Chapter 15: What's the Burrow?
Ron and Hermia silently mounted the staircase and began their climb toward the top floor of the house. Hermia's mind was racing around, never able to focus on one though for very long before moving on to another. Unable to fight her natural curiosity she finally asked.
"Ron," her heart skipped a beat when at her words Ron took her hand and his thumb ran soothingly across the back. She licked her dry lips before asking. "Were we very much in love?"
Ron's fingers tightened around hers. "Very much," he said with a croak in his voice. "Like I said, you are the love of my life. That night I gave you the crystal, was the same night I asked you to marry me."
Hermia stopped in the middle of her climb and turned around to face him. "And… I said yes, didn't I?" He needn't have answered, for in her heart she already knew.
Ron nodded. His thumb began to trace circles over the soft skin of her hand. "We didn't know if we were going to make it through the next day," he explained, "and I wanted to make sure you knew how much I loved you." His head dropped down. His eyes watched his thumb intently. "We made plans that night about what we were going to do when it was all over. Harry and I both survived the next day but you disappeared. For the longest time we didn't even know if you had survived."
"Survived what?"
Ron's ears turned pink at the tips. "It's a really long, complicated story Mione, and a lot to take in. I think you've heard enough for today."
Hermione was silent for a moment as she mulled over his words. "But you will tell me, won't you?"
Ron looked up into her beseeching eyes and found he couldn't deny her anything. "I promise."
"All right then." She turned around and continued up the stairs, "I'll let it drop…for now."
Ron smiled wistfully. That remark reminded him very much of the Hermione he fell in love with.
Hermia continued to tow him up the narrow staircase until they reached the final landing at the very top of the house. When they had both gained the landing Hermia took a left towing Ron purposefully behind her. They came to a stop in front of a pair of double doors. Ron released her hand so that she could reach forward and turn the high, polished knobs. Taking a deep breath Hermia pushed open the doors and stepped inside, holding them wide for Ron to follow.
Ron tried to move but his feet felt cemented to the floor. He didn't know when it had happened but at some point between Nate rushing into the library and the climb up the stairs, Ron had come to a realization. He knew what was waiting for him on the other side of the door, and he wasn't sure if he knew how to handle it. Hermia tilted her head slightly to the side as she stared at him intently.
"Are you coming in?"
Ron nodded curtly. He took several calming breaths, steeling himself for what was to come. The first thing he noticed was that Hermione's room was furnished surprisingly similar to the Gryffindor tower. The walls were painted a dull, metallic gold with an aged, worn affect to it. The floors were a dark cherry wood with a plush carpet of scarlet and gold design spread across it. The furniture was expertly picked to match the floor with several bookshelfs, side tables and a massive four post bed complete with deep scarlet comforter and heavy matching curtains that could be pulled closed to shut the bed off from the rest of the room. The curtains were held back with heavy gold cords.
The second thing he noticed were the two cheery wood cribs pushed up against the far wall. As soon as he spotted them his eyes remained fixated, unable to look anywhere else. His heart beat accelerated. It wasn't until that moment that he really and truly realized what was happening and it was enough to choke him. Those were his little girls hidden from view in those cribs.
Hermia closed the door silently behind him before walking further into the room. "Hello my darlings." She called out in a voice forced to be bright and cheerful.
Two heads of copper haired ringlets popped up from both cribs and smiled happily at the sight of the woman walking toward them. "Mama!" Cried the baby in the crib to the left, holding up her podgy arms indicating she wished to be picked up. "Up." She demanded happily when Hermia was close enough. More then willing to oblige, Hermia went to her and lifted her from the crib, only to have the baby in the crib to the right make a sound of indignation that she wasn't being picked up as well.
Sighing heavily Hermia strode over to the other crib and lifted the other baby up in her free arm, anchoring both children so that they straddled her hips. Turning to Ron, she walked forward. At first her face seemed free of expression but Ron, who knew that her eyes told more then she though they did, saw the fear and uncertainty burning behind the chocolate orbs.
"Ron," she said hesitantly. "I think I am right in assuming that I can introduce you to your daughters Hero," she lightly bounced the baby on her right hip who was dressed in a white dress with pink bows, "and Helena." She lightly bounced the baby on her left hip dressed in an identical dress except for with yellow bows.
Ron stared fixated at the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. His children. His own two little girls. He watched as each of the toddlers tipped their heads towards their mother, resting them on her shoulder as they looked back at him intently. Ron felt his chest tighten. They were absolutely perfect.
