Scattered

Ron winked in from Apparating, landing in the hallway outside his father's meeting room and office and stumbled slightly against his sister. "Gin!" he yelled, annoyed. He'd never stumbled Apparating before, not since failing his test the first time around. "You have to move out of the way after you do that," he chastised, pushing her a step forward.

She grinned at him, unrepentant. "Bugger off, Ron."

He snickered in response, not really able to be mad at her for much right now. Hermione arrived, looking undeniably disheveled.

"What?" she asked, catching his smile.

"Finite Incantatem," he said in reply, waving his wand at her hair, still caught in the bun Ginny had created and yet impossibly messed by the sea wind. At his spell, the long light brown locks tumbled about her shoulders and she smiled at him, laughing. Ron drew in a sharp breath, feeling a completely untimely rush of heat as he remembered other, much more private times he'd let down her hair and watched it bounce on her shoulders that way.

She caught his expression and, smiling slowly, moved closer, sliding her palm up his chest. "Is that all you ever think about?" she asked slyly.

"No," he said, all the while nodding his head yes.

"Save it for later," she whispered and, taking his hand, pulled him into the meeting room with her.

The room had clearly been magically enlarged since the last time he'd been in it, expanded to fit the dozen or so people already inside comfortably. He frowned, noticing quite a number of faces missing, people he was sure were going to be involved in the plan, while also spotting several others he hadn't expected. Kingsley was there, and Tonks and Remus, but also several of the McFustys and Hagrid, and none of the other Aurors.

"Everyone, please take a seat," his father said. He stood at the head of the table, Harry at his side.

Ron pulled out a chair for Hermione and then sat beside her. As everyone else was seated as well, Ron couldn't help noticing that almost all of the chairs were already taken.

"Sorry to hold you up," Elphias Doge said as he entered the room.

"Not at all."

Ron saw Percy slip into the room behind Doge and waved him over to the remaining empty seat, next to Hermione. "Everything alright?" he asked.

"Yes," his brother replied. "Just checking on Penny and the baby. Mum's there with them."

Hermione smiled.

Their father waited until he had everyone's attention once more. "As you know, I am head of the Order only here on Liath Cuan; off-island, Harry Potter is in charge. And as we told you earlier, Harry has devised a plan for the defeat of Voldemort and for the rescue of my son, George." He looked resolute. "So, with that, I'm turning this meeting over to Harry now."

Ron watched his father sit and Harry move into his place. It struck him, then, how different Harry had become, all the while seeming like the same bloke he'd always known on the surface. There was a difference, though. Harry wasn't hesitant anymore. He wasn't angry about his apparent responsibility, his... fate, there was really no other word for it. When Ron thought back to all the years he and Harry had been friends, he remembered Harry feeling a variety of emotions about his situation. Fear, anger, sadness. Always Harry had been brave, but also sometimes frustrated, sometimes determined, sometimes angry and even sometimes scared about the burden that had been placed on his shoulders even before, it turned out, his birth. All rather understandable emotions, Ron thought, even if he was a right grumpy bastard to live with sometimes. After all, who wouldn't be angry or scared in Harry's shoes?

But Harry didn't seem any of those things anymore. He didn't even seem to have that fierce determination he got sometimes, when he was fired up and mad. Instead, he seemed... calm, almost. Dry. Business-like. Just doing everything that needed to be done, whether it was finding horcruxes or planning a battle or being Ron's best man, one step after another, like he was making a potion and adding ingredients, one at a time, to get the desired result. Nothing more, nothing less.

It was rather disturbing, really, now that he'd noticed it. In a way, Ron wished he hadn't gotten so bloody perceptive all of the sudden and had been able to just continue on in ignorant bliss. That's what happens when you get married, he thought. All that psychoanalysis rubs off on a bloke. He slid his arm over the back of Hermione's chair and flicked a lock of her hair between his fingers, over and over again, taking distracted comfort in the silky feel of it.

"Thank you all for coming," Harry said simply. "I've spoken to a few of you individually in the past hour or so, and will find a time to talk to the rest, if you have any questions, after the meeting. Right now we're just going to go through it all together, so that everyone has a clear understanding of how this is going to work."

He nodded to McGonagall. The older witch stood and, with a flick of her wand, lowered a large white screen on the wall. Then, with another swish, a diagram appeared, of corridors and rooms. In script type above the drawing were the words "Ministry of Magic" appeared.

