Chapter Three

Here is chapter three, thank you for the reviews so far and particularly to "Itwasntthateasy" for the first review of this story and as so their name is immortalised on chapter three ta-dah!. I also hope to live up the standard of the two fantastic films I mentioned in my intro as we now split story lines.

Hermione re-appeared in her flat still breathing heavily.

"Hey Hermione," Ron smiled looking up from the sofa "been running?" He meant it in jest but looking up and seeing her face his entire attitude and manner changed.

"Hermione what's up?" She remained staring ahead. "Hermione," he said more firmly than before as he crossed the room and grabbed in girlfriend in a hug.

"Death Eaters," she said simply "two of them they were waiting for me after work one was Rowle I didn't recognise the other man."

"Death Eaters?" Ron asked incredulously. "I thought they might come back but as the years went I just assumed." He let his voice trail off but Hermione knew what he was thinking because she was too. After the war she had let herself be on high alert, like Neville, Ron, Harry, Ginny and many others she had trouble accepting closure. She had been convinced that something or someone would jump out on her but as the years had flew by, people had settled down the last few death eaters had been arrested and sent to Azkabahn she had let herself relax. She had thought it was over. "Are you ok 'Mione?" He asked her seriously using the nickname he only mentioned normally when they were alone in bed.

"Yeah I am fine," she said "little shaken but they didn't touch me."

"Thank Merlin," Ron whistled out.

"Do you fancy takeout?" Hermione asked suddenly looking up at her boyfriend who was still hugging her.

"Sounds good," Ron smiled "chinese." He pouted in his best imitation of a teenage girl.

"I should never have let dad introduce you to sweet and sour chicken he has created a monster." she smiled. "I am going to go for a shower," she said "then I will order in for us. And Ron?" She asked as she put her head around the bedroom door "don't ring them if you get hungry you've never got the hang of the telephone."

Hermione undressed quickly as she exited her bedroom into the large en-suite the flat contained. It was one of the reasons Hermione had fell in love with the flat as soon as she seen it. She loved long showers and the large en-suite and a normal bathroom meant that she could take long showers without annoying Ron in the morning. As Hermione scrubbed her skin she looked down to her left forearm which had begun to hurt. Through the steam she saw a large purple bruise that had blossomed. She was confused Rowle hadn't touched her had he.

She closed her eyes trying desperately to remember what had happened. As she exited the alley Rowle had almost grabbed her or had he actually grabbed her? She couldn't remember properly but the bruise on her arm was attesting to the fact that it was probably the latter.

"World record," Ron smiled as she exited the bathroom in her dressing gown with her wet hair knotted on top of her head.

"How long?" Hermione smiled.

"Thirty one minutes."

"Not bad."

"Ginny and Harry called by I invited them for tea."

"Cool," Hermione responded using a towel to dry her hair. "I'll just get dressed." She tried to concentrate her mind as she got dressed for her tea, her friends, her work anything that could keep her from the realisation that she was seconds away from being captured by Death Eaters.

"Hey Hermione," Harry called as she exited her bedroom dressed in jeans and her favourite hoodie.

"Hi Harry, Ginny," she gave each of the pair a hug which was a little difficult with Ginny her eight month pregnant stomach got in the way of a decent hug.

"Chinese?" She asked the pair.

"Yeah sounds good." Harry replied.

"Just order me two of whatever he's eating," Ginny pointed to her husband and smiled.

An hour later and even Ginny was full, in fact she was a little too full and now felt sick.

"That is some good chinese food," Ron nodded as he finally put down his fork.

"Ron said that you had a run in with some Death Eaters." Harry said leaning forward seriously to talk his best friend.

"Yes Rowle and this other guy jumped me after work."

'Rowle?" Harry asked his frown creasing in confusion. "We haven't heard anything about him in ages."

"Bringing your work home much Harry?" Hermione asked.

"What?" He said.

"Come on you are not an auror tonight Harry you too Ron," she looked at her boyfriend who looked mock affronted at the accusation. "I promise I will go to the auror department tomorrow I will give a report I will name people I will look at photographs etc etc. But tonight can you please just let me have a night in with my friends?"

"Ok," Harry smiled sitting back "sorry."

"No need to apologise Harry you and Ron are good at your jobs and you care about what you do I can never fault you for that its just I am not a victim I am your friend."

The room sat in silence for a moment until Ginny broke the tension with.

"Woah, big kick, big kick does anyone want to feel?" After the obligatory 'feeling Ginny's tummy jump' Hermione had one of the best nights in a long time. She talked, she laughed, she forgot about work and she definitely forgot about the death eater she had been running for her life from a few hours earlier.

"Ready for bed?" Ron asked his girlfriend as she yawned to the newsnight soundtrack for the second time in as many seconds.

"Yeah," she smiled "I think I am." Flicking off the television she quickly changed and by the time she reached her bed Ron was already undressed and in it.

"Quick," he remarked.

"Quicker than you anyway." She smiled as she climbed into bed beside him and curled her slim arms around his torso. Ron couldn't be described as 'ribbed' or whatever other words Kara used to explain what boy's looked like but he was fit. He ran regularly and still played quiditch and despite his love of fatty foods much to Hermione's annoyance he didn't seem to gain a single pound.

"I love you," he whispered kissing the top of her messy hair.

"I love you to," she kissed his cheek as she closed her eyes. "Ron I have never been happier." Hermione was unsure if he gave her a response because just a few seconds later she was asleep.