooms in the air.

"Thanks, Rusty." Hermione said as she took the broom from Fred's hands.

"Thanks, George." Katie said, grabbing George's broom.

"We'll be back in an hour or so."

"Okay, just—don't let us meet up in the hospital wing." George added as they walked to the door.

"I promise." She said as they walked down the stairs, both holding their brooms.

"And what are you two up to?" Angelina asked as she heard them walking down.

"Just a bit of flying. Need a break from all the studying." Katie said, as she leaned over the sofa to look at their schoolwork.

"I get that. Aside from studying, we still have three papers to write." Alicia sighed as she shook an essay in her hand.

"Too bad we have tons of work, or else we would've joined you." Angelina said, looking over at all the work. "I would love to see you fly, Hermione."

"Maybe after exams? Before school ends?" Hermione offered.

"Deal! Now let us work, firsties!" Angelina joked.

"Thank Merlin, it stopped raining!" Katie said as they walked out the doors, onto the grounds. 

It rained for almost a week, the wet earth underneath their feet still squeaked from the downpour. But now the sun was shining brightly above them, only a few clouds in the sky. 

Katie and Hermione quickly shed of their jerseys and hoped on the twins' brooms. Hermione started low, getting the feel of the broom again before she followed Katie up in the air. They practiced some of the movements Hermione read in the quidditch book she got from Professor McGonagall. Katie did every movement without fail. Hermione was also successful but slightly less graceful.

"Hermione, you're getting really good!" Katie called over the soft breeze.

"Thank you. The twins are actually great teachers." Hermione said as she stopped next to her best friend.

"Want to try something else?" Katie grinned, searching her pockets.

"Something else?" Hermione asked confused. Then Katie pulled a bright yellow tennis ball out of her pocket.

"Angelina gave it to me—she transfigured it—said it was from a muggle sport name teenis."

"Tennis." Hermione corrected.

"Yeah, that." Katie snickered. "I thought we could try throwing it to each other. It's not too big, like a quaffle, so it doesn't unbalance you and bright enough so you can see it."

"A-alright, we can give it a go." Hermione said unsure.

But she had nothing to worry about. They started close, flying back a couple of feet every time they caught it successfully. They even tried it, when the other was on a different height. The sun was already starting to descent when Hermione caught the ball and called over to Katie to lower herself to the ground. When they landed Hermione tossed the ball back to Katie.

"We better get going or the twins might start to worry about their brooms." Hermione chuckled.

"Probably. Let's head to the kitchens first, we can bring it upstairs." Katie said as she rested the broom on her shoulder. "Let's grab something for the twins too, to say thanks."

"Thank Merlin, the elves already know what they like. Maybe something for the girls too? They've been sitting inside the whole day."

"We can ask if they got those salted caramels cupcakes, they both love so much."

"You know, I was wondering. Have you ever seen the twins study?" Hermione asked as they walked out the kitchen, with their arms full.

"No, not really." Katie frowned as she thinks back. "I've seen them working on their essays, but really studying, I don't know. Maybe in their room? You know they're always up there."

"Yeah, and we've seen first handed what they do up there and it's definitely not studying. And I've never, but I mean never seen them in the library."

"Me neither, but they must've studied. They passed last year after all. Let's ask Ange and Alicia."

When they entered the common room, the girls were still seated in the same place, going over their schoolwork. Katie and Hermione agreed to take the brooms up to the twins first and silently walked by the girls, trying not to disturb them. 

They placed the food they brought for themselves and the girls next to the staircase, behind a chair before heading up the round staircase. The door was now firmly shut, Katie knocked on the door with George's broom handle.

"Just a minute!" They heard three voices call out behind the door. Hermione and Katie looked at each other trying to hold a giggle, before the door creaked open, and Lee's head popped out.

"Ladies!" He said over extravagant. "What can I do for you?"

"We're here to bring the brooms back." Hermione said, shaking the broom in front of him. Lee looked over his shoulder, back in the room, before he opened the door fully. 

Hermione and Katie walked in, looking around suspiciously, when they found nothing, she looked back at the three boys in front of her, all trying to look innocent, which wasn't working. 

"Thanks for letting us borrow them." She placed the broom on Fred's bed, Katie doing the same.

"Oh, and we got you something." Katie fished a bag of cupcakes out of her robe and tossed it to George, who caught it immediately. "As a thank you."

Fred and Lee looked over his shoulders and glanced alongside George in the bag. Their eyes growing big and already licking their lips as they saw their favourite dessert in the bag.

"We should borrow you our brooms more often if you come bearing such delicious gifts." Fred grinned already taking one out of the bag.

"Hey, why don't you two take a break?" Hermione said as they came back down to the common room and sat across from the girls. Katie sat down next to her and when the girls looked up, she tossed them a bag. With a quirked eyebrow, Alicia opened it and peered in. Angelina looked in the bag over her shoulder.

"You two are the best." Alicia grinned and pulled out the cupcakes, handing one over to Angelina.

"You've been stuck in here all day, we thought you could use a break." Katie grinned, opening the last bag, handing a chocolate chip waffle over to Hermione. Hermione pulled out a bottle of pumpkin juice and poured everyone a glass.

"Thanks." Angelina grinned. "So, how did it go?" She asked biting in her cupcake.

"It went well." Katie tossed the yellow tennis ball back to Angelina. "She's getting good at flying." Katie smiled, nudging Hermione's shoulder, who smiled back.

They ate their snacks in silence for a bit, just enjoying a moment of peace and quiet, away from studying, away from the boys. But that, of course, didn't last long as the three boys bounded down the stairs and immediately started to talk excitedly and already snooped through their bags, for more food.

