Empty souls

Chapter 15. Her freedom.


Molly immediatly embraced Hermione, crying for happiness and she hugged her back. Ginny was crying too.

“A baby... I can’t believe it...”

“¡Oh, dear!” sobbed Molly “I don’t know what to say... Ron would be proud... so proud.”

Then, Hermione and Molly drew back a bit and like the mother she was, kissed Hermione’s forehead a lost for words. Suddenly, there weren’t any more noises and both women turned to see Ginny... she had her eyes closed and both panicked instantly. The healers and Angelina, that were still inside, hurried when they saw Molly and Hermione calling for the girl on the bed and, once they checked on Ginny, sighed.

“She’s slepping. Don’t worry.” The women let out a breath of relief. “Go get rest, girl” comanded Jacobson at seeing Hermione’s tired face. “You too need your rest.”

She was going to argue but Molly intervened.

“I’ll be here” shooed Molly “You go and do as the healer says. It’s not healthy for you and the baby.” Hermione wasn’t convinced, but the healers reassured her that they’re going to watch over Ginny and defiantly, Angelina dragged her to the door.

& & & & & & & & &

Harry was taking a nap on his spot, which he refused to leave when he, Tonks and Remus heard the hanadle move and instantly they stood up. They saw the door open and Remus approached to it... Angelina exited... and behind her, Hermione... staggering.

Harry stood still... froze on the spot. He couldn’t believe it... and knew why Remus didn’t let him get in.

“Hermione” breathed Harry and she turned to see him but couldn’t catch his sight because she staggered even more and closed her eyes... and fainted.

Fortunately, Remus was close and could catch her before Hermione hit the floor while Angelina screamed and Tonks and Harry shouted calling for the pregnant girl.

Again, the inhabitants ran up stairs to see Remus carring someone in his arms and Harry and Tonks at his sides. Angelina was crying worried by the situation and Fred ran ton her and hugged her. When he saw Hermione in Remus’ arms, shouted her name and everyone were startled.

Wordlessly, Remus carried Hermione to Harry’s room while Tonks and the green-eyed man trailed behind. The rest were about to follow but the female auror stopped them. They began to ask her questions and had to give them an explanation to silence the whole crowd. She scorted them to the parlor downstairs when remus, carring Hermione went inside Harry’s room and, delicatedly, laid her on the mattress of the four poster bed.

“Go get Angelina or a Healer” ordered Remus, but Harry was frozed at seeing Hermione’s unconcious form. Remus turned to him and shook him furiously. “¡Harry! ¡Go!” This brought him back to reality and ran out.

Seconds later, Healer Jacobson was crossing the threshold of the room with Harry in tow. Immediatly, he checked Hermione’s body moving and flickering his wand over her. In silence, Remus and Harry waited on the other side of the bed. The examination ended and the healer woke her up. She fluttered her eyes open and blinked a few times. She was about to sit but the healer pushed her back gently.

“Don’t. Lay here. I suggest you to sleep. You’re too weak, child. ¿Were you checked before?”

“Yeah” replied Hermione whispering “In Hogwarts... Madame Pomfrey. ¿What happened?”

“You fainted” answered remus and Hermione turned in the direction of the voice and saw Harry looking back at her worriedly. When the healer spoke again, the girl looked back at him. “In your surrent state you should be sleeping already, and_”

“I know, I know” interrupted Hermione trying to shut him up.

“¿State? ¿What state?” asked Harry more worried than before.

“¿Don’t they know?” asked the healer to the girl, but before anyone could say a word, Remus approached Jacobson.

“No, not yet please.” Said Remus hurriedly. “Later. I’ll be sure that Hermione get a proper sleep. Thank you.”

Defeated, the healer shrugged and left the room. Remus closed the door while Harry ran to Hermione’s side and bent down to hug her. The contact of Harry’s body made Hermione feel a warmth that she hadn’t felt before... not even with Ron.

“¡Gods, Hermione!” Harry’s voice was muffled by her chesnut hair and the girl shivered at his hot breath. “¿Why did you leave me? ¿Why? ¿Why?”

“Stop it, Harry.” Remus’ voice was so stern that the green-eyed released Hermione to look in shock at the marauder. “You heard the healer already... she needs rest.”

“But ¿Why_”

“Tomorrow” interrupted Hermione and Harry looked at her. Frowning, he agreed.

“Then, I’ll stay here at your side” and he did. Hermione positioned herself in the middle of the bed under the blankets and almost immediatly, fell asleep. Harry sat on the bed at her side and Remus brought a chair on the other side of the bed. ‘I can’t believe she’s here’ thought harry while stroking the brown curled hair on Hermione’s head sweetly ‘Thanks Mum, Dad, Ron... thanks for bring her back to me’. Then Harry remembered the incident of Ginny’s room and stared at the marauder, that remained silent for several minutes. “¿How’s Ginny?”