"First, let's talk about the rescue mission," Harry began again. "A team of three will enter the Ministry. We have obtained the correct Ministry robes for them, and for the other team as well; this, plus several glamour charms, should allow them to Apparate into the Atrium and then move throughout the building and locate George Weasley, without being challenged. The rescue team will use a locator charm to assist them in this."

"What kind of charm?" Ginny asked.

Harry hesitated, and it was Remus who answered. "It will be attuned to George by use of a bit of hair from Fred; as twins, they are similar enough to work for the purposes of this charm. Using that hair, with a locator spell, it will direct the team to George's location."

"Oh."

"Mightn't it be easier just to use the boy himself?" Elphias Doge asked. "The twin. Bring him to the Ministry, cast this charm, lead you right to the other boy."

"My son Fred is not well enough for this mission," Arthur replied.

Ron was startled. "Fred's going to be okay, isn't he?" he asked.

His father nodded reassuringly. "He is. But for the next week or so, Poppy says, he has to stay off his feet. There was some spell damage, nothing she can't take care of, but these things take time."

Ron sat back, reassured.

"The rescue team will then remove George from the Ministry," Harry continued. "Their mission will be entirely independent of the other mission to find and defeat Voldemort."

Bill, who was taking notes, asked, "Have we considered the possibility, however, that the rescue team will encounter obstacles during their retreat? If someone sees them with George? Especially if the Ministry officials have become aware of the attack on Voldemort and security has been heightened."

"In all likelihood, that's going to happen. But it won't be a problem," Harry said. "I'll explain some transportation methods we've got worked out in just a moment."

Percy, Ron noticed, looked odd. Tired, of course, as he'd looked since Penny first went into labor. But also strangely upset and nervous. As if he was worried about something he'd done. Ron leaned behind Hermione and reached around to tap his brother's shoulder to get his attention, but Hermione swatted his hand down before he made contact. "Pay attention," she whispered in a hiss.

"I just need to ask Percy --"

"Later."

Harry went on. "That's the first team. Six others will be coming with me, on the second team. I won't have any trouble finding Voldemort, even without a locator charm, don't worry." Harry grimaced ruefully. "And once we do find him... Ginny will be one of the six; you all heard about her role in this earlier. Another member of the team will be tasked with killing Nagini, the final horcrux. It's vital that we accomplish that before Voldemort and I begin battling in earnest.

"The final four members of that team will be performing the spell to barricade the room and will be there to provide another level of defense, after myself and Ginny, of course, against Voldemort.

"Any questions so far?"

Ron shook his head, along with the others. He wished he'd had more time to talk to Harry before this meeting, but he also knew that Harry had needed to spend that time with other members of this team -- members he hadn't worked with before, didn't know as well. He didn't need to talk to Ron because he knew he'd always have his back, no matter what, and especially in this. The same was true for Hermione as well, of course.

"Talk to us about transportation," Kingsley said, with the same worried look that Bill had worn. "Because Bill is right: it's a serious concern. If an alarm is sounded, and it most certainly will be, the Ministry's security system will put up anti-Apparition wards throughout the whole building. We won't be able to Apparate out, and they'll be sure to block the doors." He looked worried. "Let alone, if we do manage to get outside on foot, then there's the matter of long-distance Apparating back here to Liath Cuan, sending out a Patronus and waiting to be Brought." He paused.

"Why is that something to worry about?" Andrew McFusty asked, his words honestly curious rather than impudent. "All of us can Apparate, and all of us can send a Patronus."

"Because there may be injuries," Harry answered for Kingsley. "And some of you may be incapacitated, and long-distance Side-Along Apparition is something only a wizard like Dumbledore does easily."

Andrew still looked troubled.

"If everything goes well, we won't have to worry about this," Harry said kindly. "If we do what we're meaning to do, if I defeat Voldemort, with your help, we'll be fine, and the only reason we'll still need this transportation plan is for George." He sobered slightly. "His condition is serious and we'll need to get him to help quickly. But we'll be okay and we won't have to worry about escaping anywhere, ever again."

"If we win," Andrew said carefully. "But if we don't..."

"Alastor Moody used to talk about 'constant vigilance' all the time," Hermione said, speaking clearly and calmly, encouragingly. "And he was right. We have to cover for every possibility, not just winning."

Harry gave her a grateful smile. "Or losing," he added. "A lot can happen when you go into a battle, and sometimes... not what you expect."

