Dream On
By Siriusly Amused
Author's Note: Will this chapter ever get written?
Disclaimer: My knee hurts.
Chapter Six:
But when we wake, It's all been erased, And so it seems, Only in dreams… 'Only in Dreams' by Weezer
At first, Ginny did not recognize the sound that was drawing her out of her slumber. The shrill beeps cut through the quiet morning air like a dagger and pricked at her eardrums until she was forced back into consciousness. Groaning (for the beeping had yet to stop), Ginny opened her eyes and was confused for a few moments as to why she was cuddled up against Neville on his couch; then she remembered the horrible night before and how she had come to Neville for comfort and the two of them had fallen asleep after a long night of talking about Hermione, Ron, and most painfully, Harry.
"What the bloody hell is that noise?" Neville grunted hoarsely, shifting his weight and causing Ginny to sit up straighter.
"It's my mobile--a Muggle device used for contacting people. Ron made me get one awhile ago," Ginny explained, waiting for Neville to get comfortable once again so she could rest her head upon his shoulder. Once Neville's squirming had subsided and her head rested comfortably against him, Ginny took out her still ringing cell phone. "I wonder what he wants," she wondered aloud, gazing at the screen as Ron's number flashed at her with every ring.
"I suppose you should find out then," Neville replied softly. His arm awkwardly wrapped around Ginny's shoulders, his hand resting upon her upper arm as if he did not know where else to put it.
"I suppose," Ginny mumbled glumly. She did not want to deal with her brother's anger that early in the morning, but felt as though she had no other choice. She had selfishly left Ron in quite a predicament the night before without even explaining what was going on to him. Shifting herself so that her legs were over Neville's knees and her chest close to his, Ginny pressed 'talk' and brought the phone to her ear.
"Hey, Ron," she said at last.
"About bloody time!" Ron yelled back at her. "The phone's been ringing for nearly five bloody minutes!"
"Ron, don't exaggerate. And I was sleeping."
"Well I'm glad someone got some sleep last night," Ron replied vindictively. "I was up all night worrying about Hermione! She hasn't regained consciousness yet! She's tossing, turning, mumbling Latin in her sleep, and she has a fever! I can't wake her no matter what I do! So tell me what the hell is going on Ginny!"
Ginny remained silent and bit her lip worriedly while her brown eyes caught Neville's and the two stared at one another for a brief moment. Seven years ago, Flitwick had told them that the charm he was casting upon Ron and Hermione was complex and that there was a strong chance of them losing their minds permanently. At first, Ginny had worried, but then, as the years passed and Ron was still the same ol' Ron (minus the magic and memories), Ginny had been drawn into a false sense of security. It was amazing how that security vanished within the course of a few hours.
"Alright, Ron," Ginny replied finally. "I'll tell you, but I can't tell you over the phone. Meet me at my apartment in three hours."
"Three hours? Ginny, this can't…"
"I need to figure something out first. Bye, Ron." And with that, Ginny hung up on her brother and turned her phone off so that he couldn't call back.
For the longest while both Ginny and Neville were silent. Finally, Ginny mumbled that she needed to see Flitwick, her voice cracking as if she hadn't used it in while.
"I'll go with you," Neville said at once.
"It'll be the second day in a row that you're skipping out of work to go somewhere with me," Ginny replied softly, her eyes wide and tear-rimmed as she gazed at Neville.
"I know," Neville said. His hand left Ginny's arm to stroke her hair, his fingers interlacing with her long waves.
"Nev…" Ginny whispered, closing her eyes and leaning in. For a split second, Ginny could have sworn that Neville leaned in as well, but the next thing she knew he was brushing her legs off of his knees so that he could stand.
"We should get going if we want to catch Flitwick before classes start," Neville said suddenly, bringing his hands to run themselves through his longish curls.
Ginny felt her chest tighten with the painful stab of rejection and she found herself biting on her lower lip to ignore the pain.
"Right," Ginny replied shakily. "Can I use your bathroom to freshen up in before we go?" She stood from the couch but did not make eye contact with Neville. She was afraid that if she did, she would either break down crying or lash out in frustration.
She saw Neville nod in her peripheral vision and she stepped forward in the bathroom's direction, keeping her eyes upon the floor. She hadn't gone more than a few steps when Neville's arm shot out and gently stopped her from going farther by wrapping around her waist. He tentatively leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
"You know I love you," Neville whispered close to her ear, "but we can't do this right now."
