Chapter Fifteen

Ron had thought the next time he stepped into the Ministry it would be to attend his trial, not as a free man going back to his old job. He couldn't describe what he was feeling now that his life was back on track again – for the most part anyways. He had even welcomed getting up at the crack of down so he could go running in the freezing cold before work.

Harry was with him now, as they walked down the short corridor to the Auror office. It wasn't one of their weekly training days but Mackenzie had wanted to see them both before they headed into the field again. Harry had been partnered with Roberts during Ron's extended absence, and although the guy was a decent Auror, he was clumsy and that made him a liability. Another problem was Harry had been unable to use his mind abilities most of the time. He had not wanted to risk exposing himself to Roberts. He was sure the guy could be trusted, but with everything Harry had learned in his training and from Moody, trust was not to be given out freely. It had to be earned and reciprocated both ways, and even then it was a good idea to err on the side of caution.

Ron wasn't sure how the people around him would react to seeing him freed of all charges, as the circumstances around them had been extremely suspicious, but so far everyone seemed to be on his side. The Aurors that he passed sitting in their cubicles briefly smiled or gave him looks that said they had known he was innocent all along.

Mackenzie had one of the few closed-door offices in the department. Harry knocked once and a voice immediately told them to come inside.

When they were in and the door was shut behind them, Mackenzie threw Ron one of her rare grins.

"It's good to see you around here again, Weasley."

Ron grinned back. "I never thought I would look forward to getting up hours before normal people."

"I guarantee that will wear off in a couple weeks," she said in return. "Listen, as much as I want to have you back out there, I have to follow standard procedure. You've been off for more than fourteen days, which means I'm required to put you through a review of your training, as well as have you sit and write some pointless test as ordered by the Ministry. Once you've gone through all that and I've approved you're fit for duty, you can return to the field with Potter as your partner, and report in twice a week for regular training."

Ron suppressed a groan. He had known he was going to have to do a lot of catching up, but taking written tests that he would probably have to spend countless hours studying for wasn't something he had planned on.

"Draco Malfoy is no longer part of the Auror program," Mackenzie told them both. "He was released from St. Mungo's and no one has seen or heard from him. The Law Enforcement squad is looking for him to answer a few questions about Jeffrey Moore's disappearance. They may also approach either one of you, but you are not under investigation. They just need to cover every angle."

Both boys nodded. Ron almost couldn't contain his glee that he would never have to see Malfoy's smug face at the Ministry again. Wherever that bastard was hiding out, he hoped he stayed there.

"Wealey, here's some papers I'd like you to go through. It's a review of questions you may be asked on the test. If you have questions let me know," she said handing him a large folder. "I have one other thing to give you," she said reaching into the top drawer on her desk. "It's a request from the Department of Experimental Charms. Every so often they come to us with ideas they have for new magical devices or spells, and we have a volunteer list for anyone who wants to participate. Your participation is not mandatory but you are one of a small group who possess the qualities they are looking for. All I ask is that you read through the proposal. Whether you decide to do it, is entirely your choice." She handed Ron another folder, jammed with pieces of parchment inside. "They gave it out last week, but since you weren't here you're just receiving it now. They will draw a candidate this afternoon. I know it's last minute, so spend this morning going through it." She looked at Harry. "Potter, you're to meet Roberts in the training center in twenty minutes. He already has your assignment for the day. Dismissed."

They left her office and Ron said to Harry, "can you tell me what this volunteer thing is and save me the trouble of having to read through all this?"

"It's something they've been developing for a few months now," Harry began. "It's some kind of ancient charm that's supposed to give the Aurors a huge advantage in the field by improving their natural abilities. It's been tested a few times in the past by the Department of Mysteries, but the effects were only temporary and the candidates ended up in pretty rough shape. They're looking for a pureblood wizard to test it on, because they haven't tested it out on one before and they think it will make a difference."

"How long would I have to wear it for?" Ron asked with interest.

"Two weeks, but they would monitor your condition on a daily basis and if there were any ill effects they would get you to take it off." Harry regarded him closely. "You're going to volunteer, aren't you?"

"It's not like it's guaranteed they're going to pick me," Ron said to his friend, though as far as he knew there weren't that many pureblood Aurors left after Moody's purge of them for being involved in Harry's kidnapping last March.

"Maybe you should read what Mackenzie gave you. There's a whole page in there that lists the side effects."

