A/N Sorry about the wait. It's like everything exploded this week. It's still exploding I just found a free moment. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews.
Keldore- yeah, I had a thought the other day that I should have left him dead, but he has things to do. I couldn't leave poor Lily fatherless and the effect on Ginny is better with him alive I think. The tension between them should be fantastic. Thanks for reading. I love getting reviews from new people.
Dementorchic- I can make no promises about the ghosts and what they said. You know Harry. Thanks again for reading and reviewing.
Lolua- I reread the part you were talking about and I didn't get that at all from the book. Maybe I read wrong. I'll go back and read the whole thing. But as for that happening…kind of. Be prepared. And I thought I used big words all the time. ;) Yeah Bane is alright when he'd been away from his grandma for a while, though only with Lily. The others could die and he wouldn't care so long as she was okay. I'm sorry to disappoint with the letter, but you must tell me what you thought was written there. As for a tussle between Mione and Harry…I dunno yet. But the tension between Harry and Ginny and Neville is going to be wonderful. Can't wait to get it written. Thanks for reading. Keep it up with the long reviews they are so much fun to read.
kangabear- Every thing will not be okay, but I swear it does get better. Keep reading. And keep reviewing. Haven't seen you about in a while.
(Hermione)
Ron lay sleeping, knees up, one arm beneath his head, the other wrapped over his chest. He mumbled occasionally and twitched, but the sleeping draught had done it's work. If I could have made his mind rest dreamlessly I would have, but the potion for that would have taken to long to make. So he dreamed and cried out, forever trying to save his friend and forever failing.
My heart ached at the loss of Harry, but my pain was nothing to that of my husband. I had lost a good friend, Ron had lost a brother. I remembered his joy after the final battle, how often he told me about their pact. There had been no need to share blood, enough had been spilt that night to satisfy any oath. Upon their return Ron fussed over both his new siblings, and complained good naturedly that he already had too many brothers.
Later though, when things had calmed and we lay in bed, he pulled me close. His eyes were pained somewhat.
"I'm going to die in battle." He whispered.
I frowned, "What are you talking about?"
"If not in battle then at least I'll die when Harry dies."
I stared at him, looking for the humour in his eyes and finding none.
"How do you know that?"
"We're brothers. That's what brothers do."
"You've lost three of your real brothers and you are still here." I reminded him, regretting the words immediately.
"That's not the kind of brother I meant."
"I know." I admitted and took his hand in mine.
"It's not the family we are born into, but the family we choose that matters. Harry is more my brother than Bill, Charlie or Percy ever were. When Harry dies, I'll die too."
"What about Neville? Will he die then?"
Ron thought for a long moment, "No. Neville is the survivor. He'll go on to be old and grey. Someone has to remember that we were brothers."
"So you would leave me, then?" I asked feeling selfish as I did.
His eyes softened and caroused fingers squeezed my own.
"It's not going to happen for a long time. I promise. And when it does, I'll still be around. I'd never leave you completely."
Still he slept, fingers moving mindlessly, eyes darting beneath their lids. I watched and gently petted the red hair sticking from beneath his bandage. Despite how he hurt, I was glad he had not fallen in battle next to his brother. I love him more than life, if he were gone I'd never make it through. I could never raise our children alone, I could never lay in bed without him there to wrap his arm around me. In the end, I was nothing but selfish.
"He does love you." Arthur Weasley said from behind me in the doorway.
"I know."
"He'd die for you."
"I know."
Slowly I sat up and looked at my father-in-law. His kind face smiled back sadly.
"He blames himself." Arthur murmured glancing at his son's sleeping form.
"No. It isn't that Harry is dead, it's that Harry died without him." I corrected brushing my finger tips over Ron's cheek.
Arthur swallowed hard, "Do you think he'll try to hurt himself?"
"I don't know. I don't think he should be left alone for a while." I answered.
The older man nodded.
"He does love you, though. I know it."
"I know." I repeated.
"He'd kill for you, die to keep you safe. You are the one he cares for most in this world. Without Harry, though, he just ceases to be Ron. He's lost a piece of himself. Friendship is hard like that."
