Rachel E. Thompson
Email: racheview@yahoo.com
Web page: surf.to/genova or genova07.tripod.com
Rating: R
Category: Action/Drama
Disclaimer: Alas, I don't own Harry and Co.
Summary: Voldemort won and imprisoned the world under his regime. Now six years later, a new resistance called Lils struggles on their crusade to free the world again. So where does Ginny Weasley fit in? H/G, R/HG, N/L. OoTP Spoilers.
Author's Note: This is my sugar baby fic! It practically spawned on its own, and I've been possessed to finish it ever since. So here it is, my mauling of a classic tale by J.K. Rowling. Enjoy.
I hope you're enjoying this fic and I'm delighted if you do. If not, well, I don't give refunds. Sorry.
***
Chapter Four. A Weasley Reunion
Ron led them back down into the empty lobby. He didn't seem worried about being seen. When Ginny asked him about his confidence, he had just thumbed towards Lils. He said the dog had an uncanny sense of smelling trouble. His sister hadn't known how to take that. With a glance towards the dog, as it raced James down the stairs, she decided she would trust her brother's loyalty. She looked through the darken inn, as Ron paused to pick up some paperwork. Ginny watched him and asked, "I know we've been on hard times, but I never pictured you the type to open a inn, Ron."
Her brother's blue eyes snapped up to look at her, before he let loose an amused grin. "I can't say I have the patience for it, Ginny… But it's much needed money." He then grabbed a scroll and shook it at her. "But I don't plan on doing it forever, mind you, once this is all sorted out… I'm going to try out for the Cannons, when they get reinstated." She laughed, now that was the Ron she remembered. "I'm glad to hear it." That earned her a merry nudge to the shoulder from her older brother.
He then led her to the oak door, which she had spotted earlier. Ron pulled a set of keys and he unlocked it. The wizard complained about how he wished he could use magic. "But with Voldemort's new outlaw of magic, it's best not to draw attention to yourself… Ah, here we are." The lock clicked opened, and he smiled back at her. "Welcome to my humble home, sis." Ron pushed the door open and motioned her to follow him. Ginny smiled weakly and did so. She paused long enough to call for James, who was still caught up in his game with the dog. Both came running, the redhead shook her head at the two. It was like they had always been together.
Her attention shifted back towards the white hallway beyond the door. In it, were six matching doors that reminded her very much of the Burrow. Ginny felt a terrible pang of heartache in her chest. She almost stumbled in her step. She forced herself to see past her tender emotions for now. She looked towards were the corridor emptied into a large room.
"Mione!" Ron called out, as soon as they were all inside. He smirked proudly back at Ginny, before he led them towards the room. The redhead witch gasped in awe, as she walked into a cozy little living room. It was similar to the lobby outside but on a grander scale and more personalized. More leather sofas and hand crafted tables sat in front of a walk-in fireplace. Around the walls were magical pictures of people Ginny knew and some she didn't. The lily theme was not carried on within this place. Instead, it seemed to be a rather simple montage of colors and old Muggle nick-knacks.
In front of the roaring fire, Hermione Granger stood in a soft blue robe. Her glasses had been removed to reveal that nasty scar. Ginny's heart hurt, as she remembered her proud friend's infliction. Now that the glasses were gone, the redhead could see the line arch over the woman's eyes. It had not been a clean scar either. It appeared that whatever had blinded the former Head Girl, had exploded up into her eyes.
Ginny took in a more joyous sight. In the former Head Girl's arms, was a small bundle of pink and yellow blankets. Hermione held a small milk bottle to it. A baby!
"You were right!" Ron told the unseeing woman proudly. He walked up and planted a dramatic kiss on Hermione's temple. 'That's a little odd,' the redhead mother thought to herself. Her brother went on in a proud fashion, as he waved his free arm about. "It was Ginny!"
"Of course it was Ginny, Ron. I said it was." Came her haughty reply. Ginny knew instantly that it belonged to the brushy-haired-girl of years past. Honestly, she couldn't understand how she had missed the obvious similarities. Hermione's voice had matured certainly, but it was the same knowledgeable speech pattern and soft underlying warmth.
"Hermione," Ginny whispered in a mixture of happiness and grief. The brunette gaily laughed and handed the infant to Ron, who begun to wiggle his fingers in front of the baby. Hermione lifted her arms out towards the redhead witch. The pair of old friends hugged tightly.
"Oh!" Hermione cried happily into her shoulder. "Welcome home, Ginny Weasley!" The taller woman laughed through tears. "I've missed you so much, Hermione," the redhead breathed. That incited another laugh from the older woman. "I'm so glad you're home, Ginny… Finally! I have another woman to talk to!" The women shared another laugh. "Now… Let me get a picture of you." The former Head Girl pulled away, and then placed both her hands on either side of Ginny's face. Her long, graceful fingers attempted to paint a picture within Hermione's mind. "You grown very beautiful, Ginny." The Weasley's red attacked Ginny. "Hermione…"
"Now! Ginny Weasley, we must really talk about your use of disguises!"
