Written In The Body

Poetheather

A/N: There will be a number of mature things discussed including torture, same sex relationships, violence and others… you have been warned.

A/N 2: Merry Christmas! This was posted early as a gift for all of my readers. Enjoy.

A/N 3: This is a revised version of this chapter.

This is a work of fiction using the characters created by J.K. Rowling. They are not used with her permission. All actions follow the events of book six of the series. Any similarity between any person living or dead is purely coincidental and unintentional. If you happen to find your life reflected in this piece I'll be impressed.

Four

Knowing that she had to do this because Harry had asked and quite nervous about what the Weasleys might think about the news and well… her, Hermione had taken some extra time getting ready. This ensured that she really looked just like she felt on the inside. Like when she went to see Harry, she looked rather girly but not as amazingly girly as Parvati could or Lavender had. She was even wearing just a little bit of makeup to highlight some of her features. It was more of a natural look, highlighting things without making it seem like she was wearing much at all. She liked how she looked, it felt more… her and it made her happy, as if she were moving forward with her life. Now if only the Weasleys could deal well with the way she looked now and not tease her too much about this, then things would be fine. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly to steady herself. She could do this. Then when she was ready she disapparated to the Burrow.

She appeared near the boundary of the property and started walking towards the house, doing so to give herself time to try to calm her nerves. Off in the distant field she could spot three people flying about and it looked like they were tossing a quaffle around. It was easy to figure out which of them was Ginny as she was out flying the other two by a wide margin. That made her smile. It was nice to know that her best female friend excelled over her brothers at something most of them prided themselves on. She wondered if the three of them had already spotted her walking towards the house and recognized her. In all honesty Hermione doubted that they would figure that out as she did look somewhat different enough that even Harry had been shocked at her appearance and she had been right in front of him when he had seen her first time.

That train of thought made her frown. Poor Harry, it was terrible that he had been so deeply hurt from the war all because that psychopath Voldemort had been so bloody obsessed with staying alive. Given what Harry had to do in the forest, needing to walk out there and stand there to let a psycho kill him. Was it any wonder that he was so messed up. No, Hermione understood, she understood far too well in all honesty. The scars on her arm were a daily reminder of what blind hate and insanity could do to a person and it was clear that she would carry that reminder forever. No, right now she did not even want to think about that sort of thing. Right now she was going to reconnect with her second family and hopefully they would be fine with how she was changing and all would be well. Thinking bad thoughts at the moment would help no one.

The flyers were preforming crazier and crazier flying maneuvers as they played and she shook her head somewhat amused at the antics. It was nice to see that despite all the horrors that had happened over the last year some things never changed here at this house. She could always count on there being some sort of game of Quidditch being played here at the Burrow just like there would always be food. Turning from the field, Hermione knocked on the doorframe as she looked in for Molly, not seeing her when she peered in. She could smell something wonderful cooking that was sure to be tasty but Mrs. Weasley was nowhere to be seen. "Hello? Mrs. Weasley?"

A voice called back from the living room, somewhat surprised, clearly having recognized her voice, "Hermione? Come in, come in."

Hermione walked into the familiar house, with a slight smile on her face and was nervously looking forward to the reaction she was going to get. This was going to be the first the Weasleys got to see of her changes and she hoped it went over well. Molly came into the dining room and stopped in her tracks upon seeing her, eyes widening, mouth dropping open and a hand raising, "Oh!"

Hermione reached up and self-consciously touched her shorter hair, hoping that she was passing the scrutiny. "Do you like it? I felt like I needed a change and after all, everything was over so there really was no reason to not dress any way I liked."

Molly smiled brightly and headed over towards the stove, her usual spot in the house. "How right you are. You look absolutely lovely dear. Would you like some tea?"

Hermione could see how subdued the woman was compared to how she had been before the events of the last year. Clearly the loss of Fred had hit her hard, as was to be expected, given that the Twins had been her favorites. She had been devastated when George had just gotten hurt after all. Her smile grew stronger, "Certainly Mrs. Weasley."

