Empty souls

Chapter 18. Empty souls.

“I have something to tell you all.” Said Hermione once the breakfast was over the next morning. She knew it was time to tell them what she had been hiding. It’s not like she would do it forever. Harry and Hermione talked about that in the morning as soon as they woke up, more for request of Harry than anything else. She was hesitant at first, but agreed when Harry told her that he was going to be there for her... always.

“What you say?” questioned Harry “I think it’s better if we all go to the parlor.” Molly smiled. She knew this was coming. She saw the nervous on Hermione’s face when she entered the kitchen.

Enlarging the couches and appearing or conjuring a few chairs, they all sat in the parlor of Black Manor. The only ones that were absent were Remus, Tonks and Mad-eye, though they already knew. They were making rounds around London and around Great Britain, searching for the remaninig Death-eaters.

When Hermione saw that everyone were comfortable, she took a chair that Harry placed specially for her facing all presents. From her perch, she saw Angelina smiling at her. Harry was at her right side looking down at her with the same smile Angelina was giving her and then, spotted Molly at the end of the circle of chairs: her eyes were still swollen as were Hermione’s. At last, they cried... just what they had needed.

“I don’t know...” said Hermione hesitantly and cleared her throat “I really don’t know how to say this... I know that probably I should’ve said it before... but I was afraid... the day I left, I did it because I was scared. Scared of you all... I’d thought that you hated me for Ron’s death... I blamed myself... I still am. Please, don’t” called Hermione when Bill and the twins opened their mouths to argue “don’t interrupt me. I need to say this... He sacrificed himself for me. A death-eater, namely Lucius Malfoy, threw me the killing curse but Ron... Ron took the shoot instead... and I saw him die” a tear leaked down from her eyes “and for that I beg you now for forgiveness, because is the least I can do. Although, that wasn’t my only reason.”

She stopped talking, she was sobbing silently and couldn’t continue. But Molly stood up and walked where she was, placing a hand on Hermione’s left shoulder. When Hermione lifted her eyes at hers, she saw a twinkle like Dumbledore’s. Harry placed his hands in her other shoulder and sh eturned to see him: love, that’s what she saw in his emerald eyes, pure and uncorrupted love. Then, the air in the room felt instantly dense... but not like it was full of fear or apprehension. It was an odd sensation... like there were more people around. They weren’t alone... not spiritually at least. Hermione breathed deeply and let it out.

“I don’t think I have to justify my actions... any and everyone of them, did it with conviction. I don’t regret what I’ve done... in the end, I assured myself to get rid of Ron’s murderer because he took away who should be here... Lucius Malfoy, for his sins, is dead. I’d ran away like a coward... and I came back for revenge...” Hermione looked closely her hands, they’re trembling and swaeting “The death-eaters were going to kill Ginny... I dont’ dare to fill you how they would’ve do it... and to prevent it, I took Ginny’s place...

“ she scolded me” laughed Hermione bitterly “she said that it wasn’t worth it, because she would die anyway... but I never told her now she would die... and even when I couldn’t stopp her death, I gave her more time to say goodbye properly” By now, everyone let out silent tears “I’m sorry for not being able to save Ron’s and Ginny’s lives, but... I want your support. The night I came here, I revelaed to her my secret... the source of my fear but at the same time, the source of the reason to fight for life... I told her my secret in a wish for her to pass it to Arthur, Charllie and Ron, and she swore to me that she would make sure to inform them... that I... that Ron, even when fisically isn’t here anymore, he’ll be what he wanted the most... a father.” When Hermione said that last words, her voice quivered and started to cry, looking the faces of the people before her. She didn’t close her eyes because she wanted to see their reactions. Except for Angelina, that was smiling bradly, everyone had their mouths and eyes wide opened, not to mention the tears of the girls. “I’m sorry for not tell you sooner.” Added Hermione.

The impact of Hermione’s words took their breaths away... atonishment was an understatement for what they’re experiencing. They weren’t expecting that and only silence geeted Hermione’s ears... unitl Bill, who stood up, ran to where she was and hugged her not too tigthly. This sudden reaction took her by surprise and let out a screech... that got louder when Bill, who possesed a sculpture body, lift her easily from the floor and swirled her around.

“¡Bill, stop it!” scolded Molly grabbing Bill to make him com back to his senses, though she was smiling. Bill stopped and lowered Hermione, afraid to cause any damage. His scarred face contorted in horror and inspected her with his eyes.

