Author's Note: In the last chapter and a few to come I will have the character Garfield Logan mentioned, he is not mine, he belongs DC Comics I believe, possibly Marvel. One or the toher, but so you know, I'm borrowing him and the HP characters. You will most certainly know which characters are mine and not mine. All characters that are copyright another person, etc will be featured in an author's note. He is Beast Boy from the Teen Titans, Garfield Logan that is. Also, in this, he is NOT green, may I repeat, not green!

Chapter Twenty: Healing is Difficult

"C'mon people, this is a celebration of friends... Lets get back to talking and drinking!" George smiled and thrust his mug into the air, hoping people would follow his lead, ending the deathly silence that had befallen the troupe.

"Yes, yes, this is a party, people..." Hermione choked out, not big on parties, but she was celebrating friends.

George cocked a brow to Hermione, surprised by her outburst in support of a party or anything of such sort, it was not like her to jump on the party train. She simply smiled and turned away, to find Ron, who was most likely still in their room after the meeting earlier. She sighed, walking the stairs and then she leaned into the room that she and Ron shared for a few year nows. He was at the window, staring off into the stares, he seemed distant and aware of her presence in the room. He did not turn to her to let it be known that he knew she was in the room, he simply spoke, in a dulled and sad tone.

"So... You knew that Harry and Ginny were together?" Ron asked in a quite melancholy voice.

"Yes, Ronald, I did... And it was quite clear in our 6th year, you were just too worried about the tests and what was going at the Ministry... And things with your family..." Hermione sighed, sitting next to him by the window, she used her hand to turn his face to her and she kissed him.

"How is it that I never even saw it coming...?" Ron stared into her eyes, hoping to find an answer within them.

"You had your suspicions, I know you did, you told me of them, Ron... You just didn't want to see them and you were quite overwhelmed..." Hermione spoke in a consoling tone.

"I always wanted a good man for Ginny, I always did... I just worry for her being with Harry, yes he is a good man, but he lives a dangerous life and I don't want her to be hurt if something were to happen to him... I really don't, Hermione..." Ron frowned, the thought of this was what hurt most, it was not that he cared that it was hidden, but he didn't want to lose his sister or best friend.

"Nothing is going to happen to Harry if we are by his side throughout, Ron, nothing." Hermione said sternly, her eyes flicking back and forth, reading his face,"Now come downstairs and celebrate with us, darling."

Ron nodded, standing up and offering his hand to her, helping her up, they hugged tightly and kissed. Then as they turned to walk towards the door, there was familiar face looming there, grinning menacingly at them and Hermione blushed. It was Remus Lupin, their favorite former teacher and their good friend, he smiled and walked with them back to the living room. He waited till they reached the room to speak at all, which made the two a little nervous during the walk back to the room.

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"Donnie, would you be able to join me back at the mansion... Hermione Granger knows about my secret and I wish to have her there..." Ariadne asked cautiously, hoping he'd be able to join her.

"Of course, I need an excuse to get out of here, as well as see old friends." Donnie smiled and stood up, "Let's tell the desk clerk and we'll be off, alright?"

They walked from his office back to the clerk's desk, telling her what was going on and that he'd be back in a few days, so if they needed him... He was on a short vacation, all cases would be forwarded to another employee at St. Mungo's. After that, they apparated from the square out in front of the building to the gate just before Harry Potter's mansion, which at night looked somewhat menacing and dark, especially at night like it was. The walked up the pathway to the door and knocked, awaiting someone to come and greet them. About 10 or 15 minutes later, no one came so they knocked once more and as they finished knocking Fred opened the door with a faint smile, which quickly changed at the sight of Donnie.

"Raven, your husband is here and Hermione, Aria is here..." Fred yelled, then wandered off muttering with his Butterbeer at hand.

Moments later, both Hermione and Raven were at the vestibule where Ariadne and Donnie were waiting for them. Raven lunged at Donnie pinning him to the ground, Hermione and Ariadne simply snickered at the lovebirds. Then Hermione shook her head and hugged Ariadne, she smiled, it was distant but true. She figured if Aria had brought Donnie something was up, there just had to be, it was not common for Donnie to be here so late.

"Donnie, what are you doing here, love?" Raven asked, a huge grin spreading over lips.

"Well, first is to see you and second is to speak with Hermione and Aria..." Donnie then looked at Aria with a look requesting to have Raven join the discussion.

Ariadne watched him, then looked to Raven, whose face was now slightly contorted with confusion as to what Donnie had just mentioned. She took in a deep breath and nodded to Donnie, Raven deserved to know just as much as Hermione did, it was not something Ariadne wanted to keep from Raven. Especially since she'd know Rae so well and was decent friends with Donnie, she just couldn't hide it from her without feeling a bit guilty.

"What room is best...?" Hermione asked quietly.

"I imagine mine might be best, though the Deus Hall might even be quieter at this time..." Ariadne added the last bit, she felt more comfortable is the Deus Hall.

The four smiled weakly to one another, knowing and taking in that this discussion would not necessarily be a happy one, but one that would be all too important to take lightly. The walked to the third floor, as they came to the Deus Hall, where the tall doors were emblazened with the words "Deus Ex Machina" and a number of embossed metal murals of strange events. It seemed to scream the very emotions that the quartet had currently been feeling on the silent traverse to this room. None of them spoke until they set foot on the gorgeously tiled floor, which was a wonderful dark blue with dark glitter within it, the walls seemed to melt with the way they'd been design, almost like a vortex or wormhole in the dark floor was pulling at its very structure.