Author's Note: Hello all, I hope that you are enjoying this story so far. Thank you kewlchic29, Lillith1, and GakuenLME for reviewing this! I encourage more people to please review. I hope you enjoy! :)

Distantly she could hear shouts coming from Ron, who was protesting her soon-to-be union. She could hear others trying to console him, and others shouting just to be heard over Ron. The loudest shout she could hear was in her own mind. Fredrick Gideon Weasley! Frederick Gideon Weasley! It seemed to be the only coherent thought she could make at the moment.

She came out of her trance when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She stared at it, noticing the one little freckle that sat proudly. Her eyes soon made their way to the wrist, then the arm, the shoulder and neck, before finally landing on the face. Her brown eyes met his and she felt her shoulders relax.

"I just don't think it's fair. Harry and Ginny were matched together. So were George and Angelina!" Ron was red in the face, anger shining bright in his blue eyes. "Why wasn't Hermione and I?" No one seemed to have an answer this. "And of all people," He continued, "She got Fred." He spat Fred's name as though it had the most bitter taste, and shot him a nasty stare.

"That is quite enough Ronald." Hermione turned to the red head, fuming. "Quit acting like a child. There is nothing to be done about the issue right now. And for heaven's sake, don't take it out on Fred, he didn't ask for this either and does not deserve your misplaced anger." Hermione felt calmer now and smoothed invisible wrinkles out of her shirt. "I will go Kingsley and ask him if we can petition," She quickly looked to Fred, "If that's okay with you, that is." Fred merely shrugged his shoulders. With a slight nod, she looked back to Ron who had a small smile on his face. "Don't get your hopes up Ron," She warned, "Chances of us being able to petition are slim to none."

Hermione went to rub her temples, but realized that Fred's hand was still on her shoulder. She smiled and covered his hand with hers. He looked at her and offered a small smile in return, squeezed her shoulder once, and let his hand drop.

Molly, who looked exasperated, began to shoo them away, "No point in dillydallying in my kitchen. I'm sure you all have somewhere to be, so get going!" Everyone began to disperse, going their separate ways. Hermione made her way into the living room and stopped in front of the Weasley clock. She saw Percy's spoon – permanently stuck on 'Travelling.' She heard a sigh behind her and turned her head to look.

"I'll never be able to stop feeling guilty. I should be the one who…" Fred's voice choked and Hermione felt her heart ache.

"Fred," She began, "Percy knew that the world needed you here. We needed to heal and how better to do that then to smile?" She fully turned around and clasped his hand in hers. "He loved you. And I know that he didn't regret his choice." She reached towards his face and wiped a tear from his cheek. Fred took his free hand and placed it on top of hers, trapping her hand on his cheek.

Fred stepped closer to Hermione and released his hand that she was holding so he could wrap his arm around her waist. They stood that way for a while, taking comfort from one another. Then, suddenly, Hermione gasped and pulled away. "What time is it?" She questioned, almost rhetorically as she glanced at her watch. Her eyes grew slightly wider, "Oh no," She groaned, "It's five after."

Fred chuckled, "Is that so? Want to grab lunch?"

Hermione smiled, "Thank you for your offer, Fred. But I need to go to work. I'm late."

"Hermione Granger? Late? Say it's not so!" Hermione only shook her head at his reply and rushed to the fireplace so she could floo to the Ministry. The last thing she saw before the flames engulfed her was Fred, staring after her with a smile on his face. She didn't want to think about the pull in her stomach that wasn't being caused by the floo. She couldn't. She wouldn't.