CHAPTER 12

That weekend, Harry was with Lupin learning new spells for protection and possibly for another duel. But while Harry was locked upstairs with Lupin, Ron and Hermione found themselves alone together.

"Why can't we be learning with Harry?" Ron asked. "I mean Harry obviously can't do this alone.You-Know-Who is back andwe'll all need to learn to defend each other. We should learn, too. You know, in case…something happens."

He looked over at Hermione eating her lunch. She didn't really seem to be paying attention. She has been really quiet since she spent the night with Ron a couple nights ago. He woke up that morning to find her gone. He panicked a little, but was reassured when he found her again in the kitchen.

Ron went back to his lunch, tired of waiting for a response from Hermione.

"I totally agree with you," Hermione said at last.

"I'm sorry, come again," Ron said smiling and putting a hand up to his ear.

"We should learn how to protect ourselves and Harry," Hermione said ignoring Ron's attempt to be funny. "Voldermort-calm down, Ron- will want his revenge. What we did a couple of months ago would only make him angrier. He's going want to try and kill Harry faster. We should all be alert and prepared. We don't know where he is or when he might strike again."

"The Order is on it," Ron said. "The house is always empty. Every once in a while, members of the Order would pop in for food, but that's it. They're working over time now that everyone knows You-Know-Who is back."

Hermione didn't look comforted by Ron's statement.

"So how 'bout we go ask Lupin then, eh?" Ron asked.

Hermione nodded, and they both got up from the table and walked out to the corridor. Before they reached the stairs someone was at the door. Mrs. Weasley came out of the common room and answered the door.

"Ah, good afternoon, Shacklebolt," Mrs. Weasley said letting him in. "Here for some lunch? I think there are still some food on the table."

Mrs. Weasley led Shacklebolt to the kitchen with Ron and Hermione following. Both hoped maybe they would be able to hear some news about what the Order is working on. They have been heavily guarded and protected from any information. The extendable ears Fred and George left them haven't been used. The adults learned from last summer to perturb the door. The only way they can keep up with any events is reading the Daily Prophet. Since Voldermort hasn't been active, there weren't a lot of news about him. The articles were all speculations and guesses about him. There was nothing about facts. In fact, it has been very calm.

Shacklebolt sat on one end of the table while Ron and Hermione sat on the other end, away from Shacklebolt and Mrs. Weasley. Hopefully, if they're really quiet and didn't make their presence known, the adults might slip and let something out. Mrs. Weasley placed some tomato soup and a ham sandwich in front of their visitor.

"How is work?" Mrs. Weasley asked, washing the dishes in the sink.

"Busy as ever," Shacklebolt said. "The ministry is going crazy. Fudge has just announced his resignation to the staff. He's going to make it public later today. "

"So, Percy was right," Mrs. Weasley said. "Fudge was really planning on resigning. Who do you think will replace him?"

Ron and Hermione exchanged looks. So, this is what Percy and his parents were talking about when they all left the kitchen.

"I don't know. Nothing has been said yet. But who can lead and hold this country together in a time like this?"

"Oh, this is going to be like last time," Mrs. Weasley cried. She gave up washing the dishes and came and sat with Shacklebolt. "I know, I know. We're prepared, but are we really? How prepared are we? We can never be truly prepared for You-Know-Who's attacks. We don't know who might be working for him."

"Now, Molly, you must really calm down," Shacklebolt said softly, looking at Ron and Hermione to remind Mrs. Weasley they're still here. "We know who a lot of Death Eaters are. The Ministry can differentiate between hissupporter and everyone else.And with everyone alert and vigilant, it would be harder for You-Know-Who to put them under the Crutias spell. Now that more people know he's back, we have a lot more supporters and people willing to help out."

Mrs. Weasley sighed.

"Then why do I feel so bad about this time?" Mrs. Weasely asked desperately. "The boys were just little kids last time, Ron was a baby, and Ginny wasn't even born yet. But now, I have Bill and Charlie with the Order. Fred and George are in Diagon Alley. Ron and Ginny are still in school. And Percy just came back to us. Wh-what if something happens to one of us? Just when we got back together as a family." Mrs. Weasley started to cry.

