I want to thank everyone that has reviewed this story so far. Special thanks to ObsessedRHShipper and larnaka22 for the constructive criticism. I will probably change chapter 7 (Grim News) a tiny bit. The minor change might not be worth a reread but if you want to check it out

More reviews will off course continue to be happily welcomed!

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FOURTH YEAR – The return of evil

The Holidays

It was Christmas day and Ron decided to let go of his fears and enjoy himself. Harry would be over at the Burrow any minute and Hermione had written every day. She had put the wards up and had even told him about the witches and wizards she had noticed patrolling the house; she was safe. His mum and dad had gone all out with the food and decorations and were beyond exited that Charlie, Dena and Artie were able to make it home for the day. Mum was going barmy over seeing her only grandson for the first time since they went to the hospital in Romania for his birth. With the exception of George who had been sulking around the house and not finishing Fred's sentences as of late, the overall atmosphere in the Burrow had been excellent since they arrived. And it seemed like today even George was coming around and pulling a prank on his favourite target, Percy Wesley.

As soon as Harry got there they opened presents. Ron got his usual maroon jumper from mum, a dragon tooth from Charlie and Dena, a Chudley Cannons Hat and shirt from Bill and Liana, and some lame book from Percy and Gia. The best so far was the load of chocolate frogs and the sneakoscope from Harry. Now he was ready to open the Grangers' present. He knew it was from Hermione, but it was signed the Grangers'. It was a nicely wrapped box and he had a feeling Hermione wouldn't like him to tear the wrapping, but he couldn't help himself. Soon he had opened the box and found the nicest pair of trainers he had ever seen surrounded by pieces of muggle candy. "Bloody hell!" he yelped and Harry came close to see what the fuss was about while Ron's mum clearly expressed her anger at him for swearing in front of Artie.

"Ron those are brilliant! You'll be the coolest bloke in Gryffindor!" Harry said excitedly as he moved to open his other presents. "I can't accept it, it's too much. I barely got her parchment and quills... lame! Ruddy awfully lame! But, I couldn't get more, I'm poor good for nothing me! Off course she got the bloody trainers that I liked in that Sport Shop this summer and the bloody candy, it was probably nothing for her" he thought as he walked to the dining room smelling his mum's delicious turkey and potatoes.

The day ended happily, everyone enjoyed the food and the impromptu quidditch game in the snow, although Ron kept thinking about returning that present. The Snapes declined an overnight stay, but Ron didn't think much of it. He went to bed thinking of his new trainers and not knowing if he loved them or hated them since he could have never gotten anything like that without Hermione feeling sorry for him. His sleep was uneasy and the next day he grumpily sat around the house and even George was no longer a partner in his sullen mood. By night time he had decided for sure to give it back, "If she bloody thinks I'm her charity case, she'll get to know better", with that thought he changed to only pyjama pants and fell in a deep slumber. Sleep didn't last long as he woke up sweating and feeling terrified. He looked at his naked chest and found the kyklos proctais glowing from gray to black to yellow.

He got out of bed, grabbed his wand and ran downstairs without even bothering to put a shirt on. He got in the fireplace, threw flow powder and clearly said "The Grangers in London" knowing exactly the location he wanted to get to. But, nothing happened. "They are not connected to the floo, dammit!" and then he thought about who was supposed to be protecting them and said "The Snapes in Surrey!" and was soon zooming to his destination.

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"HARRY! HARRY!" he screamed as he kicked at the barrier blocking the exit of the fireplace. It felt like he was screaming for ages until he finally heard Harry.

"Ron?"

"YES, LET ME OUT! HERMIONE IS IN DANGER! LET ME OUT NOW!" Ron felt the barrier move a bit and then a female voice said "WAIT! How do we know it's him and not a trick? Ask him something only Ron would know"

"BLOODY HELL! IT'S ME! WHEN YOU WERE SIX MY BROTHERS GAVE YOU RABBIT EARS AND WHEN WE WERE NINE WE GOT STUCK IN A MUD HOLE BIGGER THAN MY ROOM AND WE GOT PUNISHED FOR DAYS FOR GETTING TOO FAR INTO THE FOREST AROUND YOUR HOUSE! LET ME OUT!"

