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Chapter 23

Over the next day and a half, Hermione found herself humming quite often. And if she didn't find herself humming, her mum would. 'What's that tune you're humming, dear?" Her mother would ask. And Hermione would then realize, oh…I was humming, wasn't I? They weren't even songs; just random notes here and there…

Ron Weasley loved her! As soon as he had left that night, Hermione had lain in bed, smiling to herself as she drifted into a peaceful sleep. She had even had a wonderful dream about him. Something about them flying on the back of a Pegasus, but not Harry…this one was white. There had been beautiful music in the background; maybe this was the music that she had been singing of late.

Hermione knew that her mum, dad, and grandmother were pleased, yet curious with her quick recovery. Her dad had said something like, 'That's our little Gryffindor.' But she wasn't anywhere near as brave as they were being led to believe. Hermione knew that if she had room in her brain for thoughts on the attempted kidnapping, she would have been nervous and agitated. But there was only room for three words in her mind. 'I love you.'

Dumbledore arrived around sunset to pick her up. They were to use a Portkey. Hermione wasn't especially fond of this means of transportation; it gave her a funny feeling behind her navel. However, she didn't really care how they got back; she was ready to see Ron again. Of course, there was a bittersweet side to her return.

She would arrive at Grimmauld Place…She would see Ron for the first time since they confessed their love for one another. Yet…she would only be able to hug him in greeting…smile at him. Harry still needed them both. In the shed at the Burrow, Hermione and Ron had agreed that Harry did not need to feel as though he were losing his two best friends. She had come to this conclusion before she truly believed in the prophecy. And now that Hermione knew what Harry's future held, she realized just how much he was going to need their support.

But still, as Hermione said her goodbyes to her family, grabbed her suitcase, and then took hold of the empty box of lemon drops that Dumbledore had brought, her stomach squirmed with excitement at the thought of seeing Ron. Yes, it would be bittersweet…but although hidden, her and Ron's love would still be there, it would just need to be silent for a while.

By the time she and Dumbledore appeared on the walk outside of Grimmauld Place that lead to the battered, black-painted door, the sun had set completely. The moon and stars were twinkling up above, and a worn-looking Mr. Weasley was just making his way to the front door. He must have just apparated from work at the time of her and Dumbledore's arrival.

"Oh!" Mr. Weasley said as he turned around to face them, sounding a bit startled before continuing in a thoughtful voice, "Dumbledore…Good to see you. And Hermione…How was your visit?"

"Oh, it was fine, thank you." Hermione said politely. Remembering something, Hermione sat down her suitcase and reached into her pocket to pull out a couple of small batteries. "Mr. Weasley, these are for you. I told my dad that you…er, were a collector. They're from my grandmother's television remote."

Mr. Weasley took the batteries in his hand, and a pleasantly surprised smile brightened his face. "How kind! I should give him a ringer on the fellytone…well, if we had one, that is. But oh, thank you! Wow…a televised remoter…" A look of awe swept over his face as he slowly reached down to pick up Hermione's suitcase with his free hand before turning to enter the house.

Dumbledore walked Hermione to the door, but simply said goodnight to her and Mr. Weasley, saying that he had to prepare for a weeks worth of meetings with the Wizengamot. Hermione briefly wondered what the meetings would be covering, but her stomach butterflies soon interrupted these thoughts as she and Mr. Weasley entered the house. Mr. Weasley sent her suitcase up to her room with a flick of his wand before he went to the basement, surely following the aroma of potato soup that was drifting about the entrance hall from the kitchen.

Hermione noticed a pink-haired Tonks sitting on the tattered, green sofa in the corner of the entrance hall. She looked up from her newspaper and smiled knowingly at Hermione after Mr. Weasley descended the stairs.

"Wotcher, Hermione?" Tonks greeted her brightly.

"Hello, Tonks." Hermione said with a slightly timid smile. "Alright?"

"Super." Tonks replied cheerily, before her expression changed to mock-concern. "But something bizarre is about with the teenagers in this house. I'm not sure if it's contagious, but two of them have seemed to become glued at the hip! And as for the other one…hmmm…he's been right antsy! Yet…all of them seem to smile endlessly."

Hermione giggled a little, "Well, if those are the symptoms…I hope it is contagious." Tonks laughed at this as Ginny appeared at the top of the basement stairs.

"Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed smiling. Hermione noticed that a portion of Ginny's long, shiny hair was pulled back with a small butterfly barrette. It was the one Harry had given her for Christmas. Ginny hurried over to her and took her by the arm. Unexpectedly, Ginny began dragging Hermione toward the stairs. Hermione turned around to wave goodbye to Tonks as she was ushered up the stairs and into their room.

