The next evening, Harry awoke to yelling downstairs. But for once it was in celebration. The Weasley brothers had returned.

Harry jogged down to the entrance hall where are large group had gathered around the three boys. Fleur was already in the arms of her husband, crying happily. Charlie was talking cheerfully with Tonks and Lupin. And Molly was nearly strangling her youngest son, sobbing and laughing all at once.

Ron approached Harry as soon as he could tear himself away, rubbing is neck.

"I swear, it's like we're back from the dead." Ron smiled. Harry smiled, clasping his friends hand and embracing him.

"It's good to see you mate." He said. "How are you?"

"Better, now that we're back." He said. "How have you been?"

"Alright." Harry replied. "I just wish I could be doing more. Any big news? I…" He started to ask.

"Hermione!" Ron called suddenly, jogging over to the stair where she stood.

He held her for several minutes, inhaling deeply.

"I missed you baby." He said as he stroked her hair.

Harry smiled slightly and turned as Charlie approached him.

"Hey Harry." He smiled.

"How are you Charlie?" he asked.

"Alright, under the circumstances." He sighed. "I'm just tired. It's good to be back."

"Any news?" Harry asked.

"More of the same. More bloody attacks we didn't stop."

"Who did you find out about?" asked Harry.

"No one I knew personally." He replied, "Not even people on our side."

"Who?"

"Two families. The Millers and the Bulstrodes."

"Wait, Bulstrode?"

"Yes. That girl was your age, wasn't she? Damn. You-know-who did it. Killed off the whole family. And people still follow him. Sick." Sighed Charlie. "Sorry to be such a downer Harry." He said. "I'm sure that's the last thing you need right now."

"It's alright, mate." He said

He just needed to figure out how to tell Pansy.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

That night he sat on the bench in the hall, waiting for her to pass by. She was a little later than usual, but maybe it just felt that way because he was so anxious. As she came around the corner, he got up.

"Pansy." He said. "We need to talk. Please sit down."

She looked worried.

"Your Aunt is dead. So is Millicent and her father, he killed them all, Pansy, I'm so sorry I…"

"I was expecting it." She replied calmly. "I hoped they would get away, but somehow, I knew this would happen. I didn't like Millicent or her mother, but they didn't deserve this. It's all because of my father."

"What?" Harry asked.

"He promised the Dark Lord he would do something, then at the last minute backed out and ran off. That is inexcusable in their eyes. That is asking for death. And if he can't find you, he'll kill off your family."

She had started to cry, her tears silent.

"Why?" she said "Why do people even follow him? Why did I think it was all some stupid game? I should have gone to you, I should have been everything I wasn't. I should have been brave enough to…"

At this, she sobbed into her hands, her body shaking as she cried.

"Hey, hey… don't do that. Don't beat yourself up." He said softly.

He found himself holding her, and she clung to him and wept.

"Harry I… oh!" Came a voice from down the hall.

It was Ginny. "Oh, I see." She said. "Well then." She turned and quickly walked off.

"Ginny wait!" he called. He got up to pursue her, still holding Pansy's hand.

"Ginny!" he called, and she stopped at the top of the stair.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ginny demanded, "Why didn't you say she's.."

"She's my cousin Ginny." He interrupted, putting his had on Pansy's shoulder.

"She's the only family I have left."

"Oh." Ginny stared at them both, at a loss for words. "I didn't know that. I'm sorry, I misunderstood, I…"

"We just learned of a family loss," continued Harry. "My father's cousin and her daughter were killed."

"Harry, I'm so sorry." She said. "If you need me…"

"I know" said Harry.

Ginny smiled sadly and walked down the stair.

Harry turned to Pansy, who was gaping at him.

"I didn't think you would want people to know that." she said in a whisper. Her eyes were puffy but dry.

"I'm not ashamed of you." He said. "Why should I be?"

"I was…" he started. 'My father…"

"I don't care." He said. "And all that doesn't matter anymore. You're here now. You chose to stay. You need to stop punishing yourself for the choices of others."

"Millicent and her mother were my family as well." He continued. "Voldemort is responsible for their loss. Just because of one man's mistake. You know why he killed my parents? A prophesy. It's disgusting."

They were silent for a time, just looking at each other.

"She loves you, you know." Pansy said.

"What?"

"Ginny Weasly."

Harry looked away.

"I can't put her in danger. For us to be together…"

"She would follow you regardless." said Pansy. "She has been. I don't think she'll give it up anytime soon. It's been six years."

"I was away for four." He said. "Right after I left school"

"It's obvious she never gave up on you. She'll stay with you until the end, regardless. Do not deny yourself happiness, while it is right there to be had."

Harry smiled at her. "And they said you weren't clever."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Ron had finally fallen asleep. Hermione smiled down at him and ran his fingers through his hair. He looked so peaceful when asleep, like he was a child. As quietly as she could, she left the bed and walked across the room. Putting on her bathrobe, she headed for the shower down the hall.

"I see you've gone back to your pauper." She jumped at the question.

"Malfoy!" she said in a harsh whisper. "You've got to stop doing that!"

He smirked at her, in his usual stance, leaning up against a doorframe.

"You smell like him," continued Draco. "It's repulsive."

"Look Malfoy." She said, "Ron and I are together. What happened last night was a mistake. A big one. It didn't mean anything."

"He doesn't deserve you." Said Draco.

"Excuse me?" she leered.

"You deserve someone who is more your equal. Someone who…"

"It's really none of your damned business." She said harshly.

"Do you love him?" Draco.

"How dare you…" she started.

"It's just a question Granger." He smirked. "Doesn't take much to get you worked up does it? A lot like Potter. Now there's who I always saw you with Granger. You and Potter always worked in my mind."

"But you hate him as well." She shot back.

"He started that." Said Draco. "I offered Potter my friendship. First day at school, hell we weren't even there yet. I offered by hand and he refused it. He choose Weasley."

"So it was Ron…" she replied. "You hated Ron."

"It's nothing personal against the youngest Weasley son." said Malfoy, tilting his head slightly. "It's a family thing. Mine has hated his for generations. You wouldn't understand."

"More of your horrid fixation on bloodlines?" she spat.

"We can't help what we are. And that's another reason I saw you and Potter together. Both orphans of a sort, no close magical relatives, well almost so now that Potter has found Parkinson."

"What?" she asked.

"Didn't you know? Potter and Parkinson are cousins."

"Is that why…I thought he was becoming strange about her."

He smirked. "Part of him can't help it. In case you haven't noticed, wizards are funny about their family. It is a complicated issue but it all boils down to a strange draw we have. Sometimes I find myself staring at Tonks, dwelling on her. Wondering if that Remus Lupin is good enough for her. I can't help it. It's a family thing."

Hermione opened her mouth, but found she had nothing to say.

"Take your shower Granger." He said. "We'll continue this later." He looked her up and down and strode off, as she silently cursed herself for blushing deeply.