Another chapter is up everyone! A bit more of a filler chapter but a necessary one as I do think Sirius would be concerned after such a similar event to fourth year. I also think confronting Hermione's and Ron's issues with their respective guardians are quite important too as it is only referred to in the books but never resolved. So, please review and enjoy the latest edition!

lady sesshomaru sama 949 – you are very right about the therapy, sucks it isn't a quick fix haha. I'm delighted you're eager to read more though! Should be getting chapters out on something of a weekly/bi-weekly basis now so yeah.

happylady – ah well, that's what it looks like, doesn't it! You'll have to wait and see though ;)

Chapter 24

"You can't seriously be thinking about pulling us out?"

Harry scowled as Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just saying it's a consideration. With the possibility of more death eaters out there we – especially you – need to be careful. I'm worried that even with Voldemort's death, you'll still be their primary target. I – I can't lose you."

All fight in Harry withered at his last, hopeless statement. "I know, and I need you too." A look of understanding and grief passed between them, saying more than words ever could. "But, Hogwarts, I – what would I even do here?"

"We'd homeschool you until this is stamped out," Remus interjected quietly, eyes serious and mouth downturned at the corners. He was alone, Tonks having been called straight to the ministry after the attack.

Harry's heart clenched. While he now had a different home with Sirius, Hogwarts was still a special place to him. It was his first home. To not return… it felt odd. Wrong. Hermione's grimace suggested the same thing.

"But what about Ron? If we're not there…" Hermione's voice trailed off.

"I believe Bill and Charlie are already having a talk with him, though I'm unsure if they're considering pulling him out until this is sorted out," Sirius said after a moment. "However I want you guys to remember that if we do pull you out, it will only be temporary. The minute this is over you guys are back in," a few chuckles at that "and I've already talked to your parents about this and they've agreed."

Hermione gave him a nod and what was probably the most plastic smile Harry had ever seen her wear. She was not happy about this and unused to her parents having a say and knowing what was going on in her schooling after 5 years of freedom. Squeezing her hand, Harry refocused back on Sirius. This was not going to be fun.

Ron glanced between his brothers, a grave air suffocating the room. With dad gone to see… them, Bill and Charlie had taken it onto themselves to sit him down to talk about the Quidditch match disaster. Honestly at this point Ron was wondering how rude it would be to ban Harry from Quidditch matches as they often ended in disaster, whether that be cursed brooms and bludgers, dementers or death eaters.

"Sirius and Remus are talking to Harry and Hermione about pulling them out of Hogwarts until we get to the bottom of the attack."

Ron's mouth fell upon at Bill's blunt statement, gaping in amazement. "What?" It didn't make sense. "Wh – why are you pulling us out?"

"Just to keep you safe until this is sorted, then you'll go back."

Ron sat silent for a minute, trying to organise his thoughts. "But why? We've had worse happen and still been sent back? Hogwarts is safe!"

"Is it?" Charlie interrupted, looking solemn. "You may not have been bothered to tell us – anyone – what happened at Hogwarts but Harry told Sirius who in turn told us –"

"Not bothered. Not bothered!" Ron snapped, outraged. Pushing himself up straight he clenched his fists as he scowled at his brothers. "Why should I have told any of you? It's not like you ever cared!"

"We –"

"No! I don't want excuses. You. Didn't. Care. You guys were always away and mum was occupied with Ginny and dad with Fred and George! Merlin, mum and dad did know about the whole chamber of secrets fiasco and they only cared about Ginny." Sniffing angrily Ron roughly wiped away tears, shying away as Bill tried to touch him and looked close to tears himself. "They didn't care I had to confront my fear of spiders with acromantula of all species! I almost died and they didn't care. You and Charlie never wrote. Percy only checked up on Ginny, didn't care about me when Hermione was frozen, only that Ginny looked unwell. I've always been the after thought of this family so why should I bother telling you guys anything? Why can't I be surprised and upset your pulling me out of school for my 'safety' when you've never cared about it before!"

Taking a deep, shaking breath Ron sank back, screwing his eyes shut. He didn't want to look either Bill or Charlie in the eyes now, he couldn't. Guilt was already tumbling around inside him but he remained tight lipped, his pride refusing to let him take his words back.

"Ron."

Ron focused on the pain as he pressed his nails into his palms, heart aching at the pain in Bill's voice. He still refused to open his eyes.

The feelings of guilt intensified as he felt a warm weight on his knee. Bill gently squeezed his leg, saying softly "We are so, so sorry for making you feel like that. From now on we will do our best to stop you feeling like you've been left behind. You are just as important to us as either of the twins, and we – mum and dad included – haven't done enough to show that and that's wrong. But we – we do care and – and love you which is why we want to keep you with us for a while. It's very possible you'll be a target or become on courtesy of being Harry's friend or even go after them yourselves. We want to keep you safe, that's all."

"But Dumbledore's gone now," Ron mumbled, face hot at Bill's little speech and feeling too overwhelmed and awkward to acknowledge it. No one had ever told him anything like that before. "Things will be better now; he won't be training up Harry or leaving things just 'cause."

