Disclaimer: Only in my wildest dreams do I own Harry Potter. He and his world are the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling.
Harry Potter and the Lost Library
Chapter 5: Just Lost
Harry's head was aching by the time he finished dressing. He should have learned after all these years not to read the Daily Prophet. The blockheaded editors at the paper had been quick to label Ginny as The-Girl- Who-Lived. Harry hoped for her sake that the moniker didn't stick. He hated the shallow fame of being The-Boy-That-Lived. He wouldn't have wished it on a dog he didn't like, let alone a friend. When you are the boy-that-lived, people expected things of you as if the act of maintaining a pulse through a difficult situation had given you special insight into the world. Every success you achieved was belittled and every failure was magnified.
Harry made his way to the dining room to find Hermione and Ron already enjoying breakfast. Neither of them looked as if they had a restful night. "Good morning," Hermione chimed as Harry sat down. Ron only grunted as he shoveled scrambled eggs into his mouth.
"Morning," Harry said as he reached for a platter of sausages. "Did you two read the paper this morning?"
"The Prophet?" Hermione asked because she subscribed to a number of both Muggle and wizarding papers.
"Yeah," Harry replied.
"The-Girl-Who-Lived, honestly," snorted Ron after taking a swig of coffee, "It makes you and Ginny sound like bloody bookends."
"Ron," Hermione admonished. "It's just a silly story. Merlin knows they've been desperate for news since the war ended."
"They've smelt blood in the water," Harry predicted, "They'll never let her have a moment's peace now."
Hermione paused and her brow wrinkled with concern. "You really think so?"
"I know so," Harry replied, "I've been there."
The next few minutes passed in silence as each contemplated their thoughts. Then Ron said hesitantly, "Did Ginny seem all right to you? I thought she was a bit stand-offish."
"She did seem traumatized by the whole experience," Hermione agreed, "but really, what can you expect?"
"I wonder where she was," Harry said, "Why she didn't try to contact us years ago?"
"I think she was being held prisoner," Ron said quietly. He pushed his plate away with a grimace. "Maybe she was in Azkaban." The tone of Ron's voice revealed his terror at the very thought. Azkaban had not changed with the times. After the war, the ministry regained control of the Dementors. As they couldn't be killed, the Minister of Magic had allowed them to return to their post as prison guards. Although some of the wizarding public had been outraged by this development, a majority felt that the new influx of Death Eaters and war criminals deserved their monstrous guards.
"No, that's not possible," Hermione said. "The combined charms Dumbledore and I cast on her could only result in Ginny being moved to a safe place. I doubt that Dumbledore would consider Azkaban safe. I certainly don't."
"Maybe she was in a vault in Gringotts," Ron ventured.
"I doubt she could survive ten years in there," Hermione returned. "I'd lay odds that she was being kept in some other magically fortified place."
"The Ministry of Magic," Ron suggested, "Maybe she was behind that door in the Department of Mysteries. You remember, the one we couldn't open, the one Dumbledore said contained the greatest power known on earth."
"Dumbledore, that's right," Harry exclaimed as he remembered, "Yesterday when he and I stepped out of Ginny's room for a second, Dumbledore seemed to have an idea where she might have been."
"What did he say?" Hermione demanded. Hermione's firm belief that Dumbledore always had the correct answer had only been strengthened since she began teaching at Hogwarts.
"He said that if his suspicions were right, then Ginny would have a tough time recovering."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Ron demanded.
Harry shrugged. "He also said that the spell Ginny used in the hospital wing was an ancient Aztec one."
Ron paused with a fork full of eggs half way to his mouth and a confused expression on his face. Hermione, on the other hand, seemed to be instantly intrigued by the idea. "Aztec you say?" she asked.
"That's what he said," Harry replied. "Dumbledore said it was for warding off demons and evil spirits."
"That would explain why it didn't effect us," Hermione said thoughtfully. "If I remember correctly, there was a book in the Hogwarts' library about native magic. Perhaps I should go look it up."
