[HP Doujin] take care of you

It's amazing how something invisible can hurt so much.Ginny clutched her chest and huddled against the bedroom wall.She hurts so much.She didn't want to think, to recall what Sirius had said, and the pained look on his face when he looked into her eyes and finally told the truth.If possible, she hopes to erase her memory.Because it doesn't make sense at all.

"Hi." A gentle voice caught her attention.

Ginny looked up through her hair, then froze.A disheveled Hermione walked into her bedroom.Hermione and Ginny used to be very close.They were always sharing the same room, talking about boys and their terrible ability to ignore them.

However, Ginny didn't know what was going on with them now.To be honest, she didn't know what was going on with her life.

"Hello," Ginny replied softly, tucking her legs together to make room for Hermione.

Hermione took this as permission and walked over to Ginny.She sat down beside her, took Ginny's hand awkwardly with one hand, and brushed the hair from her face with the other.

"I saw you running down the corridor," Hermione explained. "I know something is wrong."

Ginny nodded, her chest hurting even more.

"Want to talk?"

Don't want to, never want to.How do I explain it?How can I say I'm in love with Sirius?

"Do not--"

"Look." Hermione interrupted Ginny casually. "I know something's not right. Everyone knows it. We've seen you. . . You have to speak up sometimes."

Ginny was amazed that there were other people in her life besides Remus, Harry and Sirius.She has other friends who know her well, and her family knows what she's thinking at a glance.And Ginny had forgotten.She forgot that she had other friends, that her family was fighting beside her.As much as she'd wanted to see them before, now that she was with them, all she could think about was Sirius and Remus.How ironic.

Hermione squeezed Ginny's hand, and she looked up at her friend.Hermione, like everyone else, has matured.But her hair was still matted, making her look younger, and the corners of her eyes were lined with sorrow.Ginny frowned.

"It's all related to my mission." Ginny said slowly.

Hermione nodded knowingly, and moved closer to Ginny.The physical intimacy comforted her, and she rested her head on Hermione's shoulder.

"You're in love with Remus?" Hermione asked.

Ginny looked up, then laughed.In love with Remus?She couldn't breathe with laughter, and she leaned her head against the wall, tears streaming down her face.Everyone thinks so?She's in love with Remus?

Hermione made a sound of concern, and Ginny shook her head.That's great.Even in the eyes of everyone, Sirius and Ginny have nothing to do with each other.He is such a good actor.

But the hysterical laughter quickly turned into suppressed sobs.Ginny threw herself into Hermione's arms, her blouse wet with tears.

"He's a good friend of mine," Ginny said softly.

Hermione was nodding, but Ginny knew that Hermione didn't know what she was talking about.

"I'm back in time, Hermione. I'm back in 1978, when James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupine, Lily Evans and Peter Pedillo were all at the Hoag Watts is in seventh grade..."

Once Ginny started talking, she couldn't stop.It was Ginny's habit since she was a child, to babble and add unnecessary details, but Hermione seemed attracted by her story and didn't raise any objections.She told her everything.It almost broke her heart to see Dumbledore, her first friends there were now dead, and the Marauders had met her because Severus had called Remus a werewolf in public.

She also tells of the Hogsmeade attack, her growing friendship with the boys.Lily wanted her to be friends with Severus.Ginny talked about attending the Ministry Ball, where she was attacked by Death Eaters, and Hermione put her hands over her mouth.Afterwards, she talks about Dumbledore finding the book, and Sirius' proposal.

"Siris?" Hermione's voice was very soft, which was rare.

Ginny looked Hermione in the eye and nodded.

"I've never—" Hermione shook her head. "I thought he was grateful you got him out of the Veil. But no one understood why you did that. We thought you were doing it for Harry, but even that doesn't make sense."

"For myself," said Ginny hoarsely. "I was selfish and I wanted him alive."

Hermione squeezed Ginny's knee.

"You saved his life. It was a heroic act, whether it was for yourself or not."

Ginny again told Hermione about the veil.It wanted Ginny to sacrifice something in exchange for leaving, and Sirius had to leave something behind in order to go.She says it wants Sirius' memory of her, and when she wakes up, Remus tells her he doesn't remember her.

She said this out loud, and her heart was even more tormented.

Hermione knew how Ginny was torn between Harry and Sirius.But Sirius has been lying, just so that Harry can have a chance with Ginny.Hearing this, Hermione cried, tears rolling down her cheeks.Ginny didn't know if it was Sirius' sacrifice, Ginny's pain, or Harry's ignorance of the truth.

"I'm very sorry."

"Me too."

After telling Hermione everything, Ginny was exhausted.Her eyes were red and swollen, her face was sticky, and she wanted to sleep.They came to the bed, and Hermione sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed.

"I really wonder why the Veil didn't take away his memories." Hermione said thoughtfully, looking into the distance. "It said it would do that, but it didn't."

Ginny shrugged and closed her eyes wearily.

"Maybe it's messed up," she murmured.

"Perhaps," said Hermione slowly.

Ginny was just about to fall asleep when Hermione touched her arm lightly.Ginny wondered if Hermione thought she was asleep.But her friend whispered to her:

"Don't stay with Harry just because everyone pushes you towards him...he deserves better. If you love Sirius...don't let him decide you can't be with him."