Hermione and the Weasleys didn't join the crowds as they rushed the field. They were huddling together, horrified at what they had just witnessed. Nobody could have begun to process anything, they were all in complete and utter shock. They were frozen in their seats in the stands, unable to do anything but hold onto the family that was right there.
It was only when Neville (who had gotten caught up in the stampede of people) ran back up the bleachers screaming, "Where did Harry go? Is he alright?" that Hermione and the Weasleys were shocked into any sort of action.
"I think I saw Moody take him," Ron said breathlessly.
"We need to find him," Mrs Weasley said at the same time.
"Silence!" Dumbledore's voice rumbled over the pitch.
As if by magic, all sounds seemed to cease.
"We must have order," Dumbledore boomed. "Hogwarts Heads of Houses and Prefects: Please escort your students to your house common rooms immediately. Madame Maxime and Headmaster Karkaroff, please escort your students to your respective vessels and await further instructions from me. Any ministry officials, please proceed to the Quidditch Pitch in an orderly fashion."
Everyone seemed to snap to attention and do as they were told, Mrs Weasley taking command of their group. "Boys," she said to the twins, "take your sister back to Gryffindor Tower and take care of her. Do not let her out of your sight. I don't know what's happening, so we must be ready for anything. Bill and I will take Ron and Hermione and see if we can find Harry."
"I want to find Harry too!" Ginny cried.
"No. You go with your brothers for now. You can see Harry once things calm down," Mrs Weasley said so sternly that Ginny didn't put up any of a fight.
Fred and George nodded their understanding. The glimmer of laughter, usually a constant in their eyes, was much dimmer. Their brows were furrowed, and the colour had completely drained from their faces. Each stood on either side of Ginny as they climbed down the stairs and into the sea of students filing back towards the castle.
"Right," Mrs Weasley said as she watched them safely join up with a group of Gryffindors. "Did either of you see where Harry went to?"
"I saw Moody take him somewhere," Ron said again. "But I lost them in the crowd."
"He seemed hurt," Hermione said hoarsely. "He was limping."
"Mad-Eye must have taken him to the Hospital Wing then," Mrs Weasley said. "Let's go there and check. Stay together!"
Hermione, Ron, Bill, and Mrs Weasley started walking down the steps and through the sea of people, forming a human train. Hermione was still numb and couldn't think of anything other than placing one foot in front of the other.
Someone grabbed Hermione's arm. Hard.
"Herm–own–ninny!" Viktor's gravelly voice was suddenly right next to her. Hermione gasped and turned.
"Viktor! I'm so glad you're-"
"Herm-own-ninny, listen to me," Viktor said quickly. "You must be careful. The Death Eaters. They are back. Karkaroff ran, scared. Your professor is one. With eye. He cursed me during maze."
"Moody is a-?"
"Mr Krum, please come with us," two Ministry officials had come up behind Viktor.
"Herm-own-ninny, please. Be very careful. Do not let Harry near that professor," Viktor continued. He turned to Ron. "Please protect her from the Death Eaters. Please vatch her."
"I will," Ron said, his head held high.
"You are good man, Ron Veasley," Viktor held out his hand. The two men shook hands. "I must go now. Tell them vat I know. Help them learn more. Be safe."
With one last look at Hermione, Viktor turned around and walked away with the Ministry officials.
It took a few moments for Viktor's words to sink in. Hermione gasped. "Harry went with Moody!" she cried.
"We have to tell someone!" Bill said.
Hermione looked around frantically for someone, anyone of authority. Out of sheer luck, she saw the emerald green of Professor McGonagall's robes.
"Professor!" Hermione screamed, pushing people out of her way. Ron was right on her heels. "Professor!" she called again.
Professor McGonagall spun around quickly. "Miss Granger!" she yelled back. They moved toward each other, closing the gap between them. Owing to pure panic, Hermione embraced her favourite teacher in a desperate hug.
"Professor!" Hermione said, letting her go. "Mad-Eye Moody is a Death Eater!"
"He's what?"
"And he has Harry!" Hermione didn't waste any time repeating herself.
"Minerva!" Dumbledore suddenly appeared. "Come with me."
"Headmaster!" Hermione yelled. "Harry's with-"
"I know, Miss Granger. Please go back to the castle to wait while we get him," Dumbledore said.
He and Professor McGonagall walked away in the opposite direction without another word.
"You heard him," Mrs Weasley said. "We need to go back to the castle. That's where they will take him."
"But Harry-"
"They will bring him to the castle," Mrs Weasley repeated.
"What if they can't-"
"They will find him, Hermione," Mrs Weasley said. She enveloped Hermione in a gentle, but solid, hug. It took Hermione all of her strength not to let herself melt into the comfort of Mrs Weasley's arms. She knew she had to keep moving. "Come on," said Mrs Weasley, breaking the hug. "Bill, lead the way."
Ron grabbed Hermione's hand, and together they followed Bill towards the castle. Mrs Weasley was directly behind them.
The whole way up to the castle, none of them spoke. Ron gave Hermione's hand a squeeze every few steps to let her know he was still there. Hermione's numbness hadn't gone away; if anything, it had worsened.
Moody was a Death Eater? But wasn't he an Auror? And a prolific one at that? It didn't make any sense.
Their group had moved so quickly toward the castle that they had caught up with the mass of students who had left before them. There was a bottleneck at the entrance, but Bill, thankfully, knew of a side entrance off the courtyard they could sneak into.
As they rounded the corner near the hospital wing, they saw Madame Pomfrey, Madam Maxime, and Fleur Delacour and her family enter a moment before them. Fleur was almost completely supported by Madame Maxime and Mr Delacour. She looked, at the very least, concussed.
The three Weasleys and Hermione followed them into the Hospital Wing.
"Out!" Madame Pomfrey shouted as soon as she noticed them.
"We're here to wait for Harry," Ron said bravely.
"Get out this instant!" Madame Pomfrey said again.
"Poppy, please," Mrs Weasley said softly. "We have to be here for Harry."
"Fine," she huffed. "But you must wait near the door in the waiting area."
Mrs Weasley nodded, and the four collapsed into the chairs near the entrance to the Hospital Wing.
Hermione tried to see what was happening with Fleur, but Madame Pomfrey quickly drew the curtain. They spoke in hushed tones, and there was no hope of overhearing anything.
A wave of exhaustion hit Hermione; it was all she could do to keep her eyes open. Ron must have noticed her sleepy expression because he put his arm around her and arranged it so she could lay on his shoulder. Within seconds, her eyes drooped closed and she fell into a fitful sleep.