Hermione sat anxiously on the couch as she heard the knocking on the door. She was going to see her best friends for the first time in almost a year. She hoped they wouldn't be mad at her for staying away. She hoped they'd understand. When Fred walked back followed by Ginny, Harry and Ron, her breath immediately caught in her throat. Tears were filling her eyes. She wouldn't have thought that it would have affected her so much at just the sight of them. But here they were, not even yelling at her yet, and she was crying.

"Hey Mione," Harry was the first to walk toward her. He held out his arms, and was happy to see her get up and wrap her arms around him. "I'm so happy you came back,"

When she pulled away, she looked at Ginny, who was crying too, and Ron who looked like he wasn't sure what to think. She started crying harder as she hugged the youngest Weasley. "I'm so sorry I left you guys."

"All that matters is you're here now," Ginny wiped the tears from her cheeks, smiling as she pulled away. "How've you been? We've missed you so much," she smiled. It was good to have her best friend back. Sure, she had her family, and Harry. But there was no one she could talk to like Hermione.

"Why were you gone for so long?" Ron finally spoke. "Why didn't you at least send an owl to us?"

"I don't know. I just...As time passed it got harder and harder to know what to say," she looked down.

"You could have said anything! We would've been happy to just know you were okay!"

"Ron," Harry put a hand on his shoulder, giving him a warning look.

"I'm not mad," Ron sighed. "I just never thought you'd be the one to leave," he looked at Hermione, who was still looking at the ground. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm happy to have you back," he kissed her forehead.

"You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that," she smiled. She was so sure he was going to yell at her. To be so mad at her.

"I'm going to go let George know," Fred gave her a small smile. He knew she must want to be alone with her friends. And seeing her with Ron just felt wrong. They looked so natural together, so at ease in each others arms. He half wondered why she didn't come back and choose to be with him. When she nodded, he walked out the door and down the street toward his twins house.

"Hey Fred," Angelina smiled as she opened the door. "George is in the living room. Want some tea? Or butterbeer?" she grinned as he nodded. "Thought so," she walked off, letting him head in the house.

"Hey Freddie, your future wife show up?" he waited for his brother to nod. "So? Is she cute?" he grinned.

"It's Hermione," he sat down.

"As in Hermione Granger?" Angelina asked as she handed off his drink.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"She's back? What the-"

"She showed up tonight. She's at the house with Ron and Harry and Ginny right now."

"So you're marrying the woman our little brother is in love with. How twisted is this? We have to do something. Maybe we can stop this whole law before June. Maybe you won't have to go through with this."

"What can we do, mate? They're not going to back down on this," Fred sighed. "It could be worse though. At least we all have people we know. People we were friends with."

"Yeah, I guess," he frowned.

A week had passed since Hermione was been back. Her and Fred were now registered to be married. It had been a weird week for her, knowing she was to be married to a man she didn't love. Sharing a house with him. He had at least been kind enough to offer to sleep on the couch. But she felt terrible for making him do it. She got dressed and headed downstairs to find he was still sleeping. She smiled, looking at him, half hanging off the couch.

"Morning, love," he smiled sleepily at her as she picked up the glasses from the coffee table.

"Hey, I didn't mean to wake you," she smiled.

"S'alright. There are worse things to wake up to," he laughed.

"You should stop trying to flatter me," she turned and went back to cleaning up.

"I guess your right. We're going to be married either way," he replied, annoyed. Not that Hermione was bad. It was just, well, she was Hermione. She was the woman his little brother loved. The whole situation was just wrong.

"I was thinking maybe we could set up another bed in the second room. That way you wouldn't get stuck out on the couch," she stopped and looked at him.

"And how would you explain that to the ministry officials who will be coming to check up on us at random?" he finally sat up. "It's alright Hermione. I'd rather be uncomfortable on the couch than have my wand snapped."

"I just feel bad," she sighed as she sat next to him. "Maybe we should set up some ground rules."

"What kind of rules?"

"Well, for one, you can sleep in the bed with me. So long as you stay on your side," she shrugged.

"You act like you think I'm going to jump you in your sleep," he laughed. "You have to stay on your side then too."

She frowned at him, holding back a smile. "I will most certainly stay on my side."

"Other ruled then?" he grinned.

"Well, you'll sleep in pajamas. Shirt and pants. No more of this," she held out her hand, motioning toward him.

He looked down at his chest and laughed. "You're offended by me not wearing a shirt?"

"I'm not offended. But I'd feel more comfortable," she answered.

"Okay, then. Shirts will be worn to bed. Next rule."

"I'd like to keep my own bathroom," she bit her lip, feeling like she was asking a bit much.

"Of course. I'll keep using the one in the hall," he smiled. "Is that it?"

"For now," she nodded. "Thanks, Fred."

"Of course, love," he smiled. "Told you I'd try to make things alright for you," he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before standing up. "Now time for me and my offensive chest to go take a shower and go to work."