A/N: Here it is! My big 50TH chapter! Cannot believe how much I have written! Thank you once again to everyone who has and continues to support my story! It means the absolute world to me :') so just for my special 50th chapter, this ones crammed with drama! Enjoy! :D
It was Saturday, and the time was 11:30pm. Ron and Hermione made their way back to the river where they had been just a few nights ago to meet their son's kidnapper. This time followed by four heavily armed muggle police officers, knowing full well that this would, most likely, not be there only destination. To their expectations, a note had been stapled to a nearby tree. Ron looked at Hermione before taking the note cautiously and began to read;
AbAndoned WAReHouSe sTraight aHEad.
Ron and Hermione read the note together before giving it to DCI Richard and his colleagues to look at.
"Right. You two go to this warehouse. We'll call for our back up to surround the area. Don't worry", he told them. Ron and Hermione nodded quickly before joining hands, tightly, and heading towards their destination. The warehouse looked like a dark and gloomy place, it reminded them both very much of the Shrieking Shack, but to their relief, there would be no Whomping Willow in their way here. Ron insisted on entering the dark building first, Hermione following with her hand still tightly within Ron's. She could feel her palms beginning to sweat and she knew Ron had noticed this too as he gently began to caress the back of her hand with his thumb. The place was pitch black. Ron's first instinct was to reach for his wand and use Lumos to light their way, but quickly realizing this was a muggle situation, he pulled his hand out of his pocket and made his way through the darkness, Hermione now clinging on to his arm for dear life.
"Hello?", he dared to speak. Suddenly, a single light bulb that hung from the ceiling flickered on, revealing the same man Hermione had encountered by the river.
"You must be the husband", he smirked through his balaclava. Ron began to grit his teeth, feeling angry as the man continued to smirk before looking directly at Hermione and winking at her.
"Where's my son?", Ron asked through angry, gritted teeth.
"I think you'll find the right question to be, where's my money, Mr Weasley?", the man replied with yet another smirk.
"You'll get your money-", Ron lied, "-but first, I want to see my son!". The man stood in silence for a moment before letting out an evil chuckle, still smirking at Ron and Hermione.
"He's rather feisty your bloke, ain't he?", he laughed, addressing Hermione. Ron could feel his blood beginning to boil as Hermione held on to him tighter. He wished he could use magic more than anything, but he knew he could risk outing the entire wizarding world if he did. "Your wands. Get rid of 'em first", the man spoke suddenly. Ron and Hermione shared a look of concern. "C'mon! I know you've got 'em!", he began to raise his voice. Ron and Hermione took out their wands and placed them on the floor in front of them. The man strode towards them, kicking the wands out of reach.
"How do you know?-", Hermione suddenly spoke, "-Magic? How do you know about us?". Her curiosity had clearly gotten the better of her. There was more to this than she had thought, surely. The man sighed, turning to face her and smirking once more.
"I don't normally play story time. But this one is my favourite", his smirk turned to a sickeningly evil grin. "My mother and father were good people. They make me sick!", he began. "My mother, she was a witch. But she had given up her witching days you see? She never intended for me to find out, but- well, lets just say I have my ways.", he smirked once again. "Clearly you're aware of the Battle of Hogwarts?". Ron and Hermione nodded slowly. "Well, my mother's older brother played a rather big role in that battle. My mother- young and stupid- was ashamed- ashamed of her brothers 'wrong-doing'. She fled. Found a silly little village and was taken in by a non-magical family. She fell in love with the family's youngest son as the years went on, and as she fell for him like the fool she was, she vowed never to use magic again. They eventually married and had a son- that's where I come into it.", he winked. "I never really liked my parents from day one funnily enough. Magic was wasted on my vile mother. I always knew I was destined for something other than being the perfect little boy they wanted me so desperately to be. And the day I discovered everything- my uncle, the wizarding world- I knew that I was right! I believe you had the pleasure of meeting my uncle once? Pius Thicknesse.". Hermione gasped in horror at the name. Ron's eyes had widened as if he had just seen a spider. The man chuckled. "I thought so. He adored the Dark Lord and everything he stood for- and so do I! But don't worry your pretty little heads, I'm not here to harm you or Potter for that matter. The Dark Lord is no more, but that doesn't mean I didn't pick up a few tips from what I learnt to get exactly what I want. And not having any magical abilities thanks to my pathetic excuse for a father, I had to do it the hard way and-"
"MUM! DAD!", a small voice called in the distance, drowning out the end of the kidnappers awful story.
"Hugo!", Ron and Hermione called back in unison.
"I knew he'd get that scarf out of his mouth! Clever kid you've got there", the man smirked.
"Please- just- just let him go. Please", Hermione begged.
