Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Harry Potter.

Author's Notes: So, here is a quick update. I did this because I would be watching the Deathly Hallows in a few hours and I don't know if I could force myself to write afterwards. I never liked the Epilogue. People I know told me that the movie was good, what do you think? But for me, the most despairing thought of all is to see it end.

Once again, my heartfelt thanks to Mina, for the hard work and to my readers. ;)

Chapter 18: Letters

Ignorantia juris neminem excusat.

I carefully tucked the envelope that I was supposed to deliver and put the pale-violet memo that was embedded with the symbol inside as I got off of my table and stood up. I greeted the Aurors that were inside the office and went out of the door. The corridor was bustling with people, even though it was very early in the morning. I left towards the direction of the elevator and smiled as soon as I saw that I was the only passenger there.

When I arrived at the first level, I immediately scanned my surroundings and put my wand at the ready. When I was completely satisfied that the area was indeed guarded, I tucked my wand inside my pocket and went towards the direction of the Minister's Office. I let out a sigh of relief, I know I was overacting but the war taught me that it was better to be safe than be killed because of negligence. As soon as I knocked at the door, I smiled when I saw a familiar friend welcome me inside.

Kingsley Shacklebolt looked older than I had ever seen him. His eyes had dark circles underneath and there were a few wrinkles and scars that marred his features. He looked so pale and thin that the only thing I recognize was his choice of clothes and his eyes. "Hello Minister, you look like you've seen Voldemort alive again."

I nodded at him and he chuckled at my joke. "You look like you've seen better days yourself. So, how are you faring? How are the others?"

When we were both comfortable in our seats, he then took out a bottle of butterbeer and poured it in two nice cups. "I guess I've been good. Everyone else is doing fine; things are starting to get erm. . .normal. Right now, everything is like a bit of a joke inside the office actually, because my team on the last mission was sent off again to handle the reports like good boys and girls."

I took my precious time telling him everything. From my days in Hogwarts to my new work as an official Ministry undertrainee. He laughed at me when I told him what transpired on our Department after the last emergency case and what was agreed upon by the superiors that Harry Potter and the three other trainees must be given some sort of easy tasks because they have been traumatized by the chaotic experience that happened. "We were given two weeks leave from field missions. I swear I have never been so insulted."

"Harry, he is equally brave and bright for an Auror, but what made the Ministry give McGovern his position as Head Auror is his ability to protect his subordinates and ensure that only a few casualties must be dealt with. If you have noticed, he doesn't want to rely on instincts alone, he relies on plans."

"I know, but that's what ticks me off." I sulked as I drank the butterbeer. Kingsley sighed at my reaction and drank from his cup as well. "So, how are things here in the Ministry? People often comment that you are going a good job."

He scoffed at me as he put his cup down and pondered upon what I asked. "Things are still awfully . . .messy. As I reckon, so much was the prize to see this war end, whether it was the emotional blow of death or the physical destruction of our foundation. It was hard to know whom you could trust, even now."

I looked at him with apprehension. His words mimicked the totality of what Luna and I talked about at Hogwarts. I suddenly found my cup interesting as I shook the contents of my drink. "We've been trying to rebuild this Ministry for almost a year now and the progress that we were making is still a little slow and inept. It was all thanks to the Order that we got this far."

"But you have to admit that things are getting better though even if that last mission we went to proved that some people still can't be trusted."

He sighed at me and found the envelope that was peeking inside my robes. "Are those the archives that I asked Aslan to submit?"

I handed him the envelope and he immediately looked at the content. His frown disappeared when he finished scanning the last page. "Looks like the Auror Department is getting better. 98/110 missions completed is not that bad."

I snickered at his comment and he slumped back on his seat. "Yeah, but still, we lack manpower for all those jobs that we had to do."

"True. The other departments were in tight spots as well. So far, the rules before Voldemort conquered the Ministry have been restored but I have a few plans set on implementing new rules as well, things that will benefit not only witch and wizards, but other creatures as well. We also have just finished dealing with the consequences of the last was with the new muggle Minister. At least this one has enough common sense to see everything in a good perspective."

As I finished my drink, I pondered upon the new set of rules that Kingsley would want to implement but thought better. I looked at my watch to see that I only have a few minutes before meeting with someone in Diagon.

"I guess I have to go now Minister, Ginny is waiting for me in Diagon and as I reckon, this is your precious break time. I don't want to spoil it when it is the only time that you can rest. Please take care of yourself and try to live a life. I know that you are the greatest Minister that I have known since I've set foot in this world but I also bet everyone misses their favorite Auror."

