A/N: Wow, let me just say first that I am SO sorry that it has been so long since I have updated. This annoying little thing called life got in the way. I really don't understand how some of you amazing fan fiction authors out there do it.....I mean there are people who update once a week. I could never find the time to do that, let alone sit down and actually come up with so many ideas to write about. Anyway, thanks for being so patient and not screaming at me... at least where I can hear it. Review responses at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Five- Love and War

Ron held his breath and resisted the urge to bite his nails, though he did pull his lower lip between his teeth. This could very well be the end for all of them. This crucial moment. He spared a quick glance at Harry, only to find that his best friend looked just as nervous as he was. Not in the least bit comforted, he turned back to the scene before him with trepidation.

A noise, to faint for him to hear properly, briefly caught his attention, but he shook himself free. Once again he focused on the raging battlefield. He felt the impending doom of the helpless situation. They were outnumbered four to one. And there was that noise again... This time he attempted to ignore it completely. And he succeeded. Until.... "RONALD WEASLEY! Get your nose out of those damn comic books!"

He jumped and glanced wildly about as reality slammed back down on him. Looking up he found himself staring into the face of his girlfriend.

"Hermione," he stated dumbly, still slightly dazed, then paused... "since when do you curse?" He hadn't heard her use the word damn in the six years that he'd known her.

"Since I called your name four times and you didn't answer me," she snapped back.

"But," he began, gesturing madly at the open pages before him. "They were just about to resurrect Merlin and have him face off with Bogmitt the Troll King on the Great Battlefield of Lake Zanderzonie."

Harry, who had also been deeply engrossed in the colorful book, shrank back in his seat. He could sense one of their famous quarrels coming on, and he did not want to be caught in the middle of it. Hermione had one eyebrow raised, and that was a sure sign of trouble. And then the strangest thing happened.... Hermione began to laugh. And no, not a hysterical, maniacal I'm-so-fed-up-with-you-that-I'm-just-this-far-away-from-killing-you hag cackle. This was truly a laugh. Turning an alarming shade of purple, she dropped to the floor in a fit of giggles. Harry found himself somewhat confused, and, he had to admit, deeply offended. What was she doing rolling about on the ground like that? This was serious! He turned his head slightly to the left to ask his red-headed counterpart what exactly she was on about, and that's when he caught sight of Ron. His friend had grabbed the magazine and thrust its pages out in front of himself with both hands like some sort of magical talisman. Harry himself couldn't fight down the chuckle that bubbled up. There was just something about the sight of a six-foot-something quidditch player cowering behind the flimsy pages of a wizarding comic book in hopes of escaping the wrath of his five-foot-something girlfriend that was comical. He had a sudden premonition of sorts. A break-through. An epiphany if you will: At times Hermione and Ron reminded him strongly of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Hearing two people laughing seemed to make Ron either slightly curious, or slightly brave, as he slowly opened one tightly scrunched eye. Exhaling a strong sigh of relief, he too broke into a wide grin.

He had to admit that it felt good to laugh. Tensions had been running high for close to two weeks now at 12 Grimmauld Place. As usual, the adults were stressed and gave the rest of them no hints as to why. The only thing they could be certain of was that it had something to do with Voldemort. It always did these days. Attacks were becoming more and more common. The Daily Prophet had begun to report supposed Death Eater raids and Dark Mark sightings in a way that no one could consider reserved or cautious, much to the Ministry's chagrin. And thanks to Kingsley Shacklebolt the residents of the Black house had daily access to the wizarding newspaper. It was also through Kingsley that Harry and Ron came to have a veritable Cornucopia of comic books...wizarding comic books. The characters on the colorful covers and in the small black frames whizzed by on broomsticks and ran across bloody battlefields. They had both been fascinated. They had been especially fascinated when Fred and George had come for a visit and "spiced on up a bit."

Unfortunately the charm the twins had used lasted only a few hours, and while Ron and Harry had tried for countless hours to re-create the effect, their efforts had been proved fruitless. Much to their disappointment... That's not to say that they hadn't continued to be mesmerized by the 'originals.' Especially Harry. Having lived in the muggle world for most of his life, he had never seen anything like wizarding comic books before. The moving pictures and interactive characters had astounded him. And of course they'd had the same effect on Ron; even with five older brothers he'd never had one handed down to him.

Dragging herself up from the floor, Hermione collapsed red-faced onto the sofa. "Sorry," she gasped, her smile still so wide it looked painful. "It's just that you looked so funny and it's been so very stressful here lately." She paused. "Besides, haven't you been through that comic twice already?"

Ron looked affronted. "Three times," he huffed out. At her amused look he continued, "What? I'd think that you of all people would be proud of me for reading!" The last word was accompanied by a shudder. This earned him an outright laugh form Hermione and a light kiss.

Molly Weasley turned from the closed door of the library with a smile on her lips. She had been passing by on the way to the kitchen when she heard the laughter. Intrigued, she had pressed her ear to the door and heard the voices of three joking teenagers. She was glad the house was filling with the sounds of happiness once more. Though they had tried not to show it, she knew that the children had been reflecting the stress and frustration of the adults in their own emotions and behaviors. Sighing, she continued on her way to the kitchen. They had little enough to celebrate and laugh about these days. As hard as the Order fought, it seemed it was not hard enough.

She flicked her wand at the sink, setting the dishes to washing themselves. Then, with another sigh and flick of her wand, they lay still in the sink once more. She pushed up her sleeves and filled the sink the rest of the way before immersing her arms in the warm water up to her elbows. Reaching for a plate, she began to scrub. She had often found over the years that doing a task the muggle way took one's mind off a disturbing subject. The methodical, relaxing motions were a comfort to the worried mind. And there was plenty enough to worry about at the moment...

The Dark Lord was gathering more forces to himself lately. Their spies brought back chilling tales of new factions of warriors. Warriors that magic could not harm. It was no longer to be denied... Lord Voldemort was readying for war. "And that damnable Fudge still refuses to see it," she thought bitterly. Even with the attacks. Even with the sightings...

She scrubbed harder, venting her temper on the flower-printed circle of china. Quickly and angrily she finished the last of the dishes. After drying the last cup and setting it back in its cupboard, she rinsed out the sink, dried her hands, and threw down the towel with a satisfied air.

Stepping back to survey the kitchen and realizing that there was nothing else to be cleaned, she set about starting the evening meal. There would be an Order meeting tonight, and they always left the gathering hungry, more for a comfortable dinner with friends and family than for actual food. Closeness was important these days. Never knowing who might not come home form a mission was hard on everyone.

And of course no one ever left Molly Weasley's table with an empty stomach...

A/N: To all my reviewers, a big huge thanks! You rock my world!

Stoop: I really appreciate your compliments. No one has ever said something so nice about my writing style before. Thanks much!

Luna: Awww. You're so sweet! Thanks you. I'm glad you like it so far. And I hope it continues to get 'better and better.' : )

desperatedesiremaliciousi: Yo Cari! What up Boo! : ) Yeah you are the coolest.....but I still kick better ass. Volim te. Fe'nos tol.

Morning Fey: Hey Shelly! Thanks for the input. And I'll get to the smut when I damn well please! ; ) (which obviously means at the first possible opportunity!) I hope everything is going okay. I love you! Be good! (ha)

elvesmagic010: w00 for my first ever reviewer! You are the most awesome person in the world! : ) And don't worry, I fully intend to keep writing....it may just take me a while between updates. : )

Much love to you all! Pray for the next chapter to be up soon....much good may it do you....... : )

Kisses

Ember