Author's Notes: Here's another shortish chapter. All upcoming chapters will be longer than this, though.
PhoenixTailAndHolly: Yes, I will definitely continue the story. It is already written completely and, not counting this one, there are still three chapters to follow. The way things look right now, there's a good chance that the story will be completed by the end of the month. I'm elaborating on my updating schedule in the A/N in chapter 4.
rhmac12: Thanks for all your comments. Yes, I totally agree with you in everything you said. I also think that going on without Hermione would've been really hard if not impossible for Ron and if she had died at Malfoy Manor, I suppose he would either be out for revenge or lose a significant portion of his will to live and act reckless in the upcoming battles. I'd rather not think about that. I'm so glad at the end of the day, both made it through everything fine.
As they drew nearer to the cottage, it became apparent that Hermione had difficulty walking. She was somewhat staggering and her steps became increasingly smaller and her breaths got more and more labored. Gradually, they fell back behind the others. Ron gave her a concerned look.
"I can carry you if it's too exhausting," he offered in a low voice. "It's not a big deal."
Hermione immediately shook her head and then screwed up her eyes as it seemingly made her feel dizzy. "I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own," she said with light indignation to continue in a softer voice, "But thanks."
Ron smirked but knew better than to contradict, being aware that Hermione was trying to reclaim some of the dignity that Bellatrix had taken from her.
"All right, but you say something when you need help, okay?" Ron said sternly. "You know I'm always there for you when you need me, and I'm not just saying that."
Hermione gave him a feeble smile. "Thanks, Ron," she said. "It means a lot."
Ron tightened his hold on her and they kept on walking, slowly but steadily. When they entered the living room, the others were already gathered there, Luna and Dean on the further of the two love seats that flanked the narrow sides of the coffee table, Bill and Fleur on the nearer one. Halfway across the room, Hermione shook Ron's arm off of her, stumbled forward a few steps and then collapsed onto the couch that had been freed from the pillows and blankets, breathing heavily. Thinking that Hermione breaking away from him meant that he had done something wrong, Ron only hesitantly sat beside her but his worries were instantly removed when she rested her head on his shoulder.
His gaze wandered from Bill and Fleur next to him over to Luna and Dean who were sitting close to each other, speaking in low voices. They appeared rather intimate with each other, Ron thought, just to inwardly slap himself right thereafter. Was he now losing his mind, seeing happy couples everywhere?
The sound of Bill's voice brought Ron back to the here and now.
"Ron, can we talk now?"
Ron groaned inwardly. Why couldn't he just let the matter rest?
"I've already told you-"
"I need more details, Ron," Bill demanded, making with notable effort to not lose his temper. "It's obvious that you were involved in a battle and at least some of you were in captivation at some point-"
"Well, what did Luna and Dean tell you?" Ron cut him off angrily. He saw them shrink and throw nervous glances at him.
"Only that Dobby would bring the three of you and that Hermione would probably be badly hurt."
Ron sighed, relieved that the pair of them had not said more, and he cast a look at them that, so he hoped, told them not to reveal anything else. Hermione, on the other hand, started to tremble and grabbed the front of his sweater in her fist. It made him wish all the more that Bill would finally shut up.
"Well, yes, and that's what happened, isn't it?" he retorted heatedly. "And as for the rest, you've already drawn your own conclusions, haven't you? So maybe we did battle, maybe we didn't. Is that really so important? We're here now, and we're on the mend thanks to you. That's all that matters!"
"You said it yourself, Ron, you're on the mend thanks to us," Bill said, bristling. He rose to his feet and started to pace up and down in front of the fireplace, gesticulating with his hands. "You come here out of the blue in the middle of the effing night, all injured or... worse... and expect us to help you-"
"Bill!" Fleur snapped furiously before Ron had a chance to have a go at his brother himself, his urge to jump off his seat curbed solely by the fact that Hermione was still leaning against him.
Realizing that he had gone too far, Bill took a calming breath, sat back down and then continued, more contained. "I'm not saying that you're not welcome here or that we minded taking care of you. I'm sorry if I made it sound like that. On the contrary, we're glad to have you here and to know that you're safe, and of course, you're all free to stay here as long as you wish. But don't you think that we somehow have a right to know what's going on?"
"Well, yeah," Ron said, feeling guilty. "You've been great and we're really, really grateful that you're having us. I guess we would've been screwed if it hadn't been for you, so thanks, but..." He looked down at Hermione who did not show the slightest inclination to join in their conversation. He was responsible now, and with newly built determination, he continued. "...but like I said, I can't tell you anything. Not before I discussed with Hermione and Harry how much we can let on, but even afterwards, I wouldn't keep my hopes too high up if I were you. A secret mission is a secret mission, and that also holds true for family. Sorry."
"Well, all right," Bill said in a tone that told Ron clearly that it was, in fact, not all right. "Then at least tell me one thing: Did you meet any Death Eaters? Snatchers? Anyone who knows who you are?"
Ron furrowed his brow, puzzled. "Why-"
"You're not supposed to be seen..." he heard Hermione mutter. "Spattergroit... You're supposed to be sick with Spattergroit..."
"Exactly," Bill chimed in. "You're supposed to lie in bed with Spattergroit! If any of You-Know-Who's followers recognized you, Ron, they'll know that the family has been lying to the Ministry all along where you were concerned. And from there, it'll be only a small step for them to figure that we're supporting Harry, especially if you were seen with Harry. Understand what that means? They'll probably try to get their hands on the family now to press information out of them or to use them as a bait for you."
Ron's face lost all color as shock overcame him. He had not thought about that. His parents... Ginny... Fred and George... They were all in danger now, just because of him. He turned away from Bill, certain that his look had just said it all, and his worry was confirmed when Bill spoke again.
"I thought as much," he said quietly, rubbing his chin. "I had that feeling right after Dobby brought Luna, Dean and Ollivander, and I met some precautions, just in case..."
Bill started to explain how he had arranged for the family to be evacuated from the Burrow but then abruptly stopped and turned towards the door. With a feeling of dread, Ron followed his gaze and immediately let out a sigh of relief. Harry was standing in the doorway, looking somewhat confused.