A/N- Okay, so this is a follow up to my last story, Three's Company, Five's a Crowd. But it can also be read as a standalone. The other story just offers the background of what happened before. So to anyone who read my previous one, I hope you enjoy this as well. And to any new readers, I hope you enjoy it! Remember, I love reviews, and really appreciate the feedback! :-)

"Are you sure you have to go?" Fred put on his best puppy dog look.

"Yes. It's my mum's birthday. And I'll only be gone a few days. And then I'll be back in time to celebrate little James' birthday," she smiled. She couldn't believe he was already turning a year old. She couldn't believe Ginny had Harry had been married 5 years. That she and Fred had been together almost 6. Time had seemed to fly by. "Besides, you'll have Katie and George around."

"Yeah, but Katie's been so moody since she got pregnant. She doesn't allow us to work on any of the shop items," Fred frowned.

She smiled. "The fumes make her nauseous, dear. And if you need someone to work on shop items with, ask Ron and Alicia. I'm sure they won't mind," she put a hand on his cheek. She smiled as she thought of Ron and Alicia. For a time, she thought Ron would end up marrying Fay. But ever since Alicia had walked into the shop that day, they had found each other. Their other halves.

"Well, I'm just glad you aren't thinking about babies anytime soon. Not when there's so much going on at the shop," he laughed at her scowl.

"You'd have to actually ask me to marry you before I'd want to bear your children, Fred Weasley," she put her hand on her hips. She had thought a million times he was going to ask. But it never happened. Of course, the whole family had warned her against Fred's fear of commitment. Even George, though he swore he didn't understand why he was afraid now that he had her. She couldn't understand it either, but she was willing to wait. Not that she was in a huge rush to begin her family anyway. Her and Fred both had good careers and did not want to give them up. Not yet, anyway.

"Maybe if you stay, you'll get your wish," he teased.

"Nice try, but I have to go. I want to go. It'll be nice getting to do muggle things again with my mum. Going shopping, the movies, driving," she smiled as she thought of her first time behind the wheel. Her only time. She remembered the terrified look on her mother's face. And the freedom she had felt. She hated flying so passionately, but once she got behind the wheel of a car, she had more understanding of how they could love it so much. She hadn't grown up on broomsticks like the rest of them. The car was her broomstick.

"Promise me you'll be back in a couple of days? You aren't going to go home and remember how much you love it there and never come home to me are you?" he put his hands on her hips.

"Never. I will always come home to you," she smiled as she kissed him.

"I still don't like it, Mione. There's been a rise in death eaters reappearing seeking revenge lately. I don't want anything to happen to you. You shouldn't go alone."

"I'll be fine. I've handled my share." she shrugged it off.

"That's what I'm afraid of. Even Harry has enough sense to be concerned."

"Because he has a son. He has to be concerned. The last thing he wants is for James to grow up like he did."

"Mione, I'm still concerned. Nothing is going to change that. Just please promise me you'll be careful."

"Promise," she smiled.

"Mum? I'm home!" Hermione stepped through the door to the house she grew up in. It still seemed the exact same. It still smelled of vanilla from the candles her mum burned, and pictures still lined the walls. Too many, she had always thought. But she smiled when she saw the moving pictures of her and Fred she had sent to them. She loved the fact that her parents were so open to magic, so encouraging. "Dad? Mum?" she walked through the living room. She couldn't believe they weren't there. They were expecting her. It wasn't like them.

"Mummy and daddy aren't home right now," she heard a voice from the hall.

Instinctively, she pulled out her wand and aimed a curse at the figure. She recognized the mask. It had been so long, she had forgotten the fear that filled her every fiber when she saw it. Though Voldemort was no longer around, it still had the same effect. Because she knew what these people were capable of. She knew what they did to innocent people. "Where the hell are they?"

"I told you. They aren't home. They'll be back. And when they do, they'll find their useless, magicless daughter," the voice cackled. It made her cringe, it reminded her so much of Bellatrix. But she knew that couldn't be.

She fired a curse but missed and before she knew it, there was a cloud of smoke from a potion thrown in her direction. Her vision faded, but she stayed conscious enough to see that the person was no longer standing in her house. She collapsed and closed her eyes unwillingly, wishing she had Fred there with her more than anything.