CHAPTER THREE: Hold My Hand and I'll Walk You Through

Snow was falling.

Mesmerised, Hermione watched as delicate, soft pieces of snow danced around her in the brisk winter breeze. Lost in the moment, she almost felt as though she was ten years old again when her parents used to take her outside to watch the first of the snowflakes fall. She knew she was deluding herself, and that the transition back to reality would be far worse for having thought of it, but she could not help but picture her parents – laughing – sitting on the little white bench outside of her childhood home. They were not aware of the dangers the world would present in just twelve years time. They did not know that their home would burn down or that Mrs Granger would be a widow in the future. They were happy. Smiling. Content.

It was almost laughable.

She wished things could be as simple and innocent as they were back then. But they weren't. They couldn't be. They never would be again.

Hermione was drawn from her memories by the mournful sobs of Mrs Weasley. Her cries seemed to reverberate around the grave-yard as if they were in a mountainous valley rather than on a small hill in Little Paddington. It was such a heart wrenching, deep, sorrow-filled cry that Hermione could not help but tear up at the sound. It was too painful – not only to hear the sounds of those she loved in distress but also by the memories of her own father's funeral.

She could not hear what they were saying from where she was standing, but Hermione did not have to. She knew that they were saying their goodbyes – all in their own unique ways. Bill was stoic and inside his own head, Charlie was giving a speech, Fred and George were comforting Ginny and Mr Weasley had a gentle hand on his wife's back as she knelt on the ground and wept into her hands.

"Do you think he's going to go up and join them?" asked Harry suddenly.

Hermione turned away from the Weasley family and looked toward Ron who was still sitting in the car with his arms folded across his chest. He wore no emotion on his face.

"I'm not sure. A part of me is even surprised we managed to get him this far."

They had been trying to persuade Ron since dawn to go to the funeral. At first their efforts had been poorly received. By mid-day, however, he was no longer slamming doors in their faces and they'd been able to convince him to come out of his room and travel with the family to the grave-site. However, in all of that time – in fact, since leaving the hospital a week earlier – he had not said a single word to them.

Any of them.

It was as if he had built up a fortress in his own mind and he would not allow anyone access to see how he was feeling or what he was thinking. It was unnerving and very, very worrying.

"Is the Ministry still after him?"

Hermione nodded. "There's a full investigation going on. They want to question him about what actually happened – why he and Percy were there before the Ministry even knew about the attack. I've been stalling as best as I can... but I can't hold them back for much longer."

"Do you think maybe if I came and spoke to them?"

"And say what Harry? You weren't even in the country when the attack happened. " Hermione saw Harry flinch at those words. No matter how many times she had tried to convince him that it wasn't his fault Ron had gone off after Percy he still wouldn't believe her. "It would open up a lot more questions if they knew that you know so much."

"Maybe if I said that Ron had talked to me..."

"Everyone knows that Ron hasn't been speaking to anyone – not even you or I. He's being constantly watched by not only the Ministry but also all of the journalists from papers across country. They'll keep hounding him until he talks." When Hermione saw that Harry remained looking unconvinced she added "That's regardless of whether you come in and speak to the Minister or not."

Harry sighed. "We just need to get him to talk to us. He shouldn't be going through all of this alone." He ran a frustrated hand through his messy, jet-black hair.

"I know." Hermione pulled her jacket tighter around her body trying to ward off the breezy chill. But she knew it was pointless. The weary feeling in her bones and the shudders that raked through her body had nothing to do with the cold. She had, after all, put warming charms on her jacket just this morning.

... I think I killed him.

Nobody had spoken about Ron's words since they'd left the hospital. They had asked incessantly about it once Ron had been cleared by the Healers ("It's a miracle", a Healer had said when informed about Ron waking up "a real miracle!"), but when he gave them no answers they soon realised that the only way they would obtain the truth was when he was ready. It was an agonising wait.

"Do you think I should have gone with Ginny to the grave?" Hermione saw that Harry was watching Fred and George with their arms around Ginny worryingly.

Hermione didn't really know what to say. She had asked Ginny that morning how she was feeling about Harry staying behind to be with Ron. She hadn't exactly given a direct answer ("If that's what he wants to do then that's what he's going to do"). Ginny was still annoyed at being kept in the dark about all of Harry's doings it seemed. Still, Hermione didn't think that now was the time to bring that particular issue up, so instead she said, "The family have asked us to try and convince Ron to say goodbye. I'm sure she understands." He seemed to relax a little with her reassurance.

"I'm just not sure how we're going to be able to convince him to do that." Hermione said.

"Would you want to say goodbye to a brother who was about to hand you over to Voldemort?" Harry bit out some-what harshly. Hermione couldn't blame him – she felt the same anger serge through her when she thought about what they had seen in Ron's memory about Percy's traitorous involvement.

