A/N: Hey guys, so the last day or so I've gotten a little bit of feedback on the fact that the early chapters of this story contained a lot of Ron-bashing. I will admit that I can be a bit of a twat when writing about him, but I just want you all to rest assured that he will get his due eventually. I can respect that he was a vital part of the trio and did a lot of good things, in this story, however, he's just a little lost. Anyways, I just wanted to adress that because it seemed like the reviewer was rather passionate about it- as we all are when it comes to our precious characters. Hope you're still enjoying!

-Em

Day 160

When Ginny came through the fireplace at 5:30, Hermione was still curled up in her chair, though she had moved on from 'Hogwarts: A History' to 'Mary Poppins'.

"Morning," Ginny threw herself onto the sofa. "Have you been there all night?"

"Pretty much," Hermione nodded. "Couldn't sleep."

"Harry?"

"No," she sighed and put down her book. "I- I got a note from the Ministry asking me to come in and discuss my parents."

"Oh, Hermione!" Ginny got up and squished herself into the armchair, wrapping her arms around Hermione. "I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," Hermione sighed. "It's not like I wasn't expecting it."

"You don't know what it is yet!" George huffed, wandering out of his bedroom.

"What are you doing up?" Hermione frowned at him.

"I could ask you the same thing," he shot back. "Anyone for coffee?"

"Me!" Ginny raised a hand. "Did they say anything other than that they were going to discuss your parents' case?"

"No, but I know what they're going to say."

"No you don't!" George called in a sing-song tone.

"Yes I do. We all know exactly what they're going to say, you're just trying to make me feel better about it- which you're not, by the way."

"No, we're telling you not to jump to conclusions," he argued. "There's a difference."

"Yes, and that difference is called naive ignorance."

"I'm pretty sure that's a double negative."

"I'm pretty sure you're an idiot."

"He is," Ginny agreed. "But he's an idiot with a point."

"Oh, good!" Hermione smiled sarcastically. "I've got the whole family ganging up on me now. Should we call Charlie and Bill, get their opinions?"

"If we did, would you listen to them?" George asked.

"No," she shook her head and pried herself out of her chair. "I'm going to have a bath."

"Shall I make you some breakfast?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Pancakes it is. See you in a few minutes."

Hermione rolled her eyes and ignored him, slipping into the bedroom to grab some fresh clothes. She was trying to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to wake Fred, but he still lifted his head and glared at her.

"Why are you awake?"

"I was just grabbing some clothes," she apologized. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," he sat up and stretched. "Now, why aren't you in bed?"

"I was going to have a bath."

"Right," Fred gave her a once over. "How long have you been up?"

"A while," Hermione shrugged nonchalantly.

"You didn't sleep at all, did you?"

"No," she admitted. "I sat up and read in the living room."

"Peter Pan?"

"Hogwarts: A History."

"Of course. I should have known."

"It's a classic."

"Sure," he nodded. "So you didn't sleep, and now you're having a bath?"

Hermione nodded affirmatively.

"You know everything is going to be fine today, right? No matter what they say, it's going to be fine."

"I know," she mumbled, refusing to meet his eyes.

"I'm going to be with you the whole time," he continued. "You're not going to be able to shake me."

"I know."

"Okay. Go have your bath then," he waved towards the door.

"Thank you ever so much for your permission," she rolled her eyes.

"You're welcome, love." Fred gave her a cheeky smile. "I'll be sure to save you some of those delicious pancakes I smell."

"Great," she nodded dryly.

- - PAGE BREAK - -

When Fred heard the water running, he pulled himself out of bed and went to see what had George up so early.

"Oh, you're here too," he paused when he found Ginny sitting at the table.

"There's the loving greeting I've gotten used to," she smiled wryly. "Good morning to you too."

"Just wasn't expecting you so early," Fred explained himself. "Rough night?"

"Seems to be going around," she nodded. "Hermione just told me."

"You know she was up all night, right?" George asked, turning away from the stove. "I got up around 3 and found her curled up in her chair, crying."

"Yeah," Fred ran a hand over his face. "Did she say anything?"

"Just that she was upset about this meeting," George shrugged. "Seems convinced it's nothing but a death notice."

"She's just preparing herself," Ginny said. "That's what she does."

"I know," Fred assured his sister. "I just wish she didn't immediately jump to the worst conclusions. All it does is make her stressed."

