Disclaimer: All Characters and things associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. This writing is purely for entertainment only.

Summary: A tragedy unravels the Weasley Family and the Wizarding World forever, but with the use of a time turner can one Weasley save them all?

Chapter 26

The sun was hardly up when Finn made his way into the kitchen of Shell Cottage to find Hermione working in the small corner where the kitchen table was. She was setting up some sort of work station under a slanted roof area of the room, matching the pitch of the cottage. She moved quickly to gather flasks and bowls and the lists of ingredients and instructions that future her had written out for the counter curse were pinned to the slanted ceiling.

Hermione was so focused she had not heard Finn enter the room and Finn was so focused on watching her that he had not realized Lex had entered the kitchen as well until she brushed past him as if he was not even standing in the door frame.

"Getting ready to leave, I see?" Lex spoke to Finn, but did not look at him as she moved to her mother who jumped at her voice.

"You startled me!" Hermione exclaimed, one hand moving to her pregnant stomach as if to protect Rose from the surprise.

"Sorry," Lex apologized to her mother before turning her attention to Finn. "Are you leaving or what? Seems to me you are wasting precious time."

"No I'm leaving. Just came to grab a few things," Finn said as he swiped the copy of the list of ingredients off the kitchen table and stuffed them into the small bag he had packed to travel with. He was nervous as to where to find the ingredients he was looking for knowing if he didn't fulfill his vow he would die but, should he survive, that he would be able to show Lex that she really did mean something to him.

"Well, go then," Lex said simply, her voice flat as she folded her arms and leaned against the table Hermione was working at.

Finn sighed, glancing one more time at Lex before disapparting in silence.

"Hope you are right about trusting him," Scorpius said, entering the kitchen from the sitting room. He clearly had been waiting for Finn to leave before entering.

"If he doesn't hold up his end of the bargain he dies. That's the beauty of an unbreakable vow no," Lex smirked back.

"He's probably dead either way at this point. I don't see a way that his father and my grandfather don't come after him if they know he helped you," Scorpius said.

Lex shrugged as if it didn't matter to her which made Hermione concerned. She could only imagine how Lex felt knowing she had been taken advantage of by Finn. She didn't think her lack of reaction was healthy.

"It's alright to be upset about what happened to you...what Finn did," Hermione told her daughter.

Lex turned a sharp eye on Hermione and watched the younger version of her mother carefully for a long moment before speaking. "Being upset doesn't change what happened. The only way we do that is by changing things here."

Hermione wanted to say something back in an effort to make Lex less cold but she was cut off by Ron entering the kitchen.

"Already started on the counter curse?" Ron moved to kiss Hermione good morning, not at all shocked that she had already gotten started on the potion. As he kissed her, he moved to rest his hand on her small baby bump.

In all the chaos of the last few days, Ron had sometimes even forgotten Hermione was pregnant but that morning it was hard to ignore. Her shirt was far too tight sending him a swift reminder that, even with everything else going on, they were welcoming their first daughter into the world soon.

Hermione smiled down at Ron's hand on her stomach, putting her own on top of it. "I figured we needed to start somewhere."

"Now the rest of us need to start," Lex said, drawing the attention of the room onto her.

"What's the plan then?" Ron asked.

"Well, I think you need to act as normal as possible. Kingsley knows we at least know some of the truth but the rest of the Wizarding World still expects you two in society. Kingsley wouldn't risk doing anything knowing you can expose him...at least I don't think so," Lex spoke to her father and mother.

Ron glanced briefly at Hermione then back at Lex. "What are you saying?"

"I think you need to go back to the Ministry...at least to warn Uncle Harry," Lex said, mostly looking at her father.

"Are you mental? No, absolutely not. Hermione isn't going anywhere near the Ministry," Ron said quickly.

"She has a point, Ron. We have to keep up appearances...and we do need to tell Harry what is going on," Hermione had to agree with her daughter.

"Hermione, are you the mental one now?" Ron shook his head, looking at his wife, only to receive a glare in return.

