Chapter 32
Ginny POV
If there had been any stable furniture left in Ms. Blake's living room after the group's skirmish, Ginny would've gladly sat down, but instead she had to settle with sitting down on the cold marble floor and leaning against the wall. She grimaced and tilted her head back against the wall as the pain in her shoulder continued to throb. Despite it, she just grit her teeth and thought about the good that came from the recent duel. Brumski was free, both as a house-elf and of the Fidelius Charm; Ms. Blake was incapacitated, her second wand in their possession and was now being brought to the Ministry. Dumbledore would be there soon and he would help.
A slight sense of worry crossed Ginny's mind as she thought back to her confrontation with Dumbledore just last week. She hadn't seen him since that day in his office and she hoped that he would still be willing to lend a hand. Hopefully he understood that she was just tremendously upset and that the disrespect she had shown him did not reflect her true feelings toward him. She sighed. Even if he had written her off, hopefully he would come through if only for Hermione's sake.
"Hermione," Ginny thought as she closed her eyes while her mind thought back to Ms. Blake's words about the brunette's experiences in Laurophey. With any luck, Ms. Blake was simply saying those things to get a rise out of Ginny, but considering the images in the articles Ginny had seen, the claims did not seem entirely implausible. Merlin, even if this part of the nightmare was over and Hermione was released, what shape would she be in?
Ginny thought back to Sirius Black and recalled how well he came out of Azkaban after serving several years there under Dementor surveillance. Logically speaking, Hermione should fare even better. Still, Ginny knew that despite the different circumstances, Hermione wouldn't come out completely unscathed. Ginny shook her head. That was just in terms of Hermione's psyche, as for her career, well, who knew how well they could restore it. As things stood, Hermione's career was in absolute shambles. They'd worry about that later though, right now Hermione's overall wellbeing was more important. True, it had only been a little over a week by now, but who knows how that week had been.
Ginny's eyes snapped open and she scrambled up from the floor, wand at the ready, as she heard two sets of pops echo across the previously vacant room.
"Easy, Miss Weasley, it's just us."
Ginny's shoulders stopped heaving as intensely as her eyes fell upon Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey. The young Gryffindor winced as the pain in her shoulder amplified over the hurried activity and strain from her increased breathing.
"Done a number on yourself, haven't you?" Madam Pomfrey declared with a frown as she hurriedly walked over and began to examine Ginny. Ginny winced furthermore as Madam Pomfrey poked and prodded at her in assessment. She vaguely noticed McGonagall giving a flick of her wand, apparently transfiguring something into a chair for Ginny, which she was swiftly set down in.
"Drink this," Madam Pomfrey ordered and before Ginny had a chance to even register what was going on, there was a potion being held up to her lips. She didn't struggle though and drank the brew, praying that it would help with the pain.
"We'll give it a minute to work, then I'll fix your shoulder up," the matron continued as she took a step back.
"Is Dumbledore going to the Ministry?" Ginny asked in a bit of a strained voice, the pain still very taxing.
"Yes, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall confirmed. "He went as soon as he received your Patronus. This nightmare will soon be over," she promised in a voice much softer than Ginny was used to hearing from her. The redhead merely nodded gratefully.
"I must congratulate you on your sleuthing skills, spellwork, and apparently, recklessness," McGonagall went on as she discretely raised one eyebrow in mild amusement. Ginny chuckled lightly, absently noting how it hurt less than before to do so.
"Am I in trouble for missing so many classes?" She asked with a lopsided grin.
"Well, you are certainly behind now, but I think you may find that your grade will recover rather quickly," McGonagall answered with a small smile. "You did very well, here, Miss Weasley."
Ginny returned Professor McGonagall's smile, inwardly beaming at the praise that the professor so rarely dealt out.
"Thank you for coming to help," Ginny said. "I need to get to the Ministry to help Ron and Harry."
"You will do no such thing," Madam Pomfrey interjected sternly. "You have to rest."
Ginny was about to protest when Professor McGonagall held her hand up in request for silence.
"Miss Weasley, I know you are very eager to help, but right now there is nothing further you can do. The matter is with the Wizengamot now and it could take several days or even weeks for something to be decided."
"Weeks!" Ginny exclaimed incredulously. "Are you kidding? With all of that evidence it'll still take weeks?"
"It's possible," McGonagall replied with regret. "Despite the overwhelming evidence, Ms. Blake is still a very prominent figure in the Ministry. They will give her a full trial and they will need to re-examine people such as Mr. Thicknesse once more." The professor must have seen the look of apprehension that crossed Ginny's face, because soon the elderly woman was comforting her. "Please do not worry, we have a very strong case, but the Ministry has to do their due diligence before they can convict her and undo all the wrongs they have supported."
