Chapter Two
Invocato Vita Debitum
Wake me up inside, wake me up inside^
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run, before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become
(Bring Me To Life - Evanescence)July 22nd, 1997"I told you, it's a surprise." Hermione smiled brightly. "Just let me do this, okay?"
Her smile turned stiff as she faced a tired Ron in the living room at the Burrow. With Bill
and Fleur's wedding fast approaching, Mrs Weasley was done letting anyone in the house
have a lie in. "Tonks and Remus just got married, and she's got plenty of ideas on wedding
gifts for Fleur, so I asked for her help." The lie came with ease, though inside, her stomach
twisted into a large knot.
"I just don't see why she can't come here," Ron whinged, sighing in obvious
frustration. "Everything that's going on... Hell, Mum hates it when Dad leaves for work
every morning. It's not a safe world out there, 'Mione."
Hermione rolled her eyes in response. "Yes, well, I'll be with an Auror―"
"Who trips over her own feet," Ron interrupted.
"And Remus will most likely be with us. I'll be perfectly safe. Besides, speaking of
safe," she said, giving him a reproachful glare, "you should take this opportunity to tell your
mum what our plan is this year." When he cringed, her glare intensified. "Don't you dare
wait until the last minute, Ronald Weasley." She poked a finger into his chest. "You will
not throw Harry and me under the bus."
Ron cocked a brow, brushing away her finger poke. "Under the bus?"
Sighing in mild frustration, Hermione explained, "It's a Muggle expression. It means
that you will not leave this for Harry and me to explain because you're too afraid of your
own mother. Do it yourself, and I'll see you when I get back." She headed toward the
fireplace, double-checking the Sticking Charm on her beaded bag. "I don't know how long