Chapter 44
Better To Be Prepared
Disclaimer: I own nothing...just here to play with my imaginary friends.
The Hogwarts students on the train were subdued which made the prefect's job much easier. Hermione did her rounds quickly, stopping in to check on Harry and Ron occasionally before rushing back to Charlie and Ginny.
Charlie had to apparate directly from the train to the ministry. He knew that his mum would way lay him too long if he didn't and he would be late. He promised Hermione he would be by later that evening and with a quick kiss and a pop, he was gone.
As Ginny and Hermione reached the platform, they saw Ron and Harry waiting for them. By the looks on their faces, they had not enjoyed the journey. Hermione noticed the covert glances that Harry and Ginny were shooting at each other. The air around them crackled with suppressed magic and Hermione fought not to laugh out loud when she realized it was like a bad case of static electricity. Then she got a good look at Harry and had to cover a chuckle with a cough.
His hair was standing on end as if he had run his fingers through it a few hundred times. She mused that it wouldn't look that different if he did have static electricity. She idly wondered if there would be a spark if the two of them should happen to touch.
Arthur and Molly were waiting off to the side. Tonks was leaning against a wall a few feet past them near the portal that led to the muggle side of the platform. Now that she glanced around, Hermione noticed that several aurors and order members were scattered about at discreet distances. A chill crept up her spine causing her to shudder.
"Are you cold?" Ron asked her with concern.
She shook her head and moved towards the Weasley's. Molly had gathered Ginny into a rather forceful embrace. Ginny's shoulders were taut as she fought her emotions. Without even needing words to understand, Molly sent a sad look toward Harry. Harry caught the look and took a deep breath as if steeling himself for rejection. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists at his side. He was more than surprised to find himself on the receiving end of her next hug. Hermione marveled at the perceptiveness of this woman.
Arthur gently touched Hermione's arm. "May I have a word?" Hermione nodded and moved to the side with him.
"Hermione," he began nervously, clearing his throat several times before continuing. "Hermione, I am sure I don't have to tell you that it is a dangerous time for muggleborns." He searched her eyes, silently pleading for her to understand.
Hermione returned his gaze confidently. "No, Mr. Weasley. I am very aware of it."
"Yes, well, you see," he cleared his throat again. "Mrs. Weasley and I, well, we, that is the entire family have come to care a great deal for you my dear and well, we want you to know that should you ever need…that is to say if you are ever concerned, well, you and your parents would be more than welcome in our home."
Hermione was speechless for a moment. "Th…thank you sir." She whispered as her eyes glazed over with tears. She was deeply touched by his offer. A lump formed in her throat.
He patted her shoulder tenderly and handed her a piece of parchment. "The Burrow has had some significant wards added to it. Obviously with the wedding coming up, we couldn't use the Fidelius, but well, we have protected it well. Anyhow, the incantation on the paper will get you through the wards…even if we are not at home."
"Mr. Weasley, I…"
"I know." He smiled kindly at her. "You don't have to say it. You are practically family." His blue eyes twinkled merrily and Hermione blushed as he continued, "And you would be even without the Charlie factor." He winked at her causing her blush to deepen.
"Thank you." She finally murmured quietly, slipping the parchment into her pocket. They moved back to the group.
"Remus is waiting with your parents dear. Off you go now." Molly spoke quickly and hugged her before nudging her towards the archway. Harry joined her and soon the sounds of whistles and the musty smell of old smoke met them on the other side. They stood for a moment to get their bearings and until Hermione spotted her parents. Harry followed her greeting Remus as Hermione's mother crushed her in a strangling embrace.
"Oh Hermione! We have been so worried!" Mrs. Granger pulled Hermione away from her by her shoulders and scanned her for any possible injury.
"I'm fine, Mom."
Mrs. Granger pulled her in tightly for another hug, sighing into Hermione's hair. She finally released her and turned to Harry.
"Harry. Dear." And with tears now filling her eyes, she pulled Harry into a hug also. Hermione could tell that Harry was having trouble keeping his composure. "Are you alright?"
"Yes ma'am."