Arthur came and sat next to me on the bed, his eyes never leaving Ron's face.
"I gave him a potion. He'll sleep for another hour or so." I said quietly.
"He's dreaming."
"Dreamless Sleep takes too long to make, he needed to rest."
He patted his son's knee lovingly and looked to me, "How are you?"
"I'll be alright, I think."
"Hermione!" Someone shouted running up the stairs.
"What?" I asked as Fred stood frowning in the doorway.
"An owl just arrived with a message. It's addressed to you and the bird won't let anyone else touch it." He explained.
"Who's it from?"
"I don't know, bloody bird wouldn't let us close enough to see." Fred grumbled rubbed a red bump on his arm that I took to be a bite.
"I'm coming." I answered.
"I'll stay with him." Arthur offered as I stood.
I nodded and followed Fred downstairs. George and Tonks were standing a safe distance away from a large familiar looking owl. It hooted loudly when it saw me and Tonks raised her cane as if to fight it off. However instead of attacking it lifted it's leg and allowed me to take the letter. I said my thanks and it flew for the door which Fred gratefully opened.
The note was short and cryptic.
Get to the children.
Draco
I frowned and handed the small piece of parchment to George who simply stared at it blankly.
"What does it mean?" He asked.
"I don't know." I replied.
"Let me see." Tonks said and took it from him.
Fred read it over her shoulder and we all gazed curiously at each other.
"He must know something we don't." Fred stated.
"His writing is a bit strange, it's his though. Perhaps he was in a hurry." I suggested.
"Do we take it seriously though?" Tonks put in.
"Yes." George said as if it were obvious.
"Why? It might be a trap." Fred asked.
"He's pretty much a spy, gleaning information from his mother. Chances are she caught him, and now whatever or whoever is attacking us knows where the kids are and is headed that way. I say we load up and head out immediately." He replied.
I nodded and went to change clothes and tell Arthur what we were doing. Ron had shifted in his sleep and now lay with his head pillowed by his father's lap. He still trembled with nightmares, but the older man's strong hands held him still.
"Something has happened and we have to go and get the children." I explained digging out some different clothing.
"What?" He asked looking up from his son.
"I'm not sure. Draco sent me a note, told me to go and get the children. We think someone found out where they were. Probably whoever … whoever killed Harry." I stammered for a moment.
"Are Fred and George going with you?"
"I don't know. I think so."
"I'll leave you to change. Call me when you get done and I'll be back to stay with him."
I thanked him and watched as the door shut, feeling a heaviness grow in my chest. Quickly I slipped on different clothing and shoved my feet into my boots. Ron stirred slightly and I sat down next to him, touching his warm shoulder.
"Ron." I said shaking him gently.
His eyes opened slightly and he gazed at me blearily.
"I'm going to get the children." I said.
He muttered something and tried to sit up only to fall back onto the bed.
"I'll be back soon."
"Don't leave me." He managed hoarsely.
"I'll be back." I repeated and pressed a kiss to his lips.
"I'm coming." Again he struggled to get up.
"No. You stay and rest. I promise I'll come back."
He nodded.
"I'm going." I whispered.
"Wait." He muttered.
I paused and watched him curl up again.
"Kiss." He said.
I smiled a little and pressed my lips to his, once more
"Bye." He murmured and was asleep before I reached the door.
Arthur was standing outside looking worried.
"There is another bottle of sleeping potion in the kitchen, give it to him in an hour. Keep him asleep until I come back." I ordered.
"Why?"
"He keeps trying to come with me. He's in no condition to do much of anything, let along go running around in the Forbidden Forest."
My father-in-law frowned and hugged me quickly before attending to his son.
"George is staying here, it's just you and I." Fred announced as I came to the living room.
"Why?" I asked.
"Dad is with Ron and Tonks would be by herself, I didn't think it was wise to leave her on her own. Remus doesn't. She's a bit miffed, but it's just you and I." Fred explained taking out his wand to disapparate.
I followed suit.
