"What happened?" Hermione asked frantically as healers rushed into the room. Ginny shook her head in disbelief.

"Mum sent over some collared greens and mashed potatoes and, she's just always so heartbroken after she comes here, I offered to go instead, and I tried apparating and was blocked to outside. By the time I could release the charms around the building and around the apartment, it got really late and I knew something horrible had happened. I came inside and there he was, lying there. I owled you immediately and then tried to make sure he was alive before I called St. Mungo's," she said beginning to shake violently. Hermione clutched the small girl in her arms and stroked her hair as Harry and Ron burst into the room. They came in as George was being flooed out.

"Blimey," said Harry, "What happened here?"

"George," said Ginny, shocked, "He tried—He tried," she couldn't get the words out, every time she opened her mouth she began to sob into Hermione's chest. Hermione felt tears beginning to pour down her cheeks.

"What happened?" Ron asked more frantically, his face ghostly pale.

"He finally managed to drink himself into a stupor, he fell back and smashed his head against a bottle," said Hermione. Ron dropped down to the table, face even paler white than before. Harry put a comforting arm around Ron and the four of them stood silently.

"We should go to St. Mungo's," said Harry, "Did you call your Mum and Dad?" Ginny shook her head. Harry took his wand out and whispered something and then sent his patronus over to the Burrow. He walked over and Ginny switched over to him from Hermione who had an odd sort of expression on her face. "Ready?" Harry asked calmly. Hermione nodded, and she noticed Ron turning a sickly shade of green.

"We'll join you in a bit," she said, her voice shaking. She feebly grasped Ginny's hand as they walked off. Ron took this time to run back to the bathroom. She chased after him and sat outside the closed door. A few minutes later Ron came out and Hermione stood up to meet him. His face was pale, all color drained from his cheeks. He looked ghastly, to say the least. His eyes had begun to regain the vacancy she had seen the few months ago.

"I can't lose another one," he murmured, referring to the toll that the death of his elder brother played on him. Hermione nodded understandingly. For weeks afterwards she had held him as he sobbed. He cried out most nights and nightmares plagued all three of them at the sight. It was always that final moment when Fred was struck that occurred in slow motion, that sickly smile that had stayed on his face as he sank to the floor, Percy screaming and throwing his body over his younger's. These memories forever haunted the three of them, but most of all Ron. It had taken almost two months for him to maintain some sort of sleep, and when Hermione was not looking, and sometimes when she was looking, he would have this vacant far off expression staring off into the distance wondering if there was anything he could have done to protect him.

As they both made the slow walk over to St. Mungo's, Hermione was hesitant to apparate as both of them were suffering from very heightened emotions, and Ron agreed, they both thought upon the neglect they had provided George. Although Fred's death had affected all in a negative way, they had never really considered the pain and agony that George must have felt at the thought of this. They had never understood how much more of a toll this must have taken to it. They thought if they left him alone and to Molly's occasional peek-in, he would be fine eventually. After all, one who was so jovial and full of life could not stay down for long. They thought he would bounce back eventually. Now they had wished that they had paid more attention to him, one who had lost essentially one half of himself. Hermione could not even begin to fathom the pain and agony felt by George at that moment. She could not even begin to imagine the sort of emotional turmoil he had to face every day. She reached over and took Ron's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze as they entered the Hospital. She went over to the front desk.

"George Weasley," she said. Ron stood silently beside her. The kindly old receptionist took a look at the updated list of rooms. Names vanished and were added on every second. She took out her eyeglasses and began to peruse the list of names, which, thankfully, was alphabetical.

"Weasley," she said softly to herself, "Weasley, weasley, weasley, oh! There you are dear, Room 567, take the lifts if you go down the hallway to the right, and the room should be the fourth one to your left." Hermione nodded. She looked up, "And if he's not there now, he's still in Urgent Care, just sit tight in the waiting room in the wing and he will be out in a second." She smiled and went back to her knitting needles that had knitted themselves into a knot while she spoke to them.

