Author's Note: A lot happens in this chapter. I would strongly encourage you to read The Order of the Dragon and Redemption my two previous stories. Though you only would need to read Redemption to not be confused by parts of this chapter. I know it took a long time for me to write this chapter, parts of this chapter were very difficult to write.
I have also seemed to have lost contact with my Beta reader so I am uploading this story without the benefit of a beta. I am looking for a Beta Reader for anyone that may be interested please send me a private message.
Well enjoy everyone.
6
The Enemy Within
I'm not giving in
To Security under pressure
I'm not missing out
On the promise of adventure
I'm not giving up on implausible dreams
Experience to extremes
Experience to Extremes
"You do know who just left?" Edison jabbed angrily at Bannon as he spoke.
Will fought to keep his temper. He knew losing his temper would do him no good. The leaders of the Bannon School had been having the same argument for the last couple of hours. Actually it seemed they had been having the same argument over the couple of weeks since William Devin had visited the school. Edison wanted to launch an all out strike against the Ministry of Magic. Will wanted to go about things a bit differently using some of Hermione Weasley's new laws to bring those that had banished them from their world to justice. So far neither he nor Bannon had completely won Elric Smyth over to their point of view.
It seemed the Smyth was going to let Edison go ahead with strikes against the ministry. Bannon had over a couple of days of talking with Smyth bought him back from the edge. Smyth finally had seen Bannon's point of view. Bukovic and Devin were not working on the behalf of the ministry, but for Cornelius Fudge. Bannon had pointed out that the Ministry had nothing to gain in trying to kill Smyth, or destroy the Bannon School. Cornelius Fudge, had a lot to lose should the new ministry discovered his policy of banishing those he either could not convict of the crimes they were accused, or as in Banner's case proposed a political threat to his power.
It had taken a lot to convince Smyth that doing nothing would be the best course of action. Anything else they might do might draw the Ministries attention to them. This argument had the benefit of preventing Edison from starting a campaign of terror against the Ministry of Magic. Unfortunately it also meant he could not pursue legal remedies like he wanted to as well. Smyth had pointed out that just like an attack on the ministry; legal challenges would also draw the attention of the ministry to the group.
The sudden visit to the Bannon School by two of the best Auror's the ministry had seen in a long time changed everything. Edison was arguing that the visit by Potter was a precursor to an attack by the ministry. Bannon had argued that the visit was just what Weasley had said it was. He was following up with the employer of the victim of a suspicious death. Bannon reiterated this point to Edison calmly.
"Oh come off it Bannon," Edison answered hotly, "Why would they think that Bukovic was an employee of the school?"
"I think the Id they found may have had something to do with that." Answered Bannon.
"Why would Bukovic have a Bannon school Id?" Edison countered.
"Perhaps it was Bukovic that needed to scout out the school and used the ID to gain access to the school."
Edison looked at Bannon for a few seconds, and then he started to laugh.
"Bannon do you really believe that bullshit?" Edison looked at Smyth, trying to gage where he stood in the argument. As usual he could not tell what Smyth thought, he was as he usually did listening intently to what both men were saying, time to end this argument once and for all.
"Come on Will, we all know that Harry Potter leads an elite team of hit Wizards. He was here to scout out the school so he can plan his attack." Edison felt satisfied with that statement. There was no way Bannon could counter it, Potter's record spoke for itself.
Bannon fought back the urge to laugh as he answered.
"Actually the Rapid Response Team is the equivalent to a muggle S.W.A.T or Hostage Rescue Team." Bannon knew that Edison was trying to play on Smyth's fears for all he had worked for building the school. He had to show the school was not in any danger from Harry Potter. It was Edison turn to look skeptical as he continued.
"As a matter of fact in over thirty incidents only one suspect was killed. In that case the suspect appeared to be about to kill the Hostage. In all the other incidents the suspects were taken into custody alive and able to stand trial. That is hardly the record of an elite team of hit wizards."
Smyth spoke before Edison could continue arguing with Bannon.
"Max, I don't want to make the first move here. Let's wait and see what happens before we do anything. In the meantime we will strengthen the defenses around the schools and our homes."
Edison looked like he had more he wanted to say on the matter, however Smyth left no room for argument so Edison let the argument go, for now.
Laura looked up quickly as the door to the coffee shop opened; she then looked down after not seeing the person she was waiting for enter the shop. The last few weeks had been some of the most difficult she had in a very long time.
The problem had nothing to do with her work. Well, that was not entirely true. Laura was frustrated because Ron Weasley did not see her as anything more than just a coworker at the worse and just a friend at the best. Laura desperately wanted Ron to see her as the vibrant young woman that she was.
