Disclaimer: I own $22can … in America that's 34cents!
Normally I would put my big thanks to Green here … but she isn't able to beta right now, and I didn't want to leave this for another week … so Green THANKS FOR THE LAST 7 CHAPTERS! And everyone else … sorry but the grammar and spelling is bound to bite!
Part 8
The Charm Bracelet
*
Everything after that seemed to go in slow motion. Tonks and Lupin were the first to leave, talking in low tones with each other. Bill looked at his mother who mumbled quietly 'I'll take care of things. Go!' he gave her another fleeting glance, before apperating away with a loud pop. Neville had gone a sickly shade of white; his Grandmother had one hand clutching her chest, eyes wide. Luna was looking more serious than Harry had ever seen her, seemingly deep in thought. Hermione had sunk into the sofa, staring avidly into the fire where Mr. Weasley's face had been only seconds before. Ron was also staring at the fire, with a confused and frightened expression. Ginny who had taken refuge on the over stuffed armchair was looking at her mother, waiting for some sort of explanation.
"We were expecting something like this much sooner than it happened." Placing a hand on Ginny's shoulder, as if to protect her. She spoke in a calm, almost rehearsed voice. "But I am not sure of the magnitude of the attack. I can nearly guarantee you that we will not be home tonight, and depending on the damage, we could be a few days. Someone will be by in the morning to escort you to Headquarters- You likely wouldn't be welcome tonight, too busy. Just stay here and don't leave the house. Farrah, if it isn't too much trouble, would you please escort Luna to her home. I wouldn't feel right without knowing she was safe." Mrs. Longbottem nodded, her falcon topped hat bobbing, "Thank you. Kids, you will here from me in the morning."
She pulled out her wand and was about to appereate; Fred and George did the same thing, looking seriously at her.
"Oh no. You haven't been trained. You are only out of Hogwart's. There is no way you are coming."
"Mum," George grasped his wand firmly, "We want to help."
"No." She said harshly, "You could spend the night here and stay with your siblings, or you can go home and we will contact you in the morning."
"But Mu-"
"NO! I will not have you risking your lives. That is my final answer!" She sounded angry and firm, but she couldn't cover the fear on her face. "I will contact you in the morning."
Pop.
"We could have handled it." Fred said bitterly, placing his wand back in his pocket. Hermione reached for a blanket hanging on the sofa, not taking her eyes of the fire. Luna, who had just looked up and visibly shivered, turned her pale eyes towards Mrs. Longbottem, who looked back at her.
"Yes, well I suppose we should go. We will be seeing you children." She said grimly, grasping Neville's shoulder.
Luna took a pinch of floo powder, and looked back over her shoulder. "Happy Birthday, Harry," She said quietly, looking down. Then turning towards the fire she said firmly, "Lovegood Manor," and was gone seconds later.
"Bye guys," Neville said mournfully, following Luna. Mrs. Longbottem nodded bleakly in Harry's direction, and was gone seconds later.
The silence was deafening. It seemed like hours that they were all staring at the fire that three people had just disappeared into. George cleared his throat and shot a look at Fred. He nodded slightly, and turned towards his sister. "You want us to stay the night here with you guys? We wouldn't mind at all."
Ginny looked up at him from her defensive position in the chair. Harry could see as the firelight shone across her face, that her eyes were very wet. "It's alright. We will be fine." Her voice was barely above a whisper, scratchy and strained. She didn't look like she would be fine. She looked small and scared.
"You sure?" George asked, looking from her to Ron. Ron merely nodded, and continued to stare at the fire. Ginny mumbled 'yes' quietly.
"Ok. Stick your head into the fire if you need anything," He grabbed her shoulder tightly. They pulled out their wands, and were gone with in two loud pops.
And then there were four.
Again, silence filled the room, occasionally broken by someone sighing or sniffing. Ron fell into the couch beside Hermione, who stopped staring at the fire for a second and caught his eye. She smiled slightly as he covered himself with the end of the blanket, and turned again to the flickering flames.
