A/N: I know these updates have been coming slowly but have patience-only four more chapters to go. I do appreciate your feedback questions and comments so please review.

Muggle Bound Chapter 21 Things Are Seldom What They Seem

Ron wiped his perspiring hands on his pants for the third time. His heart thudded and he felt slightly nauseous. He was almost as nervous as he had been before his first Quidditch game as Keeper. And what a disaster that had been, he remembered.

It wasn't helping telling himself that everything would be fine – wonderful –in fact when he heard the sound of Hermione's soothing voice. Instead a strong wave of self-doubt permeated all his thoughts.

Now she'd been away from him for almost a week, she would have come to her senses and want to be "just friends" again. Or her parents would have convinced her to leave the magical world, all its dangers and of course, him. Or something dreadful had happened to her and "they" were keeping it from he and Harry. Or any combination of the above.

All of these thoughts stemmed from one indisputable fact. There had been no note, letter or communication from Hermione that day. It was the first time since they had been separated and he was terrified as to the meaning of it. He punched his fist hard into his hand to relieve his feelings, then slowly made his way downstairs to make the now dreaded phone call.

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Hermione paced to and fro waiting for the telephone to ring. Placed in a little-used room near the attic, the telephone had gathered dust. The room afforded but little room for pacing and Hermione began to wring her hands instead.

What on earth was she going to tell Ron or for that matter, Harry? She knew that Ron realized that she had a secret. One phrase from his last letter repeated itself in her mind,

"Don't keep me in the dark, Hermione. It's not safe."

She bit her lip and frowned. The Professor had sworn her to secrecy and now the Professor was gone on a mission leaving Hermione with only a brief message: "Keep practicing and guard against anyone discovering your knowledge."

She was so upset that she'd neglected sending her last letter to Ron. Merlin knows what he might be thinking or imagining!

"Think, Hermione," she commanded herself firmly." You can't tell them-it would put them in even more danger than they already are."

The telephone shrilled beside her causing her to jump violently. Taking a deep breath, Hermione willed herself to be calm as she picked up the receiver.

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Professor McGonagall using her animagus form stealthily pursued a miniature songbird near the premises of Privet Drive. It might not be anything, but one couldn't take anything for granted. She recalled her conversation with Tonks and Remus Lupin the previous evening.

Tonks had commented, "I'm glad that the Burrow is almost ready for occupation. Those two young blokes at Privet Drive are going stir crazy locked up in that house all day. It's not good-they're not even noticing unusual things."

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows curiously, "Such as?" she inquired.

"Well, the two of them were playing some Muggle game in the back garden when I arrived. First they didn't notice me apparating, which was rather hard to miss as I landed in a ill-placed garden cart and secondly they certainly didn't observe a little bird whizzing back and forth between one rose bush and another, very obviously observing them." Tonks replied indignantly.

Remus Lupin, who was with them, took a sip of his tea and commented thoughtfully, "You're right, Tonks. They do need to be much more observant. I know they've been completely focused on the Ministry Project. Perhaps they need to get in some dueling practice to put them on their guard."

Professor McGonagall sat up abruptly and asked sharply, "What did the bird look like, Nymphadora?"

Tonks absentmindedly stirred her tea with a breadstick instead of her spoon. Remus smiled at her fondly and replaced it. Their hands and eyes met briefly with mutual affection.

"Oh, uh, sorry, Professor, " Tonks said, clearly distracted. " Well, the bird resembled a nightingale or wren but I didn't get a very close look because by the time the boys had rescued me from the garden cart, the bird had flown."

Lupin glanced up and exchanged a significant look with Minerva McGonagall. "You think it might be the same bird that was at the Grangers? " he inquired a frown on his care-worn features.

" I think it needs investigation and as I am the most familiar with this creature, I will do it. But I agree with you, Remus. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley need to be more careful. They could be in a great deal of danger if indeed that bird is in the service of the Dark Lord, " the Professor replied seriously.

At this, Tonks as the Ministry Liaison took charge. There was no doubt about it in Minerva McGonagall's mind. Her former pupil might be clumsy and seem frivolous in her appearance, but as a Ministry Auror, she was a formidable opponent.

Tonks was all business now. " I will inform the Ministry of a possible breach of security and then return to Privet Drive for the night. Remus, if you could give Harry and Ron some dueling practice in the morning, I would appreciate it. Professor, please keep in touch concerning your investigation."

With that, she apparated with a distinct pop. Remus gathered his robes round him and stood.

"I'll keep an eye on things here till the morning," he stated. "Leave Molly and Arthur to me."

The Professor nodded, " Thank you, Remus. I want a quick word with Miss Granger and before I depart."

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The telephone crackled and a disembodied voice inquired," Hermione?" Hermione's hand trembled violently as she held the receiver.

" Harry," she acknowledged. Relief flooded her body. At least she had a few minutes before she spoke to Ron.

" You alright, then, " Harry asked, his voice tinged with worry.

" Yes, Harry. Fine-well but I do need to talk to both of you about something."

After a guarded conversation with Harry about meeting together with the entire Ministry team the next day, Hermione swallowed and asked to speak with Ron.

"Ron," Hermione ventured tentatively," Are you there?"

