Disclaimer:- I neither own nor own anything from this story. My plot is my own but the world of Harry Potter is the intellectual property of JK Rowling and associates.

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A/N:- Thank you to everyone who left reviews and alerts on the last chapter, please know that I appreciate every one of them. I am posting without a beta, so any mistakes you may find are all mine. Thank you all for your patience for my extended absences from posting, I'm getting things done as I can.

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Chapter Nine – Moving Forward

Hermione was surprised when she slept until almost three o'clock in the afternoon. She wandered back out into the sitting room rubbing her eyes, and Severus looked up as she stretched and yawned loudly. He was sitting at her desk reading and making notes.

"Severus, you should have woken me," she scolded gently. "Are we still going to the estate?"

"We can do that just as easily tomorrow. You obviously needed the sleep more, and besides I've started my back reading while you've been occupied. There have been so many advancements since I've been out of potions circles."

"I can imagine," she said, coming over and winding her arms around his neck from behind as she kissed his cheek. "You know, a Potions mastery is the only other mastery I wanted, but it was the one that got away from me," she commented, as she peeked over his shoulder at what he was doing.

Placing his reading glasses down on the parchment he'd been writing on, he rolled the chair back and encouraged her around and onto his lap. "And why was that, love?" he asked.

She smiled at him. "Because I was too particular about who taught me," she answered, sitting up straight to face him.

"We're you indeed, and who did you wish to teach you?"

"You," she stated simply, and wound her arms back around his neck before she covered his mouth with hers. After some moments she broke the kiss again, and watched him, her chest rising and falling rapidly after their kiss. "I have only ever wanted you," she told him.

"Only ever?" he replied, his dark eyes watching her face as he said it.

"Before I went to sleep, I was thinking about why I have never found another man even interesting beyond scratching an itch, and I realised that the answer is because of you. As soon as I was old enough to know my own mind, it's always been you, but I've only just realised it." She drew breath. "It was all very muddled, because I should not have felt that way, you were not a nice teacher, but I did regardless, and even in those last years of the war when I really should have hated you for what you'd done. I didn't… couldn't. I somehow knew you weren't doing what you did willingly, and even though you hated me for it, I had to save you. I told the boys it was so you could face your crimes, but my guilty little secret was that I saved you because I couldn't countenance the thought of you dying and leaving me before I'd had a chance of telling you this."

Severus stared at her for some moments, and his mouth moved silently twice, obviously trying to find the words to use, but finally he simply wiped at the tears that had overcome her control at her statement, and he pulled her head forward and kissed her eyes. "Don't cry, love," he managed to say in a husky voice. He gathered her to him and hugged her tightly. "You certainly are a force of nature, Hermione," and he pulled back slightly. "How old were you when you made that decision?"

Her eyes dropped to his buttons, but she said, "Oh, I was of legal age, even if I was still a student," and her fingers nervously traced a pattern around the jet black buttons on his coat.

"You little minx," his voice rumbled. "I was… still am considered a dark wizard."

She glanced up under her eyelashes at him. "That just made it more delicious," she admitted smiling at him.

He sat back and laughed, and it was a lovely sound. He looked at her still smiling and shook his head. "Imagine what all those upright Gryffindors would have said had they known this," he said as he laughed. "My dear witch, they would have locked me up and really thrown away the key," and he paused as a grimace appeared on his face. "Or actually lynched me," he added, his eyebrows ascending as he said it.

Hermione smiled at him. "Well, I can't help what's true… what I feel."

"No, you can't," and he kissed her temple.

She snuggled into him. "And only you and I will ever know."

This made him snort softly, as he replied, "Well, I am very honoured to have been your fantasy."

She smiled seductively at him as she gazed up at him. "So far, I have found that the reality is much better."

"Indeed," he chuckled, but then abruptly changed the subject. "However, right now you require food. You slept through lunch. Tippy!"

The elf arrived with a plate loaded with food. "Is Mistress being ready for her lunch?" Tippy said, placing the plate on the coffee table."

"Go on," Severus encouraged, directing her towards the food.

She smiled. "Thank you," and she kissed him once more as she got up. "Thank you, Tippy," she added as she walked past the little elf and sat down on the lounge.

xox

The remainder of the afternoon was spent casually before Hermione and Severus got ready to go to Harry and Ginny's for dinner. They wandered down the drive, enjoying the cool change that had blustered in earlier, and were just about to Apparate to Godric's Hollow when a silver fox patronus flashed towards them through the early evening air around the gates. "We have her, come as soon as you can," the message said, and the sly looking little fox evaporated.

