Chapter 31 – Hide and Seek

Submitted Thursday 1 September 2011

SPOILER ALERT: Last chapter was published on Tuesday, two days ago, so if you have not read my story this week then please go to the previous chapter. I have begun dating the submission of each chapter so that if you miss a few weeks between readings you know about how far to go back. This will become more important as the story progresses.

Once it was light, Ewan Duncan led a group into the forest made up of Aurors, Professors, Centaurs, and some of the students that were of age. Each of the Heads of House remained at the castle with the students. At least one young Gryffindor grumped, "Some fine way to spend a Sunday. Stuck in the castle all day. Might as well study..."

It was decided that the members of the party would spread out some twenty feet apart and would comb the forest. They did the best they could to alternate between wizards and Centaurs because the Centaurs were trained to hunt and they naturally had sharper vision. On the other hand, wizards could handle another wizard if that was indeed what was in the forest. Every few minutes the party would do a shout out so that they could make sure that no-one had gone missing from the party.

The forest was full of sounds early in the morning. Twice in the first half-hour Centaurs had to step in front of students that wild animals had made a stand at. Many of the forest animals grew more and more nervous as they were pushed further and further into the forest and away from their homes. Eventually they would turn back if they had young and would make a stand.

Many of the Seventh Years were seeing the forest for the first time. Cho was the first to see a unicorn at nearly one hundred feet through a clearing and it made her entire day. Parts of the forest were nearly impassable as they were filled with thorny undergrowth. Neville was twice tempted to stop to pick rare mushrooms for his Herbology work. Harry had forgotten to remind everyone of traps and a Centaur narrowly kept Ernie Macmillan from losing his left leg.

An hour into the search a Centaur spotted a recently used campsite. They stopped the search and everyone held their places while Ewan Duncan, Bane and Hagrid were brought to the spot to inspect. Bane was allowed to look it over first, "Fire is less than a day old." Hagrid looked it over and agreed, "Aye, and twas lik'ly a wizard or witch. No tinder or nuttin' meanin' they lik'ly used they wand." Duncan was last, "And look at these here things burnt in the fire. He's got old copies of the Prophet – but they all look to be from August." Duncan continued to look around, "See these prints? I'd say by the type of boot he's at least thirty. And look at this over here..." he pointed away from the fire, "See how the ground's been torn up? See these holes? He likely has a tent."

Bane was sombre, "This explains all of the deaths in this part of the forest. But why would a wizard intentionally travel into Centaur territory, kill two of our young and then bring them to your settlement for all of the wizards to see? The other deaths were likely to keep us away from the wizards camp – but why draw attention to himself?"

Duncan had questions of his own, "What I'd like to know is who would be camped out here? It would have to be someone with knowledge of the Forest."

Hagrid thought out loud to himself. There is that Carrow bloke. And Goyle's been in hiding with his boy ever since deh Battle. Arn't both them still in hiding?

They were all interrupted by an alarm along the line, "Ron Weasley's missing!" cried out a voice. Last signal was ten minutes ago because we weren't moving. No-one can remember seeing him since then!"

Harry had heard from his place along the line and already broke ranks. He ran toward his mate's spot in the line. He knew others were responsible for doing this and he was supposed to stay in his place but emotion took over rational thought. When he reached the spot that Ron was supposed to be he found that indeed Ron was missing. Already two Centaur trackers were heading back toward castle and had caught what they thought was Ron's trail, "It's difficult to tell but it seems that there are two trails for the young wizard. There is one coming and one going. There also seems to be a heavier human...likely an adult man by the looks of the tracks." It didn't take long to confirm that this was the same boot used by the owner of the tent.

Bane observed, "This one has a slight limp to him."

Duncan agreed, "That would support the idea that it's Mr. Carrow. Of course it could be nearly any Death Eater after the War considering all of the fighting but Mr. Carrow would have the best knowledge of the Grounds."

Soon there was another alarm. Another Centaur was down. This one was one of the trackers that had been sent to follow the trail. All of the Centaurs now rushed to follow and were assigned groups of twelve. Bane insisted, "Aim to kill!"

Harry looked stricken, "But what if Ron's with them?"

"I'm sorry Young Wizard but we have lost many to this scourge. I must put it down before more are at risk."

Harry began running back through the forest toward the castle. He'd wished he'd brought his broom. Having some of the students flying from above might have made it easier to capture this renegade wizard and certainly would have made communication less difficult. Harry ran and ran with the same ferocity that he'd run the night the filly was injured. Thorns and branches tore at him. Twice he tripped on a root or low branch. The second time he tore his trousers and bloodied his knee. He cursed, got up and began running again.

