Chapter 28

The locker room was desolate as an ancient desert, no movement, no sound, nothing. Even the vibe of Gryffindor spirit Hermione used to feel when she entered its presence was not there. It was as if an ominous voice was lingering in the air, telling her to run, run as fast as she could. Hermione could feel that dread coming back into her heart and stomach, and right when it was about to spread throughout the rest of her body and make her panic, she punched this so-called dread right out of her system. Gradually, it left her second by second until her mind was focused to the image in front of her. She had to be calm about this whole situation. Hadn't she learned from past experiences that the worst thing to do in a dilemma like this was to lose sanity and do something she'd later regret? Hermione knew she was smart enough not to run off on a wild goose chase to look for Ron, and she would not leave the grounds and get anyone in trouble. Being calm and logical was the key. There could be a thousand different places he could be, couldn't he? This was Hogwarts, after all.

But as Hermione waited there, listening to the sound of void, nothing moved or made a sound around her, she became worried. This was the only place that he could be in and…he wasn't. She turned to look at Draco and found him staring at her.

"Now what?" she spoke in a panicky voice so loud that a noise did echo from the locker room. Out of nowhere, Filch emerged at the doorway, his normal eye focusing on Draco and the icy blue glass eye on Hermione.

"What are you two doing here?" Filch growled, as he stood in front of them.

"Oh-uh, we were just looking for Ron-Weasley. Have you seen him?"

He smiled nastily, "Oh yes, I sent that hooligan in the forest."

"Why?" She demanded rather rudely, adding, "Sir?"

"He gave me a rather nasty attitude so I made him go do a nasty job himself."

Draco spoke for the first time, "Which is…?"

"Never you mind, you'd better be getting along or I'll send you in there as well!" He motioned us away, but Hermione didn't budge. This was the perfect chance to go after him and make sure he was safe.

"No, we wanted to look in there for something. So can you move aside?"

"No, I do not think I can. Are you on a Quidditch team?"

"No."

"Therefore you're not allowed to ride a broom. Now move along before I become angry."

Hermione couldn't believe she was doing this. After taking a deep breath, she said, "No. I want to ride, and I will."

The look on Draco's face was priceless. Hell, she was even amazed by herself.

Filch's eyes cringed dangerously and his upper lip bended to one side. She had to admit she was scared of that look, but she stood there nevertheless, waiting for her punishment.

"That's it! I'm tired of you filthy kids! In the forest! I want you to collect a hundred sprigs of chamomile root! And that goes for you too!" He turned to Draco, flashing with anger, and then he was off, just assuming they would do what he told them.

"Finally. That was easy." Hermione marched in the direction of the forest.

Draco followed him, "I can NOT believe you just did that. Of all people, you."

"Desperate times call for desperate measures."

Hermione felt a little better because at least she knew where he was. Now all she had to do was get him out of there. The Forbidden Forest was the last place she wanted him to be in.

And off they were, strolling across the grounds until they finally got to the forest. Luckily, it was a clear day, and best of all, it wasn't humid. A few spotted clouds were in the air but most of the sky was clear for now. The tower of trees were mostly stable and Hermione could barely feel them brush her shoulders as she entered the Forbidden Forest. Even though she had only been in there twice, she felt like she had visited it every day, or rather her dreams.

Draco was unusually quiet behind her, and she assumed he was scared of the forest. When she turned around, she found that she was right. He had a look of pure horror that said "I'd be anywhere else but here".

"You okay?"

"Can I-" Draco began to say, but Hermione cut him off, "No."

"Come on…I'm wasting precious time by being here when I could be back in my Common Room with the stunning sixth year I met this morning-"

"Draco."

"What?"

"Do you really think I dragged you along so I could hear your macho romantic stories?"

"Fine. Don't listen."

"Thank you."

Moments of silence passed them as they went deep into the forest. She didn't know if it was ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes. She even called his name a few times but was stopped by Draco, warning her that she could get herself killed. What could she do in this time? Recklessness was a given.

A vast rift of clouds drifted across the sky, shadowing over Hermione in more ways than visible. For the first time in her life, she didn't have an answer for obstacles coming her way, and what was more, she was scared. Scared like she had never been before. The two most important people in her life had disappeared and she didn't know what to do. Any memories before the junction of the golden trio were a blur. They were always together, facing life with companionship, but now?

Her first instinct was to fall to the ground, curl up into a ball and pour her heart out on her own sleeve because she didn't have anyone else to pour it, and that was what she did. Her tears were not noisy but nevertheless made Draco step back, looks of surprise and slight intimidation written on his face.

Ron…where was he? It seemed like moments to her that they had made up after their fight and already, they were apart, but this wasn't just an ordinary departure. Her body was telling her this, as well as the danger that Ron was in. How was she ever going to find him? What if he was dead? It was a possibility, even definite. There were Death Eaters lurking around the forest and who knew where Voldemort was? She was never going to see him again.

Hermione didn't have to look at Draco's face to know that he was terrified by her outburst of tears. What could she do? If these tears stayed inside her, she would burst. She couldn't help control them anymore than she could control this whole debacle. She wanted to be left alon, the only accompaniment being her tears.

"Go away."

"You're the one who brought me here."

"Please." Once could clearly hear the tone of desperation in her voice. She heard his foot trace back a step, but made an abrupt stop.

