30 (Planning the Rescue Mission)

Harry and Ron shot her confused looks.
"Who's it from?" asked Ron.
"It's…" hesitated Hermione, "from Professor Lupin and Made Eye."
"Great, it's about time we hear some news from them," spoke Harry, hopeful that whatever news the letter carried wasn't going to be overwhelming.
"The only problem is," began Hermione, taking a deep breath, "they've sent us some awful news."
Harry and Ron shook their heads, swallowing a lump in their throats.
"Antonin Dolohov has taken refuge in the Golden Wheezer Jokeshop," thundered Hermione, hoping that if it was said any faster, Harry and Ron might not understand, "and captured Fred and George; they're his hostages."
Ron dropped the book he was holding to the floor instantly.
"No, it can't be," he whispered horrifically.
"I'm very sorry Ron," sighed Hermione sympathetically.
Harry and Hermione placed their arms around him to bring him some comfort.
"Don't you worry Ron," claimed Harry, "trust me, they'll be fine."
"Fine? Harry, those are my brothers out there!"
"We know Ron," talked Hermione, "but they've got brains that no bookworm has ever had; they'll figure out someway to get out."
"But they're trapped," exclaimed Ron, "and Dolohov is a Death Eater! He might torture them to insanity!"
"How do you know Ron? He could be just using them as hostages to scare away wizards of the Ministry," explained Harry.
"Yeah, but what if he performs the Cruciatus curse on them? What if he controls them by the Imperius curse?"
"He won't," yelped Hermione, "we won't let him."
"How can you be so positive?" interrogated Ron.
"Fred and George have always been part of this family, Ron," mouthed Harry hastily, "we couldn't let them go so easily. You know how much they mean to all of us."
Ron was so disappointed and bewildered. He was not to be blamed. What seemed like million things happening baffled him, and he was completely lost. He had asked Harry previously about trying out the Wronski Feint. He had also been forced to accompany Harry and Hermione to visit Winky during Valentine's Day. But now, the Hogsmeade trip was canceled because of Dolohov's sudden appearance. More than that, he couldn't stand seeing his brothers imprisoned with a very dangerous Death Eater, who has murdered the Prewetts. It was enough of a burden for him to hold last year, when they all zoomed to St. Mungo's visiting the injured Mr. Weasley.
"I still can't believe he got to them," croaked Ron, "I mean of all people, why them?"
"Maybe it occurred to him that they were still young, although of age, and never experienced in the real life," spluttered Hermione.

The sight of students entering the classroom soon subsided, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Charms classroom. Ron wasn't in a mood at all to listen to Professor Flitwick's squeaking. He looked a bit pale, probably because of the bad news he heard.
"Good morning class," squeaked tiny Professor Flitwick.
"Good morning Professor Flitwick," yelled the sixth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws.
"Now, I understand that last period I have told you that we shall be learning the solid-division charm," twittered Professor Flitwick.
He stood over fifteen textbooks, and took out his wand.
"Now watch me closely," he burbled.
He pointed his wand at a vase, which was placed on top of a shelf in the back corner.
He waved his wand horizontally and then diagonally using his legendary skill.
"Frogos!" he screeched.
Momentarily, a blue beam of light shot out of the tip of his wand, and zoomed through the aisle. The blue light was circling around the vase so rapidly, and soon the bright light turned into foggy smoke. The smoke instantly made some sort of an explosion, and vanished. There stood two pieces of the original vase.
Applause was heard from everyone, with the exception of Ron.
"Brilliant Professor!" yelled Seamus Finnigan.
"Fantastic move!" shouted Dean briskly.
A fleeting grin appeared on Professor Flitwick's tiny face.
"Why thank you Mr. Finnigan, and you too Mr. Thomas," cried Professor Flitwick. "Now, have you all seen how it's done?"
Everybody nodded, curious of what was going to happen next.
"So, the basic idea behind it all is to concentrate on moving you wand horizontally and then diagonally," tittered Professor Flitwick, "and mind you, don't move it hastily, nor too slowly. It has to be done at a reasonable rate."
Hermione's hand shot up in the air.
"Yes, Ms. Granger?"
