Cicatrices- Marks That Remain

The Protocol

A/N: Happy *checks watch* Monday Evening...Sorry y'all, this weekend has been insane, but Here is your chapter!!!!!!

I recently got a job doing therapy with kids on the spectrum. It's such a nice job, guys. These kids are great to work with.

PLEASE!!!!! Mind the recently added tags. I know I should have put this earlier, esp bc a few of the new tags have already been put to use in this story, but I'm writing a few chapters ahead and it's getting worse. I had to make sure these new tags got added.

Remember, don't do what these characters do. They are not exceptional role models. No, not even Harry. And definitely not Draco.

Anyways... please let me know that y'all think! And, as always...

Enjoy!

"We must follow protocol."

Ron has had enough of protocol. He is willing to bet money that waiting for a full team is the reason they keep finding people dead.

This time, he was going to jump on the opportunity to save somebody.

The warehouse that was used to kill Pansy Parkinson went off. This is now the second time the killer repeats a location, albeit not the same location as the last one he repeated.

Thank Merlin he had the idea to throw up detection and alarm wards over all of the sites so long ago.

He stumbled out of bed, holding an outstretched hand to his wardrobe. His Auror uniform flew to him. He put it on in record time.

"Love?" A groggy voice, a shuffle of bedsheets.

"Go back to sleep, 'Mione."

"What are you doing?" He could hear her moving to sit up in bed now.

"The detection wards went off. I need to go."

"To the Ministry? I'll call Harry for you."

"To the site. Go ahead and call Harry. I'll call over for Mordecai. They should be there soon."

The soft glow of a Lumos appeared.

"Ron, you could get in trouble for this."

"They'll let me off if it saves somebody's life." Ron adjusted his belt and put his wand in-holster. "Call Harry for me, and go back to bed. Tell him to go to the site where Pansy Parkinson was murdered." Ron made for his bedroom door.

"Hey,"

Ron turned back at the sound of Hermione's voice, making out her figure in the dim glow of light.

"I love you."

"I love you, too." He pursed his lips, holding her words of affection close, and braced himself for what he was about to witness at the site.

As soon as he landed, the first thing he was able to perceive was the smell of copper. However, the shock of that smell wore off almost immediately as his eyes settled over a black-cloaked figure. Behind the figure, Ron saw a body shackled to the floor. His wand was out in an instant.

The dark figure had their wand out just as quickly, and a jet of red shot straight towards Ron. In one swift motion, a blue shield came up as Ron deflected the spell.

Ron hurtled a binding spell towards his enemy, and just as he watched it bounce off another shield, the loud crack of apparation stole his attention. Mordecai appeared, and just as quickly, spells were being cast at them both. Mordecai threw up a chield before retaliating with what Ron guessed was a disarming spell. Ron made eye contact with him, subtly motioning towards the body on the floor. The figure shot spells in rapid-fire succession, and it was all they could do to deflect, unable to get an attack of their own in. Then, Mordecai took the opportunity to duck towards the floor.