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A huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed! I know Ron is being rather angsty lately but give him time, he'll come around.

Chapter 12

A Matter of Urgency

Ron felt Hermione's shoulder brush past his upper arm as they both entered the staffroom. Hermione tilted her head towards him without smiling.

She pulled out a long piece of parchment and placed it on the table. "These are the instructions for the vaccine. And here's a list of things I need for the antidote," she said as she placed another piece of parchment on the table.

Ron picked up the list of ingredients and scanned them over quickly, trying to ignore Hermione's icy glare.

"Fine," he said finally.

Hermione nodded curtly. "I'll be in the dungeon if you need me."

Ron tried to speak. He wanted to hold her tightly and bury his face in her mass of hair. But he couldn't. There was something about that night that didn't sit right with him. And he couldn't bring himself to confront Hermione.

He was stupid, really, to think that he was the right person for Hermione. She deserved so much better.

Hermione was wrong. He was a different person. He didn't even feel like whole person—he killed a man, he let people die…he let a child he loved die. His emotions were all over the place. Sometimes he felt overwhelmed with emotions and other times he felt totally void of any feeling. Maybe he truly was going mad.

Hermione might have loved the boy he used to be, but she only pitied the person he was now.

He shook his head. He had to stop thinking about her if he was going to function properly.

His fingers itched for the floo powder sitting on the mantel. Harry had left just an hour earlier and headed straight for the Ministry, to ward off the pending attack.

Ron just wanted to contact his father and see if everyone was all right. He glanced at the clock. They were probably in the middle of the meeting. There wasn't any use in interrupting them. For all he knew, they were all in the midst of a heated battle.

He clenched his jaw tightly and rubbed his temple. He should be there. Instead, he sat down and flattened Hermione's parchments against the table.

Fifteen minutes had passed. He had magically duplicated the instructions for the vaccine numerous times, one for the Order, one for the British Ministry and the others addressed to a different foreign ministries. He would have to send them through the Order. Owls were no longer reliable. They were easily intercepted.

Ron knew that a vaccine existed before Hermione came through with hers. Voldemort wasn't a pureblood—he needed a vaccine. The hypocritical bastard was just using the virus to eliminate the enemy and continue the propaganda that gripped his followers. But the longer Voldemort remained unaware that they had discovered the vaccine the better.

He turned to the other piece of parchment and started jotting down notes beside each item on the list—notes on whether Hogwarts had the ingredient and how much, and if not, how he'd go about obtaining it.

He slammed his quill on the table, unable to concentrate on the task as he thought about the Ministry. Someone was going to try to assassinate his father. He clenched his fist. When had things gone so terribly out of control?

He couldn't wait any longer. He grabbed a handful of floo powder.

Before he could start a fire, Hannah Abbott came through the door. Ron spun around.

"Oh there you are Ron. I was just coming to check the map for you. Professor McGonagall is here."

"What?" said Ron, surprised.

"Yeah, and she wants to see you. She asked for you to meet her in her office."

Ron glanced back at the fireplace. He sighed and released the floo powder back into its container.

"All right then," said Ron.

x

"Ah, Mr. Weasley. Please come in. Take a seat."

Ron sat down, albeit reluctantly.

"Sorry Professor but I just wanted to contact the Ministry, see if—"

"Yes, yes, of course. You want to know if your father is all right. Well, not to worry, he's just fine."

Ron stared at her. "How do you know?"

"I was at the meeting."

Minerva watched as Ron's body relaxed slightly.

"Oh."

"Yes, your father asked that I let you know. He's going to speak with you tonight from the Burrow. He's a bit preoccupied with captured Death Eaters right now."

"But he's all right?"

"Besides being a little worse for wear, he's fine, Mr. Weasley."

"And Harry?"

"He's fine. He's being briefed at the Order Headquarters. He seems to have adjusted well after being confined to the dungeons for such an extended period."

Ron's eyes wandered to the window. "I wouldn't know. He was only here for a day," he said, sounding slightly bitter.

Minerva sighed quietly as she examined her former student. The boy looked completely knackered.

"How about Miss Granger? She really came through."

Ron tensed. "Yes she did. She's working on an antidote now."

"Perfect," said Minerva.

Ron nodded and an uncomfortable silence fell between the headmistress and the young man.

"I've heard that you've been taking good care of the school," said Minerva, finally breaking the silence.

Ron shrugged.

"Indeed, the boy is an exceptional leader. A rather impressive young lad, indeed," said a female voice.

Both Ron and Minerva looked up at the sound in surprise.

A portrait of a woman with long silver ringlets smiled down at Ron. "Dilys Derwent," introduced the portrait. "And you must be Ronald Weasley."

Ron gaped at the portrait.

"Dilys was headmistress of Hogwarts in the eighteenth century," explained Minerva. "She was also a renowned healer." She wondered how the former headmistress had come to know about Ron.

"But how, I mean, I don't come to this office…how would you know me?" He sounded flabbergasted.

"Don't look so surprised, young man. The portraits talk. We're frequently visited by others who inform us of the happenings in the school," explained a red-nosed old man from another portrait.