"Can you blame her?" George pointed out. "I mean, the last eight years of her life have consisted of nothing but fighting You-Know-Who and worrying about Harry and Ron."

"I suppose," Fred agreed. "I guess we'll know for sure soon enough. Your pancakes are burning."

George cursed and turned his attention back to the stove.

"So what was so bad about your night?" Fred turned his attention to his sister.

"Bad dreams," she shrugged. "The usual."

"Harry?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "You don't need to worry about me, though. I can handle it."

"I always worry about you," Fred smiled. "You're my little sister. Plus, you have a knack for getting yourself into trouble."

"That is a blatant lie," Ginny snorted. "You're the ones always getting in trouble."

"We never broke into a headmaster's office," George scoffed.

"Or ran off to the Department of Mysteries with a bunch of Deatheaters without telling anyone," Fred added.

"Or beat up a Slytherin chaser-"

"You did too!" she interrupted. "On multiple occasions!"

"Okay, maybe we did that one," Fred conceded. "But the other stuff was all you."

"And where do you think I learned that from?"

"Must have been Charlie," George shook his head. "We're perfect angels, we are."

"Ha!" Hermione stepped out of the bathroom, her hair still damp and her arms crossed. "You're perfect little demons, is what you are."

"Did you hear that Forge?!"

"I certainly did Gred," Fred smirked. "She said we're perfect."

"Why do I even bother?" she rolled her eyes.

"Beats me," Ginny shrugged. "I gave up years ago, made life so much easier."

"I'll give that some thought," Hermione assured her.

"Where are you going?" Fred demanded as she passed the kitchen and headed for their bedroom. "Come eat."

"I'm not hungry," she shook her head. "I have to get ready."

"You look ready to me."

"Yes, but you would walk out of here with your robes tucked into your pants if I weren't here, so forgive me if I don't take your opinion into account."

Ginny let out a chortle of laughter and followed Hermione into the room, giving Fred a reassuring smile before she closed the door.

"So," she turned to Hermione. "What are you really doing?"

"Getting ready. I thought I said that."

"You did," Ginny nodded. "I just don't believe you. I think you're hiding."

"And if I am? I'm an adult, and I'll hide if I want to."

"Yes, that is exactly the kind of thing adults say," she nodded approvingly. "Just the other day Mum hid under her comforter and announced that she was hiding."

"Piss off," Hermione chuckled.

"No, really, it's a perfectly valid argument!" Ginny continued.

"If you're going to be a prick, you can go back out there," Hermione pointed to the door.

"Alright," Ginny held her hands up in surrender. "You want to talk about it?"

"I really don't. That's why I'm in here and not out there, with the Chuckle Brothers."

"No, you're in here to over-analyze every single thought that has popped into your head since getting that letter, and if you keep it up you're going to make yourself crazy," Ginny argued. "So I'm going to sit here with you and keep that from happening."

"You need to go to practice," Hermione frowned.

"I've got time."

"Not really. It's 6:15."

"I don't have to be there until 8."

Hermione frowned and dropped onto the bed, falling back against the pillows.

"You're sure you don't want to talk?"

"Positive."

"Okay," Ginny shrugged. "I guess we'll just lie here, then."

She linked her arm through Hermione's and rested her head on her shoulder.

"You were here early," Hermione turned the tables on her. "Bad night?"

"Yeah. Didn't sleep very well."

"Was it the same dream as last time?"

"No," Ginny shook her head. "He kept going missing last night. I would get to the Ministry to meet him and Kingsley would tell me he had disappeared or they'd lost contact. Then I'd find him and he'd start fading away. After a couple of those I just gave up and came over here."

"Have you heard anything?"

"Nothing," she sighed. "I was thinking of sending Kingsley an owl, just to make sure he's okay."

"If I see him today, I'll ask," Hermione promised.

"Thanks."

They lay together quietly until Fred stuck his head in to check on them almost an hour later.

"Is this what 'getting ready' looks like?" he asked, an amused look on his face.

"Yes it is," Ginny nodded. "What do you want?"

"It was really quiet in here, I was suspicions."

"Of what?" Hermione frowned.

"That you were coming up with some sort of plan to get back at George and I for something we've forgotten we've done."

"No, I think we're all caught up on payback," Ginny shook her head. "Hermione?"

"I can't think of any debts."

"Good to know," Fred nodded. "We'll have to come up with something soon, then."

