The Hunt

Chapter 36

Weep for Harry

Hermione sat herself to deliver a cheery "Hi ya Harry," with a broad smile painted across her face but when she saw him laying there motionless all that came out was a tremulous "Oh, Harry." She fought to keep the weeping from her voice and failed miserably. Wiping tear stained cheeks with the back of her hand, she felt a nudge from behind her to move further in but it was Lupin who saved her by telling the other that were still outside that it was a muggle type tent and with three full grown people already inside there was no more room so they would need to wait their turn. Moving so Hermione could place herself in front of Harry Remus spoke in her ear saying that he was going back to Hogwarts to bring Madame Pomfrey back and to alert Dobby. He knew that Dobby would be needed to help with the preparations of moving Harry.

Hermione bent to kiss Harry's cheek but stopped short of doing so afraid to touch him fearing that she may cause further injury and nearly jumped when Harry said "What took you so long? I've been waiting for ages." He had a wry grin on his face when he spoke. "Oh Harry, do you hurt, is there anything I can get you, How did you get yourself in this, this mess?" The questions came pouring out from her mouth but Harry answered them any way "Yes, no, I'll tell you later." Gingerly she brushed his hair from his forehead knowing that it would do no good but she felt that she needed to do something for him. Her weeping had subsided but the tears so flowed. Harry only blinked at her. He hated to see her cry and he hated it worse to see her powerless but then she suddenly straightened up and while dabbing at his forehead with the edge of her cloak she very matter of factly told him that he just had to get well so she could kill him for missing her wedding and raised a fist to punch him but stopped and looked at her hand and said "Well yes, that will have to wait now won't it?" The two of them started to laugh though Harry's held little mirth.

Ron had managed to work his way into the tent just as Hermione's fist was being raised and stopped. Gaping at what he was seeing, Ron started to call out and then he realized what Hermione was doing as her and Harry began to laugh. Harry was unable to see Ron as he was still under the petrification curse modified as it was so that he could still talk. Harry heard several other voices still outside that were now arguing or rather very vocally encouraging him and Hermione to hurry up so they could also come in to see Harry. Ron pulled out his wand and over his shoulder yelled out "Hang on I've an idea." Aiming his wand at the bottom seam of Harry's tent he cast a spell and a very fine blue jet of light sprang from its tip as Ron began to cut along the edges. When Harry saw what he was doing he said "Ron no, wait a minute." but he was too late. The tent collapsed over the top of them. "Oh, Ron," was all that Hermione could say as she sat in front of Harry with the top of the tent draping over her head as well as the others. Ton's face reddened but then he shrugged his shoulders and said very plaintively "Well it had to be done sometime sooner or later."

As they pulled the piece of the tent away from them the others still standing outside what was left of the tent were hiding their chuckles but a pop sobered them up as Dobby appeared followed by Madame Pomfrey and Remus. Percy stepped forward once he saw the two and explained to Poppy what they intended and the twins produced the boards lined with foam cushion on one side of each of them. Poppy listened to their plan nodding her head with approval before she knelt to look over Harry before they proceeded. When she gave the consent for them to start it was Dobby who insisted on providing the hover charm that would lift Harry upwards so the first board could be placed underneath him. When that was done he lowered Harry so gently into the soft cushion that no one actually seen when he began to lower Harry until he was already flattening the cushion..

Poppy knelt once again to look over Harry and asked if he felt any discomfort other than what he was already feeling and when he asked if they could find his rock that he had been laying on for these past several days as he had became rather fond of it being that they were practically attached to each other, she pronounced him ready to travel but after looking at the six Weasleys She said that no one would be traveling until the next day. Hoots coming from underneath the tent brought everyone's attention around to the discarded portion of the tent that was still hidden under the cloak and the twins dropped to their knees and started to feel around until they felt the fabric. Pulling it off, Hedwig sat looking at them with ruffled feathers and a glare to her eyes that demanded an immediate apology which no one thought to give her as she hopped her way towards Harry and promptly hopped up next to him as if to nuzzle his cheek.

