REVENGE IS SWEET,OR IS IT?

CHAPTER 9

A/N. This fic is of course another A/U fic. Being a storyteller rather than an author is the bane of my life and is scary. There is no control by the 'teller of tales' That is why this fic ran away from me, and became something vastly different than the plot I woke up with one morning. To those lovers of anything but H/G., a huge SORRY. To others who enjoy H/G. I'm glad. I can't control the words that fly through my poor old head when I begin the fabrication of a story. Remember telling a story is definitely not the same as plotting one. The words come thick and fast and many times deviate from one line to the other. Once again this is mainly 'pour moi". To make matters worse, I'm NOT a typist either, so it's a slow process. Thanks to all who bother to review either of my fics.

It was a good thing that Nanny was forewarned that Lily and Harry were staying at the Burrow for the entire day and that they might even end up spending the night there as well. He could always pop over quickly to pack an overnight bag for the two of them.

Shortly after four o'clock the floo flared to life and soon Bill, Charlie and a beaming Ginny were trying to beat each other into the kitchen. Was this Ginny the result of just one session with the Healers? If so, then a smiling Harry would empty his vaults to ensure that she healed as soon as possible.

Such a babble arose that one would be hard put to make heads or tails from anything said over the next few minutes. Arthur yelled, "QUIET!! Please!! one at a time. Now looking at Ginny, can we assume there was some headway made today? If so, in what way? Oh but first, we need the others here too. Let's have a mug of tea and wait for the boys to arrive then Bill you can fill us in" Everyone agreed and Molly bustled about preparing the tea as Arthur called the twins and Percy downstairs to hear the news. She couldn't equate this beaming Ginny of hers with the one who had barely 'existed, not lived' amongst them for the last three years. She was even sitting beside Harry, and openly flirting with him. Although Harry was blushing a bit, he looked thrilled at her actions.

While everyone, minus Ron, sat around the table enjoying their tea, Bill recounted the steps they had taken to remove the most worrisome Spell from Ginny. "And I was the one who found the end of the thread that Healer Mitford needed", piped up a proud Charlie. Bill playfully cuffed him on the ear and replied, "Yes before I was so rudely interrupted, I was about to tell you that Charlie did indeed find the most important thread we needed to begin with"

The result of the treatment was explained to the family and Bill surprised them all by saying. "Harry, kiss Ginny please. No questions asked, just kiss her please!" Never the one to ask questions first and jump in later, Harry complied with Bill's strange request, and did so willingly.

At first it was a light brushing of his lips on Ginny,s soft ones, but soon all the need he had felt for her rose up and soon the small kiss had become a deep passionate one which was returned in like by an ecstatic Ginny. Catcalls, whistles, and applause awakened them to the fact that they had an audience and it was a loud one too. They pulled apart, and looked at one another grinning from ear to ear. Then Harry turned to Bill and cheekily asked, "Well what did you learn from that Bro?"

Smiling, Bill replied. "Harry where is your wand and I mean the one you got from Ollivander?" "Touche Bill, you got me back. It's in my pocket, why" Bill answered with another question, "Who else outside of our parents, who incidently do not have their wands in their hands at the present time, knows the Charm to calm Ginny when she reacts to endearments from you, thanks to Malfoy?"

A light went on in Harry's mind as he looked at Bill and then at all the unseeing faces of his family and finally back to Ginny. Grinning he took her into his arms and kissed her deeply, with all the love he hadn't been able to show her for four years. If all the lights that went on in all the minds seated at the table had been discernable, it would have been blinding to mere mortals. Laughing and crying The entire family were now on their feet and hugging Ginny nearly to death. They realized as one that the first and most important phase of her cure was a huge success. They were eager to share the news with Hermione and happily agreed to surprise her with the news tonight when the Grangers visited the Burrow.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze for Harry. He spent it playing with the children and Ginny out in the garden and thinking all the time they were out there. Was he moving too fast? Would she revert to the new and nasty Ginny if even one of the Spells triggered another latent one while being manipulated by the Healer? Who could he talk to? Maybe Glen could help him. Today had been brilliant. When he kissed her, his thoughts had returned to a time when they spent all their spare time snogging. Now he was remembering when he proposed to her. It was Easter Holidays and he found her a huge Chocolate Bunny in Muggle London, and gave her a beautiful bouquet of Lilies. She was thrilled with the Lilies, but it took him at least an hour to explain the significance of the Bunny. He wanted that all again. He didn't want any other woman, just her, and he'd wait as long as it took to have things the same or better than before.