"Not a busy night," said Ron softly, the first time he had spoken since the flat. Hermione looked at the empty hallways and shook her head.

"Nope," she said, squeezing his hand a little tighter. Ron smiled a little to himself and suddenly stopped walking.

"Hermione," he said.

"Yes Ronald?"

"I don't think I can do this," he said. "I've lost one brother, I can't lose another." Hermione walked over to him, wrapped her arms around his waist and looked at him face to face.

"You haven't, and you won't," she said surely. "You just need to stay calm and come with me, speak to him, show him that we all are by his side, and love him and support him about 100 percent." He looked down.

"I miss them," he said, "They could find happiness in the darkest hours."

"Then we need to find a way to help him find some light in his darkest hour," she said. "Cheesy I know, but he has lost someone he has spent every second of his life with, that bond can be understood by nobody." She put her hand on his cheek. "So you need to step up to the plate and be his support. I know you can do that," she smiled. Ron kissed her hand and kissed her chastely on the mouth.

"Thanks Hermione," he said, "I hope I can." They pushed the button for the lift and a few seconds later, a set of golden doors opened for them and they made their way up to the fifth floor. Hermione strode along with purpose; hoping and wishing Ron would draw strength from her. She thought, although there were tough times, Ron and Ginny would always have Harry and her to help them along. They would always have someone to draw strength from outside the family, but George had absolutely no one. How could she have made such a glaring oversight? She mentally kicked herself. They all needed to be there for George, but he needed Hermione and Harry as well, regardless of how close they were before, he needed people with him because being alone would be a bad idea no matter what. She made a mental decision to be much more proactive about making sure he was consistently okay.

As soon as they reached the waiting lounge they saw a very devastated Molly and Arthur sitting with their heads in their hands. Molly looked dreadfully thin, weak and defeated. She had lost one son and had lost most, if not all, of her tenacity. Her voice had become exceedingly softer; her actions had lost much of their purpose. Arthur seemed to gain many more years, slowing down in his work. Just the thought of the loss of another son would be the end, Hermione thought. She couldn't handle that thought at all. Ginny stood off to the side, face buried in Harry's chest. They both seemed much older and wiser than their few short seventeen and sixteen years of life, respectively. Bill, Charlie, and Percy sat in three other waiting room chairs mirroring Arthur and Molly. The attitude in the waiting area was a somber one, everyone seeming mournful but not shocked that George had gone searching for Fred at the bottom of every bottle of Firewhiskey he could lay his hands on.

Just at that moment, a nurse exited from the room he was in and nodded towards Molly who rushed in. Arthur followed after her, his steps worn out and tired. The nurse looked around at everyone in the room

"Are you all his family?" She asked. They nodded and spoke in agreement.

"It was pretty bad, we've put several charms to minimize the damage, but the curse that blew off his ear, also made healing for him extremely hard. We have him with a psychiatrist for the next few days and we will be closely monitoring him, but afterwards, you as a family need to make sure there is someone with him at all times." Bill nodded, taking charge as the eldest.

"When can he go home?" He asked.

"I would say in four or five days, we just want to make sure all of his wounds have healed, and we do want to get him into a psych consult" she said. "Although, don't baby him, keep him at his parent's house for a few days at the most, but he needs to be able to cope on his own eventually, so I would suggest at least sitting with him in his own flat and not to mollycoddle him." She smiled, "In my experience, that has been the most effective." They all nodded.

"Can we see him?" Bill asked. The nurse nodded.

"You guys can go in," she said, "He's still charmed to sleep, but the charm should wear off in a few minutes." They all nodded somberly and proceeded into the room. The nurse stopped Harry and Hermione when they wanted to enter and they began to stay back when Molly beckoned them both in.

