Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. This writing is for pure entertainment only.

Summary: Set at end of HBP. As the ministry falls further under Voldemorts control a new law is passed, forcing Hermione into a life she wasn't ready for. How will it affect the horcrux hunt and the fight against Voldemort?

CHAPTER 36

Ron felt a shift in the weight on his right arm and it woke him from his sleep. He glanced around, trying to figure out where he was at the moment. He had woken up in so many strange placed the past few months, and so the fact that he was in a small room with a broken window and straw littering the floor did not exactly surprise him.

"You're awake…" Hermione's voice was in his ear.

Ron turned, still groggy, to see Hermione curled up next to him and he recalled now that they were at Aberforth Dumbledore's house.

"I am…" Ron nodded with a small smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Honestly?" Hermione placed her head on Ron's chest. "I'm a little sore, and still a bit tired. I feel like I could sleep for days."

"So stay here and do just that." Ron said quickly. He would take any chance he could to keep Hermione safe. "Nothing wrong with that. You are, what? A little over five months pregnant? I think its acceptable—no, no its smart, for you to stay here."

Hermione giggled a bit, taking Ron's hand in hers and playing with his simple wedding band. "Ron, you know I can't. Harry needs me…and so do you…we're in this together."

Ron just shook his head, his own smile fading as he glanced away from Hermione.

"Ron…please don't do that…" Hermione grabbed his chin so he was forced to turn his attention back to her. "Don't look away from me…don't avoid me because you are upset."

"I'm not avoiding you, Hermione…" Ron managed out, though Hermione's hands were holding his cheeks tightly now.

"But you are upset." Hermione guessed, letting go of his cheeks so that he could talk properly.

Ron sighed. "I just want what's best for you…and the baby…"

"I understand that, Ron. So do I…but we are so close now…I know it. This is almost all over. Then you and I can go sit around at the Burrow and get ready for this baby to come…and I will sit in any chair you want me to, and let you lift whatever you want to, and I won't complain an ounce…" Hermione gave a small smile of encouragement.

Ron gave a small smile back to her. "Sure you will…you'll still be just as thickheaded as you are now…and I've never seen Hermione Granger sit for more then five minutes unless she is studying for something…"

"Well, its Hermione Weasley now…and maybe I'll get some books about the baby to study." Hermione joked back.

Ron let out a small chuckle and shook his head, moving to kiss her forehead. "Of course you will…"

Hermione snuggled up closer to Ron. She was still freezing even with her own sweater, Ron's extra sweater, and the blanket around her, and she wondered, to herself, how Aberforth stayed in the freezing house as silence filled the small room for a moment, before Ron dared to speak again.

"Do you really think that? You think we will be able to get back to the Burrow and have this baby right and proper?" Ron asked.

Hermione nodded against his chest, though she let a little sigh out. "I do. I have to…it keeps my head on straight. I don't fancy the idea of having a baby in the woods or in a tent, so this has to be over soon."

"I don't fancy that either." Ron agreed.

The sound of a tea kettle whistling filled the house.

"Guess that is our signal to get up." Hermione sighed, trying to sit.

Ron nodded and stood, helping Hermione out of bed, as she clearly needed it, gripping onto Ron as she took a moment to stabilize her weight on the cold and uneven floor of the small bedroom Aberforth had let them use.

Harry sat in the kitchen with Aberforth in silence, watching a few stray rays of sunlight come in through the fogged window as he drummed his fingers on his tea mug. He wanted to leave; he wanted to go to Hogwarts, and he was sick of waiting on Hermione and Ron, but even more so because Aberforth would not give him any help until the other two were out in the kitchen.

Finally, after what Harry felt like was forever, Hermione and Ron emerged from the hall, hand-in-hand.

"Finally. Alright…we can go now." Harry stood and glanced at Aberforth.

"Sit down boy. No need to be rushing off to your death right yet. Eat something first…" Aberforth motioned to the food he had set on the table and gave Ron and Hermione a small grin.

"Thank you, sir." Hermione said, taking a biscuit and eating it quickly. She was hungry; she didn't care of the biscuit was dry and partially stale.

"Harry seems to be in a rush to get you all killed." Aberforth said.

"I'm not in a rush to get us killed…I am in a rush to get to Hogwarts." Harry said shortly.

"Alright…fine…" Aberforth nodded to the portrait of his sister and once again she disappeared.

"Where does she go?" Ron asked the same question he had asked the night before as he pulled out a seat for Hermione to sit in, which she did willingly.

"You'll see soon enough. Now…there are some things you need to know about Hogwarts before you go barging in there…" Aberforth said. "Things are different over there."

"Well, with Snape has head master, I'd say so." Ron agreed.

"Its not just Snape. There's a lot of other things going on. Its not exactly safe…" Aberforth raced an eyebrow at Hermione.

Ron just snorted at Aberforth. "Tried that already. She is insistant on coming."