He could see parts of both him and Hermione in them. Luckily, he thought, they had inherited their mother's beautiful facial features. Her high cheek bones and straight nose were barley discernable under their swollen baby cheeks, but he knew at a glance that they would look like her. Ron sent up a silent prayer of thanks that they hadn't inherited his freckled skin and long nose. They did however have his blue eyes and the trademark Weasley hair, though theirs was a darker auburn than most of the family and hung around their small heads in gentle curls that were tamer than their mothers.
As a silent tear slid down his face he extended his hands toward them. "Can I hold them?"
Hermia nodded. She was barley able to restrain her tears of relief and that's that Ron was taking this so well. She handed over one child and then the other, even more thankful that the girls did not start screaming and clinging to her. The girls were never keen on meeting new people and were known for throwing mighty tantrums when forced to.
Hermia stepped back to admire the picture she never thought she would see completed. Her two daughters being held in the arms of their father. It was enough to make her cry. Her resolve was further tested when she saw how good Ron was with them. Immediately he planted one girl on each hip and swayed gently as he murmured in their ears, soft enough that Hermia could not make out what he said but loud enough to hear his tone.
She felt her heart begin to melt in her chest and thought anyone would be a fool not to fall in love with that voice. And she knew she had fallen when she watched Hero lay her head on her father's shoulder in the same manner she had to Hermia minutes before. Unable to withhold her tears a moment longer they finally came, spilling down her face in hot, wet torrents.
"Mione," Ron's head snapped immediately around to look at her. "What's the matter?" he pressed a kiss to each of the girls' heads before setting them gently on the floor. He rushed forward to wrap Hermia protectively in his arms. Instinctually she sank into the warmth his broad chest and strong arms provided. Pressing her face into his chest she whimpered. "I'm so sorry, Ron."
Ron looked down at her with confusion. "For what?" he ran a soothing hand through her chestnut locks, savoring the feel of its texture slipping through his fingers once again.
"I just have this feeling that all of it is my fault." She choked out. "My disappearance, the fact that you've been a father for a year and you didn't know."
"Mione, please don't. It's not your fault."
Hermia pulled away enough so that she could brush fiercely at her eyes, but Ron refused to relinquish any more of his hold. "I just… I knew I had this whole ever life before that I couldn't remember. But it never occurred to me how much finding me or not finding me would affect you."
"It's all right," Ron soothed, pulling her to his chest again, running his hand up and down the length of her back. "Everything will be all right now. You can come home where you have friends and family who love you. You can take back the life that you were meant to live."
"But Ron," She pushed against his chest with enough strength that he was forced to release her. "I don't remember anything. I don't remember you or Harry or my parents. I don't remember anything about this life you speak of. What if I never do?"
Ron felt a tightening in his chest at her words. "Don't say that?" he barked roughly, pulling her back into the comfort and safety of his arms. He pressed his face into the silky strands of her hair. "I swear to you that I will not rest until you get back everything that you lost."
Hermia pinched her eyes closed and let herself be comforted in the strong unknown and yet familiar arms of a man she couldn't remember.
"So let me understand this," Lizzie scanned the faces of the other occupants sitting around the table in the dinning room, remnants of the twin's birthday party a week ago still hanging around them. "These two," she indicated Ron and Harry, "have been looking for you since you disappeared." Hermia nodded. "Your name is actually Hermione Jane Granger." She nodded again. "And all five of you, including those adorable babies," she pointed to the twins, one who was sitting in Ron's lap the other in Harry's, "are magical. Witches and Wizards in fact." Hermia nodded again.
Lizzie's eyes narrowed as she once again took in the small group, coming to rest on Ron and Hero who he held in his arms. Similar thoughts ran through her head that had run through Nate's hours earlier. She hadn't missed the fact that the twins had the same red hair and blue eyes as this stranger named Ron.
Hermia's heart slowed a beat when Lizzie still hadn't said anything in what felt like ages. It wasn't until her face split into a broad grin that Hermia's heart returned to its normal pace. "Brilliant. I always thought there had to be real magic in the world."
"What?" Nate's head snapped up with surprise.
"Oh come now, Nate." Lizzie rolled her eyes. "There are so many things in this world that can only be explained by magic. And you've lived with these girls as long as I have. You've known all along that there's something different about them. And now we know that all the strange things that have been happening were caused by the two little imps sitting over there. Now we don't have to pay for that exorcist."
