Chapter 19

"George!" Hermione could hear Ron stammer. Standing up on her toes, Hermione tried to see over the crowd of people who had gathered in front of Harry's bedroom door. She heard Ginny gasp. Getting tired of being stuck in the hall Hermione pushed her way passed Fred and into the room.

Her mouth fell open at what she saw. She turned to look at Ron. His face full of shock but yet happiness.

George was standing in the middle of Harry's room looking down at a broken lamp. "Sorry about the lamp guys. Didn't mean to scare anyone. I just wanted to stretch and when I stood up I sorta collapsed. I tried to grab on to something but I guess the lamp wasn't the best idea."

Hermione, Ginny, Fred and Ron all stood speechless. Hermione was the only one who seemed to regain herself so she decided to speak.

"George, do you remember anything that's happened?"

"Hmmm. I remember the Burrow. We were all talking about those teeth," he smirked.

"Anything else at all?" Fred now spoke.

George seemed to hesitate. "There was an attack. We all came to Harry's, but I was just hoping that part was just a bad dream," George's faced turned grim.

"I'm afraid it wasn't," Hermione sighed. She realized George didn't know about his parent's fate yet either. "Um, George. There are some things that have happened."

"Yes, like why I was bloody unconscious," he took a wobbly step forward.

Ron's face turned from shock to sadness. "There's more and it doesn't get better." Ginny burst into tears.

"What?" George demanded.

Hermione slowly backed up and out of the room. "I'll leave you guys alone a while," she whispered shutting the door. Although she didn't want to leave Ron she knew she couldn't stay. The four Weasley's needed to talk about some things together. She quietly made her way downstairs and into the living room.

"What happened up there?" a weak voice called from the couch.

"Harry, you're awake," Hermione exclaimed, changing her direction and heading over to where he lay. She found some space beside him and took a seat. "George is awake."

"What?" Harry shouted.

"I know. I couldn't believe it either. I figured I'd give the four of them some time alone. They need the time together. When your aunt gets back we can call the doctor."

Harry nodded. "Right. So how is he? How're the others taking it?"

"George seems fine," Hermione commented. "I wasn't up there long so I'm not sure. It's so weird. This all seems like a dream. I can't believe he's actually awake. The others are fine too. Shocked, but fine."

"Ginny's alright?" Harry asked nervously.

Hermione grinned at this. "Perfect. Happy her brother's awake."

"Good, because, well, you know, wouldn't want her to be upset or anything."

"Harry," Hermione spoke seriously, thinking of Ron. "Ron wants to get out of here. Did you mail a letter to anyone?"

"Lupin. I just hope Hedwig can get there soon," Harry spoke. He to taking on a serious tone.

"Ron is really worried. If Dementors know we're here than who knows what else…" Hermione rambled.

"We'll be fine Hermione. I wouldn't let anything happen to any of you," Harry said solemnly. "I don't think any of us would let anything happen to each other."

"I know," Hermione sighed. "That's what I'm afraid of. I'm afraid we'll be too busy protecting each other we won't protect ourselves."

After Hermione made that comment she felt stupid. We'll be too busy protecting each other to protect ourselves. What a dumb thing to say.

"You're right," Harry agreed.

"What?" she asked confused.

"If we don't look out for ourselves things are going to get worse. We have to be able to protect ourselves."

Maybe it wasn't such a stupid thing to say, Hermione thought. When Harry said it, everything seemed to make more sense in her mind. She couldn't have Ron watching out for her every step and not thinking about his. She had to try and convince him to look after himself. The only problem was how.