Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, etc.
Chapter Eight
Ron awoke with sharp jabs of pain in his arm. He suddenly saw a fist skying towards his jaw and collapsed onto the floor in pain. As his vision came into focus, he figured out what was going on - Malfoy was waking him up. Ron saw another punch coming towards his face and rolled onto the floor, dodging it, and rolled up to a sitting position. Malfoy didn't move to hit him again, though, he simply stood up and beckoned.
"Couldn't just shake me awake, could you?"
Malfoy didn't answer and simply kept moving. Ron staggered on, trying to understand what was happening.
He was obviously at a Death Eater Camp, and presumably Malfoy was taking him to Voldemort. What for, though, Ron questioned himself. He came to the conclusion that the only thing he could possibly be was bait or a hostage, since they hadn't tried to kill him. It didn't make any sense otherwise - Ron wasn't particularly valuable to them any other way. Maybe they thought they could break him for information - and silently promised himself that he would not break and give them whatever they would want. Ron suddenly had a vague suspicion that Dumbledore had suspected something like this to happen, and felt a surge of anger as he realized that if this was true, then Dumbledore obviously didn't trust him - or even Hermione - not to break. He figured out that this was probably not likely, though, as Dumbledore would not do that - especially after how badly that strategy failed with Harry last year.
After coming to these various conclusions, Ron decided to prepare himself for whatever was going to happen next. Ron expected the Cruciatus Curse, perhaps the Imperius or a truth potion if they wanted information. He thought that it wasn't likely that he would be killed, because if they wanted him dead, he would already be dead. He reasoned over what he could possibly do - which was not much. He had no wand and no possible idea where he was. The most important thing was not to reveal ANYTHING - any information, however trivial, could be important to Voldemort. He steeled himself as he saw that Malfoy and him seemed to be reaching their destination. Malfoy stopped in front of a black wooden door. He opened it slowly, and an evil smile came upon his lips as he stepped out of the doorway and gestured for Ron to come in before him. Ron stepped slowly into the room, and Malfoy quietly followed and closed the door. Ron examined his surroundings.
It was extremely dark except for a small fire. Ron's eyes followed Malfoy's back as Malfoy went to talk to another Death Eater, who Ron quickly recognized as Bellatrix Lestrange. There appeared to be no windows in the room, and no means of escape either. Ron looked back at the door, hoping that it would've been so obvious that Malfoy would not have protected it, but saw that Malfoy had magically charmed it. There was no way out. Ron took a deep breath and steeled himself as he looked up and saw a pair of narrowed, red eyes staring at him with a calculating look. Ron felt chills down his spine as he heard Voldemort's harsh, high voice ring out. He was talking to Malfoy, but his eyes were still staring intently at Ron.
"You're sure this is him?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Very well."
Voldemort now addressed Ron.
"Tell me about what Dumbledore is doing now."
Ron didn't say anything, but averted his eyes from Voldemort. Legilimency was an option to Voldemort, and he could not let any information leak, however petty.
Voldemort's voice now had anger in it as he raised his wand. Ron braced himself for whatever was about to come.
"Crucio!"
Ron immediately felt pain unlike any other he had ever felt before coursing through his veins. He collapsed onto his knees, and his vision starting flashing in and out and had white edges. Wretched screams wrenched from his throat as incredible agony continued to overcome him. Finally, almost lazily, Voldemort raised his wand and waved it, stopping the Cruciatus Curse. Ron's breaths were ragged and he was still feeling the pain linger through his body. He still reminded himself, though, that he could not give in to Voldemort.
Voldemort looked down cruelly at Ron again, and spoke in a so quiet Ron could barely hear.
"Why do you resist me, boy? What do they have to give to you? Aren't you tired of being the sidekick, the ignored one? I can give you power, Ron...and isn't power what you most want?"
Ron's mind suddenly flashed to the Mirror of Erised, back in first year, about how what he wanted the most was to be the most important, to be Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. Ron remembered what Harry had told him Dumbledore had said - "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." Ron suddenly came upon the realization that now, though, he had exactly what he wanted. His family and friends were enough for him now, and even if he still might secretly desire those things now, there were more important things in his life.
Ron's readied himself just as he saw Voldemort raise his wand and hit him with another Cruciatus Curse. Voldemort again asked him for information. Ron didn't say anything for the last time. Ron was still dazed from the pain as he heard Voldemort harshly yelling at Lestrange and Malfoy.
"WHY WON'T HE TALK?"
