Hello everyone, I hope you're all doing well. I'm sure you're all expecting an explanation as to why this chapter is so late in coming. I think a good number of you have an idea because I've already told you a little of what's been happening. If you want a full explanation as to what's been going on I put it on my profile, right there on the top.

I also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who reviewed. You're all amazing. I absolutely love hearing from you. I also wanted to say to the people who didn't sign their reviews that I would love to answer back, but it's hard to go and try and find people, especially right now. So if you want a response back, which I love giving by the way, it would make my life so much easier if you could sign it.

Okay that's all. I'll shut up and let you get on to reading. I hope you all enjoy this chapter,

Noterwomann

Chapter Twenty-Six: Coming Home

"You must sign…"

Ron held up a hand to stop the Croatian Auror before he could explain further. "It's alright, Mr Celan. I know what I'm doing. This isn't the first time I've filed one of these."

"Of course." The man bowed his head politely. He handed Ron the packet of parchment and slid the inkwell and quill across the table toward him.

Ron bent over the forms and quickly scratched his name in the appropriate places. When he was done he rolled them up and handed them back to the Auror.

Pavao Celan nodded again when the forms to extradite were in his hands. "I will go and process these now. I am sure you would like to be home as soon as possible. If I might, we did not expect you to be here for so long."

"Yes well," Ron stretched his lips into a grim smile. "I wasn't expecting to be here this long either."

The man nodded with understanding. "Yes. It seems your Ministry is not better then ours at getting paper work done in timely manner. As long as it takes them to file an order of extradite you might think they thought we had nothing better to do with our time."

Ron couldn't help but smile at the man. It was nice, in an odd way, to see his own frustration duplicated on the face of his Croatian counterpart.

"I'll see if I can't rush these." Pavao said, holding up the roll of parchments in his hand.

"Thank you. I would really appreciate that."

The Auror turned then and made his way to the door, squeezing around Parker who stood, partially blocking the exit, leaning against the door jam, arms crossed over his chest. He tilted his head to the side curiously. "Would you?" He asked when the Croatian was out of hearing.

"Would I what?" Ron asked slumping into a chair, exhausted.

"Appreciate him rushing the forms? I was under the impression you still weren't keen with the idea of going home."

"I'm not." Ron sighed, rubbing at his eyes with his thumbs.

Parker waited silently for him to explain.

"I don't expect I'll be in England for very long."

"You still plan to leave." There was a hard edge to Parker's voice. He pushed away from the door, entering fully into the room.

Ron dropped his hands from his eyes. "To be honest, I haven't decided yet."

"I can't believe you're actually debating this."

"I thought about what you've said." Ron said in a cool, collected voice. "And I understand what you're saying. I get it. I do."

"Then what's the problem?"

"I…" He bit back the words. He paused a moment, taking a breath. "I just don't know if I can do it anymore."

"Of course you can." Parker dismissed harshly. "You're the best…"

"I didn't mean," Ron interrupted, "that I didn't think I'm capable of doing this anymore." He turned his head so that he could look up at Parker. "I know what you think of my…abilities. I know you think I can do this…But I just don't know if I can…handle doing this anymore. I'm exhausted."

Parker opened his mouth to argue but couldn't think of a single one to make. He could see the toll this was taking on Ron. He had been through so much more in the past two months then he had in all the other years they worked together combined. It was there in his eyes. In the stoop of his shoulders. Emotionally, Ron was drained.

"Look," Ron said before Parker could find the right words. "I haven't decided anything yet. I won't make a hasty decision. But, when I do decide, you'll probably be the first to know."

Parker shook his head, weather in denial or conviction, Ron couldn't be certain. "You'll never do it." He said.

Ron shrugged wearily. "We'll see. Anyway, I don't really want to talk about this anymore."

Parker shrugged. "You're the Captain."

Ron rolled his eyes. "For now." He said under his breath.

Feeling restless Ron rose to his feet and crossed the room to the one small window looking out over a little square. He watched the Muggles as they went on with their lives down bellow, completely unaware that the building that shaded them from the sun was filled with people wielding magic. For a moment Ron let his mind wander, trying to imagine what a life without magic would be like.

On the one hand he couldn't fathom it. He had never known a world without magic. He wouldn't begin to know what to do. But at the same time, if he had been born a Muggle he probably wouldn't be as unhappy as he was right now.

Ron turned away from the window. The couple snogging just on the other side of the glass was making him nauseous. He crossed his arms over his middle and sat on the window sill, giving his back to the happy couple outside.

Parker was sitting at the table, in the chair Ron had occupied, spinning the quill between his thumb and forefinger. His eyes were trained on the plumage that fluffed out while the feather spun, but his gaze seemed oddly unfocused. "Can I ask you a question?" He lowered the quill from his line of site but continued to spin it.

Ron let out his breath in a slow stream. "Nothing's stopped you before."

Parker dropped the quill to the table top. "What's it like to be a father?"

Ron sucked in a harsh breath through his nose. His face went suddenly expressionless. "Parker." There was a warning tone to his voice. A tight strain that indicated he was likely to snap.

