Chapter 33: Impossible Situations

Hermione awoke early that morning. The case that had been giving her problems for months was set to go to court in two days. There was just something about it that continued to bother her, and as she snapped from sleep that morning she decided she needed to go visit her client one last time before their court appearance. She definitely had communication barriers with him, but even with interpreters, he continued to insist that he had the proper British papers, though he couldn't produce them and she couldn't find anything filed anywhere with the government. She decided that she would go visit him today and try to help him understand that if there were any documents, she really needed to see them straight away. Otherwise, he could very well be deported back to Africa before next week. She dropped Rose at school and headed into the office to knock out a few things. Then Nicola showed her again how to use the translation app on her phone, and she headed out to the apartment complex where he lived out near Gatwick airport.

Ron and Hermione often tried to meet up for lunch on Wednesdays, but Ron had been slightly relieved when she had texted that morning saying she couldn't do it today. This saved him from having to explain that he was actually going on a mission, which he hadn't had to do since they were together. He'd talked to Harry, and Harry had been more than willing to help him tail the squib brother of a magical plant supplier Ron had been researching. He had tracked the substituted plants all back to one primary supplier, who then had sold them to four unknowing distributors. What Ron found most interesting was that the owner's brother was not just any squib, but apparently had risen quite high in the British muggle government. From talking with his various contacts over the prior weeks, he had pieced together that these brothers – the wizard and the squib together – were finding different supply sources of the non-magical substitution plants and then inserting them at different points into the supply chain. But, Ron felt he couldn't arrest them until he could identify if the two brothers were the ring leaders simply buying plants from unknowing suppliers, or if they were coordinating a vast array of conspiring growers in the process. He had spent days tailing the wizard brother, only to discover he was basically an accountant who rarely seemed to leave his office. But, on the last day he had spent tailing him, the wizard had met his squib brother at a muggle pub for lunch. Using one of his favorite and most reliable tools, Ron had managed to use the extendable ear to listen in on the conversation and was thrilled when he heard the squib say he was going to get a new delivery on Wednesday and wanted his brother to join him for the payout and handoff. Ron was delighted for his lucky break, and wasted no time in talking with Harry to ask for help in a sting.

Harry had been relieved when Ron had asked him for help on a mission. While he had tried not to pester Ron over the past five months, Harry had been growing concerned about both the stalled out case and that Ron would try to do things on his own. The case had been increasing in urgency as there had been several suspicious deaths from potion reactions that both Harry and Ron suspected were from the fake ingredients. While it had been almost one month since any deaths they were aware of, there had been several patients brought into St. Mungo's who were only alive due to the quick work of the healers after the potions had gone badly. So when Ron had told Harry he'd had a break and thought they could catch them in the act, Harry was thrilled.

It had been quite some time since the two of them had worked on a mission together. Ron had felt almost like he was cheating on Fi that morning as he prepared the mission outline for Harry. But, he quickly forced the sentimental thoughts out of his mind in order to focus on the needs at hand. While they hadn't worked together in years, both of them intuitively knew the other so well after all they had been through, it was still like the right hand returning to the left.

One of the unfortunate side effects of being two of the most famous faces in all of magical England, the two had long ago gotten used to taking polyjuice regularly as part of any undercover stakeout. Grimacing as he downed the thick potion, Ron mused that its taste hadn't improved at all over the past two decades. Pocketing the vials of potion to take every hour for the remainder of the sting, Harry and Ron looked in the mirror at their new reflections as muggle road engineers. There always seemed to be construction going on near the airport, so no one would question two blokes in hard hats standing around the street corner with odd looking equipment. And if all else failed, Harry's invisibility cloak was a sure standby.

It was late morning when Ron saw the Briteman brothers, both the wizard and the squib, walk from around the corner and up to the apartment building they had been watching. They decided Ron would follow them more closely with the cloak while Harry stayed further back to observe who else came into the building and towards the apartment.

Ron followed the brothers closely in the cloak and managed to stick with them as they were let into a musky smelling flat on the 4th floor. As Ron stepped into the flat, he quickly realized the man who had opened the door and let them in was not the man who lived at there. Instead the overweight British bloke who had opened the door was some sort of broker who introduced the brothers to a very nervous looking African man who appeared to be the individual who lived at this flat. That man's English was extremely broken, but Ron gathered that the African man had things to show the men. He went to another room and brought back a small trolley of plants, as well as photographs of plants from somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Harry stood back from the apartment complex watching who came in and out. He saw a taxi approach, and squinted to see who got out of the vehicle to go into the building. As soon as he saw who it was, all he could say was, "Holy shite."

He tried to sprint across the street, but just then several buses and lorries zoomed by halting his progress. He quickly hurried into the building, trying desperately to see where this new person had headed. Much to his horror, he realized the lifts had gone to the 4th floor, which is exactly where Ron was. Not willing to wait on the slow lift to return for him, Harry ran into the stairwell and sprinted up to the 4th level. As he came out of the stairwell, he saw her knocking on the flat's door. But before he could utter a sound, the door opened and she went in.

Ron was under the cloak against the wall in the flat, and noticed that all four men were surprised to hear a knock at the door. This time the African man opened the door. Initially Ron couldn't see the person in the hall, but could see that the man was suddenly smiling and looking more relaxed. Ron felt a moment of calm before he saw her. But as he saw Hermione walk through the door of the flat he felt his heart hit the floor. Unable to make a sound, he let the words scream through his head, "WHAT THE BUGGERING FUCK WAS SHE DOING HERE? And WHERE THE HELL WAS HARRY?"

"Oh hello, I am so sorry, Rugira, I didn't know you would have company. Should I come back another time?"

"No, no, come. Good time, come in," he smiled. Then turning to the other men in the room, he tried to explain, "she good solicitor and help me. She is one who need paper for immigration. You show her?"

Hermione, still blissfully unaware of what she had just walked into, smiled and said in her professional voice, "Good day gentlemen, my name is Hermione Granger, and I am Mr. Gasana's solicitor for his refugee claim. He has been mentioning some papers which I have not been able to get clarity around. Are you able to shed some light on the situation for me?"

The three men shifted uncomfortably and then the squib brother said, "Pleased to meet you. Unfortunately I have just met this man myself, so I am unsure what papers you might be referring to. Maybe we should be going now and leave you two to your legal preparation."

While the man Ron now understood to be Mr. Rugira Gasana could not speak English fluently, he clearly understood enough to know that the men were trying to scoot out and leave him without the needed papers. "NO!" Mr. Gasana shouted. "No – I give you plant now I need visa paper. Show solicitor."

