When the happy couples return home, I tell them about the new woman in my life. Angelina and Katie both sigh, bringing their foreheads against their palms in frustration, and Lee asks how she is in bed, earning him a slap from his wife. "What?" he says. "It's a legitimate question!"

George just looks at me, obviously tired. "Whatever makes you happy, mate." And he kisses his wife good-bye before going into the back.

That...wasn't what I was expecting.

"It's your life, Fred," Angelina says softly. "Just be careful." And she and Katie leave.

"Well?" Lee asks, still wanting an answer.

"Yes she was."

"Good for you."

End of discussion. The days go something similar to that. I work in the shop with Lee and George all day, and sometimes Angelina or Katie, then see Hanna on most nights. Sometimes we go out for dinner, but usually we're in her flat in various stages of undress. I write to Hermione occasionally, telling her everything except that. She's happy in Egypt; she and Bill have been exploring various places on their days off and plan to go to Romania to help Charlie with a project at Christmas. That's odd. Except for that year during the Second Wizarding War, Hermione and I have always spent Christmas together. I wonder how Mum and Fleur feel about that.

Hanna has been a great distraction, that is until she comes to my flat for the first time in December. She looks over at my table while we're in bed together, picking up the picture of George, Hermione, Ginny, Lee, and me from the Quidditch World Cup. "Is this her?" she asks, pointing to Hermione.

"Yes," I reply, realizing my fatal mistake.

"Pretty."

I shrug, hoping she'll miss something very significant about the picture.

"I thought she was your little sister's best friend." Her blue eyes stare accusingly at me.

She noticed it. "She is."

"Then why are you holding her hand?"

I think of the best lie I can. "Pivotal moment in the game, not thinking, you know?"

She doesn't. And she doesn't believe me. "I think it's time we say good-bye."

I hang my head, my stomach churning. "Okay."

Once she leaves, I stare at the picture, at Hermione's smiling face. "You ruin everything!" I yell at her, opening a drawer in the table and slamming the picture face down. Then I take the necklace and throw it at the wall, not even seeing where it lands.

The door opens and George pokes his head in. "Are you okay? I heard yelling."

I don't answer, still fuming, and his eyes land on the empty table." She asked about Hermione."

I nod, my eyes fixed firmly on the floor.

"She didn't like your answer, and now you're blaming Hermione."

"I'll just be more careful next time," I reply.

"Your love life isn't even on my list of things to worry about right now. Mum just told me that Ron is bringing Lavender to Christmas dinner. Apparently things are serious."

I groan. "Great. I can't stand her."

"Me either. But we have to be 'civil.'"

Obviously a direct quote. "Fine."

And that's why I go to the Burrow on Christmas with the intent of avoiding Ron and Lavender at all costs. I'll stick with George and Angelina or even Fleur. That's going to be odd too, her here without Bill.

After Mum greets me and I say hello to Percy and Penelope and Harry and Ginny, I walk over to Fleur. She thinks not having Hermione and Bill around is weird too. Then the casts a disapproving eye at Ron and Lavender. "Bill told me what he did to Hermione."

Her English is improving; I barely hear the accent at all. Or maybe I'm just used to it.

"He prefers a girl who will bend to his every whim. Take care of him like his mother did and not speak out of turn." Her tone changes to something like pride. "Hermione would have never been that woman. She is intelligent and wants to make a difference in the world. She is not worried about whether or not she has a man."

I also don't think I've ever heard her say so much in a single thought. "Do you feel that strongly about everyone else's relationships?"

She laughs. "No. I think George and Angelina make a wonderful pair. He has grown tremendously since the war. Percy and Penelope seem happy and Harry and Ginny...well, we always knew they would make a match of it."

"I expect Harry and Ginny'll get married once Auror training is over."

"Ron and Lavender will be first. Look at Lavender's left hand."

I see a small ring with some kind of gem on it on her fourth finger. "I'm not surprised."

"Nor am I."

We move on to discuss Mum's reaction to George's elopement-she wasn't pleased but she was happy for them-and Bill and Hermione's trip to Romania. She doesn't know what they're helping Charlie with either.

"Do not tell your mother this, but Bill is going to be moving home soon," Fleur says. "I am with child."

Wow. I wonder if it's going to be part Veela. "Congratulations, Fleur."

Mum calls us to dinner before we can say anything else. I'm fairly sure that's the longest conversation I've ever had with her. I'm seated across from Lavender at the table and she makes a concerted effort to avoid looking at me.

