I own nothing you recognize and simply play in JKR's universe for fun.
Special thanks to Excessivelyperky and Shandi for looking over this chapter and their comments.
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Hermione, 10/19/97
Hermione sat on the large sofa in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room. Mary Ellen Whitcomb's head rested on her lap, soft sounds of sleep coming from the little dark haired girl. Hermione's hand moved in Mary Ellen's hair, stroking gently. Hermione leaned back, resting against Harry's shoulder and arm stretched out behind her. She felt Harry's other arm come around her, holding her against him.
"Looks like she's sleeping pretty good now," whispered Harry.
"The Dreamless Sleep is working," answered Hermione. "She should be out for several hours."
Ron rose from the armchair where he was sitting across from Hermione and Harry. He waived over to Sarah Bannach and Jeremy Philpot, the two Gryffindor Fifth Year Prefects.
"How about if I take her to her room, now? Sarah and Jeremy can watch over her and make sure she's not alone? She needs sleep and so do you." Ron crouched next to Hermione and put his hand on her arm.
"Ron's right. You need to sleep, too." Harry said softly.
"We'll stay right with her, Hermione," said Sarah. "She won't wake up alone."
"I guess that would be okay," replied Hermione. Her voice sounded strange to her, almost blank, almost as numb as she felt. She moved her arm out of the way as Ron bent over her. He slipped his arms underneath Mary Ellen and lifted her gently off of Hermione's lap. Ron shifted her gently and brought Mary Ellen up against him, her head resting against his shoulder. Sarah took the child's dangling left arm and tucked it up against Ron.
"I'll be back in a few minutes after we get her settled in." Ron nodded to Harry. Accompanied by the two Prefects, Ron carried Mary Ellen up the stairs to the girl's dormitory.
"Don't you think it's time for you to take some Dreamless Sleep, too?" asked Harry.
With Mary Ellen off her lap, Hermione shifted to get the circulation back into her leg. She turned and curled into Harry, wrapping her arms around him and burying her head in his shoulder. She closed her eyes tightly, clinging to him like a lifeline. Harry held her and stroked her hair.
"It's okay Hermione. We're not going to leave you alone, either. We're going to take care of you," Harry murmured into her hair.
Hermione's mind traveled back to an earlier time in the day, just before breakfast. She knew something was wrong when Professor McGonnagall knocked on the door of the room she shared with Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown. Parvati and Lavender had gone to bathe. Hermione was already dressed and was about to leave to join Harry and Ron in the Great Hall. When she answered the door, Professor McGonnagall stood in the doorway, silent for a moment.
"Miss Granger, I need a favor of you. Would you collect Mary Ellen Whitcomb and meet me in the Common Room? We need to take her and Matthew McAllister to see the Headmaster." Professor McGonnagall's voice sounded oddly tight.
"Of course, Professor. If you'll give me a few minutes, I'll get her and be with you directly." Professor McGonnagall turned and stepped aside, allowing Hermione to exit ahead of her. Hermione turned to a room on the left where the First Year girls stayed and knocked on the door. Professor McGonnagall continued down the hallway to the stairs leading to the Gryffindor common room.
Mary Ellen answered the knock on the door, apparently the last one left in the room. "Hi Hermione. What's up?" Mary Ellen was a popular girl with a bubbly personality and a good deal of energy. She was the tiniest of the Gryffindor First Years and the youngest. She met the birthday requirement for admission by one day, turning eleven just before school started. "Could you help me get my ribbon straight?" Mary Ellen held out a rather mangled looking red ribbon, which would look quite nice in her black hair.
"Of course." Hermione took the ribbon, pulled it under the length of hair and tied it into a neat bow. "Now, Professor McGonnagall wants to see you. I don't think you're in trouble, but I don't know what's going on. So let's not keep her waiting then we can go get breakfast."
"Okay Hermione." Mary Ellen looked up at her, brown eyes full of trust. The two of them left the dorm room and headed down the stairs. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was Ron, looking quizzically at the two girls.
"Professor McGonnagall was just here and asked me to roust out Matt McAllister. I found him and he's waiting for you and Mary Ellen in the common room. Do you know what's up?"
"No. Professor McGonnagall didn't tell me anything. Is she still in the common room?"
"She was a minute ago."
"We'd better get going then," replied Hermione.
Professor McGonnagall was standing in the common room with Mathew McAllister. Hermione and Ron escorted Mary Ellen over to them.
