Chapter 27 - Helluva Day
14 April, 2010 - Lunchtime
Weasley's Wizards Wheezes
Hogsmeade, Scotland
Manager's Office
George Weasley
"I'm your brother! You should want to help me and Lavender out by giving me 10% of the profits of this store. I run the store here, I have for three years and haven't seen a raise or bonus at all! Why are you being so unreasonable?"
"Au contraire little Ickle Ronniekins, I have helped you out by offering you a job against my better judgment. I have twelve stores now and I still spend more time in this store than I do any other store going over the books, helping with basic restocking, and making sure you are not robbing me bloody blind. I don't trust you. I never have. I gave you this job, and pay you a salary equal to the other eleven managers I have hired. I have saved some time because of the contract I have with DG Potions, but I should be able to have supplies sent and have them be appropriately displayed. You received 700,000 galleons for your part in the war. You could have set that money up with Gringott's to give yourself a livable annuity for the next 50 years of your life. You chose to spend 700,000 in less than 8 years and came to beg me for a job. I acquiesced against my better judgement. I pay you 150 galleons a week which is a fair wage for the work I require of you and I still have to come here once a week to take inventory and check your books. It would be my easier for me to fire you and hire a store manager I can trust to owl me the books weekly. I am happy you and Lavender are expecting another child. I wish you all the best, but it is not my responsibility to subsidize your terrible life choices."
Ron has been a bloody git since the day he was born. He cried the first two years of his life. Then spent our childhood whinging to mum every time Fred and I told him no. I am so sick of his shite. Our mother ruined him. I use mother loosely because I only see her on Christmas out of obligation, and we stay exactly two hours.
His face gets red. "You're not being fair!"
I laugh, "I don't have to be fair! This is my business! Where were you when I was working from the ground up after the war? Did you offer to pay anything to help ME get on my feet knowing you had 700,000 galleons in the bank? No you didn't. Someone did though. That person helped me clean everything up, that person offered me money with hug and a smile. You drank yourself stupid and gained multiple venereal diseases. You don't get to tell me I owe you anything! I have done all I can to help you, and all I'm required to as your brother. If you can't start doing your job which requires rudimentary math, I will find some one who can and demote you to a clerk."
He squints his eyes and asks, "Who helped you?"
I shake my head, "A friend."
He huffs. "Would I have the same salary if I'm a clerk?"
I roll my eyes, "Are you daft? Clerks make 2 galleons and 16 sickles an hour. No you would not get the pay for the job you have now with a demotion."
He sighs, "No I don't want a demotion. I need more money. Lavender wants to quit her job to stay at home with Lotus, Lilac, and the new baby. You let Angelina stay at home with Roxie and Fred."
I laugh, "Right. I own a company so I can afford for her to do that. She works as a freelance potioneer for me during her time off so she can help out. Bringing my marriage into this discussion negated all of your arguments when you said nothing when Mother and Ginny made disparaging comments about her skin color when we became engaged. I will start looking for a manager for the store. You can sod off and go live with your mummy."
I stand up and start to leave. Ron follows me, and puts his hand on my arm, and says, "Wait! I need this job, George."
I am over his shite. "I suggest you apply for a nice Ministry job your mummy always wanted for you. I came here to talk about the discrepancies in the books, and to bail you out once again, but I'm done! I owe you nothing!"
I release his hand from my arm and apparate home. Un-bloody-believable!
14 April 2010 - 2:06 P.M.
George's Home above W.W.W.
Diagon Alley
London, England
George
" GEORGE FABIAN WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU THREATEN YOUR BROTHER'S JOB! HE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR STORE AND THIS IS THE THANKS YOU GIVE HIM. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY YOU CONTINUE TO TREAT YOUR FAMILY. IT IS YOUR OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY! I EXPECT YOU TO SEND AN APOLOGY TO RON THIS VERY MINUTE! I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOUR MISTREATMENT OF US! FIRST YOU REFUSE TO HELP GINNY WITH HER PROCEDURE, AND NOW YOU ARE FIRING RONALD! I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO DISAPPOINTED IN YOU IN MY LIFE!"
" Incendio" The Howler turns to ashes. Angelina walks in, she's so beautiful.
She sits on my lap and puts her arms around my neck. I kiss her and she says, "What did you do now, my love?"
I huff, "I told Ron I was going to find his replacement. He's so fucking entitled and I'm done."
She smiles, and leans back to look at me, "Really?"
I laugh. She has been begging me to let her take over the store, since Freddie started Preschool at Hogwarts last year. She said it would relieve so much stress on my part and free me up to develop new products. It would give her something to do and she'd be closer to the kids during the day.
She's my rock. After Granger disappeared, it broke me almost as much as losing Fred. Angelina was working for me at the time and she kept me afloat. She and I were friends that were grieving Fred and it grew quickly after that. She's smart, fierce, and so incredibly sexy. It didn't take me as long as I thought it would before I was on my knee begging her to allow me to love her for the rest of my life.
We married in June, 2002. We had the wedding at her family's home. I didn't invite my parents, Ron, or Ginny. We renovated the third and fourth floors of the building above Weasley Wizarding Wheezes into a lovely home for us. Ophelia owned the building and set it up with electricity while she owed it. The store takes up the ground and first floor. The second floor is mostly open, but has a few offices in the back we used to make products in. It's now used for business offices for the stores. My other stores all have computers and we use those to communicate. My managers at all the other stores have almost zero issues.
Ang and I had Roxanne Angel Prewett in June 2004 and little Fred Gideon Prewett II in August 2006. Roxie is a copy of her mother, but she has my brown eyes and Roxie's skin tone is color of chocolate milk instead of the dark chocolate color of Angelina. Little Freddie has the Prewett red hair and Angelina's green eyes. I can't bring myself to call him Fred, he is always Freddie.
My family has filled the giant whole in my heart Fred left. I couldn't cast a patronus for years, but once Freddie was born, I had so many beautiful memories of my wife and daughter, then the birth of my son, I was finally able to. I was surprised to see a hyena instead of a coyote. The hyena was Fred's patronus. He'll always be a part of me and it took me years to finally accept he was gone. Angelina was a huge part of that. I owe her so much. I could love her for eternity and it would never make up for everything she has been to me for the last 10 years.
Back to Ron. I sigh dejectedly, "I tried so hard giving Ron unlimited chances, but I'm at my end. He wanted 10% profits of the store, and though I could have paid him the 200 galleons I pay my other store managers, he just doesn't deserve it. The books are always a mess, and the store is a mess. There is no excuse for it. He's only busy one weekend every month. If you want it, it is yours, though you need not feel obligated. I like you here. I like taking lunches with you in our bed."
