Author's Note: The Potter universe and all its characters, places, names, etc. are not my creation, all credit belongs to JKR. I'm only providing my own storyline and using her toys as my playthings. :P

Enjoy!

Chapter 13 - The Unknown

"Protego!"

A brilliant flash of light shone around Harry for a moment before disappearing from sight. He gave a quick nod towards his best mate, who wasted no time in unleashing a series of mild hexes and curses towards Harry's shield. The spells were cast without speaking, as well they should be. Teaching a group of first years how to perform some of the spells they were using in this demonstration duel would result in too many hallway skirmishes, and the two best friends didn't want to explain anything to Professor McGonagall.

Their class of first years watched with rapt attention as Ron fired hex after hex at Harry's shield, which glinted at every stopped attack but let none through. After a minute or so, they both winked at each other and stopped to look at the class.

"The Shield Charm is one of the best tools in your magical arsenal against the unknown. That is, if you have enough time to cast it before your opponent starts hurling curses at you," Harry said as he looked at the class of Gryffindors and Slytherins. Isla was beaming at him from the back of the crowd, obviously impressed.

"Usually you wouldn't even attempt the Shield Charm until fourth or fifth year because of the amount of energy it takes to power the charm, but we've spoken to Professor Weasley and he agrees that practicing this spell each year won't hurt one bit. Now don't be disappointed if you can't produce a shield around yourself by the end of class, we'd be extremely surprised if you could," Harry said, looking over to Ron.

The redhead picked up where Harry left off. "Professor Flitwick taught you lot about your magical cores last week right?" After waiting for them all to nod, he continued. "Swell, that makes it a bit easier to explain. The strength of your shield charm depends on two things; concentration and energy. Focusing on keeping your shield up through distractions is great, but you also have to have trained and built your cores. Since you lot have just started learning and using your magic, it might be awhile before you can properly do many of the most intense spells."

"For now," Harry said as he looked at all the eager faces, "we're going to practice with small square shields only. When you cast Protego, focus on creating a small shield about two foot by two foot out from your wand. Like Mr. Weasley said, don't get upset if you can't get it at first. Also, don't try to keep your shield up for too long; we don't want anyone fainting or needing to visit Madame Pomfrey. Spread yourselves out around the room and give it a go, we'll be walking around to check on your progress and give out pointers. Also," he said quickly, before they all excitedly rushed off, "if we see that you all are focused and practicing diligently, we will be teaching you the Tickling Hex next week so you can test out each other's shields."

This set a wildfire of excitement to the room as each first year staked out a part of the room for themselves and took out their wands to start. Ron moved to the back of the classroom to keep and eye out on that side, and the way that he looked back at Harry after a moment told him that they had a visitor at the door.

Harry turned to see Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway with her usual serious face, but he could see the faintest hint of a smile on one side of her lips. "Good afternoon Professor," he said with a smile as she walked in to see what was going on.

"And a good day to you as well Mr. Potter. I heard that you and Mr. Weasley are quite the popular teachers and wanted to see for myself."

Harry couldn't help but smile at that news. "It's been a fun experience. Ron and I were worried about what to do with them but it's turning out well, I think."

The older witch nodded. "It does seem so. Tickling Hexes so early though?" she asked with the beginnings of a smile.

He shrugged. "It was the easiest and probably the safest hex we could think of for their practice, and they would have learned it from the higher years soon anyway; I believe it was Fred and George who taught me how during the holiday break my first year here."

There was a true smile on the older witch's face. "You make a good point there. I myself learned it in my first year, it seems to be tradition here." She watched the looks on concentration on the students' faces for a while before turning back to Harry.

"I received your note at breakfast about yourself and Miss Weasley wanting to speak with me and Professor Dumbledore. I assume it has something to do with the incident last week?"

"For the most part, yes," he answered carefully.

McGonagall regarded him for a few moments. "Very well. Tonight after dinner then, in my office?"

"That would be great, thanks Professor."

She nodded once. "I'll leave you and Mr. Weasley to it then. Keep up the good work Mr. Potter."

He heard Ginny's sigh in his head as he watched the Headmistress leave the room. So our secret's going to be out in a few hours then.

I don't particularly like it either Gin', but after those second and third nightmares we had we need to get their opinion. Maybe they'll have some ideas about what's going on.

Yeah, I was just hoping for some more time to keep this private between us is all, Ginny answered as she read through a book on medicinal herbs and plants.

Gin', if you ever want to have some 'private time', you just say the word…

The loud giggling he heard in his head and the expressions from the first years who had managed to produce their small shields kept Harry grinning for the rest of the afternoon.

