He looked so small, so young, lying in the hospital bed. Hermione sat on a chair next to Jeffry and held his hand. She gently rubbed his palm with her thumbs and just stared at his face.
They had put Jeffry in a private room. Much like the rest of the hospital, this room was boarded with dark wood. The metal bed was made up with white and blue sheets and there was a small sink on the opposite wall. The room felt Spartan, but then again, Jeffry would have no idea.
The past weeks he had been placed under a magical sleep that he could not wake up from, while the Healers searched and searched to find ways to break the curses put on him.
Once an hour, one of the Healers came by and preformed diagnostic spells on the sleeping man to see if his vitals had changed. There wasn't much else they could do for him right now.
From the other aurors, both visiting Jeffry and recovering from the attack, Hermione had pieced together a play-by-play of the events of that faithful day.
Jeffry and two other aurors had been at Azkaban to check up on the prison and see how things were going. After the Second Wizarding War the magical community had sent the Dementors packing which meant the prison was now guarded by special members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. But this also meant the guards were human and therefor it was a possibility that they were corrupted, cursed or bribed. Therefore, the aurors kept a close watch on all those stationed at Azkaban prison.
A few weeks ago, it had been Jeffry's turn to check the Wizard jail. He had made his rounds, spoken to all the guards and was almost on his way back to the main land, when four men burst through the door, attacking everyone in sight.
The guards had tried to fight them off, but Jeffry and the other aurors that were with him, had to intervene and help. There were curses flying everywhere, both harmless and deadly.
One of the guards had seen Jeffry get hit by three different curses at once. It was a miracle that he was still alive. After a duel the aurors were able to apprehend three of the men. The last one had fled the scene when he saw his friends get arrested. They were still on the lookout for him.
Two of the aurors and six of the guards had been brought to St. Mungo's for treatment and of those eight victims, only Jeffry was still hurt.
There was a small knock on the door and startled, Hermione looked up. Standing in the doorway was Harry, holding two cups of steaming liquid Hermione quickly identified as coffee.
'Hey', he said smiling gently.
'Hey', she whispered and stood up to give him her seat. She set herself on the bed, next to Jeffry and stared at his peaceful face.
Harry came over to her and handed her one of the mugs before settling himself on the chair. 'These are not comfortable', he murmured.
Hermione giggled and shook her head. 'No, they are not. I suppose they don't want to visitors to linger'.
'That doesn't stop you', Harry pointed out as he took a sip from his coffee and winced. 'The coffee's not very good either'.
'Again, I suppose the visitors shouldn't be pampered', Hermione smiled as she too sipped her coffee. Harry was right, it was nasty. Yet it was warm and comforting. She sipped again.
'How is he doing?', Harry asked, gesturing with his head towards Jeffry.
'Stable', Hermione mumbled.
'Have they had any luck?'
Nodding slightly Hermione took another sip of coffee before answering. 'They were able to lift two of the curses. The last one is blocking everything they do though. They have no idea what it is or what they can do. The Healers are saying…', Hermione choked up and tears welled in her eyes. 'They're saying he might never wake up again. If there is nothing they can do about the curses, the only thing they can do is make him as comfortable as possible and just…let him sleep'.
Tears streamed down Hermione's face by now and she gasped for air. The hand that was holding her mug was shaking so violently, the coffee was spilling on the blue covers.
Harry got to his feet and wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders, pulling her close for a hug. 'They'll figure it out Hermione, you'll see'.
'How can you be sure?', Hermione moaned into his side.
'I have faith', Harry just said and he hugged Hermione extra tight before returning to his chair. 'Listen, Ginny wants you to come over for dinner, tonight'.
Hermione shook her head. 'I can't leave him Harry. I'll just eat a sandwich or something from the cafeteria'.
'Don't be stupid Hermione', Harry snapped. 'You taking care of yourself is nothing to be ashamed of. You're coming to dinner. And then we'll get you home, you'll shower and sleep in your own bed for a night'.
'I…', Hermione began, but Harry cut her off.
'I'm under strict orders to take you to our home. There's no getting out of it'.