“I don’t know...” replied Remus morosely. “Angelina should know, though...”

“You’d brought Hermione back, ¿hadn’t you? ¿When?”

“Before Molly’s scream.”

“¿Why don’t you woke me up?”

“You were tired... Tonks told us.”

“That’s not an excuse.” At this comment, Remus shuggred. Harry was going to say something again but the marauder stopped him.

“Harry, stop the interrogation in this right moment.” Harry glared at him, but Remus didn’t mind. “I’m tired, you’re tired, all of us are... wait until morning, ¿Would you?”

Harry had to admitted tha man had a point. Tired and defeated, he nodded and laid all his body on the bed over the blankets next to Hermione’s side facing her. Remus watched this and smiled sadly, stood up and tranformed the chair into a folding stool. He was almost lying down, when Tonks, quietly, came inside and watched at the two bodies on the bed... and smiled. Then, spotted Remus, who motioned for her to lie down with him and wordlessly did. The marriage fell asleep but Harry wasn’t. He’s wondering what had happened but contented to know and feel Hermione at his side, and before he too fell, he whisperd.

“I love you, ‘Mione.”

& & & & & & & & & & & &

Dawn came over London and Hermione woke up by hot breath in her face. When she opened her eyes, had to blink a few times to get her thoughts together... Harry was deep asleep and his face was inches from hers. She was tempted to kiss those pouting lips of his, that seemed to beg for hers... to place them together... she was so entrance for the hypnosis of his lips... but resisted scolding herself for think that way. ‘No... ¿How can I think on kiss him while Ginny is dying? ¡Harry would get mad... I wouldn’t see him with straight face ever again!’ Hermione sighed and, slowly, carefully enough to not wake him up, moved out of the bed and looked at the other side: Remus and Tonks were pressed together on the little folding stool covered by a blanket, hugging one another. ‘They look so peaceful... so in love...’ thought Hermione feeling that the rest of her life would never have what Remus and Tonks had. She shook her head to get rid of sad thoughts and walked out of the room in silence.

Five minutes later, when she walked out of the bathroom in the second floor, Hermione went downstairs to the firts floor and approached Ginny’s room, knocked twice and waited for an answer. The door was opened by Angelina and she went out.

“Shhh” silenced the girl with a gesture “Molly and Ginny are sleeping.”

“¿How’s she?”

“Same... her breaths are laboured but at least she doesn’t cough anymore. Come with me.” Said closing Ginny’s door and both girls made their way to the stairs. “Molly told me that you were going to come and gave me orders to feed you.” Both girls smiled and descended.

When they reached the kitchen, Hermione asked seriously.

“¿The others know that I’m here?

“Sure they know.” Replied Angelina placing a teapot on the stove “They saw you fainted in Remus’ arms.”

“¿Do they know I’m_”

“¿Pregnant?” interrupted Angelina “No. Tonks told me to be quiet.” She began to fry eggs and beacon while slicing the bread “¿When are you going to tell them?”

“I don’t know... ¿Where are they?”

“They all went back to sleep two hours ago” she paused to remove the teapot and served the tea in two mugs “so ¿How’re you feeling?”

“I don’t know... sad maybe. Tormented.”

“I mean the baby, silly... ¿How do you feel?”

“Well” replied Hermione blushing “actually I feel good... it’s... I don’t know” she smiled shyly “It’s so early to really feel something... at least I don’t feel nauseaus anymore” both girls giggled.

“I’m so happy for you...” Angelina stopped because they heard someone walking in their direction. The door opened to reveal Luna and Neville. Both gasped and ran to Hermione and hugged her entusiastically.

“Thank God you’re ok” whispered Luna.

“You gave us a good scare, Hermione.” Scolded Neville shyly.

“Stop it, you two.” Growled Angelina “She’s eating... let her breath.”

“¡Oh! Sorry.” Murmured Neville releasing Hermione and sitting directly across her, Luna at his side.

“You look paled... I hope it’s not for the nargles... once they pinched you_”

“Not now, love.” Interrupted Neville and she was about to protest when more people came in. Bill, Fleur, Kate and the twins cheered to see Hermione and hugged her almost at the point of squeezing her and, again, Angelina had to go in her aid.

“¡She’s eating, damn it!” shouted half-heartedly “¡You’re squashing her! ¡She’s recovering!”

“Sorry” mumbled everyone. Fleur hurriedly helped Angelina to prepare breakfast while the rest were getting the table ready.

