A/N So sorry for the lack of updates. Wedding planning is hard stuff and inspiration was often at a minimum. Work has been difficult as well, but here is the next chapter and it's a looong one too.
Lolua - you have been so great to put up with my insanity. As well as putting up with Snape living in your closet. At least you can rest assured he will not be stealing your shampoo. Thank you for your great reviews and I hope you don't mind I changed parts of this from what you've seen.
Dementorchic - Lily is growing up a lot right now. And she has to make a few choices along the way. I'm glad Harry didn't die as well. He has things to do. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Louise - You are not the only person who wants to hit Narcissa over the head. I despise her with all of my being. She's evil and conniving and doesn't love her son at all. Draco was not stunned because well, he was Voldemort and while I didn't explain it well I think he was protected by some kind of spell. Or perhaps he has just developed a resistance to them. I'm not sure. As for him going into Bane's body. We must remember that while Bane is a vessel he is very young and couldn't be a host to Voldemort without eventually dying and thus defeating the purpose of the vessel. So I doubt Bane will be possessed though that certainly would have throw a wrench into the works. Thanks so much for taking the time to review.
(Ron)
I woke feeling dead inside. My eyes remained shut as I tried to remember where I was, what had happened. Through the darkness I saw a dim light, the glow of a wand. In that light two eyes stared at me, bright green and completely empty. Suppressing a sob I sat upright and looked about me. The room was familiar, I was at Grimmauld Place.
"All right there, Son?" My father's voice asked.
I turned to see him sitting in a chair by the bed.
"Where's Hermione?" I asked gripping the covers in my fists.
"She left to get the children."
I swallowed hard and laid back down, still clutching the blanket spasmodically. Everything came back to me. The fight, Harry's death, the trip back, Neville and Ginny going to find Harry, Hermione leaving to get the children. My body began to shake again.
There was a shift of the bed and my father's arms wrapped around me tightly. I did not cry, merely pressed my face against his shoulder and shook. It felt as though my bones might shake apart, only those warm loving arms held me together. I hugged him back, fearing what might happen if he let go.
"Where did Hermione go?" I asked again, slowly breathing out.
"To get the children."
I frowned and pulled away to look him in the eyes.
"In the forest?"
"Yes."
Quickly I climbed out of bed and got to my feet. Walking was difficult as the world kept moving even when I had stopped.
"You can't." My father said sternly and followed me to the door.
Clenching my jaw hurt and I remembered the blow to my head.
"Why not?" I growled and caught myself on the door frame.
Something flashed in my father's eyes that I had not seen since my mother died. Determination.
"You can't apparate in this condition." He stated.
"I'll find another way. I'm not leaving my family out there to die."
"Hermione is a smart witch. She can take care of herself. Besides, Fred went with her. She isn't alone."
I closed my eyes against the slowly tilting room, but refused to go back to bed.
"No. You don't understand."
"Please, Son. Before you hurt yourself worse, come back and lay down." His hand touched my arm and I jerked away roughly.
"My children are out there with whatever attacked me. The thing that killed Harry. I have to go."
A cold feeling was crawling up my spine, if something happened to Hermione I would truly be alone. The trembling started again, I kept it under control.
"I know, but you would be no good to anyone like this."
"Then at least I could do what I'm supposed to do and die with them." I cried wrapping my arms around myself tightly.
Again my father held me.
"Give it some time. If they aren't back by tomorrow I will go looking for them with you." he assured me.
"It could be too late by then." I protested.
He didn't answer, simply led me back to bed. I dozed off and on, trying not to dream. Sometimes there were visions of school, Harry and I playing Quidditch. Or myself dancing with Hermione at our wedding. My children playing in the yard. There were a million beginnings. But, no matter how it began, everything ended with a pair of green eyes staring blankly at me from the darkness.
Hours passed in this fashion. My father petting my hair gently as he cradled my head in his lap and my mind restlessly moving from subject to subject. Sometimes he would speak, tell me stories I hadn't heard since I was a child. He told me how he and my mother met and how she had nearly died giving birth to me. There were tales of his school days and the trouble he got into. Every word made me feel safe and calmed my racing heart.
When I next woke the sun had set and darkness covered the room. As I sat up Father lit the lamp and blinked at me sleepily.
"How do you feel?" He asked standing by the bed,.
"I'm alright." I replied.
"Are you hungry?"
I nodded half heartedly and let him help me to my feet. It was strange having to depend on him so much. For so long I had been the strong one, the father, the husband, the best friend, the big brother, and suddenly all of that was gone. Even though I no longer needed him as a crutch I enjoyed his arm around my shoulders and the worried glances he sent me.
"Dad?" I asked very quietly.
"Yes?"
Carefully we began descending the stairs, he stayed one step ahead and let me use him for balance. A dull throb began at the back of my head.
"Do you miss Mum?"
He paused and stood looking at me thoughtfully. Old pain made a sheen of tears over his eyes.
"Every day."
"And my brothers?"
"I loved you all so very much." He answered and reached for my hand.
Leaning heavily on it I made it down the stairs. My brother's deaths were not casually discussed. They had died bravely in battle. For so long we had thought Percy a traitor. He never made contact or spoke with us, all correspondence was returned. It broke my mother's heart. When Bill and Charlie volunteered for a mission the last person they expected to see was Percy. No one is sure what happened exactly, but it ended with Percy fighting side by side with our brothers. The bodies were discovered later, his splayed across the other two protectively, as though he had tried shelter them even after they had died.
"Your mother was my only strength after your brothers died. Somehow she managed to be with me every time I needed her. I'd never been so thankful for her."
His voice caught a little and I thought he was finished.
"When she died," He swallowed, "I wanted to crawl into that coffin with her. I almost did."
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you didn't."
He smiled then, "If I had I'd have never known my grandchildren."
"I should have gone with her."
"She's coming back. Just give her some time."
As he said that we arrived at the dining room. George and Tonks sat talking quietly until they saw us.
"How are you feeling?" George asked standing to help me to a chair.
"Not so good." I answered.
"Any word?" Dad queried as he too sat down.
"Nothing yet." My brother answered.
"Did you come all the way down here to ask us that?" Tonks exclaimed.
"No. I'm hungry."
She smiled warmly, but I saw the stress behind it.
"I'll go and dig up something from the kitchen." She offered.
"Let me help you." Dad said beginning to stand.
"No. I'll do it. Have to do something, beginning to feel restless."
She left the room and we could hear her cane tapping down the stairs.
"How is she holding up?" I asked.
"You know Tonks. She's worried to death about Remus, but she won't say anything. It's all in how she moves. Funny, but when she's anxious she's less of a klutz. Since this mess began I haven't seen her knock one thing over or miss use a single spell." George replied with half a smile.
As though in response to his statement there was a crash from the kitchen. Dad laughed and shook his head.
"Did Hermione or Fred say when they would get back? Anything?" My voice quavered just a little.