“OH! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!... did I hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine.” Laughed Hermione drying, and before she could utter a word, the twins were huggin her and the girls hugged her after them, all the time Molly lecturing and scolding Bill for his roughness.

Harry just gave them space and placed himself aside to not get pushed, but chucklin watching his friends... no, family, congratulate Hermione and cried at it.

Sadly, Harry realised that he was thieving Ron’s place... that Ron would be there instead of him. It was never his intention. ‘Even when I love her, I feel empty’ thought Harry struggling with himself at the future ahead. ‘I know she loves me... and Ginny gave us her blessing, but... what about Ron’s baby? What if the rest don’t approve a relationship between Hermione and me? Would they hate us for loving us? They aren’t stingy or resentful, but...’ he stooped his train of thoughts. He was really scared of give voive to all of that questions, but if he kept that pace, it would lead him into madness. ‘Time’ll say it’. With his eyes, searched Hermione’s face in the middle of the throng... and he spotted her... smiling at him, gracing him with a smile that he loved and hadn’t seen from a very long time... and he smiled equally.

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They all remained until noon talking and asking questions. Bill, Fred and George were surprised when they found out that Molly knew about Hermione’s pregnancy but shrugged, though when Fred knew that Angelina knew it too, he turned to her and started to argue. Molly came to her rescue and scolded Fred for being so stupid. Fred felt sorry when Molly commented that it wasn’t Angelina’s position to fill him in, but she forgave him with a light kiss. The girls, of course, haunted Hermione about the baby’s name but she said that it was still on the air. The chat was profusely long but harry was there, sitting on a couch at Hermione’s side and surrepticiously took her hand in his and laced them affectionaly. This action hadn’t passed unnoticed. Almost everyone saw it but did not comment.

They all suspected about Harry’s emotions towards Ginny, but she had seemed happy, and at least Harry on the surface, seemed to be too; but Hermione’s dissapearence gave them second thoguhts. Now, it was evident that, aside of the fact that Ron and Ginny died, something great was coming...

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Five months had passed in a blur. Now it was November. A month after Glasgow’s battle, the ministry of magic lifted the curfew of the magical comunity. Few death-eaters were still hiding, maybe too afraid of show themselves, but Karl Klein, Scrimgeour’s secretary, announced in the Dialy Prophet that investigators were still hunting death-eaters and allies that escaped that night.

Tonks and Kingsley, as well of the rest of the Order, worked together with the ministry now that the group came out on public, and found clues about werewolves’s whereabouts, mostly Fenrir Greyback’s that, for the reports and signs, it seemed that he’d traveled norht.

Since the last battle, the attacks stopped and even the alert was permanent, all the people gathererd in Black Manor returned to their previous homes and activities. Bill and Fleur went back with Molly to their home. The burrow had wards that prevented to be incinerated or demolished, but couldn’t prevent that death-eaters enterd it. The whole house was turned upside down.

Tables, beds, chairs, wardrobes, noghtstands and bookshelves were destroyed. When Hermione saw ripped books laying on th floor, spread all over the house, she almost had a heart-attack and furiously cursed to whoever did that. Molly and Harry worried for her and her baby’s health when her rage showed in her face, resembling a bright red in her skin. With pacifiying words, Harry could control her, promising to repair the books as soon as he gathered the papers. It took them a week to revert the house to it’s original state, but Molly was just glad that they all were still alive and that she’ll be a grandmother.

Fred and Angelina returned to their flat and George and katie did too, their flats intact. Neville and Luna returned to Longbottom Manor, that remained the same as they left it. The twins, while they had closed the shop, went back to work and improve the invetions that helped them to win Glasgow’s battle. Weasley’s Wizard wheezes joke shope opened with a black ribbon for their dead sister.

Bill and Fleur went to their works in Gringotts. The security never weavered or lessened a bit. The infamous distrust that characterized the globins was ever present. Diagon Alley’s activities went back to almost normal state, though the people remained alert for whatever comes to their way, and constantly, aurors were making rounds, patrolling... and even more tightly secure patrolling Nocturn Alley.

Hogwarts closed only fot the holidays, but in August, the letters reached the youg comunity, whether they wanted to go back or not, and in September first, like every year, for centuries now, Hogwarts reopened normally and hundreds of students attended. Hogwarts and Hogsmeade were patrolled twenty-four hours a day. Hagrid, once again, was on the train station to welcomed the students, and teaching care of magical creatures.

The night of the battle, Hagrid helped greatly... along side his half-brother Gwrap. Surprisingly, the giant learned the basics: how to spek and manners... well, as best as he could. Gwrap’s still rough and savage, but hey!, he’d improved considering that giants only roared, grunted and destroy everything that’s on the way!

