Same Old Lang Syne
Author's Note: Hey, pholks. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to respond to all of your reviews lately, but I'll get on that ASAP. I'm going to be out of town for a little while starting Thursday, and I won't be able to post or do much of anything at all, really. I'm starting to close this up, though, so I should be able to get the rest of the story out before I leave. This is short, and the last chapter will probably be short too.
February 2nd
Ginny roused Hermione out of bed with great difficulty. The Weasleys had insisted that Hermione stay with them, and Hermione was too devastated to argue, so she was put up in Ginny's old room, where Ginny was also staying. In the end, Ginny was forced to enlist Sara's help to get Hermione out of bed.
"Come on, Hermione," said Sara, as she and Ginny literally lifted Hermione out of bed. "You have to get out of bed sometime. Besides, a little breakfast could help you feel a bit better."
"I seriously doubt that," said Hermione gloomily.
"Well, at least come downstairs with us," said Ginny. "We won't force you, but I really think you should at least come down."
"Okay," said Hermione, surrendering.
A few minutes later, when everybody was gathered around the kitchen table, there was a loud screech that sounded suspiciously like a car braking.
"I'll check it out," said Sara, standing up. She began to walk towards the door, but Ron stopped her.
"I should check it out," he said, drawing his wand. "Malfoy knows I used to live here. He could have come after me." He walked past Sara, who looked concerned, and towards the door carefully. He opened the door, and nearly fell over in the shock of seeing Harry standing there, soaking wet.
"Hi, Ron," he said simply.
"Merlin's Beard," Ron whispered, his face a mask of disbelief. "It can't be."
"It's really me," said Harry. "Can I come in? I'm getting even wetter, which I didn't think was possible a few minutes ago."
"If you're Harry," said Ron carefully. "Then you'll know who first financed Fred and George's joke shop."
"That was me," said Harry. "I gave them the money I won from the Triwizard Tournament."
Ron's response was simple. "How?"
"It's a long story," said Harry. "Can I come in first?"
"Yeah…sure," said Ron quietly, still in shock.
"Ron," said Sara from the hallway, walking towards the door. "Who is…" She gasped and her hands flew up to her mouth in shock. "Harry…?" she whispered through her hands. Harry simply nodded. Sara leaned against the wall weakly.
"We have to get Hermione out here," said Ron. "She thinks you're…well, you know."
"Ron, wait," said Harry. "I don't want to overwhelm her. You have to tell her before she sees me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. This has to be done right, so we don't overwhelm her." Harry went into the sitting room. Sara followed Harry into the sitting room, where he would briefly tell her what happened.
"Hermione, can I talk to you for a minute out here," said Ron, poking his head into the kitchen.
"Sure," she said, standing up slowly.
"Hermione," began Ron as they walked into the hall. "This is one of the strangest things I have ever had to do."
"What's going on here, Ron," asked Hermione impatiently.
"Harry's alive, Hermione. I don't know exactly what happened, but he's alive, and he's here."
"How dare you," hissed Hermione, her face contorting into an expression of fury. "How dare you insult Harry's memory with this sick joke! You have been one of my best friends for the better part of my life, Ron, but this has got to be the most tasteless thing you have ever even conceived of saying. If I had my wand right now, I'd…"
"Hermione, wait," said Harry, stepping out into the hall. Hermione's expression quickly turned from fury into shock.
"Harry? How?" Hermione's voice came out in a croak.
"It's a long story," said Harry. "Come on, sit down, I'll tell you about it." He gestured into the sitting room. Hermione went in and sat down by Sara.
"Hey, Ron," said Fred, emerging into the hallway. "What's going on out here?"
"Fred, I'll explain everything later," said Ron. "Just go and sit down for now."
"Okay," replied Fred, shrugging.
"That was absurdly easy," said Ron to himself. He looked down, and there was a small flesh-colored string on the floor. He sighed, pulled the other end to him, cupped it to his mouth, and screamed into it. Fred bolted out into the hall, clutching his ear, obviously enraged.
"Where do you get off?!" he screamed at Ron.
"I said I'd explain later, Fred," said Ron, annoyed. "If you had actually listened to me, I wouldn't have had to do that."
"Fine," grumbled Fred. "But you'd better watch where you sit down for awhile, Ron." Still holding his ear, Fred stormed back into the kitchen.
"Git," muttered Ron, walking into the sitting room. He sat across from Harry, who had apparently been waiting for him to start. Sara and Hermione looked anxiously at Harry.
"Okay," began Harry with a sigh. "It started with our mission to apprehend Bellatrix Lestrange." He proceeded to tell them about every step of his journey. At the end, he sat back with a sigh.
"Oh, Harry," said Hermione, reaching over and hugging Harry. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"It's great to have you back, Harry," said Sara with a big smile. "You gave us all a big scare."
"Well, I wasn't too happy about the matter either," Harry replied.
After awhile, the rest of the Weasley family, and Lupin as well, were told, one at a time. By the time Ron asking people individually to come talk to him became suspicious, they were more than halfway done, and Ron was able to pacify everybody else with a promise that all would be explained in time.
After everybody was told, Harry asked for a few minutes alone with Hermione. Everybody else obligingly filed out.
"Hermione," he said, sighing deeply. "I've been through a lot the past couple of days, and I know you have too. All that I've been through has shown me that you're the one for me. When I was stranded in the middle of nowhere, I was thinking about you. When I fell asleep on the plane, I was dreaming about you." He smiled grimly. "I'm sorry I can't do this right," he said, getting out of his chair and kneeling in front of her. He saw her eyes tear up as she realized what he was doing. "Hermione, will you marry me?"