"Wait a second," Ron interrupted, "you're not going to run off to Hogwarts for a book. Dumbledore gave you some time off. Besides, we're going back to see Ginny after breakfast."
"It won't take me that long get to the book and meet you at St. Mungo's," Hermione muttered. "Besides, it might be helpful in determining where Ginny was."
"Why don't we just ask her?" Ron demanded.
Hermione released a long sigh and rolled her eyes. "I don't think it's that easy Ron. I don't think we should be pushing her right now."
"I agree," Harry added thinking back to the shaky figure in a hospital bed.
Ron sighed and finally nodded in agreement. "No running off to Hogwarts though," he stated, "I need you with me today."
"It will only take a minute," Hermione argued, "I'm sure I can find the book right away."
"Yes you will," Ron agreed, "and you'll read it right away because you can't wait. Then, you'll have to look up 20 other references. By the time you've done that, there will be a hundred other things that you will need to look up."
Hermione had a stunned and hurt expression on her face. Harry might have been sympathetic had he not seen Hermione do exactly what Ron described a hundred or so times. She was extremely tenacious when it came to solving mysteries. But, Harry also knew that Hermione's intentions were the highest. Researching in the library was her way to help Ginny and Ron. "Hermione," he said, "You go with Ron, and I'll go to Hogwarts for the book you need."
Hermione sighed and smiled. "Thanks Harry," she whispered.
"Yeah," Ron murmured grasping his wife's hand, "Thanks."
Five hours later, Harry left the library of Hogwarts carrying a massive book entitled, "Magic of the Native Peoples of the New World." The search for Hermione's book had taken much longer than anticipated. Ginny's little spell in the hospital wing had knocked every book off the library shelves before toppling over the bookcases. One angry glance from Madam Pince had quelled the request on his tongue. He knew he should be at St. Mungo's, but Harry reluctantly helped restore order to the school library. As a reward, Madam Pince would allow him to take the book off the school grounds.
Harry apparated to St. Mungo's and found Hermione and Ron sitting in the same waiting room as yesterday. "What took so long?" Hermione asked as he passed the massive volume he was carrying to her.
Harry shrugged. "The library was in the same shape as the hospital wing."
"Oh no," cried Hermione, "I hope none of the books were damaged."
Ron released a small snort that said he wasn't too concerned with the idea.
"Where are the rest of the Weasleys?" Harry asked.
"Dad took Mum home so she could rest," Ron declared. "He didn't think she got any sleep last night. Fred and George were here earlier, but they needed to take care of some business at their shop. Bill and Charlie are upstairs in the tearoom."
"How's Ginny?" Harry inquired while stretching out in a chair beside Ron.
"The Healers are examining her now," Ron answered, "Hermione thinks that she'll be released today."
"She's better then?" Harry asked.
Hermione and Ron traded uncomfortable glances. "She's awake and alert, but she's been pretty unresponsive," Hermione explained.
"We've been talking at her all morning," Ron added, "But she hasn't said a word."
"She did ask me when the baby was due," Hermione reminded him gently.
"Yeah," Ron whispered vacantly, "She does seem to be interested in that."
"Fleur and Bill were thinking of bringing Will and Arty by later," Hermione said. "We thought maybe that would stimulate her."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. The second generation of Weasley boys was extremely stimulating in a controlled chaos sort of way. "How are you two holding up?" he asked.
"We're fine," Ron answered while reaching for Hermione's hand. The couple exchanged comforting smiles before turning back towards Harry. "Maybe you could talk to her. Ginny used to fancy you, didn't she?"
Harry's ears turned red, and he shifted awkwardly in his chair. "Honestly Ron," Hermione admonished, "that was years ago!"
"I'm not asking him to marry her," Ron snapped. "I just thought that maybe she'd open up to him."
"It's worth a try," Harry said. "But if she hasn't responded to her family, I doubt she'll want to talk with me."
The trio lapsed into silence. Hermione opened her book and began thumbing through the pages. Ron stretched out his feet and closed his eyes to nap. Harry followed Ron's lead.