"I'm only curious."

"Why?" Ron asked through gritted teeth.

"Because," Parker shrugged. "Before all of this, with you and Blake, I never thought much about having children myself. To be perfectly honest, I didn't really care either way. But after watching you, with her…You just seemed to love being a dad so much. I want to know why. What changed? You told me you never wanted to be a father."

Ron's jaw stiffened painfully. His throat worked to swallow. "If I didn't know any better I might think you were deliberately trying to provoke me."

Parker stared resolutely at him. "I really want to know."

Ron closed his eyes as he fought back an image of a smiling Blake. His face twitched as he struggled to control his emotions. Trying to appear unaffected, Ron lifted his chin another notch and squared his shoulders. "Nothing's changed." His eyes didn't waver from Parker's "My advice would be to avoid having children at all costs."

"Ron," Parker reached a hand towards him uselessly.

Ron shifted his eyes off his partner to stare unseeingly into the space between them. "You can't imagine what it's like." His eyes glanced towards him then quickly away. "Watching them take Blake away...And then on top of that, having her be kidnapped…" His throat struggled to swallow again. "There's nothing…How can I…" He paused, taking several shaky breaths. "I thought watching them take her would be the most painful thing I've ever lived through. But this…this…" He turned his face to the side, his eyes drifted closed.

"Ron," Parker began tentatively, "What happened to you…that's not normal. Most parents…The circumstances with Blake…" He stopped. He was at a complete loss at what to say.

Ron's head shook slowly from side to side. "If you never have children, nothing and no one can ever take them away."

"That's a very sad and lonely way to live your life."

"Maybe." He agreed. "But being alone has got to be better then this. I can't stop thinking about her. I don't know if she's alive. I don't know if someone's hurting her right now. I don't know if she's suffering…" Ron stopped, blinking the moisture out of his eyes.

Parker crossed the room to Ron and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her. I swear we'll bring her home."

"We will." Ron nodded. "And by then hopefully I'll have found a good family to take her."

Parker's mouth dropped open in shock half a minute before he pursed his lips unhappily. He didn't for one minute believe the words coming out of Ron's mouth. He could spout all the nonsense he wanted about giving Blake up, but when it came down to it that wasn't what he really wanted. He'd said it himself, there was nothing worse then the pain of losing a child.

Parker crossed his arms as he leaned back in his chair, the better to observe Ron. He focused on his face. There was something about his eyes, the set of his chin, the thin line of his mouth, that he had seen before. His eyes narrowed as he thought. It wasn't until he took in the whole picture that he realized why it was so familiar.

The first time he had officially met Ron was their first day of Auror training. He had come into the room with the rest of the new recruits. Most of them were clumped together in small groups, generally divided by the house they had belonged to while at Hogwarts. Only Ron was alone. Like now, he half sat on the sill of a window, arms crossed over his chest, feet crossed at the ankles. The same expressionless mask on his face.

Parker sagged with the realization. Of course he had known that Ron wasn't in the best place right now, but he hadn't realized it was as bad as all that. The last time Ron had been like this it had taken him five years to come out of it, and that was only because he had been all but forced to. This couldn't be happening again. If Ron stuck to pattern he would do everything in his power to force Blake out of his life. He would push her away just as forcibly as he had Hermione. It had taken him five years to forgive and let her back in his life. Five years? Blake didn't have that kind of time. In five years she'd be nearly six and it would be far too late for the both of them. Which meant it was time for him to intervene again. Ron needed that little girl just as much as she needed him.

Suddenly Parker couldn't wait to get back to England, no longer caring if it meant an end to Ron's Auror career. Now that the Javeds were safely in custody he would renew his efforts to find Blake. He would search longer and harder, on the Ministries time. He no longer gave a damn if it wasn't their case. Jillian Oldham had failed to do her job. It was time for the Alphas to step up, Ministry Policy be damned. Roland Greene could piss, moan and threaten all he wanted, they wouldn't take another case until Blake was home.

"We were in luck." Pavao Celan was back, his face bright and cheerful. "I found Levanat just as she was leaving her office. She approved the application. You are free to escort your prisoners back to England."

Ron pushed his body up from the window. He was across the room in a few long strides, taking Pavao's hand in his and shaking it firmly. "Thank you for handling this so quickly. We appreciate your added efforts."

"Not at all." Pavao released his hand. "We want the Javeds extradited just as much as you. We pride ourselves on having few criminals in our boundaries."

Giving the man's hand a final shake, Ron let it drop. "Then we won't waste any more of your time." He accepted the signed extradite order and motioned for Parker to follow.

Parker hurried his steps so he could fall in beside Ron. "This isn't over." He said in a lowered voice. "We'll finish this conversation at home."

"I wish you would just let it go."

Parker scrunched his nose. "I'll never stop watching out for you."

Ron let out a puff of annoyed air as he used his wand to open the sealed holding cell door. He mumbled something under his breath about mothers that Parker couldn't quite catch.