Lestrange and Malfoy both looked extremely uncomfortable - clearly, they had thought of this plan, and it was just as obvious they had no idea that it would not work. Lestrange spoke up.
"Well, my Lord, he seems to be...stronger than we anticipated."
Voldemort hissed snake-like with contempt.
"That is obvious. I'll deal with both of you later."
Lestrange and Malfoy both shifted nervously. Voldemort looked livid, and Ron's pride surged as he took satisfaction in the fact that they had so greatly underestimated him.
Voldemort raised his wand for a last time and sent a final Cruciatus Curse at Ron, but he wasn't holding back at all this time, since he wanted Ron to remember what it felt like forever. Ron felt as if he was going to die - he actually hoped that he would die, from the intense pain attacking him everywhere. He felt as if every fiber of his being had being crushed and pounded into salt. It was as if every possible feeling of pain had been amplified hundreds of time. Voldemort's face had a look of mingled fury and satisfaction as he saw Ron start to pass out from the agony as he finally ended the spell. He gestured for Lestrange and Malfoy to take Ron out, and the last thing Ron saw before his consciousness fluttered out was a mental picture of Harry, Hermione and his family.
Remus Lupin went over the plan one last time in his head, as he thought about how this was the exact thing Dumbledore had hoped would not happen. But Dumbledore had also prepared for it - all potential targets for kidnap or attack had a Trackign Charm placed on them and they had been able to locate where Ron was easily. Getting in and getting Ron out of a heavily guarded Death Eater Camp, however, would be a problem. Luckily, everything has weaknesses, and thanks to Severus Snape, The Order of the Phoenix knew every single one of them. Dumbledore had come up with the plan in about two minutes, and had immediately dispatched Remus, Arthur, Charlie, Bill, and Fred and George (now members of the Order of the Phoenix) to do it, as they were the only people available at the time.
Remus scanned the camp and finally saw what he was looking for - two red sparks at the west side of the camp. Remus immediately sneaked around and stayed low to the ground. When he was near the entrance, he sent off his signal - two gold sparks. He waited a minute, then saw two green sparks at the east side, and then finally two orange sparks at the south side of the camp. All four of the operatives of the Order of the Phoenix waited patiently for the jumpstart for the operation to occur. Finally, it happened. Remus allowed himself a momentary smile as he listened to Fred and George's handiwork. They had clearly planned it out very well. Hidden by Invisibility Cloaks and riding on broomstick, they had silently placed traps everywhere in the camp by dropping them from hundreds of feet from the ground. Fred and George didn't only manufacture stuff for jokes now - they also built weapons for the Order of the Phoenix to use. Remus listened as he heard huge series of explosions go off, and heard screams of random Death Eaters trying to put the fires out. Remus heard the Death Eater predictably pad away to go put the fires out also, and he silently entered the camp, sticking to the shadows. He saw the building at which Ron was being held captive now, and remembered what he was supposed to do. Fast and unseen does the job, Dumbledore said. There was a good chance that Voldemort would be there, and Dumbledore definitely did not them to meet up with him. Simply go out and in.
Remus sneaked around the outskirts of the camp as he finally hid behind the building where Ron was held. Charlie was already there. They nodded to each other and Charlie stuck to the side of the building and inched along, with Remus close behind. Charlie quickly glanced outside, and as Dumbledore had said, there was only one Death Eater there. It was, of course, Severus Snape. If Snape had stuck to the plan, the other Death Eaters were helping out with the fire. Snape silently let them in and Remus and Charlie went to find Ron's cell, following the arrow of the Tracking Charm. Finally, they came upon the door, but it was magically locked. Lupin quickly performed "Alohomora!" and was relieved to see Ron there. He was horrified, though, at the state Ron was in. Ron's face was chalk-white and he didn't appear to be awake. His eyes were glassy and glazed and behind them lingered an expression of deep agony and pain. Remus shook his head and tapped Charlie, who was clearly anguished at his younger brother's current state also. He's not dead, at least. Charlie quickly cast a spell to lighten Ron's weight and then gathered him up. Lupin and Charlie sneaked out, nodding their thanks to Severus Snape as they passed him, before meeting up with Arthur and Bill. Arthur spoke upon seeing them.
"Remus! Charlie! Is he -" His speaking stopped as he saw Ron in Charlie's arms. Remus quickly understood.
"He's not dead, Arthur. Just knocked out. We should get him to Dumbledore immediately."
Arthur nodded silently, and then took out a piece of parchment.
