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Tuesday morning was busy. Hermione didn't attend the meetings Ron and Harry were summoned for. There were many reasons not to attend. Not wanting to be accused of nepotism or create a conflict of interest scandal was top. Not wanting to distract her husband or best friend by being present was second. Not wanting to see either of them in full senior Auror mode was third. It was too intense and almost frightening witnessing Harry in his work persona; she'd left fighting dark magic behind many years ago and back then Harry had been a confused, terrified, teenager…but that was no longer the case. It was much too sexy seeing Ron, he'd also grown into a mature, confident, self-assured man. He was passionate about what he did and it showed. Hermione blushed thinking of Ron's fit, defined body under those shapely Auror robes, defending himself to the Minister of Magic.
Today Hermione was also particularly busy responding to memos, marking up reports, redirecting workload to her personal assistant and rescheduling the rest of her week's meetings. She was excited organising to take the rest of the week off work for the healer's assessment. She was trying to hold onto this optimism knowing she could easily succumb to the fear and anxiety that was bubbling below. Hermione was frantically trying to get things tidied up in the hope of finishing in time for lunch, Ron was to meet her here so they could have a little pre hospital date. She was glad he could be with her today, he knew how to keep her calm, usually by making her laugh and distract her from overthinking. She had her bag packed for the hospital visit under her desk and she was very nearly ready for this next step.
She had to stop herself from casting the confirmation charm sitting there at her desk. Her and Ron had come to cast it almost constantly when they were at home. Ron had been testing how far away he could cast it. He'd taken to ducking behind furniture, sneaking between rooms and hiding in closets to surprise her with golden orbs floating around the cottage, warm feelings finding her heart and stomach often. A kiss and a cuddle usually followed. Ron had been so happy the last few days despite his work issues.
Hermione had arrived home just after 5pm on Monday evening. The first time she'd left work without doing a minute of overtime, possibly ever. It had been at Ron's insistence but she didn't put up any resistance, keeping true to her word of cutting down. He'd greeted her at the fireplace of Willow Cottage, helping her into her favourite reading armchair, which he'd relocated closer to the fireplace. She'd come home to the smell of dinner cooking, the house clean and tidy (she suspected Molly had visited during the day) and a husband that wouldn't let her lift a finger. They had a lovely dinner followed by a lovely evening in bed.
Hermione noted that since telling Ron about the pregnancy he hadn't been 'on top'. The news had further ignited the need for physical contact between them. They had always been close and passionate as a couple but it felt slightly different over the weekend. She felt a strong pull to be intimate with him but rather than their usual fervent relations these recent times had been deliberately slower and more tender. It felt incredible and she'd never felt so loved, so worshipped, she wasn't complaining just merely noticing that they had subconsciously changed. She wondered if he was scared to hurt the baby and maybe she had similar instincts she hadn't acknowledged. She resolved to check what was safe with Monica later that day. While she was enjoying everything she didn't like to think Ron was holding back in fear.
She was pulled from her thoughts as Ron knocked on her open office door. He'd obviously been watching her for a while, leaning against the door frame with that lopsided grin on his face, looking irresistibly handsome in his Auror robes.
"Hey you" he grinned
"Hiya" she smiled up at him.
"Ready to go for lunch?" Ron approached her desk, leaning in to give her a kiss.
"Knock, knock. Can I interrupt." Harry appeared in the doorway.
"Hi Harry, of course, you're never interrupting, grab a seat." Hermione said and Harry flopped onto her chesterfield sofa.
"Hey mate, I thought you'd headed on after your meeting." Ron landed beside him.
"I popped back to deal with a thing but wanted to see you after you got out. All good?"
"Yeah, all good. I'm cleared of any wrongdoing. The death's been ruled as an unfortunate accident."
"Well it was mate…there wasn't anything we could have done differently." Harry confirmed.
"Hmmm." Ron paused for a moment as if mulling Harry's comment over. "You went a bit heavy on your statement though." he nudged Harry's shoulder.
"No I didn't, it was all facts. If you hadn't acted, twice, I was in serious trouble. Stop being so bloody modest. My head wasn't in the game, I'm glad yours was." Harry hated when Ron wouldn't take credit for being brilliant, it had always been his way. Only his best friends knew of his vulnerable side.
