Things we lost in the fire

I was the match and you were the rock

Maybe we started this fire

We sat apart and watched

All we had burned on a pyre

Ron had stood quietly, listening as Harry fought with the Minster over Rowle's breach of his parole. He looked entirely too smug and persistent on the matter. It gave Ron a sick twisted feeling in his gut when he realised Harry hadn't even bothered to ask whether Hermione would be okay.

"This matter is not open to you for discussion, Auror Potter." Kingsley warned. He frowned looking between the two young war heroes.

"At least tell me you're not just going to let this go unpunished!" Harry demanded.

"Of course not!" Kingsley replied and Harry smirked. "Our top auror's are gathering information on the attacks made against Mister Rowle and his family as we speak. We've got them down in questioning and once we have answers we'll proceed with charges."

Harry scowled. "That's not what I meant Kingsley! What of Rowle?"

"What about him?"

"He breached the terms of his parole! He used magic! He needs to be punished." Harry insisted.

Kingsley looked down the young wizard with something akin to disappointment. "I think Mister Rowle has been punished enough." Harry looked like he was going to object but Kingsley stopped him. "In any case we should be thanking him and Mister Malfoy as it was through their efforts that we were able to even catch the attackers. It seems our auror officers had been slacking in the commitment to the case." He gave Harry a pointed look.

Harry didn't like that implication in any sense and was about to object when Ron cut in.

"Enough Harry!" He said shocking his friend. "Look at where we are! Hermione's been hurt!"

"Exactly Ron! She's here because of him!" Harry cried desperately.

Kingsley looked between the two friends and decided it was time they had it out. Whatever was causing such strain between the Golden Trio had finally reared its ugly head. Kingsley turned and disappeared down the hallway, stopping only to ensure the aurors were stationed at the lift. He could still hear Ron's raised voice as he got into the lift.

"No, she's here because of us. We failed to do our job." Ron countered.

Harry spluttered angrily at that. "What- that's not…"

"Yes it is!" Ron said vehemently. "Can you honestly tell me you took the attacks on Rowle seriously? Can you tell me you didn't think he deserved it?" He asked his friend. "Because I did. I thought he did. He was a Death Eater and they let him go." And as he said those words, he saw Hermione's face in his mind and unimaginable shame filled him. They had failed her because they had refused to trust her.

"So why are you defending him?" Harry demanded.

"Because that's not the whole story is it?" Ron asked in turn. "Mione explained everything to us and we still thought the worst of them."

"Because it's the truth! You can't honestly expect to believe that Rowle's somehow a changed man," he spat the words like poison, "And you say seem to forget that you were also there Ron! Telling her what a terrible idea this was and look we were right!"

"No we weren't! I know what I said and … I wish I hadn't." Ron said weakly. He took a deep breath, levelling his friend with a determined look, "Harry, look mate she's not in here because of him I… fuck I think the only reason she's even here with us right now is because of him."

"What the hell are you trying to say?" Harry asked angrily.

"Hermione got hurt not because of who she loved but because we didn't do our jobs properly. Not as her friends and not as aurors. We failed her. Not him." Ron said and despite the words leaving a nasty taste in his mouth, he knew them to be true. Rowle hadn't failed Hermione, they had.

"This is bullshit!" Harry swore.

"Yes it is. It's complete and utter bullshit. Our friend almost died and we're still standing here arguing over whose fault it is. Wake the fuck up mate! Who she chooses to love is not important!" Ron retaliated, his own anger growing at Harry's stubbornness.

'Yes it is!'

'Then why did we fight a war? If she can't love who she wants then why did we go through all that? Why did I lose my brother? And Remus and Tonks and Snape?' Ron asked. His heart ached at the mention of his lost brother and their fallen comrades but he didn't have a choice. Harry's stubbornness would end them all.

'Th- they …' Harry battled.

Ron sighed. 'Look I know it's difficult to believe especially after everything I've ever said on this but maybe just maybe I was wrong and not all Slytherins are evil.'

'He's still a Death Eater.' Harry insisted.

'Ex-Death Eater, Harry.' Ron corrected.

