FicWad

Battered Hearts

Ginny Potter sat cross-legged on the living room floor at Godrick's Hollow. Three year old James Sirius laughed as Albus Severus climbed over mummy like a human jungle gym. All three looked at the fireplace as the flames burned bright green, signaling either afloo-call or floo-visit from one of their friends or relatives.

Hermione's face appeared, contorted in agony, a large hand in her hair forcing her head back so that her skull touched her spine. One eye was swelling badly, nearly shut from a fresh bruise. Missing and broken teeth showed through bloody lips.

The face in the flames barely managed to croak "help!" as the image was drawn back through the fireplace.

Ginevra Potter was so shocked by the brief apparition in her living room fireplace that, for an instant, she didn't believe her eyes. Then she burst into action, screaming "accio wand"and "Kreature!" in the same breath.

The old elf appeared instantly, sensing his mistresses urgency, "Yes, Mistress?"

"Watch the boys; I have to see my brother!"

Mistress Ginevra going to see her brother and his wife was not unusual, seeing her throw a fistful of floo powder and diving into the green flames headfirst with her wand drawn was.

"Granger-Weasleys" she shouted as the green flames enveloped her.

The next day a banner headline in the Prophet blared:

"Potter and Weasley Siblings Slain"

"Wizarding World Shocked, Grieving"

Story by Dennis Creavy

Full details are not available to the press at this time, but what this writer can tell you is that not since the days of Tom Riddle's reign of terror has such wholesale carnage been delivered upon one family.

The three recipients of the Order of Merlin, First Class, lay about the living room of the Weasley Flat in North London. Ginevra Potter's body lay over the beaten and battered form of her best friend; Mrs. Potter appears to have been the victim of a powerful /reducto/at close range.

Ronald Weasley, who had evidently been fighting off his wife's attacker, had been hit with a powerful banishing curse. "Even a banisher can be fatal if the person on the receiving end hits a far wall with enough force," Said Auror Baxter, the first ministry investigator on the scene.

Mrs. Hermione Granger-Weasley remains in serious but stable condition at the Fred Weasley Trauma Center at St. Mungo's. A poignant reminder of just how much this family has already given in the defense of Magical Britain.

Hermione blinked twice, displacing the grit in the corners of her eyes then focused on warm green walls and white ceiling tiles.

"Hospital room, probably St. Mungo's."

"Right in one, Hermione."

"Harry?"

"Right here."

"How did I get here?"

"Our old friend Kreature came and got me. I flooed over to your flat and, well, lets just say you were in bad shape, and I brought you straight here."

Hermione couldn't believe Harry was being so matter-of-fact about this, he must have seen her freshly beaten body on the floor, he must know. . .

"Ginny?"

Harry flinched, slightly. Oh God, oh God, oh God! He was in his "professional DMLE" mode. He was being coolly aloof. This wasn't a visit, it was a bloody investigation.

His voice was warm and gentle as he asked, "Can you tell me what happened, Hermione?"

She turned over in her bed, facing away from him.

"Please, Harry, can't it wait? I'm tired, so very tired."

"Of course, Hermione, I'll have someone posted outside your room in case you need to talk with someone."

Hermione's mind worked furiously, that guard on the door wasn't to keep other people out, it was to keep her in. What she said was, "Thank you, Harry," before closing her eyes.



A/N: If this story makes any sense it's because of my wonderful Beta, PerfesserN. If he weren't completely devoted to his wife, lucky lady that she is, I'd be all over him. I wonder if she shares. . .

Kidding, I'm just kidding.

This is my first HP story so if you like it please review, if you hate it, please review and tell me why it sucks, okay?

Okay.

GG