Author's Note:

Hello everyone. I know, I know, it's been ages! I am truly sorry for the extended break. I know it's been a long time, but it has been a rough couple of months for me. I'm not sure if I've said this before but I'm in the process of graduating from medical school, so I've found it rather hard to juggle all my responsibilities and sadly I had to put writing on the back burner for a while.

In hindsight, I probably should have let you know that that was going to happen, but I had no idea it would last that long. In any case, I'm baaaaack baby!

A few notes for this chapter:

It's longer than usual because I think y'all deserve it for being so patient! "Mais, vous etes tous clariement aveugle" french for "you're all clearly blind. ("Mais" means "but". Whatever. The French like saying it at the beginning of sentences. They're just doing their thing! They DGAF!) I've stuck to the film version of the Burrow which is surrounded by a wheat field.

Lastly, I just want to express how truly saddened I am by the current state of the world. 2020 has been a tough year so far. I was going through a difficult time while the bush-fires in my home country were raging, and now the Corona Pandemic is happening and we're all probably frightened and worried about our loved ones.

So I think it's fitting to say, in the wise words of our beloved Headmaster, Supreme Mugwump and Cheif Warlock of the Wizengamot, "Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light."

If you can be that source of light for someone. If you can help them (without endangering yourself). Or if you can make them smile, then please do.

The world needs more kindness.

-RLG

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Hermione found herself stumbling through reeds and into the clearing where the Burrow stood. Multiple freckled faces had peered through the kitchen windows at the sound of her apparition. As soon they noticed who it was, the flew out of the rickety old house and to her aid. Hermione stumbled forwards as two sturdy sets of hand came to grab her. Fred and George. They dragged her through the front doors, into the kitchen and propped her into a chair.

"Let me through, come along now!" she heard Molly Weasley's cry out as she elbowed her way through a small crowd composed mostly by Weasleys and the odd member of the Order. Molly grasped Hermione's chin in her hand. She tilted her head from side to side so as to get a better view of the scorch marks around her neck. Marks from the whip that had nearly choked her.

"Molly, don't you think we first ought to prove it's her?" came a tentative voice from amongst the crowd.

The homely Weasley matriarch gave no indication that she had heard the question. She clicked her tongue in annoyance and tutted over the state of Hermione's neck.

"Mais, vous etes tous clairement aveugles!" came a flowery voice, that Hermione recognised as Fleur's. " 'it iz clearly 'Err-mioneee Granger. Ziz iz obvious, non?"

Hermione could now see out of the corner of her eye that Bill was tugging his fiancee by the elbow trying to coax her back to his side. Just as he was making some headway his hurried whispers were cut off abruptly.

"But Bill" Fleur implored him, "it iz 'er! Just look at ze state of 'er 'air."

She flourished a hand in the direction of Hermione's untamed locks and widened her eyes vigorously, as though the facts spoke for themselves. If Hermione had not been in shock she would have thought to take offence. As it were, her mind was still reeling with the impact of her decision to apparate, a decision she had come to regret the moment she felt the spot behind her navel tug. Now she had no way of knowing where he was. Or if he was safe.

"Oh, hush girl," Molly reprimanded Fleur over her shoulder, "What utter nonsense" she muttered under her breath while turning back to face Hermione once more.

Her sharp gaze pierced Hermione's. She held it steadily. Hermione felt as though the woman before her could coax any information out of anyone armed only with that look in her eyes.

"Now then. What was the first thing I said to you when you picked out that ginger cat from the menagerie."

"Just so long as he doesn't sit on my knitting" Hermione managed to reply from the iron-clad grip Molly Weasley had her in.

"It's her, alright" Molly nodded dropping her hand away and signalling for Ginny to fetch something from the cupboard.

"Ginny dear, grab some brandy and the dittany too" Molly called out to her daughter while she cupped Hermione's cheek in her surprisingly smooth hand.

"I knew it was you, dear," she smiled fondly at Hermione and petted her cheek in a rare display of affection towards her. Hermione had never imagined Molly Weasley would ever be fussing over her.

"Good heavens child, what's happened to you?" Molly's eyes landed on Hermione's torn clothes and she reached out for them only to have Hermione shy away and try to cover her bloodied knee.

