Chapter 12: Detention
Note: This chapter, the current longest, is complete!
After getting over the laughing fit with Harry, Ron was still a little preoccupied with Draco's comment as he and Harry walked to dinner. The cold words were coming and going, and Ron just felt himself believing them more and more. Ron knew it was silly in a way, but he couldn't help it.
Harry seemed to be in a great hurry to see Ginny again, and he was almost sprinting along the corridors.
"Hold up mate, you have all night to see her!" Ron had to reach his long legs out to keep up. Since when could Harry move so fast?
"Oy, wait Potter! Weasley!" A female voice called just as they entered the Great Hall. Ron recognized Angelina Johnson (The one that was currently dating Fred, no matter what he said about it ) as she hurried over to them, her long braids flying around her face.
"Angelina? Good to see you! How was your holiday? Harry said, sounding surprised.
"It wasn't bad," she shrugged. "Yours?"
"Ah, same as any other. But what are you doing back here?"
"I just wanted to tell you that I was made Quidditch Team Captain this year again, I'm going to be teaching you guys even though I won't be playing! I needed a job and Madam Hooch gave me this opportunity."
"Congratulations," Ron and Harry both replied.
"Thanks. Harry, I bet you are glad to finally get into the game again!"
"You could say that," Harry grinned.
"We are going to hold a meeting on Friday at six o'clock out at the field to find a replacement for everyone except for you two and Fred and George, because I guess the twins are still on the team, so I expect you two will be there?"
"I'll be there," Harry suddenly looked happy at the mention of Quidditch finally arriving.
"Great! This may be a challenge….Our team last year was one of the best, thanks to the player you turned out to be, Ron. It will be even better with Harry back!"
"I know what you mean. But there has to be some people out there that can do the job," Harry looked thoughtful. "No more Katie and Alicia…"
"We'll find them then," Angelina grinned.
"So I'll see you two at six sharp then!" She dashed off with a wave, her long braids flying around her head once again.
"Angelina will make a great captain again, she's not as insane as Oliver was. At least the pep talks may be cut down to less then an hour," Harry said happily. "It's great that she's back, you had plenty of good things to say about her last year."
"This will be a great year, as long as we get a good team."
"You were one of the best, Harry, you should have gotten it," Ron said.
"True, but it's Angelina…and she needed a job and everything. Plus I didn't even play much last year, so I'm happy she got it," Harry pointed out, not sounding at all angry.
"The trophy will be Gryffindor's again then," Ron said confidently.
The thought of quitting Keeper suddenly popped into Ron's mind, but it left just as quickly. Was he insane? He had become one of the best Keepers in awhile, even with his crappy broom. It will be cool, to finally be there in all the action with his best mate, having people cheer him and Harry on, winning a trophy for his whole house…He snapped back to reality as the smell of food entered his nose, and he felt the familiar rumble in his stomach. Hermione and Ginny were sitting on opposite sides of the Gryffindor table. But Ginny took notice of Harry and leapt up, even though Hermione was still talking to her,
"Finally!" She said before her lips were on Harry's. It was like some magnetic force just yanked them together the moment they spotted each other. Ron suddenly knew how it must have felt to have people snogging in front of them, and he hurried past them and sat next to Hermione.
"Hi…Are you okay?" Hermione asked in a soft tone.
"Yeah," Ron replied, not really wanting to get into the whole thing again. And she just looked so caring and eager to hear anything he said…Why did that suddenly make him feel really annoyed and sad at the same time?
"But now I know how it feels to be around people as they snog!" He gestured his head to where Harry and Ginny were still standing, ignoring the whistles Fred and George were sending.
"I'm sure they are used to being around it," Hermione said in a light purr, expecting Ron to lean in and kiss her. He just shrugged and shoved a piece of pork chop into his mouth, concentrating on cutting little slices of the meat with his knife. Hermione looked at him awkwardly, wondering why he hadn't kissed her yet. Or even really looked at her. Harry and Ginny took a break to breathe, and sat on the bench opposite Ron and Hermione. Ginny's lips were all red, and Harry's hair was standing all over. They ate faster then anyone else in the Great Hall, and left before dinner was over, and ran off holding hands. Ron wondered what exactly they were going to do, and he felt he should run after them at first…But he trusted Harry of course, and he knew Ginny well enough to know that she wouldn't jump to things…Or would she? Or would Harry? Ron thought his head might explode from all the thoughts buzzing around. And there was still Hermione talking to him in that tone and looking at his face with that look.
"Are you done, do you want to go back to the Common Room?" Hermione asked, trying to grip Ron's hand.
"You have some time before your detention, and no homework…" Ron noticed that her voice was sexy again, but he paid no attention to it.
"Yeah, sure." He stood up and pulled his hand away and shoved it in his pocket before she could take it. They walked up to the Gryffindor Tower silently and alone.
"Ron, what is the matter with you?" Hermione asked as they stepped through the painting. He didn't answer, but flopped down on the couch right by the fire. There were only a few students mingling around, most were still down at dinner. Harry and Ginny weren't to be seen anywhere either. Ron tried t convince himself they were just walking around the castle.
"Nothing," he replied, trying to not look into her concerned and pleading eyes. It was hard not to.
"You haven't looked me directly in the eyes once yet, you haven't held my hand like you usually do, and you haven't even made an attempt to kiss me yet…" She said , sitting down close next to him, placing her hand on his leg.