"Forget that," Ginny teased, as she pulled away and glanced back at her brother and the baby. "Who is this?!" Ron glanced up at his sister, and then grinned proudly. He stepped over to show off the chubby little infant. She spotted soft freckles on the little child's rosy cheeks, she knew who the father was. She just couldn't get her mind around how Ron and Hermione had gotten together.
"This, Ginny, is my dear daughter!" Ron placed a tender kissed to the baby's head.
"Daughter?" Ginny cried happily and clapped her hands, "Oh! What's her name?" She silently motioned to hold the baby and her brother happily obliged. The redhead witch sighed heavenly, as she tucked her little niece into her arms. She had missed this part of motherhood. She had always loved to hold her baby James for endless hours.
"Azalea," Hermione answered, as she stared in the direction she thought they were in. Ron bobbed his head and cut in, "My ickle girl going to be the star Keeper for the Cannons, that I'm sure of." He told her with the pride only a father could have, while Hermione sniffed in disgust. "She most certainly will not, Ron! My Azalea will be the next Minister of Magic!" Ginny glanced between the married couple, before she smiled down at Azalea Weasley. The baby girl just gaped up at the redhead, with Hermione's large brown eyes. Apparently Azalea was quite use to her parent's squabbling.
"So you two are married then?" Ginny asked the bickering couple. Hermione sighed, as if she had committed a horrible crime. "Yes. We're married."
"Oy!" Ron squawked, "I don't remember you thinking it was a bad idea last night!" At that tactless information given, Hermione's face went bright red, while Ginny choked on a laugh. "Ron," his embarrassed wife snapped, as she turned her cloudy brown eyes in his direction. "Children are present!"
"So? What? No, no, no. Don't give me that look! I didn't say anything too graphic this time!" Hermione crossed her arms and tipped her nose to the air. "You're setting a bad example for our daughter!"
"Well… I can't say I didn't see it coming," Ginny muttered to herself, as she watched the married couple go into it. "Jamie," the redhead called back to her son. The boy paused in his examination of an old Quaffle. He looked generally bored with the whole conversation. He glanced up at his mother and smiled when he noted her happier mood. He dropped the red ball, and hurried over to her. "What, mum?"
"Here, look. This is your cousin, Azalea." James made a slight face, as he peered over at the baby. "That's a girl!" Hermione and Ron paused long enough to hear, before they busted up in laughter.
"James!" Ginny scuffed, slightly embarrassed but also amused at his distaste for girls. The green-eyed boy just made a sour face back at her. Hermione thankfully saved the boy from another scolding, as she spoke up, "Hello, James… I'm Aunt Hermione, it's nice to meet you again." James looked back up at the woman, who knelt to the ground before him. He grew excited, as he recognized the name of another one of his parent's friends. The boy glanced back at his mother, who grinned and nodded. He quickly went over and hugged his aunt. Hermione sighed merrily, as she hugged him into her. "My! You are much taller then I thought you would be." Ron laughed at the old jab at Harry's height. Hermione pulled away, then placed both her hands on the little boy's face, just as she had done with Ginny seconds before. She smiled to herself, as she ran her thumbs over his cheeks. "James, what color are your eyes?"
"Green." Her hand moved up to his hair and she laughed to herself, as she felt the messy locks. "You have his hair… Tell me, what color is it?" James laughed when Hermione used his hesitation to tickle his sides. He squirmed around in her hands. "Black!"
"You look just like your father," Hermione whispered softly, but her voice held a degree of satisfaction. However, a restless Ron butted in on the touching moment. "Though… You definitely got the Weasley's blood in you, mate." The redhead wizard joshed, as he reached over and pretended to cuff the boy's ear. "Will you look at all those freckles?!" James glared up at the redheaded man. "You got more then me, Uncle Ron!"
"I don't think so, ickle Jamiekins!" Ron reached over and picked the boy up, who let out a cheerful yell. The redhead uncle suspended the boy upside down, and then spun them around the room. James was caught between laughing and yelling, while the older Weasley laughed and teased the boy. "What are you going to do now, mate?"
"Ron hasn't been this happy in so long… It's because of you, Ginny." Hermione whispered lightly, as she came up to Ginny. The other jumped slightly and glanced from the merry scene, back to her friend. The redhead witch laughed softly, while she returned Azalea to her own mother. The brunette cooed contently at her daughter and kissed her well-behaved child.
