A/N - Thank you so much for all the reviews last chapter! Not a lot of Remus in this chapter, I'm afraid, but we do revisit the little muggle-born first years. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 18

Visits

1 June 1998

"So, how was it?" Ginny asked as Harry and Ron flopped down at the table. Ron immediately put his head down on his arms and groaned. "That good, huh?"

"It was…a lot," Harry said tiredly.

"A lot?" Ron repeated, his head still resting on his arms. "Kingsley's completely mental."

"Kingsley is doing the training himself?" Hermione asked in surprise. It was Harry that answered her.

"No, but he's the one that set up the program and he met with us this morning."

"Is it just the three of you?" Hermione asked. Neville had, indeed, decided to follow in his parents' footsteps.

"Two others, one bloke that was a Ravenclaw a year older than us and a woman who's transferring from the Auror corps in France. She doesn't have to go through the entire training program though, mostly just the law classes and some dueling," Harry said.

"Why's she transferring here?" Ginny asked.

"Her family is from Wales," Harry explained. "I guess she moved to France after she finished Hogwarts. Came back a month or so ago. I dunno, we didn't really talk about it."

"Something about a girlfriend," Ron mumbled.

"What?" Harry said.

"Followed her girlfriend to France or something," Ron said.

"How do you know that?" Ginny asked

"Heard her talking to Kingsley," Ron said. "Guess they must've broken up." He finally raised his head off his arms. He glanced at Hermione, then looked back at his sister. Hermione bit back a sigh. They had barely spoken since their row two days ago.

"Anyway, doesn't really matter," Ron said, beginning to pull things from his pockets and lay them on the table. Hermione realized they were shrunken books. He waved his wand to enlarge them. "But we've got to read all these by next week. There are going to be exams." He sounded so offended; Hermione couldn't help but chuckle. Ron scowled at her.

"You honestly can't tell me you're surprised by that," Hermione said. "You have to learn the law after all."

"I can learn the law without taking a test," Ron said irritably.

"Cheer up, Ron," Harry said, clapping him on the shoulder. "We can study together. It will be like old times."

"I don't know," Ginny said thoughtfully. "Are you sure the two of you can do this without Hermione nagging you every second?" She winked at Hermione to let her know she was teasing.

"I can study without Hermione," Ron groused. Harry glanced between Hermione and Ron, looking concerned.

"I'm sure you can," Hermione said. "I'm going to see if Molly needs any help with dinner." Hermione rose from the table and walked into the kitchen. Molly was busy at the stove, making stew it looked like.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Hermione asked.

"Oh no, dear, I'm fine," Molly assured her. "I'm sure you want to spend some time with Ron before supper." Molly gave her a smile and turned back to the stew. When Hermione didn't move, Molly looked back at her, brow furrowed. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Hermione said quickly. Molly studied her for a few moments.

"You know," she said conversationally. "While I'd like to think my children are perfect, I'm well aware that they're not. Ron tends to speak without thinking." Hermione said nothing, just looked down at her hands which were clasped in front of her. "But he's also very sensitive. Sometimes he takes things to heart that he shouldn't."

"I know," Hermione said softly. Molly patted her arm.

"You just need to talk to him. I'm sure the two you can work out whatever it is." Hermione managed a small smile. "There's plenty of time before we eat."

"Thanks, Molly."

"Of course, dear."

Hermione walked back towards the table, but Ron was no longer there.

"He went to take a shower," Harry said at Hermione's confused look.

"Oh," Hermione said. "Can you let me know when supper is ready? I'm just going to go outside for a bit."

"Sure, Hermione," Ginny said. Hermione didn't miss the sympathetic look Ginny gave her. Unable to muster up another false smile, Hermione quietly let herself out the back door.

2 June 1998

Remus lay in bed contemplating the ceiling. A month. A month now since they'd won the war, but he'd lost more than he could have ever imagined. He had thought quite a bit about the fact that he might not survive the war, but he'd never anticipated that it would be his wife that didn't.

Teddy was nearly two months old now, growing like crazy and starting to gurgle and coo at them when they spoke to him. Both Remus and Andromeda read to him quite often. He seemed calmed by the sound of their voices more than anything else. Now that it was consistently warmer, they often took him for walks in the pram. The fact that it should have been he and Dora talking their son for a walk, made Remus' chest tight whenever he thought of it. Dora had barely gotten a chance to be a mother, but Remus knew she would have been amazing at it.