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "You could just let things be."

"Where's the fun in that?"

"Isn't life easier when you're not watching your back?" Ginny asked. "I mean, if I was on Hermione's bad side I'd be scared to leave my room, let alone work with her."

"Nah," Fred grinned. "The not knowing's half the fun."

"What time is it?" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"7:30," he squinted at the clock beside their bed. "Gin, don't you have practice?"

"Yeah," she sighed. "I should probably head out." She rolled over and gave Hermione a hug, before sitting up. "Just send an owl if you need anything."

"Have a good day."

"So," Fred took Ginny's place on the bed, laying down beside Hermione.

"So," she echoed.

"Do you want to talk?"

"No."

"Okay, how about I get dressed and we pop by that coffee shop you like around the corner from the Ministry?"

"Yeah, alright," Hermione agreed.

"I'll get dressed," he kissed her cheek and rolled off the bed. "Sure you don't want some breakfast?"

"I'm sure." She got off the bed and let out a disgusted gasp as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror- her hair looked as it had in first year, frizzy and tangled, and her clothes were a wrinkled mess.

"Merlin, I'm going to have to change."

"You look fine," Fred shook his head.

"I look homeless," she countered. "The last thing I need is to have one of those bloody reporters that's always following me take a picture of this and slap it on the cover of Witch Weekly."

She turned and started rummaging through her drawers, pulling out a fresh pair of trousers and a shirt.

"You look very professional," Fred observed once she was dressed.

"Why does that sound like a criticism?"

"It's not!" he promised. "But you don't need to be dressed that fancy."

"It's the Ministry of Magic," Hermione argued. "Just because I'm some sort of celebrity doesn't mean I can wear my pyjamas."

"Actually, I think it does. Or at least it should."

"Well it doesn't," she shrugged. "Are you ready?"

"According to you, I don't know what ready looks like, so you tell me," he turned around slowly.

"Well, I can't see your pants and your shirt's not inside out," she observed. "Seems like that's as good as it's going to get."

"Thanks, love," he gave her a cheeky smile. "Come on."

Hermione grabbed her bag and followed him out of the flat.

"It'll be alright, yeah?" George gave her a hug.

"Yeah," she nodded. "We'll see you in a bit."

They stepped outside and Fred pulled her into his side, apparating them both into a Whitehall alley.

"Coffee, yeah?"

"Coffee," Hermione agreed. "It's just across the road."

Noticing that her hands had started to shake, Fred reached out and threaded their fingers together, giving her an encouraging squeeze.

"It'll be alright."

"It won't," she shook her head. "But I appreciate the sentiment. Let's get coffee."

- - PAGE BREAK - -

Twenty minutes later, Fred and Hermione crammed themselves into the visitor's phone box and descended into the central atrium.

"Reason for your visit?" A bulky security guard addressed them as they stepped off the lift.

"We've got an appointment," Fred answered.

"Name."

"Hermione Granger."

The guard's head shot up as Hermione spoke, a shocked look on his face.

"Miss Granger, I'm terribly sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't recognize you. Please, go ahead."

"Thank you," Hermione gave him a tight smile.

"Wish I was a celebrity," Fred mumbled. "Never have to go through security again."

"You're dating a member of the Golden Trio," she shrugged. "I'm sure that carries some leverage."

"Not as much as being a member. Now, where are we going?"

"Department of Magical Law Enforcement- level two."

"Did you memorize the floor plan or something?"

"Last year," she nodded. "When we broke in."

"Of course," he rolled his eyes as they stepped into the lift. "How could I forget."

As they waited for the lift to rise, Hermione wrung her hands anxiously, and shifted her weight from foot to foot.

"It's alright," Fred wrapped his arms around her, holding her wrists to keep her still.

"Yeah," she nodded.

"I'm right here. Talk to me," he put his head on her shoulder.

"I just want to get this over with," Hermione shook her head.

The lift came to a stop and they stepped out into a busy corridor.

"It's alright," Fred said, feeling her tense up beside him. "You're fine."

"Let's just find the Aurors department," she muttered, holding his hand tightly.

They didn't have to look far, as a short witch in red robes came hurrying up to them.

"Miss Granger," she addressed Hermione giddily. "It's such an honour to meet you!"

Hermione smiled nervously at the girl, but found that her throat had started to close up and she couldn't form words.

