Author's Note: Thank you so much for the reviews. I was half dreading posting the last chapter, because I know most of you were hoping for a different outcome, but you are (as usual) awesome and kind. I can't say things will get better, but they will definitely get more exciting!
Happy reading!
Chapter 9
Hermione had been ushered to a seat towards the kitchen. To say she was in shock was an understatement.
Dreaded guilt and fear took hold. What were mere threats moments ago, was now a very clear message that her stalker killed to control her. She felt her hand go to her mouth, recognizing that her brazen desire to catch this guy caused a man to be killed. She could have said no, and now he was dead, and it was her fault.
The manager of the restaurant brought her a glass of water and she sipped on it as she stared absentmindedly at the wall in front of her. She couldn't quite comprehend the situation. Her stalker, the killer was here watching her. He was serious.
Hermione was so caught up in her own dread that she didn't hear the two pops from the restaurant lobby.
Within moments, a familiar face appeared kneeling in front of her. It was Ron.
"Hermione." Ron said softly, putting his hand up to her cheek.
"Ron." Hermione's eyes welled with tears. Seeing his face almost made her drop all pretenses and tell him everything. All she wanted was to sob into his shoulder as he told her everything would be all right. But it wouldn't.
"Are you okay?" He asked. She could see the concern etched on his face. No matter how mad he was, she knew he would always come for her in her time of need.
"I'm-I'm alright." She breathed.
Harry and the restaurant manager walked over to join them.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked as he looked back over to the table in question. A tablecloth lay over Savoy.
Hermione nodded.
"What the hell happened?" Harry asked, looking both at the manager and then at Hermione.
"Ms. Granger and Mr. Savoy were eating dinner together, when…" the manager started.
Hermione finished, "he died."
"You were on a date? With Marcel Savoy?" Ron asked carefully.
Hermione looked at him then nodded. He didn't get angry like he did the other day, he just watched her.
"Let's do a sweep of the kitchen." Harry said to the manager. "We need to know who has access to the kitchen and I want all ingredients from both Hermione and Savoy's dinner so we can do some tests." They disappeared past the bar and through the kitchen doors.
"Hermione." Ron said quietly. "I know something is going on. You're not telling me something."
Hermione whipped her head toward him so quickly she gave herself whiplash.
"I'm not." She said harshly, rubbing her neck.
He looked at her disbelieving.
Hermione looked towards Savoy and flew up from her chair. "Leave me alone."
"What is going on?" He reached for her shoulder.
She knocked his hand away and gave him her most livid scowl.
"Ronald Weasley, you said we were done. Now we are. Now leave me alone."
Ron stepped back, as if he had been slapped.
"Well, Harry and I are taking witness statements, so as a witness, you better tell me everything." He crossed his arms and stood tall over her. He pulled out a quick quote quill and it started writing away. Hermione watched him put his 'work' hat on.
She crossed her arms in defiance. "We were on a date, eating dinner together and he started coughing. Then, after a few seconds he died. That's what I saw."
"What was he doing just before he started coughing?" Ron gruffed.
"Eating." Hermione said flatly as she watched the quill slow down.
"Do you know of any illnesses or conditions Mr. Savoy may have had?" Ron asked.
"No." Hermione finished.
"Great. Sounds like you are no help at all." He said sarcastically. "Please do not leave town as we may have follow-up questions." Ron said in his most professional voice.
"Fine." Hermione said. She took a few steps towards the door, but stopped herself. She knew that if she left Ron now, they would go back to the way things were before. She would rather Ron hate her forever than risk any harm coming to him, but he deserved something. Some sort of warning.
"Ron." She forced herself not to cry. "Please leave me alone. I meant what I said before, I don't want you to get hurt." She said looking over at Savoy, his body now covered by a tablecloth, and back at Ron again.
Ron watched her, his face calm. He stared at her intently. She tried to will her thoughts over to him. For him to gather what she was trying to say with her eyes.
"Okay." He nodded at her. She took one last long look at him, turned and apparated away.
Ron had no intention of leaving Hermione alone. Keeping his distance was one thing, but he was determined to find out what Hermione meant by her cryptic message.
"How is Ginny doing?" Ron asked Harry at the morning's Auror assignment update meeting.
"Oh, you know, stressed." Harry said with an exasperated chuckle. Ron nodded sympathetically.
"I can't believe you're going to be an official part of the family in two days." Ron grinned. Harry looked back with the most appreciative smile. Ron knew how much it meant to him to be a part of a family.
"I can't wait." Harry joked.
"Mum is making me come by early to help cook for the rehearsal dinner." Ron complained.
"I heard." Harry chuckled. "You have always been the best in the kitchen, after her of course." He complimented.
"Doesn't mean I want to do it." Ron retorted. Ron thought for a moment. "Maybe I could invite Hermione to come early to help cook too." Ron suggested more to himself than to Harry. He needed to find a way to get her alone, to talk.
Before Ron finished his thought Harry was already shaking his head.
"Apparently she's not able to come to the rehearsal dinner." Harry said pointedly. "Got an owl this morning."
