It's a regular Wednesday update. I decided to start posting on Wednesdays, it was much more convenient. Thank you to all who added me to their favorite authors and story alerts! Please review! Thank you to all who did, I am sorry I couldn't answer more questions without ruining the story! Same disclaimer as last time. Disclaimer: I do not own any of this. It all belongs to the incredibly talented J.K. Rowling.

Nerdand1/2

Ron tried to shut down his thoughts as he apparated with Harry, hoping that he would not be splinched. Landing with an unpleasant thud, Ron checked his body for any missing pieces, and was relieved to find his entire body was intact. He looked at Harry who had begun to walk away and into another room. Ron looked around at where they had landed. It was an old house similar to Grimmauld Place and just about as dirty. Harry kicked a knocked over chair out of his way as he carried the still limp Hermione into a hallway and into a bedroom. Ron followed, waiting till Harry set Hermione down before he asked any questions. Harry flicked his wand around the room and over the bed a couple of times, removing the dust and dirt that seemed to have collected over what seemed like decade. Harry gently laid Hermione on the bed and under the sheets. Ron felt helpless. He had no idea what happened, what he was supposed to do or why he was caught up in all this mess.

Harry turned around and walked out of the room. Ron glanced back at Hermione before following Harry. Once they the den, Harry turned to look at him. Harry spoke first.

"She'll be fine. She should be awake by tomorrow. I've got to go and I'm not sure when I'll be back. I don't think that she'll need any other treatment. Just make sure you stay here." Harry began pulling out his wand to leave.

"Wait a damn minute." Ron yelled. "What the hell is going on here? I was just sitting at my house and you come in, tell me to grab some stuff and apparate me to this god damn place and tell me to stay put? I think I deserve an explanation, mate." Ron knew he shouldn't yell but he was upset that Harry thought it was okay to just leave without telling him anything.

"You're drunk."

"So I had a couple drinks. That doesn't constitute as drunk. Besides, I was at my own house. I don't have to explain myself to you. Now tell me what is going on."

"You've been doing that a lot recently." Harry raised his eyebrows.

"What?" Ron asked angrily.

"Drinking."

"So?"

"So don't you think you should slow down?"

"That is not what we're talking about here. I want to know how you knew Hermione was back. I want to know why you were together and I want to know where the hell we are." Ron and Harry stood for a moment in silence, Ron glaring and Harry looking overwhelmingly anxious.

"We are at a safe house."

"Safe house?" Ron questioned.

"Yes. One ran by the order. It will have the best protection possible and nobody will find you here."

"Who the hell is after me?"

"It's not really you their after," Harry replied. Ron was annoyed at how vague Harry was being.

"So, Hermione then?"

"Yes."

"Harry you are pissing me off can't you stop giving these short little answers?"

"I'm answering your questions." Ron grunted with irritation. He couldn't understand why Harry was holding back so much and then it dawned on him that Harry was hiding something. Ron knew that whenever Harry didn't want to tell someone something but didn't want to lie he behaved this way. Ron's eyes narrowed a little before he posed the next question, the one that he was simultaneously the most nervous and curious about.

"How did you know where Hermione was? I didn't tell you when I saw her." Ron instantly felt his heart sink when he looked at Harry and he did not appear surprised at this revelation.

"I've always known where she was." A pang of betrayal stabbed through Ron's body as he fell onto the dirty sofa. Harry had known all along. He had watched Ron suffer for two years and not said anything. He watched Ron go insane looking for her and when he eventually broke down. He was with him when he had given up hope and he knew all along where she was and that she was okay. Jealousy coursed through his veins. Hermione had known too. Hermione and Harry had deceived him. His two best friends had left him in the dark once again. Ron didn't think it would be possible to put in to words how he felt. He wasn't sure that there were any. He just sat there having a mental breakdown trying to digest that simple sentence. Harry moved toward Ron, as he started to continue.

