Chapter Thirty-Five: Veritaserum

Hermione couldn't speak.

Neither could Ron.

Sobs started wracking her body uncontrollably. Ron, too, seemed to be hyperventilating.

"It can be quite jarring and disorienting, coming out of a Pensieve… especially with such an intense memory."

"Are you barking?!" Ron shouted. "Jarring?! Disorienting?! Intense?! Is that what you bloody call that? You raving lunatic! You're positively mad!"

"I understand your anger," Dumbledore said calmly. "And I apologise for putting you through that. Nonetheless, there is more I need to show you."

"We can't see anymore," Ron said. "Not after that. No more."

But Hermione knew they had an obligation to their friend. "Ron," she said slowly and quietly, using all the strength she could muster. "For Harry. We have to."

"Thank you, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said. "And Harry will thank you someday for this sacrifice. This next memory is mine, however. I would like to show you what happened after the graveyard."

"Can we have a bloody minute?" yelled Ron, trying to control his breathing. "Blimey."

"Let's just get it over with," Hermione said softly. She was beyond most emotions at that point.

Without another word, Dumbledore placed the tip of his wand to his temple and pulled a long, silvery string out, just like Snape had done with Harry. He put it directly in the Pensieve and held out his hands to Hermione and Ron. Hermione stood, grabbed Ron's hand, and they both tipped their heads into the shimmering grey bowl once more.