Who: Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan When: Early morning Where: The Macmillan Household. Hannah has been living with them since her dad took off. Summary: Hannah has been in depressed mode ever since the battle of Hogwarts. Ernie needs to snap her out of it. Rating: I have no idea, we'll go with PG-13? I'll change it if need be.
It was morning. How many months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds had it been? Hannah had lost count, or maybe she just hadn't counted at all. She was downing calming draught like it was water just to function as well as she normally would. She kept her head low and herself busy for the most part, working and trying not to think about Neville Longbottom. Trying not to wonder if he was still out there, alive or dead. Surely, if he had survived, he would have found a way to contact her, right? Somehow, he would have found a way. Hannah was sure of that. But yet, there had been no word or even rumor of Neville's demise and he still hadn't attempted any sort of contact with her. Hannah was trying to understand, trying to make sense of things but she just couldn't make sense of anything anymore. All she could do was go to work, come home and hope that the Death Eaters wouldn't come after her. But where she was, it wasn't home. It was like home, but it wasn't home. It was Ernie's home, it was Ernie's parents. While she cared deeply for Ernie and his parents, and was grateful and appreciative of them welcoming her with open arms and taking her in, it just wasn't the same regardless of how much she tried to force it be.
Ernie had made it on the reserve team for the Appleby Arrows. Hannah was so proud of him and so happy for him. But at the same time, she was nervous. He was her best friend, and now he was well on his way to becoming some big time Quidditch player while she was serving food and drinks to patrons at the Leaky Cauldron. She didn't know what she wanted for her future, she didn't even know what she wanted in general. All she knew was that there was so much at stake right now for the wizarding world in general. Lord Voldemort was powerful, and the only two wizards that were any match for him were both dead. The Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore's Army had fell into extremely dark times. At this point in time, Hannah had no idea who was left, who was still alive? It was discouraging, extremely discouraging. How were they supposed to maintain any sort of normal life while Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters were in power? It was a constant reminder that her mother's death had been in vain. They had tried so hard to fight for what was right and they had all failed. Was it all over? Was this how life was going to be from now on? Being worried? Being afraid?
Hannah laid in bed in the guest room that had been turned into her bedroom. The sunlight shined brightly through the sheer white curtains in the windows, causing Hannah to squint as her eyes adjusted to it, focusing on the ceiling high above where she lay. She didn't want to get out of bed, she just wanted to lay there. How long had she been laying there already? She heard her bedroom door creak open and didn't even bother to look to see who had walked in.
"Hannah dear, since you didn't come down for breakfast, I figured I'd bring it to you."
Mrs. Macmillan's voice was heard and her words noted as Hannah groggily turned to her side and looked over Ernie's mother. She was so well put together, a warmth to her features that always made Hannah feel welcomed and comfortable. "I'm sorry Mrs. Macmillan, I didn't really feel like getting out of bed yet."
Mrs. Macmillan frowned at Hannah as she sat a tray down on the bed beside her. Hannah glanced over the tray and saw a cup of orange juice and a plate that contained a diagonally cut piece of buttered toast, a poached egg and a couple of bangers. "You do know that you need to eat. Ernie would never forgive me if I allowed you to wither away into nothing." Mrs. Macmillan's concern was evident by the tone of her voice.
Hannah sat up in the bed, picking the tray up and placing it in her lap. Her appearance was extremely disheveled, showing that she likely spent most of her night tossing and turning rather than sleeping. "I know. I've been trying, but I just don't have much of an appetite these days."
Ernie's mother took it upon herself to sit down on the side of the bed and look Hannah over. "Hannah dear, would you mind if I gave you some motherly advice?" Hannah shook her head no as she picked up the fork and picked around at the food, not once taking a single bite but continuing to pick at it. "Sometimes, the heart isn't always right."
Hannah raised a brow in Mrs. Macmillan's direction as the woman continued to speak. "I know that you're dealing with things, and I know one of those things has to do with a boy." Hannah looked on flabbergasted. "I..." Hannah stumbled over her words foolishly. "How did you know that?" Mrs. Macmillan smiled softly at Hannah. "It wasn't that long ago when I, myself was a teenage witch. The first heartbreak always feels like something you'll never get over, but I assure you, it passed and you will get over it."
Hannah nodded remaining silent for moment. "I don't think he's dead. I just don't know why he hasn't found some way to reach out to me." Mrs. Macmillan remained warm in her demeanor. "Just make me a promise, would you?" Hannah nodded, placing the fork back down onto the tray and moving it aside. "What kind of promise?" Mrs. Macmillan reached out her arm and took Hannah's nearest hand into her own, holding it softly. "That you'll remain open to what could be staring you directly in the face rather than losing it over some boy that sounds like he may not deserve your time and affection."
What had Mrs. Macmillan meant by that? Hannah didn't honestly know. Still, Hannah nodded and leaned in, sharing a hug with her best friend's mother, looking towards her bedroom door to see a familiar face standing in the doorway. "How long have you been standing there?" Hannah questioned as she pulled back from the hug, Ernie's mother shifting her position on the bed before standing up, seeing her son standing there as well. "Just a little woman to woman conversation." She moved towards the door, placing her hand on her son's shoulder as she walked past him, patting at him momentarily before disappearing down the hallway.