Where to Begin...[open]

[Ron Weasley]

Ron was in his room, up at the attic of their home, thinking, possessed in thought and mind of what on Earth they, meaning Harry and Hermione where going to do after leaving the Burrow. He knew they were subjected to a mission by Dumbledore, to help Harry find the last couple of Horcruxes and destroy them in order to get rid of Voldermort, but it seemed to keep stumping his head like a parasite. "Where are they anyway, we're suppose to have been done with packing everything[/i]" he thought as he sat down on his bed and leaned his elbows to his knees, putting his hands through his hair as though gripping what little sanity he had left.

He had the gnome ready, he didn't think it was going to be possible but he managed to get one of his house gnomes to look closely to Ron and make it look as though he were deadly sick. A rare and terribly disease. But he wasn't sure if Harry and Hermione were going to get to meet him on time. They had little time left he thought as he looked at the clock hanging over the door. It was half past 12 in the afternoon. His mom wanted him to come down and help her with last minute deeds for Bill's wedding. But he was still framed at his bed looking worried, concerned, perhaps even sick. He hasn't seen Harry or Hermione in all of summer, although he tried to keep close communication through owls. But by the time he heard the ministry's sudden changes, Death Eaters roaming about the offices and leaving no civil rest upon their world he knew it was unsafe to send anything across owl anymore. Even his father mentioned to his whole family the risk they laid now that it seemed Voldermort was taking control of the Ministry of Magic.

He couldn't take the waiting, he got up and paced a bit, looking at the door. He thought at any minute they could have walked in. But everything seemed futile. Therefore he thought maybe trying to put some clothes aside before they left would help keep him busy. It came with thunderous surprise when he heard the door creak open and couldn't help to turn and hope it was one of his dear friends.[/size]

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny silently crept up the stairs of the Burrow. Her bedroom was still and silent as she tip-toed down the hallway. At first, her intentions were to go to her room and try to figure out her homework for Professor Slughorn, but she heard a shuffling noise from the room across the hall from her. She looked around her, making sure everyone was asleep before she made her way to Ron's room. She held up a hand and softly rapped on the door. Without waiting for anyone to answer her, she grasped the door knob and slowly pushed the door open.

She was faced with Ronald pacing and she sighed heavily. She revealed herself to him. She had chosen to wear her pajamas which consisted of long red pants with small snitches all over them. She wore a matching camisole which read Holyhead Harpies across the top. Her flaming, red hair was pulled up into a ponytail as she gazed gently at Ron. "Ron, are you alright?" she asked gently. She entered his room and silently shut the door, aiming her wand and muttering a spell to bewitch the door so that Molly wouldn't hear them talking.

"You seem...rather nervous," she stated with a nod. Ginny leaned against the door, not taking her eyes off of her brother. It was amazing to her that he could be so tall, and yet sometimes feel so short. She had to look up to talk to Ronald, and she felt it was rather embarassing.

[Ron Weasley]

Ron finally stopped rather abrupt at the door as he saw Ginny standing there rather innocently at him. " Blimey! ... don't you ever knock " Ron replied. Even though he wasn't aware that she had already knocked without an answer. His mind was still too fixed on whether Harry or Hermione were going to arrive. " Have you seen Harry by some chance? " he continued even though he then regretted mentioning it for he thought it would make Ginny sad again just on the thought of him.

He instead sat back down on his bed and sighed heavily as though trying to rid something from his chest. Ever minute hanging on the balance, going against laws, and the list goes on Ron had felt a sense of worry and concern like no other. Matter's worse when Harry and Hermione were not there to discuss the problem with. He had to remain shut with Ginny for he couldn't let out what his problem really was.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny cringed a bit and wanted to throw herself at Ron for being so loud. "I did knock," she stated curtley and sat down on his bed. Ginny's red bangs covered the side of her face as he asked her more questions. "No, I haven't Ronald." Ginny's jaw was set at an angle displaying that she was a bit angry with her brother. She let a soft sigh escape her lips and she continued staring at Ron. She shook her head and looked down at her lap, twiddling her thumbs in aggravation.

"Ron," she started looking at her brother who had just sat down beside her. "What is wrong with you lately? Mum's been taking EVERYTHING out on me because you three..well I don't know what you three are, but she's trying to keep you three separated. Why?" she asked him staring him in the eyes. Her dark brown eyes held his gaze and demanded an answer from her older brother.