She hadn't realised that they'd been scraped during her ordeal.

As much as she tried to still her trembling hands, Hermione knew it was pointless. She shook uncontrollably and stared awkwardly at the ground. She knew Mrs Weasley meant her no harm but the closer the matronly woman came towards her the more she coward back into the chair.

"Hermione?" Mrs Weasley's voice dropped an octave.

Hermione could feel her brain scrambling to find an answer. But how could she explain what had happened to her? What McNair had done, or more precisely what he had tried to do.

Every time her robes brushed against her thighs. Every time she closed her eyes. She could feel McNair's hot, smelly breath against her face and his rough hands pressing into her skin. She could still hear his grating voice cackling at the prospect of raping her. Laughing mercilessly. Tauntingly.

Her body remained tense and she continued to stare are the worn-down patch of carpet at her feet. She saw a flurry of feet out of the corner of her eye and heard Molly's voice speaking sternly.

"No Ginny, don't touch her," Mrs Weasley warned her daughter, "not just yet…"

Silence.

After an eternity of sitting in the corner with Ginny repeatedly mouthing unanswered questions at her mother, and Mrs Weasley acting as watchdog Hermione felt the sudden urge to speak.

"I'm fine," she whispered hoarsely, "really Mrs Weasley, Ginny, I'm quite alright I'm just a little…" her voice cracked and her hands began to tremble again.

Ginny snatched them up into her own hands and squeezed them. She squeezed so tightly that Hermione though her hands would surely go numb. But they didn't. Instead, the shaking slowly subsided and when the occasional tremor made itself apparent ginny would squeeze her palms again gently until they subsided.

Head bowed and mind still reeling Hermione realised that her body needed to be coaxed out of the shock. She had remembered reading somewhere that distraction and even breathing were the favoured remedies. So she tried. With every inhale she counted down before letting out a slow, soft breath. So soft that it wouldn't rustle a solitary leaf on a branch.

To distract herself Hermione listened to the odd bits of commentary and conversation that surrounded her and eventually she felt that she could open her eyes. Peeking out from behind the frizzy hair that threatened to engulf her, Hermione studied the remaining occupants of the room.

Mr Weasley had taken to leaping to his feet at the slightest sound, and Mrs Weasley was keeping herself busy by continuing to wordlessly fuss over Hermione, which Hermione gladly let her, knowing how worried the maternal head of the Weasley household must feel. Her old professor, Remus Lupin sat huddled in a corner with Tonks and numerous other members of the order, while Fred and George stood together kept busy by their conspiratorial whispers.

Ginny had taken a place next to Hermione, and Hermione threaded her fingers between Ginny's, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly.

"Are you alright?"

Hermione, nodded, sending her friend a tight-lipped smile. It was the best she could manage for the moment.

"I'm fine"

"You don't look fine. Was it Malfoy? Did he do something?"

"No," Hermione whispered dismissively. Protectively.

She felt her previous state of shock settling over her slowly like a cloak of fine morning mist. It tried coaxing her back into the painless numbness that had been so comforting. Her breaths were becoming more and more ragged and she desperately tried to swallow them down. She was no good to anyone like this.

She began digging her nails into the palm of her free hand and when she could push no further she found another spot. It was painful, but nothing compared to the pain she had felt earlier. It was also a distraction.

She repeated the motion ten times and when that still didn't feel like enough she did another ten. The palm of her hand throbbed with pain. She barely noticed.

It felt like they had been sitting there for an eternity, and the ticking of the Weasley's clock made it even more unbearable. No one dared to look at it, for fear that Ron's clock hand would finally stop spinning and land at 'Mortal Peril'.

Fred and George had begun pacing near the kitchen window, unwittingly obscuring the view of the front garden.

Mrs Weasley was the first to break.

"Would you sit down!" she bellowed.

"Sit down Freddy"

"She was talking to you George"

Usually, Hermione enjoyed listening to the twins' banter but tonight, while they waited in excruciating silence, she couldn't bear it. It felt somehow wrong without Ron and Harry laughing and egging them on.

She blocked the twins out and began rocking back and forth, muttering under her breath.

She should have gone with Harry and Ron. Or stayed with Malfoy. She could have protected them. Pressing her nails deeper into her skin she felt her hand throbbing in protest.