Laura sighed. She knew that until his wife was out of the picture that was never going to happen. This was why she had volunteered to help Uncle Cornelius with Distracting Ron from the Devin case. The only difference in what she was going to do, and what Uncle Cornelius wanted is she was going to eliminate Ron's wife. Laura smiled to herself, who was she kidding? She was going to have Hermione Granger killed.
Laura had met with the people that her uncle had recommended for the job. After a bit of hassle with them over who the target was, it seemed that Hermione had a reputation as a fierce fighter. The men pointed out to Laura the Hermione Weasley had captured Fenrir Greyback as well as bringing down Deloris Umbridge. Laura reminded the idiots that Granger had not been alone when those two had been taken down. She was with Potter and her husband. She argued that Hermione just took credit from Ron for the capture of Greyback and the death of Umbridge. She told the men that everyone knew that Granger was the brains of the trio, not the brawn. Once the men were satisfied that Hermione would be an easy target everything had been arranged.
The challenge was finding the opportunity to attack the bitch. It seemed the Weasley's very rarely went out in public. Laura was sure that this was because the Princess knew she really did not belong with Ron. Ron had told her once that they did not like the attention they attracted whenever they went out. Laure could not understand why Ron would not like receiving the recognition he deserved for all of his accomplishments. It was the Mudblood that kept Ron from the Wizarding world. Probably because she was afraid of what would happened if Ron encountered a true Pureblood witch that belonged in his world.
Laura looked at her watch. She did not have a lot of time left of her lunch hour, her contact was late. She had learned from Ron that morning that the bitch was spending Saturday shopping at Diagon Alley with Ron's sister. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for; Ron was going to be working Saturday so they would be able to get Granger alone, well at least without Ron or Harry Potter with her. Laura was sure that without Ron or Harry it would be easy to kill Hermione Granger.
Laure looked up again as the door opened, this time the man she had been waiting for stepped into the coffee shop. Yes, Laura thought to herself as her contact approached her, things were definitely looking up…
Hermione could not help but smile as she listened to Ginny going on about married life. So far all Ginny had talked about was how messy Harry was. Honestly, Hermione had no idea why this surprised Ginny. Ron's room had always been a mess, and Harry and Ron had shared his Room for the summer for the last six years they were in school.
Hermione smiled to herself. Unlike Harry, her Ron had changed his ways. He had become much neater since getting married. Many of her friends from school wondered how she could stand living with a clueless prat like Ron. What they didn't know was that Ron was far from being the clueless prat he was in school. Ron was a very loving and sensitive husband. Hermione could not believe how lucky she was too married too such a wonderful man.
Hermione found herself wondering how long Ron would stay with a wife that could not give him the one thing he desperately wanted, a family. Ron deserved to have the family the two of them talked about. That appeared to be something that she would not be able to give him. She knew she was being selfish in staying with Ron, knowing she could not give him a child. For her there was no one else. She knew that when Ron finally did leave her she would be heartbroken. For now though, Hermione was happy and she would hang on to that happiness as long as she could.
"Hermione?" Ginny's voice interrupted her thoughts. "What's wrong?"
Hermione smiled at Ginny.
"Just a little tired," She lied, "It's been a long week."
Ginny knew Hermione was lying. On the surface Hermione seemed just fine, however Ginny could see a deep sadness in her sister in laws eyes. Ginny knew that Hermione had taken the loss of Fabian very hard. Ginny thought that she and Ron had worked that. Now looking at her friend pretending she was ok, Ginny knew that was not the case. Ginny wanted to help Hermione; she was just not sure how to approach her.
Ginny listened as Hermione answered her question. Hermione's answer seemed more like a reflex action instead of a sincere answer.
"How are things with you?" Hermione asked. Ginny knew that Hermione was asking the question to deflect the conversation from her, and back to Ginny. Ginny was having none if it.
"Hermione, it's me," Ginny countered gently, "I can see that something is bothering…"
"Ginny, really" Hermione interrupted "I'm fine."
Hermione jumped a little as Ginny gently placed her hand over hers as she continued.
"Hermione, that may work with anyone else, but we shared a room every summer for the last six years. I know you. I can see it in your eyes, something is wrong. I may not be able to fix whatever it is but I would be happy to listen to whatever it is."
Hermione quickly looked away from her sister in law as she finished offering to listen to her. She was debating whether or not to share with Ginny what she and Ron had been going through. This was something that not only was deeply personal for her, but her husband as well. In the end her need to get things off her chest won out.
Once she started, Hermione was surprised at how much she shared with Ginny, from how heartbroken she had been over ht loss of Fabian to her fear that Ron blamed her. The last thing she shared was her fear that Ron would leave her for a woman that could give him the family he wanted. As she poured everything out, she started to cry.
"You this is why Ron is going to be done with me," She stated sadly as she wiped the tears from her eyes, "I'm a basket case."
