MISSING MOMENTS: DEATHLY HALLOWS

CHAPTER TWO: WHAT IF?

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything relating to Harry Potter. I am merely a fan, wanting to fill in some of the missing moments in JKR's brilliant book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The meeting in the kitchen had been a long and tedious one. Not only was it extremely hot with all of the people and the stove bubbling vigorously in the corner adding to the heat, but this had been about the fourth time they had gone over the plan and everyone was feeling very irritable. The warm sun streamed into the kitchen through a small window over the sink. Ron sat directly in the streak of dusty sunlight. The heat making him extremely uncomfortable. He wanted nothing more than to get out of the stuffy kitchen. Perhaps he would go outside when this torture was over. He might even take a little ride on his broom in the paddock behind the Burrow.

"Everyone get that?" Mad-Eye Moody growled. His big blue, magical eye swiveled around in his head, looking behind him, making sure no one was sneaking around outside, listening in. "Yes Mad-Eye, we all get it," an exasperated Tonks replied. "There's no need for attitude Nymphadora," Mad-eye growled. His blue eye swiveled toward her. Tonks' bright pink hair had turned to a deep purple, upon hearing her first name. "You know I don't like that Alastor," she huffed, folding her arms across her chest. A small diamond on her left ring finger glistened in the sun light. Beside her sat her husband, Remus Lupin. He looked unusually grim, despite being a newlywed. "Why can't we do this outside?" Tonks groaned. "I'm boiling in here!" "Oh sure, lets go outside where every bloody Death Eater in the entire country can hear!" Moody growled angrily. "Alright," intervened Mrs. Weasley. "Why don't we wrap this up. Dinner's almost ready." Mad-Eye opened his scarred mouth, but then shut it as Mrs. Weasley gave him a warning look that rivaled one of McGonagall's. "I want everyone to clear out for a bit so I can get dinner on the table."

Ron jumped up immediately, heading for the door. "Ronald, don't go too far. We'll be ready to eat in about twenty minutes," Mrs. Weasley called to his retreating back.

He stepped out into the blinding sunlight, making his way over to the small, rundown broom shed. Inside, it smelt of old socks and soil. A couple of spiders fell from the ceiling as the door shut behind him. He went into the back, stepping over Fred and George's old brooms. He grabbed his used Comet, that he had gotten just two years previously.

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Ron soared up above the trees, his feet just skimming the very top of the green leaves. It felt so good to be out of that cramped little kitchen. The sun shining down on his ginger hair, warming his freckled face. A cool breeze blew gently, whispering through the bright green leaves. Ron looked down at the ground below him. Even though he was only about twenty-five to thirty feet above the ground, he felt like he was in another world. A world that had no troubles. No evil wizards. Nothing to worry about. Except--

Hermione sat on the low stone wall surrounding the Weasley's overgrown garden. A couple of gnomes scampered out of their underground burrows. Ron swooped down, landing, rather ungracefully, in front of her. She looked up startled. Now that he was closer, he could see that her eyes were red and rimmed with tears. "Oh, Ron. It's just you," she said. "Gee, you can sure make a bloke feel welcome," he said with a crooked grin. "Sorry, I just meant. . ." she tried to explain but words failed her. She hastily wiped at her eyes, urging her tears to go away.

"It's okay. I know what you meant," he assured her, sitting down on the uneven wall. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs and folding his hands in front of him. "Are you alright?" he asked looking up at her squinty eyed, because of the blinding sun setting just over her shoulder. She shrugged. "I'm fine, I guess," she replied half heartedly.

He gave her a skeptical look, that meant he didn't believe her for a second. "So, you're perfectly okay, but I look over and see you crying in my family's garden. Somehow I don't think you're telling me the truth. Come on, spill."

She took a deep, shaky breath. "It's just, I'm worried, that's all. I mean, after Harry get's here, who knows what we'll have to do to get rid of You-Know-Who. What if I never get to see my parents again? What if, if we actually survive this, I go back to try and undo the Memory Charms and it doesn't work? What will I do if they don't remember me? I wouldn't be able to live with myself, knowing that I'm the one who did that to them." Her voice cracked under the pressure of trying not to cry. Ron sat up straight and put his arm around her, hugging her close to him. "Everything will work out fine," he assured her. "We'll get rid of Voldemort and put your parent's right. It'll all be okay."

"But you don't know that for sure," she chocked, looking up at him. Her tears had won the battle and were now cascading down her face.

He looked down at her as she cried into his chest, soaking his shirt through. "You're right," he replied. "I don't know for sure. But we can try are best, can't we?"

She looked up into his face and gave him a watery smile. "Yes," she said.

"Ron, Hermione! Dinner's ready!" Mrs. Weasley's voice rang from the back door.

"Come on, we better get going. Mum's gonna have a cow if we're late for dinner," he said standing up.

The front of his shirt had a large wet spot on it, where Hermione had been crying. She laughed at it. "Hold still for a second," she ordered, pulling her wand out of her front pocket. She pointed her wand at his shirt and instantly it dried. "Alright, let's go," she said.

He held out his hand and looked at her grinning shyly. She smiled and took it in hers. Hand in hand, made they way slowly toward The Burrow for a dinner that was sure to be delicious.

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who read. You have no idea how excited I was to get reviews and story alerts!! I'm sorry for not updating sooner, but I was writing some of the other chapters and I've been super busy with school and what not. I'll try my hardest to update the next chapter sooner. Once again, I'd like to say that even if you don't like it, please review so I can make it better J

-Lily Rose-