"I don't always have to snog with you, if you are thinking that," Ron said in an angrier tone that he meant to. Hermione looked surprised, and pulled her hand away quickly.
"I didn't say you did, I was just-"
"Hermione, I'm no good for you!" Ron suddenly burst out, and Hermione's eyes widened.
"I'm just some boring redheaded teenage prat who is constantly thinking of kissing you, and holding you, and of course touching you. I am not smart, and I am going no where with my life. You deserve someone that's going to give you everything you need, someone smarter than me, and certainly someone that isn't always thinking of snogging you like me…" Ron rambled on loudly, feeling like he wanted to just run away.
"Ron…" Hermione looked completely shocked. Then her eyes started to fill up and she actually started to cry.
"Why are you talking to negatively about yourself!" She sobbed lightly, trying to wipe her eyes.
"It makes no sense at all! Do you understand how foolish that all sounded? And since when did you start listening to what Malfoy had to say?" Ron didn't like to see her cry, and he bit his lip. He finally looked up into her wet eyes.
"And I love all those things you listed! I love the teenage male that you are, I love snogging with you, I love the damn freckles on your face! And you are brilliant, Ron. You really are. I see it right now, and every moment that I spend with you." She was crying freely now, and Ron's heart was bouncing around, both from the kind words she had just said and from seeing her cry.
"And you remember everything that happened to you, all those times you got hurt?"
"Yeah," Ron just nodded.
"You have no idea how it made me feel when I thought I might lose you…"
"At least if you would have lost me you could find some one better for you," Ron said bitterly, causing Hermione to gasp.
"I don't ever want to hear you say that again," she said quietly, standing up and walking a few feet away, her hands on her face.
"Hermione, I…" Ron felt horrid again, and he was tempted to hex the hell out of himself. He needed to stop taking his emotions out on Hermione, especially when the emotions where something as silly as this. And she loved him. Him, Ron Weasley. And he loved her. But this love made him scared nonetheless…
"I don't want anyone else but you, Ron. Remember that." She looked ready to climb up the girl's stairs, but Ron hurried over to her and couldn't help but grab her back down on the couch and pull her into a hug, once again struggling with his emotions. Since when was he even this emotional in the first place? Ever since he realized his true feelings for Hermione his emotions were always over the edge and stronger than ever. He realized how much love he really had for her.
"Thank you for your words," Ron whispered in her ear.
"I mean it all, Ron. I don't want to hear you talking about all of this again, okay? I love you," she whispered back.
"I love you." He kissed the top of her head, and suddenly felt that everything was perfect again. The feelings he had just confessed to her were no longer settled in his mind, but the words she had just said took their place. She was cuddling comfortably into him on his lap, and they held hands. It felt good to have no homework, but it felt even better to have her in his embrace like that… Now if only he didn't have to go to that detention tonight. Why couldn't he just sit there with her tonight?
"Hermione, you really mean what you said about…Loving to snog with me?"
"Yeah, I did," she giggled.
"I'm actually good at it?"
"Let me just say that every time your lips touch me, I start going crazy," she admitted and Ron grinned to himself.
"Every part of my body goes crazy."
"Excellent," he couldn't help but say. Hermione turned on his lap and faced him. The fire was glowing around her again, and she looked incredibly beautiful. She started to outline his face with her forefinger, around his jaw, his nose, around the cut he still had from summer, then along his lips. They were both silent as she continued to explore his skin, staring into each others eyes. He took his finger and began to explore her soft skin, and she sighed at his touch. God, how was her skin this soft? Especially there on her cheeks…She kissed his finger.
"Ron…Do you want to go upstairs?" Hermione asked in that voice again. And this time Ron paid attention to it!
"Upstairs where?" Ron squeaked out stupidly.
"You're room…Bed…"
"Only if you want to," Ron suddenly got nervous again.
"Come on." She got off his lap and to her feet, and he hopped up quickly, almost stumbling over his own two feet. A few people watched as they went up the boys' dormitory stairs, and Ron was thrilled that his room was empty. His bed suddenly looked extremely small as they sat down together, and Hermione did a Silencing Charm and an Imperturbable Charm on the curtain hangings.
"Perfect for a good snog," Ron grinned at how brilliant she was.
"What about for something other than a snog…"
"What?" Ron asked even though he knew what she meant, and he tried not to jump for joy.
"You know what I mean," she leaned in and started to kiss him. Oh, he knew what she meant all right, especially after her hand guided his to her body in an area he had hardly touched before. Their clothes were off before he even knew what was happening. It wasn't important how exactly they were getting off, just the fact that they were.
"I just need to do this Contraceptive Charm," Hermione panted loudly right before things really took off. She was looking very beautiful and very naked there under him.
"Wait, what's that?" He asked quickly, also breathing heavy. She muttered a few words and aimed her wand at herself, and a blue light appeared from the tip. It only look a few seconds, and Ron got the idea.
"That's a brilliant idea, Hermione!" Ron said, still admiring how smart she was.
"Just kiss me already," she grinned and he grinned back.
"It you insist…"
Now why couldn't his bed just be bigger...
They laid together for a long time after that, and Ron couldn't help but notice how well her body lined up against his. He was on his back, and she was on her side with her head resting on his shoulder and their legs were tangled together, mixed in with a blanket that was nearly falling off Ron's bed. He was also quite proud of himself for lasting longer, it was quite an improvement from the previous time. It just felt too damn good, this whole sex thing. But Hermione was laying there with him, and that felt even better.