She giggles, and kisses me, "You George are turning into a dirty old man, we have 43 minutes before I have to pick up Rox and Fred…."
I love this bloody woman.
14 April 2010 – 7:20 p.m.
Leaky Cauldron
Diagon Alley
London, England
George
Ang took the kids to her parents for dinner, and suggested I go have dinner with the guys since it was Wednesday. She knew I was stressed about Ron and thought I'd enjoy hanging out with the blokes. In 2000, Madame Dagworth-Granger came to me and suggested I take the Prewett family seat. Bill would inherit the Weasley seat and Percy wouldn't do anything to upset his image with the parentals after his behavior during the war. I took it and when I took it and changed my last name to Prewett-Weasley, I became Head of the House and gained all of the Prewett estate by default. It was a happy surprise, one I never shared with my parents.
Working on the Wizengamot was a sombering experience. It forced me to mature because the fate of the wizarding world was in our hands. I made quick friends with Theo Nott. Theo was the comic relief I needed in my life. He is serious and sarcastic. He was the total opposite of Fred who was light-hearted and funny. Being friends with Theo showed me I could laugh again. It didn't feel like a betrayal because Theo and Fred are two completely different people.
Theo is intelligent and expressed his arguments with solid facts. He is charismatic and engages the audience when he speaks. Looking at him, you would guess he's a moron, but Theo impressed me. We started having drinks. We'd come to the Leaky after Wizengamot meetings. Potter, Adrian Pucey, Theo, Malfoy, and I would meet like clockwork.
I didn't know how to take Draco Malfoy at first. The first two years he basically just drank and didn't say anything. He told me once that he was always impressed with me and Fred at Hogwarts. He said all the Slytherins had a large amount of respect of us. After he said that we started a tentative acquaintanceship. He's a calm bloke. I was leery of him because he hurt Granger, but he has proven himself to be a decent bloke over the years.
Tonight he regaled us with his trip to New York. My store in The District is called Prewett's Prank Shop, as are the other stores outside of the U.K. I have tried to distance myself from my family as much as possible over the years. I owe everything to Granger and when Molly disrespected her, I chose sides. I will always be on Granger's side, because she was always on mine.
21 August 1994 4:45 a.m.
The Burrow
Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon, England
George
"Shhhh. Trust me." Fred and I are sitting at the kitchen table. I look to my right where Fred always sits.
I say, "You always say that just before we get into serious trouble."
He snickers, "Not this time, Forge. This is something you have to see."
We sit for about five more minutes when Granger sneaks downstairs and heads to the floo and leaves. I look at Fred, "Where is she going?"
He smiles and says, "Wait for it…"
Less than a minute later Granger reappears. She looks tired and her hair is an absolute disaster. Her clothes are dirty like she spent hours rolling around on the ground. How could she become that huge of a mess in one minute? As soon as she floos in, Fred turns on the lights.
"AHHHHH! You idiots scared the hell out of me!" She exclaims.
Fred giggles. "Now that ol' George here is in on your secret too, how about you help us with a little wager?"
Granger eyes bulge and she gasps, "That is cheating Fred!"
Fred laughs, "I'm aware. The point is, you find us devastatingly handsome and would like to help two blokes out with our dream."
She looks at Fred, and huffs, "I told you both I'd help you, I didn't say I would help you cheat as a means to an end. It's highly unethical. It would be easier to buy a lottery ticket and just as unethical!"
Fred smiles and says, "You would do that for us?"
Granger signs and says, "No, but you know bad things happen to wizards who mess with time. This is messing with time."
Fred smirks, "Granger, you my dear mess with time everyday, and I know you are up to something nefarious, and I only want me and Forge to reap the benefits of knowing you have a secret."
She stares down Fred for a few minutes, finally answers with, "Fine! I will tell you the results of the Quidditch World Cup tomorrow, but in return I want both of you to swear on your magic that this will be the last time and you cannot mention the time-turner to another living soul until I give you permission."
She has a what? I say, "Wait…you have a time-turner?" I look at Fred, "How long have you known she has a time-turner?"
Fred smirks, "Since the first week she started staying at The Burrow. Keep up Forge."
He then looks at Granger, "You have yourself a deal. We are going with dad later to pick up ickle Ronniekins best friend, are you coming with us?"
She shakes her head, "No, I'm spending the day with my parents. They took the day off, and we are going to a museum with our neighbor, Mina."
We both swear on our magic to keep her secret of the time-turner and to never ask her to use it again for our benefit. We all head upstairs to go to bed once we are in our room I ask Fred how he knew she had a time-turner. He said, "Oh well, one morning I woke up and decided to come downstairs for some pumpkin juice. I knew it was early, but took a seat at the table. That is when Hermione floo'd into the kitchen. She had the time-turner out when she came in, and I saw her stuff it inside her bag. I confronted her. She said she couldn't tell me everything because of a silencing spell, but she is receiving tutoring and that is why she is staying here. She told me not to tell anyone, and technically I didn't. Now we will be able to place a bet on the Quidditch World Cup and begin our ventures, Forge."
I shake my head. "Next time tell me. Good night Gred."
I heard a soft, "'Night Forge."
14 April 2010 – 7:25 p.m.
Leaky Cauldron
Diagon Alley
London, England
George
"So let me get this straight, you spent all this time with Granger who admitted to you that you are both fucking soulmates, and she wouldn't even kiss you goodbye? What the fuck? I would have at least asked for a blowie, she's your soulmate, Drake!"
Draco punches Theo in the arm not too gently, "One she was emotionally incapable at the time to entertain my suit. She has a lot of secrets that she is unable to share with most people. I was lucky she let me in to view them with her. Two, if you ever speak about her disrespectfully like that again, next time I'll hex you into old age. Understand, fucker?"
The nods and mumbles an apology.
Potter pipes up, "What secrets?"
Draco looks incredulously at Potter, "We just talked about this two weeks ago in your office Potter. Why don't you use that big Auror brain and think about it? If she can't tell you, she has her reasons."
I smirk at Draco and he catches it. It doesn't surprise me they are soulmates. True soulmates are rare, but Hermione only ever had eyes for Draco.
31 October, 1994
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hogsmeade, Scotland
George
Since that August morning, Hermione Granger has been an intricate part of Fred and I's lives. She returned at 4:45 on the morning of the 22nd just before everyone was suppose to be up and told us that Krum catches the snitch, but Ireland will win the Quidditch World Cup. We made a bet with Ludo Bagman and the Rat Bastard paid us in Leprechaun Gold. It dissapeared on us. Hermione laughed and said, "I told you bad things happen to wizards who mess with time."
