Hermione watched as the ever familiar presence of Grimmauld Place shifted into view. Amazing how something that had been so familiar to her for an entire summer would have been gone forever had Neville not trusted and believed in her. Well, them, really; but she had done the majority of the talking in the end ( Read more... )

Even though it had only been a few days since Ron had last been at Hogwarts, it felt like an eternity had gone by. He didn't know how, but the whole place felt different now. Stranger and colder without Dumbledore there. Maybe Dumbledore had been in touch with the magic that guarded the castle somehow, and with him gone it had all changed. Ron ( Read more... )

Minerva settled herself behind Albus' desk. In the past days, it had felt vaguely wrong to sit in his chair, but today, she felt its oaken strength shoring up her own. She glanced behind her at Albus' sleeping, painted face. Any advice for me, old friend?She waited for the others to arrive, praying they'd keep to the topic of headquarters and the ( Read more... )

After breakfast, Ron retreated back up to his room in search of parchment. He hadn't any idea where Harry had gotten to or where he'd been the night before during the raid. He ignored the fear gnawing at him- Harry'd ducked out of worse situations than wherever he might be right now. Hadn't he escape Voldemort a half dozen times already? ( Read more... )

Ginny awoke abruptly. Her room was bright with early morning sunlight, familiar. The screams still echoed in her head ( Read more... )

It was a day later and still no real word on the outcome of the raid -- or anything from that matter. Hermione was glad Ron had offered an extra bunk last night at the Burrow. She wasn't sure if she could have returned home with only her books for comfort. Yes, they usually provided her the solace she needed but tonight when there was so much ( Read more... )

As soon as the funeral was over, George grabbed Fred and they headed to the castle. The entered the Great Hall and found the the assignment they had left the house elves had been completed to their satisfaction, and then some. Flags of the Hogwarts crest alternated with ones made of the same material as Dumbledore's wizard hat. Many dishes of ( Read more... )

Ron felt thoughtful as they arrived back at the Burrow, Harry's words reverberating in his mind. He'd never had any idea what a horcrux was, much less how they were going to track it down. He wondered if Hermione had any better ideas, or what she thought of the whole thing. They hadn't said one word to each other yet, each silently walking ( Read more... )

Brrr ( Read more... )

Ron has been waiting for this for days. Ever since he's realised that it was the twins' Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder Malfoy has used to get away. A perfectly good chance to hex the obnoxious blonde - and to be thanked for it later, no doubt - blown out of the water because they'd had to make a sale. Ron is still furious with them, something ( Read more... )