The Essentials
6. Fleur de Rocaille (Ouch. Something like : "flower that grows on a bed of rocks". Tough one.)
Characters: Ron, Ginny
Second year
He chokes as he tries to slow down his breathing.
He let her down. When she tried to talk to them, he saw the omnious shadows that were lurking in her usually bright eyes. She looked so tired. Even her red hair did not look as flamboyant as usual.
He thought she was homesick. Now, he thinks with shameabout how he turned his back to her to stay with his friends. He chose to ignore the worry that reeked from her.
He gets angry with himself: he should have forced the words out of her. He should have nagged her as he always did when she seemed to be knowing something he did not know.
He is not making sense of all of what is going on, but he knows enough to be terrified for her. He is afraid for Harry too. He wants them back now.
His thoughts graze the image of Hermione who has been petrified : he wishes he could listen right now to her obnoxious lectures instead of the mutterings of this lousy excuse of a wizard.
He has the sinister impression that his sister is escaping life and he had seen nothing, he had done nothing.
He jolts: Harry's voice is near.
He pants as he removes the heavy rocks, as fast as he can, and then her face appears. He takes a long look at her. Fat tears are rolling on her cheeks. He has never been so grateful to see her: her hair and robes are soaked with – he almost faints – is that blood?
He wants to tell her how much he was worried about her, how grateful she is back, but the words drown in his throat. Words are heavy and carry complicated feelings.
He sports a fake bravado and he lends her a hand. He just want to pluck her from this place and bring her where she belongs.
In safety.