Muggle Bound Chapter 18 Divided We Fall
Voices in the corridor indicated that the expected visitors had arrived.
"We can't talk about this with anyone," Ron stated forcefully his blue eyes dark and insistent.
"So now you see the need for secrecy," Hermione pointed out an edge to her quiet tones. She hadn't forgotten their earlier spat.
Ron sighed and tried to explain the difference. "Listen, there's more than you know to this…" he began, his temper beginning to rise.
"Honestly, you two just drop it," Ginny interrupted bossily. "Of course we can't talk about it yet until we know more. I'm going out to stall. Ron, get yourself ready to go and the both of you work this out and hurry! You know what Mum's like and I can hear her voice now." She stood with her hands on her hips and an unmistakable expression on her face. The family resemblance between mother and daughter was startling.
As she exited, Ron and Hermione once again exchanged meaningful glances and then burst out laughing, their understanding mutual and differences forgotten at least temporarily. Ron felt an inner surge of heat and an accompanying longing to do what circumstances and his damaged body had denied him. He threw off his bedclothes and lowered his legs awkwardly to the floor.
"Ron, what are you doing?" Hermione gasped as she grabbed his good arm to steady him.
"Bloody Hell! I'm still shaky," Ron grumbled to himself. Now he grasped the bedstead and gradually regained his balance.
"Ron, please," Hermione started. She hovered beside him unsure of how to help. Finally she settled for keeping her hand lightly on his arm.
Ron's senses, dulled by the heavy doses of pain potions, suddenly kicked in with all the force of an starving man confronted by a veritable feast. Hermione-so close. Scent of lemon and roses. Moist lips parted. Soft touch on his arm. He reached out his finger stroking the silky sensuous skin of her rosy cheek. She sighed tightening her grip on his arm. Her warm eyes were pools of chocolate, gazing into his soul and increasing tenfold the urges his now healing body were screaming to act upon.
She opened her lips to speak but Ron moved his finger and trailed it lightly along her bottom lip before pulling her into him roughly and replacing his finger with his hungry mouth. Every frustration, anger, joy and passion they had ever experienced climaxed as lips, tongue and mouth explored each other ravenously. Ron's body shed its protective cocoon and now exploded in fire as Hermione ran one hand through his hair sending tingles through his entire being. His arms tightened around her bringing her body, yielding and compliant,flush to his body. His heartbeat doubled as her other hand crept up under his pajama top caressing the skin of his lower back. Ron groaned and his mouth began to map her graceful neck. His hands moved up her back touching her lightly and tracing undefined patterns. He was a lost man. He was drowning in desire. As his lips touched the pulse point in her neck, she moaned and broke away. Her face flushed, hair wild and lips swollen, she was a vision of his every want and need. Except for the panicked expression on her face.
Damn! Ron kicked himself mentally, his heart still beating wildly. He was going too fast and he was fighting a losing battle with his now aroused body.
"'Mione, I'm sorry-it's just that…' he was out of breath.
Then the miracle occurred. She smiled that smile-warm, intimate and just for him.
"It's fine, Ron. In fact, it's more than fine-it's 'bloody fantastic.' You just took me by surprise." Here her smile transformed into a cheeky grin before she continued in slightly more serious tones.
"Our timing couldn't be more off with everything that's happening. We really need to work on that, don't you think?" She finished slightly breathless and brought her finger up to stroke his cheek gently in imitation of his earlier move.
Ron willed his body to calm down. He captured her finger and kissed it thoroughly.
"You mean you're not going to hex me or any part of my body for coming on too strong?" he smirked teasingly, still a little concerned about her reaction.
"I'll hex you, you great prat, if you don't continue what you started, but at a more appropriate time," she replied in her prim Hermione voice before she reached up and gave him a warm but chaste kiss on the lips and pushed him gently back. He landed with a thump on the edge of the bed feeling dizzy from their encounter.
Ron's thoughts raced as rapidly as his heart was beating. Merlin, this girl, no-this incredibly brilliant, lovely and desirable woman-would be his undoing and he would love every moment of it. He briefly imagined what "continuing what they had started" would be like and his body reacted accordingly. He took one deep breath followed by another one.
"Here, catch," Hermione had been rummaging in the small wardrobe and now tossed his jeans, a T-shirt and his old school robes at him. No underwear.
"Umm, Hermione, could you?' Ron asked uncomfortably indicating the small backpack beside the wardrobe that might contain his unmentionables.
