Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned below.
Ron's eyes widened and he ran, terrified and infuriated, from the room.
The girls laughed maniacally.
What was wrong with them?
Now, as he ran down the hall, he debated who to turn to. He could not face his mother, as she was distraught over Harry's death. Sirius was dead, and Ron could not confide in any of his brothers. So he turned to the only person left whom he trusted with such a serious matter, Dumbledore. Dumbledore was at Hogwarts, though, and Ron was at the Burrow on summer holiday. He sent Dumbledore an owl, saying:
Dumbledore-
I know you are extremely busy investigating Harry's and Draco's death, but we have an issue here at the Burrow that I'm afraid is quite serious. Hermione and Ginny are acting very oddly, as if they were under some sort of spell that affects their grief over Harry's death. They seem to not care at all that he died, and in fact go around laughing maniacally. Can you please help me figure out what is wrong with them?
---Ron Weasley
Ron waited and waited for Dumbledore's response, until it finally arrived three weeks later.
Dear Ronald,
Thank you for your inquiry. I appreciate your concern for your friends. However, I must admit that it seems as though they are under some sort of spell which affects their ability to naturally grieve. I must come and examine them, as they could be in serious danger if we do not restore them to their normal state. I will arrive at the Burrow at noon in two days' time. I am afraid they may be under the influence of someone who could be extremely dangerous if not found immediately.
Most Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Order of Merlin, First Class
Ron hadn't even considered the fact that Hermione and Ginny could be under a spell. Maybe someone had possessed them after Harry's death and they were in danger that very moment. He ran full speed downstairs and into the living room, where he saw Ginny staring straight ahead as though in a trance. There was no sign of Hermione.
"Ginny!" Ron said. "Ginny! Are you okay? Where is Hermione? Ginny? Ginny?"
Ginny made no sign that she heard her brother.
"Ginny!" Ron shouted.
"Yes, brother?" she said in a dazed and dreamy voice, not blinking and not looking at Ron, but staring at the same spot.
"What happened? Where is Hermione?" He was screaming now.
"Hermione?" Ginny said softly. "Oh, right… A man came in and took her away. A nice man, really."
"What do you mean 'a man'? What sort of man? What did he look like?"
"I don't remember. I couldn't see his face, but he had a nice voice."
And then she collapsed.
AN: Okay, I know this one leaves you hanging, but you'll find out what happened to Hermione in the next chapter. R&R please!