It was agreed that they would spend the night there and get an early start in the morning so Poppy produced two bottles of potions from her bag. One was a sleeping draft to give to Harry so that he would sleep during the flight and the other was an invigorating draft that she insisted the Weasleys drink before taking off. She added that she did not want them stopping along the way to rest because Harry may not survive any jarring. Hedwig would fly back with them so she could alert them of their arrival at Hogwarts. Someone needed to be there to catch Harry's pallet so that it would not land on the ground and jar him. Percy nodded his head thoughtfully as he had not thought that part completely through. Dobby insisted on staying to stand guard through the night for the group and Remus so he would stay as well. Bill pulled Lupin off to the side and spoke to him quietly about going home and spending at least that much time with Tonks. He reminded him that he had not spent more than fifteen minutes with her since they found Harry and he did look far worse than the mornings after his furry adventures. Lupin only agreed after Bill promised him that there would be no campfires or loud noises throughout the night. When Bill asked why all Remus would tell him is that he would have to ask Harry if Harry wanted to tell them.

Madame Pomfrey asked the twins to show her what the other board was for and they quickly laid it across Harry's back and explained to her that they intended to tie the boards together to keep Harry as flat and as immobile as possible and it was her turn to nod in approval with what was being suggested. Once again she gave them her instructions and then extended her arm to Remus who took it into his hand and they apparated together.

They twins where talking at length with Harry after they removed the top board and brought him up to date with their business adventures. When they told him about their expansions into other countries Harry let out a long and low whistle and said, "So does your Mum still disapprove then?" "Nope, not in the least little bit." Fred replied very candidly and George picked up by telling Harry that they had tried to buy her a new home but she refused to leave the Burrow. When they told Harry that they had been making deposits into his account at Gringotts Harry tried to argue with them but they insisted that he had been a full partner since the day he had insisted on them taking his Tri-Wizard Tournament prize money as their start up loan. When Harry asked about Lee Jordan they shook their heads and said that he did work for them and was handsomely paid but he wasn't a partner in the business. Lee served as their Finance Manager and then Fred lowered his voice and told Harry that once Hermione graduated this Muggle University and retained her Solicitor's License they were going to offer her a job as their full time Legal Consultant and Solicitor. Harry grinned at them and if he could move he would have applauded their success. He couldn't think of anyone better to have succeeded other than Ron.

Ron and Hermione took another turn at visiting Harry and brought him up to date on their family and Harry was ecstatic when he heard that Ron was now a fully qualified Auror but he was really eager to hear more about Missy Molly. Hermione beamed when Harry recanted his visit with her and how smart she was and the three of them laughed again when Harry told them that Molly was going to fix him right up by using the "Pisky" spell. Hermione almost doubled over when Harry described the look on Molly's face when she examined the tip of her wand when nothing came out of it. When Ron yawned Hermione said that they should find a place to sleep and let Harry get his rest but Ron wanted to tell Harry about his new broom. The look on her face told Ron that could wait for another day and with that Hermione leaned over and kissed Harry on the cheek and said hers and Ron's good nights and they left.

Bill and Percy took their place in line to have a chat with Harry that evening and when Harry saw Percy sitting there His face tightened a bit but Percy immediately launched into an apology to Harry. Harry's face began to relax as Percy explained himself and for what seemed like the twentieth time asked Harry to forgive him for his pomposity and his arrogance. Not once did Percy try to defend his actions or those of the Ministry's and when Harry's eye's turned to Bill's, Bill gave the slightest of nods to Harry. Percy finally stopped apologizing when Harry got a chance to tell him that amongst friends and family there was nothing to apologize for. After that Percy left Bill to speak with Harry alone and it was Bill that brought Harry up to date with everything, the Weasley's, Harry's finances, Lupin and Tonks, and finally with the Order. Harry remained quiet while Bill spoke of what they knew and when the talk came around to Filch Harry's eyebrow's rose in disbelief. He had his own questions to ask which Bill readily answered for him until in turn they both began to yawn suggesting that it was time to end their chat for the evening. When Bill finally left Harry Hedwig nestled herself right up against Harry's cheek and then turned her head as if to keep watch for the night though Dobby had already taken that position himself several hours earlier.

