AN: Eccch, this took much longer then I thought. This chapter, by the way, is kind of the bases for the rest of the story. Fluttering from character to character.
Yep. Any who, time for the formalities:
Disclaimer: Please. Like really. No need to say this. I don't own Harry Potter. Guh!
Thanks:
Cat - Because I always thank her. Plus, she really liked this chapter. Surprise, surprise.
T-Bone - Not really a thanks but a thought. You do know you don't have to review me when we're in the same room, right? Especially to tell me to tell Kim to give your CD back. She was in the same room as you too! P.S. Give me my gameboy back, your bird is a wuss and I love you too, in a totally platonic way.
The nice reviewing people:
chrisseee667 - Thank you. And here is the next chapter even if it wasn't soon.
Draco Malfoy N Harry Potter - Babble away. Oh and I totally agree with you. I hate when Ron completely blows up when he finds out about Harry and Draco. I tried to make him pissy but not too much. Hope you like.
gwen - Here here here! lol
loVsick - Thanks. I continued even if it wasn't soon.
ailsinjiin - Hee hee, I looked briefly at your review and thought 'oh no someone thinks my fic sucks.' Then I read it. lol Thanks for the review.
RaevenWynter - I am particularly proud of the Hot-cold part. Poor Draco, all he wanted to do was Snog Harry. I never underestimate the dark side. Makes you wonder who'd win in a fight between Voldemort and Vader. Thanks for the review but you'll never get past my booby traps they are derived from all of the Indiana Jones Movies.
Tionne - Thanks. Ditto on the Petunia thing. She can really cheeze me off some times. I like Dudley though. I'm trying for a happy ending. *Grin*
Please enjoy..
*****
Camaraderie, Adventure and steel on steel. The stuff of ledges, right Boo?
Minsc - Baldur's Gate
*****
I see a man in the back as a matter of fact his eyes are as red as the sun
And a girl in the corner that no one ignores cause she thinks she's the passionate one.
Oh yeah!
It was like lighting
Everybody was frighting
And the music was soothing
And we all started grooving
Oh yeah!
And the man in the back said everyone attack and it turned into a ballroom blitz!
And the girl in the corner said, boy I wanna warn ya it'll turn into a ballroom blitz!
******
She watched vaguely interested as the man's form paced into the room. He was like a flurry of red and black. He sat himself before her and gave a word of good tidings. Her eyes searched his face for a moment. There it was, an impurity, a blemish, an unbalance to the skin pigments, a small splotch of..
"What?" Ron asked, helping himself from the plate of sausages. Hermione glared at him in distaste.
"You have something on your nose. Orange powder. How did you manage to do that? You just got up. How can you be dirty already?"
Ron frowned, then stuck his tongue out trying to find whatever complaint Hermione had.
"Ron, I said it was on your nose. You can't reach your nose with your tongue."
"Just because you can't....."
Hermione rolled her eyes and took another bite of her waffles. Sometimes Ron could be such a child. Actually, all of the time Ron could be such a child. Actually, all men, were children all the time. Her dark eyes looked up to watch Ron for a moment. The freckled boy had givin up and was stuffing as much sausage into his mouth as he could. She averted her eyes so not to watch the massacre. 'Ick!'
"It's about time you got up Ron." Mrs. Weasley said, coming back in with a bowl of strawberries. She smiled at Hermione then looked at her son.
"Oh, Ron!" The woman said, exasperated, "You have something on your nose." Mrs. Weasley grabbed a napkin, dipped it in a glass of water and tried to clean her son. Ron tried to wriggle away.
"Mu-um!" He protested. "I'm not eleven any more." Mrs. Weasley didn't let go and scrubbed furiously.
"Then you should act your age Ron and learn to use a mirror." Hermione lectured, careful to keep her face straight, as she added strawberries to her waffles. Molly looked at the brown haired girl and winked obviously, glimpsing amusement in Hermione's eyes. Then the woman turned back to her son.
"See, Ron? Even Hermione agrees with your old mother. Hold still." Finally, pleased with her son's appearance, she let him, go ruffling his hair.
"Oh, a lot of help you are Hermione." Ron said sulkily, sticking his tongue out at Her. She was silent for a moment then crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out back. Mrs. Weasley sat down at the table with a sigh, helping her to waffles. She looked sadly at Hermione.
"And here I thought I had found a nice mature woman but no!" She sighed again, dramatically. "I'm in a house full of children."
Hermione smiled, not disagreeing. Spending most of her childhood around Ron and Harry and her summers at the Burrow it was easy to lose her grip on maturity. Lately, she found herself doing things like sticking her tongue out at Ron, playing keep away with Percy's wand and, last night, tag with the whole Weasley clan. She mostly resigned herself to the fact she could not change that part of her without taking away Ron and Harry. Then again why would she want to? She grinned at Mrs. Weasley.
"Does that include your husband?"
"Of course. Men never grow up. They are forever little boys. Without woman men would run around like naked savage monkeys."
"Hey!" Ron said angrily, most likely offended on behalf of his sex.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Ron, dear." Mrs. Weasley reminded sternly.
"Sorry." He mumbled. Hermione smirked and cut another piece of waffle. Ron swallowed.
"So, where is everyone?" He asked looking at the usually full table.
"They all left. You got up late." Hermione replied. Mrs. Weasley nodded.
"Your father is out trying to find another of those Muggle...." She stopped and looked blankly at Hermione. "What did he call it?"
"CD player." Hermione said.
"Right. Percy's at work, of course." Mrs. Weasley shook her head, "He works too much. I think the Ministry should make sure he takes his off days off. Remember the fuss he put up about coming home for Christmas?" Ron nodded. Mrs. Weasley just tisked.
"He seemed to have relaxed a bit." Hermione piped up, trying to be helpful. Ron nodded again to that, before taking more sausages.
"Herr's right, mum." He mumbled through sausages. "He's less stuck up. He doesn't always act like he's got a wand shoved way up his ar...."
"Ron!" Mrs. Wesley cried.
"Its true!" Ron protested.
"Don't say things like that about your brother!"
"But."
"No buts." Mrs. Weasley said firmly.
Ron snorted, looking down cast. "You only defend him all the time because he's your favorite." He accused, taking a sullen bite of waffle. Hermione raised an eyebrow at Mrs. Weasley who had gone quite flustered. Ron looked at his mother and looked more grumpily.
"It's true, isn't it?" he asked, his mouth still full off waffle.
The red headed woman shook her head. "No! If that's the impression you get, it shouldn't be. I love all of you equally and try to show it the best I can."
Ron looked at him mum with understanding then grinned wickedly at her. Hermione drained the last of her tea then sat back to watch. Spending as much time with the Weasley she could figure Ron had it up his sleeve to tease his mum. That was something all the boys (and girl) of the family seemed to enjoy doing and excelled at in the way only family could. One favorite thing to bring up among all the Weasley children was the question of who was the favorite.
"So, then, mum," Ron started cheerfully. "who is your favorite then?" The woman glared at her youngest son. Hermione leaned in, watching carefully. She had seen this procedure a few times, always wondering what would happen if the plump woman ever let a name slip. Probably six very discouraged men and woman.
"I've told you! I love you all the same amount."
"But you have to love one more. Is it me?"
Hermione always found these conversations very interesting. In her family they never happened. She was an only child. The only other occupants in her house that came close to siblings were Croonshanks and her mum's fat, old, Persian 'Doctors'. They pretty much fell out of the running due to shedding and slashed furniture. She was always Mummy's little helper and Daddy's little girl. It had been kind of lonely growing up but at least a bit quite. Listening to the banter between mother and son, she smiled and decided to barrel in.
"I know who her favorite is." Hermione stated. They both looked up at her. She smiled sweetly.
"Who?" Ron demanded. Molly merely looked bemused.
"Not you." Hermione said with an evil grin of her own. She chortled silently as Ron sputtered for a few moments. He wasn't quite sure what she was up to.
"Who then?" He asked blue eyes glittering in suspicion, sure there would be a put down on his part.
"He always keeps the house very clean."
Ron made an indignant sound. "I knew you would side with Percy just because he always..."
Hermione cut him off in mid rant. "Actually, I meant Harry."
"Harry? He doesn't count!"
