"George, if you're still not ready…it's okay." Hermione placed her hand on her boyfriend's shoulder as he shook with hurt.

"Hermione, I have to be able to do this eventually." He protested.

"But you're not ready. You haven't stopped grieving."

"How can I stop grieving?! Every time I see my reflection, every time I hear myself speak…all I can think of is him. I'll always be stuck remembering how he died and I didn't. I'll always have to remember that I'm the coward."

"George, you're not a coward. You were fighting as well. You didn't run away, you were there next to your brother the whole time." George shook his head, pulled his coat tighter against him and walked slowly back towards Diagon Alley, his head hanging low. Hermione sighed, produced a bouquet of red roses with her wand and lowered them onto the grave, just in front of the headstone.

"We all miss you Fred. Every single one of us." Hermione touched the headstone and followed George's footprints through the snow.

She found him watching a pair of kittens play-fighting in a shop window.

"Fred and I used to be like that." He stated.

"Kittens?" She asked. George smiled, wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her into his chest.

"No, always fighting." He chuckled. Hermione smiled; glad she was making him feel a touch better. They stayed silent, watching the kittens play for about 5 minutes when Hermione felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and was facing George.

"What's up?" She looked at him questioningly. He just motioned with his finger to follow him, so she did. She walked about five metres down the street when she heard somebody calling her name.

"Hermione!" She heard footsteps coming up behind her, "Hermione, what are you doing?" She spun around to face George.

"Why are you playing tricks on me?" She asked.

"What are you talking about? We were standing over there, then you just walked off…Are you sure you're okay?" George stared at her, worriedly.

"Yeah, I…I think I'm just delusional from the cold." She giggled, trying to ease the tension.

"Then let's go into the bar, have a Butterbeer and get warm." George steered her in the direction of The Leaky Cauldron. As they walked silently, Hermione replayed all that had just happened in her head. Her eyes widened in shock as she realised that the man she had just seen, who she mistook for her boyfriend, had two ears.

Hermione barely spoke for the whole time they were in the bar. George continued to make silly jokes even though all Hermione responded with was a small smile and rolling her eyes. When they had both finished their drinks, George cleared his throat, stood up and held his hand out to Hermione.

"Let's go visit Ron." Hermione's eyes grew wide, remembering the last time they were in the same room together…

*1 year ago*

Harry and Ron were sitting on the couch in Grimmauld Place, warming up by the fire. Ron was quietly remembering the previous conversation he'd had with Hermione about leaving to lead their own lives, Harry was silently drawing stick figures in the dust on the wooden arm of the couch. A child's cry was heard all throughout the house. Harry stood up, left the room and the crying suddenly stopped. When Harry re-appeared, the child was in Harry's arms.

"It's okay, I'm here. You're safe." Harry whispered to the little boy who had tear tracks down his cheeks, "Ron, could you take Teddy for a few minutes while I go get his bottle?" Ron reluctantly took Teddy Lupin from Harry and cradled him awkwardly. Teddy must have found something funny in Ron's expression as he started to giggle and his hair started to turn the same colour as Ron's.

"Ron?" A feminine voice spoke from behind him, "Ron, it's time." Ron turned around and saw Hermione standing in the doorway of the living room, duffel bag in hand.

"I…I don't think I can go." He slowly stood up.

"What? Why not?" Hermione questioned.

"Harry needs me. He can't raise Teddy by himself."

"He has Andromeda to help him. Ron, you need to get out of the house. You need to start living your own life."

"What if I like this life? What if I like helping Harry out with Teddy, what if I like staying inside this house?"

"Nobody likes staying inside this house, Ron. Not even Teddy."

"Harry likes it here. I'm not leaving him. Not after all that has happened."

"You're leaving?" Harry asked, shocked. He glanced at Hermione, then at her packed bag, then at Ron holding Teddy.

"Yes," Hermione glared at Ron, "Harry, you have to understand. We can't stay here. We need to get jobs, live our lives. The war is over, you have to move on."

"Hermione, I'm not leaving. You can if you really want to, but I'm staying here with Harry. Hermione, I love him." Ron bowed his head.

"You…l-love him? I can't believe this. Are you serious? You said that you cared for him like a brother! I didn't believe you at first because I saw how you looked at him, but now…" Hermione said, incredulous.

"I'm sorry, Hermione." Harry and Ron both said together.

"No, it's okay. I should've realised before. I'll…keep in touch. Bye Harry," she kissed him on the cheek, "Bye Teddy," she kissed the now sleeping baby on the head, "Bye Ron. I hope you know what you're doing." She caressed Ron's cheek, gave him a quick hug and walked out the door, shutting it behind her. She hadn't seen any of them in a whole year.