Chapter 30: Hogwarts
Ron cried out in agony as his derelict right hand made jarring contact with the floor. He reflexively pulled it close to his body, causing him to lose his purchase and topple off the bed and on to his back with a loud, painful thud. The air rushed from his lungs in an agonizing gasp. It felt as though a knife had savagely been imbedded deep in his lungs.
Moaning with pain he lifted his head to look down his long torso to where he had been kicked and cringed at what he saw. There was a deep indent in his chest, purple and black in color and the skin surrounding it was beginning to tinge nauseating shades of yellow and green. He let his head fall back as another sharp pain stabbed his side with an intake of breath. He half expected it to land on hard, stone floor but when it instead landed on a soft rug and scattered feathers, his eyes flew instantly open and he looked around with joyous disbelief. He turned his head slowly from side to side taking in the devastating remains of Hermione's room. Cleansing tears of joy and relief rushed to his eyes and poured down his cheeks when he fully accepted the truth. He was finally free.
When Hermione and Lupin reached Hogwarts castle, night had fallen and the students had made there way back to their houses for the night. Hermione glanced awkwardly at her former teacher from the corner of her eye. The two had conversed comfortably and openly for most of the journey as if nothing was amiss. Lupin seemed to be genuinely interested in listening to her explanations of different things she had leaned while at Durmstrang and was more then willing to share some of his own gained knowledge and insight with her and to help explain what he could about spells and enchantments she did not quiet understand.
Hermione had of course known what his motive was the entire time. He was keeping her mind off of Ron and her failure to rescue him. And despite everything, she found herself terribly grateful for that. She hadn't realized how much, however, until they reached the main entrance to Hogwarts and Lupin fell silent at her side. Immediately after passing through the castle gates he put a firm hand on her shoulder and directed her through the grounds and passage ways leading to Gryffindor Tower.
Hermione had felt completely bewildered and at a loss with the sudden change in her old professor. That was until they came across the first students walking the corridors. They were two prefects on their rounds. Hermione supposed they must be fifth years for she didn't recognize them from the previous year. She and Lupin strode silently past and it wasn't until they were out of sight that Hermione dared to look back at him to find a look of great displeasure on his face. She felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach.
In past years she had grown to consider Professor Lupin as a kind of friend, and to see him frowning at her in disappointment and treating her like a student once again was a deep blow. She was about to turn away with dejection when she saw the ever so slight twitch at the corner of his lips followed by a conspiring wink. Hermione tried with some difficulty not to smile back in relief and gratitude, so she turned back around and forced a frown onto her lips to help uphold the picture he had painted. She understood after all that Lupin, foreseeing the wave of gossip that would overtake the castle upon her return, was trying to help her save face with the other students. Perhaps now no one would accuse her of giving up too easily or coming back because she was scared, it would seem that her return was not her choice.
Hermione floated on a cloud of semi relief until they reached the portrait of the fat lady. Standing outside and looking more furious then Hermione had ever seen her before, was Professor McGonagall. Her lips were pressed tight in a thin line of displeasure, causing them to almost disappear. Her eyes were narrow slits with anger. Without saying a word to Hermione sHHersssssthdolighsdolisdhfgfolisdhfhe muttered the password to the fat lady and the portrait swung open. She pointed a finger at the gap in the wall. "In." She ordered.
A cold chill ran down Hermione's spine as she hurried over the lip into Gryffindor house. Lupin's cool anger had been hard enough to handle when he found her earlier that day, and within the castle walls it had been for show. McGonagall's, she was certain, was far more real and intense which made it that much more terrifying.
"Thank you for returning her, Remus." McGonagall's voice was tight with barley restrained anger. "It stills my heart to think what would have happened if the Death Eaters had found her first." Hermione got the distinct impression that those words were meant more for her benefit then Professor Lupin's.
"Don't be too hard on her Minerva," Lupin, who had been watching Hermione, saw the hunching of her shoulders in humiliation, "She was only trying to do the right thing."
