Chapter 85 - Epilogue

[pokecharm]

‘Harry?’ her voice called out quietly. She walked into the kitchen at number Twelve Grimmauld Place, but it was empty, spotlessly clean. She sighed and took another step forward. She glanced at the clock and knew she was neither early nor late. He knew when she was coming. She set the bag she was carrying on the table and smoothed out her jacket. She was fidgeting.

A loud crack announced Harry’s arrival, but she didn’t jump at his entrance. He grinned at her, looking almost ready, and leaned in and kissed her. ‘Hey.’

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and replied, ‘Hey.’

She reached up on her toes to kiss him more fully. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her off of her feet. She tried not to roll her eyes at him. He was doing this on a regular basis as if her ankle hadn’t fully healed. They parted slowly and she asked quietly, ‘Are you ready?’

He nodded, flushed. ‘Yeah.’

‘Really?’ she asked, ‘because you aren’t wearing any shoes.’

He shot her a sheepish look. ‘Almost ready.’

‘Harry,’ Ginny said admonishingly. ‘I don’t want to be late.’

‘I know,’ he replied quickly. ‘Two minutes, I’ll be ready.’

She groaned and sat down at the table. Less than a minute later and Harry was in the kitchen again, his jacket over his arm and his trainers in his hand. Ginny leaned back while Harry pulled the chair out next to her, putting his shoes on.

Ginny began to absently tap the table and Harry stopped lacing his trainers up to put a hand on her knee. ‘Ginny, we’ll get there in more than enough time…it’s not like she’s going anywhere.’

Ginny shot him a worried look and he squeezed her knee. ‘You know what I mean…’

She nodded. ‘Come on, Harry…’

He nodded at the bag. ‘See, I told you your parents would let you stay over again.’

She shook her head and smiled at him. ‘No, Harry, that isn’t for me. Mum says you’re more than welcome to come over tonight and spend the weekend with us.’

Harry sighed. ‘I’ll see if I can’t sway us some time away, if nothing else.’

‘This may be it…’Ginny said slowly. ‘I have to study, Harry…the NEWTs are around the corner.’

Harry nodded, getting up. ‘How’s your ankle?’

She stood up. ‘It’s fine. Why do you keep asking? Where’s Kreacher?’

He shrugged. ‘I haven’t been keeping tabs on him.’

Ginny scowled at him. ‘Kreacher!’

There was silence for a moment before the house elf appeared in the kitchen. He looked paler than usual. Ginny shook her head and shot a glance at Harry. Kreacher bowed low. ‘Mistress, you called?’

‘I did,’ Ginny replied coolly. She took a deep breath. ‘Kreacher, I need you to do something for me.’

Harry took a step back, not wanting any part of what he’d already heard enough about and warned against. Kreacher nodded. ‘Of course, Mistress, you have but to ask.’

She nodded. ‘This is something a little different.’ She knelt down in front of him so they were on eye level. ‘I want you to be honest with me.’

He nodded. She continued, ‘How are you? Kreacher…quite frankly…you’ve been unwell since Harry asked you to heal my ankle and I do not want to be the cause of your failing health.’

Kreacher stood up as tall as he could, taken aback. ‘Mistress, my health is of no concern to you.’

Ginny glared at him resolutely. ‘Yes, it is. If you’re my house elf as much as Harry’s then I want to make sure you’re feeling well at all times.’

The house elf look utterly mortified that they would be talking about his health, but Ginny would not let it sit at that. ‘You have to promise me, really promise me, that you will, at once, today, go and get yourself looked at. We’re going to the hospital and if you came with us, I’d feel a lot better about it.’

Kreacher said nothing, his eyes staring straight forward. Harry hadn’t seen him that angry ever and quietly pulled his jacket on, reaching for Ginny’s bag. Ginny shook her head. ‘Kreacher, please, I need you to be around, for a good long time…I’ve grown rather fond of you, and so has Harry. We need you. Please, do this for me.’

Her voice was so sweet, that Kreacher could not deny her request. He nodded slowly. ‘Yes, Mistress.’

‘You can go now, Harry’s going to come and stay with me at the Burrow…in Ron’s room,’ she added, seeing the look on Kreacher’s face.

