Title: Love Will Prevail (2/?)
Author: Organyaelf
Email: saracourtney7@netscape.net
Category: Romance/ Drama
Keywords: Hermione, Ron, Harry, post-hogwarts, muggles
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: All the books
Summary: Harry, Ron, and Hermione are reunited after the defeat of Voldemort. Things go well for a whilelove starts to bloom. But Harry's love interest gets kidnapped and the culprit is known to be a dark wizard. Will darkness overcome the wizard world once again? Or will love prevail?
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: This is my first fan fiction. I hope you will like it. I have read others and I love the idea of writing stories that add on to the magic of the Harry Potter books. I would like to thank Sada Steel for helping me edit thisit was really appreciated. I hope you enjoy!
Ron woke up early to the smell of his mother's cooking. His mouth watered as he pictured a heaping plate of pancakes with sizzling sausage. He groggily got up from the bed and pulled some clothes on- some khaki's and a pale blue jumper. He dragged his sore legs to the bathroom and splashed water on his sleepy face. He stared at himself in the mirror. A ruddy complexion with bright blue eyes and firery red hair looked back at him. He had a lanky figure of 6'2. He dried his face with a towel and proceeded to thump down the stairs.
"Oh hello dear," his mother cheered, "Just in time for breakfast. Your father had to leave for work early. I hear you're going to visit Harry at ten?"
"Yeah" Suddenly he felt a pang of guilt for leaving his family. But why shouldn't he leave? He was a grown man of twenty-five. "Uh mum, I'm going to be moving in with Harry. Hermione is too."
"Well that's obvious! I didn't think you'd stay here with me when Harry was around!"
"Awww mum. You know it was hard considering I get gourmet meals here"
Mrs. Weasley chuckled and gave her son a warm hug.
One hour later
"Hey Ron!" Harry exclaimed as Ron appeared in the foyer.
"Hey there! I called Wiley's Wizard Movers and they should be here soon."
"Corso you want something to drink?"
"Got any butterbeer?"
"Yupone sec."
Harry quickly bustled into the kitchen. Ron looked around the apartment. It was very untidy, with old dinner plates scattered on tables, books lying open on the floor, clothes hung over the chairsit was perfect.
"And here you are" Harry returned with two bottles in hand. He popped open the top on one and drank swiftly.
"So Harryyou're an unspeakablewhat exactly is that like?"
"WellI'm not really allowd to SPEAK about itbut since you're my best friend then they'll have to make an exception. I work for the department of mysteries. It's pretty exciting, but dangerous at timeswe have lots of murder cases. Right now my case is pretty interesting. There is this elf clan in Scotland, but many of their number have disappeared or been found dead. We believe this has to do with the remaining death eaters. Elves are powerful beings and the dark side would love to have them on their side, either by free will or force."
"So are these elves like house elves?"
"No, they are relatives though. These elves are tall, fair beingsusually blonde, blue-eyed. They are very shy and aloofthat is probably why you have never heard of them. It took them awhile to actually come and ask our aid. They are a quiet, mysterious raceat times they are very difficult to work with. But they are virtuous and wise and I respect them deeply."
"Sounds fun."
"I don't think fun is the wordbut whatever. Are you going to spend the rest of your life working for Fred and George?"
"Hell no. I'm going to look for a new job as soon as possible. Any openings at the ministry?"
"I'm not sureI'll look. I have to go over there tomorrow. I have a long work scheduleseven in the morning to seven at night."
"Damnnow I see the reason for this lack ofsanitation?"
Harry laughed.
"Well, maybe, but I've never been one known to clean anyway."
"Well, that makes two of us."
Ron walked over to the mess of a couch and plopped himself down.
"So Harryany women I need to know about?"
"No. No time for them. I dated Parvati for a year, but you knew that. She was too shallowalways wanted to go off and snog. It was fun for a while, but thenI dunnoshe just wasn't the one."
"That must've been tough to break offHarry, you need to meet some ladies"
"Rightand how are doing with relationships yourself?"
"Not any more. I was dating a woman named Michelle Tinger couple weeks ago. I wasn't going to marry her or anything so I figured I wouldn't lead her on anymore. She was fun though."
"Funyou seem to use that word a lot."