"Don't hog our snacks!" Hermione snickered as she grabbed the bag away from George. "You got your own."

"But ours is already empty." George pouted. "You already know about the Weasley family appetite."

"Fine, but you'll have to share." Hermione tossed George a waffle, he eagerly grabbed it and tore it in two, handing one half to his twin. "Now that you two are all fed, I have a question."

The twins both looked up from their piece of waffle and cocked their heads to the same side, waiting for her to continue.

"How are you planning to pass your exams if you don't study?"

"Hmmm, that little Granger -"

"Is a Weasley twin secret." They both grinned.

"Oh, they study." Angelina interjected, ignoring the glares from the twins. "Maybe not as much as you, Hermione. Or even us, but they do. I've caught them once or twice." Angelina snickered. "When I stumbled upon them, you would think I've walked on them in their underwear."

"That would probably be less embarrassing to them." Lee laughed, clapping George on his shoulder. The twins just grinned in agreement. 

Chapter Text

The start of the exams was tomorrow, making everyone a bit on edge. The sun was shining brightly, but there wasn't a sound in the air—no laughter, joking or playing games—even the twins stayed quiet. The library was packed with students, every table filled and stuffed with books and parchments. 

The common room, too, was silent—only the sound of pages being turned or a quill scratching on parchment filled the room. But that's not where you could find Hermione, no. Not even in her dormitory, which was empty. You could find her outside, studying, enjoying the sun. 

She sat under a big oak tree, overlooking the black lake. Next to her were Katie, Alicia and Angelina. They were all sitting on a large picnic blanket, their books spread around them as they studied. Bottles of water and pumpkin juice lay in the shadow—under the tree—next to boxes of candy. Hermione was nibbling on a sugar quill, going over the material for her herbology exam tomorrow, when three shadows fell on her. She turned away from her book and looked up, her sugar quill still in her mouth.

"Mind if we join?" George grinned.

"You know we are studying, don't you?" Hermione asked, surprised and cocked an eyebrow.

"We know," Fred said as he flopped himself down in front of her. George sat on his right, and Lee shuffled himself between Alicia and Angelina, who both scoffed. "You all will witness a very rare phenomenon."

"Something you will see maybe two or three times in your life."

"The infamous Weasley twins on a study bender." The twins said, finishing each other's sentences, both grinning. The girls all rolled their eyes as they turned back to their books.

"Fine. If you promise to stay quiet and really study, you get a candy." She waved her hand over the boxes, the twins' eyes getting comically wide. "But only if you're quiet." She said sternly to the boys, particularly to the twins, as Lee was already busy in his potions book. 

The twins nodded exaggeratedly in silence as they took out their books from their bags and dived in. Hermione smiled before she looked back down at her own book. 

After an hour of complete silence, she grabbed some acid pops and tossed them to the three boys. The three of them jumped up a little as the pops landed on their books before the three of them looked up grinning.

"Thanks!" they said in unison. 

They tore off the plastic and popped them in their mouths and returned to their books. Hermione grinned at the boys before tossing the girls some acid pops too, all nibbling on their candy as they continued to study, scribbling down notes, going over their previous essays as the sun started to descend.

Then the twins simultaneously slammed their books shut when the sun disappeared behind the castle, making all the others jump.

"I think we've studied enough." George said, stuffing his books in his bag.

"Yes, I think it's time for dinner." Fred said, already standing up, rubbing his stomach. Hermione frowned as she looked at her watch and then up at the sky.

"I didn't notice it was getting so late." Hermione said, looking up at the boys, who were already towering over her.

"We better get to the great hall before dinner is over." Katia said as she started to pack her bags— the other girls followed her actions.

After dinner, the boys convinced the girls to take a break and play one of Angelina's Muggle games. Hermione held back, still holding her schoolbooks as the others walked to the table near the fire. When the twins noticed her missing when they neared the sofa, they turned and walked over.

"Come on, little Granger." He coaxed.

"I don't know. I still have a lot of work to do." She said, eyeing the books in her arms.

"Just one game, pleeeaaaaase." George said, pouting. "We studied with you—"

"All afternoon! You must know how hard that was for us."

"Just one game," George said, putting his index finger in the air in front of him.

"Okay, just one." Hermione sighed in defeat but couldn't help a small smile as the twins jumped up in glee. She followed the twins to the fire, and George quickly dove into Angelina's stack of games, looking at the boxes and tossing them aside.

"Oi, Weasley, careful! What are you looking for anyway?" George mumbled something as he kept looking at the boxes. "What was that?"

"I've got it!" He grinned triumphantly, holding out risk. He heard Hermione groan from the other side of the table.

"You've planned this," Hermione said, leaning her head on her hands.

"You don't have proof." George snickered as he placed the board on the table.

"This is going to take ages!" Hermione said, as Angelina helped George set up.

"You said one game, little Granger. You didn't specify which one." Fred grinned as he grabbed the cards from the box.

"Give me the cards, Rusty!" Hermione said, holding out her hand. "You don't know what to do."

"Fine." Fred pouted, handing them over. 'So, you're playing?"

"Yes, and I'll destroy you both." Hermione grinned devilishly before she looked over at George. "Can I have the green ones?"

George grabbed the little pawns and handed them over as Angelina re-read the rules. Angelina looked up and counted the heads around the table. "We need to team up, or at least two of us."

"Why don't I play alone, then the rest of you can team up." Hermione suggested as she organised her army.

"You're that confident?" The twins asked—pairing up—grabbing the yellow soldiers. Hermione just grinned at them as she shuffled the mission cards. 