The door swung wide with a groan and the two Aurors stepped into the cell. "Alright you two." Ron placed one hand on his hip and directed his wand toward the couple with the other. "Up. It's time to go home."

Carbonell glared up at Ron through hate filled eyes. "You won't get away with this." His arms tightened around his wife.

Ron let out a long sigh of irritation. "Seeing as how I haven't broken any laws I don't think I need worry about 'getting away' with anything. You on the other hand are going to have a nice long stay in Azkaban."

Melantha trembled in her husband's arms. "How did it come to this?" she looked up into his eyes. "How did a Weasley get the better of us?"

Carbonell pressed his lips together, unwilling to admit defeat even now.

"That's enough you two." Ron motioned with his wand. "On your feet." When the couple didn't move he pulled them up with his wand. Together he and Parker maneuvered them out the door and through the Ministry until they reached the Office of International Portkeys. Ron handed over the appropriate documents and soon the first portkey was resting on a table, waiting for the first pair to activate it.

"Alright then." Ron forced the couple apart and gently pushed Melantha towards Parker. "You take the woman. I'll follow behind with him." He nodded his head to the side, indicating Carbonell.

"Yes sir." Parker bent forward in a deep, mocking bow. "Mrs Javed."

Melantha sneered unattractively at him. "Enjoy this while you can."

Parker straightened to his full height. "You have me terrified." He said, voice laced with amusement.

Ignoring him, Melantha turned back to her husband. She stared accusingly at him. "You promised me, Carbonell. You promised me."

Carbonell reached for his wife. Ron almost intervened but in the end let them hug once more. He doubted they would ever have the chance again.

Carbonell held his wife's face to his chest. He pressed a kiss to her hair before he lifted his eyes and focused on Ron over her shoulder. "This isn't over."

Ron stared boldly back at him. "For you it is." He used his wand to separate the pair once more. He bound Carbonell's hands with magic while across the room Parker did the same with Melantha.

Parker finished the spell with a flourish. "Do you think we've given them enough time?" he asked, glancing up at Ron.

Ron looked at his watch. "I think so. But even if we haven't, these two aren't going anywhere."

"Right then." It took a little bit of maneuvering on his part, but finally Parker had Melantha situated so that they would both touch the portkey at the same time. With a great whoosh they were gone.

"I can't believe it's come to this." Carbonell seethed under his breath.

"You shouldn't have underestimated me." Ron said, positioning Carbonell. "It's a mistake you share with many others." He touched the portkey and they were both swept up into a tumbling portal of sound and colour.

After several minutes of spiraling through space, colliding painfully with the body next to him, Ron's feet slammed into the floor. He bent his knees to absorb the impact and managed to keep his balance. Seconds after landing Ron had his wand retrained on the Death Eater who had ended his journey sprawled on the floor. "On your feet." He ordered impassively.

"I'll take things from here, Captain Weasley."

Ron glanced up through lowered eyes to see five of Azkaban's guards waiting in the room, two of them with Melantha already in their custody. Satisfied that everything was under control he nodded and stepped aside so they could take Carbonell.

Slowly he lowered his wand. "Be careful with these two." He glared at the couple. "I don't want to hear that they somehow managed to escape." One of the guards taking Carbonell rolled his eyes.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sir." The first man said. "We do this all the time."

"Right. Well…" he glanced at his watch, "I have a report to finish." He said dismissively, turning towards Parker who tapped his wand against the door, causing it to swing open.

"Actually, Captain," the same man stopped him again, holding a hand out. "If you have a moment, I was hoping I could speak with you."

Ron glanced inquiringly at Parker who shrugged in return. He turned back to the guard. "Yes, of course…Mr Peel." He said, recognizing Azkaban's Head Guard now that he had finally given him his full attention.

The two men stepped aside to let the other guards pass.

"What is this about?" Ron asked as the last guard exited and Parker turned to follow.

"I wanted to speak with you about Hermione Granger."

Parker froze halfway through the doorway. He spun back around, his eyes wide with concern. "What about her?"

It took Thomas a moment to turn and look at Parker. He was waiting for some kind of reaction out of Ron. Slowly he turned his head to look between the two men, confusion evident on his face. Their reactions were not what he would have expected. Where he had expected to see immediate alarm on Ron Weasley's face there was nothing. And on Parker Gale's, where he had expected nothing, there was deep concern. Adjusting his plans quickly, Thomas turned to Parker, gauging him as the most receptive.

"I've come asking for help on Hermione Granger's behalf. I've been trying to reach either you," he directed the comment towards Ron, "Or Captain Potter for almost a week. Ms Granger…she isn't doing very well."

Parker took a step towards the guard. "How would you know that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Ron asked, answering for Thomas. "She's been charged and moved to Azkaban."

"Yes." Peel's eyes narrowed on Ron. "She has." His frown deepened. "You don't seem very concerned." He observed.

"Should I be?" Ron asked evenly.

"I would have thought so…You are one of her best friends…aren't you?"

"No." Ron said curtly, crossing his arms over his chest in a menacing pose. "Not that it's any of your concern, but I'm not. Ms Granger and I are no longer on speaking terms."

