I don't own the characters or setting, they belong to JKR :)


A month passed and the two had found a rhythm. They had yet to kiss again, but occasionally when Hermione woke screaming from nightmares she fell back asleep pressed against his chest. They moved Fred back into the flat, and Hermione found that living with the twins was much better than living with Harry and Ron. The twins cared about her wellbeing, made sure she ate, they worked together with her on projects from the store, and knew that when she was reading to give her a quiet space. She was actually enjoying it. They had yet to have another appointment, but had been working a lot on their link. They could now comfortably stand across the room from each other, it was draining and took focus, but they were very pleased with how far they had come. They still held hands, especially at home, because that was the only way their magic was at its strongest. They didn't tell the family about their progress, not wanting to get anyone's hopes up. The only one who knew was Fred.

Hermione stood beside George in their kitchen, making dinner for the night. Fred had gone out for the weekend, having reunited with Angelina Johnson from school. Hermione was happy for him, he seemed to be happier, healthier since the accident. Everyone was moving on with their lives.

"I heard from Ginny that Harry and Ron are moving along in their Auror training" Hermione said to George as she cut up carrots. George nodded to her, indicating he was listening.

"I heard from Dad that Ron was coming home drunk more and more, I feel bad for the guy. He isn't getting the help he needs" He frowned. Hermione gave him a sad smile. She knew what it was like to be plagued by nightmares and memories from the war. The conversation dulled, and they finished the stew they were making it, set to boil. They sat at the kitchen table, hands together once again.

"Should we go over tomorrow for dinner? I'm a little nervous about seeing your family again" Hermione admitted and George rubbed his head.

"Up to you really, I wouldn't be mad if we didn't" He said with a smile and she nodded.

"I'll think about it then" They ate in silence as the night drew to a close again. Tonight was shower night, and now that they could separate farther, they would take turns waiting outside the bathroom for each other to be done. Hermione smiled at George as she slipped into the washroom first. The magic surged around her and she smiled, quickly undressing and getting into the warm water. She was washing her hair when she first heard the yelling.

"George? What's happening?" Hermione yelled through the door. Suddenly there was a loud bang and the door swung open, revealing a different redhead. Hermione yelped, grabbing her towel quickly, stepping into the room.

"Ron what the hell? Get out! Where's George?" Hermione grabbed her wand and that's when she noticed the smell of alcohol in the air.

"Why don you love me 'Mione? I love you" He slurred his words, and she sucked in a breath, suddenly scared about where this situation was leading. He staggered towards her and she raised her wand arm.

"Ron please" She whispered, and before she could react he grabbed her face in his hands, pushing his lips into hers. She gasped in surprise and he used that moment to stick his tongue into her mouth. She fought him off of her, and he staggered back, panting. Her eyes were dark with desire and Hermione raised her wand again. He knocked it from her hands and pushed her back against the shower door. His hands grabbed at the thin towel, and she pleaded with him to get off of her. The towel fell down exposing her breasts and he sucked in a breath. She raised her arm to cover herself and he clawed at it, trying to get access to her chest. Suddenly magic surged through her hand and Ron was yanked off of her and onto the floor. George was on top of him in seconds, hitting him over and over again, blood flying everywhere. Hermione was sobbing, yanking the ripped towel up over her exposed chest before pulling George off of his brother.

"George please, please" She repeated over and over, and finally he stumbled back, taking her in his arms.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Look at me" He grabbed her face, wiping the tears away. She was shaking. She shook her head slightly and met his gaze.

"I am okay I think, just shaken… He- he-" She stuttered and George shushed her, quickly pulling out his want, sending a patronus to Fred. Then he turned back to Hermione.

"You still have soap in your hair" He said with a sad smile, she hadn't even realized that she hadn't rinsed her hair before being interrupted. Suddenly there was a loud pop and Fred came running in from the hall. He took one look at Ron on the floor, and Hermione in a towel before his eyes went wide. She could feel the energy in the room shift to anger.

"What did he do?" Fred ground out and George just shook his head.

"Fred, can you take him back to the Burrow please? Or anywhere other than here I don't care" He frowned and Fred nodded, grabbing Ron and disappearing with a pop. George turned back to Hermione.

"Want to finish your shower? You still have soap…" He said again and her eyes went wide, fear rising in her chest. What if Ron came back? George felt her panic through the link and gave her a reassuring smile.

"I can stand in here if you want? I'll close my eyes…" He insisted and she thought about it. What she needed was to be held tightly, but she didn't tell him that. She just nodded her head and he turned away.

She started the water again and climbed into the shower. George stayed outside the glass door, facing away from her to give her privacy. Panic rose in her throat. It was like she was drowning. George could feel the panic in the link and he turned slightly. Hermione covered herself.