"Well, going there is one thing, but you'd be a fool to let her do anything once she's there." Aberforth said, tipping his mug back, which contained the strong scent of firewhiskey.

"Thank you for your concern, sir, but I'll be fine—" Hermione started.

"Oh yes, you will be fine…because if word gets back to Molly Weasley that you are running 'round in that condition…well…you won't be running much more." Aberforth laughed.

Hermione's face went white at Aberforth's words, but Ron's broke out into a relieved smile. If he couldn't slow Hermione down, his mother most certainly would. Of course, she would yell at Ron for getting Hermione pregnant in the first place, but really how mad could she be? It wasn't his fault that law had been passed. She had known there was a chance it could happen.

Before Hermione could scold Ron properly, after realizing he was smiling a bit, Ariana was on her way back.

"Here she comes." Ron pointed to the picture, and then squinted. "Someone is with her…"

Harry and Hermione both squinted as the other figure in the picture drew closer, and then suddenly, the frame swung open and a familiar face, though that face was beaten and bloody, stood their smiling back at them.

"Neville?" Harry was shocked to see who Ariana had brought back with her.

"The one and only." Neville grinned at Harry and then moved his attention to Ron and Hermione. However, Neville's smile faded when he reached Hermione and his eyes grew wide.

Hermione glanced down, seeing that her protruding belly, under her purple sweatshirt, was what had caught Neville's attention. She blushed, her hand going to her stomach before she slowly glanced up to make eye contact with Neville again.

"Blimey, Hermione…you're—" Neville started.

"Yeah, we know. She's pregnant." Ron put a protective hand on Hermione's shoulder, as if to shield Hermione from Neville's judgment.

Hermione, however, shrugged Ron's hand away. She knew Neville was not judging her, just genuinely surprised. She had known him so long, and she knew Neville did not have a hypercritical bone in his body.

"Yes, Neville, I am." Hermione said simply.

"Well…congratulation…err…Ron?" Neville raised an eyebrow at the redhead.

"Yes. It's mine." Ron gave a cheeky response.

"Sorry, I figured as much…just…wow…Hermione…" Neville jumped out of the tunnel behind the picture and pulled Hermione in for a hug. She felt some gashes on his unshaven face as their cheeks brushed in their embrace.

Hermione quickly pulled away, fingering one of the cuts on Neville's face. "Neville, what happened?"

"Oh this?" Neville pointed to his face. "Well…you could say Hogwarts has changed a bit…"

"A bit? You look like bloody hell…" Ron commented, a little nicer then before. He realized he was being an ass to Neville for no reason.

"Well, this is what happens when you don't want practice the Cruciatus Curse on first years…" Neville shrugged.

"The what…on…oh dear…" Hermione shivered at the thought that Neville had just put n her head. She had felt that curse. She knew that pain. Instantly, she responded to Ron pulling her close to him and kissing her cheek softly, as if to rid the awful memory from them.

"Is...is everyone else…I mean…how is Ginny?" Harry asked, his voice much more somber then it had been in weeks.

"She's alright…not as bad as me or Seamus but…well…she's refused to do enough things that she isn't looking too great either. Honestly, the whole Room of Requirements is full of people who won't listen to Snape…mostly Gryffindor's and Ravenclaws, but a fair share of Hufflepuff's as well…it's the only safe place in the castle." Neville said honestly.

Harry shook his head, his fist in balls. "We need to get to the castle…now."

Neville nodded. "And we bloody need you…but…" Neville's eyes fell to Hermione's stomach.

Again, Hermione wrapped her arms around her protruding belly, though this time she scowled at Neville a bit. She recognized the look on his face. It was the same look Ron gave her every time he tried to get her to stay behind.

"Hermione…do you really think it's a good idea you come?" Neville finally asked.

"Finally! Someone agrees with me!" Ron motioned to Neville, any anger he had toward the other Gryffindor from early vanished.

"I'll be fine, Neville." Hermione said, very seriously.

"Hermione, its just…well…Hogwarts isn't what it was. It's not really a safe place—" Neville started.

"Nowhere is safe, Neville!" Hermione snapped, and then took a deep breath and calmed herself before speaking again. "I appreciate your concern, but we have discussed this. I am not leaving Ron."

Ron went to say something but stopped when Hermione's fingers threaded through his in a firm grasp. He knew she wouldn't back down, but he knew he had to try one more time before they left and so he quickly pulled Hermione out of the room, back toward the room she and Ron had slept in the night before.

"Where are they—" Neville started.

"Just give them a minute…" Harry sighed, shaking his head. He wanted to leave, and he wanted to do it now, but he knew Aberforth would never let him. Not without at least Ron.

Hermione whirled around on her feet as Ron shuffled her into the bedroom they had slept in a few hours early. She folded her arms in angry across her chest as he gently closed the door behind him and turned to face her.

