A/N: Sorry for the incredibly long delay. I've been afflicted with a terrible case of writers block, along with a generally crazy life... Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

-1 Ginny forced herself to keep her footsteps even as the group made their silent way through the dark city streets. Several times over the last year, her wanderings through the city had taken her past the old building that had been a second home to them. She'd never gained the courage to approach the space between eleven and thirteen before tonight.

She wondered if any of her remaining family was still there. She'd been tempted many times to try and contact them. She missed her mother dearly and constantly worried about George and Bill. Ron, she knew, was still at St. Mungo's but she hadn't been to visit. She wondered what they would think of her if they saw her. She had abandoned them. Run away to hide in a world she didn't belong to.

"Gin?" Luna's soft voice ripped her out of her musing and she tensed, automatically tightening her grip on both her wand and her girlfriend's hand.

"What's wrong?" she hissed, searching the area frantically without breaking stride. "Did you see something?"

Luna gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and leaned closer to her. "No, sorry. Are you alright, though?"

Ginny gave her a quizzical stare. "I'm a little tense," she breathed, giving the shorter girl a ghost of a smirk.

Luna raised an eyebrow at her. "You're bleeding again." Her blue eyes dropped to the arm she was attached to.

Ginny frowned and glanced down at a dark stain that was slowly spreading over the upper right sleeve of her jacket. "Damn it," she murmured. She stopped and pulled the garment down her arm to examine the injury.

Hermione was by her side in an instant. "Ginny, what happened?" she demanded quietly. The others converged on her and she hastily shrugged her jacket back on.

"It's nothing," she murmured as she began walking again. "One of them hit me with a spell back at our flat. We shouldn't stop here, it's not safe."

Hermione gave her a frustrated stare but didn't disagree as she fell into step on her other side. Earlier when they'd arrived at the motel, Luna had torn a strip from one of the towels and used it as a makeshift bandage. Apparently it wasn't helping.

"It shouldn't still be bleeding," Luna whispered, frowning at the pavement in front of them. "I wrapped it awfully tight and it's been hours."

"It's probably not a normal wound." Ginny started slightly at the hoarse, unfamiliar voice behind her. She glanced back at Pansy over her shoulder but the other girl wasn't looking at her. Her pale eyes were narrowed and slightly unfocused. "They've come up with some pretty nasty new spells."

Ginny glanced uneasily at the dark stain but didn't respond. "We'll have someone take a look at it once we arrive," Hermione decided after a long pause. Ginny flicked her eyes to her old friend in question, but only received a tight smile.

She sighed softly and nodded. "Right," she murmured. Once they were all safely inside the old headquarters, the two of them would need to have a talk about the most recent addition to their group. Ginny fought the urge to look back again at their old rival. Instead, she lifted Luna's hand to her mouth and gently kissed her knuckles. "I'll be fine," she said softly.

They made the remainder of the journey in silence, finally pausing in front of the old familiar building. "Is this it?" Draco muttered, frowning uncertainly at the decrepit structure.

"Just think about what I told you at the motel," Hermione replied with just a hint of her old bossiness. The tone made Ginny smile; it'd been a while since she'd heard it.

The moment Ginny thought of the address, the building was there in front of her. There were hushed murmurs from the others as they saw it expand out from nothingness. She approached the old stone steps but stopped, suddenly overcome with uncertainty. She glanced at Hermione for reassurance and the older girl nodded and strode up to the entrance. She extracted her wand in a shaking hand and tapped the dark door once. They held a collective breath as the locks clicked open.

Hermione took a deep breath and stepped inside. Steeling herself, Ginny followed with the others close behind. The door closed behind them and for a moment they were engulfed in gray darkness. Ginny released her death grip on Luna and took a furtive step past Hermione into the dark hallway. There was a huge black scorch mark on the wall where Mrs. Black's portrait had once hung but otherwise everything looked the same. "Maybe no one's here," she breathed.

The words had barely left her mouth when two points of light abruptly flared to life. Ginny threw her arm in front of her face to block the brightness. "Who are you?" an achingly familiar voice demanded harshly.

