'We need to tell Professor McGonagall Harry, she can make a portkey and we can get straight there. I know Dumbledore made you promise to keep this a secret, but he is dead, yes his portrait is there but that is not him, it can not help us. She can.'
'You don't understand Hermione, if he hadn't attempted to get that locket he wouldn't have died. He made me promise not tell anyway; and I won't.'
There was a pause, both considering the options available to them. 'I guess, I guess I could do it. I mean I have never failed at a spell before have I. We'll just have to make a quick trip to the library, come on.'
As they made there way around Hogwarts, more and more people could be seen, and all of them talking about the same thing: 'Death Eaters! In the grounds! Ronald Weasley!' With every corridor they went down more fear and panic, Harry and Hermione's minds were taken back onto the events of the previous couple of minutes, and the news they had just been told.
As they climbed the staircase Harry heard Hermione call out and then a thud. 'Hermione! Are you ok?'
'No' she said hysterically, 'my foot, it's stuck in a blasted false step, and they have Ron Harry! They have bloody Ron!'
'Yes they do; but not for long. We are going to get him back. Now come on, to the library,' and he helped her out of the step and up the last few until they came to the fourth floor, and the library.
'Who goes there?' Boomed a voice to their side, as they turned to see who it was the voice spoke again, 'I challenge you to a duel!'
Instantly the fear left their faces 'Sir Cadogan!' they called out into the darkness. Harry turned to Hermione and whispered 'come on, lets sneak past,' and they crept down the corridors and through the doors to the library.
Hermione suddenly stopped in her tracks and pointed, saying 'She's still in here!' Looking confused Harry followed her hand saying, 'Who?'
'Madam Pince. Honestly Harry use your brain.'
'You two; are you coming in or do I have to curse you?' Came the voice feared almost as much as Filch. 'I mean with all that noise you made on the stairway I'd of expected you to just walk straight in!' Harry was livid, and as far as he was concerned she was delaying him from saving Ron, he stepped forward into the library with his wand raised saying 'where are the books on how to perform the portus charm?' 'Why should I tell you, Potter? You ate chocolate in my library AND last year you wrote in one of my books. Why the hell should I tell you?' Harry turned to Hermione and asked 'do you think you can find it?' She nodded and then walked off towards the fair side of the library. Madam Pince moved towards her and Harry raised his wand saying 'STUPIFY,' she fell to the floor and dust came up from the floorboards. Harry stepped over her and joined Hermione who had just pulled out a book from a shelf. 'Is that it?' asked Harry. Nodding Hermione set it down on a nearby table and quickly read the first few pages. As she did this Harry took a piece of parchment from his pocket and wrote a hurried note to Professor McGonagall:
'Don't worry, she is merely stunned, (by me) (Harry). We have gone to the, actually you don't need to know, but we have gone there on Dumbledore's business and we will be back before morning. Say hi to Madam Pince from us.
Harry
There was a flash of yellow behind him, and Hermione lay on her back a couple of metres from him. He rushed over yelling her name. She opened her eyes and said 'calm day. I just tried to do the spell on the book, but that blasted Pince put some sort of spell on it and I couldn't.' Harry bent down and took of his shoe, and then a sock, and handed the latter to her. Holding it at arms length she walked back to the table and placed it down.
A few seconds later they had left the library and were standing in the grounds of Malfoy Manor.
