Hi! First of all, I'd like to thank rhmac12, thank you so much for your support, it made my day to read your reviews!
It took a long time and a lot of work to translate this chapter, I hope that there are not too many errors, and if it's the case, I apologize for it!
Anyways, I hope that you enjoyed Christmas Eve with your families and relatives!
I hope that you're going to like this chapter just as much I liked to write it.
Please please please, let some reviews, it's motivating to have your returns, to read about your feelings…
Thank you for reading!
xoxo
Ron twirled his wand between his fingers, dimly lit by a few rays of moon that starved the clouds. Barefoot, he loved the contact with the slightly damp grass, and the silence of the night, even the goblins were sleeping. He heard behind him the door of the House open, and then close. Light steps in the lawn... He felt arms winding around his waist, her head rely on his back. He tightened, but didn't move, and eventually place a hand on those of Hermione, covering them completely.
"Forgive me" she whispered, her voice full of contained tears.
He turned toward her, and looked at her swollen face, her ruffled hair. Each bruise, every scratch that he found on her body put him into a mad rage, Hermione saw it in his eyes but took this anger for her. It was too much, she burst into tears, her face in her hands. Stunned, Ron didn't react immediately. Then he gently forced her to raise her face towards him and began to wipe her tears with his fingers.
"I... I know that you don't want any more of me", she sobbed desperately.
Ron nearly roared with laughter, so much it was absurd, but when a cloud withdrew, that the moon lit them completely, and he saw her deep distress, when he saw her damaged cheek, his laughter died in his throat.
"Hermione...Hermione, yes I am angry, you didn't have the right to keep all these informations, to put your life in danger..."
"I wanted to protect you..."
"Hermione! You've almost died, once again, I'm so angry, against you but above all against me! It's my job to protect you! It's my job!"
The young woman, surprised, glared at the tortured face of Ron. He had closed his eyes as if he was plagued by a violent pain. Hermione felt her heart tighten, she didn't want to make him suffer.
"Ron, you're not responsible..."
"But you don't understand!"
He grabbed one of her hands, and carried it in his chest, just where his heart was beating.
"I love you Hermione, more than anything in the world, more than my life, my heart beats for you, if ever you would die, I would die too, because my life would have no more sense!"
Hermione felt her face blushing. Since the battle, Ron had more and more ease to express his feelings, it was both disturbing and exhilarating, as much for him as for her.
"As you said, I've already too much lost during this war, the simple idea that something could happen to you is driving me crazy! Hermione, I want to spend my life with you, I want that, one day, you bear my name, I want you to carry our children, I don't have any future without you..."
Hermione began to cry again. She was desperate for years to see one day Ron talking about his feelings instead of waiting that she guesses them... What he had just told her exceeded all her expectations. She knew he loved her, of course, but it was amazing to realize that he had thought, imagined, their whole lives together as she did a long time before their first kiss, his words moved her in the depths of herself. Ron ran a hand in his hair, embarrassed, ears turning red.
"Hum... Did I say something wrong?"
"Oh Ron, I love you so much!" exclaimed Hermione before wrapping her arms around his neck to kiss him.
"You're mental, but I love you, I love you more than I can tell" said Ron against her lips before deepening the kiss and hugging her as close as he could.
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Nonchalantly supported in the door's frame, Ron looked at his little sister as she applied various ointments on Hermione's wounds. In his uniform, he was leaving to join the Department. He threw a look at the two Aurors who were standing in the hallway, challenging them to put their eyes on Hermione's bare skin. On her shoulders, her delicate neck that smelled so good, her soft skin... He wanted to slap himself, this was definitely not the time to think about these things!
"Ron, Daphnee is a trustworthy person! Please!"
"No! There is no way of putting anyone in the secret! We have to be careful with the people we trust!"
"Ron! This is mental! She's the only friend I have at the Ministry! And she'll find weird that suddenly I disappear with my business!"
Ron swept these arguments in a gesture of the hand, annoyed.
"You also have me, and Harry, and Neville and Seamus, besides, I heard that Padma Patil has been hired in International Magical Cooperation's Department… Anyway, I don't care... Hermione, we are responsible for your safety, whether you like it or not, therefore, you have to follow our rules!"
