Chapter 16

Hermione, the Weasleys and Harry waited in tense silence for Mary to call them in from the waiting room. A dark artifact triggered by the ward breach at Rowle Manor had injured Ron, Angelina Johnson and Colin Creevey. Malfoy's intelligence had been critical, and Kingsley had one of his ministry contacts supplement the information that was given. But even with the care they had taken, there were still injuries.

All things considered, the raid was successful. If teaching the prat complex charms was what he demanded for plans this detailed, then Hermione would happily comply. No one had died, but the injuries reminded Hermione of how close to death any of them could be, at any time. Like when they moved Harry from the Dursley's in the summer.

It was a war, after all.

Rowle and his wife were currently locked away in Pinner being interrogated by Tonks and no one even knew they were missing yet. Luckily, Tonks was able to wrangle information out of Rowle's wife regarding the dark curses put on Ron, Angelina and Colin which aided the Ravenclaw trio in their efforts to heal them.

Harry and Ginny were sitting in a corner, whispering, their fingers intertwined. Hermione didn't know what to do with her restless energy. The waiting was driving her nuts. She walked back and forth across the room, finally taking a seat to survey the walls, decorated even more obnoxiously with Ravenclaw paraphernalia than the infirmary and potions lab. She glanced at each of the Weasleys and then got up to pace some more. She was tempted to Apparate back to Paddington safe house to her bedroom and get a book to read, but wondered if others would think her rude.

She didn't think she'd be able to read anyway.

Angelina was the first to walk out the door of the infirmary and George slammed into her with a hug, repeatedly kissing the top of her head with something in between tenderness, need and relief.

"Ow," she winced. "Ow. Shite! Careful with the goods, Weasley."

He gingerly released her from his hold and looked apologetic, but teased her nonetheless. "You call me 'Weasley' because you still can't tell the difference between me and Fred. Even without the ear."

"Please," she scoffed. "I've been able to tell the difference since first year. You two aren't nearly as clever as you think."

"Excuse me," Fred called out from the corner he was pacing in. "We are cleverer than we think."

"The cleverest," George corrected.

"Hush, you two," Molly admonished them, visibly worried. Ron wasn't in critical condition, but she was still anxious. So was Hermione.

Colin walked out next and the Weasley clan whooped and clapped. He looked surprised and then a huge grin spread across his face. Fred presented him with a T-shirt that said, 'My family went into hiding and all I got was this lousy Death Eater.' Colin's grin spread even wider, and he laughed.

Hermione gazed over at each Weasley with an overwhelming sense of love and fondness. She didn't know how they opened their hearts so easily. Already having raised so many children, they took in Harry, Hermione, and now all these Muggle-borns who had left their families behind, alone in the war, not knowing if they would see them again.

Angelina, being Muggle-born, hid her family early on at George's insistence when he learned what Hermione had done. Dennis Creevey was in hiding with his family as well, after the Order had urged them to leave in the summer. Colin and Angelina were both alone. The Weasleys provided familial support for them all. Unconditional, unwavering, and with the whole of their being.

They were the heart of the Order.

Angelina spoke to George sharply and pointed at Colin, holding the T-shirt up to his chest. "I want one of those."

He looked insulted. "You've got me."

She smiled, pressed her body into him and whispered just loudly enough for Hermione to hear. "I like the T-shirt better."

Before he could retort she was snogging him. Molly was about to say something, but Arthur took her hand. "Let them be. It's a war." Molly leaned into him, a sad expression on her face, and Arthur put his arm around her.

It was a war. They were all making the most of their time together. No one knew when that time would be ripped away from them, violently and without warning. The war and its unpredictability added a layer of desperation and urgency to all the blossoming romances around her.

Everyone waited with bated breath for Ron to emerge, but the seconds ticked on. She heard Arthur remind Molly that Mary told them his situation wasn't critical, that there was nothing to worry about, it was just taking time.

Finally, the door to the infirmary opened and Cho's face appeared. Everyone turned to her expectantly. "He's fine," she said, brown eyes crinkling with a smile.