Dinner that evening held quite a few surprises for the students in the castle. Everyone had settled into a routine in the last month and as everyone knew, Tuesday night dinner was always pot roast. It was a surprise then when food starting appearing on the tables; some of the dishes they were being served were unfamiliar.

Those students who had been there for the Welcoming Feast of the Triwizard Tournament four years ago quickly remembered the various French foods and began explaining to everyone else what they were, though no one had a clue as to why it was on the menu for that night. The normal raucous noise levels of a meal at Hogwarts got louder and louder as more and more people voiced their opinions; there was a rather large group of students at the Hufflepuff table insisting that this meant the Triwizard Tournament would be on again for the year.

Professor McGonagall had a small smile on her face as she watched all her students eating and discussing. She didn't make them wait very long to find out what was going on, and it only took a few moments of her standing and motioning for the whole Hall to fall silent in expectation.

"Good evening everyone. There is an important announcement to be made and yes, it does have to do with the special menu tonight. Over the past few months a few members of our staff have been working closely with counterparts at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and we are proud to announce the formation of an exchange program between our two schools."

Excited whispers and low conversations broke out among every one of the tables as McGonagall continued. "This exchange program will be offered first to this year's current fifth years only, as they will have finished their O.W.L.s before the program begins this coming summer. Three students from each school will be selected before the end of the year by a committee, and will have the opportunity to spend a full year in France, including the summer months."

Harry looked around at the news and saw many different expressions on everyone's faces. There were those young students who were disappointed that they wouldn't be chosen but were looking forward to possibly being a part in a few years, and there were quite a few older students who looked crestfallen. Of course, there were those who couldn't be bothered with an opportunity like this and were content with the dinner.

"Any fifth year who is interested in being considered for the exchange program should speak with their Head of House as soon as possible for more detailed information. Now, this isn't the only new program that will be beginning tonight."

Heads all around the Great Hall perked up at this and the Headmistress waited until the chatter had died down again. "It is my pleasure to inform you that starting in two weeks, Hogwarts will be adding a new weekly occurrence to the schedule; a French Club. Not only will participants learn some of the French language, they will also learn about customs, traditions, art and more."

The door to the chamber behind the staff table opened and all four friends plus a few others who recognized the new arrival stood to applaud.

McGonagall applauded along with everyone else. "Please welcome Mrs. Fleur Weasley. Some of you may remember her from when she was our guest here at Hogwarts a few years ago, the then Ms. Delacour was the Triwizard Champion from Beauxbatons. Mrs. Weasley will be here on Wednesday and Sunday nights as the sponsor for the French Club, with first through fourth years on Wednesday evening and the older students on Sundays."

Fleur waved towards the end of the Gryffindor table and received very ecstatic waves back from the extended Weasley family before she sat next to Bill at the staff table and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek as she tended to do with everyone.

Dinner returned to a somewhat normal mealtime at the school as friends caught up with each other and everyone ate. Hermione was excited for the new club and had already pulled her copies of everyone's schedules out from her bag. They all could tell that she was a little bit bitter that she couldn't give the exchange program a go, and before they knew it Ron had agreed to go to the meetings with her.

Ginny was giving Ron a good old hard time about actually wanting to do more work and Harry nearly got to add his own playful dig at his mate when he noticed Professor McGonagall leaving her seat and looking over at him and Ginny before making her way out of the Hall. With a sigh, the both of them finished their dinner and stood as well.

"What's the meeting with the Head about?" Ron asked as he was adding another helping of the bouillabaisse stew to his bowl.

Harry looked around before leaning down to whisper back. "It's about our telepathy thing. Since we're finding more and more things that we can do with it, we've decided that McGonagall and Dumbledore should be let in on the secret, most of it anyway."

Hermione had a relieved look on her face when he said that; the worrywart part of her had been hoping that her friends would tell someone else about their abilities in case it was somehow harming them.

Once out of the Hall, Harry reached over for Ginny's hand and interlaced his fingers in hers as they walked up to the second floor.

Ready? he asked, with a small smile on his face.

Ginny nodded. Yeah, I am. Part of me is just feeling like we've misbehaved in class or something and we're about to be reprimanded like firsties.

Harry snorted as they rounded the corner and saw McGonagall waiting for them outside the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to her office. I'll say. I've been feeling like that since she came to my class earlier.

The headmistress smiled at the couple and led them into her office, the gargoyle jumping aside as they did. Once in the office proper, Harry and Ginny had to look around the room a bit; it had changed a bit since they were last there. Most of the odd contraptions and devices that Dumbledore had place around her office were gone, replaced by traditional Scottish decor.

