A/N: Hello all, for those of you who have read my previous story, you are acquainted with my style of writing and my penchant to leave things in cliffhangers that some of you may not enjoy. : ) lol. And to those of you who have not read my previous story welcome! Don't worry, you don't have to read it for you to understand this one. This is a Ron and Hermione story, with some other couples here and there, but is mostly a RW/HG plot. I began this story in some months ago, before HBP came out but as I like to keep my stories factual I had decided from the beginning that I would not uploaded to this site until HBP was read and facts incorporated into the completed chapters. Now, I have been able to edit my chapters taking HBP facts and making the changes necessary to upload the first chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. I have not read any plot like it, so as far as I'm concerned, it is an original plot. If there are any like it out there, I would like to know.
Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction, not an original story, all recognizable characters, words and places belong to JK Rowling. Plot and original secondary characters are mine. This story is not meant to be published for monetary gain.
Chapter 1 Taken
Dawn had arrived, the dim light of the rising sun was creeping through the closed curtains before the windows.
Her eyes remained closed, but Hermione was aware of the warm body stirring at her side. She heard him grunt as he left the bed and knew that he crept silently around the room, trying not to wake her, as he gathered his clothing on his way to the bathroom.
The muffled sound of the water flowing in the shower reached her ears. She blinked sleepily at the alarm clock on the night table on her side of the bed. It was barely 5:23, but as it was her day off, she need not get ready for work. Ron, on the other hand, had to report t Auror Headquarters at 7:00 that morning.
Ron. She smiled at the thought of her fiancé. It had been more than eleven years ago since she first caught sight of Ronald Weasley on their first trip on the Hogwarts Express. He had been trying to show the famous Harry Potter a spell his brother had taught him and she had stumbled into their compartment as she helped Neville Longbottom search for his missing frog. They didn't make a good impression on each other that first time, but things changed soon enough.
For seven years, Ron, Harry and Hermione had been inseparable, helping each other in every way and getting in trouble in the process. But their adventures only brought them closer together and become the best of friends, even among the horrors of the final battle of the last war.
It was during that battle, as Hermione and Ron where trying to survive to help Harry fight Voldemort that both accepted the feelings they had for each other. The thought of losing their lives made it easier to admit the simmering emotions they had tried to deny for years, and it was the acknowledgement of their love for each other that drove them to victory against all odds and defeat the Death Eaters surrounding them.
Harry defeated Voldemort after a long and draining battle, at the cost of great loss of life. Many spent time at St. Mungo's recuperating their tired bodies. It was during this time when Ron and Hermione determined to allow their blossoming feelings to grow.
It was almost four years since that final battle. Ron and Harry went into Auror training while Hermione had accepted an offer for a position in the Ministry.
Five months ago, Ron and Harry had completed their training and had been accepted as fully trained Aurors. And after months of saving his wages, Ron had proposed to Hermione the night before.
Hermione smiled at the memory of what had transpired the previous night. She glanced at the glittering diamond ring in her finger and closed her eyes and grinned with satisfaction at the sensations the images evoked.
She snuggled against the comfortable pillows. She had planned to meet with Ginny in Diagon Alley later that day and couldn't wait to share her news.
Sleep had taken over once more as the door of the bathroom opened and Ron stepped out fully clothed. He looked at the messed bed and sighed with regret. He wished he could stay at home and celebrate his engagement with his new bride-to-be. But duty called and Harry was sure to be waiting to know what had happened.
He grabbed his wand from the dresser and pulled his cloak from the peg behind the door. He returned to the bed and glanced longingly down at his sleeping fiancé. "Have a nice day." He whispered and kissed her cheek. She stirred and mumbled softly in her sleep. "I'll see you later, love." He said and walked quietly out of the room.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Ron apparated at the Ministry with fifteen minutes to spare. He stepped into one of the lifts and reached the second level a few moments later after several stops.
He walked off the lift and made his way to the Auror Headquarters Office. He glanced quickly at a closed door before turning into the office. He greeted cheerfully those he met as he walked to the cubicle he shared with his partner, Harry Potter.
Harry was waiting for him.
"Well?" Harry asked curiously. "Did you ask her?"
"Will you let me take off my cloak first?" Said Ron teasingly.
Harry waited impatiently while Ron shrugged off his cloak and hanged it slowly on the robes hanger a few feet from the cubicle.
"All you have to do is tell me if she said yes or no." Harry said testily.
"Yes." Ron said with a grin.
"Yes, you asked her, or she said Yes." Glared Harry.
"Yes I asked her, and she did say yes." Grinned Ron happily.
