My Brother's Girl

The Shop

It had been three weeks since Hermione had last seen Fred; but School had finally ended and she had decided to surprise him.

Due to everything that had happened at the end of the year, Dumbledore had arranged it for Hermione, the Weasleys and Harry to leave the day before everyone else - just to avoid the crowds on Platform 9 3/4. Harry had already been through so much; losing Sirius was like losing a Father to him - sure he had Remus and Arthur, never once forgetting Hagrid - but everyone said it; Sirius was the most James like person to exist.

Harry's face had been so broken; having the twins about should help to put a smile back on his boyish face. Not so boyish now though, Hermione thought, as she walked up to the Leaky Caldron. When she looked at him, despite being the same age (he was in fact younger than she was) he looked so much older - his eyes were heavy and when he smiled it seemed forced.

Walking through the empty pub, Hermione smiled sadly at Tom, the bar man - but he only nodded back. Even during the day, the Leaky Caldron was usually filled with witches and wizards - to see it barren was distressing.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione pushed the correct bricks and gasped as she saw the devastation of the former beautiful Diagon Alley.

Shops were closed, or worse destroyed - the ones that were open had more or less no business. Walking the street alone gave Hermione an eery chill - but still, she was determined to see Fred alone once, before everything...happened.

Hermione shook her head with a bright smile on her face as she saw the Twins shop.

It had business; not much - mostly just adults, no doubt parents trying to buy things to make their children happy when they came home tomorrow.

Pushing the doors open, Hermione gasped and almost ran away. Fred Weasley - the boy she was certain she loved - was with another girl. He had his mouth tightly around hers and was holding her in his arms the way he held Hermione, not a month before. She hoped with every fibre of her being that it was George.

"Fred." She muttered before a tear fell down her face. He pulled away; and Hermione knew it was Fred. He and George may be identical but there was no mistaking the boy she wanted to be with forever. But as Hermione traced his face, hoping for some remorse, she realised there was no look of guilt on his face. "Oh, hey Hermione. Have you met Rosie?" The girl turned around and Hermione choked back a sob.

She was gorgeous. Her long, shiny, silk blonde hair fell just above her waist - it had slight brown highlights littered all over; her face was picture perfect and her body; every piece of fabric she wore seemed to emphasis her curves.

Hermione nodded. "How could you?" she said, letting the tears fall over her face before turning and running away. Away from Rosie, away from the shop - and most importantly, away from Fred.