Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing of hers!

Chapter 37

"No. No! Shit!" Ron rambled as his brain raced to think of where he'd find Hermione with their daughter. Running his fingers through his fiery locks, he knew he had really done it this time. He wasn't- he couldn't ever be without them again.

He ran to the Floo, not trusting his emotions enough to Apparate without being splinched.

When he arrived at the Harry's, he was met with a dark room. He knew it well enough as their den, lit only by a lone candle. Light from the kitchen was casting a glow; illuminating a narrow path leading there. Ron quickly sped in, hoping to find Hermione there speaking with Harry. Instead, Ginny stood in her dressing gown over the stove, pouring two cups of tea. She jumped, surprised to see Ron there so suddenly.

"Ron! Merlin! You startled me. Wait-" She looked around Ron and into the den, a panicked look on her face.

"Where'd Hermione go? She was just there a moment ago more upset than I've ever seen her!" Ginny worried as she gasped when viewing Ron's face for the first the that night, viewing the raised, red handprint across his cheek.

Harry rounded the corner, wearing pants and a shirt with a dressing gown over it.

"Your face! Ron! What did you do?" She almost screamed the last portion, her mind quickly connecting the pieces of what happened that night. Ron cast a charm, reducing the swollen skin, wincing as it deflated.

"Gin, where's Hermione? I thought you said she was- What's going on?" Harry asked, seemingly dazed with their conversation.

Ron growled and threaded his fingers through his hair, clearly frustrated he had missed Hermione.

"We had an argument and, shit! I really messed up! She took Rose and I thought she'd come here! Shit!" Ron cursed, horrified to know he hadn't a clue where she'd be next.

"She WAS here! But, she's obviously not here anymore!" Ginny spat, fuming that Ron had done something to make Hermione upset, and now they hadn't a clue where she'd be.

"Wait, what? So, you had an argument and Hermione left with Rose? And then they came here, but, left before you arrived?" Harry put the pieces together in his distracted state.

"What was the argument about?" Harry asked warily after a few breaths.

"I- we- ugh! I went out to celebrate my promotion. I got a little carried away... I guess? Then Lavender showed up and gave me Rose's birth papers. Then I had a horrid migraine and went back to the flat and Hermione was angry I missed her work dinner and I was angry because I thought I had Rose's real birth papers and I told herIwantedapaternitytestandsheslappedmeandleft." Ron explained hastily, not having the time to waste at the current moment. He stood watching the couple stare at him with shocked faces.

"You asked for a paternity test? You believed that bitch over Hermione? What the FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?" Ginny screamed as she moved to slap her brother herself. Before she could do so, Harry moved in, wrapping his arms around her torso, holding the livid witch back. Ginny looked appalled.

"Did you even hear him? He asked for a fucking-" She raged at Harry scrambling in his arms.

"I heard him! Did you also hear the part about a migraine? Ron, when did it begin coming on? Who poured your drink? How'd you get rid of it?" Harry asked tenaciously while Ginny was so flabbergasted by his questions that she stopped struggling in his clutch.

"I dunno! Maybe just before Lavender came in? And Avery passed me the shot, the bartender gave me all the rest." Ron paused in panic of the recollection.

"You don't think-" Ron began.

"Yeah, I actually do, Ron. We need to get you to St. Mungo's to confirm it."

"No," the redhead spoke definitively, shaking his head. "I'm not doing anything until I find Hermione and Rose!"

"What are the two of you talking about? He'll only need Mungo's after you let go of me!" Ginny started squirming relentlessly in Harry's arms again.

"He's been poisoned Ginny! It's all the same symptoms of Vincere Potestatem!" She stopped moving once again.

"What is that? I've never heard of it before," Ginny voiced, still angry, but, now softening slightly.

"It's a cursed potion. It causes the victim to be more susceptible to ideas by distracting them; literally translated to win power. We've heard of cases where the victim tries to fight it, creating chaos in their brain, likely showing to them in the form of a migraine. In the end, the victim usually loses, doing exactly what the potion, and the potion master wants them to. I think it happened in this case as well," Harry explained seriously.

