Magic and Mischief | Fred x Hermione

Chapter 4: The Tutor

The first few weeks of school went relatively well. Defense against the Dark Arts was an incredible class, truly. Mad Eye Moody was every bit the fierce Auror, and his intensity made the class both interesting and eye-opening (no pun intended).

Fred left his class alongside George and Lee feeling a sort of reverent awe at one lesson in particular.

"I can't believe he actually demonstrated the unforgivable curses," Lee Jordan said, his eyes still rather wide from the shocking display.

"You can tell he's really been there though," George shook his head. "That was every bit as good as I was hoping."

"Well, I'll catch you guys for dinner," Lee strode across the hall.

George pulled Fred immediately off to an empty corridor.

"Did you see that? His hip flask? He took a swig and then put it in his coat. He leaves it in there! I've been watching for the past couple of lessons, and he takes his coat off sometimes. Never goes far but that's a definite opportunity. It's going to be even easier than I thought to get to it," George said with a rather smug look on his face.

"I don't know, after that lesson, I think if he caught us he'd probably turn us inside out," Fred raised his eyebrows meaningfully.

"Ah well, no risk no reward is what I always say," George countered.

"Since when do you say that?"

"Uh since always?" George rolled his eyes and walked off. "WE'LL DO IT NEXT WEEK," he yelled from the end of the corridor.

Fred just shrugged. Wasn't like they hadn't pulled stunts like this before.

The next day brought the results of the his first few Ancient Runes tests. There was a daily pop quiz and a weekly test, and looking at his results, he had failed almost everything with horrifically low marks. 2/10, 5/20, it was all the same. 

It wasn't as though he hadn't studied at all, but it was so much more fun to think about anything at all besides runes. So in the end, he had really only truly focused for a total of about thirty minutes every week.

After one runes lesson, he was sitting in class packing his things after another dull lesson, when Professor Babbling called him to the front of the class.

"Mr. Weasley, I have been observing the results of the past few tests you have taken, and I must say that I am extremely concerned about your progress in this course." She took in Fred's sheepish expression and continued. "Now, seeing as it is still early in the semester, instead of discussing class transfer options, I have looked into potential tutoring opportunities for you," she said, nodding as though reconfirming the validity of this suggestion to herself.

Fred's mouth twisted into a bit of a frown. How humiliating, he thought. He didn't need anyone seeing him in the library with a tutor, no matter that he usually didn't care about his grades and that runes was a hard class, he still had pride!

"The tutor I have in mind was a student of mine last year. She truly excelled in the course even for her young age. I have already contacted her to see about her availability, and she can meet you in the library starting today if you decide to accept her help. Mr. Weasley I must say I would strongly recommend it," Professor Babbling looked at him seriously.

Fred shuddered. He might have to put up with a session of this tutoring after all just to get Babbling off his back.

"Alright," he assented, "I suppose you're right. I can meet her in the library after classes if that would work."

"I believe it would. I will give her word," the professor said, staring at him with a "now leave" sort of expression.

Fred took the hint and went about his day.