Slowly Ginny lowered her arm as she tried to stare past the lit wands to their holders. "George?" she called tentatively.

The wand on the right lowered a fraction and she was able to make out her older brother's face. His hair had grown out so it fell over his forehead and he had a shadow of stubble on his chin. "Ginny?" he replied breathlessly. He made as though to rush forward when his companion's free arm shot out, stopping him.

"Wait," she snapped, keeping her wand level with Ginny's face. "We need to make sure."

George's eyes narrowed and Ginny felt her chest tighten when he raised his wand again as well. She took a half step back and felt the warmth of one of her companions close to her side. "What did Dad used to collect?" George asked in a choked voice.

Ginny let out a shaky breath and tried to smile, even though the casual mention of their father was painful. "P-plugs. Muggle plugs."

The wand light winked out as he dropped his arm and let out a sob of laughter. "Ginny!" He rushed forward and scooped her up into a bone crushing hug. She felt tears sliding down her cheeks as she returned the embrace.

A grinning Angelina Johnson approached the group, finally dropping her wand to her side to hug them. Ginny stepped back from her brother to hug the older girl as well. "What are you doing here?" Angelina demanded tearfully, pulling back to study her face.

"It's a long story," Hermione replied wearily as she gave their old friends affectionate hugs as well.

"George? Angelina? What's going on?" The door to the kitchen opened behind them and Ginny choked back a sob as she looked past her brother to the approaching figure.

"Mum?" The figure froze for an instant before breaking into a sprint toward them. "Mum!" Ginny squeezed past her brother and fell into her mother's arms.

"Ginny," she sobbed, squeezing her tightly. "What are you doing here? Where on Earth have you been?" Ginny laughed and leaned up to kiss her cheek before stepping back. "You cut your hair!"

"Yea." She nodded, chuckling softly. "I, um… we…" she gestured behind her, too overcome with emotion to force more words out.

"Luna, dear!" her mother cried, instantly pulling both girls into another fierce hug. "You look thin, have you girls been eating?" She glanced past them and seemed to notice the others in the hall for the first time. "Hermione! Neville!" She squeezed forward, to hug them as well.

Ginny glanced at George and found him frowning past them. Clearing her throat, she turned to usher the others forward. "You remember Susan Bones?" She gave an uncertain smile and was immediately pulled into the group hug by Molly.

Ginny smirked and tried to tune out her mother's exuberant greetings for the moment. George and Angelina's expressions both darkened as Draco and Daphne stepped into the light. "Daphne Greengrass and Draco… Malfoy…"

Draco cleared his throat and hesitantly put out his hand. "I know we've had our differences in the past-"

"That's one way to put it," George cut in harshly. Draco slowly lowered his hand and looked around uncertainly.

Hermione pried herself out of Molly's grasp and approached the others. "Daphne was never a Death Eater and Draco left that life a long time ago," she said firmly, looking between them all. "They're both friends of ours and we trust them."

George looked uncertain but nodded and after a moment Angelina did as well. Their silence finally caught Molly's attention and she turned to them in confusion. "Goodness, how many of you are there?" she asked in surprise.

Draco turned to her with his head slightly bowed. "We're not here to harm any one. This was the only safe place we could think of to go."

Molly considered them both for a moment while everyone waited on bated breath. Finally she nodded and smiled at them. "You must all be starving after everything that-" Suddenly her expression twisted to one of rage. "You! Stupefy!"

"Protego!"

The jet of red light bounced off Hermione's shield and hit the ceiling with a loud crash, showering them all in dust. Pansy had flinched back against the wall and was now pressed back against it, blue eyes wide and locked on Hermione. Hermione herself seemed as shocked as the rest of them. Slowly she dropped her wand back to her side and faced the others. The hallway was utterly silent. "Mrs. Weasley, please just listen," she said carefully. "Pansy's not one of them any more either. We found her the day we helped Harry."

