Two Can Keep a Secret

Chapter 9- 93 Diagon Alley

Easter holidays came and went. Fred and George had quit pulling pranks over the holidays, and Fred admitted to Hermione that it was for her sake in front of Harry and Ron. George was the only one who had picked up on his comment. Harry and Ron had been too clueless, and it surprised Hermione at the time. The twins began causing trouble when term picked up again. Fred wasn't going to pretend to be a saint.

Fred knew that their time at Hogwarts was coming to an end though, especially when things at their shop were finalized. He felt guilty for not revealing any of his plans to Hermione, and George wasn't helping his conscious at all. George was supposed to be the sensible twin, Fred thought to himself as they climbed up the flight of stairs to the Gryffindor tower.

"You need to tell her our plans. I can't believe you haven't told her yet!" George said to Fred as the twins were heading back from Transfiguration.

Fred sighed as they climbed up the stairs to the Gryffindor tower. "And how am I supposed to start a conversation like that? 'Hermione, your hair looks lovely today. By the way, George and I are dropping out'?"

George sighed in frustration as he slung his bag over his shoulder impatiently. "Yes, that's what you're supposed to do at this point." He widened his eyes as he saw Hermione sitting with Ginny. "Go talk to her now! Right now, right now, right now!" George pushed Fred hard as he said those words.

"Ow! Geez, mother," Fred said sarcastically. He didn't know why George cared so much. He was the one that was in a relationship with Hermione.

"Now," George hissed as he went over to join Angelina and Lee.

"Ok!" Fred hissed as he sighed when he looked at Hermione. She looked so carefree, so beautiful...if only he didn't have to tell her this news. George was right though. Now was probably the best time to talk to her. He approached Ginny and Hermione's table slowly. He could feel that George was watching him, though he wished he wasn't. He was nervous enough about this.

"Hi, Hermione. I was wondering if you could help me find a book at the library? I've got a killer Potions essay due next week." Hermione jumped when Fred addressed her, and Ginny glanced at him suspiciously.

"She's two years below you," Ginny pointed out.

Fred grinned. "Yeah, but she's a walking library. She knows where everything is at the library better than Madam Pince does. I don't want to waste my valuable time looking for a book." He made a face at those words.

Ginny seemed to buy this since her gaze turned to Hermione instead. Hermione was avoiding eye contact, but she nodded. "Sure, Fred. I'll go to the library to help you find this book. Ginny, I'll see you at dinner?"

Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Sure. But I better get details of this later," she warned as she waved Hermione away.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "This'll be completely boring and non-detail worthy," she said in a bored tone as she gathered her books.

"Yeah, I'm sure I'll fall asleep while Hermione looks for the book," Fred couldn't help but add. "She always takes forever at the library." Oops. That comment earned him a glare from Hermione, though he couldn't help but feel like this was working in their favor.

Hermione whacked him in the shoulder with her book. "I won't be doing all of the work. You'll be helping too. You aren't blind," she snapped at him as she stood up. Her gaze softened when she met his eyes briefly, and Fred had to hide a smile.