When Ron announces their engagement during dinner, everyone is completely silent. Fleur and I exchange looks and Percy finally breaks the silence by congratulating them. The rest of us quickly do the same. Then things get awkward when Ginny asks them where they're going to live, since Ron is still staying here. Lavender mumbles something about the flat she shares with Parvati and Percy steps in to save them by mentioning something amusing that happened at his job the other day.

"I don't like her," Mum says quietly when she hugs me good-bye. "But I've finally realized that Hermione should be with a much stronger and more caring man than Ron. Lavender is actually just on Ron's level."

It's about time.

I bounce back quickly from rejection and begin seeing Rena, another Hufflepuff who had been a couple years ahead of me. Our relationship progresses the same way my previous one did, except that I avoid Hermione at all costs to ensure she won't ruin it. I keep the picture in the drawer and ignore all her letters.

Ignoring her letters is actually why I don't notice when they suddenly stop coming. Mum is so beside herself with worry at Easter that Bill, who had come back to take a desk job at Gringotts and take care of Fleur during her pregnancy, sends an owl to his best friend, another Curse Breaker who works in Egypt. We find out that a small curse had sent Hermione and two others to the hospital, but that they'll be fine. He promises to ensure she writes when she feels up to it.

Mum is still panicking until Bill reassures her. "Hermione's been through worse. She survived the war and being Harry Potter's best friend. She can handle it."

Of course she can. She's invincible. Nothing can harm Hermione Granger.

I continue ignoring her letters and focus on Rena, who I wish had more to say than how wonderful I am and how lucky she is to have me. Her life is similar to what I would expect from Malfoy: parents are wealthy so she doesn't have to work. Everything is handed to her. Opposite of my family, and actually not very similar to Malfoy anymore; he works too, according to Hermione.

Hermione. Damn her. I can avoid her letters, but I'm not going to be able to avoid her while she's here. I'll have to show her the necklace is safe too...bloody hell. I don't even know where that necklace is. I remember throwing it, but I have no idea where it landed. So I spend the morning of Hermione's arrival tearing my room apart looking because "Accio necklace" isn't working.

"Missing something?" I hear from behind me.

I turn and see George, the necklace dangling off his index finger. "I went looking for it the day after you threw it. You broke it, you know."

Relief rushes through me. "Thanks, George."

"You might not care, but Hermione treasures this thing. Treat it as such."

I hate it, but I put it back around my neck. May as well make her happy.

I think I'm prepared for seeing her, but I can tell by the instant pounding of my heart that I'm not. I can't take my eyes off her, her lightly tanned skin and her hair tamed into gentle waves. Everyone hugs her, Mum's voice ringing out over the others, "You're far too thin! You need to eat more!"

Bill pulls Hermione aside and talks to her for a couple minutes before she finally comes over to me. "How are you?"

Her hug is warm and I feel all those feelings rushing back instantly. Damn her. She's happy that I kept the necklace safe and hooks it around her own neck to keep close while she's here. I had looked closely at it before I gave it to her. You can't tell it was broken.

After Christmas dinner, I go to see Rena. We're in bed immediately, but it isn't her name I use tonight. It's Hermione's. Rena slaps me and I deserve it and I curse Hermione to the ends of the universe for ruining yet another relationship. I hope I don't have to see her while she's here, but George somehow coaxes her to help Lee make love potions for Valentine's Day. Lee's happy to see her and I avoid the back at all costs, choosing instead to talk to customers. My feelings are so conflicted right now I don't know what to do.

Hermione gives me space at first, but doesn't let me off that easily. The night before she leaves, she asks to speak to me. So we sit at the table in my kitchen. My hands are sweaty. I have no idea what she's going to say.

She looks tired and rubs her temples before speaking. "I don't even know where to start. Why you are avoiding me, is best I guess, because that also covers why didn't you write to me while I was in Egypt."

I'm quiet for a moment, trying to find the words to explain. I decide to lie. "I don't know."

"I assure you, if you want to date other women, you don't have to worry about me interfering. After all, we've never been more than just friends."

I hate that she can see through me. "I know that."

"I won't write to you if that's the way you want it. I can just put my necklace with my other things in George's old room. I'll see you next Christmas and we won't have to speak more than you want to. If you have a girlfriend, I'll be polite." Her voice softens. "I just want you to be happy."

I don't say anything as she unhooks the necklace and disappears into the other bedroom. She moves to hug me before she leaves, then thinks better of it and simply says good-bye. I feel like crying as I watch the door close behind her, but I don't know why.

I overhear Mum and Dad talking when I go to the Burrow for dinner the next evening. I wanted to collect the last few things from my old room, so Mum had insisted I stay for dinner.

