Chapter 3 - The Vision
It really was the perfect afternoon for a picnic – it was one of those rare Winter days when the sun came out to warm everything it came into contact with, creating a lethargic atmosphere around the school, which was not uncommon on Sundays. There was not a breath of wind. The sunlight glinted on the still surface of the lake as Ginny helped the boys straighten out the picnic blanket.
"Wow" she said, as she sat down and started unpacking the picnic basket "it's a great day for a picnic"
"Yeah" agreed Harry as he sat down next to her "this sunshine is incredible"
Ron couldn't help wondering when Hermione might pitch up – he wanted to share this gorgeous day with her – and the last thing he felt like was spending another afternoon with Harry and Ginny making eyes at each other! His best friend and his sister – he loved them – but he couldn't help feeling like a third wheel around them now. Well, he wasn't going to let it ruin a perfectly good picnic!
"Move over, Harry" he said determinedly
Harry threw Ron a dirty look but shifted over anyway so that he was still next to Ginny but not as close - Ron was on the other side of her. Ginny was getting used to this tension – Ron tended to get moody around her and Harry these days and Harry usually ended up making some comment. She quickly poured them each some Butterbeer – that always put them in a good mood.
It definitely seemed to do the trick – Ron's mood lifted instantly. He lay back on the blanket and watched the clouds roll by.
"So I guess you two are going to the Ball together?" he said finally "as if I need to ask!"
Harry grinned "Was that a question?"
"Well, you are, aren't you?"
"Right – we are" Harry winked at Ginny "Now, are you going to tell us how this whole you-asking-Hermione-to-the-Ball-thing came about?"
"No" said Ron smugly "That's between me and Hermione"
"Okay" said Harry "Well, either you can tell me now, or Hermione will tell Ginny later, and Ginny will just end up telling me anyway!"
Ron sighed mockingly "Is nothing sacred anymore? Must every little detail go through the Harry-Ginny hotline?"
Ginny shrugged.
"There's nothing to tell - honestly!" he said laughing "She just came to sit by the fire last night, and we started talking…"
"Ahuh" Harry nudged Ginny teasingly.
"Listen Ginny" Ron said, ignoring Harry "I need your help – I want the night of the Ball to be perfect…"
"No problem" she grinned "what do you need help with?"
"Everything!" he smiled awkwardly "I wasn't exactly the best date the last time we had a Ball"
Harry grinned at this understatement.
"You might want to start with a few dancing lessons" he suggested, remembering Padma's comments "Girls like to dance"
"Oh do they Mr Potter?" Ginny teased "Well, let's see your moves then…"
"Me? Uh No…" said Harry firmly
"Yeah, c'mon Mate" said Ron, jumping on the bandwagon "you've been ragging on me all day. So let's see the Great Harry Potter in action then…"
Harry mumbled something under his breath.
"Sorry, what was that Mate?" Ron persisted
"I can't dance" Harry said eventually
Ginny laughed "So I guess I'll be teaching you both to dance then!"
"It looks that way!" Ron chuckled "Say Ginny, where'd you learn to dance?"
"Ron – I've got tons of brothers"
"So, how on earth would that help you? I mean, I'm your brother" he looked confused
"Well, I asked Charlie to teach me back in fifth, and then when the twins learnt, I asked them to give me some lessons as well"
"What?" grinned Ron "The twins can dance!"
"Yeah" said Ginny "but I don't think they like to advertise it – undermines their whole joker reputation"
"Oh right - so where did all our brothers learn to dance then? I don't recall seeing Charlie waltzing around the Burrow…"
"From the Pro's of course! Mum and Dad" Ginny beamed
"Of course!" mimicked Ron "Hey Mate, you've been kinda quiet" he said in Harry's direction "did we damage your fragile ego earlier?" he asked mockingly
"Shut up Ron" Harry chuckled "you can't dance either! And Hermione's going to expect you to sweep her off her feet"
"Yeah, yeah – hey, speaking of Hermione, wasn't she supposed to be here by now? It's almost three already!" Ron looked over at Ginny.
"Yeah you're right" agreed Harry "she can't possibly still be…OUCH!" Harry suddenly screamed out in pain and reached up and touched his scar. Ron and Ginny sat up and stared at Harry.
"Harry! What is it?" Ginny demanded
"I don't know" he said "but something's wrong! My scar…hurting like crazy!" Harry could barely get the words out – he clasped both his hands over his forehead as the pain blasted through him - "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Ginny and Ron were sick with worry.
