Sorry, this has taken, Let me know what you think in a review :)

Summary: Cursed by a dark spell, Hermione has to race against time to find a cure. When things begin to look bleak, the Weasley twins make an offer that turns her world upside down. Fred/Hermione/George fic, Rated M for smut.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters written in this story. I don't make any profit off this story, it all belongs to the wonderful J. K Rowling. I'm just playing in her sandbox.

I have Tumblr that I use for messages, updates, etc… mrsmarauders . tumblr . c o m

Beta'd by the wonderful chiseplushie

CHAPTER TEN

For a whole week, Hermione went over and helped Fred with his nightmares. The three of them had worked hard over the last week trying to find a way to help Fred. The healers at St. Mungo's had done more research, but so far, they hadn't found anything that would help. They had examined Fred and even got an expert in to check over Fred's brain. Everything was fine, but they were still certain the dark magic that had saved Fred's life, were the cause of the nightmares. Dark magic always came with side effects.

Hermione had found an interesting study for people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder who were struggling with their dreams. It was an excellent muggle study with a lot of evidence that gave Hermione hope that there was something to help Fred. He suffered through a traumatic experience, so perhaps the muggle route would work after all. Hermione was still looking into the research of the study, but she hopeful and eager to try out the study.

Fred did show some side effects of addiction, but he was stronger at fighting it than Hermione had expected. George had explained Fred's addiction to the potions had been much worse before, so this time, Fred had some experience with it. It was an exhausting process, especially as they were all running on very little sleep.

"Hermione," a voice called, waking her up in the dead of night. She peered into the darkness to see a Coyote patronus hovering. "Wake up, come quickly."

Hermione sat up in her bed, peering around to adjust to the darkness. She was in her room and had returned home quite late from work. She recognized the voice of the patronus and even remembered seeing the animal in her old DA class with Harry. The Coyote was George's patronus, while Fred's had been a Hyena.

"Fred's struggling to wake from his nightmare, his breathing is getting worse," George's voice said from the patronus. "I'm going to St. Mungo's; I need you to stay with him and keep trying to wake him up. Nothing's helping. I'll be as quick as I can."

It showed how much George trusted Hermione, leaving her with his twin's life in her hands. Quickly, Hermione traveled to the twins flat, making her way to Fred's bed. George was gone, and Hermione took in the scene. Fred was in his bed, shaking with his head thrown back. He was making a strange noise at the back of his throat, a choking sound.

Hermione thought back to the words Fred had said only a week ago. 'Sometimes, when I'm waking up I can't catch my breath. I worried one day, the side effects will be so strong I won't be able to breathe.'

His fear had come true.

Making her way over to the bed, Hermione climbed in beside Fred and pressed her lips to his ear. She had to wake him from the dream; it was the only way to stop all the pain and suffering. She didn't know the spells to help his breathing; she wasn't a trained healer. Besides, he actually could physically breathe, but it was his mind and the dark magic telling him he couldn't. That was the problem.

"You're going to be fine," Hermione whispered in his ear. "George has gone to get some help, but you're going to be okay Fred. Once we wake you up, we're going to fix this. I'm not leaving this room until we do something about this. I promise I'll fix this." Hermione wrapped her arms around Fred, pulling him against her in comfort. She didn't know what to do; she felt so lost and scared.

It had felt like a lifetime before George arrived with the healer, but in reality, it had only been a few minutes. Hermione jumped out of bed when she heard a floo, but kept her hand on Fred, hoping the human contact would be enough to wake him.

"This is going to be dangerous," The healer said walking into the room with George. She was old, with jet black hair and a faint scowl on her face. "You should never wake someone from their sleep."

"You can't leave him like that," George said, shocked. "He's barely breathing."

"I know, and the only reason I'm waking him up is because it's the dark magic causing it. I've only done this a handful of times. He'll wake up quickly, and he may still not be able to breathe properly. He might not be right at first, confused and not in sound mind. Just prepare yourself. That's why you always get told not to wake a sleeping person," The healer explained.

George just nodded and moved to Hermione. He wrapped his arms around her waist and moved them both back slightly out of the healer's way.

"I stopped him from using the dreamless sleep potions because he was getting addicted. Is this my fault? I shouldn't have done that?" Hermione asked in a rush. "He has been having problems for a while, and it's been getting worse. I've been reading into sleep therapy, but we haven't tried it yet. I'm not sure what else to do."

"Those therapies are splendid and work sometimes, but he took some dark magic in his recovery which comes with many side effects." The healer explained and looked at Hermione. "Most healers turn their nose up at those muggle techniques, but I'm muggleborn, and my father was a soldier." The healer paused, her eyes going to Fred to check his vitals as he began to gasp for air. "He had PTSD after he came back, it worked for him. The dark magic only makes the dreams worse."

