a/n: Thanks to all reading and following this story. Many, many thanks to dennisud and poka for taking the time to leave your reviews. More twists and turns to come!

Prompt 16: There's a new Rita skeeter article about you — you're going to want to read it.
Prompt 18: Tell Ron I said… well, you know.
Prompt 20: It doesn't make a bit of sense, but it's how I feel.
Prompt 21: Severus Snape — now there's a name I haven't heard in years.

Chapter 5

It was late afternoon before Hermione got back to her office. Dumbledore could have gone anywhere. There was nothing for Harry to do but wait for him to return and explain himself. Hermione wasn't sure what to think about the sudden disappearance. It was quite possible he wasn't interested in explaining himself. Or maybe he went off in search of an answer from a founder's painting. None of the other head teachers appeared to have an idea why Dumbledore slipped away.

She left that mystery to Harry. Hermione wanted to get her reports written. They were going to be tricky. She needed to provide enough information to be useful but not too much that she would betray Harry's trust in her. She'd barely started writing when a knock at her door interrupted her.

"Assistant Director?"

Hermione sat back and looked at her secretary. Reminding herself that if someone was making a new demand it wasn't Taylor's fault. "What's going on?" she asked with a welcoming smile.

"There's um, someone here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment. But I think you'll want to meet with her," Taylor explained, opening the door wider.

Curious, Hermione craned her neck as the door slowly revealed Minerva McGonagall. "Professor! This is a surprise," she said, happy to see her former head of house. Standing, Hermione crossed her office to give the stoic witch a hug. After a second of hesitation, the hard exterior melted and Minerva returned the embrace. "Come in. Do you want some tea?" Hermione asked, leading her to a sitting area.

"No. Thank you."

Taylor cleared her throat. "You do have a new meeting request. The boss wants a status report at six."

"I was expecting as much. Thanks, Taylor. I'll forward Miranda my draft report." The door closed, and Hermione turned her attention to her guest. "Which I haven't written yet."

"I won't take much of your time—"

"—oh, no. Don't worry. I know what it needs to say. I just need a minute or ten."

Minerva's lip curled. "I don't think I've ever seen you so comfortable not having your homework done."

"It turns out bureaucracy has a way of changing ones priorities," Hermione admitted. "How did you know I was here? Did you stop by the school?"

"Oooh no. I have been trying my best to give the new headmaster all the space he needs. Having a crusty old retiree around judging him isn't helpful," she said, and pulled out a rolled up newspaper. "Unfortunately I learned about your promotion through more… tiresome means. There's a new Rita Skeeter article about you — you're going to want to read it."

Hermione groaned. "How is she still employed? I should have turned that jar over to the ministry when I had her trapped," she said under her breath and scanned the article that ran under a picture of her in Hogsmeade that morning. It offered speculation about her return and suggested the physical distance between herself and Harry during the taskforce meeting was proof that the golden trio had a falling out and that was why she left the country. What was fortunately missing was any detail about the taskforce meeting. "It seems she couldn't get inside the silencing charm. Good to know it works on beetles."

Minerva sat forward in her chair, "Are you telling me she's an unregistered animagus?"

"Well, you didn't hear it from me, but if that information is useful to you, she's a rather large, black water beetle. And she fits nicely in an unbreakable jar." Hermione watched McGonagall process her words, and she hoped the animagus would find a way to give Skeeter some grief. "I'm glad you stopped by. There's trouble at the school and I know Harry would appreciate your insight."

"I noticed the location and worried. I just didn't want him to know I was worried. Are the students safe?"

Hermione held up her hands, "The students are fine. The troubles are in the forest. In the grove."

"Oh. I see," Minerva said, and looked down at the moving photo again.

"You know about the aos sí. It wasn't clear from the portraits if Professor Dumbledore was the last head teacher to know that secret."

"Those bloody portraits. I don't miss their incessant chatter. I hope my portrait is keeping it together."

"She's very respectable," Hermione confirmed. "We understand the treaty zone was kept from Professor Snape to protect it from Voldemort. It's not clear what happened when he was gone."

"I only went back there once," she explained. "It was a few weeks after we had restored the castle. I was making plans to survey the Dark Forest when the peanut gallery filled me in. They suggested I ensure they weren't discovered and that I update them on the end of the war. And so I did."

Hermione wasn't surprised Minerva's priorities didn't include a reclusive elf enclave. She had her hands full rebuilding the school and helping the students recover from the trauma of war and Snape's administration. "Did you see any evidence that their protected area had been breeched?"

"No. None at all. It was clear to me the Death Eaters never ventured that far into the forest. They were more interested in the school. And then getting away. Have they been discovered now?"