Severus whipped his wand out and answered, but Hermione was shocked to see a panther erupt out of his wand. Then she became even more confused when she heard what came out of his mouth to send in reply.

"We will be there as soon as possible."

"What?" she huffed in slight disbelief.

He turned and took in her open mouth. "Yes, I was also surprised when it changed," and he watched her mouth move wordlessly, and he chuckled. "Oh, you were wondering what the conversation was about?"

Hermione nodded. "Y-Yes," she managed.

"We've managed to find what the Aurors couldn't, love, but we'll need Misters Potter and Weasley as well," he told her.

"But we're just about to have dinner with…" Hermione protested, but then her eyes narrowed. "Who's we?"

"I must admit that I didn't think that this would happen so quickly, but this must be done first," Severus answered. "I enlisted the assistance of some friends who know where to look for people who do not wish to be found, and have a talent for drawing them out with the appropriate bait."

Hermione watched him for a moment, and she nodded, but then conjured her own patronus. She was relieved when it was still her loyal like otter. "Ron, Harry, come to the Hogwarts gates immediately, please?" She watched it split and disappear in two directions.

Moments later a stag charged up to them. "I'm coming. Is something wrong?" it asked, and almost as soon as it had evaporated Harry arrived. "Hi, 'Mione, Severus. What's wrong?"

"My apologies for taking you away from your home, but you and Weasley need to deal with something before dinner," Severus stated.

Harry looked at Hermione, and she shook her head. "They've found Lavender."

"Oh?" Harry replied, looking back to Severus.

"I believe Mister Weasley is entitled to some answers before she's handed over to the Aurors," Severus said, chuckling. "I pulled in some favours, and I've had my old Slytherin network searching for Miss Brown. Draco has just informed me that they have her. Of course, I ostensibly did it for justice for Hermione, but why shouldn't Weasley have his chance at answers too."

"Oh, Severus," Hermione gasped, and flung herself into his arms. "I love you," she whispered into his ear.

Of course, Harry being Harry he started questioning, but soon realised that his questions were falling on deaf ears as the two people in front of him were suddenly absorbed in their own world.

Then Ron arrived. "What's wrong," he said, obviously having just dressed after showering. Then his eyes turned to Hermione and Severus. "What? She wanted us to come and watch them snogging?"

Harry turned his friend away from the kissing couple. "Hey, cut them some slack, mate, they've just discovered each other."

"Geez, Harry," Ron said. "I'm not sure that I want to see them doing that," he said, glancing back again. "What's so urgent then?"

"Oh, 'Mione wanted... Severus has found Lavender, and he thought you might like some answers," Harry told Ron.

"Bloody hell, yes," Ron replied, and this seemed to bring Hermione and Severus back from their own little word.

"My apologies, gentlemen." He turned to Hermione. "Would you like me to deliver you to the Potter residence before we go?" he asked.

She wanted to protest. She wanted to go with them, but she knew she was not up to that yet, she was still too angry with Lavender, so she shook her head. "No, I can get there myself, love, but thank you. Please be careful, guys," and she saw Severus nod, as he walked over to grab the two Gryffindors by the arms and Apparate them away. She watched the place they'd disappeared from for some moments, but then she turned on the spot and arrived in the Potter's backyard.

"Mione," Ginny said as she came through the back door. "Where's Harry?" but her question was cut off by her youngest son.

"Auntie 'Mione," Albus cried, getting up from eating his dinner and running over to wrap himself around her leg.

"Hi, Albie," Hermione said, tousling his hair. "Hello, James," she added, smiling at the oldest boy.

"Hello, Auntie 'Mione," James replied, and then said to his brother, "Albus, you know what Dad said, we're not to make Mum mad. Come back to the table."

"Yes, go back and finish your dinner," Hermione told him, squatting down in front of him. "Once your mum and I have talked, I'll come and help you eat, okay?"

"Okay, Auntie 'Mione," he chirped, and went back to his dinner.

Hermione waited until he was out of ear-shot and she turned her back on the boys and said, "Severus has located Lavender, and he wanted Harry and Ron to go with him to see her before Harry delivers her to Dawlish."

"What on earth for, hasn't Ron been hurt enough?" Ginny snapped.

"He thought Ron might like some answers," Hermione stated slowly, uncertain as to why Ginny was being so defensive.

Ginny looked at Hermione for what seemed like ages, before she huffed a laugh. "That's got to be a joke."