"Hermione," Ginny prodded gently, trying to keep from getting angry at her prat of a brother. How could he be even of leaving Hermione after all they had been through? "Are you and Ron splitting up?"
Hermione just stared at Ginny, wondering where she would have gotten that idea from.
"Of course not," she answered quickly, realizing that Ginny had misunderstood her.
"Ron has been the only reason I have stayed grounded. He has been wonderful," She looked down, "I am afraid that Ron will want to find someone that can give him a family, something I clearly am not able to do."
"You and Ron are trying to have a baby again!" Ginny gasped. Hermione could see that Ginny was finally beginning to understand. Hermione just nodded yes.
"Hermione that's great!" Ginny jumped up and gave her a hug. As Ginny pulled back she noticed Hermione's lack of enthusiasm. Hermione answered the question before she asked it.
"We've been trying for the last year and a half."
Ginny looked at her sister in law, not sure what to say. This is what Hermione was afraid of, the awkward silence that would be followed by look of pity and understanding.
"Hermione, I had no idea." Ginny stated, and then her expression turned angry.
"Ron's not blaming you is he?"
"No, of course not, he's actually been wonderful." She answered right away, "He says that sometimes it just takes a little bit of time." Hermione smiled as she remembered the rest of what Ron had said, "He also said he didn't mind the practice."
"Hermione!" Ginny sounded shocked, "That is something a blokes sister just does not want to hear.
Ginny laughed as she finished. It was nice to see a genuine smile from Hermione. However Hermione's smile faded quickly as she started to once again voice her fears.
"The thing is no matter how much a team practices they eventually want to get into the game."
Ginny now understood what had been bothering Hermione. She was afraid that Ron would leave her for a witch that would be able to have his baby. For being the brightest witch of her age, Ginny thought she really did not know her husband.
"Hermione," Ginny fought to keep from laughing,
The way Ron seemed to come to life around his wife was a running joke for the Weasley family. You could always tell when Hermione entered a room just by the way her brother seemed to light up. She also knew the same was true with Hermione, that was something her family never seemed to notice, Hermione's reaction to her brother. Until Harry had pointed this out to she had never noticed it as well.
"Have you ever seen the way my brother looks at you?"
Hermione didn't have to answer, she knew by the look on her face that she did.
"How could you ever think that Ron would want a family with anyone else?"
"Ron wants a family," Hermione answered, "He wants the whole thing two kids, a dog and…"
"Yes Hermione," Ginny countered, "He does want that, but only if he can have that with you."
Hermione started to shake her had in disagreement. Before she could say anything Ginny continued.
"You've seen the way that tart of a secretary of his throws herself at him?" The angry look coming over Hermione's face was the only answer Ginny needed. "You do know that Ron never notices it."
Hermione Chuckled. "She gets so pissed about it."
Ginny laughed. "She gets pissed because Ron notices only you. I don't think my brother realizes she is a woman. That's because for him there only one woman in this world and her name is Hermione."
Hermione started to laugh with Ginny, feeling better than she had in a long time.
Ron let the sound of the crashing waves against the rock sooth him. Ron had apparated to the shell cottage shortly after his wife left for Diagon alley. Ron needed to once again hear the calming sounds of the sea. Ron remembered how he had been able to work out what he should do after abandoning Harry and Hermione during the hunt for the Horcruxes. Since then, when things seemed to be getting too much for him, Ron would return to let the crashing waves help calm his mind.
Ron had hoped that he would never need to hear the calming sounds of the sea again. The fact that he found himself here again meant that his wish had not come true. Ron was worried about Hermione. To everyone that knew her, Hermione seemed to be just fine. Ron, being her husband knew her better than anyone and he knew his wife was far from ok. Ron could see the sadness in her eyes, and he knew she was slipping into a depression. Ron was here because he needed to find a way to help her through what she was going through.
Finding Hermione in tears the other night broke Ron's heart. Hermione was one of the strongest women he knew and to see her reduced to tears was almost too much for Ron to bear. That was not the worst of it. What was worse than the tears was that Hermione thought he would leave her if she could not have his baby. How could she think he would want a family with anyone other than other than her? His devotion to Hermione was the source of many jokes and teasing from his family and coworkers. Ron had heard them all from when it came to women Ron was clueless unless her name was Granger, to being told that there was more than just one woman in the world. That may be true for everyone else. Ron had found his one true love on the Hogwarts express at the beginning of his first year.
Contrary to what everyone believed, Ron did notice other woman. Ron was painfully aware that his secretary flirted with him every chance she could. He also knew that she was frustrated at his lack of response. As she became more frustrated the more overt her flirtations became. Ron was aware that Laura was a very attractive young witch, and many of the men in the Auror corps would kill to have her flirt with them the way she did with Ron. The thing was is Ron was just not interested.
