‘After you,’ said Fred, waving his hand in a elaborate motion so that Hermione could go first. She giggled and climbed into the small van

Fred walked to the other side and hauled himself in. Hermione watched as he started the van and backed out perfectly. She had left a note for Harry and was sure that he wouldn’t worry about the when he got home but she still felt guilty for not telling Ron anything.

‘I can drive. I wouldn’t put you in danger,’ Fred chuckled at Hermione’s shocked face.

Hermione didn’t say anything to that and looked out of the window. Soon they were on the motorway and Hermione sat back in her seat. It was going to be a long ride but she was happy to help out with anything Fred needed doing.

‘What did you tell Ron?’ asked Fred as he leaned back and kept one hand on the steering wheel.

‘Well, I left a note for Harry telling him that I was out looking for a job and probably wouldn’t be back until late at night. It was the first thing I thought of.... Anyway, I told him to tell Ron if he asks,’ Hermione was sure they wouldn’t suspect anything.

‘Good. Ron would kill you if he knew you were with me. I mean... I wouldn’t let him kill you...’ Fred said and chuckled, ‘He’s just being stupid. I wouldn’t hurt you and he knows it.’

‘I don’t like lying to him,’ admitted Hermione, she looked away as Fred looked to her.

‘Look at me, Mia,’ said Fred and she closed her eyes and then opened them. She turned to him, ‘You didn’t have to come with me. I don’t want to make you. You can apparate home right now if you want.’

‘No Fred...’ whispered Hermione and she couldn’t stand the pained look in his eyes. She took his hand and he looked at her in shock then ;looked back to the road, ‘I want to be here.’

‘I'm glad you are here,’ Fred said after a little pause.

Hermione took her hand out of Fred’s after a quick glance his way. She didn’t want to hurt him but as she did, his forehead creased a tiny bit but she decided to ignore it. She turned the radio on and found a wizards channel after waving her wand at it. It blasted out music and Hermione turned it down so that it was low in the background.

The hour passed and they listened to the quiet music. Hermione watched the scenery flicker past as if she was in a movie. Cows, grass, petrol stations and other cars with people who looked so tired. She guessed these muggles were returning home from work. Most looked fed up and sipped coffee in their cars. Fred waved his wand and made the van go faster. Hermione scolded him but he said they would get there in another hour.

‘Do you want something to eat? Drink?’ asked Fred.

‘No thanks,’ said Hermione and they drove on. They talked sometimes but other times they sat in a comfortable silence while listening to the radio.

---

*Harry’s POV*

‘Thanks, Ginny,’ said Harry, groaning as Ginny took his jacket off.

It had been a long, long day at work. He had went home but didn’t want to stay there alone so he came over to the Weasley house. Mrs Weasley was more than happy to fix him up something to eat. Ginny was taking his jacket off and hung it on the coat rack.

‘Thanks, Mrs Weasley,’ said Harry.

He ate the hot, mouth-wateringly delicious soup and felt like he could stay at the Weasley’s forever. Mrs Weasley left the kitchen as Ginny took a seat next to Harry. She touched his cheek and he looked at her.

‘You look so stressed,’ she said as Harry finished off his soup.

‘I am. Just work but I’ll be fine,’ said Harry.

He put his place in the sink and washed his hands. He then turned around to Ginny and sat next to her.

‘Where is Ron?’ asked Harry, ‘I haven’t seen him in a while.’

‘He’s upstairs,’ said Ginny and she looked rather withdrawn.

 Harry leaned in closer and kissed her lips. Ginny looked at him and he could tell something was wrong. He took her face in her hands and then kissed her properly but she pulled away and took his hands away from her face. She held her hands in between their knees.

‘Ginny, what’s wrong?’ asked Harry, staring at the way her eyes looked down at their hands and how she licked her lips every so often.

‘I don’t want you living with Hermione,’ she muttered.

Harry was about to exclaim ‘what?!’ but she looked to upset. He made her look at him and he took a deep breath, smelling in her perfume.

‘I promise, we are just friends,’ he said.

‘Just friends? I know, Harry! But I want you to get your own house... It’s time to leave her and give her some privacy,’ said Ginny.

She leaned forwards before Harry could say anything and their lips met in a long and passionate kiss. They didn’t realise that Ron had walked in. They only realised when he made a disgusted sound and they broke apart.

‘Please leave it for behind closed doors?’ suggested Ron and then he grinned, ‘Is Hermione here?’

‘No,’ said Harry and handed him Hermione’s letter.

Ron read through it and his frown deepened. His eyes scoured the paper and then he looked up to see Harry and Ginny staring at him.

‘She went to find a job so late at night?’ asked Ron unbelievably.

‘Pretty much,’ said Harry shrugging as if it was no big deal.

‘When you get home, send me an owl as soon as she get’s in or tell her to come meet me,’ said Ron and the paper scrunched into a ball in his hand. He stalked out of the kitchen and Harry and Ginny stared after him wondering what had gone wrong.