"Indeed." The older witch nodded curtly, politely dismissing her former colleague. "Good night Remus, and thank you again." The sound of Lupin's feet retreating down the hall was silenced by the portrait swinging closed behind Professor McGonagall as she stepped into Gryffindor Tower. "Well, Miss Granger. Welcome back."
Hermione lowered her head at the frosty, unwelcoming tone in her professor's voice. She slowly turned to face the angered woman, keeping her eyes diverted from her head of house, afraid to see the anger and disappointment she was sure would be there. "Professor."
"You will come to my office first thing tomorrow morning." She instructed, leaving no room for argument.
"Yes, Professor." Hermione nodded solemnly.
"If I hear you put so much as one toe out of the tower for the rest of the night…" She let the threat hang unfinished in the air.
"Yes, Professor." Hermione nodded meekly. "I won't. I promise."
When she had the young girl's agreement, McGonagall turned briskly on her heels and left. She was on her way to the Headmaster's office to affirm her pupil's safe return to the castle.
Inside the common room the ten or so students who were still awake were staring at her with varying stages of curiosity, admiration and shocked disbelief that Hermione Granger, lead candidate for next years Headgirl, was being called to the Head of House's office for punishment.
Hermione could feel color flooding her cheeks. "What?" She barked at those staring, "It's not as if I haven't been in trouble before." Sensing another explosion on Hermione's part most of the students quickly turned away to gather their belongings and make for their dormitories. She glared angrily at those who chose to stay, daring them to utter a single word. When she was satisfied with their silence she made her way to Harry and Ginny who she had just spotted sitting near the fire. "Hello Harry. Ginny." She greeted as she collapsed onto the sofa beside Harry, arms crossed over her chest.
"Hello Hermione." He lifted an arm and wrapped it around her shoulder, pulling her tight to his side and resting his head on top of hers in a gentle hug. "How are you?"
Hermione sighed heavily. "I'm all right…I guess."
"Well, I'm glad your back." He said uncomfortably, not knowing what else to say. "Ginny is too." He offered, nudging the red head girl in the side. "Aren't you Ginny?"
In stead of answering, the youngest Weasley crossed her arms defiantly over her chest and glared at them both before turning her head away angrily.
Harry sighed heavily. He wasn't sure he could handle two very angry girls on his own. "Don't mind her, Hermione," He assured when he saw the bewildered look on his friend's face. "Ginny's just miffed because you didn't bring us with."
Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. The red head turned abruptly in her seat, her eyes blazing with rage and shooting daggers at the black haired boy. "Do not speak for me, Harry Potter." She turned on Hermione suddenly, her brown eyes turning cold with anger. "I am not just miffed because you didn't bring us along. I am furious." Her chin quivered as tears of rage and worry that she had been fighting all day formed in her dark brown eyes. "Do you know how worried Harry and I have been? Do you have any idea what could have happened to you out there, all alone?"
"Ginny, please?" Harry tried to place a soothing hand on her shoulder.
"No." She threw his hand off, her eyes never leaving Hermione. "I miss him too, Hermione." Tears slid down her cheeks. "He's my brother, damn it. My brother. But I am not so foolish that I would go running after him, out there," she flung her hand toward the window, "where it isn't safe."
"I seem to remember you saying you would have gone with."
Ginny rounded on Harry furiously. "Yes, I would have gone with, not alone." She turned back to her curly haired friend. "Never alone. Especially…not if I were you, Hermione. What you did was on par with trying to committing suicide. Do you realize that? Do you have a death wish?"
"You know what, Ginny?" Hermione's voice cracked with a combination of anger and tears. "I've already heard this all from Professor Lupin, so if you don't mind I would rather not here it from you too."
"Fine," he voice was cold and heavy with hurt. The red head slammed the book that had been lying open on her lap closed. "I know when I'm not wanted." She tucked the tome under her arm and quickly disappeared up the girl's staircase, her feet sounding heavily on the steps.