"It's him!" he heard and the barrier was soon gone. The Snapes were not prepared to see a half-naked Ron covered in sod and panting frantically, he looked a total mess.

"What's wrong with Miss Granger?" asked professor Snape.

"She's in danger, she's scared!" he said as he moved the amulet up to show Harry and the professors

"You have the other kyklos proctais?" asked Mrs. Snape in surprise.

"Let's go! You can connect us to the Grangers, let's go! Please!"

"No! I'll go. Lily take them to the safe house" said professor Snape sternly.

"NO! I'M COMING!" yelled Ron stubbornly, but he couldn't follow as Severus Snape disappeared with a pop.

"Harry take Ron upstairs to get dressed, pack a few things and meet me back here. We're travelling by portkey" said Mrs. Snape

"NO! I NEED TO..." but she interrupted

"RONALD! There is nothing more you can do, you already got help. We cannot risk connecting her fireplace and giving more access for anyone to enter. Severus will get to her, now we need to go in case this place is attacked as well. Upstairs to change RIGHT NOW!" she ordered and he saw her putting her head into the fireplace.

The boys ran up to change, but Ron was livid. He quickly grabbed a t-shirt from Harry, but none of Harry's trousers were long enough for him. Harry ran to his mum and dad's room to borrow some of dad's jeans for Ron and then they were both fully dressed and began packing random clothing as well as the cloak and sneakoscope. Mrs. Snape frantically ran through her room gathering clothes and a potions case. She went downstairs, resealed the fireplace, got hold of a lamp and muttered the portkey incantation. Soon they felt the pulling sensation taking them to their destination.

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They landed roughly on hardwood floors and were surprised to see Ely ad Estella Swanson with their wands out ready to fight.

"Stop! It's the Snapes! Why are you two here?" said Lily Snape.

"Dad got word from one of the guards on duty about the attack on the Grangers, they made the portkey, send us here and went to help them" said Ely quickly.

"I'm glad you are here. Ely you are in charge, make as many healing potions as you can, if there is anyone wounded we'll bring them back here. I'm going to the Grangers."

"Wait I have to go pick up Mel, she's not on the list but she's muggle-born, I have portkeys ready and timed. Ella can be in charge here" he answered.

"WAIT! What are WE supposed to do?" asked Ron infuriated.

"Ely go and be quick about it! Estella, you and the boys will have this place ready to help whoever comes back" said Lily looking at the boys sternly. "Follow her lead!" she said before making a portkey out of a mantelpiece and leaving.

"DAMM, DAMM, DAMM!" screamed Ron.

"Stop it! Stop it right now!" ordered Estella.

"Where the hell are we? Maybe we can get there the muggle way. Let's go Harry!"

"We can't" said Harry and Ron looked at him with a murderous face. "Ron, I've been here before, we're... we're... in Spain"

"What?" said Ron, his voice filled with despair.

"We're at the Swanson cabin in San Leandro, close to Seville. You were here last summer as part of your Spain visit Harry. Ron I know the kyklos proctais is probably driving you mad with guilt and the need to help, but breathe deeply and try to relax. We have to make all sorts of preparations. If Hermione comes back injured you would want us to be ready with healing potions, right?" He nodded. "The kitchen is in the next room through that door. There are cauldrons in the lower cabinets, set those up while I get ingredients" she ordered and the boys moved quickly to the other room.

Time dragged so slowly Ron thought he would lose his mind. He was rubbish at potions to begin with, but having to work on these things under pressure made it even worse. Thank Merlin Estella assigned him to simply crush all sorts of ingredients so he was able to let out his frustration while she took care of measuring and Harry mixed. They soon had a load of cauldrons filled with blood-replenishing, calming, invigorating, dreamless sleep, and wound-cleaning potions, plus a base for any kind of creserus and some burn-healing paste. Ron had just begun to crush some more essence of murlap when they heard a crack inside the house.

"Stay behind me!" Ella commanded as she raised her wand, but the boys were having none of that and they prepared themselves to fight.

