"Hermione? Who are you talking to, dear?"

Hermione stopped breathing and her eyes widened. "She mustn't catch you! Leave!" she hissed.

"Are you alright? Hermione?" Molly Weasley prompted.

"Just Crookshanks!" Hermione answered brightly, turning to face the older woman with a bright smile.

"Oh. Alright. Well, if you're sure you're okay, I'm going to apparate home and prepare for-" Molly's voice caught in her throat. "For the wake," she choked out.

Hermione's grinned diminished quickly. "If you need help, let me know." Tears swelled in her eyes.

Molly nodded and left with a popping noise.

"I wish we could tell her, Gin," Hermione sighed.

"I do, too."

"It seems so cruel. She's your mother. It seems so…. Wrong. She's grieving and we're panning a life in Paris, that doesn't seem wrong to you?" Hermione asked, wishing the truth could just come out.

"It's the only way."

Hermione felt Ginny's arms encircle her. "When did she start caring. She seemed okay with us being together. You were here last night when she came to make sure I was okay."

"She cares, trust me."

"But… She seemed to have accepted us. Are you certain?"

"Hermione, she's my mother. I know. She refuses to accept us."

"I guess I'm just having a difficult time accepting that you're really alive. I can't get over it. I mean, how did you fake your death? I saw the light hit you!" Hermione protested, her logic fighting and taking hold.

Her question was answered with silence.

"Ginny?" Hermione asked, turning around. "Where did you go? Ginny?" Hermione searched the house.

"Ginny!" Hermione checked a clock. "Bugger! It's quarter after nine already! Gin, we'll talk after the wake!" Hermione grabbed her black dress and quickly changed before apparating to the Burrow.

"It's the strangest thing!" Hermione heard Molly Weasley say from the kitchen to an audience unknown. "When I arrived last night, she was talking to someone, but I don't know who, I only heard her voice. Then again, this morning, I walked into the living room from the guest room and she was talking to someone in the kitchen. Do you know, when I asked who, she told me Crookshanks. I could see her cat sleeping on the couch!"

Hermione cleared her throat before entering the kitchen. The Weasley clan and Harry looked at her as she entered.

"Hermione, dear!" Molly said, walking to her and hugging her, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," Hermione answered stiffly, pulling away. "When are we leaving?"

"Soon, dear. I just wanted to have the food ready for after."

"Are we taking the car?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, of course, dear," Molly answered.

"I'll wait outside then, if you don't mind. I think I just feel like being alone for a while."

"Yes, we understand. We'll be outside in a few minutes, Hermione," Molly nodded.

Hermione shook her head. I can't believe I'm lying to them all. They're like a second family to me and I'm lying!

"You're not lying!"

"Ginny!" Hermione gasped! "Why are you here? You can't be here! What if they see?"

"I knew you needed me."

"Where did you go this morning? Why did you go?" Hermione asked, tears filling her eyes.

"I had a few things to take care of. I'm sorry."

"Oh, Ginny, I just don't see how this is going to work!" Hermione wailed in frustration.

"Hermione? Who are you talking to?"

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Oh no! They've caught us!

"Hermione?" Ron repeated. The rest of the Weasley family began filing out behind him.

"What?" Hermione asked, feigning ignorance. She spun around to face them all.

"Who were you talking to? There's no one here and I could have sworn you said Ginny."

"Yes, Hermione, dear. Who were you talking to?" Molly asked.

"No one, really," Hermione answered, still wondering why they hadn't asked why Ginny was standing behind her, very much alive.

The family looked at her, skeptical.

"Are we ready to go?" Hermione asked, changing the subject.

"Who were you talking to?" Molly repeated.

"Actually, I rather have to use the loo. I'm just going to pop in for a second."

"Hermione! You were talking to Ginny, weren't you?" Molly demanded. "Stop doing this to yourself! She's dead, let her go!"