A strange look on her face, Professor McGonnagall spoke. "Mary Ellen, Mathew, we are going to go see the Headmaster. Miss Granger is going to come with us. We will explain everything there. Miss Granger, would you please take Mr. McAllister and Miss Whitcomb? I will join you shortly. Mr. Weasley, may I speak with you a moment?"
Hermione put her hands on the two youngster's shoulders and walked them to the door of the common room. She looked back and saw Professor McGonnagall speaking earnestly to Ron. Ron looked up for a moment and met her eyes. He looked stunned. Hermione hesitated a moment, but remembering her directions from the Professor, kept herding the two children. They were out of the common room and going down the stairway towards Headmaster Dumbledore's office when Professor McGonnagall caught up with them. They reached the entrance and Professor McGonnagall said "gummi bears" and the door opened. The four stepped onto the moving staircase and came out into Dumbledore's office. Professor Dumbledore was there in dark blue robes, standing in front of his large desk. Fawkes was on his perch behind him, a brilliant blaze of red gold color, trilling softly. Hermione heard a noise and turned her head to see Arthur and Molly Weasley sitting to the side. 'What are they doing here?' she wondered. Mrs. Weasley looked upset. Remus Lupin stood beside them, looking quite rumpled and like he hadn't shaved. Madame Pomfrey stood to the side, adding to her confusion.
Dumbledore moved forward, leaning down to take the hands of the two children. He gently guided them into chairs. Professor McGonnagall stood next to Hermione and directed her to one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"Are we in trouble, Headmaster?" asked Mary Ellen.
"No child. None of you have done anything wrong and you are not in trouble. I have asked you to come here because I have bad news to tell you." Dumbledore summoned a chair and sat directly in front of the two children, continuing to hold their hands. He leaned forward. Professor McGonnagall left Hermione's side and stood behind the chairs, putting her hands on the youngster's shoulders.
"You know that there is a war going on between the followers of He Who Must Not Be Named and the Ministry of Magic?" Mary Ellen and Mathew nodded. "Sometimes the Death Eaters attack people who are quite innocent and have nothing to do with the war." Dumbledore looked searchingly into the eyes of the children in front of him. Hermione felt her heart leap into her throat as she realized what he was about to tell the two young Gryffindors.
"Mary Ellen. I have terrible news. Last night, the Death Eaters attacked your home. Your mother and father were killed, along with your sister Tina." Mary Ellen hands went to her mouth and she started to shake.
"That can't be right. You made a mistake, Headmaster. It's not true. It's someone else's family, not mine." Her voice raised, panic and pain in equal amounts. "Professor McGonnagall, please tell him he's wrong. He has to be wrong," she sobbed.
Professor McGonnagall moved around to the front of the chair as Dumbledore moved back. She knelt in front of Mary Ellen and took her in her arms. In a surprising show of strength in her wiry form, she lifted the girl from the chair and held her. McGonnagall turned and sat down in the chair, holding the shaking weeping child, stroking her hair, and whispering soft things Hermione couldn't hear.
Hermione looked at Matthew. Fear was plain on his face as Dumbledore turned to him and took his hands, gazing intently into his face.
"You know what I am going to tell you, do you not, son?" asked Dumbledore softly.
"Who did they get, Headmaster?" Mathew's grip on Dumbledore's hands was like an iron vise.
"Your mother. No one else was there at the time," Dumbledore answered.
"Oh god. Mum. Mum…" The boy broke down, releasing Dumbledore's hands and curled up into himself. Dumbledore moved closer and put his arms around the child, rocking him gently.
Hermione sat in shock looking at the two children being held by McGonnagall and Dumbledore. Fear gathered in a pit at the bottom of her stomach. No. This is not happening. This is not real. I should not be here. She felt numb as she looked up and saw Mr. and Mrs. Weasley standing by her chair.
Mr. Weasley looked down at Hermione, his eyes terribly sad.
Hermione could barely make her throat work to get the words out. Her voice was a choked whisper. "Mr. Weasley, are my Mum and Dad all right?"
Mr. Weasley reached down and took Hermione's hand. "No, Hermione. They're gone."
The moment was surreal. A thousand of the most intense emotions possible swept through her and no emotions at all. Hermione could barely breathe. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask 'Was it bad?' but she looked at the two children and knew she couldn't ask in front of them. The room swam in front of her eyes. She couldn't focus. A thought came.
