OK, here is my next chapter and what I think is my best one so far. It took me a couple time rewriting over and over and over again to get this chapter just right. I really enjoyed writing this part (especially the train station) and I hope you will enjoy reading it. Now for my "thank you"s.





Firstly, to my Beta Reader Jules who put forth tremendous amounts of effort to make this fic the best it could be and put up with "hyphen happy" me.





Secondly, to:





Sgrquill,





Madison,





Herbie Werbie,





Julie,





BeaterWeasleyGRL





for keeping up with my story and being so nice to review each time.





Thirdly to:





sTaCiE,





bubbles,





Nikki,





tigress33,





Lily P. Evans,





wmlaw,





and an anonymous review (you know who you are)





for taking the time to write such nice things about this fic.



And Oh, I'm so sorry I forgot a reviewer. A special thanks to

Ronnie's Sunshine (love your name by the way)

Extremely sorry that I forgot about you so an extra special thanks to you!



Thanks to all of you. If it weren't for your kind words this fic would not have made it so far! I hope you Enjoy it!





Chapter Five

Saving Grace

Hermione stepped into the train compartment and slid down in her seat across from Ginny. Ginny sighed and looked out of the window at the countryside. It didn't look like there was a war going on even though there clearly was. The war was, in fact, the reason that she was going away from one of the only people she had every truly loved. Hermione wanted to jump off the train now, but what Ron had told her the night before rang in her head. She had to stay behind. She had to be careful.

But why did she have to be so unhappy?

Hermione had promised Ron that she would not come after him and even though it hurt Hermione to keep her promise, she knew that Ron was right. Hermione knew that this was one promise she had to keep.**

Before it had been only herself that she was getting into danger, but now it was not only her, but also her and Ron's child. Hermione knew that getting the baby hurt was a risk that she couldn't take. Otherwise, she would have run to him now and been by his side the whole time he fought.

However, she had to think about the baby too. Even after the baby was to be born, Hermione would have to look out for him or her. She didn't want her son or daughter to end up like Harry and be an orphan. Even if Ron died - which he would not - Hermione promised herself that she would be there to raise their child.

Hermione also hoped that their child would know his or her grandparents. Her mother and father suffered from amnesia and the Weasley's had decided to stay. Hermione smiled to herself as she remembered what Mrs. Weasley had said about staying.

"I've survived seven children and been in labor six times. I've kept this household together and dealt with all kind of animals, charms, tricks, Muggle appliances, etc If the Death Eaters think they can beat me, they've got another thing coming to them/"

Yes, that was Mrs. Weasley for you. She always could make you feel better about anything. She was a mother to the end. That statement right there had made her laugh; something that was harder to do then more than ever, because all she wanted to do was be with Ron back at the Burrow and stay with him forever.

True, Mrs. Weasley was funny and Hermione didn't know which was her better quality. Her humor or her seriousness because what she said next had touched Hermione very deeply.

"I've raised many children through the years and I've watched all of you grow. I still remember the first time I met you, Hermione. You and Ron fought like cats and dogs, but I always thought it would be you two. That summer he came home complaining about his Quidditch hero being evil, I knew he loved you."

Mrs. Weasley had paused for a minute and continued, "You take care of yourself Hermione. I've stayed here all my life with Arthur and he has always protected me, so don't worry about us. I know that Ron would do the same if he could and he'll find some way to do it even if he's not right by your side. When you come back you will be a welcomed part of our family. I've really always though of you and Harry in that way, but now we'll just be making it official."

If Hermione had loved Mrs. Weasley before, it was no comparison to how much she loved her now. Mrs. Weasley had always been a strong woman in Hermione's eyes, but now she was an even stronger than she had been before. She would stand by her husband until the world came to an end, which it might very well do.

The train gave a lurch and Hermione was knocked out of her seat and into Ginny who sat across from her. Hermione felt something hit her stomach and gasped. It hurt more everyday to move and a hit to the stomach curtsey of the train hadn't felt too good.

Ginny steadied her and exclaimed, "Hermione - are you okay?" it sounds more frantic**

"Yes," Hermione gasped, "I'm fine Gin."

Ginny helped Hermione into her seat and Hermione settled in, bracing herself this time in case the train lurched forward. Hermione let her hand rest upon her stomach and felt the baby kick. She giggled to herself and felt a tiny foot press up against her side. Hermione tickled it and felt the baby move.

Hermione had a strange feeling about all this. She really didn't know whether this would be a boy or girl. Mrs. Weasley had said that she could tell it would be a girl when she was pregnant with Ginny. Hermione wondered if the baby would be all right-he or she sure moved a lot and seemed healthy enough, but still Hermione wasn't so sure. Hermione sighed and looked out the window at the passing fields.

