Empty souls

Chapter 16. The last words.

After the talk, Harry carried Hermione to his room to give her a proper sleep... and Remus was with them. Both were aware of the werewolf presence and didn’t say anything. Obviously, no one filled Harry in about Hermione’s condition. ‘That ‘s up to her’ thought Remus smiling at her face. She never said about her feelings towards the green-eyed man that was laying her on his bed, but in her eyes was the truth. Once Remus made sure she was well cared, excused himself and left. He felt like it was his responsability both Harry and Hermione at the absence of both their parents... even if they now are adults in more than one sense.

“I don’t know why you’re fainting do frecuently” commented Harry in a tone that made clear that he’ll find out. “I figured that it’s because of what you get through.”

“I’m sorry if I made you worry” Hermione avoided Harry’s inquiry, blushing... and he sensed it.

“I don’t know if you want to tell me what else is going on... but I think that I’ll wait.” Hermione only nodded. Harry, half defeated, sighed resignatedly and bent down to kiss her cheek. ‘It’s too much kissing’ thought Hermione blushing even more but there was an interruption; someone knocked the door and before neither of them could reply, the door opened. It was Molly.

“Harry, dear...” she looked dishelved and stopped when she saw them in a compromised position. Since they weren’t doing anything out of place (and honestly... they’re adults), Molly relaxed a bit and approached the two youngsters. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Ginny want to talk with you.” Harry stood up immediatly and Hermione tensed.

“¿Is something wrong?” asked aworried Harry.

“Mmmh... I don’t know... she just told me to come and get you... please.”

“Sure” he replied and turned to Hermione “Get some sleep... you need it.” And left with Molly without another word. When the door closed behind them, Hermione felt like crying. Any thought of sleep was now gone from her mind. She felt something on the air... like a change... like the air just densed in the whole house.

& & & & & & & & &

When Harry and Molly finally reached Ginny’s room, the twins and Bill were leaving, their faces said it all: Ginny was worse. Not paying attention to anything else, he went in, Molly right behind.

Ginny wasn’t crying but it was obvious that she was for a while because her eyes were swollen and her paleness everpresent now. Harry approached to her silently. When she saw him, she padded the bed she was in and he sat exactly there and stroke her face gently, afraid to damage her delicate skin.

“Mum, please” called Ginny softly and Molly approached too “Mum, leave us alone, please. I would like to talk with him without interruption.” Molly was going to argue, but thought twice. She didn’t want to let her side, but it was the request of her dying daughter and lowering her face, agreed and left.

“¿How’re you feeling?” asked Harry still caressing her face. His touch was gentle and she closed her eyes for a moment.

“I don’t know exactly” she answered after a few sedonds, her eyes opened and stared into his. She coughed a bit, but this time it seemed like it wasn’t worse... like she was recovering. Harry was scared and about to call for help but Ginny captured his arm and made him a sign to not leave. When she controled her coughs, breathed deeply a few times and began to talk again “Don’t go. I’m ok now. This can’t wait any longer. Please, don’t go.”

“I won’t.” With this, Ginny smiled and again, her breaths came normal. “You know... you can’t lie to me” Harry kneeted his brows but didn’t commented “I just wanted to give you your freedom... I want to end our engagement.”

“¡¿What?! ¿Why?” Harry was startled at this revelation.

“Don’t be surprised, Harry. You deserve happiness... both of you.”

“¿Both? ¿Who?”

“Both... you and Hermione.”

“¿What are you talking about?”

“I’m not going to be around in circles, Harry... I know you love her... don’t deny it. I know.”

“But I told you tha-”

“Please, Harry. Don’t make me look like a fool because I’m not.” Harry looked at her with fear in his emerald eyes, but Ginny wasn’t scared or angry, more likely resigned to that fact. She knew... all the time. “I was blind... or I must say I made myself blind... you was and are in love with Hermione. If you deny it, then you’re lost because I’m not the only one who noticed it... Ron knew it too... he never told me, but his eyes said it all. He loved her too. He confessed it to me few days before the battle... about how Hermione looked at you and I told him that he was imagining things. I thought about it and realised that it was true.”

Harry couldn’t believe it. His brain wasn’t processing it but his heart was screaming at him that it was true, that he would be fine, even if these thought made him sad at the same time. Though, he was trying to deny it. “No, that’s not true. Hermione loved Ron.”

“I’m sure of that... but not in that sense.”

