A/n: A big, heartfelt thanks to all of you who left behind a review. I wish I could reply to each one of you individually, but updating the story from my phone is eating away most of my energy. But you must know, I cherish each review and new reader who adds this to their favourites or begins to follow it.

I am posting from my phone again, so apologies in advance for errors and typos.

On another note, The voting is now open for Romioneawards 2015 on tumblr. There are awesome stories and fan arts in the nominations. This story is nominated under the Most Intriguing Plot category.A huge thanks to nirdoodle for sending in the nomination. :)

All Character rights belong to JKR.

Chapter 37: Truth and Lies

The night before the 27th of July found Ron pacing in the barely there space inside his bedroom. The second bed placed for Harry had cramped up the room further, and it took him merely three strides to reach from one end of the wall to the opposite window.

By this time tomorrow, either Harry would be with them and celebrating the success of their mission, or, well, Ron wasn't sure he wanted to think of the other possibility. He released a deep sigh. He was worried despite all the precautions he had taken. Yes, both Hermione and he were now apt at Occlumency, thanks to Remus, and they had been secretly practicing all the spells they had learnt. But still this was their first mission after Dumbledore's death. That itself was a disturbing thought.

This fight was nothing new, not to him. He had been a part of it since he had befriended Harry, and although he had not faced the brunt of evil as much as Harry or Hermione had, he knew more about the terror reign than either of his best friends. Harry had not known anything till he had entered the Wizarding world at eleven. Hermione's family and their links had shielded her from it all till last summer. But his story was different. Neither of his friends had inherited the fears, or really known the terror that Ron had heard from his parents and elder siblings. His family was always the one that was in the centre of the war, and always marked for being blood traitors. They had lost family members in the past, and there was a huge possibility of that happening this time too. The very thought scared him. It made him worry about Ginny and his parents, and all his brothers. His ties with Harry had effectively brought them further more in the line of fire. It was not like he doubted his desire to assist Harry, even the thought would be a disgrace to the blood that ran in his veins and the Gryffindor heart he owned, but he worried about their safety once he left, he worried about not being around to look out for them.

A soft knock on his door made him pause. He had no clue who it could be. His parents had long gone off to sleep, and the twins had their own flat now. Ginny would barge in and not bother to knock; it only left her. But she had never come up here in all these weeks, why would she do that now, and that too, at this hour?

He opened the door slightly and sure enough, there she stood, dressed in her familiar peach gown, hair left loose to cascade down her back, a gentle blush gracing her fair cheeks, wringing her hands and with downcast eyes as if she was still debating her judgment to be here.

The anxiety didn't leave him at her sight but there was a fair bit of calm he felt which was soon taken over by an anxiousness of a different nature. Realizing that he was still blocking her path, he cleared his throat consciously and moved aside. Her shoulder brushed against his chest as she entered, causing him to draw in a rugged breath, and he gently closed the door behind her, making sure to leave a slight gap between the wood and the door frame.

She turned towards him and he waited for her to speak. This was the closest she had come to him in weeks, and despite all his strategies and plans that required him to keep away, he craved to pull her in her arms, craved to claim those lips, ached to have her the way he had on his dorm bed months back. And not stop this time. Added his heart and he closed his eyes and took in deep breaths to erase her naked image from his mind.

"Why are you here, Hermione?" He asked when he could manage, his voice coming out deeper than he intended.

She looked up at him with a hundred different emotions floating in her deep brown orbs. The moonlight streaming in through the window that fell on her reminded him of the night at Hogwarts when he had realised that he had fallen madly in love with her.

It seemed she was struggling for words, and he waited as his breath became steadily more rugged at her proximity.

Hermione looked at the tall young man standing ahead of her. He was in his ankle displaying maroon pajama lowers and a black vest that emphasized his broadening shoulders further. He was clearly waiting to hear the reasons for her presence, but how could she tell him that there was no reason apart from a deep craving to see him? All these days she had concentrated on learning Occlumency and practicing defensive and offensive spells with him, she had focused all her attention on the task at hand, keeping her feelings at bay, telling herself that she had to finish this assignment that began but did not end with getting Harry to the Burrow safely. She could understand where Ron stood, his dilemma to give in to any kind of a commitment till Harry succeeded, and she couldn't really hold a grudge against him for it. She didn't really expect anything else from him.

Wondering what to say as an excuse for her presence, she moved towards the open window that overlooked the orchard. Soft, cool breeze blew in messing her curls, and she heard the gentle click of the door closing before his presence felt closer, sending a warm tingle to run down her spine.