"Please Merlin" she whispered loud enough so that only she could hear, "keep them safe."

The words left her lips inaudibly as she continued to rock back and forth, murmuring to herself.

Mrs Weasley had rounded upon the twins, livid and looking as though steam was about to blow out of her ears when a loud crack resounded. Ginny stood up suddenly sending her stool flying back. She rushed forward a few steps and pulled the curtain further aside.

"It's them!" she breathed, staring out of the window.

Everyone followed suit and craned their necks for a better view while two haggard figures limped towards the door.

Mr Weasley and Remus had already flung it open and darted out of the house to greet them.

Within moments they had returned supporting Harry who was slightly dazed and Ron who had bits of dirt plastered into his hair.

"Oh thank Merlin" Molly exclaimed.

For such a plump woman she was surprisingly quick on her feet, and in no more than a few seconds she had Harry and Ron pulled fiercely into her arms, "thank heavens you're alright boys"

"Not so fast dear," Mr Weasley pushed her to the side and thrust Ron against the wall harshly, pointing his wand into his son's face.

Ron's look of perplexion slowly faded into one of exhaustion as he held his father's gaze.

"What was the last thing I told you before you left for Hogwarts?"

"You said 'trust each other, it's the only thing you've got that Voldemort doesn't.'"

Mr Weasley's grip slackened on his son and he visibly relaxed. It was as though the entire weight of the celestial sphere had lifted off of his shoulders. A modern-day, ginger-haired Atlas, now absolved of his eternal punishment, Mr Weasley stood taller and stared proudly at his son. Ron blinked in response and quickly found himself being tugged into a hug.

"My son," Mr Weasley whispered, "You're safe…"

The worry drained from his face and was replaced by a single glistening tear that he swiftly wiped away. Mrs Weasley bustled past her husband and cupped Ron's face into her hands.

"Never," she said dangerously, "do that to us again, Ronald Billius Weasley" she gave his face a final squeeze before collapsing into a blubbering mess against Mr Weasley's chest. He gave his wife a consoling pat on the back before looking from Ron to Harry.

"We're glad you're alright boys." He said as the colour slowly returned to his sallow cheeks.

"So have you done it, then? Is you know who finally gone?" Fred asked while everyone else eyed Harry curiously.

"Yeah," Harry nodded, "He's definitely gone."

The Burrow erupted into cheers and everyone was hugging and laughing while Fred and George grabbed each other by the elbow and danced a jig singing 'Poor old Voldy's dead. Potter stunned him in the head'

They'd taken Harry and Ron by the elbows as well and started swinging them around until Fred pointed out that the mud in Ron's hair might not be mud after all.

"Well Dumbledore said Harry had to do the last bit himself," Ron said bitterly, "So he hexed me into a full-body lock while we were hiding out in a field. I landed near a pile of horse dung and had to stay there for ages…"

"Yeah, poor you. Must have been difficult lying hidden in that field while Harry didn't know whether he was going to come out of this alive" George remarked.

"Blimey Ron, you stink!" Fred let go of his younger brother and thrust him toward George.

"Well I don't want him near me, do I!" George exclaimed and pushed Ron back towards his twin.

"I'm your brother! I almost died" Ron protested while Harry and Ginny laughed.

The rest of the order were talking animatedly and were hurling questions in Harry's direction while someone had the sense to turn on the wizarding radio station to see if there was any news on the victory.

The twins linked arms and skipped on spot. Twirling around in circles they chanted:

"Poor old Voldy's dead,

Harry stunned him in the head.

The spell was cast

The target hit

and all that time-

Ron lay in shit".

"Shut-up!" Ron bellowed, "I swear, George! If you tell anyone-"

The twins continued to sing jovially as news of Voldemort's defeat rang out through the radio. The kitchen broke out into boisterous cheers. Mrs Weasley was sobbing and clutching onto Ginny and Harry. Mr Weasley's voice rang out over all the noise and he motioned for the twins to be quiet.

"While I know that you're all relieved and eager to celebrate I think it necessary to remind you of the heinous crimes that were committed after Voldemort's last downfall. His supporters will be out for blood and looking to wreak as much havoc as they can before dropping their masks and settling among us again" Mr Weasley warned, "I must urge you all to be prudent and keep your guard up. What was it Alastor always said…?" Mr Weasley looked over to his wife for some help.