"You were going to hire an exorcist?" Hermia cried in out rage.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Of course not, Mia. You take everything too seriously. It was only a joke. Besides, even if there had been a ghost in the house it never did anything to harm us so what was the point? It always seemed more like a nanny to me."
"So you're all right with this? You're not weirded out or anything?" Hermione asked apprehensively.
"Of course I'm all right with this." Lizzie reached across the table to grip her friend's hand. "It's a part of who you are Mia, I mean, Hermione." She corrected herself. "And you should know by now that I will love you no matter what. You're like my sister after all."
"Lizzie," Hermia got up and went around the table to wrap her friend in a loving hug. "I've got the best friends in the world." She murmured in her friend's ear before kissing her nosily on the cheek as was their custom.
When Hermia pulled away Lizzie saw that Nate was shaking his head in disbelief. "What?" She asked with an exaggeratedly raised brow.
"I can't believe you're handling this so well. It took Harry here about three hours to explain everything to my satisfaction."
Lizzie shrugged dismissively. "Sorry, Nate. I guess, I'm just more open minded then you are. So Hermione," She turned back to her bushy haired friend. "What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know. I haven't had a lot of time to think on it. But, Bea, gave me the week off to settle everything, get use to the idea. And Ron and Harry suggested that I go with them and meet my parents again and…reintroduce myself to this world that has apparently been such a big part of my life."
"Mia," Lizzie gripped her hand anxiously, "are you sure?"
"I'm not making any decisions yet, Lizzie. I'm going to use this week to put together all my options and then decide."
"What is there to decide?" Harry asked.
"Whether or not I want to be a witch or if I want to raise my daughters to be witches."
"Mione, that's not something you can decide." Ron argued. "It's who you are. Who our daughters are." Lizzie's lip twitched. There was the answer to her question.
Hermia pursed her lips stubbornly and crossed her arms. "We've done fine the past year and a half without magic."
"Mione…"
"Ron. I've made my decision. I'm going to take a week to decide if magic is something that Hero, Helena and I need in our lives." she turned back to Lizzie. "I've already got the girls and I packed for the week. We're leaving tonight. We'll be back on Monday."
Lizzie hugged her friend fiercely, "Be careful." She murmured in Hermia's ear before releasing her.
"I will." Hermia pressed a kiss to Lizzie's cheek before turning and going into Nate's open arms.
"A week without my, Mia," he tisked softly. "I don't know what we're going to do without you." He pulled away and held her at arms length. "Who's going to keep us in line while you're away?" He whined playfully.
Hermia snickered. "I think you two can manage for a week. You took care of yourselves well enough before I got here."
Nate shrugged. "We didn't know what we were missing."
Hermia pulled Nate in for another hug and a sloppy kiss. "You two take care of yourselves." She said as she pulled away and moved toward the door where her coat was waiting. Nate and Lizzie helped Hero and Helena put on their coats while Ron and Harry buttoned up theirs. As soon as Hermia's buttons were secure she picked up the two bags that she had packed. "I'll be back in a week." She reminded when they handed the two little girls to Ron and Harry, their eyes solemn with concern.
Nate pushed her playfully towards the door where Ron and Harry were waiting. "Go. Before I change my mind and make you stay."
"Brat." Hermione wrapped her friends in one last hug before following Ron and Harry out the door.
Hermione bite her lip to keep from laughing when she heard Nate's voice seep through the almost shut door. "Do you think we can trust them?"
"I don't think we have a choice."
"Hmm…" Nate agreed. "It's a pity though."
"What is?"
"Harry. It's tragic really. A man as handsome as him straighter then a line. Got himself a gorgeous girl, or so he says." Hermia made sure the door was closed tight before she allowed herself the luxury to burst out with robust laughter.
"What's so funny?" Harry asked when she joined them at the sidewalk, her musical laughter still tinkling in the air.
Hermia's lips twitched at the corner. "Apparently, Nate thinks it's a shame you're straight. Waist of a good looking man he would say."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, so I learned when you two left me alone with him for three hours." Hermia bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing again, but when Ron's robust laughter filled the warm evening air she couldn't hold it back any longer. Harry narrowed his eyes with irritation but found he couldn't stay angry for long. It just felt too good to hear his two best friends laugh again, even if it was at his expense. He rolled his eyes "Just don't tell Ginny all right. She'll never let me live it down."
"Jeanie?" Hermione sobered instantly. "Lizzie's sister?"
"No." Harry shook his head. "Ginny. Ron's sister. My fiancé."
Hermione's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and delight. "You're marrying Ron's sister?"
