Runaway VIII
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--- --- --- ---

Hermione Granger's eyes fluttered open to a blurry world. Her arm ached to scratch her head, and yet she couldn't. It was a nightmare. It was just a nightmare. Her thoughts wandered to Monique and of the empty fortress. It was dark and cold, and apparently, the Death Eaters had left her to die on her own. She shivered and wished that by miracle, Harry Potter would save her.

'We would have had a happy life,' Hermione thought blissfully as she struggled to keep herself sane. 'Monique would grow up and go to Hogwarts. She'd meet a nice young man, and then, she would be valedictorian…' Hermione's thoughts wandered back to a time when Ron, Harry, and herself were sitting in the Hogwarts' courtyard and they were talking fondly. It was in their seventh year, and Hermione had been single at the time.

--- --- --- ---

Ron sat next to Hermione, who was in between the two boys. Hermione, herself, hadn't known about the emotion that the two boys felt for her. Instinctively, Hermione had thought that they had been in a fight over Lavender or Pavarti, among the most beautiful seventh years in their year. Cho had graduated, leaving Harry heartbroken, but none-the-less, he had survived their rather disturbing break up.

"I believe that you two will do the Gryffindor team well. Slytherin's got a nasty team, but the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs are devastated because most of their good players graduated last year," Hermione commented thoughtfully. Harry had just asked about how the Gryffindor team stood up to the rest of the three houses.

"I agree," Ron stated as he pushed back his bangs with his left hand. He put his hand where he had it before, except he felt the warmth of another being. His blue eyes gazed downward to where Hermione's hand made contact with his. He felt eyes on him, and he blushed and pulled away.

Rather reluctantly, Harry thought to himself as he continued to grin. "So, Ron. Are you nervous about being a Beater? You've got to protect us all out there."

Ron grinned back. "Honestly, Harry! I'm not going to let you get hit by a Bludger. Bloody hell! We would be without our best seeker! We'd probably lose the competition because of one game!"

"Don't over-exaggerate," Hermione said teasingly. Her brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight. The autumn air was calm, but there was a slight breeze rustling through the trees. Hermione felt something odd, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Somehow, it was coming from Ron and Harry. She shivered and rubbed her hands together. "Isn't it rather chilly today?"

"I'm pretty warm," Ron said as he scratched his head. "Feeling cold, Hermione?"

"A bit," Hermione said softly before she blew her breath on her hands.

"Here," Harry said as he removed his Hogwarts robe and draped it over Hermione's shoulders. Immediately, she smelled his cologne all around her. It was simply intoxicating. She smiled to herself. If anyone had asked her what was her favourite smell in the world, Hermione would have to lie and say something like the smell of Butterbeer. However, her favourite smell in the world was Harry's cologne.

She blushed at this gesture. "Thank you, Harry." He nodded in response. They two had been oblivious to Ron's glare. Harry had his eyes on Hermione for a while, but he would have to keep Ron from dating her because they'd be getting into too many fights for Harry to referee.

--- --- --- ---

'Does Harry not realize that Hermione is the one for me,' Ron asked himself as he was preparing to go on the field. 'I've been in love with Hermione since the day I met her. I can't take my eyes off of her, and yet, Harry's the one getting Hermione's attention.' It was a case of bittersweet love.

The first match was against the Hufflepuff Quidditch Team, which had been deprived of its main players because of their fourth year incident with Cedric Diggory, and the remaining players had graduated. "All right," Harry said seriously. "We've got the advantage, but don't let your guards down. Just because the Hufflepuffs appear to be lacking in player skills, doesn't mean that we will let them surprise us. We can do it."

They assembled prior to the gate opening. Ron smirked deviously. 'I'll do it,' he thought to himself. 'I'll keep them from being together.'

--- --- --- ---

Hermione waved to them from the field. Ron and Harry looked magnificent in their Quidditch uniforms, which gave them a distinguished air. She noticed across the field that Draco Malfoy and his goons had brought banners that said 'go Hufflepuff.' 'How ironic,' Hermione thought to herself. 'Malfoy and his friends would rather cheer for the mudbloods than for Gryffindor.'

