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Chapter 17

Perilous Protection

Hermione felt slightly numb as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. She knew there was nothing she could say that would rectify the situation. There was no easy fix. She cringed. I'm not trying to fix him, she inwardly scolded.

She hadn't realized how bad things had gotten for Ron. During the Horcrux hunt, they had all been badly injured and barely escaped death on many occasions but Ron had always remained light-hearted. One month had changed everything.

Before Hermione could dwell further into her thoughts, Ron broke the silence that had fallen over them.

He raised his thumb to her cheek and brushed some tears away from her face. "Don't cry, please, I'm always mak—."

Hermione lifted her index finger to his lips and made a soft "shh" sound. "You don't have to apologize for anything Ron. You have no idea where to go from here and neither do I. I care for you deeply, Ron." She refrained from saying 'love'. There was no point in saying it until he was ready to believe it.

"So, we'll just have to go on with life and have faith that we'll figure it out eventually," she continued convincingly, even as a sense of dread overcame her.

Ron snorted. "What life?"

Hermione gave him a little half-smile. "You know what I mean."

Ron nodded. "You're going back to the dungeon and I'm going back to this," he said waving his hand about the room. "Where have you left Snape?"

"McGonagall settled him into his old bedchamber."

"The dungeon?"

Hermione shook her head. "The quarters off the DADA classroom."

"I nearly forgot that he taught Defense," muttered Ron as he stood up.

xxx

Ron's head was throbbing with pain as he made his way down to the Defense Against Dark Arts classroom. He flicked his wand, summoning a vial of painkilling potion. He could barely believe that he'd told Hermione all those things—thoughts that he didn't even fully understand.

He tried to push the whole conversation to the back of his mind as he reached the entrance of the DADA private quarters. If he didn't think about it, he didn't have to deal with it.

He passed through an office and a sitting area before he reached the bedroom.

Professor McGonagall was sitting in a winged back chair, her head titled back slightly, her eyes closed and her spectacles clenched in her hand. A few feet away, Snape lay, unconscious and buried beneath layers of sheets and a thick duvet.

"Professor?" said Ron, surprised to see her in the room.

The elderly woman jerked slightly as her eyes fluttered open. She quickly slipped her specs on and blinked her eyes as she looked at her former student. "Mr. Weasley, you startled me."

"Sorry."

"I'm pleased to see that you haven't sustained any permanent damage."

Ron nodded.

McGonagall frowned slightly as she glanced back at her younger colleague. "I was just staying with Professor Snape for a spell and must have dozed off."

"How is he?"

The professor shook her head and she suddenly looked regretful at the dark haired man. "I don't know how matters got so horribly out of control for him. I failed him as his teacher and now, I've failed him as a colleague."

Ron shifted uncomfortably. He didn't think that she realized that she was saying this in front of him.

"I should have trusted you because Albus did, Severus."

"It's what he wanted us all to think, Professor," reasoned Ron.

McGonagall's eyes snapped to Ron. "Dear me," she muttered as she realized that Ron was still in the room. "He's not well. What you did for him back at the muggle town has kept him alive, though. I've done what I can but healing has never been my strength

Ron moved into the room to examine the injured man.

McGonagall stood up and stepped over to the bed. "I've healed most of his broken bones but these," she said, gesturing to both his hands. "It's like there are millions of bone fragments inside. They're impossible to fix."

Ron frowned as he touched the man's hands. He quickly withdrew them as he felt the tiny pieces of bones under the skin.

"He's always treasured those hands," said McGonagall in a slightly choked voice.

Ron furrowed his brow, as a thought seemed to nudge at his mind. Why was he suddenly reminded of one of Harry's Quidditch games?

Suddenly it hit him like a rogue bludger. Ron couldn't help but smirk at the irony.

"It's not a lost cause, Professor," assured Ron.

"I know you've become an excellent healer with no training whatsoever but you cannot believe that you can mend these bones," said McGonagall, raising an eyebrow.

Ron shook his hand. "No those bones are absolutely useless now."

"Then?"

"I'll remove the bones and re-grow them with Skele-Gro. It'll hurt like shit but that's only if he comes about while the potion is working and I reckon he'll think it's worth it."

