A.N: I don't usually leave author's notes, but as this chapter contains direct quotes from the book (The Deathly Hallows; Chapter 23: Malfoy Manor), I feel that I need to include a disclaimer: I do not own the rights, all credit goes to JK Rowling. This chapter also has some scenes which you might find distressing; don't say you haven't been warned.

The next five months passed without great event; until the 7th June, however.
"Morning, gorgeous," Ron rolled onto his side to see Hermione laying awake. "Happy Anniversary." he kissed her softly on the lips, but their moment of peace was quickly interrupted by Rose's cries flooding through from the nursery.

"I'll go." Hermione sighed, pushing the duvet off her legs.

"No, I will." Ron smiled, climbing out of bed and wandered into the nursery. "Morning, Rosie," he beamed, lifting Rose out of her cot. "Is someone hungry?" he asked, allowing Rose to grip onto his finger tightly. Hermione appeared in the doorway.

"One year already?" she smiled at the sight of Ron and Rose together. "In that time, look who's arrived." She walked over to them, allowing Ron to grab her around the waist with his free hand. He kissed her lips, almost forgetting that Rose was crying.

"I think someone needs feeding." Ron passed Rose to Hermione, and headed downstairs to make breakfast. As soon as he reached the kitchen, an owl flew straight into Ron's head. "Ow!" he screeched, snatching the note from the owl. It read:

Ron, Hermione and Rose,
Ginny gave birth last night to another boy. We've named him Albus Severus.
Happy Anniversary!
Hope you're well,
Harry.

Ron sighed as the threw the note down on the table. "What a stupid name." he mumbled as he boiled the kettle. Five minutes later, Hermione came in holding Rose. She noticed the note on the table, and read it to herself. "How wonderful!" she exclaimed. "We'll have to go and visit them today."

"How wonderful indeed," Ron groaned. "Do we have to go today?"

"Oh stop being such a baby!" Hermione moaned impatiently. "Grow up, Ronald!"

"But today is our first Anniversary! It's our day!" Ron grabbed two mugs from the cupboard.

"Fine, have it your way. If we don't go today we're going tomorrow, deal?"

"Whatever." Ron reluctantly handed Hermione a cup of tea as Rose gurgled happily in her high chair.

"What a lovely name, don't you think?" Hermione sat down in the nearest chair, tickling Rose's chin.

"I think it's a ruddy stupid name." Ron mumbled.

up!" Hermione yelled, hitting Ron with a copy of The Daily Prophet between each word. "It's a lovely name! It means a lot to Harry, and that makes it special." Ron remained silent, frowning at Hermione. "You're the one ruining 'our day', Ron. Grow up." she growled, slamming The Daily Prophet down on the kitchen table. She stood up abruptly, throwing her chair backwards onto the floor. "You're such a baby." she mumbled, storming out of the room and straight upstairs. Ron picked the chair up off the floor, muttering things to himself as he did so.

"Well, I'm going to work, bye!" Ron Apparated straight out of the kitchen, leaving Rose to babble away in her own company.

Hermione's head went black. Horrible images from her past flashed before her eyes, making her clutch her head tightly. Screams echoed around her mind, voices that she didn't want to remember passed through her ears. "All except... except for the Mudblood." it snarled. "I'm going to ask you again! Where did you get this sword? Where?" Hermione curled up on the bed, her hands cupped over her ears. "We found it - we found it - PLEASE!" she screamed over and over, tears plastering her red face.
"You are lying, filthy Mudblood, and I know it! You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell the truth, tell the truth!" The voices kept swirling around in Hermione's mind, making her scream over and over. the fear echoing off the bare walls. Rose's cries flooded through from downstairs, causing Hermione to squeeze her eyes tightly closed, in attempt to block everything out.

"I'm home!" Ron appeared by the front door. He noticed the absence of Hermione coming straight to see him. "Hermione?" He pulled his wand out and stepped into the lounge. The evening June sun filtered in through the windows, highlighting something Ron didn't want to see. Hermione was huddled up in a corner, shivering. Her lip was bleeding and she had several cuts across her face. Rose was lying in her arms, asleep. Ron tucked his wand away and approached Hermione. "No!" she screamed. "Get away!" She forced herself even further into the dusty corner, pulling Rose closely onto her chest. Ron put his hands up, palms facing Hermione, and backed away slowly. "She's back," Hermione whispered. "She came to take Rose. You're with her." she looked up at glared at Ron, he could see the fear welled in her soft brown eyes - which had clouded over slightly.

