Chapter 38

The first thing Harry noticed when he stepped outside was how cold it was. Instantly the frigid air assailed him causing him to draw his cloak tighter around himself. The second thing Harry noticed was the footprints. Two sets of them. They were easy enough to follow even now. The snow that had fallen all day had stopped for however briefly. No one had bothered to step outside to clear the walk or to leave other prints that might confuse the trail.

Making sure he had his wand in his hand Harry set off following the footprints. He was quite thankful for the recently fallen snow. It was making following the tracks quite easy. There were Ron's tracks that looked like they were following Ginny's. Ron had apparently been following his sister when she ran off. Not that Harry could blame her. At the point Ginny had walked in he'd not quite fully realized that it was Hermione, not her, he was kissing.

She'd run off before he could petrify her. He never had a chance to explain. Not that he thought she would let him. Ron had socked him pretty good, and no doubt he thought Harry had it coming. Once Ron got calmed down, Harry felt that he of all people would understand what had happened. He felt reasonably sure that he could get Ron to come to terms with everything. It was Ginny he was worried about.

Stopping for a moment and looking around, Harry made sure that the coast was clear and that he was unobserved. Then, removing the stopper from the bottle of Instant Animagus, he tipped its contents down his throat. It took just a few moments for the potion to have its effect. The next thing Harry knew, he was standing on all fours, and his face was about two feet off the ground. He had an entirely new perspective of the world from where he stood, but little time to get used to it.

Instead Harry continued to follow the footprints in the snow. They went on for several blocks. Then they turned towards the center of London. Harry knew what lay down there. He figured that they were probably heading towards the Leaky Cauldron. Harry really hoped they were there. If only he could find them both and get them to listen to him, everything would be okay. Or so he hoped.

Then Harry came across something; the footprints ducked into a side alley. They went inside for several feet and then stopped. Harry looked around to see if maybe they walked out the other side. They didn't. It looked like Ron and Ginny had apparated out of the alley. Harry was powerless to do anything about his state as a dog until the effects of the potion wore off. He didn't think they'd go home, but who knew? Right now he needed to locate them and fast.

He turned around and began following his trail back home. He broke out into a run and began running full out as fast as he could. He wanted to make it back to Grimmauld Place as quickly as he could and see how Hermione was doing. He also wanted to see if by chance Ron and Ginny had gone home. It was a place to start.

He had almost made it home when the effects of the potion started wearing off. Harry was forced to duck behind someone's bushes until the effects finished wearing off. Then he climbed back out and set off again at a run on his human feet. He made good time getting back to Grimmauld Place. Harry had the presence of mind to look around to make sure he wasn't being watched and then he quickly let himself in.

He was met at the door by Mr. Weasley. "Did you find them?" he asked urgently.

"No," panted Harry. "I thought they returned here."

"What do you mean?"

"I followed their footprints for several blocks. It looked like they were trying to make their way to the Leaky Cauldron." Harry said clutching a stitch in his side. "They ducked down a side alley and the foot prints disappeared. I need to talk to Kingsley. He needs to know about this."

"He knows," said Mr. Weasley. "Just after you left I sent him a message. He's upstairs with Hermione now."

"Did Professor Slughorn respond to my message yet?"

"Kingsley brought it with him. He said he was checking on things at Hogwarts when Professor Slughorn got your message to him. He came here immediately."

Harry looked expectantly upstairs. "How is she?"

"Recovering." Mr. Weasley said with a sigh and his own glance upstairs. Harry recognized the lines of worry around his eyes and forehead. He'd seen them often enough over the last four years. "She's not doing so well. She remembers what happened well enough. She's thoroughly embarrassed by the whole thing as you'd probably expect. She won't look anyone in the eye, but hasn't asked to leave to go back to her parent's house yet either."

"I want to see her," Harry answered.

"I don't know if that is such a good idea at the moment. Like I said she's pretty embarrassed."

"I know that, but I need to talk to her. I need to know what she remembers about what happened."

Harry started to go upstairs, and saw Mrs. Weasley at the top on her way down. She looked at Harry and her face immediately softened and she came down the stairs and hugged him fiercely. "I'm sorry I thought...well...I'm sorry." she said quietly.

"It's alright Mrs. Weasley. I understand. I think I know what happened and I bet I know what you saw. Really, it's alright." Harry said.

"What do you think happened Potter?" asked Kingsley at the top of the stairs.

