Chapter 3: Lost

Hi, so I'm back fairly soon again . I knew that I couldn't leave you all waiting because of the last chapter. That would be straight forward cruel.

So I've had this idea in my head for this story, but I think it'll be really hard to accomplish. As you see, I'm not that great of a writer. I have no idea how I'll write this all. I possibly will cut a lot of the actual story out, because that will be too much for me.

Oh, and I wanted to thank all of you, because the prologue has reached 360 readers! Insane you guys! I'm so thankful and so happy! Thank you so much!

I'm done talking, and don't want to keep you waiting.

Enjoy!

"Wait, say it one more time ," Hermione demanded, sounding very frightened. Harry seemed to be totally out of it, paler then ever. He almost looked like he'd seen a ghost.

Harry swallowed, "Well.. Gi-Ginny and I heard something in the backyard, and Ginny decided to be stubborn and an bonehead again. So she walked out of the room and…" his voice hitched which made Hermione feel very sorry for him, and of course for Ginny. "And when I got there, I saw Bellatrix Lestrange, holding Ginny captive," his lips trembled.

She couldn't take it any longer to watch her friend being so shaken up. He almost looked traumatized which made her want to vomit.

She walked to Harry, and put an arm around his shoulders. Holding him steady, because it almost seemed like he was going to pass out. She squeezed his shoulder gently, giving silent support to Harry.

Harry smiled a little. "I begged her to let her go.." he continued, having found the strength to go on with his story thanks to Hermione, "but Lestrange only laughed, and held her more tight. I threatened her which made her laugh even more, and just like that…" he shivered, "she was gone, with Ginny.." he let out a breath.

The twins stared at him with sympathy, but also with horror. Ron fell down on a wooden chair, eyes wide with shock. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked very pale, and Mrs. Weasley let out a quiet sob.

"It's all my fault.." Harry whispered inaudibly except for Hermione.

Hermione's gaze hardened and so did her hand on his shoulder. "No Harry, you couldn't have done anything to prevent Lestrange from taking her," she looked at him, sternly.

She saw Fred and George nodding which gave her the courage to continue. "If you would have stunned Lestrange, you would have stunned Ginny too," she sighed, suddenly it all was clear to her, "which is why she used Ginny as her shield, because she knew that you wouldn't hurt her."

Harry finally looked at her. She saw his bloodshot emerald eyes which made her heart break into a million pieces. Her best friend didn't deserve this, Ginny didn't deserve this either.

Hermione nodded, "Harry it's true. Don't blame yourself, please."

She looked at everyone inside the room, "No one blames you."

They all nodded in unison. Everyone broken by what happened. Scared of what might be next, and the 'ifs'. The what ifs… what if Ginny dies? What if Ginny won't be able to be happy ever again? The what ifs is what scared us all the most.

Mrs. Weasley spoke up, "Harry dear, get some rest, alright?" she looked concerned.

Harry nodded and Hermione let him go, she smiled sadly at him once again and then he left. Leaving them all behind, silenced by what happened. Hurt written all over their faces, never had they expected that this could happen.

Mrs. Weasley left, walking to the garage. Probably searching for a place for herself. We heard the door closing, and everyone let out a shaky breath.

"Mr. Weasley?" Hermione began, "How could Lestrange have gotten in here? It's a safe house, right?" she frowned, flabbergasted by how this could have happened.

"I have no idea.." he said honestly.

George frowned, "That's strange, actually… it shouldn't be even possible!" he exclaimed.

Fred raised an eyebrow, "No shit dude," he said sarcastically.

Ron rolled his eyes, "Could you two shut up? Our sister is gone, captured by bloody Death Eaters! And the only thing that you two are doing is arguing about something stupid!" he yelled, and left the kitchen with heavy footsteps.

Hermione leaned against the kitchen counter, observing what just had happened. The twins looked shocked, gazing at Hermione for her to disapprove, but she didn't.

"You two," she pointed at them, "deserved that," she simply said.

Mr. Weasley left the room, walking toward the garage looking for his wife. This action made the three of them remember what actually just happened, and the silence returned. Hermione bit her lip, feeling bad for everything that had just happened.

Fred moved past her, filling up a kettle with water, to boil it on a fire. He took some tea out of the kitchen cabinets and three tea mugs. He placed them on the kitchen counter dropping the teabags into them. He turned around, pulling his right eyebrow up by seeing their shocked expressions. Hermione's mouth hang open, and George looked impressed but shocked.

"What?"

Hermione closed her mouth, "It - it's just that I had no idea you could possibly make tea.."

Fred raised his left eyebrow, "Really? I'm not that untalented." He scoffed, rolling his eyes. The water started to boil, he turned off the fire, and Fred poured the hot water into the three tea mugs. He handed two mugs over to George and Hermione, who took it with a thankful smile.

