Chapter Twenty-Five

The two witches continued talking, and after a while, they lapsed into comfortable silence, listening to the wireless. It wasn't until Hermione felt someone shaking her arm that she realized she had fallen asleep. She jumped slightly, but found she couldn't move her legs too much. She blinked and looked down to see a smirking Ginny.

'As much as I've missed you, I'd rather not spend my night underneath you.'

Hermione blushed and instantly pulled her legs off of Ginny's lap and sat up.

'Sorry about that. I guess I'm more tired than I realized.'

Ginny jumped up and reached out a hand to pull Hermione up.

'No problem. You've been through the wringer; you have the right to be exhausted.'

They made their way up to their rooms. At Ginny's door, Hermione turned to say goodnight and found herself being pulled into a hug.

'I'm glad you're back, Hermione.'

Hermione recovered from her surprise and returned the hug before pulling back, smiling.

'It's really good to be back. Goodnight, Ginny.'

Ginny smiled.

'Goodnight.'

Hermione made her way up to her room, changed, and gratefully snuggled under the blankets, falling asleep almost instantly.

Hermione was running. It wasn't a frantic run but more of an excited run. She recognized the field as one close to the Burrow and she heard footsteps somewhere close behind. Looking over her shoulder she saw a laughing Ginny running behind her.

'You won't win this time Hermione!'

Hermione let out a laugh and continued to run in the direction of the Burrow.

'We'll see about that!'

The Burrow's back door came into view and Hermione raced toward it, laughing. As soon as she burst through the door, she was thrust into darkness. She stopped instantly and saw that the door and the sunny outdoors were no longer behind her. Shakily, she raised her wand and illuminated the room to find the Great Hall dressed as it was for her Defense practical. She turned around looking for any movement, unease settling in. As she looked for an exit, manic laughter rang out and Hermione's blood ran cold.

'Well, well. We meet again, Mudblood.'

Out of the shadows, Bellatrix emerged. Hermione backed away, fear gripping her.

'No…'

Bellatrix laughed again and stepped forward.

'Yes. No one to help you now, what will you do?'

Hermione's mind raced. Bellatrix was dead; this had to be a trick. It had to be another boggart.

'Riddikulus!'

Bellatrix laughed again and continued to advance on a frozen Hermione.

'Laughter doesn't work on flesh and blood. And they say you're the 'cleverest witch of your year'. Such a disappointment. Expelliarmus!'

Hermione felt her wand fly from her hand. She backed away and gave a shriek as she fell over a piece of debris. Bellatrix let out another manic laugh and descended on her prey. She pointed her wand in between Hermione's wide, scared eyes.

'Any last words? No? Pity. Avada…'

Hermione shot up awake. She tried to catch her breath through her sobs. Her sheets were drenched in sweat and she was shaking from head to toe as manic laughter continued to echo through her head. Through her tears, she took in the surroundings and remembered that she was at the Burrow. Still crying and shaking, she launched off her bed and dashed into the hall.

Trying to stay as quiet as she could, she made her way to Ginny's room. Holding her breath, she pushed the door open and squeezed inside the silent room. The window was open, letting in a slight breeze and the moonlight bathed the room enough for her to make her way to Ginny's bed. Hermione approached Ginny's sleeping form as quickly and quietly as she could, but a small sob escaped her. Ginny awoke with a jump and focused on the figure standing beside her bed.

'G-G-Ginny? Can I…Can I sleep here?'

Ginny instantly became concerned when she heard the sobbing request from her friend.

'Hermione? What's wrong? Come here.'

Hermione gratefully collapsed into Ginny's open arms and continued to sob.

'Merlin! Hermione, what's happened? Please, talk to me.'

Hermione continued to sob into her friend's protective embrace for a good few minutes. Ginny stroked her hair and back, trying to lend comfort. Finally, Hermione quieted but she still trembled slightly.

'Hermione?'

Hermione leaned back and looked up into Ginny's concerned face. As she looked into the searching hazel eyes, she felt a warmth run through her body that helped calm her more.

'Why…What happened?'

Ginny wiped the last tears off of Hermione's face. Hermione continued to gaze into her friend's searching stare and decided it was time. Sitting up, she moved so she faced Ginny and sat cross-legged. Ginny sat up as well and crossed her legs in front of her, mirroring Hermione. She watched as Hermione stared down at her wringing hands, running her thumb over the spot were the small heart mark used to be since it had faded earlier that evening. Ginny reached forward and took both of Hermione's hands. Hermione took a deep breath.