Since then she has been helping us with a business plan and products for our joke shop. She is beyond brilliant and has come up with some very nice items to include. She told us a idea for two way mirrors. She said she would have to get permission because it wasn't her creation, but she then gave us the idea as well as the magic behind it. She came up with a mild form of love potion which gives a person a mild affection instead of love or obsession. She is working on a protean charm for messages. The girl is bloody brilliant. I think Fred is half in love with her. He's not her type. She prefers blonds.
It took me awhile to work it out. She always faced the Slytherin table and at first I thought it was just a "keep an eye on your enemies" kind of thing, but she kept covertly looking over at the table a lot. It then occurred to me she was watching someone. I watched her for a month to deduce who it could be, but I figured it out one time during breakfast. Fred and I had stayed up all night with her in the Common Room planning products. She gave us a potion that helped us wake up and we headed to breakfast. We were the first ones in the room. As soon as Draco Malfoy's entourage entered the Great Hall she squirmed and started her covert staring. It took me a couple of days to deduce she had a crush on none other than Draco Malfoy. Oh, that poor delusional girl.
I haven't told Fred my suspicions. It would crush him, but then again he would tease her relentlessly. She's a bit shy around blokes. You'd think a girl with two best friends that are blokes, would have an inkling of how we think. She doesn't, not even a little bit. She's so innocent about the opposite sex. She doesn't respond at all to Fred's subtle flirting. She is oblivious when we make an innuendo. She will try to answer it with logic, that is completely off the subject. Fred winked at her once and she handed him a handkerchief to "help his eye." Fred even leaned in on her one night and put his arm around her to whisper in her ear. She looked at him and said he must be getting tired and she should let us get some sleep.
The funniest thing about it, I believe she is honest in her naivety. She truly is that innocent, or her brain is too big to process the intricacies of a teenage boy's fallible flirtation devices. She's special, that I do know. Rather Fred is in love with her or not, he stopped flirting with her because I think he realized she's too special to hurt in anyway.
I think I may have had it wrong though. I don't think she immune to all male charms. She stares at Malfoy like she is ready to pounce on him at any minute. Maybe our sweet little Hermione Granger has a degradation kink we should look into. Malfoy is mean to her. Says terrible things to her on a constant basis. He is relentless, and I've had to hold Fred back a couple of times from hexing the twat within an inch of his life.
Last night Fred and I recruited Hermione into helping us with an aging potion so we could enter the Tri-Wizarding Tournament. She laughed at us and told us it's not going to work, but she is wrong. We enter The Great Hall and immediately find Granger with a book in her lap, covertly staring at Malfoy standing across the room. We surround her and without looking up from her book she smirks and says, "It's not going work."
She was right and for our efforts we had to spend the night in the infirmary while the de-aging potion took effect. Around 10 o'clock that evening she came to visit us. She sits in the chair between our beds and says, "I never realized how much you both look like your father until now. Next time you both should just listen to me."
Fred looks at her, but doesn't say anything. He looks at me and I know he agrees, but won't admit we were being stubborn. Though she helped us find the potion and helped acquire/steal the ingredients, she did all of this knowing it was a terrible idea. She proved to be a true friend to us.
Finally Fred looks at her and asks, "Now that you see how dazzlingly handsome our dad is, your not going run away with him, once we become our amazing selves again, are you?"
She smacks his arm and says, "I have decided all the Weasley men are off limits to me. You're all too much like family."
I smile at her, "Yeah, Granger you are our family. Maybe not a sister, yet, but definitely a quirky nerdy cousin."
She smiles, "I have to go, but I thought I'd bring you a snack and check on you both." She pulls out a box full of apple (Fred's favorite) and cherry (my favorite) filled puff pastries. She kisses us on our cheeks and leaves.
Once we know she's gone, Fred turns to me and says, "So are you over your crush in Granger, then?"
I look at him, "Oi, I thought you were in love with her!"
He laughs, "Nah, she has a weird obsession with that Malfoy bloke. I think she's delusional."
I laugh, "Mate, I thought the same thing."
The rest of the year as eventful as it was, we continued working with Granger on plans, product ideas, and just getting to know her. She truly was brilliant and Fred and I were fascinated with how her mind worked. By summer we promoted her sister status. She was, is, and will always be family.
14 April 2010 – 8:25 p.m.
Leaky Cauldron
Diagon Alley
London, England
George
Theo takes a shot, and says, "Personally I'm done with birds. I've dated for ten years now, and they are usually barmy or boring. I want a woman. Someone that can look me in the eye and that's hard with me being 6'3". I want an Amazonian goddess that knows what she wants, and takes it without apologies. Someone who can support me when I pissed as hell, and will spank me when I'm bad. Is that too much to ask?"
Potter and Malfoy, chorus, "Yes."
We all have a laugh, I speak up. "Mates, this is where I will part for the evening. Ang and the kids will be home soon. I've learned when Theo starts talking about exotic beauties, the night is over."
Malfoy has been staring at his phone all night. I put my hand on Malfoy's shoulder. "She'll text you, mate. Quit staring at that thing. Take care."
Then I walk home to my beautiful family.
14 April 2010 – 9:46 P.M.
George's Home above W.W.W.
Diagon Alley
London, England
George
Ang and I put the kids to bed. She said she had to finish up a couple of potions so I'm sitting in my office doing all the work, I put off today. I'm mostly running numbers in the computer. I look to my left and my two-way journal is sitting there glowing. I smile and open it.
HERMIONE: " George, I have made a decision. I first want to thank you for all your kindness the last couple of weeks. Your kind words and support mean a lot to me. I am releasing you from your vow, both of them. I have made a rather rash decision. If you have the parchment I had you sign, if you sign it again, it will release the spell."
I dig the parchment out of the desk drawer and sign it.
GEORGE: "Why the change of heart ol' friend?"
HERMIONE: "Sasha and I are going to come Home. I need to sort through Ophelia's estate, and I'm going to need the support of my friends."
GEORGE: "Really?"
HERMIONE: "Yes. We will get settled and met everyone at The Leaky at 10pm on Friday. Will you and Angelina be able to make it?"
GEORGE: "We'll be there. Wait have you told Potter or Malfoy yet?"
HERMIONE: "Not yet, I'll text them both in a few minutes."
GEORGE: "Please, please, please give me ten minutes. So I can be there. They are both at the Leaky now and Malfoy has been staring at his phone for the last few hours. (Don't tell him I told you that!)
HERMIONE: "Fine you have ten minutes. I can't wait to see you and my godson Freddie. Give him and Roxie hugs from Aunt Mia. Love you guys!"
GEORGE: " You are welcome to stay with us. I'll let Ang know you'll be here. Love you, too!"
