Chapter 13
Everyone was sitting in Harry's room, celebrating his 16th birthday. Everyone was happy. Not as happy as they could have been but at least there was some happiness.
Hermione lay on Harry's bed. She was still weak and couldn't be up for more then a couple hours but at least it was something. She looked up and smiled at Ron. He sat beside her on the bed, holding her hand. He made her feel so safe and loved. She looked over at Harry who was smiling and Ginny who giggled softly. How long had it been since she had seen this? Fred sat with them munching on some cake. (Harry's aunt had bought one for them.) His face held a smile but Hermione knew he wasn't happy. Sometimes she heard him at night while he sat with George. Quietly crying and whispering to his brother. Hermione had a feeling he knew she heard him but he never said anything. She never told the others either. It was her and Fred's secret, even if the two never talked about it before.
"Hermione," Ron whispered in her ear. She loved his voice.
"Hmmm?" she asked tilting her head to look at him.
"You seemed a little spaced out. Just checking to make sure you were alright love," he gave her one of his lopsided grins.
"I'm fine. Just thinking," she assured him. He nodded, not wanting to pry.
"Harry, if you could have anything in the world right now what would you want?" Ginny asked her friend as they continued to eat their cake.
"I'd want everyone to be happy," his face grew serious. "I would want everyone to be happy and for this war to never happen."
The group fell silent. Their festive moods disappeared and each fell into their own thoughts.
"HARRY! HARRY COME QUICK!" Mrs. Dursley called from downstairs, her voice sounding urgent.
Harry, Ron and Fred flew out of their chairs. Hermione and Ginny started getting up but Ron told them to stay where they were and the boys ran out the room.
"Ron can be such a prat sometimes," Hermione thought wanting to know what was going on. The boys were gone for about 2 minutes. When they entered the room Hermione knew something was wrong.
"What's wrong?" Ginny stood in front of Ron, not letting him pass. "Tell me." Hermione saw Harry gripping some parchment tightly and knew. Ginny noticed the parchment too and started to shake her head. "NO! NO!" she started to scream pushing Ron. "No!"
Ron just stood still, not moving at all. Harry grasped the parchment tighter in his hand. Then without warning Fred pick up his chair and smashed it again the door. It shattered. Everyone jumped except George, who didn't move.
"Harry," Hermione whispered.
Harry walked over to her and dropped the parchment in her lap. Everything around her seemed to pause and everyone looked at her. No one moved.
Hermione picked up the parchment and started to read.
To my dear brothers and sister, Harry and Hermione too,
I'm sorry it took so long but I couldn't send word before. I can't…I don't know how to…this…
Mum and dad, mum and dad aren't, mum and dad aren't going to see us again. Mum and dad are somewhere happy now. I can't…I can't even write this letter. I just needed to tell you. You needed to know. I'll come to you soon. Charlie is here with me. So are Lupin and Tonks and we will come to you soon. Hold on.
With all the love in my heart,
Bill
The parchment slipped out of Hermione's hand. She looked up at Ron, her vision blurry as tears spilled down her cheeks. They locked eyes. Ron blinked and gave Hermione a small nod as he pulled Ginny into a hug as Ginny screamed into his shoulder. Mr. and Mrs. Weasly were really gone.