He sighed and sat up in bed. Dwelling on it wouldn't change the fact that his wife was gone, and he had promised Minerva that he would be at Hogwarts today. The castle was nearing completion, but with students beginning to arrive on the seventh for study sessions which began on the eighth, there were still a few things to be done and Minerva needed all the help she could get.

When he had finished readying himself for the day and checked on Teddy, Remus came downstairs. He found Andromeda sitting at the kitchen table with an unfinished cup of tea in front of her. She was absently stirring it, staring off across the room.

"Good morning," he said. She glanced up and gave him a sad smile. Remus squeezed her shoulder before he moved into the kitchen to prepare his breakfast.

"I thought I would visit the cemetery today," she said quietly when Remus had returned to the table with his toast and eggs. He swallowed thickly.

"I was thinking the same," he said.

"Shall we go later this afternoon?" she asked. "When you've gotten back from Hogwarts?" Remus nodded, unable to speak for the moment. She patted his free hand where it lay on the table and took a sip of her tea. Neither spoke as Remus ate and Andromeda sipped. He was sure that Andromeda was lost in her memories as he was. When Remus finished eating, he sent his dishes to the kitchen and cleared his throat.

"I'll be home around four then," he said. Andromeda nodded.

"Have a good day." Remus nodded but wondered just how, exactly, he was supposed to do that.

"Molly," Arthur said quietly. Molly was standing at the kitchen sink, hands braced against the edge. He put a hand on her shoulder. She sniffed.

"Oh, I'm fine, Arthur, don't fuss," she said, flapping a hand at him. He took hold of it and gently pulled his wife into his arms. Molly's shoulders shook and Hermione stepped out of the kitchen, hoping they hadn't seen her. She hurried back upstairs to Ginny's room, almost running into the other girl as Hermione came through the doorway.

"I thought you went down for breakfast?" Ginny questioned in confusion. Hermione glanced at her.

"Your mum and dad, they were, erm," Hermione trailed off with a shake of her head.

"Don't tell me you walked in on them snogging," Ginny said with a groan. "We've told them to stop doing that in the kitchen." Hermione couldn't help but laugh, but it came out as a bit of a strangled cry. Ginny's eyes narrowed in concern.

"What is it Hermione?"

"They weren't snogging," she said. "I just, it was private." Ginny looked confused. "It's, it's been a month, Gin." Hermione looked at her friend with watery eyes. Ginny's face immediately fell.

"Of course, it has," Ginny nearly whispered. She sank down on her bed, her hands in her lap. "I knew it was, I just, I didn't want to think about it."

"I know," Hermione replied, sitting down next to her and putting an arm around the younger woman's shoulders. "I didn't want to interrupt your parents." Ginny nodded, leaning her head against Hermione's shoulder. She looked up when they heard the footsteps of the boys on the stairs. Harry skidded to a stop when he saw the two of them sitting on Ginny's bed.

"What is it? What's happened?" he demanded as he came into the room, followed by Ron.

"Nothing," Ginny assured him as she stood. "It's all right, Harry."

"Why are you crying, then?" Harry asked. Ginny just shook her head and threw her arms around him. Harry pulled her close and rubbed her back, whispering into her ear.

"It's the second," Ron said quietly, looking at Hermione. She nodded before she stood as well. She hesitated, they hadn't spoken at all the night before and Hermione wasn't sure he would want comfort from her. One looked at his face, however, had her crossing the room and wrapping her arms around him. He buried his face in her hair and hugged her tightly.

"I'm so sorry," Hermione said, although whether she was apologizing for the loss of Fred or their most recent argument, she wasn't sure. Ron simply held her tighter. They stood there for a few minutes before Hermione heard Ginny sigh.

"We can probably go down now," Ginny said. "You two need to be at the Ministry soon." Harry moved a lock of hair behind her ear.

"We can stay today," he said. "I'm sure Kingsley would understand." Ginny gave him a smile.

"No, we'll be fine," she said. "But maybe you can get home earlier than yesterday? I'm sure Mum is going to want to go to the cemetery."

"Of course, we will," Harry said, leaning forward and kissing her forehead. Ron nodded in agreement as he pulled away from Hermione. Ginny glanced at the two of them before she took Harry's hand and pulled him from the room.

"Will you be all right?" Hermione asked Ron once they were gone. He shrugged.

"I'll have to, won't I?"

"I suppose," she agreed. He stared at her for a moment before he leaned down and kissed her. Hermione felt some of the tension leave her. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers for a few seconds and then took a step away from her.

