They had won. Time seemed to pause as Hermione surveyed the grounds of her home, of Hogwarts, death and destruction surrounded her, but for a moment all that mattered was that this, finally, was truly the end of Voldemort. Suddenly Hermione collapsed and she remembered no more.
x
Hermione awoke in Saint Mungo's a week later, sore but otherwise unharmed, Harry stood over her bed tears in his eyes. "Hermione," he paused "I was so scared..." he got to say no more as the Healer's rushed him out in order to do some tests.
After being pushed out Harry sent a patronus to the Burrow, "Hermione's awake!" was all it said and within a few minutes there was a stream of nine red heads flooding through the hospital's floo. The healer came out to deliver the news, and was shocked to see so many more people waiting.
"She is okay, but she is resting," she surveyed the crowd knowing all the faces from the recent Daily Prophet headlines, "we can only have one of you in there with her."
She stood waiting as Ron and Harry stared at each other, but before anyone could say anything Mrs. Weasley pushed Ron forward, "Well it is obvious her boyfriend should be with her." As Ron walked forward Harry's stomach churned. The thought of him, being with her, Hermione, the only one who was at his side for everything made him sick.
He felt Ginny walk up to him and lace his fingers through hers. "I'm glad she's awake" she said kissing Harry's forehead. Harry didn't respond but rather followed the rest of the Weasley's back through the floo. Charlie watched on as Harry reacted to the scene that played out before him, and saw the unmistakable sadness that crossed his face.
Once they reached the burrow Harry took a minute to survey those in front of him. Mrs. Weasley, who had adopted him when he was just 12, leaning on Mr. Weasley eyes bloodshot and tired. They looked much older then he remembered, but then again, he knew he had been gone for a year.
Fleur was waiting at the Burrow and when Bill returned he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame, and buried his face in her neck, Harry knew Bill tried to remain strong, but the battle left him weak and with deep wounds physically and emotionally. Bill felt guilty for letting them leave Shell Cottage alone.
Charlie had been back from Romania since the battle, and while Mrs. Weasley would normally be in a fuss about him and his hair or his girlfriend or lack there of she now sat down next to him and put her hand on his shoulder, as Mr. Weasley silently got his wife some tea. It was silent for what felt like hours, as they all seemed to let out a sigh of relief that they were all there, and while they may be injured and healing, they were all alive, and for tonight that was enough.
The twins were the first to break the silence, "As happy we are that Hermione is awake," said Fred, "I reckon we should go back home for the night, make some room for her when she gets back."
"I reckon you're right Fred" George said, Mrs. Weasley started to complain but was cut short as they each kissed one of her cheeks and then disapperated. Harry knew they were coping with the war the only way the twins knew how, making joke products and creating laughter, but the mood in the room was too somber and if the war had taught those two one thing it was reverence.
Ginny finally separated herself from Harry's side and sat on a chair near the fire, trying to beckon Harry to her. They hadn't talked much since him, Ron, and Hermione went on the run, and at the thought of Hermione his heart sank, he had been at the hospital all week, he should be there with her now, not Ron. Knowing it was too late to change it now Harry bid the room goodnight, as he walked past Fleur he thought he heard her mumble a low apology to him but he couldn't be sure, then went to his room trying to find sleep.
X
The living room remained quiet, Ginny was next to excuse herself to bed, although she was not tired she saw no point without Harry there. Fleur spoke hesitantly grabbing Bill's hand, "We will come back tomorrow."
Bill tagged on "Floo us when Hermione is home", and they said their goodbye's and floo'd home. Charlie looked at his parents left alone in the room, thinking on the hospital room interaction he made a note to ask Harry about it tomorrow, he bid his parents goodnight, and as he started up the stairs and heard his mother start crying. It had definitely been a long year.