Chapter Thirteen: In Bad Taste

For probably the first time in his life, Ron Weasley found himself with nothing to do because there was nothing to do, and it was driving him mad. He had already completed all his previously unfinished paperwork, reorganized his desk, something that needed to be done almost since he had moved into his office, testified at Malacar Amadeus's trial, escorted him to Azkaban, and convinced Larry down in maintenance to charm his window to resemble his back garden. Ron growled with annoyance as he tried to finish the current letter he was writing and found his mind once again begin to wander to places he didn't want it to go. As had been happening all week, every time he stopped working long enough to have time to think, his mind instantly went to the last person he wanted to think about.

He couldn't help himself. Images of her and how she had looked at Blake's naming ceremony kept running obnoxiously through his head. She had looked absolutely gorgeous. The five years she had spent under Spain's warm sun had done wonders to her image. The sun had lightened her hair slightly, turning it from the mousy brown he remembered to the honeyed mass it now was, and had darkened her skin to an eye catching, kissed, glow. The subsequent five years had also done their job altering her body from that of an unshapely seventeen year old, to a very attractive twenty-three year old. He hadn't really given himself a chance to notice the change in Hermione's appearance until this past Sunday and wished desperately that he still hadn't. Damn Parker for brining her to Blake's party and damn her for accepting his offer. If she hadn't been there he wouldn't have spent half the evening keeping himself in check and not charging across the expanse of grass to lay into Parker. Just when he was starting to like him again he had to go and ruin it. And now because of that day he couldn't get the damn woman out of his head and it was driving him mad.

Ron leaned forward, his arms braced against his knees, and pressed his thumbs gently into his eyes. For a second he considered pushing his thumbs in a little harder and gouging them out, maybe then he would stop seeing the way one strand of hair, that one strand she could never seemed able to keep in place, fall in front of her eyes and the way Parker instantly reached out and tucked it behind her ear, as if he had every right to, his fingers lingering momentarily on her cheek. Ron took a calming breath as even the memory caused his blood pressure to rise.

"Bloody hell." He spun his chair around to look at the scene in his picture window. Would the torment never end? After five years of trying to move on and forget about her, one day of watching her laugh and flirt with one of his best friends brought it all rushing back, over whelming him and leaving him annoyed and scared. Scared with the realization that she still had power over him. He couldn't understand how she still had the ability to make him feel like a jealous, preadolescent child with just one look. It was almost like no time had passed at all.

When there was a knock at his office door, Ron turned his head to look over his shoulder. Fern McDougal eased open the door and stuck her head through the gap. "I'm sorry to disturb you Mr Weasley,"

"It's alright, Fern." Ron sent his chair spinning forward. "Come in, sit down." He nodded to the empty chair across from him and waited for her to take a seat. Once she was settled he folded his hands together and placed them on the desk top. "What can I do for you?"

"Actually, I was wondering if I could possibly have the rest of the day off. Only, Jackson just owled me to say he has something special planned for tomorrow night and I need a new dress, but I don't trust anyone else's opinion except my friend Hattie and…"

"Do you think tomorrow is going to be the night?"

Fern blushed prettily as she lowered her eyes, her lips trying to suppress her happy smile. She nodded twice. "I think so."

"Then go. At least someone should be happy." He murmured the last. "You can leave early tomorrow as well. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up with delight.

"Really. Go on now." He nodded his head toward the door.

"Thank you Mr Weasley." Fern leapt out of her chair, leaned across the desk and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. "Thank you so much."

"Jackson is a lucky man."

"Thank you." She cried once again before she turned and hurried toward the door. "Thank you so much. Oh," she stopped with her hand on the handle. "Don't forget your appointment with Ms Edgecombe at four."

"No fears of that. I'll see you in the morning then?"

"Bright and early." She promised.

Ron watched Fern scurry from the room a bittersweet smile on his lips. He almost couldn't remember what it felt like to be young and in love. All he remembered now was the pain that followed when it ended.

Glancing at his watch, Ron saw that he had a little more than half hour before his meeting with Winnie and until that time he was determined to sit right there, arms crossed behind his head, and not think about Hermione Granger at all.

