"At least open the card from Percy and Audrey," George said.
"No, thanks. I'll just wait for Harry and Ginny," said Hermione. So they did. Nobody said anything, George just kept urging Hermione to open gifts by pushing them towards her encouragingly, but everyone was afraid to speak. All at once Ginny's Patronus burst forth in front of them with her message. "Cloaked men, danger at Shell Cottage." Bill and Fleur immediately jumped out of their seats. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked aghast.
"What's Ginny doing at Shell Cottage?" Hermione asked.
"Nevermind, Ron and Harry are there, we've got to send help."
"Ron?!" Hermione explained.
"We'll explain later, Hermione, but he's in danger. Fleur, stay here." Bill said, sternly.
"I'm coming," she defied, but he put his hand up pleadingly and she ceased to argue. "Charlie, Bettina, Dad, come with me."
"What about me?" asked George.
"No George, just Ministry people."
"Charlie's not in the Ministry..."
"Then I'm coming," shouted Hermione, fiercely.
"No," George, Charlie, and Bill all said at once.
"Why not? I'm more then worthy."
"We know you are Hermione, but please, just stay here. Mum, can you send a Patronus to Kingsley Shacklebolt? Tell him to meet us at Shell Cottage. If I do it, they might trace it."
"What's going on? Who are they?" Hermione demanded, her eyes full of tears. Angelina clung to George like she was afraid he'd leave her behind, but he didn't seem to be moving.
"I'm sorry, Hermione, there's no time. We've got to get there." Bill, Charlie, Arthur, and Bettina Disapparated without another word. Mrs. Weasley sent a Patronus to Kingsley, as Bill had told her.
"I have to go to Ron! He could be hurt." She moved to Apparate, but George countered and put a shield on her.
"You can't, Hermione. Ron would never forgive himself if something happened to you today."
"It's only my ruddy birthday," she said. "Who cares about that? If Ron's not safe...please, let me go!"
"They can take care of it," said George. "They'll bring him back, safe. Now promise not to try and leave and I'll take the shield down?" Hermione stared him down, her wand out.
"How can I when you can't actually promise they'll be safe."
"Hermione, please," said her mother, pulling her arm. Then Hermione burst into tears and hugged her mother close. George removed the shield and came closer to them, Angelina's hand firmly in his.
"Listen, Hermione. You're right, I can't promise anything. But I believe they will be safe. I'm just as scared as you, but we've got to have faith." She nodded half-heartedly, but then she noticed Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen staring at the Weasley clock. Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Ginny, and Ron's arrows were pointed to "mortal peril." Hermione looked at George with shame.
"I'm sorry George, obviously you stand to lose as much in this as I do."
"But we won't," said George. "Here, this will calm the nerves." He handed her a butterbeer and she took it obligingly.
"Hermione," said her mother softly, "isn't it a dangerous profession, being an Auror."
"Yes, it can be," Hermione admitted.
"Then...then, I think this may be something you'll have to get used to," said her mother.
"What?" asked Hermione wiping her tears away.
"Well, if Ron's to become an Auror, then this is a taste of what your life might be," Hermione took a huge swig of butterbeer. Her mother was right. This could well be the norm. She'd seen Harry go off on plenty of odd and worrisome missions. Yet, Ginny always managed. Suddenly Ginny seemed like the bravest woman in the world to Hermione. And Mrs. Weasley, who'd let her children face unspeakable dangers on many occasions. Well, she hadn't really letthem, but she hadn't stopped them. Summoning her Gryffindor courage, Hermione decided to be just that, brave. She knew she had it in her. Ron had faced terrible things in the past and he'd gotten through. And then it had been Voldemort. And it had just been her, him, and Harry sometimes, and he'd made it through on his own for a time. Now he had a huge amount of support, including the Minister of Magic himself. George was right. They just had to have faith. She eased her hold around her mother and stood, smoothing her skirt. Her parents embraced and there was nothing else they could do or say. There was nothing anyone could do or say. Hermione paced. This reminded her terribly of Harry's birthday all those years ago, when they'd taken polyjuice potion to become him. After splitting up they'd been instructed to meet back at the Burrow. Each pair of Auror and decoy Harry had waited for the others to return and the night had been one of the longest nights of Hermione's life. That night she'd also been worried sick about Ron.
The Burrow was supposed to be a place of happy memories and she had many there. But somehow she didn't think anything could ever top the feelings of dread she'd had previously and now. A few laughs, some tender moments, and wonderful meals could hardly compete with the heaviness in the pit of her stomach as she imagined her life without Ron. How empty this place would be, how empty her life would be! It was a challenge for her to stay on her feet but she continued pacing. Mrs. Weasley made her tea, but she said she preferred the butterbeer. George offered her Firewhiskey and at first she declined, but then decided it might soothe her nerves. She felt completely frayed and useless. Of course, she horribly worried for everyone else too. Harry was out there and Ginny! Not to mention Ron's father and his two eldest brothers. When she realized how much she had neglected to think of them she felt foolish and selfish. This had without a doubt been the worst birthday of her life and she found she couldn't care less that Ron had seemingly forgotten it. All that mattered to her was that Ron stayed safe and came back to her in one piece. Having him back in her arms would be the biggest gift she could possibly imagine.