Yes, I know, I'm a slacker. I was just hoping that I would get more reviews. I know they shouldn't matter, but I was really disappointed when my 300 got erased. :( Well, anyway, I still haven't had time to do responses, but I promise i will...

Disclaimer: Dont own.

/2/

The Last

Hermione and Fred had been dating a little over a year. They were best friends… or had been, anyway. Lately, Hermione had been rather worried about Fred. Something was wrong. She just couldn't figure out what.

He acted cold and distant, and they never did any of the things they used to. They were together, in a sense, but they weren't really together. She loved him wholeheartedly; everyday that they grew more and more distant, a piece of her heart was shattered.

A few days before Christmas, she was getting ready for her date. She was meeting Fred at his flat, and they were going to dinner. Sometimes she would sit and wonder what happened to the days when she and Fred were just content to be in each other's company. The days when they just sat at home and watched movies. Or he would sit and tease her. In all honesty, she still felt that way. She could still sit and talk to him for hours. She just got the feeling that he didn't.

At a quarter past seven, Hermione apparated out of her flat, into Fred's. She found Fred was still in his room getting ready.

"Hey," she said. She smiled. Please. She thought. Please, let him hug me. Or kiss me. Or tell me he loves me. Something…. Anything. Her thoughts were left unheard.

He looked at her. "Oh. Hello Hermione." That was another thing that bothered her. He never called her 'Mione' or 'Sweetie' or 'Love' anymore. What was going on with him?

When had this all started? When had he gotten so cold? The change was gradual. Not something she could pinpoint to one specific day. The Weasley's would often joke that out of all the couples: Fred and Hermione, Harry and Ginny, George and Emily, and Ron and Hannah, Fred and Hermione would be the first to marry. It no longer seemed that way.

Sure, Hermione loved Fred fully, and completely, but she got the sense that something was wrong with him. He no longer said I love you. Had he fallen out of love?

She was brought out of her thinking when Fred waved his hand in front of her face, seemingly exasperated. "Hermione! I said 'Are you ready to go?' Merlin, it's like you never pay attention anymore."

"Oh, I'm sorry Fred. I guess I just zoned out a bit. Yes, I'm ready."

"Good, let's go." He grabbed her hand and Apparated out. However, for the first time ever, when her hand was in his, there were no tingles.

/2/

Yes. It would appear that I had fallen out of love. This was not a good thing. I loved her like a friend, sure. But I just couldn't see us together like that anymore. And then, on top of my confusion about Hermione, yesterday I had gotten a rather odd message from an Ex-Girlfriend. But we'll get to that later.

Hermione came, and said hello. I said hello back, and went into my closet to get my tie. When I came back out, Hermione was staring off into space.

"Hermione?" I asked. "Hermione, are you ready to go?" She didn't answer. We didn't have time for this. "Hermione!" I shouted, a bit annoyed. "I said, 'Are you ready to go! Merlin, it's like you never pay attention anymore." I saw hurt fill her eyes.

Dammit Fred! You idiot! You need to do it today. This isn't fair for you to continue to hurt her like this. You know she pays attention to you; you know she'd do anything for you. You know she loves you.

It isn't that I don't love her anymore… I just can't be in a relationship right now. I need my freedom. Now that George had left to be closer to his girlfriend Emily, I had the apartment to myself.

It's not that I'm looking for… that. I just don't want to be tied down right now. I'm only 21! She's almost fresh out of Hogwarts; two years isn't that long. We aren't ready for this. I'm doing it tonight. That's it.

/2/

We had been seated for about ten minutes when Fred takes my hand. Again, the gesture gave me no tingles. I always, always felt tingles with Fred. Why not tonight? What was going on? Even… even if Fred… even if he doesn't love me anymore… we can… we can make it. I love him enough to try. Where are the damn tingles?

Why did we go out to eat? This actually really bothered me. We went out to eat, sure. But, normally, we were just content hanging out on one of our couches, watching movies, and talking, or sometimes even playing Muggle video games (I bought them for Fred's birthday, as a joke, and he ended up becoming obsessed). But lately… lately… it's stopped. We don't talk like that anymore. He doesn't even tell me he loves me. What happened to us?

I see Fred looking quite uncomfortable across the table. I try to smile.

