AN: Well, this story just keeps on giving! Obviously its turning out longer than I ever dreamed it would (inside joke within that statement). Thank your reviewers! Keep em' comin'!!! You are my lifeline…er, my muse's lifeline!

Communication Via Owl will be updated any day...I posted this first since I have so much more written (try over 5,000 words!)

This chapter is dedicated to PureBlood Muggle and her story: From a Muggle's Point of View posted at HPFF and Checkmated. I fell in love with the story and the OFC Caroline who gets together with (sigh!) Charlie Weasley. In fact, when needing to give his girlfriend in this chapter a name, I couldn't give her any other name (even though I have my own Charlie story). And yes, I did notify her that I was "borrowing" the name in tribute.

Chapter V: Seeing Ron Again

When Hermione arrived early that afternoon, the Burrow was a madhouse. People were running here and there, both inside and out. She marveled as the setup outside near the gardens. Everything was set up minus the chairs to be placed in the morning should it rain overnight.

Hermione found Ron and Harry soon enough, as they were outside making sure all the gnomes were kicked out before they set a shield in place to make sure none would return before the wedding.

"Hermione!" Ron called out when he saw her. He ran to hug her, engulfing her into a tight hug. Harry was right behind him, who also hugged her once Ron let her go.

"Harry! Ron! It's so good to finally see you two!" She said. "Everything looks fantastic!"

Ron beamed with pride, as he was one who helped with the outside decorations. He looked over her appearance. She looked…different. And it was more than the form fitting jeans and tank top with a muggle logo she wore, which made her look brilliant to his eyes. Shrugging off the difference to not having seen her in weeks, he took a gentle hold of her arm. "Come on, let's go see the others. Ginny's been dying to see you."

Harry watched them go. Things hadn't been entirely comfortable between him and Ginny yet, although they did have a small talk the other day. She still seemed understanding, but he could feel her hesitation being with him alone. He had decided to give her space, as the three would soon be leaving in search of the remaining Horcrux. No sense confusing her more, he thought.

Later that day Hermione found herself in the kitchen helping Mrs. Weasley and Ginny with some last minute baking. She had put her hair up earlier to keep it from flying about, and was just taking some goodies from the oven when she heard a crash and a scream.

"Molly! Are you all right?" She said turning to see if the woman was okay. Ginny already had her wand out and had fixed the broken plate her mum had dropped.

Mrs. Weasley was staring at Hermione. More specifically, her neck. "Ginny, could you go and ask your father when the boys will be ready?"

"But…"

"Now, Ginerva," Ginny quietly left the room. Molly was visibly shaking. "When…Hermione, dear…you've been…you…"

Hermione brought her hand up to the mark Ernand had given her. "You're…you're a keeper?"

Molly nodded. "It's a Weasley thing, dear,…we…we all are."

A silent understanding passed between the two women. Hermione shifted, a bit uncomfortable. She noticed a pinkish tinge on Molly's face.

"Ron…will he know? I mean, will he recognize the mark?" Hermione asked in a whisper.

Molly shook her head. "No, but he does know of the Wraiths and what they do. All my children do. But the mark…that is something that has to be told by a chosen one herself. Or himself."

Hermione inwardly groaned. She had purposely not thought about telling Ron, in fact, she had downright ignored the wandering thoughts. And Ernand had been a good distraction from said thoughts. But the story would have to be told, if they were to ever be together.

She had no idea that the Weasleys were. Hermione reflected on what Ernand had told her about keepers – they kept the information alive but still secret never to be given to others. But who had told or showed Molly their mark? MacGonnagal? Someone else by another Wraith?

She also realized that the young man she had fallen for, of all the men in the world, he was a Weasley – a more powerful force than she'd ever realized.

At the rehearsal dinner that night, Hermione was dressed once again in the lovely red dress her parents had given her. The same she wore on her "date" with Ernand. She felt slightly guilty for wearing it at the happy occasion. But then this wasn't a date with Ron, it was about Bill and Fleur. She also wore her hair up, feeling confident that no one else would recognize her mark

Ron's jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw her arrive at the restaurant, and she couldn't help smile at him shyly. He had arrived early with the twins and Harry to make sure that the reservations were in order. Harry had privately insisted on paying for the meal, as it was the least he could do for the now only slightly struggling family. The twins had contested, as their joke shop had been thriving, but gave in with a "All right, mate, but the drinks are all on us."

"Hermione!" Fred said after exaggerating a gasp. "You look positively edible!" His date nudged him while his mum leaned over two seats from the other side and gave him a whack on the arm. Most of the party hadn't heard the comment as their focus was on the husband and wife to be. George, Charlie and Ginny laughed aloud, while Harry simply looked amused.

Ron was downright pissed. Instead of making a scene, however, he looked up at Hermione as she went to take the open seat next to him and sat down. "You look beautiful, Mione."

"Thank you Ron, you look quite handsome yourself." His ears turned beet red. The twins snorted. Ron was saved when a waiter came to pour everyone's drinks. The Weasley parents had decided to let the youngest members of the party drink as well, for not only was it a happy occasion but with the war looming over their heads, how could they refuse?