Later, Harry and Ron were both jolted awake as Hermione snapped her book closed. Seeing his wife's frustrated expression, Ron asked, "What is it?"
"A dead end," she muttered. "According to the authors of this book, there are no known texts of Aztec spells or charms."
"Maybe Dumbledore was confused," Harry suggested.
"I suppose he could have meant the Mayans or Incans," Hermione granted, "but it's unlike Dumbledore to get his facts confused."
"Maybe he starting to lose it," Ron suggested, "After all, he's like two- hundred years old."
"Only one hundred and sixty-eight Mr. Weasley," an amused voice interrupted, "And I assure you that I haven't lost anything yet."
Ron turned a deep shade of red. "Sorry Professor," he mumbled, "I didn't see you there."
"It's quite all right, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore chuckled. "The school governors question my sanity on almost a daily basis."
"I'm surprised to see you here Professor," Hermione commented.
"I just stopped by to have a quick chat with your sister-in-law, Professor Weasley," Dumbledore explained.
"She's being examined by the healers," Ron responded.
"I ran into Healer Pye in the corridor," Dumbledore said, "He's finished his examination."
"Oh," Hermione murmured. "We'll go sit with her than."
Ron helped Hermione to stand and led her out of the waiting room. Harry followed quietly, politely carrying Hermione's book. Once in the hallway, Harry was surprised to see Dumbledore turn in the opposite direction of Ginny's room. "Professor," Harry called out, "Don't you want to speak with Ginny?"
"I already have," Dumbledore replied. With no further explanation, he disappeared into the stair well. Hermione, Ron, and Harry swapped astonished expressions.
"What was that all about?" Ron wondered.
"I don't know," Hermione answered absently. Her brow constricted thoughtfully as she turned back towards Ginny's room.
When they entered her room, Ginny was standing by one of the windows. She turned towards them briefly but made no acknowledgement of their presence before turning back to gaze outside. Harry couldn't help but notice how pale the harsh hospital lights made Ginny appear and how fragile she seemed in her white night gown.
"Ginny," Ron whispered. "Look whose come to see you."
"Hello Ginny," Harry said softly.
Ginny stayed silent.
"Why don't we all sit down for a bit?" Hermione suggested. She went over to where Ginny was standing and gently drew her away from the window. Hermione led her back towards the hospital bed and guided Ginny to sit. As soon as Hermione had taken a seat beside her, Ginny stood back up and walked silently over to the window again.
Ron and Hermione shared distressed looks. "What did you and Dumbledore talk about?" Ron asked.
Ginny didn't answer. Ron released a frustrated sniff.
"Did the healers tell you anything?" Hermione tried softly.
Again, Ginny didn't answer.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked hesitantly.
Ginny remained stone silent, but she shifted slightly to change her perspective on the outside world.
Ron sent Harry a look that said, "See what I mean."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. He went to go gaze out the window with Ginny. Maybe something was going on outside that was distracting her from the conversation. The street below was teeming with Muggles rushing from shop to shop, but there was nothing that appeared out of the ordinary.
"Where did you get that book?" Ginny demanded.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all jumped at her abrupt question. Harry turned to see Ginny staring intently at the volume he had carelessly tucked under his arm. "I... I got it from the library," he stuttered.
"The librarian let you take it?" Ginny inquired harshly. With jerky motions, she reached out to seize the volume. Harry surrendered the book even though he was afraid that it was too heavy for Ginny. She hugged the massive book to her with ease.
"It's all right," Harry reassured her softly. "Madam Pince knows I have it."
"Madam Pince?" Ginny retorted.
"The Hogwarts librarian," Harry explained.
"Ohh," Ginny sighed before turning back to the window. She continued to clutch the book like a comforting childhood toy.
Harry stumbled back to a shocked Hermione and Ron. The three fell into a slightly stunned silence.
"Ahh," a cheerful voice called, "Glad to see you up and about Miss Weasley with your visitors." The trio turned to see Augustus Pye enter the room. Ginny ignored him completely. "Yes...well...I have good news for you."
