I don't own anything to due with Harry Potter that is all JK Rowling.

This is the first time I am using the point of view of a character, I am used to using the third person so I hope it came out alright. This is a George Weasley and Hermione Granger fic, if you don't like it then you don't have to read it or just give it a chance you never know.

This takes place after the books all of the deaths are the same for this story. If I change that I will let you know.

Big Girls Don't Cry

The once constantly warm and joyful home of the Weasleys was now a memory. A heart breaking memory. The war had taken its toll on those that resided within its walls. I went back with them after everything ended but I was only there for a short while before I left. I couldn't be around it and I felt guilty because of that. But I left anyway.

I was only gone for a month which really isn't much time. I had gone to Australia trying to find my parents and I did, but I didn't have the heart to give them back their memories. In the year that I had been gone they had continued on with their lives. I made the stupid decision to make an appointment with them at the new dental practice they opened. Right when I walked through the door I knew it was a bad decision, but I kept going anyway. I was in the chair waiting for my father to come through the door when I began looking around the room. There were photographs all around of a little toddler, she had blond hair and the cutest dimples in her cheeks. Once my father walked into the room I had convinced myself the photos had come with the frames until he caught me looking at one of them.

"That's my little bumblebee there." He sighed.

"I'm sorry?"

"The little girl in the pictures you keep looking at. She's my little bumblebee. Best thing that ever happened to Jean and I." He gave me a bright smile before he continued on. "My wife and I never had any children and we were wondering why we hadn't, and so we adopted her last September a little while after we opened shop. I never thought I could love anything so much." His eyes were gleaming at the memory that was obviously trekking though his mind. I knew then that he loved her just as he once loved me.

"What's her name?"

"Amelia. Alrighty then I don't see any cavities everything else is perfect. You are free to go!" He smiled at me before getting off his stool and walking out of the room. I got out of my chair and walked over to the many frames adorned with the sweet face of their new daughter. I looked across them all until my eyes landed on the one in the back, it wasn't all that big but it was larger than some. I lifted up the simple black frame and looked at the smile on her face as my mother held her close with a gleam in her eyes. My father was holding the both of them in his arms, his eyes filled with happiness.

My eyes began to prick at me harshly, warning me of the fall that wanted to overtake me. I pulled my shoulders back, lifting my head. I looked back at the door my father had just gone through before picking up my purse and sliding the picture into it before walking out myself.

That is what lead me here though, standing in front of the Burrow empty handed except for a picture of my family that would forever be lost to me. I walked up the last of the steps before knocking lightly. There was hardly any sound coming from within the home I had practically grown up in. The place seemed foreign to me now. When no one answered the door I tried the handle myself and to my surprise it was unlocked. I pushed the door open enough to let myself through. No one was in the living room and from where I stood it didn't seem like anyone was in the kitchen either. I closed the door when I realized that something was off. It felt too...cold. This wasn't the Burrow. This was an unknown place. It was empty and there was no one running around yelling at their children to come down to eat. There was no one in the living room playing chess, nothing. Now laughter or smiles keeping it nice and cozy.

I walked into the kitchen hoping to find the Weasley matriarch. Maybe no one heard me knock and they are all upstairs. That has to be it! The kitchen was empty too though. I placed my purse the only bag I had down on the dinner table. I then walked to the sink where there were plates being magically washed. Someone was there I knew it, they had to be here. I looked out the window in front of me before turing away only to be stopped in my tracks. In the backyard were people all in black. My heart plummeted when I looked for the line of red hair I knew I would find at the front of the group. I walked away from the window and went to the back door.

I knew what today was, at least once I saw everyone, that's when I knew. I opened the backdoor slowly and looked ahead. If the colors had been different and what everyone's attention was on wasn't there it would look just like it was a wedding. From what I could tell it was about to be over though. Ron was standing with Harry and Ginny in front of the coffin, they were looking down into it holding onto each other. I looked on at them not knowing what to do. I directed my gaze down to see sunflowers at the edge of Mrs. Weasleys garden. I began walking ahead and sliced one out of the ground with my wand.