"We want all of our family," she said. They both hurried inside the room as well. George was lying in the hospital bed. He looked tranquil, all trace of hurt vanished from his still face. Molly had her head on his hand and she gripped him with all of her strength. Arthur sat in a chair on the side and rested his head in his hand. His hair was disheveled, more than usual, his body was tired and sad. Percy sat by George's head and had a cold compress on it staring forlornly at his younger brother. Bill and Charlie both stood off to the side, equally distraught. Ginny and Ron stood by Hermione and Harry and the four of them were silent. Hermione contemplated on what could be done next. Seeing her favorite family like this was too much. They were the only family she had always known. As much as she loved her own parents, they just had withdrawn from her life. She didn't think that they would ever understand her various plights, and they did not ever really reach out to her. Ever since they had returned from Australia, they kept their distance from their daughter and she was perfectly content to spend time with Molly and the rest of the Weasleys.

As she dozed off thinking about her familial relationships, George began to stir. As soon as his eyes opened, his vacant expression remained. He spoke no words; he made no sort of effort to admit his family's presence at his bedside. A small magic heart monitor monitored his heart and beeped faintly in the background signifying that he was indeed alive. Molly cried into the side of the bed and stroked his arm. He responded by simply staring up at the ceiling. Harry and Hermione left early to give him time with the rest of his family and they both walked outside in the snow.

"Where are you heading?" Harry asked Hermione as they reached the streets of London.

"Probably back to my flat, I have a lot of studying to do if I want to pass my exams," she said with a sigh. Harry nodded.

"I'll walk you," he said, "I'm heading that way." He put his hands in his pockets and they walked together towards downtown London and the Leaky Cauldron.

"I didn't know it was this bad," said Hermione.

"Can we—not talk about that," asked Harry, a pained expression in his eyes. She turned to him with a concerned gaze and stopped speaking immediately. They walked in silence, understanding of each other's need for company, but also understanding of the other's needs. They walked through the night and made their way into Diagon Alley and to Hermione's flat when it began to drizzle a little.

"You going home?" Hermione asked. Harry shook his head.

"I think I'm going to walk around a little bit," he said softly. Hermione nodded understandingly. She hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek. Harry kissed her forehead lovingly.

"Want company?" She asked. He shook his head. Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Well if you change your mind, just knock on my door, I'll probably be up all night studying." Harry smiled.

"Of course you will," he said, "When is your exam?"

"Next week, and that's only to see if they'll let me study to be a Healer under them, but really, if I'm going to have education as a healer and start a residency program, then it might as well be with St. Mungo's," she said.

"They are the best," said Harry. He smiled and hugged Hermione tightly once more. "Goodnight Hermione," he said.

"Goodnight Harry," she said back with a grin. She went into her room afterwards, sat at her desk and began to cry.

It had been three weeks since the incident. Two weeks since George was discharged from the hospital. He had stayed under his mother's supervision for a week, but then returned home. Every member of the family would take turns to watch him, make sure he didn't do anything untoward. According to schedule, everyone belonging to the Weasley family would take a shift and go and eat with him, attempt to talk to him and at least be there for him and show that although it might feel that way at first, he was not alone and he had family.

Hermione had gotten back her results from the examination and she had been accepted to begin Healer training in January, but until then she realized that the monetary award she had received from the Order of Merlin would tide her over. So she decided to take a vacation until she would begin the classes.

She spent most of her days just walking, exercising, catching up with her friends and mostly reading. The only problem was, Harry and Ron had both decided to train under the most rigorous Auror training absolutely possible. They wanted to be employed under the special service where they would work in a more international capacity which means she did not get to spend much time with Ron or Harry. She was at Fortescue's, reading, when she spotted Ginny Weasley walking down the street carrying a lot of bags.

"Ginny!" She yelled. Ginny looked around, spotted Hermione and her harried face broke out into a toothy grin.

