Unceremoniously

Awakwening

This time she could tell time had passed. Maybe not as much, but enough that her whole body was stiff, like she hadn't moved in months. The feeling of a hand in hers was instant relief. George was still okay and she knew he was alive, the magic buzzing in her fingers told her so. It was as if she could feel him and his magic. Her eyes shot open when his fingers twitched in her hand. She shot straight up in bed, the sounds in the room suddenly reaching her ears. Voices, quite a few, all familiar. She met the eyes of the Weasley family. Ron, Ginny, Molly and Arthur, as well as Harry. The last pair of eyes made her release a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.

"George" Everyone in the room stopped and turned to Hermione. Ron jumped out of his seat and took her hand. The look in his eyes made Hermione want to frown, and flashes of their brief kiss under the water flashed before her eyes. That had been the last time she had seen him before the wall. She wondered if she could ever tell him that it hadn't meant anything, that he had caught her off guard, but how could she, he had almost lost most of his family and the girl he loved. He sucked in a breath, suddenly distracted by George lifting their entwined hands. Ron's face twitched and then settled, as if he was reminding himself that it was magic holding her and George together.

"Hermione dear, we are so happy to see you awake and well. You've been out for a while again, how are you feeling? I'll quickly go grab the nurse!" Molly spoke quickly, getting up before Hermione could answer her. She smiled at the woman who had always treated her like a daughter. Arthur smiled at her, relief clear in his blue eyes. Ginny leapt up to hug Hermione, then stepped back to give her a stern look.

"Stop scaring us! You've been out for two weeks. That's one month and now two weeks! George woke up a few days after you had gone out again" She said with a frown. Hermione raised her eyebrows and turned to George.

"Really? And you're okay?" She whispered, meeting his eyes with her soft brown ones. George gave her a sideways grin and raised his arm to flex, quickly realizing he was still not fully recovered, dropping it back down with a wince.

"Righteo, I'm right as rain Hermione, nothing can keep me down" He chuckled and Hermione let out a sigh.

"I'm so relieved, I was a little worried, and guilty I had caused you to be in that mess-" Before she could finish her sentence he cut her off, jumping from his bed to hers and yanking her into a tight (but awkward one handed) hug that caught her off guard.

"Hermione, stop, seriously. I'll never be able to thank you enough, you saved him. You saved Freddy. I know it was too late for Percy, and for that we're all grieving, but you saved Fred. And you saved me" He said, pulling back to stare into her wide eyes. Heat rose to her cheeks and after a moment a cough from across the room made them jump apart. Ron awkwardly stepped forward again, a frown on his face directed at George.

"Oi Mione didn't need to risk her magic like that though" He huffed, arms crossed. George looked as if he was going to say something, a frown rising to his face as well, but a nurse rushed in before he could get the words out, followed by Molly Weasley.

"Morning dear! It's good to see that you're awake! I'd like to ask that all guests step outside so I can have a word with the two patients" The nurse said firmly, a tight smile once again on her face. Ron's eyebrows rose in defence, ready to fight to stay at Hermione's side, but she quickly cut him off.

"I'll be okay Ron, I'll see you after" She tried to sound reassuring, and he hesitated, but then nodded and left the room. Hermione felt her body stiffen as she turned to the nurse, the only thing stopping her from going into another panic attack was the soft squeeze of the hand in hers. She gave him a shy smile and George gave her a grin back. The nurse cleared her throat, a now somber look upon her face.