"No, Hermione," Ron's voice trembled as he lowered his hands. "You're safe."

"LIAR!" Hermione yelled. "DON'T LIE TO ME!"

"'Mione, if this is a joke then it isn't funny." Ron struggled to hold his fear back. As he backed away further, he felt glass crunch underneath his foot. Looking down, he saw several shattered glasses lying across the carpet. How he hadn't noticed them before he had no idea. "I'm not going to hurt you," Ron reassured her, his voice was smooth and calm; although beneath it you could hear the trembling. "I'm going to keep you safe."

"How can I trust you?" Hermione snarled.

"I'm Ron, remember?"

Hermione shook her head, tears dripping from her eyes. Rose had started to cry.

"Hand me Rose." Ron insisted, holding his hands out.

"Don't try and take my baby." Hermione pulled Rose even closer to her chest. Ron pulled out his wand and produced a Patronus. He sent it straight to Harry.

"Hermione, I don't want to hurt you, okay?"

"Put down the wand." Hermione insisted, her voice sharp, but shaky. Ron threw his wand to Hermione, letting it roll across the floor. He heard something behind him, it was Harry. "Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. "Help me." she whispered, her voice beginning to tremble again.

"With what?" Harry responded, approaching Hermione cautiously.

"This man," Hermione huddled closer to Harry, who was kneeling down beside him. "H-he's trying t-to hurt me." she stammered.

"No, Hermione," Harry placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That's Ron, he's keeping you safe."

"You're with him, aren't you?" she snapped. "You're on the same team, the same side as Bellatrix!"

"No, Bellatrix is dead, Hermione."

"WHY DO YOU KEEP SAYING THAT? SHE ISN'T! I SAW HER, JUST NOW. SHE WAS HERE!" Hermione screamed. "SHE TRIED TO TAKE ROSE!"

Ron and Harry exchanged nervous glances. "No, 'Mione, she w-" Ron started.

"DON'T LIE TO ME ANYMORE!" Hermione cut him off.

Harry turned back to Ron. "What do we do?" he mouthed. Ron replied with a shrug, tears running down his cheeks. "Okay, Hermione, you need to listen to me." Harry started, his voice stern and solid. "Ron and I are here to help you. We want to keep you safe. Understand?"

Hermione cautiously nodded her head.

"You have to let us, though. Okay?"

Hermione's body had relaxed slightly.

"Can you hand me Rose, please?" Harry asked, his voice smooth and soft. Reluctantly, Hermione handed over Rose, who was screaming her lungs out. "Thank you." Harry handed Rose to Ron, who started to jog her gently up and down in his arms. "Now, I need you to stand up, can you do that?" Harry held out his hand kindly. Hermione carefully took hold of Harry's hand, and pulled herself up to stand. She was in a worse state than Ron had originally thought. Her lip was still bleeding and she still had several cuts on her face, but also on her hands. Her hair was in a tangled mess (even more so than usual), and her clothes were covered in dust from the corner that she'd been in. "Good." Harry offered Hermione a reassuring smile. Ron lay Rose down carefully on the sofa next him, slowly approaching Hermione. As soon as he got close, she collapsed into his arms. "Ron!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. "Sh-she tried t-to-"

Ron cut her off. "Ssh," he whispered, wrapping his arms tightly around Hermione. "You're safe, okay? I'm here, you're okay." Hermione sobbed into his chest harder than ever, Ron clutched her tightly and rested his cheek on her head. Harry glanced over them, giving them a brief smile. He sat down on the sofa next to Rose, keeping her occupied. "I'm scared, Ron." Hermione sniffed.

"I know, baby, I know," Ron rubbed Hermione's back comfortingly. "I'm here now."

"I'm sorry!" Hermione cried.

"Don't be, it's not your fault." Ron sighed to himself. He'd thought these nightmares had stopped, having to witness them all again was horrible. Ron scooped Hermione up, and sat down on the sofa next to Harry. He lay Hermione's head across his lap, stroking pieces of hair away from her tear-stained face. "Thank you." he mouthed at Harry, who replied with an approving nod. Ron sat there with Hermione until she drifted off into sleep, and it wasn't long before he did, too.