Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
I threw a jinx at the Death Eaters down the corridor, grinning at Percy and Fred as they chattered.
"You're joking, Perce!" roared Fred, obviously delighted by this. The force of my spell caused me to step back a bit and I found myself up against the wall. "I don't think I've heard you joke since –"
The conversation was cut short by a deafening explosion. A chunk of rock hit the side of my head and I let out a quiet yelp. My hair felt wet and the world spun around me for a moment before steadying somewhat. I looked over in time to see a huge slab of stone from the wall begin to fall right to where Fred was standing, a smile still on his face, though slightly faded as a touch of confusion and fright had joined it. I flew forward, colliding with Fred's side and knocking him out of the way just in time for it to hit my leg. My knee collapsed and a bolt of sharp pain shot through me. I let out a strangled cry as I collapsed, half of my leg stuck beneath the enormous rock. Fred let out a stream of loud curses as he hit the floor.
"What was that about, Granger?" he asked angrily, coughing as he breathed in the dust that surrounded us, clouding my vision.
"Hermione? Where are you?" Ron called from somewhere down the hall a bit.
"Is everyone okay?" Harry asked worriedly from, judging by his voice, somewhere near Ron.
"Fred! Are you alright?" Percy questioned.
"Gerroff me, Perce, I'm fine," Fred snapped. "Oi, Granger, why'd you do that?"
I looked around to see his form approaching me from a few feet away but my eyes were so clouded by unshed tears that I could hardly make him out. I glanced at the rock and gave a feeble tug on my leg, but found that, beneath my mid-thigh, could move nothing. I could feel myself shaking violently as the pain rushed through me. "I-I'm s-s-sorry," I choked, my words sounding jumbled and almost incoherent.
"You'd better be," Fred mumbled. "Gonna have a huge bruise on my – Merlin, Granger, are you okay?" He bent down beside me, the anger dissipating immediately and was replaced by horror and worry.
"N-no," I replied through gritted teeth. "G-get the rock o-off m-m-me b-before I end up a s-saint l-like G-george." I offered a weak smile. Fred seemed amazed that I had attempted at humor in this situation and allowed the tiniest of smiles to grace his lips before trying to move the rock. I sucked in a breath, repressing the urge to scream in pain.
"I don't think I can move it on my own," Fred said, "and I dropped my wand."
"Fred? Hermione?" Percy appeared above me, looking flushed. He quickly saw the rock and his eyes widened. He immediately bent down and said, "I'll try to get it off." He gave a slight push and pain coursed through me. I grabbed the nearest thing, which happened to be Fred's hand, and squeezed it tightly. He looked down in surprise, but allowed me to hold on as together, he (with only one hand) and Percy rolled the rock off.
"Hermione?" Ron sounded nearer, but my head was spinning and I felt as if allowing the darkness that edged my vision to take over wouldn't be a bad idea, so I found myself unable to locate him. I closed my eyes and lifted my hand that was not grasping Fred's in a death grip to my head to feel the side that had been hit and it came away wet, sticky, and, as I saw through my eyelashes, crimson. I spared a glance at my leg and almost immediately regretted it. It was almost sickening. It was twisted almost backwards and the pants leg had been ripped. My skin had been torn up and blood was everywhere, pooling around me. The muscles and bone were visible in the mess, though the latter was crushed and splintered. I closed my eyes again. "Oh Merlin," Ron exclaimed. "What happened?"
"What d'you think?" Fred snapped. I felt Fred's hand leave mine and two strong arms pick me up. "I'll take her to the Great Hall."
"I can do it," Ron said and I felt two more arms around my other side.
"I'll be fine," Fred said and the second pair of arms vanished as the first person stepped backwards.
"You should help Harry, Ron," Percy said.
"I can't leave Hermione!" Ron said angrily.
"Yes, you can go. Fred will take care of her," Percy said. "He's not an idiot."
"Fred will hurt her," Ron growled.
"Why would he do that?" Percy asked.
"He doesn't care," Ron replied and the second pair of arms was back.