"Seriously?" Ron guffawed. "She's part of the bridal party."
"I know." Harry shrugged. Ron could tell Harry was trying to be diplomatic, but he too was unnerved by their bushy-haired friend. "Said something about important work to do."
Ron wanted to ask more, but before he had the opportunity Director Spivey bustled into the room.
"Okay, let's get to it." Spivey said without a preamble.
"Potter, Ringold." He looked at Harry.
"Took a bit of doing, but we got an eyewitness who saw the whole thing go down. We've got her coming in today to take a look at her memory in the Pensieve. I expect we'll have this wrapped up by the end of day."
"Good." Spivey gruffed.
"Weasley, Potter. What about the La Maison Blanche situation. It's already in the papers. What do you have?"
Ron and Harry looked at each other. "We're looking into it, but there may have been foul play involved." Ron offered.
"I hear Granger was with him. Do you think she is involved?" Spivey tried to hide his awkwardness. It was rare when anyone insinuated anything negative about the Golden Trio.
"Doubt it." Harry said. "If anything, she could have been a target. We're still investigating all avenues."
"Keep me updated. Savoy was one of our own. Maybe not our favorite…" It was true, Aurors and Lawyers had a notoriously strained relationship. "But one of our own none-the-less."
Ron and Harry nodded.
Spivey listed off a few other cases before he landed on the one Ron had been avoiding.
"Weasley, Avery." He called out. "Where do we stand on the Kovac situation? Any headway?"
Avery gave Ron a look for Ron to speak. While he and Avery had maintained a perfectly cordial and professional partnership, he could tell her spark and their joking nature had disappeared.
"He's still at large, but there have been multiple sightings. The most recent was north of London. We'll update you if we find anything."
Spivey nodded and continued to call out names and assignments.
By the end of the meeting, Ron had already decided to throw caution to the wind and go make a visit to Hermione's office. He didn't often visit as Firenze gave off a protective fatherly vibe that made him slightly uncomfortable.
Arriving, he looked on in awe as the place had grown in size and grandeur. Artwork and sculptures filled the walls, but they were of various origins from around the world.
He could tell Hermione's desk immediately as it was neatly organized, and quite a few SPEW buttons were pinned to the cork board behind her desk.
"Can I help you?" A loud voice came from a back office. The loud hoofbeats resounded as they made their way toward him.
"Hi Firenze, good to see you." He said genuinely as he looked up at the massive Centaur. "I was looking for Hermione."
Firenze gave him a questioning look.
"She's taken some time off to prepare for the wedding." Firenze said slowly.
Ron masked his confusion. "Oh, that's right, my mistake." Ron gave a nod and turned to leave.
"Mr. Weasley." Firenze called. Ron craned around to see the Centaur kicking the floor with a hoof, bracing for an uncomfortable conversation.
"Hmm?" Ron asked.
"It is not my place, but I have noticed a bit of change recently." He cleared his throat and looked around as though he would get caught.
"A change in Hermione?" Ron asked, feigning innocence.
"Well, yes. A bit more scattered and distracted. More so than usual, that is."
"Maybe it's the wedding." Ron offered, but they both knew something was amiss.
"Perhaps." Firenze nodded. "I feel as though she has become...distant with me. I just wanted to make sure I hadn't done anything to cause her distress. She is also a good friend of mine."
There was an awkward silence. Ron now recognized that it wasn't just him Hermione was impacting.
"I'm sure you've done nothing wrong." Ron fibbed. In truth he had no idea what was going on. "I'm happy to talk with her at the wedding, if that would help."
Firenze watched Ron carefully, then nodded.
"Please give my regards to Harry and Ginny on their nuptials. I will be leaving tonight for a last-minute business trip and won't be able to attend."
Ron nodded and they gave each other one final acknowledgement as Ron made his way out of the department.
While it took everything in his power not to hunt Hermione down and demand answers, Ron waited until the day of the wedding. His time facing death during his assignment taught him that when a target felt cornered, that's when it was most dangerous for everyone involved. Hermione, although not a target, was the object of his concern and desire and he wanted to both heed her warning by keeping his distance, but also not ignore the fact that something was happening.
Despite Ron's uneasiness, it was a magnificent day for a wedding. It was as if the weather was magicked to be fresh, clear, and of perfect temperature.
Harry had spent the night at Ron's flat and they had spent all morning together reminiscing, then got dressed early afternoon. Ron had made the decision not to bring up Hermione's behavior as it would only distract Harry on his big day. After a quiet lunch, they gave one another a deep hug acknowledging the momentous occasion. Without too many words, they apparated to the Glorianna Gardens.
The Gardens were famous across the Wizarding World for housing the most beautiful and dangerous and potent flowers and plants. In order to pick and prune from these Gardens you would need express Ministry permission. Though that wasn't the purpose of today's visit, Harry and Ginny had decided that it would be the best place for their wedding. They wanted something outside and picturesque, but also something safe and secluded from prying eyes. While it wasn't as secure as Hogwarts, it was the next best place for a private intimate wedding with celebrities and dignitaries in attendance.