"We were going to Chicago to visit the college next weekend. I need to owl them to tell them we're not coming." Hermione made to rise. She felt hands on her shoulders, holding her down in the chair.
"No child," said Mrs. Weasley, "You don't need to do that now."
Hermione was distracted by a noise beside her. Mathew was struggling, his voice rising to a hysterical scream. He was hitting Dumbledore, pummeling him blindly with his fists. Hermione wanted to help, but couldn't think of a thing to do, other than just sit and look. Madame Pomfrey rushed to Dumbledore's side, her wand moving and words coming from her lips. Hermione couldn't hear what she was saying, but Mathew quieted and slumped in Dumbledore's arms. Dumbledore cradled the child and looked to Lupin.
"Remus, could I prevail upon you to assist Poppy in taking Mathew to the hospital wing?" asked Dumbledore.
"Of course, Albus." Remus knelt and pulled the boy from Dumbledore's arms. He lifted him gently and followed Madame Pomfrey as she stepped into the green flames of the fireplace.
Mary Ellen was limp with exhaustion in Professor McGonnagall's arms, hiccoughing quietly.
"Professor McGonnagall?" asked Hermione, her voice oddly calm and a buzzing noise in her ears. She felt as if she was watching herself from a distance. She felt numb and empty. Nothing felt real. How could any of this be real?
McGonnagall looked at her with surprise. "Yes, Hermione?"
"Mary Ellen has gotten to be friends with Sarah Bannach. We can take her back to Gryffindor and look after her there." Mary Ellen looked at Hermione, pain in her red-rimmed eyes.
"Hermione? Can I stay with you and Sarah? Please?" she whispered.
Hermione reached over and stroked Mary Ellen's hair. "Of course, munchkin. We'll look after each other, okay?"
Mary Ellen scrambled out of McGonnagall's arms and climbed onto Hermione's lap. Her small arms went around Hermione's neck. Hermione held her close, the two clinging to each other as they both started to tremble. In moments, tears were pouring down her face. Hermione told herself she was crying for Mary Ellen, crying for the other girl's loss. The emotions poured in and filled her to overflowing, the utter despair and agony of loss. Alone, so alone. Even in a room filled with people, she would always be alone. Hermione was standing at the gates of hell as they opened and she stumbled inside.
It's all my fault.
The two orphans sobbed in each other's arms, the adults looking on helplessly. Long minutes passed and the only sounds to be heard were from the two weeping girls. Both gradually quieted. Hermione started to search her robes for a handkerchief, only to have four simultaneously offered to her by the adults. A handkerchief with a delicately embroidered "M" was the closest. Hermione accepted it with a watery cough. She wiped her eyes and nose and looked down at Mary Ellen, her head resting against Hermione's breast. Another handkerchief, this one with magically winking smiley faces, was offered. Hermione took it and coaxed Mary Ellen's head up. She wiped the girl's eyes and cheeks. Bunching the handkerchief, she held it to Mary Ellen's nose and gave the order; "Blow." Mary Ellen complied, quite noisily, and then laid her head back down against Hermione.
Hermione felt exhausted and thirsty. She looked at Dumbledore and the words tumbled out. "I'll need to make arrangements." Her voice cracked. Mrs. Weasley held out a glass of water. Hermione took the glass and drained it. "Thank you," she said, her voice clearer.
"We have a lawyer in the Muggle world, a squib from a trusted family. You are eighteen, are you not, Hermione?" asked Dumbledore.
"I turned eighteen last month," she replied absently, numbness setting in again.
"Then you are of legal age in both worlds. If you are agreeable, I will contact our lawyer and have him take the necessary steps."
"Hermione?" said Mr. Weasley, his hand gentle on her arm. "Molly and I are willing to help you."
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. I appreciate it and will be very glad for your help."
"Then I will go and meet with the lawyer and find out what we need to do and what we are allowed to do next, under Muggle law."
"I have a lot of questions, but I know this isn't the time. I want to know what happened." Hermione looked down at Mary Ellen, lying against Hermione with her eyes closed. She clutched the girl protectively, comforting herself as she did.
"And we will answer your questions as quickly as we can," answered Dumbledore. "I believe your friends are here to take you back to Gryffindor Tower."
Hermione looked up. Harry and Ron stood on either side of her chair. Her eyes started to tear as her two best friends knelt beside her. She clamped down on her emotions. She didn't want to cry anymore, not now, not here. She just wanted to get away from Dumbledore's office. She wanted to be alone, to run away, but she wanted Ron and Harry to be with her. She didn't know what she wanted. She wanted it all to go away.