The woman seemed too elated to reproach him for his foul language. "An excellent plan, Mr. Weasley!"

"Don't thank me, thank Lockhart for that one."

After McGonagall left, Ron tapped his wand on a nearby dresser and summoned a tray of potions to that spot.

He was unbuttoning the former professor's nightshirt when he heard the door creaking open from behind him. He spun around quickly.

"Just me, mate," greeted Harry as he stepped into the room.

"Harry," exclaimed Ron. "What are you doing here?"

"Hermione didn't tell you? I came to see if your sorry arse was all right."

Ron gave him an apologetic look. "I'm fine."

Harry looked at him doubtfully before his eyes landed on the professor. "Never thought I'd live to see the day you undress Snape."

"Oh, very funny, Harry."

"So the bastard's going to live?"

"I won't be sure for another few days. Malfoy seems to have pulled through but Snape's been subjected to hell of a lot more abuse."

"Dumbledore's would-be-murderer and murderer back under Hogwarts' roof," he muttered, angrily.

"Come on, mate, I'd be the last person to believe that I'd ever feel anything but hatred for him but I guess I was wrong."

Harry shrugged his shoulders as he flopped into the recently vacated chair. "Well, I'm not you. I'll accept that he's working for our side but that's it."

Ron sighed. A month ago, Ron would have felt the same way. In fact, he probably would have thought Snape was still a traitor. If he'd gone back in time and told his younger self that he'd risked his own life to save Snape's life, his old self would have laughed in his face and said, "Good one." But now, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the man and even the inklings of admiration for his selflessness and bravery. He no longer saw everything through black and white lenses.

Harry leaned forward in the chair as Ron started uncorking potions and waving his wand over the unconscious man. "So, are you really all right, Ron?"

"Perfectly fine, Harry, as good as new."

Harry frowned. "I just saw Hermione."

Ron's body tensed. He kept his eyes trained on the task. "What did she say?" he asked, dreading the answer.

"Nothing much," said Harry quickly. Ron wondered if he was lying. "It's just, she was sort of upset, I mean, not crying or anything but just upset. You two in a fight?"

"No," Ron mumbled before he removed the bones from Snape's hands.

"Then?" prompted Harry.

"When did you become so concerned with the two of us?" grumbled Ron.

"When have I not been concerned about you or Hermione?" said Harry, feigning offence.

"That's not what I mean, I mean, why the sudden interest in us as a pair?"

"I've put up with your spats for seven years, pardon me if I'm getting tired of it," he said goodheartedly.

"We're not in a spat," insisted Ron. Ron wondered if a row would have been better than spilling his guts out to her.

"But something's wrong, right?"

Ron sighed. "I don't think we're an 'us' anymore…shortest relationship ever." He continued to concentrate on Snape instead of dwell deeper into his thoughts.

"But you two…I mean you …well…you know…"

"Don't even say it, Harry."

Ron looked over his shoulder at Harry. He looked aghast. "Does she think you rushed her? Did you rush her?"

Ron groaned. Perfect time to go all brotherly on her, he thought.

"Of course I didn't!" He wasn't going to admit that maybe she rushed him. No bloke was ever going to admit that to his best mate. He couldn't believe he was admitting it to himself.

"Then why did she break it off?"

"Who said she broke it off?"

"You did?" asked Harry, surprised.

Ron shook his head. "We didn't really break it off…we just…I don't know," he said, frustrated. Ron really didn't want to discuss his problems with Harry. Harry had his own problems to deal with and Ron wasn't going to add to the list.

"Well, it's not really over, I reckon," said Harry, thoughtfully. "Just on hold."

"How do reckon that?" mumbled Ron as he forced a fever-reducing potion down Snape's throat. Unless he was going to revert to his old self, he didn't see how things would get back to normal.

Harry shrugged. "It's been a long time coming, I didn't like it at the beginning…told myself that it was my imagination but soon it was just too obvious."

"What do you mean, 'you didn't like it'?"

Harry shook his head, trying to brush it aside. "Nothing."

"No Harry, what are you talking about?"