The men were uncomfortable and started to creep towards the door as Hermione quickly began to sense that something was going terribly wrong. Ron noticed as she tried to subtly move away from the men, but Mr. Gasana only became more agitated as the Englishmen stayed silent. Then suddenly something clicked on Hermione's face.

"I know you," she said pointing at the squib brother. "You're Simon Briteman aren't you? You are the Deputy Minister of Visas and Immigration. How is it that you know my client?"

"Oh, um, I don't know that, well, you must be mistaken in - " the man stuttered.

Ron began to notice the door knob turning at the slowest possible rate, at least giving him the confidence that Harry was at the ready.

"Look, I am not sure what all is going on here," said Hermione standing as tall as her petite frame would allow. "But, it is clear to me that my client has some understanding that you have promised him papers of some kind. While I cannot at this present moment even begin to imagine how this man who has claimed refugee status has come to have one of the highest ranking officials from the Department of Visas and Immigration standing in his flat, I do know that I have a sworn duty to represent him to the best of my ability."

Mr. Gasana suddenly felt the need to explain his case to Hermione. "See, I bring plant from Africa and he give me paper. Here are plants, but no paper," he exclaimed as he gestured to the trolley of plants.

At this point the wizard of the Briteman brothers clearly decided that enough was enough. "I'm so sorry you stumbled across this, Ms. Granger. But we can't have you leaving here knowing about all of my brother's activities."

"Are you threatening me, sir?" asked Hermione. She tried to sound strong, but Ron could hear the fear in her voice.

Suddenly there was a wand drawn and pointed at her. Mr. Gasana looked utterly confused, while Hermione looked terrified.

"You're wizards?" she gasped.

"My brother is," said the squib brother, "but what do you know of wizards, Ms. Granger?"

"Let's just say that I have learned a lot in recent months," she said still trying to sound confident. As she spoke, Ron slowly made his way over towards Hermione. His wand was drawn under the cloak and pointed at the wizarding brother. With the attention focused between Hermione and the men, no one noticed the door slowly open behind them.

"Well, whatever your knowledge, Ms. Granger," said the wizard brother, "as I said, I cannot let you leave here knowing what you have seen. So I can either erase your memory or simply kill you. Do you have a preference?"

"You can't kill her, Eddie, she is a quite famous solicitor. Even the bloody royal family honored her recently," said the squib brother.

"No worries, Simon, I can simply erase her memory."

"And what about the plant man? Are you just going to erase the memory of everyone we meet? I should never have let you talk me into this mess."

"Talk you into it? You're the one with the high spending habits."

While they argued, Hermione try to take a few small steps towards the door at the same time she reached her hand into her pocket to her iPhone. Finding her phone with her fingers, she moved her fingers over the screening hoping she did it correctly to dial the last number she'd called. If anyone could help her right now, it would be Ron.

As they all stared each other down in a standoff, there was suddenly a noise coming from midair as Ron's phone began to vibrate under the invisibility cloak.

"What in the bloody hell was that?" asked the broker man.

"Enough of this," said the wizard brother as he raised his wand to erase Hermione's memory. Still hidden by the invisibility cloak, Ron threw himself at her, knocking her to the ground as he disarmed the wizard. However, no one, including Ron, had realized the broker had a wand as well. Confused as to what could have caused the commotion before him, the broker cast the Sectum Sempra curse at Hermione before anyone knew what at happened. Watching this, Harry busted through the door, quickly disarming the third man, and binding all four of them.

Harry and Ron were still under the effects of polyjuice, so Hermione still had no way to know what had just happened. She was confused at having been knocked over by something she could not see and now she realized she was covered in blood, but could not understand where it was from. Harry quickly realized that blood was soaking through the invisibility cloak and not from Hermione at all as he rushed to her side.

"Hermione, it's me, Harry. Are you hurt?"

"What? Harry? I don't understand. What is going on? I'm bleeding but I can't feel it. What's happening?"

"It's not your blood. Ron's hurt."

"What? Where is Ron? What are you talking about?"

Harry pulled off the invisibility cloak revealing an injured, bleeding, unconscious construction engineer crumpled in Hermione's lap. "This is Ron, and I need you to get him-"

"Harry and Ron? Like the golden fucking duo Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?" screamed the wizard brother.

Hermione continued to stare at the man in front of her claiming to be Harry. Then she darted her eyes between him and her confused client, now tied up with the three other men before finally returning her eyes to the bleeding stranger in her lap.

Ignoring all of them, Harry pulled out an emergency portkey. "Hermione, listen to me. I need your help. I will follow shortly, but I am going to activate this portkey and it will take Ron to hospital, but you have to help him. Hold on to him and to this key chain and it will take you to the emergency room. But when they get there I need you to tell them it is Ron and he is under the effects of polyjuice and was hit by Sectum Sempra."

"What? I don't know what that is. What's a portkey? What were the words you said? Can't you come with?"

"Now, Hermione. He has to go now. He will bleed to death. Hold him tightly. Tell me what you need to say."

"Ron. Polyjuice. Sectum Sempra," she said crying.

"Good, Hermione. Good job. Exactly right. Ok – 10 seconds. Here you go. I will follow shortly."

Now crying harder, she held tightly to the arm of the man at her feet that she'd been told was Ron. Looking at the bleeding body, she hoped it was wrong. As the portkey activated, she felt them being pulled through time and space and suddenly landing with a thud in an emergency room.

As Harry watched the pair leave with the portkey, he immediately sent a patronus to the office requesting immediate back up, as well as asking for someone to meet Ron and Hermione at St. Mungo's. Then he turned his attention back to the four bound men in the flat.

Hermione landed with a thud on the floor of the emergency room. The blood was flowing faster from the body in front of her. She lay on the floor in her muggle suit, covered in blood and tears and reeling in shock as the healer approached her.

"You've landed in the auror emergency portkey zone. What happened and who is hurt?"

"I, um, I was told to tell you this is Ron Weasley and he is under polyjuice and was cursed with sectasimpra, or at least I think was the word," she said between tears.

"Sectum Sempra?" the healer asked.

"Yes. Yes – that's what Harry said."

The healer quickly barked orders at several individuals nearby who hurriedly collected the bleeding man and took him to another room.

"You said someone named Harry told you what to say? Is that Harry Potter?" the healer asked Hermione.

"Um, I think so. He didn't look like himself, but he acted like Harry."

"Could he have been polyjuiced and in disguise as well?"

"I think so. I am not sure what all has happened."

"Ok. Let me go take care of Mr. Weasley. Are you hurt?"

"I don't think so. I was knocked out of the way and Harry said all of this blood was Ron's. Oh God, he took the curse for me, didn't he? Just like he did for Fiona. Oh my God, it was him. Is Ron ok?"