When Hagrid knew about Hermione’s pregnancy, he himself was in the Burrow to congratulate her and was just about to hug her when harry, Moly and Bill stopped him. Embarassed, Hagrid blushed but Hermione hugged him and he embraced her softly, afraid to crush her.

For his part, Harry behavied like the most sweet and caring gentleman that had placed foot on earth. Always spoiling Hermione’s wishes and needs... like he vowed he would... hopefully for the rest of their lives.

Madame Pomfrey, twice every month, visited Hermione at the burrow to check on her and her baby. Lately, Hermione’s magic diminished and she, worried sick, told Pomfrey. The nurse said it was normal because now baby’s magic and her own were working and adjusting to proptect the little one, and thnanks to that, when Hermione was captured and in the middle of the fight, the baby only weakened a bit, but remained safe. Her own magic reacted unconciously to protect the womb and that was the reason of her constants daintings. Her magic would go back to normal after the birth. Until then, no more magic –because even when she actually made incantations, charms, e.t.c., the recults weren’t what she’d expected-, apparition was forbid eminently, no long travels or potions –unless Pomfrey herself gives them-.

Hermione frowned but agreed. Between Molly and Pomfrey filled her in on normal symptoms and sufferings that a pregnancy carried in the nine months. Finally, both women sacred the shit out of Hermione when they got to the part where contractions would attack her for hours... Hermione began to think that she rather liked change places with Gwrap.

She had to admitt that Harry was doing his best and both were patient with one another. Living again in the Burrow was a bit uncomfortable, and Harry sensed this. Whether it was because of the boring life of Hermione (Molly, Harry, Bill and Fleur forbid her move a finger, something that really annoyed her and constantly arguments rose for it) or the wish that she never gave voice as to has her own home. Either way, Harry began the proper arragements of his parent’s house in Godric’s Hollow.

Since the curfew in the magical comunity was lifted, Harry made whatever had to be made to rebuilt Godric’s Hollow’s house, reinfircing it’s wards with Remus’s, Tonks’s, Mad-eye’s and Kingsley’s help. All of that activities were complete secret because Harry wanted to surprise Hermione.

When they returned to the Burrow, Harry and hermione went to separated rooms the first night and Harry, feeling the absence of Hermione’s body, sneaked to her room in silence and she almost jumped off the bed when Harry showed himself, lifting his invisibility cloak in front of her. He excused himself profusely and Hermione just kissed him and forcefully pulled him down on the bed with her. Embraced in each other arms, drifted off to sleep, unaware that a pair of female blue eyes watched smiling and closed fully the door.

After a few nights like that, Molly talked with them, telling them that it wasn’t necessary to sneak in like thieves do. Harry and Hermione blushed but Molly told them she was happy as long as they were, and if sleeping together made the trick, then, so be it.

In the last week of november, the cold of the weather was enough to freeze anyone and harry took advantage of it, snuggling under the covers with Hermione’s enlarged body and the heat that came in waves off her, much to her displeasure, because now her belly was fully rounded. Harry couldn’t care less, not even the complainig of Hermione about her being ugly and fat and her suffocating heat, proper of pregnant women that had eight months long. Last night he snogged her senseless, reassuring her that she was and is the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, sweet talk did help a great deal, because the heat loosening from her body gave him a warmth that he never felt before. They hadn’t touched yet, Harry was a gentleman, but that doesn’t meant that he couldn’t kiss her brains out. He wasn’t in a hurry, as long as Hermione was at his side, everything was ok.

And remembering this, Harry lost himself in his memories, sitting on the couch in the Burrow’s living room, hugging Hermione that was at his side in front of the roaring fire after breakfast.

“Next week will be december, Harry” whispered Hermione, placing a hand over Harry’s that was on her huge belly.

“I know, ‘Mione.” Whispered back, both still looking at the fireplace.

“Are we going to spend christmas here?” Harry turned a bit his face, two inches from Hermione’s, locking his emersld eyes with hers.

“Only if you want to.” Replied few seconds later. Trepidation in Hermione’s eyes. “Why?”

“I was just asking.”

“You can’t lie to me... what’s going on?”

Hermione avoided his stare but he reached her chin and made her look at him. “I-I don’t know... I want to be here, but at the same time I don’t... it’s just... there are times when I feel like I need to go back home...”

“You don’t feel like home, do you?”

