AN: Hello, lovelies! I am back, and incredibly sorry for the long wait. It has almost been a year (!) since my last update, and I didn't exactly end this story on a happy note, either. The thing is, I've been awfully busy with my first year of uni. Getting used to living on my own, finding new friends, getting involved in our student athletics-team.. I didn't have any time left to invest in these characters. Due to your continuing support (and the summer holidays, thank merlin) I have decided to blow new life in this story. This one is a short one, to tie some loose ends, and get this story going again. The next chapter will be a lengthier (and happier!) one. Let's just say that I have to make it up to you guys ;).

Thank you so so much for following, favouriting and reviewing this story. It means the world to me! Enjoy xxxxxx

Health is the most underrated state of being there is. People constantly complain about their state of mind, their friendships and other connections, or their abilities, both socially and academically. When someone is sick, however, all they want is to be healthy again. When one is ill, they don't think about that girl who called them ugly, or that test they might have failed. They want to feel good again.

Health is what keeps you going, in the end.

Still, as soon as you'll begin to feel better, your desire to get better will lessen and your thoughts will wander off again. To that boy who kissed you in the kitchen, that brother who lost his soul mate. Those families who are shattered and broken, and your inability to change that. Getting better is essential, but sometimes, it's nice to only have to think about your health, and not about all the emotional aspects of life that make health seem unimportant.

Hermione had woken up quite a while ago, but she didn't have the strength to open her eyes yet. Her head felt like all her synapses had burned out, unable to process the things she felt. She heard shuffling around the bed she was in, of which she knew wasn't her own. The smell was familiar, but she smelled it, which meant it was the smell of someone else. She was too tired and too worn out to even try and think of whose bed it was they laid her in. She knew that she now has to face what has been happening to her the last couple of weeks. They knew, she couldn't pretend everything was back to normal again this time. Things had changed.

Hermione had had several sudden knock outs before that awful morning on the couch with Ron, where she would just fall down, to wake up a couple of minutes later. Instead of dealing with the things that happen, or the thoughts that sneaked into her head when she wasn't paying attention, her body shut down, unable to process everything. It's as if by breaking down she unlocked a door in her brain, a way to escape the harshness of the world she lives in now, even for a little while. She had tried to keep it a secret, to avoid more worrying in the Burrow, but it got harder and harder and now it definitely was out in the open.

Hermione couldn't help but feel a spark of relief, knowing that she didn't have to pretend to be okay anymore. She hates the feeling of being weak and needing people to take care of her, but she knew she needs it more than ever. Those months with Ron and Harry had taken their toll on her, and it's time to accept this, and try to deal with it. She hated herself for admitting it, but she simply couldn't do it on her own anymore.

"Hermione, are you awake? Your breathing has changed since I walked into the room, which must mean you are sensing that I'm here. You don't have to acknowledge my presence, but hear me out. I know you've been avoiding contact with all of us because of what happened, but it's not something to be ashamed of, or whatever it is that keeps you from talking to us. Ron is a good lad, we secretly all knew that you and him would get together, so don't worry about it. I know mum got a bit over-excited, but she means well, and George is just a pain in the arse, you know that. We all love you very much, and I just want you to know that you can talk to me. We haven't shared my room for all these years for nothing you know... just.. trust me on this, okay?"

Hermione couldn't help but smile, as she heard the kind words of her best female friend. A woman who she secretly envied for her strength and perseverance, never doubting that what she loves is something she can achieve. Ginny had been the only constant thing in Hermione's live since she went to Hogwarts. She is someone Hermione knows she can trust and, other than Ron and Harry, can tell anything. They shared their growing up together, Hermione sharing her muggle knowledge about the change of the female body, Ginny sharing the wizard methods of dealing with those changes. When Hermione was away on their mission, she thought about Ginny every day, feeling guilt about not letting her in, and worry for her safety. Hermione had decided that after the war, she wouldn't hold any more secrets for her, she wouldn't abandon this friendship again. Their friendship was something so real, she couldn't let is fade into oblivion.

She tried to speak, but all that comes out is a sigh, her larynx not used to being put to work after such a long time of silence. When she opened her eyes she saw Ginny sitting in the windowsill, her red hair glowing in the sunlight. She wasn't aware that Hermione indeed was awake, as she's gazing outside. The summer really had started in the time Hermione was recovering, the sun a lonely soul in the blue sky.

She cleared her throat and Ginny jumps up, snapped out of her daydream by the sound. "Oh Hermione, I'm so glad to see your eyes again. I thought we lost you for a little while!" There was an actual sheer of tears in Ginny's eyes, which set off a pang of pain in Hermione's chest. She had caused those tears, even though the one's Ginny was holding back now were happy ones. No one should have to cry for her, there is so much worse to cry for. Hermione just extended her arms, still too tired to make conversation. Ginny gets the point and returned the hug, letting out a relieved giggle.

Having Ginny in her arms, the world suddenly doesn't seem so rude anymore. There will always be people who love you, no matter the horrible things that happen, no matter what you did. Hermione closed her eyes again as she lets herself soak in all the energy Ginny was generously giving her. She felt the warmth of the sun radiating from her hair, and smelled the shampoo everyone but Ron used, since he found the smell "too girly". Hermione laughs at the sound of his voice in her head, stating that opinion. She misses him. She misses everyone, including herself. All she wants is to be happy again, to be healthy and normal like she was before all of this happened. To be whole again.

She knew she'd get there in the end, but she wouldn't make it on her own. She needed help, what she is experiencing wasn't normal. She knew it, she had felt it in her guts since the first black-out, but it took her loved ones to feel pained to make her accept this fact. There's already enough hurt in the world without her hiding her weaknesses. She would end this nonsense now, before her strength left her again. It was time to be strong once more.

"Ginny, I have to tell you something."

AN: SO THAT WAS IT! I hope you're not too disappointed.. let me know what you think by reviewing this chapter. I will start writing the new chapter RIGHT NOW, so expect it somewhere this week. After that the chapters might come slower again, since uni starts the 1st of september again (yes i am going to hogwarts shht) and the first month is going to be a hectic one. I love you all lots, and i will see you soon xxxxxxxx