"No. We got a letter from Draco telling us to go and get the children. They left and we stayed." My brother said shrugging.
"Letter?"
"Yeah. An owl showed up with a letter. Very short and to the point. Had the Malfoy seal on it. Said that we needed to go to the children."
"Why?"
"As far as I could tell, Draco was found out. He was getting all that information from his mother, as vague as it was, and handing it over to us. She must have caught him and found the location of the children."
I took a moment to process this and went to stand up, but George caught my arm.
"I'm just as worried as you are," He assured me and pulled me down to my chair again, "But they left right after getting the letter, he wouldn't have sent it if there wasn't time for them to do something about it. I'm sure they are on their way home now."
"How do we know nothing has happened? How do we know that they aren't all dead?" I cried trying to shake his hand off.
"Believe me, little brother, I'd know if something had happened."
"What are you talking about? We have to do something."
"Fred is my twin, I'd know if he were dead. Trust me."
"But…" I started again.
"I'd know." He cut me off.
"Calm down, son. You'll get dizzy again." Dad said patting my shoulder gently.
He was right of course, the blood was already pounding in my ears. I barely heard Tonks say that she had made soup, I didn't hear what kind. Very slowly the throbbed eased and I managed to hold down a few spoonfuls of broth. My stomach wouldn't accept more than that and I refused to force it.
I pushed the bowl away and laid my head on the smooth wooden table, listening to my brother and father talk. Occasionally Tonks' voice would interrupt. The words blended together and became tangled in my mind. Soon I was drifting along peacefully with an empty mind.
A noise startled all of us and I sat upright in my chair.
"That was the door." George said and stood up so fast the his chair fell over.
Before I could stand he was out of the room and racing down the stairs to the door. My father let me leave first, gripping the wall tightly as I made my way after my brother. Tonks was following quickly as well, her footsteps uneven and faltering. Ahead I saw people moving in the entryway.
"Daddy!" Two voices chorused my daughters latched themselves onto my legs as I stepped down the last stair.
"There's my angels." I said and lifted Mia in to my arms, kissing both her cheeks and hugging her tightly.
"Pick me up too." Mab insisted and I obliged nearly falling over.
"I missed you both so much."
A hand touched my shoulder and I looked up to find my wife next to me. Our son sniffling in her arms.
"What happened?" I asked over my children's heads.
"I'll explain later." She said and pulled me against her with her free hand.
I closed my eyes and loved my family.
"Get him upstairs." Ginny was saying.
Opening my eyes I saw Neville carrying something limp, cradled gently to him. My breath caught as I realized what it was. Setting my daughters down I tried to reach them. I needed to see Harry's body. I needed to tell him how sorry I was.
"I'll be up in a minute. Just make him comfortable as you can." My sister ordered and turned to help Fred who was bleeding a little from his shoulder.
None of it made sense, he was dead. Why was he being taken to a room? I didn't understand.
"Ron. Ron." Hermione said and grabbed my arm.
"What? What's going on?"
Someone pushed me aside a little, Remus was helping Draco up the stairs to a room as well. I noticed Lily and Bane following after, hand in hand.
"Come on. I'll explain. Lets get Meshach settled in bed. He's not doing so well." The hitch in her voice was not lost on me.
Reluctantly I followed her to the bedroom I had been inhabiting. The girls stood quietly beside the bed, their faces dark with emotions I couldn't read. Very gently Hermione changed our son' clothing to one of my tee shirts and slipped him beneath the covers. Before she had finished Mia and Mab had joined him. They wrapped their arms around his sleeping form and held on tightly.
"Sit down, this could take a few minutes." Hermione suggested.
I obeyed gladly, there was still a slight throbbing in my wound.
"So?" I prompted.
"Just promise to stay put until I'm done."
I nodded and she began.
(Remus)
My eyes searched for Tonks over the heads of the others who were crowded within the foyer. I kept pushing my way through, dragging Draco with me, looking for the slight figure leaning on her cane. No one seemed quite sure what to do , children hurried around my legs to their parents and several of the adults were clinging to each other for dear life. Finally I gave up my quest and headed for the stairs.
As we had made our way through the forest Draco had gotten steadily heavier, his body exhausted and leaning more and more on me. Never did he complain, or say anything about pain, but I knew that like the rest of us, he wanted desperately to lay down and sleep. Near the end he had tripped and fallen, taking me down with him. The others turned to look at us, Fred reached down with his good arm and helped me up, nobody made a move to help Draco. They simply watched as he struggled to get to his feet, hands slipping on the leaf covered path, muscles too overworked to obey him. Finally I hefted him up and put his arm around my shoulders again.
"Thank you." He whispered and concentrated on walking.
Our progress up the stairs was slow, but steady. With the prospect of a soft bed in his future he seemed to get a second wind. We reached the landing and limped into the bedroom he had been using earlier. Very carefully he lowered himself onto the blankets and leaned back.
Bane brushed by me and climbed up into a chair by the bed. Lily followed close behind and waited until both father and son were situated before leaning up to Bane and smiling. I heard her whisper something in his ear and he nodded. Her lips brushed his cheek and she left the room with a strange little smirk on her face.
"Will you be alright here?" I asked politely.
"Fine." Draco said nodding a little.
His eyes were closed.
"Ginny should be by pretty soon."
There was no answer and I turned to leave. Standing in the doorway behind me stood the one person I wanted to see most. I smiled when I saw she was herself, there were no bright colors and no strange faces, just her crazy brown curls and sweet smile.
"Wotcher, Remus." She said quietly.
"You look average." I said quietly and joined her in the hall, closing the door behind me.
"Just didn't have the heart for it today." She answered and hugged me tightly.
When she let go of me I began to lead the way back down the hall.
"What happened out there?"
"I'm not sure. I was unconscious through most of it, but I get the impression that Draco was evil."
"You just tucked an evil person into bed? In our house?" Her voice was rising steadily.
"Ginny explained it to me as best she could. Apparently, Neville's twins were the Warrior and Lily was the Healer. The twins brought him down and Lily fixed him. That's all she could tell me."
"So it's safe for him to be here? The children are all here. And all of us."
"It's fine." I assured her.
As he went down the stairs I heard Ron's voice speaking loudly from one of the halls. Hermione responded with soothing sounding words and though I couldn't understand what they were saying, I knew she had just explained everything to him.
"Remus!" A voice called from the bottom of the stairs near the door.
"Neville." I answered.
He smiled half heartedly and shifted his weight a little.
"The girls and I, we're going to go home." He said.
"What? Are you sure? You know we have plenty of rooms."
"Yeah, the girls want to sleep. And…" He trailed off
"They can sleep here. It's not good for you to be alone right now. We all need a little companionship. These past few days have been rough." Tonks interjected.
"I think I just want to go home. No offense to you guys. I really appreciate your hospitality, and taking care of the girls for me. But they are home sick and I think I am too."
Tonks frowned and scrutinized him slowly.
