DISCLAIMER: This is only a bit of entertainment drafted for my own amusement. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling.

Harry Potter and The Lost Library

Chapter 4: The Girl Who Lived

Harry stopped short as a loud BANG echoed through the streets of Hogsmeade. Soon, he saw a foul smelling smoke began to seep out of the cracks around the windows and doors of Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Suddenly, the shop door burst open and out staggered three bent-over figures coughing and wheezing as smoke poured out of the opening.

"Somehow," Fred gasped, "I think we added to much Erumpent fluid."

"WHAT?" yelled Lee Jordan.

"Maybe, we should go back to using Whomping Willow sap," George suggested.

"WHAT?" repeated Lee. He was shaking his head with a confused look on his face.

"Lee's gone deaf again," Fred said while trying to pat down his singed hair.

"Maybe we should start paying him for product testing," George replied. He groaned with disgust as a quick check assured him that he was without eyebrows.

"YOU TWO HAVE GONE MUTE AGAIN," Lee shouted.

Fred and George burst out laughing.

Harry regained his senses and rushed forward. "Fred, George," he said quickly, "You need to go to St. Mungo's."

The twins turned toward Harry with surprised looks on their faces. "Na," Fred replied, "Don't worry about us."

"Yeah," George continued, "we blow ourselves up at least once a week. It drives the neighbors batty."

"HEY HARRY," Lee yelled.

Harry sent him a quick wave before focusing back on the twins. "No," Harry explained, "This is an emergency. Ron and Hermione are waiting for us there."

At the mention of their brother and his wife, Fred and George sobered up. "Is everything okay?" George asked sharply.

"Yeah," Harry replied, "but we need to get to St. Mungo's as soon as possible."

Fred turned to Lee. "Hey Lee!" He had to wave his arms around a bit to get Lee's attention. "Can you clean up the shop for us?" He pantomimed the act of sweeping while pointing at the shop. "We're going with Harry." He gestured between George and himself, wiggled his fingers so that they looked like they were walking, and pointed to Harry.

"YEAH," Lee agreed, "I CAN MAKE ANOTHER BATCH FOR HARRY!"

"Close enough," George sighed as Lee staggered back into the shop.

Harry, Fred, and George apparated into the lobby of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Harry had been here many times since his first visit twelve years ago. The reception area was significantly calmer than it had been during that Christmas season, and there was no queue in front of the inquiry desk.

The plump Welcome Witch took one look at the charred Weasley twins before saying, "Artifact Accidents. Down the hall and to the right."

"No," Harry said, "We're not here for them. Their sister was brought in earlier."

"Oh," the Welcome Witch said with wide eyes, "Fourth Floor, Spell Damage."

"Right," Harry said turning away. He ignored Fred and George's curious looks, but it was harder to dodge their questions.

"Spell damage?" Fred asked. "Why'd they take Hermione to spell damage?"

"Did one of her students hex her?" George demanded. "Bloody dangerous. Her being pregnant and all."

Harry remained silent and let them believe it was Hermione upstairs in a hospital bed. I can't just blurt it out on a public stair, Harry justified to himself. This is something they should hear from Ron.

One of the healers on the Fourth Floor directed the trio to a door. It turned out to be a private sort of waiting room. Inside, Ron and Hermione were sitting side by side on a small sofa with their hands tightly woven together. Harry merely nodded at the pair before taking a seat, but the twins gaped at the couple.

"What the hell happened to you?" Ron asked.

"Product testing," George replied.

"Harry said that Hermione had been hexed by one of her students," Fred added.

Ron shot a confused look at Harry. "That's just what you assumed," Harry said with a shrug.

"Hermione dear," Mrs. Weasley said hustling into the room with her husband behind her. "Are you and the baby all right?"

"Everything's fine, Mum," Ron uttered.

Seeing that Hermione was indeed fine, Mrs. Weasley jumped to the next logical conclusion. "What happened to Fleur?"

"Nothing," a heavily accented voice said from the door. "I am fine." The beautiful blond woman was standing between her husband, Bill, and his brother, Charlie.

The atmosphere of the small waiting room became tense and awkward as each Weasley came to the realization that they were all present and in seemingly good health. Slowly, seven pairs of eyes came to rest squarely on Harry. After all, it was he who had sent out the urgent letters.

"It's Ginny," Harry blurted out. The entire Weasley clan gasped in astonishment a second before releasing a tidal wave. "What do you mean?" Charlie and Bill asked simultaneously. "That's not funny!" George snapped while Fred nodded his agreement. "Harry," admonished Mr. Weasley. "Explain yourself," Mrs. Weasley demanded. Harry smiled weakly. He looked at Ron, who looked at Hermione. She sighed heavily and began to launch into a lengthy explanation.

Hermione described in great detail about her suspicions that Ginny might be alive, how she had researched spell crossing and approached Dumbledore with her ideas, and about the counter-charm they had devised. As she went over every moment from the meeting in Dumbledore's office to Ginny's transfer to St. Mungo's, Harry found himself not believing the tale even though he had witnessed the events. It was simply too amazing.

