Her Disappearance

Prologue: Gone

"Where is she?" shouted Harry in a panicked voice. "Where is Hermione?"

"She has to be here somewhere!" Ron exclaimed. "I know I saw here a little bit ago. She was right next to me when you came out of the forest!"

"Calm down everyone!" shouted Mr. Weasley over the panicked voices of his wife and children. Once everyone had quieted down to look at him, Mr. Weasley tried his best to sound reassuring. "We can split up and search for her. Molly, George, you stay here with Fred. We'll be back shortly." Mrs. Weasley nodded with tears in her eyes while George sat with his face hidden, holding his dead twin's hand.

Mr. Weasley ushered the rest of his children, and anyone else willing to help in their search, from the Great Hall. "Okay," he said. "Split into pairs – search exerywhere. If you find her, send a patronus and we'll all meet you wherever you are."

Nearly an hour later the search party was called to a spot in the middle of the grounds where Harry's stag patronus had directed them.

Gathered around in a circle, they all exchanged looks as they stared at the patch of ground before them. Harry bent down and gingerly picked up a Death Eater's mask, Hermione's wand, and her tiny beaded bag. Ginny gasped at the sight of all the blood that covered the three objects. It was clear that something awful had happened in this spot. After all, Hermione would not part with her wand willingly.

A feeling of dread settled throughout everyone gathered on the lawn.

Hermione Granger was missing.