"Please, have a seat you two. Albus, we have guests." McGonagall said as she slid into her own comfortable-looking seat. Harry and Ginny took the chairs opposite her desk and watched as their old Headmaster walked into the portrait frame. They both smiled as he regarded them through his half-moon spectacles and smiled.

"Ah, two of my favorite students!"

McGonagall had to smile at that. "I'd be careful spreading that around Albus; can't let the rest of the school think we are playing favorites."

Both Harry and Ginny were grinning from the interaction between their two elders.

"Yes, yes. I'll be sure to not mention it outside of this room," the bearded wizard said before winking at them. "So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit? I assume it had something to do with the astounding event from this past summer?"

Harry looked over at Ginny before speaking. They were both nervous but knowing that they were doing this together helped them quite a bit. "Yes Professor, it is. We've been noticing a few things and wanted to get opinions from both of you."

McGonagall sat up in her chair as she looked from the portrait over to them. "A few things, as in being able to speak to each other without actually speaking?"

Albus chuckled at the reactions they both had. "Well, getting right to the point then Minerva..."

Ginny was able to compose herself first and looked between both Heads. "How did you know?"

Minerva was trying to hold back a grin from taking over her mouth as she spoke. "While we may not be on the same level as Miss Granger, Professor Dumbledore and I have been known to read through books and diligently research a topic. While there haven't been many recorded bonded pairs, every account that we came across included references to the couple being able to communicate outside of what is considered normal. We also had a very interesting visit from Madame Pomfrey the day after your incident with the school masonry, she had been watching the both of you that night and had come to the same conclusion."

Ginny was blushing at that revelation while Harry still had a surprised look on his face.

Still surprised love? she asked him over their connection.

A bit, but even more so that McGonagall actually made two cracks at a joke in one go.

The smiles that appeared on both their faces brought a chuckle from portrait-Dumbledore. "Ah, what that must feel like for the both of you. Minerva and I both have so many questions for the two of you that we simply must insist on getting answers to, but we do realize that you both asked to speak with us, so there must be something even more important going on."

Harry nodded, and between he and Ginny the two Heads were quickly brought up to speed on when their speaking connection started and what evolved from it. The fact that they both were able to mostly control what it was they shared was astounding to their previous Headmaster.

"My word you two. As an Occlumens and Legilimens I know how hard it is to train the mind and its thoughts. You are telling me that this concept of blocking certain things going either way comes naturally?"

Ginny thought for a moment, then nodded. "If I had to be honest, I would say it takes a bit of concentration to make it work, but with both of us working on it, it's much easier. For example, if Harry were in the middle of a crowd that's all speaking at once, the only reason I wouldn't be overwhelmed by hearing all those voices as well is that he can limit what I can hear, and I know how to find what his thoughts are concentrating on if he is letting me."

Harry smiled at the description. "That's actually a lot more thought out than we've ever discussed. One of the first things we both got worried about was that we'd be able to intrude on each other's private thoughts on accident, but this connection we have seems to work both ways; bringing us closer together but giving us the ability to still be our own people. Even if it wasn't that way, I trust Ginny one hundred percent with this ability of ours."

"I feel the same way," Ginny answered with a smile as she slipped her hand into his across the space between their chairs.

Professor McGonagall smiled at the couple sitting in front of her. "Well, that neatly takes care of the concerns that I had. Am I to assume that only two other people know of these abilities that you have?"

Ginny nodded. "Hermione noticed it over the summer so we told both her and Ron about it. I know that this is something we probably should have told everyone right away, but both Harry and I decided to keep it private for a while."

Harry nodded once as he kept looking at McGonagall. "With all the hubbub after Voldemort's defeat and then the almost dying again, we decided to try to be normal people for once."

Portrait-Dumbledore was chuckling loudly. "Harry my boy, with you nothing is ever normal, but I do see why you strive to achieve it. Very well, so there is the speaking in each other's minds, the ability to hear what the other is hearing, and also an increased ability for learning and memory. To me, it seems that when you filled Harry's void, Miss Weasley, you also may have connected a bit more of yourselves to each other. Since it seems that thoughts, speech and sound flow freely between the two of you, one might also make a point that you are able to subconsciously share each others knowledge, to a point."

Ginny smiled. "We were thinking something along those lines; we were getting through the reviews all the professors were giving us at the beginning of the school year a little faster than we thought because we somehow were helping each other."

Dumbledore nodded. "I consider myself a lucky man, having met two bonded couples in my years."