‘Yes.’ The house elf nodded. He’d seen them in the hospital wing at Hogwarts and had given Harry an earful over how he’d found them. ‘That would be appropriate.’

Ginny stood up, calming for a moment before remembering where she and Harry were going. Kreacher gave her a very small smile before heading out of the room. Harry took a step closer to her. ‘I lost that bet, huh?’

‘You did,’ she replied, turning quickly and kissing him softly. ‘See, I told you…why don’t you listen to me more?’

‘I do!’ Harry exclaimed, ‘more than anyone else!’

He pulled her close with one arm, while shouldering her bag with the other. ‘Should we get going?’

She shot him a nervous look. He gripped her hand and smiled. They headed over to the grate. He threw the Floo powder in for her, which she rolled her eyes at, but entered the green flames and called out, ‘St. Mungo’s.’

Harry followed close behind and found her waiting for him in the main foyer of the magical hospital. He reached a hand out to her, ignoring the stares and comments that were buzzing around them and heading towards the lift. After a few turns, they ended up on the floor they were looking for. Ginny walked more slowly now. Harry pulled her along at an even pace, whispering, ‘Come on…’

As they neared the end of the hallway, there was a great commotion erupting. A few nurses were bustling in and out of one room and Ginny hurried forward, letting go of Harry’s hand to see what room it was. As they neared, a hospital attendant blocked their path. ‘Ah, Ms. Weasley, we’ve been expecting you. And Mr. Potter, so wonderful to see you again.’

Harry nodded curtly. ‘Is she okay?’

Ginny was trying to look past the attendant, but he wasn’t moving. He smiled and put his hands up. ‘Everything’s fine.’

‘That’s not how it looks,’ Ginny replied quickly.

He smiled at her. ‘If you’ll take a seat.’

‘Visiting hours are still very much open,’ Ginny commented.

‘I know,’ he replied smoothly. ‘We appreciate your co-operation in this.’

Harry shot him a withering glare, but he continued to smile. Ginny sat down in a huff and Harry slowly sat down next to her. The attendant took a step back then left them entirely. Ginny folded her hands in her lap and tried to control the irritation that was rising. Harry set the bag at his feet and wrapped an arm across her shoulders. ‘Stop worrying, I’m sure it’s fine.’

Ginny glared at him. ‘You’ve been saying that for over a month! Nothing’s changed!’

Harry put his hand over hers. ‘Ginny, you need to calm down.’

She took a few deep breaths. Harry was good at keeping her calm most of the time, but this situation had gotten so horribly out of control, it made her see red. After the longest ten minutes had passed, the last of the nurses left the room. The hospital attendant appeared around the corner. ‘You’re free to visit your friend.’

Ginny didn’t bother wasting words on him, but Harry turned and said, ‘Thanks.’

Ginny pushed through the door and Harry watched her expression turn from worry to elation in moments. The door slammed shut and Harry looked over at the attendant before pushing the door open. He smirked as he opened the door. For the first time in over a month, Hermione was finally awake.

Upon seeing her friend’s eyes open, Ginny closed the short distance between the door and her friend’s bed, embracing her fiercely. She could hear Harry step into the room, shutting the door quietly. She pulled away and studied the other girl’s face. She’d been asleep, virtually comatose, since that fateful night at Hogwarts. She had lost quite a bit of weight in that time, her cheeks were sunken in ever so slightly. Ginny placed her hand over Hermione’s and noticed how thin and frail her friend’s hands and fingers seemed now. But she still had that same smile in her eyes. Ginny shook her head and started to say something, but stopped, utterly overcome with relief and sadness. Hermione gave her a curious look, while Harry stepped forward. ‘It’s good to see you awake again. One-sided conversations have been rather dull.’

Hermione laughed, not able to pull her eyes away from Ginny’s fierce gaze. ‘I appreciated it just the same, Harry. You gave me a lot of interesting news…about Quidditch…thanks…’

Ginny grinned, the sound of Hermione’s laughter brought the relief back to the forefront of her mind, and then she did a double-take. ‘Wait, you could hear us?’

Hermione nodded and Ginny groaned leaning back and pulling away from her. ‘That wasn’t what I wanted to say to you first…I’m really…Merlin, Hermione, I’ve really missed you…’

Hermione nodded and put her hand over Ginny’s slowly. ‘I know…I’m sorry…Ginny…’

She pursed her lips together looking at her friend seriously. ‘I couldn’t ask for a better friend…I know what you did, what you risked…you got attacked and almost died because you wouldn’t let me go…’

Ginny shook her head. ‘Are you mental? You don’t have to thank me for being your friend!’

