Runaway IV
By : D/H Shipper

Disclaimer : I've rated it R for some sex, violence, and one big head of mine. I've included some of my friends as characters, and they belong to themselves. The rest of the characters belong to the real author, JK Rowling. The story takes place three years from graduation, which would mean the characters are twenty-one. They're adults, and act like adults. Most adults I know go through jealousy, and there's our Ron. There's some new twists. Hope you like it.

**

Hermione Granger looked up to see the laser prison bars disappear from her cell. Harry had found his way to her cell, her confines, her life. Shivering because of the air conditioning, Hermione heard the satisfactory twist of the lock to open the door. He took the basket, which held Monique in it - and escorted her out of the building. "So? Want to hit Diagon Alley for clothes," Harry asked as he glanced at the setting sun - so firey and orange in the background of the cloudy white sky. Hermione shrugged and nodded.

They apparated, child and all, to Diagon Alley - where Hermione entered Madame Malkin's Dress and Robes shop with Harry, as her protection against any violent wizards or witches seeking so-called revenge for the murder that happened three years ago. After slipping on several robes and getting Harry's personal opinion, which he was flattered that it still mattered, Hermione selected an emerald green - matching Harry's eye color, as well as his daughter, Monique.

Hermione felt a vague sense of protection when Harry was with her. She pulled back her hair into a ponytail and smiled. Contently, she took the child from Harry and tucked her deep in her crescent moon blanket, which she had fashioned from cloth from the closet. Hermione suspected that it was once Ron's clothing because of his scent and said nothing. "Hermione, I was wondering-" He paused to ponder how to put into words what he felt. "I was wondering, well. About the other night, when you said you loved me-"

"Did I mean it," Hermione looked at him intensely. Harry nodded. "Yes, Harry. You know, as well as I do - that I won't go about sleeping with bums on the street. I loved you then, Harry. I still love you know, and I don't regret what happened that night in the Gryffindor Seventh Years Boy's dormitory. I don't regret having Monique, or anything. The thing that matters is that I told you I loved you, and you know it now and forever."

Harry nodded, and he slowly reached for her hand. The touch itself sent shivers up his spine, but he grasped it firmly and grinned. They headed to La Café Royal, which was one of the most popular dining resturants in the area of Diagon Alley. Hermione was surprised to see that Harry'd already made reservations. She felt his hand tense in hers as he held her hand out for her to sit, and she placed Monique in the basket. "I'm sorry I'm so quiet," Hermione apologized. "It's been a while since I've had any social interaction. Three years is an awful long time to be away from people."

Harry fingered the box in his pocket that he'd bought three years ago in their seventh year at Hogwarts. He hoped that she would like it, and maybe just maybe- "Would you like anything to drink, Mister Potter?" Harry snapped his head towards the waiting waiter.

"Uh- I'll have water, thank you," Harry said. When the waiter walked away, carrying the order to the bar since Hermione ordered a martini , shaken not stirred. "Hermione, I thought over this a long time ago. I feel very responsible for this all happening, and I love you."

"Harry, it wasn't your fault. I don't regret any of my actions that night," Hermione interrupted.

"I hope this fits after all these years," Harry pulled the black velvet box out of his pocket and fingered it in his hands. "I thought about it. At first I thought you were guilty, but all this proves you're innocent of nothing more than a cat chasing a ball of yarn." Hermione blushed, as she thought about the anology. "What I'm trying to say is that, I love you. I love you more than heaven and earth, and I would love it even more if you'd be my wife. Hermione Granger," Harry knelt on knee. He hoped that he wouldn't end up being turned down like one of those pesky Sims on the game Dudley had bought.

What made it even worse was that Dudley had made a house and put Hermione and Harry in a house. He'd planned it out like they were robots and tried them to make them fall in love. In Dudley's game, nothing goes according to as planned and Hermione left the house after they had several brawls. To Harry's disbelief, which wasn't that astonishing, Dudley cheered and applauded himself on a 'job well done'.

Hermione glanced down at the beautifully engraved diamond stud ring that sat - awaiting - in the box. She was speechless, but what should she say?

**

(A/N : I thought a short chapter would be nice to have a cliff-hanger to - especially the big question. But you'll have to wait for a scene while we give Hermione time to think - and me to think of what her response is.)

Rubeus Hagrid was taking a break from his duties at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Minister of Magic, Ronald Weasley had scheduled him to meet him at the VIP section of La Café Royal. In the VIP section, only members of the rumored "Agency" were allowed as well as high-ranking persons in the Ministry as well as other agencies world wide dealing with magic. Hagrid pondered if he would see Harry Potter there - it was rumored he did work for the Agency . He'd eavesdropped it from Dumbledore - accidently, since Albus was talking to Minerva - he'd overheard the final part about Harry. "Yes, he works for The Agency, Minerva."