Even McGonagall turned in her chair to look at her predecessor. "Another couple? Who are they?"

The painting just sat back and smiled. "They never did confirm anything to me outright, but all the evidence points to me being correct. I am speaking of course about Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel."

Harry frowned. "Flamel? The alchemist who created the Sorcerer's Stone? He was also an inventor if I remember right, creating a whole slew of both muggle devices and spells as well?"

Dumbledore nodded. "The very same. They were my friends until they chose to pass on into the unknown, and in his last letter to me Nicholas all but confirmed it to me. Alas, we are getting a bit off the reason that we are sitting here. What did you two want to ask us?"

The young couple sighed at the same time and looked to each other for a bit of support. "Well," Ginny started, "we've also been sharing dreams, nightmares to be exact. The first one was early in the morning before the courtyard incident."

It took a few minutes for the two to describe everything they had seen and heard to two sets of bewildered faces. After they had finished, Minerva sat quietly for a few moments looking at Dumbledore's portrait, then over at her students. "Well, as truly amazing as the shared dreaming is, I expect that what you're seeing in these nightmares is what's concerning the two of you the most?"

Harry nodded. "It is. It's almost like that first dream was a premonition of sorts; things happened very similarly. The other two experiences we had didn't have any particular images, just the darkness creeping in. We could see it, and feel it too."

"It's cold and windy, almost like a winter wind but we also feel emotions as it gets closer to us; anger, hostility… a sense of chaos more than anything." Ginny added quietly.

Dumbledore regarded the both of them. "That is most disconcerting. As I recall Harry, your last trip to St. Mungo's provided you a clean bill of health did it not? There was no mention of anything left within you besides your own soul and that of Miss Weasley's?"

Harry nodded. "I don't think it's anything left over from Voldemort. The emotions I got off of him were always sinister in nature. What we're feeling during these nightmares is very erratic and all over the place, but all mixed into one. This is just a guess on my part, but I think this has to do with Hogwarts, professors."

Minerva eyed him with a serious look. "Why do you say that?"

"Well, it's almost like a gut feeling I have. Every nightmare we've shared has had the two of us somewhere in the castle. The fact that what we saw in that first one actually came true is what bothers me. We've spoken to Isla, and she's been having nightmares as well, darkness and all. Is it possible that something was left behind or changed by Voldemort's forces after the battle?"

Ginny felt his apprehension and took his hand once again as McGonagall closed her eyes to think. "It's possible, but highly unlikely Harry. Both the faculty and teams of Ministry employees swept the school from top to bottom over the summer. When it came time to rebuild the destroyed areas and recast spells and charms, we followed the instructions left behind by the Founders to the letter. As for young Miss Granger, I'd like to meet with her about her experiences."

Harry tried not to wince. That would be really hard to explain to Hermione.

Ginny looked intrigued. "The Founders left instructions on how to repair the castle?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Along with Gryffindor's sword and the Sorting Hat, the Founders left behind many objects and secrets for us to find and use. There are of course the ones that Voldemort found and turned into Horcruxes, and of course you both know about Salazar Slytherin's secret chamber."

Harry felt Ginny tensing up as she recalled what had happened years ago and he squeezed her hand in support while continuing to listen to Dumbledore.

"The headmaster of Hogwarts has always been given tools to protect and safeguard the school. When any part of the school is deemed in trouble, the castle provides us instructions on how to rectify the problem. That is, if there is a known solution. I myself never received any information about the Chamber of Secrets or the basilisk inside, simply because that information was never known to the other three founders."

Harry nodded. "So we have to wait and see then…"

The older wizard stroked his long white beard thoughtfully. "Unfortunately, yes. If as you say there is something wrong with the school, then the school will provide us with the answer if it can. Otherwise, we must assume that there is something wrong that we must solve on our own, or that it has nothing to do with the school at all."

By the time the middle of October came around most of the residents of Hogwarts Castle were ready for a break. Nearly every teacher had spent the first four or five weeks back as review for the previous year, since there were so many interruptions and problems. Now that everyone had all that information crammed into their heads it was time to start on new things, and Harry wasn't the only seventh year who felt like they had a small mountain of homework to work on.

Everyone who could was going to take advantage of the Hogsmeade visit today, whether it be just for the morning or all day long. Harry and Ginny couldn't help but grin as they listened to conversations around the Great Hall; everyone was talking about the opening of the new branch of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, even Filch. Of course, the castle's caretaker wasn't particularly enthused about the news and had been threatening anyone who'd mentioned stopping there with bag checks when they returned to the school.