When he met the clearing he saw a group of Centaurs standing neara ginger young man from a distance on the stone path leading up to the gate. It was Ron! Harry ran to him, huffing fiercely by the time he'd reached him, "What happened Mate?"

"He dragged me out at wand point," claimed Ron. "Then he forced me to the front gates and made me open them so that he could pass through. Next thing I know he starts running. It was as if I was frozen in place."

"Are you all right? You look almost giddy. I'd be scared to death," Harry mused.

"Yeah, I'm just glad to still be alive," smiled Ron. "I feel good – like, like...I cheated death!"

The Aurors were rounded up and checked out Hogsmeade. Because of the deaths in the forest they were authorised to search each home by Emergency Declaration by the Minister for Magic. Each resident was assured it was only for their protection. Not all of the wizards and witches were happy but they grudgingly accepted the searches due to there being a known murderer on the loose.

Ron was returned to the Castle with Harry and they found Hermione. She stayed with the students in the Tower through the morning while the search was being performed. She was the one the younger students listened to anyway because she was the disciplinarian. Over the years her stern adherence to the rules had made her into an almost matronly figure and she now had the credibility that came with helping Harry defeat Voldemort.

When she saw the large group and all of the attention that was given to Ron she rushed to him, "Are you all right?"

"Bloody Hell! I'm ok! All it was is that I was taken by surprise and the bleeder drug me out of the forest. I didn't get hurt. He got away." Despite his yelling Ron was still smiling.

"I think he hit his head. Look at his eyes, they're all dilated. And he's just not acting right. You think we should take him to Madam Pomfrey?" asked Harry. Hermione could tell he was worried about his best mate. Neville also looked concerned and most of the boys were hovering around him.

"Only thing wrong with me is that I let some old wizard get the drop on me. And I can't even remember what he looked like. I can't remember anything. It's like I was knocked out. But now all of you are all surrounding me and breathing on me. Tell you what, if you'll let me get changed I'll go get looked at by Madam Pomfrey and we'll be done with this nonsense."

It was agreed and Ron headed up to his flat upstairs. Harry watched him go up the stairs and within seconds everyone was talking at once. No-one knew what had happened or how Ron had been taken. The Centaurs never saw a thing. Everyone had let down their guard when the party had stopped so the leaders could look over the campsite. The party had combed a space of nearly a mile in length and more than another mile deep into the Forest. Harry explained what he knew to the group as quickly as he could and then everyone shared notes. Hermione sat and listened and gasped when it was explained that Ron was drug through the forest.

Finally she asked, "Why didn't he have any cuts? Wouldn't he have had cuts or something if he'd been dragged? He didn't even have any marks on his clothes."

"Who's taking me to the Infirmary?" asked Ron. All eyes moved to Ron. He was still smiling and he didn't have a bump or bruise on him. He'd changed clothes. "Mates, are we going or not? I could use a kip and the Infirmary is as good a place to get it as anywhere." He nearly stumbled down the stairs and while he seemed coherent he also seemed slightly off.

"I'll take him," volunteered Harry.

And so Ron was checked out. Madam Pomfrey's evaluation was much like that of Hermione's. His pupils were dilated like that of a head injury but none could be found. He was acting out of character and he seemed very healthy for someone dragged through the forest. Madam Pomfrey insisted that she'd keep a close eye on him and Harry could bring Hermione to check on him after the evening meal.

When they returned that evening Ron was well rested. He was lying on his bed with his hands behind his head and he was staring at the ceiling. He seemed to be looking at nothing at all and when they finally got his attention he was wearing the same stupid grin he'd been wearing in the morning. Hermione was now very concerned, "Madam Pomfrey found nothing wrong with you?"

"Nope. Nothing. Not a thing. You look as if you wish she did. Why is everyone so bloody intent on wanting me to be hurt?" Ron was still wearing that stupid grin.

"Because it doesn't add up, Ron," explained Hermione. "You say you were drug out of the forest but you don't have any scrapes or bruises. You act like you were hit in the head but you don't have any have any marks. And now you are using profanity. You know how I hate it when you do that."

"Then just sod off. I'm still tired. I'll just sleep here tonight," and with that he rolled over facing away from them. Hermione looked at Harry and he shrugged. They both said their good-nights to Madam Pomfrey and headed back to the Tower. As they headed back Hermione groused, "At least he's acting more like the old Ron. Same old moody git..." Harry put his arm around her shoulder and she put her head on his shoulder, "You think I'm overreacting, Harry?" He shook his head.