Leaning back in his chair he closed his eyes and thought of the next task on his list, painting Blake's room. He hadn't asked Ginny for her help yet, but he was certain he could convince her to come and help this weekend by offering her a free meal, or better yet, a night without the children. Yes, that was the ticket. He would offer to watch Si and Bryony for an evening so that she and Harry could have a night to themselves, just the two of them. The way Harry had been talking he and Ginny hadn't had a night to themselves probably since Si was born. They deserved it. Of course, if he were a better man he would offer to take the children without anything in return, and he would some other time, but he really wanted Blake's room to be perfect and Ginny was the only one to do it.

He spent the next ten minutes trying to imagine different treatments that they might use on the walls of the nursery. When he pulled his left arm from behind his head and glanced at his watch he found that he had twenty minutes until he was expected to be in Winnie's office. He knew it didn't take that long to traverse the few floors that separated their headquarters, but he was going mad with nothing to do. He retrieved his robes from the hooks mounted on the wall near the entrance and slid them on as he turned the handle and opened the door.

Stepping out of his office and into the maze of partitions that made up the Auror Department was how Ron imagined stepping into a busy hive must feel and sound like. It was a never ending flow of noise and activity that congested the narrow walkways. What with the interdepartmental memos that zoomed about at eye level, heads appearing over the tops of the short walls to talk with neighbors, and the thud of bodies bumping into walls and each other as they tried to avoid hitting anyone in the narrow alleys.

Fastening the clasps on his robes, Ron set out toward the lifts, calling greetings to those he knew as he passed.

"Captain," Gwen's head popped into the hall seconds after he passed her workspace. "Wait a tick. I have something for you." Her head disappeared back inside her cubicle and Ron made his way back to her compartment, stopping just inside as he watched her, an amused smile on his face, as she searched the many piles of files and discarded parchment on her desk. She picked up several stacks, fanned through them, and set them down hastily, causing them to tip and slide into each other making the mess worse. "Where did I put those?" She murmured as she pulled open a desk drawer and began riffling through its contents. "Oh yes," she sat up, popping her fingers, and reached around Ron to her coat which she had hung on the corner of one of the partitions. "I put them in my coat pocket so I wouldn't ruin them."

Ron arched a brow.

"Alright," she rolled her eyes, "I put them in there so I wouldn't lose them as well." She slipped her hand inside one of the pockets and withdrew a stack a glossy wizarding photos. "I just had these developed yesterday or I would have gotten it to you sooner." She began flipping through the stack until she found the photo she was looking for. "I thought you might like to have this." She held it out to him.

Ron accepted the photo and tilted it so that he could see the image. It was of him and Blake, sitting underneath one of the trees in his mother's garden. He recalled that Blake had been growing fussy from being passed around to so many people and he had taken her to the solace of the tree to take a breather, something they had both needed. Together they say facing the woods; his long legs stretched out before him and crossed at the ankles, Blake sitting on his lap, her back to his chest. He had one arm wrapped protectively around her middle, holding her steady while the other hand he held up, one finger extended so that she could wrap her small fingers around it.

"I didn't know you took this." He said, his eyes never leaving the image.

"I prefer it that way. I hate posed shots. They have no real life to them. But candid…sometimes you manage to capture the most wonderful images. Like that one."

"This is…beautiful." He lifted his eyes to hers. "Thank you. So," he leaned against the partition. "What else did you manage to capture?"

"Actually," she chuckled, "I have the most spectacular photo of your mother."

"Gwen love," Felix's head appeared suddenly over the top of their adjoining wall. "Have you finished with the Hallburg file yet? I need to look over it tonight and I wanted to make sure I gave you enough time to find it before the end of the day."

Gwen scowled at Felix's knowing smirk. "Ha, very funny." She set the pictures aside. "Just give me a moment. I was just looking at it." She began fumbling through her files and Ron shook his head with amusement as he backed out the door.

"I have a meeting I need to get to. Thanks again for the picture, Gwen."

"You're welcome." She said offhandedly, already consumed by her search for the missing file.

