A/N: I know it has been way too long since I posted a new chapter, and I am so sorry. But I really like how this one turned out, and I hope you do too. Warning: there are multiple time jumps in this chapter, but you should get it pretty easily. :) hopefully the next chapter won't take so long. Much Love- Bookworm

Like Ginny had said, Fred was at the funeral the next day. He had immediately walked over to where Hermione had been with Harry and Ron, and drew her into a tight hug. She had cried so much the last couple days, she didn't think that she would ever cry again. Even now, when she had reason and opportunity, she only closed her eyes and relaxed into his hold.

"Fred." She muttered, and he brought a hand up to the back of her head as he kissed her cheek.

"I know." He whispered to her. After a few moments, he slowly took a step back and gazed into her eyes. "Are you okay?" He asked softly, and she shook her head.

"No…" She said, and he nodded.

"Sit next to me?" He asked as people began to move toward their seats. She nodded, and he led her by the hand to where Harry, Ron, and Ginny had settled. She instinctively reached out and gripped Harry's hand, and he gave her a thankful glance. That was how she sat for the duration of the funeral, holding onto both Fred and Harry as the small Ministry official spoke in front of the crowd.

She stood with the rest of the crowd when the centaurs launched their arrows, and the funeral came to an end. Fred stayed with her, just standing in between chairs as everyone made their way back inside the castle. He had his arm slung around her, and when she finally looked up at him, he had tear tracks running down his face. He wasn't crying now, his face was hard, he looked angry.

"Fred?" She asked softly, and he looked down at her.

"Never thought he would die… He was the only thing that kept everyone safe." He said. "He's dead." He repeated, taking a deep breath and looking over the chairs to the marble tomb that now decorated the grounds.

"Things are going to change." She said, and he nodded.

"I think they already have." He muttered. "Should we go back to the castle?" He asked, and she nodded. They walked together, hand in hand, back up to the castle and into the Great Hall where everyone had congregated. They easily found the group of Weasleys, and sat down with them. As soon as they sat, Molly reached across the table and grasped Hermione's hand.

"Are you alright dear?" She asked, and Hermione nodded. She could be honest with Fred, but she couldn't tell Molly that she thought the world was falling apart, and she knew that it would be up to Harry, Ron, and herself to put it back together.

Fred stayed by her side up until the moment that he and George had to go back to Diagon Alley. She walked them to the Entrance Hall, and Fred waved at George to go outside. He looked at her for a moment before pulling her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck, his own arms tight around her waist. She took in a deep breath, taking in the smell of him.

"I love you." He said, and she smiled at him. He gently kissed her lips, keeping it short.

"Fred…" She started, knowing that they shouldn't be acting like a couple if they weren't one.

"I know." He sighed. "I just wanted to say it." She smiled and shook her head a little."

"I… Love you." She said back to him. "And you need to get going, you've kept George waiting long enough. "I'll be at The Burrow soon. I'm going to get mum and dad to go into hiding." She said, and his brow furrowed for a moment before he nodded.

"I'll see you soon." He said, and she smiled. He sighed and turned, leaving her standing in the Entrance Hall. She had her arms wrapped around herself, staring at the large doors in front of her, when Harry walked up to her and touched her shoulder. She jumped a little, and turned to look at Harry, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Hermione, we have to go get everything packed." He said, and she nodded before following Harry up the staircase.

The train ride home that year was different, especially because Hermione knew that she wouldn't be returning on it on September First. Harry, Ron, and herself had all come to the decision already. After the wedding, they would go on the hunt for Horcruxes. Harry had tried to put up a fight about it, told Hermione and Ron that they would be better off going back to Hogwarts. Hermione knew that he was wrong though. Voldemort would surely take over the school, and it was no secret that Hermione and Ron were close with The Boy Who Lived. Not to mention, Hermione was a mudblood. All three of them were quiet on the train back, they didn't speak to eachother at all. Hermione tried to read, but it was really just her staring at one page, just staring at the letters on the page. Crookshanks was curled up on her lap, and she stroked him absentmindedly with one hand. When they reached the platform, Hermione quickly scanned the crowd and found her parents. She turned and hugged both Harry and Ron tightly, whispering to each of them that they would see her soon. She faced her parents, and slowly left the station with them, wondering how she would convince them to run away from England.

