"Hello? Anyone in?"
Hermione had just arrived at the Burrow to see her best friend Ginny. Recently, she had been at the Burrow more than her own home. She took in the familiar smell of the place she called her second home when she heard a reply come from the living room.
"In here!" She recognised it as Fred's voice.
Ginny had 6 older brothers, all of whom Hermione regarded as brothers too, however Fred was different. When Hermione was 7, she and Ginny had been playing in the river in the field at the back of the house. While they were there, Hermione had had an accident and would have drowned if Fred hadn't been playing in the tree house near the river and jumped in and saved her. Since then, Fred had been as good as a best friend to Hermione as Ginny had, sometimes even closer.
"Hey," She said as she walked in, dropping herself onto the sofa next to Fred.
"Alright, Mione?" Fred smiled as he turned to face her. He was the one person in the world whom Hermione allowed to call her that.
"Not really, I was looking for Ginny cause I need some advice on something."
"Well you know you can come to me for anything Mione, can I not help?"
"Erm…" Hermione looked down into her lap, blushing. "It's kinda of a girl problem,"
She saw Fred's face screw up in embarrassment, "not that kind of girl problem, you fool! Just, well, me and Dom have split up."
"Oh," Fred said. He had never liked Dom, always thought there was something suspicious about him but never let that on to Hermione, he knew she would never trust his judgement again if she knew. "Well, how did it happen? Does he need his nose broken or did it end on your terms?"
Hermione giggled at Freds attempt of lightening the situation. "It was kind of… mutual. But I don't know where I stand or whether I want to give it another go, or…"
She broke off looking at Fred for some kind of guidance of how she should feel.
"Right, well I think you should leave it for a day or two to see if he regrets his obviously stupid decision, and then, if nothing happens, go and talk to him and see how it goes. How does that sound?" Hermione nodded. "Great, now the real question."
Hermione looked at him, confused.
"White or black in chess?"
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They spent the rest of the afternoon playing wizard chess with Fred winning every game. When it came to around tea time, Fred stood up and stretched.
"I wonder why no ones home?" He asked Hermione.
"Ginny didn't say anything to me, I don't have a clue. Anyway, wanna a cuppa?"
Fred nodded and Hermione went into the kitchen to make tea. As Fred was clearing away the chess pieces, Mrs Weasley's head popped into the fire.
"Fred? FRED!" She looked terrible; her hair was a mess and she had black mascara streaks running down her face. Her face saddened a bit as Fred kneeled down in front of the fire, his face confused and scared.
"Oh Fred dear, your Fathers been in a accident doing something for the order. Now, don't look like that," she added as she looked at his stricken face, "he's going to be okay we hope and we'll let you know when you can come and see him but you cannot leave the house, is that clear? Do not leave the house."
"What? Why? I don't understand, what happened to Dad? Where is he? How-" But before his questions were answered, his Mother gave him a sympathetic look and disappeared out of the fire.
"Mum? MUM!" He got to his feet and started pacing, both with anger at his mother but fear for his father.
"Fred? What's going on?" Hermione asked, appearing at the doorway, evidently confused.
"It's Dad. He's been in a accident."