Harry cheered and clapped Ron on the back. "Congratulations. You two are perfect for each other." Said Harry as they sat on their respective chairs. "When should I start planning your stag party?"
Ron laughed. "We haven't discussed dates yet." He said blushing slightly. "We – er - kinda got distracted after I proposed."
Harry laughed gleefully as Ron flushed with embarrassment.
"Have you told your parents yet?" He asked after a while.
"No. Dad wasn't in his office when I came in. I want to tell him before I owl Mum." Ron said.
Harry glanced at the clock hanging on the wall a few feet away.
"He should be there by now." He said.
"I'll go check. Tell Shacklebolt I'll be back in a minute." Called Ron as he hurried to his father's office.
The door to the Improper Use of Magic Office was open. Inside was a large desk in front of a long window. Behind the desk was sitting Mr. Arthur Weasley.
Two years previously, Mr. Weasley had been promoted to his current position leaving behind the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office to his son, Percy, who had requested the change a few years ago after reconciling with his family and wanting to work closely with his father after the many years of separation.
Mr. Weasley new position moved him to a larger office. The long window showing a sunny view and the large desk were placed at one end of the room. A large fireplace adorned one of the walls with comfortable, plush sofas before it. A conference table and long counters lined the remaining walls, where, Ron knew, Mr. Weasley met with the people under his charge.
Ron knocked on the door for his father's attention.
"Oh, hello Ronald, didn't notice you there." Said Mr. Weasley brightly.
"Morning dad. Your door was closed when I arrived earlier." Ron stepped languidly into the room.
Mr. Weasley smiled proudly at his tall son. "I just arrived. Molly has been worrying a lot lately. What, with the latest supposed attack on Mad-Eye she's uneasy." Mr. Weasley explained.
Ron nodded with understanding. After Voldemort's defeat at the hands of Harry almost four years ago, many of his followers were left without direction, and those who escaped imprisonment continued with their former leader's work. But on the last couple of months their attacks (which until now had been few and sporadic with no sense of purpose) began to be directed toward the remaining members of the Order, whom the Death Eaters deemed responsible for the eventual victory over Voldemort and his forces.
Fortunately, after Moody's retirement he had been wise to buy a cottage in the hills near Hogsmeade, on which he erected wards and enchantments for protection and hired a few talented wizards and witches to help him if necessary. Even though age had not diminished his spirit and power, he knew that his body was not up to the physical confrontations that it once had seen.
"Nothing came of it, of course." Said Ron. "Mad-Eye is too wily to allow them to sneak up on him."
Mr. Weasley chuckled pleasantly. "Those Death Eaters didn't know what hit them. They were mumbling incoherently and blinking blindly when the Aurors took them into custody."
Ron laughed animatedly. After four years, the remaining Death Eaters were divided. Many had tried to gain the leadership of the former feared group but had failed miserably, and petty squabbles and jealousies kept the former organization from becoming as dreaded as it had once been.
Ron shook his head bemused. One would think that after four failed attacks, the Death Eaters would've given up, but it only seemed to make them try another tactic. "If they try again, Mad-Eye will be ready for them."
"Of course he will, doesn't keep your mother from distressing about him, but there's noting she can do. Minerva keeps asking him to make his home at Hogwarts, Molly keeps advising him to do so and Alastor keeps ignoring them." Mr. Weasley replied.
"Perhaps my news will cheer her up." Said Ron, deciding that it was time for his to tell his father his tidings.
"Oh?" Mr. Weasley looked up curiously at his youngest son.
"I proposed to Hermione last night and she accepted." Ron grinned proudly.
"What great news!" Exclaimed Mr. Weasley walking around the desk toward Ron and hugging him happily. "Your mother will be pleased."
"I'll owl her in a moment, just wanted to tell you first." Smiled Ron.
"Of course, of course. Bring Hermione round to dinner tonight. I know Molly will want to see her." Invited Mr. Weasley contently. "She wasn't too happy when you two moved in together last year."
"I know, but she came around." Said Ron. "I'll owl Hermione about dinner."
"Do that. Don't forget your mother. She'll never forgive us if we forget to tell her." Warned Mr. Weasley teasingly.
Ron laughed. "Don't I know it? I won't forget." He said goodbye and walked back to his cubicle.
"It seems that congratulations are in order." Said their superior, Kingsley Shacklebolt, who waited for him with Harry.
"Thank you, Sir. Just went to tell my father the news." Explained Ron.
"No need for explanations." Shacklebolt waved a hand without concern or anger. "Not much to do today. The Death Eaters seemed to have gone underground after yesterday's attempted attack on Moody's cottage."
Harry snorted disdainfully. "Should've learned by now."
