I'm grateful that George doesn't blame me for Hermione's condition; I blame myself enough. Angelina offers to send owls to our family, letting them know what's going on, but Mum thinks it's too morbid.

"We at least have to let Bill and Lee know," she replies. "They were worried about her too."

Mum agrees. She'll tell Dad when she gets home. George offers to let me stay with him and Angelina, but I would rather be alone. There are some things I want to do.

I go to the flat first and stack Hermione's books on George's small bookshelf and pick up her necklace, hooking it around my neck. I'll keep it safe until she gets out of the hospital. Then I go to the bookstore where Hermione had rented a flat to live in. She's good friends with the owner, so I assume he gave her a good price. He's upset when he finds out what's going on and allows me to move the very few belongings she has to my flat. When she gets out of the hospital, I want her to stay with me.

I can't believe she only has one bag. She must have used her famous charm to stretch the contents. I decide to unpack her bag for her, just in case there's something breakable in there. That, and I'm kind of curious what's in there. Most of it isn't surprising: clothes, toiletries, her Arithmancy and Ancient Runes books, and Hogwarts: A History. That makes me smile. Typical Hermione. She also has Essence of Dittany and a small album of photos, which I flip through. A few still pictures of her and her parents and lots of pictures from her Hogwarts days. The one of her and Neville after the war is sweet; they're sitting on the steps in front of Hogwarts and he's got his arms around her. I ignore a pang of jealousy. I know they're just friends.

I keep the album open to a picture of Hermione and me from the Quidditch World Cup; I hadn't realized someone had taken it. It must have been right after we won because we have our arms around each other and we're cheering. I reach down to the bottom of the bag and pull out a stack of letters wrapped in string, mostly from George, Bill, Mum, and Viktor Krum. I'm about to set the bundle aside when I find a small stack at the bottom with my name on it. I sit against the bed and open the first one, dated shortly after she had agreed not to write to me.

Dear Fred,

I know you probably won't read this, but it feels weird not writing to you when I'm writing to everyone else. I'm not sure where things went wrong with us, but if I did anything to hurt or anger you, I wish I could take it back. I know our friendship gets in the way of your love life, but I meant it when I said I wouldn't interfere. I miss you and I miss being close to you. I just want to know what I did wrong.

Love, Hermione

I scan through the other letters, but they take a friendlier, chatty tone until the last one, dated right after she found out the Gringotts goblins no longer wanted her.

Dear Fred,

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. I had plenty of time, especially after that curse put me in the hospital. I'm going to be coming back shortly after the Christmas holidays, so I won't risk awkwardness at Christmas dinner. George told me you're seeing someone and I don't want to interfere, as I've said before, though I still don't understand why being my friend would interfere in the first place.

There are several things I want to talk to you about that I probably won't have the opportunity to, so I just want you to know something. You often asked why I stayed with Ron despite how he treated me. Honestly, in the beginning, things were good. When things got bad, I knew ending my relationship with him would mean that I would lose my family in the process because, for all purposes, your family is the only thing I have. I couldn't bear to lose that, especially you. So I stayed with him and held on to the hope that the person I actually cared for would feel the same way about me one day. I knew your kiss didn't mean anything because you were drunk at the time, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. When I was with Ron I was thinking of you and now I know that he was thinking of Lavender.

I want to write more, but my head is hurting so badly I can barely see. I hope we get a chance to talk properly when I get back, because hope is the only thing I have right now. I hope things are going well for you-George's letters indicate that they are-and I hope you're happy. That's most important.

Love, Hermione

That lump is in my throat again as I let the letter fall to the ground. I clutch her pendant and hug my knees, sobbing like a child. I should have told her. I should have let her know what I was thinking, what I was feeling. How could I have been so stupid?

I string the envelopes together again and put them on the table before closing the door to the room. I go to my own room and lie down on the bed, curling back up into a ball. My chest hurts so much. I open the drawer and pull the picture I had so carelessly tossed in there out, repairing the glass frame. I trace Hermione's smiling face and give in to tears again.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because it's light when I open my eyes. I wash quickly and head to the hospital. George and I both want to be there, so we aren't opening the shop today. Mum is there too, and Bill and Angelina.

