FIRST CHAPTER.
…The skin was bristly in panic; a frozen sweat was crossing all that body. Cold. An implacable frozen haze penetrate the body, the brain stopped thinking while was feeling as this halo was freezing that soul and was taking all those thoughts, memories … The head was feeling more empty every moment… the life seemed to leave of the body in memories, leaving behind an enormous weight full of an unbearable pain, sadness, affliction… Everything was lost; the wand had fallen down of her hand…
Ron was in the house which was Harry's parents in Godric's Hollow a long time ago. The distant look observing as the fire was crackling in the chimney. Inevitably his eyes returned to moisten - it was the smoke, sure-. He rubbed his nose feeling stuffed up suddenly; when he raised the look to Harry, those green eyes were on him and also they were full of sadness, as if they were saying to him: "I'm with you, mate". He wished to be able to cry like all they had done, but his pride wasn't allowing him to do it.
The black-haired boy got up and walked up to him, sat down to his side and silently. Finally of that couple of drops of sea there went out two big tears that without touching his face fell due to the floor. Harry's hand was in his shoulder.
–She was like a mother for me - Harry's voice was scarcely a sigh.
He didn't need his friend saying it, he knew it. His mother had been a mother for Harry and he had been another son for her from the first time he visited the Burrow. But she was his mother, he was a living part from her and he had all his life full of wonderful family memories with her and all the rest. His pain was huge and he could not even have made it free. It'd been about a week from that single tragic attack, and the Order took his seriously injured father apart in order to hide him.
Fred and George had left the shop to take care of him; after all, no one was in a joking mood. Charlie was still fulfilling an important mission in the Soviet countries and Bill was working hardly for The Order, following the track of those that had taken his mother's life and trying to find out about the new plans to finally end this damned war… and clearly, searching and searching; trying to get some Percy's news … they could not even warn him that his mother had been murdered by three death eaters. But they had needed three to make her fall; she died as a great Gryffindor.
After the snap of the war things had turned into a nightmare, the Order had more and very dangerous missions, Harry was driven to despair looking for information, moving across incessantly, even they had separated of Hermione. She, Ginny and Tonks were with special tasks, that Professor McGonagall and Remus had decided for them that way.
The couple of friends kept silent for a while, there was no need to break that silence, and they were just sharing their feelings. Ron had several days eating just a couple of things, it was serious. Harry started to worry seriously.
Suddenly something moved behind the window; Ron got up sharply, his blue glassy eyes of dampness focused on the white one and definite well form of a patronus. A beautiful bull with a fang tied to the neck was coming closer them in fast race.
–Bill - panted Ron at the time that haze was looking abreast at both.
–ATTACK! The both of you, immediately to the Headquarters– In that moment, the bull gave a draft of return and got lost in the air.
Before Ron had the certainty of which that silver image was a patronus he felt a cold wave holding his body, in his stomach there was a great knot that was preventing him of speaking. A hunch made him feel and know that something was wrong. Though at least he could think that there was Bill's patronus was because he was fine. It was good, isn't it?
Both of them seemed to be worried and after extinguishing the fire and eliminating any evidence of which someone had been there one day, a second later they were in front of Grimmauld Place's narrow entry. They watched around it carefully, making sure that no one else should see and they came at the edge of the Black Manor before Harry's presence opened the doors. Once they approached, the first sound to that they listened was Hermione's voice that was bordering on the hysteria and the voice of Remus trying to calm hers and trying to obtain some information from her.
–Please Hermione, calm down.
–No … no … couldn't… She is dead! – She was raving without clarifying anything.
Harry and Ron approached Hermione to ask and to try to know a bit about what had happened, when the bell of the door sounded and the Siruis' mother started her shouts extinguishing Hermione's sobs. Lupin got up at once to keep silent old Walburga while Harry was going fast to open the door.
Tonks was entering in front with her heart-shaped face paler than ever, clearly scared. Closer, behind her, Mad Eye Moody was coming, making way for Bill who was carrying in his arms an almost unrecognizable body. Her skin was almost transparent, even the freckles that had decorate her body were not distinguished, on the other hand were surprisingly at sight the purple veins on her opaque skin, without sheen. Her body was so languid; silk would have had more consistency. For the hair, was she; it was the only recognizable thing in her.
Bill's expression was one that had never been seen earlier, even when it was not even known that his mother had died. He seemed to be aged 25 years in a moment and were holding Ginny's body against his chest as if he did not want that anybody was separating her of him., as if he wanted to give her all his heat, the whole life that already was not living in her.
