A/N1: Standard disclaimer; see chapter 1 for details.

A/N2: This chapter takes place on the same night as the previous one.

"This is still bollixed up," Ron raged as his brothers guided him down the hall. "How long's it gonna take reinforcements to get here?"

"He has a point," Hermione said, causing everyone to turn and face her.

"Why are you following us?" Harry asked, then looked over her shoulder. "Nev? Drake?"

"You may not have been the cause of a young girl being out at night in the forest," Neville stated, "but we know that the Gryffindor in you will not let you sit idly by."

"We're going with you, whatever your plan is," Draco affirmed.

"You damn slimy Slyther–mph!" Ron's mouth was covered by a large sticking plaster from one of his brothers' wands.

"Harrykins, if you have an idea"

"To save our little Gin-Gin"

"Then our wands are yours to command."

"What they said." Percy jerked his head at the twins.

"Okay," Harry herded them into an empty classroom. "Steadman is probably nearing the gates, but he'll have to wait for Hagrid to let him in. Meanwhile, Ginny is likely frightened and could be in danger."

"The Forbidden Forest is forbidden for a reason," Percy spoke up. "There are centaurs and unicorns there, for a start. Although," he added darkly, "I'd prefer she be located by the latter than the former. While centaurs can communicate, they are rather territorial."

"Plus we've heard rumours"

"From varying sources"

"That say there is an unnamed evil"

"Residing there."

Ron ripped the bandage off his mouth. "Voldemort?"

"No, he's dead," Harry reminded him absently. "Broom travel would be the best and fastest way to reach her."

"Any of the Quidditch team would be happy to loan you a broom"

"Since our clumsy little brother broke yours."

"Oi!"

"Not necessary, I have another." He turned to Neville and Draco. "Go back down and fetch yours. If you see Steadman, let him know the situation then sic him on Dumbledore; I bet the old fart is already sweet-talking and stonewalling. I'll get the new broom from my trunk, so you guys," he indicated the Weasleys, "can grab your transport at the same time. Hermione, how quickly can you run back to your dorm?"

"No need." She opened her bag and pulled the broom out of the small purse. "I came prepared."

Fred and George alternated with sycophantic salaams. "We are not worthy!"

"Oh gracious and intelligent Ravenclaw"

"Not to mention beautiful"

"Would you be so kind as to share with us humble beings"

"The secrets of your magical storage?"

"There's no time for you to clown around." Percy slapped each on the back of the head. "Up to the tower, now!"

Hermione was trying a tracking spell with a long red hair when Draco and Neville joined them at the edge of the forest.

"Steadman's pretty pissed that you've already gone ahead, but he told us good luck and to watch our backs," Draco said.

"Just as I would have predicted," Harry allowed.

"He said he'd try to pound some sense into the doddering old fool and would activate the trackers on us once official back-up arrives."

"I wish him luck on that, Nev. Any progress, Hermione?"

"The multiple Weasleys at my back are interfering with the genetic link, but Ginny appears to be in that general direction." She pointed.

"Okay. I'll take point. Fred, George, flank me, one on each side."

"Aye, aye, sir!" They both saluted before moving into positions, brooms clenched tightly.

"Draco, Neville, fan out a little farther in case we're not headed precisely towards her. Hermione, stay on my tail and adjust our direction as necessary. The rest of you," he indicated the Quidditch team and Gryffindor prefects, "follow along and act as extra sets of eyes. Percy," he hesitated as he turned to the eldest Weasley in attendance, "I'm not familiar with your broom skills. Where do you want to be?"

"All Weasleys play creditable Quidditch. I'll fly beside Miss Granger."

"Done." He nodded. "This is a rescue mission. No hot-shot aerobatics or clowning around."

"Hear that, Fred, George?" Their older brother speared them with a glance.

"Wot about me?" Ron asked.

"Back with the team and prefects so they can keep an eye on you," Percy ordered.

"You guys all at the front will hog the glory," he protested.

"This is no time for the spotlight, Ron. It's our sister's life at stake." He dipped his head towards Harry, who raised a hand.

"Lumos your wands once we get in, but not enough to blind ourselves or Ginny. Mount up!"

"How far do you think we've gone?" Fred (or George) asked.

"Over a kilometre," Hermione answered from behind. "She must have continued deeper into the forest after Cho dropped the last message."

"That's a Weasley for you"

"We never admit mistakes"

"But double down on denials."

"And that is why you have so many detentions," Percy stated.

"We should be close enough for her to hear us by now," Hermione surmised. "Start calling for her, but remember to be quiet every few seconds to hear a reply."

The eerie cries of 'Ginny!' echoed against the broad trunks of centuries-old trees. The expedition, which had set out in such hope, at this point fought to stave off despair. Worry etched all faces, and whenever a wand light hit a Weasley face, there were tears tracking down the cheeks.

"Hold!" Hermione suddenly called. As the floating searchers drifted to circle her, she recast the spell. "We've passed her."

"But we saw nothing"

"And, stubborn as she can be"

"She still wouldn't ignore our voices."

