Fire of the Phoenix.
Disclaimer : As usual I don't own a thing. All the credit goes to J.K.R.
Chapter32. A Light in the Dark.
Harry put a comforting arm around Ginny as his anger surged at Voldemort. He could feel Voldemort ecstatic ecstasy through his scar. He could feel Voldemort's dark maniacal laughter pulse through him. Harry tightened his grip around Ginny until she cried out in pain. Only then Harry looked down and saw how tight he was squeezing her, when he saw the tears in her eyes. Harry instantly felt guilty.
"Are you ok?" Ginny just silently shook her head no. She was in too much of a shock to say anything.
Harry felt an elbow in his ribs he looked up and saw Hermione pointing to the professor's table. Harry noticed all the professors where talking anxiously while the occasional looking in his direction. Harry had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Whatever that they were talking about; it could not be good news for him. Pandemonium was all around him. The students were all in panic, with screaming and crying going all around him. Harry looked at Ginny and saw she was white and shaky. Harry glanced over at Ron and saw him clenching his fists under the table. Harry prayed that Mr. Weasley was alright. Harry felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Dumbledore standing next to him.
"A word with you in my office, please Harry?"
Harry swallowed hard trying to push down the sense of foreboding that was trying to pulse all through his body.
"I'll be right there Headmaster."
Dumbledore's cool blue eyes that normally twinkled and sparkled, was now in a frozen blue raging fury. Power seemed too illuminated through every line that etched through his tired ancient face. Harry could detect sadness as well as regret in his voice. Dumbledore never seemed so old and tired. Harry gave Ginny's hand a squeeze. Harry tried to speak, but the words wouldn't flow from his mouth, so he just closed his mouth shut. Ginny seemed to understand, and she nodded her head through the flood of tears that were running down her cheeks.
Professor Dumbledore looked down at Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. "You may all come too, because I daresay you will all hear what I am going to say anyways." Dumbledore casting a furtive glance at Harry. They all got up, and silently followed Dumbledore to his office. They reached the statue that guarded Dumbledore's office. "Skiving Snack boxes." The statue sprung to life. Harry looked at Dumbledore with a look of question in his eyes. Harry pushed it out of his head. What was is to him what Dumbledore chose his passwords to be. There were much more important things at hand. Dumbledore led them silently up the spiral staircase into his office. When they reached his office Harry glanced at all the portraits, they were whispering franticly between themselves. They saw Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione; they instantly stopped the frantic talking amongst themselves.
Dumbledore motioned for them to take a seat in the squashy chairs in his office. Harry chanced a look at Ginny. Her face was ghastly pale. She had a look of sorrowful acceptance in her eyes. Harry had to look away. He looked at Dumbledore's grim face for a hard minute before asking the question of the hour. "So what happened?"
Dumbledore stroked his long white beard before answering. He looked up at Harry his normally sparkling blue eyes was now an ice blue fury. "Well as you all know Voldemort and the death eaters attacked the ministry today. Losses from our side are quite devastating. The death eaters weren't playing around." Dumbledore paused to take a quivering breath. Dumbledore looked at Ron and Ginny, "I'm afraid your father has gone missing. I'm sorry."
Ron let out a shaky breath. "Well that doesn't mean he's dead though." He gave Dumbledore a hopeful glance.
Harry looked down at his shoes, not trusting himself to look up. "If Voldemort takes you prisoner, sometimes you are better off being dead than a prisoner. At least if he is dead he will be in peace, but if Voldemort got him, he will be in anything but peace." Harry dared a glance at Ron. Ron was clenching his fists at his side. He saw Hermione grab Ron's arm as if to restrain him. Ron took a few shaky deep breaths to calm him back down.
Dumbledore waited for them to finish before he continued. "We will do everything in our power to get him back safely. I will give you information as I receive it." Dumbledore took off his glasses and sighed before continuing. "Harry please let me know if you feel anything or have any visions, please consult me before acting on impulse."
Harry felt angry and guilty at the same time. He felt Ginny slip her hand into his. She gave him a reassuring squeeze. Harry wondered how she could continue to keep hoping and living even after the devastating news that she received today. Harry looked up at Dumbledore, and muttered "Yes professor."
Dumbledore looked at them sorrowfully. They were so young they should be enjoying life not fighting in a war. "You may go back to the Gryffindor tower. I'll let you know if I hear anything about Mr. Weasley."
Ginny and Ron could only shake their heads. Harry almost felt his heart breaking for them. Maybe he thought a little bit for himself too. He hoped that Mr. Weasley wouldn't suffer too much from Voldemort and his minions. Harry slowly followed Ginny, Hermionie, and Ron to the Gryffindor tower silently. There wasn't too much to say. They were at least all in it together. There was nothing like to have to suffer the burden all alone as Harry had done numerous times. They silently went into Gryffindor tower with out speaking. Harry could feel their anguish; he put his hand on Ginny's arm. She gave him a sorrowful smile. Harry's heart leapt into his throat. Once again the old familiar guilt came back to him again. Ginny looked at him again and softly said the best words Harry could hear at the moment. "It's not your fault."
Harry felt a warmth and strength pulse through him. Ginny laid her head on his lap. He gently stroked her fiery red hair. After a while her breathing became slow and calm. Harry knew she was asleep. He looked up and saw Ron and Hermione fell asleep on the couch across from them. Before Harry knew it he fell asleep too.
Soon Harry began dreaming of a grave yard. He saw Mr. Weasley slumped over a gravestone tired and defeated. Harry felt anger flush through him. He tried to reach him, but he heard a cold chilling voice crying
"Avada Kedavra." He saw the green rushing light, and Mr. Weasley falling to the ground. Harry felt his dream self running to Mr. Weasley's body, even though he knew that there wasn't anything that he could do. Harry heard that high cackled laugh that echoed through the night air. Harry turned around to see Voldemort brandishing his wand like a whip. "Well, well Mr. Potter. I see you came to me again. I'm sure you are asking yourself, is this is real? Or is it is one of my tricks. I think I'll let you find out for your self shortly."
With that Harry felt himself getting propelled back to his state of conscious. Harry woke up with a start. His scar burned intensely. Ginny woke up next to him. "What is it?"
Harry put his hand on his scar, trying to push the pain way. "I need to see Dumbledore."
Then another wave of pain rushed though him, he began to feel like he was under the cruciatious curse. Harry could hear himself screaming. He heard Ginny call out "Stupefy." Harry slumped to the floor and his world turned black.
Author's notes. I know it has been a while since I have updated, by my life is very hectic right now. I am going on vacation tomorrow, but I am taking the lap top with me. Hopefully I will have another chapter to post when I return. Thank you all for your patience. I will try to have this story completed, before HBP comes out. There are only about 3 chapters left. So please bear with me a little longer. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend. Cheers every one, and don't forget to review!
Cheers, Dolphingirl79