Cordyangel here, bringing you a very short chapter, but don't fret there's more to come. Now don't get mad, but we don't see Hermione or Snape in this chapter. I'm sorry! They needed a break from the hard work of arguing.

Disclaimer: Let's review, lyrics, not mine, Jonathon Larson's. Characters, not mine, J.K. Rowling's. Does it really seem profitable to sue me?

Chapter 3: Don't Underestimate Your Enemies

MARK
Dearly beloved we gather here to say
Our goodbyes

COLLINS & ROGER
Dies irae - dies illa
Kyrie eleison
Yitgadal v' yitkadash

MARK
Here she lies
No one knew her worth
The late great daughter
of Mother Earth

-La Vie Bohème RENT

The Weasley's place was buzzing with activity. Harry had supposed the magical weddings would be less frantic than Muggle ones, with the help of magic but he'd been wrong. At least he supposed this was more hectic. He hadn't actually ever been to a muggle wedding so he didn't really have anything to compare this one to. But he'd read about them and the Dursleys were forever telling horror stories about the disastrous weddings they were either helping plan or attending. In fact, the last Harry had heard of his aunt and uncle, they were planning a Renewal Ceremony, not that he knew exactly what that was.

After spending time with Remus and making his obligatory trip to Privet Drive, Harry was glad to see Ron again, but they were still waiting for Hermione to show up. Bill and Fleur's wedding would be taking place in a few short weeks and Hermione had promised to be there.

"Hey mate," Ron sneaked up on Harry as he shuffled through his mail. "Any word from Mione yet?"

Harry shook his head. It was strange actually. Neither of the boys had heard from her since they'd parted earlier that summer. At first Harry thought his mail was being tampered with until he'd found out Ron hadn't heard from her either. And all their correspondence to her had returned, unopened.

"If you guys are really worried, I could pop in and make sure she's okay," Lupin had offered.

The boys exchanged a glance. Normally they wouldn't be so worried, but with Voldemort on the loose and danger lurking behind every corner, you just couldn't be too safe.

"Yes," they said in unison. "But," Harry said. "Could we come with you?"

Lupin nodded his head. "Okay boys, hold on," and with a pop, the three disappeared.

Harry didn't need to have been to Hermione's house before to know something wasn't right. It looked as if the house had been robbed. Things were strewn helter-skelter. Books were torn from bookshelves and their pages ripped out, littering the floor. And the house stank, a vaguely familiar scent. With difficulty, Harry placed the remembered the scent from a deep store in his mind. The whole house reeked of death.

Lupin drew out his wand and left the two boys in what probably was once the living room. Harry began following him, pulling out his wand too, though it seemed that whoever had been there was long gone.

"Harry, Ron, don't come in here!" Lupin's warning came too late; Harry had stepped into the bedroom.

"Oh gods," Harry bent down and immediately threw up. There were Hermione's parents, lying dead on the floor. Their dried blood had soaked the carpet and in a flash, Harry could see the blood as it had once been, fresh and red. Ron, who'd come to investigate despite the warning took in the scene and soon retched as well.

It wasn't only that they were dead. Harry had seen more than his share of dead bodies in the past few years, but this was different. Both Mr. and Mrs. Granger had the Dark Mark carved into their skulls. Their lifeless eyes had several sharp objects sticking out of them. From what little Harry had learned out of books, he knew that not all of their injuries had been post mortem. Their deaths looked almost…ritualistic. It was clear from the deterioration of the bodies that the corpses had been there for some time.

"Boys, we've go to get out of here. The sooner, the better." Lupin quickly grabbed for both Harry and Ron.

"But what? Where's Hermione?" Harry's mind couldn't quite process what was going on.

"She's not here." Lupin said assuredly.

"Is she…" Ron couldn't bring himself to ask the question all three of them had in mind

"Alive or…dead, she's not here. Come on, we need to go get some help."