Hey you all! I'm sorry I've had such a gap between my updates but my social life has been unusually…interesting and who can say no to a night out? Or two…or three…or more! Anyway, here is some more drama and little insight into Harry and Ron's world! I hope it's alright, if not a little short! ENJOY!
Disclaimer: For Christmas I would like to own Harry Potter! But I don't…
The Fine Line Between Love and Hate
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CHAPTER 9: WORKING ON IT
Matthew Jackson was a young man with an ambition to be a great musician. He traveled a lot, as he told everyone he met, and at the moment had found himself in the small town of Pendleton.
Pendleton was hidden away in the mountains and seemed to be separated from everything and everyone that wasn't involved with the town. It was the perfect place, Matthew had told the town locals, to focus on his musical career. The town offered privacy and he quickly became fond of it and the people residing in it. He fit in so well that soon he was like a local himself and he told everyone that he never wanted to leave. The locals in return didn't want him to leave either. He was a kind, handsome and interesting person who added to the quality of the town.
"Hey! Matty! Hey Matty!" He heard his name and turned around to see who was calling him. His friend and fellow musician Justin Warr ran up to him and nearly collapsed from exhaustion. He was breathing hard and had the local town newspaper clasped firmly in his hand.
"What is it?" Matthew wondered frowning. Justin took a few more seconds to catch his breath before he straightened up a handed over the newspaper.
"There's been a murder. Someone has been murdered again." Justin replied, his features etched with fear.
"A murder?" Matthew took the paper warily, "Are you sure?"
"Yes. It's an unknown cause of death just like the other cases." Justin told him, taking a seat next to his friend. Matthew slowly opened the paper and scanned down the article Justin had just mentioned.
"That's the fifth death since we have been here," Matthew murmured, "And the bodies have all been found near the same place. Do you think it's starting to get too dangerous here?"
"Well I don't want to leave," Justin sighed, "But I think it is starting to get dangerous. Maybe you and me should try and find a way to get out of here."
"Maybe. But I like this town too much. Anyway," Matthew grimaced, "It's not like there's a chance we'll get killed right? Right?"
Justin shrugged, "I dunno. We might. I think it looks like the job of a serial killer or something."
"Is the town on alert?" Matthew wondered, standing up.
"Yeah I talked to the local police and they said they've requested backup of a few officers for extra protection for the town residents and such. Where are you going?" Justin stood up also.
"Home. I don't want to be out right now." Matthew looked around him uncertainly, as if he expected the killer to jump out then and there. He began walking and Justin followed beside him, also looking around cautiously.
As soon as they reached the small townhouse that they shared they clambered inside quickly and locked the door behind them.
"I'm really starting to get worried." Matthew said loudly when he had calmed down. Justin was in the kitchen already preparing himself a meal.
"Me too," Justin yelled back, "We don't know who the killer could be. They could be-"
Matthew waited a moment after his friend stopped abruptly before yelling out, "What was that?"
When Justin didn't reply Matthew began to get worried and fear immediately caused his heart to beat at twice its normal rate. He slowly made his way into the kitchen but there was no sign of Justin.
"Mate?" Matthew called out tentatively.
"Well hello." A cold voice said from behind him. Matthew turned around with his breath caught in his throat. His heart had accelerated more so and he felt certain he was going to die.
He came face to face with a man dressed in robes and relaxed straight away.
"What do you think you're doing? You scared the hell out of me." Matthew snapped.
"Mind your manners. You aren't in charge remember." The other person replied, "Where's the other one?"
"Here." Justin came back into the room chewing on a sandwich.
"Where did you go?" Matthew frowned.
"I thought I heard a noise and I went to see what it was. Someone left one of the back windows open...why?" Justin wondered taking another bite of his sandwich. Matthew's frown disappeared and he shrugged as he turned to the third person of the party.
"We have something to tell you-" He began.
"I know. There's been another murder." The man in charge shook his head; "It's most unfortunate."
"Most unfortunate?" Matthew cried, "Conner! Someone else died. I thought we were supposed to be stopping it!"
Conner O'Mara's mouth tightened.
"I told you to mind your manners Potter." O'Mara snapped, "And would you stop eating Weasley? You're eating out this house!"
Matthew, also known as Harry Potter, and Justin, also known as Ronald Weasley, glared at their boss but remained silent.
