A/N: I felt bad not letting you have something to read while I'm gone so I'm publishing this chapter as well! TA-DA-DAA! It's a short chapter but with a lot to process - so hold on tight! I have a person that will make the banner as well so I'm SUPER HAPPY! If I get it before I travel I will post it tonight, if not you'll see it when I get back! This time I used Heather Nova – Beautiful storm as inspiration. Thank you for reviewing, it makes my heart melt and I always giggle! If you have any suggestions for songs let me know! :D Maybe I'll pick yours!
Chapter 21 – Beautiful Storm
Into the flesh
Into the sorrow I fall now
Waves coming on
And I'm soaked and I'm torn
I'm blissed out and worn
And this beautiful storm
It comes with no warning
And you stand in the shadows
The room, dark and narrow
I bloom down to the marrow
It's a beautiful storm
It comes with no warning
~WWW~
I had a feeling someone dragged me, carried me or something. I was being moved. I wasn't aware of the reality but I felt alive. Or maybe this was death? I had no idea. The afterlife according to Harry was light and you were able to see and feel. I saw nothing but darkness and felt only the pain rising in my throat. Then not even my mind worked as it used to and once again the cold took me. I was paralyzed.
~WWW~
When I awoke I tried to open my eyes. The room was bright and I heard weird noises that I couldn't really place. I was dead! I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out. I opened my eyes widely in panic but then saw furniture and other things. What was that beeping machine? Oh shit, I was at St. Mungo's! I saw different tubes and other things stuck on my arms and I tried to rip it off.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice from behind said and if I could speak I would've screamed. The voice walked closer, I heard by the steps, till I saw the face. I felt anger, happiness and sadness at the same time. It was Fred. I couldn't speak so I just stared at him. Why was he here?
"I know you have a lot of questions Hermione, but I also know you can't speak. I will answer some questions for you." I raised an eyebrow; how would he know what I would want to know? "I know you don't think I know you – but I do. I am the only one that actually knows the real you, so just listen to me. Okay?" I closed my eyes and nodded. "Great. Well, you can't speak because you have a silence charm on." I opened my eyes widely and hit the quilt that was warming me. "It's not because you're not allowed to talk, it's because your throat is damaged and it needs some rest. I have no idea why you would be out in that storm but when I found you…" He broke off because his voice had cracked. It seemed like he had a hard time keeping his tears away. "I'm sorry…" he said and then tears fell down his cheeks. "I just-I… I thought you were dead Hermione! I panicked. I have never been that afraid in my whole life. Through the war and everything. I have never been that afraid." I almost started to cry by his words but I was so stunned at the same time. It was almost like he cared about me. "The storm is bloody insane. No one knew it was coming and it has drained half of the Diagon Alley. I can't believe you made it so long. I know you haven't believed me in a very long time, and that you don't believe me now. But Hermione, I care about you so much. I was so afraid. I apparated us both to St. Mungos in a second and now you're here."
I looked around the room and felt the bed; it was quite soft. "You have been out for two days actually. The others have been coming here a lot. Ginny has just cried and cried since you got here. I probably ought to owl-" he started to get up and walk away but I grasped his hand. I didn't want him to leave. I needed him here beside me. He looked onto our hands and then met my eyes. He decided without a word to sit down again. "Hermione. I don't know what has gotten into you. I guess this is the best time for me to talk, you know. You can't protest nor run away." He smiled a crooked smile with his words. "You used to be logical. You weren't the person who ran away from your problems; you dealt with them. I know you think I have cheated on you, but I haven't. Not one single time. The bloody party planner is the truth-" I started to protest, without words, but he continued without even looking at me. "-and I know you saw me and Miranda at the restaurant. Once again you run away without dealing with it. I kissed her on the cheek when I entered. It was nothing more than that, we discussed our apartment – that's it." I started to cry. "Hermione, honey. Don't cry. She took the apartment, and I have moved in with George again. I know you think you are a mess – but you are not. You will always be the corky, smart girl that knows too much." I cried even more by his words and squeezed his hand hard.
"I have something you probably are interested to know by the way." He let go of my hand and stood; I tried to complain but once again – no sound. He came back with a paper and sat down. He read out loud: "Hermione Jean Granger is suffering from thus far an undiscovered illness. It takes the muggle born wizards or witches their magic ability when the person sees no future. It is not known if it a virus or anything else. The only one thing known is that it prepares you for death." I opened my mouth, not to speak; but in shock. Fred looked at me in sorrow. "The body prepares itself for dying, because of the lacking magic, and there is no cure known." He sighed at the last words and cried with me. I squeezed his hand and held up a finger. Fred knew that I wanted a pen and a paper so handed it to me. I wrote: my magic came back after our night, but disappeared as quick. Fred looked at me and nodded; he remembered.
Maybe I just needed happiness. I tried to smile, it was really hard and it took a lot of strength from me – but I did it. I smiled and it felt quite good. I met Fred's gaze and when he saw my smile he dried his tears and smiled with me. "You will always be my sunshine, Hermione." I let the smile hang on my lips, it felt quite nice, and laid back to my pillow again. "Get well, honey." Fred said and took two steps back and disapparated. My smile faded quickly.