Hii! Sorry about the delay, but here is the long-awaited chapter!! Before you all kill me with razor-sharp teeth and brass knuckles, lemme explain. Our internet went bye-bye for awhile, and I couldn't update even if I wanted to. But I'm back now! Enjoy!
Chapter 14: The Big Slip
Here's chapter 14! Thanks for all the reviews, I love you all!
A month.
It had been one long, agonizing month since Harry had last seen Hermione. Harry absent mindedly wondered around the grounds of his castle alone. He needed time to think, and everywhere he went in the castle, Ginny was right at his heels.
Ron had been right. Even he didn't know her the way he used too. When they were a couple, it was as if they knew the other's soul.
And now---
Ginny was like a vulture, feeding off of his carcass. He sighed. Something had to be done about her. He couldn't think when she was near him, it brought back happy memories of the way things were. And he didn't want to think of them. Still only one girl was in his thoughts constantly. He heard rapid footsteps in back of him, and he turned around to see two guards running to him.
"Sir!" One yelled, as they skidded to a halt.
"What is it?" Harry asked.
"We have news, sir." The other panted.
"News? What news? Have they found Hermione?"
"I'm afraid not sir, but we have reason to believe she didn't leave--- she was taken."
A large lump formed in Harry's throat. "Tell me what you know. Now."
"Mr. Smith, the guard on night duty, went to the Slytherin Kingdom to visit his daughter. They've been very excited about a prisoner they've had… for a month."
"A month…" Harry whispered. "Where is Mr. Smith now?"
"Away, sir. On vacation."
Harry thumped his hand against the side of the castle angrily. "Find him. Do whatever it takes. Call him through the fire, send owls, send guards on brooms. I want to speak to him, find out if he knows anything more. Tell me when you've located him. I'll be in my room."
Hermione had been missing for about a month, and Ginny was no closer to reconnecting with Harry. It was starting to put her in an extremely bad mood. What did she have to do? Wear a poofy brown wig and ask Marcus Flint how he kept his teeth so crooked? Harry wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole, and even flinched at having to hug her goodnight.
Harry opened the door, and walked into his bedroom. He gave a half smile at Ginny, and then sat down at his desk to read over the week's report. It was the only think he could do to keep his hands from balling into fists.
Ginny hopped off the bed, walked behind him and started giving him a massage.
"That's distracting," Harry said with a laugh.
"I'm sorry, just trying to relieve some tension, you are so…" she paused, enjoying the way his muscles felt in her hands. "so tense."
"That's just my back you should…" he paused.
"Yeah?"
"…You should feel my heart." He said quickly. "There's still only one girl that will ever have it, and she's gone. The guards think someone took her! Can you believe it?!"
Ginny dropped her hands down to her sides with a sigh. "Hermione. It's still Hermione! That's all I've been hearing about for weeks! Hermione! Hermione! HERMIONE!"
She slammed her hand against the wall.
"Ginny!" Harry cried, jumping up. "Calm down."
"I won't, Harry Potter! She's the one who left you, she's the one that hurt you, but still, I am the one that suffers for it!!!!"
"Ginny," Harry said, walking forward and grabbing her arms. "You're my friend. Of course there will always be a place for you in my heart. I'm sorry for putting you through this, you should go."
"Don't you see?" She sighed. "I LOVE YOU!"
"Ginny," he started again.
"No," She said. "I'm glad she's gone! She's finally getting what she deserves! That filthy MUGGLE!"
Harry stepped dead in his tracks. "What did you say?"
Ginny backpedaled. "Nothing… I…"
"You know where Hermione is," Harry said slowly, advancing on her. "I can't believe I didn't see it before. You're behind this!"
"No…"
Ron poked his head in the room. "What's going on?"
"Ron!" Ginny cried. "Harry's upset, he…"
"Ginny has something to do with Hermione's disappearance." Harry stated.
Ron looked to her, the utmost look of revulsion on his face. "Tell me it isn't so!"
"Malfoy put you up to it, didn't he?" Harry snarled. "Tell me where she is! NOW!"
Tears rolled down Ginny's cheeks. "The Slytherin dungeon. She's in the Slytherin dungeon."
Harry gritted his teeth. He grabbed a vase off of the bedside table and threw it against the wall.
The sound of it shattering made Ginny tremble. "Harry, listen…"
Her speaking seemed to make him remember she was in the room, and he strode to over to her, stopping inches from her. "You better not be here when I get back," He hissed, his hand pointing directly in her face. "God, how could you do this, Ginny? How could you hurt me like this? If you really loved me, you would have wanted to see me happy."
Ginny just trembled against the wall.
Harry whipped open his closet door and retrieved his Firebolt.
"Harry," Ron said, finally finding his voice. "Maybe I should come with you."
"No," Harry replied. "I have to do this on my own." He mounted his broom, and flew out through the window.
End of chapter 14!!! There goes Harry on his white broomstick!!! Can he save Hermione in time? Will he and Draco Malfoy duel to the death? Only next chapter can tell!