Ginny got up once, looking at the ground. Harry tried to figure out how she felt. Both of her parents were out risking their lives right now, trying to destroy the second most powerful wizard in the world. That had to be scary. She returned a few minutes later with a box of tissue, and a glass of water. She set them both onto the table and curled back up into the armchair. She reached over and grabbed a tissue, dabbing her eyes. Her legs were folded near her chin, and she wrapped her arms around them. She hugged her knees tightly, seeming to find comfort in making herself as small as possible.
Harry had sat himself in an uncomfortable chair with very little padding. He folded his arms across his chest, shivering slightly. He could feel his eyes closing, but forced them open again. Hermione had fallen asleep, leaning slightly towards the center of the couch; her head was resting on her shoulder and her feet curled beneath her. Ron, leaning on the armrest with one arm while the other was propped atop the couch, looked like he would love nothing better than to close his eyes and do the exact same; but every time his eyes closed, he would jerk himself away and look around to see if he had missed anything. Eventually he surrendered himself to sleep, his arm falling around Hermione's waist.
The fire that had been roaring earlier that evening had died down to red embers. Harry thought that he should put a few more logs into the fireplace, incase someone tried to contact them that night, but he was having a very hard time getting out of his seat. He leaned on the wooden coffee table to support himself, as he hoisted himself upwards. Ginny looked up quickly, startled by his sudden movement.
Her face was tearstained, and eyes were pink. She sniffed at him, "I think that you should maybe put another log on the fire." Not making eye contact, but staring into the fireplace.
"Yea," He said, "Yea, that's what I am going to do." She sniffed again, and he felt that same feeling that he had the night that they were down there together a few weeks ago. When that letter had made her cry. He hated whatever it was that made her sad, that took away the usual joy on her face.
"Do you want something else to drink, or eat maybe?" He asked, seeing her empty water glass and realizing that his own mouth felt rather dry. She looked at him, and gave a little watery smile.
"Yea, actually. I'm pretty hungry. What time is it?" She pushed herself out of her armchair and wiped her eyes. Harry looked at the clock as they entered the kitchen, which read 2:15.
"Oh." Was all she said, as she grabbed a peach from a bowl on the table. She held up another one, offering it to Harry.
"No thanks, I'm still good from dinner. You want some tea or something?" He reached into the cupboard, grasping two mugs. She nodded, and filled the kettle.
They drank their tea in silence, every once in a while one of them would sigh mournfully, or glance towards the clock. And 3:00, Ginny finished off the last of her tea, and took her cup to the sink. Harry followed her back into the living room, where she was smiling about something.
"What?" She nodded her head towards the sofa. Ron, who had his arm wrapped around Hermione's shoulders and waist, was breathing heavily. Hermione had her head leaning on his shoulder, slightly towards his chin. They were both sound a sleep. Ginny giggled sleepily, facing Harry.
"We wont bring it up. That would just be mean," She grinned wickedly, and for a second lost most of the fear on her face.
"I can just think of the black mail now. We should take a picture," Harry whispered jokingly. It's easier, He though, Pretending like nothing has happened. Beats sulking.
Ginny giggled again, but this time she got up and made her way quietly up the stairs. She emerged a few minutes later, holding an odd looking camera. Harry almost burst out laughing as she crouched in front of the sofa. She shot the picture, which slid out of the bottom of the machine like a Polaroid. It developed instantly, revealing the two sleeping, occasionally moving a bit. She tucked the photo in her back pocket, and tiptoed up the stairs nearly as quickly as she had before.
She with two pillows, and dressed in plaid pajama pants. She went to a drawer and to grab two blankets out of a drawer. She handed one to him, and then resumed her spot on the chair. Harry put a few more logs on the fire before settling himself back down. He turned back to Ginny, who was staring once again at the flames.
His eyes were getting heavy again; he needed to do something to keep him awake. What if they got news while he was asleep and he missed everything? He opened his eyes wide. Stay awake. Stay Awake! It wasn't working, his eyes closed, and he was surrounded by darkness.