Ron couldn't focus on that right now. He needed to find Hermione. He wasn't sure where she could have gone. He knew she couldn't have travelled far from his flat, since Apparating with a child over large distances could be dangerous; Hermione wouldn't risk harming Rose, no matter how upset and distracted she may be. He dashed to Harry's Floo, running a spell to read the recent locations voyaged. His gut sank as he read the most recent travel point.

"Ron! Where are you going? We need to figure out where she would have gone, Ron!" Harry shouted exasperated.

"It won't be easy. She obviously doesn't want to be found. Why else would she leave once she Apparated here? Ron would know this is the first place she'd go!" Ginny brought up, troubled for her best friend, and niece.

"She's gone to the Ministry."

Hermione stepped out of the fireplace into a tiny cozy cottage. Stepping into darkness, but for a light came from a massive flame over a rolling hill just beyond the cottage. Rose issued another cry. Hermione was sure it was because of the short distance Apparation, plus the addition of several Floo trips without rest… Possibly because of what she remembers from earlier that night...

A bell was ringing lightly, noting their arrival. She assumed the resident was probably still sleeping and hadn't awoken at the sound. Although, she had never been to the cottage before, she knew she'd be safe there. From the hurt, rejection, and pain she was running from.

"Shh, Rosie girl. It's alright, love." She rocked her daughter and held the large bundle tightly against her chest. Hermione had tears running down her face. But, she couldn't dwell on what had occurred that night. She had to be strong for her little one.

She wondered if she blew it when she Apparated to Harry's. She inadvertently set off the alarm, interrupting their romp upstairs, earning herself an angry Ginny; that is, until the redhead viewed her broken friend and crying niece. Hermione was unable to voice what had happened, so Ginny told her to calm down while she made some tea.

Ginny was gone for a few moments, in which Hermione assumed that she was warning Harry. During this time, Hermione realized if Ron came looking for her, she was precisely where he'd think she would go. And, she was not ready to be found. Shaking her head for her stupidity, she thought of another location that would make her harder to track. Wouldn't a place with hundreds of Floo points be the most difficult? She held in another sob and she stepped into the fireplace and traveled to the Ministry of Magic.

The bedroom door creaked open as the chirping bell became silent. The resident rubbed their eyes and viewed Hermione calming her daughter.

"Hermione?" They asked, surprised to see the witch in the wee hours of the morning, formally dressed, they also noted.

Hermione gave a watery smile to the figure.

"I'm sorry. This was the only place I could think of going," Hermione explained through her tears. The figure opened their arms and welcomed her into a warm embrace.

Harry followed Ron to the Ministry of Magic. Once they arrived, the pair stepped out from and viewed the massive expanse of fireplaces connected to the Floo network.

"Shit! It's going to take hours -days- to search all of these! Harry, what am I going to do? I've got to find her!" Ron panicked, feeling his heartbeat race in his chest.

"Go to Mungo's! I'll start searching and-" Harry began, immediately being cut off by Ron.

"No. I have to find her first!" Ron ran and began to check the fireplaces starting at the far end of the Ministry. Harry groaned with frustration and went to the individual offices and searched those. They worked through the night, searching all Floos to give them an idea of where the witch might have gone. The immense amount of Floo connections and the time searching was difficult enough. What made it even more problematic, was the fact that they had no idea what was a clue and what wasn't.

The early hours of the morning arrived and the men were still searching. Ministry workers were beginning to arrive for their sunrise shifts.

"Ron, we have got to get going. Tell Kensington about this so he can look for her. Right now, we've done all we can do," Harry explained, heading to the Auror Department to change into his work robes. Ron went immediately to Kensington's office, waiting there to speak with the Auror about finding the love of his life and their daughter.

It was now the early hours of the morning, but, Hermione hadn't slept at all. She checked on Rose who was sleeping deeply in her cot, wrapping herself in her dressing gown, and crept out of the bedroom of the small cottage. Making her way to the kitchen, she noticed a small breakfast keeping warm, as well as a steaming kettle on the stove.

"Wasn't sure what time you'd be up, but, knew you'd be an early riser. Always have been, right?" The figure spoke, sitting at the table, with a full cup of tea and a plate half full of eggs, fully dressed and ready to go for the day.

Hermione gave a small smile, and poured herself a cup of tea, sitting across the small table from the resident of the cottage.

"Did you sleep alright?" Hermione asked the figure.