At the sound of a distant door slamming, Harry, who had instinctually risen to go after her, sank back into his seat with a heavy sigh. He turned his head to the side so that he could look at Hermione. "She was really worried about you, Hermione. We both were." His head shook softly back and forth. "You should have seen her this morning after she found your letter. She was ready to follow after you. Nothing was going to stop her. And then… when she found out I 'let you go'…"
"You didn't let me go, Harry." Hermione cut him off stubbornly. "But," she amended when he raised a brow at her, "you shouldn't have told her you were awake."
Harry jerked with surprise. "You knew?"
"Of course I did." Hermione confirmed. "You woke up when I opened your trunk." She leaned toward him and said in a low, reticent voice. "I don't make it a habit of speaking to sleeping people, Harry. That would be a waste of time and rather foolish."
"Yes well," Harry chuckled softly, cutting himself off with a cough to clear his throat. "Like I said… don't worry about Ginny, she's more hacked with me for that then anything else."
Hermione nodded her understanding and the two friends fell into comfortable silence while the common room continued to slowly empty. After fifteen minutes of staring silently into the fire, Harry ventured to ask what had been on his mind since she had left the night before. "Hermione," she turned her chin so she could see him. "How far did you get before…?"
"I made it to my house." Hermione came in, rightfully interpreting Harry's unfinished question. "That's where Professor Lupin found me."
"Did you find…"
"No." She shook her head sadly. "There wasn't time to find clues. Besides," she shrugged, "the Order has already gone over every inch of that house. There's nothing left to find."
"So," Harry audibly swallowed, preparing to ask the question he was most anxious to know, "you have no idea where he is?"
Hermione looked away as a battle raged to life inside her. One part of her knew that Harry had just as much right to know where Ron was as she did, and Lupin hadn't told her not to tell Harry… But… there was also that part of her, that much stronger part, that was her desire to protect Harry at all cost. That combined with logic, which argued that if Harry knew where Ron was nothing on this earth would stop him from going after him, there was little option. She knew she could never let him go off alone, not if she had the power to go with him and try and protect him. Besides, if Dumbledore and the Order couldn't penetrate Malfoy Manor what chance did she or Harry have?
"No." she shook her head, coming to a decision. "I have no idea where he is…" her eyes drifted from the fire to her lap where she awkwardly played with the fabric of her trousers. "Like I said before, there was nothing left in my room to find once I got there."
"Yes… Yes of course." Harry's shoulders sagged as the last threads of hope slipped through his fingers. "Well," he glanced at his watch. "Would you look at the time?" He snapped the Quidditch play book he had been reviewing closed and rose to his feet. "I think I'll go upstairs and try and get a few hours of sleep."
"All right." She watched him walk solemnly away. "Good night, Harry." she called feebly to his retreating back.
"Good night, Hermione."
Ron crawled unsteadily toward the table that used to sit beside Hermione's bed, taking hold of the ledge with his left hand and pulling himself to his knees. He thought he remembered something called a lamp that use to sit on it, and how when he turned a little knob it would light up the room. Darkness had fallen since he arrived at the Granger's house and what was worse; when he landed he had lost his hold on the letter and now had no clue where it was amongst the other papers and books littering the floor. He would need to find light if he were going to see it, let alone use it tonight.
Ron growled with frustration when he found the lamp on the floor at the base of the wall in pieces. Turning over, Ron slid to the floor with his back leaning against the table. If only he had his wand this wouldn't be a problem. He snorted with irony. If he had had his wand on him he wouldn't have spent the past two weeks in that decrepit room because he hadn't enough light to see by.
He dug his fingers into his fiery red hair and tugged it with frustration. He could sit here all night and wait until morning when there was enough light to see by… but now that he had come this far he needed to go the rest of the way. He needed to get to Hogwarts so they could send someone after Hermione. They needed to find her before something happened to her.
The image of Hermione lying on the floor surrounded by Death Eaters being tortured the way he had before they finally killed her spurred him to his feet though he lost his footing several times on his way up. He would not let that happen, not if he had the chance to stop it. When he gained his feet he stood there several minutes, using the table to help him keep his balance, trying to see through the gloom of the room. Turning in a slow circle his eyes caught on the gentle flood of light spilling through the drawn curtains. He stumbled toward the window and wrenched the curtains open the rest of the way.
