Hermione cocked her head.
"What do you mean by that?" Casey shook his head.
"I just mean that you shouldn't think that everyone is just going to leave you here to die." Hermione gave a small smile.
"For a person who's a slave to death eaters, you're very optimistic." Casey shrugged.
"I think it makes life harder if you think everything's going to end up bad" He said simply.
"And what makes you an eternal pessimist? There have to be people who care about you." He insisted. Hermione looked away as tears formed in her eyes.
"Who? My ex-fiancé, who caught me kissing another guy? Or my parents who only care about my grades?" She said angrily as a tear fell down her cheek.
"There's nobody," she continued as she wiped away the tear.
"Nobody cares if I live or die and they haven't for a long time. Should have ended it when I had the chance…" She mumbled under her breath. Casey stared at her sadly, surprised by the sudden change in her attitude.
"Why would you want to end it?" He asked innocently. Hermione stared at him for a moment as if he had asked a stupid question.
"If no one cares about me, besides when I help them with homework, what's the point in being around?" She asked. Before Casey could answer a loud crack filled the room and Draco Malfoy stood before them.
Harry felt his blood boil as Ron walked coolly back into the castle. His first instinct was to curse Ron into oblivion, but he knew that doing so wouldn't help Hermione. As soon as Malfoy had disappeared Harry made his way back into the castle. He swiftly made his way past the Great Hall where everyone still sat, eating and chattering. He angrily marched toward Dumbledore's office and approached the stone gargoyle
"Pumpkin cookies." Harry said quickly. The gargoyle quickly jumped out of his way revealing a set of spiral stairs leading upwards.
Harry quickly scaled the stairs and burst through the thick wooden doors at the top of the stairs. Dumbledore sat patiently at his desk as if he had been expecting Harry.
"Sir, I have news about Hermione's disappearance." Dumbledore's eyes clouded over as he grew serious. He slowly leaned forward in his chair to better hear Harry's news. Harry took this as an invitation to continue.
"Sir, it's Ron. Ron and Malfoy. They know where she is." Dumbledore was silent for a moment.
"Than perhaps it would be best to call Mr. Weasely up for a little talk eh?" Harry's eyes flashed as he tightened his hands into fists and slowly nodded. Dumbledore made a quick signal to Fawkes who at once flew out of the office window.
"Please, take a seat Harry." Dumbledore said summoning a chair. Harry slowly sat down.
"How did you come about this information Harry?"
"I was taking a walk and I heard them talking about it…" Dumbledore nodded and his eyes flashed as there was a timid knock on the office door. He raised his wand and the door creaked open. Ron stood outside looking uncomfortable and his eyes grew wide as he spotted Harry.
"Mr. Weasely, welcome. Take a seat." Dumbledore said warmly summoning another seat beside Harry. Ron shuffled into the room and took the seat next to Harry giving him a small smile. Harry's eyes flashed again as he swallowed back the words he longed to speak. He did his best to return the small smile.
"It has been brought to my attention that you seem to have some knowledge about the disappearance of our Miss. Granger." Ron's eyes grew stoic.
"No sir…I don't know anything…" Dumbledore appeared to grow worried.
"I see, so if I were to say that someone overheard you and Mr. Malfoy discussing the situation, it would be false?" Ron nodded, nearly convincing Harry that maybe he had simply mistaken the person for Ron.
"…I love Hermione sir…I'd never do anything to hurt her." Ron looked down into his lap. Dumbledore stared at Ron, seemingly disappointed.
"I see. Well obviously I have made a mistake. You may return to the Great Hall and finish your meal." Ron looked up and glanced at Harry.
"Mr. Potter will join you shortly." Ron nodded and quickly left the office. As soon as Harry heard the door shut he leaped out of his seat at Dumbledore.
"How could you let him leave? He knows where Hermione is!" Dumbledore gaze appeared cool.
"Harry, do you really think I knew nothing of Mr. Weaselys involvement?" Harry shook from rage.
"Than how could you let him just walk out of here?" Dumbledore smiled a little.
"We have a man on the inside Harry, you forget this." Harry scoffed and threw himself back into the chair.
"Snape, some good he does."
"Professor Snape, Harry." Dumbledore curtly corrected him.
"I trust Severus, Harry. He's a good man and is doing everything to find out why Voldemort has taken Ms. Granger." Harry scowled but said nothing.
"Do not worry Harry, we've been watching Mr. Weasely and have a watch on him around the clock." Harry stood up from his chair doing his best to hold back all the anger that he felt.
"When do you plan on making a move sir?" Dumbledore folded his hands.
"When the time is right, Harry. I will let you know, but until than you must be patient. Rash decisions will not help Ms. Granger." Harry nodded a bit and felt his anger go down. He quickly stood up from his chair.
"Thank you, sir." He turned on his heel and made his way out of Dumbledore's office. As he pounded down the spiral staircase a plan was already being formulated in his head. He burst into the Gryffindor common room and ran to his room, throwing open his truck.
"If he won't do anything than it's up to me." He thought as he pulled out his invisibility cloak, grabbed his broom and rushed out of the dormitory.