Emily - Amazing! I wasn't expecting to see you, or any readers from Year Six, on this fiction, due to the huge gap in between. Thanks a lot for the review, anyway! Sorry that there was somewhat of a gap as soon as you joined up - I've generally been better - but I suppose you got used to that stuff on the last go-round.
ginny278 - Thanks for the review! Malfoy's going to be up to some very intriguing stuff...
WeasleyGirl09 - Sorry about the gap...but oh well. In any case, yeah, Hermione's in for a rough time...
Chapter 11
As soon as Becky came down the stairs in the morning, she could tell there was something important happening. First off, the Headquarters were abnormally filled with operatives - Becky, from her (very) limited time experience in the Order so far, knew that it usually wasn't filled with members at this capacity. Secondly, and more importantly, everybody was buzzing.
"What's happened?" she asked Seamus as she sat down at one of the breakfast tables. Seamus had evidently either just gotten up, or, more likely, been up all night on work for the Order. Seamus yawned while grabbing a humongous portion of food, ignoring a disapproving look from Mrs. Weasley, who had come to refill.
"Sorry...anyway, from what I've g-gathered - Hermione's woken up," Seamus explained as well as he could with his mouth full of food.
"Hermione - Hermione Granger?"
Seamus shrugged. "Do you know any others?"
It was then that Becky spotted Ron, conversing low further down at the table with Ginny. Ron saw her as well, and grinned widely, then came over. The change in Ron's expression was startling - Ron, so far, had been grim and fairly serious, in Becky's opinion - but he was clearly in a jovial mood, and for once, looked his young age instead of ten years older.
"Hey," said Ginny to Seamus and Becky. She, too, seemed giddy with happiness.
"Guess what?" Ron exploded, not bothering to say hello to them. Seamus met Becky's eyes, looking amused.
"What?" they both said, feigning ignorance.
"Hermione woke up!" said Ron.
"Really, Ron, that's great!"
"I know..." said Ron, then his expression changed as his eyes traveled over to the room where she would now be sleeping. "Wish she would wake up..." Ron muttered under his breath.
Becky was extremely confused.
"Didn't you just -?"
"He means," Ginny jumped in, explaining, "that Hermione is now asleep in the normal way, as she needs a rest from a horrible ordeal."
"Oh."
Madam Pomfrey's head popped through the Wing door. Before she had so much as opened her mouth to explain, about a million questions came her way, some from people who Ron was doubtful even knew Hermione.
"Is she awake?"
"Can I see her?"
"Is she alright?"
"Is she alive?"
Pomfrey scowled.
"Yes, she is awake, no, none of you can see her at the moment, yes, she is moderately fine, and yes, she is most certainly alive." Pomfrey shook her head disdainfully. "Now, if you have stopped your inane questioning, I would like Mr. Weasley to come in here - that's Mr. Ron Weasley," she added hastily, making sure to clarify any confusion. She closed the door very fast before she could have the misfortune of hearing any more questions.
Ron got up so fast he knocked over he nearly knocked over his cup of tea - Ginny stopped it at the last moment. He started making his way over before remembering that he should probably ask McGonagall first. His eyes met hers across the room, and she nodded, indicating that she would talk to Hermione later. Ron grinned, unable to restrain himself, and walked through the door, to see a bedridden, but awake, Hermione, and Pomfrey off at the other side of the Wing, caring studiously to a patient.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
Hermione shrugged. "I feel quite lucid. Is that you, Ron?"
"Oh. Yes. Sorry. How's your sight?"
Hermione sighed. "I can see some blurry colors on occasion, but it's as bad as being blind, really."
"It'll get better," said Ron. "Come on, we should talk in another room - Ginny and I already set one up -"
"Okay." Hermione then tried to get up and walk out of bed, but found this a difficult task. She was clearly not used to using her legs, arms, and other limbs as she usually was, and they were probably a little weak despite Pomfrey's Anti-Atrophy Potions, so Ron hastened over to her side as she clumsily got out of the bed, wearing a dressing gown. Hermione was evidently having trouble staying steady, so Ron couldn't imagine that she would be able to walk very well, if at all.
"D'you want me to - carry you?" asked Ron hesitantly. He had known what her answer would be, but couldn't help from asking.
Hermione scowled deeply. "No, I do not want you to carry me!"
She took an extremely unsteady step and nearly fell over, forcing Ron to grab her around her stomach before she injured herself further. Ron was very glad that she couldn't see his rapidly reddening face.
"I could use a little help, though," she conceded. Ron didn't notice that her cheeks had developed a red tinge as well.