"Professor, does this charm work on living things as well? I mean like animals," asked Hermione earnestly.
"Good point," agreed Professor Flitwick, "this charm can work on living things as well as nonliving things, with the exception of us, humans."
Harry thought that was provocative a bit. Still, he was not completely happy. Pity, if he ever got to Dolohov, he won't be able to divide him into two bodies.
"Professor?" asked Harry, without raising his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"How could you use this charm in life threatening situations?" he questioned.
The whole class seemed intrigued.
"Brilliant question, Mr. Potter," squeaked Professor Flitwick, beaming at him, "well, incase some evil fellow is chasing you around, you might as well divide something solid into two parts. That way, the two parts could create some sort of impediment and slow the enemy's movement."
Harry nodded, understanding what was explained.
Ron wasn't participating at all; he had a headache.
"Profess…sor?" spoke Ron slowly. Harry and Hermione looked at him instantly, knowing that he had to leave the classroom.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley?"
"I…I think I should…go… to the Hospital Wing; I'm not feeling so good," mumbled Ron, his face so pale.
"Oh well, dear, ok…Hospital Wing…off you go then," responded Professor Flitwick amicably.
Ron stood up, and sort of staggered out of the classroom.
"He's definitely sick," whispered Harry.
"I know, did you see the way he dropped his book when he heard about Fred and George?" chattered Hermione softly.
"He's probably still in shock, and that's why he decided to skive off Charms," explained Harry thoroughly.
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger," cried Professor Flitwick, "do you mind stopping your private conversations and paying attention?"
He lost his balance for a second, because he was leaning down to the left to see where Harry and Hermione talked, but eventually managed to stand up right again.
"Now, if you're all sure that this charm doesn't need anymore explanation," continued Professor Flitwick, stepping down the fifteen textbooks, "then please stand in a straight queue over here."
He indicated the aisle in the middle of the classroom.
In obedience, every pupil moved away from their tables, and stood in the aisle.
"I'm worried about Ron," mumbled Harry softly.
"Me too, but we can't just walk under some pretence," claimed Hermione.

Professor Flitwick was currently counting some pebbles he had in his desk, to make sure there was enough for all of the class. The amount he had was more than enough.
"Well, you know what to do," informed Professor Flitwick, looking at the students who stood three to four feet taller than him. "Point your wand straight at the pebble, moved it in the correct way, and enunciate the charm clearly."
A girl from Ravenclaw, by the name of Gwen Hardy, was first to go.
She did seem a bit apprehensive about the result of her first trial. She raised her wand, and made sure that the tip of it was pointing straight at the center of the pebble. The wand moved horizontally then diagonally, and Gwen muttered "Frogos!" At once, a beam of blue light shot out of her wand, and traveled through the air, until it reached the pebble. It started surrounding the pebble from all the sides, and then turned into smoke. An explosion was heard, and soon the foggy smoke vanished. What made everyone curious was the result. The pebble didn't divide into two parts; instead, it was broken down into numerous amounts of little pebbles, which were scattered all over the table.
"Good first try, Ms. Hardy," Professor Flitwick paid her a compliment, "a slight lapse, but it's good enough for beginners. Five points to Ravenclaw!"
All her fellow Ravenclaws clapped.
"Next in the line," squeaked Professor Flitwick.
To the front walked Robert Slinkhard, a tall serious Ravenclaw boy.
Tentatively, he approached. Then, his wand rose in the air by his will. A wave to the left, a wave to the right, a wave to the downside left, and the word "Frogos!" was spoken. Quickly, like thunder, blue light emerged from his wand, and reached the pebble. It started circling around it, covering it from bottom to top. The blue light transformed into foggy smoke, and soon an explosion occurred. It instantly diminished, and left its position. Successfully, Robert managed to break the pebble into two halves.
Everyone, including Harry and Hermione, applauded in delight.
"Wonderful!" cried Professor Flitwick. "Five points to Ravenclaw!"
The applause increased, and Robert's head was lifted high up.
"Ms. Granger, you're next," squeaked Professor Flitwick, looking up at her, his head straight up.
Harry was right behind her. He encouraged her to focus and concentrate on the movement and speed of her wand. Then, Hermione turned to the front.