"It's clear someone knows about them and is trying. The ministry and the ICW are working together to find out how and why," Hermione explained. "The aurors have established a presence in the grove. Harry and I visited the treat zone and talked to their elder."

"I'm sure that was tedious."

"They were evasive. But the real question we have," Hermione started and leaned in. There wasn't a chance they'd be overheard but it still felt safer. "Which head teacher would choose to live in the fairy mound as a ghost and why would Albus hide from those questions?"

~~/~~

The silence while Hermione waited for an answer to questions was long enough to tell her the answer she suspected. Minerva didn't know which head teacher was in the treaty zone. It was pushing Hermione away from thinking it was Albus. Surely he would have told Minerva.

"In all my years, I have never seen a ghost of a former head teacher. And I certainly didn't see one in or around the grove. But of course, I didn't spend much time that deep into the Dark Forest. None of the portraits have even suggested they chose that for themselves. And they overshared everything," Minerva finally said. "It's possible their essence in the portrait didn't know that was their choice when it was painted."

Hermione sat back. The moving picture from the photo of her was distracting. She suddenly realized that Ron may have seen the story. She didn't want him to find out she was back in London through a Rita Skeeter gossip column of all things.

"... has to do with this?"

McGonagall was still talking, and Hermione realized she had missed her question. "I'm sorry. I was distracted," she said, waving at the newspaper. "What were you saying?"

"I'm sorry I brought that here. I thought you should know."

"No, no, I needed to know. My boss would have likely shown it to me. I'd rather know about it now. I was just thinking… I haven't told Ron yet. Harry didn't know until I showed up in his office. I need to go explain myself to him," she explained.

The guilt must have been painfully obvious based on the look of sympathy. "I'm sure Mister Weasley will be glad to see you."

Hoping that was true, Hermione knew she was the reason there was distance between her best friends. She'd been so busy with her career, keeping in touch through letters was the bare minimum. "I hope so. When I left the country, I didn't really look back. I'm not sure if either Ron or Harry understood."

"Hermione. Time means very little between friends as close as you three. You have a bond that can't be broken so easily. And no one blames you for forging a life for yourself. No one who matters anyway. If Ron is really as hurt as you think he'll be, send him my way and I'll set him straight. I won't be surprised when I'm not needed."

The anxiety that was weighing Hermione down lifted. Minerva was right. Ron might be confused about why she didn't tell him she was moving back and maybe rightfully hurt that he had to learn about it from someone else. She doubted ill feelings would linger once she explained herself. "I needed to hear that. Thank you. What were asking before I made this all about me?"

Minerva smiled graciously. "I wasn't sure why you thought Albus was avoiding the topic?" The way she asked the question made Hermione think she had every reason to think the former headmaster was avoiding the topic.

"He's disappeared from his portrait. And I don't think it was to visit a first year who unwrapped his chocolate frog card. He disappeared after Harry asked the other portraits what they knew." Hermione explained.

"Obviously Albus didn't confide in me often when it came to personal matters. I never got the sense that he planned to linger as a ghost. What makes you think that's what is in the treaty zone?"

Hermione thought about it. She was making some big assumptions. "I suppose I don't know that's what we saw. I'm not sure why the map thought there were two headmasters inside the enchantments. Aside from Harry, you are the only other living head teacher and I think it's safe to say you didn't visit the aos sí this morning?"

"Hardly," she admitted and stood. "Albus won't hide forever. If I can be of assistance, I'd like to help. And would prefer to do so without getting in Harry's way."

Understanding the offer was meant to be between the two of them, Hermione stood and held out her hand. "Thank you. I'm sure we'll need you."

Minerva shook her hand. "It's good to have you back. Tell Ron I said… well, you know."

Hermione watched her former head of house weave her way through the bullpen before closing her office door. Ron. She needed to make him a priority. Her report needed to be written first. And then her meeting with Miranda. The newspaper screamed at her from the table. She needed to read it so she at least knew what lies Rita was spreading. She sighed. She was exhausted and it was only her first day on the job. "Welcome back," she said to herself and sat at her desk to finish her report.

~~/~~

The potion wasn't supposed to look like liquid charcoal. Ron stirred, knowing there was no saving this batch of Instant Fever. He shouldn't have tried, but he felt bad leaving the joke shop early and wanted to bring in a new potion ready for bottling to make it up to George. Waving his wand over the cauldron, the bubbling mess disappeared. George wasn't expecting him to work after seeing The Daily Prophet. Ron didn't know what else to do. Crossing his office from his potions station to his bar, he poured a glass of firewhiskey. Looking into the amber liquid, he knew this wasn't the answer either. He could talk to Susan about it. That also felt wrong. He didn't want her know how much it bothered him to know Hermione moved back to London, didn't tell him, and was working with Harry to protect Hogwarts. Realistically, Ron knew there was no reason the ministry or the ICW would call on the owner of a joke shop to investigate looters in the Forbidden Forest. That didn't make it hurt less that Harry and Hermione didn't at least tell him about what was happening.

