Disclaimer: I only own the following: Saerry, the twins (count them as one), the plot, and Aeyr's.
Chapter 28 **Running**
Harry's POV
I ran. I ran as fast as I could down the halls. I could hear my father behind me, yelling my name.
NO!
I swung around a corner, eyes closed for a half second.
Pop.
Thank God for an Animagus form that can fly.
I flew as fast as I could. I don't know how Saeln is able to fly in that fast way or makes his wings glow, but I can fly.
"Harry!"
I hissed out an acid curse and flew faster. As I shot around a corner I heard Saeln's surprised voice.
"Great Ssserpent!"
No, don't come after me, don't come after me.
He came.
Damn.
I stretched my wings to their limit, trying to outrace Saeln. But he is a true Aeyr and knows every trick.
He came up beside me and turned his head to look at me with narrowed yellow-amber eyes. Then he gasped.
"Harry?"
I nodded sharply at him and he hissed, "How?"
"Animagusss, Ssssaeln."
"Now you are talking like me."
"That'sss becaussse I am an Aeyr now."
"Permanently?"
"Sssaeln, don't you know anything about Animagi?"
"Unfortunately not."
I sighed.
"Animagi are wizardsss that can turn into animalsss. They each have one form. Mine issss an Aeyr."
Saeln blinked. "But we are magical creaturesss. Sssshouldn't that be impossssssible?"
"Draco'sss a dragon."
"Draco isss in on thisss?"
"And Ron, Hermione, and Ginny."
"Great Sssserpent. Doessss Sssseverusss know?"
"No."
"That'sss not good."
"I'm already in trouble."
"For what?"
"I'd ssshow you but I don't think you can sssee it in this form."
"Then tell me."
"The Dark Mark."
"Great Ssserpent. How did you get that?"
"I don't know. But I'm leaving."
"Ah, let me guesssss. Ssseverusss found out?"
"Yesss."
"And he issss angry?"
"Of courssse."
"Well, he hasss good reassson. You are hisss ssson and he doesss not want you taking the sssame path he did."
"I'm not."
"Did you tell him that?"
"No."
"You sssshould."
"Well at the moment I intend to leave."
"To where?"
"I don't know. I'm jussst going to fly."
"What about Mione?"
I paused and hovered in midair. Saeln did the same, ducking his head to try to see into my nearly closed eyes. I turned my head away from him and muttered, "I don't know."
Saeln said, "You can't jussst leave her."
"I know."
"She lovesss you."
"I know."
"And you love her."
"Yesss."
"Then why leave?"
"Becaussse! It'sss the only thing I can do. All of them sssaw it, Sssaeln. All of them. I went to tell them about Draco and they were all there. My dad grabbed my arm and hit the Mark. Damn it hurt."
"And he found it?"
"Yesss."
"Ssso you are running?"
I nodded glumly.
Saeln drew a long, hissing sigh then said, "Go. I will cover for you if I sssee Ssseverusss. But I will do nothing to ssstop Mione. At leassst ssay goodbye to her."
"I'll try."
"Good. Now go. Go!"
I turned tail and flew as fast as I could.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione's POV
I ran as fast as I could out of the Headmaster's office and after Harry and Severus. As I knew Harry was most likely to go to Gryffindor Tower, I took every shortcut I knew to get there. I cursed under my breath. This wasn't any faster.
Pop.
This was. I ran in my Animagus form through the halls, leaping over a surprised Mrs. Norris, and coming to a halt in front of the Fat Lady's portrait.
Which was open.
I bounded inside and ran straight up the stairs to the sixth year boy's dorm, flying through the open door.
Normal POV
Harry stood at the window, one foot on the sill with a bag slung over right shoulder. His Seeker was in his left hand. He turned as a tawny lioness bounded into the room and changed into Hermione with an audible pop.
"Mione…"
Hermione stepped forward into the light shining into the room from the half moon and asked softly, "Where are you going?"
Harry shrugged and replied, "I don't know."
"But you can't stay."
"No. Dad doesn't understand. No one does."
Hermione looked up at him. "You don't let us understand, Harry."
Harry frowned and said, "I can't. Because I don't myself."
"So you're just leaving," asked Hermione.
"Something like that…"
"Why? Why can't you stay?"
"I just can't. That's the way things are. I have to handle this on my own. Without anyone's help."
"Even mine?" asked Hermione softly.
Harry brought his eyes up to look into hers. He whispered, "Especially yours."
"Why?"
"I don't want anyone to get hurt. Something's happening, Mione. To me. I think it's this." He pulled back his sleeve to show the Dark Mark then continued, "It's making me act….strange."
"Like in the common room before Christmas holidays," breathed Hermione.
"Exactly."
"That's still no reason to leave."
"What if it's something – evil? What then? What if it – I don't know – takes control of me? What then, Mione?" Harry eyes bored into hers as he spoke, his voice getting more panicked by the second. He took a deep breath then spoke again, his voice calmer now.
"I'd die if I hurt one of you. You're my family. You're all I've got in this world that I can actually call that."
Suddenly there was a shout from outside and Harry quickly said, "I have to go. Don't try to follow me, Mione."
Hermione nodded then stepped up close to him. She slid her arms under the emerald green winter cloak he wore over a thickly knitted scarlet sweater and dark jeans, wrapping her arms around him. Burying her face in his shoulder, she murmured, "Be careful."
A hand lifted and ran up and down her back in a soothing gesture. Harry gently pushed her away with the same hand and whispered, "I will," before turning and leaping out the window
A/N: Sweet Merlin, that chapter had a very sappy section. I guess my romantic side decided to come out there. Guess so. *smirk* *scowl* Why you little… *lunges* AIEE!!! *runs* COME BACK HERE YOU!! *watches* Those two can be so entertaining.