"Your mum thinks of him as a son, right? And you all think of him as a brother?" Ron half nodded. "Well, that puts him into the running and let me tell you something Ron." She leaned close to the red head and whispered loud enough for Mrs. Weasley to hear. "Harry's a lot neater then you."
Molly ducked her head so Hermione couldn't see her face redden in mirth but she did hear the snickers. Ron, on the other hand, growled and made a swipe at Hermione. She stepped out of the path of his arm.
"Sod off, Hermione." He muttered.
"Ron!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed before slapping the back of his head. "Don't use that language. Especially around guests."
"Hermione doesn't count as a guest" He said making a face at the brunette. He turned to his mother "Is what she said true mum?"
"Well," Mrs. Weasley said, deep in thought as she got up from the table. "Harry is a lot cleaner then you are."
"That's not fair. I'm clean enough! " Ron protested, blue eyes flashing. "Harry just thinks he'll be kicked out of the house or something if he's not neat."
"I tell you something." Ron's mother said with an affectionate smile.
"What?"
"If you clean up more Ron, you can be my favorite child."
"Fine!" Ron shouted before sliding low in his chair and frowning sulkily. Hermione giggled at his expression. Mrs. Weasley levitated the breakfast dishes.
"You're all done?" She asked. Hermione and Ron nodded. "Good, then I'll clean up these." She sent them through the door to the kitchen. She stopped half way through. "Oh and Ron?"
"What?"
"Since you agreed, I'd like you to degnome the garden."
Hermione snorted as Ron groaned and slid lower in his chair. "No fair mum! I'm on vacation."
"It's fair enough! Get moving." Molly replied, firmly.
"But mu-um...I'm still drinking my tea." Ron protested pointing to the one cup the red headed witch hadn't removed from the table.
"When you're done then."
"But.."
"Don't whine, Ron, it's not polite. That's all you have to do and you'll have you day free. Well, maybe some dusting, too."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione said over the loud sound of Ron groaning. "I'll make sure he degnomes the garden."
"Thank you, Hermione. Just don't let him rope you into doing all off the work." The witch said with a wry grin before disappearing behind the closed door. Hermione smiled, despite Ron's large frown. He kicked her under the table.
"A lot of help you are Herm!" He said. She just tucked her legs under her chair away from his leg reach. Mrs. Weasley was right about Ron talking her into helping with the degnoming even doing most of the work. Ron had a way of talking her into lots of weird ideas. She looked bemused at the man as he took deliberate and small sips of his tea. Ron's plans. Hence the reason she was at the burrow for the summer instead of as a Muggle with her parents. She smiled at her summer plans.
***
Hermione was staying at the Burrow for the entire summer. Ginny had given her room to the bushy haired bookworm, taking an internship at Hogwarts under Madam Pomfrey. The redheaded girl had been so thrilled. There were so many jobs that one could get with proper instructions in magical healing. The one day the Hermione had been able to see the Weasley girl before she left she had gushed over the opportunities. It was such a great course for Ginny and would really add to her credentials. Ginny was so excited about the chance she was getting. Her whole family had been so proud of her skills. She had done so well in sixth year magical healing that Dumbledore himself had asked her to join Madam Pomfrey for the summer. Very few students even got that chance. Hermione was happy to list off every profession she could think of where magical healing could be useful making the seventeen-year-old beam. She knew that Ginny would be off to a great start on her future. Hermione was worried for herself.
It was not that she wasn't qualified for any jobs. The problem was she was too qualified. She had been head girl, top of her classes of which she took so many that all her options were also so...many. Three of her professors asked her to help them over the summer or to become research assistants. Four had told her she should apply for DADA position, sure she could keep it over a year. Percy visiting Hogsmeade had told her of a position opening in his department and with his and his fathers prodding could probably be hers. Lavender told her to come to America with her and write freelanced for the many wizard magazines. Harry suggested she train to be an Auror with him. In fact, Hermione had heard so many suggestions, serious ones to be considered, flippant ones, random ones in passing, that she actually broke down sobbing in the halls a few days before graduation.
Dumbledore had found her and lead her up to his office for tea, asking her what her troubles were. She had stared embarrassed down into the blue teacup. Dumbledore in his ever-knowing way had just nodded and asked what she was planning on doing later in life. She had smiled first and started on her usual 'Oh, I'm not sure, there are so many options speech.' She got halfway through before bursting again and wailing. She admitted the whole problem while Dumbledore patted her hand kindly.
"What do you think, sir? You must have a suggestion."
"Oh, indeed, Miss Granger, my mind is just bursting with the many jobs you can partake in after graduation. Howeve,r I am sure they are nothing you haven't thought of for yourself or haven't had suggested to you already."
"You aren't going to help me?" The girl asked dismayed.
"On the contrary, I think not giving you more suggestions will be more helpful. You have gone through your school career with the ambition to be the best in your studies. You have succeeded but unfortunately before you can..." He stopped for a moment seeming to choose his words. "Reap what you sowed I suppose.. you have the terrible choice of which field you wish to go into." He smiled warmly at her, blue eyes twinkling in amused knowledge. "The reason I would not give you my opinion of a job is that I don't want to sway your opinion. It is your choice, after all, what with all the hard work you did over the years."
Hermione sighed and drank more tea, "So, I guess you wouldn't like to give me a hint?"
"Not for job options. Though I will add that if you ever feel like becoming a teacher, the Defense Against the Dark Arts spot is almost always open. I would remind you also thought that there seems to be a curse on that position. Professor Cacciamani will, unfortunately, be leaving by next semester."
"How.....sad." Hermione murmured, no force behind the words. The whole year had been quite irksome, due to the fact Professor Cacciamani knew no English.
"I have no clue who to hire for next year." Dumbledore mused to himself patting his beard. "Perhaps, I'll see if I can possibly employ Reamus again. He was quite good at it. It would annoy Serverus, of course," He winked, quite amused to Hermione when he saw she was still listening to him. "but it's good for him. Conflict brings out the best in him."
"Um, sir?" Hermione asked, suddenly shy to ask questions from the headmaster but still curious. When she had his attention, she quickly asked. "Why don't you give Sna..I mean, Professor Snape the DADA position? If he wants it so much?"
Dumbledore shook his head gravely. "Serverus will be better teaching potions. Not that he hasn't the skills for DADA. He will be happier as the Potion Master. He doesn't, of course, believe me on that but it's true. Beside, I would hate to give him the position and lose my best potion master to a curse. Any ways Hermione, about your predicament," he changed the subject away from the potion master, "I would hate to see you in a job you are unhappy in also. My advice to you is to talk to your friends. Mr. Potter has been excepted for the Auror training, if I'm not mistaken. A fine career choice for Harry. I'm sure he and Mr. Weasley should be able to help you."
Hermione nodded, drinking the last of her tea. She stood up and brushed her robe.
"Thank you, sir." she said heading for the door.
"Good luck."
Taking Dumbledore's advice she sought out Harry. Finding him sitting out on the Quidditch court, she gave him the abbreviated version of her talk with Dumbledore (minus the breakdown and tears) and asked him exactly what he was planning to do. She got a smile and the usual play about how he wanted to become an Auror because to many were dying in what he felt was a fight he should have prevented. She refrained from the usual 'Harry it wasn't your fault what happened fourth year.' She knew he didn't want to hear it. Besides she didn't want to talk down on his Auror's plan. He had seemed so upset at the beginning of seventh year and the summer before. It was one of the few things that seemed to make him happy. She nodded a thanks to him, even though the talk hadn't helped her. As she got up to leave, he grabbed her sleeve.
"Herm? I have a thought I'd like to run by you."
She froze, wondering if he wanted to confide his feelings to her. She cringed hoping she wouldn't make any thing worse. She sat down again.
"Shoot."
"Ok." he said somewhat nervous "I've had some...offers."
"Offers?"
"From a Quidditch team. Well, three actually. Chudley Cannons, Appleby Arrows and the Moose Jaw Meteorites."
"The Canadian team?" She asked, barley recognizing the names from 'Quidditch Through the Ages'.
"Yeah, that one. What do you think?"
"About what?" She asked, unusually but thoroughly confused.
"Should I forget about Aurors? I could be a good professional seeker." Harry glumly looked past Hermione to the fireplace. "I could help some of the teams a lot, too. I guess." He added bleakly. She stared at him in surprise. "I like Quidditch."
