The Third Floor Corridor
The Corridor was not what any of them expected. They never would have known there was something dangerous if it wasn't for the warning Dumbledore gave at the start of term. There were no signs or wards. This gave the group of pranksters some concern, even the Forbidden Forest had Hagrid patrolling the borders.
"Does this not seem too easy to anyone else? I mean, shouldn't there be at least a sign warning students away?"
"I must agree with Neville, this is far too suspicious."
"Lighten up guys!" Theo just shook his head, anytime Seamus said that bad things happened; like that time with the dragon or when they got caught sneaking into the more dangerous greenhouses at the Longbottom estate. "It'll be fun, it's not like they would keep a dragon in here and we can handle those."
"Well actually,"
"Hagrid,"
"The groundskeeper,"
"Really wants,"
"A dragon." This caused the Dragon Boys to stop their journey down the corridor. "Our little brother, Ron, said he's mentioned it a few times."
"That has to be the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Not only does he live in a wooden house, it's highly illegal to own a live dragon or an egg." Harry was horrified at the thought of a person who wasn't a trained dragon tamer even wishing for a dragon. The group finally arrived at a door, which was easily unlocked with a basic spell from Fred and George. "Does anyone else feel like this is too easy? I mean the door leading to a supposedly painful death was unlocked with a simple Alohomora."
"Well then chaps, there's nothing left but to open the door." Fred walked forward and pushed open the door and then promptly shut it again. "Bloody hell! That looked like a cerebrus!"
"No way, that's so cool!" Seamus eagerly approached the door. "I want to see it."
"Well we always did know he was crazy. This just proves it."
"Guys you've got to see this. It's standing on something." They all just looked at him incredulously. "Really, it's not like they would just keep a cerberus inside for no reason. They are famous for guarding things."
"He does have a point and he hasn't been eaten after standing there for the past couple of minutes." Neville as always provided the voice of reason. "So what would it be guarding?"
"Well we could always try to get information out of Hagrid. If anyone in the castle were to know about the cerberus, it would be him."
"Why George, that was very Slytherin of you. I never would have guessed that Gryffindors uncorrupted by Slytherin influence would be able to think of something like that."
"My dear Theodore, it was all we could do to not be put into Slytherin. We thought it would be a great laugh until we thought of the howler mum would have sent. You should talk to Hagrid tomorrow, he won't tell us anything."
Blaise didn't know what to think of Thevenet. He was surprised that the French boy knew Britain's politics so well, although that might be because of the Notts' influence. Theodore was another mystery. He usually talked more to Blaise, even if it was about his mysterious friends and Thevenet, Theodore really wasn't a fan of bigotry. Blaise was worried that his friendship might be passed over because someone had better connections for the House of Nott. It hurt because while he hesitated to call the boy a friend, he thought they were more than just potential political allies. Speaking of Nott and Thevenet they were coming around the corner.
"Really Harry, Blaise is a great guy. I doubt he would refuse to join an inter-house study group."
"That's not what I meant. Do you think he could be brought in on the project?"
"He could be useful. His family has connections across Europe."
"Are you sure it's not because you miss talking to the guy?"
"That's part of it. He really knows his stuff and is always up for something interesting, if that includes Gryffindors? Well you've seen our other housemates. Do you think many of them could have an interesting conversation?"
"If you think he would be willing to help and won't run away screaming from the twins I see no problem with it."
"Problem with what, Thevenet?'
"Ah, Blaise. I assume you've been listening to us for awhile now?" At the other boy's nod Harry continued, "Would you be interested in joining our inter-house study group? You would have to spend time with a few lions, but most of the time Seamus doesn't act like an idiot."
"Do you have any other houses involved? It would probably be for the best in case our house mates took issue with it. The upper years believe you will grow out of your friendship with the lions, but Malfoy has taken it personally that you two hang around with the Weasley twins, especially since his hair was dyed gold and red." Blaise gave them a knowing look.
"Do you have recommendations for people from other houses? Seamus and Neville want to invite their dorm mate, Dean, but that would be another Gryffindor."
"We should discuss inviting other people with the rest first, but if you want to join we meet in an unused classroom in the charms corridor." Theo looked hopeful at the thought of the other boy joining. Blaise was happy that the other boy missed their conversations too.
"I will join on one condition." He hurried to elaborate at the wary looks he received. "You have to tell me how you all met."
"We should move to a more comfortable spot, it's kind of a long story as Harry picked people up along the way."
Blaise acquiesced before leading the way to an unused classroom. When they had sat down he looked at them, waiting for them to start telling the story.
