A/N: Ok… this chapter is a bit on the short side… but that's how it goes sometimes… don't worry… I'll post the next chapter really really soon! Ohh… and there's more of the 'good stuff' in the next chapter… so be sure to keep on reading!! Again, I ask all who read this to remember that this is my first ever fanfic so please be kind! Read, review and most importantly… ENJOY!
All things Harry Potter belong to the wonderful JK Rowling… :-)
Chapter 9: Hermione to the Rescue
Hermione gasped, "Let me see that letter!" She ran over to Ron and grabbed the note and began reading it frantically.
Ron paced back and forth across the common room while Harry read the letter over Hermione's shoulder.
"Ron," Hermione began. "This letter shows no proof that Ginny was kidnapped by Malfoy. In fact… he says that he's protecting her from something… but what?"
"But 'Mione… its Malfoy… he's got Ginny held hostage somewhere, I know it. When did Malfoy ever want to protect anything but his own pride and ego? He's just trying to throw us off!"
Harry remained uncomfortably silent.
Hermione's expression turned thoughtful, "I suppose… but we've no proof."
"I'm not so sure," Harry finally spoke.
Ron and Hermione turned towards Harry. "What do you mean, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Well, I wasn't supposed to tell. But Malfoy accompanied Ginny to Hogsmeade today."
Ron began to shake with anger, "He what?!?!"
"I wasn't supposed to say anything. In fact, I was to make sure that you didn't even see them while we were there," he hesitated just then. "But the truth of the matter is that I never even saw them there at all… so I never actually had to divert your attention."
"Harry, why didn't you tell me this before?" Ron shouted.
Harry hung his head in shame, "Because it was the only way to get her to go with me on the next Hogsmeade trip."
Hermione rolled her eyes in disgust. Men!
Without even thinking, Ron punched Harry in the nose causing him to fall backwards. Thankfully for Harry, his nose was not broken. However, it did bleed a little.
"Ron! Stop it!" Hermione yelled as she held him back.
"I'm sorry Ron. I didn't mean her any harm," Harry clutched at his nose and the blood smeared on his hands. "I just wanted one date with her is all… you know that I like her."
"Yeh, but you didn't have to blackmail her and then keep everything secret from us!"
Harry was still clutching his nose, "Sorry."
Hermione, being the only rational member of the trio snatched up the letter that had fallen onto the floor due to the scuffle, "Well… since we still don't know if Malfoy did indeed kidnap Ginny, I suggest that we do as he asked and find Dumbledore." With that, the bushy-haired brunette stomped out of the common room and through the portrait hole, Athena perched on her shoulder.
Ron and Harry hurried after her and the three made their way towards Dumbledore's office.
***
Meanwhile, back in the Slytherin common room, Blaise Zabini was pacing back and forth thinking to himself.
'Where is Malfoy? I was sure that he'd be here by now… what is he up to? Something is wrong… perhaps I ought to notify his father that he's gone missing. I know that he's got feelings for that Weasley girl. I shouldn't be wasting time… it's already well past curfew…'
Suddenly, the dark-haired boy stalked up the stairs to his dorm room and began to write a letter.
Mr. Malfoy,
As per your suggestion, I've been keeping an eye on your son. I fear that his loyalties are taking a turn and that he's become rather infatuated with a certain red-haired girl. I've noticed that he's gone missing as has the girl. This could spoil everything. I'm not sure as to their whereabouts and thought that you should know. You have influences with those that may help in determining where they are. You must act quickly, for they may not stay in one place for too long. Luckily, they cannot have gone too far from the school grounds.
BZ
***
"Malted Milkballs," Hermione stated while standing in front of a large statue of a phoenix.
The statue shifted, revealing a hidden staircase. Immediately, Hermione stepped onto the stairs. Harry and Ron followed her lead. As the statue shifted back into place, the stairs spiraled upwards leading the three to the entrance of Dumbledore's office.
Dumbledore greeted them as soon as they entered, "Ah Miss Granger… Mr. Weasley… Mr. Potter. I was wondering when you three would show up." The old wizard's eyes twinkled with delight.
Hermione stepped forward and handed him Draco's letter.
"Professor, we just received this letter from Malfoy. I'm not sure as to what it means, but Malfoy seemed to think that you would… and that you could help. The three of us are confused and not sure of what to do. Hopefully, you'll be able to give us answers. The one thing that we do know for sure is that Ginny is missing."
"I see… yes, yes…" Dumbledore replied.
Ron's fists were clenched at his sides, but he tried his best to remain calm.
Dumbledore read over the letter, "It's as I feared. They are coming for Ginny Weasley."
"What?" all three shrieked simultaneously causing each member of the trio to look at one another in frustration. "Who?" this time, all three scowled at one another.
"You see, since Miss Weasley became possessed by Tom Riddle and opened The Chamber of Secrets, a part of Voldemort took hold of her soul."
Ron and Hermione winced at the sound of The Dark Lord's name, but Harry remained calm and cool.
"Voldemort is on the rise once again. I knew that it was only a matter of time. He cannot come back to full strength without Miss Weasley. Her soul alone holds the key to his strength," Dumbledore frowned suddenly, "I was hoping that he would never realize this, but it appears that he has," Just then, the old wizard smiled knowingly, "But our Mr. Malfoy is protecting her… he knows what it means for Voldemort to take back what is his."
"And… what does it mean, professor?" Hermione stammered.
"It means that she must die."
"NO!!!" shouted Ron.
"Mr. Weasley, I assure you that we will not let your sister die. Though you may not believe it, she is in very safe hands. Mr. Malfoy, I am sure, will protect her as best he can."
