Hello Everyone, it's me. But of course you knew that. You've undoubtedly been wondering where in the bloody hell I've been for the past two months. You're completely justified in asking that. I will share something with you. Have the absolute, worst possible, luck when it comes to electronics. I always seem to pick the wrong ones. I've had three computers completely die on me for no apparent reason. I've gone through two IPods, though the first time they gave me a faulty one. And now my Zune is on the fritz. It's just not good. So where all this is leading is to my latest computer failure. Two months ago the GPU (I believe that's what my brother told me it was called) on my NVidia Video processor, burned itself out, taking the motherboard with it. This is apparently something that has been happening to Nvidia cartridges all over the world. Roughly a month and a half after people their computer the cartridge burns itself out. HP knows this is happening but they're trying to cover it up because they can. So, seeing as I'm a newly graduated, and have no money I wasn't able to fix it right away. So I had no computer. I was lucky in that my parent's paid to get it fixed for me as my Christmas present. I had back for an hour. One hour, and I contracted a virus. And then, apparently my antivirus wasn't good enough so I couldn't get it off. Every attempt I made has made it worse, which means its back in the shop and it isn't done yet.

So, seeing that I had very little computer access, which basically means none, it's taken me a very long time to get this chapter typed up and corrected. I don't know if it's up to standard, I just need to get it out to you because I can't stand the guilt anymore. This is also why I have chosen not to respond individually to your reviews as a normally do. I thought you would appreciate receiving the next chapter more then receiving a personal review. It doesn't mean I appreciate your reviews any less, but with limited internet and all of that, I hope you can understand.

So, I'm going to shut up now. I just really wanted you all to know that I was not deliberately wasting time or trying to frustrate anyone, other than myself. I really did get this to you as quickly as I possibly could. Hopefully this chapter isn't riddled with too many mistakes. Looking forward to hearing from you all again, because I have really missed you, Noterwomann

Chapter Twenty-Four: Try and Stop Me

The moon waned high above them, a single silver crescent in the black sky. Under the weak light the stars shone intensely bright, but in the field where Ron and the Alphas waited it was mostly black. The shadows sucked up what little illumination there was until the only thing discernable was the faint outline of the large boulder.

Ron shifted uncomfortably on the cold, wet ground. He hadn't cast an impenetrable charm before hunkering down to wait and the moisture from the soil had soaked through both his outer robes and his clothes beneath.

Growing impatient Ron turned over his wrist to check the time, only to curse when he saw the bare skin where his watch should be.

"Fifteen to."

Ron glanced over at his second from the corner of his eye. "I would have thought they'd be here by now."

Parker smiled brashly at Ron, one corner of his lips raised higher than the other. "Anxious are we?"

Ron harrumphed, turning his eyes away. "Are we certain we have the right location?"

"Positive."

"They could have said Gaggelmen's Gulch to throw us off."

Parker's eyes rolled. "They didn't know we were listening."

"We don't know that."

"Ron," Parker said sternly, reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder. "Relax. It's not time yet."

"But what if we're wrong?"

Parker let his hand drop when he shrugged. "We found Amadeus, didn't we?" He glanced at Ron and saw the anxiety on his face. "Ron, if they do manage to get past us we'll track them down." He assured. "We always do. They won't evade us for long."

"I would rather this be done tonight."

Parker nodded. "Agreed. I have a few other things I need to take care of."

Ron's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "I wasn't aware we had any new assignments."

Parker forced himself not to smile at the word we. He could feel some of the tension he had been carrying with him ease from his body, allowing him to physically relax. We was a good sign. It meant Ron hadn't entirely given up on them. We meant that Ron, his best friend, was defiantly still inside him somewhere. We meant Ron was on his way back.

Using the same teasing voice he always used when he was razing Ron, Parker nudged him. "Work doesn't stop just because you decide not to show up. Besides," he turned his body just enough to be facing his friend, "I never said I was working on anything assigned by the Ministry." Parker glanced at his watch before refocusing his attention on the empty field. He turned his wand in his hand, finding a more comfortable grip. "Any minute now." He said, just loud enough for Ron to hear.

Carefully shifting his body so as not to give away his location, Ron eased closer to his partner. "You've gone rogue?" The words were quieter then a blade of grass rubbing against another.

"You're one to talk." Parker snorted. "Who do you think I learned it from?"

"You'll fill me in when we get back to headquarters."

Parker nodded his agreement. "Now would you shut it?" He hissed. "I'm trying to work."

Ron rolled his eyes. But this time when he fell quiet he remained silent, all of his attention focused on their task.

The wind picked up then, churning the stocks and adding a gentle purr to the night sounds. Insects buzzed around the Aurors heads, obnoxious, but ignored. Everything was silent. Not a sound was out of place, not a blade of grass bent out of order. If Ron hadn't known where each member of his team was located he wouldn't have been able to spot them, so well hidden they were.

