Chapter Thirty.
Breaking News.

Five minutes later Ron came rushing into the common room ruffling his hands through his hair frantically. "Stupid… hair…never … stays… the…way I want it." Ron was muttering as he sat down in a chair opposite Harry and Hermione. Harry was re reading the letter from Aberforth and Hermione was stroking crookshanks who was sat next to her feet, purring. Finally Ron stopped ruffling his flaming red hair and flattened it slightly sighing.

"When you're done being a woman Ron." Harry teased handing Aberforth's letter over to Ron. Ron scowled at Harry for a moment but then brought his full attention to the letter that was now in his hands. After a minute Ron looked up.

"So when are we doing it then?" Ron said handing the letter back to Harry who folded it up and put it into his pocket.

"Well Aberforth says to do it as soon as possible, so today. What's wrong with right now?" Harry suggested looking from Ron to Hermione to see their reactions. He knew they would both be nervous but so was he. And they'd got through this before, who was to say they wouldn't get through it again?

"But then we'll miss breakfast." Ron groaned rubbing his stomach and flopping back into his chair.

"I think we should wait. Trying to destroy it here in the school, it's dangerous. I say we go to the room of requirement tonight. But we get some sleep first, we won't be as alert if were tired." Hermione said with a very serious look on her face.

"Why don't we go there today?" Harry asked with a confused look on his face.

"If we go tonight we can be sure no one, follows us." Hermione said this as if it was obvious.

"Like who?" Ron asked frowning.

"Ginny for one." Hermione replied. Harry thought about this for a moment and instantly agreed nodding his head.

"So we meet down here in the common room at say…2am? That should give us a chance to get some sleep first." Harry said glancing at his watch. Ron and Hermione both agreed and the three of them headed down to breakfast. They were walking down the corridor towards the great hall; very few people were around except a few fourth years that whispered when they saw Harry thinking he hadn't noticed. 'They say he's the chosen one you know, the only one that can kill him. But some say he's crazy. That him and Dumbledore cooked the whole scheme up.'

"Why don't you talk a bit louder, someone in the next corridor didn't hear you." Ron said loudly glaring at the two boys. They immediately glanced at Ron and hurried away into the great hall. Ron had a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Ronald, do you really have to be so rude." Hermione said reproachfully. Ron opened his mouth to reply something Harry was sure to be a rude retort when the sound around him got blocked out, all he could see was a blinding white light in front of his eyes and he felt pain surge through his skull like he'd never felt it before. This pain he felt was all he could think about, he wasn't even aware of falling to the floor. Harry didn't know where he was anymore as he tried to move but couldn't. The pain faded a little and so did the blinding light. Harry looked around; he was in a chair but couldn't move from it. The room was so dimly lit, the only thing to light it were two candles on a desk in front of him, clutching at his forehead in agony he tried again to move again, when he saw facing him sitting on a chair made out of stone was Voldemort leering down at him. Harry couldn't see his whole face; half of it was hiding in the shadows.

"Harry Potter, so we are meeting again. Let me tell you this is not the last time we will." Voldemort spoke quietly but fiercely an evil look on his face; if Harry was sure of one thing it was that Voldemort wasn't happy.

"What do you want with me?" Harry said feeling both fear and pure hatred at the same time trying to move with all his might. But his body didn't seem to want to.

"As you know, when I took in that blood traitor I found out all I need to. You will not succeed in this. I've already taken that foolish old man who tried to cross me; you are just a mere boy." Voldemort sneered.

"Couldn't kill him yourself though could you?" Harry spat angrily trying to ignore the unbearable pain in his scar. "Had to send a 16 year old boy to do your dirty work."

"Silence!" Voldemort bellowed. "I am going to talk and you are going to listen. You have something of mine and I want it back."

"You're not getting it back." Harry shouted with a determined look on his face.

"Then you are a foolish boy, daring to cross the great Lord Voldemort. If you do not give it to me Harry, I'm going to do something you will not want done." Voldemort clenched his fists looking more furious by the second.

"Oh yeah, like what?" Harry said his voice now wavering. The pain in his scar was growing slowly worse, if that was possible.

"I know everything about you. I know with those dreams I was slowly weakening you, do you really think that pathetic potion will keep me out for long? I know what will destroy you, and if you do not give me what I want then I will slowly demolish you and everyone around you, and finally kill you." Voldemort said. Harry was now feeling uneasy, what was Voldemort talking about doing?

"Never. You'll never get it." Harry said again.

"None of this has to happen Harry, just GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!" Voldemort stood from his chair his wand raised, towering over Harry who still was unable to move.

