A/N: Hello all! First of all, thanks to everyone who's reviewed. They make me feel all special inside. Second, sorry for the small delay on this chapter. Thirdly, I'm trying to decide whether or not I should have Fred and Hermione get together earlier or later in the story. If you guys have any opinions, let me know! Fourthly (that doesn't sound like a real word. But anyway…), if you guys notice any mistakes, let me know. I'm not exactly the most skilled person when it comes to accuracy.
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"Morning, Fred," Hermione said through a yawn as she rubbed her eyes and walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Hermione." Fred looked up from the article he was reading in the Daily Prophet. "Are you hungry?" he asked as he motioned for her to sit at the table.
"Yeah, a little bit," the girl replied as she sat down.
"Good."
Hermione was about to ask what was so good about being hungry when she noticed the stove. Various types of breakfast foods were cooking; enough to feed the whole Weasley family. And have leftovers. "Fred, you didn't have to make all of this," she said, eying the pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, sausage, and muffins.
"I didn't know what you wanted. And besides, you seem to be forgetting who my mum is. Whatever we don't eat we can take to the Burrow for everyone," Fred explained. "Mum will be so pleased, maybe she'll forgive me…" he added.
"Forgive you? For what?"
"Just don't eat the muffins." She raised an eyebrow skeptically at him.
"I will choose not to further inquire about that statement."
"Good idea. So how did you sleep?" He asked, looking like he truly cared.
"Rather well, thanks. A few nightmares, but those aren't so special anymore, what with Voldemort being back and all," Hermione watched to see if he would flinch when she said his name, but was glad when he didn't. "How about you?"
"Oh, I slept fine. Good dreams, no nightmares, thankfully," he didn't dare add that he had dreamt about her.
"About the Burrow," she began, getting a plate from the cabinets, "when will we be going over there?" she added waffles to the plate.
"In," Fred looked at the watch on his wrist and it read 7 am, "two hours exactly."
"Oh, ok," she sounded nervous as she added eggs to her plate.
"Why are you nervous about going to the Burrow? You've been there plenty of times." The Weasley asked, until he realized…
"Ron." Hermione answered.
'Of course she's nervous about going to the Burrow, you git! She just broke up with Ron, and now she has to spend the whole summer with him.' "Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot." He apologized. "But I don't think you should worry about him. He's got enough sense to at least act decent around you, especially since you are spending the whole summer there."
"I suppose. It's just…" she began trailing off, but then finished her thought, "he really hurt me, with what he said and all."
"Hermione, don't think anything of what he said to you. Ron was just upset. We both know what he said wasn't true."
They sat in silence for awhile; Hermione eating her waffles and eggs, Fred just sitting there, glancing at the Daily Prophet occasionally. "What if they hate me?" Hermione broke the silence.
"What if who hates you? My family?" the girl nodded. "Hermione, they won't hate you! They loved you before you started dating Ron, and they will now," he told her. "Don't worry about it."
"If you say so…"
--- ---
"Ron, you better be nice to her. Or at least act civil, otherwise this summer will be horrible for everyone," Ginny warned her brother. They were seated in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express along with Harry, Luna and Neville.
"You can't possibly be siding with her on this! You're my sister!" Ron yelled.
"I'm not siding with anyone. I just think you should try to get along."
"She broke up with me. If she wanted to get along, perhaps she shouldn't have done that."
Ginny stood up and stormed out of the compartment in frustration. 'How can he be so stupid!' Luna followed her friend out.
Ron glared at their backs as they walked out then turned to Harry, who was glaring daggers at him. "Aw, come on Harry! You're not taking Hermione's side, are you?"
"Ron, this isn't a matter of taking sides. This is a matter of you acting like a total prat. I heard you guys yelling yesterday. You acted no better than Malfoy." Before Ron could get in another word, Harry stormed out after Ginny and Luna. The remaining Weasley looked over to Neville, who was standing up.
"Not you too, Neville!"
"They're right, Ron," he said before walking out of the compartment and following Harry.
--- --- -
"Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley engulfed the girl in a giant bear hug.
"It's nice to see you too, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione managed to say, though her breathing was limited. 'Yes, definitely death by suffocation...'
Molly let the girl go for a moment. "I'm very sorry about your parents, dear," she gave her a sympathetic look and hugged her again.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."
"Um, Mum," Fred interrupted, seeing Hermione struggling for breath, "perhaps we should show Hermione where she will be sleeping?"
Mrs. Weasley let the girl go again, "Yes, of course, this way, dear," the lady began walking up the stairs. Hermione shot Fred a look that said 'thank you' and followed.
"You'll be staying in George's old room," the woman said as she walked in the door.
"Okay, great," said Hermione, setting her trunk on the floor, next to the bed.
"Now, you can unpack, or come with me to pick up Ron, Ginny, and Harry from the station."
"If you don't mind, I think I'll stay here and unpack. Maybe catch up on some reading," Hermione said, with a distant look in her eyes.
"Well of course I don't mind. Make yourself at home!" And with that, Mrs. Weasley walked out of the room.
That's when it hit Hermione. 'This is home now, isn't it? My parents are gone. I may never get to see them again. They could be... dead. What if they're dead! Why...' She sat on the bed and cried.
--- --- ---
Fred stood in his old room, which adjoined with his twin's old room, when he heard sniffling. He cracked open the door that led to George's room and saw Hermione sitting on the bed, facing away from him. He knew she was crying. The Weasley opened the door quietly and walked in.
"Hermione?" he spoke softly. So softly, it surprised her.
"Hi Fred," she sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I was just unpacking," she said, trying to act as though she wasn't crying.
"Hermione," Fred began.
"I'm fine, Fred, honest," she cut him off.
"Hermione, no you're not." She was taken aback by his bluntness. Whenever she told Harry or Ron she was fine, they just shrugged it off and went back to whatever they were doing. "You're going through a tough time right now. You're not fine, we both know it." He said.
"I just…" she turned around, and Fred saw her puffy eyes and running make-up. He stepped towards her, and she towards him. He hugged her tightly, like he had the day before, except this time, they both felt something; a spark, or shiver, running through their bodies. "I don't know what to do, Fred," she sobbed into his shoulder. "I might not see them again. They could be dead. I don't know…"
"Shh… Hermione… it's okay. I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better. But honestly, I don't know if there is anything. I want you to know that I'm always there for you, okay? You know that right?" She nodded. "You can talk to me anytime you want to." He pulled back a bit so he could look into her eyes. He pulled his hand up and with his thumb wiped away the tears under her eye. He kissed her forehead, and then held her by the shoulders. "Now what do you say you finish unpacking and we go plant those muffins in the kitchen?" She gave him a weak smile and nodded.
"Okay."