He moved to the side of the window so that the light could fully spill in. He let his eyes wonder over the room and that's when he saw the little white square near the hole in the wall that was once the door. He had a vague memory of his father explaining to him how Muggles had this light…button that worked like a really bright candle. He wondered if that square was the same thing. Deciding that there was only one way to find out, Ron stumbled across the room.
A loud bang disturbed the silence of the night and a wand was instantly drawn in preparation of the new arrival. Tonks narrowed her eyes in the darkness trying to see who had apperated onto the guarded property. As she drew closer to the spot the sound had originated from a familiar outline came into focus.
"Remus?" The powder blue haired girl called softly as she lowered her wand slightly, though still keeping it at attention, ready to strike if the other person proved to be foe.
"Yes, Nymphadora," Remus stepped into the moonlight so that she could properly see him. "It's me."
Sighing with relief she lowered her wand and pocketed it. "Did you have any troubles bringing her back?"
"No." He moved into place beside his partner. "Everything went smoothly." He scanned the small yard with his observant eyes. "Was there any trouble here?"
"No." she shook her head. "It's been quiet since you left." She glanced up at him then back at the house. "Do you really think anyone else will come here tonight?"
"I don't know." He kept his eyes focused on the house. Something didn't feel right in the pit of his stomach. "Hermione did. And we know the Death Eaters are out looking for her. It stands to reason they would come here as well."
Tonks glanced over at Lupin cautiously from the corner of her eye. The smile that usually graced her face had been replaced with a concerned frown. "How is she?"
"Hermione?" The older man sighed heavily when she nodded, his long, graying hair swayed from side to side as he shook his head. "I've never seen her like this, Tonks." The worry and concern was evident in his voice. "This isn't like her. I thought…"
"Harry was going to be the one to go after him," Tonks aptly cut him off. "And that Hermione would be the voice of reason that would hopefully convince him to stay in the castle where it's safe."
"Exactly." He agreed.
"That's because," she turned and started to walk away, "you were under estimating her feelings for Ron."
"Tonks, I…" he took a step to follow after her but stopped suddenly. Slowly he turned back to the house and narrowed his eyes, focusing on the upstairs window.
"Yes, Remus. You what?"
He pressed a finger to his lips indicating that she should be quiet. Understanding immediately Tonks fell quiet and withdrew her wand. She hurried back to Lupin's side and tilted her head up to better see the window. "What is it, Remus?" she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.
"Are you certain no on entered that house while I was gone?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Because," he pointed to Hermione's window. "The drapery just moved and I think I saw someone in the window."
"What?" her face went lax with confusion. "That's not possible. I set the appropriate charms. I've been watching all the windows and doors. If someone forced their way into that house I would know." She took several steps toward the darkened building. "It's not possible."
But at that moment, as if to prove her wrong, the window they were watching lit bright with light from the inside.
"Damn." The two adults took off at a run toward the house, Remus pulling his wand as he went. Tonks reached the back door first and stopped just long enough to unlock it with "Alohamora" before the two rushed inside.
Remus who had gone through the door first, took the lead slowing his pace slightly as he pushed open the door to the kitchen and began to make his way down the hall. Tonks instinctually moved in behind him, staying close with one hand pressed to his back to act as a guide as she looked around, acting as his cover.
When they reached the bottom of the staircase they saw that light was flooding the hallway, illuminating it with light from the distant door. They began their journey up, clinging to the shadows, their backs pressed up against the wall. When they reached the landing Tonks pulled Remus to a stop. "Wait." She mouthed. She wrapped him smartly on the head and his body slowly began to blend in with the wall behind him.
Understanding what she had done, he repeated the wand movements on her and soon she too began to dissolve and blend in with the background like a chameleon. Satisfied that they were fairly well protected, Remus took hold of her arm and pulled her into movement behind him.