"Oh my goodness!" Ginny began, "What happened when Ron went to see you?"

Hermione's mouth fell open slightly, "He…he told you about that?" Hermione wasn't upset about Ginny knowing; she was just surprised that Ron would willingly give out that information to his sister.

"Well," Ginny began sounding mischievous, "The next morning, he came down to breakfast singing. Singing! So…I took him aside and asked him what was up."

Hermione smiled brightly…he was singing?

Ginny continued, "But he wouldn't tell me any of the details. And he won't let me talk to Harry about it." She said with a pout, but then a sly smile spread across her lips, "He did say I could ask you, though."

Hermione's stomach fluttered madly…for a couple of reasons. One, it struck Hermione as an awfully sweet gesture for Ron to keep their intimate moment private unless Hermione wished to speak of it. Second, Hermione felt excitement at the thought of gossiping…she'd never felt that before. But Ginny's enthusiasm was rubbing off on her and Hermione suddenly wanted to tell her everything…well…not everything.

"Well," Hermione began slowly, "We kissed of course," She paused to allow Ginny a small squeal, "…but then, he told me that he…that he loved me."

Ginny let out a muffled whoop, as she jumped up and down with one hand over her mouth and the other still gripping Hermione's arm. When she had stopped bouncing around like a Cornish Pixie she whispered excitedly, "I've always felt like we would be sisters one day!"

Hermione felt herself go slightly pink, "That's sweet, Ginny, but I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself." As Hermione said these words, her insides were actually saying…yes, I've always felt that too…But Hermione didn't want to say these words aloud for the underlying fear that she would be setting her hopes too high too soon.

Ginny continued to smile, "No I'm not…sister." She added slyly. "Let's go find the boys!"

"Wait!" Hermione said quickly. She had a few questions of her own, "What about you and Harry?"

Ginny's brown eyes seemed to shine, "Oh, Hermione…he's wonderful." She looked off with a faraway look in her eyes as she said, "You've been one of his best friends for so long…I honestly don't know how you fell for Ron, but I'm glad you did."

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed with a smile. "That's like me saying I can't believe you have lived with Ron you're whole life and not fallen in love with him! Harry's like my brother!"

They both laughed at this before making their way up to the boys' room. Ginny was talking so quickly and quietly as they walked up the stairs, Hermione was sure that she wasn't catching everything Ginny was saying. However, she had heard her say that Harry had not yet confessed his love for her. She said that she could tell Harry would move slowly in the relationship, but Ginny didn't seem to mind.

As they reached the landing, Hermione heard a voice…a low, somewhat angry sounding voice coming from the boys' room. Ginny stopped talking immediately and they exchanged worried looks. Edging their way closer to the nearly closed door, they heard the distinct sounds of a heated argument.

"Ron, you can't ask me to do that!" Harry exclaimed loudly. Ron sighed with great frustration and sat down hard on his bed.

This conversation was not going well at all. Ron had been in good spirits since his visit with Hermione, but this evening, as her arrival grew nearer, Ron felt strong pangs of worry hit him unexpectedly. 'Book-loving Cow.' That was one of the things written on the Granger's walls…

Ron had been talking with Harry about Quidditch, a nice quiet chat…when, bang! The cruel words hit him, and he realized something. The only people that would know of Hermione's studious nature would be those who saw her study habits…those of Hogwarts… And what three Death Eaters had sons enrolled at Hogwarts? Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.

This realization had sent him into a frenzied state of panic. Why? Ever since the beginning of the term, Ron had wondered if Harry might be missing something vital by becoming an Occlumens. And…as the term wore on this curiosity had grown. But now, it was as if a light had gone on in Ron's head and he was suddenly determined to take absolutely every means necessary to protect Hermione.

Ron knew why Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle had not enrolled in the Slytherin School of Magic. He was almost one-hundred percent sure that they were giving their fathers vital information about Hogwarts…about Hermione… He couldn't let Hermione walk into that castle without knowing that he had done everything in his power to prepare her for the worst.

"Harry!" Ron said sternly…loudly, "It was Malfoy that put the Imperious Curse on her, and it was Malfoy's asshole of a father that attacked the Granger's home!"

"Yes. Yes, Ron." Harry said frustrated, "You've said this five times! But why is that a reason for me to drop my defenses?"

"Because Harry," Ron continued, "We know that your dream was real! It was not a false vision! Pettigrew helped Lucius Malfoy escape so that Lucius Malfoy could attempt the kidnapping! But, Harry…the attack failed! Now, what do you think old Lucius is going to ask of his dear son?"