'Ginny, I think it's time I finish telling you about last year.'

Ginny stared, surprised, at her nervous friend.

'Is that what this is about?'

Hermione nodded slightly.

'Hopefully, you'll understand after you know all that happened.'

Hermione took a deep breath. Ginny squeezed her hands reassuringly.

Hermione told Ginny about how Harry, Ron and her continued to move around since they only had guesses as to where the last horcruxes were located. She told her how Ron would take the wireless out and try to find Potterwatch each night and how finally he had guessed the right password. She smiled slightly.

'I was so happy to hear anything from the outside world, even though it wasn't the greatest news.'

Hermione frowned and ran her hands through her hair.

'Then…then it happened. Harry was so excited to hear that Voldemort was abroad that he let his name slip.'

Ginny gasped.

'But that name was taboo!'

Hermione nodded sadly.

'Exactly. As soon as Harry said his name, we were surrounded by a group of snatchers. I knew we couldn't let Harry be caught but we had nowhere to go; so, right before the snatchers disarmed us, I hexed his face so you couldn't recognize him.'

Ginny stared wide-eyed at her friend.

'Bloody hell…'

Hermione took a deep breath and unconsciously started to rock back and forth.

'I was so scared! I didn't know what to do. There was no way we could escape, not the three of us…'

Ginny was at a loss for words.

'What…How…How did you get away?'

Hermione's eyes were filling with tears.

'We didn't, not there.'

Hermione told Ginny about how the snatchers seemed to piece together who they really were despite their best efforts to hide their identities. She told her about how they were going to take them somewhere so they could make sure.

'They took us….took us…took us to….'

Hermione was full out crying now. Completely concerned and scared to even hear what came next, Ginny moved closer to her friend and grasped her trembling hands in support.

'Where did they take you Hermione?'

Hermione took a shaky breath.

'M-M-Malfoy Manor.'

Ginny gasped and covered her mouth in utter surprise.

'Merlin!'

Hermione nodded.

'They took us inside and…and…'

Hermione tried to catch her breath and gain some sort of control.

'They took us inside where they had Malfoy look at us.'

Ginny's jaw dropped further. Hermione continued to rock back and forth, silently sobbing.

'I-I-I don't know why, but he didn't identify us but by that time his…his…his aunt had arrived.'

Ginny sat stunned and crying as she stared dumbfounded at her sobbing friend.

'She…they…they were about to call Voldemort when she saw Gryffindor's sword. She was so angry…'

Hermione stopped. She was visibly shaking and she continued to rock back and forth. In between sobs, she tried to continue.

'She..Sh-She…She wanted to kn-know wh-where we had got…had got it. She…She…She took me and…and…'

Hermione completely broke down. Ginny instantly pulled Hermione into her lap. Hermione sat with her legs sticking out to the side and her head on Ginny's shoulder while Ginny straightened her legs out in front of her so she could cradle her friend better.

'Stop. Stop. It's okay, you can stop.'

Hermione clung to Ginny and sobbed. The memory of the pain and hopelessness she had felt was too overwhelming. She held onto Ginny tighter and continued to cry into her neck and shoulder. Ginny held onto her friend, rocking her slightly.

'It's okay Hermione. It's in the past. It'll never happen again.'

Hermione caught her breath.

'I was so scared Ginny. I-I-I thought I was going to die….'

Ginny continued to stroke her friend's back as she leaned against the headboard.

'Shhh…it's okay. You lived. You're here with me now.'

They sat there for some time while Hermione continued to cry into Ginny's neck. Ginny held her and whispered comforting words while she rubbed her back.

'So that's what you've been having nightmares about? Bellatrix?'

Hermione nodded. She wiped her eyes and leaned back enough to see Ginny's teary face.

'Yes. It doesn't happen every night anymore but whenever something reminds me of that day, I-I can't seem to help it.'

Fresh tears sprang to Ginny's eyes as she looked into her friend's sad and scared eyes.

'I thought that if I could tell someone about that night then maybe I'd stop dreaming about it. But…but…but now I'm-m scared to go asleep, Ginny.'

Tears poured down Hermione's face and Ginny couldn't hold back her own. Ginny leaned Hermione back against her chest and rested her head on top. Ginny couldn't believe what Hermione had told her. She had known they had gone through a lot the past year but torture was not something that crossed her mind. She now understood why one of the bravest people she knew had nightmares and it broke her heart. She'd do anything for her dear friend to make sure she never had to worry again.

