Chapter 7
When Ron walked into the kitchen where the rest of his family was sitting there was a dead silence. "Ron?" Ginny asked rather unsurely. Ron just nodded and Ginny ran into his arms. He picked her up and swung her around; when he stopped and set her back down he kissed her on top of the head and went to his mother who was now crying hysterically. "My baby boy, how are you- you here?" His mother sobbed into his shirt. "The resurrection stone, mum it's real, 'Mione found it and used it. Before you get too relieved, I can only stay for a little while longer, I'm sorry but that's all I can give you" Ron said as for the first time he cried. He cried for Hermione, he cried for Harry and he cried for his family. "I'm so sorry! I can't help!" Ron cried out. "It's okay, it wasn't your fault!" George exclaimed with a quivering voice. "I could've done more" Ron argued. "No you couldn't, you did all you could!" Harry said speaking for the first time. As an awkward silence filled the room, Ron's being began to fade slightly. "Ron what's happening?" Ginny asked as tears streamed down her face. "It's time for me to go, the Big Man's calling" Ron said as he smiled at everyone whom he loved and missed so much. "Goodbye and don't worry I'll be seeing you all again, just a lot later" Ron said as he hugged everybody and walked back outside to face Fred and Hermione.
While everyone was inside getting their dose of happiness, finally realizing that it really would all be okay, Fred and Hermione were kneeling on the ground outside. "Why" Hermione asked not really expecting an answer. "Because Hermione, I'm gone and you need to move on" Hermione looked up at the sound of Ron's voice. "What?" Hermione asked thoroughly confused. "'Mione it's time for me to leave, and before you tell me stay I need you to know and understand I can't. So right now I want you to realize that you have other things ready and going for you, I understand that you need time to get over me, but I really want you to fall in love again and grow up to have a family as big as mine. I wish I could be the one to give that to you but I can't. So please don't forget about me, but just realize I'm not coming back to you and move on. Please 'Mione it will be the last thing you do for" Ron said as he took a step closer to her. Fred watched thins with bitter eyes, he wanted to be the one who Hermione would love and respect and have a family with. He didn't want to share her! "Please Ron don't go! I need you here!" Hermione said as she pounded on his chest. "No Hermione I can't stay with you as much as I want to I can't! You need to get over me, because I know deep down in your heart you realize that I'm not the one who can take care of you and give you the thins you need anymore! I also know that you know there's someone else who can give you all those things and you know he might be closer than you think!" Ron said as he squeezed Hermione tightly and gave her one last kiss, before he turned to Fred.
As he hugged his brother for the last time until they met again Ron whispered into Fred's ear. "Please no matter what happens tell me you'll be with her and treat her right. I care about her so much but I know you do too so this is the last chance I can give you, I set everything up for you I can't do the rest, it's up to you now!" Ron said as he felt the tears escape his eyes. "I will and I love you so much Ron! All those times George and I ragged on you we only did it because we cared." Fred said as tears fell form his eyes. "I know" Ron said as he faded even more. "I'll do everything I ca for her" Fred said as they parted. "I know you will, because believe it or not, you have the things she need but the ball is in your court, so make it happen!" Ron said as he waved goodbye to Fred and Hermione. Ron faded away completely as Hermione walked over to Fred.