"We should go down for breakfast," he said. She took his hand and walked downstairs with him. They still needed to talk, she knew that, but it could wait.

3 June 1998

Hermione glanced at her directions again as she made her way down the tree-lined street. While she was looking forward to seeing Claire and David again, she wished that she had waited until next week.

The day before had been extremely emotional for everyone. Breakfast at the Burrow had, not surprisingly, been a quiet, somber affair. When she and Ginny had arrived at Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall had held a moment of silence to remember the fallen and Hermione didn't think there were dry eyes anywhere in the Great Hall. She and Ginny had returned to the Burrow in the mid-afternoon and Kingsley had allowed all Ministry employees to leave early to spend time with their families on the one-month anniversary of the Final Battle. Harry and Hermione had then accompanied the Weasleys to the cemetery, which had been nearly as emotionally devastating as the funeral itself.

When they had returned home, no one had felt much like eating and Hermione and Ron spent the evening cuddled up together on the couch. They hadn't spoken about their argument, but Hermione knew that Ron simply needed her to be with him and she hadn't pushed anything. Truthfully, she was glad for the respite, as she wasn't sure that Ron was going to like her reasoning any better now than he had when they'd had the row.

Shaking herself from her thoughts, Hermione stopped in front of Claire's house. Taking a breath and putting a smile on her face, she climbed the steps to the porch and rang the bell.

"Hermione!" Claire said in excitement once she had wrenched open the door. "You're here!" Hermione laughed as the younger girl took her hand and pulled her inside the house. "Mum! Hermione's here!"

"Yes, I heard," Sarah said as she came into the entry. "And so did half the neighborhood, I'd wager." She gave her daughter an indulgent smile, then turned to Hermione. "Welcome, Hermione, I'm glad you could come."

"Thank you for having me," Hermione replied. Claire took her hand again and pulled her into the living room, where David was sitting on the couch.

"Hi, Hermione," David said as she came into the room.

"Hi, David. How are you doing?" He shrugged.

"Okay." Hermione sat down beside him and gave him a smile. The boy returned it, but Hermione could tell it was with some effort.

Both the children looked much better physically than the last time Hermione had seen them. They had lost the gauntness in their faces and their thin frames had filled out. David still had a haunted look about him, however, and Hermione could see the dark circles under his eyes.

Claire, on the other hand, looked almost too happy and bright-eyed, given all she had been through in the last year. Hermione was sure that being reunited with her family had done her a world of good, but something seemed off.

"What have the two of you been up to since I saw you last?" Hermione asked. Claire began to immediately chatter away about their activities in the past month. Hermione felt David shift slightly closer to her on the couch, but he didn't contribute to the conversation. Hermione glanced at Sarah who gave her a sad look. The two women would need to have a conversation later.

"And Mum's been making us do schoolwork," Claire complained with a roll of her eyes.

"Really?" Hermione asked, a bit surprised. "What kind?"

"Everything," Claire groaned. "Even Maths!"

"Well, you've missed a whole year, haven't you?" Sarah said. "You'll never be able to keep up next year if I don't tutor you now."

"But what about Hogwarts?" David said and Sarah stiffened.

"Remember I said we'd talk about that later?" Sarah said, kindly enough, but Hermione could sense an underlying hint of irritation in her tone. What Claire had said in her letter made more sense now. Deciding that right now wasn't the best time to discuss school plans, Hermione changed the subject.

"Is Annie coming over today?" she asked. Claire frowned.

"Her sister won't let her," Claire said.

"Why not?" Hermione asked.

"Amy doesn't like magic," David said.

"That's not exactly true," Sarah said quickly. "She's just concerned that Annie was getting too attached to us." Hermione bit her lip. Her change of topic hadn't been the best choice, apparently.

"Annie always wanted to stay here when Amy came to pick her up," David said. He was picking at a loose thread on his trousers. "Annie says she can't sleep at home." Sarah shifted in her chair and looked uncomfortable. Hermione looked at David and then Claire. Neither child offered any other information. Sarah cleared her throat.

"Claire, come help me in the kitchen for a minute," she said. Claire looked as if she was going to protest, but her mother gave her a look and the girl followed dutifully behind.

"How are things going with Claire's parents?" Hermione asked once Claire and Sarah were out of earshot.

"They're really nice to me," David said. "Sarah hugs me all the time and Claire's dad, John, he plays football and cricket with me and Matthew. That's Claire's brother. He's at his friend's house today."

"It sounds like they treat you like family," Hermione said.

"Yeah," David said with a shrug. He looked down at his lap again.