The whistle blew and everything was released. The golden snitch flew far away as fast as it could. It flew far away from the hands of Harry Potter, or the Hufflepuff seeker. "Go Gryffindor!" A booming voice came from behind Hermione. Hermione turned to see Hagrid, one of the distinguished Professors.

"Hagrid! What ever are you doing here," Hermione asked as the giant took a seat next to her. "The professors usually sit all the way over there." Hermione pointed in a random direction relative to where the Gryffindor students were sitting.

Hagrid chuckled. "I didn't want to see you alone. That's all." Hagrid grinned. "Besides, this is looking to be one for Gryffindor. I don't see Hufflepuff beating us. After all, we've got Harry Potter!"

Hermione laughed full-heartedly. "Yes, Hagrid. This is to be one Quidditch match to remember. It'll be the first Quidditch match of the season. Hopefully, Gryffindor will be able to beat Slytherin in their matches, but I have no doubts that Ron and Harry would do anything they could from letting the chasers slip past to the Gryffindor keeper." Her eyes turned back to the field, but she had missed the play. Sighing, she sat up and listened to what the commotion was about.

"Penalty on Hufflepuff!" The voice of Lee Jordan was loud. "Potter was struck down by a Bludger. Looks like the talent doesn't run in the Weasley family." Professor McGonagall gave Lee a glare. "Apologies, but it seems that Weasley didn't do a thing to protect Potter from being struck in the side by a Bludger. Potter has fallen -"

Hermione stood up and ran to the back of the stands and down the stairs. She couldn't believe it was happening. She ran onto the Quidditch field to where her fallen friend lay. "Harry!" She saw him squirm slightly.

"Ugh," he grunted. "Herm. It hurts. Can't talk much." Hermione sat on the wet grass. Ron stood behind her. "It'll be alright. The hospital wing is like home to me."

Hermione took his hand in hers, as he was taken to the wing. Ron was left on the field staring in disbelief as Hermione accompanied Harry to the Hospital Wing. Apparently, Ron's plan for keeping them inseparable had failed.

It was that afternoon, after Harry had been patched up and sitting up in his bed in the hospital wing, that Harry had asked Hermione out. She'd agreed immediately, and she leaned forward to gently kiss him on the forehead. He grinned as best as he could in his state of pain, and closed his eyes. Hermione left the Hospital Wing, without seeing the unhidden jealousy that was plastered on Ron's face.

********

Harry Potter shone his lighted wand around the empty castle. It had once been an operations centre for the Death Eaters, but the place was deserted. His scar tingled with a sixth sense, but he didn't mind it. He wanted to find his fiancée and daughter. Draco and Douglas, the senior agents, accompanied him. Lavender had been assigned to do some reconnaissance work for B.

"Cripes! Harry!" It was Draco. Harry didn't pause to think how Draco could have located something so quickly.

Draco stood up as soon as Harry got there. Sure enough it was Hermione, nearly frozen and shivering with a peaceful smile on her face. "Holy shit." He took off his robe, remembered another time where he had given her his robe in Hogwarts, and covered her in it. He felt her forehead.

She screamed, and he took his hand away in shock. Left on her forehead was an imprint of a hand. It was an imprint of Harry's own hand. Draco looked at him quickly, and immediately levitated her, leaving Harry stunned on the ground next to where she had been. Douglas found Harry lagging behind.

"What's the matter, Harry?" Douglas asked. "You've got your fiancée. The next person we'll find is your daughter." Harry nodded wearily. He was still confused by what happened. The imprint was exactly what had happened in his first year when he battled against Professor Quirrell. 'Could what happened to Quirrell have happened to Hermione,' the question raced in his mind as he apparated back to the Agency.

Draco had talked with B, as he was a double agent for the Agency and the Death Eaters, and had gotten her to mention an anonymous tip to the team members. Thankfully, she had given her word not to tell that it was Draco, himself, who had told.

--- --- --- ---

Hermione awoke to the white walls of the Agency's Hospital Wing. She groaned as she stretched. Her back, arms, and neck ached with pain, and yet she couldn't remember what had happened the day the Death Eaters had cleared out from their fortress. She saw a massive black ball of hair resting on two arms on the table next to the bed. "Hey Harry," she whispered.