"Come off it, Harry," he said with a roll of his eyes. "If you could sign up for this you would, so don't try to feed me any bullshit."

"Just read through it, would you? Then make your decision."

Instead of reading the information, the best thing would be to go straight to the source. But the last thing he wanted was for Hermione to find out he was volunteering for it. When Harry was gone he would go to Mackenzie and tell he wanted to volunteer. If he had some time in between reading that mountain of review papers she had given him, he would read through what this experiment with the charmed object would entitle.

Ron would have given anything to be aching and tired from hours of grueling training, but he was seated at a vacant desk reading through page after page of training exercises, potion properties and commonly used spells in the field. It was like he was studying for the Auror entrance exam all over again.

"Bored, yet?" Mackenzie's voice sounded behind him.

Ron wasn't sure what answer to give her. If he said, yes, she might think he wasn't taking this seriously. But if he answered, no, she would see right through the obvious lie.

"I know this seems like a waste of time, but it's required," she said in understanding. "We need to know that you haven't lost it while you've been away. But it's going to have to wait," she added.

"Why?"

"They drew your name for the experimental charm testing. You're to report to St. Mungo's where there will be a Healer and Department representative on hand to explain everything to you. I'll see you back here tomorrow morning."

Five minutes later, Ron had apparated to St. Mungo's. He didn't know what to expect when he walked into the hospital room Mackenzie had told him to go to, but it certainly wasn't to see Hermione standing there. He had never considered she would be the Department of Experimental Charms representative. But she wasn't the only one there. There was a Healer in the room as well, and it looked like Ron had interrupted the conversation that had been going on between them.

"Ron Weasley?" The Healer surmised. At Ron's nod, he said, "good, now we can get started."

Ron walked fully into the room. He looked at Hermione, but she didn't meet his gaze.

"You both have been through the manuals you were given. Do you have any questions?"

Ron was confused. "What do you mean we've both been through them? I'm the one who volunteered."

"Miss Granger has volunteered to be a candidate as well, as the Department of Experimental charms wishes to study the effects of the artifact on a pureblood and a muggleborn."

Ron gaped openly at her but she still refused to look at him.

"Before I give you the charm, I think it would be prudent to remind you both what you're getting yourselves into. These charms were designed to mimic and enhance the user's natural abilities – speed, strength, critical thinking skills, and so forth. The previous wearer's weren't able to tolerate wearing them for more than a few days before exhibiting serious side effects. The easiest way to do this is to wear the object around your neck like a necklace. If you're both still willing to proceed, I'll bring them in now."

They both nodded their consent, and as soon as the Healer was gone Hermione rounded on Ron.

"Don't," she said warningly.

"Don't what?" He snapped. "Tell you you're insane? Hermione, you can't do this."

"I thought you said I need to make my own decisions and you wouldn't interfere."

"Well, yeah, but only when you make sane ones! You don't know what you're getting yourself into."

"Neither do you," she was quick to point out. "Ron, the outcome of this is important. The Aurors need all the advantages they can get there since there are so few of them."

"That doesn't mean you have to be the one to test it," said Ron.

She didn't answer him and Ron lost any other chance to protest when the Healer walked back in carrying a metal tray with two silver coloured pendants on a chain. There was some writing etched into the pendants that Ron couldn't read.

"It's an obscure form of ancient Latin," Hermione told him. "The language specialists at the Ministry think it says To Protect By Instinct." The top linguists in the ministry had spent years trying to decipher the words and that was the closest they could come to a complete translation. Of course, they haven't even begun to figure out what that could mean.

"If you're still sure you want to do this we'll begin," the Healer said when Hermione was done.

They both continued to stand there determined to go through with this.

The Healer put the tray on a table and began speaking. "Once you have them on, I'm going to check your vitals and then you can go. I want you to return here right away if you begin feeling ill in any way. Otherwise, I want to see you both here at eight tomorrow morning and we'll see how your bodies are responding.

He went to Ron first, who picked up one of the two pendants and clasped it around his neck. Other than a brief cold sensation at what felt like metal touching his neck, Ron felt fine. The Healer moved over to Hermione next and she took the remaining pendant to wear around her neck.

"Everything seems to be normal," the Healer observed, as he checked their vitals several moments later. "How do you feel?"

"Fine," they answered in unison.

"Remember what I said. The first signs of anything usual report back here. But I'll check on the both of you tomorrow morning."

