Hermione and the twins were sitting at the table, enjoying the dinner Hermione had made them. The sounds of their forks scraping their plates were interrupted by multiple pecks at the window. George stood from the table to open the window, letting six owls fly into the kitchen. They hooted, flying around the table to drop the letters off. Four of them landed in front of Hermione, on in front of Fred, and the other where George had been sitting. George fed the owls some treats, letting them back out the window.

George sat back at the table, and noticing the letter was from Lupin, he slid it into his robes to read later.

Fred swallowed dryly. "Oh Merlin... Its a howler from Mum." Hermione and George looked surprise as the red envelope opened itself and began screeching

"Frederick Gideon Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley's voice said. "Not only have you ruined your chances at a proper education and future, but you have also corrupted poor Hermione into following your awful example!" Hermione's face paled. "I should have put a stop to this when I noticed the two of you getting closer, but this has gone too far!" Fred's eyes darkened in anger. His own mother didn't think he was good enough for Hermione?

"I expected better from you and George! The two of you have done nothing but disappoint your father and I lately!" George and Fred both stirred restlessly at this.

Hermione stood abruptly from the table. She collected her own letters and walked quickly to the room Fred had set up for her, ignoring the rest of what Mrs. Weasley had to say about her.

She shut the door behind her, and leaned heavily against it. Distantly, she could still hear the older woman's outraged comments. Hermione slid down to the floor and took deep breaths to calm herself.

She pulled her letters out, and opened the one from Harry first. She scanned over it, not really caring what he had to say.

Heard what happened... Everything will be okay... Ron said you can stay at the burrow... Have you talked to your parents yet?

When she reached that part, she sat Harry's letter aside, and opened the one from her parents.

As she began to read, she noticed her hands had started shaking.

Hermione,

Your father and I can't help but be disappointed that you behaved in a way that would result in expulsion. On the other hand, I hope that means you will be coming home. I know you would like to live in a magical culture, seeing as you too are magical, but we would really love to have you here for longer than just the summer. I'm not sure what it was you did, but I know that we have raised you right, and it must have been justified. We love you, dear, and hope to see you soon. Please write back to let us know where you are, and when we will be seeing you again.

Stay safe,

Mum & Dad

Hermione sniffled, but was relieved that her parents weren't angry with her. She hated disappointing them, especially now that she knew what their future held. She just hoped that she wouldn't have to erase their memories this time.

She sighed and moved from the floor to her new bed. Should I just go home to them? I wouldn't be able to see anyone from the wizarding world anymore... But Mum and Dad would be safe. They deserve that. They had been so angry before, when they realized what I had done. I thought Dad would never forgive me...

She crawled under the blanket and opened the envelope from Mrs. Weasley, knowing the one from Remus and Sirius could hold something far more devastating.

Hermione,

I'm not sure how Fred and George talked you into misbehaving, but I apologise on their behalf. You are more than welcome to stay with us for as long as you need to, and we will figure everything out so that you will not have to give up magic. As much as it must have seemed otherwise last year, I think of you as a daughter. I cannot apologize enough for believing those awful lies that Rita Skeeter spread about you. I hope that you will not use that against me in your decision in whether or not you would like to stay with us. Arthur and I would love to have you here until you are readmitted to Hogwarts.

Molly Weasley

Hermione sighed and pulled out a piece of parchment to write Mrs. Weasley back.

Mrs. and Mr. Weasley,

Thank you for your concern. I did not write to you looking for a place to stay, just to let you know so that you would not be taken by surprise when you heard from someone else. Also, I would like to assure you that my behavior should in no way reflect on either Fred nor George. If fact, I wrote them when I wrote to you, and Fred was outraged with me for my behavior.

You should be proud of what the twins are doing. Their business is is booming, and they have both grown into rather accomplished young men.

On another note, I have already solved the situation of my magic, and of where I will be staying. Though I do appreciate your efforts and concern. The events of last year have in no way affected my decision, or my opinion of you. I also tend to think of you and Mr. Weasley as parents, and I am thankful for all you have done for me.

Hermione Granger

She slipped the letter into an envelope, and slid quietly out the door to send it with the twins owl. She could hear them talking quietly in the kitchen, but didn't stay to listen. After sending the letter, she went back to read the final letter.

Granger, Sirius wrote.

It seems all your guesses may have been right. George dropped off the diadem a few nights ago, and it exploded when hit with the sword, just as the locket had. Remus is writing to George right now, letting him know how everything went, then we're going to visit Dumbledore, and let him know what we've found. Honestly, it's no wonder they have labeled you as the brightest witch of your age! I can't believe you figured this out all on your own. Never again will I second guess you, though your latest decision may not have been the best.

