It was strange for Ginny to return to Hogwarts. The school had been abandoned as a stronghold for the resistance long ago because of its obviousness. However, certain powers still lurked in the halls that would be perfect for just Ginny and Ron. After taking out the old Marauder's map (a present from her husband long ago), Ginny scoured the castle. A lump of lonliness filled her throat as she searched and only found the old ghosts still about. Taking a breath, she carefully pressed the knot on the Womping Willow and emerged with Ron.
Still not competely comfortable with the emptiness of the castle, Ginny stashed Ron in the "Room of Necessity" before searching out herbs and food for her and Ron. There was no way for her to communicate with the others. To have anything at all would have been risky. The only way she got word back to base was through contacts far from Voldemort's stronghold. Even then, Ginny only sent back reports rarely so as to keep from being discovered. There was one in Hogsmede, but Ron's health came first.
Thank goodness I paid attention in Herbology and Potions, thought Ginny as she searched through the old greenhouses. Without Professor Sprout or Mr. Filch, the place was a mess. Ginny had to be extra careful what she was rummaging about in. There used to be a few pots of Devil's Snare growing in one of the houses.
Ginny shivered as she remembered the fate of the man in St. Mungoo's that Harry had told her about. The Dark Lord did not like it when his victims started to recover.
Luckily, Ginny found the medicinal herbs quickly. Professor Sprout and Madam Pompfrey had a good amount growing before they had to flee. There must still have been some spells active to allow the plants to be doing so well.
In another part of the greenhouse, Ginny found tomatoes, cucumbers, and other fruits and vegetables. They had gone a bit wild, but enough grew to last for just her and Ron for a short while.
Hurrying back to her brother with her treasures, Ginny ran into, or rather through, Sir Nicholas. Both were so shocked, that Ginny dropped everything.
"Oh, Sir Nicholas! I'm so sorry! Don't let anyone else know I'm here! Ron and I need to hide here for a few days," Ginny sputtered while gathering her goods.
"Miss Weasley? or should I say, Mrs. Potter. My, my it has been a long time. Of course, on my honor, I will conceal your presence. Though, I must say, you have certainly changed! If it wasn't for the red hair, I would never have recognized you," said Nearly-Headless Nick.
"It's a long story," Ginny grinned weakly. It had been ages since she had reason to smile.
She returned to Ron without further incident. He was still asleep, but on a comfortable cot that the room had provided. Before she had entered, Ginny made certain that she thought hard on the list of things that she needed. The room provided well. In addition to two comfortable beds, there were books on the shelf about healing and trauma treatment, as well as all of the instruments and tools needed to prepare the herbs. I suspect that even Madam Pompfrey would like this room right now.
Rolling up her sleaves, Ginny got to work. In about an hour she had a basic paultice for the gashes and cuts. Stripping down Ron to his underwear, she gently washed his skin. Her heart ached as she saw the result of Ron's time at Voldemort's stronghold. There were some places where scars criss-crossed to the point where it no longer looked like human skin. With the bruises added on top and the fresher gashes and cuts, Ron's body looked like a morbid abstract art had his skin been a canvas.
Once he was washed down, Ginny saw Ron's face relax as he slept. Ginny's eyes started to water, thinking of Hermione. What will she do when she sees all of this?
Carefully, Ginny applied the paultice and bandaged the worst areas. When she was satisfited for the moment, she pulled the thick covers up to Ron's chin and let him rest.
Exhausted and starving, Ginny sat down to her feast of fruits and vegetables. When her stomach was satisfied, she curled up in the other bed, hoping that soon she would be able to return and find Harry.



Where am I? I'm lying on something soft... This must be a dream... I don't feel drugged... I feel... better... Why is the pain less? He's never let it lessen before... only increase... where am I?
Slowly, Ron opened his eyes. This was dificult since Ginny had placed a bandage over one of them. There had been a gash that needed some attention. Ron could not believe his eyes. The room was... Hogwarts. No other place he had been to looked quite like it. Was he finally so insane that he imagined himself back at school?
Carefully, since large movements still brought pain, Ron turned his head to look a bit around the room. The Polyjuice potion had worn of off Ginny. Seeing her sleeping in the bed next to him, dressed like a deatheater, brought instant tears to his eyes. So, she had not been a dream. His sister, his beloved baby sister had rescued him from hell itself.
Having slept for a few hours, Ginny woke to see her brother smiling at her with tears streaming down his face. Filled with joy, Ginny got up and hugged Ron. His grunts reminded her why she had bandaged him hours ago, and she released him.
"I have been searching for you for almost a year and a half now. After both you and Harry disappeared, I went in undercover. I can't believe that I found you! I'm so happy!" Ginny hugged Ron again, much gentler this time.
"How... Hogwarts..." Talking was still hard for Ron.
"I just apparated us away from that horrible place. I thought this would be the best place to go for now. The others are too far away. Rest now. I have to go to Hogsmede and have my contact send word back to base. Hermione will be so happy!"
Ginny brought the plate of food and some water closer for Ron. She made him eat as much as she could before she left. The room provided her with a cloak to hide her clothes. Death-Eater attire was conspicous, but held a level of power these days. If she got stopped, she would just have to show her rank and then go on her way.
With a quick swig of her Polyjuice potion, and a kiss on the cheek for Ron, Ginny stole out of Hogwarts and raced towards Hogsmede.



Thank you for reading this! A super ice cream sundae to my loving reader, whoever you are. Wow, two chapters in one month. Let's see if I can keep it up!