Chapter Eighteen

Forgiveness

For a good five minutes, the trio standing in the Headmistress' office said nothing. Hermione had taken a seat and was glancing around at the portraits of the previous Headmasters and Headmistresses, while Harry was looking intently at his girlfriend, wondering how long it would take for her to work up the courage to start speaking. Ginny was glancing back and forth between Hermione, Harry and the floor, trying to figure how to best start this uncomfortable conversation.

"In my experience, it's usually easiest to start with an apology."

They all jumped and spun around to face to portrait behind McGonagall's chair. Albus Dumbledore had graced them with a rare visit to his Hogwarts portrait. Harry's face lit up when he saw him and was about to greet him when Ginny finally found her voice.

"Hermione, I'm so, so sorry!"

Hermione just looked at the younger witch. She was not a petty person, but she was not ready to forgive Ginny just like that, no matter how genuine she sounded. She kept quiet and waited for her to continue.

"I hadn't seen you in ages! And then you suddenly disappeared and Ron was beside himself with worry and then all of a sudden we read that you had started an apprenticeship in Potions at Hogwarts and you hadn't told Ron and you didn't answer our letters and Ron was heartbroken and he would come to me and cry his heart out and I, and I... I just believed him. He's my brother and you were ignoring me and I just... I'm so sorry."

Well, when Ginny put it like that, Hermione could understand to some extent why Ginny had reacted the way she had. She had barely left the apartment months before she had fled from Ron and she had just disappeared overnight, choosing not to answer Molly's or Ginny's letters. She had cut herself off from everyone and had relied solely on Severus, Minerva and Harry.

Hermione had been closer to Ginny while they were still at Hogwarts together, but when she had moved in with Ron he had knocked down her confidence and her desire to go out. She had forgotten what it felt like that have friends to confide in; Ron had made her believe that she would have no one if she ever left him – and in her folly, she had of course believed him.

She took a deep breath and came to a decision – Ginny wasn't the only one who needed to apologize.

"Ginny, I'm sorry too," Hermione started and almost smiled when Ginny's eyes widened in surprise. "I shouldn't have ignored your letters. I just didn't know what to say. Ron had me convinced that no one ever would believe me and you being his sister made me so sure that you would automatically assume that I was lying. I was scared... the same way I was scared that your family would cut me out if I ever came forward with how he's treated me."

Harry and Dumbledore shared a look, small smiles each playing on their lips; they had started talking. Good – now there was hope that the two girls could reconcile. Harry had hated being at odds with Ginny, especially since he couldn't tell her why. If this went as he hoped, Hermione was about to get her friend back and he would be able to breathe a little easier again.

Hermione motioned for Ginny to sit down on the chair next to her.

"It was so easy to believe him," Ginny confessed when she was seated. "He was actually crying when he came over and he was never angry, just desperate to get you back. He said he had no idea why you had just upped and left without a word. Mum just made it easier being angry with you; she would jump at every chance to say that she always knew you meant trouble, ever since that article about you, Harry and Victor came out during the Tri-Wizard tournament."

Now that hurt – Hermione had been so sure she had managed to get Molly to see that the whole thing was one big lie. Harry, seeing her anguish, grabbed a chair and pulled it up beside her. When he took her hand this time, Hermione noticed that Ginny made no noise of objection; she simply watched them, a pensive look on her face. Whatever antagonistic feelings the redhead had had towards her must have evaporated when the truth had come out.

"And then it just got worse when I realized Harry was on your side, but he refused to say anything about what had happened. You were hurting my brother, turned my boyfriend against me and ignored me completely while mum was spouting all nasty kinds of things about you. I have said some horrible things to you, and about Snape, and words can't express how sorry I am."

Hermione looked at Ginny for a long time before a little smile formed on her face.

"I forgive you, Ginny, but only if you forgive me too. I may have been scared out of my mind, but ignoring you was probably the wrong way to go about it. You must understand, I wasn't even sure Harry would believe me – that's how much Ron screwed with my mind."

Harry's grip around her hand had tightened when she mentioned his lack of faith in him.

"Of course I forgive you!" Ginny burst out immediately, not needing any time to even consider the opposite. "But, Hermione... Do you think you could possibly tell me more about what has happened?"