"Um, yeah-here obviously, not there. I mean," his voice petered out. This was not going well. He tried again. "Are you alright? I mean really alright?" Ron blurted out bluntly.

"Ron, I'm so sorry for not sending my letter today. I had it ready and –well-"

"Well, what?" Ron now took up the offensive. " Look, Hermione, if you're having second thoughts about us just let a bloke know." His voice rose on an angry note.

Hermione almost dropped the receiver. "No, no! That's not it at all! How could you possibly think that? If you were here, I'd show you how wrong you are. Please, Ron." Hermione was now close to tears, all the frustration and anxiety of the last few days engulfing her.

Ron heard the tears in her voice and immediately repented.

"Hermione, please just tell me what's going on-we have to trust each other. The three of us – you, Harry and I are a team," Ron was pleading with her now.

" I do trust you Ron-with my life," Hermione replied in low tones. "It's not that-it's that I can't betray a trust to someone else. This is vital to all of our safety. Please try to understand. I want to tell you and I will tell you-just not yet."

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The dignified tabby paused to wash a sore paw as she observed her surroundings. It hadn't been an easy journey tracking the increasingly suspicious bird. The first few hours following her prey from Privet Drive into the countryside of Surrey had been grueling. She'd cut her paw on a piece of wire fencing in an effort to keep pace with her quarry. Luckily it appeared that the nightingale had wearied and the next leg of the journey had been much more manageable for the Professor even with her injury.

Now the nightingale perched on the branch of a withered oak tree outside a forbidding stone mansion. A neglected garden surrounded the bleak dwelling which seemed virtually deserted but for the bird and the sound of crickets in the gloom-filled dusk.

The Professor screened from view by wild brambles considered moving closer for a better look. The creak of the front door opening changed her mind. Her emerald eyes widened as a dark-hooded figure revealed itself. A second figure now moved through the door. Death Eaters she was prepared for, but not the very familiar countenance that now turned her way. Minerva McGonagall froze in position and contemplated her next move.

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Ron Weasley prepared for side-by-side apparition with his brother Charlie. Ron's stomach churned with so many mixed feelings at war with each other. He desperately wanted to see, touch and hold Hermione. He wanted to stroke her hair, press his lips to hers, and explore new sensations together. He wanted to murmur how much she meant to him, how much he'd missed her. He wanted to yell and curse her stubbornness. He wanted to shake her till she could no longer withhold her private knowledge. But mostly he wanted and needed to talk some sense into her.

"Bloody Hell!" he muttered under his breath as he recalled how he'd pushed her to reveal the secret she now admitted she was keeping. He really wished Herodotus Henckel had been able to keep their appointment this morning. Maybe the old fellow could have picked up on something that would have helped Ron understand Hermione's present behaviour. However a message had arrived saying Herodotus was called away on an emergency.

Harry glanced at his friend sympathetically. "Don't worry, mate. She'll be so glad to see us that she'll forget that she hung up on you yesterday."

Ron swore again. His older brother quirked an eyebrow at Hawthorn, Harry's side-by-side apparition partner, winked and mouthed, "Young love."

Hawthorn chuckled, encountered Ron's death glare and hurriedly suggested, " Well, let's not keep the rest of the team waiting. Ready?" With a double pop, Harry and Hawthorn disappeared.

"Well?" Charlie inquired as he felt Ron hesitate.

"Charlie, wait. Could we make a quick stop somewhere else first?" Ron asked. " It's important."

Charlie observed his younger brother thoughtfully. Worry etched his features but an underlying determination showed in the set of his jaw and flash of his eyes.

"What did you have in mind?" Charlie replied answering Ron for the first time as an equal rather than the older brother in charge.

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Hermione checked the library, the two computers, projector and other assorted equipment for the third time. She bit her lip and then swallowed as she recalled the end of the phone conversation.

"Listen, love," Ron had spoken so earnestly trying to control his characteristic anger from taking hold, " our safety is based on all of us knowing as much as possible as soon as possible. It isn't good enough to wait and tell us. We need to know now."

Hermione frantically stalled. She just couldn't say anything without Professor McGonagall's approval.

" Ron, no. Not over the phone."

Ron's voice tightened and his next words bit at her. " Hermione Jane Granger tomorrow may be too late. Tonks told us we're under observation. For the love of Merlin, start talking!"

Hermione dropped her voice and tried a new tactic. " Ron, I need to show you, not tell you."

But Ron wasn't having any of that. She could sense him gripping the phone, trying not to yell. Instead he said in a firm commanding voice, " Hermione, if you do not immediately tell Harry and I what this about, I will be forced to …"

Hermione didn't have any other choice. She hung up.

Now she had a problem. Professor McGonagall had not returned but Ron, Harry and the rest of the Ministry team were due any minute. She had to make a decision and there was no room for error.

A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts and she jerked in her chair as she turned towards the study door.

"My dear," the voice apologized, "so sorry to startle you. An emergency situation-you need to accompany me with all haste." A mist-like substance seemed to fill the room as the words were uttered.

"But," Hermione protested feebly. Some strange force pulled her towards the voice.

"Come, my dear. Not a moment to lose," the voice commanded and this time Hermione obeyed.