7.

Hogwarts

After Ron dropped five cases of Wonder Witch products off in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, he ran upstairs to meet up with Hermione and Neville in the 4th floor library. Hermione was taking 7th year classes with hopes of sitting NEWTS.

Neville helped Professor Sprout part-time and he was studying to become a professor of herbology. They were sitting at a wide table with piles of books as high as their heads.

"There you are," Ron gasped as he flung himself into a chair.

"What's wrong?" Hermione's eyes kept reading.

"Those damnable stairs moved me every which way. I swear, it's like they were trying to muddle me on purpose."

"Well, you're here now," said Hermione snapping her book closed. "Shall we go find Harry?"

"Shacklebolt told me Harry has Auror training on Mondays and Thursday. I've double-checked Spinner's End. He ain't there."

"And I talked to Ginny at Grimmauld. Harry told her he was going to Hogwarts today." Hermione waved her wand and their books went back onto the shelves.

"And McGonagall told me Harry helps with the school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The volunteers are currently working on the North Tower. If Harry is here, he should be there," Neville said smartly.

They looked at one another for a moment and nodded in agreement. They rose as one and went to the North Tower.

They questioned Professor Flitwick who was overseeing the reappointment of the tower's stonework. They also quizzed the volunteers. Harry was there for awhile, but they admitted he could not be found at the present time.

At a loss, the three friends strolled along the grounds.

"You don't suppose Harry is on a mission?" Neville's fists were balled in his pockets. He didn't want to think of Harry out risking his life while he was squibbling over mandrake roots.

"Can't be. Ginny 'd say, wouldn't she?"

Hermione bit her lip. She didn't know what to think. She assumed that if Harry were doing something dangerous, he would tell them. After all they went through. If not to tell them... and they were his friends. His best friends. And if he didn't tell Ginny... what was he doing?

"Who else would know?" Ron squinted his eyes about the grounds. "Hagrid? Nah, he'dda spilled it already."

"Maybe we should ask Harry?"

Hermione smiled widely at Neville. Sometimes the simplest ideas were best.