It's all my fault.
"Are you ready to come back with us?" Harry looked at Hermione, his green eyes full of pain.
"I think so," she whispered. Hermione looked down at Mary Ellen. She stroked Mary Ellen's hair and rubbed her back. "Mary Ellen? Harry and Ron are here. We're going to go back to Gryffindor Tower, now."
Mary Ellen raised her head. "Can I stay with you, Hermione?"
"Sure you can. We have to look out for each other, right?"
"Okay." Mary Ellen wiped her nose with the sleeve of her robe and sat up. "Eew. I got bogies on my sleeve."
"I believe we can clean that up, Miss Whitcomb," said Professor McGonnagall, waving her wand over the girl.
"Oh. That's ever so much better. Thank you Professor McGonnagall," said Mary Ellen, climbing off of Hermione. Mary Ellen stood and pulled down her robes. She looked up at Ron. "Goodness. You're really tall," she remarked.
Ron smiled at the little Gryffindor. "And you're a regular little squirt, aren't you? I remember when my sister Ginny was your size. I'll bet I could pick you up and carry you, just the way my big brothers used to do with her." Without waiting for permission, Ron stooped and Mary Ellen put her arms around his neck. Ron's long arms went around her legs and he straightened up. Mary Ellen tucked her head against his neck and closed her eyes.
Hermione stood, feeling queasy and unsteady. Harry moved up against her and put his arm around her back, his other hand supporting her elbow. Hermione leaned up against him for a moment to get her balance, taking comfort from his closeness. All she wanted was to curl up around him and whimper. She was supposed to be strong, but all she wanted to do was hide.
"Will you be able to make it?" whispered Harry.
"I'm going to try. You can always Mobilocorpus me if you need to," she whispered back with a quavery smile.
Ron looked around the room at his parents and the two Professors. "We'll look after them. It might be a good idea if someone sent up some Dreamless Sleep. When I get back to the tower, I'll send the Sixth Year Prefects down to stay with Matt."
Dumbledore nodded. "I will make arrangements for the Dreamless Sleep and notify Madame Pomfrey." He looked at Hermione. "I have our agents looking into this. I will provide you with information as quickly as I have it."
"Thank you, sir." Harry supported Hermione as they left the office and went down the stairs, Ron following behind carrying Mary Ellen.
Hermione remembered hearing Dumbledore say, "Minerva, please let Pomona know we are ready for her and Miss Andropolous. We have two more children to talk to today."
The walk back to Gryffindor Tower took an eternity. The other students were coming out of breakfast and looked at the four Gryffindor's oddly. Harry Potter, walking with his arm around a fragile Hermione Granger followed by Ron Weasley, carrying Mary Ellen Whitcomb who was wrapped around him like ivy. Lavender Brown and Seamus Finnegan approached, questions obvious on their faces. Ron gave them a stern look and shook his head. He mouthed 'later', which they seemed to accept.
As soon as they reached the common room, Ron and Harry shooed everyone away. Hermione was escorted to the sofa in front of the fireplace. She plopped down, emotional exhaustion in every line of her body. Harry sat beside her and summoned an afghan to wrap around her. Ron set Mary Ellen down and she immediately climbed onto the sofa next to Hermoine. She lay down and put her head on Hermione's lap. Hermione's hand moved to her hair, stroking gently. She wondered where the red ribbon had gone. Another afghan was summoned and placed over Mary Ellen. The three reclined silently in front of the fire. Ron was seen going up the stairs. Hermione assumed he was telling their friends what had happened and asking them to give Hermione and Mary Ellen space. After a few minutes, Ron joined them, followed by Sarah Bannach and Jeremy Philpot. As exhausted and emotionally drained as she felt, Hermione was grateful for their silent company as the long hours went by.
Green flames shot up the fireplace and Madame Pomfrey stepped from the fireplace. Moving around the Gryffindors standing guard over their own two wounded souls, she stood beside the sofa. Holding her wand over Mary Ellen, she took readings. Next, the wand moved over Hermione.
"Hermione, both you and Mary Ellen are dehydrated. I am going to ask the house elves to bring you a pitcher of water, or would you prefer tea?"
Hermione shook her head. "Water, please."
"You should eat something. Do you think you could manage some toast?"
