Love in Hiding

-Hermione

-Fred

-Ron

-Harry

-Voldemort

-The Weasley's

-Various Hogwarts Staff

-Various Hogwarts Students or Friends of Main characters

Prologue.

Hermione was at her desk, the soft glow of the small lamp on the corner of her desk illuminating a circle around the parchment she was writing furiously on. Her quill scratched loudly in the silence of the room. She pulled back slightly before leaning forward again, and signing her name to the bottom. Rolling the parchment up and securing it with a string, she walked across the room, attaching the parchment to the leg of a large tawny owl.

"Take it to Harry," she remarked softly, as if afraid of being heard. "Quickly," she urged, opening the window. The owl hooted in response before gracefully flying out the window. Hermione watched the owl until I was a tiny dot against the horizon. Turning around, she was surprised to fine her custom-made gauge telling her that someone was apparating into the room.

Her wand poised, ready to attack, she waited.

"Professor!" Hermione exclaimed, shocked to see Professor McGonagall in front of her desk.

"Miss Granger," McGonagall greeted her.

"What is it, Professor?" Hermione feared the worst.

"Professor Dumbledore asked me to check up on you," McGonagall remarked, scanning the room quickly. "With dark forces becoming stronger everyday, he fears that you, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Malfoy and those around you will be attacked."

"I got an owl from Ron yesterday and one from Draco early this afternoon," Hermione remarked. "However, the last owl I got from Harry was over two weeks ago. I just sent him an owl a few minutes ago."

"Two weeks?" McGonagall questioned. "You're away of the current situation, are you not?"

"I try to keep up with the news," she nodded. "I want to protect Ron, Harry and Draco in any way that I can."

"Mr. Malfoy has contacted Professor Dumbledore."

"He didn't mention that in his owl," Hermione remarked.

"He's going to safe house. Seems his family was attacked," McGonagall remarked.

"But Draco's father is a death eater!"

"Lucius is, yes, but Draco is not, as you well know. Voldemort saw deception in Lucius bcause Draco did not share the same views as Lucius. You can take credit for that," McGonagall replied.

"Me? How can I take credit for that, Professor?"

"Mr. Malfoy...cares for you. That's why he changed. While you were tutoring him in your sixth year."

"Oh..." Hermione trailed off, surprised.

"That's beside the point, though. I'll tell Professor Dumbledore that you're fine," and then she apparated out of her office without saying goodbye.

~*~

Hermione was in bed, reading when a chime dinged. Hermione looked to see Ron apparating into the room.

"Ron?!" she exclaimed. "What is it?" she noticed the panicked look on his face.

"Pack your things!" Ron remarked frantically. "Accio trunk," he said, holding up his wand. He then went to her dresser and started taking her things out and placing them in the trunk.

"Ron, what are you doing? Why do I need to pack?" Hermione walked across the room.

"You're leaving," Ron remarked. There was something in his voice. Something that caught Hermione's attention.

"Is Harry alright?" she asked softly.

"For now," Ron remarked, turning toward her. "Herm," he called her the nickname she hated. "You need to get out of here. Fred and George have gone to their safe houses already. Ginny's with a friend, and Mum and Dad are...elsewhere. You have to pack. Before it's too late," he brushed her hair out of her eyes.

"Where will I go?" Hermione asked, taking over the packing for Ron.

"Fred said you could stay with him," Ron remarked. "But you have to leave tonight. There's no telling when You-Know-who will show up here." Hermione stopped to look at Ron. He was tall and well built. His hair was still red and was slightly wavy. She smiled slightly before she continued to pack.

~*~

"Where's Fred?" Hermione asked. They'd apparated to the nearest train station.

"I can't say," Ron remarked.

"Then how will I know which trains to take?" Hermione asked.

"I'm just putting you on one. You'll know where to get off when you hear the name," Ron smiled. "I promise," he grinned at her, leaning down and kissing her softly.

"Ron...I'm scared."

"The brilliant Hermione Granger scared?" he asked, dipping his head, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"This isn't a time for jokes," she smacked his arm.

"Herm, listen to me. Everything is going to be fine. You Know Who will never find you. Not where Fred is. I promise you. And as soon as this is all over, I'll come and get you," he remarked.

"Why can't I stay? I'm a better-"

"I know you're better than me," Ron interrupted. "But you mean too much to me. I will NOT let you stay and risk your life. Not for me. And Harry wouldn't let you, either." Hermione just looked at him.

"Ro-"

"Herm, your train's here," Ron hugged her tightly before he kissed her passionately. "Ever been on a wizarding train?"

"Ron...Hogwarts Express, remember?" Hermione asked.

"No...a real wizarding train. They fly," he grinned at her. "Mum and Dad talk about them all time. Never been on one myself," he shrugged. "But, just remember. You'll know the stop when you get there. Fred will be waiting for you," he kissed her again. "Be careful."

Hermione glanced at the emerald freight and then turned to look back at Ron, but he'd apparated out of the station already. With a sigh, she boarded the train.

~*~

Hermione lost track of time. She made sure to pay close attention to every announcement the conductor made. So far, none of the names were standing out to her.

"Marauders Point ten minutes. Marauders Point in ten minutes," he called, walking by. Hermione grinned. She remembered the Marauders Map that the boys had discovered at Hogwarts. She should've known.