Hello all!! Finally our epic is coming to a close. After this chapter, there will be an epilogue, and that's the end (for real this time, haha). Thanks for all who have stuck with me on this one, and read the whole thing through. Anyways, enjoy the chapter, and imaginary cookies to anyone who can spot the Robert Frost reference. And there's a High School Musical 2 reference as well. I'm just full of these random quotes and references! Special thanks to picloute, Aswen, xHarryxPotterx, and Syaoronsangel. Y'all are the greatest!! Reviews make my day!!!!!

Chapter 19-Resolved

Weeks had passed since Hermione had said farewell to Draco, and still she didn't know how she felt. Part of her was pulled towards him, loving him despite who he was, despite what he had become… but the other part, the part that longed for safety, refused to fall for a man who stood for everything that she stood against.

She knew that, no matter which option she eventually chose, her heart would always secretly long for the road not taken.

Simple things like eating and sleeping were becoming troublesome for her. Keeping food down was a challenge, and the night never brought her any peaceful rest. Each time she closed her eyes to sleep she was swarmed with images of Fred dying, giving his life for her, and Draco, she could almost still feel his hand on her arm, begging her to stay…

For weeks, her dreams had been tormented endlessly with these visions. Every time she closed her eyes, yet another painful memory would explode yet again, sending her careening down the path of regret. She could only truly sleep during the day, taking naps to make up for the sleep she didn't get at night. Black rings began to form under her eyes, and she could feel herself losing weight.

She had been staying at the Burrow ever since Fred had died, trying to give comfort as best as a broken heart could. She knew that her and Harry's presence made the Weasley parents feel like the house was full again, like the house was full of life, even if that life barely clung to the memory of humanity. It was the only way they could cope with the death, by filling up their lives with other things.

Hermione gazed at her frail frame in the mirror, in awe of the creature that grief had mutated her into.

What had happened? How had it all spun so out of control? How would she fix it? Could a situation such as this ever truly be mended? More importantly, was this awful, dark despair really the end?

Hermione shook her head at the figure in the mirror, disgusted at what she had become. She couldn't even face her own feelings, too caught up in technicalities and fears. She wished she could follow her heart, and be with who she truly wanted to be with… but society didn't allow such a thing. It never had, and it never would.

Hermione turned away from the mirror, and headed for her room. She needed a nap to calm her nerves. Daytime naps were always safe from haunting dreams. She didn't know why, but her memories only visited her at night. During the day, she could sleep soundly without fear of being overwhelmed again. She collapsed upon the bed, grateful for some escape from reality, and drifted off to sleep.

XXXXXXX

"Hermione?" A voice asked. Hermione turned groggily, looking around to see nothing but darkness. What time was it? Had she really slept that long? She weakly pulled her protesting body upward into a standing position. She glanced around for the owner of the voice, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Hello? Anyone?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"Hermione. Can you hear me?" The voice asked again. This time, Hermione recognized it for what it was.

"Fred? FRED? Where are you? What- what's going on?" Hermione frantically turned around in circles, desperately searching for his familiar face, eyes hungry for a sight that had been written off as impossible.

"I'm here, Hermione." He answered calmly.

Hermione turned, and saw a glowing figure walking towards her. It was Fred, she was sure of that, but he was different. His eyes held wisdom of which she could not reach, something she would never understand as a mortal. A golden sheen was around him, encompassing him, as if he were shimmering in a dim light.

The moment Hermione met his eyes, she leaped into his arms.

"Fred! Fred, I thought you were gone! Don't ever leave again, please, don't ever leave me… We can't do this without you. Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley, and Ginny and George and Bill and Charlie and Ron and Harry and me… it hurts so much without you. Tell me you'll come back. Tell me, Fred… please…"

She felt him sigh, and felt him place a comforting hand on her head. "Hermione. I've seen what's happened to the family over the past weeks, and I understand that you're grieving, but… you have to move on."

Hermione pulled away from him, and looked into his eyes. "Move on? You're not… you're not coming back, are you?"

Fred shook his head sadly. "No, Hermione. I did what had to be done, and I would do it again if I had to. I gave everything up for one moment, for one person. Now it's your turn to do the same."

Hermione looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You love him. Don't fight it anymore." Fred said simply. "People might talk, people might say things, and heck, it might even be wrong, but you deserve to be with the one you love, as long as you're alive. Don't give that up, not for anything."

"But, Fred… he's the Dark Lord now. We can't… it just… it's not possible anymore."

"I'm dead, but I'm talking to you right now, aren't I? We've seen incredible magic performed by novices, friends give their lives for others, and love grow from the ashes of defeat. I'd say anything's possible at this point, wouldn't you?" Fred pointed out.

"But still… I want to be with him, I do, but… how can I ever be sure with him, Fred? How can I trust him again?" Hermione asked.

