It hurts when you're gone (Ron Weasley Fanfic)

Chapter 39- It is War (part 1)

'He broke into Gringotts!'

'Flew out on a dragon!!'

'Goodness only knows how..' All of us were gasping aloud, exclaiming about the news we'd heard on Potterwatch and how it could possibly be true. We could hardly have gotten any better news- finally we knew where Harry, Hermione and Ron were. We knew that they were fighting- this gave us unimaginable courage.

Later, I was curled up in an armchair, re-reading 'Charms for the advanced Learner.' I had pretty much mastered all the spells in it; and other seventh years would often ask me how I'd perfected spells that were academically years ahead, making me squirm. Michael and I were debating about the wandwork of a particular spell; Parvati, Colin and Neville were listening, albeit sleepily. Neville had told me that no other subject interested him more than Herbology. He had promised me that we would go out to the library tonight to look for new reading material, as I had complained that there had to be something productive for us all to do.

Colin suddenly let out a cry. 'Ariana!'

'What?' Neville said, getting up and staring at the portrait. Ariana was beckoning him forwards, her face shining with happiness and a beautiful smile on her lips. 'Ab..but why?' Neville asked, pacing to the front of the room.

'Supposing it's an important message he wants to give-' started Terry.

'But he could've told me when I went there to get dinner!' Neville cut in. 'I'm going to see what is up.'

He climbed into the hole, looking back one last time at me. 'Take care' I mouthed, at which he nodded, closing the door and setting out. Little did I know that whomsoever he'd bring in would change our lives forever, from that moment onwards.

The door to the portrait hole opened a few minutes later, as Neville clambered out. His face shone with a mysterious aura- he looked at us all, excited. Just like a performer about to introduce his main act. 'Didn't I tell you?' he yelled happily.

I could not believe what I saw. Harry James Potter came out of the hole, closely followed by Hermione. My adrenaline levels were so up that I practically bounded first to them, yelling in happiness and putting my arms around them both. Before I knew it, we were a tangle of limbs- I was engulfed in a human sea. Several hands, the top of people's heads- we were so packed together. So enthusiastic were we about them returning, that a 'Welcome Back' of this magnitude was definitely in order. We only finally released them and moved back when Neville yelled for us to calm down. I took a step back to look at those bravehearts- the ones who'd helped us so much through these times. Harry was grinning from ear-to-ear, though his face was riddled with small cuts. Hermione beamed at us all, her long hair tangled like I'd never seen it. And the person I'd so longed to see for these many months.

Ron, his arm looped with Hermione's, his unkempt, wild hair obscuring one of his eyes- that were shining with brightness. He looked at us all; I waited for him to look at me. But he never did. His eyes were turned down when I tried with all my might to make him look into my eyes and tell me the truth I'd so craved to know. And then I knew it. Ginny wasn't lying. Ron had turned to Hermione now, to him I was just another one of the people in Hogwarts. But this time there was no crying or berating. I was just going to take the news in my stride and move on. Neville looked at me once, as if gauging how I felt, before turning back to the three.

Meanwhile, I knew what to do. I set the message on the coin as- 'Hogwarts is at war. We need your help.' We had a war to fight. But when Harry repeatedly kept saying that there was something that only those three had come to do, I felt an acute sense of disappointment. Before I could voice it, though, the door opened again- Luna and Dean stepped out. Luna gave us all a radiant smile, holding up the coin. Seamus bear-hugged his best friend. The surprises wouldn't stop, even though I knew we'd called for them. Out stepped Ginny, Fred, George and Lee. When I saw Ginny, I literally screamed, hugging her like I'd never let her go. She laughed into my hair, patting my back. She looked once at Ron, his hands still linked with Hermione's and tried to make a move. But I restrained her, pulling her back silently. Now was not the time, and come to think of it, I didn't really need it.

Soon Harry was describing what exactly he wanted to find- the lost diadem of Ravenclaw. Cho said she could show a replica of it to him if he wanted, at which Ginny retorted furiously and asked Luna to show him. I stifled a small laugh, giving Ginny a thumbs-up.

After Harry and Luna left, Hermione and Ron discussed something in low voices. I think I might have stared at them for quite some time, trying to recognize those little quirks Ron and I shared; because I felt Neville's hand guide me away.

'I wonder, if Harry gets caught-'

'We need to send word to The Order as well! It's going to be an all-out war!' Fred proclaimed.

'But how?' someone said.

'Should I do the talking patronus thing?' I asked. Dad and I used it to communicate whenever we went hiking and needed help.

'Of course, why are you asking us? Do it!!' Ginny said, at which I sprang into action. My dove patronus emerged out of my wand-tip, circling my head as I recited what was to be said. It flew out of the passage as we all stared at its receding light- the only ''brightness in the approaching dark.''

The Order was to arrive faster than we thought- here was Professor Lupin, who was apparently happily-wedded with Tonks, Shacklebolt, several other members of the DA, Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley, Fleur Delacour and Bill Weasley- who smiled slightly when he saw me.

When Harry finally did arrive, he seemed shocked to see us all gathered together. 'We're fighting!' he exclaimed louldly, at which all of us rushed out of the door. I couldn't believe it. We were fighting, and finally! Neville caught hold of my arm through the crowd, and we both ran downstairs. I whooped in excitement, as we slid down a banister, at which Neville grinned. We were both panting by the time we reached the Great Hall. I sighed in happiness- would this fight finally restore everything to normalcy? Would the world be finally rid of evil- would Harry's goodness and strength triumph? Fingers crossed, I muttered.

Neville's eyes glinted, he clutched his wand tightly with his other hand. I could see that the idea of war excited him beyond words. Passive resistance was what we'd done all this long- and now, the time demanded active resistance.

'Ginny!! Where's Ginny??' I said in dismay, looking around the Hall. And then I spotted 2 specks bounding down the aisle- they looked so familiar, even from afar. It was mum, her hair streaming behind her, and dad who looked fiercely proud; even as he ran. 'Mum, dad!!' I yelled, at which they saw me and pushed past crowds to finally give me a hug. I was still stuttering in happiness- I was so glad to see them here, though in a way I also felt a little scared for them. Dad ruffled my hair, as he asked me- 'Do you remember what I told you years ago, Y/N?'

The memory came to me quickly; of dad almost crying. ('Remember then, honey, that courage will show you the way. And death won't seem so bad. Don't succumb, die fighting if you have to.') I nodded, saying, 'I do know dad, I do.'

Mum half-glanced at the table where the people were shouting out orders. 'We need to be there..'

'Go then! Go!!' I said, pushing them to the front.

'Stay strong and stay safe Y/N!!' Dad yelled, as they left quickly. 'You too!!' I said, their departing figures making me feel oddly lonely. But I realized I had Neville beside me. 'Your parents are really cool' he said.

I swung my hair back proudly. 'After all, whose parents are they?'