“But... she... she can’t... you’re worse that I was thinking... I’m going to fetch Molly and-”

“¡Harry, please! ¡Stop it!” exclaimed Ginny. She was trying to say everything she had, and Harry’s stubborness wasn’t makingit easy. “Let me finish.”

“But-”

“No, Harry” interrupted the red-head again “I want to say this once and for all... and I want you to listen... is all that I ask... please...” her breaths were irregular and had to make pauses to regain control; her lungs were making a great effort een as damaged as they were. Harry didn’t know though.

He was scared. He didn’t want to hear anymore, afraid of what ginny wanted to go with this conversation... because this meant that she’ll talk... for the last time. Which it was, and that’s why Ginny wanted to talk. “Please Ginny, don’t.”

“I have to, Harry... I ought to... I need to... please, listen... I know I was selfish and it took my condition to realised this... and I want to free you and your forgiveness. I’ll be gone shortly and I wish to leave things clear as possible.” Harry’s eyes were everywhere but hers, ahsamed that she finally discovered what his heart was hiding. Ginny took his chin and moved it a bit until his face was almost upon hers. “Look at me” asked Ginny gently, and slowly, he obeyed. “You love Hermione... and I’m sure she loves you back... before Lucius Malfoy took her, she said ‘give my love to everyone... specially Harry’” Ginny made a pause to see his reaction adn his eyes were shinning with tears “In that moment I knew my error... I realised my and Ron’s mistake... I blinded myself and my best friend was going to die for a fake love... I love you, Harry... I love you so much that it hurts... Upon everything my love is eminent... and there’s nothing I can do to change it... but upon that, is your happiness... even if that happiness it’s not me. I gave into you... and you made me happy, happier than ever, that noon in your room... was the most precious thing you could have done for me, even if it wasn’t love.”

“But I love you, Gin.”

“I know... but not in the way I would’ve liked it. And even that... you made me happy... I wanted to tell you that. Don’t feel pity... don’t be ashamed... don’t blame yourself... everything happens for a reason.” Ginny stopped to breath. She was forcing herself adn for a moment the air in her lungs failed. Harry was speechless and felt powerless to do anything. At last, she could muster her next words. “Tell me the truth... answer me honestly... ¿Do you leve Hermione?... I want you to say it.”

“Yes” he answered looking back into her eyes. “I love her.”

Ginny sighed and nodded satisfied. “Mum’s out there... please, tell her to bring Hermione here.”

“¿What? ¿Why?” Harry asked dreading, not wanting to do that.

“Please, Harry, just do it.” Pleaded Ginny and sighing stood up and did. Both were silent while Hermione was on her way. “I’m going to talk with her and I want you right where you are... don’t interrupt anything I ought to say... ¿do you understand?”

“Yes.”

(play Home – Depeche mode)

A moment later Harry and Ginny heard a knck on the door and it opened. Molly went in and behind her was Hermione worried. Molly was just leaving but Ginny asked for her to say and she agreed. Hermione ran to Ginny and kneeled before her friend.

“¿Are you alright? ¿Why did you call for me? ¿Do you_”

“Please, Hermione, shut up.” Interrupted Ginny giggling softly “It’s just... that I want you to hear me, now that you’re finally here.” She extended a hand to Hermione and she took it carefully “¿Do you know that you’re like the sister I never had?”

Hermione nodded. Not once turned to see Harry even when she felt his eyes on her. The only thing crossing her mind was the walth of her almost sister. “And you know that I love you like the sister I never had, ¿Don’t you?” Ginny smiled and nodded.

“I want to confess.”

“¡Oh, please! Don’t... you don’t have to...”

“I ought you... I ougth to confess you... I felt jealous... of you.”

“¿Of me?” giggled Hermione nerviously and puzzled at the same time “¿Why? You’re pretty and smart... I-”

“Please, Hermione” interrupted Ginny again and was getting impatient “If any of you don’t let me speak I’m going to hex you both... and I don’t want to harm you, ‘Mione... and you know very well why.”

‘Ginny doesn’t want to hurt her... but it’s ok if she hurt me’ Harry thought suspiciously. ‘¿Why all of a sudden are they so worried for Hermione?’

“Sorry.” Mumbled Hermione.

“Well... first of all, and as I was saying, I wanted to confess you that I felt jealous of you, not your beauty or intelligence... but for being you... because you’re special, and Ron knew it too... it’s just that he was stupid...”

“¡Ginevra Weasley!” scolded Molly scandalized.

