Chapter Four

--- "It seems that every time mankind is given a lot of energy, we go out and wreck something with it."

David R. Brower

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Something was moving beside his bed. He could hear it: the grinding of a small motor. He could also smell it: fresh, hot food.

Upon waking from his nap, Harry saw that Malfoy was already awake. "What is it?!" He kept screeching. Malfoy was hugging his knees trying to shield himself from the metallic abomination. He sounded as if he were hyperventilating. The grinding machine set the platter of food on a small wooden table and slowly turned toward Harry. It then set a change of blue jumpers on Harry's bed and Malfoy's bed, who all the while was screeching and flailing his arms trying to shoo the metal beast away.

"Upon request of Dr. Page, I have brought refreshments to 351 and 246. Please enjoy," the robot said.

"It's a robot, Malfoy. It's a muggle invention," said Harry. "Ingenious, actually."

Malfoy gulped as the robot made it's way out of a rising blue door that was installed in the main door. "It's a rob-it?" He asked.

"No, a – a robot. Like … well, sort of like house elves, but for muggles." Harry said.

"So, the rob-it brought us food. Food's always good." Malfoy had calmed down, but his eyes conveyed lingering fear. Harry rolled his eyes but proceeded to pull up the uncomfortable chair – also made of metal – to the table. As he began to eat, he watched Malfoy who continued to hug his knees and stare at the large door. "It wasn't a dream, was it?" Malfoy asked.

"No. It wasn't," Harry answered, while ripping a bread roll and popping the piece into his mouth.

"So we're really stuck here,"

"Yeah, we are," said Harry. Malfoy continued to stare at the door. Harry continued to watch him. "Aren't you going to eat?"

"No," said Malfoy.

"Why not?"

"Because … it might be poisoned." At this, Harry rolled his eyes.

"Wonderful. You've already went insane."

Malfoy lifted himself from the bed, blue jumpers in hand, and walked into the showers unaware that Harry's eyes were following him. "No towels. Damn. I thought this was a vacation," Draco mumbled to himself. He looked to the left and saw a pile of towels on a rack beside him. "or maybe I'm going blind. Or maybe Potter was right and I'm going insane."

'Ugh, Potter being right. That's a scary thought,' Draco mused to himself. After sticking the dark blue towel onto the shower rack, he got into the shower. 'Well, if this is a vacation, it's the worst vacation ever. And where the hell are we at? Who's Dr. Page?' Draco wondered. 'What's with the rob-it?'

It was a short shower, but one riddled with these revolving unanswered questions. He stepped out and dressed into the blue jumper provided by the robot and clambered out of the bathroom. Harry was still sitting in the chair beside the table when he walked out. "Your food's cold." Harry said.

"I don't care."

"You have to eat eventually," Harry suggested as he walked over to sit on Draco's bed.

"No, I don't," Draco said as he plopped onto his bed. "right now, all I care about is getting a damn blanket. It's freezing in here." He sighed and turned his back on Harry.

Harry, realizing he had no blanket either, walked over to the speaker and pushed the button. "Yes?" answered Dr. Page.

"We need blankets."

"I will send them in," she said. Harry walked back over to his own bed and laid in it. 'This is so boring. And what's going to happen tomorrow?' Harry felt a wave of fear go through him. 'This is hopeless. How long is a long time?' He sat up as he heard the tiny motor of the robot entering the room.

"Oh. Great. It's the rob-it." Malfoy said.

"Robot, Malfoy."

"Whatever!" he snapped. Then he mumbled, "rob-it." Harry's lips tightened as he walked over to the robot and retrieved the blankets. Harry threw the folded blanket at Malfoy's head.

"Ow!" he exclaimed.

"You deserved it," Harry said.
"Well, as long as I have a blanket," he muttered, "stupid git." After the blanket was pulled up, there was no noise to be heard from Malfoy's bed.

Harry had a hard time going to sleep that night.

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Scrimgeour sat at his desk swiveling in his chair. Nervousness was coiled up in his belly. "Croaker, please meet me in my office," He took his finger off the call button.

"Yes, sir." Croaker announced. A minute later, Croaker walked in after knocking. "What is it, sir?"

"I need to organize a team. As you are an unspeakable, I understand you are qualified enough to handle confidential work. Is this true? Can you keep any and all information related to this team and this project in utter confidence?"

"Yes, sir. I can." Croaker responded. Scrimgeour motioned for him to sit down. After Croaker was seated, Scimgeour continued.

"Good. You are in charge. I want a team of five assembled. Here, these are the project details," Scrimgeour leaned over the table and handed the manila folder over to Croaker.

After scanning the contents of the folder quickly, Croaker forcefully nodded. "Excuse me for questioning you, Minister but … I hope you know what you're getting this ministry into."

"So do I." Scrimgeour replied, staring into the crackling fireplace.

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"Hogwarts has to go into lock down, Albus. Surely you agree with me?" Mcgonagall questioned desperately. Her hands were clasped in front of her robes as she walked closer to Dumbledore.

"Albus … we have to keep the children safe. Too many have gone missing already."

"Yes, Minerva, I'm readily aware of this. And Harry Potter-"

"Is missing as well," Mcgonagall sighed. "Albus … there's no other way. We have to go into lock down."

Dumbledore steeped slowly into his plush seat. "Yes, Minerva," he said. "in the meantime, we will have to consult with Severus. Voldemort is behind this, Minerva. And if it isn't Voldemort, well … we have a very long road ahead of us."

"Yes, Albus. I will inform the parents and students of the lock down. Get Severus up here to explain, please! It could be a matter of life or death for these children," she said.

"Not just children, Minerva," He looked at her. "those older in the wizarding community have disappeared as well."

Mcgonagall, though her face shock-stricken and her mouth gaping, left to attend to her duties of the recent emergency.

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Chapter 5 will be up eventually. R&R!