It was a relief for the headmistress when Hermione told her who the ghost was, but when Filch heard the news his face went a pale green and threatened to quit. McGonagall spent two hours convincing him that Fred would behave himself and Hermione had to talk the Weasley spirit into agreeing to a truce. At the end of the day they discussed how he would come out to his family. Minerva wanted to send them a message straight away but Hermione thought it would be better for them to find out in person. Fred agreed with her and they sent an owl with a request that the entire family come to Hogwarts the day before the other students returned from holidays. It was quickly settled that the Weasleys and Harry would take the train to Hogsmeade and a carriage would bring them to the school.

Hermione was nervous about seeing everyone again. Since Ron broke up with her she hadn't seen any of them other than Ginny. At the same time she was glad to get to see Harry. The night before the reunion she dined with Minerva who told her that Madame Pomfrey would be returning at the same time and that they'd see her together for a potion to stop the nightmares. She didn't sleep well that night. Nervousness kept her awake thinking about what she was going to say to Ron and Molly. Would they be happy to see her or would they avoid her? Why hadn't Ron written to her since he broke up with her? She was still awake when the cat appeared at her window at 3:30 in the morning. She let it in and it looked disapproving. It curled up on her bed and she lay beside it, stroking its soft black fur until sleep took over.

The next morning the sun woke Hermione, its piercing light forcing its way between her eyelids. When she opened her eyes, squinting away she was confused. The window was on the other side of the room. For the light to reach her bed it must be past midday. The watch on her nightstand confirmed it. It was two thirty on Sunday afternoon. The Weasleys would be arriving at Hogsmeade station at three. Groggy, but now awake she rushed from her room with robes under her arms to the prefects' bathroom. After a quick bath she dressed and ran to the headmistress' tower. Professor McGonagall was pulling on the shimmering blue robe Hermione had made her when she entered the room.

"I thought you were going to be late, Miss Granger."

"I'm sorry, I overslept."

"I know."

Minerva adjusted her hat as she observed Hermione. She looked a fright- damp hair, shirt askew, baggy jeans ripped, blotchy faced and red eyed. The older woman pushed a wet strand of hair from Hermione's face and pointed her wand. "Close your eyes." Warmth blasted from the tip of it, quickly drying the girl's frizzy hair. When she lowered her wand, Minerva handed her a hair tie to tame the mane. "That's a little better, dear." They gazed at each other a moment before the elder turned suddenly and cleared her throat. "If you can fix your jeans then we can hurry down to the school's gates."

Hermione looked down at her knees where the denim had worn into holes. "Oh right." With a flick of her wand they looked new again and the two women walked quickly to the school's entrance.

They only just made it in time, the two thestral drawn carriages rocking as they arrived. The sight of the gruesome looking animals made Hermione nervous, but not as much as seeing Ron in the cab's square window. Unconsciously, one of her hands gripped Minerva's cloak. The blue flames tickled her arm and distracted her momentarily.

When they had come to a stop the doors opened and a sea of red headed Weasleys poured out. From the closest carriage came Molly, Arthur, Bill and Percy and the one a tad further away carried George, Ginny, Ron and at last, Harry. At the sight of him Hermione's anxieties crumbled and she rushed forward with a smile.

"Hermione!" Harry met her with a hug before the Weasley parents took turns embracing her. George ruffled her hair and she greeted the two older boys with a grin. Ron was the only one who lingered away from her, his hands in his pockets. Seeing that he wasn't going to come to her, Hermione stepped forward. He wasn't as scary as she had expected him to be- he was just the same silly boy he always had been. The only differences were his eyes lacking the sparkle that used to welcome her and his missing bright smile. She wondered what had happened to make him look at her with so much disdain. They hugged awkwardly. His arms were stiff and his body didn't warm her at all. She could still feel the winter's bite.

Everyone filed inside, brushing the snow from their hair. Minerva was in discussion with Mr and Mrs Weasley, so Hermione glued herself to Harry's side and listened to his description of life at Grimauld Place. Despite trying to pay attention, her eyes drifted towards Ron who was glaring at the ground as if it had insulted him personally. The group moved to the Great Hall where a single table was laden with coffee pots and cups, cookies and cake. The plan was to have everyone sitting and comfortable so McGonagall could reveal the news gracefully before Hermione brought Fred in (who was waiting outside).

That was the plan.

Things were going well. Everyone was glad to be there (although George occasionally stopped talking mid-sentence as if waiting for someone to finish them) and they were all curious as to why they had been invited. Molly had just asked for an explanation so Hermione rose at the same time as Minerva, and began to make her way to the door. She didn't make it more than ten steps when there was a sound like a small cannon and confetti burst from the ceiling. A banner declaring "Surprise" dropped behind the teachers' table and Fred swooped out from the wall above the door.

Ginny screamed. Percy and Ron both fell back out of their seats and George went pale. Hermione would say he looked as if he'd seen a ghost, but… well... Minerva was the only one who wasn't in shock as she covered her face with a hand, vexed.