"What about Mione?" Ginny asked.
"As soon as Ms. Blake is found guilty, here, Dumbledore, along with the British Ministry, will go to the French Ministry to appeal the charges against Miss Granger."
Ginny nodded in understanding and soon Madam Pomfrey was waving her wand at the redhead's shoulder and though Ginny could feel it being repaired, she felt no pain.
"Come back to Hogwarts for the time being," Professor McGonagall suggested, "and once things are settled at the Ministry, you can accompany Dumbledore to Paris."
"Thank you, Professor."
"So, Miss Weasley," Professor McGonagall said slowly as she looked past Ginny and around to survey the scene. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as her gaze lingered upon broken furniture littering the floor and blast marks decorating the walls all as signs of the previous battle. Eventually her eyes settled back on Ginny, a lightness in them that was usually shrouded by stern authority. The corner of her lips turned up just a fraction. "Despite your injury, I'd say you did quite well. Are you sure you don't want to be an Auror?"
Ginny laughed; a mixture of uncertainty and disbelief. Eventually she cleared her throat. "I think I'll stick to quidditch, Professor."
The next couple of weeks had gone by painstakingly slow as Ginny waited for the Ministry to wrap up the case with Ms. Blake. Luckily, after examining the evidence that Harry, Ron and Dumbledore had brought forth, the Ministry seemed rather eager to put Ms. Blake away. Mr. Scrimgeour had released a statement the following day indicating that though a verdict had not been released, as more research had to be done, that Ms. Blake was being held in detention and that all of her involvement, 'international entanglements' included, would be reassessed. As such, Ms. Blake's verdict had come in against her favour and she was now a permanent resident of Azkaban and Ginny now sat in the hall outside of the French courts. Ron and Harry were with her, but none of them had been allowed into the courts as this was a matter that required the French Wizengamot.
"Don't worry, this'll be over soon," Harry said quietly to Ginny as they sat. "We'll be picking up Hermione in no time."
Ginny sighed. Though she knew he was right, she couldn't help but be anxious. Something could still go wrong.
"Yeah, you're right," she said and offered him a small smile.
Telling Hermione's parents that their only daughter was in a wizarding prison was absolutely horrendous, but she was hoped that she'd have some good news to deliver today. Though the Grangers' had been very supportive of she and Hermione's relationship, this new development must have had them blaming Ginny - she just had a feeling. While they hadn't ordered her out of the house when she stopped by that day a few weeks back, Ginny could tell that they wanted to be alone - which Ginny understood with reluctance. They were enraged over the fact that they were not permitted to visit Hermione and they had endless questions, all of which Ginny tried to answer and explain best she could, but she knew that no matter what she said, she didn't have the answer they wanted hear. But, today, hopefully that'd be different.
"Reckon Hermione knows what's going on?" Ron asked as he sat forward in his chair to look at Ginny and Harry. The dark-haired boy shook his head.
"I doubt it. Dumbledore didn't mention that she'd be involved in today's appeal, and who knows if they've even let her see copies of the Daily Prophet. Though, they may be trying to restore her memories or see if they've been tampered with."
Ginny had no words, she just shook her head in disbelief over the whole situation - it was absolute madness, even now.
Just then, an incessant rumbling could be heard from inside the court room. All three friends sat forward in their chairs to stare expectantly at the large double doors. The chatter became much more loud and lively as the doors slowly swung open and Dumbledore walked out. Harry, Ron and Ginny abruptly stood to meet him.
Ginny urgently searched Dumbledore's face for any indication of how the appeal went, but he stood before her straight-faced. Just when alarm began to bubble up inside of her, the Headmaster cracked a small smile.
"I suspect you'll want to head to Laurophey - Miss Granger is about to be released," he said with that familiar twinkle in his eye.
The youngest Weasley let out a rushed sigh of relief as the news hit home. Before she knew it, she actually felt herself tearing up, but for once in her life she didn't care. She impulsively threw her arms around Dumbledore, but quickly came to her senses and hurriedly pulled back. She felt heat rising to her cheeks as she saw the wide-eyed, yet amused look he was giving Ron and Harry over the exchange.
"Thank you for all your help, Professor," Ginny said as she pushed past her embarrassment. "And I'm really, really sorry for the way I blew up at you in your office a few weeks back. I had no right."
"I understand that it was a very trying time, Miss Weasley," he said calmly with a nod. "I understand where you were coming from. I hope my recent actions have redeemed myself in your eyes," he said lightly in a bit of a teasing manner.
