A/N: This is a sort of short chapter, but hopefully it will satisfy some appetites while I write the next one. I can't believe the response I've been getting! Thanks to all of those who have read, and especially to those that have reviewed. You make me feel so special and awesome (yes, I know, I'm a dork).
FREAK ACCIDENT CLAIMS 7
Boy Who Lived's Best Friend Among the Number?
This reporter is stunned to bring you the news that one Ronald Weasley, 19 (turn to page 8 for recent trial news), died early this morning in a freak accident that claimed the lives of six others. The Boy Who Lived's best friend, who was recently sentenced to life in Azkaban, was on transit to the island fortress when a nearby building collapsed. The condemned building (see page 11 for news of the Ministry's reaction) had been abandoned for years and finally fell down, crushing Weasley and his guards. The rubble then caught fire, mangling the bodies and charring the bones (for pictures, see page 3) of the seven. No word yet on how Potter or the former Mrs. Weasley (see archives Vol. VII and Vol. VIII for further information) are taking the news.
~*~
I entered the kitchen to find an overexcited owl and a hysterical Hermione three days after the trial. She was mopping up a mug off the floor with her bare hands. Her hair was falling in her face and she was crying. I noticed the mug was cutting her hands and she was making a bigger mess than she was cleaning. I paid the bird, then picked up Hermione. I gave her a fresh mug and sat down at the table across from her. Without a word she slid the Prophet towards me.
I stared at the paper, shocked. Ron, dead? I understood why Hermione had been on the floor. I ran my hands through my hair, then leaned on my elbows at the table. Just the other day I had been picturing all kinds of horrific deaths for him, at my hands. And now that he's actually gone? I sighed again and glanced over at Hermione. She was nursing her tea and staring at the wall. Despite what he did to Hermione, he was still our friend for so long and now he's gone. I had expected and even hoped he would rot in Azkaban for a long time, hearing of his death when I had grandchildren or something. But for him to die before he even reached the island? I couldn't help but feel cheated in a way. Yet at the same time I was mourning the loss, in more than one way, of a good friend. I could tell Hermione was going through the same dilemma. Now we knew for sure he was gone, but now he was gone. I was so confused, angry and sad. I left the kitchen abruptly and spent the day in my room.
~*~
Ginny told me later that Ron's funeral was more than he deserved. She said she wished that it had been an open casket so she could have spit in his face, but the excavators had found not much more than a few charred bones and fragments. She told me with a hard look that she kicked the stone though. She had gone out of obligation to her brother, family, but she was the only Weasley there. She had also been only one of four at his burial. She told me she wore yellow for spite.
June passed quickly for us. Hermione was recovering only as she could; it made me happier to hear her laugh and see her smile, even if it was fleeting. She returned to work about a week after the trial and came home exhausted every night. I tried to do my best at being an Auror again. I went in daily and completed all of my paperwork on time. I was tired of the job though. It held no interest for me anymore. I guess I was just emotionally drained after trying to be strong for Hermione for so long. I asked for my birthday off and I could tell they had been waiting for an excuse. I was told that I had taken too much time off recently and that I wasn't enthusiastic enough for the job. I packed the few pictures I had and turned in my badge. That night I cooked a huge meal and invited Ginny over for celebration. It was the most relief I had felt since the afternoon the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. I was no longer living and doing something I thought I had to do. Hermione came home to her favorite smells and Ginny and I laughing in the kitchen.
Dinner passed at a leisurely pace. We spent hours at the table, just chatting. Hermione spoke little, but laughed at Ginny's tales of working in the twins' shop. I watched them both. Ginny was so bright and obviously happy that I couldn't help but smile as she spoke. Hermione was darker in everything; her hair, her eyes, the tone of her voice. She smiled and laughed but her eyes were still haunted. She was quieter than Ginny, but every bit as much of a presence. She drew my attention more often than Ginny but I knew she didn't notice. I thought her beautiful in spite of and perhaps because of her scars. She was so strong still; I could tell that she truly did want to put everything behind her and was making great strides towards that. I was proud of her and honoured to know them both.
