Hermione slept worse than usual that night. Thoughts of Ron wondered into her head ceaselessly, making her nervous and fidgety. In her mind's eye, she saw Ron being tortured, killed, screaming out in pain…She slipped off to sleep nigh four in the morning, only to awake drenched with sweat and tears. When she crept down the stairs of the empty house the following morning, the Daily Prophet had arrived, clutched by a large, eagle owl. Hermione searched its contents, looking for clues or leads to the death eaters, but it only retold the story of Harry's victory. As she read, there was a soft knock on the door. Puzzled, she went to answer it. It was Remus.

He looked worn and tired but offered a small smile to Hermione's shock.

"Proffesor!"

"Oh, Hermione, you've known me long enough. Please call me Remus," he said softly with a chuckle. He entered the threshold and hugged Hermione. Hermione, shocked slightly, accepted it.

"But-but what are you doing here? Weren't you and Harry and everyone looking for the death eaters a-and Ron and Ginny and Mr. Weasley and... Is the search over?"

"I'm so glad you got out of it alive, Hermione," Remus said. Hermione's face remained anxious.

"Is there any more news of the people who are missing?" Hermione persisted. Remus sighed and sat down at the kitchen table. He looked old and feeble. "Tea?" she asked sympathetically; He nodded.

"Ginny was found," Remus said finally after he had already received his tea; it was nearly halfway finished. Hermione looked up from her hands.

"And?"

"She…" Remus took a deep breath. "She's in critical condition." Hermione's shoulders slumped.

"What happened to her?" she whispered after a moment's silence. Remus shook his head.

"We don't know. Ginny can't say. It's that bad."

"She's…she's unable to speak? Is she mute?"

"Oh! Oh, no. Not at all. No, she's just unconscious. She was conscious at the moment we found her, but while we were taking her over to St. Mungo's she went out like a light. They're trying their best to help her. She's a tough girl; I think she'll be alright," Remus added gently. Hermione nodded.

"Anyone else?" Lupin took a deep breath.

"Well, we found Neville. He's in pretty decent condition. He and Minerva both, which of course was a huge shock to us. And Charlie," he continued, "Charlie isn't dead." Hermione gasped and tears leaked from her eyes.

"How…what h-happened? I mean…"

"As soon as we told Moody, he went over to Charlie's body straight away. We thought he was dead, but Charlie was put in a very tricky sort of perpetual sleep. But of course, Alastor's a professional…and Charlie's fine.

"You should have seen Molly's face." And Remus broke out into his first smile. Hermione managed a small one as well.

"But Mr. Weasley and Tonks and R-Ron, they're still…?"

"Yes." Remus lowered his eyes to the ground. He suddenly looked paler. "I-I should be getting back. Maybe they have some news…" Hermione nodded numbly and rose. She walked Remus to the door and he stepped out of the house, leaving Hermione alone with a small 'click' of the door.