‘Yes, I do,’ Hermione said slowly. ‘You’ve been by more than Ron.’

‘I’m sure that’s not true,’ Ginny said quickly. ‘Maybe he just hasn’t said anything.’

Hermione grimaced and Ginny pulled away, thinking she’d used too much force. But Hermione shook her head. ‘Even Malfoy has been here more than Ron.’

‘Malfoy? Here?’ Harry asked incredulously. ‘You can’t be serious! I haven’t seen him once!’

Hermione smiled at Ginny before slowly looking at Harry. ‘I’m afraid I am…he kept coming by…I imagine all these flowers are from either you or him.’

Ginny turned and looked around the room. ‘We only brought a few…I figured it was Ron bringing the rest.’

‘No,’ Hermione said slowly. ‘He keeps coming by and apologising…’ She shook her head then glared. ‘If I never see Draco Malfoy in my life again it’ll be too soon.’

Ginny turned and looked at Hermione’s thin hands. ‘You know…Hermione…’

‘Don’t, Ginny. I know what you’re going to say,’ Hermione said flatly. ‘I love you, but I don’t want to hear you tell me, again, how Malfoy saved our lives…he almost got all of us killed.’

Harry nodded approvingly. ‘I can always rely on Hermione to be practical.’

Ginny looked imploringly at Hermione. ‘You were…you seemed so sure of him for so long…’

Hermione shrugged slightly. ‘I was wrong.’

Her eyes lowered and then she looked up with a smirk. ‘At least I didn’t kiss him…and possibly enjoy it.’

Harry took a step back, as if Hermione had hit him. Hermione turned to him. ‘You’re the one who kept saying it; don’t look at me like that.’

Harry glared at the floor and Ginny looked at him sternly. ‘What did you say?’

‘Nothing…really,’ Harry said slowly.

‘Harry.’

‘Ginny?’

‘Stop it! Just tell me! You told Hermione, didn’t you?’ She felt her temper flaring. She should have been elated that her friend was okay, but the sudden realisation that her boyfriend had doubts about her honesty was too grating to ignore.

Harry shifted and crossed his arms. ‘Haven’t you ever heard that phrase, ‘protesting too much’?’

Ginny glared at him and turned back to Hermione, who had an amused expression on her face. ‘I barely denied it. I don’t know why you’re tormenting yourself like this.’

Harry took another step back and sat heavily into a chair, while Ginny continued sitting on Hermione’s bed. He looked out the window, not saying anything. Ginny rolled her eyes and smiled at Hermione. ‘See, nothing’s changed while you’ve been asleep.’

Hermione sighed. ‘How are things at school? Have you taken your NEWTs yet?’

Ginny laughed and even Harry had to smile at that. He lifted the bag from where he was sitting. ‘This is for you, I think.’

‘It is,’ Ginny stated triumphantly. ‘I knew when you woke up you’d want these. All your books with all the lesson plans…you’ve missed a bit while you were ‘out,’ and I know you were ahead, but I don’t think you got that ahead.’

Hermione shook her head slowly, as if it pained her. ‘No, those last few weeks I was too consumed with everything to even study sufficiently. I can’t believe…’

Hermione let her eyes fall down to her hands and Harry cleared his throat. ‘Hermione, it isn’t your fault. None of us knew. I mean, none of us figured it out. Any of it.’

‘That doesn’t make me feel much better, Harry,’ she replied. ‘I should have seen it. I was there every single time the Dementors were. It was you, Ginny, that saved me each time.’

Ginny smiled. ‘You know I’ll always be there to protect you.’

Hermione laughed. ‘I appreciate it…I just wish I’d done a better job figuring things out…it should have been obvious that they were never after you.’

‘Hermione,’ Harry started slowly. ‘That’s foolish. It is logical that they’d come after me and Ginny. Why wouldn’t they? You know I’m rather unpopular with most Death Eaters.’

She smiled and then grimaced. Ginny looked at her sharply. ‘Are you okay?’