"Never said they were smart." Laughed Shacklebolt. "At any rate," he continued, "they seem to be becoming bolder with each attack. We've received intelligence that they might try something soon. I want you two to keep your eyes and ears open. Reports have come in about a possible meeting at a dingy Muggle pub in London. Here's the address. I need you to go undercover and see what you can learn."
Harry and Ron nodded, happy to have something to do instead of staying at their desk with paperwork. They discarded their Ministry robes for Muggle clothing and Ron sent a couple of owls with notes attached, one for his mother and another for Hermione. Moments later, both were seen stepping off the lift into the Atrium and walking unhurriedly out the Main doors.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
The alarm clock went off. Hermione's hand snaked out from under the covers and hit the snooze button. Her head slowly emerged from underneath the pillows as she looked blearily around the room.
She knew Ron had left earlier, as bright sunlight streamed through the open curtains around the window. She looked at the alarm clock. It was 9:10 and she had agreed to meet Ginny for lunch at noon.
She slowly got out of bed. She stretched yawning as she let the sheets fall from her body. Hermione grasped her robe and tied it on as she walked to the dresser.
She looked at herself on the mirror. "Oh, I look awful."
With a flick of her wand, the bed started to tidy up itself. She walked to the bathroom ready to prepare for the day.
Hermione found breakfast waiting for her at the table. Scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and muffins had been set before her customary chair. Also, a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee. Ron had placed a heating charm around the plate and cup to keep warm. A small vase stood in the middle of the table with a single red rose. FOR MY BRIDE TO BE was scribbled in a white card leaning against the vase.
Hermione was pleased by the effort Ron had taken in making breakfast. He was not the most helpful person to have around the house when chores needed to be done, but he was thoughtful and did the most sweetest things he could think of when he was in the mood, which, Hermione was happy to note, happened often.
She ate her meal silently while reading the morning edition of the Daily Prophet. The pages were full of details of the latest attempted attack on Mad-Eye.
Hermione grunted contemptuously. "Picking on an old man like that. They don't try it against Harry because they're afraid of him. Bet Moody seems like an easy target compared to him. Well, he certainly showed them."
She finished her meal and cleaned the dishes, she still had more than an hour until she had to leave for her meeting with Ginny.
She looked critically around her. The apartment looked clean and in order, but she knew better. With a flick of her wand she opened the cupboard and a vacuum slid out toward the living room carpet. Another flick and the feather duster began to dance around, dusting every surface in the room.
Hermione walked happily to the bedroom, she thanked Molly for teaching her the necessary cleaning spells to keep house. It made things easier than the way her own mother had taught her in the old-fashioned, Muggle way.
She grabbed her purse from the closet and her jacket from the hanger behind the door. There was still time for her to do some shopping before she met with Ginny. She flicked her wand as she walked through the living room on her way to the door.
The feather duster returned to a peg in the cupboard's door and the vacuum slid back into the cupboard just as the door closed behind her.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Two young men sat raucously at the bar in an out of the way pub in London. Seemed like they were in good spirits as they celebrated some good news. The old bartender chuckled at their antics as he served his usual customers; only a pair of funny dressed gentlemen seemed not to be paying any attention.
"You would think they would dress less conspicuously if they chose to meet at a Muggle pub." The red-headed young man whispered to his black-haired companion.
Harry nodded with derision. "They're Death Eaters, purebloods who make no effort in learning about Muggles. What do they know about proper Muggle fashion, everything Muggle is anathema to them?"
Ron agreed and called for another beer.
"Will you take it easy? I don't want to leave carrying you over my shoulder." Argued Harry as the bartender placed another beer bottle in front of Ron. "Besides, we're here to work, not get intoxicated." He whispered as the bartender turned to serve a couple of new customers.
"Relax, I took an anti-intoxication potion." Whispered Ron.
"Good, because I'm not looking forward to listening into their conversation on my own." Harry said.
They watched as another couple of young men joined the funnily dressed pair at their table. Without any notice from the other patrons, a pair of flesh colored strings snaked down to the corner table where the foursome held their meeting.
"Well?" They heard one of them say.
"We'll soon have what we need." Another replied. "Draco will make sure of it."
"Do you think it'll work?" The first man asked again.
"It has to!" A third exclaimed loud enough to call the attention of the other customers.
"Will you keep your voice down." One of them whispered harshly as they looked at each other nervously and drank from their mugs in silence until they were sure nobody was paying any more attention to them.
"When do we know it's safe to start making plans against Potter?" Somebody finally asked.
"Tonight." Was the response.
There was silence around the table and one by one they began to leave the table.
The two flesh-colored strings rolled quickly out of sight.
