A/N: When death happens there's usually no working up to it. It just happens and you're blind sided. It's sudden. In case you were wondering why Mr. Weasley's death was so sudden, that's my answer.
Akalei- Thank you very much for your review, I fixed the Dumbledore error...I get a little thoughtless sometimes when I'm into something I'm writting...
Blackdragonflyofdeath13- Thanks for the review...an interesting penname.
Disclaimer: Not my characters...
Chapter Six: The Motions
Ginny's mouth went dry, she opened it to speak but her dry throat constricted and she began gasping for breath. She looked over at her brother; his visage looked smashed with emotion, huge tears leaked from the corners of his eyes and he covered his face with shaking hands. Ginny turned to the headmaster, her own tears now pooling up in her eyes.
"H-how?"
"It was a group of unidentified Death Eaters. They penetrated the Ministry of Magic at around 5 o'clock this morning. Your father was one of only a few workers besides security, that was in the building at that hour. He and several guards were killed...it was clear that they were targeting your father."
"What do you mean--" Ginny asked.
"Ginny...I don't think now is the time to discuss details. I'm terribly sorry for your loss, if there's anything I can do for you, or you, Ron,"he said turning to the stricken redheaded boy,"please do not hesitate to ask. Of course you'll be allowed as much time off from school as you need to deal with this tragedy. Unfortunately your mother will not be able to come to Hogwarts for several hours due to security reasons. She should be here at around seven this evening to bring you both back to the Burrow."
Dumbledore, Ginny and Ron sat in silence for several minutes. The only sounds were the sniffles coming from behind Ron's hands and the erratic sobs that Ginny let out as tears slid down her cheeks.
Finally, Dumbledore spoke,"Well...I think in times such as these the best thing to do is to rest and be with loved ones. Thankfully, you have each other. There's still ten minutes before break, so this would be the ideal time for you two to travel back to your common room, I'm sure you don't want to be around the other students just yet. Er...if you'd like, I could escort you back..."
Ginny stared at the floor by her feet,"If it's alright, I think we'd rather go back ourselves. Thank you, headmaster."
"Of course, remember...if you need anything..."
"Yes," Ginny said, rising from her seat and placing her hand on Ron's shoulder. Her brother rose shakily and they left the office, Ginny supporting Ron.
Once the two Weasley children emerged from Dumbledore's office they realized how suffocating it had been in there. The air of the halls brushed their tear streaked faces harshly as they made their way to Gryffindor tower.
"Ginny..."
"I know, Ron...I know."
"How...how could this happen,"Ron spoke as another bout of sobs racked through him."I don't understand...yesterday everything was fine. And today..."
"It's not fair,"Ginny replied."I can't believe it...I can't..."
"Unreal..."
The brother and sister reached the Fat Lady who looked on them with pitty,"I'm so sorry to hear..."
Ginny uttered the password and the portrait swung open without another word.
"Ginny...will you come up to my dormitory? I c-can't be alone."
"Neither can I..."
They both ascended the steps to the boy's dormitory and cried into each other's arms.
Severus Snape sat behind his desk staring at the memo in his hands. His expression was unreadable but his mind was whirling. Arthur Weasley is dead. How will the Order cope?
Snape thought back to the previous night. It was the second night that he had crossed paths with the unwitting Draco Malfoy on one of his night walks. This time his curiosity had gotten the better of his fear and Snape, carefully remaining in the shadows, had followed the Head Boy as he made his way out of the dungeons. What the potions master discovered was incredible. A late night meeting with the Weasley girl? Snape watched as Draco waited by the window sill and was flabbergasted when he saw the girl approach. He deduced that this was the reason for the boy's excursion on the previous night as well. Then he'd heard those words...those words that had worried and perplexed him.
"Talked to your father lately, Weasel?"
He watched as Draco left and as Ginny remained, looking as confused as he felt. Snape followed Ginny up to the owlry and, when she had left, he sent an owl of his own, to Grimuald Place, inquiring about the safety of Arthur Weasley, as he had reason to believe that there might be something planned to bring him harm.
Unfortunately, Kingsley did not receive the letter until it was too late.
Now Snape glared at the note from the Headmaster, as if it was the reason Weasley was dead. I could have done something more. I should have gone to Dumbledore.
More guilt. But Snape had not suspected Malfoy's words to be evidence enough to go to Dumbledore, and surely there would be time for more serious measures in the morning...but no. He was gone.
Severus crunched the parchment into his fist and slammed it onto his desk. God help the next student that got on his nerves.
Was it a threat? Ginny found herself pondering, of Draco's words the night before. No...no it wasn't. He was being too kind the night before. He knew...but...he tried to warn me. It was five o'clock when....it happened. He warned me at midnight. He wanted me to stop it? I don't know...
Ginny and Ron were walking to the front doors to meet their mother. Molly Weasley ran up to the two children in tears and grabbed both of them in a life-threatening hug.
"Oh God children. I don't know what we're going to do...I don't kno- Oh God..."
Ginny found herself released from the hug as Dumbledore stepped up to the family to have a few words with Molly. She turned to her left only slightly and at that moment Draco Malfoy was leaving the Great Hall, they locked eyes and Ginny swore she could see sympathy in his gray orbs. She bit her lip and tried to look as dignified as possible with bloodshot eyes and tearstained cheeks.
"Come my dears...it's-it's time to go. There's a lot...to-to do," Molly said, distracting Ginny. She turned to the Headmaster,"Thank you, Dumbledore. You've been wonderful, thank you so much."
