Hp: Hermione and Darkness

Mrs Weasley followed them upstairs, her expression stern. "I want you all to go straight to bed, no talking," she said as they reached the first landing. "We've got a busy day tomorrow. I expect Ginny's asleep," she added to Hermione, "so try not to wake her up."

Hermione gently opened the door to their room, feeling Mrs Weasley's watchful eyes on her back. Ginny lay in bed, snoring lightly. The creak of the door caused her to stir slightly, but soon the soft, rhythmic breathing resumed.

Hermione smirked, knowing Ginny was wide awake and putting on an Oscar-worthy performance. Mrs Weasley lingered for a moment longer, then continued up the stairs with the boys. Hermione closed the door quietly.

"Bloody hell," Ginny said, sitting up straight as soon as the door clicked shut. "I am one year - ONE YEAR - younger than you all, and I couldn't listen? That's rubbish."

"I know, it's not fair," Hermione said, sitting on her bed. "But I do feel bad for your Mum-"

"No, she just likes to micromanage and control everything," Ginny interrupted, pacing like a caged lion. "Especially me. Just because I'm a girl, I can't possibly be trusted to be treated like an adult."

"I don't think that's-"

"Oh, that's exactly it." Ginny stopped pacing, hands on her hips, staring Hermione down. "Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Well, what did you learn? You are going to tell me, aren't you? Or do you think I'm too young too?"

Hermione felt a flash of frustration, recalling Harry's earlier anger. She took a deep breath, deciding to handle this differently. "Hey, I'm not the person you're mad at," she said firmly. "You don't have to project your anger onto me, Ginny."

Ginny blinked, then dropped her hands from her hips. "You're right. I'm so sorry, Hermione."

"It's okay," Hermione replied. "And, of course, I'm going to tell you! Are you mad?"

Ginny's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she sat on her bed, facing Hermione. "Okay, start at the beginning."

"Well, they didn't tell us much that we haven't already figured out for ourselves. Basically, the Order is trying to recruit new members and dissuade others from joining He Who Must Not Be Named," Hermione explained.

"Right, makes sense."

"But they let something very interesting slip: in addition to quietly attracting people to join his side, You Know Who is also looking for some sort of weapon… something that he didn't have before."

"What is it?"

"They didn't say, but they implied that the only way he could get it was by stealth, and that's probably why You Know Who is keeping a low profile," Hermione said. "But, whatever it is, it's very powerful, and the Order is very nervous about it."

"More powerful than the Killing Curse?" Ginny echoed Harry, her eyes wide.

"Yeah, it seemed like it," Hermione said, frowning. "But I can't possibly guess what it could be or where it could be hiding."

"Do you think Dumbledore has it?"

Hermione was just about to admit she had no idea when they heard Mrs Weasley's footsteps just outside the bedroom door. Both girls dove under their blankets, trying to stifle their giggles. Hermione held her breath, feeling Mrs Weasley's scrutinising gaze. She didn't even attempt to fake snoring, knowing she wasn't as skilled as Ginny at acting.

Finally, the door shut. Hermione waited a few more moments, her heart pounding, until Ginny peeked at the door and confirmed the coast was clear.

"I don't know if Dumbledore has it," Hermione whispered. "But I sure hope he does for everyone's sake. Come on, let's grab some sleep so we can discuss it with the boys some more tomorrow."

Ginny nodded, settling back into her bed. Hermione also laid down, her mind racing with thoughts of the mysterious weapon and the danger lurking ahead.

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