Author's Notes: Hi there, and welcome to another installment! I'd like to say... well, I can't really think of anything! Don't you hate it when that happens? Anyway, this chapter is much darker than the previous four. That's about all. Oh, and of course, I don't own anything, no copyright infringment, blah blah blah... Enjoy!
Chapter 5
Ginny Weasley saw herself falling, plummeting from the sky. The scene under her seemed to move in slow motion as she came closer and closer to ground. Her robes thrashed wildly as she came down, her hair whipping behind her. "Oh please no!" She begged, the air speeding past her, pressing harshly on her face.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something moving fast. Just one thing, amongst the barely moving people on the ground. It was like a speeding bullet, a fantastic blur of colors. She didn't have time to let her eyes adjust properly. Just when she thought her body and the ground would finally meet, she clenched her eyes shut and prepared to feel anything for the last time. She gave a loud gasp as something warm and strong touched her, making her stop almost instantly, just for a moment. Then she felt the cold ground. She opened her eyes, still unable to see clearly. But through her haze, the shooting pain surging through the left side of her upper body couldn't keep her from seeing that there was someone still holding her, touching her. She strained her eyes, the sunlight obscuring her vision. It was fuzzy, almost like a dream, but she could see something. Shaggy dark hair. Eyes. Brilliant green eyes. "Did someone save me?" She choked out, seeing others starting to gather around. "Yeah, I think someone did." A voice answered, but it wasn't from the one she was looking at. "Harry?" She whispered, the sunlight suddenly becoming so very bright that it forced her to close her eyes…
Unaware of the ruckus in the house common rooms, Ginny almost leaped from her bed. She looked around frantically, noticing the sling still wrapped over her left arm and tore the bandages off. She was the only person in the long hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey nowhere to be seen. She wasn't in the Quidditch field. She wasn't falling. Her left arm and shoulder felt completely fine. Madame Pomfrey had already healed her. So wait… what the hell had that… dream been all about? Rubbing her hands through her long ginger hair, Ginny sat back on the bed, bouncing a bit with the force she plopped down with. Maybe that's all it had been. Just a dream. She held her face in her hands, silent tears falling as she remained in her confusion. "Oh. God. I am losing my mind!"
Meanwhile in the Gryffindor common room, Ron and Hermione were helping Professor McGonagall to restore order. As Hermione took her prefect post with pride and demanding order from the unruly students, Ron resorted to yelling at the top of his lungs. "Right… listen here, you gits!" Both Hermione and the professor gave him disapproving glares while Fred and George applauded Ron's attempt, laughing at his forwardness. "You all need to quit blubbering like idiots and just go to your classes!" Ron continued. "RONALD!" Hermione scolded sharply while McGonagall stood with her hands on her hips, tapping impatiently.
The students slowly started disbanding, heading out their various destinations at Ron's orders. "Well, it worked!" Ron shrugged, feigning an innocent look. McGonagall stepped up to him, her arms crossed firmly over her chest. "Mr. Weasley, in the future, no matter how effective it is, I would rather you not refer to your fellow school mates as 'gits' or 'idiots'. You are in a position of responsibility so I'd expect a little more from you!" With that, she headed off, presumably to fetch some breakfast before beginning her classes for the day.
"Serves you right!" Hermione chided Ron. "Insulting people is no way to maintain order!" Ron gave a scoff, heading back up the stairs to his room so he could get ready for the day. Hermione, on the other hand, dropped onto one of the couches in the common room. She too was still in her pajamas, and for some odd reason, she had no desire whatsoever to get ready or to even head off to her classes. She thought about completely random things, simply resting in her comfyness. She was tired, so tired… And the last thing she could see in her mind, before she drifted off, was she, Harry, and Ron fighting off a troll several Halloweens ago…
"Swish and flick!!" Hermione shouted, springing up from the couch. The darkness from outside poured through the large glass windows of the dormitory while the light from the fireplace danced on the walls, illuminating the common room. She awoke to emptiness. Not a single person was there, which she found quite odd. No noise. No stirring. It was… too quiet. But in the silence, there was something. She felt a presence, and she called out apprehensively. "Harry?" Her voice came out tiny and frightened. No answer except a heavy breathing that made her spine stiffen.
