Though she couldn't sense Ron's presence yet. He wasn't here ... somehow Hermione could tell that. She felt emboldened by the sensation, as she realised that her perceptive abilities had come with her from The Blue Palace. It wasn't just a skill she could use there ... it was a talent she carried inside, one that Harry had awoken within her. She felt inordinately close to him just then, as though he were right there at her side, guiding her through this maze of shadowy corridors with his blinding, ever-supportive light showing her the way.