As they arrived, Ron caught a glance of Hermione disappearing distractedly into the bridal party tent. Though it was only a momentary glance, he felt relief knowing that she had shown up. He also felt a heat rise in him, as the sight of her in the teal satin dress made his heart thud. Even after swearing off their relationship, he couldn't deny that she was the most beautiful woman he knew. Ron pushed his thoughts away as he and Harry made their way towards the ceremonial archway.
Ron was used to his family being responsible for pulling a wedding together, so it was a nice change of pace that everything at this wedding was virtually taken care of for them. A wedding for Harry Potter was an important event for everyone across the wizarding world. It was almost like royalty. Harry and Ginny had basically been told to create their dream wedding and that dignitaries across the country would ensure that it was taken care of for him. Almost like a gift for him after all he had risked and sacrificed for the wizarding world. Harry, of course, tried to brush these gifts off, but in the end accepted them appreciatively.
It didn't take long for individuals of all shapes and sizes dressed in over-the-top robes and outfits to arrive. It was the event of the century and Ron watched as everyone walked towards their seats with a confidence and style that wasn't common in the wizarding world. Ron had to admit that even he felt exceptionally well dressed.
After a few moments, Ron and Neville bid farewell to Harry, who stood at the front next to Minister Shaklebot, who made it a particular point that he would officiate the wedding.
Ron tried to calm his nerves as he made his way to the bridal tent. That's where he, the groomsmen, and the family were all supposed to meet up before the ceremony.
Ginny had insisted that every family member get to participate in the wedding, so the space was packed with the bridesmaids, groomsmen, the entire Weasley household, Teddy Lupin and Victoire, who he heard running around screeching.
"Knock knock" he called as he entered the tent. There was so much commotion that only a few turned to see him enter.
The space was crowded, but Ginny stood out in the center in her multifaceted white gown. She looked magnificent.
"You look amazing, Ginny." He said, giving her a hug. Though she was strong-willed and liked to hide her vulnerability, he could see that she was infused with a bit of nervous excitement.
"Thanks brother." She said, giving him a squeeze. "How's he doing?"
"Currently? Shaking like a leaf." Ron joked. "But can't wait to be your husband."
Ginny smiled and turned back to the mirror.
"It's time!" Mrs. Weasley sang loudly to the group. "Now take your places!"
It didn't take long for everyone to find their spots. The rehearsal the previous night had been three hours long. Mrs. Weasley was determined that her family not cause a scene.
Ron got at the end of the line, right in front of Ginny. He glanced towards the far wall where Hermione stood uncomfortably.
"Over here, dear." His mother called to Hermione with a slightly aggravated tone. She pointed to Ron. Ron was sure his mother harbored some ill will toward the woman for skipping out on the rehearsal dinner, but she kept it to herself.
Hermione locked eyes with Ron. He kept his face neutral as she made her way over. Her hair sat in a loose up-do with a few errant tendrils curling down. It took everything in him not to go to her and twirl it around in his finger. Her cerulean dress hugged her hips and all he could think about was those hips sitting atop of him as they snogged all those nights ago. He flushed, pushing the memories out of his mind as she arrived next to him.
"You look…" They both said at the same time. Each gave an awkward chuckle.
"You look magnificent, Hermione." Ron said quietly.
"You do too, Ron."
There was a pause as they heard the music begin outside the tent. The wedding had begun.
Ron held out his arm and looked down at her. She slipped her arm through and held tight, then looked behind at Ginny.
"Ready?" She asked Ginny in a gentle voice. Ginny's eyes were wide as her dad gave her a squeeze and stood next to her.
Ginny didn't respond, but Mr. Weasley gave a smile and Hermione turned back around.
Ron could feel her tight grip on his arm and although they weren't quite communicating, he absorbed every bit of the loving pressure.
One by one, each couple left the tent at their scheduled moment. As their turn came, they exited the tent. The sight was spectacular and they walked slowly down the pathway towards the ceremony. As they became distanced from George and Angelina in front of them and Ginny and Mr. Weasley behind them, he was surprised to hear Hermione speak up.
"Ron." She said weakly. Ron didn't turn as he waited for her to continue. "I'm the one that killed Savoy."
Ron wasn't sure what he was expecting, but it wasn't that.
She continued. "I thought I could figure out who it was. I thought I could expose them myself and now he's dead and it's my fault."
Ron's body was tense as they both feigned smiles all the way down the aisle.
"He's watching me, Ron...I'm scared." She whispered, trailing off at the end. Ron felt ice slide up his spine, and more than anything he wanted to drag Hermione with him somewhere safe. Instead, they made their way through the aisle of onlookers and parted toward opposite ends of the archway, Ron to Harry's side, Hermione to Ginny's.
Ron watched her as Kingsley showered the crowd with words of inspiration and love. All the while, Hermione's smile was not quite reaching her eyes.
While he hadn't put the pieces together, his body had known it the moment she was acting strangely in the gymnasium.
Hermione was in danger.
