Chapter 4: An Unlikely Mission
The morning sunshine seeped through the window, shining brightly, unaware of the terror that gripped the wizardry world. Ron lay in his bed gazing at Hermione's peaceful face as she slept in his arms.
"I love you," whispered Ron, kissing her lightly on the forehead.
Hermione's eyes fluttered open and smiled at him, "Me too," she said softly as she snuggled in his embrace.
"We should probably get up. Today's the Order meeting," said Ron.
"Your family will be here," smiled Hermione, sadly, knowing she wouldn't see her parents for a while.
"And Harry. I hope this will bring a smile to Ginny's face," said Ron, worriedly.
Hermione nodded as she got up and kissed him. "I'm going to have shower."
As she padded out of the room, Ron couldn't help but wish he could have that shower with her. "Ron, stop it," muttered Ron to himself as he headed for his own shower.
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"My babies," cried Molly as she grabbed Ron and Ginny and gave a big group hug.
Hermione smiled as Molly gave her a hug. "I'm happy you and Ron finally discovered your feelings for each," whispered Molly. Hermione blushed. Mr. Weasley must have told her about seeing Ron and Hermione a few mornings ago.
Everyone sat around the Charms classroom, solemnly, waiting for Dumbledore to start speaking. Harry and Ginny were sitting with each other, their hands entwined into each other's. Ginny's tears fell freely as she whispered with Harry. Ron wasn't sure if they were tears of joy or sadness. Many of the teachers where present, along with Ron's entire family, excluding Percy. Ron was happy that he had a chance to spend sometime with his family.
The meeting was for the most part predictable. Each person went over the progress regarding their tasks and Dumbledore expressed certain concerns and issued more tasks.
A man, Terry, who Ron knew was somehow spying for the Light had the attention of the Order after Dumbledore had spoken at length.
"I have the whereabouts of Snape," announced Terry.
Everyone looked at him intently. No one was sure how much to trust Terry but without Snape, they had no other choice.
"I haven't actually seen him but a few men mentioned that he was still alive, somewhere in Liverpool. I have the exact location here," continued Terry, handing a piece of parchment to Dumbledore. "From what I gather, he may know something useful regarding the antidote because the virus was engineered at the same location."
Dumbledore nodded and the meeting continued.
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After the meeting, everyone made a hasty leave, not wanting to waste a single second. Harry lingered behind, desperately clinging to every moment he could spend with Ginny and his friends but finally, he too had to make his departure.
Hermione, Ron and Ginny sat in the common room, looking depressingly at the emptiness of the place. Just an hour ago, Hogwarts was full of people that they loved and now it was back to so few.
"I'm going to bed," muttered Ginny, as she got up to leave.
"He'll be fine, Ginny. Look how far he's come with so many obstacles in the way," assured Ron as he hugged his sister good night.
Ginny nodded mutely and left.
Hermione looked sadly, as she disappeared into her dormitory.
Ron turned towards her. Hermione could see the hint of anger in his eyes. He hated what the world had come to. How it forced people apart.
"Ron," whispered Hermione, standing up and putting her hands on his face. Ron felt warmth sweep over him the moment her hand touched his face. He grabbed her and began kissing her, his tongue exploring the warmth of her mouth. They stumbled against the wall and continued to snog.
Hermione felt like she was flying as his hands moved down to her waist, his fingers hooking into the waistband of her shorts and his lips landing on her throat. 'What was going to happen? Was she ready for this?' wondered Hermione.
Suddenly Ron pulled away. His face was completely red and he began to breathe heavily.
"Why did you stop?" asked Hermione, disappointment rushing in.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have—."
"Why? I was enjoying it," whispered Hermione, her eyes fixated on the floor, cheeks flushed.
"I was fueled by anger. It's not the right way to—what I mean is—I don't—I don't want things to happen this way. I want to wait 'till we aren't—aren't so confused," muttered Ron, looking away.
Hermione nodded, pushing her disappointment down. "I'm going to change. I'll see you in your room," said Hermione before leaving.
x
Ron fell into the sofa. He hoped he had done the right thing. He just felt so angry, angry at everything.
Ron's thoughts were soon interrupted as Dumbledore's head appeared in the fireplace.
"Ron, I need to speak to you immediately."
