AN: Okay, so I have gone back to previous chapters and have edited them a bit, so you might find that a few minor details have changed. You won't have to reread them to understand what is happening, so don't fret, lovelies. Any who, I don't own Harry Potter. I know, I'm just as distraught over it as you. Please enjoy!

Letters. Two letters, to be exact, had arrived at the Burrow early one morning. Of course they were not ordinary letters. No, they were Hogwarts letters. One for Ginny and one for Hermione.

Hermione was a bit surprised to have recieved hers. Nonetheless, she opened it eagerly and read.

Dear Miss Granger,

Hermione wrinkled her nose at the words 'Miss Granger.'

Enclosed is a list of necessary books and equipment required for your seventh year at Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Though it is not required that you finish your schooling, I knew that you would still like to be given the opportunity to do so.

Term starts September 1.

Yours Sincerely,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

"I don't know that I want to go back," Ginny announced over breakfast upon reading her own letter.

Molly was quick to put in her two cents. "You're going back, and that's final. Now that those people are no longer running that school, you will be perfectly fine." Those people she was referring to being the Death Eaters that had taken over Hogwarts during the war.

"But, Mum," Ginny began, "Ron never did his seventh year and Fred and George dropped out half way through their's."

"Ron was helping Harry and Hermione win a war," Molly said sharply. "As for Fred and George, well, they're perfectly content with running a joke shop. You, Ginny, will go mad if you have to stay cooped up in a shop all day. You're going to school, end of discussion."

Ginny sighed in defeat. Her mother was right. Ginny would never last working in a shop.

"If it makes you feel any better, Ginny," Hermione began, "I think that I'll be going back to school as well."

Everyone looked at her, mouths slightly agape in bewilderment. Well, everyone who had attended breakfast that morning (Molly, Harry, Ginny).

"Hermione," spoke Harry, "are you sure you want to go back? I mean, I'm positive that you're more clever than half the teachers there."

Hermione laughed softly at those words. "That's very kind of you, Harry. However, I believe that there is still so much more that Hogwarts has to offer." Hermione paused for a moment before speaking again. "I... I also think that going back to school will help me with my anxiety and jumpy-ness."

"Oh, good for you Hermione!" squealed Molly as she jumped up from her spot at the table and threw her arms around Hermione. "I'm so proud of you, dear."

Hermione hugged her back. The two of them stayed enveloped in each other's embrace for only a moment before Hermione pulled back from Molly.

"Well then," Hermione said, rising to her feet, "I best be getting ready for work."

oOo

Once she had arrived at work, Hermione went in search of Fred. After a few moments of searching, she found him feeding the Pygmy Puffs that were in a pen displayed in the window. A job that had to be done before opening the shop, otherwise those Pygmy Puffs would cause a fuss.

"Oh, Fred," she started once she reached his side, "you won't believe what's happened!"

Fred jumped at the abrupt sound of Hermione's voice. When he saw that it was only her, he blew out a tense breath and racked a hand through his hair. "Oh hello, Hermione."

Hermione furrowed her brow. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh yeah. Everything is fine. Everything is spectacular!" Again, he drug his hand through his hair, making his already wild ginger locks even more unruly.

"No it's not," protested Hermione, as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Fred, you can tell me what's wrong."

Fred blew out another shaky breath. "It's just that..." He paused for a moment. "It's just that today a particularly loud display of fireworks went off in the shop while George was tending to 'em. I don't know why, but I tensed up. I froze! Mione, for a minute it was like I was back in the Great Hall. Like I was being crushed by all that rubble again. I..." He broke off and touched the exposed skin at the base of his throat. There, Hermione could see pale scares peaking out from the collar of his shirt.

"Oh, Freddie," she whispered. She brought her hands up to cup his face, her thumbs lightly brushed his cheekbones.

Fred closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. One of his own hands came up to hold hers. It was almost as if he were trying to convince himself that this was real. That this was not a dream.

"I could have died, Hermione," he said as he opened his eyes. His voice cracked a bit when he spoke.

Hermione felt her heart ache at those words. God, the thought of losing him hurt. It hurt so much that she couldn't breathe.

"Why are you crying?" Fred asked suddenly.

It was then that Hermione realized that her cheeks were wet. She sniffed and moved her hands so that they were clutching the lapels of Fred's suit. Fred brushed away her tears with his knuckles.

"Frederick Gideon Weasley," she gasped out, "So help me God, if you ever die, I'll never forgive you."

Fred let out an airy laugh. "I've got to die someday, love."

"W-well, what if I told you that I love you? Will you die then?"

Fred stared at her, mouth agape, for a moment. Clearing he throat, he said, "I'm 'fraid so, but I'll die an exceptionally happy man."

"How's that?" Hermione asked wrapping her arms around him and leaning her head against his chest.

Fred wrapped his own arms around her. "Because I will die knowing that Hermione Granger loved me. Me of all people."

Hermione held him tighter. "Of course I love you, you ninny."

Fred chuckled softly. "Well, I'll let you in on a little secret." He drew back from her slightly and tucked his finger under her chin so she would look at him. "I am, and forever will be, ardently and unashamedly in love with you." Without a second thought, he swooped down and captured Hermione's lips with his.

Hermione felt as though she would float away like a balloon. Her heart was so light and her head was clear of thought. She wanted to stay like this forever. However, all good things must come to an end.

Fred broke the kiss. He looked down at her happily. "Now," he began, "what is it you wanted to tell me?"

Hermione felt herself crash back down into reality. She was going to leave to back to school. Their time together would be severely limited. Of course she'd see him on holiday and occasionally in Hogsmeade, but other then that...

"Oh, it can wait," Hermione said, deciding that she didn't want to ruin this moment. "Let's open the shop."

Smiling fondly at her, Fred said, "Yes, dear."

AN: Finally! I finished this chapter. Writer's block is the absolute worst! Anyway, I started another story called An Unlikely Friendship. I totally recommend checking it out. it's a bit different, but I think you'll enjoy it. Please review!