Slowly, she pulled her wand out her pocket, and moved forwards. She raised it till the level of the pebble's core; she was incredibly accurate. Deftly, she waved her wand once to the left, and then to the right, and then diagonally downward.
"Frogos!" she declared, and blinding blue light shot out the tip of her wand; she had to cover her eyes. The blue light fabulously scurried towards the pebble, and moved hastily around it. The circular movement increased in speed, and looked like the layers of a cabbage moving upwards. The blinding light vanished with a flash, and on came the foggy smoke after the explosion. The sight seemed like some bubbles were pushing their way out of the smoke, and then carried it away. Perfectly, Hermione divided the pebble into two halves that were exactly equal in size and shape.
"Wonderfully done!" screeched Professor Flitwick, and clapped festively, and so did the rest of the class. "Excellent performance, Ms. Granger, ten points to Gryffindor!"
Harry beamed at her as she returned to the back of the line. He patted her shoulder and gave her a thumbs up. She came closer to his ear, and whispered: "It's not tough at all, just be accurate in setting your wand on the level of the pebble's center."
Harry crept forward, and lifted his eyeglasses up. He took out his old wand, and cautiously pointed it forward. He had his time, thus he wasn't in a hurry. As Hermione said, he lifted his wand, until it was at level of the pebble's core perfectly. Harry's hand was shaking, as he grew more nervous about his accuracy. He didn't want to fail from the very first try, nor did he want to be embarrassed. Nevertheless, he resisted the pain and stretched out his hand. Alert as Crookshanks was sometimes, he suddenly moved his wand horizontally, and then diagonally, and automatically, the word "Frogos!" was pronounced.
Immediately, a jet of bluish whitish light was released from the tip of Harry's wand. It moved in a zigzag, penetrating the air so fast like a shock of lightning. The light began to circle the pebble like Devil's Snare, soon covering it entirely. Next came a loud explosion, a puff of smog, and the wisp of smoke hovered away. There stood two fine halves of the original pebble, with no difference at all between them.
"Marvelous, Mr. Potter!" and Professor Flitwick energetically clapped. "Ten points to Gryffindor!"
Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and Hermione all cheered for him.
Harry walked to the rear end of the line.
"You did it! And the pebbles had no slight difference, not even a scratch!" belched Hermione, and she beamed at him.
"Thanks," muttered Harry, as Neville, Dean, and Seamus patted his head.
"I wish Ron was here," stated Hermione, "he would've loved this."
Harry agreed, although he hadn't the ability to do something about it.

For the next thirty minutes, the rest of the queue got a chance to divide a pebble into two parts. By that time, everyone managed to earn their house some points. The charm was simple, but needed absolute accuracy and precise movement of the wand.
"Here's your assignment for now," squeaked tiny Professor Flitwick. With waves of his wand, letters appeared on the blackboard, and then phrases.

It read: Read chapter twenty-one, which explains about dividing charms, which include a revision of liquids, and a more detailed explanation of solid division. After reading, answer the following questions:
1- Who first came up with the idea of solid division? In which century did he?
2- How was solid division helpful to that wizard in the famous incident of "The Escaped Hydra"?
3- What differences would the incorrect movement of the wand cause to the object being divided?
Bonus Question:
Based on your logical understanding to the processes of solid and liquid division, how can you charm a semisolid object that is composed of both a solid and a liquid? What do you think the result would be like?

Notice: If this assignment is not finished in class, complete it as homework to be handed in on Tuesday.

Harry and Hermione were just finished copying the assignment off the board.
"That last bonus question seems a bit challenging," whispered Hermione, thinking about a sensible answer.
"Well, don't rush, the answer may be found in the next chapter," suggested Harry.
"Harry, I've read the whole book, and nothing about this combination was mentioned," acknowledged Hermione, grinning.
"It may need some analytical thinking," suggested Harry yet again, "but it's just a bonus question, it won't cause you to lose marks."
"I know, but it's brilliant to think over and over before getting a correct answer, and a bonus question must not be left blank," explained Hermione earnestly.
