Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other character. Neither do I own the places. All I own is the plot. The rest belongs to J.K Rowling.

Chapter twelve: Fallen

"Run!"

"No, I won't let them get you. I'm not leaving you behind!"

"Ungh...you must."

"No. I won't! Take my hand."

"I can't walk, my leg is broken!"

"Lean on me, quick, they're close."

"Aargh!"

"Nice to see you too, my son. I see you've found our little runaway prisoner."

"It's been more than a week already. We should have heard from them by now."

"Yes Albus, Severus is right. We should have received some news."

The old man sighed and sat down. "I know. I know. It has been too long already. But I just can't believe-"

"You're not the only one Albus. Not one of us can believe they're dead. But there is no other explanation. One of us will have to tell Potter."

"Tell him 'what' Severus?" McGonagall said with a shrilly voice.

"Tell him that we have to declare her no longer with us." Snape said, a slight hint of compassion in his voice.

"You mean...that you want to declare her dead? Just like that? Severus..."

"It has been too long. Almost two weeks."

"Albus...you can't possibly agree with him on that!" McGonagall was practically begging Dumbledore to say no.

The old man sighed. He looked from McGonagall to Snape and back again. He sighed again.

"I'm afraid...that Severus is right Minerva. I expected to have heard from them six days ago at the latest. I feared this would happen. We have to accept the fact that war makes casualties...and miss Granger...is now one of them."

He sighed a fourth time. "It is time for us to focus on other things. The war out there is not over."

McGonagall bowed her head respectfully, but with resentment. "Well then. If you'll excuse me Albus, I'll go tell Potter and the others that miss Graner is now one of the fallen."

"Can I come in?" Ginny asked as she looked through the half-open door.

"Yes. Of course you can." He answered.

He looked out the window.

"How long has it been?"

"Nearly two weeks."

"And they haven't heard a thing?"

"No."

Ginny sighed and walked over to him. "I'm scared Harry." She whispered.

"So am I." he said, tearing his eyes away from the window. "I'm scared that something's wrong. I'm so scared."

Ginny layed a hand on his shoulder. "Everything will work out fine. I'm sure it will. Nothing can keep you three apart. You, Hermione and Ron, you're always together. You always pull through. And I'm sure it will be the same this time. It always is." She added bitterly.

Harry smiled at Ginny, thanking her for her comforting words. His eyes suddenly shined.

"Ginny, come here. There's something I want to show you."

He sat down on his knees and reached for something uner the bed. When he got up again he was holding a small box.

"Go on. Open it." he encouraged her.

In the box was a ring, made of a single band of gold with a small garnet on top. It was beautiful.

"Wow. Harry it's...I don't know what to say." She said breathlessly.

"Yes. Pretty isn't it. I bought it before all this happened. When this is all over I'm going to ask her to marry me." He said dreamily.

Ginny shut the box with a snap and thrust it back into his arms.

"Yes. Very pretty. But I'd better go now. Don't want to intrude on your daydreaming." She said a little more harsh than she had meant.

She turned around and left the room before Harry had the time to figure out what had just happened.

Ron looked at her surprised. "Why are you so angry Ginny?"

She didn't answer.

"Aww what's the matter. Cat got your tongue?"

"Shut it!" she yelled, throwing a cushion at him.

Ron was taken aback by this. His little sister wasn't normally like this. He sat down next to her and put an arm around her.

"Hey...hey don't be mad. What's wrong?"

She looked at him with teary eyes. "Nothing...it's just that...oh never mind. You wouldn't understand. Boys never understand. You lot are all the same."

"I don't think I deserved that. I care about you. Tell me what's wrong."

She hesitated. "I- I- I can't tell you. You'd laugh at me and...you'd probably hate me too. Maybe someday."

"Oh...all right...if that's what you want. Can I at least give you a hug? Maybe that will cheer you up."

She nodded. Ron hugged his sister tightly.

McGonagall's voice suddenly sounded from the door. "Where's Potter?"

At that moment, Harry walked into the room through another door. He looked surprised at hearing his name.

"I'm here. Why?"

McGonagall took a deep breath. "You'd better sit down Harry. I've got some bad news."

Hehe, my birthday was great! I got a lava lamp from my brother, a shrek 2 poster from my best friend, a Rammstein cd, a Red Hot Chili Peppers t- shirt, earrings and a book! (and 10 euro's!) And we had a great time watching silly movies!

CozzaGirl16: i'm not gonna say of you're right about your preditcions, but I am glad you reviewd. Glad you liked the triangle!!!

Reana: thanks for the review! I agree about the movie. I liked that Hit- Maloy-scene a lot as well. People sometimes tell me I'm a lot like Hermione, but seeing Hermione hit Draco like that mad e the resemblence a lot stronger (I hit people all the time...mostly my friends, but I never really hurt them, they're mych stronger than me)

Shadowrayne: THANKS

May-ann: You're not the only one who predicts that, and I'm not gonna tell you if you're right either, because that'd be spoiling the fun wouldn't it. Anyway, glad you like the story so much.

Dark Angels: Yay! No more exams! W00t! Oh...and I'm REALLY flattered that bittersweet goodbyes kinda inspired you...REALLY. I read it and reviewd too, did you notice? I hope the format is better in the next chapter though, it was kinda annoying ;) But all is forgiven, because it was really good!

Kitimat-born: I'm curious, you're one of the very few who wants Hermione back with Harry, can you tell me why? Anyway, thanks for the review!

Mojo the Rock Chick Munchkin: It's alright that you didn't review in a while, I understand completely. When I have exams I find it hard to make time to review and to read stories. I'm just glad you've continued reading it now.

Well everybody, the holidays are here, school is over at last...more time for me to type out all the chapters I've written. And Dark Angels, I promise you that as soon as I've finished typing A Light In Darker Days, I'll start on Angel right away! Because I can't wait to start posting that story! And I can't wait for your opinion! Hope to see you guys at the next chapter!
- Raven55