It was in this perceivably empty field that Carbonell and Melantha Javed appeared moments later. The woman clung painfully to her husband's arm, her already pale fingers turning bone white from the force of her grip. Carbonell reached for her hand with his free one, gripping it tightly in an attempt to comfort. The pair looked suspiciously around, crossing the short distance of open field to stand in the shadow of the boulder.

"You don't think we missed him," Melantha whispered urgently, "do you?"

Carbonell shook his head once, the movement sharp. "We have five minutes." He glanced at his watch. "More than enough time."

Melantha continued to look around anxiously. "I don't like this place." She looked up at Carbonell, her fingers tensing further. "I don't like this place at all. Something doesn't feel right."

"Quiet." He snapped harshly.

Melantha's voice trembled. "Why did we have to meet him here? Surely there must be someplace else we could…"

"I already told you," he cut her off, "he'll only do business with us out of the public eye. It doesn't get less public then this."

"How do you know we can trust him?"

Carbonell slowly turned his wife to face him, tilting her chin up until she was looking at him. "What choice do we have, love? This is it. This is our last option."

Melantha closed her eyes as she pushed herself tight against her husband. "Carbonell," She pressed her face into his chest, "Promise me we're going to make it."

Carbonell pressed a kiss to the crown of Melantha's head. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he had the chance there was another pop.

The Javeds were joined by a tall man. He was well built, muscles defined even under his heavy layer of robes. His most defining feature was the mop of bright yellow hair that covered his head. He was instantly recognizable. His name was Erik Wells. He worked in the Office of Magical Transportation.

Parker must have recognized him as well, for Ron felt him tense beside him. Ron cautiously placed a hand on his partner's shoulder. The look in his eyes warned him to keep calm.

"Do you have the gold?" Well's asked, breaking the momentary silence.

Carbonell dug into his pocket, pulling out a large sack. He gave it a slight toss so that the coins made a heavy clinking sound as they knocked together. "Do you have the portkey?"

Wells narrowed his eyes at Carbonell. "Gold first."

Carbonell stood there staring back. When he didn't move Melantha nudged him in the back. "Give it to him."

Carbonell ignored her. "How do I know you won't run as soon as you have the gold? I need some type of insurance the portkeys good."

"If you don't trust me I can just leave." The yellow haired man turned his back on the couple. "Good luck finding someone else to make you a portkey at this late hour."

"No wait." Melantha threw herself at the porter, dragging him back. "I trust you." She reached for the moneybag Carbonell still held. "Give it here." His fingers tightened around the neck. "Carbonell," she tugged firmly at the sack. "Let go." She tugged at the bag again. Panic made its way into her voice. "I refuse to spend the rest of my life in prison. Now let go." She managed to break her husband's hold on the bag, catching it awkwardly, unprepared for its surprising weight. Smoothing down her hair and robes, she turned back to the porter and offered the gold.

Wells snatched the bag from her fingers, pulling open the draw strings at the mouth to look inside.

"It's all there." She assured him. "Every coin."

"It better be." He tugged the drawstrings firmly closed. "Or the location of your portkey might just slip to the next Auror I meet."

"How about me?" Ron leapt lightning quick to his feet, wand drawn. "Will I do?"

"You bastard." Carbonell sneered at the porter, drawing his wand from his pocket. "You betrayed us." Melantha whipped out her wand beside him.

The pair turned in a tight circle, there eyes growing wide with desperation as more Aurors appeared in the field surrounding them.

Next to the couple Ron could see Well's mind working behind his eyes, trying to come up with some plausible excuse for his presences in the field. "I've so glad you've come." He finally stuttered. "These outlaws were trying to flee the country and I…"

"Am going to shut up right about now." Ron finished for him. He pulled his wand from Carbonell and turned it on the porter. "That's what I thought." He said when the man's mouth slowly closed. "I'm afraid you'll find the Ministry is not lenient on those guilty of trafficking illegal portkeys. Especially not when the trafficking comes from within."

"Carbonell," Melantha hissed, "What are we going to do?"

Without stopping to think, Carbonell turned his wand on his closest opponent. Instantly spells were fired from all sides. Carbonell pushed his wife out of harms way as he dove to the side, firing off more spells before hitting the ground and rolling.

Following her husbands lead, Melantha took up her wand and began firing spells back. She regained feet, ducking and spinning out of the way of jets of light, laughing manically as the magic whisked by her, a hair's breath away from her skin.

A curse escaped Ron's lips when several members of his team fell under stray magic. But there was no time to stop now and see if they were alright. Steel cold determination surged through his body. He strode boldly forward, quickly disarming the Porter, one eye steady on the Javeds. He was forced to duck when a stray spell flew past his head.

It was in that moment that Wells thrust his hand into his pocket and pulled out a heavy sack. It was bulky and angular. Ron knew instantly what it was.

Without thinking, he threw himself at the Porter. His shoulder collided with the man's stomach. Grunting painfully, Wells threw his arms out, desperate to regain his balance. The bag soared out of his flailing hands and landed at Melantha's feet.

The firing of magic seemed to halt as Ron landed with a grunt. Ron's proximity to their target seemed too close for his team.

Taking advantage of the second long cease fire, Carbonell turned his wand on Ron.