"All right, if you're sure."
"I am. I think the girls are still upstairs." He said and started up only to be stopped by Ginny coming down.
Ivy and Lotus followed after and hurried to their father's side.
"They wanted their dad." Ginny said without meeting Neville's gaze.
"Thanks." He answered.
Her clothing was caked with blood. Much of it Harry's. It stained her arms and face as well, nothing seemed unsoiled.
"I haven't had a chance to look you over for injuries." She whispered still looking away.
"I'm going home." He replied straightening his own blood darkened garments.
"Now? Tonight?" She seemed stunned.
He nodded.
There was a discomfort between them. Something larger than I could understand.
"How is he?" Neville asked patting his daughter's hair.
"He'll be okay. Should wake up soon."
"Then I'd best be going." He stated and turned away from her.
She stared after him as he made his way to the main room on that floor, the girls clinging to his shirt. Soon we all heard the sound of fire in the fireplace and knew he was gone. Ginny climbed the stairs again solemnly.
"What was that?" Tonks asked making a face.
"I don't know. Seems like a lot more happened than I thought."
She was staring at me, studying my face carefully.
"What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You said you were unconscious the whole time, why? What did he do to you?"
I sighed and leaned against the wall.
"It was an old spell. Outlawed. Not unforgivable, but dangerous. It makes the victim seem as though they are dead. Their pulse is lessened and their breathing is shallow. Only someone skilled would notice they sill lived. Luckily Ginny is a good healer." I explained.
"What was it called?"
"Exanimus."
"How did she fix you?"
"It was simple enough, Ennervate works fairly well. I think that's what she used. I didn't ask."
There was silence for a moment until she hit my legs with her cane lightly.
"What did you see when you were like that?"
I smiled a little at her curiosity and openness.
"Things."
"Why did you carry Draco back if he's the one who hurt you?"
This gave me pause. I remembered looking at his son, clutching tightly to his father, frightened to let go. And Draco's hand touching his son's arm kindly.
"He has a lot to live for. And so do I."
"Like what?" She asked grinning now.
I shook my head, "I'm going to bed."
She said nothing just let me walk up the stairs to my room.
(Angelina)
Sweat was beaded on his forehead and there was fresh blood on the bandage, but he refused to let me touch it. Instead he settled heavily onto the bed and pulled me down beside him, leaning against me. We were both spent. Muscles aching until even breathing became an effort. I felt his hand slip into mine.
"Lay down with me." He whispered.
With some care I managed to help him lay down and then I settled in next to him.
"Oi," A soft voice called from the doorway, "Twin."
I glanced up and smiled at George looking around the door hopefully.
"Twin." Fred answered weakly.
"How's that arm?"
"Not so good."
"Ginny will be by in a few minutes." George said and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Good." Fred answered and sighed.
"What happened out there? Ginny was a little busy when I asked her, so I didn't understand much of what she was talking about."
"When Hermione and I got to the cabin, Draco was already there. But it wasn't what we thought, he wasn't a spy; he was the one attacking the children. It was him all along." Fred explained, his voice harsh.
"Then why did Remus just haul him upstairs to a room?" George sounded a little on edge, as if he had missed something important.
"Lily."
"What about her?"
"If anyone got near Draco she'd get in the way and threaten to curse them. She did something to him, some kind of magic. Healed up his wounds and brought him back to life."
"So Lily was the Healer?" The other twins asked curiously.
"I guess so." I said and tried to move closer to Fred's warm side.
"Why didn't she take care of your shoulder then?" George asked eyeing the bandage with worry.
The blood was still seeping out and staining the fabric an ever darkening red. I grimaced at the sight and reached to touch it, but he moved.
"No." He whispered and caught my hand, holding it to his lips.
"Ginny should be by in a minute, she'll fix it right up, I'm sure." George stated encouragingly.
"Let's hope I can." Their sister said from the doorway.
We all shifted a little to give her room as she bustled in and went to her injured brother's side. Her thin fingers gently began to untie the bandages until the large wound was left open for us to see. It sliced across his shoulder and onto his chest with angry, ragged edges. I flinched at the sight of it, remembering what she had said in the forest. That arm would never be strong again. The nerves were damaged beyond repair and the muscle would scar.
"I've got a potion to close the wound," She said wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, "But like I said before, I can't undo the damage."
"Will I…" Fred started and stopped to look up at the ceiling.
"What?" His sister asked as she pulled a small vial of clear liquid from her bag.
"Will I be able to hold my child?" There were tears in his eyes.
I held my breath and George buried his face in his hands.
"I will do everything within my power to make sure you can. I'll come over every day do exercises with you until that arm is strong enough to hold your baby." She whispered earnestly.
"How much movement will he have with it?" I asked.
"At first none," Her fingers pinched the sides of the gash together and she poured the contents of the vial across the seam she had made, "Your fingers will tingle and you might feel like it's fallen asleep, but you will have no control over it until the muscle really begins to heal. This should keep it closed until then."
He flinched as the skin knitted together with a strange hissing noise.
"But you said…" George whispered.
"I know, eventually he'll be able to move it again, and I'll be there to help you." She promised and began to clean the blood from his shoulder.
"What about the baby?" Fred said looking at me.
"I'm not capable of checking on the baby, but if there isn't any blood or pain in your stomach, I think you should be fine. Though I would go and see the Healer as soon as possible. She could tell you more. If you like I'll go with you to the hospital right now."
"I'll take her." George offered standing up.
"Yes, Angel, go with George." Fred said pushing me gently with his good arm.
Sighing I stood and was led from the room by Ginny and her brother. They took me downstairs and to the fireplace.
"There is an emergency floo system at the hospital, just saying the name will get you there. Owl us as soon as you know anything." Ginny ordered and handed us each a handful of the powder.
I stepped into the fireplace and did as I was told.
(Harry)
I have always been the hero, always brave, always fighting. I have continuously managed to gain the strength to defeat the evil thing. I have held tightly to my wand and proudly stood, blood spattered and weak, but standing. In a blaze of glory and unintentional courage I was victorious. All that ended that day on the grass as I slowly slipped into darkness.
I searched frantically for that strange energy that seemed to always have been there when I needed it, but found only pain and sadness. Whatever strength had been there was gone now. Spots of black appeared in my vision, my daughter's face became grey and the battle beyond was like looking through a fog. I wondered if I had gotten to my wand in time. Was it in my hand? If I could just clear my thoughts I could cast a spell. If I could just think…
Warm. Soft. Safe.
Very carefully I opened my eyes. There was a ceiling above me and blankets tucked around my body. Gentle light came from nearby, casting an yellow glow to my surroundings. I closed my eyes against it and tried to remember how I had come to be here.
Vague shapes and sounds returned. A person carrying me. Soft words that I couldn't understand. Pain that seemed to eat away at me. Searching further I found a numbness that spread through and through, dulling the pain and calming my heart.