"Now," O'Mara said slowly, "We cannot react on this murder. You have to treat it carefully so that is why we aren't going to attack next week as was planned..."
"What?" Harry frowned, "But we've been here for six and a half months already! I want to get back to my family and friends..."
"You're doing this for your family and friends!" O'Mara shouted, "When this get through your selfish thick skull?"
"Sorry sir." Harry mumbled. Ron was still glaring at O'Mara.
"Now," O'Mara continued, "I'm extending our time here a few months, most likely three. No objections! As for you two, I suggest you go and make some more Concealaflage Potion, its wearing off. Regan and I are going to have a rest, we've been up for several hours watching so you two can take charge now."
O'Mara stormed out of the room cursing under his breath about the selfish, rude delinquents he had been forced to work with. It didn't matter that Potter and Weasley were more than capable of handling what was thrown their way, they were simply rude and disrespectful.
Harry scowled. Three months added onto this mission was not something he wanted. After Voldemort was defeated, he decided, he was going to quit his job and try for something much more miniscule.
Ron took the final bite of his sandwich and sighed, "This is stupid."
"Yeah," Harry muttered, "Come on. We better make some more of that Potion."
"Correction, I better you mean. You know how you are with Potions." Ron told him, giving a half-hearted grin. Harry shrugged and they both made their way upstairs to the rooms that they stayed in. Between their rooms was a smaller one that was referred to simply as the Auror Room. In it was a number of magical items, including potion ingredients, that were hidden from sight. The room couldn't actually be seen and only a Wizard or Witch was able to enter it. It worked like the gateway to the Platform nine and three quarters and simply resembled a wall.
Harry and Ron walked through the wall to find themselves in the room. Ron immediately made his way over to the shelves of ingredients and started preparing the ingredients that would be needed. Harry took out one of the cauldrons and set it up before he sat down on a chair and watched Ron start the potion.
He caught sight of his reflection in the shining cauldron and scowled. He had been excited at first about becoming Matthew Jackson. He'd gotten to look entirely different and act entirely different but now he hated him. He hated the long brown hair that had to be tied back into a ponytail and he hated the laughing brown eyes that always looked like they were amused. He hated wearing black leather and looking like some sort of an angry rock fan from an old movie.
Ron had enjoyed his appearance from the beginning. He'd smiled happily when his freckles had dissolved away and his red hair had turned blonde and grown, although not as long as Harry's. His skin had darkened too and he had lost a foot in height so he wasn't so tall anymore. But Harry knew his friend was keen to get back home, just as he was.
He missed Ella. It had been fine at first but now he really missed her and would have given anything to just see her for five more minutes. Beth included considering he hadn't seen her since the night she was born. She'd be six months, two weeks and four days old today and he had no idea what she looked like. He couldn't remember.
And he missed Hermione too. He hadn't been away from her for this long ever since he had met her nine years ago. Her friendship meant a lot to him and he longed to talk to her about anything. He guessed Ron was probably worse off though where Hermione was concerned...
"Don't worry mate," Ron smiled at him as he sprinkled some cats tongue powder into the cauldron, "We'll see them again soon enough."
"Yeah Ron. In three months." Harry scoffed.
"Yeah, if we live." Ron was suddenly solemn.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Harry insisted, "I mean it."
Ron's shoulders slumped, "I wish I could say the same Harry but...I'm not as strong as you or as good a Wizard. In the end you will have to do it alone and I won't be able to help."
Harry was quiet for a moment and Ron continued to make the potion.
"Ron, being your friend is the best thing that has ever happened to me. You've helped me more than anyone ever has." Harry grinned and Ron beamed at him.
"Thanks."
"No problem," Harry stood up, "I'm going to go to bed. Get me if there's a problem. I'll see you later alright?"
"Alright."
Harry exited the Auror Room and made his way into his own. It was small and empty and depressing by standards but at the moment he was too tired to care as he collapsed onto his bed, suddenly exhausted.
Harry woke several hours later with a start.
"Ella?" He whispered into the darkness. He'd had a dream where Voldemort had killed her and he was worried to see if she was really all right. The darkness didn't reply and he was hit with the realization of reality. He was hours away and not with her and also, she probably thought he was dead. He hated waking up and realizing this.
