A/N I think all questions were sent as emails, but don't be afraid to still ask if you think I've screwed something up haha. My wonderful beta and I have both started school and I don't know how much this will affect updating speed but I don't think it should be too bad. As always you should review and let me know what you think!

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Hermione looked up at Proctor in his sinister black hat and bandana. If she had a wand, she would have no fear of this man. But she didn't, and Hermione didn't know what to make of him, so she was fearful.

"Yes there is," said Hermione slowly but defiantly, "I saw one myself, I killed it. It was just recently turned, the master vampire must be around here…"

"Ah yes, there was that one," said Proctor, suddenly smiling, as if proud, "No master though, just that one. But you took care of that didn't you? We hoped you would, Lupin was a bit worried, but Ron and Harry said you could handle it. In the end Dumbledore believed in you too."

Her stomach gave a sudden jolt. "Who are you?" Hermione asked in a strained gaze.

He took of his hat and put it over his heart, "My name really is Hannibal Proctor, but I am no vampire slayer. Terrified of them honestly… I admire the brave souls who can keep their wits about them when those blood suckers hover. I myself am merely a member of the Order."

Hermione gasped, her insides instantly beaming with happiness once she knew that she was among an ally, then laughed airily. "You guys released the baby into the woods… and then…"

"Were conveniently in town when Lucius Malfoy was slayer shopping? Yes," he said grinning. "Now come with me, we need to talk."

Hermione followed him anxiously without falter down a ravine, absolutely pleased they made contact again so soon, and once again, so effectively. It only led her to believe that at this rate she'd be home faster than she thought.

Proctor had led her to an old dilapidated shack at the bottom of the ravine, something she thought must have been used as on old hunter's shelter, and Hermione's breath caught in her chest when she saw who stepped out.

A tall, once lanky but now filled out, young man emerged with fire red hair. He smiled, then immediately rushed over to her, afraid she was going to tip over from shock, and wrapped his arms around her.

"Ron-" she gasped.

"Hermione," he beamed, "Oh Merlin," he groaned as he engulfed her in his arms and lifted her off her feet, spinning her in a circle, "Its- so- bloody- good- to- see- you-!" he grunted each word as he squeezed her tight.

Grinning so forcefully and her eyes watering, Hermione couldn't speak.

"Oh Hermione," said Ron, finally letting her down but taking her hands in his, "It's ok, it's ok," he whispered softly. She pressed her forehead into his chest, and he rubbed her back. "I see you've met Hannibal?" said Ron.

Hermione nodded, smiling small at Proctor.

"Sorry if I frightened you…" said Proctor, smiling small himself, as if he was secretly entertained.

"Proctor's been in the Order for a good four months now…" said Ron, "Just got back from the mountains didn't you? Trying again with the giants?"

Proctor nodded, "And the trolls before that."

"How did it go?" asked Hermione, not even realizing how quickly she was right back into her Order role, eager for any news, ready to act, to know, to help. Constant vigilance as old Moody would say…

"Well…" said Proctor, "Not as well as we had hoped… but not as bad as we feared either. We couldn't get them to agree to fight with us if it came down to it, but they did agree to stay out of it completely if things did turn ugly."

Hermione nodded slowly, "Yes," she agreed, "Could've gone worse…What else has been going on?" she asked eagerly, looking back at Ron, squeezing his hands.

Hermione listened intently as Ron debriefed her on where everyone was and what had been going on. Kingsley and Ron's dad were still working hard at trying to manipulate the ministry to their advantage, and since Voldemort had made an appearance in the Ministry building Fudge could no longer deny his return.

Hermione was glad to hear that it seemed Fudge had finally accepted the fact that Dumbledore was not after his job, and that the Daily Prophet had stopped belittling him. However, it wasn't doing much good since the unknown traitors working at the paper were just as successfully causing confusion by altering the truth of the stories.

