Chapter 10 - Ron's back!
Disclaimer The Harry Potter universe and all the characters in it belong to J. K. Rowling. No infringement intended, just borrowing.
Hermione spent the next few days worrying about Ginny's parting words. Not the part about the bat bogey hex, which amused her more than anything else, but that Ginny was hell bent on getting her book back. She wondered if she should've told Ginny that love by magic wouldn't be able to save Harry. But would the stubborn redhead have listened to her? Hermione wished she could confide in Harry about Ginny's little visit but that would mean admitting that she had enlisted Ron's help getting the book, and revealing their friendship. She couldn't wait for Ron's arrival so she could discuss her concerns with him.
The night before Ron was due back at 12 Grimmauld Place, Hermione lay in bed awake, anxiously hoping that they could continue their performance as awkward exes. Ron had owled Harry to let him know that he was ready to return, but said it would take awhile for him and Hermione to be comfortable around each other. A thought suddenly struck her.
"Harry, are you awake?"
"Mmm…," was his reply. "What is it Hermione, I was just about to drop off?"
"Sorry, it's just that I realized something. Do you think Ron is going to be upset by our sleeping arrangement?"
"What do you mean?"
Hermione thought about how she would phrase this. "In his letter to you, didn't he say that it would take a while for things to get back to normal between him and me? How is he going to react when he discovers that I sleep in your room? He might be a little put off."
"Put off? Don't you mean jealous?" Harry asked, sounding more awake.
"Yes, I'm worried about how he'll react." Hermione replied.
"Well, you could always sleep in your room again," he suggested.
Hermione wished they weren't having this conversation in the dark. Harry's tone was neutral and she wondered if he really didn't care if she slept here or not?
"But-- what about your nightmares?" Hermione countered.
"Eh, my scar's almost gone - I don't think I'll be having any more of them. But in case I do, you can just come in here and do your magic."
Hermione bristled at this comment, considering that Ginny was the one who would use magic on Harry, not her.
"Well, I guess if that's what you want," she replied, trying to match his neutral tone.
"It doesn't matter what I want, I just think we should do what's best for Ron." Harry said matter of factly. "We want to welcome him back and make things as normal as possible. We need him, especially if we want his dad's help getting access to that love vault."
Ah, yes, the mysterious "room of love" at the Department of Mysteries, I'd nearly forgotten.
"So, you think finding that room is the key to destroying Voldemort?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I told Remus about it and he thinks that whatever is in that room - if we can somehow harness it, will be our best weapon against him. We've had no luck unearthing the horcruxes so far, so I think we need to explore alternatives."
"You mean with the exception of your scar." Hermione reminded him.
"Of course," Harry said. "I can't forget your contribution in all of this. I was referring to the non-human objects."
Hermione was struck by an idea. "Harry, did you ever wonder if perhaps the reason you're not finding the other horcruxes is because you're looking in the wrong place? Our theory about your scar seems to be proving true, so I wonder if Voldemort is leaving parts of his soul in other people as well. Perhaps those he's possessed or controlled in the past?"
Like Ginny?
Harry was silent for a moment. "Maybe." Then he yawned. "Hermione, I'm knackered, can we discuss this later?"
"Sure, Harry." Hermione said, trying to hide her disappointment that he didn't seem enthusiastic about her theory. "Goodnight."
"G'night."
As she listened to Harry's breathing become deeper, Hermione knew she couldn't sleep until she checked on Ginny's book. She snuck out of bed and went into her room, lighting a lantern. She approached her wardrobe, opened the bottom drawer and removed the concealment charm. Alas, the book wasn't where she had left it. Hermione rummaged around the drawer, but Under Your Spell was gone. She double checked the other drawers, just to make sure it hadn't been misplaced. She realized it was no use; somehow Ginny had managed to find the book when she wasn't looking. Giving up, Hermione crept back into Harry's bed, more anxious than ever.
I should've used a stronger spell to hide that book. And what if Voldemort is still controlling her somehow? This could lead to big trouble.
The following morning during breakfast, Ron arrived at Grimmauld Place, having come by Floo powder. He still wasn't very good at apparating so he felt this was the easiest way to get there without being seen by Muggles or leaving a limb behind at the Burrow.
A tired Hermione hung back while Ron and Harry caught up with each other. She thought she did a good job of keeping up her awkward role as the almost ex-fiancee, even if Harry didn't seem to notice as he excitedly chatted with his best mate. Harry invited Ron to go meet Remus and Tonks for their latest outing.
Hermione shot Ron a furtive look, hoping Harry wouldn't notice. Ron seemed to understand that she had wanted to speak with him alone.
"No, thanks, mate." Ron said. "I mean I'd like to go, but we can try tomorrow, right? I would like to unpack my things and have a talk with Hermione. I'm back now, and we have to try to get along."
Harry nodded, looking a little disappointed. "Okay, but tomorrow then. I'll see you both later?"