Robert moved toward them. "You know you are more than welcome to stay with us. Hermione has told us that your situation is…well…uncomfortable at best."
"I appreciate it, sir, but it is necessary for me to go back. At least for awhile."
Robert nodded to the young man.
"We shouldn't linger." Remus suggested cautiously.
"No," Harry agreed quickly. Hermione couldn't help but feel like they were being watched. They heard a gruff voice clear and discovered Vernon Dursley nervously pacing near them and muttering under his breath.
Hermione hugged Harry and Ron and Ginny and then left with her parents. Harry shuffled off slowly with Mr. Dursley and the Weasley's rushed to an alley to side-along with their children.
The drive home was quiet except for Hermione's soft voice filling her parents in on the details of the attack at Hogwarts. Robert's face grew more and more serious. "Are you sure you should go back to that school? I mean it seems to be getting more dangerous all the time."
Hermione nervously clasped and unclasped her hands. "Yes. About that. We need to discuss a few, er, details."
They had reached the house and Robert pushed the button to open the garage door when something caught Hermione's eye.
"Stop!"
Mr. Granger stomped on the brake a little too firmly at her outburst.
"I think I saw something." Hermione's mother's eyes grew wide as Hermione withdrew her wand and slowly exited the back seat of the car. She walked slowly toward the garage until she was standing between the car and the open door.
She couldn't see anything outright, but she could feel the subtle twinge of magic nearby. She was tense and ready as she looked around. None of the neighbors were out so she raised her wand.
"Revelio."
A red glow began to emanate from around the house and Hermione let out the breath she had been holding only to gasp as a second, darker glow shadowed the red. Hermione knew that this ward was dark. It reminded her of the shimmering outline around the dark mark that had been over Hogwarts. She muttered an incantation that confirmed her fears.
She backed up toward the car and hopped in, breathing fast. "Someone had warded the house."
"Of course they have!" Her dad sighed in relief. "Charlie put up protective wards. You don't think he'd leave us unprotected do you?" Mrs. Granger relaxed until she caught Hermione's eyes in the rearview mirror.
"But…"
"But what?"
"There is more than one set."
The car was deathly silent until the tires squealed as Mr. Granger raced backwards out of the drive. He shifted gears and sped forward. No one talked for several minutes as they left the immediate area. Eventually, they slowed and pulled to a curb.
"Now, obviously you are worried about the second set." Robert finally said.
"Yes. It is dark wards. Tracking spells."
"Where can we go?" Her mum quietly petitioned. Her brow was furrowed and her mouth pinched tightly.
"I need to go to your office and see if the same wards are there."
The trip was silent. Hermione exited the car without a word and performed the spells. Her parents could tell by the look on her face the news was not good.
"Are you sure it isn't something Charlie could have added?" Robert asked.
"No, Dad. I am pretty sure these are dark spells. There is a red one that is ok and I think that is the one that is Charlie's, but the darker ones are more subtle. They are tracking spells that let someone know who is coming and going. I have no idea how long they have been up. Someone could have been watching you for weeks. They could be figuring out your routine."
Her parents exchanged a fearful look.
"I need to talk to Bill to confirm it. He is a curse breaker. He could explain it more."
Her mother turned to face her. "And where do we find Bill? Isn't he Ron's brother?"
"Yes, he is. I think he went back to the Burrow to recuperate. He was, um, injured, um recently."
Robert rubbed his chin wearily. "How do we get there?"
"Well, I am worried that there might be a spell on the car too. I don't want to bring trouble to the Weasley's house." Her eyes unfocused as her mind whirled through ideas and possibilities. Her parents knew her well enough to let her run through her process. A few minutes later, her countenance brightened as she clapped her hands together.
"Let's go get some dinner at that little Italian place near downtown."
Hermione's mother looked confused. "You are thinking about food? Now?"
"I have an idea. Isn't there a parking garage close to the restaurant, Dad?"
He nodded.
"Great. I have an idea, but it would be better to wait until after dark."
Her dad nodded and pulled into traffic heading back toward London.
"Dad, you are going to love this!"
After a tense dinner where no one ate much, Hermione suggested a walk through the park.
