"What about when you're awake?" Fred hated prying like this. He wanted to be the person she willing came to and shared such personal things with. But it was a necessity. He needed to know where she stood first. "Have you ever… lost yourself in the memories while awake? Forgotten where you were…" He trailed off, the look on her face frightening him. It was understanding and sad.

"I haven't personally… have you?" she asked softly.

"No but…" he trailed off, turning to stare at the books surrounding them.

"George?" She guessed easily. He nodded, just barely, unable to speak. It felt like a heavy weight had settled somewhere between his heart and throat. It was painful and scary, and for some damn reason made him wish she'd just climb into his lap and… hold him. Nothing sexy. Just to feel her. "How bad is it really?"

For a moment he was confused, thinking he'd spoken his thoughts out loud. "For Georgie you mean? Bad enough… nightmares a few times a week still. Loses himself… I don't know how often. But I catch him at least once a week. It's impossible to tell what sets it off and he wont talk about it." Frustration leaked into his voice at the end, clearly unused to being shut out.

There was a moment of silence as Hermione let Fred compose himself, her mind racing. She already knew that the Wizarding World was fairly behind the Muggles when it came to mental health. She had a sinking suspicion of what Fred was describing, but would have to do some more reading to find out for sure. "So that's why you decided to make the therapeutic candy," she said, just to continue the conversation.

"Not right away," he admitted, still avoiding eye contact. His ears turned red. "I thought it would pass with time you know. He'd heal and find peace. But then…" He stamped a foot making Hermione jump.

"Then what?" She pulled his hand to her, rubbing her free hand over his arm soothingly.

"We had a friend from back in school. Fought beside him. And we never knew," his voice wavered, and Hermione knew there was not a happy ending to this story, "He never let on! He just… gave up. He hung himself six months ago. It was all explained in the note."

Silence hung heavy, Hermione's nose tingling with the tell-tale sign of tears to come. She squeezed his arm. This was not the time to lose herself. Fred needed her right now. She drew together her strength and gathered her self control.

"I made it look like he'd just run off. He didn't have any family left to wonder where he'd gone. And burned the note. I never told anyone the truth of what happened. Not even George," Fred's voice was dull and sad. Hermione's control slipped as a few tears fell.

"Oh Fred," she couldn't find the words. Instead she stood, moved in front of him, and pulled him into her arms in a tight hug.

Fred went easily, sinking gratefully into her, feeling her arms tighten even further around him. 'So much strength from such a small thing.' He was shaking, curled into her like a child. She simply bent lower and moved between his legs, allowing for a closer more tight embrace. It didn't occur to either of them that history was repeating itself. Just as Harry held the pieces of her together and helped glue them back together, she was now holding the pieces of him whole. She'd help glue him back together, and when that was through, they'd work together to bring George back to them too.


Twenty minutes later Ginny had filled both Luna and George's arms with an entire wardrobe worth of new clothes for Hermione and half a wardrobe worth of clothes for Fred. Somewhere along the lines George barely managed to grab a few items for himself and pajamas for them both. He'd had a hell of a time arguing with the girls that Fred would not be sleeping nude anytime soon. He still had to share a room with the man for Merlin's sake. He was beginning to think that after his heart to heart with Freddie he should seriously consider warning him as well. These two were obviously intent on driving him insane. Hell maybe he should warn Hermione too, cause if the girls got their way Fred would have her locked in a room tied to the bed for a damned week by the time this whole thing was over.

"Oh relax George," Ginny correctly guessed his thoughts as they made their way up to the register. "It's not like we'll throw it all at him at once. Hermione's hardly the type to try and seduce a man."

"That's true," he admitted, feeling a little less apprehensive. Hermione wasn't exactly a man-eater, and contrary to popular belief Fred was very much about self-control. Of the two of them, Fred was always the one holding him back from their past mischief, preaching the benefits of delayed gratification.

Without thought, the two quickly split the bill for the cost, only pausing to wave Luna off when she once again tried to help pay. They did, however, let her help carry their numerous bags as the exited the shops with much lighter pockets.

"Should be go find Hermione and Fred now?" Luna asked as they stepped out onto the street.

"No, let's not interrupt them," George shook his head. "We already said we'd meet back at The Burrow anyway."