"Alright, it should be set to go as soon as we all touch it. Don't know how Dumbledore did it like that..."
A shadow of a smile flitted on to Remus's face as everybody touched the parchment. They quickly felt a jerk, and teleported straight to Dumbledore's house. Dumbledore was still awake, and immediately stood up as he saw them.
"How did it go? Did it work?"
Remus nodded his head wearily.
"Yes. No problems whatsoever, at least with me. Arthur, Bill, Charlie?"
They all nodded their heads.
"Very well. Remus, would you please inform the Weasley's that we have Ron and that he's alive?"
Remus nodded again and flooed to the Burrow, too tired to apparate.
Hermione Granger bolted up from her chair as she heard footsteps.
"Somebody's here!"
Professor Lupin walked in - clearly extremely tired - with a smile on his face. Everyone in the room hung on his every word.
"We have him, and he's alive. But none of you can see him - we're worried something might have happened to him and Dumbledore must attend to him for now."
A wave of relief followed by a wave of worry swept over the room. Hermione spoke first.
"What? What's wrong with him?"
Lupin turned to talk to her and looked her in the eye. He seemed to be hesitating.
"We're not sure, but we suspect that he - passed out from pain. From the Cruciatus Curse."
Expressions of horror were evident on everyone's face as they heard what had happened to Ron. Everyone felt a thousand questions on the tip of their tongue, but Lupin stretched out his hands in a quelling gesture.
"Please, I don't know anything more. Dumbledore will be here soon, and I hope he will tell you more. In particular, I think he wants to talk to you, Hermione." Hermione nodded before collapsing onto a chair. The room was silent except for Mrs. Weasley asking Professor Lupin if he would like to have anything and that there was no way they could possibly thank him, and that if there was anything he wanted to ask.
It was like this for about ten more minutes before foosteps were finally heard. Dumbledore swept into the room, followed by Arthur, Bill, and Charlie, who everyone greeted. All eyes soon turned to Dumbledore, however, who also seemed to have a Pensieve with him. He soon addressed Hermione.
"Miss Granger, you do remember the second half of your dream earlier last night?"
Hermione nodded silently.
"I'm terribly sorry but would you please deposit it into the Pensieve?"
Hermione nodded wearily again, and stood up, before suddenly thinking of something.
"Professor Dumbledore, does this count as underage magic?"
Professor Dumbledore smiled at Hermione still remembering the rules.
"Do not worry Miss Granger, I have already cleared this with the Ministry.
Hermione put her wand to her forehead and searched for the memory. It was the oddest feeling, sifting through your own memories. When she found it, she started drawing the wand away, and a silvery substance started to come out as she did. Hermione felt as if the memory was being pulled out of her own self, and could feel it slipping away onto the wand. Depositing it into the Pensieve, she quickly sat back down. Dumbledore swirled the Pensieve - previously empty, but now with a single thought in it, and Hermione's dream appeared. Dumbledore muttered a spell to enlarge it so everyone could see. Everyone peered into the Pensieve to watch in horror at Ron's interrogation. No one screamed - no one made a sound - but everyone's face was pale and nervous, their eyes terrified and silently crying. When the memory finished, Mrs. Weasley nervously spoke.
"Albus - is that what - what happened?" Professor Dumbledore nodded, deep in thought.
"But then, how did she dream it?"
Dumbledore's piercing gaze turned upon Hermione.
"That is something we have yet to find out." Hermione spoke up quickly in concern for Ron.
"Will Ron be alright? Will he be like..." Hermione couldn't bear to say "The Longbottoms". What had happened to Neville's parents was so horrifying - Hermione couldn't imagine what it would be like if Ron didn't recognize her.
"No, Ron will not be insane. He will return the same as before - with the added memory of this interrogation." Dumbledore's eyes had deep sadness and regret in them at what had happened to Ron. "Also, Molly, he will have to stay with me for a few days before he can fully recover."
Mrs. Weasley nodded in agreement. Dumbledore stood up, at this.
"Everyone, I must go back to my house to help him recover. Charlie will be here in a few minutes. Miss Granger - try to find out how you had that dream. Remus will help you, if he would consent?" Professor Lupin nodded. "Thank you. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, Mr. Thomas - I shall see you in the school year."
They all nodded and with that final goodbye, Dumbledore left, leaving everyone once again to their own thoughts and worries.
Wow, lengthy chapter there, eh? Definitely one of the longest so far, if not the longest. Kind of sad one too. Next chapter will very likely come tomorrow, so be on the watch, all readers.
