Disclaimer:  I don't think I said it last time, so, they aren't mine, yadda, yadda, yadda.  They're all property of J. K. Rowling, and the movie peoples and everyone else so don't sue me.  And I cam up with the idea myself, any similarities are purely coincidental.

A Time For Everything

Chapter 2

Death and a new dress

            I hadn't been able to stop crying the entire drive over to the hospital.  Right now my dad and I were just sitting in the waiting room outside of the ICU.  I had just sat back down on the lumpy couch after coming back from the bathroom, when we (my dad and I) saw a doctor walking down the hall towards us. 

"What's wrong with her?" asked my dad as he and I both jumped to our feet.

"I'm assuming then that you are Marcus Granger, and that you are Hermione Granger, here for Helen Granger?" asked the doctor.

"Yes, yes, we are, now what's wrong with her, why is she in the ICU, when can we see her, when is sh-" started Mr. Granger.

"Hold on a minute.  There's some things you'll want to know before I let you go in.  Your wife apparently has a large, inoperable tumor in her brain.  Second of all, some blood vessels have burst, clogging the flow of blood to and from the brain.  I'm sorry to say that it's inoperable also.  She doesn't have much time left.  I'm sorry.  Please take some time to collect yourselves before going back to see her.  She's in room 527 down the hall on the left," said the Doctor with a sympathetic look in her eyes as she left to tend to other patients.

            I just sat there in shock before bursting into tears and grabbing onto my dad, who had done the same thing.  This was a dream.  I mean, it couldn't be real, it just couldn't.  She was only 43, and I still needed her so badly.  Thinking about this brought on a fresh wave of tears.  After several more minutes of crying, my dad and I collected ourselves somewhat before heading down to her room.

            The room had that unique hospital smell, and was silent except for the steady noise of the heart monitors and I.V. drip line.  I saw my mom turn her head towards us as we came in. 

"Hey honey," was all my mom could get out before a look of pain crossed her face.

"H-hi, mom," I said shakily, trying to keep myself composed as I took one of her hands, my dad taking the other.

"I'm sorry Helen," was all my dad could say before starting to silently cry again.

"Shhh.  I know what's going to happen, and I want to enjoy these last moments," said my mom, another look of pain crossing her face, "I want you two to take care of each other.  And Hermione, keep on doing your best in school, you know I'll always be proud of you, no matter what you do.  George, I want you to be happy above all else, so do whatever that takes.  I love you both…."

            The room was silent for a split second before a long, unending beep sounded, causing a nurse to rush in. 

"I'm sorry," was all she had to say.  We knew she was gone.  And with that, a new wave of grief came over us as my dad and I clung to each other, taking a minimal amount of comfort in each other's presence.

* * * * *

            The funeral was a small one.  We didn't have any family other than my grandfather, but he was in a nursing home, and too old to remember he had a daughter, so it was just my dad and I.  We had an angel put above her grave, to remind us she was in heaven watching over us. 

            Back at home, my dad and I had started to pack away mom's clothes.  Her jewelry was given to me, and was in a special jewelry box that had belonged to my mom as a girl.  By now, I had about a week till school started.  I hadn't seen Harry or Ron all summer, and usually I wouldn't be able to contain my excitement at getting to see them again.  Ron sent me an owl saying that Harry was staying at the Burrow again, and that they were going to go to Diagon Alley on Saturday to buy books and things.  I already had the Standard Book of Spells:  Grade 6, since I had picked up a copy the year before when it was on sale, since I knew I would undoubtedly need it.  But I still didn't have any of my other books and things my supply list said I needed.  To be honest, I didn't feel like going to get any of it, but I knew my mom wanted me too, so, instead of waiting till Saturday to go with Ron and Harry, I went early with my dad on Thursday.  I knew they would question me, but I just couldn't handle anyone seeing me, Hermione Granger, Hogwart's Perfect, totally in control, student, in a complete and utter mess. 

            Diagon Alley help cheer me up, even though it wasn't much.  The biggest surprise was when I read the supply list, I noticed a second page I hadn't seen before.  It said, "All students 5th year and up need to have a muggle style dress for the Winter Ball."

"Oh dear, I'm going to need a dress," I mumbled to myself.

"What'd you say, dear?" asked my dad.

"I just said that I'm going to need a dress for the Winter Ball.  It's going to be very formal."

"Well, that Gladrags Wizardry store should have some, right?" he asked.

"Yes, it'll be under muggle wear, but they should also have a custom ordering magazine." I replied.

"Well then, whatever dress you want, you will have it, don't worry about the price," my dad said, knowing it would make me smile.

"Oh thank you dad!" I exclaimed, breaking out into a smile as he and I walked into the store.

            I decided to custom make it, so it could be more "me" then something I just bought.  I finally decided on a dress that was a dark silver color.  It had a high scoop neck with thick tank top straps and was floor length and form fitting.  It didn't have any back at all.  From my neck down to my waist, I was naked in back.  I usually wouldn't say so, but I looked gorgeous.

            When I walked out of the changing room (since it only takes a few minutes for the dress to be made), my dad's jaw dropped.

"Hermione, you look as beautiful as your mother in that dress.  That is the perfect dress for you.  I'll go have them ring it up right now while you change," he said as he headed to the cash register to pay for it.

            After that, we headed home, since I had everything I needed for school.  I had packed when I got home, and then studied some more before going to bed early.  Now all I had to do was wait for September first to roll around.  I was nervous about what I would say to Harry and Ron about standing them up for Saturday, but before I could worry about it too much, I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

A/N:  So, that's the end of the second chapter.  It's over a thousand words, and five pages.  That's what all of my chapters will be at minimum each time.  So, I hope you like it.  Review or flame, do nothing, what ever, I don't care.  As long as you read it, and enjoy it, I'm happy, so I'll see ya next time on chapter three of A Time For Everything.