Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling does.

A/N: Thanks to all who are reading One Week and I'm glad you all are enjoying it. Sorry for the delay; school just started and so I have a limited amount of time to write. However, I know where I'm heading with this, so no worries! I'm not going to abandon One Week no matter what C:

Also, I haven't gotten any comments about this yet, but I just want to say it in case any were thinking about it. I'm trying to not make Ron seem like the bad guy completely in One Week, or at least not uncharacteristically. I'm trying to show that his actions are justified for his unrequited feelings for Hermione / alcohol consumption. You would get bitter too if you had to watch the girl you were in love (who was never quite in love with you the same way, which was the reason why you both broke up) trying to be swept off her feet by your older brother. A drunk mind speaks a sober heart. I swear I don't hate Ron and I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I ship Fremione, but that doesn't mean I don't feel sorry for the bloke D: Hopefully this chapter portrays that more than anything.

That being said, I hope you enjoy chapter twelve!

"When will you realize that my bastard git of an older brother will never love you the way I do!"

Fred took one long look at Ron as he took in what his little brother was saying; in a matter of only mere seconds, chaos broke out at the table.

The first and last thing that Hermione was able to perceive after Fred pounced towards Ron was his clenched fist meeting the side of Ron's face. The table cloth had been yanked with the Weasley twin's weight, causing the contents on the table to spill everywhere, as he plunged towards the ground- taking Ron down with him- furiously taking matters into his own hands by the means of unleashing his wrath upon the mouth at which Ron's outburst came out of.

Everything else became a blur as limbs started flying in all directions between the brothers who were now angrily exchanging punches and scratches on the floor. Roars from both Ron and Fred could be heard as George dashed towards Fred to hold his arms back and Harry had held back his Ron's.

Ron had been able to fiercely escape from his best friend's clutches and tackled both Fred and George onto the ground before Neville and Harry grabbed the ginger-haired boy's arms and hauled him off of the twins who looked as if they were ready to throttle their younger brother. Angelina rushed over to Fred and George and was now attempting to calm them both down and restrain them from attacking Ron as Ginny worked with Neville and Harry to do the same for Ron.

Luna glanced worriedly towards Hermione before they both, to Fred's dismay, joined the circle around Ron, who was now sitting on the floor, with his hand clasped over the side of his face where a purple bruise had formed where Fred had repeatedly punched him. Neville was muttering healing spells over Ron when Luna and Hermione joined them, and, when the bruised boy had glanced up to make eye contact with the brunette witch, he visibly winced. Hermione knew it wasn't because of the physical pain as she frowned in response at him. Not knowing what to say- if there was anything to really tell the boy in that moment- she reached out and placed her hand on his arm silently, hoping it would be able to convey all the words she wished she could just release upon him.

Are you okay?

You reckless idiot.

Please be alright.

Ron…

"I'm leaving," was all the freckled Weasley boy said as he wrenched his arm away from under the girl's hand and wiped some smeared blood off of his cheek after Neville had stopped muttering spells under his breath. Harry let his gaze fall apologetically towards Hermione and Ginny, then to Fred and George, before him and Ron apparated out of the flat together.

Neville and Luna immediately took this as their cue to leave as they thanked Hermione- since Fred was currently having a hushed conversation with George and Angelina- for having them over and proceeded to floo out of the flat.

Ginny looked up and saw Hermione's face as hardened as she'd ever seen in her life- her jaw was locked; her eyes were open but were as blank as if she was not truly seeing; and her mouth was drawn in a tight line. She frowned and merely placed her hand comfortingly on top of her friend's. In response to her touch, Hermione glanced frantically up at Ginny as her eyes began to well with tears and her head began to throb with the many thoughts that were now racing in her mind. Ginny watched as Hermione's eyes read fear, confusion, and despair.

She heard a crack and saw that one twin had apparated, leaving the other and Angelina to exchange a few words before she, too, left the flat. Her attention returned back to Hermione as she glimpsed at the side of her eye to see that one of the twins was approaching them. She turned and realized it was Fred, who, besides a slightly cut bottom lip, had left the fight against Ron practically without a scratch.

"Hermione," he murmured; his voice was still harsher than she had gotten accustomed to, due to some left over frustration gained from the fight.

Ginny lifted her hand from Hermione's and hugged her quickly before informing her that she needed to check on Ron and Harry and walked over to the fireplace, having one more fleeting glance towards the two before flooing to Harry and Ron's flat, leaving Fred and Hermione alone.