"Are you completely nutters?" Her overwrought mother exclaimed. "This is NOT a safe area after dark! There could be any number of criminals in there!"
"Mum! Mum! Calm down. I am a witch, with a wand. The criminal element is not who I am worried about."
"Sweetheart. Trust Hermione. We have raised her to be smart and clever," Robert calmed his wife. "Besides, I am eager to try this Knight Bus thing." Mrs. Granger gave a tolerant nod, but the fear did not leave her eyes. She clutched at Robert's sleeve as they strolled through the park to a different side.
Upon reaching the curb, Hermione raised her wand and moments later a loud popping and screeching could be heard as the Knight Bus squealed to a stop in front of them.
"Welcome to the Knight Bus. Servicing stranded witches and wizards…."
"Yes. Yes." Hermione interrupted as she pushed past him leading her parents on board. She dropped the requisite money into his stunned hand and called out over her shoulder "Ottery St. Catchpole please."
The conductor had finally clamped his stunned mouth shut and moved toward Ern, the driver, who was chuckling to himself.
As the door closed creakily, Hermione added, "And we are in a bit of a rush if you don't mind."
They had barely reached their seats when the bus took off swerving crazily. Mrs. Granger clutched her seat with one hand and her chest with the other as she muttered, "Oh my," repeatedly.
Robert on the other hand was laughing out loud and cheering wildly at each near miss. Hermione hadn't seen him this carefree since he rode a broom with Royce.
Suddenly, the bus slammed to a stop throwing all three of them to the floor in a heap. As Robert helped his wife up, the shrunken head hanging near Ern announced, "Ottery St. Catchpole."
They thanked Vern and exited the bus onto a cozy lane. The stars were glimmering brightly and it was hard to feel the anxiety of the afternoon out here in the country. Crickets were chirping and frogs were croaking and relief flooded their beings.
"It's not far." Hermione commented as she led the way. She stopped in front of the gate but her parents looked at her in confusion.
"Why have we stopped in the middle of nowhere?" Her mother asked.
"There must be muggle repelling charms on it," Hermione thought to herself. She smiled and explained. Her parents nodded in understanding as she withdrew the parchment from her pocket. Aiming her wand she recited the incantation and then linked her arms with her parents and stepped forward. Just like before, they were held suspended for a time before they proceeded forward through the next two sets.
As they entered the yard near the back door Robert stopped to ask a question. "How come it didn't kick us out back to the gate like before? Charlie said that only family could get through or bring people through."
"Arthur gave me the incantation…sort of like the password…and altered the wards to allow those they consider to be 'practically family' to come through as well." Her mother smiled because it was so thoughtful.
"Good plan." Robert added with a nod.
The door flung open and redheads firing questions surrounded them.
"Where have you been?"
"Are you alright?"
"We've been so worried!"
"What happened?"
"ENOUGH!" Mrs. Weasley's voice carried over the din. Silence was immediate. "Now, I am sure you have had enough excitement for one afternoon. Come in and we can discuss it in the kitchen over tea." And without another word she escorted Mrs. Granger into the house.
After they were settled and the tea was made, Hermione leaned over to Ron, "Where's Charlie?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Out of his mind crazy with worry probably."
"Why is he upset?"
"Maybe because he showed up at your house to see the garage open, no sign of you or your family, and wards glowing? What do you think?" Ron asked sarcastically. "He rounded up a bloody search party."
Hermione was speechless. "Why?"
"I just told you why."
Her eyes narrowed and Ginny and Ron glanced nervously at each other. They knew that look.
Mr. Granger was regaling the others with his tales of their afternoon. Somehow the retelling sounded almost swashbuckling to Hermione, but her conscious mind was preoccupied.
"Should we let Charlie know they are here?" Ginny suggested after awhile.
"Oh yes. Perhaps that would be wise. He was a bit fussed." Mrs. Weasley acknowledged. She conjured her patronus, whispered to it, and sent it on its way. Within minutes, a series of pops could be heard outside. The kitchen door slammed open and there was Charlie, nearly breathing fire. He paused for mere seconds before locating and rushing toward Hermione, yanking her out of her seat. He looked her over quickly before crushing her to his chest.