They were drawing closer to the blown-open door. From the distance they were at the could hear the sound of papers rifling and books being tossed aside. They heard a soft, frustrated voice mutter "Damn. Where is it?" from inside the room and they crept closer. They could now see the legs, bottom and lower back of a person hunched over on the floor, his head out of sight beyond the door frame. Remus's eyes narrowed when he saw the crisscrossing of lash marks on the person's back. Curiosity picked he moved closer and Tonks hurried to catch up.
It wasn't until they were a few paces away from the door when they heard a shout of triumph and knew it was past time to act. They rushed through the open portal and while Remus cast a disarming charm, Tonks cast the full body bind. Ron tipped stonily to his side, landing with a loud thud.
"Merlin!" Tonks gasped, taking a hesitant step forward, her eyes wide with shock. "Is that…Remus, is that who I think it is?"
Ron heard the heavy fall of feet draw near. "Ron?" He heard a low, masculine voice ask. The feet stopped behind him. He could feel the pressure of a large hand on his shoulder, drawing him on to his back. Despite his frozen state, Ron could feel relief course through him when Remus Lupin's face came into focus above him. "Tonks," Lupin called over his shoulder, not bothering to turn and look at her as he released Ron from the body bind. The old werewolf's face melted into a smile as he looked down at the red haired boy in front of him. "Send a message to Dumbledore, immediately."
Minerva McGonagall looked up from the paper she was correcting when there was a soft knock at her office door. "Come in." She called sternly. The door creaked open and Hermione's brown, curly head peeked around the side of the door. The calm look that had been on her face moments ago melded into a disappointed scowl. She set her quill aside and shuffled the papers into a neat pile. "Yes, come in Miss Granger."
Taking a steadying breath Hermione pushed the door open timidly giving herself enough room so that she could slip through.
"Please close the door." The transfiguration teacher instructed in a voice the made it cleared she was in a foul mood.
"Yes, Professor." Hermione complied immediately, closing the door with a solid thud before moving quickly toward the desk.
The older witch motioned toward the single chair sitting in front of her desk. "Please, have a seat."
Feeling incredibly foolish and more then a little ashamed, she slid into the chair and lowered her eyes so that she wouldn't have to see the disappointment in McGonagall's eyes.
The stern professor opened a tartan tin sitting on the corner of her desk and held it out to Hermione. "Have a biscuit."
"No thank you." She declined politely.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, Professor."
"I didn't see you at breakfast." She observed, holding the tin out once again. "Have a biscuit."
Feeling it would be rued to turn down the offer again, she took a single biscuit from the tin and bit of a small bit of the corner, the sweet crumbs catching in her throat as she swallowed.
Nodding with satisfaction McGonagall set the tin close to Hermione before crossing her hands and placing them precisely on the desk. "You know why you are here of course.
Hermione's shoulders raised slightly around her ears. "Yes Professor."
The old witch nodded. "Then I would like you to explain to me why exactly you thought it was wise to leave the safety of the castle?"
Hermione's cheeks began to stain a dull pink. "You wouldn't understand, Professor."
"No," she agreed. "Perhaps I wouldn't." She pushed her chair back in the first real example of anger Hermione had seen her display since starting Hogwarts. She rose angrily to her feet, her eyes never leaving her young pupil. "You have always proven yourself to be a wise person and have shown time after time your capabilities in using common sense. I have never known you to be this irrational and to act so hastily. Which is why I must wonder what on earth has possessed you to conduct yourself like this now? What were you thinking to leave the safety of the castle, Miss Granger?"
Hermione released her bottom lip from between her teeth where she had caught it at the beginning of her teacher's tirade. She looked up into McGonagall's expectant face and found herself being flooded with defiance. She straightened her shoulders and jutted her chin stubbornly. "Ron would have done the same for me."
"Yes," she agreed. "I believe he would have. But Mr. Weasley also doesn't exercise the same forethought or consideration of the consequences as you do. He is far too quick to action and is careless when it comes to…"
Hermione bound furiously to her feet, her fists clenched angrily at her side. "Don't you dare speak that way about Ron. You have no idea …he's the most…you will never meet anyone as…as loyal and…and…and as giving as Ron."
"Miss Granger, settle yourself." Professor McGonagall ordered sharply. "There is no reason to get upset."