"Why don't you go back to your mother." A voice whispered.
"Come too." A child answered.
"Not now. I'll be there soon. Go on. And make sure she is resting."
Ron. In my mind I could see him laying on the ground bleeding from a wound to his head. My muscles clenched up and a wave of pain ripped through me.
"Harry?" He asked and I felt him draw nearer.
"Ron." I answered and turned my head to look at him.
He stared at me for a few minutes, as if trying to decide if it was a dream or not. Emotions flashed over his features lightening fast, joy, anger, sadness, exhaustion. Those blue eyes narrowed slightly and became cloudy with resentment.
"You are such an asshole." He growled and stood up straight, towering above where I lay.
"What?" I asked confused.
"Did you even bother to think of anyone but yourself? Even for a moment?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Ginny? Lily? Did they cross your mind at all while you were busy dying? Hermione? My father? He's fragile you know, he can't take another tragedy. And… and… Neville? Where would he be without you? Lost." His voice remained low, but seethed with rage.
"I don't understand."
"Me? Did you think about me at all? About the promise we made. I know it was a long time ago, but I thought it was something important. We're brothers, remember? We honor our pacts. We take care of each other."
"Please, what are you talking about?" I pleaded, desperately trying to make sense of his ranting.
"You weren't supposed to go without me!" He said and knuckled a tear from his cheek.
"I…"
"You died without me."
Then I remembered. Gathered around a small fire, grinning like fools at each other, Neville, Ron and I. Blood stained our clothing and the ground beneath us, matted our hair and oozed from open wounds. There had been happiness and laughter over our victory. And as the fire burned low Neville looked at his hands and said there was so much blood on him he'd forgotten whose was whose.
"Does it matter?" Ron had asked smiling and inspecting his hands as well.
"Not really." I said
"What does this mean?" Neville asked suddenly very serious.
"What does what mean?" I asked.
"The blood. Our blood, mixed?" He explained trying to prop his head up further on my folded cloak.
"Binds us." Ron answered.
"No need to prick our fingers, we've all lost enough blood to make us brothers a thousand times over."
"We're brothers?" Neville whispered curiously.
"Yeah." I responded smiling a little.
"Blood Brothers." Ron put in.
"Bound by the blood we each lost today." I finished.
"Speak for yourself, I've lost twice as much as either of you." Neville groaned playfully.
We laughed and Ron complained that he already had to many brothers. To which we replied that he would have to get used to having two more.
Later when Neville had fallen asleep Ron sat down next to me and we watched the embers burn themselves out. The stars sparkled over head and I heard him sigh quietly.
"So we're family now." He muttered.
"You and I have been family for a while, I married your sister."
He chuckled and lay back on the grass to watch the night sky. I looked down at him.
"You fought well." I said meeting his gaze.
"So did you."
"Pretty daring of you to tackle him like that."
"I wasn't thinking. Could have cast a spell, but all I saw was him hurting you like that, and I had to stop it. You know me, habit of physical violence."
"You realize we both could have died. Neville nearly did."
He smiled a little and looked at me thoughtfully, "Can't think of anyone else I'd rather die with."
"Lets make a pact."
"What kind?"
"If we die in battle, we die together." I said reaching for his hand to shake.
"We die together. Battle or no." He corrected.
I nodded and he shook my hand.
"Don't forget." He called after me as I lay down a ways off to sleep.
"I won't." I promised.
He stared at me, caught painfully between fury and joy. Neither emotion quite right for the situation.
"I'm not dead." I replied helplessly.
"You were."
"I came back."
"You've been dead for a long time, I just thought that when the end came you'd remember our promise." He said.
Sadly he lowered himself into a chair by the bed and closed his eyes.
"What do you mean I've been dead for a long time?"
"Nothing. Sorry. How are you feeling?" He asked tiredly.
My ribs throbbed and it hurt to breathe deeply, but the agonizing pain was gone.
"Better."
"Ginny came by and cleaned you up. I helped her close the wound," His face contorted with disgust, "Bastard Malfoy."
"Son of a Death Eater, we should have expected nothing less."
"I trusted him! I let him near my wife and children."
I let Ron calm down and unclench his fists before speaking again.
"Were there any other injuries?"
He sighed and looked at his hands clasped loosely in his lap, "Ginny had a broken arm, but it's better now. Angelina took a bad hit and George took her to the hospital to check on the baby. Fred… he's got a gash on his shoulder. It cut a nerve or something and he can't use that arm. Ginny's not sure it'll ever be the same."
His jaw tightened and I could hear him grind his teeth together.
"What?" I pressed.
"My son… he hurt my son…he used the Cruciatus Curse on him. ON A SEVEN YEAR OLD!" I flinched when he yelled.
"Is Meshach all right?"
Ron nodded silently and viciously rubbed at his eyes with the heel of his hand.
"He's sleeping."
"Good."
"I would have stayed… but Hermione said… she said to come and be with you until you woke up. She said you'd need a friend."
"What about the others? My daughter, Remus, Hermione…"
"Hermione is fine, just tired. Remus took a bad curse, but he recovered quickly, as for Lily," He paused and considered his words carefully, "She's fine."
"Where is she? I'd… I'd see her." It seemed very important that I talk to Lily.
"I doubt she'd come, she's busy."
"Doing what?"
"She's made herself Draco Malfoy's body guard."
My mind took a moment to absorb what he had just said. Not only was Draco alive, but my daughter was looking after him.
"What?"
"He's in a room upstairs."
"Why?"
"Hermione said that after the battle no one could decide what to do with him. So they brought him back here."
"He tried to kill us… and they brought him back…" For some reason I could not seem to grasp what was going on.
"That's where Lily comes in. From what Ginny and my wife said she was the Healer from the prophesy, and she did something to him. As they put it, 'she fixed him.' So they hauled him back here to get an explanation out of him." The fire in Ron's eyes told me that he did not agree with this decision.
"And Lily is watching over him?"
"She has positioned herself outside his room…when I went up to … after Hermione told me about Meshach … she wouldn't let me pass."
"She's six years old…" I reminded him.
"That may be but you taught her one nasty full body bind."
"She cast a spell on you?" I nearly laughed.
"Dad had to come and help me out of it, but only after I promised to stay away from Malfoy's room. It might be better, I guess." The edge was back in his voice.
"Anything else I should know?"
"I don't know."
"Anyone else get hurt?"
"Neville left with his girls right after they got back. No one is sure if he was injured, someone said he took a Crucio as well."
I nodded and looked up at the ceiling.
"I should send him an owl and tell him you're awake, he was worried about you."
"Don't bother. He'll find out soon enough." I replied still looking at the ceiling, my mind wondering back to our walk through forest.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
There was tension between us now. Secrets. Ron hated secrets and I knew it was eating away at him.
"I think I'll go find Ginny, she needs to know you are awake." He muttered finally.
I watched him walk to the door, "Ron stop."
"What?" He asked turning and leaning back on the door frame.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For everything."