"Maybe if you cleaned your desk every once and again." He heard Felix say as he walked away, the friendly teasing reminding him of his relationships with his own siblings and causing his lips to tremble with mirth. He and the Alpha Squad were like one big, dysfunctional family. He wouldn't trade them and their sometimes chaotic ways for anything.

Once inside the lifts Ron stared at the picture more closely. It was truly captivating. If one wasn't paying close attention they could almost mistake it for one of those Muggle photos he had seen Harry and Hermione with. He and Blake were both sitting so still, it was as if they were frozen. It was only when viewed closer you could see the way the wind picked at the strands of their hair and playfully tossed them, or the way his thumb lovingly ran in a circle over the back of her hand holding his finger.

The longer he looked at the picture, the more he loved it. It was essentially them. It was these moments, theses moments when Blake was calm enough to be held by him and not wiggle, when all he wanted was to hold her and forget about the troubles that had plagued him all day, that he cherished most. She could calm him in a way no one else ever could. He knew Blake was his savior in more ways than one.

The lift came to a stop on the floor of Winnie's offices and Ron stepped off, tucking the photo carefully into his pocket. He found Winnie's office door, knocked, and entered when she called him.

"Ron," she came around the side of her desk, her hand extended towards him. "You're right on time." She shook his hand eagerly. "Please," she ushered him toward one of two empty seats. "We have quite a bit to discus before the Minister arrives."

"The Minister?" Ron stopped halfway to sitting. "Of Magic?"

"Of course the Minister of Magic. What other Minister would I be speaking of? How many do you know?"

"Just the one."

"Precisely." She took her seat and slid her glasses onto the bride of her nose. "And speaking of which, why exactly didn't you tell me you were on first name bases with the Minister?"

"Er…" Ron sat back with surprise. "I reckon I didn't think it was relevant."

"Everything," she emphasized, "is relevant. Do you have any idea how much quicker this process would have been if you had informed me sooner? Having the Minister supporting you and your petition has made all the difference. I had estimated another three weeks at the earliest before we would be able to sign any papers, but because of the work the Minister has done you'll be signing them today." Her eyes narrowed slightly with puzzlement. "He was quite adamant that it be today actually, something about family dinner and wanting the family complete. He didn't really stop and explain. In any case, as soon as he arrives we'll get these papers signed and that will be that."

Ron stared blankly at her a moment as he tried to process everything she had said in her little tirade. "And that will be what, exactly?"

"Oh, for goodness sake, Ronald. Do I have to spell everything out?"

"Apparently, because I'm not sure if I am following."

"Alright," she placed her hands daintily on the desk top, one hand over the other. "You are, of course, aware that after the way, by request of Harry Potter, the Ministry made a major push to have all orphaned children adopted or placed in the care of wizarding families, yes?"

Ron nodded. "Of course."

"Did you also know that Minister Shakelbolt took an active role in getting it all accomplished? He was aware of every single adoption case and stepped in to help anytime he was needed. He's a great man. I respect him immensely. Minister Shakelbolt came into my office straight away Monday morning to inquire as to why I hadn't informed him you were trying to adopt the Blythe… I mean Blake. Ron," she leaned forward eagerly, "he pushed everything through. He made your case top priority. He said that with everything you and your family did and suffered in the fight against You-Know-Who, and everything you continue to do now, it was the least the Wizarding community could do for you."

"You mean to tell me…"

Winnie nodded excitedly. "All that's left is for you to sign the papers and she's legally yours."

Ron slumped back in his seat, his mind reeling with shock. Amongst the hundreds of thoughts fighting to the forefront of his brain, one became more predominant. Blake was finally going to be his. Really and truly his. After today it would be over and he could stop worrying that someone would come and try and take her away from him.

A tender smile slid across his lips as his eyes brightened with tears. "I don't know what to say. How will I ever thank you?"

"Don't thank me. I didn't really do anything. You did all my research and Minister Shakelbolt did all my work."

"I just can't believe it. Is the Minister allowed to do that? Push through his own agenda like this?"

Winnie shrugged. "Who's going to try and stop him? Besides, I for one am glad to see a Minister use his power to help someone else for a change. If he helps one more child find a happy home more quickly, then I'm all for anything he wishes to suggest."