"I think I'd just throw it up. What about you, Mary Ellen?" The little girl nodded.
"I'll have the elves bring that, too. Eat when you feel you can. I have some Dreamless Sleep for both of you. Your name is on your bottle. Madame Pomfrey looked at Ron. "I presume I can leave this with you?"
"I'll make sure they take it, Madame Pomfrey."
"Very well. If I am needed, please floo me."
"Madame Pomfrey, how is Matt?" asked Harry.
"He's asleep. Miss Weasley and Mr. Shreveport are with him. He will stay in the Hospital Wing for the night," answered Madame Pomfrey.
"Were there any other families besides the three we know of?" Harry added.
"Nicola Andropolous from Hufflepuff and Stephen Woodville of Ravenclaw both lost family last night." Madame Pomfrey shook her head sadly.
"Thank you for telling us," said Harry.
Madame Pomfrey departed, just as a house elf arrived carrying a tray with a pitcher of ice water and glasses and a plate of toast. Mary Ellen sat up and took a piece of the toast. She offered one to Hermione who shook her head. Ron filled glasses with the water and handed one to Hermione and the other to Mary Ellen. Hermione drained the glass and set it down. She closed her eyes and leaned back against Harry. Mary Ellen finished her toast and Ron handed her the dreamless sleep. Uncorking the bottle, Mary Ellen drank the potion and laid her head back down on Hermione's lap.
"Hermione?"
"Yes, Mary Ellen?"
"Does being dead hurt?"
Pain washed through her. Unanswered questions poured through her mind and a desire to scream denial ran through her. The gates of hell opened again and Hermione clamped down on the pain. She felt Harry stiffen behind her as he drew himself a little closer. Hermione calmed herself for Mary Ellen's sake.
"No munchkin. Being alive can hurt. There's no more pain when you're dead." The words felt so empty. She felt like she was mouthing empty words, platitudes. It didn't mean anything in the face of all the hurt.
It's my fault. It's all my fault.
"So Mum and Dad and Tina aren't in pain?"
Ron reached over and stroked Mary Ellen's hair. She looked up at him, the question in her eyes. "No Mary Ellen. Your Mum and Dad and sister aren't in any pain at all. They are fine. They're just on the other side of the veil and they'll always love you and they know you'll always love them."
"Okay. Thanks, Ron." She lay her head back down and closed her eyes. In moments, her breathing slowed as she fell asleep.
Ron returned after tucking Mary Ellen into her bed. Sarah and Jeremy stayed with the girl. He sat down on the sofa, occupying the place Mary Ellen had vacated. Harry and Ron moved together, pulling Hermione close up between them, their arms around her. They sat that way for several minutes.
"It's all my fault," Hermione whispered. She wanted to curl up and disappear between her two friends.
"It's not your fault," insisted Ron. "It's the bloody Death Eaters."
"If I hadn't been born a witch, they'd still be alive."
"Don't do this to yourself, Hermione," said Harry, pain in his voice. "Don't blame yourself for existing. Your Mum and Dad would never want that."
"I wish I didn't exist. I wish I'd never been born. They'd be alive if I hadn't been born." Hermione was shaking, her voice choking. Ron and Harry pulled closer, almost taking her breath away.
"It'll get better, Hermione. It's awful now, but it'll get better," said Harry, tears in his voice.
"How? How do I forgive myself? They came after Mum and Dad because of me." Hermione wept inconsolably.
Neither Harry nor Ron could think of anything to say. All they could do was hold their friend as she cried. All they could do was cry with her; tears flowing silently down their faces in sympathetic pain.
Running away from the pain, Hermione cried herself to sleep. Ron and Harry moved back, giving them all some breathing room. She slept lightly, moving restlessly.
"We should get her upstairs," said Harry.
"We'll wake her up if we move her."
"Not if we really make her sleep." Pulling out his wand, Harry whispered "Quietus." Hermione quieted as she moved into a deeper sleep.
"Looks like it worked. Good idea, Harry. I'll take her." Ron leaned down and picked up Hermione, settling her against him. Harry picked up the water pitcher and the bottle of Dreamless Sleep and walked ahead of Ron. They reached the door of the room Hermione shared with Lavender and Parvati. Harry knocked.
Lavender opened the door. "Oh, Harry. Is she all right?" Parvati rushed over, both staring at the sleeping Hermione.
"She's sleeping. Can we bring her in?" Harry asked.