"You're my brother, nothing can change that." He answered and left the room.
Lolua - you have been so great to put up with my insanity. As well as putting up with Snape living in your closet. At least you can rest assured he will not be stealing your shampoo. Thank you for your great reviews and I hope you don't mind I changed parts of this from what you've seen.
Dementorchic - Lily is growing up a lot right now. And she has to make a few choices along the way. I'm glad Harry didn't die as well. He has things to do. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Louise - You are not the only person who wants to hit Narcissa over the head. I despise her with all of my being. She's evil and conniving and doesn't love her son at all. Draco was not stunned because well, he was Voldemort and while I didn't explain it well I think he was protected by some kind of spell. Or perhaps he has just developed a resistance to them. I'm not sure. As for him going into Bane's body. We must remember that while Bane is a vessel he is very young and couldn't be a host to Voldemort without eventually dying and thus defeating the purpose of the vessel. So I doubt Bane will be possessed though that certainly would have throw a wrench into the works. Thanks so much for taking the time to review.
(Ron)
I woke feeling dead inside. My eyes remained shut as I tried to remember where I was, what had happened. Through the darkness I saw a dim light, the glow of a wand. In that light two eyes stared at me, bright green and completely empty. Suppressing a sob I sat upright and looked about me. The room was familiar, I was at Grimmauld Place.
"All right there, Son?" My father's voice asked.
I turned to see him sitting in a chair by the bed.
"Where's Hermione?" I asked gripping the covers in my fists.
"She left to get the children."
I swallowed hard and laid back down, still clutching the blanket spasmodically. Everything came back to me. The fight, Harry's death, the trip back, Neville and Ginny going to find Harry, Hermione leaving to get the children. My body began to shake again.
There was a shift of the bed and my father's arms wrapped around me tightly. I did not cry, merely pressed my face against his shoulder and shook. It felt as though my bones might shake apart, only those warm loving arms held me together. I hugged him back, fearing what might happen if he let go.
"Where did Hermione go?" I asked again, slowly breathing out.
"To get the children."
I frowned and pulled away to look him in the eyes.
"In the forest?"
"Yes."
Quickly I climbed out of bed and got to my feet. Walking was difficult as the world kept moving even when I had stopped.
"You can't." My father said sternly and followed me to the door.
Clenching my jaw hurt and I remembered the blow to my head.
"Why not?" I growled and caught myself on the door frame.
Something flashed in my father's eyes that I had not seen since my mother died. Determination.
"You can't apparate in this condition." He stated.
"I'll find another way. I'm not leaving my family out there to die."
"Hermione is a smart witch. She can take care of herself. Besides, Fred went with her. She isn't alone."
I closed my eyes against the slowly tilting room, but refused to go back to bed.
"No. You don't understand."
"Please, Son. Before you hurt yourself worse, come back and lay down." His hand touched my arm and I jerked away roughly.
"My children are out there with whatever attacked me. The thing that killed Harry. I have to go."
A cold feeling was crawling up my spine, if something happened to Hermione I would truly be alone. The trembling started again, I kept it under control.
"I know, but you would be no good to anyone like this."
"Then at least I could do what I'm supposed to do and die with them." I cried wrapping my arms around myself tightly.
Again my father held me.
"Give it some time. If they aren't back by tomorrow I will go looking for them with you." he assured me.
"It could be too late by then." I protested.
He didn't answer, simply led me back to bed. I dozed off and on, trying not to dream. Sometimes there were visions of school, Harry and I playing Quidditch. Or myself dancing with Hermione at our wedding. My children playing in the yard. There were a million beginnings. But, no matter how it began, everything ended with a pair of green eyes staring blankly at me from the darkness.
Hours passed in this fashion. My father petting my hair gently as he cradled my head in his lap and my mind restlessly moving from subject to subject. Sometimes he would speak, tell me stories I hadn't heard since I was a child. He told me how he and my mother met and how she had nearly died giving birth to me. There were tales of his school days and the trouble he got into. Every word made me feel safe and calmed my racing heart.
When I next woke the sun had set and darkness covered the room. As I sat up Father lit the lamp and blinked at me sleepily.
"How do you feel?" He asked standing by the bed,.
"I'm alright." I replied.
"Are you hungry?"
I nodded half heartedly and let him help me to my feet. It was strange having to depend on him so much. For so long I had been the strong one, the father, the husband, the best friend, the big brother, and suddenly all of that was gone. Even though I no longer needed him as a crutch I enjoyed his arm around my shoulders and the worried glances he sent me.
"Dad?" I asked very quietly.
"Yes?"
Carefully we began descending the stairs, he stayed one step ahead and let me use him for balance. A dull throb began at the back of my head.
"Do you miss Mum?"
He paused and stood looking at me thoughtfully. Old pain made a sheen of tears over his eyes.
"Every day."
"And my brothers?"
"I loved you all so very much." He answered and reached for my hand.
Leaning heavily on it I made it down the stairs. My brother's deaths were not casually discussed. They had died bravely in battle. For so long we had thought Percy a traitor. He never made contact or spoke with us, all correspondence was returned. It broke my mother's heart. When Bill and Charlie volunteered for a mission the last person they expected to see was Percy. No one is sure what happened exactly, but it ended with Percy fighting side by side with our brothers. The bodies were discovered later, his splayed across the other two protectively, as though he had tried shelter them even after they had died.
"Your mother was my only strength after your brothers died. Somehow she managed to be with me every time I needed her. I'd never been so thankful for her."
His voice caught a little and I thought he was finished.
"When she died," He swallowed, "I wanted to crawl into that coffin with her. I almost did."
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you didn't."
He smiled then, "If I had I'd have never known my grandchildren."
"I should have gone with her."
"She's coming back. Just give her some time."
As he said that we arrived at the dining room. George and Tonks sat talking quietly until they saw us.
"How are you feeling?" George asked standing to help me to a chair.
"Not so good." I answered.
"Any word?" Dad queried as he too sat down.
"Nothing yet." My brother answered.
"Did you come all the way down here to ask us that?" Tonks exclaimed.
"No. I'm hungry."
She smiled warmly, but I saw the stress behind it.
"I'll go and dig up something from the kitchen." She offered.
"Let me help you." Dad said beginning to stand.
"No. I'll do it. Have to do something, beginning to feel restless."
She left the room and we could hear her cane tapping down the stairs.
"How is she holding up?" I asked.
"You know Tonks. She's worried to death about Remus, but she won't say anything. It's all in how she moves. Funny, but when she's anxious she's less of a klutz. Since this mess began I haven't seen her knock one thing over or miss use a single spell." George replied with half a smile.
As though in response to his statement there was a crash from the kitchen. Dad laughed and shook his head.
"Did Hermione or Fred say when they would get back? Anything?" My voice quavered just a little.
"No. We got a letter from Draco telling us to go and get the children. They left and we stayed." My brother said shrugging.