There was a brief silence and Ron watched his friend's face; Harry glanced over at Remus and a flicker of pain crossed his features. Ron realized that Harry was thinking of Sirius, and the Department of Mysteries and the first battle they'd fought, and how wrong they'd been about everything they'd thought they knew, going in.

"Are you absolutely sure, Harry, that a larger force wouldn't be the better plan?" Charlie asked then. "There's a part of me that thinks about the three of us off in one direction, and seven off in another, and, well, I'm not ashamed to say that those seem like rotten odds, a handful of us against all of the Death Eaters and Voldemort as well."

Harry nodded. "I know. But if everything goes the way I want it to, the only Death Eaters we'll be fighting are the ones standing next to Voldemort when we get there, whoever they are. If you look at it that way, the odds aren't so bad." The was no response. He shrugged and went on. "Now, for transportation. Remus, do you want to explain this part?"

Lupin nodded and stood. "I'd be happy to, Harry. The third team," he addressed the room, "will be stationed on the mainland shore dock, here, near the island. They will bring the members of the rescue team home and if necessary, the first team as well, transporting them out of the Ministry and to the shore, and then will send their Patronus back here, to the castle, so that Molly and Arthur can bring them to the island. In order to do all of that," he said with a slight smile at the several skeptical faces before him, "we've had to devise something new. Minerva has been working with the notes Dumbledore left regarding the Bringing Spell, the one that Molly and Arthur use, and altering it for this purpose. It's less powerful, but it'll be enough, regardless, to pull any or all of our people out of the Ministry and travel long-distance to the shore." Remus sat down and Tonks gave him an affectionate clout on the shoulder.

Bill asked, "Will we use a Patronus to tell the third team we need to be brought home?" He sounded doubtful. "I'm not entirely comfortable about the idea. In a worst-case scenario, some of the team members might have trouble conjuring a Patronus at that moment. I know Aurors are trained to do it in any condition," he added, "but that's only a few of you."

"We've got another plan for that," Harry answered. "Each team member will be given a small charm to wear on their person," he continued, "and the team members back on the island shore will have charms as well. The charms will have a nonsense inscription on them, then when someone needs to be brought out of the Ministry, they'll simply use their wand to change the letters to their own name, or to the name of the person who needs transportation. Everyone's charm will then glow with that team member's name, and those on the third team, manning the shore, will know who to bring out. It's a Protean charm that does it. Hermione used it to help members of Dumbledore's Army to contact each other, back at Hogwarts."

"That's fairly advanced magic, Hermione," Remus said. "And you were only a Fifth-Year at the time. I'm impressed."

Harry gave her a proud, affectionate look. "Well, she's brilliant, that's all there is to it."

She rolled her eyes. "Please, Harry. Stop it."

"Don't be so modest, my dear," McGonagall said with a small smile. "You were the best student I ever had, and that's saying quite a lot."

Everyone else in the room nodded and smiled. Ron beamed with pride. Brilliant, and married to me.

"Does anyone have any other questions? Any general questions?" he specified. "Because if not, I'm going to read off the team assignments and then you can break into groups and go over details."

Ron hesitated; he knew he could ask Harry later, in private, but he wasn't sure he'd have the chance and he was too curious to wait. "Just one... I guess. Why us, mate?" he asked. "I mean to say, we've got more Aurors here at Liath Cuan, adults..."

Charlie snickered. "Ronald, if you're not a man yet, then Hermione's doing something wrong."

Ron's mouth dropped open in indignation. He glared across the table at Charlie before taking a wary glance at his wife. To his surprise, however, Hermione smiled pleasantly and seemed unconcerned.

"You're awfully cheeky for a lad whose business I know all about," she sing-songed to her brother-in-law, teasingly.

Charlie blanched. Ron was indignant. "You're holding out good information on me?"

She ignored him and kept smiling at Charlie.

"Okay, point taken," Charlie said nervously. "Um, we were talking about teams, right? And... Aurors, and Ron asked a really excellent question."

Hermione beamed approvingly.

Kingsley looked annoyed. "We're wasting time with this banter, aren't we?"

"If there isn't time for this, then there's no point in fighting for it," Harry replied firmly. Despite his endorsement of their levity, everyone quieted down a bit at Harry's serious tone. He sighed and looked down for a moment, running his hand through his hair and then leaning his arms against the table. "You are the right people for this," he said finally. He looked up then. "Everyone wanted to help. But I'm sure that we need a small group. And I want each of you doing this with me, whether because I know how strong you are, or how good in a bind, or because there's something about your skills or experience that will benefit us. Or because I know I can count on you to have my back, no matter what happens."

