Lost in Translation

Chapter Thirteen

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the reads and reviews! I debated on splitting this chapter up into two parts, but since it's already completely finished, I decided to just post it all at once. Enjoy :)

Help me, my God, this got messy

At least I've got the best seat

Cause we put on one hell of a show

Waiting, I just keep on waiting

For the final curtain

Cause I just can't let go of your love

You say my name like you know my dark side

Can't beat the taste of the tears that I'll cry

Slow grenade is blowing up my mistakes

So why don't I, why don't I stop it?

Still got time for me to stop it

It's like a part of me must want it

That's why I'm not running from it

Can't escape this blowing up in my face

So why can't I, why can't I stop it?

Still got time for me to stop it

It's like a part of me must love it

That's why I'm not running from it

Slow Grenade - Ellie Goulding & Lauv

Explosion

"So we are all clear on the plan?" Robards had gathered the team early the next morning to review standard procedures and confirm the plan of attack.

Hermione looked around at the other men in the room, suddenly feeling more than slightly intimated. She was well aware of the extensive training and experience they each had going into the field. This mission to them was not unlike any others. She knew what she had signed on for, and in some ways it was completely exhilarating to be a part of something that separated her from her standard norm of courtrooms and report writing, but in other ways she was utterly terrified of diving into the unknown.

"We get in, follow the path through the access doors…" Robards pointed down to entrances and exits clearly marked on the blueprint in front of him, "Apprehend anyone who you may come across and bring them in for questioning. If Ritter and Williams are not found, we gather any evidence we can extract from the scene and submit it for further investigation."

Hermione nodded along, mentally taking notes in her head. Get in, find evidence, get out. Always be alert.

"The team is large enough that you may split up into groups to cover more areas. However, Miss Granger, since this is your first technical field mission, I am requiring you to be in the presence of at least one other auror at all times. No exceptions. Only a safety precaution," Robards continued.

Hermione agreed wordlessly, catching Ron's eye who tilted his head forward at her in acknowledgment. She figured that it would likely be Ron with her, as she wasn't sure that he would even tolerate letting her out of his sight.

"Any questions?" The team remained quiet and Robards gave the greenlight to head out.

Harry caught up to Ron and Hermione before they made their way out the door. "Stay safe out there, you guys. If at any time you need to request back up, don't forget to send out your patronus immediately. I will be available to assist."

"Thanks, mate," Ron gave him a hearty pat on his shoulder. "Let's hope it doesn't have to come to that, you know I don't ever want to suffer the wrath of Ginny if I don't have to," he chuckled sarcastically.

"Thanks, Harry," Hermione smiled.

"You're going to be great," Harry inclined with encouragement. "Don't forget to breathe!"

"Oh, right, one of life's necessities," Hermione laughed weakly, letting out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She watched as Ron gave her a funny look before strolling off to catch up to the other aurors. He was oddly quiet this morning and hadn't even spoken one word directly to her yet. Hermione wondered if he was always like that right before a mission. She suspected that wasn't the case.

Harry and Hermione shared a knowing look before she waved goodbye and ran to catch up with the other men. Lovely, they're a speedy group.

The team arrived at the set of lifts that would take them to a secret portkey located within the ministry. Hermione positioned herself next to Ron near the back of the lift. She took a slow, deliberately controlled breath in and out of her mouth, closing her eyes as she attempted to focus on the mission ahead. She was lost in her moment when Ron's hand found hers. He caressed the back of her hand delicately with his thumb before giving it a tight, reassuring squeeze. Hermione's eyes snapped towards Ron's head, to see him pointedly gazing ahead, making an obvious effort not to look over at her.

She bit her lip and looked down at her feet, but didn't dare move her hand away from his.

All too soon, the doors opened and revealed a dark room. Hermione's hand fell out of Ron's grasp as she trudged forward, following the men leading the way into the unknown area. Hermione paused in her stride when she felt Ron's hand close over her elbow, pulling her back swiftly. He eyed her then and took a moment to brush a curl out of her face. There was such tenderness in his expression that for a second she thought he might kiss her. But, instead, Ron gave her a brief nod before pushing her body close behind his and moving forward into the room.

"This is it," Ash called out. "Ready?"

Hermione followed their lead and reached a hand out to grip tightly onto one of the portkey's gold-rimmed handles.