"You're amazing." Ron said. "You really care about every child who passes through here, don't you?"

"Yes." She said simply. "Otherwise I couldn't do this job." There was a firm knock at the door. "That must be the Minister now."

"Why do we need the Minister here?" Ron followed Winnie to her feet and watched as she moved towards the door.

"He requested that he act as witness to this adoption. I didn't think you would object."

"No. Not at all. By all means."

"Excellent." Winnie pulled open the door. "Minister Sh…Paxman? What are you doing here? I'm with a client."

"I realize that." Winnie was forced to step aside as a tall man with honey colored blond hair forced his way into her office. "I understand you're planning on signing the adoption papers for the Blythe baby today."

"Yes." Her eyes narrowed uneasily as she closed the door. "How did you know that?"

"I have friends in the Minister's office. I'm afraid I can't allow you to go through with this adoption, Winnie."

"I've told you not to call me that," she said acidly, "especially when I'm with a client."

"Oh yes," Paxman turned to face Ron. "You must be," he flipped open the file he carried, "Ronald Billius Weasley. Sorry to do this to you, mate." He said, though he didn't seem a bit of it.

"I'm not your mate." Ron glared at the man until the smile vanished momentarily from his face and he took an involuntary step back. "Winnie," he looked to his friend, "What is he talking about?"

"I have no idea. Samuel Paxman, you had damn well better have a good reason for barging into my office like that and distressing my client."

"I thought I would come here today and save you the hassle and embarrassment of a law suit. But if you would rather I just leave…"

"What law suit?"

"The one that will be filled against you and Captain Weasley if you continue with this adoption."

"On what grounds?"

"That you had no legal right. That right lies with her guardians."

What little color Ron had in his already pale face drained away. He swallowed audibly. "What guardians?"

"The ones appointed to her by her birth parents, Timothy and Vyvica Blythe."

"There were no guardians appointed. I've been through all their legal papers. I would have seen…"

"Are you sure you didn't…accidently misplace them?"

Ron's eyes roared with fury as color rushed back into his face. "What exactly are you accusing me of, sir?"

"Nothing. I can't accuse you without proof, now can I? And where am I ever going to find that? What with you being such good friends with Minister and all. Who would ever turn you in?"

Ron took a step forward only to have Winnie come between him and his prey and force him back with a hand to his chest. "Ron, let me handle this."

"He's accusing me of tampering with evidence." Ron pointed a finger at the other man.

"I know," she said forcefully, pushing his hand down. "Let me handle this."

When she was certain Ron wouldn't lose himself again and attack, she turned to face the other man. "Who are you representing?"

"Mr Malacar Amadeus."

"Malacar Amadeus!" Ron exploded. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Ron,"

"Winnie, he's a convicted Death Eater! I testified at his hearing not two days ago!"

"Another peculiar coincidence, don't you think?"

Ron lurched forward and this time Winnie used her wand to hold him back. "I told you to let me handle this."

"This is ludicrous. That monster has been committed to a life time sentence in Azkaban."

"Ron, if you don't calm down I am going to have to ask you to leave. Now sit. Take a few deep breaths."

Growling with frustration Ron moved away, tugging painfully at his hair.

"By what right does Amadeus claim he has guardianship over the child?"

"He's her godfather."

"That's a lie." Ron spun around. "Her godfather would have been named at her Naming Ceremony. Her parents never had the chance to perform one."

Paxman sighed. "Fine. He would have been named godfather, if the Ministry hadn't seen fit to kill her parents before the deed could be done. As such, he claims full guardianship of the Blythe's child."

"Why wasn't I informed of this earlier?" Winnie moved slowly to her desk and sat down.

"My client has been out of the country…"

"He was running from the law."

"And so," Paxman continued as if Ron hadn't spoken, "was unaware of the death of Timothy and Vyvica and did not, thus, know the fate of their, at the time, unborn child. He immediately contacted me after learning of their untimely demise and set me with the task to learn what had happened to their child. I assure you, I came as soon as I learned what a terrible mistake you were about to make."

"Malacar Amadeus is not Blake's godfather." Ron turned and focused his mutinous eyes on Paxman. "There are no records to support his claim. I would have found them if there were."