'Isn't tonight your night with Teddy?', Hermione tried to make him feel guilty for wanting to take care of her. She needed to be with Jeffry now, if only he would leave her alone.
Instead Harry shook his head vigorously. 'He's staying at Andromeda's tonight. You need us now Hermione, she gets that. And Teddy has some sort of school vacation coming up so he'll be with us then. Now get up, I'm taking you home'.
'You don't get it Harry', Hermione whispered as tears welled in her eyes again. 'I'm all he has. His parents died a few years ago, he has no grandparents, cousins, uncles…nothing. If I'm not here, who will be?'
'The Healers', Harry said, a soft look in his eyes. 'You're not taking care of yourself Hermione. Look at you'.
'I know', Hermione moaned, she knew Harry was right. She hadn't slept in her own bed since Jeffry was brought here, she just dozed in the chair next to him. She would quickly wash her face in the sink when she felt she needed washing, but she hadn't properly showered, brushed her hair or dressed for a very long time. She couldn't even remember the last time she had taken a relaxing soak in her tub. 'I just feel so bad for him'.
'I understand', Harry said as he gulped his coffee and patted her on the arm. 'But you're coming along anyway'.
Seeing it was futile to argue, Hermione got to her feet and nodded. 'Fine, I'll come to dinner. But after that, I'm going back. Jeffry needs me to be here'.
Ginny opened the door before Harry had the key near the lock. She flung her arms around Hermione and gave her a tight hug.
'I'm so glad you're here', Ginny said as she grabbed Hermione by the arm and dragged her along the hallway to the dining room. It was almost as if she was afraid Hermione would dissapparate if she didn't hold on tight enough.
'Hey, how about me?', Harry called jokingly. 'Don't I get a kiss or something?'
'Later', Ginny yelled back. 'We have all night to kiss or something'.
'Ginny!', Hermione giggled, despite herself.
'Oh, don't worry', Ginny said dismissively as she plopped Hermione in a chair. 'You'll be long gone before we do anything serious'.
'Don't be too sure', Harry said with a grin as he came up behind his wife, grabbed her and kissed her cheek.
Ginny shrieked in surprise and gave him a playful tap on the arm before disappearing into the kitchen.
'We missed you Hermione', Ginny called. 'I feel like we haven't spent time together in ages'.
'I was just here for Harry's party', Hermione yelled back.
'That was over a month ago', Harry said as he made his way to the wine cabinet that was lining one of the walls of the dining room.
Hermione blinked her eyes at him. 'No, it wasn't'.
'Yes, that was over a month ago', Harry repeated as he poured wine into two goblets. 'We haven't seen you since then?'
Hermione wrecked her brain, trying to think of time she had spent with either Ginny of Harry after his birthday. She had missed Sunday brunches at the Weasley's because she was at St. Mungo's with Jeffry. She had also ignored all the invitations Ginny, Luna and even Nicolette had sent her, asking her to come to lunch with them or go shopping. But Hermione had had no idea it had been a whole month since she had seen her best friends.
'I'm sorry Ginny', she said as Ginny came back into the dining room, holding out her wand and levitating three plates of stew and a cutting board with a loaf of bread and knife.
'It's okay Hermione. I understand', Ginny said as she sat down next to her friend. 'It can't be easy watching the man you love lying in that bed day in day out, without any sign of improvement. I can't even imagine how I would react if it was Harry lying there'.
Hermione swallowed hard and nodded.
'Hold on', Harry piped up as he put down his goblet. 'You love Jeffry?'
'I…I don't know. Maybe', Hermione said with a small smile as she felt the colour rise to her cheeks. She hadn't really thought about it in that way. Jeffry had been a good guy and she had enjoyed dating him. They were exclusive, but did she love him? It did feel good, hearing Ginny say those words. It made her feel giddy.
Harry looked at her incredulously. 'You're kidding. You've never loved anyone you were dating after Ron'.
Hermione grabbed her spoon and started eating. 'It's different with Jeffry. He's different. He is such a gentleman and he is so kind. We get along really well'.
Harry smiled at her. 'I'm happy for you Hermione', he said as he took a sip of wine.
'Have you slept together yet?', Ginny asked as she cut of a piece of bread. Harry choked on his wine and sprayed the tablecloth.