"Yes there is!" Hermione shouted, completely taking McGinagall by surprise. "Don't you see? I had to go after him! I had to at least try! It was my fault! All of it!" She turned away from her teacher and began pacing the room, needing to physically work off some of her aggression and her anxiety. "You were here. You know how miserable I have made him all year…and I wouldn't forgive him. Even when he asked me to I wouldn't. He…he begged me and I wouldn't. And…" The tears that had been flooding her eyes broke free to spill down her pale cheeks and she felt a fresh wave of shame for crying in front of her favorite teacher. "He wouldn't have been at my house, Professor, if I hadn't asked him to come. And he might have gotten away if I had listened to him and left when he asked me to." She whipped her tears away furiously. "I couldn't live with the guilt anymore. Don't you understand? The Order hadn't found him, neither had the Aurors and…I couldn't live with myself any longer. I had to go and look for him." She seemed to diminish in size at the end of her speech. "He would have done the same for me, Professor. And I had to do the same for him."
McGonagall's features softened slightly, her frown lessened and became more a look of pity for the young girl. "Be that as it may, Miss Granger. It wouldn't…" The older witch was suddenly cut off when there was a flash of bright green light from her fireplace and Dumbledore's head suddenly appeared in the dancing, emerald flames.
"Minerva, I…oh, Miss Granger." The Headmaster's floating head tipped forward in a bow of greeting. "I didn't know anyone else was here." His eyes twinkled brightly and his lips quirked slightly at the corner. "Welcome back."
"Thank you, Headmaster." Hermione turned away from the old mans sparkaling eyes, unable to stand the joy and happiness she saw brightly there.
"Is there something I can do for you, Albus? Or do you think it could possibly wait until after I've finished having a word with Miss Granger."
"No, Minerva. I think now would be a perfect time to tell you." The old wizard's pale blue eyes left the transfiguration teacher and came to rest on the other occupant in the room. The smile that had been dancing on his lips spread into a full grin. "I thought you would like to know that more then one of your missing pupils have been found."
Hermione's breath stopped in her throat. She whirled around to face the fire, one hand clutched tight over her racing heart while they other groped blindly for support on the back of the nearest chair. McGonagall moved hesitantly toward the fire.
"Albus…do you mean…"
Dumbledore nodded his head in the affirmative. "Remus and Nymphadora found him late last night. Mr. Weasley is now resting comfortably in the hospital wing."
Hermione hesitated a mere moment as joy seeped into her heart. Without waiting to be dismissed she turned on her heel and fled into the hall, ignoring McGonagall's call behind her.
She raced down the corridors and up the stairs colliding with students on their way to lessons, not bothering to stop and apologize. Her mind was solely on Ron and her desperation to see him again. To physically affirm that he was safe and whole, and that he wasn't going anywhere.
When she reached the hospital Hermione threw open the mammoth double doors that guarded the entrance with such force that they slammed into the walls behind them. The sound reverberated off the stone walls and echoed back to her in the nearly empty hospital wing.
"Miss Granger!" Madam Pomfrey snapped, hustling forward angrily, her lips pursed in a sever frown. "What on earth do you think you're doing?"
"Where is he?" Hermione rushed forward, surprising the matron into stepping back a few paces. "Where is Ron?"
"Miss Granger," the old matron bristled, "Please lower your voice. This is a hospital…"
"Where is he?" Hermione interrupted, surprising the nurse further when she latched onto the older woman's arm and shook her slightly.
"Miss Granger!" Madam Pomfrey snapped harshly.
"Hermione?" A familiar voice called tentatively from behind a curtain divider.
The frantic girl froze at the sound of her name. She slowly turned to the curtained area, pushing past the matron to walk slowly toward it. Madam Pomfrey tried to scold her but Hermione was unable to hear the matrons voice over the rapid beating of her heart, which drowned out all sounds as it rushed past her ear. With fingers numb with cold, she reached out and took hold of the curtain, pulling it back so she could see around. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath until it came rushing out on a sigh of relief at finally seeing his face and his achingly familiar blue eyes.