"Sod off," Ron said with a chuckle, "WellHermione looks well don't you think?"
"Yeahhappy as ever.You sure danced with her a lot last night."
"Yeahwell, it was good to see her again." Ron said hastily. He didn't mention to Harry the funny feeling in his stomach every time he saw her or how the very mention of her name made his head feel light.
"Uh huh" Harry said skeptically.
Ron gave Harry a denying look which made Harry crack up.
"Sod off you wanker" Ron said jokingly.
The morning passed by quickly. The movers arrived and made all Ron's belongings (scarce as they were) float in the air to his new room. He then quickly paid the men for their work and the two were left with growling stomachs and a room to organize.
"Damnlet's get some lunch before we do ANYTHING else! Alright?" Ron suggested pleadingly.
"I'm good with that. Where to?"
"How 'bout The Three Broomsticks? Haven't set foot in there in forever."
And with that, the two Apparated out with a pop.
Lunch was delicious. Both of them were given suffocating hugs from an aging Madame Rosmerta and a hearty hello from Percy and his wife, Penelope, who were eating there as well. Harry ordered chopped liver casserole (his personal favorite) and Ron stuffed himself with pumpkin seed soup and the the pubs specialty, Polish Sausage with tangy mustard sauce.
"Ah Harry, it's so good to be back like old times."
"Yea I know. What are we going to do with all the time we have now?"
But Ron wasn't able to answer. He was too distracted by something that was happening at the table across the room, the table where Percy and Penelope sat. Percy was shaking convulsively. Ron jumped up from the table, knocking over his chair. He ran over to see what was happening.
"PercePercy are you alright?"
Penelope was yelling his name as well. Then she screamed as Percy's eyes rolled into the back of his and he started to gurgle. Then his expression relaxed. His eyes closed. Harry had now come over and was shaking Percy strongly.
"Is he" Ron muttered, but then Percy's eyes shot open. But they were not like Percy's eyes. An evil smile spread over his face. He quickly jumped up, pulled out his wand, muttered Shuntio and Ron, who was standing right in front of him, was blasted across the room. He gave a startled cry and smashed into the wall. He was knocked out, with a trickle of blood running down his face. People screamed and ran out of the pub. The only people left were Harry, Ron, Penelope and Percyor was it Percy? Percy turned on Harry, but he was too late. Harry had pulled out his own wand and stunned the evil Percy in less than a second. Penelope was crying loudly by this time.
"Pennygo to the ministry. Get help."
She shook her head and Apparated. Harry rushed over to Ron and muttered an awakening charm he learned in his last days of Hogwarts. Ron stirred and groaned.
"Merlinwhat the hell just happened?"
"I'm not sure. But what it looks like, Percy has been possessed. I was able to stun him and Penelope's gone to the ministry. You feeling okay?"
"Never better, " he stated wiping his head of the sticky blood and feeling the humongous lump developing on the back of his head.
Harry smiled and helped Ron to his feet. They both stared at the figure of Percy sprawled on the wooden floor. Suddenly about ten ministry wizards appeared on the spot, which made the two jump.
"Heard there was trouble. Great Merlin, what happened?" one of the wizards asked on arrival.
Harry retold the events while another wizard kneeled next to Percy. The wizard pressed his hands onto Percy's head and muttered a charm they couldn't make out.
"He was under Imperius. I just checked the recent reflections in his brain."
"If he was under Imperius, that meansthere must have been someone in this room controlling him, or at least outside" Harry thought out loud.
"Well, whoever it was, was trying to hurt Harry and I," Ron stated.
"Is Percy going to be okay?" Penelope had just appeared in the room.
"Yeshe will be revived in a moment. This is bad news for the ministrythe Minister will be informed of this. You two will probably be taken in for questioning. Whoever did this has just won themselves a ticket for a life-long imprisonment in Azkaban."
And as soon as they had appeared the agents left. Penelope, Harry and Ron stood silent for a while, trying to think up a logical explanation for this. Suddenly Percy started to stir. Penelope rushed over.
"We better be going Pen, " Ron said, "Can you manage?"
She nodded, softly speaking words of encouragement to Percy. Ron secretly envied Percy for how much his wife loved him. If only he had that.