"Ron I-" Ron glared at him. Harry didn't say anything for a moment. "I couldn't tell you." Ron, who had been struggling for words only a moment ago quickly found his voice.

"You couldn't tell me?" Ron spat. "You couldn't tell me? You watched me suffer and lose my mind and you couldn't tell me?" Ron was advancing on Harry.

"It's not that simple Ron." Harry replied standing his ground. "You would have asked questions and tried to see her that's why Hermione didn't tell you." Ron's eyes flashed with hatred at Harry's last words.

"Oh so it was a little secret just between the two of you? Let's not include Ron because he is two stupid to get it."

"Ron, come one. Stop being a git."

"No, Harry. You don't get to tell me what to do. I'm leaving." Ron reached down and picked up his stuff.

"You can't."

"The bloody hell I can't. You can watch over her since you guys are so close." Ron's stomach turned over at the thought of Harry and Hermione together. His brain flashed back to the images the locket had reflected seconds before he destroyed it. Even though he was furious and never wanted to see Harry or Hermione ever again he prayed they had remained only friends. The idea that they could have been more, made Ron physically ill. Harry stepped in front of Ron and yanked his bags out of his hand.

"Oy!" Ron yelled pushing Harry.

"I'm sorry Ron but this is a matter of security. You can't go. You have to stay here. If you don't want to be treated like a child, now is your chance." Ron opened his mouth and closed it. He clenched his jaw.

"I can't stay here with her."

"You can and you will if you ever want to work for the Auror department again."

"Are you threatening me?" Ron asked towering over and unwavering Harry. "We built that department again together. You can't fire me."

"No, I can't but the Minister can and he will if you don't do what you are told."

"Then have him tell me." Harry fished in his pocket and pulled out a letter. Ron snatched it from his hand and skimmed over it.

Dear Mr. Ronald Weasley,

You have been temporarily relieved of your job at the ministry. You must stay at safe house number 8753 until further notice with Miss Hermione Granger. This is a matter of national security and you are advised to stay put. Sorry if this is an inconvenience but I cannot stress the importance of staying where you are.

Sincerely,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

P.S. Tell Molly I loved the pie she sent

Ron looked up from the paper annoyed. "What the hell kind of letter is this. It seems awfully convenient." Harry shrugged his shoulders and chuckled a little.

"See you have to stay mate."

"Stop. We're not mates. I'll stay but we're not friends. I think it's time you go." Harry tried to say something but Ron held up a hand to stop him. Harry glanced back at Ron one last time before apparating away. Ron crumpled up the paper into a ball and threw it across the room. He stood up and headed to the room where Hermione was asleep. He reached the doorway and stopped. Hermione was lying facing him, a little bit of her hair falling in her face. He hadn't realized he had missed her so much until that very moment. He wanted so desperately to climb in bed next to her and gather her in his arms but his pride refused to let him. Instead he leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms.

Ron looked at her for a long time unable to concentrate on all the things he was feeling. He felt an overwhelmingly relieved that she was alive but at the same time he was furious at her for keeping so much from him. He wasn't sure how much time passed before Hermione began to stir. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him, lifting her head slightly off her pillow.

"Ron-" She croaked. Ron walked into the room and kneeled by her bed. Hermione stretched her hand out so that she could touch his face but Ron stopped her. He grabbed her wrist in his hand and pushed it away. Hermione looked confused and hurt, but Ron didn't care. He had made his decision. His face was about a foot away from hers when he whispered.

"I just came in here to tell you that I might be staying in this place with you because I have to, but I am not speaking to you. We are not friends. We are certainly not lovers. We are nothing. I am done with you." Ron stood up without saying another word and walked toward the door.

"Ron, please let me explain." Hermione tried to sit up but was unable to. Ron pretended as though she wasn't there and continued to walk toward the door. Once outside it he slammed it shut. He was done. He could no longer care about Hermione Granger.