Harry could say no more, thus he opened his book to chapter twenty-one and started reading soundly. He found the answer for the first question in the first opening paragraph. It was an old wizard, by the name of Luke the Second, who first discovered the solid division charm. That of course happened in the seventh century, which was a very long time ago, when perhaps Hogwarts was just founded. Harry quickly picked up his quill, dipped it in some ink, and wrote down the answer, copying the two paragraphs he read, word by word. When he continued reading, it was a bit difficult to directly understand how Luke the Second managed to defeat the escaped Hydra using the solid division charm, because it followed lots of steps that gave a vague image about the actual use of the charm against the Hydra. Harry kept thinking about what to write down. He decided to paraphrase what he read, putting it into his own words in a short paragraph. He briefly explained how the Hydra had almost killed Luke the Second, had not he divided a nearby fox into two halves. The two halves created a type of diversion, which lost the Hydra its concentration. Luckily, though, Luke the Second managed to flee, delightful with his new discovery.
Of course, the answer to the third question needed no thinking at all, for Harry, Hermione, and the rest of the students saw the aftermath of a wrong wand movement. Harry jotted down some sentences that explained the differences a wrong move could make, including different size and shape of the two halves.
The clock was ticking, and the bell was due to ring anytime now.
And so, its sound crept all over the huge castle of Hogwarts, ending this period.
Harry was glad that he finished three questions, and only one was left blank, the bonus one. He decided to seek Hermione's help during the Study Society meeting for the sixth years today evening, hopeful that she'll give him a clue or something.
"Hermione," mouthed Harry, "we'd better go check on Ron."
Hermione just finished packing up her books in her schoolbag.
"I agree," she commented, and off they went.
Harry and Hermione traveled to the Hospital Wing, so hopeful that Ron was allright and cured by Madam Pomfrey. In they entered, and saw seven beds occupied by three third year Ravenclaws, two fourth year Hufflepuffs, and two first year Slytherins. Harry and Hermione had not time at all to find out the cause of their injury, but instead scurried to the bed by the left corner of the Hospital Wing.
"Ron, are you ok?" asked Harry right away, as soon as Ron came into sight.
He was frail, and his shoulders were slump.
"Are you allright Ron?" asked Hermione, sitting down on the bed.
"I guess so," answered Ron, weakly, sitting upright.
Harry and Hermione didn't know how to comfort him, and ease his pain. Hermione felt remorseful, because she could've shut her mouth, keeping the news as a secret.
"I'm worried about Fred and George," whispered Ron, so softly that Harry and Hermione had to lip-read, "that mad maniac could have them tied up in a cellar."
"Ron," began Hermione, stroking his hand, "I'm sure they'll be fine…."
"Hermione, could you use your common sense?" asked Ron, a bit enraged. "That Dolohov guy is a murderer, a notorious killer! He could easily slit their throats with a knife, or injure them using the Cruciatus curse."
There was nothing Harry could've done that mollified Ron.
"Ron, listen to me, you think we're going to let them meet their doom?" asked Harry, purposefully.
"No, I don't," answered Ron, his ears turning pink, "but I hate to see you all ok about it; somebody has got to do something."
Harry and Hermione shot each other mournful looks.
"That's it," splattered Ron, "we're going to Hogsmeade, whether you like it or not!"
"What? But Ron, we could get killed," declined Hermione.
"Oh, and now you're afraid to risk this adventure?" asked Ron, sarcastically.
Hermione felt slight shame, and she didn't know what else to say.
"Ron, you should calm down and…" began Harry.
"I think you're both mental to sit down like helpless little monkeys, doing nothing about it!" Ron's temper was arising now, and he intended to get out of bed.
"Ron! For God sake, rest for while, we'll think about what to do in the evening!" cried Hermione, trying to push him down. Harry helped her, though Ron's arrogance was irresistible.
"How do you know Fred and George won't be slaughtered by dusk?" shouted Ron angrily, and pushed away Hermione.
Suddenly, some familiar footsteps were heard. Madam Pomfrey, the mattress, came in a hurry, her grip tightened.
"Gerrof!" yelled Ron, as Harry tried to push him down.
"Mr. Weasley! Good heavens!" mouthed Madam Pomfrey, frightened. Immediately, she loosened her grip, and released some brownish powder into the air. Momentarily, Ron smelled it, and fell straight asleep.
