Through The Eyes Of Love

by: EndlessDaydreaming

A/N: I have a nasty habit of starting stories but getting stuck in the middle. Tsk. Anyway, this story is my version of the happenings in OOTP and onwards. I have no claim over JK's amazing story and characters.

Chapter 1

"Ron, not this again," Ginny moaned, slapping her palm on her forehead.

Harry chuckled, wrapping his arm around his girlfriend. It was strangely quiet in the common room, and the sound of his voice echoed. Only Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were present. The rest were up in their own rooms, preparing for the ball that Umbridge decided to hold out of nowhere for no reason at all. It was most probably an evil plot or some sort, but the students were excited nonetheless.

Seated by the fire place, across Harry and Ginny, Ron instructed his chess piece to move before he answered Ginny. "I'm serious. I haven't got a date tonight, and it just so happens that Hermione's in the same situation," he whined.

Ron ignored the warning glares from Harry and Ginny, watching Harry's chess piece move to smash his pawn. From across the room, Hermione, who was doing her homework by the window, cringed. Not because of the sound of the pawn being smashed to smithereens, but because of the horrible truth Ron had reminded her with.

She was dateless. Although she was quite angry that Ron was making her his last resort again, he was right - she had completely forgotten to look for a date! The past week had been difficult, with piles and piles of homework given to them, now that they were fifth years. Between managing the DA, pissing off Umbridge, and homework, Hermione barely had time for anything else. The last thing Hermione wanted to do was take a night off from homework to frolic about in a dress.

She moaned again. A dress! She didn't have anything to wear! And the ball was just a few hours away!

"Ron, just because you haven't got a date, doesn't mean Hermione hasn't gotten one," Ginny answered back fiercely, eying her brother angrily.

Hermione almost smiled. Ginny was always to the rescue. Hermione was afraid that Ginny was wrong this time, however. Just when Hermione was about to open her mouth to say that she actually didn't have a date, Ron cut her off.

" Oh come off it. No one would ask her," Ron half sneered before he smirked at Harry. "Check mate."

Harry glared at Ron. One, because he was being an arse to Hermione. Two, because he lost again. Harry always lost. It didn't matter that he was the chosen one, and that he had beaten countless obstacles – he just couldn't beat Ron!

"Excuse me?" Hermione gasped, turning her head to narrow her eyes at Ron. This was all too familiar.

"I mean, really, Krum's not here to ask you out now,and we all know that guy was quite light in the head, that's why he asked you out, if you know what I mean," Ron chuckled, re-setting the chess game.

Hermione couldn't take it anymore. She snapped. Alright, she wasn't attractive, she wasn't "girlfriend material", but he had no right to insult her like that!

She opened her mouth to answer back as tears stung her eyes. She did not need to be reminded how much of an unwanted lady she was. She already knew she was the only one without a boyfriend amongst all the fifth years. And this coming from the guy she had feelings for? From Ron?

"I-"

"There you are, doll!"

Hermione, startled, turned to look at the staircase leading to the boys' dormitories. There stood a smug-looking Fred Weasley, who was leaning on the stairway wall, arms across his chest. His shortly cut hair suited him, giving him a much younger look. He still wore the school robes, not yet preparing for the ball as most of the students were (except the four in the common room, anyway).

"Um...what? Are you talking to me?" Hermione blinked at him.

"Oh, no, I'm talking to the window," Fred joked, smirking. He unfolded his arms and walked over to Hermione, leaning on her study table. "So, got an answer for me yet?"

Fred looked at her eyes. Hermione narrowed hers. What are you on about, Fred Weasley?

He tilted his head a bit over at Ron's direction, who had his back to them, but whose ears were clearly in attention.

Oh. "As a matter of fact, I do," Hermione smiled a bit. Fred was a complete gentleman if he wanted to be. He must have been lurking by the staircase long enough to hear what Ron had said about Hermione, and have come to "gallantly" "rescue" her.

Fred stared at the back of Ron's head and watched it cringe. Smirking proudly to himself for another "Knight Fred Saves The Day", he playfully held out his arm for Hermione to take.

"Splendid! Shall we, then, milady?" Fred smiled widely, watching Ron from the corner of his eyes. His ears were turning red – a sign of his temper tantrum coming on. He got it coming, anyway, that git.

