Mortal Peril - 9

"Yes, my Lord," Bellatrix replied, cackling with glee.

Harry struggled vainly against the invisible bonds holding him.

"I'll join you as soon as I see Mr. Potter's eyes close for the final time," Voldemort said, smiling.

Harry watched helplessly as Bellatrix and the other Death Eaters filed out of the room. Once it was empty, Snape turned toward Voldemort.

"It is ready, my Lord."

*~*~*

Ron raced into his dormitory and dropped to the floor by Harry's bed. He grabbed the rucksack from underneath and quickly began rummaging through Harry's belongings. Finding the familiar piece of worn parchment, he bolted back down the stairs.

Ginny was waiting for him in the common room, her face taut with concern. When he found Harry, Ron was going to give him hell for worrying his sister so badly. Ginny wasn't prone to overreacting – he was more likely to do that – although he'd never admit that to her. Seeing her so obviously distraught caused the hairs on the back of Ron's neck to stand on end. If Ginny felt Harry was in trouble, he more than likely was.

Ron hated not knowing what was happening – he never could stand feeling out of control. How was he supposed to watch out for his friends if the plan kept changing? He'd promised himself that he would see Harry through this to the end, and he'd be extremely disappointed in his friend if he'd cut Ron out at the last minute. It would be so like Harry, however. He'd want to slip away quietly so he could avoid saying goodbye.

The common room was full and loud. Charlie had returned from Romania, and he was regaling Fleur, Shannon and Iris with tales of his dragon exploits – embellishing as only Charlie could. The girls appeared enraptured with his story, while Bill and the twins stood back with their arms folded across their chests. Ron could tell by the disgruntled expressions on Fred and George's faces that Charlie was due for a severe pranking.

His parents sat by the fire. His mum had her knitting needles, but he could see that they were both quietly listening and chuckling over Charlie's tales.

"Oi! Ron! Where's the fire?" Charlie called across the common room as Ron hurried toward Ginny. "Aren't you going to come and say hello? You'll love this one."

"He'll listen to your tall dragon tales later, Charlie," Ginny answered, dragging Ron by the arm. "I've got a story of my own I need to share with him right now."

She didn't give Charlie or any of her brothers a chance to respond before she pulled Ron out the portrait hole. They quickly walked down the corridor until the came to a secluded archway. Ginny pulled Ron inside.

"Open it. D'you see him?" she demanded.

"Hang on, give me the chance to get it opened," Ron said, feeling stressed. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

They watched as the Map revealed itself, and Ron was struck by how few dots there were compared to when Hogwarts had been in session. Most of the dots were converged in the Great Hall where the Aurors must be having some sort of meeting.

He traced his fingers along the outline, methodically searching for Harry's name.

"There!" Ginny said pointing.

"You found him?" Ron asked, relief washing over him.

"Not Harry – Malfoy. He's in one of the classrooms in the Charms corridor with Dudley. I don't see Harry anywhere," she said, her voice rising. She was clutching his arm so tightly, he suspected her nails were drawing blood, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her to let go.