Chapter 24: Gone…

The tension inside the Burrow only grew worse as the hours mounted. Molly was inconsolable in her anxiety and fear. Even though Ron's hand had moved away from 'mortal peril' over two hours ago and had come to rest over 'away', the fireplace was still glowing purple. No news had come from Harry either and Ginny's nerves were strung so tight that no one dared disturb her solitude in fear that she would snap. Ron was safe at the moment, that they knew, it was the wait of the others that hung so heavily over them.

The Weasleys gathered in clusters about the room. Fred and George were in the corner with their girlfriends Angelina and Katie who sat murmuring comforting words and stroking the hands of their boyfriends. Bill, Fleur, Charlie and Sarah stood to the side of the fireplace calmly conversing with each other. Percy and Penelope had taken the children, who had grown quiet restless under the strain in the room, outside so that they could run around and get some fresh air. Molly and Arthur sat on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Molly was still crying, though her tears had diminished greatly when it was apparent that Ron was no longer in danger. Even so, Arthur had his arm wrapped supportively around his wife and was trying his best to assure her that everything was going to be all right.

Ginny, who had the most at stake out of everyone in the room, paced back and forth before the hearth, oblivious to anything else but her thoughts. Harry had been attacked by Draco Malfoy, Ron had been with Hermione when the clock informed them that he was in mortal peril which meant that Hermione and the girls were in portal peril as well. The floo network hadn't been reopened which meant that danger hadn't passed and she still hadn't received any word from either Harry or Ron.

Ginny rubbed her hands anxiously over her face. She trusted her father when he said that Harry was all right, but what of Ron and Hermione? She knew they were together, but Hermione and the twins were both defenseless. If Draco had gotten a wand and shown up at Hermione's home there was no way that Ron could adequately protect them.

She glanced at the clock once again. Horrible images were tormenting her mind. Images from her last years at Hogwarts filled her brain; but this time the images of her class mates were replaced with images of Hermione, Hero or Helena lying in pools of their own blood. A dreadful picture of Ron injured and unconscious, unable to save them obscured her vision next. She ran a shaky, distraught hand through her hair. If anything happened to any of them, she swore she would kill Draco Malfoy with her own hands.

"Lok. Ze fiereplaze." Fluer's high pitched accent filled the room as she pointed at the stone hearth.

Ginny spun around at her sister in-laws words and saw that the fireplace was now shimmering a bright gold and was humming faintly. When the hearth ceased glowing Ginny instantly reached for the flowerpot on the mantle intent on going after her brother, but was stopped by Bill's large hand.

"I think you should stay here and wait, Gin." He said in his most authoritative, older brother voice.

She wrenched away from his hand. "I have to go and make sure everything is all right."

"Bill's right, Ginny." Arthur rose to his feet and put a restraining hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure it won't be much longer until we here something."

Ginny looked between her father and oldest brother and saw that she had lost. Spinning angrily away from the two she returned to her nervous pacing. "If we don't receive word in ten minutes," she murmured exasperatedly under her breath, "I'm going after them."

The ten minutes had almost passed and still nothing happened. Ginny's agitation and concern were mounting to a fevered pitch. Something was wrong, her worried mind warned her. The network was open again. Ron and Harry could both apperate. So why hadn't they come home to let them know what was going on?

Ginny had just decided to ignore her father's edict when Ron's hand moved suddenly to traveling and the room tensed with anticipation. There was a burst of intense green flame and Ron stumbled from the fireplace and collapsed onto his knees in the middle of the hand-tied rug.

"Ron!" Molly and Ginny shouted in unison, rushing to him. Ginny fell to her knees at his side and wrapped him in a fierce hug while Molly ran her hands over him making sure that he wasn't hurt of damaged in anyway.

Ron just knelt there, seemingly oblivious to his sister's and mother's ministrations. Arthur crouched down in front of him and placed a hand on his broad shoulder. He waited until his son tilted his head up to look at him before asking. "What happened, son?"