Hermione smiled back, grateful for Fred's rescue. She took his arm, and he steered her up to the boys' dormitories. Once out of earshot of Ron and the others, they burst out laughing, holding each other up as they turned weak in the knees.

"Oh, Merlin, did you see his ears?" Fred laughed, gasping for air. He held Hermione's laughing form up from her waist as she leaned on him for support.

Hermione nodded in reply, laughter blocking her speech. Tears of joy were clouding her eyes as she and Fred laughed hysterically. Oh, such joy in making Ron angry.

Fred calmed down, chuckling still, as he still held Hermione. He was suddenly all too aware of her body pressed to his, her head leaning on his chest, her soft and warm hands on his arms, her giggling that seemed to ring like beautiful winter bells, her hair that smelled like vanilla...

"Thank you, Fred," Hermione managed to gasp, calming down.

Fred snapped out of his reverie. "Ah, the lady is sincerely welcome," he grinned, letting Hermione go and bowing playfully.

"How long have you been by the stairway?" Hermione asked, leaning back on one side of the hallway walls. There was only a small space between her and Fred, as the hallway was made for only two people to pass through.

Fred did the same at his end of the wall, shrugging. "Quite long enough to hear Ron be an arse," he replied. "Oh, and do forgive my brother. I'm afraid he hasn't got my charm. Or my drastically good looks," he added, grinning.

Hermione shook her head, but smiled. It was so like Fred Weasley to make her smile when she was feeling...well, really bad.

"Don't listen to him, by the way. It's not Krum who's a bit light on the head – it's actually him," Fred said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Hermione looked at his azure eyes, the dim light in the hallway glowing over his flaming red hair. His tall frame towered over her easily, but it was comforting rather than intimidating.

"I can't help but think it's true, though. I am dateless tonight, and no one exactly asked me," Hermione said softly, looking down at her feet.

Fred frowned a bit. Was this woman daft?

He closed the space between them and tilted her head up to meet his gaze. "Hermione, you have no idea what effect you have on people," he whispered. His eyes flickered to her lips, but quickly turned back to her caramel eyes. He slid the hand holding her chin up down her neck, then her shoulder, then to her arm, and at last to her hand. He knelt down on one knee, his free hand over his heart like a well-pronounced knight, the other lifting her hand to his lips.

Hermione's heart skipped a bit as Fred placed a light kiss on the back of her hand. Calm down, Hermione. Fred's just playing around, you know that. Don't let your school girl crush from a few years back turn into something more just because he was playing around, she scolded herself.

Fred turned his eyes to hers. "I'll see you later," he said smiled, standing up and reluctantly releasing her hand. He held the smile as he shoved his hands in his pockets, walking towards his room.

"Later?" Hermione said stupidly as she watched his retreating form.

Fred grinned and raised a hand to wave as he continued to walk away from her. "You did agree to be my date tonight, Granger," he called, disappearing down the narrow corridor.

Smiling despite herself, she turned around to walk down to the Common Room.

She had a date with Fred Weasley.

He was practically her brother, and it was a friendly date, but who cares?

She had a date with Fred Weasley.

Ha. Double Ha. Take that, Ronald.

Twisting the knob of his room with George and Lee open, he stepped in, a silly grin plastered on his face.

"About time you came back, Fred," George calledLee's bed, which was across the room by the window. Lee was beside him, and they sat cross-legged, parchments laid out in front of them.

"I take it you've found a date?" Lee snickered, gesturing at the silly grin on his face.

Fred shrugged, still grinning, as he flopped down beside George and scanned the parchment. Lines magically darted around them, some dotted and some straight, as circles moved along with the lines. "I take it this is tonight's diagram?" Fred asked.

"Ah, Lee my friend, I reckon someone here is trying to avoid our questions," George said, eying Fred teasingly.

"Quite rude, don't you think, George? Seeing as he ditched us up here to plan for tonight, claiming he had to go find himself a date downstairs," Lee said, crossing his arms.

Fred rolled his eyes. "It's a surprise, so just shut it and let's get to planning. We are blowing it tonight, right?"

George and Lee grinned.

