*CH 21*

"Sorry we're late," a familiar voice called from the backdoor. It was only half past two. Hermione had hoped that a few hours might pass before she had to hear that voice. That he might not even show had been a greater hope. She was sitting out of sight of the door, but she knew who had arrived. She listened as the other Weasleys greeted their youngest brother. Harry flew down to say hello. So far she was still undetected. Maybe she could even sneak away still.

"Hello, Hermione," a singsong voice called as a petite blond woman came near. A very pregnant Luna Lovegood plopped herself onto the ground next to Hermione and flashed her a smile. "I expected to see you today. The Grafnots have been quite busy lately, so I knew there might be change. How have you been?"

Hermione was quite taken aback by how easily Luna approached her. On one hand, she should not be surprised at how easily her old friend faced change, but on the other hand she had expected at least a little animosity from Ron's wife. Before she could even respond, the grass crunched and another set of feet came near.

"Bugger, Luna, and here I have been completely discounting all your garble about the Grafnots," Ron said as he looked down at the two women sitting side by side in the grass like old friends.

"Ron, wait," Fred called as his younger brother stormed through the backyard.

"How long!" Ron yelled, turning to face him. "How long have you been seeing her? And not telling me? How could you, Fred?"

"Since December," Fred replied, inching closer as he spoke. "Ron, please. Let's go inside, we'll talk in private. Please, we need to talk about this."

"This? This is what you meant when you said you had to talk to me today? You went back to the woman who killed our sister and didn't even bother to tell me about it. Where is Dad? How could he have let this happen?"

Party guests began to trickle into the yard, wondering what was causing such a commotion. Most had to jump out of the way when Ron stomped into the house, seeking out his father. He knew his dad would understand. He would tell Ron that this was a crazy mistake of Fred's. He'd set his brother straight.

Arthur was seated in the kitchen, casually drinking tea as though he had been waiting for Ron to do just this. The house was empty now; everyone had gone outside when Ron began yelling. Arthur set his tea down and stood to greet his youngest son. Ron began to explode again, but Arthur just shushed him. He ushered him into the living room and gestured for him to sit.

"I know that you've come in here to inform me that Hermione is here and has somehow corrupted Fred into being with her. You came in to rally me and get me angry. But that's not going to happen. Hermione-don't interrupt Ronald," he said as Ron decided to stand up and start yelling again. "Your family has forgiven Hermione for Ginny's death. It is time that you try to do the same. We all know that it was never really her fault that we lost Ginny—we were mad because we couldn't have saved her. Now, I'm going to have your brother come in. You're going to hear him out. If you hear him and still refuse this, then you can go home. But think very carefully about that choice."

With this Arthur left the room. Ron was flabbergasted. When did his family lose their sense? Was he really going to sit here and listen to why he should ever be in the same room as that liar again? He had half a mind to get his wife and leave. But Fred was his brother. He had the same Weasley stubbornness as himself. This couldn't end well.

Ron sat still while Fred began to speak.

"Ron, I'm sorry that I haven't told you about seeing Hermione. I knew you'd react just like this, and I…well, I was a bit scared that I'd have to choose between you two when I did tell you."

"Well it's clear what choice you would make," Ron said, his voice full of acid.

"Well if you're going to just make it that easy for me, have a nice day, Ron," Fred spat back. "I would never begrudge you the one person you've ever loved, would I? If it came down to it, would you want to choose between your family and Luna? Don't even answer me. I know what you're going to say anyway."

"Do you?" Ron asked, his voice raised. "I would never have to make that choice because my wife would never be a liar or a murderer, now would she?"

"Listen to yourself! You can't even see what we've all accepted! She kept the truth from us to protect us, and she never meant to kill our sister. It was never her fault, Ron, and I've accepted that. I need you to accept it too, as my brother. If you can't, then you can leave, like Dad said."

Ron's face contorted with rage and he stormed out of the house. He took several steps down the walk. He was going to go in the yard, get Luna, and leave. This was absolutely absurd. He never thought his family would behave like this. They were ruining it all—Christmas, holidays, family dinners. How could any of those happen with her there? Ron sat on the front stoop for a minute and pictured it all. He and Luna would have to spend every holiday with her father now, and he wouldn't be able to spend time with his brothers if she was always there. Fred wouldn't want to spend time with him, anyhow.

