Author's note: Thanks to fifespice, and HarrySirius Fan for your review. With great pleasure, I now bring you the next chapter of The Hidden Truth. Hope you enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, etc. from the Harry Potter series. Anything that I quote from the books belongs solely to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 9

Draco was enjoying his butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks with some of his Slytherin's housemates, when he heard Harry's cry for help. Not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to himself until he know for certain what had happened, Draco tried to find out what happened. But Harry is no longer responding to his calls. Feeling Harry's fear increase exponentially, and then filled with some sense of disbelief. Draco knows he had to get to Harry soon.

Draco looked at his friends critically before saying, "I have some business that I need to attend to before I return to Hogwarts."

"But Draco, we just got here not too long ago. Surely, it can wait," said Pansy Parkinson pleadingly.

Draco detangled Pansy's hand from his arm, before moving out of the seat. "I'm afraid not."

Nodding to the rest of his companion, he left the pub in search of Harry, whilst all the while trying to get a response from Harry. Abruptly, he felt the connection with Harry closed off substantially leaving him to think that Harry could have been knocked unconscious. Please don't let any harm come to Harry.

Draco walked along the streets of Hogsmeade, searching for any signs of red heads, hoping against hope that Harry is with Ron and Hermione, when someone knocked him down.

"Watch where you are going!" sneered Draco whilst pushing the person off him.

"I'm so sorry," said Hermione.

When Ron saw the scene in front of him, he screamed at Draco, "What did you do to her, Malfoy?"

"In case, you are blind. She is the one that ran into me," said Draco whilst panicking inwards having noticed that Harry is not with them. Shit!

"She wouldn't have ran into you if you had looked where you are going," said Ron angrily.

"Ron, we don't have time for this," hissed Hermione. "We need to look for Harry."

"What's this? Harry Potter's two best friends in the world lost the seven year old in Hogsmeade," said Draco gleefully. "I can just imagine the headline on The Daily Prophet tomorrow. 'Harry Potter missing in Hogsmeade due to his friends' inattention whilst in their care!'"

"Shut up," said Ron angrily, his face starting to turn red. Hermione looks like she about to burst out in tears.

"Now, now, Weasley. We don't want your face to burst in the middle of Hogsmeade now, do we?" said Draco pleasantly. His hand twirling the wand, thinking of various curses that he could use on them for losing Harry in Hogsmeade.

Ron took out his wand, and pointed it at Draco fully intending on cursing him but Hermione held onto his wand hand and lower it, shaking her head.

"Ron," said Hermione pleadingly. "Let's just forget about this. Think about Harry."

"Yeah, Weasley. Listen to your girlfriend," sneered Draco.

Ron raises his wand again in anger.

"Don't Ron," said Hermione. "He's trying to get a rise from you. Ignore him. Let's just go. We have wasted enough time as it is."

Hermione started to drag Ron away. As soon as they turn their back on him, Draco could feel the panic rising in his chest over the confirmation that Harry is truly missing. I should have known better than to trust the two of them to look after Harry. Looks like Gryffindors can't look after their own after all.

Draco move to one of the alleys, and after making sure that no one is looking, he tapped his wand on the Malfoy heir's ring, which activated the emergency signal that will allow his parents to locate him, and also to signal to them something unexpected had happened.

Once that was done, he pull his hood up before holding onto the lion ring on the necklace that was clasp around his neck and concentrate on Harry. Their rings are linked to each other that will allow them to find the other in the time of need. A moment later, he began to move according to the pull of the necklace to where Harry is. I hope I'm not too late. Please don't let anything happen to Harry.


"I don't believe you," said Harry in disbelief.

"Why would I lie to you?" scoff Ryan. "What could I possibly have to gain from that?"

"He wouldn't. I know he wouldn't," said Harry, putting in as much conviction as he can into his voice, repeating those same words over and over again.

Even so, the both of them knew that Harry is shaken by the news that Ryan had bought.

Looking sadly at the shaken kid in front of him, Ryan said softly, "I'm sorry. I've never meant to upset you this much but you deserve to know the truth despite what they said."

