A/N:I am so sorry to all of you who are used to my quick updates. u have no idea how many viruses my computer had! it was terrible! we had to reformat the entire computer twice! i am so sorry you have had to wait so long. i had to retype several chapters also because of all the problems. still, as always, here are your shout outs:

Juanli: to you i am very sorry, but i am glad you enjoyed the poem! that is so cool that you are portuguese! i am half puerto rican, but i have never met a portuguese person. i am so happy u consider yourself a fan! :) yes, fights are always spicy, and just between you and me...u will get ur wish...hehehe. you are awesome!

hikaru: i dont blame you for not being able to keep up, im sorry you took it that way, i am definitely not one to talk as i have been so slow in updating! i hope you dont get discouraged! thanks again and again for reviewing!

belanna30: thank you for reviewing my story! i am happy you enjoyed it! :)

Chapter 9: Dying Embers

Ron ate a quick supper alone before setting out. He grabbed a pair of Fred and George's extendable ears. (These had become very useful to the point that all Aurors carried a pair with them while doing investigations.) He made his way to a remote corner near his apartment complex where he could apparate without arousing suspicion. He appeared near Ricky's cottage, although not close enough for her to hear the loud pop that would accompany his appearance.

Ron walked stealthily around her house searching for a good spot to spy. He found an unlocked window near her living room, cracked it, and crouched under a bush. He didn't need to use the extendable ears yet; he could hear her just fine and could tell that she was sitting on the couch, probably reading. She must be related to Hermione, he couldn't help but think.

He crouched until the circulation ceased to flow though his legs at which time he shifted to a sitting position. Finally, the ring of a phone was heard.

"Who could be calling at this hour," Ricky muttered as she shuffled toward the impatient ringing.

Ron reluctantly shifted to his crouching position again to hear the conversation better.

"Hello," asked Ricky into the receiver. She paused as the reply came. "Nothing yet, why? ...okay...yeah...I'll be there soon; I'll need to walk to a place with a fireplace though. Are you sure she's ok? ...good...yeah...I trust you. Bye."

Ron's eyes widened as he realized that she was about to lead him directly to Hermione. He never expected it to be this easy, he had planned on many more nights of stalking his suspect. Now all he had to do was follow her without being seen...

Seconds later he heard the familiar click of the door being opened and caught a glimpse of Ricky as she headed down the street. He shifted on his legs uncomfortably, snapping a twig. Ricky spun around, directly facing him, but he was invisible in the dark under the bush.

With a silencing charm on his feet, Ron followed her at a reasonable distance going from shrub to shrub to tree lining the roadway. It didn't take long for her to leave the suburbs and head into the heart of the town. The streetlamps made it easy for him to be seen if she looked back at him. He decided to place a glamour over his face in case she did turn around. It transformed his eyes into a light grey while darkening his hair to an almost black shade of brown.

Ron placed the glamour at just the right moment. As Ricky passed a pastry shop, she turned and looked directly at him before heading into the shop. Convinced that she didn't recognize him, he leaned casually against the wall near the door and activated the extendable ears. She had mentioned something about needing a fireplace but Ron didn't think that she would find one here. He listened carefully hoping to find a new clue to the mystery. Their voices reached his ears as clearly as if he was standing in the shop with them. One of the voices was Ricky's and the other Ron recognized as the salesclerk's voice. An elderly muggle who also happened to live in the same apartment complex as Ron.

"I still don't like this idea," Ricky protested.

"I find it rather amusing," laughed the man.

"Will she hate me?" asked Ricky.

"Oh no, of course not sweetheart," consoled the man, "you are her very best friend. She will understand in the end."

Ron scowled. Some best friend, he thought bitterly.

Ricky walked back out the door. Momentarily Ron considered charging in on the man who also seemed to be a part of the scheme, but it wouldn't get him to Hermione or the wizard. Ricky was his only path to Hermione.

Ricky led him into a short alley where she walked into the back door of a building. Ron followed her in cautiously and concealed himself among the ample shadows. He was in an abandoned warehouse. The only source of light came from a small candle being held in the hand of Ricky who was walking toward something.

Ron closed the distance between himself and Ricky, confident he would not be seen. The flame was lowered into a large furnace attached to the wall and suddenly, the room brightened almost revealing Ron's hideout among the junk that crowded the floor.

Ricky looked nervous as she pulled a small jar from her coat and poured its entire ashy contents into her palm. Much of the substance slipped through her cold fingers. With a gulp, she tossed the contents into the fire which immediately shot up with bright green flames. She only hesitated for a moment before walking into the fire with determination. She shouted the address, "49536 Bleek Avenue."

The flames licked her body and swallowed her whole in a mass of heatless green fire. Ron leapt toward the empty furnace but was too late. He cursed at himself for not thinking to bring any floo powder.

"49536 Bleek Avenue," he said aloud to bind it into his memory. He bent down and felt for the remaining powder that littered the concrete floor. There wasn't even a handful left. If he was lucky, it would just be enough to reignite the green flames and transport him to the lair of Hermione's captor. He scooped it into his rough hands and tossed it into the embers. The fire kicked up suddenly but disappeared into a dull orange glow before he could form the address on his lips.

Ron cursed loudly and disapparated back to his apartment. Why didn't I think to bring floo powder? he asked himself angrily.

A/N: READ THIS! VERY IMPORTANT! as many of you know, i share this account with my friend tammy. i have gotten my own account now. i will finish FIREPLACE OF A FELON on her account and then i will switch all of my stories to my other account and write from there from then on.

i hope this is not an inconvenience for you and i hope you continue to read my stories when i become "bl0odybrilliant"

thank you, and once again, sorry for my absence!