“Sorry, mum... but you know that I’m telling the truth” Ginny stopped to breath again, swallowing the air deeply. “Now, I want to say more... you were a good friend and still are... that so you were willing to give your life for me... and I was so selfish that you were about to die for things that weren’t truth... because I don’t deserve a friend like you.”

“Don’t say that.” Pleaded Hermione.

“¿Do you know why were you going to die in the hads of that bastard?” Molly scowled but Ginny didn’t mind “Because you thought that saving me, you would save Harry and at the same time your conscience would’ve be cleansed of what you thought it was your fault: Ron’s death... AND” Ginny had to exclaim because Hemrione was going to refute that statement. “let me tell you this... you weren’t going to save Harry and me... nor clean your soul because it wasn’t your fault that Ron died. Mum already told you last night: Ron gave up his life because he loved you and I’m sure he would do it again if he were here... in the end I’m going to die, no matter what... perhaps it’s my time to go... please, don’t cry” begged Ginny. Hermione was sobbing silently and a few tears were running down her cheeks. “Don’t cry because not Ron, nor me deserve it. It’s a waste, really.”

“Please, Ginny... stop.” Begged Hermione. Her heart was cracking slowly only to hear her talking like that. Molly was crying too on the other side of her bed.

“I need to tell you this, Hermione... because it’s my conscience that has to be cleaned... you need to know the truth... I know... I... I know your feelings... even if you never give them voice... I want you to tell me that you love Harry.” He gulped and turned to see Hermione’s widened eyes, but recovered almost instantly.

“¡Of course I love him!... ¡He-he’s my bestfriend!”

“No, Hermione... you love him... your love for him is not for a friend... and you know it.”

Hermione was tempted to look at Harry’s face but resisted, her eyes were staring Ginny’s blue ones. She smiled knowingly at her. She wasn’t angry or scared... Ginny’s eyes were full of sadness.

“You’re seeing things, Ginny-”

“Don’t deny it” demended the red-head girl “I know... and I’m not angry with you or him, really.”

“Please, Ginny...”

“Just accept it... Harry already did.”

This time, Hermione had to see him straight in the face hut he had his eyes shut facing everywhere but her. He sighed and opened them, and slowly, turned to face her. Both saw the love that professed for one another, speechless seeing for the first time their true feelings and both hearts broke... more for the fact that Ginny realised it. She brought tham back to reality.

“Say it, Harry... say what you said to me.” But he couldn’t... not infront of her, and Ginny sighed “She’ll need you, Harry. Hermione...” the girl looked back at the read-head girl “I assume that you hadn’t told him yet.”

“¿Tell me what?” asked Harry intrigued looking from Ginny to Hermione, to Ginny again and she extended her hand to them and sit on th bed. Harry and Molly helped her. “stand up, Hermione” ordered Ginny whispering.

And she did. Slowly, Hermione stood up before Ginny and she spread her arms to reach Hermione’s waist and hugged her lightly, than she did something that no one expected... Ginny took tha hem of Hermione’s shirt and lifted it up a bit, revealing her abdomen and she place a light kiss right there. The brown-haired girl was still looking at the ill girl who placed a hand over her belly, caressing softly. Molly smiled sadly but remained silent. Harry opened his mouth in genuine surprise, atonished at what he was seeing. Ginny looked at him with her palm on Hermione’s belly, smiling.

“They’ll need you, Harry... Hermione and the baby she’s carring inside...”

All the air in his lungs vanished. In the moment Ginny said that, all the emotions in him crashed like a stampeed of runaway horses. His eyes swerved from Ginny to Hermione’s face, looking for an explanation to the actions of the red-head girl. Harry’s disbelieving eyes made Hermione felt a hole in the pitch of her stomach... dread and sadness overwhelming her, thinking that Harry didn’t accept her state.

“You... you’re pregnant” whispered Harry and the first tear left his eyes. Hermione bit her bottom lip, never leaving Harry’s green eyes, gulped and nodded. Not knowing what to do, he coverd his face with his now sweating hands, thinking of Ron... and what he had left behind. He felt dirty and ashamed for loving Hermione when now, at his eyes, she was out of his reach. At the same time, Hermione felt this like a rejection and couldn’t help but cry. All the feelings within her were too overwhelming and trying to supress her sobs began to shake. Now, Ginny was the one to worry when she felt her friend about to collapse. Molly, scared, ran to help the pegnant girl to support her when she saw Hermione loosing her balance.

“¡Hermione!” exclaimed Ginny and Harry instantly ran to her aid when Hermione’s knees faltered and caught her before she hit the floor.