"Don't you have to work?" I ask Bill as I take a seat next to him.

"I took off. I want to be here."

We're silent after that, looking back and forth between the clock and the floor. When the Healer comes out to talk to us, she looks as exhausted as I feel. My heart is pounding as all of us stand up together.

"Hermione made it through the operation," the Healer says. "We're going to keep her here for a while to ensure there are no complications."

The relief floods through me so quickly that I fall to my knees. Mum and George have sat down too. "Thank you," Bill says, mostly to himself.

"Can we see her?" Angelina asks.

"Not today. Maybe tomorrow."

Mum stands up and takes charge. "Thank you for everything," she says to the Healer before turning to us. "All right everyone. Let's go home and get some sleep."

So we do. I feel a slight pain in my hand and look down, finally realizing that I've been clutching Hermione's pendant so tightly that it's cut into my skin. That's fitting, having the imprint of her necklace on my hand, since she's left an imprint of herself in my life. I can't believe it's taken me this long to realize I need her.

Now that I know Hermione's going to be okay there's something I have to do before I go home. So I head to Nicola's flat. She doesn't look very happy to see me.

"About the other day," I begin. "I'm sorry. The girl that you saw...she collapsed and George and I took her to the hospital. She had surgery today, but she's okay now."

I'm rambling, but her expression doesn't change. "She's not just a former coworker, is she?"

I hang my head. "No. I'm really sorry."

"So you came here to tell me we're through then?"

I look up into her green eyes, once again wishing they were brown. "I'm so sorry."

She doesn't say anything, just shuts the door in my face. I should feel bad, but I'm relieved. I'm finally letting my feelings for Hermione wash over me and not keeping them inside. If only I had done this sooner...I shake my head. No use looking back now.

I go home and climb into bed, hoping to actually get sleep tonight. I find myself thinking about Hogwarts and all those times Hermione and I spent together, even just sitting in the common room doing our separate things. Her, homework, me, tricks usually. I would glance over at her every now and again, marveling at her focus. Everyone would be talking and carrying on, but she wouldn't even look up. Nothing broke her concentration. Actually, something breaking her concentration was when I knew things were wrong. She would leave the common room with her books and go to the library to work in peace. Sometimes I would go after her, but stay hidden behind the stacks, just to make sure she was okay. If she knew I was there, she never let on.

I realize now that blaming Hermione for my failed relationships with Hanna and Rena was stupid. I had been using them to get her off my mind and it hadn't worked. The more I tried to push my feelings down, the more they bubbled to the surface. Sure, the intimacy distracted me, but in the end it wasn't their faces I was looking at. It had always been Hermione.

My thoughts are pleasant as I drift off to sleep and the mood is elevated in the shop the following day. Angelina and Katie are in the back with Lee helping him make more love potions; Valentine's Day is coming up quickly. George and I talk to customers and arrange the shelves, something we've been neglecting in all the craziness. The Healer had told us that only immediate family could visit Hermione today, so I decide to go during our lunch and George decides to go once the shop closes. I won't lie, I'm nervous as I walk the halls to Hermione's bed. I'm not sure what to expect.

I swallow hard when I see her. Her head is bandaged heavily and there's a tray of multiple bottles on the table by her bed. She's still pale and lying incredibly still. I touch her hand to ensure she's alive-she is-and watch her chest rise and fall gently. She's asleep. I should have figured after everything she's gone through. So I leave and let her sleep. I'll talk to her another day.

The love potions are selling almost faster than Lee can make them. He's misses Hermione and I don't blame him. I miss her too. It's been two weeks and I still haven't gotten to talk to her yet. She's always asleep when I go. I had even tried different times, but she's always asleep.

Finally, I ask George if he talked to her yet. He nods. "Why?"

"She's always asleep when I come in. It's weird, like she's doing it-" I break off, the realization hitting me hard.

George looks up from the Nosebleed Nougat he's working on. "Like she's doing it on purpose to avoid you?"

I nod, looking down at my Puking Pastilles.

"Maybe she isn't ready to talk to you yet. Or maybe she doesn't like you seeing her weak."

"But I'm her best friend."

He raises an eyebrow. "After the way you treated her? I would say Bill or Charlie is her best friend by now."

