Hermione woke to the familiar smells and sounds of St. Mungo's. Today she was going to the Burrow. Mr. Weasley, Bill, and Ron would be coming to get her at noon. She looked over at the clock on her temporary night stand to read it was already eleven o'clock.
Hermione never slept that late, but since her night was spent mostly tossing and turning in her bed, with images of Greyback and Bellatrix in her head, she hadn't really gotten a proper night's sleep. She hoped that being at the Burrow would help calm her uneasiness since she felt comfortable there and couldn't relate it to her capture.
Hermione bit her lip as she thought, once more, of those few nights. Ever since being captured, she felt on edge. As if she were balancing on a toothpick, about to fall off. Jumping at sudden movements, scared to sleep with no one around, and frightened by shadows cast by the moonlight- Hermione felt weak. She hoped this was only from being in an unfamiliar place and wouldn't last very long.
She really couldn't wait to leave, and she couldn't do anything but sit there till they came to get her. The night before, she'd asked for Ron to wait until she fell asleep before he left and he did, but she was already anticipating his arrival for that afternoon. For some reason, Ron made her feel safe. She didn't feel as jumpy with him around, and it was nice.
She and Ron had sat and talked about nothing in particular until she fell asleep. He just talked to her about mindless things to keep her distracted from her own thoughts. She could tell that he wanted to talk about it, but he seemed to think better of bringing it up again. He happily informed her that her parents were fine and being kept in an Order safe house pretty far away, and were completely safe. She felt comfort knowing her parents would continue to go unharmed. At least she hadn't sat in that dungeon for three days for nothing.
The clock by her bed ticked by slowly and a nurse bustled in with another tray of food. Hermione really hadn't had an appetite much since arriving at St. Mungos, but knew she needed to eat something since she'd avoided eating much at all yesterday. After Hermione finished a quarter of the food on the tray, Healer McNeilly walked in and greeted her with a smile.
"We've checked all your vitals and it seems that you are set to leave." Healer McNeilly said.
Hermione smiled and responded, a little too excited, "Thank goodness!"
He gave her an understanding chuckle and went back to his expressionless poker face. He looked at Hermione and said "Now, It's good to see that physically you are well on your way, but might I suggest that you look into getting a Mental Healer? I know that you may feel as if it won't be necessary, but you have been through a traumatic affliction; it would help you deal with a lot of what's happened."
She was looking down at the bed again, nibbling on her lower lip and tearing at the skin. She really wasn't sure what to say. She didn't want to see a Mental Healer- to involve somebody else in her private life. She didn't want feel crazy and whenever she thought about going to see one she thought of herself as Lockhart or Neville's parents. She wasn't them. She didn't want to feel helpless.
She let out a breath and, without looking at the Healer, said, "I'll be sure to look into it."
He nodded his head in acceptance and, as he exited the room, Mr. Weasley walked in with a gentle smile and kind eyes.
"Hi, Hermione. We have you all checked out and Ron is coming with your change of clothes. So, whenever you're ready." He didn't wait for her to respond, but just closed the door.
Ron walked in seconds later with a set of clothing in his hand. Hermione sat up a little with trouble and swung her legs over the bed. The sudden movements made her head spin and she lost her balance a little. She gripped the railing tightly, and Ron hurried over to steady her.
"I'm sorry, Ron. This is so pathetic- I can't even get out of bed by myself." Hermione said, frustrated. She hated needing help. She was a very independent person and hated to seem weak in front of someone, especially Ron.
Ron was looking at her as if she was glass and said "Hermione don't be ridiculous." He then, very carefully, lifted her by the waist and supported her so she was able to properly stand. Ron felt nervous about holding her like this-it was so intimate to him, and what scared him more than the intimacy was the fact that he liked it. He liked holding Hermione. From their close proximity, he could smell her hair and see the faint freckles that went across her nose, and it was one of the best feelings he'd ever experienced.
Ron looked at her and noticed that her face seemed to contort in pain and asked "Hermione, are you alright?"
Hermione looked up at him and said "Yes, I'm fine. Just really sore-it hasn't been like this since the Department of Mysteries." She paused for a second and looked away from him.
Hermione realized that with the pain she was in and her dizziness from sudden movements, she wouldn't be able to dress herself. She really didn't want to ask Ron, knowing he would be uncomfortable, but she didn't want to ask Bill or Mr. Weasley or one of the mediwitches. She trusted Ron. She knew he wouldn't ogle her or anything, but how do you ask your best friend to help you put clothes on?
She looked up at him to see him already looking at her. He wished they could just stay like this for a while. Hermione broke his reverie by speaking, "Ron?"