"It will be nine soon," Hermione sighed, catching a glimpse at Ron's watch, running her hands over his chest that had become well-toned from Quidditch. "I wish you didn't have to leave."
"I need to learn to control myself around Malfoy's" Ron groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Detention tonight with them will be hell. I could just skip it…"
"You have to go or McGonagall will just get even angrier," Hermione started to kiss his neck lightly and ran her hands in his hair, and Ron felt himself getting excited again.
"How much time do we have exactly," he asked.
"Thirty minutes," she murmured.
"Excellent…"
Hermione was slipping her robe back over her head, and Ron felt sad to see her cover up. A bad feeling suddenly crept inside him. Even with that look she had on her face and the sounds she was making, he still wondered something.
"Hermione?"
"Yes Ron?"
"It…Um, doesn't still hurt, does it?" He asked quietly.
"Not at all," she smiled and touched his face. He grinned and pulled the hangings away from his bed, and gasped when he saw people in the room. Seamus and Dean were pulling their robes off when they turned to see Hermione and Ron appear from behind the hangings. Thank god for that Silencing Charm.
"No wonder the hangings were pulled," Dean teased, grinning widely. Ron felt himself blushing, and he saw the color creeping along Hermione's cheeks. She stood up tall and tried to brush the whole thing off.
"Just a little talking," she tried to tell them.
"Oh yeah, right," Dean winked.
"Nice hair Ron, does it always look like that after-" Ron led Hermione away from them before Dean could finish his comment or either of them could comment more, and they started kissing when they got back to the Common Room.
"You should go," Hermione said between a kiss. "I'll be waiting up here for you."
"I hope it goes fast, maybe it will just be some lines…or cleaning off the trophies again…" He let her go sadly, and she gave him a big smile. Before he left, he turned back to her.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"That was brilliant, what we did. Well, I mean, everything you and I do together is brilliant, but that…Er, so thank you."
"You don't need to thank me," Hermione blushed.
"But yes it was…" She gave him one last smile before Ron went through the portrait hole. He almost stumbled into Harry and Ginny as they quickly walked through the hole at the same time.
"There you guys are!" Ron exclaimed as they let go of their hand embrace.
"We've just been walking around the castle, I swear" Ginny said defensively.
"I wasn't going to say anything," Ron replied innocently. "As long as you had a good time together, I'm happy."
"We did," Ginny glowed.
"Going to detention?" Harry snickered at him.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Have fun…"
"Oh yeah, of course," Ron replied sarcastically. "I'll probably get landed with more detentions if I can't control myself with the Malfoy's."
"Maybe you guys will be split up? On opposite sides of the castle maybe."
Before Ron could reply, Ginny spoke up.
"We'll see you when you get back then," said Ginny.
"Let those Malfoy's have it for me!" They started to continue on, but Ron quickly stopped Harry.
"Four times," he whispered in Harry's ear. At first he looked confused, then a grin spread over his face.
"Excellent!" He slapped Ron on the arm.
"What about you?"
"We didn't do that, Ron," Harry replied, giving him one last wave as Ginny dragged him away.
Ron tried to walk as slowly as he could down to the Great Hall, casually stopping and looking at a few paintings every now and again, but there was only so far he had to go to get there. There were a few students chattering and playing chess and reading there, but Ron couldn't see McGonagall or the Malfoy's anywhere. He sat down by himself at a table, and looked up the ceiling. It was enchanted to show the same weather that was occurring outside. The dark clouds were rolling in, and it looked like it was going to rain at anytime. The twins were over talking to a few first years, and it looked like they were trying to sell some of their joke creations. The first years were reluctant, but they eventually handed over some money
"Use them wisely!" Ron heard George call after them as they walked off. Then he and Fred huddled to count their money. Ron shook his head at them. They were going to waste away this year again, Ron just knew it. Suddenly the idea of quitting his job as Keeper came to mind again. He didn't have the best broom in the world, but then again, this may just be the opportunity he has been waiting for to show everyone what he can REALLY do…Especially Hermione, even though she claimed he didn't need to. And he was already pretty good…He made a mental note to be sure to make that meeting on Friday and share his feelings. Should he discuss this with Harry ahead of time? Probably not, Harry was already too excited about just being back on the team.
"Hey Ron, are you in detention too?" Ron heard a familiar male voice. Ernie Macmillan, a sixth year Hufflepuff Prefect, took a seat across from him.
"Hey Ernie. Yeah, I let the Malfoy's get to me in front of McGonagall today," Ron replied cynically.
"I did the same in Potions today. Draco really needs to take that stick out of arse, and then help Snape with his. Snape gave me detentions every night this week!"
"I am not looking foreword to starting class with him tomorrow."
"I thought he would have been a bit more…normal after everything that happened to him, you know? But he's not. I think he may actually be worse, if that is even possible."
"I wouldn't doubt that." Ron's watch read exactly nine, and at that moment McGonagall appeared in the Great Hall. She took notice of Ron and Ernie and looked around expectedly for Draco and Darius.
"I wouldn't be surprised if those two prats didn't show up," Ernie said darkly.
"I can only wish on that," Ron replied. He wasn't that lucky, though. Draco and Darius entered the Great Hall and shot McGonagall a dirty look.
"Now that we are all here, come along," she waved her arms. Ron and Ernie followed, and looked questionably at each other.
"Where are we going?" Draco asked uncaringly.
"Outside. Hagrid needs your help with a few things."