Hermione looked so conflicted for a moment that Ginny hurriedly continued.

"I don't want or need specifics! I definitely don't want the graphic version that mum got. But, I've only heard Ron's version of things and while I'm starting to understand that he's been lying to me for the past two years, I just need to know the basics of what he's done... I live with mum – I need to know some of it so I know how the hell I'm supposed to deal with her now."

Hermione sighed softly, knowing there was logic in Ginny's statement.

"I'm not ready to share everything, Ginny, but I will tell you some of it."

Ginny nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring the seriousness of the situation. Hermione started with Ron's reaction to her announcement about her going back to Hogwarts, his reaction to her impeccable, record-breaking grades and how he had sent in the application for the Advanced Potion Making class in her name. Already Ginny was looking appalled.

"But, he was always so proud of you! Boasting to anyone who would listen that you had become the highest scoring graduate in fifty years! And he said that you had chosen to continue your studies in Diagon Alley because you wanted to be closer to home – to him, to all of us!"

"Yes, he said all of those things," Hermione pointed out. "The few times I was out with you, I never talked about my achievements or my choices."

"But Ron did," Harry said, frowning as he remembered. "I remember the first time we were out after you came back from Hogwarts. He ordered some kind of sparkling stuff to celebrate that you were home, your grades and all of that. You never questioned why he was suddenly happy for you."

"Hardly the time and place to do that, was it? Everyone was out with us. I didn't want any of you to know the truth; how he had humiliated me. And soon after that, things started to get worse and by then he had already started… breaking me."

Ginny and Harry shared a look, both noticing the tremor in Hermione's voice when she spoke now. Harry's thumb started caressing her skin, the only way he could of to console her and to remind her that he was still here.

"The first time he hit me" – Hermione paused for a moment as Ginny flinched – "was when he found out that he hadn't been accepted to Auror school. I overheard an argument between him and Harry and he was furious when he found out that I had heard."

Ginny looked ready to punch something, her fists balled up in an angry rage.

"The force of his punch forced me back – I hit the back of my head in the wall. I blacked out and I assume he left afterwards to get drunk, because he was gone when I woke up. I felt really strange, woozy and nauseous, so I went to St Mungo's. I had gotten a concussion, and stayed overnight."

"You never told me that!"

Harry leapt to his feet, letting go of her hand as he ran his hands though his messy hair, trying to calm himself before his magic spiked like it had when he had blown up all the glass in Hermione's room. Hermione winced, seeing the look of guilt on his face. She got up as well, placing her hands firmly on Harry's face.

"Harry Potter, look at me and calm down!"

The young wizard was breathing heavily as the magical objects in the Headmistress' office starting buzzing. Hermione kept her gaze looked on Harry's, unblinkingly, unsure if this would work, but since she couldn't stun him this was all she could think of to do.

"Calm down, Harry," she said in a softer tone.

She saw recognition spark in his eyes and the buzzing in the room started to fade. He suddenly, quite violently, broke away from her with a gasp as he doubled over, clutching his stomach as if it was hurting.

"No more surprises, Hermione," he moaned pitifully as he righted himself back up. "We agreed."

"I'm sorry, Harry. But that was just a minor thing, remember?" Hermione said with fake cheer, trying to lighten the mood a little.

She had momentarily forgotten that the other witch in the room did not know that this was considered "minor" in comparison to the other things Ron had down to her.

"You getting a concussion because he hit you is a minor thing?!" Ginny exploded, making both Harry and Hermione jump. "What in Merlin's name has my stupid ass brother done to you, Hermione, to make you think a concussion due to assault is minor?!"

Hermione cursed herself – stupid, stupid stupid!

"I would think him causing me to lose control of my magic is pretty major, wouldn't you?" she answered feebly, trying to come up with a way to change the subject before Ginny really understood what Ron had done to her.

Ginny's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Yes, I would consider that major, but… Hermione, there's something you're not telling me," the redhead said and then her eyes suddenly widened in fear. "Did… did he force himself on you?"

Hermione flinched; hearing the words said out loud always made it so much worse. She couldn't bring herself to answer, but Ginny correctly read her silence as confirmation.

"I'll kill him! I'll bloody kill him!"