"Just the same," a slick smile slid onto his lips. "You won't be signing any adoption papers today."

"And how, pray tell," Ron asked through painfully gritted teeth, "does your client intend to care for a small child while carrying out his sentence in Azkaban?"

"His family will be stepping in, naturally. His sister and brother-in-law, to be more specific, with help from his mother."

Ron leaned forward, placing his hands firmly on Winnie's desk. "I will die before I let that happen."

"Ron." Winnie said warningly.

"Winnie," Ron lowered his voice so only she could hear him. "The entire family is being investigated for Death Eater activities. We have information on his sister and brother-in-law that would make your head spin. You can't let this happen. You can't let them get their hands on her."

Winnie shook her head sadly. "We might not have an option."

"No!" he shouted taking a step back. "No! This is my daughter we're talking about. My little girl."

"Actually" Paxman sneered, "You'll see she's not."

Ron turned on the other man. "If you want to live to see tomorrow you'll remain very, very quiet."

"Are you threatening me?"

Ron whipped out his wand and jabbed it at Paxman right between the eyes. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. I will not allow murdering Death Eaters to get their hands on my daughter. It won't happen."

Paxman stared down the length of Ron's wand into his murderous blue eyes. "I'm afraid you're too late to stop it."

Ron remained frozen like a statue as the terrible realization took over him. "Blake," He dropped his wand hand as he took off at a dead run, tearing open the door and sprinting down the hall, hastily shoving aside Ministry workers unfortunate enough to get in his way.

When he reached the Ministry provided child care, he threw open the door so hard that it collided with the wall giving off a resounding thwack.

"Captain Weasley!" Ruthie Kane, who ran the center, whirled about, a two year old child in her arms. "I've been trying to reach you." She stepped forward, her eyes wide with concern. "I sent Dolly after you but your assistant wasn't there and nobody seemed to know where you were. I tried to stop them," she burst into frantic tears, "but I couldn't. They had orders."

Ron stumbled backwards, his heart tightening painfully in his chest. "No," his breath came in short, shallow pants. "No." He said more firmly, shaking his head with disbelief.

Ruthie pulled a piece of parchment out of her pocket and offered it to him. "They left this for you. They said something about a custody dispute…I don't understand. What did they mean? I thought little Blake was yours."

Ron shook his head as he backed out the door.

"Wait. Captain Weasley, you forgot this."

But Ron didn't hear her. He was already off running again, one thought coursing through his brain. He had to find her. He had to get her back. He needed to get her back.

It felt like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. There was no other way to describe the tense felling that gripped her body and mind. She and Parker couldn't have been at the Burrow for more than twenty minutes but it felt like hours. She just didn't feel right being there, hadn't felt right about it all week. Ron hadn't even arrived yet and the anticipation caused by waiting for him to make an appearance was starting to get to her. She, like everyone else, was waiting for all hell to break loose, because of course it would. Ron couldn't stand the sight of her and had made that abundantly clear on Sunday. He would not take too kindly to her being at his family dinner.

As another minute passed Hermione began to wonder if he would show up at all. Perhaps someone had forewarned him that she would be there and so decided to forego family dinner that week.

When a hand landed suddenly on her shoulder, Hermione whirled around, a high pitched squeak escaping her lips, her hand knocking the wineglass out of Parker's hand, spilling the red liquid all down his front. "Shite!" Her eyes grew suddenly wide. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry." She set aside her own glass as Parker pulled the sodden fabric away from his chest with two fingers.

"It's alright."

"No it isn't." Hermione insisted, pushing his hands away from the large stain. "Let me fix this." She pulled out her wand and began to siphon the liquid away from the robes. "It's not coming out." Her voice grew panicky as she realized the liquid was disappearing but the color was being left behind. "Parker, it's not coming out."

"Hermione," he repeated her name twice more but was only able to gain her attention when he took both her hands in his and held them still, waiting until she looked him in the eye before speaking. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing." She said anxiously. "I'm not nervous. Why would you think I'm nervous?"

"I didn't say nervous. Hermione," he released one hand to tilt her chin up. "What's going on? You've been titchy all week."

