Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter and this does not (to my knowledge) contain any spoilers to Harry Potter 6 or 7.
Authors Note, slightly important but if you don't care then by all means skip to the story, For those of you who are EXTREMLY confused here is a brief summary, if that doesn't explain it feel free to e-mail me with your questions and I will post them with the chapter(s) in question, e-mail at Animekidao87 or post it like a review. Summary: Hermione came over to Harry's for the night over summer they kind of kissed but not romantically, because they kissed they kind of sleep in the same bed that night so they kind of started to realize that they like/love each other. So then in the middle of term they get attacked by a magical creature and somehow end up somewhere in the Forbidden/Dark forest. They find out that Voldemorts goons are after them, they overhear some legend about the forest but don't really believe it. Then they run into an eleven year old, looking, boy who can change into a giant dog, aka Sirius Black & Padfoot, he's from the Hollow, ancestor of Harry's godfather, he plans on taking them somewhere so he can figure out what they really are. Things you might have missed: The reason Hermione's patronus is an otter is because of the one who delivered the letter Harry (pro pt1), why, well you'll have to find out. Hermione's parents knew she was a witch before she got acceptance letter to Hogwarts and told her aunt and uncle (prologue pt2). Voldemort also wants Hermione (ch3). Black was the one in ch4, so take a guess as to who the others are, if you can't name at least two then someone needs to shot me, I did invent 1 and 2 had major character changes but the other four, aside for Black are well obvious. The guy Black was taking to, in his head, is Harry's Sirius, I thought that was obvious, sorry if it's not. Most others will come in time but if this doesn't satisfy you then please e-mail or send review to request answers to questions. "I solemnly swear that" I will answer all questions unless they give away the rest of the plot. Now for those of u impatient people here is the next chapter.
A Forest Full of Truths: Chapter 6: Lost hands to the Weasley clock
(Afternoon Before, The Burrow)
Ginny, sat at her desk facing the window, her had in her hands and tears falling on to the pages before her, it was Hermione's copy of Hogwarts, A History, all of Harry and Hermione's belongings had been sent to the Burrow for safe keeping. They had been missing for a week and still there was no sign of them anywhere. She hated just sitting at home not being able to help look for them, but the worst was most of her brothers were home as well. Only Bill and Charlie were out looking, the twins had been forced to stay home to do homework by correspondence, so they could still get their Hogwarts diplomas, a special favor from Dumbledore. Both Ron and Ginny were to young and Percy, well everyone thought he was working at the ministry and didn't really care. Only she knew what was really going on, which made it all the more unbearable, everyone talking bad about him when she knew why he was doing it and admired him for it but at the same time she hated him for making her stay at the Burrow. Many times she considered running away but Luna always talked her out of it, and Luna was right she would be putting those she sought to be with in grave danger to run to them. So she stayed, luckily Percy had given her permission to go to Luna's house as often as needed and no one really noticed so she was there a lot. They reminisced about their child hood, growing up together with Ginny's cousins and family friends, she wished she could share those memories with her brothers but Percy was the only one who remember, and because he remembered he had been forced to leave the Burrow as soon as Voldemort had returned. Now that she thought about it she hadn't heard from Percy in a few days, she wiped the tears from her eyes and began to write him a letter, asking how the real search was going, how things where with the family and when it would be possible for her to see him. As she finished the letter she paused, she knew Percy was looking for Harry and Hermione if she sent the letter by owl it would no doubt be intercepted. She placed the letter in and envelope and addressed it to Percy. Then she took another piece of parchment and wrote another letter, it had instructions to give the letter to Percy and asked when and if she could go home, just as she finished addressing the letter she heard a knock on the door and hand only enough time to hide the letter under a pile of Hermione's books.
Ron had been trying to do his homework in his room but when he came to a question on the ingredients to a Polyjuice Potion he broke down. He smacked his head on his desk again and again, finally he got up and began to walk downstairs, thinking that the fresh air would do him some good when he stopped at Ginny's room, she misses them as much as me maybe I should check on her. Ron knocked on her door and entered, she had just finished hiding a piece of parchment under a pile of books on her desk.