His hands moved as if on their own will to turn her around gently and she looked up at him with those shy eyes before lowering them, cheeks colouring deeply. He tenderly tucked an unruly curl behind her ear and lifted her chin to meet her eyes again. There were no words necessary, and his heart cursed him for the pledge he had taken. His palms were now on her face, thumbs gently grazing her cheeks as he dropped his guards while he gazed back into her eyes. She was his, he knew it. He could neither deny nor doubt it anymore, but he could still not have her, because they had different destinies to fulfill first. He wasn't sure where they would stand by the end of it, and the journey would be excruciatingly long, but he hoped Harry would emerge a winner at the end of it, and he hoped he himself would stand true to the trust the Headmaster had placed on him, hoped he would be able to fulfill the task that was allotted to him even if it wasn't specifically worded out.

She knew he would never say it aloud, but she was wiser now. She could see it in his eyes, and without allowing herself to think, she crashed onto his chest and felt those strong arms wrap her in. There was nothing in the world that made her feel as safe as his embrace, nothing in the world she craved more than Ron, and she buried herself onto him further. She feared for his life and Harry's, but she feared losing him the most. She pressed firmly onto his chest, listening and memorising his rhythmic heartbeat, soaking in his fragrance that would be her shield and Patronus in this new journey.

He released her only when she initiated it, and even then, they watched each other in silence for a few minutes. Finally, she stood on her toes to place a kiss on his cheeks.

"Stay safe, Ron... For me." she murmured and a small smile glinted in his eyes.

"You too, Hermione." he whispered back and bend down, causing her eyes to flutter close in anticipation. His lips touched her cheek in the softest of touches before he murmured a goodnight in her ears.

...

She could pass as Ginny's elder sister or perhaps, at a glance as Ginny herself. Her hair was straight and reached her waist in hues of rich auburn. Her skin was a tint lighter than her natural complexion. She stoped in front of everyone but her eyes sought him out as if looking for his confirmation.

"Woah! You could pass as a Weasley!" exclaimed Ginny as Ron continued to look on with mixed feelings.

"That is the idea." replied Tonks. "And this is only till we reach Harry's place anyway.

"Let's hope they take the false bait about the date, but we still need to be on our guard." barked Moody. "But whatever be the case, they will still wait till Harry is outside the protection of the house."

"How encouraging!" grinned George in an undertone and Moody continued after a stern glare at the twins.

"Stick to the timelines, and be alert at all times. Now off we go!" he ordered to the assembled group.

From the moment they moved out to the backyard and he mounted his broom with Tonks, Ron continued to look at her, sending silent prayers for her safety.

How was he to know that by the end of the night, another of their veteran warriors was going to fall, or that his brother was going to narrowly escape death?

...

Harry had not stopped blaming himself for Moody's death. No matter what everyone said or how much Molly kept them all busy with the wedding preparations, he could not shake off the guilt. How many more people would die trying to save him? He knew the Order and a huge chunk of the Wizarding population was looking up to him as their saviour. They were willing to sacrifice their lives in order to save him in the hope that he would be able bring an end to this terror reign. As much as he was determined to do just that, he was apprehensive. There were still so many questions unanswered, so many riddles left to solve. He constantly felt like he was missing something, like there were answers lingering around the corners but just beyond his grasp. He could not help admire the dedication of his two friends. Hermione had gone ahead and catalogued a list of places they had to check for the Horcruxes, the first being Number 12, Grimmauld Place. However, the Order was still working on its safety issues, but with the death of Moody that had now come to a standstill. Harry had seen the ghoul that was to be presented as Ron in his absence, and he could not help feeling rotten about the amount of trouble he was putting the Weasleys through, especially Molly. Would she ever be able to forgive him if something happened to her son? Heck, would he ever be able to forgive himself if something happened to Ron or Hermione?

He had voiced it out to his best mate once and had received a sound admonition and firm answer in reply.

"We are not doing it just for you, Harry." The annoyed redhead had announced, "You maybe the Chosen One mate, but this is a whole lot bigger than that. It has always been bigger than that. And Dumbledore didn't just leave you with a mission, he left tasks for most of us." he had added, bringing Harry down to reality.

He looked at the two figures, one of whom was busy rummaging through his rucksack while the other, taller figure was lying on his back watching the first. The room was barely lit with the light of two wands, and Ron had promptly silenced the room upon Hermione's arrival. Harry had learned quickly that Molly was adamant about not leaving the three alone. She wasn't happy about their decision of not going back to school, but leaving for the secret assignment Dumbledore had set for them instead. Ron often grumbled that she was still treating them as kids. But even he knew it was better not to give the witch a chance to release her ire on them. Hence, these meetings were always arranged in the silence of the night.

