Written for Fanfiction Marathon Competiton/Challenge and Weekly AU! Competition - Always Open.
"I met a girl today," Fred said as he entered the kitchen. George was sitting at the counter, eating cereal. As soon as George heard that, his head jerked up in surprise. "Wha'?" he said, his mouth full and the word muffled. Quickly, he swallowed and said again, "What? Where?" His look of surprise turned somewhat lecherous. "Who?"
"I met a girl today," Fred repeated. He continued with, "Her name is Hermione. She's with N.A."
He waited for the inevitable judging. George didn't disappoint. "What?! Fred, what are you thinking? You don't know-"
"I know enough to know that I like her, and don't say that I can't date her. I'm not even sure if she wants to date me, and if it turns out she does, then we will cross that bridge when we get to it!"
"Fred-"
"I have to start living my life, George. We can't tiptoe around the fact that I am a drug addict anymore."
George sighed in frustration. "I'm just trying to look out for you. I mean, what if this woman causes you to relapse?"
Fred doubted that Hermione, kind, sweet, smart Hermione would cause him to relapse. Over the last few meetings, they had talked, about things both big and small. He told her how he was planning to open a joke shop with George, and how he started doing cocaine at a party right after the biggest fight he ever had with his brother. She told him that she wanted to become a lawyer, and she became addicted to Adderall because she was stressing herself out with becoming the best.
He understood his brother's concerned, but their relationship had changed. It was no longer as close was, and it never would be again. There was a line, something that would always separate them. That line was there with every other important member of his life.
Except for Hermione.