"I care, you moron," Fred snapped, and I felt the first person, who I assumed must be Fred, step further back.
"No you don't!"
"Go, Ron," I said, opening my eyes and looking at Ron. "Help Harry. 'm fine."
Ron looked pained, but turned and left. I leaned my head against Fred's chest. "Here's your wand," Percy said, stuffing Fred's wand into his pocket. "Hurry."
Fred began to run down the corridors, though I could hardly tell we were moving. He was careful not to jostle me about, which I was grateful for. "Hold on, Granger," he murmured. "We're almost there, just hold on."
"Thank you, Fred," I said, trying my hardest to pronounce everything correctly through the haze.
"For what?" he asked. "You saved me. I owe you my life. I should be the one thanking you until the day I die."
"Laughing," I replied. "Made things… less painful." My head spun painfully and I forced my eyes open and tilted my head back. My eyes found his bright blue ones, now clouded with worry and fear. The rest of my vision was black – it was as if a pair of eyes sat lonely in the darkness. "Caring." I closed my eyes again and, too tired to fight, allowed the darkness to take over me.
When I came to, I felt nauseous and, if it was possible, dizzier than before. I squeezed my eyes shut more tightly, as if that act might ease my discomfort. I opened my eyes slowly after a moment and saw a hook-nosed witch staring at me.
"Drink this. It kills the pain." She handed me a cup and left. I looked at it, wrinkling my nose at the disgusting smell of the purple liquid and downed it as quickly as possible.
The witch showed up again a few minutes later with another potion, though this one smelled worse than the first and was a sickening green color.
"This helps you recover more quickly," she said, though for some reason I couldn't figure out, she sounded reluctant. She hesitated before handing it to me, glared the tiniest bit, and then left again. Confused, I drank the potion and set the cup down beside the other one, which I had placed on the side table. It was hardly five minutes later when I could hear familiar voices outside the door.
"Room 18… Where is room 18? I swear, if I don't find it soon, I'm going to kill someone!"
"Calm down, we'll find it. It's got to be around here somewhere."
"This hospital is the most ridiculous place I have ever been in!"
"And you always say I'm the irrational one."
"Shut up, Harry."
"I'm just joking, Gin."
"I know you – found it!"
The door slammed open and Ginny stood there, her flaming red hair looking wind-tossed and her face flushed. "Hermione!" she cried, running forward and squishing me in a hug.
"Don't kill her, Gin, she just woke up," said Harry, entering behind her and shutting the door behind him. He held a small baby in his arms, a baby with a tuft of bright blue hair. He offered me a one armed hug before stepping back to stand by Ginny, placing his arm around her waist. Hermione sighed, looking at them with a smile. They looked so happy and just like a family. There was no doubt that Harry and Ginny loved each other. Fred was right about them being close enough to be engaged pretty soon. It was clear that they had moving rapidly in their relationship since the end of the war.
"How are you feeling?" Ginny asked concernedly, sounding a lot like her mother.
"Alright," I replied. "They've given me plenty of pain killing potions and some sort of awful healing potion. Besides the fact that I cannot feel my leg, I'm doing splendidly."
"I'm sure you'll be back to normal in a few days," Ginny said.
"They said it'll take a month or two, but I'll be released soon," I said, grimacing. "Don't know why."
Ginny looked upset. "What? They can use magic and potions and such! It shouldn't take that long! I'll be filing a complaint on my way out. When are they letting you out of this blasted place? It smells like… like gross stuff." She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"That may be me. I've been asleep for a month, I must smell awful," I replied, laughing a bit.
"Nah, they used some cleaning charms and all. Don't worry," Ginny said, waving her hand dismissively. "It's the whole clean smell. I can't stand how sanitary it is."
"Never thought I'd live to see the day when you thought something was too clean," Harry teased.
"Oh hush," Ginny said, slapping his chest lightly, but smiling at him fondly.
"How's Teddy doing?" I asked, pointing at the sleeping child.
"He's doing well. I think he knows that his real family is gone, though. He gets upset when he sees photos or hears their names. Really smart kid," Harry said, giving the boy a sad smile.