Then Ginny broke the silence by saying, "What does it feel like?"

Hermione suddenly looked at Ginny trying to convince herself Ginny did not mean what Hermione thought she had meant before Ginny quickly added, "Being pregnant, I mean."

Hermione let out a sigh of relief (she would have never wanted to tell Ginny about that) and said, "Oh, being pregnant, well."

Hermione sighed and looked out the window. It was hard to put into words exactly what it was like. Sure there were all the normal things - morning sickness, cravings, mood swings - but there was also another side of it, a side that you couldn't really explain - happiness and sadness, power and weakness, adult and yet child. There was no way to really explain it. Ginny would just have to put up with the normal stuff.

"It's sort of like having two people in you at the same time," Hermione said, hoping it would convey what she could not, "Like sometimes I just want an egg roll even though I've never wanted egg rolls before. I mean I eat all kinds of strange things. Then sometimes I get really emotional. I'll be fine one second and the next I'll be in tears. But most of the time it's wonderful. When I first found out I was shocked and scared of what everyone would think of me .but now it's wonderful."

Ginny sighed and said, "I would have been devastated if it had been me. I mean to come home and face my mum and dad and then for the poor guy to face all my brothers."

Hermione laughed and said, "I know your brothers almost killed Ron and he is their brother! I remember he got a few letters that burst into flames; I'm guessing that's the handy work of Charlie, Fred, and George. Percy sent him a letter a mile long. Bill gave him a nice long talking to when he came home."

Ginny laughed and said, "The living room was blocked off for about two hours. You're right, Bill was furious. He kept on going on about how Ron should not have taken advantage of you. Really funny, that was."

Hermione smiled and said, "GINNY! You listened in!"

Ginny went scarlet and replied, "Well, yes. I mean I wanted to know what would make you go that far, you know. It was so sudden. I know you had your reasons. I don't think that I would have been able to bear it if I had been you, but still.. I just never thought. it would be you."

Hermione looked back at Ginny and said, "I know what you mean. I never thought that it would be me either."

Hermione sat for a moment and stared at her hands. It had been sudden, un- thought out, and completely unlike her normal self, but she was in love. Hermione was really only glad that the Weasley's had not forsaken her. She didn't know what her own parents would have thought, she had been afraid she would have had nowhere to go.

"What are you thinking?" Ginny said breaking the silence.

Hermione laughed and said, "I was thinking about how your mum and dad were OK with everything. I thought that they would have been furious."

Ginny smiled and said, "Well, that's because you've always been like one of the family and I guess if anyone would understand it would be my parents. I mean, you lived at our house this summer. All my brothers see you as their sister. Well, almost all my brothers. I know that Ron doesn't see you as his sister."

Hermione laughed and said, "I should hope not."

Ginny smiled and paused a bit before saying, "Hermione I wish I had what you have."

Hermione looked at her and said, "What ...cravings for unusual foods, mood swings, being violently sick without warning?"

Ginny sighed and said, "No, after seeing those things I almost don't want to give birth. I just wish I had someone like Ron. I mean he pines over you for almost four years and then on the last day possible confesses his love for you and you give it all up for each other. It just sounds like something out of a storybook. You know."

Hermione smiled at Ginny and said, "Well I have no happy ending ...yet. If it were all up to me I would not be here right now. If it were all up to me I would be at the Burrow sitting by the fire lying on the floor with Ron. Not pregnant, not separated from each other. Just enjoying each other's company. I mean, don't get me wrong. I already love this baby with all my heart, but I wish that we could have waited a few years. To tell the truth I really don't know if I'm ready to be a mother. I'm only eighteen and in a few months there will be someone who totally relies on me. I don't know if I can handle it."

Ginny got up from her seat and sat next to Hermione. She placed her hand on Hermione's stomach and felt as the baby kicked. Ginny smiled up at Hermione, her eyes watering slightly.

"You'll make a great mother," Ginny said.

Hermione sniffed and replied, "Thanks Gin. I'm sure when Harry comes back and you get married and have kids you'll be a good mother too."

Ginny sighed and said, "Do you really think that they will come back?"

Hermione looked back at Ginny and said, "All we can do is hope and maybe some saving grace can come our way..."

Ginny leaned her head on Hermione's shoulder and said, "Then I'll keep praying for that saving grace."

Hermione smiled and said, "And so will I."

With that the train came to an abrupt stop and Hermione was thankful that she had braced herself this time. Ginny got up and helped Hermione up too. Hermione was thankful for her big robes that hid her pregnancy and thankful that Ginny gave her the lighter things to carry.