"You don't sound very thrilled at the prospect." Hermione pointed out. Harry nodded.
"I'm not. I'd rather help people by being an Auror but...I'm not sure. The team mangers they talked about you know honor. You know to me, my country..that wasn't from the Meteorite owner mind you.. my Hogwarts house even to Hogwarts itself. They said I could help more people more when I was rich and a celebrity." Harry shrugged and looked successfully downtrodden. Hermione frowned.
"Harry, I don't think it'd exactly be the same thing. The kind of helping you'd be doing would be donating to charities and building schools for kids who don't read good. Telling kids the importance of not sniffing floo powder. The kind of helping you say you want to do is actually help people by arresting bullies and chasing down Death Eaters. It's not remotely the same thing. You're trying to morph it in your head so that the Seekers job will have the same impact as being an Auror. I'm not sure why though. What makes you think you should be a seeker instead of an Auror, if that what you want?"
"Its seems the thing I should be doing. Somewhat. I'm good at it. Teams could use me. Maybe, I just want to be a Auror to help my...er..what are they called? Hero complex?"
"Harry, if you had a hero complex it would worsen by being a famous seeker. I don't think you have a hero complex, any way. You'd be much happier as an unsung hero. I don't believe that's the reason. Tell me the real one. Please"
"Ok. First, it's just I don't want to make the wrong choice. If I take the training it would be final. I don't want to be stuck."
"You can always be a seeker after you tried the training."
"But..."
"But?"
"There's also this one thing. If I were and Auror I'd have to fight against Death Eaters. Maybe even kill one."
"And you don't want to kill people? Is that it Harry?" Hermione asked, thinking she had about figured Harry's problem out. Harry never seemed like the person who would want to kill someone. He even saved Wormtail back in third year.
"That's.......not all. What if..what if I kill someone...a Death Eater and I..I know him?" Harry had paled considerable at saying that and adverted looking Hermione directly in the eyes.
"Er..any one in particular?" She asked. Harry shrugged. "Well," She said ignoring his silence. "You won't be out fighting the bad guys right away. You'd get training first. The training is to help you protect yourself but also to safely capture people with out killing them."
Harry looked at her.
She flushed slightly, "I looked some stuff up when you said you wanted to be an Auror. Just to see what kind of training you'd get."
"Oh."
Hermione stared at him trying to figure him out. He had acted so odd and this just added to it. She decided to call him on it. "Harry, what is it? You've been acting so odd for a long time. Every time I ask you about it you say something silly. It's because of a detention or an essay you have to write. I don't believe you any more." Harry flustered in front of her. "Harry, I'm going to ask you a question and I want to be honest with me, ok?" He hesitated and she grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes. "Harry...are you doing drugs?"
Harry looked at her in shock cracked a smile then doubled over with laughter.
"I'm serious."
Harry didn't answer but continued to laugh, holding his sides.
P> "Well, ha ha ha yourself you..you pothead you. See if I help you fine a nice rehab." Hermione said, hiding a smile. Harry laughed some more. "Ok," She said when he finally calmed down. "I know that was a stupid question. It's just I'm confused about how you've been acting the past, well, years. Moody, maybe is the word. Sad, maybe. You've been scaring me and Ron." Harry sobered at her words and looked sadly at his hands.
"Maybe, that's true. Well, you know it is true, but.." He shrugged. "It was something to do with school. Once we graduate, it won't happen as much."
"I guess." Hermione said, unsure.
"Hey!" Harry said quickly putting an arm around her shoulder. "Please don't worry about me. I have this problem I can't really get your help on. I'm going to have to figure this one out on my own."
She bite he lip. "Fine." She said, finally. "If you say you can't tell me, I won't press you. Just remember, Harry I'd try to understand. About anything. If you ever feel the need to talk I. Will. Be. There. Got it?" She hugged him and he hugged back tightly.
"I've got it. Thanks."
She got up from the table. "I'm going to find Ron. Whatever you decide Harry, I'll be behind you two hundred percent."
"Two hundred?"
"One hundred will be Ron. We'll always be there for you."
He gave her a watery smile before turning back to stare at the pitch. Hermione watched him for a few moments, eyes filling with tears. She turned to go back into the castle and wiped her. Halfway back, she giggled to herself.
I hope I don't have to declared eternal friendship to Ron, too. I'll probably burst into tears.
She found Ron in the common room playing chess. The weird thing about it was that he was playing himself. The weirder thing was that he was upset he was losing and gloating cause he was wining. She shook her head. She worried about him sometimes. She sat down on a chair that viewed the game if any one had cared to watch.
"Lo!" Ron said, smiling as she sat moving his knight to take out and opposing bishop. "Ha!"
"Hi, Ron." Hermione said, leaning back in the understuffed chair. The redhead waved slightly looking towards his board thoughtful.
"Can I help you with any thing important or did you just realize you had no more tests to study for and decided to talk to your poor neglected friend?"
"Neglected!" Hermione snorted in mock rage. "After all that time I spent helping you study for your NEWTs."
"Sure, sure." Ron replied, eyeing the chessboard a moment before telling his red queen to move five spaces to the right. "If that's what you want to believe Hermione."
"It is, thank you, but I actually have something important to talk to you about."
"Really?" Ron asked, surprised. His white queen put his red king in check. "HA! Take that." He moved to the other side of the table and studied the board. "What is it?"
Hermione frowned slightly, wondering about her friend's sanity. She shook it off, owing to the fact not many people would play against him. "Well, you see," She answered his question. "I was talking to Dumbledore and Harry about this thing and neither were much help and I was think....." She trailed off. She just realized something. What was Ron doing after graduation? He hadn't said any thing about a career at all. Nothing she was sure of it.
"Herm?" Ron asked, looking up at her for the first time, eyes studying her instead of the chessboard. "I'm listening even if it looks I'm not." He smiled warmly, before his blue eyes slipped back to the red and white board.
Maybe you're a good listener but I'm not She thought. How could she not know what he was planning. She felt somewhat ashamed of herself. "What are you doing after graduation?" She blurted out quickly blushing slightly. His eyes snapped back on her in surprise before he grinned and asked.
"What are you doing after graduation?"
She suppressed the urge to say that was a question for the ages. Instead, she looked down at her boots and muttered. "That's what I was talking to Dumbledore and Harry about. I don't know." She looked up again what Ron let out a large chuckle. He then frowned in an exaggerated pout.
"I see." He said. "You talk to me about something important last. Harry and Dumbledore came first and I come last." He gave and indigent snort. "I bet you already talked to Snape about it." Hermione smiled and gave his shoulder a shove.
"Grow up you, big baby."
"I am not a baby. You are!" He stuck his tongue out at her. She copied, then giggled at his expression. Crossing her ankles and leaning back she hoped to give off a mature Auror.
"So." She said making her face blank and stroking her chin. "What would be Ron Weasley's expert opinion on what I should do after Hogwarts."
His eyes widened even more "You're serious!"
"Of course. I always am." She said unsmiling. "Well, Ronald? I'm waiting."
His face brightened as if he had just been told he owned a life time supply of Honeydukes chocolate. "I have the perfect job for you."
Hermione smiled at him but winced inwardly. Everyone had the perfect job and everyone had a suggestion. She had hoped he hadn't. He was the only who hadn't suggested something all year besides Dumbledore. Harry had said she should be an Auror like him. Heck, even Snape gave his two cents worth. Of course, Hermione thought of sewage worker in the same respect she thought of Fred's suggestion (To be a waitress in what was, basically, the wizard equivalent of Hooters) Or, rather, she didn't respect or think of them. She had no idea what Ron would suggest.
"Work with me."
She had planned two things. If Ron's response had been serious she would smil,e thank him and say 'gee I hadn't heard that one' (Even if she did) then hide out in her room and cry. If it was a silly, stupid or perverse idea she'd smack him tell him off, then hide out in her room and cry. She hadn't expected an answer quite like that.
"Huh?" Came her quite inarticulate response.
"Come work with me." He repeated, a little less sure.
"Um.....what? In what? Where?"
Ron's eye looked away from her, back to the chessboard but she could tell he wasn't concentrating on his game. It looked like he was taking deep calming breaths. Under his tan freckles, his skin had become dead white. He turned his eyes back to her.