"Don't say that." She closed her eyes as she tilted her head down.

"Say what?"

"Titchy. Ron used to say that."

"I know. That's where I leaned it. Hermione, are you feeling well? Should I escort you home?"

Hermione pulled her other had free of his grasp so that she could rub at her face with both. "We can't leave." She groaned, "Mrs Weasley would never forgive us."

"If you're not feeling well I'm sure she would understand."

"I'm feeling fine." She dropped her hands from her face. "It's just that…I don't know…I don't feel right being here. Isn't this uncomfortable for you?" she asked.

"No. Should it be?"

"Yes." Hermione said almost frantically. "Yes it should. Don't you think this is odd? I mean honestly, what sane person brings a bloke on what should be a first date to a family dinner with a family that is not technically hers? You don't consider that abnormal?"

"Hermione," he retook her hands, "I could care less where we are tonight. We could be eating out of rubbish bins and I would still be happy just because I'm with you. I would go anywhere and do anything just to have that privilege."

"You're more nutters than I am." She rolled her eyes. "Out of rubbish bins?"

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah," she nodded. "I do." She closed her eyes and leaned into his chest. "Parker, why are you so sweet to me?"

"Because," he allowed his fingers to stroke her back comfortingly. "You deserve it."

She shook her head. "I don't deserve anything."

"You deserve everything." He insisted. "You deserve to be happy and in love with a man who loves everything about you. Who goes insane with jealousy when he sees another bloke so much as look at you twice. You deserve to be loved and cherished by a man who makes you feel complete. And I'm determined that you have that. No matter what."

Hermione let Parker hold her for a few minutes more as she grappled with what he had said. Everything sounded so wonderful, and she ached to feel that way, mostly because she believed she could never feel that again. Not that she ever really had, things being what they were between her and Ron, but just the same. Parker was a wonderful man, but she didn't know if she was ready to let him or anyone else into her heart again.

"I really am sorry about your robes." She said as she pulled away, picking at the dark spot on his new outfit.

"Don't worry, I can afford to buy new ones."

"But you shouldn't have to. Mrs Weasley is a master of household charms. Perhaps she knows a spell that will take the stain out."

"That's not necessary."

"Please," she placed a hand to her chest, "I would feel better if you would at least let her try."

"Alright. If it will make you feel better, then by all means."

Fleur shook her head and ticked her tongue as she watched Hermione and Parker walk into the house. "It iz a good zing, no, zat Ron waz not here?" she asked to the circle of Weasley's gathered in the garden waiting for dinner to start.

Fred snickered as he rolled his eyes. "You have that right. He would have blown a gasket. Too bad, it might have done him some good."

"Well I say good for her." Ashken lifted her chin defensively. "Ron's being a pratt, as far as I can tell, and she's waited too long for him as it is."

"Still," George said uneasily, "I can't believe Mum invited them to dinner. What was she thinking?"

"Perhaps she misses them." Ginny suggested reproachfully. "Perhaps she wanted everyone she considers family to sit down together for one meal."

"Well, I still think it was in bad taste."Percy said speaking up and surprising the whole group. "What?" He said stiffly, straightening his robes. "I know you all think that I don't care what happens in this family, but I do. Ron is my brother after all and he's going to have a hard enough time as it is. He doesn't need to be tormented this way as well."

"What are you talking about?" Ginny's eyes narrowed on one brother as concern instantly washed over her for another.

Percy sighed as he looked around. "I really had hoped to get confirmation from Ron before I said anything. But seeing as he's not here I am going to assume that what I've heard is true and it might be wise to forewarn you. Today at the Ministry…"

Percy was interrupted by a loud bang that had everyone turning in surprise. Ron's tall, muscular body now stood in the back garden, turned away from the small group, and facing towards the house. "Harry!" he cried out, his voice filled with anguish. "Harry, where are you!"

"I'm over here, Ron." The tall redhead swung around as the group stepped aside so that Harry could pass. "What is it?" He asked, taking in the terrifying sight of an anguished Ron, "What's happened?" He shifted Bryony so that she was resting against his shoulder.

"Harry, please. You have to help me. You have to help me get her back."

