Chapter 3
"Oh, Hermione! Hello, hello!" Neville nearly gasped out as he entered the warm, familiar kitchen. He had been surprised see Hermione seated at the scrubbed wood table.
"Hello, Neville," Hermione said warmly, getting to her feet to to hug him. He had gotten so skinny as of late, she felt his ribs and she hugged him. But then again, they all had. Stress hadn't done any of them well. They hugged for a long minute. In this new world, you never knew if it would be your last time seeing each other, and human kindness was few and far between.
"Luna is here, too. And Percy. Where is Ron?' Neville asked, breaking away to look down at her. Hermiones stomached dropped, and when she looked up to meet Nevilles gaze she watched realization dawn. "Please tell me he isn't dead..." Neville trailed off, beginning to ring his hands together.
"Not..not that I know of," Hermione answered, sighing. They both looked up as the kitchen door opened again, and luna serenely waltzed in.
"Oh! Hello, Hermione, hello," Luna said, walking up to Hermione and embracing her immediately. Luna smelled lovely, like the pages of a well loved book. Hermione hugged her back with force, determined to make these small instances of human intimacy count. When Hermione pulled back she saw that tears were trailing down Luna's pail face.
"Luna, are you ok?" Hermione asked as Neville reached a hand out to her.
"I am just so happy to see you," Luna answered back simply, taking care to reach out and grab Hermiones hand. . "Percy is here, too."
"I want to hear what has been happening with you lately, and what happened with..with Ron," Neville stammered out, smoothing his jumper and fidgeting on his feet.
"Can we go into the front room, and maybe have a fire in the fire place? We can all exchange information. And I didn't mean to surprise you Neville, I just sort of got over whelmed with the feelings of being back here that I needed a minute to take it all in before checking for residents," Hermione said, turning towards the kitchen door.
"I'm just happy to see you," Neville answered warmly, as he started to walk out of the kitchen.
"Hermione!" Percy said, getting to his feet as soon she she walked into the room, and grabbing her up into a hug. My cup runneth over today, she thought contently as she layed her cheek against his chest. "Ron..." Percy trailed off, breaking away.
"Ron was taken by a death eater, about two months ago. I don't know who took him, I would guess the height at around 5'10", but I didn't see any facial features and I was distracted, so my height guess could be wrong." Hermione said bluntly. There was little time for mincing words these days. The faces around her just looked at her. So many of their friends had been killed, taken, broken.
"They will use him to try and lure you out," Percy said with certainty, sitting back down at the writing desk he had been seated in before. "They see you as some one to worry about. I am sure he is alive." Percy finished, reclining in his seat.
"I hope they aren't hurting him. He can be so rude..and outspoken. Those death eaters don't like it when you're outspoken." Luna added, taking a seat her self. Hermione noticed there were some bruises on Lunas arms, old and faded green ones.
"Where have you been since he was taken?" Percy asked, studying Hermiones face carefully.
I have a choice to make now. She thought, mentally bracing herself. Will they trust me enough not to pry into the issue, or do I lie? She chewed it over for a second, before continuing. "I apparated to Godrics Hallow, without really thinking. I finally apparated to The United States when I wasn't sure where to go. I wanted to come here but..I had something I needed to do," She eyed them all, before continuing. "To be clear, It would be dangerous for me to share with you what I have been doing. That information would be worth your life, in the right hands. With such heavy losses, I absolutely could not risk it. "
With that, Neville faces reddened. "Hermione, enough. The secrets aren't doing the order any good! The horcruxes, your missions with Harry and Ron to destroy them, that was enough! We can't be strong if we are ignorant!" Neville spat out.
"I am inclined to agree with Neville," Percy answered, somewhat calmer than Neville, but with an edge to his voice.
"Harry's sense of heroism and wanting to do everything solo was his undoing. We all witnessed that. Urging us away from his duel with you-know-who?" Neville said, taking a step closer to Hermione.
"I take all that into consideration," Hermione responded. "You're feelings are valid. But, please, just know that not even Ron knew the extent of what I was planning.I cannot risk it. I..." She stopped. What could she say? Hey, so I became an animagus! And I plan to get the Resurrection Stone from the Forbidden Forest! And I plan on stealing the Elder wand! Ya know, to bring Harry back, so he can finish what he started. So what's for dinner? She knew it would sound like utter madness, and absolute folly.
"I trust you," Luna said, smiling up at Hermione. "Say what you can, and don't bother with what you can't. I am happy to help in any way I can," Luna said, beaming up at Hermione.
"Thank you Luna," Hermione couldn't help but beam down at the sweet natured girl. She looked up to meet Nevilles eyes, and his expression had softened. Perhaps he didn't want to go against Luna, or perhaps he didn't want to spend his renunion with Hermione arguing with her, whichever the case, he sat down and raised his hand dismissevly.
"Not sure what you know about what's been going on, still no word on Mcgonagalls whereabouts, but we have managed to get Justin Finch-Fletchy and Dennis Creevey into safe hiding, Moody is their secret keeper. He may be around in a few days, if you are still here," Neville said passively.
"Moody has a connect some how on the inside, and usually on the know before you-know-who makes a big move. He has replaced Olympe Maxine with Alecto Carrow, and Olympes whereabouts remain unknown. Penelope is there, usuing polyjuice potion to maintain status as a student and relay us information. Hagrid wanted to go to france to look for Olympe, but Bill somehow convinced him to stay with him at the cottage." Percy said, sniffing when he got to Penelopes name. Hermione sympathized, as understood that pain deeply.
"She is very brave," Luna added, sharing a warm smile with Percy, who had a lone tear trailing down his face.
"Madame Pomfrey has been rescued, and is recovering with Lavender Browns parents." Neville added, looking down when he said Lavenders name. Hermione felt a rock in her stomach. Witnessing Lavenders attack from Fenrir had been horrific, and Hermione still dreamed about it sometimes. She sat back in her chair and closed her eyes, allowing the warmth from the blazing fire to seep into her skin. All good news was laced with the ashes of all the loss they had suffered.
"Any news on the ministry?" She asked, opening her eyes slightly to look at Percy. She imagined the ministry may be a sore subject for Percy, as it was his dream to work there, and when he finally succeeded, it was ripped away.
"Not much. Luna sneaks out to collect Prophets when she can, but we have no one of the inside now, and a few prophets every few weeks aren't exactly illuminating on the outside world. We know any one less that pure blood must register at the ministry, with papers from both sides of parentage. Floo networks have been shut down, save for specially approved residences..I.E. important Death Eaters," Percy nearly spit out.
Hermione looked over to see Neville leaning over Luna and stroking her hair. She grinned slyly. A little more love in the world couldn't hurt, She thought quickly, before turning to look around them room. Even the smell of the walls brought back memories, from what seemed like 20 years ago. Order meetings, and all the members that were long since gone. Hermione felt that same noose around her heart make its presence known. She slumped in her chair, and allowed her self to feel how tired she truly was. And how dirty, she nearly forgot she has pass out during a rain storm last night.
"Erm, do you guys mind if I take a shower? And maybe get some sleep? I am dead tired," She said, stifling a yawn.
"Of course, I'm sure you know the way," Neville said, gesturing his hand up the wide stair case.
As Hermione stood, something drifted down from her hair. Luna reached her hand out, and caught a tawny feather before it could land on the thread-bare rug.
"Oh, how pretty," Luna said, holding the feather up to the fire.