Without a second thought, Ron ran back to the door, throwing the first bolt. He'd grabbed hold of the next one when a hand yanked at the back of his robes and pulled him away from the door. "What do you think you're doing, Weasley?" Professor Snape asked.
Why?! Ron quailed. Of all of the teachers who could have been left to watch the students, why did it have to be Snape?
"Hermione's still out there," Ron said desperately, moving toward the door again. "I've got to help her."
"I think not," Snape said, sounding just as calm and condescending as he had in Potions Class earlier today, as if none of this mattered to him. His mouth was set in a flat line. "We can't risk all of the students in the Hall for one who wasn't smart enough to get to safety."
"Wasn't smart enough?!" Ron cried, "She's the reason half of the students are here!"
"Then she wouldn't want their lives to be risked to save hers, would she?" Snape replied, sounding smug.
Ron knew his face was red with fury and frustration. Every moment that Snape kept him here could be Hermione's last. He turned on Snape. "Why didn't you warn us?" he accused the Professor, taking his anger out on him. "You were supposed to be on the inside…why didn't you warn us they were going to attack?!"
Snape's unflappable exterior slipped for just a moment; underneath the uncaring mask Ron saw consternation, guilt, and fear. Just enough to make him realize that Snape hadn't known. He hadn't been included in the plans for this attack, and that meant two things: Voldemort had known Snape was a spy for the Order, and Snape had failed in his mission.
This revelation did for Ron what no words could have…it drained him of his anger. A moment later Snape was in control of his expression again. His black eyes were cold as they stared at Ron. Before he could speak, denying him again, Ron tried a different tactic. "Please…Professor Snape. Just let me out. You can shut the door again behind me, but I've got to find Hermione. You know what they'll do to her if they catch her."
Ron threw every ounce of persuasion into his expression. His eyes begged Snape to see beyond his dislike, just this once. And to his amazement, it seemed to be working. Snape slowly nodded once, reluctantly, never breaking eye contact. Then he started to move to the door. Ron's heart leapt…and then plummeted again when he heard another voice behind him. A sympathetic voice, but he hated it all the same for its words.
"It's most unfortunate about Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall said, "but I'm afraid Professor Snape is quite correct. We cannot risk the lives of other students for one girl, even if you volunteer Mr. Weasley."
She saw the hopelessness on his face, and something in her own softened. "I am not immune to your pain, Mr. Weasley. I'm quite fond of Hermione, myself, and I fear for her safety. But it is crucial that we remain here while Headmaster Dumbledore and the others fight off our attackers."
"But she's out there alone, Professor!" Ron cried, pained. "Please, you've got to let me go to her."
Professor McGonagall shook her head sorrowfully. "I'm sorry, Mr. Weasley. I cannot allow it."
Ron turned away, hating the helplessness that rose inside him. He clenched his eyes shut, trying to bear it.
Next to him, he heard Ginny. "Ron…if anyone can do it, Hermione can. You know she's smart enough to stay away from the Dementors."
He wanted to agree with his sister. He wanted to believe that Hermione would survive, and find her way back. But a cold dread had gripped his heart, and he was afraid that it was already too late.