A/N: So, this is the story I should have posted first. I wrote the first two chapters of the sequel before I even started writing this one; however, I found that without a solid backstory to reference and fact check it would be incredibly difficult. So without further ado, enjoy and review. :)

Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, and do not own or make money off of Harry Potter…unfortunately. I just like writing stories about her characters.

Chapter 1: In the Wind

"Harry! Ron!" Hermione shouted up the stairs of the Burrow, "We're leaving in 5 minutes!"

It was once again September 1st, and the Golden Trio was going back to Hogwarts for their retake of a majorly disrupted 7th year.

As Harry and Ron came barreling down the many flights of stairs, Hermione enveloped Ron in a huge bear hug.

"Morning, 'Mione," Ron said, kissing his girlfriend's forehead.

"Morning, Ron. You've double checked you have everything right? Both of you?"

"Yes." Both boys groaned as they headed to the living room where Mrs. Wesley and Ginny were waiting.

"Ron dear, George left for the shop a bit ago, wanted to make sure all the children got pockets full of product before they got on the train, but he told me to give this to you." Molly said as she handed Ron Fred's old rucksack. At the sight of it, Ron tensed, and Hermione squeezed his hand in comfort. Ron wasn't the same since Fred died, and still got quite emotional at the memory.

"Th-Thanks mum." He stuttered, taking the pack from her. It was pretty heavy, no doubt full of all sorts of prank products form the joke shop George ran, now with his friend Lee Jordan.

"Oh and for you two, here you are. George wanted you prepared!" Molly beamed as she handed Harry and Hermione each a rucksack as well. They weren't like the olive green one Ron held, these were tan with a big orange and purple "W" on the front, no doubt from the shop as well. "Ginny's already got hers, is everyone ready now? Let's go! Ginny, let me have your arm, and keep good hold of your trunk now." Molly fretted before apperating Ginny to a secluded area in King's Cross, right by platform 9 ¾.

"Well, here we go again." Hermione said as the trio prepared to apparate, and with a turn they were all in King's Cross, the barrier just ahead of them.

"Mum and Ginny will have already gone through," Ron said, an undertone of melancholy very present in his voice, "Let's go."

He headed towards the barrier and disappeared without a backwards glance at his best friend or girlfriend.

"Harry, has he talked to you at all?" Hermione asked "Has he said anything about Fred?"

"No, nothing. I had assumed he was talking to you about it." Harry looked worried; his best friend was falling into a deep depression, and apparently, wasn't letting anyone help him cope with the loss of his brother.

"No, Ron's barely talked to me at all since the funerals for everyone. Maybe he's talked to Ginny? Or George?"

"I asked Ginny already," Harry sighed and shook his head. "She said he's mentioned it once, but then he just clammed up."

"Well let's go through the barrier. I'll owl George on the way." Hermione said. "I really hope George is able to help."

The pair walked through the barrier for the final time as Hogwarts students and they were pleased to see so many familiar faces. It seemed that most of the students from their year had returned, save for a handful of Slytherins.

"I've found you all an empty compartment if you like!" Molly yelled form beside the train. "Come along!"

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley!" Hermione grinned as she climbed aboard to set down her rucksack. Ron was already in the compartment putting his luggage away.

"Ron, are you okay?" Hermione ventured.

"Okay? Why wouldn't I be okay?" Ron answered defensively.

"Well, no reason I guess, but…" she caught the look on his face and suddenly felt as if she was walking on eggshells. "Never mind, I guess, I love you."

"Love you too, 'Mione." Ron sighed as he hugged her. "I'm fine."

"Okay," Hermione smiled up at him. "Let's go back outside, and say goodbye to your mother."

She pulled him back through the compartment doors and everyone said their goodbyes. Harry and Hermione had both stayed at the Burrow over the summer, sometimes going to help rebuild the school they loved. Molly had become a sort of surrogate mother to them both, since Hermione's parents were both still in Australia, blissfully unaware that they had a grown daughter.

On the train, all of Molly's children waved until they round the bend and the platform was out of sight.

They all sat down, Harry and Ginny holding hands while Ron and Hermione leaned against opposite sides of the seat. Hermione had angles herself away from everyone so they couldn't look over her shoulder as she penned a letter.