'No it doesn't change … no …'

'She's the brightest witch of the century! Do you honestly think she doesn't know what she's doing?' Ron asked with a scoff.

There was silence. A tense stifling silence that neither of them liked.

'Things are changing mate. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing.' Ron said slowly.

Harry didn't say anything. He ground his teeth together, biting down on his frustration. He had gone through entirely too much change in the months since the war had ended. Most had been for the better but he had countered on having his friends by his side as he went through it all. Not having Hermione by his side was the hardest thing to reconcile with. Her bond with Rowle felt entirely too much like betrayal and deep down, past all his stubbornness he knew it was not her fault.

'If we let her go with him, we'll lose her.' Harry said softly trying to hold onto the remnants of what was once their friendship.

'Only if we carry on this way.' Ron warned.

Harry shook his head. He wasn't ready for this. 'No, Ron you don't understand. If we let her go on like this. We will lose her to him. I mean just look at their bond… it's … it could be dangerous for her! He broke his magical restraint.'

'To get to her!' Ron reminded him. 'He could feel she was in trouble. There is nothing wrong with that Harry and you know it.' Ron sighed in frustration. 'Look whatever your problem with them is I can almost guarantee it's not solely Rowle. So do yourself a favour and figure it out before you lose another friend and this time… this time Harry it will be your fault.' Ron warned solemnly.

There was that silence again.

'It wasn't supposed to end like this.' Harry said quietly.

'Like what?' Ron asked frowning.

'Us. Apart.'

'Who says we're apart?' Ron questioned. 'And who's to say this is the end?'

'She will,' Harry answered looking at his friend. 'You know she will.'

'No, I don't.' Ron answered. 'Because I know Hermione's been a far better friend to us than we have ever been to her. And if she does say this is the end, we've only got ourselves to blame.'

Harry thought it over. His face contorting into a worried wince as all the terrible things they had thrown at her in the past few months came rushing back to him. It was nearly unforgivable.

Ron could see his friend battling and reached out to him. "Mate." He said with a heavy sigh. "What is this really about?" When Harry didn't say anything at first Ron pressed a little deeper. "What are you so afraid of Harry?"

Harry was determined to tell him anything but the truth because he wasn't quite sure he was ready to face it just yet. But before he could stop himself the words were slipping from his mouth.

"We fought for change," Harry finally answered. "I just never thought what that change might mean for us."

'It's a good thing Harry," Ron reminded him.

"I know! I know!" he cried. "But … fuck! I wasn't expecting this kind of change so quickly." He admitted in frustration running his fingers through his hair. "Especially from Hermione! I never expected …this!" Ron wisely didn't say anything, waiting for him to continue. Harry sighed, slouching against the wall. "We've been through so much together. I would have probably died in first year if it wasn't for her. She's always been there."

It dawned on Ron then what it was that Harry couldn't bring himself to say. "Until she wasn't." he murmured.

Harry nodded but he couldn't look his friend in the eye. "I wasn't ready. I'm still not ready."

"For what?" Ron asked.

'To have to share her with anyone else," Harry admitted, shame faced. "She's always been our friend Ron. She's been our biggest supporter and greatest confidant. I'm not ready for someone to take her away from me… especially someone like Rowle."

'But Harry, Hermione was always going to go on helping other people. She was never going to stop helping. It's what she does. What did you think was going to happen when she did eventually marry?" Ron asked frowning.

Harry had the good sense to look a little guilty then. "Truthfully, I just assumed she would find her way back to you. And because it's you it would… " he stopped hesitantly.

'It would what, Harry?" Ron asked with a raised brow.

"It would be like it always was," Harry finished. Ron didn't seem too surprised by his answer. "Rowle pretty much blasted that idea to pieces." Harry added.

"This is why you're so against Rowle and Mione?" Ron clarified. 'Because he what … stole her from us? Because you didn't want to share her? She's not some toy Harry!"

