Hi! I was gonna wait to post but logged on today and saw this story has 200 reviews! It is so crazy to me and I'm so grateful, hopefully this posting will show a bit of my gratitude.
Stick around for the end of the chapter as I'm looking for some help on something!
Has anyone else noticed the length of the chapters? I used to try and do 1.5k but now I'm easily reaching 2.5k per chapter so I hope you're liking that!
Enjoy & Review! Thanks again for the love :)
Narcissa jumps from the cot, the old springs squeaking loudly as she does so.
She throws her hands up in surrender, eyeing the infamous wizard and his wand carefully. "Please. Let me explain."
Harry pushed his wand further so the tip brushed her nose, "Don't you move!"
Narcissa stepped back and nodded. Not only was she in no place to do anything considering her wand was under the cot, but she also didn't want any trouble.
"Ron, get up. Wake up." He hissed to the ginger, nudging him, but being mindful of Hermione.
In response Weasley groaned and pulled Hermione closer.
Harry flicked his green eyes between Narcissa and his best mate, sighing at the git's laziness. Seeming to have no other options, he smacks Ron on the shoulder and thankfully, he bolts right up.
"What's wrong? What's going on?" He asks frantically, drawing his wand from underneath his pillow as his gaze instantly lingered on Hermione to make sure she was okay.
Seeing that Hermione didn't seem to be in any sort of pain, he suddenly felt more relaxed, placing his wand back on the mattress.
"Don't put it down." Harry says sharply.
"What? Why?" Ron asks, confused as he feels Hermione begin to stir next to him.
"Narcissa Malfoy is in your bedroom that's why!" The Chosen One exams.
"Oh." He says casually, "I know." Ron clarifies.
Harry's brow furrows, "Then why are you not doing anything? I'll stay here, you go get your Mum!" He says.
"You know I can hear you?" Narcissa asks from the corner of the room.
They ignore her.
"I'm not as daft as you might think. I wouldn't let her in here if I thought she'd hurt Hermione." He whispers bitterly, standing from the bed.
The dark haired boy's mouth goes agape. "Hurt Hermione? Hurt- do you know who that is! Did she hex you or something?" He asks incredulously.
"Of course I do Harry." Ron challenges fiercely. "Narcissa Malfoy isn't here for-"
"C-Cissy." Hermione grumbles sleepily upon hearing the name as her eyes flutter open.
Harry lowers his wand, looking at Ron with wide eyes. "Cissy?" He questions, finally putting it together.
"That's what I was trying to tell you." Ron mumbles.
Narcissa rushes to Hermione's side, grabbing her hand and helping her sit up. "I'm here dear." The woman says softly.
Her chin is quivering as she stares into the blue eyes, "R-real?"
Hermione's doubts break Ron's heart. The very same thing she asked him when she first woke up in St. Mungo's. Clearly her grasp on reality is skewed, whether it's because of the crucitaus curse, the months of torture leaving it's mark on her, or the nightmares, no matter the case, it's not fair to her.
"Yes, yes. I'm not going anywhere." She promises, stroking her hair gently.
Harry looked at Ron, not knowing where to begin. There were so many things he wanted to ask, but knew the information he learned from The Daily Prophet this morning was more important.
Especially now.
Especially because of her.
"I'm guessing you haven't been reading the papers." Harry says shaikly, pulling the folded black and white pile from his back pocket.
He unrolls it and hands it to Ron first.
Missing, the headline reads.
Prominent witch Narcissa Malfoy, a part of the Noble House of Black has allegedly been missing from the Malfoy estate, sources say. There is speculation as to what happened. Some believe it to be the work of avid Muggleborn supporters starting a war on Purebloods, while some close to the family believe Narcissa herself may have run away.
Either way, Mrs. Malfoy has not been seen or heard from for a week. A ministry representative says that many have been working tirelessly to find her. Corban Yaxley, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement stated the following "We will stop at nothing to bring her home to her husband and son. Narcissa is a friend of mine and a very respected woman amongst the wizarding world. For someone to jeopardize her status and safety would be foolish. If we discover this was a deliberate act, then people will surely get the war they've been talking about for years."
If you have any information please owl the ministries emergency post.
