Here it is, the longest one yet! In this chapter Hermione gets an unexpected visit that nearly sets Ron over the edge as revelations come to light about Hermione's magic. We also get a flashback and major cliffhanger!

I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing this one!

Enjoy & Review!


Hermione's eyes widened at the feeling of the hand clamped over her face.

At first, she's absolutely terrified that they've come for her and someone's muffling the screams she no longer knows if she's capable of.

For a second she thinks it could be Ron as he's nearby and he's silencing her to keep from giving them away to some evil outside the Burrow.

However as her eyes adjust to the darkness, under the moon shining through Ron's attic window, she makes out a pair of two familiar eyes.

Ones she only saw in Malfoy Manor.

Soft, misty eyes. A pair she doubted she'd ever see again.

Slowly, she pulls her hand off Hermione's mouth and presses a finger to her lips, indicating her to keep quiet.

With a swish of an unfamiliar wand Hermione recognizes the movements of a silencing charm.

Unknown to everyone but one Molly Weasley, is that a simple muffalito has no effect within the walls of Ron's room. The matron was worried her son may succumb to the brunette's request of casting a silencing charm for the sake of everyone else after her screaming tonight. Even though it bothered no one in the house, Molly knew the girl well enough to know she thought of herself a burden. Not to mention, Mrs. Weasley is pretty sure Ron would do whatever she asked of him.

"Hello dear." She whispered as a precaution.

"Ci-Cissy?" Hermione choked out, tears pooling in her eyes.

And before she could register the pain of such an action, she's flinging her arms around the older woman's slender frame and squeezes her tightly.

In turn, Narcissa finds herself crying quietly into the witch's shoulder.

Once gathering her bearings a bit she breaks the silence. "I believe you have something that belongs to me." Narcissa says with a chuckle.

Under her, she feels Hermione shake in what she thinks would be a laugh, had she not been in such a state.

"Well I have something that belongs to you as well, you see-"

"Let go of her now!"

Instantly, the pair's eyes snapped to the occupant of the voice.

Ron Weasley was towering over them, standing tall at a scary six foot four. His wand is drawn as deep raspy breaths escape him. Chest rising and falling at an intense rate. Hermione thinks she can see his knuckles whitening from the tight hold.

At his words, Narcissa pulled away from Hermione and held her hands in surrender as the young girl shook her head vigorously.

"Move away. Move." He spat.

"Look, I'm not here to-"

"I don't care! Move!" He screamed.

"R-Ron." She cried.

When his blue eyes found her, he swore she was looking at him almost longingly. He couldn't help but scrunch his brow in confusion.

"Please." She mouthed.

"I won't let her touch you love. I won't." He promised with such ferocity no one would dare challenge it.

"N-no!" She tried to exclaim.

This made his hold on his wand falter a bit as he grew puzzled.

It was Narcissa's name she was groaning in her sleep. It was this woman, a Malfoy, who was causing her anguish. Probably the same haunting face that woke her in a fit of screams.

"I don't understand." He said to Hermione, feeling stupid for it after the fact, knowing there was a threat standing in between him and her. And now said threat would see him as some bumbling idiot.

Merlin he can't fail again, he can't.

"I'm not here to hurt any of you. Least of all Hermione, never Hermione." Narcissa spoke up, standing from the bed, hands still raised.

"Shut up! Don't say that, you hurt her! You're a monster!" He doesn't realize, but hot, wet tears are leaking out of his blue eyes.

"Hurt her? You think I'd hurt her? I'm the one who got her out of there, how do you think my wand-"

He let out a bitter laugh, "If you're so helpful then why did it take four bloody months, eh?" He taunted.

Narcissa was growing angry, more at herself then this boy, because in a lot of ways, he was right. It had taken her too long to get Hermione out. So much had happened to her in those four months and her pain could be cut in half had she acted faster.

She stepped closer to speak, but in response, Ron lifted his wand to her nose.

"Don't you dare!"

"Hermione, disarm him so we can have a civil conversation." Cissy says calmly, though her voice shakes.

"No w-wand." She squeaks.

"No wand?" Narcissa says, eyeing Ron, who now looks nervous. "Is it because-"

A sudden knock on the door brings everyone in the attic to a standstill.

"Ronnie?" Molly Weasley's voice broke from behind the wood door.