He returned his thoughts to the children and as he watched the two older ones running and playing and Narcy trying to keep up with them, he laughed. Lily and Lucius would settle in one spot digging for worms, stones or whatever little kids dig for, and Narcy would start crawling toward them. Just scant feet from them they'd think of something else to do and be on the move again. Narcy would sit back on her little bottom and stare at them for a bit and if she thought they would stay put, she'd begin the whole maneuver again. Harry nudged Ginny and quietly whispered. "Watch Narcy, and see how determined she is to keep up with the other two. It's so funny but cute too"

Ginny sat up and watched them for a while and soon she was giggling too. "Where did she get her patience from I wonder? She's not letting it bother her one bit that she is doing so much work to catch up with them and they move away from her. You know Harry we'll need to start walking with her soon so she'll strengthen her legs, and soon the others will have to run to keep up with her"

"No time like now, Gin. Let's each take a hand and start her walking today." This is what they did, and soon they were walking slowly around the garden with Narcy placing one foot in front of the other as if she were a bouncing jack. She was so excited that she was squealing, which brought the other two over to see what was happening. Within minutes, there was Lily holding Ginny's free hand, and Lucius holding Harry's free one and with Narcy in the middle, they were the picture of every couples perfect family. Looking out the window, Molly took advantage of the situation and snapped several pictures of the five of them.

They walked around the garden like this a bit longer until Narcy became tired and decided to sit down.Ginny remarked that she thought Narcy felt she'd walked enough for her first time." It's nearly dinner anyway. We should take them in and wash them up before we eat."

Harry, listening to what Ginny was saying looked at the children and realized that she was speaking as though they were already a family. Her use of the word 'we' warmed his heart to the core. Oh yes, they were a family in the making so to speak, and in the meantime they would work together to keep these three little persons secure in their love for them.

They entered the Burrow to a tearful Molly who was just rising to her feet from a floo call. She grabbed Harry and Ginny around their necks and wept bitterly. It took several minutes to calm her down and when she could finally speak clearly, she told them that Hermione was in St. Mungos Hospital. We must all go she told them.

Harry told them he'd take the children to Nanny and he'd be right back. Ten minutes later, he was back in the room he had just left. Percy and the twins would be along soon and Arthur was on his way to the Hospital. Harry grabbed Ginny, and he and Molly Apparated to the alley in front of St. Mungos. Charlie, Bill and Fleur would be along later. Quickly they entered the hospital and asked for directions to Hermione's room. Directed to the waiting room on her floor they were met by the Grangers. Jane was crying her heart out and Roger was close to tears himself.

"What happened? You told us that she was not hurt this morning, so what didn't you tell us?" Harry cried out to them.

"Are the rest of the family coming?" asked Roger. "Yes as soon as they can all get away from work, they will be here", answered Harry.

"Then we'll tell you all at once", was Roger's reply.

"When can we see her? When can I see my sister?" Harry asked.

"Roger was moved by Harry's plea. He knew that his daughter had always felt that Harry was her brother too, so he answered him as best he could. "Harry, even we can't go in just yet. They are working on her as we speak, and we haven't heard from them in a little while.

Harry began pacing the floor. What happened between this morning and now that had such an effect on Jane. If this was the result of anything that Ron did, Harry would hunt him down and kill him. He was so angry that he was causing some of the pictures on the walls to fall to the floor. Noticing this Ginny crossed the hall and put her arms around his waist to slow him down. Surprised he stopped his pacing and this gave her a chance to rub his back gently the way she used to do when he was upset. She led him to a chair and he sat down pulling her onto his lap. He buried his face in her shoulder and said. "Gin, she just has to be okay. I can't lose the only 'sister' I ever had. Why won't they come out and tell us something? Just anything would do"

"I don't know love, but here is the rest of the family so at least the Grangers will tell us what happened to Hermione.

