Hermione trudged upstairs into Harry's bedroom and slammed the door. She promptly threw herself onto the bed with a giant sob, burying her face in the pillow that she had slept on mere hours ago. Her parents were dead; she couldn't believe it. She knew no one was safe, especially those close to Harry, but she never took the time to think that her parents would be targets, victims.
A moment or so later she heard the door creak open and then shut softly. It was another moment or so before she felt Ron lower himself beside her on the bed. She felt his large hand run softly up and down her back in a comforting manner. It was as if he was saying "I'm here. Take your time."
Slowly, she rolled onto her side and his hand slid across her stomach and to the bed beside her. She opened her eyes and met his in a long stare.
He wasn't at all shocked by the pain he saw reflecting out of her deep brown eyes. Her parents had been killed and she had to read about it in the post. He slowly reached out and moved some of her bushy brown locks from her eyes before settling his hand on her flushed and moist cheek. "He won't really do it," he said softly, his hand moving gently over her soft skin.
She closed her eyes against the cool of his hand running softly over her heated cheeks. "They were better than that," she told him in a shaky voice.
"Yes, they were. He won't use them like that, 'Mione. I already made sure of that."
She sighed softly and sat up, moving to sit on the end of the bed with him. She slowly moved her head to rest against his upper arm/shoulder and closed her eyes again. "My parents were killed to make a point," she said softly.
"I know, love. I ... there's really nothing I can say to make this better. I wish I could. I would give anything to bring them back for you ..." Ron said.
"I know you would, Ron. Just like I would give anything to have been there to save them," she said, opening her eyes and looking up into his. "Just like I'll do everything in my power to make sure nothing like that ever happens to you."
"I'll never let them get you, 'Mione. I swear it. I let you down in the Department of Mysteries, but I'll never do it again. I can't. You're too ... Nothing will ever happen to you," he swore, moving his right arm around her body to secure her to him.
"I won't let you do anything stupid," she said.
"I've never needed your permission to do anything stupid, 'Mione," he replied, trying to lighten the situation.
His attempt, however, was in vain. "I'm serious, Ron. Don't go getting yourself hurt or killed because of me or Harry. I know you and how your mind works. Don't make me, please don't make me, find a way to make you stay in one place while we fight. I know spells and I'm sure your brother will help me out with new confinement ones. I'll not have you end up like them, like my parents. You're too important to me," she said vehemently.
"Well I won't sit back and watch you die either. Looks like we both go or neither of us goes. I'll not be able to live without you and, from what you're saying, you feel the same way," he smiled gently, laying his cheek against the top of her head. "Looks like we can never be apart."
"That sounds like a plan to me," Hermione said softly, her voice starting to fade.
"You're exhausted, 'Mione. Take a rest and I'll go talk to whoever's left."
She nodded and he gently laid her back down and covered her with the Chudley Cannons blanket he'd left on the floor the night before.
Harry and Mr. Weasley appeared in the garden outside the Burrow. After taking a deep breath, Arthur disapparated back to Number 4 Privet Drive, leaving Harry to talk to his youngest daughter. Arthur was unsure of Harry's plan, but he trusted the young man enough to know that his daughter would be safe.
Harry inhaled and exhaled deeply a few times before making his way into the house. He paused at the bottom of the stairs before ascending three flights to Ginny's room. He knocked softly on the door and waiting until he heard a faint "Yeah what?" from inside.
Harry pushed the door open slightly and peered inside. Ginny was sitting on her bed, legs crossed, papers strewn in all directions in front of her. If it hadn't been for her straight red hair, Harry could have easily mistaken her for Hermione. Those two are really becoming alike, he thought to himself.
"Harry!" Ginny exclaimed, pulling the ropes on her dressing gown tighter. "What are you doing here? And do you know where everyone else is? I woke up and they were gone and there was no note so I decided I should study up for my O.W.L.s." She paused. "Why do you look like someone died?" she asked slowly.
"Gin," he said, stepping closer, "someone, well, two someones, actually did die."
Her eyes grew wider as she shakily made room for him on her bed. "Who?" she asked as he moved to sit beside her, his back slightly turned in her direction. "Who was it?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger. They were killed in a Death Eater attack last night. Wormtail, Dolohov and Voldemort. Three of them for three of us. The Grangers had no chance of survival," Harry said softly.
"Oh, Harry," Ginny cried, not bothering to restrain her tears or emotions as she flung herself at him. He turned and caught her, holding her tightly to him. He felt guilty for feeling this good about having her in his arms again. He was shaken from his reverie when Ginny asked, "Is Hermione okay?"
"Not really," he replied honestly. "She went kind of mental. She threw stuff at Dudley. She yelled at me. It really was quite something." A small smile played over his face. "She's a fighter, that one."
"Where is she?" Ginny asked.
"Back on Privet Drive with Ron and most members of the Order. She got mad at me, I won't tell you why just yet, and ran upstairs. Your brother threatened me with bodily harm and then followed her. Then I got your Dad to being me over here."
