Chapter Text
Hermione sat at the table in the leaky cauldron planning a route throughout the Hogwarts castle that would allow her to get to her extra classes without running into problems. So far all her plans lined up well… with the exception of how she would avoid her peers. She was so immersed in her project that she hadn’t noticed someone come up behind her chair until a head leaned over the back and a breath ghosted her ear.
Hermione yelped and pulled all her papers to her chest, crumpling it in the process. “Fred! Don’t spook me like that.”
“What’re ya hiding there?”
“… nothing.”
“Awe, don’t be like that. Lemme see.”
“N-no. It’s- it’s a secret… girl stuff.”
“No it’s not. The label said Optimal Route. You trying to find the best ways to sneak around school without getting caught? I’m offended you didn’t ask me. Breaking rules is my specialty after all.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then what’s it like ‘Mione?” Fred said with a smirk.
Hermione had developed a serious blushing problem over the summer whenever Fred used his nickname for her. Fred had definitely caught on and started using it every time he got the opportunity. Luckily Hermione was saved by Mrs.Weasley.
“Fred. Hermione. Would you two mind helping set the table? Lunch is almost ready.”
“‘Course mum.” Fred grabbed Hermione’s arm and pulled her off to the dish pantry. He shoved her in, pulled the door closed, and lit his wand.
“You’re not supposed to use magic outsi-”
“And you’re not supposed to stay out past curfew in the restricted section of the library.”
Hermione pursed her lips. “Alright fine. Help me get these plates.”
“Not so fast.” Fred put an arm up, blocking Hermione from going. “Why are you already planning ahead to sneak around the castle?”
“None of your business.”
“So you admit that’s what you’re doing?”
“No.”
“Awe, c’mon ‘Mione,” Fred stepped closer and brushed some of Hermione’s hair behind her ear. “You can tell me.”
Hermione’s brain had a moment of short circuiting at the feeling of Fred’s hand brushing her face. “We umm should set up the table.” Hermione said and averted her gaze.
“Doesn’t sound too fun.”
“Neither does telling you all my secrets.”
“Hmm. How about we compromise then? I know a few fun things we could do.”
“Nice try, but Molly needs help setting the table.” Hermione ducked under Fred’s arm, grabbed a stack of plates, and left him in the pantry.
So much for keeping my extra classes under wraps. She thought.
✿
Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat in the corner of The Leaky Cauldron discussing why Mr.Weasley told Harry to stay away from Sirius Black. It had been an odd instruction, one Harry intended on following, but still worth discussing.
A woman came over to take their orders.
“Three butterbeers and some ginger with mine.” Hermione said.
“Ugh, you order your butterbeer with ginger too?” Ron asked.
“Too?” Harry said.
“Yeah, Fred and George always add it to theirs. I used to like it too, but then one time they put so much in mine it burned half my taste buds off.”
“Oh… Fred and George?” Hermione blushed again, thinking back to her first Butterbeer with the twins and how they ordered theirs with ginger. She hadn’t realised she started ordering it the same way since that first time. Just another habit caused by Fred and George to add to her list of things she let influence her.
“Yes. What- Oh speak of the Devil’s.” Ron said, looking over at his brothers. The two of them squeezed into Hermione’s side of the booth, across from Ron and Harry. Fred threw an arm around Hermione’s shoulders and pulled her close. Despite feeling increasingly warm due to the contact, it sent a chill down her spine.
Fred snatched Hermione’s butterbeer and took a sip. “Ginger? You have good taste.” He smirked at his little brother across the table, who scowled back.
“She did learn from the best.” George said, giving Fred an elbow nudge.
“That she did, Forge.”
“Oh great. I should’ve known it was you two who infected her.” Ron spat.
“If I knew this bothered ickle Ronnikins so much, I’d have been spending all my time dedicated to infecting ‘Mione as much as possible.” Fred said.
“Oh Merlin, please don’t.” Hermione tried to shield her face so none of the boys would see her growing blush. The red on her neck and face drastically increased when she felt Fred’s deep chuckle against her body.
“You’re no fun.”
“I’m plenty fun.” Hermione took a sip of her drink, back turned slightly towards the older Weasley, and tried her best to keep a straight face when she tasted the distinct flavor of cinnamon that had to be lingering from the candies Fred was eating earlier, left on the glass when he took a sip. She could practically feel his smirk.
“Homework doesn’t count as fun, Hermione.” Ron said.
“I wasn’t talking about homework… I am fun.”
“You know what ‘Mione, I believe you’re fun, so how ‘bout you just hang out with me for the day, instead of these two? They’ll just insult you.”
“You know what, maybe I will.”
“That’s the spirit. Now let’s go.” Fred and George were sliding out of the booths, but Hermione didn’t follow.
“I said ‘maybe’ not ‘definitely’.”
“Ugh, just go with them. I don’t want to have these two hanging around me.” Ron said.
“No way. After what we just talked about, I absolutely will not be leaving Harry’s side. He’s my friend too, you know?”
“It’s alright Hermione, I don’t mind. And I’m sure Ginny would like to hang out with you as well,” Harry said with a reassuring smile. “Besides, we'll be at Hogwart in no time, so we’ll have plenty of time to hang out then.”
What a load of goblin shit. Harry always works with Ron during class, they just want me to leave them alone. Hermione let out a huff and threw back the rest of her butterbeer. “Fine. But you’re paying for my drink.” She set the glass down and rushed out of the pub ignoring Ron’s protests. The twins weren’t far behind, letting out boisterous laughs and patting her on the back.
Guess I’m still the nightmare bookworm to Ron. Harry could have at least stood up for me.
“Hermione?” Stopping in her tracks, Hermione looked over to see Parvati and Padme. “I knew I recognised that wild hair. How was your summer?” Parvati asked.
“It was nice. I got in a lot of reading, so I can’t wait for classes to start.” She said, and ignored the twins scoffing behind her.
“Riiight. Listen, Padme and I were going to shop for a few things, you want to join us?”
“Yeah, that sounds like fun.” Hermione looked over her shoulder to see the twins pouting. “You guys don’t mind, do you?”
“No no, that’s alright, you go ahead.” Fred said.
“We were just gonna spend our time at Zonko’s anyway, and we know it’s not your preferred speed, so go on ahead.” George said.
“Alright, I’ll see you two at dinner.” Hermione waved and took off with the Patil twins.
✿
The last few weeks of summer went by fast. Hermione, despite everything that had been going on, eagerly boarded the train and found her spot in the compartment with Harry and Ron. This was going to be an exciting year full of learning.
At least that’s what Hermione thought before the dementors showed up on the express.