She spun around and stomped over to the fireplace. Hermione cried out in panic, getting Harry into motion as he launched himself after his raging girlfriend, restraining her in a tight grip.

"Let go of me, Harry!" she growled as she struggled to get free. "I have a brother to kill!"

"Ginny, calm down, please!"

He was shocked at her strength. If he didn't calm her down soon he would have to tackle her to the ground.

"Remember what your dad said – you can't treat him any differently, not yet! For Hermione's sake, please calm down."

His gentler tone had a better effect on the temperamental witch. She stopped struggling, even though her breath was coming out in loud pants. Seeing that Ginny was in control again made Hermione let out a deep sigh in relief. As the younger girl turned back towards her, Hermione was shocked to see unfiltered anguish in her eyes.

"I am so sorry, Hermione. This never should have happened to you. I should have noticed, done something…"

"Ginny, please – just like I told Harry a while back, there's nothing you could have done unless I told you something was wrong. And just like with him, I chose to believe what Ron said, that if I ever said anything to anyone, I would be left alone. Please, don't feel guilty about this."

Ginny still looked miserable, but she nodded slowly, dejected. Harry kissed her forehead gently and then led her back to the chairs they had so far occupied during their little meeting.

"I can't believe you had to go through that; I don't know what's happened to my brother. Our parents taught us better! But then again, I can't really understand what's happened to mum either. She's been so vicious about you, Hermione, the things she's said."

Silence filled the room for a moment; they were all feeling quite drained by now.

"Hermione, what's happened to your magic?" Ginny suddenly said, as if she just now remembered about that piece of information. "Is it completely gone, or…?"

Hermione let out a frustrated sigh.

"No, I can summon it sometimes, but when I can it seldom does what I intend. When I came here I managed to make a window explode when I was trying to mend it with a 'reparo'. I had made a newspaper zoom out of it when I tried levitating it."

Harry let out a chuckle at that, but quickly sobered up at Hermione's raised eyebrow.

"Sorry, but that would have taken care of the troll quite nicely in our first year," he explained and was pleased to see Hermione smile.

"Is it fixable?" Ginny asked next, her eyes full of worry.

"Professor Snape seems to think so," Hermione said with a small shrug. "He's helped me a lot since I got here; since he for some reason can't use Legilimency on me, we have been watching memories in a Pensive where we try to sort out what's happened and why it has affected my magic."

Taking a breath, she gathered her thoughts, thinking of how to explain the whole situation in the easiest and quickest way.

"He seems to think that my key elements to my magic being the way it is lies in the fact that not only has Ron has been both abusive in words and action, but he's also been using both magic and brute force. I loved him and everything he did shook me to the core. Had we been soul mates, he never would have been able to hurt me…"

"What does the fairytale of soul mates have to do this?" Harry interrupted with a roll of his eyes.

She couldn't berate him for his skepticism; she had shared it, not too long ago.

"It's not a fairytale, Harry," Ginny answered in her stead. "They are very real, and even more rare. They're not spoken of that much, but I assure you – soul mates are real and they share powers that other's don't have."

Harry still looked skeptical, but chose to not argue with her. He chanced a glance at Dumbledore's portrait and his eyes widened when the Headmaster simply nodded in agreement to Ginny's words.

"Harry, I understand how you feel," Hermione said softly. "But you might not scoff as much at the idea when I tell you your parents were soul mates."

Ginny gasped, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. Harry simply stared at Hermione in disbelief.

"Professor Snape told me," she offered in explanation, seeing the unasked question in his eyes.

"And how would he know?" Harry demanded, his eyes flashing.

Oh, so he thought Severus was lying or making things.

"Because that was apparently the last thing your mother ever said to him."

Harry went very still after that, clearly thinking things over very carefully. Finally he once again turned to the portrait.

"Yes, Harry, it's true," the Headmaster said gently. "I remember it very clearly, the night the bond between them was sealed. The castle shook and the magic imbedded in the very foundation of the castle throbbed, causing everyone to wake up in a panic. The only ones who didn't notice were your parents."

At Harry's confused look, the old man carried on.

"You see, my boy, the way the bond is sealed is during sexual relations – or more importantly, when they both reach climax together."