"No, Gin. The man who saved me in Azkaban is nothing like the tyrant we used to know as students. He's made peace with his demons."

Ginny scoffed. "I know, Harry's done nothing but rave about him since he came home last night."

Hermione blushed. "Well, there's a lot to rave about," she said chuckling.

"Yes, he also said that the pair of you seemed to be pretty close. We had a good talk this morning."

"Yes, we are, Gin," Hermione stated, excitement obvious in her voice.

"What, you spend a week together and you're suddenly a couple? Friends I could understand, but 'Mione really?"

"Yes, really," Hermione told her. "I know it's weird, but I couldn't imagine my life without him in it now," she gushed to her friend.

"Just be careful, yeah," Ginny warned, handing Hermione a glass of wine. "You've been without a guy for so long, don't mistake lust for love."

"I do not believe that I am doing that," Hermione told her, starting to feel defensive.

"Aren't you? He saved you, it's the white knight syndrome, 'Mione."

"You're wrong. It's not," Hermione replied, she couldn't believe that Ginny was being so negative. It was making her feel very angry, so she went quiet, and she wished she hadn't been left alone with her redheaded friend like this. She occupied herself with drinking her wine and wondered what had happened to the Ginny who always supported her.

Ginny moved the gravy off the stove, and went to top up Hermione's glass of wine. However, Hermione put her hand over the glass. "No, thank you," she stated coolly. She knew that Ginny was just trying to be careful on her behalf, but how dare she boil her new relationship down to a crush because he'd saved her. She didn't know anything about it. "You know, I thought you were my friend… that you'd want me to be happy," Hermione said after a long time.

"I am," Ginny replied. "That's why I'm trying to make you see that going out with a Slytherin is a mistake."

"Oh, so it's not that it's Severus, it's just all Slytherins?" In her anger, Hermione missed the fact that Ginny's words were a bit stilted because she was having contractions, and had been about to tell Harry about it when Severus' patronus had arrived and pulled him away.

"Severus is my middle name," Albus helpfully informed them, obviously having overheard them.

"Yes, it is, Albie, and a fine middle name it is," Hermione countered, still looking at Ginny.

Ginny glared at her, and said, "It's time for Albus to go to bed, you can come as well, James," she added, looking at her eldest son.

"Muuu-um," James whined, "I want to meet Professor Snape. Dad promised that we could."

"When I say bed, young man. I mean bed," but Ginny suddenly held her stomach and grimaced. "Bugger," she said, and just as suddenly the ground at her feet was wet.

Thankfully both boys were too intend on fighting with her to notice. However, Hermione suddenly saw what was happening, and all differences were forgotten.

"Sit down," she said. "I'll Floo Molly, and then I'll stay with the boys," she instructed. "James, can you go upstairs and get the bag Mummy has near the bedroom door and bring it down, please?"

"Yes, Auntie 'Mione," and he glanced at his mother, now sitting at the table holding her stomach. "Is the baby coming out?" he asked, a slightly horrified look on his face.

"Don't worry, the baby will not come until Mum's at St. Mungos, and then tomorrow you can visit them both with Daddy," Hermione told the boys.

Albus had gone to Ginny's side, and was trying to comfort her. "It'll be all right, Mummy," he said, patting her arm.

"I know it will, Albie. You be a good boy for Auntie 'Mione, and I'll see you in the morning," Ginny told him.

"I will," Albus said, as Hermione came back from the sitting room.

"Molly's on her way," she said as she entered the room.

"Thanks," Ginny replied, but her face pinched as another contraction hit her.

"I'll send Harry as soon as he gets back, and don't worry about the boys I'll look after them," Hermione said, fussing over her.

Ginny grabbed her hand, and Hermione stilled and looked at her. "You're a good friend," Ginny said. "Thanks…" and she seemed to be about to say something else, but she gripped her stomach again. "Oww."

"Ah," said Molly, walking in from the sitting room. "I'm here in the nick of time," and she accepted hugs off her grandchildren. "Hello, lovely boys," she chortled. Then looked at her daughter. "We better get you to hospital," and she collected everything up and Apparated Ginny away.

xox

While all this was happening at Godric's Hollow, Draco Malfoy was putting on the show of his life to a hidden audience. As soon as Severus, Harry and Ron had arrived he'd ushered them into a sitting room behind another sitting room that had a one way mirror. "We haven't used these rooms since the war," he commented. Then he turned to Ron, "Weasley, you're better rid of her, mate. She's completely batty."