But Hermione knew where this conversation was heading. They'd had an argument two days earlier about the very subject. So instead of dilly-dallying around the issue she said, "This isn't for Percy, it's for Ron. Maybe this is what he needs to help him move forward."

"Or maybe this will make him shut us out even more." Harry countered. Hermione knew that he wasn't deliberately trying to start up the argument again; rather he was presenting another realistic possibility. She wished it was like any other problem that she usually faced. And solved.

"But you said it yourself Harry... he needs to talk. If he keeps it all to himself any longer he'll probably explode. Besides -" But Hermione stopped talking when she saw that Harry had started pacing and was muttering to himself.

"That's it... it could work... maybe... it could make him worse... but... yes... I think so..." he was saying.

Hermione let him ramble on until he had come to whatever decision he was mulling over. She was half expecting him to come back with some retaliating counter argument but instead he said "I think I have a plan but you're going to have to trust me."

He had already started walking towards the car before Hermione had the chance to fully comprehend what he had just said. She followed after him a second later.

When they reached the car they saw that Ron had not moved. He still sat looking forward with his arms crossed, his expression void of any emotion. He looked... stupefied.

Harry opened the car door. "C'mon, I've decided that you really need to go do this." Hermione wasn't sure Ron had heard Harry until she saw his jaw clench.

"Harry -"

"It'll be good for you." Harry interrupted her. "You can say your respects and everything." Hermione nearly blanched at his directness.

Hermione could tell that Harry was about to open his mouth to say more but the crunching sounds of boots on snow stopped him. The Weasley family had returned. Hermione noticed that all of their faces were pale and their eyes were very red – all except Bill who appeared to be taking charge and leading the family. "Everyone in the car." He said, giving Ginny's shoulder a little squeeze as he did so. "I've told Fleur we'll be home soon so hopefully there's some hot chocolate boiling already."

"Hot chocolate," Hermione heard Fred mutter as he jumped into the car. "Fire-whiskey is more like it."

Hermione was about to follow him into the car when suddenly Mrs Weasley grabbed her arm and gave her a pleading look. "Please Hermione, give it one more try!" But Hermione didn't have to do or say anything. Hearing those words Ron had thrown himself from the car shouting "Oh bloody hell! Alright!" And then marched toward the grave. Hermione quickly gave Harry a look before they both darted off after him.

Ron was already at the grave before they reached him. Hermione saw that he was looking down at the tombstone that read 'Percy Weasley: Beloved son and brother' with a distant look on his face. He was still locked behind his fortress it seemed.

"It was nice of your mum and Ginny to put flowers on his grave," Harry said. "Look, they change colour every minute."

Ron's eyes narrowed.

"Beloved son and brother – quite touching isn't it?"

Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. Ron would never forgive Harry for this. "Stop it!" She hissed.

"Did you want me to say a few words? I remember Percy once said - "

"Enough." Ron grounded out through clenched teeth.

Harry took a step forward. "What's the matter Ron? I thought we were here to pay our respects?"

Ron whirled around, his eyes ablaze. "Don't tell me what I'm here for!"

"Then you tell me."

"I don't have to tell you anything."

Hermione watched as Harry took another step forward, bridging the gap between him and Ron.

I think I have a plan but you're going to have to trust me, Harry had said. Hermione did trust Harry, but she also knew that he would go to any length to bring his friend back – even if that meant doing some damage in the process.

"Right," said Harry, "Because that strategy is working really well for you is it?"

"I guess I'm just taking a leaf out of your book Harry. After all, keeping secretes is what you do best."

Harry appeared to be caught off guard with that comment. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Now it was Ron's turn to take a step forward. Theywere now barely inches apart. "You know what it means. You run around all over the country doing secrete missions for the ministry and the Order while we have no idea where you're going or what you're up to."

"I've told you all that's it's for your safety!" Harry defended.

"Bollocks! We're about as safe as a Churball in a Horntail pen regardless of whether you tell us things or not." Ron eyes flickered down to the grave. "Clearly."

"Well maybe you should have thought about that before running off alone chasing after Percy."

Ron went wide-eyed for a second before he drew his hand back and then punched Harry hard in the face.

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, horrified. Although there was a rational part of her that knew Harry had deserved it – probably wanted it even.

"HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?" Ron screamed at Harry. "HE WAS MY BROTHER!" Hermione watched as he picked up a charmed 'Minister' plaque that Charlie had placed next to the tombstone earlier and as he threw it across the graveyard. He then took out his wand and set fire to the flowers that had just turned a lilac colour.