The Weasleys, including Harry of course and the Grangers seated themselves in a small waiting room kept available for family use only. Roger told them he would tell them about Hermione because Jane was in no shape to speak to anyone.

"To begin, Hermione flooed home last night because she had seen a side of Ron that devastated her. He had said things that I don't wish to repeat, and she told us that her heart had gone cold and she would never be able to love him again. He had manhandled her a bit but it wasn't serious in as far as physical damage was concerned. The psychological damage was the worst. We left for our practice this morning after she assured us she needed to be alone for a while. We told her we would come home for lunch and she told us she would have it ready for us. When we returned she was nowhere in the house and lunch wasn't even started. That wasn't like Hermione so we went to the back yard to see if she had fallen asleep reading as she has done numerous times before. We were beyond shocked to find her in a heap, unconscious and viciously beaten. We went to the floo and called for help from St. Mungos. They came quickly and brought her here where we've been ever since. Our next-door neighbor told us he heard shouting, and then saw Ron running from the yard and then just disappear into thin air. We don't want to believe the worst about Ron, but Simon was adamant regarding what he saw."

By this time all the men were livid. Bill and Charlie said, "We'll be right back", and within seconds, they were gone.

Harry jumped up and said I'm going too, but Ginny, Fleur and Roger held him back. If Hermione asks for anyone it will most certainly be you and us Harry. You are always the one she looked up to at school believe it or not. You couldn't have been more her brother if we had birthed you. Please stay. Your brothers will find him.

"Yes Harry, you can trust Bill and Charlie to find Ron. They are professional trackers you know," proudly proclaimed Fleur.

Bill and Charlie arrived in Ron's house only to find him passed out on his bed with two empty Firewhiskey bottles smashed against the wall and in shards on the floor. his face was still banged up from Harry,s fists.They saw blood on his robes and hands and so with this proof of guilt, they bound, levitated and took him to the Ministry for questioning. Charlie made sure that the blood on his robes and hands was scanned for DNA, and leaving him in Tonks and Moony,s capable hands, they returned to the hospital.

Harry was back to pacing and reacted quickly when he heard Bill's voice. "We found him passed out in a drunken stupor on his bed, and took him to the Ministry. His clothes and hands are covered in blood so we reminded Tonks and Moony to do a DNA test on the blood. We'll learn the results later today. We told them the circumstances and they will question him using Veritaserum. Now have you heard how Hermione is yet?"

Before anyone could answer, a feral cry filled with pain burst forth from Harry. "Why didn't you take me with you? I would have killed him, and he began sobbing as once more Ginny took him into her arms and led him to a chair and sat consoling him as best she could.

Charlie spoke up and answered Harry's question with a question. "Who would you rather see in Azkaban for a few years Harry, you or Ron? Then he continued not waiting for an answer. For murder, you would have received a life sentence leaving Lily and your newfound happiness behind. And for what? Revenge? We knew what you would have done and so being family, we took it upon ourselves to find him. We've now lost one brother, we can't lose you too now that we have you back again"

"You're right. You know me too well don't you? I'm too hot headed at best and yes, I would have killed him first and asked questions later. You are the …….. and at this point the door to their lounge opened and a healer entered.

"Who is the closest family of Miss Granger?" Roger spoke up and answered, "We all are, every last one of us. Please what can you tell us about her condition?"

"I won't mince words then. We had to make a decision between saving your daughter or the unborn baby. The baby might not have lived even if we had saved it and not the mother. Our choice was a difficult one, but as one of the healers assisting reminded us, we were certain of saving the patients life if we worked quickly but the foetus was an unknown in as far as whether it would live or die soon after. We chose to save your daughters life. Her condition is still grave but she will heal eventually. We took pictures of all her injuries as we knew you would need them if you go to court against the one who did this to her. She was sobbing out the name 'Harry' as she was going under. Could this be the name of her attacker?"

"Oh no, this is Harry and he is family," Jane said. 'The one who did that to her was her Fiancé, and he is now under arrest at the Ministry. Bill and Charlie Weasley arrested him a while ago. When can we see her, please?"