"We have to go lower," Harry concluded. "Slower and with more caution." He looked around. "We need only the best fliers to descend; the rest of you stay aloft and remain alert. You may need to provide cover on our way out."

Percy turned to Ron. "Stay here," he ordered. He overrode the inevitable protests. "Think about Mum and Dad. Ginny's their baby, but you're the youngest boy. They'd expect me to do this."

The redhead swallowed and nodded. Truth be told, he wasn't that steady on the basic school broom, and it was obvious that everyone else was well accustomed to their personal flying implements. "You just bring her back," he said huskily.

"Hermione," Harry glided to her side, "we need as much precision with that spell as you can squeeze out of it. Get us within ten metres of her, if possible."

Her eyes intent, she cast once more and pointed the way. The group slowly descended into deeper darkness. "She's just ahead," she finally spoke. "She's not moving, so we should see her soon."

Again, there was no response to their calls, although the night seemed alive with chittering noises, rustles, and cracking twigs.

"Don't know about you, less intelligent brother"

"But it's looking even spookier than before."

"Harry," Draco's voice came from the right, "I think you ought to see this."

Their leader flew over, the others lagging behind to prevent in-air collisions.

"What is it?" he asked.

The blond's wand shone a spotlight onto what almost appeared to be a structure. "That's not a building."

"It's not a plant, either." Neville peered upon it. "The composition does ring a bell…"

"The Operation Granby exhibit at Sandhurst," Hermione said flatly. "Camouflage netting to hide vehicles and buildings."

"But this is natural and not man-made." Harry levitated a stone and banished it at the mysterious 'thing'. It bounced as if on taut fabric, and the construct quivered for several seconds before stilling.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Draco intoned.

"Now is not the time to quote Star Wars," Hermione chided. The chittering noises increased in both volume and frequency. "It's a nest of some sort. The fallen leaves make it almost invisible to passersby."

"Which could mean that it's a trap." Harry raised both hands. "Not quoting Admiral Ackbar, I promise."

Ignoring Harry, Percy asked Hermione tensely, "And your spell has Ginny down there?"

Eyes wide, she nodded. "Unfortunately, if you mentally take away the debris covering it…"

"A giant spider web," Neville breathed, "from the Agelenidae family. Funnel shaped webs," he explained to the listeners.

"It's a good thing we left Ron up there," said George (or Fred).

"He screams like a girl at the little ones Mum sweeps out of corners."

"So, if this is a giant web," Draco said, "then should we assume that the spiders are also larger than life?"

"Probably," Harry said. "Hermione?"

She ceased her wand waving. "I cast a heat detection spell. I know exactly where she is. I'll fly in and use a cutting charm to open the roof around her location. I need someone who has enough power to lift the segment away."

"Are you proposing that we enter the tunnel?"

"I'm hoping that she will be attached to the ceiling. That's why we need someone with lots of control."

"I'll do it," Percy stated firmly.

"And I'll assist," Oliver Wood separated from the rear troops. "Be just like old times, won't it?"

The normally serious redhead grinned. "The twins never knew what hit them."

"Hey! That was you?"

"We thought a passing hippogriff had taken a dump"

"And we were just in the wrong place"

"At the wrong time."

"It's always the quiet ones," murmured Neville.

"The rest of you," Harry gestured, "surround them and prepare to fire on any giant spiders that might try to argue with them."

"Acromantulas," Percy said, "if we're going to fight them, at least call them by the right name."

The others nodded and waited tensely as Hermione sliced out a precise oval in the roof. The segment rose slowly and evenly, but she declared once it was clear that Ginny was still below. "She's encased like a mummy," she reported. "They could be saving her for a later meal."

"Well, it's about time for them to go on a diet," Harry said grimly. "Draco, Nev, you're with me." They displayed matching grins when he elaborated, "We'll provide covering fire to distract them. Percy, you and Ollie do your levitation thing again. If she's stuck to the ground or wall, Hermione has the best aim for cutting her free. Fred, George, watch her back. The rest of you, watch their backs! Now, three, two, one, go!"

Within five minutes a silk-shrouded Ginny Weasley was being floated above the treeline. Two of the prefects then conjured ropes to fasten her securely for the rapid flight to the medical wing, with the group acquiring a Ministry escort while en route.

The three boys' shouts and rapid spellfire created enough distraction for the girl's safe extraction. Hermione scolded them in absentia for having too much fun, as flashing lights from the red and green sparks spells could be seen even through the layer of forest debris. When they finally emerged, she and the twins quickly severed the threads of silk trailing behind them. She shuddered when she saw the size of the spider trying to hitch a ride on one of the tendrils.

"Brother of mine"

"It's too bad"

"That we couldn't capture one of those"

"It would make an extra-special birthday gift"

"For ickle Ronniekins."

Hermione left the relieved pranksters behind and accelerated to catch up with 'her' boys.

"You know, less handsome brother"

"What, less intelligent brother?"

"It's just as well that"

"The Countess didn't go out for Quidditch."

"Quite right."

"Indeed."