"Yes, what do you want Ron?" she said in a rather mean voice.
"Just checking on you, is all, I know that is hard on you to but you've been so distant lately I just wanted to tell you that if you want to talk I'm here." Ron kept his head down as he spoke, he didn't mean to interrupt or barge in on her.
"Oh, well thank you and I'm sorry for snapping at you, I'm just worried is all, I've got a lot on my mind is all." She said apologetically.
"It's okay, we're all worried, we all wish we could be out there looking. Hey, you look like you need some fresh air why don't we go for a walk outside, clear our head." Ginny look down at the stake of books, where she had hidden the parchment and pondered a moment before saying,
"Sure, a walk sounds good."
The two of them walked downs stairs, when they entered the kitchen the found the twins, "working", they to where in need of some fresh air, so the four of them went out to re-explore the grounds. They chatted for a while, about growing up, Hogwarts, everything. Ginny was quiet most of the time, she made comments occasionally but nothing major, she knew it was coming and she dreaded it, Harry and Hermione their little adventures and finally Percy. "Remember when Percy was head-boy, How could he be so stupid, Can you believe he." They drilled into Ginny's skull, all she wanted to do was scream to yell at them, tell them they didn't know what they were talking about, that they should be grateful for what he was doing but she remained silent until they were on there way home and the final blow came.
"Can you believe that he isn't even helping to look for them, didn't even write to ask if he could help or anything, if he doesn't want to be a part of this family maybe he should just change his name or we should disown him. I doubt he'd care, he never did like being a part of this family, we were never good enough for him." And that was it for Ginny, she stopped dead in her tracks barely able to keep from shouting. "What is it Ginny?" Ron asked. Ginny answered in an extremely tense voice.
"Nothing I just need to do something, that's all I'll see you later," Fred made to follow her, "Alone!" she yelled at all of them as she turned on her heel and began to run back into the forest.
"What was all that about?" asked George.
"She's probably just made at Percy and doesn't what to vent in front of us is all." The twins turned and began to walk back towards the house. Ron hesitated a moment, Ginny's never been made at Percy like we are, why do I feel like there is more to this than I know.
He turned to his brothers and yelled, "You two do ahead I don't want to leave her out here in that state, I'll see back at the house." The twins yelled, "all right" simultaneously. Ron began to jog back into the forest hoping he could find Ginny. And he did sitting down on a stump in a clearing, she sat with her elbow on her knee, running her hands threw her hair looking at a crumpled piece of parchment in her hand. Ron was careful no to let her see him but drew a little closer. He could see tears running down her cheek and the parchment was really a picture.
After a few minutes her tears subsided and Ginny realized what a fix she was in, what do I say when I get home, she thought. She was so angry at her brothers she hadn't even considered the consequences. How am I going to fix this? Ohh...
"Ginny, ohh I thought it was you, what did those morons do now?" It was Luna, where did she come from, Ron thought. Ginny had just gotten hold of her emotions when she heard Luna's voice, she looked up to see her friend.
"Hey, Luna it's nothing they just ...they...aghhh," and Ginny broke down into tears again. Luna walked over to her and comforted her. Ginny forced the sobs to subside and spoke, "I'm fine now, I should be getting home."
"Ohh no you don't, your coming with me I can't let you go back there like this," Ginny was about to protest when Luna raised a hand to command silence, "I won't here it, have I ever let you go home in this state, in all our years as friends, NO, have I ever let you go home in a fit or depression especially since Harry and Hermione went missing...have I."
"No," Ginny responded, giving in to Luna.
"No, so I see no reason to change things, come on lets go to my house and reminisce about old times and rant about the stupidity of others," she said sarcastically.
"All right you win," Ginny looped her arm with Luna's and they set off to the Lovegood estate.