"Don't let go," she heard Ron whisper close to her ear, just seconds before her body was pulled into a spinning frenzy. A wave of nausea soared through her and she tried her hardest to keep all of her focus and attention on holding onto the portkey. The spinning slowed down, allowing Hermione to begin to make out the buildings below as she returned to Earth, landing on the ground with a sound thud.

She groaned as she attempted to stand up quickly, briefly overcome with a bout of dizziness that caused her to lean into the closest body she found. She felt Ron's familiar, muscular arms wrap tightly around her waist to steady her.

"You okay?" He murmured with concern.

Hermione, determined not to be seen as a weak link, pushed out of his arms and brushed leaves off of her robes from landing in the grassy field. "I'm fine," she responded as she followed the other aurors along.

Ron caught up to her quickly, but remained at her side, as they walked a couple of blocks towards their intended destination.

Hermione recognized a tall, white building as it came into view and she knew they had arrived at the warehouse. She closed her eyes and reviewed the visual map she had created in her head of the building layout. Main entrance, emergency exit, seven access doors, two levels, two sets of stairs, one lift.

"We should hang around back, assess the surrounding area before entering," Ron suggested.

"You got it boss," Ash responded.

Hermione raised her eyebrows at Ron as he looked at her sheepishly. "Sometimes they call me that if I'm the lead on a mission."

"Uh huh…" Hermione clicked her tongue. They had just rounded the corner and Hermione surveyed the building structure. The first thing she noticed was that all of the lights were off inside. To the unassuming eye, it would look as if the building was still abandoned.

"Make sure to stay out of direct view of the windows, Hermione come here!" Ron whispered, waving her wandering form back over. Hermione returned to the group and placed her back against the wall, mirroring the other aurors.

"All clear, let's enter through this door, wands at the ready. Remember, if you spot any movement, on the ground immediately and confirm that the person is an enemy and not one of us." Ron addressed the entire team but his eyes remained solely on Hermione's. She received the message loud and clear.

"Let's go," Ash muttered gruffly. "Alohomora," he called out, unlocking the door swiftly as they all shuffled inside. It was pitch black and Hermione mimicked the actions of her co-workers by lighting the tip of her wand as she scanned the room. She saw nothing but empty cartons and wood pallets. As she moved slowly around the room, her shoes came in contact with a small puddle of water on the floor.

"It seems as if the structural integrity of this building has been compromised…" Hermione murmured softly, letting her lit wand hover over the deep cracks displayed on the moldy walls. There was a subtle stench of mildew that filled the air.

Ron held a finger to his lips, indicating her to stay silent until they were able to declare the room empty.

"All clear!" Bell announced a few minutes later. There were two access doors on opposite sides of the room.

"I think we could split up at this point, cover more area. Hermione, you stay with me. Ash, you should come with us as well. Bell and Steiner, you two go through that door over there. Send a patronus if you ever are in need of backup. Got it?" Ron asked. Hermione was impressed at Ron's natural ability to take charge in an active situation.

Ron led Hermione and Ash through the solid door into a much larger space than the previous room. The hairs on Hermione's skin rose and she was left with the uncomfortable feeling that they were not the only ones in there.

"Stay behind me," Ron murmured as he slowly moved around the room, assessing the scene. Hermione remained on high alert, making an active attempt to look in areas opposite of Ron's eyes to cover all their bases. Ash, she noted, was still trudging along behind them.

Even though it was almost completely dark, Hermione spotted movement behind Ron and acted on instinct. No hesitation, she recalled Ron's words.

"RON, DUCK!" Hermione shouted, leaving Ron to immediately fall to the ground upon hearing those words. Hermione and Ash dodged out of the line of a flash of blue light that ignited from a stranger's wand. Seconds later, Hermione had raised her wand and aimed blindly, "Petrificus totalus!"

Ron followed her wand and watched as a dark figure became instantly stunned. He looked back towards Hermione and gave her a quick, grateful nod before grabbing her hand and leading her past the now fallen death eater and towards the next door.

"Did you recognize him?" Hermione asked.

"No, but I reckon he's probably not the only one in here. Stay alert," he reminded, his grip remaining firm on her hand.

Once they stepped fully into the adjoining room, Hermione gasped at the instant change in room temperature. The previous two rooms were dark and cold. This room was noticeably warmer. Other than the heat of the room, she also noticed a flashing red light perched on top of a wooden box in the center of the room. Hermione shone her light on the box to get a fuller look.

The red orb was blinking slowly at first, then proceeded to speed up over time. She couldn't stop the sinking feeling in her stomach.