Harry stirred and lifted his head with a slight grin. Inside, he felt lost and confused, but he couldn't let Hermione know that. He was scheduled for a meeting with B and the other agents, but he couldn't bear to leave his fiancée. "Hey," he whispered. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine Harry," she looked up when she saw Teresa Potter in the doorway. "Hi Teresa!" She said as enthusiastically as she could due to a growing tension in her throat.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Teresa apologized. "I'm supposed to remind Harry that he has a meeting with B and the other agents." Hermione glanced at him pleadingly. Teresa felt guilty having to interrupt them for the first time in days.

"If you must go, Harry, then go. You can't deny your duty to the Wizarding World. Even if it is before my own," Hermione smiled. Harry frowned. "It's hard, but go Harry." She nodded knowingly.

Harry stood up and gave her a final glance before he left the room, following Teresa down the hallway.

"Hey," Teresa said softly. "I know it's been hard, but you seem different even though Hermione is back safely. Is there something wrong?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders as he walked. "I don't know. When I touched Hermione, it seemed as if she couldn't stand my touch. What's there to our relationship if I can't feel her hand holding mine? It's kind of reassuring," he glanced at her quickly before continuing. "I can't help but feel that the Death Eaters did some experiments on her while she was there. What happened to our daughter?"

Teresa turned to him as they reached the door. "Harry, I don't know what the Death Eaters did, but knowing you, everything will be fine." She gave him a reassuring smile before opening the door and leading the way in.

--- --- --- ---

As they entered the meeting room, the agents waiting were seated around a circular table. "Mr. Potter, I don't understand what's going on, but I do hope that it hasn't clouded your judgement." Harry nodded.

Draco snickered. He stopped and realised what he was doing. It had been years of rivalry that gave him a second instinct to when Harry was put down by superiors or friends. Douglas poked him in the side. He coughed and gave Douglas a glare.

"Very well, Mr. Potter. Please have a seat." Harry took a seat next to Douglas and Teresa. "Now, as you know, Miss Granger was found abandoned in a Death Eater fortress. We have no ideas as to why she was left by herself, but I am at liberty to ask you about your opinions."

Draco's eyes fell to the top of the table, where the briefing was.

"Teresa," B said sternly. "What is your opinion on the matter?"

"Well, I'm not one to know about field work, but I'm pretty sure that they left her on purpose." Draco looked up immediately. His eyes met hers, but he averted her gaze. "I mean, they probably did some experiments on her and left her for us to discover and take back. Who knows? She could be a walking time-bomb ready to explode at any given moment that the Death Eaters choose."

"Interesting theory, Teresa." B sat back in her chair and elbows on the chair handles. "Mr. Malfoy, you've been awfully quiet. Please enlighten us with your wisdom."

There was a brief chuckle around the table, but Draco pursed his lips. Apparently, he had wanted to get back at B but thought better of it. 'I'd rather have my job,' he said silently to himself. "I've got things on my mind," he glanced up at Danielle.

"Clear your mind, Mr. Malfoy. Or you'll be in the same boat as Mr. Potter," B snapped. She was obviously not in a generous mood.

"Sorry," he apologised quietly. "Well, I'm not sure what the thing is with the Death Eaters. Maybe Teresa's theory is right. You know that you-know-who did some pretty bad stuff to the Agency back then, but I'm not so sure."

B gave him a sceptical look before continuing with the meeting.

--- --- --- ---

Draco packed up his things at their meeting adjourning, and he headed out the door to be caught by Danielle. "Draco!" He whirled around to see Danielle waiting for him in the corner.

"Danielle, I didn't see you in the corner."

"Don't you have a pledge to the Death Eaters," Danielle hissed.

Draco looked at her bewilderedly. "I don't know what you're talking about." He started to walk towards the front of The Agency. He willed for her to stop following, but she didn't. "Danielle, I don't know what's wrong with you, or what my father told you, but please stop. I've got enough on my mind to add you to my worries."

