The Book of Morgan Le Fey

Chapter Twenty Four: A Reconciliation

An hour later, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Susan and Harry were in the hospital wing; Harry occupied one of the beds and the rest sat round him in chairs. McGonagall had gone back to fetch some of the other teachers. Madam Pomfrey dabbed Harry's forehead with a cool cloth.

'I'm FINE,' Harry said irritably, squirming away from Madam Pomfrey.

'Oh, hold STILL, Potter,' Pomfrey snapped. She put the cloth down and took a vial of potion from the bedside table. 'Now drink this.'

Harry groaned but took the potion and downed it in one. He grimaced. Ron didn't blame him. Why was it that potions that were meant to cure one always tasted foul?

Whatever the potion was, it seemed to have a good effect; Harry's wan color faded and his cheeks went pink, and he seemed to sit up straighter as strength flowed back into his body. He looked up at Ron and swallowed; Ron, for his part, was trying not to think about what had happened to Percy. It was horrible not knowing the details. For all Ron knew, Percy could be dead. Harry hadn't been able to determine if Percy had survived the attack on the Ministry.

'Feeling better, then, Potter?' said Madam Pomfrey.

'Yes,' said Harry firmly. 'Can I please go?'

She looked at him through narrowed eyes. 'I'd prefer to keep you here for the rest of the night...'

'Please,' said Harry, sounding very contrite and pleading, 'I'll sleep better in my own bed.'

'Hmmph!' said Pomfrey, with a dubious look on her face. 'I don't know about that. But I suppose you're fine, and in any case Weasley's done a fair enough job keeping an eye on you. Fine. Go on, then.'

Harry smiled gratefully and pulled back the covers of his bed, as Ron and the others stood.

Madam Pomfrey started to sweep out of the room when the door to the hospital wing swung open. Professor McGonagall came in, followed by Snape, Flitwick, Sprout and Bill.

'Poppy,' said McGonagall imperiously, and Madam Pomfrey rushed over to her. Ron watched as McGonagall spoke in low tones--he couldn't make out the words--to Pomfrey. Pomfrey's eyes went wide and she clapped a hand over her mouth, and Ron heard McGonagall say 'We'll discuss it shortly.'

With this, McGonagall moved toward Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Susan.

'Feeling better, Potter?' she said, looking down at Harry.

'Yes, Professor,' said Harry. 'I'm fine.'

'Good,' she said briskly. 'I received a brief report on the attack from your father, Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley. The details are sketchy at this point but your father is fine.'

'What about Percy?' said Ginny, chewing her lower lip.

'Percy is alive,' said McGonagall, in a somber tone. 'He's been badly hurt and is in St. Mungo's. I'm afraid your father didn't give me any details on your brother. But Arthur did tell me that...I'm afraid Madam Bones was severely injured in the attack.'

Susan gasped. 'Oh, no.' Harry put his arm round her shoulder.

'Your aunt is alive, Miss Bones,' said McGonagall kindly. 'But she is unconscious. She, too, is at St. Mungo's.'

'Can--can I go see her?' Susan asked, but McGonagall shook her head.

'She's under guard right now,' said McGonagall, 'and the hospital won't allow visitors. It's for her own safety. And the healers need to be able to work on her in peace.'

Susan's eyes filled with tears; she blinked and nodded, but said nothing. She clung tightly to Harry.

'I want all of you to go to bed,' said McGonagall. 'I've asked Madam Pomfrey to prescribe Dreamless Sleep Draughts to all of you if you feel you need it. You all need your rest, you especially, Potter. We'll know more in the morning.'

Bill glanced at Ron, then at Ginny. Ron made a move to start toward his older brother, but Bill shook his head. His face was a mask of exhaustion, concern...and something else. Ron wasn't sure how, but he suddenly knew that more had happened at the Ministry tonight than McGonagall or anyone else was letting on. Harry's vision had been fragmented and incomplete; he'd only seen Percy get attacked. But then Ron remembered that Harry had shouted Dumbledore's name before passing out. Had something happened to Dumbledore?

Madam Pomfrey passed around small vials of Dreamless Sleep Draught to each of them. Ron took his and decided to use it. He was exhausted but he knew that if he fell asleep without the potion in his system, he'd dream again. Dream of the sinister dark-haired witch who kept pulling him somewhere he didn't want to go.

The professors swept out of the hospital wing, and Ron and the others followed slowly behind them. Harry announced that he was going off with Susan, and Ron, Hermione and Ginny all mumbled and waved as he headed down the corridor in the direction of Hufflepuff. It was a testament to just how exhausted and shell-shocked they all were that Hermione didn't so much as look askance at Harry for his latest round of rule-breaking.