He cleared his throat and looked down at her, "Yeah?"
She looked down again and her cheeks seemed to flush a bit, "I-I don't think I can get dressed by myself. Could you maybe help me? I mean i-if you don't feel comfortable that's fine." She then turned completely red and so did Ron.
He really wanted to shout yes, but he knew that it wouldn't be appropriate. He didn't know if he could dress Hermione without getting a tad bit excited, but she looked so helpless and he knew he needed to control himself and help her as much as he could.
"Hermione, it's okay. I don't mind helping you." Ron told her. She seemed a bit more at ease because of this.
She put her hands behind her back to untie the knot of her dressing gown, but this seemed to upset her healing ribs, and she took in a sharp breath. Ron hated seeing Hermione in so much pain, and he knew she hated seeming helpless.
So, he turned her around and undid the knot with nervous hands. She slowly let the gown fall from her front so she didn't have to move very much. Ron watched cautiously as the gown fell. She was wearing a simple bra and underwear, but to Ron it was almost like her being completely exposed. He tried not to think about it too much.
She turned around, biting her lip and staring at the ground. She was using her arms to cover the scratches all over her stomach. Once she turned around, Ron noticed this and lightly swatted her hands away. She resisted at first, but he didn't have to do much to get her arms down to her sides.
Hermione started to feel herself shake under Ron's intense gaze. He was restraining her arms and she felt helpless again. It wasn't that Ron had reminded her of Greyback. Not at all actually, he was so much gentler, kinder, and loving. But having him look at the marks that were left on her and restraining her brought back the memories and it made her feel sick.
Ron looked at the scratches that ran up and down her stomach and on her waist. It almost looked like as if someone was running their hands along her body. Ron suddenly recalled her saying Greyback was there that night when she broke down in front of him- he knew the horrible things that Greyback would do to the women he captured. His head shot up to see Hermione visible shaking and he could see her chest rise and fall rapidly.
He moved his hands up her arms and without making eye contact said, "You told me Greyback was there, right?"
Hermione met Ron's eyes with shock. She didn't remember telling him that. She must have let it slip the night before when they were talking. In a weak voice Hermione whimpered, "Yes."
The blue in Ron's eyes darkened with anger. He tried to stay as calm as possible when he asked her, "D-did Greyback touch you, Hermione?"
She was looked into his eyes and bit down on her already bleeding lip. She stared into his scared, angry, trusting blue eyes and lied. "No, not like that." She told him.
But he knew, and he wouldn't let her get away with it. "You're lying to me, Hermione."
She looked up at him, her eyes going a blaze with anger that she had no right to have. "Ron, why would I lie? He didn't touch me, okay? Drop it." She said in a deadly voice.
He looked at her with hurt written on his face like words on the page of a book, and it killed Hermione to know she caused it, but she knew it was not the right time to discuss it. He knew she was hiding something but didn't want to admit that his best friend was hiding something so important from him. He was going to have to take her word for it, but, eventually, he would ask again.
He turned away from her and grabbed the shirt sitting on the chair, slowly helping her pull it over her head. He then grabbed the sweatpants that he'd grabbed from her house and she sat on the bed as Ron helped her step into them.
His warm hands grazed her thigh and it felt so good to be touched by him, even in the lightest of ways. She had her hands on his shoulder and she couldn't help but look at how broad they had gotten since the last time she'd seen him. He stood up and set her back on the bed. She felt embarrassed after Ron seeing her so exposed-she hated the way the scars looked on her-she just felt disgusting.
Ron looked into her eyes penetratingly, and Hermione looked away, red faced. He inched closer to her and put his hands on her hips. His hands lightly caressed them and she felt dizzy again.
She looked back up at Ron to see him still looking at her very intensely. She saw something else in his gaze, but she didn't know what it was. She put her hands on his shoulders so she could steady her again.
Ron couldn't help but be affectionate towards Hermione. He felt like he needed to make her feel better. He knew she was embarrassed, and he wanted her to know that there was nothing to be embarrassed about. He thought she was beautiful. Without thinking, he said to her, "Hermione, you're still beautiful-Even with a few scratches."
She finally met his gaze as a tear escaped her eye. She didn't know what to say. No one had ever called her beautiful… not even Viktor. Ron inched closer to her and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
His lips barely brushed hers, but she felt so much in it. She could feel how much he cared as he tangled his hand in her hair affectionately. He was so gentle, something Greyback was probably incapable of, and she was glad that she could happily accept Ron's kiss. He held her with his one hand firmly at the hips and let his lips linger for a while before he slowly pulled away. She looked at him for a second, but couldn't help the tears that escaped her as she rested her head on his chest. He held her and let her cry, knowing she needed it. Hermione was so good at holding everything in, and he knew there was a lot she wasn't telling him. For now though, if this was all he could do for her, he would do it without complaint. She needed him and there was no need to push her away.