"Ron…" Hermione shakily reached out to pinch the cotton material of his robes.

"I know," he responded simply.

"We need to get out of here," Ash's voice rang out from behind them.

Hermione felt Ron tug on her hand and had just begun pulling her towards the exit when a loud alarm sounded. She let go of Ron's hand briefly to cover her ears from the piercing noise, just seconds before the room exploded and everything went dark.

Ron lost the grip on Hermione's hand. He waved his arm frantically, clouds of smoke billowing in the air and he couldn't see or feel anything. "No...NO! HERMIONE!" He bellowed, coughing deeply after sucking in the smoky air.

"We've got to keep moving Weasley," Ash gruffly yelled next to him, pushing his body forward.

"NO!" Ron roared as he shoved him back. "I am not leaving her behind!" He raced through the clouds on his hands and knees, desperately flailing his arms about in search for any semblance of a body. "HERMIONE," he called out, "PLEASE, please answer me!"

Ron felt like he was going to be sick. It can't end this way. Please, it can't end this way. He was seething inside. Not after I let her go into this even with knowing how dangerous it all was.

"Ron," he heard a voice croak somewhere around the room.

Ron stilled. "HERMIONE! Where are you?"

"I'm-I'm here," she called out again and Ron traveled towards her voice. Her voice sounded weak, and Ron feared that she was seriously hurt, as he knew she wasn't moving.

"Hermione, Hermione," Ron was panting over and over. He drew closer to a pile of wood and stone blocks, noticing brown curls sticking out from underneath. "I see you, just hold on!"

Ron grunted as he removed the debris off of Hermione and stopped once he revealed her face, gasping from her appearance. Her entire face and curls were caked in dirt. There were several blood splotches around her face from various cuts and he could hear her moaning softly in pain.

"Come on, I've got you, I've got you," he reassured, lifting her up gently into his arms. Hermione fell against his body weakly as he looped a hand behind her knees to carry her. "We've gotta get out of this room, now."

Hermione winced in pain from the constant bouncing in Ron's arms as he moved swiftly through the room, winding through the maze of fallen obstacles. Ash was waiting for them by the adjacent access door.

"Ron, put me down, I can-I can walk," she pleaded. Hermione was incredibly nervous for what waited for them behind the next door and she didn't want Ron to be saddled with her weakened state and not fully focused on defending himself.

"You're certain?" Ron questioned, as he planted his hands firmly on her shoulders and looked her directly in the eyes.

Hermione nodded in assurance. Ripples of pain shot through her legs as she experimented with putting more weight on her feet, but she didn't dare say it out loud to Ron. She would fight through the pain. She knew she could.

Once again, Ron's hand closed over Hermione's, as he quickly guided her through the next door. Ash was in front of them both now. A coldness swept over them and Hermione gripped her want shakily but tightly.

"We've been expecting you," a familiar voice sounded through the room, seconds before Ash's body was blown backward by a spell that hit him squarely in the chest.

"No!" Hermione cried out, as Ron shoved her to the ground behind him.

"Expelliarmus!" Sparks flew from Ron's wand in a blind attempt to overtake the enemy in front of him, but instead found himself dodging spells cast in a verbal succession. Ron fished around for an object in his pocket and he pulled out the deluminator, clicking the button once and instantly lighting the entire room.

It was then that Hermione gasped, recognizing the faces of Belinda Williams and Declan Ritter before them.

"We knew it would be only a matter of time before you came," Belinda continued, "I see you failed in your attempt at bringing back up." She nodded over towards Ash's barely moving form in the corner of the room. He was groaning in pain, clutching his stomach.

Ron's jaw clenched. "No one else has to get hurt. We just wanna talk."

Declan and Belinda laughed in unison. "Talk? You should've known by that little bomb we set off earlier that we didn't want to just talk. It's a pity you're still alive, actually."

Belinda snapped her fingers and Ritter raised his wand them, aiming it directly at both Ron and Hermione. Ritter opened his mouth to cast a spell, but Ron was faster. "STUPEFY!"

Ritter's body shot straight into the air, his skull colliding against the wall with a sound crack, effectively knocking him out of consciousness.

"No!" Belinda shouted, as she viewed his lifeless form and spun around angrily to face Ron.

Belinda and Ron circled each other, both wands posed and ready for attack. Hermione froze in her spot by the door, preparing to raise her wand as Belinda drew closer to her. But she didn't expect what happened next.