Hermione nodded, but her lips became very thin. Harry got up and poured a glass of water. Hermione took the glass with a shaking hand and sipped it. ‘Thanks.’

Ginny looked at her worriedly. Hermione sighed and rested the glass in her lap. ‘Sorry, I’m feeling out of sorts.’

Ginny patted her friend’s leg. ‘I can only imagine! We still don’t know what Draco did to you!’

Hermione narrowed her eyes. ‘Remember that detention? The one where Gaunt had us practicing curses on each other? That’s what he did - he used one of those curses. But he didn’t quite cast it right.’

Ginny turned away. ‘Git.’

Harry sat up. ‘Gaunt had you cursing each other? Did he mean for Malfoy to use that curse later? He knew Malfoy was involved…apparently the whole time.’

Hermione nodded. ‘So you told me…I imagine he did…but I don’t think he realised I’d be targeted…’

‘No,’ Harry relented. ‘He didn’t. He still thought it was one of us.’

Ginny said quietly, ‘She even fooled me. I mean, she came after me when I was in the hospital wing. Who knew Bellatrix would be quite so mad?’

Hermione laughed. ‘She seemed perfectly normal while she was torturing me.’

Ginny smiled. ‘I’m glad your wit hasn’t suffered while you’ve been asleep.’

‘Nothing to do but think,’ Hermione replied, tapping her head. She continued slowly, ‘So, none of this had to do with the ring or locket, they’re just heirlooms…and what was Ron doing there? You never quite told me all of that, Harry.’

He sighed and leaned back. ‘Now that Ron is done crowing over me, I did finally hear it. I think Neville said something to him about seeing you with Malfoy…and I think George…George was just tagging along to keep Ron out of trouble…well, safe.’

Ginny nodded. ‘I am still surprised that Draco told me the truth about that…well, mostly.’

Hermione glared. ‘With him there are only partial truths.’

Ginny started to say something, but stopped. Harry said quietly, ‘It’s good to have you back.’

‘Thanks, Harry. It’s good to be back…’ As if just realising it, she exclaimed, ‘Do my parents know where I am?’

Ginny replied, ‘Merlin, we should owl your parents that you’re awake!’

Harry got up. ‘I’ll do it…they’ve been by a few times.’

‘We sent them an owl a while ago.’ Ginny nodded, patting Hermione’s arm. ‘They’re quite nice…I don’t know why you don’t spend more time with them.’

Hermione smiled. ‘I should…it’s just…there’s the magical world, which is just so amazing, I can’t deny wanting to be here all the time…and the Muggle world is so…different…you know; Harry, you grew up in it.’

He nodded, stepping closer to the bed. ‘Yeah, but they’re really torn up about this…especially after last year.’

Hermione cringed. ‘No one told them about the torture, did they?’

Ginny smiled. ‘No, I would never volunteer that as the first thing I told my best friend’s parents. They asked me to come stay over the summer.’

Hermione arched her eyebrows. ‘I can’t even imagine you in a Muggle house.’

Ginny smiled, the relief carrying her to a sudden cache of happiness. ‘Anything is possible. And Crookshanks and I have been spending a lot of time together.’

Hermione nodded. ‘So you told me…you’re not stealing my cat, Ginny. Harry can get you your own cat.’

Harry sighed. ‘Let me go send that owl…they were not thrilled about all the Patronuses they saw last summer…that was clear.’

Hermione laughed softly. Ginny eyed her warily. ‘Despite being asleep, you look exhausted. Are you okay?’

Hermione looked down. ‘I feel really weak…the nurses were trying to jumpstart my muscles. After a month of disuse…everything hurts…’

Ginny rubbed her friend’s arm. ‘Is there anything we can do?’

Hermione shook her head. ‘Not that I know of.’

Harry neared the door and stopped as it opened. A potted plant was being carried into the room. The person carrying it was almost startled enough to drop it on the floor. Ginny stood up suddenly, upon seeing the look on Hermione’s face. She blocked the person from seeing Hermione. ‘Get out.’

Draco stood stock still then clenched his jaw. ‘Didn’t expect either of you to be here.’

‘Or for me to be awake, finally,’ Hermione volunteered sourly. ‘Get out, Malfoy. There is nothing I have to say to you.’