Ginny nodded, squeezed Neville's hand and continued on her way to the bathroom. She knew that she should be focusing on Ron and Hermione, but that didn't stop her heart from beating ten times too fast.
.X.
Flitwick was more than surprised to see two former students sitting in his office Tuesday morning. The charms professor had just finished an early breakfast when one of his students relayed a message that Ginny Weasley was in his office and wanted to see him. Upon entering his office, Flitwick was shocked to see that Neville Longbottom was sitting in a chair next two Ginny. The two young adults smiled at their former teacher.
"Ginny! Neville! What a wonderful surprise!" Flitwick greeted, scuttling up his pile of books so that he could see them over his desk. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
He saw Ginny and Neville exchange a glance before Ginny scooted forward on her chair and folded her hands in her lap. "Sir, Ron and Hermione are remembering."
Flitwick nodded. "Yes, your brother, Bill, has been down to see me last week; he told me that Ron has been getting flashbacks from his early childhood. Be patient Ms. Weasley. It'll take your brother some time to remember everything."
"It's not Ron I'm worried about, sir," Ginny replied evenly. "At least not at the moment."
Flitwick cocked his head to the side inquisitively. "Ms. Granger?" Ginny nodded and launched into a story about how she and her brother, Fred, had attempted to jumpstart Ron and Hermione's memories by placing a picture of Harry Potter in their apartment. She then told him about how she had dinner with Ron and Hermione the night before and that Hermione had acted scared around her--as if Hermione recognized her. And finally, Ginny admitted that she had accidentally used magic in front of Hermione and that she had told Hermione that she was a witch, which caused Hermione to faint.
"And I received a call from Ron this morning saying that Hermione hasn't regained consciousness and that she's thrashing about and has a fever," Ginny finished, her eyes looking pleadingly at Flitwick.
The small man was silent for a few moments as he processed everything that Ginny had told him. Finally, he spoke:
"What Hermione is going through is normal; it's the final stage of the charm. I admit that it is happening much faster than what I expected, but your display of magic, as well as Hermione being exceptionally bright, probably induced it. When she wakes up, she'll be confused, but remember everything. All we have to worry about is that she does wake up. Some people never get past this stage; they remain trapped in their horrible memories forever."
Ginny took the news well in Flitwick's opinion. She nodded her head solemnly and said nothing for a moment.
"Sir, Ron's worried about Hermione. I told him that I'd explain what was going on to him. Is that alright? I don't think he remembers much yet, and he probably doesn't believe half of what he's remembering. Will telling him that he's a wizard screw up the charm?"
"You can tell him if you think it'll make you feel better, but he won't believe you. And if you do magic in front of him, he'll just think he's going insane. But I suppose you should try to placate him while Hermione's going through this difficult time; we don't want him calling in Muggle doctors."
Ginny nodded in understanding.
"Keep an eye on Ms. Granger," Flitwick continued, jumping down from his seat to see the two out. "If she's not awake by tomorrow evening," Flitwick paused, his hand on the door, "take her to St. Mungo's."
Ginny nodded sadly and sought out Neville's hand.
"I will sir, thank you," Ginny replied, exiting the door with Neville.
"Ginny," Flitwick called to their retreating backs. Ginny turned and gazed at him politely. "Ron and Hermione have really strong minds. I honestly believe that they will both make it out of this ordeal unscathed. They have been through worse after all," Flitwick assured, gazing warmly at Ginny.
A small smile lit Ginny's face. "Goodbye, Professor," she called out. Neville smiled and waved a hand before the two of them turned and continued on their way out.
.X.
Hermione's hands grasped the cool tile of the bathroom sink and shakily supported her as she raised her head, her face dripping with ice cold water. She met her reflection in the mirror and willed herself not to be sick again. Her skin was deathly pale and nearly translucent, the dark circles under her eyes standing out as though they were bruises. Her lips were chapped and bleeding, and her eyes were bloodshot and dull. Her hair, which was normally full and luxurious, hung limply around her face.
"What a night," she whispered only for the sake of hearing a voice, even if it was her own. Ron, it seemed, wasn't home.
'What a past seven years,' Hermione's brain corrected as she slowly sank back down to the floor, no longer able to support herself.