Katie paired up with Lee and Alicia with Angelina. Hermione and Angelina explained the game as everyone took a mission card and counted their army. Everyone had their army neatly assembled in front of them, except for the twins; their horses, soldiers and cannons were piled up in a big heap.

After an hour, the twins were defeated on their last territory in Australia, chucking their pawns at each other, blaming one another for their loss.

"You said the island was safe, that they couldn't get to us!"

"I told you we should've attacked Lee and Katie in Asia!" They argued, grabbing each other's sleeves.

"Boys!" the girls called out, making the bickering stop. The twins looked up, dropping their hands to their sides, before they tossed their defeated army back in the box.

"I told you I would defeat you." Hermione grinned as she rolled the dice. 

The twins simultaneously stuck out their tongues at her. Then they stood and sat down next to her, each on one side. 

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Help you."

"Help me? You two just lost in a spectacular way."

"We are quite spectacular, yes." George grinned.

"Why don't you two just watch, and I'll show you how to really play," Hermione said. Angelina laughed and winked before she looked over at the board.

"But that's boring." Fred whined.

"Then go do something else, maybe study?"

"Done enough studying today for the next two years."

"A bit dramatic, don't you think?" She said before turning to the others. "Katie, Lee? It's your turn."

The two of them looked up surprised—not quite following how the game works—they glanced at their mission card again before they passed and added an army man or two. 

The time ticked by, and Katie and Lee's army was getting smaller by the minute. Angelina gave their army one last blow, and they were out too. Katie and Lee just shrugged as they leaned back and watched the others continue to play. The twins kept whispering ideas and instructions in her ear as the game continued.

"Can you two please shut up!" Hermione glared at the boys next to her. Hermione looked back to Angelina and saw that Alicia had fallen asleep as Angelina took charge of their army. "Should we wake her?"

Angelina looked down next to her, at her sleeping best friend. "No, let's finish this, and then we can go upstairs together."

"Alright." Hermione grabbed a pillow from the sofa behind her and put it against her back for more support. 

Katie and Lee were in a deep conversation together, hunched over their schoolbooks on a small table nearby. The twins made themselves more comfortable, leaning their heads on the sofa, stifling a yawn. 

"Better get started before everyone else falls asleep." She snickered, looking at the twins.

It was a real stand off between Angelina and Hermione, both unwilling to let the other one win. It was an hour and a half later when there was finally a victor. The victor jumped up in glee, making the sleeping girl next to her stir.

"Congrats, Ange, you made this really interesting." Hermione smiled up at the second year.

"Thanks, Hermione." Angelina said, looking around at all their friends fast asleep in the common room. "We better wake everyone up."

Hermione wanted to stand up but was pinned down by the twins. Fred's head had dropped to her shoulder about twenty minutes ago, fast asleep. While George made himself real comfortable as he had placed his head on her lap, snoring slightly.

"Need any help?" A voice said from behind her. She craned her neck and saw a familiar mop of red hair. "This is the second time one of my brothers is asleep next to you. In this case, two."

"If you don't mind?" Hermione smiled up at him. Charlie grinned as he walked past the sofa. "Angelina and I were in the battle of a lifetime. And the others got a bit... tired."

"I can see that." Charlie chuckled as he looked at the sleeping Gryffindors and the board game. Angelina was waking up Alicia from her deep sleep—her eyes slowly opened in confusion. "Fred..."

"Not my cannons." Fred grumbled in his sleep. Hermione snickered before she turned to George.

"Georgie? Wake up."

"No, Hermione, no study." George said, turning his head. Hermione rolled her eyes while Charlie looked down, amused. At least he didn't think she was his mum.

"Then it's the hard way." She sighed as she pinched the twins on their arms. "George! Fred! Wake up!"

Fred's head popped up and looked tiredly around the room, rubbing his eyes. "Huh?"

"You fell asleep, mate." Charlie said, nudging his head to Hermione. Fred looked over and saw George on her lap wide-eyed. Fred had to hold back a laugh, seeing his twin in a panic.

"I'm sorry, Hermione," George said, quickly standing up. "I didn't mean to."

"You just fell asleep. Don't worry about it." Hermione smiled as Charlie pulled her up. "Thanks, Charlie."

George was still standing there nervously as Katie and Lee came up with small eyes. Hermione stepped a bit closer and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Hey George. It's okay, really."

"I never fell asleep on someone besides Fred," he said, rubbing his neck.

"I see it as a compliment then." Hermione smiled up at him, chuckling at his confused expression. "That means you trust me."

"Oh... but of course, I trust you." He said more excitedly, trying to get past the awkwardness. "You're our little Granger."

"Oi, that's my nickname for her." Fred called from behind her.

"Shut it, Rusty," Hermione and George said in unison, looking at the other twin. They looked surprised at each other before they burst out laughing.

Hermione and Katie stepped out of their Herbology exam the next day, a light flourish in their step as they made their way to the Great Hall. Seeing the familiar mop of red hair, they walked up closer.

"It looks like it went well?" Alicia asked as she saw them walk in.

"Yes, brilliant actually." Hermione grinned as she sat down next to Lee, Katie next to Alicia.

"How about you guys?" Katie asked, looking at the second years. "Didn't you have potions today?"

"Yeah, so you know, it was brutal. But I think we did fairly well." George said, Fred nodding in agreement, his mouth full of eggs and bacon.

"I'm glad we had potions first," Lee said, putting his goblet down on the table. "That was the hardest one for me, so I'm glad it's over."

"Yeah, same for me. Next we have charms, you?"

"History of Magic." Katie groaned, dropping her head in her arms. Alicia chuckled as she patted her back.

"Want to go over it before we leave?" Hermione asked, looking concerned for her best friend.

