Disclaimer: Not mine, will never be mine…yeah I know I don't own it.

Note: Well thank you thank you thank you too all of you who reviewed. I'm so incredibly excited about this. I apologize for the few grammatical errors in the chapter, but unfortunately I attend work, school, and teach and barely find the time to write these chapters. I always end up doing them in class. I do hope you can cope with them. As for the cliffhanger, well I'm sorry, but you know me. I'm the queen of cliffies. On another note, someone asked how Hermione could have kids if she had ovarian cancer. Well if you look at statistics, about 25 percent of women can still have children after they have ovarian cancer. Well thanks again, and remember to review at the end of the chapter.

AN: Anything with a * next to it will be explained at the end of the chapter. Some stuff refers to the first story and if you didn't read it you may be confused. Therefore I've decided to add * and give a brief note about it at the end.

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Chapter 2 ~ As the Days Go By

Alright, I was terrified. Not in the entire span of my life did I ever see Alicia this distraught. I knew it was bad. I wanted to pretend that nothing was happening, but unfortunately it was all unraveling right in front of my eyes. I quickly scurried the kids out of the room although they protested immensely. But they didn't deserve the grief that was coming. At this age they wouldn't understand that life had a clock, and sometimes it stops ticking just a bit too early.

"What kind of an accident Alicia?" By now Fred had stumbled forward and grabbed onto the nearest shelf for support.

She shook harder now, and the terror in her eyes screamed for mercy. She didn't want to do this, but she had volunteered to be the one. It was only now she was beginning to regret it.

"We were supposed to play each other again before they took a break from their tour. We were supposed to go see the Eiffel Tower in France once the game was over. Oliver promised me it would be the most memorable night of my life. " She let out a choked sigh.

The heartbeats in the room were so loud that it became unnerving, Hermione brushed her hair out of her face and bit her lower lip. Somehow she knew what was coming, and she wondered if they knew it as well.

"I told them they were lying when they came to my door. I told them that it was an awful joke to play, but they insisted that it was the truth. I wanted to die. I just want to die!" Falling to the floor she cried harder, her shoulders convulsing.

Fred stepped slowly away from the crate, and kneeled down next to her. His hands were shaking as he lifted her chin. Her eyes were scarlet, and this made his heart beat faster. "Tell me Leesh, tell me please."

"They were staying at Aunt Esmeralda's Inn. They didn't know the foundation of the place when they checked in, and the people who recommended it said it was a nice cozy joint to spend the next two days. Supposedly there was an electrical problem, and the fourth floor caught on fire. They were staying on the third. They had just played the French team so they told me they were going to take a nap before they came out. By the time I got there, there was a frenzy of people running out of the building. They were trapped on the third floor, and the rescue team was about to go in and get them out, but the building collapsed before they could get in there. Oh gods, Fred they didn't get out! They building fell on them. They didn't get out!" Dropping her head she choked again.

Fred's eyes went blank and he placed his hands on Alicia's shoulders. " But they're fine, right? They were able to get them out from the debris. Right? Alicia tell me I'm right!" He shook her shoulders, his own tears falling slowly down his cheeks. Alicia just sobbed harder and his shaking became a bit more violent. "Alicia! Tell me! They made it out from the rubble. Tell me!"

"They're dead Fred!" Her voice rumbled loudly through the room and it cut the uncomfortable thickness that had developed around them. She took a breath and then continued calmly through her tears. " They're dead. Oliver and Angelina never made it out. They're….dead."

At that moment my heart had stopped beating for a second. It didn't seem possible. Angelina and Oliver were only a few years older then I, and the were dead? No, it must have been some sort of misunderstanding. I watched Alicia cover her face with her hands as George quickly tried to comfort his brother. But Fred had already stood from the floor and stormed out of the shop. I honestly didn't know what I should do, and George just blinked at the crying Alicia. What words could possibly be said to try and comfort a friend who had just witnessed their entire world crushed beyond belief. There was nothing I could think of, and I knew George was probably thinking the same thing. It was when the boys emerged from the back room, that the tears began falling from my eyes. They were smiling, and so innocent. How in the world was I going to tell them that Auntie Angie and Uncle Oliver were dead? How in the world was I going to accept it myself? And then there was Alicia and Fred. How do you continue to live when your life…your love, had just died?

"I'm going to go find Fred." George barely whispered as he took hold of Hermione's hand. She nodded, and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Where's daddy going mummy?" James rubbed his eyes and watched George rush out the door.

"He needs to go find Uncle Fred." Hermione desperately tried to keep her voice from shaking. James nodded and turned to find his brother who was sitting down next to Alicia.

"Auntie Licia? Are you sad?" William poked at Alicias face with his tiny finger.

She looked up at him, her tears had stained her cheeks, and she looked dreadfully sick. " Sweetie, I'm fine. Don't you worry your head off about me. Everything will be fine."

Hermione moved across the room and tugged at Williams sleeve. Ushering them back into the storage room she felt utterly guilty for not telling them. Eventually she would have to.

"But mummy we want to stay with you and Auntie Alicia! Its gross back here, and James keeps throwing dungbomb's at me!" William tried to push back out of the doors, but Hermione removed her wand and muttered a locking charm.