"I didn't do anything…"
"No. You're alive." Hermione corrected, as she flashed a wonderful smile. "I can not even begin to describe how lost he's been since all this begun. We've all been lost…" She trailed off, with the space only filled with happy laughter from the men of the room. A dishearten beat passed between the two women. The former Head Girl cleared her throat and pushed onto a happier topic. "Ron adores your little James."
"Yes it would appear," The younger witch replied in a subdue tone. "But… I think James is quite taken with his Aunt Hermione too." The brunette grinned happily. They paused to listen to the shouts. Soon a playful Lils joined into the fun, and barked loudly. "Hermione?" Ginny begun, as she spotted the Border Collie again. "I didn't know you liked dogs." Hermione smirked knowingly, before she bounced her daughter within her arms. "I don't usually." The redhead frowned at that answer. "Anyways… Would you like to see your mother, Ginny?"
"Very much."
"All right, come this way." Hermione led her back out into the hallway. The brunette took her to the first door on the left. The former Head Girl opened it and ushered them into a warm bedroom. It reminded Ginny of the Burrow. The rich earth tones made her stomach lurch. There was a simple bed, with her parent's old quilted bedspread. Her parent's old furniture also included their maple dresser, and her mother's favorite rocker.
In this white handcrafted chair was an elder Molly Weasley.
The woman looked physically like her mother. There was gray spotting her curly red hair. Molly's kind face held more wrinkles around the nose, mouth, and her rich brown eyes. The very same, that stared unfocused out the one small window. Mentally, though, it wasn't the peppery but extremely loving woman that Ginny loved.
"I'll give you a minute." Hermione told her softly, as she stepped out with her own daughter. She quietly shut the door behind her. Ginny could have been deaf to her sister-in-law for all she knew. All she could hear was her heart that thumped madly within her chest, and the small creak of the white rocker.
"Mum?" Ginny called, as she moved to her mother, her own brown eyes wide with tears. Her hands shook when she held them to her lips to keep in a sudden fit of sobs. When Molly did not remove her gaze from the darken view outside, the younger redhead witch felt her world fall into despair. Her mother didn't know she was even there.
"Mum…" The younger Weasley knelt in front of her mother. She placed her head within the waiting lap. When she had been a little girl, they had sat in this way too. Only then, her mother had stroked her worn fingers through Ginny's hair. Molly would murmur about absolutely nothing at all, of which her daughter would happily listen.
Ginny succumbed to heart shattering sobs, as she gripped Molly's green skirt. She shook violently, as she pressed her forehead into her mother's thigh. "Mum, I can't do this! I can't! I can't!" The redhead choked on her confession, as her fingers tighten around the cotton fabric. "I tried… I tried to be strong like you, but I can't do it!" She pulled away to look up at the woman, who still hadn't looked down at her. Her daughter's face crumbled. "Mum." She sucked in a trembling breath. "I have a little boy now." Ginny lowered her head again, "I can't loose my baby. I can't l-loose James to Voldemort too! I n-need help." Her voice faded, as she poured her heart out to her mother. "Everything such a mess… I need help…"
"I need you, mum." Ginny pleaded, as she shut her tired eyes, "…I need you."
***
"Hurry up, Harry! It's going to rain!" Ginny shouted out to Harry Potter. As the sixteen-year-old witch dropped off her broom, she cast a worried look up at the heavy rain clouds. They had been pillowing all day, and looked ready to release a vicious storm. The lighting dimmed with the purple-gray thunderheads. They would have to hurry back up to the castle.
As Ginny grabbed up the Quidditch balls and shoved them into the chest, she felt the air move around her. She glanced over to see a seventeen-year-old Harry swoop down. He grinned boyishly, as he handed her a Quaffle. "Well! Looks like you got outta practice again, Weasley!"
"Oh sod off, Potter." She grumbled half heartily, as she took the red ball from him and shoved it into the chest. "Why don't you show some of that damn chivalry, and help me with this? Instead of running your mouth?" The green-eyed teen pretended to sulk, but reached down and grabbed one side of the box. Ginny got the other.
"We're going to get soaked!"
"It's alright… You could use a shower anyways."
"Oh ha, ha!" Ginny growled. "You're just a regular shits and giggles, aren't you?"
"I do try, Weasley." He replied lightly. The dark haired boy's grin faded into a warm smile. "You're doing great up there, Gin." Harry told her supportively, as they hurried up to the castle. Drops of rain started to fall around the pair. Ginny flicked her eyes over at him, only to see the teenager stare awkwardly ahead. "You don't have to say that, Harry. I know I'm bloody awful and I—"
"Ginny," Harry cut in. "Don't. After all you've been through last year… You're doing ten times more then the rest of the players on the team." Their eyes caught again, and Ginny felt her stomach drop. He was doing it again… He was looking at her like that again! The Seeker looked away quickly, his cheeks warmed with a blush. "I mean, considering you have to relearn everything."