Harry flushed angrily. "I know that!" He defended. "I just … fuck I just wanted more time with her without the looming threat of war hanging over our heads. I just wanted a little more time with her before everything changed. But it was like I blinked and everything was different. I couldn't hold on to anything and usually Hermione's around to help … but this time she wasn't and I at first I figured she needed space after everything that happened. But the more time she spent apart from us, the angrier I got and then when we figured out why that was, I couldn't seem to make sense of anything anymore." Harry groaned wondering just how he'd let their friendship reach this point. "It felt like a betrayal of some kind. Like she was choosing them over us." He scoffed even as the words left his mouth. "Her ending up with Rowle was the last thing I ever imagined to come from the war. But when I found out, I panicked. I still think he's dangerous," Harry admitted to his friend. "And this bond of hers is partially why I feel so betrayed."

"I don't understand." Ron said looking confused.

"Magic's taken away all my family Ron. My parents, Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore … everyone I ever had. And just when I thought it was done, it took Hermione away too and gave her to a bloody Death Eater! One that tried to kill her!" Harry cried outraged. "I-I don't understand why! The war is over. She's meant to be safe! But now that's never going to happen"

"What makes you think she won't be?" Ron questioned.

"How could she be, when she's bonded to him?" Harry practically spat.

Ron squared his shoulders, 'I think it's time you gave Rowle a little more credit." Harry scowled but Ron continued. "I don't like him either but –"

"But what?" Harry interrupted. "What could possibly make this okay?"

"He loves her." Ron simply said.

Harry shook his head. 'It's not that simple. Just because he loves her, we're supposed to be okay with the fact that our friend is going to have a target on her for the rest of her life?"

"Yes Harry!" Ron said vehemently. "Yes, we're supposed to be okay with that because we should trust her, like we should have done from the start!" Ron looked determined to make Harry understand his point. "She never once stopped believing in us. Even when I left," Ron huffed rather painfully at the memory, "I left you two Harry." He reminded his friend, "I left you in that tent. She didn't. She deserves more from you than this."

"You don't understand Ron!" Harry argued. "How can I keep her safe now?" he insisted. "Look at where we are! She could have died today."

"But she didn't," Ron pressed on. "And that's no thanks to us! She's only alive because Rowle trusted her as much as we once did. Their bond or magic or whatever it is, that's what saved her. Not us. He saved her."

"I'm not ready for anyone else to have that kind of responsibility over her," Harry admitted. "I don't trust him with her."

"But it's not about us and what we want, harry." Ron reminded him sadly. "It's about what makes Mione happy."

Harry looked at Ron with scepticism. "How can we be sure he's not just using her?"

"Old Magick bonds aren't so easily fooled, Harry." He answered. He might not know much about the old magick but he did know that it did not take to trickery. Ron grasped Harry by the shoulder firmly. "Harry, her magic sort him out. Their magic bonded them together. Forever. There is no undoing that. That sort of act doesn't just happen to anybody."

"What are you saying?" Harry asked frowning.

"That there's a reason they were bonded to each other and maybe it's not our place to understand why but can't we at least – as her friends – try to accept it?" Ron offered.

"When did you get to be so accepting of all this?" Harry asked instead. "You had an awful lot to say not too long ago."

Ron sighed. "Yeah and then my best friend almost died because I was too busy being mad at her! You said it yourself. Look at where we are! What more is it going to take for you to understand?" Ron demanded clearly frustrated.

Quite alarmingly, Harry chocked back what sounded like a sob and then leaned back against the wall before sliding down to the floor. Ron looked shocked and uncertain as he watched his friend crumble before him.

"I- I didn't mean for it to get like this," Harry mumbled gripping his hair in frustration. "I was … I am so angry. We just saved the world. All I wanted was for some time with my family – what little family I did have left anyway – before things started changing. I didn't – fuck! I didn't want it to be like this but it was just so much easier to hold onto my anger and use that as –ugh- I don't know some kind of shield against everything that was now different. She must think we hate her." he whispered heartbroken.

"She'd be right to." Ron replied grimly. "We were awful to her."

"I know," Harry admitted. "I was just so afraid of losing her. This bonding business with Rowle happened right after the war –"

"Technically it happened during the war," Ron corrected.