I knew that I wasn't dressed for a funeral wearing only a pair of jeans and an orange pea coat over a white shirt, but I think Fred would have appreciated the outlandish color among the black. I walked towards the coffin just as Ron, Harry and Ginny made their way back to their seats. I had the sunflower hanging loosely in one of my hands. The farther I walked the more I noticed that people were looking at me. I knew some were letting out gasps but I couldn't hear them over the pumping of my own blood. By the time I reached the coffin the tears I held back in Australia came back to me and my eyes were leaking with unwanted tears.

I looked down at Fred a man who would never again smile. Never get the chance to prank someone again. Never laugh or cry. I regretted not taking the time to get to know him better than I had. I wasted the time I had to try. I looked back down at the flower in my hand before bringing it up and placing it in the coffin next to him. I placed my hand on his chest and leaned down placing a kiss on his forehead, something I never would have done while he was alive.

"I'm sorry Fred." I looked down at his still form again before turning around and making my way back to the door I came through. I didn't look to anyone else in the crowd, I kept my gaze on the door where I knew I would be able to loose myself once I went through it. I finally made it to the door and walked through only to find my eyes to be dry once again. I couldn't cry in here, this was a place of laughter not tears for me. I couldn't cry anymore. I pulled out one of the chairs at the long dinner table and planted myself upon it. I pulled my arms up onto the table and rested my head upon them not wanting to think about what was going on or what had happened.

I don't know how long I sat like that but eventually someone came in and placed a hand on my shoulder bringing me back to reality. I looked up and found myself meeting the teary eyes of Mrs. Weasley.

Somehow I found my voice and croaked out a syllable, just one. "Hi"

Her brows furrowed and her face began turning a bit pinkish before she let out a large breath and pulled me tightly into her arms and brushed her hand over my hair. I knew that I didn't have any tears that would come out anymore but she did. I pulled my arms up and wrapped them around her hoping it might help her through this day. She pulled back and looked down at me with an odd look on her face.

"You stupid girl! How could you leave! We had no idea where you were, you had us worried sick about you! I thought I lost another child!" She pulled me back into her embrace after hollering at me. I knew she wasn't angry but I couldn't help but feel guilty about it. I didn't want to bring her any more grief that is why I went alone.

"I'm sorry. I-I had to take care of something." I couldn't tell her. Not now. I didn't want her to know I found my family only to loose them again. I couldn't do it. She nodded her head against my shoulder as she cried and held me tightly. I looked over her shoulder to see the rest of the family walking past us into the living room. Her shoulders shook in my arms as she cried into my shoulder, but I didn't mind. If there was some way for me to help this family I would, they were all I had.

Mr. Weasley placed a hand on one of Mrs. Weasleys shoulders and pulled her back from me. She let go and got up from the chair she was sitting in and made her way to the stove and started on dinner, at least that is what I assumed.

I stood up from my chair and walked over to Mr. Weasley and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry Mr. Weasley." He patted my back slowly, and I pulled away knowing he wasn't completely comfortable. "I shouldn't have left without letting you know. You have been so kind to me all these years and I-" He stopped me by raising his hand and giving me a fatherly smile I had so much wanted from my own father.

"It's alright Hermione, but if you go running off again let us know. We were thinking the worst." I nodded my head ashamed of myself for having worried them when they already had so much on their plates. "Now why don't you go to the living room and spend some time with everyone. Molly is going to make dinner and I am going to take care of setting the table for all of you." He had a kind expression as he spoke and I knew he was trying to give me the opportunity to be with my friends but it didn't feel right. I didn't think they were ready to forgive me, I didn't even know just how upset they might be with me.

"No Mr. Weasley I'll take care of the table why don't you go and relax, I am sure you need it." He gave me a kind smile before nodding his head and walking out of the room. I turned to Mrs. Weasley not knowing what to do with myself. I began twirling my thumbs, a nasty habit I acquired during my search. "Mrs. Weasley please let me help with something."