"Yeah. Considering." She repeated, as another fat drop of water landed on her head. Ginny snuck another glance at him. "I never thanked you for all that, did I?"
"You don't have to, Ginny."
"No. I should. You've helped me out more then you know, Harry. I wouldn't have passed my OWLs… Hell, I might still be in that bloody bed feeling sorry for myself." Ginny's shoulders slumped, but a happy smile lit her eyes. "You're a great friend, Harry. Thanks."
"Yeah." Harry sputtered, "Well… You… You would of done the same for me." The redhead grinned over at him, before she looked up at the castle. There was a comfortable absent of words, with only the sounds of their footsteps to fill it. She could feel and hear the rain pick up. That's when Ginny remembered something. "Oh bugger all!"
"What?" Harry asked in bewilderment. Ginny shook her head and angrily glared at the wet castle. "Nothing. I just forgot that I promised to meet Dean in the library!" At the mention of the Gryffindor boy, Harry's mood chilled like the air. The rain continued to pour down on the pair. "Dean again."
"Yeah. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"It doesn't sound like nothing," Ginny tilted her head to the side. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong." Harry closed up again. His green eyes glared at Hogwarts, as the rain came down in heavy sheets. Ginny knew he was mad. His jaw was set so tightly that the bone threatened to pop out of the socket. His fingers tighten around the handle of the chest, and his Firebolt. "What does he want?"
"Who?"
"Dean."
"Oh." Ginny frowned slightly, what did it matter what Dean wanted? "Help with homework, I reckon." Harry snorted, and caused the redhead to blink in surprise. "What? What's so unbelievable about that?" He turned on her sharply, his eyes flared with anger. "He wants help with homework? With you?" The witch felt her temper flared. He wasn't finished just yet either. "Homework?! Right! You're a year behind him, Ginny! So what good will that do him?" He demanded, as he glared down at her through the rain. "Ginny, you got to know what he really wants to do! You don't know him like I do! You don't hear the things he mouths off about you…"
"No." She snapped. Ginny dropped her end of the chest, and pointed the tip of her broom at him. "But you're going to enlighten me, right? What's he going to do to poor, innocent Ginny Weasley? Snog me senseless? Ravish me until there's nothing left? Make me fall helplessly in love with him, but run off with the first girl that tickles his fancy? What? What, Harry?! I'd like to know!" When she got no answer, she shook her head in disgust. Rain droplets flung off her soaked hair, as she did so. "I don't see why you should care what I do? I don't need another big brother, Harry! I have more then I know what to do with!"
"I don't want to be your brother!" He cried in frustration. "I just don't want you hurt, Ginny!"
"And I won't be!" She shouted back, the rain almost drowned out her voice. "Stop worrying so much about what Dean plans for me! We're just friends!" Ginny then gestured to the both of them. "Like you and me, Harry! Friends, get it? Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into you this year! Dean was never a problem before…"
"I don't like the way he looks at you." Harry groused bitterly, as he threw down his Firebolt. He rounded the chest and stood directly in front of her. Ginny's eyes widened, as he infringed on her personal space. His green eyes burned into hers, and she felt her breath hitch in her lungs. "I don't trust him, Ginny."
"You don't know what you're saying, Harry." She tried, but her voice was suddenly sucked from her throat. She was appalled with him. "What's wrong with you? Dean's a great guy! He's more mature then you're acting right now, I can tell you that!"
"He doesn't deserve you!"
"Oh, who does?" She yelled back. "Harry, I'd hate to break it to you, but if I keep waiting around for the one worthy of me… I'll die an old maid!" Ginny shoved past him and made to stalk towards the castle alone. That's when a hand grabbed onto her arm and yanked her back around.
Ginny gasped, as she stared up at vivid, bottle green eyes. Those beautiful eyes looked deep into her own, and grabbed onto her soul. She felt a wave of dizziness overcome her, as the world blurred around the edges. Maybe it was because of the sheets of rain that poured down around them. Whatever it was, she found it difficult to focus on anything but a drenched Harry. She became insanely aware of how she was pressed up against his lean form. She trembled from the chill of the rain, or maybe from a wave of pure excitement. The air vibrated in her lungs, and left her breathless.
"Harry…" She begun, her voice thick and barely heard over the beats of rain. There was a rumble of thunder somewhere off in the distance, before the water came down from heaven even harder. "Let's go inside."
His green eyes didn't waver from hers. "No."
She had to stop this. Ginny had to be the reasonable one here. She couldn't allow him to see her fall to pieces. She couldn't let Harry find out her secret. She wouldn't allow him to know. He couldn't know that she fell helplessly in love with him. She wouldn't ruin their new friendship. Not if she could help it. "Please. I need to go in…"
"No." He growled again, his fingers flexed on her arm. His green irises darken, as he continued to look her over in a strange hungry fashion. Harry worked his jaw, as he seemed to be getting the courage up to say more. Ginny wasn't sure she could hear it. "No. I'm tired of this. I can't keep pretending anymore."