[Ron Weasley]

Ron's face seemed a bit flushed red as he saw Ginny disturbed expression. " What are you talking about, she's just being her usual nagging self... Harry, Hermione and I aren't doing anything, and besides...woudn' you think that if we were doing something I would want to tell you" said Ron. He wanted to divert her from telling Ginny the obvious truth. As he sat there a bit still flushed and nervous he instantly got up again and looked at the clock. 'Where could they be?' he kept thinking. His pacing wasn't so bad anymore but his nervous demeanor was.

" Don't you have to be off doing mum's biding?" he continued on being a bit brash. He loved his sister but he couldn't give her any trace of what he was up too, it was hard enough that he was going to have to leave the Burrow. But not being able to have close contact with the world was becoming far more depressing. He looked over to the small window in his attic and looked longingly with a bit of despair and anxiousity.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny frowned and scowled at Ron. He was being a git and he knew it. "Is that it Ron? Do you just want me to waltz out of your life because you think I should be doing Mum's bidding? Well for your information, while you and your "friends" are trying to plan whatever it is you three are planning, I'm being piled with Mum's useless work and it's not like she's taking all this out on you three. She has to take it out on me. So if you just want me to leave, I can walk out right now," she snapped loudly at him.

It was a surprise that Ginny hadn't bitten his head off yet. She had anger boiled up inside and had just taken it out on Ronald. She watched him pacing. "I'd like to see you try to be a girl for once. To have someone you love more than life itself having to battle the Dark Lord. JUST TRY TO HAVE SOME SYMPATHY FOR OTHERS BESIDES YOURSELF RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY." By stating his middle name, it was known that Ginny was so angry with Ron, it was amazing that she hadn't just shouted Avada Kadevra.

She wanted to ball up her fists and punch Ron in the face. He always wanted her to be off doing mum's biding while they were planning whatever and she was left to face her mum's anger with the three.

[Hermione Granger]

Molly Weasley had kept Hermione busy with whatever the plump woman could think of. Of course, being the polite witch that she was, the former Gryffindor girl couldn't help but oblige. First, Mrs. Weasley had the girl help her with cooking, then Bill and Fleur's wedding invitations, then even more tasks that, under different circumstances, might actually be enjoyable. It was only slightly past noon and Hermione felt as though she had been running around twenty-four hours straight.

It wasn't until Mrs. Weasley was too busy to give anymore tasks for the brown-haired girl to complete. This gave the girl a chance to "escape" unnoticed. She only slightly felt bad about it. However, Hermione would not question her luck, but embrace it with open arms. It was a difficult feat to escape the constant watchfulness of the Weasley mother.

With her newfound opportunity, Hermione had made her way upstairs to the attic where Ron currently resided. They were supposed to have met up there hours ago, before even breakfast. Unsurprisingly, Mrs. Weasley had "beat them to the punch" and already had Hermione helping her with breakfast before she could say Snitch. All that she could hope was that Harry had already confronted Ron and, even more hopefully, he'd be up there with the red-head already.

Hermione brushed a few strands of her chestnut hair behind her left ear as she confirmed that no one was around. When her hand balled into a fist to knock on the door, she heard a muffled voice behind it. One was Ron's, the other's was Ginny. It appeared as if they were arguing about something or other. Sibling rivalry, no doubt. Something Hermione had no experience with. It wasn't until Ginny was yelling at Ron for a comment he made before she contemplated going back downstairs. Perhaps now wasn't a good time after all.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny angrily pushed her brother back on the bed. "I've had enough of you Ronald." She growled loudly and pushed her way through the mounds of junk on the floor towards the door. Once she got the handle in her grasp, Ginny yanked the door open. She looked at Hermione for a few seconds before shaking her head in agitation and storming past her friend to her own room.

The only remains of Ginny was the loud slam of her door and the rattling of a few portraits. "My Goodness. That girl has no control." came the reply from one of the potraits of Ginny's great-grandmother.

[Ron Weasley]

Ron's stricken face after noticing his little sister storm out in such a matter made him feel worse inside. He couldn't help at the fact that he couldn't say a word to her, much less what he was up to. As he flew to his bed by her knocking strength he just sighed noticing just as she passed was Hermione with a bit of frustration upon her face perhaps from listening in to their conversation.