I close the journal and run to Ang's lab. I slam the door open in excitement. She grabs her chest out of fear and I yell, "ANG, ANG…HERMIONE IS COMING HOME. SHE IS MEETING EVERYONE AT THE LEAKY CAULDRON ON FRIDAY AT 10. CAN YOU GET A SITTER?"
She laughs, "Of course. Can you calm down? The kids are asleep. I'm glad she's coming home. We haven't seen her for two months. Why are you so panicked?"
I laugh, "Oh I'm running to The Leaky to take the piss out of Potter and Malfoy. She released my silencing charm."
She shakes her head, and laughs. "Go. Have fun, I love you!"
I kiss her and say, "I love you too, I should be back in about an hour."
14 April 2010 – 9:58 p.m.
Leaky Cauldron
Diagon Alley
London, England
George
I arrive at The Leaky and find the table, Potter, Theo, and Malfoy are sitting at. Harry and Malfoy's phones beep loudly and I take my seat between Theo and Malfoy. I can't wait to tell them I had been talking to Hermione the entire time she has been gone. After all, she is my business partner. I feel myself smiling.
Theo looks at me confused and asks, "What has you so fucking happy?"
I look at Malfoy and he looks towards Potter and says, "She's decided to come." Then he smiles.
Potter raises arms in the air and says, "WOO-HOO!"
Theo looks completely confused and is staring at all of us, then asks, "What the fuck is going on?
I interrupt their conversation, "Granger will be at The Leaky this Friday at 10PM."
Potter looks at me like I killed his wife and children, and asks, "How the fuck do you know?"
I smile. I can't bloody wait to tell him this after all these years of not being able to. I reach into my robes and pull out the two-way journal and drop it on the table, "She released my silencing charm tonight, I've been talking to her for ten years through that two-way journal."
Drake and Potter both look at me and simultaneously yell, " WHAT?!"
I laugh. "You see, Granger was and has been our silent partner since we opened the doors in 1996. She gets 30% of our profits and has since day one. She helped with our products, making them safer than what we initially invented. She said if our products cause lasting harm it's not a joke. She put her research into everything we invented to make sure the effect wore off and didn't permanently maim people. She helped us with packaging and setting up the store. I made a contact with a Potions company to free up time and was eventually able to expand."
Potter who still looks extremely angry, says "How the fuck did she do all of this and I never knew about it? Also I gave you 1000 galleons to help you set up and you just gave me my money back. Why did she get a partnership in the company?"
I shake my head. "Potter as close as you and Mia are, you were not privy to all her secrets. Frankly, I believe there is only one person she was able to tell everything to."
Malfoy looks at me, "How did you know?"
I frown, "Fred caught her one morning in '94. Blackmailed her into telling us the results of the Quidditch World Cup."
Potter laughs, "You mean the bet you made and received your winnings in Leprechaun gold?"
I nod, "The very one. Granger warned us bad things happen…."
Potter chimed in, "with wizards who mess with time. Fuck. If she had the time-turner then, it means she lied to me about giving it back. Minerva lied to me as well last week when I asked her about it. She said Hermione handed her the time-turner on her last day of third year. Why would Hermione lie to me all this time?"
Malfoy said, "That could have been the truth, but all I can say is she had gotten it back and had to sign charmed paper to prevent her from talking about any of it."
Potter looks confused, and asked Malfoy, "How do you know anything about this?"
I look at Potter and say, "This git is her soulmate. The soulmate bond supersedes most silencing charms. She could have told him when she accepted him as her partner."
Potter nods, "How did you become so close with Hermione and no one else noticed?"
"Well it all started…."
11 May, 1998
Tonk's Cottage
Near Amersham, Buckinghamshire
George
I can't express how bloody lost I am. I keep looking to my right to see nothing there. I keep waiting for Fred to finish my sentence, only to find I am completely unable to communicate at all without him. I stopped talking. The funeral was last Friday, and I spent the weekend in my old room not talking to anyone. I want to be with Fred. I would rather die, than live a life without him. I'm so lost.
Granger came to the funeral, and she was the only person who showed genuine respect for what I was going through. She became our third, she is our sister in everything, but blood. She hid our relationship from Harry and Ron because she didn't want the stress of explaining our relationship. She juggled everything with a precision no one her age should have been able to do. Fred and I figured out most of her secrets. She had a time-turner McGonagall had given her in THIRD YEAR. We learned this from Harry. He told us of the night they saved Sirius. It was before they had gone on the run, and he had too much firewhiskey. We knew Sirius, Remus, and possibly Tonks were her tutors. She was unexplainably close to all of them and there was an ease that shouldn't have been there with the little interactions they had. She was solely responsible for creating Dumbledore's Army. There is no way a dunderhead like Potter could have come up with the lesson plans for the D.A. We worried for her because while she was explaining the D.A., we knew it was another thing she was taking on when she was stretched so thin. She created the Protean coins. She either created or had access to a potion that replaced sleep. The girl was never tired despite all she was doing. She was a member of The Order starting in her Sixth Year. None of her friends knew she was a full fledged member. The knowledge the girl had was immense. She worked all the time and still worked with Fred and I all of her Fifth Year creating products. Her Sixth Year, while we were running the shop, she would stop by randomly to talk about new ideas. She would visit with us after Order meetings. All we know is Harry and Ickle Ronniekins had no idea she had this double/triple/quadruple (?) life she was leading. She didn't take away anything from Fred and I's creations, she only made sure they were safe. She introduced us to fireworks and Fred expanded on the idea. It was one of our biggest sellers. When she had idea, Fred and I created the products. When we had a idea she would expand on it. It was a true partnership. Though we knew she had tutoring, we didn't know the extent. We also weren't sure how much she actually used the time turner, but our guess was at least four times a day. We didn't push her because we knew she couldn't talk about most of it.
The last year without her was hard, but we knew she was trying to keep Harry and my dimwitted brother alive. She told us before they left, they had a mission, but would not tell us anything else. Fred was sick with worry for her. He always said he saw her as a sister, but I'm still not entirely sure he wasn't in love with her.
Fred…
…
I left The Burrow this morning without a destination, I wasn't quite sure where Granger was. I know she is staying away from The Burrow. Our mum is acting appallingly towards Granger. It reiterates, she knew about Hermione more than she let on. She is blaming Hermione for not saving Fred. I am infuriated with her for suggesting such a thing. To use the time-turner to fix Fred's death? Impossible. Even if she saved Fred, who would replace his death? Me, Ron, Ginny, no the woman is completely barmy to suggest such a thing. I know Mum knows Hermione had a time-turner, though. I don't know who was behind giving it to her. Dumbledore I suppose, but he never acted like he particularly liked Granger.