Ron looked up, surprised. "Alright, I'll be in you office in a minute," replied Ron as he scribbled a note for Hermione.
Mumbling a password, Ron stepped into Dumbledore's office.
"Hello, Professor."
"Take a seat," said Dumbledore from behind his desk.
Ron sat down and watched as Dumbledore cleared his desk of a few parchments. The portraits seemed to be genuinely sleeping, to Ron's relief. He really didn't like how they listened to everything people said, ready for a good gossip.
"Well, the meeting went as expected," started Dumbledore, "Except for Terry's information."
Ron nodded.
Dumbledore placed a parchment in the centre of the desk for Ron to see.
"This is Professor Snape's supposed location. It's an old abandoned muggle warehouse," explained Dumbledore.
Ron nodded, wondering why he was telling him this.
"I have no doubt in my mind that Professor Snape knows a great deal. You see, Voldermort would not make an effort to keep quiet around him because he wasn't planning to keep him alive for long as Terry expressed after the meeting."
"So it would be beneficial to the Order if we were able to find Snape," asked Ron.
"Yes. I have to be in France tonight. There are major problems there that need to be addressed immediately. I need someone to find him and bring him back."
"You want me to find him," asked Ron, startled.
"Yes."
Ron was dumbfounded. Didn't Dumbledore know how much he hated Snape? Did he really think he could put his heart into this mission? The mission would be dangerous. 'You wanted action,' thought Ron, bitterly. That's when it hit him. By holding this grudge against Snape, he was being just like Snape was towards Harry. He shook his head in disgust. The last thing he wanted was to be anything like him. Anyway, this was for the Order. This could help Hermione find the antidote.
"Okay," said Ron, slowly.
Dumbledore nodded, expectantly but Ron could see a hint of gratitude twinkle in his eyes. Ron knew that Snape was important to the Headmaster, as a member of the Order and as a friend. This mission was more than a task for the Order; this was a personal request from Dumbledore.
"I want to send someone with you but I can only afford one person," said Dumbledore, regrettably.
Ron nodded mutely.
"I have issued two portkeys. The button will take you there and the shoelace will bring you to Hogsmeade. From there, you can floo to Hogwarts."
Ron nodded, pocketing the little portkeys.
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Ron walked slowly back to the common room. Hermione was sitting in the sofa, clutching his note in her hand.
At the sight of him, she leapt up and looked at him apprehensively, "What did he want?"
Ron told her. Hermione fell into the sofa and dropped her head into her hands. Ron sat down beside her and put his hand around her shoulder.
"This is what you wanted. You wanted to go out there," said Hermione as her lips trembled, looking up at him through her watery eyes.
"I'll be back by tomorrow," said Ron, softly. 'Hopefully,' thought Ron.
"I'm coming," said Hermione.
"You can't," said Ron, alarmed.
"Oh yes I can!"
"Hermione, don't you see—"
"Do you think I can't take care of myself?" demanded Hermione.
"I know you can, better than me," admitted Ron. "But don't you see? I'm disposable, unlike you or Harry."
"What hell are you talking about!" yelled Hermione slamming her fist on his chest. Ron was surprised that she had just sworn, let along use violence.
"Come on, Hermione. Harry has to kill Voldermort. You are the only one smart enough to find an antidote. Neville is the best at herbology and the patients need his remedies. Ginny isn't even in the Order, she's too young and then there's me. I don't bring anything special"
"Ron—"
"Shh," said Ron, silencing Hermione by bringing his lips down to her lip and locking her into a kiss.
Hermione pulled away and slapped him. "Don't you try to silence me with kiss!"
"Hermione."
"Do you think we can win this with just a few people? There is strength in numbers, Ron. You are as important to this fight as I am."
Ron pushed away a strand of her hair and sighed. They went up to Ron's dorm. Ron rummaged through Harry's trunk before pulling out a silvery cloak.
"May come in handy," said Ron.
Hermione looked out into the rolling hills through the window. "Everyday I wake up and wonder what will the day bring. Who will I lose? Everyday, I wonder if Harry is alright, whether he's safe in bed or lying wounded somewhere."
"Me too, Hermione, me too."
"Now I have to wonder about you too."
"We all have to do what we can to win this war, Hermione."
Hermione nodded reluctantly. "I love you, Ron," she mumbled as she went on her tiptoes and kissed him.
