George stood on front of the entrance to the shop, a pensive and anxious expression on his face, this was the first time he has been back at the shop since Fred had died. He grimaced at the thought of his deceased twin, it still didn't feel real. It had been 6 months since the Battle of Hogwarts and ever since that night everything had changed. Many people had lost their lives: Fred, Remus, Tonks, even Professor Snape. And sure George had been sad at the loss of his friends, he even felt some slight remorse from Snape even after all the detentions he had given them. But the only death that rocked him to his core was Fred's.

They had been partners in crime ever since they were born, everyone always said that twins had an unexplained bond. One would never be seen without the other, their Mother had one hell of a time when they were sick, if George was sick then Fred had to be sick too or if Fred was sick then George had to be sick, it was a surprise they left their Mum with time to spend with the rest of their siblings.

So for George to be standing on the door step of their premises without his twin, it was the strangest feeling in the world. As he stood at the bright orange doors and watched through the window was Verity was restocking the items before the reopening, George felt paralysed. Everything around him was going in slow motion and he felt stuck, like he wouldn't be able to move again. Fear crept up inside of him and for what seemed to be for the first time in his life, George felt like a let down. He made a silent promise to Fred that he would continue running the joke shop and would keep his memory alive, but as he stood rigid and not moving outside of the door, he felt like he had let his brother down.

Suddenly a gentle hand took hold of his hand and squeezed it firmly, it was a gentle but firm squeeze, which just so happened to break him out of his thoughts. He finally took a deep breath, which he hadn't realised that he was holding and stared in the chocolate brown eyes of Hermione Granger.

"You're okay, George" She smiled sadly

George gulped, trying to find the words to comprehend what he was feeling but Hermione shook her head.

"You don't have to say anything. I'm here for you. If this is too much for you, you don't have to do it today. It's one baby step at a time remember and look at how far you got yourself today! That's amazing progress. It was only a few weeks ago you weren't even able to come down the alley towards the shop"

George felt a tear sliding down his cheek but didn't dare wipe it away. "I just feel like I've let Fred down" He admitted

"Oh George" Hermione frowned, her own heart was breaking at the sight of usually one of the happiest people she knows slowly crumbling into nothing, she knew George had been lost without Fred but she didn't know just how had it had been until she received a call from Molly asking her to help him, she was of course worried for her son and wanted any help she could get, which was why Hermione was here today. George had been making remarkable process over the past few months and even though the loss of Fred was still hurting him, everyone could see the sparkle coming back into his eyes. It would just take time and effort until George would be able to fully cope without his twin, but even then the hurt of losing his brother who was also his best friend would never fully go away.

"You haven't let Fred down at all" Hermione reassured him. "I think Fred is looking down on you right now and he's proud of the progress that you've made. You can do it George, and I know how much a promise means to you, you'll never break that promise to Fred"

George sniffed and nodded, his heart was hammering inside of his chest at the thought of pushing through the doors and stepping back into the world they created together. "You're right Granger" He smiled through his tears at her, and even though Hermione usually hated them using her last name she still laughed too.

"When am I not?" She teased, both laughing together before falling into a comfortable silence

"I'm just scared you know" George sighed, his eyes now firmly planted on the doors to the shop. "Like what if I can't do this on my own? What if I can't come up with any new ideas for products? What if Fred was the brain behind all of the jokes? How can I run this shop without my brother?"

"Firstly, you can do this on your own, this may be different but remember that time when Fred was so ill you couldn't get him out of bed and you had to be here by yourself because Verity was also on holiday. That proves you can run the store by yourself" Hermione smiled. "Secondly, the day you don't come up with any new product ideas will be the day that I'm no longer the brightest witch of her age" She laughed

"Never then?" George laughed

"Exactly, you'll always have new product ideas because something will always inspire you and I can also tell you that Fred was not the only brain behind the jokes, it was a joint effort. I always remember seeing you two bent over that parchment in the corner of the common room and as soon as I came over to scold you for it you both gave each other this...look before running off" Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand once again. "You can run this shop George, you have all the strength and the courage to do it. Will it be easy? No. Will it be worth yet? Absolutely"

George felt his heart swell with love for the young witch on front of him, she had always been like a little sister to him and knowing that she thought so highly of him meant the world to him. Just knowing that even one person had a little bit of faith him gave him some comfort.

"Besides, you don't have to do it all alone" Hermione grinned

"What do you think?" George raised an eyebrow at her

"Well, I kind of left my job at the Ministry" She admitted

George's eyes widened in shock and surprise, she left the Ministry of Magic? Hell must have really frozen over because he thought he would never see the day that Hermione would leave a job she loved. "What do you mean you left?"

Hermione shrugged, "It means I handed in my resignation because I found something that means more to me that I want to do?"

"And what has just became so important to Miss Granger, who was once the future Minister for Magic in training, that she would leave her prestigious job?"

Hermione couldn't help but smile to herself again, the George they all knew and loved was definitely still in there, he just needed some help and comfort to be released again. "That should be a no brainer George. It's you. I want to come work with you at the shop"

For the second time that day George's eyes widened in shock and his mouth hung agape, once he recollected himself he raised a hand and pressed it to Hermione's forehead, making her giggle.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking to see if you have a temperature. You must be sick if you're willing to come work at this shop and leave your job at the Ministry"

Hermione shook her head, "I'm not sick. I want to help my family" She admitted with a small smile. "You and Fred always knew how to cheer me up and make me feel better, even if sometimes I scolded you for doing so. I want to help you rebuild everything that you've started. You're not alone George, and I know for a fact, your brothers and sister want to help to"

George sucked in a shaky breath as he ran a hand through his shaggy hair, he really couldn't believe just how much Hermione was willing to give up just to come and help him out, he couldn't put it into words just how much it meant to him, so instead of speaking he just pulled her into a tight hug and embraced her in silence for a few minutes.

When they pulled away Hermione saw the spark of light back in George's eyes, she couldn't help but smile at him as they both look towards the door. "You ready?"

"Truthfully no" George admitted, "But I still want to go in. Today's for Fred"

Hermione nodded in agreement, "For Fred"

As they went to step towards the door George stopped and looked down at his friend who he called his sister. "Thanks again Hermione, for everything. I can't tell you how much it means to me"

Hermione smiled and squeezed his hand, "This is what family is for George, now let's go in and start a chapter of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes"

Together they pushed the orange doors open, breathing in the smell of fresh smoke and the love potions, ready to begin their new adventure.