I hang my head. He's right. But I'm not going to stop trying.

I don't see Hermione awake until the day she's able to leave the hospital. George and I escort her carefully back to the shop, even though she's regained her strength. I let George tell her that she's going to be living in his old room because I don't know how she would take the news from me. She actually likes the idea because it allows her to work conveniently while she figures out what to do about a long-term position.

"Can I start tomorrow?" she asks.

"Will you be up to it?" George replies, worry creasing his features.

"Of course. I'm tired of sitting around doing nothing."

So we agree. I make breakfast for both of us the next morning, which Hermione thanks me profusely for, and give her back her necklace. She smiles, thanking me for that as well.

I hover by the door, looking back at her before we head down into the shop.

"What?" she asks.

"Any headaches?"

"No."

"Dizziness?"

She rolls her eyes. "No."

"Double vision?"

"No. Fred, I'm fine."

"I'm just checking," I reply, wounded.

Her tone softens. "And I appreciate it. But you'll be right there if I need anything. Stop worrying."

Lee slaps Hermione's hand when he sees her. "I know you hate it, but I need help restocking all the love potions from Valentine's Day."

"Big sellers?" she responds, going over to her cauldron.

"Huge."

"Then let's get to work."

And they do. All day, save for a lunch break. I'm glad to see Hermione's illness hasn't affected her potion-making abilities. An owl flies in as we're closing shop with a note for Hermione.

Dear Miss Granger,

If you could meet me in my office in the Ministry of Magic (level one) tomorrow at 9:00am, I have something to discuss with you that I believe will be beneficial to both of us.

Sincerely, Kingsley Shacklebolt

Hermione's eyes are wide. "I wonder what the Minister could want with me."

"Probably a job," Lee says. "He knows you're brilliant at everything."

"I don't have anything to wear."

"We'll cover it," George says hastily. "Late Christmas gift."

"George, really," Hermione begins with a look that reminds me of Mum.

"Don't 'George, really' me," he says, wagging a finger in her face. "Let's go."

So we take off to a shop that sells business attire and Hermione picks out two attractive suits, one with a skirt and one with pants. She buys two blouses and two pairs of suitable shoes as well. Perfect. Now we just have to make sure she doesn't stay up all night worrying.

"How do I look?" Hermione asks the next morning, spinning slowly in her outfit.

Wow. "Like a sexy librarian," I say without thinking.

She swats me with The Daily Prophet. "Fred!"

"What?" I ask, almost spitting a mouthful of juice down my front. "It's true."

She rolls her eyes. "I'll see you later. I'll put in a few extra hours at the shop tonight."

Today George and I are going through our account books while Lee works on potion products and Verity trains Katie and Angelina in customer service. Before we buy Zonko's Joke Shop, we need to ensure we have enough to cover the cost of supplying and running it. Since it's in Hogsmeade, it will definitely be frequented by Hogwarts students.

Our timing is good; we finish just as Hermione comes back through the door. She's beaming, so I know something great happened. "You were right," she says to Lee. "It was a job."

"Where?" Angelina, who had just walked over with Katie, asks.

"The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"He wants you to liaise with Goblins and Centaurs?" I ask, confused. "That won't end well."

"Not exactly," Hermione replies. "He knows about my interest in the rights of non-human creatures and what I've done so far, and he wants to bring more respect and unity between wizards and non-human creatures because we all belong to the same world. He wants me to help."

"That's a...bold undertaking," Katie says.

"It's even bolder than that. He eventually wants to eradicate laws that make wizards superior to non-human creatures and pure-bloods superior to half-bloods and muggle-borns. I'm going to be part of that as well."

I'm really happy for her, but... "That has the potential to be really dangerous."

Hermione smiles. "It's no more dangerous than being Harry Potter's best friend."

Point. We share our news as well and Hermione goes over our books again, just to double check our numbers. She's grinning when she closes the book. "Perfect."

So we all go out to celebrate. Food, drinks, and lots of laughs. Lee, George, and I toast everything in the room, which makes the girls laugh. Finally I meet Hermione's eyes and give one more serious toast. "To new beginnings."

She understands. "To new beginnings."