She glared at him and took refuge in a sulky silence.
"I finished! I'm going downstairs to send a message to the hospital..."
"Ginny, you really don't have to stay with me! Your mother is here with me! You need to go, it's important for your exams"
Ron rolled his eyes and shared an amused look with his sister.
"Hermione, it's ok, don't worry about this! And then, with everything that's happening, I would be unable to concentrate on what I'm doing! I'm more useful here!"
The redhead walked towards the exit, and when she was near Ron, she put her index under his nose.
"Be careful, Weasley, no abrupt movements!"
She apparated on the ground floor before that Ron was able to react. They heard her laughing, and Mrs. Weasley scolded her about using apparition in the house.
Ron approached Hermione, grumbling something that looked like "bloody sister" and "they should have adopted a hippogriff".
Hermione retained an amused smile, she was still upset and supposed to be mad at him. Ron knelt down to her level and kissed her tenderly.
"I'll be back tonight, try to have some rest..."
"I have to work..." she replied dryly.
Ron kissed her again, putting so much sweetness that Hermione sighed. He could be so annoying... and terribly charmer, especially in his uniform which highlighted the blue of his eyes...
"I love you", she eventually whispered against his lips.
"Not as much as I love you..." answered gently Ron.
"Hum..." Harry entered the room, vaguely embarrassed.
"Ron, I just want to tell you that I joined you at HQ, I have to go to see my godson first..."
"Fine! Kiss Teddy for me!"
"Ron, just be careful ok, come back to me" said Hermione in a shaky voice.
"Always…" replied Ron, kissing her forehead.
Then he kissed her lips a last time before leaving.
"How do you feel?" asked Harry sitting in her side.
Hermione shrugged.
"A little stupid I guess..."
Harry looked at his friend. She looked so anxious, and he was pretty sure that she felt guilty.
"Hermione, I know that you're worried about me, but I'm fine, really... Voldemort is dead, it's a fact, there are handfuls of Death Eaters to render harmless, and everything won't be more than a bad memory! We suspected although that it would take a few years, that's why Ron and I have become Aurors..."
Hermione's eyes filled with tears.
"Oh Harry, I wanted so much to carry this burden alone this time!"
Harry shook his head and smiled.
"It wasn't you who said to me that I couldn't carry everything alone?"
She returned him her smile.
"And then, I am the Chosen One, right?" added Harry in strutting.
Hermione started to laugh and hit his shoulder.
"Seriously, Hermione, don't forget that we love you, we care about you, you are the sister that I've ever had, Ginny loves you just as much, Molly and Arthur both consider you as their daughter... And Ron...Well I guess you know the way he feels."
He gave her a wink.
"He's overreacting" she said with a sigh.
"Would you make it less if it was about him? I'm pretty sure that you would have stunned him and hide him until the storm passes!"
The two friends laughed heartily. Hermione had to recognize that Harry was right.
"Don't expose yourself unnecessarily", Harry added more seriously, looking at her right in the eyes, "the idea that the death eaters are maybe looking for you makes him crazy, he loves you beyond the imaginable Hermione, then please help us, and just stay here! I'd be mad at you, like forever, if something bad happened to you!"
Hermione nodded pathetically, shameful to have caused all this concern. She hadn't imagined one second that things could go so badly wrong. She thought that she would be able to manage all this. Harry was her best friend, her brother, she wanted, she needed to protect him, and he had already lived too many horrible things. And there was Ron… Ron was her best friend, her soul mate, her better half, she loved him so much that sometimes, it was quite scarring. Her mother had always taught her to be independent, but she had to admit that she couldn't live without Ron, she wouldn't be alive without him actually…
"He imagined us, him and I, I mean in the future", she muttered, deeply moved. "He told me about bearing his name, having children..."
Harry looked at her, amazed.
"Did he propose you? He didn't tell me and..."
"No, no, he didn't propose!" interrupted Hermione, her cheeks blushing. "He just referred to it as being our future, as if he had everything already planned, you see..."
Harry smiled, amused.
"Yeah, I see..."
"So, maybe, he'll eventually offer me this ring that he keeps in his pocket for months..."
Harry burst out laughing and Hermione couldn't help but giggle.
"I had told him that nothing gets past you", he guffawed.
