Wow, fast update! To be honest i couldn't stop myself from writing this chapter:D And plus i left a horrible cliff-hanger there for you guys! This is the fic i like writing the most (for now), most likely because i know where it is going:)

I am also updating because i am in a really good mood:) Someone really made my day today:)

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! And keep reviewing! And to those people who read and don't review, it would be nice to hear from you!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters, if i did i would be writing book 7 instead of fanfiction:)

Last time

"Ron!"

Ron turned round to see Harry calling him over. Ron gave a puzzled expression as he came closer to where Harry was standing. He noticed Harry was looking into the meeting area, where this whole mess started. When Ron approached him he turned to face his best friend.

"What is it?" Ron asked with a worried expression.

Harry sighed "It doesn't look good Ron, not good at all"

What If

Chapter 4

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked with a worried expression.

Harry sighed "Look for yourself" He said as he pointed towards the meeting area. Ron slowly turned his head and when he saw what Harry was talking about his eyes widened in shock.

The meeting area was completely trashed; tables and chairs were all broken and sprawled across the floor. Black marks were spread across the room as if there had been a fire. Paper was scattered all over the floor, and there was a familiar yet distant smell of blood that lingered in the air. Red writing was scratched on the walls, with vulgar messages.

"What happened?" Ron asked as his face paled.

"I haven't been here long enough to know for sure, but it looks like that the Death Eaters attacked here as well," Harry said with anger rising inside of him.

"You don't think they used the attack last night as a diversion, do you?" Ron asked, suddenly feeling sick.

"It's a possibility, but that's not all that seemed to have happened" Harry said, changing his tone, making it seem more subtle.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, suddenly feeling that he was going to regret asking.

"The markings on the wall were there for a reason. It didn't make any sense to me at first but then I remembered something about the cases that we have been working on…" Harry began, not wanting to finish his sentence.

"What? What did you remember Harry?" Ron asked, panic arousing.

"Well I remembered that all the past victims, female muggle-borns were all in their early twenties" Harry said with a sympathetic tone turning to face Ron.

"But that doesn't mean that Hermione will be a target! It could just be a coincidence! It has to be!"

"Ron…There is more. When I looked at their job descriptions, they seemed to work in some way or another for the ministry, if not were linked to it in someway" Harry continued, not liking where the conversation he was having was heading.

"But, No! It must be another coincidence! It can't mean that she is a target…"

"There is also evidence that suggests that they had strong opinions about Voldermort, and they weren't in favour of him"

Ron couldn't believe what he was hearing; he refused to believe it. "Everyone that wasn't a Death Eater or had connections with one hated Voldermort! That's not the type of evidence that links these victims to Hermione!"

Harry sighed, hating to tell him the next part of his recently gathered information "The victims were also attacked near their birthday, either on or a couple of days either way"

"But Hermione's birthday is in a few months! She has to be safe till then!" Ron said desperately.

Harry shook his head slightly "Not really, there were other messages written on the walls, it seems that the Death Eaters are also attacking female muggle borns who have friends or family working on the Auror squad"

"This can't be happening!" Ron cried out. He didn't want to believe it, yet he knew that Hermione would eventually become a target.

"Ron, you have to calm down!" Harry said with a worried tone in his voice. He was concerned that this new found information might cause him to do something stupid. He was also worried about Hermione. She was one of the people who would most likely be attacked, and quite frankly he was surprised that she wasn't one of the first victims, but at the same time relieved.

Harry knew that Ron would do just about anything to keep Hermione out of harms way, especially since the final battle where Hermione almost died in his arms. Harry knew that it would be hard for Ron to accept that Hermione is in danger, because Ron wanted more than anything in the world for Hermione to be safe. He knew though, that if it got too personal for Ron, he would take matters into his own hands. This scared him more than anything.

Although Ron wasn't stupid enough to go and track down the Death Eaters and take them on by himself, he knew that if they provoked him enough he might well do. He knew that if Hermione was hurt in anyway that he would do the same to the person who did it to her. This scared Harry, because he knew from experience how bad the Weasley temper can be, having experienced it from both Ginny and Ron. He feared that if, Merlin forbid anything bad happened Hermione, Ron may not be able to control his rage and temper.

"Harry! Ron! Thank Merlin you're here!" A voice snapped Harry out of his thoughts to be greeted by a distraught Remus.

"Remus! Please don't tell me there has been another attack…" Ron pleaded, hoping, just wishing that his fears would not come true.

"I have just got back from investigating the recent attack that occurred tonight" Remus started in a melancholy tone, which made Ron very anxious.

"What did you find?" Harry asked in a more calm tone, instead it sounded forced.

Remus sighed "You both aren't going to like this" He said with a sigh as he brought out a parchment of paper out from the inside of his robes. Harry and Ron eyed it carefully.

