Chapter 2
Brothers Charlie Weasley and Percy Weasley have been found dead this morning, at two separate locations. The Ministry suspects You-Know-Who, and fears the worst.
The table seemed flabbergasted at this new information. Mrs. Weasley was stuck in a state of shock, the one that precedes the eminent tears. Harry remembered the boggart in which Lupin had to help get rid of, with several dead Weasleys before Harry himself appeared dead. Harry felt nothing but compassion, even forgetting his ongoing plight.
Lupin began, "I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, we're doing the best we can to…" However, he couldn't seem to find the right words to continue. The whole table felt horrible, and awkward silence was dare not broken. Finally, Mr. Weasley tried to bring everyone back.
"I know how tough this is for everybody, but you all have school tomorrow. The best that can be done is to mourn." There was silent agreement.
Luna, whom Harry had just recognized at the table, went over to comfort Ginny, while Hermoine tried cheering Ron up. Harry realized that the best they needed was space, so he went to talk with the orther members of the Order of the Phoenix.
"What's been going on recently?" Harry asked a silent Lupin.
"Since the return of Voldemort, a string of murders began reappearing. Since he realized he couldn't target Hogwarts itself, Voldemort began aiming for several students and alumni."
"Who's been murdered?"
"I'm sorry Harry, I'll answer that next time. Please get your bags ready for the trip back to Hogwarts."
This disturbed Harry, because he would be arriving at school without a knowledge of recent events. But no longer feeling alone in pain, he went up to pack his bags.
On the way up the stairs, a disgruntled Hermoine met up with Harry.
"Ron's not having anything to do with me, or us. Honestly, why would he not want friends?"
Harry replied from experience, "Sometimes he needs space."
"Maybe," she shrugged. "Anyways, who are you bring to the January Ball?"
"The what?"
"You know, that ball that only 6th and 7th years get to go to."
"How can we have a ball in such a time?"
Hermoine responded easily to this question. "Dumbledore wants us to try to have a normal experience while all this chaos is going around"
Harry groaned. "Just what I needed…"
When the two had finally reached the door to their bedroom, they found a deeply saddened Ron looking over photographs. Harry remembered a similar moment, but didn't have that many photographs to go through.
"I can't believe they're gone…"
Harry offered his help, "It was tough too when I lost Sirius. But I came through."
"Yeah, and we're still here for you," said Hermoine. "We always will be."
"But they were my brothers…"
"Maybe we should just leave him be," Harry whispered to Hermoine. "That's a lot to take in such a short time."
Hermoine nodded, and they just sat there looking at photographs.
But silence was shortlived. After a while, footsteps came towards their door. Once again it was Cho.
"Hey, I know this is a bad time and all, but you know about that Ball coming up? Well I was thinking you and I…"
"Um…" was all Harry could get out.
"Not you. Well Ron?"