It wasn't long before he heard his great-grandmother's portrait ruffle some nonsense as usual, "It's not her fault..." he answered her as well as Hermione who still remained by the staircase. He didn't even feel like going after her, it was useless, he knew she would be mad with him for quite a bit, but there was no stopping the idea that soon he wasn't going to be home with them anymore. As he lightly got up again he placed several of the items Ginny threw out of her way to gesture Hermione in.

" It's alrigh' Er-my-o-nee, just her temper. Come on' we have things to settle, you have no idea how long I've been waiting for you and ....where's Harry?" he continued hoping Harry was right behind her or something. But to his astonishment he was no where to be seen and as he stood hoping Hermione had an answer why, he continued to fix the last thrown items and finally sat on an old armchair across his bed. His attic wasn't big to say the least, but still comfortable enough for two people to have a half decent conversation if need be. He only hoped Hermione had cast the usual spell that interfered their conversation from those below so no one could get word of their doings.

All throughout he was feeling the guilt of not being able to say much more to his sister devastating upon his mind. He felt he should have followed her or tried to tell her that at the current moment he couldn't do much. That he didn't mean to bustle her everyday actions around the tormenting chores his mother gave often. But he only hoped with time she was going to understand, it was only a matter of time before she understood that he had other more worrisome issues to attend to before caring about his mother's simple yet bothersome chores.

[Hermione Granger]

Confusion was written all over Hermione's face. What in Merlin's name were the two arguing about. It wasn't rare to see Ginny upset over something. However, it was rare to see Ginny that upset. A slightly noticeable wince had graced the brown-haired girl's features while the paintings rattled and threatened to escape from their positions on the walls. Hermione completely ignored the comment the one elderly woman gave.

She stepped into his room, looking around it for a moment. At first, she was going to consider explaining that she'd come back at another time, but it was obvious that he had been waiting for her and Harry. Instead, her second reaction was to ask him what happened to his sister.

"Goodness, Ron! What did you say to her!" Hermione began slightly ridiculing him in a most, well... Hermione-ish way. "I haven't seen her this upset since... well, I can't remember when!" When Ron answered her in the most vague way possible, she sighed loudly. It seemed that issue would have to wait for now. Casting the usual Muffliato spell, she closed the door behind her.

The girl felt a tinge bad for not visiting him with Harry sooner. Then again, it really wasn't her fault. "Right, sorry. You're mum's had me doing anything she could think of. I wouldn't be surprised if she asked me to polish the doorknobs next. I haven't seen Harry at all, though; no doubt she's got him working to." Hermione took this moment between dialog to sit on the floor indian-style.

[Ron Weasley]

He could tell Hermione's anger was very worrisome but after his short explanation he figured it was enough to keep things at bay before he got to explain what was the matter. He finally rested and looked over to Hermione as she explained the disappearance of Harry, possibly doing other chores for his mother nonetheless as she thought too. "Seriously, my mum seems to be on to us like rodents, trying to make sure we don't go sneaking about..." Ron complained as she kept thinking of how often his mother called him down to wash dishes and such. He grew grossly tired of it, but it seemed it was all correlated with the idea that she expected them three being up to something, which like many other mother's instincts is right.

He sympathized with Hermione's tired expression after a long day, it was ridiculous how tired they would be, and although part of Ron's brain had the nuisance of harassing her and Harry for not coming earlier he understood and let it pass by. As she sat on the floor he just sighed and smiled to her, happy to at least have her company with him. " Well I'm sure 'Arry will remember that we were suppose to meet, he should be coming soon I hope.... got everything packed?" he continued pointing to his items on the floor to answer that he was done with his.

Although it was only a matter of time before he showed her about the troll he kept, but he figured it was best to show both Harry and Hermione at the same time. To avoid surprises, and not having to repeat the same story twice of course. It wasn't until that moment that Ron saw Hermione carefully, even though she was tired and a bit untidy she seemed very lovely in his eyes.

He kept reverting back to the thoughts he had of her for the previous years back in Hogwarts, specifically last year after the little misgivings of Lavender's relationship. He kept wondering if these feelings were alright, did he really have feelings for Hermione? His best friend? It still wasn't really grained in his brain that he indeed had fond feelings for the gal even as she sat so inconspicuously on the ground. He softly shook his head to blur the thought trying to concentrate on the matter. Although his last thought was over what would ever happen to him if he ever heard that she or Harry were gone.