"Not until I get my money!", he raised his voice, trying to drown out Hugo's cries for help. Hermione continued to plead with the kidnapper, becoming more hysterical by the second. They were soon in a shouting match and Ron immediately saw this opportunity to grab his wand, not caring about the police officers outside. He slowly shuffled over to the place his wand had been kicked and before the tips of his fingers could even touch the wand, the kidnapper had strode towards him, taking his gloved hand and, in the blink of an eye, pressed it into Ron's stomach. But this was no punch. Ron suddenly felt a blinding pain where the man had just thrust his fist and everything began to move slowly in that moment. He watched the kidnapper pull back his hand with a bloody knife clenched in his fist, finally understanding what had happened.
"RON!", Hermione screeched, rushing to his side. Ron pressed his hand hard upon his wound, his knees buckling as he collapsed to the floor. Hermione pressed her hand on top of his, Ron's blood gushing into her palm as she sobbed hysterically. "Ron! Stay with me! Keep your eyes open! You have to keep them open!", she pleaded with him. But Ron struggled to even look at her.
"Don't be the hero, Weasley!", the man yelled. At that moment, every door in the warehouse had been forcefully opened and a dozen armed police officers surrounded them.
"Drop your weapon and put your hands where I can see them!", DCI Richard yelled, pointing a muggle gun in the attackers direction. The kidnapper quickly dropped his knife and lifted his hands high above his head. As four police officers arrested the man, four of the other officers began to search the warehouse as the remaining four immediately came to Ron's aid, one of them calling for a muggle ambulance on her walkie-talkie. The muggle paramedics arrived in a matter of moments and lifted Ron on to a stretcher, carrying him out to their ambulance as quick as they could. Hermione held on to his hand for dear life as the paramedics began to wheel him on to the ambulance.
"Her-my-knee", he attempted to speak.
"Shh", Hermione spoke softly, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Go- go to Hugo- I- I'll be okay", he attempted a smile, lifting his hand weakly to meet her cheek. Hermione placed her hand on top of his tightly, leaning down and kissing him tenderly on the forehead.
"We'll take good care of him", a paramedic reassured her. Once Ron had been put into the ambulance and it began to drive away, Hermione watched it for a moment, her heart in her throat as tears continued to stream down her face.
"Mum!", a voice called from behind her. She spun on her heel as fast as she could. Hugo was there, running towards her as fast as his legs could carry him. He looked absolutely filthy but Hermione didn't care. She suddenly dropped to her knees as Hugo came closer.
"My boy", she said breathlessly, opening her arms as wide as she could until he had finally reached her. She wrapped her arms around him, quickly and tightly, as if he might be snatched away again at any moment. "My baby boy!", she sobbed hard. The remaining officers watched on as Hermione cradled her son in her arms, crying hysterically as she rocked back and forth.
"Mrs Weasley", DCI Richard approached her. Hermione looked up over Hugo's shoulder to face him. "It'll be a good idea to take Hugo to the hospital, just to make sure everything's okay", he told her. Hermione nodded, sniffing as she stood to her feet, Hugo still held tightly in her arms. He was rather heavy but she couldn't care less, she never wanted to let go. DCI Richard lead them to a nearby police car where he then proceeded to drive them to the hospital. On arriving, Hermione had to will herself to let go of Hugo so he could be checked over by the muggle doctors before everything that had happened in the past hour had hit her instantly.
"Excuse me? Cou- could you tell me about Ron?- Ron Weasley? I'm his wife", she asked a passing nurse.
"He was taken in for surgery as soon as he was brought in. I'll fetch a doctor for you now to explain things", she told her.
"I don't care! I just want to know if he's alright? Is he alright?", Hermione began to raise her voice.
"One moment please, Mrs Weasley", the nurse replied shyly before hurrying off down the corridor. Hermione sat down on a nearby chair in the waiting room, examining her hands and clothes. Her white blouse was soaked red with Ron's blood and her hands covered in dry blood. She was horrified, tears streaming down her face as she continued to stare at her hands.
"Hermione!", a voice came calling into the waiting room. Ginny and Harry were rushing towards her, Ginny allowing her knees to meet the floor as she reached her. Instantly noticing the blood that covered her, Ginny feared the worst. "We came as soon as we heard. Your mum got a phone call and shes with Rose now. Is Hugo?-", she stopped, unable to finish her sentence.
"He's fine", Hermione sniffed, her tear stained face meeting Ginny's, a lump beginning to form in her throat as she prepared to tell her about her brother. "Its- its Ron. He was- he was hurt", she struggled to speak.
"What?", Harry spoke.
"He- he- he was st-stabbed", Hermione began to sob uncontrollably once more. Ginny got to her feet and walked a short distance away, her hand held over her mouth.
"Mrs Weasley?", a new voice spoke. Hermione looked up to see a rather tall doctor, in a long white coat, holding a clipboard. "Your husband has just come out of surgery. Now, he suffered some-"
"I've already saidI don't care! I just want to know that hes safe! That hes alive!", Hermione became hysterical once more, standing to her feet as Harry placed his hands firmly on her uppers arms, attempting to comfort her.