"I'm worried about Hermione," Mum says. "She looked awfully pale when she left this morning.

"It's winter, Molly," Dad replies.

"She has a lovely tan, Arthur. She's not pale. I think all those injuries are catching up to her. Remember, Madam Pomfrey said the war might have ill effects on her later? And that curse that sent her to the hospital in Egypt."

"She's a strong girl, Molly. She'll be fine."

Merlin, I can't even escape her in my own house! I think Mum is overreacting, as usual, then Bill voices the same concerns to George and me when he gets back from escorting her to Egypt. "Did Hermione say anything about not feeling well this morning?"

I don't answer, but George's face twists into one of concern. Of course. "Is she okay? You know she never complains."

"She didn't look well. She said she was fine, but I noticed she kept rubbing her temples like she had a headache."

My mind flashes back to our conversation last night, but I push it away.

George's concern gives way to worry. "She was doing that a lot at the shop this week."

"Did she get headaches a lot at school?"

"No, not that I remember."

I can't take this worry party anymore. "It's just a headache. Who cares?"

They both jump, obviously surprised at my outburst, and Bill glares at me. "I'm concerned about the curse she was hit with in Egypt. Plus the torture and head injuries she sustained from the war and who knows what else happened while she was fighting Voldemort with Harry every year at Hogwarts."

I'm so sick of hearing about Hermione! Why is everything always about her? She ruined my relationships! "She's fine," I snap. "She can die for all I care."

The slap comes so quickly that I'm temporarily paralyzed. Finally, I hold my hand to my burning face and glare at George. "What was that for?"

His face is blood red; he's obviously pissed. "Don't you ever say you want her to die! You care and you know it!"

I look at Bill, who's shaking his head. "If anything happened to Hermione, you would be the first one crying next to her bed."

"Not anymore," I say, and walk out.

The cold air feels good against my sore face as I walk back to my flat. I could have Apparated, but I'm hoping a walk will cool me down. I haven't been this angry since I punched Ron, the stupid prat. I just want Hermione out of my life!

I'm so wrapped up in my thoughts that I crash into someone on the street. I reach out and grab the person to keep them from falling. "Sorry about that!"

"The fault is mine," the girl replies. "I wasn't watching where I was walking."

I look at her more closely, recognizing the voice. "Nicola, right?" She had been in the same year as me, but in Ravenclaw

She smiles. "That's right. Are you Fred or George?"

"Fred."

"It's nice to see you again."

I decide to take my opportunity while I can. "Would you like to get a drink? I owe you for running into you."

She smiles again. "That would be lovely."

So we drink and talk and kiss. She doesn't ask me home, so I don't ask her either. We make plans for dinner the next night. I'm back in the game.

"You're basically dating Hermione," George says one night as I'm rushing out of the shop to meet Nicola.

It's been six months. He needs to get over what I said about Hermione at Christmas already. I'm just happy it's not affecting our ability to run the shop successfully. But his words are in the back of my mind as Nicola and I have dinner together. Looks: pale skin, curly brown hair, green eyes. Hermione's eyes aren't green. Ravenclaw, not Gryffindor, but very smart. She's probably read Hogwarts, A History too. That thought makes me smile.

"What are you thinking about?" Nicola asks, entwining her hand with mine.

I push aside any thoughts of Hermione and curse George for bringing her up. I hadn't thought of her in months. "Just about how beautiful you are."

She smiles. "I'm so lucky to have such a handsome man."

"I'm the lucky one," I reply mechanically, suddenly wishing her eyes were brown.

We go back to her flat and I push away every thought that isn't her in front of me. My dreams when I fall asleep torture me, though. Why is everything working against me?

I put in double effort to erase her from my mind and it works. Nicola and my work are the only important things. George is still distant, but Angelina keeps him busy too. Lee is his same old self, which I'm grateful for. We're getting closer and closer to being able to open a new shop.

We're busy with other things as well. Mum is mad because Ron and Lavender got married and didn't invite anyone from the Weasley family. Ginny points out this is just as well because none of us actually approved of or liked the relationship to begin with. That makes Dad laugh. Mum gets over her anger quickly, though, because Harry and Ginny get married in a ceremony she gets to help with and Fleur gives birth to a beautiful baby girl, Victorie, a few weeks later. She's so happy that Harry is officially part of the family now and that she finally has a grandchild. Given the other two recent marriages, I'm sure she'll have more grandchildren soon.

The good mood goes until Christmas. Ron and Lavender have chosen to spend the holiday with her family, which everyone is grateful for. We're all in the main room cooing over Victorie when Bill comes in, his face red, holding a piece of parchment. "I can't believe this."

