A/N: SOOO sorry about the late update! I went to Six Flags on Saturday with my boyfriend and spent Sunday at his house, and I worked all day today. So right now is the first chance I've had to update! Okay, here's Chapter Three!

Chapter Three

Harry was furious.

He was pacing around in Dumbledore's office, muttering under his breath. Ginny was in there too, sitting on a chair, watching him apprehensively.

Harry stopped suddenly, and turned to face Dumbledore, who was sitting behind his desk. "How could you let this happen! Hermione was taken from right in front of our eyes! She's been gone for two days now, how are we supposed to find her? What if we can't…if she's…" Harry stopped, his voice cracking.

This was just too much for him. He was only seventeen years old for Merlin's sake! He wasn't ready for this, taking on the Death Eaters and Voldemort. Both of his best friends were gone, one dead and one kidnapped.

Dumbledore sighed, looking every bit as old as he was. "Harry, the Order is doing everything they can to get Miss Granger back. We don't know what we're going to do just yet, but I assure you we will get her back."

Harry slumped down in the seat next to Ginny and rubbed his face as if to get rid of the memory of what happened.

"I just don't know what to do. I feel so…so helpless." he said, looking defeated.

Ginny looked at them and spoke for the first time since the meeting started. "Well maybe we should start by getting all the members of the Order together-"

She was interrupted, however, by Harry's outburst. "What good will it do Ginny? What good will any of it do? We don't know what to do, who took her or where. We know nothing, it's-"

Now it was Harry's turn to be interrupted. "How dare you Harry James Potter! How dare you! I lost my brother!" Ginny yelled, face turning red with tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "My brother! And Hermione was taken while defending him. And you think it's a lost cause? You're all ready to just give up? She's one of your best friends Harry! She's always been there for you! And now, when she needs you most, you decide it's hopeless? You should be ashamed of yourself Harry." The tears finally spilled from her eyes, and she quickly left Dumbledore's office.

Harry just stood there, stunned, staring at the spot where Ginny had been standing just a few seconds ago. He looked at the Headmaster, as if for guidance.

Dumbledore sighed. "I'm sorry Harry, but I think she's right. If the situation were reversed, I am sure Miss Granger would be doing everything she could to try and save you. Even if you do not want to help, we are still going to be doing everything we can to get her back."

Harry sat back in his seat, his face red with guilt and shame. "I'm sorry Headmaster. I don't know what came over me. I think the reality of the situation is just now coming at me full force. Of course I'll do what I can to help."

"I understand Harry. Why don't you go back to your common room now and try to rest." the Headmaster suggested.

"Yes, sir." Harry answered, lifting himself up from his chair and walked out the door.

He walked through the halls slowly, dreading his return to the common room. He knew he would have to talk to Ginny.

He reached the Portrait of the Fat Lady, too soon in his opinion, and she gave him a sad look. He gave her the password and the portrait swung open and he stepped inside. Just as he thought, Ginny was there. She was sitting on the couch, her knees drawn up and her chin resting on them, as she stared into the fire. It was obvious she had still been crying, her face was red and a little splotchy.

Harry hesitantly entered, wondering if he really had to do this now. Maybe he should wait a bit, until she was calmed down somewhat. But no, he had to do this now. He had to be strong, if not for himself then for her.

He squared his shoulders, walked over to her and sat down next to her. Definitely awkward. He stared at the fire, trying to think of something to say.

"Look, Ginny…I'm sorry for what I said back there. It was incredibly stupid of me and I don't know what I was thinking to even say it. I…I just…I don't know." Harry ran his hand through his hair nervously. "It's so hard, you know. They're both gone. And we don't even know if she's going to come back." Harry felt his eyes start to tear and furiously blinked them away. He couldn't do this, not now. He needed to be strong for her!

Ginny looked over at him and suddenly pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly, as if the world might suddenly decided to take him back. Harry was startled, but soon he was holding her just as tightly. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her too. The tears started to come again, but this time he let them.

They stayed in this position for awhile, finally letting go and pulling back. Harry saw fresh tears running down Ginny's face.

She sighed and looked over at him. "Well Harry. I'm sorry too. You know, for blowing up at you back in Dumbledore's office."

"Well I needed it. It kind of got me out of this haze that I've been in since this happened." Harry said.

"Yeah." Ginny agreed. "It's still hard for me to process sometimes. We're going to have the funeral soon. Mom and dad are still finalizing all of the details." Ginny's eyes started to tear up again and she blinked them back.

Harry put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him, not knowing what to say. But maybe, in times like these, there wasn't much that one could say.

Harry's mind started to wander, thinking of all the planning and preparation that was to be done. Not just to get Hermione back, but to prepare themselves for the battles and ultimately the final battle between himself and Voldemort.

He sighed and brought his arm back to his side and looked at Ginny. "Come on, I think it's time we get some sleep. Merlin knows we're going to need it."

Ginny nodded and stood up. "Good night Harry." she said, hugging him tightly.

Harry returned the embrace, and they separated to walk to the stairs that led to their dormitories. He turned and looked at Ginny, giving her a small smile, before going upstairs to his bed, trying not to think of the empty bed next to him. It was going to be too quiet tonight, without Ron's snoring keeping him up.

A/N: So there it is! Please tell me what you think of it and review! I've gotten almost 300 hits for this story so far and only 6 reviews! But many thanks to those reviewers, you rock my socks off!

thedustbunny