Once the tea was ready, she joined Hermione at the table, handing over a teacup. "I do like your hair. It really is quite a change from before. I never imagined you with shorter hair."

She shrugged, not quite sure how to respond to that as she prepared her tea. "Well, I guess we are all dealing with things differently. I thought making a few changes would help me."

Molly reached out and patted her hand comfortingly. Hermione smiled at her. Molly was definitely alright with how she looked and that did make her feel a bit better. If things kept changing at the pace they had been hopefully the woman would still support her. It did make her nervous. She continued, "I'm also looking forward to September, going back to Hogwarts to take my final year. It will be a bit strange going back to classes after everything that happened last year but I do so want to do well on my NEWTs."

"Have you informed Headmistress McGonagall of this?" asked Molly, clearly wanting to make sure that everything was in order.

"I did. I sent her an owl with my intentions right after I returned from Australia with my parents," said Hermione with a smile, thinking about the return letter she had received.

"And how are they?" asked Molly, actually sounding interested in her parents.

"They're doing well. They were not happy with me for using magic on them, which is not a surprise, given that I Oblivated them and sent them to Australia but they are glad I protected them. It would have devastated me if I had lost them as they are the only family I have. So things are getting back in order here and I am spending a lot of time with them, settling back into life. We have been doing a lot of things we haven't done in a long while, so that is good. It has actually been lov…"

Hermione was cut off as three loud Weasleys tromped into the Burrow still talking about their game and making disparaging comments about each other's play. Their conversation cut off mid word as soon as they spotted Hermione. Eyes wide they all took her in, making her blush a little. She had not expected her new look to have garnered that particular response. Ginny started smiling broadly as soon as she saw her. Ron blurted out, "Bloody hell."

Both Ginny and Molly snapped out, "Ron!"

"Sorry." He bowed his head a little, chastised for his language use.

George was the first to come over and gave her a big hug. "I must say, you look smashing Hermione. What's the occasion?"

"No occasion. I just decided to change a few things about myself that's all. You like?" She stood and twirled, so they could get an even better look at her, seeing that the skirt she was wearing fanned out slightly with her movement.

George winked at her, whistling appreciatively, "Excellent legs for a bookworm."

Hermione blushed lightly again and shook her head. Ginny came up and hugged her tightly, lifting her a little in the air. This resulted in Hermione letting out a less than dignified squeak, "Ginny, put me down."

George and Molly were laughing at that and Ron was just looking wistfully at the girl. Ginny put her down and then pointed her finger into the girl's solar plexus, demanding, "Why didn't you let us know you were coming?"

"I wasn't sure when I was going to be able to make it. But then I realized I missed you all and so here I am." replied Hermione with a grin.

Ginny hugged her again. Ron shuffled a bit uncomfortably in response, clearly unsure how to respond to her after the way things had ended between them. Hermione took pity on him and walked over, giving him a friendly hug. "Hello Ron."

"Hi." Even his greeting was filled with his discomfort. Hermione felt bad for him.

"Come now everyone, have a seat. Lunch will be ready in a tick." Molly waved people towards seats.

Ginny sat next to Hermione, like she usually did at most meals in the Burrow. Ron took his usual seat across from her, again as was normal. Hermione was pleased to see such familiar things happening that it gave her a sense of comfort and stability. "So George, how are things going?"

"I've been busy. I had to take today off from work for sanity reasons as people can't seem to celebrate enough. I… I can't let Fred down by letting our business falter. He would be downright pissed at me if I did that. We are doing more business now than ever before and Ron here has been a big help." said George with a faint smile.

"Really Ron?" Hermione was pleasantly surprised, as she was aware Ron was not known for his work ethic.

"Uhm… yeah. I have been helping out a couple of days a week until George here can hire some more help." Ron fumbled through the sentence and she could tell that he was upset not to have food there to cover his discomfort.