Ron took a drink. The doorbell rang. He looked at the clock. It was after dinner, but not late. Straining his ears, he heard Susan talking to another female and concluded it must be one of her friends dropping. He didn't hate that. If she had company he could stay in his office for the night wallowing.

The voices grew closer. He thought that was odd. There wasn't really a reason to come upstairs. He finished his drink and opened the door to see what was going on. He came face to face with Hermione. Ron took in a small breath. He didn't realize how much he really missed her until she was standing there. He wanted to hug her and tell her how happy he was to see her. He couldn't get past the knowledge that she wasn't as excited to see him. "Hey," he said lamely. "I heard you were back."

Hermione winced. "I was afraid that article reached you. I stopped by the joke shop as soon as I could. George said you left early."

Did she feel bad she didn't tell him sooner or that The Daily Prophet spilled her secret, he wondered. He stepped aside to let her in his office and searched Susan's eyes for any annoyance at the visit. But of course she wasn't put off.

She walked over to him and gave him a small kiss of reassurance. "I'll send up some tea and biscuits," she said, looking into the office. "Let her explain herself," she whispered and headed back downstairs.

"I'm sorry for coming by without warning. I didn't want you to think I was avoiding you. I should have sent an owl," Hermione said, talking quickly.

"An owl would have been nice. Letting me know you were moving back," he clarified.

Clasping her hands together, Hermione twisted her fingers around each other. "I know I should have done this differently. The transfer happened fast. I had cases to close and moving arrangements… but none of that is an excuse. I should have let you and Harry know."

"Yeah," he started. "Wait. You were with Harry this morning."

"I got assigned to the taskforce. I went to the school as soon as I was told to apologize to him. We were busy all day, or I would have found you sooner. Ron. I'm really sorry."

Knowing she hadn't told Harry about her move took the edge off Ron's hurt feelings. He knew from their communications through the years that she lived a solitary life since her parents died. It would take time for her to get used to feeling accountable to others outside her job. "When did you get in?"

"Two days ago," she said, relaxing as she sensed the shift in his demeanor. "I haven't even entirely unpacked. Ron, really, I'm sorry you found out through Rita Skeeter of all people."

He waved his hand, "It's okay. I'm sorry I read Rita Skeeter."

Finally she laughed, "Hard to believe she still has a job," she said and started to look through his bookshelves.

Self conscious, Ron stepped closer to her. He had mostly fiction books he liked to read. There were a few potions books he used to make novelty potions. Nothing that would impress her. Unless she thought that he owned books was impressive. He was surprised by what had got her attention though.

Hermione picked up the put-outer. Turned it over in her hand.

Ron rubbed his neck. "I kept that close when you went off to Australia. I wanted to hear you if you needed help. Then I kept it close while you were traveling. It's become kinda like a superstition now. If you or Harry ever need me, I like to think the deluminator will take me to you still. It doesn't make a bit of sense, but it's how I feel."

She put the device down, and cupped his right cheek with her hand while she placed a quick kiss on his left cheek. "That's really sweet," she said, and stepped away, remembering the time and changes between them. "I'm sorry I wasn't very good at letting you know what I needed then."

A tray appeared on a small table near the fire, Ron led her to the sitting area. "I don't think any of us knew what we needed." He handed her a cup of tea and picked up an almond biscuit for himself. "We figured it out eventually, I think?" he asked, wondering if she was as happy with her life she made for herself as he was for his.

Her head tilted to the side as she considered him, "I guess I wouldn't have moved back here if I had."

"Or maybe you did and that's why you came back."

~~/~~

Hermione held the hot tea in her mouth, letting the heat numb her tongue. Ron's observation was a shock to her system. Hadn't she been thinking about how much she missed being part of Harry and Ron's lives when she signed her transfer request? No matter how satisfying her professional success was, it wasn't as satisfying as it could be. "You're right. It's exactly why I came back. Between Harry's promotion at the school and your youngest was starting Hogwarts… all I could think about was how much I missed."

Ron put the entire biscuit in his mouth and talked around the pieces, "Ah, no. You get them birthday presents and Christmas presents every year. The kids know you've got an important job. They'll be happy you're closer now, don't get me wrong. I am," he said. "I'm sure Harry was happy to see you."