"Hold fire." Parker yelled. His order silenced the entire field.

Ron rolled off the Porter and onto his knees. In less time then it took to breath Carbonell had the tip of his wand at Ron's throat.

"Drop your wand." The threat in his voice left no room to doubt that Ron would be dead before his next breath if he did not comply.

Fighting against his natural instinct, he forced his fingers to loosen around the shaft of wood until it fell uselessly to the ground.

"Melantha," Carbonell ordered. "Pick up the bag."

Wand held out in front of her, eyes jumping from one tense face to the other, she crouched down and grasped blindly for the sack at her feet.

"Any of you so much as move," Carbonell proceeded to threaten, "And I kill Weasley." His lips turned into an ugly sneer. "You," He said, forcing the tip of his wand further into the soft flesh of Ron's neck. "You have been a thorn in my side for weeks. I should have killed you long before that ludicrous trial."

Ron's eyes slipped past Carbonell to Parker. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he nodded.

"Open the bag." Carbonell snapped. "Open it. Open it!" He grew impatient when Melantha's fingers fumbled the fabric. "On three, dear. One…Two…" Carbonell looked to see where he reached just before the number three. With a roar that shocked both the Javeds, Ron lurched to his feet, catching the wand Parker through to him, instantly reaching to knock the portkey from their hands before they had a chance to activate it.

In her fright Melantha squeezed the bottom of the bag, forcing the tea kettle out of the top, connecting with Ron's fingers the same moment it brushed hers and Carbonell's.

There was an instant sensation of their fingers being fused to the cool metal and the familiar jerk of a hook from behind the naval.

Knowing that he had very little time, Ron tightened his hold on Parker's wand. As soon as they landed he needed to disarm and immobilize them both if he wanted any chance of making it home. He didn't like his current situation. One armed wizard against two in an unknown location with a foreign wand was not the type of odds he liked to take.

Carbonell had used his time in transit to plan as well. He must have dropped his wand when Ron collided with him when he lurched to his feet because the moment the portkey released them, he swung at Ron, his fist connecting painfully with his jaw. "Run Melantha!" He yelled, taking another swing at Ron. "Run!" He yelled, tackling Ron when he took aim with Parker's wand.

Carbonell's fist connected soundly with Ron's chest the same moment Melantha cried, "Expelliarmus!" The wand wrenched from his finger tips, disappearing into the dark night, landing unseen in the tall grass. With a cry of satisfaction Carbonell let loose one more punch, sending a searing pain through Ron's eye.

Carbonell," Melantha held out her hand. "Come. We have to go. They'll learn where we are any moment." Waiting just a minute to see if her husband would take her hand, she pleaded with her eyes before she let it drop, turned and disappeared into the near by forest.

Carbonell stared after her a moment before shoving Ron forcefully into the ground. "I should have killed you when I had the chance. The world would be better off with one less Weasley in it."

Giving Ron a final shove, he pushed to his feet. He drew back his foot and connected with Ron's chest, the resounding crack leaving no doubt a rib was broken. He spit at Ron before turning and following his wife into the woods.

Clutching at the pain in his side, Ron stumbled to his feet. He lurched in the direction he thought Parker's wand had gone. He couldn't even hope of going after the Javed's without it.

"Damn it!" He cursed, stumbling over a hidden obstacle, coming down hard on his knees, jarring his body and sending a stab of pain through his side. Refusing to give up, he crawled forward on his knees, hand grasping wildly in the brush, eyes narrowed in search of the smooth shaft of wood.

With a great whoosh and the explosion of sound that signaled air being forcefully displaced, Parker, Gwen and Felix appeared in the clearing. Winnston, Banning and Jones arrived seconds later.

"They went that way." Ron gasped, steering his team in the Javed's direction. "Hurry. Don't let them get away." He needn't have bothered with the last, his team was already on the move.

"Accio Wand." Parker's wand flew threw the air and into his waiting hand. He was shaking his head, mouth ticking with sarcastic disappointment. He tapped it gently against the palm of his hand. "And here I thought you'd take special care of my baby."

Ron growled as he clamored to his feet, still holding his side. "Would you hand me my wand?"

Parker took a step towards him. "You're hurt." Now that Ron was standing, there was enough light to see the skin inflamed and darkening around his eye.

Ron prodded at the swelling. "It's nothing." He dismissed it. "Hand me my wand." He held out his hand. "Parker, they're getting away."

"Let me heal you first."

"There isn't time." Ron snapped.

"You're no good to us with a broken rib." Parker persisted.

Growling with frustration Ron turned. He held up his arm, allowing Parker room enough to cast a rudimentary healing charm, then bind it until it could be properly healed. When he was finished Parker handed Ron his wand. "The eye can wait. You go ahead. I'll stay here to meet the next group."

Again the air was filled with a whoosh and the crack of air displacement and the rest of the Alpha's appeared.

Stone immediately detangled himself from the rest of the team. "The Porter was secured and sent to a holding cell, Captain."