Thomas's brow arched. "But…but I've heard her call for you. It's always you."

Parker saw something flash across Ron's face. It was there for only a second before it was gone, once again hidden behind his carefully expressionless mask.

"What exactly has happened?" Parker asked, coming to stand next to the guard.

Thomas's eyes never left Ron even as he spoke to Parker. "Captain Oldham had Ms Granger placed in a high security cell. She's been under constant Dementor supervision."

Parker's hands curled into fists at his side. "That's ridiculous." He took an unconscious step. "Hermione isn't dangerous."

"Clearly. That's not why she's there though. Captain Oldham hopes she can use the Dementor's powers to break her and get her to talk." He shook his head with disgust. "But it isn't working. All it's done is…well…to be frank, she's loosing her mind."

"Then move her." Parker all but shouted. "Get her away from them."

"I can't." Thomas insisted. "I don't have the power to move prisoners between different levels of security. Not unless a prisoner is a threat to the guards or to themselves. She hasn't tried and escape, she hasn't tried and take her own life, nor has she threatened a guard's. And even if she had, we could only increase the security on her, not decrease it."

"Which is why you came to me." The two men turned to Ron. "When you couldn't reach me or Harry why didn't you go to Ronland Greene? He could have made the arrangements."

"I've tried." Thomas threw up his hands with frustration. "He's even harder to reach then you've been. He's been called to stand in front of the Wizengamout. He's being questioned about allegations of bribery and corrosion taking place in the Ministry. He hasn't the time for me right now."

Ron looked momentarily surprised by the news but quickly relaxed his face into the increasingly normal mask of unconcern. "Which is something we have in common. If you'll excuse me?"

Thomas's mouth gapped open with shock.

"Ron." Parker stuttered his name with disbelief.

"I can't help her, Parker." He shook his head. "I just…I can't."

"Can't? Or won't?"

Ron bristled under Parker's accusing tone. "Take your pick."

Parker's head shook slowly from side to side. "I can't believe you just said that."

"Look," Ron flung his hand out in front of him. "Even if I wanted to help, there's nothing I can do. I've been banned from the case. Remember?"

"But you're Ron Weasley." Thomas spluttered. "Surely there must be something you can do."

"Like I said," he turned back to the guard. "Ms Granger and I are no longer friends. Even if I could help her, why would I? Have you forgotten what she's been accused of? My dau…" Ron closed his eyes for a moment as he sucked in several deep breaths. "I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do." He repeated, slower then the last time. "Perhaps Parker can help you. He seems to believe it's his duty to protect Ms Granger. He's nearly as much clout as I do. Excuse me."

Ron pushed past the two men and fled the room before they could argue with him further. Thomas stared after him, mouth open. Slowly he turned back to Parker. "I don't understand." He flung a hand out. "What the hell was that?"

"I'm afraid Ron and Hermione've… had a bit of a falling out."

"A falling out? A falling out?" Thomas barked. "How is that even possible? I've heard the stories. The Golden Trios's friendship is meant to be legendary."

"I don't know what to say to you, Peel." Parker found himself defending his friend despite his own disapproval. "Ron is…well…Ron's not having a very easy time of it right now."

"I'm more then aware of that. That's still no excuse. Hermione Granger needs his help."

Parker's right brow arched high. "What do you mean, you're more then aware of that?"

"I know how hard of a time he's been having. It's been in the papers. From the death of the Blythes, to Captain Weasley loosing custody of the child to the Javeds. Which is why I don't understand. I know Ms Granger is the one who handled his case."

"Yes," Parker sighed. "And I think that might be a great deal of the problem." He gnawed for a moment on his bottom lip before nodding. "I'll speak with him."

"Be honest with me," there was real concern in Thomas's voice. "Do you think there's anything you can do for her?"

"Me personally? No." He shook his head. "I don't have the power to overrule Jillian Oldham. Very few people in the Ministry do. Unfortunately for us, one of them just happened to walk out that door. But I'll talk to him." Parker sighed heavily. "It's times like this I really hate how stubborn he is."

"Just so you know," Thomas said hesitantly, "I wouldn't waste very much time. I don't know how much more of this she can take before it damages her permanently."

Parker's eyes narrowed on the man. "Why are you so concerned about Hermione Granger? What's she to you."

Thomas's jaw stiffened. He didn't appreciate the insinuation that his motives towards Hermione Granger were anything less then pure. "What Captain Oldham is doing to her isn't right. Ms Granger is a hero. She doesn't deserve this. No one in her position does. What those three did for us is nothing short of a miracle. We owe her. I owe her. She fought for us, risked her life. Now I'm going to fight for her."

Parker stared at him a moment longer debating, before he finally relaxed, satisfied. "I'm sure Hermione appreciates that."

Thomas nodded. "As I said, do what you can." He looked out the door from over his shoulder. "I have to go." He turned back to Parker. "My men will be wondering where I am."