"Constant vigilance!" Fred roared jumping to his feet with one eye squinted and doing an awful impression of Mad-Eye-Moody.

Mrs Weasley sent a stern look his way before saying "Sit down George"

He slumped down next to his twin and shook his head, "Still can't tell us apart even with an ear missing."

Lupin took to his feet suddenly and held up a glass, "I think we should toast to all our fallen friends" he said solemnly, "their deaths were not in vain. May they be remembered."

The room was filled with scraping chairs as everyone took to their feet and raised their glasses in the air and echoed his words 'may they be remembered' before promptly swallowing the contents.

The sound of explosions, much like fireworks, erupted not far from the burrow and they could hear cheers from just over the mound. Mr Weasley's neck craned towards the window so that he could see over his wife.

"That'll be the Lovegoods," he said as he untangled himself from his family. "I should probably go and have a word with Xenophilous about visibility to muggles" he said as he placed down his glass.

George nudged Hermione "Must be where Percy gets his fun side from, aye Hermione?" he winked.

Ron swung around to face her "Blimey Hermione" he said with a gaping mouth, "when did you get here?"

Mrs Weasley bustled over to her just as her husband was leaving, "she got here a few moments before you did. Hardly made it through the door, poor dear." Molly was standing behind her and was bunching up her curls into her hands in a motherly effort to comfort her. She placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a soft pat.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked her and she paused, taking a moment to discern if now was the moment to tell him what had happened.

Hermione nodded, avoiding Harry's gaze.

"Are you?"

Harry chuckled, "For the first time in- well, for the first time ever actually- I think I can finally say that I am."

Hermione inhaled sharply. It had been a rough night on both of them but they would talk when things settled down.

Mrs Weasley was making her way over to George "Oh for Merlin's sake!" she cried out as she reached for the perfume bottle her son was clutching in his hands, "stop spraying your brother, Fred!"

The twin's had taken the opportunity to corner Ron and deal with the stench he was emitting in their own way. He now smelt overpoweringly like Fleur's French perfume. It looked as though she had caught on as well and was now sending a murderous look in the direction of the twins.

Harry made his way towards Hermione and settled on the bench next to her and soon after, while everyone else watched Mrs Weasley and the twins arguing, Ron made his way to the bench and sat on her other side.

While the celebration in the burrow raged on, all Hermione could think about was how lucky they were to be alive. Hermione let out a content sigh and took Ron's hand gently in her own, laying her head upon Harry's shoulder. In that moment she felt as though the world had slowed for a moment. Just to let them collectively exhale.

She let her shoulder sag and felt Harry relax under the weight of her head. Ron was watching his family with a smile on his face but remained at Harry and Hermione's side. Torn between two families, the one he'd grown up with and the one he'd made for himself.

Hermione watched her friends weeping and celebrating and felt a small tightening in the back of her throat. She wanted to cry as well but couldn't let herself fall apart. Not now. Not when she ought to be glad.

They were alive. Together. Safe.

She quickly blinked back the tears before they threatened to spill over. Despite her reprieve, she felt a hollowness inside her. Something was missing.

'He may be capable of killing Hermione, but it was for you. It was all for you…' a little voice sang in her head.

She began to reason with herself. Yes, she was hurt and angry that Draco would be so ready to kill for her. For her- Hermione Jean Granger- mudblood and bookworm extraordinaire. And then there it was. The true reason behind her feelings. She was scared.

Her loved her. It was excruciatingly clear now. He loved her so much that he would murder for her. Taint his soul for her. There was something so electrifying- so twistedly romantic about that notion. It scared her.

There was no coming back from a love like that. There never would be.

She glanced at Ron and wondered if he would have ever gone to such lengths to protect her. Brave, loyal Ron. Regardless of how much he'd once claimed to have loved her, Hermione wasn't so sure of what the outcome would have been if the roles had been reversed. If he'd been in Malfoys place, she mightn't even be sitting here now.

Hermione couldn't help feeling that she'd made an enormous mistake. The feeling grew and settled in her stomach leaving a sinking feeling in its stead.

She'd fucked up majorly.

