Chapter 12- Day 4E

A/N Okay, I've gotten over my writer's block. Miracle, I know. I don't really have much to say except thanks to my beta, MilesFromNormal, who rocks at "beta-ing". Here goes!

Disclaimer No, I am not JK Rowling. We've been through this… I do not own any of the characters except Amy, Elizabeth, and Sarah.

Hermione took a moment to examine the work she had done. She had researched 50 spells and had nearly 9 rolls of parchment filled with notes.

She looked over at Ron's work. He was on spell 29 and had almost 2 rolls done. She sighed audibly and rolled her eyes.

"What?" questioned Ron, who up until that moment was rather proud of his work.

"Is it my fault that 20 of these spells explain how to clothes animals?" he said jokingly, even though it was true.

Hermione was taking the last 501 and had given Ron the first 500 after seeing the first spell was…not useful.

Hermoine was about to return to her work when the arrival of Mrs. Weasley signaled her to put away everything. With the flick of a wand, all of their research was successfully hidden.

Hermione went down the stairs to greet Molly. She had no intention of telling her anything. After all, Dumbledore had told them to keep it a secret from everyone. Not that she felt comfortable doing so, she just thought it was a wise thing to do for the time being.

Hermione was quickly engulfed in a huge hug, but was just as quickly let go. Over the years Molly had learned that eventually she had to let go so the kids could breathe. The challenging part came after their warm greetings were exchanged.

"What are you two doing back? I thought you were supposed to be there for a week." Mrs. Weasley said, taking a moment to look disapprovingly at each one of them. Hermione found it would be better to use that as an excuse instead of telling the truth. She just hoped Ron thought the same thing.

"Yeah, mum. Me and Hermione got in a bit of a row and we used little magic."

Hermione risked an immensely grateful glance at Ron. Molly simply told them how disappointed she was and went off to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

A slight creaking on the stairs called Ron and Hermione's attention. Ginny was standing there looking extremely fragile. Hermione could tell she had been crying, and asked Ron to leave. He released a loud groan of disappointment which earned him a slap from Ms. Hermione Granger.

"Are you okay?" Hermione questioned.

Ginny simply nodded and Hermione left her alone. She didn't want to talk about it if Ginny wasn't willing. They had learned that from Harry.

Ginny walked as silently as a ghost into the kitchen to quickly greet her mother and return back to her room. Hermione felt horrible for her friend. Ginny was devastated. Hermione had a guess as to why, but she didn't want to bother Ginny with that. The poor girl was stressed enough as it was.

Hermione briskly walked into the kitchen to find Ron looking for a snack. She grabbed the back of his shirt and dragged him out, which was no easy feat.

"'Mione!"

"Ron, you know a well as I do we need to get to work before Fred and George come home for dinner."

This seemed to get to Ron's head as he obliged to working for another hour before heading back downstairs.

Hermione's work was beyond satisfactory even though her mind was on Ginny. That was another incentive for her to keep working. If…heaven forbid…Harry died, Ginny wouldn't probably last long after that.

Thinking all these things scared Hermione. She was never one to complain but she couldn't help thinking it wasn't fair. An attempt might possibly be made on her life, her best friend was in horrible condition and her other best friend was…well…gone. But gone temporarily, if she had anything to do with it.

Hermione mentally slapped herself. She needed to help Ron find a spell that might possibly help Harry. Unless Harry got a dog and the dog enjoyed wearing pastels, the spells she had found so far were useless.

Luckily, they had no where to be September.

"Do you have until September?" She thought out loud, forgetting the red-head that was next to her.

"I don't know, 'Mione. We have as long as You-Know-Who gives us." Hermione looked at Ron. He still had his boyish features but they had been tainted by pain that people their age shouldn't have to go through. He might be hilariously funny, but he was dealing with the same thing Hermione was.

Hermione somehow managed to pull her gaze back onto her parchment. A timid knock at the door caused Hermione's newfound concentration to break. Without as much as an acknowledgement, Ginny came in and sat next to Hermione. She pulled out Helpful Spells for Dealing with Strong Curses. She immediately summoned parchment, a quill and ink and began to write furiously.

The three teenagers worked in this fashion until the hour had passed and the sound of people arriving drew them out of their deep concentration.

Ginny was the first to grab her parchment and leave the room.

Ron leaned back in his chair and yawned. Hermione expected some smart comment from him but was surprised when he simply got up and began to walk out of the room.

"Ron? Do you think…we'll ever find a spell that will work?"

This caused Ron to stop in his tracks. He considered this question carefully before selecting the right words.

"I don't usually think…"

This caused Hermione to laugh, even though she knew he wasn't finished. Ron patiently finished for her to finish laughing.

"...about this kind of stuff. But being friends with Harry, I've thought more about it. We will find the right spell." He eventually decided.

"But how are you so sure?" asked Hermione, her voice beginning to sound desperate.

"I'm not sure."

"Don't tell me you're a Seer." Said Hermione, rolling her eyes.

"No, but… if we give up, we'd have played into Voldemort's hands."

Hermione's mouth fell open. He had said Voldemort. She nodded her head. Now was not a time to resign herself to accept fate. Without knowing, she walked over to Ron, sat down next to him, and put her head on his shoulder.

Ron was taken aback completely. He had no idea what to do so he decided to slowly stroke her hair. This seemed to work as she was got up and headed out the door. He was slightly disappointed at this but they needed to get the greetings and lies out of the way before they could return to their work.

Hermione headed down the stairs but Ron took a detour to Ginny's room. She was there, gingerly wrapping the present she had gotten Harry.

"You okay, Gin?" he asked tentatively.

Ginny simply nodded but as she turned around to face her brother, he could tell she wasn't okay. He saw the same thing Hermione had seen in her eyes.

Ginny turned back to finish wrapping the present. She then whirled around with determination in her eyes.

"I'm going to help you. Find Harry, that is."

Ron didn't argue for he could tell this was something she really wanted to do. He nodded and turned to head out of the room but decided against it.

"Gin?"

"Yeah?"

"Never mind." He had lost his nerve to ask his sister what he wanted to ask. How did she feel about Harry. Ron figured this wasn't exactly the most appropriate time. He knew Ginny's hero worship of Harry was long since over. That's how they had finally become friends.

An awkward silence engulfed them and Ron chose to ignore it. He walked out of the room, making sure the door was completely closed. He wanted to have a little chat with Hermione during lunch as he was almost sure Ginny wouldn't show up. He didn't want to be the prat brother who was always in his sister's business, but his better judgment told him to figure out what was going on.

I'm not exactly too proud of this chapter either. Maybe the readers think differently. I hope so. That button by "Submit Review" is awful lonely… so click it! Thanks!

Tabytha