The three of them reached the Gryffindor common room and went inside through the portrait hole. It was very early in the morning by now and the sky was just beginning to lighten slightly in the distance. The fire had burned down to embers and the common room bore the look of having been cleaned by Dobby.

Ginny walked toward the fireplace, her face almost trance-like. She stood stiffly near the mantle and said nothing. Hermione exchanged a glance with Ron.

'Ginny,' said Ron. 'Are you okay?'

She said nothing for a moment.

'Gin--'

'Percy'll be okay,' said Ginny slowly, 'won't he, Ron?'

Ron swallowed. He wasn't sure what to say, because he didn't know what Ginny needed to hear. Usually she insisted on the truth, but tonight, maybe she needed reassurance. He chose reassurance.

'Sure he will, Gin,' he said, hoping he sounded firm.

'Don't just say that to be saying it,' said Ginny, turning to look at him.

'I'm not,' said Ron. 'Dad said he's okay. Hurt, but okay.'

Ginny nodded, swallowed. 'I don't know...how to feel about this.'

Ron took a step toward his sister, then another, and awkwardly put an arm round her. He hadn't hugged her since she was twelve, in the aftermath of her possession by Voldemort. Back then he'd vowed to be a better older brother to her, but he knew he hadn't really lived up to that promise, and they had grown apart. She had turned to the twins, or Bill, more often than not. But Bill and the twins weren't here now. Bill was...wherever he was in the castle and the twins were, most likely, home at the Burrow with their mother. Ron's big brother act had been limited to keeping a watchful eye over her boyfriends.

'I don't either, Gin,' he admitted. Hermione took a step closer, but she didn't intrude on them.

'I mean, he's such a git,' said Ginny, and her eyes filled with tears. 'After everything he did and said...I hated him. I really did.'

'Me, too,' said Ron. 'But...but he's still...

'...our brother,' Ginny finished.

Ron nodded. His arm was round Ginny's shoulder and she leant against him. Ron looked at Hermione and extended his free hand, and she took it, saying nothing, and they stood that way, next to the fireplace, for several minutes.

After a while Ginny disentangled herself from Ron's arm and announced she was turning in. Ron nodded and he and Hermione watched her ascend the girls' staircase to her dormitory.

Ron's eyes lingered on the place Ginny had just been, until he felt Hermione looking at him.

'What?' he said.

'Nothing,' said Hermione, and she ran a hand through her hair, which was entirely back to its natural and unmanageable and beautiful state.

'Not nothing,' said Ron. 'What?'

'Nothing,' she repeated, more firmly, but she still wouldn't look at him. Ron didn't feel like arguing the point. He wanted to go to sleep.

'I'm turning in,' he said. 'Might as well try to get a few more hours sleep.' He fumbled with the vial of the sleeping draught.

'Are you sure you'll be okay?' said Hermione gently, taking his hand in hers.

'Yeah,' said Ron. 'I guess I'll find out more about Percy tomorrow, in the paper, right? I mean, he's...alive. And Dad says he's going to make it, so...so that's all we can do. Wait.'

Hermione said nothing, only nodded. She looked sad and conflicted about something. Ron was beyond exhausted, but he didn't want to leave her without knowing she was okay.

'Are you all right, Hermione?' he asked.

'I'm fine,' she said quickly. 'Just exhausted. You're right, we should go to sleep.'

He nodded, and kissed her on the forehead, then started toward his staircase. He was halfway up when he realized he hadn't heard her walking up her own staircase. He turned and saw her standing where he'd left her; her eyes were fixed on him and she looked scared and vulnerable.

'Hermione?' he said, his face screwing up in confusion. 'What's the matter?'

She flushed and looked down. 'I just...um...' Her voice trailed off.

'What?'

She looked back up at him. 'I just don't...want to be alone...'

Ron closed his eyes and felt his mind split in two; one part of him knew he should go to her and try to comfort her. The other part of him screamed to go to sleep and find some way to prepare himself for the bad news the morning would bring.

'Hermione, I...I'm so tired...' he said weakly.

'I know,' she said quickly, and her eyes filled with tears. 'I just...'

She took a deep breath. 'Can I...sleep with you?' she said, her voice so soft he almost didn't hear her.

'Wh-what?' he said.

She blushed even deeper and bit her lip and looked down at her feet.

'Can I sleep with you?' she said quickly. 'Not...not that. Just go to sleep. I just...I don't feel like being alone. Please, Ron...'

