Harry, Ginny and Draco sat around the table in the library studying how to make a potion to reverse curses. It was a group project and a difficult one at that. Snape, under Dumbledore's new idea to "increase inter-house cooperation", had assigned a mix of Gryffindors, Slytherins, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs on each team. This team had two Gryffindors and one Slytherin and surprisingly they hadn't murdered each other. It was, however, pass their usual bedtime and they were all getting tired.
"Alright, so you take the wolfsbane and then…" Ginny realized Harry was humming. The tune was soft and sweet and it made her feel sleepy. She recognized it instantly as her mum had rocked her to sleep while singing it. "So, you um…take the wolfsbane and…and Harry could you not hum? It's making me sleepy."
"Oh? Sorry, Ginny. That tune gets in my head sometimes. I can't remember where I heard it."
Ginny struggled to not get misty eyed. "Damn it, Harry that's so sad I'm just going to give you a hug." She threw her arms around him and held him close.
"Um…thanks." Harry said, a little baffled by his younger love interest's sudden burst of affection. Draco just sneered.
"Aw, poor widdle baby misses his mum...because he's an orphan…stupid orphan." He paused. "Damn it, Harry! You made me make myself sad!"
"It's called guilt Draco." Ginny helpfully explained. "It's what normal people feel when they do something wrong."
"Shut up, Miss Goody-two Shoes blood traitor. If you'll excuse me I have something to do that is completely unrelated to this conversation." He lied, then stalked off to write a letter to his parents.
"Say hi to Narcissa for me. Stupid mummy's boy." Muttered Ginny.
"What were you two talking about?" Harry asked.
"The song you were humming is a wizard lullaby."
Harry's eyes widened. "So that's what it is. I've always wondered."
"My mum used to sing it to me. It still makes me sleepy."
"I can't believe I remember it. What are the words?"
Ginny thought for a moment then began to sing.
"Oh, precious little child, precious little one,
sleep, sleep in peace till the rising of the sun,
oh precious little child, precious little dove,
you are Mummy's little love…"
As Ginny sang, Harry closed his eyes. He had flashes of images in his mind. He remembered the song, but he also remembered a strange man dressed in black. The man made him afraid. He recalled a woman with bright, red hair holding him close. He'd started crying. The woman had begun to sing to calm him. The woman shouted at the man who moved closer. There was green light, then nothing.
"Harry, Harry are you alright?" Ginny shook his shoulder. Harry had tears streaming down his cheeks.
"I remembered her. The night she died." He said in a strange, empty voice.
"Oh, God, Harry. I'm so sorry!" She embraced him tightly. He laid his head on her breasts.
"Why does it still hurt, Gin?" He said, beginning to cry. "Why can I still remember it?"
She stroked his hair. "Harry, I don't know. I'm not going to tell you I understand how you feel because that's patronizing bullshit. I can't begin to comprehend your loss. But I want to be here for you, alright?"
"Then be here." He said softly, wrapping his arms around her. He laid his head on her breasts. She hummed softly to him until he was asleep.