"Obliviate." She whispered, her wand pointed at her parents. She twisted her wrist and bent her arm a little at the elbow, completing the spell. Her heart hurt. She didn't know that was possible. She had been hurt before, she had the scars to prove it. She had felt the sting of curses, the pain of heartbreak. She had felt pain, but this was almost unbearable.

She looked around the room and was in awe of the power magic held. Photographs of her were fading, leaving the backgrounds and an empty space. She knew that the same thing was happening in her parent's minds. She also knew that she had rebuilt their lives in their minds, or at least she hoped she had. She hiked her rucksack up onto her shoulder and slowly walked out of the house. She stood outside for a few minutes, letting the spell do it's work. When she was almost certain that it was finished, she waved her wand, changing the name on the post box. She then took a deep breath, lifted her hand, and knocked gently on the door.

"Hello dear. Can I help you?" Her mother asked, smiling gently. Hermione pulled a brochure out of her pocket and held it out.

"Hello, I am going door to door talking about real estate. Have you ever considered Australia?" She asked, knowing that Monica and Wendell had always dreamed of going there. "We have inexpensive real estate available now!" Hermione said, forcing a smile onto her face.

"Oh that's lovely! Thank you. Can I have that?" Her mother asked, and Hermione held it out to her. She then bid her a good day before turning and walking down the street to an alley. She leaned against a brick building, breathing deeply and fighting back tears. She knew this would be safer for them, but it didn't make it hurt any less. She let herself feel the pain for a minute before she took a deep breath and pushed off of the wall. She slowly pulled her wand out of her pocket and closed her eyes before she spun on the spot, apparating to the Burrow.

"He's going to be fine Fred." She reassured him. They were in his bedroom, they had just gotten Harry and had found out that George had lost an ear.

"Snape… Damn it…. Snape!" He yelled, shoving his hands through his hair. "He lost an ear… He could have lost his head." He said, pacing the room.

"But he didn't." She said softly.

"I know that!" He bellowed, turning to face her. Her brow furrowed and she bit her lip, knowing that he was upset and had a right to be upset. She slowly stood and walked up to him, and gently took his hands.

"I know that you are scared… and you're right. He could have lost his head, but he got lucky and we aren't losing him. Okay?" She asked. He stared at her for a minute before nodding.

"Yeah…" He said.

"And he obviously didn't get hit hard enough if he's making jokes about missing an ear." She said with a wink, making him laugh.

"We should go downstairs, I'm sure that mum almost has dinner ready." Fred told her. He led the way to the door and opened it for her, letting her down the stairs first. She made her way over to the couch, kneeling down next to George and taking his hand.

"Hi George." She said, and he peeled his eyes open to see her.

"Hey." He said, squeezing her hand.

"You look amazing." She said, one eyebrow raised as she looked at Fred. He turned and his mouth fell open comically.

"You look bloody brilliant." He replied, looking her over in her dress.

"Wish your aunt thought so. She told me that I have skinny ankles." She said, rolling her eyes as he laughed.

"My aunt is blind as a bat. Don't listen to that old witch." He said with a grin. He glanced over his shoulder to the opening of the large wedding tent and let out a sigh. "I have to go seat people. I'll save you one next to me." He told her, and she nodded.

She had never been to a wizard wedding, and she loved it. She had only been to a handful of muggle weddings, but this was by far the best wedding that she had ever attended. She had a glass of firewhisky in her hand, and was talking with George, when Fred joined them.

"Hello, love." He said, giving her a sloppy kiss on the cheek. She laughed and leaned into him, enjoying the moment. "Hello George." He said with a wide grin.

"Hey Fred." Hermione said sweetly. "Enjoying the party?" She asked, and he nodded as he finished his own glass of firewhisky.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked, giving her a dramatic bow and offering out his hand.

"Of course." She said, smiling and taking his hand in hers. They waltzed around the dance floor together, Fred holding her close against him. She was so happy, enjoying the moment.

"Fred, I love-" She started, but was cut off by a patronus sailing into the middle of the tent.

"The Ministry has fallen…. They are coming…" It said in the voice of Kingsley. Hermione looked at Fred, who scanned the room before spinning her around and pushing her toward Harry. She reached out and grabbed Harry's hand before she turned to look at Fred one more time.