After the first toast was made, the group began to chatter about everything from how Bill and Fleur met to Bill's first year at Hogwarts. Stories of the other siblings followed, and Molly couldn't resist telling how she and Ginny saw Harry at the Platform all those years ago, the poor boy not knowing how to get through. Then about the first letter Ron wrote home, only mentioning Harry for a bit before going into a long-winded description of a certain bushy-haired girl the two had met on the train (she left out how Ron called her "annoying"). Ron's ears turned red again as everyone laughed. All except Hermione, who simply laid her hand gently onto his own.

The first course was finally served, and everyone dug in. After finishing Hermione helped the waiter collect her dish. She turned back to find the person sitting opposite her stare at her with a frown. It was Mr. Weasley.

She frowned inwardly, had she said anything to offend him? No, she had simply turned…Oh, no! She thought frantically. She had turned toward her left, exposing her right side. Before he had been talking with Charlie and his girlfriend, and now Charlie was staring at her, too. Charlie's girlfriend, Caroline, then asked the two a question and their conversation returned to whatever it was about.

"You should really ask Hermione, Caroline." Arthur replied.

Hermione looked at the group blankly. "Ask me about what?"

"You've been doing research at the Abbey." Arthur stated.

"I've heard that they own an original copy of The Firebird: More than a Dance." Caroling explained "I was wondering why they would have that particular book, since, well, I don't know. It just seems out of place from what I would imagine is in their collection."

Hermione was miffed. She didn't know why everyone knew where she had been doing her work. But still, Caroline was an Order member. A healer, actually. "I didn't peruse all the section, there. What makes you so interested in it?"

"Oh, I don't know…I just have a love for all magical creatures, especially the bird varieties."

"Not dragons?" Charlie teased.

"They both fly, do they not?" Caroline asked as everyone laughed.

The conversation then turned direction, and Hermione was relieved when Harry and Ron started to talk with her about other things. Not that she ordinarily minded talking with Caroline. In fact, she rather liked the witch.

When the group later apparated to the Burrow, the trio met in Ron's room to discuss their plans to leave.

"We got everything ready from your list, Hermione." Ron told her proudly, after he warded the room and cast a silencing spell. "And some other items we thought should take with us."

"Great!" She told them. "I hope you didn't have to buy much of anything, no sense letting people get suspicious."

"The twins helped us with that," Harry told her. "And when I was still at the Dursley's, I went and shopped for some things myself."

"How did you pay?" Hermione asked, taking a seat on Ron's bed.

Harry looked slightly ashamed. "I, er, I took some money from my uncle when they were all out. But don't worry! I sent it back once I went to Gringotts!" He added when he saw his friend frown.

"So did you find anything useful? When you were at the Abbey?" Ron asked as he tentatively sat down on his bed next to Hermione. Harry was seated on the bed he used when staying at the Burrow.

"Oh, yes! Loads of helpful information. In fact," She paused, hating that she was about to lie to them. Well, actually, since she first saw Ernand in the Abbey it wasn't a total lie. "I found the location to a Horcrux."

The boys' eyes lit up. "Really?" Ron asked as he jumped a little, closing the small distance between them.

"Which one?" Harry asked.

"Rowena's locket." Hermione answered for them. "It's in Portugal, and I already have transportation planned to France, where likely we'll catch a bus to Lisbon.

"Why not disapparate from the public station?" Ron asked, not looking forward to muggle transport.

"Because we might be spotted. Even just being recognized could lead to us being found out." Harry commented.

Hermione nodded, then brought out some papers, the ones Ernand had given her, and showed them to the boys.

"So when do we leave?" Ron asked.

"Two days after the wedding, I figure." Harry said. "We'll need to pack the day after."

"And help your mum," Hermione added with a thought.

Ron groaned.

After bidding the two goodnight, giving each a peck on the cheek, Hermione returned to Ginny's room where she found the girl laying on top of her bed in her night clothes.

"You're leaving soon, aren't you." The red-haired girl commented without looking at Hermione.

Hermione nodded. "Yes."

"When?" Still the girl stared at the ceiling. Or nothing.

"Two days after the wedding." No sense not telling her, Hermione thought. She knew Harry had said enough without telling Ginny what they were up to.

"I don't see why he won't let me go."

Hermione couldn't answer that one, although she knew why. Only a look of guilt betrayed her knowing.

Ginny decided to change the subject. "So, you and Ron sort things out yet?"

Hermione turned red. Of course, she couldn't tell Ginny about Ernand, or could she? Now that she knew the Weasley's were keepers, there was no betraying Ernand. "No, I'm sure if it does happen, it will be awhile."

Ginny sat up to turn and face the girl, her feet sliding to the floor. "Why? You two don't have any reason to wait! You're going off to who knows were, what's stopping you?"

Hermione lied. "I…I'm still not over last year. Those few months were wretched for me."