"Well, maybe I don't have to go but you need do at least warn Harry..." Hermione started.

"You don't think they will ask where you are if I show up?" Ron asked.

"Why? They sent me home to work after the attack on the Department of Mysteries and that hasn't been solved yet. I'll put in a request to work from home until it is..." Hermione reasoned.

"We still have to rescue Kingsley as well..." Lex remembered.

Hermione, Ron, and Scorpius all turned to look at her as if she had ten heads.

"Oh...right...I left that part out. I was locked up with the Kingsley from this time at the Ministry. They sorta locked him up to keep him of the way, I guess." Lex said casually.

Ron and Hermione both furrowed their brows at Lex.

"You didn't think to tell us that?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"To be fair, we've had a lot going on," Lex said.

"So now we need to warn Harry and find Kingsley," Ron rolled his eyes in sarcasm.

"Well...he's probably still locked up at the Ministry but...yeah we need to do both those things," Lex said.

"Alright then...I will have to go back, I guess." Ron said.

"Just warn Harry and see if you can't let him know where Kingsley is. That should be enough for now to keep others from asking too many questions...but I am in agreement with you, Mr. Weasley. I don't think you should be st at Ministry for too long. Its too risky." Scorpius reasoned.

"We need to keep up appearances," Lex said quickly.

"For who? Your parents are two of the most famous wizards. I doubt your father taking time away from work will surprise anyone. He sort of can do as he pleases and it will keep us all safer to be together," Scorpius snapped back.

Ron looked to Hermione who seemed to nod with Scorpius and then at Lex who seemed annoyed but didnt say anything else.

"While I am doing that, what will you all be doing?" Ron asked.

Lex and Scorpius looked at each other, unsure of how to spend their time now that they were not really allowed to leave and go anywhere safely.

"I am going start to organize myself for this cure and get to work. I imagine it will take some time to sort this out even with the headstart we were given," Hermione spoke up and then eyed Scorpius and Lex. "You are welcome to help."

"That doesn't sound fun," Lex said dryly.

"It is to sort of save your life," Scorpius reminded her.

Lex rolled her eyes. "Well, I suppose I can help with that at least until we can confirm where Kingsley from this time is. After that, we have to figure out a way to save him."

"Let me see what I can find out at the Ministry. I reckon I should head back tomorrow," Ron said.

Lex nodded in agreement and then moved out to the porch to get some fresh air, knowing the weeks and potential months ahead wouls be grueling.

Ron woke up early the next morning, nervous about his day ahead, nervous about going back to the Ministry. He tried his best to get out of bed without waking Hermione but the floorboards of Shell Cottage were loud and be had only made it half way to the drawer containing his clothes when he heard Hermione stir in bed.

Ron turnee to see Hermione roll over in bed, the tiny swell of her pregnant stomach causing the sheets to tent up.

"Go back to sleep, love," Ron told her quietly.

Hermione shook her head and sat up in bed. "No...I want to see you off properly for work."

Ron could tell in the unnaturally high pitch of Hermione's voice that she was nervous about him going to the Ministry as well.

"I'll be fine," He tried to reassure her, moving to sit next to her on the bed.

"I just...I want you to be careful. Obviously warn Harry but if anything feels off, please come back here." Hermione told him.

"Of course...I am not in the business of risking anything," Ron said.

Hermione sarcastically cocked an eyebrow indicating Ron's words were ridiculous to her.

Ron laughed softly and then reached out, taking Hermione's hand in his and laying it on her small baby bump. "I'm serious. I've got far too much to come home to now."

Hermione gave a soft smile as she looked at their fingers intertwined on her growing stomach. "Is it odd to know who is already in there?"

Ron's brow furrowwed in confusion at Hermione's words. "In where?"

Hermione motioned to her stomach. "To know its Rose in there...to know she will die if we don't sort everything out...that you both will die."

