September 18: St. Murgo's Hospital
"Mrs. Longbottom," the nurse called, "Its time to wake."
The lady in the bed, opened her eyes, "I was just resting, my dear. Remember. Last week I was a decade younger and then some."
The nurse laughed politely, happy that her patient had recovered so completely. She helped the older lady out of bed, and with her robe. "I talked with your husband, Frank. He is still in serious condition, but he is already better than you were when you first awoke. He can have visitors this afternoon."
Mrs. Longbottom shed a tear of happiness. She had been told what had happened to her and her husband, although she could remember nothing of it. The nurse had told her how delighted everyone was when she suddenly recovered. When it was found that her husband was recovering as well, it was put down as a miracle.
"We have another guest," the nurse said, "if you are up to it?"
"It is hard to suddenly grow older, but to see it happen to everyone you know, that is the hardest" she said, wistfully.
The nurse walked her through the halls to the waiting room, where she faltered. Standing up from one of the tables was a young man who reminded her so much of Frank, the day he asked her to the Yule Ball. As the young man walked forward, she asked hesitantly, "Neville?" "Mom," he answered, as he fell into her arms. She hugged the life out of him, crying the entire time. As the tears eased, she opened her eyes to see a girl, Neville's age, watching them. The girl had shed some tears of her own.
"Neville," his mother asked, "Who is that?"
Breaking his embrace, he held out his hand to the girl, "Mom, this is a very good friend of mine, Ginny Weasley."
Understanding filled her, and she hugged Ginny with as much warmth as if the girl were her own daughter.
FINIS