Harry then slapped him on the back. "Ready?"
Ron nodded curtly and then the two Apparated back to the apartment, filled with confused thoughts.
***********
Hermione sat in her cottage sipping some Irish coffee while chatting pleasantly with her guests, Ginny and Draco. It didn't take Hermione long to realize that these two were desperately in love. They were constantly touching and kissing. At first Hermione felt awkward at this show of affection but after a while it grew on her. She felt herself longing for that same head-over-heels feeling.
"So I see you go for the solo life, Granger," Draco stated.
"Love, please don't call her thatit's so impersonal."
"Of course, beautiful, " he replied, placing a gentle kiss on her temple, "Excuse me, Hermionedon't you ever get lonely here? I mean, its quaint, but secluded."
"Well, Draco, I don't mean to sound impertinent, but I kind of needed to get away for a while. What I've been through isn't something I will forget easily."
Draco looked away quickly. He didn't blush but she could tell he felt embarrassed at his stupid remark. Ginny placed her hand on his thigh and smiled.
"Gosh, Mione, it's so great to see you again. We should go to dinner sometime! I've got so much to tell you!"
"What's wrong with right now?" Draco questioned, a smirk on his pale, handsome face.
"Because you're here. It's a girl thing," she said with a laugh, sweeping a stand of hair away from his forhead.
Hermione smiled at this exchange. They looked so perfect together. Ginny had grown out of that shy, giggly, schoolgirl stage and now looked very pretty with her bright red hair, slighty darker than her brothers', curling slightly on her shoulders. She was quite slim but had just the right curves. At the moment she was wearing a lavender three-quarter length shirt with a low dip accompanied by a pale yellow shawl and light blue jeans. Draco, still a ministry spy (much to the dismay of Ginny) looked incredibly sexy in black form fitting pants, with a cotton, grey, long sleeve shirt that set off his platinum blonde hair which he had grown a little shaggy.
"So Hermione, I heard you're going to go live with Harry and Ron now," Ginny stated, trying to pick up conversation again.
"Uh huh. I personally can't wait. You were right, Draco, when you said this place was lonely. It'll be great to be with my best friends again. We have so much to catch up on."
"I betRon was nearly jumping out of his knickers he was so nervous about seeing you two again. Poor thing, he's suffered so much the last year," Ginny replied eagerly.
Hermione didn't know why but she felt a sudden pang of guilt and something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was like she felt bad that Ron was so afraid, but flattered that he was nervous about itRon was so cute sometimes. Hermione suddenly snapped herself back to reality.
"I think we all have. I think it was good that we had some time to ourselvesbut a whole year was a little much."
Draco was staring out the window. He and Ron never really got along. And things didn't help at all now that he and Ginny were dating. He slowly returned his attention to the conversation. He had a look of sadness to his features. Hermione still wasn't filled in on Draco's past. His father was a big supporter of Voldemort. She couldn't imagine how hard it was to betray him.
Ginny recognized this change of spirits as well. She placed her pale hand on his face and turned it slowly towards her. She leaned in and kissed him gently. His faced smiled slightly and he whispered something in her ear. She chuckled slightly in return. Hermione found herself suddenly interested in the floor and she tried not to stare at the loving couple.
"Well, GranI mean Hermionewhy don't we take you to a late lunch?"
But Hermione had found herself distracted by a tapping on the window. She looked in the direction of the noise and found herself staring at a dark brown owl fluttering outside the window.
She rushed over and opened it wide as a gush of cold air burst into the room. The owl swooped in and dropped a piece of parchment on the couch.
Hermione let the owl fly back out and shut the window quickly. She wrapped her sweater around her closely. Springs were quite cold in Ireland. She hurried over to the couch where the letter lay. She picked it up and read its contents quickly.
"What's wrong?" Draco asked as he noticed her face turn deathly pale.
She read the words out loud:
Hermione-
Harry and Ron were attacked in the Three Broomsticks today at 12:34 pm. The attacker was Percy Weasley. He was under the Imperius Curse. Harry and Ron are intact, although Ron suffered some head injuries. They will all be taken into questioning tomorrow at 12:00. We felt that it would be wise to contact you. They will need your help. We hope to find the dark wizard who performed this curse. This incident has confirmed my suspicions that there is dark magic brewing. Watch your back.