Ron slowly turned his copper head, sweeping the room with his dazed blue eyes. He licked his dry and brittle lips and swallowed, trying to free his throat from the ball that stuck in it. He tried again and this time was able to mutter in a shallow voice that cracked with strain. "She's gone…"

Ginny sat back on her heels in shock. She felt like she had been socked in the stomach by a full grown giant. On the other side of Ron, Molly sobbed with renewal into Arthur's shoulder, oblivious to the fact that he himself was trying to hold back his own tears. Ginny glanced vulnerably around the room to see that her brothers were all holding their wives and girlfriends in protective hugs. She turned her focus back on Ron and saw that he was staring ahead of him, his blue eyes dry and vacant.

Fighting furiously to hold back her tears, she laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. He slowly turned his head to look at her. Ginny was almost surprised to see the lack of grief in his eyes. It had to be the shock, she reasoned. He was still too shocked to realize what had happened. "Please tell me, Ron. How did she…?"

He blinked twice before he spoke. His voice was low and soft and caught the rest of the room's attention immediately. "When I arrived you were still there, Gin. You told me where she was."

"Yes." Ginny nodded. "Tell us what happened after I left."

Ron swallowed audibly. "I went up the stairs to find her. Malfoy was on his way and I needed to protect her and the girls." Molly's cries got louder at the mention of the twins who she now noticed were also not with Ron. "We were arguing when he arrived. She didn't want to come with me. She accused me of using Malfoy's escape as a ploy to get her to come home." He blinked fiercely as if there was a blinding light shinning in his eyes. "She was too stubborn to listen. Before I could get her out of there he apparated into the hallway outside her room." His tongue darted out to wet his lips. "He had Harry's wand with him." Ginny gasped, covering her mouth with both of her hands. "He was going to kill us." His word swelled over the room like a shocking wave of ice. "He wanted Harry to live the rest of his life knowing it was his wand that had killed his two best friends." Ron answered the unasked question floating in their minds.

Ron pinched his eyes closed, taking several deep breaths. "He threatened to kill Hero and Helena first. He wanted to make us watch the die, to know that we could do nothing to save them." The women gasped in horror while the men's arms tensed reflexively around their spouses. They all had horrible images of watching helplessly as their own children were murdered in front of them.

Fleur's hands flew to her increasing waist. "Zat iz terrible." She leaned her head against Bill's shoulder as his arm tightened around her. Ron watched absently as Sarah turned and leaned into her husbands embrace, tucking her head into the crook of his shoulder. His hands drifted up and crossed in front of his chest like he was hugging himself.

"Draco decided he was going to kill us first and then finish the twins after we were gone. He didn't want to leave Harry with anything to live for." Ron shook his head trying to clear it of the painful thoughts. "He caught me by surprise and I lost my wand." Ron took a steadying breath, his fists clenching tight until his knuckles turned white. "He was going to kill me." Ron's voice rose to a fevered pitch. "Hero and Helena were screaming, Nate was calling from the bottom of the stairs. I lunged at Draco when she pulled out her own wand and…" Ron fell silent and a single tear rolled down his cheek when he closed his eyes. "I will never forget that crash or the sound of the falling body for as long as I live."

Ginny bit painfully into her knuckle as she tried unsuccessfully to halt her tears. Ron needed her right now. She had to be strong for him. Her whole body seemed to shake as she stretched out a hand and rested it on his shoulder. He didn't even flinch at the gentle, unsuspected touch of his sister.

"She's gone." The words fell out of his mouth suddenly. Several gasps of horror filled the room at his words. "She's gone forever." He said frankly, "And she's never coming back."

Ginny hated to ask it but she needed to know. "Who's gone Ron?"

"Hermia." Ginny fell into her brother's arms, clinging to him tight as she lost control and began to weep in despair. Absently Ron reached up and patted her back. "Hermia's gone forever."

The silence was punctuated by several chocking sounds as the Weasleys tried to fight back their tears.

"However," a soft voice from the doorway spoke tenderly. "Hermione Jane Granger's back to stay."

The entire room spun towards the entrance to see a slight, bushy haired girl holding two children with mops of red hair, standing in the doorway, large smiles plastered on their faces.

