1 The Sisterhood

Author's Note: The reviews I got were so encouraging! Thanks to you who reviewed, and thanks to the person who put this story on their favorites list. I'll try to update as quickly as possible. All standard disclaimers apply.



When the spinning blur of travel by floo stopped, Harry found himself facedown on the Weasley's hearth. Picking himself up and dusting off, he looked around at the old familiar living room with its slightly battered furniture. It felt good to be back, but the thought of Ginny kept Harry anxious.

"Arthur! Arthur! Where is that man?" Harry caught sight of a very disheveled looking Mrs. Weasley hurrying down the stairs.

"Oh, hello Harry!" she exclaimed upon seeing him. "It's so good to see you again." After quickly embracing him, she turned to Ron. "I was looking for your father, but you'll do. I can't seem to lift the window in Ginny's room. She's sweating really badly now, I have to change her sheets every half hour. I think some fresh air might help." Harry seriously doubted this, but Mrs. Weasley looked like she could use some air, so he didn't say anything.

"Fred, George, go help Percy. He's starting to complain about having to wash the sheets with his burned hands."

"Is there anything I can do to help?" asked Harry. He was desperate to see Ginny, and maybe by offering to help he could gain admission to her room. Plus, Mrs. Weasley looked on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

"No, dear. Not unless you want to go up with Ron."

"Yeah, he'll come with me and we'll look after Gin for a while, Mum. You need to rest."

"But you boys can't levitate her, and…"

"Then we'll get Percy to do it. Go, Mum, now."

Harry had never seen Mrs. Weasley obey one of her sons (it was usually the other way around), but he supposed she was too tired to argue. She simply nodded and went into the kitchen.

"It's been awful, Harry. Mum's been up all hours of the night for the past week and we absolutely have to make her go to bed sometimes." Ron said as they climbed the stairs. Harry privately thought that he would have a hard time leaving Ginny's side while he was here, too. He didn't want to run into trouble with the male Weasleys, but he didn't know if he would be able to tear himself from her while she was ill.

"I think Bill and Charlie are coming in, too. We need more help or Mum's gonna collapse."

They reached Ginny's room and pushed the door open. Nothing could have prepared Harry for the sight that greeted him there. There was Ginny, tossing fitfully in her bed, pale as death. As he drew closer he took in her knotted hair and wrinkled clothes. He supposed that she hadn't been changed since the night she fell ill. The symbol Ron had described was glowing on Ginny's perspiring forehead. He wanted nothing more than to touch her, but the field of electricity around her prevented it. Ron's voice ended Harry's quiet observation.

"I could use some help with this window, mate."

"Oh, right."

Harry helped Ron lift the unusually heavy window, then followed him back to Ginny's bedside. Ron sank down in the chair that Mrs. Weasley had undoubtedly occupied just a few moments before. Putting his face in his hands, he shook his head.

"I don't know what to do, Harry."

Harry looked at Ron, and Ron took this as a sign to continue.

"I mean, I'm her big brother. I'm supposed to help and protect her. I had always thought that was just protecting her from boys. Then there was the incident in her first year, and now this."

"Neither was your fault, though. The Chamber of Secrets thing was all Tom Riddle, and this, well, I don't know what this is, but it isn't your fault either."

"I just wish I could do something about it."

Harry knew exactly how Ron felt. He would rather face Voldemort at full power than have to sit here and watch Ginny suffer. As much as it hurt, he couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from her and he knew he would have to summon all of his strength to leave her side while she was in this state. He silently noted that even in her messed state she was beautiful. He stood there for what must have been ten minutes simply taking in her every feature. Loud footsteps up the stairs shook him from his thoughts. It was a matter of seconds before Fred burst through the door.

"Professor Dumbledore is here and he brought some lady with him!"

Ron's head shot up, and after a quick look at Harry, he shot out the door. Harry followed at a slower pace and with a worried glance at Ginny left the room.