"How did you find her?" Harry asked.

"A matter of using the right bait," Draco replied. "Severus provided us with information that Granger had obviously told him, and a little thinking outside the obvious later," he added with a chuckle. "She was in Paris."

"Paris?" Ron said dumbly. "But that was when it all went wrong with Lucy, after she came back from Paris."

"What does she do in Paris?" Severus asked.

"She's essentially a Madam, but she's using her Aunt's catering business as her front," Draco replied. "She's running a high-end escort service under a legitimate business, and she's here to discuss expanding the same idea into the British market. What she doesn't know is that the champagne she's chugging down… well, the first glass was laced with a new undetectable form of Veritaserum."

"A new variant?" Severus asked.

"Based on your research, Severus, and before you ask, all the paperwork is filed, and I've already given you the development research in the pile of catch-up reading I gave you earlier," Draco told him. "Now, sit back and listen, gentlemen, Severus has told me what you need to know," and he walked from the room.

"Ah, Miss Brown, thank you for coming on such short notice. I'm certain that Mister Zabini explained what we're looking for. More champagne?" Draco said, striding into the other sitting room, and giving a nod for his friend.

Lavender held her glass out, and Draco filled it, pouring himself and Blaise a glass also.

Ron sat there, looking at a woman he hardly recognised. After what he'd learned this afternoon he wanted to launch into the room and take her to task, but he waited. His eyes took her in, she was wearing a tight-fitting business suit, well, she often wore tight fitting clothes, but nothing like this. He'd never seen her hair piled up on her head as it was, nor the cold business expression on her face. He had seen the impossibly high stilettos before, but he was suddenly wondering how he could have wanted to marry this harpy; she looked for all the world like a younger Rita Skeeter, minus the cats-eye glasses.

"Would you tell me some of the background of your Paris business, please?" Draco continued.

Lavender enthusiastically launched into how she'd been taken in by her aunt following the war, and how she'd decided that she could find a niche for herself within the business. "I have some rather special services that I provide," she told him with a salacious smile as she wound up her spiel.

"And your aunt, the owner of the business, approves of your sideline ventures?" Draco questioned.

"Doesn't know a thing about it," Lavender laughed.

"I see," Draco replied. "Worked it out all on your own, did you?"

She smiled coldly at him. "I certainly did."

"Correct me if I've been misinformed, but I heard you were going to marry Ron Weasley," Draco asked.

"What's that do to do with anything?" she asked rather annoyed.

"Does he know?" Draco asked.

"You must be joking, he's a prude and a prig," and she looked at her taloned fingernails. "No, he was just a lark. He needed teaching a lesson for dumping me like he did. I was never planning on turning up to the church," and she laughed. "That's if he even made it there, I left him some choice hexes to deal with after he questioned me about his bloody money. I needed that money," she said, her eyes narrowing.

"Then why become engaged to him if you had no intention of marrying him?"

"Him and that Granger bitch," she said sneering.

"I'm not sure I understand," Draco replied. "You believe that Weasley betrayed you. When?"

"It was in sixth year," she answered.

"Sixth year, at Hogwarts?" Draco replied, slightly incredulously.

"He betrayed me, and it was all Granger's fault. He did it again with her in our last year."

"So, let me get this straight. You're actually getting back at Hermione Granger?" Draco asked. This witch was some nut job.

Lavender started laughing. "No," she said shaking her head. "She's gone. No one will ever find her. I arranged that too."

"Oh?"

"Yes, that's what I needed the money for. I found this lovely little group of people who make people disappear," and she used the hand gesture for something disappearing into thin air.

"Indeed," Draco replied. "How do they do that?"

She leant forward conspiratorially. "Azkaban. They have control of Azkaban."

"Do they? Did you dispose of Weasley's wife that way too?"

"No, silly. I only found out about the Azkaban thing recently. No, I used a spell on her. Whatever Weasley said to her, she heard the opposite," and she laughed. "It worked like a charm, and it's totally undetectable. She divorced him and left, and I arrived to 'comfort' him," she said in a baby voice.

At this point, Harry had heard enough, and he walked into the other sitting room. "Thank you, Malfoy. I'll take her to Dawlish now."

"Very good, Potter," Draco said, and he rose to leave.

"Hey, I thought we were going to go into business together?" Lavender blurted, confusion written all over her face.

"Did you?" Draco said, turning cold eyes to her. "Take her away, Potter."

