Terrors in the Night
1
Non-existent Quiet
As the days grew shorter, and the nights longer, the screams that filled her dreams grew louder and came more often. It seemed that every time she closed her eyes, she would see his lifeless body before her, at His feet. Every time this happened, Ginny's eyes flew open in horror and she was afraid to close them again. Her only comfort was her mother. Night after night, Molly Weasley attempted to comfort her daughter from the fears and memories that haunted her sleep.
One night, a month after the battle, Ginny woke the entire house with her anguished screams. Both her parents rushed to their daughters' bedside to find her still asleep. The blankets were twisted around her legs and her red hair stuck to her face with sweat.
'Ginny, Ginny, wake up dear; it's alright.' Molly cooed.
Ginny's eyes opened and she sat up. She was trembling very badly when she was drawn into her mothers comforting embrace. Molly gave her husband a look that said she had no idea how they were going to ever get though Ginny's nightmares.
It took Molly the rest of the night to calm Ginny down, and even then Ginny was still trembling slightly. Molly went to the potions' cabinet and retrieved a bottle of strong sleeping potion. Ginny reluctantly drank a sip, fearing what would happen as soon as she closed her eyes. But the horrors never came, only a dreamless sleep that left Ginny dead to the world around her, completely unaware of the meeting that was taking place in the kitchen that day.
Arthur had called the Order. He and Molly were worried sick about Ginny's nightmares and wanted to find some way to stop them. All but one of the members attended the meeting that one being the only one that Molly and Arthur wanted to hear from. Harry Potter.
'Arthur, why not send Ron to find him?' Molly asked after the meeting.
'Molly, dear, Harry didn't tell anyone where he was going.' Molly gave him a look. Arthur sighed deeply. 'But I'll ask Ron if he has any ideas. But later.'
'Thank-you.'
The next morning, once everyone but Ginny was awake, Arthur asked Ron if he knew where Harry was. Ron said he didn't, but he would send Pig with a letter. In his room, Ron and Hermione worked together on the letter.
Dear Harry,
Where are you? We haven't heard from you in a while and wondered how you were doing. Mum and dad are awfully worried and want you to come round for dinner soon. You missed an Order meeting yesterday. We do hope that everything is all right. Write soon.
Love,
Ron and Hermione
PS Hermione made me put the 'Love' part.
Ron.
Several days later, Ron and Hermione got a reply.
Dear Ron and Hermione,
I don't have much time to write, so I'll be brief. Everything's fine and sorry I missed the meeting. I'm a little busy at the moment but should be able to come round for the weekend, hope that's okay with your parents Ron.
See you soon,
Harry.
Molly continued to give Ginny the sleeping draft until the weekend that Harry said he would be arriving. Everyone in the house was stressed about his visit because it would be the first time they had seen him since after the funeral for Fred.
Harry was equally afraid. He hastily wiped his sweaty palms on his blue jeans as he walked up the garden path of the Burrow. He had been gone for about a month and a half and hadn't been in contact with anyone since then. He missed Ron and Hermione but really missed Ginny. He knew that she was having a hard time dealing with everything that had happened. He also knew that she had seen him when he was pretending to be dead at Voldemorts' feet. Harry found himself holding his breath as he knocked on the back door. He hadn't been this nervous since his first year at Hogwarts.
The door opened to reveal Hermione, looking pale and nervous.
'Harry!' she cried, flinging her arms around his neck.
'Hi. How are you?' he asked.
'Fine, come in. Ron's in his room, reading- can you believe that? I never thought that I would live to see the day when Ron picked up a book to read on his own accord.'
If Harry hadn't known Hermione so well, he would have thought she were fine, the way she was acting. But he did know her very well and did know that something was wrong. Actually, he noticed that the entire Burrow seemed different. He couldn't put his finger on it.
'It's quiet.' He remarked realising that was what was the matter. From his first visit to the Burrow, it had always been loud, no matter what.
'What? Oh, no it's not.' Hermione waved away his remark.
'Yes it is Hermione and you know it.'
'Oh, Harry, don't be ridiculous.'