Ginny glanced between the brunette and her mother curiously. It was the reaction she'd expected but she couldn't quite believe what her friend had done. "It's true, Mrs. Weasley," Susan said tremulously, stepping closer. "She was already in the dungeon when I was brought there."

"Well she should be locked up!" George growled. "You're not serious are you? Gin?"

She turned to meet her brother's gaze and knew they were both thinking the same thing. That was nearly two years ago, she reminded herself firmly. Clearly a lot of things have changed. She nodded and he turned away sharply and stomped away. No one spoke until his receding footsteps had faded above them.

"How could you bring her here?" Molly demanded, drawing everyone's attention back to her. "How could you protect her after what she did to Fred? And Ron?" Her voice was thick with emotion when she said their names and Ginny felt her eyes fill again.

Hermione, however, was resolute despite the tear slowly trailing down her cheek. "I know she was there but she isn't the one who hurt them. I know she was one of them once, but-"

"No, she's right," Pansy interrupted, straightening. She leveled her gaze at the older woman but her expression was completely unreadable. "I can't change the mistakes I made in the past and you've got no reason to trust me. I won't stay here if you don't want me to." She turned and took a step toward the door.

Molly frowned at her back for a moment then sighed. "We're not going to just throw you on their mercy," she said quietly. "We all know they won't show any." Pansy stopped but didn't turn back around.

Angelina stepped up to Ginny and caught her shoulder lightly. "Come on, we'll set you lot up in the empty rooms."

"Do you have anyone here that's good at healing spells?" Luna asked as they started toward the stairs. Ginny grimaced as her mother spun around in alarm and she grudgingly pulled down her jacket to show her wounded arm.

Molly's demeanor instantly changed when she saw the injury. "Oh, Ginny what happened? Of course, come upstairs! Poppy's gone for a few days but Fleur should be able to sort you out." Ginny allowed herself to be ushered away by her mother and girlfriend.

"Pansy should probably come as well," Luna pointed out as they started up the first flight. Molly scowled but said nothing. "Some of those wounds looked fairly serious and the muggle remedies aren't nearly as helpful."

Molly's expression softened slightly as she looked back at the other girl. "Of course. This way."

"How's it feel Gin?" Hermione asked from her perch on the edge of the bed her friend was currently stretched out on.

Ginny twisted her arm to look at the smooth, unmarred flesh. "Like it never happened," she replied with a shrug.

Luna, who was sitting by Ginny's head and leaned against the wall, looked down curiously. "Did she know what the spell was?" Fleur was still across the hall tending to Pansy and they hadn't had much chance to talk to the older girl.

Ginny shook her head, still examining her upper arm. "Apparently it was one she'd seen before but didn't know how to cast. It just keeps bleeding until it kills you."

Hermione shivered at the thought. "I'm glad it only hit your arm."

"Me to, believe me," Ginny chuckled. Luna smiled and leaned down to stroke her choppy hair and plant a kiss on her forehead. Ginny propped herself up on an elbow to deliver a more heated kiss to her girlfriend.

Hermione blushed and hurriedly got to her feet. "Well, I'm going to let you two get some sleep. Good night."

Ginny chuckled again. "Sounds good."

"Good night, Hermione," Luna called just before she firmly shut the bedroom door.

She smiled to herself. "Those two," she mumbled, shaking her head. The door across from her opened and Fleur stepped out, frowning. "Did everything go alright?"

Fleur smiled at her but it seemed slightly forced. "For ze most part, oui," she replied. Hermione raised an eyebrow and waited for her to continue. The older girl sighed and tucked a strand of platinum hair behind her ear. "I could not heal ze long cut on her neck completely. She was hit by a powerful curse and will probably always have zat scar." She shrugged and turned away. "Good night," she called over her shoulder.

Hermione bit her lip as she watched the woman glide down the hall and disappear around the corner. She only debated for a moment before knocking lightly on the door.

"Yea?" Pansy called gruffly.

"It's Hermione," she called softly through the wood. "Can I come in?"

