Chapter Twenty-Eight

The rest of the evening went by fairly quickly. Hermione watched Ginny and Bill play wizard's chess and before long Teddy was asleep on Molly's lap. She and Andromeda went to put him to sleep as Bill and Fleur got ready to leave. Hermione had been thinking about something all night and decided to ask.

'Fleur, would it be okay if I came to visit tomorrow?'

Both Fleur and Ginny gave her a questioning look.

'I-I wanted to…to see…see…'

Understanding flashed across Fleur's face and she nodded, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.

'Of course, 'ermione. 'ow about lunch?'

Hermione smiled gratefully.

'Thank you Fleur. I'll be there.'

Ginny was still giving her a confused look and as Hermione followed them to the garden, she came closer to Ginny.

'I'll tell you later, I promise.'

Ginny gave her a measuring look then nodded. They said goodbye to Bill and Fleur who apparated with two small pops. Andromeda entered the kitchen followed by Molly.

'He'll be fine Andromeda, stop worrying.'

Andromeda turned to Molly with a small frown.

'I know, I know. He's just all I have left. Please take good care of him.'

Molly embraced the other witch.

'Of course I will. Nothing will happen to him.'

Andromeda nodded and smiled.

'You're right. I've got to get used to it anyway don't I?'

Hermione came and gave her a supportive hug.

'Teddy's in good hands. I've never known a more wonderful mother.'

'It's true. Mum is the best! I'd be more worried about some of those bloody Slytherins.'

Molly turned surprised to her daughter.

'Language Ginny!'

Andromeda smirked.

'I'll have you know Miss Weasley that I was a Slytherin and will be their Head of House. I think my real problem will be those stubborn Gryffindors.'

Ginny's jaw dropped.

'You were a Slytherin?! Well, bollocks, I owe George a sickle.'

Molly continued to scowl at her daughter while Andromeda chuckled. Hermione laughed and raised a questioning eyebrow.

'And why would that be?

Ginny shrugged.

'I bet him I would never find a Slytherin I liked.'

Andromeda's smirk turned into a smile.

'So that means you do like me then? Well, I'm honored.'

Ginny smiled and Hermione giggled. They said goodnight to Andromeda who flooed to Hogwarts. Molly went to bed soon afterwards and the girls headed up to Hermione's room.

They got ready for bed and Hermione sat waiting on her bed for Ginny to return from the bathroom. She smiled as the redhead entered and came over to sit beside her. Hermione looked away and started to play with the bedspread before taking a deep breath.

'So you're probably wondering about the visit to Shell Cottage, aren't you?'

Ginny nodded surveying her friend.

'Does it have to do with last year? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Hermione; its okay.'

Hermione looked up into Ginny's concerned face. She was amazed at how Ginny could read people sometimes, especially her. She gave her a small smile and grasped Ginny's hand, pulling her slightly closer.

'I want to tell you. I-I've gotten through the hardest part and I want to move on. I think it'll help me as much as help you.'

Ginny settled so she was sitting in front of Hermione with their knees touching. She kept a hold of her friend's hand.

'Okay, but know you can stop at any point.'

Hermione nodded gratefully. She gathered her thoughts and started.

'After I passed out at the…the manor, I woke up in a small bedroom. I couldn't believe it. I r-really thought I was going to d-die.'

Hermione smiled slightly.

'Ron was there. Merlin, I was so relieved to see him; I-I-I thought I would never see him again. Of course I fell apart in his arms but I don't think he actually minded. I never wanted to let him go.'

Hermione was frowning now and Ginny gave her hand a squeeze, knowing she was thinking about Ron's leaving. Hermione shook her head and continued.

'Once I was able to think straighter, I asked about Harry and Ron told me about what had happened after Bellatrix had taken me.'

Hermione went on to tell Ginny what Ron had told her about the dungeon, Luna, Dean, and Ollivander. Ginny gasped at learning about Luna and Dean.

'Bloody hell! Luna never told me that was where she was kept! She just told me that Death Eaters had taken her.'

Hermione told her about Dobby showing up and taking the three to the Cottage. She told her about Wormtail coming to check on them and what Ron had told her about their escape to the library.

'It was at that point that Bellatrix threatened to kill me and the boys had to drop their wands. If it wasn't for Dobby, we all would have probably died that night.'

Hermione looked into the teary eyes of Ginny as she wiped her own tears and took another deep breath.