Reaching his arm out to Harry, Ryan put this hand on his shoulders in a comforting manner. Tears begin to fall from Harry's eyes unable to believe what he was told. Unable to accept the truth because he knew without a doubt that despite his hesitations, Ryan will not lie to him about something like this.

Ryan just pulls Harry the sobbing kid into his arms in a hug. I'm so sorry for all of this. You are still so young, only seven, and to put this sort of reality and burden onto you is not something that I would have done if I had any other choice. I know I'm being selfish in all of this but I needed to do this. You need to do this. I don't have much time left. I can't stay here forever to do what needs to be done.

"All better?" asked Ryan when he felt Harry's sobs subsided.

Harry nodded.

"Good, cause I have a feeling that your savior is here," said Ryan before pulling back, and pulling his hood back up.

Harry used his hands to brush off the remaining of his tears, not wanting to worry Aiden further by having him see his tear-stricken face.

"I can't tell him, can I?" asked Harry desperately, wanting to tell Aiden what he was told like how he had done whenever he had encountered any problems for far.

"The choice is yours," said Ryan neutrally. I wouldn't deny him of this one comfort that he has had over the years.

"Harry?" called Draco from the entrance of the cave.

When he moved further into the cave, he saw Harry with another hooded figure beside him. Feeling angry at this stranger for kidnapping Harry from Hogsmeade, and fearful for what he had done or intend to do with Harry. He lifted his wand, and pointed it at the stranger.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Aiden." said Ryan calmly.

If Draco was shocked that this stranger knew who he was, he didn't show it. Instead, he replied coolly, "Well, I suppose it's a good thing that you are not me then."

"How true," said Ryan. "Now, I suggest that you put your wand away if you intend to get out of this unscratched."

"Ryan!" said Harry incredulity.

Not one to underestimate his enemies, Draco focused solely on the stranger. Pointing his wand at Ryan's heart warningly, Draco said "I have no reason to believe your words either way given your actions so far."

"Stop it both of you," said Harry, scared for the both of them. "Aiden, please lower wand Ryan just wanted to talk to me. He didn't hurt me. Look!" He turned around to let Draco see that he is unharmed.

Draco looked suspiciously at Ryan unable to believe that all he wanted was to talk to Harry. "Nevertheless, he did take you from Hogsmeade, where you are supposed to be, without anyone's knowledge. I believe the ministry will view it as 'kidnapping' especially since the child in question is the Boy-Who-Lived."

Harry paled, knowing that if anyone from the ministry caught Ryan, he could be up against more than just the kidnapping charges.

"That's where you are wrong," said Ryan whilst twirling his wand calmly. "I believe if it does come to that, you will be in more trouble than me. The ministry will no doubt believe my words over yours."

"Pretty confident, aren't you?" said Draco. "Let's see if you are this confident when Harry testifies about what really happened."

"If you can get him to testify," said Ryan confidently.

"Aiden," said Harry fearfully. "Please don't make me choose between the two of you."

"There will be no choosing involved," said Draco. "You will only need to tell them the truth of what had happened."

"I… I… I can't" stammer Harry.

Draco looks at Harry disbelievingly. "You wouldn't testify against your kidnapper?" asked Draco. "You will take his side over mine," said Draco.

Harry winced at the hurt he heard in Aiden's voice. "Aiden…"

Ryan doesn't want to be the cause of the conflict between the two of them, interrupted quickly, "There wouldn't be any choosing involved because the ministry wouldn't be involved in this. I simply took Harry away from Hogsmeade so that I am able to have a conversation in private with him. That's all there is to it."

"In that case, I shall take my leave then so that you can continue your conversation," said Draco bitterly before turning and start walking towards the entrance of the cave. I guess I really am that insignificant to you.

This shocked both Harry and Ryan because they never thought that Aiden would ever leave the cave without Harry. It is the most unlikely scenario that ever crosses their mind when they are dealing with Draco. Right before Draco reached the entrance of the cave, Harry shook out of his stupor.