"That's it." Harry frowned and quickly got dressed before heading out of the house. He couldn't do this. He couldn't wait any longer. He had to see her and he had to see her now.
* * * *
"Beth. Come on!" Ella sighed as her daughter once again avoided the spoonful of food she was trying to feed her. Beth giggled and clapped her hands together as some saliva and food ran down her chin.
"Please bub. Please, open up," Ella succeeded in putting the spoon in the baby's mouth, "Good girl. There, all done."
She put Beth's bib in the wash and wiped her face before putting her down on the floor with some of her toys so she could play. She regretted nothing about motherhood and every moment she spent with Beth made her happy, even though she ached for Harry.
"Ted. Ted." Beth said happily, hugging her teddy bear to her. Ella smiled.
"That's right bub. Ted-ted."
Beth had started talking early for a baby. Hermione had been excited and stated that it meant Beth would be a smart child. Ella didn't care what Beth was like. She'd love her no matter what.
"Um." Beth looked up her mother and smiled.
"Is that 'Mom' bub or are you just thinking?" Ella tickled her and Beth giggled before going back to wonder that was her teddy bear. Ella leant back into the wall and sighed as she thought about what she would do next. She was going to be able to enroll Beth into some magical daycare soon and she needed to get a job. Ginny was coming to live with her for a bit and her contribution of money would help a little but it wouldn't solve Ella's financial problems. The money from her Grignotts account was running low and she didn't dare touch Harry's still large amount.
It felt like he wasn't going to come back but Hermione insisted they both would. Her and Ella seemed to swap roles, some days one would be positive and the other negative and then other days it would change. Today she felt lots of different things. She wanted Harry back but she was dealing with him being missing a lot better than ever. She loved having Beth but she didn't want her daughter to grow up without her dad.
"Hey Ella."
She jumped and turned to look over at the person standing in her lounge room. She froze and nothing registered until Beth made an uncomfortable noise and crawled over to her. Ella frowned, picked up her baby and closed her eyes to concentrate.
"Harry," She opened them again, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you. I'm not dead Ella." He told her, walking a little bit closer. Beth moved in her arms uncomfortably.
"I can see that," She replied sharply, "Draco told us you weren't. He, Hermione and I have known you and Ron were alive for a long time now."
"Oh." He took a moment to dissolve this.
"Where have you been? What are you doing?" Ella demanded.
"I can't tell you."
"When are you coming back?"
"I can't tell you." He repeated.
"Are you coming back?" She couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice.
Harry's shoulders sagged, "Of course Ella."
"Now don't you sound happy about that," She said sourly, "What are you staring at?"
"You. I've missed you." He took a few more steps closer until he was in front of her and Beth squealed a little and hid her face near her mother's neck.
"I've missed you too." Ella rubbed Beth's back.
"What's the matter with her?" Harry frowned.
"She doesn't know you Harry," Ella pulled Beth off her gently and looked down at her, "Bub it's alright, it's your Daddy."
Beth shrunk back again but she looked up at Harry this time.
"Hi sweetie." Harry said softly. Beth looked up at her Mom and then back at Harry again uncertainly. Ella smiled to herself at how Beth displayed her emotions; she was a very progressed baby.
"I don't know what to say Harry," Ella frowned, "Do you have any idea what you are doing to the people you've left behind? You just disappeared."
"I'm sorry. I wish I didn't have to...but it will be for the best." He shrugged lamely.
Ella narrowed her eyes at him. He'd lost weight and he no longer looked like the mildly happy teenager who had graduated nearly two years ago. He looked a lot older and much more serious but she still loved him.
At the moment part of her wanted to hit him and yell at him for what he had put everyone through, especially her and Beth, for the past seven months but she didn't want to start a fight just yet. Not when she missed him so much and hadn't seen him in so long.
"Do you want to get to know your daughter?" She asked. Harry smiled at her and they made their way over to the couch where they began to talk. Ella explained to him all about Beth's progress. From her not getting any sleep when Beth started teething to Hermione making her smile to her first few words.
"She's only just started crawling very well and she crawls everywhere." Ella told him. Beth was now looking up at Harry with great interest.
Harry smiled at her; "She's so beautiful."
"That's what lots of people say," Ella said softly, "But with me, it's everything that's beautiful. She's so lovely, I don't know what I would do without her."