"Don't be sappy, we take our turns" Ron clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"Anyhow, onto catching the escapee. Debrief with the strategist's tomorrow? Does first thing suit you?" Harry asked.
"Yep, set it up. No time to waste, need to get that sicko in Azkaban as soon as possible."
"Right you are then. All good with you Hermione?" Harry looked towards the desk where Hermione had quietly been watching the exchange between her best friends. It always amazed her how they could say so little but communicate so much. She appreciated Harry telling Ron off for underselling himself, they've taken that little job in turns since befriending him at Hogwarts.
She felt a pang of guilt in her chest and had the urge to tell Harry exactly what they were up to after their lunch date. She had to flatten her hands on her desk to stop herself reaching for her wand and performing the confirmation charm to expose their secret. Their pregnancy journey was the only thing her and Ron had ever kept from Harry and she hoped he wouldn't be upset. Her eyes flicked to Ron who was grinning at her. Harry didn't miss it. "You guys ok?"
"Yes, yes of course. Glad the meetings went well for you both today. It's going to be busy, the next few weeks. Ron's promised to take me out for lunch before you're back into the chaos tomorrow."
"Fair play mate. Well, enjoy yourselves. See you Friday evening at the Burrow?"
"Yes, we'll be there. How is Ginny doing?" Hermione asked.
"Ahmm she's ok" Harry saw Hermione's concerned expression and quickly went on. "Everything is fine with the baby, she's just…a bit…emotional. Gone a bit crazy. Nesting or something like that. I can't seem to say or do anything right." Harry sighed and lowered his gaze.
"Aw Harry, that's all perfectly normal. She's just hormonal and probably getting a bit uncomfortable by now. Be patient with her. It'll be worth it." Hermione smiled comfortingly at him. Ron grinned at the use of the last phrase. That was becoming her motto.
"Yeah of course. I'll take your word for it." He said standing.
"Send her our love Harry. We're thinking about her."
"Will do, I'm heading home to spend some time with her before the chaos too.
"Which chaos, work or new-born?" Ron chuckled.
"Work's a piece of cake, mate. This next baby bit has me terrified." He laughed. "Can I use your floo Hermione?" He asked, Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled and nodded. "See you in the morning then Ron. Bye Hermione."
"Bye Harry."
"See ya mate."
Harry grabbed some powder and disappeared into the grand fireplace within Hermione's office. She lifted her wand and closed the floo network after him, with another flick she closed her office door.
"Oh Ron that felt awful, I was so close to telling him." she buried her head in her hands.
"Yeah I could tell. I wouldn't have minded you know." he grinned.
"I know. How about on Friday at the Burrow?"
Ron was excited at the thought. He'd loved seeing his brothers and Ginny gather the family to tell their news, even though it hurt his heart given their situation. He couldn't wait for it to be their turn.
"Perfect" he stood and in two long strides he was beside her desk again, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. He reached for the hospital bag and slung it over his shoulder. "You're not going to go all crazy on me in a few months are you?" He teased.
"Oh absolutely, I can't wait to have an excuse to shout about all the things you do to annoy me." She countered with raised eyebrows.
"Merlin, planning it already, I'm in trouble." he groaned jokingly
"It'll be worth it."
"It will. Are you all finished up here? I'm getting hungry."
"Surprise surprise." She teased. "Yes, let's go."
Hermione lifted a few reports and pieces of parchment, closed her office door and set up her locking wards. She placed the papers on her personal assistant's desk who had already left for lunch. It looked to Ron like reams of instructions, having been on the receiving end of Hermione's to do lists he didn't envy Keith one bit. They walked to the lifts chatting happily about options for lunch. As they arrived and stepped out into the atrium of the Ministry of Magic it happened.
A flash of green light exploded over Ron's right shoulder. Debris rained down on him, the curse left a crater in the wall. Before Hermione could even register what had happened Ron had dropped her bag, pulled out his wand and stepped in front of her, his arms outstretched to protect her, blocking her exit from the lift.
Ron saw Edwin Guther running from behind the large fountain that sits within the ministry lobby. He'd fired the curse at Ron as soon as they'd made to step out of the lift and was now sprinting towards the fireplaces.