"No, please, no!" Katie almost yelled. The others all laughed at Katie's outburst—Fred almost chocking on his lunch.

The next week went by slowly as the days went long, as everyone studied until late at night. Hermione found her way back to the library and studied in silence across from Cedric. Who recently had a panic attack as he thought he had messed up his Transfiguration exam. 

As Hermione walked him over to the hospital wing for a calming draught, she transfigured a piece of parchment into a paper bag for him to breathe in. When they arrived at the hospital wing, they went over the questions he had earlier, to ease his mind as Madam Pomfrey prepared the potion.

"Do you feel better now?" Hermione asked as they walked out of the hospital wing.

"Yes. It's been a while since I had a panic attack."

"You had them before?" Hermione glanced sideways at him.

"When I was younger, I had them frequently after I saw my uncle get in an accident. But they stopped, or at least I thought they did. The last time I had one was over three years ago."

Hermione frowned as she looked at him. "Let's make a deal. Next year we'll study together and make each other take a break before we crash, alright?"

"It's a deal." Cedric grinned. "Only one exam to go this year."

"And no more studying. You know enough." Hermione laughed as they walked through the corridors.  

Chapter Text

When the door closed after the last exam, you could feel the castle take a breath of relief alongside the students, that it was once again all over. Hermione's shoulders relaxed the moment she stepped out of the classroom. Katie was already running up the stairs to get changed as she walked her way to the courtyard.

"Someone looks relieved," Cedric said as he caught up with her.

She turned her head and smiled up at the Hufflepuff. "I can say the same to you. How do you feel?"

"Like I can breathe again. I'm glad it's almost summer break." He said, stuffing his robe in his bag. "About that, Professor McGonagall held me back after my exam."

"You don't need to. Now that I know about your panic attacks—"

"No, I want to. It's not the same as studying for exams. It could be fun." He smiled as he readjusted his bag. "Where are you going anyway?" he asked as they walked out of the castle.

"Oh, just a bit of celebrating. I'm meeting up with the rest at the Quidditch pitch." She said as she too took off her coat. "Do you want to come?" She looked up after she draped her coat over her bag.

"You don't think the others will mind?"

"Of course not. Why would they mind?"

"Okay, then I'll come. I could use a little distraction." He smiled, and she mimicked his expression as they walked on the grounds.

A lot of the students had found their way outside. The grass was filled with students on blankets talking excitedly to each other. Hermione stopped as the heat became too much. She started loosening her tie before pulling it over her head before she rolled up her sleeves till her elbows. When her scrunchie fell from her bag, Cedric picked it up, grinning.

"The heat getting to you?"

"Yeah." She blew a hair out of her face. "Thanks." She smiled as Cedric handed her the scrunchie. She gathered her hair together, wrapped a scrunchie around it and tied it into a loose bun.

They arrived at the empty Quidditch pitch. She glanced around the field to find the perfect spot.

"Maybe over there?" Cedric suggested, pointing to the side of the pitch. "Because if the others are going to play..."

"We better sit on the side." Hermione chuckled. "Good thinking."

Hermione opened her bag as they walked to the side of the pitch, pulling out an extra-large picnic blanket. Cedric's eyes widened in surprise as she pulled it out.

"Uhm, Hermione..." Cedric started as she laid the blanket on the grass. "How in Merlin's beard does that fit in your bag?"

Hermione grinned as she looked over her shoulder. "Professor McGonagall put an extension charm on it."

"Because of your books." He grinned as they sat down. "What else is in that endless bag of yours?"

Hermione grinned back before she started pulling cups and plates out of her bag, placing them on the blanket. "The others are bringing the rest."

Cedric huffed a laugh and leaned back on his arms, glancing at the sky. "So, how do you want to meet up this summer?"

"The first two weeks, we're going camping," Hermione said as she took off her shoes and socks, stretching her legs in front of her. "But we can meet up after. I can owl you when I get back. I suppose you don't have a phone?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"No," he said as his mouth forming in O. "But we do have a Floo."

"My parents talked to Mr Weasley about connecting one to our house, but I don't know if they did it already."

"Our dads are practically best friends. It wouldn't surprise me if they connected the Floo right after we left after Christmas break."

Cedric and Hermione looked up in surprise. 

Everyone was towering above them, smiling. Neither Hermione nor Cedric had seen or heard them come up. The twins, Alicia and Angelina, all had their brooms with them, leaning on them. Katie already made herself comfortable next to Hermione, while Lee took the seat opposite Cedric.

"Cedric, mate. Coming to relax too?"

"Hermione invited me. I hope you don't mind."

"Don't be daft." Angelina waved him off, placing her broom against the stand and flopping down.

"The more, the merrier." Alicia smiled, sitting down next to Angelina.

"Did you guys bring everything?" She asked as the twins descended to the last available seat on the blanket.

"What do you think?" Lee laughed as he and Katie started unpacking their bags. "You know we can't go anywhere without food if a Weasley is nearby." The others laughed with him, and the twins just shrugged, grinning.

"Speaking of Weasleys, isn't Charlie coming?"

"Oi!" the twins called out. "Aren't we good enough?"

Hermione shrugged as she poured everyone a drink. "Charlie's leaving soon. I'm stuck with you two for years." She grinned behind her cup of pumpkin juice.

"You hurt us, little Granger."

"But Charlie should be here any minute. Maybe he's distracted by the lady Veronica."

"No, they broke up a few days ago." Hermione said as she passed a cup to Cedric.

"How do—"

"You know that?" George finished.

"Because I talk to your brother outside of Quidditch." She stuck out her tongue to the twins. 