A stunned silence over took the room after Hermione finished. Mrs. Weasley had sunk down into a chair during Hermione's speech, and a shaky Mr. Weasley was leaning weakly on the wall next to her. Fred and George had identical shocked expressions on their faces, and underneath the soot, their skin was ghostly white. Bill was frozen except for a muscle that twitched in his neck, and Charlie was opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water.

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," a polite voice interrupted. A young healer in lime green robes hesitantly wove his way into the room. "We've finished our examination. You can see her now."

Hearing confirmation of the events from the lips of a complete stranger made the situation concrete in their minds. Mrs. Weasley released a small, high-pitched shriek. "My baby is alive," she cried before breaking into hysterical sobs.

Harry and Ron each grasp Mrs. Weasley under one arm and led/carried her out of the waiting room. Hermione followed leading her shaky father-in-law with the help of Fleur. The rest of the Weasley brothers shuffled absently after them.

The young healer led them past the door to the Janus Thickly ward towards the end of the corridor. As they marched past various doors, strange sounds and scents drifted toward them. A low-pitched moaning came from a partially open door to the right, and the healer pulled it gently shut with an apologetic smile. Turning to the opposite door, he said, "Do to the unusual circumstances of this case, the head healer has assigned Miss Weasley a private room."

The room beyond the door was small and drab. The walls were a sickly color of blue-green that was intended to be comforting. There were two rectangular windows along wall that let in light, but the glass was frosted so that it was impossible to make out the view.

Harry was amazed to see that Ginny was awake and alert when they entered the room. She was propped up with several pillows and looked as if she had just finished a conversation with the man sitting along her bedside. Harry had forgotten that Albus Dumbledore had went with Ginny to St. Mungo's, and he was surprised that the headmaster had remained with her while Ron and Hermione had been sent to a waiting room.

Ron cleared his throat to draw Ginny and Dumbledore's attention. Ginny's eyes widened as she saw them. Her face paled, making the bruise on her right cheek stand out even more. "Mum," she whispered unsteadily, "Dad."

Ginny's words triggered a surge as her family fell upon her. Harry was pushed roughly to the side as Weasleys surrounded the hospital bed. He started to make his way along the wall amid the weeping and cheers. Harry left to give the family a private moment and escaped into the hallway. He released a haggard sigh, closed his eyes, and leaned against the wall.

"It's been quite a day Harry, hasn't it?" a voice asked gently. Harry's eyes sprung open to see that Dumbledore had joined him in the corridor. The old headmaster had a familiar gleam in his eyes.

"I can't believe this is happening," Harry uttered. "I mean she was dead. We mourned her, and then we got on with our lives. For God's sake, it's been ten years."

"It's a very confusing time," Dumbledore agreed, "for everyone involved, including Ginny."

Harry thought back to the hospital wing. Ginny had been so confused and frightened. "What was that spell she used on us?"

"Ahhh," Dumbledore sighed. "That was a very ancient curse used to banish away demons and evil spirits. Aztec in origin, I believe."

Harry's mind couldn't quite digest this information. "Why would she think we were evil spirits? Where was she?"

"You've hit the proverbial nail on the head, Harry," Dumbledore said. "That's a question that needs answering, and I have a good idea were to begin the search. If my suspicions are correct, Miss Weasley may have a rough road ahead of her."

Harry felt a flutter of panic well up within him. "Is she going to be all right?" he demanded. The Weasleys would be devastated if they lost Ginny all over again.

"Only time will tell," Dumbledore replied cryptically. A strange sparkled filled his eyes as he continued, "but I seem to remember that Miss Weasley had an exceptionally strong spirit."

Hermione and Ron chose that moment to poke their heads out of Ginny's hospital room. "There you are Harry," Ron said. "We've been wondering where you ran off to."

"I better get back to Hogwarts," Dumbledore replied. "There has been quite an uproar there today." He looked at Hermione. "Of course, feel free to take a leave of absence Professor Weasley."

"Thank you Headmaster," Hermione said. She tucked her arm under her husband's and smiled softly.

Dumbledore disapparated before Harry could say goodbye.

"Come on in, Harry," Ron said gesturing into the hospital room, "we've been catching Ginny up on what she's missed."

Harry followed Ron and Hermione back into Ginny's room. Ginny was now squished between her mother and father on the small hospital bed. Her brother's were all hovering around eagerly with giant grins on their faces. Harry couldn't help but notice that Ginny's pallor had not improved and she wore an uncomfortable look on her face.

"Fleur and I were married shortly after the war," Bill was telling his sister while squeezing his wife's waist. "We have two sons. William Junior, or Will as we call him, is seven, and Arthur, Arty, is five."

"George and I have opened four more shops," Fred interrupted, "and the mail-order catalogue has been really successful."

"I've been working in China off and on for the past two years," Charlie put in, "Chinese dragon care is so different from European species."