Suddenly the door to the compartment unlocked. Hermione and Ginny both smiled as it opened; they had been locked in there for nearly a day only allowed to come out to go to the restroom.

Ginny smiled and watched as the door slid slowly open. There stood a kindly woman with sandy brown hair and dark brown eyes dressed in a black suit with an off-white blouse beneath. The woman looked middle-aged. She was not too thin, but not overweight. The woman smiled contentedly at them.

She looked a bit French, but must not have been solely French since she lacked some of the traits that signified she was pure French. She looked slightly French, but must not have been solely French as she lacked some of the traits that showed it was pure. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, leaving only a few strands that framed her face on which make-up had been perfectly applied. When she greeted them, her voice held no trace of a French accent.

She took one of the trunks from Ginny and said, "I'm Hillary Thomas. My husband Tom is waiting for us so we'd better hurry up. The traffic is horrible this time of day. If we want to get home anytime this century, we'll need to leave right away."

Hermione and Ginny shook hands with Hillary and followed her out of the train and onto a platform much like the one at Platform 9 3/4. Hermione looked around and saw many people who must have been from many different countries. Some had dark skin and others had very fair. Some were short and others tall. Some had tattoo's and some had on exotic body jewelry.

However, most of the people looked the same, and yet different. Most of them wore dark colors and were dressed, not in wizard robes, but what looked like suits. Some carried briefcases and many could have easily passed for Muggles, but the large pieces of wood sticking out of their pockets gave them away to anyone who knew better.

Hermione looked around and saw several barriers that had gold posts around each of them. People were going through the large barriers in groups and disappearing through the blue liquid looking material within the area between the posts. There were guards standing by the outside of the passageway. They were dressed in navy blue robes and wearing Muggle police hats that were also navy blue with a yellow line going across. They were letting a few people across at a time. The ones who were not wearing Muggle suits had been given black cloaks.

"A man with dark hair and blue eyes suddenly came hurrying towards them holding a bundle of cloaks in his arms. He was wearing a pressed light blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up and black trousers. "Hillary dear we'd better get on the road. Traffic is horrible."

This must be Hillary's husband, thought Hermione. He suddenly realized Hermione and Ginny were standing there and said shaking their hands, "Hello, I'm Sam Thomas, Hillary's husband. You girls will be staying with us. Here are your cloaks. You'll need to put them on, don't want to get the Normals to get suspicious. Seriously, I don't know what Congress thinks they are doing trying to move all these people here without them noticing."

Ginny and Hermione both put on the cloaks they were handed a bit perplexed. Normals? Congress? What was this? It was like Hermione's first day in the Wizarding World all over again. She was now sure that she was indeed in another country. Hermione took a glance at the cloak in her hands. As she glanced at the clasp, She saw that it had an eagle engraved on it when she brought the clasp together.

Mr. Thomas took their bags and put them on a cart, wheeling it towards one of the barriers. Together, Hermione, Ginny, Hillary, and Mr. Thomas got in line and slowly the line began to move toward the barriers. Ginny looked around, not knowing where she was. Everything was happening so fast. It was hard to take it all in.

"So, where are you girls from?" Asked Hillary, trying to make conversation.

"Britain," said Hermione as she continued to look around.

"A bit much isn't it," Hillary said, "well, you'll get use to it. Our countries really aren't that different from each other. Still, I think Congress is moving too fast. The Wizarding British and German Embassy's were overrun this morning. I didn't even stop in to see the French. It was so much trouble just to get you and your friends' names and place where you would arrive at. You're family?"

Hermione smiled and blushed a bit saying, "No .well .yes. You see I'm engaged to her brother. He's fighting right now, but he wanted me to stay with Ginny, his sister."

"How nice," Hillary said with a warm smile and continued, "your profile said that you went to Hogwarts. Best school in my opinion, but Salem was so much closer so we sent Elizabeth there instead. You were Valedictorian - or is it Head Girl? - too, I understand,"

Hermione smiled and said, "Yes, I was, but we really never finished our last year. It was cut short by the draft. Ginny probably isn't even going to get her seventh year."

Hillary smiled and replied, "Well, Sam is a Librarian at the local college. I'm sure he can give her something to study while she's here. Isn't that right Sam?"

Hillary cleared her throat loudly and repeated, "Sam?"

"Yes dear," Mr. Thomas said, obviously coming out of his trance, "what is it?"

"You will help Ginny here," she gestured to Ginny who had been listening to the whole conversation and was now smiling in remembrance of her own parents, "with her studies, won't you?"

"Of course," he said with a smile on his face, "what grade would she be in?"

