They were leaving from Kings Cross after sending their beloved children to school. It was Rose and Albus's first year at Hogwarts, they both had never been away from their parents before. The four of them were in a rather dull mood, unlike Lily and Hugo who were having an animated discussion about their future at Hogwarts.
"Mum can I go to Hugo's place today?" Lily piped up.
Ginny looked at Hermione with a quick question if she had any other plans. "Of course my silly Lily, you are always welcome at our place and you know that" said Hermione. They continued to their parking spot talking occasionally. Hermione was closely observing Harry, she knew he was closer to Al than any of his children. He had a brooding expression on his face while he watched Lily and Hugo.
"Why don't you both come over as well?" she asked Harry and Ginny.
They both looked at each other and agreed. Once they were home Lily and Hugo disappeared to children's room with snacks, while the elders decided to lounge in the garden. They were talking about their respective first years at Hogwarts, becoming more and more nostalgic with every passing minute. Hermione decided that she was right about inviting the Potter over, Harry was trying very hard to participate in the discussion but could not keep away the brooding expression from his face. He suddenly got up and moved towards the house with an excuse of going to the loo. Hermione also excused herself with an excuse to check on the kids, she did check on them once before going in search of Harry. She found him standing alone in the balcony of the guest bedroom which was familiar to him because of his and Ginny's frequent stay at their place when Ron was sent away on missions. She broke his reverie by placing a hand on his shoulder, he looked at her and she gasped violently. He had tears in his eyes and he did not try to hide them from her, she was much too close to him to do such a thing. He knew he could share anything with her and she would make him feel better, she was his second best confidante after Ginny and this was not something he could share with Ginny even if eventually she would know one day.
"I am sure these are not because you are missing Al, are they?" she asked wiping his tears with her index finger.
"No" he replied.
"You know you can share anything with me and Ron" she told him "That is if you want to" she added looking at his discomfort. She had never seen him so vulnerable after the war. Granted the first year after the war was quite difficult for him like it was for everyone who had lost someone from their family and friends. But his burden was much greater than any one because it was a burden of guilt more than grief. He blamed himself for all the deaths and it took all their efforts to bring him out of it. But now, she knew something was seriously wrong with him because he never cried and she also knew that it was something he could not share with Ginny.
"Of course I want to" he replied.
"Then tell me, what is bothering you so much? I have never seen you cry after the war"
"It's Ginny" he said with enormous sigh. Hermione's eyes widened with fear, she knew that Harry had taken Ginny to St. Mungo's few days before for a checkup because she was feeling tired all the time. They had some tests and the reports were to arrive yesterday but in Rose's excitement of leaving to Hogwarts it had completely slipped out of her mind.
"What is it Harry?" she asked fearfully.
"It is a third stage Cancer" he replied and collapsed against the railings of the balcony. Hermione was so horrified she could not even summon the energy to support Harry, she sat down on the floor next to him, fear and pain evident in her eyes. It took her some time to compose herself and say something.
"But… But cancer is curable even in its last stage by magic" she said.
"Yes, all kinds of Cancers are curable by magic except for Core Cancer" a strangled sob escaped Hermione. She knew everything about Core Cancer because her colleague, who was also a close friend, was affected by it a couple of years previously. It was a disease which affected the magical community only because the magical core of a witch or wizard was affected due to it. And third stage meant that Ginny could note use Magic after a short period of time. She was so shocked that she could not even move quickly when she herd Hugo calling her. She quickly recovered as soon as she could hear him and wiped her tears away, she supported Harry to get up and calm himself. She started to move away when Harry took hold of her arm to stop her, she looked back and saw a pleading look in his eyes.
"Ginny does not know yet" he said.
She nodded to him and he understood that she would not say anything to her and would support him when the time came to tell Ginny about her condition. As soon as this thought crossed his mind he could no longer control his emotions, he moved forward and hugged her tightly pouring all his pain, fear and insecurities in the hug. Hermione was able to feel all his emotions, she ran her hands on his back in soothing circles and found him calming. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Hugo called for his mother once again.