Madness unfolded as witches and wizards dove for cover, the atrium had been busy as it was lunchtime. Confusion and panic seemed to have people running in all directions. However, for Ron everything seemed to be happening in slow motion, he'd locked Guther in his sights. Raised his wand to retaliate but stopped, too many innocent bystanders.
Ron saw a second bolt of green light leave Guther's wand, a last ditch desperate attempt sent flying as he dove into a fireplace and disappeared into the flames, not even knowing where his curse was to land. Ron instinctively knew it wasn't going to hit him. Guther may have had a chance with the first attack catching Ron by surprise and exposed exiting the lift. But he'd screwed that up. This second attempt was even more pathetic. Guther was a coward, throwing unforgivable curses into a room full of people like he was conjuring water. He hadn't taken time to aim or slow down to control it. He simply fired it off over his shoulder running full speed in a hopeful final attempt.
The curse landed above Ron's head, creating an ear piercing screeching sound of metal tearing as it penetrated the cage of the elevator and ricocheted around its ceiling. Hermione crumpled to the ground unconscious.
Ron whirled around and dropped to his knees beside his wife. The slow motion from a moment ago morphed into double speed. "Noooo! Hermione! Hermione!" He screamed, pulling her onto his lap grappling to find a pulse. His panicked brain only had two thoughts…Hermione...baby.
He pulled out his wand and frantically attempted the confirmation charm…nothing…he tried again but he was struggling to focus…nothing. People were all around him, pressing against his back to see what had happened and to whom. He dug deep, remembering his Auror crisis training. It had always come so naturally to him, in fact he excelled in high pressure situations, but this was Hermione, his Hermione. He felt lost.
He took a few deep breaths to focus. Knowing he was wasting valuable time, he stowed his wand and picked his wife up off the floor. He pushed through the crowd that had gathered, ignoring the gasps from those who surrounded them. Ron carried his unconscious wife to the floo network and transported them to St Mungo's.
They arrived into the private office he knew so well, relieved it hadn't been repurposed in the last year. It was so calm here compared to mayhem that was unfolding at the ministry. He proceeded in haste down the hall to Monica Erik's office door. Praying she would be there, he barged in.
"Ron, I wasn't expecting you until….." Her smile faded as she looked from his face down to Hermione lying in his arms.
"Help, please help." he begged.
"Bring her here, onto the examination bed…no wait, across the hall to a proper room. Tell me what happened." She conjured her patronus and sent the songbird off to summon her senior healers.
"Attacked at the Ministry. A death eater looking for revenge, he was waiting for me. She was inside the elevator, he hit the metal frame with a killing curse. It didn't hit her directly but she's unconscious."
"Dear Merlin!"
"She's still breathing, barely. But Monica, I…I did the confirmation charm, nothing happened. Please help them." He looked down at Hermione, he felt like his heart was breaking.
"Ron, I..I need the room. Can you please leave for 30 minutes? I'll bring in my best healers and we'll do everything we can for them. I need to understand what I'm dealing with first."
Ron nodded, understanding he couldn't help her right now and needed to get out of the way. "I'll be back in 20 minutes. Seal the room. No one except your team is allowed in before I'm back. I'll send an Auror. They'll prevent anyone from entering without the code OtterWatch."
Monica nodded. The door burst open and three senior healer's flooded the room. Pausing in shock as they realised they were facing Ronald Weasley and clearly about to heal Hermione Granger Weasley.
"Go." Monica urged.
Taking one last look at his wife he bent down to kiss her forehead, stroke her hair and place a hand on her tummy. "I'll be right back, stay strong for me, love." As he walked out the door he could hear Monica giving instructions…check her pulse…start a detailed confirmation scan…check for broken bones…The door shut and he heard Monica seal them inside.
He strode to the office with the private fireplace, shock and worry were being replaced by absolute and complete anger. Ron conjured his patronus.
"Terrier to Stag.
Emergency.
Code 1.
Summon Alpha Squad.
Meeting Safe House - Ursa Major.
Now"
He stepped into the flames to The Burrow knowing Harry and his team would be with him momentarily.
