One Last Try [HP Jamione fanfic]

61. ...Ready For It?

A/N: Don't forget to go read Iphemia's POV of chapter 2 - up on my account, titled August (in the missing scenes fic).

Are you guys ready for this hehe ;P

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14th September 1980

"Hermione?" The voice came from her left, soft and kind. Though it reminded her terribly of that first meeting with her mother back in 1970, she knew that voice.

"Too bright." She managed to croak out past her dry and unused throat.

Immediately the light in the room dimmed so much she was able to tell behind her eyelids, which she lifted slowly. She relaxed when the room came into focus around her, dimmer and kinder on her eyes. She turned her head to discover Lily sat in the uncomfortable hospital chair, hunched over a small bundle in her lap.

She accepted the glass of water Lily had conjured for her automatically, "Lily?" What was she doing out of hiding?

"It's alright, Hermione." Lily could obviously hear the rising panic in her voice, and she reached out one hand to pat her comfortingly on the arm. "The Death Eaters that weren't killed or captured at the battle have been rounded up. I'm safe here. You're safe."

Hermione relaxed, and as she did she finally realised just what the bundle was in Lily's arms. "Can I hold him?" She asked eagerly, pushing herself up to sit against the thick pillows behind her, ignoring the pain that flared up her side, and held her arms out excitedly. She had only got to see Harry once since he was born, and she wanted to look into that sweet, innocent face.

Lily smiled softly, "Of course." She stood and carried him carefully across the small space between the chair and Hermione's bed, laying him gently in Hermione's arms.

Hermione looked down at him, fast asleep, and felt something panicked settle a little in her chest. Tears welled in her eyes and she blinked and let them fall. "Tell me what happened after I was hit?"

"What do you remember?" Lily sighed, taking the seat again. "I only know what I was told, Hermione."

"I need to know who's okay." Hermione adjusted the sleeping Harry in her arms, "I saw Dumbledore die when he killed Voldemort, and I know Dolohov got Edgar Bones. James, Sirius, Regulus, and Gideon - they were all injured." Lily winced, and Hermione's heart leapt into her throat with terror. "Please, Lils. Who didn't make it?"

"They all did." She reassured hastily, "Black was in critical condition, but the Healers say he'll survive with minimal damage, and should be able to walk again. They won't be able to undo all the nerve damage the cursed knife did though. But there were others." Lily furiously wiped away the tears welling in her bright emerald eyes, and Hermione swallowed tightly. She didn't usually see her old best friend in Lily or James anymore, it had been so long that she had known them as their own people, but Lily had never reminded her more of the older Harry than at that moment. She watched Lily take a deep breath, obviously preparing herself, "They got both Marlene and Mary. Their funerals are in three days."

The brief relief that had hit her faded almost immediately, replaced by shock and a sudden and deep sadness. "Why so soon?" She managed to ask once she'd gathered herself together a bit.

Lily blinked, and then frowned, "You've been unconscious for a week, Hermione. We've been so worried about you. We've been taking turns to sit with you. Your dad forced James to go home a couple days after the battle, and is only letting him come back for 'reasonable' stretches of time." Lily cast a quick tempus, "Remus should be coming to take over from me in about an hour. I'll send him a patronus, and ask him to bring everyone."