"What?" A wave of fear overcame her, her broom slipped from her fingers. Ginny watched, as he swallowed hard. A nervous glint flickered over Harry's eyes just then. "I can't stop thinking about you! You're driving me crazy, Gin… I don't want anyone to look at you like that… Not when I feel like this…" He trailed off, as his unease dissolved into something else. Ginny felt heat explode across her cheeks, as she realize what that look was. Raw desire. "I can't help myself around you." His hand lifted and ran along her wet face, and he closed the space between their soaked bodies. "I want you. I need you. I've fallen in love with you!" The nervousness filtered back over his beautiful face. "I love you, Ginny." Harry repeated, more confident now that he had said it out loud. A small, almost hopeful smile had moved over his face.
There it was. The confession she had only fantasized about since, well, forever. Ginny felt tears rise up in her eyes and mix with the rainwater. Harry Potter loved her, little Ginny Weasley! The hell she was going to waste time with being romantic! The redhead captured his face, and moved to pull him down to kiss her.
Their lips were an inch from connecting, when Ginny felt something slimy run across her nose! Followed shortly by something sniffing her. She frowned slightly, at the invasion of her lovely memory. Brown eyes snapped opened and locked on Lils's!
Ginny yelped and fumbled off the bed and down onto the floor. The damn beast named Lils bent closer to the ground, as he took a playful pose. His tail wagged happily behind him, as he let out a happy bark. The redhead glared at the sheepdog. "Bloody hell!" She moaned, "I was having a great dream!" The Border Collie just barked again. She glanced to the wooden floor and wondered vaguely, what had brought on that particular memory. She hadn't dreamed of Harry in ages…
"What are you so damn happy for?" Another bark. Disgusted, she glanced around to see she wasn't where she fallen asleep. Ginny was, in fact, in a guestroom that was more personalized then the hotel rooms upstairs. For one, there were pictures of her family up on the walls. Next, she spotted some furniture from the Burrow. The redhead realized that she was still at her brother's flat.
That pesky Lils licked her face again. This behavior was entirely too early for, and he woke her from a wonderful dream with Harry. "Eww!" Ginny complained loudly, as she pushed him away. She rubbed the slobber from her face, and fixed him with a glare. "Stop that this instant!"
"Mum!" James shouted, as he dashed into the guestroom and slid slightly on his socked feet. "Uncle Ron made sausage and eggs!" He practically bounced up to his mother, and then went on to tackle Lils in a hug. "Lils! I wondered where you went off to, boy!"
"Sausage and eggs? Ron can't cook," Ginny grumbled, as she stood up and dusted her faded skirt down. She stepped over her son, who wrestled with the sheepdog on the floor. The redheaded mother walked back into the hall. It was there, that she picked up the smell of breakfast. She actually had to leave Ron and Hermione's apartment, and venture out into the empty lobby to find the source. That when the witch spied another door behind the counter. She hadn't noticed it the day before at the angle she had been standing. That was where the wonderful scent of food came from. She pushed opened the swinging door and peered inside to see Ron, Hermione, and Azalea all gathered in the hotel's kitchen.
"Ah! G'morning, Ginny!" Ron called out, before he bit into a sausage paddy and munched contently. Ginny's stomach growled loudly at the sight of glorious food. "Good morning, you sound hungry," Hermione picked up even across the room. 'Damn, her hearing has gotten good.' "Hello, and yes… I'm starving." Her brother motioned her over and she gladly joined them at the table. She frowned slightly, and her brother noticed. "What?"
"Since when do you cook?"
"I can cook! Thank you so very much!" He cried in resentment. He then promptly stuffed the rest of his sausage into his mouth and then growled out, "Eat!" Ginny glanced down at the stack of toast, a plate of sausages, and a bowl of scrambled eggs. Her eyes shifted towards Hermione, who sipped at a glass of citrus juice. "I don't know… Is it safe?" Where her brother turned red with anger, his wife let out a pelt of merry laughter. "Yes," Hermione begun, but leaned over and whispered in a conspiring manner. "Just make sure you leave his gravy well enough alone."
"Oy!" Ron snapped angrily. "I cook better then you, 'Mione." He paused, as he swelled with relish. "You burn water, for Pete's sakes!" That only caused Hermione to flush. "I do no such thing, Ronald Weasley!" She snapped as she rounded on her husband.
The redhead witch quietly dished up her plate, as the morning feud begun. Ron smirked darkly as he flashed a look towards his sister. "Uh huh. Well, listen to how skilled 'Mione is in the kitchen, Ginny. Ms. Prefect Know It All Hermione Granger practically burnt the place down, when she tried to boil a kettle of tea! A ruddy cup of tea!" Ginny, who had been in the process of sipping at her pumpkin juice, almost spit it out across the room, as she erupted into giggles.