The problem as Ron saw it was proving to Hermione that he did not care if they ever had children. As long as he was with her, Ron was happy. Ron also was aware that Hermione had been looking forward to being a mum when she was pregnant with Fabian, and losing him had broken her heart. Even though they buried Fabian, and many of their friends and family thought they had moved on, they hadn't. Ron knew no matter what he told her Hermione blamed herself for Fabian's death, he would just have to help her see that was not her fault. The problem was that his wife was convinced that he was going to leave her and convincing her that was not the case the problem he had come out to the shell cottage to figure out.
"He arrived about an hour ago." Fleur answered, "He has been sitting there ever since."
Bill and Fleur were watching as through the kitchen window as Ron sat looking over the ocean. Bill remembered the last time Ron spent so much time looking out over the ocean. He had been a wreck after he arrived at the shell cottage, shortly after leaving Harry and Hermione. At the time, Bill had known that Ron was feeling a bit overwhelmed at that time, and he spent many hours just looking out over the ocean, just like he was doing now.
Bill was saddened that his youngest brother felt he could not turn to his family when he was feeling overwhelmed. Charlie had always turned to Bill for help and advice, Percy would confide in his father. The twins always had each other to turn to and Ginny, well she could go to any of her brothers, but she favored the twins and Bill. It was true of all his brothers and sister Ron was closest to Ginny, but Ron would never burden his little sister with his problems. That just was not something an older brother did.
Bill knew that a great part of the reason Ron did not confide in his family was being the youngest brother he was subjected to a great deal of teasing by his older brothers. So rather than facing the humiliation of being teased by his siblings, Ron did his best to figure things out on his own. The shame of this was, of all of Bill's brothers, Ron had the most to deal with. Being Harry Potter's best friend Ron had faced things that no one else in the Weasley ever had too. Bill was convinced that Ron had gone through far more than his family would ever know while he, Harry and Hermione were out on the hunt.
If that was not enough, Bill knew all that Ron had to go through once the final battle had been completed. Bill was not sure he could have survived the things his little brother had. Not only had Ron endured those horrors, but he did it with a strength that Bill could not believe. Bill also knew the source of that strength was the witch that Ron married, Hermione. Individually Ron and Hermione were very strong, together they were invincible.
Watching his brother, Bill knew that Ron was trying to come to grips with something involving Hermione, whatever it was, he knew it must be bad. Ron had not come to shell cottage since before his wedding. It was one of the few times that Ron had confided in Bill and he was worried that Hermione would realize she was making a huge mistake, and back out of the wedding.
Now, once again Ron was looking over the coastline of the Shell Cottage, and Bill knew whatever it was it involved Ron's wife…
Ron heard Bill's footsteps long before Bill sat down next to him. Ron fought the urge to sigh. Ron knew that all Bill wanted to do was help. Ron was just not sure that he wanted Bill's help. Ron had never gone to any of his brothers with his problems. He was afraid that his brothers would tease him about whatever it was he told them at a later time. Ron had always hated being on the receiving end of the endless jokes and teasing from his brothers and he did not want to give them any additional ammunition.
It was not as if Ron did not have someone to turn to. Over time he began to turn to Hermione whenever he needed someone to talk to. Ron never had to worry about being teased by Hermione, and no matter how badly they rowed, she never threw what they had talked about back into his face. Ron's problem was that he really could not talk with Hermione this time because she was the problem. Bill and Ron sat a while in silence. Finally Ron spoke.
"I didn't mean to bother you, I thought you were going to mum's today."
"We were," Bill answered "Victoire is not feeling well so decided to stay home." Bill noticed a brief sadness in Ron's eyes as he mentioned his daughter.
Bill and Fleur had learned she was pregnant just a couple of months after Hermione had lost Fabian. With everything that had happened to the Weasley's over the last few years, the announcement of a new Weasley coming into the world was just what the family needed. That was everyone except Ron and Hermione.
Bill had known that the couple was still trying to get over the loss of Fabian when they had made their announcement. The rest of the family was so busy celebrating they had not noticed….
The table erupted as Bill finished telling the family that he and Fleur were going to have a baby. It seemed the whole table jumped up at the same time in celebration. Bill and Fleur were quickly surrounded by Weasleys. The men pounding Bill on the back telling him things like "Well done," and Bill had laughed when George called him the luckiest man in the world while leering at Fleur. In the magic of the moment, no one had noticed that two of the family had not joined the rest of them. As Bill shook George's hand he noticed Ron gently rocking Hermione, whispering softly into her ear as she buried her head into his shoulder and cried softly.
Fleur motioned towards the couple with her eyes and Bill whispered softly to her "I'll talk to them once things have settled down.