On top of recruiting more potential fighters and allies, all the other members of the Order had their work cut out for them just trying to inform everyone they knew of what was really going on, along with what they should do, who they could trust and where was safety.

But Ron also told Hermione of the increasing uneasiness of the community, since they all very well knew Voldemort had re-risen yet there was no sign of him. People feared they were on the brink of catastrophe and with good reason. Many were certain a terrible war was brewing, and many were frightened by the lack of clear communication.

Yet others, most likely illogically hopeful and driven insane from anxiety, seemed to think that it had been so long since an appearance, the last being at the department of mysteries, that Voldemort had decided not to try to take over once again, that everything would fizzle out into peace with time. He had after all made no other public appearance since the end of 5th year, and deep in their hearts people just wanted to believe he wasn't going to try to rise to power again. But nothing is that easy. Hermione could barely believe her ears when Ron told her.

"Well," said Ron shrugging, "Waiting two years for nothing and people begin to get angry and confused and sick from all the fearful waiting.

"But it's absolutely not true!" cried Hermione, "I've seen Voldemort," she pleaded, "he is alive and thriving! And his death eaters are more active and loyal then ever!"

"I know, 'Mione, I know…" said Ron soothingly trying to calm her down, despite his subtle horrified eyes upon hearing that Hermione had been in the Dark Lord's presence.

"It's so horrible Ron…" said Hermione, shuddering, "Wormtail was there too… and I was transported by Augustus Goyle! All those evil scoundrels and me with nothing I could do about it! They're all setting up something huge and horrible, I just know it! How long do I have to stay here Ron! When can I go home!"

"Soon 'Mione, I promise…" Ron said, trying to sound reassuring.

Hermione swallowed hard, trying with difficultly to stifle her shaking "Sorry," she muttered, "Pathetic really, me going to pieces like that… I've been losing it lately… it's despicable…"

"Don't apologize Hermione," said Ron, "It must be absolutely ghastly in there…"

Hermione tried to stand firm, not wanting Ron to think her weak, but deep down it felt so good to hear some words of sympathy… words that acknowledged everything she had been going through.

"Your beautiful eyes should never have to lay upon that scum…" said Ron, "Why, I'd love to wallop each and every one of them when the time is right…" he said angrily, shaking his fist, "…I know it's hard Mione, But-" Ron went on, trying to spit out what appeared to be quite difficult for him to say to her, "We really need you to be strong, and hold out like this for a bit longer…"

"How much is a bit longer?" Hermione asked, suddenly full of dread.

"Well that depends on how much you can find out…" said Ron.

Hermione said nothing but continued to look at Ron with a serious expression.

"It's not just Death Eaters who have been appalling active," explained Ron, "but the Russian Magical Mafia as well… not that they all aren't practically all Death Eaters anyway… no matter, the thing is, Lucius has been making lots of contact with them, and we really need to know why. I've just come from Russia myself, been spying on them for months now. If you can find out their plans before you're to be married then that's wicked wonderful!"

"And if I can't before?" asked Hermione apprehensively

"Then…you'll have to go through the marriage Hermione…" Ron said quietly.

Hermione's face dropped into horrified despair.

Ron's face contorted into grimacing, "And that seems pretty likely that's how it will turn out," he added against his will.

He embraced Hermione in another hug as she stifled a sob into his chest.

"I'm so sorry Hermione, but we're so pathetically clueless… we'd like to find out why you've been arranged to marry him before you actually have to, but the failsafe way is to just wait and see… You could find out so much for us Hermione, things we'd never ever know otherwise. If you just hold strong and keep it together… I know its hard Mione; I can only imagine how hard… we'll be protecting you every way that we can along the way of course…"

"But- but- I do know something!" spat Hermione quickly, "I looked through his office a bit just this morning. "

"What did you see?" asked Ron excitedly.

"Loads of things for the dark arts…"

"Raids haven't been very effective in the past," Ron interrupted sadly, shoulders slumping at the apparently uninteresting news.