"Maybe you should let her breathe, Son," Mr. Granger chortled.
Charlie suddenly looked sheepish and released her.
"Pathetic." Muttered Ron.
"I agree." Hermione said flatly. Charlie looked surprised, but her tone had Ginny and Ron on full alert. Angry Hermione was scary.
"Pathetic?' Charlie asked in a riled tone, his eyes steely and determined.
"Yes. Pathetic." Hermione calmly repeated. Her voice may have been calm, but everyone could see the fire in her eyes.
Ginny whispered to Ron, "Good thing he knows how to handle dragons, eh?" Ron nodded, watching the tension build between the two most stubborn people he had ever known in his life.
"Death Eaters are openly attacking muggleborns and I show up to your house to see dark spells glowing and you nowhere to be found. I was worried. If that makes me pathetic then I guess I am guilty as charged." He stated hotly. He was clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides causing Ron to move away out of range.
"Charles. Gideon. Weasley." Hermione poked his chest with each word. "I know you are smart. But, but, ugh! Did you stop to think that maybe the wards were showing because I revealed them? Did you stop to think that the reason we weren't there was because I am not stupid enough to enter a building that had been tampered with?" She paused to take a deep breath. Charlie's chest was sore from her punctuating each question with another poke. Their parents were trying hard not to chuckle, but they were very amused at the scene playing out in front of them.
Robert leaned over to Molly and whispered, "I kinda feel sorry for Charlie."
"Mr. Weasley," Hermione continued. "You have mentioned often how much you admire my intellect and maturity. I wonder why, if you find these qualities so admirable, that the minute you got scared—" Charlie interrupted her with a snort. "Yes—scared. I wonder why the minute you get scared that you assume that I would begin to act stupidly. Do you really think I would have risked my parents? What exactly did you have to worry about? Huh?"
Ron whispered loudly, "If you see a flock of birds, duck mate!"
Hermione shot him a death glare and he slumped against the wall with his hands raised. Once he was sufficiently cowering, she returned her attention to Charlie.
"You should have been RELIEVED that we weren't there!"
"Hermione! You are oversimplifying! You don't know what's been going on." He hissed.
She laughed mockingly. "I don't know what's been going on? Oh, of course not. It's not like I just fought bloody death eaters at school, or at the ministry. Professor Dumbledore's funeral was a lovely afternoon." She glared at him and he glared back.
"I think, Charles, that I know exactly what's been going on. Why do you think that I checked the house BEFORE we went in?" He looked at her with less fire in his eyes.
"Why do you think I checked the office?" He was looking less sure of himself.
"Why do you think we ditched the car and took the Knight Bus here? I mean, really, I obviously can't possibly understand the danger we could have brought to your house, right? I couldn't possibly comprehend that we could ditch anyone tracking us more easily after dark. Oh no, I couldn't possibly be that intelligent."
The entire room had gone eerily silent.
"Oh."
"Oh? OH? That's all you have to say?"
"I'm sorry."
"You should be." She said quietly as she walked past him and out the still open door.
Ginny whistled, "Wow. She's either braver than I thought or really stupid." The room erupted in laughter.
"Yeah, no one has ever talked to Charlie like that—except mum." Ron commented. Charlie glared at him.
Charlie finally cleared his throat and turned to the Grangers. " I, uh, guess I overreacted."
"Apparently." His mother commented with a smirk.
"I guess I better go let the others outside know what's going on."
"Oh, I am sure they have a pretty good idea." Chuckled Robert.
Charlie looked duly humbled.
"Eh mate," a rough voice sounded from just outside the door, "is it safe to come in now that the fireball has left?
"Royce!" Robert bellowed as he recognized the voice. Royce moved into the kitchen and clasped Robert's hand warmly.
"Good ter see ya mate!" Royce said enthusiastically.
"You too! This is my wife, Jane Granger, and Charlie's mum, Molly Weasley."
"Pleased ter meet ya both." Royce smiled. "Jack's here too."
