*****
I stood there, in the dark with Hermione's arms around me. I wasn't really sure how to react. I mean, this was a gesture that wasn't brought on by fear, it was given freely by her to myself and Ron and numerous others, though a little less frequently since Voldemort had "made an example" of her parents.
"I know," was all she said. "It's not your fault. I know that doesn't mean much, I just thought
you should know."
It meant something coming from her. She had been quiet, distant for a long time now, preferring to confide in Ginny,
Ron, even Draco before she'd come to me. This was what I needed. Well, some of what I needed. I wrapped my arms
around her and just hung on.
"It was my fault," I told her. "If I hadn't wanted to stay at that pub," I started.
"Then I would have died, too," she told me. She pulled away and reached up to pull my face down toward her.
"I may have all I need to know down in theory, but practical application of some of these spells. . . Me being
there wouldn't have made a difference. If you need to, look at it as if you saved me. You kept me alive and if you
need to cling to that, cling to that."
I studied her face, if for the sole reason that she was preventing me from looking elsewhere. There was a small scar
above her right eye, and another by her ear. I don't remember where she got them.
"What?" she asked.
"I don't remember how you got those," I said as I ran a hand over them. "I used to remember
everything about you."
"Times change," she said quietly. "You had other things to worry about."
I sighed a little and rested my head on her shoulder. "Maybe you should go to bed." I shook my head, not
raising it from her shoulder. "Then what?" she asked. I thought for a moment.
"Hermione?" We jumped apart.
"Yeah, Ron?" she called, not opening the doors.
"Everything all right?" he asked. I heard him leaning against the door, but not coming in.
"Everything's fine now Ron." The hall was quiet for a moment. The floorboards creaked a little as Ron
shifted from foot to foot.
"I'll just head off then."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Hermione told him.
"Right then." We heard him leave the hallway and then the small boom of Ron Flooing off. We looked at each other again.
"Come on," she said as she took my hand and started to pull me out of the room.
"Where are we going?" I asked as I followed her blindly. She stopped at my room and took her wand out;
packing a bunch of clothes that weren't black before she handed the bag to me. Then she grabbed my FireBolt and
wand.
"Let's go."
"Hermione. . . "
"Don't argue. I think it's time some one took care of you for a change."
I nodded as I followed her, tripping on the old rug a few times. I didn't want to argue. I was tired. I was tired
of looking after everyone.
"I think I like that," I said quietly as I followed her blindly to the fireplace.
"Wizard's home," she called out as she threw a handful of Floo powder down and the dark room disappeared
around me.
*****