Hi diligent readers! Apologies that this chapter is so short, but it made more sense to break up the story this way. Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing, especially the reviews commenting on the nature of the story - I do like my feedback, yes I do! The more you readers tell me what you like and dislike, the better I know how to please you all in the future! I write for my readers more than myself, so encourage me!
Harry knew that something was going to go wrong soon – Lord Voldemort couldn't stay idle forever and when he made his move, Harry would be there to do something about it – having head the prophecy in which the Dark Lord put so much faith into, Harry felt a little stronger and a little more determined. Having Sirius helped too – he was the closest thing Harry had to family, and tremendously comforting when Harry felt doomed or lonely. In the past, Ron and Hermione had both taken this role as well, but recently the trio seemed to have grown farther and farther apart. While Hermione had become increasingly secretive after their confrontation about her relations with Snape, Ron had begun harboring the attentions of a certain Lavender Brown. It became more and more irritating to Harry as his friends shrugged him off for sexual pastures. Never mind that he himself was still a virgin, though he'd be hard-pressed to admit it.
Ruffling a hand through his hair, he peered through his glasses around the common room. Lately he had boycotted Ron and Hermione's place – for obvious reasons. But the roaring warmth of the Gryffindor fireplace and the camaraderie of his fellow housemates seemed empty compared to life without the other two.
Two figures huddled in the corner caught Harry's eye. They were whispering, and a female voice was growing increasingly agitated. Adjusting his frames he realized that it was Ginny and Neville engrossed in conversation. She seemed to be explaining something to him, but Neville kept shaking his head, seeming reluctant to agree. Ginny grabbed the hem of his robes as he got up stubbornly and walked away.
"Please Neville, we have to talk to him!" she whispered loudly. "Who knows what he might do -,"
Her words were curtailed as she caught Harry's gaze.
"Just think about it," she continued warily, trying not to meet Harry's eyes. Neville leaped up the stairs to the boys' dormitory, and Ginny started to collect her books, which were strewn around where they had been sitting.
Harry turned back to the essay he had been writing for Defense Against the Dark Arts, but thought better of it and approached the red-haired girl.
"Hey Ginny," he began. "D'you –,"
"None of your business!" she hissed, glaring at him.
"Wha . . . I mean, what do you mean?"
Her look softened, but her eyes remained suspicious. "What were you going to ask?"
"Well, I just wanted to ask if you, uh, wanted to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend or something, y'know," he fumbled. "If you, uh, wanted to . . . I mean."
Ginny smiled prettily but an apologetic look passed through her eyes. "Gee, thanks Harry but, uh, Neville's already taking me."
"Oh."
"Well, see you later Harry."
"Bye Ginny."
It took Harry a few minutes to fully comprehend the idea that Neville and Ginny were going to Hogsmeade together. It seemed too ridiculous to comprehend! Ginny had only just broken up with Dean, (who had been a good-looking fellow) and Harry had been so sure that she would say yes.
What kind of warped universe is this anyway? he thought.
---
Hermione paced back and forth in her room, hands massaging her belly. She had waited all day for Snape to send her a message, whether it was to summon her to his rooms to banish her from them altogether, she didn't care she just needed some news, any news! Her eyes flashed from corner to corner of the room as she became increasingly panicked.
Why do I even believe that silly girl, she says she can see auras well she's as loony as a bat, loony Luna Lovegood, loony like Moony – Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Prongs, Prongs, Prongs . . . I'm not pregnant I'm not I'm not I'm not!
But her gut told her it was so, she knew, she could feel it. It was an inexorable feeling, a pulling at her insides where there had been no such sensation only three weeks ago . . .
Tomorrow, tomorrow perhaps she would go into Hogsmeade and take the train and go home to her parents.
No! I can't do that, what would I say and what would I do?
Options gathered and ran out of her head like scattering mice until only two were left – own up to her affair and keep the child, or find an old crone who would get rid of it for her. But how could a smart, bookish girl like her know how to choose? Books never played neutral and helped you decide what to do, they advocated and condemned and recommended and argued. How was a girl like her to choose?
She sat down on the edger of her bed and buried her arms in the tangled sheets strewn across kits unmade surface.
I only have so much time to decide before time decides for me!
---
The Hogsmeade Saturday dawned grey and chilly, the first nip of Autumn weather in the air. Down the empty main-street, Harry and Ron trudged listlessly past each storefront. Whether consciously or no, they felt Hermione's absence somewhat stingingly and resented her transparent excuse that she had too much homework to do.
"It's only the third week of school, Hermione, Jeez!" Ron had exclaimed as he and Harry slipped through the portrait.
"I'll meet you guys there later!" Hermione called after them. "Maybe," she said, under her breath."
Ron and Harry felt bored in town, though Hogsmeade excursions used to be the highlights of the semester. Ron was peering inside Madame Puddifoot's at Parvati Patel and Zacharias Smith making eyes at each other and Harry was pulling on his robes to move on when he saw it. Ginny and Neville walking down towards them with linked arms, laughing at some inside joke. Harry's eyes narrowed. He felt helpless – it was completely egotistical, but he knew it to be true – he was everything more than Neville, yet Ginny was waltzing around in public with him. The scene was more than flesh and blood could bear!
Before Harry knew it, he had let go of Ron's robes and was striding towards the happy couple with arms clenched at his sides.
"Ginny!" he called out, angry at the hurt in his voice."
"Hey, Harry!" she replied, waving.
"What do you think you're doing?" Harry asked lamely.
"Uh – enjoying the weekend?" Ginny's eyebrows knitted together in the beginning stage of annoyance.
"Oh, hey, there you are Ginny!" exclaimed Ron, pulling himself away from the snogfest inside the teashop.
"Hey Ron," mumbled Neville shyly.
"I was just asking this lot what the hell they were, uh, doing," Harry mumbled towards Ron.
"What about it?" Ginny asked, challenging him. Her hands were perched on her hips and she looked devilish.
"We were just on our way to grab a drink," squeaked Neville as Harry's face contorted with jealousy.
"Can't a girl hang out with her guyfriend in peace?" demanded Ginny, pulling Neville away and continuing down the street. "Good Gods, stupid boys and the stupid ideas they get in their stupid heads!" her voice trailed off.
Harry watched them go, Neville attempting to loosen Ginny's tight grip on his arm, when Ron seized his elbow and gasped. Harry's head wrenched around as he heard a scream. Hermione's scream.
A hooded figure was pulled her down a side-street, one hand pressed to her mouth. Hermione had bit the gloved gag, which slipped long enough for her to let out a shriek, but too quickly slid back into place. The tall figure was grasping a wand in the other hand and held it out to challenge Harry and Ron's belated arrival on the scene before apparating with Hermione in tow.
Shock gripped Harry by the testicles. It twisted itself through his gut, his neck, freezing his mind with horror until Ron pulled him to his senses by the back of his robes.
"C'mon Harry!" he bellowed. "We have to get help!"
With a snap back to reality, the two boys ran down the street.
This is the last chapter in my backed-up arsenal, and signifies the end of twice-a-day updates. Now I actually have to take the time to write the second half of this story, hah! Cheers to you, reader, R & R !!