"But it looks like it's going to rain," Ron pointed out.
"Are you afraid of a little water, Weasel?" Draco sneered. "Afraid you might drown?"
"Don't you lot get started now," McGonagall looked tired. Ron held his anger inside and tried to walk as far away from the Malfoy's as he could. They left through the giant Hogwarts doors, and an immediate cool breeze sent a shiver up Ron's spine. The Hogwarts grounds were dark and shadows bounced lightly off the walls of the castle. The sky was covered with clouds, and the moon was hidden deep among them. The only light was coming faintly from Hagrid's cabin in the distance. Ron thought he heard a crunch from next to him and he gasped.
"It's just me mate," came Ernie's voice.
"Oh, right," Ron laughed at himself.
"Do you think you can make it to Hagrid from here?" McGonagall asked, and Ron felt his stomach flitter. Go…Alone…In the dark? With the Malfoy's?!
"Are you sure you don't want to go the rest of the way?" Ernie sounded fearful, and Ron was glad it was he who said that and not himself.
"What do you think you are going to see?" Darius asked.
"BOO!" He yelled and the four of them all jumped, even McGonagall.
"Just carry on then," she hurried back to the castle, closing the doors tightly, and left the four of them standing in the darkness, hardly able to make one another out. She seemed in a great hurry to not spend more time outside then what was absolutely necessary.
Ron felt incredibly grateful that Ernie was there with him, that it wasn't just him there wandering around in the dark with the Malfoy's. If that was the situation, he probably would have ran right back into the castle after McGonagall.
"Let's get on with it," Ron took off in a sprint without looking behind him. He heard crunching noises following, but he tried to tell himself it was just Ernie and the Malfoy's. Just how far away was the cabin anyway? It seemed the longer he ran, the farther the cabin moved back. Ron felt a light drizzle on his nose and he groaned. Great way to kick the night off, getting a cold. He wished he had on more then jeans and a sweater. Should have left his robes on. On impulse he reached for his pocket to make sure his wand was still there, and sighed in relief when he felt it.
Finally, after Ron's legs were just beginning to ache, he came to a halt in front of Hagrid's front door. Ernie was right beside him, and the Malfoy's were still far back. Hagrid's door opened with a bang and it scared Ron once more.
"Hiya Ron, Ernie. Glad ter see ya!" His loud voice echoed around the darkened trees, causing something to fly out into the darkness. Ron suddenly had a horrible feeling: They weren't going to be venturing into the Forbidden Forest by any chance…Were they?
"Hagrid, what are we doing tonight exactly?" Ron asked, looking behind him as Draco and Darius finally caught up, trying to catch their breath.
"We are going to go on a search for me blasted-ended skewerts! The darn buggers got away from me, can you believe that? They probably have a nest going not far into the forest."
"We are going in there?" Ernie's mouth dropped open.
"No worries, I've got me bow and arrow," Hagrid pulled out the huge machine.
"Come on you wimps, are you afraid of the things that go "bump" in the night?" Darius laughed at his joke.
"Go on Darius, lead the way then," Ron shot back. "We'll be right behind you." Darius looked quickly at the dark, threatening trees, then to Fang, Hagrid's dog.
"I get Fang then!"
"He's a bloody coward anyway," Hagrid and Ron both said together. Fang ran over to Darius and he tried to put on a brave face as he took a step into the trees.
"Don't spread out too far now, ya' hear? If you come across a blasted-ended skewert send a signal and I'll come get him from you." Hagrid lumbered into the trees, and a few seconds Draco followed the tracks his brother took without a word.
"I guess we better go," Ernie pulled out his wand and gripped it tightly. Ron pulled his own out as they walked side by side into the trees. Ron couldn't see two feet in front of his face, and every shadow from the trees made him jump.
"What makes that kind of shadow," he muttered to himself. He prayed Ernie wouldn't run off on him, but by the look on his face he seemed keen to stay with Ron.
"Did you hear that?" Ernie stopped dead in his tracks. Ron stopped quickly also, almost running into Ernie.
"What?"
"Just listen." Ron heard it…Sounded a bit like an owl, only deeper. Then there was another. And another. Almost as if they were talking to each other or something. Ron didn't dare move a muscle.
"Hagrid?" He whispered, hoping Hagrid wasn't too far off. But there was no reply, besides a tree that swayed lightly in the breeze. He took one blind step foreword and suddenly found himself stumbling down a steep hill. He landed with a thwack on his face and his leg jabbed into a tree branch.
"Bloody hell!" He yelled in pain. Silence. He felt the warm liquid coming from his pants, and he tried to stand up as quietly as possible. His eyes had still not adjusted to the darkness, and the steady drizzle that had begun to fall made things a bit hazier.
"Ernie, where are you man?" Ron turned in a circle, wondering just how far he had fallen. The mud was becoming slippery and it was hard to keep his footing. He tried to make light with his wand by yelling Lumos, but nothing was happening. It couldn't be his wand going wacky either, it was brand new! He tried a few times again before shoving it back into his pocket.
"Shite, shite, shite," Ron repeated to himself before shutting up as the deep owl sound came again. Then it became more like a hiss. Snake? No. The hiss was getting louder as Ron thought he saw a light coming towards him. He felt queasy as he recognized the red, fiery light…Phantom. How many? Ron pulled himself behind a tree and hoped that he hadn't been seen. What were these things doing around here anyway?! And just how many of them were there? Ron could make out one for sure. Maybe two. Three? Four?? Ron almost cried out when he made out almost ten of them gathered together. What was going on? Too many questions attacked his brain.