"Yea, the couch is pretty comfortable," he responded, "What about you? How'd you sleep?"

"I didn't get much sleep…" Hermione whispered sadly.

"So, what did my daft little git of a brother do this time?" Charlie sighed, shoveling in another mouthful of eggs.

Hermione sighed and wrapped her dressing gown around her torso tighter recalling the night before.

"He came home drunk. I was angry with him because he didn't show up to the work proposal I'd been working the last few weeks on. We argued and he asked for a paternity test…" Hermione glanced up from her tea to see Charlie's shocked face.

"He… he asked you for a paternity test? How could he not believe Rose is his?" Charlie asked thunderstruck.

Hermione bit her lip, and sighed.

"He is under the impression that we were… together in Australia," Hermione blushed, uncomfortable that she was speaking to Charlie about something intimate happening between them.

He sputtered his tea, choking it down gracelessly. Hermione waited as he settled.

"Us. Together? Ron believed that?" He spoke utterly shocked; eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

"You're, what, seven? Six? Years younger than me?" Charlie asked, leaning back in his dining chair, just flabbergasted.

"I mean, not that you're not attractive or anything! It's just, you and Ron, you belong together! Everyone can see that!" Charlie explained, thinking it was the most obvious thing in the world. Hermione smiled sadly.

"I thought so too. But, perhaps we were all wrong."

She sighed then continued, "I told him that she was his daughter and he showed me a fake birth certificate. I mean, I know it's false. But, it did look quite realistic and I can see why Ro- he was so upset," Hermione swallowed back some tears.

"I told him it was fake, and he said I was lying. That I only said he was Rose's father because you wouldn't settle down and that I would be looked at as," Hermione wiped more tears from her eyes and breathed in a shuddering breath.

"As some bloody slag," Hermione finished, releasing a sob and bit her lip, trying to contain the next one from escaping.

Charlie looked uncomfortably at the broken witch. He was unsure what to do at the moment, when she was sobbing in his dining room chair. He'd never really been much of a guy who helped a witch with her emotions. Instead he helped them with their other needs. So, he was completely unequipped to handle this situation. He stood to clear his plate and refill her tea, bringing her a tissue. Still unsure, he pulled the chair next to her and cautiously patted her back.

"It'll uhh, be alright. Ron just needs a firm yank to pull his head from his arse and then everything will be fine," Charlie watched as Hermione's sobs grew harder, at his words. Just the opposite of what he'd intended.

"How about you, uhh. How about you take a refreshing shower before Rosie wakes up, yeah?"

Hermione lifted her head and watched Charlie with raw, red eyes. After a moment, she nodded and paced to the bathroom.

"What have you found out?" Ginny asked as soon as Ron Flooed in.

"Nothing. Kensington can't look into because of the trial this morning. I can't even think about attending that trail without throttling that bloody bitch," Ron growled.

"What about you? Did you check with everyone?" Ron asked, hopeful.

"I Flooed on over home, and Mum and Dad were still asleep. She wasn't there. I checked with Neville. George and Angelina, even the shop. Nothing. I Flooed Bill and Fleur, but, they haven't seen Hermione either. Perhaps she just needs some time to cool off, Ron. She clearly doesn't want to be found. Let her calm down and she'll come back. You need to be ready when she does. That means going to Mungo's and getting yourself looked at!" Ginny explained, now winded.

"I'll go back to the Ministry. Maybe she'll be in her office. She's not one to skip out on work," Ron responded, ignoring Ginny. He headed to the Floo.

"Ron! Listen to me! You need to…"

But, she was interrupted by the Floo coming to life and taking Ron with it.

Hermione gathered Rose, and placed her onto Charlie's lap to feed her breakfast.

"Unkee Charwee!" The tot giggled, pleased to see her uncle. Hermione was relieved at this, unsure at how her daughter would take the news that Ron wasn't there.

About halfway through her breakfast, a knock was heard at the door. Charlie and Hermione shared a look before the ginger handed the tot off to Hermione and paced to the door. Hermione held onto Rose tightly, unsure just what she would say if it was Ron.

Charlie opened the door to a tall woman who had mocha colored skin and long brown hair pulled into a large bun at the top of her head. She was wearing a similar outfit to Charlie, with animal hide to protect their exposed skin. Hermione caught a glimpse of her face, which was stunningly beautiful, complete with a massive smile spread across her features.

