The Chemicals Between Us Chapter 22: You said Deatheaters?, a harry potter fanfic

" You said Deatheaters... "

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Hermione ran through the halls of St. Mungo's, panting as she did. She finally reached the entire Weasley family, including a very distracted looking Bill, pacing back and forth in a narrow hallway.

" Ron, " she breathed.

Ron smiled. " Glad you could make it. "

Hermione kissed Molly and Ginny and hugged Bill. " Hey, Bill, " she said with a broad smile.

" How's it going? "

Bill gave a nervous laugh. " Hermione, I've broken all sorts of curses and hexes from various treasure fields and vaults and not once in my life have I ever felt afraid, but now, my record has just been broken. "

Hermione laughed as she took a seat beside Ginny.

" If it's a boy, no old school names like Ronald Billius, please! " Fred said.

" Hey! " Ron was red in the face. " I happen to like my name, thank you very much! "

They all laughed.

" Have you thought of a name? " Hermione asked Bill.

Bill shook his head. " I- well…we have, but not everyone approved of it. Especially mum. " He laughed. " We wanted something with French roots if it's to be a girl, an English name would do good for a boy…" He laughed again and continued pacing around.

" Suppose…Virginia would do nice…if it were a girl…" Ginny said thoughtfully.

" Virginia! " Ron repeated. " No way! "

Ginny stuck out her tongue.

Molly smiled as she sat beside Arthur, across Ginny, Ron and Hermione. " Hmm…for a girl….French name, was that, Bill? I'd like it to be…Bernadette…or Dianne…"

The twins scrunched up their noses. " It's got to be a boy! " They said together.

" I'd like Aldrich! "Fred announced. " I read that somewhere…meant 'chief' or something like that…"

" Aldrich Weasley? " George said. " That sounds horrible! "

" Oh yeah? " Fred said.

" Yeah! " George snapped. " I'd like it to be…George! George Weasley! "

Bill laughed. " Definitely not that! "

And then a healer breezed through the door. Bill stopped his pacing and went quiet, waiting for the healer to say something.

Finally Molly stood up. " Is it-? "

" Congratulations Mr. Weasley, it's a boy! " the healer said with a happy smile.

Bill stood dumbfounded as he waited for the happy realization to sink in. He was a father now! He had a son! He was a daddy! He tried to find his voice. " How- how is Fleur? " he croaked, finally.

" Doing beautifully, " the healer replied.

" Can I see them? " Bill quickly asked.

The healer laughed. " This way, daddy. "

Bill came out later on, his face glowing with delight, carrying a tiny bundle in his arms protectively. " Mum, you've got to see him…he's so tiny and…" He didn't continue. Instead he showed the little bundle in his arms to them.

Ginny gasped, feeling tears at the corners of her eyes. "Oh my! I'm…an aunt! "

Molly cooed over the squirming bundle in Bill's arms. " I've got a grandson! " she cried to Arthur.

" We've got a grandson, Arthur! I'm a grandmum! "

" He's got red hair! " Ron breathed with a laugh. Everyone else laughed, hearing his comment.

They saw Fleur shortly inside a pastel colored room, and she looked tired, but otherwise; she glowed from within. There was a huge smile on her lips, a display of her perfect teeth. She was holding her son in her arms now as Bill stood beside her bed.

" Isn't 'e beauteeful? " she gushed kissing his little forehead.

Bill nodded all the time. " We've- we've chosen a name for him. "

" What is it, Bill? " Arthur asked.

" Philip Weasley, " Bill and Fleur said together.

Arthur laughed. " By jove, I'm a granddaddy! "

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Hermione had taken the opportunity, as the entire Weasley family fawned over Philip, to get out and buy something as a present. The question now was what should she get? Hermione had, thankfully, brought along her car, parked safely near the old facade of St. Mungo's. Should she get something from the muggle world? Or have a quick sprint through Diagon Alley?

Hermione found herself going into an upscale boutique in muggle London. She was going to get the baby some….baby clothes! Yes, that was it! A wizard baby needed muggle baby clothes! She almost laughed at her choice of gift. Wait a minute…she could buy a…wizard baby crib…she had seen one once, in Diagon Alley…it had all the makings of a normal square shaped crib, except the toys hanging from it actually moved without the baby touching them…

Hermione shook her head and got into a store, ordering a sailor suit; jumper style done in blue, with a matching blue little hat. Frowning and dissatisfied, Hermione decided to go to Diagon Alley to get that crib that had been nagging at the back of her mind since she had bought the muggle baby clothes.