Hermione stood there silently for the longest time, Fred was starting to think that she left with Ron but he knew that she wouldn't leave them all. "I know you're really upset but…" Fred never got to finish his sentence because he was silenced by Hermione. "I really thought we could find a loop hole and Ron could stay, but I couldn't! Fred I couldn't do it!" Hermione screamed as she walked away. "Hermione why did you do this if you knew you would just have to let him go again?!" Fred asked Hermione. "Fred I honestly don't have a fucking idea!" Hermione said as she punched a tree. There was chunk that was pushed back into the tree, and Hermione's hand was bleeding. "Hermione, are you okay?" Fred asked as he looked at her hand with worry. "What the hell do you think?! I just brought back the love of my life and lost him again in the course of an hour! How do you think I gad damn feel?!" Hermione said as she pushed Fred. She fell into him in tears and pounded on his chest. "Hermione you must have known somewhere in your mind that this would happen" Fred said as he grabbed her wrists. "Fred for once I didn't think of what could have happened, and you see where it got me? A new broken heart! This is why I never do anything outside of the rules!" Hermione said as she looked Fred in the eye. "I'm sorry, I bet you didn't want to hear me falling apart like this, I'm sorry" Hermione said as she looked at her hand. The bone was almost popping out of the skin. "This fucking hurts!" Hermione said as she smiled up at Fred. "Can you help me, it won't stop bleeding" Hermione said as Fred took her hand and held it to try to keep the blood in as they walked back to the Burrow. "Damn Hermione next time you lose your temper hit me, this is just EEW!" Fred exclaimed as Hermione playfully hit him. "Fine maybe I will!" Hermione said as they reached the front door.
The rest of the family was still in a state of shock as Fred and Hermione walked into the kitchen covered in blood. "DO I even want to know?" Harry asked as he rushed to them. "Well, after Ron left I decided I wanted to punch a tree, and you can imagine the rest" Hermione said as she nervously smiled at Harry. "You let her do this?" Harry asked in an accusing manor aimed at Fred. "Well I don't own her, I didn't know what she was gonna do" Fred sighed as he held up his hands in defense. "You guys can fight later I need help!" Hermione exclaimed as she brought the boys back to reality. "Come on 'Mione I'll do it" George said as he led her upstairs to the bathroom.
"You know they only do it for your best interest" George said as he wrapped Hermione's knuckles. "I know but this is the second time today I've seen them yell at each other, George it's getting on my nerves!" Hermione exclaimed as she began to pace back and fourth in the hallway outside the bathroom. "They both love you" George slipped out. "WHAT?!" Hermione yelled. "Nothing, I didn't say anything!" George covered up. "You said they both love me!" Hermione hollered. "Well, it's obvious" George sighed. "To whom" Hermione said her voice lowering. "Everyone" George said as he looked at her with sympathy. "Well I thought Fred was with Angelina and Harry has Ginny, so it isn't even possible!" Hermione said as she sat down on the side of the tub with a 'thunk'. "Fred and Angelina only went out twice in 5th year and they went to the Yule Ball as friends, and Harry and Ginny both agreed that they didn't feel the way they used to about each other, and Harry came clean to her that he has feelings deeper than friendship towards you" George said as he watched Hermione's eyes widen. "How long have they…" she couldn't even finish the sentence. "Well I'm guessing Harry's always had the feelings but ignored them and Fred well, I actually have no clue, all I know is he wanted to ask you to go to the Yule Ball, but he chickened out and I also know that during Dumbledore's Army he wanted to ask you if you could 'help' him with a spell, but I know he just wanted to spend time with you." George finished out of breath. "Oh, well so you knew all this and you didn't tell me, especially after Ron died, I can't…" Hermione got up and stalked towards the stairs. "Oh wait George is there anyone else who likes me that I should know about?" Hermione asked in sarcastic voice. "Well I think Percy might still have a crush on you but other than that no" George replied with a joking smile. "Still, what the fuck" Hermione said as she smiled back.
When George and Hermione descended the stairs everyone was in the living room, except Fred and Harry. "Go on 'Mione, you need me, you call me and I'll come running" George whispered in her ear making her giggle as she nodded and walked towards the kitchen door. When she entered, there were words being screamed back and fourth. "Why do you care? I take care of just fine by myself!" Harry screamed at Fred. "Yeah, because you were really helping her by ignoring her!" Fred shouted back. "Both of you stop it!" Hermione screamed making her presence known. "Hermione, I didn't see you there" Harry said as his tone softened. "I don't understand how you possibly could" Hermione scoffed. "Look I need to talk to you both, but I'm not sure how yet. So can you both come with me outside?" Hermione asked as she walked outside with them following close behind.
"Look I don't know how to put this but, do you both love me?"