Narcissa hurriedly tip-toed to the left of the door, looking to Ron's conflicted eyes and bringing a finger to her lips. Next, his gaze found Hermione who seemed to be mouthing 'please' over and over, her eyes glossy under the moonlight.

"Ronald open up or I'm coming in." She said from the other side.

Sparing one last glance at Hermione, he tucked his wand into his waistband and with a deep breath flung open the door and stepped into the hallway. Carefully he shut it behind him.

"Is everything okay dear? I thought I heard voices."

He gulped, "Y-yeah." He swallowed hoping to wet his dry throat, "Hermione she-uh, she had another nightmare."

"Oh no." Molly began to push past him until he jumped in front of the door knob.

"No!" He said a bit too harshly, "I just mean, I think she's overwhelmed, you know? I think I can handle this Mum." He said gently.

And surprisingly, his mother doesn't disagree like he expected her to. Instead, a proud smile struck her lips as her eyes softened considerably.

"I'm so proud of you Ronnie." She whispers, hands reaching out to cradle his face. "You've taken tremendous care of Hermione, you're just so grown up I suppose. The way you are with her- I'm just beyond proud of you dear." Molly says misty eyed.

"Thanks Mum." He says with red cheeks.

Behind the door, Narcissa Malfoy is smiling.

Mrs. Weasley squeezes him tightly before pulling away and wiping at her eyes. "I'm downstairs if you need anything, okay? I love you Ronnie, Hermione too." With that, she kisses his cheek and walks down the steps.

He waits until he hears the faint sound of his parents door clicking close before pulling out his wand again and entering his bedroom.

There he finds Narcissa standing in the middle of his orange room, her eyes looking like they're full of love with tears threatening to spill over. She looks like anything but a Malfoy, such a stark contrast from Bellatrix. Looking at her here he's more reminded of Andromeda, a soft spoken soul full of love. All things he would never associate with the mother of the greatest git at Hogwarts and wife to a death eater.

"Now I understand what Hermione was trying to tell me." She whispered with a ghost of a smile on her lips.

Momentarily his grip falters as he begins lowering his wand, but then he remembers. This is probably a part of her plan. Gain his trust then kick his legs out from under him while he's weak and more importantly, go at Hermione while she's weak.

Still, he does want to know what she means…

"Nevermind that! Tell me how you got here." He demands.

"The Burrow?" Andromeda questioned, "that's… no! I can't Molly and Arthur- no Cissy, I'm sorry." She began pacing as she shook her head frantically.

"Please Andi, I need to see Hermione." She begged.

"Hermione? Hermione Granger?" She questioned, even more confused than she was before.

"That's right." Narcissa nods confidently.

"But why?"

The younger of the two sighs. She nervously begins to wring her hands together as she paces the expanse of the room.

Then something dawned on Andromeda, "Hold on, does Hermione Granger have your wand?"

The look on Cissy's face says it all.

"Narcissa what in the bloody hell is Hermione Granger doing with your wand? The girl is off at Hogwarts and the wards there- they're impossible to get through!" She rants.

"Is it safe for me to assume you haven't been in touch with Nymphadora?"

"Dora? What's she got to do with all of this?" Andromeda questioned, but the look on her sister's face told her that the answer was crucial to the story, so she carried on. "Her and Remus were supposed to spend New Year's but she got sent off on an assignment. She said it was for the Auror's and not the O-" She caught herself.

Narcissa huffed with a roll of her eyes, "I know about the Order Andi, I'm not daft! Just carry on."

The brunette rolled her eyes in return. It was almost nice to bicker. It felt normal. It felt like it did so long ago.

"Right so she said she had a case down in Cornwall. Some investigation, we owled of course, but she didn't come back until February. Ted and I traveled to Amsterdam for our anniversary which is late in February, we were there for a few weeks. Dora is meant to come to dinner here within the week."

"Alright." Cissy nodded, "Alright that makes sense."

"Sense with what Cissy?" Andromeda asked impatiently.

"Christmas night Hermione Granger was kidnapped from the Weasley's home."

The other woman grew pale, horror striking her features.

"It was Bella. Bella took her back to my estate in Wiltshire." Her voice dropped to a whisper, tone filled with nothing but shame.