"Hermione!" The room erupted into sound as the Weasely clan launched themselves at her and the two little girls, wrapping them into tight hugs as the sent out prayers of relief into the universe. Ginny stared at Hermione a moment from her spot next to Ron on the floor, dashing her tears viciously from her eyes. Responding to the sound of Hermione's laughter, Ginny lunged at her brother instead of her best friend, tackling him to the ground and hitting him painfully as tears spilled from her eyes.

"That wasn't funny!" she screamed beating against his chest as he snorted from beneath her. "You let me believe she was dead! How could you do that?"

Ron reached out and grasped Ginny's wrists, stopping her from pummeling his chest with her strong fists. "I never said she was dead, Ginny. All I said was Hermia was gone. And she is."

Ginny pulled her wrists free so that she could brush at the remains of her tears on her heated cheeks. "What do you mean?"

"What he means," Hermione began as she broke away from the group and lowered herself to the floor beside the two siblings, having relinquished her daughters to the arms of their family, "is that when Draco Malfoy pulled his wand on Ron I saw almost the exact image of him doing it two years ago. He held his wand the same way, at the same angle and he had the same hate filled glare in his eyes. All I knew was that I couldn't watch Ron die again." The occupants of the room circled the trio, listening to Hermione's every word. "Before I really knew what was happening I had pulled my wand out. I began the incantation for a full body bind when suddenly Draco lurched off the ground and slammed full force into the ceiling."

Ron wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist, chuckling with contentment. "Reminded me of the great bouncing ferret, it did. Only this time it was a human body." Ginny arched a confused brow, her eyes pleading with them to explain. Ron chuckled as he wrapped his other arm securely around Hermione, pulling her tight against his chest. "It seems our daughters are very cleaver and very talented. I have no idea," Ron nuzzled his nose against Hermione's cheek, "where they got that from. They knew their mum and dad were in danger so they used their powers to stop him. Tossed him right up into the air, bashing him against the ceiling, and knocking him out cold." Ron beamed with pride at his daughters' accomplishments. "Like I said, I'll never forget the sound of that crunch." His eyes drifted close as he replayed the scene in his mind over and over again before nodding with satisfaction. "Even better then the great bouncing ferret." He conceded.

Hermione bit her lip as she tried to fight her own look of pride at her daughters' accomplishment and happiness she felt at finally being safe in Ron's arms once again. "I wasted no time disposing Draco of Ron and Harry's wands and proceeded to bind him." Hermione continued, shrugging her dainty shoulders. "It was like I had never lost my memory." Her eyes lit with delight at the realization that her memories were back to call up on command. "I can remember getting my first Hogwarts letter." She said animatedly, "I remember the first train ride perfectly. Every detail is exact. I can see precisely where the smudge of dirt was on Ron's nose." She swept a finger along the side of his long nose indicating where the dirt had been. "I remember in detail things that I couldn't have read in that bloody book." Hermione bit her lip and lowered her head. "I burned it as soon as I got my memory back." She confessed almost ashamedly. Ron's arms tightened comfortingly and supportively around her, seeming to understand her guilt over destroying a book.

"And no one's hurt?" Molly asked while checking over the limbs of Hero who she held protectively in her arms. "We need to bring you to St. Mungos and make sure everything is all right."

"Don't worry, Molly." Hermione snuggled back further into Ron's chest. "The girls and I were brought to St. Mungos while Ron was being questioned. Everything's fine."

Ginny reached out and Hermione instantly latched onto her hand. "You're really back?" she stared at Hermione with wide brown eyes, hardly believing it was true. "I mean… your memory and everything?"

Hermione nodded, tears welling in her own chocolate orbs. "I really am." She lowered her head slightly; a faint flush of shame crept up her cheeks. "I'm sorry that you had to come and say all those things to me today. You were right."

"I'm just glad you're back." Ginny squeezes her hand.

"Ginny, I'd very much like to come to your wedding, that is if I'm still invited."

"Are you joking. You have to be my made of honor."