It was hard to tell where exactly these things were looking, and that just made Ron even more nervous. The rain fell harder, and Ron's hair was falling flat into his eyes. He turned very slowly to be sure he was hidden behind the tree and slipped in the mud, falling down to his knees. He had to bite his tongue to keep from cursing out loud, as his pants now became soaked with mud. He could feel something caked on his face as well. No movement from the Phantoms. They were a good few yards away from him still. Ron spotted a tree not far off that was larger and seemed like it would serve better protection. On all fours, Ron began to crawl over through the mud to that tree. The mud was splashing all over, but getting rinsed off right away from the harder rainfall. It was no use trying to warm up in the clothing, for both Ron's sweater and pants were soaked and clinging to him.
Ron made it to the tree and rested his back against the trunk, breathing heavily. Not one single idea to get out of this mess came to his mind. If he continued to crawl, he had no idea where the hell he was going, and he might just as well end up digging deeper in to the forest, and who knew what the fuck was out there! But that option almost seemed better than getting any closer to the Phantoms. He surely couldn't call out for anyone or attempt to bring light again with his wand because that would only draw attention to himself. Maybe he could send some spell at the Phantoms to knock them out? Or better yet, kill them? Could these things even be killed? Or would it just piss them off? Ron didn't have the nerve to attempt anything like that anyway.
"Think," Ron said ever so quietly to himself. He squinted to the area in front of him and wondered if that was the right way out. It just looked dark and dangerous. Ron looked back behind him at the Phantoms, and almost cheered when he saw they were gone. But where exactly had they gone too? Ron had never felt so scared and alone and cold in his life as he began to turn every possible way his back would let him in search of the red lights. Nothing but blackness greeted him in every direction. Was this a good or bad sign?
Ron had no idea how long he was sitting there, time seemed to not be present. His ears perked up when he thought he heard a voice echoing in the distance.
"Ron?!" He could have sworn he heard it yell. He was about to yell back when he remembered how close the Phantoms had been.
"Where smart shoe?!" The voice echoed again.
"Where smart shoe?" Ron asked himself, confused. Did it actually say "Where are you?" The rain was too loud.
"I-I'm here!" He finally yelled out, unable to keep silent any longer. He heard a crunch to his left and flattened himself as close to the tree as possible, as if hoping he would become one with the tree. Silence. God that silence was unbearable. Ron banged his head against the trunk and willed himself not to lose control. There were too many thoughts running through his brain and none of them were going to help him get out of here. A bit of lightning flashed but it was over before Ron could make anything around him out. Thunder rumbled in reply, and rain was pounding hard in his ears. The only warmth he felt was as the blood continued to flow from his leg. The rest of his body had gone numb as the temperature continued to drop. Ron thought he actually felt his brain freeze over as he no longer had any thoughts at all except for how tired he was. Since when was he this tired? His eyelids got heavy…His head was resting on his shoulder and his arms hugging himself for warmth.
"Some detention this is," Ron muttered before he fell into a sleeping state. He wanted to wake up.
"Wake up you goddamn idiot!" His brain was screaming at himself to wake up, but his body wasn't answering. It was almost as if Ron's soul and inner self was standing outside of himself and watching his body sleep…
Hermione paced around the now empty Common Room once more, checking her watch yet again. Almost two in the morning and Ron was not back yet. Harry and Ginny were sitting on the couch in their pajamas, not looking quite as alarmed as Hermione was.
"Hermione, calm down. Remember that one time I was out real late with Lockhart for a detention? He had just lost track of time, and I'm sure that's what happened with Ron and wherever he is off serving detention," Harry tried to settle Hermione, but she just ignored him.
"No, something is wrong," she said sharply.
"I just have this really bad feeling that Ron's…In pain. And all alone. I don't know what it is, I haven't felt it before!" Hermione fell to the chair and put her hand to her forehead.
"You look a little red," Ginny said, concerned. "And you're sweating…"
"I do feel really warm," Hermione pulled her hair from her face and looked at her watch again.
"Some detention this is," Hermione suddenly said before a sharp pain ran through her forehead.
"What did you just say?" Harry sat up quickly, staring at Hermione.
"You sounded just like…Ron. What happened to your voice?"
"What happened?" Hermione looked at Harry, bemused.
"I didn't say anything else."
"Yes you did, you said "Some detention this is", and it sounded just like Ron!" Ginny commented, her mouth open slightly. Harry suddenly fell back on the couch, clutching his forehead.
"Do you feel it too?" Hermione asked anxiously, watching Harry caress his scar.
"I think you are right, Hermione, something is definitely wrong here," Harry's face paled deeper, except for his scar which was burning red.
"What are you guys talking about?" Ginny asked with a note of fear in her voice. Harry didn't answer and shot to his feet, snatching his wand from the table and shoving it in his pajama pocket.
"Come on you guys, we need to get some answers. If something is wrong with Ron, we will find him."
"Where are we going to go?" Asked Ginny.
"Hold on, I can't go out in this!" Hermione looked down at her nightgown.
"I'll come up and change with you," Ginny stood quickly and dashed up the stairs, not even trying to be quite. Harry hurried up the stairs to his room, and flung the doors open. Seamus and Dean both awoke with a start and stared at him with sleepy eyes.
"Ron back yet?" Dean asked with a yawn, leaning up on his elbows.