Beth seemed to sense what her mother was saying for she smiled up at her before turning to Harry and putting out her arms. Harry simply stared at the small baby before he accepted her into his embrace. Ella sighed and leant back into the lounge as Harry grinned goofily at Beth as he marveled over her.
"I am definitely getting this over and done with so I can come back to this." Harry said seriously. Ella frowned in confusion because she was unsure about what he was saying but thought it best not to talk about it because she would probably end up getting mad and frustrated.
"We better put her to bed." Ella reached out and gently took Beth away from him. Harry looked disappointed but he stood up and followed her.
"This looks great." Harry told her as they entered one of the spare rooms. Ella and Draco had turned it into a baby's bedroom and decorated it so it looked like the universe. The planets and stars were pink, to Ella's disgust but Draco had insisted Beth would appreciate it, and there was a vast array of toys. Ella placed Beth in the small cot in the corner and pulled her blanket over her. Harry stood at the door and watched, observing them impassively.
"So are you leaving soon?" Ella asked quietly as she closed Beth's door behind her. She didn't need to whisper because Beth was a very heavy sleeper but she was upset because she knew Harry couldn't stay.
"Yeah," He said distractedly, "But it'll be alright."
"Oh?" She frowned, "Well try being on the receiving end of this whole thing."
"It's not easy on my end either," He retorted, "It's hard."
Ella sighed, "Fine Harry. Let's pity you. Let's all forget at me and Beth and Hermione and your Aunt and all the others you left behind."
She turned and walked angrily into her room and he followed her wearily, his frustration building up.
"No one's been forgotten," He said angrily, "Except maybe Ron and I."
"Oh? Who says that?" Ella wondered. Harry took a deep breath.
"You had funerals for us."
"Yes," She glowered at him, "What did you expect? Did you think that everyone would sit by full of hope and wait for you to come back? Not after three months Harry. Bloody hell, not after even three weeks! It was too much to ask."
"Ok!" He threw his hands in the air, "I'm sorry alright!"
"Don't be sorry Harry, just come back." Ella said lamely. She thought she sounded pathetic but she couldn't help saying it to him. Harry sighed and shook his head.
"I can't yet."
"Fine," She sat down on the end of the bed and glared at him, "Go then."
"I don't want to leave you yet," He knelt down beside her and tried to smile, "I want to do something I haven't done in a long time."
Ella frowned at him but it left her face as soon as he leant forward and kissed her. She thought to refuse because she was mad at him but it was just like their first kiss when she had realised how much she liked him. She wasn't in control.
"You stupid git." Ella muttered.
"Love you too." Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around her as he deepened the kiss.
* * * *
"I'm not sure what happened. All I know is that I fell asleep with Harry and woke up in an empty bed." Ella explained to Hermione a few weeks later. Hermione had come to stay for a few days again so Ella had been able to finally tell her about Harry's visit. Owling and most other means of communication would have been too dangerous unless they were interfered with.
Draco exited the kitchen and gave them each a drink of coffee he had prepared. Beth was playing at their feet, oblivious to the conversation being carried out around her.
"I can't believe it," Hermione was put out, "I didn't get a visit."
"I don't think he was supposed to have come," Ella said quickly, "He wouldn't tell me anything so I doubt even Ron knew he was gone."
Hermione shrugged. She wished Ron had visited her and that was all there was too it. She couldn't help being jealous but then again her and Ron had nothing between them and Ella and Harry had a child.
"Maybe I should have had a baby with Ron," Hermione said miserably, "Then he might come and see me."
"I don't think that would be enough," Draco frowned, "I'm sure Harry came to see Ella too."
Ella smiled half-heartedly, "I hope so."
"I'm sorry," Hermione shook her head, "I didn't mean it cruelly. It's just that they've been gone for so long and I'm sick of walking around pretending that I'm grieving."
"Me too. Harry did say that it would be over soon, so we can just hope it's the truth. Excuse me," Ella stood up, "I'm going to the bathroom."
"Why are you brewing a potion in there by the way?" Hermione asked after her. But Ella didn't seem to hear her as she disappeared down the hallway.
Hermione sighed, "Nevermind then."