Hermione moved to stop him but Harry wrapped his arm around her waist preventing her. "Let him get it out." He said, rubbing his cheek. Hermione could already tell that it was going to leave a nasty bruise.

Ron let out a horrible wail of a scream and then continued to shout, "YOU LIED TO ME! YOU LIED TO THE FAMILY!" He was no longer addressing Harry. He had fallen to his knees and was tearing up the grass with his bare hands. "YOU WOULD GIVE UP EVERYTHING JUST FOR SOME PATHETIC PROMISE AT POWER. YOU... YOU..." Ron started pounding his fists against the ground. "YOU TRAITOR!"

Hermione felt a lump in her throat. Be strong, she told herself.

"YOU SELFISH, INCONSIDERATE, POWER-HUNGRY TRAITOR!"

Harry moved and put a gentle hand on Ron's back. Hermione feared that Ron would lash out again but instead he put his head in his hands and began to sob quietly.

She could not remember how long they stayed there like that. Just the three of them. It wasn't until Bill came up and told them that they had to leave ("the protection spells around this place wear off at night.") that she realised the sun had begun to set.

They hardly said anything as they walked back to the car, but Hermione could feel that there was a slight change in Ron. That perhaps the fortress had begun to crumble. His face was no longer expressionless, instead he appeared incredibly tired, and he walked along by their side comfortably rather than trudging behind.

Harry seemed to notice the change too. He took a gamble and said, "You socked me a good one."

And even though Ron's grin did not reach his eyes, Hermione could have cried in joy when he replied, "Yeah... yeah I guess I did."

They were greeted at the burrow by Fleur Delacour, and even though her long blonde hair had been quickly whipped into a pony-tail she still looked breath-takingly beautiful. Hermione hated her for it. "Where 'ave you been?" She asked pointedly at Bill, her hands on her hips. "I 'ave been waiting 'ere for you for hours. I 'vos beginning to get 'vorried.'

"Look dear," Bill said patiently. "We've all had a draining day would you mind letting us past the door?"

Fleur had the decency to look abashed for a minute. "'vell luckily you 'ave a visitor so I kept the hot chocolate 'varm." She said moving out of the doorway to let them through.

Mr Weasley, who was going through the door first, stopped abruptly. "A visitor?" He asked, taking out his wand.

"A friend of 'arry's." Fleur confirmed. "'ve 'ave been talking for 'ours."

"What does he look like?"

"'ee told me you 'vould ask me that. 'ee said to keep it a surprise."

Mr Weasley took Fleur by the shoulders. "This is important; do you know who he is?"

Fleur looked stunned for a minute. "'vell of course. 'ee is my cousin. 'vell very distant cousin. Veela can always tell family. You can tell by 'is beauty." When she could see that this did not seem to appease everyone she continued. "'ee 'as assured me that you and 'ee are friends, 'arry. 'ee isn't lying, I could tell."

"Oh great," Hermione could hear Ginny mutter under her breath. "Because we're all feeling so reassured now."

"What's his name Fleur?" Bill asked quite sternly.

Fleur pouted as if he had ruined some big game. "'vell Draco of course!"

There was a sharp intake of breath. "As in Malfoy? Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes. I 'ope you don't mind Molly but I gave 'im one of your - "

"Molly, take Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Harry away from here. The rest of you boys come inside quickly. Wands drawn." Said Mr Weasley. "Remember he's wanted by the Ministry so try to stun him. But remember, safety comes first."

"... muffins" Fleur finished, though nobody was listening.

"WAIT!" Harry shouted after them, dodging Mrs Weasley's hand that was aiming for his arm. "WAIT! This is a mistake!"

Hermione watched as Harry ran through the front door of the burrow, quickly followed by Ron. She and Ginny raced in behind them, ignoring Mrs Weasley's shout of "Harry! Ron! Ginny! Hermione! It's dangerous!"

But when they all entered the small, cluttered living room Hermione could not think of a less dangerous situation. Mr Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Fred and George all had their wands aimed at a blue one-seater couch where Draco Malfoy sat eating a chocolate chip muffin. An empty hot chocolate mug sat on a little coffee-table beside him.

When he looked up and saw Ron enter the room he appeared, Hermione thought, almost disappointed. "What a shame," Draco drawled, glancing down at his fingernails as if he hardly cared that all of the wands in the room were trained on him. "And here I was thinking that it was your funeral Weasley. No wonder everyone is upset."

Author's Note: I can see that there is quite a bit of interest in this story which is very encouraging. However, I would really appreciate it if some of you could review! :) It would certainly make my day! Also, I know that so far we have seen little of our favourite Slytherin. Don't worry, from now on he's a main feature. He does, after all, happen to be my favourite character. So fear not - lots of Draco to come!

So please, make this author happy and push that review button! Don't be shy ;)