"Kidnapped? She's just a child, Narcissa! Merlin- how long?" Andi asked, pinching the end of her nose.

"Three, four months." Andromeda had to strain her ears to even hear the response.

"Months? This went on for months and you knew!"

"I know okay? I tried- I swear, I tried to get her out." Cissy promised with tears brimming her eyes.

The brunette took a deep breath, calming considerably. "At least tell me she's not there anymore. Tell me the girl is okay."

Narcissa wiped almost violently at her eyes and took a big sniff, "That's why I'm here, I had nowhere else to go. They're bound to figure it out eventually. Lucius is too caught up in himself to realize I was lying but Bella- if she doesn't know yet, she will soon."

"Know what?" Her brown eyes were swimming for answers.

"That I was the one who helped Hermione escape. That's why she has my wand."

Andromeda gasped. When Narcissa turned up at her door she was so overcome with a sense of familiarity and love she didn't even spare a second to think what kind of trouble she may be in. Or the possibility that she was done with that life. With her awful husband and his awful beliefs.

Could it be?

"But why?" It's all Andromeda could come up with.

As she peered at her sister's weathered features, she saw tears running out of her blue eyes.

"Because it was so wrong Andi." Narcissa practically blubbered, succumbing to sobs.

And like they were little girls again, Andromeda knew all Cissy needed right now was a hug from her big sister.

She engulfed her slender frame and slowly began stroking her brunette-blonde hair. Telling her everything was alright and ensuring she did the right thing.

After a few moments, Narcissa gathered her bearings.

"You were right." She choked, "I've known for years but part of me always held out some hope, Bella… she's gone." Her voice cracked over the nickname.

Andromeda just frowned, she accepted the fact during the first war, but she knew that part of Narcissa always thought that maybe somehow, someway, they could all become the family they once were. That they could all be sisters again.

"She ordered them to do terrible- unspeakable things to the girl." Suddenly her features stiffened into that of anger, "And when she wasn't laughing at those inhumane acts, she was firing curse after curse at Hermione. The cruciatus, she- she doesn't even speak anymore."

Tears began leaking again out of both womens eyes.

"I took care of her every night. I snuck her potions. I read to her. I fed her. I held her. I made sure her brain wouldn't turn to mush. I even told Bella to stop." She inhaled, "But none of it mattered. I took too long. They killed her parents! I should've got her out sooner, I'm just as bad as the rest of them, I'm-" Her words caught in her throat as she grew hysterical.

Andromeda gripped her shoulders, "Stop." She said a little forcefully, but Narcissa just continued to cry. "Cissy look at me." She demanded.

Thankfully, her sister stopped shaking momentarily to fulfill the request.

"You never have and will never be a monster, okay? You did what was right in the end and that's all that matters. Hermione isn't there anymore."

Narcissa closed her eyes and began trembling under Andromeda's hold.

"Hey." She called, causing her to open her eyes again, "you're my sister. You always have been and you always will be. If I thought you were anything like Bella I wouldn't have let you in. I know your heart is good."

Slowly, Cissy nodded, calming a bit at the sentiment.

"I love you." Andi said.

"I love you too." Narcissa responded, "You're my family and it's just-" she swallowed, "I'm so happy to be here with you but Hermione she- she'll never have that again." Cissy hoped the statement conveyed what she met as if she said more, she would've probably broken down again.

"That's why it's so important I get you into the Burrow, huh?" Andromeda smiled.

Cissy smiled back.

Even after all this time, they still knew each other so well.

"Tell me." Ron Weasley demanded of her.

Cissy shook her head. She was briefly lost in a daze remembering all the details of the past few days.

"My sister, Andromeda, has access to the wards. She comes to have tea with your Mother a few times a week." She like it was simple.

Ron scrunched his brow, not connecting the dots.

"We apparated outside of the wards so no one would hear. Andi and I performed some old blood spell we found in our mothers old books. Did it when we were younger, it connects you for a finite amount of time only works if you're blood related. She stepped through the wards and I held onto her, we had no issues. I reckon she's still crouching behind that old tree in your orchard." She explained.

"So your sister, she doesn't well-uh-"

"Hate me?" Narcissa asked knowingly, "No." She answered. "It's always been different for us than it was with Bella."

The mention of the name involuntarily made Hermione shutter as a whimper escaped her.