"Really?"

"Of course." Ginny smiled through her tears, throwing her arms around Hermione's neck, instantly alleviating her discomfort. "You're still my best friend." Ginny's eyes drifted closed and her heart lifted when she realized that she really did have her friend back. "There is no one else I could even conceive of standing beside me."

She pulled away after several minutes, nervously pushing her hair out of her eyes. She glanced about the room and sighed heavily. "That is of course," there was a soft crack in the hallway that no one noticed, "if the wedding is still going to take place in two days."

"And why wouldn't it?" Harry asked as he stepped into the room, his brow furrowed in concern. "You're not having second thoughts are you?"

"Harry!" Ginny squealed, jumping to her feet like a loaded spring, hurtling herself at her fiancé. She jumped into his open arms wrapping her limbs around his neck and hips. Harry stumbled back a step upon impact, laughing heartily with joy, but quickly regained his footing and pulled her tight to him, accepting the rain of kisses she sprinkled on his neck and face.

"Missed me that much did you?"

Ginny tightened her grip around his neck and hips, pinching her eyes close as she tucked her head into the crook of his shoulder. "I was so worried. They told me that you were in charge of moving Draco and that you had been knocked out, and then Ron told me he had your wand. And you weren't coming back and…"

"Shhh." Harry soothed, rubbing his hand comfortingly up and down her spine. "I'm all right. I promise."

Ginny sniffed loudly. She pressed a kiss to his warm neck and whispered gently. "I wish we didn't have to wait two more days." A single tear fell on Harry's heated collar. "I was so scared you were gone. I feared I'd never get to call you my own."

Harry gently tilted her chin up and pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "I already am your own, Ginny. I have been for years."

She offered her lips hungrily to Harry but they both stopped a hairs breath away when they heard a loud, forced cough that sounded agonizingly similar to Umbridge's.

"Need I remind you that you two are not married yet?" Came Molly's disapproving voice. "And even if you were it would be inappropriate to participate in such public displays of affection."

Ginny turned her head to stare at he mother. She caught the gleam of joy in the older woman's eyes. Rolling her own she turned back to Harry. "Leave off, Mum." She murmured before capturing Harry's lips in a devouring kiss.

Hermione, who was still kneeling on the floor nestled within Ron's strong arms, stared up at her friends with joy written on her face. They were so adorable together. So uninhibited about their affection for one another. Hermione wondered if Ron, who had always become embarrassed when showing signs of affection, would ever be able to kiss her like that, without concern for what his family would think.

As if sensing her thoughts, Ron's left arm tightened across her middle while his right hand took hold of her chin and tilted her face back so that he could capture her lips in a devoted kiss. Their lips met once, all too brief. Then he came back eagerly for more.

Hermione's lips parted under his and their tongues met and danced feverishly as their eyes drifted closed and the world around them seemed to disappear.

Ron's heart swelled as he felt Hermione surrender to his kiss, responding too his touch as if they had never been separated. His fingers left her chin and traveled down her arms to lace in-between her fingers.

"Oh, honestly." Molly's hand flew to her hips as she glared at both couples with annoyance. "I thought I raised my children to have more decorum then this." The two couples broke apart and stared at Molly with a slight blush tainting their skin, though from embarrassment or something else was indiscernible. "At least Harry and Ginny are getting married in two days. But you two," she pointed her finger at Ron and Hermione while she bounced Hero meaningfully on her hip. "When do you plan on getting married? Don't forget that you have two little girl's reputations to worry about."

Ron tucked his face into Hermione's shoulder, trying to hide his embarrassment from his mother. Hermione, who in the past would have been mortified at Molly's words, brushed the scolding aside dismissively.

"Lighten up Molly. Ron and I'll get married when we're ready. But you needn't worry." Hermione turned her head and pressed a kiss to Ron's still flaming cheek. "I don't suspect you'll have much longer to wait."

Slightly affronted that sweet Hermione had so easily brushed her scolding aside, Molly was still thrilled to hear that the event she had been hoping for since she first met the girl, would be taking place soon.

