Unforgettable (Fred & Hermione)

II

Waking up in her dormitory didn't feel the same anymore. She jumped awake, not remembering where she was. She jerked, opening her eyes and not recognising the room for what it was. The tent had been her home for months now and she found herself almost uncomfortable in the Gryffindor dormitories. Most of the girls were still sleeping in the Great Hall on camp beds with their families around them. The Final Battle seemed to have taught everyone that life is so very fragile and can be taken from those we love without warning. And for another thing, Hermione woke not with her uniform neatly folded on the chair beside her bed but with her blood and dust-stained clothes thrown on the floor. She had put those clothes on after they climbed out of the water, having been inside in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault in Gringotts. That day seemed weeks ago now.

 Harry had coaxed her away from the Astronomy tower and she had found an empty bathroom to shower. She had climbed under the covers and tried to shut off her mind. Sleep eventually came and rescued her exhausted mind and body but it was filled with dreams of the Carrow siblings screams of pain and Fred's confused face that didn't recognise her.

It was still dark out and the clock read only 4am as Hermione pulled a blanket around her shoulders and went down to sit by the fire in the common room. She brought her books from herbology, potions and defence against the dark arts in hope's there would be some solution or reverse spell to obliviate. But Hermione already knew the answer to this. She had checked this before deciding to use the spell on her parents to save them. She wanted them to forget her but she bottled their memories and still kept them safe. When it was safe she would find them and return their memories to them. But Alecto Carrow had destroyed Fred's not saved them. They were gone, obliterated and remembered only by her.

Despite the glowing fire Hermione felt cold. Sitting there reminded her of the nights she spent studying down there when Fred and George used to sneak food in from the kitchens and she would promise not to tell anyone so long as they brought her some chocolate frogs. She doesn't know how long she sat there but the Fat Lady painting creaked open to allow someone in as the sun began to come up. The noise jolted Hermione from her position as she had began to fall asleep again. In her rousing confused state she thought it to be Fred and George coming from the kitchens like they used to.

But it was Neville who crept into the common room.

"Hermione?" he asked, surprised that anyone would be awake so early.

"What are you doing up?" he questioned. 

However, the books strewn around her on the floor and couches gave her away.

Neville began looking down awkwardly at his shoes "I heard about Fred. I'm really sorry".

 Hermione nodded sadly not knowing what sort of response could be valid.

Sensing her desire to be alone Neville started towards the stairs to his dormitory where Harry, Ron, Seamus and Dean slept. They had taken back their old room. Just as he reached the archway he turned to face her.

"He's still there you know? It's still him but he just needs reminding of you. He loves you, Hermione, he just doesn't know it yet"

Neville smiled sadly before turning and climbing the stairs.

 Perhaps Neville was right. Hermione found herself questioning how Neville could have such an insight until she remembered his parents. They often don't even recognise him as their son so of course he would understand.

 
She also knew that he hadn't been able to sleep through the night since the battle. He often spent the night walking the castle or sitting in the greenhouses with Luna where they would fill each other with pointless knowledge. He wasn't the only person to have nightmares since the battle. Ginny often woke Hermione with her screams for Harry or Tonks who had died beside her. Nothing was the same anymore but Fred was alive and he would remember her. Hermione would always find a way.