Ron debated with himself in his room in the burrow. He could hear downstairs that everyone was finishing off their breakfast. The breakfast, egg, bacon and toast was great, but Ron couldn’t eat... He was really worried about Hermione who was in her bed a, most likely, large number of miles away. Ron was worried as he knew that she would be worried about why he hadn’t come to see her. But Hermione was not, of course, worried.

Ron paced the length of his room which was, in all truth, quite small. Now Ron was older and taller and more mature. He wanted a place of his own but he also wanted Hermione to live with him. He truly loved her but he didn’t know how Hermione felt. Did she love him? Hate him? Ron didn’t think so... Did she just think he was a kind of brother? Ron didn’t want to think that either. He didn’t want to ask her to live with him because he’s afraid...

Ron stopped in the middle of his room at that thought. He was afraid? Was he really? Of course he was afraid! She might say no or want to break up or...

‘Ron, open this door!’ shouted his mother, Mrs Weasley, as she stood outside of the room in a pose that Ron could probably imagine; hands on hips and that stern gaze.

Ron let out a shaky breath and moved towards the door. He unlocked it and let her mother in, who was indeed standing in the same pose he thought of. Mrs Weasley’s eyes glazed over Ron’s messy room and like any parent would do, she sighed at Ron and said...

‘Ron, you are nineteen years old and I have to pick up after you?’ she glared at him, challenging him to answer her question. When Ron didn’t answer, Mrs Weasley shook her head, sighed and then changed the subject, ‘Dear, did you talk to Hermione?’

‘No,’ replied Ron, knowing that his mother would take the matter out of hand so he added, ‘Mum, it’s fine. Everything will be fine between us. Don't worry.’

‘Don’t worry?’ repeated Mrs Weasley, in a stern but sort of gentle voice, ‘She’s been through so much and does not need a broken heart to top it all off.’

Ron wanted to shout at his mother that he had been through so much as well but did everyone just forget that? He was the one who was Harry’s first friend in Hogwarts. It was true that they were only friends because he didn’t have anywhere else to sit but still... he was the first friend. Ron pulled Harry out of the pool when he went for the sword of Gryffindor. Without Ron, Harry would have frozen and died. Ron fought in the war too and destroyed a horcrux. Ron lost his brother but Hermione didn’t lose anyone. Sometimes he wish he could shout it all but of course he kept silent. Who would even hear him if he shouted?

‘It’s fine, mum,’ said Ron again.

‘Go and see her right now,’ ordered Mrs Weasley and picked up some dirty clothes, ‘I want her eating with us tonight.’

Mrs Weasley walked out of the room, leaving Ron staring after her. He didn’t want to go but he knew his mother would obviously make some other situation up where he had to go to Hermione's. Ron grabbed his jacket and his wand and got ready to apparate.

----

Hermione’s POV

Hermione got changed into a shirt that was as green as an emerald and jeans the fit her just right. She had had a shower and was feeling quite good. She didn’t know what she was going to do today but she knew it would be a good day. Her smile was still on her face as the bell rung. She had no idea who it could be. Hermione took the stairs two at a time just as Harry came behind her.

‘Morning,’ yawned Harry, buttoning his shirt and walking towards the kitchen just as Hermione replied.

Hermione unlocked the front door and her smile slipped off of her face as her eyes met the baby blue eyes of Ron. She stared at him for a while and he lifted one hand half up in a half wave.

‘Ron...’ whispered Hermione and stepped aside to let him in.

She lead him into the sitting room and they took their seats. Hermione on the one seater and Ron opposite on the sofa. The awkwardness was as think as fog in the air... only invisible as Ron looked around to the pictures of Hermione and her parents.

‘You’re really beautiful in these,’ muttered Ron looking at the picture of Hermione and her dad eating an ice cream and laughing as Hermione’s dad smiled goofily at the camera.

‘Why are you here, Ron?’ asked Hermione, feeling bad for the change of subject but she couldn’t talk about her parents just yet... or think about them.

‘Listen, Hermione,’ Ron turned and faced her, ‘I’m sorry I... over reacted at the Quidditch game. I just thought that you and Fred... you were just... Hermione-’

Hermione interrupted Ron and sat next to him on the sofa as he looked to the blue carpet beneath his feet. Ron looked to her as Hermione took his hand in her’s and braced herself before speaking.

‘Myself and Fred... We don’t have anything going on, Ronald... I have to help him because he misses George and... he’s hurting. I'm afraid that he’ll do something to himself if I don’t help him,’ whispered Hermione, looking into Ron’s blue eyes.