"I'm Clarissa, I'm Minister Shacklebolt's secretary," she introduced herself. "I've been sent to escort you to his office."

"Lead on, then," Fred gave her a charming smile.

"Right," Clarissa nodded and pressed the button for the lift again, motioning for Hermione and Fred to get on. "First floor."

"Why are we going to meet Kingsley?" Hermione whispered nervously.

"Maybe he wanted to see you," he shrugged. "He is a friend, after all."

"Or something so terrible has happened that no one else is willing to tell me," she felt her panic levels rise.

"Or he's a friend and wanted to give you the not terrible news himself," Fred countered.

"If you'll follow me," Clarissa smiled at them as the lift doors opened again.

Hermione seemed to be frozen to the spot, so Fred wrapped an arm around her and carefully pulled her into the corridor, quietly reassuring her that everything was going to be fine.

"Are you alright?" Clarissa asked nervously, noticing that Hermione had suddenly become very pale. "Can I get you anything?"

"She's fine," Fred shook his head.

When they got to Kingsley's office, he was stood in the doorway waiting for them.

"Hermione," he smiled and pulled her into a hug. "So good to see you again. And you Fred."

"How are you Kingsley?"

"Oh, as well as can be," he shrugged. "Please, come in. Take a seat."

Again, Hermione seemed rooted to the floor and Fred had to give her a gentle push before she moved.

"Can I get you anything? Water? Tea?"

"I'm fine," Fred shook his head. "Hermione?"

"No, thank you."

They took a seat on a sofa while Kingsley sat across from them in an armchair.

"I wish we could meet on better circumstances," he sighed.

"So they're dead," Hermione concluded.

"Hermione, let him talk," Fred squeezed her knee.

"I already know what he's going to say," she huffed. "They're dead. Why else would we be here?"

"Well, that's not exactly the case," Kingsley interrupted. "As you know, we've had a hard time finding a lead on your parents whereabouts, but we've found something."

"Something like a body?"

"No," Kingsley shook his head. "We've found their last known residence. It had been ransacked by Deatheaters."

"So they found them," Hermione nodded.

"We don't know for sure," Kingsley repeated. "And we're still looking, but as of right now... we've had to assume that they've been killed."

"Okay. Thank you." Hermione's face was completely void of emotion, her leg had stopped shaking and her hands were no longer fidgeting nervously. Instead, it seemed that some kind of autopilot had taken control of her body- like she had been Imperiused.

"I'm sure this is difficult to take in, so please, stay as long as you need." Kingsley started to get to his feet, planning to leave them alone, but Hermione stopped him.

"Have you heard from Harry?"

"Um... yes, we've had contact," he nodded, obviously confused by this sudden change of topic. "It appears that he'll be able to return next week."

"Good," Hermione nodded. "That's good. Ginny will be glad. Thank you."

She got to her feet and headed for the door, while Fred stared after her with a confused look on his face.

"Um, right," he turned and ran after his girlfriend, who was already halfway to the lifts.

"Hermione," he fell into step beside her. "Are you alright?"

"I just want to get home," she nodded tersely, a frantic look in her eyes. "Where the hell is the exit?!"

"This way," Fred took her hand and led her to the floo network.

- - PAGE BREAK - -

When they stepped into the flat, Hermione didn't move. Instead, she seemed to be studying it's every detail.

"Come here," Fred led her to the sofa, softly pushing her to sit. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"There's nothing to talk about," she shrugged, pulling her knees up to her chest. "I might as well make funeral preparations and bury two empty coffins."

"Is that what you want to do?" he asked.

"Maybe. It would be the reasonable thing to do."

"Well, if that's what you want, then I'll help you," he promised. "Whatever you want, just tell me."

"I just want some time to myself," she got up and headed for their bedroom.

"Hermione," Fred tried to follow. "Please, don't shut me out."

"I just need some time," she repeated, refusing to look at him.

"Okay," he sighed. "I guess I'll go downstairs, then."

She nodded and closed the bedroom door, waiting to hear the front door open and close before she allowed herself to burst into tears.

She collapsed against the door, pulling her knees up to her chest and burying her face in her hands, trying to muffle the sound of her sobs. Her mind was running a mile a minute, she could feel her already chaotic life spinning wildly out of control. Memories from her childhood flashed in front of her eyes- all the nights her father had read her stories and tucked her in, the days she had come home from school crying and her mother had held her tightly and promised her that she was special.