When they got back Ginny had a hundred questions. They explained that he still seemed a little off so she decided to go check him out herself. Harry offered to go with her but she insisted, "No, it sounds like you two had a row last time and he might be more upfront with me."

After Ginny left Harry and Hermione continued to talk with Neville about the day. Neville had spoken to Ewan before he had retired for the evening. Even Ewan had been sceptical about the story that they got from Ron but the entire Castle had been searched. The Centaurs had searched for another trail into the forest but all they found were the boot prints leading out to the gate. The only story that seemed to match with the facts was that of Ron.

When Harry and Hermione explained the way Ron had been acting Neville listened and nodded. Hermione went into the whole story about the trip to the Infirmary. "You know, when he was there he'd talk back to me as if I thought he was hiding something. He was argumentative but the whole time he had that stupid look on his face like that stupid oaf..." Hermione's face went white, "Like..." Harry and Neville looked at each other and Neville shrugged. Hermione stood up, "Like Travers. The day we cursed him. The day we took him into Gringotts! He had the same look as Goyle would get when he was holding a cookie – blank and giddy."

Neville and Harry now understood. Hermione took charge, "Neville, go talk to Professor Duncan. Harry we need to get back to the Infirmary in case he's not finished with whatever that Wizard had him do. Harry, where is your map?"

Harry felt foolish, "I gave it to George. Erm...so he could get into the school."

"Well, that won't do us any good. Let's go to the Infirmary then." Hermione and Harry walked out of the portrait with Neville but just as they separated Ginny ran up huffing to them. Harry noticed a clamour around the halls downstairs and Professor McGonagall's voice could be heard yelling, "Well find him!" Ginny tried to catch her breath, "He...He...He's gone. Ron's missing. I went in and he wasn't there. Madam Pomfrey panicked and sent word to McGonagall. I heard her rounding the professors up while I was running up the stairs." Her lip quivered, "He's gone."

"We'll find him. Get in the tower and round up the Seventh Years. There were still several in the Commons while we were speaking. Have them meet us downstairs." He and Hermione began running down the steps – Harry cleared the steps two by two.

When they reached the final landing, a loud piercing sound enveloped the castle. Harry heard Professor McGonagall shout over the noise from the front entrance "That's the front gate. I had Filius place a Catterwauling Charm on it this afternoon after our visitor ran for it. Head that way and see what happened!"

Harry followed the professors out the front entrance and he ran as hard as he could. By the time he'd reached the gate he'd outrun all but the Auror Duncan who was now sitting beside Ron quietly talking to him. Ron and Ewan's backs were to the wall next to the gate and Harry could see that the gate was blasted outward. Each time Ewan asked him a question Ron would shake his head "no." Eventually Ewan looked up at his former trainee, "Harry, he doesn't remember anything from today. It appears his minds been wiped clean."

"Ron, where did we go last night after we finished eating at the Feast? Do you remember?" Ron shook his head. "Do you remember what your Mum wrote in her owl post yesterday morning about the gift we sent her for her birthday the day before?" Again, Ron shook his head sadly. "How about what we did in DADA lessons on Friday?" Ron shook his head. Even Ron looked worried now, "Last I remember is Tuesday. What happened to Wednesday and Thursday?"

Hermione now huffed up along with Professors Flitwick and Babbling. Slughorn could be seen walking slowly up with Professor Sprout. Harry decided to send a Patronus to the Headmistress letting her know Ron was found. Thankfully, Flitwick dispelled the Catterwauling Charm as soon as he reached the gate.

Hermione sat on the other side of Ron and put her arm around him. Ewan got up and spoke with Harry, "Obviously you heard it, his mind has been wiped clean."

Harry explained their theory that he and Hermione believed he was placed under the Imperious Curse. This worried Duncan because they had no idea how long Ron had been helping whomever was behind all of this. Harry looked back at Ron as if to make a point and noticed something odd, "Ron, those aren't your boots. How long have you been wearing those?" Ron had always been in the habit of wearing his robes around school because they had always hid his other ill fitting clothes. He had taken an old set of worn school robes out that day to keep his normal clothes from getting torn or dirty and then he'd worn the slightly nicer robes he was wearing now once he had changed. Now, poking out from under the robes was a pair of traditional boots worn by older men. Harry remembered Ron putting on trainers that morning when they dressed for breakfast. These boots were stretched with a spell to fit his huge feet. They had the unique squared off heel from the footprints they'd seen before.

"So he could have been anywhere today – the wizard! We were looking for boots and the man was walking in trainers like any student on the grounds!" Ewan was now throwing his fists around in the air in anger and shouting. "I knew I should have checked out Ron! It was odd he'd just pop up like that...but he was your mate and I've worked with him and when he said...Oh, what does it matter now? Bleedin' bone headed!" He threw his wand out of anger. The Auror finally got a hold of himself when in the middle of his tantrum he caught Harry smirking at him - arched eyebrow and all. Once he regained his head a little he walked over and pick up his wand.