"What is it?" Ron asked.
"I'm going to release your sister today," the healer replied with a smile.
"Oh Ron, that's wonderful," Hermione exclaimed leaping to embrace her husband.
"Are you sure she's all right?" Ron inquired.
"You're sister has recovered nicely from her fall yesterday, and we've been unable to detect any hint of spell damage in her system." Seeing Ron's disbelieving glance over towards the window, the healer clarified, "You're sister has some minor bruising and is a little undernourished, but otherwise, she's in good physical health. I'm afraid that whatever is affecting her is purely psychological."
"She's gone nutters," Ron snorted angrily. Harry cast a worried look in Ginny's direction, but she showed no sign that she was listening to their conversation.
"I don't know if I'd go that far Mr. Weasley, but your sister was clearly negatively affected by her experience. She may be suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. It's a condition that Muggle doctor's have been recognizing for years," Pye explained.
"She's not a Muggle," snapped Ron.
"Ron," Hermione sighed patiently. "Posttraumatic stress disorder isn't a Muggle syndrome, it's a human syndrome."
"It sound's a bit dodgy to me," Ron muttered. "How do we cure this post- disorder trauma thing?"
"There is no cure, Muggle or wizard. What she needs is time, caring, and quiet," Pye replied. Ron grumbled something under his breath but didn't argue. "I'll let you make arrangements for Miss Weasley's release, while I start the necessary paper work," he said before disappearing.
"I suppose that Floogle Castle is the best place for her?" Hermione wondered aloud.
"Mum and Dad won't like that," Ron muttered.
"She can't very well live in their flat," Hermione reasoned. "Besides, the city is way too loud and congested."
"You're right," Ron agreed. "That okay with you Harry?"
"Of course," Harry answered.
"I'll go back to the castle and tell Winky and Dobby to prepare a room for Ginny," Hermione declared. "I can also grab some clothes for Ginny to wear. I hope they burned that old Hogwarts uniform she was wearing."
"I'll go tell the rest of the family about Ginny's release and see what they want to do," Ron muttered resignedly. "Harry could you stay here with Ginny?"
"If you're sure?" Harry replied.
Ron nodded. After trying to say goodbyes to an unresponsive Ginny, Ron and Hermione left. The silence quickly magnified in their absence.
Harry shifted his weight from his left foot to his right foot and then back again. He searched his mind for something to say, but was distracted by the floor tiles which he began to count. Finally, he sat down slowly on Ginny's bed, but jumped up quickly when the springs released a high-pitched creak.
"Annoying isn't it?" Ginny had moved from her spot by the window and was standing directly in front of Harry. Hermione's book was still clutched tight to her chest. "Every time I so much as breathed last night, it made the same sound."
Harry was astounded. Ginny appeared to be making small talk, and she had moved so quietly and quickly across the room that he hadn't noticed. Completely dumbstruck, Harry muttered the first thing that came to his mind, "My bed at home doesn't creak at all."
The corners of Ginny's lips twitched.
"I mean," Harry continued quickly, "Not that you care whether my bed is creaky or not. I was just trying to say that it must have been hard for you to sleep." He felt his cheeks growing hot. "I'm not making any sense, am I?"
"No," Ginny answered, "Not really."
Harry shook his head and started again. "How are you doing?"
"I have posttraumatic stress," she answered.
"You heard what the healer said?" Harry inquired slowly.
"I was in the room at the time," Ginny reminded.
"Sorry," Harry muttered quickly, "We shouldn't have talked like you weren't here."
"I'm not sure I am," she murmured.
"What happened to you?" Harry demanded softly.
"I don't know," Ginny replied. Her eyes shifted back and forth before zeroing in on the floor.
With some unease, Harry realized that she was lying to him. A little more sharply he asked, "Where were you?"
Ginny raised her eyes defiantly towards him. Harry noticed little sparks of gold in her coffee-colored eyes. She was either angry or panicking. "Lost," she uttered, "I was just lost."