"Right," Harry mumbled. "Anyway I just figured I would have you and Hermione to help with all the aftermath of the war but …"

Ron looked at Harry with sympathy. "Mate, you more than anyone else got a raw deal in all this saving the world business. I can understand wanting your friends around especially for the aftermath but Harry," Ron sighed stopping to take a deep breath, "Isn't it selfish to always expect so much of Mione?" he asked.

Harry frowned. "We're friends, Ron. Best friends! Being there for each other is what we do!"

"I know that! But in all this, all we've been concerned about is ourselves and how Mione can help us. We never considered what this might mean for her. Did you ask how she was dealing with being bonded to a Death Eater who once tried to kill her? Because I sure didn't. I was too busy throwing insults and being angry at her." Ron said looking quite ashamed. He knelt down so that he was eye level with Harry. "I lost my brother and my friends and regardless of what she was going through, Hermione was there when I needed her. She always has been."

Harry inhaled sharply, knowing Ron's words were beyond true. "I can't lose her Ron, and I don't just meant to Rowle." He whispered. "But I feel like I already have… with how I've behaved and the things I said to her."

"Hermione will forgive you." Ron assured him.

"Not this time," Harry argued. "And she'd be right not to."

"Harry – "

"No Ron. You were right. We've been selfish." Harry mumbled.

"We've all been through a lot Harry. Figuring out what comes after the war was never going to be easy." Ron offered.

"Yeah, but I never expected to fuck it up this badly." Harry said and Ron smiled in agreeance. "So what do we do now?"

"Try and make things right I guess." Ron said.

"How?"

"Well I suppose we could start by being better friends." Ron answered. "Come on. Let's go see Kingsley about these attackers. He's got them waiting in custody."

Harry nodded and accepted the hand Ron extended to him, helping him off the floor. He cast one last look towards Hermione's room at the end of the hallway before turning and walking away with Ron.

}{}{}{}{}{}{}{

Hermione groaned as the edges of consciousness crept back. She opened her eyes and then snapped them shut almost immediately. The room was entirely too bright. She groaned again, becoming more aware of the dull pain running through her body. The light felt harsh and prickly even against her closed eyelids and she turned as much as she could, burying her face in something warm and so familiar. The scent, washed over all her senses, the soothing beating lulling her into a sense of calm. She felt the touch of his fingers against her temple and gently carding through her hair as he pulled her closer, whispering in her ear. Her mind was still too foggy to grasp the exact words but it soothed her nonetheless.

"T-Thorfinn," she whispered, her voice raspy and rough.

She felt the sharp intake of breath as he froze for a second. "Duchess," he whispered but she could only moan. "Hermione," he whispered more urgently this time.

It was that strange terrifying urgency in his voice that had her forcing herself to open her eyes. The light hurt and she almost shut them again but when she felt the tightening of his arms around her, she forced herself to focus on the blurry image before her. As she grew accustomed to the light, the details filled in.

There was a sigh of relief when she finally looked up at Thorfinn. She had never seen him look so worried before.

"Hermione," he breathed.

She gave a weary smile, "Hi."

He leaned down, closing the tiny space between them as he pressed a kiss to her forehead and then he buried his face in the crook of her neck, holding her with everything he had.

She felt the weight of his emotions through their bond and she sobbed as full realisation finally dawned on her. She felt the lingering remnants of fear and panic edge away as pure relief and love flooded their bond. She raised her one hand, wrapping it around his neck, hugging him just as assuredly as he was. But as her hand grasped him she saw the bandage there and the memory of the attack came flooding back. The fear and pain took turns assaulting her memory and robbing her of calm breaths. The memory of the fire against her skin had her hiccupping but worst still, the idea of losing her mate, of Thorfinn suffering just as much if not more – because she knew he would blame himself for this and that guilt was the worst thing to carry – had her chocking back hot tears and her fingers digging into his fabric of his wife beater. All she had thought of during her attack was getting Evie and herself back home. Back to Thorfinn. But she'd failed.

"T-Thorfinn…" she cried.

"I'm here," he assured her immediately. "I'm right here."

"I'm s-sorry," she mumbled, her face buried in his chest. "They …. And E-Evie… I …."