"I don't know," the healer admitted. "It is a very serious curse."

"Oh God, Hugo. Hugo can't lose anyone else. I can't, we can't, oh God. Please, can I be with him?"

"Not right now. I'm going to put you in our special waiting area for now. Can you tell me your name?"

"Uh, Hermione Granger."

"And you were with Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter when he was hurt?"

"Um, I guess so. I didn't know Ron was there. And then all of a sudden I was knocked down and then blood was everywhere, and this person said he was Harry and he knew my name and told me it was Ron and to tell you those things. And he said he'd be here in a minute."

"Are you friends with Mr. Weasley?"

"Yes, he's my, well, I guess you would say I'm his girlfriend."

"Ok, Ms. Granger. I promise I will have someone come out as soon as we know anything."

Hermione found herself sitting alone in a sterile waiting room. She was shaking, crying and still covered in blood. As she sat there she tried to go through in her mind to figure out what the hell had just happened. She had gone to see her client, come across the weird situation with the assistant director of Visas and Immigration. Then the other man had a wand and threatened her. One man's wand seem to fly out of his hand. Then the other man had pulled a wand, and then all of a sudden she was on the floor and covered in blood. Then there was a man there who said he was Harry and to take the man he called Ron to a hospital before he bled to death. How did Ron get there? Why didn't he look like himself? What was polyjuice? She knew she'd heard Ron mention it before, but she couldn't remember what it was. And she was pretty sure she had never heard of secteumwhatever that was.

Soon there was a gentle knock at the door, and she looked up eagerly hoping to see a familiar face. But, she saw a young man in some sort of police robes.

"Ms. Granger?"

"Yes."

"My name is Jonathan Sumnter. I am an auror with Ron Weasley. Auror Potter asked me to come and sit with you until he can get here."

"Is Harry ok? Do you know any more about how Ron is? Does his family know?"

"I wish I had more information for you. I am sorry. All I got was a message from Auror Potter saying Ron had been injured and that you were bringing him here, and that I should wait with you. He said you weren't very familiar with magic or St. Mungo's."

"St. what?"

"St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries."

"Right. I think I knew that. Sorry. I am new at all of this. So, you work with Ron?"

"Well, yes. I mean, he is much more senior than I am. He and Auror Potter are legends, but I only joined the force five years ago."

"So you knew Fiona as well?"

"Oh yes. I adored Fi. How did you know her?"

"Well, her husband Dennis and I grew up together, and we were neighbors. Our mums were best friends. And our children are like siblings."

"I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you. It was very difficult to lose all of them at once. But Ron has been so amazing for Hugo. And, we can't lose him right now…" she said, her voice cracking as she started to cry.

"St Mungo's is the best place for him right now. You did well getting him here."

"I didn't realize it was him," she said, tears flowing freely now.

"Polyjuice potion," he said knowingly. "Ron has to use it a lot as he is so well known. It wears off after about an hour after your last dose."

"But why was there so much blood?"

"What was the curse, do you remember?"

"Harry said sectasomething I think."

"Oh," he said somberly. "Sectum Sempra?"

"Yes. Is that bad?"

"It causes a lot of blood loss. If a body part is severed with that curse it cannot be reattached. That is how his brother lost his ear I believe."

Hermione stared at him. "But he'll live?"

"I can't promise you anything, Ms. Granger. But, if anyone can help him, it is the healers here. They are the world's experts in that curse."

"Oh God. I can't lose him. We can't lose him. What would I tell Hugo? Or Rose? Oh God, and his mum. It would kill her to lose a second son. I can't do that. I can't tell her that. Any of it," she said, mainly to herself.

While it felt like hours, Harry arrived about half an hour later, once again looking like himself.

"Harry!" she cried, leaping up to his side. "Please tell me what's happening. Where is Ron? Is he ok?"

Harry thanked the other auror and dismissed him, and hugged Hermione, comforting her as they sat.

"I am so sorry you got mixed up in this, Hermione. I don't know how he is yet. He and I were trying to catch two of those men in a sting – they are the plant dealers Ron has been tracking down since Fi died. And somehow your client got caught up in it. Apparently the one brother was telling famers in certain regions of Africa that if they brought in certain plants, he would get them an immigration visa. So, your client arrived with the plants thinking it was all above board. He wasn't magical at all, and had no idea that it was illegal. The squib brother – the one who couldn't do magic and is the muggle government official – had been giving out some visas, but apparently was getting nervous with more oversight from his office. They were substituting these muggle plants into the magical potions trade, and the switch had killed multiple people."

"But, where were you two? I didn't see either of you."

"Ron was in the flat under my invisibility cloak. I was outside across the street watching the entrance. I saw you come in the building and tried to catch you before you got in the flat, but I was too late. So I snuck in while they men were arguing."

"He was there the whole time? I don't understand."

"He took a potion to make him look like someone else, but then he wore the cloak which made him invisible. The other aurors don't know about the cloak. It was my father's and I wouldn't trust anyone outside of the family to know about it."

She nodded, not really processing that he assumed her as family already.

"Oh God, I tried to call him for help. When I dialed his number, it gave him away didn't it? I did this to him. Oh God, Harry. I can't lose him. Hugo, Rose, - we cannot lose him," she cried as she broke down into sobs.

"Shh, shhh, Hermione. Shhh," Harry said as he tried to calm her down. "You didn't do anything wrong. There was no possible way you could have known he was there. You would have died if he hadn't pushed you out of the way. He didn't take a direct hit. He has lost a lot of blood I am sure. But, he has a much better chance of surviving this than you could have."

Hermione continued to cry until there was nothing left. Finally taking some calming breaths, she said, "Does his mum know yet?"

"I sent Bill to go tell her in person. I expect the family here soon."

"I didn't even kiss him goodbye, Harry. I didn't really understand it was him. What have I done?"

"Hermione. You need to stop that. He is not gone. He is in the other room and needs you to be strong. And the kids will need you to be strong. So you need to find your inner strength that Ron keeps telling me you have in droves, and you need to get it together now. At least for a little while, alright? Can you do that?"

Hermione started nodding her head, trying to talk herself into confidence and strength. As she took deep breaths, the healer came back in the room.

"Oh, Auror Potter, I am so glad you're here. Auror Weasley has been stabilized. His polyjuice potion has worn off, and the bleeding has been stopped. He lost a lot of blood, but we have started the blood replenishing potions. He has not yet regained consciousness. I don't expect him to do so for a while due to the blood loss, but also knowing he was in a coma only six months ago."

"With the curse was there anything cut off?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"Only the tip of his left pinky finger. The others were only slashes that we should be able to heal, though there may be scars. He was very lucky, Auror Potter. He should recover completely in time."