Harry groaned, obviously regretting where the conversation had gone. "I figured things would be different between the three of us afterwards. They were bad enough with your mouth permanently stuck to Lavender's."

"Nothing changes, Harry," Ron said firmly. "You're as important to me as she is." Ron's cheeks felt warm. Why was he suddenly so honest about his feelings with his friends?

"I know," mumbled Harry.

Suddenly, Snape's body started convulsing.

"Gah," muttered Ron as a potion spilled over his hand. "Harry, can you get over here and hold him down."

Harry walked over and looked down at the shuddering man, reluctantly.

"Can't you use magic or something?"

"Harry, shut it and hold his shoulders down."

Harry frowned as he pushed his palms against his hated professor's bare shoulders.

"Can't use unnecessary magic, seems to be aggravating him…must be a spell they used. Makes it harder to heal him. And he's got a lot more of that poison in him than I did. He's going to need more of this antidote."

Harry noticed Snape's limp fingers. "What happened to his hands?"

"I took the bones out. Growing them back with Skele-Gro."

Harry winced. "That'll hurt."

"I think he's felt worse."

Soon Harry was back in the winged back chair, obviously happy to be away from his former professor.

"So, you seen Ginny yet?" asked Ron, wanting to change the subject.

"Yeah, just for a bit. Had to listen to her rant on about you. She isn't very happy right now. Figures you were being stupid."

"What do you think?" asked Ron. After all, Harry was a prime example of rash actions.

"I think you're a right git for risking your life for him."

He saved our lives first, thought Ron. But he didn't mention that to Harry. He knew Harry was well aware of the circumstances surrounding Snape. Harry wasn't as heartless as he was trying to appear. Ron understood that he needed to keep that façade in place.

He appealed to Snape's role in the War instead. "Have you any leads on the last Horcrux?"

"No," mumbled Harry.

"See," Ron said, gesturing to Snape. "He's our best lead."

"If he ever gets up."

"Actually, he's probably going to come in and out of consciousness for the next few hours. Some of the stuff I've forced down his throat are bound to pull him out of this, if only for a bit. And if all goes well, he'll be talking by tomorrow."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, but he won't be out of this bed for quite some time."

"I only need him to talk," said Harry.

Ron decided to change the subject again. Snape was shaping into an irritable subject for Harry.

"What have you been doing with Remus? How are things out there?"

Harry sighed. "I spent some time interrogating the Death Eaters we captured during the attack on the Ministry. They turned out to be useless…just pawns, you know?"

"Yeah."

"A part of London was attacked yesterday but we were able to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. That meant more useless Death Eaters to interrogate…but nothing to lead us to another Horcrux."

Ron could hear the frustration in Harry's voice. Harry just banged his head against the back of the chair.

"Oh, I nearly forgot, Remus's bringing more patients tomorrow."

Ron groaned. "Great. We'll have to start using the sleeping bags or transfigure things into beds at this rate."

"You've left quite an impression with the Order and the Ministry, actually," said Harry. "Seems to think you can handle anything. Remus says that everyone was amazed at how you handled the Hogsmeade attack. Hogwarts just seemed like the best place to send the sick or injured after what happened to St. Mungo's"

"Well, don't I feel special," Ron muttered sarcastically, though, deep down, it felt foreign yet almost pleasant to be recognized like that.

He looked down at his patient, feeling a bit tired. He had never worked on someone with such horrendous injuries—external, internal and magical.

"Okay Harry, I've got to go check on Malfoy and see how the rest of the castle is holding up. Can you stay here with him? He needs to take this potion in fifteen minutes." He held up a small vial to Harry. "I'll be back."

Harry groaned but agreed, albeit reluctantly.

xxx

Harry was sitting silently, staring at his former professor, with a scowl plastered on his face. Why was he feeling sympathy for the bastard?

He was grumbling under his breath when the older man stirred slightly in the bed and started coughing.

Harry jumped to his feet.

"Pot…" he started before he was gripped by an onslaught of coughs. "King…"

Harry was hastily trying to uncork the potion Ron had left for him. "King?"

"24..."

"What?"