"Wonderful!"
"Er, excuse me please." Charlie said and he slipped out the door.
Charlie wandered through the garden and into the orchard. He guessed that Hermione would be sitting under her favorite weeping willow that faced the pond. It was a magical spot and he knew that she favored it for thinking and escaping. He realized that she had a point and he should have trusted her more, but he had a point too and somehow, he needed to help her understand. He didn't want to fight with her, but he was impressed with how she stood up to him.
Being a burly dragon keeper, he tended to be intimidating. He smiled to himself as he pictured her poking him in the chest. He rubbed the spot absently noticing that it was still tender. As he came around the bend of the path, he couldn't see her at first, but as the breeze blew causing the feathery branches of the tree to sway, he caught a glimpse of blue amongst the green leaves. Denim. Not native to the area. He meandered quietly toward her.
He could tell she knew he was there because she was sitting rather stiffly staring out towards the pond.
"May I join you?"
She shrugged so he sat down near her, but not touching her. The silence was oppressive and Charlie knew he would have to be the one to break it. He just wasn't exactly sure what to say. He only knew how he felt. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak but then shut it again. She glanced toward him and then away again. After several more tries, he finally found his voice.
"I was too worried to think straight."
She did not respond.
"I do love your intelligence and your maturity."
She grunted.
"Maybe I need some intelligence and maturity."
She almost smiled.
"Bookworm, I know you are upset. I think I actually understand why and you do have a point." He paused.
She looked at him, waiting for him to go on. It was his turn to look toward the pond.
"I can't imagine life without you any more. Not knowing where you were or what happened made me crazy with fear. Yes, you were right. I was scared. Terrified. I don't like that feeling. I am used to being in control of the danger, of knowing my limits. I don't like feeling helpless."
He turned to face her and discovered she was staring intently at him. The anger was gone from her eyes but it had been replaced with sadness.
"You should have trusted me." She said quietly.
"I do—" He started to say.
"No, you don't. Not really. I have never felt young around you…until today. You made me feel like an errant child who had done something naughty." Her face looked so forlorn that he felt terrible.
"Hermione," he grabbed her hand and lifted her chin so she could see he meant what he was going to say. "I never meant to make you feel that way. I am used to being the tough guy. I swoop in and pull out miraculous saves. Quidditch. Dragons. I am a protector. I am in control. This is how I define myself."
She nodded at him to continue.
"But when it comes to you…well…I am not used to feeling unsure. The feeling wells up in me to protect you, to keep you safe. And it's not because you can't do it yourself, but it's because of how I feel about you. I was stupid and I panicked. I admit it. And for that I am so very sorry. But I have never felt this vulnerable before."
She gasped in surprise. He chuckled at her.
"If you repeat that to any of my brothers I will deny it—vehemently." She smiled and nodded and then a most beautiful sight…she smiled.
"But seriously. It felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world when I got to your house. People disappear. I don't want you to be one of them."
"Oh Charlie," she sniffled and moved closer to him. Raising up on her knees she looked at him eye to eye. "I am so very sorry that I caused you worry."
He kneeled up facing her and pulled her to him gently this time. He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. Then she kissed his chin. He decided to kiss her forehead. She sighed happily and hugged him tightly.
"Bookworm?"
"Hmm?"
"I could stay with you here forever, but there are a few things we need to discuss."
"Do we have to?"
He chuckled, "Yeah, we kinda do. Royce and Jack are at the house. We got some information while we were at the ministry and that's why we had come to your house earlier than planned."
She pulled away. "What is it?"
"Moody said that the aurors found a list of targets when they made their last arrest. Your parents are on it."
Hermione gasped and felt incredibly dizzy. Air. She needed air. Why was it so hard to breathe?
"Hermione? Hermione?" Charlie called her. "Come back to me Bookworm."
She refocused though she was still struggling for oxygen.
"They are safe, for now. But we need to make a plan. Jack has an idea, but we need to go back to the house so he can explain it. He stood up and offered her his hand. She was wobbly as she stood and leaned heavily into him.
"It'll be okay. We will make them safe." She could only nod.