–D-did they attack Ginny? - Harry approached worried and trying to help Bill while Ron was remaining two steps from him completely stiffly. Bill refused.
–Yes. - answered Bill without stopping while began to raise the stairs. –Remus, I need your help to check her.
Remus joined him at once while Harry was asking distressed: –Is she alive??
Bill hesitated a few seconds frozen at the stairs. He did not answer. Hermione's weeping filled the room resounding in the walls.
–She was kissed by a dementor… - Hermione shouted hysterically and sobbing.
Ron's breathing stopped abruptly. When his eyes looked for Bill, this one had disappeared upstairs. The blood stopped circulating in his body. He was feeling that in his ears there was a buzz that was driving him mad. Hermione continued crying with some sobs, Tonks approached to console her but herself was moving senseless, unable to console nobody. Harry for his part was observing anxious and desperate everything as if he should not understand a word of anything.
–It's not true… Can't be true… can't be...
–Come on Harry, just sit down - told Mad eye trying to approach him.
–No! I want to know what happened. Tonks… - said Harry looking for the sight of the girl who now had a very sad hair color.
–I wasn't … I don't know … I was not there in that moment.
Hermione sobbed once again and breathed deeply trying to find tranquility to speak. Later she rolled over, observed to Harry but her eyes did not stop in him, was in Ron in whom she stopped her sight, who was still immobile in a corner of the room.
–It's horrible that I have lived - Hermione started by the time she was getting up and moved slowly two steps towards Ron –we were in the Forbidden Forest, she a few meters from me. They were chasing her –The tears returned –two dementors attacked her, we did not know where they came out; when we could realize, they were already on us. She couldn't made the patronus, she had not time to. I ran but other two dementors surrounded me. IT WAS HORRIBLE!!! –The girl shouted, looking with his hands for those of Ron, who answered herm with absent expression. –They were over her, her body was shaking… Ron… - she whispered looking for his eyes just before fainting away.
Tonks had listened with some tears while Harry was looking more anxious and desperate, as if he wants to do thousands of things that could erase everything and solve everything in that moment.
Ron raised Hermione and took her upstairs in his arms, Harry went behind. They entered a room and after Ron put her on the bed, he still was like a dummy, speechless, no reaction, colorless. Harry was moving across.
–It can't be Ron, can't be.
The blue eyes of the red-haired guy followed Harry's anxious steps moving across in the room. Waiting was the worst of the agonies. Ron was wishing to enter the room where Bill and Lupin were with her; he had right, he was her brother too, he had to be there, had to be there. His fists were hardly closed and he was on the verge of darting to that room when Hermione woke up and started to move. Harry approached at her and sat down to her side, taking her hands. Ron observed them from a step of there.
–Ron … I couldn't do anything, I swear.
Her red-haired friend approached her and offered her his hand, while he was trying to smile but the expression reflected in his face was scarcely such a deformed lip twisting; Harry and Hermione were afraid of his pain. Later they were silent as they waited along several minutes more until the squeaking sound of a door being opened suddenly were heard and they went out searching for Bill. Bill and Remus' expressions were no good, they seemed to be devastated. Both Ron and Harry moved across wanting to enter to the room but Remus indicated them that they should go down.
All of them went downstairs where to Mad Eye and Tonks were waiting for their news. Remus' request for all to sit down weren't attended, everyone in the room stood by their feet. Bill was constantly swallowing and seemed to be unable to speak. Remus supported aan absurd prudent silence 'cause he was thinking that it had to be Bill whom must speak, but he wasn't even trying to articulate a single word. Harry was the one who broke the silence.
-Did really a dementor kissed her?
-We have not how to know it.
-She is dead… - Ron whispered more as an affirmation than a question.
-No, she is not – said Lupin firmly –her body's still alive, with very weak signs, but alive… I- Remus watched Bill directly – I'm not sure that she had been kissed by a dementor.
-She has many signs- Bill affirmed looking back at Remus.
- But… isn't it supposed to be that the dementors had the order to not kiss anyone?- Tonks asked disconcerted
-Can we trust their obedience? - Bill asked raising his head towards all – by now, we know Ginny was attacked by two dementors, we know she's alive but her body lies inert, just as she was a living corpse.
Remus did not allow that the silence dominating again in the room, giving opportunity to that worse thoughts will install to themselves in the minds of all, kept on speaking firmly and with certainty.