"Heya arse! Are you about ready to get on with the bloody dragons? Or are you still having your morning wank…" The woman's voice wandered off when she saw Hermione holding Rose, standing behind Charlie. Her face instantly fell, looking between Charlie and Hermione, her mind undoubtedly calculating the situation.

"Sophie, this is Hermione and her daughter Rose. My brother's girlfriend and daughter. Hermione, this is my friend Sophie," Charlie explained, carefully watching Sophie's reaction.

Hermione stepped forward, toward the woman still standing on the porch and extended her hand.

"It's nice to meet you," Hermione spoke sweetly, as the woman watched her skeptically.

"You as well," She shook Hermione's hand without smiling.

An awkward moment passed, before Sophie spoke again.

"Well, I best get on with my day." She gave a curt nod toward the pair, and shuffled away, toward the rolling hill.

Charlie glanced back toward Hermione, then snapped toward Sophie heading away.

"Look, I should- I need to speak with her…" Charlie spoke still looking at his retreating friend.

"Go. I'll be alright," Hermione assured him, while he grabbed his pack, and ran out the door to catch up to the witch. Hermione had to wonder if there were more to the pair's relationship than they had led on.

Ron was going mad. He rushed to Hermione's office. Only to see the door open and the room cast in darkness.

"She's not here today, love. Wasn't feeling well, poor thing," Her secretary explained, tutting before she went back to her paperwork.

Breathing heavily, he went to Avery's office, hoping to get down to the bottom of what had happened. After overhearing a few Aurors discussing how sloshed the man was last night, saying he couldn't even leave the pub, Ron instantly Apparated over.

"What room is Avery in?" Ron demanded, the witch at the bar.

"Room six," She replied surprised by the sudden intensity of the wizard.

Ron dashed up the stairs to the room, and waved his wand to unlock the door, breaking into the room. A scream came as Ron saw a woman straddling another figure on the bed. Her naked back moved as she rushed to cover herself with the sheet, leaving the, now evident, man below open to Ron's eyes. Ron cringed as he looked to see it was indeed the Auror he was looking for.

"What the fuck! Weasley!" Avery shouted while scrambling to cover himself.

"What did you do to my drink last night?" Ron yelled back, to the man he considered to be his mate until last night.

"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything to it!" Avery insisted, finally finding his pants among the clothing scattered across the floor.

"Tell me the truth damn it!" Ron screamed, not caring how insane he looked at this point.

"I swear! I didn't do anything! I just passed them out! I never even poured them!" Avery admitted, watching as the woman he was with was hastily getting dress and backing out of the room.

A moment passed while both men stood breathing heavily from their argument.

"Then who did?" Ron finally asked.

Charlie was still absent by the time Hermione had laid Rose down for her nap, leaving Hermione alone during the cold afternoon. Hermione searched for her novel when a wrapped package fell from her bag. She reached down to pick up the item, just now remembering what it contained.

She unwrapped the paper, revealing a small pile of photos from just a few weeks prior in Australia. The first one showed her family, as she held onto Rose, Ron's hand on her waist, as Hermione bounced Rose on her hip and pointed to the camera, smiling widely; the enchanted photo replaying the movements repetitively. The witch grinned while looking at the photo, remembering how perfect that day seemed. She flipped to the next photo, making her heart stop.

She was unaware the image was taken, assuming her mum only captured the photo once she told them where to stand. This one however, was displaying Ron swinging Rose through the water, allowing her toes to skim under, causing the salty ocean to fly up and rain back down upon them. The photo only captured the sides of their faces, but, Hermione could see the joy on Ron's face while she could almost hear her daughter screaming with laughter. She also noticed her own face, turned toward Ron and watching the pair with… awe.

Tears pushed at the back of her eyes as she moved the photo to the back of the pile. The next one didn't help much either. It showed them walking toward the camera, the pair of them holding hands, while Ron held their daughter… The last one did it in for the witch, seeing them, as a family. She watched herself tickle Rose's belly as the tot squirmed in her father's hold. Ron, looking down on the two with pride in his eyes. The way she molded into his side, her hands on his skin…

She dropped the photos back inside her bag, no longer caring if they were rumpled once inside. Her body racked with a sob. She pleaded for it to go away, but, the memories, included with all the intense emotions from the night before came flooding in. She laid back on the bed, letting the tears rush down her face, trying to stifle her cries with the pillow; letting her daughter sleep peacefully, away from the reality she would one day face.

