Fred read the letter, the frown on his forehead increasing as he finished. He passed the letter wordlessly to Harry who read it quickly. Hermione looked at them both, waiting for one of them to speak, but it seemed neither could.
'I found it in his pocket at the funeral,' Hermione said, breaking the silence.
Fred shook his head, 'I don't understand. Why didn't he tell anyone? We could have stopped this. If he had just told Dumbledore that death eaters were breaking into the castle every night at the same time then we could have caught them.'
'Maybe he didn't want anyone to know. You know how much pride George had.'
'Too much pride is a stupid excuse to die!' said Fred thumping the wall.
'Well he was protecting Hermione wasn't he,' said Harry.
'This is all my fault. If it wasn't for me he would still be alive,' said Hermione, tearily.
'Yeah,' said Fred, 'yeah it is your fault. And don't start crying again, Hermione. You make out like you're the only one who cared about George. Well you're not! I've known him all my life and we were closer than you two ever were. He was too ashamed to even tell me that he was going out with you. Shows how much he really liked you doesn't it?'
'Fred! That's out of order,' said Harry, firmly, 'This isn't Hermione's fault, this is Draco Malfoy's fault. You're upset and angry, and you have every right to be, but there's no need to blame the innocent. You know that Hermione and George only kept their relationship quiet because they didn't want to hurt Ron. You're going about your grief the wrong way and it's pathetic.'
'I'm not pathetic!' Fred roared, 'This is all Hermione's fault.' He turned on Hermione, 'you're a stupid manipulative bitch and I wish you were dead, not George!'
Mrs Weasley, on hearing this commotion came upstairs to find Fred shouting at a cowering Hermione, 'now what's going on here?'
'This!' shouted Fred, brandishing the letter in his mothers face. George was killed because of Hermione!' He stormed out of the room, pushing Hermione to floor as he walked to the door. Hermione squealed as she hit her head on the wall with a loud thunk. Harry rushed over to help her as Mrs Weasley read the letter, tears pouring down her face.
Later on, Mr Weasley called a family meeting. Fred sat with his back turned to the rest of the family.
'Look,' said Mr Weasley, 'we're all deeply upset by this letter but I must stress to everyone that it isn't the fault of anyone in this room. Now you all will be returning to Hogwarts tomorrow morning and I have informed Dumbledore of the contents of this letter. Draco Malfoy is being investigated. If he is still at school when you arrive you must not touch him, however angry you may be,' he looked pointedly at Fred. Now I wasn't you all to go upstairs and get your things packed. It'll be an early start in the morning.'
'Wait,' said Charlie, 'where's Ron?'
'I haven't seen him in ages,' said Ginny.
Harry and Hermione shifted in their seats uncomfortably.
'He's in St.Mungo's,' said Fred, 'I beat him up because he raped Hermione while George was on his death bed. And I'd do it again, given the chance.'
Mr and Mrs Weasley sat, dumbstruck. 'Is this true?' Mr Weasley asked Hermione.
Hermione nodded.
Mrs Weasley took in several deep breaths to calm herself, 'go upstairs, the lot of you. Now'
They all left the kitchen, leaving Mr and Mrs Weasley alone.