Dobby sat watching in the dark, his back leaning against a tall dark evergreen that stood slightly uphill from where the Weasleys settled themselves down for the night and just to the right of his master. An excitement boiled itself deep within him tonight yet he held onto his patience, loosely but still enough to control his anticipation of his master finally getting to leave here. His Elvin magic felt the evil that lay just mere miles away and it was in that direction that he settled his gaze. The more he looked up the mountain the more something most ancient burned deep inside of him. It was a warrior's stance he had taken without even noticing himself rising from his cross legged sitting. His features took on a far off gaze as he looked into the night avoiding the normal night's noise and filtering in sounds that did not belong. His hands itched for the bow or the sword; they felt naked without these things. A faint aura caused him to turn his head towards Harry's slumbering body and he nodded once to the sight before his eyes. James and Lily had taken their nightly vigilance over Harry as well. Lily nodded to an Elven warrior as she saw Dobby standing there in the night six feet tall and dressed in a shimmering mail shirt. In her eyes she saw an Elven warrior from the first age of time rather than a small wrinkled, pointed eared, long nosed, and wide eyed House Elf. She saw Dobby as he truly should have been, A High Captain of the Elven Guard standing his watch.

As Dobby stood tall in the night peering upwards towards the mountain peaks he wondered how he had gotten here. House Elf to the Greatest Wizard he had ever known except of course for Albus Dumbledore, on loan to one of the finest wizarding families he had ever known, protector and guardian to a child who in his opinion was destined to be as great as his Master if not more so. He smiled inside his mouth with that thought as his face maintained his vigilance over the campsite. A strong voice inside his head spoke levelly and steady "I would lay my life down should they live on for another day." His blood nearly boiled with that oath yet it felt rightfully said and his features took on a fiercer look and his stance became more ready for violence should there be any need.

Morning broke early in this area and the first light of the day found the Weasley's wiping sleep from their eye's and slowly standing up to work sore muscles that had knotted in the night from the lack of blankets and bedding. Just another small slight in their plan but no one seemed any the worse for this small over sight. Dobby still stood in his stance when he was called to bring water for the morning's tea for which he promptly disappeared and re-appeared with a teapot filled with water. Bill started a small fire and took the pot from Dobby when the rest of the Weasley's announced that they were going to fly back to the lake they had seen the night before for a quick wash. While the tea brewed bill sifted through their packs and managed to put together a small breakfast for the group once they returned. The tea was ready before anyone returned and to Dobby's great shock Bill offered him a hot cup to drink which he took eagerly and yet was uncertain if he should take such liberties with his Masters. "Drink up Dobby we have much to do before we get started." And looking at his watch Bill grimaced at the time. It was nearly six in the morning and it would take at least ten hours of flying straight through to Hogwarts. They would have to wait nearly two more hours before they could leave so that they could arrive in the twilight hours.

Gathering up all of their packs and making sure that nothing was left including Harry's invisibility Cloak bill waited for the rest of his family to return before handing dobby all of their belongings to take with him as he returned to fetch Remus and Madame Pomfrey back to where they were as per her instructions from the night before. When all was done, Dobby was nearly hidden amidst a stack of back packs and other oddments which belonged to Harry as he apparated home to begin his preparations. Harry called Bill to his side, he had to tell Bill that they must avoid the Mountains peaks at all cost preferably far enough out of sight of the mountain peaks as possible but he would not explain why.