"Draco, when we get home, I need to talk to you." Draco gulped. Her voice was not whiny, or pleading. It was seductive. He closed his eyes and hoped that his father had not fucked up his relationship with Danielle even more than it had been to start with. Being a Death Eater was not part of his plans anymore; he wanted to prevent something like his life from happening again to another innocent boy.

As he apparated, he made a vow to pledge his life, much like Harry's, to fight against the Death Eaters.

--- --- --- ---

Hermione looked up to see Harry walk into her room with a suitcase. "Harry, what's the suitcase for?" He grinned. "Don't keep me waiting here!"

"Well, B decided that while they investigate is going on, we could take a three day vacation." Hermione nodded. "B also decided that we needed to get out of Europe because of the Death Eaters. So, we decided that Hawaii would be the perfect place to relax."

"Really," Hermione smiled.

"Completely. All expenses paid - a trip to Hawaii," Harry concluded. "I've been saving up for a vacation for years by not having taken vacations with the other agents." Hermione beamed. "However, B mentioned that there is an injection that you can take so you won't have pain, when I touch you. It's not a cure, but you'd have to take it weekly. It's the only condition to the trip."

Hermione winced. Shots were not her favourite things…even if they were called injections. Harry saw the uncertainty in her eyes.

"It's not a major shot. It will be just like a pin prick." Hermione whimpered. "I'll be there." That seemed to cheer her up a bit. "Come on. We can get it done and then we've got to discuss the wedding…" Hermione looked at him, then at the ring on her finger. Still, there was sadness in her eyes.

"Monique. I miss her." Hermione closed her eyes as tears rolled onto her cheeks.

"Don't worry, Hermione. I'm sure she's fine," Harry motioned to Dr. Carradre to administer the injection. "Relax, Herm." She bit her lip.

Dr. Carradre rubbed alcohol on Hermione's finger. Then he checked the clear fluid in the miniature needle. Hermione shuddered. She found her sanctuary in Harry's eyes and lost herself in the endless green. "Alright, Hermione. You're ready to go."

Harry nodded gratefully towards Dr. Carradre and grasped Hermione's hand, in which there was no pain. "I'm sorry, Herm. This is the way that it has to be … until we find those Death Eaters." Hermione nodded in agreement, but she was still reluctant to having weekly shots.

--- --- --- ---

"You said you would keep a close watch on her!" A woman's voice hissed at Lucius Malfoy from under her red robes. "You told me so yourself! How can you be so idiotic!"

Lucius bowed, his anger concealed beneath. "I'm sorry, my Lady. It shall not happen again. We shall find Hermione and keep her under close surveillance." The woman laughed ironically. "Might I ask what is so funny, my Lady?"

"That was the same words that Randall used, and he was executed just yesterday."

Lucius gulped. "I shall not make the same mistake that Randall made, my Lady. If anything, I shall succeed."

"Let us hope for your sake, Lucius, that you do." Lucius rose to get away from the Dark Lady, before he pushed his luck. She was less forgiving than Lord Voldemort himself. "Oh yes, Lucius?"

"Yes, my Lady?" He turned to face the figure.

"Your son. Be watchful of your only son."

"Why do you say that," Lucius asked.

"Do not question my authority, Malfoy. I have given you a second chance, like Randall. I predict that your son shall betray us, but my visions are cloudy since he works near a certain Potter we all despise."

Lucius bowed and stalked away before the Dark Lady could add anything more.

--- --- --- ---

Dear Headmaster,

It's been a while since we've seen each other. I'm asking for your help, Headmaster. As you know, Hermione was kidnapped and held under the order of the Death Eaters. When she returned, I alone could not touch her. It seems that everyone else can… except for me. Now, Dr. Carradre has injected a shot that has cured her … temporarily.

My reason for writing this letter is simple. I have come to you for advice and your knowledge about this curse. I have no idea, as does the Agency for which I work. There is no finer library than Hogwarts' own library, which I know for a fact. If there is anything you have to offer about this unknown curse, please write back.

I am leaving in secret tomorrow, but Hedwig should know where I am off to.

Sincerely,

Harry J. Potter

Harry reread his letter before he sent it to Albus Dumbledore through the owl post. He prayed that his old Headmaster would know a bit. After all, Albus was wise beyond his years and well acquainted with the Wizarding ways.