‘What about me?’ whispered Ron and stood up, ‘You don’t think I miss George. He was my brother and... Why do you care so much for Fred? He has a family that will help him through it. You don’t need to do anything! I... I... I'M HURTING TOO AND YOU DON'T EVEN CARE!’

Ron turned to Hermione, anger evident on his face and especially in his eyes. Hermione stood up as Ron stood right in front of her. Hermione felt like she ought to tell him to calm down but she couldn’t bring herself to do it because of the rage on Ron’s face. Ron stared at her and then he shouted making Hermione and her heart jump a foot in the air.

‘I LOVE YOU AND YOU ONLY CARE ABOUT THAT... THAT... IDIOT WHO HASNT CARED ABOUT YOU AT ALL?!’ shouted Ron and a tear came out of his eye, ‘You cant see it but he likes you and he’ll use you and then you’ll come running back.’

‘I’m not trying to run away from you, Ron,’ Hermione whispered and tried to tame her shaking hands and his fury by taking Ron’s face in her hands, ‘If you don’t want me to talk to Fred then I wont talk to him... Ron, I don’t want your relationship with Fred to be affected because of me. So lets go back to the way it was before... Us together and Fred out of the picture?’

Ron thought it over and looked at the time. Something clicked in his eyes and he nodded.

‘I have to go now but I’ll see you tonight,’ he leaned down before she had a chance to say anything and their lips met for a good minute before Ron pulled back, ‘Bye.’

‘Bye,’ Hermione said, a little dazed.

Hermione sat down as Ron disapparated. Hermione buried her face into her hands. The smile she woke up with this morning seemed to have faded from the walk to the front door and the living room. She was tapped by something on her shoulder and looked up to see Harry, holding out a cup of coffee for her. She took it gratefully and he sat down next to her.

‘Harry... I need you to do me a favour,’ Hermione muttered and blew on her coffee so the smoke went the other way.

‘Anything,’ muttered Harry and watched her face.

‘I need you to... make sure Fred is alright. You’ll see him more than I will and you could tell Ginny to watch out for Fred as well because... I can’t...’ Hermione trailed off and sniffed.

‘Sure,’ muttered Harry after a long pause and then they sat in silence and sipped at their coffee.

---

Hermione managed to fit into a blue dress that was her mother’s. It looked really good on her. The dress came down too her knees and flowed silkily around her legs. It was a bit tight at the chest but she didn’t mind it. She wore her mother’s heels and did her make up very light as she heard Harry calling for her. Hermione left the room after a glance at the mirror and was happy with what she saw. She climbed down the stairs just as Harry was coming up.

‘Wow, you look good,’ said Harry and Hermione blushed, ‘Shall we? I think we are late.’

Hermione took his hand and grabbed her purse tighter as he apparated. They landed and Hermione stared up at the burrow which seemed to lean down at them. It was basically her home. They walked forwards and Hermione noticed that the night really was lovely and it seemed a special night tonight.

‘Harry! Hermione! We’ve been waiting for a long time! Everyone is hungry!’ Mrs Weasley said and engulfed them in a motherly hug which felt right for Hermione.

Hermione hugged Mr Weasley and Ginny, nodded at Percy and said hello to Fred without another glance at him, she sat next to Ron, who smiled at her. Harry said his hello’s and sat next to Ginny. Hermione looked around at the food and realised that she was really hungry. Especially for Mrs Weasley’s cooking.

‘Start eating!’ said Mr Weasley and everyone chattered and filled up their plates.

‘You look really good,’ muttered Ron and Hermione thanked him as she filled up her plate.

She loved eating at the burrow since it was a happy family dinner. She ate her potatoes and looked around. Ginny was whispering something to Harry and they were both smiling. Percy sat at the end of the table and looked like he wanted to melt away. Mrs Weasley was talking to Mr Weasley. Hermione avoided looking at Fred and just looked down at her food. She though of Percy. He didn’t talk and looked like he hadn’t bothered to brush his hair. Mr Weasley and Mrs Weasley weren’t the same either. They looked happy but it was overshadowing the fact that they missed George terribly.

‘Mrs Weasley, the food is really nice as usual,’ said Hermione and Harry agreed, ‘It’s great eating food like this.’

‘Thank you, Hermione, dear,’ Mrs Weasley said.