"Oh, right," said Parvati, moving over to allow Harry and Ron to bring Hermione in. Lavender rushed over to Hermione's bed and pulled down the blankets. Ron laid her down gently. Hermione rolled on her side, still asleep.
"It's okay. Why don't you two wait outside? We'll get her out of her clothes." Lavender clucked over the sleeping Hermione.
"We'll be right outside the door," said Ron, retreating as Lavender and Parvati took out wands to charm Hermione's clothes off.
Closing the door behind them, Harry leaned back against the wall. He took off his eyeglasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "This has been one helluva day."
"I know what you mean. I couldn't believe it when McGonnagall told me." Ron shook his head.
"Did she say anything to you about what the Death Eaters did to the Grangers?"
"Straight Avada as far as she knew. You don't think Hermione meant what she said about wishing she'd never been born?" asked Ron, worried.
"No. I think that's the grief and guilt talking. Hermione's pretty stable. I don't think she'd hurt herself. But just in case, I think we should keep a close eye on things. If she keeps talking that way or we see any reason to be worried, we tell McGonnagall and get her help."
Ron nodded. "Agreed."
"I'm hungry and feel guilty about it. Our best friend just had her parents murdered and all I can think about is getting something to eat," grunted Harry.
"We missed breakfast and lunch. Of course we're hungry. We're not going to do Hermione any good if we don't eat. Tell you what. You wait here and I'll go down to the kitchens and get the house elves to give me a couple of sandwiches."
"Deal. I'd like ham and Swiss if they're willing." Harry rolled his shoulders to loosen the tension and watched Ron head down the stairs. The door opened and Parvati called him in. Harry walked over to the bed and looked at Hermione, still lying on her side sleeping. The blankets were pulled up over her shoulders. Crookshanks lay in the bend of her knees. The ginger half-kneazle looked up at Harry, who reached down and gave him a scratch behind the ear. Crookshanks tilted his head to give Harry a better angle.
"Keep an eye on her Crooks. We're her only family, now." Harry backed off and walked with Lavender and Parvati to the other side of the room. They spoke in whispers.
"Has there been any kind of announcement about what happened?" asked Harry.
"Dumbledore made an announcement at lunch," said Parvati. "He said Death Eaters killed Matt's, Mary Ellen's, and Hermione's families, plus Nicola Andropoulus from Hufflepuff and Stephen Woodville from Ravenclaw. He didn't elaborate. He asked everyone to be supportive."
"How did Slytherin react?"
"They were quiet. It was obvious to everyone that no one from Slytherin lost anybody. Everybody gave them the cold shoulder." Lavender shrugged. "Not that it will bother them. They're probably having a party in Slytherin tonight."
"What's Hermione going to do now?" asked Parvati.
"I don't know. It's too early to say anything. Ron's folks are going to help her and Dumbledore's got a lawyer in the Muggle world who will help her with all the legal stuff."
"Will it be safe for her to even have funeral?" Lavender wondered.
"I guess Dumbledore will tell us. Ron and I have been with Hermione since they told her."
The door opened and Ron stuck his head in. "Everybody decent in here?" he whispered.
"C'mon over" said Parvati in a stage whisper.
Ron walked in and stopped by the bed to look at Hermione. He carried a basket with the food. "Is it okay if we eat in here? Harry and I haven't had anything to eat today." He looked at Parvati and Lavender, who both nodded and pointed to Parvati's bed.
"Let's sit over there. We can keep an eye on Hermione and you two can eat."
Ron opened the basket and pulled out two flasks with pumpkin juice. He handed one to Harry, who uncorked it and took a swig. He took out a sandwich, wrapped in a napkin and handed it to Harry. He took out another sandwich, unwrapped it and took a generous bite.
"What do we do now?" asked Parvati.
"I guess we just hang around to be here for her. We'll have to look after Mary Ellen and Matt, too," answered Ron. "It was really something after Dumbledore told them what happened."
"We got there after they were told," interrupted Harry. "After Professor McGonnagall came and got Matt, Mary Ellen, and Hermione, she told Ron what happened and said we should come to Dumbledore's office in about ten minutes. Ron came and got me. By the time we got there, they'd already been told."
Ron continued. "Professor McGonnagall was sitting in a chair holding Mary Ellen who was crying. Dumbledore was holding Matt when he got hysterical and just kept hitting Dumbledore. Madame Pomfrey knocked him out with a charm and took him down to the hospital wing. Hermione just sat there, looking blank. Kind of like she couldn't believe any of it was real. Mary Ellen quieted down and got off McGonnagall's lap and climbed up on Hermione. Hermione didn't cry until then. The two of them just held onto each other and cried."
