A/N: Nativewildmage: Voldemort needs this information, so he's being a bit more patient than usual. Trust me, he WILL lose his temper…(laughs maniacally).
I'm so glad that everybody likes this story and surprised that so many people are reading it! 4265 hits! Thanks everybody!
Also, this chapter is short but contains a LOT of information!
Chapter 12: Evil Afoot
Ron raced past the mobs of staring students as he made his way towards Dumbledore's office. He continued to whisper things like 'almost there' and 'hold on. Just a little further' to keep Hermione conscious. She was becoming very weak now, the red on her wrist deepening. It wasn't until Ron reached the griffin that concealed the staircase to the office that he realized there was a problem.
He didn't know the password.
Placing her gently on the floor he leaned down to the now nearly unconscious Hermione and whispered to her. "Hermione? Hermione, wake up. It's Ron. We're at the headmaster's office, but I don't know the password. What's the password Hermione?"
Hermione groaned and tried to turn onto her side. "Hermione? Come on, stay with me. You cant sleep. Not now. We need to talk to Dumbledore. What's the password Hermione?"
Again Hermione groaned but this time he heard her mumble a word. "Fin…Facies…"
Ron looked puzzled. "Fin facies? Fin…Facies…" His eyes lit up. "Fainting Fancies? Is the password Fainting Fancies Hermione?"
Hermione tried to nod but was so weak it was no more that a dip of her head. Figuring that Fainting Fancies must have been what she meant, Ron picked her back up and said to the griffin, "Fainting Fancies!" The griffin began to spin and a staircase revolved with it. Stepping onto the stairs, they began their ascent to the headmaster's office.
………….
Dumbledore was pouring over old maps when he heard his staircase stop at the top. Before anyone could even knock he said calmly "Come in."
Ron burst through the door clinging to Hermione. Dumbledore rose quickly from his seat and hurried around to the other side of the desk. "What happened Mr. Weasley?"
"Hermione and I went out to ride Buckbeak around the lake. We were abour halfway across when she grabbed her arm. I looked back and when I saw that she was in pain I turned Buckbeak towards Hagrid's. Once we were over there, I pulled her off and tried to rip the charm off, but she'd put a permanent sticking charm on it. It was then that I picked her up and ran to your office." Ron stopped here to catch his breath. Dumbledore however was already inspecting Hermione's wrist.
"What happened? Is she going to be alright?" Ron asked quickly, but the headmaster held up his hand for silence.
"I assume she has told you the history of this charm. The powers that are contained within this charm are ones that no wizard can completely understand. What has happened to Hermione is this. Every once and a while the charm will drain energy from its user. I know this sounds terrible," Ron had given an evil glare to Dumbledore when he told him that, "but it is necessary. In the final battle in which I have no doubt you and Miss Granger will be helping Mr. Potter, this energy reserve will prove invaluable. I promise you that it is all worth it. In the end, the three of you will have to connect you thought so that you can use the charms reserves to use the same spell at the same time. This is what will bring an end to the Dark Lord. Now, I must be off. Here." Dumbledore pulled a small medium sized crystal vial from his robes. The potion inside was a bright blue. "Use this to help her regain her strength. Use it every time she has an attack."
"Professor?" Ron asked as the Headmaster made his way to the door. Dumbledore turned to look at him. "Yes Ronald?"
Ron took a breath. "Are you going to search for another Horcrux?" Dumbledore smiled. "Yes. I think I have located Helga Hufflepuff's cup. That's what I was using the maps for when you burst into my room. Now, head back to your common room." Ron nodded and followed Professor Dumbledore out the door.
