Chapter 11
Ron inhaled his third bowl of soup. Harry's aunt had left him a bowl but ended up making another pot for him after he finished the soup in one gulp. Finally full he put his bowl in the sink and made his way to the living room. He had taken a nice long shower before he ate. How long had it been since he showered. He felt alive now. It felt good to be alive. Harry was right; Hermione would want him to feel this way.
Ginny was sitting on the couch looking at the floor with a smile on her face. Fred lay sprawled on the other couch, snoring quite loudly.
"Ginny," Ron whispered. Ginny's head snapped from the floor and looked at him.
"Ron?" Ginny was shocked to see him out of the room.
"Is this seat taken?" Ron asked pointing to the space beside Ginny. She shook her head. "So…um…well…good soup today."
Ginny nodded. "It was delicious. Yum." It was quiet.
"Ginny I'm sorry," Ron spoke after a long silence. "I know I haven't been there. I just…it's just been so hard. I'm not the only one who's hurting." He put his arm around his sister's shoulder. "I wanted you to know that if you ever need to talk your brother is here."
Ginny smiled. "Thanks Ron. It means a lot. It has been really hard. I can't even begin to say what…" Ginny burst into tear.
"It's ok," Ron said pulling her into a hug. Tears to forming in his eye. "I know. I know. You know that mom and dad and Bill and Charlie, you know they love you. And so does Fred and Harry and," his voice caught. "So does George and Hermione and I and you will never be alone."
"I know I'm never alone. Someone will always be there. I don't just feel sad anymore. I just, I just feel hate," her eyes sparked with anger.
"Ginny?" Ron was taken aback by his sister's words.
"I hate this god damn war. It's taking everything away from me. My parents, my brothers, my best friends. It might even take me," Ginny sighed but her tone was harsh.
"Don't you ever say that," Ron felt like someone had smacked him across the face. What she had said was right. He had no power to deny it. But he couldn't stand the thought. "No more people are going to die."
"Do you think George is going to die?" Ginny voice dropped. Her tears still flowing, her anger subsided.
"He'll never die Gin," Ron whispered.
Ginny pulled away from her brother. Her eyes were those of an old lady Ron noted. They had seen too much at too young an age. Ron wondered if all their eyes looked like that. "Sleep Ginny. I'm going back to sit with Hermione. I'll send Harry down." Ginny nodded.
"Hey Ron," Ginny called to him as he stood in the doorway of the living room, on his way out. "Do you think we'll all die?" he could hear fear in her voice.
"Never ever," and as he walked up the stairs he silently prayed that what he had just said was true.