He looked stung, glaring at the ground. He brought his eyes back to hers, but Harry was not thrilled seeing Draco and took a step towards him. Ginny saw the movement and said quietly, ‘Harry, you’ve hit him enough.’

Harry glared at Draco, though the latter hardly noticed. He glared at Hermione. ‘I risked just as much as they did to keep you alive.’

Hermione shook her head. ‘They didn’t put me in danger in the first place. You attacked me, then you hit Ron with Merlin knows what. If George hadn’t come along, you probably would have killed Ron.’

‘I would not have!’ Draco shot back. ‘I wasn’t going to kill anyone!’

Harry crossed his arms. ‘She asked you to leave; I’m not going to ask you.’

Draco set the plant down. ‘Fine, you can all rot for all I care.’

He turned and headed out of the door, Harry close on his heels. Ginny shot Hermione a worried look before calling, ‘I’ll be right back.’

Ginny ran right into Harry as she stepped away from the closed door. Harry didn’t move, and she peeked around him to see Ron facing off with Draco. The two were glaring hard at one another and Ron hissed something at Draco. When he got no reaction, he threw a punch that was destined to miss. Draco dodged it and knocked Ron on his back.

Harry ran forward, restraining Draco from hitting Ron further. Draco tried to pull out of Harry’s grasp, but Harry turned him away from Ron as the latter slowly got up. ‘She’s awake, you should go say something.’

Ron grunted and got to his feet. ‘We’ve a score to settle, Malfoy.’

‘Name the place and time, you ponce!’ Draco shot back.

Ginny shook her head. Ron nodded at her before pushing the door to Hermione’s room open and hurrying in. Ginny walked over to Harry as he let go of Draco. ‘You shouldn’t have done that, Malfoy.’

He shoved Harry away from him and took a step back. ‘What do you care if I get into a fight with your brother? I know I’ll win.’

‘Why would you fight him for Hermione?’ Ginny asked quietly.

He snarled at her, ‘That isn’t it at all! I couldn’t care less about Granger.’

‘That isn’t what you just said…or explain your actions at all,’ Ginny said, nudging Harry to the side. He was standing as close to her as possible not letting Draco get any closer to her.

Draco glared at Harry and then took another step back. ‘Leave me alone…I’m leaving, alright?’

Ginny shook her head. ‘No, you owe us the truth, Malfoy. About why you really did save our lives, you never said why and I want to know.’

Harry shrugged. ‘It’s like Hermione said, he wanted to be redeemed, to what, I don’t know…you can’t be redeemed to a worthless waste of space.’

‘Harry!’ Ginny admonished, shooting him a reproving glance. ‘Come on, Malfoy. You can’t be…in love with Hermione…there’s nothing like that between you two.’

‘What would you know about it?’ Draco countered. He let his glare waver. ‘I’m not in love with anyone. Not that it’s any of your business. I just…’

He looked around the hallway as if someone were listening and then turned. ‘Forget it. Keep the flowers or toss them, I don’t care.’

He stalked down the hallway. Ginny looked at Harry thoughtfully, but the relief on Harry’s face was clear. She shook her head, disbelieving what she was going to do and hurried after him. ‘Wait!’

Harry groaned behind her and followed. Draco reached the open waiting area and turned. ‘What do you want?’

‘The truth,’ Ginny said simply. ‘You’re not fond of any of us…but you treated us like we…like we were all friends…’

Harry laughed bitterly. ‘He wouldn’t know much about that, he hasn’t got any anymore.’

Draco’s expression hardened and Ginny knew, despite Harry’s callousness, he was right. ‘That’s it, isn’t it?’ Ginny asked quietly. ‘We’re…Malfoy, we’re not friends…we can hardly stand one another.’

Draco laughed. ‘Don’t I know it…and this…’ He gestured to the two of them and towards the hallway where Hermione’s room was. ‘This is the closest thing I have to what passes for friends anymore.’

‘If you hadn’t let your one friend kill himself with his own curse, you’d still have that one,’ Harry pointed out, though received a withering glare from Ginny for it.

He shrugged as she turned back to Draco. He was seething. ‘I know what happened, Potter. I was there. Crabbe cast that curse and wasn’t able to escape it…I know…and I know who to blame for it too!’