*
Hermione was terrified. She had only heard of the terrors that Voldemort and his Death Eaters caused up until 15 years ago; now she was living it. It was hard to believe that all the stories that she had heard about when she was younger were now coming true. She could hardly imagine what it must be like for Ron and Ginny. Their parents and two of their brothers were risking their lives. To make it worse they had seen someone actually die fighting. It made it real.
She shivered, thinking that the fire had probably gone out. Her blanket took in a sharp breath, then tightened around her, warming her.
Wait a second. Blankets don't tighten.
Her blanket was breathing deep and steadily again. Blankets don't do that either.
She could feel something wrapped around her shoulder, resting on her waist. She could hear a steady beating sound just below her ear. She was rising and falling along with his breath.
Oh my goodness. My blanket is Ron.
Her initial reaction was to scream. Freak out. Figure out what was happening. But something stopped her. She couldn't understand it, but she had no desire to move. Instead she closed her eyes once again, and fell back asleep
*
It was dark where he was, only a single candle was lighting the room that seemed endless. He was sitting at a long table, like the one a Grimmauld Place. He was waiting for something. Anything. Anxiety rushed through his entire body as he heard footsteps in the distance, moving closer.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
What if it wasn't what he wanted to hear? What did he want to hear?
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
Why was that person taking so long? He needed to know what was happening.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
They were close now; he could see their outline approaching the table.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
They were about to step into the candle light, he could see the outline, hear the breathing. They were about to talk when something trembled.
Ron was sent back to reality. A sharp intake of breath made him aware of his surroundings. What was shaking?
He looked down, to where the trembling was coming from. HOW DID SHE GET THERE!?
Instinct took over and he tightened the arm that had somehow draped itself across her side. She seemed to tense for a second, but melted into his arms never less. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, and he tried to keep his breathing normal. She fit perfectly between his shoulder and his neck; it was so natural. He sighed, getting a sweet sent from her. It was like coconuts, only …not. Whatever it was he recognized it, but couldn't remember where from.
She shifted a little, moving her head right in the groove of his neck. His heart stopped beating for a split second as she turned he body just enough that his arm fell around her front, ending on the opposite hip.
OH god Help me! I am actually HOLDING her as she sleeps!
This was too much for him. Every childhood fantasy was coming true! He could barely stop himself from jumping up and down and screaming, "Look who's got her now Vicky!"
He might have done so to if at that very moment, a voice called from far away, "Kids!"
She bolted upright in his arms, looking around confused. Her cheeks were crimson as she untangled herself from him. Harry and Ginny had both had jumped from their chairs and were now kneeling front of the fire. Hermione Dashed away quickly to join them, followed closely by Ron.
Lupin's face was floating in the fire, looking serious and grim. He sighed, "We wont be seeing you tonight-"
"What happened? Was anyone hurt?" Lupin didn't look at all fazed by Harry's outburst. On the contrary, he looked even worse for wear. He looked up at him.
"Yes, there were people hurt. Nobody was killed, thank god." There was a short silence, "Death Eaters attacked the home of Treble Rentskin and her family-"
Rentskin, Ron mused, I know that name.
"-We managed to arrive in time to relocate her children via Portkey. Her husband is resting at St. Mungo's, he had a nasty head injury, but he'll live. Only two of them were there, so we outnumbered them 4 to 1; yet they both managed to escape. It was the most bizarre thing, one minute it looked like one of them was going to hit Charlie with Silentium Caedesus Curse, and the next …" He looked like he was trying to remember something, "… He was just … not there. I mean the words were almost all the way out of his mouth ... Charlie's ok though," He said looking at Hermione's disgusted face. Ron made a mental not to ask her what the curse was after Remus left.
He sighed deeply, "We are all needed to investigate the scene, perform the proper defensive spells and whatnot. You mother asked me to tell you not to leave the house for one minute, and I completely agree, could be dangerous." He looked straight into Ron's eyes, then to Harry's.