"Hor…"

"Horcrux?" exclaimed Harry.

Snape nodded before grimacing in pain.

"King? Horcrux? 24? What the hell are you trying to say?"

xxx

Ron entered the room to see Harry kneeling at the bedside, staring at the unconscious man.

"You all right, mate?"

Harry's head jerked upwards. "Yeah, fine. I've got to go."

"Go? Already?" Ron said, disappointed.

Harry got up and nodded. "I've got to get back to the Order. Just remembered something."

"What?" said Ron, suspiciously. He looked over at Snape. Saliva and blood marred the corner of his mouth. "Did he wake up or something?" he asked as he preformed a cleaning spell.

Harry shook his head. "Is my invisibility cloak in the dormitory?"

Ron narrowed his eyes. "It's in a racksack by my bed."

"Right."

"Harry, what's going on? Please tell me."

"Nothing, all right, I just have to leave," he snapped angrily.

Ron was not convinced. "Harry…"

Harry ignored him and headed for the door.

"Harry, just wait."

Harry growled at Ron. "I don't have time for this."

Ron picked up a cork-stopper and turned it into a portkey.

"Take this. If anything happens, use it to come back here."

xxx

Ron slumped into the twice-vacated chair, feeling knackered and frustrated. He didn't believe Harry when he said that Snape hadn't woken up. It was the only explanation for Harry's abrupt departure. Snape must have told Harry something about the last Horcrux while Ron was out of the room.

But he had no idea where Harry was going and it was driving him mad with worry. He realized that Hermione must have felt the exact same way when he disappeared from the castle.

He summoned a copy of the master schedule for the castle staff and started reorganizing the schedule. Somebody had to remain by Snape's side at all times in case he woke up. Snape would know where Harry had gone.

Somebody knocked on the door as he used his wand to rearrange the schedule.

"Ron, open the door, my hands are full," came Hermione's voice from the other side of the door.

Ron quickly flicked his wand and the door flew open, banging loudly against the wall.

He gave Hermione an apologetic look as she flinched slightly at the noise. "Sorry, didn't mean to slam it."

Hermione came into the room, her bag slung over her shoulder. She had a platter of sandwiches in one hand and a tray of three drinks in the other hand, obviously balanced with magic. She smiled nervously at Ron.

Ron jumped out of his seat and cleared away a spot on the dresser for the food. "What's all this?" asked Ron as he eyed the sandwiches, his stomach growling.

"Where's Harry? I saw both of you here on the map a half-hour ago and thought I'd bring us some food. The three of us haven't spent time together in so long."

"He's gone," said Ron angrily.

"What? But he just got here!"

"I know. I'd left him with Snape for a few minutes and by the time I came back he was in a hurry to leave."

"Did he say where too?"

"No. I asked him if Snape said anything to him but he denied it." Ron grabbed a turkey and cheese sandwich and bit into it violently.

"You believe him?"

"No."

Hermione fell into the chair and sighed heavily. "You see what I have to deal with? Two hotheaded prats."

Ron gave her another apologetic look as a tense silence fell between them.

The awkwardness between them seemed nonexistent as they worried about Harry. It seemed like they had come to a mutual agreement to take things slowly between them. After all, they couldn't jeopardize Harry's safety or the War efforts because he was too preoccupied with working out the battle he seemed to wage with himself.

"I'm worried, Hermione," Ron finally said as he grabbed another sandwich and sat on the floor beside the chair.

Hermione bit her lip as she looked apprehensively at him. "Ron, I have a plan."

"A plan? For what?" he asked with his mouth full.

"If Harry's gone after the last Horcrux, it's only a matter of time before Harry goes after Voldemort."

Ron felt his head throb as he thought about Harry's pending destiny.

"I don't think Voldemort knows that nearly all his Horcruxes have been destroyed but he knows Nagini is dead."

Ron nodded. Using Hermione's incredible transfiguration skills, they'd left replacements at every Horcrux site, much like the fake locket Harry and Dumbledore found at the end of their sixth year.

When Snape had finally blown his cover to protect the trio, Hermione was convinced that Voldemort was oblivious to any prior communication between the double agent and Harry, Ron and Hermione. Thus, he could go on believing that his soul infused relics were safe.