Ron met Harry's gaze without blinking, without hesitation.

"So that's it, and that's why you. That's all." Harry stepped away from the table and took out his wand. "So, the teams."

With a flick of his wand, three names appeared on the screen, under the heading "Rescue Mission":

Charlie Weasley

Bill Weasley

Andrew McFusty

Ron nodded; that made sense.

"We hesitated a bit over this," Harry said, "because I think two of you moving about the prisoner area together would be less suspicious. But I'm not comfortable sending only two of you to do this, especially once you've gotten to George."

Bill nodded. "I agree."

"Good," Harry said. He glanced down at Ron's father and nodded, reassuringly, Ron thought. "The three of you will go over the details with Arthur, after this meeting." He lifted his wand again but this time, hesitated before flicking it. His arm hung in the air for a moment and his head seemed to dip for a second; then, with a determined set to his shoulders, he continued and the screen wiped itself blank. A moment later, the heading "Voldemort" appeared on the screen, with a list of names beneath:

Harry Potter

Ginny Weasley

Ron Weasley

Remus Lupin

Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Jamie McFusty

Ron read the list over again. He paused at Ginny's, stumbling a little in concern, and moved forward, seeing his own name, just where it belonged. Remus, Tonks, Shacklebolt -- those all made sense. Jamie McFusty, well, Ron didn't mind that idea. Jamie was a good bloke, strong. He'd come in handy. But...

It was a good group of people. And yet, looking at the list, all he could see was that Hermione wasn't on it. Her heard her breathe in sharply and grabbed her hand, instinctively. "'Mione."

"I... don't understand..."

"Just wait," he whispered. "Just listen. I'm sure he'll explain."

Harry wasn't looking at them when he continued, "Kingsley is in charge of getting us into the Ministry and navigating our way. Once we reach Voldemort, he, Remus, Tonks and Jamie will be casting the spell to close off the room." He paused and met Ron's gaze dead on. "Ron is going to take care of the last horcrux. Nagini."

Ron nodded. He'd expected this, since Harry had described the plan. He was ready.

"And Ginny and I will be facing Voldemort. That part is ours." He turned. "Kingsley, after this meeting ends, we'll meet in a half-hour to hammer out the details. In your rooms, if that's alright?" Kingsley nodded. "Thanks. Now, the last team."

Hermione's entire body was tense. She clutched his hand, her grip as hard as steel, and he knew that she was fighting every impulse she had and stopping herself from loudly demanding that Harry explain this to her, here and now. He squeezed her hand back, wanting her to know he understood.

"Transportation" appeared on the screen, and five names:

Minerva McGonagall

Hermione Weasley

Percy Weasley

Rubeus Hagrid

Elphias Doge

"Minerva, Hermione and Percy, you will be casting the spells to bring each member home." Harry was looking down at the table as he said this. "Hagrid and Doge, you are there to protect them. We have some concerns that, in a worst-case scenario, the Death Eaters might be able to trace where the team members are being brought to, magically. Once you're on the island it won't matter, but on the shores of the mainland, you'll be vulnerable."

"They'll be safe," Hagrid promised. "Elphias and I will make sure of that, never you mind." Doge nodded as well.

There was a small, uncomfortable silence around the room as everyone glanced nervously at Hermione, then away again.

"Percy, Hermione, if you'll come with me after the meeting, I'll teach you the spell," McGonagall said finally.

Percy nodded, but Hermione just kept staring at Harry.

"If we're finished for now, then, everyone, split up into groups and get it done," Harry told them, "and then get some sleep. We'll meet back here at six tomorrow morning. Be ready to depart within the hour, as the normal Ministry workday begins." He paused. "Thank you, everyone."

Several people thanked him in return, and, standing, moved off into the groups he'd formed. Ron saw his father put an arm around Harry's shoulders and smile, saying something he couldn't hear. He then led Bill, Charlie and Andrew out of the room, to talk over their plans, and Kingsley reminded everyone on his team to meet at the allotted time.

"Percy and I will be in the Main Hall," McGonagall said to Hermione, not unkindly. "When you're ready, join us there."