Ignoring the celebration around them, Hermione peered up at Harry and then Ron. She loved them with the fierceness of a Gryffindor, but would fight for them at whatever cost with the determination of a Slytherin… Maybe, in some sick and messed up way, that made her and Draco perfect for one another

She ignored the small voice in the back of her head and sank further against Harry. It hurt to think about Draco. She could still smell him on her and it made her want to apparate back to him instantly.

A loud bang came from the other side of the kitchen.

Another bang followed- one that was certainly the closing of the kitchen door.

Mr Weasley appeared, pale and gasping for air.

"Death-eaters," he hissed, bracing himself on Molly as she rushed forward to prop him up, "there's no time Molly," her told his wife sternly, "they're coming this way from the Lovegoods."

"But they were celebrating-" Ginny's voice died off.

Hermione watched her eyes widen with the realisation that what they'd mistaken for sounds of celebration were in fact the sounds of a fight.

The screaming. Hermione couldn't believe she hadn't heard the cheering for what it really was. Screaming.

"Quickly now!" Mr Weasley motioned his head towards the door, "order members only" he levelled his eyes at Ginny.

"We're going with you" Harry spoke up, rising from his seat.

"Harry, no. You've done enough."

"If you're going to fight, I want to fight with you!"

Ron stood as well. "He's right dad. Whether you like it or not, we're practically Order members at this point."

A crackling sound came from the distance. High-pitched. Elegant. Ringing with madness. It interrupted the disagreement they were having as everyone turned to the window to see Bellatrix Lestrange emerge from the wheat field dragging someone behind her.

She pulled the battered figure in front of her, making what was intended to be a human shield for herself. The girl's face was obscured by long flowing tresses of dark red hair. 'A distant Weasley relative, perhaps?' Hermione thought.

"Come out, come out- widdle Weasels," Bellatrix sang in her baby-voice, "let's play hide and seek the blood-traitor"

Mr Weasley was barking orders at everyone to stay put. Lupin was conjuring his Patronus and speaking to it hurriedly. The wolfs ears pricked up and it seemed to almost nod before leaping away in giant bounds.

Hermione kept staring at the girl. Although she didn't recognise her, Hermione was sure she had seen her somewhere before. There was something so familiar. That pale skin. The way she seemed to float on spot. And then she saw it. A solitary radish earring dangling amongst the tousle of red hair. Luna

Hermione wanted to hit herself for not seeing it before. It was definitely Luna, and her hair wasn't red. It was stained with blood. So much blood.

She was about to turn to her right to see if he had noticed it too, but then she heard the front door slam again and Ginny darting towards Luna with her wand raised.

"Ginny!" Mr Weasley roared as he sprinted after his daughter. Harry and Ron sprung form their places and dashed out of the front door. Hermione jolted in her spot and chased after them.

By the time they had reached the clearing, Bellatrix had dragged Luna back into the security that the wheat-field provided. Into what was certainly a trap.

She found herself darting into the field behind Ron. She braced herself with her wand and readied herself to start firing stunning spells at anything that was cloaked.

Momentarily distracted, she felt a tingling around her forearm and saw that the dainty cords of the bond were glowing. The blasted thing was letting her know the vow was in jeopardy of being broken. As though she couldn't tell for herself that she was in danger. She just hoped to Merlin that Draco couldn't feel it too. She didn't want him running to her aid- risking his life- only to fall into the same trap.

Hermione heard another muffled scream. Luna's again. She set her jaw and continued forward feeling the burn of a thousand small peltings as she ran through the field of wheat.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Author's note:

So there you have it! Please share your thoughts. I would love to know what you think and the messages and reviews truly do mean a lot.

The next chapter will be uploaded along with this one because, why not!? We're in quarantine y'all- there aint no rules no more boo-boo! Fine example: Me. Currently typing this, listening to good old Elton. In an oversized t-shirt with vegemite stains down the front, fluffy Slytherin socks. A cup of coffee on one side of the coffee table. On the other side? ...a glass of Hendricks and tonic. It's 7:20am over here. Yeah...

I see you shaking your heads!

Jokes aside, I hope you enjoy the next chapter. It's short but it's sweet.

Stay safe everyone! My thoughts go out to you and your loved ones.

-RLG