Chapter Nineteen - Confrontation

The next few weeks they were incredibly happy and content, so much so that people started to forget the traumas they both experienced. As March drew to a close, however, Fred's behavior began to shift. His moods became unpredictable. He would grow quiet and withdrawn or snap for no apparent reason.

Everyone realized this was because April 1st was approaching - his birthday - the first one he would face without his twin. His loved ones understood but also struggled with how best to handle the situation.

As the date grew closer things grew progressively worse. Conditions grew so tense at the shop that Verity finally sent an owl to Hermione, asking if she could intervene before the rest of the staff staged a mutiny.


That Friday afternoon Hermione arrived at the shop as soon as she was able. Verity met her at the door and almost tackled her in a bear hug. "Thank Merlin! We love him but we're ready to kill him!"

Hermione smiled at this unexpected display from the normally quiet girl. "That bad, huh?"

Verity released her hold and nodded. Hermione sighed. She had hoped things would have improved. The prior weekend the situation had deteriorated to the point where she had packed up and went back to school early and it was unclear whether Fred had either noticed or cared. He had not responded to any of her owls since then.

"I was afraid of that. He hasn't been answering my letters and according to Ginny he got quite cross with Molly earlier this week."

Verity rolled her eyes. "You'd be hard pressed to find someone he hasn't been quite cross with recently."

Hermione squared her shoulders and looked around. "Right then. Where can I find him?"

Verity gestured towards the door to the lab. "Down there. Good luck. You'll need it."

Hermione's fingers trembled slightly as she took hold of the door knob. "Thanks." She tried to mentally prepare herself before descending into the lab. Fred was bent over a small cauldron, concentrating on the items in front of him.

"Hello..." Hermione tried to keep her tone light. "What are you up to?"

Fred grunted, not looking up. "Working on something."

Hermione waited but there was no other response. "Can I tempt you into a break? Maybe something to eat?"

Fred stared at the work in front of him. "Busy right now."

Hermione nodded. "I see. I can come back later if you like."

Fred abruptly cut her off. "What I would like is to be left alone so I can get some work done, thank you very much."

Hermione paused to collect herself. "Okay. Would you want to have dinner later then?"

Fred growled. "What part of being left alone do people have such a hard time understanding? The concept isn't incredibly difficult."

Hermione closed her eyes and fought for composure. This was not starting well. She spoke softly. "Fred, listen. We all understand how difficult a time is for you. I know it is incredibly painful losing someone as close as George..."

Fred spun around and snarled. "What do you know about losing someone close? It's not like you've ever had much of a family to lose."

Hermione recoiled as if she had been slapped. Their gaze met just long enough for him to register the pain in her eyes before she turned and raced back up the stairs. He stood frozen in place while his brain tried to process what he had just done. It took several moments before he muttered, "Damn it!" and charged up the steps after her, calling out her name.

By the time he reached the shop floor Hermione was nowhere in sight. He threw open the front door and looked around trying to determine which way she had gone. He turned to see if Verity could give him any assistance and was taken aback by the absolutely withering glare she gave him before stomping away.

Fred paused then took off towards the Leaky Cauldron, hoping that was the direction Hermione had taken.

As it happened, Harry was walking towards the shop that afternoon. He was on the other side of the street and as he neared the store he was surprised to witness Hermione burst out of the door in obvious distress. Moments later he heard Fred's voice calling for her. Harry saw her dart into the alley beside the shop, dropping down so she could not be seen from the street.

He waited until Fred had dashed down the sidewalk and turned the corner before crossing over and entering the alley. He found his friend in tears, crouched behind a rubbish bin. "Hermione? Bloody Hell! What did he do to you?" Harry pulled her to her feet. He fought the urge to chase after Fred and pummel him.

Hermione wiped her face. "It's not his fault. It's just..." In the distance they heard Fred's voice, still shouting her name. Hermione looked at Harry and shook her head. "I-I can't right now."

Harry nodded and pulled her further along the back of the store. "Come on. Follow me."

He led her through a complex maze of back alleys until they reached a side entrance to the Leaky Cauldron with a narrow staircase that lead into a short hallway that appeared completely empty. He walked in a few feet and turned towards a blank wall. He took his wand and murmured a few words. A door materialized and Harry ushered her inside.

"There you are. Home sweet home."

She glanced around the simple rooms. "But I thought you were staying at the Burrow?"

He nodded. "Mostly. But occasionally I need a little time alone. Besides you'd be surprised how many people still want to pop up and try to interview "the boy who lived" so Hannah was kind enough to let me take over this space and place the concealment charm on it. Makes a nice get away when things get out of hand."

He gestured towards the sofa. She curled up on one end and Harry plopped down on the other. "So - want to tell me what that was all about?"

She pulled a pillow onto her lap and stared at the ceiling for a while as the tears returned and she spilled her heart out to her oldest friend. They talked for a long time before he reached over and gave her a bear hug.