"Yes, well, Remus set up a meeting with McGonagall before we make a decision but we also wanted to talk to you guys so you wouldn't be blindsided if we decide Hogwarts won't be able to safeguard you properly, as they have clearly demonstrated over your entire schooling. And to make it even more fun, Mrs Granger will be there as we'll be meeting in the Leaky Cauldron."

Ron's eyes widened. Oh Hermione was going to be furious.

He had never wished to be wrong more. As promised they met Mrs Granger in the Leaky Cauldron, who already appeared to be becoming fast friends with Sirius and Remus, and Professor McGonagall who gave an uncharacteristic smile. Albeit a small one, as this was still McGonagall and had it not been for one or two occasions he would have thought the muscles used for a smile were long wasted away.

"Your concern for your charges is admirable, especially after this concerning event," McGonagall began, evenly toned and stern eyes focused. "However I do not see why they cannot return to Hogwarts were they will be surrounded by capable teachers and high strength security wards."

"Maybe because they have yet to protect my godson for the last five years, leading him to face Voldemort multiple times as well as a basilisk and dementers, which may I remind you are soul sucking prison guards that you invited to a school of vulnerable children." Sirius's tone remained pleasant as a remnant of fonder times with his former teacher, but his eyes stared sharply at her. Unforgiving for the treatment of his godson. Ron couldn't help feel grateful Harry now had an adult in his corner, no matter how much they would probably end up butting heads with Harry used to a lot more freedom. Something Ron had a feeling would be happening between Hermione and her mum today.

McGonagall pursed her lips before speaking carefully, clearly thinking over her words. "You have ever right to be upset with how Dumbledore led the school however I will oversee the teachers duty of care to the students much more closely with annual inspections, though not ministry appointed inspectors like that cow."

Ron grinned at Harry, delighted in McGonagall's usually calm exterior fading at the thought of Umbridge. It was great when your teacher hated another as much as you did. The amount of bitching he, Harry and even Hermione had gotten in her classes was great.

"If they are to go back, I'm sure the others will agree with me that we will need constant communication from you, not just letters from our children as they have gotten away with twisting the situation for too long," Mrs Granger spoke up and Ron winced. That was pointed. By Hermione's tensed jaw she clearly understood the barb and was not happy with it.

With a few more discussed points to Ron's relief (and by Hermione's and Harry's faces, theirs as well) the adults agreed – albeit reluctantly – to let them return, though on a conditional basis in case events outside changed.

As goodbyes were uttered and Harry left with Sirius while Remus went with McGonagall, Ron sulked as Charlie tugged him away to the fire where Bill was after noticing him watching Mrs Granger drawing a sullen Hermione to the side. He only felt a small tinge of guilt at the slight gleefulness he felt that Hermione argued with her parents too, that however of an ideal child you were there were issues. Apparently one of the issues being too nosy in other people's affairs.

Hermione scowled as her mother placed a gentle hand on her arm, preventing her from leaving with the others. Folding her arms she watched Ron out the corner of her eye as he, in what had to be the worst attempt at being subtle, watched her before being escorted out by his brothers. It had been nice to see them, she admitted to herself, especially if it would help Ron with his jealousy and self-worth issues that while were understandable, could also get a bit much to have them taken out on her and Harry continuously.

"Hermione? Are you going to look at me?"

Jaw clenched Hermione tilted her head up, keeping firm eye contact with her mother. This was not going to be fun. "Is everything alright?"

"Darling, come on now," her mother replied, her frustration beginning to shine through. "You know exactly why I'm upset. Namely for all the awful things you've been put through for Hogwarts that I had to find out about through your boyfriend's godfather of all people! Do you understand how bad that is? Do you not trust me?"

"No, of course I do."

"So why didn't you tell me?"

"And have you and dad pull me out?!" Hermione was ashamed to feel her eyes filling with tears and blinked desperately to hold them back. She. Would. Not. Cry. "It's – it's the first place that I've belonged. Sure I'm muggleborn, I was stuck up at the beginning but I've found my people now. I couldn't let you take that away from me, put me back in a muggle school where I'm weird, ugly, a nerdy bookworm." Her mouth wobbled as she stared at the wall over her mother's shoulder. She had to understand. She couldn't leave, couldn't do muggle school again.

"Oh darling," her mother whispered and before she could say another word she felt herself tugged into a hug, her mothers arm wrapping around hers and her arms pinned to her sides. It was all too much. Tears spilled and her shoulders shook as she buried her head in her mother's shoulder and cried.

"Just let it out," her mother whispered. "Just let it out."

After a few minutes Hermione took a shuddering breath, wiping her eyes. She did feel surprisingly lighter now, the relief that her parents knew lifting what felt like the weight of the world off her shoulders.

"Hermione darling," her mother said softly, cupping her face. "Don't bottle it up, alright? It's not good for you. We may not understand a lot of what's going on but we're still your parents and we are here for you, okay? I want you to talk to us, alright?"

"Alright," she whispered, voice hoarse from all the crying but relieved to see her mother smile.

"There, there. No more secrets, okay? No more secrets."