After patting down her hair Hermione wiped her hands across the foggy mirror. She had thrown on a large comfy shirt, sporting a band she loved and her comfiest jeans. She was taking as long as she needed in the bathroom, an opportunity like this to not be disturbed was rare, and the book lover was waiting now for the moment Molly yelled for her and Ron to come down for dinner.

In her time bathing, she spent it worrying about what she could possibly say to Fred. Surely he would come tonight given the events of everything. They had to discuss this. The plans for this, when they had to go to the ministry to make the spell complete. Honestly everything about this situation needed to be discussed.

As the curly haired girl left the bathroom, she stopped and saw one of her best friends since her first year at Hogwarts wait outside her door. She smiled at the tall, lanky red head.

"Hello Ronald," she greeted in a voice she always used for him.

He gave a slight jump back and looked at her with wide, surprised eyes. "Blimey Hermione! I didn't know you were in there!"

Hermione shrugged and moved closer to the other, giving him a bright smile. "I see you have finally come down from being locked away," she teased but it didn't diffuse any of the stress the current situation caused. Ron looked down, his anger clear as his ears went red.

"I hate this… just… just when things-". Hermione stopped him with a hand. Because she knew. After all this time, just when she started having faith in the fact her and Ron might possibly work. Something was always against them.

This was her last moment to take with him though. She wasn't paired with Ron… and Ron was paired with Luna. Hermione moved boldly and hugged him tightly. Letting her cheek press against his chest. It was the most she could give now. A simple, heartfelt hug.

"So…just friends?" Ron asked. Unable to keep the tone of sadness from his voice.

She remained silent for some time, holding back tears. She nodded into his chest and squeezed him a little tighter. "The best of friends," she added quietly into his shirt before pulling away. "Come on, lets go help your mum set up for dinner!"

Downstairs at the large table sat Arthur, Ginny and Harry. Hermione had no idea when Harry had returned, but she knew if he was back this early… the law was in place. It wouldn't be changed.

Hermione watched sadly from her spot as Harry and Ginny held hands. It was understandable why they were placed together. They were so happy and in love already. They just got to get married sooner, really. It saddened Hermione she would never get that. With that horrid thought polluting her mind, she moved to help Molly. Setting the table, putting the food on the table, anything to distract her really.

As Molly put the chicken on the table a loud 'swoosh' came from the fireplace. Green light filling the room, everyone turned with excitement to see who was arriving tonight.

" 'Ello, 'Ello!" George's familiar voice called. Molly, with excitement, ran straight toward his voice. Hugging her son and pulling away, her attention turning to the fireplace as if she were expecting it to start up again.

"He isn't coming, is he Georgy?" Arthur called, taking in a long sip of his drink.

The twin frowned slightly, his own face sketched with disappointment. But to keep Molly's spirits up he threw his arm around her and shook her. Beaming at his mother with his playful charm. "It's a good thing you lot like me better than him right?"

It worked with ease, Molly became distracted, her entire demeanor changed. She gave her son a playful shove and laughed at his joke. "Come in, come in! Dinners ready!" She scolded as she pushed her son in.

Dinner had passed by quickly and with simplicity. George kept them entertained with stories and future product plans. The law was hardly mentioned until the very end. Ron's curiosity of who George had been paired up with. George just smiled and shrugged answering with Katie Bell.

George already explained that they had their spell completed. Their souls now bonded to one another. They had decided to take it slow, knowing they had to plan a wedding date rather soon because of the bonding. But taking things as slow as they could until then. George had already taken her on three dates. With consent he agreed to let Molly come with him to pick out the ring.

It seemed to be working beautifully for her and George. Hermione again sat in envy. She had so much doubt in her mind she would be getting that. The book lover knew well enough whom Fred wanted to marry and it wasn't her. It wouldn't ever be her either.

As George set off to leave he pulled Hermione aside. Extending his hand, he held out a note. "I apologize now you're stuck with the uglier twin, but he sends he regards for missing dinner tonight."

Hermione huffed, smiled and shook her head. "Are you sending these regards for him?"

George tilted his head and smiled to the girl. "Perceptive as usual, Granger!"

Then to her surprised, George had hugged her. It was a very brotherly hug and slowly her arms wrapped around him. "He just needs some time… after everything." All Hermione could do was nod into him.

"It would just makes thing easier if he and I could talk about this. It isn't easy for me either," Hermione finally let it off her chest. He was being selfish now. She was giving up things to, she was sorry things hadn't been working too well for him and things have been rough. But it hadn't been easy for her either.

"I know." Was all the other twin could offer her and it wasn't enough to make her stop worrying about this.

With that, George was gone and returning to the flat above the shop. Hermione helped clean the table and dishes, and then fled to her room. She plopped on her bed, belly first and began opening the letter. She was taken back slightly by his eligible handwriting. She figured him to be rather careless like his younger brother in his penmanship.

'Hermione,

Sorry I was unable to make it to dinner. I set up an appointment tomorrow with the ministry. Best to get out of the way as quick as possible.

Fred"

"Charming," she muttered with sarcasm, her eyes welling up in tears. If only she could go and fix this. Some how or some way. She didn't want to make either of them unhappy, but she knew this was the only thing to come from it. Hermione didn't want that life for herself at all.

She rolled on to her back and pulled off her pants, not even bothering with sweats. Her annoyance high with the Weasley. How dare he just presume she is free tomorrow? Besides that he made it without even discussing any of this first. She wasn't prepared for this at all, she needed a plan. It just aggravated her to no end. But just like this law, she could do nothing about it.

Exhausted from everything, the witch closed her eyes and pulled the covers to her chin. Putting this cocoon around her to give her some security. Within minutes she was asleep, cozy and warm in her future husbands previous bed.

She felt a small shake. A few minutes had passed in her sleeping state and she felt a harder one. Her eyes opened wide to a shadowy figure standing like a tower over her.

"You up 'Mione?" the voice asked softly.

"George?" The brunette asked, dazed with her exhaustion. The silhouette laughed and she caught a glimpse of the fox like smile.

"I've still got both my ears, love." He teased. This was the Fred she knew… did that make this a dream? Hermione perked up a bit and she scooted back in the bed.

"Sit," she ordered with a tired voice. The ginger haired man took of his shoes and plopped down on his former bed.

"Funny you sleep in this bed," he muttered, mainly to himself. Catching Hermione off guard a bit by such a comment

"Why weren't you at dinner?" Hermione started the interrogation right away. Even on her brink of falling back asleep.

Fred stretched out and shrugged. "Wasn't feeling up to a family dinner." He paused and then looked at her, surprising her with a serious face. "Did you get my letter?" Hermione nodded and she felt her eyes trying to close on her. Maybe it was because she was tired but she swore she saw the other frown.

"You should get some sleep." Fred now taking his turn to order the other what to do.

"Are you staying here tonight?"

"Might as well. Our appointment is early tomorrow, it would be a waste of powder to go back to the flat," Fred explained in a serious voice. A tone that didn't fit him well at all.

"Are you going to move over to George's bed?" Hermione mumbled, her eyes now completely shut.

"I think if anyone should move it should be you. This was my bed before it was yours," Fred teased, chuckling a bit even.

"Hmm," the witch replied, too tired to even bother with a full response.

"Good night, Hermione." He retrorted with such finality; she wanted to respond to it. But she was far too exhausted. She gave in and fell asleep again. Only this time she slept next to her future husband.