Fred thought Madame Dagworth-Granger was related to Hermione and gave her the time-turner. In the summer of '95, she wrote us to invite us to tea. We were surprised, but thought it was Mum's last ditch effort to get us to take our N.E.W.Ts and get Ministry jobs. No, it wasn't. She told us she was proud of us and wanted to offer us use of a building she owned in Diagon Alley. We were flabbergasted, and immediately said yes. Fred thought it was suspicious she knew we were looking for a shop and Hermione must have told her. He said, "Dagworth-Granger and Granger, how could they not be related?" I told him it wasn't possible. (I guess he was right. Huh.)
Harry was over yesterday and mentioned Hermione was at the Lupins' funeral holding Teddy, their son. So here I am in front a picturesque English Cottage. The wards were not welcoming, but let me through. I knocked on the door and Andromeda Tonks answers the door.
I look in her eyes, and she's been crying. "Hello, Mrs. Tonks, I was wondering if Hermione might be here, or if you knew where I could find her."
She stares at me a moment. She sighs, "She has been staying here. She hasn't really left her room. She found out both her parents were killed during the war and is grieving. I'll take you to her, but if she doesn't want to see you, I will ask you to leave."
I didn't know about her parents. She talked about her mum and dad a lot. She mentioned she would have dinners with them at least weekly while she was in school. We never talked about it, because I knew it was because of the time-turner.
I frown, "I understand. I won't push her if she doesn't want to see me. I would like to try though."
She nods, "Follow me."
She leads me upstairs and knocks on Hermione's door.
I hear Hermione say, "Come in."
She opens the door and Hermione is sitting on her made bed holding a baby. Teddy, I presume. She looks at me and half smiles. She simply says, "George." Then I see the unshed tears form in her eyes.
Mrs. Tonks says, "Do you want me to take Teddy so you can talk?"
Hermione frowns and then nods, "Please, I'm sorry. I do need to talk to George though."
Mrs. Tonks walks in and takes the baby, and says to her, "Stop apologizing, my dear."
I enter the room and Hermione curls herself into a ball. "George." She bursts into sobs. I go to her take her into my arms, and we cry together.
After an hour, she looks at me and says, "How could you not hate me? I'm so sorry. I should have done more. I should have fought harder. I should have saved Fred."
I pull her to me and say, "Stop blaming yourself. Fred's death was not your fault. It was war. We knew we might not make it. We knew there were risks. Risks we paid for. Mum is shite for trying to guilt you in taking responsibility for Fred's death. You couldn't have taken that risk. Bad things happen to wizards who mess with time, right?"
She frowns, "I could…."
I put my finger over her lips, "You could have done nothing, but risk yourself. Fred would never forgive you if you lost your life to save his. Fred loved you. He would do it all again knowing you lived. There is nothing to forgive. I love you, too, ya know. You are my sister, my friend, and business partner. You saved my other stupid brother countless times. I could never hold you responsible for Fred's death. He wouldn't either. I feel empty without him. I'm bloody lost without him, but the last person to blame for any of this is you."
She cries again. I hold her. I realize what I said was true. Fred would never want her to risk herself. We love her. She's been such a great friend to both of us, and Fred knew what he was doing went he entered battle. Bloody bollocks, this is hurts! How am I ever going to get used to being an "I" instead of a "we"?
After another half hour she calms down. Seeing her so upset, makes my grief seem trivial in comparison. I lost my twin, but she lost both of her parents. Parents she loved very much. She didn't care they weren't magical. Her father was her hero. She told us that once. She said he always made her laugh. Always believed in her, and supported every decision she made. She talked about the kind spirit of her mother. How her mum encouraged Hermione to be strong and independent. She talked about how her mother encouraged her brilliance. She taught her daughter that kindness and how to encourage others. I never met them, but I have a feeling the two people that made Hermione were extraordinary.
She isn't just grieving her parents, she is also grieving Remus and Tonks. I remember sitting in Order meetings when Hermione would make an intelligent argument, and Remus beamed like a proud father. It wasn't obvious unless you were looking for it, but he was proud of her. There was genuine affection there. Tonks treated Hermione like a baby sister. She was fiercely protective of her. I didn't pay much attention at the time, but looking back there was definitely a close dynamic between the three of them. They loved her like family.
I know she is grieving Fred too. Fred and her were close. She was closer to him than she was to me. Fred brought a silliness out of Hermione that she lacked. He always made her laugh. He always pushed her to act her age. He thought she was hilarious when she became vindictive, while I found her borderline scary.
An hour passes and she is still leaning on me, she clears her throat, and asks, "What are your plans today?"
I laugh, "This was my plan today. I crawled out of bed and found you. That is the extent of my plans."
She sighs, "You have done more than I have. Will go with me to my house? I need to find their wills and make an appointment with a barrister."
I nod, "Of course."
She gets up, and I excuse myself. Twenty minutes later we apparate to a back garden. The house is a nice two-story home. I've never knew where Hermione lived, but it makes sense she came from some money. She was well spoken and had amazing manners. We enter the house and are in the kitchen. She goes through the cabinets and pulls out a bottle.
She smiles, "This. This is what we are doing today."
I look confused, "What is it?"
She smiles, "Vodka."
We spent the day sitting on her sofa drinking vodka and watching the "tele". It was exactly what we needed that day. She introduced me to movies. Her parents had hundreds of them. We watched what she called The Star Wars Trilogy. She ordered us a pizza that came to the door. It was the a day of firsts for me, and it was the first day I was able to function without Fred. She doesn't know it, but she saved me that day.
2 June, 1998
8 Heathgate
Hampstead Garden
Suburb, London, England
George
I have been looking for Hermione all day. It's around three in the afternoon. Mrs. Tonks said she was at Hogwarts helping with repairs. Professor McGonagall said she hadn't seen her today. I haven't seen her since last Friday. She has been helping me clean up the shop. I have been busy there trying to repair it from the damage it took during the war. Lee Jordan and Angelina Johnson have been helping too. Angelina has offered to help me brew potions, and I have accepted her offer. Lee has been a big help making repairs to the shop. He was always Fred and I's best friend through Hogwarts. It's been good to have him in my life. Angelina and Fred went to the Yule Ball together. They dated for the rest of the year, but ultimately were different people and broke up amicably at the end of the year. She stayed friends with us both until we left Hogwarts.
Granger was upset the last time I saw her. She didn't say why, just she needed to figure something out. I'm standing outside her garden and I'm sure she is here. I hear loud music muffled inside the house. I walk up to the door and enter. The music is blaring. I look for her and she is in the sitting room with a few books and is taking notes. She looks up at me and pushes a button on the black box several times and the music fades.