"What did you mean about Annie not being able to sleep?" Hermione asked.

"She misses us," David replied. "And she has nightmares. Before when we had nightmares, we helped each other not be scared." Hermione remembered finding the three children in the same four-poster bed the night they had been released from Azkaban.

"What about Claire? Does she still have nightmares?" Hermione questioned.

"Sometimes," he said. "But her mum's here now."

"What about you?" David seemed to shrink in on himself. Hermione put an arm around his shoulders and he moved closer to her side. "What is it, David?"

"I miss my mum," he whispered. Hermione's heart broke.

"I know you do," she said. "I'm so sorry, David." For a moment, she thought he was going to cry, but then he straightened up and cleared his throat.

"It's okay," he said and gave her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Claire and Sarah came out of the kitchen with a tray of biscuits and lemonade. They sat down and began to chat, but Hermione continued to look at David in concern. She would definitely need to talk to Sarah in private, later.

"What have you been doing, Hermione?" Claire asked.

"Well, I've been helping repair the castle," Hermione said. David seemed to perk up at this.

"Really?" he asked. Hermione nodded. "Is it all fixed now?"

"Mostly," she said. "There are a few things left to do, but it will definitely be ready to open in the fall. In fact, some of the older students will be coming back next week."

"How come?" David asked.

"Fifth years and seventh years have to sit special exams, so they're going to have classes for a couple of weeks to review before they take their exams," Hermione explained.

"Do you have to take them?" David said.

"Well, I could, but I missed the last year of school," Hermione said. Sarah flinched in her seat and the smile fell from Claire's face again. Hermione silently berated herself. She shouldn't have brought that up. She continued quickly. "I'm going to return in the fall to take my seventh year."

"So, you'll be there next year with us?" David said, a genuine smile finally breaking out over his face.

"Yes," Hermione answered. Hermione glanced at Sarah who frowned. Perhaps it was time Hermione had a talk with the woman. Sarah rose from her seat and began to gather the plates.

"Let me help you with that," Hermione said, picking up the glasses.

"Oh, that's not necessary," Sarah said.

"It's no trouble," Hermione replied with a smile. She looked back to the children. "I almost forgot; I have something for the two of you." She set down the glasses and then reached into her beaded bag and pulled out two books. One was Quidditch Through the Ages and the other was Hogwarts, A History. David's eyes bulged and Claire's mouth dropped open in shock when the two books, one rather large, come out of the tiny bag. Hermione chuckled.

"It's charmed," she said, indicating her bag. "To be a lot bigger than it looks. I once carried a tent in here." Both children were speechless and Hermione chuckled again. "I thought you might want to look at these." She handed over the books, David grabbing for the Quidditch one right away. Hermione gathered up the glasses again and followed Sarah into the kitchen.

"That was quite the trick," Sarah said lightly as she set the plates in the sink.

"No trick," Hermione replied. "It's an extension charm." Sarah didn't look overly excited. "I'm sorry if I overstepped."

"No, it's fine, it's just," Sarah shook her head and turned from the sink. "I can't let them go back."

"I understand, I honestly do," Hermione replied. "But it's where they're meant to be."

"And prison?" Sarah demanded. "Were they meant to be there too?" Hermione pulled her wand from her sleeve and cast a quick Muffliato. She didn't want the children eavesdropping.

"Sorry, habit," she said at Sarah's incredulous look. "But it's a privacy charm. We can still hear them, but they can't hear us."

"Of course, they weren't meant to be in prison," Hermione continued. "But things aren't like that anymore."

"How can you be sure?" Sarah asked.

"Because I watched my best friend kill the madman that allowed them to be put there," Hermione said. Sarah's eyes widened. "Maybe we should sit down." The two women sat down at the kitchen table and Hermione gave Sarah a quick overview of the war and its outcome.

"Why didn't anyone tell us this?" Sarah demanded. "I never would have let Claire go if that man that came here had told me any of this!"

"Voldemort hadn't taken control of the Ministry at that point," Hermione said, knowing that Sarah was talking about their visit from a Ministry official when Claire got her letter. The professors usually only made visits in the summer and the Christmas hols, the Ministry took care of it during the school year.

"And what about those that supported this Voldemort?" Sarah asked. "You can't tell me he did this all on his own."

"No, he didn't. And the majority of his supporters are already in prison, more being arrested every day. The new Minister is a good man, he will not allow anything like this to happen again."

"I don't know, Hermione," Sarah said tiredly.