"No," Harry simply replied, flinging his bathrobe over his shoulders and shoving his feet in his shoes. His glasses fell off his face in the hurry, and he shoved them back on with a swear.
"Where the devil are you going?" Dean asked as Harry slammed the doors shut once again, and flew down the stairs with one shoe untied. It suddenly felt really important that they hurry up…Hermione was correct, something wasn't right.
"Just hold on Ron," Harry whispered.
The girls both greeted him after putting jeans under their nightgowns and their own robes over their shoulders. No one spoke as they left the portrait hole and sprinted to McGonagall's door. Harry banged loudly on it. No reply.
"Where the hell are you," Harry said to the door, knocking again. Still no reply.
"Dammit," Hermione took off running again down the stairwell, and Harry and Ginny ran off after her. Peeves was up to no good with the paintings again, leaving a mess along the floor, but the three students just ran right past him without another look back. There was absolutely no one around anywhere, and that was because of the rules that had been placed about leaving the Common Rooms at this hour. The halls were all a bit dimmer and lit by a few candles.
They reached the Great Hall doors and tried to push them open, but they wouldn't budge.
"What's this now?!" Ginny tried the door again, almost pulling the handle off in an attempt to open it.
"Alohomora," Hermione flicked her wand at the doors and they opened an inch with a light creak. Harry peeked his face in slowly, expecting to see the lights turned off. But bright yellow welcomed him and shone in his eyes. They all stepped inside and were surprised to see McGonagall, Dumbledore, Flitwick, Snape, Filch, and Pomfrey all gathered at one of the tables, talking rapidly.
"What do you lot think you are doing down here at this hour?" McGonagall said crossly as all six faces turned to stare at them, abruptly ending their conversation.
"Ron's not back yet," Ginny said quickly.
"I have a really bad feeling about this whole thing," Harry touched his scar.
"Me too, Professors, and I never feel these kind of things!" Hermione said desperately, about ready to fall into tears. They noticed the enchanted ceiling was lightning, thundering, and pelting rain and they felt their stomachs fall at the thought of Ron outside.
"I want you all to get back to your rooms at once!" McGonagall pointed her finger at the three of them. "You shouldn't be wandering the-"
"Minerva, I think it's only fair that they wait up for their friend," Dumbledore interrupted calmly, smiling a tired smile.
"So you know where he is then?" Harry took another step into the Great Hall, and tried not to pay attention to the venomous looks Snape was sending his way.
"He has not yet returned from serving his detention with Hagrid," Dumbledore told them. "Neither has Ernie Macmillan, or Draco and Darius Malfoy. Or Hagrid for that matter."
"You mean…They are outside in this?" Hermione gasped, looking up at the ceiling once more.
"I'm afraid so. Hagrid requested their presence for tonight. He needed some help out in the Dark Forest," McGonagall shivered, not looking nearly as angry as she had before.
"The Dark Forest?" Harry, Hermione and Ginny all gaped together.
"What are we waiting for then, let's go!" Harry was about to take off when the doors shut tightly in front of him.
"Hold it Potter, you just can't go drifting around there at this time and with this weather," Snape spoke up.
"Why not? Ron's out there!"
"Please?" Hermione bit her lip. "I can see Ron…And he's…A-Alone…And cold…Hurt…" Her voice trailed off.
"You see something, Ms. Granger?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, I-I had a vision. Harry saw it, too." Harry nodded his head.
"She spoke his words," Ginny brought up. "She said 'Some detention this is' in Ron's very voice!"
Dumbledore stared at them all.
"You're sure it was your brother?" He asked.
"Yes!" They all burst out loudly. Dumbledore stroked his beard and looked thoughtful.
"All right then, I will permit you three to go in search of the others," he said slowly. They were about to run off when he spoke again.
"But, you will be under the care of Professor Snape. Severus, I trust you will lead them out?" Snape just nodded.
"Stay together, no funny business," Dumbledore babbled on.
"Sir, please," Harry's voice rose, and the doors opened again. Snape was with them in a few steps, still silent. They took off running and nearly lurched into a tall figure heading the way they had just come from. It was Bill.
"Bill!" Hermione steadied herself.
"Where are you all off to?" Bill looked at them, then to Snape. He was dressed in his robe as well, and his hair was up in its usual ponytail.
"We are going out to look for Ron, he hasn't returned from detention with Hagrid!" Harry filled Bill in.
"What? Ron is still outside in this?" His eyes flashed darkly.
"I'll come out with you, if it's not a problem," he looked at Snape who just glared back.
"Fine, the more of you around, the safer I feel," Ginny latched onto her brother's arm and they all headed out the Hogwarts doors. A splash of rain greeted them all, and lightning struck across the whole Hogwarts grounds as the five of them looked out.
"Severus, what's the water repellent spell again?" Bill asked Snape, fumbling with his wand. Snape muttered a few words, and suddenly what seemed like a large bubble formed over head and the water stopped flashing over their hair. They walked a few steps before Ginny, Hermione, and Harry all broke into a run, heading for Hagrid's castle and ignoring the splashes their feet were causing.
"You guys, not so fast!" Bill was calling from behind them, and Snape was muttering more words to separate the water repellent spell over his and Bill's heads and another over the three students.
Hagrid's cabin was dark and silent as they neared the front door, and Hermione pounded her fists on the wood. A moment later, the door opened and Hagrid appeared, looking frazzled and incredibly nervous.