"I think you should all go for tea, and when you return she will be in her own room. We still have a bit more treatment and then she will be ready for her family. May I say, she is extremely fortunate to have such a supportive family such as you all are. I've heard the saying that blood is thicker than water, but the love I can sense from the lot of you will heal her faster than anything else could. Give us another hour and she will be on the trauma ward"

"Thank you from every one of us", said Arthur. "We all love Hermione. She's been like a daughter and sister to my family for many years. Our life would be poorer without her" To the others he said. "Let's all go for tea now like the Healer asked us to do. We can't do anything more here and well see her within the hour" Arthur then took charge shepherding the family down to the cafeteria. They found a secluded corner where they could talk quietly. Arthur had other ideas and asked Jane and Roger to sit with him as he had something to tell them.

Taking their tea to another table, he told them the story of Ron's adoption and parentage, ending with. "We never once thought about the chance that he would inherit all the dark genes from that family. The rest, save the Grandfather were all light Wizards. I am so sorry for what has happened to Hermione. Molly was so devastated after losing the baby that we jumped too quickly when she heard about a family member being sent to a Muggle orphanage. We should have been more thorough and checked the family background more than we did"

Conversation languished following Arthur's disclosure, the near silence punctuated with intermittant sobs emanating from Molly, Jane and Ginny. It seemed as if the time would never pass and as if a signal had been received, they stood en masse and proceeded to the Trauma Ward waiting room.

Another hour passed before a young Healer approached them and told them that, "Miss Granger is in her room now and she is allowed just three visitors at a time. We know her parents want to stay with her, so the rest of you may go in one at a time for ten minutes only. She is very weak and is not to be questioned. Just gentle hugs and loving support is what she needs during the next 24 hours. Mr. and Mrs. Granger? Please follow me, and one more. Is there a Ginny here? She asked for you as well."

Harry was devastated and it showed on his face and in his eyes. . He was so sure she would want to see him first along with her parents. Seeing this, Jane spoke up. "Harry, last night one of the things she spoke of was her desire to see Ginny tonight to see if her treatment today was successful. She was so excited about the eventuality of the two of you getting together again. You will go in next. Be patient" and with this said, Ginny with an apologetic look at Harry followed the Grangers and Healer into Hermione's room. She squared her shoulders as did the Grangers, and tried to look positive as she entered the room.

Hermione was lying still and was extremely pale. She had been through a very traumatic experience and it showed on her face. Her eyes were closed but she was not sleeping as she opened them when she sensed her visitors approaching her bed. Jane and Roger hugged her gently and kissed her cheeks. Tears were streaming down Jane's cheeks as well as Ginny's also.

"Come on you two, no tears. I'm going to be perfectly okay and as for the baby, I can't let that stop me from getting better. I am devastated, yes, but I'm still alive. We must thank the Fates who decided that it was not my time to go. I will be reunited with my baby's soul some day, but not for a long while. Now Ginny, how are you?"

"Never better Hermione and I want you to know I love you. You know that don't you? You are my sister in every sense of the word. I will be here for you the way you were there for me. You can depend on that. You will be here to see me heal and I still need you. I am so sorry this happened but I am so glad you are out of danger now" She kissed her gently on the cheek and told her she'd send Harry in now.

Roger interrupted and told them that he would let Harry come in his place for a while. He wanted his daughter to see her two best friends together. Arthur had explained a bit about the tremors and treatment of same and he thought it would hearten her to see them together.

Exiting the room, he came face to face with a pacing Harry. Before he could speak, Roger sent him into his daughter's room. "Ten minutes now Harry; I want her to see you and Ginny because you are her very best friends. Okay?" Whether Harry heard him or not was questionable, because he was already beside Hermione's bed before Roger had finished speaking.

"Hi sis. How are you doing? I was so worried about you. He kissed her on the forehead and very gently, as if she were fine china, he hugged her. His eyes were teary, but he looked at her with so much love that she knew that he would be there for her as well as Ginny would.

Stepping back a bit, he stood beside Ginny and because old habits die hard, he put his arms around Ginny's shoulders and hugged her to him, and kissed the top of her head. At this show of affection Hermione smiled the biggest smile either one of them had ever seen on her face. I am so happy and now I'll get better even faster. The two told her that they would send in the next visitor, and promising to return the next day to tell her all about the treatment she had received.they kissed her cheek once more before leaving. Roger decided once again to allow the Weasleys to go in two at a time as he and his wife planned to stay with his daughter through the night and so Arthur and Molly joined Jane at Hermiones bedside.