Harry looked down sadly before saying through gritted teeth, "We will be with her everyday. Malfoy won't have a chance to touch her. Alright? But you cannot ask me to stop Occlumency. Don't you understand?"

"Harry-…"

"That's why he's dead!" Harry shouted. Ron glanced toward the door; Harry was going to alert the whole house! "He would still be here…this would still be his house…I would still be his godson if I had known Occlumency then!"

Ron felt as if a small rip had formed painfully on his heart. But before Ron could respond the bedroom door was thrust open, banging loudly as it hit the inside wall. Ginny, looking furious, had walked in quickly followed by…

"Hermione…" Ron muttered. He closed his eyes to her angry stare and turned away from her. How much had she heard? Ron felt as if he could truly be sick. A pair of small hands gripped him on the arm and urged him to turn around. He turned slowly to look down at his sister. Her face was blotchy with red marks of rage.

"What are you thinking!" She yelled at him. "He can't do what you're asking, Ron!"

Ron sighed with immense frustrationand looked up to see Hermione standing near the door with her arms crossed. She was looking down at her feet. She looked so small and fragile. Ron then looked sadly at Harry, who had sat down on his bed and put his head in his hands. Ron hated this. He hadn't wanted to talk about any of this with Hermione. He hadn't wanted to scare her further. Nor did he want to hurt Harry, but if there wereeven the slightest chance that theycould see what Voldemort was planning…they needed to know…he had to know.

Ginny had crossed over to stand in between Harry's knees as he sat on the edge of the bed. She was hugging him around the neck, and Harry had his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Ginny, listen." Ron began calmly, "All I'm asking is-…"

"No!" Hermione suddenly shouted. Her hands were balled up into fists at her sides, and she was staring at him with a mixture of shock, anger, and sadness. It was a look that made Ron's heart tear completelyin two.

Hermione marched forward to stand a foot away from him. "All you're asking is that he risk the invasion of his mind and, possibly, his body! It's not worth it!"

Ron opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by the sound of Harry shooting up off of the bed, "Hermione, that's not true. Your safety is worth everything…it's just that Voldemort could show me a false vision that would lead one of you to harm…he could possess me and make me hurt one of you."

Tears had begun falling down Hermione's face. Ron reached a hand toward her, but she backed away from him and covered her face with her hands. Why didn't they understand? Why didn't they see? "Harry," Ron began quietly, "I understand what you're saying. But-…"

"Damn it, Ron! Just-…" Ginny yelled, but Harry grabbed her hand. They looked at each other for a fleeting moment before Ginny wrenched her hand from Harry's and sat down on his bed.

"But what, Ron?" Harry asked. His voice sounded tired and weak all of a sudden. Hermione had gone to sit beside Ginny.

"But…" Ron began, "There are ways that we could make certain that you wouldn't hurt one of us. I could…" Ron felt disgusted with himself, but he continued, "I could hold you down long enough for you to open your mind."

Ginny shot up from the bed, "Hold him down? Are you insane? Are you-…"

"And what if I did see something? How would we know if it were real?" Harry asked, ignoring Ginny's outburst.

"We wouldn't." Ron said truthfully. He knew that Voldemort could show Harry a false vision; But he also new that there was a possibility of Harry seeing something that could save Hermione. "Harry, we could take the information to Dumbledore…to the Order."

Harry was looking at Ron intently. He was considering it. Ron felt a flicker of hope in his chest. Please…please, let's at least try…Ron was pleading on the inside. Ginny was looking at Harry with real fear in her eyes; she approached him and grabbed hold of his forearm.

"Alright." Harry said quietly. A rush of gratitude swept through Ron, but Ginny immediately burst into tears while Hermione stood up from the bed, an astonished and fearful look in her eyes. Ron looked away from her, his stomach twisting with guilt and self-disgust.

"No, Harry…no…" Ginny was pleading; it was horrible watching his sister in so much pain. She was still gripping tight to Harry's arm, but he wasn't even looking at her.

Harry took a couple of steps closer to Ron and closed his eyes. He then turned around so that his back was to Ron.

Ginny was still crying, but she was now leaning on Harry's chest, sobbing. Harry continued to ignore her, not even offering to pat her on the back. Although Ron looked down to see Harry's fists clenched so tightly, his knuckles were white. Hermione had large tears falling down her face, and she met Ron's eyes. He felt a lump form in his throat, but he ignored it. He attempted a silent apology with his eyes, but she looked away from him.

