Liana21 - thanks for the tip off with that setting, which I didn't even know existed. Glad you like it.
High Serpent King - Sorry, I didn't offer much criticism in my last review, did I? That last chapter was one of my favorites so far though, and the story as a whole is very good. Especially now since the action's starting up...
Notes will be at the bottom, as usual.
Chapter Seven - Visions of Darkness
Ron Weasley's eyes darted around his surroundings - the only part of him that could even move, as a matter of fact. Ron had been hit with a Petrificus Totalus and then a Locomotor Mortis. Ron didn't know who did it, though, and he couldn't lean up to look. Ron scanned the little bit of his surroundings he was able to see. He was clearly in a forest, it appeared to be the dead of night, and if what he was hearing was any indication, he had been attacked by four people, two of whom were in front and two who were in the back. Ron's suspicions that Death Eaters had taken him were confirmed when none other than Peter Pettigrew glanced back to look at him. Wormtail! If Ron could move, then Pettigrew wouldn't have been able to right now. Ron had been awfully curious about what Pettigrew had been up to as late - Pettigrew had been curiously absent at the Department of Mysteries. Pettigrew saw Ron's eyes moving and leaned his head to talk to another Death Eater. Ron heard their conversation - they clearly weren't worried about Ron hearing.
"He's awake."
"Is he?" Ron heard a cold voice and his blood went cold as Lucius Malfoy's cold eyes met his. Ron saw with amusement that Malfoy seemed to have cut himself on the arm, and then all the memories of his kidnap came to him.
(Flashback)
Ron lay in bed, restless. Before he hadn't really been able to sleep because of kissing Hermione on the cheek and the excitement of the Quidditch match, but now he kept hearing voices and sounds outside. Ron finally stood up, exasperated, and looked outside. Suddenly he felt a wand at his back.
"Don't make a move."
Ron didn't move until he recognized Pettigrew's voice. He turned around, knowing how Pettigrew was a coward, but wasn't expecting to see three Death Eaters helping Pettigrew. Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, and Augustus Rookwood were all there. But they're all supposed to be in the prison, Ron thought to himself. How'd they escape?
Malfoy spoke.
"My, we aren't very obedient. Imperio!"
Ron felt that horrible feeling again, and then heard a voice in his head. It was telling him to get the wand out of his pocket and throw it on the floor.
But why should I?
Just do it, boy. Do it now.
This only strengthened Ron's resolve.
No! I won't!
Ron suddenly reached for the wand in his pocket, and dodged the Cruciatus Curse Lestrange had sent his way. He felt his wand slip out of his hand as Malfoy hit him with a Disarming Spell, but he grabbed on to it and yelled "Protego!" before Rookwood's slashing curse hit him. Ron blocked it, but he was pushed back all the way to the wall from the force of it. He suddenly yelled out "Diffindo!" at Malfoy's chest. Malfoy blocked it with his arm, but silently cursed at the pain. Ron felt satisfied for a half of a second before everything faded away.
Ron jerked out of his reverie with a start. Malfoy was talking to him again, and rubbing his arm.
"I'll get you for this, boy. Mark my words." Ron shivered as Lestrange's voice rang out with laughter next.
"Didn't expect him to put up such a fight against your Imperius Curse, eh Malfoy? Only goes to show that I was always right - the Dark Lord shouldn't put such heavy tasks on your shoulders." Ron struggled to keep track of the conversation without the ability to move. It was obvious that this conversation had happened before but with different words.
He heard Malfoy's words next.
"Oh yes, let's rely on the one who nearly destroyed the Prophecy about six times before it WAS actually destroyed - EXPLICITLY DISOBEYING THE DARK LORD'S ORDERS!" Bellatrix shrieked in anger and Ron heard a rustling sound - presumably Lestrange was pulling out her wand. Malfoy appeared to be doing the same thing. Ron heard someone step in between them and saw Rookwood stretch out a placating arm towards the two of them.
"Stop! Let's just get the Weasley boy to the Dark Lord." Ron's thoughts took on an element of terror as he understood where he was going. He had never actually faced Voldemort before - but if he did, he promised himself, he would do what was worthy of Harry and Dumbledore. He would never live with himself if he didn't act like that.
