AN: First, I want to just thank everyone who is reading this story and leaving a review. It really means so much that the few who are reviewing are taking their time at the end of each chapter and leaving a comment about my story. I've been working so hard on it to make sure that everyone enjoys it and reading reviews definitely make me want to continue writing and putting my all into this story. So, once again, THANK YOU for all the reviews and for people who are reading but not reviewing, I hope you're enjoying it too! I wish you could tell me if you are!

Oh, and second, I still don't own anything.

Chapter Ten

According to Ron Weasley, there was only one word that could describe him perfectly and that was horrible. He was horrible at school; he always left his assignments untouched until the last minute and never studied hard enough for any exam. He was horrible at Quidditch; there was an entire song dedicated to how terrible he was at the sport. He was horrible at picking up after himself; his bedroom could testify to that. He was a horrible brother; excluding Ginny all those years when he knew how desperately she wanted to be a part of Harry, Hermione and his group. He was a horrible friend; leaving Harry during the Horcrux hunt after he had promised that he would be there for him. He was a horrible boyfriend; he didn't protect Hermione when she needed it most. She was gone because he didn't protect her. She was gone because of him.

Ron angrily threw a pillow at his dresser, knocking over a various items and causing them to fall onto the floor loudly. Tears splashed down his cheeks as he balled his hands into fists.

"Fuck!" he bellowed in a strangled voice.

His watery eyes fell upon the pile of fallen objects and he shook his head as he lowered himself to the ground. He gingerly picked up Hermione's wand and held it in his hands. He grasped it tightly and let out a bitter chuckle. How was he expected to sit here and do nothing?

No. Ron thought, shaking his head. He would not just sit back and wait.

He may have been horrible at school but he did manage to collect more O.W.L's than both Fred and George combined. He may have been horrible at Quidditch but he did save a few goals and that infamous song did transform into a positive one after his perfect game fifth year. He may be a horrible brother but now he and Ginny were friends and he was helping his brother run his business for free. He may be a horrible friend but he did come back after realising what a git he was being. And he may be a horrible boyfriend...Ron thought bitterly, but he was going to get Hermione back. He was.

"How could this have happened?" Ginny asked as she sat in her bedroom with Harry later that night. "I truly, truly, do not understand how this could have happened right under our noses."

Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes. He felt so exhausted and emotionally drained from the past few hours. However, he had to agree with his girlfriend-the fact that their best friend had been captured while in their company was mind blowing, not to mention quite painful to think about.

"We're going to find her, right?" Ginny asked suddenly, breaking Harry from his thoughts.

"I hope so Ginny," Harry said, his voice shaking slightly. "I just wish we had a clue as to where she could be-where any of those muggle-borns could be."

"You don't suppose the Malfoy's could really be a part of this, do you?"

"I wouldn't put it past them," Harry said. "Although now, after everything...they aren't even that stupid."

Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open and Run came barrelling through. He looked paler than usual and his face was red and blotchy. It was clear he had just been crying, but now he looked alert and focused.

"We've got to go," said Ron. "We've got to look for her."

Ginny sighed and stood up from her bed. She walked over towards her brother and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ron, the Aurors..."

"No!" Ron yelled, backing away from Ginny. "We need to look for her. I can't just sit here while she is out there in danger...I can't!" He turned to face Harry and quickly started towards him. "W-we managed to find all the Horcruxes and we didn't even know where to begin looking then either. We did it then and we can do it now."

Harry sighed but didn't say anything.

"Look," Ron said more firmly. "I'm going to go look for her with or without your help." He paused and looked at Harry, tears swimming in his eyes once again. "How could you just sit here while she's out there? How could I be expected to just...just sit here and do nothing?"

Harry glanced at Ginny and saw that she was staring at her brother with a look of pity mixed with fondness.

"You're right," Harry said. "We need to go."

Ron's face broke out into a smile and he hugged Harry tightly. "Thank you."

"I'm coming too," Ginny said, walking towards them.

"Ginny..." Harry began but Ginny shot him a sharp look that instantly shut him up. "Where should we begin?" he asked after clearing his throat.

"I've got one place in mind." Ron said, seething.

Harry nodded, already knowing where Ron wanted to start. It looked like they would be returning to the place that had originally brought so much fear and pain-Malfoy Manor.

The building was just as dark and ominous as Ron had remembered. His eyes scanned the windows, looking to see if a light was on in any room. Unfortunately, it looked like its occupants were sleeping. Luckily, Ron didn't care if he woke up the entire household. He came for answers and he was going to get them.