She entered the eccentric looking store, filled with mothers and children. The place was a larger than the usual in Diagon Alley, opened more or less than five months ago, catering to homemakers and children. They even sold talking children's fairytale books.

Hermione went to the end corner of the store.

" Can I help you? " a lady approached her wearing robes of brilliant red. " We've got a special on the fantasy crib. From the Elfin woods. Had to have special permission from the Queen Fae, of course. The wood's sturdy as it comes, the hanging toys come along the package too, we've got little stars that twinkle and change from blue to red to pink to yellow…the toys change frequently, actually. Breakfast's got a little smiling sun that sings children's rhymes, Lunch has got teddy bear that can change in size, Dinner's got the stars of course, and the moon. Safety is guaranteed as the wood grows when the baby attempts to get out, but shrinks right back again when the baby's not feeling mischievous. "

Hermione smiled. " That's just the thing I want to have. " Hermione eyed the crib. It was uniquely designed, with intricate lattice work carved entirely from a huge block of hard wood, taken from some forest in Ireland, and since it was nearly nighttime, a little moon and some stars hung magically, without strings, twinkling in the dim light.

" Will you be buying it now? "

Hermione nodded, shocked at her impulsiveness. " Please deliver this tomorrow, address is The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole. " Hermione eyed the magical quill writing an address on a piece pf square parchment.

" Anything else? "

" That'll be all. "

" Done. " The woman smiled. " You're easy to deal with, thank heavens. Most mothers are so fickle minded, not like you- "

" I'm not a mother, " Hermione laughed. But at the back of her mind, she suddenly remembered Harry. She closed her eyes and forced herself not to.

" Oh? You'd make a pretty one then. Shall I have this gift wrapped? "

" Please, " she replied. " Preferably in baby blue? "

" Done. This way to the cashier please. "

Hermione smiled. She was sure they were going to love this. This would've been a best seller in the muggle world too. If only she could have this featured in British Vogue….Hermione then proceeded back to the city, back to St. Mungo's, actually with a bouquet of flowers in one hand. She walked into the room where Fleur was staying and where the other family members were.

" 'Ermione! Where 'ave you been? " Fleur asked.

" Just around. " Hermione gave the flowers to Bill and Bill showed them to Fleur. Fleur smiled thankfully.

Fleur laughed and felt tears forming at the corner of her eyes. " Can you beleev it? I am a mother now! Isn't Philip adorable? We're all so beau-teeful together!"

No one could have agreed more than Bill himself.

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" Hermione…you didn't have to! " Bill exclaimed as Fleur opened the huge parcel.

Everyone was gathered for a little party at The Burrow the following day and the gift had just been delivered. The dining table was heavily laden with all kinds of good food, from Molly's famous pudding to Ginny's half-burnt apple pie, and even the canary creams Fred and George made (with a promise to their mother that nothing else was inside the cream).

Hermione smiled. " Oh shush. It's the least I could give, you know. I didn't know if the baby would look good in those muggle clothes so- " she was cut off as Fleur gave her a very tight hug.

" 'Ermione! You are wonderful! You have to be a godmother to my Philip! Right, Bill? " She looked up to her husband with her eyes glowing.

Bill nodded. " Give us the honor, Hermione? "

Hermione said yes and Fleur hugged her again. By now, the package had been completely opened by a very excited Fleur.

Ginny's eyes shot out in surprise. " Oh my! " Ginny said. " That's- I saw that! Witch Weekly's most extravagant gift of the month- oh my! Hermione, that's beautiful! "

Fleur eyes misted over as she held Philip in her arms, looking over the crib. It was nighttime, and the little toys that hung, as stated by the shop owner were indeed a full moon and a few dozen stars, moving around slowly, twinkling in the air.

" Glad to see your maternal instincts are working, " Ron teased, nudging her with his elbow.

" Oh shut up! " Hermione laughed. They passed around some good old ale and Ron drank with gusto, so did Fred and George. Only Percy remained stiff, drinking a few sips of the ale. He eyed Ginny who had drunk her glass in two gulps.

" Take it easy, Gin. "

" Percy, lighten up! "

There was a soft tap on a kitchen window, and Ron, still laughing, went to see what it was. It was an owl from the Ministry of Aurors. Turning his back, to hide the letter from his family, and not wanting to disrupt the happy moment, Ron read the letter outside of the house. Under the light of the moon and with a soft chill in the air, he opened the sealed envelope. The letter was done hurriedly, and Ron couldn't almost interpret it.

