"Do you ever feel out of place?" – Welcome to my life, Simple plan

Hermione was still sitting in the garden, for the third day in a row. Harry and Ron had tried several times to get her with them, but Ginny was always there to make them go away. Secretly Hermione was thankful for that. A little rest was what she needed. She looked straight ahead, not really seeing anything. The past few days she'd had time to think. Time to think about who she was, what she had been through and what she wanted with her life. The problem was that she didn't know the answer to any of these things. She had always known what she wanted, but did she still want the same things? Did she still want to be rule-abiding Hermione Granger? Brain of the golden trio? She didn't know anymore. That was why she wanted to write a book. Put all her feelings on paper, trying to clear her head and make something out of her thoughts. But she didn't know what to write. Hermione shook her head and forced her gaze back on the empty paper on her lap with a sigh.

Fred looked out of the window at the lonely witch, who was sitting by his favorite tree. There was a time when he had a crush on her. He had planned to ask her out as soon as the war was over. But then he had seen her kiss his younger brother and he realized she'd never like him. That one second he had stood still like a statue, which almost cost him his life. But she found a way to save his life. No one knew this, no one but the two of them. They silently decided to keep it quiet. He remembered that one clear moment, when he opened his eyes. She had looked at him and whispered: "Don't you dare to leave me, Weasley." Just before he lost consciousness. The next time he had seen her, he had been in the hospital, and she was asleep in the chair next to his bed. But since they had let him out of the hospital, they hadn't spend any moment alone. Maybe it was for the best. Fred seriously had to think. While he had been in the hospital, George had found comfort with Angelina and they were dating. Fred was happy for them of course, but he was also scared. He knew George was planning to ask her to move in together, which meant leaving Fred to fend for himself. He had never been without George, so it would be hard on him, but he knew he had to learn to do things without his twin and best friend. Thinking this, Fred made a decision. He turned away from the window and walked up to the fire, grabbing some floo powder.

The sky was slowly turning red, as the sun began to go down and Hermione once again heaved a sigh. In just three days she would be going back to Hogwarts. She was looking forward to it, but there were so many memories that would come back to her when she set foot in those halls. As she was thinking about the castle that had been her home since she was eleven, someone walked over to her.

"Thinking hard about something, Granger?" Fred stood next to her, holding a thin jacket out to her. "Mum didn't want you to get cold." She took the jacket out of his hands and smiled at him.

"Want to join me?" He nodded and sat down. For a few minutes they sat there in total silence, just looking at the sunset, each buried in their own thoughts. Until Fred suddenly broke the silence.

"Hermione?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you ever feel out of place? Like you're somewhere you don't have to be?" She turned to look at him, with questioning eyes.

"What do you mean, Fred?"

"I don't know. I just…" He sighed. "Never mind. I don't know why I'm asking you this."

"It's about George isn't it? You don't know how to feel about him starting his own life with Angelina, do you?" Fred stayed quiet, which told Hermione that she was right. "Don't worry Fred, you'll be alright."

"Thanks Hermione." She smiled at him and the silence returned once more, as they both looked up at the stars that started to appear. Hermione sighed. It was nice being out here with Fred. They just enjoyed each other's company, not feeling the need to talk. After a while, Mrs. Weasley called them inside for dinner. Hermione stood and took a few steps towards the house before she realized that Fred wasn't following her. When she turned back to him, he was still sitting on the ground his gaze aimed for the stars.

"I paid a visit to McGonnagal today." He said softly. Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"You did?"

"Yeah. I'm going back to Hogwarts." He sighed before standing up and offering Hermione his arm.

"Don't worry Fred. This year will be perfect."