"What's wrong?"

Fred tried to smile, but I could see it in his eyes; it was plastered on. The smile playing on his mouth, but it didn't reach his eyes. Fred always, always smiled with his eyes. Actually, normally when Fred smiled, his whole face lit up.

"Oh, it's nothing. We'll talk about it later."

For the first time ever, we ate in complete silence. Fred didn't remark on anything. Didn't make any jokes, didn't comment on the food. Nothing. I found this even more disconcerting. Fred always, always had something to say. He was always rambunctious and full of energy. I watched him eat slowly, rarely looking up. His table manners, I knew, were much better than Ron's, but no Weasley ate this slowly.

When he stopped looking up all together, I resorted to staring at my plate. My potatoes were quite good; almost as good as Harry's. Thoughts of Harry's potatoes brought thoughts up of Fred and my first date. Those thoughts just reminded me how not normal this date was.

When I had finished, I looked up at Fred for the first time in ten minutes. He had just finished up too.

"You done?" He asked me.

"Uh, yes. You?" I looked at him, and he nodded.

He called over the waiter, and paid the bill.

"Do you mind if we go to your apartment?" He inquired.

"No, that's fine. I actually just cleaned it." I said smiling, waiting for Fred to say it. He always, always told me what a neat freak I was when I used to tell him I had just cleaned. This time? Nothing. Fred just nodded.

We apparated into my apartment. Fred looked at me, something unreadable in his eyes. This was distressing. After we got together, I could always, always read Fred. I knew what all of his expressions meant. I could tell when he was lying or joking with a simple hand movement. I knew him inside out. Something about this look scared me.

"Hermione, we need to talk. It's really important." People often say that the words, 'We need to talk,' when put together, are the most painful words in the English Language. What they don't say is that it's ten times worse when followed by 'It's really important.'

"What is it Fred?" My voice seemed to be shaking uncontrollably.

"Hermione… the thing is…" He looked up at her. "You may want to sit down."

My stomach tightened uncomfortably. "No, I think I'll stand, thanks." I looked into my eyes. At that second, I knew what was coming. The love in his eyes… it was there… but it was buried. And with Fred, buried was as good as gone.

"Fine." He looked at me, seemingly preparing himself. "Hermione, I can't do this anymore. I can't be with you anymore. We're over."

It took a few seconds for it to sink in. Then it hit. Hard. Over. Over. Over. Fred had just called it quits. We're over. He gave up.

"Liar," I said quietly. He looked confused. "You said we'd always, always be together. Get the hell out of my apartment."

He opened his mouth, to say something, but I cut him off.

"Out." My voice broke.

He looked at me and nodded, sadly. "Bye Hermione. I really am sorry."

Tears welled up in my eyes as he apparated out.

/2/

There. I had done it. We were over. Exactly what I had wanted. Why did I feel so empty?

I saw the hurt in her eyes. When she called me a liar, I could see the pain she tried so hard to hide. I heard her voice shaking, and I heard when it broke. I saw the tears in her eyes, as I left. I had broken her.

I had gotten what I wanted. Now I felt like crap. I had treated her badly. What happened to the days when we were happy together? Oh yea. I remember. I happened.

I became selfish. I started thinking about anything and everything but the love of my life. I let her slip away.

A week later and I was absolutely miserable. I hadn't gone to work since that day. I was torn apart. I longed to see her, to hold her, to tell her I loved her. But, I, unfortunately, had had my head up my ass for about two months. I had convinced myself that I had fallen out of love and I broke up the best thing my life had going.

If I thought I was bad then, it was nothing compared to what I heard the next week.

/2/

My heart was broken, what did you expect me to do? I did the thing people with broken hearts do. I moped.

Unfortunately for me, I was on holiday vacation. This left me more time to cry and mope and do all the stuff I promised I wouldn't do. I had promised myself I would never cry over a guy; no guy was worth it. But like so many promises this week, I broke it. I cried. I cried a lot. I wouldn't to talk to anyone. As far as I knew, no one knew what happened.

Fred owled a few times. I refused to read the letters. I'd always send them back.

I was lucky not all sense had left me. I was level headed enough to remember to call my parents. I had to tell them we weren't going to the Burrow for Christmas and I also had to tell them why.

