WHAT DREAMS MAY COME
AUTHOR'S NOTE – hi guys!! Sorry for the very very late update… I've been very busy this past few days because of my exams… anyway, here is chapter 4… been meaning to write this chapter for a very long time now… but unfortunately I don't have the time to write it until now, im very very sorry…but be rest assured that I'm not going to leave this story hanging… ENJOY! REVIEW!!!
CHAPTER 4 – THE DAY BEFORE THE FUNERAL
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"Girls! Change of plans, we need to head to Hogwarts sooner than expected," Mrs. Weasley said in a hushed voice while peering into Ginny's dark room.
"Mum! The sun isn't even up yet," Ginny retorted. She covered her face with her pillow and snuggled once more into the comforts of her bed.
"Well, you should have slept early," Mrs. Weasley snapped.
"Why the sudden change of schedule?" Hermione interrupted. She was already clearing up her bunk bed and was about to go to the bathroom to take a bath.
Last night after dinner, Mrs. Weasley informed them that they'd be traveling to Hogwarts through portkey by noontime. So, it is really a great surprised that she'd woke them up at dawn. Hermione wasn't pleased at all. It was already 11:00 pm when she and Ron decided to call it a night. They wouldn't even have call it a night if Ron didn't mention that he hasn't packed his things yet.
Mrs. Weasley sat at the foot of Hermione's bed and said "Charlie informed Arthur a while ago that they couldn't find George anywhere,"
With that being said Ginny instantly got up from and her bed and asked her Mother "What? But where is he?"
"We don't know Ginny," Mrs. Weasley whispered. "We are planning to take you all to Hogwarts early to help the others find him."
"Maybe he's in Diagon Alley or Hogwarts?" Ginny said worriedly.
"We'll see," Mrs. Weasley hushed "Alright, breakfast downstairs in 30 minutes."
To avoid further question from the two young ladies, Mrs. Weasley was out of the room before Ginny can even say "Mum." Hermione looked at Ginny and gave her a reassuring smile.
"I'll take a bath first," Hermione declared.
"Everything is going to fine, Gin," Hermione added, she made the statement as convincing as possible. She then headed for the bathroom just outside there room.
After Hermione's warm bath 15 minutes later, Ginny followed without hesitation. As she was brushing her long bushy hair, she kept on hearing Mrs. Weasley shouting for the boys to get ready.
Ron did forget to pack last night he must have slept late. Maybe, I should go to his room and help Mrs. Weasley.
Hermione instantly got her rucksack, and headed for the room below the attic. But before she did so, she told Mrs. Weasley that she would inform Harry and Ron of the early departure.
"Harr-," Hermione was cut off before she can utter Harry's name. He was already up and was just putting some personal belongings on his own rucksack.
She closed the door behind her and looked at Ron's sleeping form under bundles of blankets.
"Ronald! Didn't you hear your mum?" Hermione exasperated. She looked at Harry with a threatening look.
"Don't look at me, I've been asking him to get up like 15 minutes ago," Harry explained.
Hermione approached Ron's bed and nudge Ron's sprawled back. She sat at his bed determined to wake up Ron.
"Ronald," Hermione muttered. Ron was facing down his face in the pillow and his chest completely against his comfortable bed.
"Is it noontime?" Ron questioned. His eyes still close,
"No," Hermione answered. "But something came up."
She was startled when Ron pulled her waist in the bed with him, thus hugging her in the process.
"Ron! What are you doing?" Hermione protested. She was now beside him, lying in his bed while Ron was on his side facing Hermione his right arm around her stomach and his head on her left shoulder.
Harry laughed when he heard Hermione protested. He looked at them smiling, then picked up his own rucksack on the floor.
"Ron is not keen to hide affection from girls like you Hermione, you should know that of all people," Harry chuckled. He then headed for the door and closed it still with a smile on his face.
"He's gone now, you can kiss me," Ron indicated. They were still in the bed, sporting the same position.
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed.
"What?" Ron answered. He lifted his head to look at Hermione.
"I just want Harry to know that we're together because we told him, not because he saw it," Hermione explained.