"Who would've thought Extendable Ears would become an standard issued tool for every Auror in the field." Laughed Ron as he pushed his into the pocket of his coat.
"Since Shacklebolt saw the potential in them." Harry replied with a tight smile. "We should go."
Ron nodded and extracted some pound notes and placed them on the counter. "Thanks, Max." He called to the bartender.
"Anytime." Max called back. "You never told me what you were celebrating."
"My engagement of course." Laughed Ron and the pair left the pub as calls of congratulations from the other customers followed them out.
The pair walked languidly for a couple of blocks, stopping now and then to look into the shop windows as if they didn't have to be anywhere else, looking over their shoulders now and then to make sure they were not followed. They didn't say anything about what they had heard.
When they deemed it safe, they hurried into an alley and disapparated with a loud crack.
A minute later they found themselves in the middle of the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
They walked gracefully to the lift, ignoring the glances and whispering that usually followed Harry's wake.
They stepped off the lift on the second level and walked promptly to their desk, where they sat and began scribbling their report.
"It seems like they're turning their attention back to you." Ron said glancing worriedly at his friend sitting across from him.
Harry said nothing.
"What do you think they're planning?" Asked Ron as he turned his attention back to the paragraph he had just written.
"I don't know, but if Draco is involved it'll be trouble." Harry said uneasily. "Wished we knew what will happen tonight."
"We can always recommend for patrols to keep an eye on Malfoy Manor tonight." Said Ron voicing what was on his mind. "We can be sure that Draco will want to direct whatever is happening tonight."
Harry sighed tiredly. "I'm glad I don't have the second shift tonight, I don't fancy dealing with Malfoy at this moment."
"Neither do I. Besides, dad said to take Hermione over to the Burrow for dinner." Ron said.
Harry smiled. "Molly will be thrilled."
"I'm sure she'll be. Why don't you come along?" Invited Ron.
"But this is a family affair." Proclaimed Harry. "I'm sure I would only be in the way."
"Not at all, we want you there." Exclaimed Ron. "You're family, you know we've thought of you as such for years. And it wouldn't be the same without you. Mum is sure to call everybody else to be there."
"Well, if you're sure." Harry said slowly.
"I am. Hermione will be happy to see you, she was complaining yesterday that she doesn't see you as often as she would like to." Ron said, glancing at this partner from under his lashes.
"I know. I don't see her around when we're on duty and I spend most of my days off with Remus." Harry said keeping his eyes on the parchment he was writing on.
Ron looked up. "How is he doing?" He asked.
"Better, now that the full moon has passed." Harry reported. "But his body is taking longer to recover than it used to."
"It has been like that for the last four years now, Harry. It could've been worse." Ron said kindly.
"I know." Harry sighed sadly.
Remus Lupin had been an important member of the Order during the war, but had been injured severely in the final battle by a barrage of dark spells.
For many months, Remus had been in a coma at St. Mungo's while his friends stayed at his side hoping for the best. Time and the care given by the healers repaired most of the physical damage, and the mental strain was dealt with in time when he was ready. But there was one thing they couldn't do for him.
His back and nerves had been injured during the battle and even though the bones had been replaced and the muscle damaged repaired, the injures to the nerves in his spine had been difficult to mend, as a result, Remus would spend the rest of his life in a chair.
Remus was the last surviving friend of James Potter and for that reason, among others, Harry felt a sort of filial duty to his father's friend. As soon as he finished school, Harry bought a cottage in the middle of a clearing in a forest far from any large cities or towns. He hired a gently woman who cooked and cleaned for Remus and made sure he took his prescribed potions. For protection and heavy work, he hired a couple of talented wizards who made sure no strangers got near the cottage and that Remus was locked in a safe room during the full moon.
Harry visited often and sometimes took friends to keep Remus company.
"Mother will be happy to see you also." Ron's voce broke through Harry's thoughts. Harry smiled as he put his thoughts aside for another time.
"It'll be good to have you around. Fred and George won't gang up on me if you're there." Ron mumbled.
"I feel so appreciated." Laughed Harry.
"You know what I mean. They're bound to start teasing me the moment they arrive." Ron groaned with exasperation.
"I'm sure your mother will have something to say to them if they do." Replied Harry.
"Of course she will, and they'll take it out on me." Ron complained.
"It won't be so bad." Harry chuckled knowing that he was likely to be proven wrong.
"Well, at least Jeanette and Luc will keep them entertained." Ron sighed in resignation.
"You mean Fred and George will try to corrupt them." Snickered Harry.
"They're already corrupted." Said Ron, thinking of his twin niece and nephew. "Fleur tries to civilize them, but with a flock of Weasleys ready to spoil them, she's not having any success."