"Don't be so sour. Without Potter and Wealsey there is a lot less insulting directed towards me. I think that's rather good." Draco said simply, smiling down at Beth. Hermione scowled.
"Why do you always have to be such a prat? That's not funny." She frowned. Draco shrugged.
"I'm sorry. Merlin Hermione, are you that bothered by it?"
She gaped at him, "Yes of course! What do you think? I miss them so much! You wouldn't understand and neither would Ella. We've all been best friends since first year and I've never been left out of something like I am with this," Hermione's face fell, "You don't understand."
"That's right I don't because you don't explain it properly." He said sharply.
"Okay," Hermione shuffled in her seat, "You were with Crabbe and Goyle right? Well it wouldn't be easy for you to understand because they were more like your cronies..."
"They were a bit thick," Draco snapped, "But they weren't my cronies. We were actually friends."
She waved his comment away, "Anyway. Harry and Ron and I are really close. It's not like that hateful friendship that you have with Ron or Ella's thing with Harry. It's different. We've been through nearly everything together and dealt with everything together so we kind of have this special bond."
"Special bond. Okay. And how am I not understanding?" Draco questioned.
"You're not understanding their absence in the same way. I really miss them, in so many ways. It's just frustrating." Hermione replied.
"Your frustration has got you in this mood?" Draco wondered skeptically.
"No," She sounded sheepish, "It's also the fact that I'm left out of it. Like I said before; we've been friends since first year and now everyone is involved but me."
"I don't believe this," Draco glared at her, "Ella and I don't know anything. Either do Ron and Harry's families or anyone else..."
"That's not true," Hermione snapped, "McGonagall knows. And on top of that I'm sure lots of other people do."
"McGonagall? That old bat? As if she does." He argued.
"She does. Didn't you hear her after the battle? She was talking about how she wanted Harry to defeat Voldemort soon like she knew he was alive," She sniffed, "It seems very unfair. Dumbledore, if not McGonagall at times, always used to inform us about things."
"It's probably best for us not to know." Draco said reasonably.
"I don't really care. I want to know."
"But Hermione-"
"Oh forget it. You really don't understand." Hermione sighed and sat back into the couch exasperatedly.
Draco was hesitant, "You know, I think you've got to start realizing that you aren't the only one involved in this."
"I do. What does that have to do with anything?" She demanded.
"Just that we're here in the midst of Voldemort's mess. You're all the way over in America and yet you think that everyone should go out of his or her way and keep you up to date on the important stuff while you study away ignoring us the rest of the time. You can't live two lives in two places. You are either there or here," Draco shrugged, "Seems to me like you want to be there but have everything to do with everything here."
Hermione glared at him, "That is not true. I care about things here."
He shrugged again, "If you say so then."
"I do say so." She said scathingly.
They were silent more a few minutes before Hermione spoke again, in much softer tones this time.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to come off like that all the time. I really do care." She mumbled.
"Sure sure." Draco pretended to scoff but couldn't help smiling a little.
"So have you decided to break up with that gold-digger yet?" Hermione wondered lightly. He frowned immediately.
"She is not a gold-digger. I wish you would-" He stopped abruptly and peered over her shoulder, "Ella are you all right?"
Hermione turned around and frowned. Ella was pale and standing a few feet from them. She was looking at them with a stunned expression on her face and was holding a small vial of purple liquid in her right hand.
"Ella?" Hermione said softly. Ella turned her gaze to her friend but her stunned expression remained.
"What is it?" Draco stood up.
"Er," Ella shook her head and held up the vial, "I'm pregnant. Again. I'm pregnant again."
Hermione was sure that if it were possible her jaw would have dropped to the floor. Instead she merely gazed at Ella for several seconds in shock.
"You're kidding?" She managed to squeak. Ella shook her head.
"Well," Draco said snidely, "Potter doesn't waste any time does he?"
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A/N: Well, I haven't done one of these in a while! I hope it was an all right chapter! There is only a few more to go and don't worry! Some more Hermione and Ron is coming up!
Thanks heaps to everyone that reviews! I appreciate them all so so so so so much!!! And as for Ella getting pregnant AGAIN, did you all see that coming like the first time? Because I really do suck as surprises.
Anyway, I hope you all have a terrifically wonderful Christmas!
*Everyday that passes is a day closer to the release of the Harry Potter 3 Movie! YAY!*