Harry Potter and the Lost Library
Chapter 5: Just Lost
Harry's head was aching by the time he finished dressing. He should have learned after all these years not to read the Daily Prophet. The blockheaded editors at the paper had been quick to label Ginny as The-Girl- Who-Lived. Harry hoped for her sake that the moniker didn't stick. He hated the shallow fame of being The-Boy-That-Lived. He wouldn't have wished it on a dog he didn't like, let alone a friend. When you are the boy-that-lived, people expected things of you as if the act of maintaining a pulse through a difficult situation had given you special insight into the world. Every success you achieved was belittled and every failure was magnified.
Harry made his way to the dining room to find Hermione and Ron already enjoying breakfast. Neither of them looked as if they had a restful night. "Good morning," Hermione chimed as Harry sat down. Ron only grunted as he shoveled scrambled eggs into his mouth.
"Morning," Harry said as he reached for a platter of sausages. "Did you two read the paper this morning?"
"The Prophet?" Hermione asked because she subscribed to a number of both Muggle and wizarding papers.
"Yeah," Harry replied.
"The-Girl-Who-Lived, honestly," snorted Ron after taking a swig of coffee, "It makes you and Ginny sound like bloody bookends."
"Ron," Hermione admonished. "It's just a silly story. Merlin knows they've been desperate for news since the war ended."
"They've smelt blood in the water," Harry predicted, "They'll never let her have a moment's peace now."
Hermione paused and her brow wrinkled with concern. "You really think so?"
"I know so," Harry replied, "I've been there."
The next few minutes passed in silence as each contemplated their thoughts. Then Ron said hesitantly, "Did Ginny seem all right to you? I thought she was a bit stand-offish."
"She did seem traumatized by the whole experience," Hermione agreed, "but really, what can you expect?"
"I wonder where she was," Harry said, "Why she didn't try to contact us years ago?"
"I think she was being held prisoner," Ron said quietly. He pushed his plate away with a grimace. "Maybe she was in Azkaban." The tone of Ron's voice revealed his terror at the very thought. Azkaban had not changed with the times. After the war, the ministry regained control of the Dementors. As they couldn't be killed, the Minister of Magic had allowed them to return to their post as prison guards. Although some of the wizarding public had been outraged by this development, a majority felt that the new influx of Death Eaters and war criminals deserved their monstrous guards.
"No, that's not possible," Hermione said. "The combined charms Dumbledore and I cast on her could only result in Ginny being moved to a safe place. I doubt that Dumbledore would consider Azkaban safe. I certainly don't."
"Maybe she was in a vault in Gringotts," Ron ventured.
"I doubt she could survive ten years in there," Hermione returned. "I'd lay odds that she was being kept in some other magically fortified place."
"The Ministry of Magic," Ron suggested, "Maybe she was behind that door in the Department of Mysteries. You remember, the one we couldn't open, the one Dumbledore said contained the greatest power known on earth."
"Dumbledore, that's right," Harry exclaimed as he remembered, "Yesterday when he and I stepped out of Ginny's room for a second, Dumbledore seemed to have an idea where she might have been."
"What did he say?" Hermione demanded. Hermione's firm belief that Dumbledore always had the correct answer had only been strengthened since she began teaching at Hogwarts.
"He said that if his suspicions were right, then Ginny would have a tough time recovering."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Ron demanded.
Harry shrugged. "He also said that the spell Ginny used in the hospital wing was an ancient Aztec one."
Ron paused with a fork full of eggs half way to his mouth and a confused expression on his face. Hermione, on the other hand, seemed to be instantly intrigued by the idea. "Aztec you say?" she asked.
"That's what he said," Harry replied. "Dumbledore said it was for warding off demons and evil spirits."
"That would explain why it didn't effect us," Hermione said thoughtfully. "If I remember correctly, there was a book in the Hogwarts' library about native magic. Perhaps I should go look it up."
"Wait a second," Ron interrupted, "you're not going to run off to Hogwarts for a book. Dumbledore gave you some time off. Besides, we're going back to see Ginny after breakfast."