Hermione and Ron walked out of there and they strode down the hall in silence.

"So where are you going now?" He asked her.

"I'm meeting Ginny somewhere," she answered.

"How do you feel?"

"Ron, I feel fine. I would have said something if I didn't." She stopped then. He was only being concerned, and she didn't want to fight about yet another thing, so she decided to ask if he wanted to come with her.

"No, that's okay," he replied. "I've got a ton of training material to get through," he said. It sounded strange that he actually preferred to do work, but he wasn't sure he would know what to say if he stayed with her.

"I'll see you here tomorrow morning then," she said to him.

"See you then."

Hermione left the streets of Diagon Alley and entered the café where she was to meet Ginny. She was still a bit early, but her friend was there – and Lavender and Parvati were sitting with her.

"Hermione, we haven't seen you in ages," Lavender said, when she was standing at the table.

"How is that gorgeous boss of yours?" Parvati asked.

"Er, he's fine," she said uncomfortably. How did Parvati even know who she worked for? She hadn't seen her let alone spoken to her in months.

"Oh, isn't that Katie Beckensworth over there?" Lavender pointed. "We haven't seen her since August."

"We'll be right back. We're just going to say hi to a friend," Parvati told them and both girls shuffled out of the both.

Hermione sat down in the now vacant spot across from Ginny.

"Sorry," Ginny immediately apologized. "They saw me sitting here alone and came over."

"It's okay," Hermione assured her. "Ninety percent of the time they're really not evil."

Ginny laughed and glanced at her watch. "Wow, you're early. I was expecting to wait at least another hour."

"I know I've been a bit preoccupied with work lately," she began, sounding apologetic. "All right, obsessed," she admitted seeing Ginny's look. "But there's just a lot going on right now." She hoped her robes would help conceal the chain around her neck. She wasn't one to wear jewelry and no doubt Lavender and Parvati would be all over her with questions if they spotted it.

"It's good that you decided to have a life for an evening. You deserve it," Ginny said.

"Speaking of having a life," Hermione began playfully, "how are things with you and Harry?"

"We're not a couple if that's what you're thinking," Ginny informed her. "We just, you know, hang out on occasion."

"Have you two done it?"

"Hermione!" Ginny cried in a hushed voice, not believing what her friend was asking her. "No, we haven't," she answered finally. "We've come close a few times but that's it."

"But you're not actually dating?"

She had known Hermione would disapprove. She didn't have to listen hard to hear the criticism in her friend's voice. "I know what you're thinking, but it's better this way. I don't think Harry wants to be in that kind of a relationship."

"What about what you want?"

"I'm okay with it, for now," she said with a shrug. "I'm not even sure Harry knows what he wants. I mean, it's not like we've shagged or anything."

"You think that means he's not interested?"

"Hermione, Harry seems pretty experienced," Ginny confided in her. "I don't think he's been with any other girl besides Cho, but maybe this is a sign."

"Gin, maybe he really cares about you and is scared of messing things up. I know he was with Cho last year, but after what happened in fifth year I don't think he was really that interested in her anymore. As for other girls, well, Harry and Ron may be my best friends but they don't normally discuss other girls like that when I'm around. Those are conversations I'm happy not to be a part of."

They could see Lavender and Parvati returning then, and dropped their current line of conversation. Hermione announced she was going to the loo and left, leaving Ginny alone with the other girls.

She knew was probably overreacting and Hermione was right, but there was still that nagging sense of doubt hanging in her mind. She wondered what kind of response she would get out of Lavender and Parvati. Though Hermione had never lied to her before, she was her friend and probably wouldn't give the same answer as them.

"Can I ask you both something?"

The two girls nodded, looking interested.

"I have this friend and she's been seeing this guy for awhile now. Anyways, she wants to know what it means if a guy doesn't want to shag?"

"There's a few explanations for that," Lavender began. "Either he's gay," she said, ticking it off on her finger, "or he's – actually that's the only explanation. Guys think about it all the time. Not one of them would be daft enough to throw away a chance to do it."

"He's not gay, I'm sure of it and so is my friend. He's been with other girls in the past."

"Then he's just not attracted to her," Parvati said simply. "She might as well dump him and move on before he gets the chance to do it."

"I'll be sure to tell her that," said Ginny, managing to keep her expression from betraying anything.

