(Harry's POV)
Ginny could not sit still, her ever changing movements only furthering the tension in the room.
She is safe.
Safe but not well, tortured.
Tortured
I have fought battles beside her since first year, knowing that danger was constantly near, that any moment
Voldemort could kill me…I was prepared. I don't think any of us realized that she could be a target, that one
of them could be taken and killed.
Not until she was gone and we had no idea how to get her back.
Safe
My hand shook as I ran them over my face, through my hair. There was a numbness in my chest, so many thoughts in my head. Ginny paced into my line of sight once again, her hand wringing together, tracing her arms, up to her hair, over her face…the tears silent but never ending. Ron's freckles stood out starkly against his pale skin, he was still against the couch, where his knees had collapsed upon finding out that our best friend was alive.
Safe
"I can't take this!" Ginny shook her head, "I'm going to go find out what's going on!" she started to rush to the door when it opened and in came McGonagall.
"Is she alive? What's going on?"
"I want to see her!"
"How did she get here?"
We all threw questions out at once. They fell together in a rush of noise and worry. She looked frazzled. Little wisps of hair escaping her bun, her eyes were red from crying.
"Is she…"I couldn't even finish my sentence. She shook her head at once; the relief was staggering.
Safe
"What happened?" this from Ginny, she kneeled beside me taking my hand in her smaller one, her skin clammy. I focused on the top of her head trying to calm my breathing.
"Fred and Hagrid were on watch, "she started, "Draco Malfoy was the one to return her to the school."
"Malfoy!" Ron shouted shocked. "He was probably behind-"
She sent Ron a stern look halting him from finishing his sentence, "He could have bled to death Mr. Weasley. I hardly think he was in any position to harm anyone at the state he is in!"
"Is he going to be okay?" I asked hesitantly, she nodded tersely. "It is imperative that you do not cause a scene. You will continue with your classes and alert no one to her current state. With the Civility Law in Place once the Ministry is contacted all of the petitions will be released. There will be a raid on the Malfoy Estate sometime tonight. Draco has been supplying the Order with Information for the past three weeks; until Hermione awakens we will not be able to do very much in regards to the petitions." She spoke carefully, the weariness evident.
"Hermione is Muggleborne, "Ron spoke softly, "Any pureblood can petition for her…She could end up back with Death Eaters." There was a slow build of understanding. "I've already petitioned for Lavender, Harry you can't do it because you're a half blood…Even if we could find someone if one of the older or richer Pureblood's petitions for her the rest will be vetoed."
Safe
"We will do what we can with the time we are allowing ourselves Mr. Weasley…"
The hand holding mine tightened, "What if it's not enough time? What if Knott or Zabini petition for her, this law is Slavery in disguise for any who would go against Voldemort." At his name no one shuddered, their hatred and growing need to be rid of him giving them confidence enough not to fear a name.
"It is best not to dwell on this Harry; we will not let anything happen to her."
But they already had