"Alright..come on..." said Ron soothingly. "This way." Ron guided her with his hands as she walked with agonizing slowness, getting used to using her legs again.
"Ron..." Hermione asked as they finally made their way to the door. "Where's my wand?"
"It's in my room. Alright - here's the door - let's make our way to the chair." There were two very comfortable looking chairs in front of a fireplace. Ron pointed his wand at the fireplace and a comfy-looking fire sprung up immediately, he then pointed his wand at both doors and magically locked them. Slowly, he guided her to the chair. She sat unsteadily down, became comfortable, and then sighed deeply.
"Alright, Ron," she said slowly, aware that this would not be a pleasant experience. "Tell me everything."
"Why him?" Becky mused. "Doesn't she have any parents?"
Seamus shrugged. "Dead."
"A brother, or a sister?"
Ginny's expression soured. "Well, Harry was as close to a brother as she ever had..."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"And, well, I guess I would be the closest to a sister. But, well, Hermione and Ron..." Ginny and Seamus grinned at each other.
"What?" asked Becky, totally nonplussed. "They're not married?"
Seamus nearly choked on his drink.
"Married? Ron and Hermione?"
"So no...they're dating then? Or they were?"
"No," said Ginny, shaking her head. "They're much too stubborn."
"Then why -?"
"Let's just say," said Seamus, interrupting, "that while they're not dating or married, it's certainly not inconceivable that they will be, you know -"
"Oh," said Becky. "So she's in love with him?"
"Right," said Ginny.
"And he's -?"
"Oh yes," said Seamus. "He's even more obvious about it than her. But they're both pretty obvious. Anybody who's known them has known it since fourth year, and definitely by sixth year. Jealousy problems," Seamus added, noting Becky's confused face.
"You can say that again," said Ginny rolling her eyes. "Anyway, they haven't had those problems in a couple years know. If not for the war and Horcrux-hunt, they probably would've gotten together a couple years ago."
Becky stared at the locked door where Ron and Hermione were, pondering this new information about the grim young man who now seemed to carry all the world's problems on his shoulders.
George Weasley stared forlornly at the door. Malfoy had left several hours ago, and didn't appear to be coming back. Despite George's hatred of Malfoy - grown from the few unpleasant times he had happened across him at school, not to mention his attempts to kill not only Dumbledore but nearly killing Ron in sixth year as well - Malfoy had given George some interesting information, and George didn't doubt he had more. George wasn't exactly keen on Malfoy coming back - he could still feel Malfoy's half-crazed expression, and the sudden outburst when he had started to choke George before he was taken out. And there was no doubt that, no matter how much George hated Malfoy, no matter how many horrible things he had done, he had, in all likelihood, suffered through horrors that few people would ever have to sustain.
Just then, some food magically materialized in front of George. George ate it quickly, famished. There was very little of it, and none of it tasted particularly good, but George had been in tough situations before in the Order.
I have to get out of here, George thought desperately. Somebody get me out of here.
"This doesn't make any sense."
"I'm sorry, Remus, I don't quite see your point."
"Minerva, look at this map!" Remus insisted. "Ron could see it too, we've talked about it. We've mapped out Voldemort's attacks since the time when he killed Harry, and he should have become more aggressive, more ruthless, correct?"
"Well, yes, I suppose, but I would hardly say he's backing off! He's destroyed an entire city, Remus!"
Lupin shook his head. "That's the only major attack since the Battle, and it was almost directly after it. Look, Minerva - there's no reason for him to operate in secrecy any more. Voldemort is a ruthless killer, there's no reason for him to hide around what he's doing if he knows that he's got the upper hand. And he does, Minerva - he's got far more men, the support of most of the giants and werewolves, not to mention the dementors! But ever since the Last Battle, the Order's been winning more and more battles, saving more people - it doesn't make any sense! He's not been pressing his advantage."
"Very well, Remus. Assuming this is true - then why?"
"I don't know," said Lupin, running his hands through his hair, which was now almost uniformly gray. "It's almost as if he's weakening the Death Eaters on purpose - he hasn't even been seen since the Last Battle...Or perhaps there's some kind of internal conflict...some power struggle?"
McGonagall sighed. "It seems unlikely. Voldemort's always had complete control over the Death Eaters."
"Director! Director!" an urgent voice called out. "Come quick!"
"Sounds like yet another emergency," said McGonagall. "I'd better go, Remus."
Lupin nodded but didn't respond otherwise as he stared at the map, wondering what Voldemort could possibly be up to...
This story will go on another shorter temporary hiatus. Sorry, guys. As I said, it'll be shorter than the last one. So no worries.