Ron waited a moment debating on weather or not to follow them, his better judgment told him so stay out of it but they had sparked his curiosity so he followed careful not to be seen. A few minutes later Ron stood at the edge of the forest a gapped in awe. The Lovegood estate was huge, two stories, at least six rooms wide, with a stable to the side. Ron watched the two girls enter the manor and saw them, through a window, enter Luna's room. Luna's room was on the second floor, there was a patio over hang right below her window. Well did you come here for to snoop on nor, Ron asked himself, very carefully he climbed the wall, using the vines that grew on it, until he grabbed a side of the patio, he crawled right under Luna's open window and listened. The girls had just finished discussing why Ginny was upset and had moved on to some place they wouldn't name. They kept referring to it as home or there, "I wonder how things are at home, what do you think they are doing there right now." Then the talked turned more girlie, Ron was just about to leave when he heard his name, he jumped a little hitting his head on Luna's windowsill, he was barely able to contain a scream.
While Ginny hung up her coat Luna went into the kitchen and picked out their favorite snacks.
"Is that you dear," Mr. Lovegood asked.
"Yes it's me dad and Ginny, we're going to be in my room a while okay."
"Oh, hello Ginny, hey don't eat all the Chocolate frogs this time okay."
"We'll try Mr. Lovegood," Ginny called as she lead the way up to Luna's room, she had been here so many times and Mr. Lovegood treated her like an adopted daughter. Once they had settled in Luna's room they began to talk. Ginny explained what happened with her brothers, "if he doesn't want to be a part of this family maybe he should just change his name or we should disown him. I doubt he'd care, he never did like being a part of this family, we were never good enough for him." That's when I lost it and left."
"As well you should have, but you lasted far more than I would have. I really can't see how you can stand it all day every day, I go insane."
"It's not easy, but this helps," she handed Luna the picture, "Percy sent it the day Harry and Hermione disappeared, I didn't even open it, Neville sent it yesterday he found it in the Common room with Crookshanks."
"Crookshanks, he's at Hogwarts."
"Yes, Hedwig as well, Neville said Professor McGonagall finally gave up trying to catch them and sent them to the Burrow, so Neville's taking care of them."
"And how is Mr. Longbottom," Luna asked casually as she looked over the picture and smiled, "Her birthday's coming up, isn't it."
"Yep, end of January and Neville is fine as well."
"Any knew news in that department?" Luna asked as she handed the picture back to Ginny. Ginny raised an eyebrow and glared at her friend before answering.
"What do you define as news?" They both smiled and laughed for a few minutes then out of no where Ginny asked, "Have you spoken to Ron recently?" There was a loud thumping sound from outside the window, Ginny look out the window but didn't see anything and dismissed it.
"Ohh, your still on about that are you."
"Yes, I'm still on about that, why don't you ever come over and try to rekindle that old flame."
"Ginny let it go, it's never going to happen and you know it." Luna sighed as she looked out the window.
"No, I don't know, it happened once just try."
"Yes it happened once but he doesn't remember Ginny, he never will so there is nothing to rekindle then is there."
"Oh, come on you could try," Ginny sat up on her knees, she was determined to make this work."
"Ginny give it rest, you saw him last year and this year he thought I was a loon and treated me like one, no he'll never think of me like he did before so just get over it. Though I do miss him a little, a lot actually, but he can't remember for everyone's sake he should not remember. " Ginny opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it.
They sat in silence a minute before Ginny asked, " Hey do you have the hands, everyone is suppose to be gone tonight so I thought I'd check up on a few people." Luna nodded as she got up and went to her closet she came back with an old wooden box she handed it to Ginny. "Thanks." Ginny sifted through the box smiling occasionally, until she found what she was looking for, she pulled the picture out of her pocket and placed it over the metal clock hand, it glowed a moment then she placed the picture back in her pocket and showed her work to Luna.
"Beautiful," Luna said, there was a loud chime and Luna looked over at her clock, an owl came out the top and flew around the room once yelling, "dinner time, dinner time get down stairs you lazy git." "You better be on your way home, before they come and find you here."
"Yeh, your right," they made there way down stairs, Ginny still held the box in hand, "thanks for everything I doubt I could do this with out you." The two girls hugged quickly and Luna accompanied Ginny to the edge of the forest. After one last wave goodbye Ginny turned around and started back to the Burrow.
