A/N: All is mine, aside from what is in Italics. That I took straight from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and belongs to JK Rowling. Im not sure if I want to continue this, or keep it a one-shot. But, here is what I think happened inside Shell Cottage between Ron and Hermione, when they first arrived.

'Take these prisoners down to the cellar, Greyback.'

'Wait,' said Bellatrix sharply. 'All except... except for the Mudblood.'

'No!' shouted Ron. You can have me, keep me!'

Bellatrix hit him across the face; the blow echoed around the room.

'If she dies under questioning, I'll take you next,' she said. 'Blood traitor is next to Mudblood in my book. Take them downstairs Greyback, and make sure they are secure, but do nothing more to them - yet.'

o-O-o

... The echoing bang of the slammed cellar door had not died away before there was a terrible, drawn-out scream from directly above them.

'HERMIONE!' Ron bellowed, and he started to writhe and struggle against the ropes tying them together, so that Harry staggered. 'HERMIONE!'

o-O-o

'We found it - we found it - PLEASE!' Hermione screamed again; Ron struggled harder then, and the rusty nail slipped onto Harry's wrist.

o-O-o

'What else did you take, what else? ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!'

Hermione's screams echoed off the walls upstairs, Ron was half sobbing as he pounded the walls with his fists, and Harry in utter desperation seized Hagrid's pouch from around his neck and groped inside it: He pulled out Dumbledore's Snitch and shook it, hoping for he did not know what - nothing happened - he waved the broken halves of the phoenix wand, but they were lifeless - the mirrow fragment fell sparkling to the floor, and he saw a gleam of brightest blue -

Dumbledore's eye was gazing at him out of the mirror.

'Help us! he yelled at it in mad desperation. 'We're in the cellar of Malfoy Manor, help us!'

Ron sat next to Hermione in the living room of shell cottage. Reaching behind him, he pulled a red and gold afghan off the back of the couch, and settled it against the girls shoulders. She had a far off look in her eyes. She sat straight up, with her arms across her middle. Rocking slightly, she gave a shaky sob, 'We - we got away?'

Taking her hand in his, Ron gave a weak smile, 'We got away.' He brushed a lock of brown hair off her forhead, 'You're safe, 'Mione.'

'I - Im safe.' Hermione nodded her head, and looked at the boy next to her. Her eyes filled with tears, and she leaned into him.

'Shh.' Ron rubbed her back, and closed his eyes. Still rubbing her back, Ron thought back to moments ago: 'How did you get into my vault?' they heard Bellatrix scream. 'Did that dirty little goblin in the cellar help you?' 'We only met him tonight!' Hermione sobbed. 'We've never been in your vault... It isn't the real sword! It's a copy, just a copy!'

'Ron?' Glancing up, Ron saw his brother, Bill, standing in the doorway. A frown on his face. 'Whats going on? You show up here, with a dead house-elf. And Hermio-'

'Dobbys dead?' Hermione gasped. Tears were running down her face, and Ron saw how pale she actually was. 'He - he's de...' She shook her head, and brought her hands to her face.

Glaring, Ron looked at his older brother, 'Not now!'

Inclining his head, Bill took a step back into the shadows, 'Fleur! Can you come her darling?'

A pretty blonde walked into the room, gasping, she looked from Bill to the couple on the couch. Steppping closer to her husband, she whispered, 'William, what is going on?'

With a quick shake of his head, Bill wrapped his arm around her small waist. Taking a moment to bury his face in her hair, he sighed. 'We will be having guests for a time.' He looked at Ron and frowned, 'Im not sure what is going on, but they need time. Time to heal.'

'Zat is a given.' Stepping away for him, she walked quietly towards the couple on the couch, ''Ermione.' Fleur held out her hand, 'Let me take care of you, darling.'

Hermione sniffed, and looked up at the blonde. Tears silently fell down her face, and she shuddered. Looking back at Ron, she started to shake her head. ''Ermione, 'e will still be 'ere. Ron will not go leave you.'

'She's right, 'Mione.' Lightly, Ron touched her hair, 'I swear. I will never, never leave you.'

