Hermione propped herself up on her elbows and craned her neck to see the top of Ginny's head as she sat crumpled on the floor just beyond the edge of the bed. With a heavy sigh of relief Hermione spoke to the younger witch. "It doesn't have to be like this. We've been fine before. We can be fine again."

Ginny's body shook softly with silent sobbing. She gathered herself. "You may be the smartest witch of your age but you're wrong on this. Nothing can ever go back to the way it was."

Hermione worked her way to a sitting erect. Tears filled her own eyes at the sight of Ginny. "He's broken you , hasn't he?"

Ginny raised her head at such a peculiar question. Scrubbing the tears out of her eyes she stared at the older witch blankly.

"Harry." Hermione said looking deeply into Ginny's eyes. "He's really tried to keep you happy and safe at the same time."

"That's what they keep telling me. It's for my own good." Ginny spat bitterly. "But the safety of this life is not one worth living."

"Ginny, don't you even think that!" Hermione raged, hopping off the bed. "I know you're stressed. Everyone is, but we're all playing a part in this."

Ginny jumped to her feet and shouted. "And my part's sitting on my hands until some one decides to pop in with information!!"

"You're important here." Hermione said with a note of finality. "The burrow's our last strong hold if we have to retreat."

Ginny's eyes blazed with anger. "How will we know to be ready if we never get news? For all we know, You-Know-Who has all ready killed Harry and is dancing a jig as he kills Muggles in the middle of London!"

Hermione snickered at the image.

"It's not funny!" Ginny said with a piercing gaze that made Hermione crack up. After a moments reflection Ginny saw the absurdity in her statement and laughed in spite of herself.

"I highly doubt Voldemort even knows how to jig." Hermione managed between heaves of laughter.

Ginny punched Hermione in the shoulder jauntily as they digressed from hysterics. With a heavy sigh Ginny continued on her point. "He truly thinks I'm a helpless git who can't defend myself. But I can!" The fight was back in her voice.

"I give as good as I get, you can ask any of my family members. You have no idea what it's like growing up with six brothers in the house." Ginny flailed her arms with every event she cited as proof that she could take care of herself.

Hermione could see Harry's side in it because she'd be lost if Ginny was hurt, but also recognizing Ginny's power, though less refined than others she was naturally more powerful than half the current members of the Order.

Ginny's list was running out of prime examples but she hadn't yet run out of steam. "... And when I got hit with that quaffle I didn't even shed a tear even though my nose was broken! Well maybe one tear, but not crying really..."

Hermione brushed the side of the younger witch's face, catching her chin and looking into her eyes. "I understand where you're coming from, honestly." She said earnestly.

Ginny pulled herself out of Hermione's light grasp. "Why do you always do that?"

Hermione raised her brow questioningly.

"The chin thing." Gin clarified as she laid her own hand where the older girls had been.

Hermione gave a light snigger as she started to answer. "Instant ADD. When you're upset you work yourself into a frenzy. The only way to get you to hear anything I have to say is to disrupt your focus long enough for me to speak."

"Hence, the forced eye contact." Ginny said nodding with understanding.

"You know that only works when you're standing close to me." Hermione said taking a half step closer.

"You know there are other ways to shut me up." Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow before Ginny covered her mouth with a kiss.

For that moment the world melted away. All that they'd been through, all the fighting, the studying, the laughing and the crying. Even the tensions and awkwardness evaporated on contact. They were alone in the world and happy. For a moment.