She shushed the twins before they could reply as she handed out the sandwiches. After they ate and talked about their summer plans, the twins jumped up and picked up their brooms.

"Who's ready for a game?" Fred asked, looking at the rest.

Angelina and Alicia jumped at the chance and grabbed their brooms from the stands. Katie looked a bit sad as the others held their brooms. "I wish I had a broom already." Katie groaned. "I want to play."

The twins looked away from Angelina and Alicia and glanced down, grinning. "We can make that happen, Katiekins."

George pulled his wand out of his back pocket and waved it. "Accio broom." They heard something break in the equipment room before three brooms came flying out onto the field. George pulled a face and gritted his teeth, giving Hermione a small smile when he saw the look on her face.

"Brilliant!" Katie jumped up and grabbed a broom, picking off a piece of glass from between the twigs.

"Cedric, you playing?" Fred asked, holding out the second broom.

"Sure," he said. He stood and accepted the broom from Fred. "Hermione?" He looked back at her.

"Oh, no. I'm just getting used to flying. I'm not up for a game just yet." She waved her hand in front of her. "Maybe Lee?"

"No, I'll practice my commentary and keep our little bookworm here some company," Lee said, taking Cedric's place. The others mounted their brooms and shot up into the air. Fred waved his wand, and a quaffle flew out of the equipment room, right into his hand.

When the others were flying high above them, Charlie walked onto the pitch, broom in one hand, large basket in the other. He put his broom against the stands before he lowered himself down next to Hermione.

"Sorry I'm late." He sat opening the basket. "Somehow Hagrid heard I was going to work with dragons, and he held me up. But I brought some sorry-I'm-late offerings." He grinned as he unpacked the packages.

"You brought dinner?" Hermione asked amused, looking at all the food. Lee tore his gaze away from his flying friends and looked at the display on the blanket, licking his lips.

"Yeah, since it's a nice day, I thought we could eat dinner outside."

"I'm going to miss you." Hermione leaned against him, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "You're leaving me alone with the twins!"

Charlie's chest bounced up and down as he laughed, Hermione still tucked close against him. "You'll be fine. But we can write if you want."

"I would love that. When are you leaving anyway?"

"The second week of the summer break. And I still have to tell Mum."

"You haven't told your mum?" Lee asked, eyes wide. "You're mental."

"Have you met our mum?" Charlie grinned, pulling his arm back as he leaned over to look at Lee. "If I told her sooner, she would try to persuade me to stay and if that didn't work, she would bound me to a chair. Still might when I tell her." He chuckled.

"I smell food!" George and Fred ran over, tossing their brooms to the side. The others behind them laughed at the hungry twins.

"I don't care anymore that you're late." Fred said, already stuffing a potato in his mouth.

"Leave something for the rest of us, yeah?" Angelina called over as she walked closer and lowered herself to the ground.

"Sorry." The twins mumbled with their mouths full. The rest sat down on the slightly too small blanket and started loading their plates.

"Oh, hey Cedric." Charlie said, surprised as he saw the Hufflepuff. "Did the twins rope you into playing?"

"Hermione invited me actually, and they asked me to play." He said as he put some potatoes on his plate. "But it's great practice."

"Cedric's trying out for his Quidditch team next year." Hermione said, stabbed a piece of broccoli with her fork.

"Really?" all the Quidditch players asked, looking at a now slightly flustered Cedric.

"Yeah, Olivia is graduating this year, so the position of seeker is open."

"If you want, I could give you some pointers after dinner." Charlie offered.

"That would be great. You need a new seeker too, don't you?"

"Yeah, but to be fair, it doesn't look so good. Unless there is a hidden talent in the common room, I don't know what Oliver is going to do next year."

"Maybe we can train little Granger." Fred grinned.

"I don't think so!" Hermione shook her head, making the others laugh.

"Hermione, I still haven't seen you fly."

"And you won't today, not with everyone watching." Angelina pouted at her. "I'm sorry, Ange, but no." She chuckled at the girl.

"Fine." She huffed and scrambled to her feet. "Who's up for another game?"

Everyone jumped to their feet—Fred and George quickly stuffed some meatballs in their mouths before grabbing their brooms. The only ones still sitting on the blanket were Hermione, Lee and Cedric.

"Cedric, are you coming?" Charlie asked.

"No, I'll sit this one out. Otherwise, we'll be uneven. We can practise after."

"Race you to the goalposts!" Alicia suddenly cried out and mounted her broom.

Hermione took advantage of the space on the blanket and made herself comfortable and lay down fully, closing her eyes as the tropical sun shone down on them. Lee and Cedric looked at each other amused before lying down next to her. Lee and Hermione had their eyes closed while Cedric looked at the few clouds that floated by. 

Hermione's eyes shot open when she heard a snore not far from her. She leaned up on her arm and looked at Lee—who had fallen asleep with his mouth slightly open—snoring. She looked at Cedric, who grinned back before he looked up to the others.

"There are still two brooms left." He pointed to the brooms that leaned against the stands. "The others are playing. Lee is asleep. Want to go fly behind the pitch?"

"Uh," she said, slowly, looking at her friends flying high above. "Yeah, sure."

"Brilliant!" Cedric hopped on his feet and held out his hand to pull her up. When she stood, he handed her one broom before walking behind the pitch, out of sight.

Cedric climbed on his broom, giving her a wink before he shot up in the air. Hermione huffed at his showing off and quickly followed him in the air. She grinned when she caught up with him.

"Ah, Miss Granger. Fancy seeing you here." Cedric grinned. Hermione smiled back before she pulled a little ball from her coat.

"Since you want to try for seeker."