After Harry left for the day, Hermione dragged Ron over to the sofa to catch him up on what was going on; especially her confrontation with Ginny and how she now thought that she was potentially more dangerous.
Ron shook his head. "And to think I thought I knew my baby sister so well and all this time she's really still controlled by Voldemort?"
"Oh, I don't think he's been controlling her all the time, but this could explain why she's so focused on Harry lately. Voldemort could be using Ginny's desire for Harry for his own means; he's done it before." Hermione explained.
"But I thought that when Harry destroyed Riddle's diary that he stopped controlling her."
"Yes, but it's possible that he left a part of his soul behind. I've been looking at my horcrux book again and it doesn't explicitly say any of this but I've wondered -- how do horcruxes become hosted by humans? With Harry, it was because Voldemort tried to kill him but instead left a part of himself in him via his scar, and with Ginny it could be from her possession. I would imagine that if Professor Quirrell were still alive, he would be a horcrux as well."
Ron seemed to try to digest this news but he looked like it was making him queasy. "Have you told Harry about this?"
"Yes, I told him last night, but he said he was too tired to discuss it."
"Well, I think we should tell him that we suspect Ginny again in case she tries anything."
"Ron, have you seen her since last week?"
"No, I haven't. I assume she's at school. She'd better be. Do you think I should owl my parents to let them know what we're thinking?"
"Oh, Ron, I don't want to alarm your parents, but maybe we should owl your dad or Percy? Maybe they can help us, since they both work for the Ministry."
"Well I don't know about Percy - even though he's back with the family he still might dismiss us - he's still not 100 percent on board with Voldemort being back - and he still calls him You Know Who. And Mum would have a heart attack if she thought that Ginny were in danger. She's healthy again and I don't want to upset her. Plus, she doesn't trust you, Hermione. Dad is our best bet."
Hermione gave Ron a piece of parchment, ink and a quill and he started to write while Hermione went to retrieve Pigwidgeon's cage. A minute later, she returned to the front room, carrying the tiny hooting owl. Ron handed her the note, which she read aloud.
Dad-
Got to Grimmauld Place just fine this morning and it's good to be back.
Hate to bother you on your first day back from holiday, but could you come to GP for a few minutes soon? Hermione and I want to talk to you - it's about Ginny. She could be in danger again. Please don't tell Mum - don't want to upset her.
Love,
Ron
"That should get a response from him." Hermione noted as she handed the letter back to him.
They sent Pigwidgeon off as soon as possible.
"Now, that's out of the way, I want to hear the important stuff. How are things with you and Harry?" Ron asked, waggling his eyebrows.
Hermione gave him slap on the wrist. "Ron, I can't believe you. Your sister could be in mortal danger, and you want to know about my love life?"
"Ah, you admit you have one then?" Ron teased. "We have nothing better to do until we talk to Dad, so fill me in!"
"There's not much to tell. We're not dating or anything like that. Although we have been sleeping together…" Hemione couldn't resist, wanting to see Ron's reaction.
"You're what!" Ron was gobsmacked.
Hermione went on to explain why they had been sharing a bed, but made it sound completely innocent.
"Yeah, I bet you were doing that just to protect Harry from his nightmares. I believe you." Ron said with a hint of sarcasm. "Honestly, Hermione, can't you just come out and tell him you fancy him?"
"I'm not quite ready to do that, Ron. Harry and I have gotten closer the past few weeks, but I'm not sure if he feels the same way. Although Ginny seems to think that Harry fancies me, too."
"Yeah, but I'm not sure if we should trust what Ginny says, since we don't know if she's really speaking for herself." Ron pointed out.
"That's true." Hermione agreed.
Around noon, Ron was still unpacking and Hermione was making them a snack in the kitchen when she heard Pigwidgeon hooting and flapping outside the kitchen window.
"That was fast," she muttered, as she ushered the owl inside and grabbed the note.
Ron came running into the kitchen. "I heard Pig! Is that from Dad?"
Hermione nodded as she nervously opened the letter and Ron came to stand beside her. Her heart was hammering inside her while Ron's flushed cheeks indicated a similar anticipation as they read the shaky looking handwriting.
Ron-
Glad to get your note and that you are okay. I believe you are right about Ginny - I just got an owl from Hogwarts saying that she wasn't in her bed this morning - she's missing! Mum and I are on our way to the school to see what we can find out - otherwise I would come to GP.
Stay where you are, we want you to be safe. Hope Harry and Hermione are safe, too.
Love,
Dad
Ron sank into the kitchen chair beneath him, looking worried.
"Oh Ron, I'm sorry." Hermione said, sitting next to him, placing her hand over his.
"Don't be. You were right, as usual." He paused. "I hope Harry's okay…Hermione -- are you all right, you look pale." He was staring at her now.
Hermione felt her stomach drop, she knew something was wrong. "Ron, I think Ginny's gone after Harry."