Ron's eyes met Hermione's now and he could see the tears forming. He quickly brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back of her hand softly. "Neither of us are going to die, Hermione...I promise you."

"No one can promise that," Hermione said softly, her hormones getting the better of her.

"Well, I am promising you. We are going to grow old together and we are going to watch our three kids grow old too..." Ron told her, such conviction in his voice that she felt she has no choice but to believe him, even if that was the least logical thing to do.

Lex and Scorpius sat over the table Hermione had set up to create the counter-curse in the kitchen of Shell Cottage. Hermione had been able to grab a few basic ingredients that they had been able to find around Shell Cottage but they would only be able to get so far until Finn returned.

It was early in the morning, and though Ron had just left for the Ministry, Hermione had still not joined them downstairs.

"Where do we even start with this?" Scorpius asked, looking at everything on the table in front of them well also avoiding eye contact with Lex. Ever since their time in the woods and the hour conversation that had happened there had been an awkwardness between that when they were alone.

"Hell if I know," Lex laughed awkwardly, looking at all the things her mother had laid out on the table. She wasn't even sure where to begin.

"Step one, maybe?" Scorpius suggested, pointing to the first set of instructions from future Hermione.

Lex smirked a bit. That seemed fair enough. She began reading the first line of instructions and then grabbed the Asphodel that Hermione had laid out and began to cut.

"Getting started without me, I see?" Hermione's voice was warm as it filled the kitchen.

Lex's quickly put down her knife and turned to face her slightly pregnant mother. From little, Lex had found herself in trouble whenever she tinkered with Hermione's work, usually because their was some ingrediet or element of seriousiness that could put Lex in danger. Even at 26, she still felt like she had made a mistake.

Hermione saw the emotions quickly run across Lex's face and was confused herself, wondering if she had offended her daughter from the future.

"Only joking. I imagine I could use all the help I could get," Hermione said quickly.

Lex felt her ears burn red. "Sorry...I used to get in trouble for touching your things when you were working."

Hermione was surprised by this. She never expected herself to be a mother who was limit her children's interest. She quickly made a mental note to avoid this in the future.

"Well, you aren't in trouble now," Hermione said, motioning for Lex to continue what she was doing.

Lex gave a smile to her mother. It felt odd but having the confirmation that she was actually allowed to help, even if it was coming from a version of her mother that was her same exact age.

Ron made his way straight to Harry's office once he was in the Ministry. He wasn't even sure if Harry would be there, knowing Harry had been part of the original attack in the Ministry days earlier. He had to hope Harry would at least try to keep up appearances.

To his relief, Ron found Harry sitting at his desk with his head in his hand as if he were half asleep. Ron closing the door, however, seemed to startle Harry and he sat up straight.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Harry said truthfully.

"Could say the same for you," Ron said.

"Well, I haven't seen Kingsley for days. No one has, so I figured you had something to do with that," Harry said

"I've got a helluva lot to explain and not a lot of time," Ron said quickly, sitting down across from his friend.

"Did you find Lex? Is everyone safe? Hermione?" Harry pressed.

"Yeah, everyone is safe now. Lex included." Ron said.

"So you got her out?"

"Sort of...Cormac's kid actually helped..."

"What?" Harry was clearly confused.

"It's a long story...point being the Kingsley we attacked the other night is a Kingsley from the future...our Kingsley is trapped below. Future Kingsley wants Lex dead." Ron went as high-level as he could.

Harry shook his head in complete confusion. "What?"

"Kingsley from the future thinks the prophecy is about Lex being a danger to us all. He came back with McLaggen and they tried to take her out. They also kidnapped the real Kingsley from our time and are keeping him caged somewhere here. We need to find him." Ron said.

"Are you sure?" Harry questioned.

"Well, would you lie to me? Because future you and Ginny came back to tell us exactly this," Ron said.

Harry was even more confused. "You sound mental."

"I know, but its all true, so I came to warn you and ask for your help...which I know is a lot," Ron said seriously.