“It’s not that... I don’t know... I’m sorry... I had felt awkward lately.” Hermione sighed, but Harry smiled at her.

“I know how you feel.”

“Really?” Hermione croked an eyebrow.

“Actually... well, I want it as a gift for you.”

“Sorry, I didn’t get it.”

“You’ll see.” Harry smirked at her misteriously “But, believe me, I know how you feel... longing... for your parents, am I right?”

“Yeah” she sighed “It’s like the need to see them again... to hold them... I need them, Harry.” He didn’t know what to say, so he kissed her forehead when she began to cry. She’d been doing it lately and the only thing he could came of to do was hug her to comfort her and let her know he was there.

“I don’t what to say, ‘Mione... I can’t remember how it was to have my parents_”

“Oh! I’m sorry, Harry! I’m so selfish and_”

“Shhh” he placed a finger over her lips “Don’t apologize for something that it wasn’t your fault, and you’re not selfish... I just was trying to say that, they, your and mine’s are in a better place... surely where Arthur, Charlie, Ron and Ginny are, and they’ll always be in our hearts. Now, my family is here, in my arms.”

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Four days before christmas eve, Harry accompanied by Bill, Fred, George, Remus, Tonks and Neville, were in Muggle London. Initially, the women were going to go too, but Hermione was tired and decided to remain in the Burrow... and the rest of the females weren’t going to leave her alone. Harry was adamant to saty but Hermione was in no mood and almost kicked him out.

So, the group went shopping. Gred anf Forge had a good laugh about muggle items like Capuchino’s machines, or christmas decorations, or electronic toys, or computers... a whole new world to them that they looked and watched in awe. Like the majority of magical population, they weren’t used to muggle artifacts, but took the chance at giving them a look and developed a liking for it.

They had visited a famous mall because it was Hermione’s request that missed terribly muggles things but her swollen and annoying feet couldn’t let her walk all that she wanted, and Harry took it as a duty to make her shopping. When she insisted on give him money he, offended, refuse to take it and left in a huff before Hermione began her usual lecture. Recently, Remus had an offer into the ministry as an assistant in Control and Regulation of Magical Beings department and he took it. His job had a well enough paid for him to live in Tonks’ flat with her... their marriage was going better an better and with this new profit, they had their future in the pocket.

Luna’s inheritage, The Quibbler, was managed and supported by Neville’s. The quality of the imprint improved greatly when both agreed to add sponsors of various bussiness, the first was Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. From then on, the quibbler was now in the first better magical magazine’s rank. Thankns to that, Neville and Luna made plans to built a Magical Dinner’s that would open in two or three months more in Diagon Alley... and again, thanks to the that, the shopping for Luna was a surprise, well not too much... Harry and Neville were planning together, helping each other, in what will be a change on their lives... five lives.

Since Harry’s the only one that was acostummed with muggles antics, had a hard time helping his friends paying with muggle money. He was with Tonks giving the money to the salesman when they noticed that Remus was gone and when they questioned the twins, they alarmed and went in different directions looking for him. Five minutes later, Remus returned at the entrance with the twins, the three of them seemed to have an argument approaching hurriedly, sorting people in their way. The hall was crowded this days.

Remus had a face that gave clear evidence that something was happeinig and he, Fred and George started to speak at the same time. Bill, Neville and Harry looked confused because they could’n catch a word, but Tonks did and gasped.

“¡Shut up!” shouted Tonks and they fell silent. They’re all startled but the female auror just shush them and turned to face Harry “Hermione’s in labour.” Said in a controled voice, but harry instantly panicked.

“What! How! When!_”

“Stop it, Harry.” Interrupted Tonks and she turned to see Remus. “Now, tell us.”

“Molly called to my two-side mirror and told me Hermione’s contractions began about an hour ago” he saw from the corner of his eye that the rest were aboout to speak but he help up a hand and with this gesture stopped. “She said that Hermione’s fine and they’re on their way to St.Mungo’s.”

“And what are we waiting for?” exclaimed Harry exhasperated “We need to go right now.”

“First” commented Tonks “we’re going to stop into the Burrow to leave the gifts and after that, we’ll take the floo to St.Mungo’s.”

“But_”

“Hermione’s fine, Harry” added Remus “This would last hours until she give birth, we have the time.” Defeated, Harry nodded and departed where the appariton point was.


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A/N: Again, please, forgive me. I know it’s not good enough. I like this story but terribly wrote... anyway, hope you’re enjoying it. Let your reviews, let me know what you think. My beta just failed me, so I’ll do it alone for now.

; )

THANKS !!!