"Fred?" Molly had stood to haul Ron up by the scruff and was staring, wide eyed at her dead son.

"Hi mum," was all he said.

Hermione quickly moved out of the way as Mrs Weasley stepped slowly closer. The rest of the family was on their feet now and following suit.

"You're okay?" Ron was beside Hermione now, but he didn't spare her a look.

"Oh ickle-Ronikins, do I look okay to you?"

Ron shook his head in disbelief. "You're dead."

"Really now, have you been hit with a bludger?"

Arthur put an arm around Molly who was weeping softly.

"No, don't cry, mum, I'm still here- you're supposed to be happy."

"You prick!" George spoke for the first time. "We all mourned you." His hands were balled at his side, white knuckled and shaking from anger.

Seeing he had messed up, Fred raised his opaque hands in surrender and spoke quickly in his own defence. "It's not my fault, mate. It took forever for me to figure out how to pull this together. And don't go throwing things either, Hermione already tried it."

At this point Hermione had begun to slink towards the back of the room. She didn't want to get in the way of a family matter. Only Harry and Minerva turned to see her leave. At the front of the room behind the headmaster's table was a smaller door that she opened quietly. Before exiting, she look back once at the reunited family. Fred must've made a joke because a couple of them laughed and someone cast a loud spell. The door closed with a loud creak.

Hermione sat in the light corridor on a bench facing the open window. From here she could see trees and mountains all covered in a soft white glean. It was peaceful. A couple of minutes passed before the door opened again. She turned to see Harry and stood to face him. He was taller than she remembered and had gotten a haircut, although it was as messy as ever. He slung an arm around her shoulders when he reached her and for a few moments they stood like that, looking out the window. After a while they began to talk softly. Hermione was hesitant to talk about herself at first, but Harry was familiar and their conversations were always comfortable, so she eventually relented to his prodding. Schoolwork, friends, Hogsmeade- he wanted to know everything she had been up to, but most importantly he wanted to know how she really was.

"I mean it when I say I'm fine, Harry. For a while I was really… sad. It was like I was living with a dementor, but in the past few weeks I've been okay almost. Min- Professor McGonagall has made me feel safer. She's been really great and taken good care of me." She tried to hide the smile growing on her face. She didn't want her friend to get the wrong idea. "I have been having these nightmares, though." Her face dropped again and when she turned, Harry was nodding.

"I get them too. Every night."

She hesitated before asking the next question. "Do you ever have them while you're awake?"

"Sort of. Sometimes when we're at Auror training I have flashbacks to Voldemort. Seeing Sirius and the others all over again."

Hermione wiped her face. "It's awful that you have them too, but I'm glad I'm not alone."

"You were never alone, 'Mione. We're all still here for you."

"Ron's not." Glancing back at the door to the great hall where muffled laughter could be heard made her chest ache. Despite everything, she still missed him.

"Ron can be an idiot sometimes, but it doesn't mean that he doesn't care."

"He won't talk to me. He won't even write. I don't know what I did wrong."

Harry put a hand on her back and sighed softly, "I think losing Fred messed him up pretty bad. I mean, everyone changed after last year. Ginny's been distant, you're practically impossible to get a hold of and George hardly smiles anymore. I think having Fred back will help things get back to normal. Now Ron's got some closure he might come around again."

The suggestion was a small consolation, but surprisingly it made her feel better. It was a glimmer of hope for normalcy and Hermione clung to it. "That helps, Harry. Thanks."

The Boy Who Lived held Hermione's hand while he looked out over the forest. Being together again brought them both peace, even if it was just for a few hours. They stood, leaning against each other for a time before he broke the silence again. "You know he uses the Marauder's map every night. He borrowed it ages ago and never returned it. Said he wanted to make sure you and Ginny were safe." He paused, unsure whether he was pushing it, "I'm sure he still loves you. He's just afraid of losing you."

The revelation that her ex-boyfriend had been watching her was slightly disconcerting, but at the same time Hermione found solace in Harry's words. For the time she chose contentment in the knowledge that he still cared for her. That was what she wanted, she told herself.

For a while they spoke mainly about their studies, which was a more comfortable subject for both. Harry was enjoying his time at the auror academy and reported that even Ron was throwing himself into his work. They seemed to be having a ball, and Hermione was happy to sit and listen, occasionally offering tips on research and assessment.

They carried on for some time in companionable dialogue when the door to the Great Hall opened. Hermione had been leaning on Harry, her head on his shoulder, but straightened herself up the moment she saw the disapproving, freckled face.

"Ron." She rose with Harry, who gave her an encouraging nod.

"I was wondering where the two of you had gone." The statement sounded more accusing than compassionate and it reminded Hermione of their time with the locket-shaped horcrux. There was the same thinness to his mouth and bags under his eyes. They all looked as if they were still carrying a piece of the war inside them.