Harry grabbed Lavender by the arm and dragged her up from her chair. "Thank you, Malfoy. I don't know how much peace of mind Ron's got though. Severus is restraining him at the moment, so I'll get this out of here."

"Follow me, then," Draco stated, leading the way to the Apparition chamber.

Once Harry had gone, Draco turned back towards the room that contained Severus and Ron.

He walked in as Severus said, "Do not concern yourself, Mister Weasley. I know the curse Brown used, and I can undo its effects. Do you know where to find your ex-wife?"

Ron looked up at Severus through a sheen of tears, and neither Slytherin judged him for it, and he shook his head.

"I see," Severus said.

"Your wife was American, wasn't she?" Draco cut in. "Where did she originally come from?"

"Um, Montana," Ron managed to say.

"Well, that's a start. How about you speak to Granger about it. I'm sure she will be able to help you."

Severus had been unable to think of how to get Weasley to move, but he seized on this idea. "Yes," he said. "Allow me to escort you to the Potter's. You sister will have dinner ready by now, and you can talk to Hermione."

"All right," Ron said, nodding, and allowed himself to be led out to the Apparition chamber.

"Will you be okay with him, Severus?" Draco asked.

"Yes, I'll be fine," Severus stated.

"And remember you've promised to bring Granger for lunch on Sunday," Draco reminded him.

"I have not forgotten, Draco. Thank you, and we'll see you on Sunday. Goodnight."

xox

Severus guided their Apparition to what he remembered as the familiar house with the top floor blown out, but as soon as they landed Ron broke free and ran next door, flinging the front door open, and calling for Hermione as he went.

Following him, Severus closed the door behind himself and walked in the direction of Weasley's sobs.

Hermione looked up at Severus as he cautiously walked into the room. She'd been sitting in an arm chair reading when Ron had entered, and he'd basically collapsed in her lap.

"She used a spell to make Lucy hate me, but Snape says…"

"It's Professor or Severus, Ron," she scolded, a little shocked by his sudden arrival.

"Oh, umm, the P-Professor says," and he glanced a Severus standing by the door. "Says he can reverse it. How do we find her, 'Mione?"

Hermione wriggled out from under Ron and got up awkwardly. "Well, I know her parents live somewhere in Montana, but I'll have to search for their address."

"We can owl them," Ron said.

"Once I've found the address, Ron, yes." Hermione had been walking over to Severus as she said this. "Perhaps we best sit down to some dinner and wait for Harry," she said, taking Severus' hand. "I need to tell him that Ginny's having the baby."

"Having the baby," Ron piped up. "But that will put off him helping with this."

"Don't worry, Ron, it sounds like we can be more help to you anyway. I'll put the food on plates."

Hermione had just finished plating the food when Harry arrived, and he looked angry, but then glanced around and said, "Where's Gin?"

"At St. Mungos. Molly's with her," Hermione told him.

"Crap!" he cried. "You mean I'm missing the birth?"

"I don't think you'll be missing much yet. Here, eat before you go," Hermione said, encouraging him to the table.

He nodded, and sat, but then looked at Severus as he chewed and swallowed. "Severus, how did you know where to look?"

"I didn't," Severus replied, his eyebrow ascending. "However, let's just say that it is difficult for people to hide from Slytherins."

Harry took another mouthful, and swallowed it before adding, "I can see that. Perhaps we need more Slytherins in the Aurory."

"We have different methods to your Gryffindor types, but they're just as effective," Severus chuckled.

Harry snorted. "Perhaps more so. Listen," he said, shrugging, but then he glanced at Ron. "I always knew that there was something off…" but then he sighed and shook his head.

"Yes, I know what you mean, but I could never quite work out what," Hermione added. "You'll have to fill me in," she continued, looking at Severus, and then glancing at Ron.

They all glanced at Ron, he didn't seem to have taken any of their conversation in at all, and he appeared to be deep in thought.

"Look, I'm sorry, guys, but I think I need to be with Gin now." Harry said, glancing around, and his eyes settled on Ron again, and he looked guilty.

"Don't worry, Harry, we'll look after him until you send Molly back. You just look after Gin," Hermione said, as they watched him literally driving into the Floo. The smell of soot made Hermione start to cough, and she cleared her throat.

The flare of green flame died down, and Severus covered her hand. "You're due for a potion."

"Yes," she replied, pulling the phial from her pocket. "It's only a little late, I brought it with me, as I didn't know how long we'd be," she told him.

