A/N: Here we go, from the top! Hello again to everyone that's come back from the old version of this story, and hello to everyone new! Don't worry, you'll get used to my 'trying to act like a cool youngling-act'… and I'm only 21.

So, this is Fremione, post-war, and obviously Fred isn't dead. Ron isn't a jealous moron (though he is his usual dolt-y self)

I had made a story a few years ago with this 'Marriage Law' idea, but lost interest in the way it was going. I've stopped writing for it, but have not taken it down since ive had a fair few people tell me they still love it. So it is still in my profile, if you wish to read it. This story will not be following all the points of that one, so reading it won;t give anything away for this new one.

I in no way own the information from the Harry Potter series

.: *Aparecium*\:.

The world had gone black seconds ago, the castle's hallway becoming so dark, Fred couldn't make out lingering shadows. He shut his eyes quickly, the pain of the bright green flash stinging his eyes as soon as it left a Death Eater's wand. Percy, standing practically back to back with Fred, noticed the green flash as well, but had the sense to watch the Death Eater who had cast the spell, and sent a disabling spell towards him. The spell hit home, the Death Eater flying back to hit hard against a stone way across the hall. Only, because he had sent the spell at the Death Eater, the green killing curse was still heading towards its target – Fred.

Percy was motionless, the few feet now between he and his brother seeming like a mile, his feet trying to pivot to make it to the twin in time. He took no notice of George a ways behind Fred, finishing a battle with his own Death Eater – a fourth year Slytherin student – and was now watching the two in growing horror. Fred raised his wand, but Percy had already deducted the small probability of him reacting in time, or reaching him to push him out of the way.

And he was right (of course). He was still a foot away when a brilliant blue spell intercepted the deathly green, causing the killing curse to ricochet into the same wall the Death Eater Percy had blasted hit, collapsing and covering the man completely. Percy only had a second to look to the source of the saving spell, where a small witch with too-bushy hair was ready to flee the scene, either to continue to help, or grab help for them. He waved her away, collapsing into the lonely twin, waving his wand over him in an easy spell meant to detect any casualties or anomalies in a wizard's body. The witch only hesitated another moment before being pulled away by a different red headed Weasley, and losing sight of the two boys recovering from the battle.

When Fred opened his eyes it was to a different spell, the hazy gray of it making its way up his chest, entering his jugular and filling his lungs up. It shocked a breath into his system, one he realized he desperately needed. Percy moved quickly to keep him standing, his arm going behind his shoulders.

"Bloody hell, Perce. Whadya do that for?" The stiff backed Weasley only grinned, relieved his brother was away from harm, and giving a silent thank you to Granger. He gathered his younger brother in a huge hug, one Fred reciprocated heartily, grinning at George over Percy's shoulder. The three Weasley's took a collective breath, the hallway they had defended clear of all Death Eaters. "Come on Percy," Fred mumbled into the curly hair currently pressed to his face, "we need to find the others."

The stiffness returned to Percy's shoulder, and with a curt nod, Percy let go of Fred. Collecting both of their wands, and the Death Eater's lost ones, the three brothers set off towards the Great Hall, hoping it would be all over.

.: *Aparecium*\:.

The Golden Trio huddled together in the corner of the Great Hall clutching each other in death grips, trying to catch their breaths. No one was looking at them, something none of them were at all used to, especially Harry. Their hands were occupied, barely any part of them untouched by one of the others. Hermione sat on the step in front of her boys, Harry's hand clutched in her right, with Ron's whole left leg pressed against her side. Ron's arm was slung over Harry's shoulders in a comforting manner, while Harry had slumped forward to lay his forehead against the back of Hermione's bushy hair. And Hermione's free hand was fiddling with Ron's shoe, occasionally grasping at the toes. They were all three staring at different points in the room, not really focussing on the object of their stares. Any awkwardness this amount of contact would normally bring about was pushed aside in favour of the comfort.

"It's gone," The black haired, soot covered boy finally mumbled into their silence. He pushed his glasses up as his hand ran over his face in exhaustion.

"What is, Harry?" Hermione answered, knowing Ron wouldn't be able to muster more than a grunt right now. The blow he took in the Chamber had winded him for quite a while, and she was sure he still wasn't feeling quite up to moving around yet, let alone holding a proper conversation.

Harry shifted from her hair, smoothing it down gently before sitting up to lean against the wall behind them, allowing Ron's arm to drop from his shoulders, "His voice, and the pain in my head." Neither of them asked who it was he was referencing. None of them wanted to say his name so soon, as if to jinx it if they did.

"Let's see then," Hermione demanded, pulling his head down before he could brush her off, pushing the fringe away from his eyes. The scar that would have usually met her eyes was much subtler than before. The angry puckered lines had smoothed substantially, making it looked more like a crease from a pillow he'd laid on for too long. It was still an obvious scar, but not as daunting as it had been for the past seventeen years he'd had it.

"Harry, it's practically gone." His hand went up to his head in a practised manner, brushing his hair to the side to ghost his fingertips along the lightning shaped scar.

"Thank Merlin! That means he's really gone." Ron sighed heavily, as if the last weight he was carrying had dropped from his shoulders. Harry only nodded before slumping, exhausted, back onto Hermione, this time resting in the crook of her neck.