They were eating in silence, just crossing a few words of support. Last night Tonks gave them a lecture about leaving Hermione alone about the subject of her escape and the battle for her sake almost at the point of yelling.

& & & & & & & & & & & &

When Harry woke up, was because someone was shaking his body lightly and he stirred a bit mumbling... and couldn’t feel Hermione’s body when he stretched an arm. Startled, he sat, visibly alarmed looking everywhere and he discerned Molly at his side.

“¡Harry!” exclaimed Molly scared of his reaction. “¿Wha_”

“¿Where’s Hermione?” asked Harry worriedly.

“She’s in the kitchen... everyone is there eating breakfast” Harry let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding “Come, Harry. You need to eat too.”

“¿How’s Ginny?”

“She just woke up. The healers are there, with her.”

“I’m going to_”

“No, Harry” scolded Molly placing her hands on her hips, glaring at him daring to challenge her. “You, young man, are going to the kitchen and that’s final.”

Harry couldn’t see the point in arguing and frowning abeyed. When he and Molly reached the kitchen, everyone was silent... and Hermione was washing the dishes when she felt eyes on the back of her head. She was fighting the urge to turn and see... though, she pretty well knew that it was Harry who was looking at her, so she didn’t turn.

When Hermione finished, picked up a towel and casually turned to the rest and gave a quick glance around the kitchen, and then spotted Harry looking back at her... each movement... each feature... with longing in his eyes. Hermione blushed lightly and Harry smiled tenderly adn diverted his stare to the waiting food.luna and Neville excused themselves and left the kitchen in the direction of Ginny’s room with a tray of food. Hermione too was about to follow them when Harry stopped her.

“Wait, Hermione.” Harry called and Tonks and Remus shared a knowing look. Hermione turned to see her friend stuffing hurriedly his food making tha girl smile at his antics. Harry excused himself and ran to her side. “¿Can we talk?”

“Harry_”

“¿Please?” he interrupted staring at her eyes pleadingly.

“Ok” agreed Hermione and sighed resignatedly.

Harry led her holding her hand with his until they reached the library just down the hall. The feel of his touch, even when it was friendly, send shivers down Hermione’s spine. She felt like a hole was just ripping her stomach at the thought of being both alone... and scary to think of what they were going to talkt about. So, when they finally went inside the library, Harry placed in the whole room a silencing and locking charm and they took a seat in a comfy couch. They stared to one another until Harry spoke.

“¿Why did you leave? I was so worried... you don’t know how much.” His voice was a reproachful one and filled by sadness. Hermione diverted her stare. “I thought I had lost you... I wouldn’t forgive myself if... ¿Why did you leave?”

“I... I was scared.”

“¿Of what?”

“Of the thought... that you all hated me.”

“¿Why would we possibly hate you?” asked Harry confussed, puzzled because, to him, sounded like a lame excuse.

“Ron’s death.” Whispered the girl.

Then, Harry understood and closed his eyes at the thought of his friend... his best friend... his brother in almost every sense of the word.

“He died on me” broke Hemrione the silence, fighting the urge to cry helpless “and I couldn’t help it... I felt so ashamed... so hopeless... so powerless... I thought that would be best if I just desapered... but the pain never left and then... I found out about Ginny... and I just had to use the time turner...”

“¡¿What?!” exclaimed Harry. He wasn’t told about that and when Hermione explained how she found out... and told him what she did... adn the fight in St.Mungo’s... why she took Ginny’s place... and stopped. She feared Harry’s reaction if she let him know what happened next. Fortunately, they were interrupted. Two sound of apparition made a halt between them and Harry was pissed when he saw Remus and Tonks... and then, another apparition was heard: Mad-eye.

“I should had known.” Commented Mad-eye smirking.

Harry glared at the three adults before him and pinched the crook of his nose in anoyance.

“It’s rude to come in before knocking the door. ¿Do you three know that?”

“Lad, I don’t give a shit.”

“¡Alastor!” scolede Remus and Hermione escandalized. Tonks just shook her head laughing quietly. Mad-eye grunted and crossed his arms over his chest defiantly and Harry opened his mouth to argue but Remus stopped him. “We need to, Harry. We’re here to support Hermione.”

“¿Wha_”

“Hermione” ignored Remus interrupting Harry and began to tlak to the girl who immediatly had her attention at the werewolf. “¿What did you tell him?”

“Just when Lucius Malfoy and I traveled on the portkey.”

Remus frowned. Tonks sat beside Hermione and placed an arm over her shoulders.

“Then, please, continue... we’re here, Hermione.”