Hermione had never felt like an outsider when she was with the Weasley family. That was until today. Hermione was surprised at her reaction to hearing that Fleur was pregnant. Rather than being happy for her brother and sister in law she felt emptiness inside. Hermione found herself thinking about Fabian and all the hurt and feelings of loss came roaring back. She could not hold back her tears. She felt Ron taking her into his arms as the tears started to flow and she buried her head into his shoulder and cried silently as the Weasley's celebrated.
Hermione was not sure when but at some point she and Ron had slipped out of the kitchen and into the living room. Hermione felt guilty about keeping Ron from his family in what was clearly a joyous occasion. Ron assured her that he did not mind. The two of them were enjoying the quite of the living room. Hermione was sitting in Mr. Weasley's favorite chair, Ron sat on the footstool holding her hands and looking into her eyes. They looked up as the heard someone enter the living room.
"Bill," Hermione greeted her eldest brother in law, "I am so sorry for being such a.."
Bill sat opposite the two of them, noticing how they were still clinging to each other as if their lives depended on it, even if they were just holding hands.
"Hermione," Bill answered. "There is no reason to be sorry. I guess all of just assumed that you and Ron were past Fabian."
"For the most part we are," Hermione reassured her brother in lay, "but sometimes it just suddenly hits me. I lost my baby…"
Hermione never finished what she was about to say, as she said the last words she choked up. Bill simply left the two of them as Ron once again took his wife into his arms…
Ron continued to sit in silence. Bill had hoped that Ron would start opening up to him, but it appeared that Ron was content to watch the sea, and handle whatever was bothering him on his own. After a few more minutes of silence Bill finally spoke.
"It's not over for you two is it?"
Bill could see that Ron did not understand his question by the way Ron looked at him.
"Fabian," Bill clarified, "You and Hermione are still not over his loss."
Bill knew this was true by the stoic look Ron gave him. Bill did not want to seem insensitive but it had been over a year and they needed to move on with their lives.
"Damn it Ron! It's been eighteen months; you and Hermione need to…"
Bill regretted his words the minute Ron interrupted him angrily.
"Bill when you've lost a child then you can talk to me about getting over it!"
As he spoke Ron's ears started to turn red, a clear danger sign that he was getting angry.
Bill quickly tried to make things better.
"Ron, I'm sorry I could have put that better what I meant to say as that it might help you and Hermione if you just tried to move past this."
"Really Bill!" Ron answered immediately, "It's just that easy, move on." Ron looked up to the sky as if praying and shouted sarcastically, "Why the hell didn't I think of that!"
Ron glared at Bill angrily.
"What the Bloody hell do you think we've been doing Bill?"
Bill did not answer; he had not meant to make things worse with his last statement.
"Ron,"
Ron looked at him and Bill could see the tears in his brothers' eyes as he spoke.
"We have been trying to move on for the last eighteen months. We've been trying. Fabian is not the problem." Ron said the last as if everyone should know this.
"You and Hermione are having another baby." Bill said happily.
Ron looked at his brother and it was clear by his expression he thought his brother was completely clueless.
"Bill, I said we were trying." Ron corrected emphasizing the word trying with his voice.
"Oh," Bill answered, then what Ron had told him dawned on him, "Oh, so you are not…"
"No so far Hermione has not gotten pregnant and it's killing her." Ron explained.
"Ron, I wish I had known, maybe I could have helped." Bill said sympathetically.
"That's not all," Ron continued as if he had not heard Bill, "My wife is convinced that I am going to leave her for the first witch that can have my baby."
Ron had not meant to tell Bill any of this but once he got started the words just seemed to pour out of him.
Bill just looked at Ron as he continued speaking and he found himself wondering how Hermione could think Ron would want to be with anyone else.
"My wife is slipping deeper and deeper into a depression and I don't know what to do about it." As he finished Ron sounded very worried.
Bill found himself at a loss for words. It was clear that Ron and Hermione were having serious problems. Bill was not surprised that no one else in the family had noticed. Over the years Ron and Hermione had gotten very good at hiding things. Being Harry Potter's best friends they would have had to. That was no excuse, it was clear that Ron was hurting and Bill was willing to bet if anyone would watch Hermione for a bit they would see it in her as well. Bill knew no one had really paid much attention to Ron and Hermione. Harry and Ginny were the new couple in the family and everyone seemed focused on them. Once again relegating Ron and Hermione to the background, where any good sidekick belonged. The thing was Ron and Hermione were family too, not just merely Harry's sided kicks.
Before Bill could say anything, a loud tone interrupted them. When the tone was completed Ron's emergency pager sounded.
"Rapid Response team respond to 94 Diagon Alley for an armed assault in progress. Multiple reports coming in of an assault in progress."
Ron and Bill looked at each other, 94 Diagon Alley was George's shop.