Harry and Hermione were catching on to their breaths, sitting straight up again. They couldn't believe how strong and determined Ron was.
"My dears, are you ok?" asked Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes…yes we're fine," answered Hermione, straightening her tie.
"Did he harm you?" asked Madam Pomfrey, curiously.
"No…he wouldn't do such thing," commented Harry, wiping some sweat on his forehead.
"The poor boy," commented the mattress, "I cannot cure him because the pain and anguish he feels is not physical. It's emotional."
Her voice quieted down into a lower tone.
"I'm afraid he's experiencing the beginning of insanity," whispered Madam Pomfrey even softer.
Harry and Hermione had their eyes wide open.
The mattress shot them sorrowful looks, and left without any other word.
"He's in deep distress, Harry," mouthed Hermione, looking sorrowfully at Ron. "Poor Ron."
Harry was stroking Ron's hair, sensing the rise in temperature.
"He's as hot as fire," tittered Harry. He took out his wand, and summoned the nearest jug of water from three beds across. He soaked his palm with some water, and then whipped Ron's forehead, which was boiling.
"So, what do you suggest we do, Hermione?" asked Harry, hopeful to get an answer that would satisfy Ron.
Hermione lifted her head slowly, and looked at him.
"Well, he said that we should go to Hogsmeade," spoke Hermione, "maybe that's what we should do."
"Just like that? Without a plan?" inquired Harry.
"Well, we never really had plans. The plans came along as we fought our way to the Death Eaters," replied Hermione earnestly.
"This time, we have to get organized. We can't just fight Dolohov and rescue Fred and George at the same time," claimed Harry.
Hermione was speechless, and she looked fleetingly at the exhausted Ron.
Harry was clearly thinking hard about some solution to this awful problem. He had nothing coming to his mind for a while, and then, a brilliant idea floated by.
"Listen to this," began Harry, "we'll leave Hogwarts secretly at night after dinner, and we'll sleep in that cellar that I used to come to Hogsmeade in third year. We'll cover ourselves with the Invisibility Cloak. When it's dawn, we venture out into the threatened Hogsmeade, concealed under the Invisibility Cloak. Carefully, we'll approach the Golden Wheezer Jokeshop, and at first look in through the window, just to see where Dolohov hid; he could be upstairs. Then, perhaps one of us will push the door open, after another creates some sort of diversion. Ron could charm an object inside the shop, and make it fall. Possibly, it might attract Dolohov's attention. If we're lucky, we'll be able to sneak in, while he takes care of the object and puts it back in place. Then, the three of us stun him, and freeze him for a while. We could even tie him up with thick ropes. Finally, it'll leave us free to rescue Fred and George."
Hermione had her mouth opened, and her eyes wild.
"That's an amazing solution, Harry. I can't believe that you turned on your engines at last," cheered Hermione, beaming. However, the smile instantly vanished, when something occurred to her.
" But…Harry, what if someone gets in the cellar, and accidentally steps on us while we're sleeping, or put some merchandise on us?" she asked earnestly.
Harry looked at his feet, shameless for not having a proper answer.
"I'll think about that later," scoffed Harry.
"And what if the dropping of an object doesn't attract Dolohov's attention? How are we going to be lucky then?"
"Well…um…I've seen a backdoor in Fred and George's shop. Maybe we could charm something, and let if fall down, near the backdoor. Luckily, Dolohov will think that someone entered from the rear end of the shop," suggested Harry automatically.
"And what if he's ready and anticipating an attack at anytime? Our stuns, then, won't affect him much," revealed Hermione, cleverly.
It was incredible how Hermione thought of obstacles to their plan in instants, which spoiled it for Harry.
"Hermione, honestly, I don't know. We'll wait and see," spewed Harry, annoyed by Hermione's questions.
"So now you're proving what I suggested at the beginning, that ideas come along as we take our risk," restated Hermione, grinning at him.
For a moment, Harry thought of Hermione as being the biggest source of nuisance whilst planning for the future. But that only lasted for moments, when Harry nodded his head, admitting that Hermione's thinking was correct.
"I wonder," began Harry, mysteriously, "how will we ever manage to creep out of the castle, unobtrusively? Filch is always strolling along the corridors, and Snape could even increase the chances of us being caught."