Ron paused long enough to nod his approval before he took off at a dead run. "They went this way." Parker was at his side. "Let's move."

Ginny glanced up as Harry came through the door into the kitchen, Si resting comfortably on his hip. Her eyes didn't linger long before returning focus to Bryony who was hungrily feeding at her breast. "I thought you would have left by now."

Harry stopped in the act of setting Si in his chair to look over at his wife. "No one in the Auror department is ever really in until eight." He settled his son in his chair before moving to the cabinets to find him breakfast. "I thought I would stop at Ron's before I went in."

Harry poured a handful of dry cereal into a bowl while Ginny lifted Bryony to her shoulder, tapping her lightly on the back. "Are you going over there because you think talking to Ron first will help you get back on my good side?"

Harry broke the top off a banana and peeled down the yellow skin. He used a knife to cut it into smaller bites, letting them drop into the bowl on top of the cereal. He brought the dish to the table and set it in front of Si, then took the empty seat between him and Ginny. "What do you want me to say, Gin?" He kept his voice low and even. "I'm sorry that for even one moment I made you feel like you aren't the most important thing in the world to me." He watched as his wife shifted their daughter off her shoulder and to the other breast, turning her face away from him at the same time. "But I really think I'm right about this. And if you'll just let yourself forget for a moment that Ron's even involved, I'm sure you'll see that I'm right."

Ginny's head snapped around. "Oh, you're sure, are you? Are you going to start thinking for me now, too?"

"Don't do that, Gin." He said evenly. "Otherwise I'll be forced to point out that you were trying to do the same for me last night."

"I was not." She said indignantly.

Harry tilted his head forward. "You were tying to tell me to pick Ron over Hermione."

"Ron's family."

"I don't want to get into this again." He said sharply.

Skin flushing, Ginny turned away from him while he rubbed at his face, frustrated, with both hands.

"Ginny, please be reasonable." He pleaded, letting them drop. "Hermione is one of your best friends. She's godmother to Bryony. Do you honestly believe we misjudged her so wrongly?"

Ginny gave a sigh of her own. "Harry," she turned her head back around. "You do what you have to do." She stood up. "And I'll do what I have to."

Harry followed her to his feet. "Why is it so hard for you to believe we're all on the same side?"

"Because. If we were you and I wouldn't be arguing and Ron wouldn't be hurting like he is. She promised me, Harry. She promised me she would never hurt him again. She broke that promise. How many others has she? She destroyed him, Harry." Her voice cracked. "She destroyed him."

"Okay." Harry conceded. "Fine. Then let's stop arguing and fix him."

Ginny squared her shoulders. "And you think helping Hermione's the way to do that?"

"No. I think in order to fix him I need to know why he's broken. And I think the only person who can really answer that is Hermione."

"Then go to her." She said. "Do what you have to do." She gave him her back. "But leave me out of it."

"Gin, please…" He held his hand beseechingly towards her.

"You better hurry if you want to catch Ron."

"Honestly," he whispered as he turned back to Si. "I'm more worried about losing you." He sank into the seat next to his son, putting his hand on his head and trying to smile when Si looked at him.

Ginny turned sharply around. "What are you talking about?"

Harry lowered his eyes. "I can feel this coming between us. Neither of us are going to change our minds and…"

"You're an idiot."

"Yes." Harry nodded. "Probably."

"Harry," Ginny took the seat next to him, reached over, placed her hand on his cheek and directed his face towards her. "You do know that we're not always going to agree on everything, right?"

"This isn't just anything."

"Be that as it may, I love you Harry. No matter what. And I'm not going to be leaving you because you decided to go and speak with her when I didn't want you to. You daft fool." Her fingers gripped him a little tighter. "I'll be angry with you, I'll shout at you. But I'm not going to leave you. How you could even think I would?"

Head bowed, Harry picked up Si and set him on his lap, moving his breakfast bowl so he could still reach. "I've lost…so many." He tried, his arm tightening around his son. "The idea of …of losing anyone else…"

Ginny's face softened with understanding. She could see the answer there in his eyes. She should have seen it before. He wasn't merely being stubborn. He needed to believe Hermione was trying to pass him information because he was terrified to believe the alternative. He needed to believe because if he was wrong he didn't stand to lose only one best friend, but both.

She reached for his hand and pulled it into her lap. She wanted to tell him that he was right. That everything would turn out fine in the end. But she didn't believe it. And she couldn't encourage him, and let him get his hopes up only to have them come crashing down around him when she was proven right. She couldn't understand how someone as strong as her husband could be so insecure and vulnerable at the same time.

"You won't lose me, Harry." Her lip turned up encouragingly in the corner. "I waited too long for you to let you go now."

Harry looked up into her eyes and tried to smile.

"Do what you have to do, Harry." She squeezed his hand comfortingly. "I just ask you please leave me out of it."

Harry continued to stare at her a moment before nodding. "I should go."

She released his hand. "You'll have missed Ron."