'I won't let anything happen to you, Hermione, I promise.'

Hermione leaned back and looked at Ginny. Ginny's tone had surprised her slightly; she sounded so serious. She gazed into the piercing hazel eyes and saw no doubt, only a solid promise. Feeling the fear and hopelessness that had plagued her in her dreams slipping away, Hermione tilted her face and placed a soft kiss on Ginny's cheek, lingering for a second before pulling away.

'I know.'

Hermione snuggled back against Ginny who reached around Hermione and pulled her blanket up to cover their laps. Ginny leaned back against the headboard and continued to run her hand up and down Hermione's back. Hermione started to relax and listened to Ginny's heartbeat, closing her eyes.

Shakily, she raised her wand and illuminated the room to find the Great Hall dressed as it was for her Defense practical. She turned around looking for any movement, unease settling in. As she looked for an exit, manic laughter rang out and Hermione's blood ran cold.

'Well, well. We meet again, Mudblood.'

Out of the shadows, Bellatrix emerged. Hermione backed away, fear gripping her.

'No…'

Bellatrix laughed again and stepped forward.

'Yes. No one to help you now, what will you do?'

Hermione's mind raced. Bellatrix was dead; this had to be a trick. It had to be another boggart.

'Riddikulus!'

Bellatrix laughed again and continued to advance on a frozen Hermione.

'Laughter doesn't work on flesh and blood. And they say you're the 'cleverest witch of your year'. Such a disappointment. Expelliarmus!'

Hermione felt her wand fly from her hand. She backed away and gave a shriek as she fell over a piece of debris. Bellatrix let out another manic laugh and descended on her prey. She pointed her wand in between Hermione's wide, scared eyes.

'Any last words? No? Pity. Avada-'

'Expelliarmus!'

Hermione snapped her head around to see Ginny standing right behind her with her wand pointed at Bellatrix. Bellatrix glared at the redhead.

'You blood traitor! How dare you?!'

Ginny stepped forward to stand in between Hermione and Bellatrix.

'You will not hurt her anymore! Riddikulus!'

There was a small pop and Bellatrix's head turned into a dirigible plum. Ginny let out a loud laugh and Bellatrix exploded with a bang. Ginny turned to Hermione and kneeled down in front of her and reached out to her.

'She won't come back anymore Hermione, I promise.'

Hermione leaned into Ginny's welcoming embrace. She listened to her heartbeat for a second before pulling away. She looked into her friend's loving hazel eyes and leaned forward to place a kiss on her cheek.

'I know.'

Hermione woke, not with a start, but calmly. She remained still for a moment and listened to the comforting heartbeat of her friend. A smile formed on her lips and she knew that from that night on she wouldn't have to worry about having nightmares. She leaned back slowly to look at her friend's sleeping face. She admired Ginny's smooth, light skin and the soft brown freckles dashed across her cheeks and nose. She had always thought the redhead was pretty and now as a woman, she was beautiful. She was pulled from her thoughts by Ginny stirring and tightening her protective grip on her.

'Uuughh…'

Ginny sat up wincing slightly and rubbed her neck. Hermione blushed and moved off of her lap.

'I'm sorry Ginny. You didn't have to sleep like that.'

Ginny smiled at her and shrugged.

'I wanted to. You seemed so relaxed; I didn't want to wake you.'

Hermione smiled gratefully. She laid down on her side and Ginny scooted down and faced her.

'How are you feeling?'

'Better.'

Ginny smiled and reached up to brush a lock of Hermione's hair off of her face and Hermione blushed when her cheek tingled where Ginny's fingers brushed against it.

'I'm glad.'

Hermione gave her a small smile.

'Is it okay if I sleep here tonight?'

'Of course. You can sleep here anytime.'

Hermione turned onto her other side and snuggled back into Ginny, who placed a protective arm over her waist. Ginny moved Hermione's hair so she could whisper in her ear.

'Goodnight.'

Hermione couldn't help the shiver that went up her spine from Ginny's breath.

'G-Goodnight.'

Hermione laid staring at the opposite wall while Ginny's breathing became deeper. Ginny was her best friend and she knew she couldn't have gotten through the past summer without her. But the feelings she kept having around her dearest friend were beginning to confuse her. She couldn't understand what she was feeling but they reminded her of the feelings she felt when Ron had touched her hand or gave her a lopsided grin. She knew why she had felt such feelings then but that couldn't be the same reason she was feeling them now, could it? Hermione sighed and closed her eyes, too tired to think more.