It hurts when you're gone (Ron Weasley Fanfic)

Chapter 41- It is War (part 3)

Dad waved me over, his head bent over someone's body. Mum.

'Dad? Mum- what happened? What the hell! Mum. MUM!!' I sobbed loudly, shaking Dad's shoulders. Why was she lying here, why was dad not saying anything? 'Y/N, NO!! She's alright- can't you feel her pulse?' Dad said, putting my hand on her neck. My breath slowed down as I felt her pulse, steady as ever. 'But why is she not moving? What happened?' I whimpered, stroking the hair off her face. 'She needs rest, Y/N! Madam Pomfrey gave her a potion; breathe easy now.' Saying so, dad pulled me into a hug. We sat that way for some time, watching mum's chest heave up and down; taking slow,juddering breaths.

I looked up to find someone else's body being placed next to Tonks's. My hand went to my mouth as I ran towards the group of red-heads. 'Fred..FRED!' Mrs. Weasley lay shaking on his body, her tears falling on Fred's face. Ginny seemed so completely lost; tears streamed down her face as she clutched his lifeless hand.

I went towards her, putting my arms around her neck. Ginny gasped and hiccoughed loudly; I patted her softly as my own tears trickled down her hair. Hermione and Ron finally reached us. Percy put an arm around Ron's shoulder and Hermione put her hands around us; shivering with pain and grief.

I became one with them- the pain was unendurable.

I just wanted to yell and scream and throttle all those people who'd done this, I just wanted to rip them apart like they had done, to this beautiful family and several others, and no! Colin Creevey, lying on the ground, his face still shining in the very same way as he had when he'd learned a Charm from me. I did not know how to take in so much pain at once, I just wanted to lie down and feel sorry for so many lives, lost so cruelly; I could not bear to live when they'd died.

How Professor Lupin taught us to evade Kappas, how Fred had once stood up for me, how Colin would keep us all amused with his antics; the mere thought that they wouldn't be walking, talking or breathing anymore, seemed to have pulled the very breath from my lungs.

I sat down as I felt a little unsteady on my feet. Hermione sat down next to me, crying softly. I put an arm around her and Ginny, as we three sobbed together. I finally took control of myself, brushing away the tears on my face as well as theirs. 'How would you think they'd feel if they were to see us crying? Keep strong, Ginny, Hermione.' Hermione paid heed, sitting up and wiping her face. But Ginny cried again, nestling her head on her knees. Hermione and I consoled her over and over- I could not bear to see her cry. She went to Bill, leaving me and Hermione alone.

'I know the last few months have been tough, Hermione.' She nodded silently. 'But I know we will make it through. Your courage and resilience has inspired me so much.'

She looked at me, a little shocked. 'No Y/N, don't say that, no. I'm just an ordina-'

'I love you, Hermione.'

She half-sobbed as she hugged me again. 'I'm sorry, Y/N. I'm sorry.'

'Why?'

'Sorry that him and I love each other, sorry that he left you just like that, sorry that-'

'No' I said firmly, putting a finger on her lips. 'If there's one thing no one can ever feel sorry about, it's love, Hermione. You love him, he loves you- it's as simple as that! It just took me some time to realize he wouldn't be coming back, but I do understand now. He is your pillar of strength, he makes you. Don't ever feel sorry about love. It's the only right thing in the world.'

'I love you, Y/N' she said.

'You too..take care of Ginny, won't you? I'll just check up on mum.'

I went over to mum, who was finally sitting up, her back against the leg of a desk. I rushed forwards and hugged her, muttering- 'Thank goodness you're okay, mum..' Mum pulled back, wiping my face with the edge of her dress. 'I love you honey, I love you.'

Dad put his arms around us both, and said- 'Thank god my girls are fine.'

'Thank god you're fine' Mum and I said together.

Thank God we're fine and together, I thought.

Atleast for the time being.