Disclaimer: Yeah. Sure. Whatever. It's all mine. Riiiiight.
Chapter Twenty: Ginny's Request
Harry was so still, she thought to herself. So still and quiet now.
Hermione smoothed his hair back again away from his forehead where it was sticking. Only she and Ron remained. Molly and Arthur had even taken Nick away. That had been hours ago.
Ginny was here too, somewhere, somewhere in this hospital. Ginny and Arcelia. But she was sleeping.
She had tried to get to him. Tried when she had heard. Screamed and cried, and threatened. She was sleeping now, thanks to a potion.
Hermione and Ron remained. They had stood with their friend through everything-anything-for ten years. Through Voldemort, and death and new life. They would stay.
In a way, it was fitting, Hermione mused. It was just them again, like it had been when they had been innocent and young.
Ron stood where his father had, looking out the window. He was quiet. It was a full moon, Hermione noticed. Just like it had been the night they had meet Sirius. The night she and Harry had saved Buckbeak. One of their best adventures, although she had been terrified at the time. She smiled softly, looking at Harry.
Her best friend. Her brother. Dying. Her heart clenched very painfully every time her eyes moved over him.
Hermione wished she could cry again. All her tears had already been used up. There had to be something she could do to save him. He had saved her before. Many, many times. He had saved everyone.
"He saved everyone," she whispered.
"He saved me."
It was not Ron who spoke. Hermione turned in her chair.
Ginny stood in the open door, red hair contrasting starkly with her white nightgown and pale, pale face. Her eyes were bright, but she did not cry.
Ron had turned also. "Gin! You shouldn't be here…it will only upset you, and so soon after…I thought you were sleeping…"
Ginny held up her hand. "No, Ron. I'm fine. I'm awake. I need to see him. To speak with him."
Ron opened his mouth again, but Hermione silenced him with a hand. "Of course, Ginny. We'll go see…we'll go see Arcelia, is that fine?"
Ginny nodded. "She's asleep now. The nurse will let you in. Thank you."
Hermione and Ron left. Hermione shut the door behind her.
Only then did Ginny allow herself to look at Harry.
He was strapped down to the bed. One hand was gone completely. His wrist was wrapped in immaculate white bandages. He was bare chested. His hair was wet with sweat, and it fell limply into his closed eyes.
Ginny slowly undid the straps, and slipped off her slippers. She climbed into bed next to Harry. The bed magically expanded to fit them both comfortably. She pulled the sheet up over the both of them, and laid her head against Harry's chest.
"Cecy's beautiful, Harry. I wish you could see her. I want you to. Please. I need you, Harry. Don't go. Please, please don't. I can't go on without you. You need to stay. Please. Please. Harry, please."
Ginny cried, slowly, her tear falling onto Harry's chest and pooling there, running of the sides of his body.
The room was chilly, but Ginny was not cold. The warmth from Harry's body kept her warm. She slowly fell asleep.
A/N: Sad? Are you guys sad now? Don't worry. Don't be sad.
ONTO THE NEXT CHAPTER!
Another note: This chapter has undergone 3 re-writes in like 15 minutes. I can now confirm that I am able to type really really really fast.