"I..I said.." He repeated slowly, as if he didn't believe it. "I want you to come work w...with m...mm..me. I want to start my own business."
She gaped at him. She couldn't help it. He wanted to what?
"You want to what? Since when? What kind?"
"I want to start my own businesses. With your help. I've wanted to for a while now, actually." He shrugged, ears turning red.
"How long is a while?" She asked.
"Er..well it started around first year actually. When we all knocked that troll out. I thought that it be a bloody good job just to do stuff like that. I didn't actually think of doing after Hogwarts until maybe...er I think forth year. Around that. I was going to ask you and Harry to join but, well, Harry really wants to be an Auror. I thought you would have a job lined up since you get best marks and all." Ron stopped talking, a small smile on his face, looking at the carpet in front of his feet. Hermione shook her head in surprise. She hadn't heard of any thing or even suspected her friend had wanted to do...
"And your company would what? Kill trolls?"
"Not just kill trolls!" Ron said, eyes lighting up. "Capture dragons, get hard to find potion ingredient, even degnome gardens. We'd do it all, no questions asked unlike the Ministry of Magic ."
"That sounds ...interesting." Hermione stuttered. Her heart clenched as she watched Ron's face fall.
"You think it's a stupid idea, don't you?" The red headed boy asked sadly.
"Well..." She intoned.
Ron made his face wholly blank for probably the first time in his life. "Never mind then." His mouth twisted in to a morbid smile without any expression behind it. "I'm sure you'll be a great DADA professor or something."
"No," She went quickly. Why was she so bad at this kind of thing. She always ended hurting Ron's feeling. "It's just that....I'm not sure how well though out it was. Could it actually work? I mean really?" She stressed the really hoping he would she her point of view. He didn't seem to. His cheeks burned and his eyes filled with angry tears.
"You think its some stupid thing I just thought up yesterday, don't you?" Hermione didn't answer. The red head grabbed the case that held his chess pieces and popped it open. She at first thought that he was going to pack up his pieces and storm off to his room. Then she saw that he was tearing at the velvet lining of the case. She opened her mouth to protest. That was one of the nicer things he owned. It was passed down like most his things but inherited from a great uncle. She couldn't believe he was wreaking it.
"I do think ahead sometimes Herm. I'm not a total idiot." She could now see that he wasn't ripping at the lining rather pulling it up along with a false bottom. Inside, he pulled out a stack of papers all threaded together with a yellow ribbon. His face lost most of his anger as he looked at it before sheepishly handing it to her.
"See. Look." he said. She got the feeling that she was the only person to have read these. She flipped open the packet and viewed to pages talking about the proper ways to slay a troll. They looked suspiciously like they were ripped out of a textbook. Ron flipped forward many pages.
"Ignore those. The newer stuff is here." Ron's voice had gone a lot quieter and Hermione guessed he was feeling foolish. Whether it was for his outburst at her or showing his papers she wasn't sure. She read them hoping her mind wouldn't be too critical and she wouldn't say something that would hurt her friends...
Odd. The numbers all added up and the scribbled words made sense. If Ron showed that much dedication to his homework he would have gotten better marks in class. One of his fingers jabbed at the page idly.
"Yeah." He mutter voice quite low now. Hermione notice he wasn't looking right at her. "See this is a price sheet. Kind of like er...how much would someone be willing to pay for something like killing a Bundimun. It's, um, also got the added thing that people would pay because if you ask the Ministry for help on some things you can get a fine." His freckled hand scratched the back of his neck. "Also, did you know that if you get help from the Ministry on Dangerous Beasts or whatever they make a note of it?" The brunette shook her head not sure if he was looking or not. "Perce told me that. So, that's why people would be willing to call us...er...me...I guess."
She stared at the notes he had written eyeing the 200,000 galleons for killing a chimaera. He reached out for the paper and she gave them to him. He clutched them to his chest.
"You know, I just realized maybe you're right. This is a dumb idea. Never mind, right? Go out and get a real job."
Hermione frowned as she heard her friend's voice. So sad. She didn't like hearing Ron talk like that. Angry Ron she could take. Sad Ron broke her heart. She wanted to help.
His price sheet made sense, didn't it? He was good at strategy. He was her best friend and besides....
It would be fun.
A soft smile came to her face as her mind finally agreed.
"Ok, I'm in."
Ron paused from what he was doing (Opening the fake bottom to put back his papers) and looked at her with an incredulous look jaw slack.
"W..what?" He sputtered jaw still open when he finished. Hermione resisted the urge to close his moth.
"I said, I'm in. I'll go into business with you."
"Really?" He asked face lighting up.
"Yeah."
She grabbed the paper that she had just handed him back and stuffed it in her book bag. Standing and hefting her bag over her shoulder, she grabbed the redheads arm and pulled him to the common room door.
"Where are we going?"
"The library. You need to have more plans then this if you want to get started after we graduate.
"I'm beginning to think this was a bad idea." He said, with a good-hearted moan.
"Nonsense."
******
So, they had made a much nicer plan. Nothing could happen right away, of course. Hermione was invited to stay at the Burrow so they could work more on the plans. They would get some training and do a bit more studying before they could start. Ron had boasted that he could get contacts though in the family unlike Hermione. Mr. Weasley and Percy would help with Ministry legal stuff. The twins owned their own businesses and were giving tips. Bill had sent some more rare books on curses for Hermione's reading pleasure. Ron was trying to set it up to visit Charlie in Romania so they could get first hand stuff with really big carnivorous lizards. Mrs. Weasley made great waffles and gave Hermione earfuls of advice. Though it wasn't on owing your own business (More like romantic advice and a certain red headed man)
The last great part of Ron's scheme was now after Harry was done with Auror training to kidnap him. (Hermione wasn't sure if that was literal or figural) Then he would have great training to add to their team. Hermione wasn't so sure if Harry would go for that.
She picked at the white tablecloth as Ron procrastinated over his tea. She wondered if Harry would join the businesses (Ron was calling it Weasley and Granger slaying etc but that didn't go for her. Her name should come first.). Ron seemed to have his heart set on it.
I wonder how Harry's doing? She thought, bored.
Speak of the devil and the devil appears.
There was a great flurry of wings from the open window that caused both to look up. Hedwig gave a predator's screech, scooping low to skim the table. She banked right, barley missing scalping Ron with her very sharp talons. She made the briefest touchdown in front of Hermione, dropped the note previously clutched between her claws then, with fleet movement generally credited to prima ballerinas, took to the air again. The owl settled over the door to the kitchen on a small knick knackless shelf in a snowy version of Poe's raven. She glared at them, indignantly, before preening her feathers. Hermione and Ron stared up at her in wordless surprise. Seeing Harry's owl was never a surprise especially, on this summer with him still stuck with the Dursleys. The thing was the snowy owl never seemed that aloof when there was food on the table to nick. Hermione shrugged slightly, grabbed at Harry's note and brushed hands with Ron doing the same thing.
She made a face at Ron grabbing fast on her side to prevent his stealing the note from her grasp.
"Honestly Ron," She chided giving a small tug, which the red head returned. "You can't act like a child. You are, after all, a graduate."
"So? I had it first." Was the retaliation.
"No, you didn't." Hermione said, before looking horror struck realizing what she had started.
"Did, too." Ron said with a smug smile
Hermione shook her head trying to keep a straight face. "I refuse to stoop to this level of arguing."
"Ha ah! I win then. I was right and you? You were wrong."
"I was not."
"Were too"
"No"
"Yes"
"Arrgh." The brunette yelled then dug her nails into Ron's knuckles.
"Owwww!" The red head cried, dropping the letter. He cupped his hand with the hand Hermione's surprisingly long nails hadn't brutalized and stared at it in shock. Then he looked up at Hermione. She smiled, then grabbed the dropped note.
"You hurt me!" He accused.
"Um...sorry?"
"You scratched me!"
"Yes. Yes, I did."
"I'm bleeding." He wailed.
"You are not." Hermione said but sat up trying to angle a look at his hand, any way. If he was bleeding she would suggest he use a cleaning charm and conger up a bandage. If his was lying, she would be extremely peeved. Ron's supposedly bleeding hand reached out quickly grabbing the note from her not to strong hold and waved it above his head.
