Moving Forward

by JuliettKilo

The losses and traumas of war left their marks on everyone. Although their experiences differ, Hermione Granger and George Weasley built a friendship from the after effects. Some days moving on is easy, and others it seems impossible. But as long as they keep moving forward, the easy days become more frequent. Sequel to Left Behind

1. Chapter 1

"George, I'm back! Do be wearing clothes this time," Hermione called out as she walked into the apartment with her hands over her eyes.

"Don't fret, Hermione my dear. Oliver went home an hour ago. How was the date with Viktor?" George looked up from his book to greet Hermione as she entered the room.

"It was not a date, merely dinner with a friend," she stated heatedly. George just raised an eyebrow at her in challenge. "Alright, dinner with a friend that may have ended with us naked in bed. Oh! Here are your tickets for the game this weekend. Are you taking Ang or Ollie?"

"Ang. Oliver has an away game at the same time. That's why he didn't stay the night. Come sit and tell me all about the not date while I make some tea."

They quickly settled into a comfortable evening of catching up after a busy week before heading to bed. Hermione never would have imagined that George would end up as her best friend. When she first offered to help rebuild the shop after the war, she did it as an empathetic but casual friend. That changed the more time she spent at the shop and being present. His help and subsequent support dealing with the fall out of reestablishing her existence in her parents' minds solidified their growing friendship.

After they returned from Australia, Hermione moved in. Each broken but healing slowly from the war and losses, they connected on a deep level. It was a comfortable relationship during the day to day. But it proved its strength during the harder days. There was no judgement when one spent several days in bed, barely existing. Nor when the other fell into despair at random. Hermione and George supported each other through the highs and the lows with compassion and empathy.

Most of their friends and family didn't fully get how they worked so well together, but all who watched them interact knew they did. George's lighthearted personality pulled Hermione out of her own head when she obsessed or allowed her anxiety to overtake her. And she provided a grounding force when George spiraled too deeply into his depression. They were strongest together, processing their traumas and moving forward.