Ron swallowed. Part of him immediately thought it was a bad idea. Hermione, in his bed? How was he supposed to handle that? How was he supposed to keep his hands to himself and act like a gentleman when she was in his damn bed? She'd hardly so much as come into his room since they'd started dating.

But when he looked down at her and saw her eyes, huge and beautiful and shining with tears...

'Okay,' he heard himself say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They entered his room ten minutes later; Hermione had changed into her pyjamas and robe.

Ron was relieved to hear the quiet, measured breathing of Dean and Seamus and the snores of Neville.

'They're out,' Ron whispered. 'Um, we should make sure you...you know...can get out of here before they wake up.'

'Right,' said Hermione, and she suddenly looked very nervous. Ron wondered if she would change her mind. His initial resistance to the idea had vanished once he assured himself that he could control himself in such a situation. That, plus the enticing idea of waking up next to her, was enough to convince him. But she now seemed a bit reluctant.

'Hermione,' said Ron, 'I promise...I won't...we won't do anything.'

Hermione blushed and looked at him, but she smiled and seemed to be reassured by this. 'Okay.'

He smiled and quietly pulled back the curtains of his four poster. She looked at the bed for a moment, then at him, then back at the bed. She took a deep breath and pulled back the covers; then she undid the belt of her robe, pulled it off and dropped it in a small pile next to the bed, and climbed under the covers.

Ron bit back the urge to gulp. Now that she was IN his bed, all his self-assurance began to crumble. Maybe he should go sleep on the sofa.

'Ron, are...are you going to get in?' said Hermione softly.

'Right,' said Ron, and he, too, took a deep breath, crossed to the other side of the bed, and pulled back the covers. He quickly pulled off his robe and kicked off his slippers and climbed into the bed. They pulled the curtains closed, and they were suddenly...alone.

Ron noticed at once that the bed was really too small for two people. It was almost too small for him as it was, considering how tall he'd become. But with her in it he wasn't sure how it was supposed to work.

But then she looked up at him and blushed, and he felt himself lift his arm up and put it round her shoulder. She gave a little sigh and snuggled up next to him and rested her head on his shoulder, configuring herself until she was neatly spooned up against him. Ron felt his heart begin to race a bit because of her closeness, the way she just seemed to fit perfectly against him.

She shifted slightly and wrapped her top leg over his left leg, and Ron swallowed. Her thigh was dangerously close to...a certain area. She snuggled closer and her pyjama top hiked up in the back, exposing her skin.

'Is this okay?' she murmured, as she let her hand settle on his chest.

Ron swallowed. 'Yes,' he whispered. It was more than okay. It was horrible and wonderful all at once. He was mentally kicking himself for having promised not to try anything. He looked at the ceiling and felt his hand drift, almost of its own accord, to brush against the bare skin of her back. Before he knew it, he was gently stroking his fingers across her skin. Merlin, she was so soft. How did she get so soft? He shouldn't be doing this. He couldn't stop.

'Mmm,' she murmured. 'That feels nice.'

'Good,' he heard himself say, and her top hitched just slightly higher, and she snuggled closer to him. He was unbearably grateful for the heavy bed coverings just then, that were hiding the evidence of his...good mood.

'Good night,' he heard her whisper. She lifted her head from the crook of his shoulder and planted a whisper-soft kiss on his cheek, then settled back down into his arms. Ron continued to stare up at the ceiling, debating whether or not he could get away with kissing her on the lips. His hand moved up her back, just a bit. His hand moved up another inch. She was pressed against him and the way she was lying next to him, and he wasn't sure if he could really get his hand where he wanted it to go. That part of her was a bit out of reach. But he couldn't very well touch her there without warning. There was a proper way to do things; he knew that much.

One kiss, that's all he really wanted. Okay, maybe a good, quick snog to settle his nerves. Or a good long snog. He was never too tired for that. And his hand was just really aching now to travel other places. Who was he kidding? His hand wasn't the only thing aching. He'd made a promise not to do anything but...well, Hermione generally didn't object to snogging when they were alone, and she was letting him do more stuff these days (well, not too much, but more than before), and a good snog would make her feel better, too...

Ron was just about to shift on the bed and tilt her face up with his hand to kiss her when he stopped and noticed something. The slow, rhythmic sound of her breathing. He looked down and found her fast asleep, her head resting halfway on his shoulder, half on his chest, her small hand resting right over his heart. Her hair was fanned out behind her and her lips were slightly parted. She looked...angelic.