She turned around and came up to me, grasping my hands in her own to stop my thumb twirling. She gave me a small laugh, "Alright dear what would you like to help with?"

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding onto relieved that she would let me help her. I didn't know what I would have done had she said no. "Well I am pretty good a baking, I could make a cake." I was nervous and my voice showed it to my dismay. Her eyes gave a little twinkle.

"I think that would be great dear." She gave me a soft smile and went back to cutting the vegetables on the counter. I pulled off my pea coat, leaving me in my white shirt and jeans. I went back to the table and summoned a bowl and the ingredients I needed for the cake my mother and I made every year for my father. From then I did it the muggle way reveling in the memories my mother and I once shared.

"Mrs. Weasley can I use the oven for this?" She turned to me with a look of confusion on her face.

"Why would you need the oven dear?"

I gave her a small smile. "I want to do it the way my mother and I used to."

"Oh, well alright then go ahead." She moved out of the way slightly giving me access to the door, I magically heated the oven up to the right temperature. I then placed the cake into the oven and set a timer. I looked over to Mrs. Weasley who was already finishing up the last of dinner so I set the table.

"Mrs. Weasley who all is still here?"

"Oh well Fleur Bill, Charlie and Percy already left so it is just you, me, Arthur, George, Ron, Ginny and Harry."

"Oh alright." I grabbed all the place settings we would need and once I had seven I was finished.

"Hermione you have one too many plates on that table." I looked up quickly in fear that she was right. I swore I had the right amount I counted five times. Five!

"Are you sure Mrs. Weasley? I have a set for everyone that is here." She looked at me with a sliver of sadness in her eyes that she hid quickly with a smile.

"Yes, George won't be joining us for dinner." I was confused and I know that she could see it in my face, I didn't try to hide it. It didn't make sense to me.

"What do you mean he won't be joining us for dinner?"

"George doesn't eat with us. He stays locked up in his and Fred's old room. Of course you would know that if you hadn't left us." The harsh voice had come from the entrance to the kitchen and I felt my shoulders drop from the guilt that overcame me.

"Ronald!"

"What mum? It's the truth." I couldn't bring my eyes to look at him. I knew he wasn't happy, how could he be. Yet the tone he was using was worse than I had thought it would be. I picked up one of the plates that was on the table and made my way to put it back in the cabinet.

"Hermione dear, I said he doesn't eat with us. Not that he doesn't eat." Mrs. Weasley gave a soft chuckle and I turned back towards her with the plate in hand.

"Then what..." She motioned me over to her and took hold of the plate.

"Usually someone brings the food up to his room for him."

"No one eats with him? At all?" I was shocked George was a people person. He always wanted to be around people and especially for meals, that was a part of who he was. And the fact that no one else made the effort to was shocking.

Ron was the one to reply this time. "No. We never try. He won't talk to anyone so we figure he doesn't want us around. But what's it to you anyway? It's not like you care."

I flinched at that. Who is he to say whether I care or not! He doesn't know how I feel! He doesn't know anything about what I have gone through! He doesn't understand me! And when did he become such an arse!

I looked over and glared at Ron from the place I was standing, I then turned away and went back to the table and grabbed another plate off of it.

"Hermione what are you getting that plate for?" I really wanted to ring his neck in that moment.

"Well Ronald, since I apparently don't care, why is it of any of your concern what it is that I am doing?" I glared at him again in hopes that he would realize I was an inch away from slaughtering him. He glared back at me and turned away stomping back into the living room.

"I'm sorry about that dear, he does have quite a temper."

"It's fine. Will you make this plate as well. I'll bring George his food and eat with him tonight." She looked at me with surprise spread across her rosy cheeks.

"Alright I will. Are you sure? He isn't...he hasn't been very talkative since..." I gave her a smile and placed a hand on her shoulder while nodding my head. The timer went off then and I turned and pulled the cake out of the oven. It was perfect just the way it looked when my mum and I made it. I pulled my wand out to put the icing on knowing that I wouldn't have enough time to do it by hand. It wasn't a special cake it was just a double chocolate cake but it was my fathers favorite and that made it special on it's own.