"Of course." Parker swept his hand toward the door, prompting Thomas to leave first. "I have a few things to take care of myself."

On the other end of the floor, Ron silently leaned against the wall, waiting for a lift to arrive. His thoughts were spinning around in his head to quick for him to really comprehend. He wasn't entirely sure how he should be feeling or what he should be thinking.

Hermione was in Azkaban? Despite knowing it would be a distinct possibility, he had never actually believed it would come to that. Hermione Granger in prison? It seemed a complete contradiction of terms. He never thought he'd see the day.

Inside him his emotions were warring. On the one hand, Hermione had hurt him. Terribly. He had put his complete faith in her, risked his heart again. And for what? An ache in his chest that never went away? A house full of empty promises? The complete annihilation of his life? Under the circumstances he couldn't help but feel a small amount of satisfaction over her current situation. Why shouldn't she suffer a little bit too? Why should he be the only one to leave their mockery of relationship in pain?

On the other hand, no matter what she had done to him, weather she was guilty or not, she didn't deserve around the clock Dementor supervision…Much.

But still, his hands were tied. And he didn't owe her anything either. Besides, she'd made it perfectly clear what she thought of his capabilities and how much she wanted him a part of her life. She didn't want anything to do with him? Fine. That could include his help as well. He wasn't a good Auror after all, was he? Unable to save even his own child.

Ron shook his head to clear it of those unhappy thoughts. It did him no good to dwell on either of them. They were both lost to him now. He would still do everything in his power to protect Blake. He'd find her. He'd bring her home. And he'd make sure she ahd a loving couple to go to when she did. One that would love her, and protect her, and would never let any harm come to her again. Then he would go his own way and start his life over. But he would find her first. The alternative was unbearable to even think. He struggled to keep his jaw from shaking. Safer still to try and not think of her at all.

The lift chimed as it settled to a stop on his floor. The gates slid open and a short wizard with an extremely round belly stepped off. The bright grin slid off his face when he recognized Ron.

Ron watched the man force his lips into a sympathetic smile. He looked almost as if he was going to reach out and pat him on the arm, but stopped himself from doing so. Ron stared after the man, confused, but dismissed him just as quickly. The doors to the lift started to slide closed and Ron slipped inside before they could shut him out. Sparing the call board only the slightest glance, he reached for the button that indicated his floor. He jabbed it sharply and waited a moment to make sure it lit up before going to lean against the back wall.

There was one other person standing in the lift, also leaning against the back wall. He hadn't spared her more then a glance when getting in, but she hadn't taken her eyes off him since. Feeling uncomfortable under her scrutiny, he crossed his arms over his body while lowering his chin to his chest. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, releasing a wave of uncomfortable energy. She turned her face away but her eyes kept darting back to him.

Ron recrossed his arms uncomfortably. "Do you mind?" He asked when her gaze lingered longer then necessary.

"Sorry." She snapped her focus back forward, her face darkening with immense heat. "I didn't mean to bother you." She couldn't help glancing at him again. "It's just…You're Ron Weasley, aren't you?" Her face showed her reluctance to ask.

He tilted his head to the side so he could better see her. She no longer bothered hiding her curiosity, but was staring at him openly. He didn't respond, but lifted his brow as if to ask, 'Who wants to know?'

She smiled sheepishly. "I recognized your picture from the papers. My father talks about you all of the time."

"Does he?" Ron asked, clearly uninterested.

"Yes." She lowered her face bashfully. "I'm afraid he's been trying to get us to meet for quite some time now."

Ron turned at that, interest piqued.

"Bernie." She held out her hand, smiling amiably. "Bernie Hamlin."

"Ollie's daughter." Ron said with comprehension. "Of course." He took her hand politely, years of instructions from his mother coming into play. "I should have known. He talks about you all the time. How is…er…" he closed his eyes as he wracked his brain, "Healer training?"

Bernie flushed again as she pulled her hand away, hiding the action by tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "Fine. I was released early today so I thought I would escort my Da home. It's my night with him."

Ron nodded. "I assumed as much. It's really wonderful what you and your siblings do for him. He'll never tell you, but it means the world to him."

"I know." Bernie smiled sweetly. "But thank you just the same for telling me."

The lift slowed to a stop and the gates opened. Bernie risked a quick glance to her left. "This is me." She nodded her head to the side. She stared at him a moment longer before she turned to step off. Ron was just reaching for the button to close the gates when she turned around, a thoughtful expression on her face. "If you like… That is if you don't have other plans… You could come and join us for dinner tonight. I know Da would love to have you."

Surprise flashed across Ron's face at the unexpected invitation. His eyes narrowed slightly as he considered. He didn't react until the gates began to close on their own. He reached out instinctually and stopped them with his hand.

"Thank you for the invitation." He said slowly. "Perhaps some other night I would have accepted," he watched her face drop with what appeared to be disappointment, "but I just returned from an assignment and am quite nackered."

The same dull red stained her cheeks as she diverted her eyes. "Another time then." She offered.

"Perhaps." He agreed, letting the gates go.