"I really need to speak to Hermione to confirm this, but what I think is that Ron was given a box of candy that someone had put some potion in. Ron gave the box to Hermione for Christmas, and he probably gave it to her early. Remember sixth year when he was poisoned? Ramilda Vane had given me a box of chocolates that Ron ate by mistake. They were filled with a really strong love potion. It was when Ron had the antidote and was feeling a little down that Professor Slughorn opened that bottle of poisoned mead. Ron had one drink and was poisoned."

"That corresponds with what she told me." Kingsley said thoughtfully. "So where do you think Ronald and Ginny went?"

"Their footprints were headed into London. I'm thinking they went to the Leaky Cauldron."

"George!" said Mrs. Weasley, "They probably went to see him!" She finished going down the stairs and went into the kitchen.

"I want to see Hermione," Harry said starting to go back upstairs again.

"Harry," Kingsley said quietly. "She really doesn't want to see you right now."

"I understand that, sir." Harry said stopping again, "But I think the best way to help her through this is to let her see me and make sure she knows that I'm not upset with her."

"Harry, I really don't think that's a good idea." Kingsley said firmly. "But, you're a grown man. Do what you think is right." Kingsley placed a gentle hand on Harry's arm and went downstairs.

Harry climbed up the rest of the stairs and went down the hall the short distance to the room Hermione shared with Ginny. Harry put his hand on the door and paused. He knew Hermione didn't want to see him. He knew he needed to talk to her. What he didn't want or need was the sudden reminder of everything he had just lost. But his friendship with Hermione was worth the sacrifice. He knocked twice and then opened the door.

Hermione was lying on her bed facing the wall. "Go away Harry." She said softly. Harry knew by her tone she meant it.

"I need to speak to you Hermione." Harry said, "I have to ask you some questions."

"No you don't. Kingsley already did so you can just go away."

"No Hermione, I can't. Not until after we've talked."

"What is there to say?" she asked with a sob, "I hurt him. There is nothing more to say."

"Oh yes there is." Harry said firmly. "There's a lot more to say."

"Harry! Would you please stop! Can't you see what you're doing to me?" She was crying now. Harry hated to see her cry. He hated even more that he felt like he had to do this right now, but the fact was Ron and Ginny were out there and if they didn't come home soon, he would need Hermione's help to find them.

"Hermione," Harry began.

"Stop! Please Harry! Would you please stop! I don't want to do this; I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to look at you. Can't you see? Harry if you've ever liked me, even just a little, please don't make me do this now."

"Hermione, I forgive you." Harry said putting his hand on the door. He would give her what she wanted. He would leave her alone. But first he wanted to say his piece. At least part of it.

"You forgive me? How could you forgive me? I heard about what happened! I heard that Ginny ran off. Harry, what I did was unforgivable! What I did..."

"Was not your fault." Harry said simply.

"What makes you say that?"

"Hermione, before everything happened tonight, what were you and Ron doing at home?"

Hermione looked thoughtful for a minute. "Ron gave me an early Christmas gift. He said he bought some chocolates in Honeydukes that day we all went to Hogsmeade together. I ate one just before bed." She swallowed. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Do you remember what happened in sixth year? How Ron got poisoned?" he asked.

"Sure, he drank some mead that Professor Slughorn gave him."

"Do you remember what happened before that?"

"He ate some chocolate hearts that Ramilda Vane had...oh!" Harry saw Hermione's eyes light up. "You mean...you mean that the box of candy had some potion in it?"

"I think so. We need to test it to be sure. I remember that the owner of the shop was acting a little odd when we were there. He even insisted Ron buy that box of Chocolates for you. He wouldn't let Ron look at anything else." Harry explained.

"But why would he do that?"

"I reckon he was under the Imperius Curse. I think they waited until Hogsmeade weekend to make sure Ron bought it."

Harry went to sit at the end of Hermione's bed. "It really wasn't your fault." He smiled a little. Then Harry leaned forward to put his hand on Hermione's arm. She brushed it away.

"That doesn't change anything Harry. He's gone. He's gone and Ginny's gone and...and", she broke down in tears. She was crying hard now. Harry tried to put his arms around her but Hermione pushed him away. "Go away Harry. I've had enough. Just go away!"

"Hermione please. Just listen to me."

"Harry I don't care what you have to say. Just GO AWAY!" she shouted the last bit.

Harry understood. He supposed he couldn't blame her; it was rather stupid of him to try and embrace her. He stood up. "I'm sorry Hermione. I really am. I'm so sorry." He left her room quietly closing the door behind him.

Going back downstairs, Harry went into the kitchen. There was Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sitting at the table. Mrs. Weasley was in tears and Mr. Weasley looked shaken. Kingsley looked grave. "Were they with George?" Harry asked timidly.