Hermione smiled. It still made her sad that the dreams of her and Ron together had been so completely denied by her thoughts. There was just too much against them in order to make a truly happy and long lasting relationship between them work. To attempt anything would just be asking for it to crash and burn spectacularly after a terrible row that could tear apart more than just their friendship. No, she just couldn't do that to herself or to Ron. She sighed at the thought of might have beens and her faint dreams of red headed children. Ginny touched her arm and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I was just thinking of something. It's not important. Oh, that reminds me Ginny, after we are done with lunch can we go for a walk. I need to talk to you about something and it's just for you." This was about as good an opening as she was going to get to get her alone. Hermione was at a loss for any other way to start this conversation. Why did Harry have to ask her to do this?

"Sure thing." Ginny might have said more but plates of food appeared from the kitchen and everyone started to tuck in to lunch. The food was excellent as always. Mrs. Weasley never did anything by halves and the meal had enough food that she wondered if even Ron would be able to finish this off. Hermione loved the family atmosphere here. It was always so boisterous. She had always wanted siblings but that had clearly never happened, but now she had two really close brothers thanks to her experiences with them over the last seven years. It did look like Ron was not clear on the fact that they really did not have a romantic future, so she might need to re-explain that to him, but not today. Things were going to be tense enough with having to tell Ginny about Harry that she did not really want to add to that atmosphere. She knew that conversation would not end well and didn't want to borrow trouble.

As she ate and caught up with what they had been doing for the last month, she thought about what she could possibly do to get Ron to realize that she was not interested in pursuing a relationship with him. Everything that came to mind was so blunt and direct that it made her wince internally just thinking about it. He was one of her best friends and to say things that flat out and forthright might not go over as well with Ron. He had never really dealt well with that. She was willing to bet that his emotions were on an ever greater hair trigger now than before, what with Fred's death and the aftermath of the war. So how could she make him see this situation between them clearly and not have to endure him constantly following her around like a lost puppy begging for a handout? She glanced at her arm, and despite the fabric covering the scar it was clear, etched in her mind's eye and nodded slightly. Regardless of the fallout she would do what she had to do to take care of herself, to walk the path she had to. She just wanted to find the best way to do this so it would cause the least damage.

"Uh… Hermione? Can we talk later?" nervously asked Ron.

"Sure Ron. I can do that." Hermione smiled at him, worried slightly about what he wanted to say. She could sort of guess what was going to be coming but she was firm in her decision. There really was nothing he could say to change her mind and make her want to go out with him.

Once Ginny finished her lunch and pushed her plate away, she stood and said happily, "Ready to go?"

Hermione snickered at the girl's actions, shaking her head slightly. There were times when Ginny was a much cuter Ron. "Sure."

Getting up and pushing her chair in, she followed the redhead out and into the yard. As they passed through the garden, Ginny turned and was walking backwards, clearly comfortable doing so. "So where do you want to go?"

"I don't know Ginny. How about somewhere nice and quiet, where we won't be overheard?" she smiled at Ginny as she said that. After thinking about it, letting anyone else know about this would not be good for Harry, so privacy would be best. Harry hadn't wanted this part to be public knowledge.

The girl gave her an odd look, as if she were slightly worried about what this could mean but lead the way away from the house. "Come on. There was a place that Luna and I used to play that was really nice and private which should suit. I haven't been there for a while as it just felt strange going there without her, but I figure I'll show you. I know Luna wouldn't mind."

"Lead the way." The two girls walked down the path towards the Rook like house that the Lovegoods lived in. Hermione was happy to hear that it had been rebuilt as she understood why Mr. Lovegood had acted the way he had. You did anything for family. It had hurt when it had happened, but it was understandable nonetheless. She did hope that the painting in Luna's room had been repaired, as she knew how special that was to the blond. If she had any skill at painting she would offer to help if it weren't done, but again, now was not the time. She had things to take care of at the moment however that had been special.

