Chapter 13

Slowly Ron's eyes opened after what he thought were mere minutes. He squinted into the dim light then realized he was back in his room, at Sirius' old house in London. After his eyes finally focused he saw someone sitting in the chair next to his bed. "What happened?" He questioned the person.

"Finally, you're awake. We were all so worried about you, Ron." The person. Whom Ron still couldn't recognize, said. "How are you feeling?"

"Kind of hungry, I guess." He replied as he sat up with a stretch and a long yawn. At that moment something clicked in his mind. "Where's Snape?"

"We, um, we don't…." The reply was interrupted by a light knock on the door.

"Remus," Hermione said as she pushed the door open. "Everyone's here. They're ready to start the meeting." She informed him as her eyes wandered to the bed. "Oh, Ron." She said as she walked over to him and gave him a tight hug.

"Alright, I suppose we should get downstairs then." Remus said as he pulled himself to his feet. "I think it would be best for Ron to stay here and rest."

"No, he needs to be aware of what's going on, Remus." Hermione said then released her friend from the hug and stood up.

"If he was hit by the off set of the killing curse then he most definitely needs to rest. Even if it wasn't a direct hit it will take a lot out of him." The werewolf said with a sigh.

"Severus is dead?" Ron asked nearly in tears at the very thought of it.

"We don't know anything that's why I think you should come sit in on the meeting with us." The young woman replied as she and Remus headed down to the dining room.

The red head sat there and just stared at the dark wall. Severus can't be dead he told himself as he felt the tear well up in his eyes. I just got him back he can't be gone he reassured himself as he slowly climbed out of the bed. No, he's fine….just hiding until things calm down he thought. After a few minutes he regained his normal composure and headed downstairs.

The moment he entered the room, which had been changed to provide adequate room for the several members of the order, an eerie silence fell over everyone. His pale blue eyes scanned the room, pausing momentarily on Harry, then on Hermione, then finally on his parents. "What happened?"

"Come, sit down, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall said as she led him to one of the many chairs in the room.

After everyone had settled into a seat Remus Lupin walked to the front of the group. "As you have all probably heard we had a most terrible thing happen a few days ago." He began trying hard to avoid eye contact with Ron. "I am going to start off by saying that we don't know anything for certain other than the fact that Severus Snape is missing. We are all currently gathering all possible information at this time. That's all we know right now." Lupin said as he offered and apologetic look to Ron.

"What do you mean that's all you know? There has to be some idea about where he is." Ron said plainly trying to keep his emotions in check. "Something, anything?"

"There is one other thing, Mr. Weasley." McGonagall said as she drew a small, black envelope from her pocket and handed it to him. "We found this in Severus' office shortly after we heard about the attack."

Ron turned the paper over in his hands five or six times before standing up from his seat. "I think I'm going to go lay down now. If this says anything that might help I'll be sure to let you know." He concluded as he slowly turned and walked out of the room.

"If you need anything just let us know, dear." His mother called after him but he ignored it.

Ron dropped himself unto the bed which sent dust flying into the air. He curled up on the lumpy mattress and closed his eyes as tightly as he could which forced the tears he had been holding back to roll freely over his pale cheeks. "It's too late for either of us to leave and return home now, and I'm not yet tired enough to fall asleep in this place." Ron recalled his first meeting with Snape in the house. "So, I figure a bed time story might help. That, and you and I have never really talked before." He wrapped himself in the blanket on that bed……the bed where they had shared their first and second kiss even if they were nothing romantic. These memories only made the tears increase and he began to search his pocket for something to wipe his face off with. The last thing he needed was someone to walk in and see him crying over a man he was supposed to hate. When his fingers found the paper he had shoved in his pocket they wrapped tightly around it before pulling it out. He opened the seal then unfolded the piece of paper, but had to wipe away the tears with his sleeve so he could actually read the words.

Dear Ron,

If you are reading this then you are probably crying. Don't. I am safe though you may not believe it to be true. They won't hurt me unless they have no further use for me and believe me, I intend to remain as useful as I possibly can for as long as I possibly can. Somehow the Dark Lord has discovered that I am no longer one of his most loyal followers as he thought me to be. I have no idea how he could have found this out unless there is a traitor among the order. Sleep with one eye open, Ron, and continuously look over your shoulder. Keep your friends close because they will be the only ones whom you can trust to protect you. I will see you again, I promise.

Until we meet again,

Severus

He read over the letter at least ten times before folding it up and putting it back in his pocket. This note was all he had left of Severus and he intended to keep it as close to him as possible. Eventually he curled up on the bed and drifted off to sleep. It was almost pointless to rest, however, because his dreams were filled with images of Severus being tortured, Harry and/or Hermione dying, or him being alone for the rest of his life.