Hermione didn't say anything as her previously anguish-filled expression flickered back to the stone cold countenance that she had just previously worn.

"I'm sorry," he muttered when she remained silent.

She looked into his eyes and he added, "I'm not sorry for punching him- the prat deserved it. I'm sorry for putting you through this."

"He didn't know what he was saying and even so, he meant no harm; he's your brother and you had no right to hit him." Hermione said this in a monotone voice as her mind was still trying to separate the many different emotions that she was experiencing.

The blue-eyed Weasley twin's jaw had dropped slightly in response to what she said and he repeated disbelievingly, "'No right'." Fred was shaking his head at the girl's words when he continued, "'Meant no harm'?" Fred exclaimed exasperatedly and threw his arms up, obviously irritated. "The bloody twat had it coming, 'Mione!"

Hermione's eyes widened at Fred's words and she gritted her teeth as she sucked in a breath and slapped him, causing his head to jerk at her hand's contact with the side of his face.

The brilliant girl shook her head and, with her voice masked with frustration, exclaimed, "He was pissed, Fred!" Her eyebrows furrowed as she repeated, "Pissed," with extra emphasis on the word.

Anger spread all throughout his face as he swiped a firewhiskey bottle off the kitchen counter, causing it to shatter on the floor, hundreds of glass shards scattered across the hardwood flooring as the stench of alcohol began to fill the room as it spilled all over. It didn't seem to faze the Weasley twin as he spat, "I wouldn't take back the punches even if I could."

Disbelief was all that was shown on Hermione's face as she narrowed her eyes at him, tears starting to pool over, and apparated without another word to the Weasley twin.

X-X-X-X

Silence was all that had followed Hermione for the following hours. She half-expected for Fred to realize how daft he had been, for saying what he had said, and to floo into her flat in order to express his remorse for his actions. However, the other half of her expectations had been the ones that remained true- that Fred would remain as stubborn as she noticed had practically came with the Weasley name, and refuse to apologize, as if the action would permanently hex him.

She paced for at least the hundredth time around the room as she thought about everything and finally crumpled into a heap on her bed, curling her knees inwards and closing her eyes. Hermione didn't know how many seconds or minutes or hours had passed as she kept her eyes closed and just allowed herself to dwell upon her mind's consistent bombardment of thoughts. Her eyes snapped open when she heard the fireplace roar and she sat up quickly to see Ron enter her flat with a look of guilt all over his countenance.

Ron walked over towards her, and greeted her with, "Hermione," as his eyes stayed glued to the floor.

Hermione looked at her company and merely inquired, "What are you doing here, Ronald?"

"I just want to say that I'm sorry for what happened today because of my outburst…" He finally made eye contact with Hermione, but it didn't last long as he looked away when he added, "I went to Fred and George's first- I thought you'd be there. It turns out no one was in the flat at the time, so I wondered if you and Fred came to your flat."

The brilliant brunette shook her head slowly as her lips pulled down into a frown and she informed him, "Frederick and I had a disagreement about today's occurrence and we're currently not on speaking terms."

She witnessed Ron's face distort and before he could think clearly, he was voicing, "Oh, sodding hell, no, Hermione…" His voice trailed off as he seemed to struggle for the words to say with his eyebrows furrowed; when it would appear as if he were going to say something by opening his mouth slightly, his brow would furrow deeper, but nothing would come out and he'd close his mouth again into a tight line. Finally, he let out, "I know how much he must mean to you. I see it in the way you smile when you look at him." She could see his white knuckles as his fists clenched and his eyes began to flare with passion as he continued, "If anything, Hermione, don't let my pissed outburst ruin everything you had going for you."

The brilliant brunette girl stared back, not completely sure what to say as Ron allowed his gaze to bore deep into hers and she heard him add, "I know it's all in bad taste, but let's just say Fred knocked some sense into me today." A slight smile tugged on the corner of his mouth and he finished, "I realized that my brother, although being an absolute prat who doesn't think before doing something, can and will love you- perhaps more than I'll ever know."

Hermione immediately got up and dashed towards the freckled boy and ran into his arms, embracing him with all she had in her. His arms wound tightly around her as she buried her face in his chest and she breathed out, "You mean so much to me, Ron." He rubbed circles into her back as he whispered into the bed of her hair, "All I want is for you to be happy."