Ah, so someone, probably Molly, has let everyone else know.

Harry and Ron will need you with them now more than ever. If it hadn't been for you, Harry would have walked right into Voldemort's trap. If you hadn't helped him contact me, he would have ran straight to the Department of Mysteries. You were the only one that could talk sense into him, and now you've gone and left him alone. Don't get me wrong, I'm not passing judgement. I honor the fact that you stood up to Umbridge! I just wish Harry was as wise as you. Anyway, I better get going.

Best of luck,

Sirius

Hermione's throat closed up. Sirius was right, she had just left Harry and Ron... How could she have been so stupid?

She couldn't remember another direct attack in the next year, but it had been years. Had she forgotten something?

There was a knock at her door, then George entered, covering his eyes. "All decent in here?"

Hermione smiled, welcoming the distraction. "Yes, but I appreciate the thought." He grinned and dropped his hand.

"Fred's went to talk to Mum. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't hear of it." George sat down next to her. "He's convinced Mum doesn't think he's good enough for you."

Hermione frowned. "She wrote to me, too. It wasn't half as bad as Fred's howler, though. Just said I could stay at the burrow, and she apologized on your behalf."

George rolled his eyes. "She's always done that. She said she's responsible for the way we turned out."

Hermione sighed. "What all did Remus say?" George shrugged.

"Just that you were mostly right. And that Mum told him what you did. He's rather proud of you, actually." She pulled a small smile.

"That's pretty much what Sirius said as well."

George nodded, and laid back on her bed. "Who else wrote you? It seemed you had quite a bit of fan mail." He teased.

"Harry and my parents. They want me to move back with them..." George stiffened. "I don't really want to, but I feel awful imposing on you two, and there is no way I'm moving into the burrow. It's really my only option for now."

"You can't!" He said, sitting up suddenly. "I need you! I have to save him Hermione, and if you leave... Well you're the only chance he has. I can't lose Fred." His voice broke.

Hermione bit her lip. "What would everyone think when they hear we've all left school and moved in together? I might as well start wearing a red A!"

George tilted his head. "Why? Harlot starts with h, surely you know that?" Still cracking a joke through his confusion.

"It's from a book... They make her wear red a, for adultery. Its a muggle story."

George grinned. "Don't worry, Mione. Adultery is the last thing anyone will ever accuse you of."

She frowned. "Hey! What's that suppose to mean?"

Instead of answering her, George just continued to laugh and tease her.

Meanwhile, Fred flood to the burrow to speak to his mother. He walked briskly from the sitting room in search of her. He found her sitting at the table, reading a letter.

She sat it aside, and pulled out a piece of parchment to respond, but he cleared his throat before she could put her quill in the inkwell.

She looked up at him in surprise. "Oh, hello dear! I didn't know you were coming over tonight. Are you hungry? I made some biscuits earlier."

She bustled out of her seat to grab the tray of cookies.

Fred frowned, not sure what to make out of her sudden change in attitude. There was absolutely no trace of the rage that had been present in the howler he had received not an hour prior. "I came to talk to you about Hermione." He said quietly.

She paused, then turned to face him. "George, I-"

"I'm Fred," He said flatly, holding up his hand to stop whatever she had been about to say. "I realize that you think we have tricked her into being expelled, but that isn't how it is. That's not at all what I wanted for her. And I know you don't think I'm good enough for her, Mum. In fact, you're right about that, I'm not. But that doesn't mean what I feel for her isn't real, this isn't some sort of prank. Do you honestly think George and I could be so cruel?" He said sadly.

Molly shook her head. "Fred, I'm sorry for what I wrote. Hermione has already assured me it was nothing like that." She gestured towards the letter. "I didn't realize there was anything between the two of you, neither of you said anything."

"Because she was afraid of what you would think!" He exploded, thinking she was blaming her actions on them. "She told me you called her a scarlet woman! And she hadn't even done anything!"

Molly flinched. "I apologize for that!" She began to tear up. "Rita Skeeter had been saying awful things about her, I didn't know they were lies!"

Fred sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He hadn't meant to make his mum cry...

"I just... I just wanted you to know George and I aren't as bad as you think we are. Honestly woman, you act as if we turned out to be Death Eaters!" He said, attempting to lighten the mood.

She sniffled and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry, Fred. I should have believed in you. I had no idea you boys were doing so well... Hermione seems to think you've become quite the businessmen. Your father and I will have to come see the shop sometime."

Satisfied that the fight was over, Fred wrapped his arms tightly around Molly. "Thanks, Mum. We would love that."