"Of course, brother dear. Umbridge won't what hit her. After tonight, she'll remember us Weasleys forever," George chuckled.

"I'll miss you guys," Lee said softly.

Fred and George passed each other a silent look before they both wrapped an arm around Lee's shoulders.

"Getting sappy with us, are you, Lee?"

"Ah, I reckon he is, George. After all, the Weasley twins have made Hogwarts history!"

"Well said, Fred! I believe we should be in the next edition of Hogwarts: A History!"

"I think I'm going to miss all our mischief here, George."

"Well, I'm afraid we'll have to say goodby to the happier days, Freddie. Tonight's our last night here, so have fun and say your goodbyes."

Sighing, Fred pulled back from Lee and headed to the bathroom. George shot Lee a look before he stood up to walk after Fred.

Leaning by the bathroom door, George watched as Fred splashed water on his face.

"What's up, Fred?" he asked.

Fred let the water run and rested his hands on the bathroom sink, head hung. "Nothing," he said frustratingly.

George sighed. Fred had always been the more...shy, between the two. Oh, yes, they were both friendly with everyone, but Fred had more trouble in expressing what he felt, especially if he really fancied someone.

And George knew who Fred had fancied for quite some time now.

"This is about Hermione, isn't it?" George asked calmly. Fred never really told George, but George knew. It was a twin thing. He could see that glint in Fred's eyes whenever he watched Hermione, that look that he got when Hermione the prefect would catch them making mischief. George sometimes wondered if Fred actually wanted her to catch them.

Fred never did make a move on her. Maybe it was because Ron and she had an...off and on thing. They were never official, but everyone thought they'd end up with each other sometime someday. Maybe it was what made Fred back off. Or maybe it was because Fred didn't have the guts.

Fred had gone out with a number of girls here and there, and George thought it was probably because he was trying to get over Hermione. It never really worked though. Fred had gone steady with Angelina Johnson for awhile, but suddenly it was over.

Angelina secretly told George that Fred had said Hermione's name as he was "caught in the throws of passion" one really heated night. If that didn't confirm George's suspicions on his twin's crush on Hermione Granger, nothing would.

"How did y- forget it. The twin thing. Of course," Fred mumbled, closing the tap of running water.

"Look, Fred. We could postpone-"

"No," Fred said sternly, turning around to face George. "We have been planning this for awhile now. Our shop's ready, everything's ready. All we have to do is make our final grand exit."

"I know, Fred, but-"

"No," Fred said firmly. "It's alright, really. I don't even know why I'm feeling frustrated right now. I mean, sure, Hermione's a good kid, but there's nothing going on. Must be pre-prank jitters," Fred said, shifting the mood.

George chuckled. It was so like Fred to not want to dwell on anything serious for too long. It made Fred comfortable.

"You know as well as I do that she's not a kid anymore, Fred," George said softly, running a hand through his hair.

Fred didn't say anything.

George was glad Fred had found someone he cared for. He was starting to worry that his twin might be swinging a bit the other way, since he never took his dates with any girl seriously. George was suspecting this was more than a crush, but he'll never know.

It was Fred's choice. As much as George didn't want to rip his brother away from potential happiness, Fred knew the decisions he making. Fred had always been the more stubborn between the two.

"Well, hurry up and get preparing. You wouldn't want me to out shine you tonight in front of your date, now, do you?" George smirked.

Fred grinned back at him. "Oh, believe me, I'm not that worried. I know I'm the better looking twin."

When Hermione got back down from the boys' dorms' stairs, the Common Room just held Ron and Harry in it.

Upon seeing her, Harry took Ron's arm and dragged him towards her.

"Apologize," Harry commanded to Ron.

Ron shuffled a bit, turned pink, and looked at his shoes.

"'msorry," he mumbled.

Hermione just smiled and nodded her thanks to Harry before she hurried up to her own dorm. She wouldn't let Ron spoil her night, again. She had a date with Fred Weasley, and she wanted it to be perfect.

Forgetting that she had despised the night to come just a few minutes ago, she knocked on Ginny's dorm room. Ginny came out, all ready.

"Wow, Gin, you look amazing," Hermione smiled at her best girl friend. Ginny was in a long black strapless gown that brought out the fire in her hair. Her hair was worn up into a french bun, held into place by a flower piece comb.

