As soon as Draco cast the reviving spell, Hermione drew a deep breath.
"Hermione?" Draco said softly. "Can you open your eyes?"
Hermione's eyes slowly fluttered open and a small smile crossed her lips as she stared up into a glistening pair concerned grey eyes. "Draco..."
A warm smile grew on Draco's face and he gently stroked her cheek. "We made it. You're safe..." Hermione just stared up at him, her deep affection for him clearly visible in her eyes. Ginny stared at the pale chiseled face of the boy that, until just a few hours ago, she believed was an enemy, filled with wonder and appreciation for the way he looked at Hermione. Never had she imagined that his cold stony features could look so tender and warm. He truly cared for her. "How do you feel?" he asked, running a hand over her dirty frizzled hair.
Hermione arched her back at little as she considered the question. She brought a hand to her chest and a great smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Good," she answered, a little surprised.
Draco's smile faded back to concern. "I'll accept the answer 'better,' but 'good' makes me think that you're lying to me."
"Good is a relative term. And if we're speaking relatively, I feel fantastic." Hermione chuckled and Draco's smile returned.
A small chuckle behind Draco, startled Hermione. She peered to the side and finally took notice of the red-haired girl in the room. "Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed excitedly. Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, absolutely glowing at the sight of her friend. At Hermione's greeting, Ginny took a step closer, returning her smile, her eyes brimming with tears. "You have no idea how good it is to see you!"
"I think I have an idea," Ginny admitted. "You have no idea how worried we've all been for you. I was so afraid that... I'm so glad you're okay!" Hermione's eyes glistened with tears of mirth. One single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek and both girls completely broke down. Hermione took a steadying breath and picked herself up into a sitting position. Upon noticing her nudity, she quickly pulled the blanket up to cover herself. Draco politely turned his head and Hermione chuckled at him.
"It's okay. I'm covered," she assured. Draco looked on her with a quiet, mild expression, his smile soft with a sedated satisfaction.
Hermione took a second to look around the room. "Where are we?" Draco snorted a chuckle, shrugged his shoulders, and looked up at Ginny.
"We're at Great Aunt Muriel's house. The family has been staying here for months now. As soon as we received your message, this kind of became a temporary headquarters, members of the Order in and out of here. They were already planning on coming for you tonight, but when the signal at The Burrow went off…" Ginny paused, thinking back on the horrible memory. "You have no idea how scared everyone was, and when we heard the signal… we were so afraid we were too late…" Ginny's tears returned, but this time filled with a sad sort of relief. The three of them looked down, all suddenly finding their hands of great interest, fidgeting uncomfortably. The truth was, both Draco and Hermione were very close to losing their lives that night.
Draco forced the thoughts from his mind. It was over. They were safe now. There was no reason to keep thinking about what might have happened. "What-What day is it?"
At Draco's question, Hermione looked up with interest. "Friday," Ginny answered simply. One look at the two of them made her feel extremely foolish. "Sorry, it's the first of May."
Hermione gasped with shock. She knew it had been a few weeks but by her count, she had guessed two weeks. But if Ginny was not mistaken Hermione had been missing for just over three weeks. One look at Draco showed that he too was surprised.
"Are Harry and Ron here?" Hermione asked. She was desperately hoping to see them, but she was almost certain they were not there. There would be no way that they would allow themselves to be pulled from her room, and Draco would never have been allowed in the house, let alone her room.
"No," Ginny replied mournfully. "As soon as you went missing we received a message from them from Shell Cottage. When we were certain you were captured, the Order immediately began discussing where you might be. There were several places they were considering. Malfoy Manor was one of them, but there were so many wards around it and the other places that they were considering that they couldn't take chances. We were certain that something would be mentioned about you, because, you know, you've been wanted for arrest. The Order stormed the two places that they thought most likely, but obviously you weren't there. Anyway, Harry and Ron were here when they were planning at first, but they really couldn't be much help because Undesirable Number 1 and his sidekick couldn't exactly mingle undercover. So Dad, Tonks, and Lupin talked them into continuing Dumbledore's Task with the promise that they would be informed the minute you were found." Ginny paused and looked down at her hands again. "We messaged them as soon as you got here. They touched their rings, so they got the message," Ginny said, fidgeting with the silver ring on her right hand, her Order ring. "But they didn't respond…" Hermione's head bowed with concern, another uncomfortable silence falling over them.
"I'm sure they're alright," Draco assured softly. "They touched their rings. And we'd have known if they were caught. It wouldn't be a secret. And even if it were, we were in the death eaters' headquarters. They questioned you just today. And there wasn't time this evening, they were all preoccupied with the breech," Draco logically deduced. This was exactly what the two girls needed. Not just a comforting pat on the back and empty words, but true logical assurance. "But we've gotten far off topic," Draco said finally. Hermione and Ginny both looked confused as they tried to remember where their conversation had started. "Really, how are you feeling?" Draco asked, staring Hermione straight in the eye.
Hermione let out a small chuckle. "I told you, I'm-"
"We're not speaking relatively. I'm your healer and I want a list of complaints," Draco said in an absolutely serious voice.