The path wound through the grass and into the thin trees that blocked view of the Burrow. It split the sunlight into multiple shafts, breaking the shade into separate chunks. It was cooler under them and the trees grew thicker the deeper they walked into the wood. After a bit, when a bit more of the underbrush cleared, Ginny took her hand and walked between two trees and off the trail. Hermione followed, watching Ginny carefully in case there was anything special she would have to do. There was nothing that seemed obvious but she did it anyway.

While there was little underbrush here there still was some press from the trees as smaller saplings were crowding against some of the larger and more established trees. It felt a little claustrophobic in here and she watched Ginny, who strode confidently ahead, obviously quite comfortable here. She had been here many times before based on her familiarity. The trail was not very rough and even though her shoes were not that well suited for this sort of walking she was fine. She had to admit it was a well thought out trail. "How much further?"

"We're almost there 'mione. Just a bit further on." replied Ginny, looking over her shoulder with a grin.

After a few more minutes of walking, things opened up into a small glade as they were by the stream, in an area that looked good for swimming and had some rocks that seemed like they would be good to sit on. It was peaceful, with the burbling of water the only sound. There were even a few water flowers growing along the shore and in small eddies protected by rocks. Hermione was entranced by the sight and gushed, "Oh Ginny! This is lovely."

Ginny blushed a little at the compliment, unable to meet the older girl's eyes. "Thank you. Luna and I did some work clearing this space to make things better. She also helped the water flowers grow behind the rocks. I'm glad you like it. So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Hermione sighed and looked out over the stream, dreading this particular task. This was sure the break the serenity she found here. "It's about Harry."

"Is he okay? Have you seen him? You have haven't you? He's not hurt is he?" blurted out Ginny, looking shocked and worried.

"Breathe Ginny." said Hermione, trying to calm the near frantic redhead. "Harry is mostly fine. The war has really affected him though, and not in a good way. I think he has what the muggles call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Given everything he underwent during the Battle of Hogwarts, it would be no wonder that he would have it. I am going to help him see if there is someone at St. Mungo's who can help him with that but if not I have insisted that he see a muggle therapist to get past this problem. The reason you haven't seen him is because he has locked himself in his house for the last few weeks after freaking out and firing spells indiscriminately at some stray noise. So because of this whole mess he feels that he is too dangerous to be around anyone he cares about at the moment, especially you."

Ginny closed her eyes and sighed, after a few moments a few tears trickled down her face. That pulled at Hermione's heart and she wanted to pull the girl into her arms. When Ginny opened her brown eyes she was settling her face into something firm and resolute, a look Hermione had seen before. She pursed her lips so tight until they were slightly pale. With a sigh she said, "You know… Harry, for all I feel bad for him and hope he gets better because of all of this, can just go bugger himself."

"Ginny!" Hermione was shocked at the vehemence in the girl's tone. Of all the responses she had been expecting that had not been one.

"No Hermione, do you have any idea what it feels like to be strung along with the hope, the dream of a relationship keeping you going?" complained Ginny, scuffing the ground with her foot.

Thinking of her own indeterminate redheaded dream lover that tantalized her with Weasley possibilities, she nodded her head as she replied, "Yes, I do."

"It sucks and I am bloody tired of it. Harry has done this to me one too many times and I am just tired. You know, I just want to be happy with someone who will be there for me. Is that really too much to ask?" grumbled Ginny, throwing a rock into the river.

"I'm with you on that one. Ron and I aren't going to work. I know that for sure but I know that the person for me is out there. I firmly believe that. You know, if we stick together we can help each other through this rough time and maybe even help each other find that love we're looking for." commented Hermione, looking thoughtful. In a way they were both in the same both now that she thought of it.

"Does that mean that you will be going back to Hogwarts this fall?" Ginny asked hopefully, biting her bottom lip.

"Yes." Hermione answered with a big smile.