Hermione mouthed soundlessly before letting out an ear-piercing scream and backing to the wall. Hermione immediately covered up her mouth - she would wake the whole house up on account of Ron getting a midnight snack or something. Yes, that was probably it. To Hermione's surprise, though, no one came. Hermione took this opportunity to scan Ron's room and saw to her horror that it was clear that Ron had probably been kidnapped. Blood was lying on the floor, there was a dent in the wall, the window was open, and spell marks were everywhere. She suddenly yelled out, this time with the intention of waking everyone up.
"HELP! RON'S BEEN KIDNAPPED!"
No one came.
Hermione suddenly ran outside to the hall and slammed the door behind her, pure terror coursing through her veins. Had they kidnapped everybody else? Were they here now? She moved to stop the door slamming - it would alert everybody of her presence, but it was too late. The door slammed against the doorway, but Hermione was surprised to find out that it didn't make a sound upon contact. Suddenly it clicked - they had put a Silencing Charm on the room! That was why no one had heard his kidnap. Well, they should be able to hear me in the hallway, then...
"RON'S BEEN KIDNAPPED!"
The reaction was immediate this time, and Hermione took the time to lift the Silencing Charm. She saw everyone burst out with their faces pure white with fear and apprehension. Hermione heard Harry speak first.
"WHAT?"
"COME ON!"
Hermione sprinted back into Ron's room and everyone followed her in there. They looked upon the marks all over the room with an expression that had mirrored Hermione's when she had seen it. She heard Bill speak quickly in a terse voice.
"I'm going to get Dumbledore." Bill sprinted out of the room.
It's horrible, Hermione thought to herself as she looked upon everybody. Alicia and Angelina had looks of terror as they comforted the twins. Dean had his arms wrapped around a sobbing Ginny. Harry was against the wall and kept running his hands through his hair - Hermione could tell he was already blaming it on himself. Charlie was quickly pacing around the room and wasn't allowing anyone to see his face. Finally, a sheet white Mr. Weasley had engulfed a softly crying Mrs. Weasley in a hug. Hermione felt tears threatening to come too, and she wiped them away. Crying would come for later, Ron needed everyone's help now. It was clear that many others had reached the same conclusion too, because while they all still looked shaken, they now also had a look of purpose on their face and were examining the room (with evident horror).
"Looks like they took him out of the window..."
"Blood on the floor? A fight happened..."
"Dent in the wall, looks like something hit it hard..."
Everyone stopped talking as Bill suddenly burst through the door. Charlie finally broke the silence.
"Charlie, Dad, Fred, George, and Professor Lupin, come with me. Mom, take care of everybody here. And no Harry, you can't come. Neither you Hermione."
Hermione and Harry immediately opened their mouths to protest, but Bill spoke again before they could.
"No, Ron would want you here, and that's exactly where we're going to keep you two. And be careful, all of you. They probably won't come again, but there's no telling - it was obvious they didn't expect us to find out so soon. Oh wait, actually Hermione, you come with me, Dumbledore wants to talk to you about how you knew to come here."
Harry suddenly talked for the first time with curiousity.
"Can we come?
Bill shrugged. "Sure - but you can keep away any thoughts of coming with us out of your head. You too Hermione."
They both nodded in agreement.
Everyone followed Bill and Hermione downstairs. Hermione looked down to see Professor Dumbledore standing at the bottom with an extremely grave expression and pensive look. He looked up as he heard Bill coming down, and then he saw Hermione.
"Miss Granger, if you would be so kind to tell me how you knew to check on Mr. Weasley's room."
Hermione cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
"I had a dream. In it, I was in Ron's room, but it was like I didn't exist. No one took any notice of me. No one was there except Ron, but he wasn't sleeping. He was restless, and then he stood up. But then Wormtail, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Augustus Rookwood suddenly came and told him not to move."
Professor Lupin suddenly inhaled sharply. "Rookwood, Malfoy, and Lestrange must've escaped from prison. But how?"
Dumbledore nodded in agreement, and conjured parchment with a wave of his wand. Another wave and a full-written message to the Ministry of Magic appeared out of nowhere. A final wave, and the parchment vanished - presumably at the Ministry of Magic. He looked at Hermione. "Please continue, Miss Granger."