--- --- --- ---

Draco glanced at Danielle's empty desk. There had to be a hint about her mysterious behaviour, but he couldn't seem to find anything. The desk was about as plain as it could possibly be with a single paperweight in the shape of a golden triangle. He picked up the paperweight and examined it closely.

The triangle itself had intricately designed sides, and a circle at the tip of the point. He ran his finger over the circle. Slowly the three panels began to unfold, and a ring floated in the centre of it. The ring was a glowing ruby ring, but there was something odd to be seen about it.

'Where have I seen this ring before,' Draco wondered aloud to himself. It had been somewhere dark and the ring glowed on the table. "Oh shit." He mentioned aloud. It was in the Death Eater's chambers. It was the meeting on that day.

"I'm dating the Dark Lady!" Draco panicked. He'd done more than date her. Perhaps it was a Malfoy instinct, but he'd done more than just kiss her goodnight in the bed. He held his head in his hands as he snapped the triangle shut and placed it as it was on the desk in front of him.

"What if she's pregnant with my child,' he thought in despair. 'What would father think?' Draco tilted his head sideways. 'This wasn't a coincidence. It was his father who had introduced him to Danielle, at a Death Eater's gathering. Why had he been so stupid to think that Danielle would not follow in her father, You-know-who's footsteps?'

Draco thought to himself as he pondered some more. He had done a file check on Danielle, and he had discovered that she was Tom Riddle's daughter, whom was raised by witches until her father discovered her and brought her back to live with him. Her mother was never found, but he knew that Danielle had enough of her father's influence in her to murder innocent witches and wizards. Draco felt nauseated and disgusted. He got up and stalked out of the room without another thought as to the relationship between himself and Danielle Eagleton.

--- --- --- ---

Dear Hermione,

I'm sorry I haven't written again sooner, but my dear brother, Ron -

Ginny looked up at Ron, who was reading on the couch, and giggled. He looked up over his reading glasses and frowned. Shaking his head slowly, he returned to reading the latest issue of the Daily Prophet. Ginny had been on vacation for over two days, and was relieved to say that she wasn't feeling the same amount of stress at home than when all the Weasley boys were at home.

It wasn't until she glanced back down at her parchment that she knew that Ron was standing over her - holding her letter to Hermione. "Ron! Give that here!"

"Well, Ginny. I'm sorry but as Minister of Magic, I cannot allow you to write to Hermione." He folded his arms across his chest. "It's for your own good Ginny. That woman is not a good influence. Look what she's done to Harry! He's a blubbering romantic now. Only cares for Hermione."

"Ron, it's not like you're dating anyone," Ginny replied sarcastically trying to snatch her parchment back. "You're just miserable because you've loved Hermione for years and never admitted it to her."

Ron looked down at his shoes. "No it's not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not! I've never loved Hermione in my life!"

"Hah! How come you always had that lost look when Hermione came back from a date with Harry? How come you became distant with them in your seventh year? Finally, how come you hated Harry enough to let a Bludger hit him in Quidditch? When things didn't go as you planned, you scowled. Get over it, Ron. You've got no chance with Hermione because you've been a damned fool to let her go." Ginny stopped raving to look at him pitifully.

"You're right, Gin. I've been a bastard to her haven't I?"

"It's great that you realise it now," she answered sarcastically. "You haven't got a chance."

"I suppose you're right. I should stop dwelling on Hermione."

"I'm not saying that."

"Oh, but Ginny, you just said I had no chance with her."

"Well, it's because you don't. She's with Harry…" Ginny sighed. Her dream man had ended up with Ron's infatuation.

"Why does everyone love Harry," Ron asked quietly.

Ginny looked at him stunned. "Where had that come from, Ron?"

He shrugged. "I haven't figured it out. He had practically the whole school's population of girls drooling over him in our seventh year, and he was dating Hermione! I'm just a side-kick I suppose."

"Ron, Harry is charming, honest, caring, and romantic. He's got a nice body," she felt herself blush as she said this remembering a certain incident in the Burrow between herself and Harry. "… He's famous. But I don't think Hermione fell in love with him because of that. It's because they were destined to be together."