-Gregery Yanter, Minister of Magic
"Merlin" Ginny said weakly. Percy was her brother and she was obviously as worried as Hermione. Draco comforted her by giving her a reassuring embrace.
"Granger, let's go."
"Right. You two should probably go and see Percy and then hit the ministry. I'll check up on Harry and Ron. I suspect they're at the apartment."
"Sounds like a plankeep in touch by owl."
Hermione nodded and Disapparated without another word. Dread was filing her body. Who would want to hurt them now?
**********
Ron and Harry returned to the apartment. Their faces filled with the signs of stress and worry.
"We should owl Hermione, " Ron stated.
"Yea, if someone's after us, they're probably after her as well."
Harry looked at Ron for a moment. He looked like a bloody mess. His forehead was covered in drying blood along with his hair.
"But first we're going to clean you up. You look horriblenot to mention the smell."
"Gee, thanks. But I think you're right. I feel like I just stuck my head in a tub of blood. Not to mention banged it against a wall a couple of times. I can feel a lump the size of a boulder coming out of my skull."
"I'm sure we can fix thatcome to the bathroom, wash your face for Merlin's sake."
***********
Hermione soon appeared in the foyer of Harry's apartment. She could here distant voices coming from the bathroom.
"Damn it Harry it burns like hell!"
"Shut it. We have to sterilize this gash before it gets infected."
"Can't you fix it with your bloody wand?"
"Ron, I would if it couldbut I barely passed my healing charms class. I don't want to accidentally blow your head up or anything!"
"Merlinif only Hermione was here"
Hermione smiled at this exchange and barged into the bathroom making both men jump.
"Well, Ron, here I am. Bloody hell you got beat up."
"Thanks for letting me know," Ron shot sarcastically.
Hermione gave Ron a patronizing look.
"Mione, you can do a healing charm right?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Of course. And Harry I suggest you practice that, because it's really vital. I'm surprised they let you become an Unspeakable without knowing it."
"I know, I know. I hate to say it, but I don't think it really mattered to them. The only thing they cared about was that I was Harry Potter."
Hermione had a disgusted look on her face but Ron made sure to snap her back to reality.
"Please, Mionethis is seriously killing me."
Hermione gave Ron a sympathetic look and took out her wand. She placed the tip of it on his wound. He winced, but she grabbed his hand and squeezed it comfortingly. She closed her eyes and began to mutter the healing charm.
Ron studied her features. She had big auburn eyes, and when closed, looked peaceful. She had shoulder-length brown hair, which at the time she had down. It was still bushy, but he thought it added to her facial features. She had a small forehead, which was covered by bangs. Her skin was a caramel color. She was tan for someone living in England. But before he could analyze any more she had opened her eyes. For a second the two gazed into each other's eyes but were interrupted by a slight coughing in the background.
Ron quickly averted his eyes when he saw Harry with a smirk on his face, pretending to have a coughing attack. Hermione, at this point had turned bright red and had instantly taken her hand from his. She was now was occupying herself with washing the sink out, which was stained with blood.
"Feeling better?" Harry asked after he was through coughing.
"Actually yesthanks Mione."
Hermione smiled and nodded. All of a sudden she was feeling really awkward.
"Sonow that that's over withwhat should we do?" Harry asked, trying to break the uncomfortable silence.
"Well, I told Ginny and Draco to go see Percy and then check up at the ministry. I told them I'd owl them. Should probably do that now. You guys got any parchment?"
"Sure, hold on." Harry left the bathroom and went to find some paper.
"That really helped Mithanks." Ron said awkwardly.
"Anything for you bud. Maybe you'll stop complaining now." She retorted with a laugh.
Ron chuckled, "So how long are you going to stay with us?"
"Not long I don't think. You two are going to the ministry tomorrow so you'll be busy enough. I need to get a new job, so I think tomorrow I'll go job hunting. Plus I need to hire a moving company. But I'll try and move in as soon as possible. We all really need to sit down and talk about this whole thing, what with Percy under the Imperius Curse. I bet Harry will have his hands full with his ministry job."
"You have no idea" Harry complained as he passed the bathroom door. "Come out here, there's a table you can write on."