But Ginny never got the chance to answer because an airy voice called "Next!" and they all went through the gold pillars and through the bluish material barrier. Hillary took both the girls hands and Sam pushed their carts through the busy station. It looked like a huge subway. There were many people there walking. Most of them were Muggles, some talking on miniature Muggle phones, others looking at watches, and still others talking while walking through the station.

Hermione didn't recollect ever being in such a busy place. King's Cross had been busy enough, but it was now as if there were a million people all going different places and pushing to get there with incredible motivation. Some people bumped into Hermione, but said not one word and kept walking by. Hermione even saw a few people dressed in strange clothes with strange colored hair. Everywhere Hermione looked, there were people rushing somewhere. It was so much to take in. Hermione just let herself be led through by Hillary, thankful that someone was there to help her.

Soon the honking of horns was audible through the voices of the crowd. The four of them emerged on to a busy street filled with people. Somewhere someone was yelling to someone else and the woman next to Hermione was telling someone to cancel the deal over her miniature Muggle phone. Hillary continued to guide Hermione and Ginny onward.

They stopped at the side of the street and Hillary stuck out her arm. "Taxi!" she said loudly in the direction of a yellow Muggle car coming their way. The car stopped and the four of them got in. Hillary told the driver, a man in an odd turban that much reminded her of Professor Quirrel, something that sounded like the strange name of a house, and the cab sped off.

"Where are we?" Ginny asked in a confused tone that much mirrored her own confusion.

Hermione looked out the car window and said, a little unsure of herself, "America, Gin. I think we're in America."

*****************

Hogwarts castle had always been somewhat dreary to Ronald Weasley. It had nowhere near the amount of 'family-ness' that the Burrow had always contained. Now with all the students gone it seemed to be only a shadow of it's former self. A shell, as it were, of what once had been a living, breathing, animal, but now nothing more than something for display on a shelf.

Now, there were no Weasley twins waiting to play a trick on you around the next corner. There was no Harry to get in trouble with and serve a detention with later that day. No Ginny to tease whenever things got boring. No Quidditch to distract him from a rather gruesome double potions lesson. No Hogsmeade weekend to look forward to. Not even a piece of homework assigned a week ago, due tomorrow to cram for.

However, the thing Ron missed most wasn't any of these things, but his girlfriend.

No Hermione, Ron thought as he stared out the window. Ron had known that her leaving was or for the best to keep her safe, but he still missed her deeply. Sure, his job was better than most people's were. The rest of the members of the ATDG treated Ron well, but he still hated the idea of him having to be away from Hermione.

Especially in these times. The war raged on and with the help of The Order of the Phoenix, the sides were even. All they needed now was something to tip the scale and they would win. Just to be one up on the Death Eaters and they stood a chance at winning or driving them out of Britain at least. One hint to the whereabouts of the Death Eaters and it might be enough. But nothing so far.

Ron stared at the solid gold band on his finger. It had engraved in it the letters "OoP" and two pictures of a Phoenix on either side of the engraving. The letters stood for Order of the Phoenix and the Phoenix was their symbol. It symbolized hope in the time of war, always springing up from its ashes, never dying, and healing what it could.

The ring was the calling device. When it sent a gentle shock to your finger, you were to drop what you were doing and report to what had been the Great Hall. It was a very dangerous rope to walk if you joined The Order, but yet his life seemed somewhat dreary all the same.

Ron crossed his room and went over to sit on his bed. It was all just as he had remembered it at Hogwarts, except there was no bushy haired bossy know- it-all that he could accidentally bump into in the library. No one to nag him about his table manners. No one to stay up studying all night with him when he hadn't studied and the test was tomorrow. No one to remind him to write home every so often and to give Pig a treat for doing it. There was no Hermione there and Ron felt that if there was no Hermione, Hogwarts was not complete. He was not complete.

But even if Hermione had been here with him - and Ron knew that if she had not been pregnant - Hogwarts would still have been different. The feel of the castle was tense and jumpy. No students stayed in the dormitories. Only a few paintings still remained on the walls. No desks were in the classrooms. The school was so different, so changed. So - like the rest of them - tainted with stains of the war.

Hogwarts was now the official base for the Order and he, Ronald Weasley, was a part of that. Ron had lived at Hogwarts through every school term but now it was different. Sure, the places were the same, but now the classrooms no longer held desks and books, but training equipment. Ron would have traded just about anything to be back to where he was last year but now, it was too late.

