Ron eyed the piece of parchment with great curiosity. Why would Hermione be writing to me? He thought. He unfolded the letter and began to read

i Dear Ron, br I'm in desperate need of help. Harry might have told you already, but in case he hasn't, I'm in Bulgaria. And yes I'm staying with Viktor. We were having fun. until the most terrible thing happened. I don't want to talk write about what it was in the letter, but I need you to come here right away. Don't tell Harry, PLEASE! This will only worry him and I don't need that. I'll explain to him when it's a bit more clearer about what's going on. I'm not in too much trouble. I don't think. Just. I warn you, we might need to get your brother, Percy, involved. But like I said, I can't explain. I just need to see you as soon as you can get here! There is a map of where I am on the back of this letter. It's at the Bulgarian Ministry of Magic.

You're my only chance Ron!

Hermione

P.S. Send an answer back with Winky a.s.a.p./i

Ron had to read the letter at least five times before he could actually believe that something such as this was happening. Hermione in trouble? It couldn't be, especially not as large a scale to possibly get the Assistant Minister for Magic involved, plus the whole Bulgarian Ministry. But like she said, he must obviously be her only hope to help out with whatever was wrong, so he grabbed a quill and some parchment and scribbled a note saying he was on his way, then sent Winky on her way.

Ron tiptoed downstairs and went to the broom cupboard to collect his Firebolt 5000. If only I was old enough to Apparate, he thought. Then I wouldn't have to spend a long time on this broom. He walked back upstairs and threw some spare clothes in his backpack. He grabbed another piece of parchment and thought for a moment about what he should tell his family. It was a hard one to try and cover, especially since his father and Percy might end up finding out about tomorrow. Eventually he just decided to say he was going to London to get money from Gringotts. It seemed believable enough, because he had done this before. He left the note on the kitchen table, kicked aside some gnomes on his way outside and flew off into the night.

Ron's mind kept racing with thoughts of what could have possibly happened to cause Hermione to make that desperate plea for help. Had something happened with Krum? Had she poked too much into the Bulgarian Magic Communities history for their liking? Had she killed someone? Ron gulped and hoped that the last option wasn't the right one. The thought of Hermione killing someone was just beyond his imagination. He sighed as Ottery St Catchpole slowly disappeared from underneath him. This was it. No turning back now.