She remembered all the nights she had spent lying awake after erasing her parent's memories, thinking about what they were doing and hoping they were safe.

She thought of all the times in the last year that she had wanted nothing more than to be held in her mother's arms one more time, the times she had wished to hear her father's laugh, to smell her mother's cooking, and it suddenly occurred to her that she would probably never get to experience those things again.

Overcome by the sadness, confusion and anger, she screamed.

She screamed as loudly as she could, letting her emotions pour out, until she ran out of breath.

Then she screamed again, and again, and again, until her throat was completely raw and she couldn't make another sound.

Her mind had stopped spinning, her sobs had quieted and she felt... empty. With nothing left in her system, she laid down on the floor, curled into a ball and let her tears fall silently.

- - PAGE BREAK - -

"Hermione!" Fred pounded on their bedroom door. "Hermione are you alright?!"

When he didn't get an answer, he and George apparated into the room, overcome by panic.

Hermione was laying on the floor, her body blocking the door, staring straight ahead, an empty look on her face.

"Hermione!" Fred dropped to his knees beside her. "Hermione, talk to me."

She said nothing, only blinked and continued to stare at the wall.

"What's wrong with her?" George asked. "Why isn't she saying anything?"

"I don't know," Fred shook his head. "Go get Mum."

George nodded and apparated away, leaving Fred to examine Hermione for injuries.

"Hermione, what happened?" he asked, waving his wand over her. "Are you hurt? Mione, please, talk to me."

She continued to stare, not even flinching when he picked her up and carried her to their bed.

"George will be back in a minute," he told her. "And he'll bring Mum, and she'll make everything better. Everything's going to be okay. You're going to be okay."

He could feel the panic rising in his chest as her silence persisted, her body limp and her eyes unfocussed, but he was determined not to let it show. Hermione needed him to be the strong one right now, so that was what he would be.

He had just gotten her tucked into bed when he heard the whoosh of the floo, followed by George's call of: "We're here!"

Molly Weasley came thundering into the room, a worried look on her face and a large bag in her hands.

"What's going on?" she demanded, heading straight for Hermione. "What's happened?"

"I don't know," Fred shook his head. "She wanted some time alone after our meeting at the ministry, so I went downstairs to give her some space. About half an hour later she started screaming, so George and I came up and apparated in here and she was just lying on the floor. She hasn't said a word, she won't even look at me. She didn't even move when I picked her up and put her to bed, she's just... it's like she's not even there."

"What meeting at the ministry?" his mother frowned. "She didn't say anything about a meeting when we had dinner last Sunday."

"She only got the message yesterday," Fred explained. "They wanted to meet with her right away. It was about her parents."

"They've found them?"

"No," he shook his head. "They found their last known location and it had been attacked by Deatheaters. They've changed the nature of their search- they're looking for their bodies now."

"Oh," Molly turned back to Hermione, a sad look on her face. "Alright. Out, both of you."

Fred started to protest, but his mother held up a hand to stop him.

"Out!" she ordered. "George, take your brother outside."

"Come on Freddy," George took his brother by the arm.

"No!" Fred pulled away from him angrily. "I'm not going anywhere! I need to take care of her."

"You are taking care of her," his mother's tone softened. "And right now, the best way to do that is by letting me have some time alone with her. Now, you can come back in a few minutes."

"Fine," he huffed. "But I'll be right outside the door."

"Alright, dear," Molly patted his hand comfortingly.

- - PAGE BREAK - -

Once the boys had left, Molly sat on the edge of the bed beside Hermione and softly brushed the hair out of her face.

"Oh Hermione," she sighed sadly. "I know how horrible this must be. But you're going to be alright. I promise you that. You just have to have hope. There's always a chance that they'll find your parents alive, you have to believe that. But even if they don't, even if they truly are gone, it will be okay. You are strong and smart and as long as you carry their memory, your parents will stay with you. I know that you're upset right now, and you're scared and angry, but it will get better. You once told me that even if you never saw your parents again, you knew you would be alright because you had us, and you were right. You just remember that. No matter what, you have us. You have a family that loves you so much- more than you probably even realize."

She leaned down and pressed a kiss to Hermione's forehead.

"I'm going to let Fred back in now, but if you need me for anything, I'll be here in seconds."

Molly stood up and started towards the door, but before she got very far, Hermione reached out and squeezed her hand. She didn't speak and her eyes never strayed from the wall, but Molly understood.

