3

They stood infront of George's door, both breathing deeply. She grabbed his hand and held it tightly before he unlocked the door with his wand.

"Go away. I'm not hungry. I'm not thirsty. I don't want to talk." They heard before they had even stepped into the room. George's back was to them, sitting on Fred's bed. The room smelt slightly of fire. He had set off a few fireworks.

She looked at Ron for advice, but reasoned that they would probably back away. He wasn't facing her. He was staring at the window opposite the door and not moving an inch. Instead, with a flick of his wand he closed the door behind them. She still clung to his arm, and he held it as tighlty as ever.

"Then don't talk. Just listen." Ron's voice cracked. George turned around on the bed, his eyes red from crying.

"You're not Fred." He said pointedly. She wasn't sure what he meant by that, but Ron took his response grateful, as she felt him breath out in relief.

"No. I'm not. But I'm his brother too." Ron let go of her hand, and she felt bare for a second. Her eyes followed him as he walk around to the other side of the bed where George was sitting. Standing infront of him, he towered over his older brother. Hermione was amazed at the love Ron showed for his family. And she was certain he had just taken a little bit more of her heart.

"He was my brother too. He was our brother. And now he's gone. And it's not fair."

George surprised him by standing up suddenly and hugging his baby brother. "It's not fair."

Ron hugged him back tightly and she tried to fight back tears, but then decided she didn't want to.

"He was Fred." Ron started then shook his head, "He is Fred. And you're George. No one will ever take his place. He wouldn't want that either. What do you think he would do if someone tried to replace him?" Ron said, pulling back from George and looking him directly in the eye.

George looked around the room, past her then back at Ron, and smiled sadly, "He'd make a joke about us not finding anyone good-looking enough." Both brother laughed for a second, then stopped suddenly, not knowing if that was okay yet.

"What do we do now, Ron?" George mumbled after a while.

Ron stared out of the window for a while, as if the daylight was feeding him words to say. "Right now, You'll get up off your butt, and crack a few jokes about the horrible atmosphere in the kitchen. Because, it really is horrid. Then you'll work on some more Wizarding Wheezes. If you're nice to me, maybe I'll help you. In the meantime…" Ron looked over at Hermione and gestured her to come closer. "I'll focus on being 17. How does that sound?" She had come to his side, giving George a brave smile, though she was sure her cheeks were stained with tears. Ron put his arm around her waist and pulled her tight.

George nodded, and smiled. It was still a little sad, but it was a start. "That sounds…. Like something Fred would be okay with."

Ron nodded. Hermione felt his arm tightened around her but she wasn't sure if he did it knowingly. George finally clicked though as he used Fred's jumper to wipe his face, he glanced from her to Ron and back.

"Ron finally wisened up, huh?" he grinned, as though the past 5 minutes had never happened. Hermione felt that his wise cracks would be even better now that George had Fred behind him in spirit. Two Weasleys in One. The world had better run for cover.

"No." she said after a second, "I got a bit tired of waiting. But his new understanding for S.P.E.W. helped." She grinned. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ron mouth spew to George, who laughed at both of them.

He held Fred's jumper tightly, "From both of us…. It's about blimmin' time." The trio laughed for a bit, before deciding it's time to go downstairs.

"Come on George. Lets go face the rest of the Weasleys…Oh and by the way, they don't know about… us." Ron said as he glanced at her then back at his brother. She felt good that George knew. He deserved to.

George grinned, "Sure. But guys, um, call me Gred. Okay?"