‘Fred?’ Hermione asked and raised a hand to the figure who had his back turned to her. She knew it was Fred since his flaming red hair was obviously his but she wished he would turn around, ‘Fred, you should leave.’

‘Leave?’ Fred whispered, not turning around but he still scared Hermione by the way he spoke. His voice seemed to carry in the wind and echo all around them.

Hermione shivered suddenly and felt a hand close on her shoulder. It was gentle but made her heart jump up into her throat and then dive down into the ground. She screamed loudly and even her voice echoed off of the walls. Hermione turned her head and gasped. The man smiled at her and she knew instantly that, no matter how much this man looked like Fred, it wasn’t him. It was obviously George, his skin looking deathly pale and transparent. She was aware that his hand wasn’t exactly touching her any more but it was going through her shoulder, causing a surge of coldness to sweep through her.

‘I don’t want to see him in pain, Hermione, and that is what you’re doing. You’re hurting him,’ George whispered and his voice was very ghost like.

Hermione looked back to Fred who still had his back to her. She turned back to George and realised that his eyes were losing their bright blue colour, instead they were turning a dull grey. Hermione felt her heart swell as she thought back to how Fred had acted when George died. She never wanted to see that again and she also didn’t want to hurt him. George nodded and Hermione realised he could probably read her mind.

‘I know you don’t want to hurt him but you are. He cries over my death every day and he thinks of me too but... he also thinks of you. He loves you with all his heart and if you be honest with him he will support you through everything. Even this child,’ George’s dull grey eyes flickered to Hermione’s stomach and he sighed, ‘don’t hurt him. Either let him go once and for all or be with him forever. It is your choice.'

‘I love Ron... I made a mistake with Fred. We didn’t mean for this to happen,’ whispered Hermione and a tear fell down her face.

‘Everything happens for a reason, Hermione. If you truly love Ron then leave Fred. Tell him you want nothing to do with him. It will break his heart but... I’m sure he could find someone else to love,’ George looked away as Hermione gave him the look which suggested that George knew Fred wouldn’t get over Hermione, ‘do what you think is best.’

‘Thank you, George,’ muttered Hermione.

George only gazed behind her and Hermione turned around to see where he was looking. She watched as Fred turned around to look at George confusingly. Hermione heard a dull crack and turned around to see that George had disappeared. She looked to Fred and watched him walk away. A dull sound sounded from the distance and Hermione was very confused. She heard the sound get louder and louder until it was ringing painfully in her head.

*RING RING*

Hermione brushed her unruly hair out of her face as she sat up in bed. She took deep breaths and realised that it was, obviously, a dream. She was still confused as to where the noise was coming from and then she chuckled realising it was the doorbell. The chuckle died on her lips as the dream came back to her. Hermione got out of her bed and went downstairs, taking the stairs two at a time. She quickly unlocked the door and stared at...

‘Ron?’ Hermione gasped as her eyes lay on him standing on her door step. He looked embarrassed as his face was bright red. He was holding red roses, ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I... um... I was wondering if you wanted to, maybe... we could grab a drink or something...’ Ron trailed off, turning red and Hermione looked to the flowers and then back to him. Ron was holding her breath and Hermione felt horrible as she replied.

‘I don’t know about that... Maybe we shouldn’t-’ Hermione was interrupted by Ron.

‘Please, Hermione?’ he said and glanced at the flowers, chuckling weakly, ‘I bought you roses.’

‘Thank you, Ron,’ Hermione whispered and took the flowers from him feeling so touched that he would go to the effort to buy her roses. Hermione was sure he really was sorry, ‘Fine, you can buy me a drink. Just let me get changed.’

Ron smiled as Hermione let him in. He sat in the living room and Hermione climbed the stairs. She took a deep breath and tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach as she got changed into jeans and a shirt. Hermione grabbed her wand and her purse. She tied her hair up and applied some make up before going downstairs.

‘Ready?’ asked Ron, standing up and Hermione nodded.

 Ron coughed and Hermione stared at him as he delved into his pocket. He bought out a small box and Hermione’s stomach hit the floor as she thought it was a ring box. She hoped and hoped he wouldn’t ask her to marry her. Hermione’s mouth went dry as Ron looked up at her. He got his wand and pointed it to the box and Hermione could only stare as he said a spell. The box grew larger and larger into a rectangle shape.

‘I had to shrink it to fit in my pocket but... this is for you, Hermione,’ Ron handed her the package and Hermione felt her hands shake as she took it. She opened it up and gasped loudly at the purple dress which lay in the box. Hermione looked up to Ron and he shrugged, ‘wear it at the engagement.’

‘Ron... I... thank you!’ Hermione put the box down and she ran to Ron. Her arms flung around his neck as she hugged him, feeling the tears in her eyes threaten to fall. Ron hugged her back after a pause, ‘thank you so much... I’m...’

‘It’s okay, Hermione...’ Ron whispered and Hermione swore his lips pressed onto her neck as she stood onto her tiptoes. Hermione pulled away and they stared at each other. Finally Ron spoke, ‘we should get going.’

‘Sure,’ Hermione’s voice cracked and she put the box onto the table, sealing it tightly.

She took Ron’s hand and they disapparated. Hermione opened her eyes and realised that they were in Diagon Alley.  Her stomach clenched as she knew her back was turned to Fred’s store. She didn’t turn to see the store. Instead she turned to Ron who was looking down the street.