"NO!" Harry yelled this more because of the fact that his scar throbbed excruciatingly and the blinding white light filled his eyes again. He had his eyes closed tightly afraid to open them, he was in worse pain than ever, he could hear himself still yelling and felt someone shaking him.

"Harry… Harry!" Two fearful voices were calling his name and he recognised them as Ron and Hermione. Harry slowly opened his eyes and found himself on the floor of the corridor they were in before 'it' had happened. Ron and Hermione were bent over him looking anxious.

"What happened?" Harry croaked struggling to talk.

"You fell on the floor and started screaming and writhing around…" Ron told him his face looking very pale.

"Harry what happened? Are you allright? I think you should go to the hospital wing." Hermione said worriedly. Harry struggled to get up off the floor still shaking uncontrollably. Ron and Hermione grabbed his arms and helped him up.

"No, no not the hospital wing. I'm fine." Harry tried to reassure his two best friends. "I need to talk to you both." Ron and Hermione glanced at each other looking unconvinced but headed towards the great hall staying close to each side of Harry as if he might fall on the floor again. The three of them walked towards the Gryffindor table and sat at the far end where no one was eating. Harry guessed Ginny was probably at the Ravenclaw table again, either that or still asleep. As soon as they were seated, Ron and Hermione leaned in towards Harry as he recounted everything that had happened. The pain in his scar had faded now but still prickled every few seconds. Both of them listened to him without saying a word, there faces seemed to grow more alarmed with every word he said.

"He's obviously bluffing." Ron said instantly although he didn't look convinced.

"I really don't think he was Ron." Harry said feeling awful. None of them were eating and even Ron seemed to have lost his appetite. "Hermione?" Harry looked at her hopefully. Hoping that she would have something to say to make him feel better about this.

"I'm not sure. Maybe he is bluffing. The sooner we get it destroyed the better, tonight it will be gone and then whatever happens, happens." Hermione said looking from Harry to Ron with narrowed eyes.

"Yeah." Harry agreed. "Can you both do me a favour, don't tell Ginny about this. She'll only worry." Harry looked at his friends pleadingly.

"Ok Harry, I guess that's your call." Ron said nodding his head. "So what are we doing today then?" Ron asked. "What about Hagrid, does anyone know how Fang's doing?"

"No, I'm sure if anything happened Hagrid would write to us. I think we should see him soon though." Hermione said. That day Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny stayed in the common room playing wizards chess. Hermione did some homework, as lessons would be starting up again soon. And Ginny watched Harry and Ron trying to advise Harry in where to move out of the corner of her mouth.

"I think that's my…8th win against you Harry. Care to lose again? " Ron said triumphantly. "Hermione did you see that last move?" Hermione glanced up from her book.

"Ron your head couldn't get any bigger." Hermione said jokingly. Ron frowned and suddenly put his hands to his head as if examining how big it was. Hermione smiled.

"Oh Harry, your so bad at chess. Let me show my brother how it's really done." Ginny pulled Harry aside and sat in front of the chessboard.

"Hey!" Harry exclaimed. Ginny grinned turning around and kissing him.

"Excuse me, I'm right here!" Ron had a sickened look on his face. Harry grinned sheepishly at Ron. He couldn't forget what had happened that morning and hadn't been able to get it out of his head all day. Harry could tell Ginny knew something wasn't right from the moment she had seen him but hadn't asked him anything, which he felt thankful for. He wasn't too sure she would keep quiet for long though. In the evening Ron had regained his appetite and decided to make up for it by putting everything on his plate. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were in the great hall. Hermione had been urging Harry to eat something which annoyed him and he turned around to face Ginny turning his back on Hermione who sighed loudly. After Ginny had eaten she left to see Luna, who she had become quite close friends with recently. After a few minutes of trying to eat some food Harry heard a shriek, which sounded like it had come from Hermione, and he turned back around to face her who he saw was holding what seemed to be a letter and looking horror struck. All of a sudden she dropped the letter looking like she was going to be sick, and quickly got up running down the great hall.

"Hermione, where are you going?" Harry tried to call after her. He saw Ron who had only just noticed what had happened and swallowed a mouthful of food.

"What was all that about?" Ron said looking troubled.

"I'm guessing the answer to that is in this." Harry said picking up the letter Hermione had dropped and reading it, with Ron looking over his shoulder.

Dear Miss Hermione Jane Granger,
The minister of magic regrets to inform you that earlier on this afternoon there was a death eater attack on your home. Your parents Mr Christopher Lewis Granger and Mrs Mary Anne Granger were tragically killed. By the time ministry officials arrived the death eaters were already gone.
My thoughts are with you at this dreadful time.
With deepest sympathy.
The minister of magic. Rufus Scrimgeour.