"I'll try it; we'll start on it tonight and every night from now if that's what it takes." Hermione could feel George shaking, scared at losing his twin. Hermione stroked a hand along his bare arm in comfort. "He'll be okay."

They were both watched the healer work, she cleared Fred's airways and started working on the spell to wake him up. "He never woke once last night when you went home. He was quite excited this morning, even said when he went a bit longer without the nightmares he'd sleep at Charlie's for the night. He's never slept anywhere but here since the hospital. No one else knows about the nightmares."

"We'll work on this sleeping technique and see if it works. It's really well known for muggles, perhaps it will have some effect on Fred," Hermione offered. She watched as Fred woke with a gasp, sucking air into his lungs. He shot up in bed, his eyes wide with fear and shock. Hermione and George both made their way to him, holding his shaking body as he adjusted. It had been a terrible night.

"I'm sorry," Fred whispered, his eyes shining with tears as he held Hermione and his twin. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"You've done nothing wrong," Hermione told him, stroking a hand down his hair. "We're going to get you someone to talk through what happened to you at the battle. They'll work through this problem for once and for all. We're going to get you better."

The healer spoke outside the bedroom for a few moments with George, and after a final check on Fred, she left. There was nothing else she could do for Fred.

George came back into the room, his eye's fixed on Fred. "You okay Forge?" He asked. "You had me worried there for a moment."

"I know," Fred said, swallowing the lump in his throat. "It was painful; I couldn't catch my breath. Usually, I can wake up with the pain, but this time I couldn't and I felt trapped."

Hermione cleared her throat, "Perhaps there's a way we can get rid of the nightmares altogether."

"We've tried everything. I stayed up three days straight just to see if exhaustion would make me crash into a deep enough sleep, but it didn't. That was one of the worst nights. It's getting worse, more powerful."

George moved to the bed and placed a hand on Fred's shoulder, squeezing it slightly. "Hermione's got an idea, so I want you to listen and try, okay? I can't do that again. I'll give you both some quiet to work on it, but I'm just next door if either of you need anything."

Hermione watched as Fred clasped a hand on his twin's shoulder, squeezing to show his thanks, for everything. They meant so much to each other. They weren't just brothers; they were best friends. George pressed a kiss to Hermione's cheek and then left them alone to work.

Hermione took a seat on the bed and got settled in beside Fred. "A lot of people in the muggle world suffer from something they call PTSD," Hermione explained, sitting up straighter. "It stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that's what I think you have. The side effects make it a lot worse in the dreams, but I think that's the crux of the problem. There is a technique called Imagery Rehearsal Therapy. You have to tell me about the dream, talk it through with me, and we'll work out a happy ending. Then, you need to think about it every time you try to sleep, go through the whole thing with the happy ending. I'll sit here every night and go through it with you if that's what it takes Fred."

Fred leaned over and pressed his lips to her forehead. "I think you might be my happy ending," Fred whispered in the darkness. He moved back to his bed, climbing under the covers and pulled Hermione with him. Fred spooned her, wrapping his arms around her in comfort.

Together, they lay in Fred's bed. He told her the nightmare, the words he'd spoken just before the wall came crashing down on him. At first, there had been darkness, but when he'd gained consciousness, he had been in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. The pain had been unbearable. Fred had seen all the bodies around him, seen the dead faces close to his. The wall had damaged his spine, and for some time he hadn't been able to move, to show a sign of life. He'd been so afraid everyone would write him off as dead.

In the dream, they did. Everyone thought Fred was dead and were saying their goodbyes, despite how much Fred tried to move, tried to scream that he was alive.

"Now, think of a happy ending to it," Hermione whispered. "Tell me again, but this time you can move, you're fine, and you're alive. Molly fusses over you and nurses you back to health. George cracks a joke and shares your hospital bed. We get rid of your pain instantly; people visit you. Think of the jokes you'll carry out in the hospital with George."

"And you?"

"I…"

"You're the one that sees me move," Fred decided. Then, he started from the beginning, this time, with a happy ending.

0o0o0o0o0

The day of the Gemini moon came around, and the Weasleys were celebrating the life of Molly's twin brothers. They had enough money together to change the broken headstones left behind by the Death Eaters last year, and they wanted to celebrate.

Hermione had no idea what someone was meant to wear to a Gemini moon, so she put on a red dress, pulled her hair up into a loose bun and then grabbing a pair of small parcels off the table as she made her way to the Burrow. Flooing was her only mode of transport now she felt too weak to apparate without risking the loss of a limb.