Harry felt pleasantly drowsy after the rather large meal Molly had set up for them as a small celebration for Remus and Tonk's hushed wedding. He was only holding on because there was still so much he had to discuss.

Hermione finally finished whatever she was sorting and slumped down on Ron's bed, next to his long legs and Harry noticed the tall ginger quickly scoot away towards the back of the bed.

"I am almost set." she told him.

"Where do we go from here?" inquired Ron.

"I would have said Grimmauld Place, but do you reckon it will be safe?" he asked. Harry had thought over it and knew that the Black House would be the safest apart from it being the place where the locket could perhaps be. But the security of the house itself was a big question now. Surely, the age old protection on the house could not be completely destroyed by Snape?

"Moody was working on it but we don't know for sure if he succeeded." whispered Hermione softly, and he noticed her wiping the corner of her eyes.

"I am sure he did. Maybe Harry and I will go check it out after the Trace ends, before we three leave," suggested Ron, causing Hermione to turn around at him with a gasp.

"No, you won't! The three of us go together, or we don't go at all," she declared strongly.

"We won't leave you back, Hermione. You know we need you." Harry told her, eying his best mate, who, he was sure, was faking a yawn. Hermione looked at their friend once and got up a little consciously.

"I'll go now. 'night Harry, Ron..." she muttered and left with soft footsteps.

Harry waited for Ron to fall asleep, but when he remained staring at the ceiling long after Hermione had left, Harry decided to inquire about things that were running in his head since the day he had arrived.

"Hermione's deduction was right. It was Remus after all." he said casually and without a preamble.

"Wha-, Ah... Yeah..." Ron replied as if caught by surprise.

"She is glowing, but I kind of had a feeling that Lupin isn't so happy."

"Well, it's simple really, isn't it?" Ron answered as if talking aloud to himself, still looking at the ceiling where Chudley Cannon players zoomed in and out of a frayed poster.

"It is? Not to me, mate." he replied, genuinely interested to know the reason for their ex-professor's distress even in his happy hour.

"How can he be happy?" asked Ron in a strained voice. "I'm sure he thinks that Tonks is rushing into this commitment, and most of it has to do with this war and these uncertain times. He feels he is not worth her because of his affliction. Feels that she deserves so much better than him. And he is worried that once all of this is over, she will realize her mistake and either regret choosing me or leave me for someone better... I am not sure he'll be able to live with that, will he?" he finished in a quiet voice.

Harry eyed his best mate for a while not missing the slips he had made. "I thought we were talking about Remus and Tonks, Ron," he said with a sad smile.

"Of course we are, Harry," Ron replied, surprised.

"No mate, you were talking about Hermione and yourself." he replied noticing even in the faint light of the wand, that the other boy had grown red around his neck and face.

"Is that why you treat her like you do?" he pressed on. Harry knew Dumbledore wanted them together and as far as he could see, Hermione had pretty deep feelings for Ron. Why couldn't the prat understand and acknowledge it?

"I don't treat her any different from how I treat you guys." he huffed.

"Ron, most of the Order can see what you don't see, or perhaps don't want to see. Even Dumbledore wanted it." he commented hoping to knock some sense into the stubborn guy next to him.

"Dumbledore is dead, Harry! And things that would have worked in the safety net of his presence don't work anymore." Ron retorted angrily or perhaps out of frustration. He sat up straight on his bed and ran his long fingers through his hair.

"Look mate, we were supposed to go back to school. Hermione was suppose to stay back protected in her Chamber researching, while you and Dumbledore were suppose to look out for these blasted Horcruxes. And I was supposed to keep her linked to our side by being her object of fancy." He uttered the last part in disgust. "We were not suppose to go out on our own hunting and trying to finish parts of His soul all by ourselves. That slimy git wasn't suppose to backstab us. Her presence and alliance was suppose to be a secret. You do realise that they will target capturing her, don't you? And what can we do to save her, save all the secrets she knows? Nothing, not without risking your life. Her only shield can be her identity, of her being a Granger. And I am not ready to take that away from her, are you?"

Harry continued to watch his best mate in silence. Ron was right, these times were different and they had to adjust with these changes.

"Do you love her, Ron?" he asked after a long time.

"I am not going to make the same mistake as Remus, Harry." replied the ginger before extinguishing his wand and turning around to face the wall.

...