Ron's eyes turned watery. "Don't worry Ron. You're not destined to be a side-kick." She embraced him in a hug. "There's got to be a perfect girl for you somewhere…"

--- --- --- ---

"Hermione! Honey!" The door opened to her smiling parents, and they embraced their daughter in a hug. "How are you? How's your daughter?" They peeked behind Hermione, where Harry stood rather awkwardly. "Hello Harry!"

Harry shoved his hands in his pockets. "Hello Mr. And Mrs. Granger. I'm quite fine thank you, and how about yourselves?" What was he supposed to say? He was the illegitimate-father of their daughter's first daughter - their granddaughter. To make things worse, their first granddaughter was missing - kidnapped by Voldemort!

"Come in," Mrs. Granger looked up at the dark sky. "It's looking rather nasty out here, but please do come in." She closed the door behind Harry, and pulled on a sweater that was tied loosely around her neck.

They entered the family room, which Harry faintly remembered from one of his visits to Hermione's house after receiving his apparating license. "Well, it's been a while, Hermione! We were thrilled that you would come and see us."

"Yes, mum." She took a seat in the living room.

"What have you been up to? We haven't heard from you since the letter last week and that was rather vague."

"Well," Hermione started to think. "Harry and I are going to Hawaii."

"How lovely! The weather should be wonderful this time of year. Are you going the wizard way or by aeroplane?" Hermione glanced at Harry.

"We've decided to take the aeroplane. We wouldn't want to scare any unsuspecting muggles," Mr. And Mrs. Granger looked puzzled. "Muggles are non-magical folk." They nodded.

"Vacation?"

"I suppose so. Harry's asked me to marry him," she smiled at Harry proudly.

"Hermione!" Mrs. Granger got up and gave her daughter a big hug. "I'm so happy for the two of you." She shook Harry's hand. Harry was rather relieved that Hermione's mother was so enthusiastic about her daughter being his fiancée. Her father, however, was less than enthusiastic.

"Daddy?"

"Hermione! I don't know what to say. It's on such short notice. When's the wedding?"

"Daddy, Harry and I are going to Hawaii on vacation so we have time to plan what will be going on. You won't believe how stressing it is in the Wizarding World," Hermione murmured. She was still stunned her father hadn't said words of praise. After all, Harry was… a child hood friend and now her fiancée.

"I see," he replied.

"I hope you don't mind me asking," Mrs. Granger started. "Where's Monique? I had looked forward to meeting our granddaughter for the first time."

Harry looked at Hermione in panic. She thought of a suitable response.

"Monique was kidnapped by Voldemort, and we couldn't find her at the abandoned headquarters. We found Hermione… half alive if I might add." The would-be grandparents glanced at each other.

"I'm sure she'll be found," Mr. Granger added hopefully. Hermione smiled half-heartedly.

--- --- --- ---

"The air is so clean," Hermione took in a breath of air. The air was salty, unlike the city-air she was used to breathing. The sun was shining, and Hermione could see the beautiful mountains and islands in the distance of the airport. She was dressed in a blue sundress with Harry wearing khaki pants and a luau themed shirt. "I've got to thank B."

"Hermione, I have something to confess to you."

She looked at him expectantly. "B didn't just choose this location because of its splendour and beauty. It was because the Death Eaters have a supposed location here."

"Well, I can always sit back at the pool while you go courageously battle the forces of evil." Harry grinned, and his hand reached out to tuck a bit of hair behind her ear affectionately. The two got into the limousine, and Hermione gasped when she entered. "Harry," she whispered worriedly. "How can the Agency afford this?"

"We have connections all around the world," Harry replied. "We pulled several strings with a sister branch of the Americans Wizards Association Against Evil, or AWAAE." He pronounced it as 'away.'

"Are you sure we're not throwing away the funds," Hermione asked.

"We're doing research, Hermione. Well, you I have to take care of by orders of the Minister of Magic." Harry replied. "If you think this is anything much, you should see the hotel room. We've got the honeymoon suite. I don't know why B arranged for it, but I suppose the cover is a couple on their honeymoon."

Hermione laughed playfully. "It's a bit early isn't it Harry?"

