The vow
Ron's head throbbed as he regained consciousness, the sound of voices echoing around him. He blinked, trying to focus, his mind still foggy from whatever curse Voldemort had hit him with. As awareness returned, he realized he was lying on a cold, stone floor, his hands bound behind his back. Beside him, Hermione stirred, her eyes fluttering open.
"Hermione," Ron muttered, his voice hoarse. "Are you alright?"
Hermione winced, struggling to sit up. "I've been better," she replied, her voice tight with pain.
"Where are we?" Ron glanced around the dimly lit room, recognizing the Ministry cell from the few times he'd seen them in his Auror training.
"Looks like we're in some sort of cell," he said grimly. "No idea how we got here." Hermione's brow furrowed in confusion, but then realization dawned. "
Voldemort," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He must have captured us after... after Harry..." Ron's jaw clenched at the mention of Harry.
"Yeah," he muttered bitterly. "Thanks to you, we're stuck in here while he's off playing happy families with Voldemort."
Hermione's eyes flashed with hurt and frustration. "Don't you dare blame me," she snapped, her voice rising. "I was trying to protect Harry. We both were."
Ron's temper flared, his patience worn thin from the ordeal. "Protect him? Look where that got us! Locked up like criminals while Harry's... Merlin knows what he's going through!"
Hermione's voice softened, her eyes filling with tears. "I know, Ron. I know," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But what else could we have done? Voldemort had us outnumbered. We couldn't risk—"
Ron cut her off with a bitter laugh. "Risk? We're always risking something, Hermione! That's what we signed up for, isn't it? Fighting against bloody You-Know-Who, fighting death eaters?"
Hermione's shoulders slumped, tears streaming down her face. "I... I didn't know what else to do," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I panicked, Ron. I couldn't lose you both."
Ron's anger softened slightly at the sight of Hermione's distress. He sighed heavily, the weight of their situation pressing down on him. "I know, Hermione," he said quietly. "I just... I can't stand the thought of him out there, with Voldemort."
Hermione nodded, wiping tears from her cheeks. "We'll find a way out of here," she said determinedly, her voice steadier now. "We have to."
Before Ron could respond, the heavy iron door creaked open, revealing two Ministry Aurors. They entered the cell, wands drawn, their expressions grim. "Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger," one of the Aurors said briskly. "You're to come with us."
Ron exchanged a wary glance with Hermione, but they complied, standing and following the Aurors out of the cell. They were led down a series of dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. Ron's mind raced with questions, but he kept silent, focusing on staying alert. Finally, they reached a large, ornate door guarded by more Aurors. The door swung open, revealing a lavish room adorned with dark tapestries and flickering torches. At the far end of the room, seated in a high-backed chair, was Voldemort. Ron's jaw clenched at the sight of him, his fists tightening involuntarily. Hermione gripped his arm, a silent gesture of reassurance.
They approached Voldemort, flanked by Aurors, their every step heavy with tension. "Ah, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger," Voldemort greeted them, his voice cold and calculating. "So glad you could join us."
Ron shot him a withering glare, his hatred burning fiercely. "Where's Harry?" he demanded, his voice low.
Voldemort's lips curled into a smirk. "Ah, Harry," he mused, his red eyes gleaming. "Rest assured, he's in good hands. Though I must say, I didn't expect our marriage to cause such a stir."
Ron's temper flared at the mention of the marriage. "A marriage that YOU forced him into that," he spat, his voice trembling with rage. "You're sick, Voldemort."
Voldemort's smile widened, unfazed by Ron's outburst. "Ah, but it was a necessary step," he replied calmly. "One that will benefit us both, in time." Hermione stepped forward, her voice steady despite her fear. "What do you want from us? You clearly have us in here for a reason and it sure as hell isn't to discuss morals." she asked, her gaze steady.
Voldemort regarded her with interest, as if studying a particularly intriguing puzzle. "Clearly you're the logical one" he remarked, his tone almost conversational. "All will become clear soon enough."
Ron clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger. "Just tell us what you've done with Harry," he demanded, his voice low and threatening.
Voldemort's expression hardened imperceptibly, his patience wearing thin. "All in good time, Mr. Weasley," he replied smoothly. "For now, know that Harry is safe, if not exactly... willing."
Ron's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. He glanced at Hermione, silently communicating their shared determination. They might be trapped in Voldemort's lair, but they wouldn't give up without a fight. "What do you want from us?" Hermione asked again, her voice steady.
Voldemort's smile widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "A vow " he said vaguely.
“And why should we do that?” Hermione asked tightly. "Because," Voldemort began, his voice dripping with amusement, "I have no qualms about ensuring Harry's... compliance through less conventional means."
Ron's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white. "You sick bastard," he spat, his voice trembling with rage. "If you lay a finger on him—" Voldemort raised a hand, cutting off Ron's tirade with a chilling smile.