But now that Snape was with them, Voldemort would start getting nervous.

"I've been doing a lot of research on souls…" continued Hermione before she nibbled on her sandwich.

"Wait, I thought there was no information on Horcruxes. That's why Harry had to collect that memory from Slughorn."

"There isn't anything on making Horcruxes but there is information on souls and soul fragments. According to my research, a person experiences severe weakness after losing a piece of their soul."

"So that's why he doesn't go about making dozens of them."

"Exactly," said Hermione. "This means there's only a small window of opportunity here. Harry has to kill Voldemort after destroying the last Horcrux but before he makes another one. It could be any day now and we can't let Harry go blindly into this. We need a plan."

"And you have a plan?" asked Ron.

Hermione nodded slowly. "But it's dangerous."

Ron gulped before saying, "If it helps Harry, we have to consider it."

Hermione smiled softly. "I knew you'd agree with me."

"So what is it, then?"

"Remember when we came back to Hogwarts to research a spell to extract the soul fragment from Hufflepuff's cup a few months ago."

Ron nodded.

"Well, I came across a book in the restricted section. I didn't give it much thought then but while I waited for the antidote to brew I went back and found the book."

Ron nodded his head impatiently.

Hermione pulled out a small, tattered book from her bag and handed it to Ron.

"It's not in English," he muttered as he stared down at the foreign words.

"It's Latin for Advanced Protective Magic," explained Hermione. She bounced slightly in her chair much like she did when she was explaining a particularly clever concept to Harry or Ron.

"Didn't know you knew Latin." Ron started flipping through the book. Everything was in Latin

"I don't, well, I know a bit but I've been using a translation spell for the most part. Unfortunately, some things are getting lost in translation…it's like figuring out a riddle."

"Well, we all know you're good at that," said Ron absently, remembering the riddle she decoded for Harry and herself in their first year.

Hermione smiled before leaning forward and flipping through the book in Ron's hand. "The spell Dumbledore used to protect Harry at the Dursleys is in here." She stopped at a page and pointed. "Sacrificial Protection of Blood."

Ron frowned. Neither of them were Harry's blood relatives and he'd hope for a less permanent solution than death.

"Harry's mum's sacrifice protected Harry from Quirrell in first year but after what happened in forth year, the protection was broken."

"Right," Ron said slowly, trying to figure out where Hermione was going with this.

"Harry needs some form of protection if he's going to face him so that he can concentrate on attacking Voldemort and not defending himself."

"We'll be with him Hermione. He's not going to be alone in this," he said fiercely. Ron had promised to be with Harry through everything and he planned to keep that promise.

Hermione shook her head. "If we're there, Voldemort could use us against Harry. We could be distractions."

Ron gapped at her. "Hermione, we can't desert him like that!"

"We're not deserting him, Ron," she said indignantly.

"Then?" he snapped.

"There's a spell in here…well actually, a potion and an incantation to activate and deactivate a shield. It's risky, Ron, but if it works, Harry doesn't have to worry about defending himself. He won't get anywhere if he's constantly fighting off Voldemort's attacks with Protego."

Ron gulped. "So, you've found a permanent shield spell that Harry can use?

She inhaled some air. "Something like that. It's only broken if the caster says the incantation again or…if he dies."

Ron narrowed his eyes. "Who casts the spell? Harry? Because that makes no sense. If he could die, what's the point in the spell?"

"Harry doesn't cast the spell. Someone who loves Harry must cast it. Like Harry's original protection. It was powerful because of Lily Potter's love."

Ron traced his fingers along the edge of the book as he stared at her. "Hermione, just tell me everything, all right?"

Hermione nodded. "It's ancient magic. Averto Ingruo Contego. I have to make a potion that we have to drink. It's complicated but I know I can make it. Then when the time comes, we say the incantation. An invisible shield will surround Harry and any magical attacks will not reach him."

Ron gaped at her. It seemed too good to be true but she had said that it was risky. "What's the catch, Hermione?"

Hermione looked nervously at Ron. "The attacks are redirected…to the casters."