"Aiden, wait," cried Harry as he ran to catch up with Draco.

But Draco kept on walking, unable to bring himself to face Harry without breaking down. I need some time to sort my feelings out before I can face him again.

Ryan can't believe the scene that is playing out in front of him. This isn't supposed to happen.

"Petrificus Totalus," said Ryan.

"Protego," said Narcissa, whom had just arrived with Lucius to see Ryan firing a spell at Draco.

Ryan jumped away from the spell that has just rebounded. Damn, I forgot about them. Well since they are here, I might as well kill two birds with a stone.

Another flash of red jet flew past Harry heading towards Ryan. Turning his head, he saw Ryan managed to jump out of the way of this attack before another spell hit him, sending his wand sailing to the air towards Lucius behind him.

"Ryan!" screamed Harry. He started to run towards Ryan but is being held back by Narcissa. He struggled against Narcissa's grip wanting to check if Ryan was alright.

"Harry, he's fine," assured Narcissa. "He's not hurt. It's only a disarming spell."

"But…" Harry begun hesitantly.

Draco took in the scene in front of him. If he had any doubt before of Aiden's 'insignificance' in Harry's heart, he wouldn't anymore. I suppose it is better this way when Aiden had to leave.

"Aiden, could you take Harry back to Hogwarts?" interrupt Lucius. His wand still pointing at the Ryan threateningly, daring Ryan to give him any reason to attack him.

"Keep your signal on until you reached Hogwarts so that we would know you are safe," said Narcissa, and then she pushed Harry towards Draco. This shocked Lucius, who had thought that she will be accompanying the two boys back to the gates of Hogwarts.

"Darling, I think…."

"This is not up for discussion," said Narcissa sternly whilst glaring furiously at her husband for even entertaining the thought that she will leave him alone with the stranger.

Ryan chuckled. He couldn't help it, seeing how normal the couple acted. "I'm still here, you know. Besides, I have no intention of leaving at this moment seeing as I have things that I would like to discuss with the two you."

Draco paled at his words, not knowing if he meant any harm to his parents. He is torn between staying here to make sure that no harm befalls his parents, and leaving with Harry, as his father requested, to ensure that Harry is safe. Unconsciously, he tightens his grip on Harry's arm.

Harry winced at the grip, but he put his hand on top of Draco's whilst turning to look at him reassuringly. "Ryan wouldn't harm any of us, Aiden. Trust me. If he had meant any harm, he would have hurt me during the time that I was with him."

Draco looked at his parents for help because he knew that if he were to look at Harry, he would no doubt lose whatever control he had left of his emotions.

Narcissa went up to Harry, and said "You need to get back to your friends, Harry. They are probably worried sick about you."

Even though knowing that Ron and Hermione will be worried sick about him, Harry didn't want to leave Ryan alone with Aiden's parents so he bit his lower lips nervously not knowing what to do. However way he looks at it, he doesn't seem to have a choice in this matter. "Please don't hurt Ryan. He just wanted to talk to me. He meant no harm."

"If it makes you feel any better, we wouldn't hurt Ryan unless he gives us any reason to do so," said Narcissa reassuringly. "We'll listen to what he had to say before deciding what to do next."

"Don't worry, Harry. I'm sure that they will definitely be interested in what I had to say. Besides, I highly doubt that they would hurt me," said Ryan confidently.

"Harry, we need to go. Your friends are looking frantically for you when I left Hogsmeade," said Draco whilst tugging Harry's arm.

Harry broke free from Draco's grip, and ran towards Ryan, who caught him when he reach him and pull him into his embrace. Ryan whispered into his ear, "You need to go now. Remember what I said." Harry nodded into his chest before whispering back, "Tell them the truth. They'll understand. I'm sure they will." Ryan looks at Harry fondly at the concern he heard in Harry's voice.

Leaving Ryan's embrace, Harry begun to make his way towards Lucius and Narcissa.

Ryan then felt the wards surrounding the cave being breached; much like how it was when Draco first stepped passed it. "We need to leave now. A couple of people had penetrated the wards, and they should reach the cave soon," warned Ryan.

