Chapter 4 : Of the usefulness of spiders

The mere news of their master's death had apparently spread a wave of panic among the Deatheaters and had been enough to scatter them. Some had fled and some had surrendered, and Hogwarts was safe and free again.

Ron, along with other wizards, had been taken to St Mungo's, where he was recovering fast from the Sectumsempra curse. Ginny wasa still shaken but otherwise unscathed, and Harry preferred to wait before asking her about the events in Hagrid's cabin.

The wizarding community was preparing to celebrate again Voldemort's defeat, and was claiming the right to see and acclaim the hero of the day, but Lupin and Mad-Eye had somehow managed to take Harry to the Burrow and away from the crowd of inquisitive journalists. Hermione was there, too. Harry had done his best to avoid her all the time but :

"Harry", she asked him in her blunt and matter-of-fact way as soon as she could corner him in the kitchen, "what about the locket? I mean it's all wonderful news and I don't want to be a killjoy or anything but..."

"Look, Hermione, don't you think I've been asking myself the same question since yesterday? But you've seen him dead just as I have, haven't you?"

"Yes, but Harry, I was wondering, maybe Dumbledore was wrong, maybe there were only six Horcruxes altogether and ..."

"I don't want to discuss it right now, you see."

"This isn't all" she insisted, "Ron's wounds, you haven't told me yet..."

"Not right now. Besides, I'd like to enjoy a few peaceful moments with Ginny, if you don't mind!"

Her nostrils flared.

"All right! I'm going to pay Ron a call at the hospital, then". And she disappeared on the spot, which Harry thought a little abrupt, even coming from Hermione. The door cracked open and Ginny appeared through it.

"Harry? What are you doing here?"

Rather than answering, he suggested a walk through the garden and she accepted with joy. He could see that her mood was improving and he asked her at last the question he'd been both apprehending and burning to ask her.

"Ginny, you haven't told me how you got rid of those Dementors, there weren't any when I entered Hagrid's place."

She shook her head. "I can't tell you. It was all dark and cold and empty inside me and suddenly there was light, blinding light, and then I lost conscience I think, I only remember opening my eyes and you were there."

"Can't you remember the form of the Patronus, or who had cast it?"

She shook her head again. "Well it was both big and thin, like going in all directions at the same time."

"Sort of a ... spider or something ?"

She hesitated ."Maybe, could have been. You should ask Lupin or Mad-Eye, mum's invited them for dinner tonight. They'll know the Patronuses of everybody who's in the Order." Seeing that he looked rather preoccupied she added : "But let's not think about it right now. Please."