"W-what is it?" Ron asked nervously as Remus handed over the paper over to Harry.

Harry's eyes widened when he saw what Remus was talking about. He couldn't believe it; he didn't want to believe it. What lay in his hands brought a shocking truth too close to home.

"H-Harry?" Ron asked, seeing the shocked look in Harry's eyes "W-What is it? Please tell me!"

Harry sighed, not wanting to show his best friend this newly found information, but he had a right to know.

"Here, see for yourself Ron" Harry said with a sigh as he handed the paper to his best friend. Ron grabbed it out of Harry's grasp, desperate to see what was causing so much worry.

After a few moments of staring at the parchment, Harry swore he could see the worry and anger bubbling in Ron's eyes.

"Sweet mother of Merlin! No! Hermione…" Ron said with mixed emotions, turning from shocked, angry and then finally sadness.

"One of the Death Eaters must have left it there by accident when they were…" Remus flinched at what he was about to say, "No doubt they would have realised by now that the list is missing so they may have changed their tactics by now. But we can't be too sure"

Ron looked directly at Remus, tears clouding his eyes "What are we going to do about it?"

Remus sighed, and placed his hand on Ron's shoulder "You are going home"

Ron's eyes flashed to anger as he pushed Remus' hand off his shoulder "To hell I am!"

"Ron…" Harry began, but was immediately cut of by a furious Ron.

"I AM NOT GOING HOME! I AM GOING TO STAY HERE AND HELP!" Ron bellowed, causing all the Aurors nearby to stop and stare.

"There is no need to shout and attract attention to yourself Ron! You need to go home, come back tomorrow when you have rested properly. This is too much for you to handle…" Remus started, but was cut off by an irritable Ron.

"I can handle it! I handled the war perfectly fine! When I thought I was going to loose Hermione to Death Eaters I dealt with it quite well! I am not going to let anything or anyone get in the way of me protecting Hermione! She means the world to me and nothing is going to stop me from preventing the same fate as ones who weren't so fortunate!"

Remus sighed, he knew Ron wasn't going to back down so easily. Remus remembered running out into the battlefield shortly after the war after Harry, to find Hermione lying in Ron's arms fighting for her life. He remembered seeing Ron as they transported Hermione to St. Mungos, and as they were waiting for news in the waiting room of whether Hermione survived or not.

He remembered Ron, being as he was right now. He knew the younger Weasley blamed himself for what happened to Hermione. He was supposed to look out for her, protect her but instead left her fighting for her life. He remembered Ron's painful expression as he waited silently for any news on Hermione. He saw guilt swimming around his eyes, and something else that he couldn't, at that moment put his finger on. It was only after Hermione was well and out of St. Mungos did it click, the strange emotion was in fact love.

Remus knew that Ron was going to try and protect Hermione at whatever costs. Remus was sure of one thing though, he never wanted to see Ron, or anyone else with the same pained expression he had once seen on a much younger Weasley.

"I understand that you want to protect Hermione, but going at this rate is not helping anyone. I know you want to help with this case, and I know nothing is going to stop you from doing so. All I ask is that you please, please go home and get some rest" Remus explained the best he could without getting a reaction from Ron.

"Remus is right Ron" Harry added "This is getting to stressful for you. Just go home and get some rest, then you will be ready"

"I am ready!" Ron snapped back angrily "I have been ready since the beginning!"

"Ron, things are different now. Hermione is much more of a target now" Remus tried to explain.

"No! She was a target when this whole thing started! It just took us time to realise it!" Ron said accusingly, but his accusations weren't directed at anyone.

"I know this is hard for you to accept Ron, it's hard for me too. She's one of my best friend's you know" Harry said with an understanding tone.

"I know that Harry!" Ron snapped back. "But its not like your girlfriend is in any danger" Harry sighed.

"Look! Just because Hermione's name was on a piece of paper doesn't mean that she is in immediate danger. Like Remus said, the Death Eaters must realise that they left it there and that we have it now. They may have changed their tactics"

"But that doesn't mean Hermione is out of danger! Get real Harry! She was a major part of the war in case you forgot! Those Death Eaters would do anything to get back at you for defeating their Dark Lord!" Immediately after those words came out of his mouth, he instantly regretted them.

"So you think this is my fault?" Harry asked, sounding a little hurt.

"No! Of course not! Harry you know I didn't mean it!" Ron pleaded.

"Look Ron! This is why you should go home! You are no good to the case, Hermione or us! That's why we said you should go home! Not because we don't need you but because when you are upset you do stupid things!" Harry said, raising his voice at Ron.

Ron sighed, he knew he messed up. He gave Harry an apologetic look before apparating home.

Remus stepped towards Harry placing a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

"He didn't mean it you know" Remus said in a reassuring way.

"I know, he was angry but what he said does make sense" Harry said with a low voice.

