After that day Josie Potter became a shadow of the girl she once was. Pale, from sleepless nights and growing thin, from only eating what her friends forced down her throat. All of Hogwarts noticed the change. She had only been there two months but Josephine Potter had made her mark – her infectious laughter and ability to say hello to almost every student by name. The girl slipped up the corridors now, always shielded by her friends who made sure she avoided the stares and whispers that followed her wherever she went.
By the end of term she had been able to visit her mother in St Mungo's but she showed no signs of waking. Their funerals had taken place without Louisa. Quietly, with Josie and Remus Lupin being the only mourners. He was possibly the only person who could feel what she was going through. He had lost all of his friends in a matter of hours to death and Azkaban. He told Josie to write to him as often as she wanted. She had yet to take him up on that offer.
She opted to stay at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays, much to the dismay of the Seven who had all invited her home with them. On the first morning she pretended to sleep until Grace and Felicity left. Then she got up to go to St Mungo's.
"She's not good Mum. She's not Josie," Bill said, when his mother asked how she was. Molly Weasley nodded. That was to be expected. The poor thing.
"Did you ask her to come for Christmas?" Molly asked. Bill nodded.
"She said no. She's staying at Hogwarts." Molly shook her head. She was not letting that girl stay at school alone over the holidays.
"Do you think she's at school now?" She asked.
"Probably St Mungo's." Molly nodded and grabbing Bill's arm they apparated to the waiting room of the hospital. They were quickly directed to Louisa Potter's room and sure enough the girl was sitting there by the bed.
"Bill? Mrs Weasley?" Josie was shocked to see them.
"Josie." Molly went to hug her and then looked at her sternly.
"Josephine Potter, you are coming to The Burrow for Christmas and I don't want to hear any arguments." Josie shook her head and bit her lip to try and stop the tears – they came so easily now.
"There, there," Molly whispered, as she cried into her side. "You can get through this. You're strong." Once she had finished it was a lot easier to convince her to come to The Burrow. She needed looking after and maybe some distractions.
—
The Burrow was a hive of activity with five children between one and nine running about. Bill had forgotten how loud it was at home. He was attacked by the twins when he stepped out of the fireplace and was quickly the centre of an argument between Charlie and Percy. The two could never get along. Though Charlie should have gained the sense by now to not argue with a five year old. Little Ron stayed away, he was wary of this taller, different stranger. His brother who had disappeared for so long. That was until Bill threw him head first over his shoulders, causing him to laugh and decide it was his oldest brother who took him flying on a big boy broom. Once Bill set him down the eldest Weasley made his way over to the cot where baby Ginny lay.
"Hi," he whispered. He leaned down to pick her up. Her eyes widened and she wailed. He quickly backed away as his mother appeared and picked her up.
"She's a bit fussy at the minute Bill," Molly said. "Playing strange with everyone." But over her shoulder she was smiling at Josie, standing in the doorway. Josie stepped forward and took the baby.
"Hi Ginny," She said, rubbing her cheek. Ginny smiled a toothless grin and babbled. "Do you remember me? Last time I saw you you were only two weeks old. You've gotten so big." She reached to grab Josie's hair and Josie smiled. The first smile that didn't feel false.
"She only lets Mum and Dad hold her," Charlie said in awe.
"I think Ginny's got a new friend," Molly said. This is what she wanted, a way to remind Josie that things were carrying on. "Josie, why don't you go and change her for me. That means I can start dinner. Upstairs, the yellow room."
"Hungry," Ron said.
"You're always hungry," Percy said. Josie walked up the stairs with Ginny and put her on the changing table.
"I hope I can do this still. Are girls different to boys?" She spoke to the baby, who just looked at her with wide brown eyes.
"A bit easier probably," Josie considered. She took the nappy and wiped and proceeded to change the rather smelly nappy. Who knew such a small thing could poop so much?
When she finished she smiled at Ginny. Ginny, who would never have to live through war or see friends and family die. Ginny would read about it as a distant history. Like something not quite real. Her family had fought for Ginny. For Harry. So they could all grow up in a better world.