Hogwarts - 10
"What do you mean? Harry, you can't be anywhere near there. She's got the order to bring you in for questioning, and if she succeeds in securing the Ministry, she'll have you arrested," Hermione said tearfully.
Harry's face hardened as a steely glint of power stole into his eyes. He looked fierce, and Ginny couldn't help feeling proud of the man he was becoming.
"Then maybe it's time for the Chosen One to tell the people what's really going on – whether they want to hear it or not," Harry said, his jaw clenched in determination.
Ginny slipped her hand into his and squeezed it gently. Whatever happened, she knew they'd all be by his side.
**~~**~~**
Next day, Harry agian tried to write letter but this time its for Hermione, but the result is same, he is unable put his emotions & thoughts into words. Harry put the letter aside, sighing. He was still having such difficulty writing them. Did he really sound like such an idiot when he spoke? Maybe it was because he just couldn't bear to say goodbye…
Running a hand through his mussed-up hair, he pushed the letters aside and let his head fall on the table. He'd been in the library all evening researching Rowena Ravenclaw but felt no closer to a revelation than he had when he'd started. Ron and Ginny had already retired, but Hermione was still somewhere in the library. Harry wasn't certain what she was researching. She loved having run of the whole place and tended to spread out her work on multiple tables, flitting from spot to spot as inspiration struck.
"Hermione," he called, packing up his parchment and quills and tossing them in his bag.
"Over here, Harry," she replied from somewhere in a darkened corner. He thought her voice sounded rather panicked, and he could hear parchment rustling. He knew it meant that tonight's research involved the damn bit of Voldemort's soul that was stuck inside him. Whatever she was doing, she obviously wasn't ready to share it, and Harry was feeling too discouraged to ask.
"It's late. I'm going to stop by the Owlery to see Hedwig before going to bed. Are you almost done here?" he asked.
"Yes, I'll be there shortly. Say hello to Hedwig for me," Hermione said, her voice noticeably relaxing.
"All right. Goodnight, Hermione," he called, leaving the library and winding his way toward the Owlery.
The castle was eerily quiet. Even though the corridors were normally empty at this late hour, something still felt different. The walls seemed to radiate a hollow loneliness as Harry's footsteps echoed on the cold stone stairs. Things had been tense amongst everyone since the revelation that Umbridge had released Wormtail and arranged a truce with Voldemort. The members of the Order knew her treaty was doomed from the start and were working on ways to covertly attend her press conference that was scheduled for the following evening.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all planning on attending, as well, but Mrs. Weasley was adamant that Ginny stay safely behind. Percy's death had unhinged Mrs. Weasley completely, and she'd resumed her efforts to try and shield all of them from any further violence. Although she wasn't happy about it, Ginny didn't have the heart to push her mother right now and had agreed to remain at Hogwarts.
Harry didn't know what concessions Umbridge had agreed to, but he knew she had to be stopped. He'd barely clamped down on the fury he felt over Wormtail's release after everything they'd gone through to capture him. Ron had nearly died! Wormtail's manipulations had landed Sirius in prison for twelve years. Harry's own parents had lost their lives because of the little rat's cowardice – and Umbridge had just let him walk away.