"It all started when we were five. I had just started muggle primary school at the village outside of the Irish Reserve when I met Seamus. Through some quirk of fate we found out the other one was a wizard. As the only two wizards at school we became close friends and practically brothers, I was basically adopted by his mother when she found out my parents were dead and I lived with my cousin on a dragon reserve. Over the summer break from primary, we met Theo. His family's summer home is nearby and he had accompanied a servant to the reserve to pick up some potions ingredients. We found him and managed to convince him to join us in a game of hide and seek. That's lead to everyone believing we had kidnapped him, which is ridiculous. We were only six at that point in time. Later in the year there was an accident, and a tamer died. At the funeral, we met Neville, the tamer who died had been a cousin of some sort. We have been basically inseparable ever since."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my friends Blaise. It was just, we were rarely ever alone, just the two of us and i didn't want any of the others to know. Most of them think Neville is a squib and look down on half-bloods, both Harry and Seamus are half-bloods. My parents also didn't want to let people know that they allowed me to wander away on a dragon reserve"
"If I didn't know better, I would say you were ashamed of us Theodore."
"Please, my parents were so excited when they found out you were sorted into Slytherin. They had worried you would be sorted into Gryffindor and they would have to explain why their son was a political advisor to lion. As it is they can blame my association with lions as a way to curry favor with the Thevenet family."
"That is another question I have. Why is the Thevenet family making alliances with British families? Is an international crisis about to occur that I should know about?"
"Harry isn't the heir to the main family, he's from a squib line and a British family, which is why he is being raised by a cousin. The House of Nott has always believed it is important to have allies outside of the country, especially as many of our business stretch across national boundaries. Plus it will be easier to take down Dumbledore with the help of allies that aren't afraid of him or worship him."
"Is that why you need an advisor Thevenet?"
"Yes, he hurt my family. I will not tolerate that."
"Could I have the details?"
"Not now Blaise. Maybe sometime in the future, but right now the less people involved the less likely Dumbledore will be to find out we are after him."
Albus Dumbledore was angry. The general public had finally found out that Harry Potter was not at Hogwarts like promised. Many were starting to ask questions and the Minister was being annoying. He just hoped that Remus would be able to help, he knew that the man still had contact with some Dark creatures. Hopefully they would have information on who had kidnapped poor Harry. The man should be arriving any moment now.
"Ah, Remus my boy. Do come in, do come in. Would you like a lemon drop?"
"No thank you Headmaster. Is there anything you can tell me?"
"As you read in the letter I sent you, Harry has gone missing. I was hoping you might help find him."
"How long has he been missing? Have you contacted the Aurors or Muggle police? What about the people he was staying with? Is there anyway I can help? How did you lose him? You're were supposed to keep him safe, that's why I didn't try to fight you when you sent him to the Dursleys!"
"Remus my boy calm down. Harry hasn't been gone too long. I've had Arabella watching over him. She said a strange man came to Privet Drive and then left not that long afterwards. She described him to me as relatively average in height, with dark brown hair. She has already started searching for both the man and Harry with muggle methods. I was hoping you could ask around in the less than wizard friendly areas? Or maybe using some of your more unique talents?"
"Over course Professor! Anything I can do to help! I could find this man's scent and then follow him, it's only been a few days so i should still be able to follow it."
"That would not be wise Remus. I have promised the Dursleys that there wouldn't be more wizards than absolutely necessary and in this trying time I would rather not upset them more than necessary."
"But Professor, this is Harry. It is extremely important that I find him, the cub is the only pack member I have left."
"I understand my boy and have already tried to trace the man's path, but he Disapparated not far from the house. The many instruments I have monitoring Harry say he still safe but my tracking charms do not work and Gringotts does not have any information."
Remus would have known something was up, even without knowing Harry had been taken away seven years earlier. Dumbledore was trying to hard to keep him from going to Private Drive. He was also doing his answering but not really thing, he never did say how long Harry had been missing. Remus would 'help', while in actuality collecting evidence to use against the man. Harry would have to be informed that Dumbledore could monitor his health, it might cause suspicion if he was injured at the same time Harry Potter was injured, especially with the eyes.
"I will start asking around, there is a pub where a lot of werewolves go. I will see what I can find."
Remus left the office already planning his next move. He figured he would have to go to Number 4 anyways, it would be easier to prove that Harry had been missing for years if he went. He would put out some feelers to keep up appearances, he didn't want to lose his place as one of those 'trusted' by Dumbledore. Keeping Harry safe was the most important thing. He couldn't wait until Dumbledore wasn't much of a threat and he could rip him a new one. Harry was his pack, cub really, no one hurt his pack, especially his cub!