"Hello Hagrid," Ron greeted Hagrid at the front. As they walked to the back, they noticed Harry kneeling with one knee on the ground, but - thankfully - the angle of the room was slanted so that they couldn't see. If you tried, the shadows could cover whose face it is. Shrugging, Ron sat down in the red seat. He couldn't seem to tell what Harry was saying . 'No doubt purposing,' he chuckled.

"Hagrid, I'd like to ask some questions about the dome surrounding Hogwarts. Since you're the grounds-man, then you would know something about this right?" Hagrid nodded as he took a bite out of the italian bread on the table. "Is this a fact that the shield grows weaker in the winter time?" Hagrid nodded. Ron heard a baby crying from Harry's table. "Hermione," he whispered.

**

"Harry.. Do you know what this means?" Hermione whispered her voice low, and she glanced into his emerald eyes. She could sense no fear or hesitation in his words. "You'll be hunted for this. Probably loose your job or something. I couldn't.."

"I know. I took into consideration all the recent events , and I want to. It's something that I wish to happen. I did think about this a lot," Harry said as he gulped. "Hermione, I want you to be my wife. I would have asked you sooner, but you disappeared and I never got my chance. Please let me have it. Marry me.."

"Harry," Hermione hesitate. His willingness overcame her, and she fell to his wish - and to her true love. "I do, Harry. I do." Hermione whispered as he slipped the the diamond studded ring, engraved with the initials HP & HG forever in the band. They embraced and still smiling, they kissed as the tables surrounding them applauded since they heard everything.

From the corner of his eye, Harry saw Ron leaning against the wall. He was staring at Harry and shrugged his shoulders. It didn't matter to Harry. 'If he lost his job, then fuck Ron,' Harry decided as he embraced Hermione again. In a flash, Ron was standing by him glancing at the two of them. Mixed emotions flared, whether it was anger or denial - Harry couldn't tell. The blur of emotions on Ron's face was unmistakable.

Harry knew that Ron had liked Hermione, but then again - so had he. Ron was more conservative of his love for Hermione. 'But if he loves her, then why execute her,' Harry pondered as Hermione leaned her forehead on his shoulder. "Congratulations, Harry. Hermione." Ron extended his hand, and the two extended their hands. Hermione smiled. The congratulations was rather stiff, but it was a courtesy - a formality of Ron that never ceased to impress Hermione. "Good luck," were his last words as he walked out of the café in tears.

**

It was early that morning when Draco found out that Harry Potter was an engaged man. 'Especially to Hermione,' Draco thought to himself. It'd made the front cover of the Daily Prophet since it was in La Café Royal - just a block from the Daily Prophet's printing office in Diagon Alley. The full details were not in dept, but Draco smiled at the thought of the two breaking the ice - finally. Danielle frowned when she saw Draco smiling aimlessly into space.

"What's so happy about today," she inquired as she poured herself a glass of orange juice. He pushed the paper towards her. On the cover was Hermione - in her green robes, and Harry in his black work uniform - the suit, jacket, and flaming red dress shirt. "Oh I see. Finally the Witches' Weekly bachelor of the year has been taken." Draco snorted - orange juice going up his nose. "Okay, I take it that you should have won the previous year or so, but you're the most eligable bachelor - unless," she hinted. "Harry and Hermione break off the engagement."

"Yeah," Draco admitted. "I think he might be in for something in the office. It says Ron walked out of the cafe in tears. Odd." Danielle looked at him to continue his sentence. "Well, Ron liked Hermione extremely. Sometimes he was just so flattering to her that I couldn't wonder why it wasn't Weasel and Hermione - the perfect couple. I guess Harry just got in the way for Miss Hermione Weasley. I mean, Harry's in it because he's engaged to a convict."

"I see," Danielle nodded as she finished the glass of juice and wiped her lips with the back of her hand. "It's another day of training. What's in it for us today? More diving and shooting? Quite frankly I hurt my back on those cheap things you call floor mats, and I'm not looking forward for anymore dives. It's gone quite far enough."

Draco chuckled. "Don't worry. You won't have to do those again until the final exam - where only seven of you will be chosen as officers, and the rest will be declared as the weakest links and are dismissed upon duty their memories, of The Agency and anything affliated with it, erased completely." He sensed Danielle's hesitancy. "Don't worry. You'll do fine on it. Keep your wits and cool, and you'll look like a star in front of the Judging Board."