Hermione was red in the face, as she sputtered back. "You're making it out worse then it actually was, there was only a little smoke!" At the word 'little' Ron snorted and shook his head. "She calls turning Lils Inn into a Smoke House, a little smoke?! Ha! While she conveniently forgets all about the ten foot flames, that torched the back wall over there!"
His wife though, completely ignored him and picked up right where he had cut in, "—And further more, Ronald Weasley, I certainly never said I knew all there was to know on everything! Besides! That confounded stove hates me!" That was so very unlike her friend, Ginny couldn't help but laugh harder. "Oh sure, laugh, Ginny. Real amusing." Suddenly Hermione got a superior look, the same that appeared right when she knew she had the upper hand. "Say, Ron, why don't you inform your sister about that time you attempted to mend that creak in the stairs?" The youngest Weasley glanced over at her brother, who suddenly was so red that he turned purple.
"Why do you got to bring that up again, Hermione? I told you it was an accident! How was I to know that beam was suppose to be there to keep the floor up?" Hermione shook her head in a critical manner, and then smirked devilishly. "Oh I don't know, Ron… Maybe because it's called a support beam?" At the mental image of the entire floor falling around her clueless brother, Ginny fell out of her chair in hysterics. "Yeah, well," Ron grumbled darkly, as he downed his pumpkin juice then slammed the empty glass on the table. "No one's perfect!" He scuffed, before he stuffed a large spoonful of eggs in his mouth.
Ginny happily pulled herself back into her chair. "Goodness Ron! I shouldn't laugh, but that's just too funny! I can just imagine that it sent Hermione into convulsions." At that comment, her brother's mood dampened further and he stole a look from his wife, who was feeding Azalea.
"Oh yes," Hermione begun. "He's not allowed near a hammer again, or else I shall kill him." Ron not wanting her to have the last word, added, "And she's not allowed to touch anything more dangerous then the dining utensils." His wife made another disgusted face. "It wasn't that funny, Ron." Her husband just grinned at her, "But, 'Mione, I thought it was very funny." She opened her mouth to say something, when Ginny laughed softly. "I never thought I say this… But I missed you two's bickering."
"What do you bloody mean by that?" Ron asked, as he leaned back in his chair. Ginny flashed him a soft smile, but didn't elaborate. Hermione smiled faintly, as she grasped what was meant and return to her daughter.
"Oy… Ginny," Ron begun in all seriousness. "There will be some friends of ours coming by later. I want you to meet some of them, alright?" His sister blinked in surprise at the change in mood. "Well… Okay, that's fine." He nodded, before he glanced up at a clock on the wall. "Whoops, I'm late. See you lovely ladies later." He leaned over and kissed his wife's cheek, then his daughter's, when he walked by his sister, he ruffled her hair. He headed back out of the kitchen.
"Where's he late to?" Ginny asked, Hermione glanced in her direction and grinned. "He's usually the one that watches the front desk, while I sit with Azalea and… Your mother…" She trailed off and tipped her head towards her friend. "I'm sorry, Ginny… Are you all right?"
"No," The redhead stabbed at her eggs, before she shoved them into her mouth. "No, I'm not, Hermione… But I'll live." The older woman nodded in understanding. Ginny sighed before she continued, "I'm sorry about falling asleep like that." Hermione sniffed in her usual manner. "Nonsense, you were exhausted. I can't imagine what it has been like for you and James… We've been left pretty much alone after…" The hitch in her voice was noticeable. The redhead immediately wrapped her hand around Hermione's arm. "Hermione?"
"I'm alright, sorry, it's still very difficult."
"Did you want to talk about it?"
"No." Hermione said firmly. "But I think you deserve to know, otherwise it won't be fair when I start my questions." Ginny smirked at her friend and nodded, before she realized that the other couldn't see this, so she offered a weak, "Yeah, I guess so."
"Where to start?" Hermione commenced her version of the tale. "Well, I knew that Harry would go straight for Voldemort, so I wasn't surprise when he disappeared." Ginny made a soft sound of acknowledgement. They had all known that it had been Harry's plan. After all, the prophecy had said he would be the one to kill or be killed by Voldemort. "Harry practically ran out of the Entrance Hall, like the brave but foolish boy he was…" She shook her head. The redhead smiled forcefully, at an image of Harry sprinting off like a larger then life hero. A fresh wave of anguish rolled over her soul for what seemed like the billionth time. The younger witch busied herself with buttering her toast.