"Mary Ellen pretty much hasn't let go of Hermione until we got her to take some Dreamless Sleep and then Ron took her up to bed. Sarah and Jeremy are staying with Mary Ellen. Ginny and Elliott are with Matt. Ron and I are going to stay with Hermione."
Parvati and Lavender looked at each other. "That's fine with us, but do you think Professor McGonnagall will allow it?"
"She can give us detention until the day after we graduate if she doesn't like it. We're not leaving," said Harry.
"Then we'll camp out here," insisted Parvati. "We're all seventeen and eighteen years old. We're here for Hermione, not playing spin-the-bottle. They'll just have to trust us."
Ron polished off his sandwich and reached back into the basket. He pulled out a plate of brownies and offered to split his in half to share with the girls.
"That's okay, Ron. We ate lunch," said Parvati.
The four sat quietly for a while, with just the sounds of chewing and Hermione's soft breathing. They heard Hermione stir and Ron got up to look.
Hermione turned over and opened her eyes. She saw Ron standing by the bed. When he realized she was awake, he sat on the edge.
"Hi Ron," she croaked, her mouth dry.
"I'll get you some water. We've got some pumpkin juice if you'd like that."
"Just water."
Lavender heard Ron offer water. She got a glass and filled it from the pitcher. She brought it over and handed it to Ron. Lavender sat on the other side of the bed and pulled the blanket down a bit. She helped Hermione to sit up and plumped the pillow behind her. Ron handed Hermione the glass. She drank half of it and gave it back to him.
"How do you feel?" asked Harry, who was standing by Ron.
"Really really tired," Hermione groaned. "My head hurts."
"Madame Pomfrey said you should drink a lot of water and try to eat. She left Dreamless Sleep for you," said Harry.
"What time is it?" Hermione asked.
"About 3:00," said Ron. "We've got a ham sandwich for you or some brownie if you want it."
"I don't want anything. I need to go to the bathroom."
Lavender stood. "C'mon Hermione. I'll go with you."
Hermione pushed the blankets aside. She was wearing a long flannel nightgown with long sleeves. She put her feet on the floor and stood, weaving. Lavender put out her hand to steady her. The two girls walked to doorway and down the hall to the girl's bathroom.
Harry stood. "I think we need to get some crackers for her or something that she can eat before she takes the Dreamless Sleep. Otherwise it's liable to make her sick."
"Madame Pomfrey said we could floo her if we needed something. If Madame Pomfrey tells the house elves, they'll bring them here," said Ron. "I'll go floo her." Ron left the room to go to the common room fireplace.
Harry looked around the room. He took the chair from Hermione's desk and went to work on it. In a few minutes, it was transfigured into a comfortable overstuffed chair.
Parvati nodded her approval. "That should be good for whoever is sitting with her. Why don't we do a schedule for the rest of the day and tonight? The four of us could take turns. That way each of us would get some sleep."
"Good idea, Parvati," said Lavender. Harry nodded.
"You don't think she'll try to go to classes tomorrow?" asked Parvati.
"No. She's going to have to see the lawyer with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I wouldn't think she'll do anything until after the funeral," said Harry.
Ron returned with a bowl of crackers. "Madame Pomfrey already sent them up."
Hermione and Lavender returned. Hermione climbed back into the bed. She pulled Crookshanks up onto her lap and cuddled her cat. Ron picked up the glass of water and held it out to her. Hermione took it and drank. Harry took a cracker and handed it to Hermione who obediently ate it.
"How is Mary Ellen?"
"I asked while I was in the common room," said Ron. "She's sound asleep. Sarah and Jeremy are taking turns sitting with her."
Hermione ate another cracker. "Okay guys. I'll take the Dreamless Sleep, now. Tomorrow's going to be horrible, so I'd rather sleep even if it's the middle of the afternoon."
Ron took the cap off the vial and handed it to her. Hermione drank the contents and followed it with the rest of the water. She scooted back under the blankets and Harry tucked them in around her.
Her eyes watered and her voice sounded teary. "Thank you all for being here. It helps. It really does."
"We'll be here Hermione. You just go to sleep," said Harry.
Hermione closed her eyes.
It's all my fault.