"Harry's been a wonderful father to him," Ginny added. "He set up a bedroom for him at Grimmauld Place. It's painted pale blue and has this little crib for him and all these toys and everything. It's amazing."
"I can't wait to see it," I responded.
"I can't wait for you to leave this place," Ginny said. "It'll be amazing to have you back home! And then I have a lot to tell you. And I bet you have a lot to tell me. We haven't really seen each other for a year. I can't believe it! I'm so excited to have you back." She beamed at me and I smiled back, laughing a bit. I hadn't really realized how much I had missed Ginny for the past year, but seeing her now reminded me of the best friend that I had left.
"I'm really excited, too," I said, hoping she saw through my tired and unenthusiastic appearance to how happy I really was. She seemed to, because she grinned and hugged me again. I yawned, despite my best efforts not to, sudden exhaustion rushing over me.
Harry must have noticed because he said, "Gin, I think she's worn out. We can come back tomorrow."
Ginny looked at me, and then said, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize how tired you were. I was so excited I got carried away. We'll come back tomorrow."
"Alright. I'll see you then," I said, too tired to put up any protest.
"We'll see you then," Ginny said, giving me one last hug. Harry hugged me as well before the two of them left, leaving me to fall asleep within two minutes of their departure.
They released me a few days later. I walked uneasily toward the door, my leg stiff and very sore. I wasn't exactly sure where to go from here, seeing as I didn't have a flat I could stay at, my parents were in Australia, and the Burrow, I was sure, was filled to bursting. I assured the healer that rushed out after me that I would be perfectly alright before apparating to Diagon Alley.
People bustled about in the same hurried way that they always did. There was a sense of ease and happiness in the air, so much unlike the environment Diagon Alley had been for the past couple years as the war approached its end. There were several stores which were still boarded up and a couple that seemed to be in a state of disrepair. No one seemed to be bothered by them, though, so I decided not to allow them to dampen my mood.
I had no idea where I had intended to go, so I limped along, just observing the Alley. I found myself outside Gringotts, hoping that they allowed me to make a withdrawal after my break in. I approached a goblin and said, as politely as I could, "Excuse me." He lifted his head to see me and narrowed his eyes.
"Ah, Miss Granger," he said, voice filled with animosity. "What do you need?"
"I would like to make a withdrawal," I said, offering a slight smile.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," he replied.
"Why?" I asked, trying not to let my irritation show.
"You are a security threat," he answered.
"But I need money and it's my vault," I retorted.
"We cannot let you go inside," the goblin said simply, smirking.
"I need to get inside," I said angrily.
"You can't."
"Let me in!"
"No."
"Ah, Galnuk, causing problems for our clients again?" I turned around to see who was speaking and found myself facing Bill Weasley, who grinned cheerfully at me. "Good morning, Hermione. It's nice to see you out of the hospital."
"Hello, Bill," I greeted.
"Galnuk, please explain to me why Hermione, who just happens to be one of the saviors of the entire world, go into her vault?" Bill asked.
"Security threat," Galnuk replied, scowling at Bill.
"It was decided a while ago that it was not a break in for their own good, Galnuk. They broke in to retrieve one of Voldemort's possessions and destroy it so that they could later destroy him. Hermione is a trustworthy girl and your withholding her money is a disgrace," Bill said.
"If you feel so strongly about this, you take her," Galnuk responded.
"Would, but I'm not a goblin, am I? I would be glad to accompany you and Miss Granger so you don't throw her out of the cart halfway there, though," Bill responded, smiling at the goblin, knowing he had won. The goblin glared at him but jumped down and led me and him back.
"Thanks," I said to Bill.
"Not a problem. He did the same thing to Harry and Ron when they came. Just a bit bitter, you know? Thought their enchantments would keep everyone out, but you outsmarted them and took their dragon," Bill said. "I think you three were brilliant, but he disagrees."