All night, Hermione had confronted her memories. They played in front of her mind's eye over and over again: the good, the bad, the normal, and the magical, right up to seeing Harry's dull, lifeless eyes staring at her during the final battle.
A sob echoed around the bathroom as Hermione cried fresh tears into her hands. Harry. How could she and Ron have forgotten about Harry? Why did they forget? What was going on? Was Ron remembering as well?
After what seemed like hours, Hermione's tears subsided and she managed to get up and walk to her room. She put some shoes on and grabbed her coat, telling herself that some fresh air would clear her head.
.X.
"Hey, are you going to pay for that?"
Fred handed the magazine that he had been reading over to the clerk without looking at him; instead, Fred's blue eyes remained locked upon the young woman who was staring at him, a small smile crossing her features as the winter sun cast a dim, golden glow upon her. Did she recognize him? Surely not; but Fred inched closer to the woman cautiously, his mouth and eyes wide with shock.
"Hermione?" he asked softly once he was close enough to her.
A genuine, though rather tired, smile broke across Hermione's face. "Fred," she greeted weakly.
Fred's face must have shown disbelief as a million questions raced through his brain: Does she remember him, or did Ron show her a picture of him which would explain her recognition of him without a proper introduction? Does she remember anything? Why does she look so tired?
Suddenly, Hermione took a step forward on the sidewalk and rested her head upon Fred's shoulder. Fred, still confused over what was happening, ignored the odd looks they got from passersby and wrapped his arms around her. She was trembling, as if she was having trouble supporting her own weight.
"I remember everything," Hermione whispered, answering Fred's unasked question. "I just don't know why I forgot it all in the first place."
Fred nodded and began leading her out of the busy street and into a deserted alleyway.
"Can you Apparate?" he asked softly once they were hidden behind a large dumpster.
Hermione thought a moment, her head still resting on his shoulder, before she shook her head no weakly.
"Alright, hold on to me then," Fred replied, tightening his grasp on the young woman as she wrapped her arms around his waist. A moment later, the two of them popped into Fred's kitchen. Fred directed Hermione to a nearby chair and sat her down before heading over to a small cauldron and kindling a fire under it, intent upon making a potion to give her some strength.
"What happened, Fred?" Hermione asked as Fred started adding the ingredients to the potion.
Fred took a deep breath before launching into the explanation, telling her about how she and Ron had gone catatonic and how Flitwick had suggested a charm to make them forget everything.
"We knew you guys wouldn't want to forget," Fred stated when Hermione opened her mouth to lecture. "We actually told Flitwick that he couldn't put the charm on Ron, but we had no say over you because we weren't your legal guardians and your parents wanted the charm done. They were scared, I think. Anyway, we consented to have the charm placed upon Ron after that because we knew he wouldn't be able to live without you."
"Wouldn't be able to live without me?" Hermione echoed.
Fred gazed at her seriously. "He loves you, Hermione." Hermione remained silent as Fred filled a small glass with the potion and handed it to her. Hermione gazed at it suspiciously, causing Fred to chuckle. "I didn't do anything to it," he assured, remembering the days when he would tempt Hermione into trying one of his inventions.
Hermione took the potion and sipped it as if it were coffee. Fred sat down in a chair next to Hermione and the two were silent for awhile, the clock on the wall ticking away the seconds.
"So what have you been doing for the past seven years, Fred?" Hermione asked after awhile. Fred was pleased to see that the potion was working; the circles were disappearing from under her eyes.
"Well Angelina and I are engaged."
Hermione's smile was genuine. "Congratulations."
Fred smiled back. "We expect you at the ceremony of course. Other than that, I've just been working at the shop."
"The joke shop?"
"What other shop would I work at?"
"I'm just surprised that you can work there without…" Hermione trailed off, her cheeks going red.
"George. You can say his name around me, Hermione."
"I'm sorry, Fred. I just thought that…"
"George would be a hard subject for me? He was at first," Fred admitted, dropping his eyes to his hands. "Right after he died, you know?" Hermione nodded understandingly. "But after the war ended," Fred continued, "I wanted to keep his memory alive, so I started talking about him all the time. I talked about him so much that people just got sick of it." Fred pause, his eyes staring out into space. When he spoke again, his voice was a soft whisper. "So I just stopped."