"Can you tell who are they?" asked Lucius.

"No…" begun Ryan but he was cut out by the faint barking sound. "Yes, it would seem that the grim has come to retrieve its cub."

Catching on the hint, Draco moved closer to Narcissa as he knew that they will need to leave as soon as possible for the fear of getting caught. "Mum?" Narcissa wasted no time, before holding onto Draco before apparating the both of them out of the cave.

"Aiden," cried Harry. He doesn't understand what is happening but at this moment, he felt like Aiden had just abandoned him here. Why did he leave without saying anything to me? Is he still mad at me? These thoughts kept repeating itself in his head.

Ryan went up to Harry, and said urgently, "Harry, I need you to listen carefully. We don't have much time before they reach the cave."

Harry nodded absently.

"Your friends are here but you can't tell them about us being here with you, alright?" Seeing Harry still staring forlornly at the spot that Aiden had stood, Ryan tried to comfort the distraught kid as much as possible given the limited time that they had. "Aiden doesn't mean anything by it. He knew that we can't be seen with you, and needed to leave here as soon as possible."

"We need to leave as well," interrupted Lucius.

Ryan gave Harry a quick hug, before standing in front of Lucius. "I believe there are things, which we had yet to discuss."

Lucius gave Harry a quick nod, before apparating out with Ryan, who took off the wards surrounding the cave when they left, right as the intruders entered the cave.

After Lucius and Ryan left, Harry collapsed on the ground. Although he knew the reasoning behind their abrupt departure, his seven year old mind can't get around the idea that they had just abandoned him.

When Hermione had first saw Harry on the ground, she didn't know what to think of the situation. Rushing forward to check if Harry was injured, she was surprised to find Harry, in a seemly perfectly healthy condition, sitting on the ground just staring into nothing.

"Harry," called Hermione tentatively. Harry lifted his head up to look at her with those sad green eyes, not giving any other indication that he heard her. It's as if he is staring right through her, which shocked her to the core. No kid should have eyes that reflect this much pain. "What happened?"

The tears from the hurt and pain that Harry is currently feeling, begun to pool at the corner of his eyes, threatening to fall. Hermione looked at Ron and Sirius worriedly, wondering what could have happened that would have caused Harry to behave like this. Ron just shrugged his shoulders feeling just as lost as Hermione is to Harry's reaction. Sirius, still in his dog form, felt like he had failed Harry yet again. Some godfather I'm turning out to be. Harry is hurt from whatever that had just happened, and yet I am unable to prevent it beforehand. Just like all other times over the years.

As the first of the tears start to fall, Hermione pull Harry into her embrace. Holding on to him whilst whispering comforting words into his ears, waiting for Harry's heartbreaking sobs to finish before they head back to Hogwarts.


"Severus," called Lucius.

Severus, who was working on some potions in his private lab, put a static charm on the cauldrons, before heading out to the fireplace in his private living area.

Upon seeing Lucius' head in his fireplace, he asked pleasantly, "Lucius, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I'm afraid Draco is currently unwell thus Narcissa is requesting that he stayed in the Manor until he has fully recovers from this latest bout of illness."

"Madam Pomfrey is a highly competent healer," reassured Severus. "She would no doubt be able…"

"You will need to convince Narcissa on this, I'm afraid," interrupt Lucius. "You know how she is when dealing with Draco."

Shaking his head at Narcissa's over-protectiveness, Severus sighed before continuing. "This is not the best time for him to be away from Hogwarts. I'm sure you remember our discussion from the day before."

"Of course but I'm sure that you can think of something to elude any suspicions."

That said Lucius ended the fire-call before Severus could get another word out, leaving behind a very irritated Potion Master.

Turning towards the remaining occupants in the sitting room, Lucius said "I believe that we've delayed our discussion long enough, don't you agree?"

Ryan gulped when all three Malfoys stared at him, waiting for an explanation. This day just keep getting better and better, doesn't it? He sighed before diving straight into his story.

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