The silence stretched out for so long that Hermione had started to turn away before the response floated out to her. "Sure, yea. I guess so."

Hermione stepped into the room and carefully closed the door. The small room was sparsely decorated and thick cobwebs were visible in the corners. The only light came from a single candle flickering from the bedside table. "How are you feeling?"

Pansy was sitting on the bed with her back propped up against the wall. She gave her a humorless smirk and shrugged. "Fine, I suppose. She fixed all the cuts and bruises."

Hermione took a few steps closer to the other girl and stopped by the small table to examine the candle. "That's good," she said awkwardly. "What about…" She turned and moved toward a painting on the wall where some dark animal's tail was just visible behind a rock. "So nothing's hurting then?"

She turned back to find Pansy's eyes had narrowed slightly and were following her movements. She paced around to the foot of the bed and stopped again. "Nothing's hurting at the moment, no." Hermione nodded and started back toward the night stand. "Would you just sit down already?" Pansy snapped. "You're making me nervous."

Hermione huffed indignantly but sat on the edge of the bed anyway. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright. I talked to Fleur outside."

"So you already knew that I was fine."

She twisted around to glare at the other girl and found a hint of amusement in the icy eyes. "Well, yes," she admitted, frowning when the corners of Pansy's lips twitched.

"And you didn't believe her?"

Hermione rolled her eyes when she saw the familiar smirk forming. "Of course I believed her!" she cried, throwing up her hands in exasperation. "I was just…"

Pansy sobered again, watching her intently. "You just what?" she asked softly.

Hermione studied her for a moment but didn't see any sigh of contempt. "She told me that she couldn't completely fix one of them."

Pansy's hand jumped to the side of her neck where a thin scar now ran from the curve of her jaw down under her shirt collar. Her eyes flicked away and her expression hardened. "It could be worse."

"I suppose," Hermione conceded. "That one's not hurting either?" Pansy shook her head and dropped her hand back to her lap, but still wouldn't meet her eye. "Harry's used to bother him a lot," she mused, turning toward the wall again. "That's the only curse scar I've heard of acting that way but I've read a few books on the subject so-

She broke off at Pansy's short bark of laughter. She spun around to glare at her and received an apologetic smile. "Sorry. That's just such a…" she waved a hand vaguely, "a You thing to say."

Hermione bit back the scathing comment she'd been about to throw at the dark haired girl. Instead, she scooted further onto the bed and tucked her legs under her. "Yes, well, I'm told I read a little more than is generally considered sane," she replied with a small smile. "Ron used to-"

She looked away awkwardly, blinking back sudden tears. Behind her, Pansy sighed softly and she felt the mattress shift as the other girl moved. She was surprised when a hesitant hand touched her shoulder. "I'm sorry about… what happened to him."

Hermione scrubbed at her eyes, determined not to break down. "You didn't do it."

"I know," Pansy said softly. She moved closer until her legs were hanging off the bed and their shoulders were almost touching. "But I was still there with them, fighting for the Dark Lord and his mad ideals." Hermione chanced a glance over and found Pansy's gaze trained on the flickering candle flame. Her pale eyes were swimming with unshed tears. "Every one of us is at fault for everyone who's been hurt in this war."

They sat together in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally Pansy spoke again. "Did you- did you love him?"

Hermione smiled at the many happy memories the question brought. "In a way I suppose I did, we were together for quite a while. But we were always better as friends. He and Harry were like my brothers. My family."

"Yea," Pansy said wistfully. "That's how we were too. Millicent, Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, Draco…" Hermione looked over at her and she swiped quickly at a tear.

"Is it hard seeing Draco with Daphne?"

Pansy shrugged and finally met her gaze again. "We were always better off as friends as well. It is nice to have a familiar face around, though. That doesn't hate me."

"I don't hate you," Hermione said immediately. She was a little surprised by the declaration, and more surprised to realize that it was true.

Pansy seemed to think so as well because she gave her a perplexed stare. "You should." She frowned and bit her lip, apparently thinking. Hermione waited quietly. If Pansy was going to be here with them, she knew they needed to have this talk. "Why did you stop her from attacking me?"