The wide doors of the Hall suddenly swung open, making every occupant of the Great Hall jump in fear. The trio leapt to their feet, wands at the ready, much too accustomed to defending themselves at a moment's notice. They relaxed when they recognized the three missing Weasley sons, all looking roughed up but with exuberant grins on their faces. The portly Mrs. Weasley hustled through the crowd, smashing into her sons, collecting them in a massive hug. Ron squeezed Hermione's hand and Harry's shoulder before breaking their triangle for the first time, moving towards his mended family. Harry grabbed for Hermione's hand he had dropped while preparing to fight, giving her a quick tug towards the hugging red headed clan. They moved at a sedate pace, allowing the family to cry and hug in peace before intruding. Mr. Weasley had brought the rest of his sons over and his daughter attached to his side, and joined the family hug. Hermione couldn't help the smile that pulled at her lips, seeing her adopted wizarding family still whole and happy. She admitted to herself that the thought of losing even one of them almost tore her in two. It was why she had forced Ron to make that detour with her towards Percy, George and Fred during their duel. And it was good she had, she had managed to throw that deflection spell just in time, otherwise Fred may not have walked into the hall today.

Harry must have decided they were watching for too long, as he shifted them towards Mrs. Weasley's side notifying her of her two adopted children standing outside of her family circle. With a small cry, she hustled them in, keeping Harry firmly attached to her side, allowing Ginny to latch herself to him as well. Hermione was launched into the sea of boys, Percy and George gathering her up immediately.

"Thanks Granger," George whispered into her ear, giving her one tighter squeeze before shoving her backwards, into another Weasley's arms. These arms were similar to George's, but had the distinct girth of one who fought with dragons on a daily basis. Hermione peeked up, seeing Charlie beaming down at her before he picked her up in a brotherly, dragon sized hug. Percy patted her shoulder once more, she was put down by Charlie and whisked away into Bill's arms, who nuzzled her hair carefully. She noticed he had been doing it to all the Weasley's and Harry, and a small spark of warmth filled her chest when she realized he was scenting his family.

"All right, don't go hogging her, I want my turn too!" Another voice came over her head, and not for the first time, Hermione cursed the height of all the Weasleys. Looking once again over her head, this voice belonged to Fred, who didn't tower over her like Bill and Ron, but was still slightly taller than Charlie, and grinned shyly at him.

"I'm glad you're okay Fred." She smiled, suddenly shy in front of the twin. Fred didn't seem to share in her shyness, a beaming smile spreading over his lips as he opened his arms, asking silently for a hug. Hermione stepped into his arms, returning the warm hug with gusto. She squeezed him as hard as she could, and if she noticed Fred's grip lingering on her hip, keeping her close, she ignored it in favour of relaxing into the warm embrace.

"I'm really glad you're okay too Granger. Thank you." Hermione nodded into his shoulder, ready to pull away to greet the rest of the family with similar hugs of happiness. But she was waylaid by Fred's other hand, weaving its way into her hair to cup her head gently, keeping her locked with him a few moments longer.

"Y-you're welcome Fred, of course." Hermione muttered, feeling a deep blush take over her cheeks at the extended gratitude. Finally, he pulled away, dropping her curls but keeping his arm around her tiny waist, one he noted practically showed off her ribs. Frowning, he forced himself to focus, looking away from Hermione's obvious sickly state, and focus on the moment he was having. He opened his mouth to say something, 'anything!' his mind yelped, when his mother interrupted them. Hermione was pulled away into a bruising motherly hug, looking over her family with a happy twinkle in her eye, one Fred could barely remember her ever having. Fred backed up into his twin's shoulder, taking the support George was exuding. The twins watched the trio be passed around once more, jostling Harry and Ron a bit too hard, earning a lengthy scowl from their brother, but basically petting Hermione when she moved past them once more. They both were grinning madly, just happy to still be receiving those scowl from their youngest brother, and a ribbing from their dad. And if George noticed Fred's eyes lingering perhaps too long on a certain witch, he wasn't going to mention it unless his other half did.

Surrounded by happy students and teachers, and other witches and wizards who had joined the cause, the Weasley's (plus two) rejoiced loudly. Professor McGonagall stood at the front of the hall, smiling serenely down at her students, past and present, finally calm after years of stress. But in her surveying of the crowd, she noticed a strangeness about a fair few of them. A solid glow was beginning to form around certain individuals in the crowd. No one else seemed to notice it yet, but McGonagall watched in trepidation, wand at the ready were it be needed.

Now, many others were noticing the bright, blue glow. It was so brilliant; it was almost white. Most noticed because they were being affected, causing those around them who were unaffected to watch in growing horror. A few calmed down once they took notice of Harry, glowing as well, waving people to calm.

"It's alright! I think it's your Patronus!" his answer immediately calmed the crowd, all now watching in childlike wonder as the blue white light travelled up the Chosen One's chest, trailing down his left arm. The same was happening to most of the Weasley's, save Arthur and Molly, as well as Bill. Hermione in particular was fascinated; this was no where in any of the books she's read before. Suddenly, her playful otter Patronus sprouted from the light sitting on her chest zipping to and fro, up and around her. It ruffled her hair up, causing her to giggle a bit at its antics before it settled itself near her left hand, looking rather concentrated. She chanced a glance up, noticing Harry's stag was nuzzling its antlers against his left hand as well. Ron was next to him, looking completely shocked at the massive lion licking his own hand. Hermione didn't have a chance to be shocked at Ron's new Patronus, as the stinging pain lacing up her fingers distracted her.

Crying out briefly, Hermione watched a thick ring of the blue white light encircle her fourth finger and lightly prance up the back of her hand. The stinging had disappeared, leaving a shockingly beautiful design upon her skin where the light had touched. Looking more closely, Hermione could discern the shapes as paw prints, though they didn't resemble an otter's. More curious than ever, Hermione looked around at everyone else, seeing similar reactions from them all. Every young person had new prints, almost tattoos, somewhere on their left hands.

Harry sighed, "Celebrated too soon, I guess."

.: *Aparecium*\:.

A/N: And end first chapter! Let me know what you think, I have up to chapter 9 finished, but don;t promise regular updates.