"Hermione!" Ron disapparated before Bill could ask him what he meant.
Rollo Tamasi watched from his vantage point as his mark stopped to look at a shop window. Rollo was waiting for a clear shot to take out the mark. So far due to the crowds of people one had not presented itself. Rollo was getting tired; this had turned into a long day.
Rollo and his crew arrived at Diagon Alley just before the shops opened. They wanted to make sure they found the mark as she entered through the Leaky Cauldron. Rollo smile to himself, ban in the day a hit like this would be impossible. Your mark could have apparated into the Alley anywhere, making it almost impossible to find ones mark unless they knew where they would be. With the new security measures, the only way into the Alley was through the leaky cauldron, unless you had permission from one of the shop keeper to use their floo. You see in its infinite wisdom the ministry had put up anti apparition wards similar to the Hogwarts wars over the alley. This was to prevent attacks like those that had occurred during the second war. With only one way into the Alley finding their mark was just a matter of waiting.
The crew had been waiting a couple of hours when the mark finally arrived. That was when the problems started. The first major problem was the mark was not alone as they were told she would be. The second issue was being the woman accompanying the mark the two women had gone to the ladies room and cast disillusionment spells on them selves. Luckily the team had been watching when the mark went to the ladies room. The room had been empty when they went in, so they knew the two women leaving were their marks, even though they had been disguised.
Rollo was not really happy with this job. Normally he would just take out the mark with a quick killing curse, no muss no fuss. The client wanted the marks death to appear to be part of a terrorist attack on the alley. That ruled out the killing curse. Furthermore, they might have to take out a few innocent bystanders to sell the terrorist attack ruse. In addition Rollo really did not fancy the idea of the possibility of getting into a duel with Hermione Weasley. The client had assured him that Mrs. Weasley was not the accomplished duelist the Quibbler and Prophet made her out to be. The client explained that Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were the ones actually won the duels credited to Mrs. Weasley and her role in those duels had been greatly exaggerated.
Watching the two women as they went about their business, Rollo was not so sure the client was right. The two women were always aware of their surroundings. When they were in a shop the never had their backs to the door. The client was wrong about one thing; this was not going to be an easy job.
Hermione laughed as she imagined how Ron would react to at seeing her in the outfit she and Ginny were looking it. He would throw a fit at seeing Ginny in something that skimpy, her he would just drag to the nearest bed as fast as he could and…well that was the reason Hermione decided the buy it. Ginny was right, she and Ron needed to make love because the wanted to, not because they were trying to make a baby. Once she completed her purchase, she and Ginny stepped back out into Diagon alley. Hermione looked at her sister law and asked.
"What next?"
Ginny just smiled at her mischievously.
"Well, we could stop in the shop today and…"
Hermione interrupted before she could finish.
"Ginny I'm just not up…"
"Hermione," it was Ginny's turn to interrupt, "Ron is a partner in the store whether he wants to be or not."
Ginny jabbed at her friend's handbag.
"And you are still the vice president of…"
"Okay, Okay," Hermione yielded.
George had been trying to meet her and Ron over the last month. Right after the war the ministry had given each of the Golden Trio and handsome reward for as the Minister of Magic had said "A fate too terrible to imagine.
Ron and Hermione had pooled their money, using some of it to buy and furnish the home of their dreams. The rest they had offered to George to help rebuild Weasley's Wizard Wizard's Wheezes. In addition to the money they had given George for the shop, George had been fascinated by Hermione's beaded bag.
He had her show teach him the charms she had used to create her bag. Not long after she had taught him the charms Weasley's started carrying a new line of purses and bags called Grangers, based on Hermione's beaded bag. Much to George's delight the bags were a runaway hit. Not just in England but all over the world. To accommodate the demand George formed the Granger Corporation, naming Hermione as the president of the company.
The money that Ron had given George as well as the handbag and Hermione's role in the new company had become a source of contention between the three of them. The first argument was with regards to Hermione's being named President of the Granger Corporation. Hermione made it clear to George that she had no interest in running a corporation. George had responded by telling her she would not have to he would, but since the Granger was her invention she deserved the title, and more importantly the money that came with that title. Hermione refused, stating the idea to mass produce the bags had been George's idea, and that he should benefit from his hard work. In the end she agreed to be a silent partner in the Granger Corporation, with her profits being re-invested in the business.
The fight between Ron and George came about when George tried to pay back the money Ron had given him for the shop. Ron had refused to accept the money; making it clear to George the money had never been a loan but a brother helping family. George responded by telling Ron that he would re invest the money into the shop, and since Ron had invested in the shop that he was now a partner in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Furthermore as long as the tow of them refused payments of their share of the profits from both businesses, those profits would be reinvested in the business, increasing their shares in both businesses.
