PROTECTION ♞ h.p.

11. An Echo of Fear

Molly Weasley sat in her den in silence, her lips pursed together in worry as she waited for news of the meeting. Staring unseeingly into the crackling fire in front of her, she nervously tapped her finger on the worn armrest of her wingback chair.

Her dishes were washing themselves in the kitchen sink, the clinking sound drifting into the den as they scrubbed themselves over and over. She'd only managed to dry five plates before distractedly giving up and heading into the den.

How did it go? she wondered, her eyes still locked on the fireplace. How did they take it? What's taking so bloody long?

Questions flew round and round in her head like a flock of pixies, desperate to be answered and unwilling to quiet for even a moment.

Eventually, a soft clicking sound drew her attention to the large family clock that adorned the wall. It was a special clock, each individual hand representing a member of her family. Her eyes widened in horror as the hand with Ginny's smiling picture shifted down to "lost". Molly's hand flew to her mouth in a vain attempt to muffle her moan of dismay.

~..~..~..~..~..~

The buildings flew by in a blur as Harry and Ginny sped through the tight streets of London. Weaving in and out of traffic, they made their way out of the heart of the city.

At first Ginny held her breath, gripping Harry's jacket tightly as he deftly steered the bike through the traffic. When he took a roundabout at breakneck speed she gasped, squeezing her eyes shut as she waited for the Muggle contraption to either fall over or collapse underneath them.

Surprisingly, it did neither and soon she began to feel comfortable. Relaxing slightly, she rested against Harry's back and watched the cars and buildings pass.

It's a bit like flying really, she noted as the familiar sensation soon had her heart racing with adrenaline instead of dread.

The buildings began to thin as they left the bustling metropolis behind. Eventually the streets stretched out straight in front of them, the buildings replaced by fields and trees. Even after they were out of London and alone on the road, Harry didn't slow his pace.

Remaining silent as he drove, he tried to figure out the best plan of action.

There's no one to turn to, he thought grimly. At least no one I can trust.

His eyes narrowed as his mind moved to Ron.

How can he be in on this? he wondered angrily.

The knowledge that Ron was aware of the plan to separate them hurt more than Harry could stand. For ten years, Ron had been his rock, one of the two people he could always count on.

He wasn't even there, Harry thought furiously. He couldn't even face me.

For a moment he wondered if Hermione knew.

There's no way Ron could keep something this important from her, Harry thought spitefully as he mulled the situation over in his mind. She had to know!

Gritting his teeth, Harry tried to keep his emotions in check as his mind whirled.

After the way she kept urging me to admit my feelings for Ginny, she couldn't possibly approve of what just happened. Yet she knew it was coming and she didn't warn me.

The fact that Ron and Hermione could think so little of him...could side with Bill was almost too much.

How can they agree? his mind demanded. Although Ginny might not understand Bill and Charlie's implications that he would hurt her, Harry did. He knew what they meant. I could hurt her, but God, he thought, shaking his head, how could they think I would?