"What should we do?" Hermione squeezed Su Er in her arms. She said nothing, but her expressive face clearly conveyed that she was asking for his opinion.
Su Er shook his head slightly.
"You're against it?" Hermione asked softly.
Su Er shook his head again and looked at Harry. The stubbornness and determination on his face made it clear that objecting would be useless. Even if he had to go alone, he would definitely go to the Ministry of Magic.
This was where Su Er and Hermione's unspoken understanding would be put to the test.
Neither agreement nor opposition-then there was only one possibility.
From Su Er's head-shaking and the look in his eyes, Hermione grasped his meaning.
"Stall for time?"
Exactly. Su Er happily patted Hermione's arm and leaped out of her embrace. In the quiet Room of Requirement, this naturally drew everyone's attention. Oh, except for the distraught Harry.
Make no mistake, he was not trying to show off in front of everyone.
It was not yet time to reveal that he had not "died."
Su Er darted toward the door, which had carelessly been left slightly open.
"Hermione, he's run off," Ginny said.
"It's all right." Hermione shook her head and looked at Harry. "Are you sure you want to go to the Ministry of Magic to rescue Sirius? If things really are as you saw them."
Harry said nothing and nodded without hesitation.
All right. Hermione let out a soft breath, her mind racing. "Then go. But before that, I want you to use the Patronus Charm one more time."
"Whatever happens, you have to notify someone in the Order of the Phoenix. Anyone."
"But..." Harry shook his head, his tone impatient. "Didn't you hear what Kreacher said? Lupin, Mad-Eye, neither of them is at Grimmauld