"That irritating Gryffindor ghost was going on about you the other day. Couldn't get him to shut up," said Phineas Black, who glared at Ron with irritation.

Ron scanned the portraits before his eyes settled on a familiar face.

The portrait of Albus Dumbledore smiled reassuringly at Ron. "Minerva has good judgment, Mr. Weasley."

McGonagall tried to hide her guilt as she looked up at Albus's portrait.

In all honesty, Minerva was surprised at how well the youngest Weasley handled the school, especially given the adverse situations.

She had been so desperate for someone to take charge of the castle in her absence. Hermione would have been her ideal choice.

But with no available adults and both Hermione and Harry in confinement, she was forced to hand over the responsibilities to Ron—a boy who had never taken his prefect duties seriously.

Then over the course of her travels, she heard rumours of the Minister's youngest son taking in the wounded and ill and turning the school into a makeshift hospital.

And now, with the reception the former headmasters and mistresses gave Ron…well, the boy had certainly disproved her doubts.

"I agree. You made an excellent choice, Minerva," said Dilys. "And the things I've heard about his healing abilities." She shook her head in amazed disbelief. "And he does not have any training."

x

Ron shook his head slowly as the portraits praised him. He turned away and walked up to the window, his cheeks flushed. Didn't they know? Hadn't they heard of all the people who died under his watch?

He stared out into the endless landscape beyond the small, enclosed window. Suddenly, he felt terribly claustrophobic. He clenched the edge of the windowsill, trying to regulate his breathing. What the hell was wrong with him?

"Are you all right?" asked his former professor.

"Fine," he said hoarsely. He kept looking out the window, staring longingly at the Quidditch pitch. Those lazy days spent in the pitch seemed to be from another life.

"Malfoy is here," he said softly.

"Yes, your father told me as much. He was the informant."

"I didn't tell my father everything Malfoy said. I didn't…I didn't want to burden him. I mean, someone was trying to assassinate him." His voice shook as he thought about the attempt on his father's life.

"What do you mean?" McGonagall's voice sounded suddenly tense.

"He said…he believes that Snape is still alive."

Ron heard McGonagall suck in some air.

"Apparently, he's being held in Devonshire, in a muggle castle tower, Lydford castle."

"Dear Merlin," muttered McGonagall. "Poor Severus."

"You'll have to send someone for him now if you want him back," he said, nonchalantly.

"Yes, the longer he's there the less of a chance he has. But the Order is short staffed. We cannot spare one person," she said sadly. "If he's been kept alive for a month now, there's a chance that he'll be alive when we finally have the opportunity to send someone."

Ron shook his head. Why did he care? This was Snape they were discussing. When did he start caring about that slimy git?

"No, it's now or never." He turned around and sat down in front of his former professor.

McGonagall looked at him with surprise. "Why would you say that?"

"Think about it, professor. How many Death Eaters do you think he has? Not a substantial number, I suspect. There are only so many purebloods and I doubt that there are many non-purebloods in the Death Eater ranks. Voldemort and Snape are special exceptions."

"True, but I don't see what this has to do with rescuing Severus?"

"So, I'd say that Voldemort has about the same manpower as we do."

"Probably."

"Which means Voldemort can't afford too many people guarding Snape. There's probably only two death eaters at the castle."

McGonagall gave Ron a quizzical look, as she tried to follow his train of thought.

"But that doesn't explain your supposed urgency."

"So, if you don't have the manpower, how do you secure a high-risk prisoner?"

"Wards and enchantments, perhaps" said the professor.

"And location," said Ron.

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Well, yes, and location."

"He's been there for a month and no one has gone looking for him. Location is the best security measure. If no one knows where he is, there's no risk."

"Very true."

"But if they get wind that the location is no longer a secret, than they'll change locations or kill him."

Ron was now leaning forward in his chair, his mind racing with thoughts.

McGonagall's eyes widened with realization. "And when he realizes that the Ministry attack was deliberately foiled…"

"Voldemort will realize that we have an informant and after some investigation, he will find out that Malfoy may not be dead…"

"And he'll know that Malfoy knows Snape's location."

Ron nodded. "Exactly. So if we wait, Snape won't be at that castle."

McGonagall closed her eyes. "You have really thought this out."

Ron shrugged his shoulders. "I figure that we have about a day or two before Voldemort suspects anything. Luckily we don't have the Daily Prophet around to let everything out immediately."

"Yes, yes," started the professor. "Poor Severus." She paused. "He might have vital information. If we lose this chance…"

Ron wondered why Voldemort kept Snape alive. After all, he'd been the one to lead them to the Horcruxes. Ron shuddered. If he knew only one Horcrux remained, what would stop him from making more?

"Well, this is a predicament," muttered the old woman, snapping Ron out of his thoughts.

She was tapping her fingers against the desk.

Ron nodded mutely, trying not to make any suggestions he would later regret. Slouching back in the seat, he decided to keep his mouth shut as he thought about the things he had to do here.

McGonagall looked at him intently. "Unless…there's an Order meeting in two days."

"We'd lose our chance by then."

"Yes, but what I was saying is that I'm staying at Hogwarts until then. I'm an old woman, Mr. Weasley. I would go after Severus myself in my younger days."