"Yes!" He crowed "I win! Ron Weasley, Ladies and Gentlemen is the winner."
Hermione sat back in her chair disbelieving she had fallen for a dumb trick like that. Hoping to show Ron how little she thought of the note an way and how foolish the red head was anyway, she sniffed trying her best to stare down at him dispute the fact she was shorter then him. "Winning though deceit is hardly praise worthy Ron. Besides we were not playing. That was only you acting childish."
The freckled boy merely grinned at her, not believing her and stuck his tongue out. She rolled her eyes still trying to look the more mature. When Ron still stared at her grinning like a...a...git. Good grief, she was starting to sound like him. Well, with him still staring she raised and eye brow and waved a hand towards the note.
"Are you going to read that Ron or merely cheer your success at being a mendacious thespian?"
He blinked slightly confused before pulling the note open.
"I'm going to read it. First! Ha ha! So there."
His blue eyes scanned the note once then again. Hermione looked at him in interest as a totally baffled look over came his face. What in the world had Harry said?
"What is it?"
He looked up then handed her the note. "Maybe you can figure it out. It's....well...weird."
"Weird?"
She flipped the paper up and held it open for her to read.
"Ron," She said reading the thing out loud. "This may sound...." The sentence stopped at a red scribble then a new line started. "Could you p..." Another scribbled and then. "I think I'll be there at breakfast...maybe tenish or a little later please can you see if you can get your family to leave just the house for a bit. Just you. Hern" Hermione supposed that was supposed to be her name, formed with only one bump for the m since she didn't know any Herns. "too. Get at least your mum dad percy out I'm on my way now..." She stopped then looked at Ron before reading the last line. "Don't freak out." It was underlined twice.
Hermione studied the letter. It was confusing with bad grammar and an odd request. Besides grammatics it had been folded with the ink still wet and was smugly. She placed the note on the table and stood up slightly leaning over the table resting on her elbow.
"Ok, I agree Ron. That is defiantly weird."
"What do you think that was about?" Ron asked, picking the note up.
"I don't know." Hermione admitting head shaking and hair swishing.
Ron examined the letter again. "I dunno, He's never written like this. What do you think about this part? At least your Mum, Dad and Percy." Why do you think he added them Herm?"
Hermione cocked her head and thought for a moment. "I think..hmm. Oh Wait I think I know!" She looked at Ron eyes wide and shocked. "What do you Mum your Dad and Percy have in common?"
"Er...They all have red hair?"
Hermione ignored him. "Your Dad works for the Ministry right. So does Percy and when was the last time he ever broke any rules? Same for your mum."
"Wait! Are you saying Harry's done something...bad?"
"Maybe illegal?" Hermione suggested.
"What? Do you think he blew up his aunt again?" Ron said with a smile chuckling. Hermione's frown stopped him.
"That was serious Ron. Harry could have gotten into big trouble. Besides," She paused "He could fix something like that now. What ever...thing he did or is doing, it's big."
Ron was silent for a second before whispering quietly "You don't think...er..you don't think he used one of the unforgivable curses, do you?" Hermione started at Ron's suggested. Harry would never do something like that. She was surprised Ron mentioned it. She hadn't even thought that.
"Ron, its Harry. He'd never."
"He might. You never know. Besides, that would be really big, if he did right? He'd be on the land."
"That's on the lam, Ron." Hermione corrected tapping her nail nervously on the hard wooden table. "But it's Harry. He'd never do something so horrible to anyone. He couldn't."
"Your right. But what ever he did, I'm not gonna turn him in." He looked at Hermione. She knew he expected her to mirror his words and turn it into and oath.
"I won't turn him in either. Whatever it is, I'm sure there's a reason. I'll hear him out."
Ron placed a hand over his heart. "Me too." They sat in silence for a second reiviting in their words.
"Ok, so what are we going to do about this?" Ron asked, fluttering the letter.
"Get the house cleared, like it asks."
"Well, everyone is gone beside you and me." Ron said.
"Don't forget your mum. We'll have to do something about her."
"About her what?" Mrs. Weasley asked stepping back into the kitchen.
"Mum!" Ron cried "You have to leave the house!" Hermione sighed mentally at Ron's nonstealth way of putting things. Very coy there, Ron.
"What he means is," Hermione interjected before the redheaded man could say any more. "that um you have to leave the house." Well, this was one way to get her out. "Because," She continued stressing the word when Ron looked ready to speak again. "Because er.." She grabbed Harry's note and waved it. "This note came and um.... from er" In desperation she looked at Ron for help.
"Yes from...." the red heads face screwed up as he thought of names. "From Percy."
"Percy!" Mrs. Weasley repeated in surprise
"Percy?" Hermione hissed, shooting Ron a look. He shrugged. "Right, then." She said as Molly looked at her. "Percy."
"What does he want?" The worried woman asked.
"Want?" Ron said blankly
"Of course, want!" Hermione said, elbowing Ron in the ribs. "Well, what he wants is very important."
"So, important he needs to see you at the office." Ron agreed, making a wrapping up motion to Hermione.
"Why?"
"Why?" Ron said. Then he caught on. "Why, for a very important reason."
"Yes." Hermione said, smoothly. "He needs help..um help from you with....."
"Cloths!"
Hermione shot the red head a glance and mouthed 'cloths'. He made a face, waving his hand, trying to be discreet. Hermione thought for a moment and decided to really get Mrs. Weasley interested in visiting his son.
"Right. Percy needs you at the office to get help choosing cloths for his big date."
"Big date." Ron repeated solemnly, apparently going along with anything Hermione said. "Very important." He repeated, almost monotone.
Hermione resisted the urge to eyebrow him again.
Molly looked flabbergasted. "I wasn't aware he was dating anyone." She admitted, embarrassed.
"Neither were we." Ron said. That, Hermione decided, warranted an elbow shove. Ron winced and tried to unblunder his blunder. "What I mean is, he just said so it this letter. It's a first date. Gee, he sounds really excited." Ron faked cheerfulness. Hermione crossed her fingers and hoped Mrs. Weasley wouldn't ask to read the note. She grabbed Mrs. Weasley's cloak and handed it to her. Ron grabbed her arm and led her gently towards the fireplace.
"Well, I guess you'd like to get going, hmm?" Hermione suggested cheerfully.
"Right, you'll only have a short time to work with." Ron added.
Molly turned to them looking suspicious. They were acting too nice to not be up too something. Mrs. Weasley had raised the twins so, of course, she'd expect something. Hermione saw the woman eye the paper in her hand. Planning only a second ahead she tripped herself flinging forward and accidentally dropping to note in the fire. Half-hearted attempts to save the paper as it burned should seal its fate. She stood up quickly, looking sadly at the fire.
"What a shame. It was such a nice letter." She grabbed Mrs. Weasley's arm and pushed her closer to the fire. "Oh well, you can always ask Percy in person, right?" Behind his mums back, she grabbed Ron's ear and whispered a quick order into it.
"What?" He mumbled confused.
"Do it!" She hissed as Mrs. Weasley uncertainly took the jar with floo powder down. They were acting weird to Mrs. Weasley. Ron making a joke about Percy should clinch the suspicion away.
"You don't have to worry mum. She's just some girl he met at work. Their idea of a date probably be working out some problem over lunch."
"Ron! I'm sure she's a lovely girl. That my son conveniently forgot to mention." She gave a forced smile and grabbed a handful of floo powder. "You two be good."
"We will." Hermione grinning a bit too wildly counting the plump women's steps to the fire place. One more step. When Mrs. Weasley had left Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally."
"I didn't think that would work." Ron confessed.
"Me either. I'm sure that'll surprise Percy when she shows up."
"Especially with her talking about a nonexistent girlfriend." Ron snorted. "Like that would happen."
"I'm sure he could be seeing someone without telling your entire family."
"Naw."
"You didn't know about Penny in second year, did you?" Hermione asked smugly. She liked winning the conversations/arguments/debates she had with Ron.
"Yeah but that was Penny. How bad could the person be for him to not tell us. An ax murder?" Ron shook his head. "Who cares about that any way. Percy doesn't want Mums help, he'll tell her and she'll come back here!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "That's easy to fix. The hard part was getting you mum to leave."
