Disclaimer: The only thing that's mine is the plot. The rest is JKR's.

Chapter Four...Horrendous Happenings

Dear Snuffles: (Ron had no qualms about using dear here, he wondered
why)

How are you? This is Ron Weasley here. You've probably figured that
out, as I bet Pig is zooming around being annoying right now.
We(Hermione and I) really need your help. Harry is stuck with those
awful Muggles and neither of us have heard from him at all. I know
Dumbledore wants him to stay there for now, but you know Harry, he's
probably sitting around feeling guilty about everything while the
Dursley's make him clean the house and starve him. We would really like
it if we could get him here, or at least talk to us and let him know
he's alright. Could you write Harry, and maybe Dumbledore? I'm sure it
would be safe for Harry here if they cast protection spells around the
house or something. Dad works for the Ministry, he'd figure something
out.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Ron

Ron felt better now that he had actually done something. In fact, he was
in the best mood he'd been in awhile. He'd already heard from Hermione
twice in too days, she seemed to have forgiven him for his comment about
her love life. And-he was sure he wasn't imagining it-things seemed to
have changed between them somewhat. It wasn't really that they said
anything in their letters that was different from before, but they were
maybe just a touch more...friendly.
Ron looked outside. It was getting dark and his stomach was rumbling.
He paused at the door to his room, and noticed how quiet it was in the
house. Quiet? When was the last time it had been quiet in the Weasley
house? A chill came over him, and he rushed down the stairs. The
kitchen was empty except for his mum, who was sitting at the table, her
head bowed. She was crying.
Ron felt a shock go through him. He did not ever remember seeing his
mother cry. Scream aloud in frustration, yes, but cry? Never.
"Mum?", he said tentatively. "What's wrong? Where is everyone?"
Mrs. Weasley jumped at the sound of his voice. "Oh! Ron..."her voice
trailed off.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Well, you should probably know...I don't know how to tell you
this...but since she's one of your best friends..." There was a copy of
the Daily Prophet in her hands.
Ron turned white. "What is it!?" He grabbed the paper before she
could stop him and read:

"Dark Mark spotted-Two Muggles killed"
-as reported by Bonnie Woodsworth

Early this morning, fear was swept into the hearts of all London,
when the Dark Mark was spotted hanging over a house in Surrey. Rumor has
it that two bodies were removed, and the survivor, a Muggle-born witch
named Hermione Granger transported immediately to safety, wherabouts
unknown. As everyone knows, the Dark Mark is the sign of You-Know-Who,
despite the assurances of the Ministry that he has NOT returned. This
reporting is imagining they will have a harder time making people
believe it."

The article went on, but Ron could not read anymore. The paper went
unnoticed, fluttering to the floor. Hermione. Her parents. WHERE was
Hermione? Where was it safe now, that people had been killed?
Mrs. Weasley made a move as if to hug him, but Ron flinched at her
touch. "Don't touch me," he said in a thick voice he was unable to
recognize as his own. "Leave me alone." Ron ran back up the stairs, and
tried to tell himself that the wetness on his face was not tears. Not
that it mattered anymore. Nothing mattered unless Hermione, and Harry as
well, were safe.

Ron awoke in the darkness, wondering why he felt so bad. Then he
remembered, and fought the urge to scream. He didn't, however, as he
was in the act of pulling his sweater over his head(a maroon one) a
scream echoed through the house. A woman's scream. Or rather, a young
woman's. Ginny.


To be continued

A/N Wow, my first sort of cliffhanger! I'm semi-happy about this
chapter, sorry about the sadness, but it won't all be sad-I promise!
Thanks to all my new reviewers: Jet, Su, and Seeker 2000. Reviews
really inspire me to write more, they're great. Also, I'm really sorry
if everyone doesn't like the pairings I have in mind, I respect
everyone's opinion, but I can't help it, I really can't. I cannot
imagine Ron or Hermione being with anyone but each other. Plus, I love
Ron. I don't think it would be fair if Harry got Hermione, because it
would leave Ron out. How could anyone want to leave that dashing
red-haired boy all by himself? Thanks for reading, I'll have more soon.
I'm even actually starting to get somewhat of a plot in my head!








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