He laid back and stared at the ceiling of his room. It was a nice room and had once belonged to one of the teachers, but had been out of use for years when she had finally left to return to what was left of her family as a result a Death eater attack. The room had a lovely view though. A view which Ron thought boring now that he had saw it for such long a time. Some nights he spent looking out of that window at the horizon praying for a sign that Hermione was okay. But the sky held no sign of that.

The sun's pinks and yellows shone in the tiny room and illuminated its contents. Ron got up off his bed and stared out the window to do as he had done many nights before and waited.

The breeze lifted his hair up and Ron stared out at the magnificent sight. Of course, in it he saw nothing more than the face of his Bright Eyes staring back down at him. His Bright Eyes, Ron thought, was in America without any protection besides a middle-aged wizarding couple. He wished that he could have stayed with her, but Dumbledore had written to him personally and asked him to join The Order, and who was he to refuse?

At least this way he could keep an eye on Harry. He had been most affected by this war. He had nightmares every night when they had both had been in school and those had been very shaking. Ron remembered them vividly and that was because he never left Harry's side when he had a nightmare. Ron could only imagine the nightmares that he had now that Voldemort was back in power, now that Harry knew of the damage Voldemort was doing and knew that it was not too many Chocolate-Covered-Frogs after supper.

Ron lazily stared out the window some more, but a knock at the door aroused him from his thoughts. Slowly the door creaked open. In the doorframe stood another member of Ron's team. Her name was Linda, but Ron knew that she was trouble from the moment he saw her.

Linda was tall and slender with violet colored eyes. She was also a blonde, and that right there would have been all Hermione would have needed to hear. Ron had always had a weakness for blondes, and the fact that she was just drop dead gorgeous didn't help the matter much for his case.

"Hello," she said silkily as she entered the room. She was not wearing her normal uniform but instead a thin nightdress, a very thin nightdress that Ron was sure wasn't an Order issue uniform.

"What do you want?" Ron asked harshly.

Linda sighed and said, "Only to see how you are doing."

Linda came closer to Ron and whispered in his ear, "She'll never know."

Ron felt Linda's hands slide on his shoulders and caress his neck as she bent down close to his ear. What was this woman playing at? She knew darn well that he already had a child on the way and that he was engaged.

"Right," said Ron standing up abruptly and walking to the other side of the room to avoid Linda and continuing, "that's because there will be nothing for her to find out about."

Linda turned around and looked at Ron with the same slyness in her eyes saying, "You know most men would be more than glad to be in your position."

"Well I'm not most men," Ron replied and continued, "If you have anything to tell me, say it now and get out."

Linda looked taken aback for a second and then replied, "You know you want me Ronald Weasley."

"The only thing I want," Ron said, "is for you to leave."

Ron opened the door and motioned for Linda to leave. Linda didn't say another word, but walked right past him. Ron closed and locked the door behind her. Linda had been after Ron from the beginning. The first night that he had arrived she had flirted with him shamelessly.

Ron at first thought that maybe she didn't know about him already being engaged so he had mentioned it to her. When she had heard this, she had simply shaken her head and walked away, but she had come back for more later. Linda was stubborn and Ron knew that she hadn't cared at all about him already having a to-be-wife and a baby on the way. She fancied him and had been throwing herself at him ever since.

This bothered him to no extent. It was true, he always had a weakness for blondes, but he would never cheat on Hermione. Especially now after all that she had done for him. She gave up her innocence, her dreams, and her freedom all for him and what had he given up? If anything, he owed Hermione his life.

Ron walked over to his dresser and read the last letter that Hermione had wrote him. Just seeing her handwriting was enough and Ron loved her letters, but it took so long to get to him and he hadn't received one in two weeks. It made him wonder if Hermione was all right. The New York penthouse she stayed in with the Thomas' seemed safe, but was anywhere really safe in times like these. Just the other day someone had ransacked the Burrow. Thankfully, no one had been home.

Ron sighed at remembering hearing the news and opened the worn parchment.



Dearest Ron,

How are you, love? I'm doing OK, I think. The baby moves more often now. I think that it is a girl. Your mum says that she could tell what all her children were before they were born. I hope it's a girl, but I don't care what it is so much as if the baby will be OK.

Ginny is doing fine. She's taking lessons from Mr. Thomas at the library where he works to make up for the schooling she's missing. I've been to the University a few times with them. It's so much better than Hogwarts' library. I might really think of attending NYWWA (New York Witchcraft and Wizarding Academy) when we get everything sorted out. Maybe it might help with my parents. I would really love to get them back. Do you think that it's possible? Maybe if I studied hard.but let's not think about that now.