"There will always be someone at Head Quarters if you need anything. I am sure that you will be hearing from your mother or father later in the day. Do you have any questions before I leave?" He looked around wearily. The flames that were licking his features defiantly did not do justice to the man, who looked worse than Ron had ever seen him, tired and worn.
"Why them?" Hermione asked quietly, however she looked as though she already knew the answer. She would not look directly at Remus, but over his head, her eyes glazed. He looked up at her sadly, and closed his eyes for a brief second.
"Hermione, do you know who Treble Rentskin is?" She nodded slightly, "Then you know of her choices. I have great respect for her, where as many see her as a traitor to our race. It has been said that noble blood should stay noble, and when tainted is worthless as dirt. You understand." She nodded slightly again, and offered a small, forced looking smile.
"Ok. If you need anything, just shout." He nodded and was gone.
Ron sat back on the couch, taking everything in. Hermione sank down beside him, her eyes still glazed over, looking deep in thought.
"Hey, you ok?" she jumped a little at the sound of his voice. She looked up at him with a pale face, and eyes full of fear, and shook her head.
"No," She laughed nervously, as tears started to well up in her eyes, "Ron, it's horrible."
Crying. She is crying. What do I do? His mind was racing as he tried to come up with some way to comfort her. He reached an awkward arm out and lightly grasped her shoulder; but before he knew it she had pulled him into a consoling hug.
"Shh. It's going to be alright, everyone made it, everyone will be ok." He said as she sobbed quietly in his shoulder, holding him close. He wanted to protect her, and he could tell that she wanted the same thing. He felt guilty to admit it, but he loved the fact that she needed him.
"I know," She sniffed, releasing him and reaching for one of the tissues that Ginny had brought out last night, "It's just … the reason that He chose them."
Ron really wanted to know this reason, but didn't know if it would be appropriate to ask her; fortunately he didn't have to.
"Why was that, Hermione?" Harry's voice almost made Ron jump. He had forgotten that his best friend and his sister were still in the room with him. He stared determinedly at the floor.
She set down the tissue, as her eyes filled with tears again. Wow, sometimes he could be really tactless. I mean sure I know that he is extremely concerned about what happened, but … still.
She breathed deep, as if bracing herself for something, "Treble Rentskin was the daughter of former Minister for Magic, Terigus Rentskin. They were a very pure blooded Family, but she chose to marry a muggle. It is in a lot of the history books, actually. It caused great feud in the family, and with other pure-blood families. Eventually, she decided just to live as a muggle, with her Husband and two children. Her family disowned her." She finished quietly.
Harry nodded, satisfied with this answer, and resumed to leaning back in his chair. Ginny however didn't look satisfied.
"They wanted to kill her because she married a muggle. That's it? She wasn't some sorta super spy for the dark side or anything? She just fell in love with a muggle?" She looked outraged, sickly even, as Hermione nodded. Ginny shook her head and muttered something like, 'disgusting' under her breath.
"Yea, it is," Ron said to no one in particular. He remembered something from what Lupin had told them, "Hermione. What is the Silentium Caedesus Curse, anyways?"
She didn't look so mournful now, she just looked angry, "It is a curse that … well kind of vacuums-" Ron looked skeptical, "-Erm … sucks all the air out of you without allowing you to breath. It is disgusting, really! Used to torture muggles in the fifteenth century."
"That's horrible!" Ginny said, terrified.
Hermione nodded, regaining her somber manner. She curled her knees up by her chin like Ron had seen Ginny do so many times before, and wrapped her arms around herself. Ron, not knowing what else to do, pulled her in a one armed hug so she was leaning on his side and shoulders, as silent tears streamed down he face.
"Does anyone want breakfast?" Ginny said, looking at Harry.
"Uh, Yea, sure," He said unenthusiastically. Ron shook his head, and Hermione did the same. Ginny scurried into the kitchen, where as Harry followed her sluggishly.