"I really don't mind. He may need the company just as much as I do." I noticed her study my face from the corner of my eye. I cut two slices of the cake and placed them on to separate plates.

"Dear is that for you and George?"

"Yes it is. I think he needs a little treat don't you?"

"Yes he does, here place those on this tray with the other two plates." I did as she told me before turning to her once more.

"Mrs. Weasley what about to drink?"

"Oh just take two cups up there and place a charm on them to fill with whatever he wants, other than anything alcoholic. He doesn't need that right now." I nodded my head before going to the cupboard for the cups.

"Mum is dinner ready yet?"

"Yes Ginny it is."

I looked up to see the flash of Ginny's read hair fly out the door before she came back with all the others ready to sit down for dinner. I put my pea coat back on and went to the end of the table and grabbed my purse and swung it over my shoulder. I picked up the serving tray to bring up to George. I turned around to find everyone looking at me. I removed my own gaze from theirs and walked out the door.

No one spoke until I was in the living room and out of site, but I could still hear them. All of them.

"Mum where is she going?" Obviously Ginny she was the only one other than Mr. and Mrs. Weasley that didn't seem angry at me. Maybe she would be my saving grace with the boys.

"She is bringing George his food."

"Why is she even here we have been fine without her the past month! I could easily take his food up to him."

"Ronald! Stop being so cruel!" She continued in a hushed tone knowing that I was still able to hear them. "Something happened. I can see it in her eyes." My body became stiff with unease. I thought I was hiding it rather well, I pushed myself to trek up the stairs to George's room.

Once I was in front of it I maneuvered the large serving tray so that I could hold it with one arm. I knocked three times and waited for a reply. When I got none I called out to him.

"George? Are you in there?" Still nothing. "George say something or else I am coming in."

There was still no reply. I placed my hand on the handle and turned it. The door opened easily and I walked into his room only to find him sitting on the side of his bed, his elbows on his knees and his head bent down. I walked farther into the room trying to find somewhere to put the food down. I looked to the other bed in the room knowing I couldn't put it there and so I opted for the floor. I put my bag next to his bed and discarded my coat.

I knelt down in front of him trying to get his attention. He was still in his suit with a tie and dress shoes that all men complained about. He is more out of it then I expected. I know he hates wearing dress robes and suits.

"George I brought you dinner are you hungry?" He didn't budge at all. "Alright then, here these shoes are probably bugging you by now." I leaned down to his dress shoes and began to untie them I took one off and then the other setting them on the ground at the edge of the bed. By god he has large feet. But that makes sense Hermione he is over six feet tall!

I shook my head at myself and headed back over to George who still hadn't moved. I knelt back down and began untying the tie he still had around his neck. Once I had it loose enough I began lifting it over his head only to have and arm shot up and grab hold of one of my wrists. I looked to his face as he slowly looked up at me.

His eyes were glazed over and looked entirely empty. I pulled my other hand away from the tie and placed it over the one grasping my wrist. I gave it a small squeeze as I smiled at him trying to reassure him that it was okay. The grip he had on my wrist slowly let go and I pulled the tie over his head with ease, setting it on the bed. I pulled myself up and sat on the bed next to him. I pulled out my wand and transfigured the pan into a long table with our food, I then levitated it towards us. I budged George slightly to lift himself up a bit. Shockingly...he didn't move. I huffed slightly before leaving the new table in front of us far enough for him to keep his stance.

"George you need to eat and I am not leaving here until you do. So lean back so I can bring this table closer to us." I don't know if he could hear the small amount of aggravation in my voice, or that I was about ready to manhandle him to do what I asked, but he did it. Slowly, but he did it. I pulled the table closer to us and moved the plates so that his was in front of him and he could eat. I placed my own in front of me and began eating, I looked over at him after taking a rather large bite. I couldn't help but let out a hum of appreciation from the food.