The day was shaping up to be a cold one, it appeared as if autumn was going to give way to winter early this year. Ron and Hermione joined their two friends at their usual spots just before the large stampede of Hufflepuffs and Slytherins coming up from their lower level common rooms, the latter bundled up in a heavy cloak and large scarf.

Hermione noticed the stares from her best girl friend and looked back at her. "What? It's going to be cold out there!" she exclaimed as she reached for the platter of pancakes. "You're going to be wanting to run back for a scarf after a few hours out there."

Ginny just shook her head and giggled. "Hermione, have you forgotten that you're a witch? I don't need a heavy cloak or scarf if I have my wand."

Harry and Ron tried not to grin too much as Hermione scowled at all of them and changed the subject. "Professor McGonagall stopped us on the way in and wanted to remind us about what she and Kingsley told us before," she said quietly, not continuing on because she knew that the other three would catch on to what she meant.

They all nodded. "Any word on an Auror presence, just in case?" Harry asked in the same hushed voice.

"Yes, she said that there was a small group already there; they checked in with the Head about an hour ago. McGonagall said that we would know them when we saw them."

Ginny set down her cup of tea and thought. "Probably the lot from King's Cross, then."

"Probably," Harry mused. He wouldn't let anyone else know it, but he was a bit worried about having the majority of the student body outside of the castle's wards for most of the day, especially with Travers and a few other Death Eaters still unaccounted for. He felt a hand on his arm and looked over to Ginny, who had a gentle smile on her face.

Travers would be certifiably insane to try and pull something off in Hogsmeade today love.

That's why I'm worried, Harry said. I think he's already past the point of insanity, attacking children isn't something he'd be against. Or, if he's thinking smart, he could attack somewhere else today since he'll know the Ministry will have a good chunk of its Aurors here.

Ginny squeezed his arm lightly. Don't get worked up about it. If something happens in the village today, we'll all do the best we can to stop it.

Harry nodded. I know, and part of me is wishing we could just relax out there, have a proper date of it without having to keep a watch over everything. We haven't had a proper date in ages.

She smiled out and inwardly listened to him, loving how thoughtful he always was. I wish we could as well, but we could make a date of it in our room later tonight.

Harry perked up at that and smiled back at her. You tease. Now I'm going to have to go through the whole day in anticipation.

Ginny giggled over their connection. Yes, but at least you'll have a slightly better mood while waiting.

He blew a raspberry at her before returning to his plate, noticing Hermione and Ron looking at both of them with smirks.

"Welcome back," Hermione said with a wink. "I wish Ron and I could have private lovebird time like you two can."

Both Harry and Ginny were blushing. "We weren't talking about anything of the sort," Ginny said, trying not to giggle.

Ron groaned. "I don't even want to hear about it…"

"Oi! Careful getting your wands too close to that!" George shouted across an aisle to a group of Hufflepuffs. "I don't want firecrackers setting off all over the brand new floor alright?"

He sighed as he finished restocking the shelf he was working on and carried the empty box to the tiny back storage room they had here. "Bloody brilliant idea, running a store on a Hogsmeade weekend with two people and not enough supplies…" he muttered to himself as he grabbed another box off a high shelf. As he found his balance and was turning to walk back out, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Talking to yourself Georgie?" Angelina asked with a smile.

George scowled but let the pet name go; he didn't mind her calling him that as much as other people. "Yep, about the only way I'll be able to keep my head on a day like today. I'm pretty sure my brain wasn't working when I decided we could survive this day with just the two of us and no extra help."

Angelina giggled from the doorway, constantly peeking over at the register to see if anyone was waiting. "We'll be fine George, just relax a little alright? There's no point in stressing yourself out. The kids will be in the village all day long; they don't want to go back early just like us, remember?"

He set the box down on a table and took a moment to stretch his arms. "You have a good point there Ange'. Either way though, we'll probably be out of product at this rate."

"And that's bad?" she asked.

George just grinned. "Alright, alright. I get the point, I'll stop whining."

Angelina grinned too and slapped him lightly on the arm before turning to help a customer. "Galleons George, just think of the galleons!"

The oldest Weasley brother and now Hogwarts professor was sitting on a bench in Hogsmeade and smirking at the sight of so many of his students waiting patiently (and in some cases impatiently) to get in to see his brother's new store. Part of him wanted to join the queue outside the building to see for himself, but he had to shake himself out of that thought; McGonagall would be all over him for lending his appearance and the eventual "But Professor Weasley was there!" comments.