"Hermione!" She exclaimed, "Just the person I wanted to see. I was actually really hoping to run into you," she said sitting at Hermione's small café table. Hermione raised her eyebrow. "Today is, well, me and Harry hadn't really been keeping track of how long we've been together and dating and everything, so we decided to set today as our one year and just go from there. But today is my turn to go over to George's….so I was just wondering if you would…just this once, for a few days. Harry got a few days off, and since Ron has his leave in a few weeks, would you—"

"Go over to George's?" Hermione asked, her voice oddly higher pitched than normal.

"That would be brilliant, and here are my mum's dishes and food for dinner tonight, there's enough for you too!" She hurried to give her the bags.

"But what would I say? What would I do?"

"Same thing you do here, except in the flat, Hermione its really pretty easy and you get a meal out of it too," said Ginny rolling her eyes. "Please, since I've been the one on holiday I have been with him pretty much every day of the week. Thursdays are Percy's day, but other than that the rest of the family chips in every weekend and mum just smothers him and he doesn't like that very much, please please please, you would actually be my favorite person," said Ginny grinning. Hermione sighed.

"Fine," said Hermione, "But I don't know—"

"Please Hermione, he's my brother, not an ex-convict," said Ginny with a giggle. Hermione smiled.

"When should I be over there?" Asked Hermione.

"Well he should be getting up about now, so soon," said Ginny. Hermione looked at her watch.

"But its almost noon! He's not up yet?"

"It's George," said Ginny. Hermione smiled. "Thank you SO much," she said kissing Hermione on the cheek. Hermione returned the favor and hugged her close friend tightly.

"Have fun with Harry," she said as Ginny apparated away. She sighed and looked down at the bags surrounding her and picked them up and went on her way to go visit George.

His flat was a rather large one, a floor above his shop. She noticed the disarray his shop was in, dust settled everywhere, it looked like the set of some grisly horror film. She furrowed her brows and climbed up the stairs of the door of the flat and peeked in. The door opened as she touched the handle. George was sitting on the couch staring at the fireplace. His eyes were devoid of all emotion. Stubble grew across his chin and he looked as if he hadn't slept for ages.

"Hey," she said softly. George turned around. "Ginny couldn't make it for a few days so I'm filling in for her," she said. He nodded imperceptibly, resuming his former staring at the wall. She made her way over to the living room after placing the bags in the kitchen. As soon as she sat down, he stood up and walked into his bedroom and shut the door. Hermione sighed sadly, she pulled out her book and began to read knowing that going after him was out of the question. He came out once during dinnertime and sat silently while she served the food and they began to eat.

"So I just read Pride and Prejudice for the first time today, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. My mother adores that novel," she said aloud, as he ate his food in silence.

"I like it so far. But for some reason I don't understand the appeal of Mr. Darcy. At first he is just such a jerk to her, and just shows such a blatant disrespect of her. I much prefer Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility…he is absolutely darling. I mean the way he can forgive and still associate with Marianne although she had disgraced herself in society with Mr. Willoughby is unbelievable. Now he is a true gentleman. Although I could see how Mr. Darcy was sort of the original bad-boy, the douchebag—" George made a small motion when she mentioned the word douchebag, he seemed surprised and slightly amused at the same time. Hermione smiled. "Well he just seemed like the epitome of douche, it could be argued that he was kind at the end, but still, you can't just forget past actions. I don't know if I would be quite that forgiving. And of course Elizabeth decides to forgive him after she sees the absolutely phenomenal house, but I'm not really implying she's a gold-digger—but really…" At this point George had completed his food and headed back into his bedroom. Hermione took that as a cue to leave and she made her way back home.

For the next few days she kept going to the flat and brought a different book every day. That day, it was Madame Bovary that accompanied her. As she sat down to begin reading, George exited his bedroom and sat down beside her. He turned and looked at the cover of the book.

"What are you reading?" He asked gruffly.

"Madame Bovary," she said grinning, "I like this one."

"And it's about…"

"Oh, well Emma is this lovely little ingénue in rural France and she marries this guy. She's extremely glamorous and has a great deal of hope about her future and wants an extremely passionate and romantic love life and she doesn't get it and its just about her disappointment and she has a bunch of affairs, and I'm just on her first affair actually so I couldn't tell you what happens afterwards," she said.