By the time I had my eyes on him he was just staring at the food on his plate. There was no trace of emotion on his face, which worried me more than if he were in a rage. I placed a hand on his shoulder and he slowly turned his head to me. My eyes met his and I gave him an attempt at a smile. I nodded my head towards his plate hoping it would get him to take at least a bite of it.

He looked back down at the food and let his shoulders slump a bit before he picked up his fork. I gave myself a satisfied smile and went back to my own food. Once I finished I looked over to his plate finding it to be empty as well. I took off the disillusionment charm I had on the slices of cake so that it appeared in front of him. He straightened slightly and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"I made it myself. I thought it might me a nice treat." I nudged him with my shoulder to his own, he turned his face to me. My eyes locked to his own and I tried to see something in them, something familiar. But the eyes that once held mischief and joy were now empty of anything but sorrow. I pulled a hand up slowly and placed it on his cheek and I rubbed a thumb over his cheek bone.

"I'm not going to say that everything will be okay." I lost his gaze as he looked back down, I sighed before I continued. "But it will get better, it has to. Right?" I pulled my hand back down and placed it on my thigh.

Maybe I should just talk, it might help. I don't know how but...worth a try right? Alright just start talking you can do it! I opened my mouth only to shut it closed again. I didn't know what to talk about. The only thing that was on my mind was Fred and my family. None of it was of a happy nature, but maybe if I told him what happened with me he might open up. Gah! What are you thinking Hermione! Like that would work!

Well it's the best you've got...

Okay fine I'll try it.

I looked back to George. He had already turned back to the cake by then and taken a bite. I moved my legs enough to be able to bend down to my purse. I pulled out the thin rectangle carefully from my bag. I pulled back up to my sitting position and looked over at George.

"It's strange the way things change isn't it." I looked back down at the frame and ran my finger over my mother's face. "You know I didn't tell anyone why I left because I went to Australia." I looked back at him and we locked eyes. I gave him a smile before looking back down at the picture.

"I found my parents, but I had to leave them again." I tilted the frame towards him. "I went to their office and there were pictures all over of their daughter. I should have expected it to happen though. My mother loved children and she thought she never had any, it only makes sense that they would adopt. Once I knew they were okay I was so excited and then-well lets just say I didn't get them back. I never will. I couldn't do that to them. Look how happy they are."

I looked back at him when he grabbed hold of the frame and took it in his hands.

"She's perfect isn't she?" My voice trembled a bit.

"I'm sorry." His voice was hollow and empty as though he hadn't used it in ages. From what Ron and Mrs. Weasley said he hadn't used it.

"Don't be. It's alright." He looked over at me with his brows furrowed. "I'll be alright. Honest." I pushed the table away from my side and got off the bed. "Go ahead and eat finish the cake I'm going to take these plates down to your mother." I grabbed hold of the empty plates and walked out of the room quickly. I couldn't let him see me cry over something like that. His brother was dead, and I am wallowing about my parents that are alive and well.

I made my way down the stairs slowly trying to clear my head. I was half way down the stairs when I stopped at the sound of Ron's voice.

"I still don't understand why she left in the first place. And now she thinks that it's okay to just show up hear and think we would be okay with it!" His voice was harsh and cruel.

"And you think any of us know why she left?" That sounded like Harry and he didn't seem as ticked as Ron, but he wasn't happy.

"Honestly you two! We should be happy she's safe."

I walked down the last of the stairs to make myself seen "Thank you Ginny."

They all turned quickly to me. Ginny jumped up and walked over to me.

"I would hug you but seeing as you have plates - wait their both empty." Her eyes shot up from the plates to my own.

"Well of course they are. Why is that surprising?"

"George never finishes his food. He hardly eats now." Ginny looked at me with concern and a sliver of curiosity in her eyes. I shrugged and walked passed her into the now empty kitchen, placing the dishes in the sink. I turned back around to find all three of them had followed me.