(Neville)
I remembered the Forbidden Forest well from my school years. It was dark and slightly damp, things hung from trees and slapped my face as we walked. Several times something rustled in the underbrush near my feet and I jumped a little. Strange calls and growls echoed around us, and I thought I saw augurey high up in a tree, but when I looked again it was gone. Ginny seemed unaffected by all these things. Her steps carried her ever onward.
Occasionally she would stop and pull out her wand to whisper a spell into the air, tiny balls of light from the end of her wand flew off in every direction. When one of them returned it meant that the object we were seeking had been located. Patiently we would wait, staring out into the dusky fog, nothing happened and we continued on.
Few words passed between us. She seemed intent upon the quest and I found talking to her difficult suddenly. My feelings were not hurt that she regretted our time together, she stood to lose everything, I was on my own. Guilt rose in my chest occasionally. Not guilt over having her, but guilt that she was not mine to have. The feeling was complicated and grew worse the longer I thought about it.
"Did you hear that?" She asked suddenly, holding a hand to stop me.
I listened, "No."
Quickly she did the searching spell again and we waited. It seemed hours before the minute golden ball bounced back and landed atop her wand. Before I could stop her she ran off in the direction the ball had come from.
"Ginny, wait." I called, running after her.
Through the trees I could barely see the outline of her, running haphazardly. Suddenly she was gone. I stood very still, listening for her voice, or the sound of her breathing. Nothing.
"Neville! He's alive!" Her cry was bursting with surprise.
I frowned and followed her voice, thinking she must be imagining things. Instead, I found her kneeling over Harry's body, touching his face, his hands, every part she could. As he whispered back to her urgent words I knew how much they loved each other. I was the intruder, the outsider.
"He's lost a lot of blood." She said inspecting the wound to his abdomen.
"It looks as though it's begun to heal." I said kneeling down reluctantly beside her.
"How odd." She commented.
Glancing at the ground I realized why he had survived.
"Dittany." I said holding up a bit of it.
"What?"
"Dittany, a plant. It's liquid it excretes when damaged has healing properties. Harry landed in a patch of it." I nearly laughed at the crazy luck of The Boy Who Lived.
"So he gets hurt and then lands on the plants and they heal him up a little?" She asked still inspecting his wounds.
"It's about as improbable as surviving the killing curse, but then he's done that before as well."
She smiled faintly, "He'll have another scar."
Her fingers lingered over his stomach, tracing over the blood covered surface and I remembered her face when she had seen the marring of my own abdomen. The long pink line of skin startled her and she had looked up at me strangely.
"What's this?" She asked, kissing it gently.
"Diffendo to the stomach, remember?" I asked trying to pull her back up to me.
"I remember." Her tongue had traced it's outline and I gasped her name.
A shiver ran through me as I shoved it from my thoughts. Something like satisfaction remained however, I didn't want her anymore. The feelings I had felt before were gone.
"He's got plenty, that's what makes him Harry." I answered.
"I wish Draco could have given more information on whoever attacked them. I hate being out here." She whispered while rummaging through her bag.
The bottle she pulled out was half full of an amber liquid I didn't recognize. She carefully pried her husbands lips apart and poured the contents in his mouth. I didn't hear what she whispered to him, but he smiled a little and fell fast asleep.
"That should keep him out for a while. Help me clean him up a little and get him bandaged. I wish I could do something for his throat. Nasty bruise there." She seemed to be talking mostly to herself.
"We need to get him out of here." I reminded her.
"He can't be moved yet, he's already reopened the wound once. He's lost a lot of blood, too." She wiped a tear from her face and began looking for something in her bag again.
I remained silent as we dressed his injuries. She wept part of the time, never looking at me. I hated to see her upset, but it wasn't my place to comfort her.
"Thank you for coming with me." She whispered as I gently lay rubbed a salve on the ugly blue contusion that covered Harry's neck.
"I couldn't let you go alone." I answered.
"Thank you. And thank you … thank you for offering to care for Lily and I. It meant a lot to me. You didn't have to do that." She sat back and pulled her knees to her chest.
"What was I supposed to do, then? Let you be alone for the rest of your life?" I asked somewhat upset.
She sighed and ran a hand through her tangled red hair, spreading blood and dirt along it's length. It seemed there was not a clean patch on either of us, the ordeal of caring for my injured friend had covered us both in the bright red liquid.