Harry shrugged as he pressed a kiss to Si's head. "I'll see him at work." He stood up and set Si in his vacated seat. "Be good for your mother." Si nodded, shoving a hunk of banana in his mouth. "You too." He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the crown of Bryony's head, stroking her head tenderly. He glanced uncertainly at Ginny.

"We're fine." She assured him. "Go."

"I love you, Gin."

She nodded. "I know."

He glanced at his wrist watch.

"We'll talk later." She promised.

Harry stared at her for a moment longer before he left. He arrived in the Ministry atrium a few minutes later and immediately set off for Ron's office.

"Good morning, Harry." Fern greeted him brightly when he stopped in front of her desk.

"Good morning, Fern. Is Ron in?" He asked, taking a step towards his friend's office.

"No." Fern drew out the word into several syllables. "He and the team are out on assignment."

"Really?" Harry asked, surprised. "I didn't know he was working any cases."

"Er…" She pulled a piece of paper towards her. "It says here they're brining in a couple charged with threatening a Ministry Official, buying an illegal portkey, and I'm assuming, since they're not back, evading arrest."

"Oh." Harry looked slightly surprised. "Well good. When he returns will you let him know I'm looking for him?"

"Absolutely."

"Thank you, Fern."

Harry pulled back the sleeve of his robe as he turned to walk away. It took a second for his eyes to focus on the watch face. He still had another hour before his first class of the day was scheduled to begin. He hesitated just a moment longer in indecision. He turned sharply and made his way to the other end of the Auror offices.

He had thought about it all night. And the more he thought about it the more he was convinced that Hermione knew something, something she had tried telling him. It was the only thing that fit. The only thing that made sense. Her cryptic words. Her insistence that he set things right. Not get her out of trouble. Set things right. As in more then one thing.

So, he conceded, perhaps Hermione was guilty. Maybe she was guilty and relying on him to get her off. To do that he either needed to get the Javeds to drop the charges against her, which of course they never would, or prove her innocent, a task that felt almost as impossible as the first.

Either way, her out look was very bleak. And knowing Hermione like he did, he knew she would be aware of her odds. Which meant there had to be another way to save her. Something he just couldn't see. It was that or… No. Harry shook his head. There was no other option. Hermione could be saved. Which of course brought him back to his original problem. Getting the answers he needed form Hermione in order to help her without the Betas finding out what he suspected.

"Gabe." Harry called, spotting the Beta Auror in the hallway ahead. "Gabe, can you spare a moment."

The tall Auror turned to face Harry, eyes wary, quickly scanning his face. He held his hands up in front of him. "I just want you to know that I tried to stop her." He said before Harry had a chance to speak. "I told her it was a bad idea, but she wouldn't listen."

An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of Harry's stomach. "What did Hermione do?"

"Not Hermione." Gabe's eyes narrowed. "Has no ones told you?"

"Told me what?" Harry took an uneasy step closer. "What's wrong with Hermione? Is she alright?"

"No." Gabe said uneasily. "Captain Oldham's charged her with kidnapping the Blythe baby." Harry's face went blank. "She was moved to Azkaban last night. I thought someone would have told you."

"No." Harry said evenly. "No one told me. It seems people are going thought a lot of effort to make sure I know nothing lately. Why should this be any different?"

Harry forced himself to take several calming breaths. Things were becoming abundantly clear, very quickly. "Where is your captain now?"

"In her office." Gabe responded. "She got here a few minutes ago."

Harry nodded curtly. "Thank you for your help."

"I'm just doing my job, Sir."

"Don't dismiss your actions as duty. You've being quiet decent. A quality, I'm sorry to say, you do not currently share with your captain. Now if you'll excuse me." He stepped around the Beta, jaw stiffening. "I need to have a word with Captain Oldham."

Ignoring the protest of Jillian's assistant, Harry threw open the door to her office and marched inside. "I gave you the benefit of the doubt and this is how you repay me?"

"Captain Potter," Jillian said, not bothering to look up. She finished dictating her notes with a flourish and put aside her quill before folding her hands on her desk. "What can I help you with this morning?"

"You asked me to give your team refreshers yesterday to distract me while you moved Hermione to Azkaban." Harry said with no preamble.

She stared at him a moment, her eyes assessing. "Yes." She leaned forward, lifting her hands to rest her chin on them. "That was rather brilliant, wasn't it? I'm surprised you caught on so quickly. No doubt Weasley wouldn't have."

Anger flared fire bright behind Harry's eyes. "What were you thinking? This kind of behavior is unheard of. We have rules here, Captain Oldham. Procedures. Regulations. You can't just do whatever you want."

"And why not?" Jillian rose slowly to her feet, bracing her hands on the desk. "You do it all the time. Turning blind eyes, asking favors, giving your friends undeserved step ups. If you can do what you want, why cant I?"

"I follow the laws set out by…"

"Yourself. You and your friends came in here, uninvited, and changed everything. Things worked fine here until you came along."

Harry took a threatening step forward. "If things here worked fine, how was Voldemort able to gain the power he did? How come innocent people were thrown into prison without trial?"