'Dobby apparated in and held off both Bellatrix and Narcissa. Ron grabbed me and went with Dobby through the wards to the Cottage. As soon as he let go of us he returned for Griphook and Harry. Ron hadn't been there when it had happened obviously but when I was resting, he had found out.'

Hermione continued to cry quietly.

'When Dobby had returned to save H-Harry, Bellatrix had thrown a knife at them. At first Harry thought they had apparated in time, but when he arrived at the Cottage, he found that….that it had h-hit Dobby and…'

Hermione' throat seized up but it didn't matter. Ginny embraced her as her own tears fell down her face.

'Poor Dobby. Poor, sweet, brave Dobby…'

Hermione nodded into Ginny's shoulder in agreement.

'He saved us all! Without him, we would have died that night and Voldemort would have won.'

Hermione leaned back and wiped her eyes. Ginny was slightly confused at the smile that had spread across her friend's face.

'The wizarding world was saved by a house elf, Ginny.'

Ginny gaped at her friend as she processed everything Hermione had told her. She smiled and shook her head in disbelief.

'Merlin's pants! You're right!'

Hermione nodded thoughtfully.

'Harry buried him on the edge of Bill and Fleur's garden. That's why I wanted to visit. I'd said goodbye to him then but I'd like to thank him again.'

Ginny nodded and wiped the tears off her face.

'W-would it be okay if I come?'

Hermione looked up surprised but smiled.

'Of course, Gin.'

They fell into a thoughtful silence. It was getting rather late and Hermione started to nod off.

'Do…Do you think we…we could v-visit Fred too?'

Hermione's head snapped up. She surveyed Ginny who was frowning and playing with the bedspread. She reached to still her friend's hands, making her look up. Hermione saw the sadness in her friend's hazel eyes and it broke her heart.

'Of course we can, Ginny. We could have gone sooner if you had wanted to.'

Ginny nodded slightly, tears welling up in her eyes again.

'I know, I just wasn't ready yet. I don't know if I am ready, but I'd really like it if I could do it with someone.'

Hermione nodded in understanding and pulled Ginny into hug.

'I'm here for you, don't worry.'

Ginny pulled back with a small smile.

'I know.'

Ginny said goodnight and headed over to her camp bed. Hermione settled down and was soon asleep.


Hermione jumped awake. She blinked at the dark wall, confused to why she had awoken. She sat up slowly, listening for anything out of the ordinary. She looked around the room and her eyes fell on the bed across the room. Ginny was tossing and turning in her sleep, mumbling to herself. Hermione got up and quietly approached the younger girl.

'No…Fred…I'm coming….NO!!!'

Ginny let out a scream and Hermione grabbed her shoulders trying to wake her up.

'Ginny! Ginny! Wake up!'

Ginny tried fighting Hermione off until finally she opened her eyes. Hermione got a quick glance of the fear in her eyes before Ginny collapsed in her arms, sobbing. Hermione wrapped her arms around her.

'Shhh. It's okay, Gin. I'm here. It was only a dream.'

Ginny continued to cry for a few minutes while Hermione rubbed her back and smoothed her hair, lending comfort any way she could. Finally, Ginny's breathing calmed and she leaned back, wiping her eyes. She glanced up into Hermione's concerned face before averting her eyes.

'I'm sorry I woke you up Hermione.'

Hermione shook her head and gently lifted Ginny's face so she would look at her.

'It's okay. Do you want to talk about it? Or would you rather go back to sleep?'

Hermione saw a flash of fear cross her face but didn't know if it was fear of talking about it or going back to sleep. Ginny continued to gaze into her friend's loving and concerned face and she relaxed a little. She looked away and started to play with her blanket. Hermione waited, keeping a hand on her arm for comfort.

'I-I don't really want to talk right now, I think. But I-I don't…don't know if I can…can go back to sleep.'

Hermione nodded in understanding. They sat in silence for a second until Hermione stood up. Ginny looked up surprised but Hermione smiled reassuringly, holding out her hand.

'Come on, let's go lay down on my bed.'

Ginny grasped the offered hand and gratefully followed her to the other bed. Hermione crawled over to the far side of the bed and patted the empty space for Ginny to lay down. Ginny laid down facing Hermione and shyly looked into her face.

'Are you sure? I don't want to bother you…'

Hermione brushed the hair out of Ginny's face and smiled.

'I'm sure. It's the least I could do after all you've done for me. So please, get comfortable. I'm here for you.'