Anyway, I'm having a good time in the States. You would never believe how the same and yet different we are. Instead of Muggles they call them Normals. Instead of a Ministry they have a Congress. Mrs. Thomas is a senator at the capital of Wizarding America (Salem, Massachusetts), but she lives near New York for hiding purposes since there are Death Eaters even in America. Ginny and I are safe though.

Now I guess I have to get to the reason I wrote this letter. Well. you see. yesterday, I had to tell the Thomas' that I was pregnant. I'm finally showing just how pregnant I really am (hard to believe that I'm 7 and half months isn't it). They took it a bit hard and asked me why I hadn't told them. Ron, I'm sorry but I told them the whole story about Hogwarts and the war and everything. Please forgive me love. They deserved to know.

Ginny is worrying more and more everyday about Harry. Her studies distract her a bit, but not entirely. Harry writes in his letters that he is fine, but I know that he's not. He shakes when he writes, I can tell by his handwriting. He's not OK. He blames himself, I know he does. Please look him up for Ginny and me. I don't want to have to hear Ginny cry herself to sleep anymore than I already have had to.

I miss you. I hope you can come back to me soon. Mrs. Thomas says that there might be an attack to overtake the Death eater in Britain soon. Intelligence might have something. She not sure though, she's not really into the military and she had enough to do with Magical Corporations between the states (Death Eaters are causing trouble with political relations) without me questioning her about us being able to go home.

I really want to go soon though. I want to see you again. Maybe you can come see me here. I miss you more everyday and I know that the baby misses you as well. We both miss you.

Come back to me soon.

Love you always and forever, Your Bright Eyes



Ron smiled and folded up the letter and put it back on his nightstand. He really hoped that it was a girl. He wanted it to be a boy too, but really couldn't decide. Ron had the same view as Hermione on this subject; he didn't care if it was a boy or girl, just if that the baby was healthy and happy. It was hard to imagine that he would be a father, but he couldn't wait to try.

Ron couldn't wait to start his life with Hermione and the baby. He wanted to marry her more than anything and he wanted to trade her now worn Head Girl Badge in for a proper ring. He wanted to buy Hermione expensive jewels and spoil her rotten. He wanted to show her just how much he loved her - if that was possible.

Then, Ron was jerked out of his thoughts when his ring gave his hand a slight shock. He jumped a bit from surprise and knew what it meant. Another mission. Ron got his gear from the chair next to him and pinned the Head Girl badge on the inside of his jacket. He stuck his wand in his pocket and went down to briefing in what used to be the Great Hall.

When he got down the whole order was assembled in the hall. It was strange to have everyone assembled. Usually it was one or two teams at a time depending on what was needed. The association that Ron belonged to (the A. T. D. G.) was composed of people that were thought to be dead, so they usually went on the more risky missions. Ron had never seen the whole order assembled before. It was rather unsettling when he began to think of the reason they might be there. Ron got in line and waited for Dumbledore to begin.

"My esteemed colleges and friends," he said, "tonight we are going on the most dangerous mission yet. Tonight is the night that fate is decided for the world," he paused and continued, "we have found the location of Voldemort's supporters in Britain. He is not among them. However, if we strike now it will weaken the defense and maybe help us win the war. If when win this battle, all your loved ones will be able to come home. If we win this battle, we might win this war."

The Hall was silent and slowly but surely understanding dawned on everyone. This was it. This was the battle. Ron stood still as a stone and thought of what this could bring. This might bring his Bright Eyes back to him, but then if they failed, it might wreak havoc on the wizarding world. They might win, but would it be only to fuel the Death Eaters thrust for causing pain and suffering.

Twenty minutes later they were one their way to the hideout. No one spoke. All were lost in their thought. Ron was first to break the silence of the tunnels in which they traveled. Any minute now, the Death Eaters could attack. The silence was so intense you could cut it with a knife.

"So Malfoy," he said to the blonde boy man to his left, "when we win this, what are you going to do?"

Draco paused a moment and said, "Keep fighting. What else?"

This didn't surprise Ron. Ever since his mother had been murdered he had sworn revenge on the dark side. His mother had been the only one to really ever care for him and his own father had helped in her down fall.

There were a few moments of silence and Malfoy asked, "What will you do Weasley? Marry Granger and have a Quidditch team full of children."

Ron paused for a second and said, "No ...I plan to have two Quidditch teams full of children."

Malfoy smiled and Ron almost thought that he heard him laugh a bit, but in a few seconds it didn't matter. There were spells shooting everywhere. They were now in battle once again. Ron ducked out of the way without second thought with help from to his newfound reflexes curtsey of months of battle in the Order.