"Not quite." A sinister voice floated from were the firelight didn't touch. It suddenly felt as if the air around her went cold. She held her hands close to her chest, clutching her pajama top and trembling as she stood alone, her eyes darting across her surroundings. "So you're one of them." The voice spoke again, and Hermione spun around, frantically searching for the location of the sound. She didn't speak, fearing that a question would bring an answer she didn't want to hear. "One that can see ussss…" The voice slithered, almost like a snake. Plucking up the tiny bit of courage that she could, Hermione spoke back. "Who… are… you?" She managed to choke out, her breath showing against the icy air.
There was a soft laugh. Even though it was barely audible, it seemed to bounce off of the stone walls around the room . Hermione caught herself frantically spinning around every which way, again searching for the source of this voice. "I thought you were the smart one…" The voice spoke, a little louder than before. "So why would ask a question to which you already know the answer?" Something in Hermione, maybe a sort of sixth sense, made her spin again. As she did, her eyes came into contact with a tall dark figure, slowly emerging from the shadows with his head down. His hood covered most of his face, but there was a little that fabric didn't cover. It showed a slice of pale white skin and one creased red eye. As she slowly backed away, Hermione's chest swelled in her fear, unable to take in a breath.
The man's head rose, exposing the rest of his hidden appearance. A snakelike face emerged as his long white hands pushing back the hood of his robes, and Hermione felt a tear creep from the corner of her eye. "No…" She breathed with her hollow voice as she stepped back again, shaking her head and still clutching her pajama shirt. Her own hands held to her so tightly that her nails dug into the flesh of her palms, leaving little droplets of crimson on the cloth in her hands. She could barely take air into her lungs, let alone scream. She couldn't call for help. She had the distinct feeling that no one would hear her even if she could.
The evil man approached gradually, tilting his head as he studied her curiously. "How is it that you and that… sorry excuse for a pureblood have the ability to see past the eyes of the mortal?" Of all the things Hermione knew, this question made little sense to her. Still, she did not speak. As the man came even closer, Hermione found that her back was pressed firmly against the stone wall beside the fireplace. She had nowhere to run. If she tried, she feared that her legs would collapse beneath her. "I wonder…" His voice hissed as he reached out with bony white fingers.
Hermione's sight followed them, her breathing becoming heavy and rapid. Her head pushed back against the wall as if it would give way to her soon. The snake like man's gleaming red eyes glittered with a delicious sense of insanity as he stared down the trembling teen before him. Without realizing it, as the long fingertips came within an inch of the flesh of her cheek, Hermione let out a blood curdling scream. It reverberated off the walls, making the room shake. The man's image remained still though, his lipless mouth curling in a disgusting grin.
Suddenly, his smile melted from his face as a radiant light pierced the darkness. Hermione's screams continued, the man turning all about as his hand quickly withdrew from the air just over her face. She felt her knees finally fail her as she dropped to the ground. She scrambled toward the nearest corner, kicking and struggling to get as far as she could from the monster with her. The man finally stopped looking around, his eyes thinning into two deep red slits. "You…" He hissed. With a blink of an eye he disappeared, leaving Hermione huddled in a tiny ball in that corner, her face buried behind her knees.
Another voice came. It wasn't cold and terrifying like the other. This one was soothing, giving Hermione a sense of safeness. When she felt a hand gently touch her shoulders, she apprehensively raised her head. Her puffy red eyes met the twinkling blue ones of Albus Dumbledore. She looked nowhere else, afraid that the room would dissolve and that… man would come back. "Hermione? Hermione?" Another voice asked, dripping with worry and fear. With her sight still connected to just Dumbledore, out the corner of her eye she spotted Ron, his face twisted with confusion and concern.
The headmaster and student did not break their stare for some time, not even when Ron draped his own school robes over Hermione's shoulders, then wrapping his arms around her from the side. "It's all right." His voice whispered to her. "You're safe now."