"So you've just been reading a book per day?" George asked. Hermione nodded.

"Two if I can squeeze them in," she said.

"And are all of them this dull?" She slapped him with her book playfully.

"Not so much," she said. "Oliver Twist was rather exciting. Actually you may like that one." George cocked his head.

"It's by Dickens, well—Charles Dickens really, and its about this boy whose life really just sucks, but he gets into all of these adventures and stuff and its really rather fantastic," she smiled.

"Lend it to me," said George. "God knows I have time." He smiled sadly. Although he attempted to smile, Hermione noticed he didn't crease his eyes in that familiar way, denoting that he was happy. "And it's not about all that lovey-dovey Colonel Darcy pish posh is it?"

"First of all, pish posh?" Hermione asked. George shrugged. "And second of all its, Colonel Brandon and Mr. Darcy." George rolled his eyes. Hermione mocked him in an over-the-top way.

"Who are those books written by?" He asked.

"Jane Austen," said Hermione with a grin.

"Of course, a woman," he stated.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing, just that a woman wrote them. Wonderfully flawed male romantic leads." George scoffed. "They don't exist in real life. Take Ron for instance, he'll never get his head out of his arse long enough to do anything about his crush on you. You were the one who kissed him first. And now he's just doing what's safe. He'll never take a risk and openly bring himself towards you," he said. "And that's not just because Ron is a git, or a coward, or anything of that sort. He's just non-confrontational like the world, and would rather just be safe than take any sort of effort. These men like Darcy and Brandon just don't exist." Hermione furrowed her brow. George noticed her uneasiness until she looked up.

"Just because you aren't this way means all men are like you. Look at Harry—he"

"Harry, is also a savior, but look, he found love in his best mate's younger sister," said George, "no risk in that. And he knew ahead of time that she's been infatuated with him. It was still safe." Hermione sighed.

"I will prove you wrong George," she said. George shrugged.

"Please do, it'll brighten my view on human nature," he said. They sat in a little bit of awkward silence for a while; Hermione stared at a small fleck of wall right beside his shoulder. "Please, continue to read, don't stop on my behalf." He said. She shook her head and looked outside the window.

"Its so nice today!" She exclaimed, "Come on, lets go."

"Go where?" George asked.

"Out by a lake I know, come on, its quiet, you can sit and stare all you want and no one really knows about it. I'll side-along apparate you," she said softly. George looked down.

"Hermione I haven't been out in ages,"

"I know, just trust me for once," she said. "I'll read, you'll sit in silence. There's no use in both of us being cooped up inside when its so bright and sunny, someone may think we're…up to something," she concluded, giggling to herself. George raised his eyebrow. "Nothing," she stated and looked at him pleadingly.

"I don't know," he said.

"Oh come on, you might find that you are enjoying yourself. And don't worry, no one even knows about it, its kind of my secret thinking spot," she said. He rolled his eyes and sighed, offering his arm.

"Great!" Said Hermione. She grabbed the food from Molly and her purse, took his arm in hers and apparated. The lake shimmered blue as they both sat, leaning against a small cliff. The water danced softly as little waves joined them on the shore. They were in the midst of a meadow spanning miles and miles around them and the weather was just right. Hermione pulled out sunglasses from her purse and began to read. George turned to her.

"Do you mind if I walk around for a bit?" He asked. Hermione shook her head as he walked along the beach. He took his shoes off and laid them down and walked along the edge of the water staring up at the sky and stopping periodically. Hermione continued reading her novel and was happy her presence was actually having a positive impact on him. A few hours later, he made the full circuit and sat down beside her.

"How's the book?" He asked. Hermione smiled.

"It's good. Although Emma is a right pain in the arse," she said. George crinkled his eyes a little, a small hint of a genuine smile bubbling up.

"This place is great," said George. "And no one knows about it?"