"What's going to stop her from coming back?"
Hermione rolled her eyes again. "Simple. Go get me a pitcher of water." The brunette waved away Ron's perplexed look ordering him to the kitchen. She pulled out her wand and grabbed a handful of floo powder. Ron came back half a second later with the pitcher and handed it to Hermione. She dumped the powder in, and swirled it around. A few seconds later she dumped it on the fire. The fire sputter a guttered protest then died.
"Hermione, what......."
"Shush!" She waved her wand over the pile of wet ashes mumbling the words to the spell that she hoped she remembered correctly. The wet ashes glowed purple reacting to her words and wand prodding. Finally the purple faded and pink tendrils rolled up from a light fog to web over the fireplace opening. Hermione nodded in appreciation to her spell, pocketing her wand.
"What is that?"
Hermione turned to Ron slightly surprised having forgotten he was there for a moment. She flipped a hand at the fireplace and the pink shield in distaste.
"It's just a fire place protector. Its not very reliable really, and new warding glyphs have been invented that work better. The thing is, it's easy to make and I'm hoping old enough that you mum won't recognize it. She'll probably will have to get a look at it to dispell it. The web prevents oncoming floo travel and actually dispenses of any powder thrown into a fire."
"And that's.....good?" Ron asked probably, she realized only catching half of what she said.
"Only if you want to identify it." Ron still looked confused so she added hastily. "Yes. It is very good. Your mum won't be able to come back through the fire place."
He brightened and smiled. "Good. Oh, wait, no!" His face fell. "What about apparition? As soon as she realizes she can't come home that way, she'll just appraise here."
She groaned "Ro-on!"
"What it's true! You're just mad I thought about it."
"Nooooo. Your house has and anti apparition field around it. Remember? Your Dad put it up the summer after You-Know-Who's return. Remember? Your Mum helped and so did Charlie, Percy and the twins? Is this ringing any bells?"
The skin under Ron's freckles went red. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that."
"Well think sometimes." She said, irritated that he could forget an important fact like that. It was what made her short thought plan ingenious.
He bristled and shot her an evil look. "I thought enough to give you a dumb little story to go with you letter that mysteriously appeared who you'd had know idea who it was from."
"That was because you blurted that stupid thing to your mum before we...rather I... could come up with a better excuse. And you gave so much help with the story."
His blue eyes glared at her. "Hey, I helped. I even helped you with your dumb outdated fireplace protector.
"Yes, you were very helpful in getting the water."
The boy's face flashed hurt for a second and Hermione felt a wave of regret for her words
"I was just joking."
"Well, sometimes," He replied haughtily. "I don't like your jokes." He shot her a glare before stomping off into the kitchen. She followed timidly. Inside, he started washing dishes, manually rather then magically, slamming the dishes around.
"Ron?"
He stiffened, then shot her a glance over his shoulder.
"Do you think my business idea is stupid?"
She felt slightly taken aback. She thought he was mad at her for the jokes. She smiled and shook her head.
"If I did, I wouldn't be here."
"Oh."
"Oh, indeed." said Hermione, as she wiped a cloth across a cup. "I'm sorry if I upset you."
He turned and grinned at her. He wiped his hands dry, then grabbed his wand and set the dishes to cleaning themselves. "You didn't. Not really. I just want to make sure I'm not dragging you down with me or something like that."
She gabbed his arm and tried to look him in the eyes. Tried because he was about an inch taller then her. She smiled at him again. "I told you I want to be here. This job is not going to drag either of use down, got it?"
"Ok."
"Good." She smiled and stared into his eyes. Biting her lip she stood on tip toes raising her self. She breathed in a breath then slowly leaned in. Her eyes fluttered and-
A loud pounding broke into her conciseness. Pulling away from Ron, they both looked towards the sound.
"What was that?"
Hermione shook her head. "Harry?"
"Maybe. Lets go check."
"Right." Hermione said, fumbling for her wand, not looking Ron in the eyes. "Wands out, then."
She went out to the door and turned the knob.
********
Harry knocked on the Burrow door. Actually, he kicked at the door with his foot while desperately trying not to drop the unconscious Draco in the dirt. The point , at least to him, was that he never knocked on the Burrow door before. It made him feel weird, like he really shouldn't have come to Ron's house. He felt oddly impure enough to enter the house where he had happily spent his summers. He didn't feel as happy to be here this summer, especially with the weight of the out of it blonde, in Death Eater colors.
He sighed tiredly. He hoped no one was home. He hoped he was somehow at the wrong house. He hoped Voldemort would show up and Avada Kedavra him out of his troubles. He hoped Draco would wake up and leave him again before Hermione and Ron found him with the blonde. He also hoped Draco would wake up just so he could return the kiss that Harry was aching to give him.
He hoped a lot in those few minutes after he kicked the door to open.
Fortunately or unfortunately depending on what fate you were and what you prayed for, he only got on of his hopes. It rose to the level of wish and granted. The little hope that his heart clung to that simply Hermione and Ron would be behind the door when he needed them now.
The door open with a force and Hermione and Ron were there with glares and wands out. Until they saw Harry and pocketed them, faces breaking with identical grins of relief. A grin that was short lived on Hermione's tan face. She had noticed Draco in Harry's arms and looked shocked from him to Harry's face. Ron, being the ever-observant one he was, did not notice and his grin never wavered.
"Harry! Mate! It's good to see you. Me and Hermione had no idea what in the world your note was about." He moved closer looking to hug Harry but the dark haired man hardly noticed. His eyes were firmly studying Hermione's face watching as her eyes strayed back to Draco. He could see she was desperately trying to solve the puzzle behind her eyes. Harry decided he didn't want to explain right then and there in the foyer. He pushed quite coldly past his friend, giving neither a word or hardly a look.
"Harry, what....."
Ron trailed off, uncertainly. He had undoubtedly registered, although late, the body cradled in Harry's arms. Then his mind registered the hair color. It would be quick piecing now that he had only knew two people with that hair color. Then it was the fact that this was the smaller version that Harry held gently like fine glass his arms pressing the man against his chest. Harry cringed at what Ron's face looked like the second he realized Harry had Draco Malfoy. Luckily, he wasn't looking at his red headed friend at that moment.
He entered the living room and put Draco down on the fading couch. The comforter had falling off in the truck and the blondes robe was a stark contrast to the dark couch he was lying on. Harry winced at the bloody dirty mess the unclean robe would make of Mrs. Weasley's couch. Draco's right hand with the quickly wrapped bandage dangled over the side of the couch. Harry pulled it up and laid it across the blonde's chest. He heard the footsteps of his two friends come up behind him and turned to face them.
Ron was looking at Draco his face wrought with confusion. Hermione looked pale under tan and summer freckles like all the blood had just drained from her face. Harry open his mouth to explain then closed it again. He didn't know any thing he could say.
"Harry." Hermione asked voice the smallest and meekest Harry had ever heard it. She pointed a finger at Draco. "Is.....is he dead?"
That hit him hard. Once with relief, well maybe twice with relief, and once with anger. They hadn't figured out as soon as they had seen him how much his heart ached for the blonde man. It wasn't written across his race in red ink that he would never harm a hair on the stupid bloody stubborn bastard's head. That he would rather place the hair on an altar and protect it with his life. That he had slept nights away with the man when they both could still be called boys.
That was the relief. The once anger hit harder.
They thought he had hurt Draco. Killed him.
"NO!" He shouted, so loud they both flinched away from him. No, he didn't kill him.
At least, not on purpose.
But it was you that drove him to get that thing that sucks his life away as you speak to your precious friends and he dies on the couch in front of you and them. That's your fault.
He didn't hurt him. He was going to save him.
Hopefully.
He looked at Ron and Hermione.
but first I have to tell them.
"Whatever you did Harry, it's ok." Ron said quickly, looking at the blonde. "It was self-defense, right? He attacked you first or something." When Harry just stared blankly, Ron blanched. "If you attacked him first, it's still ok. He's a Death Eater. You won't be at fault." Hermione nodded with a guilty look. Harry felt ill and shook his head.
In other words, I could have killed Draco and they'd side with me. So would the law.
"He's not." Harry hissed defiantly. He's not a Death Eater now and he won't be one.