Belinda lunged towards Hermione and locked her in a choke hold, making Hermione inhale sharply and wiggle in her grasp. In an instant, Belinda had her wand aimed directly at Hermione's temple. "Stop," she ordered.

Ron seized all movement, his eyes widening in fear as he kept his gaze firmly on Belinda's wand placement. Hermione could see the despair in his eyes.

"I could torture her…" Belinda teased, watching as Ron almost growled in response, "...or I could just erase her memory. I'm not sure which one would hurt you more Mr. Weasley…"

Hermione's arm was twisted behind her rather uncomfortably and her mind was reeling with all of the ways she could potentially get out of this situation unharmed. Based on the current conversation, it was looking pretty grim.

Distract her. Distract her so that Ron can make a move.

"Belinda...please...I know how you feel," Hermione started, yelping out in pain as Belinda dug the tip of her wand inward so that it was pressed hard against her skull.

"Don't you say that," Belinda yelled.

"You're in love, right?" Hermione knew that she needed to keep talking. She let her eyes shift from side to side, hoping and praying that Ron noticed enough to understand what she was trying to do. He hadn't moved an inch and she could tell from her location across the room that he was breathing heavily. "You're so in love that you would be willing to do anything, anything for him…"

Hermione's eyes softened as she stared right at Ron. Her heart clenched as she repeated the word love and they both shared an intense look between them.

Hermione continued, "...but you don't have to do this. You don't have to hurt other people, especially those who understand how you feel. I understand that us muggleborns haven't always had it easy. It's been really really hard at times to feel like we have a place in the wizarding world. But it doesn't have to be like that anymore. You don't have to let other people make you feel inferior, especially people like Declan Ritter. He is using you and that is not love. Love should be about accepting the other person for who they are, no matter where they come from."

Hermione kept a close eye on Ron, who was slowly inching his way over towards the wall as Hermione spoke. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and was relieved to know that Ash was stirring. She was running out of things to say.

"That's where you have this all wrong, Miss Granger. I am not the one who is in love. I am not the one who willingly followed someone else into submission…" Belinda sneered. Confusion sparked Hermione's eyes as she was suddenly consumed with a dreaded pit in her stomach. What is she saying? "Declan followed me. He fell in love with me and I used him to do my bidding."

Realization dawned on Hermione's face as she became acutely aware of the fact that Declan Ritter must have disappeared a few years ago as a result of Belinda's plan.

"I am not a filthy little mudblood like you are!" Belinda roared, pulling Hermione's hair so hard that her neck snapped backwards. Another ripple of pain surged through Hermione's body and she bit her lip to keep herself from crying. "I am better, stronger than you! And I should have eliminated you when I had the chance at the gala!" Eliminated. That all but confirmed that Belinda was the writer behind the note that George found discarded on the ground.

Hermione could tell Ron was fighting the urge to call out to Belinda, knowing that if he did draw attention to himself it would completely ruin any chance he has to strategically place himself in a better spot. She wondered briefly if any of the other aurors were now observing the situation and waiting for the right moment to attack.

"You don't have to take the fall for him!" Hermione cried out, feigning ignorance of the current situation. Although she was well aware of the likelihood that Belinda was in fact telling the truth and was the real perpetrator behind the attacks, she needed to cover all bases and, most importantly, just keep her talking. "You can still save yourself and get out! Don't let a pureblood man dictate what kind of person you are...this is not you!"

"You don't even know me, Miss Granger! This is me. I am not under the spell of some petulant, egotistical, man servant like you are," she spat back.

"That's where you're wrong, Miss Williams," Hermione whispered. Belinda tightened her hold on Hermione.

"What did you just say, bitch?" Belinda snapped back.

"Lesson number one on taking over the world, always have back up that is not currently knocked out…" Hermione watched closely as Belinda's eyes shifted distractedly over to Ritter's slumped over body. The distraction was fleeting, but it was all she needed.

"Now, expelliarmus!" A shout from one of the aurors rang out. Hermione wasn't exactly sure who it was but it was enough to shock Belinda into loosening her grip on Hermione enough for her to elbow her sharply in the rib and make her escape from her arms.

Hermione found herself instantly being dragged away at the elbow by Ron, who gathered her close behind his body, shielding her from any curses that were flying around the room.

Belinda had managed to thwart the attempt to expel her wand from her hand and was now dueling three aurors at once. Hermione acknowledged that Harry had arrived on the scene and was in the midst of the battle. She wondered who had time to send a patronus.