"Is Ron in there?" Ginny asked uneasily, trying to push past Hagrid's large body. Harry could see three shapes huddled by the fire, but none of them seemed to hold Ron's figure.
"'fraid not. I've got the Malfoy's and Ernie here, haven't seen Ron fer hours now," He replied.
"And you're not even looking for him?!" Hermione spat, alarmed.
"Ernie thought he heard him a few hours 'go when we was out there, but then we spotted the Phantoms and had to get away from them," Hagrid defended himself.
"Wait, where is he?" Bill asked, wiping a loose strand of hair behind his ear.
"Ernie, come 'ere," Hagrid bellowed into his cabin and Ernie Macmillan appeared, looked frightened and wrapped in a blanket.
"The last time I saw Ron I think he took a fall down a hill," He said quietly as Hermione gasped.
"How far in where you?" Asked Bill.
"We had only gone a few yards," Ernie replied, looking thoughtful. "Where he ended up, I'm not sure, but when I thought I heard him call back to me we were pretty far in…"
"And you said you saw some Phantoms out there?" Harry brought up, and Ernie and Hagrid both nodded.
"Loads of them," said Hagrid. "I don't know what they was doing here!"
Bill suddenly cleared his throat and took control.
"Severus, would you please escort Mr. Macmillan and the Malfoy's back to the castle and inform Dumbledore of the news you have just heard? Ginny, Harry, Hermione, I want you to stay here with Hagrid until I come back, you understand?" Snape looked like he was going to argue with Bill's instructions, but he just waved Draco and Darius over under the water repellent bubble. They both looked somewhat alarmed, but yet smug.
"I am not staying here," Hermione put on a brave face.
"I am certainly not staying here either," Harry agreed.
"Don't think that I am," Ginny put in.
"Come on you guys, don't argue with me right now," Bill demanded, suddenly looking very worn out.
"It's no use arguing this with us either," Harry started off into the trees, grasping on to Hermione's hand so he wouldn't lose her. Ginny had grabbed her brothers hand and pulled him along.
"Fine, fine, but NO ONE wander off or try and pull anything funny," he told them, lighting a light with his wand. Hagrid had shut the doors of his cabin again, and all the lights were off. Hermione shuddered against Harry, and Ginny was seizing to her brother tightly. They had never been out here before in these conditions, and it was not a very inviting place.
"RON!" Hermione suddenly yelled at the top of her lungs, and something fluttered in a tree above them.
"Shhhh," Harry and Bill both hissed at her. The hill that Ron must have stumbled down came into view, and it hardly looked safe to try and climb down.
"We should just follow the tracks that Ron might have taken," Bill whispered, getting down on his bum.
"We are going to slide down this?" Ginny asked incredulously.
"Just be careful, and take your time," Bill whispered back to his sister as he started to slide along the mud. Hermione was still holding on to Harry tightly and just as they reached the end of the hill, they stumbled and Harry fell onto his back with Hermione on top of him.
"You guys all right?" Bill asked from a few feet behind them.
"Fine," Harry groaned, digging his wand out of his arm.
"Sorry," Hermione climbed off him quickly and got to her feet, blushing slightly.
"It's okay," Harry followed her up.
"Are you sure you're all right?" He looked in her eyes, and wiped away a bit of blood that had formed on her chin. Whoa, her skin was really soft, Harry thought. Even with all this mud. Ron really was lucky to have someone as beautiful as she was.
Knock it off, he yelled at himself. This was his friend, Ron's girl. He didn't want to think of her like that. But why did this feeling suddenly feel familiar? Must have been from when he kissed her, even though he didn't remember it.
I wish I remembered it, a voice in his brain said.
Knock it off!
"I'm sure," Hermione blushed again and looked away from Harry's intense eyes. Ginny was at their sides and she grabbed Harry's arm.
"I don't like this you guys, it's so scary in here," she looked around at all the tree's and odd shapes that could be seen from the light bouncing off Bill's wand. Harry looked at her and realized just how lucky he was to have her. But why was he just thinking that about Hermione?
"Okay you guys, carry on," Bill wiped a blob of mud off his face and made the water repellent bubble even bigger.
"I don't know how long these things last, but it's not forever…" So the four of them crept along in a tight huddle, jumping at every sound they heard. They called out to Ron a few times, but then tried to remain as quiet as possible. How far they had wandered in was unknown, and for how long they were walking was also questionable.
"Wait, what's that over there?" Harry pointed to the figure he saw laying by a tree, and Bill aimed the wand in that direction. Just then the bubble above them burst, and the rain was now falling freely onto each of them. Bill couldn't get his wand to work again, but he was too busy trying to see what Harry was pointing at. They walked closer, and as a bit of lightning struck they could make out the figure.
"It's Ron!" Hermione rejoiced, running out of the huddle and to her boyfriend, trying to keep her footing as she slid around in the mud. She slipped right down in front of Ron and crawled the last few inches to where he was laying. He was slumped over on his side, his body still curved in the sitting position and his arms wrapped tightly around himself. She couldn't make out any details on his facial appearance, but as she touched his face, she gasped. He was so cold! And he didn't respond to her touch.
"Ron," she placed her hands on her shoulders and tried to sit him up. No response. He was too stiff, and just fell back unto his side.