"He's not what?" Hermione asked. "Dead? It's ok, Harry, we believe you. Shhh, relax, ok? We want to help you."
"Then help him." Harry said, pointing to Draco. "He's not a Death Eater. He never was one and He's dying."
"Dying?" Hermione asked, looking younger than ever, cool maturity slipping off her face. Ron's face clouded with shock at Harry's words.
"Harry, are you daft? Of course he's a Death Eater. Look at his robe. Remember who his father is." Ron's words stung and Harry glared at his feet, not wanting to look his best friend in the face.
"He isn't though. He's dying and I'm going to save him." Harry said sternly, even if his legs felt boneless.
"Why?" Came Hermione's voice, causing him to look at her. "Did he defect to our side?" Her voice gave a sound like she thought that was highly unlikely.
Not as unlikely as you'd think Herm.
"That'd never happen." Ron scoffed. A look from Harry made him not so sure. "Did it?"
Harry bite his lip. "Not exactly."
"So he is a Death Eater, then?" Hermione asked.
"Cor." Ron muttered, inspecting the blonde on his couch. He looked up and addressed the two conscious peoples. "I haven't seen him since graduation. Long enough if you ask me. Where did you find him?"
"Find him? It wasn't exactly like fining a galleon on the road, Ron." Harry said trying to sound upset but missing the sharpness. He was too tired. And they were both so far from the point. Please don't make be have to spell it out to them. He beseeched silently to any one with power who would listen.
"Did you hurt him Harry? Do whatever it is killing him?" Hermione asked, biting her lower lip in her teeth worried.
Harry blinked. "No." Oh well, that explained her. She probably though he and Draco had met in a dark ally and had a duel that rivaled anything on Muggle TV. "No, I didn't."
"Why do you think he's not Death Eater, Harry?" Ron asked. "Besides the robes. Remember him in school? Evil bad guy? For sure Death Eater material."
Harry felt the blood rush to his face in anger.
"He wasn't a Death Eater then." Harry stood up and walked over to Draco careful not to reach down and stroke his hair in his friends' presence. "And he isn't one now. That's why I need your help." He unwrapped the gold bandage. Hermione gasped and turned away at the mass of blood on Draco's arm. She steadied her self then looked at it.
"That doesn't look good." Ron said eyes wincing in sympathy pain and he held his own wrist.
Hermione sat near the end of the couch and nervously held the arm inspecting the wound. Harry could still picture a few hours ago when he did the same thing and the waves of pain the covered Draco's face. Hermione moved her wand muttering a few healing spells. The only thing that change was the cuts Harry had watched Draco scratch into himself. They healed. The main gouges that looked like knife cuts stayed the same as did the tattoo. Hermione pulled away one hand stained in red blood.
"What is it?" She asked Harry, looking away as she wiped her hand on Draco's robe.
"He only had half of a Death Eaters initiation preformed on him. Because its not finished, it's killing him."
Hermione urged him to continue with a flitter of her hand still inspecting Draco's wrist. Ron eyed the process half behind an faded easy chair as if it were a bomb shelter. He kept standing on tippy toes trying to see past Hermione's hair to see the blood like any person near a burning house.
"He came to the Dursley's. We er...." Chatted? Fought? Reminisced?
Lovers spat?
Definitely not!
"What ever....he collapsed after Er..." Asking for help? He didn't actually. Both Ron and Hermione were studying him probably due to his stutters and long pauses. Now they sounded like contradictions. Great
Didn't those get people burnt as witches in Salem?
Still, he didn't ask for help but.
"Asking for help. He wanted help." Sort of. "So, Er..That's why I'm here."
"Why'd did he come to you?" One of the most probing question of the interrogation was asked by Ron, not Hermione. Harry turned away from his friends too blue eyes not wanting to answer. He settled on Draco's face remembering the times he'd stroke a finger across the to pale skin soft and smooth. He missed that. He had missed it for a year convincing himself he didn't need it. Now he wasn't sure.
"Why Harry?" Hermione's voice broke the haze. Two pairs of eyes one brown one blue stared at him expecting an answer. He would have to tell them. He looked to Hermione hoping she wouldn't need to hear it.
"Would you like an explanation Hermione?" Harry asked smoothly, not granting his lip its wish to tremble. He just smirked, a lovely trait he picked up from Draco. He hoped she would say, 'no Harry, I don't want an explanation.'
"Yes. What's going on?"
He resisted the sigh that tried to come harder then the lip tremble. Of course, she would want a explanation. So would Ron. He couldn't just walk up to the burrow drop off a wounded Draco and expect help. He wasn't Draco to them.
Fine then. To explain.
"Herm......" He trailed off. His friends eyed him unblinking. "Remember all the times at school you said I was distracted in school after 6th year." He didn't look at her but expected she was nodding. "Said I was moody?" He added, just in case clarification was needed. "Well..." He pointed at Draco. He looked at Hermione and Ron. Hermione had stopped breathing and was looking at Harry. He could tell she was pretty close to piecing together what he had just said. Ron wasn't. He just looked utterly confused. Harry rubbed his hands nervously then said.
"I'm gay."
Ron was called slow. It took him a long time to pick up on subtle hints. Whatever it was that stopped him from reading into things was not on him today. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
"WHAT!" The red head shrieked leaping away from Harry and stumbling his back into a wall. Hermione stood up standing between Harry and Ron. She looked from Harry's face to Draco's then back.
"Harry how coul..." She started but he interrupted.
"Don't Herm. I don't want or need a lecture."
"Well I think you need a lecture Harry." Ron exclaimed face going quite red "I mean for fuck sake, that's Malfoy!
Harry glared "Really? Thanks for pointing that one out to me."
"I can't believe you're saying you were with him." Ron continued, not hearing Harry's sarcasm. "Why? When?"
"Because." Harry finished lamely. "6th year."
"I...I have to go." Ron muttered, closing his eyes and making fists at his side. He ran out the door out of the living room into the rest of the burrow. Harry stared after his friend. He did pretty well and sending away the people he cared about didn't he.
"Let him go for now." Hermione said, also looking at the door Ron had just gone through. "He needs time to figure out what you just told us." She looked deep into Harry's eyes chocolate deep and rich. "And I need you to explain it to me. All of it."
Harry searched her face for anything. He couldn't see and disgusts just maybe pity fear confusion and also clarity. He sighed eyes burning with unshed tears.
"Fine." He sat down his back against the couch and head brushing Draco's arm. "Ask me."
"How? How did you even get together? Why?"
"I talked to him." Harry said, with a hint of wistfulness.
"Pardon?"
"I talked to him. We didn't fight. We didn't call names. We just....talked. It...it was like..invigorating....like rain. I dunno." He looked into her eyes as if he could will her to understand. He was having so much trouble with just the talking how could he explain what happened next. He fluttered his eyes for a second remembering. "It wasn't. I kissed him first. It wasn't him, either it..both.." He trailed of feeling his words were mangling the point. Of the story and the kiss. That kiss, at first, had been scary and hot and mean. It became more though, it seemed so much more. Other times is what he felt. Chaste ones, a kiss while hiding from teachers after dark, light nuzzles after sex. Both of them laid out on a makeshift bed of robes the blondes body melting into the pool of moonlight surrounding them.
"Beautiful." Harry choked and feeling to his shame more tears tricking down his face. Crossing his arms he buried his face in them wishing he could control himself. He peeked at his brunette friend. She was stunned. Her lips mouthed words but none seemed to come. He decided to fill that gap.
"We were together. Then we fought and..." a lump formed in Harry's throat. He had been so angry about Draco and what seemed like a move to harm Ron for no reason. Now it had seemed reasonable to Draco. God, he was an idiot some times. "Then, he came today. I think he wanted to kill me but.....he couldn't and I couldn't turn him over to Aurors or leave him for his father and Voldemort." Harry spat the dark lord's name. Hermione still seemed stunned but more able to speak.
Murmur, murmur.
A cough and a throat cleared.
Finally, "I'm not sure I get this. So, you were together but why...not now? Why are you trying to save him.?"
Harry felt his lip twist into a pathetic smile.
"Herm imagine you had a fight with Ron. A fight that made you not speak to him for a year. Then think how mad you'd be at him when he went off and did something stupid and evil and...and dangerous. And then you find out the reason was not to spite you but because he was hurt too and didn't have anywhere real to turn. You had been it. Then find out the reason you fought and broke up was just because you didn't trust him enough. Now, it's your fault and it hurts." He thumped his chest. "It actually hurts you!"