Harry contemplated for a moment but in the end he knew Ron would never lie to him about something so serious. "What can I do?"

"Find our Kingsley. The Kingsley from this time. I think he can help us." Ron said.

"Where would I even start that search?"

"Lex said he was downstairs with her. I doubt he is anymore but he's somewhere alive. They have to keep him alive." Ron said.

"Okay...I can do that," Harry said.

"I also need to ask you to cover for me. I can't come back here right now." Ron said.

Harry nodded, understanding. "I can say you are on a mission out of the country."

"Thank you," Ron nodded, feeling relieved. He didn't want to leave Hermione or Lex right now, not when they had so much on the line.

"If I find Kingsley, what do I do?" Harry asked.

"Make sure its the one we need first...by any means necessary...if it is, send him to Shell Cottage," Ron said.

"Right. So if I need to get in touch with you-" Harry started.

Ron shook his head. "Just find Kingsley. Other then that, I don't want you involved. I don't want you to risk anything...not with Ginny and James at home."

Harry nodded, understanding what Ron meant and appreciating that Ron was thinking about his family. He also knew, if Ron was asking him to stand down, that whatever Ron, Lex, and Hermione were involved in, it clearly was dangerous.

Lex and Hermione worked silently side by side, looking over future Hermione's notes as they worked toward making the counter curse in the kitchen of Shell Cottage. While they spoke very little their was a mutual understanding growing between them and Hermione was impressed by just how smart Lex really seemed to be. Scorpius had been helping earlier but had since retired to take a nap on the couch, leaving the women alone.

They has been at it for a few hours when Hermione sighed, leaning back, frustration on her face.

"What is it?" Lex asked, her eyes twitching toward her mother.

"We're missing something...three things actually," Hermione said, her eyes moving between her notes and the table in front of them.

Lex furrowed her eyebrow. "How do you know?"

Hermione sighed. "Between the notes and this..."

Hermione motioned to a few pieces of paper she had piled next to one another to almost form some sort of map, with words, spells, and ingredients written out in a specific order. Within that order, three drawn boxes remained empty.

"What is this?" Lex asked.

"It's the order of the ingredients and incantations. Three things are missing...but this is a very tricky spell. It's so many things mixed together," Hermione sighed as she explained.

Lex screwed up her eyebrow. "This doesn't even look like it makes sense."

"I know..." Hermione sighed in frustration.

"Could you be wrong about something?" Lex asked but then laughed at her own question, shaking her head.

"What?" Hermione was confused.

"You're never wrong," Lex said simply with a small smirk.

"Well...I'm sure that's not true," Hermione felt her cheeks go red a bit.

"Oh, but it is," Lex said, smiling back at her mother, happy how oddly normal it felt between the two of them. Even in the passed, she could hardly remember a time she and her mother had gotten along so well. This felt nice.

Just then, Ron apparated into the kitchen, looking slightly flustered.

"Ron? What happened? I thought you were going to work the whole day?" Hermione asked.

Ron shook his head. "No...it felt too risky. I told Harry everything I could but...I'm not going back there. We need to find Kingsley and sort this spell out, neither of which I can do from there."

"Well...maybe find Kingsley," Lex said under her breath with a hint of sarcasm.

Hermione couldn't help but feel relieved Ron wasn't going back and so she also couldn't help but turn a sharp eye on Lex which caused Lex to instantly duck her head. She has been on the receiving end of that look far too many times. This exchange with her mother felt much more normal then how well they has been getting along earlier.

"Maybe true...and we may still be able to. But sitting in there didn't feel like the way to do it," Ron explained, seeming to try to direct Hermione's glare from Lex.

"Well, I think it's smart. There is plenty you can do around here," Hermione said, moving toward Ron and wrapping her arms around him in a firm hug, realizing she was very grateful she would not have to worry about Ron every day being away from her on top of everything else.

Ron smiled, planting a kiss on Hermione's forehead as his hand snaked down to her small baby bump, also relieved he would not be away from his family now.