FOR GRANTED

CHAPTER 3: The Good News.

Mr. Weasley turned around and looked at Harry with a relaxed smile on his face and called out for others who were not present to enter the room, "everyone gather up…", the entire weasley clan along with Minerva McGonagall and Fleur's family entered the room. "I have some good news, Hermione managed to apparate herself to Quidditch supplies store where your old friend Oliver Wood found her. She was bruised and bleeding so he took her to St. Mungos, he informed them that Hermione was Harry Potter's girlfriend" (at which Harry blushed, Ginny and Ron both scowled) "however…" despite the looks or any details about that confusion, Arthur continued,"…Tonks was immediately informed by the healer at St. Mungos that Harry's girlfriend Hermione has been admitted…so.."

"But she is not his girlfriend" interrupted Ginny very sternly. Arthur continued – ignoring her, "…so she told them about the attack and everything. Tonks was able to talk to Hermione and apparently Hermione doesn't wish for her parents to be informed about this…well all in all, Tonks is bringing back Hermione after sometime."

"Who was the lady, you were talking to? Was she a healer? How did Hermione get wounded? Why has it taken so long for them to inform us of this news.." before Harry could continue with his train of questions. Arthur raised both his hands trying to hush Harry down…."calm down Harry calm down! The lady was Mrs. Diggory, Amos Diggory's wife, and YES she is a healer at St. Mungos; Tonks had checked in with St. Mungos right after she left the burrow but Hermione had not been admitted then, they informed her after they had healed Hermione and they are not bringing her over right away because it had been a death eater attack so some formalities had to be taken care of and Tonks is taking care of them, once they call off the inquiries, Hermione will be able to come back". The Charlie spoke with a deep regret in his voice "Hermione probably sustained major injuries coz she was hit with curses twice", "Why didn't you do anything…" George asked…"She sort of well… she saved me from a curse, she stunned the deatheater who attacked me and one of the others hit her from the other side…I am sorry, things were happening so fast.." Charlie continued. "Come on honey lets not dwell over what happened then. We should just Thank God that she is fine…I really like Hermione, God knows how sick I was from worry about her…"said Molly.

"So Hermione is alright…" said Ron sounding not too convinced. It was the first time Harry heard him talking ever since they were stopped from going after Hermione on their brooms. Both Harry and Ron looked at each other and smiled. Harry moved towards him and both of them left for kitchen, rest of them all staring after them. Ginny followed them in, "Can we have some time to ourselves Ginny if you don't mind, Harry and I have some stuff to talk about", Ginny feeling a bit embarrassed turned but not before giving Harry a kiss on his cheek and left, Ron ignored this (Harry didn't tell him about the breakup so Ron was use to Ginny's bold actions) while Harry continued looking down embarrassed for some reason and felt a bit annoyed by the kiss for he made it clear to Ginny they were over and the reason behind it.

"We are not good friends, are we?", Harry looked up at him with a look saying 'so you noticed too' "No, no we are not, it feels as if her getting hurt is our fault…", "I didn't even…well Harry I was so ignorant that I didn't even know she was there,…I..I don't know…" Harry interrupted Ron because he knew what he wanted to say "'I know what you mean pal, I know…we screwed up and yet we have no explanation for it, no matter how many times everyone tell us that it is not our fault, some how it feels that way and…", at that precise moment another commotion was heard and they got up from their chairs and headed towards the lounge, there stood Hermione wrapped in a brown cloak, in Oliver's arms, Tonks right next to him, Mrs. Weasley rushed towards her and cleared the couch for Oliver to place Hermione in. Mrs. Weasley gave her a hug and a kiss, Charlie ruffled her hair a bit saying "you sure scared us", everyone said something and gave her a hug. Hermione remained quiet and just smiled every now and then. Twins took Oliver upstairs to their room, Both Harry and Ron finally rushed towards her, silent hellos were exchanged between the three. Hermione had watery eyes but wouldn't dare look up, Ron pulled a chair and sat next to her couch while Harry sat on the floor on his knees and grabbed her hand with both his hands and stroked it with his thumb. A moment of silence passed when all the elders decided to leave them alone, Molly told them that Hermione needs to be shifted upstairs in Ginny's room.