"Who's on it," Danielle asked. She pulled her long blond hair into a pony tail and glanced at him a second time. Draco shrugged. "What? Cat got your tongue?" He shook his head. "Let me guess. You can't say anything about the board." Draco nodded. "Alright. I've got to get moving," Draco stood up and walked to the hallway, where he took out his telephone.

**

"Yes, you heard right. I want the execution of Agent Potter, who has been bringing down the many involved in the world of the Dark Arts for years. He works for The Agency, which is no more a myth than that the Death Eaters have been banished. We've heard through sources in the Underground that Potter has been involved in a sting operation against us, and we have no other choice but to kill him off - even if our master had wanted him alive."

"Now wait," a voice cut in. "Why don't we kill Potter at the date of his wedding to his fiancee Hermione Granger? It'd be a malicious and devious plan, but as we are death eaters, I am sure we are all capable of bringing justice for our master."

"Excellent idea, son," Lucius Malfoy grinned. "You've done well after all these years, leaking information from The Agency into the hands of Death Eaters, even though some times that information was invalid." The Death Eaters chuckled in amusement ; he could hear it in the background of the call. "However, we are grateful that we have someone in the upper ranks of the agency in which we know so much about."

Draco smirked at Lucius. 'Little does he know what's in store for him,' Draco thought bemused. "Just another thought, you ought to scare Potter. Scare him up to his wedding, and so forth." He paused. "Is there anything else I may be assistance of?"

"Keep in contact, Draco. We will alert you when the time is right..." The phone clicked and Draco turned off his cell phone. 'Yes Father, you have no idea what is about to happen.' Draco grinned wickedly as he changed his facial expression to worry.

**

"Mm.." Hermione rolled over in bed to stare at Harry Potter, now her fiancee and who was also glancing at her with the emerald green stare of his. "Morning.." Hermione yawned as she got up out of bed to check on Monique. The cool winter air was muffled out by the carpeting in the bedroom. She saw Harry stretch and making his way through the clothes strewn on the floor, free from weeks of cleaning.

Harry examined how his baggy pajama pants swayed with her every step. The loose fitting t-shirt said on the back 'Bite me, I'm a wizard.' Hermione obviously didn't notice as she selected it from Harry's closet. It'd been well past midnight when they came home from La Café Royal. Harry'd called the shower first, and playfully argued with Hermione about his duties with work. Hermione managed to put the groceries in the proper locations, and she also fed the baby before tucking Monique into her crib - which was next to the bed.

Monique was obviously awed by Harry - this new man in her mother's life. The one with green eyes like hers and always spoke so fondly with mommy. 'Pretty soon she'll call him daddy,' Hermione smiled as she untucked her and carried her on her shoulders. "Uh, Harry. Do you mind?" Hermione arched an eyebrow, and Harry nodded - blushing slightly.

Outside, Harry plopped down on the couch. The sun was shining from outside the window. It was a pleasant day, and the birds were singing their songs from the trees below. The early morning shots pierced the still air, and Harry ducked under the couch - unaware from where the shots were being fired . A scream followed , as well as the wailing from the baby. He prepared himself for the worse, which had happened in an operation in Manila , Philippines - where five of his fellow agents were shot. He paused, and waited. Waited for anymore shots. 'Were there anymore coming? What happened?'

He crawled over to the door, and opened it. Strewn on the floor was Hermione, Monique to her side - crying. The wounds were hastily covered with Harry's clothing on the floor, but it kept seeping through. Falling to her side, Harry looked her up and down. The baby was unharmed, to Hermione's best protection. Though it was not the fatal Avada Kedvra curse that Monique would remember. It was the bullets of hate that would drive her sweet dreams insane.

Hermione moans and gasps as she lay still on the floor shivering drove Harry crazy. "Shit," was all he could murmer as he scooped Hermione off the floor and into his arms. "Stay still, Herm. It's going to be okay... It's going to be alright."

Upon closer examination, she'd suffered a bullet wound in her left leg and one - narrowly missing her heart. Either it was an assination of Harry, or someone didn't want Hermione saying anything to the judge. "Am I goin' to be alright?" Hermione shuddered.

"Yes, I'm taking you to the Agency. It's not safe bringing you to a hospital."

"Don't forget," Hermione whispered. "Monique." She blacked out as Harry apparated to the hospital, with Monique sniffling in her mother's arms.

**

Next Chapter : Does Hermione die? What happens to Monique? Is Draco really on the bad side? All this and another action scene next chapter. Perhaps even more bloody , but who knows? Review or I might not put up Chapter Five :X