"Well, we'll be wearing the Invisibility Cloak, won't we? That shouldn't create any problems. But we'll have to be as quite as cats, alert as tigers, and as quick as eagles," described Hermione proudly and confidently.
Harry cleaned his glasses, and put them back on. He stared at his hand watch; it was one o'clock.
"Time for lunch," belched Harry, getting up, and soon, Hermione followed him out the Hospital Wing.
"But what about Ron? Should we just leave him lying there?" she asked over and over again.
"Give him a break, you've seen the anguish and distress you caused him earlier on, couldn't you just leave him rest for a few hours?" informed Harry.
"Are you suggesting that I'm the wicked messenger or something?" queried Hermione, exasperated.
"No," declined Harry, grinning at her, "I'm begging you to not go ahead and babble about everything we go through."
She had nothing else to argue about, if that's what her boyfriend thought.

They came into the Great Hall, and it was crammed with students, teachers, and ghosts.
The Gryffindor table was almost full, except for three vacant seats. Harry and Hermione found their way to their seats, and sat down for a meal.
The roasted chicken was delicious and luscious. The lamb chops were very toothsome, and so was the beefsteak.
Harry wasn't interested much in eating, for all his thoughts were about Ron's misery, and the obstacles they had to overcome when they rode to Hogsmeade. He was also wondering about a suitable time for trying at the Wronski Feint; besides, they had their Quidditch match against Ravenclaw coming up soon. What also came to his mind was his promise that he made to Hermione. They all agreed to visit Winky, the house-elf, on the fourteenth of February. How could he just leave Hogwarts, where he was safe and protected, and travel to St. Mungo's? Harry was overwhelmed with many events in his head, and wished desperately for a Pensieve.

Hermione had noticed that Harry lost his appetite, and looked at his full plate.
"You haven't had a bite since we came here," she whispered, "go ahead, and try this beefsteak."
"I don't think so, Hermione, I'm not in a mood to eat," muttered Harry, and placed his cheek on his hand.
"Harry, if you don't eat, then I don't eat," grumbled Hermione, and moved her plate away from her.
He stared at her for a minute.
"Why should you starve if I have no intension to eat right now?" asked Harry, baffled by her behavior.
"Harry, look, don't keep worrying about Ron and his brothers. In the end, we'll defeat Dolohov, and rescue Fred and George. If you keep on thinking, then you'll get a headache, and then we'll never be able to move a muscle," she chattered so quickly.
"Really, I just don't feel like eating right now," pointed out Harry.
"Well, this is a fair compromise. If you don't bite into something, then I shall not eat either," mentioned Hermione, and sat there awaiting Harry's appetite to come back.
"Oh well, just for you then," agreed the stubborn Harry finally, and Hermione beamed at him.
Indeed, when you start eating after losing your appetite for sometime, it feels so great and the food tastes so appetizing that you just keep on biting into more food.
The grilled beefsteak reminded Harry of first year, when he saw Draco from afar, licking it like he'd never seen anything like it before. Harry forgot how pathetic Draco looked. Whenever there was a feast, he was the first Slytherin to sit down and start eating. It was a wonder why he wasn't so fat like his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle.

"Well, eating didn't turn out to be hard, did it?" asked Hermione humorously when they were done eating.
"No, it wasn't," agreed Harry, "at least I gained some energy to carry on the day."
"Oi! Hermione!" cried Neville form behind.
"Yes?"
"Today's meeting for the Study Society is going to be held at six thirty, sharp. We've got that homework of Professor Flitwick's to discuss, and then probably some more assignments for the next couple of periods," chattered Neville, catching on to his breath, "I'm glad that I won't forget."
"Allright, I'll be there," spoke Hermione.
"He must be some fairly good messenger, huh?" emphasized Harry, impressed with Neville's commitment to his position in the Study Society.
"I thought you were the one responsible; you're the leader, aren't you?" inquired Harry.
"Well, since Dennis Creevey found this Study Society, he's the one that has the right to make decisions. I just direct the work, and Neville's job needs no more explanation. He just brings us notices from Dennis," noted Hermione.