And eventually, the only three people left in the room were Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Harry sat down and leaned his elbows on the table, once again running his hands through his now-messy hair. After a tense moment, he looked up. "You have to say something, Hermione. I can't take the silent treatment. I know you're mad and I wish you'd let me explain, but I can't until you --"

"What is there to explain?" Hermione said finally, and Ron flinched at the tone of her voice. She slid her hand from his and pushed away from him, standing and crossing to the corner of the room, turning slightly away from them both. "You've made your decisions. Your choices. You've chosen not to bring me with you to fight Voldemort. To do everything we've been working toward for seven years, now. You're leaving me behind."

Harry stood. "That's not what I'm doing."

"Yes, it is. You're leaving me out," she replied implacably. "You, Ginny, Ron... Remus, Tonks... all the people you care the most about in the world, the people you trust and rely on, the people you need, everyone except me. Maybe not excepting me, though, really. Is that what it is? Maybe I'm not part of that list."

Ron flinched. She was furious, furious enough to be angry and shrill when usually she was clever and spirited in a fight. He should know; he'd fought more with Hermione, over the years, than anyone else, but his fights with her had never been like this. She was hurt, possibly more than he himself had ever hurt her. Because she'd trusted Harry implicitly for longer, he knew, and she'd never imagined feeling this betrayed by him.

He wondered if he should do something to try to stop this, to try to calm her down. But on the other hand, he felt she had every right to be angry and upset. He was somewhat confused by Harry's actions himself, though he knew, as Hermione could not admit to herself right now, that Harry would never hurt her intentionally. There had to be a reason.

"That's ridiculous, Hermione," Harry said, moving closer to her, his voice rising. "That's... that's the craziest, dumbest thing I've ever heard you say. And I don't believe that you even think it's true. Are you kidding me?" His face changed and he looked, Ron thought, almost scared. "You, you and Ron, you are... you are the people... you are my family, the two of you. Before anyone else, and after anyone else, and always. That's... how can you say you don't know that?" he asked, pleading with her.

Hermione turned around and there were tracks of tears on her face. She looked so miserable, Ron could hardly bear it. He stood and walked to her side.

"Harry," he said carefully, not sure what to say but knowing that he had to intervene. "We know. She knows. But... Harry, why? It's been the three of us from the beginning. It's always been us. And I thought, we thought, it would be us at the end." He stopped for a moment and in that breath something occurred to him. "Harry, are you trying to... protect her? Because... bloody hell, Harry, you think I wouldn't like to do that? You think there isn't a part of me that wouldn't prefer that my wife stay as far away from this battle as she can? That she'd stay safe, here on the island? Hell, I'd like that, sure."

Hermione shot him a confused, angry look, and he hastily continued.

"But I know it can't be that way. Because she's not just my wife, she's Hermione, and she's right, it's been the three of us from the start. It may scare the hell out of me, and it may be the hardest thing I've ever done, but I can't hold her back. And neither should you."

He turned and Hermione's wet, shining eyes spoke volumes. "Thank you, Ron," she said softly.

Harry was still agitated. "That's not what it is. I swear it isn't."

"Harry --" she began.

"It's not. I swear it. Oh, I agree with Ron. I'd like to keep you safe. And him, for that matter. And Remus and Tonks... and Ginny. Do you think it's easy for me to let her do this thing? But I have to. I don't have a choice. I need you all and I've accepted that." He paused. "Moody died to save me. I'm letting Ginny put her life between mine and Voldemort's, and I'm letting Ron face Voldemort's bloody snake to kill that last little extra piece of his soul. And Remus and Tonks and Kingsley and Jamie, they're all going to be risking everything for this, for the chance to do what needs to be done. Believe me, Hermione, I've accepted that the people I love may get hurt. I don't like it, but I've never really had much of a choice about it." He took a deep breath and said, in a much quieter voice, "How could you ever doubt for a moment what you mean to me?"

Ron felt Hermione take a deep breath, steadying herself, trying to calm down. "I'm sorry I accused you... I know what I said isn't true, Harry. I know." She couldn't contain the emotion from her voice and it still trembled slightly. "And I believe you, about... but Harry, why me? Why can't someone else do the spell and I go with you? Why does it have to be me there on the shore? Harry, I want you to change me with someone else."

Harry let out an exasperated sigh. "I can't do that."

"Why?" she asked, the frustration clear in her voice.

"Because I need you to do this. No one else can."

Hermione stopped, taken aback. Ron didn't much understand where Harry was going with this, either.

