Changing Tide

Chapter 2- Ron's Renewed Drive

What are they doing to her? How could they do this? Who was Voldemort to be the judge of who belonged in this world? How did Hermione deserve any of the torture that she was most likely receiving at the hands of the Death Eaters?

These straining questions were racing through Ron's head as he lay face down on his pillow.For the last two hours, Ron had been reminiscing the moments he shared with Hermione. He did not have to go that far back, as he remembered a conversation they had shared about Slughorn's 'Slug Club' this past year.

"And this is another party just for Slughorn's favorites, is it?"

"Just for the Slug Club, yes," said Hermione.

The pod flew out from under Ron's fingers and hit the greenhouse glass, rebounding onto the back of Professor Sprout's head and knocking off her old, patched hat. Harry went to retrieve the pod; when Harry returned, Hermione was saying, "Look, I didn't make up the name 'Slug Club'---"

"'Slug Club'," repeated Ron with a sneer worthy of Malfoy. "It's pathetic. Well, I hope you enjoy your party. Why don't you try hooking up with McLaggen, then, Slughorn can make you King and Queen Slug---"

"We're allowed to bring guests," said Hermione, who for some reason had turned a bright, boiling scarlet, and I was going to ask you to come, but if you think it's that stupid, then I won't bothert!"

Ron hesitated. "You were going to ask me?" asked Ron, in a completely different voice.

"Yes," said Hermione angrily. "But obviously if you'd rather I hooked up with McLaggen..."

A short pause.

"No, I wouldn't," said Ron, in a quiet voice.

Suddenly, a pod shattering brought them out of their private little world.

"Reparo," Harry said hastily, poking the pieces with his wand, and the bowl sprang back together again. Ron saw Hermione look quite flustered and immediately started fussing about for her copy of Flesh-Eating Trees of the World to find out the correct way to juice Snargaluff pods; Ron, however, was looking pleased with himself. Although he was a little upset with Harry for ruining the moment.

"Hand that over, Harry," said Hermione hurriedly. "It says we're supposed to puncture them with something sharp..." She was still as red as red clay when Harry obeyed.

Ron flipped onto his back, smiling at the memory he just received. She was going to ask me to come with her to Slughorn's party as her guest! Ron thought happily. Did she mean as her best friend or something even more? The realization of the current situation brought the smile completely off of Ron's face. He hated himself for even being happy for the slightest amount of time. He sat up on the side of his bed and stared the floor for a couple of minutes. A knock at the door brought him out of his daze.

"Who is it?" Ron asked

"It's me, Ginny, Ron. Can I come in?" Ron was surprised to see that his sister came up to check on him.

"Sure." The door opened and Ginny walked in with a concerned look wrapped on her face.

"Ron, I heard what happened to Hermione from Mom. I am so sorry!" She bent down and hugged her big brother. "I wanted to tell you not to worry too much because I know we will find her and make the kidnappers pay with their lives!"

"Thank you, Ginny..I know we will. But it still doesn't take away from the pain of knowing that she could possibly be...be...oh!" Ron covered his eyes with his right palm while Ginny took his left hand in hers.

"It's ok, Ron! This has got to be a time for us to be strong and come together as a family! We can't sit alone in our own sorrows while giving them a chance to cause even more damage to Hermione than they already have. Now, please follow me downstairs to the rest of our family, Ron! Harry has sent a letter that you might be very interested in seeing!" Ginny soothed Ron into following her out of the room.

"Harry..knows about Mione's disappearance?" Ron asked, a smile slowly spread across his tear stained cheeks.

"Yes. But I am in no condition to tell how he knows. You'll just have to wait until you read Harry's letter.." Ginny seemed to shake a little at the mention of Harry's name again but quickly wiped her face as they reached the bottom of the staircase. "Here he is, Mom!"

"Oh, Ron, dear! I won't bother asking if you're feeling better because the answer is obvious but here! It's a letter from Harry and it has to do with Hermione.." Mrs. Weasley heisatantly gives Ron the folded piece of paper. Ron opens it and begins to read out loud:

Ron,

I know where they're keeping Hermione! That cowardly Snape Apparated over to my home and told me to meet Voldemort (or most likely one of his cronies) at the place where I first met his former alias. And Ron, you know where this place is! We were there at the end of our second year when we rescued Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets! I want you to stay there and wait for me! I'm Apparating there as soon as I pack some of my stuff in my suitcase, seeing as how I can only take whatever I'm holding in my hands with me. Wait there! Don't do anything I would've done before the incident at the Ministry of Magic, Ron! Please!

Harry

Ron re-read the letter to make sure he hadn't misread anything and sat complacently on the sofa nearest him. Ginny sat on the chair beside the sofa and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Ron, you saw how Harry told you to stay put..." Ginny started.

"Don't worry, Ginny! I'm going to do everything the right way to ensure the safety of Hermione. I'm sure with Harry helping me, Hermione will be safe on our side once again..." Ron assured Ginny.

"Oh, Ron!" Ginny started to break down in her chair at these words from Ron. Mrs. Weasley let go of some held back tears, with her hand over her mouth. Mr. Weasley walked over and place his hand confidently on his son's shoulder.

"And mark my words! Voldemort and his loser followers will be no more by the time me and Harry are finished with them! I don't care how many there are, the amount of spells they send at me! I won't go down until they're all dead and Hermione is smiling her beautiful smile at me once again!"

Ron finally being able to announce Voldemort's name without flinching represented the dire situation at hand and his newfound determination to finally bring Voldemort's horrible reign to an end.