"What's happening?" Ginny cried frantically at Ron. Harry was thrashing about now – it was almost like he was having a seizure.
"Do something!" she wailed
"What?" Ron questioned, trying to shake Harry out of it. But there was nothing they could do. Harry just kept on trembling.
"We can't just sit here – see if you can find Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall" said Ron anxiously "I'll stay here with Harry – but be quick, okay?"
Ginny saw the concern in Ron's eyes and realised there wasn't any time to argue – She quickly nodded and ran off to Dumbledore's office.
Hermione, where are you? Ron thought frantically
"Harry – can you hear me?" Ron persisted "Harry?"
Ron took out his wand – he wasn't sure what, but he had to do something… Suddenly he remembered – his mom had once taught him a useful Waking spell to get the twins out of bed on Saturday mornings – How did it start again? he asked himself. Ah, yes! That was it… he cleared his throat and was about to begin the incantation when he heard something faint coming from the blanket -
"Ron" Harry mumbled weakly, coming out of the seizure
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, stunned "Mate, are you okay?"
Harry slowly sat up, as the strength returned to his body. Ron saw the terror in his eyes.
"What is it?" he asked anxiously, not wanting to know the answer "Is everyone okay? The Order? Mum? Dad?"
Harry shook his head, not sure how to tell Ron what he had seen "Ron – I had a vision. I don't know how to say this but – Hermione – she's gone…"
Ron eyes grew wide at this statement "What do you mean she's gone?" he asked desperately
"Well, I don't know how accurate my vision was but somehow I just know – Hermione's definitely gone. I saw her – she was trapped alone in a room somewhere – and then I heard a voice – his voice" Harry said anxiously "I couldn't hear his words, but I could see the fear in Hermione's eyes…"
Ron started to panic "Wait, Harry, are you… are you saying that… V-Voldermort has her?" he looked at Harry fearfully and became silent as the shocking reality hit him - it was as if everything was happening in slow motion. Suddenly, it seemed like hours since she'd been smiling at him over breakfast – he couldn't believe he'd been up all night worrying about something stupid like how to ask her to the Ball! – The Ball seemed so far away now - all he wanted was to see Hermione's face again – to tell her how he felt about her – to hold her in his arms, never letting go – what if he never got the chance?
"Look" said Harry "I've learnt not to jump to conclusions – before we do anything, we need to get in touch with The Order and find out what's going on"
Ron struggled to find his voice – "B-But she could be in danger! She needs us Harry - I won't let anything happen to her!" he said emphatically
"Yes, but we need to use our heads here Ron – I won't let more people die because of my foolishness!" Harry looked down at his feet, ashamed at the thought of how he'd reacted the last time he'd been faced with a crisis – he'd jumped into action without knowing all the facts and Sirius had died as a result. No, he would not let that happen again!
"But Harry… How? How could this possibly happen?" Ron questioned furiously "Voldemort would never come here…"
"He must've found a way!" Harry thought out loud.
"But what about Dumbledore? He'd never let…"
"I don't know!" Harry interrupted "But something very strange is happening. Wait, I know…" he said as he pulled out the Marauders Map "Let's see where Dumbledore is right now"
He unfolded the map and tapped it with his wand.
"Ahuh! Thought so!" Harry said, as he scanned the map "Dumbledore's not here!"
"Harry - Look!" Ron exclaimed suddenly, pointing to a miniscule figure on the map "Hermione!"
Harry could not believe his eyes – Dumbledore had disappeared but according to the map, Hermione was still in the library!
"It can't be!" Harry exclaimed "I can't explain it but everything inside me says she's gone!"
"Well, let's not wait around here Mate! Let's go see if she's really there!" Ron said excitedly. His heart had leapt the moment he'd spotted her miniature figure.
Harry still look puzzled "I don't like this Ron – something doesn't feel right…"
"Well, it can't hurt to go find Hermione" Ron said "and then she can help us figure this all out"
Harry shrugged and gave in to Ron's persuasion – there was just no explaining it – it had felt so real!
Just then Ginny came running up and threw her arms around Harry. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Oh Harry" she cried "You're okay! I was so worried! When I couldn't find Dumbledore…"
He held her tight in his embrace "I'm fine" he consoled "It's not really me you should be worried about…"
She pulled away to look at him "What's going on? What did you see?"
"I had a vision, about Hermione – I think she's in danger" he said hesitantly, as he glanced over at Ron.
"C'mon, I'll explain on the way to the library" he said, taking her hand and leading her up to the castle.