I called my mom a few days after that terrible night. Surprisingly, she picked up on the first ring. "Hello, Granger residence."

"Hi, Mum. It's me."

"Oh, hello dear! I was just wrapping the presents for the Christmas party."

"Mum, that's what I'm calling about. We aren't going anymore."

Here it comes. I thought. Now I'll have to explain. My mum will be heart broken. She loved Fred.

"Oh? Why not sweetheart? Is Molly ill? Should we have it here instead? I'm sure we have enough time to prepare—"

"No, mum, the party is still on. I'm just not going because…" I sighed. "Fred and I broke up."

It seemed to take a few seconds for this to sink in. When it finally hit her, she said, "Oh, honey. What happened? Are you all right? How are you feeling? Do you need anything? I understand completely why you don't want to go. We can just have a nice quiet Christmas here. Sound good?"

"Mum, if it's all right with you, I don't feel like getting into the whole story right now. Also, I'm feeling a bit under the weather. I don't think I'll be able to come home tomorrow. Is that okay?"

"Oh, of course sweetie. We'll I guess you can just get your present when you are feeling a bit better." Sure, my mum sounded disappointed, but she didn't press anymore than that.

"All right Mum, I'm going to lay down for a bit. Love you." Then a thought occurred. "Oh, and Mum? Could you please call Mrs. Weasley for me and tell her we can't make it. Don't tell her why. Fred can do that."

"Sure sweetheart. Love you too. Bye."

I hung up my phone and leaned against the headboard of my bed. My head in my hands, I just sat and bawled.

/2/

That was the worst Christmas I've ever had. I got there at exactly seven. I was hoping Mione would be there. I had to tell her. She wouldn't answer my letters. She didn't know that I had made the biggest mistake of my life.

When I got there, Mum rushed up to me right away.

"Fred, why aren't The Granger's coming? Mrs. Granger called a bit ago and said that they wouldn't able to make it and that you'd explain why."

My heart sank. She wouldn't even see me.

"Uh, Mum, could I speak to you in the other room please?" I said looking around. Harry and Ron were right over there. They'd kill me.

"Sure Fred." When we were in the next room, I sighed. "Mum. Hermione and I have broken up. I broke up with her. I was hoping to see her tonight, but I guess not. She was too uncomfortable to see me. I want her back."

Molly glowered. "Frederick Weasley. You know better than to play with people's feelings like that. You can't just dump someone and decide it was a mistake. You know Hermione. It isn't an easy thing, getting her to open up. Get yourself out of this room right now and explain to Harry and Ron why their best friend won't be coming."

I felt guilt fill me. I should have no my mother would be very angry. It was true; Hermione didn't open up very easily. She had trusted me with her heart completely and I hurt her. My mind traveled back to when she called me a liar. I had told her we would always, always be together.

I exited the room. "Oy! Ron, Harry, could I talk to you two for a minute?"

The two exchanged glances, and walked over to me.

"What's going on mate?" Harry asked me.

"Yea Fred, where's Mione?"

This was going to go worse than I thought.

"Um, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, Hermione won't be coming. You see… uh… we… you see… Hermione and I broke up."

Their faces were blank until it sank in. Harry was the first to speak.

"What do you mean you 'broke up!' Why?!" Harry bellowed. Hermione was like his sister. If someone, namely me, hurt her, there would be hell to pay.

"I… er… well… I broke up with her…." Harry and Ron glared, and the yelling began. I faintly remember something about threats to kick my ass, too. I just sat and took it. I knew I deserved it.

/2/

I spent Christmas alone. I briefly talked to my mum. She told me she had talked to Mrs. Weasley. She hoped I got better, wished me a happy Christmas, and hung up.

I spent the day, sitting in my room, working. Great way to spend Christmas, I know. Who works on the holidays? Someone who's just had her heart broken. I had just finished my report (I'm an Auror), when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is a Ms. Granger available? This is Amelia Cezrik, from the Auror Locationing Division."

"Yes, this is she." Hermione said.

"Oh, hello. I'm so sorry to bother you on Christmas," she started.

"Oh, it's no problem." I said.