[Hermione Granger]

"Well, we are sneaking about, at least... she has reason to worry." Hermione let a long, drawn out sigh. This was getting complicated. She hadn't realized how Molly's intuition would be dead on. It wouldn't be too long until guilt would sweep over her. Could she really do this? It would be their last year and they would miss it. The vision she had started out with in first year had drastically changed once she met her two best friends. Despite their sacrifice, she remembered that it was for the best. For Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Wizarding World. Her only regret would be if she had gone through with this in vain.

Hermione had been packed, ready to go at a moments notice since the first day she arrived. She was sharing a room with Fleur, so she had to keep it secret for a while now. "Yes, I've packed. And yes, Harry does know that we were supposed to meet. Hopefully he'll be up here soon. I'm more worried about your Mom wondering where we all went. I'm sure she'll come up here and check first thing." She nervously started to play with a loose string on her pant leg.

Ron had grown up so much since first year. Though, Hermione had to admit, they still had difficulties in their relationship. Too frequent would he just be.... well, stupid. Whether he realized he was doing it or not. Sometimes it could be simply infuriating. Ever since they had first met, he was always so critical of her. Then again, she could be the same way towards him as well. Little things here and there were the worst. Third year, he accused Crookshanks of eating Scabbers, which they found out soon after was an animagus. Fourth year, he accused Viktor Krum of being their enemy. That was his idol for goodness sakes. The worst, however, was sixth year. It was when Ron had gone out with Lavender.

Throughout that year, Hermione had to convince herself she wasn't jealous in any way. Instead, this led her to believe that she was just angry at him for no justified reason except that Ron was being Ron. To this day, she still never fully understood why she confunded McLaggen, or took him to Slughorn's party. It definitely couldn't have been that she was jealous, right?

Hermione stopped playing with the loose thread and looked up at her red headed friend once more. Despite his faults, he could be quite charming at times. For now, she had to drift her thoughts from him. It was too confusing. "So, what should we do until Harry gets here?"

[Ron Weasley]

"Well, let me show you what I've been up to" Ron continued enthusiastically as he looked at her and then over above where there was a door. He gently opened it and in it was the troll he got ready sleeping. He pointed it to her and smiled. He didn't know if she bothered to realize what it was, but he thought it was a wicked trick for exactly the notion of if his mother thought they were up to something. He never understood how mother's had this sense so well tuned and pin-pointed, but he also knew what ever he had to do whatever he must in order help Harry finish what was started.

It seemed the idea of showing Hermione his trick completely blurred his thoughts of her for the moment, he at first hearing Hermione had the idea of confessing his feelings, thinking that he might not get another chance to tell her should anything happen. For a quick moment though it didn't seem right or appropiate, he was already under much pressure to finally give in to his feelings. He gently scratched his head with confusion thinking of what to do, Harry didn't seem to be coming at time soon and here he was with Hermione. She was ready from the get-go and Ron was rather ready as well. It almost seemed awkward but he didn't know how else to approach the situation.

[Hermione Granger]

As Ron was getting ready to show her his past workings, she got up and brushed herself off. It wasn't necessarily that his floor was dirty, but it was just that: a floor. Hermione was expecting to see anything than what appeared in her line of vision. Perhaps some sort of other well developed ruse to throw his family off track... but this was astounding. But a whole disguise? What kind of effort that he must have put into this!

"Ron... how did you...?" It was a troll! Sure, they weren't the brightest wands in the shop, but it would still be difficult to disguise it up like it was. Hermione was obviously curious, but maybe she didn't want to know after all. "But Ron, don't you think you're mom will be a bit skeptical about this? I mean, she'll try to cure you.... and well, you won't get any better!" Honestly, she was afraid to approach it. What if it woke up? Did it even know where it was?

[Ron Weasley]

Ron looked back at her and sighed, "Fred and George helped me with their magic to disguise him completely, it's actually wearing one of my old pajamas, and well I doubt my mum can do much about it. They'll know what disease it's got and won't manage to 'cure' him if you will so instantaneously. " continued Ron with firm tone in his voice.

It was very wicked indeed, managing to disguise a troll into himself.... it only sufficed to say that Ron was really determined to help Harry onward and would do absolutely everything to verge forward. He had good reason to believe Hermione was doubting his chances with the troll, but he was very proud to say that this plan would go steadily well. The troll was sleeping therefore Ron just patted Hermione on the shoulder as she slowly closed in and confirmed her that he was indeed just sleeping.

" It's not like contagious with something.... relax" he continued.