Things had been rather strange since a couple of escaped Death Eaters had gathered an abundance of troops (including a number of extremely dangerous creatures like the Nundu, the Quintaped, the Lethifold, Dementors, Streelers, Runespoors, Red Caps, and more) and ransacked the Wizarding world as they knew it.
Ron and Harry had heard the grave news at the office.
"Surely there's something we can do," said Harry to Kingsley.
"Not at this point," said Kingsley grimly. "They're much too strong at this point. The creatures they have with them are far too dangerous; Nundus can wipe out entire villages if they so much as breathe the wrong way, and Lethifolds can just swallow people up without actually causing any bloodshed. Quintapeds are extremely poisonous. If we attempt to strike or stop them they may just let loose all their horrible creatures. We haven't been able to figure out how they managed to get so many of them, I suppose it was just a duplication spell, or something of that nature…"
"But what if they do let the things loose?" asked Ron. "What will happen to our homes? Our families?"
Kingsley gave him another grave look.
"That's what I was going to suggest. For now, I think it's best if you all go home to your families. Hogwarts is being evacuated so the only other place I would recommend going would be King's Cross to go get your children. The train should be arriving in about a half an hour."
Harry and Ron exchanged a glance and nodded.
"Also, I wouldn't send too many letters. You wouldn't want to be traced and you wouldn't want those letters intercepted."
So Harry and Ron left the office numbly; they really couldn't believe this. How did they let it get so out of hand so quickly? Harry and Ron turned to each other outside the office.
"Good luck mate," said Ron.
They hugged.
"We'll keep in touch somehow," said Harry. "Keep Hermione safe."
"You keep Ginny safe too. And your kids."
"And yours."
They patted each other's backs then Apparated to each other's houses.
Ron got inside the door. The house was silent. His mind was so warped by what he had just heard that his mind instantly went into panic mode.
"Hermione!" he called frantically. "Hermione!"
Hermione came into the living room, looking worried.
"Ron! You're home! Are you all right?"
Ron swept her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"Oh, Hermione…I love you."
"I love you too," said Hermione, sounding slightly confused. "Is everything all right?"
"Here," said Ron, taking her hand and leading her to the living room sofa, where they both sat down.
"I have some bad news."
"What?"
Ron took her hand in both of his hands. "We're under attack. Apparently there are escaped Death Eaters on the run, and they've somehow managed to breed a slew of dangerous creatures, ones that are so dangerous that they may just set them off on us if they feel like it. Kingsley says they're very powerful; so powerful in fact that we can't do anything about them. He told us to come home, tell our wives, and then go to King's Cross to pick up the kids in half an hour, because Hogwarts is being evacuated for their safety. It's gotten really bad already, and we have to stay home and take care of our families. They've shut down the office except the Minister's, and Kingsley is staying there to keep some kind of vigil. But it's just as you're thinking it is, Hermione…it's a dark time indeed."
Hermione sat, blinking, letting the news wash over her. Then she slowly stood up. Ron stood with her, looking anxious.
"What about Harry?"
"He's gone home to tell Ginny. I expect they'll be going to King's Cross to go get our nephews and niece."
Hermione's eyes filled with immediate sense of purpose. "Well, we haven't any time to lose then, have we? Let's go get Rose and Hugo and then we can talk about what we're going to do."
Ron couldn't suppress a smile. That was the Hermione he knew.
They got their coats and walked out of the door toward their Muggle car. Ron got in the driver's seat and Hermione sat in the passenger seat.
Before starting the car, Ron looked at Hermione. She was terribly pale and looked flustered.
"Are you all right, Hermione?"
She started. "Hmm? Oh, yes, fine…"
Ron took her hand and squeezed it. "I'm sure they're as scared as you are."
She just nodded, then looked at him. Ron leaned toward Hermione and kissed her, to try and ease some of her worry. They did this for a minute or two before they broke apart and Ron started the car.
