CHAPTER ELEVEN

Beware Blossom!

The following day nearly everyone started packing to go home for Christmas. Two disappearances had reminded them of only one thing: the Chamber of Secret attacks. But what made the mood so tense that day was the thought that the bodies weren't even found.

"At least we knew what had happened to the people when the Chamber was opened. Now they could be dead or just have coincidentally - er - gotten lost."

"I don't think so Ron," Harry said, trying to keep his voice steady. " 'Don't reckon that Hermione could get lost going up a one-way staircase to her dormitory and scream for no apparent reason, then mysteriously evaporate."

Ron blushed, embarrassed. "Well, let's see you try to come up with a better theory," he said sheepishly.

Harry's forehead furrowed. This was Hermione's area of expertise, not his. And for once he couldn't consult her for help.

"Well..." Harry said slowly.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a large barn owl that landed in his bowl of oatmeal. What looked like a letter from Hagrid was clasped in his beak. Harry took the letter from it, and let it sip some of his milk before letting out a feeble hoot of thanks and flying back to Hagrid's hut.

Harry had unfolded the letter, which was covered in Hagrid's untidy scrawl. Ron edged over closer to Harry so he could read over his shoulder.

Hello there! Any sign of Hermione? What about that other girl, Lavender Brown? I reckon their bound to turn up sooner or later. Wouldn't worry if I were you. I found a very cute little fella down in me pumpkin patch, and I wanted you to see him to take your mind off things. Say, round three? His name is 'Blossom'. And bring something yellow along with yeh like a pair of socks or a hat. Whatever you got. The creature, you see is attracted to the color yellow. Trusts people wearing yellow. Scares Fang out of his wits though, the ol' coward! Cheers, Hagrid

Harry and Ron looked at each other nervously. Whatever Hagrid though of as being cute usually turned out to be a ferocious monster. Add fangs or poisonous breath and you'll only make it better.

They concluded that, at three, they indeed could be going to visit this mysterious creature he dubbed, "Blossom," but in the meantime Ron had invited Harry to stay with his family Christmas break, and they needed to pack up their stuff.

"But what about Hermione? And Lavender? Will they just be forgotten this Christmas?" Harry asked Ron.

"We can ask Dumbledore to send us an owl if either one is found over Christmas break."

"Whatever you say, but I really have this gut feeling that something bad happened to them."

Marching down to Hagrid's hut five hours later, a cool breeze brushed against the faces of Ron and Harry. If Hermione were there, the wind would have gently blown upon her face too. Harry pondered this thought, then realized something: Hermione was the brainy one, the wise one, and the one you always looked on if you needed reference. Ron was the hilarious redhead who was very supportive.

But where do I fit in? Harry thought silently, stepping upon a few maple leaves, crackling under his feet. I couldn't exist without Hermione's help on homework or wisdom, and without Ron I wouldn't have the humor and support I needed to get through all the dangerous tasks I have done before. Without Hermione, no one would have even come close to discovering that their had been a basilisk in the pipes five years before.

If Ron hadn't had complete faith in me the first year I probably wouldn't have been able to get the flying key we needed to unlock the door leading onto the chessboard. In the third year if Hermione hadn't chosen to take so many classes and gotten the permission to use a time turner, Sirius have would be soulless, and Buckbeak would be no more. In our fourth year, if Ron and Hermione hadn't helped me with the third task I wouldn't know half the spells to defeat the obstacles, which means that I would have had a harder time getting to the Cup.

I couldn't have triumphed over anything if Ron and Hermione hadn't been beside me all the way. In our fifth year, I couldn't have even lived without their support! Especially after Sirius died. What if they didn't exist? Harry thought, more leaves crunching under his cold feet. With out them, what would the famous Harry Potter be?