"Ron turned around, and seemed surprised to see them all - he had only heard Pettigrew's voice. Malfoy hit him with an Imperius, and told Ron to throw away his wand. Ron fought it quickly and threw it off, and then Lestrange sent a Cruciatus Curse at him, but he dodged it. Malfoy hit him with a Disarming Spell, but Ron grabbed his wand before it slipped out. Rookwood then tried to hit him with that horrible slashing curse that was used on me - " Hermione involuntarily winced remembering when it was used on her " - but Ron used a Shield Charm. He blocked the pain, but the force sent him against the wall. He aimed "Diffindo" at Malfoy's chest but Malfoy blocked it with his arm. Then Lestrange knocked him out, and they brought him out the window and towards the forest." Hermione took a deep breath.
Dumbledore looked at Hermione inquisitively. "And then you woke up?"
At this point, Hermione started tearing as she remembered the rest of her dream. "No. I saw Ron in a dark room. There was a fire, and there was V-Voldemort with Ron in the room. Ron was lying on the floor." Her voice got continually softer and more anguished. "I saw Voldemort hit Ron with a Cruciatus Curse, then another one, then another one. He asked Ron for some information, but Ron didn't say anything. Voldemort then waved his hand at Lestrange and Malfoy who were nearby. They brought him out of the room and then I - I woke up."
Dumbledore stroked his chin pensively. "Miss Granger, are you sure these dreams are real?"
"No, but they felt different from any other dream I've ever felt. Also, the marks - in Ron's room - they exactly matched the marks of the fight in my dream."
"Do you have any idea where they're keeping him."
"No - no I didn't see anything that I could recognize."
"Very well. Arthur, Bill, Fred, George, Charlie, Remus - let's go. Molly, please take care of the children. I will notify you as soon as I can."
Mrs. Weasley nodded and Dumbledore swept out of the room with the indicated people behind him, leaving everyone to dwell on their thoughts.
I think I should win the award in this chapter for most generic fantasy chapter title in the history of time! Other than that, I can't think of anything to say about this chapter, other than that it was definitely hard to write at times.
High Serpent King - Sorry, I didn't offer much criticism in my last review, did I? That last chapter was one of my favorites so far though, and the story as a whole is very good. Especially now since the action's starting up...
Notes will be at the bottom, as usual.
Chapter Seven - Visions of Darkness
Ron Weasley's eyes darted around his surroundings - the only part of him that could even move, as a matter of fact. Ron had been hit with a Petrificus Totalus and then a Locomotor Mortis. Ron didn't know who did it, though, and he couldn't lean up to look. Ron scanned the little bit of his surroundings he was able to see. He was clearly in a forest, it appeared to be the dead of night, and if what he was hearing was any indication, he had been attacked by four people, two of whom were in front and two who were in the back. Ron's suspicions that Death Eaters had taken him were confirmed when none other than Peter Pettigrew glanced back to look at him. Wormtail! If Ron could move, then Pettigrew wouldn't have been able to right now. Ron had been awfully curious about what Pettigrew had been up to as late - Pettigrew had been curiously absent at the Department of Mysteries. Pettigrew saw Ron's eyes moving and leaned his head to talk to another Death Eater. Ron heard their conversation - they clearly weren't worried about Ron hearing.
"He's awake."
"Is he?" Ron heard a cold voice and his blood went cold as Lucius Malfoy's cold eyes met his. Ron saw with amusement that Malfoy seemed to have cut himself on the arm, and then all the memories of his kidnap came to him.
(Flashback)
Ron lay in bed, restless. Before he hadn't really been able to sleep because of kissing Hermione on the cheek and the excitement of the Quidditch match, but now he kept hearing voices and sounds outside. Ron finally stood up, exasperated, and looked outside. Suddenly he felt a wand at his back.
"Don't make a move."
Ron didn't move until he recognized Pettigrew's voice. He turned around, knowing how Pettigrew was a coward, but wasn't expecting to see three Death Eaters helping Pettigrew. Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, and Augustus Rookwood were all there. But they're all supposed to be in the prison, Ron thought to himself. How'd they escape?
Malfoy spoke.