"He lost a lot of blood but hes very lucky. The knife had just missed his stomach. He's in a coma at the moment, we'll be keeping him under close observation and we'll restore the blood he has lost, but you'll be able to see him when you're ready", he told her.
"Thank you", Hermione said breathlessly. As the doctor left, a nurse entered the room hand in hand with Hugo.
"Hugo!", Ginny exclaimed, hugging him tightly.
"Hugo is perfectly healthy, Mrs Weasley. Not a scratch on him", the nurse smiled.
"Thank you", Hermione spoke. Ginny let go of Hugo, allowing him to make his way to Hermione. She lifted him on to her lap and cradled him in her arms, in a state of never wanting to let go once again.
"Mum? Is that blood?", he asked quietly. Hermione did not answer. She didn't want to talk about what had happened, she just wanted to look to the future, with her family safe and unharmed. "Wheres dad?", he continued to ask. Hermione knew she would have to tell him.
"He's here- in the hospital. He was hurt, sweetheart- but hes okay. Don't worry", she told him soothingly, continuing to rock with with him in her arms.
"Can we see him?", Hugo asked.
"In a moment", she replied, kissing him hard on top of his head. True to her word, after a moment of just sitting there, holding her son, Hermione let his feet meet the floor as she stood up with him, taking his hand within her own. "I want you to stay with your Aunty Ginny and Uncle Harry for a moment, alright? And don't go wandering off. Please", she told him suddenly. Hugo nodded slowly, letting go of his mother's hand and taking Ginny's.
"We wont take our eyes off of him. Not even for a second", Harry reassured her as she just stared at Hugo for a moment. Hermione gave a slight nod before wandering off to find Ron's room.
"Could you tell me which room I can find Ron Weasley in please?- I'm his wife", she asked another passing nurse.
"Just down the corridor and its the second door on your left", the nurse smiled warmly at her. Hermione gave another slight nod and headed towards the room. She slowly opened the door, not sure of what she was about to see. With the door finally fully open, Ron was in full view. He lay across a bed, all the colour drained from his face, his eyes closed softly as if he was just having an afternoon snooze. He was shirtless and Hermione could just make out the top of some thick gauze, over his stomach where they must have operated, sticking out just above the bed sheets. Hermione couldn't help herself, she felt her knees beginning to buckle as she found herself sobbing once again. A nurse that had been tending to Ron rushed to her side, helping her stand as she lead her further into the room.
"Can I get you a drink, Mrs Weasley?", the nurse asked. Hermione shook her head.
"No- no, thank you. Can I- can I just have a moment with him, please?", she sniffed. The nurse nodded before patting Hermione on the back and leaving the room. Hermione sat down in a nearby chair next to Ron's bed, immediately taking his hand within her own. "You frightened me", she half laughed, half sobbed, kissing his hand repeatedly. "We got our little boy back, Ron", she cried, continuing the kiss his hand. For five days, Ron stayed in his coma. Rose and Hugo had been reunited and had joined their mother at the hospital every single day. On the fifth day, Hermione sat alone by Ron's bed, one hand holding his whilst she used her other hand to wipe his face with a wet flannel. "You'd think they'd clean your face up a little bit", she joked, wiping his forehead softly. "Hugo's doing fine. He just wants his dad to wake up-", she stopped, taking a deep, shaky breath, "-he really wants to see you so I'm going to need you to open your eyes for him. And Rose.", she spoke softly. "Come on. Let me see those beautiful blue eyes", she pleaded, lying her head beside his body. She suddenly got up from her seat and sat herself on the side of Ron's bed, lying down beside him and kissing his cheek softly. "Please, Ron", she said ever so quietly. Hermione laid there for what felt like hours, just enjoying the sight of his chest rising and falling. All of a sudden, the hand which Hermione held tightly within her own began to twitch slightly. Hermione immediately looked up at his face to find that he was slowly starting to open his eyes. "Oh, Ron", she sighed in relief, kissing him repeatedly.
"Wha- happened?", he attempted to speak.
"Shh, it doesn't matter. You're here. You're safe", she spoke softly, laying her head beside his.
"Hu-go?", he spoke once more.
"He's outside with Rose, Harry and Ginny", she told him, sitting up. "I'll go and get both of them for you". And with that, Hermione disappeared only to return mere seconds later with their young son and daughter, eager to see their father.
"Dad!", Hugo grinned, jumping on the side of Ron's bed and throwing his arms around his neck.
"Be careful, sweetheart", Hermione told him, wrapping her arm around Rose's shoulders, allowing them to have their moment. Ron began to wrap his arms around his son, with all the energy he had.
"Hey, buddy", he spoke weakly. Hermione and Rose joined them on the bed. The family huddled together, holding each other and never wanting to let go.