He almost jumped as he felt someone put a hand to each of his shoulders behind him, but settled down when those hands gently rubbed and squeezed in a familiar fashion. With a smile, he tilted his head back to let his wife kiss his forehead. "Didn't have to wait very long at Honeydukes did you?"

Fleur shook her head and smiled. "Not veree long, no. Eet helps that almost evereeone is at George's store. I did find two peeople though..." she said with a motion of her head.

Bill followed her look and smiled when he saw his parents walking towards them with their own Honeydukes shopping bag. He sat up straight and scooted over on the bench so that Fleur and his parents would have room to relax. "Mum, Dad. Surprised to see you up here."

Molly was smiling over at him. "Hello to you too William. Your father and I decided to take advantage of one of his days off to see what everyone was up to. It's been a while since we've seen most of you."

Bill's cheeks got red at that. "Sorry Mum, we'll stop by the house a bit more for dinner. Fleur's just been enjoying her newly remodeled kitchen at the Cottage..." He stopped talking as his wife slapped him over the back of his head with a scowl at him.

"Bill, you are horreeble sometimes. Blaming me of all things..."

Even so, she was grinning and it seemed to be infectious, all four of them were sporting a smile.

Arthur looked around as they talked. "I don't remember it being so hectic on a visit weekend here."

Molly grinned as she looked over at him. "That's because we were only worried about what we wanted to do during our time off Arthur. We were part of the chaos."

Bill laughed. "So have you tried getting into George's new store yet?"

His mother nodded. "We got here early enough that no one from the school had been by yet and took a look around. I'm glad that Angelina is here helping him today, it looks like it's absolute madness in there."

"Eet seems Angelina is helping him with a bit more than just the store..." Fleur mused out loud, a small smile on her face. Everyone nodded at that, silently thanking Merlin that George seemed to be doing better.

"We managed to run into Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione earlier too," Arthur said. "They were down with the first of the carriages, looking especially anxious."

Bill nodded. "They're taking McGonagall and Kingsley's ask for help seriously, Harry especially. It's good that they get to help out with keeping everyone safe, but I'm sure they'd rather just be enjoying themselves like everyone else is."

Seeing his mother worrying about the same thing, he decided to change the topic. "So Mum, how are the plans for the cafe going?"

The glimmer in Molly's eyes told the other three that she was excited to talk about it. "Oh Bill, I still can't believe that Harry did that. The more I think about it and plan things out, the more excited I get. I think I'll wait until after the new year to open it; there's just so much to get ready. The Fortescue's contacted us after they found out what we were planning and offered to sell us their ice cream recipes for a very reasonable price, so we'll have the ice cream counter ready but I need to decide what to put at the bakery counter, and then there's the furniture and decorations... it's all mind-boggling really."

Fleur was trying hard not to laugh at her mother-in-law's excitement. "I'll help you when I'm not here to teach at the French Club Mum, thee decorating at least. My baking skeells are nuzzing compared to yours."

Molly flushed a bit red. "Nonsense. I'll just have to give you the recipes Fleur. They were my mother's and grandmothers, and I need to pass them on."

Father and son exchanged looks as their ladies started chatting about different recipes or color schemes, and wondered how to extract themselves from the long conversation that was starting up.

Hours later, a very tired foursome made their way into their shared common room. Spending most of their day in Hogsmeade watching over many dozens of their peers had been taxing enough, and the dinner they had just eaten was weighing down heavily in their stomachs.

Ron had noticed that Hermione had been in a fairly good mood throughout the whole day until just a few minutes ago when Professor McGonagall had asked to speak with her privately for a moment. His girlfriend had joined back up with them in a much more sour mood that was her usual, and was now dropping her cloak and robes over the side of an armchair before flopping down into it.

Ginny looked over at her best girlfriend with a frown. "You okay, Hermione?"

The older witch had her eyes closed but she nodded her head. "I'm fine, just really tired all of a sudden."

Brother and sister looked at each other for a moment, knowing full well that she was lying. Harry was catching on as well, and decided that whatever it was, Hermione would eventually open up to Ron alone. "I'm done in as well," he said with a real yawn. "Coming up Gin'?"

Ginny nodded. "Right behind you Harry. Goodnight you two," she said as she followed Harry up the staircase to their private landing.

Ron waited until he heard their door close shut before walking over towards Hermione and taking a seat on the arm of her chair. He could tell that she was trying to keep in a well of emotions. "'Mione? What did McGonagall say?"

A frown crossed Hermione's face as she struggled with her thoughts. She didn't want to worry Ron over feelings that she was having that were certainly blowing out of proportion, but she knew that he was always there for her to talk to. She felt his hand slip around hers and eked out the tiniest of smiles for him before opening her eyes.