Both women stared at him. 'I…I didn't expect the question', Harry explained, coughing lightly.
Hermione turned to Ginny again and shook her head. 'No, we haven't. He said he wants a real connection before we do anything so serious and I agreed. Just diving into bed with someone right away only gives you heartache'.
Ginny raised her eyebrow as she sipped her orange juice. 'Speaking from experience?', she asked with a wicked grin.
Harry stared from his wife to his best friend, horror etched on his face. 'Why are we having this conversation?', he moaned.
Both women ignored him. Hermione spooned some food in her mouth and took the bread Ginny had cut. Only after carefully chewing and swallowing (and thinking very hard) did she answer. 'It's not like that, per se', she said. 'It's just that sleeping with someone to soon can raise…expectations…it makes you want things that the other person might not want'.
'You so have slept with someone just after meeting them!', Ginny giggled.
Hermione shook her head in denial, glad that she wasn't lying, not completely anyway. She and Draco had known each other for ages before sleeping together.
'So, who was he?', Ginny pressed on.
'What? Who?', Hermione asked, scooping the last of her food onto her spoon.
'The guy that you knew for a long or a short time, slept with and who broke your heart'.
Hermione blushed. They would never guess, but she had to give an answer. Anyone would do and so she blurted the first name that came to mind. A name that would shut Ginny up and get her of her case. 'Victor of course'.
Both Ginny and Harry stared at Hermione, neither of them saying a word. Hermione pretended not to notice and finished her food. 'This was delicious Gin, thanks'.
'You…you never said…you said he only kissed you', Ginny spluttered.
Hermione shrugged. 'I wasn't ready to share that. I thought I would never share it with anyone'.
'But Ron said…'.
'I know…he never knew so I would like to keep this our little secret?'
Both Harry and Ginny nodded and the rest of the meal was filled with pleasant, yet slightly awkward, small talk as none of them wanted to revisit the subject of sex again.
'Tea Hermione?', Ginny asked as she magicked the dishes to the kitchen where they started cleaning themselves.
'I should get back to the hospital', Hermione said as she stood up. She saw Ginny and Harry exchange a look. 'What?'
'I just wanted to have some tea with you', Ginny pouted. 'I haven't seen you in forever you know'.
Hermione felt a sudden rush of guilt rising in her chest. It was true she hadn't seen her friends in a long time and she missed them terribly. 'Alright', she murmured and she followed Ginny to the kitchen. Harry said something about moving to his study and read a bit before bed. He kissed Ginny passionately, gave Hermione a tight hug and pressed a small kiss on the top of her head before he left the room.
Ginny busied herself with the kettle and set a couple of mugs on the kitchen island before flinging her arms round Hermione again.
'Gin!', Hermione said in surprise. 'What on earth is the matter?'
'Oh, I don't know', Ginny said, wiping a tear from her eye. 'It's all just hormones, I guess. But you're my best friend and I missed you terribly'.
'I know Ginny, and I'm really sorry', Hermione said as she pulled the redhead close to her. 'I'll try to take better care of myself and spent more time with you all'.
Ginny smiled as she untangled herself from Hermione's arms. 'That's perfect', she grinned. At that moment the kettle started whistling and Ginny poured Hermione and herself some hot water.
The girls left for the family room clutching their hot mugs and sporting large cauldrons cakes Ginny had dug up from her pantry. Ginny dropped herself on the couch and pulled her feet under her.
Harry had lived in this house before he and Ginny moved in together, but the only reminiscent of that time was the large leather sofa with enough room for all Weasleys to join on. Ginny had filled the home with nicer furniture, enough room for Teddy to store toys as he was staying with them quite often and beautiful paintings.
Hermione noticed Ginny was talking and with a great deal of effort, she managed to listen to the last few words. '…and it looks darling with all the little details in place'.
'Oh…I…I can imagine', Hermione said as she quickly took a sip of tea.
'Do you want to see?', Ginny asked exited.
'Sure', Hermione said, not knowing what she was agreeing to.
'Come on then', Ginny said as she hoisted herself to her feet again.