"Ron and I were left fighting some Death Eaters… Then…" Hermione hesitated a second, as her cloudy eyes shifted around. "Then… There was a horrible explosion. The ceiling collapsed down on us. Ron had gotten away unhurt. He tried to look for me, but when more Death Eaters arrived, they forced him away. I, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky to escape the initial collapse. I received a shattered right wrist, both of my legs were broken, not to mention I blacked out for a while…"
"Go on." Ginny encouraged, when Hermione wavered in her retelling of the past. The brunette snapped together and shook her head. "Well… When I came to, I heard Lucius Malfoy address more Death Eaters. He had ordered them to kill every student at Hogwarts. Not just the Mudbloods…" She spit out bitterly. "I was angry. So angry that I pushed past the blinding pain and faced him…"
There was an even longer pause, as Hermione shivered. She pressed her face to her daughter's. Ginny swallowed painfully, as she watched the strong woman shutter under the memory. "I am hardly a duel master, like Harry was… Or even Ron is, I'll be the first to admit… But I didn't care. I knew I had to stop him… B-but… I… He…"
"Hermione, you don't have to." Ginny tried, as she looked on in horror. Hermione violently quaked in her seat. "No. No, Ginny. Let me get this out." Her sister-in-law closed her eyes and took a deep, but unsteady breath of air. The redhead could only watch and bite her lip. Her hand tightened comfortingly around her friend's arm.
"One of his spells hit me in the face. And… And it… It t-took… It took my sight." She spoke faintly, as she gestured to her eyes. "I couldn't fight after that. After all, my wand had gotten away from me and I couldn't find it among the rubble…" Her eyes lifted to the ceiling of the kitchen, while tears built and then spilled over. She sucked in a rickety breath. Ginny interlaced her fingers within her friend's. Hermione squeezed her hand tightly, as if the younger woman had become her own lifeline. "It was so painful that I blacked out again."
"I guess he left me to die, because when I woke a second time, Lucius was gone. Instead… V-Voldemort had arrived to seek revenge on Ron." Her voice trembled again. Ginny couldn't decide if that was because of Voldemort's name, or the memory. "Ron and him had a short duel. Oh, it was awful, Ginny… The floor was weaken by the attack… So when Ron fell against a practically loose section after a hex, it collapsed under him! I thought he was dead!" Hermione bit her lip, "Voldemort certainly did. He left us there, just like that."
Hermione's eyebrows dipped down with a frown. "I don't know how I did it… But I crawled over the ruin Entrance Hall to find Ron. I had to know he was all right. It was very difficult, because of my legs and… My eyes." The brunette paused to gesture angrily at her eyes. "I remember praying that the floor would hold up under my weight, and that no Death Eater would come across me. They didn't. I miraculously made it to the hole where Ron was. I called down to him… But he… He was unconscious. I later found out that was because he had a concussion, and gotten stab through the side with a rebar. He almost bled to death, while I crawled around in a panic."
"But?"
"Luna and Neville found us."
"They're alive?"
"Oh yes, very much alive." Hermione smiled at Ginny for a moment. She lowered her gaze to look back down at her daughter. "Thank god for them. Otherwise, we would of both died there." Her sister-in-law cleared her throat, and finished up. "So Luna took us all to a friend of her nutty father's, a man named Kale Cunningham. He was a healer." The brunette sighed angrily, "But even he could not heal my vision. Kale said it was because the curse Malfoy used on me… We still don't know what it was. And, well, that was the end of that."
"I'm sorry, Hermione."
"Now what about you, Ginny?" Hermione asked quickly, apparently she didn't want to go into it. "I thought we left you with the underclassmen. How did you get out there with Voldemort? Ron told me, that Voldemort was about to kill you!" Ginny shrunk in her seat, and glared at her leftover breakfast. "I don't really know. I left them with some Prefects from the other houses. I wasn't really thinking about it." She wet her lips, as she wrung her hands under the table. "I ran outside Hogwarts without much trouble. It was a smoky mess." Hermione nodded in agreement, "Yes, I remember. That was because of the smoke spell Professor Snape set off. It was to help disarm Voldemort's army."
"I don't think it did much good." Ginny said. "Well… I ran through the smoke looking for Harry… I found Dumbledore instead…" Hermione jerked in her chair, redhead looked at her questionably, but continued. "Actually, I tripped over him, really. Then I heard Harry and Voldemort shouting at one another."
"Then what happened?"
"I don't know. Voldemort killed Harry." Ginny's voice quit. She then huffed and stood up. "That's it. That's all I remember." Hermione didn't move from her chair. "But how did Voldemort know about your son, Ginny? He's been looking for you, you know?" The brunette made a face. "How would he know that you were pregnant?"
"I don't know!" Ginny cried in frustration, as she walked over to the kitchen counter. "Harry did something… I don't know what it was."
"What do you mean, he did something?"
"I don't know what it was, Hermione, I told you! It was just some… Some feeling, I got."
