A/N: Hello all of my wonderful readers! here are the well deserved shout out to those of you that have reviewed my last chapter. I apoligize if i miss someone. sometimes tammy cant email me the reviews in time for me to give a shout out to that person. that is one of the main reasons i am getting my own username as bl0odybrilliant. anyway, enough of me, here are your shout outs!

Juanli: dont worry, i am very proud of this story, i could not forget it. there will be at least 16 chapters to this when it is finished. i am so flattered that you like it so much though! thank you thank you thank you!

bellana30: i am so happy to have your reviews! they make me smile. i am sorry, but i must admit that i like to make cliffhangers between chapters....(bwah ha ha) hopefully you will find it worth the wait :-)

hikaru: as always, i am glad to get your reviews. have fun reading fanfics!

Chapter 10: Research

Ron came charging into a dark room with Hermione lying curled up on the floor, salt lining her face from the tears that had previously streaked her pale cheeks. Ron walked in and picked her up with ease in his bare muscular arms as she looked at him; all her fears melting away. With one arm around his neck she wearily lifted the other to his face as he kissed her tenderly. "Everything will be alright," he promised her. She looked up into his eyes again with passion. He set her back on her feet and clasped both her hands in his. He leaned toward her face and whispered near her ear, his breath lightly tickling the nape of her neck. "Stay here. I will be back, I promise you."

Hermione nodded solemnly as Ron left, determination coating his very being. He walked fearlessly into the room where the notorious wizard sat awaiting his arrival.

He was sitting in a high backed chair, not unlike a throne, face covered in shadows. The rest of his body immersed in the dim blue sweep of twilight. The man stood up to face his worthy opponent but Ron was too quick for him and uttered a quick spell, pulling the man toward him without defense. The man screamed but the rough heart of Ron paid no attention. The rigid form of the wizard who had the nerve to capture Hermione was slowly creeping towards Ron, hovering only an inch above the hard floor. Ron's heart skipped a beat as the pitiful form of the man, still screaming in terror entered the dim light. The face would soon be visible to Ron but more importantly, the pallid face of the wizard would be able to look upon Ron's once. A grim reminder of what he had done before Ron cast him to the eternal pit of flames…

Ron woke suddenly, cold sweat speckling his face. He looked across the dark room where the outline of a large snowy owl was visible in the blackness. Ron rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. After a dream like that he knew it was impossible for him to get any more sleep.

He got up and slowly shuffled to the owl. "Thanks Hedwig," he mumbled. He read Harry's note:

Ron,
Hey mate! How's the assignment going? I hope Hedwig doesn't wake you, its not urgent but muggles can be so uptight about seeing owls in the daytime. Since you will probably be out of the office today on your job, I thought I'd stop by this morning to say 'hi' so I'll see you soon!
Harry

Ron smiled and folded the note. It had been a while since he had visited Harry. He gave Hedwig a treat and she fluttered back out the window.

Caffeine is a wonderful invention, thought Ron. He grabbed a highly caffeinated drink and took a seat thinking about his dream. Why was his dream like that? Surely he couldn't still be harboring feelings for her. He refused to believe that he was. He washed the thoughts away with another swig of his drink. Tomorrow I will go and save her, then go about my business, there is nothing to it. That's the way she wants it and…that's the way I want it.

Hermione stood up and rubbed her ear. She'd had it pressed against the door for nearly twenty minutes straining to hear the happenings outside her small room. It was useless. The room was surrounded by an advanced silencing charm.

From a clock on the desk, it was about 9:30. She had been here for three days. Every day; once at nine, once at noon, and again at seven, a try elegantly laid with her favorite foods appeared on her desk similar to the way food appeared for the feasts at Hogwarts. She had to admit it was rather enjoyable in her cozy room. The books were excellent, the food was to die for and the silence made it easy for her to study.

I wonder if anybody is looking for me, she thought. Her parents might have tried to phone her but wouldn't worry if she didn't return their calls for a whole week. Work would be the most likely place to wonder where she was but this was her week's paid vacation. She was currently a major businesswoman at a research center in the muggle world. She had been offered a very prestigious position in the Ministry of Magic but turned it down; she refused to work anywhere near Ron.

Hermione was still never able to get bored in a room full of books to study but the simple thought of everything she didn't know was enough to make her wonder how long this would last. Surely the wizard who kidnapped her had a reason to do so. Surely she wasn't captured just to sit in a room for days.

She shook her head and turned back to her books. The original Hogwarts, A History hadn't mentioned anything about the House Elves but since her foundation of SPEW, there was a whole chapter on them and their new working rights.

At Hogwarts the elves produced the food magically and she assumed it was done in the same way that her food was appearing each day. Hermione, as always, analyzed it logically. If the food could get in, then she should be able to get out in the same way.

Harry showed up near 5. Ron, who was still wide awake thanks to several liters of caffeine, jumped up and finished opening the door for Harry, who barely had time to get a grip on the handle.

"Hey Ron," greeted Harry.

"Hey hey hey!" said Ron, patting Harry's back enthusiastically. He ushered Harry to a seat near his endless supply of caffeine.

"How's your investigation going?" Harry asked.

"Great!" beamed Ron. He was bouncing in his seat. "I found a great lead and she led me straight to where Hermione is!"

Harry chose to ignore Ron's temporary hyperactivity. "Is? You mean you didn't go and get her out of there yet?"

"I know where she is, I just didn't have floo powder. I was planning to borrow some from mum and dad." He started to fiddle with a string that was breaking away from a button on his shirt. The button popped off and instead he fiddled with that. "So why did you want to see me today?"

"No important reason really," said Harry, "Just missed seeing you at work. I've had this awful headache but it finally went away."

"Cool, do you want to help me with this wizard? I'm sure with the famous Harry Potter by my side I could accomplish anything!" Ron chuckled and looked at Harry for his response.

"Sorry mate, I can't. I need to be at work today. Besides, don't you want the glory this time?"

He left shortly afterward and Ron made his departure. He was off to safe the love of his life (Why did I think that!) and kill the wizard who brought her pain. The image of Hermione from his dream would not leave his mind.

A/N: If you love me, you'll review. consider it a late birthday present. (i am finally 17!!!! wo0ho0)