"W-What's the matter with him!" Hermione tried not to weep as Bill got on his knees in front on his brother. Harry and Ginny just stared frozen at Ron, unable to speak or step any closer. Bill kept flicking his wand for light to come out again, and finally it obeyed. Ron's skin was deathly pale, and his lips were a deep blue. His eyes were closed, there was blood stained in many places on his body, and his clothes where sopping wet and dirty. Bill sat Ron up and tried to rouse him by poking him, tickling him, hitting him, anything he could think of. But he didn't respond.
"He's dead," Ginny said horror-stricken and crying on Harry's shoulder. Harry wrapped his arms around his girlfriend and stared at his best mate, still in shock.
"No he's not," Bill said sharply, trying to sound sure of himself.
"I don't know what's wrong with him, but he is not dead!"
"He's so cold," Hermione started to yank her robe off her shoulders for Ron, but Bill stopped her.
"Leave yours on, Hermione, he can have mine." Bill pulled his off and wrapped it around his brother, taking his arms and placing each one through a sleeve. Ron started to fall over again, but Bill caught him.
"We have to get him inside and warm, right now," he demanded, still looking scared out of his mind.
"Dumbledore gave me the spell to transfer within the Hogwarts grounds. Everyone touch me somewhere!" Hermione rested a hand on Bill's knee and another on Ron's chilled hand, and Harry and Ginny each touched a shoulder. Bill mumbled something that ended with "Great Hall" and they all felt themselves being pulled to the Great Hall at the speed of light. They landed in a heap on the floor of the Great Hall, and the same teachers that had be present earlier, minus Snape, were all gathered there.
"Good Lord!" McGonagall gasped at the site of them all wet, cold, and muddy.
"Help him!" Hermione suddenly threw herself on her boyfriend, trying to give him as much heat from her body as she possibly could. Madam Pomfrey rushed over to them, and gave a squeak when she saw Ron laying there.
"Is he-"
"No, he's not dead!" Bill hollered, getting to his feet and trying to pick up his brother. It was hard, because Ron was almost taller than Bill.
"We need to get him to the hospital wing!" He tried to shrug Hermione off, but she was clinging tightly to him.
"Let go of him, Ms. Granger," McGonagall placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder and gently pulled her off of Ron. Harry reached out for her, and she fell into his arm, crying uncontrollably. Ginny was holding on to Harry's other shoulder, also crying. Bill took off carrying a stiff Ron in his arms, and Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore hurried off after them. McGonagall flicked her wand and a few blankets and pillows and bottles of butterbeer appeared at the end of the table.
"Why can't we just go with him?" Harry asked, annoyed and tired, and trying not to yawn as the girls cried on his shoulders.
"Ron needs to be taken care of right now, and it looks to me that you have your hands full doing the very same thing," she motioned towards Ginny and Hermione.
"Please get some rest you three. You look absolutely exhausted, and it's nearly four in the morning."
Filch hurried out of the room, followed by a tottering Flitwick who smiled at them sympathetically before leaving. McGonagall motioned once more towards the blankets and butterbeer before closing the Great Hall door's lightly.
"She expects us to sleep in here?" Ginny sniffled, looking over at the blankets.
"I guess she just doesn't want us trying to get to the hospital wing, I think she locked us in," Harry sighed and finally let that yawn out he had been holding in.
"Maybe we should take her advice."
"I'm not going to get any sleep, that's for sure!" Ginny said, but a yawn slipped out. She headed over and grabbed one of the bottles of butterbeer and took a long sip. Then she gathered a pillow and blanket in her arms and got down to the cool floor.
"Hermione, would you like something to drink?" Harry asked lightly, looking into the crying girls eyes.
"N-No, I just need to lay down for a bit," she wiped her eyes and walked passed Harry, suddenly feeling embarrassed about crying on his shoulder like that, although Harry didn't really mind it. She grabbed a pillow and a blanket and moved her self away from where Harry had started to lay next to Ginny.
"Hermione, why don't you come over here by us?" Ginny asked, slipping her arm around Harry's neck.
"I-I'm fine over here," Hermione turned her back on the two of them as she settled her self down, hugging a pillow tightly to her body, wishing it was Ron. They had each other, of course they were fine now. But Ron was off somewhere, frozen as an ice cube and she couldn't be there with him. She tried to cry silently into her pillow as the blanket wrapped around her warmly. She wished that was Ron too. The wet and dirty clothes were still on her, but for some reason she just didn't care about that. She was even getting tired as she laid there, the events that just occurred taking their toll on her…
Harry and Ginny weren't really up to anything themselves, they were just laying closely together under one blanket wondering about Hermione as she laid by herself a few yards away.
"I can't believe this is happening," Ginny whispered to Harry, her eyes closed.
"I know. I mean, these things aren't just happening to me anymore. They are happening to everyone I care about now, and it's all my fault…Just like last year…" Harry realized.
"Don't say that," Ginny ran a finger over Harry's hand. "Remember what we talked about the other night? What I told you?"
"Of course I remember," Harry sighed and closed his own eyes briefly.
"It's not your fault, always remember that…" Her voice drifted as she fell into a restless sleep. Harry stared up at the ceiling for a few moments and watched the rain continue to fall. It was really odd, sleeping in the place they ate all their meals. Ginny was breathing steadier now, and Harry felt this to be contagious as he fell off into his own sleep, holding Ginny close, but yet still thinking of Hermione…
Note: Whoa. Can you say major tone change in story?! I rather like this chapter myself, I don't really know why. Just all the different tone's that keep happening and all the feelings erupting, even if things do get really weird now and again. What's to become of Ron you ask? You'll find out in Chapter 13...Thanks for reading everyone!