They ate dessert which Hermione didn’t think she had room for but she ate anyway. They had different ice creams. Finally, when everyone was done, Percy went upstairs and Mr and Mrs Weasley went into the living room. Harry, Ron and Ginny went up stairs and into a room where they could talk. Hermione followed them and noticed that Fred went into his room which he shared with George.

‘You should stay here,’ muttered Ginny to Harry as they entered her room.

Hermione stood by the window as Ron, Ginny and Harry talked. Harry and Ron started up a game of chess for old times sake and asked Hermione if she wanted to join but she refused ands stared out at the window. Ginny came to stand beside her.

‘Are you alright?’ asked Hermione, looking at Ginny, in a whisper and Ginny shrugged.

Hermione shook her head, battling her own thoughts. She was worried about Fred but she couldn’t do anything. Maybe if she sneaked out... No! She couldn’t do that to Ron... He wouldn’t like it... But Fred might be in trouble and...

‘I’m going to the bathroom,’ lied Hermione as Ginny sat next to Harry.

They muttered okay and she left the room. She didn’t need the bathroom. She needed to check on Fred but as she neared her door she stopped herself. She could ask Ginny to check on Free but of course she couldn’t say it in front of Ron... He’ll be fine, thought Hermione and turned around to head back to Ginny’s room.

‘Not going to say hi?’ asked a voice and Fred, she recognised by the voice, yanked Hermione backwards and into his room.

‘Fred, let me go or... I’ll scream,’ said Hermione as Fred held onto her hand and shut the door behind her.

‘You’ll scream? Why? I wont hurt you, Mia,’ muttered Fred, looking confused.

‘Don’t call me Mia... Fred... Ron doesn’t want me talking to you so I'm sorry I can’t be here,’ explained Hermione and Fred scowled at the mention of Ron’s name.

‘Hermione, Ron will try to control your life. Don’t you want to talk to me because I sure as hell want to talk to you,’ shrugged Fred and pulled her closer.

‘I’m sorry, I can’t-’

‘Shh... what Ron doesn’t know wont hurt him,’ whispered Fred, placing a finger onto her lips. They stared at each other for awhile and Hermione sighed but Fred started pulling her behind him, ‘I have to show you something...’

‘Fred-’

Hermione was dragged outside onto a balcony that she didn’t know they had but Hermione stopped as she looked up into the sky and her mouth fell open at the sight. Fred held onto her hand and sighed as she tried to speak but couldn’t. The stars were brighter than usual and were shining like bight white lights in the sky, winking at her. The moon was a banana shape and illuminated the outside. It was a beautiful and warm night also.

‘It’s beautiful,’ muttered Hermione and looked to him who was staring down at her.

‘You look beautiful,’ he whispered.

Hermione felt the blush creep up her neck and onto her cheeks. Fred laughed and touched her cheek where she was going red. He leaned in closer and closer and Hermione kept her eyes open even though there lips were a mere centimetre away.

‘Do you really want to stay away from me?’ asked Fred and pulled back a little, ‘I need you, Mia. I don’t know what I would do without you. I miss him so much and George.... He took my joy away when he fell onto the floor with that dull thudding sound echoing in my ears. I want to feel happy, Mia, and you make me happy... I need you.’

‘I promise, I'm not going anywhere,’ whispered Hermione, feeling her heart thud faster as a tear travelled down his pale face.

‘I have this emptiness inside me and I don’t know how to fill it... Mum, dad, Ginny... They all think I’m fine but I'm not. I hurt a lot... in here,’ he pointed to his chest and sighed.

Fred turned around and Hermione didn’t let go of  his hand. She patted his back and he turned back around. They looked at each other and Fred sighed again and let go of her hand.

‘Ron will be wondering where you are. Don't tell him you were with me,’ said Fred.

‘It’s okay, Fred, I can-’ Hermione was cut off by Fred.

‘No you cant persuade him so don’t try. Don’t tell him that you were with me,’ said Fred and gestured to his room door, ‘Go now.’

Hermione tried to argue but Fred stopped her. She went out of his room and sighed before going into Ginny’s bedroom. Ron and Harry looked up from their chess game and Hermione placed a smile on her face.

‘Want to play?’ asked Ron, smiling.

‘No thanks, I’ll watch,’ said Hermione.

She sat next to Ron and dropped the smile from her face. She felt bad about not telling Ron where she was or that she was talking to Fred but... Fred needed her so she fixed the smile on her face again and watched as Harry knocked down Ron’s bishop.