Ginny smiled back, but then frowned when she saw Hermione's not-even-dressed-yet state. "Don't tell me you're going in that," she joked.

Hermione shook her head. "Of course not! It's just that I don't have anything to wear..." she trailed on.

Ginny eyes glinted. "Oh, I have just the thing for you," she grinned.

"Oh, thank Merlin! Nothing too fancy please, Gin," Hermione half smiled half begged.

Ginny pulled her into her room in reply. Ginny's roommates weren't present, and Hermione was thankful. She didn't need curious looks on her.

Hermione sat on Ginny's bed as Ginny opened her trunk. Clothes were then flying all over the room as Ginny rummaged her trunk.

"So, Hermione. Finally going out with my brother?" Ginny's amused voice came from the cover of her trunk, which was all Hermione could see right now.

Hermione felt herself grow pink. "It's just for tonight," she mumbled.

"Oh, come off it. You two have been at this game for so long. It's so obvious you two fancy each other, but none of you do anything about it!" Ginny said, finally standing up, a white dress in hand.

Hermione gaped at the dress. It was perfect.

"Ginny, I couldn't-"

"Don't you dare. You're putting this on right now, or I give you this," Ginny threatened, holding up a low-cut, very short red dress that barely hid anything at all.

Hermione raised a brow. "And you own something like that, why?"

Ginny smirked. "Oh, it comes in handy."

"Ginevra Weasley, really," Hermione chuckled, shaking her head.

It was going to be a long night. Fun, but long. No matter how long it was, though, she couldn't wait.

Fred stood by the grand staircase outside the Great Hall together with Harry. Ron was whisked away by an overly enthusiastic Lavander Brown a few seconds ago, and George was already with Alicia in the Great Hall, so the two men were left alone waiting for their dates.

"So, Harry," Fred started.

"Yes, Fred?"

"You and my sister, eh?" Fred wiggled his brows.

"You and Hermione, eh?" Harry shot back, grinning.

"Touche, Potter," Fred chuckled.

Harry chuckled along with him. "So, Fred."

"Yes, Harry?"

"Don't hurt Hermione, alright?"

Fred looked at Harry, to see if he was joking. And the verdict was, no, he was not.

"I can't promise you that," Fred said softly.

"Why not?" Harry asked, not unkindly. More on curious.

"Because...George and I...well, we're leaving tonight," Fred said.

"Wait, what?" Harry asked, bewildered, his green eyes widening.

Fred sighed shuffled. "This is our last night in Hogwarts. Our joke shop's up, thanks to you, and it's just waiting for us right now. George and I have been planning this a long time ago: how we'll leave Hogwarts soon. But with a loud bang, of course," Fred joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Umbridge getting to you that much?" Harry chuckled sadly. Harry knew that Fred was stubborn. Once he had decided on something, he wouldn't change his mind.

Fred gave him an appreciative smile for not pushing the subject. "You have no idea. This ball tonight just happens to be the right timing. Too bad for Umbridge," Fred snorted.

Harry chuckled a long, but stopped mid-chuckle as his gaze locked somewhere behind Fred.

"What-" Fred started to ask, when he was cut short, too.

The two men watched Ginny descend the stairs, her black dress making her hair blaze alive. Harry stood and walked over to her, smiling.

"You look..." Harry trailed on, trying to grasp for words.

"Lovely? Beautiful? Amazing?" Ginny supplied, grinning.

"I was going for cute, but I guess that will do," Harry joked.

Ginny nudged him playfully. "You don't look so bad yourself, either, Mr. Potter."

"She's beautiful," Fred said softly, eyes on something else.

Harry thought he meant Ginny, though, as his eyes were still glue on her. "Yeah, she does," Harry smiled at Ginny one last time before turning to Fred.

Surprised at how Fred's gaze was not on Ginny but way above her, Harry turned to follow his gaze.

Hermione was descending the stairs, looking angelic in her strapless white dress that flowed behind her at every step she took. The light above them made her dress sparkle, and her hair was pulled up into a twist behind her head, small curls framing her face.