"Calm down it's simply me" said professor Dumbledore as he carefully got Hermione to sit on one of the couches.

"Hermione!" the boys yelped in unison as they approached her. She said nothing, her face was stony and cold and her eyes unfocused. Her clothes were bloody and burnt and she had bruises and cuts on her arms.

"Hermione are you ok?" asked Ron as he sat next to her and grabbed her hand. She didn't answer.

"Wait! How did you get in here? No one can apparate inside even if they managed to apparate across the ocean! Prove that you are Dumbledore!" demanded Estella.

"Very good Miss Swanson, your uncle would be proud. But, you see there are advantages to being me. Given that this location is protected by a fidelious charm and anti-apparition wards that I set-up, I can come and go as I please. As for proof, the fact that I am standing here causing no harm should be enough. Correct?" Estella nodded.

"Sir is she ok?" Ron asked looking at Hermione attentively and not caring one bit about the Estella-Dumbledore exchange.

"She has some physical injury, but nothing major. I trust you can heal her Miss Swanson, I must go and help the others" said Dumbledore ready to make an exit.

"Sir, please wait" pleaded Harry "Are my parents ok?"

"Yes, when I left they were still fighting"

"And my aunt and uncle?" asked Estella.

"Fighting as well, but they are outnumbered, I must leave"

"What about the Grangers?" asked Ron

"I'm sorry Mr. Weasley, I'm afraid we were too late, now I must go" he said with sympathetic eyes and then he disappeared with a simple crack.

"Ron stay with her and try talking to her to see if she responds. Harry everything we started should be almost done I want you to check on the wound-cleaning potion and the burn-healing paste, if they are ready bring some back here with you. If you can't tell, come get me. I'll go get bandages from upstairs" Ella muttered with an incredibly commanding tone.

Soon Ron found himself alone with a girl that seemed like a ghost of his best friend. "Talk to her, Estella said to talk to her" he told himself. He kneeled in front of her and lifted her face so he could see right into her eyes then he held both her hands in his. This entire night had been horrendous, but seeing her chocolate eyes look blank like someone had sucked all the spark out of them was by far the worst. "Hermione... Hermione can you hear me? Please say something, say anything. Hermione, I'm here, you are safe. Please talk to me... yell at me... please Hermione ... please." he repeated feeling his eyes begin to sting when he found no response.

"I got the bandages. Where is Harry?" asked Estella, but seeing Ron's despair she kneeled on the ground next to him and gave him a reassuring look. "Ron give me her hand"

"What?"

"Give me one of her hands" Ella commanded.

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"I got them! They are all ready!" yelled Harry as he came closer. "What are you doing?" he asked seeing Ron sitting on the couch and trying to hold onto Hermione's shoulders as Estella took one of her hands.

"I'm doing something I'm not supposed to, but she needs to come back. She's in shock and it's getting severe. Harry hold on to her left shoulder and let Ron hold the right one. If she attacks us when she comes out of it pull her back" said Estella. Harry set the potions carefully on the floor and held onto the one side of Hermione.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Ron.

"No, but I see no other way. What's the point of healing her physical wounds when she's in this state? She shouldn't be left like this for much longer. Now, hold her, I don't know what her reaction to her parents will be once the utter shock is gone." Estella enfolded her hands around one of Hermione's and then closed her eyes. Soon a brown glow flowed between their hands and Hermione jerked on the spot, Estella fell back on the ground and Hermione's face looked crazed, staring first at Estella and then... Ron. Her madness faded away and she buried herself in Ron's chest and let out the most heart-wrenching of wails.

Harry began rubbing gently on her back as Ron held her tightly. She clutched the borrowed t-shirt he was wearing and her tears got his entire chest area wet in a few minutes. "They are gone! They killed them because of me! It's all my fault!" she screamed miserably and her anguished cries filled the room. Both Ron and Harry's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but they had to stay strong for her. Estella stood panting for a minute and then stepped out of the room saying "I'll get calming and sleep droughts."

