153A/N: This is the prequel to my one-shot 'Always and Forever' which you don't have to read to understand this. They are basically separate stories joined by the ending. Still, reading it would make me very happy, and if you review it, then so much better! This will be a multi-chaptered fic.
I know I said I'd start posting when I was nearly finished, but I find myself with a case of Writer's Block. I decided to start posting what I do have and let the reviews inspire me to write more :) I'll try to update twice a week. More if I get lots of reviews.
Disclaimer: I don't own the world of Harry Potter, nor any of its characters, I just like to play with them. I only own the plot. Cheers!
Without further ado, I give you…
Prologue
It was barely two weeks after the Weasley's had said goodbye to Harry and Hermione at King's Cross Station that Fred and George had been forced to move back into the Burrow. Not two days after that, a summer storm had descended upon the village of Ottery St. Catchpole. The heavy rain pelted the windows and the loud cry of the wind threatened to drown any and all sounds coming from outside. Night arrived and it looked as if the storm would rage straight through it. It was lucky the wind abated for a few seconds so that Mrs. Weasley could hear the faint knocking on the front door.
"Fred!" She called to her son, who was nearer the door at the time. "Go open the door. I don't think we are expecting anyone, but members of the Order are always coming in and out."
Fred stood and walked to the door, his wand held aloft, even though the wards around the house only let certain people through. One could never be too careful in times of war.
He opened the door and leveled his wand at the figure that was standing there. As soon as he recognized her, he lowered his wand and helped her in. Maybe it was because it was raining, or because he never expected it of her, but it took a full minute for him to notice she was crying.
"Granger?" He gently put his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to look directly at him. "Granger… are you crying?"
"Oh, Fred!" she whispered, and without any warning threw herself into his arms, crying her heart out. Now Fred was quite the Ladies' man and an accomplished people-person, but he was better suited to deal with laughter, not heart-breaking sobs. Not knowing what else to do, he wrapped one arm around her back, the other caressing her head while he made soft shushing sounds. He saw his mother appear at the doorway, but before she could ask anything he made a shooing motion with his hands and continued to soothe the sobbing woman.
A few minutes later he felt her calm down a little, so he lightly started steering her in the direction of the living room. He didn't know if he was pleased or displeased to see that in the minutes he had spent with Hermione by the door, everyone had vacated their seats. Gone to bed, I suppose. In the end, he decided it was a good thing. He didn't think Hermione would like if too many people saw her crying.
He sank into one of the old comfortable sofas and gathered Hermione into his arms. He contented himself with slightly stroking her hair, not really knowing what to say, since he didn't know what was wrong with her.
"Are you better, now?" He asked after a few minutes of relative silence.
"They don't know who I am," was her only response. He frowned. What was she on about? Who didn't know who she was? He was about to ask her more, but she started talking. "The—they were just sitting there, and I—I had to, you see? They know… they knew too much, and it's the only way for them to be safe. They were just sitting there and I… just… Obliviate… and now, now they don't know who I am anymore." She trailed off, her voice barely audible by the time she finished. Her parents, he realized. She's talking about her parents. He held her tighter, not knowing what else to do. He understood her motivation, he just didn't know if he'd have the guts to do something like that.
"You did the right thing, Granger. Whatever else happens, they are safe and that's all that matters. Focus on that." She nodded and stood up from his embrace. Slowly, she made her way to the stairs leading up to the second floor, where her and Ginny's room was. She stopped for a second when she reached them, and half turned towards him. "Thanks," she said, and started climbing.
He stood up and went to the kitchen, where he saw that contrary to what he had thought earlier, someone was still awake. Bill pushed a tumbler full of amber liquid in his direction, cradling his own between his hands. He took a generous swig before focusing on his brother.
"You heard." It wasn't really a question, but Bill answered with a nod anyways. "I don't know if I'd be able to do it." He didn't need to specify what he was talking about.
"Not many could. That just goes to show the kind of woman she is, little brother. To give up her family so that they could be safe, well, not many people are as selfless, or as brave." Bill finished his drink and went to bed, leaving Fred alone with his thoughts.
A/N:Reviews are food for the soul! Make my day, will you? :D