"Oh, thank Merlin," Molly said, tears in her eyes.

"But he needs to stay here overnight while we monitor his recovery. You can come in two at a time."

Molly and Arthur went in first and Hermione sat by Harry and Ginny, looking visibly relieved.

Hermione didn't go on the smaller raids. She attended combat training regardless, as did everyone, but her participation in Order operations was extremely limited – practically non-existent – since she knew too much that would compromise Order infrastructure.

Senior leadership didn't want Harry going on raids either since he was critical to destroying Voldemort, but he wouldn't hear of it. Hermione got them to yield by making him his own Portkey. If he were captured, he could leave at any time. Harry hated having a Portkey when no one else on raids did, but conceded after Hermione explained it was the only way he would get what he wanted without causing a rift.

"What happened?" Hermione asked Harry.

Ginny's ears perked up when Harry started discussing the raid. She was the same age as Colin and wanted to go on missions as well, but his parents couldn't stop him.

Hers could.

Everyone wanted to fight. Morale was not a problem.

Harry recounted their movements during the Rowle Estate raid, motioning with his hands to describe how they maneuvered.

"We made it through the outer wards and were clearing his house room by room. The plans we had of the Manor layout were really helpful and accurate, by the way," he added for Hermione's benefit. "We knew exactly where to go."

Hermione felt a sense of pride in her work with Malfoy. She may not have been on the raid, but she contributed to its success just as much as anyone else that was there.

"Things would have gone more smoothly if Madam Rowle hadn't been awake. She was in the kitchen getting something to eat when she saw us. It was a mad dash after that. We split up and incapacitated him fairly quickly, but his wife activated some kind of dark artifact which hit us after we caught her and tried to leave. Ron suffered the brunt of it. Colin and Angelina were behind him."

Ginny rested her head on Harry's shoulder, and he glanced up at Hermione and grinned. She was happy for him. She was happy for them. And Ron would be okay. She'd snog him this time and chuckled to herself at the thought. If he was in his sick bed, he wouldn't be able to get away from her.

Ginny's brown eyes met hers. "What's so funny?"

Hermione gave her a small smile. "I was just thinking that Ron wouldn't be able to escape if I kissed him. Healer's orders."

Ginny returned her smile. "He'll get there, Hermione. Don't you worry."

"He didn't seem to have much trouble showing his feelings to Lavender sixth year," she said, unable to keep the resentment out of her voice.

Ginny reached out and flicked Hermione's nose affectionately. "That's because he didn't really care about her. There was nothing at stake if he bolloxed it up."

"Can confirm," Harry said, and shifted his bright green eyes to Hermione. "Everything was about you. He was with Lavender because he liked you and wanted to make you mad."

"Well, he did and yes," she said, feeling anger well within her at the memory of Ron treating her so poorly. "I'm well aware that he was mean to me because he liked me."

"He had his head up his arse to be sure," Ginny continued, seeing Hermione's irritated expression. "But have no doubt, it's you he likes. He's not being an idiot this time around." She paused, then looked apprehensively towards the door of the infirmary. "That I'm aware of."

Hermione tucked her hair behind her ear and observed Harry and Ginny. They both looked content and Hermione felt a bittersweet tug on her heart. It wouldn't last.

Harry.

Molly came out, motioning for Harry and Ginny to take their turn. Harry told Ginny go with Bill instead. Ginny got up, still holding Harry's hand and let it drop limply as she walked through the door to see Ron.

They watched George and Angelina snog, oblivious to anyone else in the room.

"How long do you think her parents will be able to keep her from fighting?" Hermione asked. Not much longer, that was for sure.

"I witnessed an explosion between her and Molly over that." His eyes glazed over at the memory and then he shook his head, bringing her back into focus. "I have no idea which Weasley female is more terrifying, to be honest. But she's not allowed to fight at least until her seventeenth birthday."

Ginny would turn seventeen this year. "So, in a few months. Possibly less if she has her way."