"Harry. Merlin, Ron, I have to tell you what's happening," Hermione said, leaning forward. It took so much effort to write her report without telling the full story, she needed to get it out of her system and she knew Harry would be glad for Ron's help. "There's an enchanted, hidden area deep in the Dark Forest where a community of elves have been living since the founder's era," started, and filled him in on the everything they saw in the treaty zone, the conversation with the elder, and her speculation over what it meant for there to be a headmaster in the enchanted area. "It has to be Professor Dumbledore, don't you think? The one person we know it's not is Snape. He didn't know about the secret area to protect it from Voldemort's legilimency."

"Severus Snape — now there's a name I haven't heard in years," Ron said, trying to work through everything that happened since the taskforce that morning. "I wouldn't rule him out. If anyone was going to come back from the dead to haunt us, he'd be on the top of my list."

"Hm, I don't really have a better explanation. I think it's obvious Professor Dumbledore's painting knows… something. I'm going to check with Harry tomorrow before the operations update to see if he tracked him down."

"Well. There's one way to know who's in the protected area. Sneak back in there and ask it," Ron offered.

It was an option Hermione hadn't ruled out. "We'll need to come up with a way to be undetectable. I think the aos sí knew the second the door was open."

Ron perked up, "I might have a solution for that. It sounds like this map is similar to the marauder's map. George and I worked out a way to be invisible to similar detection enchantments."

"That's worth a shot. The bigger question is how do these outside people know the enchanted area is there?"

"They might have a way of detecting enchantments and they're trying to find out what needs so many protections so deep inside the forest? They're just looking to score a big heist and they don't know they're threatening a centuries old treaty."

"Maybe. But it looks like they're going right to the grove."

"Maybe a Death Eater or snatcher found it during the battle at Hogwarts and is just now returning to England. Or maybe they've served their sentences and were recently released."

They were all good possibilities. "I'll admit I didn't follow any of the tribunals. It's reasonable to assume a fifteen year sentence was a possible punishment for some of the lower level followers. I'll pull prison records and ask Williamson to track anyone down who was recently released." It was nice sitting with Ron working through a mystery again. She looked him over. He was content and grounded. Even still, he hadn't changed much. He was very much Ron, just without the sharp edges.

"What?" he asked, sensing her scrutiny.

"Nothing. You've changed."

He sucked in his stomach, "Susie is a great cook."

They both laughed and she shook her head, "No. I mean you seem… more confident," she searched for the right words that wouldn't offend.

"Hm. You mean I'm less insecure. Having kids has a way of making you realize no one knows what they're doing," he explained with a small smile before growing more serious. "I think losing Fred and working to help George get back on his feet helped me grow up. It made me realize what's really important. Then Susie and I got together and I realized a relationship didn't have to be hard." He paused, and winced, "I didn't mean—"

"—we both had some growing up to do," she interrupted him. She'd spent many late nights dissecting her relationship with Ron. Part of her maturing was realizing she was more to blame for how volatile it was. "I'm glad you're happy."

"I am," he agreed with her assessment. He looked her over in the same way she had of him. "Are you?"

She sat straighter. Did he see something that made him think she wasn't? Obviously she wasn't or she wouldn't have uprooted her life and moved back to England after running away from it for so long. She looked into her tea, hoping there was an answer at the bottom of it. "I'm working on it."

Ron looked like he was about to say something but swallowed it. He took another biscuit and watched the fire. "I'm glad you're back."

"Me too." They shared a smile.

"Harry's really missed you," Ron said, relaxing as if he'd been holding his words in for too long. "He mentions you every time we see each other. He'll go on about you last update to us or what he read about you in the paper," he said and glanced at her side.

She rested her hand over the healed wound. "He mentioned he worked out who the story was about. I didn't realize it was big enough news."

"It would have been bigger news if the ICW would have released your name."

"Oh come on. No one really cares that much about me anymore. Skeeter just has a grudge," Hermione dismissed Ron's observation. Fifteen years out of the spotlight was a long time for people to forget.

"Are you kidding? I might be more interesting that Harry and myself combined. We've been going about our lives here and you mysteriously disappeared to go off and became a spy. People always try to get me to talk about you."

"I'm not a spy," she said, embarrassed that anyone would still care that much about her.

"Agent," he corrected with an eye roll. "Assistant Director now. You're a big deal that no one knows anything about anymore. Now that Skeeter outed you and implied you're hooking up with Harry, I'd watch out. The public will want to know everything."

Hermione groaned, "Do you know what it's like to talk to your new boss about a newspaper article claiming to know about your intimate personal life? I had to tell her everything."

"Even the bit about trapping Rita in an unbreakable jar?" Ron asked.

"Well. I may have left that part out." Ron's eyebrow rose as if scandalized. "It wasn't pertinent to the story. And I didn't want to be banned from purchasing unbreakable jars."