"Well my grandmum owns this land, and she moved to New York City and she gave it to my parents who are rather attached to London. So there's a small cabin a meters away, its rather lavish, but this lake is pretty much hers," said Hermione. George nodded looking around. He put his hands behind his head and lay back on the rocks. Hermione kept on reading as she noticed George fall asleep, seeming almost peaceful, perfect, she thought.

That night, after making sure George made it back to his place and went to sleep, she headed back to her flat. Ron was sitting out in the hall waiting for her.

"Ronald," she said with a surprise. He stood up smiling and hugged her tightly and kissed her hair.

"I just wanted to drop off some food from Mum, I should probably get to bed soon. How is he?" He asked referring to George.

"He will be fine," said Hermione. "Are you sure you don't want to come in for a bit?" She asked. Ron shook his head.

"I get a leave in about a month, I managed to test out of transfiguration. Since Harry tested out of most of it, he just found out he'll get the rest of August off," he said. "And after my two week leave," he said, "We get to go to a resistance camp in Siberia for four months."

"What?" Hermione asked full of shock.

"I'll get breaks every so often. I'm sorry, I thought I told you." He walked closer to her and she took a couple of steps back.

"Does this look like the face of a person in the know?" She asked. Ron shook his head no and looked down.

"Sorry," he murmured. "I'm not the one coming up with the schedule." Herminoe sighed.

"I guess not," she said. "But you're done in January right?" He nodded. She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his middle, "Well we'll just have to make your breaks count for extra." Ron grinned and kissed the top of her head.

"You're amazing," he said. "Thanks, but I really need to go, I have to be up at four for drills."

"What—are you in the military or something?"

"Apparently."

"Well don't work too hard," said Hermione with a grin. Ron winked and apparated out of the hallway. Hermione sighed and went inside where an owl from Ginny was waiting. She sighed as she realized Ginny would request that Hermione take over for her until she started work, since by the end of August Ginny would be returning for her final year. She quickly responded affirmatively, it gave her a place to read quietly and not be bothered and also she got a free meal every night. Not to mention, she felt that she was making some very positive headway with George. She watched the owl fly away and then changed into her pajamas. She headed to bed and turned off the lights, she knew that everything would eventually be alright and that George would also eventually be fine. He was way too resilient to give up living.

----10 years later—

April Fools Inc.

"Seriously Mr. Richards, you're sure about this?" George asked at the meeting with the CEO, sipping a glass of brandy. Adam nodded.

"I think you have made our small business venture into a massive corporation, and I don't think we could have had half the strength we have now if it wasn't for you. I am absolutely more than sure that you would be a terrific CEO. I feel that the time is right for me to retire," he said. "Of course we will announce it at the Christmas party in a few weeks, but I want you for the job."

"Thank you," said George incredulously, "I really do not know what else to say. It has been an honor working with you." Adam smiled. George stood up and walked down the hallway to his office area and sat down. He'd become the CEO of this company, and it was something definitely in the making. Even through the recent recession in the US he managed to keep the large ship of the company afloat, they even branched out outside of the wizarding world to the muggle world. In the ten years he had gone into work, he had expanded to all of the continents, and now he was in charge of finances all over the world, he had several people under him to oversee projects all over the world, but his work kept him in Manhattan.

He stared out his window at the snow beginning to fall over the city and sighed. Although he had build such an empire, he felt nothing but complete and utter emptiness.

(A/N) There it is, flashback chapter! Merry Christmas all of y'all. I think I'm going to play around with time. The story will be told in a very specific sequence but I like going back and forth, let me know if it gives you a headache. Thank you to EVERYONE who has reviewed. :) You guys are awesome, keep on reviewing. Come on, press the button, I dare you. But I don't know if I can squeeze another update in before New Years. I'll try, but I don't know. Definitely after New Years though, so wait for that. As always I love you all! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzah! And Good Merlinpeen to you :) (points to people who can guess that reference)