"McGonagall was letting me know that she had Isla in her office today to talk with her and Dumbledore about her aura reading."

Ron nodded. "That's good isn't it? You were going to suggest that anyway."

A long but quiet sigh escaped her. "Ron, she's been having nightmares every few nights since the start of term... and they think it's because of her ability. Why didn't she tell me?" she asked quietly as tears started streaming down her cheeks. "Why didn't I know, or catch on? I'm supposed to be taking care of her, I..."

Her breathing started turning more and more ragged and short, and Ron could feel her hands growing colder as another panic attack took it's hold on his girlfriend.

Biting his lip and seeing her falling further into the episode, he swore in his mind and tightened his grip on her hand, lifting his other to her forehead to run his fingers through her hair, something that always helped to calm her down. "'Mione, please try to relax love. I'm right here for you. Don't let yourself get more anxious, we can handle anything. Okay? Just focus on my voice and squeeze my hand. Good," he said encouragingly. "Can you take some longer breaths for me love? ... That's good, we're almost past this. Just keep focusing on me."

As with the other times this had happened, Hermione eventually relaxed enough for the lump in his throat to settle down. Ron took her into his arms and slipped down into the large armchair, bringing her right up to him and lowering her head onto his chest. Hermione began to cry softly and he let her, pressing his lips to the top of her head and rubbing her back gently.

After an episode like this, Ron knew that she needed a few moments to herself before she could speak to him. He was deep in his own worries about her when he eventually felt her squeezing his hand softly and shifting the position in which her head was laying on his chest.

"Thank you Ron," she said, just above a whisper with a sniffle at the end.

Ron wrapped his arms around her and lowered his chin on top of her. "You never have to thank me for this love, I'm always here for you. Do you want to talk about it?" he asked before pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

She answered first with a sniffle and nodded slowly, letting herself relax in his protective embrace. There was nothing else like this in the world, the feeling of love and protection when she was with him. "I should've paid more attention to my sister, I should've known she was having strange nightmares. She might've told me if I spent more time with her..."

Ron gently rocked the both of them back and forth, as if soothing a child. "'Mione, I know you think it's your fault, but it really isn't. You're not causing these nightmares are you? You wouldn't hurt her intentionally love, you're the genius who would help her with them and see if they can be stopped or overcome."

Hermione bit her lower lip. "But..."

"No buts. There's only so much that anyone can do love. You are simply the best sister Isla could ever have Hermione. You talk with her every day, help her with homework and you dote on her as if she were your own kid. You haven't failed her, and don't you go thinking that you have."

She sniffled again. "Then why didn't she tell me?"

Ron sighed. "I don't know... maybe she's afraid to tell you because you'd be more worried, or tell your parents. She's very protective of you too love, and I think she knows that you've been having these episodes. She might be scared that you'd make her go home because of those nightmares, too."

Hermione let loose a long breath from her lungs, taking a moment to clear her mind. "I'll have to find a way to talk with her..." she said quietly, and then laid there against him for a few minutes and stared at the bookcase idly.

Ron could sense she was stewing over something else. "Please don't be angry at yourself 'Mione..."

"I'm not, I'm just upset that Harry and Ginny knew about those nightmares and didn't tell me."

He paused the rocking and looked down at her. "They did?"

She nodded. "They told McGonagall about her having them when they talked with her and Dumbledore last week, that's why they had the conversation today. Why wouldn't they tell me? She's my sister!"

Ron thought for a moment, and a few things he had noticed clicked into place. "'Mione, I think they know about your panic attacks. No, I didn't tell them, I haven't told a soul, but those two know you as well as I do. They knew you went through something horrible at Malfoy Manor, and they know you've been constantly worrying about Isla. They probably didn't want to add these nightmares on top of everything."

Hermione had a frown on her face. "I'm not delicate Ronald, they still should've told me!"

He sighed and squeezed her a bit in his arms. "No, you aren't love. You have to understand though, that they love you like a sister. All three of us would do anything for you, to help you through anything. Yes, it probably wasn't the best idea to keep you in the dark about it, but they probably didn't want to cause you any more worry."

She finally sighed and nodded slowly, letting the little bit of anger she had been holding wash away. "I suppose I should talk with them about Isla, and about me too tomorrow."

Ron nodded. "I'll be there for you love."

Hermione shifted in his arms to the point of almost laying in his lap and looked up at him. "I'm sorry Ron, I keep having these panic attacks and you have to keep seeing them and fixing me. I don't know why I'm so worried and anxious now, have I always been like this?"