In the middle of the page is a portrait of Narcissa Malfoy. One that seems to have been shot the same day as the picture that helped him find Hermione.
She looks stoic and cold. Nothing like how she is now, soothing the girl he loves.
"Shite." Ron whispers.
This isn't good for any of them, most of all Hermione.
Narcissa and Hermione glance at him curiously.
"Fuck!" He yells kicking his dresser as he drops the paper.
Cissy picks it up and scans the contents as Hermione joins from over her shoulder.
After a moment he hears the woman scoff, "Seriously? 'Narcissa is a friend of mine', please!" She sounds scandalized, "Yaxley is nothing but a no good, arse k-"
"As much as I'd love to discuss our hatred toward Voldemort supporters, we have a bit of a bigger problem on our hands, yeah?" Harry interrupts crossly.
Narcissa shuts her mouth tight, but scowls briefly at Potter's tone. Ron ignores the pair and focuses his attention on Hermione.
She looks pale and her eyes are wide, gaze perfectly fixed on the front page of the paper. Ron's large hand on her shoulder breaks her from the trance, making her jump.
"You alright love?" He whispers tenderly.
Her brown eyes are glossed over with tears.
Hermione is brilliant, Ron has always known as much and he didn't think the past few months changed that, but in a way, that was sort of the problem.
If he, daft, brainless Ron Weasley easily deduced the subtext of such an article, he's sure Hermione's already come up with loads of theories on all the ways this news could go south for them, for her.
"Be-" She stops speaking, the name is bitter on her lips, "S-sister" Hermione said quietly to Narcissa, tears finally leaking from her eyes.
Instantly, she engulfs Hermione in her arms, a look of surprise on Harry's face as she does so.
"I know dear." She hushes her cries, "It'll be alright, I promise."
Harry eyes Ron suspiciously, before speaking, "I know this isn't great news considering we're harboring a missing person who happens to married to Voldemort's more loyal supporter-"
"Harry." Ron grumbles at his brashness.
"-But I don't quite understand what this has got to do with Bellatrix."
The name alone makes the brunette's skin crawl.
"While some close to the family believe Narcissa herself may have run away." Narcissa quotes.
"I still don't-"
"My sister likes you, doesn't she like pet?" Hermione said before her mind could even comprehend the thought of Bellatrix's words.
Harry stumbles back at the sudden change of her tone, at the clear spoken venomous words that leave his best friend's lips. Ron suddenly felt sick again, like he did the first time this happened. The only thing stopping him from running to the toilet is the look of utter fear and disgust across Hermione's own face.
Who am I? What have I become? I didn't even want to say that. I can't control my own mind. It feels like someone- no, Bellatrix, scrambled every thought inside my head and is somehow still bending it to her own will. Maybe I am crazy, maybe I'm becoming a monster…
She covers her mouth instantly and begins sobbing into her hand, heaving for air.
Harry is still in stock, but Ron moves to comfort her, when a hand on his arm stops his movement.
"Go. Let me handle this." Cissy whispered.
"I-" Ron stutters, unsure what to say.
"Take Harry outside, talk somewhere no one will hear. I know you've figured out by now that Bellatrix is bound to figure out what happened. Let me help Hermione. I've-" She swallows, "I've dealt with this before." Ron can see the heartbreak in her own blue eyes.
"Please take care of her." Ron struggles to get out after a moment.
"Of course." Narcissa nods, "you have dreamless sleep?"
"First drawer on the side table." He whispers, eyeing Hermione's shaking form, using all his strength to not walk over there.
The blonde nods and begins to go to work.
"She has to see the healer in an hour, make sure-"
Harry pulls a reluctant Ron out the door, interrupting his attempts at stalling.
Molly of course questioned them, to which Harry said Hermione was resting so they were getting some fresh air. The matron didn't ask anything further, but she did eye Ron longer than necessary as he stood silently.
Once they make it to the garden, it's the Chosen One who breaks the silence.
"That's happened before?" He whispers sadly as guilt seeps into every fiber of him.
"Once." Ron replies, voice strained, "in the hospital. Dunno how many times before that only she would." His gaze is focused on the ground as he speaks.
"Are you sure we can trust her?" The dark haired boy asks next, his green eyes trained on Ron's attic window.