"…letters about bribes…" Hermione continued earnestly.

"Well that all depends on who…" added Ron again, sounding more and more grim.

"… Sneaking fake money into Gringott's…"

"Fake money?" repeated Ron, his brow furrowing, "Into Gringott's! …Mione, that sounds like something Bru…" Ron's eyes did a kind of awkward roll as he turned his gaze away from her, yet still leering at her through the corner of his vision, and he stopped mid-sentence, "I better write this down…" he finished finally, "What else?"

"There were documents," explained Hermione, relieved she finally had something worth reporting, "They looked like Ministry paperwork and decrees but really they were forged."

"Hermione," said Ron seriously, looking her back in the eye, "You may just have something here. I'll be sure to inform Dumbledore of this right when I get back," he glanced at his watch, "Oh jeez," he said, "Listen, we do need to get back within the hour… Proctor will walk you back to the manor, and will be back on more "Vampire business" very soon where we can communicate again, if you can find out anything more I'm sure that will be helpful…."

But Hermione's expression had already taken one of opposition; her mind spinning away with updates on the Order Ron had given her, trying to fathom connections between Lucius and the Magical Mafia, wanting to discuss theories with Ron, and most importantly, not wanting members of the Order to leave….

"But Ron…" she cried, "You just got here!"

Ron frowned sadly, and looked at his watch again. Hermione knew he was under instructions, that he needed to go…

"I can't believe myself," said Ron finally, sensing what Hermione must be feeling, "I was so excited to see you in one piece I forgot to even ask how you were…"

Hermione's eyes teared up as she realized it was probably as difficult for him to leave her as it was for her to see him go.

"I could be treated worse…" said Hermione, recalling her room and her meals… deciding against mentioning Draco's harshness to her, since Ron would fail to see the significance, and with good reason.

Draco being an ass was nothing new to him, and he'd think it'd be the same for her. Hermione was being silly to long for a Draco that had been somewhat kind to her for a brief period of time after years of animosity…

"Well that's good I suppose," He said, "I don't reckon you being officially married to him will change things much, I would guess things would be the same as they are now only idiots will actually believe you're in love…"he added to make her feel better. There was a small pause between them as Ron surveyed Hermione's expression as she looked like she was agreeing with him, "You look great by the way…" he added, gazing at Hermione's treated hair and manicured nails.

She blushed, compliments still being somewhat awkward when they were given by Ron.

"Oh," he cried, saving Hermione from having to think of a response, "I almost forgot," he reached into his robes, but then suddenly paused, "Now," he said seriously, "This is very important. You may not use this at all unless it is an absolute emergency and you life is in immediate danger. In the meantime, you are to hide it. If anyone finds it, it's all over…" he pulled out a long brown wand.

Hermione's hand trembled as she accepted it. "I promise," she said, "on my loyalty as a Phoenix."

Ron let go his end of the grip, knowing for sure Hermione could be held accountable. Swearing on the Phoenix was the oath of all oaths, and it was unfathomable that any member would break it.

"It was a spare," Ron explained absent mindedly as he looked at his watch again, "Harry found it when we cleaned out the Black house some more…" he stopped awkwardly.

Hermione's eyes deepened in darkness at the sound of that name. "Where is Harry?" she asked quietly but anxiously, knowing Ron needed to leave.

"He- He couldn't make it," stated Ron, "He's in Russia, following the Mafia, he wanted so badly to come but he couldn't get away."

Hermione nodded softly, "Maybe when you come again?" she insinuated.

Ron smiled warmly, and stroked her cheek with his hand, "Maybe."

He wrapped his arms around her once more and Hermione closed her eyes, enjoying the comforting hug. He kissed her softly, half on her cheek and half on the corner of her lips. "You can do this Hermione," he whispered, "Everyone sends their love of course, we'll be seeing you soon." Ron disapparated right in front of her, and Proctor was already readying the horse.