'Wow,' Ron whispered. He was very uncomfortable at the moment but the sight of her sleeping touched him in a different way, and he realized he couldn't bring himself to wake her up. He grimaced, trying to ease some of the discomfort he was feeling, and decided he'd have to live without a snog tonight. He pulled her pyjama top all the way back down and rested his hand on top of it, on her back. No sense tempting himself further.

He placed a kiss on her forehead and felt sleep steal over him. He closed his eyes, and as he began to drift he remembered the vial of Dreamless Sleep Draught on his nightstand. Perhaps he should take it. But then he heard Hermione sigh in her sleep and he decided he just didn't want to move, not with her snuggled up to him. Maybe with her next to him, he'd have pleasant dreams for a change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ron blinked and opened his eyes. He was lying on his back in his bed. A thin stream of sunlight hit the closed curtains of his four-poster, and cast a red glow.

He turned and started slightly. Hermione was next to him, sleeping soundly. She was still on her side and her hand was on his shoulder. He'd slept so hard, he had forgotten she was there.

He tried to remember his dreams, but he couldn't. Just as well, he thought. He blinked again and looked at Hermione. Her hair was even more out of control this morning. It was like a living thing, spread all over the pillow and falling in her face. He grinned and reached over to brush a few curls out of her eyes. She stirred and opened her eyes.

'Ron,' she said softly. She blushed.

Ron, too, felt his cheeks get hot, and he couldn't quite figure out why. They hadn't DONE anything, after all. They were both fully clothed, albeit in pyjamas. They had simply fallen asleep together. It was perfectly innocent, wasn't it?

And yet something told Ron that this was different. Hermione was in his bed. It was an entirely off-limits place for her to be. She bit her lip.

'Oh dear,' she said.

'What?' said Ron, moving closer to her, without really noticing he was doing it.

'Just...' she said. 'How'd you sleep?'

'Really good,' he said. 'I mean, really well. You?'

'Very well,' she said. She bit her lip again, and looked very embarrassed about something.

'What?' said Ron again, moving still closer to her. He took her hand in his.

'Does this mean...I'm a...a scarlet woman?' Hermione asked in a tiny voice. Ron couldn't help it. He laughed. She looked so serious and scared but her words were so...funny.

'Ron!' she said angrily, and she turned away from him.

'I'm sorry!' he said quickly, and he moved up close to her and spooned her. 'Don't be mad, 'Mione, it's just...I mean, I don't think that. No way.'

She turned back to him. 'Really?'

'Really,' he said. 'I...I liked it. I mean, you being here. All night...and everything.'

She paused, bit her lip, then smiled shyly. 'I liked it, too.'

She was very close to him and his heart was pounding. They did nothing for a long moment, just looked at one another. And then she leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips, and that was it. Suddenly, the full implications of having Hermione in his bed came roaring to life, and Ron pulled her to him and kissed her back, fervently.

They snogged for several minutes, and Ron felt like his whole body was going to explode from it. He didn't care about morning breath, or that his hair was sticking up in all directions. He didn't care about anything but her. He moved to kiss her neck and his hands went to where they'd wanted to go last night and she had no bra on and, oh, Merlin, it was so soft and wonderful and he heard her say his name. No, moan his name. Bloody hell. She shifted and climbed over him. Bloody hell again. He'd never dreamed he'd ever start a day off like this; it certainly beat Quidditch practice. She settled onto him and things really began to spin. If they didn't stop...but he didn't want to stop. His brain hummed. Maybe they could finally--

'Attention, please. All students please dress and report to the Great Hall at once. All students, report to the Great Hall.'

Ron felt Hermione jerk her mouth away from his and look up. She was lying fully on top of him and her pyjama top was again hiked up in the back.

'What was that?'

Ron had only vaguely heard it. Something about going to the Great Hall. Whatever. It could wait. His brain was barely functioning. Continuing what they were doing was so much more important now than anything else...

'Nothing, c'mere,' he heard himself say, and he pulled her down for another long kiss. His hands pushed her top up bit further in the back. All she had to do was raise her arms and he could pull it completely off...

'All students, report to the Great Hall immediately.'

McGonagall's voice boomed through the dormitory.

'Shite,' said Ron angrily, as Hermione pulled her lips away from his once again.

'Ron, don't swear, and you know we have to stop,' she hissed, pulling her top back down. So close. He'd nearly seen--

He groaned and covered his face with his hands.

'Don't be that way,' said Hermione. 'We have to go. Or have you forgotten about Percy already?'

Percy. Ron HAD forgotten. Ron pretty much forgot everything else when he was in Full Snog Mode with Hermione. Only this time he had been in Full Snog Mode Plus Nearly Getting Her Top Off.

