A/N: Hey guys, before I go on I just really need to get this off of my chest! I recently received my first complaint (not to mention which was also rather rude and full of attitude) regarding the amount of money being asked of Romione. The complaint was that Harry has a lot of money that he could possibly lend, as J.K herself has stated openly, but speaking as the author of The Ballad of Ron and Hermione NOT Harry Potter, I wanted to make the storyline regarding the money a little more realistic for both myself and you guys. I felt I should bring this up for anyone else that may have some sort of issue with this storyline as apparently I seem to have ruined my story with this 'glitch', but I ask in future that if anyone does want to complain/criticize, to do it in a proper manner without attitude and rudeness! Its just not necessary. And to that one complaint, as you'll see in this chapter which I began writing before your complaint, your query is answered...
The next morning, Ron laid in bed watching Hermione and Rose sleep soundly, looking like they didn't have a care in the world. Ron softly began to softly caress the bruises that had begun to appear on Hermione's wrists from her awful encounter.
"They don't hurt, you know", Hermione said weakly as she opened her eyes.
"That's not the point. They shouldn't be there at all. I shouldn't have left you", he sighed sadly, his eyes still firmly on her wrist.
"Don't you dare start blaming yourself, Ron Weasley. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself", she told him, lifting her hand to softly grace his cheek with her palm. Later that morning, following the previous nights discussion, Ron had called the police officers involved with the investigation and had arranged, once again, to meet at the Granger's home in Henley.
"Mr Weasley, you or your wife should have contacted us as soon as you had received this crucial piece of evidence!", DCI Richard exclaimed as Ron had finished telling him everything and letting him inspect the note that had started it all.
"We know, but- but-", Ron began to stutter nervously.
"But we didn't want to risk our son being hurt if we'd have gotten the police involved!", Hermione finished his sentence fiercely. DCI Richard sighed, clearly feeling guilty for having raised his voice. "What can we do now? Surely we're not going to pay this monster?", she asked.
"I can assure you it wont come to that, Mrs Weasley", Lynette Samson told her.
"So, what happens!", Ron asked frustratedly. Hermione's hand immediately found his as she saw his face beginning to flush red with anger and impatience.
"We will have to form some sort of plan-", Lynette began.
X
Later that afternoon, Ron and Hermione returned home from their meeting with the police to Harry and Ginny who they had asked to keep an eye Rose.
"Thank Merlin you're back! I had a thought whilst you were gone", Ginny greeted them, speaking as quickly as she could. "Harry and I could give you the money! Together, we have more than enough", she told them. Ron couldn't help but smile sympathetically at his sister's suggestion.
"Thank you, Gin. But- we're not paying him", he told her.
"What?", she asked, looking completely dumbfounded, "But, how are you going to get Hugo home?", she continued.
"We're going to meet him on Saturday- Ron and I- the police are going to have the whole area covered", Hermione told her.
"And then what?", Ginny continued.
"We have to drag it out a bit. Make it look like we have the money, but keep him talking so the police have time to do their thing", Ron said.
"And that's it? What if that doesn't work?", Ginny asked, becoming worried.
"Its our only hope", sighed Ron as he made his way past her and into the living room. "Hey, Rosie", he smiled softly, sitting down beside his daughter on the sofa. "How are you feeling, princess?", he asked.
"I'm okay", she answered him quietly. "Is there any news?". Ron looked sadly at his daughter as she fiddled with the ends of the sleeves of her jumper.
"If all goes to plan, we should have Hugo home on Saturday", he told her honestly.
"Really?", she suddenly perked up, looking hopelessly into her father's eyes.
"Really", he smiled softly at her. He didn't have the heart to tell her not to get her hopes up just in case, it had been so long since he had seen her smile and it would break his heart if he were the one to take it away again. Hermione soon joined them on the sofa, as Rose laid in her father's arms, content with the news she had just been given.
"You and mum aren't going to get into any trouble, are you?", she suddenly asked. Ron scoffed sarcastically.
"Your dad? An Auror, who fought in a war when he was 17? No chance", he joked. Rose chuckled softly, getting more comfortable in her father's embrace. "And don't even get me started on your mum!", he continued, smiling softly at Hermione as he kept his jokey tone. Hermione smiled softly back at him before beginning to run her fingers through Rose's hair.
"Is Hugo back?", Lily came running downstairs. Ron and Hermione shook their heads slowly at her and watched as her entire face changed from hopeful to completely devastated. Lily Potter stood there for a moment, never daring to look up from the floor as tears began to stream down her face. Rose suddenly got up from the sofa and made her way over to Lily, putting her arms around her cousin and pulling her into her for a cuddle.
"Its alright, Lily. Everything's going to be okay, you'll see", Rose spoke softly. Ron and Hermione felt pride rushing through their veins as they watched their daughter comfort her cousin. Later that night, Hermione had just tucked Rose in bed before returning to Ron in the living room to watch a bit of television.
"Did this bloke tell you where we need to meet him?", he asked suddenly.
"No. He didn't get a chance before Draco punched him. If we just go back to river- he's got to be there if he thinks hes going to get this money", she told him. Ron sighed.
"For someone who kidnapped a child, hes not brilliant at this, is he?", said Ron.
"None of them really are, Ron. You know, he may have been watching us for months but I bet you he never really thought this through properly", she told him.
"You're probably right", he sighed once more, draping his arm around Hermione's shoulders. "But we're going to get him back, Hermione. I promise you that", he said, kissing her hard on top of her head.
"Well, you've never broken a promise before", she smiled softly up at him before kissing him tenderly on the mouth.