"Hurts? Because you...you...you...." The woman tried to say the word she suspected he felt. Harry nodded.
"I love him. I do." The tears finally slipped down his cheeks and he buried his face so she wouldn't see. Arms wrapped around his shoulder in a tight hug. He leaned against her and she whispered lightly into his ear. Mostly he caught its ok it'll be ok over again. It didn't take him too long to compose himself and he pulled away from her embrace. He looked at her cheeks going red in embarrassment. He hated crying in front of any body. The brunette bit her lip like she was trying to not say something.
"What is it?"
"So...you want to save him but....."
"But...?" He asked dreading her answer
"How can you trust him Harry? How do you know You-Know-Who isn't just using him to get to you?" Harry hissed in a breath when she said this. He knew she wouldn't believe if he just told her he just knew. He reached a hand into his shirt pocket and pulled out the letter that was taped together. He pushed it into Hermione's hands and looked away.
"What's this?"
"A letter from him. My Aunt had it. If I had got it things would have been different but I didn't. She had it."
The woman's brown eyes flicked to the blonde on the couch then to the paper in her hands. "Should I read it then. If it's a letter. Is it private?"
"It is." Harry said silently apologizing to Draco. "I can't explain enough though so....just read it."
"Ok."
He didn't watch as she read the letter. Was that a betrayal to Draco? The blonde had wrote out all his feelings to him and now her was letting Hermione read it. Would it even help?
The letter fell in front of him to the floor. He looked up at his friend standing over him nervously. What if she didn't believe it? She could call in the Aurors. It wasn't like he was in any shape to stop her. He grabbed the letter and stood up to look her in the eyes. Her face had gone white and she was staring almost past him like she did when she was deep in thought. She wiped at an eye then blinked rapidly as if trying to sway tears.
"Harry." She said finally. "Do you believe he means what he wrote?"
"Yes," Harry said, defensively. She held up a hand in defeat, eyes still misty.
"Ok, then. I'll help you."
Harry felt like a tight pain on his chest was lifting. "Really?"
"Yes."
"Thank you." Hermione grabbed his hand and patted it.
"I don't know how I'm helping you. I have no idea how to fix his arm. That's a really bad wound. Done with black magic. Done by You-Know-Who." She added dropping Harry's hand and biting a nail nervously.
"I know. I think we should take him to Hogwarts. You'll come?"
"Of course, Harry. I would leave you like that." She seemed offended he would even question her. He should have.
"And, er, what about....." Harry gestured towards the door Ron had exited through. Hermione would help him but what about Ron. He knew how upset Ron could get. Could this be enough to get the red head to chase his best friend away. Harry wasn't sure if he could stand that.
"Ron?" Hermione worry lines now tugging at her eyes. "Oh Harry, I don't know. I can't figure him out at times. Maybe this is too much for him." Harry understood but his shoulders sagged. Hermione looked sadly at him. She probably knew that Harry needed both of their support but Harry knew there wasn't any thing she could do. If Ron wanted no part in this, she couldn't make him.
"Maybe.."
Hermione stared talking but was cut off as Ron entered the room again, face tight and drawn. Harry felt his muscle tense worried that Ron was now going to curse him. Ron tossed a bundle of black fabric to Harry. The raven-haired man caught it and looked at his friend questionably.
"I heard....maybe." Ron stuttered, at first making fist at his side, then crossing his arms, then dropping them again. Nervousness crossed his face. "I can't let you...." The red head stuttered out again trailing off. Harry felt his hopes sink. Whatever it was. I can't let you go or I can't let Hermione go. Hermione would go to spite Ron, maybe, but wouldn't be too happy about it. Or maybe she would stay.
"Ron.." Hermione started looking ready to lecture Ron since she made up her mind. The red head glared and held up a hand.
"Shhh! Not now, Hermione." Ron snapped. The brunette looked taken aback and Ron turned again to Harry. "Harry, I can't let you......"
Here it comes. Harry thought bitterly. Friendship end.
"......go off like an idiot and take by business partner with you." Ron gulped "I'm coming with you."
WHAT!
"What?"
Hermione snorted in disbelief.
"I'm coming. I don't know why you want to save him but I'll come." Ron gave Harry the shyest of smiles before back stepping toward the door he just came from. Harry smiled gratefully.
"Thanks. Both of you. "He added, looking at Hermione who was looking thoughtfully at Ron. She nodded to Harry. "I didn't think you'd help."
Hermione looked ready to begin her will be with you forever rants but Ron beat her. "Yeah, well. That's what friends are for, I guess."
"Thanks."
The red head nodded. "Me and Herm will have to grab some stuff so give us a minute."
"Yeah." Harry looked at the robe that Ron had thrown him He pointed to it. "What's this for then." Oddly enough, Ron went red in a blush and stared at the floor. He quickly gesture to Draco.
"If you're so intent on saving the bloody wanker, I thought you'd hate to have his catch pneumonia or whatever. He only has that on...erm..." Ron slipped out the door.
"Ah." Hermione said, staring after Ron. She gave Harry a smile as she stepped through the door. "200 percent." She added, before he left. Harry just stared in amazement
Harry kneeled in front of the couch, eyes clear and almost unobserving. Laying his hands on the couch and pillowing his face in the robe's fabric he could have given the look of a man praying. Reality had him at anything but serenity. He felt like he had taken back a whole keg of Guiness and his brain fuzzed in and out of commission.
Ron had forgiven him in his way. Hermione had promised to help him. This could work. In its own perverse way it could work out ok. Draco could live.
Harry's hand flittered up until they brushed the slight hook under the jaw. Holding his breath, Harry felt the slight pulsation of each heartbeat. Each was a beautiful thing proving life. He breathed out and aloud his fingers to rest there for a moment.
It could work
********
Hermione followed Ron faithfully, decided Harry should be alone for a moment. Of course, she mused, he wasn't really alone but Malfoy couldn't say, any thing could he. She smiled at Ron's back. She felt so proud of him. He had been the bigger man. Ron was never the bigger man. The woman felt an urge to wrap her arms around him but didn't fulfill it. Now wasn't the time.
Ron stopped in front of a hall closet and pulled it open. He passed over old school trucks presumably looking for something less bulky. The closet was crammed with junk and he shifted through it. He stopped and let out a sigh.
"Ron?" Hermione started lightly. He turned his head and looked at her. His usually vivid face was blank blue eyes bright.
"You don't have to." He said. "I didn't do that for you to be proud of me. I did it because Harry's my friend." He went back to searching. "Even if he's gone mad. I don't want to know anything about them either." He said his voice warning her. She nodded. He stepped out of the closet tossing her a Muggle looking gym bag. He had another in his hands "I don't get how Harry could help him. He was an absolutely beast in school." Ron growled and went up to his room.
"Well, you seemed ready to help." Hermione reminded having to jog slightly to keep up with Ron's long legs. "You gave Harry your robe for Malfoy, didn't you?"
Ron stopped short and Hermione could see they were at Ginny's room. The redhead snorted. "No, I didn't. I would never let that git a foot near my stuff. That was Fred's robe." Not looking back at her, he continued to his room. She watched after him.
"Credit where credit due." She said, so he could hear. She wondered if she should tell Ron about what she had read in that letter. Maybe he wouldn't feel light he was betraying all that was good by helping Harry help Malfoy. She opened her mouth, then thought better of it. It wasn't her place to tell. Harry probably shouldn't have let her read it in the first place.
Oh, well. She tossed the bag on the narrow bed and started emptying her travel trunk of all the essentials.
"Looks like we're going back to Hogwarts, then." She told the mirror sarcastically. Didn't that sound like fun?
********
Ah, I see you are finished. I have yet to read minds, so for me to know if you likey or hatey you must…
PUSH THE BUTTON!
Hmm, next chapter they should get to Hogwarts (Or at least as far as Hogsmeade) and the twins, and maybe Ginny, will make an appearance.
Also, erm, it may take a while, if this chapter was any indication. Sorry. But soon Draco will be awake and Harry will stop being so angsty. I promise.
Ta ta Goggled Monkey.