As I tried to walk passed them Harry grabbed hold of my arm. "What Harry?"

He looked at me quizzically. "Where are you going?"

I brushed his hand off of my arm and looked up into his eyes. "If you must know, I am going back upstairs to George. At the moment he is much better company."

"How?" I looked over to Ron as he spoke with malice. "He doesn't talk. Ever. How could he be better company than us?" He glared at me and I returned it ten fold.

"I don't expect you to understand Ronald but, if you must know you have been nothing but unforgiving since my return. His company brings me a semblance of peace at the moment. And I need it just as much as he does. Now if you will excuse me." I turned around to walk out of the room I looked over my shoulder quickly. "Maybe he doesn't speak to you because you are ignoring him Ronald." With that I walked up the stairs back to Georges room.

I knocked on the door before opening it and walking in. George had moved the table farther away and was back in the same position as the first time I had come to him. I closed the door behind me and walked over to him. I stood in front of him and placed my hands on his shoulders.

"Here let me take your jacket you won't be able to sleep with it on." I pushed the collar down his shoulders and puled it off of him. I took it and hung it in the closet for him before walking back to him. He was watching me when I came back with glistening eyes filled with unshed tears. I stood in front of him once more and placed a hand on his cheek.

"It's okay to cry George. It doesn't make you any less of a man. I won't judge you." I didn't know what else to say I just wanted him to feel better. I knew that crying wouldn't fix anything but the action sickeningly helped. He looked up at me and let one tear fall. I swiped it away with my thumb softly. "See that wasn't so bad was it?"

I couldn't stand looking at him like this. It was heart-wrenching he should be the one making everyone laugh with his silly jokes. He should be the one to find something joyful out of all the bad. He didn't deserve this. His eyes had lost the vibrant color and if possible his hair wasn't nearly as red as it once was.

"George it's okay. Let it out." He nodded his head at me as his eyes grew watery, even more so than before. He looked to my waist and then wrapped his long arms around it, smothering his face in it at the same time. And then I heard it. The weeping. He wept and wept. My shirt began to cling to my stomach. I wrapped my arms around his head pulling him closer as I pulled my fingers though his hair. "That's it let it out." If possible his grip tightened as the sobs grew in sound. I could feel the shakes that raked through him every time, I felt the tips of my mouth move down in a frown at it.

I pulled away minutely and his head popped up looking at me with a look of horror. His pale face was blotchy and red covered in tears. His eyes were puffy and red, and his hair was mused from my fingers. I put a hand on either side of his face in an attempt to reassure him.

"I'm not going anywhere." My voice wasn't as strong as I would have liked it to be, but it would have to do. I brushed my thumbs under his eyes before I let go and sat next to him. I pulled off my shoes and pulled my feet up to the bed. I scooted to the wall on the side of the bed and pulled my legs up with me.

George pulled himself down next to me and laid his head on the pillow facing me. His eyes were still leaking over and his lips formed the saddest frown I had seen on his face. I laid myself down and put a hand back on his cheek.

"I miss him." His voice was broken and high in pitch and his eyes were searching. What they were searching for I didn't know. I lost his gaze again when he closed them letting out another tear.

"I know." He opened his eyes showing the sadness and grief that swarmed in them. I pulled my hand off his face pulling up my arm. "Come here." He looked at me for a second before scooting over to me and leaned into me. I cradled him as he continued to weep into my chest. I fingered my hand though his hair repeatedly as he pulled himself closer to me.

His breathing slowed and the tears ceased after a long while. I still had a hand wrapped in his red locks of hair once he had fallen asleep. I looked down at him and found him to have a peaceful look to his features. I gave a soft sigh, at least that is what I hoped it was. I pulled him closer to myself before I finally let my own tears fall. I don't know how long I laid there crying with him still clinging to me. I eventually fell asleep to the sound of his steady breathing.

I could only hope that tomorrow would be a better day for the both of us.

Please Review and let me know how it was and if I should keep going. I really like this story so far.

Thanks for reading!

~ST