"Hermione Granger is not Sirius Black." Jillian said briskly, sensing where Harry's argument was founded. "Hermione Granger is guilty of kidnapping."

Harry leaned forward. "Prove it."

"Shall I go over the facts with you?"

Harry's lip turned up in a sneer. "There's no need. You have no eyewitnesses. No confession. No magical proof she did anything. Your case will never hold in trial."

Jillian's face stretched, pulling one brow into a high arch over her eye. "We shall see."

"I want Hermione released into my custody." Harry demanded.

"No." The answer was immediate.

"I wasn't asking." Harry growled.

"And I'm not giving in." Jillian said slowly, leaning in towards him.

The two glared deep into the others eyes.

"Besides," Jillian leered, "I was under the impression your wife didn't want Granger back in her house. If I were to release her to you, where would you keep her? A private flat for two?" Harry's stomach heaved slightly with the accusation. "Is that perhaps the real reason your wife doesn't want her back in her home. After all, you, Weasley and Granger are legendarily close."

"You're disgusting." Harry spat.

"You think I'm the first to question your relationship? Hardly. It's been rumored for years."

Harry lurched forward. "Hermione is my sister. Ron my brother."

Jillian shrugged. "Say what you will. It makes no difference to me."

Harry shook his head. The look on his face a mixture of disbelief and disgust. "Hermione was right about you." It held a note of accusation.

"Perhaps you should have listened to her when you had the chance." Jillian sank gracefully into her seat, taking up her quill. "I very much doubt you'll get anything coherent out of her now. And just so you know, if there was some kind of hidden message in that conversation you had with her, my team will figure it out."

"You better watch yourself, Oldham." Harry warned stiffly. "I don't like the way you run things here."

She leaned back, unaffected, in her seat. "And I don't rightly care. You can go now." She waved him dismissively towards the door. "I have work to do."

Harry stared at her a moment in icy silence, trying to decide weather it was worth staying and pressing the point or giving up on the woman all together.

Cursing Jillian Oldham under his breath, Harry turned and left.

A satisfied smile appeared on Jillian's lips as the door slammed into the frame. Chuckling softly she touched quill to parchment and resumed her dictating.

Harry stood outside the shop for several minutes. He should go home. Ginny would wonder where he was. But he couldn't make himself do it. Today had been an abysmal failure. It seemed no matter what avenue he had tried to take no one was willing to help him. Greene's hands were tied with the threat of another Ministry scandal. Shacklebolt was unreachable at the moment and no one else had enough power over Oldham to sway her. He was frustrated, disappointed and felt completely abandoned. He couldn't talk to his best mate because he was out an assignment. And he couldn't vent to his wife because she didn't want to hear it. He could try and track down Neville Longbottom or Dean Thomas or someone, but they weren't really aware of what was going. It would take more time to fill them in then it would to vent.

So here he was now, standing in front of the door of the one person who might, hopefully, be able to help him, and he wasn't quite sure how to go in and begin. With nothing left for it he pushed open the door to the shop.

"We're closed." Fred called when the familiar door chimes sounded. "Come back tomorrow."

"Are you sure you can't make an exception?"

"Harry." Fred sat up, immediately recognizing his brother-in-law's voice. He tossed his quill aside before turning on his stool to face Harry. "What can I do for you?" He held out his hand as Harry approached. "Ministry orders?"

"Not today." Harry said, releasing his hand. "I'm here for a different reason."

Fred stared at him a moment longer, eyes narrowed observantly. "You and Gin having troubles?"

Harry's first instinct was to deny it. To assure Fred that everything between him and Gin was fine. But there had been real concern in Ferd's voice so instead he sighed, leaned against the counter, arms crossed, and lowered his head. "I don't know. Not really."

"What's happened? Did you have a fight? Why didn't you go to Ron?"

"I suppose because he's out of the country and also because he's a part of the problem."

"How's that?"

Harry glanced up at him. "There's so much you don't know." He shrugged his shoulders. "And I don't even know where to begin to tell you."

"Well," Fred drew out the word. "You could start at the beginning. I've heard that works well."

"Yes." Harry agreed either not noticing or ignoring the sarcasm. "It does. Ron and Hermione are at odds again."

Fred closed his accounting book. "Ron mucked it up, did he?" He asked knowingly.

"No." Harry shook his head. "Hermione did. You knew about them?"

"Hmm?" Fred lifted his face. "Knew about them? Yeah, of course."

"How?"

"They weren't very good at keeping it hidden, were they? You say Hermione was the one who mucked it up?" Fred asked thoughtfully. "I was sure it would have been Ron."

Harry shook his head again. "I'm not sure what happened myself, but I think this time it was defiantly Hermione."

"And Ginny's mad at you because of it?" Fred asked, clearly not understanding.

"It's a long story."

Fred looked around them, drawing Harry's attention to the empty shop. "I have time."

"Really?" Harry asked, slightly surprised.

"Yeah sure." Fred shrugged. "Better then figuring the books. Besides," A shadow passed over his face. "I could use the distraction." For a moment Fred's eyes were blank, as if he was seeing something far away. He gave himself a slight shake to come out of it. "Why don't you come up stairs? I'll put on some tea."

