A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters

Word count: 647

She'd never get over the fact he'd died, that he'd managed to come back. It wasn't something most people did, knowing what was on the other side. He didn't talk about it, about what he'd seen over there. He didn't even tell George, she knew, she'd asked him, but he'd told her the same. Fred hadn't told anyone about what he'd seen in that moment, the moment he'd been dead.

"It doesn't matter, Hermione," he said, rubbing his shoulder. It still ached sometimes when it was going to rain. "I'm back here among the living, back with you," he said. It had only been about two weeks since the battle had ended.

"Maybe not," she finally agreed, helping set the table. She was staying with Fred and George in their flat for the time being. It was closer to the school than Grimmauld Place and she really didn't want to be around Ron at the moment. She knew she'd kissed him, knew he thought it meant something, but now, now that things had calmed down, now that they weren't both facing death, she wasn't sure how she felt about him. She knew she shouldn't have kissed him. That was one thing she was certain of.

She'd kissed Fred before they'd gone on the run, before Bill and Fleur's wedding. That kiss, that had meant something, it had also meant something when they'd slipped out to the chicken coop and made love. She hadn't wanted to die a virgin, for some reason, that thought kept running through her mind. There were other reasons, she knew being a virgin was a bad thing in the wizarding world, knew her blood could be used for horrible things, that if her innocence was taken by forced, whoever did it could use that against her. Fred had been so gentle, so tender. They'd been each others firsts. Hermione hadn't questioned why Fred hadn't been with someone before, it didn't matter. In that moment, it had been like nothing else in the world.

Then, she'd run. She'd left him, her heart aching every time she thought about him, every time his voice came over the wireless. Then, they were back at Hogwarts, Fred standing there, Percy making a joke. Percy joking, that had been the most impossible thing, not the way she had wanted to run to Fred's arms, to love him with everything she had. The wall had folded, crumbled, taking Fred with it. She thought her heart had stopped, that she was dying with him. He'd been dead, they'd said he was dead, but then... she wasn't sure how it happened, what had happened, but he was back, injured, but breathing. She hadn't left his side since. Ron should have taken the hint, but he kept obsessing over that kiss, the one she didn't even know why.

"I'm glad you're back," Hermione stated, giving Fred a quick kiss as they traded places. Her now carrying things from the kitchen and him grabbing some napkins.

"I am too, Hermione. I know you want to know, I know you're afraid, curious about what happens after, but trust me when I say I can't tell you. Can you do that?"

"I can," Hermione stated, determined to put the whole thing out of her mind. Fred was right, he was here now, and that was all that really mattered.

"Good, because I want you to come to Sunday dinner with me."

"I always come to Sunday dinner, remember?"

"No, I don't mean as Mum's guest, I mean, as mine, as my girlfriend," Fred said, his voice wavering slightly. "I know Ron's got it in his head that you're interested in him, but maybe this will end that, that is, unless you don't-"

"I'd love to," Hermione laughed. "Now, let's finish getting the table set before George finishes closing the shop and comes looking for dinner."