"McLaggen is in on this!" Ron huffed as he entered Kensington's office. Late in the evening. The Auror stood, looking in disbelief at Ron.

"What have you been doing all day? Didn't care enough to show up at your hearing? We convicted her, by the way. Papers requiring that she never steps on Ministry property again, restraining paperwork, and parole for twenty years. I thought we did pretty well, no thanks to your support!" Kensington spat, beat after his long day.

"That's, that's great. But, this is helping! Consider McLaggen, he spiked my drink at the pub last night with Vincere Potestatem. I went to Mungo's, and they verified it!" Ron shoved the parchment report into the Auror's hands. Kensington scanned the report hurriedly and sighed.

"This just said you were poisoned, not that McLaggen did it, Weasley," He sighed again, disappointed that he was getting next to nowhere with Ron.

"This doesn't, but, every Auror in the Special Forces department can make a report, say what they saw, Avery told me McLaggen poured the drinks! He did this, and perhaps this wasn't the only despicable thing he's been a part of," Ron explained, catching the Auror's interest.

...

An hour later, Ron was leaving the Auror's office. It was now very late, and Ron was exhausted. Physically, from running from place to place all day. Mentally, from trying to comprehend all that had happened in the last several hours. Emotionally, from the love of his life leaving once again… Ron shook his head and made his way to the Floo ports.

As he arrived back at his flat, he paused momentarily; hoping to hear the sound of his daughter squealing his name, or see Hermione grinning at him, working on dinner, or playing with their little one…

Instead he was met with silence.

Ron had to choke back a cry. Tears burned his eyes, and streamed down his tired cheeks. His legs began to give way, as he stumbled onto the padded chair Hermione liked to curl up and read in. He ran his hands over his face and shoved the heels into his eyes. His breathing was hard. He tried to calm his breaths, but, the stress and the worry he experienced was too much.

He thrust himself up, and yelled, kicking over the chair. His rage built as he shoved the parchment, toys, and books that littered the low table in front of the sofa, scuttling to the floor with a shout of anger. He reached for a pillow on the sofa to throw at something, when he saw a small item below it. He stopped, momentarily, and lowered the pillow, staring at the item. He lowered himself onto the sofa to pick the limp fabric up. The soft wool almost tickled his fingertips. He held his daughter's lamb in his hands, wondering how she was doing without it. Wondering just where she was. Where her mum was. If he would ever see them again…

Ron stood, now much too drained to turn the room over anymore. He set the lamb gently on his side table next to his massive bed. Making his way to the bath, he turned on the shower. He stripped and stepped beneath the pulsing heat of the water; cursing himself for all the mistakes he had made to lose her again.

Days had passed and nothing new had appeared. Ron was completely devastated. His family had convinced him that perhaps she needed a few days away. Although the family was unsure exactly why the witch had left in the first place. Causing them, specifically Molly, to be heartbroken, and concerned with where she had been.

Harry said he received a letter from Hermione saying she and Rose were safe; they just needed time. This helped calm their nerves a fraction, but, were still missing the pair. Ron had to settle with that for now. He continued on in the Auror Department, planning strategies and maneuvers they could use to apprehend the final few Death Eaters they had been searching for. Nightly, Ron couldn't sleep more than a few hours, before waking up restless. Instead, he would stay up with a lone candle being his light, and draft out possibilities where Hermione and Rose could be. He was a man obsessed. He needed to solve this so he could speak with them, and mend everything he had broken.

The sun had been up for a while, and Ron was still at it. He had taken a shower early on, knowing that he should show up to work sometime that day, even if he had the day off. The case they were managing was much too important for him to miss even a single day on. Ron stretched and looked from the dining table over to the den, where Rose's toys were. Overflowing from the wicker basket Hermione stored them in, were the dragons Rose often played with, given to her by her Uncle Charlie.

Something clicked in his brain then. He couldn't remember hearing from Charlie in the past several days. Ginny never mentioned checking if Hermione was with him.

Could Hermione possibly be in Romania with Charlie?

