Hiraeth || Welsh
Deep longing for a place which can never be revisited.
He stands. . .as he watches her red hair flutter around in the air.
He sighs. . .as he realizes he is the only one who can see her.
He smiles. . .as he realizes he is the only...
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Chapter Twenty Six: Only Hope
"One can only hope because nothing is permanent."
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"Are you kidding me?" Hermione asked in disbelief after Harry had confessed his crazy idea. "That's too risky, Harry! And every single person in this Wizarding World knows that we three are best friends!"
"Hermione is right, mate. If they get to one of us, the whole manor is doomed," Ron reasoned.
"You aren't understanding! This was the exact same mistake that Sirius did, all those years ago! He pleaded my parents to keep a coward as their secret keeper just because Voldemort knew he was my parents' best friend! In that haste, my parents chose Pettigrew, suspecting Remus to be the traitor but Pettigrew was the traitor all along. That is why I am asking you both to be my secret keepers. I trust you both more than my life and I know that you do as well. It's better this way!" Harry suggested.
Hermione was moved to tears by his suggestion and Ron was left speechless. It was true that he was trying to become just like Sirius now and commit the same mistake. But then again, something stopped him from agreeing with his best mate.
"But, Harry, we both are Weasleys and well, even she is a Weasley," Ron said slowly.
"It is not a blood ward, Ron. Your bloodline or marriage won't affect it," Harry explained. "Please agree to this. The lives of my kids depend on you." His tone was extremely pleading, as if like he was begging to live. Ron knew, for a fact that, Harry had still not completely gotten over Ginny's demise. No one really had. Not even him. He also knew that Harry was trying his best to live for the sake of his children and that was what made him sound so vulnerable at this time.
"Okay. If Hermione is fine with it, so am I," Ron stepped forward. Hermione gulped before nodding shakily. Harry's face broke into a relieved smile.
"Thank you, Ron, Hermione."
"Don't thank us yet, mate. I gotta track that lady down and savage her for killing my sister!"
"Ron, how do you know all these?" Hermione probed again.
"I er– I have a reddener in the Angelia!" Ron blurted, quickly remembering the Muggle thing which is used to record voices. Hermione, however, looked confused.
"Reddener?" she asked. Ron confirmed himself to have blabbered the name wrong.
"I meant that thing which records voices, y'know Hermione?"
"It's a recorder! Not a reddener!" she corrected him, apparently forgetting about everything.
"Whatever. Shall we proceed, Harry? I must hunt that Isabelle down right after finishing with the oath." Harry nodded and withdrew his wand from his pocket before pointing it forward. Ron and Hermione did the same and crossed their wands.
"Absconde Secretum Meum Donec Moriaris Quia In Te Fidem Habeo," Harry chanted in a single breath and with a steady voice. "Keep my secret until thou die because I have faith in thee, Ronald Billius Weasley and Hermione Jean Granger-Weasley."
Hermione glanced at Ron who nodded and together, they chanted as one. "Luramus Animas Nostras Arcanum Fulcire Tuum. We swear on our souls to uphold thy secrets, Harry James Potter."
A white glow originating from the tip of Ron and Hermione's wands nearly blinded them before enveloping Harry. Another similar glow, this time of grey, started from Harry's wand and embraced the couple before fading away. Ron had to blink for several minutes before he was able to see properly. Harry and Hermione did the same as well.
"I feel different. . ." Ron said slowly. It was true that he felt as if a part of him was now bound behind unbreakable brick walls.
"That is the effect of the charm," Hermione answered as usual.
"And I feel relieved," Harry stated, smiling at his best friends. Ron returned the smile before turning serious. He still had one major job left: hunting the murderer of his sister down.
"Isabelle Weasley, I'm coming for you now."
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The Ford Angelia was flying past all the turbulence. Ron looked at the mirror to see Ginny looking as determined as he was. Harry was looking worried on the other hand. He turned to Hermione, who, upon noticing his gaze smiled at him reassuringly. Ron nodded resolutely before tightening his grip on the steering wheel and fixing the mirror.
The three of them, technically four, were on their way to Isabelle's living place. After struggling for finding the location, Hermione suggested the brilliant idea of seeing where her Trace ended, several years ago. Using her authority, they managed to get it successfully. Aurors Proudfoot and Savage were Apparating to the place as backups. The kids were at Potter Manor along with Charlie and it was better that way.
The clouds started to thin and Ron took it as a cue to lower the car. He jabbed at the invisibility button before hitting the road with a tight landing. "Ouch! You still have to learn to land gently, mate!" Harry exclaimed when he hit his head at the hand grip. Ginny was chuckling from beside him. Hermione rolled her eyes in agreement with Harry.
"For Merlin's sake, Ronald, I am –" she started but Ron interrupted her.
"Did I ever say that I love you?"
Hermione turned scarlet. That was what he loved the most about her affection for him. He could easily get her speechless by confessing his love for her. Ron grinned to himself when she kissed his cheek.
"Are you guys serious? I definitely did NOT want to see THAT!" Harry gagged, making disgusted noises. Ginny's exclamations of disgust echoed in his ears as well.
"Oi! It's not as if you both don't do that! Our PDA is nothing compared to yours." Oreo barked in response to Ron's hasty statement. When he realized what he had uttered, the redhead's eyes went to the mirror which reflected a betrayed looking Harry.
"Ron!" Hermione chided.
"Blimey mate! I'm so –" Ron started but Harry was not ready to hear further.
"I swear to love, I still can't imagine a world without her. . . Perhaps, you can't too. . ." Harry whispered. "She was my life. . . And I don't want to let go because. . . well, I'm not that strong. I just wish I could take her home. . . a place where we don't have to chase criminals and murderers. . ." Ron bit his lip. How could he forget that Ginny was visible only to him? It was all his fault that Hermione was now sobbing quietly. His fault that Ginny was trying not to break down. His fault that Harry's pained eyes now held tears.
Ron was just about to pull over and apologize to his family when a patronus suddenly leapt into the car. It was a lion which meant that it was from Charlie. In a deep voice, it spoke, "Harry! Emergency! Isabelle set fire to the Manor! Come soon!"
Ron exchanged looks with Harry, Hermione and Ginny just as the patronus dissipated. "Move, Ron! Hurry!" Harry shouted instantly and Ron wasted no time as he steered the wheel and hit the accelerator, setting off in high speed towards the Potter Manor. The redhead only hoped that his brother and nephews were safe and sound. After all, one can only hope. . .
I'm gonna try and finish this book by this April! So, please stay tuned! ;)