When I had gotten a large bag full of galleons, sickles, and knuts, I left the bank, saying goodbye to Bill and promising that I would be at that Sunday's family dinner (he threatened to set Charlie's dragons on me if I wasn't), I returned to the Alley. I wandered aimlessly, ignoring my leg's throbbing and wishing I had a supply of pain killers with me. I stopped for a moment, sitting down on a bench on the side of the path to rest for a moment and allow the pain to settle a bit before continuing on.
"Hermione?"
I looked up to see George and Angelina in front of me. "Oh, hello," I said.
"You're out of the hospital! I'm so glad!" Angelina said, giving me a hug. I hugged her back, confused by her sudden warmth towards me. I had hardly spoken two words with her in school and once she had graduated, all I heard of her was from George when he spoke of their relationship when I visited the Burrow.
"Uh, yeah, I'm glad I'm out, too," I said.
"Everyone was really worried about you," she said.
"Ron especially," George said, winking. "Got annoying, actually. It was all he talked about. You, how you kissed him in the battle, you, how afraid he was, you…"
"Really?" I said hopefully. Maybe Ron would finally pluck up the courage to ask me out after this.
"Of course," George said, "Fred was pretty freaked, too. Felt awful that you'd saved him then went into a coma."
"Oh," I said.
"Alicia managed to pull him out of his funk a bit, though," George said. "Thank goodness."
"I never thought those two would end up together," Angelina commented. "They seem so… different. I mean, really. Other than Quidditch, what similarities do they have?"
"None, really," George replied. "But two people don't have to be similar to have a great relationship."
"Of course not," Angelina said, smiling at him. "Hermione, have you had lunch yet?"
"Uh, no," I admitted. "All I've done since getting out is visit Gringotts. It took a while because the goblin didn't like me. Apparently they don't appreciate people breaking in to their vaults."
Angelina and George laughed. "I wonder why," George said. "Why don't you come with Angie and me to lunch? We were just going to stop over at the Leaky Cauldron. Just a quick break because Fred and Lee are on their own at the shop and there's a big crowd today."
"Are you sure?" I said, not wanting to impose if they were having a date.
"Of course," Angelina said. "Come on, it'll be fun."
"Alright," I conceded, standing up and limping alongside them. "Thanks for inviting me."
"I was planning on dragging you out sometime after you got out of the hospital," Angelina said, "so meeting you here just now was perfect timing."
"You were?" I said, surprised.
"I know you and I never really knew each other or anything," Angelina said, "but you're a great friend of all the Weasleys, you saved Fred, and you seem like a great person. I wanted to at least try to get to know you. Who knows? Maybe we'll be best friend."
"Oh," I said, feeling a bit awkward, but smiling at her. We found a table in the corner of the pub and sat down. George stood up again though, saying he would go get the food.
"I hope you don't mind being dragged over here," Angelina said, suddenly looking concerned.
"Oh no, of course not," I said quickly. "It's just that I don't get invited with people very often."
"Why not?" Angelina asked, eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
"People tend to see me as the annoying know-it-all sidekick of Harry Potter," I replied. "I usually get invited places because Harry and Ron are, not because someone thought that I seemed like a person they might want to know."
"Those people are stupid," Angelina said, waving her hand. "You're your own person, and you aren't annoying, nor are you a know-it-all, though you are pretty smart and I'm a bit jealous of that."
"Thanks," I said quietly.
"Between you and me, I'd prefer to hang out with you rather then Harry and Ron," Angelina said. "They're a bit too… I'm not sure. Childish? Too overly emotional to be boys? I'm not sure, maybe they're just guys, but you seem to be a much better person to spend time with if these few minutes are anything to judge by."
"Thanks," I said again. "So, how long have you and George actually been together? I know he's liked you for forever because he used to talk about you when he thought no one but Fred was listening at the Burrow, but the house is too small to hide much."
"George finally plucked up the courage to ask me out last summer," Angelina said, smiling happily. "Can I trust you to keep a secret?"
"Of course," I said.
She lifted her left hand and placed it on the table. "He asked me to marry him yesterday," she said, looking incredibly excited as she said this.