-We must not be so pessimistic, while she has life, there are possibilities. Now we have a lot of things to do. This unfortunate assault demonstrates that we are in a good way; we are following the right track, Harry. This night, Alastor and I will take charge of making this house safer; we will do it practically impenetrable. Bill and I have thought that the most suutable option is that Ginny remains here, under the care of only one person. The Headquarters will change to your house in Godric's Hollow and this place will remain completely outlying. It will be hard, but it is the safest option.
The looks began to cross between them. Bill's with Ron's, Harry's green eyes were moving from Hermione to Ron repeatedly. Ron, thoughtful, lowered his gaze to the shabby carpets of the house Black.
-Well we have not to decide it now, let's try to eat something and then, later, we could decide it- Mad Eye finished that conversation trying to pull out some tension.
It wasn't hard to think who has de possibility and responsibility lying on him. Neither Bill, nor Remus, nor Mad Eye, nor Tonks could do it. All of them had strong responsibilities working for The Order out of Grimmauld Place. They couldn't let Harry enclosed there, They could not make Harry there locked up, less still if they were after the right track, soon he should go to destroy that Horcrux and keep going for the others. The decision was within Ron and Hermione. The best option was clear; as soon as it was finished that weird dinner where that nobody ate as it had to, Harry approached his best friend.
–Ron, I think that you must be you the one who stay, I think that nobody else might do it and I would feel better if you do it. I don't think that Hermione can to take care of Ginny now; I don't even think that it's a good idea to leave them alone. If something happens to someone of them I would die…
Bill was close to them and listening to them; Harry and Ron felt his presence and rolled over. Bill agreed softly with his head while he continued observing towards the showcase of the dining room. They all were coming back to the room knowing that there was still something hanging. Hermione was much calmer and seemed determined to offer to fulfill this task, moved perhaps for some feeling of fault for not having taken the dementors out from Ginny. She seemed to recover her self control.
–OK - started Lupin in the middle of the room –Harry, you can't stay; we start working tonight– Said Remus clearing up while he watched the Harry's anxiety.
–Well, it's clear that this decision lies within Ron and Hermione. We all have other tasks with the Order, Tonks has to attend every day in the Department … and you Bill have more responsibilities besides Ginny. Your father also depends on you. – Mad eye said clarifying the points.
–It corresponds to me, I …
–No Hermione – Ron cut firmly.
–I 'm serious Ron, you must be with Harry. I … I …
–No Hermione.
–I can do it, we will have the new protections and …
–I will - said Ron being sure that Hermione cut her trade. Bill looked at him with an enormous joy. There were some ripples that gave for the decision concluded.
Bill approached Ron immediately and gave him a strong, intense hug.
–I'm proud of you. I know that you will do what fits to you and that Ginny will relieve in your care- Ron agreed and smiled on his shoulder.
Before going away Remus approached Ron and they went to check the conditions of the cupboards and the things of the urgent needs. Everything seemed to be OK in order to work well for two persons that will spend a lot of time without receiving anything from outside. Before going out Remus opened his small valise and took a few chocolate bars and some frogs also.
–Ginny will not be able to eat another thing that isn't milk or chocolate. This is for her - said Remus with a smile –This will help her in these conditions and to support the temperature of her body. It is very important, is the first thing that you must check out. The milk will nourish her and will balancing the chocolate effects. OK? - The boy agreed with a deep breathing.
When they all began to say goodbye while Remus and Mad eye in Harry's company were putting the new protections to the house, Hermione remained behind and looked for Ron.
–Ron … -her eyes got wet again.
–Hermione …
–Please forgive me - said the girl with trebling lips.
–Don't be concerned Hermione, I understand that your patronus protect you.
–We were a few meters, maybe it could have covered both us, but I sent it to Bill. I thought when Ginny throw her patronus this would cover us. But she never did it. Those two dementors that were with me moved away when seen my patronus, but Ginny … I … - the tears started dropping out her eyes again.
–Don't remember Hermione, don't worry. Ginny is alive and it's good. - said Ron embracing Hermione against his chest –Go with Harry and take care themselves, and let me know everything - the girl agreed.
Finally they all said goodbye, Ron saw them to be eliminated in the street from the door. When he closed the doors after him, the silence was deathly, in a cemetery there would be more noise. But in his head those words resounded again with his voice: "I will ".
A/N: Thanks so much for my dear BETA Saiph Lestrange, who has been working very hard with me. And your help is always welcome, if someone can help us beta-ing or translating, it would be great!! Really!!