Chapter 23 - Check

"No, it's out of the question," Hermione shouted angrily.

"Why is it that you have to argue about everything," countered Harry.

"Because I know you're not telling me the whole truth."

"Why would you say that? I've never lied to you before."

"Because ever since I got pregnant, you've been treating me like your child instead of your wife. I don't need you to protect me. I can take care of myself."

Hermione was pacing around Ron's tiny room with her hands on her hips. Harry sat watching her from the bed. "All I'm asking you to do is go to your parents for a few days," he said.

"I wanted you to come with me when we saw my parents. I want them to get to know you. What are they going to think if I come home pregnant and alone?"

"Hermione," said Harry in frustration. "Don't you think I want to come home with you and meet your parents?"

"I'm not sure," retorted Hermione.

"Come on, that's not fair."

"Fair? You want to talk about fair? What's so fair about you going back to Hogwarts alone to... to…," she couldn't bring herself to finish.

Harry got off the bed and went to her, putting his arms around her and pulling her close. "I know. You're right it's not fair and I shouldn't make a decision like this by myself."

Hermione nodded. "I just want you to be safe. I know it's selfish, but I don't want to be pregnant and alone. This is supposed to be the happiest time of our lives. How can you not want to be here with me?"

"I do want to be here with you, more than anything. This is just something I have to do." He pulled her toward the bed and forced her to sit.

"But what if something happens to you," she asked tearfully.

"Nothing's going to happen to either one of us. Professor Dumbledore and I talked about this all morning. He promised me that you'd be perfectly safe at your parent's. They're going to put wards up around the house and they'll be a guard."

"But what about you?" She persisted.

"I'll be safe too. I'll be at Hogwarts with Dumbledore. You remember what you always use to say when we were kids. The one person Voldemort fears is Dumbledore and the safest place in our world is Hogwarts."

Hermione nodded. "You're right. So then it's safe to say that the safest place I can be is with you at Hogwarts."

Harry stood angrily and walked halfway across the room before turning and looking back at his wife. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she had the faintest hint of a smirk on her face. "You let me walk right into that didn't you?"

"Yup," she admitted. "And you know what, Harry. You don't get to make this decision."

"When do I ever get to make any decisions," muttered Harry.

"Oh please," laughed Hermione. "Don't give me that poor, suffering husband act. You made us pack up and go every two months our first year together. I didn't complain once. I left school and my home to follow you across the continent. She stood up and strode over to him and poked her finger into the middle of his chest. "If you think I'm going to let you separate us now, you've got another thing coming to you."

She and Harry stared at each other without speaking for several seconds. Before either could speak, they were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Come in," said Hermione smoothly.

Ron poked his head into the room. "Are you two finished yet?"

Hermione glanced at Harry, who looked as annoyed as a person could get. "Yeah, we're done."

"Hermione," Harry protested.

"We're done," said Hermione firmly.

"Well good," said Ron with a huge grin on his face. "I guess that means that the three of us will be heading to Hogwarts in the morning. That is if I overheard everything correctly."

"You were eavesdropping," snapped Harry.

"What do you mean the three of us," said Hermione hopefully.

"Sorry mate," said Ron to Harry. "Old habits die hard."

"Do you mean you're coming with us," said Hermione advancing on Ron and taking his hand.

He smiled at her affectionately. "Yeah, I am. Dumbledore just owled me. Although, I imagine he'll be surprised to see you there."

"No, no, no," said Harry loudly. "The two of you are not coming with me. I've had enough. This is my responsibility, not yours. I can do this without the two of you interfering."

Ron narrowed his eyes at Harry. "You know what your problem is? You still think you don't need anybody. You got so use to depending on yourself when you were living with those damn muggles that you don't know how to depend on someone else."

"That's a load of crap, Ron," snapped Harry.

"Do you honestly think you would have made it through first year without me and Hermione? I don't know about Hermione, but I know I wouldn't have made it to graduation if it hadn't been for the two of you."

"Ron's right," injected Hermione. "Voldemort would have picked off each one of us if we hadn't had each other. We're strongest as a team."

Harry looked unconvinced.

"Stop being so stubborn," snapped Hermione. "Just accept it. We're coming with you and there's not a thing you can do about it."

Ron looked at her, admiringly. "That's the Hermione I remember," he said.

She smiled at him. "Come on, Ron," she said. "Let's go downstairs. He's just going to pout." She took Ron's arm and led him from the room. "Oh and Harry. If you're thinking about sneaking out and going by yourself, go ahead. We'll see you tomorrow."

Ron laughed and let Hermione lead him from the room.

Harry stared at his wife and best friend's retreating backs and couldn't help but shake his head, thinking how unfair it was that he was never able to win an argument with his wife.

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Ron and Hermione went for a walk, leaving Harry to sulk upstairs by himself.

"So, are you glad I've come home?" Asked Hermione.

"It depends," said Ron grinning.

"On what?" Said Hermione, trying to sound offended.

"On whether or not you're the same nag I remember from school."

Hermione laughed. "And if I am?"

"Then yes. I'm glad you're back."

Hermione smiled and put her arm through his. "I love being here," she said. "It brings back a lot of really good memories." The walked quietly for a bit, comfortable in the silence.

"So," began Hermione in a teasing voice. "Is there anyone special in your life?"

Ron blushed. "No," he said uncomfortably, clearing his throat.

"Why don't I believe you?" Asked Hermione playfully.

"Really, Hermione. I really don't have much time for that sort of thing."

"What have you been doing," asked Hermione, abruptly changing the subject.

Ron cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Work," he said lamely.

"Well, yes, obviously you've been working. But what kind of work? Ginny was never very clear on what it is you actually do. She just kept writing that you were away a lot and couldn't talk about where you were going or where you'd been."