He laughed at me just when I stood up and was about the exit his office. "You made my day. Tell everyone I said hello and that their favorite Auror will be there on the next gathering."

I nodded at him and smiled, I missed the bloke, he was now devoting himself serving the people that it was a wonder if he even had a life after work. We never see much of his face nor hide these days.

"Oh and Harry, your requests have been granted."

I fastened my cloak, put the hood and casted a charm - trying to attract less attention as possible. The corridors were heavily crowded with employees that have just arrived so I sped up my pace towards the apparation point.

And then, there it was, Diagon Alley.

I headed towards the direction of the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes as soon as I arrived. A lot of people were crowding the entrance so I went inside through the back door, just in case. The place was bustling with people when I entered. I saw Angelina busy with handling the customers in the counter and Ron, well, Ron was entertaining a lot of girls, almost all of them holding items from the joke shop just for him to notice them. I chuckled at the sight of his dreadful face. As much as I wanted to help him, just the idea of facing all of those people gave me the chills so I went to the counter instead.

I was immediately greeted by a hug and a huge smile when Angelina realized who I was. Not wanting to draw an attention, I silently asked where Ginny was located.

"Ginny? Well, she's already here, probably hiding. I think I saw her helping Ron." Suddenly, Angelina went down to the level of my ears. "Are the two of you back together?"

I felt my hair rise at her comment and immediately shook my head. "N-no, I was just asked to deliver this to her." I showed her the package and silently nodded my thanks, trying to avoid another set of questions. I tried to look for Ginny's fiery red hair and found her sitting near the cages of the pygmy puffs. My mood suddenly lit up when I saw that there were only a few of people there.

She noticed me and waved, gesturing Ron to do the same as she shouted at him. When I got nearer, I put my finger in my mouth, murmuring a silent gesture for them to be quiet. Then I lowered my hood and smiled at both of them. Ron looked really, really relieved to see me and ran off towards the direction of the room behind the counter, disappointing the people who were surrounding him.

When I saw her, I immediately gave her a hug and handed the parcel that I found in my office earlier this morning. "The Holyhead Harpies would want you to train with them for two seasons until you're ready to play for the Cup."

I grinned at her as she stared unbelievingly at the parcel which contains a membership badge and Gwenog Jones' letter. A sudden fire lit up from her features as she looked at me, her eyes wide with excitement at she unwrapped it and read about the Harpies' offer. "Wha-why would the Harpies want me as a player? How did this happen?"

I tried to look innocent as I stopped myself from grinning widely. "Remember that woman that I was with during your last quidditch practice? Well, that was the manager of the Harpies. They were trying to contact me for a while after they heard that I was once a Seeker. I was interested to play with them and the Puddlemere at first but I just told them to bring someone to see a Quidditch game in Hogwarts. You were my best bet when they asked because I knew you love flying; you were brilliant with the broom."

I winked at her as she gave me another incredulous stare, her mouth was opened and her knuckles were almost white from the pressure she was exerting on the package.

And out of the blue, I was suddenly being suffocated and a squeal that was louder than the dragon's roar at Gringotts suddenly filled the whole place. Her eyes were bright and filled with happiness as she tried to kill me with her hug. "I don't know how to thank you enough."

"It was the least I can do for a friend." Just when the moment was getting better, I noticed that all people inside the shop were now looking at us, wide-eyed with apprehension as they stared. I realized right then that my identity was exposed.

Thank you, Ginny, for not being able to hide your emotions and suddenly showing these people that I am here, just when I was trying my best to hide!

I gulped as I tried to figure out how to escape from the crowd of people that will attack me sooner or later, once they have gotten out of their trance. I looked at Ginny, silently asking for help as she cupped her mouth with her hands. Maybe she has realized it.

And the next thing I knew, I was already being apparated away.

When we arrived at our destination, I felt dizzy and light-headed as I stared woozily at my ginger-haired savior, who was panting on my side. He tried to produce a long-held sigh of relief. Ron.

"Good thing George opened the door for us to get out mate, or else, you will be a living sacrifice. I swear, Ginny's scream woke the entire alley; I thought my ears were going to break."

I laughed at him as I tried to support myself with the tree, careful not to fall down. "Thank you. At the moment there I thought I was doomed."

"I brought us out after we saw the two of you and I apparated us both near the Burrow. What do you think happened to Ginny there?"

Relief flooded through my veins as I inhaled the clean air that surrounded the Burrow. We laughed at each other as we recalled what took place. That was so close. "She'll be all right. Thanks, mate, I owe you one."