After a while Fred's body calmed and stilled, the release of emotion leaving him feeling drained but better than he'd felt in a while. Instead of doing the proper thing and moving away, he shifted forward in his seat and wrapped his arms around her in a vain attempt to pull her closer. He subtly turned his head to inhaled deeply, taking in her sweet scent.

Hermione felt his body slowly still, then relax. When he pulled her in closer she went willingly, taking it as a good sign that he was coming down from the high of that kind of catharsis. Thoughtlessly, she began running her fingers through her hair like she did to sooth Harry during similar times of need. She was almost surprised by how thick it was. She'd figured it would be as fine and soft as it looked, but she hadn't expected it to feel so lush.

Fred was surprised to feel her fingers begin to run through his hair. It felt a hell of a lot better than when he did it himself. Her fingers flexed, scraping her nails over his scalp, unknowingly tugging it lightly. He took another deep breath, this time to keep from moaning out loud. Damn it felt good. The past twenty minutes had taken too much of a toll on him. He could feel his self control slipping. 'Later Freddie,' he once again promised himself. He added feeling her pulling him in for a kiss by his hair to the list of things to make happen.

"I can't let that happen to George. I won't," he pulled back, finally making eye contact with her. The intensity in his eyes raised goosebumps on her skin.

"We won't," She corrected him just as determinedly. "Muggles have lots of theories about mental health. All sorts of things that we can look through to help. What you describe sounds an awful lot like something a lot of soldiers get called PTSD. There's all sorts of treatments they've made that help. I bet we can find a way to build on them to help him."

"Really?" Fred's eyes grew wide making her grin. She sat back down nodding, proud that the muggle world could provide something so significant for him.

"You mean there's an actual name and cure?" He turned in his seat eagerly. "They don't just get locked up in the hospital?"

"Locked up?" Hermione looked at Fred askance.

"That's what would happen to him, Angel. If anyone else found out, the hospital would petition the Ministry and could demand to have him locked in their mental ward."

Hermione was so shocked she missed the use of the pet name yet again. "That's awful! He's not some sort of insane criminal about to go on a rampage!" She looked ready to spit fire. Fred adored it. "Yes, there's a name for it. It stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. There's treatments, but as far as I'm aware no cure just yet. But… they don't have the added benefit of magic like we do. Maybe we can. Even if we can't… we can help make it better."

"Anything. Whatever it takes, even if it isn't a cure. If it gives even a bit of my brother back." Fred's tone left question. He'd go to the end of earth to make it happen. "If we manage this, imagine all the other people in hiding, suffering, we can help."

Hermione nodded eagerly, "exactly," she couldn't keep the eager smile from spreading over her lips. She could hardly wait to get started. Not just for the intellectual stimulus of it, but because the twins had always treated her well, and she really wanted to be able to help make this happen to show her love and appreciation for the family as a whole.


"Are you it's a good idea to just walk back in the house," Luna asked as they walked from the apparation point toward the Burrow.

"What do you mean," Ginny shifted her bags restlessly.

"Well… wont your mum ask where Fred and Hermione are?" Luna shrugged. "Just seems like something they should get a chance to let it happen without her, you know? Not that she isn't fantastic, just… it seems like Fred would have an awful bit more luck without Mrs. Weasely adding to the pressure."

The two Weasleys stopped short, staring at Luna incredulously. "I didn't mean anything bad by it. She's a lovely lady but don't you think she'd be a little… eager to see them together? I mean after what happened this afternoon she obviously thinks of Hermione as her own daughter and…"

"Luna, you daft genius, I can't believe we didn't think of that," Ginny interrupted her, looking around wildly like she expected her mother to come jumping out from behind a bush.

"What happened this afternoon," George asked quickly, ignoring his sister in favour of the perfect chance to get the full story from what they saw earlier. Ginny eyed him from the corner of her eye, obviously trying to decide if she was willing to share.

"Maybe Fred can help," Luna smiled. Obviously Fred had her golden seal of approval, no questions asked.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure he can." George assured them both. Fred always went above and beyond to help him. He didn't make it obvious, but he knew how much he owed to his brother. Somewhere along the lines, Fred had grown into a natural caretaker and protector. It seemed to George he deserved a chance to put those attributes to use openly and proudly for someone who'd be able to shower him in the affection and attention Fred craved and deserved.


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