That was a completely different perspective on the situation. She should have just listened to the annoying voice in her head that had warned her against asking the social twins in the first place.

Ginny was as surprised as Hermione that they could get through a meal with Lavender and Parvati and the topic of conversation would not automatically turn to boys or make up. Hermione had told her before that the girls may give the appearance of being shallow but if you could stand getting to know them, they were all right. She had never really believed Hermione before that night.

"Remus?" Hermione called out as they entered the house.

"He's probably not here," Ginny said with a knowing smile. "He has a date with Tonks."

Hermione looked stunned. "What? Where was I when this happened?" She asked, removing her cloak.

"Actually, it was Order business, not a date," Lupin corrected, emerging from the study and startling both girls. Nonetheless, his face had turned a light shade of crimson.

Ginny looked at Hermione and mouthed the word 'date', and she had to stifle a giggle.

"What's that around your neck?" Ginny asked a second later, noticing the silver chain for the first time and the shiny blue metallic pendant hanging from it. She wondered if her brother had given that to Hermione as a way of mending fences between them

"It's nothing really," Hermione said dismissively, attempting to hide it inside her shirt. Lupin's frown told her it was a wasted effort. He had seen her working on reports of the South American artifact at home. She had even asked him for his help on occasion.

"Hermione, I really hope that's not what I think it is," Lupin said to her.

"Remus, it's just a test. I can take it off if anything happens. Besides, I'll be checking in with the Healer at St. Mungo's every day to make sure I'm fine."

"I guess I must have been talking to myself all those times when I said you need to stop testing new magic's," he said, his voice betraying his anger.

"Hold on, what's going on?" Ginny asked. "What is that thing?"

"It's supposed to increase the abilities of the person wearing it. The Department of Mysteries worked on it for years and could never make it compatible with the human body, but the Department of Experimental Charms sees to think that after a few months they have all the answers," Lupin said to her.

"There's actually two of them," Hermione said in a low voice. "Ron has the other one."

If Lupin looked furious before, he was absolutely incensed now. "I don't believe this," he said, shaking his head. "Molly is going to be absolutely livid when she hears about this. "Where is, Ron now?"

"Probably at home," Hermione answered.

"Bring him here," he told her.

She had the easy task. Hermione could only imagine Molly Weasley's reaction when Remus told her what her son had done.

"Unbelievable," Mrs Weasley fumed. "To think you would do something so – so stupid is beyond me! How could you make this decision without even telling anyone? And dragging poor Hermione in to it, how could you?"

"Mum, stop," Ron said. "It's my body, which means it was my choice to make. And I didn't make Hermione do anything. She volunteered just like I did." Why did his mother automatically jump to the conclusion that he had coerced Hermione into this? She should have known by now that no one forces Hermione to do anything she doesn't want to.

"Mrs. Weasley, I did volunteer," Hermione spoke up, when it become clear she was going to continue to blame Ron for her part in this. "But as Ron said, it was our choice to make."

"Mum, we're seventeen, I think we're old enough – "

"Ronald, I know exactly how old you are. I'm not senile," she snapped at her son. "But you're both still so young. I think you keep forgetting that."

"Right, we just have adult jobs and adult lives," he bit off sarcastically. He avoided the threatening glare his mother was sending his way by glancing over at Lupin, hoping to get some support. But it didn't look like he was going to jump in and rescue them anytime soon. He's just as afraid of her as I am when she's like this, he thought to himself.

"It will only be for two weeks," Hermione tried to reason with Mrs. Weasley. "The Healers will be monitoring our conditions the entire time. The first sign of anything going wrong and we'll take them off."

"Mum, this is important," Ron added. "It could change the way Aurors defend themselves out in the field." He thought the bit about Aurors being more safe might make her a little less upset, but it didn't work. The only thing he had going for him was that he no longer lived under his mother's roof, which meant she couldn't ground him. She could do little more than lecture and yell at him like she was doing right then.

Mrs. Weasley threw her hands up in frustration then and marched out of the kitchen. They could hear her muttering, "why couldn't they get magical tattoos like normal teenagers?"

"She'll be much calmer in a few days," Lupin said to Ron. "In the meantime, I would avoid her until then though."

Ron would definitely heed to that advice.

"Sorry about your date," Hermione said to Lupin and Ron's eyes widened in shock.

Lupin was obviously distracted because he did not deny it this time. "I would be more worried about what these charms can do to you than anything else," he said and left the room.