-Chapter 18-

Bill stepped out of the fireplace at George's shop, followed immediately by Charlie. Hermione, Aislin, and George ran to greet them.

"Madam Malkin's, lets go!" Bill said as he took Hermione's arm. The five ran through the almost bare streets. It was Sunday, most of the shops were closed but a few did remain open such as the apothecary, a number of cafes and of course Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. Hermione pulled the Invisibility cloak out of her bag and wrapped it around Charlie. Bill made sure his hood was covering his face, Aislin instantly grew her hair out, part of it covering her face. Bill then opened the door to the shop, letting Charlie slip in first followed by Aislin and then himself.

Narcissa had a nightdress draped over her arm and she was browsing through the Muggle clothing. Madam Malkin hurried over to Bill.

"How can I help you?"

"Browsing. Something for my wife for her birthday," Bill spoke in a deep, gruff voice.

"Mum likes Muggle clothes," Aislin said.

"Oh yes, Muggle clothes are there in the corner." Madam Malkin pointed to where Narcissa was standing. Bill walked over to the racks of clothes and pretended to be browsing.

"I couldn't help overhearing, something for your wife?"

Bill grunted, approvingly. Aislin inspected the clothes Narcissa was holding while Bill had her attention.

"I'm shopping for my daughter," Narcissa said.

Charlie, who was standing beside Bill, growled. Bill elbowed him.

"My wife likes the Muggle clothes magazines. Her mother was a Muggle who liked that sort of thing, too. I think our robes are perfectly acceptable, myself. More comfortable, that's for certain."

"Muggles do have odd fashions. Here, your wife might like these." Narcissa showed Bill a rack of colorful pants and skirts.

"Thanks."

"Have a nice day."

Bill grunted again. Narcissa walked to the counter with a few outfits and night robes, paid for her things and then went to the chimney. Charlie followed her and she tossed in her Floo Powder and stepped in.

"Malfoy Manor!"

Bill, Aislin and Charlie ran out of the store, nearly knocking over George.

"She said she was buying clothes for her daughter. She Flooed to Malfoy Manor. We need to get to Grimmauld Place."

The five ran back to George's shop and one by one Flooed away. They stepped out in the sitting room of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, Willow, Ron and Harry stood to greet them.

"Narcissa is at Malfoy Manor, she just Flooed there from Madam Malkin's with a bag of Muggle clothes," said Charlie.

"I talked to her a bit, she said the clothes were for her daughter."

"I looked at the tags, they're Ginny's size."

"We know she has her. She lied and told Robards that she had nothing to do with the kidnapping," Harry said, "there is no other place she could be. Lucius sold all of their property right before he landed himself back in Azkaban."

"We move at dusk, then," Bill said.

There was a collective nod.

The rest of the day was nothing but pure nervousness. At one point, Hermione sat at the dining room table with a parchment and quill, furiously scribbling and crossing out lines.

"I've never known you to have trouble writing anything, 'Mione," Harry said as he sat down across from her.

"I've never had to write out what I want to happen if I die."

"Understandable. This isn't the most dangerous thing we've done though."

"I have a bit more to think about now than I did ten years ago, Harry."

"You don't have to come with us. It's not too late for you to…"

"I'm doing this. I love Ginny and I'm not going to sit back and do nothing." Hermione scribbled on her paper even more.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts, then."

"Wait. I need to ask something of you and please don't say yes just because you think you have to."

"Okay, what is it?"

"I realize that with the twins and another one on the way you will have your hands full but if something was to happen to both Ginny and I tonight…would you and Luna consider adopting Lennox? I thought about Molly and Arthur but they aren't…well they're not young anymore. If you can't I completely understand."

"I don't know 'Mione. I love Lennox, I really do but like you said, we're going to have our hands pretty full. Do you have a second choice?"

"George and Angelina."

"Why don't you ask George and then come back to me, okay?"

Hermione nodded. Harry left the dining room and George came in moments later.

"Harry said you wanted to ask me something," he said, taking the seat that Harry just left.

"I was wondering, George…I think a great deal of you and Angelina…If something was to happen to Ginny and I tonight…would you consider adopting Lennox?"

"I'd love nothing more, Herm. Nothing is going to happen though. Don't you worry about it." George reached over the table and tousled Hermione's hair. She crinkled her nose at him and smiled.

He left the dining room and Hermione continued scribbling until she was satisfied. She read the letter over and over. Absolutely everything to Ginny. If something happened to both of them then it was to George and Angelina and some money to Molly and Arthur. Hermione folded the letter and put it into an envelope.

She took the envelope upstairs to the drawing room and put it on Ginny's desk. The light outside the window was growing dark. Hermione paced the room a few times. She heard Bill call for her and she went back downstairs to the sitting room.

"Ready?" Bill asked the group.

Everyone nodded. Eight loud cracks echoed through the room.