Dumbledore offered one of his aged hands, and Hermione took it, wiping her eyes with her other. It wasn't until now that she noticed the little bit of red under her fingernails, and felt the tinge of stinging in her palms where she'd been digging at. As she rose, Ron by her side, she happened to glance past the headmaster. Her eyes found Harry, who was standing just behind Dumbledore. He said nothing. Simply stood there with a sincere look of sorrow and despair. Ron spotted him as well, but also remained mute.
As they climbed out of the portrait hole, there were the other Gryffindors, lined up against the corridor side. Professor McGonagall stood at the front along side the students, all held in an uncomfortable silence. Most of the children stared at the three as they passed, regarding the girl between them like some basket case. As Dumbledore solemnly walked ahead of them, Ron was still at Hermione's side, giving glares at everyone he could. He held her close to him as they walked, her face toward the ground along the way as their headmaster led them from prying eyes.
Once they'd arrived at Albus's office for the second time in two days, Ron sat Hermione down, pulling up a chair next to her for himself. Dumbledore remained standing, pacing before the two with his aged fingers to his lips as he thought over his words carefully. The room remained quiet until Ron finally broke the silence. "Hermione…" He said softly. "Please say something." She looked up at him, as if she hadn't known he'd been there the whole time. "Miss Granger," Dumbledore began. "Perhaps, now would be the right time to reveal the secret that you and Mr. Weasley here have been keeping for the last few weeks?" He asked as he settled in his own chair behind his desk. Hermione glanced at Dumbledore, then back to Ron with pleading eyes. Ron nodded in their silent understanding. He turned to Dumbledore, Hermione's hand holding his tightly, and he began the long tale of Harry's presence.
Through the whole of Ron's explanation, Dumbledore listened with great intensity. By the time Ron was finished, the headmaster's eyes were closed and his hands were to his chin. Quiet for a moment, Dumbledore spoke for the first time since Ron had begun. "And just then, in the Gryffindor tower, who did you see, Hermione?" Hermione bite her lip. "Voldemort." She answered, barely above a whisper, feeling Ron shuddered at the sound of his name.
Albus let his hands rest on his desk. "And you, Ronald? What did you see tonight?" Ron gazed up at him. "But I already told you!" Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, but does your friend know?" As Ron turned to Hermione again, she saw the answer in his eyes. She knew.
When nothing else was said, Dumbledore took charge. "The winter holiday begins this week." He started. "May I recommend that Miss Granger here join you and your family at the Burrow for the duration of it?" Ron nodded in response. "Delightful! I'll see to it that both of your parents are notified of the arrangements. I'm sure Ginevra would be happy to have a girl her age around the house." Dumbledore said cheerfully, as if the previous subject they'd just been discussing hadn't occurred.
"Is that all?" Ron asked, a bit impatiently. "Oh yes." Dumbledore returned, motioning them to the door as permission to leave. "But," He added as Ron was leading Hermione to the door. "Miss Granger, I wonder if I may borrow your wand for a little while?" Hermione stopped, turning back to Dumbledore. "My wand?" She asked, not understanding why he'd want that. "Do you have it with you?" Dumbledore asked. Hermione shook her head. "All right then. Would it be too much trouble if I came to fetch it before you leave for break? I'll be sure to have it back to you before you leave for holiday." Hermione agreed to Dumbledore's request. She and Ron left, descending down the marble staircase and exiting past the stone gargoyle. "Did you really see him too?" She asked, looking at Ron with imploring eyes. "Yes. I saw… him. For a moment, I th… thought you… were a goner. When I saw him reaching at you… I was so scared… I thought you were going to die." Ron admitted, his voice shaking as his voice broke a bit. Hermione felt her eyes become hot again, the water brimming on the edges and falling down her flushed cheeks. "Oh Ron!" She cried, covering her face with her hands. Ron wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and resting his head on top of hers as she buried her face on his shoulder. "I swear," He promised her. "I will do everything in my power to keep you safe." Quietly, the two headed back to Gryffindor tower, their arms still holding one other close.