Hermione was shaking from silent sobs, with one had on her face wiping away her tears, and the other wrapped tightly around her legs. He reached up and wiped one of them away for her.
Oh my god, what just possessed me to do that?!
But Hermione didn't look mad or even annoyed; she actually looked … shy? Is she blushing? She leaned closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him.
"Thank you for being here." She whispered, "I would be completely lost without you."
His heart jumped out of his chest, and his head started to spin. He rubbed her back, in what he hoped to be a soothing fashion. She closed her eyes, which were still streaming with tears, and started to breath deeply. Her sobbing ceased in a few minutes, but her eyes were still wet, her face blotchy and red, her hair messed up from sleep.
She was beautiful.
*
Was that man really ok, or was Remus just saying that?
Who were the Death Eaters who attacked?
How did they just disappear? It sounded like … magic … go figure?
So many things were going through Harry's head that he didn't notice Ginny placing a plate of waffles down in front of him. He was staring at his teacup, mulling over the events that had happened in the past twenty-four hours.
He had turned sixteen.
He had had his first Birthday Party.
Death Eaters attacked, and nearly killed an innocent family.
It was a lot to take in.
"Harry." Ginny's soft voice broke through his thoughts; she gestured at the waffles that were steaming a few inches away from him.
"Thanks," He didn't look up at her. He forced himself to eat, though he didn't feel at all hungry. Ginny was only picking with her own, staring out the window. She gave a small yawn, which lead him to believe that she had gotten about as much sleep as he had. None.
They both ate in silence, picking up their teacup every once and a while, and sighing. Harry finished off his tea, and threw the remains of his half eaten breakfast into the compost.
Ron entered the kitchen a while later indicating behind him, "She's sleeping again."
He miserably poured himself a cup of tea, and removed a box of cold cereal.
"Is that so?" Ginny asked mischievously. Ron was either completely ignoring the sarcasm in her voice, or was too tired to pick up on it. Either way, he nodded his head, and moved lethargically to the table.
"So we are trapped in the house all day?" He asked nobody in particular. He looked out the window, "Well that's ok then."
Harry also looked out the window. They morning was misty and gray, with clouds that looked menacing in the dawn. He nodded his head in agreement, but he didn't think that Ron saw him.
He was in his own little world it looked like, as he stirred his cereal so much that it had gone soggy. Ginny was giggling tiredly beside him, shaking her head slightly.
Harry, who had obviously missed something, looked at one Weasley to another. Ginny caught his eye, smiled, and winked.
She had winked at him.
He smiled back at her, as Ron brought his spoon up to him face and almost got it in his mouth.
Ginny burst out laughing wearily, bringing her brother back to his senses.
"What?"
"Nothing," she said, holding her breath to keep from laughing again.
"Alright…"
"I-I'm going to get dressed," She ran out of the room, laughing quietly as she ran up the stairs.
"What was that about?"
"Beats me." Harry didn't that that now would be the time to tell him that they had gotten a picture of him and Hermione last night. Later.
"Ok … hey do you wanna play chess? We'll just do it quietly, so we don't wake up Hermione." It was Harry's turn to contain his laughter. He breathed deeply, looking away from his face.
"Ah, sure, lemme get changed first, ok?" He didn't wait for an answer, dashing out of the kitchen, erupting in a quiet peal of laughter as he climbed the stairs.
*
Ta-da
So Lady's and Gents what did you think? Drop me a review!
TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO REVIEWED FOR CHAPTER SEVEN … I COULD ONLY GET BACK TO A FEW OF YOU (I kinda forgot who I had sent a 'thank you' to, and who I didn't) BUT REVIEW AGAIN … I PROMISE I WILL, PINKY SWEAR!
So review … go on, make my day!!
It might just be eaisier to thank you HERE (just for this chappie, next one I will email you … curse my forgetful ways!)
SweetenedSugar: There you go … you're Famous!!! (Thank a bajillion for reviewing again)
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THANK YOU ALL ~Angi