"Feeling?"
"Yes. A ruddy feeling!" The redhead repeated harshly, "Harry did something and I got a feeling… Then Voldemort shows up, being a major prick. Talking about how Harry injected me with his spawn…"
"Do you suppose it was a protection spell, Ginny? Like Lily put on Harry?" Ginny chewed on the inside of her mouth, and mauled over that idea. "I don't know. It wouldn't work, no how, anyways… Voldemort has some of Harry's blood in him… He would still be able to touch James."
"Maybe…" Hermione agreed. "Then again, maybe it was a completely different spell. I would have to be there to know. Do you remember what it felt like, exactly? Anything at all?" Ginny grimaced; she didn't want to remember that. It was the worst day of her entire life! "I don't know. It was kind of warm and there was a wind…"
"Wind?"
"Yeah. Wind. Warm wind, and a stupid feeling that Voldemort was…"
"Was?"
"I don't know… It felt like Voldemort was in for it."
"Hmm…" Hermione mused, her brain working overtime. Ginny walked back over and flopped into her chair. She placed her elbows on the table and set her face in her hands. "It was nothing really. It didn't help anyhow, Harry's still dead. James and I are on the run…"
"Yes, but you're both alive." Hermione corrected, "I'll have to look into this, Ginny. I think this is too important to overlook." The redhead waved away the possibility. "It was nothing, Hermione! It was just a spring wind. Besides, I'm not going to allow Voldemort that close to my son to test it." There was a long beat of silence, in which the redhead entertained herself with watching Azalea blow spit bubbles."How did this happened, Hermione? How did our lives fall to pieces?" The brunette stared in her direction, before she shook her head. "It won't be like this forever, Ginny. Have hope."
"How can you be so bloody positive?"
"Because," Hermione whispered faintly. "Ginny, we have to have hope. Otherwise Voldemort will win." Ginny glared at the table, suddenly feeling like she could punch something. "He did, didn't he?"
"Oh no… Voldemort may be in power now, but he hasn't won." Hermione leaned over the table and grabbed the redhead's hand. "We're still alive, Ginny. He only wins the second we give up. As long as there is someone to fight him, we have a chance. You mustn't despair. Everything will work out," she patted Ginny's hand. "Have faith."
Ginny just gaped at the other in awe. The former Head Girl was still so positive, even after all that had happened to her. Regardless of the lost of her sight, Hermione was still fighting Voldemort. They were alive, and that was the worst mistake the dark lord could of made. He left a strong willed heroine like Hermione Granger alive to fight the war. "I'm sorry, Hermione… It's just…"
"I understand, Ginny. You've had a hard few days. We've had years to come to terms with everything. Give it time."
"—'Mione, where'd you put that new pile of invoices – what the ruddy hell is all this?!" Ron grouched, as he came back into the kitchen. The women turned to the redhead wizard, who stood with his hands on his hips and glared across the kitchen at them. The sight might have been more intimidating, if a re-transfigured redheaded James didn't hang on his leg.
"Nothing Ron, we were just catching up. And those invoices should be on that mess you call a desk."
"I looked there, Hermione…" Came his grumbled reply, "And it's not a mess!"
"It is a pigsty! You're organization skills are positively dreadful, Ron!" The witch watched the couple continue to bicker about the state of the desk, before her eyes shifted to James. He grinned wildly at her, but his teeth were stained a curious purple color. "What happened to you, Jamie?"
"Uncle Ron gave me some candy!" Ginny crossed her arms and fixed her older brother with a look, which rivaled even Mrs. Weasley's best death stares. Ron caught it and instantly withered, "What? It wears off, Ginny!"
"When?"
"Um… I don't know… Exactly – George didn't tell me that… Said it was never… Um… Test-ed."
"Never tested?" Ginny repeated angrily, "You gave my son a untested prank by that goofball?" Ron nervously glanced towards his wife for help. Hermione only shook her head. "Ronald Weasley!" She cried in disgust. "What?!" He sent a look down towards the kid, who giggled to himself. "You traitor! You weren't supposed to let her see!" James just flashed an evil smile, which Ginny knew for certain she had seen on the twins. She didn't like it one bit either. "Alright, that's it! You, go brush your teeth and pray that comes off."
"Aww…" James whined and it was Ron's turn to snicker in satisfaction. Ginny wasn't done yet. "And you, go organized that mess of a desk, because obviously you have nothing better to do then play nasty tricks on children!" Ron gave a moan of his own, and the sulking pair left the kitchen again.
Hermione twittered with laughter long after they had left. "That was marvelous, Ginny!" She cried giddily, as she clapped her hands in admiration. "I've been trying to get him to clean that desk for ages!" Ginny smiled to herself. "Yeah… Well, they made me mad."
***
TBC…
Yeesh, that was a long one.