"What?" Harry asks.

"The Gringotts goblins have decided that they don't want women as Curse Breakers anymore because the job is too dangerous. Never mind that Hermione is one of the best we've ever had!"

So that means…I groan. Everyone else is shouting incoherently about how unfair this is. I hear Dad above the rest. "Outrageous! Simply outrageous!"

"When did this happen?" Mum asks.

"Last week," Bill replies.

"So why isn't she home?"

"She apparently already had plans to spend Christmas with Charlie."

Mum looks confused. "Why?"

Bill shrugs. "I don't know."

I do. The realization hits me like a bludger. When she said she wasn't going up interfere in my life, she meant it. And that included not showing up for Christmas so I didn't have to see her. I feel George's eyes on me and I know he's thinking the same thing. He doesn't know all the details, though.

Once the holidays end, I spend extra time with Nicola and mentally prepare myself for having to see Hermione again. She's going to have to come to the shop eventually to collect the rest of her things. I just hope Nicola isn't here when Hermione walks in.

No such luck. Hermione arrives shortly after Nicola does and nods politely to me. "I'll only be a few minutes."

Nicola looks at me, questioning, so I reply, "She used to work here. When she went abroad, she kept a few things here in storage. Now she's back."

She nods, accepting the easy explanation, and starts talking about something funny her nephew did the other day. Suddenly, I hear a loud thump from upstairs. George's eyes meet mine and both of us tear up the stairs immediately. Something's wrong.

I stop suddenly in the entrance of his room and he runs into the back of me, almost knocking me over. Hermione's lying on the floor, her books overturned beside her. I'm by her side in seconds, taking her pulse. She's alive, but unresponsive and deadly pale.

"We need to get her to the hospital," George says, his voice shaking.

I pick her up-she's definitely lost weight-and focus on Apparating to St. Mungo's. They take her to the fourth floor, spell damage, and we pace impatiently and silently. The Healer in charge of her questions us about past injuries, so we detail everything that happened during the war, her petrification during her second year, the attack by the Whomping Willow her third, and the curse that sent her to the hospital in Egypt.

"Oh my," the Healer says, looking slightly pale when we finish. "That's everything?"

George shakes his head and I suddenly remember Hermione being in the hospital wing at the end of her Fifth Year. That curse the Death Eater had cast at her that Madam Pomfrey said would have killed her if it had been said aloud. All those potions she had to take every day to heal her. My head is starting to hurt.

"Thank you," the Healer says after I tell her the last bit of information. "The two of you will have to wait here."

George offers to go back to the shop and close up with Verity, plus let Mum know what's going on, then come back. I'm grateful; I don't think I could speak without crying right now. And I don't want to leave.

It seems like forever before George comes back with Angelina and Mum in tow. The Healer is still with Hermione, so I can't give any information. Mum is wringing her hands together, but Angelina is calm. Somebody has to be.

The look on the Healer's face isn't promising when she comes back out. She tells us that Hermione has a brain tumor, something I've never heard of, but it's apparently something growing in her brain. It's probably the result of all the head injuries, as well as the Death Eater curse. That's why she was getting headaches so badly.

"How do you heal her?" George asks.

"We'll have to perform a type of Muggle surgery to remove the tumor. We have a Healer on staff who has performed the surgery before."

Surgery. That sounds really serious. Angelina asks the question nobody else wants to. "What are her chances of surviving?"

The Healer sighs. "Given the size and placement of the tumor, about fifty percent. I wish I could give you better odds."

Mum starts sobbing immediately, sitting down hard in the closest chair with her hands over her face. Tears are rolling down George's face, but I can't move. It feels like someone has their fist against my throat and I can't breathe. I feel bile climbing up my throat, but I force myself not to be sick. Stars float in front of my vision. This can't be happening.

"Can we see her?" Angelina asks, speaking for us again.

The Healer nods, but warns us that Hermione's unconscious. We pull back the curtain and enter, but I'm not prepared for the shock of seeing Hermione so tiny and still and helpless on the bed. Mum starts sobbing again, so Angelina leads her out, leaving George and me behind.

I try to swallow the lump quickly forming in my throat, but I fail. I kneel beside Hermione's bed and start sobbing, clutching her hand. "I'm sorry," I choke out. "I'm sorry I wished you dead. I'm sorry I made you go away. Please don't die."

I feel George's hand on my shoulder, but he doesn't say anything as I plead with the broken shell of my best friend. "Please, 'Mione. I need you. Please don't die."