A heavy silence draped over the two friends as Ron processed Hermione's words. Calling the spell 'risky' was like calling Grawp big when he was actually gigantic. But Ron knew he would do anything for Harry.

"What do you mean by 'casters'? Can't one person cast it?" asked Ron.

Hermione let out an exasperated sigh of frustration. "I am not letting you do this spell on your own, Ronald Weasley! I'm the one who's making the potions, so it's either both of us or just me. Take your pick."

Ron knew he couldn't convince her otherwise. Still, it made him nauseous to think of Hermione in that much danger even though he knew that he didn't have the right to prevent her from protecting her best friend.

"Besides," she continued softly. "The shield is less likely to break if there are two casters."

Ron closed his eyes, understanding the implication of Hermione's statement but refusing to acknowledge it.

"How will it work? Will the spells duplicate and attack us separately?"

Hermione shook her head. "We won't know until it happens, Ron. Some spells might duplicate, others might split its intensity between the two of us and others might just attack you or me."

Ron slipped his hand into hers and squeezed it reassuringly.

She looked down at him, her eyes glistening. "We've got to stay away from Harry when he finally faces him."

Ron nodded to show his understanding. If they were with Harry, both Harry and Voldemort would realize that Ron and Hermione were at the receiving end of Voldemort's attacks. Voldemort could easily use that to his advantage.

"I've been working on a spell in order to see what Harry sees when we activate the shield. If muggles can do it with cameras, I know I can do it. That way we'll know what we're being attacked with. We just have…we just have to brush up on…our defensive magic, that's all." Her voice trembled slightly.

Ron was amazed at the amount to things Hermione could do in such a short time—work on an antidote, decode a Latin book and create a spy spell.

"Do you think it's absolutely insane, Ron?" she murmured.

Ron squeezed her hand again, knowing that they were embarking on a suicide mission but still hoping that they would survive. "It's a brilliant plan, Hermione," he whispered.

Hermione gave him a small smile. "We'll take care of the defense and Harry can concentrate on the offense."

Ron let out a quiet chuckle as he covered up his own apprehension. "You sound like you're getting ready for a Quidditch game, Hermione."

"It was bound to rub off at some point."

Ron leaned his head against the side of Hermione's chair. Her hand hovered tentatively as it grazed over Ron's hair. She hesitated for a moment before settling her hand into his hair.

Ron closed his eyes and allowed the brief moment of contentment to engulf his worry and anxiety. He silently hoped that they would survive to see Harry victorious. Maybe with the war behind them, Harry could finally live the life he deserved and Ron could finally learn to live with himself.

---

A/N: Harry will be back in the next chapter.

So this was a major contrast from the last chapter. This chapter was incredibly hard to write. I must have rewritten it three times and I'm still not entirely satisfied but I've got to stop rewriting at some point. In the previous version of the story, the way Voldemort was defeated is painfully laughable and I've had a hard time working out a plan for this version of the story. I had to get Hermione's plan out in the open.

There's more involved than what was said but for now, I hope everything makes sense. Things are not going to be easy for Harry when he finally faces Voldemort just because Ron and Hermione are taking care of the defense. They're just taking away one part of the equation for Harry. Some of you might wonder where Ginny is in this whole plan. I'll address that later.

As for the last Horcrux, I've given a hint to what it is in this chapter. You won't believe how long it took me to come up with it. I don't know if it's already been used (I have not yet read far enough into the long, Horcrux fics that I'm reading to know what other writers have used) but hopefully it's not too overused.

I hope that I was able to keep the undertones of Ron's struggle while focusing on the War efforts in this chapter. I didn't plan for this story to be so involved with the actually war and Voldemort's defeat but it's impossible to have the emotional side without the War side.

Let me know what you think.

Weasleygirl-ca.

To my anonymous reviewers:

a fan of your fic: Thanks so much for the kind review!

random: I love sweet Ron too (and confused Ron, lol). I'll try to be good with my updates :D. Thanks for the wonderful review.

Miarae: I'm so glad you think that. It's really hard to let a character evolve and still keep him somewhat in character. Thank you so much for the amazing review!