"No problem."

"So, what do we do now?"

Ron put his hands inside his pockets and cleared his throat as I stared questioningly at him. "I was going to drag you and Hermione somewhere, see if we can hang out. Game?"

Suddenly, a majestic owl, as black as the night, came swooping down on us and perched up on the tree where I stood. I thought it was just an ordinary, if not magnificent, owl.

Then again, if you are Harry Potter, trouble is always around the corner.

When I saw the familiar bracelet clutched upon its claws, and I was instantly filled with dread. The owl stared menacingly at us suddenly dropped a parchment along with the bracelet on the grass. I stared at it for a few seconds and looked at Ron, terror and anxiety was eating me as he took the parchment. Please don't let this be true, please don't let this be true, please!

When Ron went to get the letter, the bracelet lay there, naked. It confirmed what was true.

I didn't allow him to finish reading it and snatched it, staring disbelievingly at the bracelet I gave her for her birthday and hastily opened up the letter.

Dear Mr. Potter,

When you saw the bracelet, you already know that Ms. Granger is now held as a captive. She is still unharmed. . .for now. So I will ask you nicely and come ALONE to the address that is located in the back of this parchment before sunset. We will pleasantly wait for your arrival.

P.S. The consequences I daresay, will be. . .dire, should you choose not to come.

Sincerely,

R.L.

My heart filled with dread and trepidation as I crushed the letter, rendering my knuckles white at the effort. I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes, the letter falling from my hands. This was obviously a trap that was set to get me but I know it would be unwise to alert anyone and if I didn't follow them, who knows what they would do to Hermione?

Just when I was to take another step, a vice-like grip held me in place, I tried to get away from him but his blue eyes pierced me with the intensity they held. "You are NOT going to go there ALONE!"

I stared at him, wide-eyed, panic rising from my throat as I tried to convey to him the intensity of the situation. "You don't understand, Ron. Hermione is in trouble, I HAVE to go!"

"NO, YOU DON'T! YOU CAN'T RISK YOUR LIFE JUST BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT SHE'S IN DANGER!" He tried to stare at me, his gaze softening as he added, "think of what Hermione will do if you will just put yourself into danger because of this. You already know this is a trap, let's just. . .alert the Order and have them sort this out, we can save her."

My blood boiled because Ron didn't understand the meaning of the word ALONE. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! I CAN'T GO THERE WITH ANYONE! SHE'LL BE KILLED! She was supposed to be at her parents' house, safe!"

"I DO. DO YOU THINK I DON'T CARE THAT SHE IS IN THE HANDS OF A MADMAN? DO YOU THINK THAT IT DOESN'T PAIN ME THAT HER LIFE IS IN DANGER?"

I closed my eyes, realizing that tears were already flowing from my eyes as my heart pounded inside my chest. I suddenly fell on my knees, silently begging Ron to let me go. I can't allow her to die. . .I just can't.

"I love her, Ron. And I just can't stand it if anything happens to her. Please."

Ron stared at me, dumbstruck at my revelation. He closed his eyes and I closed mine, praying with all my heart that she is all right, hoping that I would be able to save her. "How long?"

"After the war."

Ron suddenly knelt in front of me, his face was a mixture of emotions as he spoke hoarsely, "and you never told me?"

"I never did want anyone to find out."

He laughed as tears fell from his eyes, a mixture of amusement and anger filled his voice. He wiped them and suddenly looked at the sky, sighing. "I always did love her, you know? I loved her so much. . .but I never did realize that my love for her was that of a sister. She is very important to me but what you don't know that you are as important. You know, mate, the problem is, when you set yourself on something, even if it is dangerous, no one ever did persuade you not to do it, even if it was her."

I looked at him, my eyes filled with desperation. "Will you let me go?"

His look was scary. It reminded me of a predator who was about to get his prey. His eyes were filled with determination and courage that you do not usually see in the eyes of a Ronald Weasley. It burned with the intensity of a thousand suns that can incinerate anyone who will get on his way. He loved her this much.

"I will, but at one condition." He stopped and helped me up. I tried to nod, grateful at him and gave him a hug. And then, he whispered incoherently that I had a hard time deciphering it.

"I will go with you."

Haha, sorry guys. Of course not everything about life is good. I wrote this after finishing an exam so, I was a bit ughhhhh, I don't really know. Sorry for all the errors though. I noticed that I have improved a lot, going back to the first few chapters of my fic. Editing is still on going, so read when it's ok. ;)