"Shhh," Thorfinn soothed cutting of her hysterical cries.. "You're safe now. I promise. You're safe now." She looked up at him and Thorfinn felt his heart nearly break at the look in her eyes. "You're safe now, Duchess. I promise." He promised earnestly.

She barely nodded. "And Evie?" she asked in a frightened whisper.

"She's okay too." He assured her. "See for yourself." He added with a smile as he looked over her shoulder.

Hermione frowned and had turned just a little before her sight was filled with a teary – eyed Evie. Looking slightly weary but still very much alive.

"Evie!" Hermione cried in relief.

The blonde smiled but that soon crumpled as she let go of her tears.

"I'm so sorry Hermione!" she cried. "It was my fault we were in Hogsmeade! And things escalated so quickly! I'm so sor –"

"Evie! Stop! It's not your fault!" Hermione said quickly. "Please. I doubt I would have survived if it hadn't been for you!"

She released Thorfinn from her grasp before reaching for Evie, pulling her closer as she hugged the blonde. Evie released a watery sob before hugging Hermione back as best she could as Thorfinn still had a good hold on her.

When at last the two witches let go of each other, Evie took a seat on the edge of the bed as Hermione settled back against Thorfinn's hold.

She sighed, feeling completely exhausted but she needed to know what exactly happened.

"How bad was it?" she asked looking at Thorfinn.

He didn't say anything instead he closed his eyes for moment and exhaled. Hermione felt her stomach twist.

"That bad?" she asked. When he didn't say anything, she looked at Evie. "What happened?"

Evie bit her lip, looking from her friend to her brother. She recognised that look in her brother's eyes. It gave her pause because it wasn't something that she'd seen often. He was scared. She wasn't surprised though. It was the one look that had been a permanent fixture in the past few hours. Thorfinn wasn't looking at her though. His gaze was set on Hermione, as if memorising every little detail of her, before someone came and took her away just like he feared.

"You were hit with the wild fire during the fight." Evie started.

"I remember." Hermione groaned.

"I tried my best to put it out as fast as I could but that just gave them the opportunity to advance on their attack. I had barely managed to douse the fire and put up a strong enough shield when Thorfinn and Draco arrived." Evie continued. She cast her eyes down to her hands, unable to look her friend in the eye.

Hermione reached out, grasping Evie's hand in hers, squeezing it until her friend found her resolve to continue.

"Draco stepped up to help while Thorfinn checked on you but we were outnumbered. I wasn't sure what was going to happen but then …" she released a shaky breath finally looking up at her brother.

"But what?" Hermione asked looking between them. "What happened?"

"Thorfinn picked up your wand and well… he saved us." Evie finished.

"Y-You used magic?" she asked shocked. He simply nodded. "But how? The bracelet won't let you use magic." She looked down trying to find his hands but he wouldn't let her move.

"It wouldn't but our bond didn't like that very much," he told her. "They broke off."

"You used magic," Hermione said disbelievingly. He nodded. "Thorfinn you could get into serious trouble for this! You shouldn't have done that!"

At her words, Thorfinn scowled and Evie wisely jumped off the bed. She quickly made her way back to her own bed, giving them some space.

"I couldn't let you die!" He growled.

"But… your parole," Hermione insisted. "Do you have any idea what this means for you?"

His scowl deepened. "Yes. I'm aware." He said through gritted teeth.

"Are you?" she pressed.

"What is this about, Hermione?" he asked pulling himself up and away from her slightly. "There was no choice in doing what I did."

"I don't think you understand what you've done!" she argued. "You shouldn't have acted so rashly. You violated the terms of your parole. Merlin knows that the Ministry will do now."

"To save you!" he said vehemently. "I would do it again. In a heartbeat."

"Don't you get it Thorfinn!" she cried frustrated. "You could lose your magic! Because of me! That's not fair!"

"Rather my magic than you!" he shot back. Hermione sucked in a breath as he grasped her face in his hands. "Don't you get it, Duchess?" he asked imploring her too look at him. "I would have given anything in that moment to get to you. Anything." he stressed. "If the price for saving you is losing my magic then so be it."

She felt the tears slip down her cheeks, unable to stop them. he spoke so assuredly, leaving no room for her to doubt him.