Once everyone had turns visiting Hermione, they left for the Burrow, and since it was so late, they decided to be satisfied with sandwiches and tea. Imagine their surprise when they entered the Burrow to find Mitzi and Denny laying out a veritable banquet for them to enjoy. Harry hugged Mitzi and said, "Thank you so much. We are all so tired, and I'm sure Mum wasn't up to making food for the lot of us"

"You are all welcome. We couldn't stay in the Manor knowing that our Miss. Hermione was in the hospital. We need to know how she is. Will she be alright, Harry?"

"Yes, Mitzi and Denny, she will be fine in time. She lost her baby but she is happy that she is going to be well again one day"

It wasn't long before the bowls and platters were empty enough to satisfy the Elves that everyone's appetites were sated. Kissing his Mum and hugging his Dad, and bidding the rest good night, he turned to Ginny. He kissed her gently and promised to meet her here at the burrow early when he brought Narcy and Lucius back home to her.

Harry fell thankfully into his bed that night but sleep did not come easily or quickly. He spent hours going over in his mind the facts of Ron's true parentage. He could remember since their fourth year how Ron behaved like Malfoy in so many ways. He was prejudiced against anyone who didn't agree with him, and often looked down on several of his fellow students. He complained bitterly about his family's poverty, and refused to allow Harry to treat Ginny or him in any way, and often made snide remarks about the fact that Harry's parents had left him comfortably well off.

George was right about the ways that Ron was different from the others. He had been his first and best friend, but not any more. He felt a sense of loss at the turn of events that led to this painful conclusion. Why did Ron feel the need to return and hurt Hermione in such a deadly way? If charged with the death of his unborn child, Harry knew that in the Wizarding World, it was punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban. His thoughts became such a Hodgepodge of facts and events from school that he was afraid he would explode. He needed to calm down, and now would be a good time to do so. Poor Hermione, we'll be there for her as long as she needs us were his last thoughts as he drifted off into a troubled sleep.

Tuesday morning Harry rose early after a near sleepless night. He woke up often and took ages to nod off again. Dressing in his sweats, he took an early morning run to clear his mind and to help him wake up. Today, they could see Hermione for a longer period. Thank Merlin for Magical Healing techniques, because her convalescence time would be much shorter than someone treated in a Muggle Hospital. He returned indoors in time for a shower. He didn't hear the little ones yet, so decided to enjoy more time under the hot water spray. After toweling off, he dressed with a casual day in mind. He could leave Lily with Mum while Ginny and he visited Hermione.

Arriving at the Burrow, he heard Bill's voice arguing with Fred. He hated interrupting a family squabble, but needed to take the children into the kitchen. Getting an idea, he called out loudly, "Oy there, someone want to come take a child or two before I drop one of them?" It seemed to work because George and Fred met Harry in the doorway, one grabbed Narcy, and the other took Lucius thus making Harry's load lighter. "Well", he thought to himself, "at least it stopped the tiff but I know I'll be dragged into it eventually or my name isn't Harry. I guess it comes with the territory if I'm a Weasley-Potter now."

Upon entering the kitchen he saw a very angry Bill and Charlie. "Where's Mum, Dad and Ginny? Is Dad at work so soon?"

Charlie answered Harry before either twin could interrupt. "Mum's in bed still and Ginny and Dad are upstairs with her. She has suffered a slight nervous collapse according to Poppy. Dad called her over through the night because Mum wouldn't stop crying and was becoming weaker and weaker. Poppy told Dad she just couldn't handle the whole Ron and Hermione situation. She reminded Dad that no matter what he has done, he is still her baby boy in her eyes"

That's what we were all arguing about just now. Fred and George are sure he's suffering from Spells and hexes the same as Ginny is. Bill and I don't buy into that excuse. The first thing Tonks and Moony did was to scan him for any sign of Spells or hexes. We did the same while he was out cold on his bed. We can't convince the twins that he hurt Hermione so seriously"

Fred turned to Harry. "Do you believe that rot about him being dark? He hated the Slytherins and Malfoy in particular. I think the fact that Ginny married Malfoy sent him over the edge. He must have been livid when he found out that Hermione had befriended Ginny"

Harry became angry with their lack of reasoning sensibly. "Then why did he denounce the findings of the two Healer's examination of his sister? He even began an accusation of incompetence before I threatened him. You heard him. Do you agree with him about your sister?"