"I won't lie to you," Hermione said. "There are still those who hold those beliefs that Muggle-borns are lesser because of who they are. And I can't promise that Claire and David won't hear about it. But I can promise that our Headmistress will not allow that to go unpunished."

"This is their world, Sarah. They need to learn to control their magic and use it properly. I cannot even imagine how you must be feeling about it, given what happened to them, but I swear to you that I will watch over them next year." Sarah looked almost resigned.

"My husband and I will have to talk about it," she said.

"I'm happy to answer any questions you have," Hermione said. Sarah nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Sarah said.

"How is David, really?" Sarah sighed.

"He's having a hard time," she replied. "He doesn't sleep well and has nightmares most nights. At the beginning, when Annie was still with us, I'd find the three of them in the same bed more often than not."

"That happened the night they spent at Hogwarts too," Hermione explained.

"Claire seems to be getting a bit better, but sometimes I worry about her more than David."

"How so?" Hermione asked. Sarah sighed again.

"Have you noticed how happy she seems to be?" Hermione nodded.

"I wondered a bit about that, actually."

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop," Sarah said. "I realize that she didn't lose us like David and Annie lost their parents, but she still went through a horrific ordeal." Sarah paused and looked up at Hermione. "I'm a bit scared of what might happen, to be honest."

"Maybe our Healer should have a look at them," Hermione said. "Madame Pomfrey is the school's Mediwitch. I know she checked them over when they were brought from Azkaban, but that was likely for any injury or physical issue that needed immediate attention. I'm sure she wouldn't mind stopping by." Sarah looked relieved.

"I would appreciate that," she said. "It's not like I can take them to a psychiatrist here or anything. They'd be locked up in a moment." Hermione gave her a sad smile.

"It's hard," she agreed. "To be a part of two such different worlds. And with everything they've been through and not being able to really tell anyone about it." Hermione paused and shook her head. "That's why I think it's really important for them to go to Hogwarts. There will be lots of people there that understand. They would at least be able to talk about what happened without anyone thinking they've gone mad."

"I've just got her back," Sarah whispered. "I don't know if I can let her go again." Hermione put a hand on the other woman's arm.

"Just think about what's best for Claire in the long run," Hermione said. "David too." Sarah nodded and patted Hermione's hand.

"We should probably go back in," Sarah said. "Claire will be wondering what's taking so long with the dishes." Hermione smiled and stood from the table, cancelling the Muffliato.

"I did have one more question," she said. "I'd like to talk to Annie's sister. Can you tell me where they live?"

"Maybe you should call her first," Sarah hedged.

"That would just give her a chance to refuse me," Hermione replied.

"I don't know, Hermione," Sarah said clearly uncomfortable with giving out the information.

"Sarah, my best friend grew up with his aunt and uncle who hated magic. He slept in a cupboard until he was eleven and they treated him like a slave. I won't let that happen to another child."

"Amy would never!" Sarah insisted, looking horrified. "I know she's wary of Annie's magic, but she wouldn't treat her that way, I promise you. She loves her sister."

"I can get the information from the Aurors, but I'd rather not involve them," Hermione said, although she doubted they would just tell her with no proof of any wrongdoing on Amy's part. Sarah looked at her for a moment before she sighed.

"All right, but please don't assume the worst," Sarah said.

"I promise I won't."

Hermione stood in front of the building and looked up at the second floor where Annie's flat was. She still wasn't sure this was a good idea. Maybe she should have waited and brought Ron or Harry with her or called first like Sarah had suggested. Still, she was here now. With one more glance at the piece of paper that held Annie's address, Hermione squared her shoulders and went into the building.

As she climbed the stairs to the second floor, Hermione wrinkled her nose at the smell of mildew. The building was definitely old and a bit shabby, although it was apparent that someone was at least trying to maintain it. The carpet on the stairs was threadbare, but it looked relatively clean. There were nicks and scratches on the bannister and walls, but nothing was dirty.

She stopped in front of Annie's door and took a breath before she knocked. There was movement inside, before the door was opened slightly. A woman about Hermione's age looked out at her with narrowed eyes.

"Yes?" the woman, who must be Amy, said.

"Hello, my name is Hermione Gran-" but before she could finish there was a squeal from inside.

"Hermione!" Annie barreled into her sister and knocked her aside, pulled open the door and flung herself at Hermione.

"Annie!" Amy said sharply.

"It's all right," Hermione assured her. She looked down at Annie with a smile. "How are you?"