Chapter Eight
Ron awoke with sharp jabs of pain in his arm. He suddenly saw a fist skying towards his jaw and collapsed onto the floor in pain. As his vision came into focus, he figured out what was going on - Malfoy was waking him up. Ron saw another punch coming towards his face and rolled onto the floor, dodging it, and rolled up to a sitting position. Malfoy didn't move to hit him again, though, he simply stood up and beckoned.
"Couldn't just shake me awake, could you?"
Malfoy didn't answer and simply kept moving. Ron staggered on, trying to understand what was happening.
He was obviously at a Death Eater Camp, and presumably Malfoy was taking him to Voldemort. What for, though, Ron questioned himself. He came to the conclusion that the only thing he could possibly be was bait or a hostage, since they hadn't tried to kill him. It didn't make any sense otherwise - Ron wasn't particularly valuable to them any other way. Maybe they thought they could break him for information - and silently promised himself that he would not break and give them whatever they would want. Ron suddenly had a vague suspicion that Dumbledore had suspected something like this to happen, and felt a surge of anger as he realized that if this was true, then Dumbledore obviously didn't trust him - or even Hermione - not to break. He figured out that this was probably not likely, though, as Dumbledore would not do that - especially after how badly that strategy failed with Harry last year.
After coming to these various conclusions, Ron decided to prepare himself for whatever was going to happen next. Ron expected the Cruciatus Curse, perhaps the Imperius or a truth potion if they wanted information. He thought that it wasn't likely that he would be killed, because if they wanted him dead, he would already be dead. He reasoned over what he could possibly do - which was not much. He had no wand and no possible idea where he was. The most important thing was not to reveal ANYTHING - any information, however trivial, could be important to Voldemort. He steeled himself as he saw that Malfoy and him seemed to be reaching their destination. Malfoy stopped in front of a black wooden door. He opened it slowly, and an evil smile came upon his lips as he stepped out of the doorway and gestured for Ron to come in before him. Ron stepped slowly into the room, and Malfoy quietly followed and closed the door. Ron examined his surroundings.
It was extremely dark except for a small fire. Ron's eyes followed Malfoy's back as Malfoy went to talk to another Death Eater, who Ron quickly recognized as Bellatrix Lestrange. There appeared to be no windows in the room, and no means of escape either. Ron looked back at the door, hoping that it would've been so obvious that Malfoy would not have protected it, but saw that Malfoy had magically charmed it. There was no way out. Ron took a deep breath and steeled himself as he looked up and saw a pair of narrowed, red eyes staring at him with a calculating look. Ron felt chills down his spine as he heard Voldemort's harsh, high voice ring out. He was talking to Malfoy, but his eyes were still staring intently at Ron.
"You're sure this is him?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Very well."
Voldemort now addressed Ron.
"Tell me about what Dumbledore is doing now."
Ron didn't say anything, but averted his eyes from Voldemort. Legilimency was an option to Voldemort, and he could not let any information leak, however petty.
Voldemort's voice now had anger in it as he raised his wand. Ron braced himself for whatever was about to come.
"Crucio!"
Ron immediately felt pain unlike any other he had ever felt before coursing through his veins. He collapsed onto his knees, and his vision starting flashing in and out and had white edges. Wretched screams wrenched from his throat as incredible agony continued to overcome him. Finally, almost lazily, Voldemort raised his wand and waved it, stopping the Cruciatus Curse. Ron's breaths were ragged and he was still feeling the pain linger through his body. He still reminded himself, though, that he could not give in to Voldemort.
Voldemort looked down cruelly at Ron again, and spoke in a so quiet Ron could barely hear.
"Why do you resist me, boy? What do they have to give to you? Aren't you tired of being the sidekick, the ignored one? I can give you power, Ron...and isn't power what you most want?"
Ron's mind suddenly flashed to the Mirror of Erised, back in first year, about how what he wanted the most was to be the most important, to be Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. Ron remembered what Harry had told him Dumbledore had said - "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." Ron suddenly came upon the realization that now, though, he had exactly what he wanted. His family and friends were enough for him now, and even if he still might secretly desire those things now, there were more important things in his life.
Ron's readied himself just as he saw Voldemort raise his wand and hit him with another Cruciatus Curse. Voldemort again asked him for information. Ron didn't say anything for the last time. Ron was still dazed from the pain as he heard Voldemort harshly yelling at Lestrange and Malfoy.
"WHY WON'T HE TALK?"