Remus and Madame Pomfrey arrived just as Harry exacted Bill's promise to avoid being in sight of the mountain peaks and Harry's removal became a matter of moments. Fred and George placed next to Harry while Madame Pomfrey fed him his sleeping draft after which Harry smacked his lips and between a mixture a w wry grimace, smile, and choking he announced that it tasted every bit as good as he remembered. After a few moments Poppy gave her permission for the boys to close Harry up and then she supervised the two boards being tied together and then to satisfy herself she pointed her wand and incanted the words "Incarcerous" Golden strands of rope zoomed from the tip of her wand and wrapped completely around the boards from side to side and then top to bottom as the six Weasley's lined their brooms three to a side and took lengths of rope and tied Harry's caisson to their brooms. Poppy took the invigorating drafts that she had given Hermione the night before and made sure that they each drank a full gulps worth before she stood back with Remus and watched them slowly rise together taking up the slack in the rope until Harry was nearly a foot off the ground. Remus stopped them and tapped his wand against the caisson which made each rope to either shortened itself or lengthened itself until Harry was perfectly level and about six feet underneath them and then he gave them the signal to go.

Working as one the six of them hovered for a short moment and then slowly began lifting straight up into the air until Harry was just above the trees and slowly started to fly Southward down and away from the mountain top staying just above the tops of the trees until Bill could no longer see the peaks of the mountain and then the slowly turned them Eastward and began to climb higher and higher. Hedwig flew into Bill's broom and once again took her perch just in front of him. There was no need for her to lead the way this time. Bill looked at his watch and their detour ate up the time he thought they would have to wait and he smiled. Looking around him at the others, each of them had either a smile or a grin pasted of their faces yet no one was speaking. He also noted with great relief that each of them had their goggles firmly in place and their cloaks tied tightly about themselves, Hermione had even braided her hair up and had it neatly tucked under her cloak. Once they had reached an altitude that he felt safe to fly at he shouted over his shoulders, "Full speed on three, two one, and Go! All six of them leaned forward on their brooms in unison and as one they bolted off in a single blur. They would have to fly at top speed this way for eleven hours without stopping before they would reach Hogwarts. Bill's face had set itself with determination and he knew that each of the others had done the same without even looking to see.

Remus and Poppy stepped back as the Weasley's slowly drifted upward and watched as they turned south together and slowly edged out of site staying just above the tree tops. Poppy looked down at her feet to gather her bag up while Remus looked around the campsite and gathered up what remained of Harry's tent. Poppy stood waiting while Lupin took one final walk through satisfying himself that everything had been cleared away before he took her arm and together they apparated back to Hogwarts to begin the long wait for Harry's safe return.

High up on the mountains peak Draco stood on his favorite shelf pacing once again at his fathers reluctance to tell him where or what his mother was doing and why she had not come with him. As he looked out and down the mountain side he saw a dark speck flying low above the trees heading southward and he followed it until it left his sight. He didn't care what it was and from this distance it had no shape but he watched it with interest.

He had just come up from the cell in which his father was being kept and was sickened by his father's ranting. It made no sense to him as he listened to how many different ways Lucius wanted to kill Snape. Draco felt like that at times but what would make his father so angry that he would lose his composure and control is what bothered him the most. He was certain that Narcissa was following the Dark Lord's instructions and that was why she wasn't here now but something about his father's avoidance in answering his questions made him doubt once again if that were true. There was something, a feeling of dread that surrounded him when he met his father this morning. Something that Snape had taught him about how people act and react, their mannerisms, and their body language that caused him to suspect that his father had done something to his mother. His anger at his father's refusal to speak of her festered deep inside of him and Draco was allowing it to build. For some reason he did not yet know why, he needed his anger to swell up and envelope him for the next meeting.

Snape had disappeared again and that added to his anger. Draco did not like being left alone, not knowing what was happening but he also knew that when the time was right Severus would tell him what was happening. He had been this way several times over the last four years but this time he seemed worried or anxious, or perhaps both. And with his father appearing as he did it seemed to complicate matters more so than ever before. He was alone so why can't he just apparate home to see his mother just once? "Foolishness is what it is. The manor will be watched." Draco spoke the words aloud as he slammed a fist into his hand. "My hands are tied and I cannot breathe for myself!" Draco's fury was burning now as he shouted to a carrion bird that flew overhead. "Father the next we meet, you will tell me what I want to know, I swear it!" The bird circled but paid no heed to Draco's shouts of anger.