"Hermione, Harry is a big boy!" Ron reasoned.
"Stop mocking me!" Hermione exclaimed. Ron laughed when he heard Hermione.
"Harry's my best friend. He knows everything," Ron proclaimed.
"Ron!" Hermione interjected.
"Oh come on, its nothing serious. We're still on the starting-it-slow stage remember?" Ron asked.
Without further a do, Hermione snaked her left arm around Ron's waist and was now on her side facing him.
"I'm going away soon," Hermione hushed.
She felt Ron's hold tightening around her. She did the same and hugged him back, trying to give the same intensity as the one he had given. The two of them had been in that position for about 5 minutes when Hermione remembered her task a while ago, which is to wake Ron.
"Ron, we need to go," Hermione finally said. She realized that she can stay all day snuggling him, but unfortunately she would not get it today.
Hermione disentangled himself from Ron but before she did so, she kissed him on his forehead. It's going to be a long day; he needs to prepare for whatever is waiting for him at Hogwarts. George is nowhere to be found, the looming funeral the next day and me leaving after that. How can I leave him now?
They left the Burrow just after sunrise. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley planned to go to Hogsmeade village through side-along apparition since Ginny still haven't got her license. It doesn't matter though. The Ministry is still rebuilding Britain and helping the Wizarding community rebuild their lives. But Mrs. Weasley insisted that Ginny do side-along apparition; her 6th year in Hogwarts wasn't really that helpful and enlightening.
After the twisted feeling of being sucked into a rubber tube and heavy the pressure on his chest Ron shared "I hate when we have to apparate, obviously I'm not good at it splinch myself most of the time."
"You'll get used to it," Harry grinned.
"I guess you didn't put to heart the 3D's Ron, Destination, Determination and Deliberation!" Ginny teased his older brother. She then looked at Harry who himself is enjoy taunting his best mate. They shared wide grin from each other.
In return Ron gave them both sharp look and looked away.
"Stop mocking him you guys!" Hermione interjected. She gave Ron a smile and reached for his hands to hold it while walking.
"Ohhh! I'm afraid, I guess we have to stop Harry," Ginny mocked once again. Harry laughed at Ginny's comment and decided to go along with it. Hermione smiled at both his friends, in the other hand Ron is still frowning from beside her. She squeezed his hands and gave him another smile.
There are many people in the Hogsmeade village that morning. It was also devastated, with some stores destroyed and in ruble. Ministry workers transfer from shop to shop inspecting the damage. It's a beautiful May morning, not too windy or searing. May is known for altering climate. It is a changeable month, a warm beginning, cool middle, and hot end. A person will never known what it is in store for them when the month of May arrived. It was actually a good Hogsmeade day, if only the shops are all intact and the war hadn't just ended killing people in the village.
"Guys! Over here!" Mr. Weasley shouted from among the crowd at the Three Broomstick.
They can see the other members of the Weasley family now. Bill, Fleur, Charlie and Percy are seated on a round table in the pub, each drinking butterbeer.
"Mum! Dad!" Charlie bellowed. He got up from his seat and greeted his parents. Molly gave each of her children, as well as Fleur kisses and bone-crashing hug, in which she is known for.
After greetings from everyone. The discussion had started to where George might be. The new comers got a seat of their own and joined the round table. But before they can discuss any further Mrs. Weasley got up and ordered only 2 butterbeers. Ginny turned to Hermione, questioning her mother's action.
They didn't want us to hear what they're going to talk about. Maybe, they didn't want to cause more hurt and solemn for Ginny and Ron. Though Ron is of age, and Ginny nearing her 17th birthday they still regard the young Weasleys as vulnerable.
Where can George be? Everyone is worried, didn't he think about his family. If I were George I would turn to my family for solace. But I hadn't got a chance to have sibling of my own, more specifically a twin. How was I suppose to know how Ron or George feels at the moment? If I myself was overwhelmed with the death of Fred, what more Ron and George and Mrs. Weasley and all of the other Weasleys.