"Trust will take time, just build the relationship. But, Hermione… life is too short to not chase the ones we love. It's so fragile, always on the brink of crumbling around us. Don't wait forever, Hermione. We both know you won't have that much time."

Hermione looked him in the eyes. "You really think I should?"

Fred stated simply, "I'd be disappointed if you didn't."

Hermione smiled, her resolve set. "I will, then. I will. I'll be happy, and I'll live my life the way I want to. And, Fred… I'll always remember you. Even if the world crashes around me, and my memory is obliviated countless times… I'll always remember."

Fred stepped closer to her. "One more thing." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "For the sake of what might have been."

He pulled her into a kiss. Hermione's eyes widened in initial shock, but then she relaxed into the strength and comfort of his arms. The kiss was short, as was their first one. He knew who her true love was, and didn't want to complicate that sacred relationship more than it already was.

"Thank you, Fred." Hermione whispered.

Fred sighed. "I do it all for you, bookworm. All for you."

Hermione felt herself being pulled away.

"That'll be mom telling you it's dinnertime, and that there's a visitor to see you." Fred stated simply.

"What? Wait, no, Fred!" Fred was slipping away from her, back into the realm he belonged to now.

"Will I see you again? Fred?" Hermione yelled, desperate for an answer.

"We'll see, Hermione. We'll see." Fred answered simply, before finally disappearing.

"FRED!" Hermione screamed desperately. She didn't want this to be the end, she couldn't say goodbye just yet. His life had only just started, it was cruel to have it ripped away so soon. Before she could so much as reach out and touch where he'd been, however, she was yanked back into the world of the living.

"Hermione, dear, Hermione! What a dreadfully heavy sleeper you are… there's someone here to see you." Molly's voice said gently in her ear as Hermione felt her shoulder being gently shaken.

"Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione asked groggily as she rolled over to face her.

"Yes, dear. There's someone here to see you." Molly said simply. Usually the energetic woman would have greeted her with more enthusiasm, always carrying a smile even for the most broken. Lately, though, she couldn't muster happiness even for those closest to her. It was as if the light in her life had been snuffed out and thrown away forever. All of them had been affected that day, but Hermione was determined now to follow the advice of the one who had died for her.

Hermione asked, "Who? Who is it?" However, she had a deep feeling that she knew. She asked the question out of mere courteous curiosity, but it was as if a part of her was filled again. The tightening on her chest had slackened, and she could truly breathe again. Not short, choppy breaths, but whole, delicious, sweet breaths. She was alive again. She knew who else was here, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt.

"Just go see, dear." Mrs. Weasley said weakly. Hermione sighed in empathy, she knew the woman would never truly be the same again.

Hermione stood up from her bed, and walked downstairs. The sight that greeted her rejuvenated her more than any sustenance ever had. The shock of blonde hair that had been frequenting her dreams, the pale blue eyes that seemed to follow her every move… it had been far too long since she had looked on them and been able to simply drink them all in.

She stepped into the sitting room, his gaze turned to her. Their eyes met, chained together as if by force.

"Hermione." Draco breathed the name, as if it contained all that was pure and perfect in the world.

"Draco." She responded. Her heart pounded, suddenly filled with vigor at the mere sound of his name. Her fingers twitched anxiously, desperate to feel Draco's soft, silky hair twisted among them.

"Hermione, um… I'm sorry for intruding on you and your family like this, but… I wanted to know if you had thought about what we talked about, last time… you remember?" Draco asked, trying to gage her reaction.

"Yes, I do." Hermione answered simply. "Draco, the entire world might be against us, but I'm willing to give this a shot if you are. Maybe… maybe in another world this wouldn't have happened, maybe in another world we could have made this work without a problem. But this is the world we are in, and right now is all the time we have. I don't want to lose you. I don't ever want to lose you again. It… it killed me. I don't want to try and fight that feeling again."

Draco pulled her into his arms, clutching her so closely, almost trying to make her a part of him. Hermione's heart leaped into her chest, her throat tightened with sheer joy. This was where she was meant to be all along.

"You don't know how good it feels to hear you say that, Hermione. I've waited so long… so agonizingly long…" Draco said, his voice husky, his emotions starting to show through.

"Draco… are you willing to start over?" Hermione looked up into his eyes, pulling slightly away from his tight grip.

Draco sighed, "After all that's happened, it would be rude to forget all that was sacrificed to get us here and just start anew. You and me… we'll have to build our relationship from the ground up. But that's what I want, Hermione. I want to spend my life with you, working with you, you and me, every day, forever. We'll always remember those who we lost along the way, but they'll always be with us, whether we know it or not."

Hermione smiled faintly at her last memory of Fred. "Yes, Draco. You're right. So, can we work this out?"

Draco smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."