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Someone knocked at the door. At the beginning, Hermione didn't hear, but the person insisted.
"Hermione", Ginny said from the other side, her voice stifled by the thickness of the door. "Can you please open the door, if you don't mind, I have to check your bandages! My hands are busy and my wand is in my pocket, I can't reach it..."
"Alohomora", whispered Hermione absentmindedly pointing her wand on the door which unbolted.
Frowning, Ginny came in. She put all that she held on a table, and she stood before her friend, the fists on the hips.
"Can you stop closing the door, nobody is going to bother you! What if you faint?"
"Sorry, an old reflex", replied Hermione, without leaving her parchment of the eyes.
"Hermione! Can you please let go of this old piece of paper a minute! You didn't even eat!" cried Ginny with an accusatory tone, showing the intact tray of food, which had been set aside.
Hermione looked up at the young woman, who had a backlash.
"Oi, Hermione, you don't look good, honestly, you are frightening!"
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you…" she said sharply.
Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Hermione, you should have some rest, really…"
Livid, black ring stressing her gaze, Hermione shrugged.
"I'm just tired I guess...But I absolutely need to finish to translate this passage!"
"What are you talking about? I thought that you didn't have the book!"
"No, I don't have it but when I laminated it, I retained some passages that I quickly copied once I was back home! It looks like I did well!"
Ginny glared at her, amazed.
"You did learn passages that were not even written in our language?"
Hermione shrugged with a modest smile.
"I have a good visual memory..."
The redhead looked at her friend with admiration.
"Unbelievable, you are amazing, you know that?"
Then she went to sit down on the seat and patted the spot next to her.
"Come here, do you realize that it's gonna get dark soon?"
Hermione got up grimacing, she was stiff, her wounds started to be felt again. She went to sit with Ginny and let herself relax. She took the opportunity to take a look out the window above them. It looked cloudy, but indeed, it was almost dark.
"Ron didn't return yet?"
"No, and there is no doubts that you would be the first to know! They sent us an owl in early afternoon, they come to dinner tonight, Kingsley, and some Aurors, I wonder why... I told you when I brought you your tray meal!" sighed Ginny.
Hermione had an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, but I was…"
She froze suddenly, wide-eyed.
"Hermione! What's going on? Did I hurt you?" cried Ginny, suspending her gesture.
"Of course…" whispered Hermione, before jumping up to rush to her desk.
Ginny stared at her without understanding, while she started to write frantically, her nose in the parchment.
After a few minutes, she lifted her head, bright-eyed, a triumphant smile on her lips.
"I found it! There's a sign that I couldn't translate! But in fact, I was not reading all in the right direction! What an idiot! But now, the translation of the passage is just a matter of days!"
Ginny shrugged an eyebrow and rejected her long red hair in her back.
"Hmm... Very well, but don't you mind, please, to come back here that I can attend you until I change myself into my mother?"
Hermione laughed heartily, it was as if a heavy weight had been taken from her shoulders, she felt such a relief.
"You don't have to change yourself, you can compete with her", she remarked.
Ginny glanced at her, frowning and burst into laugh.
"I reckon you're right!"
Outside, a few minutes later, several people arrived by apparition. Ginny helped Hermione to get dressed quickly, and they went down both. The entrance was invaded by Aurors, Molly headed them to the sitting room.
Hermione immediately saw the flaming hair of Ron in great discussion with a colleague...A female colleague... Hermione frowned, detailing the new Auror from head to foot. Tall, thin, pretty in her uniform, she immediately hated her, especially the way she was obviously hitting on Ron, who didn't seem bothered. And when she tried to reason with herself, to calm that familiar feeling that invades her, the "other" began to laugh, no, to chuckle, in what said Ron. Who laughed heartily, before nodding at her and turning around...
He immediately saw Hermione, always at the foot of the stairs. His face lightened and his eyes crossed Hermione's angered look. But he didn't seem to notice, while his features took an anxious air. He reached her and wanted to take her in his arms but she backed away, glaring at him. Ron raised his eyebrows, without understanding.
"Hermione, are you okay?"
"Who is she?" she coldly replied, pointing at the Auror with her chin. She knew she was ridiculous, but she couldn't help herself from feeling over possessive when it came to Ron.