Ron wanted to hurry up and get this over with, so he took both of his arms and reaching around Harry's torso, pushed Ginny away from Harry by her shoulders. He got her far enough away to wrap his arms firmly around Harry's chest, holding Harry's arms to his sides. Ginny suddenly began pulling hard on Ron's arms; as her sobbing continued.

"Hermione, put an Imperturbable Charm on the door." Harry said firmly.

"Harry, please don't do this. Please just-…" Hermione began softly.

"Hermione!" Harry shouted, Hermione flinched at the harshness in his voice, but she moved quickly to the door, closed it, and spoke a quick incantation. Ron had never seen or heard Ginny cry like this before; she had now sunk to the floor at Harry's feet. Ron continued to swallow the lump in his throat.

"Ginny, please…" Harry began quietly, but sternly, "Ginny…" She just continued weeping, "Hermione, take her." Harry ordered. Hermione looked hesitant.

"Take her!" Harry shouted. Hermione flinched again, but then grabbed Ginny by the backs of her arms and managed to pull her back slightly. It looked as though Ginny had gone slightly limp, and Hermione kneeled down beside her. Ron moved back with Harry to further their distance from the girls.

Harry took a deep breath and went completely still… Everything grew silent; even Ginny's sobs had stopped, although tears were still falling from her eyes. Hermione looked frozen in time as she stared at Harry's face, which Ron, of course, could not see. Then, without warning, Ron felt Harry's whole body quake before Harry's legs buckled and he began jerking madly. Ron kept his stance and held onto Harry.

"NO!" Harry bellowed suddenly, as his body gave the biggest jerk yet. Ron's arms slipped slightly, but he held on. His heart had clenched into a knot at Harry's shout, and it was continuing to hold painfully. Seeing his friend in this state because of him was almost unbearable. And then, abruptly, Harry's body went completely limp.

Ron sunk with him to the floor and hurriedly laid Harry on his back. Ginny and Hermione both rushed forward, tears in both of their eyes. They were all peering over Harry's sweaty, pallid face.

"No…" Harry whispered, opening his eyes slowly. Ron and Hermione both leaned back from Harry to give him space as he was waking, but Ginny leaned over him, her hands cupping his face.

"Harry…" Ginny whispered, she kissed him gently at the corner of his mouth, her hair falling around him like a beautiful red curtain. Ron saw Harry look into Ginny's eyes, and that green flash…that strange glow appeared. Or had it? Had he even seen it? It was gone now…

Suddenly Harry sat up, causing Ginny's hands to fall from his face. They were all listening intently for Harry to say something; Ron's heart was pounding painfully in his chest as he looked at his friend's blank expression.

"Harry, what did you see?" Ron asked tentatively.

"It wasn't you, Hermione." Harry said; his voice completely void of emotion. Hermione looked briefly from Harry to Ron, but quickly looked away from Ron when he met her eye. Ron knew she was angry with him, but he still felt his entire body sigh with slight relief. However his heart was still clenched painfully as he looked worriedly into his friend's face.

Unexpectedly, Ginny spoke in a quiet, yet strong voice, "You saw me, didn't you?" Harry looked at her without speaking, but he didn't have to. Harry's blank expression had turned to a deeply sorrowful stare. Ron could tell that the answer to Ginny's question was, 'yes.' Suddenly a new wave of fear shot through him. Ginny? But how could he see Ginny in a vision if she were here now?

Harry suddenly stood from the ground, grabbing Ginny's hands and pulling her up with him. "We need to talk." He said quietly. And before Ron's brain could function enough to ask questions, Harry had led Ginny from the room, leaving him and Hermione alone.

Ron looked over at Hermione, who was sitting about two feet from him. She was staring at him, her jaw set and her eyes teary, yet fierce. "How could you do this?" She asked shakily.

"Hermione…" Ron began, reaching a hand toward her. She backed away and stood up quickly, wiping at her eyes and cheeks. She then began heading for the door.

Ron shot up off the floor and cut in front of her, blocking the doorway. "Hermione stop." He said evenly, taking a firm hold on her upper arms. She closed her eyes as he looked at her, "Listen. I feel absolutely awful for making Harry do that, but he only did it because he realized that I was right."

Her eyes flew open, "Right? Ron, you were not right in asking Harry to allow Lord Voldemort into his mind! What is wrong with you?"

Ron sighed heavily, "Hermione at the beginning of the term I gave you three reasons why you had nothing to worry about, do you remember?" She just stared at him with her brow furrowed; He asked more sternly, "Do you remember what they were?"

"Yes." She said in an almost whisper.

"Tell me."