Ron nearly laughed at the thought of his former professor executing a breakout.

"But if I'm here, then maybe…"

Ron's heart started to beat faster. This is what he wanted, right? To get out of the castle, just for a couple of days. Yet, he didn't jump into the silence. What was wrong with him?

"I wouldn't want to hand over the authority to anyone else, so given that I'll be here for two days, I wouldn't have to."

Ron nodded slowly.

"Of everyone here, you and Hermione have the most experience with—"

"Hermione is working on an antidote," Ron said abruptly. He didn't want her in any danger.

"Yes, that's true. Who else then?"

"The staffing situation here is very tight, Professor."

"Yes, well, there's no way around it, I'm not sending you alone."

He could handle it, he thought crossly.

"Well then, Mr. Longbottom, Miss Weasley and Miss Lovegood are all good candidates."

Suddenly, Ron felt panicked. He didn't want any of them put in danger, especially his sister.

"Ginny is in charge of potions. Nobody else could learn the details of the job in time."

McGonagall sighed. "And Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood?"

Ron closed his eyes. "Neville is in charge of the greenhouses." Had he just condemned Luna to a dangerous job?

"That settles it then." She lifted her wand. Ron knew that she was going to make a public announcement, calling for Luna to come to her office.

"Wait, she's in the Charms classroom. I'll floo her," said Ron quickly.

McGonagall looked at him skeptically. "You know exactly where she is?"

"If she's following the schedule, yes. And Luna always follows the schedule."

McGonagall looked impressed. "All right, then, call her."

x

Luna sat in a chair next to Ron, listening to McGonagall intently.

"Well, Miss Lovegood? Do you accept."

Luna nodded solemnly. "I do accept, professor."

"Then it's settled." She leaned forward and stared at them. "I expect you both back in two days. Ron, I will be gone by Monday and the school needs you. So don't go and get yourselves killed."

"Oh indeed, that really isn't the goal, now is it?" said Luna airily, as she twirled her corkscrew earring.

McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Indeed."

"Will we be telling the others?" asked Ron.

"I don't think so. The less who know, the better at this point."

"Well, people will miss Ronald," said Luna. "Everyone's taking orders from him…and Hermione and Ginny…"

"I'll deal with their questions after you leave," replied the headmistress.

Ron nodded nervously. He could only imagine the sort of anger he would have to deal with when he got back. But he didn't want to face his sister or Hermione just then. He didn't want anyone to talk him out of this.

He still couldn't understand why he was risking his wellbeing for his hated former professor. Maybe Snape was just an excuse to get out of the castle for a spell. But deep down, he knew there was more to it than that.

"Right, well, here's the name and password for the Order's Devonshire storehouse. Memorize it and burn it. You'll find some useful equipment there. Mostly your brothers' products, Mr. Weasley."

Ron nodded, taking the piece of parchment. Luna leaned over to read it. She smiled and nodded and Ron burned the parchment.

McGonagall pulled out a small pocketbook, titled Apparating away from Muggles: An Atlas of Designated Apparition Points and pushed it across the desk.

Luna skimmed through the book. "The closest designated apparition point to Lydford is Willsworthy ford in Willsworthy." She handed to book to Ron so that he could see the apparition coordinates.

"You know, blibbering humdingers are attracted to shallow waters. We might see some at the ford, Ronald."

Ron blinked as he looked at the map. Lydford was near Ottery St. Catchpole. Ron suddenly felt very homesick.

McGonagall placed some funny looking pieces of paper in front of the two students.

"What's this?" asked Ron.

"Muggle money. They're called pounds. Take a room at an inn in Willsworthy while you're there."

Ron shook his head. "I can't take your money."

"Don't be silly, Mr. Weasley. This is Order money. Now, you two had better get going so you can make it to Willsworthy by nightfall."

McGonagall looked at them worriedly as they shuffled out of their seats.

Ron bit his lip, feeling uneasy. He pulled out the parchments Hermione had given him earlier and the parchments he had drawn up.

"These have to be sent out and these have to be collected for Hermione," he explained, pointing at the appropriate parchments as he spoke.

The Headmistress nodded. "Be safe."

"It's the best state to be in," said Luna, nodding. "So, naturally, that's what we'll strive for, professor."

A/N: So a bit of set-me-up chapter but it had to happen. As for Ron/Hermione and Ron in general…it will get better guys, I promise. He's got lots of things to work through but the next time Ron and Hermione see each other, they'll start on the right track, promise. I hope you guys will stick around for it.

You know, I tried to get Ron on this mission by himself but it just wouldn't happen…I mean, who sends someone on a breakout by themselves? You must always have someone at your back. And then Luna kept coming in as the partner even though I'm scared to write her because she's so unique and I'm scared I won't do her justice.

I felt Ron needed to leave Hogwarts for a spell, if anything, so that he'll appreciate the things he and his friends have done within the castle.

Thanks for all the reviews! I love them to bits :D.

To my anonymous reviewers:

sparkle1234: Aww, thanks so much!

danny: Yeah, Ron's a real mess but he'll get there!