Harry decided to drop the subject until he saw Ron. Hermione led him up the many staircases until they reached Ron's floor. Again Harry noticed how quiet it was, what's more, they hadn't seen anyone yet. Hermione walked into Ron's room without knocking. Ron sat on his bed, a very thick volume open about halfway on his lap. He looked extremely bored with the book, but continued to read.
'Ron, Harry's here.' Hermione said when Ron didn't look up.
'Harry! It's been too long mate. How are you?' Ron asked, setting aside the enormous book.
Harry noticed that the book was titled The Plague of Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome and How to Deal with Those With it. 'Why are you reading that, Ron?'
'What? Oh that, I dunno, just thought I would.' He shrugged, turning bright red about the ears.
'Ron, it's a muggle book. How did you find it?' Harry asked.
'Hermione told me about it and I thought I would take a look at it.'
'That's a lie. I've only been her for five minutes and already three things are wrong. One, Ron's reading muggle books, two, the entire house is silent, and three, where in the world is everyone?' Harry said, listing each point on his fingers and staring hard at each of his best friends.
'Harry, I've already told you-' Hermione started, rolling her eyes.
'Harry,' Ron interrupted. 'The real reason we asked you here is to talk with dad. Something's wrong with Ginny and-'
'Where is she?' Harry demanded.
'In her room, sleeping or trying to.'
At that moment, Mrs. Weasley came bustling in, her cheeks rosy and her brow furrowed.
'Why wasn't I told that Harry was here?' she demanded, looking at Ron.
'I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, I just arrived, I was saying hi to Ron and Hermione.' Harry apologised.
'It's all right, I suppose. Dinner will be ready in about five minutes. I'm going to check on Ginny. Oh, Ron, have you told Harry what's been going on round here yet?' Ron shook his head. 'Good, don't. I'll see three in five minutes.'
The door closed behind her.
'Why not?' Harry asked.
'What?' Ron asked.
'Why not tell me what's been going on round here?'
'I dunno. I guess she wants you to find out by yourself. Oh and mate, I wouldn't get on her bad side if I were you, she's been in a real mood lately.' Ron warned.
'Oh. Okay. Will Ginny be at dinner?'
'I hope not. She really needs more sleep.' Hermione said, sitting beside Ron on the bed.
'Isn't she sleeping?' Harry asked.
'Not really. Mum's been giving her a sleeping draft lately so that she'll sleep at night.' Ron explained.
'Why isn't she sleeping? And how long has this been going on for?'
'She's having night terrors and since the war wait, it was just after you left. She wakes up screaming and-'
'Ron!' Hermione hissed.
'Let him finish.' Harry said.
'No, I think I've said too much. Besides, we'd better get down to dinner or mum'll have our heads. C'mon.'
The three trooped down the stairs.
Dinner was eaten in silence, excepting the pitiful excuse for small talk that Hermione supplied. With each passing moment, Mrs. Weasley became more and more nervous; in fact, the more quiet it got, the more nervous everyone seemed. Harry jumped to his feet when agonised screams and sobs filled the air. Harry ran towards the noise. He bounded up the stairs; the screams were coming from Ginny's room. Without knocking, Harry threw open the door to find Ginny thrashing around in her bed. The only thought in Harry's mind was that he had to help her. He ran over and sat beside her on the bed. He touched her sweaty face and her eyes opened, bright with fear.
'Ginny, it's okay, wake up.' he said.
She said nothing, but wrapped her shaking arms around his waist and buried her face in him.
'Ginny, what's wrong, what happened?'
'I saw you. At His feet. You were d-d-dead. I'm so scared. I don't want to lose you.'
Harry stroked her red hair. 'You'll never lose me, Ginny. I'll always be here for you; you don't need to be afraid. I'll protect you.'
Ginny sat up and looked at him. 'I'm not dreaming am I?'
'No, what would make you think that?'
'Because– you left. How can you say that you'll always be there for me, when you left when everyone needed you the most- especially me?'
'I needed time to think about what to do next. I'm sorry.'
'Sorry? Sorry? I want you to leave Harry Potter! I can't even stand to look at you! Get out!' her voice rose with each word, when she said get out, she had yelled it.
'Ginny-'
'NOW!' she yelled, throwing a pillow at him.