Ron suddenly began to smile from ear to ear, a smile of pride that Hermione had wanted to cut back with great shot of spells.
"Are you jealous?" he asked in strutting.
Hermione crossed her arms on her chest, and looked up and down at him, her eyes half-closed.
"Give me an answer!" replied the young woman with all the contempt of which she was capable.
"Lucinda Romwel, she has just been assigned to this mission!"
Hermione frowned more. So, I am a mission…
"You never told me about her..." grumbled Hermione in an accusatory tone.
"Hermione, I'm not telling you about all of my colleagues, our missions are for the greater part secret, and you know that my teammate is Harry most of the time! You already know Neville and Seamus, I don't see the point to talk to you about the others..."
"She fancies you…"
"She doesn't, Hermione…"
"She does fancy you! But you're not really aware when it comes to that kind of things" she said, raising her eyebrows.
Ron shrugged with a smile.
"I don't think so, but whatever…"
Ron got closer and took her in his arms, without resistance from her this time, but she remained tense.
"Hermione...Don't be jealous, you don't have any reason to be...You mean the world to me, you are the one and you'll be the one for ever…" he said gently, pulling a strand of hair from her face.
She shrugged, she hated to feel the bite of jealousy in her womb, but she couldn't help. The Lavender Brown episode almost 6 years ago was amply enough. The heat of his body began to calm her.
"And she's here to help us", reminded her Ron. "I'll take all the necessary reinforcements for your protection..."
The girl remained silent, she was beginning to feel puerile. But Ron always had the gift to reverse the trend. She saw his ears suddenly turn a shade of red.
"Besides, I don't tell you anything when Jack, from the Improper Use of Magic Office, follows you like your shadow!"
Hermione let out a small indignant scream.
"He doesn't follow me like my shadow! He is just curious, and I remind you that your father introduced us! He's just interested in my job."
Ron chuckled and released the young woman.
"He's interested in what you wear under your dress!"
"Ron! How dare you? You… You... Oh, go to hell"
Furious, Hermione turned heels and wanted to go back to the floor, but this sudden gesture tore away to her a groan of pain, she folded, her breath taken away, while Ron, livid, rushed towards her.
"Hermione! Wait, let me carry you!"
Hermione weakly protested, but the pain was too strong so that she could resist. She lifted her blouse and paled. A huge reddish task had formed on her bandage. Ron blenched and his eyes opened wide.
"Bloody Hell, Hermione!"
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"I told you no sudden gestures, you can't refrain from snogging, huh?" said Ginny by completing the bandage of Hermione.
If Hermione smiled weakly, Ron was not in the mood to joke.
'"Are you sure she'll be ok, Ginny? I don't know, maybe… Maybe we should go to St Mungo's!"
"I know that I won't graduate before next year, but believe me, I control the situation!" retorted his sister, rather hurt.
"I'm fine Ron..." softly protested Hermione, exhausted.
The young man shook his head, avoiding at all costs watching the blood that Ginny had on her hands.
"You're not fine, you're still bleeding! I don't understand why, Hermione, why magic is doing nothing..."
His voice trembled slightly, betraying his concern.
"Ron, it needs time, in these cases, the magic will help but won't be enough, these ointments are there to complement and help the healing process, but you have to rest Hermione!" replied Ginny.
Then she turned to Hermione.
"I'll still send an owl to St Mungo's, you'll have to avoid the apparition, and if possible to travel as such..."
Hermione nodded and stood up, relying on Ron. They went and joined the Assembly of Aurors, Kingsley arrived in the meantime. The young woman settled in an armchair near the fire, looking at the new Auror from the corner of the eye. Ron took place on the armrest, and grabbed one of her hand to keep it between his. Molly brought tea and settled near her husband, concern marking her face, which made Hermione feel guilty.
Harry gave her a nod that was reassuring, Ginny, sitting at his feet, chewed nervously her lips, George and Bill were also present, standing with Neville, Seamus and two other Aurors.
"Fine", started Kingsley. "You all know why we are gathered here. Four years ago, soon five, Harry Potter defeated Voldemort for good..."
Harry wriggled on his seat, feeling uncomfortable.
"We defeated him", he muttered.
