September 4th

Hermione's visit to Ron's Hogsmeade home gave her more questions than answers. When she returned to her cottage, hours before Antonin as she suspected she might, she spent the rest of the day dissecting every single moment of the too-short conversation. Much more needed to be said. If Rabastan hadn't interrupted, she might have finally gotten the answers she needed to determine if she wanted to throw her lot in with her former friend or not. It was quickly becoming evident that she would have to pick a side. Trying to remain neutral or just outside the action wasn't going to be an option.

Returning to Hogsmeade as he requested filled her with dread. What if her initial impression was incorrect and he did mean her harm? It wasn't outside the realm of possibilities that Rabastan's impromptu visit to his former protege's home could've influenced Ron's plans. Maybe he was able to convince her former friend to be on his side again. Or, maybe Ron was always on Rabastan's side and just lied to try to earn her trust. As she'd already told her husband, all of the secret alliances were wearing on her too-thin nerves. Just trying to imagine unraveling all of the knots of the intricate system hurt her head.

By mid-morning, approximately the same time of day that she visited Hogsmeade the day before, she was still unsure if she wanted to return or not. With Antonin still moving around the house, she was able to use his presence as an excuse to remain. Though she hadn't come right out and asked him since the offer was made to him personally by Ron next to the Hogwarts Express, she didn't think that he was interested in whatever plan might be in motion. It wasn't as if he had a personal relationship with any of the Weasleys in his past. She couldn't blame him for being skeptical when she was skeptical herself.

He made his excuses to leave again way before she was ready for him to go. When she was alone, she couldn't focus on anything else. Finally deciding that she would only drive herself completely mad if she didn't go see for herself what Ron had to say and offer, she sighed and marched out the door of the cottage. Maybe it was all a trap, but she had to know for certain.

In almost an exact repeat of the day before, Ron met her at the kitchen door and led her inside to the table. He seemed pleased that she was there, if a little surprised. Begging her forgiveness, he excused himself for a minute or two to speak to his wife in the other room. Hermione sat at the table, staring at the kitchen cupboards and hoping that she wasn't about to be attacked by either of the Lestrange brothers. When Ron returned with the same warm grin plastered across his fact that she remembered from their youth, she calmed down significantly. She really didn't want to believe that he wished her any harm.

"I'm sorry that we were interrupted yesterday. I really had no idea that Rabastan would be dropping in. He does that a lot. Makes me worry that he's aware that I'm not completely on his side. Maybe he's trying to catch me doing something I shouldn't be."

"Would you tell me more about this plot you knew about?"

Ron sighed deeply, clearly not wishing to revisit the topic. She didn't care. He couldn't just give her bits and pieces of what he knew and then expect her to drop it. If he wasn't willing to tell her the rest, why would he practically beg her to come back the next day? Unless, of course, it was to betray her and Rodolphus was waiting patiently in the next room…

"I knew that Rabastan was spiking your potions. I should've said something, but…"

"We weren't friends and I wouldn't have believed you even if you did."

He nodded, frowning.

"And maybe a part of me was okay with knowing what he was doing to you. We weren't exactly on the best of terms, after all."

She couldn't argue with him about that fact. If the roles were reversed, Hermione couldn't say for certain that she would've done anything differently.

"Rabastan thought it was funny that you almost killed your husband. Said that it was his brother's idea."

The urge to tell him about Rodolphus' treachery was quickly squashed. Not only was she embarrassed by what happened to her mind, she didn't know yet if she could trust Ron again. Nostalgia made her desire nothing more, but she couldn't afford to make a dangerous mistake. Not another one. If Ron wasn't on her side, he could potentially have more information about her than he needed. Hoping to strike a more personal note in an effort to test him, she veered the subject of conversation away from what little he knew about Rodolphus' plan. Because no matter how close Ron thought he was to the brothers, she knew that Rodolphus wouldn't have told even Rabastan everything.

"I find it interesting that our sons have become such close friends. All I heard this summer was 'Hugo this' and 'Hugo that'. Funny how history repeats itself, isn't it?"

Ron smiled, not bothered in the least to have the subject changed. It wasn't a surprise to Hermione to know he wanted a big family. After losing his mother and two of his brothers to death and then three more siblings to the Resistance, he must've missed the energy and excitement that a large family could bring.

"Ollie told me that Hugo says you drink too much, Ron. You drink too much and you cry about our past."

"Don't you, Hermione? Doesn't all of this just break your fucking heart?"

There was not an ounce of shame in the man at being told she knew what he did in the privacy of his own home. Maybe there was a time when he wouldn't denied it or grown angry, but the world was different since the Dark Lord died. What could've once meant a very public death sentence could be spoken out loud between two former friends. A nod of her head was her only response to his question about her broken heart. It was enough.

"Who are you working with, Ron? Really?"

His reluctance to answer her seemingly simple questions would've been evident to anyone, even someone who hadn't spent the better part of two decades as an interrogator for the regime. She could understand not wanting to divulge all of the details, even if it was a bit obnoxious. Ron had co-conspirators he had to protect. It wasn't as if she'd always been entirely trustworthy. He would've been a fool to tell her everything. Or, if he was too eager to give her details, an unconvincing liar.

"That's all right. You don't have to tell me everyone, but you're not lying about working with Rabastan or Rodolphus?"

"No, I'm not. I used to admire Rabastan, but now, no. I want nothing to do with him. It's too dangerous for me to openly defy him. I have my family to think about. If he knew I wasn't really on his side…"

"He'd have plenty of people to use against you."