Ron and Hermione exited the bathroom and entered the kitchen/dining room. Hermione withheld her urge to gasp as she took in the sink full of dirty dishes, open bags of food lying on the counter along with newspapers and magazines littering the table.
"Here you go," Harry said as he pushed away a pile of letters so could Hermione could have a tiny amount of room to place her parchment.
"Hermione, you haven't eaten have you?" Ron asked grinning.
Hermione shook her head, feeling a sudden growl in her stomach.
"Well, then, Harry and I will make you some lunch. Won't we Harry?"
Harry nodded smirking. He knew practically well that he and Ron were the worst cooks in the world, but at least the thought was nice.
"Sure. One gourmet meal coming up!"
And with that Harry and Ron bustled over to the kitchen and began to prepare the mystery meal.
Hermione smiled unsurely and began to write:
Dear Ginny and Draco,
I am at Harry's. Ron is here too. We are just about to eat lunch. Wish me luck
Ron was a little beat up like we heard, but I managed to fix that with a healing charm. Other than that they seem normal and happy. I have a feeling they want to forget what happened as much as possible.
Write back as soon as you can. I hope Percy is well, and that you were able to get some information out of the ministry. I think I will stay in London for a while longer. I need to go job hunting along with trying to solve this mystery.
Best Wishes,
Hermione
She finished feeling slightly anxious, but the feeling was quickly forgotten when Ron and Harry came over carrying a plate of food.
"Knew you loved grilled cheese, " Ron cheered.
"Thanks guys! Hey, can I borrow Hedwig Harry?"
"Sure, I keep her on the balconyit's straight down the hall, through the glass doors."
Hermione took her parchment and headed out towards the balcony. Surprisingly Harry still owned Hedwig. She was now exceptionally old, but still quite reliable. As she reached her destination Hedwig hooted, a sign of recognition, and she smoothed her feathers fondly.
"Please take this to Ginny and Draco for me Hedwig," Hermione asked politely as she tied the letter onto her outstretched leg. Hedwig hooted and nipped her finger lovingly as she shot off into the chilly spring air. Hermione sighed and leaned on the edge of the balcony. So many feelings were contained in that sigh- anxiety, confusion, depression, excitement, love. Love? Hermione thought to herself. I'm not in love. I meaneven though I feel like my stomach turns inside out whenever he's aroundit's nothing serious. But why was he staring at me? Oh Hermione, you're just making things up. Ron doesn't think of you that way. You're best friends. It would be too awkward if you were anything more. There. Hermione shook her head, trying to rid herself of those thoughts. She briskly walked off the balcony and back into the warmth of the apartment.
She returned to find Harry and Ron sitting at the table, playing a game of wizards chess. Merlin, they just get attacked by some mysterious man and now their playing chessshe thought to herself.
"Did she give you any trouble?" Harry questioned.
"Course notsweet as always." She sat down and began to consume her sandwich. But before she got very far a tapping on a near window made the three of them look around. There was an owl, snowy like Hedwig but flecked with black. Harry got up and opened the window. The owl fluttered in and dropped the letter on the table, nipped a little bit of crust from Harry's plate and flew back out again. Harry shut the window and proceeded back to the table.
At first Hermione thought the letter was from Ginny and Draco, but the address soon told her it was from Oliver Wood.
"What would he be writing you about?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Probably trying to get you to join the Quidditch team or something" Ron guessed.
Harry tore open the letter. Hermione could tell by the stationary that it was very fancy with bronze bordering and black cursive writing.
"He's getting married!" Harry exclaimed.
They all laughed heartily at the good news.
"Good for him," Hermione cheered.
"When's the wedding?" Ron asked unenthusiastically.
"In two months. We have to go."
"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed. Ron didn't look quite as excited, Wood still annoyed him senseless but he knew it was his duty as a friend. He nodded in agreement.
"Oliver's a lucky man. Cate was a really beautiful woman," Harry commented.
"Uh huh" Ron said with a dreamy look on his face. Hermione found herself feeling slightly jealous that she didn't have that wondrous beauty.
The three of them spent the rest of the day together. Catching up on things. Talking about old timesjust having fun. They were all happyat least for a time.