*~Chapter 2~*

The next morning Hermione woke up in Fred's arms. They had fallen asleep after she cried into his chest for a little bit. Sometimes, it just helped to let everything out. It's better than holding everything in until the dam breaks.

She tried to get up, but found that she couldn't. Fred's heavy arm was lying across her waist, she tried to move it and barely succeeded. He had been squeezing her against him in her sleep. Wait, he wasn't asleep! He started laughing as she pushed his arm off.

They looked into each other's eyes and it seemed like time had frozen. "Thanks for staying with me last night, Gred. It means a lot to me," Hermione said in a quiet voice, breaking eye contact. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a squeeze, making her feel warm and safe. That was all that she ever wanted, really; a loving husband and kids and a nice life. Wait; did she just say husband? She couldn't be thinking these things about Fred, Ron's brother; isn't there something wrong with that? Yes, and with that she wiped her mind clean of everything that she was feeling.

"Well, I'll make breakfast. What do you want?" She asked.

"Scrambled eggs and bacon!" Fred said excitedly.

"Okay, then," and with that she apparated to the County Market about 10 miles away in Canton. Canton was slightly larger than La Grange, about two-thousand residents. County Market was right off of the highway, so she apparated under the bridge. She grabbed a skillet, a dozen eggs, and two packages of bacon. Everyone knows how the twins eat, right? Knowing him he'd eat a package and a half. Not that there's anything wrong with that! She thought quickly. It's not like the twins were fat; they were actually quite thin. Wait, don't use the word fat, it's a derogatory word that hurts people's feelings. She then apparated back into the tent, and started a small fire in the fire pit outside. Within ten minutes everything was done.

She went inside the tent to get him and found him reading one of the books that she had picked up before she came here. It was "Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief", her cousin Annabelle had told her that it was a good book, so she tried to read it. It was very well written, and educational about Greek mythology. Altogether, a very good read. She hoped that it would continue.

"You're interested in Greek mythology?" Fred asked. "I used to love this stuff; ask me anything about it."

"Alright, who gave the humans fire specifically against Zeus's wishes?"

"Come on, give me a challenge. Prometheus!" Fred answered casually.

"Good job, come on, breakfast is ready!" Hermione watched as his face lit up like a 5 year olds on Christmas morning. Such simple things could get him excited. At least he wasn't like some people who were still living in fear that he was going to get killed by Voldemort.

"Mmmm, this is delicious, Bellezza! Just as good as mum's!" He exclaimed.

"I'm glad," Hermione murmured. She loved being complimented, it made her feel good about herself. She wasn't like Malfoy though, she didn't have an elephant of an ego. No, she just liked the self-esteem boost; people always liked to break it down.

"I think we should go back, though, after breakfast, Bellezza. Mum will be wondering where you are and worried sick. She'll probably already kill me for not dragging you back by your hair last night!"

"I hope she'll forgive me, she's been like my other mum for nine years…" Hermione murmured frantically under her breath. "Gosh, I was even planning on her being my real mother," she continued as a lone tear ran down her cheek. It was replaced by anger. Anyone who would pick SUSAN BONES, a blonde girl with a GPA of 1.01, over her, GPA 4.0, would have to be even worse than her. Honestly, deep inside she was glad that he had ended it. She had been unhappy, but he made her feel good about herself. That was all that she wanted. They argued too much to ever be truly happy, though.

Her train of thought was stopped by a set of arms wrapping slowly around her. She turned around to see Fred's gorgeous sapphire eyes gazing at her lovingly.

"You're beautiful, you know that, right, Bellezza? So beautiful…"

"Gred, what does Bellezza mean? It sounds Italian…"

"It's Beauty, in it's truest form. You are the essence of beauty, love." He whispered into her ear.

"Why now, Fred? We could have been together after the battle, before me and R-r-ron were together! We loved each other!"

"Yes, Bellezza, but my brother loved you as well. What was I to do? Ron wouldn't do that to me, and I wouldn't do that to him. But now I have. He doesn't deserve you, Bellezza, will you be mine?"

Hermione stood stock still as the question came out of his mouth. His beautiful, full lips.

Oh my, what am I to do? A day after my break-up with Ron and I'm falling in love with his brother again…