"Hogwarts, Dumbledore, and you."

"Right." Ron said softly, "Well, Hogwarts isn't safe for you anymore, Hermione. Not as long as there are people like Malfoy there. And as for Dumbledore…well, he didn't even try questioning Malfoy after that Boggart incident; I know he had his reasons…But…Hermione, I just feel like it's up to me to protect you."

Ron saw Hermione swallow hard, before asking, "Well then whose job is it to protect Harry?"

"Hermione, I knew Harry would be fine."

"You couldn't know that."

"Damn it, Hermione" Ron said, a bit louder than he'd intended. He took a deep breath and began rubbing his thumbs on her arms, which he was still gripping, "Harry was fine. I wasn't going to let him hurt any of us; I wasn't going to let him hurt himself. I love Harry. Do you think I would do something that would put him in danger?"

"Ron…you did put him in danger." Hermione began in disbelief, "Other than the pains in his scar, Harry's visions have never physically hurt him before, but Voldemort is stronger than ever now. There's no way you could've known what would happen."

"Well-…"

Hermione interrupted him with a huge sigh, "If you're going to try and rectify this by mentioning Harry's vision…then save your breath. Think about it, Ron. He saw Ginny. Ginny! She was sitting right there! How could he see Ginny through Voldemort's eyes if she were here the whole time?"

"I've already thought of that…" Ron replied calmly, "I was just going to say that You-Know-Who's body is stronger…not his mind."

Hermione began gnawing on the inside of her cheek, as if considering what he had just said. They were staring at one another. Ron felt as if her brown eyes were looking so deeply inside him that it might be wise to look away. But he held her gaze.

"Ron, why can't you say his name?" She asked quietly, looking away from him. Ron slid his hands down her arms and released his hold on her. She turned her back on him, and Ron felt a new wave of self-disgust. Why couldn't he say his name? He could...but he didn't want to. He had been raised to fear the name, and after meeting Harry and becoming his best friend...he had learned to hate the name. Saying Voldemort's name didn't scare Ron, it disgusted him. However, he could feel the disapproval in Hermione's and Harry's eyes every time he refused to say the name.

Hermione turned back around as the door suddenly burst open as it had earlier, banging loudly against the wall. It was Ginny again, but this time she looked hysterical; her hair was completely down now, the barrette gone. She walked quickly and determinedly up to her brother, raised her right hand, and slapped him hard across the face. There was a loud smack as Ron's face turned roughly to one side. A hand flew to Hermione's mouth as she gasped.

"This is all your fault!" Ginny screamed, pushing Ron hard on his chest. Ron just stood there, looking down at his sister with immense sadness in his eyes. Hermione suddenly felt a strong urge to embrace him, but she stood back from the scene before her.

"He saw me!" She cried, "He saw me in trouble and now…now-…"

"But Ginny how could that be a true vision? You're here." Ron asked quietly.

"I know that! But Harry won't listen to reason!" Ginny screamed before tears began falling from her already tear-stained, swollen face. "He won't listen…" She said quietly now, "He says his scar didn't even hurt…but he saw me…and now he says he can't be with me anymore…"

"What?" Ron asked in a whisper. Ginny then turned an imploring look upon Hermione. Hermione stepped forward and embraced her friend.

"Hermione, he says it's too dangerous for me to get involved with him" Ginny said in a high-pitched, teary voice. "I told him that I loved him and he wouldn't even look at me…"

"Ginny, he loves you. That's why he's doing this…" Hermione said gently.

"I know." Ginny whispered.

"Come on. Let's go to our room, okay?" Hermione said as if talking to a child. With her arm around Ginny, she began leading her out of the room. She glanced at Ron, who looked sadly at her, but she quickly looked away. As she stepped into the hall, she heard a faint, 'Hermione' being called from behind her, but she ignored it without looking back.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know this chapter ends on an exremely melancholy note, but everyone hang in there. I was extremely teary-eyed when I wrote it...but, ah...I am now working on chapter 24.

By the way, I hope hope hope that I can post it by tomorrow, but I am taking summer classes, and we are having a test tomorrow that I have to study for. So...blegh.

Also, about Ron being able to floo to Hermione's grandmother...I wondered about this too, but I then decided that since Ron knew Dumbledore was the secret keeper and he basically knew where the house was, that he would be able to floo there. (I also recalled the fact that Harry could floo his head over to Grimmauld Place in Book 5 to look for Sirius - Harry knew about DD being Secret Keeper, and he also knew where GP was). I dunno... lol / I guess the main reason I allowed Ron to travel this way was b/c I knew it would make for a sweet scene... lol