Return to Life

Fred and George apparated into the Burrow holding Ron up between them.

"Ron, what are you doing here?" Mrs. Weasley yelled. "And you two, is this your idea of a joke? He should be in the hospital resting!"

"Calm down, woman," George said. "It was his idea. He wouldn't rest until we got him out of there."

They gently eased Ron down into a chair in front of the fire. He leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment before he spoke. "Harry and the baby are in danger."

"How do you know?" Ginny asked as she walked into the room. "Wouldn't Hermione have known? She was there, too, wasn't she?"

"Hermione hit her head and passed out for a few minutes. Before they hit me, Draco couldn't help but rub in that they knew that James is Harry's child."

"What!" Mrs. Weasley said. "How did they find out?"

"I'm not sure," he said. "I think they have someone inside St. Mungo's, which is why I couldn't stay there. The minute I came to, I'm sure the word went out that I was awake. We all know how many people have mysteriously died in St. Mungo's."

Everyone solemnly nodded.

Mr. Weasley stepped from the fireplace. "Great news! Fudge is going to hook up something to Harry's, but we're going to have to do it from here. He can't take a chance on doing it at the Ministry." He did a double take as he saw Ron sitting in the chair. "Ron, you're home already? My, they're getting good aren't they?"

Mrs. Weasley put her hands on her hips. "Your son insisted that these two bring him home."

"Why?" he said frowning.

"The Malfoys know, dad. They're going after the baby."

****************************************

"You what?" Lucius said quietly.

"We arrived at the flat a few minutes too late. They had already left."

"CAN"T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT!" Lucius yelled slamming his cane down on his desk. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle jumped at the noise.

"I want that child before nightfall. I don't care how you do it, or whom you do it to. Just bring him to me." Draco fought to keep his temper as he turned to walk out of the room.

"Oh, and Draco." Draco turned around. "Don't dare come back without him."

Outside, Bellatrix was waiting. "I think perhaps you need to learn from experience."

"Hah! Experience? Yours?" Draco laughed. "You're lucky Voldemort spared you." He stepped nose to nose with her. "If it hadn't been for the fact that you groveled so sweetly, you'd be nothing but a distant memory."

Bellatrix's eyes narrowed. "I suggest you keep your mouth shut. You've already proven that you aren't the man your father is." She turned and walked away.

Draco started to whip out his wand when Goyle grabbed his hand. "Not now," he whispered. "With any luck, Potter'll take care of her for us. He still owes her for Sirius."

"You're right. If not, we'll still make it look like it."

They all boarded their brooms and headed towards Harry's.

Harry was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace holding Hermione. From time to time, he would rub his cheek against the top of her head.

"What happens to us now?" she asked quietly.

"I would like it if you would stay," he said.

She sat back and looked into his eyes. For some reason, whenever he looked at her, she felt goosebumps. "For how long?"

"Is forever too long?"

"Not at all, Potter." She laughed and moved forward towards Harry.

"Do you think you two could stop being mushy for one minute?"

Both of them swung around to look at the flames. "Ron!"