Hermione continued her tirade until Ron separated himself from her and looked right into her eyes. "Look at me. This is not your fault. You did everything you could. You set-up the wards and the order was there. It's not your fault. It's just those bloody Black Hand bastards, not you" he said forcibly. She stopped talking after that but continued to shed tears uncontrollably. Estella came back and they practically force-fed Hermione the draughts. She was soon sobbing quietly against Ron's chest and then fell asleep.

"All the potions are basically finished, some of them need more stewing, but I can't help that, they just have to sit. You two can go watch over the stewing while I heal her" she said.

"I'm not moving, I'm not letting her out of my sight and I don't care what you say" Ron stated firmly.

"Alright you two can be in here, but you'll turn your backs, you should not see more of her than absolutely necessary" Estella uttered. She healed the cuts and burns on Hermione's arms and feet. Then she made the boys stand by the door and face towards the kitchen as she checked her legs and torso and healed more of the damage.

"So, she's going to be ok?" asked Ron.

"Like Dumbledore said it was mostly flesh wounds, a couple of nasty burns, but she'll be fine."

"Thank you" said Ron sincerely. Estella nodded as she slumped in a couch opposite to them. They sat in silence for about twenty minutes and then Ely and Mel showed up with two children in their arms.

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"They are Earlene Anderson's kids. They live in the flat above Mel's parents' house and were being attacked also. I set the alarm for dad, but they never came so Mel and I got the kids out" said Ely quickly as him and Mel laid the kids on the ground carefully.

"Mel are your parents ok?" asked Estella.

"Yeah, when I heard the ruckus upstairs I took them to my aunt's place in Oxfordshire. They should be safe there" she answered.

"Mel summon all the mattresses in the house down here. I'll enlarge this room to set-up any injured and take care of them in one place. Ella organize any potions you have made and start new ones" Ely ordered and then began uttering an incantation that made the room grow to three times its size. Mattresses came flying down the stairwell and were set on top of each other in the middle of the room.

"You two move the furniture to that corner except for the couch with Hermione." Ron and Harry did as ordered and watched as Mel and Ely set mattresses on the ground in even rows and then began duplicating them.

"Alright let's move the kids and Hermione onto these and then you two can also move this couch away." They did as told and soon saw Estella return to the room levitating vials organized in neat sets.

"Locomotor" said Ely and all the furniture from the corner made its way up the stairwell. Ella sat by the children and began healing cuts and bruises.

"Alright, Mel and Ella you two are in charge, I'm..." but Mel quickly interrupted "What? Where do you think you are going?" she loudly questioned.

"Mel I'm of age, I can go help the Andersons, they were still fighting" Ely answered.

"Well then I'm going with you! I'm of age too! And don't give me that look! I can make untraceable portkeys myself thanks to you, so I'll go whether you want me to or not!" She barked. He looked unhappy, but nodded in agreement.

"Wait!" Ella cried out.

"What?"

"He has a broken leg and I don't want to cast spells with my wand in case I activate the trace, the last thing we need is the Ministry knowing our location and sending all sorts of goons to Spain. One of you just point at his leg and say ferula" Ella ordered. Mel followed her directions and before long the boys' leg was bandaged in a splint. Soon after Ely and Mel took a chandelier and departed.

"Well you two heard him we have to make more potions just in case. These kids should be alright, looks they were stunned, but it's better if they wake on their own. Just keep an eye on them while I get the cauldrons from the kitchen and set-up a station in here so we can watch over them and brew at the same time" Ella said and then made a beeline for the kitchen.

"Harry, you reckon the hands of terror attacked many places today?" asked Ron with sadness.

"I guess, I just really hope mum and dad are ok" Harry said, his worry evident.

Within the next hour they brewed as the Snapes and Dumbledore among other strange people came in bringing injured adults and kids. They got to meet Kingsley Shacklebolt, Dedalus Diggle and Alastor Moody that night. The all seemed ok, but Mr. Moody was downright scary. Ella applied potions and got the conscious adults to give healing charms as they came. Ron and Harry helped with potion-making and putting bandages, but they continually kept an eye on Hermione. Mel and Ely had come back with Earlene Anderson, but said her husband didn't make it. They all had wounds and Ella quickly moved to help them. Soon about 15 injured people were sleeping on the mattresses they had set.