Hermione followed Ginny upstairs to one of the bedrooms near the master suite. Harry and Ginny's house had loads of bedrooms. There was the master suite which Harry and Ginny had made into a blending of both Harry's love of muted colours and Ginny's preference of bright tones. One of the bedrooms Harry had made into his study with big bookcases, a large desk and soft leather chairs for drinking firewhiskey and wine. He even had a fireplace in there.
One was for Teddy of course. A real boys room with blue and greens walls and a painted ceiling filled with moving stars. There were toys everywhere and the bed was made with sheets that had rockets on them. Teddy was going through a phase in which he only cared about stars, the moon and outer space. Even his old dinosaur toys had had to make room for rockets and a miniature model of the solar system.
The other rooms were guestrooms with queen-sized beds, dressers and lots of plants. Ginny opened the door to one of the guestrooms and took a step aside. 'Go on!'
Hermione stepped over the threshold and walked into a world of pink, glitter and flowers. This was no longer a guestroom, she realized. The walls were lined with soft-pastel pink paper, there was a rather large white cot in one of the corners, dressed for the arrival of two babies. A white dresser stood under a shelf which probably would be used for baby products, and by the window stood a rocking chair, also white, with pink cushions and a pink blanket. There was a small flowered poof that remined Hermione of the classroom of professor Trelawney and the rug was so lush Hermione felt like she had stepped onto a cloud.
'What do you think?', Ginny asked as she fingered the airy white curtains by the window. 'It's awfully pink isn't it?'
Hermione grinned. 'You're having girls?'
Ginny nodded and Hermione shrieked and flung her arms around Ginny. 'That's amazing! How do you know?'
'Well it's your fault really', Ginny confessed. 'I had been talking nonstop about that "mega-sound" you took me to and Harry wanted to see for himself. So, I made an appointment and we were able to see our babies together. The lady asked whether we wanted to know what we're having and…so…here we are'.
Hermione smiled and shook her head. She wasn't going to spoil her friends happiness by telling her it was an ultra-sound, not a mega-sound. She seemed so happy and excited.
'This is amazing Ginny!', Hermione squealed. 'Two little girls. How did Harry take it?'
'He loves it. Says he'll have two princesses to wait on', Ginny giggled as she let go of the curtains and walked over to the dresser. 'I had to promise mum we wouldn't get to many things like clothes and toys. She wants to throw me a baby shower, like the one she did for Fleur'.
Hermione remembered. As part of the family, as Mrs. Weasley had insisted she was, she had been summoned to an afternoon of tea and gossip for Fleurs baby shower, both four and two years ago. It had been nice but terribly girly, but then again, so was Fleur. Hermione hoped Mrs. Weasley would plan a party more Ginny's style when it was her turn.
'Gin, I never asked you, but…was this an accident? You know…the pregnancy'.
Ginny's smile fade a little. She bit her lip, looked at the door and nodded slightly. 'We just weren't careful enough. One night of drunken sex to celebrate…I don't even remember what we were celebrating. And now we're expecting a baby. Two babies', she corrected herself as she stroked her belly lovingly.
Hermione suddenly had a flash of what could have happened after her hook up with Draco. She could have been in the same position as Ginny was in now. She was glad nothing more had come of their night together.
How awful that would have been. A permanent reminder of the most horrible man in the world, needing her, calling her mama.
'You're happy though, right?', she asked Ginny nervously.
Ginny smiled so wide, her face was in danger of splitting in two. 'Of course I am', she said. 'We're having a baby, little baby girls. It's going to be amazing!'
'Good', Hermione said and she grabbed her friends hand. 'I want you to know that if you ever need anything, from a nappy change to a babysitter, I'll be there for you'.
'That's sweet Hermione', Ginny smiled. 'I'll take you up on that one. Now let's go finish our tea'.
Happily chatting the girls went back downstairs, plopped themselves onto the couch and talked for a bit. Hermione crawled up against the pillows and grabbed a blanket to put over herself. It didn't take long before her eyes fell shut and she started snoring softly. Ginny smiled, covered her friend a bit more and went upstairs, to bed. There wasn't much she could do for Hermione, but at least she could give her a good meal and a nice long sleep.