This seemed to be a workable solution to the issue. That was until the Goblin's informed George that he needed to let his majority share holders know what was happening with the businesses. Hermione had learned this from Ginny. Ron and Hermione were not the only ones to help George after the war. If Harry and Ginny could meet with George, she could as well. It was with this in mind that she reluctantly agreed to meet with George.
As they were on their way to meet with George, Hermione stopped to look at a cart that was selling fine watches. Hermione wanted to get something nice for Ron; she knew he could use a new watch. He was still wearing his uncle's watch that had been given to him when he came of age. Ron being Ron never complained about the battered watch, but Hermione felt he deserved a new one for putting up with her over the last few months.
As she was looking at one of the nicer watches, a stout wizard bumped into her. He quickly excused himself, and started to go around her. As he was stepping around her, he suddenly grimaced in pain and fell down. As she started to kneel down to see what was wrong with the man she saw three flashes. Recognizing the flashes as spellfire, she shouted to Ginny as she flattened herself to the ground.
"Ginny down!"
All the practice with Ron and Harry paid off. Ginny didn't question Hermione's command and she quickly ducked behind the cart opposite Hermione as the curses slammed into the cart.
Rollo watched in frustration as the cutting curse he had fired hit a man as he walked around Granger. He was then surprised at how quickly Granger reacted, quickly flattening herself to the ground. Rollo was not happy as the remaining curses the team had fired at Granger missed her, slamming into to vendor's cart. Rollo quickly fired two more quick cutting curses at Granger, knowing there was no way she could get out of the way…
Ginny watched in horror as several more curses were fired in their direction. She knew that her sister law was exposed and would not be able to dodge these curses. Ginny quickly cast a shield charm, blocking them. The shield charm quickly collapsed as the three curses impacted against it. It was then, that Ginny realized that this was not some random attack. The attackers were targeting Hermione.
Ginny could not be sure but it appeared there were at least three attackers. She quickly fired off a blasting hex towards an alley she had seen one of the last curses fired at them.
The crowds of shoppers at first seemed unaware of the spells being fired at the two witches. That changed when Ginny's blasting hex slammed into a shield charm cast by one of the attackers with a loud bang from the impact. Now aware of what was going on, no one on the street wanted to caught in the middle of a firefight and started to flee.
Hermione still on the ground knew her attackers would not be able to get a clear shot at her through the crowd. She quickly got up and cast a blink spell. The blink spell was on of George's new spells. The spell allowed the caster to mover short distance of up to about a hundred feet. Since the caster was only moving a short distance the blink spell was not affected by anti apparition wards.
Once she was safely next to Ginny she looked towards the street. She saw several more wounded, most appeared to have been trampled as the crowd of shoppers tired to get away from the firefight. Several others had fallen victim to curses that had been fired at her and Ginny. As she was looking over the carnage, several more curses were fired in her direction. The cart shook as the curses slammed into it. Hermione realized they could not stay here. Eventually the cart would be destroyed leaving the two of them with no cover.
The problem was the two of them would be out in the open with no cover if they tried to make a run for it. Hermione quickly fired off a couple of stunning spells in the direction the last curses had been fired from. The fact that their attackers wanted to stay hidden for the time being, gave the girls a small advantage.
The other question was where to go when they made their break. Hermione knew that many of the shopkeepers would have locked their doors the minute firefight started. Disapparating was out due the anti apparition wards. Blinking was just not practical due to the range limitations of the spell. She wondered if George might make his way down to see what was going on. Wait a minute! Hermione could not believe she did not think of George's shop the minute things had started. If she and Ginny could make it to the shop, they could keep their attackers at bay until help arrived.
The two witches had as they had been trained to do, split the alley into two quadrants, each of them concentrating on the area in front and to the left of them. By doing this, the two of them were able to keep their attackers from charging them with a steady stream of curses and hexes. As she fired off another blasting hex in the direction she thought her attackers were, she got Ginny's attention just as she fired of a reducto curse.
Rollo swore loudly as another blasting hex went by him, exploding into the wall a few feet behind him, debris from the wall hitting him in the black giving him more small cuts and bruises. This was suppose to be and easy job! His employer had been wrong, unlike he had been told, both the Granger bitch and the Weasley girl knew how to fight. In fact they were quite good. He noticed that they were not trying to take out their attackers, but to force them to stay where they were at. He knew the two women were trying to hold them off until help arrived.
Rollo had to break the stalemate. Rollo fired off a blasting hex followed bay a redactor curse at the cart the two were using for cover. He would force them into the open.
Hermione swore as the cart rocked and started to collapse after being hit by the last two spells. The cart would not survive another combined attack like the last one. They had to get out of there.
"Ginny." She hissed.
