She stopped outside a door, her hand resting on the handle. “I’m afraid we were not given all information sir.”
Ron’s perplexed eyes rounded on Gwen. “What information?” He looked back and forth between his two team members. “What are you talking about Gwen?”
She sighed heavily. “Perhaps it’s better if you see for yourself, sir.”
She turned the handle of the door and pushed it open, stepping back to let Ron through.

There was no way he was going to let Ginny get the better of him. Begging for help by tomorrow? He wasn’t a boy anymore. He was a fully grown, fully trained, Ministry Employed Auror. Not only that, he was Captain of the best, most discreet team the Ministry had. If the Ministry trusted him to lead his team into some of the most dangerous situations the former Death Eaters could cook up, than certainly he could be trusted to take care of one small baby.

Hermione stared at the younger girl a moment, her eyes scrunched in disbelief. “You’re talking about Ron Weasley?”
“Yep.”
“The man who was just standing here? In this hallway? With us.”
Ramilda rolled her eyes. “Yes. Ronald Weasley. For goodness sake, I know who he is. Everybody around here does. And that was even before the baby arrived.”

He knocked on the door. Almost instantly it was flung open.
“Ronnie!” Molly reached through the door and hulled him inside. “I was wondering when you would be getting here.”
“Sorry mum.” He let her take the baby out of his arms. “I thought it’d be better to feed her before we came so I wouldn’t have to deal with it during dinner and we had a little mishap with exploding milk.”
Molly’s face brightened instantaneously. “Her first magic?”

“It’s been five years.”
“I know that. But I look at her and all the old feelings come rushing back at me until I can’t see straight. I worked so hard to be ready for this and the moment I see her I forget everything. I just see her running away again.”

“I do not need to. I do not care. Why do you let him affect you like this? You told me you were finished with him.”
“I am.”
“Mio. Do not lie to me.”
Hermione lowered her head shamefully. “I did not think it would be this difficult. I suppose it is true, you never fully forget your first love.”

 “What are you doing here with her?”
Acting upon the need for self preservation Parker snatched his hand away from Hermione’s waist.
“It wasn’t Parker’s fault.” Hermione said meekly, cowering beneath the intense fire in his eyes. “We…”
“I wasn’t talking to you!” Ron snapped. “I was talking to Parker. What are you doing here with her?”

Parker stared quietly at the dark dwelling for several minutes. He wished one of the two people barricaded inside had taken the time to put on some lights. If he could only spot their silhouette in a window, just to know that they were both still alright, he was sure the tightening in his stomach would lessen.

“Or perhaps I’ll let it slip to Mum while I’m helping her wash up where exactly you’ve been sleeping at night.”
Hermione’s mouth dropped open in horror. “You wouldn’t.”

“I’ve gotten on just fine the past five years without people watching every move I make.”
“Look, we know you can take care of yourself.” Harry assured him. “You just...”
“You’ve just been short on patience lately.” Parker finished.

“If you think you can come in here after all that’s happened, after everything we’ve talked about, everything I’ve been through, and say that to me, you are seriously mistaken.”

Anger flashed behind his green eyes, lighting up his face. “I won’t do it, Ginny. I won’t pick between my brother and my sister. That’s what you’re asking me to do, and I won’t."
“I’m not asking you to do anything. Ron really is your brother. He’s family.”
“And Hermione really is my sister.”

“You can feel it happening already. You’re getting lost inside your own head. It’s becoming harder to fight. Harder to find your way back.” Jillian leaned close so that her mouth was right next to Hermione’s ear. “Eventually it will be impossible.” She whispered. “You’ll be lost forever.”

Jillian’s nostrils flared. She stomped forward until her toes were inches away from Hermione’s face. “You and Potter both think you’re so smart. That no one could possibly figure out what it is you’re doing. But I’m on to you. I know Harry took one of those Muggle flying brooms to Spain. It won’t take long to get confirmation of the fact.

“Harry.” Ginny clutched at his sleeve, using it as leverage to help her to her feet. “Did what I think just happen, really just happen?”
Harry turned to her, his smile growing broader. With a shout of joy he swooped down and kissed her full on the lips, stealing her breath away. “Yes, Gin. It did.”

"Where the hell have you been?" She asked with no preamble. "I've been trying to reach you."

“I just assumed…” She stammered. “I mean you didn’t show up to testify the other day… and you’re not there today… I thought you’d made your decision…you know…about what we talked about.”

“Testify?” Ron’s lips formed the word, but there was no air to push it out. It had all poured out of him in a moment of surprise. “Her trial?”