Ron watched as Bernie's hand darted up to once again tuck an auburn curl behind her ear. She offered him a reluctant smile. "It was nice to finally meet you, Mr Weasley." She said just before the gates closed.

Ron returned the barest hint of a smile just as the lift shifted into motion.

The Great Dane leapt forward from Thomas's side and bound down the hall. His silver glow disappeared through the same thick wooden door. Thomas followed slowly behind. He stopped at the door and peered through the small window.

The massive, gleaming dog sat on its haunches at Hermione's side, its head resting almost heavily on her shoulder. Hermione sat frozen, her body stiff and rigged. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, she leaned into the dog and some of the rigidness left her shoulders. She drew in a breath that caused her shoulders to shudder slightly.

Thomas's fingers curled tightly around one of the bars in the doors window. He bent his head forward until his brow was resting against the rough wood of the door. A slow hiss of air escaped through his teeth.

Curse Ron Weasley. Curse Ron Weasley for…for…for what? Being a complete disappointment? For being less then the heroic figure he'd heard so many stories about? For being nothing like the man he had thought him to be? All seemed equally justifiable reasons to curse him.

His fingers contracted tighter around the bar. Trying to talk to Ron Weasley had been a complete waste of time and it had done absolutely nothing to help Hermione Granger's current condition. She was still suffering needlessly. All Weasley would have to do was talk to a few people and Hermione's life would be so much more comfortable.

"I take it things didn't go as you planned today."

Thomas glanced briefly over his shoulder before he returned his focus to the small woman in the cell. "No." He said unhappily when the man drew even with him. "They didn't." He pounded his fist against the door firmly, but not loud enough to bother the woman inside. "I just don't understand." He kept his voice lower so it wouldn't travel. "Why won't he help? He's Ronald Bloody Weasley, for Merlin's sake. Defender of Muggles and Muggleborns alike. Why wouldn't he help the girl who was his best friend?"

The other guard's shoulders lifted in a brief shrug. "Maybe you don't know all of the story."

"I don't have to know all of the story to know that helping her," he nodded towards Hermione, "is the right thing to do."

"Maybe." The man agreed. "But there's nothing more you can do for her. She isn't your responsibility. Not beyond making sure she stays where she is and stays alive. You've done both, so your job is done. Forget about her." The man turned to look through the window at Hermione. "Everyone else has."

"Which is exactly why I can't." His eyes lowered until they were closed. "I have to find a way to help her."

The other man stood quietly there as he thought. "You could keep trying Potter." He suggested. "He's got to resurface sometime. And when he does I'm sure he'll be able to do something."

Thomas's jaw stiffened. "Where the hell is he anyway? How could he take off like that when all hell's broken lose? How could he go off and help his brother-in-law with a business venture when one of his best friends is rotting in prison like this?"

"I don't know." The man shook his head. "But what ever he and Weasley are doing, it has got to be really important."

"We'll see about that."

There was another pause in the conversation while the two men watched Hermione sit unmoving on the floor, her body still leaning in towards the bright Patronus.

Finally the other man broke the silence. "I need you to come sign the final papers."

Thomas waved him aside dismissively. "I'll be there in a minute. Go on without me."

For a moment the other guard looked like he was going to argue but thought better of it. He turned away shaking his head.

Thomas stared through the little window for a few minutes longer. Unable to stand the heartbreaking sight in the cell in front of him, he took a step back preparing to call the Great Dane to his side.

"You shouldn't come here again." A voice croaked in the darkness.

Thomas froze. He took the step back to the door. Hermione had turned her head, still resting on her knees. "What was that?" He asked.

Her lips parted. Her tongue darted out to wet them. "You shouldn't come here again." Her voice was low and brittle. She sounded like she had been screaming. Which, he realized with a start, she probably had.

"Ms Granger?"

"I know you mean well." Her voice cracked. She closed her eyes against him. "But it…" she swallowed and started again. "It won't be so dif…difficult…if…" Her voice chocked off. She turned her face away. "Please don't come here anymore."

"Ms Granger," He watched her body tense. "Let me help you."

Her fingers curled into tight fists. She pounded them into her legs. "Don't you get it?" She lifted her head so he could see the tears running down her face. "Every time you come here it gets harder for me to let you leave. I know…I know what's happening to me. I know I'm loosing my…my…my mi…" She floundered as more tears chocked her throat and streaked down her face. She didn't bother to wipe them away. "But at least when they're here, when I don't have moments of sanity, I don't understand its happening."

"Ms Granger, Hermione, I…" He watched despondently as Hermione reached for the dog with her frail looking fingers, but stopped before they could touch the shimmering fur. She let them drop before silently ordering the Patronus back to Thomas's side.

"Please, don't come back." She turned her face back to the wall. "Don't make this any harder for me then it already is."

"You can't expect me to just…just…let you lose your mind without even trying to help."

Hermione hunched over her legs. "Please don't come back here again." She repeated.

