Ch 18 Depression and Revelation

Harry wandered aimlessly around the castle, wondering at the lack of students but more about where Ginny was, and how she was doing. He walked and walked, barley noting the shining moon out the window. He stopped and leaned on a window ledge, his head in his hands. He was upset about his row with Dumbledore but that wasn't what was troubling him. There was a redheaded girl in his minds eye, facing one of the most horrible curses in existence with a steady look of defiance. He saw her falling to the ground, screaming in pain.

He looked around the hallway, not really absorbing anything. His heart skipped a beat though as he saw the statue of a small bearded centaur. He remembered seeing it before the attack. He looked closer and found that this was the very window through which he and Ginny had witnessed the beginning of the attack.

Harry looked around the small area and noticed a dusty plaque set into the wall. Moving to read it, he found his heart lifting. The plaque read 'The Hall of Hope" dedicated to those who have been separated by war, they will all meet in the end.'

Harry didn't know what he found so encouraging about the words but they struck a chord deep within him, and he continued his walking, with slightly less of a bad mood.

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Harry moved his bacon from one side of his plate to the other, with his fork, occasionally reaching for his glass of pumpkin juice, only to decide that he wasn't thirsty. Ron was still in the hospital wing, and Hermione was in as bad a mood as Harry. Once or twice one would half-heartedly attempt conversation, only to be met with half-hearted replies. There was not a lot to talk about anyway, as there where less than half the school, spread out amongst the four tables. Also, the ceiling was a dull grey and rain was battering the castles, causing the windows to rattle in there frames.

Classes were called off after the third straight class where no-one heard a word the teachers spoke. Harry and Hermione returned to the common room, having exchanged but 15 words all day.

Harry sat moping, and staring into the fire, reminiscing about the times when he Ron and Hermione were carefree first years. 'Ya' Harry thought bitterly 'those glorious weeks'. Harry between frequent thoughts of Ron, and even more frequent thoughts of Ginny, Harry bitterly wondered what it would be like to have even a day where saving the world was not on his priority list.

Hermione stood up, declaring that she needed some fresh air, then promptly sat back down, looking as if she had seen the ghost of Winston Churchill. Harry really couldn't care less, so didn't even look. Hermione recovered and charged at the portrait hole, this was interesting enough to get Harry to move his head to watch. What he saw made his spirits rise... a little bit.

Ron was laying on the ground, beneath Hermione who was hugging him to death. The whole common room was staring at them. Then something amazing happened, someone smiled, then another one until the whole common room was smiling. Then a 2nd year girl started to giggle, and soon the whole common room was on the floor laughing. All but Harry, who was barley smiling. He was happy to see his friend up and about but there was still a hole in his heart. The sight of his friend was great, but he couldn't help but think of Ron's sister. Ron, having detached himself (somewhat unwillingly) from Hermione, moved towards Harry.

When Ron reached Harry, he found that words were inadequate. They hugged, something neither did on a regular basses.

"How are you, mate?" Harry asked.

"I've been better, Madam Pomfrey has let me come here for a few minutes but I can't stay." Ron answered. Ron wobbled a bit, and would have fallen in Hermione hadn't caught him. She helped him to a chair and he sat down. They talked for a few minutes before the subject turned to Ginny.

"How is my sister?" Ron asked.

Hermione and Harry exchanged a glance before Hermione answered the question.

"We don't know" she informed him, his face took on a quality not unlike stone "We know she's alive but we don't know by how much or where she is. I wish I could give you better news."

"I wish you could too" Ron replied "What actually happened to her?"

"I don't know" Hermione said.

"Well..." Harry paused, deciding whether to tell them what he knew "Voldimort put the Cruciatus curse on her until she fainted."

Ron's face was unreadable. But Hermione's was one of confusion.

"That's impossible, the Cruciatus curse makes it impossible to faint." She told them.

"Then..."

"Mr. Weasley! I gave you 10 minutes it's been three quarters on an hour! Get back to the hospital wing."

"Just give me a second"

"NO! Summona!" She cast the spell and Ron was instantly transported to her side. She dragged him back to the hospital wing, much to his disapproval.

Hermione and Harry stayed up late into the night, figuring what this odd situation meant. The conversation was so important that it almost made Harry forget about Ginny. Almost.

A/N: Not much to say, except REVIEW!!!!!!!!!! I know this is a little less than happy right now but it will get lighter, eventualy.

P.S.

Review, darn it!