"Estella how do you know all this healing stuff?" asked Harry and then she looked a bit embarrassed.

"Little doll here has always wanted to be a healer" said Ely proudly wincing at the pain on his face from what was left of his bruises.

"You'd be good" said Harry giving Ella a weak smile.

"You'd have to get really good NEWTs and live past twenty to complete the entire training, so the outlook is not so good there" she said smiling awkwardly.

"Ella shut up! You'll be a healer someday and that's that!" said Ely firmly. Estella nodded and sincerely smiled this time. After few minutes of more silent seating a very familiar yell broke Ron's stare at Hermione.

"Ronald Wesley! You had us worried sick!" he heard his mum scream at the top of her lungs. She was followed by most of the Weasley clan and Mrs. Snape. Soon Molly encircled him into the biggest hug and began kissing his face. Mrs. Snape hugged Harry.

"Mum, mum get off, I'm fine" he said awkwardly earning giggles from Harry, the Swansons, Mel and his siblings. The laughter didn't last long as Ely asked "Where my parents and Mr. Snape?"

"Ely please come upstairs with me, you too dear" she said kindly looking at Estella. They stood and followed Lily.

"Mum what's going on?" asked Ron. Silence followed. "Where's dad? And Bill and Mr. Snape? And why is Mrs. Snape talking to them alone?" Ron questioned more.

"Your dad and Bill are with Severus, they're helping move the Swansons, Grangers and others to St. Mungo's. Lily is talking to the Swanson kids because... because Ralph and Esther didn't make it" she said wearily. Melinda cooper began to sob quietly. Harry felt awful, his shoulders slumped and his eyes began to sting again. And Ron felt rage igniting fire in his chest. "Those bastards! Hermione's parents, the Swansons, Mr. Anderson! How many more that we don't even know about? Those bloody dammed sons of bitches!" he thought as he sat on the ground next to Hermione's mattress with his head down.

"Are Bill and Mr. Weasley in the order then?" Harry asked quietly.

"HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT?" asked Mrs. Weasley with anger and concern.

"What's the order?" asked Fred, George and Ginny together. But, their chatter ended as they heard footsteps coming down the stairwell. There was Estella with the unyielding expression that they had not missed seeing. She came close to Mel and whispered something in her ear. Mel started to make her way to the stairwell, but suddenly turned. "What about you?" she asked with concern.

"Go help him, I'll make sleeping draught. We're out and he needs it. We'll deal with me later" was Ella's unemotional answer. Mel began to backtrack towards Estella, but she raised her hand in disapproval and said "Stop! You need to be upstairs!" was her stern order as she made her way to the nearby potion station with an unreadable expression in her face.

Ron looked up to his brother. "Go talk to her you git" he repeated in his head, hoping George would catch on his expression. But, George stood rooted next to his twin simply staring at the girl by the potion station for what seemed like ages. It was Harry who stood and moved in her direction. It seemed like all she had him do was help her with potion-making. A blue light announced the arrival of Mr. Snape, Dumbledore and the other Weasleys. Severus gave a quick salute to everyone, hugged Harry briefly, but was soon kneeling by Ella. They seemed to be working on the potion together and began pouring it in vials. Once they were done Severus hugged the pretty girl with the black hair and soon she was sobbing quietly in his arms. It wasn't long before she cleared her own tears and made her way up the stairwell holding vials of sleeping draught. All that could be heard after that was the sleeping noises and random winces from the wounded people in room.

Mrs. Snape made her way down and said that everyone upstairs was asleep in Ely's room. "We all need some rest, explanations will be saved for tomorrow" Dumbledore said looking at all his students intently.

Ron and Harry moved to lie on the empty mattresses that they had reserved next to Hermione's. The other Weasleys found empty mattresses as well and soon fell asleep. Dumbledore and the Snapes took turns between sleeping and checking on the wounded. Ron laid facing Hermione, but sleep never came. He watched her and realized he had never seen her sleep, she was so peaceful. The morning sun shone on her curls all too soon and for the first time Ron admitted to himself that she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, bruised or not. "I'm sorry about last night, but I'll never let anything happen to you Hermione, I promise" he told himself quietly.

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