Harry had been beside his two friends from when they'd left for the headmaster's office until they'd returned to the Gryffindor tower. He'd remained unseen though, unsure if it were wise for him to reveal himself after what had happened.
All that day, he'd been in the hospital wing, watching over Ginny. Of course, the young redhead had been giving Madame Pomfrey a run for her money. She'd refused to be kept in the infirmary another night, but Madame Pomfrey had decided to keep her just as an extra precaution. He sat beside Ginny while she read to herself and studied. He talked to her as if they were having a conversation where he was actually there and she was answering him. He poured out his worries and joys, most importantly the feelings that he didn't express when he still had a chance. He told her how beautiful she was, how her hair glimmered in the sunlight on a bright day. He had cried, bemoaning his existence and wishing he could give anything to hold her just once. Ginny would stare off in the distance, and Harry would get a small hope that maybe she'd heard him, but the moment would quickly pass as she returned to her books. So there he sat, giving her company and making sure she wasn't alone.
But then there was a moment that made Harry's blood run cold. He could feel something evil lurking the castle. He stood up, giving Ginny one last glance and he followed the feeling of wickedness. It seemed that in a split second, he was in his common room watching as Hermione backed up to a wall with the Dark Lord cornering her. Harry heard scuffling, turning to see Dumbledore, his wand raised and pointing in Voldemort's general direction. "Where, Ronald, where is he?!" Dumbledore asked, his voice strong with determination. "IT'S HIM! IT'S VV…V..VOLDE…MORT!" Ron struggled to say in his panic and terror, pointing frantically. Ron and Harry both watched as Voldemort's hand raised towards Hermione's face. She started screaming, her eyes as wide as oranges. Ron burst forth, yelling like a madman just as Harry had snapped out of his utter shock. "STOP!" His voice demanded loudly, making Voldemort twist at the sound. From within, a bright light emerged from Harry with the brilliance of a thousand suns. Ron landed next to Hermione, protectively sheltering her from Voldemort as she struggled to get away from the dark lord, hiding in a corner. It was as if she wasn't aware anyone else was in the room, not hearing any voice except the man's before her. Harry hadn't heard Dumbledore's booming voice either when he'd started sending spells throughout the room, aiming for the evil being he could not see. "WHOEVER YOU ARE, YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!" Dumbledore's voice rumbled through the room. "I COMMAND YOU LEAVE THIS PLACE!" Voldemort finally stopped turning, and Harry didn't know if he was looking at him or the headmaster. "You…" The dark lord slithered, and then disappeared.
The coldness of the room had immediately ceased then. Dumbledore rushed down beside Hermione and Ron. He coaxed her to get up after a few silent minutes had passed, Ron setting his own robes over Hermione to help calm her from shaking so much. When her eyes caught Harry's, he felt an immense disappointment in himself. He felt like he should have done more, like he could have prevented it from even happening in the first place… like it was his fault. He resolved to stay by his friends at all times from now on, to watch over them instead and make sure they were not attacked by anyone.
Two days passed. Ron had been bringing Hermione her assignments since she'd been excused from her classes for the time left until they left. He gave them to Ginny so she could take them to Hermione's room since he couldn't get up the stairwell to the girl's dormitory without the steps forming a slide every time he tried. Harry had been spending all of his time alternating between Ron and Hermione, making sure that they didn't get another unwanted visit from the dark lord.
Dumbledore came up to see Hermione the day before Christmas break. Of course, he enchanted the staircase so he and Ron could go up them. He rapped softly on Hermione's door, entering only when she replied. They spoke of idle things for a little while, Albus asking what she thought of the snow or how she was doing with her studies. At last, he got to the subject he'd come for. "Miss Granger, I was wondering if I may see your wand now?" He asked. Hermione nodded and started rummaging through her things to get it. Her face creased, and she looked frantic as she began tossing things aside. "What's the matter?" Ron asked as he and Dumbledore watched her. Hermione spun around and started sputtering. "I… I can't find it! My wand is gone!"