Ginny alerted no one. Once she was sure there was someone they could not see beside Hermione, she silently backed away.
Su Er was explaining the plan to Hermione, unaware that he had already been "exposed."
After all, Ginny's movements had been far too discreet, and wizard robes were not form-fitting, so naturally Su Er could not notice.
Even after Su Er finished explaining the plan to Hermione, Harry was still hesitating over whether to tell Snape. For all the boy's frantic urgency, he had actually wasted quite a bit of time over Snape.
"Here's what we'll do, Harry," Hermione broke the silence. "I have a plan."
"Tell me," Harry said at once, his expression turning serious.
"If you insist on going to the Ministry of Magic to confirm whether Sirius has been captured by Voldemort..."
She had barely begun when Harry suddenly squeezed his eyes shut, pain crossing his face. One hand clamped over the scar on his forehead, his body bent at an unnatural angle, and he gasped for breath.
"Harry!" Ginny cried worriedly.
Hidden out of sight, Su Er could not help frowning. Harry's scar was hurting again. What was Voldemort trying to do?
"Hah... cough, cough... hah... hah..."
Harry did not remain doubled over with his hand on his forehead for long. After perhaps a few dozen seconds, he straightened up, still clutching his forehead. Tiny beads of sweat covered it, and his eyes were filled with terror and despair.
"What did you see?" Hermione asked.
"Sirius is there. I saw him," he said, his voice trembling. "There's no need to check. He's right there. A woman is torturing him, laughing wildly, over and over, using... the Cruciatus Curse..."
"Voldemort is right beside him. It's still that shelf. He's forcing Sirius to get..."
Su Er's brow