Now, however, he felt horrible. His brother had been badly hurt and he, Ron, was more worried about making out with his girlfriend. Guilt stabbed at his gut.

'Sorry,' he heard himself mumble, and he sat up. 'Sorry. You're right. I'm being...a selfish arse.'

'It's...it's okay,' said Hermione, and she gave him a small smile that made him feel a bit less like a selfish, randy git. 'And don't swear,' she added, taking his hand.

He smiled sheepishly at her, then shook his head to clear it and reached for the curtains.

But they were yanked open by somebody else.

'Hey, wake up Weasley!' said Seamus, but then his eyes fell on Hermione and he stopped. His mouth was open, and Dean and Neville were behind him. All three of them stared at Ron, then at Hermione, then back at Ron.

'Uh...' said Ron dumbly. Shit. He'd never hear the end of it.

Hermione made a noise in her throat, but then seemed to snap out of something.

'Well, what are you three staring at?' she snapped. 'McGonagall wants us in the Great Hall. So get dressed!' She leapt out of Ron's bed, put on her slippers, and flipped her hair out of her eyes. 'And be quick about it!' she added, before flouncing out of the room. Ron and the other boys stared after her for a good few seconds before Seamus chuckled.

'Weasley, you dog--'

'Finnigan, don't say a word if you know what's good for you,' said Ron, whirling on him. His face was hot, his ears were red, but he wasn't going to stand for Seamus teasing him.

Seamus held up his hands and backed away. Ron shot a glance at Dean, who quickly busied himself with getting dressed. Then Ron looked at Neville, who was, if possible, even more crimson in the face. Neville looked away and he, too, began to pull on his school uniform.

Ron was just pulling on his school robes when Harry burst into the room and began to tear clothes out of the drawers of his chest.

'Shit,' he muttered. 'Shit, shit, shit.'

'What?' said Ron.

'What do you mean, what?' said Harry irritably. 'If McGonagall wants us in the Great Hall, something's happened. Something bad.'

'Yeah,' said Ron, feeling a bit annoyed. 'We heard about it last night.'

'Not everything,' said Harry, as he pulled on socks and shoes.

Ron nodded. 'Yeah, not everything. I guess...we're about to find out, aren't we?'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Great Hall filled quickly, but nobody sat down, and conversations buzzed throughout the room. Harry and Susan stood nearby, holding onto each other.

As he clutched Hermione's hand, Ron felt his eyes wander about the room. So far nearly every face he'd seen had been a mixture of expressions: concern, confusion, fear.

'Hey,' said Ginny, as she took a seat to Ron's left. 'What's going on?'

'I dunno,' said Ron, as his eyes continued to wander. They fell upon Luna Lovegood, who was perhaps the only student actually sitting down. Ron bit back a gasp at her appearance. She was thin to the point of being gaunt. Her dark blonde hair hung in limp ropes down her back. Her normally protuberant eyes were huge as saucers, but heavy-lidded, with deep purple circles beneath. Her face was ashen. She looked as though she hadn't slept or eaten in a week.

'Luna looks like hell,' Ron whispered to Ginny.

'I know,' said Ginny. 'I think it must be the book. She's not sleeping.'

At that moment Eddie Carmichael appeared at Luna's side and put a hand on her shoulder. Luna looked up and smiled weakly at him, and Eddie sat down next to her and took her hand. His face was surprisingly gentle and lacked any of its usual leering smarminess; he seemed to be trying to comfort her about something. Luna was nodding and clutching his hand.

'Look,' Ron hissed, to Hermione and Ginny.

'Ron, he could just be trying to calm her down about...whatever McGonagall's called us in here for,' said Hermione quickly.

'If you say so,' said Ron doubtfully. At that moment a screech owl came soaring into the hall and dropped something in front of Hermione. It took off without bothering to accept payment for the delivery.

'The Prophet,' Hermione breathed. She snatched up the paper. Harry and Susan came round behind Hermione as Ron and Ginny moved closer to her.

'Front page story about the attack last night,' said Hermione in a whisper. 'Look.'

And they did. Neville looked up and joined them. Ron felt his stomach clench as he read the article.

ATTACK AT MINISTRY LEADS TO CHAOS, INJURIES

At least a dozen Death Eaters--supporters of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-
Named lead an attack against the Ministry of Magic in the early
hours of the morning. With the help of several Dementors, former
prison guards of Azkaban who have since deserted Ministry employ
and joined the ranks of You-Know-Who's minions, the Death Eaters
entered Ministry headquarters at approximately one-thirty in the
morning. It is believed that one of the Death Eaters posed as a
Ministry employee and gained entrance to headquarters via
subterfuge, then assisted his comrades in entering the building
through the front door.

