One more battle

Ginny returned to the Burrow alone. Most of the helpers had left, after a huge dinner. Only the family was still there. They had tried to put on a happy face for the guests, but the continued absence of the three women worried them.

"What happened? Where is Hermione? Where is Rose?" Ron asked, alarmed when she came into the kitchen alone.

"They are fine. Don't worry. Hermione is probably working on placing Scorpius in whatever jailcell she has picked out. She'll probably be back soon."

"You mean she actually arrested him? That's not fair. He hasn't done anything I haven't done too," Albus said indignantly.

"And what about Rose?" Ron asked again.

"Yes, she arrested him. With a vengeance. While ignoring her daughter trying to plead with her on the floor. Rose was rather upset. I managed to stop any violence, though it was close." Ginny sat down on a chair, looking tired and dejected. Harry went over to her and held on to her shoulders comfortingly. She leaned back against him.

"Oh no! As if they hadn't been through enough. Where is Rose now?" Molly asked.

"She is safe. She doesn't want to face her mother just now. I can understand that," Ginny said evasively.

"But where?" Molly asked.

"She asked me not to tell anyone. She will come when she is ready. We should give her some time."

"She doesn't even want to see me?" Ron asked, with pain in his voice. "I won't be mad at her. In fact, I believe her. Scorpius' actions don't make sense if he had truly gone over to Voldemort. After hearing Albus' explanation, I am convinced."

"She said no. She wants to be left alone. And she thinks you won't be able to keep it from Hermione."

"Well, to be honest, I probably wouldn't be able to do that, if she starts hounding me. I just want to see my daughter. I have barely even seen her since she was captured." Ron sat down, looking dejected.

"I'm sorry," Ginny said.

"No, it's fine. I understand. I just …" Ron sighed and sat down.

"But is it safe for her to be alone just now?" Harry asked. "I mean, she has just suffered another terrible ordeal, after barely recovering from others."

"She is not alone. Please, don't ask me more. It is bad enough having to explain it again when Hermione gets here," Ginny said, tears almost forming in her eyes.

Harry gave her a hug. "I'm sorry. I'll support you. And Rose. I am not 100% sure about Scorpius yet, but I want to believe him. I will go meet him in prison to hear his side of the story. For now, Rose is an adult, and she has made a choice. We must respect that."

"I agree. More shouting matches between mother and daughter is not going to be helpful now. We all need to calm down and get some distance from it all," Molly said. "Remember, Hermione has also gone through a terrible ordeal. And more psychological than what Rose went through. Psychological trauma takes a lot longer to heal."

"Yes, I agree. We must all calm down. Though there is one more battle to be fought." Harry pointed out the window, where Hermione was walking towards them. "Here she comes now."

Ginny braced herself. Harry squeezed her hand and held on to her.

"Good. You are all here," Hermione said. "Ginny, thank you for your help, I…" She stopped, looking around the room. "Where is Rose?"

"Hermione…" Ginny said hesitantly. She was not looking forward to breaking this news to her.

"Where is my daughter?" Hermione demanded.

"She's not here," Harry said helpfully.

"But then, where is she?"

"I don't know," Harry said. "She is rather angry. She doesn't want to see you."

"Doesn't want to…? But? But she can't be out there alone!" Hermione almost screamed.

"She is not alone. Don't worry, she is perfectly safe," Ginny explained uncomfortably. That was the wrong thing to say. Hermione directed a glare at her as soon as the words were out of her mouth.

"Safe? SAFE!? That's what Malfoy kept saying as well. Safe! Right before she was brought out to be tortured right in front of me! Safe!" Hermione screamed as she fell down into a chair and started weeping again. Ron sat down next to her, but she pushed him away.

"He didn't mean it like that. He had to keep up the act. He tried to explain…" Albus tried to say, but Hermione interrupted him.

"You SHUT UP! I don't want to hear any more excuses! You all keep defending him! I won't have it! He tried to kill me! Or do you all not care about that?"

Albus tried to say something more, but a look from Harry made him stay silent. That, and the fact that Hermione looked almost ready to jump on him as well. Ron stepped in front of Albus.

"Come, Hermione. Let us go up to bed. It will all be better in the morning." Ron led a crying Hermione out of the living room and up to the bedroom. She held on to him tightly, crying on his shoulder.

Ginny released the breath she had been holding. Hermione had never screamed at her like that before. It was horrifying. "Okay. No more using the word "safe". From now on, if she asks, Rose is fine. Just fine."

"Yes, I'm sure Rose is fine. But there is one more thing we need to do, preferably before the trial. It will require her presence," Harry said.

"What?"

"The Unbreakable Vow. We will need to remove it."

"She wants that too, I'm sure. She almost broke it twice tonight. It was an emotional situation, but still. Give it a day or two. Since they are now apart, and not dead, it should be safe to wait a bit…"

"Agreed. Molly, I think I will take my family and return home. Ron and Hermione need you more than us right now," Harry said.

"Yes. It is best to give her some space," Molly agreed.