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Hermione sat on the top of the staircase leading to the girl's dorms. She heard the portrait hole close as Ginny and Harry left the common room. She couldn't see what was happening as her eyes were shut tight, tears rolling freely down her cheeks. Every word Ginny had just uttered was entirely true. She fell in love with Ron because she couldn't be with anyone else or even entertain the idea of a relationship. She only loved him because everyone told her she should. She didn't really love Ron for who he was... did she?
Hermione waited for the relief to sweep over her but it never came. She waited for her tears to stop, but they continued to pour down her face. She waited for the rip in her heart to mend, but the hole only grew larger.
Somehow, she had gotten herself in so deep that even knowing that her love was founded on all the wrong reasons wouldn't take away her grief at having lost him...
Hermione couldn't move. She simply put her head in her hands and wept, mostly at her own stupidity.
"Hermione?" a familiar voice called from below, "Are you crying?"
Ron.
Damn it! She had completely forgotten that he was still in the common room. He must have been watching her for a while since she hadn't heard any movement. Then again, with the force of her sobs, racking her body, as though trying to break free, she wasn't likely to have heard anyway.
What could she do? She had to get away but she didn't want to suffer the indignity of him knowing just how much he had managed to hurt her. She considered running to her room without answering him but her heart ached when she thought of the hurt expression that would cause.
Once again she cursed every possible god (including Merlin) in existence for her ability to love so whole-heartedly. Why couldn't she have those intimacy issues that she had so often heard Lavender and Parvati discussing in their latest men?
Thankfully, she was saved from having to make that decision as two loud, boisterous redheads entered the room and made directly for where their younger brother was standing looking up at her.
Fred and George, at their mother's insistence (meaning she had most likely threatened them with the receiving end of her wand) had returned to school for their final year. They had hired twelve older wizards to run the two shops with various members of their family promising to pop in occasionally and check that all was going smoothly. This meant that, not only were the Weasley twins back at Hogwarts, they were also in the same year as the Golden Trio, much to Hermione's chagrin.
However, at that moment Hermione could not think of two people she'd rather see. She heard one of the twins address Ron and inquire what he was doing. She waited a few more seconds, as the muttering continued, for the inevitable explosion or screech that followed the troublemakers everywhere they went.
As the minutes ticked by without any audible event, Hermione became increasingly aware of a presence beside her. One that she was certain had not come from the dorms.
She jerked her head up as an arm fell around her shoulders just in time to see Ron being dragged up the opposite staircase by one of the twins.
She turned her eyes quickly towards the person besides her, noting the flaming red hair, lightly sprinkled freckles and clear blue eyes.
Fred.
Damn it! It must be an ambush.
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion whilst looking for any sign of mischief that was so often present when she observed him. Surprisingly, she found only concern.
"What's wrong? What happened? Is Harry or Ginny hurt?" Hermione had gotten so used to that look during the war that she naturally assumed the worst. It was a look often used in the midst of those dark times when someone was bearing bad news.
As Fred's confusion at that statement began to show, Hermione felt relief flood through her. No one was hurt. But then what could it be? What could make the illustrious Fred Weasley look concerned? She got her answer before she could fully ponder the question when Fred spoke, "Are you O.K., Hermione? What did my idiot of a brother do now? George is already taking care of him for minor offenses but if there's anything worse, I'll have to let him know so that the punishment can be suitably altered."
Hermione's mouth dropped open in pure shock. Fred Weasley was not only concerned but also being serious?
The seconds ticked by as Hermione pondered these bemusing thoughts. It was only when Fred cleared his throat that she realized she hadn't answered him yet.
"I'm fine. Thank you, Fred", she replied hastily.
"Well you don't look fine to me. If you don't want to talk about it that's fine but just know that I'm here, ok?"
Hermione nodded, at a loss for words. This was a part of Fred that she had never even heard of, let alone experienced. I wonder why he never shows this side of himself. He can actually be sweet! And his eyes are so blue... WAIT! Where did that last thought come from? Shake it off, Hermione. He's not the right person for you!
Dear God. She had actually started to talk to herself, in her head... She had to get away from him fast! Ron's older brother was not the best choice for a rebound...
Hermione stood and muttered an excuse to Fred. She ran to her room and spent her evening completing every report due even those that had not yet been assigned. But no matter how hard she concentrated; she couldn't get the intense blue swimming in front of her vision to leave...
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