Chapter 12

It was midnight in the Slytherin dorm and everyone was asleep. Unfortunately their peaceful slumber was about to be ruined by a large supply of Fillibusters Fabulous Waterproof No-Heat Fireworks courtesy of Nothing.

"Ron are you sure about this?"

"Oh yes."

After several hours of quietly removing Fred and George's entire supply from under their beds, Ron and Miss Nothing were about ready to pull the biggest stunt in Hogwarts recent history.

"Ready, on the count of three." Ron said getting into position. Miss Nothing hopped to hers. "One, two, THREE!"

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Hermione couldn't sleep. She'd checked out the yearbooks she and Harry hadn't gotten through. Sitting in the Gryffindor common room she read by the dying firelight. Suddenly a loud boom shook the tower. Clutching her book to her chest, she whipped her head about wondering what had just happened. Moments later half of Griffyndor tumbled down the stairs. Tripping over each other the Weasley twins were the first to arrive.

"What was that?" George asked pulling on his bathrobe.

"It sounded like it came from the dungeon area." Fred said excitedly. "Maybe Potions class blew up!"

"Better yet, Slytherin blew up!" Lee exclaimed running into the room.

"That would be great!" Fred was practically jumping up and down.

As questions flew, Hermione returned to her book. McGonagall would come and tell them if anything was wrong. No sense in worrying about it now. She flipped the page and stopped. Reading the text, she practically laughed out loud. She threw back her blanket and leapt out of the chair. She had to find Harry.

Harry stumbled down the stairs as Hermione rushed up to him.

"I found her!" She hissed excitedly not wishing the others to hear.

"Huh?" Harry muttered, too groggy to understand what she saying.

"The other Nothing. I found her name!" His head immediately cleared at that news.

"You did! Who is it?"

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"Did you see the looks on their faces?" Ron asked laughing as he rose through the ceiling.

"That was EVIL! We shouldn't have...but it was fun!" Miss Nothing floated through after him.

"Let's go check on everyone in Gryffindor. I want to see their reactions." Quickly he took himself there. Miss Nothing appeared soon after him. The whole common room was alive with students. Ron looked about with a huge grin on his face. They'd probably be talking about it for months not having a clue who'd pulled this mother of all stunts.

"Her name is Natalie DeWinter." Hermione's voice carried over the crowd. Ron homed in on her and Harry standing in the stairwell. "She was a fifth year student. It says her parents died the year before in a climbing accident while they were on holiday in the United States."

Miss Nothing sailed over to where Ron was hovering. She regarded him curiously as he listened.

"So now we have the other Nothing's name. If we can contact her then maybe she can help us find Ron." Harry said enthusiastically feeling like he should hug her.

"That is if she's still here and remembers her name. Remember they start to forget who they are after a time. She's been Nothing for over thirty years." Hermione pointed out. "But I'm willing to give it a shot. I miss Ron."

"I do too." Harry whispered.

Ron stared at them as they went back up the stairs.

"Ron, do you think I went to Hogwarts?" Miss Nothing asked, her voice hushed. "I mean I'm wearing the uniform everyone else is."

"You must have." "There has been only one other Nothing here as long as I've been around and that's you. That means they're talking about me." Her words came out slowly as if she was trying to remember something. "If that's true, then that would explain why you are drawn here." He suddenly felt excited. He knew who she was now. She had a name and a past.

"Could be..." She didn't sound sure. Gazing at the crowd of students, she felt for the end of her braid. Plucking at it, she seemed to be thinking. After a moment she spoke. "Ron, I think I want to be Something again."

"I need to be Something again." He replied.

"I'm not sure how to do it," she told him. "But we'll figure it out." He nodded and the two sat down on an empty couch to think.