THE NEXT DAY

LIBRARY

"I told you he was sketchy!" Said Ron.

"I know what you told me, Ron. I still don't believe it. Something happened to him and I want to know what." Answered Harry.

"I don't know, Harry. Like we said before, we know nothing about him. For all you know he could have been lying the entire time." Said Hermione.

"No, I refuse to believe that. If you would have seen him, you would be agreeing with me. He looked like he wanted to tell me something, he just couldn't get it out."

"Oh come off it Harry! He's just a git. A piece of garbage, let him go off with the Slytherins. That's all he deserves." Said Ron.

Harry stood up, "You don't know him like I do. None of you gave him a chance from the very start. I know he's hiding something and he may be lying to me, but I know he doesn't want to."

"Ok, Harry. You do whatever it is you're planning. But, please. Let's just finish our essays." Said Hermione.

"Fine." Said Harry

Him and Ron sat down across from her and opened their books.

GRYFFINDOR COMMON ROOM

Amanda rushed down the stairs, of the girls dorm, to her friends waiting at the bottom. She had tears streaming down her face and she was clutching a piece of parchment in her hand, "You guys! Forrest sent me this note this morning!"

She sat down and started to sob uncontrollably. Hilary trying to comfort her sat beside her and gave her a hug. Ryan picked up the parchment that Amanda had dropped and read it aloud, "Amanda. I am only writing to tell you not to come looking for me. I have decided that I cannot bare to be on the same side as Dumbledore. I have gone to join the Dark Lord. I repeat, do not come looking for me!"

Hilary looked up, "He what!? Joined the Dark Lord? We have to tell Dumbledore!"

Amanda looked at her, "Yeah! I was going to do that. Come on guys, he'll know what to do."

They rushed down the corridor headed for Dumbledore's office. They turned the last corner and came face to face with Shyanne, "Well, where are the three of you off to in such a hurry?"

Amanda shoved Shyanne into the wall and kept going. She stopped in front of Dumbledore's office. They stood there trying to force the door open before Shyanne started laughing, "You guys are idiots. Don't you know you need a password to get into his office?"

Amanda rushed forward, grabbed Shyanne by the collar of her sweater and slammed her against the wall, "And, I suppose that you know the password?"

Shyanne grinned, "Of course I do. What do you need to talk to Dumbledore for anyways?"

Amanda snarled, "I need it to go and get my brother from Voldemort! Tell me right fucking now!"

Shyanne pried away from Amanda, "Well, if it's to save him, I'm not going to tell you. The world is better off."

With that, she walked away laughing. Amanda stood there glaring after her. Hilary stamped her foot, "Argh. This is such bullshit!" Maybe he's not in there! Maybe he's down in the Great Hall still eating Sherbert Lemons!"

The staircase to Dumbledore's office sprang alive. Hilary looked around, I guess the password was Sherbert Lemon."

They hurried up the stairs and burst in. Amanda rushed to Dumbledore's desk, "Professor! My brother ran away to join Voldemort! He left this note!"

Dumbledore looked at her closely through his half-moon specs, "Your brother joining Voldemort is a very dangerous accusation. Are you positive?"

Amanda hurried around his desk to show him the note, "See professor! He told me so himself. What are we going to do?"

"I shall look into this matter. However I do not think it is something you have to concern yourself with. Please go and get ready for class, you do not wish to be late."

With a twitch of his hand they found themselves outside of his office. Amanda started walking, "If Dumbledore refuses to help us, then we'll just have to go and get him ourselves. You guys go and get Harry and I'll get Ron and Hermione!"

Hilary and Ryan nodded and ran down the corridor. Amanda turned to go the other way.

"That would be extremely dangerous to walk right into Voldemort's hands. You wouldn't get away and then you and the rest of your little gang would be prisoners." Said Travis as he stepped out from behind a suit of armor.

"But I can't just let Forrest go to Voldemort. It's not what he really wants." Amands sobbed.

"Getting to Forrest isn't the problem. It's getting back out. Voldemort isn't going to just let you leave. With the experience that he has, and the little amount of skill that you have. This mission of yours won't happen the way you want it to."

Amanda wiped her eyes, "But I have to do this Travis. Even if I die trying. Voldemort isn't going to take my brother away from me like he took me parents."

Travis wiped the remaining tears away, "There's another away. Another way to ensure that you defeat Voldemort and save your brother."

Amanda looked at him sharply, "Let's do it!"

Travis smiled, "It's not that easy. It's going to take a fair amount of time and practice. I can teach you things. Things that Voldemort couldn't even attempt to do in his wildest dreams. Things that would ensure that you and your brother would get away safely."

Amanda's eyes widened, "Dark arts? If Voldemort doesn't have the power to do these things, how can I?"

Travis smiled again, "It's in your blood. Like your mother before you, you can be great. Have the power to overcome death itself. Let me teach you, and you'll be able to do anything."

"How long will it take?"

"It'll take as long as you let it. In order to achieve greatness quickly, you'll need an emmence amount of concentration." Replied Travis.

Amanda hugged him, "Ok Travis, teach me. I'll do anything to save my brother!"

Travis pulled her closer. Her face was pressed against his shoulder so she didn't see the devilish grin on his face as he replied, "I know you will Amanda. I'll try my very best to help you."

Amanda pulled away, "When are we going to start?"

"As soon as you tell your friends that you don't need their help. They're coming up the corridor now."

Amanda turned and like Travis had said Hilary, Ryan, Harry, Ron and Hermione were running up the hall. When they reached Amanda, Hilary stopped huffing, "We found them in the Library. What do we do now?"

"Nothing. Sorry guys, I don't need your help anymore. I'm not dragging you into this because I'm the only one who can do anything."

"What is he doing with you?" Asked Ron.

Amanda glanced back at Travis, who was fiddling with the buttons on his jacket, "He's going to help me. He's the only one who can."

Harry pushed past Amanda and grabbed Travis by the shoulders, "Travis, talk to me please? What's wrong with you?"

Travis pulled away, "Nothing. I told you before to leave me alone."

"I'm not leaving you alone until you talk to me about what the hell happened to make you change like this." Said Harry as he grabbed Travis by the arm again.

Travis grabbed Harry and pushed him to the floor. He looked down at him, "Nothing happened. It was all just a joke. Draco and the others put me up to it. An initiation to get into the gang I suppose."

Ron ran forward. Without looking Travis pulled out his wand and Ron went flying into the suit of armor. Harry pushed himself to his feet tears whelling up in his eyes, "Fine. I get it. You changed your mind
because you didn't want to be with me. I'm sorry I hung around for so long."

He then turned and ran. Travis gazed after him his eyes widening. He tried going after Harry but before he could take 3 steps Amanda grabbed his arm, "Travis, I'm sorry they're treating you this way. Please? Let's start right away?"

Travis looked back to where Harry ran, and then glanced back at Amanda, "Fine. Let's go then."

Amanda started down the opposite hallway pulling Travis behind her, "I'll see the rest of you later."

(end of day)