Hermione clasped her hands around the warm tea mug, finding some warmth that left her after what Harry had said. The scent of blueberries drifted up into her nose, and the corners of her lips twitched.

George frowned, "…We have to do something.." he said slowly, facing the two of us with his sea blue eyes, the same ones as Fred.

Fred nodded, "Yes, we can't just do nothing…" he said, but was interrupted by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley who came into the kitchen with hurry. Mr. Weasley looked strangely at Fred, but was pulled away by his wife who was in a huge hurry.

"We're going to the Order at Grimmauld Place to search for a way to get Ginny back," Mr. Weasley said in a hurry. "We'll see you tonight…" he frowned, "don't do anything stupid." And with that he got pulled away by Mrs. Weasley into the living room. Probably using the Floo to get to Grimmauld Place. They heard Floo powder getting thrown into the fireplace, and then they were gone.

Hermione sighed, "Yes, and we also have no choice…" she looked up at Fred with troubled eyes. he frowned, wordlessly asking what was wrong with his own eyes.

"It's the only way to stop Harry from doing something wrong," she explained, and she left the kitchen with her still warm tea, walking up the stairs into Ginny's bedroom. Immediately feeling tears coming up at the sight of her bedroom, and the scent of hers; vanilla.

She put down her tea on Ginny's nightstand and sniffled. She sat down on her bed, taking a pillow of Ginny's in her hands. Her favorite pillow; a baby blue one with all different kinds of flowers embroidered on it.

"Ginny, I'm so sorry… I have no idea what's happening to you right now.." she whispered, "and I'm so scared for you. I should have been there, helping Harry to free you from that awful human being with her ugly hair." she muttered, sniffling quietly.

She heard someone knocking and opening Ginny's bedroom door slightly. "'Mione?" Fred asked.

Hermione wiped her tears quickly away, "Yes Fred?" she tried to sound normal, but she failed terribly. She sat up straight, straightening her clothes.

Fred sighed, "Is it okay if I come in?" he asked quietly. She made an approving noise and the door opened further, revealing the one and only Fred Weasley who she came to like. He walked straight to her sitting down at Ginny's bed, only their shoulders touching each other. Giving wordless support by that little touch that send a small – but as well a huge feeling – out though the both of them. Her breath hitched by this feeling and she grabbed his long pale hand.

"Oh… uhm sorry," she slowly let go, actually not wanting to let go. Fred looked weird, and pulled her hand back. Hermione stared at him questioningly, but he just shrugged it off.

"We need each other's support," he simply said.

Hermione smiled thankful and rested her head on his shoulder. After some time Hermione felt some weight and warmth on her head, and noticed that he'd placed his head on top of hers, and the corners of her mouth twitched upwards. They sat like that for 15 minutes before the both of them fell into a dreamless sleep.

Hermione woke up on Ginny's bed confused. How could she possibly ended up here?

Then she remembered and a slight smile crept over her face. Fred. She looked around, hoping to see Fred somewhere, but it was in vain. The smile left her face, and replaced a frown instead. She shook her head, letting it go. It was not important anyway. She should be checking on Harry instead.

Harry…

She groaned. How could she have fallen asleep, selfishly, when Harry actually needed her? She slapped her forehead with the palm of her right hand, and got up as quickly as she could manage.

She almost ran out of the room onto the stairs up to Ron's room. When she got there she knocked on the door. "Ron? Harry?" she asked, hoping for a quick response. And she got one, "Yes Hermione?" Harry quietly asked. Her heart ached with pain, because she heard in his voice that he had been obviously crying.

"Can I come in?" she hesitantly asked.

Harry hummed, and Hermione opened the door as quickly as she could. She walked straight to Harry like Fred had done to her a couple of hours ago. She sat down and pulled her arm around his shoulders. She squeezed his shoulder gently, offering silent support. He smiled a little and rested his head on Hermione's. She smiled a little, being happy to help him.

They sat like that until Harry fell asleep, finally. Hermione laid him down onto his bed, pulling a blanket over his body to keep him warm. She turned around leaving the room behind, so Harry could sleep – hopefully – peacefully.

She closed the door with a gentle click, and took the stairs to reach the living room where the twins and Ron sat in silence. Fred looked at her hesitantly with a slight smile which she returned fully. Hoping to make him feel better, and that she didn't mind what he and she'd done in Ginny's room, because after all it was only trying to make each other feel better. Completely innocent. And it wasn't something huge, she felt sure that he'd done it to girls who felt bad too before.

She slumped down onto the couch with a flamboyant sigh, "Harry's doing.. well better... any new news on the Order?" she asked, hoping to fill the dreading silence.

"No.."

"Oh.. ok thank you Ron," and she took a pillow, digging her fingers in it.