"Oh, of course," Hermione blushed becomingly and handed him the backpack which as he had guessed, held two pair of his favourite but very worn Chudley Cannons boxers. Now he felt his entire face suffused with red as Hermione glimpsed the orange clothing.
"Well," she said turning towards the door,awkwardly trying to find some sense of her customary self-control,"I'll just see how Ginny's doing."
Hermione took a quick peak at him and gasped, bit her lip and exited the room as if a herd of hippogriffs were in pursuit.
Puzzled at first, Ron finally realized that he was now bare-chested. He grinned at her reaction and once again was engrossed in thoughts of "continuing what they had started." It promised to be a voyage of discovery that would make his fantasy life tame by comparison.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
A few minutes later, Ron's room was filled with visitors. His father, mother, Charlie and Ginny represented his family. Nigel Davies, a weak looking Hawthorn and an exhausted Tonks represented the Ministry. Professor McGonagall and Remus Tonks represented the Order of the Phoenix. And a now anxious Hermione accompanied by both her parents represented what Ron could tell was going to mean trouble.
Nigel Davies greeted Ron jovially, "Nice to see you up and at it again, my boy."
Ron's mother beamed, "Can't keep a Weasley down for long you know, Mr. Davies." She smiled proudly at Ron.
"Thanks sir," Ron said politely and rose from his bed to shake hands. "But I'm wondering why everyone is here." Hermione remained standing in the corner with her parents. Ron noticed that Dr. Granger had a proprietary hand on her shoulder. Ron met her eyes and she gave him a small sad smile.
"Well, my boy, we've discovered quite a bit about the attack three days ago and now proper precautions must be taken," Mr. Davies replied, this time not in the least jovial.
"What kind of precautions?" Ron asked loudly. This did not bode well, he thought. Neither Ginny nor Charlie would meet his questioning looks.
"Let's fill him in on what we know," Tonks said briskly. Dark shadows bloomed under her eyes and her hand trembled slightly as she cast an Imperturbable Spell at the door.
"So it seems Henderson had been under the Imperius Curse for at least a month," Remus Lupin stated."Therefore the Death Eaters had a direct connection to what was happening at the Ministry and the Muggle computer project."
Hawthorn groaned, "I should have known-he just wasn't himself. I thought it was family trouble. His sister and family were seriously injured by Death Eaters about a month ago."
Ron exchanged looks with his father and brother.
"So Henderson was the unwilling informant," Charlie spoke for the first time. "So why not take the computer and the technology? They had a whole month to do it."
"Very true," replied his father, "But it turns out they were after higher stakes. When Henderson discovered that Ron and Hermione were to be involved, he reported the information but didn't realize its significance. But many of the Death Eaters did, the foremost of these, we think, was Lucius Malfoy."
Ginny made a tiny whimpering sound and Mrs. Weasley caught her in a tight hug.
Professor McGonagall spoke decisively, even angrily. "It was no doubt a gift having Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger and the project together in one place."
"You may as well know that it was Henderson's suggestion to work out of the Granger house," Hawthorn sighed miserably. "It was obviously a set-up."
Ron was horrified to hear this and immediately the implications hit him. The Death Eaters were after he and Hermione because of Harry. The fact that they were together in the same place simplified things for them. Bloody Hell, he thought, this could only mean one thing. It was the obvious solution.
"So if you're going to separate us, what happens to the precious project? That's why you're here, isn't it? "Ron's questions hammered the room.
Shock that he'd made the connection so quickly showed on a few faces. Hermione broke away from her parents and moved to Ron's side, taking his hand and entwining her fingers possessively. She faced Nigel Davies.
"And what if we don't want to be separated? What if we won't go?" she asked standing ramrod straight and defiant, eyes sparking and hair bristling.
Ron squeezed her hand. That was his Hermione, he thought with pride. No guff from anyone, Ministry or no Ministry.
"Ron," his father said gently, "this would only be temporary until we have the wards at the Burrow completely reinforced."
"Dear," Hermione's mother coaxed, "We'll all go to the Burrow once that's done. In the meantime, Ron's mother has invited us to remain at their Great Aunt Muriel's."
Ron knew the Grangers had been staying at his Great Aunt's home. Great-Aunt M. had left indefinitely for the country claiming her niece's family too much for her. Frequent visits from the Twins were said to be responsible for her departure. This move accommodated the extra room for the Grangers and their daughter who could not return to their own home until protective wards had been installed. Ron had thought that he would be camped out on the couch at his Great Aunt's, as he didn't think his Mum would allow him to be at Fred and George's while he was still recovering. He assumed that they would continue working on the Ministry project there.