Harry was already there when Hermione arrived, sat on the couch alone as he waited for everyone else to arrive. He had on a black dress shirt and dark jeans, looking quite handsome despite his untamed hair. He got up the moment he saw her and made his way over to her.

"Any luck yet?" Harry pressed. A few weeks had passed since Hermione had told him the truth and the need for pregnancy. Harry had been pushier than the twins combined with any news.

"Nothing yet," Hermione told him. "I've finished up the potion they had me on to heal any spell damage, so now we just have to see if that's done the trick. I'm feeling rather confident this month, though. Everything's in our favor. I'll let you know if it happens Harry."

"When it happens," Harry corrected. He reached out for her hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze. "When Hermione, never if."

Hermione nodded and leaned in for a hug. Harry sighed and wrapped his arms around her, holding her for a few moments as they comforted each other.

The noise of footsteps pulled them apart, and Hermione turned to smile at Ginny as she made her way down the stairs towards the pair. "Hermione that dress is beautiful; I told you it would come in handy. Aren't you pleased I made you buy it?"

"Very pleased Ginny," Hermione smiled back at the girl. The youngest Weasley had one a purple dress; it was beautiful with the delicate lacing over the silk. Hermione and Ginny had gone shopping two weeks ago, and they'd brought a few lovely dresses from the Patil dress shop. "You looking lovely."

"Beautiful," Harry agreed as he made his way over to Ginny. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and then bent to whisper something in her ear. Whatever he was saying made the girl's cheeks as bright as her hair.

Movement behind her caught Hermione's attention, and she glanced back just as the twins stepped out of the floo.

Fred leaned down close to Hermione's ear, "If Potter is whispering naughty things to Ginny in front of her brothers then he's going to have a nasty shock when he does it in front of Bill."

"Can't get anything past him with that increased hearing," George grumbled from her other side. Hermione laughed at that and made a mental note to warn Harry about that little fact. She didn't want him in trouble with Ginny's big brother.

Hermione turned and faced the twins and lifted up two parcels. "As it's the Gemini moon which stands for twins, I thought perhaps it's only right we celebrate you two boys, as well," Hermione said. The twins both received their gifts and then leaned in to press a kiss to her cheeks. "It's not much, really."

"Thank you, love," George said with a smile. They both opened their gift and then grinned when the wrapping paper revealed what was inside. Hermione had ordered them some specialist potion gloves which were comfortable and stopped a lot of potions from burning or blistering the potion maker's skin. The boys did a lot of experimenting which meant their hands always burnt from the spitting potions.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arrived a few minutes later, and once all the Weasley children and Fleur had made their way to the Burrow, they apparated to the grave site. Fred had discreetly grabbed Hermione's hand because no one except the twins and Harry knew about her problems with apparition. Once at the gravesite, they made their way along the graves, until they found the brand new gravestones for the Prewett twins. The graves on them the twins name and then each had the words, 'The world will never forget what bravery he showed in battle. With loving Memory of his sister Molly and her loving family. Gone, but never forgotten.'

Mr. Weasley said a few words about the twins, having known them for many years before their deaths. Then, Mrs. Weasley spoke about the battle that had killed them and how it had taken five powerful wizards to bring them down. They really had been powerful wizards.

Afterward, they returned to the Burrow, and the party began. They all shouted a cheer for the brothers and the Gemini moon. The music was turned on, and Fred and George started mixing drinks for everyone. Most people were hesitant at first, but eventually, they started trying the drinks, surprised at how sweet they tasted. Of course, Percy's had been mixed to make him burst into song whenever he opened his mouth to speak.

Hermione was leaning against the doorframe, smiling as she watched the twins joke and tease their sister.

"They've been like that since the day they were born," Charlie said as he approached from behind. He moved closer to Hermione, his gaze following hers to the twins. "Mum always stated that they were born to cause mischief and cheer the world up."

"I think she was spot on then," Hermione smiled. She turned to look at Charlie; her eye's taking him in. He was taller than the twins, handsome with a few scars on his body from his time with dragons. "You've been around a lot more lately, not missing Britain are you?"

"I'm thinking about spending a bit more time here," Charlie admitted. "I might take some time out if people need me too."

"Who needs you too?"

Charlie didn't answer at first, but his eyes went to hers. He seemed to be weighing something up in his mind before he finally spoke, "If you need my help."

"What?"

Charlie quickly went on, "Don't get mad at the twins, they needed someone to talk to about this, and they've only told me, but I know what's going on. They swore me to secrecy, and they were going to let you know tonight that they told me everything. They're worried about you; they think you're overworking and struggling. I completed a fair few courses in magical creatures, I specialised in dragons after, but I've learned more than enough if you need some help for the next few months."