Harry thought back to what Hecate had said about his betrayer doing so unknowingly. He was now nearly sure that the school was safe in the short term but he remembered her warning of another possible threat directed at him specifically some time in the future. Why couldn't just one Seer say to him for once that he was going to live life free of pain and conflict? Of course, for the past month he'd been walking the forest looking for this very type of adventure. Dumbledore was right, the excitement that came with conflict and adventure was addictive.

Hermione held Ron tightly to her chest. He seemed much less cheerful than he did earlier today. Now he looked lost and truly did not look right. Ewan walked up to her, still sullen, "You may want to get him back up to the infirmary. Explain he's been Imperioused and some of his memory has been wiped. I'm sure she'll let you sleep in a bed nearby to keep an eye on him. Harry, find a Seventh Year DADA student that'll be willing to stay up through the night to watch Mr. Weasley so you can go get some sleep." Harry's eyes lit up. "Don't you dare volunteer...I see that look. I need you rested because you and I are going out with Bane to retrace those steps and figure out exactly what happened today. Don't look at me like that – we aren't going into that bloody forest at night. This whole business has been a bloody catastrophe. It's as if whoever did this planned this out from the beginning. Now go find a volunteer and get your arse in bed. Now, Harry."

Harry did as he was told – which he decided, with some mirth, was rare for him when it came to a mystery. Yet, he was going to get the opportunity to follow the trail tomorrow with an Auror and a Centaur and he decided he'd learn much more that way than by guarding his mate or by looking at the trail alone at night. It took no time at all to find a volunteer – Ginny's scowl dared anyone to try to convince Harry they were a better candidate than her. Technically, she wasn't part of the pool of potential volunteers but Harry knew she would raise Hell on Earth before she let anyone in or out of that Infirmary.

Early the next morning Harry dropped by the Infirmary to check on his mate before he left for the expedition into the forest. He borrowed Hermione's special bag – filling it with his broom and other supplies. He observed to himself that Professor Duncan was correct the evening before. The whole expedition was an utter catastrophe and they had proceeded completely unprepared. They'd not asked any questions and had assumed that the "visitor" had left the grounds from the very beginning. He now suspected that their fugitive might not have left the grounds at all and he wanted to take no chances. He'd mulled over what Hecate said the night before and now he was nearly certain that this wizard was still somewhere on the grounds. But what did this person want? If the trackers were right it was a bloke and he was likely a former Death Eater.

The visit went well. Ron seemed to be feeling better though he was upset that he had no recollection of five days of his life. Ginny gave Harry a kiss on the way out and begged him to find the bloke who had taken her brother. Harry thought to himself that it was odd that Ginny looked her most beautiful when she was her most fierce. He wondered to himself if that's how Mr. Weasley felt about Mrs. Weasley and perhaps that was the reason the patriarch of the family was always getting himself in minor scrapes with the woman.

It took no time at all for the party of three to return to the trail. They decided to return to the camp -taking a slightly different route so they wouldn't disturb the trail which was already somewhat cold. Ewan had brought Hagrid's young pup to help track the scent. They hoped the pup may prove some worth but had no expectations being that it was untrained. They began in the one place they new both the fugitive and Ron had definitely been. They went to the area that Ron had been when he was taken. "Likely he was Imperioused here which is why there was no sign of scuffle," explained Duncan, "If I'd only considered the possibility we could have looked yesterday and perhaps found him."

They found the tracks of Ron's trainers leading to a tree stump where he likely sat. The dog sniffed the spot. When Duncan crouched and looked carefully at the area Fluffy got the idea that the scent was important and he began sniffing in circles. He eventually began walking back toward the castle with his nose buried to the ground. When the party continued to look over the area he let out a sharp bark to let them know to follow. Ewan shrugged to Bane and they followed. Bane pointed quietly to two pairs of footprints and they followed them slowly behind the dog. The dog began yipping like mad when it reached a small clearing.

This had been the place where the Centaur had been killed. The dog circled around and around the prints and this time he followed the set of boots and ignored the trainers. Both sets seemed to have a wider gate and the fronts were more pronounced than the backs in the soft ground. "They began to gallop...run from this point on," Bane said to himself as much as to anyone. When they reached the end of the forest the boots continued to the front gate but the trainers veered off into the forest again – this time with the uneven gait of someone with a slight limp. The dog began sniffing at the prints of the trainers.