"Wha…"

Ron took Harry firmly by the arms. "They've taken her, Harry. They've taken her and they won't give her back to me. They snuck in like thieves and took her. You have to help me. You have to help me get her back." The first trace of tears began to course down his cheeks but he seemed unaware of them in his torment.

"Ron, who is they and who did they take? Was it Blake?"

"Of course it was Blake!" Ron shouted, wrenching away from Harry, his despair suddenly turning to fury. "Who else would we be talking about? They took her while I was at work, when they knew I wouldn't be there to fight them off. Harry you have to help me get her back. I don't know what else to do. I've gone to Greene and I've gone to Shakelbolt, there's nothing they can. You're the only one who can help me now. Please,"

"What do you think I can do?"

"What can't you do? You're Harry bloody Potter! Please Harry, I've never asked you for anything before. Please, help me now."

"I don't know if I can. I mean, I'll try but…this might be beyond anything I can do."

"Don't say that, please. Don't say that."

"Ron, take a deep breath and try and calm down."

"Don't tell me to try and calm down." He shouted angrily. "Are you going to help me or not?"

"Yes. How could you even ask? But you have to tell me what's happening. I don't understand. Who took Blake? Where is she now?"

Ron tried to take a calming breath but it didn't help, it only agitated him worse. "Ministry Officials took her. They won't tell me anything. They're treating me like I've done something wrong. Like I've committed a crime. I did everything by the book, Harry. I did everything they told me to do. Why are they doing this to me?"

"I…I don't know. Why did they take her in the first place?"

"It's the most absurd thing I've ever heard." Ron turned and began tugging at his hair as he paced. "He's a convicted Death Eater and they're actually listening to him."

"Who is?"

"Malacar Amadeus. He's claiming that he's Blake's godfather and that when her parents died all parental rights should have been passed on to him."

Harry stared at Ron blankly for a moment. "Fuck. Ron, I'm sorry."

"Don't you tell me that! Don't you dare even think it!" He clenched his hands into tight fists. "Just help me fix this."

The back door to the Burrow opened and Parker and Hermione stepped out into the night. "Ron?" Parker stopped just outside the door on the first step, the stain gone from his robes and his hand slung comfortably around Hermione's waist. He stared at his friend and Captain in disbelief, never before having seen him in such a disheveled, hysterical state. "What happened? What's wrong?" He asked, instantly knowing something was the matter.

The tears in Ron's eyes instantly ceased and the blue orbs turned cold as he spotted the pair, still holding on to each other, in his back yard, and was overcome with unimaginable rage. He could feel the blood begin to pound more fiercely inside his chest and a vein appeared suddenly at his temple. All the hurt, anger and hostility he felt towards the Ministry was immediately transferred to the two who stood frozen in fear by the look in his eyes.

"What's this?" His voice was terrifyingly devoid of warmth. "What are you doing here with her?"

Acting upon the need for self preservation Parker snatched his hand away from Hermione's waist.

"It wasn't Parker's fault." Hermione said meekly, cowering beneath the intense fire in his eyes. "We…"

"I wasn't talking to you!" Ron snapped. "I was talking to Parker. What are you doing here with her?"

Feeling suddenly annoyed with her own cowardice and quite irritated by the way Ron had ruined the mood of the evening, she stepped off the stairs and onto the grass. "Don't answer that, Parker." She lifted her chin defiantly. "There's no need to explain our presences." She crossed her arms angrily over her chest. "We have an invitation."

"From who?"

"You mother."

Ron's eyes flashed to the house. "She was mistaken. You're not wanted here. Either of you." His eyes flashed momentarily to Parker, "Leave."

"How dare you?" Hermione uncrossed her arms as she stomped her foot angrily. "What makes you think you have the right to treat either of us like this? In case you've failed to notice, Ronald, but you're not the only person with an opinion here. Did you ever think that perhaps other members of your family want me here? Did you? I happen to love your family, and I will not allow you to keep me away from them."

"Hermione," Reacting to the still fury he could see smoldering inside Ron and recognizing it as being more dangerous than his thunderous anger ever was, Parker stepped off the last step and took her arm, drawing her back, his eyes never leaving Ron. "I think we'd better leave."

