Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 2

When You're Older: Doubts Arise.

While in the garden, Ron must have noticed Hermione's concern or read her expression earlier in the kitchen because he said, "It's quite funny actually, Dad always says we'll fix that door but we never do" Ron laughed. "And don't worry 'bout him leaving, well all got the speech about sudden calls from work and responsibility when we were younger. Mum and Dad always say, "When you're older, you'll understand."

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After de-gnoming the garden, the 4 tired teenages headed for their rooms. Ginny let out a sigh. "You'd think after doing this my whole life I wouldn't be so tired!" Her eyes becoming heavier the closer she came to her room.

"Yeah" Ron agreed. "I'm exhausted."

So they continued to their rooms, all except one. Hermione chose to stay awake, but before Harry followed Ron (who had already passed out) into his room Hermione tugged on Harry's sleve lightly. "Uh? What?" Harry mumbled.

"Harry, I didn't want to sound untrustworthy infront of Ginny and Ron but but don't you think Mr. Weasly is acting a little strange? I meanit's just that" Hermione pleaded, hoping she wasn't going crazy.

"Well I though that too at first, but I don't think it's a problem."

"What makes you think that?" Asked Hermione, trying to not sound too defensive.

"The Ministry is going through some tough times now that the rebirth of Voldemort has happened I'm not surprised at all that they are taking precautions." Harry stated simply.

"But, Mr. Weasley works with Mugg-" Hermione stopped, realizing that it was possible but something still tugged at the back of her mind, telling her there was more.

Harry noticed this, nodded, and quietly headed inside Ron's room.

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Hermione tried to take a short nap, like her friends had done already but she just couldn't sleep. She was worried.

Hermione quietly walked down the stairs of the Burrow, so as to not awaken the sleeping and tired people in their beds. As she headed to the kitchen she overheard something whispered. It was Mrs. Weasley. "Big W, are FT1 and GT2 approved?" Hermione's heart leapt. 'Ron's mom is using code?' She kept quiet. "Yes, of course, just like the ones before them. How was the trans?" Mrs. Weasley waited for a reply, but Hermione couldn't hear it, not even a murmur. "Good, good. MoWe ending, stop connection." The last thing Hermione heard as she left to find someplace to think was the rustling of papers.

Hermione found herself wandering outside, under the mid-July sky. Since she had eaten her supper and did her garden chores, the timing was such that the sun was just beginning to set below the horizon. With a small 'plop' and a sigh, the bushy-brown-haired girl sat on a tree stump just outside what appeared to be the Weasley's front yard. 'Maybe Harry was rightAm I really just making this a big deal? Why should I be so concerned? But!No, HermioneMrs. Weasley was probably just taking precautions. She might have a job too, just not mentioned maybe? What is it that's nagging at me? Why can't I just trust them? I just know they can't be working for him' Her brow furrowed in concentration. 'So why can't I just accept a perfectly reasonable answer?'

She sat there for what seemed like hours in frustration, doubt and desire of truth.

Behind her, Hermione heard the slow movement of grass and light footsteps. She didn't want to turn around, 'I'm just looking at the sunset.' She told herself. 'I don't want everyone to think I'm upset even though I know I am'

"Hey" A voice called softly. Hermione turned around but she already knew who it was.

"Hey." She returned. Ron sat down beside her, catching the very last of a breath-taking sunset. "Lovely sunset isn't it? It's a shame I live in the city, I always miss the good sunsets, you knowthe ones that look like they were painted with all the colors in the world. Hermione sighed, also hoping Ron wouldn't notice her distress.

But little did she know that Ron had waken up, and looked outside to see the sunset. He then noticed Hermione, with her head in her hands and every now than then they would run through her brown hair, obviously, she was worked up about something.

"Yeah. I think it's neat too. It helps to get rid of any worries or doubts you might have." Ron said simply. 'How does he do it?' Hermione thought.

"Hermione" Ron stared into her deep chocolate eyes.

'He's so serious and so handsome when he is too' She though again. "Yeah Ron?"

"Is there anything that-uh-that you want to talk about?" He asked with a caring tone, and very out of character.

'Should I tell him? OhI want to, but I don't want to offend himwhat if he just makes fun of me? What if uuhoh I don't know' Hermione bit her lip, a complete give-away that something was making her think more than usual.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk I understand" Ron stood up. He looked disappointed. "I'm sorry. You probably wanted to be alone in the first place." He turned to leave.

"Ron?" Hermione said quietly.

"Yeah?"

"I uh" She paused. "Okay, but promise-promise you won't make fun or me."

"Of course not!" Ron replied quickly.

"And don't get mad either"

"Alright."

Hermione took a deep breath. 'Why did this have to be so hard?' "I'm still thinking about that strange thing with your dad at supperIt's not that I don't trust your dad, Ron. I know it's probably Ministry business" She looked down and gave an exasperated sigh.

Ron flashed his infamous 'half-grin' at her. "Hermione, I know it's weird. You want to suspect something must be wrong from all the secrecy. It's hard to trust it, I know. I've been living with this for years Truthfully, I haven't been told much either, but I trust my family with my life. Then again, I don't have much of a choice!" Ron laughed.

Hermione tried to smile at this at looked at the clouds, now turning dark red and purple, but Ron noticed her concern was still there.

"Look at me Hermione." She turned to him, her eyes unsure, and desperate for an answer. Ron sighed. "I've been though this many times. I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you this" Ron looked around to see if anyone might be listening. He leaned close to Hermione. "As I got older, I noticed a trend of weird behavior in my family that I was left to either analyze to the very little details of it all, or to forget it." Ron smiled again. "I guess you've rubbed off on me, because I analyzed everything I could." This time it was Hermione who gave a flashy smile. She loved to hear her intelligence was effecting his behavior in a positive way. "I don't remember when Bill and Charley started acting funny with the quick exits, but I know that when Percy, Fred, and George, all reached 18, they started the weird stuff too. Just like I told you about what my parents said, When I'm older, I'll understand this whole thingor at least most of it, I hope." Ron grinned.

Hermione took Ron's hand gently, her eyes softer with relief. "Thanks Ron. I hope I will too."

"You will Hermione, I know you will." Ron smiled back. 'Maybe even before me.'