Harry rolled his eyes. ‘Me? Like you do with everything else…’

Draco glared hard at him, but replied steadily, ‘No. No, I know who to blame for this and it’s me…they were stupid, I’ll be the first to admit it. But they never should have followed their parents like I did…they should have learned from the mistake I made…’

Ginny looked at him sadly. He had been torturing himself with this truth since it had happened. She could see it in his expression and his tone. He blamed himself for the death of his closest friend. Draco turned away bitterly, but Ginny reached a hand out to him. ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry you had to watch your friend die.’

He shook her hand off and glared. ‘I don’t want your pity!

Ginny could feel Harry closing in on her and nudged him with her elbow. He caught her elbow and pulled her back, away from Draco. She knew he wouldn’t let go now that he’d gotten a hold of her. ‘What do you want? You’re hanging around like we’ve been friends for years…I don’t think Hermione wants to see you again…’

‘She made that very clear,’ Draco replied. ‘I’m taking my NEWTs next week; I can go on and do what I like now.’

‘Which is…?’ Harry asked leadingly.

Draco looked at Harry, his eyes focusing narrowly. ‘Follow in my father’s footsteps…if he’ll let me…’

Ginny asked quietly, ‘When was the last time you two spoke?’

‘When was the last time you punched me, Potter?’ Draco drawled.

Harry smirked. ‘Last week.’

‘I meant right after you two broke up…’ Draco corrected.

Harry nodded. ‘The night at that party? That was…Merlin, I may not know much about parents, but that’s been close on five months!’

‘Six,’ Draco stated simply.

‘The ring…’ Harry said slowly. ‘That’s why you wanted it back, so you could show it to your father.’

Draco nodded. ‘I lost it last year…that, with half a dozen…Look, you got your answers, what do you want?’

Ginny sighed. ‘If you…’

She could feel Harry shaking his head behind her but continued, ‘Malfoy…I’m sure I can say something…more, to Hermione…Ron…you’re on your own there.’

‘Are you…’ Draco look mystified. ‘Are you offering to be my friend?’

His look was both incredulous and angry. Harry grumbled, ‘For some reason she’s being nice to you…I don’t know why…’

Ginny shushed Harry and turned back to Draco. His eyes were downcast. The defiance and anger in Draco would never die and he stood up straighter. ‘Sod off, I don’t need your charity and pity friendship. I’ve been fine on my own and I’ll always be.’

With that he turned and left. Ginny stood there, stunned for a moment before feeling Harry place a hand on her back. ‘That was awfully generous of you to extend our friendship to our mortal enemy…do consult me beforehand next time.’

She turned and gave Harry a tired look. ‘Oh stop. He always seemed so lost…I’ve seen him around Hogwarts lately…he’s…I don’t know, I don’t quite dislike him as much as I used to.’

‘You sure that doesn’t have to do with…’ Harry trailed off and Ginny hit him hard on the arm.

‘Harry! I swear, if I hear you mention that one more time, I’m going to beat you within an inch of your life!’ she railed at him with a playful smile.

He smirked. ‘You don’t have it in you, love.’

She grabbed his arm and pulled him back towards Hermione’s room, forgetting the argument already. “I’m almost angry Ron came when he did…I’m sure they’re having some…alone time…’

‘Maybe we should save her,’ Harry volunteered.

Ginny laughed. ‘Let’s give them another fifteen minutes…besides, we still have to send that owl.’

Harry nodded, stopping them and pulling Ginny the other way. ‘Come on, you can tell me about those try-outs you’re going to on the way.’

‘Oh, Harry…I don’t know…I’ve barely flown in the last few weeks, I don’t know if should go or wait another year…’ she said quietly as they cleared the waiting area and headed to the Owlery in the hospital.

He kissed her quickly and said, ‘You’ll be brilliant! Then I can tell people my girlfriend is on the hottest Quidditch team out there.’

‘Hot as in good or hot as in attractive? I don’t want to give you any other women to ogle at, Harry.’ Ginny poked him playfully as they headed down the hallway.

He grinned. ‘I only have eyes for you, gorgeous.’

Before they turned the next corner, Harry pulled Ginny into the empty stairwell, kissing her fully and away from prying eyes. Ginny wrapped her fingers around his chin, brushing the stubble and said quietly, ‘Good, let’s keep it that way.’

He grinned and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Forever.’