"Why didn't we catch that the trails split off yesterday?" the Auror asked Bane. Bane shook his head, "Once the young wizard was found we ignored his trail. Likely, we assumed only the trail of the aged wizard were important." The Auror frowned, "We know who went that way," he pointed to the gate. "Let's see where these lead to," and he followed the dog. "Fluffy," he called out, "Slow down boy."

The dog was waiting for them panting with his big pink tongue hanging out. Harry and Duncan

had stopped following the prints and followed the dog instead and had just now caught up. "No, Fluffy, we aren't done yet." He began scratching on the front door of Hagrid's hut wagging his tail and whining. Hagrid answered the door after a few moments, "You lot already finished with yer bus'ness?"

Bane was just now catching up. He had kept with the trail. The dog darted into the house behind Hagrid and began barking excitedly. Ewan looked at each other confused and Bane explained, "Our fugitive, as you call him, was here. You've stepped on many of the tracks but there is enough left for me to tell. The dog is trying to tell us that the fugitive was inside Hagrid's...hut." Bane obviously did not visit Hagrid's hut or speak about it often.

Ewan looked at Harry, "You don't think he hid in here while waiting for night, do you? That takes a bit of gall, don't you think?"

"Well, on Sundeys I make my rounds of the Forest taking care of those things needin' taken care of. Do that every Sundey, I do," explained Hagrid. "An' yesterday I had lots to do with all the bus'ness in deh Forest. Ay need to get over to that camp site and clean it up so the creatures will go back in. Look to see if there be more of those traps round deh Forest. Can't be havin' more creatures caught in dem things." Hagrid thought to himself, "Did seem strange Fluffy was fast 'sleep when Ay fin'ly got in last night. He shoulda been a right wreck after all that blarin' and all last night."

"You don't think he's been watching Hagrid, do you?" Harry asked. Duncan nodded meaningfully. Bane also gave a slight nod. Hagrid just looked surprised, "Yer saying some ruddy Death Eater went to my hut and hid out? May've been drinking my ale and eatin' my food?" The three nodded.

Professor Duncan got an idea, "Hagrid, you mind if I have some people out here to check out the hut? They might at least be able to figure out who was here." The others looked at him curiously and he explained, "There is a Muggle technique of identifying people by their fingerprints." He showed them a finger, "My prints are completely different than yours or anyone else's. It's not a very good chance because we only have a limited number of prints of wizards. We can't ask for them because the Ministry doesn't like it but we've lifted a few off of places here and there. If anything we'll know who it is not."

The dog stepped out of the hut and continued to sniff. Duncan excused himself to use the Floo to ask for help. Harry and Bane followed the dog. Harry was surprised though when the dog sniffed toward the Castle. Bane seemed uncomfortable. He noticed Harry's curiosity, "We Centaurs do not travel outside of the Forest. I have never witnessed your Settlement in the daylight. I've only visited once. The night we brought battle to the Serpent." As they approached the Castle Harry noticed the Centaur pay less attention to the trail and more attention to the Castle as it grew before them. "It is quite...formidable," was all the Centaur would say.

The Centaur halted at the entrance to the Castle. Harry invited him to continue but the Centaur shook his head, "It is bad luck for a Centaur to step inside such a settlement. Settlements of unnatural materials are considered taboo."

"Firenze has been in the Castle," Harry reminded him.

The Centaur spat, "And look what that has gotten him. He has become like a human. He might as well sleep on pillows and under a blanket," he sneered. The Centaur, ever cognisant of social graces, appeared scandalised and he bowed, "Please forgive me Friend Harry Potter. We live...differently. I should not have even left the Forest but this matter is deemed of the very most importance to the Herd." Harry smiled, "No offence taken. Please wait out here and I'll return."

When Harry stepped inside he found the dog sitting down on its front paws. "Where to now boy?" the dog whimpered but stood back up and tried to regain the scent. He circled the room feverishly and whimpered even more. Fluffy walked toward the Great Hall and several Ravenclaws ambled out having finished their breakfast. One of the witches crouched down and petted him, "He's brilliant Harry," the witch winked and walked off, turning to give the wizard another look before she took the stairs.

Fluffy looked up at Harry and he imagined if the dog could it would have shrugged and said, "I'm done." Harry wondered how an unknown wizard could have gotten into the Castle at that time of night, with the Catterwauling Charm blaring and Professors rushing around. More important, what would a Wizard want to do inside a Castle full of students? He realised he need that map back as soon as he could get his hands on it.

He knew all Hell would break loose when the staff and the Ministry found out that a known killer had made it's way inside Hogwarts Castle.