Harry flushed crimson at that and Hermione couldn't help sniggered at his reaction. Poor Harry, he was still so innocent about certain things. Her eyes suddenly narrowed a fraction – had he and Ginny never…? Harry's eyes snapped to Hermione at the sound she made, so she forced her thoughts away for now.

"Yes, that's what Professor Snape said as well," she confirmed. "Listen Harry, I know it must be awkward to hear about your parent's sex life, but honestly, you know where babies come from – they had you, so obviously they had sex."

Harry still looked a little green.

"What's important here, is the fact that they were soul mates. They were meant to be together and their love transcends everything."

Finally Harry smiled; he seemed to have caught on to the important part of this story.

"Thanks for sharing that with me, Hermione," he said softly.

Hermione smiled, but shook her head.

"Don't thank me, thank Professor Snape," she told him and a second later she realized what she just had said. "Or as a matter of fact, don't. He wouldn't appreciate it."

Harry smirked and nodded in agreement. Severus Snape would hex him if ever said anything to remind him of the Potters being soul mates.

"Anyhow, getting back to my magic. I'm started to get tired, so I will tell you only this – Professor Snape thinks my brain decided that it could survive without magic instead of being forced to live with a damaged soul; losing one's soul usually also means losing one's mind – that's what supposedly happens to those that suffer a Dementor's Kiss."

She paused, letting them process the information for a moment.

"I've seen my magical core, through meditation. It's broken, fragmented. But together with Professor Snape, I hope to put it back together again…"

Her voice had gotten smaller towards the end; sure, she was hopeful, but nothing was certain. She was so tired, but there was still one thing she wanted to know before Harry and Ginny left.

"Ginny, that whole shunning thing," Hermione said gently, catching the younger witch's eye. "What was that about?"

The redhead let out a big sigh and shook her head in disgust.

"I can't believe mum almost did that! It's never used anymore, because it's irreversible!"

She took a deep breath to calm her racing her heart while Hermione and Harry shared a look.

"I only know of the basics; but the right words with the right intent spoken by one of the patriarch or matriarch, will ensure that the person shunned no longer can speak to or be spoken to by a member of the family. We wouldn't be able to see or hear you, even if we sat together like we are now."

A shiver ran down Hermione's spine.

"Dad told us he had a friend at Hogwarts whose uncle had been accidently shunned by the father in the heat of the moment - an argument that had gotten out of hand. He ended up leaving England because it hurt too much seeing his family around, knowing they couldn't see him."

Ginny paused at this, seeing the pain again in Hermione's expression. The redhead winced with shame at her behavior, suddenly understanding with new clarity how much the Weasley family meant to the older girl.

"It's not illegal or dark," Ginny continued, "but in the past century the practice has diminished and in many instances it's been forgotten."

"Hang on, if there's a way to shun people from your family, why didn't Sirius' parents shun him instead of just blasting him off the family tree? Surely they would have known about this practice."

Ginny started at him blankly - was Harry seriously expecting her to have the answer to that?

"In the case of the Blacks," Dumbledore suddenly answered in her stead, "blood was still of the utmost importance. Yes, Sirius was considered a traitor to their beliefs and they hated each other to the core, but in the end, his parents would never have shunned the oldest, the heir. Blood traitor he may be, but his blood was still pure. In a way I think they hoped until the end that he one day would return to the family. They relished the thought of him coming to them, cowering in shame."

The room was silent for a moment, giving Hermione time to wonder why on earth Headmaster Black wasn't weighing in on the subject. Locating his portrait, she noticed it was empty.

"Headmaster, where is Headmaster Black?" Hermione wondered curiously before she could stop herself.

Harry glanced up in surprise at the portraits as she voiced the very valid question – all Headmistresses and Headmasters of the past were usually required to spend waking hours in the room they were in now, but the portrait of the usually very outspoken Phineas Black was strangely empty.

"Headmaster Black has special permission from Minerva to spend most of his time at his portrait at Malfoy Cottage."

Dumbfounded silence met Dumbledore's answer. At the shocked looks from the young adults, he explained further.

"Young Draco Malfoy was unwilling to return to Malfoy Manor after the end of the war. As you know, his parents turned from Voldemort in the end, but despite coming to Harry's aid in the forest, even Narcissa was sent to Azkaban. She has a few years left of her sentence, while Lucius still has at least a decade before he rejoins the wizarding community."