"What? Am I hearing you correctly?" Ron was losing his patience. Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down.
"Yes, I believe that you did." The old wizard paused for a moment, "It seems as though Mr. Malfoy's father and Mr. Zabini are the ones in charge of bringing Miss Weasley before Voldemort."
"Oh… so that's what LM and BZ stood for."
"Quite right, Miss Granger," Dumbledore smiled. "Five points for Gryffindor."
Hermione beamed.
"Well, are we gonna just stand here or are we going to rescue my sister?" Ron asked, thoroughly infuriated.
"Yes, I believe that Mr. Malfoy's owl will lead us to them, I suggest we leave straight away."
"Let's get on with it then!"
Dumbledore and the trio left the castle and followed Athena in hopes of finding Draco and Ginny before it was too late.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Well… I hope that you all liked this chapter… and that it stands up to the same level of writing as my previous chapters! I know that there was no Draco or Ginny in this chapter, but I really feel that this transition was necessary for the story… don't worry… there's more Draco/Ginny interactions in the next chapter and chapters to come. I'm hoping to get over 100 reviews with the posting of this chapter… and I'm also planning to post the next chapter very quickly because I feel kind of bad that this one was so short. :-) Anyway, I hope that you all will keep on reading my story!! I'm also posting a new chapter for my other story, "Phantasmagoria"… I hope that you all like that one too!!
Lady Bug ~ Thanks for the compliments… I plan to post chapter 10 very very soon! Keep reading and reviewing!!
Greeny ~ Rachel, my dear… I always love getting reviews from you… they totally make my day!! Anyway, I'm glad that you liked my last chapter… hopefully you liked this one too. The next chapter will be longer (and more interesting)… I promise! :-) But I needed to kind of set the stage. Anyway, please continue to read and review!!! Ohh… and the vampire thing has crossed my mind more than once!!
pixeysdust ~ Well to answer your question… Ron is just on over-reaction/over-emotional mode to say the very least. He has a temper and I'm choosing to portray it in this way… I hope that it's effective! :-) I'm so glad that you like the story and thanks for your compliments! Keep reading and reviewing!
dracomio ~ I'm glad that you are still liking my story… please keep on reading and reviewing!
Jezel Blackwind ~ No problem about the D/G action last chapter… sorry to not have any in this chapter… but I assure you that there will be some in the next chapter so keep reading… and reviewing!! :-)
sweetstar3 ~ My 'romantic' (and French… lol) friend! Sorry if I disappointed with this chapter, concerning the D/G action… I'll make it up to you with the next! Continue to read and review!
dragonsprincess ~ Hey there sweets! Firstly, I started reading your story… very interesting concept thus far… when I finish it, I'll definitely give you a review!! :-) Anyway, I'm so happy that you liked my smut scenes… and yeah, Ron can be ridiculous sometimes! Oh well… With that said… please keep on reading and reviewing my story!!
Cameron ~ I don't really consider Ginny goth… it's more of a dark streak. My reasoning behind this is because I feel that deep down she always knew (after the whole Chamber thing anyway) that there was an evil residing within her. The black clothing, etc. sort of shows that realization… I hope that clears that up a bit. :-) Anyway, I'm totally thrilled that you are liking my story… please keep on reading and reviewing!!
da-lil-one114 ~ Well, here's the next chapter… the next one (ch10) will come even sooner… Be sure to keep on reading… more 'good stuff' to come!! And don't forget to review!!
Magic Comet ~ :-) Back at ya!! Keep reading and reviewing!
piper-h-99 ~ Sorry that this is a short chapter… the next one is longer and has more interesting things in it… not to mention D/G action!! Continue to read and review!
Starkyrox9191 ~ Yeah… Ron makes me laugh too! His temper and over-reactive behavior always seem to get him into trouble! Please keep on reading and reviewing!
Blue Coloured Roses ~ Hey Emmie… so glad that you're finally back! Missed you there!! Anyway, I totally remember your earlier review (*smiles*)!! Thanks so very much for your compliments and I'm glad that this story has become one of your favorites!! Please keep reading and reviewing… there's more to come! :-)
Ang3l666 ~ Blaise is back… and he gets worse before it's all over!!! Anyway, I'm glad that you are still liking this story… the next chapter will be posted soon! Continue to read and review!!
Pigwidgeon ~ Thanks ever so much for your compliments… this really is my first fanfic… I've dabbled in creative writing a little bit, but not very much… it wasn't my strong point while still in school. :-) Anyway, I'm glad you like my story… please continue to read and review!
mz-duCkiee ~ I'm glad that you liked my smut scene… I really wanted the whole thing to come off as a beautiful thing shared between two people. It makes me happy to know that I succeeded in doing so! Yeah… Ron is just being Ron… highly temperamental and explosive when it comes to anything regarding his sister and Draco Malfoy!! I'm glad you liked my last chapter… hopefully you liked this one too!! The next (ch10) will be posted soon! Keep on reading and reviewing!!
Silver Dragon Myst ~ Firstly, a special thanks to you for adding me to your "favorite authors" list!!! Yep… Ron was being thick!! But Hermione set him straight… lol! Anyway, I hope that you liked this chapter… please keep reading and reviewing!
omG ~ Yeah… Ron is definitely over-reacting… typical though, right? Anyway, I'm glad you like my story so far… please continue to read and review!!
A special thanks is extended to Angelover41 and Silver Dragon Myst for adding me to their "favorite authors" list (*many hugs to both of you*)!
Again I'd like to re-iterate… I hope that everyone will continue to enjoy what I write… Also remember that more and longer reviews means that I'll be more likely to post another chapter quickly!!! :-)