"Very well, you best take it," and he took her by the arm, and moved her further away from Ron. "You could offer Weasley our guest room, if you like. It would streamline giving him the cleansing potions the healer recommended."

"I didn't because I wasn't certain how you'd feel about it," Hermione replied.

"I was planning to stay with you tonight… if you're agreeable."

She smiled. "I certainly am, but I didn't want to appear too demanding."

He smiled in return. "Hermione Granger not demanding," and he chuckled. "I must remember that."

"Don't be smart," Hermione stated, batting his arm.

"Can't help it," he replied, his mouth twitching. "I'll go back to Hogwarts. I would like to start some more reading to fill in the gaps I have about some of those newer potions that I know little about."

"Very well, I'll wait for Molly and then come back," and she wound her arms up around his neck and pulled his head down for a kiss. To tell the truth, she was astounded how relaxed he was with everything her friends had put him through so far. "I really appreciate you being so amenable," she said.

Severus chuckled again. "That will cut two ways, my dear. Draco and Astoria have invited us to lunch on Sunday."

Hermione snickered. "Oh, yes… Oh, well, fair is fair," she said, but gave a slightly nervous giggle.

"Don't worry, we'll work out a middle ground between everyone," Severus said.

"I hope so," Hermione added, glancing back at Ron. "You know, I thought it would be Ron who disagreed with us being together, but it was Ginny, and she was a bit mean to me tonight about it all. I guess maybe it was simply her hormones, and considering it was her water's breaking that alerted me to the fact that she was in labour, perhaps she was a bit pissed that we'd hijacked Harry so unexpectedly on her."

"Most likely," Severus agreed, and kissed her once more. "I'll see you soon, and I'll get Tippy to organise the rooms."

"Thank you, Severus. See you soon."

As she closed the front door after him, she was smiling. Watching him Apparating away, Hermione found herself already missing him, but life had to go on, and she turned back to Ron.

She'd just opened her mouth to say that she should clean up the kitchen, when the Floo flared and Molly walked through.

"How's Gin?" Hermione asked.

"She's doing well. The question is, how are you?" Molly asked, unceremoniously pulling Hermione into a hug.

"I'm okay, Molly," Hermione replied. "I was just going to start cleaning up. Have you eaten?" she added, pulling out of the hug as Molly released her.

"Yes, luckily, Arthur and I had an early dinner tonight, as it's his Gobstones night," but as she said it, her eyes landed on Ron. "All right, son?" she asked.

"He's had a bit of a hard day," Hermione whispered. "He's also found out lots of information about what Lavender did tonight. They've arrested her," she continued.

"Oh dear," Molly said.

"We thought we'd put him in our spare room tonight," Hermione said, hoping that it made Molly feel more at ease. "And I'm hoping that Severus—who was responsible for organising Lavender's apprehension—can fill me in on what happened properly. We haven't had a chance to talk yet, but apparently, Lavender hexed Lucy. I'm not certain how yet."

Molly shook her head. "I just knew that this was going to be very messy."

"Don't worry, Molly. Severus apparently knows the hex in question and can end it."

"But we tested Lucy," Molly said. "Well, you girls and Harry did. If you guys couldn't…" but her words trailed off into thoughts.

Hermione sighed. "There is an entire branch of untraceable charms and hexes, maybe it was one of those… I don't know yet, but we need to find Lucy."

"Perhaps it was…" Molly replied thoughtfully, and then added more enthusiastically. "Up until about six months ago I'd kept in touch with Mavis Messenger, but I haven't heard from her lately."

This garnered Ron's attention, and he jumped up from his contemplation of everything, and hugged his mother. "Then how are we going to find Lucy?" he asked, panic in his voice.

"Don't worry, Ron, it will work out," Hermione put in.

"Are you sure?" he was almost flapping now, but then he suddenly turned to his mother. "I'm sorry, Mum… you know, 'bout this morning," he said. "You're brilliant," he declared.

Molly smiled and hugged him. "It's all right, son. You were hurting this morning. Now, you go off with Hermione, and try to get some sleep. We'll see about contacting Lucy's mother in the morning."

"Okay, Mum."

Molly smiled as she handed him to Hermione. "Sleep well, guys." Then she whispered as Hermione led Ron out. "Perhaps a little sleeping draught for Ron if Severus has some. Oh, and I want to hear all about you and him as soon as this is over," the redhead said, smiling and squeezing Hermione's arm affectionately.

Hermione blushed but nodded. "Yes, okay…Thank you, Molly," and they left.