"What do we know? We're not Healers, so we have to take the word of these men against our own brother"

Shaking their heads in disgust at the twins, Bill and Charlie left before they said something irreparable to their siblings. Harry, tell Ginny we'll see her at the Clinic tomorrow afternoon, and give our love to Hermione when you see her later today. We need to go to the Ministry to write out our reports on this mess"

Instead of staying to listen to the twins nattering about Ron's problem versus Ginny's, problem, Harry took the three children upstairs to Ginny's room. If he stayed downstairs any longer, he would say something he would no doubt regret later when tempers cooled down.

Ginny was lying on her stomach on her bed sleeping soundly, so He took the children up to the Twin's old room and played with them for a while. Arthur must have heard him pass his bedroom door, because he appeared soon after. "How's Mum?" asked Harry. "Can I do anything to help?"

"Not right now, she's sleeping soundly. Ginny was up with us all night and I imagine she's sleeping in her room. Did you check on her when you passed her door?"

"Yes I saw her spread out on her bed and she is dead to the world"

Harry asked Arthur, "Do you think that maybe it would be better to take the children back to the manor to Nanny?"

"No Harry, I think it will do your Mum and Ginny a world of good to wake up to the sounds of the little ones. Let's go down stairs and have some breakfast. I haven't eaten yet. I'm not much of a cook, but I'll try anything once. Are you game to take a chance on my cooking son?"

"I'll make you a deal Dad, I'll cook and you play with your grandchildren. Maybe you could practice walking with Narcy. She loves holding your hand and walking around. like Lily and Lucius".

"Okay, Harry it,s a deal. I,d like bacon, sausages, eggs, waffles,pancakes,scones..."now that,s enough Dad. Maybe all you,ll get is toast if you aren,t careful.

When the two laughing men finally made it to the kitchen with the three squirming children, Harry was not sorry to see that the twins were gone and he felt a twinge of guilt, but just a twinge.

Harry, true to his word had breakfast on the table shortly. The smell of the bacon cooking wafted up to Ginny's room and soon she came groggily down the stairs. "That smells so good; I didn't know you could cook Dad. Oh hi Harry, when did you get here and where are my little monsters?"

"For starters young lady, I cooked the breakfast. Secondly we've been here for at least an hour, and thirdly my children are not monsters. They are perfectly behaved little ladies and a gentleman. So there", he retorted while sticking his tongue out at her.

"Very mature Harry! It looks like I will have four children to raise instead of three. If I see these innocent little children sticking out their tongues at anyone, I'll know where they learned it from", was Ginny's laughing reply to his childish actions.

"So do we get to eat, or do the two of you need time for more repartee? I'm starving and I bet my grandchildren are too. You can spar verbally, but the little ones and I are eating" With this said, Arthur seated the children at the table and proceeded to fill their plates with eggs and toast and to pile his with a bit of everything that Harry had cooked.

Ginny and Harry joined the others at the table and helped to empty every serving dish of food on the table. "Oh my but that was delicious Harry. You really are a good cook."

"Thanks Dad, but I only do breakfast. Aunt Petunia did the other meals. I saved some for Mum; shall I take it up to her as I'd like to see how she is?"

"You can try son, but I won't guarantee she is awake yet. If not we can keep it warm for her"

Harry started up the stairs with the tray for Molly, but within minutes, he ran back down yelling, "Dad, Mum's gone. I searched the other rooms, and she's nowhere in sight, and the hearth in Percy's room is still warm" Just then a yell was heard coming from the floo in the living room. It was Bill yelling to his Dad, "Mum flooed into the Ministry atrium screaming for her baby. She's in her night clothes and we're taking her to St.Mungos, so meet us there as soon as possible. We're going now, see you there"

TBC