Disclaimer: Nothing but the plot is my own! Happy Reading!

Chapter Seven: Guilt

The plan to retrieve Harry cost the Order and the Weasley family dearly. The death of Alastor Moody and the cursing of George left the family in a panic. Fred was beside himself at the thought of losing his brother and it took a calming drought before he could manage sleep.

Bill's injuries healed as best as expected and he seemed to have only mood swings and the appetite for rare meat. Fleur also insinuated other changes, but kept those from his mother, fearing she would not approve.

Lavender was invited to the Burrow, hoping she would get more acquainted with the rest of Ron's family. She was completely healed from her surgery and was completely weaned from the pain potions at that point. Ron spent a lot of time trying to get her accustomed to the chores and daily routines of the house.

Ginny was trying her best to hide her moping attitude from Harry. He had ended things in efforts to keep her safe. He felt she would be a target and she was the last person he ever wanted to lose. Harry had yet to tell the poor girl how deep his feelings ran, but Hermione guessed it was because he was so rarely told he was loved growing up. She wagered he was downright nervous of telling Ginny how he felt, fearing she would run scared and reject him. Bit silly really.

Molly and Arthur busied themselves with the preparations for the upcoming wedding. Remus and Tonks were helping, as well as setting up protection charms along the property. Everyone was amused to see that Remus had relented and admitted his feelings for the younger witch. They had been secretly married in a small ceremony, due to some legislation against werewolves.

Hermione was entirely too quiet. Having arrived in the dead of night, distraught and seeking Mrs. Weasley, she was being watched by several members of the family. They are not sure what has made the younger witch's mood so reserved. She was not even reading.

Fred watched her, but she refused to speak with him about her troubles, yet. He left her to her thoughts and went upstairs.

Clicking the door closed, Fred turned to change into a thinner shirt for a round of quidditch the boys planned with Ginny. Slipping his button down off, he began to undo his trouser zipper.

"Ooohh…please continue."

Fred froze and groaned. He knew exactly who was in his room and it unnerved him that she had the gall to approach him once more.

"Katie, my brother Charlie is downstairs. Surely his experiences with dragons will interest you," he said, trying to remain cool.

"Nah, the show is up here in this very room. Let's get it started, shall we?" She flew from her spot and pushed him to the wall with a bruising kiss. "It's been a while, love. I'm more than ready for another round."

Fred turned his face and struggled to bind her hands. "Katie, as enticing as that offer sounds, I must decline. I'm not a free agent any longer. I'm with Hermione."

"What? Granger? That child that bats her lashes at your brother? Tut tut, Freddie. She cannot pleasure you like I do." She banished her clothes and stood naked before him.

"Katie, now is not the time. We had a fun few rounds and you were great, but it's over. Leave," he growled deeply.

She darted for his trousers, so he swung her around and pinned her to the wall, "Stop!"

The door opened suddenly. "Hey, Fred, I wanted to…" Hermione paled and adverted her gaze, before bursting into tears and slamming the door.

"Fuck! Leave Katie! It's over. Do not come back unless you plan to apologize openly to Hermione." He rushed righted his clothes and slung a shirt on.


Hermione's POV (before and after)

Fred watches my every move and tries to get me to open up about why I am not myself. I cannot bear to tell him what I have done. Only Ron knows and he held me the night I appeared broken at his doorstep. We have a mission that no one knows of. A mission that will require us to leave behind our loved ones. It was left to us by Dumbledore and we are to travel destroying the horcruxes of Voldemort. My parents were liabilities to us and I couldn't risk their lives for something they never expected to be a part of when I was born. Their memories of me gone and lives altered, I sent them far away: Australia. If I do not survive this war, at least I know they had a fighting chance of being happy.

He kisses my cheek, lips lingering for a moment above my ear. He nibbles it a bit, trying to elicit a smile, but nothing comes of it. Seeming defeated, he gives me my space and goes up the stairs.

"You really should give the troll some credit," Ginny says, eyeing me. "He's trying."

"I know."

"We have a game in a few minutes. He's probably changing for it, actually. Want to watch and cheer him on?" she asks.

I nod my head and leave my spot on the chair. Deciding Ginny was right, I wanted to tell him thank you for his support for my secret sadness.

Opening the door to the twins' room, I saw my supposed, barely dressed boyfriend pinning a very blatantly naked witch to wall. The betrayal crashes over me and I stand frozen. Wanting nothing more than to be far away from the Burrow, I darted out the door and ran down the stairs.


Back to Normal POV

Hermione ran from the house at full speed. Fred wasn't far behind her. He yelled for her, but it only made her more upset. So he sprinted and caught her, causing them to roll. She began to hit him and scream, but with each strike, he held onto her tighter.

"Mia, let me explain. Please!" he pleaded.