"Yes!" Ginny launched herself and tackled Hermione onto the soft grass, hugging her tight. "Oh this is going to be wonderful. And with no there Ron to pester us… so much fun."

"Ron's not returning?" Hermione was surprised that she really was not surprised to learn that.

"No. He got an offer to become an Auror from Shacklebolt and decided to do it. Said he's already done enough of this work already so now he should get paid for it." Ginny rolled her eyes. "I think he's a git for doing that but that's nothing new. Mum has already had words with him over it but he is determined."

"Well that will certainly keep him busy." said Hermione to herself. Honestly she was relieved to hear that he wouldn't be back at school with them. It would make the separation so much easier. "So I guess that means it will only be you and me versus Hogwarts."

Ginny grinned excitedly, bouncing a little. "I can't wait."

Hermione sat up again once Ginny released her hug. "I think it will be wonderful."

"And just think, with Ron and Harry doing the Auror thing they won't be copying your homework the whole time." That set them both off laughing, as they knew how true that was. It seemed as if neither boy had been able to get almost any assignment done without her assistance. "Oh, how are your parents? Did the retrieval go well?"

Thinking back to that moment in Australia when the confused stares of strangers snapped back into the warm eyes of her parents, Hermione had to smile. Though in all honesty they hadn't stayed warm for very long once they had realized what she had done to them. "It went well. Once I left the Burrow I headed to Australia and tracked them down which took a little bit. I countered my spell, since I had figured out a way to key a recall to the obliviate and they remembered me and everything easily enough, and did not seem to have any problems on that end. But once they gathered that they were living in Australia under a false identity we had… well a bit of a row."

Ginny frowned, "But things worked out, right?"

"Oh yes. My mother took me to get my hair done a few days later, go shopping for a new wardrobe, and we talked, catching up on everything. We really have been trying to make up for lost time as I have hated how much I have had to keep them at arm's length. My father and I have also talked a lot as well, which has been wonderful. Sure I was yelled at for putting myself in such ridiculous danger, but right now things are great between us all. I really am looking forward to spending most of the summer with them just relaxing and having fun. So fair warning, I might not be around the Burrow as much as I have been some of the recent summers." said Hermione, wanting to make sure her best female friend was aware of that.

"Is it fun?" asked Ginny softly, looking at the light in the branches.

Hermione looked over at the girl as if trying to figure things out. That question was rather vague so she had to go with her best guess for a topic. "Living with my family in the muggle world? Of course it is. Remember it is what I was used to for my whole life before Hogwarts. I also don't get fawned all over, like some of the people here in the wizarding world do to me all the time, so that also helps. I really understand what Harry has been talking about, when people look at you and see something else, not you. So being anonymous is a lovely thing."

Ginny kept looked off, commenting, "That sounds good."

Hermione could hear something in her friend's voice, some unspoken need. The girl wanted something, but it was unclear what exactly that was and maybe even Ginny wasn't sure what it was either. Maybe being here, at the Burrow was a bit too much for her right now, like she was drowning in everyone's emotions and unable to catch her breath. Maybe the wizarding world was choking her a bit? Perhaps what she needed was a break from it to clear her head. "Would you like to come to stay with me for a while? Be a guest at my house and experience the muggle world?"

"Really?" Ginny snapped her head over to look at the older girl, her brown eyes wide in surprise. Excitement was dancing in them.

"Sure, if your mother is okay with it than it should be fine. I would love to spend time alone with you without having the boys underfoot and I am almost certain that my parents would be perfectly fine with it."

Bounding to her feet, Ginny said, "This is great. We have got to do this. Let's ask!"

Hermione laughed as Ginny pulled her quickly back towards the Burrow at a near run. Ginny kept trying to make her go faster by yanking on her arm and Hermione kept slowing down or stopping, thus ending up being dragged a short bit, both girls laughing the whole time. Finally they made it inside giggling as the tumbled in like girls much younger. Ginny ran up to her mother, practically bouncing on her toes as she asked eyes wide for maximum cute effect, "Can I go stay with Hermione for a while?"