“Here, Harry” oredered Molly “on the bed” signaling the bed next to Ginny’s.

“No” said Ginny “here... next to me.”

Harry and Molly hesitated but Hermione not quite unconcious, agreed nodding and Harry carried her while Ginny gave her space enough on her bed. At the moment she was placed at her side, Ginny hugged her.

“I’m sorry” cried Ginny and her friend hugged her back “I didn’t know you were so weak.”

“It’s ok” whispered Hermione “Pomfrey said it would happen.” Then she turned to see Harry who was looking back a ther with sad clouding his beautiful green eyes “Thank you.” He just smiled a bit. The raw of emotions were impossible to describe.

“Promise me, Harry...” Ginny said looking into his face full of seriousness “that you’ll look out for her and the baby. They’ll need you.”

“Ginny... don’t... don’t say that.”

“Please, Harry... you love her... and she loves you, you’ll be happy... and I’ll be too. It’s stupid that you both keep denying it... I’m sure that Ron would ask the same. He knew, after all, that shes loves you back. Don’t feel ashamed. I want you both together... you’re meant to be... and I accept it... you may as well accept it. Mum’s my witness... and I know she’ll support you.”

“¿You know?” mediate Molly placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder “Ginny’s right” with her other hand caught Hermione’s and sighed “You’ll need each other now. Ron would have like it” surprisingly, Molly stopped crying but her motherly face gave them notice that she agreed with Ginny.

“Promise me, Harry...” whispered Ginny and shook her head “no, swear to me, Harry, that you and Hermione will break the barriers of the past... that you’ll look out for her and my nephew or niece... that you’’l love her” Ginny extended her hand to Harry and he took it, feeling her fevered hand on his. Then, she turned to the girl next to her “Hermione” and she turned to Ginny’s voice and saw her blue eyes with tears “swear to me that you and Harry will brake the barriers of the past... that you’ll look out for him and your baby... that you’ll love Harry” Ginny sobbed grabbing Hermione’s other hand. Slowly, the ill girl joined their hands. Harry and Hermione held their hands on the air and his squeezed hers affectionally; the touch was comfrting and unload them sparks of magic that were invisible to anyone but them. Both had their eyes locked to one another telling them all that were feeling at the moment. Harry and Hermione smiled lightly.

“I swear” said Harry without hesitation, never leaving Hermione’s eyes.

“I swear” replied Hermione without hesitation, not once braking eye contact with him.

“Thank you” whisperd Ginny, glad to make them realise what they were missing. She was crying silently. “I love you both... mum.” Molly was crying too, and when Ginny called for her, she ran to her side.

“Yes, sweetie. I’m here.”

“Hug me.” Whisperd Ginny sobbing and Molly hugged her with all the love she had, trying to give her the comfort she knew her daughter needed. Harry and Hermione released their hands and looked at Ginny worriedly “I’m so... happy...” her breath was laboured and erratical and they feared the worst. “I... I’ll tell dad... and Ron... and Charlie... that now... everything’s... right.”

“Ginny...” whispered Hermione carresing her hair. Harry approached Ginny and wipped off her tears in silence.

“I’m ok... I just... need to... close my... eyes... I’m tired.”

Molly was sobbing, hugging her daughter for dear life. “I-I love you, Ginny.”

“I love you, Gin.” Whispered Harry, his tears falling over Hermione’s head.

“I-I love y-you, Ginny...we all love y-you” whispered Hermione, kissing her sweating forehead.

“So... do I” and Ginny closed her eyes. At first, her breath was slowly, like she was sleeping, but moments later she sighed... letting out her last breath... and she breathed no more... and Molly felt it.

“Ginny” whisperd Molly, the tone of her voice was of fear and horror “Ginny, dear...”

“Ginny, wake up... Ginny” whispered Hermione furiously and sat on the bed, grabbed her shoulders and squeezed her lightly “Ginny...? Don’t leave us... please.”

Molly didn’t say anymore, but hugged Ginny’s body with all her might, crying sobbing and shaking. She knew... she knew that Ginny couldn’t heard them and let out all her feelings with her tears. Hermione kept calling for her friend, though, she too knew that it was no use and let Harry hug her, both crying their eyes out... mourning for their friend and companion. Ginny’s face was paled, but her features were doft, like she was having the best dream of her life.



A/N: I don’t know if it was ok or not, I just know I cried while writing this chapter... I shared Molly’s mourning like it was my own daughter... and couldn’t stop crying. Well... no matter how sad this is, please tell me if you like it.

Read and Review.