"Let's go," he said as he started towards the door.

"Wait," Ginny said, pulling her brother back. "We haven't planned what we were going to say."

Ron sighed. "We're not going to beat around the bush. We're going to demand they tell us where Hermione is,"

"And if they don't know?" asked Ginny, her eyes wide. She watched him grip his wand tightly and she placed a hand on his arm. "Ron, you can't go in there and start trouble. It will only make matters worse."

"If they say they don't know, they're lying." Ron said, matter-of-factly.

"You don't know that for sure," Ginny said. "They say they don't know and what do you do? You're going to curse them? Torture them so they end up like Hermione's parents?" She paused and took a deep breath. "We're not going in there until you promise me you won't lose your head."

Ron stared at his little sister. Never in his life had she reminded him of Hermione until this very moment. He was brought back to the conversation the two of them shared at the Burrow.

"I'm just worried that one day you'll try and save me and get yourself hurt in the process-or worse."

Ron sighed softly and nodded. "Alright,"

The sound of the doorbell echoed throughout the entire house. Harry, Ron and Ginny waited patiently for someone to answer the door. It took a few moments before they saw a light flick on and heard footsteps approaching the door. It opened slightly and a woman peaked out, her large eyes scanning them nervously.

"Yes?" she squeaked.

"We're here to see the Malfoy's." Harry said firmly.

"It's very late,"

"It's urgent." Ron added.

The woman hesitated but after a few moments nodded her head and opened the door slowly.

"You may wait in the drawing room,"

They nodded and walked deeper into the house. It certainly was not very welcoming. The dark walls and high ceilings gave them an uneasy feeling. As they entered the drawing room, Ron felt his fists clench and his blood boil. It was almost as though he could hear Hermione's screams of pain echo off the walls from being tortured by the Cruciatus curse. He looked up and saw that the chandelier had been restored. It was hanging obnoxiously overhead, its crystals gleaming in the moonlight that shined though the open window.

"Well, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

They turned around and faced Lucius Malfoy as he walked into the room. He was followed closely by Narcissa.

"Potter," Lucius said, eyeing the boy with a look of distaste. "And two Weasley's. There is one noticeable absence to your party...pity."

Ron felt his fists clench but he soon relaxed when he felt Ginny's hand on his forearm. It reminded him so much of Hermione trying to calm him down when Malfoy had provoked him at school.

"That's actually why we're here." Harry said. "We were wondering if you had any idea where Dolohov may have taken Hermione."

"I don't." He answered. "We, as of late, have stayed out of the goings on of the wizarding world. The battle was very trying and we've been collecting ourselves in peace."

"We have no idea where your friend is," Narcissa said. "Nor do we wish to get involved."

"You must have some idea," Ginny said.

Narcissa scowled at the young girl and narrowed her eyes. Ginny returned the expression, not backing down.

"If you don't know where Hermione is, perhaps you know where the countless other muggle-borns are. I'm sure you've heard of the disappearances."

"Yes, most tragic." Lucius drawled.

"Tell me one good reason why I should believe that you don't have any idea where Hermione is." Ron said suddenly, venom in his voice.

Lucius eyed him for a moment, his lips turning into a snarl. "Tell me one good reason I shouldn't just throw you out on the street? Come into my home? Demanding answers to things we've clearly stated we have no part in? Tell me Weasley why I shouldn't just..."

"Lucius," Narcissa said calmly, grasping her husband's forearm. She then turned sharply towards them. "We're done here. Patina, show our guests out please."

The small woman nodded quickly and walked towards the three. She quickly directed them towards the front foyer and shuffled them towards the door.

"I thought I smelled you, Potter."

Turning around, Harry was met with the long, pointed face of Draco Malfoy. He was dressed in his sleeping robes; his blonde hair was tousled messily.

"Draco," Harry said.

"I heard you interrogating my parents," he said, stepping closer to them. He shifted his stare towards the maid and rolled his eyes. "Get out of here, swine."

Patina quickly scurried out of the foyer, disappearing behind a door.

"I see the war hasn't changed you, Malfoy." Ginny said. "You're still an insufferable prat."

"And I see you've upgraded to playing hero, Weasley. Replacing Granger, I see. I guess she is a little tied up these days."

Ron stepped towards him threateningly. "What do you know, Malfoy?"

Malfoy laughed. "Believe it or not, Weasley, killing your little girlfriend is not on my to-do list." He turned around and started walking towards the long staircase. "My parents weren't lying when they said we don't have a part in this. I do admire Dolohov though," he added. "I must remember to send him a thank you note-one less Mudblood off the street is definitely a step in the right direction."