Molly looked at her daughter curiously for a moment and then cut her eyes over to Hermione, "Well, if it is all right with Hermione's parents."

"They said I could extend the offer if I wanted to. They are aware how much I have missed everyone." Hermione said with a grin.

With a grin, Molly nodded and said, "Then that will be fine dear. Go have a fun time and try to stay out of trouble."

Ginny squealed happily and ran upstairs to her room off the first landing. Molly watched her daughter's retreat fondly. Turning back to Hermione she said, "Thank you for helping Ginny that first week after the battle. How you held her while she cried, and were just there for her… it was greatly appreciated, since I was in no shape to do it. That week… it was… well, it was difficult for all of us."

"Think nothing of it. We all needed someone to cry on. She did her share of holding me as well. I'm just sorry that Harry got dragged off by the Ministry and couldn't be there that whole time." replied Hermione, blushing slightly and feeling a bit self-conscious as she was being thanked for something she did not see as special. All she had done was take care of a dear friend. What was special about that?

"Yes, well… Ginny was very close to Fred, so you being there for her while she grieved meant a lot, to both of us. I just wanted you to know that." Molly reached over and patted Hermione's hand, her smile a bit weak as memories of a month ago were coming back based on the darkening of her eyes. "You really have become like a second daughter to me."

Tears were welling up in her eyes and before Hermione could reply to the woman who had come to be almost a second mother figure, Ron came in and said, "Uhm, Hermione, can we talk?"

"Sure." She hugged Molly tightly after she stood and then she and Ron went outside to get a bit more privacy. Once they were a short distance into the garden and away from easy overhearing, Ron turned to face her. Her was fidgeting nervously like he usually did when he had something he wanted to say but wasn't sure how to start. Maybe she should help him out? "So what is it Ron?"

"I wanted to talk to you about us. I… I really like you and uh… I… uhm… do you want to go out sometime?" Ron looked terribly embarrassed by the time he finished, his cheeks nearly as red as his hair and unable to meet her eyes.

Hermione felt for Ron, she really did but what could she do? Regardless of everything else that had occurred he was still her friend, even when he was overstepping boundaries she had established earlier which had not changed. It seemed that he had not understood what she had said to him about their relationship potential after all. What more could she say? How much plainer could she make it without becoming cruel? "Ron, I am sorry but like I told you, I only see you as a friend, basically as a brother. I am not interested in anything else with you."

"Why? I don't get it? Things seemed to really be moving that way with us and then after we got to Shell Cottage it was like… you know… everything changed." Ron raised his voice a little as he was growing upset.

"Yes Ron, things changed and I'm sorry for that, but that is the way things are. I told you that at the time so you would not be too surprised. I don't want to mislead you." said Hermione, knowing that more detail would not really help things in this case. Ron did have a terrible tendency of haring off after inconsequential.

"I just don't understand." The slightly whiny tone he used was far too familiar to her to take seriously.

"I know Ron. I'm sorry." She turned and headed back inside, not wanting to have to deal with any more of that than she had to. If she stayed there arguing with him over this whole thing then it would not stay friendly long. She knew the both of them far too well and if they got started they would erupt into a screaming match that would wake the neighborhood. And given that none of the neighbors were in sight that was certainly saying something.

There was a pounding on the stairs and Ginny came racing down with a bag in hand. She jumped the last few steps and came to a stop right in front of Hermione, with a broad grin plastered on her face. Her eyes were bright with delight. "Ready!"

Hermione laughed at her friend's antics and shook her head. They were certainly more endearing than Ron's, without a doubt. Molly hugged her daughter and said, "Now you mind the Grangers and don't cause any trouble. Have fun dear."

Taking a hold of Ginny's hand, Hermione smiled and said, "I'll side along apparate us over there. It won't take a moment. Hold on."