"We thought your family would like some time alone," Harry said when he saw Hermione had nothing to say.

"You know you're a member of the family, Harry." It felt like a dig at Hermione and it stung.

"I thought having Fred back would make you happy," she said.

"My brother's still dead, Hermione. This doesn't change that."

Hermione went paler. She didn't mean it like that. "I know. I just meant…"

"You thought this would make everything else fine. You thought I would forgive you."

"What is your problem, Ronald?" Frustration swelled. Was there nothing she could do right? "First you break up with me for no reason, then you refuse to return my letters and now you're acting like I'm the one who killed Fred. What did I ever do to deserve this?"

Harry moved away from her, obviously not wanting to get between them while Ron's face turned beetroot red.

"You really think you can play innocent? I know everything."

"Know what, Ron? You're not making any sense." Hermione's voice had grown hard. She wasn't pleading any more- she was demanding to know what had gotten into him.

"The marauders map. I've been watching you with it." He said it as though it would make everything clear, but Hermione just shook her head in bewilderment.

"Apart from confirming you're an utter creep, what else is that supposed to prove?"

Ron looked affronted by the insult. He probably thought it had been romantic to watch her sleep. His resolve returned after a moment and he took two angry steps towards Hermione, who backed away in alarm.

"It proves that you've been spending time with McGonagall." He spat the name in disgust while Hermione shook her head in disbelief.

"So what if I have? I'm allowed to be friends with whoever I want."

"Friends? Is that what you do with friends?"

Hermione felt her face warming up in embarrassment. She had figured out what he was implying and the thought made her blush. "Well, she's treated me better in the last few months than you have."

"So you admit it?" He pointed at her and she flinched.

"Admit what, Ron? That I eat my meals with Minerva? That I spent Christmas at her house? That I like being with her?"

"You can try and fool Harry if you want, but I know she goes back to your room. I know all about your sick perversion."

Hermione had backed up against the window, Harry beside her staring with a raised eyebrow. He looked shocked. Her face and neck were red and she felt heat all over. "He's lying, Harry," she said in a hiss. "Minerva would never do that."

Ron lit up triumphantly while Harry looked even more shocked. "But you would?" The dark haired boy stared at her.

"I- No, I mean. I didn't say that." Hermione sputtered. She felt trapped and the realisation that she absolutely would surprised her as much as her friends. "That's entirely beside the point. The fact is that I haven't. Either the map's lying, or Ron is." She didn't know who she was trying to convince anymore.

Harry looked from one friend to the other as if deciding who to believe. He already knew the map never lied, but both of his friends seemed so certain. "What if McGonagall is, but you just don't know about it?" He suggested as he placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder.

"She wouldn't do that," she repeated angrily.

"'Mione, you told me you found a cat. That it sometimes stays with you. The professor's animagus-"

"She wouldn't do that!" It came out in a yell, knocking both of the boys off balance. Hermione took a deep breath to calm herself before starting again, "I know about her animagus, Harry. I'm not daft." She didn't want to believe what he was saying and her mind was racing to prove him wrong. "The markings, though. Minerva's cat-form has markings around the eyes. My cat doesn't, so it can't be her." The logic comforted her and she felt herself calming down. Harry didn't seem persuaded, though. "She'd never do anything to hurt me, and that's all the reassurance I need."

Harry turned his eyes down in submission, but Ron looked like he wanted to argue some more. Hermione pulled her wand from her pocket and pointed it threateningly. Her hand shook. Slowly, he backed away and after flashing a triumphant grin, fled to the Great Hall again.

Finally, she turned to the boy who lived and gave him a small, watery smile. "You should go back in, too," she said, "Like Ron said, you're a part of the family."

"I don't want to leave you. You shouldn't be alone." His heart was in the right place (it always was), but Hermione didn't want him to see her cry.

"I'm not. I have Minerva."

"Do you really think-"

"Harry, just go." She was weary, but resolute and he knew she wouldn't change her mind.

"Okay, but I want you to come too."

"I will. I'll follow in a minute. I just need some time to myself."

He pulled her into a hug. She sighed against his shoulder. When they pulled away again he put his hand on her shoulder before turning and walking back through the door, stopping once to cast a worried glance her way. "I love you," he said and she just smiled and nodded.

Alone again, Hermione leaned against the wall, her head beginning to throb. The conflict with Ron had drained her of energy, leaving her tired and upset. She wanted to sleep and not wake up again. She wanted to hurt him as much as he hurt her. All of her anger dissolved into tears that ran down her face in rivulets. How did everything get so messed up? What had she done to deserve this? She waited until her face had dried and then waited some more, hoping her eyes weren't too red. When she finally went inside, everyone was sitting around the table having afternoon tea. Fred was showing off and Ron was glaring at McGonagall from the other end of the table. She slid into the seat beside the older witch and kept her eyes down until it was over.