The contours of Molly's face softened. She tried to hide the smile threatening her lips as she handed Hero to Arthur. "Well, we've all had a very exciting day." She said in her sternest voice. "I think we could all do with a good meal. Fleur, Sarah, Angelina, Katie. Would you mind helping me in the kitchen?"

Wordlessly the four women nodded and followed Molly from the room, their husbands and boyfriends following behind but turning in the other direction to go outside to help Percy and Penelope with the children.

Hermione tried rising to her feet but was halted by Ron's arm which was still wrapped tightly around her waist. Hermione settled back into his chest and turned her head to the side to see the look of admiration and astonishment written on his face. "Where did you learn to stand up to my mum like that?"

Hermione shrugged her dainty shoulders. "I've been a single mother for a while now. You get use to it… then it gets old."

"Still," Ron smiled lopsidedly at her, "not many people have the courage to stand up to my mum like that. None of the Weasleys do."

Hermione's eyes softened. "That's not true." She stroked his chin affectionately. "You did. That morning in the kitchen before we went to Diagon Alley."

Ron's skin flamed red. "You heard that?"

She nodded gently. "I did." She pressed feathery kisses to his jaw. "I think I, fell in love with you all over again that day." Hermione's lips twitched playfully. "I never thought I would see the day that you would stand up to your mother like that."

Ron shrugged. "I didn't like the way she was talking about you." He pressed his face into her shoulder again. "I was terrified she was going to eat me alive." He admitted in a whisper.

Hermione laughed out right, but bit her lip when Ron looked at her woundedly, seemingly upset for her light heartedness at his ordeal. She cupped his cheek lovingly and pressed a kiss to his lips. "Your mother is a just a big teddy bear, Ron. All soft and warm on the inside."

Ron growled. "She does a fair job at imitating the real thing."

"Of course she does." Hermione chuckled louder. "She's a mother of seven and the keeper of eight. Not to mention how she practically adopted Harry and myself. How else is she to keep a motley crew like you and your brothers in line?"

Ron chuckled as he pressed a feather light kiss to the bridge of her nose. "Have I ever told you how clever you are?"

Hermione smiled and pressed closer to him. "I think you may have mentioned that once or twice."

"Hmm." He pressed a kiss to her neck. "And when was the last time that I told you that I loved you?"

Hermione felt warmth spread through her body like she did every time he said those words. "Too long for my liking."

Ron chuckled. "I love you Hermione Jane Granger."

"And I love you, Ronald Bilius Weasley."

"Bilius." Harry, who had moved with Ginny to the sofa, broke away from their quiet conversation to gape at Ron with amusement. "Ronald Bilius Weasley."

Ron's ears turned pink as Harry's laughter filled the room. "Sod off, Harry." Ron grumbled as he rose to his feet and strode towards the exit, towing Hermione purposefully behind him. "If dinner starts before we get back, don't come looking for us."

"Ron." Hermione tugged at his hand, casting a worried glance over her shoulder when she heard Harry's laugh follow them out the door. "Where are we going?"

Ron turned his head back to look at her while he continued to stride purposefully down the hall. "If you haven't noticed Mione, my family has decided to leave us alone. I'm taking full advantage of it. It's never going to happen again."

"But…"

Ron silenced her instantly by spinning around and pulling her into strong contact with his body. Hermione gasped as his mouth descended towards hers and caught it in a ravenous kiss that sent bolts of lighting along every inch of her body, causing her toes to curl into her shoes.

When Ron finally pulled away, his arms wound even tighter around her, drawing her into the envelope of warmth that she so adored. Hermione rested her head on his chest, enjoying the maddening beat of his heart under her ear as he took breaths to steady his wild pulse. He leaned in close so that his lips were a breath away from her ear.

"It's not food that I'm hungry for, Mione." she shivered as his warm breath swept over her ear and along the heated skin of her neck. "And I'll not be satisfied until I've had a better taste of you."

Hermione blushed at the implications of his words but offered up no argument as Ron twined his fingers in between hers and led her off to spend some time alone.