"If," Malfoy repeated, "you call Potter here. Right now. Send for Potter, and the mudblood goes free."
Ron closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He glanced at Hermione who was staring, with her eyes glazed over, at her captive mother. As much as he hated to see Hermione in pain, they couldn't just hand Harry over. That would be a betrayal that Ron just wasn't prepared to make. He switched his gaze to Pettigrew who twitched nervously under Ron's harsh stare.
"Hermione," Ron said tentatively, looking back at her. She had stopped struggling to get free but was still wrapped tightly in his arms. She was no longer staring at her mother, instead she stared hard at the ground, her face contorted in serious thought. Ron knew that she, same as he, was trying to think of a way out of this. He was drawing a blank and hoped she would think of something that would help them.
"Hermione," he said again, with a little more force. When she didn't answer he gently tilted her face to his so he could look into her in the eyes. Almost silently he asked her, "What do we do?" Even though his voice was barely a whisper he knew she understood.
"We don't have all day Weasley!" barked Lucius, advancing on them menacingly.
"Fine," Hermione suddenly said, bringing her face up to meet Malfoy's sneering one, "I'll do it. I'll send for Harry. How?"
Ron couldn't believe it. He stood there with his mouth hanging open, unwilling to accept what Hermione was saying. He watched incredulously as the tall unknown man snapped his fingers and an owl appeared with a pop, like it had apparated there. The tall man approached Hermione taking the parchment and quill off the owl's leg and throwing it at her feet.
Hermione wriggled free of Ron's grip, which had been slackened by his shock, and reached down to pick up the parchment and quill. Ron quickly snapped back to reality, and bent down to look at his best friend, his love.
"It's me doing it Ron. Not you," she said determinedly, quickly
squeezing his hand ever so lightly. Something in her eyes was begging Ron to trust her and suddenly he did.
Ron cursed himself for thinking Hermione would betray Harry. She was better than that, he should have known better than to distrust her. Hermione scrawled a brief note to Harry, which was snatched from her grip by the tall man's skeletal fingers. The man's grey eyes flitted across the page and, apparently satisfied, he rolled it up and sealed it.
"It's fine," the tall man said in response to Lucius' somewhat irritated look. After quickly tying it to the owl, he snapped hisfingers and the tawny owl disappeared with another pop.
"Now we wait," Lucius drawled lazily.
* * *
They stood in silence for what seemed like an eternity before faint noises were heard from the corridor outside. The Malfoy's, Pettigrew and the tall man all instinctively raised their wands in the direction of the door. Everyone stared hard at the brass handle as it began to slowly turn. Ron noticed that Hermione was shivering as they watched the doorknob. They stood closest to the door, so whoever opened it would see them first.
Ron expected the door to creep slowly open, but much to his surprise it was flung open rapidly.
The doorway was empty, there was no one there, at least no one that Ron could see. He strained to see around the corner of the door facing and still saw nothing.
"Stay put, you!" Lucius ordered, spotting Ron edge nearer the door.
Lucius inclined his head sideways and the other three moved so that they were spread across the room directly in front of the door. All wands and eyes remained trained on the door.
There was total silence in the room. Ron was beginning to wonder what was going on outside in the hallway. He couldn't help but think that Harry wasn't alone out there. After all, there were few places that Harry went these days without Ginny. Neville had also acquired the habit of tagging along, as well as Luna, Ron mentally noted. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ron couldn't help but smile at the thought of just how many people would come to help fight against the Dark side.
"What are you smirking at, Weasley?" Lucius demanded. Ron hadn't noticed that Lucius had been looking between them and the door for the last few moments. Ron could tell, from the way he was eyeing Hermione, that he thought she had set them up. Ron tightened his grip on her. She had begun to shiver more now under Malfoy's icy glare.
"Remember my promise," Ron whispered very quietly, "I'll keep you safe."
Ron felt Hermione relax in his arms for the briefest of moments, before she started violently.
Someone had appeared in the door frame. Not just someone! Ron realised as hope surged through is body, it was Dumbledore.
Ron glanced at the four hostage takers, three of which looked
petrified. The tall man looked relieved, but not surprised. Unlike the other three, he did not look the least bit worried by the Headmaster's appearance.
"Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy, Peter," Dumbledore began calmly, "if you would, kindly untie Mrs. Granger and then lower your wands. I'm afraid I don't much care for having them fixed in the direction of my ageing heart."
The Malfoy's glared at him. They were no match for him, and everyone knew it. He wasn't supposed to be there. Draco had told his parents that he would distract Dumbledore and keep him away from the Room of Requirement, but obviously he had failed. Peter was shaking, staring at the floor, tears leaking pathetically out of his tiny eyes. Ron snorted at the sight of him.
The Malfoy's and Peter slowly lowered their wands. However, Ron knew that they were far from being out of danger yet. Mrs Granger was still tied up and they were still in a very vulnerable position, between Dumbledore and the Death Eaters, and god only knew who the tall man was.
"Excellent," Dumbledore commented jovially, his bright blue eyes flashing as he began to slowly edge towards the hostage takers. "As you know I shall have to send you all to Azkaban. Kidnapping is a serious crime," he continued, coming ever nearer.
Ron looked at Malfoy, and saw his wand twitch and raise slightly. Hewas glaring at Hermione again. Ron didn't like the expression on his face one bit. Ron's eyes met Malfoy's and the Malfoy trademark smirk flashed fleetingly across his face.
"TERRIGIO!" Malfoy suddenly cried, pointing his wand directly at Hermione. Ron had seen what he was going to do, he had seen it in that tell tale smirk on Malfoy's face. Without thinking Ron pushed Hermione to the floor and dove in front of her.
Ron could hear Dumbledore's strong voice muttering numerous incantations, followed by many different screams. He felt the spell hit him squarely in the chest. A strange sensation spread across his whole body. He laid on the floor, gazing up at Hermione who was now leaning over him.
He looked across the room. The Malfoy's and Peter were bound in one corner, held there by the tall man, Dumbledore was walking towards them.
Ron tried to reach his arm up to stroke Hermione's hair, but found it very difficult. His arm felt heavy. His whole body did as a matter of fact.
"Told you," he breathed, gazing into her eyes. Her beautiful face was once again tear streaked. He had seen her like this too often lately, but strangely he knew this was the last time he ever would.
"Told you I would look after you." He smiled faintly up at her, and received the smallest smile back she had ever given him, but also the most amazing. Now Ron, he told himself.
"I love you," he whispered, looking straight into her eyes, those eyes that he loved more than any one else's. That wasn't so hard, Ronthought. Hermione wiped her cheek and sniffed.
"Ron," she began desperately, but he cut her off when he placed a finger over her lips. She leaned towards him and pressed her lips gently to his, transferring her salty tears onto his freckled cheek.
"Don't say goodbye Ron, please," she begged, opening her eyes. But his were closed, a small smile on his lips.
A/N; Thanks go to Shawna for beta-ing. Just an epilogue left now. Thanks all for sticking with me this far!