"Be serious, Hermione. You're in the spy-business for now."

She looked at him. "I can't afford to lose you again." He took her hand. "Promise me that you won't get kidnapped again."

"I promise, Harry."

--- --- --- ---

Hermione settled down next to the poolside with a book in her hand. She had received Agatha Christie's set of books from her mother, who had been anxiously waiting to see her granddaughter and her mother. She opened it up to the very first page, and began to read. "Would you like a drink, miss?"

"No thank you," Hermione put down the book to look at the waitress.

Elizabeth! 'The Death Eaters are here,' she looked around frantically noticing several robed figures in the shadows. Harry was away scouting information on the Death Eaters from several AWAAE members. Without a wand, Hermione felt helpless as she struggled against Elizabeth's arms. She managed to hurl the book at her - missing narrowly. The book splashed into the deep end of the pool.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Elizabeth dropped dead to her feet. Hermione glanced around her, only to see her least favourite person in the world - Ronald Weasley. 'Who knew that my least favourite person would be my knight in shining armour,' Hermione thought wryly.

"Hermione! Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'll be fine," Hermione got up quickly without grabbing her book from the pool, where it had begun to sink into the depths of the chlorinated water. She pulled out her key and slid it into the lock where she opened the door and rushed in quickly.

Ron barged in, moments later, carrying Elizabeth. Hermione looked at him in scorn. "I've got to put her somewhere don't I? You forget, Hermione that this is a muggle resort."

Hermione sighed and waved him in, closing the door behind him. "Why are you here, Ron? You aren't with the Agency. You're the Minister of Magic."

"On the contrary, I know about the Ministry and arranged with B where you were to stay. Travel arrangements. All the best for the honeymooners," Ron said concealing his anguish. "Which reminds me, where is Harry?"

"Off on a routine scouting for the Death Eaters information with the AWAAE." Ron looked at her suspiciously. "He told me as we were getting into the limo."

"I was afraid that he would be saying too much." He took a step closer to her. "Are you alright, Hermione?" She nodded - afraid to look into his eyes. "I knew this was a bad idea… Harry insisted that you come with him."

She nodded again. Silent.

"Hermione, I still love you," he blurted. He kissed her on the lips softly, and she felt herself trembling. With anger or nervousness, Hermione didn't know. Except that she felt her body melt at the feeling of Ron's lips on hers. She hadn't remembered such a feeling since the Hogwarts days - the day that he had kissed her after the dance.

Seconds blended with minutes. Hermione had lost all aspects of time, until there was the rattling of a key in the doorknob. She backed away stunned. "Blasted doorknob," Harry muttered as he pulled himself inside. Hermione was sitting down, looking at the floor. Ron was in the exact place that he had landed the kiss. Elizabeth was petrified in the hallway leading to the closet.

"Hello, boss. Why are you here?"

"I had to save your fiancée from becoming Death Eater chow," Ron explained. Harry glanced at Hermione, and he saw the guilt in her eyes. Ron motioned towards the petrified body. He hoped it was enough evidence.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" He took her in his arms and held her closely. Then, with a sudden vengeance, he turned on Ron. "You were here to make a move, Ron."

Ron spluttered some nonsense, but turned silent.

"Please leave before I am forced to do something about it." Ron glanced at Hermione and willed her to look at him. Just at that moment, she glanced up sadly at him with Harry's arm around her shoulder. "Goodbye Ron," Hermione stated softly.

"I'll be contacting you shortly, Harry." He opened the door and got once last glance of the couple on the bed - still embracing. Then he slammed the door shut, and at that moment, he also closed the door to his heart.

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Disclaimer: I don't own the main characters (Harry, Ron, Draco, Hermione & other mentioned characters)! They belong to JK Rowling. However, I do own the other characters (Monique, Douglas, B, etc).

Thank you to everyone who pushed me over the hundred marking! I really appreciate it! Okay. Here's to everyone who helped Runaway to get this far - especially Dawn, my beta reader, who read this and edited it to the best of her times management. The Runaway series will end at chapter ten, meaning there is one last chapter after nine. Please write me J

- DH shipper (runxaway@yahoo.com)