"Exactly. I know our family is a bit of a joke. I still remember what Malfoy said to me our first day at Hogwarts when he tried to tell Harry who he should be friends with, but I love each and every one of my children very much and there's nothing I wouldn't do to keep them safe."

For once, Hermione knew exactly what he meant. When her mind was confused and she was more focused on making sure she had another vial or several of the damned potion she relied on to simply get through her dismal existence, she didn't really understand it when parents made that claim about their children. Oliver was mostly an annoyance in her life, a frustrating reminder that she wasn't allowed to make her own choices or determine her own destiny. After only two months in close quarters with her son, especially the last month before he want back to Hogwarts, she began to understand what other parents meant.

"Rabastan would use your children and your wife against you without question. He likes to…"

A knock at the back door startled her, making Hermione forget what she'd been about to say. Who was requesting entrance into his house? Rabastan's unexpected visit the day before could've been a coincidence, but two days in a row after Ron specifically invited her to come back? She had been too trusting, too foolish. What was Ron doing when he walked out of the room and left her alone for over a minute? Sending an owl? And she noticed for the first time the distinct lack of noise in the rest of the house. She'd grown so used to living in a quiet house that she hadn't even realized a Weasley home was never quiet. Not unless no one was there.

Ron's smile did nothing to allay her fears. If anything, they only increased. Rising to her feet so swiftly that she almost knocked her chair backwards, she had her wand out and ready to curse the horrible wizard she once thought she was in love with and his guest. Antonin was going to be so angry with her when he learned what happened. She shouldn't have kept her plans from him. He wouldn't even know where to begin searching if she didn't come home.

"No need for that, Hermione. You're not in any danger. I've invited someone to meet with us."

His assurances that she wasn't about to be harmed didn't make Hermione feel any better. She kept her wand trained on him as he crossed the kitchen to the door. Not insisting on seeing for herself that there weren't enemies in other rooms of the house was a regrettable mistake. He stepped back from the open door to allow the interloper inside.

"Careful now. She's a bit skittish."

"Did you not tell her I was coming?"

Only some of the fear rushing through her body dissipate when she heard the familiar voice of a wizard who'd never seemed to want to do her harm. With the slightest tremble in her hand, Hermione didn't lower her weapon until a somber-faced Percy Weasley entered with his empty hands outstretched to show he was unarmed. Of all of Ron's potential visitors, the older brother he had the least in common with and one of the Resistance's top leaders would've never even been a guess if Hermione had to try to predict him. She didn't have the first clue what was happening. As he made his way to the table to take the seat across from hers, Percy turned to his brother with an expression of sheer exasperation.

"You send Romilda and your children out of the house and don't even warn Hermione you're going to have a visitor? It's a wonder she didn't curse you first and ask questions second."

"Romy went to her mum's. Said she doesn't want to know anything that is happening here."

"My sincere apologies, Hermione. I assumed Ron warned you I'd be popping in."

She didn't know what to say. It had been months since she last saw Percy in Devon in the middle of the Resistance's village. Taking her seat again, she knew she was being awkward and probably making the men uncomfortable. She cleared her throat.

"Hello, Percy. This is quite a surprise. I didn't know you were in contact with your brother."

"Yes, it hasn't been easy, but I've never actually lost contact with him. Not really. He's even been to Belgium to visit my family a few times. My eldest daughter Molly is almost the same age as his eldest Rose."

"I see."

Sitting in Ronald Weasley's kitchen having a civil conversation with Percy wasn't how she thought that day would go when she woke up in the morning. She had so many questions, but didn't even know where to start.

"I was under the impression from Ginny that she didn't have anything to do with Ron."

The brothers caught the other's eye. Ron's cheeks flushed a light red and he stared down at the top of the table. She'd touched upon a sore subject.

"She doesn't know. You know our sister. She can be a bit… unforgiving. I encouraged her years ago to patch things up with Ron, but she refused unless he turned his back on You-Know-Who."

"Maybe I should have."

Percy glared at his younger brother.

"And been murdered for betraying him after you witnessed your wife and children be executed? No, it's better that you stayed where you did. You can spend the rest of your life atoning for your crimes, but no, you did what you had to do."

Few times in Hermione's entire acquaintance with the third Weasley son had she ever seen him so passionate about anything apart from the thickness of cauldron bottoms and his position in the Ministry of Magic. To see him come to his brother's defense made her happy. Selfishly, she imagined that maybe there was hope for her as well that her crimes would be forgiven by those who cared about her. Composing himself again, Percy turned his attention back to Hermione.

"I'll admit to being a little suspicious of your motives, Hermione. You didn't seem all that interested when you were in Devon to be a part of anything. And then you getting Aberforth arrested certainly…"

"That was an accident. I never intended any harm to come to him and as I'm sure you're also aware, I risked quite a lot to make sure he escaped."

"Yes, you did. That is the only reason why I'm even entertaining the possibility that you could be an asset to our cause."

He was back to being the snooty Head Boy she remembered. It was grating on her nerves and she fought the urge to stand up and leave. How dare he question her? Wasn't she putting herself in extreme danger even just talking to him?

"Why should we let you and your husband join us? What possible reason could you have for wanting to join a rebellion? Especially as your husband seems to be the favored choice for the next Dark Lord."

"Because Antonin doesn't want to be the Dark Lord. We want nothing more than to take our son safely out of this country and never come back."

"Interesting."

Percy continued to stare down his nose at her for several uncomfortable seconds. Without further explanation or question, he stood back up to his feet and exited the kitchen. Unsure what was going on, she'd had enough. It had all been just one giant mistake. She should never have sought Ron out.