XXXXXXXXX

Ginny sighed heavily. She had been doing a lot of that lately, ever since Fred had died. She wanted to move on, she really wanted to, but she felt like she was somehow betraying Fred by just forgetting about him so soon. She had officially resigned her position from being a Death Eater a few weeks ago, and she was still feeling the effects of their "farewell ceremony." Some of the more stubborn bruises just wouldn't leave, and she knew she'd have scars forever. However, she knew that she had done the right thing. She knew that this was where she needed to be.

Ginny's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. "Come in," She said courteously.

Harry entered, his green eyes lighting up at the sight of her. "Hey, you. Thought you might want some company."

Ginny smiled weakly. "Sure, why not?" She had learned in these past few weeks that company was one of the most precious things in the world, being alone always led to thinking. Thinking led to sorrow… it was just too much to bear sometimes.

"Hey, um… how's George doing? Any change?" Ginny asked. Harry's room was right across from George's, he almost always knew what the redhead was doing.

Harry sighed, fatigue returning to his eyes. "No, nothing. He just stays in his room all day, muttering about something. I don't know what. He hardly ever comes out. Fred's death must have hit him really hard."

Ginny lowered her head in sorrow. "It hit us all hard, but George… it was like he lost a part of himself. Like his soul will never be the same again, or something."

Harry nodded. "We'll just have to help him as best we can."

Ginny looked up at him, with true remorse written in her eyes. "Can someone like me really help him, Harry?"

Harry sighed. He had had this conversation with Ginny far too many times, still she did not believe that she was worthy of being in the family anymore. She felt that she had betrayed them, although honestly she couldn't help anything that she had done. "Ginny, you gave your life to save me. And after all that, after everyone said you would never come back, after they had a funeral service and everything… you came back to us. If anyone knows what it's like to be at the brink of destruction, you do. You can help him, more than anyone can."

"You're right." Ginny answered. "So… you still want to be with me?"

Harry smiled. "Of course I do, Ginny. I didn't fight that hard to get you back and then NOT be with you!!"

Ginny smiled, Harry's joy and enthusiasm pushing away her heartache. "Okay, thanks Harry. I'm gonna go talk to George and see if I can do anything to help."

She stood up to leave. "Good luck, Ginny."

Ginny turned. "Thank you, Harry. Thanks… for everything. Thanks for never giving up on me. And… everything…" Ginny said slightly awkwardly. She wasn't good at showing how truly grateful she was to other people, but she hoped her message got across.

XXXXXXX

"George?" Ginny said as she opened the door. A shaft of hallway light entered the dimly lit room, causing the broken boy to look up from his perch on his bed.

"Hey." George attempted a brave smile at his sister's presence. He had come so close to losing her, just like he lost Fred… every time he saw her it was both a blessing and a cruel reminder of the fragility of life.

"Hey." Ginny said, also attempting a smile but failing miserably. She walked over to him and pushed the shocking red hair out of his eyes. "Your eyes are red, George. Almost as red as your hair."

George turned away, trying to hide his shame. "Yeah… been doin' a lot of crying up here. Just can't seem to help it anymore."

Ginny sat and put an arm around his shoulders. "Oh, George… I know it seems like there's no way out, but there is. He… Fred wouldn't want you to be like this. He would be ashamed, actually."

George turned to her, asking suddenly, "Would he? Would he, Ginny? Or would he want us to find someway to help him?"

"What…. What are you talking about?" Ginny looked at him in shocked confusion.

George turned away, frustrated at his outburst. "Nothing, Ginny, nothing. I just… I just wish we could have done something. I feel like maybe, maybe if we had been more powerful…"

Ginny shook her head, "No, George, it was an accident. Fred made a choice to save Hermione's life. We should… we should be proud to have him as our brother." Her eyes got a bit misty at the thought of his lifeless body, lying in her arms like a useless, abandoned doll. None of them truly understood how close George was to his twin, and none of them would be able to help him in the way he needed to be helped. Once again, Ginny felt horribly powerless.

"One day, I'll avenge him." George said, suddenly fierce and determined.

"George, what?" Ginny asked, confused again.

"I'll make him proud." George continued.

"George. Snap out of it." Ginny snapped her fingers in his face, and his eyes focused on her, bringing himself back to reality.

"He's really gone, isn't he?" George asked miserably.

"Yes. But we'll make it. He wouldn't let us hear the end of it if he knew we were reacting to his death this way." Ginny pointed out.

"You're right, Ginny… you're right. We'll be okay in the end. Someday, we'll look back on all of this and it won't feel like a dagger is twisting itself around inside of us every time his face comes to mind. We'll be able to move on. Someday." George said, drifting off into thought.

"Thanks, Ginny." George said.

Ginny smiled. "Don't worry about it." She stood up to leave. "You know where I am if you ever need anyone to talk to."

Ginny left the room and closed the door, leaving George's dark thoughts to themselves, growing and festering in the hopeless black abyss.