---

‘This is taking too long, Fred!’ complained Hermione, ‘I can feel myself getting older!’

‘Okay! We’re nearly there!’ said Fred and he chuckled softly.

Hermione looked outside and rested her head against the window. It was really dark outside with only a few stars. They were driving at the back of a big building were it was stoned all around. It was a dull grey stone colour. Fred parked and got out. Hermione followed after him, grabbing her wand and tucking it in her trousers. She watched as Fred used a key and then pulled a lever and the huge back door opened so noisily that Hermione yelped. Fred turned around thinking she had fell or been attacked and then he saw her cowering and holding her ears. He walked up to her and shook his head.

‘I thought you had been attacked. I was getting ready to fight,’ chuckled Fred, slipping his hand in hers.

Hermione looked down at heir entwined hands and felt her face go reed for some reason. She turned to him and chuckled but it sounded as though she was panting after a marathon. Fred raised an eyebrow.

‘And you would fight for me? Even if it was someone as big as Hagrid?’ Hermione asked in a small whisper.

Fred nodded and muttered, ‘course I would.’

‘My hero,’ Hermione meant it as a sarcastic way but it didn’t come out as that sort of way. It was more of a small whisper which did not sound sarcastic at all.

They stared into each other’s eyes. Fred admired Hermione’s perfect brown eyes as Hermione stared into the baby blue eyes. Fred suddenly leaned down and whispered something oddly like... Before Hermione could finish her thought, Fred had pulled in closer and his lips were on hers. His hands snaked across her waist and he jerked her in towards him. Hermione didn’t pull back and she didn’t even think of anything but Fred Weasley’s lips on hers. Their lip moved as one and Fred pulled back first. He leaned his forehead against hers. Hermione looked down at the ground and they stood there for a moment close together but their thoughts were so far apart.

‘Mia, I-’ started Fred, pulling back to look at her.

‘We should get these boxes in. It’s getting late,’ said Hermione, her common sense coming back to her and seemed to be screaming that she had a boyfriend she had officially cheated on.

‘Maybe you should sit in the van and I’ll-’ said Fred, taking her hand.

‘No, I’ve got it,’ said Hermione and moved into the building.

She withdrew her wand and waved it once. Some boxes floated up into the night air and she led them to the van. Fred started to do the same and soon the boxes, that were probably really heavy and would take twice as long to carry back to the van, were all loaded and stacked in the small van quickly. Fred went into the building and Hermione, after a glance around, went behind him in their. She stowed her wand away as she looked for Fred. He was going into a small backroom. She stood by the door, waiting for him to come out. A switch was next to her and she noticed lots of doors were around the place. The doors were all the same too. Brown and double doors-

‘MIA!’ shouted Fred and something grabbed her arm.

Hermione jumped backwards at the contact and her back hit the switch on the wall. Her hands flew around blindly and she felt someone gripping her arms. The shutters shuddered and with a loud screech they began to close. Hermione yelled as loud as she could but her yells were probably blocked by the back door shutters closing. Someone clapped a hand over her mouth, blocking out her screams. She opened her eyes and then relaxed as she saw it was only Fred who was holding her. He was looking, worriedly, at the shutters as they closed shut and hit the ground with a bang. The light from outside went away and the only light was spilling around them from the room that Fred had gone into. They stayed like that in silence. Fred’s hand over Hermione's mouth, Hermione’s eyes opened wide and Fred staring at the shutters as though his life depended on it. Then he swore out loud in the dark silence.

‘Fred... what the hell just happened?’ asked Hermione in a quiet voice as he moved away from her and ran a hand through his hair.

‘The shutters closed!’ he exclaimed pointing to them and Hermione could only make him out because of the light from the small room.

‘So? Open them up again,’ shrugged Hermione as if it was no big deal.

‘I cant,’ Fred said simply, ‘I left the key in the van!’

He took her hand and pulled her into the small room. Hermione looked around and saw that it was an office. There was a desk and two sofas. But she didn’t care as Fred’s words sank into her. They couldn’t open the back doors... meaning they couldn’t leave!

‘Fred! You have to do something!’ Hermione said grabbing onto his arm but Fred didn’t look at her.

‘I cant do anything! You were the one who pushed the switch, Hermione!’ he shouted out loud.

‘Because you scared me!’ said Hermione and she pushed him away, ‘forget it! Let’s just rot in here! Ron will have your head when he next sees you!’

‘Is that all you talk about? Ron?!’ shouted Fred and he turned to face her.

Hermione stood on her tip toes so she could get in his face and she nodded scowling, ‘He is my boyfriend!’

Fred glared at her and Hermione glared back. They stared at each other and if it had been anyone else they would’ve looked away but both were as stubborn as each other. Suddenly, in a matter of seconds, Fred’s lips were exploring Hermione’s and she let him. In fact, she pulled Fred closer and they found their way to one of the sofas. They seemed to be glued to one another. Fred’s hand tugged at the end of her shirt and Hermione nodded to let him know that it was okay. Fred pulled up her shirt and Hermione did the same to Fred.