"They're trying to protect her. But no force on Earth can keep Ginny out of a fight. Not even her mother." He glanced back at the door. "I wish I could protect her."

Hermione wished she could protect him.

She willed back her tears, tried to Occlude, and did her best to push a smile on her face. "Any of us could die, Harry. You have to take what love and happiness there is to be had where it's available. Fortunately for us," she waved her hand towards the waiting room full of Weasleys. "There is a lot to be had."

A warm grin graced his features as he watched his adopted family consoling each other. He turned and studied her silently for a moment. "Your smile is fake, Hermione. Why?"

Her throat constricted and she turned to stare at the ground, blinking back her tears. Hermione couldn't lie while looking at Harry directly. It worked on Ron, but it wouldn't work on Harry. Not having any siblings, he was like a brother and she loved him so dearly. She couldn't bear the thought that he wouldn't live to see this war through.

"Just worried about Ron." It was partially true.

He wrapped her into a hug, rubbed her upper arm up and down and gave it a brief squeeze.

"He'll be alright. Oi!" Harry's voice brightened. "This should cheer you up. I can't believe I forgot."

He leaned over, reaching inside a bag to his right, pulled out a silver goblet and handed it to her.

"That's a bit ostentatious for my morning coffee." She sniffed, took the goblet by the stem and peered inside. There was a lot of tarnish and it looked old. Obviously, no one had drunk from it in a long time. They might poison themselves if they did.

"I had no idea if it would work," Harry explained, "But I tried to summon Portkeys at the Rowle's. You can repurpose it."

Her eyes widened. "That's brilliant, Harry!"

"I have my moments." The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. "Although they may be few and far between."

She nudged him affectionately. "Take the compliment, Potter."

Hermione cast a charm over the goblet to get an idea of the Arithmancy she'd have to correct. At first glance it looked like the goblet was designed to send the Rowles to Spain. They probably had a summer house there or something. She could work with it.

Bill and Ginny came out of the infirmary looking happy. That was good. Finally, it was her and Harry's turn to visit Ron. Harry got up and held the door open for her. She walked in, received the glare she knew to expect from Mary, and sat down next to Ron. Mary gave Harry a stiff smile and turned back to Cho and Terry, going over some procedure or another and pointing to Ron. Hermione scowled at the floor. Even if they were gruff, Mary still gave everyone else smiles.

Ron was pale, propped up on a few pillows, but he seemed in good spirits and smiled up at them. "I'm getting a sense of déjà vu."

Harry's face darkened. "We visited you in the Hogwarts infirmary when Malfoy poisoned that bottle of mead."

Hermione glanced up sharply. She had forgotten about that. Well, she hadn't forgotten, the poisoned mead was simply pushed to the back of her mind in the pile of things that Malfoy had done out of fear. Including almost killing Katie Bell, letting the Death Eaters into Hogwarts which resulted in Bill becoming a werewolf, and whatever else he was doing now.

But it didn't change the fact that he did almost kill her best friend.

Boyfriend.

She didn't know what the hell she and Ron were.

Malfoy's misdeeds were easy to compartmentalize when she was alone with him and trying to build their spy-handler relationship. When he was making self-deprecating jokes about his Patronus, when his eyes held that mixture of curiosity and amusement, and when he offered that small secretive smile of his when they unexpectedly shared a joke together.

But she couldn't forget who she was dealing with. He was a Death Eater. He may want to leave, he may be willing to spy, and he may be coerced into doing things he wouldn't do otherwise under threat to himself and his parents, but he was still a Death Eater. Just because he was questioning his beliefs and might be a tad bit more attractive than she remembered didn't mean he wasn't still dangerous.

And untrustworthy.

"How are you feeling?" she reached out to Ron tentatively, wondering if he would accept the gesture, and brushed his hair off of his forehead.

He smiled, receiving her touch, and then winced. "It's my side, and why I'm still here."

Hermione lifted his blanket, curious.