The question surprised Hermione. "I… don't know. It was sort of a reflex." Confusion passed briefly across the other girl's face. "It surprised me a little too." She sighed and met Pansy's stare fully. "I suppose I just don't think you deserve to be hurt any more."

Pansy scoffed and turned away. "Why not? I've hurt you." Hermione opened her mouth to comment but Pansy talked over her. "I made your life miserable from the first moment I met you. I was terrible to you at school and worse after the war began. You should hate me more than anyone else here." The last sentence was a snarl and Hermione had to force herself not to flinch. Then she sighed. "But you don't and I don't understand why."

Hermione watched her for a moment, gathering her thoughts. She didn't want to say the wrong thing but she knew the other girl needed some kind of explanation. "I believe that everyone has good in them," she said softly. "I think that people can change if they're given the chance."

"And you think I'll change?"

Hermione nodded. "I think you already have. Otherwise, we wouldn't have found you in that awful dungeon."

Pansy was quiet for a time, apparently thinking over what she'd said. Finally she shifted to face her, sitting cross legged with her elbows resting on her knees. Despite the casual pose, Hermione could see that she had tensed again as though braced for something. "You haven't asked me why I was down there."

Hermione studied her guarded expression and tense form, then nodded curtly. "I know." Pansy tilted her head slightly. "I'm not planning on asking either. But if you want to talk about it you can, I'm a good listener."

A series of emotions crossed her face and Hermione smiled and stood up. "For now, though, I should probably let you get some rest. It's been a long night." Pansy nodded mutely and she started for the door.

"Hermione?" She paused in the doorway and turned back to where Pansy hadn't moved from her earlier position. Her pale eyes reluctantly lifted to meet her own dark ones. "I- thanks for, um…" she sighed and offered a small genuine smile. "Good night."

Hermione smiled back, feeling warmed by this unexpected end to the night. "Good night, Pansy."

Hermione woke feeling completely disoriented. She sat up slowly, staring around the unfamiliar room. For a moment, she was sure she was dreaming. Then the nights events rushed back and she let out a shaky breath. She pulled on a pair of faded jeans and, as an afterthought, took her wand from the nightstand and shoved it in her pocket.

The house was silent as she made her way down the stairs, but a light was shining under the kitchen door. She stepped inside and was greeted by the smell of fresh coffee. Ginny was sitting alone at the long table with a steaming mug between her hands.

"Morning," she said tiredly. She gestured toward the stove and Hermione moved gratefully toward the pot and mugs.

She smiled as she poured the rich liquid and went to sit by her friend. "Good morning. How'd you sleep?"

Ginny grinned wickedly, then hastily schooled her features. "Fine," she replied innocently.

Hermione giggled and shook her head. "I'll bet." She took a sip of hot coffee and let her gaze travel lazily around the room. The door opened again, then closed. Hermione frowned in confusion, then saw the top of a bald head and pointed ears travel past the edge of the table. She sighed inwardly. "Hello, Kreacher," she said tentatively.

The little elf turn wide eyes on her and to her surprise he bowed low. "Good morning, Miss. Kreacher is making breakfast. Can he get you anything first?"

Hermione exchanged a wide eyes look with an equally mystified Ginny. "N- no thank you, Kreacher."

"Please let Kreacher know." He bowed again and disappeared into the pantry.

"What on earth happened to him?" Hermione whispered, leaning closer to her friend.

Ginny shook her head in bewilderment. "I've got no idea. He looked, well, clean." They both looked back at the pantry door. "Did you see the locket he was wearing?" Hermione nodded, thinking it had looked vaguely familiar.

The door opened again and both girls looked up. Harry strode in, rubbing a hand over his unshaven face. He didn't seem to notice them until he went to set his rucksack on the table. He jumped, green eyes darting between them. "What are you doing here?"

