Chapter 3: London, England
1 month later


With a sigh Ronald Weasly surveyed the open area with apprehensive eyes. He leaned on the railing of the steal balcony and watched as a group of people, Muggles mostly, hurrying up and down the isles of the crops, picking food and stuffing it into plain gray bags. The sight was sad really, the fruit and vegetables were far smaller then normal and were no where near as good as those above ground. The harvest that year had been meager, dropping by at least fifty percent from the year before. All in all the crops were failing, and if the crops failed then the whole of the Burrow fell right along with it.

Ron gave yet another long slow sigh reaching up and brushing his long hair out of his face with trembling fingers. Things had grown tougher over the past month, the water supply was slowly diminishing and the food reserves were all but gone, Ron could see no where to turn. Harry had become more distant than ever lately, barely talking to any one, everyone seemed to think he was giving up, but Ron knew better, he saw the inner struggle within his friend. To stay down here and die, or to return to the surface and die, either way was death, and Harry had to chose. Ron wished there was some way to help his friend, to take a bit of the weight, but he knew that Harry would never accept his help on a matter like this, he'd have to decide on his own.

Ron left suddenly no longer aware of his surroundings, his thoughts dim and depressing. Ron had never felt so weighted, he didn't know what to do or how he could better the situation, there wasn't much else he could do. In truth the Burrow wasn't a way to live, it never had been, it was merely a way to slow the death they would all someday face.

He stumbled down the halls his past hope slowly diminishing. They couldn't fight they couldn't run, there was no way out, all the could do was sit and wait for the darkness to spread around them, envelop them in the eternal black.

Ron was alone in the hall way, people didn't often come to the lower levels, the passage ways were some what musty and you could almost feel the weight from the floors above pressing down on you. Ron was lucky for his solitude, for suddenly he whirled with all his furry and frustration and hit the wall with one bunched fist, the muscles in his arm contracting. He faltered moments later and his face grew lax, something he never thought could happen took hold of him.

For the first time in fourteen years Ronald Weasly cried. He leaned his head against the wall, till his forehead met cool stone, and cried. It wasn't loud or powerful, his body didn't heave or tremble, he barely made any noise at all, but from his eyes poured tear after tear. He cried silently for what seemed like hours, face vacant and cold, his forehead pressed lightly against the wall, streams of cold salty water pouring from his eyes. Slowly the effects of his sadness wore off to a throbbing ache in his chest. He turned and pressed his back against the wall leaning his head back and closing his eyes, relishing in the quiet.

came a soft voice from the shadows, it was unfamiliar and scratchy, Ron jumped in utter surprise and banged his head against the low ceiling. There was a soft chuckle more like a snicker really, from the dark, the sound was oddly familiar. "You'll always be the same Ron, the clumsy, smart ass Ron that we all knew and loved, the voice said jauntily, a touch of suppressed laughter creeping into the light tone. Ron grew cross at the comment and his face grew hard, Who are you? There was something very strange and familiar about this person, the way they were egging him on, and the way it was working. Another soft chuckle met his ears, An old friend Ron, and old friend, the person said and stepped slowly from the shadows.

At first Ron didn't recognize her. He realized the woman was a witch, for she had a wand sticking from the pocket of her deep blue robes. Her hair was straight and fell to encircle her pale pretty face, her doe brown eyes slightly dulled by the elusive hint of pain, like everyone else's, but in their depths Ron saw something familiar. There was a slight hint of mischief, and intelligent glare that only one person held.

******

The highest tower of the castle was somewhat destroyed, with the roof gone and many of the stones missing, but it was Harry's favorite place to think. He sat on one of the lower stones, closest to the hard wood below, maybe five feet from it. His feet dangled like a little boys over the edge, as he gazed off into the distance, staring blindly at the rolling hills of gray stone. A cool breeze caressed his red tinged face, its chilly fingers brushing through his hair. Harry closed his eyes, letting the wind soothe him.

Harry was well aware of the troubles and complications that the Burrow and its inhabitants were facing, he knew his choices only to well. His head drummed with their consequences, knowing that both would lead to death. Harry had been able to find away out of a fix since his first year at Hogwarts, when he had escaped Lord Voldemort with a spurt of luck.

But Hogwarts was gone, no more than a pile of rubble and broken dreams, Lord Voldemort ruled the world, and luck was a child's wish. There was no such thing as happiness and prosperity, and Harry knew the one reason why. In his body, in his heart he carried a weight so much deeper than many people could imagine. The people he cared for, sheltered, and worked along side, were facing their deaths because of one factor.

Him. Harry Potter.

He'd had a chance, long ago, to defeat the Dark Lord, and he had failed, miserably. Now he sat and wallowed in self pity, because that's all he had left for himself.

Pity.

Sad really that he thought no better of himself, but the past burned fresh in his mind every hour of every day, not giving him any room for pride or self confidence. If only Hermione were here, he muttered underneath his breath.

Well mate today's your lucky day, said a familiar drawling voice, Harry was so surprised that he nearly toppled off the tower, barely catching himself from a hundred foot drop. Harry whirled on Ron, his face angry, What the hell are you thinking! Trying to kill me off sooner! he cried his body shaken from the near fall. Ron on the other hand was grinning broadly, which infuriated Harry even more. And what in the bloody hell did you mean, today is my luck day'? he snapped swinging his legs back over. Ron opened his mouth to answer but someone else spoke instead. Harry! Don't curse! said a small pretty female stepping out from behind Ron, whom was now grinning almost stupidly. Harry's brow furrowed, Who are you..... he began, but it suddenly clicked.

Hermione Granger.

His long lost best friend stood plainly before him, alive and breathing. She smiled a bit nervously and shifted on her feet some what uncertainly, Harry? Its me Hermione, she said taking his silence for ignorance. Harry pinched himself , hard. No he wasn't dreaming. But Hermione was dead, wasn't she? Oy Harry?! cried Ron, but it was to late, Harry had fainted and gone toppling back wards off the tower wall.

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oooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo an evil cliff hanger (no pun involved) MWAHAHAHAHAHAH *cough* sorry got a little over excited right there *smile*

Sorry this Chapters sooooooooo short, I just felt it should stop right there. I PROMISE the next chapter will be happier (and longer), I personally am getting tired of all the depression, lol (ok so Im the writer but hey!)

Well please keep reading! I love you all!!!!!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!