"Tea?"

Fred shrugged. "Mum says no problem seems nearly as bad when thought over with a cup of tea."

Picking up his wand, Fred waved it at the door setting the locking charm. Next he swooshed at the stacks of coins sitting on the counter. They floated in the air and fell with melodic plinks in the drawer of the register. With another flick the drawer was locked.

"So," Fred nodded towards the steps. "What's Hermione done?"

Together the pair began the climb to the next floor where Fred's flat was located. "Well," Harry hesitated. "I suppose the big thing is she told Ron he was a bad father."

Fred stopped climbing to look back at Harry. "Hermione said that?" His voice echoed his disbelief.

Harry shrugged. "I wasn't there. But that's what Ginny says."

"And you don't believe her?"

"I don't know what to believe." Harry admitted. "I want to believe Ginny, but that just doesn't sound like Hermione."

"And that's why you and Ginny are having troubles." Fred said understandingly.

"That's only part of it." Harry said while Fred opened the door and let him into the flat.

"Would you like to explain further?" Fred asked when Harry didn't continue. "I can't read minds you know."

The laugh that escaped Harry's lips rang with sorrow. "Gin said the same thing."

Fred smiled half heartedly. "What can I say? We were all raised by our mum. Sit down." He nodded toward the old sofa. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll conjure us up some tea."

Fred disappeared through the arch into the kitchen. Harry could hear him open cupboards and running water. "So," Fred called as he set the pot to boil. "Ginny told you that Hermione told Ron he was a bad father? What did Ron say?"

"I couldn't ask him." Harry leaned into the sofa, and relaxed a little as the cushion gave to his weight and molded around him. "Like I said, he's on assignment. Out of the country."

The tea kettle whistled shrilly in the other room.

"I have to say, Harry, I'm really surprised by that."

"By what? Ron goes on assignment out of the country all the time."

"Not that." Fred appeared in the arch, a tray hovering in front of him. "By Hermione. It doesn't seem like something she would do, all things considered." He set the tray in front of Harry. "How do you like your tea?"

"I've got it." Harry leaned forward, reaching for a cup and the tea pot. "What did you mean, all things considered?" He filled the cup with the amber liquid and added a splash of milk.

"Well," Fred moved forward in his seat. "Let's start with how crazy they are for each other. Ron's been sweet on Hermione since he was eleven years old. Poor sod. And Hermione's been the same for probably as long." He poured himself his own cup of tea now that Harry was done. "I warned Ron to be careful. I told him he needed to pay more attention to her."

"Are you blaming Ron?"

"No." Fred squeezed a biscuit from the pack. "Not exactly."

"Not exactly? Then what are you saying?"

Fred bit into the biscuit. "What I'm saying is, I know for a fact that Hermione is mad for Ron. We all know she's prone to lose her temper every now and again. But to attack Ron like that? When she knows how much he's already suffered? She must have been provoked in someway."

"That's what I tried to tell Ginny."

"The problem is," Fred continued as if Harry hadn't spoken. "Now that Hermione's mucked this up, Ron's not going to forgive her."

"No." Harry agreed. "He's not."

"Right." Fred nodded. "So, seeing as Ron and Hermione are quiet obviously done, and there's nothing we can do about it at the moment, let's concentrate on a relationship we can fix. I imagine this other part of the problem you mentioned is that you want to find a way to get Ron and Hermione back together and Ginny doesn't."

"No." Harry set down his cup. "Not really."

"Harry," Fred sighed. "We can keep going around in circles like this, or you can just tell me what it is you have to say."

"Alright." Harry moved forward on his seat until he was sitting on the very edge. He leaned forward so that his elbows were braced on his knees. "Here's the thing. I don't think Hermione said what she did to Ron to be cruel." He looked up into Fred's surprisingly concerned and focused eyes. "I think she was trying to pass us information. In fact, after today I'm sure of it."

For several minutes Fred said nothing. His eyes darted around as his mind ran over what Harry had said. "Secret messages?" He sounded skeptical.

"It's the only thing that makes any sense."

"So this is only a theory. You haven't asked Hermione?"

"I tried to do that today."

"You tried?"

Harry nodded.

"But you didn't succeed?"

Harry lowered his head shamefully, his face darkening to a vivid red. "I was blindsided. Hermione warned me and I didn't…" He let out a puff of frustrated air. "I was too late." He started over. "They've already moved her to Azkaban."

"They've charged her." Fred concluded.

"Yes." Harry confirmed.

"So she's guilty." Fred leaned back in his seat. "She did kidnap Blake."

"I don't know." Harry shrugged. "But it looks that way."

Fred's eyes narrowed, focusing through his teacup. He ran his fingers through his hair, scratching absently at his scalp while he thought. "Why would she do that?" He finally asked. "If what Ginny says is true, and Hermione did tell Ron he was a bad father, why would she have worked so hard to help him gain custody?"

"That's the question, isn't it?" Harry asked, his excitement rising. "Because you're right. It doesn't make sense."