No documents or valuables were stolen from Ministry headquarters
or the Department of Mysteries, leading top Ministry officials
to believe that the attack was not a robbery attempt.
'It was clearly designed to foment chaos and panic,' said one
unnamed Ministry official.

Ministry employees from the highest levels on down have been
working very long hours and additional shifts in a concerted
effort to recapture the four escaped Death Eaters who absconded
from Azkaban prison several months ago. The Death Eaters are
Lucius Malfoy, Augustus Rookwood, Antonin Dolohov and Bellatrix
Lestrange. Witnesses to last night's attack were unable to
determine if any of these four Death Eaters were among those who
participated in the attack, as all of the Death Eaters were
hooded and masked.

Several injuries, some serious, have been reported.

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft

and Wizardry, sustained serious injuries when he was ambushed

on his way out of the Department of Mysteries. The nature of his

injuries is unclear but he is currently at St. Mungo's Hospital and

his condition is listed as 'serious.'

Amelia Bones, Acting Minister of Magic, was gravely
injured by two Death Eaters who attacked her as she entered the
Atrium to assist Ministry employees in defending against the
Death Eater Attack. She is expected to make a full recovery but
a St. Mungo's healer, speaking on condition of anonymity, says
'it'll be some time before she can return to her post.'

Another Ministry employee, Percy Ignatius Weasley, was badly
injured in the attack; witnesses say three Death Eaters
used a Reductor Curse that caused a large section of wall to
collapse upon Mr. Weasley, severely injuring both his legs. He
nonetheless fought off his attackers, killing one and causing
the other two to flee. Mr. Weasley's heroics did not end there,
however. Witnesses claim that he was chased by the three Death
Eaters after successfully repelling half a dozen Dementors who
were attempting to attack his father, Arthur Weasley, of the
Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office. Mr. Weasley, Sr. was
uninjured in the attack. Percy Weasley has also been removed to
St. Mungo's for treatment. Like Madam Bones, Percy Weasley is
expected to make a full recovery but hospital officials caution
that the damage to his legs is severe enough that there might be
some permanent damage.

Several other Ministry employees received minor injuries in the
attack. They were treated at St. Mungo's and released.
Additional Aurors have been posted on all floors at the hospital
to protect the patients; these Aurors join the small force who
were stationed at the hospital to guard six Death Eaters who
subsequently escaped by means of subterfuge and, it is believed,
with assistance from fellow Death Eaters. Apart from the Death
Eater killed by Percy Weasley, all of the Death Eaters involved
in this morning's attack, as well as most of the Dementors, fled
the scene. The attack lasted less than fifteen minutes and also
caused severe damage to the Ministry building itself.

In the aftermath of the attack an emergency session of the
Wizengamot was called this morning. Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, attended the meeting in Dumbledore's

stead. She will assume the post of Interim Headmistress until Dumbledore

recovers and returns to the school. Details are sketchy as to the
content of the Wizengamot meeting, but The Daily Prophet has
confirmed that Arthur Weasley has been temporarily appointed as
Acting Minister of Magic until Madam Bones returns to her post.

Everyone seemed to finish reading at the same time, and the five of them stared at one another.

Hermione found her voice first.

'I...I can't believe it,' she said. 'Dumbledore...'

'Ron, your dad,' said Neville. 'Minister of Magic?'

Somehow, this news was no comfort to Ron at all, and Susan blanched.

Neville seemed to realize he'd said something wrong, and he mumbled, 'Sorry.'

And then there were more owls swooping in, and more copies of The Daily Prophet were dropping, onto tables, onto students' heads, and very soon the horrified expressions on Ron's, Hermione's, Harry's, Ginny's and Susan's faces were matched by most everyone in the room.

Most everyone, Ron saw, except for Malfoy. As Ron's eyes flitted over to the Slytherin table, he saw Malfoy staring at him. Or more correctly, them.

'Malfoy,' Ron heard himself say, and Harry turned. Ron felt his blood run cold when Malfoy's thin lips curled into a smug, sneering smile.

'He knows,' said Ron. 'He knows what happened.' His eyes stayed on Malfoy, wanting to out-glare the blond boy.

'Of course he knows,' said Harry darkly. 'His dad was probably there.'

'Attention, please!'