"No. No one has seen them in Diagon Alley and no one fitting their description has checked into the Leaky Cauldron. If they've just run off then there's a good chance that they might come back home. However if they've run into anything..." Kingsley said looking over at Mrs. Weasley. Harry nodded.

"So are you going to send the Aurors out looking for them?" Harry asked. Mr. Weasley looked up doubtfully. Kingsley looked very uncomfortable. "I can't. Not as thinly staffed as we are. Right now its just a situation where two adult siblings have run away. Except for what you've told me here recently, I've had no other reports of Death Eater activity since the attack on George's shop. That's why I'm here. As soon as I have any evidence that something is going on, then I'll get the Aurors involved."

Harry nodded. He kind of had an idea that this was the case of things. Kingsley couldn't do anything. But that didn't mean that Harry couldn't. Harry turned around and went back to the door of Grimmauld Place.

"Where are you going?" Kingsley asked.

"They're two of my best friends. I'm going out to look for them."

Outside the weather was getting colder fast. Very fast. Harry felt like the temperature had already dropped several degrees in the few minutes he'd spent back in the house. No matter. He needed to find Ron and Ginny. He needed to know they were safe. He needed them to hear what happened. When he really thought about it, what Harry really needed to know was that he and Ron were still friends, and that he and Ginny could still be together. That was the two things that mattered most to him. He needed to know that they were okay.

Harry was walking down the street in the direction he'd last been. It wasn't much, but it was a start. He figured that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would have probably sent owls to George, Bill and Fleur, and probably Auntie Muriel. He'd have to check those places too, but first he was going to go look at the Burrow. It was their home, even if it wasn't safe right now. Harry didn't think that Ginny would let that stop her.

He made it to the Burrow by apparating directly to the yard. In its current state, Harry's favorite home in all the world looked for all the world like the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. It was falling into disrepair. He knew that it wouldn't take very long to fix it up again, but right now it was very clear that the Burrow was not a safe place to be. The doors hung on one hinge. Several of the windows were broken, and there were scuff marks and other damage done to the home itself. The grounds were overgrown and in sore need of care. However, with all the snow on the ground it was quickly very clear that there were no footprints here. Nothing to indicate that Ron and Ginny had come this way.

Harry turned to go, and then turned back. He couldn't resist. He went to the doors of the Burrow and cautiously looked inside. Then he carefully entered the home and then went upstairs. He went into Ginny's room and sat down on the bed. The mattress was shredded and had springs poking out all over it. But that didn't matter to Harry. It was Ginny's room. It still had a little bit of her smell in it. Harry sat and breathed deeply. He fervently hoped to find her. To find her and bring her home again very soon. He was beside himself with how much he missed her.

It made Harry angry how thoroughly ransacked Ginny's room had been. He took a minute poking around inside looking at various things. Whoever it was that had been here had done a thorough job of things. Her dresser was smashed, her bed ruined, and the table by her bed was in splinters. He looked around and found a picture that sat in its frame, the glass shattered. It was Gwenog Jones of the Hollyhead Harpies. Ginny's favorite player had sent her an autographed photo. Why didn't Harry know about this? Feeling as if he'd somehow missed an opportunity to get to know his girlfriend better, Harry placed the photo inside his bag with the hidden extension charm. He then left the room. It was clear that they weren't at the Burrow. Nor had they been.

It was on Harry's way out into the yard that he saw it. It was something that he could hardly miss both due to the color of it and due to where it was laying. When Harry stepped out into the snow covered yard, only his footprints were visible. Yet laying in one of the foot prints not far from the door was a lock of long fiery red hair. It was tied into a simple loop and held in place with a little twine. Attached to the lock of hair was a note. It read simply;

Mr. Potter,

We have your friends. We have taken that which is most dear to you. You will get her back, bit by bit. Consider this the first piece.

Don't take too long looking for your friends; otherwise you won't like what's left when you find them.

We'll be in touch.

A.L.

A shiver ran down Harry's spine. They had been here. They were here while Harry had been inside. Maybe even here now. Harry felt a surge of fear and then anger run through him.

"Hello? HELLO! CAN YOU HEAR ME? YOU BASTARDS CAN YOU HEAR ME?"

Harry was shaking now he was so angry. He'd never been so mad in his entire life. He was breathing hard, wand in his hand. He was ready to do battle. He wanted to hurt the ones who had stolen Ginny and Ron. Harry knew what it was he had to do. He knew it as surely as if it had been explained to him. He needed to find his friend. He needed to find his Ginny. He needed to make sure she was okay. He knew he had hurt her, whether intentionally or not. He needed to tell her he loved her. Even if it was only one more time.