Harry broke into a broad grin. "Yeah." His chest puffed proudly. "I am." Harry sobered slightly as he reached out to brush a stray lock of hair the wind had tossed across her cheek, out of her eyes. "She's going to be so glad you're back."
"Why?"
"Because. Ginny was your best girl friend."
"Oh," her eyes sparkled, "I really didn't think…I never thought there were so many people who cared about me." She slid her tongue across her dry lips. "I mean. I was in a coma for six months and no one came to find me. And then an entire year passed and this is the first…" Hermia stopped and shook her head. "Why did it take you so long for you to find me? You never explained that to me."
Ron took Hermia's hand gently in his free one. "Mione, remember when I told you that I would explain why we weren't sure if we were going to make it?" she nodded. "Well, this plays into that. You have to understand the rest of the story to understand why we couldn't find you."
"So this is another thing that will have to wait for another day."
Ron nodded. "I think you should get to meet the rest of our family before I explain everything else to you. Can you handle that?"
Hermia smiled softly in agreement. "So how are we traveling?"
Ron looked to Harry. "Knight Bus?" he asked unsurely.
Harry nodded assertively. "I think that's best."
"What number?" Hermione asked as Ron stuck out his right hand. Suddenly a loud bang filled the air and Hermia stumbled back in surprise as she was hit with the force of a mighty wind. When she regained her footing and opened her eyes it was to find standing in front of her a mammoth, three story, purple bus. Her mouth fell open in surprise as a pimple faced youth jumped off the back of the bus and hurried towards them.
"'Arry Potter." The youth exclaimed at seeing Harry. "Didn't 'spect to see you here, wif a kid."
"Hi, Stan." Harry said stepping past the youth and onto the bus. "Had some business to take care of."
Stan nodded as Harry stepped past him. He turned next to Ron who was also holding a small child. "Well ifn' it aint Ron Weasley." Stan extended his hand which Ron shook shortly before stepping onto the bus behind Harry.
"Let me get those for you miss." Stan said taking the bags from Hermia, stopping short when he finally realized who he was looking at. His mouth fell open in shock. "'Ermione Granger." He said with awe in his voice. "Been a long time Miss Granger. 'Ow've you been."
"Fine." Hermia said hesitantly as she scooted past him and onto the bus, casting Ron and Harry questioning looks. The looks they shoot back clearly said they would explain latter.
Sighing with exasperation Hemria turned her attention to her surroundings. The interior of the bus was brightly lit and roomy. There were several large, comfortable armchairs grouped around the space. Harry and Ron had chosen a clumping of three and were waiting for Hermia to join them before they sat down. Stan came to stand between Harry and Ron's chairs.
Both Harry and Ron reached into their pockets. "I got it, Ron." Harry said as he pulled out a handful of coins Hermia didn't recognize.
"It's all right, Harry. I can…"
"Ron, you paid for coffee, I've got this. I insist." Ron's ears turned pink as he tucked his money back into his pocket.
"Thanks, Harry."
Harry rolled his eyes as he handed Stan the appropriate change. "Forget about it."
Deciding that she had simply had enough of Harry, Helena squirmed in his arms and reached her pudgy hands out toward her mother. "Mama." She demanded when Hermia didn't immediately reach out to take her.
Smiling sweetly at her baby, she leaned forward and lifted Helena free of Harry's lap and settled her securely on her own. Instinctually Hermione looked to Hero expecting her to demand the same attention. Her girls were notoriously jealous of each other, competing for her intention at all times. The only time they gave it a rest was when they were sleeping.
Hermia tilted her head to the side in surprise. Instead of crying out in protest Hero simply watched Helena and Hermia, secure in her father's arms. Hermia couldn't help but smile reflectively. Hero and Ron looked right sitting that way. Like they were always supposed to be.
"What?" Ron asked at the sight of Hermia's smile.
"You look good like that. With a child in your arms." She specified for him. "Very natural."
Ron smiled and pressed a kiss to his daughter's head. "My brothers Bill, Charlie and Percy all have kids. Bill's daughter Aurelia is about four months younger then these two and Charlie's son John is a month younger than that. Percy's wife just gave birth to their son Edmund, so I've had a bit of practice. Besides," Ron shrugged, "I always wanted kids."
Hermia settled back in the comfortable chair. "Are Bill, Charlie, Percy and Ginny your only siblings?"
"No." Harry snorted with laughter. "Not quiet."