McGonagall's voice snapped Ron's eyes away from Malfoy, and a hush fell over the Great Hall. McGonagall stood in front of the staff table, flanked on one side by Snape, Professor Sprout, Professor Sinistra, Professor Vector and Hagrid. On the other side were Bill, Madam Pomfrey, Professor Flitwick, and the ghostly, pearlescent shape of Professor Binns.

'By now I'm sure many of you have read this morning's paper,' said McGonagall. Her voice was steely but slightly tired. 'I regret to say that the report is entirely accurate. Albus Dumbledore was indeed gravely injured in last night's attack, and he is in hospital.'

A great murmur went up in the crowd.

'Silence, please!' said McGonagall, and as Ron expected, the hall fell silent. 'I have called this assembly to announce several new security procedures, but first and foremost I want to emphasize that nobody should panic. Our Headmaster is alive and he is recuperating, and he will return as soon as he is able. In the meantime, I have been given special dispensation by the Ministry of Magic to install additional security in and around the school.'

It was then that Ron noticed several new faces in the room. All of them young. All of them Aurors, judging by their robes and badges.

'As of today all students will be escorted to and from lessons in groups by teams of two Aurors. All students will report to their house common rooms no later than six o'clock each evening. No exceptions. Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl will continue with their patrol duties in the company of at least one Auror, at all times. No exceptions. Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl are given dispensation to use magic in the corridors in emergency situations only. All trips to Hogsmeade are hereby cancelled. No exceptions. The Floo Network has been temporarily suspended. Any student who, for any reason, needs to leave the school, must arrange to do so by Portkey, and must make arrangements through my office. Security trolls will be patrolling the grounds. Students are advised not to disturb them under any circumstances.'

Ron smirked. Having dealt with a mountain troll in his first year, he knew better than to go anywhere near the beasts.

'In the meantime, all other activities will go on as normal,' McGonagall was saying. 'We will hold the final Quidditch match of the season but please be prepared for very tight security. I will give more details on this as the time approaches. In the meantime, please finish your breakfast and prepare to go to lessons. We will be lining classes up shortly, by year, so that you can be escorted where you need to go.'

At this, McGonagall swept up to the staff table and around it, and took a seat. Ron noticed she did not sit in Dumbledore's chair, though it was her right as Acting Headmistress. Snape, for his part, walked quickly from the Great Hall. Bill strode over to the Gryffindor table.

'Ron, Ginny,' he said, his voice flat and tired. 'Read about Percy?'

'Yeah,' said Ron, his glum feeling returning.

'Mum wants me to pop in and see him,' said Bill. 'I reckon I'm going this afternoon. Which means lessons are cancelled for today, but McGonagall's agreed that you can hold a D.A. meeting instead, and I'd like for Harry to lead it and for you, Ron, to assist. Harry?'

'Sure,' said Harry at once. 'Yeah, I'll do it.'

'Me, too,' said Ron, feeling a twinge in his chest. He suddenly wished he could go to St. Mungo's, too, just to see for himself if Percy was all right.

You'll be all right while I'm gone?' said Bill.

'Yeah, fine,' said Ron and Ginny together.

'Right,' said Bill. 'See you later then.' He started off, but Ron called out to him.

'Bill?'

'Yeah?' said Bill, turning.

'Listen, um, when you see Percy,' said Ron slowly, and he looked to Ginny for help, and she nodded, 'just...just tell him we're glad he's okay.'

Bill gave Ron a small smile. 'I'll do that,' he said, and swept out of the room.

For a long moment, nobody left at the table spoke. At last, Harry piped up.

'I'm glad...Percy's okay,' he said. 'That was brave, what he did.'

'Yeah,' said Ron dully, not wanting to talk about the brother who only yesterday he was still angry with. It was a lot easier to be annoyed with Percy than to be worried about him.

'Do--do you--well, we were supposed to have Quidditch practice tonight, but if you don't want to--' Harry stammered.

'No, I want to,' said Ron. 'We've got the match on Saturday. Gin, you okay with that?'

'Yes,' said Ginny at once.

'All right, then,' said Harry. 'It's on.'

'Attention, please,' said McGonagall. 'First years, please line up single-file by the entrance doors to the Hall to be escorted to class.'

'Damn,' said Harry. 'Was hoping to have time for a kip before lessons.'

'Oh, did you have trouble sleeping again, Harry?' said Hermione, her face full of worry.

Harry went red, and Ron immediately knew why Harry hadn't slept much the night before. The blush on Susan's face confirmed it.

'Not really,' Harry mumbled. 'But it was nothing. No visions. No big deal.'