"Shall we go then milady? It's getting dusky."

Hermione stood silently in the foyer as Hannibal Proctor told Draco he had planted some garlic around the forest, hoping to drive the vampire away since he couldn't find it.

"I will not be paid, of course," said Proctor, "until you and your family are satisfied it is gone or I have killed it with my bare hands… I shall return in one week. Until then, do not go out without garlic or a crucifix... or this little warrior right here" he added, bowing to Hermione.

Draco scowled, the "slayer" once again making him feel like a coward. "Very well," he barked, "I'll be sure to tell father you were unsuccessful this time around."

Hermione left just as Proctor did, not wanting to be around the obviously foul-mood Draco more than necessary.

She collapsed onto her bed and thought forlornly of Ron, his freckled smiling face still clear in her mind. He was one of the bravest, strongest wizards Hermione knew. Most people wavered in between what they believe they stood for all their lives, but Ron was already so sure about his purpose in life and what was important, defeating evil suppressors, and he had just barely turned eighteen. The sorting hat may have considered Harry for Slytherin and Hermione for Ravenclaw, but never once did it hesitate putting Ron in Gryffindor, it saw the bravery and dedication instantly.

Guys didn't get much better than Ron Weasley. She wondered, after their encounter, if he knew about her and Harry... It was never her intention to hurt Ron, and if he knew about them then she hoped he least of all knew that too. Her intuition told her that he did, that somewhere along the line Harry must have mentioned it, or that maybe he knew it since the awkward beginning, and just said nothing because he was not mad, even though they too had been some what of an item for a brief time.

That is to say they had experimented with the idea innocently.

But with friends as close as that something of the sort happening was inevitable, especially since he had his subconscious schoolboy crush on her since the day he had met her on the Hogwarts Express.

She didn't break up with Viktor Krum for nothing to say the least even if it did take Ron a good year to catch on.

But even Ron would agree, as beautiful and amazing as Hermione was, he did not love her like that. He may have lusted after her for a bit, but that was purely physically. And he may love her as best friends do, but it was clear to both of them after attempts to go further that it was nothing more that that.

No, he was not the man she'd settle down forever with in blissful happiness. As much as she would've liked it to be Ron, it just wasn't. There was safety and comfort in Ron, a kind of certainty of a decent safe life, a happy quaint life, but it wasn't a life of passionate love. He wasn't her true love, she knew this, and there was nothing she could do about it.

But much to Hermione's dismay, there was nothing she could do about it not being Harry either.

He didn't know that yet, at least not to her knowledge anyway, because she never got the chance to tell him before she was captured. She had been dreading telling Harry that their secret meetings, their harmless kisses, their whispers of sweet nothings, it would all have to end.

But for all she knew, he may have felt the same way. Perhaps he too wanted to tell her but hadn't the chance to either.

A perplexing thought troubled her more than she wanted to admit… If it wasn't Ron, and it wasn't Harry, her two best friends, the men she admired and cherished most in the world… then who could it possibly be? Was she even sure that it wasn't Harry? Perhaps she had been dreading telling him so much because she didn't really mean it…

If she thought she was confused with Harry back then, it was nothing compared to now. It puzzled Hermione that he wouldn't find some way to see her like Ron did, who, despite being busy, managed to come from Russia.

Was he avoiding her? Was it because it was uncomfortable, all these adolescent awkward feelings? …or perhaps it was guilt that kept him away.

Had it been him?

Was he the reason she was captured? Was it an honest mishap? Or… Had he betrayed her?

Whatever it was, it resulted in her imprisonment. She was torn between sadness and anger. She strongly hoped it wasn't because of him, because she missed him so much. She didn't want to believe that her best friend, her possible love, would be so reckless and selfish… if he had in fact gone after her, after he was specifically ordered not to…

But if that was the case… if that's what happened, if that's why she endured nine months of torture and hell, and now this, this marriage business, then she didn't know how she'd ever forgive him.