"Oh, congratulations!" I said excitedly, looking at the large diamond ring on her finger. "It's a beautiful ring."
"I know, right? I knew there was a good reason I chose him," Angelina said as George came back to the table with three butterbeers and three servings of fish and chips.
"And what might this good reason be?" George asked, setting the food down. "My amazing good looks? Or is it my astonishingly funny sense of humor? Or my enormous brain?"
"Your good taste in engagement rings, more like," Angelina said, offering him a kiss as he sat down.
"Only likes me for my money. You hear this, Hermione?" George shook his head. "I wasn't sure what you liked, but this is what Angie and I always get so I got it for you, too. Hope you don't mind."
"Oh, this is great," I replied. "I love fish and chips."
"Good," George said happily. "So, she told you our wonderful news."
"I'm really happy for you two," I said, beaming at the couple.
"Don't tell anyone, though," George said. "We haven't told anyone else except Fred. We're going to make an announcement at dinner on Sunday, so tomorrow. You'll be there, right?"
"Yeah, Bill told me I had to be or I would have a band of angry dragons on my tail," I replied.
"Great!" George said. "Mum will be ecstatic. She's been really upset that you haven't been around."
"Your being in Saint Mungo's seriously put a damper on the spirit in the house," Angelina said.
"You're going to be staying at the Burrow, right?" George said. "Ginny will be ballistic if you don't. She's been almost as crazy as Ron."
"I haven't really thought about it," I replied. "If everyone's back at the Burrow, I don't think there'll be room."
"There's room, don't worry about it," Angelina said. "We'll apparate over with you after this so we can make sure Molly doesn't kill you with her hugs."
"Alright," I said, smiling. The rest of the lunch passed without much more excitement. When we left and apparated outside the Burrow, I felt sudden apprehension. "I don't know if I want to impose."
"It's not imposing. It's a favor. Mum will be crazy if you don't stay," George replied.
"George? Is that you?" Mrs. Weasley came out of the Burrow wearing an apron covered in flour. "Oh, Hermione!" She ran forward and gave me a hug.
"Don't kill her, mum," George said, chuckling.
Mrs. Weasley stepped back. "It's wonderful to see you, dear. You look so much better then you did before," she said. "Are you going to stay with us? I know Ginny would love if you did."
"If I could, that would be great," I said, smiling.
"Of course you can, don't be silly, dear," Mrs. Weasley said.
"We have to go now, mum," George said.
"Thank you for dropping by. Are you sure you don't want some pie before you go?" she asked. "It's lovely to see you as well, Angelina."
"I have to get to work," George said regretfully.
"I do, too, or I would love to. You make the best pies," Angelina said.
"Thank you, dear," Mrs. Weasley said fondly. "I'll see you two at dinner tomorrow then."
"Bye, mum," George said before they apparated away.
"Come inside, I'll get you some pie. It just finished cooling, so it should be perfect just about now. Ginny's home now as well, so she should be down in a moment for some as well. Harry and Ron are away for the day and will be back tomorrow morning. Charlie, Percy, and Arthur are working now. It's only us women here today," she said happily, leading me inside. Ginny came running down the steps a minute later and, when she saw me, she squealed.
"Hermione! You're here!" she cried, running forward to hug me.
"Hey, Ginny," I said, smiling.
"Why didn't you tell me you were getting released?" she asked, her face flushed.
"I didn't know until today," I replied. "I just got out this morning."
"You're staying here, right?" Ginny said.
"Yeah," I said.
"Great!" she said, sitting down and taking a big bite of the pie Mrs. Weasley had just set before her. I smiled and took a bite of my pie, glad that even after my month long absence from life, they still seemed to have a place for me in their family.
A/N: So, I wasn't intending on starting a story before I finish my other one, but I really liked this idea for some reason and I didn't feel like letting it sit in the deep recesses of my document folders and become covered in dust and sadness and all that. So, yeah. I liked the idea – go ahead and hate it if you will, but whatever. I'm not abandoning my other story! I'm just having writer's block when it comes to it.
Please read and review? It would make me super super super happy!
-Naomi