"So, Hermione and Ron ... are they ...?" Ginny asked, trailing off.
"Donno. I kind of hope they're moving at something, but right now probably wouldn't be the best time, yeah?"
"Harry, this is exactly the right time. He can prove to her that he isn't going anywhere. That no matter what happens he'll be there for her ... and she for him. I think this is exactly the time for them to get it together. Yes, she's vulnerable. But do you really think Ron would take advantage of her? All he has to do is be there, Harry." After this, she gave him a meaningful look.
"Gin, listen, I know what you're thinking but -"
"Don't assume to know what I'm thinking, Potter. I know you don't want me anymore and that's fine. Don't go playing the hero and danger lines. I don't need to hear it. I got your noble crap at Dumbledore's funeral; I don't need to hear it again."
"That's exactly what I thought you were thinking but you're thinking wrong," Harry said.
"Did that even make sense in your head?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, and it made sense out loud too. Listen. You're right. Hermione's right. Heaven help me, Ron's right. I pushed you away because I thought being near me would be too dangerous. Last night proves that no one is safe. I would rather have you by my side so I could be sure to protect you than to have you alone somewhere and I can't. Please, Ginny, forgive me," Harry begged.
Ginny stared at him in disbelief. Was Harry Potter admitting that he was wrong in breaking up with her? Was he saying that he really did love her and wanted to be with her? Was this real or is it a dream? She pinched herself harshly and then yelped, "Ow!"
"What?" Harry cried, looking to her face and following her gaze down to the patch of red flesh on her arm. "What happened?"
"I was pinching myself to see if I was awake or if this was some kind of messed up dream," she replied haughtily.
"It's real, Gin," he said with a smile, moving his hand up to cup her cheek. "And if you don't want to be with me anymore, I understand. I'm just ... asking if you'll have me back."
"Oh course I'll have you back, you great prat! You think I've been miserable all summer because I wanted you to split with me?"
Harry smiled and placed a kiss on her lips. "I reckon someone'll be back soon with some kind of news. Get dressed and I'll make some breakfast."
He gave her another sweet kiss and left her in her room, heading down to the kitchen to cook a meal for his girlfriend.
Ron walked down the stairs to find his father explaining what happened to the Grangers. "... so really Hermione will probably not be staying the rest of the time with Harry and Ron," he said.
"After the way she treated my Dudders, she should be lucky I didn't toss her out on her ear," Petunia replied.
"Her Mum and Dad were killed last night, Mrs. Dursley. Certainly you can understand that her emotions were running high."
"There is no excuse for her actions," Vernon said hotly.
"If your son hadn't tried to make a move on her maybe she wouldn't have gotten angry," Ron spit out at them.
"My son, make a move on ... on ... HER? Rubbish, complete rubbish," Vernon sneered at Ron.
"Let's not get off the point," Arthur said. "Hermione's parents were killed last night and we figure the only reason she wasn't was because she was here. Harry and this house are completely safe until his birthday. I am going to suggest that my son and Harry remain, but we are taking Hermione away tonight. She'll not do well to stay in this kind of company."
"Dad, where are you taking her?" Ron asked.
"We'll talk about it later, son. Where is she?" Arthur asked.
"Having a bit of a rest. She's dead tired and drained. Reckon she has a right to be. She'll be asleep for a couple of hours, I expect," Ron replied. "Where's Mum and the rest?"
"Setting up a place to keep Hermione safe. I also reckon they're trying to get the muggle law enforcement to remove the Grangers from their home before Hermione gets there."
"She'll not be going," Ron said sternly.
"She will, son. Molly and Bill are acting as friends of the family so Hermione does not have to see her parents' bodies. She'll have to go settle their affairs though, I'm afraid."
"Then I'll be going with her," Ron proclaimed.
"No you won't," sounded Hermione's soft voice as she stood in the doorway. "You'll be here. Safe with Harry. I already told you that I won't stand by and let something happen to you. Leaving the house would put a giant target on your back. I'll be with Bill and your ..." she looked at Arthur, who nodded slightly. " ... and your Mum and Dad. Don't worry."
"After things are settled in your home, Hermione, we'll be moving you to a secure location," Remus said as he entered the room. The Dursleys' eyes bugged out as they took in the appearance of the haggard man. He nodded slightly to them. "You'll have a constant guard. We'd heard that they would be trying to seclude the three of you and take you out one at a time. It's become clear that you'll be their first target."
Against her own will, Hermione started shaking. She prevented the tears from falling as Ron quickly moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Nothing is going to happen to you, love. I swear. Remember? We can't live without one another. I'll not go on without you."
"They did this to draw me out, Ron. I ... My parents were a trap. It's just sick," she said as she pulled slightly away from him. She turned to face Mr. Weasley. "Are you sure you, your wife, and Bill are willing to risk this? Risk being seen in the open with me? Bill's already been attacked once. Maybe I should just take my chances on my own."