"The spell is harder than I let on," Harry told them. "Oh, it's easy to learn, but the strength... it's going to be too much for McGonagall. She's powerful, she's really powerful, but it's not just about power, it's about energy. And the energy it'll require -- it'll drain her, so she'll need help. Most of the other people on the island are untrained, Hermione. They can't handle themselves the way you can."

"What about Hestia? Or what about one of the other D.A. members? Padma's good, you know she is," Hermione insisted. "So is Dean."

Harry shook his head. "And that's the last piece of the puzzle. The spell works better if there's an emotional attachment on the part of the caster. You're close to all of us -- us, of course," he said gesturing towards himself and Ron, "Remus, Tonks, Kingsley, Jamie and Andrew, even, have become your friends. You know us and care about us." He hesitated. "Hermione, the spell... if someone were to cast the spell to bring us home, and it wasn't strong enough, if it wasn't cast well enough... if it failed half-way... it would be bad. We could get hurt. We could die."

Ron felt Hermione tense. "Harry, no," she began, and stepped away from Ron, moving towards Harry until they were only a foot apart.

"Yes," he countered. "Hermione, don't you understand? This whole thing -- this whole plan, it's suicide unless I know there's a way to pull us out of there, if it doesn't go right. And when I say 'us', I mean the people I care about most in the world, yes. Except," and he reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders, "you. And you won't be there because I need you to bring us home. I don't trust anyone else to do it."

Ron watched as they stood frozen in place, watching as Hermione's head finally lowered and, ever so slightly, she nodded. Harry pulled her to him for a hug and his eyes met Ron's, over her shoulder.

Hermione moved back and wiped her eyes, smiling abashedly. "Alright, Harry," she said and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She crossed back to Ron and did the same. "I'll meet you back in our rooms tonight, when we're both finished," she told him.

He nodded. He watched wordlessly as the door slipped shut behind her and then turned to Harry and said, "Was that true?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Everything you just told Hermione. Were those your real reasons?"

"Yes."

Ron waited.

"There's also the fact that she's still wanted for murder. We'll all be disguised, but I think it puts her at added risk and indirectly, it compromises the mission," Harry added.

"So that's another reason?" Ron asked.

Harry pulled over a chair and sat tiredly. "They're all reasons."

"But not the only ones," Ron guessed. He leaned against the table, feeling exhausted himself. "Percy looks like hell. He looks guilty and miserable. And I think it's because he knows you assigned him to this duty because of the baby and Penny, and he thinks he should be doing more."

Harry sighed. "It's my call, not his. He shouldn't feel bad about it. But I'm not going to risk making that day-old baby grow up without a father. Of all people, I'm not going to do that."

Ron nodded, but didn't reply.

"What are you getting at?" Harry asked finally.

"Did you do this for me?" Ron asked quietly. "Did you keep her here for my sake?"

"I didn't do it for that reason," Harry said. "I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I'm sorry about keeping your wife and the woman I think of as a sister safe. But I didn't do it for that reason. It's just a... by-product."

Ron looked away. After a moment, though, he asked, "Are you sure about Ginny?"

Harry stood and crossed to the window, his hands in his pockets. "No. And that's why I need Hermione here to bring her back safely, if I can't do this. Or if she's in danger. Or if you are." He turned. "I'm the one being selfish by keeping Hermione here, not you," he said. "I need to know that if I screw this up, you're all going to be okay, that someone can get you the hell out of there. I need to know it. I can't do it otherwise. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I do," Ron said finally.

Harry pushed the heavy curtains open. Though it was late in the afternoon, the sun beamed brightly into the room; even in early spring, in the Hebrides, sunset came late. It was still crisp outside, a perfect day for Quidditch, really. Though, Ron could faintly remember a time when almost every day seemed a perfect day for Quidditch and little else. Back when he was just a student, and Harry and Hermione were just his best mates; when Ginny was an annoying little sister and Professor Dumbledore could do anything, when Harry was the best Seeker in a century, not just the youngest, and Neville's Mimbulus mimbletonia was to be avoided at all costs. Their school days hadn't ever really been trouble-free and they'd faced things before puberty that even grown wizards feared. But they'd been just kids back then and things had definitely changed. Now he had a wife, a sister who was risking her life for the man she loved, a niece, and plans for the future. They weren't kids anymore, none of them.

"Are you okay with taking care of Nagini?" Harry asked.

"Yes."

Harry nodded. "We're just all grown-up now, aren't we?" he asked, echoing Ron's thoughts.

"For better or for worse, yeah, we are."