"We are sorry Hermione, we … well we... I don't know how to… " Once again to his and Ron's annoyance, Ginny spoke in a harsh tone, "How many times do I have to tell you morons that it was not your fault … tell them Hermione because I can't see them suffer or feel sorry for themselves for your .. " a pause and then "for your actions". Hermione looked at Ginny with a hurt look and finally uttered some words, "Ginny is right Harry, I am fine and you both better not blame yourselves for my actions…I would appreciate it if you take me upstairs because I still feel a bit sore".

"Typical! … Such a…attention seeker", some words along these lines was muttered by Ginny over this. Harry chose not to bother and picked Hermione up in his arms to take her upstairs; Ron followed, they settled Hermione in when Ron excused himself to go get something to eat. Hermione asked for water which went unheard by Ron so Harry left to get her a glass of water…he was halfway through the stairs when he heard Ron…

Ron was talking to Ginny in a hushed and yet angry tone, "What's your problem, why are you acting like this? "LIKE WHAT"..."like what….like what…like you calling her an attention seeking prat…I thought…well if I am not wrong Hermione is your friend too and has always been nice to you".

"When did I say she is not my friend, she is a friend. It's just that I don't see why you guys are blaming yourselves for her such obviously stupid actions, like I said earlier she could've grabbed the portkey but noooo she had to do something to get attention…." Said Ginny

"Hermione has no reason to do that, she is different…"

"Oh then dear brother where was she before the attack took place?" Without waiting for his answer, "she was at the back, sitting all alone, when neither you nor Harry or anyone for that matter asked her to dance…this was her chance to grab some attention and she was successful. I am a girl Ron; I know how girls think…" With that said she left. Harry was boiling with anger now, he still wondered what is wrong with Ginny and why is she being so bitter towards Hermione. He joined Ron downstairs… "Hermione needs some water"…when they entered the kitchen, everyone was having dinner, Mrs. Weasley set a tray for Hermione and gave it to the boys to take upstairs.

Ron held the tray and went upstairs, followed closely by Harry. When they entered the room, they saw Hermione struggling with the cloak, but was somehow was tangled a bit, due to the fact that she was sitting on it and was trying to get rid of it without getting up … Harry took three steps and was by her side, he opened the knot and gently pulled her up with both hands, and very gently slid the cloak off her shoulder, down her arms and that's when he noticed the blotches of blood all over her skirt and blue top…through out this Hermione kept looking down, not daring to look up as if it would bring bad news if she looked up or something. Harry made her sit with the same gentleness he showed earlier, Ron cleared his throat to get rid of the awkward silence, "err….Mum sent some food Hermione"…"Thanks Ron but … well I don't feel like eating, I just want to sleep", "Oh… ok, u have been through a lot for one day…sleep will do you good", replied Ron. Harry then asked Hermione if she was strong enough to change in to some night clothes…you see well because…, but was interrupted and saving him from giving her the reason. (He felt very uncomfortable seeing blood on her clothes, bruises on her arms and few cuts on her face)

"Yes Harry you are right but I can't move much … I have bandages on my stomach and I am not suppose to put much strain…." Hermione replied before letting him finish…"Oh I will go ask Ginny or Mum to help you"… "Thanks Ron, ask Mrs. Weasley if its no bother to her…" said Hermione with first true smile on her face, with that he left with the tray he brought earlier. Harry felt a bit jealous that how come he was not given a smile, it was after all his idea that she should change out of these blood covered clothes. Then he mentally slapped himself for thinking this way and felt sick when he looked at her again, seeing the blood on Hermione and wounds – Merlin, I could've saved her from all these injuries. He was lost in all sorts of thoughts, when Hermione touched his arm, "stop blaming yourself for all this Harry, you did not throw a cruciatus on me, it was a deatheater and I don't blame you for one minute, so please stop thinking that way, and stop feeling sorry for me.." "I was … just … I was not doing that" replied Harry. Hermione grinned and said "Harry I know you like I know Hogwarts-a history and I know what you are thinking." Harry laughed over this…there little relaxed time was interrupted by Molly Weasly and Ron.

"Out you boys now..."

"Yes Mrs. Weasley, We'll come again once you are done…" said Harry.

"Nobody is going to disturb Hermione now; you will have plenty of time to talk tomorrow" …

With the good nights exchanged, both Ron and Harry left the room.