"Letter?"
"Yeah. An owl showed up with a letter. Very short and to the point. Had the Malfoy seal on it. Said that we needed to go to the children."
"Why?"
"As far as I could tell, Draco was found out. He was getting all that information from his mother, as vague as it was, and handing it over to us. She must have caught him and found the location of the children."
I took a moment to process this and went to stand up, but George caught my arm.
"I'm just as worried as you are," He assured me and pulled me down to my chair again, "But they left right after getting the letter, he wouldn't have sent it if there wasn't time for them to do something about it. I'm sure they are on their way home now."
"How do we know nothing has happened? How do we know that they aren't all dead?" I cried trying to shake his hand off.
"Believe me, little brother, I'd know if something had happened."
"What are you talking about? We have to do something."
"Fred is my twin, I'd know if he were dead. Trust me."
"But…" I started again.
"I'd know." He cut me off.
"Calm down, son. You'll get dizzy again." Dad said patting my shoulder gently.
He was right of course, the blood was already pounding in my ears. I barely heard Tonks say that she had made soup, I didn't hear what kind. Very slowly the throbbed eased and I managed to hold down a few spoonfuls of broth. My stomach wouldn't accept more than that and I refused to force it.
I pushed the bowl away and laid my head on the smooth wooden table, listening to my brother and father talk. Occasionally Tonks' voice would interrupt. The words blended together and became tangled in my mind. Soon I was drifting along peacefully with an empty mind.
A noise startled all of us and I sat upright in my chair.
"That was the door." George said and stood up so fast the his chair fell over.
Before I could stand he was out of the room and racing down the stairs to the door. My father let me leave first, gripping the wall tightly as I made my way after my brother. Tonks was following quickly as well, her footsteps uneven and faltering. Ahead I saw people moving in the entryway.
"Daddy!" Two voices chorused my daughters latched themselves onto my legs as I stepped down the last stair.
"There's my angels." I said and lifted Mia in to my arms, kissing both her cheeks and hugging her tightly.
"Pick me up too." Mab insisted and I obliged nearly falling over.
"I missed you both so much."
A hand touched my shoulder and I looked up to find my wife next to me. Our son sniffling in her arms.
"What happened?" I asked over my children's heads.
"I'll explain later." She said and pulled me against her with her free hand.
I closed my eyes and loved my family.
"Get him upstairs." Ginny was saying.
Opening my eyes I saw Neville carrying something limp, cradled gently to him. My breath caught as I realized what it was. Setting my daughters down I tried to reach them. I needed to see Harry's body. I needed to tell him how sorry I was.
"I'll be up in a minute. Just make him comfortable as you can." My sister ordered and turned to help Fred who was bleeding a little from his shoulder.
None of it made sense, he was dead. Why was he being taken to a room? I didn't understand.
"Ron. Ron." Hermione said and grabbed my arm.
"What? What's going on?"
Someone pushed me aside a little, Remus was helping Draco up the stairs to a room as well. I noticed Lily and Bane following after, hand in hand.
"Come on. I'll explain. Lets get Meshach settled in bed. He's not doing so well." The hitch in her voice was not lost on me.
Reluctantly I followed her to the bedroom I had been inhabiting. The girls stood quietly beside the bed, their faces dark with emotions I couldn't read. Very gently Hermione changed our son' clothing to one of my tee shirts and slipped him beneath the covers. Before she had finished Mia and Mab had joined him. They wrapped their arms around his sleeping form and held on tightly.
"Sit down, this could take a few minutes." Hermione suggested.
I obeyed gladly, there was still a slight throbbing in my wound.
"So?" I prompted.
"Just promise to stay put until I'm done."
I nodded and she began.
(Remus)
My eyes searched for Tonks over the heads of the others who were crowded within the foyer. I kept pushing my way through, dragging Draco with me, looking for the slight figure leaning on her cane. No one seemed quite sure what to do , children hurried around my legs to their parents and several of the adults were clinging to each other for dear life. Finally I gave up my quest and headed for the stairs.
As we had made our way through the forest Draco had gotten steadily heavier, his body exhausted and leaning more and more on me. Never did he complain, or say anything about pain, but I knew that like the rest of us, he wanted desperately to lay down and sleep. Near the end he had tripped and fallen, taking me down with him. The others turned to look at us, Fred reached down with his good arm and helped me up, nobody made a move to help Draco. They simply watched as he struggled to get to his feet, hands slipping on the leaf covered path, muscles too overworked to obey him. Finally I hefted him up and put his arm around my shoulders again.
"Thank you." He whispered and concentrated on walking.
Our progress up the stairs was slow, but steady. With the prospect of a soft bed in his future he seemed to get a second wind. We reached the landing and limped into the bedroom he had been using earlier. Very carefully he lowered himself onto the blankets and leaned back.
Bane brushed by me and climbed up into a chair by the bed. Lily followed close behind and waited until both father and son were situated before leaning up to Bane and smiling. I heard her whisper something in his ear and he nodded. Her lips brushed his cheek and she left the room with a strange little smirk on her face.
"Will you be alright here?" I asked politely.
"Fine." Draco said nodding a little.
His eyes were closed.
"Ginny should be by pretty soon."
There was no answer and I turned to leave. Standing in the doorway behind me stood the one person I wanted to see most. I smiled when I saw she was herself, there were no bright colors and no strange faces, just her crazy brown curls and sweet smile.
"Wotcher, Remus." She said quietly.
"You look average." I said quietly and joined her in the hall, closing the door behind me.
"Just didn't have the heart for it today." She answered and hugged me tightly.
When she let go of me I began to lead the way back down the hall.
"What happened out there?"
"I'm not sure. I was unconscious through most of it, but I get the impression that Draco was evil."
"You just tucked an evil person into bed? In our house?" Her voice was rising steadily.
"Ginny explained it to me as best she could. Apparently, Neville's twins were the Warrior and Lily was the Healer. The twins brought him down and Lily fixed him. That's all she could tell me."
"So it's safe for him to be here? The children are all here. And all of us."
"It's fine." I assured her.
As he went down the stairs I heard Ron's voice speaking loudly from one of the halls. Hermione responded with soothing sounding words and though I couldn't understand what they were saying, I knew she had just explained everything to him.
"Remus!" A voice called from the bottom of the stairs near the door.
"Neville." I answered.
He smiled half heartedly and shifted his weight a little.
"The girls and I, we're going to go home." He said.
"What? Are you sure? You know we have plenty of rooms."
"Yeah, the girls want to sleep. And…" He trailed off
"They can sleep here. It's not good for you to be alone right now. We all need a little companionship. These past few days have been rough." Tonks interjected.
"I think I just want to go home. No offense to you guys. I really appreciate your hospitality, and taking care of the girls for me. But they are home sick and I think I am too."
Tonks frowned and scrutinized him slowly.
"All right, if you're sure."