"Okay, good. Well, the reason I'm calling is that the U.S. Ministry contacted me today. They have just gotten an opening in their department and were hoping we had an experienced and young Auror on hand. After much consideration, we have decided you are the most qualified and would most likely adjust the best to a foreign country. Would you consider taking the position? Of course, if you decide to accept, I can schedule a meeting for us to discuss details."

"When can I give you my decision?"

"We realize this is a rather important choice for you to make Ms. Granger, so we expect an answer in about a week?"

"Thanks so much, I'll be in touch."

"Good day." There was a click on the line, and I hung up.

I had just been offered a job. A good job. A very good job. In America. In another country. In another continent. In another hemisphere! I would miss everyone. But I could get away from him…. How long could it be for? A year? Two or three at the most?

Of course, I would miss everyone… but… this was my chance to start over. I could be around people who didn't know about her past, who didn't know about Fred and the Breakup…

As if on cue, I heard a familiar pop. I turned around to see Ron and Harry.

"Mione, what are you doing! It's Christmas! I don't give a damn if my jackass brother is an idiot! You don't spend holidays alone!" cried Ron, as he and Harry ran up to me and hugged me.

"Mione, I am so sorry. Are you okay? Do you want us to pummel him?" Harry asked, completely serious.

"No, guys. I'm fine. Really. But there is something I need to tell you." I was glad I had their support. Maybe a break from everyone would be nice. I could always come and visit.

They looked at me questioningly.

"I'm moving to America."

A few seconds of silence and then:

"…moving!"

"….because of Fred!"

"…can't go…!"

"...when did this…!"

"…how long?"

"Why?"

"You guys, calm down. One at a time. Yes, Ron, moving. No Harry, not because of Fred. Why can't I go Ron? This is a great opportunity for me. Some lady from locationing called a bit ago, Harry. I don't know how long yet Ron, I meeting her soon to get details. I need to do this. I just got offered a great position in the American Ministry. Can you imagine how that will look on my resumé? Working for a foreign ministry?"

The boys sighed.

"Mione, you can't go. We'll miss you. There's no telling how long this could be for."

"Harry, I promise you, if it's over three years, I won't take it."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"Okay…"

/2/

After breaking the news to everyone, my parents, Harry and Ron, and my two other best friends, George and Ginny, not to mention all the most of the other Weasley's, there was only one person left to tell.

Fred.

Dammit Fred! I knew I couldn't leave without telling him. Sure, he broke my heart, but he deserved to know I was leaving.

I decided I would go to pick up my stuff, return his key and break the news. I would go tonight.

I apparated outside of his apartment building and made my way upstairs. I got to his floor, and it was like I was working on autopilot. I didn't knock on the door; I put my key in the hole and let myself in. If my mind hadn't have been so clouded I would have realized that probably wasn't the smartest thing. We weren't together anymore, and I was letting myself in? That was the whole reason I hadn't just apparated! I should have knocked….

What did I see when I walked in? Fred and his ex-girlfriend Sarah Somers were kissing. I didn't have a right to be angry, we were broken up. But that didn't stop my heart from re-breaking. Apparently, they finally noticed someone in the doorway.

Fred looked at me. "Mione! Wait—"

I pretended seeing him making out with his Ex didn't phase me.

"Oh, Fred. I just came to give you back your key. I'll just set it on the counter." I quickly set the key on his counter, and apparated out very fast.

/2/

What kills me is that she didn't see what she thought she saw. I didn't kiss Sarah. Okay, so I kissed her. But I didn't kiss her willingly. And that's what's important.

I had spent the day around the house. I had just started writing a letter to Mione (maybe she'd read this one!) when there was a knock on my door. I got up to answer it.

I had only just unlocked the door when the familiar face of my ex-girlfriend, Sarah Somers pushed her way through my door.

"Freddie!" Oh, Merlin. I hate that nickname. "I owled you ages ago, but you never wrote back! Didn't you get my message?" Yes, I got it. Just a load of bull apology about how she never should have cheated on me, and how she missed me. Why reply to that?

"No, Sarah, I didn't get any letter. Now, would you please leave?" I sighed. That was another reason we had broken up. She was rather annoying.

"Oh, silly Fred! I knew you missed me! There is your sense of humor! Now, can I have a hug?"