Harry and Hermione both nodded at this; they remembered the trails quite well, as they both had testified. Ginny was only staring, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Draco Malfoy had chosen a cottage over his ancestral home.

"For all intents and purposes, Draco is the head of the Malfoy family and it fell to him to manage the businesses."

Hermione and Harry shared a surprised look. They both felt slightly stupid for not having coming to this conclusion themselves. While they had had it quite simple in comparison by studying, one of their classmates had taken over the huge responsibilities of the vast Malfoy estate and all that that entailed.

"Draco was quite lost at his parents' incarceration; he probably would have turned to Severus for advice, but with him being in St Mungo's for so long forced Draco instead to turn to Minerva. He explained his desire to start anew, while still managing what already was, but had no idea how to go about it. It was Headmaster Black who took pity on the boy, seeing as he is Draco's great-great-great-uncle – or something like that – and offered to relocate in order to be of service. Minerva agreed, with the condition that Draco not reside at the Manor; to keep him away from the philosophies and influences from the portraits there."

Hermione couldn't help it; she let out a snort at the thought of the all the heinous things the portraits at Malfoy Manor could say if they had someone who listened to them. Dumbledore's lips quirked, as if he could read her thoughts.

"Draco readily agreed, saying that he had already moved into the cottage. After having his home 'polluted by the Dark Lord' – his words, I assure you – he did not wish to reside there. Also, the manor was just too large. The cottage, while still quite big, suited his needs much better. And now, together with Headmaster Black, Draco has managed to turn over a new leaf and is managing quite well."

The trio processed all of this, not quite sure what most baffling – that Draco Malfoy first of all wanted to start anew or that he apparently already had accomplished this, or that he considered his home to have been polluted by Voldemort's presence.

"One last word of suggestion; you may reconsider everything you know about Draco Malfoy and give him a second chance."

Hermione sat up straighter as he said this, preparing herself to stop Harry from doing something stupid, like blow up in fit of rage and tossing something at the portrait. But to her surprise her friend only looked back steadily at the Headmaster, carefully contemplating his words. Huh, she thought. I suppose he really has grown up.

"I should probably go home before dad sends someone back here," Ginny finally said, looking at Harry. "Will you floo me home as you promised?"

"Of course," Harry said, turning back to Hermione. "Will you be okay?"

"Yes, it's almost time for dinner and then I have to meet Professor Snape afterwards. I will be fine."

They all got to their feet and Ginny engulfed Hermione in a bone breaking hug.

"Don't be a stranger, Hermione," the redhead whispered, tears forming in her eyes. "If you need me, I'm here for you."

Hermione teared up as well at Ginny's words and squeezed her a little tighter in answer. As soon as they let go of each other, Harry swooped in a planted a big kiss on Ginny's lips. Ginny looked a little dazed when he pulled back.

"What was that for?" she asked breathlessly.

"For being the girl I fell in love with," Harry said simply, making Hermione smile at the pair. "Hermione, let me know if you need me. I'll continue to honor my promise to Snape not to come until called for, but if there's any doubt or need… Call me."

"I promise," she answered, pulling him in for a hug.

Harry kissed her temple and then made his way over to the fireplace with Ginny. Hermione waved to them with a smile as they disappeared in the green flames and as soon as they were gone she sunk back down on the chair, her head aching. Shortly, the fireplace flared to life again and Minerva stepped out.

"They have left," she mentioned as she dusted off her robes. "Was it a productive meeting?"

Hermione smiled and simply nodded.

"Good, I'm glad. I'm sure you must be tired after all of this, perhaps you should go rest before dinner? I can always send Dobby to you with dinner if you're not feeling up to the loudness of the Great Hall this evening."

"Thanks, I might just take you up on that," Hermione answered gratefully. "Is Severus sleeping?"

"He fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. Let him sleep a few hours before you seek him out."

Hermione simply nodded, too tired to notice the knowing look Minerva and Albus shared with each other, and then flooed to her room. Deciding to lay down on the couch for a moment before taking a shower, Hermione drifted off to sleep within a few minutes.

AN: Perhaps a little short, but – the next chapter is almost finished and I promise to have it out before Christmas!