They drove mostly in silence; quite honestly the Weasleys were busy pondering what their life was going to be like in the next few days, the next few hours.
They got to King's Cross. They were expecting there to be a large group of parents, picking up their kids.
What they hadn't expected was for there to be pandemonium. There were people everywhere; some were parents, calling for their kids, and some were kids, calling for their parents.
Ron and Hermione entered King's Cross and instantly were buffeted by a crowd of terrified people. Hermione gave a cry of displeasure and confusion as a few of them bumped her and her hand was nearly yanked out of Ron's.
"Get away from her," Ron snarled, and he pulled Hermione close to him. They stood, arms around each other, looking around frantically.
"We have to find Hugo and Rosie," said Hermione. "I'll start looking."
"If you find them, meet me right here," said Ron firmly.
Hermione nodded, then ran into the crowd, calling for her daughter and son.
"Rose! Hugo!"
Ron looked around too, yelling "Rose! Rosie! Hugo!"
Hermione suddenly ran into a red-haired boy and she nearly apologized until she discovered it was her son, Hugo, who had spotted her and was hugging her tightly.
"Mum!"
"Hi, sweetheart," said Hermione, holding her son. Even at twelve Hugo was distinctively lovable; he was carrying his luggage already. "Where's your owl?"
"I let Adele fly away; I just told her to go to our house and she took off."
"Where's Rose?" said Hermione.
"I don't know," said Hugo, his eyes fearful. "I don't know, Mum, I can't find her-"
"We'll find her," said Hermione. "Rose!"
"Rosie!" yelled Hugo.
They looked all around for Rose. Hermione waved her wand at her son's luggage then grabbed him as they fought through the crowd to get to an area where there weren't so many people. Hugo's luggage trailed cheerfully behind them as they came to a small area on the side of the crowd to look for Rose.
"Rose!" called Hermione.
"Rosie!" called Hugo.
Then suddenly, they saw her; Rose was able to run at them despite the people around her and once she reached them she threw her arms around her mother. Her luggage had already been bewitched to follow her, like Hugo's, and so it took its place next to the rest of the luggage.
"Mum! Where's Dad?"
"He's on the other side, waiting for us. We have to go find him now…"
They all linked arms and fought their way through the crowd.
"Ron!" Hermione called, seeing him. He looked around and saw his wife and children struggling through the panicked crowd. Ron began to fight his way toward them.
Once he had reached Hermione, he looked around, his arm around his wife and his hand warm on Rose's shoulder. "Where's their luggage? Did they have it?"
"Behind us," said Hermione.
Finally the crowd seemed to lessen; it was easier to move around now. The Weasleys huddled close, arms around each other. Then Rose said suddenly "Scorpius!"
Scorpius Malfoy, Rose and Hugo's friend, was standing by one of the platforms. His face broke into relief when he saw her and she ran and hugged him.
Ron said, "Come on, Rosie. We have to go."
"Wait, Dad…Scorpius, are your mum and dad coming for you?"
"No," said Scorpius. "I got an owl from Dad saying he and Mum had to go someplace. I don't know where they went but they aren't coming here. So here I am."
"They aren't coming for you?" asked Hermione.
"No."
Hermione's expression was calm and purposeful.
"All right, you'll come home with us for right now."
Ron glanced at her. "Hermione…"
"We are all in danger," Hermione said to him quietly. "We need to protect all of our own."
"Would that be okay with you both?" said Scorpius, looking slightly alarmed.
"It's fine with him," said Hermione cheerfully, patting Ron's shoulder. "And me as well. Get your things, Scorpius, you can come home with us for a little while."
Since Rose and Hugo had become friends with Scorpius at Hogwarts Ron had not been very hostile toward Scorpius, but he wasn't sure if he wanted Scorpius staying in the house for a long period of time. However, he made no objection; he waved his wand at Rose's, Hugo's, and now Scorpius' luggage and made it follow the group back to the car. Hermione walked up next to him and put her arm around him.