"No. You forced me to come with you so I'm not leaving. And besides, look at you. I can't leave you here like this in a dangerous place."

Slowly, her hands parted from her face which was hidden behind her curls of busy hair. Hermione sat halfway on her knees, sniffing and wiping her eyes along the way, while her vision cleared, she saw something strange happen to Draco. One second he was gazing at her and the next, he jumped like a monkey, his face convulsing in pain. It was strange but she didn't make much out of it then.

"Come on. I have a plan." Draco said.

"What? What is it?"

"I know where they are."

"So do I." said Hermione, her voice finally back to normal.

"How?"

"Doesn't matter, but if we go in there, you'll get killed if they see you with me."

"And what makes you think you won't get killed if they see a Mudblo-I mean, Muggleborn strolling the woods?"

"I'm more advanced in magic."

"Yes, but they know and trust me."

"You sure about that?"

"Positive."

"But if you go in there and ask about Ron they'll be suspicious. I'm assuming they're all skilled at Legilimency."

"Don't worry. I'm good at blocking that. Alright then," he said, looking like he was ready for traveling, "I'll be back in no time, and you should go back to the castle." He strolled forward, and instantly, Hermione purged up and grabbed him.

"You really think you're going to go alone? I'm coming, of course."

He looked hesitant to say something, "That's not a good idea."

"Yes it is. A pair is stronger than a single person."

"How will we explain that if we run into them?"

Hermione reeled her brain for a solution. If they found Draco and her, surely they would die, but…she had it! If Draco pretended to bring her hostage and told them she knew the contents of the prophecy, they wouldn't be hurt. She told Draco this and at first, he was somewhat reluctant to do this, but in the end he agreed. However, something else came to her mind that should have come before. The teachers didn't know!

"Wait. We should tell McGonagall what's going on."

"No." Draco blurted out. Hermione frowned, "Why?"

He regained his poise immediately, "Because if we tell them, they'll make us stay here and you'll never be able to save him in time. They'll see the teachers as a threat and kill him."

There was some truth to that, but if they went alone…she wasn't worried about her own life, but the people around her. If Voldemort found out the prophecy, Harry would be in danger. If she didn't confess, Ron would be in danger, and if they saw through their plan, Draco would be in danger. Whatever she decided, she needed to do it fast.

…

Ron's eyes opened to the world around him, except that he wasn't exposed to the Quidditch field as he had expected, but to a vast field of greenery. He didn't have to guess twice to figure out where he was. Tall trees surrounded him, blocking almost all of the sunlight that that day had shined down on him earlier. He felt very uncomfortable, sticky in the extra moist atmosphere, and his head hurt terribly.

The Forbidden Forest had not been friendly to him before, remembering how his Dad's car had been crushed into pieces by the Whomping Willow, and he had almost been eaten by a huge herd of spiders. What had he gotten into this time?

Ron moved his eyes left to right and saw no one in sight. He could tell he was in the deep end of the forest but how he had gotten there was beyond him. As his foot moved forward, a sudden sting stung him in his foot, and electrified through the rest of his body. He jumped and cried, his foot curling up from the pain. Ron tried to move again but failed. There was some type of force field or barrier around him that was keeping him trapped there in the middle of the trees.

How did he end up all the way there? The last thing he remembered was him entering the forest and walking into depth for about five minutes, collecting those damn herbs that Filch wanted. Something had happened, but he couldn't remember what…Did someone strike him down and put him here? If that was the case, then who? The only reasonable choice would be Filch himself since he had been annoying him to wits end, but would he really go to that extent to punish him?

Ron began to feel as uncomfortable inside as he did outside. He wanted out, but it wasn't going to happen by yelling. He looked at his clothes, made an attempt to touch his robe pockets, but his wand wasn't there. A second later he remembered that it was in his school robes, and right now he was dressed in his Quidditch robes.

He waited and waited, but nothing came.

…

"Are you sure you know where you're going, Draco?" Hermione ducked from the low dangling branches. There were cuts all over her upper body now, her fresh blood oozing out from all places. Her wand was equipped and she was alert.

"Yeah." He whispered softly.

She had chosen to trust him after all, and it wasn't all based on that. She had to make sure Ron was safe and she couldn't wait for the teachers to come and look for him.

Draco and Hermione didn't talk for the rest of the time they were searching for Ron. Hermione was too anxious to talk, and even though she seemed calm and controlled on the outside, she knew that wasn't the case internally. Her heart craved to see Ron. Never in her life had she felt this desperation of separation from him.

"Hermione." said Draco, interrupting her thoughts. "What?"

"I see him."

"Really?" She said a bit too loud, "Where?"

"Shhhh." He motioned her to follow him and she obeyed. As they passed the jumble of trees, Hermione's vision cleared. She saw him. He was standing in an empty space, with his hands awkwardly bent to the back and his feet were apart. He looked utterly exhausted.

Hermione's heart jumped with joy as she practically sprinted to him. She heard Draco follow her.

"Oh Ron! We looked everywhere for you!"

His droopy eyes elevated and he smiled in relief when he saw her, "Hermione-"

"Well, well, well." A voice rang out. Hermione turned instantly to see who it was, but as soon as she did, she wished she hadn't.

"Excellent work, my nephew." said the voice of Bellatrix Lestrange.