Ron burst through the fireplace into The Burrow kitchen. He didn't stop, he didn't look around, he didn't acknowledge his mother who called out to the unannounced visitor. He yanked the door to the back yard so ferociously it nearly came off its hinges. It banged behind him swinging so violently it failed to close but bounced back wide open. He made for the clearing. He let out a roar as he marched onto the Weasley's Quidditch pitch. When he reached the centre he raised his wand as high as he could and produced a fountain above him. A dome encased him, shimmering and flashing a volatile red.
His mother had followed him out of the house, confused. She called out his name over and over but he didn't stop. Fear was gripping her heart as she tried to reach him but his long legs carried him away from her. She stumbled and stopped as she watched in awe. He enclosed himself within magic she'd never witnessed before. It looked so raw and powerful. She'd never seen Ron look dangerous before and what she saw now actually scared her. She reached the edge and instinctively knew not to test the boundary. He was stalking inside like a caged lion. Pacing back and forth throwing curses at the ground in every direction, dirt flying around him leaving deep holes in the earth. She screamed to him but he didn't or couldn't hear. She could see him yelling but there was silence outside the dome.
Then Harry was there. Running from The Burrow's back door at full pelt.
"Molly, stop. Don't touch it. Don't touch him." Harry urgently shouted.
"I…I didn't Harry. What's happened? What's wrong with him?" Molly asked fearfully.
"I…I don't know. I was just with him at the ministry" He panted, finally reaching his mother in laws side. "I got his patronus and came straight here. Maybe you should go inside? The rest of our team have been summoned. They'll be here soon, they'll have had to apparate outside the wards, only I can floo here. But they'll be here within 10 minutes."
"Absolutely not…look at him. My poor boy. I'm not going anywhere!" Ron had stopped pacing and creating explosions. He was now standing with his back to them, his whole body rising and falling with deep ragged breaths.
"Alright then, stay back" and he took off at a run along the perimeter of the large dome. He reached the far side facing Ron trying to make eye contact. Even though he was standing in front of him he couldn't get Ron to look at him. Ron's steely gaze was unseeing.
Harry summoned his patronus. "Ron…Ron…I'm here. Talk to me. Tell me what you need." The stag broke into the enclosure and delivered the message to Ron.
As Ron heard Harry's voice he fell to his knees then forward onto his palms. His anger had dissipated, he was wailing, his face was red hot and Harry could see streaks of wet down his cheeks. Harry was petrified, he hadn't seen Ron like this since those moments after the battle of Hogwarts when he lay on Fred's dead body. Hermione, it had to be Hermione. He summoned his patronus again. "Let me in, Ron. Please let me in."
Ron didn't look at the stag delivering the message but raised his arm above his head and dissolved the dome. Harry and Molly ran to him, meeting him in the middle. They fell to their knees on either side of him. Molly pulled him into her lap and shhh'd his sobs.
"Ron, what's happened? Is it Hermione? I need to know. The team are 5 minutes out. We'll deal with whatever you need." Harry said desperately.
"Waiting for us…at the ministry…Guther…fired a killing curse…it hit the lift…she was inside…unconscious…I did the charm…nothing…Mum there was nothing…" he choked turning to his Mum.
"Oh Ron, no no no…" Molly clutched her son tighter. Trying to comfort him but also trying to comprehend what he was saying.
Harry searched Molly's face trying to understand the message himself. She was white as a ghost and sobbing as she clutched and rocked Ron.
"I think she's alive, but I think it's gone…I think the baby might be gone." He sobbed.
"Baby?!" Harry sat back on his heels bewildered. "Hermione's pregnant?"
At that moment six Auror agents could be seen advancing on The Burrow from different directions. Running as fast as they could, having apparated outside the wards in various locations at least a mile out. Harry lifted his wand and cast a similar dome to Ron's around the trio. However, his shimmered a pale calming blue. The agents appeared to understand the silent command and immediately halted awaiting further instructions.
"Only just found out. Harry…we've been trying for years…Bellatrix at Malfoy Man…years…it's been years…but now I might have lost them both. Need to be back at St Mungo's…7 minutes." Ron could barely form a cohesive sentence, sobs punctuated his words.