"Do your best." Cedric snickered, getting in position. Hermione put a charm on the ball, and the ball flew away like a rocket. Cedric turned to her wide-eyed.

"I thought you were just going to chuck it."

"That would be too easy." Hermione shrugged with a grin.

"You're not going to go easy on me then, Granger?"

"Nope." She popped the P.

"Fine, but you can help me catch it then."

"What? No, that's not the plan."

"Oh, come on, just for fun."

Hermione bit her lip as she thought about it. "Alright, what if I catch it before you?"

"Highly doubt it." He grinned. "Do you want to place a bet? If I win, we do something the Muggles do during break."

"I can do that." Hermione smiled. "And if I win, you bake me a whole batch of my favourite cookies, without magic."

"Without magic? Can I ask for help?"

"Nope."

"Deal." He shook her hand. "Your funeral." He grinned before he sped off.

Hermione shook her head from the sudden movement and followed after him. They zig-zagged in the air as they followed the small ball. They didn't even notice when the ball flew onto the pitch. Hermione and Cedric laughed and bumped against each other as they got closer to the ball. The others stopped playing and looked at the both of them with their mouths dropped open.

The ball shot up, and Hermione and Cedric pulled their brooms and flew straight up in the air, both holding out their hands to grab the ball. Cedric's arm was considerably longer than hers and caught the ball with ease. He looked back at her with a grin and tossed the ball back.

"I guess we're doing something muggle then?" He chuckled as they flew back down, where the others stood, slightly in shock.

"Yes, but I can pick, right?" Cedric nodded excitedly as they landed. "I need to think about it."

"Didn't expect anything else." He laughed as they stopped in front of the others.

"What?" Hermione asked as she saw all of them looking at them, Lee still asleep on the blanket.

"First of all, Cedric, you don't need any pointers." Charlie stepped between them, clapping him on the back before turning to Hermione. "And you—my darling Hermione Granger—should try out for seeker next year."

"Oh, no!" Hermione shook her head. "No, no, no."

"Hermione, you were amazing!" Alicia exclaimed.

"Yeah, you'd never think you were afraid of flying!" Angelina chimed in.

"I had great teachers." She smiled at the twins. The twins looked taken aback by her statement but quickly recovered and beamed at her.

"Of course, you had—" Fred started.

"The famous Weasley twins at your beck and call."

Hermione rolled her eyes and punched them on the shoulder as she passed them and walked back to the sleeping boy. That boy can sleep anywhere! Hermione thought to herself as she kneeled down. She had found Lee several times that year, sleeping in strange places or weird angles. She looked over her shoulder at the others.

"We should pack up, it's getting late."

"Yeah, I need to start packing, anyway." Angelina said as she waved her wand, the whole blanket started to clear.

"I'll put the brooms back." George said. Hermione shot him a pointed glare. "I'll walk, no worries."

"And clean up the mess you made," Hermione yelled as he walked to the equipment room. George waved his hand back at her. She shook her head at the twin before looking back to Lee, who had woken up from her shouting. "Sorry." She grinned sheepishly, pulling him up.

"Had a good nap?" Alicia snickered.

"The best actually," Lee said as he stretched out. Cedric folded up the blanket and handed it over to Hermione before they walked out of the pitch.

"You missed quite a show, sleepyhead."

Lee's head snapped back to Alicia, who grinned wide and winked to Hermione and Cedric before telling him the tale.  

Chapter Text

Hermione was packing her trunk in her dormitory with Katie, humming along to the songs that played on the record player, her AC/DC plate on constant repeat. Katie pulled her head back from under the bed and looked at Hermione, who bopped her head on the music. She grinned as she sat down on her bed, watching her best friend dance.

"I thought you didn't dance?" Katie chuckled.

Hermione stopped dancing, snapping her head to her. "I do dance sometimes. I just like Muggle music better." She shrugged.

"That's obvious." Katie chuckled and stood up. "I like it too."

They both started dancing to the music, bopping their heads, twirling each other around, laughing.

"No stop signs, speed limit. Nobody's gonna slow me down. Like a wheel, gonna spin it, nobody's gonna mess me around." Hermione sang along, turning up the music.

Neither of them saw that they had gathered a crowd as the music blared. Angelina and Alicia were leaning against the door frame, grinning. Even a couple of older kids looked in the room curiously before heading up or down the stairs.

"I'm on the highway to hell." They both finished, and Angelina and Alicia clapped loudly. Both girls spun around, and Hermione clutched her heart from fright. Hermione turned the record player off before turning to the two girls.

"I thought you two were packing?" Angelina grinned.

"We were."

"And then we weren't." Katie grinned.

"Who were you listening to?" Alicia asked, stepping in the room. "I never heard that song before."

"That's because it's a muggle band." Hermione grinned, handing over the cover to Alicia.

"Never imagined you as an AC/DC fan." Angelina said, hopping on her bed.

"My parents listen to it non-stop, so I practically grew up with them." She said taking the last clothes from her closet.

"Guns 'n Roses, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, Merlin Granger, you have quite a collection." Angelina gasped, flipping through her albums. "Next time there is a party we're doing it muggle style." She grinned as she passed Hermione the last albums to put in her trunk.

She put the record player in her trunk before closing it and glanced at the empty room, sitting down next to Angelina on her bed.

"It's going to be weird, going back. I miss my parents but—"

"I know what you mean." Katie said from her bed. "This feels like a second home."

The others nodded in agreement, and tears started to fill Hermione's eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Angelina asked concerned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"It's nothing. It's stupid." She wiped her eyes.

"Hermione." The three girls chimed.

"I'm just... happy that I met you guys. I never really had any friends before."

"I still don't know how that's possible." Katie said. "But you were my first friend here, my best friend."