"Thank you, Healer Ames. May we see him?"

"You know very well it is only family allowed."

"Excellent, then we both qualify. Can you please show us to his room?"

Healer Ames sighed, and smiled at him. "Alright. This way. And I expect the gingers will all be here soon as per usual?"

"Yes," Harry said. "They'll all be here soon."

"Well, I will have to insist only two to three in the room at a time. Too many people really would overwhelm him right now."

"Ok. I'll handle them, I promise," Harry told the healer.

As they arrived at a door, Healer Ames simply said, "He looks bad, but we really think he will be ok."

Hermione looked at the healer, and nodded nervously before walking into the room. She wasn't sure what she had expected to find - maybe something like an ICU scene from a movie, or a posher version of the refugee hospitals she had worked with. But, the lack of IV tubing or whirring machines caught her oddly by surprise. He simply looked so still. So pale. Barely alive. She found herself drawn to his side as if Harry and the healer weren't even there. The one hand was heavily bandaged, and she could see more bandaging across his chest under his hospital gown, but other than that, he simply looked pale and asleep.

She had to touch him, to feel and know he was alive. Reaching her hand for his face, she softly touched his cheek and was scared to find him so cold. She could see a slight rise and fall of his breath, but there was no other proof of life. Tears began to flow down her cheeks.

"Why is he so cold?" she whispered.

"It is a spell we use to keep his body temperature low for a while. It helps minimize the damage to his body. Muggle healers use a similar technique after a heart attack."

"I, I know I don't know a lot about magical medicine, but there are no tubes or machines or anything?"

The healer looked confused, but Harry said quickly, "They monitor him with spells and enchantments. The nurses at the central station can see his blood pressure, temperature, pulse – all of the same things the muggle hospitals track, just without the annoying machines and tubes that are uncomfortable. They give him potions, but don't need to use the IV tubing muggles use. I promise you, Hermione. This is the best possible place for him. I would never allow him to be anywhere that wasn't the best for him. You understand that, right?"

She nodded tearfully. "I do. I'm sorry. I am just trying to get my head wrapped around everything right now."

"Well," said Healer Ames, "I am going to leave you two here with him. I will let you know when his other family members arrive."

Hermione sat on the side of Ron's bed, cautiously touching his hand and face.

"I'm going to give you a moment with him while I update Ginny. I'll be right outside the door if you need me."

She nodded, but never looked up. Holding his bandaged left hand tightly she leaned forward and kissed him softly. "Ron, you cannot leave me. You cannot leave Hugo. You cannot leave Rose. We all need you and love you so much. I've only just found you. Please, Love. Please, you have to come back to me. Please, Ron. I can't do this without you." She lifted his hand up to her face and kissed his palm and rested it against her cheek briefly, before she lay it back on the bed. As she did, she heard the door open, and turned to see Ron's parents walk in with Harry and Bill.

Molly was quickly at Ron's side holding his other hand. "Oh, my baby boy," she said sadly.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said, "I should leave you all to have some time as a family."

"Don't even think about it, Hermione," said Molly sternly. "It's you Ron needs here now. Please, please stay. Please?"

Hermione felt her eyes tear up again as she nodded in thanks to the kind witch.

"Unfortunately, we all have rather a lot of practice at sitting vigil with Ron over the years," said his mum. "But it has taught me that Ron is as stubborn and strong as they come. So, I have all the confidence in the world that he will be alright with time and love and care. But that doesn't make it easier to watch him like this."

Bill and Arthur briefly came up and touched Ron, each assuring themselves he was breathing and alive, however barely. Soon, they had excused themselves to the waiting room.

"Harry," Molly asked, "what time is it dear?"

"Half three," he said.

"Oh God," Hermione said, her head popping up. "The kids – I forgot. They need to be picked up from school. I can't - I don't know…"

"Could your parents fetch them?" Molly asked.

"Yes, of course, I hadn't thought to call them. What am I going to have them tell the children? Hugo will crumble if he thinks Ron could die. I can't do that to him."

"Would you like me to go with your mum? I can talk to him. I did when Fi was hurt," offered Harry.

"I can't ask you to do that."

"Hermione," Molly interrupted. "This is not the time for polite niceties. Call your mum. Tell her to expect Harry momentarily. Harry – you handle the children and bring Hermione's parents and the children here. They will be ok when they see Ron is ok. Hermione, you sit here with Ron for now. He may wake up soon, and you need to be here. Harry will have you talk to the children before they come in to see Ron. Then they can go home with Hermione's parents or with Ginny and Harry if need be."

Hermione simply nodded. She was still in shock, but she was also in awe of how calm yet commanding the matronly witch could be in the face of such trauma. She quickly called her mum and said only that Ron had been injured at work and that she was with him at the magical hospital. She needed her to pick up the children, and then Harry would bring all of them here. Harry would explain everything, but she needed to reassure the children Ron was going to be ok, even if he wasn't awake yet. Harry set off, leaving Molly and Hermione alone with the unconscious Ron.

"Dear, we need to get you cleaned up as well."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"You are still covered in his blood, Hermione. It will scare the children. Come on, stand up and I'll try to clean you up with magic, alright?"

Hermione looked down, rather shocked to find her clothes soaked in his blood. "Oh God, I am so sorry. I didn't even realize." She started crying again, and Molly came over and engulfed her in a warming hug.

"Hermione, dear, it's ok. Let it out, love. It has to all be so overwhelming. One day you don't know magic exists, and the next day you are smack dab in the middle of all of it – the good and the bad."

"I didn't even know he was there. I didn't know my client was involved. He pushed me out of the way – Ron did – the curse was meant for me. Molly, I am so sorry. I didn't know, I promise. I can't lose him like this."

"You won't, Hermione. He will be alright. He looks better than George did after he was hit with this horrid curse. He'll be poorly for a while, and quite pecky for a while after that. He'll whine and fuss and carry on, and heaven knows you will get more of it than any of us. But he will be alright. But you need to be strong for those children, alright? Hugo especially. Hugo needs to believe that you believe Ron will be fine. Can you do that?"

Hermione nodded and took some deep breaths. Then Molly waved her wand, removing the blood from her clothes and casting a cleansing charm over the young woman.

"Thank you. I am quite a mess today."

"Of course you are, dear. Of course you are. Now, you sit here. I am going to go and fetch Ginny from the waiting room. I know she wants to see Ron, but I think she can help you understand he will be ok. For the past twenty five years or so, Ron has been appropriately scared of his sister. Maybe the three of us can just intimidate him back into consciousness, you think?"