~*~
I woke up with nothing to do. July was waning and I wasn't looking forward to celebrating my next birthday. I bought an owl for myself, but didn't name him. He would never be the owl that Hedwig was. I used him to send Neville birthday greetings and congratulations. Ginny found out that he was to train under Professor Sprout as she was retiring in the next few years. I was glad to hear he was becoming so successful at something he loved so much.
I wish I could say the same for me. Hermione was becoming more withdrawn the closer it became to my birthday. She left for work with hardly a word and went straight to her room upon arriving home. I was worried but every time I tried to talk she'd be sleeping. I thought I heard her crying behind her door but it was locked and I knew I couldn't break it.
I thought I'd surprise her one afternoon for lunch. I arrived at St. Mungo's a few minutes before her usual lunch time and waited outside her office. When she saw me she was surprised and immediately tried to shoo me away.
"Hermione, wait!" I cried as I reached for her elbow. I missed and she kept walking. I ran to catch up and fell into step beside her. We walked in silence to the cafeteria. I sat with her and watched as she ate methodically. I waited for her to say something until I couldn't wait any longer.
I rested my hand on top of hers. "What is it? What is it that has kept you so exhausted lately?" She shook her head. "Why can't you tell me? Why are you shutting me out?" I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
To my horror she started crying. She took a deep breath and began. "Harry, I'm not good at my job anymore. I see all these sick people and I try to help but I can't. I look at them and I see me or you or Ginny. I'm not doing things on time and every time I see blood I feel faint. I've asked another Healer to check on me, but their results are the same as mine." She looked at me and sighed. "I can't do this anymore. I can't help people anymore." She stood up quickly. "I'm leaving. I'll see you at home." I watched in silence as she ran out of the room.
~*~
My birthday fell on a rainy day. I didn't look any older but I felt about eight years older than I did last year. My best friends were married and I was alone and miserable. Now one of my friends was dead and the other was miserable while I was actually happy. For the most part.
I sat in the library and stewed all morning. I brooded in the afternoon. When Hermione came home I was still sitting in the library, staring at the shelves in the dark. She crossed to me, hugged me and wished me a Happy Birthday. I felt her watch me and then turn to leave. With reflexes I hadn't used in well over a year I grabbed her wrist before she was out of reach. I pulled her close and just looked at her. I knew she was shocked, but she looked at me the same way I was looking at her.
"I have to get out of here," I whispered in the dark room. We were so close I saw her hair move when I spoke.
She swallowed and looked up at me. "Where?"
I smiled and pulled her out of the library. "Anywhere's better than here." I paused in the lit hallway, allowing my eyes to adjust. She looked at me curiously. "How about Hogsmeade?" I grinned and before she could say anything I apparated us both to town.
I laughed at the shocked expression on her face when we arrived. Being so close to Hogwarts made me feel more like my age. I should be celebrating after two years of being out instead of moping around my creepy house. I saw Hermione's eyes light up as she took in the familiar landscape. This was where we belonged, at least for tonight.
We drank butterbeers in our old booth at the Three Broomsticks. Sometime during the night our hands found one another as we walked down the street. She dragged me into Scrivenshaft's and I pulled her into Zonko's. We raced each other into Honeyduke's, our hands still clasped. I bought her sugar quills, and since it was my birthday, she insisted on buying me a slab of chocolate that we shared. By the end of the evening we were both laughing and grinning like idiots.
I apparated us home again because I wanted to feel her close. I did it quickly before she could protest. When we got home she narrowed her eyes at me. I just laughed and collapsed on the nearest couch. She shook her head and sat next to me, resting her head on my shoulder. I smiled as I looked down at her. She was half sprawled on the couch, the rest draped over me. Her hair tickled my chin but I was extremely content to let it stay. Hermione was in my arms and I had had a great evening. Soon enough we were both asleep.
A/N: Okay, it's not exactly fluff, but it's close. It's especially lighthearted after the first four chapters, right? And yes, the "Anywhere's better than here" was stolen from the PoA movie. It's one of my favorite lines that Dan delivers. (i'm not going to hell…i'm not going to hell…)