He smiled a little and put an arm around her.
They got in the car; Ron and Hermione up front and Rose, Scorpius, and Hugo in the back. Their luggage had been successfully shrunk to fit inside the trunk. Ron started the car and began to drive them back home. Rose, Hugo, and Scorpius all looked equally wary of what was going on, but Rose was the only one to voice her worry.
"Mum, Dad, what's going on? Why did we have to leave?"
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance then Hermione looked at her daughter.
"They…didn't tell you?"
"No, they just told us Hogwarts was being evacuated for our safety. They wouldn't tell us anything else."
Hermione sighed. "Well, sweetie…a few escaped Death Eaters have bred this massive army of extremely dangerous creatures, and not just any old dangerous creatures…ones that could cause thousands of deaths. They've grown very strong and very large as well. The Ministry didn't see it coming but once they had there was nothing they could do. It's as if another Dark Age is setting upon us. They told your dad at the office to come home and then go get you and Hugo from King's Cross so we can be together as a family and take care of each other."
Rose looked frightened, and Hugo did too.
Scorpius had a very dark expression but said nothing.
Ron said suddenly, "Rosie, Hugo, listen…and Scorpius, Hermione and I aren't your parents but I'll say this to you too; we'll all have to stay together, stay in the house, not send too many letters, and also keep under constant watch of creatures or Death Eaters. We need to look out for each other, all right?"
"Yes, Dad," said Hugo and Rose.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley," said Scorpius.
They drove for a little while. They came to a small town road and suddenly Rose said "Mum! Dad!"
About three Dementors flew to the front of their car. Ron swerved the car and braked just in time before they nearly smashed into a wall. Ron got out and pointed his wand at the Dementors, which had multiplied from three to seventy in a matter of seconds. Hermione got her wand and opened the door.
"Stay here, all of you-"
She got out of the car and pointed her wand as well. Husband and wife both yelled "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
A silver terrier flickered and disappeared; the silver otter of Hermione's jerked feebly and dissipated.
"Come on, Ron!" cried Hermione. "A happy memory!"
"I don't know why it didn't work!" said Ron worriedly.
"We're too scared for our kids to think straight," said Hermione. "Think of when they were born, Ron…think of when they first came, when we first held them-ready, go!"
They cried "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" and this time it worked. The terrier and the otter charged at the Dementors, who all scattered and flew away.
Suddenly Rose screamed. "MUM! DAD!"
A Dementor was trying to get inside their car, and it was already sucking the souls out of the kids.
"NO!" screamed Hermione. Ron charged forward and roared "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
It was so powerful that it blasted the Dementor out of sight. Hermione ran to the car and Ron followed her, his face lined with worry. He knew what needed to happen.
"Hermione, it's too dangerous. You take the kids and Apparate home; I'll drive the rest of the way alone. That way, if they attack our car, it'll only be me who'll be attacked."
"Ron, I-" said Hermione, about to disagree, but Ron put both hands on her face.
"You're a brave woman, darling. But for once don't be brave. Just be safe. I'll come home, I promise."
Hermione nodded. Ron kissed her and hugged her tightly.
"I love you. Now go."
Hermione nodded and said, "Rose, Hugo, Scorpius, get out of the car and let's all grab hands."
They obeyed and she said, "We're gonna go home. Dad's gonna meet us there."
Before she could give them a chance to argue Hermione Disapparated and they came back to their house. Hermione said "Quickly! Inside! Now!"
They all ran inside, Hermione behind them with her wand out. Once inside, Hermione closed and locked all the doors in the house with her wand. Then she went to the kids, who all looked rather shaken.
"All right…we're safe. We're all right."
Hermione smiled, trying to hide that she was as scared as they were. "I'll make us all some tea…"
She ran to the kitchen without another word.
Scorpius, Rose, and Hugo sat on the couch. Rose took Scorpius' hand for comfort and he put an arm around her. Hugo got up and went to the kitchen to help his mother.
