AN: I don't own Harry Potter. I think that's clear by now.

Thanks for the follows, faves, and reviews.

Enjoy!

"Mmmph," Ron grunted as he was pulled into his mother's bosom, "Mum, you're smothering me."

"My brave, brave boy," Molly cried, squeezing him tightly to her, as if she never planned on letting go. However, much to Ron's relief, she did let go a few moments later, holding him at arm's length. "I've never been more proud of you, Ronald Bilius Weasley," she smiled, a tear running down her cheek.

"Thanks, Mum," Ron said, turning bright red.

"Now, go find a seat with everyone else and eat. You're entirely too thin," she ordered, patting his cheek before giving him a slight shove toward the table where the rest of the Weasley's - minus Fred, though, who was waiting to be moved to St. Mungo's, - were assembled. "Oh! Do you know where I might find Hermione?" she asked, looking around the Great Hall.

Ron shrugged. "Dunno. The last time I saw her, she was helping Madam Pomfrey over near the Head Table," he said, turning in that direction. "Or, where the Head Table used to be, anyway," he frowned, seeing that it was now a triage area, filled with beds behind screens, several of them closed. "But, that's been a while, though."

"Alright, dear," she nodded. "Go on and eat. I'll find her," she smiled, scurrying off in search of her quasi-daughter.

"Alright, missy," Poppy said tiredly, "it's your turn. Go find an empty bed and sit."

"Oh, but, Poppy...I'm really fine," Hermione argued.

"You may think so, but I still want to look you over," Poppy said. "Find a bed, Granger."

"But...I...alright," Hermione sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue with the woman. Turning, she slowly walked to the first empty bed she found, and waited. She didn't have long to wait, though, for Poppy came to join her a few moments later, pushing the screen shut for a bit of privacy.

"Jacket off, Granger," Poppy ordered, pulling her wand out of her pocket. "Now, let's face it - we're both exhausted. Therefore, this won't be a full exam, but I will still feel better even if it's just a quick scan."

"Yes, Poppy," Hermione nodded, laying her jacket next to her.

"Well," Poppy started, "for one thing, you're covered in cuts and scrapes, but so do most people. You've also got quite a few burns, you're severely underweight, and, according to this scan, a couple of fractured ribs."

"Re...really?" Hermione asked, surprised. "But, my ribs feel fine, Poppy."

Poppy huffed out a laugh, nodding. "I have no doubt they do, but I think you'll find that once the adrenaline wears off, you'll feel the pain," she said. "I'll have to give you a dose of skele-gro if I have any," she said.

"Oh, there's no need, Poppy," Hermione chimed in, shaking her beaded bag. "I have some in here," she smiled.

Poppy sighed in relief. She had no idea where she was going to scrounge up a dose, but knew the young witch was going to need it. "Good, good," she murmured. "I recommend you take some when you go to bed later, along with a small dose of pain potion if you have it."

"I do," Hermione nodded.

"Good," Poppy sighed, giving Hermione a small smile. "Now, I'm sure you'll start putting some weight back on, as I imagine everyone will. As for the burns, cuts, and scrapes will be fine with a bit of dittany on them, but take care..."

"To clean them first," Hermione finished, nodding again. "I remember, Poppy," she smiled. "As for the weight, I'll be staying with the Weasley's, so I'm sure Molly will have us all sorted in no time."

Poppy laughed, knowing Hermione was right. "I'm sure she will, dear, I'm sure she will." she laughed.

Just as Hermione was putting her jacket back on, she heard a gasp come from Poppy. Looking up, she followed the woman's gaze to her arm. Flushing, she quickly thrust her arm into the sleeve before pulling it tightly around her.

"It's nothing, Poppy," she said, shaking her head.

"This sure as hell isn't nothing!" Poppy exclaimed, grabbing her arm and pushing the jacket sleeve up. She let out another pained gasp as she inspected the scar. "Oh, Hermione...I don't know if I can heal this," she said.

"It's alright," Hermione said. "This isn't too new, and the person who helped me after I got it already informed me it couldn't be healed. Not to the point it doesn't exist, anyway," she explained. "This is as good as it's ever going to be."

Poppy sighed sadly, glancing between Hermione's arm and her face. "Oh, you poor girl," she said, shaking her head. "You're far too young to have to live with...this," she said, motioning to the scar.

"Poppy," Hermione said, shaking her head, "I haven't been 'young' since about third year. Besides, this isn't my first scar."

"That hardly matters," Poppy said.

"Maybe," Hermione shrugged. "But, oddly enough, this is the one scar I'm proud to carry. I mean, the one from the Ministry...I don't bother with that. That scar I got because of pure luck, but this one...this one I earned, and will wear proudly the rest of my days as a badge of honor."

Molly, who had been listening outside the screen, had her mouth covered by her hand, trying not to cry out in shock as tears ran down her dirty cheeks. She knew that during war nobody was safe, but the thought of one of her children, - blood or honorary, - being put through any kind of torment had always weighed heavy on her.

It had started way back in her Bill's first year, and had only gotten worse over time. Of course, in Bill's time at Hogwarts, the only torment she had to worry about was bullies. The kind of torment she knew her Bill, along with every other Weasley child could take. Granted, it hadn't been too bad during Bill, and even Charlie's Hogwarts days, but with every new child, it had grown.

But dealing with the aftermath of bullies was a whole other thing compared to being at war and having to fight for your lives. Bullies were easier. A few hurt feelings, maybe some tears, maybe some blood if the insults turned to fights. Cleaning up after that was easy - a few hugs, some comfort food, being there for them. But the cleanup from a war was a longer process, and a messier one, with no easy fix. Molly knew that getting all of her children healthy again - physically, mentally, and emotionally, - would take time, and a lot of love.

Straightening herself up, she wiped her tears away, and steeled herself for her next mission. She might not be able to instantly fix everyone's problems, but she was Molly Weasley. And if there was one thing Molly Weasley could do, it was make her family feel loved and safe.

"Thanks again, Poppy," Hermione said, slipping her bag over her head. "Now, everyone's been taken care of, and are recuperating either here or at Mungo's, so get some rest yourself."

"I rather think I will," Poppy smiled. Reaching up, she patted Hermione on the cheek. "I'm so glad you're alright, Hermione."

Hermione placed her hand over Poppy's, returning her smile. "Same here, Poppy," she said. "Get some rest," she added, turning and exiting through the privacy screen around the bed.

"Oh!" she said, literally bumping into Molly. "I'm sorry, Molly. I didn't see you standing there."

Molly waved off her apologies, smiling. "No troubles, Hermione dear," she said, finding herself unable to look away from the brunette witch.

"Is everything alright, Molly?" Hermione asked, wondering why the elder woman couldn't seem to stop staring at her.

"Yes, yes...just fine," Molly said. "I just...oh, my dear!" she exclaimed, pulling Hermione into a tight hug.

Hermione felt her eyes fill with tears, and hugged Molly just as tightly as she could. No words were needed between either witch as they stood in a comforting embrace.

Review please.

Til next time!

XOXO - Onyx Obsidian