Hermione was shocked by Charlie's words. She hadn't expected that. Of course, she couldn't be upset with the twins. They had been so good to her and looked out for her the best they could. The twins had needed an outside party to talk things over with, and Hermione could understand that need. They were under just as much pressure for the pregnancy to occur.

Charlie's education did come as a shock. She knew the second eldest Weasley was smart and had achieved good OWLs and NEWTs at Hogwarts, but she had no idea he'd learned about the other creatures before going into dragons. Work was getting harder for Hermione. She was just so exhausted that her work was suffering and that was a hard thing for Hermione to cope with.

"What are you offering exactly?" Hermione asked. She lowered her voice so no one could hear, but there wasn't anyone close by.

"I'll help you manage it, you can teach me the ropes over the next few weeks, and then I'll fill in when you need time off to work shorter hours. Afterward, when you have my baby niece or nephew, I'll step down and jet back off to my dragons. I'm not here to take your job, I like being a dragon handler, but I also like helping family and helping creatures," Charlie told her. "It's up to you, think about it. At least when you're getting over this curse, you can focus on you without having to worry about your department. Plus, my filing skills are pretty bloody marvelous, you should see my sock drawer."

Hermione looked away, she liked Charlie and trusted him. He had made a good point, and Hermione was struggling with work. It was better than asking someone she didn't know or trusted at work to help her. The twins wouldn't have mentioned it to their brother if they hadn't planned on suggesting this to her. "How about you come on Monday, and I'll show you around? I'll struggle to hand over the reigns. I've worked so hard for the department since getting the job, and I would feel like I'm losing my job. I know it's silly, but it's hard for me to give up control."

"How about this? You teach me the ropes and then give me the dragon law I heard you were thinking of working on, the one to stop people from using them as protectors like Gringotts did."

"That's a very good idea Charlie, yes, then you can see what you're getting into, and I can slowly hand things over. I'd like to keep my foot in the door to keep me distracted. But I will work shorter days."

"I'm always full of good ideas. I got the brains in the family."

"I can't wait for your siblings to hear that one."

A little while later the party got into full swing, and even Mrs. Weasley was feeling the effects of the twins strong mixed drinks. She was drunk, but Mr. Weasley managed to keep her under control long enough to hide her in the kitchen, away from Bill who had been getting his hair pulled out by his mother trying to tell him how much she loved him.

After a bit of a search, Hermione found the twins in their old room, sat on their own bed and talking quietly. They went silent the moment she entered.

"Hiding?" Hermione asked, with a smile on her lips. She was sure Charlie had already seen them before she'd managed to track them down. "Nothing to tell me, boys?"

"We didn't mean to break the trust Hermione," George started. "Really. We just needed to talk to him."

"Let it out a bit of what's going on. We won't be telling anyone else, and Charlie won't say anything. We still should have asked you first, though," Fred agreed.

"Pressure gets to us; each month we feel responsible when it hasn't worked."

Hermione sat down next to George and leaned over to squeeze his hand. "I wish you had asked first, but I get it. I actually think what you two did was a great idea and I wouldn't have let you if you had asked me first. He's offered to help me with work, and we're going sort something out."

"Thank Merlin," Fred joked, letting out a breath. "We were worried you would march up here, dump us and then go running back to Ron."

"Imagine the kids," George said with a mock grimace. Hermione hit his arm, and he laughed, putting his arm around her shoulders. "It'll all work out, just you wait and see."

"It's not your fault," Hermione told George and then looked over at Fred. "I don't want either of you feeling responsible. It's just a bit of bad luck we're having. You two are giving me the best chance I have. I will always be thankful for that, no matter what happens."

"We can figure this out, we're going to get you through this," Fred promised, squeezing Hermione's hand gently.

They sat on the bed, Hermione held the twins' hands in the silence. Even if the pregnancy never happened, at least she knew until her dying day she would live life with a smile on her face. The twins had been so wonderful with her. The three of them had grown so close over the last few months, and they were becoming allies, good friends. They cheered her up when she was feeling down, distracted her and kept her positive about the whole thing. It was something Hermione needed. She was so lucky to have them close to her now, aware that her time was running out.

What Hermione hadn't told them, was that she was pretty sure her days were numbered. She was counting by weeks, not months anymore. Time was slipping away far too quickly.

Please review!

Check out my new Dramione fic!

20k words so far!

Blood Like Yours - When Draco Malfoy struggles to complete his mission to kill Dumbledore, he's offered another chance to repair his tattered soul. When it comes to picking sides, Draco has to choose between darkness and the opportunity to help save the wizarding world. AU from the end of OOTP. Slow burn Dramione. Eventually Smut Horcrux Hunting!Draco