Lestrange and Malfoy both looked extremely uncomfortable - clearly, they had thought of this plan, and it was just as obvious they had no idea that it would not work. Lestrange spoke up.
"Well, my Lord, he seems to be...stronger than we anticipated."
Voldemort hissed snake-like with contempt.
"That is obvious. I'll deal with both of you later."
Lestrange and Malfoy both shifted nervously. Voldemort looked livid, and Ron's pride surged as he took satisfaction in the fact that they had so greatly underestimated him.
Voldemort raised his wand for a last time and sent a final Cruciatus Curse at Ron, but he wasn't holding back at all this time, since he wanted Ron to remember what it felt like forever. Ron felt as if he was going to die - he actually hoped that he would die, from the intense pain attacking him everywhere. He felt as if every fiber of his being had being crushed and pounded into salt. It was as if every possible feeling of pain had been amplified hundreds of time. Voldemort's face had a look of mingled fury and satisfaction as he saw Ron start to pass out from the agony as he finally ended the spell. He gestured for Lestrange and Malfoy to take Ron out, and the last thing Ron saw before his consciousness fluttered out was a mental picture of Harry, Hermione and his family.
Remus Lupin went over the plan one last time in his head, as he thought about how this was the exact thing Dumbledore had hoped would not happen. But Dumbledore had also prepared for it - all potential targets for kidnap or attack had a Trackign Charm placed on them and they had been able to locate where Ron was easily. Getting in and getting Ron out of a heavily guarded Death Eater Camp, however, would be a problem. Luckily, everything has weaknesses, and thanks to Severus Snape, The Order of the Phoenix knew every single one of them. Dumbledore had come up with the plan in about two minutes, and had immediately dispatched Remus, Arthur, Charlie, Bill, and Fred and George (now members of the Order of the Phoenix) to do it, as they were the only people available at the time.
Remus scanned the camp and finally saw what he was looking for - two red sparks at the west side of the camp. Remus immediately sneaked around and stayed low to the ground. When he was near the entrance, he sent off his signal - two gold sparks. He waited a minute, then saw two green sparks at the east side, and then finally two orange sparks at the south side of the camp. All four of the operatives of the Order of the Phoenix waited patiently for the jumpstart for the operation to occur. Finally, it happened. Remus allowed himself a momentary smile as he listened to Fred and George's handiwork. They had clearly planned it out very well. Hidden by Invisibility Cloaks and riding on broomstick, they had silently placed traps everywhere in the camp by dropping them from hundreds of feet from the ground. Fred and George didn't only manufacture stuff for jokes now - they also built weapons for the Order of the Phoenix to use. Remus listened as he heard huge series of explosions go off, and heard screams of random Death Eaters trying to put the fires out. Remus heard the Death Eater predictably pad away to go put the fires out also, and he silently entered the camp, sticking to the shadows. He saw the building at which Ron was being held captive now, and remembered what he was supposed to do. Fast and unseen does the job, Dumbledore said. There was a good chance that Voldemort would be there, and Dumbledore definitely did not them to meet up with him. Simply go out and in.
Remus sneaked around the outskirts of the camp as he finally hid behind the building where Ron was held. Charlie was already there. They nodded to each other and Charlie stuck to the side of the building and inched along, with Remus close behind. Charlie quickly glanced outside, and as Dumbledore had said, there was only one Death Eater there. It was, of course, Severus Snape. If Snape had stuck to the plan, the other Death Eaters were helping out with the fire. Snape silently let them in and Remus and Charlie went to find Ron's cell, following the arrow of the Tracking Charm. Finally, they came upon the door, but it was magically locked. Lupin quickly performed "Alohomora!" and was relieved to see Ron there. He was horrified, though, at the state Ron was in. Ron's face was chalk-white and he didn't appear to be awake. His eyes were glassy and glazed and behind them lingered an expression of deep agony and pain. Remus shook his head and tapped Charlie, who was clearly anguished at his younger brother's current state also. He's not dead, at least. Charlie quickly cast a spell to lighten Ron's weight and then gathered him up. Lupin and Charlie sneaked out, nodding their thanks to Severus Snape as they passed him, before meeting up with Arthur and Bill. Arthur spoke upon seeing them.
"Remus! Charlie! Is he -" His speaking stopped as he saw Ron in Charlie's arms. Remus quickly understood.
"He's not dead, Arthur. Just knocked out. We should get him to Dumbledore immediately."
Arthur nodded silently, and then took out a piece of parchment.