He didn't waste another second, as he Apparated on the spot.

Hermione yawned, as she crept once more out of the small bedroom. She stood, counting to ten, before she relaxed against the door. Charlie took another bite of his apple and looked amused at the witch.

"I take it she went down this time?" He muffled through his apple-stuffed mouth. Hermione swore his manners could rival Ron's. She nodded, exhausted.

"Finally. She's just so tired, and extremely fussy. She hasn't taken a morning nap since she was a little over a year," Hermione sighed, rolling her neck to stretch it out.

"I reckon she's still missing Ron," Charlie mumbled, taking a final bite of his apple then tossing the core into the rubbish bin.

"She does. After the fit she had the other day…" Hermione shuddered, recollecting how upset Rose had been, just like when Ron went on his missions.

"It doesn't help that I managed to leave her lamb at home. That's what she clings to when Ro- her father is gone… I'm just happy she finally went down. I-"

A knock was heard at the door.

Both pairs of eyes settled on the thick wood, internally knowing it was finally the time they had been forestalling.

Charlie nodded reassuringly at the bushy haired witch, who gave a shaky nod back. The redhead spanned the distance and opened the door, standing tall, eye to eye with Ron, and crossed his arms over his broad chest.

"Charlie, please. I need to speak with Hermione. I know she's here," Ron pleaded, trying to look past Charlie and into the small cottage.

"We need to talk first. How could you think we would do that to you? She bloody loves you! And I'm your brother, who has always been loyal to you! How could you believe that we would betray you?" Charlie questioned, watching as Ron deflated with each chastisement.

"I was poisoned!" Ron shouted, which changed Charlie's demeanor.

"Poisoned? ...You're sure about that?" Charlie asked, hopeful that it explained his sudden change in behavior the night before.

"Yes. I went to St. Mungo's and they ran a diagnosis. I have paperwork and everything. I'm sorry for what I did, but, it's not entirely my fault! Please, let me see Hermione!" Ron pleaded, feeling more desperate now that she was this close to him.

Charlie thought about his brother's words carefully. Knowing that more than anything, he wanted to believe his younger brother. He glanced back momentarily, then stepped aside to allow the wizard entrance. Ron quickly rushed past him and into the cottage; eyes searching rapidly for Hermione. She was standing in the den, leaning against the wall; on the dining table, a cup of tea discarded, looking as if its master had been away from it for a while. She looked beat tired; much like she looked after she appeared on his doorstep asking for his help saving their young daughter.

"Mione," Ron breathed. A wave of relief rushed over him as he stepped closer toward her. However, he noticed her body flinch at his sudden movement. Ron knew that couldn't be good. He slowed his breathing and took in her massive eyes filled to the brim with emotions: hurt, anger, and disappointment.

"I'll, uh, just be out here. If you need anything," Charlie's voice caused Ron to jump. He hadn't remembered his brother was there, as he was too focused on Hermione. Ron put his sole focus on her once more and began.

"Mione, I am so sorry. I never meant a word I said, and I shouldn't have gone out with my mates, and I know it's utter shite what Lavender was saying, because neither of you would ever do that to me. Someone spiked my drink and it made me so angry and believe things I never would-"

"What potion, exactly, was slipped into your drink?" Hermione spoke for the first time since the redhead arrived. Ron's heart throbbed at her voice; thrilled to be hearing it again, when he feared he wouldn't have the chance.

"Vincere Potestatem," Ron explained, readying the paperwork to show Hermione.

"It's this potion that-"

"I know what potion it is. But, here's the thing," She spoke with such formality; absolutely nothing personal in her voice. Her eyes looking away, anywhere from his. His stomach sank.

"Whatever concept or idea that the potion brewer wanted to plant inside their victim needed to already be present before the potion was administered. It only allows an idea to fester and grow. Not, for an idea to be planted in the first place," She finished finally glancing up to meet his gaze.

Ron didn't know what to say to that. He had his doubts when Hermione entered his life again and discovered that his brother left with her. He was jealous; worried his elder brother would swoop in and steal Hermione away from him, after he had just got her back. That insecurity was pushed far back now; he hadn't thought of it for weeks... He decided to tread carefully.