"I am. I think the girls are still upstairs." He said and started up only to be stopped by Ginny coming down.
Ivy and Lotus followed after and hurried to their father's side.
"They wanted their dad." Ginny said without meeting Neville's gaze.
"Thanks." He answered.
Her clothing was caked with blood. Much of it Harry's. It stained her arms and face as well, nothing seemed unsoiled.
"I haven't had a chance to look you over for injuries." She whispered still looking away.
"I'm going home." He replied straightening his own blood darkened garments.
"Now? Tonight?" She seemed stunned.
He nodded.
There was a discomfort between them. Something larger than I could understand.
"How is he?" Neville asked patting his daughter's hair.
"He'll be okay. Should wake up soon."
"Then I'd best be going." He stated and turned away from her.
She stared after him as he made his way to the main room on that floor, the girls clinging to his shirt. Soon we all heard the sound of fire in the fireplace and knew he was gone. Ginny climbed the stairs again solemnly.
"What was that?" Tonks asked making a face.
"I don't know. Seems like a lot more happened than I thought."
She was staring at me, studying my face carefully.
"What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You said you were unconscious the whole time, why? What did he do to you?"
I sighed and leaned against the wall.
"It was an old spell. Outlawed. Not unforgivable, but dangerous. It makes the victim seem as though they are dead. Their pulse is lessened and their breathing is shallow. Only someone skilled would notice they sill lived. Luckily Ginny is a good healer." I explained.
"What was it called?"
"Exanimus."
"How did she fix you?"
"It was simple enough, Ennervate works fairly well. I think that's what she used. I didn't ask."
There was silence for a moment until she hit my legs with her cane lightly.
"What did you see when you were like that?"
I smiled a little at her curiosity and openness.
"Things."
"Why did you carry Draco back if he's the one who hurt you?"
This gave me pause. I remembered looking at his son, clutching tightly to his father, frightened to let go. And Draco's hand touching his son's arm kindly.
"He has a lot to live for. And so do I."
"Like what?" She asked grinning now.
I shook my head, "I'm going to bed."
She said nothing just let me walk up the stairs to my room.
(Angelina)
Sweat was beaded on his forehead and there was fresh blood on the bandage, but he refused to let me touch it. Instead he settled heavily onto the bed and pulled me down beside him, leaning against me. We were both spent. Muscles aching until even breathing became an effort. I felt his hand slip into mine.
"Lay down with me." He whispered.
With some care I managed to help him lay down and then I settled in next to him.
"Oi," A soft voice called from the doorway, "Twin."
I glanced up and smiled at George looking around the door hopefully.
"Twin." Fred answered weakly.
"How's that arm?"
"Not so good."
"Ginny will be by in a few minutes." George said and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Good." Fred answered and sighed.
"What happened out there? Ginny was a little busy when I asked her, so I didn't understand much of what she was talking about."
"When Hermione and I got to the cabin, Draco was already there. But it wasn't what we thought, he wasn't a spy; he was the one attacking the children. It was him all along." Fred explained, his voice harsh.
"Then why did Remus just haul him upstairs to a room?" George sounded a little on edge, as if he had missed something important.
"Lily."
"What about her?"
"If anyone got near Draco she'd get in the way and threaten to curse them. She did something to him, some kind of magic. Healed up his wounds and brought him back to life."
"So Lily was the Healer?" The other twins asked curiously.
"I guess so." I said and tried to move closer to Fred's warm side.
"Why didn't she take care of your shoulder then?" George asked eyeing the bandage with worry.
The blood was still seeping out and staining the fabric an ever darkening red. I grimaced at the sight and reached to touch it, but he moved.
"No." He whispered and caught my hand, holding it to his lips.
"Ginny should be by in a minute, she'll fix it right up, I'm sure." George stated encouragingly.
"Let's hope I can." Their sister said from the doorway.
We all shifted a little to give her room as she bustled in and went to her injured brother's side. Her thin fingers gently began to untie the bandages until the large wound was left open for us to see. It sliced across his shoulder and onto his chest with angry, ragged edges. I flinched at the sight of it, remembering what she had said in the forest. That arm would never be strong again. The nerves were damaged beyond repair and the muscle would scar.
"I've got a potion to close the wound," She said wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, "But like I said before, I can't undo the damage."
"Will I…" Fred started and stopped to look up at the ceiling.
"What?" His sister asked as she pulled a small vial of clear liquid from her bag.
"Will I be able to hold my child?" There were tears in his eyes.
I held my breath and George buried his face in his hands.
"I will do everything within my power to make sure you can. I'll come over every day do exercises with you until that arm is strong enough to hold your baby." She whispered earnestly.
"How much movement will he have with it?" I asked.
"At first none," Her fingers pinched the sides of the gash together and she poured the contents of the vial across the seam she had made, "Your fingers will tingle and you might feel like it's fallen asleep, but you will have no control over it until the muscle really begins to heal. This should keep it closed until then."
He flinched as the skin knitted together with a strange hissing noise.
"But you said…" George whispered.
"I know, eventually he'll be able to move it again, and I'll be there to help you." She promised and began to clean the blood from his shoulder.
"What about the baby?" Fred said looking at me.
"I'm not capable of checking on the baby, but if there isn't any blood or pain in your stomach, I think you should be fine. Though I would go and see the Healer as soon as possible. She could tell you more. If you like I'll go with you to the hospital right now."
"I'll take her." George offered standing up.
"Yes, Angel, go with George." Fred said pushing me gently with his good arm.
Sighing I stood and was led from the room by Ginny and her brother. They took me downstairs and to the fireplace.
"There is an emergency floo system at the hospital, just saying the name will get you there. Owl us as soon as you know anything." Ginny ordered and handed us each a handful of the powder.
I stepped into the fireplace and did as I was told.
(Harry)
I have always been the hero, always brave, always fighting. I have continuously managed to gain the strength to defeat the evil thing. I have held tightly to my wand and proudly stood, blood spattered and weak, but standing. In a blaze of glory and unintentional courage I was victorious. All that ended that day on the grass as I slowly slipped into darkness.
I searched frantically for that strange energy that seemed to always have been there when I needed it, but found only pain and sadness. Whatever strength had been there was gone now. Spots of black appeared in my vision, my daughter's face became grey and the battle beyond was like looking through a fog. I wondered if I had gotten to my wand in time. Was it in my hand? If I could just clear my thoughts I could cast a spell. If I could just think…
Warm. Soft. Safe.
Very carefully I opened my eyes. There was a ceiling above me and blankets tucked around my body. Gentle light came from nearby, casting an yellow glow to my surroundings. I closed my eyes against it and tried to remember how I had come to be here.
Vague shapes and sounds returned. A person carrying me. Soft words that I couldn't understand. Pain that seemed to eat away at me. Searching further I found a numbness that spread through and through, dulling the pain and calming my heart.
"Why don't you go back to your mother." A voice whispered.
"Come too." A child answered.