"You're alone." Her voice was so low I hardly heard her.
Several responses came to mind, but instead I simply wet my lips and turned away to look off into the forest.
"I thought he was gone. I thought I'd have to spend the rest of my life without him and I got scared. Despite how angry I was and all the things we said, I still love him."
Still I said nothing.
"Neville? How did you ever manage?"
"She's waiting for me." I replied and kicked at the dirt.
For another hour we sat; her next to Harry and I off a ways facing the trees. I wondered about my daughters. They hadn't wanted to go to the haven and I really hadn't wanted to let them. The further away they were, the more empty I felt. In my minds eye I saw them laughing, blonde curls bouncing, blue eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Ginny." Harry moaned thickly.
"We're here." She assured him.
I hurried to them and knelt down, ready to help.
"Draco." He said trying to sit up.
"He's not here. We don't know where he is." Ginny explained and motioned for me to help him sit.
I slipped an arm around his shoulders and lifted up upright.
"No. Draco did this." He began to cough.
"What do you mean? Try to talk a little quieter, Your throat is swollen."
When the coughing had subsided he seemed frantic that we understand, "It was Draco who attacked me. He hit Ron over the head and tried to kill me."
A cold wave of fear washed over me. I prayed that Harry was mistaken, but knew he couldn't be. It was all to perfect. Draco writes Hermione, pretends to spy so he can get into our headquarters, feigns a headache so no one will suspect him as he attacks my daughters and I, goes with Harry to retrieve the children and tries to kill him on the way. Everything fit perfectly. That meant that after he brought Ron back, he must have gone to find the children.
"We've got to get going." I said and started to lift Harry up.
"I don't understand." Ginny stated and stood next to us.
"It's been Draco all along." Harry said.
"How far from the children are we?" She asked as we began to walk to the path.
"I don't know, Hopefully not far." Harry answered.
His steps were stumbling and uneven, but I managed to keep him moving. My arm ached with his weight and I knew Ginny would eventually have to support him.
"We'd better hurry then, the sun will set soon." I said.
Keldore- yeah, I had a thought the other day that I should have left him dead, but he has things to do. I couldn't leave poor Lily fatherless and the effect on Ginny is better with him alive I think. The tension between them should be fantastic. Thanks for reading. I love getting reviews from new people.
Dementorchic- I can make no promises about the ghosts and what they said. You know Harry. Thanks again for reading and reviewing.
Lolua- I reread the part you were talking about and I didn't get that at all from the book. Maybe I read wrong. I'll go back and read the whole thing. But as for that happening…kind of. Be prepared. And I thought I used big words all the time. ;) Yeah Bane is alright when he'd been away from his grandma for a while, though only with Lily. The others could die and he wouldn't care so long as she was okay. I'm sorry to disappoint with the letter, but you must tell me what you thought was written there. As for a tussle between Mione and Harry…I dunno yet. But the tension between Harry and Ginny and Neville is going to be wonderful. Can't wait to get it written. Thanks for reading. Keep it up with the long reviews they are so much fun to read.
kangabear- Every thing will not be okay, but I swear it does get better. Keep reading. And keep reviewing. Haven't seen you about in a while.
(Hermione)
Ron lay sleeping, knees up, one arm beneath his head, the other wrapped over his chest. He mumbled occasionally and twitched, but the sleeping draught had done it's work. If I could have made his mind rest dreamlessly I would have, but the potion for that would have taken to long to make. So he dreamed and cried out, forever trying to save his friend and forever failing.
My heart ached at the loss of Harry, but my pain was nothing to that of my husband. I had lost a good friend, Ron had lost a brother. I remembered his joy after the final battle, how often he told me about their pact. There had been no need to share blood, enough had been spilt that night to satisfy any oath. Upon their return Ron fussed over both his new siblings, and complained good naturedly that he already had too many brothers.
Later though, when things had calmed and we lay in bed, he pulled me close. His eyes were pained somewhat.
"I'm going to die in battle." He whispered.
I frowned, "What are you talking about?"