"Well, soon Bill won't be the only married Weasley, other than your parents that is. Your children will have enough uncles ready to corrupt them." Laughed Harry.
"Oh, don't even say it!" Exclaimed Ron.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Hermioen will make sure they behave themselves." Harry said in a consolatory tone.
"Thank Merlin for Hermione." Sighed Ron.
Harry chuckled with amusement.
"What about you?" Ron asked suddenly.
"What about me?" Harry asked somewhat bewildered.
"When are you going to bring a girl over?" Ron said.
"Don't become a matchmaker on me!" Groaned Harry. "I have no time for a relationship at the moment."
"I'm sure there are a lot of girls who wouldn't mind." Ron snickered.
"And that's the problem. How am I supposed to find the right girl with all the others appearing all over." Harry frowned. "Whoever gave the address of my flat to the Witch Weekly has a lot to pay for. I still haven't been able to sell it and I had to put wards around my new one."
Ron was dazed as he shook his head in commiseration.
Ever since Voldemort's defeat at the hands of Harry, the former Gryffindor's popularity had turned into adoration. During the weeks Harry had spent recuperation at St. Mungo's, the magical hospital had been inundated by gifts from all over the country. People camped in the waiting room hoping to catch a glimpse of their savior. Security had to be increased and special passes created for those allowed to visit him. Not that he had taken any notice of what was happening around him as he had been in and out of consciousness for days, and under therapy on the weeks after.
As time passed, his popularity refused to wane. Fan mail had been received at the Ministry in great numbers from the moment he started his Auror training that a special office had been created to deal with it. Whispers and glances followed him wherever he went that Harry had opted to shop and eat in Muggle establishments and refused to visit Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade unless he absolutely had to.
The relationship he had once enjoyed with the youngest Weasley had been severed during the last year of the war and had become a thing of the past. Ron knew it was hard for Harry to become close to people and as a result his relationships with women had been many and short. Harry didn't seem to mind but Ron was sure that there were times when his friend was sure to feel lonely.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Hermione walked happily down the sidewalk, stopping now and then to look at the merchandise displayed on the windows. She had elected to walk around the muggle shops near Diagon Alley before joining Ginny at the Leaky Cauldron.
People scrambled to and fro around her, but she paid no attention to them. She was busily making mental lists of the things she'd like to get for her wedding.
She checked her watch. Half an hour until she had to meet Ginny. Hermione sighed resignedly. She would just have to return and look around on her way back home.
She had to cross a less crowded street before turning toward the Leaky Cauldron. As she passed an alley nearby she heard sounds of a struggle.
Hermione looked around. There was nobody in sight. She grasped her wand tightly hidden in her coat pocket and pressed against the wall and looked into the alley.
There was a man on the floor struggling against ropes while two men held wands in their hands and laughed at their prey.
"We'll teach you some manners, Muggle." Hermione glared as her sense of righteousness took hold of her body. Two against one, she thought, those were good odds.
"Leave him alone." She yelled stepping into the alley.
"Says who?" Sneered one f the men turning to look at her.
"Says I." She snapped pulling her wand from her pocket.
"Well done, Miss Granger." A cold voice said behind the two large men in front of her.
"What?" Exclaimed Hermione in surprise.
The ropes around the downed man were gone and in his place stood a leering Draco Malfoy looking mockingly at her.
A trap, her brain screamed, but she had lost time looking amazed at Malfoy. She prepared to apparate, but it was too late, and anti-apparition charm had been placed in the alley and somebody had come from behind her grasping her arms.
"Let me go! What do you think you're doing?" She yelled as she struggled to get away and use her wand.
"You're the perfect bait." Malfoy sneered maliciously. "What better way to punish Potter than by using one of his best friends."
"I won't let you." Screamed Hermione and started sending spells around her.
"Don't let her go!" She heard Malfoy yell. Two pairs of arms came around her. She struggled and felt a light tug in her stomach. It was a familiar feeling. A portkey? She thought. She saw an orange light heading toward her as the portkey activated. A blinding headache made her lose consciousness of time and place.
A/N: There you go. I have fifteen chapters completed and I'll post the next one as soon as I have it ready, if you just can't wait to find out what happens, all the chapters are posted at but keep in mind that I'm making some changes to make this story compatible with HBP facts. The first fifteen chapters were written before it came out. I'm sorry for any spelling and grammar mistakes you may have found along the chapter, I don't have a beta for this story and I tend to forget about grammar and spelling when I write. If anybody out there is interested, let me know. Please don't forget to review, I like to hear from my readers. No flames, please, I won't read them if I get them.
Alexa aka Lady of the Lake