" Ron, need your help. Bad news. Two killed in Knockturn Alley, just 10 minutes ago. Meet us at the Ministry building, ASAP. Lee Jordan "

Ron felt himself go ashen.

An attack? Deaths! At Knockturn Alley? They wouldn't…Knockturn Alley was a very public place-! And he knew who had done it, without Lee telling him anything. Those damned new generation of Deatheaters Ginny had been writing about! What the hell were they up to now? He quickly pocketed the letter, wondering how to tell his father and mother and everyone else that he needed to go someplace else at such a momentous occasion.

As he turned around, he saw Hermione standing at the kitchen door. " Something wrong? " she asked him.

Ron forced a smile. " Nothing. Just a letter from the chaps, congratulating Bill and Fleur for a job well done! "

Hermione eyed him. " You should've given it to Bill and Fleur. "

Ron faked a chuckle. " You do know Lee Jordan's handwriting right? He may be a good drawer, but his handwriting is impossible to read! " He unconsciously clutched the crumpled letter in his pocket with one hand.

Hermione laughed. " True. Come on in now, then. You might catch a cold, Uncle Ron. "

Ron went inside. " Lee and the rest of the guys send their congratulations! " he lied in a happy manner.

Bill smiled. " Tell them thanks! "

Ron nodded. " I will, right now. "

" What? " Arthur said.

" I'm going to show off my nephew right now! " Ron bellowed, hoping his little scheme would work.

" Okay, he's intoxicated! " Charlie announced.

" No, I'm not! " Ron protested.

" Off to bed with you! " Molly said.

Ron nodded blearily and slowly walked up the stairs. All he needed was a few minutes for the party to end, or for the party to proceed outside of the house since he knew all too well that the little clock that determined where everyone was in the kitchen, still functioned perfectly.

He heard the voices and sounds of chairs and silverware clink in the distance as he stood in his room, watching them move out a table and some chairs that floated in the cool air. He waited till they were all settled outside the garden, laughing and singing songs in the night. Ron breathed in, hoping Hermione's amazing instincts wouldn't grab her tonight. Without another breath; he apparated. It was a risk worth taking for now.

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Dean Thomas paced impatiently in the nearly empty room, except for ten other Aurors, the room was rather sparse. The mood was heavy tonight. Two of the Aurors that had patrolled Knockturn Alley had been struck dead, by a curse they hadn't seen in a long time...Avada Kedavra…The question was who did it? Surely young wizards wouldn't go as far as using an unforgivable curse! And Lee then knew that these wizards weren't ordinary troublemakers. These people were highly trained in the Dark Arts. Something the Aurors were good at as well.

Ron arrived through the front door and Dean nodded grimly.

" I tried to come sooner, but I couldn't very well spoil the happy night, " Ron said, a little breathless. He dusted off his coat and proceeded to join the others. " What happened? "

" Two of our Aurors…Zachariah and Claremont- killed. By the Avada Kedavra, " Dean Thomas told him quickly.

Ron's eyes widened. " What! " These people had patrolled Wales with him only a few weeks ago! How could they be dead! Ron tired to find his voice after a few seconds of silence. "Couldn't they have defended themselves? They were highly skilled- even you know that! Avada Kedavra? But- "

" Ron, " Dean said. " It was Avada Kedavra, no mistaking it. Apparently they were caught off guard. I don't know how those Deatheaters pulled it off, but they certainly did it. And did it well. "

" You said 'Deatheaters'. "

" Aren't they? " Dean said. " It's what everyone calls them nowadays. They have to have a name. And that name proves them well. An Avada Kedavra pulled off on two highly trained Aurors proves that they deserve the title. "

" That's enough explaining, Dean, " another voice said.

Ron looked sideways. " Good evening, Sir. "

Lupin smiled blearily, looking more tired than ever. His thinning grey hair shone in the dimness of the room as the rest of the Aurors surrounded him. " Where's Hermione? " he asked.

Ron cleared his throat. " I didn't let her come, on purpose. I thought it best if she were to stay with my family instead of me. Had to fake it to get here. " He gave a small smile.