As soon as his mother stepped through the door, Fred pounced on her.

"Did she say anything? Is she alright? What's wrong with her?"

"Fred, calm down," she ordered. "She'll be alright."

"So she talked to you?"

"No, but I know I'm right. Mothers always are," she smiled. "She's just lost her parents, dear. I believe she's in shock."

"So what do we do?" George asked, getting to his feet.

"Just take care of her. Let her take things at her own pace. She'll come around eventually."

"Harry would know what to do," Fred sighed, rubbing his face anxiously. "He always knows what to do with her."

"You know perfectly well what to do with her," his mother promised. "You love her, don't you?"

"Course I do!"

"Well then you know how to help her," she smiled. "Yes, she and Harry have a very special bond, but so do you. Just be there for her."

"Okay," he nodded. "I can do that."

"I know you can," she patted his cheek.

"Thanks Mum," Fred hugged her.

"I'll check in tomorrow, see how she's doing."

She turned and gave George a hug, then stepped back into the fireplace and left them alone again.

"So?" George turned to his brother. "What do we do?"

"Keep her company," he shrugged. "Wait for her to tell us what she needs."

"Alright, you do that then," George nodded. "I'll hold down the shop. Just holler if you need anything."

"Will do," Fred sighed and loped into the bedroom, watching Hermione from the doorway for a moment, trying to figure out what it was she needed. Deciding that she might not want to be crowded, he waved his wand at the arm chair in the living room and set it down beside the bed, directly in her line of sight.

He sat down and took her hand, rubbing circles across the back of it with his thumb.

"I've got you," he promised. "I'll be right here."

- - PAGE BREAK - -

He stayed there until Ginny appeared in the doorway late in the afternoon.

"Mum told me," she said quietly, resting a hand on Fred's shoulder. "How's she doing?"

"The same," he shrugged. "She hasn't moved, hasn't said a word, just keeps staring at the wall."

"Why don't you go have something to eat and drink?" she suggested. "I'll sit with her."

"I'm okay," he shook his head.

"Fred, you've been sitting here all day," Ginny frowned. "Take a break. I promise to take good care of her."

"She's right," George leaned against the door frame. "You need to eat something."

"Twenty minutes," Ginny bargained.

"Fifteen," Fred sighed and got to his feet.

"I'll take what I can get," Ginny shrugged and sat down in his chair.

"I'll be back," Fred leaned down and kissed Hermione's forehead. Just like the rest of the afternoon, she didn't even blink.

"Mum was sure this is normal?" Ginny bit her lip, watching her best friend's vacant face.

"Yeah," Fred nodded. "She said she's in shock."

"Has she eaten anything?"

"No, but I've been giving her water all afternoon."

Ginny nodded and took Hermione's hand, squeezing it tightly.

"Don't worry Mione, we've got you," she smiled.

Once Fred had left the room, Ginny turned to face George, who was still standing in the doorway.

"I wish Harry was here," she sighed. "He'd know what to do."

"He'll be home soon," George assured her. "And besides, we know what to do. We're her family."

"I know that," Ginny nodded. "They just have that weird bond."

"Yeah," George sighed and contorted himself so that he was eye level with Hermione. "He'll be home soon."

Once he had gone, Ginny turned back to Hermione and smiled.

"Alright, well, if you're not going to talk I will. You will never believe what happened at practice today-" She spent the next half hour giving Hermione an in depth description of her day, including every obsolete detail she could think of.

"Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?" she asked when she finally ran out of details to share. "I can make you anything you want... or I can tell George to, at least. Yorkshire puddings? Treacle? Custard? Bread pudding?"

She listed all Hermione's favourites, hoping something would catch her fancy, but the brunette only continued to stare at the wall.

"Your loss," Ginny shrugged. "How about some water?"

She picked up the cup Fred had left on the table and moved the straw to her mouth, smiling when Hermione took a few sips.

"Well at least that's something," she sighed.

"How's she doing?" Fred lumbered back into the room, a cup of tea in his hands.

"I told her all about my day and she just had some more water. Is that for me?"

"Yeah," he handed over the cup and sat down on the edge of the bed, stroking Hermione's hair.

"Are you going to come to dinner tomorrow?"

"Not if she's still like this," Fred shook his head.

"I'll bring you some leftovers then," Ginny promised. "Maybe Mione will want some."

"Maybe."