Hermione smiled despite herself, and nodded as Molly went off to fetch Ginny. Knowing she had only a brief moment alone with him, she brushed the hair across his forehead and lay down beside him for a brief second. She inhaled his scent and whispered in his ear, "I love you Ron. Please come back to me. Harry and my mum went to fetch the children. If you could wake up before they got here this would be ever so much easier."

She sat up again, and simply held his hand in the quiet listening to his quiet breathing. Then Ginny came in, eyes red from tears, but still wearing the ever determined and strong face Hermione had grown used to on the red headed witch.

"I'm so sorry, Ginny," Hermione said.

"Oh, Hermione. I'm sorry too. I'm sorry this is still happening in our life, and that now it's happening in yours. But, the healers say he'll be alright."

Hermione nodded. "I told your mum I should go sit out in the lobby and let the rest of the family come in, but she wouldn't hear of it."

"Exactly. She knows Ron wouldn't want anyone but you here with him. You're what he wants – but more importantly what he needs right now."

"I need him too," Hermione said sadly. "I am still hoping he wakes up before the children come. I don't know how Hugo will handle this."

"He may wake up, but it could also take days, Hermione. You need to be prepared for either one."

"How in the hell have you managed this all these years, having both Ron and Harry in such a dangerous job?"

"I guess I've learned to try not to think about it. Harry has been more or less out of the most dangerous missions for a while now, but well, you saw what happened to the Creeveys. Safe jobs assure nothing. Shite can happen any time. So we have to live in the present and love those in our life today. We can't afford to waste time when it comes to the people we love. Unfortunately, I had to learn that one the hard way."

Hermione simply nodded sadly. She excused herself to the loo adjacent to the hospital room to give Ginny a moment alone with her brother, but also to check herself in the mirror before she saw Rose and Hugo. Splashing some water on her face, she tried to collect herself and look as calm as possible, like an unconscious Ron was no big deal at all.

When she emerged from the loo, she saw that George had arrived as well. He hugged her immediately as she walked into the room.

"I guess you couldn't really be part of the family until you've had to live through this kind of shite too. Like bloody Weasley hazing," he muttered. "But, they say he'll be fine and back at it in no time."

Hermione nodded, willing herself not to start crying again. Picking up on this, Ginny tried to lighten the mood before the kids arrived.

"Hermione, Ron had told me he was teaching Rose wizard chess. He said she was quite good, and he never says that about anyone."

Hermione smiled, thinking back to Rose's birthday. "Yes, he had stayed home with her one day when she had the stomach flu and I had to be in court. Once she stopped getting sick, he taught her to play, and those two have been at it ever since. He gave her a really beautiful set for her birthday a few weeks ago. It is now her most treasured possession."

"I can't remember a time Ron didn't love chess. But he is so darn good, people get tired of losing to him. Did he ever tell you about the time he beat the real wizard chess game set up by Professor McGonagall?"

Hermione said he had mentioned it in passing, but she didn't think she had the whole story. Ginny quickly launched into a dramatic re-telling of the story, which soon set them off into other childhood tales of Ron growing up and at Hogwarts. Some had Hermione laughing, and some were much more somber, but it was comforting to hear stories of him so alive while she held his still, cold hand in the hospital bed. Ginny was telling a particularly amusing story about how great Ron was at quidditch until he had people watching him. Hermione was giggling at the red headed witch's imitation of him as the door opened and Harry came in.

"You two seem to be having fun in here. Is he still out?" he asked.

"Still zonked," Ginny confirmed. "But I am just educating Hermione here on some older tales of Ron before he was such a big hero."

"I'm sure he'll appreciate you filling in those gaps in her education for him while he is unconscious," teased Harry. "Um, Hermione, your mum and the kids are outside. How would you like to handle this?"

"What did you tell them, and how did they react?"

"They know Ron was hurt at work and had to go to hospital. And I have told them the healers assure us he will be fine, but they don't know anything else. They are both quite concerned, but definitely Hugo seems more anxious than Rose."

Hermione nodded, "Well, I guess that's what I expected at least. I'll go out and bring them in. Are they in the hall?"

"They are in the waiting room. I wasn't sure what you wanted to do."

"Alright. Will you show me? I am not sure I could find my way back. Ginny – you'll stay here with Ron just in case he wakes?"

"Of course, Hermione. Go get them. You'll be fine. I'll see you in a minute," assured Ginny.

Hermione followed Harry down the hallway and took a few steadying breaths before walking into the waiting room. There she saw the whole Weasley crew, her mum and the kids. Molly was chatting with her mum while George was trying his best to distract Hugo and Rose. But, despite his best efforts, Hugo was almost as pale as Ron was, clenching his jaw and biting his lower lip like he always did when he was trying not to cry. Rose looked frightened, her dark eyes wide and taking in the scene around her. Hermione's heart swelled when she noticed that Rose was holding Hugo's hand. Then Rose saw her.

"Mummy," she cried, standing abruptly and dashing, with Hugo still in tow, across the room.

"Come here you two," she said crouching down in order to hug both at once. They hugged tightly, with no one willing to let go first.

Heads still tightly together in their embrace, she heard Rose whisper, "Is he really going to be alright, Mum?"

Hermione pulled away so she could look at both of them as she spoke. "Yes, darlings. The healers said he will absolutely be alright. He lost a lot of blood and is rather weak right now, but they think he will definitely get back to his normal, healthy self in time. He hasn't woken up yet, but he just looks like he is sleeping now. The three of us are going to have to take great care of him for a while. Can you both help me do that?"

Hugo and Rose nodded dutifully and somberly, committing to their important task ahead.

"Can we see him?" Hugo asked quietly.

"Yes, Love. I am going to take you to see him right now. But he isn't awake quite yet. And the doctors, sorry – I mean the healers, have him under a spell to keep his body temperature colder than normal to help him get better quicker. So, he will look paler than normal, and he will feel colder than normal, but it is all what he needs right now, alright? So don't be frightened by it."

Hermione gave a quick glance to her mum who clearly was itching to hug her daughter. Jean stepped over and pulled Hermione in tightly only for a moment. "I love you, Hermione. You can do this."

Hermione just nodded in appreciation, but didn't trust herself to speak without crying into her mum's arms. So she bit her own bottom lip and just smiled as she exhaled slowly. Taking Hugo in one hand and Rose in the other, the three set off down the hall to Ron's room. As they got to the door, she felt them both hesitate. So, she was soon crouched down again so she could meet them at eye level.

"Don't be scared, alright? It is just Ron. Hugo, did you ever visit your mummy in this hospital?"

He nodded, his bottom lip out and tears filling his eyes.

"And they took great care of her and got her all better didn't they?"

He nodded again.