They were being attacked already. That must mean that they were close to the control center. If they shut down the control center, then they would win. It was where the control for the whole operation in Britain was. Since Voldemort could no longer be there to touch the mark of a Death Eater when they were needed, there was a device created that would make their scars sear with pain for a brief second exactly like it would if Voldemort himself touch the mark of a Death Eater. This device was called the key. Ron threw himself out of the corners with Malfoy following close behind him.

Through random wand fire they went. It was chaos. Their plan had been explained simple to them; get the key and activate it, but keep on activating it until it jams and keeps sending searing pain to the dark mark on the Death eaters arms. This would render them helpless. Ron smirked as he thought this, sending a spell over his shoulder and making a quick decision to take a left down another long tunnel. The farther he got down it, the more Death Eaters he saw.

It was such irony, thought Ron. Voldemort always had a fixation with pain and suffering. It just figured that his summon would be one of pain. But Voldemort had overlooked one fatal element when he created the key. Voldemort had overlooked the fact that this enabled someone else to call the Death Eater. They didn't even have to be a Death Eater. Complete and total irony - Voldemort's summons would be his servants downfall.

Then Ron felt a spell graze his shoulder. He had been so lost in thought that he wasn't concentrating on the battle. The curse drained him of all his energy. Ron stopped and fell to the ground feeling that he could go no more. He felt as though he was dying, but he was so close the control room - he could see it through all the fighting - but all Ron's strength was gone. or was it?

From somewhere in the corners of Ron's mind came the image of Hermione, but ...different. She looked no older than fourteen and she carried herself differently. She was tall than Hermione too. Instead of frizzy brown hair there was a reddish tint to it and it seemed more curled. There were some freckles with the same dimples that Ron knew as one of Hermione's disguising characteristics.

This Hermione wore glasses and had sky blue eyes. Then the girl looked up at him and Ron saw that she looked as if she was carrying a broom and some books. It also looked like she was getting off of a scarlet steam engine. She was wearing robes that were black with a red emblem with a lion on it. Behind her were three others. From a glance Ron could see that two were boys and one was a girl.

The two boys looked alike. They weren't twins and one looked about thirteen and the other only eleven. They both had emerald green eyes and freckles. One was tall and lanky and the other was short and skinny. The taller one had wavy jet-black hair and the shorter ones hair was a lighter shade of brown and very messy. But Ron didn't have time to go into further thought because soon the boys ran towards two figures. One very reminiscent of his own mother and the other tall with very messy black hair and strangely familiar glasses.

The other girl looked about the same age as the one in front, but this girl was strikingly different. She looked as if she could have been a clone of someone he knew but could not quite put his finger on. Her hair was a white blonde and only came down shoulder length. She bore eyes of deep violet. The girl was tall and skinny. She looked as if she had to beat off boys with a stick, but yet her face was kind and not the usual face of someone who was so fortunate in outward appearances. And on her robes were not a scarlet and gold crest, but a blue and sliver one. She gave the reddish-brown haired girl a hug and turned to walk to two tall figured both bearing blonde hair and looked strangely familiar.

That left only the girl in front. The one who looked so much like Hermione, but different all the same. The girl slowly smiled. When she smiled, Ron saw that she had slightly larger front teeth. The image of this girl seemed to stir Ron, but it wasn't enough. Then, girl came slowly toward him. Ron could tell that she was going faster than it appeared now. She accidentally dropped a few books from her bag and she waved her broom carelessly in the air. Then as she drew almost near enough to touch with, her arms wide open reaching straight for him, she mouthed a word that Ron could only make out as something that would have made him cry had he not been fighting for his life.

"Daddy."

Ron then felt as though this girl was his saving grace. This picture seemed to give him strength. Out of somewhere came a baby's crying. Ron seemed fully aware of what was going on. He got up and sprinted toward the door. He felt as if the girl gave him strength to move on and a reason to live through this.

He dashed toward the control room. Spells hit him but somehow they didn't hurt and Ron couldn't care. Someone was running at his side. Friend or foe Ron never knew because he didn't look back. In his mind the illusion of the girl still lingered and the baby crying continued now mingled with an older voice and childish giggles.

The control room was right there, not ten feet from him.

He ran more, not five feet from him.

He felt his searing pain in his ankle as it broke and shattered, not two feet from him.

Ron yelled but continued on. He was in. The key lay on the floor unprotected and unguarded.

Someone pushed Ron from behind and saw a curse pass where he would have been standing. "GO! GET IT!" he heard a voice scream in a sort of echoed fashion in his head. It mingled with the cries, voices, and giggles and Ron obeyed the command. He pushed himself on tip of it and grabbed it. He pushed himself up and felt someone claw at his leg.