"Not now. I'll be there soon. Go on. And make sure she is resting."
Ron. In my mind I could see him laying on the ground bleeding from a wound to his head. My muscles clenched up and a wave of pain ripped through me.
"Harry?" He asked and I felt him draw nearer.
"Ron." I answered and turned my head to look at him.
He stared at me for a few minutes, as if trying to decide if it was a dream or not. Emotions flashed over his features lightening fast, joy, anger, sadness, exhaustion. Those blue eyes narrowed slightly and became cloudy with resentment.
"You are such an asshole." He growled and stood up straight, towering above where I lay.
"What?" I asked confused.
"Did you even bother to think of anyone but yourself? Even for a moment?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Ginny? Lily? Did they cross your mind at all while you were busy dying? Hermione? My father? He's fragile you know, he can't take another tragedy. And… and… Neville? Where would he be without you? Lost." His voice remained low, but seethed with rage.
"I don't understand."
"Me? Did you think about me at all? About the promise we made. I know it was a long time ago, but I thought it was something important. We're brothers, remember? We honor our pacts. We take care of each other."
"Please, what are you talking about?" I pleaded, desperately trying to make sense of his ranting.
"You weren't supposed to go without me!" He said and knuckled a tear from his cheek.
"I…"
"You died without me."
Then I remembered. Gathered around a small fire, grinning like fools at each other, Neville, Ron and I. Blood stained our clothing and the ground beneath us, matted our hair and oozed from open wounds. There had been happiness and laughter over our victory. And as the fire burned low Neville looked at his hands and said there was so much blood on him he'd forgotten whose was whose.
"Does it matter?" Ron had asked smiling and inspecting his hands as well.
"Not really." I said
"What does this mean?" Neville asked suddenly very serious.
"What does what mean?" I asked.
"The blood. Our blood, mixed?" He explained trying to prop his head up further on my folded cloak.
"Binds us." Ron answered.
"No need to prick our fingers, we've all lost enough blood to make us brothers a thousand times over."
"We're brothers?" Neville whispered curiously.
"Yeah." I responded smiling a little.
"Blood Brothers." Ron put in.
"Bound by the blood we each lost today." I finished.
"Speak for yourself, I've lost twice as much as either of you." Neville groaned playfully.
We laughed and Ron complained that he already had to many brothers. To which we replied that he would have to get used to having two more.
Later when Neville had fallen asleep Ron sat down next to me and we watched the embers burn themselves out. The stars sparkled over head and I heard him sigh quietly.
"So we're family now." He muttered.
"You and I have been family for a while, I married your sister."
He chuckled and lay back on the grass to watch the night sky. I looked down at him.
"You fought well." I said meeting his gaze.
"So did you."
"Pretty daring of you to tackle him like that."
"I wasn't thinking. Could have cast a spell, but all I saw was him hurting you like that, and I had to stop it. You know me, habit of physical violence."
"You realize we both could have died. Neville nearly did."
He smiled a little and looked at me thoughtfully, "Can't think of anyone else I'd rather die with."
"Lets make a pact."
"What kind?"
"If we die in battle, we die together." I said reaching for his hand to shake.
"We die together. Battle or no." He corrected.
I nodded and he shook my hand.
"Don't forget." He called after me as I lay down a ways off to sleep.
"I won't." I promised.
He stared at me, caught painfully between fury and joy. Neither emotion quite right for the situation.
"I'm not dead." I replied helplessly.
"You were."
"I came back."
"You've been dead for a long time, I just thought that when the end came you'd remember our promise." He said.
Sadly he lowered himself into a chair by the bed and closed his eyes.
"What do you mean I've been dead for a long time?"
"Nothing. Sorry. How are you feeling?" He asked tiredly.
My ribs throbbed and it hurt to breathe deeply, but the agonizing pain was gone.
"Better."
"Ginny came by and cleaned you up. I helped her close the wound," His face contorted with disgust, "Bastard Malfoy."
"Son of a Death Eater, we should have expected nothing less."
"I trusted him! I let him near my wife and children."
I let Ron calm down and unclench his fists before speaking again.
"Were there any other injuries?"
He sighed and looked at his hands clasped loosely in his lap, "Ginny had a broken arm, but it's better now. Angelina took a bad hit and George took her to the hospital to check on the baby. Fred… he's got a gash on his shoulder. It cut a nerve or something and he can't use that arm. Ginny's not sure it'll ever be the same."
His jaw tightened and I could hear him grind his teeth together.
"What?" I pressed.
"My son… he hurt my son…he used the Cruciatus Curse on him. ON A SEVEN YEAR OLD!" I flinched when he yelled.
"Is Meshach all right?"
Ron nodded silently and viciously rubbed at his eyes with the heel of his hand.
"He's sleeping."
"Good."
"I would have stayed… but Hermione said… she said to come and be with you until you woke up. She said you'd need a friend."
"What about the others? My daughter, Remus, Hermione…"
"Hermione is fine, just tired. Remus took a bad curse, but he recovered quickly, as for Lily," He paused and considered his words carefully, "She's fine."
"Where is she? I'd… I'd see her." It seemed very important that I talk to Lily.
"I doubt she'd come, she's busy."
"Doing what?"
"She's made herself Draco Malfoy's body guard."
My mind took a moment to absorb what he had just said. Not only was Draco alive, but my daughter was looking after him.
"What?"
"He's in a room upstairs."
"Why?"
"Hermione said that after the battle no one could decide what to do with him. So they brought him back here."
"He tried to kill us… and they brought him back…" For some reason I could not seem to grasp what was going on.
"That's where Lily comes in. From what Ginny and my wife said she was the Healer from the prophesy, and she did something to him. As they put it, 'she fixed him.' So they hauled him back here to get an explanation out of him." The fire in Ron's eyes told me that he did not agree with this decision.
"And Lily is watching over him?"
"She has positioned herself outside his room…when I went up to … after Hermione told me about Meshach … she wouldn't let me pass."
"She's six years old…" I reminded him.
"That may be but you taught her one nasty full body bind."
"She cast a spell on you?" I nearly laughed.
"Dad had to come and help me out of it, but only after I promised to stay away from Malfoy's room. It might be better, I guess." The edge was back in his voice.
"Anything else I should know?"
"I don't know."
"Anyone else get hurt?"
"Neville left with his girls right after they got back. No one is sure if he was injured, someone said he took a Crucio as well."
I nodded and looked up at the ceiling.
"I should send him an owl and tell him you're awake, he was worried about you."
"Don't bother. He'll find out soon enough." I replied still looking at the ceiling, my mind wondering back to our walk through forest.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
There was tension between us now. Secrets. Ron hated secrets and I knew it was eating away at him.
"I think I'll go find Ginny, she needs to know you are awake." He muttered finally.
I watched him walk to the door, "Ron stop."
"What?" He asked turning and leaning back on the door frame.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For everything."
"You're my brother, nothing can change that." He answered and left the room.