"I love you, too."
Ron pulled out the button from his robe and closed his eyes.
Hermione watched as he disappeared before her eyes. "Be careful," she whispered.
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Ron landed on his feet in front of a rundown grey warehouse. It looked like it had not been touched by life for decades. He had no idea about what he was going to do. He draped the invisibility cloak around him and drew in his breathe.
He walked up to the door and turned the knob. It didn't budge. He pulled out his wand and muttered, "Alohomora." That didn't work. "Reducto." That didn't work either. "Figures."
Suddenly he heard footsteps coming towards him. Ron muttered a spell to silence the sound of his footsteps and moved to the side as the man placed his hand on the knob, mumbled something Ron couldn't hear and the door clicked open. Ron quickly shuffled in behind him. "That wasn't too hard," thought Ron.
He followed him through another door into a small room, where four other men were seated around a table, playing cards. A bald man sat closest to Ron, his back to Ron, dealing cards.
"About time! I'm outta here," exclaimed one of the men at the table.
"Don't forget to pay up," reminded another man.
"Oh give it up, you'll be paid," replied the man before leaving. Ron quickly moved out of the way just in time.
"So, is the Dark Lord visiting tonight," asked the man who had just arrived as he sat down and watched one of the men deal him some cards.
"Not tonight. He has business in France. Should be a quiet night, really."
Ron felt a like a large weight was lifted from is chest as the man announced that Voldermort would not be making an appearance.
Now all he had to do was find Snape and get out of here. But how? The room had two doors—the one he came through and another on the other side of the room, both closed. He would only draw attention to himself by opening a door.
He eyed the door that stood across the room. These men must be guarding their prisoner—who was most likely behind that door.
Ron held his wand tightly and pointed it at the door he had come through. "Reducto," whispered Ron. The door blow apart and created a large noise. Instantly, Ron apparated to the other door and watched. All four men turned their heads towards the door.
"Shit," swore a man, as they ran out of the room, searching for the person who had done the spell.
Ron grabbed the door and tried to open it. "Bloody door! Alohomora." Nothing happened. He could hear the man yelling at each other.
"We have to find him!"
"Someone has to stay in the room."
"I'll go, you look."
The man headed towards the room.
"Come on, come on," muttered Ron as he shoved a pin into the lock. Click. Ron smiled despite himself. Wizards always forgot about muggle techniques. He would have to thank the twins when he got back for the little trick.
He rushed into the next room and quietly shut the door behind him, just as the bald man returned to the card room.
"There's no one here," yelled the man.
Ron turned to see where he was. He gasped. The room was a plain dirty place and there on the wall hung his former Potions professor. Blood stained the wall behind his head. His black clothes were torn and drenched in blood. His head hung limp against his chest.
"Please be alive," begged Ron as he put two fingers on his neck. He sighed in relief. There was a pulse, a weak pulse, but still a pulse.
x
Snape shifted his feet as he came back to the conscious world. Even with his eyes shut, he could feel the presence of another person. He jerked his head up, eyes still shut and instantly spat in Ron's face, thinking it was a Death Eater.
He opened his eye and saw nothing. "I must be losing it at last," thought Snape.
Someone cursed, annoyed and lifted the cloak away from his face.
"Weasley?" croaked Snape. 'Am I dreaming?' thought Snape, 'But why the hell would Weasley be in my dream?'
x
"Yes, it's Weasley. We have to get out of here."
Snape looked at him as if he wasn't real. Snape opened his mouth but he was too weak to speak. "B-b…" he started before passing out.
"He must be delirious," thought Ron, covering himself with the cloak again.
Pointing his wand at Snape, Ron muttered, "Relashio," causing Snape's bindings to loosen and release him. Ron caught him just before his head hit the stone floor.
"I'm checking on Snape," yelled the bald man to the other men as he opened the door.
"Oh no," thought Ron, placing Snape on the floor, freeing his hands and reaching for the portkey.
The man looked at Ron and narrowed his eyes. Pointing his wand, he said, "Don't move. I can see you through your cloak," spat the man. "Boys, I've found our intruder."
Ron stopped moving as he heard more footsteps coming towards them, quickly.
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Next chapter up soon. I would really appreciate some feedback. Please Review