"Since nearly five years", pursued Kingsley, "as you know, small groups of Death Eaters crisscrossed all over the country, attacking mainly the Muggle borns..."
Hermione felt Ron hand tighten hers.
"Whereas we thought that we were dealing with simple "remnants" from the ranks of Voldemort, now, we know more, thanks to Miss Granger..."
He nodded at Hermione.
"It would seem that these attacks are actually a diversion to occupy our services, while other groups, more discreet, are trying to find a way to resurrect Voldemort…"
Unbelieving rustles rose of the assembly. Obviously, some were not yet informed.
"But… It's... impossible, isn't it?" asked the new Auror.
"That, Lucinda, we still don't know, just as we don't know who the director of their operations is… They have in their possession a book that would evoke this possibility... And they are looking for someone to translate it, and this person is Miss Granger, who, as most of you know, has been the victim of an attack a short time ago... They will seek to remove her by all means... and her can't go back to their house for now… Also will we ensure her protection, Miss Granger is working on the translation of some extracts of the famous book...
"But why doesn't she remain at the Auror Department, it would be safer!" asked Seamus.
"Because, , when we wanted to question the owner of the bookstore, he has apparently disappeared... Therefore, we conducted some searches, from former supporters of the same stripe... Interrogations revealed that visibly, a mole is working in the Ministry, watching slightest actions of Miss Granger... We are currently working to uncover him or her... The Weasley House has always been guarantor of the safety of the people fighting Voldemort..."
Mr Weasley nodded. Hermione swallowed, mentally reviewing all her colleagues, people with whom she used to have lunch, with whom she was joking every day... A mole, among them? The simple idea gave her nausea...
"I'll find out as much as I can", announced Bill, "goblins are often aware of things before us..."
"You can also count on me", added Georges, We don't need Voldy to come back from hell!"
Everyone knew that he was thinking of Fred, everyone thought of Fred, Lupin, Tonks.
"And what about my conference in Edinburgh?" asked suddenly Hermione.
"Canceled, obviously!" replied Ron.
Hermione sadly sank back against the backrest.
"Longbottom, Finnigan, you'll be responsible for her close protection, your friendship will be a good stimulant... The Burrow will be protected to the maximum, the mail will be filtered... Guys, we have several avenues to explore... Tomorrow in the first hour, we'll meet at the HQ..."
Kingsley stood up, imitated by his people.
"This mission must remain secret, no one, absolutely no one else should know... Not even your colleagues... On this, Molly, Arthur, thank you for your hospitality..."
"As in the good old days", made Arthur shaking hands with the Auror.
"Can't you stay for dinner?", asked Molly.
"No thanks Molly, I still have a lot to do!"
All followed him outside with the exception of Harry, Ron, Seamus and Neville.
"Bye…" launched Lucinda, furtively looking at Ron, who didn't notice her, occupied with helping Hermione to stand, who glared at the young Auror.
"This man, he works too much", sighed Molly, by watching at them apparating.
George and Bill left to join their respective wives. Hermione observed her friends chatting, just like that, as if nothing had happened, and she felt strangely alone.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Ron awoke to the first light of dawn... He, who was able to sleep 20 hours straight… The life of Auror had radically changed his pace. He stretched carefully not to wake up Hermione. Her face was hidden by an avalanche of brown curls, she was sleeping peacefully. Ron turned towards her and gently parted her hair. He observed her long eyelashes resting on her cheek, her mouth ajar, her small fist tightened near her face. Merlin! He loved everything about her. He would have wanted to sit there, to look at her, not to have to leave, but he had to find who wanted to abduct his reason for living. He kissed her tenderly on the cheek, and stood up.
When Hermione woke up in turn, Ron had already left. The young woman plunged her face into his pillow and breathed loudly his smell, so masculine, so sweet, so him.
"You look addicted to my brother!"
Hermione let out a cry and jerked, hastily covering herself with the sheet.
"Ginny! Nobody told you to knock before entering in a room?!" she cried, flushing like never.
"Do you want some privacy with his pillow? I can come back later!" replied Ginny with a grin.
Hermione threw a pillow at her friend, which burst out laughing while avoiding it.
"No thank you, I'm not addicted to the smell of my brother!"