Harry instantly grabbed Ron's shirt, holding his friend back as he lunged for Malfoy. Ginny quickly helped Harry, taking her brother by the arm and dragging him towards the door.

"Let's go, Ron!" she yelled as her brother struggled to get out of her and Harry's grip.

Malfoy laughed as he watched the scene. "Pathetic," he mumbled before turning around and walking up the staircase.

Ron finally quit struggling and took a deep breath. He turned towards the other two, his face still red with anger.

"Where to now?" he asked, his voice low but desperate.

"I do have one idea," Ginny said, eyeing her brother and boyfriend cautiously. She led them out of the Manor before elaborating. "The Malfoy's were too obvious," she started. "Of course this would be the first place we'd look. Everyone knows how much the Malfoy's despised muggles and muggle-borns. I'm sure they were approached by the Ministry about this before-that's why they didn't seem very surprised when we showed up asking questions,"

"So what you're saying is," Harry continued. "They most likely took Hermione and the other muggle-borns to a place where we wouldn't ordinarily look-a place we wouldn't expect them to be."

"Exactly," Ginny said. "There is only one place that I can think of that no one will even think about looking at and that's Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts?" Ron asked, his eyebrows arching. "Ginny, there are witches and wizards there every day cleaning up the joint. Don't you think they would have stumbled upon the lot of them?"

"Maybe," Ginny said, "But they aren't exactly looking for missing muggle-borns are they?"

"Even if they weren't looking for them-a group of people is pretty hard to miss."

"It's worth a shot," Harry said.

Ron sighed after a few moments and nodded. "Fine," he said. They each took each other's hands and allowed the familiar feeling of darkness envelope them as they travelled back to their old school.

A few moments later, their feet collided with solid earth. Hogsmead was quiet and deserted this time of night. Their eyes landed upon the demolished castle, looming in the distance. It no longer had a majestic feel to it, now it just looked like something terrible had once happened there.

"Shall we go, then?" Ginny asked carefully, looking at the two boys next to her. She knew that they must be having awful flashbacks from the war. She was having them as well but she tried to keep her head on straight.

"Yeah let's go." Ron said softly before leading the way.

They started their walk towards the castle at a normal pace, but as they got closer, their normal pace turned into a brisk walk. It was just short of a run by the time they reached the gates.

"That's odd," Ginny said, pushing open the gate. "I was positive we were going to have trouble getting inside..."

Ron didn't waste time pondering over this quandary. He was already barrelling through the gate, storming up towards the castle. He stopped short when he saw that a group of people were already there, facing the castle with their wands pointed forward. Harry and Ginny cautiously approached Ron, their wands at the ready.

"Arthur," said a man. "Is that your kids?"

"What?"

Arthur Weasley turned around to face the confused looking teenagers.

"What on earth are you doing here?" he demanded, approaching them. "Who told you?"

"Told us?" Ron asked, trying to look past his father.

"I did, dad." George said, walking towards the group. "I let it slip to Ronnie here before he went to bed."

Arthur shook his head at his son before turning his attention back towards the three. He looked pale, Harry noticed. Paler than usual and a look of pain was on his face. "Just stay back," he said lowly. He walked away back towards his original group.

"What was that about?" Ginny asked, looking at George.

"You didn't want dad knowing you three ran off on your own now did you? You should be kissing my feet in gratitude for lying for ya,"

"I'll take a rain check." Ginny said, rolling her eyes.

"Why are you guys here anyway?" Harry asked.

George suddenly looked down towards the ground, the smirk on his lips instantly fading. He took a deep, shallow breath before raising his head and facing the three in front of him again.

"Locked in the dungeons...they found something."

"Something?" asked Ron, his blood pumping faster.

"What kind of something?" Ginny wondered, moving closer towards George.

George sighed loudly. "They think they may have found some of the muggle-borns."

Harry felt a feeling of complete joy and relief flood inside him. He wanted to take Ginny by the arms and kiss her madly. She had been right! The Death Eaters had hid the muggle-borns at Hogwarts! She was brilliant! He took Ginny's hand and squeezed it. She looked at him and smiled widely-everything was about to go back to normal.

"George..." said Ron, his voice void of all emotion. "We're they...alive?"

Harry's breath hitched in his throat-all feelings of happiness left as quickly as they arrived. George didn't need to answer Ron's question-the pained expression on his face spoke volumes.

Coming up next: Is Hermione one of the muggle-borns down in the dungeon? Or is she still missing without a trace?

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