"It won't take me that long get to the book and meet you at St. Mungo's," Hermione muttered. "Besides, it might be helpful in determining where Ginny was."
"Why don't we just ask her?" Ron demanded.
Hermione released a long sigh and rolled her eyes. "I don't think it's that easy Ron. I don't think we should be pushing her right now."
"I agree," Harry added thinking back to the shaky figure in a hospital bed.
Ron sighed and finally nodded in agreement. "No running off to Hogwarts though," he stated, "I need you with me today."
"It will only take a minute," Hermione argued, "I'm sure I can find the book right away."
"Yes you will," Ron agreed, "and you'll read it right away because you can't wait. Then, you'll have to look up 20 other references. By the time you've done that, there will be a hundred other things that you will need to look up."
Hermione had a stunned and hurt expression on her face. Harry might have been sympathetic had he not seen Hermione do exactly what Ron described a hundred or so times. She was extremely tenacious when it came to solving mysteries. But, Harry also knew that Hermione's intentions were the highest. Researching in the library was her way to help Ginny and Ron. "Hermione," he said, "You go with Ron, and I'll go to Hogwarts for the book you need."
Hermione sighed and smiled. "Thanks Harry," she whispered.
"Yeah," Ron murmured grasping his wife's hand, "Thanks."
Five hours later, Harry left the library of Hogwarts carrying a massive book entitled, "Magic of the Native Peoples of the New World." The search for Hermione's book had taken much longer than anticipated. Ginny's little spell in the hospital wing had knocked every book off the library shelves before toppling over the bookcases. One angry glance from Madam Pince had quelled the request on his tongue. He knew he should be at St. Mungo's, but Harry reluctantly helped restore order to the school library. As a reward, Madam Pince would allow him to take the book off the school grounds.
Harry apparated to St. Mungo's and found Hermione and Ron sitting in the same waiting room as yesterday. "What took so long?" Hermione asked as he passed the massive volume he was carrying to her.
Harry shrugged. "The library was in the same shape as the hospital wing."
"Oh no," cried Hermione, "I hope none of the books were damaged."
Ron released a small snort that said he wasn't too concerned with the idea.
"Where are the rest of the Weasleys?" Harry asked.
"Dad took Mum home so she could rest," Ron declared. "He didn't think she got any sleep last night. Fred and George were here earlier, but they needed to take care of some business at their shop. Bill and Charlie are upstairs in the tearoom."
"How's Ginny?" Harry inquired while stretching out in a chair beside Ron.
"The Healers are examining her now," Ron answered, "Hermione thinks that she'll be released today."
"She's better then?" Harry asked.
Hermione and Ron traded uncomfortable glances. "She's awake and alert, but she's been pretty unresponsive," Hermione explained.
"We've been talking at her all morning," Ron added, "But she hasn't said a word."
"She did ask me when the baby was due," Hermione reminded him gently.
"Yeah," Ron whispered vacantly, "She does seem to be interested in that."
"Fleur and Bill were thinking of bringing Will and Arty by later," Hermione said. "We thought maybe that would stimulate her."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. The second generation of Weasley boys was extremely stimulating in a controlled chaos sort of way. "How are you two holding up?" he asked.
"We're fine," Ron answered while reaching for Hermione's hand. The couple exchanged comforting smiles before turning back towards Harry. "Maybe you could talk to her. Ginny used to fancy you, didn't she?"
Harry's ears turned red, and he shifted awkwardly in his chair. "Honestly Ron," Hermione admonished, "that was years ago!"
"I'm not asking him to marry her," Ron snapped. "I just thought that maybe she'd open up to him."
"It's worth a try," Harry said. "But if she hasn't responded to her family, I doubt she'll want to talk with me."
The trio lapsed into silence. Hermione opened her book and began thumbing through the pages. Ron stretched out his feet and closed his eyes to nap. Harry followed Ron's lead.