Harry felt a strange case of DeJa Vu as Fred stepped forward to offer Hermione her arm. Hermione smiled gently at Harry before taking Fred's arm. The two walked towards the Great Hall doors, and Harry stared after them, smiling.

"They look good together, don't they?" Ginny asked, smiling.

Harry pecked Ginny on the lips as he led her towards the Great Hall as well. "Yeah, they do," he said somewhat sadly.

Fred held Hermione close as they danced their third slow dance for the night. It was nearly time for the show, and Fred was cherishing his last dance with her.

Pulling her closer to him using the arm around her waist, he brought his hand that was holding hers to his lips and kissed her knuckles softly. Hermione looked up from his shoulder and smiled.

"I had fun tonight," she said softly, watching Fred's handsome face smile down at her.

"I did, too," He said in reply. "How can I not, when the prettiest girl In the whole room is with me?" he teased.

"Not that I believe you, but thank you," she giggled.

Fred stopped their swaying. He slid the hand on her waist up to her cheek, caressing it. Hermione found herself unconsciously leaning into the warmth of his strong hands. He released her hand that he held, and used his now free hand to hug her close to him.

Leaning downward a bit, Fred rested his forehead on Hermione's. "I don't know why I waited until now to ask you out," he whispered, looking into her sparkling brown eyes.

"Well, better late than never," she smiled softly.

Fred's insides twisted into knots. How can he possibly leave, now that he had this? Now that he was happy? Now that his dreams weren't just dreams anymore?

As much as he wanted to stay, he had to go. It wasn't just about Umbridge. It was also about the Order. The Order needed both he and George as full time workers, now that they were of age. And if working full-time for the Order to bring down Voldemort quickly would enable him to get back to this, to her, then he had to leave.

"I'm afraid I'm too late," Fred said sadly.

Hermione's eyes blinked in confusion. "What-"

Fred held a finger to her lips to silence her. "I need to tell you something. I...need you to listen to me, without interrupting. Will you promise me that you'll listen?" Fred said softly, pleading with his eyes.

Hermione was starting to get nervous. Fred was acting weird. She nodded slowly, anyway.

Fred took a deep breath before continuing. "Tonight will be George and I's last night in Hogwarts," he whispered. He paused to gauge her reaction.

Hermione's eyes widened a bit, but she stayed quiet as promised.

"We're going to set off some Whizbangs later on, basically just cause a riot, and leave – for good. The Order needs our help, and our joke shop's already ready to open in Diagon Alley. We had been planning this for a long time, and Umbridge's ball tonight was scheduled perfectly, so we set it tonight," he continued, looking at Hermione with sad eyes.

Hermione didn't know what to say. Fred and George might be in constant danger from now on, away from the protection of Hogwarts. She thought it was a bad decision, but it seems Fred and George's mind was made up.

"Hermione, thank you for tonight. I really had fun. This was something I had wanted for a long time now. I just didn't have the guts to do it. Thanks for the experience," he said softly.

Hermione just nodded.

Smiling sadly, he held her hands in his and kissed the back of them one last time. "I have to go," he said softly.

Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She didn't know what the sinking feeling in her stomach was. Tonight was just one date. One. That didn't make any difference. Fred just took pity on you. Besides, she had her mission done. Ron was steaming with anger by the tables, refusing to dance with his date. That was all Hermione wanted...right? Right?

"Be careful, Fred," she whispered.

Pulling back, she kissed him gently on the cheek, before letting him go.

Fred stepped away from her reluctantly. He gave her a soft smile, which she returned, before walking away.

He didn't look back. He was afraid that if he did, he wouldn't get to leave anymore.

George turned to watch Fred enter their dorm room.

"How'd it go?" George asked, not teasing.

Fred shrugged. "Alright. It was a good date. I had fun. Now's the time to have some revenge on the pink-frilled monster," Fred grinned.

George chuckled. "Well, say goodbye to the ol' room. Here," George said, passing Fred's shrunken trunk to him.

Fred pocketed it and looked around the room. "Goodbye, room. Hope you won't miss your drop-dead gorgeous inhabitants," Fred joked.

George walked to him and placed an arm around Fred's shoulder. "You ready, brother?"

Fred grinned at him. "Ready when you are, brother."

"Excellent, let's get this party started."