"Let's see." Ron leaned back in his seat as the bus lurched into movement, settling into a topic he was comfortable with. "Bill, or William, is the oldest. He's married to Fleur who we met in our fourth year at Hogwarts. Charles, who we call Charlie, comes next. He's married to Sarah. After Charlie is Percival, but we call him Percy. He's married to Penelope. After Percy is Fred and George, the twins. They're not married yet but are seriously seeing people. Then there's me of course. And after me comes Ginny, or Ginerva. And she's going to be marrying Harry next week."
"Wow. Not a small family is it?"
Ron shook his head. "No. I use to hate it. Being the youngest male I felt ignored or forgotten most of the time, or that I could never live up to my brothers. But after everything we've been through I wouldn't trade my family for anything in the world, except maybe a Gringots vault full of Galleons."
Hermia tilted her head with perplexity at Ron and Harry as he chuckled at Ron's obvious joke. Hermia, however, not understanding what a Gringots was or what Gaelleons were, felt completely out of place and confused.
"I'm kidding, Mione." Ron assured her when he saw the look on her face.
"It's not that. What's a Gringots and what are Gaeleons?"
"Oh. Gringots is the wizarding bank in London and Gaelleons are a type of wizard money."
Hermione nodded but didn't completely understand. She dismissed it however, reasoning that she would perhaps understand it later.
The bus suddenly lurched to a stop, casting Hermia from her seat. Instantly Harry caught her before she hit the ground and helped her back in to her seat. "Sorry," he said when she was settled. "Should have warned you about that. The bus is a bit jerky, so you better hold tight to your seat." Hermia grumbled with annoyance. "It's not my favorite way to travel either, but we can't get on to the floo network from your house and you don't know how to apparate and we couldn't do it with the girls anyway.
"You're going to have to stop speaking to me as if I know everything. Please explain to me what a floo network is and what apparate means."
"The floo network," Harry began "makes it possible for us to travel by fireplace. And appearating is when you think of a place you want to go and you disappear from where you've been and reappear where you want to be. I prefer apperating. It makes me less queasy then the other options. Portkey would have been faster but we don't have authorization to make one, and I like traveling that way even less then by this bus."
Hermia shook her head and pressed a hand to her temple. "I have no idea how I'm going to keep all this straight."
Ron rolled his eyes. "You're the brightest witch of our age. I doubt you'll have any troubles."
There was another bang and a sudden lurch which halted any protests Hermia was about to give. "Next stop, The Burrow." Stan's voice boomed out into the silent bus.
"Wonderful." Ron looked out the window and Hermia's eyes followed his gaze. "The sun hasn't set yet. We'll be there before dark."
"The Burrow? What is that?"
"That," Ron said, turning back toward their small group, "is my family home."
"We're going to your house?"
"My parent's house. Now that me and all my brothers have moved out there's plenty of room for you and the girls, and we can get your parents there easy enough. Besides, my mum will be more than glad to have you."
"There," Harry pointed out the window. "That's the Burrow. Everybody brace yourselves." Hermia clutched tightly to her daughter with one arm and the arm of the chair with the other. She saw Ron do the same while Harry braced himself with both of his free hands. The bus lurched to a stop but this time Hermia was prepared and only lurched forward slightly instead of clean off the chair.
"Thanks, Harry." She said as she gained her feet hugging Helena soothingly to her chest. "Are you alright my darling?"
"They're all right." Ron said as he bounced a laughing Hero in his arms. "Come on, I think Stan is getting a bit impatient." Ron nodded his head at the pimple faced young man waiting to assist them off the bus. Hermia quickly moved through the makeshift aisle, eager to get off the bus as quickly as possible. Her feet touched solid ground as she alighted and she felt a swell of relief wash over her.
Ron and Harry alighted right behind her, Harry accepting Hermia's bags as he stepped down. "It war nice seeing you 'gain." Stan called as the bus lurched and disappeared from sight once again with a bang.
"What a horrible way to travel." Hermia said with agrivation. "If I never have to ride that thing again it would be too soon."
Ron and Harry broke into laughter as they shook their heads and set off towards the house. "Obviously some things never change." Harry said just loud enough for her to hear. Hermia stared after them a moment before running to catch up.
She fell silently into step beside them so that she could take in the sights as they walked. They were surrounded by fields of tall grass and a dense forest in the distance. The land rolled in gentle hills, blocking the building names the Burrow from her sight. All Hermia could see as evidence that there was a dwelling up ahead was the smoke of a fire rising from a distant chimney. But as soon as they rounded a bend in the road a makeshift house came into view. A house, that amazingly enough, looked like it was being held together by magic. Hermia scolded herself at the thought. Of course it was being held together by magic. However strange the dwelling looked she found all together rather quaint and sweet. She fell in love with it immediately.