Hermione took one if his hands into her own. "You can talk about him all you want to me," she said, squeezing his hand slightly.
Fred offered her a small smile. "Ron's probably wondering where you are."
"I don't have enough strength to Apparate back."
Fred stood and spread his arms. "I'll take you," he said, smirking. "I think we need to hug after that heart to heart anyway."
A short laugh escaped Hermione lips as she stood and walked into Fred's embrace. "You're such a dork, Fred," she mentioned before the two disappeared from the kitchen.
.X.
Hermione kept her arms around Fred after they materialized in her bedroom. She was vaguely aware that the living room light was on and shining down the hall, but she didn't focus on it. She only breathed in Fred's now familiar scent and remembered all the times she had scolded him at school for testing his products on first years. She was so caught up in her musings that she was barely aware of angry stomps coming toward the room.
"What the bloody hell is going on here?"
Fred let go of Hermione faster than she realized. She took a moment to regain her balance before turning around to see a livid Ron standing in the doorway. "Ron, I…"
"I can't believe you, Hermione! I worry sick about you all night! I even put up with my stupid sister and her stories about wizards and magic in an attempt to figure out what's wrong with you, and when I come back, you're gone. No note, mind you! And now I catch you with my own brother? Who's engaged, by the way."
"Ron, nothing's going on between me and Hermione," Fred explained, taking a step closer to his angry brother which only caused Ron to turn his frustration on him.
"How the hell do you know my girlfriend anyway, Fred? How long have you two been seeing each other behind my back?"
"For the love of God, Ron, Hermione and I were just hugging!" Fred yelled, casting his eyes to the ceiling in frustration. "And I know her because we grew up together!"
Hermione saw Ron's face go purple and she knew that nothing good would come of it.
"What kind of sick joke is this?" Ron asked heatedly. "Next you'll be spitting back the same 'You're a wizard, Ron' shit that Ginny gave me this afternoon!"
Hermione stepped forward urgently. "You are a wizard, Ron! Those weird dreams you've been having, they're memories!"
Ron looked at Hermione as though she was something disgusting under his shoe. The look twisted Hermione's stomach and she felt sick again. When Ron spoke, his voice was even and cold.
"You're mad."
Ron turned and headed toward the door. In a desperate attempt, Hermione reached out and grabbed Ron's arm.
"You have to believe me, Ron," Hermione whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You are a wizard. You went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You met me and Harry there. He was your best friend."
Ron slowly pried Hermione's fingers off of his arm. "I never had a friend named Harry," Ron stated softly before leaving the room. A moment later, the apartment door slammed.
Hermione and Fred were silent for what seemed like an eternity before Hermione turned to Fred, wiping her cheeks with shaky hands. "I can't stay here," she whispered pleadingly.
Fred took out his wand and pointed it at Hermione's closet where a suitcase opened and an assortment of clothes flew into it. "I'll take you home," Fred stated softly, summoning the packed suitcase to his hand.
"I can't face my parents right now," Hermione replied bitterly, thinking about how they had caused all of this in the first place.
Fred spread his arms once again, signaling Hermione to walk into them. "You know very well that that's not you're home," Fred said, wrapping his arms around Hermione and Disapparating, taking Hermione along for the ride. Hermione closed her eyes tightly as they Disapparated and she kept them closed once they popped back into existence. She heard collective gasps around her and felt Fred's embrace loosen slightly.
Opening her eyes, she turned slowly, still in Fred's arms, to see an assortment of red-heads sitting at a table. They were all staring at her as if the Prime Minister had just walked into their kitchen. Hermione breathed in the scent of The Burrow and offered Bill, Ginny, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley a small smile.
She felt something flutter to life inside her chest as she gazed at her family members. Fred's arms left her waist and went up to brush Hermione's locks away from her face. Hermione's smile widened.
"I'm back."
End Author's Note: So everyone see GoF? Wasn't Neville/Ginny the cutest couple? I so totally called the pairing though... >.> I can tell you that the Neville/Ginny pairing is really fun to write and I'm looking forward to writing more of them in this fic, which is nearly finished. I want to apologize for how long this chapter took to get out (a little over a month which is good seeing as HHII hasn't been updated since like October or something). As you can probably guess, this chapter was very difficult to write. Well, I'm sleepy and I still need to update my bio so I'll cut this AN short. If you're happy and you know it, please review! -is a dork-