She stopped crying and he kissed the top of her head. Without a word, he helped her stand and they walked out the door together. Mr. Weasley and Bill met them in the waiting room.
When Bill saw Hermione, he could tell she had been crying and in greeting he gave her warm hug. For some reason she felt a connection to Bill, almost like an older brother, and his hug comforted her immensely. He let go and rubbed her back as he gave her a smile.
He said in a kind tone "Ready to go?" She smiled meekly and nodded her head.
Mr. Weasley approached her next and gave her a one armed hug. Not as warm as Bill's, but comforting all the same. His kind eyes met hers and he said "It will be great to have you at the Burrow again. Ginny isn't there right now because she's staying at the Lovegood's with Luna, so you'll have her room all to yourself." He smiled.
For some reason, this didn't leave Hermione with comfort. She knew if she was by herself she would be plagued with nightmares, if she ever actually got some sleep.
She felt Ron watching her as they started walking, like he was just waiting for her to collapse, and while she wanted to be aggravates, she took comfort in knowing that Ron was there to catch her.
They used apparation since Mr. Weasley figured that Hermione probably wasn't well enough to use the Floo. Hermione and Ron, only being 16, had to apparate with Bill and Mr. Weasley.
Hermione's feet hit the floor and she stumbled-Bill cautiously grabbed hold of her before she fell to the floor. Her head felt very light from the apparition, and it made bile rise in her throat. Before she even had time to think, she was running to the sink to get sick. She heaved a few times, and when she finally thought she was alright, the sudden movement of her lifting her head had her heaving into the sink all over again.
Ron popped into the room to see Hermione with her head in the kitchen sink of the Burrow kitchen, heaving up the little food that he knew she'd eaten for breakfast. He looked at his brother and dad to see them feeling very uncomfortable and unsure of what to do. His brothers and dad didn't have the strongest of stomachs, and Ron, being the lucky one that he was, did. He probably got it from his mother since she didn't seem all too affected by that sort of thing either.
"It's alright, I got it." He said to his Dad and Bill and they quickly fled from the room.
Ron walked over to Hermione and pulled the hair out of her face for her as she heaved again. He wasn't really sure what to do, but he stood there and held her hair as he whispered gentle words in her ear. He felt Hermione squeeze his free hand in thanks as she propped herself over the sink with the other.
Hermione felt well enough to know that she wasn't going to get sick, so she turned on the faucet to clean the sink and then rinsed her mouth. She could feel Ron rubbing her back and was grateful but too embarrassed to thank him.
She felt Ron leave her for a second and he came back with some pumpkin juice and helped her over to a chair. She sat down and said "Thank you. I guess I shouldn't apparate for a while."
He chuckled and said "Yeah, we wouldn't want you to be getting sick everywhere you go. That would be a bloody mess."
She felt thankful for him trying to ease the tension of her embarrassment with a joke. It made her think back to when things were normal, before she got captured.
She finished off the pumpkin juice and noticed that Mrs. Weasley was not bustling around her, telling her she was to thin and forcing her to eat five loafs of bread. She looked to Ron and asked in curiosity "Where's your mum?"
His smile brightened into a full out grin and said "Since Fred and George dropped out of Hogwarts to open that shop of theirs, she's been going over there non-stop to pester them and try to get them to go back to school. She's driving them mad." He ended with a chuckle.
She smiled "You seem to be very pleased by this."
"Well, yeah. They've been using me as their bloody guinea pig since they opened that shop! Slipped some Tongue Tie Spice in my Tea, and my tongue was literally in a knot for a day! They wouldn't give me the bloody antidote!" Ron said feigning anger.
Hermione started laughing in earnest at the image of Ron running around chasing after the twins, trying to get them to get his tongue out of a knot.
"Oi! It's not funny!" he tried to say but couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her smiling.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She continued to chuckle, "but that's just too funny. I wish I was there to see that."
He chuckled and said, "Me too. You probably could have fixed it."
She got a mischievous smile on her face, "Who says I would have fixed it?"
He looked at her and feigned a hurt face and touched his chest over his heart and said "That hurts, you know."
Their laughing sobered up and Hermione realized for the first time in a long time she was happy, and that Ron was what was making her happy.