Thomas stared at her moments longer. He wanted to stay and argue with her. To try and convince her to keep fighting and to let him help. But how could he deny her request. He didn't know what it was like. He had never felt the full affect of the Dementors power. He couldn't imagine what it was like to lose your mind and to know that that was what was happing to you. And for someone like Hermione Granger, who was by all reports one of the cleverest witches to pass through Hogwarts in a good many years, and who quite obviously prized her intelligence above all else, it had to be torture.

Perhaps she was right. Perhaps remaining lost inside your own head was kinder then having that reprieve and knowing you'd have to go back into it.

Thomas sighed heavily. "Alright." He conceded. "I won't come back anymore."

Hermione left her head resting on her knees but nodded the slightest bit. "Thank you."

He wanted to say your welcome but couldn't bring himself to do it. To him it didn't feel like he was doing her any favors. So instead he turned and walked away, keeping his Patronus close by hid side.

As soon as he was a safe distance away from her door he could hear the Dementors returning to their posts. Moments later he could hear Hermione muttering to herself. He wasn't even halfway down the hall. She was calling out for Ron before the door swung closed behind him.

Harry remained belted in his seat as the plain taxied toward the arrival gate, trying his best to ignore the impatient Muggle sitting next to him. The man had his belt unlatched and sat on the edge of his seat, ready to spring for the exit the moment the door opened.

Harry sighed with exhaustion as he leaned back into his seat. He was glad to finally be home. In the end he had extended his stay in Spain beyond the original three days. It had taken longer to make plans then he had originally anticipated. When the time came to bring Blake home she couldn't just be dropped off at Ron's door step. They had to find a way to get her home without anyone else being implicated. It wasn't just Hermione and Beila who would go to jail for their involvement now. He and Fred were a part of it as well. On top of that Harry had needed to find a way to communicate with Fred that couldn't be detected by the Ministry. Not only to let them know when it was safe to bring Blake home, but also to warn them incase anyone grew wise and came looking for them.

Harry looked at his knees and picked at the fabric with his short nails. While it did feel nice to finally be back on English soil, it hadn't felt right leaving Blake behind. Of course he understood all the reasons for keeping her safely hidden in Spain, he had pointed out the most of them. But still he wanted turn around, go back to Spain, retrieve Blake, and bring her home. He didn't know how exactly he was going to face Ron again without her.

He had no idea what he was going to say when the time came. How was he meant to go on pretending like nothing had changed, watching Ron suffer needlessly day after day, when it was in his power to do something? If only there was a way of telling Ron what he knew without him running off, unhinged, and implicating them all. No. In order to keep them all out of prison Harry would have to wait and try and ease Ron's suffering as much as he could. Eventually, when it was safe, he would fill in the Weasleys on where Blake had been hiding, but until then…

Harry shuttered as he imagined Ron's wrath when the time came. He wouldn't be surprised, nor would he blame him, if Ron didn't speak to him for a very long time. But in the end he would take Ron's silence. What he did was for the best. And Ron would forgive him…someday.

Harry closed his eyes against the dim light filtering in through the double plated window. The sky outside was so different from the sunshine he'd left behind in Spain. The overcast skies alone were enough to dampen his mood. But he tried to console himself with the knowledge that in just another few minutes he could disembark the plane, make his way through customs, find a toilet and apparate home.

His eyes opened at the thought of home. It was Ginny's smiling face he saw now. He missed her more then ever. As hard as it was to be away from her when everything was normal between them, it was even worse when things weren't. He had made promises to Ginny after the war, promises he hadn't had trouble keeping, until recently that was.

The plane came to a stop and the engines powered down. Metallic clicks filled the plane as passengers unlatched their lap belts. Some passengers leapt from their seats and into the isles, opening the overhead compartments in one movement. Bags were pulled down, most coming close to hitting other passengers in the head.

"Excuse me." The man next to Harry was standing in a half hunched over position.

"By all means." Harry said, moving his knees. He waited patiently as the man tried to climb over his legs without falling into his lap.

Harry remained sitting, ignoring the glare the man from the seat continued to throw him and waited until the last of the heavy traffic passed him before be stood and retrieved his own bag. He followed several paces behind the crowd as they worked their way off the plane and through costumes. The whole process seemed so much easier this time without Fred there to watch out for.

The moment he was through customs he went looking for the nearest toilet. As soon as he spotted one he ducked inside, checking first to make certain he was alone before he dissapperated.

The house was quiet when he reappeared. Setting his bag quietly on the floor he lifted his wrist to eye level, checking the time on his watch. If his time was correct, Ginny was just putting Si down for his afternoon nap.

He hesitated a moment, debating weather to go find Ginny or bring his bag up to his room first and let her finish with Si. His decision was made for him when from at the top of the stairs came his name, hushed but excited, from Ginny.

The two silently stared at each other, both frozen in place. Both scared to make the first move. Heart tightening Harry took a step, "Gin,"

She was flying down the stairs toward him before he could say another word. He hesitated only a moment before he raced up to meet her. They came together on the staircase, Ginny throwing herself at Harry the way she had all those years ago when they had shared their first kiss in the Gryffindor Common Room, nearly knocking Harry off his feet.