"So, it is just like that. It might even be the same people caring for Ron that cared for your mummy. And just like your mummy did before Christmas, Ron needs all three of us to be there for him. We need to touch him and hug him and tell him we love him so he knows we are all wanting him to get better very soon."

Then she looked at Rose. "Rose, it is different than the muggle hospitals we are used to. There aren't any machines or tubes or anything like that. Really, he is just on the bed asleep. He looks pale and has some big bandages on his hand, but it is just the same Ron that falls asleep on the couch in front of the tele. And Ginny is in there, so she is probably teasing him about something in his sleep."

"Maybe she's teasing him for snoring. Is he snoring?" asked Hugo. "Ron usually snores."

"You know, I don't know," laughed Hermione. "Shall we go in and find out?"

Hugo nodded, and she propped open the door to walk in with the two nervous souls following her. She felt their hands each clasp hers ever more tightly as they came in the room. She walked them both over to the bed where she sat down on the mattress next to him.

"Ron, look who I have brought to visit you. All three of us have been quite worried about you. But, the healers tell us you will get all better soon. So, we all wanted to come and visit you and make sure you know how much we all love you and want to get better." As she spoke, she unconsciously took his hand in the one that was holding Rose's as well. Rose then clasped Ron's hand, and Hermione brushed his bangs away from his eyes.

"Hugo, do you want to hug him or say anything to him?"

Hugo looked at him with huge, wet eyes. Ginny, watching from across the room said quietly, "Hugo, I promise, you won't hurt him. He is just asleep. See, I can smack his arm just like I always do," and with that Ginny gave him a playful light punch to his bicep. Ron didn't move, but he did let out a light snore.

At the sound of the snore, Hugo visibly relaxed. Finally, he smiled a little and said, "He is ok. It still sounds like his snoring."

Ginny and Hermione started laughing at this, and soon both kids were laughing as well.

"When will he wake up, Mum?" asked Rose.

"We don't really know that yet," Hermione answered truthfully. They said it could be right away or take a few days. It just depends on how long it takes his body to get better and feel stronger."

"Is there anything we can do to make it faster? Can anyone do any magic to speed it up?"

Ginny smiled at the girl's thinking. "Believe it or not, they already have used a lot of magic. He had a lot of really bad cuts and was bleeding a whole lot. But, the healers used magic to stop the bleeding much faster than any plasters could have. And now they have given him some special potions to replenish the blood he lost. So, once he gets stronger from the new blood, he should get some color back and then wake up some. He'll still be really tired for a while, but everything is one step at a time, right?"

"I guess that's good, then," said Rose. "When Ron gave me potions for my stomach when I was poorly I got better a lot faster than when I was using muggle medicine. Hopefully this will work faster than plasters too then."

"Exactly," said Hermione.

"But we can't do anything to help?" asked Hugo quietly.

"I think being here helps. I think if you hugged him gently and told him how you care about him it would help. And maybe you could make some of your wonderful art to help put some life into this room so that when he wakes up he can know you were here and thinking of him. I know how much he loves your pictures, so I think that would be brilliant."

"I can do that," said Hugo clearly already planning his artwork in his head.

"And we really won't hurt him?" asked Rose, still tentative.

"I promise. Watch," said Hermione as she gently hugged him and kissed his cheek. Looking at the still tentative kids, she asked. "Here, does one of you want to sit up here on the bed next to him for a minute? I can switch places with you."

"OK," said Hugo. And soon he had crawled up next to Ron's right side, as not to bump his bandaged hand. He leaned up against Ron's side and briefly closed his eyes.

Hermione instinctively moved Ron's right arm around Hugo's shoulders like he always did when he was awake so Hugo could snuggle into him better. She and Rose sat down, and Ginny started quietly chatting with Rose as much to give Hugo a private moment as anything else. Hermione could tell what Ginny was doing and mouthed a grateful "thank you" to the witch. Ginny simply nodded and smiled while continuing her small talk. Hermione strained her ears to see if she could hear anything Hugo was saying, as she could see him whispering in Ron's ear.

"You have to get better," Hugo whispered to Ron. "Mummy left and Daddy left and Gran left and Grandad left and you promised you wouldn't leave. And I believed you, and you always keep your promises, Ron. So you can't leave. And I promise I won't read ahead without you in our book. And I can bring you my bear Simon if that helps. And if you come back I promise not to tease you about being mushy with Hermione. And we can even live in her house just please don't leave me. I love you Ron. You can't die too."

Hermione hadn't heard the whole thing, but she had heard enough for her heart to break and the tears to well up. She wasn't sure if she should hug Hugo, or leave him in his private moment. Once again, Ginny intervened to save her.

"Hermione, why don't you use the loo while we are all here to look after Ron? Rose, do you want a moment with Ron too?"

Hermione quickly stood up and made her way to the loo before either child could see her face. She ran the water to cover the sound of her crying and cursed herself for not remembering the silencing charm Ron had tried to teach her a few weeks prior. After letting out a few sobs, she was able to wash her face and pull herself back together. As she came back into the hospital room, she saw Rose telling Ron about some chess moves she anticipated trying on him once he woke up. She leaned against the wall and soon Ginny was standing next to her.

"You're doing great, Hermione. Hang in there," she whispered.

"Thanks. I am so glad you are here, Gin. I would have crumpled long ago on my own."

"That's what family is for," Ginny said as she hugged her.

After a bit, the children were clearly getting tired of the hospital room. Ginny picked up on their restlessness and proposed an idea to the group.

"I'm sure you two are getting hungry. How about we get my kiddos from the waiting room and head out to grab some dinner. Then we can pick something up to bring back here for Hermione and maybe even Ron by then, alright?"

Rose and Hugo nodded enthusiastically. Rose started to follow Ginny out, but Hugo went up to Hermione for a moment.

"Are you ok, Love?" she asked.

"Are you going to stay here with Ron all night?"

"Yes, I think so, Hugo. I don't want him to wake up and have no one here for him, you know?"

"Good. I thought the same thing, but then where am I going to sleep tonight?"

"Well, I don't have that all planned out yet. I am sure there are multiple options. Maybe my parents could stay at your house or my house with you and Rose, or you two could sleep there. Or you could probably stay with Ginny and Harry as well. Do you have a preference?"

"I would like it if Rose and I stayed at your parents' house. That way we wouldn't be at either house with you and Ron missing. It will feel more like a sleepover and less sad."

"Alright, Hugo. Then that is exactly what we will do. And you know what Ron would say to your idea?"

"I think he'd say 'I like the way you think, Buddy.'"

"Very likely," Hermione laughed. "Or maybe he'd say 'that's bloody brilliant!'"

They were both laughing now, and Hugo hugged her before following Ginny and Rose out into the hallway. Harry soon brought her mum back in.