Later, Harry and Ron were both jolted awake as Hermione snapped her book closed. Seeing his wife's frustrated expression, Ron asked, "What is it?"
"A dead end," she muttered. "According to the authors of this book, there are no known texts of Aztec spells or charms."
"Maybe Dumbledore was confused," Harry suggested.
"I suppose he could have meant the Mayans or Incans," Hermione granted, "but it's unlike Dumbledore to get his facts confused."
"Maybe he starting to lose it," Ron suggested, "After all, he's like two- hundred years old."
"Only one hundred and sixty-eight Mr. Weasley," an amused voice interrupted, "And I assure you that I haven't lost anything yet."
Ron turned a deep shade of red. "Sorry Professor," he mumbled, "I didn't see you there."
"It's quite all right, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore chuckled. "The school governors question my sanity on almost a daily basis."
"I'm surprised to see you here Professor," Hermione commented.
"I just stopped by to have a quick chat with your sister-in-law, Professor Weasley," Dumbledore explained.
"She's being examined by the healers," Ron responded.
"I ran into Healer Pye in the corridor," Dumbledore said, "He's finished his examination."
"Oh," Hermione murmured. "We'll go sit with her than."
Ron helped Hermione to stand and led her out of the waiting room. Harry followed quietly, politely carrying Hermione's book. Once in the hallway, Harry was surprised to see Dumbledore turn in the opposite direction of Ginny's room. "Professor," Harry called out, "Don't you want to speak with Ginny?"
"I already have," Dumbledore replied. With no further explanation, he disappeared into the stair well. Hermione, Ron, and Harry swapped astonished expressions.
"What was that all about?" Ron wondered.
"I don't know," Hermione answered absently. Her brow constricted thoughtfully as she turned back towards Ginny's room.
When they entered her room, Ginny was standing by one of the windows. She turned towards them briefly but made no acknowledgement of their presence before turning back to gaze outside. Harry couldn't help but notice how pale the harsh hospital lights made Ginny appear and how fragile she seemed in her white night gown.
"Ginny," Ron whispered. "Look whose come to see you."
"Hello Ginny," Harry said softly.
Ginny stayed silent.
"Why don't we all sit down for a bit?" Hermione suggested. She went over to where Ginny was standing and gently drew her away from the window. Hermione led her back towards the hospital bed and guided Ginny to sit. As soon as Hermione had taken a seat beside her, Ginny stood back up and walked silently over to the window again.
Ron and Hermione shared distressed looks. "What did you and Dumbledore talk about?" Ron asked.
Ginny didn't answer. Ron released a frustrated sniff.
"Did the healers tell you anything?" Hermione tried softly.
Again, Ginny didn't answer.
"How are you feeling?" Harry asked hesitantly.
Ginny remained stone silent, but she shifted slightly to change her perspective on the outside world.
Ron sent Harry a look that said, "See what I mean."
Harry nodded thoughtfully. He went to go gaze out the window with Ginny. Maybe something was going on outside that was distracting her from the conversation. The street below was teeming with Muggles rushing from shop to shop, but there was nothing that appeared out of the ordinary.
"Where did you get that book?" Ginny demanded.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron all jumped at her abrupt question. Harry turned to see Ginny staring intently at the volume he had carelessly tucked under his arm. "I... I got it from the library," he stuttered.
"The librarian let you take it?" Ginny inquired harshly. With jerky motions, she reached out to seize the volume. Harry surrendered the book even though he was afraid that it was too heavy for Ginny. She hugged the massive book to her with ease.
"It's all right," Harry reassured her softly. "Madam Pince knows I have it."
"Madam Pince?" Ginny retorted.
"The Hogwarts librarian," Harry explained.
"Ohh," Ginny sighed before turning back to the window. She continued to clutch the book like a comforting childhood toy.
Harry stumbled back to a shocked Hermione and Ron. The three fell into a slightly stunned silence.
"Ahh," a cheerful voice called, "Glad to see you up and about Miss Weasley with your visitors." The trio turned to see Augustus Pye enter the room. Ginny ignored him completely. "Yes...well...I have good news for you."