Harry's head was spinning and it felt like someone had poured ice cold water over his chest. He didn't have time to process what he'd just heard or put it into context for the last decade. But all the innocent conversations where he'd joked and jibed telling Ron to 'hurry up' and 'put a bun in the oven', fuck, he cringed. He wanted to talk, to apologise, not just for inappropriate jokes but wasn't he the ultimate reason she'd been tortured? There wasn't time to think all these thoughts through. He needed to push them down and deal with them later. The only thing he could do for them now was to catch the bastard that had done this and he knew Ron needed to be back at St Mungo's with his best friend. "Ron...Ron! Auror, on your feet! I'm lifting the spell, we're going to brief the team together. Then you're going back to St Mungo's to be with your wife. I won't stop until we've got him. I promise you. "
Ron nodded abruptly.
"Harry no one knows there was a baby."
"Understood." Harry nodded firmly, he could be trusted.
Ron stood up and turned his wand on himself. Casting a cleansing charm to rid any sign of his emotional breakdown. Molly stood next to her son and son in law, grasping one of Ron's hands in both of hers. Silently praying Hermione and her grandbaby were ok. She was shaking. They stood in front of the team, Ron spoke first.
"My wife and I were attacked by Edwin Guther inside the Ministry of Magic, 23 minutes ago. I urgently need to be with her at St Mungo's. Potter is about to lead an emergency mission. No one is obliged to participate as you're officially on down time. Please leave now if you wish."
No one on the team moved. They barely blinked. Molly couldn't help but feel proud of her son and Harry. These people obviously had the utmost respect for them. She also couldn't believe how confidently Ron spoke, commanding everyone's attention so coherently, a few moments ago he couldn't get through a sentence, a switch had been flicked.
"Very well, thank you. Everly to St Mungo's immediately, report to healer Erik, give her the code, guard Hermione's door. No one and I mean no one other than myself, my mother, Harry, healer Erik and her team are to enter the room. I will revise the approved list in 3 hours. No one enters without the code OtterWatch on arrival. Understood?"
"Yes Sir." Everly turned and started to run to the edge of The Burrow wards.
Ron addressed the remaining Alpha squad "Potter will lead the mission. Trust no one outside of Alpha team. Banks, Mitchel, find out how he got into the ministry. Someone had to have been helping him, he was waiting for me even though we are on reprieve. Someone told him I'd be there this morning and helped him access the ministry. Smith, Hood, back to the family homestead, search it again, tear it apart. We all know I'm the reason for the death of his brother last week. He's still close with his family, there must be information there on where he's hiding. Otherwise I've no leads but trust Harry will steer you right."
Ron nodded at Harry and wordlessly handed over command to his partner. "Absolutely. Team dissipate, pack and meet at headquarters, my conference room, 15 minutes. Excused."
"Yes Sir." the team chanted and turned to run to the ward boundary in the directions they had come.
Harry turned to Ron and pulled him into a hug. "Please send word about Hermione…and the baby as soon as you know. I love you both…all. I'm so sorry." And without wasting any more time he ran back into The Burrow to use the floo.
Molly had never seen her boys, obviously men now as Aurors. She knew of their chosen careers of course but had never witnessed them in action, it was a sight to behold. They were strong and assertive. They were decisive and leaders. A vast contrast to what she'd witnessed Ron go through only moments ago. He seemed to have bottled that emotion up to take action. She pulled him into another quick hug and they started walking quickly back towards The Burrow.
"I'm coming with you." She whispered and he nodded. "Ron."
"What is it?" he said impatiently.
"You said there was nothing." He looked at her sceptically. "You said nothing happened when you performed the charm."
"Yes, tried it twice, nothing happened." his face paled and he looked down, trying to stop the grief overcoming him again.
Molly hurried to step in front of him to make eye contact. "Love, the charm identifies nearby heartbeats."
"Yes, I know how it works." He was getting irritated, frustrated to get back to the hospital.
"No Ron, you said there was nothing. If the charm had been performed correctly, even if the absolute worst had happened, an orb would still have appeared for your own heartbeat." Ron paused thinking this through and willing her to get to the point faster. "I don't think you performed it correctly love. You said Hermione was breathing, you should have seen at least two orbs. There's every chance in the panic you didn't perform it accurately. Also if there are too many people about, too many heartbeats, the charm can't function correctly.
"Fuck. I need to get to the hospital." Ron broke into a run, desperate to get back to St Mungo's, desperate to get back to them.