The war had ended, yes. But this wasn't the situation I expected to be in after. In the past I kept on thinking celebration and happiness. But everyone is struggling, it's the opposite to what I expected. There is no evil wizard anymore, but Harry is still miserable. I don't know what's going on in his mind, he spent a lot of his time in the burrow with Ginny or with Ron and I, but it was always concentrated on the Ministry projects, Quidditch and many more but never Lupin or Tonks. The last and only time I heard him talk about it was when Teddy arrived. It might look casual to talk about it then, but remembering it now I realized it was painful. Its like every moment, days or hours passed, the pain kept on growing or maybe it is sinking in that we'll never see the people that we've loved ever again. They'll never get to see the Wizarding world rebuilt and changes implemented. What do I expect, that we're all going to survive without a scratch. You should know better Hermione.
Ron wasn't going into the direction of happiness either. We do have fun most of the time, but the glimmer in his eyes has a limit to it. Its like he's controlling it, feeling guilt whenever he's having too much fun. He doesn't talk about Fred often, or his feelings for that matter. The last time we talked about it is when Teddy arrived. The last time I saw real emotions from his lost was days ago. He kept a smiling face ever since. But even smiles lie.
Ginny wasn't getting better either. We had laughs whenever she and Harry teases Ron, which is often. But every night when we go to bed I always hear her controlling the sobs. I didn't dare disrupt though because I know she's controlling it for a reason. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were exhausted. They kept on having this straight face whenever they are in front of their children, but I knew they are hurting. I just don't know how to help.
Hermione's thoughts was disrupted when Mrs. Weasley returned with butterbeers for herself and Mr. Weasley.
"You lot should head to the castle, we'll see you later at dinner," Mrs. Weasley instructed.
"What about George?" Ginny asked, she looked at Ron to back her up. Ron in return turned to Harry beside him. Hermione realized that Ginny knows what her mother is trying to do.
"We'll look for him Gin, don't you worry," Bill responded. He turned to his dad for support.
Ginny is a strong willed girl, she'll never stop until she get the information that she wanted, Hermione thought.
"Can we help?" Ron asked. Everyone looked at him now.
"Yeah! We'll help!" Harry supported. "It will be easier to have more people looking for him."
But before Ginny, Ron or Harry can object any further Mrs. Weasley got up and reasoned "No! we have it under control."
Before they knew it they are outside the Three Broomstick, it wasn't really a struggle to kick them out because Ginny and Ron obeyed Mrs. Weasley without any more questions. But before she do, they were informed that the Gryffindor tower is where they'll be residing for their stay in Hogwarts along with other Gryffindors who'll be attending the ceremony.
When they arrived at the entrance of the village, the usual path leading to Hogwarts. They saw carriages waiting for them, things never changed though it is still pulled by big winged Threstrals. It was a quiet affair, Ginny was quiet and Ron was expectedly gloomy. They talked for once in a while about George and his location but eventually stopped, because they remembered Mr. Weasley informing them that he's not in the places to where they expected him to be.
That night after dinner, the remaining Weasley siblings along with Hermione, Fleur and Harry found themselves sitting around the fireplace at the Gryffindor Tower. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were on a brief meeting with the other Order members according to Charlie. But Bill also specified that they were not included in the meeting for an unknown reason.
They weren't included in the meeting because they're talking about George. And Mr. and Mrs. Weasley doesn't want to inflict pain any further in her children. With that being said I think I don't have to ask what happened to their search.
"Still can't find him?" Ron asked from beside her. They are all settled in front of the fireplace into which the trio spend almost every night for the past 6 years. Ron was beside her as well as Percy, on the left side of the sofa is another long couch in which Harry, Ginny Bill and Fleur are seated. Sitting relaxed on the one-man armchair, on the right side is Charlie.
Bill shrugged from across the room answering Ron's question.
"Where do you think George is right now?" Ginny questioned. She looked at all of them expecting for someone to somewhat have an idea to where her older brother is.
"We tried everywhere, but how can we find a person that doesn't want to be found?" Bill answered. He wrapped his arms around her wife. Fleur returned the gesture by leaning her head into his broad chess.
"I even tried the tree near the lake, remember that Bill?" Charlie informed them.