Hermione still smiled. "I'm still really weak and a bit achy… and really hungry, but other than that, I swear, I feel just fine."
"Well, I'm sure you don't have to worry about your last complaint much longer. Mum's probably in the kitchen right now loading the fullest plates you'll ever set eyes on," Ginny assured.
"And I know just how to help the first two complaints." Draco reached back into the healer's bag and pulled out a small bottle. Picking up the shot glass again, he poured the steaming potion into it.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, eyeing the potion nervously. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but the look of the potion appeared as though it wouldn't feel or taste very pleasant going down.
"It's just an Invigoration Draught. I'm not giving you much, just enough to get some of your strength back. I don't want it to keep you up. You do need some rest." Draco handed her the glass and turned to Ginny. "Is there a bath she could use?"
"Yeah, right here actually," Ginny said, gesturing to a door at the foot of Hermione's bed.
"What do you say you drink that potion and have that bubble bath you've been dreaming of?" Draco suggested.
"That sounds amazing," Hermione smiled.
"I'll go run a bath then," Ginny smiled brightly and disappeared into the adjoining bathroom.
"You look so much better already," Draco said with a small smile, tucking a strand of hair behind Hermione's ear. Hermione drank the potion and handed Draco the cup. He set it on the nightstand with a smile as she scrunched her nose at the bitter taste of it.
"I'm feeling much better. What about-?" Hermione stopped mid-sentence and stared at Draco with concern. "You haven't been healed yet?!" she demanded, reaching out and touching the dried purple ointment near the open wound on Draco's chest. Here she'd been sitting and chatting happily with him not even realizing the he was still unhealed and in pain.
Draco smiled warmly at her concern. "One step at a time. I had to make sure you were alright first," he explained. "I've gotten started though. My foot's healed," he said, wiggling his toes. "And my cuts have been cleaned."
Hermione said nothing, just looking at him with continued concern, pained by her belief that it was only because of her that he was still hurting.
"I'm telling you, I'm getting there. I'll be completely healed by the time you're half done with your bath," Draco assured.
"Which is all set," Ginny announced as she reentered the room. "I hope it's not too hot, you can always cool it down if it is."
"Unless it's boiling, it will be perfect," Hermione said.
"Okay, well I'll go and get you some towels and some clothes. I'll be back in a few minutes," Ginny said, giving Hermione another smile before leaving the room. It was unexplainable how good it felt to see her again.
"I've never anticipated a bath so much," Hermione stated.
"Then what are you waiting for? I'd have been in there before she could finish her sentence if I were you," Draco chuckled getting to his feet.
"You can be next then," Hermione replied. "Unless you're reverting back to that stubborn puppy act that you had as a kid."
"No, You're lucky I hadn't called it before you. Never had I needed one so badly," he laughed looking down at the dried blood that was caked over most of his body. "And meaning no offense, neither have you. So get in there before the water gets cool." Draco walked over the single bed opposite Hermione's, politely looking away as she walked to the bathroom. As soon as he heard the door close, he grabbed Ginny's wand and the yellow bruise ointment and set to work on healing himself.
"Ginny?! What are you doing?" Charlie's voice boomed in the hallway.
Ginny turned around, her arms piled with clothes and towels. "I'm just grabbing-"
"Where's Draco?! Where's Hermione?!" Charlie barked.
"Relax. They're in the room, but Draco's-" Ginny started, a little annoyed with her older brother's tone.
"You left him there with her?! And where's your wand?!" Charlie demanded, looking at the empty pocket that usually held her wand.
"I'm trying to tell you, Draco is-"
"Damn it, Ginny!!!" Charlie shouted, shoving Ginny against the wall as he tore down the hall at a run. Charlie threw the door open with such force that it hit the wardrobe behind it. Draco had heard the exchange and was on his feet, his hands out defensively, offering the handle of Ginny's wand to Charlie. Ginny entered just after Charlie and watched him rip the wand out of Draco's hand.
"I didn't do anything…" Draco said calmly but with a tiny bite of defiance. "I just healed myself and Hermione…"
"Where is she?!" Charlie growled.
"Taking a bath," Draco said, nodding toward the bathroom door with his hands still held out defensively.
Charlie stared at the door as if he were ready to burst in to check on her, stopped only by the concern that Draco might actually be telling the truth, in which case she would be nude.
"For Merlin's sake, Charlie," Ginny grumbled, walking towards Draco and plopping the pile of clothes onto the bed next to him. "If I was concerned at all I wouldn't have left him here, let alone with my wand." Ginny turned to her brother with an exasperated expression. "You didn't see him or hear him. He did exactly what he said he would and Hermione's doing just fine."
Charlie kept looking at the door, his wand still pointed at Draco.
"For Merlin's sake!" Ginny cried. She sorted through the items on the bed and looked up at Draco. "I brought you a towel and clothes as well. I figure you're about the same size as Fred and George so I brought you a pair of their boxers and pajamas," At this she turned to Charlie. "And I'll bring Hermione her towel and my pajamas and make sure Draco hasn't slaughtered her in the five minutes I've been gone." Ginny crossed the room, brushing past Charlie as she went, and knocked on the bathroom door.
