Disclaimer: This story belongs not J. K. Rowling, not me.
Summary: Ginny took a deep breath and sat down on the damp forest floor. She cradled her head in her hands and began to cry. She knew that, whether or not she went back, her family would be dead.
Author's notes: Hmmm...well, this chapter is a little gruesome. But it could be worse! SO, don't say I didn't warn you! Enjoy!
Ginny ran through the woods as fast as her legs would take her, often tripping over rocks or twigs. She wouldn't allow herself to stop; she feared that the Hunters might be pursuing her. The trees in the forest were beginning to grow thicker. The sky was no longer visible above her and what little sunlight there had been was now gone. Ginny soon had to slow down because of the increasing darkness. When she could no longer see anything, Ginny turned around. She had to go back to save her family. It had probably been hours since she left. The Hunters would be gone.
Ginny took a deep breath and sat down on the damp forest floor. She cradled her head in her hands and began to cry. She knew that, whether or not she went back, her family would be dead. She had no one left. Where could she even go? The Hunters would find her. They would kill her. Ginny whipped the tears from her face and slowly stood up. She at least had to see if anyone survived the attack. Ginny grabbed her pack, which she had laid next to her, and began to walk out of the forest.
Draco Malfoy sat in a chair next to the fireplace in his father's study. The Death Eater meeting hadn't gone very well. Apparently most of the Death Eaters were busy, or dead. Severus Snape had been the only one there, other than Draco and Lucius. It hadn't been a very productive meeting at all. The only thing that was discussed was the state of the Weasley family. Lucius had heard from anonymous sources that two Weasleys had survived the attack. Ginevra and Ronald Weasley were missing from the site. Despite himself, Draco felt a wave of relief sweep over him as he heard this news. He didn't quite understand his obsession with that girl. Maybe he was in love–but no. Malfoys don't fall in love.
Draco was brought back to reality from his daydream when his father began to laugh. Draco looked up from the fire and over to his father whom was sitting at his large cherry desk.
"What on Earth is so funny?" Draco asked.
Lucius looked up at his son. "I just got off the phone with Severus. They've been tracking the girl. They seem to have found her."
Draco's heart stopped. "Where is she?"
"She's heading back to the Burrow. The Hunters are still there, hiding nearby, and they're going to ambush her as soon as she gets there."
Draco stood up and quickly walked out of the room. He turned down a few hallways and walked up a flight of stairs and violently swung his bedroom door open. Draco grabbed a bag from under his bed and began to fill it with necessary materials. He grabbed his toothbrush, a change of clothes, his wand, and a few medical supplies. When he thought he had everything he needed packed he threw on his cloak, grabbed his wand, and apparated to the Burrow.
A woman lay broken on the kitchen floor of the burrow. She felt a pressure on her chest and she could barely breathe. She couldn't move her legs and she could feel where they were broken. She looked around her slowly, still dizzy. In front of her she could see a woman with once white blonde hair, now red with blood. To her left was a man. He was lying on his back staring up at the ceiling expressionlessly. Blood trickled down his face. She could see a cut in his scalp, nearly invisible in his red hair. It took a moment to realize that this man was Fred Weasley. The woman began to cry as memories of the night before swam through her head.
She reached out for Fred and gently placed a hand on his arm. Shockingly, the man flinched. He was alive. The woman tried to smile but it hurt her face extremely to do so. Just as she was about to attempt talking to the man she heard a noise coming from the doorway. She immediately froze herself in position. All of the muscles in her body were tight and she began to feel a wave of nervousness wash over her. She could hear footsteps coming closer and closer. The she heard a voice.
"Is anyone alive?" a man asked sadly. His voice sounded familiar. It was like a memory long forgotten, finally deciding to come out of its grave. "Please, if you are alive, tell me. The Hunters are gone. You needn't worry about them."
Somehow the woman trusted this man and her muscles began to relax. She took a deep breath and tried to call out to the man but her voice stuck in her throat. She couldn't speak. She began to slowly lift her arm. She brought it back down with as much force as she could muster and there was a soft THUD as it hit the ground.
The woman heard footsteps as the man raced toward her. He bent down low in front of her and looked into his eyes. Her heart dropped as she began to remember where she had heard his voice.
"Harry…" she whispered.
"Hush now," the man said. "You're going to be alright. Everything is going to be alright, Hermione."