"Oh yeah! The experiment tree of the twins," Bill chuckled. Ginny joined him as well as Charlie. But everyone seemed confuse except Ron and Percy. Hermione looked at Ron for answers but he just looked away. Hermione frowned but realized that Percy wasn't into the conversation also.
"It's part of our childhood," Ron muttered. He looked at her for a second then redirected his eyes towards the fireplace. Hermione reached for his left shoulder and squeezed it. After she did so, Ron looked up and smiled at her.
Liar! You're not okay, but you make it seem you are.
"He'll be there tomorrow, he just needs time," Bill declared. Ginny sighed from beside him and whispered an "I hope."
"Whaz da ezperiment tree?" Fleur asked Bill. She looked at him questionably.
But it was not Bill who answered, it was Ginny who wasn't too far from Fleur. She had this wide grin enjoying the memories of her childhood. "Oh! You definitely want to hear this! I consider it one of the best times of my life."
"I'm tired, I'll turn in early," Percy blurted cutting Ginny's recollection. She looked at him with a puckered brow. Percy without a second glance headed for the boys dormitory.
"He's going to be alright, he just need time, we all do," Hermione proclaimed. Everyone smiled at her including Ron. But coming from him, it is forced.
Ron wasn't comfortable with the ongoing conversation, might as well end it so as not to ruin the night.
"Well, for one I think we should talk about Fred, if now is not the right time, then when?" Ginny exclaimed. She turned to Harry waiting for an answer from him.
"Gin, we have different ways of coping," Harry guiltily answered her. But before she retorted anything he added, "Percy is different, Ron is different, and you are different."
After Harry had said that statement, Ginny kept on talking about letting go. Of Percy facing reality and talking about his feelings, it went on and on and on. Everyone was listening to her rant, Charlie sometimes agreeing with her, as well as Bill. But Harry was just there listening.
I do agree with Harry, we have different coping mechanisms. We have to heal in our own phase. For some maybe healing is through releasing words, and remembering memories. But for some, it takes time. Harry understands that, he's been there a couple of times. But obviously Ginny had a different style, along with Charlie and Bill.
"Ginny! Just Stop!" Ron shouted. He got from the couch and glanced at Ginny looking angry.
"Why?" Ginny yelled back.
"Gin," Charlie interrupted standing up from the armchair. Hermione also got up from the couch and reached for Ron's left arm tugging it in the process.
"I'm out of here!" Ron declared. He released his arm from Hermione's hold and stormed out into the portrait hole.
"Ron!" Hermione called out. Harry was about to follow Ron through the portrait hole, but then before he do he looked at Hermione.
Hermione mouthed in Harry's direction, "Let me."
Ron wasn't really hard to find. Within a few minutes Hermione found him seating on the ground near a tree on the Hogwarts ground. Hermione was thinking that Ron might be heading towards Hagrid's hut, but she then turned towards the lake and saw him there. He was looking at the vast lake with a blank look on his face, both his legs up while his knees support his arms. Seeing his state at the moment Hermione didn't dare say anything nor bombard him with questions. And most importantly she didn't try to push him to share his feelings.
She sat beside him on the ground on an Indian seat position. After doing so, her left hand reached for Ron's back, creating a circling motion.
After quite sometime of doing that, she circled both her arms the left on Ron's back and the right on his stomach. She stretched her legs then pulled herself towards him to close the gap, she then eventually situated her head on his right shoulder and hugged him tightly. He didn't move at all.
Hermione looked at the vast lake in front of them, determined to convince Ron that he is not alone. That she understands that he will have to heal on his own, but then she will always be there to remind him of the world around him.
Ron loosened after a while, he leaned his head towards Hermione's.
No words need to be spoken tonight. Ron understand that I'm here for him. That is all that matters.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Here is the latest update guys!!! Hope you like it!! 4000 HITS here in not bad right:)) According to the timeline, the last chapters of deathly hallows happened in the month of MAY… so I'm going to stick with that timeline…:)) so, as usual I'll be waiting for your REVIEWS:)) any suggestion is appreciated!