Hey all! Sorry it's been a while, been extremely busy. Anyway, I really do want some feedback on how this is going. Really. Because the more I've been looking at this thing, the more I want to drag it to the recycling bin on my desktop. So anything you have to say, please do. I've been looking at this for too long, and can't really read it objectively. Give a girl a hand? Hopefully you all enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Obviously.

FPOV

The next day Kingsley arrived, and pulled Rian into the living area. I watched unhappily from the entryway.

"Let it go, mate," George advised, joining me. "You've done all you can. She has to face it sooner or later."

"Rather it be later," I muttered, walking away from him. About an hour after, Kingsley left, warning us to anticipate Adam, Rian's brother, soon. George walked Kingsley out while I sat next to Rian on the couch.

"He's going to take care of the funeral," she said, her voice muffled by her hands.

"Do you...should we...we'll go with you," I said firmly.

"Thanks," she said, looking up. "I don't...I don't really want to go. Can I not go?"

"I think you should," I said quietly. George reappeared with Rian's brother. "Er..."

I got up, to leave them in peace, but Rian grabbed my hand and pulled me back down next to her.

"Are you alright?" asked Adam intently, sitting as well.

Rian shrugged. "Physically or mentally?" she muttered.

Adam laughed, sounding relieved. "Both I guess."

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Listen, I know you don't want to go to the funeral, but it'd look better if we looked as though we were still on good terms."

"Kept up the charade this long, haven't we?" muttered Rian. With a sudden burst of energy, she stormed out of the living room and into the bathroom, where she remained for the better part of the day. Eventually we coaxed her out, and she looked rather ashamed of herself as we surrounded her.

"I'm sorry," she said, pulling away from the group as we attempted to comfort her. "I'm fine. Let me make dinner."

None of us dared argue with her, with the look she gave us, so we all gathered in the kitchen as she worked.

"What's with the quiet?" she asked, falsely cheerful. "Did somebody—never mind."

After that, we tried to keep up a steady stream of conversation.

Rian fell asleep on my shoulder in front of the fire, so I told Adam to take the bed.

"No, let's let her," he said, looking at Rian. When I hesitated, he looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah," I said hurriedly, fumbling almost like Ron for a moment. George coughed, and I knew he noticed as well. "Let's let her."

So I picked her up and moved her to my bed, but when I went to leave the bedroom, she stirred. I cursed silently as she sat up, gauging the situation.

"You aren't going to leave me alone, are you?"

"Well, your brother is here..." I began.

"Then let me talk to him, but I'm not sleeping alone," she said forcibly.

"Ri..."

"Rian?" asked Adam from the doorway. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," she said, looking at me. "Listen, Fred needs his bed. And...I don't want to sleep alone. I—"

"Fred?" interrupted Adam, apparently seeing where this was going. "Let's you and I have a talk."

"Er, I'd rather not."

He gave me a look that had me standing up so fast I got dizzy. Despite Rian's relatively small stature, Adam was built a lot like Charlie, except even taller. He was not somebody I wanted against me.

"Adam," said Rian angrily. "What are you-"

"Fred?" repeated Adam. Giving Rian's hand a squeeze, I followed him into the hall.

"Just to be sure," said Adam, closing his eyes as I closed the door. "She does mean what I think she means. About you two?"

"I won't touch her," I said quickly.

"What happened last night?" he asked. "I know she stayed here..."

"Nothing like that," I said, again quickly. "We...er..."

"They declared their undying love for each other," said George, walking toward us, obviously appreciating the awkwardness. Adam stared between the two of us, as if trying to detect a joke. When it appeared that we were serious, he sighed.

"Alright, I know my sister can take care of herself," he said, and I sensed he was trying to be reasonable. "You won't touch her?"

I shook my head vehemently as George snickered. Adam rubbed the back of his neck, and I had to feel sympathetic. I'm not sure I would have been so forgiving if I'd been dealing with one of Ginny's boyfriends.

"Alright. I'll...see you in the morning, then," said Adam wearily, turning toward the living room. I glanced at George, who shrugged.

"I'm as surprised as you," he admitted. "I thought you were in for a major arse kicking."

"I sense disappointment," I said, closing the door behind me.

"Maybe a little," said Rian, as I joined her.

"You heard all that?"

"Bit difficult not to. C'mon, let's go to sleep. And for the record, I give you permission to touch me."

I bit back a grin as I wrapped my arm around her middle.

"You're a bit sinful," I commented.

"How so?"

"Why do I get the sense that you used your grief to get me to stay with you?"

She paused. "It isn't grief so much," she said slowly, as if looking for a loophole.

"Fine. False grief," I clarified. "You know under no normal circumstances would Adam let me anywhere near you in a bed."

"Well, at least something good came out of two deaths," she said, too lightly. Surprised, I didn't say anymore.