There was this awful silence, full of sadness and sorrow. She looked beside her, seeing Fred with a miserable expression. A tear slowly falling down from the corner of his sea blue eye. Hermione's heart ached, and she took Fred's hand and squeezed it. He gave a thankful smile, but it returned the second after that into a sort of blank expression. Hermione frowned, thinking of what she could do for all of them. And then her eyes lit up. She knew exactly what she should do.

She jumped up, walking straight to the fireplace to use the Floo. She's followed by frowns and questioning faces, only Fred's face was slight worrying. But she kept on moving. She stepped into the fireplace grabbing some Floo powder and threw it into the fireplace and yelled, "Grimmauld Place!"

When she arrived at Grimmauld Place in the living room she saw that nobody was here. She heard loud voices coming from the kitchen and decided to check it out.

"We have to do something!" Mrs. Weasley hissed loud and clear. Hermione smiled, at least she was fighting for what's good.

She opened the door, seeing shocked faces.

"Hermione? What are you doing here?" Mr. Weasley asked very confused. Hermione smiled uncomfortably and shifted on her feet.

"Everyone at The Burrow is.. how shall I say this…" she sighed, "very upset. I had no idea what to do. And I needed to see for myself that people are taking action for Ginny, because if not? We'll do it!" her voice got louder when she ended her sentence hoping to wake them up, because this is all real and Ginny needs help.

Tonks frowned, looking slight worried, "We get it Hermione, but we're trying the best we can."

Hermione didn't want to raise her voice but it happened, "Then try harder." And she folded her arms together, making it look like a statement – which it of course was – and raised her left eyebrow.

She looked around the room, glaring reproachfully. She looked at Remus Lupin who looked a scary pale and sought for support by him. He looked away, making Hermione feel rejected and worried. Mrs. Weasley slowly approached her, gently laying a hand down on her arm.

"Dear, you look very pale. I suggest you go home, get some rest and feel better tomorrow," she said motherly.

Hermione shook her hand off her arm and stepped away, "No. I'm staying here, until I hear something that'll help Ginny." And she raised her chin, making her look determined.

Someone groaned; Kingsley Shacklebolt, and folded his hands, "Miss Granger, that is what we're trying to do here. But you," he pointed at her which made her blush in embarrassment, "are keeping us from it."

Hermione nodded slowly, "Ok, I get it. But if you've found a solution… don't keep us in the dark. We deserve to know about it as soon as possible." She looked around desperately, hoping that they'd agree with her.

Mrs. Weasley nodded fast, "Yes dear, of course. Now..," she shoved her out of the kitchen , "get back home. Make sure everybody has eaten, and get some rest." She smiled lovingly, she stroked her hair flat and pushed her into the direction of the Floo. Hermione smiled back with a little pained expression, but left anyway. She stepped into the fireplace, throwing some Floo powder in it and yelled, "The Burrow!" and the last thing she saw was Mrs. Weasleys smiling, but also worried face disappearing into the darkness.

When she arrived at The Burrow she only saw Fred waiting for her with a worried expression. When he saw her his eyes lit up immediately, "'Mione! Thank Merlin.." he sighed relieved. He walked toward Hermione, and pulled her in a hug.

Hermione frowned, "Somebody's relieved, I was only gone for 15 minutes," she laughed a little. Fred let her go a little, but still held onto her arms.

"Yes I know… but it was stupid what you did. Don't ever do that again," he looked stern, while he let his hands slide down her arms. She shivered a bit, surprised by this action.

"I had to do it. You have no idea how I felt when all of you were so down and not talking," she looked down to the floor, "I was.. am worried about you all, I had to do something." And she hugged him close, hoping to calm him down. She pushed her head into his chest, searching for comfort and calm. She felt his arms sliding around her waist and she smiled a little.

She let go and gave him a sad smile, "I'm going to bed if you don't mind."

Fred shook his head, "Goodnight, get some rest ok?"

She nodded and turned around, walking up the stairs into Ginny's room. A tear slowly slide down her cheek when she smelled Ginny's scent of the bedroom. She closed the door with a click, leaving her all alone in the bedroom. She walked straight to her bed and fell down with her head pressed into her pillow. Then the wave with tears came and she didn't stop them.

Finally she cried herself to sleep, her face still pressed in her now wet pillow.

Hi so this was the chapter, it's not that long I just had no idea what to write next. This was certainly the most difficult chapter I've ever written. It's not my best chapter, but I did the best I could.

You can see that I paired Hermione up with Fred, I had a feeling that not a lot people did that so why not? I also wanted Hermione to be a sort of power girl. That's also the reason she went to Grimmauld Place for justice.

I am kind of sad, because my last chapter didn't get a lot of reviews, only from: Scrappy8 which I'm very happy with thank you! Anyway my inspiration and motivation was also a bit gone. So please leave a review, you have no idea how much it means to me.

Also a huge thankyou to one of my best friends for checking this chapter on grammar/punctuation mistakes!

Next up; Ginny inside Malfoy Manor!

See you soon,

-M