Fred and Ron are starting to figure things out on their own, and Hermione and George are just beginning to figure things out period. What happens next? Full story summary can be found in Chapter One : Revelations.

(Characters owned by JKR)

Chapter Six : What Happens Next?

"Ron went through something terrible. I have no idea what it is, and I wouldn't tell you out of respect for him even if I did know. He's gone home to heal and Fred has gone with him to help him do just that. He needs someone he trusts right now, if he trusts anyone at all," Albus explained to the two young people sitting across from him in his office.

Hermione cleared her throat thickly. The headmaster's expression was grim. What Harry had done must have affected Ron more than she's realized. Either that, or Harry had made a serious mistake in finding him the night before. Hermione felt horrible. She was the one that had sent him after Ron to talk to him and find out what was wrong. She felt responsible.

"Professor… Would it help Ron if you knew what had happened?" she asked.

A look of incredulity passed over Dumbledore's, and George's, features at her words. Dumbledore quickly resumed his imperturbable expression. George was unable to do so.

"Miss Granger, if you know something about Ron's condition, I suggest you tell me now."

Hermione threw a glance in George's direction.

"Oh no, Hermione. Don't even think about it. If you know something, I want to be told," George interrupted.

It was apparent that she was struggling with herself. Would Ron be angry if she told? Would Harry get into trouble? Granted, he probably deserved it, but his intentions had been good enough. He just acted on them wrong.

"Miss Granger," the headmaster said, an order in his tone.

Hermione sighed.

"Ron and Harry had a bit of an… incident."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, Harry has feelings for Ron. He tried to act on those feelings. He thought that Ron felt the same way, but it turns out that he didn't. Harry got angry and… Well…"

Hermione trailed off, unwilling to finish that sentence. She couldn't meet George's eyes. She had heard his intake of breath when he put two and two together. He jumped from his seat and made for the door.

"Mr. Weasley! Sit down," Dumbledore stated, a threat in his voice that couldn't be ignored. No doubt he had seen the murder in George's eyes. "This is a very delicate matter, George."

"Delicate? Bloody hell! That arse raped my little brother! He's hurting right now because of the idiotic git!"

Albus had never really dealt with a situation like this before. It was going to take a remarkable amount of finesse. No better time than the present to begin…

Hermione let her thoughts travel to Ron, wondering how he was doing.

Fred looked up at the window when he heard a tapping from outside. He looked up to see a paper airplane hovering on the other side of the glass, smashing it's pointed tip against the panes over and over again. This had been Fred and George's favored way of communicating in classes and different rooms of the house since they were small. It got the job done, but the damned planes weren't the brightest of things. Fred couldn't help but feel a dull shock and George had been able to fly one so far.

He stood, stretching his legs as his muscles screamed in protest from being stuck in the same position for so long. His eyes traveled over the sleeping form of his little brother huddled underneath the blankets on Fred's own bed. He sighed, tugging at the window and struggling to keep it from making any noise that could wake Ron up. He snatched the airplane as it attempted to zoom into the room and unfolded it, breaking the enchantment.

Fred,

I wish Dumbledore had let me join you and Ronnie back at home. I had no desire to go in the first place, but knowing what I do now, I can't stand the thought of being here. I know you are with him, so I assume you know the basics of what happened. I don't blame you for not telling me. I wouldn't have told you if our roles were reversed. I wonder, though, has he told you who did it? I think you'll be shocked to find out. Apparently Harry told Hermione, and she told the headmaster and me.

Harry did it. His best fucking mate. He raped him. He took away his innocence and his happiness for his own bloody selfish reasons. I could kill him. I could wring his scrawny little neck. Dumbledore put an anti-violence charm all around me, though, so I can't even get close to him! And Hermione is protecting him now! Can you believe it? She says he was completely in the wrong, but that he did it because he thought it would make Ron love him. Love… How can he claim to love Ronnie when he put him through what he did? I plan on having a talk with Hermione as soon as I can get my temper under control. Take care of our little brother.

Love ya, bro.

George

Fred stared at the piece of parchment in his hands, his eyes blinking unseeingly. Harry? Harry Potter? He wasn't someone Fred had even thought about considering. How could he do that to him? Fred eyes roamed back over Ron's features. Even in his sleep, tension drew lines between his brows. Fred was so tired. Today had exhausted him emotionally. He couldn't bear the thought of being away from Ron, though. He fought with himself for a full five minutes, before throwing caution to the wind.

He settled on the bed next to Ron, making sure he was far enough away to avoid touching him and talked to him. He was careful to keep his voice quiet, so as not to wake him. He talked and talked until his voice was hoarse. Half of the time he didn't even understand, himself, what he was saying. He told Ron how sorry he was for everything he had been through. He told him how much he cared for him. He told him he would always be there to protect him. He promised that he would never let anyone hurt him again. (A promise that he was bound to break, as no one can ever escape fully from pain, but he wanted it to be true.) He whispered his comforting, soothing words to Ron until his own eyelids finally drifted shut and he fell into a deep sleep.

Once Ron was sure Fred had truly fallen asleep, he allowed himself a small smile. He let himself trust Fred just a little bit more. He hadn't wanted him here originally, but he was so grateful he had come. He considered it for a moment, then inched closer to Fred, allowing his head to rest against his chest. He let the soothing rhythm of Fred's heartbeat lull him back into a fitful sleep. If only Fred could protect him from his nightmares…

Is Ron starting to come around, just a little bit? Slowly, but surely! What is in store for Hermione when George confronts her? And what will happen when Harry finds out who knows?