My Missing piece (Harmione)

39.

Ron, Ginny, and Luna, their attire hastily transformed in a secluded alleyway to blend in with the Muggle surroundings, now stood before the house that should have been Eleanor's. The palpable tension in the air mirrored the anxious beating of their hearts as they wondered if they had guessed correctly.

Ginny, her hand trembling slightly, lifted it to knock on the door. The seconds that followed felt like hours, their collective anticipation etched across their faces. The door swung open abruptly, revealing a woman with cascading waves of long, curly black hair and dark, anxious brown eyes. Those eyes assessed them quickly before landing on Eleanor, who stood before them, her own eyes dancing with nervous excitement.

Eleanor squealed with delight, unable to contain her joy, and rushed forward with a swiftness that could only be born of longing. Ember lunged forward as well as she swiftly scooped her daughter up into her arms, her tears mingling with the smile that stretched across her face. As she held Eleanor tightly, she glanced at Ron, Ginny, and Luna, her gratitude spilling from her in a torrent of heartfelt words, each thank you punctuated by fervent hugs, as if she could never express how much this moment meant to her.

"You guys should come in, I'm Ember, by the way," Ember said with a smile, her eyes betraying an underlying anxiety as she gestured for them to step inside.

"Thank you for the offer," Ginny replied with a hint of hesitation, her inner alarm bells ringing louder with each passing moment. A growing unease gnawed at her stomach. Her daughter had been missing for what felt like an eternity, a week at the very least, and the woman standing before her exhibited a peculiar lack of relief or curiosity about Eleanor's return. This conspicuous absence of emotion was deeply unsettling, to say the least. Ginny couldn't help but notice that the woman appeared more stressed than relieved, her demeanor betraying an underlying tension that sent shivers down her spine.

Ember's insistence only heightened the tension. She peered anxiously around the front yard, her gaze darting like a hunted creature, as if ensuring that no prying eyes were watching them. Her urgency made Ginny's heart race even faster.

Seeing that none of them were showing signs of moving, Ember continued in a rushed, hushed tone, "Did you find Hermione? Is she back too? Is she okay?"

The words hung heavily in the air, laden with a mix of desperation, hope, and fear. Ginny exchanged glances with Ron and Luna, her unease growing. It was becoming increasingly clear that there was more to this encounter than met the eye, and the shadow of uncertainty deepened.

"We should continue this inside," Ron declared, his voice tinged with urgency as he cast a lingering gaze at Ember. It was evident to him that she wasn't entirely comfortable talking outdoors, and it only fueled his suspicion that she held crucial information about Hermione's disappearance.

With cautious steps, Ginny and Luna followed Ron into Ember's home, the unease in the atmosphere palpable. As they all entered, Ember quietly closed the door behind them, sealing them within a cocoon of anxiety.

Before Ember could utter a word, Ron took the initiative. "Sorry, Ember," he began, his voice gentle but laden with tension, "I'm Ron—"

Ember swiftly interrupted him, her desperation evident in her trembling voice. "I know you guys are Hermione's friends. Is she safe? Is Hermione back?" Her words rushed out, the anxiety etched on her face mirroring the turmoil within her. Her repeated mention of Hermione's name did not go unnoticed, and each mention caused Eleanor to flinch, a stark indication that something was deeply amiss, casting a shadow of sadness and apprehension over the room.

Ginny's heart hammered in her chest as she attempted to feign ignorance. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, though she knew all too well what Ember was getting at.