Hermione bit her lip but Kreacher returned before she could explain. "Welcome back, Master Harry," he rasped, attempting to bow without dropping the parcels he was balancing. "Coffee is ready, would Master like a cup?"

"Sure, thanks Kreacher." The elf scurried to the stove and Harry sat heavily across from Hermione to give her a perplexed stare.

"We were attacked last night," Ginny said finally. "Death Eaters came to my flat and hers. We didn't know where else to go."

Harry's mouth fell open and his expression was immediately apologetic. "How did they find you? I was so sure we weren't followed! Are you alright?"

"We're fine, Harry," Hermione reassured him. "Fleur patched up Ginny and Pansy last night." As soon as the words left her mouth, Harry's expression darkened. "Harry, please…"

He glared up at the ceiling for a moment then sighed, deflating slightly. "Sorry, this is my fault. I shouldn't have involved any of you."

Ginny's hand jerked like she was about to reach out to him, then changed her mind. "We're alright," she said awkwardly.

He nodded distractedly then focused on Hermione. "Can we talk?"

Ginny immediately stood, taking her coffee cup with her. "Right, I'll just go see if Luna's awake."

She started toward the door but Harry caught her free hand, stopping her. "Sorry, Ginny, it's just-"

"It's fine, I understand," she interrupted, giving him a tight smile.

She strode out the door and Harry stared at the doorway for a moment. "They're happy together? Her and Luna?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes."

"That's good," he murmured, still watching the door. It seemed to take an effort for him to turn back to face her. They studied each other for a moment, then he sighed heavily and crossed his arms on the table. "I found R. A. B."

"What? How?"

Harry leaned closer and Hermione automatically did the same. "Here, actually. It was Regulus Black. I asked Kreacher and he told me that Mundungus Fletcher had taken the original locket a while back."

Kreacher made a disgruntled noise from the counter where he was chopping vegetables. Harry shot the elf a weary smile before continuing the tale. "We found out after some… persuasion…" he shot another smile at the elf and Hermione wondered what had happened to change their relationship so dramatically. "Dolores Umbridge has got it. I'm going into the Ministry of Magic to get it back."

Hermione couldn't speak for a moment. She opened and closed her mouth several times before she could manage to squeak out, "You're going to do what?"

Harry grinned and for a moment he looked like his old self. "She's there and she's got one of the Horcruxes," he said simply.

She bit her lip and stared down into the remains of her coffee. Kreacher hoped onto a chair and refilled her cup, whistling softly under his breath. She smiled after him as he returned to the stove. "He seems happier," she noted, trying to fill the silence while her mind processed Harry's words.

"Master Harry is a good and kind master. Kreacher is happy to serve him," came the croaked response.

Hermione smiled and raised an eyebrow at Harry, who shrugged. "So, what's your plan?" She kept her tone neutral, waiting for a reaction. "Do you need people to go with you?"

Harry gave her a sad smile. "I've got some people coming along." Hermione nodded. She'd been expecting that. Then his eyes widened. "There is something else you might be able to help with, though."

Hermione forced a smile. "We might as well. It seems we're back in this fight."

"Is Malfoy here with you?"

Hermione felt the smile slide off her face. "Yes he is, Harry, and before you-"

"That's not what I meant," he said quickly holding up his hands. "Ollivander's been kidnapped by the Death Eaters."

Hermione gasped softly. "Why? What could they possibly want from him?"

Harry scowled down at the table. "Vol- He doesn't know that I'm after his horcruxes. No one does." His eyes met hers pointedly and she nodded, urging him to continue. "He's been obsessed with wands since the last time we faced each other. When Ron… When his wand still wouldn't work properly against me."

Hermione nodded, remembering the strange behavior of the wands that day. Harry had said his wand had performed a spell on it's own, something unheard of and theoretically impossible.

"Since then he's been obsessing over finding one that will work against me. I've gotten flashes of what he's thinking and doing so I've got a good idea of where they took Ollivander."

Hermione could feel the cold knot of dread forming in her stomach but forced herself to ask. "Where?"

"Malfoy Manor."