Ginny smiled thankfully and turned over to lay on her other side. Hermione scooted closer to her and laid a protective arm across her waist. Ginny gladly snuggled into her embrace and let out a sigh. Hermione smooth Ginny's red hair away from her ear.

'Goodnight Gin.'

Ginny couldn't help the shiver that ran down her spine.

'G-Goodnight Hermione.'

Hermione settled down and listened to Ginny's breathing. After a few minutes, it seemed to slow and deepen and she knew that Ginny had fallen asleep. She smiled to herself and placed a chaste kiss on the red head's shoulder before closing her eyes.


A beam of sunlight fell across her face and Ginny opened her eyes, slowly focusing on the face in front of her. Hermione was still asleep facing her on her side and Ginny took the opportunity to admire her calm face. She was unbelievably glad to have Hermione as her friend. Ginny was a strong person but one can only stay strong for so long and considering the events of last year and over the summer, she was immensely relieved to have someone she trusted and was there when she needed them; like last night.

The battle was going on all around her. She dodged a curse and fired back, pleased to see it hit her target. She continued to run down the corridor, dodging curses and firing off hexes. After dodging another curse, she paused behind a statue, catching her breath. She peeked around the front and saw Fred standing in the middle of the hallway about 100 meters away. He was staring blankly down the hall in her direction while curses flew all around him. Ginny frantically waved at him to move.

'Fred! Get out of the way!'

But Fred continued to stand there. Ginny ran out from behind the statue as a Death Eater appeared behind Fred, who didn't move but continued to look at her blankly.

'Fred! Behind you!'

Fred turned around slowly but didn't raise his wand. Ginny was still too far away to do anything as the Death Eater pointed at the ceiling and it exploded above them, throwing Ginny to the floor. As the dust settled, Ginny scrambled to her feet and frantically ran to the rubble piled where Fred had been standing.

'No! Fred! I'm coming! I'm coming! No!'

She had been racing toward the lifeless hand and growing red puddle she saw under the mess when something or someone had grabbed her and restrained her…

Ginny shivered as she remembered the lifeless hand. Hermione had been the one restraining her in her dream but she was grateful that she had awoken her when she had. The feelings of loss, anger, and sadness that she had felt from losing her brother had returned full force last night. With tears in her eyes, she gently lifted Hermione's arm that lay in between them and scooted closer, wanting – no, needing – to be closer for fear of completely breaking down. Hermione stirred and hugged Ginny closer as she sobbed into her friend's chest. Hermione woke slowly and looked down at the crying redhead, concern instantly surfacing. She brushed her red hair away from her face.

'Ginny? What is it?'

Ginny just shook her head and Hermione held her tighter, slowly rubbing her back and smoothing her hair. After a couple of minutes, Ginny calmed down and leaned back. She wiped her tears and looked into Hermione's questioning but concerned face.

'I-I'm okay. It…It was just that stupid dream I had last night...'

Hermione rubbed her arm but remained quiet, waiting for Ginny to go on.

'I dreamt I was back at the battle and…and I s-saw Fred standing the middle of a hallway. He…He was just standing there, looking at me with a blank face. I-I w-was trying to get to him but…but before I could…a D-Death Eater came up behind him and…and…'

Ginny was crying again and Hermione embraced her again. As Ginny sobbed into her shirt, Hermione tried to make out what she was saying.

'H-He wouldn't…wouldn't listen and….and…the bloody D-Death E-Eater blew…blew up the c-ceiling before…before I…before I c-could get there…'

Hermione rocked Ginny gently and continued to rub her back soothingly.

'It's okay, Ginny, it's okay; it was only a dream. I know you miss him. We all miss him.'

Ginny continued to cry for another few minutes. Finally, she released herself from Hermione and sat up, wiping her eyes. Hermione sat up as well, watching with concern as Ginny sat staring at her hands.

'I…I…'

Hermione laid a supportive hand on Ginny's forearm and Ginny looked up with a small grateful smile.

'I miss him so much, Hermione. I keep expecting to hear him and George barging into the kitchen laughing about whatever joke they just tested on the garden gnomes. It's just…I…that dream just made it all too fresh again, you know?'

Hermione nodded in understanding.

'I do know. It'll be alright Ginny. You've got the rest of your family who miss him just as much, and it'll get easier with time, I'm sure of it.'

Ginny saw the love and support in Hermione's dark brown eyes and knew she was right. She gave her a thankful hug.

'Thank you, Hermione, for everything.'

Hermione leaned back and smiled.

'Anytime.'