Chapter 2: Time for Change
After Hermione went to bed, Harry walked back down stairs where everyone else was. "What are we gonna do?" Harry asked. "I don't know but, I'm gonna check on her" Ginny sighed as she walked out of the room. "Wait I'll join ya" Tonks exclaimed as she ran after Ginny. When they arrived up stairs they heard low shouts and cries. "Hermione" They said as they ran into the room. "Shhh, 'Mione we're here now, we've got ya" Tonks said soothingly as she took the young, fragile girl in her arms. "Ginny go get Harry" Tonks told the redhead. Ginny flew down the stairs to get to Harry.
"HARRY, 'MIONE NEEDS YOU!" Ginny screamed as she went flying into the full kitchen. Harry was out the door and up the stairs with a speed that only a seeker could have. "What's wrong?" Harry asked as Tonks handed Hermione to him. Hermione clutched on to him like her life depended on it. "What's wrong 'Mione?" Harry asked as he rubbed small circles on her back. "I keep having these dreams…" Hermione sobbed. "It's alright; you can sleep in my room alright?" Harry asked and smiled when he felt her nod. "Good, now let's get you to bed, you must be awfully tired" Harry said as he led her out of the room and down 1 flight of stairs and around the corner into a room with 2 beds. "Here you go" Harry said as though he was talking to a 5 year old, but not in a patronizing tone, just caring.
"What am I going to do?!" Harry exclaimed as he fell into a seat at the kitchen table. "We go back to Hogwarts the day after tomorrow!" Harry exclaimed tiredly. "Well you guys are gonna have to make sure that He doesn't get to her or near her unless she wants him to" Lupin said as he sat down beside Harry. "It would be so much easier if you were still a professor there" Harry sighed. "Well there's no way in hell I can be a teacher if Umbridge is still bitch-mistress." Lupin said with a smile. "Well I'm going to make sure she's still okay" Ginny said as she ran gently out of the room.
"Hey, 'Mione are you doing okay?" Ginny asked as she sat down next to her. "Yeah, no, maybe, shut up!" Hermione sighed. "I know how you feel, well in a way" Ginny said as she confused herself. "Good night 'Mione" Ginny smiled as she Hermione already asleep. When Harry walked in about a half hour later he saw both girls fast asleep on his bed. "Good night girls" Harry sighed as he tucked them both under the covers. He lay down and looked at them one last time. He let a serene smile grace his face as he fell asleep.
When Hermione awoke the next morning she found her face covered with smooth red hair. 'Oh no, what happened?!' Hermione thought frantically as she jumped up. "Oh it's only Ginny" She sighed making Ginny and Harry look at her, both of them being up for about 20 minutes. "Eeeew 'Mione did you think you would end up in bed with one of my brothers?" Ginny asked disgusted. "No" Hermione snapped. "Okay, if that's what you say" Ginny said giving her a hard time even though she trusted Hermione. "Hermione there's blood on your back!" Ginny exclaimed worried. "Damn it I forgot to have, George change them" Hermione muttered as she got up. "Where are you going?" Ginny asked as Hermione walked out the door. "Somewhere" Hermione called back.
When she arrived at the twins' room she realized the door was open. "George?" she asked as she looked in the room. "Hey Hermione, what's up?" He asked as she turned around and showed him the blood. "Oh need me to change them?" George asked as he jumped up. Hermione just nodded. "Do you they hurt as bad as they did before?" George asked as he pulled up the back of her shirt noticing she had no bra on. "They feel a little better but at least the throbbing stopped" Hermione sighed. "YOU HAVE VERY COLD HANDS!" Hermione squeaked as George pressed on the bandage. "Sorry" George laughed. "Well I'm starving; shall we go down for breakfast?" George asked as he offered her his arm. "Yes we shall" Hermione said as she looped her arm through his.
"So, I don't wanna go to school tomorrow, how about you?" Hermione asked as he led her down the stairs. "Oh god we go back to school tomorrow?!" George exclaimed with a horrified look. "Yes goof, but don't feel bad I didn't know until I heard Harry say it last night" Hermione giggled. "Hey thanks for helping me last night, and today, it really means a lot, after last night I felt kind of alone" Hermione said as she looked down at her shoes. "I also find your shoes very appealing Hermione" George laughed as they reached the kitchen. He pulled out a chair for her and sat down beside her.
"So you guys what we are doing today, since it's our last day of freedom?" Harry asked dramatically. "Well I was thinking that you all could help me learn how to play Quidditch" Hermione said making Harry spit out his juice. "YOU HERMIONE JANE GRANGER WANT TO PLAY QUIDDITCH, ON A BROOM IN THE SKY?!" Harry just about hollered. "Yes, Harry that is exactly what I'm saying" Hermione said with a resolve in her voice that ended the debate. "Sure 'Mione we'd all love to help" Ginny said shooting a warning glance at Fred who was trying immensely hard not to laugh as Harry shut up scared of what could happen if he got Hermione mad. "Fred, I would shut up too if I were you" Hermione said not even looking up form the Quibbler.
"What made you change your mind about flying and Quidditch, if you don't mind me asking?" George asked as he jogged up to Hermione. "Well I just decided it was time for a change, why judge something I haven't tried" Hermione said with a smirk. "Oh maybe later me and Fred could show the trick of our trade" George said in mock excitement. "Maybe Mr. Weasley, maybe" Hermione sighed as she ran up to Ginny.
"Hermione are you sure you want to do this?" Harry asked as Hermione looked at him. "Harry I'm a big girl now, I can make my own decisions, I know you only want to help but if I say I'm gonna do something I'm gonna do it!" Hermione said as Ginny handed her a broom. "Okay, promise me if I fall you'll catch me?" Hermione asked. Everyone nodded and mounted their brooms. "Let's do this" Hermione sighed as she mounted the broom and pushed off the ground.