Ron came to a stop just outside a stone wall that circled the perimeter of the property. There was a wooden gate nestled in the wall where Ron stood. He reached over it and pulled on the latch letting it go so that it could swing open before them. "Welcome to the Burrow."
Hermia stepped gingerly into the yard and instantly felt the warmth of the house wrap its arms around her, welcoming her in. She felt in her bones that this was one of those places that had always felt like home. Helena's eyes widened with at the sight of chickens roaming free in the yard and she clapped her pudgy hands merrily. Her little body began to squirm and wriggle as she tried to free herself of her mother's arms. "Down." She demanded. When Hermia made no move to set her on her feet.
"All right." Hermia bent at the knee and set her daughter on her feet. Helena dashed off the moment her feet touched the ground laughing with delight when the chickens squawked in protest when she gave chase.
Slithering around the side of the house to see what all the commotion was, a mass of orange, stripped fur scurried to the front stoop and set himself down to stare at those intruding on his space. "Kitty." Helena cried with delight when she saw the squished face of the orange feline. She wobbled toward the cat, calling "Kitty!" every few steps. The cats back stiffened as he glared at her indignantly.
"Helena, no!" Hermia cried, dashing after her daughter and lifting her in her arms
"Hermione, it's all right." Ron called after her, setting Hero down on her feet so she too could pet the kitty. "Crookshanks is your cat."
"Oh," Hermia set her protesting daughter back on her feet so she could join her sister in observing the mass of orange fur. "Why isn't he at my parent's house?"
Crookshanks looked up at the sound of her voice and with an exuberant meow leapt over Hero and Helena's heads and wrapped himself around Hermia's ankles, rubbing his furry head against her calf.
"Harry and I brought him to our flat after we graduated. He didn't like our flat so we brought him here. He was already settled in and happy when we found your parents so we left him. He enjoys chasing the gnomes and mums happy because it keeps them out of the garden."
Hermia crouched down by the orange tabby and scratched him lovingly behind the ears. "Hello Crokshanks." She lifted him into her arms and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "I'm sorry I've been away such a long time." The cat seeming to forgive her, licked her cheek and nuzzled his head against her chin and cheek. Hermia laughed with delight as the cat purred noisily with contentment and snuggled into his owner's arms. She pressed another kiss to the cats head before setting him back on the ground. "Thank you for taking care of him for me, Ron."
Ron's ears tinted pink but he kept his eyes seriously on her. "I would do anything for you, Mione."
Her cheeks deepened to a gentle pink in response to his sentiments. "So" she said awkwardly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "are we going to stand out here all day or are you going to introduce me to your parents?"
"Right." Ron took a step towards the door but stopped with one foot on the stoop and turned around to face Harry with sudden realization. "Do you think my parents can see her?"
Harry scratched his chin in thought and after a moment concluded. "Stan saw her, why shouldn't your parents be able to?"
Hermia sighed heavily as she once again found herself at a loss and confused by the conversation. "What are you two on about now?"
"Hermione, do you remember this morning when Ron and I found you at the hospital and we got those horrible headaches?"
Hermia focused her brown eyes on Harry's green ones. "Yes, of course."
"I don't know for certain, but all the facts suggest that we got those headaches because someone put a…hiding spell on you. That was one of the reasons it was so hard to find you. We had no magical means of doing it. Even in the hospital I think I watched someone talk to you, but I couldn't see you or hear you. Neither could Ron."
"I still don't understand."
"Hermione," Ron took her hand. "I wasn't able to see you until I was forced too. It wasn't until I accepted the fact that you were really standing there before I could see you. I saw Beatrice talk to you and then I saw that photo hovering in midair then disappear. That is when I realized that you had to be standing there, really and truly standing there. And that's when the spell was forced to lift from my eyes, which, I'm assuming, is what caused that massive pain in my head. Damn, it was bloody painful." He rubbed his eyes at the thought of it.
"Ron," Hermia chided, "don't swear."
"Sorry, love." Ron flashed her his heart stopping, lopsided grin and Hermia felt her annoyance melt away. "Why don't you two wait out here with the girls and I'll go prepare mum and dad."
Harry and Hermione agreed and watched as Ron disappeared into the house. Not knowing what else to do while she waited, Hermia turned back to her children and watched as they kept themselves busy by laving affection on Crookshanks who was all too eager to bathe in the added attention.