"Well she was right. I really can't talk about my work."

Hermione frowned deeply. "That means it's dangerous."

"Naw, I can handle myself," he said immodestly.

Hermione didn't lose the frown.

"You worry too much, Mione. You always did."

"I've always had good reason to. Between you and Harry, it's a miracle I haven't succumbed to nervous fits."

Ron laughed. "No kidding. Remember that time…." Ron stopped abruptly. Hermione has stopped dead, her eyes closed tightly.

"Are you ok, Hermione," asked Ron.

"Yeah," she said slowly. "I just got a sudden headache."

"Maybe we should head back to the house."

"No," she said giving him a small smile. "I'm ok." No sooner had she said it, then another wave of pain coursed through her head with such force that she practically doubled over.

"Hermione," Ron shouted. "What is it?"

Hermione gripped Ron's arm tightly digging her nails into his skin as the pain continued to assault her.

"Ok, that's it. We're going back. Can you walk?" Ron asked grabbing hold of both her arms.

She shook her head, her eyes still closed against the pain. "No, wait."

"Wait? Wait for what? I've got to get you back home."

Hermione shook her head violently. "I can hear him. He's here," she said in a strained voice.

"I don't understand," began Ron.

"It's very simple Mr. Weasley," said a cold voice from behind him.

Ron whipped around. The tall hooded figure of Lord Voldemort emerged from the trees and approached him and Hermione. Ron stepped in front of Hermione instinctively and pulled out his wand.

"Petrificus Totalus," cried a hidden voice from Ron's left. Ron fell to the ground with a thud and Hermione whimpered.

"Thank you, Lucius," said Voldemort. "That was most helpful." Voldemort approached Hermione who was now on her knees beside Ron. "Hello Hermione," he said. "It's been a long time."

Hermione's eyes flashed angrily, but she still couldn't speak.

'Can you still hear me, my dear?' Voldemort's voice rang in her head. 'Are we still one?'

Hermione closed her eyes and began trying to push him out of her mind. She tried to remember back to the Occlumency lessons she had had with Professor Snape.


Voldemort sneered at her. 'Do you really think you can push me away,' he thought to her.

She opened her eyes and glared at him. "Stay away from us," she said through gritted teeth.

He reached out one of his arms and pulled Hermione to her feet. "I'm afraid that's not possible," he said reaching into her side pocket and removing her wand. He tossed it on the ground next to Ron. "You're getting very big, Miss Granger," sneered Voldemort. "Or should I say, Mrs. Potter." He placed one hand on her abdomen.

Hermione pulled away in revulsion, but Voldemort maintained a tight grasp on her. "Another Potter," he said shaking his head.

"Take your hands off me."

"Tell me, my dear. Are you having a little Harry or a little Hermione?"

"My Lord," interrupted Lucius Malfoy. "I hear someone coming."

"Then we'll be going," said Voldemort. He pulled Hermione close to him and she realized with horror that she wasn't going to be able to stop him. "Give me the port key, Lucius."

"What about Weasley?" Asked Malfoy.

"Leave him. I want Harry to know who's in control now," said Voldemort and he leaned down to whisper in Ron's ear. "You tell Potter that I look forward to seeing him at our old hangout."

Malfoy pulled out a small object that Hermione couldn't see. Voldemort forced her to touch the port key and in an instant they were all gone.

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"Ginny, are you sure they came this way?"

"Yes, Harry. I saw Ron and Hermione walk over there."

"Ron," called Harry. "Hermione? Are you there?"

It was Ginny who first spotted Ron. She moved around a tree and saw him lying flat on his back. "Ron," she shouted rushing forward. Harry ran after her and they both dropped to their knees beside him.

"What happened," asked Harry after he pulled out his wand and revived Ron.

"Voldemort," gasped Ron sitting up. "He took her."

"What?" Shouted Harry in panic. "When?"

"Just now," said Ron letting Ginny pull him to his feet.

"Where did he take her," asked Ginny.

"I don't know. They took a port key."

"What do you mean you don't know? How could you have let this happen?"

"Harry," admonished Ginny. "That's not fair."

"He said something about seeing you at your old hangout."

"Our old hangout," asked Harry. "What does that mean?"

"Godric's Hollow? You know, like last time."

"No, I never went to Godric's Hollow. That was Lupin."

"Then where," questioned Ron. "It has to be there."

"I don't know," said Harry doubtfully.

"Look, he doesn't want Hermione. He wants you. He'll go somewhere where you can get to."

Ron's words stung, but Harry couldn't deny their truth. It had always been him. Hermione and Ron had always just been caught up in the destruction that was Harry's life.

"But how am I supposed to get to Godric's Hollow. I don't even know where it is."

"I do," said Ron. "I'll show you where."

"You don't have to come with me Ron," said Harry.

"Yes, I do," said Ron firmly.

"Then let's go. We don't have time to lose."

Ron turned to Ginny. "Go home. Tell Dad and the guys what happened."

"No, I'll come with you."

"No, Ginny. We're going to need help. You have to get Dad to call the Order. Tell them we're headed to Godric's Hollow."

Ginny hesitated.

"We don't have time for this," said Harry angrily.

"All right," conceded Ginny.

Ron turned to Harry. "We'll apparate together. Just concentrate on me. I'll get us there." Harry nodded and took hold of Ron's hand. "Ready," Ron asked. Again Harry nodded and with a small pop, they were both gone.

As soon as they had gone, Ginny took off as fast as she could run back to the Burrow.

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Author's Note: As some of you may have already guessed we are down to the last chapters. There will probably just be two more. I hope you've enjoyed the story so far and I hope you enjoy the end. I will try my best to update as soon as possible. Thanks to all who have reviewed and who will review.