Ron had managed to avoid being seen the whole time but was now so confused he didn't know how he managed to get home. He sat on his bed a while thinking, he didn't know Luna before Hogwarts, did he her house was right behind his but no he would have remembered, but then what where they talking about, they did say he wouldn't remember but why wouldn't he. What was in the box, Ron knew that the key was in there but how to get it. His chance came that evening, his parents had come home only to say that they would be out all night with Bill and Charlie and that Fred and George would be out late with work at their shop. Mrs. Weasley had taken Ginny aside a moment to give her instructions for dinner and such, that's when Ron snuck into Ginny's room and placed a insta-find charm on the box and it's contents, so he could instantly summon it once Ginny was asleep.
Finally after midnight Ron hear Ginny go to her room with the box and go to sleep, he said he was going to bed early but actually sat at his desk looking through old photo albums while listening carefully for any sound Ginny made. Ron was surprised to find that there were very few pictures of him, Ginny or Percy, there seemed to be a gap from when he was 5-8 there were only a dozen pictures but during that time he found nearly a hundred for Bill, Charlie and the twins, each, but not for Percy or Ginny. Once he was sure Ginny was asleep he summoned the box into the kitchen and began to take out the contents. They were all long metal shafts, some steel other copper, with strange wholes at the bottom and all had a picture on the end of them. He spread then out over the table and began to inspect them just as Fred and George came in.
"Hey, Ron whatch'a doing up this late." Fred asked looking curiously in the box.
"Do you know what these are, either of you." They both shook their heads and sat down on either side of Ron, over the next hour Ron told them what he had heard, leaving out the part about him. But they still remained clueless about what they were, finally when they almost given up, they heard the clock chime, they all turned to it and say that the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley along with Bill and Charlie were on there way home. That's when it hit Ron, he picked up the hand closest to him and walked over to the clock, he opened the case and saw that it would fit perfectly onto the clock. He tooked at the picture on the end of the hand and saw a small child smiling back at him, it was a girl not even two and the name Molly was inscribed on the hand. There was a series of Pops in which all four of the Weasley's appeared along with a few other members of the Order who quickly left, Ron shoved the hand into his pocket.
"What are you all doing up," Bill asked. The twins pointed to the clock hands.
"Where on earth did you get these," Mr. Weasley asked.
"What are they dad," the twins asked in unison.
"Hands, hands to the Weasley clock, lost hands, where did you find them boys?" the twins turned to Ron who answered, "in the attic," not really paying attention, he was more focused on two of the hands on the table. Both looked as if they had been recently placed back on the clock, one was Percy's the other Ron didn't know, it showed a young man early twenties smirking, the name inscribed on it was Kale.
"Who is that dad," Ron asked pointing to it. Mr. Weasley stared at it a moment in disbelieve then he answered, "No one, no one at all," Mrs. Weasley walked over and rapped her arm around her husband as he held his hand to his face. As they cleaned up the various hands they began to talk, now that their parents were there to remind they Ron realized that many of the hands were distant relatives most dead others missing during the first war, Ron slipped Percy's, Kale's and Molly's hands into his pocket. The sun was rising by the time they had finished. Mrs. Weasley began to cook breakfast, an hour later Ginny came down she saw the box on the table and stared at it in almost terror.
"Hey Ginny you missed the party, look what Ron found in the attic," Charlie said as he pointed to the box. The rest of the family broke into conversation, Ron got up out of his chair and approached Ginny, she still stared at the box.
"We need to talk later," Ron whispered as he slipped the hands into her bath robe pocket, before returning to his seat and joining in on the conversation with Bill and Fred on Quidditch. After a few moments Ginny sat down but remained silent. How do I tell him the truth, Ginny thought as she looked over at Ron then her father who still sat quiet, despite the closeness of the Weasley family, Ginny alone knew what was troubling her father and how it was connected to the disappearance of her two adopted siblings.
For those of you who hated the cliffhanger in the last chapter sorry, I know this didn't help, but trust me you'll like the next chapter. Sorry I'm going on vacation for the next 10 days so I won't be able to respond to any e-mails or reviews but please write them any way, I promise to respond as quickly as possible, thank you for your time it truly means a lot to me.
Thanks, please review in any manner you see fit.