"I realize that. And I'm so sorry, love. I shouldn't have even had it as a consideration in my mind. I know you and Charlie never did anything together. Neither of you would do anything like that. It was wrong of me, and I'll never think something so horrible again. Please, Mione... I'm so sorry," Ron begged; his honesty caused tears to push behind his eyes, the stress and anxiety from the past 82 hours flooding over him.

Hermione just stared hard at him, with a silence passing between the pair. Ron knew that stare. The one she gave him at Hogwarts when she was furious with something he had done. The stare that he knew he really screwed up, because beneath that hard state, she was trying as hard as she could not to cry. Finally, she glanced away; her jaw tensing and her lip quivering, now staring hard out the window.

A pregnant silence occupied the room. Ron wasn't sure if he should push, or let her be. He had to be cautious in what he said or did, or run the risk of losing her once more.

"Hermione," Ron whispered, finally regaining control over his tears.

"No. I need time," she spoke, her voice cracking with raw emotion.

Ron's stomach clenched even more. But, he had to keep recalling what Ginny had told him.

She's safe.

She'll probably need time.

"Can I see Rose?" Ron asked, unsure how Hermione would respond to the request.

He saw her reach up to wipe a fallen tear, sniffing a little. His gut seemed to constrict even tighter in anticipation. He wasn't sure how any of this would play out. However, he did know if she denied him seeing his own child, it didn't seem promising.

"I don't think it would be the best time right now. She's resting," Hermione spoke as she raised her chin, summoning her courage to stand tall.

Ron started to panic. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. He was going to marry Hermione and live with Rose and her, and have more ginger haired babies. He had the ring in his damn pocket! He planned the rest of their lives together. This... his terrible mistake, and their arguing... her rejecting his wish to see their daughter... that wasn't supposed to happen.

"Hermione, please, I need to see her. I-"

He was interrupted by a vibrating sound, a bright light shining out of his pocket. He was breathing heavily, still looking pleadingly at Hermione. When she looked as if she wouldn't budge, he finally removed his eyes from her and took the glowing coin from his pocket.

Reading over the script, she cursed under his breath. The Special Forces were commanding him immediately. They were going to enact an emergency raid. Ron knew this case, as he had been the lead for months. This was the one that once it was ended, he could finally be done with his position at the Special Forces. Ron ran a hand through his hair, causing it to become even more disheveled.

He looked once more at Hermione, who he had caught watching him read the enchanted coin. She snapped her eyes back up to his, and with all the mixed emotions her eyes were swimming with, concern was now added to the combination.

"I have to go," Ron stated, wanting to see how she'd react.

Her arms stayed crossed, and a casual look remained on her features. Ron sighed, wanting anything in the world but to leave. He now understood she would need time and possibly space, to sort things out. After all, she was Hermione. The one to make lists, and triple check everything, and have a solid plan, with three back up plans. He was the spontaneous one. So, he could be, well, he wouldn't quite say content, but, okay, if he got no further for the time being with her. Hermione and Rose were safe. They were safe, and she wasn't completely shutting him out. She could fend for herself, and Charlie was here to protect her as well. After all, he was leaving for the two he loved the most. For a better future for all of them. Ron's brain flickered to a thought that Hermione could leave. Disappear and Ron would once again be on a chase to locate her. He shuddered, shaking the thought from his head. If he continued it, he'd never leave.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. We'll figure this out. I promise, Hermione," he sighed, then continued, pacing a few steps closer to her. Now, just an arm's length away.

"I love you, Mione," and before she could react, he leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on her forehead. Turning quickly, he rushed to the door and outside to where he Apparated away.

Just after he stepped out the door, Hermione whispered, "I lov-" Sucking in a sharp breath as she heard the telling crack of Apparation.

Hermione awoke in the middle of the night with a start. Once she realized where she was, the tightness in her chest started to ease a bit, as her breathing continued its shuddering motion. She instantly ran from the bed and threw open the bedroom door into the cottage's den, then barged straight into the only bathroom in the cottage. She hastily moved the loo's lid before emptying the contents of her stomach into it. She gasped and sputtered, not caring how loud she was being. After the episode, she shakily stood to rinse her mouth and splash cold water on her face and neck.