"The choice is yours," he interrupted smoothly. "Take the vow, and Harry will be unharmed. Refuse, and I cannot guarantee his safety." Hermione stepped forward; her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "What kind of vow?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Voldemort. Voldemort's smile widened, a predatory glint in his eyes. "An unbreakable vow," he replied, his tone almost casual. "To never to return to Britain and to never participate in any form of rebellion." Ron's jaw tightened, his mind racing with options.
He glanced at Hermione, seeing the same conflict in her eyes. They were trapped, caught between Voldemort's twisted demands and their desire to protect Harry.
"I won't do it," Ron declared , his voice ringing through the room. "Not unless you swear an unbreakable vow to never harm Harry, not now, not ever."
Voldemort's gaze narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "You dare to bargain with me, Mr. Weasley?" he hissed, his voice dangerous.
Ron stood his ground, his fists trembling with suppressed rage. "You want us to swear an oath, then you swear one too," he insisted, his voice unwavering. "Promise us, on your magic, that you will never harm Harry." Hermione's eyes widened in alarm, knowing the risk Ron was taking. Voldemort was not known for his mercy or his honesty afterall, and there was nothing stopping him from killing them with a flick of his wand.
Voldemort regarded Ron with calculating eyes, weighing his options. Finally, he nodded, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "Very well, Mr. Weasley," he agreed, his voice silky smooth. "I, Lord Voldemort, swear on my magic that I will never harm Harry Potter."
Ron's jaw clenched, knowing the vow was as binding on Voldemort as it would be on him. He turned to Hermione, silently urging her to agree. Hermione hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with the implications. But she knew they had no choice, not if it meant protecting Harry.
FLASHBACK STARTS
It was a chilly autumn evening when they found themselves gathered around the Gryffindor common room fireplace. The crackling flames cast a warm glow over their faces as they lounged comfortably in their favorite armchairs, a rare moment of peace in the midst of chaos.
Harry, usually reserved about matters of the heart, took a deep breath and turned to Ron, his closest friend. "Ron," he began, his voice tinged with a mix of nervousness and determination, "there's something I need to tell you."
Hermione looked up from her book, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Ronald? Bloody hell it’s definitely serious. What is it, Harry?"
Harry hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "It's about Ginny," he started, his gaze shifting briefly to the fire before returning to Ron's earnest expression. "I... I love her, but not in the way she deserves." Ron's brow furrowed in confusion, sensing there was more to it than met the eye. "What do you mean?"
Hermione, ever the astute observer, caught on quickly. She chuckled softly, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "He means he's got a more than brotherly affection for you, Ron."
Ron's eyes widened in surprise, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson. He opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The realization of Harry's confession left him momentarily speechless.
Harry glanced nervously at Hermione, grateful for her straightforwardness. "Yes, that's... that's what I mean," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Hermione grinned broadly; her amusement evident. "Well, it's about time," she teased lightly, though her eyes shone with genuine happiness.
Ron finally found his voice, his mind racing with a mixture of shock and warmth. "Harry, I... I didn't know," he confessed softly, his gaze meeting Harry’s with a newfound intensity.
Harry smiled gently, relieved by their reaction. "I know it's unexpected," he admitted, "but I couldn't keep it to myself anymore. You both mean everything to me." R
on leaned forward; his expression serious yet filled with affection. "And we feel the same way, mate," he said sincerely, placing a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "We've been through too much together not to." The trio sat in companionable silence for a moment, the crackling of the fire the only sound in the room.
Hermione, usually the voice of reason, bit her lip nervously "But what will everyone think?" she finally voiced her concern, her eyes darting between Harry and Ron. "It's not... normal, is it? Three people falling in love together?"
Harry's expression softened with understanding, reaching out to take Hermione's hand. "Hermione," he said gently, "our love isn't bound by what's 'normal'. We've faced so much together, and our bond is stronger because of it. As for others... let them think what they want. I've always been a bit of a freak."
“Harry, Mrs. Weasley already thinks that I’m a whore. She’ll never accept all of us”
Ron, his voice earnest. " It's our lives, our hearts, Hermione. No one else gets to dictate how we feel. Not even mum, she loves you Hermione and sometimes I feel she loves Harry more than me honestly. She might not take this positively at first but she’ll come around"
Hermione sighed softly, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders as she gazed at her two best friends with gratitude and affection. "You're both right," she admitted with a small smile. "I guess I'm just worried about what people will say." Harry squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"Guys, who's going to tell Ginny."
Their laughter echoed through the common room once more, filled with warmth and a sense of unity that had accompanied then for their last six years together.
FLASHBACK ENDS
"Fine," Hermione said quietly, her voice tinged with resignation. "We agree to your terms.
" Voldemort's smile widened, a cruel satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Excellent," he purred "The wording is I swear to never-“