The only family I have Left.

Chapter 31

The door to the room creaked open, and Harry stepped in first, his green eyes widening as they locked onto Gracie. For a moment, he froze, his hand still on the doorknob. Behind him, Ron's freckled face peered over his shoulder, mouth slightly agape, and Hermione pushed her way through, her curls bouncing as her breath hitched.

"She's awake," Hermione whispered, her voice trembling with relief and disbelief.

James, standing just behind them, ran a hand through his messy hair, his hazel eyes darting between his mother and Gracie. He hesitated in the doorway, as though afraid his presence might break whatever fragile peace had settled in the room. Molly and George lingered at the back, the silence of the moment pressing heavy on all of them.

Harry finally stepped forward, his movements cautious, almost reverent. He knelt beside Gracie's bed, his hand hovering over hers, uncertain if he should touch. "Gracie," he said softly, his voice cracking. "You're awake."

Gracie's eyelids fluttered, and her gaze shifted to meet Harry's. Her lips curved into a faint smile, though her exhaustion was still evident. "Hi, Dad," she murmured, her voice hoarse.

At that, Harry exhaled a shaky breath, his composure faltering as tears welled in his eyes. He clasped her hand gently, his thumb brushing against her knuckles. "We've been waiting for you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Ron moved closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over the bed. "Blimey, Gracie," he muttered, his grin breaking through the somber air. "You scared us half to death."

"Half?" George chimed in, his voice carrying a trace of his usual humor, though it was laced with emotion. "Try the whole lot of us."

Molly let out a small sob, unable to hold back her emotions any longer. She crossed the room in a few quick steps, wrapping her arms around Lily first before pulling Gracie's hand to her chest. "Oh, sweetheart," Molly whispered, her voice trembling. "We've missed you so much."

Hermione, ever the composed one, had tears streaking down her cheeks as she approached Gracie's other side. "You're so brave," she said softly, her fingers lightly brushing Gracie's hair from her forehead. "We've been here every day, waiting for you to come back to us."

Gracie's tired eyes flicked to James, who still lingered by the doorway. "James," she whispered, her voice drawing him out of his frozen stance.

He hesitated only for a moment before striding over. He knelt beside her bed, his face a mixture of guilt and relief. "I thought—" His voice broke, and he cleared his throat, looking away as if to gather his thoughts. "I thought we'd lost you."

Gracie's hand, still weak, reached out toward him. James caught it gently, holding on as though it might disappear. "I'm here," she said, her words soft but firm. "I'm still here."

The room seemed to collectively exhale, the tension that had been suffocating them finally breaking. Molly dabbed at her tears with the edge of her apron, George ruffled Ron's hair to hide his own emotions, and Harry leaned closer, pressing a kiss to Gracie's temple.

"You gave us quite the scare, Gracie," Harry said, his voice now steadier. "But you're safe now. We're all here."

Lily's hand remained on Gracie's shoulder, her touch grounding and constant. "Together," she said quietly, looking around at the gathered family. "We'll get through this."

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the room was filled with something other than fear—it was filled with hope. Gracie's smile grew a little brighter as she looked at the faces of those she loved most. She wasn't alone. Not anymore. And that made all the difference.