"I'm sorry, I just- what can I do?" He asked, over the sound of the water. Hermione froze and before thinking she asked what she had wanted more than anything in that moment.

"Can you come in?" George froze, eyes wide. Slowly he nodded, locking the bathroom door to show her that there was another reason she could feel safer. He slowly slipped off his clothes, but left his boxers on, which she was grateful for. She felt like she would explode from embarrassment, being completely naked in front of a boy she secretly pined for. Her back was to him, covering the most important parts and she felt him stand behind her, not quite touching. She started rinsing her hair, her hands shaking. Her mind was racing about what had just happened with Ron. When he had turned into that monster. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Suddenly hands were in her hair and she let out a small scream. George was suddenly close behind her.

"Sorry, sorry I didn't mean to scare you, I just- your hands were shaking" He said, his eyes sincere. She turned her back to him again, as his hands worked their way through her hair. This was another line they were crossing. This felt almost more intimate than the kiss they had shared months ago. Heat rose to her cheeks and she felt herself shudder. His hands danced along her scalp and she felt a pang below her waist. No one had touched her like this before, and even though she was still on edge over the Ron situation, she felt herself welcoming the feeling. She turned towards him suddenly, his hands still wrapped in her hair, and met his eyes. The blue was dark, swirling with intensity. She tried to hide the embarrassment that rose in her chest as he looked down at her naked form, putting on her best brave face. The look on his face made her release a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"Hermione" He breathed, stepping closer to her. She sucked in a breath as her back hit the wall of the shower. She made the first move, bringing her hand up to touch his chest, magic sparking from beneath her fingertips. He cupped her face in his hand, his eyes suddenly soft.

"Not tonight" He whispered, and she nodded after a moment, she knew he was right, but her heart ached at the rejection. He noticed it and quickly dipped down to kiss her. She breathed him in, and then he pulled back, too soon.

"Not that I don't want to, because believe me I do, Merlin you're gorgeous, but not after what just… not after Ron" He finished, a sad smile on his face. She let out a breath she'd been holding and they exited the shower.

"Thank you, George" She whispered as he wrapped a towel around her, and then himself. They brushed their teeth, and Hermione put her hair up into a bun, before emerging into the hallway. They heard dishes in the kitchen, but headed to George's room to get changed before figuring out the source. Hermione had a shy smile on her face, then she turned her back to him as she changed into sweatpants and a shirt. She felt his eyes on her the whole time, and a blush lit up her face.

"George, what do you think Fred did with Ron.." She asked after he had finished getting dressed. He was shirtless, wearing another pair of grey sweatpants. She fought to keep her cheeks from going warm. He was clearly comfortable around her.

"Let's go find out" He sighed, running a hand through his wet hair. He grabbed her hand, and she felt his magic return to her. She realized that she liked the feeling of being connected to him. She liked everything about him. They travelled into the kitchen to see Fred lifting the kettle from the stove. He poured them each a cup, and they sat down at the table. Hermione spoke first.

"Fred I'm sorry we had to pull you away from your date" She said, with a frown. He shook his head quickly.

"Hermione please, I would have come sooner if I had known what was happening. Are you okay?" He asked, his face filled with concern. She smiled at her friend, relieved to have such amazing friends in her life.

"I am okay, just a little startled… He uh- he got a little handsy" She ran a hand down her face and she felt George flinch beside her. Fred shared a look with George and the two stood up. Hermione looked up in surprise.

"I just need to talk to Fred for a moment, we'll be right around the corner, close enough that the connection should be fine" He reassured her and she nodded, a frown on her face. They walked into the hall and talked in hushed voices. Hermione could tell that they were angry. George's magic was intense through the connection, even so far away from her. She felt herself start to sway, exhausted from the lack of contact through the connection. They had been testing their limits all day and she felt drained. They came back into the room, and George grabbed Hermione's shoulders before she slipped to the floor.

"We're going to head to bed Freddy, thanks again for tonight" George said, half carrying Hermione to his room. He helped her down onto the bed and watched as she slid her pants down her legs. He released her hand to grab a shirt from his chest. He handed it to her and grabbed her hand again. She smiled at him weakly and then slipped it over her head. Once it was on she slipped her bra off and then slid back on the bed. The events from the day were dancing in her head, overwhelming. She felt George lay on his bed and she turned to face him.

"George, do you- can we-" She stuttered, raising her arms towards him. He stood up, pushed their beds together and laid back down, taking her in his arms. Her head was on his chest and his arms were wrapped around her small frame. This was the first night she didn't wake up from nightmares.