"Hermione?" Charlie appeared in the washroom's doorway, rubbing his eyes and looking at her blearily. Hermione's hands continued to shake as she attempted to put more of the refreshing water on her neck. In her disposition, it splashed onto her loose tee, causing patches to remain damp.

"Are you okay?" Charlie asked, now awake enough to see his friend's predicament. Hermione shook her head vehemently.

Her heart continued to race, stomach churned, lungs constricted.

Something is wrong.

"No. Something is wrong," Hermione gasped out, causing Charlie to watch her cautiously, while reaching to help her sit on the porcelain tiles. He summoned a glass of water and a cool cloth, placing it on her forehead and handing her the glass; causing her to spill it halfway down herself.

"What's wrong, what is it?" Charlie asked worried as he had never seen the witch this upset before.

Hermione tried to calm her breathing when she had a sudden urge to get to the bedroom. She almost knocked Charlie backwards as she jumped up and sprinted to her destination. Her eyes scanned the room, trying to decipher why her gut had pulled her in. She reached the edge of the cot, peeking down at her still slumbering daughter.

Rose seemed to be resting peacefully, other than her face being scrunched in her sleep; which wasn't entirely abnormal. Hermione thought she should feel calmer, knowing her daughter was fine. Yet, she still felt the unnerving churn of her stomach, and rapid beat of her heart. She wandered to the bed, perched on the side and bent down to retrieve the nappy bag.

"Hermione! What's going on?" He whispered harshly, trying not to wake his niece, who her mother had only gotten to sleep an hour prior.

Hermione ignored him as she pulled out the enchanted coin. It was dull, and lifeless. For some reason, not what she expected to find. She lowered her hand, and pondered what she had just experienced.

"Hermione?" Charlie questioned, even more concerned at the witch's uncharacteristic behavior.

At that precise moment, the coin lit up, with vigor. It shone brightly, however, the light emitted from it was deep red, unlike its usual golden glow.

A gasp shuddered the coin, as the words appeared blurry and unreadable. But, the voice that came through was immediately recognizable, as gut wrenching as it was.

"Mione, I-I'm so-rry."

Hermione gasped and covered her mouth in shock with her free hand. It was Ron. Yet, she had never heard his voice this raspy and distressed...

The coin shuddered a gasp again, this time a gurgling sound followed.

"I l-love you, m-mor-re than anyth-ing. Te-ell Rosie I love h-her... take c-care of her..."

Hermione screamed as the voice faded out.

Charlie rushed forward as he watched the entire thing.

"What happened? Where is he?" Charlie demanded, not currently caring about his volume as Rose was now waking fitfully from her slumber.

She tapped the coin shakily, and responded back, "Ron! Where are you? I'll get help. Oh, please, Ron... RON!"

She shuddered as she paused to wait for a reply.

Nothing came.

"Ron's hurt! I-I must get to him. I have to find him!" Hermione sobbed, feeling even more panicked than she had before.

A silver stag illuminated the room approaching Hermione hurriedly.

"Hermione, Ron's been hurt badly! They're transferring him to St. Mungo's now. Hur-"

But, Hermione dashed to the Floo, running through the Patronus and causing it to dissipate away.

"Mummy!" Rose cried from her cot. Charlie swiftly picked the tot up, and caught Hermione before she stepped into the Floo.

"Hey! What about Rose?" Charlie looked anxious at the thought of handling the fussy tot alone.

Hermione looked at her daughter who had tears pouring down her cheeks. She lifted her chubby fists to rub her eyes, then stretched her arms out to be held by her Mum. Hermione wanted to be with Rose, but, she had to get to St. Mungo's immediately.

"Please Charlie. Watch her for a bit, I've got to- I have to-" Hermione felt the hot tears rush down her face.

"Okay. Go, I'll get her stuff together and bring her along. Go." Charlie nodded, adjusting the upset child in his arms. Hermione blew a kiss to Rose, who was still crying for her. With a broken heart, she stepped into the Floo and was engulfed by the familiar green flames taking her to St. Mungo's.

A/N: So, I know this isn't much better than the last chapter... But, these two chapters are definitely the most dramatic. Bear with it, and trust me please!

Last chapter received a whopping 22 reviews! I enjoyed reading them all, and I want to thank every one of you for sticking with this story, even though I am not making it easy... I appreciate you all!

More (and happier) times are coming,

Scarlet