George,

First off, thank you so much for the packs, we all loved them! Harry and Ginny say thank you too, and I'm sure Ron loves his as well. He missed Fred a lot, I reckon.

That's actually why I am writing to you. It seemed Ron hasn't mentioned anything about Fred to any of us, and it's like he's changed, like he's just not our Ron anymore. So I guess I'm writing to see if he has talked to you about anything. You are the only one I think he would talk to at this point.

We all really want to help him. I don't think he's gone through the grieving process. I've read about it in a few of my mother's old psychology textbooks form her time at University. It's this whole process that I won't lecture on in a letter, but it seems Ron is stuck and is not moving forward at all emotionally.

I just really hope we can help him in some way.

Anyways, thanks again for the packs and the merchandise from the shop. I wish you all the best and hope to hear from you soon!

Love, Hermione

Hermione tied the letter to the leg of her new owl, Turkleton, and opened the window of their compartment to send him on his way.

"Who was that to?" Ron asked.

"George, I thanked him for our packs. Have you gone through yours yet? He's sure to have put some great new things in them. Hopefully nothing I'll have to confiscate…" Hermione tried to lighten Ron's mood a bit by taking his mind off things. Ron glanced at Fred's old pack up in the luggage rack and sighed.

"Er, not yet," he said, "But I will now though."

"You don't have to, mate." Harry piped in, "Not if you don't want to."

"No, let's see what we've got." Ron decided as he reached for the pack. It really did feel full to bursting and he was always excited for new joke shop items.

All four dug through their own packs then. They each had an assortment of the usual joke shop items like fizzing whiz bees, acid pops, and dung bombs as well as Fred and Georges own line of products, such as the double ended candies used for playing sick, the prank wands that turn into mice and the telescopes that punch you and give you a bruise that only comes off with a special salve (also their invention, and also included), as well as Peruvian Instant Darkness Power.

Ginny and Hermione each got a stock of beauty potions, such as their "Be All, End All" acne and complexion fixer, and a special super smoothing hair tonic (Hermione got three giant bottles, enough to last her all year). Harry got a special compass for the end of his broom that not only told him which direction he was facing, but also altitude, speed and if there were any bludgers approaching. It really was spectacular. They also gave him a special pair of goggles to fit over his glasses that would repel any rain and outline the forms of other players. Ron got to the bottom of his pack after pulling out all the same things as Harry and froze. There at the bottom was a note resting on top of a bundle. His hands shook as he pulled it out and unfolded it. Hermione could see his eyes brimming with tears as they darted back and forth across the parchment.

Ginny moved to him and took the note once he was finished. Ron seemed to collapse, leaning against Ginny and just string into the almost empty rucksack.

When Ginny handed the note to Harry, Hermione moved to read it alongside him while Ginny attempted to comfort her brother.

Ron,

Since Fred was so young when he died, he had never written out a will. Neither had I, in fact, but in truth we never thought we would need them. When Fred and I were growing up we talked about everything, and inevitably we had many "What if…?" conversations. It was during one such talk that the subject of what our wills would say came up. I remembered every word of what Fred said that day and I've decided to follow it to the "t". It's what I would have expected him to do for me had the situation been reversed. Though, my will is going to be such a huge surprise for everyone I may just have to come back from the dead just to see their faces.

Now you'll see a bundle of things at the bottom of your rucksack. In the bundle are a couple of items that Fred was adamant about giving to you. You seemed to be his favorite brother, second to me of course. Charlie got a pile of gnome shit, although that was an inside joke…

Hermione, would you please un-shrink these items in order? I know you're reading this over someone's shoulder. (Hermione blushed at that comment, as she was in fact reading it over Harry's shoulder.)

First is Fred's favorite jumper form mum. He always knew you had preferred blue over maroon anyways.

The next isn't shrunk, however it is a pouch full of galleons. He wanted to share the wealth we've had from the shop with you. He had also discussed taking you on as a partner once you were done school, but we'll talk about that later.

The last is a bit more sentimental. It's his wizard chess set. I always remember his complaining that you were the only fun one to play with because you were probably the only one of us to ever beat him.

I hope this stuff will enable you to keep a piece of him with you. He loved you so much. He loved being the "big brother" to you and Ginny.

I'll be in touch again soon. Give everyone in your compartment my love.

