Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to Rowling. She is an amazing author, and I hope I don't completely butcher everything she accomplished with my story:-)

Rating: T

Summary: The title says it basically. However, Ron and Hermione are my favorite characters so it will revolve mainly on them. Cheers!

The Rest of Their Story

By JeanieGirl

Chapter 1

The Healing Process

" Do not fear death so much, but rather the inadequate life." --- Bertolt Brecht

A lone figure stood atop the hill beside the Weasley's Burrow. The breeze was blowing gently, making the soft red scarf around the young man's neck flap against the wind. The world around him seemed darker, almost pale in comparison to what it used to be. George Weasley stood above the grave of his beloved twin brother. Every day since the battle where Voldermort had been defeated, George had made his way to the top of the hill to visit with Fred. The time since his death was six months to the day, and George still felt a bitter emptiness inside of him. The bitterness often turned into a confused rage when he saw the rest of his family slowly healing. Sure, none of them seemed altogether the same, but he knew inside they were learning to move on. George knew that he never could.

" Well, Fred," he said to the patch of grass below him. " Business is good. Ron's been helping me out… 'course he's not as bright as you, and he's having difficulty with the numbers and all…" George sighed, trying to push the knot in his throat back down. "Ron's really only been helping to get his mind off of Hermione. I guess they haven't seen each other since… since that day…" The solo twin dropped to his knees, letting his fingers run through the blades of grass. " Fred, I think about you all day… and life just seems so dull now…" A salty warm tear dropped to the grave below him. " You were the ringleader, Fred. Now I'm a lonely clown without a bleeding circus." The tears fell freely now, and he lowered his body to the grass below. He stretched out, hoping to be as close to his brother as he could be, knowing full well that he could only ever be close to him again in death. " Someday…" he whispered to the ground. "We'll be together again someday."

Ginny stared out the window, watching her brother sit at his twins grave like he did every day. Her heart sank and she felt sorry for him. She loved her brothers very much, but she knew that George shared a connection with Fred that she would never understand or come to have for herself. It was a bond that should never have been shattered. Her heart clenched with the anger that boiled up inside of her. If only Voldermort had been killed sooner…

She sighed, knowing that it could never be. She should be happy that the dark lord was dead, even with a sacrifice so great as her brother. These thoughts lead her to think of Harry. Her heart felt lighter as the image of his face swam in her head. Harry had been gone for a number of weeks now. He was, after all, the hero of all time. He was urged by the Ministry to visit from town to town, spreading hope and helping others restore and rebuild their lives. She wasn't sure if he had completed that task yet or not, but she knew when he did he would not return to the Burrow. Harry had a very difficult time facing her family. The guilt of Fred's death was too great for him to accept, even though it wasn't his guilt to bear. She knew he would undoubtedly end up staying with Hagrid for some time.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Ron walked down the stairs into the kitchen. He looked slightly nervous, fidgeting with his shirt and combing his fingers through his hair.

" What's the matter with you?" Ginny asked.

Ron shot her a look before replying, " Hermione's on her way over here today. She's going to be spending the winter holiday with us."

Ginny smiled. " That's great! I've missed her."

The Burrow needed someone to drop in and help liven up the place. After Fred's passing, Hermione felt it important to leave the family alone so they could heal together. Ginny figured Harry had felt the same way. It wasn't too much longer after Hermione had gone home that Harry had taken off himself.

"Yeah, it'll be great to have her back again." Ron said, looking around the kitchen for his mother.

Ginny knew what he was searching for and informed him that their parents had gone to town to pick up more supplies for the week. " I suppose they know Hermione's coming over, right?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Mum was the one who told me she was going to be here today."

Molly Weasley wasn't supposed to tell Ron that Hermione was coming, but couldn't keep her mouth shut. Ron looked an utter mess and she didn't want the surprise to be on Hermione when a bum-of-a-son opened the door to her arrival.

Their conversation went quiet as George entered the house. He nodded his head at them and went up the stairs to his room without a word. George was making a habit of disappearing for hours without so much as a word to anyone.

Ron and Ginny exchanged knowing glances and went about tidying up the kitchen before their mother came home.

Hermione, they knew, would be a very much appreciated guest, and Ron could hardly wait to see her again.

AN: So, Hermione will arrive next chapter! Will the length of time she was gone make things awkward between her and Ron? Le GASP! Well, review, and I'll let you know. lol. 