"But," Fred held up a finger. "I suppose it could explain why she's kidnapped Blake now. If she thinks he's a bad father…But I don't think that's it. Hermione loves Ron, I'm sure of that."

"I agree."

"Which is why," Fred picked up his cup, "You've come to the conclusion that she's trying to pass you hidden messages."

"It's one of the reasons." Harry qualified. "The rest comes down to something Ginny said the other day." Discarding his tea all together, Harry stood and began pacing. "I was late coming home from work last night. I found Ginny in Hermione's room putting away her things. She told me she had been to see Ron. He didn't show up for work and Parker sent her to check on him. When she got there Ron was packing Blake's things. According to Ginny, Hermione told Ron he didn't deserve to be a father because he didn't appreciate the family he already has. And that," he said turning to Fred, "Is when you're name came up."

"Mine?" Fred asked, surprised.

"Yes." Harry made a dismissing motion with his hand. "Apparently, Ron didn't know if you had a girlfriend. But that's not the point." Harry turned and continued pacing and so did not see the way Fred stiffened behind him. "It was at that point that I remembered Hermione had mentioned your name to me as well, though I couldn't remember what the context was. But still," he spun around. "I thought it couldn't be a coincidence that she specifically mentioned your name to both me and Ron."

Fred stared at him blankly for a minute. "You think I helped Hermione kidnap Blake?" He asked, understanding the direction Harry was going.

Harry sighed, his shoulders sagging. He could hear it in Fred's voice. He didn't know anything.

"Yes." Harry confirmed. "I was hoping you knew something. I guess I was wrong… But I was so sure." His shoulders sagged further.

"So let me see if I have this straight." Fred took a sip from his tea. "You think Hermione is trying to pass you information because she mentioned my name twice?"

"She specifically mentioned your name twice."

"And that's it?" He asked with mounting disbelief.

"That," Harry shrugged sheepishly. "And the fact that the Betas were listening in on her conversations and I think she knew that." Harry started pacing again. "I wish I had paid more attention the last time I spoke with her. She asked me to fix this, Fred, and I have to believe she meant all of it. I know I might be grasping at straws, but I know she mentioned you to me and I know she mentioned you to Ron, so I have to believe she thinks you know something."

"Harry, if I knew where Blake was, don't you think I would have gone and retrieved her myself?"

"Maybe she said something in passing." Harry persisted.

Fred shook his head. "The last time I really spoke to Hermione was Blake's naming ceremony."

"What did you talk about?"

Pain flashed through Fred's eyes. "She wanted me to stay away from her friend." His voice sounded a little rough.

Harry turned when Fred coughed, determined to get every detail but stopped when he saw the look on his face. His lips were turned down, his eyes empty. "Fred what is it?" He took a step towards him. "Are you alright?"

"Me?" Fred looked up, a smile that wasn't quite genuine on his lips. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know. You tell me."

Fred shook his head. "It's nothing. We're talking about Blake and Hermione and…"

"We can take a couple minutes for you. Something's not right with you, Fred. What is it?"

He shrugged a shoulder. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

Fred lowered his eyes. "Alright." He folded his hands together as he took a deep breath. "Despite my best efforts, I've gone and fallen for a girl."

Harry froze, then burst into laughter with a snort. "I'm sorry." He held up a hand at Fred's disgruntled look. "It's just…I fail to see the tragedy in this."

"Forget it." Fred dropped his empty cup on the tray.

"No," Harry waved his hand at him. "I'm sorry." He took a deep breath to calm himself. "You just really had me worried there for a moment. You know, most people are happy when they fall in love, not depressed."

"I was happy." Fred barked. "She's amazing."

"So what's the matter?"

Fred's face dulled to a dark pink. "She stopped writing to me. She's blocked the floo." Fred looked bewildered. "I don't even know what I did wrong this time."

"You're being serious." Harry said with realization. "You've actually fallen in love."

Fred laughed mirthlessly. "I think I have."

"Why haven't you told anyone?"

"And have you all take the piss out of me? No thank you."

Harry had nothing to say to that. Fred was right. He would receive no end of grief from the brother's he had poked fun at for years over there married status. And he was probably thanking his stars now that he hadn't.

"So, who is she?"

"Beila."

Harry paused, surprised. "Hermione's friend?"

Fred nodded.

"How long has this been going on?"

Fred flushed. "Blake's naming ceremony."

"Does Hermione know?"

Fred shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so…" He stuttered to a stop. His head snapped up, his eyes seeking Harry's. "In fact, I know she does."

Harry and Fred shared a look. There minds were on the same path. "But no one else does?" There was an urgency to Harry's voice.

"No." Fred shook his head sharply. "Like I said. I knew I'd get the piss taken out of me if anyone found out."

"How long has it been since Beila stopped talking to you?"

"Almost two weeks." Fred sounded almost excited.

"Around the time Blake went missing." They said together.

Harry clapped a hand on Fred's shoulder. "Do you think George could spare you a few days?"

"I'd like to see him try and stop me."