"You're father was made Head of Muggle Relations," Mrs. Weasley was saying, "and I've been keeping busy with charity work."

It went on and on. Each Weasley was trying to impart the last ten years of their lives in no particular order. Harry watched Ginny's eyes widen and glaze over. An anxious atmosphere began to fill the room, and the Weasleys increased the speed of their talking. Just when Harry thought Ginny had shut down completely, she extended her uninjured arm to gently touch Hermione's large stomach.

The room fell silent. "Ron and I are going to have a baby," Hermione explained softly.

Ginny withdrew her hand slowly. For a moment, Harry saw a spark race across her eyes. A small smile twitched on her lips. "So I guess you two found something else to do besides fight," she said softly.

Ron instantly turned a brilliant shade of red, and Hermione blushed charmingly. Fred and George broke out into peels of laughter, and everyone relaxed slightly. Besides cutting the growing tension, Ginny's comment had reassured her family that she was indeed back with them.

A hesitant cough drew the attention of those in the room. A somewhat familiar healer in lime green robes was standing in the doorway with a clipboard. "Hello," he said, "I'm the Healer-in-Charge of the Spell Damage floor, Augustus Pye."

"Pye," Arthur Weasley called amiably, "I thought you were into treating bites and such."

"I was," the healer said, "but during the war there was a much greater need for healers in this ward."

"How is Ginny, Mr. Pye?" Mrs. Weasley demanded.

"Well," Pye replied looking down at her chart, "we haven't been able to detect any lasting spell damage, but I think we should keep Miss Weasley a few days for observation. Unfortunately, hospital policy does not allow more than one family member to stay with a patient."

"I'll stay," Mrs. Weasley said immediately.

The Weasley men looked disappointed but not surprised. One by one, they took their leave, each hugging and whispering words of love to Ginny. They tried to hide their concern and disappointment that she didn't respond to their gestures.

Harry shuffled towards the bed when it was his turn. He bent down and gave her an awkward hug. "I'm glad your back Gin," he whispered before pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. He withdrew quickly.

Harry apparated into the front hall of Floogle Castle. It was early evening, and the last rays of sunlight struck the stained glass of the hall windows casting a red glow over the hall. For the first time in what seemed like years, Harry could hear his own thoughts. He sat down on the bottom stair and rested his head in his hands. It had been a heavy day, and Harry didn't honestly know how he should be feeling.

Harry could still remember the memorial service the Weasleys had held for Ginny after Voldemort's defeat. One by one, Ginny's family and friends had stood up and given testimony of the girl they knew. As Ginny lived again through their anecdotes, he remembered wishing he had taken the time to know her better. He was the only one who didn't share at least one memory of the youngest Weasley. He had stared at the floor the entire time because he was too ashamed and guilt ridden to meet the other's eyes.

"Harry Potter sir," a voice squeaked.

Harry raised his head to find Dobby standing before him. Dobby and his friend Winky had come to serve Harry soon after he purchased Floogle Castle. Serving a single family was much better suited to the two elves than dealing with a school full of unruly students. "Hello Dobby," Harry murmured.

"Is Harry Potter all right, sir?" the elf asked.

"I'm just tired Dobby, "Harry replied. "I'm going to retire to my rooms. Hermione and Ron will be back later and maybe some of the other Weasleys as well. Be sure you and Winky give them anything they need."

"Of course, Mr. Potter," the elf said bowing lowly before disappearing.

Harry trudged up the stairs as if he was wearing cement shoes. He crawled into bed without even bothering to remove his clothing. His head barely grazed the pillow before he fell asleep.

The next morning Harry awoke to find the paper and a pot of coffee waiting by his bedside. He put on his glasses and poured himself a cup. As he unrolled the paper, he was surprised to see a picture of Ginny winking at him. It was an old picture, taken during his last year at Hogwarts. Getting over his initial shock, he began to read.

The Girl Who Lived

The Daily Prophet has learned of amazing events at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding yesterday afternoon. Students were surprised when a young woman reportedly fell through the ceiling of the Great Hall. Victoria Bradley, a third year Ravenclaw recalls, "She crashed right into the mashed potatoes."

The woman was later identified as Ginevra Weasley, daughter of high-ranking ministry official, Arthur Weasley. Miss Weasley had been previously believed dead after the Battle for Hogwarts. Events leading up to Miss Weasley's miraculous return remain sketchy, but sources inside the school say that members of the school staff and the Weasley family were seen performing a strange charm in a school hallway. Rumor has it that Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived and champion of our times, was also present during the charm and might have been vital to its success in returning Miss Weasley to the wizarding world.

Miss Weasley was treated at the Hogwarts' infirmary for minor injuries before being transferred to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Although the Hospital has refused the Daily Prophet's requests for an interview, Hospital officials wish to inform the public that Miss Weasley is in stable health and spending time with her family.

For more information about the-girl-who-lived, turn to page 6 for an interview with former classmate Colin Creevey and to page 14 for an account of Miss Weasley's role in the war.