"If not in battle then at least I'll die when Harry dies."
I stared at him, looking for the humour in his eyes and finding none.
"How do you know that?"
"We're brothers. That's what brothers do."
"You've lost three of your real brothers and you are still here." I reminded him, regretting the words immediately.
"That's not the kind of brother I meant."
"I know." I admitted and took his hand in mine.
"It's not the family we are born into, but the family we choose that matters. Harry is more my brother than Bill, Charlie or Percy ever were. When Harry dies, I'll die too."
"What about Neville? Will he die then?"
Ron thought for a long moment, "No. Neville is the survivor. He'll go on to be old and grey. Someone has to remember that we were brothers."
"So you would leave me, then?" I asked feeling selfish as I did.
His eyes softened and caroused fingers squeezed my own.
"It's not going to happen for a long time. I promise. And when it does, I'll still be around. I'd never leave you completely."
Still he slept, fingers moving mindlessly, eyes darting beneath their lids. I watched and gently petted the red hair sticking from beneath his bandage. Despite how he hurt, I was glad he had not fallen in battle next to his brother. I love him more than life, if he were gone I'd never make it through. I could never raise our children alone, I could never lay in bed without him there to wrap his arm around me. In the end, I was nothing but selfish.
"He does love you." Arthur Weasley said from behind me in the doorway.
"I know."
"He'd die for you."
"I know."
Slowly I sat up and looked at my father-in-law. His kind face smiled back sadly.
"He blames himself." Arthur murmured glancing at his son's sleeping form.
"No. It isn't that Harry is dead, it's that Harry died without him." I corrected brushing my finger tips over Ron's cheek.
Arthur swallowed hard, "Do you think he'll try to hurt himself?"
"I don't know. I don't think he should be left alone for a while." I answered.
The older man nodded.
"He does love you, though. I know it."
"I know." I repeated.
"He'd kill for you, die to keep you safe. You are the one he cares for most in this world. Without Harry, though, he just ceases to be Ron. He's lost a piece of himself. Friendship is hard like that."
Arthur came and sat next to me on the bed, his eyes never leaving Ron's face.
"I gave him a potion. He'll sleep for another hour or so." I said quietly.
"He's dreaming."
"Dreamless Sleep takes too long to make, he needed to rest."
He patted his son's knee lovingly and looked to me, "How are you?"
"I'll be alright, I think."
"Hermione!" Someone shouted running up the stairs.
"What?" I asked as Fred stood frowning in the doorway.
"An owl just arrived with a message. It's addressed to you and the bird won't let anyone else touch it." He explained.
"Who's it from?"
"I don't know, bloody bird wouldn't let us close enough to see." Fred grumbled rubbed a red bump on his arm that I took to be a bite.
"I'm coming." I answered.
"I'll stay with him." Arthur offered as I stood.
I nodded and followed Fred downstairs. George and Tonks were standing a safe distance away from a large familiar looking owl. It hooted loudly when it saw me and Tonks raised her cane as if to fight it off. However instead of attacking it lifted it's leg and allowed me to take the letter. I said my thanks and it flew for the door which Fred gratefully opened.
The note was short and cryptic.
Get to the children.
Draco
I frowned and handed the small piece of parchment to George who simply stared at it blankly.
"What does it mean?" He asked.
"I don't know." I replied.
"Let me see." Tonks said and took it from him.
Fred read it over her shoulder and we all gazed curiously at each other.
"He must know something we don't." Fred stated.
"His writing is a bit strange, it's his though. Perhaps he was in a hurry." I suggested.
"Do we take it seriously though?" Tonks put in.
"Yes." George said as if it were obvious.
"Why? It might be a trap." Fred asked.
"He's pretty much a spy, gleaning information from his mother. Chances are she caught him, and now whatever or whoever is attacking us knows where the kids are and is headed that way. I say we load up and head out immediately." He replied.
I nodded and went to change clothes and tell Arthur what we were doing. Ron had shifted in his sleep and now lay with his head pillowed by his father's lap. He still trembled with nightmares, but the older man's strong hands held him still.
"Something has happened and we have to go and get the children." I explained digging out some different clothing.