"No redemption necessary," Ginny asserted with a sheepish smirk. "Thank you, again, Professor - so much." He merely smiled and nodded down the hall toward the service lift.
"They are restoring Miss Granger's memories as we speak," Dumbledore informed them. "Once you have retrieved Miss Granger and everyone is settled, please feel free to speak with myself or with Mr. Scrimgeour. Both of us can fill you in on how Hermione can proceed from here - but rest assured, it is good news. I will let Arthur know of the results of Miss Granger's trial and have him inform her parents."
The three thanked the Headmaster once more before rushing to the service lift and heading to the floo network. Once there, they could go to Laurophey to wait for Hermione to be released.
Ginny impatiently sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs in the Laurophey lobby, bobbing one leg up and down repeatedly in a vain attempt to release her tension. Her, Ron and Harry had been sitting here in the dark and dank room for nearly two hours now. Weak attempts at conversation had died early on, so the three just sat together in uneasy silence while the clock on the wall ticked second after second - a consistent reminder of their anxious wait.
For not the first time, and probably not the last, Ginny let out an impatient huff and propped her chin upon a raised hand as she scowled at the set of doors that Hermione would be coming out of. No matter how hard she stared at the doors, they just stood there closed and taunting. Just being in the facility as a visitor was giving Ginny the creeps. Every now and then, she and the boys would jump in their seats as a random yell would burst from some unknown area of the building. Goosebumps would instantly rise on Ginny's skin at the thought of what must be happening and just what Hermione must've been going through the past few weeks. Even though the guards had been polite to the trio upon arrival, Ginny didn't like them in the least. She could sense something much darker lurking beneath the surface in them and it kept any sort of relief or safety at bay inside of Ginny. If anything, it made her feel worse. If this is how it felt to be a visitor under these circumstances, how would it be here as a prisoner? Ginny subconsciously shivered at the notion. Sure, they were just doing their jobs and sure, all the people here were supposed to be criminals, and perhaps she was just being antagonistic, but...Mione was here, her Mione, and she was no criminal.
Something had been weighing on Ginny's mind and she had refused to bring it up, feeling as though if she mentioned it that would suddenly cause the unwanted truth to come to fruition. However, as they sat here, clock ticking away, she found herself growing increasingly antsy and the words tugged at her mouth. She already knew what the answer was, but being here with nothing to do just gave room for her worries to flourish.
"Harry?" She whispered as she glanced momentarily his way before looking back at the doors.
"Yeah, Gin?" He whispered, and she could hear him shift in his seat to likely face her.
"Sirius was okay when he got out, right? Like, he was in there for a long time and he was in maximum security and he was okay, right?" She tried to sound casual, but she knew she sounded frightened.
She clenched her eyes shut as she felt his hand come to rest on her shoulder.
"Yeah, he was okay. And he's great now. It's different being innocent," he quietly assured her. "Hermione's one of the strongest people I know - she'll be okay."
"I know it's only been a few weeks, but..." Ginny couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. She didn't know how, frankly. Hermione was strong and she probably would be okay. Hagrid was in Azkaban for a while and he was fine. Hermione wasn't even with the Dementors. But still, Ginny couldn't help but worry. She just didn't imagine that it would be an experience you could just push out of your mind at the drop of a hat. Regardless, Ginny knew that she had to be strong and offer support and encouragement to her girlfriend - whether it was a long haul or not.
"Come on, Gin."
Ginny shifted her eyes to look at her brother questioningly.
"Hermione will just be pissed off that they messed with her deadlines," he joked. "She'll be fine. Don't worry, alright?"
Ginny offered him a small smile that she knew neither him nor Harry would believe. They could present her with a bucket full of gold or hell, even a contract with the Holyhead Harpies right now, and she knew she'd struggle to crack a smile. She wouldn't feel better until Hermione was in her arms again.
The young Weasley was jerked out of her thoughts as she heard footsteps approaching from the hall on the opposite side of the closed doors. She sat to attention in her chair and glanced nervously at the boys whose demeanours were similar to hers. As the steps got closer, Ginny took a quick glance towards the guards who seemed uninterested at this moment and she quickly got up out of her seat and walked towards the center of the room. She wanted to go closer, but something inside of her stopped her. She was vaguely aware of how the boys had come to stand a few feet behind her.
Her heart raced stronger and stronger as the footsteps approached, from the sound, Ginny could deduce that there were at least a couple of people and she couldn't decipher Hermione's steps from the louder, more authoritative steps.
