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Author: GryffindorDragon Story: The Hex of Your Life Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-DH Status: WIP Reviews: 6 Words: 16,273
The clock was a treasure most of the time; she could keep track of her family with it. But in the last year she had begun to dislike that clock. The hands for Ron, Hermione, and Harry had alternated between ‘hiding’ and ‘searching for something deadly’ – a lot of good that did for helping her find them. She had been so mad when those three had gone off on their ‘secret mission’. But actually she had been just plain scared; she had been scared most of the last year – terrified she would wake up to find that she had another funeral to attend. They haunted her dreams. Their cold, still, lifeless bodies sprawled on the ground. Once it had been the ground under the Whomping Willow at Hogwarts – her dear son Ron’s body twisted grotesquely, agony painted across his pale face. In another dream, it had been in the garden here at The Burrow down by the pond – Harry’s battered body flung upon the riverbank, his scar split open in a huge gash that spread across his face so that he was disfigured almost beyond recognition. In yet another, it had been one of the streets in Diagon Alley – Hermione’s bushy hair hanging in clumps across her bruised and bloody face. It was worse than that summer when she’d tried to deal with the Boggart at Grimmauld Place. And so, preferring work to nightmare-filled sleep, she had risen quite early this morning and come downstairs. And what did she see on that bloody clock? The golden hand with Ginevra Weasley’s name wasn’t where it was supposed to be – on ‘school’. No, it stood smack in the middle of ‘mortal peril.’ Later, on one of her many worried trips back to check the clock (what mother wouldn’t?) she had been horrified as she watched the hands for Ron and her two ‘other children’ join Ginny’s. It was almost too much for her. So she did the only thing she could do to cope – she got busy in the kitchen (the house was already spotless from unnumbered cleanings). So Molly Weasley didn’t see when those particular hands moved from ‘mortal peril.’ First Ginny’s hand moved to ‘travelling’ and then to ‘school’. Shortly after that, the fireplace flared and Molly Weasley was brought back from her worry-world by a familiar voice. ‘Molly, Molly Weasley, are you there?’ ‘Minerva, why on earth are you calling? Something has happened to Ginny, hasn’t it?’ Molly was almost in tears. ‘Calm down, Molly. Ginny is safe.’ Molly took a deep breath (she hadn’t realized she’d been holding it) and sighed in relief. ‘She disappeared last night. No, don’t worry. As I said, she is safe. She showed up this morning with Neville Longbottom and had quite the story to tell about defeating Voldemort.’ Molly’s face turned ashen white at the mention of the name. ‘She … she … didn’t … I thought Harry…’ ‘No, she didn’t. Yes, it was Harry, but with a little help.’ ‘Oh, the poor boy. And Ginny?’ ‘Ginny will be fine. She’s extremely tired. Apparently, she pushed herself past the point of exhaustion. Poppy says she’ll be as good as new. She just needs a few days’ rest. I thought, under the circumstances, it would be better if she rested at home. You know, once the rumours get started, all the students will be trying to see her, The-Girl-Who-Stole-the-Socks.’ ‘The-Girl-Who-Stole-Socks?’ What are you on about, Minerva?’ ‘Sorry, Molly, but perhaps it would be best if she told you. Why don’t you come through and take her home?’ Molly quickly got the Floo powder jar. Taking a pinch, she threw it into the flames. As they flared to a brilliant green colour, she stepped into them, shut her eyes tightly, and shouted, ‘Hogwarts’ Head’s Office.’ She felt herself spinning faster and faster. Soon the spinning slowed, and she stepped out into the Headmistress’ office. She could see Ginny sitting in a plump, cushy chair, her head nodding. ‘She’s just got back from being seen by Poppy.’ Molly rushed over to her daughter and wrapped her arms around her. ‘Oh, my precious baby.’ She could barely hear Ginny as she mumbled, ‘I’m not a baby. Why won’t anyone see that? Even Harry is such a prat about me.’ ‘Hush, darling. I know you’re growing… no, grown up, but you’ll always be my baby.’ Molly brushed the tears from her eyes as she cast a Hover Charm on her youngest child and moved her over to the fireplace. ‘Minerva, if you could be a dear and manage the Floo powder for me. My arms are rather full at the moment.’ ‘Certainly, Molly.’ The Headmistress opened the jar, removed a rather large pinch, and tossed it into the flames. Molly Weasley stepped into the green flames, careful not to disturb her precious load, and called out softly, ‘The Burrow.’ As she stepped out of the fireplace, she was glad that her burden of worry was lessened by one. She carried her youngest child – and only daughter – up the stairs to her room, happy at the thought that at least one hand on the clock now read ‘Home.’ She failed to notice that two of the other hands now read ‘Travelling.’ As she tucked Ginny into her bed, the red-haired girl kept murmuring one name, ‘Harry … Harry.’ ‘Hush, darling. Go back to sleep.’ As she was coming back down the stairs, Molly heard two soft pops in quick succession. Grabbing her wand, she turned to see who was there. Her face broke into a broad smile when she saw Hermione and Harry standing in the sitting room. ********************************************************************** Ron couldn’t help dancing a little jig as he waited for someone from the Order to show up. He was just too excited. After months of skulking about on their search and destroy mission, not getting enough to eat – he could hear Hermione now, Do you ever get enough, Ron? – nor enough sleep (Get up, you git, we have work to do!), it was over, truly and finally over. He could get on with life, a life that joyfully included Hermione. He couldn’t help but change his jig to a waltz as he whirled an imaginary Hermione about the field. He didn’t notice the pop announcing Tonks as she Apparated to the field in response to Ron’s Patronus. He stumbled in surprise over her. ‘Wotcher, Ron. This is new, me helping someone else to their feet.’ Ron couldn’t help but grin at the smirk on her face. He quickly jumped at and grabbed her. There was a loud smack as he kissed her soundly on the lips. He began to dance her about the field. ‘Hey now, that’s my girl you have there.’ Ron turned in surprise to see Remus Lupin there at the side of the field by the smouldering pile. Just then, Tonks’ feet tangled up in his, and they fell in a heap to the ground. Ron could see Remus doubled over with laughter. Still, the grin wouldn’t leave his face. ‘Well, what’s this stuff?’ Remus sniffed. ‘Oi, it smells rancid, whatever it is.’ ‘Socks.’ ‘Socks.’ Remus was clearly puzzled by Ron’s statement. ‘Where?’ ‘There.’ ‘Here? You mean this is socks?’ ‘Yup, at least it used to be.’ Ron laughed at Remus’ bemused expression. ‘Until Ginny burned them. She does a right good Incendio. I’m glad she’s on our side. The twins were right; size is no guarantee of power.’ ‘Ginny burned them?’ Tonks wandered over to look at the pile of ashes and join Remus in his quizzing. ‘Whose socks? Ron pointed to the far end of the field. ‘They used to belong to that lot over there.’ Remus and Tonks turned to look and finally saw the bodies lying on the ground. Still, their curiosity had to be satisfied. As one they queried, ‘Used to belong to?’ Ron chuckled and answered, ‘Yeah, used to belong to them, until Ginny nicked them.’ Remus spluttered now. ‘Nicked them?’ Tonks began moving towards the bodies. ‘That’s Lucius, innit? And cousin Bella. And, no, it couldn’t be… ‘ Ron was enjoying this. ‘Yes, it is, or at least, used to be.’ Tonks stopped and looked back at Ron. Again Remus and she responded together, ‘Used to be?’ Ron guffawed now. ‘Well, they’re dead, you prats. Go look.’ Remus and Tonks went over to the bodies. As Hermione had, they waved their wands over the bodies and confirmed the absence of both life and magic. Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters were indeed dead. Ron collapsed to the ground in laughter as Remus pulled Tonks to him and began spinning her around the field in his own dance of joy. ********************************************************************** Hermione watched as Molly rushed over to enfold Harry in her arms, tears of joy trickling down her face. ‘You don’t know how worried I’ve been. If you really were my own son…’ she started to scold, but then just pulled him into a close embrace and wept bitterly for a few moments. Hermione thought of her own mother for a moment and of how Harry had never known his mother’s embrace. Surely, she must have cradled Harry as an infant. But did he have any memory from his infancy except that ugly flash of green light? She shook her head. No, that’s over and done, it’s in the past; we – Harry – has to move on now. She found herself suddenly smothered in Molly’s warm hug. ‘I’m so glad you all are back and well. Oh, but where’s Ron? Why isn’t he here?’ Hermione cringed to see the joy fade from her face to be replaced with a look almost of abject fear. She quickly moved to comfort her. ‘He’s fine, Mrs Weasley. He sent us on ahead. He only stayed behind to wait for the Order.’ ‘The Order? But Minerva said it was over, that Neville had told her that Voldemort was defeated.’ Hermione glanced at Harry. ‘But how… ?’ Then she realized that the Headmistress must have contacted Mrs Weasley when Ginny got back at school. Molly confirmed Hermione’s suspicion. ‘Professor McGonagall Flooed me earlier. It seems Ginny went missing last night, not to be found anywhere in the castle. She showed up this morning half-dead from exhaustion. I had to Floo over and bring her home. She’s upstairs sleeping right now.’ Harry finally spoke up. ‘Sorry, Mrs Weasley. I tried to keep Ginny out of it.’ His voice was a bare whisper. There seemed to be something wrong with him. Perhaps he’s just exhausted, Hermione mused. ‘What are you going on about there, Harry? You ought to know you can’t be blaming yourself for what my little girl gets into her head. She’s been on about you ever since the three of you sneaked out of here last summer.’ Harry’s face coloured at this. ‘I just didn’t want any more people dying, especially her.’ Molly’s face softened. She put her arm over his shoulder and gently guided him towards the kitchen. ‘Come, you two must be starved.’ Hermione grinned. Leave it to Mrs Weasley to treat everything with food. Hermione followed her as she hustled Harry into the kitchen and sat him down at the table. Molly put dishes in front of them and at once set about filling them with sausages, eggs, black pudding, tomatoes, beans, and toast. Only Mrs Weasley would serve a full English breakfast at a time like this. ‘There ya go, tuck in.’ Molly smiled at the two. She turned to bring her own plate to the table. ‘Now, what’s this about Ron and the Order?’ ‘Well, we figured the Ministry should be notified about Voldemort’s death. We felt it would be quieter if the Order contacted them for us. Isn’t that right, Harry?’ When there was no response, Hermione looked over at Harry. His face was lying in the beans, and he was snoring softly into the pudding. ‘Well, I thought he appreciated my cooking a bit more than that. Let’s get him on up to bed then.’ ********************************************************************** A/N: I want to thank Sherylyn for her hard work in betaing this. Everyone, please give her a round of applause for all she does for PS. I also want to thank hwimsey for again taking the time to read and comment. These two challenged me to make this story much better than I first wrote it. Any weaknesses that remain are due to my own stubbornness and ineptitude. I know Tonks and Remus die in DH, but they were alive and well nine months ago when I started this story. So allow me to be AU and keep them alive. Please review – I can’t learn and improve if you don’t.
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