"Fred… you've been doing this because of me?" Hermione said, her voice cracking. Fred instantly regretted telling her the reason for his increased self-harm. The pain in her voice felt like a knife in his chest, pounding over and over, or was that his pulse? "That's not what I meant… Well, yeah. Yes. I've been doing this because I feel I've been doing things wrong for you. I feel like if you're not happy, I shouldn't be. I'm not happy, Hermione. I do this to shield out the emotional sting. Physical is much easier to deal with and it overlays the inner hurt, regrets I have." Fred admitted.
Hermione felt his words like an icy sting. She breathed heavily, trying to stop herself from sobbing, but couldn't. She remembered all of the nights and days spent with him, smiling and crying and telling him everything while he hid everything to protect her. She felt as though she owed him everything. He was the best person she had ever met, even with his flaws, and the closest friend she had.
Then it clicked, "Fred, I know this isn't the time to say it, but I-I… I" she tried to tell him, but the words wouldn't leave her lips. Fred hugged her close and she pushed him away, looking away. Fred felt the pain of a white-hot iron against his heart.
I broke her.
He thought. "Hermione, please. Oh God what have I done…" he muttered, tears brimming in his eyes. Fred looked at the cool stone at his feet and began to shake in anger at himself.
Dammit I'm losing her.
He thought, tears falling freely from his eyes. "No, Fred! It's different! I love you!" Hermione rushed, trying to make his pain stop. Fred froze and his heart stopped for a moment, getting its beat back seconds later. His skin went cold. "Don't say that, you don't mean it." Fred said, his voice icy against Hermione's skin. Hermione felt hurt, but knew he was trying to protect himself.
She took his hand and slowly rose her hands across his arms, past his shoulders to his neck, letting her hands linger there, feeling his rapid pulse. "Please. Stop." Fred choked out, tears evident in his voice. Hermione couldn't let him run away from her to a knife, she couldn't let him hurt anymore.
Neither of them expected it when Hermione kissed Fred. She took his face between her palms and met him halfway in a lingering kiss. Both of their faces were wet with tears and she held him in the kiss for a few seconds. Letting go, she looked into his hazel eyes, trying to force him to understand her new revelation.
It finally clicked and Fred crashed his lips upon hers. He brought his arms around her waist and slid her closer on the smooth stone step. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, Fred slipped his tongue into her mouth. Hermione froze for a moment and then kissed him back eagerly. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity, Hermione's fingers knotted in his short, red hair.
When they finally broke apart for air, Hermione smiled in a different way than Fred had ever seen. "I love you." She whispered, leaning into his side. Her face fell and Fred's stomach plummeted with it. "Please, don't hurt yourself anymore. Just be…happy. It's my turn to help you. I'll get you through this. Let me save you this time." Hermione took his hand and laced her fingers through his.
Fred smiled and sighed. "You can do whatever you want. I'll be here and I'll try my best to get better. I promise."
The minute he promised was the minute he stopped all of the pain from coming little by little. In that moment, his life took a turn for the better and Hermione was with him every step of the way, no longer heartbroken over Ron, but wholeheartedly giving everything she had to saving the one she loved.
Fin.