Jean hugged her daughter tightly, but Hermione cut her off. "Mum, I want to really hug you, but I cannot start crying again. So can I have a raincheck on that emotional moment, please?"

"Of course, darling," her mum chuckled. "What can I do?"

"I need you to keep the kids tonight, and well – until Ron is discharged I suppose. But Hugo very specifically said he wants to have a sleepover at your house because it would be too sad at his house or our house without Ron and me."

"That kid knows how to cut to the heart of every issue, doesn't he?" asked Harry. "Jean, do you want to come to dinner, or do you want me to bring the kids to your house later?"

"If you don't mind, I think I will pass on dinner and pop home now to get everything set up for my unexpected houseguests."

"Absolutely. We'll take them to dinner, come back here to bring Hermione some food and say goodnight, and then we will swing by and get their things before dropping them at your place. So – it could be three hours or so at the earliest I would suspect."

"Brilliant. That works well. I appreciate it Harry. Can I give you my address and phone number in case anything comes up?"

They swapped information, and soon Hermione was on her own with Ron in the quiet hospital room. Suddenly overcome with the exhaustion of the emotional day, she crawled into the bed and curled up to Ron's right side as Hugo had done. She moved his arm around her, and lay her head on his chest listening to him breathe and snore gently.

"I wanted to sleep in your arms again, Ron, but not like this," she said sadly. She held his right hand, rubbing it instinctively to try and warm it up. "I know you must be freezing," she muttered. "But the doctors or healers or whoever they are said it's best for you. But, your right hand seems perfectly fine, so maybe I can at least keep that one warm for you."

She kept talking to him as the room's light shifted from afternoon to evening. A nurse came in to check on him, but nothing had changed. Hermione lay back down again and continued nattering away to him about how proud he would have been of Hugo today. She had stopped talking but was lazily tracing aimless patterns on his chest when she felt the tiniest of stirs in his body. She immediately froze, and said, "Ron? Ron, are you waking up, Love?"

She waited a moment more, felt another stir and heard a tiny moan. She bolted upright and held his face in one hand and his right hand in the other. "Ron, darling, please wake up. I have been so scared without you, please, Ron. Please wake up, Love. I am right here."

Soon his eyes fluttered open and the expression on his face went from confusion to relief to pain and back to relief. "Hermione?" he croaked in a whisper.

Her face breaking into an uncontrollable grin, she busted out in a mixture of laughter and tears. "Oh Ron, I am right here. I was so worried!" She leaned down to kiss him and he struggled to lift his hand to wipe her tears, but was in too much pain.

"No, no, don't try to move yet. I am right here, Ron. Everything's going to be ok now. Oh, thank God you are alright. Here, let me get you some water."

She quickly gave him a few sips of water, which he drank gratefully and then lay his head back on the pillow. "How long have I been out?" he asked groggily.

"Maybe 10 hours? I am not sure what time we got here actually. What do you remember?"

"I remember pushing you out of the way and then realizing the third bloke had a wand. And – well, I guess that's it. What happened?"

She recounted the story as best she could, assuring him that Harry could correct the magic parts she got wrong. She apologized at least 10 times for not kissing him before the healers took him back to the room, and she told him about his family visiting and how brave the kids had been. And he teared up when she told him what she had overheard Hugo tell him. Then she finally said, "I should probably tell the healers you are awake. Let me pop my head into the hall and see who I can find."

Within a few minutes, Healer Ames had come in and checked Ron fully. She had said how pleased she was he was awake already, but warned him that it would be a few weeks at a minimum before he was back to full speed, and that would only be if he followed the orders for rest and recuperation to the letter. Ron grumbled when Healer Ames said it would still be at least two days before he could go home, as he needed to regularly take the blood replenishing potion. But Hermione nipped his grumbling off and assured the healer in no uncertain terms Ron would be adhering to anything he was told. The healer asked about his pain level, and he admitted that it was an issue. Soon the healer had left to order more pain potions, leaving the two alone again.

Hermione sat back down on the bed. "I thought I had lost you today," she admitted, fiddling nervously with his bedsheet.

He reached for hand, steadying it and then drawing it up to his mouth to kiss. "I am so sorry this happened, Hermione. I can only imagine how scary all of this was for you."

"I had to fall for the bloody hero who jumps in front of a curse to save my life."

"Well today at least the bloody part of the description was accurate," he quipped.

Swatting him lightly, Hermione shook her head but her tone was serious. "I can't do this again, Ron. I don't know how Ginny has managed it, or how Dennis managed it. Please don't make me do this again. Please tell me that was your last dangerous mission."

He looked her in the eye and said, "It was my last mission. I'm done. I had to finish Fi's last case. But it is done, now. I'll resign as soon as I see Harry later."

"You don't have to resign, Ron. Just – can you not do the missions anymore?"

"No – I'm done. I already knew I was ready for something else. I just had to finish what Fi had started. I owed it to her. But, I am ready to move on. I'll take some time now and figure out what's next. Maybe I'll teach or help George. I don't know. But, no more missions. I promise."

"Thank you," she said as she released a tight breath.

"But do you know what?" he asked, voice still groggy.

"Hmm?"

"I have woken up in St Mungo's more times than I care to remember. But never, ever have I woken up to such a beautiful site. Often times no one was there. Or maybe Fi or Harry or my parents or siblings. But having someone to come back to, to come back for – Hermione, you just don't even know what that means to me," he said as his voice cracked again and the tears filled his eyes.

Hermione was crying now too. She leaned down to kiss him gently, but they quickly intensified the kiss, Hermione only pulling back when she heard Ron wince in pain as he went to move his hand.

"I love you, Ron Weasley," she sighed as she helped him ease back into a comfortable position on the bed.

"I love you too, Hermione. Here, come up here. Even if I can't snog you properly I can at least hold you," he said.

Smiling, she obliged and returned to the nook under his right arm. He twirled her hair absentmindedly.

"I am still not totally clear on how you happened to end up there today," he said quietly. "I have never felt my heart drop like it did when I saw you walk in that door."

She was quiet for a moment and then said, "Do you remember how you said once that we had a tremendous ability to get ourselves into impossible situations?"

He nodded.

"I think it was just one of those things. Mr. Gasana has been my client for a while, and he kept telling me that some big government man had papers for him, and I could never quite figure out what he was going on about. His court case was in two days, which reminds me I should try to figure out what happened to him and his case, but anyway that's for tomorrow I suppose. When I woke up this morning I just thought I needed to give it one last try to figure out what was going on or he would be deported in a few days. So, I took the train out to Gatwick and caught a cab to his apartment. Apparently you were already inside, and Harry saw me go in, but couldn't get to me before I entered the flat. Simon Briteman, who I have now learned is a squib, is high up – or was high up, again I'll have to ask Harry about that – anyway, he had been promising visas to farmers bringing in the rare muggle plants. The Briteman brothers then sold them as magical ingredients into the potion suppliers like you thought. The third bloke I have no idea about. Harry will have to fill you in on that. But, all of us ending up there today at the same time – that was just luck. Whether it was good luck or bad luck I have yet to figure out."