Quietly she stepped back into the main area and ran a hand across her face. Alicia was still sitting on the floor, her eyes fixed at her feet. She was muttering something, and Hermione moved closer in order to hear it. It was a bit slurred, and she couldn't help but notice Alicia's constant rocking. The words made her sad, and she covered her eyes again to hide the tears.

"Everything will be fine…everything will be fine….everything will be fine…"

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" I cant believe an entire month has gone by already. " Hermione flipped the calendar to the next page and yawned.

Things had progressively become better over the last few weeks. After attending both funerals of Oliver and Angelina, Hermione had sat the twins down and explained what had happened. James understood instantly, and cried knowing he would never see his Auntie or Uncle again. William on the other hand took awhile before he realized what had happened. He just didn't understand how two people he loved could ever go away without coming back.

"Mummy, can we go to the park today?" William pulled his cloak around him and stared up at her with big wide eyes.

"No, I want to go see daddy and Uncle Fred! "James tugged at Hermione's sleeve and shot a dirty look at William.

Hermione rolled her eyes, " How about we spend a time at the park and then visit the shop for lunch?"

"How about we have lunch with daddy first then go to the park?" James' eyes lit up at his own idea.

Hermione had to hand it to him, he was rather convincing. Letting out a chuckle she nodded. " Fine, first lunch then park, but tomorrow we do what William wants to do first, deal?"

Rushing out the door, Hermione held the boys hands as they weaved down the cobbled stone road and towards Diagon Alley. The streets were buzzing with people, and Hermione inhaled the fresh air. Autumn was by far her favorite season. Despite all the trauma that had happened within the last month, everyone had been coping well, and even Fred had returned to work. He was still a somber individual, and mostly kept to himself, but it was a grand improvement. After the funeral he had locked himself in his flat for two weeks straight. Yes, things were hard, but they were getting better.

As for Alicia, well she was a complete mess after the funeral. Hermione could distinctly remember forcing her to eat after she lost about twenty pounds. Last week she had surprised George and Hermione by taking the twins out for ice cream. Hermione knew it was a long hard process to get over such a loss as she did, but as she watched Alicia over the last week she realized how much stronger she had grown.

Slipping around the bend with the boys she smiled as she pushed into the shop. The lights were bright, and business was slowly beginning to pick up again due to the change in weather. The boys quickly rushed over to George who was grabbing a biting teacup from the top shelf. Hermione giggled and moved behind the counter next to Fred.

"Hey mister, looks like business is booming again." She grinned and reached for a account book.

Glancing out of the corner of his eye he forced a smile. " Yeah, its about time, our funds were beginning to drop to an all time low. Any lower and we were going to sell Ron's old baby toys for a profit. Of course he heard the idea and cried for hours about it, Merlin forbid he loses his precious blanket. " Fred chuckled lightly.

Hermiones heart skipped a bit. Fred hadn't joked about anything in weeks! This was a sure sign he was getting better.

"I'm sure Parvati nearly choked of embarrassment." Hermione laughed. She loved Parvati, but sometimes the girl was a bit petty when it came to self image.

"Parv, is Parv. " Fred nodded a quick thank you to a customer and he shut the register with a sigh. " So how are things?"

"Alright I suppose." She propped her hand in her chin. " I've got a Ministry dinner this Friday, and I'm pressured to find a sitter. *Emily's sister was going to do it, but she came down with the wizard flu. And Id ask your mother, but she's busy watching Percy's and Ginny's kids. I wouldn't have a problem sending them all over, but I know that's a lot for your mother."

"I'll do it." Fred barely gave her a look as he took the next customer.

Hermione snapped her head at him. It wasn't as though she wouldn't appreciate Fred watching the boys, but she never expected him to offer. George had informed her that after work he usually headed straight to his flat where he would stay for the rest of the evening. Now here he was giving up his Friday night to watch the boys.

"Will you really Fred? The boys would simply love it if you did." Hermione clasped her hands together. She knew they would love it. Fred was their favorite uncle although they swore up and down to the others, mostly Ron, that the boys didn't have favorites.

Fred thanked the elderly man who bought the exploding roses for his wife, and turned to Hermione again. " Hermione, I have no problem watching the boys this Friday. Its not like I have anything else to do. " He shrugged and took the account book from her.

Letting out a squeak Hermione flung her arms around his neck. " Oh thank you so very much Fred! You have no idea how much I appreciate this. "

Fred wrapped his arms around Hermione and closed his eyes. The soft flowery scent reminded him of Angelina and he almost let himself break down again. He honestly didn't mind watching the twins. Perhaps they would bring some sort of happiness into the picture for him. After all for the last three Friday nights he had just stared at an old photo of Angelina and watched as she waved with a smile back at him.

Uh oh, what will happen when Fred baby-sits for the tots? Will it become more then he bargained for? Find out next chapter.

*Emily is Hermione's friend from work. She shares an office with her, and helped Hermione through her ordeals in Memoirs.

I would also like to apologize for anyone who was upset by the death of Angelina and Oliver. I know that sometimes people become upset from situations such as this, but I promise it is all for the story at hand. I do hope you continue reading.

Well thanks again for reading this. Once your done don't forget to leave a review. It may not seem like much, but trust me it does loads to boost my confidence. And if your feeling like you hate this then leave a flame. But be warned, flames will only be used to keep me warm when we loose power from this damn hurricane that's heading here.