Sorry it's taken so long , been through some shit the last through days. Reviews will be very much appreciated.

"Enough Ginny , please. We've told you enough." The way he said told me that he was ending the conversation. I had been trying for two weeks to get him to tell me more about what they did that year. But all I managed to squeeze out of them was when Hermione was tortured. It was now January 6th 2001 , and there was certainly a depressed feeling in the Burrow. Charlie had gone back to Romania yesterday, not knowing when he would be able to come home again, and of course , Hermione was leaving in exactly a week. But before she left , I needed to ask her something.

"Hermione?" I knocked on Ron's door where I assumed they were together.

"It's open" She called from inside. Ron was lounging on the bed, reading a Quidditch magazine of the Chudley Canons - even with his sister being the captain of the Holyhead Harpies , he still supported them- and Hermione was at his desk , writing something that resembled a essay , the length of which I doubt Professor Snape would even set. "Hey , what's up?" She looked up at me , and put her quill.

"Can I have a word? Alone?" I said , looking at Ron. He took the hint , albeit muttering 'kicking me out of my own room' as he went. I chuckled , and slumped onto the bed, patting next to me. She got up off the chair and joined me.

"So what are you writing?"

"Oh , I'm just perfecting my final exam for my evaluation tomorrow."

"Oh of course , it's your last day at the Department of Unicorns tomorrow isn't it?" I sniggered and she scowled at me.

"Department of Unicorns? Mature."

"Well it's something to do with magical creatures isn't it?"

"Yes , it is , and I really must get back to writing , so what's up?" I froze for a second as weighed up the question I was about to ask her and the best way to ask her.

"Alright , so , you know Harry and I have decided to get married .. next year?" She nodded her head , and waited. "well , I was wondering , considering you're going to be gone for a year. I'll just come out and say it. Would you like to be my maid of honour?" I internally cringed at how ... cringey that sounded.

"Of course I will! , I'd love to!" She flung herself at me "Oh Merlin this is so exciting!"

"Calm down , hun , I'm not doing anything until your home except setting a date. Which , by the way , I was thinking could be August 19th 2002? I mean , I really want Hagrid and McGonagall to come, you know just to give us a piece of Hogwarts when we're there. And plus , I'd be 22 then , and Harry 23 , thoughts?"

"I think it's perfect. It's gonna get real now that you've set a date , Gin. Who are you gonna have for your other bridesmaids?" I had mulled this over in my head a million , and decided on only two other bridesmaids.

"Fleur and Victoire I think , I don't want a big wedding" it felt funny saying the word 'wedding' , but I suppose I would have to start making plans soon enough. "you know if you weren't leaving , I think I'd be happy to get married tomorrow if I'm honest"

"Seriously? I get that you love him and everything , but do you not ever have any regrets? I mean , settling so young?" Most girls would take offence at this , but Hermione was really just trying to understand. She was my best friend , she could ask me anything and I most likely wouldn't get upset.

"At the beginning I did , yes. But I love Harry , and that's a good enough reason for me to spend the rest of my life with him. You get it , don't you?"

"I suppose so , I mean , I love Ron , but I can't imagine myself settling this early, I honestly don't know how you cope." I looked at her , and tried very hard not to laugh , her face was crumpled in confusion, a look you don't often see on Hermione.

"The difference is" I replied "I've been in love with him since I was 12 years old , the day he saved my life. You , on the other hand , have only been in love with your man for a few years, of course you aren't going to be able to be willing to settle down yet, he was like a brother to you , it's gonna be a while before you're able to prepare to marry him" She merely chuckled , and I thought I saw her eyes swivel towards the ring that was sitting silently on my finger.

"You know me so well , sometimes it's freaky" But I didn't laugh ,for I saw her wince as she rested on her arm. It had been 12 days since the Boggart in Percy's wardrobe had caused the wound to re-open , and yet it was still wound in bandages , and she still had to have ointment applied every 4 hours.

"How is it?" My voice cracked with worry , and even I could hear the pity as it did so.

"It's getting better , it still burns a little , but I'm fine" She was putting on a brave face , that was obvious.

"Can't you get it removed? Go to ?" The question had been stirring in my head since the night , 11 days ago , she told me that Bellatrix ha tortured her, but for some reason I felt like it would be ... rude to.

"No. I mean , when I went to try and get some stronger potion to stop the pain they just told me that it was dark magic , and that dark magic , always leaves traces that can't be removed, look at Harry's scar. But in all honesty even if I could I don't think I would , I'm not ashamed of it , if anything I'm proud."

"You should be. We're proud of you. Hermione Granger , defender of Muggle-borns!" She smiled at me, in a way that made me think she was thankful, but also sshowwed a side of her I hadn't really seen before: vulnerability.

"I really need to get back to my essay now Gin, in fact I might even pop home for a while. Would you tell the others I'll be back for lunch? And tell Ron I love him please?"

"Of course , yeah. I'll see you later."

"Yeah" she smiled weakly " see you later"

"Hermione?" She turned around as she was just about to apparate.

"Yeah?"

"It's all fine now. Don't worry about anything. She's dead. She can never hurt you again."

"Tell that to my arm." And with that , she was gone.