"Harry! Don't ever think that! It's not your fault!" Remus tried to reassure Harry, but he knew by his facial expression that his words weren't going to make a difference.

"You can say that, but no matter what it's the truth. I mean think about it, Hermione's name was on that list for a reason," Harry said with a guilty voice.

Remus sighed "Harry, Hermione's name was on that list because she is a known muggle-born…"

"And how is she a known muggle-born?" Harry snapped.

"Harry, this isn't your fault! Ron was just upset, he didn't mean to say it, he doesn't think that anything is your fault"

"I know I shouldn't blame myself, but what Ron said does make sense, and nothing will change that," Harry said with a defeated expression.

Remus just smiled sympathetically at Harry, he knew that life was sometimes hard on Harry but somehow he always managed to pull through his hardships which is why Remus admired him.

Ron apparated into his apartment in a bad mood. Not only did he just find out that Hermione, the love of his life was a target, but he got sent home to 'calm down', he also shouted at Harry and practically blamed him because Hermione was a target.

"Damn this Weasley temper!" Ron scolded to himself.

"What was that?" A voice behind him said, he immediately turned round to hex the person who was in his home, but when he came face to face with the person he was about to hex, he immediately put his wand down by his side.

"Hermione! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?" Ron asked in a surprised shock.

Hermione raised her eyebrows at Ron before replying "I was about to ask you the same question"

"I asked you first," Ron said trying to keep his voice calm, the last thing he wanted was to make Hermione worry.

"Ok, I forgot something that I needed for work so I came back to get it" Hermione explained. "So why are you here?" She asked curiously.

Ron gulped, he couldn't tell Hermione what he just found out. No, that would just scare her.

"Ron? Is everything ok?" Hermione asked, seeing the worried look on Ron's face.

"Everything is fine Hermione" Ron said coldly. He didn't mean for it to sound the way it did, but what with everything going on he couldn't help it.

Hermione was shocked by his tone "I was only asking Ron! There is no need to speak to me in that tone!"

"What tone?" Ron shot back, feeling the infamous Weasley temper arise again.

"That tone! I was only asking if you were ok Ronald! You looked completely out of it" Hermione explained, trying to keep her tone calm, but failing.

"Well don't!" Ron snapped back.

Hermione was taken aback by his behaviour. She knew that something must have happened.

"Ron! Has something happened? What's wrong? Please tell me" Hermione pleased.

"Nothings happened Hermione, nothing at all" Ron tried to convince her, but it seemed like he was convincing himself.

"Ron, something is wrong, I know it I can see it on your face" Hermione said, feeling worried about her boyfriend right now.

"Nothings wrong Hermione! Just stop pushing me alright!" Ron snapped at a confused Hermione.

"I'm not pushing you!" Hermione said through gritted teeth "I am only worried for my boyfriend since he looks in such a state…" Hermione wasn't able to continue her sentence since Ron rudely interrupted.

"And what state would that be Hermione?" Ron snarled

"You just…" Hermione started but she was at a loss for words.

"I just what?" Ron asked, feeling is Weasley temper bubbling away

"I'm worried that's all! I was concerned because you seem to be more jumpy than usual! You seem to be more worried than usual Ron!" Hermione explained firmly.

"If I'm jumpy its because of the case that I have been working on and…"

"So it has got something to do with the attacks?" Hermione asked with a worried tone.

"I didn't say that!"

"You just did!" Hermione said with an aggravated look on her face "Look Ron I know something is wrong! Just tell me! Why is it so hard?"

"I don't want to tell you Hermione!"

"Why?"

"Will you stop asking so many questions! Why is it so hard for you to back down?" Ron said through gritted teeth.

"Ron, I just…"

"Want to know what's going on?" Ron interrupted, rudely finishing her sentence.

Hermione put her finger up in protest but put it down after the look she received from Ron "Yes…"

"Well Hermione, I can't tell you" Ron told her coldly.

"Why?" Hermione said in an almost whisper

Ron gave her a vicious look, "Haven't I made it clear?"

"No, in fact you haven't! You just keep on saying you don't want to tell me, well quite frankly Ron its not good enough. I was only worried about you, and if I am going to get a "Weasley temper" when I do, I won't bother anymore!" She said in a pained tone, Ron could see tears forming in her brown eyes.

She made her way to the door, not bothering to look at Ron as she did.

"Where are you going?" Ron demanded

"Work!" And with that she opened the door and slammed it behind her as she left.

"SHIT!" Ron swore loudly as he stared at the empty door where Hermione had just left. "SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!"

Well, so what do you think? I felt sorry for Harry and Hermione in this chapter, being on the recieving end of a Weasley temper is not nice.

I hope you liked it!

Well there is one thing you can do now to make my day even more:) Review:)

(Gives out cookies, cakes, and various other sweets and puddings)

Helen:)x