"We are all your friends." Alicia jumped up, and the three girls pounded on her, engulfing her in a group hug. Hermione's heart filled with love for those girls, her bad experiences with so-called friends already forgotten.

"We really need to put an extension charm on the compartments." Lee huffed as they tried to fit in one compartment together. Hermione got up from her squished seat against the window and walked to the door.

"This isn't working." She huffed looking around the compartment. "I'm not sitting here cramped up for the next couple of hours."

"We have room—"

"On our laps." The twins said, patting their legs.

"No, thank you. I will just go see if Charlie has some room."

"But... Hermione." The twins wined.

"I'll be back later. Charlie is leaving, You. Are. Not. Big babies." She muttered under her breath.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Katie asked.

"No, you stay here. You can all talk about quidditch when I'm gone." She turned back to the pouting twins. "Hey, pouty mouth. Can you grab me my book?" She pointed to the rack above.

"No." They pouted even more, crossing their arms over their chests.

"If you don't have your book, you can't leave." Hermione rolled her eyes before she walked over to the twins and went to climb on George's legs. "Alright, alright. We give up." George laughed, standing up. He reached for her trunk and pulled out the first book he could find.

"Thank you." Hermione said smugly and turned back to the door. "I'll see you guys later."

Hermione walked through the train slowly, reading her book. Passing the full compartments without giving them a second glance. Suddenly she heard someone call out her name. She tore her eyes away from her book and looked to her right. Cedric was grinning at her from his seat next to the window, two other boys sitting across from him. She closed her book and leaned against the door frame.

"Hi."

"Why are you wondering about on the train?" Cedric asked.

"The compartment got a little crowded." She grinned, putting the book under her arm.

"I can imagine." He grinned back. "Do you want to join us for a bit?"

Hermione looked form Cedric to the two other boys. "If you don't mind?" She asked them, both of them shook their heads and gestured her in. She took her place next to Cedric.

"I guess you haven't met, have you?" Cedric remembered. "Hermione, this is Gavin and Matt."

"We heard a lot about you." The boy named Matt said.

Hermione raised an eyebrow as she looked to Cedric. "Really?"

"Yeah, ever since he's been disappearing on us. It started on the way back to Hogwarts this Christmas."

"Talking about how smart you are and such, nothing bad, promise." Gavin grinned. "You are friends with the Weasley twins, aren't you?"

"You can say that."

"Those guys are hilarious."

"They have their moments." Hermione shrugged, smiling to Cedric. "They are actually starting to invent their own joke products."

"I didn't know that." Cedric said intrigued. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"They are just starting out." She turned fully to Cedric. "Still keeping it on the down low. I caught them when they toyed around with some muggle jokes." She snickered, before turning back to the others. "How come I've never seen you two in the library with Cedric."

The two boys grinned simultaneously. "Cedric doesn't like to study with us."

"It's because you two never shut up!" Cedric cried out, making his best friends fall in a fit of laughter. 

Hermione chuckled at Cedric's reaction. They talked a while about their summer plans before Hermione started to doze off from the movements of the train. She already had taken of her shoes and curled her feet up on the bench before she leaned against Cedric, letting her head fall on his shoulder. The three boys didn't pay much attention to the sleeping girl as they talked a little quieter among themselves.

"Hermione?" A familiar voice nudged her. She blinked open her eyes and stared up to a certain redhead. She turned her head and saw that she had fallen asleep on Cedric's shoulder. She muttered an apology under her breath, but he waved her off.

"The twins stopped by a little while ago, but they didn't want to wake you."

"I told them I would check up on you." Charlie said, leaning back against the door frame. "I think they were afraid of waking you." He chuckled.

"Afraid? They do remember how I wake them up, don't they?" She grinned.

"That's exactly why. I think they're afraid you'll wake up all moody and take it out on them." His smile wide, he looked to Cedric. "Better not fall asleep around her. I still think I have a bruise."

The boys chuckled as Charlie rubbed his arm. Hermione muttered under her breath about the Weasleys being big babies as she stood. She turned to Cedric behind her. "I'll come say goodbye at the platform."

"Sounds good, Granger."

"Bye, Diggory." She smiled at the others. "Gavin, Matt." She gave them a nod, receiving one back, and followed Charlie out of the compartment.

"I'm glad you took Bill's advice and became friends with Diggory." He said as they walked through the train.

"Me too. It's nice to talk to someone a little less—" She contemplated how to say the right words. Charlie snickered next to her. "You know what I mean." She smiled up at the future dragon tamer. "I can study with him in silence or have a conversation without getting a headache."

They stopped a few meters away from the loud carriage, the twins' voices already reaching the hall. "Maybe you shouldn't head back in then, or you might get a migraine in there." Charlie laughed. "Do you want to go back to Diggory?"

"No, I was actually looking for you before I stumbled onto Cedric's compartment."

"Me?" He puffed his chest proudly and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "The great Hermione Granger wants to sit with me?"

Hermione snickered and slapped his chest as they walked quietly pass the loud compartment. "You're leaving." Hermione said quietly as they reached an empty compartment. She sat down, and Charlie slid up next to her. "And I'm going to miss you. You're like my big brother, always looking after me."

"I'm going to miss you too." He wrapped her in a hug. "But we'll see each other again, I promise. And we'll write." A grin formed on his face. "I'm going to miss seeing you scold the twins."

Hermione laughed, still tucked under his arm, and wrapped her arms around his waist. She kicked off her shoes and curled her feet up on the bench once again. Charlie leaned against the far corner, against the window, and transfigured a wad of paper into a pillow and placed it behind his head, pulling Hermione closer to him as she lay on his chest, one arm still firmly wrapped around her. 