"Do you need help, Mum?"
"No, it's all right," said Hermione, in some kind of hysterical cheerfulness. She bustled around, making the tea, pouring it into mugs and trying to act like she wasn't worried. She put the teas mugs on a tray and then said, "It's fine, it'll be fine, your dad will be home soon. He must be, he must be home soon…"
There was a loud sound of glass breaking; due to Hermione's hands shaking uncontrollably she had dropped the tray of tea mugs and they had all smashed on the floor.
"Reparo," she said, pointing her shaking wand at the debris. "Tergeo."
It cleaned itself up and Hermione knelt onto the floor; she was trembling very hard and she put a shaking hand to her face.
Hugo hesitated, then he knelt down and put his arms around Hermione. She hugged him back and Hugo could feel his mother's fears beating frantically in her heart; the fear for their lives, the fear of what they had just encountered, the fear that she would lose his father. Hugo was a nice, sweet boy who simply wanted to hug his mother and assure her that things would be all right.
"It'll be all right, Mum," he told her, hugging her tighter.
Hermione sighed and patted her son's back. They broke apart. She smiled at him and put her hand on his head, stroking his hair.
"You're so much like your dad," she said. "Always so sweet and loving."
Hugo tried to smile at her but could not quite manage it. She understood.
Suddenly they heard a knock at the door. Hermione leapt up and she and Hugo ran to the door.
"Who is it?" asked Hermione, her wand out.
"Hermione, it's me! It's Ron!"
"Prove it!" said Hermione, her face white. "Rose, Hugo, Scorpius, behind the couch, now!"
They did as she asked and Hermione kept her wand pointed at the door.
"In the Battle of Hogwarts, where did we go? And what did we go there for? And once we were there, what did we do and what did you tell me?"
"We went to the Chamber of Secrets," said Ron. "We went to look for Basilisk fangs to destroy the remaining Horcruxes. You destroyed Hufflepuff's cup…"
"And what else?" said Hermione.
"We shared our first kiss," said Ron, and his voice grew quieter as he said it. "And I told you I loved you."
Hermione's eyes softened and she said "Alohomora."
The door unlocked and Ron came in. He and Hermione staggered toward each other and embraced tightly, with Hermione saying shakily, "I th-thought I'd never see y-you again…"
"I'm all right," said Ron, though his voice shook slightly too. He kissed her, thoroughly relieved. Rose and Hugo soon joined their parents and the Weasleys were all in a massive hug. Scorpius watched, feeling rather awkward but pleased.
They broke apart and Hermione said, "I made tea, Ron, would you like some?"
"Oh yes," said Ron, smiling at her. She smiled back and bustled back into the kitchen.
Ron waved his wand and everyone's luggage came rapidly through the door and traveled to their respective rooms (Scorpius' luggage went to the guestroom). Then Ron closed the door, locked it, and sat down on the small loveseat opposite the couch. He sighed heavily, looking at Hugo.
"So you all got home okay?"
"Yes," said Hugo. "Mum's locked the doors and my owl got in my room all right, I've checked."
Ron saw Hermione come out of the kitchen and he made room for her on the loveseat as she sat down, gave him a tea mug, and sipped her own tea. She set the tray (which had three additional mugs for those who wanted tea) on the small coffee table in front of them and holding her cup in one hand she put her hand on Ron's leg.
"Thank you, dear," he said gratefully, taking her hand in his. "Just so you all know my Hermione makes some of the best tea imaginable."
He kissed her cheek and she gave a small giggle and blushed.
"And now," said Ron. "To business…"
Ron looked at Rose and Scorpius now sitting together on the couch.
"So Scorpius, do we have any way of reaching your parents?"
"I don't know," said Scorpius, and he actually looked miserable and slightly angry about this. "They didn't tell me where they'd be."
Hermione said, "Do they…do this often?"
"No," said Scorpius. "But it doesn't really matter. I bet I knew where they went. They went to go find those Death Eaters and help them."
