*Sorry for the really short chapter. To make up for it, I have uploaded this one as well *

"Ginny! It's me! I just have to grab a few more things. George wants to stay at the manor for a little while longer." Hermione apparated into the living room, looking around for Ginny, "Strange…she should be here. She wasn't supposed to be working today."

"Hermione?" A voice called from the kitchen. Ginny's head poked around the corner, "Hermione! You're back!" Ginny rushed into Hermione's arms and started sobbing.

"Honey, what's wrong? Why are you crying? I've only been gone a week. Have you really felt that lonely?" Hermione held Ginny at arm's length and looked at her face, slowly taking in the bruises on her cheek and her swollen lip, "Ginny, what happened to you?"

"It's Draco…he…he…" Ginny broke down and collapsed into Hermione's arms.

"He beat you? How? How did it happen?"

"I-I don't know. We were at his Manor, sitting on the couch talking. He left to answer a letter and I stood up to move closer to the fire. When he came back, he stood behind me, grabbed at my neck and…" Ginny shook her head furiously and started shaking.

"Have you gone to St Mungo's?" Hermione asked.

"No. I'm fine, I'm just a bit bruised."

"What happened after it happened?"

"It was like he didn't remember what had happened. I was lying on the floor staring up at him and…he closed his eyes and opened them like he'd been asleep and just woke up. He realised I was on the ground and helped me up, asking me what happened. He saw that his knuckles were bleeding and he must have put two and two together because he started apologising but I had to get out of there. I disapparated back to here and have only left to get food."

"Okay, I don't want you to stay here without someone to keep you safe."

"Hermione, I can't intrude on yours and George's time together."

"Would you prefer to stay at Ron and Harry's?" Ginny's face brightened.

"Yes! Oh, I could take care of Teddy and it would be perfect! But I don't want them to know about Draco. Ron will get angry at me for trusting him."

"Okay, we'll create a back story. Uh…how about you were in a car accident?"

"Yes! Perfect!"

"Pack your bags and I'll send an owl to Ron and Harry." Hermione said as she grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment.

"Thankyou Hermione," Ginny wrapped her arms around Hermione's torso, "So much." Hermione smoothed down Ginny's hair, hugged her back and started to write to her friends.

Dearest Ron and Harry,

I hope you two are doing well and Teddy isn't too causing you too much grief. I'm writing to ask you for your hospitality. Ginny has been in a car accident, and before you start to panic, she's okay. Her face is bruised, her lip is cut and she's a little shaken, but apart from that, she's fine. I won't be able to take care of her as I am living with George, so would you be able to take her in? She needs support from her brother and friend and as I am unable to be there for her, you two could be.

Much love,

Hermione

Hermione stuck her head out the window and whistled for her owl, Leon. After a few seconds, Leon flew, screeching, into the room. As Hermione tied the letter to Leon's leg, Ginny came into the living room hauling her suitcase behind her.

"I didn't know how long I'd be away for." Ginny shrugged, noticing Hermione's gaze. Hermione just giggled and sent Leon away.

"Now we just wait for their reply." Hermione made them both a cup of tea and sat on the couch, nibbling on biscuits. After thirty minutes of waiting, Leon returned, landing on the coffee table and eating a lone biscuit that was left on the plate. Hermione untied the letter attached to Leon's leg and scanned through it quickly, stood up, took hold of Ginny who grasped her suitcase tightly and disapparated to 12 Grimmauld Place.

"Ginny! Are you okay? How did it happen? How badly are you hurt?" Ron ushered them both inside, asking countless questions.

"Ron," Harry placed a hand on Ron's shoulder, "let Ginny actually answer a question before you ask another one."

"Right, right, sorry Ginny. So uh…how are you feeling?"

"Well…I'm sore, tired-" Ginny began but was then interrupted by Ron.

"Tired? Then let's show you to your room so you can rest." Ron took hold of Ginny's suitcase and ran up the stairs, jumping three at a time. Ginny sighed and followed Ron, much slower than she normally would have.

"So," Harry started, "How have you and George been? Living together, huh?"

"Yeah, he asked me last week. He'd already bought us a house so I couldn't say no!"

"A house? From what I hear, it's a mansion."

"Who told you?!"

"Molly." Harry smiled, looking at his hands on his knees.

"Goddammit Molly." Hermione smiled, shaking her head.

"Nothing's a secret when you're with a Weasley. We've both had to learn this." Harry laughed, jumping next to Hermione on the couch.

"How are you and Ron? Has he stopped drinking yet?" Hermione asked, concerned.

"Yeah, we're good. He spends most of his time playing with Teddy, which is good. At least he's stopping Ted from demolishing the house," Harry leaned his head on Hermione's shoulder, "Ron hasn't stopped drinking. Not fully."

"Well, he probably never will." Hermione stroked Harry's hair, leaning her head against his as Harry wrapped one arm around her stomach.

"I've missed you so much, Hermione. A year ago, I thought we'd be living together so I'd planned all this stuff for you, Ron and me to do together, but you're not here so we can't do any of it."

"Just because I don't live with you doesn't mean we can't do things! Let's take Teddy out to a theme park. There's one just around the corner from my-Ginny's apartment."

"It's gonna take a while to get used to not living with her, huh?"

"Yeah…I'm gonna miss her. But hey, it's a new chapter in my life. Like how Ron was a new chapter in yours."

"He's gonna be a whole novel in my life soon." Harry laughed, holding his left hand up in front of Hermione's face. She saw a gold band glinting on his ring finger.

"Oh my God, Harry!" Hermione launched herself onto his lap, hugging him and beaming, with tears streaming down her face, "I'm so happy for you two! The wedding is going to be fantastic. I can picture it now! Teddy in a little suit carrying the rings down the aisle on a little pillow. Aw, he's gonna look adorable!"

"And you're going to look stunning as my best woman."

"Me?" Hermione was dumbstruck, "You want me to be your best woman?"

"Yep, your name is already on the list. No backing out."

"Oh Harry…" Hermione buried her face in his neck, "I'm so happy."

"So am I." Harry looked up, "She knows." Hermione felt another pair of arms wrap around her and heard the same person sit down on the couch.

"I really hope you come." Ron murmured.

"Of course I'm coming, Ron! I wouldn't miss it for the world."