'Are you sure, Harry?' said Hermione. 'Maybe you should go to Madam Pomfrey--'

Harry was beet red and Ron knew he had to step in before Hermione really caused embarrassment. For someone who prided herself on being so attuned to other people's emotions, she could be a bit naïve.

'Drop it, Hermione,' he whispered. She opened her mouth, gave him an indignant look, but then nodded.

'Second years, line up please!' McGonagall called. And on it went, until they reached the sixth years. Ron and Hermione headed to the front of the line while Harry drifted back a bit with Susan. Malfoy smiled smugly as Ron passed, but this time Hermione didn't even have to tell Ron to ignore the other boy; Ron was too tired, too wound up, too concerned for his brother to notice the little ferret.

'Wotcher, Ron, Hermione,' said a friendly female voice. Ron looked up into the pale face of Nymphadora Tonks.

'Hey, Tonks,' said Ron, grinning. 'You volunteered for this?'

'You bet,' she said, and she nodded toward Harry, who nodded back in greeting. 'Wanted to keep an eye on Harry, and I figure he'll prefer me to Mad-Eye.'

Their first lesson was Transfiguration. Ron did well enough in the lesson that day, all things considered. McGonagall had offered to let him take the day off, but Ron decided that keeping busy was better for him, and for once his mind stayed totally on the task at hand: Conjuring Spells. Ron was getting fairly decent with these, though his chairs were always a bit misshapen and his table legs a bit too short. Hermione, as usual, conjured up perfect bits of furniture and earned Gryffindor twenty points. Harry's furniture was about as good as Ron's, but neither of them were required to do extra homework for once.

After Transfiguration, there was the lunch hour, and Ron's mind drifted back to Percy as he wandered slowly back to the Great Hall with Hermione. He wondered if Bill had already left to see him. He remembered the last time he'd seen Percy. At Christmas, when he'd yelled at Percy and threw every nasty thing Percy had done back in his face.

He deserved it, Ron thought.

True, but he also nearly died trying to save our dad. And his legs...would Percy ever walk again?

Suddenly, it seemed to Ron to be the most petty thing in the world to hold any sort of grudge against Percy. Ron had nearly lost his father and his brother in the past year and a half. Charlie was right. They should all be sticking together. They shouldn't hold onto grudges. Any one of them could die in this stupid war. Ron swallowed and fought down a lump in his throat.

'Ron?' said Hermione. 'Are you okay?'

'Yeah,' Ron said quickly. 'Listen, uh, I need to do something right now. Can I meet you after lunch?'

'Ron, you're not supposed to go round in the corridors alone,' said Hermione fretfully.

'I'll grab somebody to walk me,' said Ron, trying not to sound impatient. 'And anyway, I'm going to the common room, okay? I just...I really have to do something.'

She studied him for a moment, perplexed, but something in his face must have made sense to her, and she nodded.

'See you soon, then,' she said. 'I'll save you a sandwich.'

'Thanks,' he said, and he hugged her tightly and kissed her on the head, and hurried off in the direction of the common room.

'Weasley, where are you--'

'Professor McGonagall,' said Ron. 'Look, is it okay if I just go to the common room? I just...I need to write Percy.'

McGonagall eyed him for a moment, then nodded.

'Of course, Mr. Weasley,' she said. 'But go straight to the common room and don't wander, understood?'

'Yes, Professor,' he said, and he hurried off, leaving her shaking her head and smiling in his wake.

It was almost an hour before the letter he was composing was deemed satisfactory, and by that point the lunch hour was nearing completion. Harry was sacked out on his bed, sleeping deeply; he'd managed to get Tonks to walk him back to the common room. Ron smirked and wondered when his best mate had turned into such a randy bastard.

As for Ron, he was hungry and cranky. Nearly an hour to write a very short letter. What else was new?

Dear Percy,

I heard about what happened at the Ministry. I'm glad you're okay and
I just want to say that you were really brave, and to say thanks for
helping Dad. I'm sorry I was angry at you at Christmas. Write soon and
let me know how you're doing.

Best,

Ron

Ron stared down at the letter for a moment, then rolled up the parchment, sealed it with a tap of his wand, and whistled to Pigdwidgeon, who was snoozing in his cage. The tiny owl blinked and gave a little hoot.

'Shh, don't wake Harry,' Ron said, crossing to the cage and opening it. Pigwidgeon immediately started to flutter excitedly. 'Calm down, silly bird. Take this to St. Mungo's, got it? Make surehappy hoot, took the parchment in his right claw and fluttered out of his cage. Ron rolled his eyes but opened the window and watched as the tiny owl flew away unsteadily, the letter clutched tightly in his claw.