"What?" He asked looking up from his son.
"I'm not sure. Draco sent me a note, told me to go and get the children. We think someone found out where they were. Probably whoever … whoever killed Harry." I stammered for a moment.
"Are Fred and George going with you?"
"I don't know. I think so."
"I'll leave you to change. Call me when you get done and I'll be back to stay with him."
I thanked him and watched as the door shut, feeling a heaviness grow in my chest. Quickly I slipped on different clothing and shoved my feet into my boots. Ron stirred slightly and I sat down next to him, touching his warm shoulder.
"Ron." I said shaking him gently.
His eyes opened slightly and he gazed at me blearily.
"I'm going to get the children." I said.
He muttered something and tried to sit up only to fall back onto the bed.
"I'll be back soon."
"Don't leave me." He managed hoarsely.
"I'll be back." I repeated and pressed a kiss to his lips.
"I'm coming." Again he struggled to get up.
"No. You stay and rest. I promise I'll come back."
He nodded.
"I'm going." I whispered.
"Wait." He muttered.
I paused and watched him curl up again.
"Kiss." He said.
I smiled a little and pressed my lips to his, once more
"Bye." He murmured and was asleep before I reached the door.
Arthur was standing outside looking worried.
"There is another bottle of sleeping potion in the kitchen, give it to him in an hour. Keep him asleep until I come back." I ordered.
"Why?"
"He keeps trying to come with me. He's in no condition to do much of anything, let along go running around in the Forbidden Forest."
My father-in-law frowned and hugged me quickly before attending to his son.
"George is staying here, it's just you and I." Fred announced as I came to the living room.
"Why?" I asked.
"Dad is with Ron and Tonks would be by herself, I didn't think it was wise to leave her on her own. Remus doesn't. She's a bit miffed, but it's just you and I." Fred explained taking out his wand to disapparate.
I followed suit.
(Neville)
I remembered the Forbidden Forest well from my school years. It was dark and slightly damp, things hung from trees and slapped my face as we walked. Several times something rustled in the underbrush near my feet and I jumped a little. Strange calls and growls echoed around us, and I thought I saw augurey high up in a tree, but when I looked again it was gone. Ginny seemed unaffected by all these things. Her steps carried her ever onward.
Occasionally she would stop and pull out her wand to whisper a spell into the air, tiny balls of light from the end of her wand flew off in every direction. When one of them returned it meant that the object we were seeking had been located. Patiently we would wait, staring out into the dusky fog, nothing happened and we continued on.
Few words passed between us. She seemed intent upon the quest and I found talking to her difficult suddenly. My feelings were not hurt that she regretted our time together, she stood to lose everything, I was on my own. Guilt rose in my chest occasionally. Not guilt over having her, but guilt that she was not mine to have. The feeling was complicated and grew worse the longer I thought about it.
"Did you hear that?" She asked suddenly, holding a hand to stop me.
I listened, "No."
Quickly she did the searching spell again and we waited. It seemed hours before the minute golden ball bounced back and landed atop her wand. Before I could stop her she ran off in the direction the ball had come from.
"Ginny, wait." I called, running after her.
Through the trees I could barely see the outline of her, running haphazardly. Suddenly she was gone. I stood very still, listening for her voice, or the sound of her breathing. Nothing.
"Neville! He's alive!" Her cry was bursting with surprise.
I frowned and followed her voice, thinking she must be imagining things. Instead, I found her kneeling over Harry's body, touching his face, his hands, every part she could. As he whispered back to her urgent words I knew how much they loved each other. I was the intruder, the outsider.
"He's lost a lot of blood." She said inspecting the wound to his abdomen.
"It looks as though it's begun to heal." I said kneeling down reluctantly beside her.
"How odd." She commented.
Glancing at the ground I realized why he had survived.
"Dittany." I said holding up a bit of it.
"What?"
"Dittany, a plant. It's liquid it excretes when damaged has healing properties. Harry landed in a patch of it." I nearly laughed at the crazy luck of The Boy Who Lived.
"So he gets hurt and then lands on the plants and they heal him up a little?" She asked still inspecting his wounds.