"My, we aren't very obedient. Imperio!"
Ron felt that horrible feeling again, and then heard a voice in his head. It was telling him to get the wand out of his pocket and throw it on the floor.
But why should I?
Just do it, boy. Do it now.
This only strengthened Ron's resolve.
No! I won't!
Ron suddenly reached for the wand in his pocket, and dodged the Cruciatus Curse Lestrange had sent his way. He felt his wand slip out of his hand as Malfoy hit him with a Disarming Spell, but he grabbed on to it and yelled "Protego!" before Rookwood's slashing curse hit him. Ron blocked it, but he was pushed back all the way to the wall from the force of it. He suddenly yelled out "Diffindo!" at Malfoy's chest. Malfoy blocked it with his arm, but silently cursed at the pain. Ron felt satisfied for a half of a second before everything faded away.
Ron jerked out of his reverie with a start. Malfoy was talking to him again, and rubbing his arm.
"I'll get you for this, boy. Mark my words." Ron shivered as Lestrange's voice rang out with laughter next.
"Didn't expect him to put up such a fight against your Imperius Curse, eh Malfoy? Only goes to show that I was always right - the Dark Lord shouldn't put such heavy tasks on your shoulders." Ron struggled to keep track of the conversation without the ability to move. It was obvious that this conversation had happened before but with different words.
He heard Malfoy's words next.
"Oh yes, let's rely on the one who nearly destroyed the Prophecy about six times before it WAS actually destroyed - EXPLICITLY DISOBEYING THE DARK LORD'S ORDERS!" Bellatrix shrieked in anger and Ron heard a rustling sound - presumably Lestrange was pulling out her wand. Malfoy appeared to be doing the same thing. Ron heard someone step in between them and saw Rookwood stretch out a placating arm towards the two of them.
"Stop! Let's just get the Weasley boy to the Dark Lord." Ron's thoughts took on an element of terror as he understood where he was going. He had never actually faced Voldemort before - but if he did, he promised himself, he would do what was worthy of Harry and Dumbledore. He would never live with himself if he didn't act like that.
Hermione mouthed soundlessly before letting out an ear-piercing scream and backing to the wall. Hermione immediately covered up her mouth - she would wake the whole house up on account of Ron getting a midnight snack or something. Yes, that was probably it. To Hermione's surprise, though, no one came. Hermione took this opportunity to scan Ron's room and saw to her horror that it was clear that Ron had probably been kidnapped. Blood was lying on the floor, there was a dent in the wall, the window was open, and spell marks were everywhere. She suddenly yelled out, this time with the intention of waking everyone up.
"HELP! RON'S BEEN KIDNAPPED!"
No one came.
Hermione suddenly ran outside to the hall and slammed the door behind her, pure terror coursing through her veins. Had they kidnapped everybody else? Were they here now? She moved to stop the door slamming - it would alert everybody of her presence, but it was too late. The door slammed against the doorway, but Hermione was surprised to find out that it didn't make a sound upon contact. Suddenly it clicked - they had put a Silencing Charm on the room! That was why no one had heard his kidnap. Well, they should be able to hear me in the hallway, then...
"RON'S BEEN KIDNAPPED!"
The reaction was immediate this time, and Hermione took the time to lift the Silencing Charm. She saw everyone burst out with their faces pure white with fear and apprehension. Hermione heard Harry speak first.
"WHAT?"
"COME ON!"
Hermione sprinted back into Ron's room and everyone followed her in there. They looked upon the marks all over the room with an expression that had mirrored Hermione's when she had seen it. She heard Bill speak quickly in a terse voice.
"I'm going to get Dumbledore." Bill sprinted out of the room.
It's horrible, Hermione thought to herself as she looked upon everybody. Alicia and Angelina had looks of terror as they comforted the twins. Dean had his arms wrapped around a sobbing Ginny. Harry was against the wall and kept running his hands through his hair - Hermione could tell he was already blaming it on himself. Charlie was quickly pacing around the room and wasn't allowing anyone to see his face. Finally, a sheet white Mr. Weasley had engulfed a softly crying Mrs. Weasley in a hug. Hermione felt tears threatening to come too, and she wiped them away. Crying would come for later, Ron needed everyone's help now. It was clear that many others had reached the same conclusion too, because while they all still looked shaken, they now also had a look of purpose on their face and were examining the room (with evident horror).