At that moment Harry didn't care if he was being watched or not. He managed to stop shaking with rage long enough to take his wand and use it to send a patronus message to the Burrow. He needed to let them know what was going on. He needed to let Kingsley know and alert the Aurors. The situation had just become much more serious.

Just a few moments later in Grimmauld Place; George Weasley, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley were sitting in the kitchen. They were beside themselves waiting for some word, any word as to what had happened to Ginny and Ron. They weren't at the joke shop. They weren't at Auntie Muriel's and they weren't with Bill and Fleur. No one knew where they were. Hermione had sequestered herself upstairs and was now refusing to talk to anyone. At the moment the decision was to leave her alone and give her some time to herself.

Then a bright flash of light entered the room and a silvery iridescent ball of energy hovered among them. Then it started to speak. What got their attention wasn't the fact that the energy ball was speaking, it was that it was speaking with Harry's voice.

"The Death Eaters have Ginny and Ron. I'm at the Burrow and they found me here. I'm the one that they want. I'm going to try and find them. Tell Hermione that...well, just tell her."

And with that the ball of light and energy vanished. All eyes in the room looked from the place where the ball of energy disappeared to each other. Then Kingsley Shacklebolt stood up. He started gathering up his cloak and heading towards the door.

"I'm going to alert the Aurors. We need to find Potter and see what we can do to help him. He's going to need it."

George stood up and headed towards the door himself. "I'm going to talk to Bill and Fleur. They need to know what's happening." He said quietly.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were frozen for a moment by the news. They both wanted to take part of what was going on, and they knew that someone needed to stay behind at the house in case something happened or someone showed up. Mr. Weasley stood up and began to get ready to leave the house himself. Then the door to the kitchen opened and Hermione came in. She'd obviously been crying and looked a royal mess. Her hair was disheveled and her clothes were wrinkled. Her eyes were puffy and nose was running. "Where is everybody going?" she asked. It was clear that Hermione was still very close to breaking down again.

Mrs. Weasley looked at her son's girlfriend for a long moment. Her face was unreadable. "The Death Eaters found Harry back at the Burrow. They have Ron and Ginny. Harry has gone to look for them." Mrs. Weasley wiped her eyes and continued, "Kingsley and George have gone to see if they can't help him."

Mrs. Weasley continued to watch Hermione for a moment, and Hermione started to cry again. "I feel so bad. This is all my fault." She said.

"I thought Harry explained to you what happened. He did, didn't he?" asked Mr. Weasley.

Hermione nodded, "But I should have been smart enough to realize that the chocolate might be dodgy. Ron told me that the salesman was really a nutter in trying to get him to buy it." Hermione sniffled and wiped her own eyes, "I should have realized it then. I should have known."

Mrs. Weasley's face took on a very kind, motherly expression. "Hermione dear, you're very smart. Goodness knows that if Ron has told me once he's told me a thousand times how smart you are. But Hermione dear, you're in love. And love is blind. It makes you say things you might not otherwise say and do things you might not otherwise do. The man you love was giving you a gift, and you accepted it. There is no harm in that. We don't blame you for what happened, don't you blame yourself."

Hermione could only nod. She needed time to absorb what she'd heard. "I should be out there," she said looking over her shoulder towards the door. "Harry shouldn't be out there looking for them alone." She sat down and buried her face in her hands. "I was so mean to him. To all of them. I wish...I wish..."

At that moment Kreacher, who had been silent the entire time making sure everyone had tea, or food, or whatever else it was they needed to be comfortable, he came up to Hermione and gently tugged at the hem of her shirt.

"Does master's muggle born friend desire to find him?" He asked softly. His facial features were softened. His eyes were unreadable. Hermione only nodded. "Kreacher will find him. Kreacher will find him and take you to him."

Then the elf went into the cloak room and grabbed an extra cloak. He brought it back and gave it to Hermione. He waited until she had put the cloak on and then he gently took her hand. With a snap of his fingers the elf and his human companion disapparated right out of the kitchen. They left behind a completely shocked Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Harry was standing in front of number four Privet Drive in Surrey. The only home he'd known since he could remember. The house was a place of many bad memories for him. Many good ones too. Like when the Weasley's came to collect Harry one summer for the Quidditch World Cup. Or when Dumbledore came and collected Harry that summer going into his sixth year at school. He was forever grateful to Dumbledore and the things he'd said to the Dursley's that night. It had made parting ways with them the next summer a little easier to bare.

Now here he was again. The last time Harry had been here, he'd been the victim of a horrible Death Eater attack. One that had nearly killed him. He was here on the off chance that maybe the Death Eaters had left another clue as to their whereabouts. Another clue as to where Harry could find Ginny and Ron.