Hermione sat at a table with Ginny, Harry, and Ron. Ginny was rubbing her back comfortingly as Hermione drunk glass after glass of punch.

"Bloody git, leading you on like that," Ron mumbled.

Harry and Ginny shot him a glare, and it seemed to shut him up.

Just when Hermione was going to defend Fred, the Great Hall's doors burst open with a loud bang. Two rockets whizzed in, turning in circles and sending sparks and smoke everywhere. They erupted with a bang, bringing more sparkles, as Fred and George zoomed in on their brooms, laughing.

More rockets entered the Great Hall, whirling above everybody and erupting noisily. Hermione's eyes were glue on Fred, who was circling above them on his broom. He threw a wink at her before he let more rockets loose.

Everybody who was seated stood up now and watched the show. With all the some in the way, Hermione navigated through the maze of students, tables, sparkles, and smoke to find Umbridge.

Hermione smiled when she saw Umbridge. She was red with anger, trying to magic the Weasley's Wildfire Whizbangs away, but to no avail. The other Professors were trying to look like they were helping her, but they were secretly sniggering and enjoying the show.

"Hermione!"

Hermione turned to the voice that had shrieked her name, but was met with a bright flashing instead. The flashing was painfully bright, and she felt like her eyes were burning. She screamed when she felt her legs burning. It was hot. She was thrown backwards, and she heard a loud thud as her head hit the wall.

And then she saw or felt nothing else.

"Hermione!"

Fred looked for Ginny, who was clearly the one who shrieked. He had the voice memorized, as she screamed at him a lot.

From his broom up in the air, he saw Ginny with Harry and Ron. But where's Hermione?

Seeing the horrified look on the three's faces, he turned to look at the direction where they stared so horrifyingly at.

And he almost fell of his broom.

A stray rocket was speeding towards Hermione. Before he had the chance to move, to even at least whip out a wand to mutter a spell, the rocket hit her and flashed, temporarily blinding the whole room.

As soon as the circles of light left his eyes, Fred raced down towards Hermione, and felt a sickening lurch on his stomach as he saw her limp form by the wall. He landed, threw his broom aside, and took Hermione in his arms, shaking her.

"Hermione! Hermione! Open your eyes!" he called, panic setting in.

He cradled her head, and felt something warm. He drew his hand back, only to reveal blood on them.

"Mr. Weasley, step aside," Madam Pomfrey commanded.

Fred gingerly passed Hermione over to the mediwitch. He was frozen on the spot, though, eyes never leaving Hermione's pale form.

It was when George wrapped an arm around him that Fred noticed he had been shaking. George led him away, behind the crowd that now formed, as Madam Pomfrey attended to Hermione on a conjured stretcher.

It seemed like hours had passed, and Fred's mind was empty. He couldn't think of anything else. Only one thing ran across his mind, again and again:

I killed Hermione.

"What-" a light voice started.

"Ms. Granger! Lie back down! You've had quite a few injuries, and your feet are certainly in no condition to get up!"

Fred snapped his head to the voices, but the crowd blocked his view. He ran forward, pushing his way into the crowd.

"What happened?" Hermione's weak voice asked.

"A stray rocket hit you," Madam Pomfrey answered.

When Fred finally reached the front of the crowd, he was about to walk to Hermione when her next sentence made him stop.

"Why is it so dark?"

Fred felt his hands shiver as he looked at Madam Pomfrey. She looked just as startled as everyone else did.

Fred stepped forward and took Hermione's hands in his. He looked into her big brown eyes, and focused on them, clearly not wanting to focus on the many burns her body now had.

"Hermione," he said softly.

"Fred?" she called, squeezing his hand. "Where are you? I can't see you. Why is it so dark here? Can't we light some candles?" she asked weakly.

Fred blinked.

"Ms. Granger, the candles are already lit," Madam Pomfrey answered for Fred, sadly.

"Wh-what? That's ridiculous. Why is it so dark then?" She stammered, blinked her eyes frantically.

"Ms. Granger..."

"I can't see," Hermione's voice trembled.

Nobody spoke.

Fred saw new tears falling from her eyes.

"I can't see anything," she repeated.

Fred dropped her hands and stepped back, horrified.

I turned Hermione Granger blind.