At the sound Ron turned to envelope her in a hug, just to find Narcissa already doing it. He was about to pull out his wand to do something, but to his surprise, Hermione was welcoming to the embrace, burrowing into her robes.

He notices Narcissa holding her closer and he opens his mouth to tell the woman to take it easy, but Hermione winces instead, making her jump away.

The young witch moves her hand to her ribs hoping to ease some pain.

"What did you do? Ron accuses, sitting down next to Hermione, gently rubbing her back. At the action the brunette tries to offer a small smile, but the keyword here is tries.

He wonders if he'll ever see a proper smile from her again.

"I have a book for Hermione in my robes. The corner must've dug into her ribs. If they're still sore you should consider casting a-"

"No!" Ron yelps, making her jump, "sorry love" He whispers after the fact.

"So I was right then?"

The ginger eyes the woman, unsure what she means.

"She can't use magic."

Before he can even react Hermione musters all of her strength to shrug his arm off of her.

"L-liar." She said saldy.

Technically he didn't lie because it never exactly came up, but he knew that wasn't an adequate response or excuse. Ron from five months ago mightve said that, but he's done a lot of growing up.

And the look of pain on her face breaks his heart, especially knowing he caused it. Especially after he swore to himself and to her all those nights in St. Mungo's that he'd never hurt her again.

"I don't know how to tell you Mione. Please believe me, please. I just- I didn't want to hurt you anymore then I have already, okay? It fucking kills me seeing you like this darling. Please, I'm so sorry. Don't let me lose you again." He pleaded, forgetting Narcissa was even in the room.

A tear fell down her cheek, he swiped it gently with his thumb and relaxed the slightest when she allowed him to do so.

"It's not forever, I promise. You're still a brilliant witch, it doesn't make you any less magical, okay?"

He watched as her eyes slowly roved to her bandaged arm, thinking about the vile term underneath.

Mudblood.

Anger momentarily bubbled within him thinking of the scar, but he pushed it down. He tilted her chin to look into his eyes, "Don't think about that, please. You're the Brightest Witch of Our Age. Nothing will ever change that, believe me alright? It's just for a little while, I'm so sorry I lied Mione. I just- I hate to see you upset. I was being selfish and-"

Hermione cut him off by placing a gentle hand over his mouth.

It was so much to take in, but Ron has been so lovely. Her moment of hurt was overshined by all the tender moments they've shared lately. And right now her brain is working in overdrive.

Hatred for Bellatrix and all she's taken from her. The thought of never performing a spell again. Would they kick her out of Hogwarts?

Then she remembers Narcissa is here, Ron too, and right now she needs to focus on this before she explodes. Maybe Cissy has answers. She prays she does.

When she moves her hand a ghost of a smile plays on Ron's lips, thankful for the sign of forgiveness.

"L-later." she mumbled.

He nodded in understanding, hand reaching for hers.

Cissy watches the scene feeling her heartbreak for Hermione but also swell at the evident love between them. Then she remembers what event sparked the conversation in the first place.

"I have something for you. Something you left behind."

Ron opens his mouth to protest, she needs no reminders of Malfoy Manor. Ever.

"Trust me." Cissy whispers.

From her black robes she pulls out a large book.

The words Hogwarts, A History are printed on the binding.

It looks a lot like the copy Bill and Charlie gave him- shite.

With watery eyes, Narcissa places it in front of the pair. "I don't believe you ever got to properly read this, huh dear?" She asked with a watery smile.

Ron glances to gauge Hermione's reaction. Her bottom lip is quivering and he sees a lone tear escape her brown sparkling eyes.

But for the first time in a long time, he knows those tears weren't ones of pain.

As her shaking hand skims the leatherbound book she suddenly feels different.

She's not thinking of Bellatrix or Greyback or her parents. She's thinking about how she's here with Ron and Cissy and she feels an overwhelming sense of love coming from them. From this book, what it means, who gave it to her and who brought it back to her.

When she opens to the text, she spots the familiar scrawl in the front, running her fingers over the worn out ink and splotches from her salty tears.

Hermione,

I'm so sorry for everything that's happened. I've hurt you and for that I'll never truly forgive myself. You know I've never been good with words, but I once told you I wouldn't read this book for anything, but I did. For you. I hope you enjoy my rendition of Hogwarts, A History and I hope this can help show you how much you mean to me, how much I miss you, if only a little. I hope one day you can forgive me. Until then I'll be waiting. Always.