She smiles, and says, "Hello George."
I smile back, "What's all this?"
She frowns, "Harry asked me to testify on behalf of Malfoy. His trial is Friday."
I sit down next to her, "I guess you decided to do it, then."
She sighs, "I didn't want to, but can I blame someone who was indoctrinated to believe a certain way, when I have the list of crimes I have committed? How do you determine guilt of a crime, by who side won? He's an arsehole, but helped Harry in the end. He threw his own wand to Harry during the Final Battle and I can't just let his bad actions outweigh the good he did in the end."
I nudge her, "I guess it doesn't hurt that he's fit, too."
Hermione immediately turns bright red, "I never said such a thing."
I laugh, "You never had to. You watched his every move in school and fumed every time Pansy Parkinson touched him."
She huffs, "I will admit I developed a tiny unhealthy crush on him in Fourth Year, but that has nothing to do why I am helping him. He was particularly mean to me Second Year. He used to trip me in the halls and called me names. I was sent to the infirmary a few times by his actions, but it stopped mostly in Third Year. He just had a confidence I admired. I never felt so free as he seemed to be. He glided when he walked. There was just something about his presence I couldn't help admire. I don't really think it was a real crush. I didn't feel anything other than admiration for his confidence."
I laugh again, "You don't have confidence? You? Please tell me your taking the piss. I never met anyone as self-assured as you."
She frowns, "I don't have many friends. Boys never look at me. Well maybe Ron, but dating your best friend is quite unimaginative, don't you agree?"
I laugh, "You really are clueless aren't you? I'm quite sure you have a number of people who are or want to be your friend. Neville Longbottom used to follow you around like a puppy crup. Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott always asked you to join them to study. Luna Lovegood was practically attached to your side in your Fifth Year. Harry Potter couldn't find his own dick without you pointing to it. You are my best friend. Fred was half in love with you since our Sixth Year. Hermione, you have people that love you, would fight for you, and would die for you. I'm pretty sure if you were so inclined, you would have a bigger following than Lord Moldypants ever did."
She giggles, "You are ridiculous, but thank you. You have been a great friend to me. I think I have figured out a way to get Malfoy pardoned. I swear I'll regret this, but I going to try. How is the store?"
I smile at her deflection, "Lee has the store in great shape, I don't know what I'd do without him. I'm running low on funds we may need to open and sell what we can before we get restocked. It's no big deal."
She looks up from her notes and sighs, "Let's go. I settled my parents estate yesterday. I just need to sell the house. I can't live here. It hurts my heart too much. We can get the store up before the middle of July."
I shake my head. "That's not why I came here. I don't want your money, I just needed to see my friend."
She stares me down, "George, let me do this for you. Call it an investment. I don't know why, but I have an absurd amount of money in my vault. I don't need it. I have three million galleons in there I can't account for and the goblins won't tell me where it came from, only the account was established the day I was born. The goblins wouldn't even let me pay for damages to the bank we caused during the war. They just said the expenses were covered and would appreciate I not rob the bank again. My parents left me a huge amount of money and I sold the dental business for a couple million quid. I never have to work again. I want some normalcy, and your shop brings us something normal."
I shake my head, she's not going to take no for an answer. "Alright. I'll take the help, but you will get 45% of profits, and you are a full fledged partner. Deal?"
She looks at me and says, "I want 30% in profits and the other 15% to go into a fund for expansion. I also want to be a silent partner, but I'll help with major decisions. Deal?"
I think for a moment, "Alright you have 30% of the profits and I take 40% then 30% can go into a fund to expand the store and possibly a mail order option as well. Deal?"
She shakes my hand, "Deal."
I smile. She could have taken so much more, but she truly is a good friend.
We go to the bank and she transferred 200,000 galleons into the store account, and told me not to ever pay her back. I don't know what I'd do without her.
1 January, 1999
Dagworth-Granger Manor
Sussex, England
George
I'm meeting with Madame Dagworth-Granger for tea today. I'm here with Bill and Charlie. I haven't spoken to my mother since July. She tried to justify her actions toward Hermione by sending me articles Rita Skeeter had published about her. I would never believe a word written about Hermione from that woman. I didn't go to The Burrow for Christmas this year. Angelina invited me to share Christmas with her family. They are very nice people. Her father has a twisted sense of humour that I really appreciate. Lee Jordan joined us as well. They have become my family in absence of Granger, and well my actual family.
I spent New Year's Eve at Bill and Fleur's, they too have had limited contact with mother as well. Bill, Charlie, and I had a long conversation about our mother last night. Charlie cut contact with her years ago because she argued with him over his career, yelled about his tattoos, and nagged him until him could no longer tolerate her. He never writes her and only comes around when absolutely necessary, like a war. Bill and Fleur have limited contact with mother, but with their baby on the way, the first grandchild, they have had a hard time keeping her away. We are all collectively done with her. Screeching until you get your way is abusive and though she never physically hit us, the emotional abuse was quite extensive.
We are sitting in the solarium at Dagworth-Granger Manor waiting for Madame Dagworth-Granger to arrive. Her elf said she would be down shortly. We aren't sure what she wants with us. Madame Dagworth-Granger has been in our lives for as long as I remember. She never missed a birthday or special event. She said once she had promised our Grandmother Prewett to protect us.
She sweeps into the room. I'm not sure she has legs. She walks with a grace that is unnatural. She takes her seat and smiles. "I'm so glad to see you three. We have much to discuss. How have you all been?"
We collectively say we were fine. She smiles and says, "I'm glad. We have much to discuss. As you know your Grandmother Elizabeth Prewett was the daughter of a very good friend of mine. When she became sick, she asked me to take care of your mother and her children and I promised I would. However, for reasons we will not discuss I have cut all ties with your mother. She was hoping I would leave all her children a sizable amount in my will. I have decided not to do this."
I'm not surprised our mother offended Madame Dagworth-Granger enough for her to cut ties. Ophelia probably saw through her shite. I nod. She smiles at me. "The Montegues were once a very prominent family in our society. As you know Elizabeth Montegue was born in 1919. She was 30 when she had Molly, and was very fearful she would be unable to have children. She doted on you mother more than she did with the twins who were troublemakers in the womb. Molly was spoiled. I tried to find a match for her, but she eloped with your father. Your father is a good man. He deserved better than a woman than one that berates him. Her soulmate would have never allowed her to control him the way she does your father."
I interrupt, "Why wouldn't she marry her soulmate?"
She smiles, "Oh well he was much older than her and already married. I was quite surprised the first ball the two of them attended at the same time. I almost spit my champagne across the room. You see I can see bonds between people. I'm natural with Spiritual Magic. He was quite married with a couple of children. I never told her who he was."