After a few moments, she released her hold and looked up at her wall clock to see that it was 5:13 PM and looked up into Ron's face and questioned, "Should I pay a visit to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to see Fred, then?"

For the first time in what seemed like a very long time, Hermione watched Ron's sincere smile fall upon his face as he nodded and patted Hermione on her back. He walked over the fire place and turned around to call back, "Good luck, Hermione," and proceeded to floo back to his and Harry's flat.

X-X-X-X

"It's not about who has to apologize first- it's about reconciling despite disagreeing on both our parts," Hermione thought to herself as she walked towards Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. "Ron said no one was in their flat, so perhaps Fred is taking time to himself in the sho-"

Her thoughts were pulled to a halt as she saw the ginger-haired twin walking towards the shop, with a sway in his walk. "Has he been drinking?" Hermione thought from the shadows of the alleyway in which she was standing in. She contemplated running after him, but she saw someone had already caught up with the intoxicated boy who was now fumbling with his keys. Angelina.

She watched as Angelina had pulled on the Weasley twin's sleeve and smiled at him, coaxing a smile to fall upon his own lips. This was followed by Hermione witnessing Angelina stand slightly on her toes and kiss Fred on the cheek. A loud giggle from the girl could be heard as she entered the shop, pulling him along with her.

Hermione's heart shattered as she swallowed a lump in her throat and allowed her hands to clench onto her other arm that was falling limply at her side as she turned to walk away in the opposite direction of the shop. She bit her lip and shook her head, "Of course. One fight and he just forgets about me. He only had to go through a week without physically advancing on a female and, of course after our first disagreement, he goes for the first chance he can get for a good shag." A throbbing pain filled her chest as her eyes brimmed with tears. She felt the same discomforting choking sensation in the back of her throat that she always felt when she was about to cry as her thoughts added, "Well, he didn't mean anything to me anyway. It was just-" His face flickered behind her eyelids as she closed them tightly and began choking back her tears. "It was just a stupid, stupid week."

She began walking away with the burden of her heavy heart beating rapidly against her chest. She felt like it was going to burst as she attempted to calm her breathing against the uncomfortable aching she was feeling inside of her. She had only walked a few steps away when she heard shouting from behind her. She couldn't quite make out what had been yelled, and she was going to brush it off, but when she turned around to see what was going on, she saw the slender blue-eyed boy, with his button-up shirt undone, yelling back at the girl behind him. Feeling heartbroken, but curious, Hermione walked towards the source of the argument, still hiding in the shadows of the alleyway.

"Come back inside, Fred," she heard Angelina sing as the girl reached out her arms in an inviting gesture.

"Ang- no," he was shaking his head as he began to work on the buttons on his shirt. He added, with a louder stern voice which Hermione was able to hear from where she hid, "No. I'm going to check on Hermione."

Hermione watched as Angelina waltzed towards the boy who was walking away and wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his back lovingly. The sight was too much to bear as Hermione struggled to keep from intervening. Her nails were piercing her palm as she fought against the urge to run over to where Angelina was embracing Fred and just pull him into her arms.

She saw Fred turn to face Angelina and hold her as she grinned up at him in response. The girl released her hold from him, the smile still on her face, as she approached the entrance of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, but was shocked when the door was locked. Hermione watched Angelina immediately look at the twin and saw him with his wand out, pointed at the door handle. After a few words, which she couldn't hear, were exchanged, in a flash, he was gone.

X-X-X-X

-30 minutes earlier-

"Another firewhiskey," Fred had called out to the bartender at Hog's Head Pub. He let his face fall into his hands as Hermione's countenance burned in the back of his mind. It wasn't the same image he had dreamt about or often got scolded for daydreaming about, when he was working at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes with George, but it was the broken-hearted, disappointed expression barren face that she had before she had left his flat. He groaned a, "Thanks," once his firewhiskey came and he allowed the alcohol to burn excruciatingly in his throat as he chugged it down. He coughed after finishing his bottle and pushed it away as he now rested his head on top of the cold mahogany counters of the bar.

"Fred?" he heard someone call his name. It didn't sound nearly as silky as Hermione's enchanting voice did, but he still had sincere hope that, when he turned around, it would be the brown-eyed girl who he had upset earlier that day. It was Angelina.

He turned back to the bottle he had previously pushed away and started sliding it back and forth between his hands as he muttered, "Hey."