"No," she pulled her arm free. "Mrs Weasley invited us here and we're staying."

"You see, Gale? What did I tell you? Nothing but trouble."

Hermione's mouth gapped open in indignation as Parker's eyes widened with surprise. "Gale?" he asked uneasily. "You've never called me that before."

Ron's chin stiffened more. "You've never given me reason to. You've always done as I asked you, no questions. Why this time? What are you doing here? I asked you to stay away from her." He shook his head as the knot grew thicker in his throat. "Where were you today? I came looking for you. I needed your help and you weren't there."Ron's eyes widened momentarily with realization. "You were off with her weren't you?"Ron's eyes focused on Hermione and Parker was instantly frightened. "You know what? That's it. I'm not asking you anymore. As you're superior I'm ordering you to stay away from her. She's nothing but poison. A venomous snake. Look what she's done to us."

Hermione's eyes flared to life. "What I've done to you?" Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible. "How dare you?" She shouted, taking an irate step forward. "This is all your fault, you manipulative, cold hearted, bastard!" She shoved angrily at his chest. "You order him to stay away from me? Why, Ron? Why must you try and take everything from me? Haven't you done enough already? Haven't you hurt me to your satisfaction yet?" She pounded angrily on his chest. "What the hell did I ever do to you? What did I do that caused you to hate me so much?" She wiped furiously at her eyes. "How dare you treat me like this? I never hurt you. I never hurt anyone. Can you say the same? Can you? Don't bother answering, I already know." She was crying hysterically now, pounding against his solid chest until the sides of her hands hurt. "How could you do that, Ron? How could you use me like that? You were supposed to be my best friend. You were meant to look out for me, not use me like your dirty little play thing."

Ron shoved her angrily away, his eyes narrowing with disgust. "How can you stand there and act all innocent? You never hurt anyone? I knew you were a condescending bitch, but even you couldn't be that stupid. Merlin, it sickens me to look at you."

Hermione staggered backwards, stunned by the sheer hatred he radiated towards her.

"Ron. Hermione. That's enough."

Ron turned on Parker, his face a mask of hatred and disdain. "Why don't you just take her home? Harry and Ginny aren't there; you can shag her anywhere you want to and be done with it. Isn't that what you were talking about in Taymyr? Getting inside her knickers? You might as well go now and be done with it. That's all a woman like her is good for anyway."

"Is that what you think?" Hermione found her voice again. "Is that what you really think? So the truth finally comes out. All these years I wondered and now it's all so clear. Is it just me, Ron? Or is that the only thing all women are good for?" She ripped her arm out of Parker's grasp when he tried to lead her away. "Come on, out with it. Is it just me, or is it all women that you hold in such disdain?" Ron remained quiet but it didn't matter, she could see the truth of it in his eyes. "I was right, I didn't want to be, but clearly I was. You really are a heartless bastard and someone should take that sweet little girl away from you before you ruin her."

The garden around them fell eerily quiet. Hermione took a step back as for the first time since she had known him Hermione feared that Ron would strike her. But he didn't move. He just stared at her. Fists clenched so tight the knuckles were white. "Are you through?"

"No," She said, though she wasn't sure where the courage to say so had come from. "This isn't over."

Ron turned and began to walk away.

"That's right." She called after him. "Run away like you always do. Why you were ever put in Gryffindor I'll never know. You're a coward, Ron Weasley. A coward."

"That's enough." His voice was dead calm and had the desired effect. Hermione fell abruptly silent. Ron turned around, latched onto her wrist and began towing her behind him. "Come with me."

The heady effect of bravery she had been feeling moments ago instantly evaporated as terror for her safety took over. "Ron, stop. Let me go. I'm not going anywhere with you." She attempted to dig her heals into the ground as she tried to break free of his iron strong grasp. Her toe caught on a rock and she staggered forward but quickly gained her feet and tried again. "Ron! Let Me Go!"

Stopping suddenly, Ron flung her around so that she was in front of him, abruptly pulled her tight to his chest, and latched an arm securely around her middle moments before he turned and the both of them disappeared.