Chapter 2

The rain was the perfect cover for Hermione to walk through Diagon Alley without being noticed. It had been more than a year since she last walked those worn cobblestones and glanced in the shop windows. Much had changed since her last visit. The old shops were open and teeming with customers. Passersby smiled despite the weather. The threat that once hung over their heads, the threat placed their by Lord Voldemort, was gone. Hermione wished she could smile like they did, but couldn't find even a small ounce of happiness in her heart. Yes, she was alive, but the cost of her survival had been much too high.

The large animatronic Weasley head outside of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes stopped Hermione in her tracks. Her heart ached with thoughts of Fred and George, whose life goal it was to open the joke shop. She entered the shop, keeping her hood on, and wandered the aisles. The products the twins concocted were nothing short of genius. Hermione was often awed by them despite her penchant for reprimanding them for using them on fellow students.

Nearing the checkout counter, she spotted George, dressed in magenta robes and his long red hair hanging in his eyes. She finally removed the hood of her cloak and attempted to smile. "Hi, George," she greeted him.

George Weasley let out a deep breath, rounded the counter, and hugged her. "It's been too long," he whispered in her ear, tightening his hold on her. "Too, too long."

"I'm back now," she promised.

George nodded as he pulled away. "Good," he murmured. Draping his arm around her shoulder, he led her into the back. "Does my family know you're back?"

Frowning, Hermione shook her head. "No, and from what I've gathered from Ronald's letters, they're not going to want to see me," she replied.

But George disagreed. "Don't listen to him," he said. "Ron doesn't know the whole story. Believe me, no one is mad at you for missing the funeral. If I can be completely honest with you, I didn't go either. It was too hard to bury Fred. I know I have to live the rest of my life without him. I didn't need to see my best friend's body get put in the ground."

Hermione held his hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

George shrugged as he tried to smile. "You loved him too," he said.

Hermione nodded in agreement. It was a love no one knew about, no one but the twins. Fred and Hermione had kept it a secret since her fourth year. It started after the Yule Ball. They'd both gone with different people, but Ron had ruined her evening and Fred's date had disappeared with someone else. He found her seated on the stairs, crying. Sitting down beside her, he placed an arm around her shoulders. They sat there together, neither saying a word. When she had expended her tears, he walked her to Gryffindor Tower, and they said good night. Their friendship bloomed from then on. He let her complain when his brother mistreated her, ignored her, and angered her. The day the twins left Hogwarts for good, Fred kissed her. Until the war began, they carried on a clandestine relationship. Before the horcrux hunt began, Hermione decided to end things. She hadn't realized then that their relationship was over forever.

"I miss him," Hermione admitted. "I'm sorry. Is that a bit of an understatement?"

George chuckled. "Yeah, it is," he agreed. "It's okay though. You know, this is the most I've talked about him in a year. Mum cries at the slightest mention of his name, and Dad pretends that Fred's just going to walk through the door any day now. My siblings all walk around on eggshells around me, like I'll go crazy if they mention Fred's name."

"Would you?" she wondered.

Sighing, he shrugged. "I don't know," he confessed. "He was their brother too. It's not fair for me to act like I'm the only one who lost him."

"You're not," she assured him. "Um, I should go. I'm meeting a...someone for lunch. I promise to stop by again soon though."

George nodded. "Before you go, can I show you something?" Hermione agreed, and he led her upstairs to the flat he shared with his brother. They walked to the back, and he opened the door to a messy bedroom. "It's taken me awhile, but I'm finally able to come in here again. Where are you staying now that you're back?"

"My parents' house," she told him. "It's lonely and empty and far too quiet."

"I was hoping you'd say that," he replied. "It's yours, if you want it. It's lonely and empty and quiet here too. I could really use some company, if you're up for it."

Hermione took in the room. The bed was unmade, Fred's clothes littered the floor, and books remained unshelved. "I think it's perfect," she decided. "I can have my stuff packed tonight."

"Good," he replied. "Okay, go to lunch. I'll see you later."

She left then, returning to the square. The joke shop was a short walk from The Leaky Cauldron, where she promised to meet Draco at half past noon. "Why do you look like you're going to cry?" he asked when she sat down. Hermione shrugged and picked up a menu to hide her face. "So, um, how was your day?"

"Fine," she mumbled.

"Is something on your mind?" he wondered. "Ashamed to be seen with me in public?"

She put down the menu. "Not at all," she replied. "I promise, it has nothing to do with you. My mind is just a bit...preoccupied. Get my mind off of it. Tell me what's going on with you."

"Just working off my community service requirements," he shared. "Today I scrubbed vials and beakers at St. Mungo's the muggle way. I can't say for certain, but I think it's the Ministry's goal to humiliate me. Last week, I was assigned to trash pickup in Hogsmeade. It's just so-"

"Beneath you?" she guessed.

Draco laughed. "Exactly," he replied. "See, you get me, Granger. So, um, I hate to be the one to bring this up, but have you seen the paper today?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. Is there something I should see?"

Nodding, he pulled The Daily Prophet from his bag and slid it across the table. "Potter and Weasley know you're back, and they don't seem happy about it."