Hermione lay awake, her head buzzing with an emptiness that seemed to be echoing through her entire being. A tear seeped into the pillow as she stared at the neon numbers jumping out at her from the darkness.

00:19

The day before had been similar to her current condition: hollow, dull, tear-streaked. Her mother had drifted through the house in a daze, and Hermione couldn't blame her: she was at a loss to do anything.

It had been almost a week ago that just one phone call had shaken them out of their comfortable world and into oblivion: Thomas Granger had been hit by a car. On hearing her mother shriek from the kitchen, Hermione had run to her side and—on hearing the news—had risked side-along apparition so that they could land in an alley behind the hospital just seconds later. Even though they'd arrived just minutes after the phone call, they'd been too late. A doctor had come from surgery and taken them into a side room, where they'd been delivered the devastating blow.

They had done everything they could.

They had done everything they could.

They had done everything they could.

She'd got her mother to the hospital, run to her when she picked up the phone. They couldn't have done anything differently. Still, Hermione felt as though her heart had been ripped out. It wasn't just because she'd lost her father. No, it was also because that despite her powers and her years of training, she couldn't save him. She was the one person in that hospital who could have done something for him, but she wasn't there when he needed her: she was too late.

A sharp rap on the front door shocked Hermione from her wreck and ruin, and manoeuvred her way out of bed and down the stairs, trying not to disturb her sleepless mother.

"Mrs Weasley?" she asked, taken aback as the red-headed witch enveloped her in such a bone-crushing hug that Hermione could feel the air being squashed out of her.

"My dear," Molly breathed, finally releasing her so that she could look the girl up and down. "I'm so sorry for the lateness of the hour, but I couldn't stay away any longer; I've had an idea."

Hermione ushered her unexpected guest into the living room, closing the door softly behind her. "Mrs Weasley," she tried again, seating herself warily beside her on the sofa. "What do you mean?"

"Well, dear, Arthur said that you two would probably appreciate space, especially given how recent the whole thing was. I said I'd do my best, but Hermione, dear, I couldn't bear the thought of you both here alone with the ghosts in this house, especially not now," Molly said gently, closing her arm around the girl's shoulders and pulling her closer to her.

Hermione felt her nose tingle sharply as tears began to well up in her eyes again. She was glad Mrs Weasley couldn't see them trickle down her cheeks a moment later, but she got the distinct feeling that she knew they were there. A warm fire of gratitude and affection seemed to spark and glow somewhere deep inside her at the witch's words.

"Anyway," Molly continued. "My idea. How about you and your mother both come and stay with us at The Burrow?"

Hermione slowly pulled away and looked at Mrs Weasley through her watery eyes as though trying to comprehend what she'd said.

"What?"

"Bill, Charlie and Percy aren't living with us at the moment, and Harry is staying in Ron's room so you three and Ginny could all be together. I'm more than happy to listen to both of you and provide some womanly support to you and Jean. Of course," she added with an extra register of apprehension creeping into her voice, "Neither of you have to come if you don't want to. I just want you to know that we're all missing you and hoping you'll want our support. Like I said, if you don't want to go anywhere you just tell me and I'll-" Molly seemed to fumble for the right words. "I'll bugger right off, as Ron would say."

Despite herself, Hermione felt a brief smile creep onto her face for the first time in days. "Thank you so much, Mrs Weasley," she exhaled, hugging her softly. "I'll ask Mum in the morning and see what she wants to do. I really do appreciate you coming over."

Mrs Weasley's eyes softened as she held Hermione close. As they broke apart, she seemed to remember what else she'd come to do.

"Oh, I brought a basket of food too; I thought it would be easier if you didn't have to think about feeding yourselves for now, especially if you stay here. When you run out let me know and I'll bring more goodies with me and top up your supply."

Having handed Hermione the basket, Molly stood up. "Now, I think I'll leave you to sleep. There's some Drowsy Draft in there too, just in case you need it," she indicated the basket with a kind smile.

The two women made their way back out into the hall and Hermione thanked her again. Mrs Weasley stepped back over the threshold and gave her a small wave before disapparating, leaving Hermione to close the door on a dark street and make two cups of strong, sleepy tea.

Hiya! Thanks for getting to the end of this chapter. Like I said in my profile (if you've read it; I don't blame you if you haven't) this is all new to me so if you want to give me feedback feel free! I'll hopefully update next Friday.

Amelia x