Angelina frowned and inquired, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm studying, Angie," the Weasley twin replied sarcastically. He pulled a couple of galleons from his pocket and handed them to the bartender as he stood up and brushed past the girl.

"You look down, Fred. What do you say I show you a fun time?" she asked, eyes gleaming and a smirk falling upon her face.

Fred shook his head as he sullenly said, "I'm going back to the shop," and apparated before she could say anything else.

He groaned directly right after the apparition and clutched his stomach, feeling as though he was about to puke, before composing himself in order to walk towards the shop with his head still spinning. He was watching each of his steps as he neared Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. He noticed he wasn't walking straight, and he thought to himself, "Had I really had that much to drink…?" He reached the door and grabbed the keys from his pocket- since he didn't dare apparate again while in his condition- and was searching for the right key when someone approached him. Hope that it was Hermione yet again flared in his heart and then diminished as soon as he turned and saw Angelina standing beside him.

He unlocked the door and Angelina had pulled on the sleeves of the white button-up shirt he was wearing. "I'm just looking for George," she informed him with a beaming smile. He smiled politely back at her, but was surprised when she stood on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. "Thanks, Fred," she said as she nodded before opening the door, pulling the tall ginger-haired boy in tow.

"George! Angelina's here to see you!" Fred shouted, but there was no response.

Fred looked back at Angelina and apologized nonchalantly, "Sorry, doll, but it seems that George is out. What is it that you wanted with him?"

Angelina strode to his side and rested her hands on top of his shirt and felt his body tense underneath her touch. "I was looking to have some fun. However I suppose you're not too bad yourself, Freddie," she whispered into his ears and began unbuttoning his shirt. "What do you say we have some fun for old time's sake?" She began kissing his neck and Fred closed his eyes, trying desperately to sort his thoughts through. "Do I want this?" She got all the buttons undone when his mind began racing, "No. No- Hermione. Hermione." He pushed the girl lightly away and shook his head, as if to shake his mind free of all the thoughts hitting him in that moment.

"What's wrong, Fred?" He heard his past girlfriend question.

"Hermione," was all he said in response, conflict apparent in his expression.

"Brightest witch of her age- Hermione?" Angelina scoffed.

Fred didn't say anything as he walked towards the entrance of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and opened the door, walking out a few steps outside of it before muttering, "I think you should leave."

Angelina exited the shop, but immediately turned around and said, voice masked in disbelief, "I can't believe you're choosing that know-it-all witch- who, need I remind you, chose Ron over you today while I was the one who helped you and George- over me." Her voice was rising in volume with every word.

Anger found its home in Fred's vocal chords as he roared, "I would choose Hermione over you any day!" His alcohol-wreaked breath filled his nostrils as he yelled.

Angelina stayed calm as she whispered, "You're drunk. You don't know what you're saying." She opened her arms in an inviting gesture and called out loudly in a sing-song voice, "Come back inside, Fred."

"Ang- no." Fred shook his head as he slowly worked to button up his shirt. He added, with a louder stern voice, "No. I'm going to check on Hermione."

Angelina approached the lanky Weasley twin who was now walking away and wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his back, "Hermione is lucky to have you, Fred."

Fred stiffened under the girl's embrace, but turned to wrap his arms around her gingerly.

"I feel like I'm the lucky one to have her," he confessed, looking down at the girl in his embrace.

Angelina shone a bright, slightly mischievous grin and whispered, "Maybe I can change your mind about her," into his chest. She released her hold from him, the smile still on her face, as she approached the entrance of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. She tried the doorknob, but it was locked. Her eyes flashed to Fred and saw him with his wand out, pointed at the door handle.

"I'm sorry, love, but Hermione's the only girl for me. I wish you would be able to say the same for yourself towards George. Don't worry though. I'll tell him you dropped by-" His voice laced with sheer disappointment as he hissed out, "-To have fun with us both." His resentful-filled eyes didn't remove their gaze from hers as he apparated, leaving Angelina to stomp angrily away.

In the distance, hidden in the dark shadows of the alleyway, Hermione was left with a throbbing heart and a mind full of questions as she sought to return to her apartment and talk to the Weasley twin who she was absolutely sure was on his way to see her right now.

In the next chapter: Hermione is left confused due to her one-sided account of what she witnessed between Fred and Angelina. What happens when she and Fred discuss everything?