Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns everything you recognize from the Harry Potter books.

PART THREE

Hermione was quiet the rest of the day. The letter had taken her back to a time she'd rather not relive, a time when everyone was fighting for their lives.

When everyone was fighting, and some were losing lives.

Losing brothers. Losing Fred.

It sounded so…incomplete. Losing someone. Like they're lost, and if you look hard enough, they'll turn up somewhere, like huge game of hide and go seek.

After Fred's room was all packed up, the five of them stood in the doorway.

"What do you plan to do with it now?" Ron asked George, who was clutching the recipe he had been looking for in one hand.

"Nursery," Angelina responded for her husband. George nodded in agreement. Together, the group turned and moved to the main room of the apartment.

"Well," Ron said, clapping his hands together. "Want to go grab some dinner at the Leaky Cauldron?"

They all nodded in agreement, and Harry went to go floo Ginny, and see if she wanted to join them.

Ron wrapped an arm around his girlfriend as they walked out the door, heading the group. Hermione leaned into his embrace, hugging him with one of her arms, but her other hand was in her pocket, stroking Fred's letter.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It was a few days later when Ron entered their flat to find Hermione sitting at the kitchen table, Fred's letter in her hands.

She had been reading it every night before bed. Tomorrow, she had told herself every night. Tomorrow I'll tell Ron.

Today, she had decided was that tomorrow. She had left work early, so she would be home when Ron got off work.

That afternoon, Hermione made herself a cup of tea and settled down to wait.

"Hermione?" Ron asked, confused. His girlfriend usually got home about an hour later than he did.

"Ron," she said, turning.

"Hello, darling," he said, leaning in for a kiss. It landed on her cheek when she abruptly turned her head. He pulled back, disgruntled. "Hermione? Is something the matter?"

She handed him the letter, hunching her shoulders and bracing herself. Ron's eyebrows squished closer together, his brow wrinkling, as he read.

"I…don't understand," he said haltingly, sitting down in a chair, shoes still on.

"We weren't together," Hermione said in a rush. "You and I, I mean. It was before Bill and Fleur's wedding, before the battle of Hogwarts…we didn't get together until after. It…it was just once, and then he died, so…so we never knew what might have happened. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"You…slept…with Fred," Ron said slowly. "You slept with my dead brother."

Hermione nodded wordlessly. She cringed, waiting for an emotional outburst. After a moment, when it still didn't come, she peeked at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Ron?"

He was staring blankly at the wall behind her. After a moment, he shook himself, coming out of his daze.

"I…you know what, I'm going for a walk." He got up and grabbed his jacket, making his way back toward the door. "Groceries are in the fridge," he said flatly as he left.

Hermione picked up the letter he had left, and read it once more. Then, going to her room, she got out a piece of paper and began constructing her own letter.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

One too many drinks and an awkward flirtation later, Ron came home ready to kiss and make up with his girlfriend.

"'Mione!" he slurred, throwing his wand on the table and going toward their bedroom. "'Mione?"

She wasn't there. He went back to the kitchen, and noticed something on the table, under his wand.

Ron, it said on the front. Apprehension building inside of him, he opened the envelope to read what was inside.

Dear Ron,

By the time you read this letter, I will be on my way to Australia, the muggle way. An international PortKey takes too long to set up.

I hope you don't see my decision to go as running away from the problem. I love you very much, Ron. We've been through so much together, and you've always been there for me. But I loved him too, even if it wasn't noticeable to me until…after.

I think…I think the war damaged all of us, Harry, you, and I in particular, and all of the students who were at Hogwarts during the war. We had our childhood taken away. I'm already regretting leaving you without saying goodbye, but I think it's for the best. I want to make a new life for myself, one where I can be with my family, and sort myself out a bit. I hope that one day you and Harry will be able to forgive me, and we can see each other again, as forever friends.

Love from,

Hermione

Ron stared at the letter unseeingly, before heading back toward the door. He couldn't be here, not now, not after…this. He wiped his eyes. Maybe he'd go see Harry. Maybe…maybe he'd go back to the pub he'd been at. That was closer. That would be easier.

The door slammed behind him, leaving the second life-changing letter of the week on the table behind him.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A/N: Thank you to those of you who reviewed this story. I believe it's complete for real this time. Honestly, I'm not sure if this is one of my better stories or my inferior stories. I don't think I like this version of Hermione all that much; but this version was what went along with the rest of the fic, I think. I think that Hermione is a little lost, and her decision-making skills are terrible, and she's more than a little bit selfish. I think that she is running away from the problem, at least a little bit. Thank you for everyone who read this little expansion; please, read and review :)