"Excuse me, but who are you, exactly?" Amy put a hand on Annie's shoulder and pulled her away from Hermione.

"I'm sorry, my name is Hermione Granger," Hermione said again. "I met your sister last month at Hogwarts." At the mention of the school, Amy's confused expression twisted into a frown. She moved Annie slightly behind her, despite the younger girl's protests.

"What are you doing here?" Amy demanded.

"I just wanted to check up on Annie and see how she was doing," Hermione explained.

"She's fine," Amy said flatly.

"Amy," Annie protested, trying to wriggle out of her sister's grasp.

"If I could just come in and talk to you both for a moment," Hermione said.

"No," Amy replied.

"Amy, I want to talk to Hermione," Annie protested.

"Annie, go to your room, please," Amy said.

"No!" Annie shouted.

"Annie!" Amy said sternly. Annie stared up at her sister, burst into tears and fled the room. Hermione heard the slam of the door a few seconds later.

"I think you should leave now," Amy said to Hermione.

"Please, I just want to know she's all right," Hermione said.

"All right?" Amy repeated. "You want to know if she's all right? She has nightmares every night thanks to your people."

"I didn't-" Hermione tried to explain, but Amy cut her off.

"She jumps at her own shadow, throws ungodly tantrums and makes things explode, and won't let anyone near her but me and sometimes, not even that," Amy continued, her voice hard and her mouth set. "She cries for our parents all the time and she lashes out at me whenever I try to talk to her about going back to school. Real school, not that other place. I can't work anymore because I'm afraid to leave her alone. My husband's had to take a second job to make ends meet." Hermione felt tears prick her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, but I can help, if you'll just let me explain," Hermione began but Amy just snorted in disbelief and shook her head.

"If you think that I'm going to let any of you people near her after everything you've put her through, you're mad," she said. "Leave and don't come back." She then slammed the door in Hermione's face and Hermione heard the slide of the bolt. She stood in the corridor for a few moments before she turned dejectedly and slowly made her way down the stairs and out of the building.

"Can't you do something?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron later that night when she had recounted her visit to Annie's flat.

"I don't know what, Hermione," Harry said with a sigh. "Amy's her legal guardian and if she doesn't want to talk to you, she doesn't have to."

"What about someone from the Ministry?" Ginny asked. "Or the school?"

"I doubt it," Ron said. "Obviously, we don't know all the law yet and we'll ask Proudfoot tomorrow in class, but you don't have to send your kid to Hogwarts." Hermione sighed.

"I'm really worried about her," she said.

"You don't think she's being abused or anything, do you?" Harry asked. "Because if she is, that's different."

"No," Hermione said. "The flat, the little I could see of it, seemed old, but well-kept. She obviously has her own room, because Amy sent her there while we were talking. Annie didn't have any marks on her and she definitely wasn't afraid of her sister. Annie's just been cut off from her two best friends, which were her whole emotional support over the last year, and her sister can't possibly understand what they went through. She wouldn't even let me explain about the war and who I was. Just kept referring to me as 'you and your people'. She lumped me in with the Death Eaters." Ron put an arm around her and Hermione sighed before she relaxed into him.

"What about Claire's mum?" Ginny asked. "Do you think she'd talk to Amy?"

"She has," Hermione said tiredly. "Amy doesn't even want Annie going to Claire's anymore because Annie never wants to leave."

"It sounds like Amy's in over her head," Ginny said. Hermione nodded.

"Sarah has offered to let Annie stay with them full-time, but Amy refuses."

"Well, you can't exactly blame her," Ron said. "I mean, she lost her parents and she thought her sister was dead for almost a year. I'd want Gin with me too, if we were in that situation."

"Who says I'd want to live with you, you big git," Ginny said, but there was fondness in her tone. Ron pulled her hair teasingly and she smiled.

"I don't blame her, Ron," Hermione said with a smile for the siblings. "But she's not doing Annie any good, keeping her away from everyone either."

"I don't know what the answer is, Hermione," Harry said with a sigh. "Like Ron said, we'll ask tomorrow during training, but I wouldn't get your hopes up."

"I know, Harry, thanks," Hermione replied. Ron tried to stifle his yawn but wasn't successful.

"Sorry, I'm knackered," Ron said. Hermione rose from the Ron's bed where she had been sitting.

"We should let you both get some sleep," she said. Hermione and Ginny said their good nights, then walked down the stairs to Ginny's room.

"What are you going to do?" Ginny asked.

"I don't know," Hermione replied, honestly. "But I'm not giving up."