"Hey!" he yelled out, surprised, and clamped the blanket down. "I've just got boxers on."

"Sorry!" she smiled sheepishly at him. "So, your side hurts?" she asked, embarrassed at having broached a barrier she didn't know he had.

"Yeah, but it's much better now," he explained, fiddling with the blanket. "Before Mary got to it, I felt like I was freezing from the inside out. Glad we have her."

Harry looked over his shoulder at Mary, still conversing with Cho and Terry, pointing at a series of colored jars with various healing potions. "Mary was your idea, wasn't she?"

She shrugged. "I knew we wouldn't be able to rely on Madam Pomfrey." With the Carrows and Snape running the school, the Medi-witch had her hands full at Hogwarts.

"Is Mary staying then?" Harry asked. "I heard she was only mentoring Cho and Terry. But from what I've seen, they're here all day, every day. She may as well be one of us."

Hermione wondered about that as well. "I think Cho and Terry keep her here. If she leaves before they finish training, then she'd be abandoning them. Unless this war lasts several years-"

"I fucking hope not," Ron interrupted.

"Me too," Hermione continued. "She'll be training them throughout the war anyway. Hopefully the war will end before their training ends. And we're paying her so she may as well be one of us. One full time Healer and two trainees. We did well."

"You did well," Ron corrected, looking up at her with admiration.

"So did the two of you last night," Hermione looked fondly down at him. "Now we've got another big shot Death Eater for Tonks to play with. She likes her playthings."

Ron cracked a smile at her, and she linked her fingers in with his.

"So…" Harry rubbed the tops of his thighs anxiously and shifted his gaze between Hermione and Ron. "I'm going to head out to see Ginny before she goes back with her parents. You can stay here, Hermione."

He gave her a conspiratorial wink and left.

Ron glanced nervously over at the Healers and then back at Hermione. It appeared that her plan to trap Ron into snogging her was foiled so long as the Healers were still there.

Hermione took Ron's hand in her own and he stared back at her in awkward silence while Mary, Cho and Terry continued working over by one of the benches. They must have finished up though, because Mary walked out calling that she would see Cho and Terry bright and early tomorrow.

Cho shared a knowing smile with Hermione and pulled on Terry, loudly protesting about Ron's hemoglobin levels, out of the room with her. "We're taking a break; we'll be back to monitor you Ron. Send a Patronus if you need anything."

Cho shut the door and the room was quiet. Too quiet.

Ron cleared his throat nervously and licked his lips. This shouldn't be so hard, right? Everyone was snogging. Ron had initiated their first kiss. Hermione could initiate this one.

Hermione leaned closer to him and asked playfully, "Do you need personal attention?"

His eyebrows rose. "No," he answered honestly, her flirting going completely over his head. She lowered her head slowly towards him. "I think I'm okay actually. Mary said after-"

Before she lost her nerve, she gently pressed her lips against his, cutting his words off and closed her eyes. His fingers squeezed her hand and he raised his other arm to hold her weakly to him. She slid her tongue against his mouth, delicately exploring the feel of him and prodding his lips open. He opened his mouth slightly, and inhaled. She cupped his jaw and his fingers laced into her hair, holding her close. Their tongues met tenderly and he smiled against her lips, breaking the kiss.

Ron gazed up at her, blue eyes warm and inviting. "Personal attention, eh?"

"Mmm hmm."

And she leaned down to give him some more.

Chapter end notes:

SLOW BURN guys. ;)

There seem to be an awful lot of Theodore Nott fans among Dramione lovers. He's coming up in the next chapter.

One last thing - I've been hearing rumors that this fanfiction platform might go down. I don't know how much validity there is to those rumors and I'll continue posting here because I know some folks prefer to read here. But if/when something does happen, I do have an account on AO3 - archive of our own. Penname is MistressLynn

I also have fanart embedded in the story there. I personally prefer AO3 because the comment platform enables a much better reader/author interaction. Regardless, I'll continue to post here so long as the platform exists.