He smiled gently as he pushed aside a stray strand of hair from her face. "Being honest? You've always been a bit of a worrier, but that's one of the things I love about you. If you didn't worry then you wouldn't be you; it's how you care for others. The anxiousness, no but I can see why. We've both been through a lot the last few years and it's a lot for someone to wrap around their head, and there's still loads of things to worry about out there," he said, ending that sentence quietly. They both knew what he meant.

"'Mione, you never have to apologize to me for being here for you. I'm your boyfriend, and even if I wasn't I'd help you with anything. I'll be here for you no matter what, okay?" he said with a warm smile.

Hermione smiled up at him and lifted her head to kiss him gently. "Thank you Ron..." she said quietly. She marveled at how wonderful he was to her, and how he knew exactly what to say to her to make her feel better.

Ron continued to run his fingers through her hair, enjoying their closeness. "Any tim. How about we go take a long hot bath and get to sleep early?"

Hermione giggled a bit, which lifted his spirits. "You read my mind."

The two slowly untangled from each other and made their way towards their own rooms, Ron's arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

If they had turned around they might have seen an Extendable Ear returning under their friends' bedroom door, and if they had opened that door right then, they would have seen their friends looking at each other with sad eyes and grim expressions.

"Good night Ron," Hermione said sleepily as she felt his arm wrap around her under the covers, burrowing her face into the pillow.

Ron smiled as she settled in next to him, her eyes closing as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Good night 'Mione," he whispered softly.

Beautiful, Ron thought as he watched his girlfriend drift off to sleep. Normally he would be drifting off along with her, but after the panic attack she had had just a half hour earlier he decided to wait in case something else happened. She was beautiful to him no matter what state she was in; angry, crying or even lost in her homework.

He was rubbing her back gently, not hard enough to wake her but just enough to help soothe her. Ron knew that she was already asleep, but he liked to think that she was somehow feeling his attention in her dreams. A smile crossed his face as he saw her facial muscles relax and loosen the lines of worry that had been plastered across her face.

As he lay there watching her, his mind began to wander freely and he sighed. How in the world did he end up with Hermione? How was he so lucky? He was a freckled redhead who was neither smart or that athletic. They had spent most of the seven years they had known each other bickering and fighting, and he had been so mean to her at the beginning of their first year that she had nearly been killed by a troll.

Why then, did she love him? What did she see in him?

It was easy for him to list the things that he loved about her; how serious she was about her studies, her friendly teasing nature around her friends, and how she always encouraged him. He loved her bushy hair and how she smelled after a shower. He even loved the way she nagged at him every so often, though he would deny that until the end of days.

He loved her when she was upset and worried just as much as he did when she was happy and relaxed. Even though his heart ached when he saw her crying, he still loved seeing that raw emotion from her. He even loved her incessant worrying about essay and test grades. He loved every little quirky thing about her.

Her smile was one of the biggest points on his list. No matter what he was feeling, her smile always picked him up and brightened his day. As he lay there thinking, he realized that without knowing it, his younger self had always looked and hoped for that smile from her. Then, it was that impish and shy smile that had drawn his attention to her but now it was the full-on smile that she always seemed to have for him, the one that brightened up any room or mood. Seeing that smile always got his throat caught up with emotions.

He loved the amount of passion she carried around with her; it never seemed to end for the things that she loved doing. She always strived to do the best she could at everything, even though some of those things were downright impossible. Ron smirked as he remembered her attempts to get the Hogwarts house elves to want their freedom. She was one of the few people he could count on to tell him when he was being a prat or doing something moronic, and she never held back what she thought.

Hermione was his partner in crime as well as his conscience, his source of both craziness and sanity. She was one of his best friends but more importantly she was his girlfriend, lover and soulmate. He could confide anything in her and trust her completely, something that he found hard to do with his family or even his best mate.

She was the rock that he needed when Fred died, and what kept him afloat day after day. He shuddered to think about life without her; he didn't think there was any possible way he could. His greatest fear was losing her; his nightmares were always about Hermione deciding that she could do better than him, or losing her to an illness or attack by one of the remaining Death Eaters. He would rather someone cut into his chest and pour salt into the wound than lose his love.

As he felt himself slowly drifting off to sleep, he looked over at Hermione and felt his heart melt at seeing her peaceful face. He loved her unwaveringly, unconditionally and unequivocally, he knew that he would do anything for her now and for the rest of his life, because life without her wouldn't be a life worth living.

His eyes closed and he smiled at what he was thinking about, bringing himself closer to the warm body next to his. "I'm going to need a ring."