"Hermione does." Is all he says back.
And that's enough.
For both of them.
They fall into a tense silence again. Harry doesn't push it because he can tell the ginger is trying to find the words to say something.
"Bellatrix. She knows." Ron eventually whispers.
"Where Hermione is?" Harry asks fearfully.
He shakes his head, "No, but it wouldn't take a genius to figure out she's come here. Dumbledore did strengthen the wards, though."
"Oh."
"She figured out Narcissa is the one who got Hermione out of the Manor. If she finds Narcissa, she'll find Hermione next. Doesn't help either that the two of them are in the same place at the moment."
"Malfoy's Mum helped Hermione escape?" Harry questioned doubtfully.
Ron nodded and rubbed the back of his neck, "That's why Hermione's been calling for her. Narcissa kept her sane." He paused, his blue eyes boring into Harry's, "I reckon if it wasn't for her Mione wouldn't even be herself or she'd be de-" He choked on the word.
His best mate brought him into a fierce hug as he clapped his back. "That didn't happen though." Harry pulled away, catching his eyes, "alright?"
After a sniffle, Ron nodded, "alright." he breathed shaikly.
"We'll work it out, we always do." Potter said next.
"Somehow." Ron whispered.
"Ron," Harry began seriously, "I reckon we need to tell the Order about Narcissa, they can move her to Grimmauld Place or something. They have safe houses, aurour's, it may good, she could help us."
"I know." he breathes in response, "It's just Hermione, she needs her right now, I don't wanna-"
"We'll tell Hermione first, see what she thinks, go from there."
Weasley doesn't answer, but offers a feeble nod.
They stand in silence for a few minutes. Nothing but the cool breeze ruffling the trees can be heard as they eye the still landscape of snow covered hills.
"There's talk at Hogwarts you know." Harry whispers when he can't take the silence anymore, his thoughts building up.
"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 in The Daily Prophet this morning could jeopardize both his and Hermione's safety.
"What's she saying now?" Ron asked hesitantly.
Harry scrubbed a hand down his face, "Rubbish really." He tried nonchalantly, suddenly regretting bringing this up. However, the glare from the ginger probed him to go on. "It's all bollocks. Lavender's saying that you cheated on her and got Hermione pregnant so they kicked her out of Hogwarts. Some shite about how you went to set everything straight, that you didn't want your pureblood values tarnished by muggle blood."
And look, any other thoughts Ron had about Hermione being pregnant with his baby were admittedly delightful. Sure, it isn't something most seventeen year old boys dream about when they're still in school, not to mention the fact he hasn't even kissed said woman of his dreams, but it helped him keep some hope on the harder nights.
That and thinking about the making of a hypothetical baby wasn't one he'd shy away from…
However, Lavender Brown spreading these vicious rumors about Hermione, nevermind him, but his Hermione, well that wouldn't do.
"Muggleborn blood." Is all he could say to keep from exploding.
"What?" Harry asked bewildered.
"You said muggle blood, it would be mugglebornp blood, she is a witch." He bit out, though Harry knew the anger wasn't meant for him.
"Yeah, I know." Harry whispered quietly, "That's part of it, that Hermione was actually getting her magic you know from uh, sleeping with you, so Lavender reckons she's not actually a witch, or at least not a powerful one."
"That's shite!" Ron boomed, causing a few birds in the nearby trees to fly away in a hurry, even the other boy flinched at the volume.
"Ginny hexed her pretty badly, has detention for the next two weeks. Says it was worth it though."
Ron feels a swell of pride in his chest for his little sister.
"And what do the others say? What do you say?" He asked next, knowing how one rumor could be spun out of control.
"Ginny, Neville, and I just tell them Hermione's had a family emergency, Ginny says you're helping her out. It's not the best solution considering it does sort of match Lavender's story but most of Gryffindor knows she was desperate. The other houses don't care, not really, even Slytherin's been rather quiet with Malfoy not in the mood for his usual taunts."
Then something dawns on Ron. It's so sudden, it feels like someone's flushing his veins with ice cold water and he's just woken up. It shouldn't be as shocking as it is, but for some reason it just doesn't sit right with him.