" Ah, called in 'sick' by Ron Weasley. "

" Sorry, sir. "

" No matter. An absent Auror wouldn't make a difference. To highlight tonight's recent attack- " Lupin paused and ran a hand over his grey hair. " Some bystander reports say that there was only one man who was there, a single Deatheater that had cast two Avada Kedavra spells to kill Zachariah and Claremont. "

" Who was the bystander? " asked a female Auror. " Or is it 'were' the 'bystanders'? "

" Some vendor at Knockturn Alley. Sold inexpensive amulets as a living. We've interrogated her, says that she was nodding off, since it was about ten in the evening near the old Borgin and Burkes store- heard some noises, like someone trying to get out of the way. Heard a few faint shouts, said she didn't want to actually see it, so she just listened- the other one was at the Knockturn pub, the bartender, Mr. Coriander, said he heard shouts so he went out, just got in time to see the green flash all over the place, saw a man in a cloak slip away and alone, with two bodies in his wake. "

" No one else was at the pub? " Ron asked.

Lupin shook his head. " Dean got there along with Jordan, about two minutes after. The pub was empty alright; Coriander was just cleaning the counter. "

" Just two witnesses then…" Ron murmured.

" Just two, but crucial. They're under out protection now, indefinitely. Coriander seemed unenthusiastic, like he could live without our protection, the old vendor was quite frightened for her existence, even though she only heard and not saw. "

" Typical. When it's good old Voldie- " as Ron said that, some flinched. " When it's good old you-know-who, everyone's afraid now, " Ron corrected. " What's the course of action? When are we going to bash their heads and stuff? "

Lupin tried to conceal his smile. Ron had always been a rather ardent one when it came to battles or assignments. The word 'impulsive' fit him like a glove. Harry had been the calming force of Ron…Lupin shook his head once. Harry was gone, and yet his memories were all over the place. The wizarding populace still venerated him as a hero; even some of the purebloods had bent their prejudices against Harry.

" Really, Ron, you can always be so violent. " Jordan laughed.

" Okay then, let's divide the group. There are only 12 of us now, Let's split up into three groups then. Jordan, Dean, Ron, you come with me- we'll be scouring Hangleton, in the faintest hopes of seeing that man again. You guys, " he pointed to the others. " Perhaps Scotland would do well. Hogsmeade's safe so- the other group should be stationed in Cardiff again. That fine? "

There were nods of approvals and mumbles of 'yes'.

" Good, see you all in a bit then."

The two groups headed out quietly to apparate outside of the ministry building. Dean and Lee began to head as, as did Ron.

" Wait, " Lupin called out to Ron. " Ron, come here for a moment. "

Ron, looking quizzical, approached him once more. " Something wrong, Sir? "

Lupin cleared his throat. " Have you- have you seen Draco Malfoy lately? "

Ron nodded. " A few days ago, sir. He had some ailment and was brought to the hospital. "

" Did he mention anything to you? Anything strange? "

" You think he's connected with all of these? " Ron asked, the comprehension dawning on him now. " Well- he did- he did want all of us to stay away. Hardly made any sense, but perhaps his Slytherin bastardly self got the best of him again. "

Lupin nodded. " What exactly did he say? "

" Stay away. Keep her away, " Ron repeated. " He was trying to hurt Hermione…" His voice trailed off and his eyes narrowed. Draco was trying to hurt her on purpose! But for what reason!

Lupin nodded again, as if it didn't make any sense to him either.

" Sir, I have to go, just for awhile, " Ron said.

" Where? You should have company. They're out for our heads, you know that Ronald Weasley. " Lupin sighed, seeing the determined look in his eyes. " Sure you don't need company? Just- just give us a signal if anything happens. You know the drill. And- make sure- make sure you get to where we are in one piece, and alive. "

Ron nodded. " Thank you, sir. "

Ron stepped into the empty furnace and threw the floo powder on the floor. " Draco Malfoy's home! " he shouted clearly.

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A/N: honestly, i'm very much excited to upload the next finished chapter. Is it alright to be excited with your own story? Hey, be excited too! hehe. I've had reviews about the wrong grammaer or wrong choice of words in some parts...i'm sorry about that, but it's hard to be perfect in proof reading since i don't have a BETA and all, so please understand that i do my best to ensure the flow and grammar are correct. I'm still welcome to all your comments, okay? hehe.

Darkangel313 (i'm glad you survived your cancer too! and thanks for reading this story in one sitting!), justamuggle (i'm glad you liked the beginning. please like the rest of the chapters too!), silverstorm93 (i've updated! i got your message!), 1madcat (oh please don't send rude messages. you'll love me soon enough! hehe)

The next chapter will be very nice (i'm being thick and all, but hey, promotion goes best here!), so don't forget to review and give me a lot so i can update faster! rah! rah! rah! go reviewers! hehehe

P.S. my doctor's positive my prognosis will be good. i'm still under treatment of course, they estimate that i'll be completely good next year.