I was about to say no, when she wrapped her arms around me. I was trying to push her off, but she took it the wrong way and kissed me. I was about to push her off when the door opened. She got distracted, and I could finally push her away and see who was at the door.

Oh, Merlin must hate me. Standing there, hurt and shock in her eyes, was Hermione.

"Mione! Wait—"

"Oh, Fred. I just came to give you back your key. I'll just set it on the counter." She put the key down and apparated out so quickly I didn't even have time to blink.

"Oh, Freddie. She's gone. Where were we?" Sarah giggled.

"Sarah, we are over. We've been over for two years. We dated for… what? Three months? You couldn't even stay faithful for three months? I don't even know you. We dated two years ago. I don't want you back in my life. Leave." For the second time this month, a girl's eyes filled with hurt at my words. However, this time, I didn't care at all.

/2/

After I left Fred's, I was a bit shaken, so I went to George and Emily's apartment. Since Fred and I had been dating, the pair had become my best friends after Ron and Harry.

When I got to the door, I knocked. Emily answered.

"Hey Mione! Came for one last visit before you leave tomorrow? Come in!" I smiled; Emily was still as enthusiastic as always.

"So what did you do today? Lot's of packing I suppose?"

"Actually, no. I'll just magic everything to my suitcases tomorrow. I… actually… I went to see Fred. He doesn't know about America…"

Emily frowned. "Oh, so you told him? How'd he take it?"

"Well… um… I didn't get around to telling him. See… when I got there…" My eyes began filling with tears. "He was a bit… occupied." Emily looked at her skeptically.

"Who was occupied?" George had just walked in.

"Oh… Uh…" I had not been prepared to tell George. He was one of her my friends, but he also looked almost exactly like he who had just re-broken my heart.

"Come on. What happened?"

I sighed. Best get it over with. "Fred was making out with Sarah."

George's eyes grew wide. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "You know, I'm not feeling so well anymore. I'm pretty tired. I have to be up early tomorrow." I was determined not to let the tears fall. Not now. Not in front of them.

George and Emily looked at me, sadness dotting their eyes.

"We'll come see you off tomorrow morning…" George said.

"Yes, we'll come around noon, okay?" Emily asked.

"Okay guys. Thanks. Night." With that, I apparated out.

Once I got inside my flat, I headed for the bedroom. I had almost made it; I had almost held the tears, when one finally succeeded at falling I slid down the wall, and fell to the ground, crying uncontrollably. We're really over.

The next morning, Harry, Ginny, Ron, George, and Emily saw me off. There were tears and hugs and kisses. I promised I would be back.

I would take an authorized Portkey to Chicago. Why was the U.S. Ministry in Chicago? I had no idea. It wasn't even the capital! Oh, well.

/2/

As they watched Hermione disappear, all five were silently cursing Fred. Why had he been such an idiot? If he hadn't have been such a git, Hermione wouldn't have left. They probably wouldn't see her again for another two or three years. That is, unless she came back for the holidays. Which all of them highly doubted.

They all took one last look at the apartment around them, before putting Hermione's key on the counter, like the Super had asked.

/2/

Fred had gone to Sunday evening dinner, very upset. He didn't want to go, but he had to. He had to tell everyone what had happened to him. He had to ask if anyone had spoken to Hermione.

He got there to find the mood very somber.

"What's wrong?" Everyone simply glared at him. Finally, Harry spoke up.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? Everything. And everything is your fault."

Fred looked at them all confused. "What the bloody hell is going on?"

Emily, a normally calm person, glared at him. "YOU. You drove Mione away. She's gone. She's GONE. She went off to America."

The words were running through his head. She's gone. She's GONE. She's gone. Why didn't she tell him?

He stared at them all, very shocked. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"You git. She was going to. But then, once she's at your flat, what are you doing? Snogging some girl who cheated on you!" Ginny yelled.

She had left him. His family and close friends thought he had chased her away. Which, he thought, in a way he had. He had broken her heart. If they were still together, she wouldn't have accepted the job.

And now, he was being attacked by all of her loved ones. No one was helping him. Not even his twin. He had always, always had someone backing him when Mione had been around. For the first time ever, he was truly alone.

/2/

I hate this chapter. I really do. I hope you guys at least enjoyed it. Also, the POV error has been fixed. Yay!

Love,

Monica