Belinda growled as a binding curse sent her body flying backward, landing roughly against the wall, hands tied behind her back.

"Bell, Steiner, grab Ritter!" Ron roared, as Harry and Ash hoisted Belinda's staggering form into a standing position.

Hermione stood up hesitantly and limped over to Belinda. Ron watched her carefully, but she held up a hand when he reached for her. She just needed a minute with the woman who had just attempted to kill them all.

"Why did you do it?" Hermione asked.

Belinda glared darkly at her, her eyes depicting the image of a bitter, lost, and unforgiving woman. "I was like you once, you know. All doe-eyed, full of hope. Soon you will realize that there isn't any. And you will have to take matters into your own hands and look out for yourself."

Hermione had never felt sorrier for a person that she did for Belinda Williams as she looked her squarely in the eye and saw that Belinda really believed the words coming from her mouth.

"I'll see you at your trial, Miss Williams, " Hermione responded coolly, before nodding at the aurors. "Take her away."

Hermione observed the aurors dragging Belinda out of the warehouse as Ron walked up. They stood together, arms crossed identically over their chests, side by side for a moment in solidarity.

"Mr. Ritter was, in fact, under the influence of the imperius curse. Likely for some time now, even as far back as the war," Robards confirmed once the team arrived back at the ministry.

Bloody fucking hell. It had been a little over 12 hours since they had departed on the mission to raid the warehouse, yet their earlier conversation in the morning seemed like a lifetime ago. However he expected the mission to end, it wasn't like this.

"It's been quite the eventful day for you all, so I suspect you are ready for some much needed rest. Please come see me tomorrow to debrief. We can wait until the afternoon," Robards acknowledged and Ron appreciated the subtle hint that would allow him to sleep in.

"Thank you, sir," Ron shook his hand gratefully before he watched Robards turn out the door. Ron shifted his gaze to peer over at Hermione, who was staring blankly out the window on the opposite side of the room. She had her head pressed up against the glass and her legs curled up into her chest. Ron observed layers of soot that covered her body. Her face was stained with dirt, her hair curled messily into a pony around the sides of her ears. Merlin, she was beautiful. She truly was, despite the evidence of the trauma that occurred over the last day.

"Hey..." Ron called out softly. Hermione's head turned slowly to meet his eyes tiredly. He saw the bags underneath her eyes and she gave him a timid smile before looking down at her hands.

"You were brilliantly in there Ron, really brilliant. I….I almost messed it all up. You shouldn't have had to save me from...you were right. I am not trained and I didn't have any business being in the field with you." Tears stung Hermione's eyes and she wiped them away delicately using the pads of her thumbs.

Ron could hear the defeat in her voice and he wasted no time before taking two large strides and kneeling down in front of her. He rested his hand atop of her knee, giving it a comforting squeeze. Ron hooked a finger underneath Hermione's chin and lifted her head up so that her eyes met his.

"Listen to me," Ron started. Hermione noted a different tone in his voice than she had ever heard from him before. It was so soft and gentle. "You are amazing and so so brave. Besides, your super power is in here," Ron brushed a finger across Hermione's temple, sending shivers down her spine. "The way you distracted Belinda in order to buy us time to figure out a plan...it was brilliant. Your mind is extraordinarily brilliant."

Ron spoke so earnestly and Hermione felt as if her heart could truly burst, right then and there. Without giving it a second thought, she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss upon his lips. He initially froze, but responded almost instantly a moment later and wrapped his arms tight around her back to pull her closer. Ron remained perched upright on his knees, his height meeting Hermione's perfectly as she remained seated on the ledge of the bay window.

Hermione whimpered slightly as she deepened the kiss, thrusting her tongue into Ron's mouth while raking her hands through the dirt in his hair.

Ron relished the feel of her lips against his and her body pressed close to his center. However, in the back of his mind, his thoughts lingered on their conversation a couple of days ago. There is someone else.

Ron pulled away regretfully, pressing his forehead against hers to steady his breathing. "Ron?" He could hear the question in her voice.

"I...uh...I should go shower," he responded lamely, giving her hands a final squeeze before turning on his heel without another word.

Hermione watched his retreating back in a daze, subconsciously tracing the outline of her swollen lips.

She knew that she was undoubtedly falling in love with Ron Weasley and she didn't quite know what to do with that sentiment.