With a small sigh, Hermione placed her hand in Fleurs and followed her out of the room. Ron ran his hands down his face, and looked at his brother. Slowly, Bill crossed the room and sat down, 'Ron.' He sighed, and rubbed his chin, 'Does this have to do with what Dumbledore wanted?' When all Ron did was jerk his head, Bill looked at the ceiling. 'You know you guys can stay here, right?'

Looking at him, Ron smiled, 'I was kind of hoping we could.'

Nodding his head, Bill glanced towards the doorway, 'Can.. can you tell me anything. I need to know whats going on. At least.. as much as you can.'

'We..' Ron trailed off and blew out a breath. Shaking his head, he looked at his brother, and started again. 'You know how I was here a couple months ago.. and found out about the taboo?' When Bill nodded, Ron continued, 'Well. As soon as I got back, I told Harry and Hermione about it. And we've been fine.' Running his hands down his face, Ron said, 'We heard Potter-watch tonight. And Har- erm. Well, his name was said.'

Bill gasped, 'No.' Shaking his head, he stood and crossed to the windows. 'Is it true what they say?'

'Instantly.' Ron gave a quick nod, 'They had us surrounded in less then a minute. One of them recognized me and Hermione. And they assumed that Harry was the other. They took us straight to Malfoy Manor.'

Turning quickly, Bill looked at the man on his couch. His youngest brothers shoulders sagged, and his eyes were bruised. His clothes were ripped, and there was blood on a good portion of the skin that showed. He had dry tear tracks on both his cheeks; but his eyes were flashing.

Standing, Ron started to pace. He ran a hand roughly through his hair, and growled. 'Bellatrix was there.' Curling his nose, he looked up, 'She 'questioned' Hermione. I bet you can guess how that went.'

Bill crossed to his brother, laying a hand on his shoulder, he said, 'You got her out. Ron. She's safe.'

'She almost killed her.' Ron looked at his brother, his eyes filling. 'She was screaming, Bill. You could hear the pain in her vo-' His own voice broke, and the tears started to fall. 'Th- they took our wands. And put us down in their dungeon. She was right above us. I couldnt do anything to help her. To save her.'

Wrapping his arms around his brother, Bill offered silent support. Before he and Fleur had gotten married the summer before, Ron had came to him. And had admited his feelings for his best friend. Bill could only imagine what he was going through. If it had been Fleur... he shook his head, and shuddered.

'You did help her, Ron.' Bill took a step back, and gave his shoulders a quick shake, 'You saved her. And got her out of that place.'

Nodding his head, Ron ran his hands down his face. He cleared his throat and gave a tight smile to his brother, 'Do, uh. Do you know where Fleur was taking her?'

'Probably the larger guest room. We put Ollivander and Griphook in the smaller of the two.'

Ron nodded, and crossed to the stairs. He reached the landing just as Fleur was coming out of the larger guest room, 'She is resting.'

'I know. I just need...' Ron looked at the door, and frowned, 'I need to make sure that shes okay.'

Walking by him, Fleur layed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. Taking a deep breath, Ron crossed to the door, and pushed it open, 'Hermione?'

The young woman was sitting on the bed next to the window. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, and her arms around her knees, she was staring out the window with a far awar expression on her faec. Ron walked to the bed, and sat at the end, by her feet, ''Mione?'

Looking up, Hermione gave a small smile, 'Im okay.'

'Are you?'

Giving a small nod, Hermione bit her lip, 'I was so, scared.'

'Me too.' When the girl looked at him, Ron layed a hand on her shoulder, 'Hermione. I don't think you understand how much you mean too me.' Ron slid his hand down her arm, and brought her fingers to his lips, 'You are so much more then just my best friend.'

Hermione looked at him, with wide brown eyes. Her eyes filled with tears, 'Ron.'

'Shh.' Kissing her fingers again, Ron stood and smiled at her, 'Im going to go help Harry.' He walked across the floor, and after giving her one last smile, went down the stairs.

A/N: So, what did you guys think? Should I keep going? Or leave it as it is?

-Lorrinda