"Ron, what are you doing?" Hermione snapped. "We need to go! We are wasting time!"

"You saw Neville's face. You heard him. Hogwarts isn't safe—" Ron started.

"Nowhere is safe! You and I, and this baby, are all in danger anywhere we go. We discussed this! Nowhere is safe!" Hermione allowed her hormones to take over.

"The Burrow—" Ron started.

"The Burrow was attacked at Fleur and Bill's wedding! What's to say it won't happen again?" Hermione snapped.

Ron was struck speechless for a moment. He had never thought of that.

The moment of silence allowed Hermione to calm down for a moment and she stepped forward, taking Ron's hands and putting them on either side of her pregnant stomach. "Ron, we are in this together…I've made his this long…"

"But, Hogwarts…I mean…Neville said even Ginny was hurt…" Ron said weakly.

Hermione took a deep breath. Neville's face had been bad, and she couldn't imagine what Ginny's pale skin looked like bruised. She understood where Ron was coming from, but she wouldn't be left behind.

"I'll make you a deal." Hermione said finally.

Ron glanced up, hope in his blue eyes.

"If Hogwarts is as bad as you think…I will stay put, in the Room of Requirements. Neville said it was safe there…" Hermione said.

"Really? You would do that?" Ron found that hard to believe after the way she had been acting thus far when it came to the Horcrux Hunt.

Hermione nodded. "For our baby, of course. Just to be there with you…to know you aren't far from us, even if I can't be right next to you and Harry…that will be enough."

Ron gave a small smile and moved in, kissing Hermione's lips softly. "You promise?"

"I promise." Hermione nodded.

Ron nodded back, taking Hermione's hand in his. "Alright then…lets get moving."

Harry, Aberforth, and Neville were patiently waiting for Hermione and Ron when the couple returned hand in hand, a look of composure on both of their faces as their eyes darted to Harry.

"You two all sorted out then?" Harry asked.

Hermione nodded.

"She is coming…but if it gets bad, she is staying in the Room of Requirements." Ron spoke up.

Harry nodded. "It will be enough to have you close, Hermione."

"I figure I can still help." Hermione nodded back.

Ron's eye caught Aberforth's in that moment and the old man gave a slow nod with half a smile. "Guess you are off then…"

"Thank you, sir. For keeping an eye on us…" Hermione moved forward, hugging Aberforth, and clearly catching the old man off guard.

"Yes…well…uh…good luck to you." Aberforth said as Hermione pulled away.

"See you soon." Neville waved to the old man as he helped pull Hermione up into the tunnel, while Ron gave her a lift from behind.

Once Ron and Harry joined Neville and Hermione in the tunnel, the four pulled out their wands to light the passage. Ron kept a firm grip on Hermione, in case she fell in the dark.

"What is this tunnel? I don't remember it…" Harry said simply after a few moments of silence.

"It's never existed 'til now. It's the only way in or out of the castle now." Neville explained.

"How bad is it really?" Hermione asked, now eager to hear since she knew that no matter what Neville said, she was at least going to Hogwarts.

"Pretty awful." Neville said.

"Well, with Snape as Head Master…" Ron shook his head.

"Honestly, we hardly see him. It's the rest of the new staff you gotta watch out for." Neville said.

"How are the other teachers? How's McGonagall?" Hermione asked.

Neville turned, and in the light from his wand, Hermione was certain he was frowning. "She's holding up the best she can. One of the only good ones left."

Hermione just nodded and felt Ron's hand squeeze hers a bit harder. The Tunnel lapsed into silence.

After a few minutes, however, Neville slowed up, and the four reached a door.

"Well, here we go…" Neville said.

"Room of Requirements?" Harry guessed.

Neville nodded, slowly opening the door. "Lets have some fun…"

Hermione winced at the light coming from the room, though she, Ron, and Harry were tucked behind Neville and unseen by the rest.

"Hey, I've got a surprise for you lot." Neville spoke up loudly.

"No more surprises, Neville…tell Aberforth we don't want anymore of his cooking…" Seamus' voice rose from the crowd.

Neville just shook his head and stepped aside, allowing Harry to step forward.

"Harry?" The crowd below erupted and cheered as he stepped toward them. It was as if he was the one they had been waiting for. He was the chosen one.

Harry grinned and jumped down the ladder, after Neville, and then Ron and Hermione stepped out, Ron moving to help Hermione down the ladder.

However, the cheers that had come with Harry's arrival died into a quickly and eerily silence as Hermione and Ron stepped out.

Ron, who had helped Hermione down to the floor now, turned to see the whole room staring at him, or rather, staring at Hermione's stomach.

Hermione blushed, her hands quickly going to her rounded belly, this time in obvious embarrassment.

Ron glanced at her, wrapping his arm around her waist, his mouth gapping open to say something, though he had no words, which was fine, because apparently neither did anyone else in the room.