Shacklebolt went up Mrs. Weasley and tried to comfort her.

Ron, who couldn't stand to watch his mother cry, wanted to get up and comfort his mother too. But he knew his attempts wouldn't do much. So, he decided to let Shacklebolt calm his mother down and got up to leave the kitchen.

Hermione got up walked over to the other side with Shacklebolt and Mrs. Weasley and picked up the Daily Prophet Shacklebolt has left of the table.

Hermione followed Ron out of the kitchen and up the stairs into his bedroom. Ron sat on his bed, while Hermione sat on the bed Harry uses and combed through the paper.

Ron laid down and stared at the ceiling. He can't imagine what it was likethe last time He-Who-Mustn't-Be-Named was in power. He was, after all, just a baby. He wondered how much his brothers remembered from last time, and if that's why they're in the Order. He tried to imagine what it was like always worrying and fearing thatHe and his followers would kill your family. He attacked everyone that was against him, Pure-Blood, Half-Blood, Muggle-born.

Ron held his breath at the thought of Him killing Muggle-born. He turned his head and looked at Hermione. What if she gets killed this time? What if something happens to Hermione? She almost died at the Ministry if the Death Eater wasn't hexed to lose his voice.She was close to death. He closed is eyes and shook away the thought. He didn't want to be thinking like that. He didn't want to think Hermione as dead. He didn't want to think Hermione could be in danger.

No, she won't be in danger, Ron thought to himself. Harry and I will be there to protect her. Now, Ron was more determined than anything to get those lessons from Lupin. He wasn't quite sure how he was going to get them without his mother finding out. Ron heard Hermione shift in the bed next to him. He looked over at her and knew she found something interesting in the paper.

"What is it?" Ron asked, now sitting up.

"The editorial," Hermione said. "This guy thinks we're on the verge of a Second War. Listen to this, 'Due to the fact that the Minister has lied to the public about You-Know-Who's return, the country is ill-prepared for events to come. For those of us who remembered, about fifteen years ago, He-Who-Mustn't-Be-Named started a great war against muggles, muggle-borns, and everyone who stood in his way. It was during this time many great wizards and witches have lost their lives. But, it all ended when the Boy-Who-Lived ended He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named terrorizing the country.'" Hermione looked at Ron for any sign of emotions, but Ron stared at a spot next to Hermione. "Near the end of the editorial, he says, 'Many are starting to fear the First War will repeat itself. Many also believes this might just be the calm before a big attack. It is only a matter of time before a Second War will start. Will the country be prepared? But the bigger question is, will the Boy-Who-Lived live up to stopping Him again a second time around?'"

"Wait, he's expecting Harry to stop You-Know-Who again," Ron asked.

Before Hermione could say anything more, she heard footsteps coming down the hall.

"Harry's finished his lessons," Hermione said, getting up to open the door.

"Harry," Hermione called out, waving her hand tobring Harry over. He walked slowly over, looking really tired and not much of in a talking mood. "How were the lessons?"

"Really tiring," Harry said falling on top of his bed.

"So what did Lupin teach you?" Ron asked.

But Harry had drifted off into sleep already.

"C'mon," Hermione said, holding Ron's arm. "Let him rest, we can ask all those questions later."

They walked out of the room and closed the door gently behind them. They both turned around to see Ginny walking up to them. She looked up at Hermione and Ron, now holding hands, and smiled.

"What have you two been up to?" she said teasingly.

Ron and Hermione quickly let go and put about three feet between themselves.

"Where have you been?" Ron asked. "We haven't seen you all day!"

"Oh, you noticed?" Ginny asked sarcastically. "I'm surprised you took the time, what with you being busy with-" Ginny looked between Hermione and Ron, "with so much other stuff going on. Well, I got to go. Later."

Ron saw Ginny and Hermione exchange a look.

"What was that about," Ron asked when Ginny left.

"Nothing," Hermione said. "Come on, let's go ask Lupin for some lessons."