"I can't believe I trusted you! Ginny and Ron tried to warn me, but I didn't listen. I didn't listen…" Her body, once stiff and full of anger, now slumped in despair in his embrace.

"Mia, it wasn't what you think. I swear it!" he implored her.

"I'm not so daft to ignore the clearly naked beautiful witch you pinned to wall. I know bloody well what you planned to do with her. It's because I've been so off lately. It's my fault," Hermione whimpered.

"Granger, Katie Bell and I were nothing more than friends with extreme benefits. I never loved her or felt anything towards her while we were shagging. I did not know she would be here today. I ended our arrangement when I started this with you. I have not been with her since before Christmas. The crazy bird thought I wasn't serious about you, so she made a play. I tried several times to get her to leave, but she banished her clothes and tried to initiate...things. I pinned her to wall to make her stop trying to pull my pants down. I'm so sorry you saw that, but please believe me! This is not a fling, and I am not so randy I can't be patient when you are so obviously hurting over something."

He held her as she sobbed into his chest, rocking her back and forth. Hermione had revealed her insecurities and he did not plan on them becoming permanent. He noticed Bill approaching him with a look of pure amusement.

"So, Mum just encountered a lovely bird by the name of Katie Bell completely starkers in your room. I do not believe I have ever seen a broad conjure clothes faster and apparate the hell out of a room. Tonks was quite amused to be informed the bird tried for you, apparently. She was deranged enough to admit she was waiting for you to return from your, what was it, "child toy" and have a randy time. Completely bat shit mad, if you ask me." Bill's smile lessened when he caught the state the Hermione seemed to be in.

"Granger, my brothers have a habit of shagging the crazy ones, but never bring them home. For instance, Katie was never brought home and I think my dear brother was being serviced by her for months. Don't worry, love. If he wanted her, he wouldn't be here." Hermione clung to Fred shirt and sniffed.

"Frederick Gideon Weasley! Get your arse in this house, this instant!"

"That would be my cue to get a great thrashing from dear old Mum," Fred moaned. He took Hermione's face in his hands, resting his forehead on her own. "Are we ok?"

Hermione blinked away a fresh new wave of tears and nodded. She quickly pulled his head down farther and kissed him. "Go before she yells for you again." He smiled against her lips and left.

Dinner was full of jokes and prods about the day's events. Hermione couldn't help but notice Molly was certainly not amused by the display, but Arthur was grinning and telling his sons to be careful.

"Is Angelina coming tomorrow, George?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"She said she'd arrive in the morning to help with the setup and whatnot," George replied.

"Bless the poor girl. Always polite and eager to help," Molly noted. "Hermione, will your parents be coming?"

Ron was beside her and noticed her expression darken at the mention of her mom and dad. "Um…unfortunately, no. Something came up."

"Dear, they were informed of this wedding months ago. Surely, they could spare the day," Molly continued.

"I'm sorry, may I be excused?" Hermione abruptly left the table, while Ron sent daggers at his mom.

"I do not see what I said to upset the child," Molly defended.

"Mum, stop. For love of Merlin, don't mention her parents," Ron said imploringly.

"Did they have a falling out?" Arthur asked.

"No…I don't know. They just won't be in attendance, so with all due respect, drop it." He kissed Lavender on the cheek and went to find Hermione.

Fred followed, but far enough behind that he went unnoticed by Ron and Hermione. He could just make out their conversation from his hiding spot.

"I'm sorry about that," Ron said.

"I shouldn't have done it. I'm a terrible daughter," Hermione cried.

"You did what you did out of love and you were very brave in doing so," Ron argued.

"What if I don't make it? What happens if I do survive and I can't reverse it?" Hermione panicked.

"We will survive this bloody war! All of us will fight and Harry will win! We'll bring them back to you, I swear it!" Ron vowed.

"But what if it goes wrong? What if I don't make it?" she argued.

"Then, you gave them a great life and new start. You have given them the best gift any parents can have if the alternative is to lose a child. You have protected them, Mione," Ron reasoned.

Hermione laughed, "When did you become the sensible one?"

"Since, I realized I have two best mates. One is the most dangerous bloke I could ever be friends with, while the other is a smart, frightening witch that is going through hell at the current moment. Speaking of going through hell, my wand still has that hex available," he joked.

Hermione shook her head, "Not his fault. The crazy bimbo banished her clothes, so he did his best to keep her hands off him. Apparently, they were 'together' regularly and she was quite disappointed when he began pursuing me. She doesn't fancy rejection, I'd assume."

Ron laughed and stood, offering his hand. She took it and the two strolled back inside. Fred remained in his hidden spot, mulling over the information he overheard.

"Protection…new life…alternatives. Bloody hell! She erased herself from her parents lives to protect them from the Death Eaters. She sent them away. That's why she arrived so distraught and why she's been so distant lately. Oh, Mia," Fred whispered.