Ron screamed as he pulled at the broken ankle and he concentrated at his job. He took his wand and said once "Darkis Markium Commandio, Darkis Markium Commandio, Darkis Markium Commandio!"

The clawing as his leg subsided. Again Ron raised his wand "Darkis Markium Commandio, Darkis Markium Commandio, Darkis Markium Commandio, Darkis Markium Commandio!" There were screams around. Once more, Ron thought, only once more.

But he had nothing left. No magic could he feel run though his veins. Again the images flashed in front of him and then an old one. One that he knew very well. Something that he himself had said and someone he knew very well had answered.

"I will come back to you my Bright Eyes. I. Will. Come. Back."

"I love you Ron, don't leave me."

The voices cleared and it was as if Ron could feel all the magic he possessed condense at his fingers. He could feel it in his very blood, in every ounce of himself. In every pore, every strand of hair, every freckle, every emotion, every sensation, every memory, every dream, every hate, every love. In everything that made Ron Weasley who he was. In everything that he was to become. In all that he would not leave undone. All those he refused to leave.

"Darkis Markium Commandio!" Ron screamed. Shouts of agony penetrated the whole tunnel system and echoed, mingling with the continuing crys. Ron fell down, his job completed, and passed out. The last picture in his head was of his Bright Eyes and the girl that was his saving grace, the reasons he was able to go on.

He made it. Ron made it. The war was not over yet but the Death Eaters had been driven from Britain. They were all coming home. His Bright Eyes was coming home.

Ron waited impatiently at Platform Nine and Three quarters. He checked his watch and looked down the tracks again. His mom smiled beside him and his father put his hand on his son's shoulder and whispered, "They will be here."

Ron gave his father a look and glanced over at his side. Harry stood there. He was paler than Ron had remembered, but maybe that was from the anxiety that this slow train was causing him. After all, he had not seen her for eight months.

Then a whistle was heard from down the track. Everyone crowded around the engine as people began to unload. Ron fought his way over to the front. Suddenly, he saw a familiar redheaded girl pelt out and throw herself on to his best friend. It was Ginny. She had completely forgotten about her luggage and was now sobbing in Harry's arms.

Harry looked as if he was about to cry to. He held her tightly and slightly rocked her back and forth, a single solitary tear falling down his cheek as he buried his head in the redhead's hair. Finally letting eight months of emotion find their way out.

Ron smiled, as his father tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to someone standing behind. Or rather sometwo. Mrs. Weasley covered her mouth and a silent tear ran down her cheek. She tried to step out but Mr. Weasley held his arm out and pointed to his son who stared intently at the two people in front of him.

It was Hermione, and in her arms was a bundle. Everyone else in the train station seemed to fade away as Ron carefully approached Hermione. She took the last step off the train and came close to Ron carrying the bundle tightly in her arms. Ron couldn't speak or move, he just stood. Hermione let a tear run down her cheek and looked up at Ron.

"Ron," she said, "meet your daughter, Grace Laura Weasley."

Hermione burst out into tears and Ron hugged her tightly, but was careful not to squeeze the baby in her arms. Hermione smiled and handed the baby over to Ron, showing him how to support his little girls' head.

Ron stared in amazement at the bundle. It moved slightly and from an opening Ron could see a small amount of curly brownish-red hair and sky blue eyes. The baby wiggled around a bit and yawned. Ron had already fallen in love with her.

"Hello my angel," he said in a soft voice, "are we tired?"

Hermione laughed and cried at the same time. Ron held her close with his free hand and pulled her into him, letting her cry tears of happiness and feeling as he might do the same thing. There holding the two most important women in his life, all the struggles he had gone through in his life somehow worth it right then.

Ron knew that he was in for many years of boyfriends and dates and fights about not letting her do anything, but he decided that he would do his best to be the best father in the world since she already had the best mother.

Ron held both of them close and closed his eyes, for once he was glad, being in the presence of both his Bright Eyes and his Saving Grace. He was truly the luckiest man alive.

You are my

Greatest gift

I don't know how

I'd live

You are my

Saving grace - Jann Arden

"Ode To A Friend"

To be continued.

(A/N: Well, I really want feedback! How was it? Too mushy? Well, please tell me. And I hope you're all happy now that they are all together again. I've had this up my sleeve since about the third chapter. I also really enjoyed making up the "Congress of Magic" part when Hermione goes to America. It was so much fun to be able to think outside of the box that JKR created for once and be able to make up my own rules. And by the way, that quote from Jann Arden's "Ode To A Friend" inspired this part so I put it at the end. This story is winding down to an end, but still two more chapters and an Epilogue to go. Tell me what you think though! I really want to hear! Review if you have time!)