"Right. So you are going to stay here and I am going to have a chat with Fred."

Hermione began to protest. Harry held up a hand. "No. Trust me on this, Hermione. There are some things that he needs to hear and I am uniquely qualified to be the one to say them. Or have you forgotten how beautifully I behave when I've suffered a loss?"

Hermione started to say something else. Harry shook his head. "Please, Hermione. I promise I won't hurt him...much. I just want him to understand a few things. Okay?"

Hermione recognized the look on her friend's face. There would be no talking him out of this course of action. She pulled the pillow tightly to her chest. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." He paused. "If I can get through to him and he asks to see you, would that be okay?"

She thought for a moment. "I-I suppose."

Harry smiled at his best mate before leaving the room and replacing the concealment charm. Once she could no longer see him, his expression changed and he marched down the stairs and towards the shop.

Minutes later Harry entered the store and approached Verity. He cut straight to the point. "Where is he?"

Verity gestured upstairs. "Been up there for a while. Had a row with Hermione - but I guess you know that part?" As Harry started up the stairs, Verity called after him. "If there is any bloodshed please keep it in the flat. Anyplace else and I'm responsible for cleaning it up."

Harry approached the flat and banged on the door. "Fred, it's Harry. Let me in."

There was no answer. He tried once more. Still no response. Taking a deep breath, he apparated inside.

Fred was sitting at the kitchen table with a half empty glass of Firewhiskey in front of him. He jumped at the appearance of Harry in his living room.

"Merlin's...! What the hell, Harry? Forgotten our manners, have we?"

Harry snatched the glass and bottle from the table, stormed into the kitchen and poured both down the sink. Fred began to rise from his chair. "Oi! What gives you the right..."

Harry spun around and forcefully pushed Fred back down into his seat. He grabbed Fred's collar, leaned in and hissed, "You gave up any right to manners from me, mate, the second you made Hermione cry."

Fred turned pale and then pouted. "Ran right off to find you, did she?"

Harry gave him a shove. "Didn't have to. I was standing across the street when she came flying out of the store looking like someone had just wrecked her world." He paused. "Thankfully there was someone there to keep her from getting hurt as she ran blindly off trying to get away from you."

Fred slumped back in his chair. "I know. It's just she wasn't going to let it go..."

Harry snapped back, "Of course she wasn't going to let it go! This is Hermione Granger we're talking about! You have met her, haven't you? So high, brown eyes, bushy hair, for reasons that are growing foggier by the minute, is absolutely besotted with you?"

Harry gripped the back of a chair. "Listen, Fred. I get it. Really - better than most people, I get it. I am the Chairman of the 'Acting Like an Arse when I am in Pain' Club." He gave a tight smile. "Your younger brother is co-chair, by the way."

He continued. "So Hermione is used to dealing with complete and utter prats when they are hurting. However, when you start going on about her not understanding the loss of family..." Harry closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. "You crossed a line there that I will not let stand."

He proceeded to glare at Fred. "Do you have any idea what she sacrificed? Do you have any concept of how she agonized over the decision to obliviate her parents to try and save their lives? The sleepless nights worrying about whether she would be able to undo what she had done? Do you?!"

Fred looked perplexed. "But everything was fine. She was able to restore everything, wasn't she?"

Something inside Harry broke. He slammed his fists on the table and roared, "SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT!" The force of Harry's anger almost blew Fred off his chair.

Harry kept on shouting. "She poured over dozens of books beforehand and all she knew was that the longer the spell was in place the more difficult it would be to reverse! The best odds she could find were 50/50 and even then the chances of them remembering everything were slim. And yet she risked it because it was the best way to protect them!"

His hands were balled into fists. "Did you ever stop to think about what that would have felt like? Standing behind your own parents, casting that spell, watching as every single reminder of you disappeared, seeing yourself fade from every photo?"

His knuckles began to whiten. "I've never had the heart to ask her if any of that got restored because if not that means there is no record of Hermione's existence before she stepped onto that train to Hogwarts two weeks before her twelfth birthday."

He stood staring at Fred. "And she knew exactly the kind of situation she might be creating. We were at St. Mungo's and saw Neville with his parents. She witnessed what it was like for a parent to look at their child and have no idea who they were. She knew that could be her - giving up the ONLY family she had - and she did it anyway, because she put their welfare above her own. That is the kind of person she is."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I mean, I know it must be a foreign concept for a Weasley - the idea that you might be left with NO family whatsoever - but it is a reality some of us live with every day."

He took a step towards Fred. "Which is why some of us take the 'chosen' families that we have so seriously. Hermione and I may not share a bloodline but she is every bit as much my sister as Ginny is yours."