"Who is it?" Hermione answered.
"Incredible. You're alive," Ginny turned and lifted her eyebrows at Charlie is if to say 'see'.
"What?" Hermione asked in utter confusion.
"Nothing. I just came to bring you a towel and some clothes," Ginny answered. She cracked the door open and placed the articles on the corner of the sink. "They might be a bit big for you now… but they're the best I could do."
"Thanks. I'm just about done," Hermione said.
"Good. I would say to take your time, but I might need your help protecting Draco from my brothers," Ginny said bitterly.
"What?!" Hermione demanded. Charlie and Draco heard the water slosh and assumed that Hermione must have stood up suddenly.
"Ginny, don't scare her like that," Draco insisted. Ginny was just playing around but she had no idea just what affect those words had on Hermione. The word 'protect' had a whole new meaning to her now.
"I didn't mean…" Ginny started. "They haven't done anything. I was just saying… You really don't need to hurry like that. They're not really going to hurt him…" I don't think… "I'll just be out here."
Ginny walked back into the bedroom to find the two men in the exact same position she left them in, both glaring at her.
"Ginny! Ginny!" the twins shouted, bursting through the open bedroom door. Both of them stopped suddenly and looked from Charlie to Draco and pulled out their wands, pointing them at the pale blonde's blood smeared chest. "What'd he do?!"
Ginny sighed in agitation. "He didn't do anything. He healed Hermione and himself and he was just in here minded his business."
"So we're just doing this for fun then?" George asked as though he had no qualms with the idea.
Charlie sighed and lowered his wand. "No." The twins followed suit, seeming unconcerned.
"So what were you shouting about?" Ginny asked.
"Our Galleons!" Fred said excitedly.
Ginny sighed again and covered her eyes. She always thought her brothers were foolish, all of them but Bill, but today they were wearing on her. "Is this really the time to be discussing your finances?"
They laughed aloud and George continued. "Not ours,"
"Hermione's!" Fred finished.
"What?" All heads turned at the sound of Hermione's voice. She stood in the bathroom doorway in a pair of soft lavender pajamas that hung loosely on her thin body. Her dark wet curls hung heavy behind her shoulders and the hot water had tinted her cheeks with a healthy pink glow. Conversation stopped as they all appraised her with soft smiles. She still had a long way to go, but she was looking much better already. "We're discussing my finances?" she said in confusion.
Fred and George laughed again. "Not your finances," Fred chuckled.
"Your Galleons," George corrected, holding up a gold coin.
"The D.A. Galleons?" Hermione asked.
"Neville?!" Ginny cried. "What does it say?!"
"It says we better get our arses moving or we're going to miss the action," Fred said with a wicked grin. Ginny snatched the coin from George and began examining it closely.
"What does it say?" Hermione asked anxiously, taking a step closer to the group.
"It says 'Harry's here, We're going to fight.'" Ginny stated.
Hermione gasped and covered her mouth. "They did it…" she breathed to herself.
"Did what?" Charlie asked.
"They finished Dumbledore's task. They must've," Hermione said. "Harry wouldn't agree to fight unless he knew he could end it. If this is right… then Harry's going to challenge You-know-who."
"Well what the hell are we waiting for!?" Fred cried.
"Let's get our arses over there!" George agreed.
"It's says to go to Hog's Head. Let's go, Gin," Fred said, offering his arm to Ginny so he could take her using Side-Along Apparition. Ginny grabbed his arm and they were ready to leave when Hermione startled them.
"Wait!" she cried, sticking her arm out to Charlie. "I don't have a wand…"
Charlie's eyebrows furrowed. "Hermione… You're not going…" he said as though this were obvious.
"Of course I'm going!" Hermione insisted. "This could be the last battle. Harry may need me. I can't just-"
"Hermione, you're just too weak," George said softly.
"And how strong does one need to be to flick a wand?" Hermione protested.
"Which you just pointed out that you don't have…" Fred said sadly. He really did feel bad that she had to stay behind, but it was unavoidable.
"But even if you did," continued Charlie, just incase she managed to get her hands on one. "You are too weak. Everyone's rather protective of you right now. We'd all be too worried about you being there to fight as we should. You'd be a liability."
Hermione looked away, her face stony and defiant to mask her bitter hurt feelings.
"But I wouldn't be," Draco said, taking a step forward. "I'll take the wand of the first disarmed death eater. I'll fight."
"For what side?" George demanded
"Sod off," Fred spoke at the same time as George but both were heard quite clearly.
Ginny answered before Draco could. "You know I trust you, Draco. And I have no doubts you'd fight for our side, but other than the death eaters I'm about the only one who really knows and believes that. You'd be attacked by both sides. You wouldn't last a minute. Just stay and look after Hermione." Draco nodded grudgingly.
"Let's go already," Fred insisted.
"Wait, what about Mum and the Order?" George asked.
"You know Mum won't let us go," Ginny said simply. "Draco, pass on the message."
Draco nodded and before he could blink, the four Weasleys were gone.