Malfoy is still at Hogwarts.
He's still attending lessons, going to quidditch matches and eating in the great hall.
His house, the very one he grew up in, is now the place Hermione dreads most in the world.
He knew she was there.
And yet, he's still at Hogwarts.
"Ron?" Harry interrupts his thoughts, sensing his unease.
And no matter how badly he wanted to bring these concerns to light, he knew right now wasn;t the moment. They'd handle Narcissa, then Draco.
One Malfoy at a time.
"Yeah sorry, just thinking about how I carried on with Lavender so long. Embarrassing really." It was half true, it wasn't on the forefront of his mind, but definitely something he felt.
Harry wanted to agree with the utmost enthusiasm, but decided to spare Ron seeing his mood was already pretty down, so he settled for a mere nod.
"Well I reckon I should go get Hermione ready for her appointment. Dad is taking the car since she can't floo or anything right now. Would you mind staying behind just to be sure my Mum doesn't poke around? Tell her you have homework or something." The ginger asks, already knowing Harry would agree. He'd do anything for Hermione.
"No problem mate." He answers without hesitation.
"Thanks Harry." He replies with a small grin, grateful for his friend now more than ever during times like these.
Obviously both of them would do anything to take back what happened on Christmas night, but they both knew that this whole thing brought them closer together.
Seeing as there was nothing else to say, Ron turned to head back into the house and did just as he said, prepare Hermione for the trip to Mungo's.
"Ron." Harry says, making him stop. His voice is soft, almost hesitant.
Weasley turns, eyes faced on Harry's back who's staring at the rolling hills in the distance.
"When are you gonna tell her?" He asks, turning so his green eyes pierce, full of so much hope, peer into Rons.
Where was this even coming from? What did he mean?
"Well I thought we'd clear up the Narcissa business when we got-"
"No I mean-" he sighs, "when are you gonna tell Hermione you love her? That you're in love with her." He whispers.
Ron closes his eyes, "It wouldn't be right." He admits sadly.
Harry's brow scrunches.
"Hermione's nearly lost everything and though she'd never admit it, she needs the two of us right now. I'm not gonna take myself out of that equation because if I tell her and she doesn't feel the same… well… I doubt she'd be comfortable around me." Ron's voice is hoarse and thick with tears he's trying not to let fall.
"You're right about one thing, Hermione would never admit it but she does need us."
For a brief moment the two smile. Hermione, just as she was before, would never try and put her well being before the two of them. She would insist she's fine and resist help. Not exactly a healthy way to cope, but it was so Hermione and it shows she's still her.
"But while Hermione may just need me, the difference is she wants you Ron."
The words go straight to his heart, making it beat at a rapid pace.
Harry, the very same Harry who wouldn't know if someone was interested in him had they written it across their forehead was saying this.
The same Harry Potter who grew up with both him and Hermione. Who knew the two of them better than anyone else in this world.
His best mate, the sodding Chosen One, the Boy-Who-Lived, who is absolute rubbish at emotions and feelings thinks that Hermione Granger, Brightest Witch of Their Age, doesn't only want Ron, but needs him.
Coming from anyone else, he'd brush it off, take it as pity.
Coming from someone who knows the both of them as well as he does, it's different.
Coming from someone who he knows would rather hex their bollocks off then talk about this, well, it means something.
"She's always just wanted you Ron."
I feel like I say this at the end of all my chapters now, but writing that Ron and Harry scene at the end sort of got me…
About the help I need! I have hundreds of ideas of where I want to take this story and am dying on some input about it. If you wanna help, please private message me or you can message me on my tumblr /rons-hermiones or on instagram /ottersterrier! Please help :)
Here's a preview for next time:
Hermione's eyes grow wide at the words as she peers up at Ron, gently tugging on his sleeve.
He looks down at her, she looks so small, so fragile, yet so gorgeous.
"W-want th-at." She croaks with doe-like eyes.
Could this be it? Could this be the moment?
"What do you want darling? Anything you need and I'll give it to you."
And he means it.
What. Could. It. Be?
I'm also happy to report I've been planning on doing a Disney's Princess & The Frog, Ron and Hermione style in the near future. Let me know if you guys would like that!
Keep reviewing :)