A moment later the double doors opened to reveal two guards standing on either side of Hermione, dwarfing the young brunette with their imposing statures. Ginny's breath caught as she looked at Hermione. Not because of anything in particular, it was just overwhelming to see her again. Ginny took a few hurried steps forward, but stopped when Hermione didn't move and instead just stared at her. Ginny's eyes searched Hermione as the girl just stared back - the brunette looked stern, her shoulders set, yet she looked so vulnerable. The redhead absently noted that the older girl was wearing the same outfit that she had been wearing when she left London that fateful day a few weeks back.
Ginny grew alert once more as Hermione started to take a few tentative steps towards her, the brunette's pace rapidly increasing until it was a sprint and Ginny just barely had time to open her arms before Hermione crashed into her and wrapped her arms so tightly around the redhead that Ginny's eyes grew wide in surprise. Hermione kept urgently tightening and re-tightening her grasp on Ginny, until a moment later, she felt Hermione relax, more so, collapse in her arms, but she just tightened her grip on the brunette and held her against her as the older girl broke down in quiet shuddering sobs.
"Gin," Hermione cried into the younger girl's shoulder, her muffled voice still sending shivers through Ginny. "I thought she was going to hurt you," she continued in a whimper.
"No, baby, I'm fine. And you, we, don't have to worry about her anymore. It's okay, Mione," Ginny whispered as she buried her head against Hermione's hair, feeling the older girl nod as she clung to Ginny, though continuing to cry. "You're okay, you're safe now. I love you so much," Ginny said, feeling her voice grow tight with emotion as she hugged Hermione desperately. "I love you," she repeated.
After a short while, Hermione's hitching shoulders evened out and Ginny softly caressed the brunette's back.
"Here, let's sit you down for a bit," Ginny whispered as she gently ushered a reluctant Hermione towards the chairs. Gingerly, Ginny set Hermione down and knelt down next to the chair so that she was near eye-level and kissed Hermione softly, yet passionately on the cheek. She nearly teared up when she felt Hermione lean into the kiss. When Ginny pulled back, Hermione leaned her head down onto the redhead's shoulder, and Ginny pushed herself up off the ground a bit to make it less uncomfortable for Hermione, though it was an awkward position for herself to be in.
"You alright, Hermione?"
Ginny glared at her brother, though she knew he cared deeply for Hermione, it just felt like a stupid question to Ginny. Hermione didn't respond initially, though eventually she offered a couple of weak nods.
"How did you guys do it?" Hermione asked. Ginny shared a look with Harry and Ron, and eventually Harry spoke.
"It's a long story. We'll tell you once you're out of here and all settled."
Ginny knew that Hermione must have been feeling extremely worn down and weak, for she would've never accepted an answer like that under any other circumstance. But today, she seemed unwilling to fight for an answer.
"Speaking of which, we should get going," Ginny stated quietly as she turned best she could to make eye contact with the brunette, the action causing Hermione to lift her head up and look at her to give a nod of confirmation.
"You've had a long three weeks," Ginny said, "maybe we should spend a night in France before travelling back to London," she offered a bit tentatively.
"No," Hermione replied tersely and showing greater energy and conviction in that one statement than she had since she'd seen them. "I refuse to stay anywhere near here. I'm fine - we're going to London. I want to go home." Hermione's voice nearly cracked when she spoke the last sentence and Ginny gave her a gentle squeeze.
"Okay," Ginny nodded as she rubbed Hermione's back. "Sure you're strong enough to travel?"
"Yes. God, Ginny, please, I just want to go home."
Ginny's heart cracked as she saw the look in her girlfriend's eyes and heard the hurt in her voice.
"Okay, baby, we'll get you home, then," she promised as she leaned up to kiss the brunette once more on the cheek.
"Do my parents know?" Hermione asked, her voice breathless as she looked to the three of them apprehensively.
"Yes," Ginny replied with a heavy breath. "I told them." She paused and waited for Hermione's reaction. The brunette just stared at her expectantly. "My dad, maybe my mom too, is with them right now to tell them that you're safe. By the time we got news that you were getting out, there wouldn't have been time for them to travel here, but I promised to bring you home."
"Thank you," Hermione said weakly as her gaze dropped to the ground.
"They know the full story," Ginny went on. "They can't wait to see you again." The redhead purposely left out her fear that the Grangers blamed her for this whole ordeal.
"Then let's go," Hermione declared as she rose from her seat and stared the three of them down defiantly, as if they were going to try and stop her.
Ginny stood to put her arm around the brunette's waist, and soon they were headed back to London - hopefully to never return to Laurophey.
AN: Well, our girls are finally reunited - again. More Hermione/Ginny time in the next few chapters. Huge thank you to everyone for their feedback on the previous chapter and on the story in general.