As she finished the story she heard a light knock at the door, and in came Harry followed by Rose and Hugo. Hermione beamed at them, "look who woke up!"

"RON!" they both yelled as they ran to the bed wearing grins.

"Easy, easy guys, " Hermione said. "You can hug him, just don't attack him, alright?"

Ron was beaming and trying hard to sit up. Hermione quickly helped him sit so both kids could pile up on the bed.

Rose was smiling, but Hugo was now openly crying.

"Hey buddy, don't cry, it's ok. I'm alright, see?"

"I was so scared you weren't going to be ok," Hugo sniffled as he hugged the injured red-head.

"I am so, so sorry I scared you, Hugo. We caught the bad guys today. They were the bad guys your mummy had been trying to catch last year, and I just really wanted to finish it for her. But now it's all done."

"That was the same bad guys who hurt you before Christmas?"

"Well, the same case. I wanted so much to finish your mummy's work."

Then with piercing clarity, Hugo looked straight in Ron's eyes and said, "I am the work Mummy needs you to finish. Let other aurors catch the bad guys. Please don't get hurt again, Ron."

Watching this from across the room, Hermione and Harry both teared up.

Holding Hugo's gaze, Ron said, "I can't promise I won't get hurt again, Hugo. But I promise I won't go on any more auror missions. Actually, can I ask you a favor?"

Hugo nodded. Ron whispered in his ear, "Will you go over and tell Harry that I quit, and that he needs to find a new auror because I have more important work to do now?"

Smiling, Hugo nodded, hopped off the bed and walked straight up to Harry.

"Thanks for dinner, Harry. And Ron says he quits. You need to find someone else to chase the bad wizards. His family is his important work now."

Now Hermione was crying, and Harry squatted down to be at Hugo's level. "Usually I would never let my best auror leave without trying to talk him out of it. But I think you just gave me the best argument ever to let him resign."

Hugo was beaming, Hermione was crying, and Rose was tearing up and laughing at the same time.

"We brought food, but they didn't have plates, napkins and cups. I am going to see if I can find some out on the unit somewhere. You two take a minute and say goodnight to Ron, alright? And then we'll head out for the night."

Ron appreciated Harry giving him a moment alone with his new family. He knew they had all been through the ringer that day, and he desperately wanted them all to trust he was ok and believe they would get back to their relatively new normal very soon.

"Can all of you sit up here a moment," he said as he tried to sit up to make room for all of them.

"Don't move too much, Ron," cautioned Rose, "we have plenty of space."

"I'm ok," Ron said. "I just want to be sure you guys know I am ok. I really am, alright? Today was scary, but it is behind us know. The healer said I will be totally back to normal in a few weeks if I follow all of their instructions about potions and resting and such."

"It was scary, Ron. But, I can tell you are acting like yourself again," said Rose.

Hermione smiled and said, "Hugo said he wanted he and Rose to spend the night at my parents' house tonight so it would feel like a sleepover instead of something sad."

"I like how you think, buddy. I think it's a bloody brilliant plan!"

Hermione and Hugo doubled over in laughter, leaving Ron and Rose staring in confusion. "What?" he asked.

"We both predicted you would say exactly that," laughed Hugo.

"Exactly," laughed Hermione, tears now rolling down her cheek.

"Well, I'm glad I can be both predictable and a source of such entertainment," teased Ron.

"Oh, me too," smiled Hermione.

"So, we're all ok? All four of us?" asked Ron.

Hugo nodded, and Rose smiled and said, "Yup. The family is all alright, Ron. We're so glad you're ok. Love you." With that she hugged him gently, and he kissed her cheek.

"I love you, too," Hugo added as he hugged Ron.

"I don't know how I got so lucky," said Ron trying not to get choked up. "I love each of you so much."

"Alright," said Hermione sensing Ron need the same help Ginny had given her earlier, "you two are going to be good tonight and go right to bed?"

They nodded.

"And Harry is going to stop by each house and pack up your clothes, right?"

More nodding.

"The healer made it sound like Ron would be here until Saturday, so pack at least enough to last til then."

"Mummy, what about your clothes?"

"Oh, I will just stay in this for now."

"No, Hermione. That's not good. Rose and I will pack up a bag and have Harry bring it back for you."

"Brilliant plan, buddy," smiled Ron.

"I don't want to make him come all the way back here," protested Hermione.

"Mum, he's a wizard. It will take him less than five minutes to apparate here and then back to his own house."

"Fair point," acknowledged Hermione. "I wonder when I will stop forgetting things like that."

"Probably not this week," joked Ron, as he moved his good arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

Harry came back into the room and set up the take away on the side table, telling them he'd checked with the healers, and Ron could eat anything he felt up to eating.

"Harry, can you drop a bag back here for Mum after you take us to my grandparents' house?"

"Of course, that's a great idea. We can bring things for Ron as well. Are you two ready to go?"

Soon the kids had hugged Ron and Hermione again and had left with Harry. By the time they'd eaten and cleaned up the mess, Harry was back with their overnight bags.

"You have pretty amazing kids," Harry observed.

Ron beamed while Hermione said, "Thanks, Harry. And, thanks for everything today. I would have been an utter disaster without your help – with all of it."

"That's what family is for, Hermione. Now, you get some rest tonight, alright? Do you need anything before I head out?"

"No – you've been amazing. Tomorrow I want to ask you some more about what to do about my client. But right now, I want to make sure Ron gets some pain medicine and goes to sleep."

"Will do. Good night."

"Thanks, Harry," said Ron, and with that Harry headed home.

After the nurse had come and administered his next round of potions, Ron was starting to get very drowsy.

"I need to let you sleep, Ron. I'm going to stretch out on the reclining chair for the night."

"Please don't," Ron pleaded. "I know it's not ideal, but please stay with me on the bed."

"I want you to rest, Ron."

"I thought we'd established that we both sleep better together."

With no argument left, Hermione conceded. "Alright, I'm going to use the loo and brush my teeth and then I'll come to bed."

Soon Hermione had curled up on Ron's right side as he began to drift off. Once he was asleep and snoring lightly, Hermione was lulled to sleep as well. The terror of the day behind them, they both rested clinging to each other.

(Author's Note: Please leave your thoughts in a review. Thanks for reading...carrytheotter)