Charlie smirks at her, "Will you tell us, Madame Dagworth-Granger?"
She smirks back, "No, no, I can't tell you."
I look up pleading with her, "Pleeeeaaaase…."
She smirks, "Fine her soulmate whom is now very much dead, actually his whole family is, was none other than Orion Black. The father of Sirius Black. So you see it's rather a moot point. She would have had a very different life had Walburga not have tricked Orion into marriage. Orion was once a lovely charming young man before he married that woman."
I look around and Bill and Charlie's eyes are huge with surprise. She sighs, "Enough gossip. I asked you three here for a reason. I have decided to give you three a gift. However, I have one major stipulation in order for you to get them. I want you to sign a contract. Should you choose not to sign the binding agreement we can finish our tea and carry on."
Bill speaks up, "What are the stipulations?"
She smiles, "I have decided to give you your inheritance I would have given you in my will. I have two stipulations. First you do not tell anyone other than your significant others where the money came from. Next you promise not to share any of the funds with your parents and other siblings. I have my reasons, and I'm not sharing them. Is that agreeable to the three of you?"
I ask, "Does this include employing my siblings in my shop?"
She shakes her head, "No, I'm giving a sum of money you cannot give to your parents or siblings. Your own money you have earned is not part of the agreement."
Bill asks, "Does Fleur need to sign the agreement being my spouse?"
Ophelia says, "Only if you fear she will tell your parents the money came from me."
Bill smiles, "No, I don't have to worry about that. My mother has been very unwelcoming to her until recently. I agree to your stipulations."
Charlie laughs, "I agree. I have barely spoken to my mother in 10 years."
I think about it for a moment. Ron is the only one I can think of that will need money in the future, but he has always been a right git. "I agree."
She smiles. "One question, off topic, would one of you be willing to take the Prewett name and the Wizengamot seat in the future?"
I speak up, "If such a thing is possible I would."
Bill says, "I'll inherit the Weasley seat."
Charlie laughs, "I plan on never living here again."
She smiles, "That's a discussion for another day. Billy I am transferring ten million galleons to you. Since you and Fleur are employed with Gringott's, I'm leaving you with a monetary gift. Charlie, the land and dragon reserve foundation are worth seven million dollars. I would like to give you the land and ownership of the foundation. Running of the dragon reserve in Bulgaria would solely fall into your hands as well as any fund raising. Would you like the foundation to run and the lands, or would you rather have a monetary gift equal to Billy's?"
He looks taken aback, "You would leave me the foundation? I would be honored. That has been a dream of mine. Thank you."
She smiles, "Of course. I will sign it all to you as well as gift you three million dollars for you own expenses. George, I thought long and hard about what to give you. The building in Diagon Alley is worth 350,000 galleons. I own buildings in Hogsmeade, one in magical Paris, Berlin, Geneva, Amsterdam, Vienna, Stockholm, Rome, Athens, and Tokyo. These buildings are all prime locations in the Wizarding part of the cities. Currently they have tenants, and some have flats above them that are currently rented out. Most of the contracts are on an annual basis. You could continue to rent them out, or may expand your current business outside England. They are all worth a total of five million galleons. You have the same choice. You can have the buildings and five million galleons or you may have ten million galleons without the buildings."
Whew! Fred and I always dreamed of becoming global. It's painful to imagine this dream without him. If he were here, he would say to take the buildings. I look at Bill and he smiles encouragingly at me. Charlie grabs my shoulder, and says, "It's ok to live the dream, brother."
I feel the tears in my eyes. I manage to say, "Yes, thank you. I would love to take buildings."
She smiled. "I knew you all would agree. This is the contract for you all to sign. George we will schedule an appointment for us to transfer the buildings and get the management of them set up for you."
Bill asks, "Ophelia, are you sure you can give this all away now?"
She laughs, "Oh Billy, thank you for your concern, but this is like throwing a few knuts your way. I'll be just fine."
17 January, 2000
Weasley's Wizard Whizzes
Diagon Alley, London England
The last year has been bittersweet. Hermione left England. No one knows where she went. In August, I received an owl from Gringott's telling me the account I tried to deposit galleons in has been closed. Hermione closed her vault. I went to Gringott's and opened a new vault for Hermione in case she ever came back. After her fight with Ginny at Harry's Birthday party, I first yelled at Ginny and Ron for being terrible friends, and I no longer wanted either of them in my life. I left the party and went to Hermione's flat. She wasn't there. I tried the next day, but her wards were up and I couldn't break in. A week later, I learned she left the country. That bloody sister of mine, I'll never forgive her.
This New Year's Eve, I spent with Angelina and Lee and a few other friends. She kissed me at midnight and I asked her on a date. We have been dating a little over two weeks. I really like her. She's kind, smart, and bloody gorgeous. I've never really dated anyone long term before. Fred's death was too hard to even contemplate dating and then, I don't know, I buried myself in work. The shop is doing great and I may consider expanding soon.
We are slow for a Monday. Lee and I have been playing exploding snaps all day. Angelina is brewing, but I might take Ophelia up on the offer of opening a contract with DG Potions. It would allow mass production and we wouldn't lose a lot of money.
I look up when I hear a small child laugh. It's Andromeda Tonks and Teddy Lupin.
"Mrs. Tonks, it's lovely to see you."
She smiles, "Hello Mr. Weasley. Is there a place we could have a short meeting?"
I smile, "Absolutely, follow me."
She follows me to my office and I take a seat behind my desk. "How may I be of assistance, Mrs. Tonks?"
She puts down Teddy in the other chair and hands him a stuffy. Then she shuffles through her bag and pulls out a piece of parchment and a journal. I immediately feel myself smile. There is only one person who would give me a journal and make me sign something to keep me silent. Hermione Granger.
I laugh, "I thought you said you didn't know where Hermione was."
She sighs, "I don't. She too sent me a parchment and a journal. She is Teddy's godmother, so she is keeping in touch. She sends me gifts and letters through Royal Mail. The same post office box muggles use for letters to Hogwarts works for all the wizarding world. You send a post to that box and the squibs that run it send packages via owl. If I want to talk to her, I use the journal."
Granger, she loved her secrets. "I see. Before I sign this, I need to do something."
I get up and go to my door and yell, "ANGELINA JOHNSON!!!"
She comes out of the brewing room with her eyes wide open, "What happened? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
I said, "Could you come here for a moment?"
She quickly walks over to me and I take her in my arms, and I snog the hell out of her. I pull away and say, "I know this is early, but I really, really, really like you. Can you keep a secret?"