"It's about as improbable as surviving the killing curse, but then he's done that before as well."
She smiled faintly, "He'll have another scar."
Her fingers lingered over his stomach, tracing over the blood covered surface and I remembered her face when she had seen the marring of my own abdomen. The long pink line of skin startled her and she had looked up at me strangely.
"What's this?" She asked, kissing it gently.
"Diffendo to the stomach, remember?" I asked trying to pull her back up to me.
"I remember." Her tongue had traced it's outline and I gasped her name.
A shiver ran through me as I shoved it from my thoughts. Something like satisfaction remained however, I didn't want her anymore. The feelings I had felt before were gone.
"He's got plenty, that's what makes him Harry." I answered.
"I wish Draco could have given more information on whoever attacked them. I hate being out here." She whispered while rummaging through her bag.
The bottle she pulled out was half full of an amber liquid I didn't recognize. She carefully pried her husbands lips apart and poured the contents in his mouth. I didn't hear what she whispered to him, but he smiled a little and fell fast asleep.
"That should keep him out for a while. Help me clean him up a little and get him bandaged. I wish I could do something for his throat. Nasty bruise there." She seemed to be talking mostly to herself.
"We need to get him out of here." I reminded her.
"He can't be moved yet, he's already reopened the wound once. He's lost a lot of blood, too." She wiped a tear from her face and began looking for something in her bag again.
I remained silent as we dressed his injuries. She wept part of the time, never looking at me. I hated to see her upset, but it wasn't my place to comfort her.
"Thank you for coming with me." She whispered as I gently lay rubbed a salve on the ugly blue contusion that covered Harry's neck.
"I couldn't let you go alone." I answered.
"Thank you. And thank you … thank you for offering to care for Lily and I. It meant a lot to me. You didn't have to do that." She sat back and pulled her knees to her chest.
"What was I supposed to do, then? Let you be alone for the rest of your life?" I asked somewhat upset.
She sighed and ran a hand through her tangled red hair, spreading blood and dirt along it's length. It seemed there was not a clean patch on either of us, the ordeal of caring for my injured friend had covered us both in the bright red liquid.
"You're alone." Her voice was so low I hardly heard her.
Several responses came to mind, but instead I simply wet my lips and turned away to look off into the forest.
"I thought he was gone. I thought I'd have to spend the rest of my life without him and I got scared. Despite how angry I was and all the things we said, I still love him."
Still I said nothing.
"Neville? How did you ever manage?"
"She's waiting for me." I replied and kicked at the dirt.
For another hour we sat; her next to Harry and I off a ways facing the trees. I wondered about my daughters. They hadn't wanted to go to the haven and I really hadn't wanted to let them. The further away they were, the more empty I felt. In my minds eye I saw them laughing, blonde curls bouncing, blue eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Ginny." Harry moaned thickly.
"We're here." She assured him.
I hurried to them and knelt down, ready to help.
"Draco." He said trying to sit up.
"He's not here. We don't know where he is." Ginny explained and motioned for me to help him sit.
I slipped an arm around his shoulders and lifted up upright.
"No. Draco did this." He began to cough.
"What do you mean? Try to talk a little quieter, Your throat is swollen."
When the coughing had subsided he seemed frantic that we understand, "It was Draco who attacked me. He hit Ron over the head and tried to kill me."
A cold wave of fear washed over me. I prayed that Harry was mistaken, but knew he couldn't be. It was all to perfect. Draco writes Hermione, pretends to spy so he can get into our headquarters, feigns a headache so no one will suspect him as he attacks my daughters and I, goes with Harry to retrieve the children and tries to kill him on the way. Everything fit perfectly. That meant that after he brought Ron back, he must have gone to find the children.
"We've got to get going." I said and started to lift Harry up.
"I don't understand." Ginny stated and stood next to us.
"It's been Draco all along." Harry said.
"How far from the children are we?" She asked as we began to walk to the path.
"I don't know, Hopefully not far." Harry answered.
His steps were stumbling and uneven, but I managed to keep him moving. My arm ached with his weight and I knew Ginny would eventually have to support him.
"We'd better hurry then, the sun will set soon." I said.