"What is it?" Ron asked.
"I'm going to release your sister today," the healer replied with a smile.
"Oh Ron, that's wonderful," Hermione exclaimed leaping to embrace her husband.
"Are you sure she's all right?" Ron inquired.
"You're sister has recovered nicely from her fall yesterday, and we've been unable to detect any hint of spell damage in her system." Seeing Ron's disbelieving glance over towards the window, the healer clarified, "You're sister has some minor bruising and is a little undernourished, but otherwise, she's in good physical health. I'm afraid that whatever is affecting her is purely psychological."
"She's gone nutters," Ron snorted angrily. Harry cast a worried look in Ginny's direction, but she showed no sign that she was listening to their conversation.
"I don't know if I'd go that far Mr. Weasley, but your sister was clearly negatively affected by her experience. She may be suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder. It's a condition that Muggle doctor's have been recognizing for years," Pye explained.
"She's not a Muggle," snapped Ron.
"Ron," Hermione sighed patiently. "Posttraumatic stress disorder isn't a Muggle syndrome, it's a human syndrome."
"It sound's a bit dodgy to me," Ron muttered. "How do we cure this post- disorder trauma thing?"
"There is no cure, Muggle or wizard. What she needs is time, caring, and quiet," Pye replied. Ron grumbled something under his breath but didn't argue. "I'll let you make arrangements for Miss Weasley's release, while I start the necessary paper work," he said before disappearing.
"I suppose that Floogle Castle is the best place for her?" Hermione wondered aloud.
"Mum and Dad won't like that," Ron muttered.
"She can't very well live in their flat," Hermione reasoned. "Besides, the city is way too loud and congested."
"You're right," Ron agreed. "That okay with you Harry?"
"Of course," Harry answered.
"I'll go back to the castle and tell Winky and Dobby to prepare a room for Ginny," Hermione declared. "I can also grab some clothes for Ginny to wear. I hope they burned that old Hogwarts uniform she was wearing."
"I'll go tell the rest of the family about Ginny's release and see what they want to do," Ron muttered resignedly. "Harry could you stay here with Ginny?"
"If you're sure?" Harry replied.
Ron nodded. After trying to say goodbyes to an unresponsive Ginny, Ron and Hermione left. The silence quickly magnified in their absence.
Harry shifted his weight from his left foot to his right foot and then back again. He searched his mind for something to say, but was distracted by the floor tiles which he began to count. Finally, he sat down slowly on Ginny's bed, but jumped up quickly when the springs released a high-pitched creak.
"Annoying isn't it?" Ginny had moved from her spot by the window and was standing directly in front of Harry. Hermione's book was still clutched tight to her chest. "Every time I so much as breathed last night, it made the same sound."
Harry was astounded. Ginny appeared to be making small talk, and she had moved so quietly and quickly across the room that he hadn't noticed. Completely dumbstruck, Harry muttered the first thing that came to his mind, "My bed at home doesn't creak at all."
The corners of Ginny's lips twitched.
"I mean," Harry continued quickly, "Not that you care whether my bed is creaky or not. I was just trying to say that it must have been hard for you to sleep." He felt his cheeks growing hot. "I'm not making any sense, am I?"
"No," Ginny answered, "Not really."
Harry shook his head and started again. "How are you doing?"
"I have posttraumatic stress," she answered.
"You heard what the healer said?" Harry inquired slowly.
"I was in the room at the time," Ginny reminded.
"Sorry," Harry muttered quickly, "We shouldn't have talked like you weren't here."
"I'm not sure I am," she murmured.
"What happened to you?" Harry demanded softly.
"I don't know," Ginny replied. Her eyes shifted back and forth before zeroing in on the floor.
With some unease, Harry realized that she was lying to him. A little more sharply he asked, "Where were you?"
Ginny raised her eyes defiantly towards him. Harry noticed little sparks of gold in her coffee-colored eyes. She was either angry or panicking. "Lost," she uttered, "I was just lost."