Happy Christmas

Yours, Ron.

She spent the worst nights of her life bent over this book. It gave her hope to someday get back to Ron. To make things right.

But reading it this time was different.

Instead of longing to see Ron again she turns and he's there.

His arms tighten around her and she swears she hears him sniffle and feels him press a light kiss to her hair.

And she knows that this is what healing feels like.

"Thank you." Her voice is cracked, but it's the strongest she's sounded in months.

Ron's heart swells in his chest. He peers over at Narcissa Malfoy, who like him, is crying, and the two exchange soft smiles.

In that moment Ron decides: maybe Narcissa Malfoy isn't so bad afterall.

Hermione falls asleep on Ron's chest, the book slanted in her lap. She's calmer than she's been in a while. No furrowed brows or pained groans. He keeps a gentle hand running through his hand, telling himself it's keeping her that way and it's not just because her hair is so damn soft.

"I wish I could have gotten her to sleep like that in the Manor. I wish I would've done more." Narcissa's voice breaks from where she sits on Harry's camp bed.

Ron just stares at her for a few moments before coming to a decision. One he's reluctant about, but knows it's best for Hermione.

"You can stay here."

The woman looks in shock.

"Hermione would be upset if you left without a proper goodbye and I reckon there's a lot you need to tell me, but not now. The sun will be up within the hour and I'm knackered." He tells her, eyes averted to his Chudley Cannons poster.

"I'm sure your parents wouldn't be pleased with someone so closely involved with the Dark Lord under their roof." She says quietly.

"You're done with that though?" He snaps, hand moving for his wand.

"I am." She assures with a nod, "I have been for a while."

Ron relaxes and lets out a breath. "Alright then. I'll explain it to Mum and Dad eventually, but now isn't right."

Cissy nods again, "I'll send a patronus to Andromeda, she's still waiting in the orchard." She explains taking out her wand, her true wand.

A wispy swan glides elegantly from the tip of her wand and disappears as blueish white hues disappear out his window.

"I'm going to bed." Is all he says before blowing the candle on his bedside out and throwing the covers over both him and Hermione.

He stays awake for a while though, worried Narcissa may try something. But eventually her breathing evens out and he's too exhausted to stand guard any longer, so he succumbs to sleep knowing he'll need his rest for all the answers to come tomorrow.

Green flames explode in the fireplace as a figure stumbles out.

They brush the ash off and step into the Burrow's living room.

"Oh you're early!" Molly exclaims as she comes near the fireplace, still in her slippers. "Hermione had a nasty nightmare so she's up in the attic with Ron. It was a long night, so I reckon they're still asleep. Go wake Ronnie at least, let Hermione rest." She told them.

With a nod, the figure took the familiar trek to Ron's bedroom, not even bothering to knock before entering.

Meant by the sight of Ron and Hermione curled around each other and an overwhelming sense of heartbreak and warmth flooded them. Heartbreak of knowing why they ended up that way, because of the nightmares, but warmth at seeing the look of content across their serene faces as they laid in one another's arms.

But then he saw something.

A third figure laid atop of the sheets of the camp bed tucked against the wall.

Pulling out their wand they steadily positioned it, ready to curse whoever the mysterious occupant may be.

But before they make it across the room, the figure bolts upright, seeming to have heard the heavy footsteps.

And for the first time, Narcissa Malfoy is face to face with the infamous Harry Potter.


I hope you enjoyed it! I love writing Narcissa with Hermione but seeing Ron and her interact was so much fun!

As I write these I find myself getting more emotional, like Cissy giving Hermione Ron's present? Tears!

Anyway, he's a preview for next time!:

"There's talk at Hogwarts you know." Harry whispers.

"Talk?" Ron questions anxiously.

"Yeah I reckon that Lavender isn't exactly over everything that went down. The rumors are even worse than they were before."

He groans. Ron had way more important things to worry about then whatever shite Lavender Brown was spewing to the rest of Gryffindor. He couldn't focus on that, not when the headline on the Daily Prophet this morning could jeopardize Hermione's safety.

Keep reviewing! It means so much and I'd love to know all your theories :)