The redhead did not look at her as she fired off another blasting hex where she had seen spellfire originate. Hermione also fired of several curses in the direction she thought additional attackers were hiding.
"We need to get out of here!"
This time Ginny looked at her.
"Ya think!" She answered sarcastically, firing off several more curses and hexes. "I hope you have a plan."
Hermione really would not call it a plan, but she had an idea. She quickly explained to Ginny what she had in mind as the two continued to fire spells at their unseen enemies. As she finished, Ginny nodded her understanding.
"On the count of three." Whispered Hermione, once she saw that Ginny understood she quickly counted down from three.
When she finished the two said "Fumilus"
Their wands immediately began to send out heavy smoke. They let their wands emit the heavy smoke until the street around them was filled with the thick smoke obscuring the view of the street around them. Ending the smoke spell the witches each cast a mirror image of them selves, and sent their phantasms running away from them.
Tomasi did his best to keep his eye on the two witches through the thick smoke. Soon he was only able to make out an outline of the cart the two women had been using for cover. Rollo knew if he could not see the mark, she could not see him. He whispered through the communication charm. "Let's go"
Taking advantage of the thick smoke, Rollo and his team started to move slowly towards the damaged cart. When he was about halfway to his destination he caught a glimpse of two figures making a run for it. Tomasi smiled, like taking candy from a babe he thought as he fired a cutting charm at Granger. He let out a whoop when his curse hit home…
Ginny watched as Hermione's phantasm was cut down by a curse. Ginny heard the sound of someone celebrating in the thick smoke. Without thinking Ginny fired a bludgeoning curse in the direction of the sound. She was rewarded with the sound of someone losing their breath and a thud a few seconds later. That was when Ginny remembered Hermione telling her not to cast any spells. Ginny saw that Hermione was glaring at her, not wanting to make any noise that would give away their position she hissed "Let's go."
As the two of them started to sprint Ginny heard several shouts in the smoke.
"It's a decoy!"
Then another "There they are."
They must have turned n the direction that Ginny's spell had come from and seen them. Ginny then felt several curses fly by as she ran. She then turned and fired off a blasting hex down the street, hoping to make the wizard's chasing them duck for cover.
As the two of them ran, Hermione cast the smoke screen charm again keeping the smoke pouring behind the two of them as they ran…
George sat behind the counter, wondering what was going on outside. He had been helping a customer when they had been disturbed by the sound of shouting outside. George looked up to running in the street, clearly panicked. As he usually did he opened the door to the shop, offering shelter to the panicking witches and wizards. He was surprised when no one took him up on his offer. Once the crowd had thinned out, George closed and locked his door.
A few minutes later he heard the sound of spell fire approaching. The street then started to fill with smoke as well. That was enough to get him to start activating the protective wards on the shop. As he was starting the incantations to bring the wards up he heard someone from the street shout "Effingo."
The door flew open, slamming against the wall shattering the glass in both the door and the shops windows.
Hermione barely kept from falling as she felt like she had been punched hard in her shoulder. Luckily it was not her wand arm. The last couple of minutes seemed to last forever. The smoke screen prevented their pursuers from having a clear shot at the two of them. The thing was, with the amount of curses being fired at them, they were bound to get hit. Ginny was the first to be hit, taking a cutting curse to the side leaving a large gash in her left side. Hermione had been nicked by some curses, this time she knew by the way her shoulder felt she had been hit dead on this time.
She was grateful for the training sessions with Ron and Harry. Without them she would have been dead already. Hermione had no doubt that she was the target of this attack and the nature of the curses being used was enough to figure out whomever it was behind the attack wanted her dead. As the two of them rounded the corner, she was relieved to finally see Weasley's Wizards. Her relief was short lived; the door was closed and probably locked.
Not taking any chances she pointed her wand at the door and shouted the incantation for the battering ram charm. The door was blasted open and she heard the glass from the door and windows shatter. The two of them wasted no time getting into the shop. Ginny cast "Clausus," and a magical barricade came up in front of the doors and windows, blocking several more curses that had been fired at them.
"What the hell?" George roared as the two women blasted their way into his shop. At first he did not recognize them. Realizing quickly the two women were his sister and sister in law, he quickly finished bringing up the wards around the shop. Spells continued to hit the wards, but they could not get through them.
George then took in the condition the two of them. Ginny was bruised all over, and bleeding badly from her left side. Hermione was just as bruised as Ginny, her left arm hanging useless at her side blood dripping from her fingers. The sound of several more spells hitting the wards was all George needed to encourage him to pick up his phone.
He quickly dialed the ministries emergency number.
It seemed like hours, but it was only a few minutes when George heard the pop of disapparation. George knew this meant the anti apparition wards had been bought down by the ministry. After another minute he heard Harry's voice.
"it's all clear out here George, you can open up."