"Hermione look at me," he implored again. This time she did. "I love you." He spoke the words slowly and calmly. "You're my family, right?" he asked her.

"Yes." She answered softly but firmly.

"And surely by now you know there is absolutely nothing I wouldn't do to keep my family safe." He said.

"But –" she weakly protested.

"Including giving up my magic." He assured her.

"I j-just don't want to lose you. And I definitely don't you or Evie to suffer because of me." Hermione admitted. She shook her head stopping his immediate argument. "I thought I was never going to see you again. I thought about you and Evie and how unbearable it would be if you lost her too." Hermione whispered tearfully.

Thorfinn gathered her in his arms a little more securely. He pushed aside her curls and tipped her chin up so she was looking at him.

"Losing either of you would be completely unbearable," Thorfinn admitted. "But I'd rather have no magic than lose either of you." He repeated.

Hermione's tear filled eyes glanced down at her lap and Thorfinn could feel her guilt through their bond. It was almost crippling. He gathered her a little closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead and instinctively, she reached up, her hand twisting into the fabric of his vest.

"It wasn't your fault." He told her. "It wasn't your fault." He repeated and then he kissed her with all he had. She gasped and let him push her back against the mattress. "If anything, this is my fault." He whispered, his eyes falling shut as he spoke.

She didn't need their bond to tell her what he felt then. Shame and a strong sense of helplessness. She didn't like it. Thorfinn had never been ashamed of who he was. He had, from the very first moment they met, been unapologetically himself. It was one of the things she loved the most about him. He owned his past; it didn't own him and she wasn't about to let that change.

Hermione raised her hand, her fingers smoothing over his beard in that same soothing familiar gesture he loved. She waited for him, the tensing of his jaw to unclench as he exhaled. Still he didn't open his eyes, unable to face her.

"It's not your fault either," she told him. "Thorfinn, look at me." She ordered. It took a moment but he complied. "It's not your fault either."

"You were hurt because I'm a Death Eater."

"Ex-Death Eater." She reminded him.

"That … Hermione that doesn't …"Thorfinn struggled. "You don't understand."

"Help me then."

"How am I ever going to protect you from the sins of my past?" he asked desperately.

She didn't answer at first, unable to answer him. She leaned in, pressing her lips against his. "I don't know." She finally said. "But what I do know is that I love you and there is nothing that's going to change that. So whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. Promise me, Thorfinn." She demanded.

He released a shuddering breath. "I've said it before, Duchess. You're far to forgiving. I didn't understand it then and I still don't understand it now."

Hermione gave him a small smile. "Promise me Viking." She said undeterred.

He ran his fingers through her hair. "I promise." He vowed.

Again, he wrapped her in his arms and when she sighed contently, Thorfinn felt it ripple through their bond. She was here, she was safe and that was all that mattered for now.

Their peace was disturbed a few moments later with a knock at the door. Whoever was on the other side, didn't wait to be permitted in. Instead, they stepped inside looking between the two beds before finally settling on Hermione. It took her a moment to register who it was, her eyes widening in surprise.

Her hands grasped Thorfinn's tightly as she whispered, "Oh."

The room filled with a tense silence and even Evie slide of her bed, walking towards her brother and Hermione.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked. She ignored the hurt look on his face.

"We need to talk," he simply said. "Please." He added surprising her.

Hermione looked at Thorfinn and while he looked conflicted he didn't say anything. This was her call to make. When he shuffled beside her, his lips pressing against her temple, she closed her eyes, sighed and then turned to the man still standing at the door.

She gave him a barely there nod. "Okay, let's talk."

AN: Hello dear readers!

I apologise for the long wait for this chapter. It has been a tough few weeks. A very big thank you to all you wonderful readers. Those who are still following, favouriting and have reviewed this story! It means the world to me.

I appreciate all those readers who have taken the time to review. Please, as a writer, one of the greatest aspects of writing especially on this platform is hearing what you think. Your words have more power than you believe. So please do review!

if you are interested in seeing the cover image for this chapter, you can find it on my instagram account : immortal_dragon_empress

Song: Things we lost in the fire - Bastille

Please stay safe!

Cheers!