"So what exactly do you mean then by separated?" he demanded. His arm was now encircling Hermione's waist tightly.
Nigel Davies had looked thoroughly taken aback at the determination of his two youngest employees. Now he pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket and read in an uncompromising voice.
"By the order of the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, Ronald Weasley of the Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole, will, after his release from St. Mungo's Hospital, reside at Privet Drive, Little Whingeing, Surrey in the home of the Dursley family and Harry Potter. This will be in effect for one week after which he may choose an appropriate Auror approved destination."
A long silence accompanied this announcement.
"But…I'm still not sure I understand," Dr. Granger spoke carefully. " I thought my daughter and Ron were in danger because they are such good friends to Harry Potter. Why would you now separate Ron and Hermione to place Ron with Harry and leave Hermione by herself?"
Hermione's mother patted her father's arm while Hermione gave an involuntary shudder.
The Ministry representatives exchanged frustrated looks but it was Remus Lupin who answered patiently.
"It must seem puzzling but, in fact, Ron and Hermione are in just as much danger at the moment as Harry is. You see, the Dark Lord knows Harry would come to the rescue of either of his best friends without hesitation. That would put Harry right where Voldemort wants him-in a weakened and vulnerable state worried about his friends and without having the necessary back-up to defeat the Dark Lord."
Ron felt Hermione swallow. He pulled her in closer muttering, "Hang on, love."
"And," Tonks continued, "the security around Privet Drive is almost impenetrable. Dumbledore ensured its security before-well-uh -before. Ron will be safer there than anywhere."
"What about Hermione?" Ron's protective mode came to the fore. He did not like this scenario at all. Herodotus Henckel's words of warning to stay united echoed in his head. "Why not send the both of us if it's so safe?"
Uncomfortable looks flashed around the room. Professor McGonagall was staring with open hostility at Nigel Davies. Hawthorn seemed fascinated with the patterns of the hospital's tiled floor.
"Well now, Miss Granger will be very well protected indeed at your Great-Aunt's house. Aurors around the clock not to mention your family. We really need Miss Granger to work on aspects of the Muggle computer project with which you are not familiar. For that we also need Dr. Granger's skills with the –uh-gidital-no-digital photo work and –umm-the…" He wound down appealing to Hawthorn for help.
"Projection work," Hawthorn supplied gloomily.
"Right, projection work," Davies finished. "We can't send everyone to Privet Drive so Miss Granger and her father will remain at the home of the Weasleys' aunt while Mr. Weasley will stay at Privet Drive and work with Hawthorn on other aspects of Muggle technology."
Professor McGonagall now spoke with all the authority of her Hogwart's office," I'd like it on record that I am not in favor of such a plan. I still believe that both Mr. Weasley and Mr. Granger should remain at Privet Drive until the other arrangements have been completed." Her words were articulated precisely, each inflected with strong disapproval.
"Now, Minerva, We've been through this countless times over the last two days and everyone agrees it's the best we can do," Nigel Davies returned attempting to smooth things over.
"Then the Ministry had better ensure that there are no more breaches of security like the last one," Minerva McGonagall was clearly not happy.
Ron observed this exchange with interest, knowing the history behind his Uncle's Ministry team. He noticed Ginny and Hermione glance surreptitiously at each other. There was definitely more happening behind the scenes than they knew.
Mr. Weasley intervened, "Ron, it's time to go. Charlie and I will escort you to Harry's. Tonks, Remus and your mother will accompany Hermione and the Grangers back to Great Aunt Muriel's. Get your things together, son."
"One moment, Arthur," Professor McGonagall interrupted smoothly. "I'd like a word with Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley and Miss Weasley, if I may. Some Hogwarts Prefect business-it won't take long."
"Well-uh-of course, Minerva. Although it seems an odd time to be discussing school business, "Arthur Weasley said looking thoroughly puzzled and not all that believing.
"Some details that escaped what with our end of term---difficulties," Here the Professor's voice almost cracked.
Molly Weasley gave her a sympathetic look and reacted immediatley. "We'll leave you to do that, Minerva. Come everyone, hop to it. There are things to do and I want to see Bill before we leave the hospital." No one, not even Nigel Davies, cared to contradict Molly Weasley and the room emptied quickly.
Minerva McGonagall remained facing her three students none of whom believed for an instant that this had to do with last term's Prefect business. Instead they were wondering what could possibly be so urgent that their morally upright Professor would lie barefaced to the Ministry, the Order and their families.