Hermione and Ron exchanged a glance then looked back at Scorpius, Ron's face thoughtful and Hermione's sadly sympathetic.
"Well, we've already said we'll let you stay here," said Hermione. "We aren't just going to turn you away because of whatever reason. We'll be happy to have you."
Scorpius gave her a small smile. "Well, I know you all have enough to take care of…I don't want to be any trouble."
"It's no trouble," said Ron suddenly. "You're important to Hugo and Rosie, meaning you're important to Hermione and me. We're all the same boat here; we need to look out for each other."
Hermione beamed at her husband.
"Scorpius, why don't I show you to our guest bedroom?" she said, getting up. "Rose and I will help you get settled in and comfortable."
"All right," said Scorpius. He got up and Rose and Hermione took him to the guestroom.
It was quite a nice guestroom; it had a reasonably-sized window and a single bed. There was a small dresser with a mirror and the bed had a side table. There was a small closet in the other corner of the room. Hermione showed Scorpius around, saying things like "There's the closet, you may put your things in there…go on and make yourself comfortable…Rosie's next door, Hugo's across the hall…always feel free to join us at mealtimes and things of that nature…"
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," said Scorpius gratefully, smiling at her. "I really appreciate this."
"It's no trouble at all," said Hermione graciously. "We want you to feel at home here. We need to take care of all of our own. And you are one of our own as of now."
She smiled at him and turned to Rose. "Do help him get settled in, Rosie."
Hermione turned to leave but Scorpius suddenly said, "Mrs. Weasley."
"Yes?"
"I want you to know you can trust me. I'm not like my dad or my granddad."
She gave another warm smile. "I trust you."
With that, Hermione left the room. She went to Ron out in the living room and sat next to him once more. He moved automatically closer to her and leaned his forehead on hers. A small grin entered her face; she touched his face with her hand and kissed him a few times. Then she said, "I would love to sit here and kiss you but I'm afraid we have things to talk about first."
"Like what?" said Ron, looking mildly disappointed.
"Well," said Hermione. "For starters I think we should sleep out here. In case something tries to get through the door, or does, then at least we'll be able to warn and protect the children."
"Yeah, that's a good idea," said Ron.
"We should keep doors locked at all times. And windows. I have half a mind to put protective charms over the house so we would be neither seen nor heard but we need to be available if Kingsley or Harry or the family needs to contact us somehow."
Ron nodded.
Hermione sighed. "So much to think about…"
"Yeah," said Ron. He smiled at his wife calmly and took her hand.
"Let's get some sleep, hmm?"
"Yes," said Hermione, yawning. "Let me go get some nightclothes on…and I have to check on the kids…"
She got up and walked down the hallway quietly.
"Rosie?" she peered into Rose's room and found her asleep in her bed. Hermione kissed her daughter's head gently before heading to the guestroom. Scorpius was sleeping in the bed quite calmly, but his blanket had fallen partly off and he was shivering slightly. Hermione's maternal instincts were thus triggered; she went forward and fixed Scorpius' blanket so that it was covering him all the way. He stirred but did not wake up.
Hermione smiled and went to Hugo's room.
Hugo was asleep as well, and he was covered up just fine so Hermione gave him a small kiss on his head before leaving the room and traipsing to her and Ron's bedroom to change into her nightgown.
Once this had been accomplished, she went back outside to the living room. Ron had enlarged the sofa with his wand so that now it more resembled a bed with two arms on either side. There were blankets and pillows already on it and Ron had done up Hermione's end for her.
She smiled and lay down as Ron did the same. Ron covered them up with the blanket and Hermione waved her wand at the lights. The room went dark, the only light from the moon outside shining in the window. Then Hermione cuddled up close to her husband so that his arm was around her and her head rested on his shoulder.
"I love you," said Ron.
"I love you too," said Hermione.
They looked into each other's eyes and kissed each other. Then they settled down and went to sleep.