-George

Hermione looked up from the letter to see Ron holding Fred's old jumper. She put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, hoping he would finally be able to grieve properly. Instead, he shrugged her off, shoved everything back into the rucksack and turned away from everyone to stare out the window.

Just then, everyone heard the same announcement: "Attention Students – Would all prefects please make your way to the prefects compartment, and Head Boy and Girl to the Head's compartment please. Everyone else, we will be arriving soon, so please make sure you have your school robes on. Thank you."

"Oh!" Hermione jumped, "That's me! I've got to go!" She gathered up her things and leaned to give Ron a peck goodbye, but when he didn't turn, she said "Well, I'll see you at the feast later, okay?" she tried, "I love you."

"Whatever, love you too." Ron muttered, not even bothering to look at her.

Sighing Hermione left. Making her way to the head compartment, she couldn't help but wonder if Ron was okay. It made her sad to see him so depressed. It didn't look as though Fred's rucksack really helped much.

Arriving at the head compartment, Hermione froze in the doorway as she saw who was waiting inside. There, sitting in the corner reading, was Draco Malfoy.

Immediately, her whole body tensed and she went on the defensive, fingers twitching subtly for her wand. She'd had no contact with the blond since the Final Battle. Clearing her throat to announce her presence, she sat down across from him.

As Draco looked up from his book, Hermione witnessed a number of emotions cross his features before he smoothed them back into the mask of cool indifference she was used to.

"Hello, Malfoy." Hermione said stiffly.

"Granger." Draco nodded back, internally stiffening at hearing his last name.

"I never thought you would be Head Boy." Hermione said, completely without thinking.

"And why is that?" Draco asked, without and sarcasm or malice. His genuine curiosity threw Hermione off.

"Uh, well…I guess because of your history. I actually thought you were going to Durmstrang this year." Hermione admitted, hoping she wasn't coming off too judgmental.

"I would have if my mother had her way," he chuckled, shocking her again. "I put my foot down to come back here of course, and with my father gone, I think she just wants me to be happy."

Hermione's jaw dropped, and Draco chuckled again.

"Well I do believe this is the first time I've rendered you speechless."

"Well, I do believe that was the most amount of non-derogatory or hateful words you've ever spoken to me." Hermione said, stating the obvious.

"Yes, I think I can agree with you there." Draco said, looking at his twiddling thumbs. "And I want to start this year off by apologizing to you, personally. I realized that I've made your life hell whenever I could at Hogwarts. Certain situations have made me realize how wrong I was, and how my actions may have affected you. I apologize, for everything I've done to you, and for being on the opposite side of the war."

As he finished his little speech, Hermione raised a skeptic eyebrow and considered his words.

"That seemed rather rehearsed." Hermione commented with a smirk similar to the one Draco usually wore.

"Well I knew you'd be Head Girl, and that we'd run into each other quite frequently since I received my badge, so I've had time to figure out how to say what I needed to. I don't expect you to ever forgive me; I just wanted you to know."

"I accept your apology, I guess… I'm not sure if I can forgive you quite yet though." Hermione admitted. "Thank you. By the way, how did you know I'd be Head Girl?

"Who else would be a better Head Girl?" he smiled "Besides, I've had you pegged for Head Girl since first year."

"Am I really that predictable?"

"Yes."

The two were now pretty at ease with each other. Hermione believed that he had changed for the better without his father's presence and she believes that he meant his apology whole heartedly. Draco was just thankful she didn't hate him. She was all the woman he thought her to be. She was strong, and he wouldn't have blamed her for hating him. But she didn't, which just proved to Draco how much better than him she truly was.

The two of them chatted some more for the duration of the trip. Draco asked about Hermione's childhood, and her family. Hermione listened to Draco attempt to explain his fascination with Quidditch. They got to know each other; it was almost like starting over. As they rounded a bend in the tracks, the twinkling lights of Hogsmeade came into view.

"Wow, to be honest I never thought I would be having a civil conversation with you, Malfoy; never mind one that lasted this long." Hermione admitted,

"I know what you mean." Draco said, "I've been nothing but hurtful to you for seven years. I never expected you to even give me the time of day, but… I'm glad you did."

"Me too," She smiled at him.

A/N: Like it? Hate it? Questions? Review! I'd love feedback as to what works/doesn't. This is my first time actually attempting to finish a story so I want to know if and where I am going wrong or right! Review! - Liss :D