-1Chapter 21
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters and place names, blah, blah… they're JK Rowling's. MY PLOT. -Growls- Keep away! Lol.
A/N: I know this isn't the meeting of Harry, Ron and Hermione, but that'll happen in Harry's next chapter -- promise.
Ron's POV
Hermione told me everything.
Last night, she came in sobbing. So, automatically, I thought she might have failed an exam or something, but it wasn't that at all. She said she's found a note in her text book. (I made no comment here). She said she was curious. She said she went up there to see who it was; she said she encountered Malfoy, who tried to penetrate her mind. She said she repelled it, and she saw everything, the night Dumbledore died. She said it shouldn't have been like that. It should have been… different. But that was all she said.
She wouldn't even do her transfiguration homework.
That was last night. I still can't quite believe Malfoy tried to use the Avada Kedavra on her -- the (censored!)! She says that she can't quite believe Harry's been able to go around with -- quote -- that in his head all this time, without going completely insane.
She's really worried, and so am I. Where is Harry? Maybe something's happened? And now there's the complication of Malfoy. He might know about Harry meeting with us, and that'll lead to him running off to get you-know-who on our backs.
I guess this is what happens when Voldemort comes back; everyone worries, everyone looks out for each other, which I guess is kind of cool. 'Unity in the Good' - I guess. Hey -- that was quite poetic.
But life has to go on…
I make my way up to Defence of The Dark Arts with Hermione. She looks kind of dishevelled, having just come from Ancient Runes. I don't know how she can cope with all that "blah blah - means… blah blah…". I would have gone completely nuts by now.
Well, this is going to be interesting. Our new DADA teacher is someone from the Ministry, which is interesting in itself. Even if it is Delores Umbridge, at least levitating nifflers into her office will keep me busy…
We enter the room and to my surprise, Kingsley is the teacher standing by the desk.
"Hello class," he says gravely. "My name is Professor Shacklebolt… please books out, and wands out."
He completely ignores Hermione and I. I know that if he treated us differently suspicions would rise, but you'd think he'd smile or something. Mind you, I guess he hasn't had a very good summer either.
"Today we'll be revising stunning charms, and offensive spells…"
Hermione's eyes widen. "Offensive?"
She isn't the only one who seems a bit dubious to this suggestion.
"Yes, Ms… Granger. The Ministry now feels that defensive spells will no longer be sufficient against You-Know-Who and his death-eaters. Indeed, these are grave times. Most of our lessons will be practical…"
"Gives a nice change to two years ago," I mutter to Hermione, which earns me a smug smile of agreement.
And so, the lesson commences, and by the end, Kingsley pulls Hermione and I aside.
"I've been informed that Harry showed up at Headquarters yesterday," Kingsley muttered. "He met with Remus, I'm told, but he apparated. We think he went to Godric's Hollow but by the time Lupin got there, he was gone. We think he might have been taken away…"
Oh my god!
No way!
"And if you know anything, please tell us."
I don't really know what to say, but again, super-Hermione pulls us out of the deep-end.
"We don't know. We've sent him letters, but he doesn't respond…"
"Well, I know your mother has sent you a letter, Ron. But if he does make contact, please, for his own safety, please contact us…"
"Will do…"
Why does it feel that we're not just running from You-Know-Who? No wonder Harry's running all over the place. It seems like the Order's out to get him, too.
A/N: Sorry if there are grammatical errors in this… the word processor I have doesn't have grammar or spell check and sometimes I forget to put the end on a word because my keyboard's playing up… :D