‘Do you want an ice cream?’ he asked, turning his bright eyes to her and Hermione shrugged.

They walked down the street and with every step Hermione felt her stomach get lighter and lighter. She was walking away from Fred. She didn’t want to know how he would react if he saw her with Ron. They entered the ice cream parlour and Hermione took a seat as Ron ordered some ice creams. Soon he was back with a chocolate and a mint ice cream. He passed the chocolate one to Hermione and she thanked him.

‘Are you selling your house? Did anyone enquire about it?’ asked Ron after a pause where they ate their ice cream.

‘Yeah. A family want to see the house on Tuesday. They’ll hopefully buy it and the I can move out of there. I don’t want to live with the memories of my parents anymore,’ Hermione felt Ron’s hand close on hers and she was thankful for the support.

‘Where will you live?’ he asked, ‘If you don’t have anywhere to live, you’re welcome to stay with me?’

‘Oh... um... I’m sure I'll find somewhere,’ Hermione said but the truth was that she didn’t want to stay with Ron. She wanted her own place where she could do what she wanted. If they got in a fight and she was staying with him... she’d have to move out and it was too much hassle for Hermione. A voice at the back of her mind echoed the words ‘Fred’s baby’ and she shoved that thought aside. Not now.

‘It’s Harry and Ginny’s engagement tomorrow,’ stated Ron, looking down at his ice cream.

‘Yes, it is. Have you got anything to wear for it?’ asked Hermione wondering why he wouldn’t look up and meet her eyes.

‘Yeah, I’m sure I’ll find something,’ he muttered and finished off his ice cream. He then looked up to Hermione and locked eyes with her, ‘I’ll see you there, won’t I?’

‘Yes, Ronald, I will be there. I’ll wear the dress you gave me, I promise,’ Hermione said and smiled at him.

‘Brilliant,’ Ron said and he smiled back, ‘I have to get to work.’

‘Oh okay...’ Hermione said, ‘I’ll see you at the engagement then.’

They stood up and Hermione hugged him. Ron hugged her back and Hermione felt like telling him to stop crushing her but she said nothing. Ron pulled back and said good bye. He walked out of the shop and Hermione watched him disapparate. Hermione sat back down and ate her ice cream. A hand fell onto her stomach and she rubbed it, thinking of what her future held. Was she supposed to be with Fred or Ron? Was she supposed to keep this child?

---

Right down the street,  about seven stores down, Fred was handing over some change to a customer as a girl stood, leaning over the counter, right beside him. Fred said good bye to the customer and the girl, Alana, watched as the customer left the shop. Fred realised there were no more customers so he turned to the girl.

‘Alana, I really don’t need help today because it’s been quiet all day. You can go home,’ said Fred and he leaned over the counter too, watching as Alana stood up straight and went to stand in front of Fred. Fred smirked as she stood right in front of him, ‘I know you want to ask me something. What is it?’

‘The shop is closed tomorrow, right?’ she asked, her heavily made up eyes never left his.

‘Correct,’  Fred muttered, the smirk still on his face.

‘So you will be available tomorrow?’ she asked and chuckled as Fred looked confused.

‘I thought you were going to ask me why I was shutting the store tomorrow but no I’m not available. I have my sister’s engagement that I need to attend,’ Fred shrugged and Alana sighed.

‘I thought we could hang out some time? Why not now? We can go up the street and have an ice cream. There’s not many customers here anyway,’ Alana suggested, shrugging her shoulders.

‘Did you just ask me out on a date?’ Fred chuckled but inside he thought of how much happier he would be if Hermione had been the one wanting to go for an ice cream. He scowled inwardly at the thought. Of course Hermione wouldn’t want to ask him for an ice cream. She would probably be too embarrassed to be seen with him. Fred sighed, wishing Hermione would stop playing with his heart.

‘Maybe some other time, yeah?’ Fred said and was quite aware that Alana was leaning over the counter.

Fred swiftly moved away from her and pretended to be busy stacking the shelves. He didn’t look back to see her expression. He put a box on the high shelf and tried to seem as though he actually had work to do. Alana wasn’t buying it. Her hands closed around his hips and Fred turned around.

‘Come on, Fred, stop running away from me,’ she whispered and Fred couldn’t help but notice how red her lips looked.

Alana smiled as Fred leaned in closer and closer. Fred seemed to forget every thought that played in his mind. He didn’t care anymore. He didn’t want anyone to play with his heart. He simply didn’t want to fall in love. It hurt too much.

‘But this is fine...’ he whispered as Alana’s lips were so close to his.

‘What’s-’

Alana didn’t finish her sentence as Fred’s lips found hers.

---

Hermione sat in the ice cream parlour for about an hour until she could be bothered getting up. She had to get home and... do nothing really. She should get up and out of here though as she had finished her ice cream about twenty minutes ago. Hermione got up and grabbed her purse. She left the shop and walked down the street.

Hermione deliberately looked the other way as she passed Fred’s store. She didn’t want him to look at her and speak to her again. She still had a day to decide even though she was sure he wouldn’t be able to decide between Fred and Ron. Hermione obviously did not know that Fred had put the ‘closed’ sign up and had locked the shop. Instead Hermione went into a book shop and started to browse for books, unaware of Fred and Alana.