Hermione laughed.
"You should take your potions and I have to redo your bandages! I have to go to St Mungo's, and I wanted to take care of you before!"
"Fine, I'm getting up!"
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Hermione looked at the sky above her, a milky blue sky, and she thought about the blue, so clear, so pure, and so luminous, of Ron's eyes. She thought about his freckles, his large and protective hands, his large torso, his voice, his mischievous smile when he became again the "Hogwarts Ron".
Sitting in a rocking chair, Hermione rested. She was amazed, but Molly had shown herself very... persuasive. Hermione again saw her tumbled in the office, her wand forward, frowning. She had hardly had the choice, but she had to admit that this pause was more than beneficial. It was barely three p.m., the time would be still long before Ron's return.
She cast a look over her shoulder. Neville and Seamus, rights in their uniforms, hands behind their back, searched the garden carefully.
"The garden is also protected you know!" launched Hermione.
"You know very well that we have to keep an eye on you", said Seamus.
"Neville, if you want, you can go to see Luna and the twins, you live so close!"
Neville frowned.
"Hermione, we have a mission!"
She sighed and stood up.
"Where are you going?" asked Neville.
"Just there in the garden, you'll see me all the time, don't worry..."
Hermione might know that this protection was more than necessary, it was pretty annoying not to have a moment of solitude. She walked slowly toward the trees, beyond of which the protection, which concealed them from eyes and ears, was worn off. She let her eyes run over the horizon, beyond the fields that surrounded the Terrier.
"Hermione..."
She frowned and looked around her. Where does this voice come from?
"Hermione..."
She looked at her friends, who hadn't moved and who were keeping their eyes focused on her. They were too far to hear anything. The voice became stronger.
"Hermione! Damn it! I thought it was somewhere there!"
Hermione opened wide eyes, acknowledging the voice. Daphnee! What was she doing here? She appeared, a few meters from Hermione. The young woman didn't know what to do, she wasn't entitled to cross this boundary, the Aurors were formal, and Ron would be more than furious if she broke the rules put in place for her safety.
When Daphnee was nearby, Hermione suddenly reached out her arm, grabbed one of her friend's, and pulled her suddenly indoors. Daphnee let out a scream and then froze staring at Hermione, while Seamus and Neville rushed up.
"What are you doing here?" asked Hermione.
"I was looking for you, I..."
She fell silent, frightened, when Neville and Seamus arrived at their level, pointing their wands at her.
"Everything is fine!" intervened Hermione, "she's a friend of mine!"
The Aurors exchanged a look. Then, they eventually drop their wands.
"We have to inform the HQ... And prohibition to go inside", lopped off Neville.
Daphnee looked at each of them.
"By Merlin's pants, Hermione, why are Aurors protecting you, what's going on?"
Hermione pulled her towards the seats on the lawn, while the Aurors were resuming their position.
"I can't explain, let's say that I have had some trouble, and that for the moment, I have to stay here..."
"Blimey! That's why I couldn't find the famous Burrow! You've suddenly disappeared, I was terribly worried, and then I get a message, from the office of the Aurors, informing me that I should go alone to Edinburgh... I immediately apparated to try to find you, to make sure that you are fine!
Hermione smiled, touched by her concern.
"Don't worry, I'm fine actually… You'll find all the notes for the conference in the first drawer of my desk at the Ministry..."
Daphnee didn't respond. Hermione observed her closer. She was paler than usual and her hands were shaking. Hermione felt her hair stand up with fear. Something was wrong. She cleared her throat.
"Daphnee, I... I am sorry but you have to leave..."
The young woman raised an empty look on her.
"Daphnee?"
Horrified, she saw her colleague took out a wand and then, directed it towards Hermione's chest, with a bad sneer on her face. Hermione got up hurriedly, spilling her seat in the grass. The eyes of Daphnee darkened.
"Now, Mudblood, you're going to come with me, nicely."
Terrified, Hermione looked at Neville and Seamus, who didn't react. Their looks seemed stunned and lost, as if they were dreaming with their eyes open.
"Your friends aren't going to do anything, they are seeing you and me chatting", chuckled Daphnee.
Hermione felt her heart rhythm accelerating. She had to find a way to get herself out of this situation, and quickly.