"Looks like they took him out of the window..."
"Blood on the floor? A fight happened..."
"Dent in the wall, looks like something hit it hard..."
Everyone stopped talking as Bill suddenly burst through the door. Charlie finally broke the silence.
"Charlie, Dad, Fred, George, and Professor Lupin, come with me. Mom, take care of everybody here. And no Harry, you can't come. Neither you Hermione."
Hermione and Harry immediately opened their mouths to protest, but Bill spoke again before they could.
"No, Ron would want you here, and that's exactly where we're going to keep you two. And be careful, all of you. They probably won't come again, but there's no telling - it was obvious they didn't expect us to find out so soon. Oh wait, actually Hermione, you come with me, Dumbledore wants to talk to you about how you knew to come here."
Harry suddenly talked for the first time with curiousity.
"Can we come?
Bill shrugged. "Sure - but you can keep away any thoughts of coming with us out of your head. You too Hermione."
They both nodded in agreement.
Everyone followed Bill and Hermione downstairs. Hermione looked down to see Professor Dumbledore standing at the bottom with an extremely grave expression and pensive look. He looked up as he heard Bill coming down, and then he saw Hermione.
"Miss Granger, if you would be so kind to tell me how you knew to check on Mr. Weasley's room."
Hermione cleared her throat and took a deep breath.
"I had a dream. In it, I was in Ron's room, but it was like I didn't exist. No one took any notice of me. No one was there except Ron, but he wasn't sleeping. He was restless, and then he stood up. But then Wormtail, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Augustus Rookwood suddenly came and told him not to move."
Professor Lupin suddenly inhaled sharply. "Rookwood, Malfoy, and Lestrange must've escaped from prison. But how?"
Dumbledore nodded in agreement, and conjured parchment with a wave of his wand. Another wave and a full-written message to the Ministry of Magic appeared out of nowhere. A final wave, and the parchment vanished - presumably at the Ministry of Magic. He looked at Hermione. "Please continue, Miss Granger."
"Ron turned around, and seemed surprised to see them all - he had only heard Pettigrew's voice. Malfoy hit him with an Imperius, and told Ron to throw away his wand. Ron fought it quickly and threw it off, and then Lestrange sent a Cruciatus Curse at him, but he dodged it. Malfoy hit him with a Disarming Spell, but Ron grabbed his wand before it slipped out. Rookwood then tried to hit him with that horrible slashing curse that was used on me - " Hermione involuntarily winced remembering when it was used on her " - but Ron used a Shield Charm. He blocked the pain, but the force sent him against the wall. He aimed "Diffindo" at Malfoy's chest but Malfoy blocked it with his arm. Then Lestrange knocked him out, and they brought him out the window and towards the forest." Hermione took a deep breath.
Dumbledore looked at Hermione inquisitively. "And then you woke up?"
At this point, Hermione started tearing as she remembered the rest of her dream. "No. I saw Ron in a dark room. There was a fire, and there was V-Voldemort with Ron in the room. Ron was lying on the floor." Her voice got continually softer and more anguished. "I saw Voldemort hit Ron with a Cruciatus Curse, then another one, then another one. He asked Ron for some information, but Ron didn't say anything. Voldemort then waved his hand at Lestrange and Malfoy who were nearby. They brought him out of the room and then I - I woke up."
Dumbledore stroked his chin pensively. "Miss Granger, are you sure these dreams are real?"
"No, but they felt different from any other dream I've ever felt. Also, the marks - in Ron's room - they exactly matched the marks of the fight in my dream."
"Do you have any idea where they're keeping him."
"No - no I didn't see anything that I could recognize."
"Very well. Arthur, Bill, Fred, George, Charlie, Remus - let's go. Molly, please take care of the children. I will notify you as soon as I can."
Mrs. Weasley nodded and Dumbledore swept out of the room with the indicated people behind him, leaving everyone to dwell on their thoughts.
I think I should win the award in this chapter for most generic fantasy chapter title in the history of time! Other than that, I can't think of anything to say about this chapter, other than that it was definitely hard to write at times.