"You're lying." The girl softly accused. "I saw the two of you at the funeral, and I know how Ron feels. How he's felt for a long time."

"How long, Ginny?" Hermione asked curiously.

The girl shrugged. "Probably as long as you have. I think he guessed in third year. That's why he insisted upon bringing you to the Quidditch World Cup. In fact, he thought of you before even considering Harry. I had to bring that idea up."

"You did? He did?" Hermione gasped. She had never even considered the thought. She figured he just invited her to not make her feel left out.

"Oh, yes," Ginny went on, "He certainly did! And then there was Krum the next year…"

"Stop, Ginny. I really don't' want to get into that all over again."

Ginny shrugged. "All right, but I thought you should now. At least let me tell you this: Ron's been absolute nutters waiting for you to come over this summer. I think he's finally ready to tell you how he feels."

If only, Hermione thought. Even though she also hoped that it could hold out a short while longer. Once she and Ernand…were complete.

She remembered his last words to her before she left for the Burrow. She had told him to stay at her house for a few more days before he was going to do more searching.

"Wear this necklace, Hermione, while we are apart," He told her as he slipped a golden locket around her neck. You will feel it when I am near. When I find news to share with you, or to check on how you are doing, come looking for me. You will know which way to go.

The trio got off without a hitch. It was as if their leaving was expected – or at least understood. Well, there was quite a bit of crying of course. Mostly by Mrs. Weasley and Ginny, the latter of the two waiting in her room for most of the time so that no one would see her tears. A last minute rush down the stairs before flinging herself outside the Burrow to give Harry a big hug and goodbye kiss was the last the trio saw of anyone before disapparating to the London bus terminal. Hermione had to apparate Harry and Ron there individually, since neither had been to the terminal before. She would have driven, but didn't want to leave her parents car at the terminal parking lot. She had apparated to the Burrow the night of the rehearsal dinner.

The next three days the trio spent either on a bus or waiting for a bus. Once in France they found they had quite a number of hours to wait for one taking them to Lisbon. From there, they had to transfer again before heading up into the mountains where Coimbra was located.

Once they arrived they found a simple yet nice hotel with a large room looking over the Mondego river. Since it was rather late and almost dinner time, the trio decided to rest a bit, get washed up, then head for dinner. They weren't too concerned about Voldemort, as Ernand had explained to Hermione (in between rounds of sex) that the Dark Lord had magicked the piece of his soul into the locket, not knowing where it was himself – only that it existed. They guessed that without knowing, he likely saw this piece the least threat to being discovered.

"Is that why you want us to go there first? A test-run? To see how we manage?" She had asked him.

Ernand chuckled. "You are infuriating with your assumptions. Now, turn back over. I want to watch you climax this time.

Hermione was the first in the shower, and she lay down on one of the twin beds where Harry had been as he was now taking his turn in the shower. Ron lay fast asleep on the other, and Hermione found herself watching him for a few minutes – how different he was in sleep compared to Ernand (not that she was comparing the two) - before falling asleep herself.

After a wonderfully light dinner at a local pizza café alongside the river, the three friends walked back to their hotel. By the time they reached their room, a light argument over who was sleeping in which bed was taking place.

"You two are boys, so you should stay in the larger bed while I sleep in the smaller one." Hermione kept insisting.

"There is no way I'm sharing a bed with a bloke, Mione." Ron spat back. He then turned to Harry apologetically. "Er, no offence, mate."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Believe me, none taken. Look, why don't you two share? Or I can take the floor, I'm used to it."

Hermione turned toward her best friend who was more like a brother to her. "There is no way you're doing that, Harry. You and I can share."

"What the bloody hell is wrong sharing with me?" Ron asked, turning red at what he had just said.

Hermione blushed as well, but didn't turn to face him. "Fine, as long as we get a good night's rest." She said, too tired to argue anymore. She pulled out her night clothes and went into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Well, then, it's settled." Ron said, still embarrassed.

"That's a fine way of getting a girl to sleep with you," Harry joked. "You sure you're up…er, able to handle it?"

Ron turned even redder than he already was. "Nothing too it." He stammered. "I'll, er, just enlarge it. The bed, I mean. For Mione's sake."

Harry laughed as he changed, not minding that Ron was there. The two were used to changing in the boys' dormitories in front of each other, not to mention sharing a room at the Burrow for the last few summers.

"You better get changed, too, before Hermione comes out." They heard the wash basin turn on, knowing she was probably washing her face and brushing her teeth.

"Er, right, mate." Ron said as he got his own things and changed in record time. He quickly got under the covers, as Harry did the same in his bed.

A few minutes later Hermione came out and quickly got in on the opposite side of Ron, staying much too far to the side for Ron's liking.

Next chapter: Hermione says a word in front of the boys they'd never thought she'd say!!!

The next two chapters are almost complete, but I'd like some feedback. Please? Seriously, this is turning into quite the adventure, no? Just wait…Boy, never thought I'd get into writing about the hunt for Horcrux. Blame or thank my muse ;)