Fred was still sitting in the same chair when Ron walked back into the room, dejected. He sat across from his older brother and took a deep breath.

"You're right. I hate it, damn you, but you're right. I can't choose. I can't imagine all my Christmas spent with Luna's dad and never seeing you all. So I guess… tell me what happened with you two."

Fred smiled and began the story of the day he saw Hermione in Diagon Alley.

"Well the house hasn't exploded with Weasley rage, so I suppose that's a good sign," Katie muttered as she sat with her husband in the yard. Everyone had milled about awkwardly for a few moments after Ron's outburst and eventually settled around the yard in small groups. Most were making small talk, avoiding the uncomfortable subject of what was happening inside. When Ron had disappeared inside, Fred had gone in not long after.

Hermione was sitting away from the rest of the party, although it wasn't much of a party anymore. She wanted desperately to go home, to be alone with Fred in her flat away from all the disastrous drama. She had her back to most people, but she could feel their eyes burning holes in it. Suddenly her personal business was party entertainment for everyone in attendance. But none of that mattered when she had no idea what was happening inside. For all she knew, Ron was tearing into Fred and convincing him what a mistake he was making. Or maybe Fred was laying into Ron. Hell, maybe it had gotten physical. It was times like these that made Hermione wish she could see through walls.

"Extendable Ear?" Harry asked, holding one of the devices in his extended hand.

"It's like you read my mind, Harry," she sighed. "But I don't think I should. Fred will tell me what's happening when he comes back outside. Please, don't mind me. You should still try and enjoy your party. After all, 24 only comes once in a lifetime, and Katie put a lot of thought into today."

"I know she did, and believe me, she knows how much I appreciate it. But I don't want you to be sitting all by yourself worrying yourself to death while they sit in there talking about who knows what."

"Looks like I don't have to keep worrying much longer," she said flatly, leaning her head back with an anxious sigh as she saw Fred and Ron emerge from the house.

From the look on Fred's face, his conversation with his brother hadn't ended well. Hermione stood up quickly. Ron was walking in their direction, a grim expression on his face. Harry instinctively stepped forward, looking to protect her from anything Ron might do. He had always told Ron that he refused to take sides, but he wasn't going to let him hurt Hermione. He almost lunged forward when Ron began to extend his arm, but halted quickly when he saw that Ron was in fact offering his hand to her.

"Hermione," he was very quiet as he addressed her. "I have my reservations, but I'm going to try my best for Fred to get past them. It may take some time." Hermione began to reach out, but paused, looking over Ron's shoulder to Fred. Fred only nodded and gave her a small smile. Reassured, she took Ron's hand in her own and firmly shook it.

"Of course. Thank you Ron. It means a lot to me," she added. She was not going to begrudge him a little time to get past his demons if it meant she could be with Fred free of any worry. The rest of the guests were milling around, shamelessly gawking at their exchange. They awkwardly returned to their own conversations as Hermione and Ron parted and rejoined the party.

As the party wound down hours later, Hermione was resting comfortably against Fred in the grass as they all sat around the yard. Their friends slowly trickled home, doling out excuses of work the next morning or children to tend to. She smiled as she watched Ron and Luna say goodbye to Harry and Katie. She'd heard Luna praising Ron earlier, telling him that she was quite proud of him. It was not a union she would have imagined when they were younger, but the two, despite being quite different, really seemed to fit each other quite well.

They waved goodbye to each other, she and Ron, before the couple departed. They hadn't spoken much during the party, but he hadn't been shooting her nasty looks either. He had seemed tense for most of the evening, but she was certain now that would pass. Hermione was comfortable with taking small steps with Ron. Fred whispered in her ear that things would be better than ever now. She knew that he was right. She could live her life with him with appreciation for where they had been and excitement for where they would go together.

AN: There is only one more chapter to come and that is the epilogue :) Hope to see lots of REVIEWS! Thanks!