"Alright, it should be set to go as soon as we all touch it. Don't know how Dumbledore did it like that..."
A shadow of a smile flitted on to Remus's face as everybody touched the parchment. They quickly felt a jerk, and teleported straight to Dumbledore's house. Dumbledore was still awake, and immediately stood up as he saw them.
"How did it go? Did it work?"
Remus nodded his head wearily.
"Yes. No problems whatsoever, at least with me. Arthur, Bill, Charlie?"
They all nodded their heads.
"Very well. Remus, would you please inform the Weasley's that we have Ron and that he's alive?"
Remus nodded again and flooed to the Burrow, too tired to apparate.
Hermione Granger bolted up from her chair as she heard footsteps.
"Somebody's here!"
Professor Lupin walked in - clearly extremely tired - with a smile on his face. Everyone in the room hung on his every word.
"We have him, and he's alive. But none of you can see him - we're worried something might have happened to him and Dumbledore must attend to him for now."
A wave of relief followed by a wave of worry swept over the room. Hermione spoke first.
"What? What's wrong with him?"
Lupin turned to talk to her and looked her in the eye. He seemed to be hesitating.
"We're not sure, but we suspect that he - passed out from pain. From the Cruciatus Curse."
Expressions of horror were evident on everyone's face as they heard what had happened to Ron. Everyone felt a thousand questions on the tip of their tongue, but Lupin stretched out his hands in a quelling gesture.
"Please, I don't know anything more. Dumbledore will be here soon, and I hope he will tell you more. In particular, I think he wants to talk to you, Hermione." Hermione nodded before collapsing onto a chair. The room was silent except for Mrs. Weasley asking Professor Lupin if he would like to have anything and that there was no way they could possibly thank him, and that if there was anything he wanted to ask.
It was like this for about ten more minutes before foosteps were finally heard. Dumbledore swept into the room, followed by Arthur, Bill, and Charlie, who everyone greeted. All eyes soon turned to Dumbledore, however, who also seemed to have a Pensieve with him. He soon addressed Hermione.
"Miss Granger, you do remember the second half of your dream earlier last night?"
Hermione nodded silently.
"I'm terribly sorry but would you please deposit it into the Pensieve?"
Hermione nodded wearily again, and stood up, before suddenly thinking of something.
"Professor Dumbledore, does this count as underage magic?"
Professor Dumbledore smiled at Hermione still remembering the rules.
"Do not worry Miss Granger, I have already cleared this with the Ministry.
Hermione put her wand to her forehead and searched for the memory. It was the oddest feeling, sifting through your own memories. When she found it, she started drawing the wand away, and a silvery substance started to come out as she did. Hermione felt as if the memory was being pulled out of her own self, and could feel it slipping away onto the wand. Depositing it into the Pensieve, she quickly sat back down. Dumbledore swirled the Pensieve - previously empty, but now with a single thought in it, and Hermione's dream appeared. Dumbledore muttered a spell to enlarge it so everyone could see. Everyone peered into the Pensieve to watch in horror at Ron's interrogation. No one screamed - no one made a sound - but everyone's face was pale and nervous, their eyes terrified and silently crying. When the memory finished, Mrs. Weasley nervously spoke.
"Albus - is that what - what happened?" Professor Dumbledore nodded, deep in thought.
"But then, how did she dream it?"
Dumbledore's piercing gaze turned upon Hermione.
"That is something we have yet to find out." Hermione spoke up quickly in concern for Ron.
"Will Ron be alright? Will he be like..." Hermione couldn't bear to say "The Longbottoms". What had happened to Neville's parents was so horrifying - Hermione couldn't imagine what it would be like if Ron didn't recognize her.
"No, Ron will not be insane. He will return the same as before - with the added memory of this interrogation." Dumbledore's eyes had deep sadness and regret in them at what had happened to Ron. "Also, Molly, he will have to stay with me for a few days before he can fully recover."
Mrs. Weasley nodded in agreement. Dumbledore stood up, at this.
"Everyone, I must go back to my house to help him recover. Charlie will be here in a few minutes. Miss Granger - try to find out how you had that dream. Remus will help you, if he would consent?" Professor Lupin nodded. "Thank you. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, Mr. Thomas - I shall see you in the school year."
They all nodded and with that final goodbye, Dumbledore left, leaving everyone once again to their own thoughts and worries.
Wow, lengthy chapter there, eh? Definitely one of the longest so far, if not the longest. Kind of sad one too. Next chapter will very likely come tomorrow, so be on the watch, all readers.