And for the second time today, she fell asleep against a boy. 

And once again, a Weasley boy fell asleep against her.

A flash of light woke the sleeping duo up. They squinted their eyes as they looked around the compartment. In front of them sat the twins, George quickly putting something in his pocket. Katie smiled from the doorway as they sat up and stretched.

"What was that?" Charlie asked with a yawn.

"What was what?" The twins asked innocently. Katie rolled her eyes in her position.

"Who are you planning on sleeping with next, little Granger?" Fred teased, avoiding Charlie's question.

"First Freddie, then me. Now Cedric and Charlie in one day!" George said in mock shock, clutching his heart. "What will people say?"

"I only fall asleep with the ones I trust. And weirdly, yes." She added as the twins raised their brows. "That includes you two."

The twins recovered quickly and grinned back at her. "So, you only trust us boys?" Fred looked at Katie from the corner of his eye.

"Nope, you know I share a room with Katie, right?" She looked at the girl in question. "We've fallen asleep together more than once."

Katie grinned as she walked in, flopping down next to Hermione. "I've seen you sleeping against Alicia and Ange too."

"So, we're not so special." The twins pouted, making the other three roll their eyes.

"What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Charlie was supposed to go get you, but neither of you came back. So—" George started.

"We went exploring. And found you two snuggled up together."

"And took a picture of us," Hermione stated with a raised eyebrow. 

The twins didn't expect her to say that; they thought she didn't notice that they thought they were subtle. But as always, Hermione saw right through that.

"Don't know what you are talking about." George shuffled a bit in his seat.

"You need to work on your lying skills, Georgie."

"I love it when you call me Georgie," George teased.

"Don't try to change the subject, Weasley." She pointed to the pocket the camera was tucked in. "It's Angelina's, right?"

Fred muttered something inaudible as he pulled the small camera from George's pocket. "How does it work?"

"Do you know how your cameras work?" She asked.

"No," the twins said, looking up from the disposable camera.

"Then you don't understand how this one works. If the camera is full, you deposit it at the store, and they develop it for you."

"How do you know it's full?" George asked, taking the camera out of his twins' grasp, squinting at it.

"Here," she said as he pointed at a tiny hole in the camera. "Two left."

"Brilliant." The twins jumped up and wiggled themselves between the three of them. "Wait." George picked up Katie, while Fred picked up Hermione and placed them on their laps. "That's better."

George held out the camera and held it in front of them. "George, wait." Hermione said and looked to Charlie. He nodded and took out his wand and waved it at the camera, making it float in front of them. They all readied themselves and smiled.

"Everyone ready?" Charlie said. "One, two, say—"

"Merlin's saggy left ball!" Fred called out. The three Weasley grinned, while Hermione and Katie looked at each other with raised eyebrows, before laughing and turned back to the camera and the flash went off.

"One left." George said, plucking the camera out of the air.

"Oh! We can take a group picture on the platform." Katie said excitedly as she stood up with Hermione from their laps.

"It looks like we are already here." Charlie said, standing up, and peered out the window. The others followed, and the twins glued their faces against the cold glass. And indeed, the train started to slow down as you saw the platform grow bigger and bigger as they neared. "Let's get our things."

Charlie went to the prefect compartment to retrieve his trunk while the others went to the overcrowded compartment to get their stuff. Katie was already saying to everyone not to run off so quickly because they wanted to take a picture of everyone before they left. When everyone agreed, they pulled their trunks from the racks above them and walked down the hall as the train stopped. George picked up the ends of Katie and Hermione's trunks as he helped them off the train, sending them a wink.

The platform was stacked with parents, sisters and brothers. They all waited for their families to come home for the summer. The famous red hair of the Weasley family stood out, and you could spot them immediately. And of course, right next to Arthur were her parents. Her father laughed at something Arthur said. Hermione shook her head, smiling as they made their way to their family.

Her mother smiled wide as she ran over and wrapped her arms around her tightly. When her father noticed that his wife had disappeared, he popped up next to them and engulfed them both in a hug. Molly was already fretting about her boys when Bill popped up next to Charlie.

Hermione pulled away from her parents and heard Charlie ask. "Bill, what are you doing here?"

She heard Bill whisper. "I thought you could use a hand telling mum."

Before Charlie could answer, Katie's voice called out above the noisy platform. "PICTURE TIME!"

She grinned as she saw Katie standing at the end of the platform, waving her hands to the others. She looked around and saw Angelina and Alicia say something to their parents before walking towards Katie. Lee was already standing next to her, waiting for the others. She turned back to her parents.

"Give me a sec?" Her parents nodded and looked curiously as she dragged the three Weasley boys to Katie. Hermione looked around as her friends gathered. She saw Cedric pulling his trunk off the train.

"Hey, Ced!" she called over. Cedric turned to the sound of her voice and walked closer, dragging his trunk behind him. "Picture time." She grinned.

"Oh, Hermione. Maybe we can ask your mum or dad to take the picture?"

"Yeah, sure." She looked through the crows to find her parents. "Mum?" Hermione called over the crowd, beckoning her over.

"Yes, dear?"

"Can you take a picture of us?" George stepped closer, pulling the camera out of his pocket. Her mum smiled wide, seeing her daughter surrounded by her friends, real friends, and she took a step back and instructed everyone to scoot closer.

"Say cheese!" Her mum called. Hermione and Angelina replied. The others looked at each other confused before following their example.

"CHEESE!" The group called out together as another flash blinded their eyes. Hermione felt overjoyed as she saw her friends beside her, grinning like fools for the camera. Her life has changed so much over the past year, and she has never felt so alive before.