She looks confused, "Why would I need to keep us a secret, George?"
I smile and kiss her again, "No…I'm going to tell you something and you can't share it with anyone. I'm going to have to sign something that will prevent me from talking about it, but I wanted you to know before I do anything."
She kisses me, "Of course, I'll keep your secret. I promise."
I think I love this woman. "Granger just reached out to me and I will have a journal to communicate with. She's making me sign a charmed paper that will prevent me from talking about it. I just needed you to know what it was before I sign anything."
She beams, "Tell Hermione I say hello and I miss her."
She turns and goes back to her office.
I then take a seat behind my desk, and notice Mrs. Tonks is smirking at me. She says, "Smart man. This is serious with her then."
I smirk back, "Oh I'm going to marry her. She is having my babies and I plan to die in her arms. She just doesn't know it, yet. We've only been dating two weeks."
She laughs, "I hope it all works out for you. Congratulations. She's remarkably beautiful, and I hope she treats you well. Keep up the good work, most wizards would have left their witches guessing what they were doing. You proved how important she is to you today, in case you didn't know."
I nod in affirmation, "She stuck by my side for a year, while I mostly ignored her. She's been a good friend and I when she kissed me on New Year's, I knew I wouldn't want another year to go by without her. Of course, she can't know I'm a lovesick git, but you and I have secrets and I know you won't tell."
She smirks, and hands me the paper, "Now if you'll sign, I'll be on my way. I promised the little one some ice cream."
Teddy laughs, "I scweam!"
I take the parchment from her and sign and she hands me the journal. We say our goodbyes and I lead her to the door. After a few minutes I sit behind my desk. Open the journal and then write:
George: "I knew when I saw Andromeda it was about you. Bloody buggering fuck, I have missed you! Are you safe?"
After a couple of minutes she responds:
Hermione: "Hello George. I have missed you too. I needed to leave. I hope you can forgive me for leaving the way I did. I just couldn't stay in that country another day."
George: "I can forgive you of anything. I may not understand everything, but I understand you had your reasons at the time."
Hermione: "Good I have a few ground rules…."
14 April 2010 – 10:15 p.m.
Leaky Cauldron
Diagon Alley
London, England
George
Of course I didn't tell these wankers everything. Granger started a line of magical board games and sent me the muggle versions as well as some prototypes for a magical version. We have about 130 games and they are some of our biggest sellers world wide.
We have a world domination game, a corporate model game, and silly games for children. She created a magical trivia game. Yes, one of the questions is " Name the people in the Golden Trio." There are learning games for children. She created a jungle game that cast spells on the participants. Spells that will turn your skin green, give you a monkey voice, make your skin itchy, and turn your hair into snakes. It's genius.
In the European, Japan, and American stores, we also sell Enchantex products. She has designed a line of products exclusive to our stores.
She set up all stores outside of the UK with a computer network that we can access at the store in London. We have even talked of expanding to Madrid, Brazil, and Sydney.
In 2005, she finally told me where she was and Ang and I visited her in New York. She had leased a store for us in The District and surprised us with a full staff. We visited her for a week and she doted on one year old Roxie. She introduced us to mobile phones and it has made my life easier with the international stores.
No I didn't tell the blokes all of this, told them, "Hermione was quite brilliant and Fred and I asked her for her opinion on our business idea. She was hesitant at first, but then she started helping us here and there. Hermione is my business partner and has been since the beginning. She spent hours helping Fred and I tweak our products for the first store. She created the Wheezes game line. She contacted me at first about the business and we only spoke of the business for years. I'm not sure what made her decide to come Home, but I'm glad she is."
Harry is red in the face. He huffs, "I'm so mad at her. She didn't talk to me until I tracked her down in 2004. She said I was her best friend, her BROTHER. Why would she contact you and Andromeda before she contacted me?"
I shake my head. "You WERE like a brother to her. The only sibling I ever known inside and out, was Fred because I had spent every waking moment with him, since birth. I couldn't even tell you what Ginny's favorite colour is. Why would you expect to be privy to everything she does. As your family, she stood by you, fought for you, and almost died for you. That is family. Friends may know each other better and be privy to each other's secrets. You don't get both. Pick a side Potter, are you either her friend or her brother. Hermione is like a sister to me, it doesn't mean I expect us to braid each other's hair and talk about our boy crushes. She is my sister. She was there for me when no one else was. All we did was eat pizza and drink vodka. I don't expect her secrets. You do, and it's time you figure out how you want Hermione in your life because she will be here in two days. You can be her friend and hold your grudge, or you can be there for her, like a brother."
Potter pursued his lips. "I don't understand her. She was there for me, and then she just left. I keep unraveling all these things she kept from me. How can she call herself a friend to me when she continously lied to me?"
I look at him. He's so bloody selfish. "Harry, did you know after the war she stayed with Andromeda Tonks? The summer after the war did you go see her other than the time you showed up at my store and asked her to testify for Malfoy? You wanted something of her you knew she would do because you asked her to do it. Did you reach out to her at all?" I look at him and he's thinking. "The answer is no. You didn't. You wanted to forget the whole war and move on with your life with Ginny. Do you know who helped her pack her childhood her home? Do you know the amount of work she did to settle her family's estate? Do you know how much she cried talking about the memories of her parents? No, you don't. Do you know how I know Harry? Because I was there for her while you were getting your dick wet with my sister! After the war, Hermione, who did everything for you, was an afterthought. Even after that disastrous dinner at The Burrow, the second you two walked in, you let go of her hand and went to Ginny. You didn't stand up for Hermione until she had already left."
Then Theo interrupts, "Mate, Eighth Year was brutal. You basically ignored her the first part of the year. You stood there while Weasel and Weaslette laughed at her over the Howlers their mother sent her. You never once stood up for her while she was being bullied by Weasley and Finnegan. Who were her friends during that time? Malfoy, Pansy, Blaise, Daphne, Hannah, Susan, the Patils, Luna and I were. We sat with her, guarded her, and talked to her. You did not. If I didn't know your history, I would have never guessed you were even her friend during Eighth Year. You checked out of her life and it wasn't until you witnessed she didn't need you, that you decided you wanted her back in your life."
I look at Theo, "Thank you. See you may have been her brother, but by the time she left England she felt there was nothing here for her. She stood by you for years and you dropped her when she no longer served a purpose."
Harry clinched is fists, and sternly says, "It wasn't like that!"
Malfoy said, "Don't tell us Potter, you need to tell her. I was more than her friend, and she told me EVERYTHING. You think she owes you her secrets? I'm sure she has always felt she gave you more than you deserved."
With that Malfoy, Theo, and I left The Leaky Cauldron to our respective homes.