Chapter 2: No One's Invincible

Rose quickly ran down the stairs. It was the morning after she had just got home. Hogwarts was fun, but she was still fond of coming home for the holidays no matter what.

"Daddy!" she called out as she peeked into the kitchen to find her mother and father seemingly having a solemn discussion. "Oh sorry," said Rose, taken aback. "I'll just go back to my room."

Ron stood up and waved his hand. "No, come here," he said. Rose hesitated and looked at her mother who simply smiled. Rose walked up to her father. Ron gave Rose a one-armed hug. "What do you want for breakfast?" asked Ron. "I want to hear all of your Hogwarts stories."

"All of it?" Rose challenged.

Ron chuckled. "All of it."

Rose sat on one of the chairs and smiled brightly at her parents. "It was great," she started. "Everything was just as you told me. From the train, to the friends I met. In fact, the teachers are quite amazing as well." Ron suppressed a laugh. Oh, his daughter was much like her mother. "Albus and I hung out often, though I was in Ravenclaw and he was in Gryffindor. It did not seem to bother James much that we did. In fact, James was sometimes really kind to Albus!"

The young girl was cheery. Her parents listened on. Although it seemed to be a bright day, Rose new there was something going on. She was turning twelve soon, of course she could sense her parents' animosity regardless if she was told about it or not.

"Sounds great, Honey," said Hermione as Rose finished up her story about her first day at Hogwarts. She was excited about school, much to Hermione's delight.

"Bacon's done," said Ron as he turned around. He whipped his wand and levitated the bacon onto a plate and to the table. Rose thanked her father. Ron smiled back at her. "No problem."

It didn't take long before Hugo woke up as well. "Mom? Dad?" he called out sleepily.

"Down here," Ron said as he took a seat beside his daughter who was jovially eating her breakfast. "What would you like for breakfast, son? Your sister is having bacon. Would you like some as well?"

Hugo appeared not too long after Ron asked. "Yes please," he replied. With his pajamas still on he sat beside his mother. Hermione could swear that Hugo cringed, but she didn't dear put much into it. Hugo looked at Rose. "You're hungry. Haven't thy been feeding you at Hogwarts?" he asked.

Rose smirked. "I'm just tired," she replied.

Hermione pointed her wand to the fridge and got some milk for Hugo and Rose. "You two better drink up on your calcium so your teeth would become stronger," she said softly. Her parents, after all, were dentists. She'd know a thing or two about it.

Hugo was soon served with the same breakfast as his sister. They both talked animatedly about Hogwarts. Hugo was to enter in this year. It wouldn't take long before July would come around the bend. Both Ron and Hermione knew how time could fly.

Ron watched as he children ate before saying, "Do you two mind if Mummy and Daddy goes to the other room for a bit?" he asked. After all, the pair was already having a world of their own again. Ron was just delighted at the fact that neither his children could provoke the other into anything, Rose being a gentle girl and Hugo being the shy type.

"Mmm, it's okay," said Hugo, still chewing on his bacon. Rose simply nodded.

Hermione got up from her chair and followed Ron to the other room. "Couldn't we have just waited until the they finished breakfast and head out to play?" she said tiredly. It seemed to be they had been talking all night. Dark circles were forming under Hermione's eyes. "I don't know how to go about this, Ron. Honestly."

Ron sighed. He was just as tired as Hermione. "Neither do I," he said flatly, his face looking rather grim. "I don't think he really left, Hermione. I don't think he could actually do that to his family." Ron looked sad and confused. "But if he did, he must have some reason for it. We both know him well, don't we?" Ron's voice, though, sounded defeated.

Hermione blinked back tears. "She must be feeling horrible by now," she said. "I don't know how this could have happened. I don't know what he was thinking. He would hurt all the people who loved him." Hermione shook his head. "What was he thinking?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't really know what's happening. We might as well ask around. Maybe there are some clues to finding him. How far could he be anyway? And what has he done for him to run away like this?" There were just too many questions in Ron's head. "I don't think it's a suicide letter. I bet he just ran away."

"How could we tell Rosie and H-"

"Tell Rosie and Hugo what?" Rose and Hugo stood right behind their parents. They looked as if they had been listening for quite some time now. "What's going on, Daddy?" asked Rose.

Hermione looked stern. "What did I tell you both about eavesdropping, Rose?" she asked. Rose looked ashamed of herself. Hermione wasn't feeling too forgiving this time around. "Both of you march up to your room and I will have a talk with you." Hugo was about to protest when his mother snapped, "Now!"

Quickly, Rose and Hugo went up the stairs.

Ron watched as the two disappeared. "Are you sure you're all right, Hermione?" he asked. He looked at his wife from to bottom. "I've never seen you like this since we were sixteen and I was snogging Lavander." There was a certain smirk on Ron's face as he said it.

Hermione heaved a sigh. "Don't remind me," she mumbled. "I'm all right."

"Are you sure?" Ron asked again.

"Yes."

Ron took out his wand. "Accio coat," he said. His coat came flying to him. "Well, I think I better get to work. We'll figure this out. I'm sure we'll be able to help one way or another." He gave Hermione a quick smack on the lips. "I'll see you tonight."

"Ron?" Hermione said in a small voice. "Are you sure he's going to be all right?" she asked.

Ron didn't really know. He feigned a smile just for Hermione. "Teddy's just like Harry. I'm sure he's got reason for him running away and I'm sure Harry would find him. They'll come home safe," he said and let the house.

Hermione simply looked on sadly. "But…" she whispered, "no one's invincible."

A/N: What do you think? Please keep reviewing! Thank you for the reviews.