Harry shook his head. "Did she ever tell you about that day - the day of the battle? How right before I left to face Voldemort in the forest that she offered to go with me?" He fought back a tear. "She knew - she knew that it would mean not only watching them kill me but her certain death as well but she still wanted to go with me just do I wouldn't have to die alone."

Harry struggled to keep his emotions under control. "Most of us that have lost loved ones had no say in the matter - me, Neville, you, Teddy - we were given no choice. Hermione did and she always chose to do what was right instead of what was easy."

Harry pulled out a chair and sat across from Fred. "I'm not downplaying your loss, mate. I can't imagine how it feels to lose someone as close as George. But don't you think for one bloody minute that you have somehow cornered the market on pain. And don't you EVER try to tell Hermione that she doesn't understand losing family. She understands it more than you ever will because she was willing to give up all she had."

He leaned in and lowered his tone. "I'm gonna let you in on something, Fred. Something I know first-hand. The dead are not really gone. They are aware of us and what we are doing. George can see you. Don't disrespect him by acting like an idiot and then blaming it on his memory."

He leaned back and looked at the ceiling. "You know, Dumbledore once told me, 'Do not pity the dead. Pity the living and above all, pity those who live without love.' " He returned his gaze to Fred. "So many people love you, Fred, but none more so than Hermione. Don't you ever forget that or take it for granted. She doesn't deserve that. Not after what she has gone through."

Fred sat shaking and staring at the table. When he finally looked up he appeared ill. "I've really messed up this time, haven't I?" he whispered.

Harry looked him directly in the eye. "Yes. Yes, you have."

Fred swallowed hard and ran his hands through his hair. "How do I fix it?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know, mate. That's something you need to figure out on your own. I would think that apologizing for being a complete arse would be a start."

Fred leaned forward. "Where is she, Harry? Can I see her? Please?"

Harry tapped his fingers on the table for a moment. "I can take you there but it will be up to her whether you get in the door or not. I'm not going to force her to talk to you. Got it?"

"Got it," Fred readily agreed. There was a loud crack and seconds later they were in the hall outside of Harry's flat. Harry removed the concealment charm and Fred waited in the hallway for what felt like an eternity.

Finally Harry appeared again. He stood for a moment before opening the door. As Fred entered, Harry placed a hand on his chest and spoke in a low voice. "I'm going to be right outside. Upset her again and our next conversation will not be nearly as pleasant as the first. Understand?"

Fred nodded. Harry moved aside and watched as Fred stepped into the room before closing the door softly behind him. Hermione was sitting on the window seat, staring out on the alley below through red, watery eyes. She did not turn as Fred crossed the room. He pulled a chair over and sat very near her. He tentatively reached out and took one of her hands into his own. She did not react but she also did not pull away. He decided that was a good start.

He cleared his throat. "Hermione? Luv, I am so sorry. My behavior has been inexcusable and I know it."

She continued to stare out the window. He took a deep breath. "I would like to offer an explanation."

He noticed her body tense up. He quickly added, "Not an excuse. I don't have any of those. But after listening to Harry, I think I may now understand why I have been acting so bloody stupid, especially towards you."

He began to rub his thumb gently over her hand. "It's like Charlie and one of his dragons."

She glanced briefly at him and then back to the window. He proceeded. "You see, the first year that Charlie was in Romania he came into possession of an abandoned dragon's egg. He tended it and was there when it hatched. Kind of like Hagrid did with Norbert, remember?"

He paused and observed a slight nod from Hermione.

"So Charlie raised this dragon from the time it was born. They became incredibly close. No one could get near this creature except for Charlie. They shared a truly special bond. Until one day the dragon got badly injured. It was in a lot of pain and when Charlie tried to bandage the wounds the dragon lashed out and Charlie got severely burned. It took a long time for him to recover and it left a nasty scar on his arm."

Fred shook his head at the memory. "Mum had a fit, of course, and wondered why they didn't put the animal down. Charlie explained to her that the dragon was in pain and, without thinking, it attacked the person that was closest to it - the person it cared for the most, the person it normally would have died to protect."

Fred gently raised her hand to his lips. "I lashed out at you because I was in pain and you were the one closest to me, Hermione. You didn't deserve it and I shouldn't have done it. I know that I hurt you and it kills me to think that my stupidity may have destroyed the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am here to beg you to at least consider the possibility of forgiving me and letting me start trying to make amends."

Hermione continued to stare out the window as a tear streamed down her cheek. Fred gulped and decided to go all in. He laid his head in her lap, closed his eyes and whispered, "Please, luv. I am begging you. Please let me try and make this right."

There was a long pause then he felt her hand run through his hair. He exhaled a tentative sigh of relief. She leaned forward and Fred's breath caught in his chest as she pressed her lips to his forehead. She pulled him towards her and they embraced.

Harry gazed up at the window from the alley then smiled as he kicked a can out of his way. It seemed he would be staying at the Burrow that night.