Not giving her a chance to say anything, Harry gently gripped her head, bringing her lips around to meet his. She kissed him back willingly, arms tightening around his neck.

"Where the hell have you been?" She growled when they broke apart, gripping his hair between her fingers to keep his face close to hers.

"I'm sorry love." He kissed her again. "It took me longer then I thought it would."

Her fingers tightened in his hair, straining the flesh and causing it to smart. "You could have owled me. Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"

"I'm sorry, love." He ignored the pain in his scalp and reached up to tenderly run his fingers through her hair, using the delay to decide the best way to answer. "I was working a case and…"

"Bullocks." Ginny released his hair the same time she unwrapped her legs from around his waist. "You said nothing about a case when you left."

"There wasn't time and…"

"Stop." She threw up her hands as if to hold him off. "Stop lying to me. The office wouldn't have flooed here looking for you if you were on a Ministry assigned case. I had to lie to the Ministry for you. So you had better start telling me the truth."

Harry lowered his head a fraction. "I never said it was a Ministry case, Ginny."

Ginny frowned at him as she mulled over his words. "Not a Ministry case?" She said slowly. "Which means…you were either looking for Blake…or trying to help Hermione." Her eyes narrowed in on his. "But you couldn't have been trying to help Hermione because you would need to be here to do that. But you couldn't have been looking for Blake. There'd be no need to keep that secret from the Ministry. Would there?"

Harry didn't answer.

Ginny's hands found their way to her hips. "Harry James Potter, what have you been doing?"

"What do you think I was doing?" he asked reluctantly.

Ginny stared steadily into his eyes. "I want you to tell me."

Ginny held her breath. For a moment she feared he wouldn't answer her. That he would turn around and walk away.

"You were wrong on both accounts." He said softly. "I was doing both."

"Both?" She arched a brow.

"I didn't tell you where I was going for two reasons. If anyone from the Ministry did ask, which they did, you wouldn't have anything to tell them."

Ginny did not look happy with that answer. "And the other reason?"

"You told me you didn't want to hear what I was doing to help Hermione."

Ginny's eyes narrowed with anger. "I want to hear when it means your going to be gone for a week." Her voice started to rise with volume. "Especially when it means I'm not going to be hearing from you. How could you…leave like that? Just take off on me and don't…"

"I had to move quickly."

"Clearly you didn't move quickly enough."

"How do you mean?"

"You said you were looking for Blake. You didn't bring Blake home with you." She gestured to his empty arms. "Clearly you didn't find her. Were you even really looking for her?"

"Of course I was."

"Then tell me where you were. You can tell me that much."

Harry opened his mouth, holding it that way for a silent moment. "No." He shook his head. "I can't."

"You can't tell me?" She stared him down a minute longer. "You can't tell me?" She repeated again before she walked past him down the stairs.

"Gin…" Harry turned with her.

She stopped at the bottom and turned back to face him, one hand gripping the banister. "Do you have any idea what's been going on here since you left?"

"I…"
"Ron was here yesterday." She cut him off. "He came to talk to you, but you weren't here. He told me he intends to resign. He plans to move to America as soon as he can. He hasn't told Mum yet of course, he wouldn't 've told me except he came here looking for you. But I'm sure she'll handle it with the same grace she did the news that Bill was moving to Egypt or Charlie Romania. Actually, I expect she'll take it even better, seeing as Ron's her baby boy and he's already been through so much more then the rest of us."

Harry's chest tightened when he saw the accusation in her eyes. "What do you expect me to do?" He turned his head so he wasn't looking directly at her. "I'm doing everything I can."

"You have to go and talk to him."

"And what good will that do?" Harry threw out his arms, frustrated. "Nothing I can say is going to make him feel better right now."

Ginny flung a hand out towards the door. "Just go over there and convince him not to leave."

"I can't do that."

"Why not?" Ginny snapped. "Why not? Ron has always followed you."

"No." Harry said firmly, finally turning back to her. "Ron has always stood beside me. He never followed. He wasn't my sidekick or my minion. He was my friend. I expect you understand the difference. I never told him to do anything."

Harry struggled to smother his annoyance. He understood why she was lashing out. She was worried and scarred and under a great deal of stress after all. He took a calming breath before slowly taking a step towards his wife. "I'll talk to him." He said slowly. "I'll try and reason with him. But I won't try and make him do anything."

Ginny's eyes closed as she lowered her chin. She blinked and a tear slid down her cheek.

"Ginny." Harry croaked, rushing to her side and folding her into his arms. "Don't cry. I'll talk to him."

"I don't want him to leave, Harry." She pressed her face into his shoulder. "He should be here, with his family. This shouldn't be happening. Any of it. Not anymore. "

"Shhh," Harry soothed, swaying gently with her. "Shhh." He kissed the crown of her head. "Everything will be alright. You'll see."

"How can it ever be when everything's gone so wrong?"

Harry's arms tightened. "We'll find a way." He turned his head and rested his cheek on the top of Ginny's head. "I owe him too much to let him down now."