Hermione paled at the prospect but she knew that one way or another, sooner or later, she would tell Harry what had happened. So, mustering and gathering her Gryffindor sourage, continued her story. By the time she related when Avery and Lucius chained her to the bed in Malfoy Manor, she was tremblking furiously and her voice was cracking. Harry visibly paled when he heard that the death-eaters touched her and were planning to rape her and got mad beyond belief. His hands, even when were trembling, had them in tight fists, making his knuckleswhitening at the preasure and his face from paled turned into a bit red, his featuresd gave notice of ihs increasing rage. But Hermione didn’t stop. She related how she was saved... and how she killed Lucius Malfoy. When she finished, broke in sobs, her whole body was shaking but she did not revel her pregnancy yet.

Harry didn’t speak but almost tackled Hermione when he flung himself to her body and hugged her tightly.

“¡NO!” shouted Tonks, Remus and Mad-eye and Harry was startled, releasing Hermione at once.

“¡She’s still recovering, Harry!” reprimanded Tonks lifting the charms around the place.

“Hermione” said Remus and her red adn wet eyes looked at him “yesterday Mad-eye and Tonks were with Scrimgeour and they wnat to tell you something.” Hermione’s eyes filled with horror.

“¡They’re going to send me to Azkaban!” she stood up scared and pace the room “¡No! ¡I don’t want to!”

“Calm down, dear.” Called Tonks worried.

“¡I knew it!” shouted Hermione outraged “¡I knew I just needed to escape! ¡I know that I should had leave again! ¡I know now! ¡I’m so stupid!” she stomped her foot on the carpet. Remus carefully began to approach her but she walked backwards adn ran for the door, but Mad-eye caught her before she could “¡Let me go!” struggled against Mad-eye but he was stronger and when she made a last effort, her world turned black. She fainted in Mad-eye’s arms.

Without thinking it through twice, Tonks dissaparated and Harry ran to Hermione. Between him and Mad-eye, laid her limp body on the couch.

“¿Why is she fainting?... ¡Twice in less than twelve hours! ¿What’s happening?” demanded Harry, never his eyes leaving Hermione’s form.

“That’s only up to her.”

“¿What do you mean?”

Remus and Mad-eye remained quiet avoiding Harry’s eyes. Then they heard footsteps getting close hurriedly and instants later, Tonks and healer Jacobson got in... Molly right behind. Remus, Mad-eye and Harry were pushed to the other side of the roomby Tonks while Molly and the healer checked on Hermione. Then, they woke her up. She seemed to be lost at firts, but then she remembered her panic and tried to get up, though she couldn’t. The healer prevented it immovilizing her body with magic.

“If you keep fighting, I’m going to bound you ¿Do you get it?” scolded the healer but Hermione cried. Jacobson turned to the audience and lectured them.

While this happened, Molly tried to sooth Hermione with her calming words. When the healer finished his reprimand, he left the library annoyed and moments later, molly followed behind, returning to Ginny’s room. Again, everytihng went quiet and Harry approached to Hermione placing a hand in one of her cheeks, looking down at her with worried eyes. Had he been thinking to ask something, he couldn’t because Mad-eye spoke.

“You look like a little kid, Granger. It’s not good for your health.” Hermione glared at him, but didn’t comment.

“I’ll tell you because Mad-eye comments are a bit... harsh and out of place.” Smiled Tonks saying this “Ministry staff, including Minister Scrimgeour, investigated the Manor, but half of it was burned down... including the room where Remus and Mad-eye found you. Few hours later, when they found Avery’s body, they found Malfoy’s too... both almost in ashes... When the experts analized Malfoy’s body didn’t find magic or any other way that could tell he was murdered. Before we went to your rescue, every and each one of the people that were there with us, swore to never mention your name.”

“So” continued Mad-eye “The ministry doesn’t know about your presence there... therefore your actions. Non of us will say a word” for the second time in their lives, Harry and Hermione saw Alastor ‘Mad-eye’ Moody smile... and his features contorted in what seemed to be a happy face.

“You do not deserve to be judge for any crime... because there wasn’t... it was justice, Hermione.” Said Tonks reassuringly.

“¿Are you sure?” asked a dishelved Hermione. Tonks and Mad-eye shared a look and, smiling, turned to Hermione and her eyes were shinning with hope.

“You have our word” the tone in Mad-eye voice was full of confidence and Tonks nodded vigorously, raised her wand and lifted the freezing charm over Hermione’s body. Harry, still kneeling before Hermione, bent down and kissed her on the cheek smiling.

“You’re free.”



A/N: I know I took my time... sorry. I’ll try to update soon. It happens that I’m writing other two stories and happens to be good... well, my readers said so (shrugg). Anyway, thank you for read this one, even if my errors are awfully confusing. My beta hasn’t wrote back, so you’ll need to wait for the edited chapters a bit longer than expected. Thank you for your support and please...


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