Disclaimer: Okay, anything you don't recognize from the books is mine. K? Good.
Chapter 35 **Rescue Continues and More Training**
"We have to get going! What if he's hurt? Or worse!"
"Don't even think of that, Monie!"
"Don't call me 'Monie'!"
Ron took a step back from Hermione, who was glaring at him and trying not to cry at the same time. He looked over at Ginny, who was looking sympathetically at Hermione and clutching at Draco's hand.
Saerry walked up and wrapped an arm about Hermione's shoulder, speaking softly to the distressed girl. After a moment, Hermione slumped against the older woman and burst into tears. Saerry looked at her brother, who walked over and placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"We're going to find him, Hermione. But we can't fly all the time. We have to rest. But I swear we will find him."
Hermione nodded and gulped air between sobs. Severus returned to the boulder he had been sitting on as Saerry patted Hermione on the back. Suddenly there was a rustle of feathers and Fawkes trilled loudly, arching his neck upwards towards the night sky. Saeln hissed at the phoenix and rustled his wings in annoyance but looked skyward as well, giving a loud hiss a moment later. Severus followed their gaze then asked Saeln, "What is it?"
"An owl."
"Hedwig?"
The snowy owl dived down into their makeshift camp, answering Severus' question. She landed on his shoulder and held out her leg, hooting feebly. Severus ruffled the owl's feathers then untied the letter. He read it out loud to the rest of them, all of whom listened intently.
Dad,
I won't deny that we (Ginny, Draco, Hermione, Ron, and me) are Animagi because we are. And I suppose you found out my form is that of an Aeyr as well.
I don't know how long it will be before I come back. It may be a while. I don't want you following me either. That won't help, trust me.
And, yeah, you shouldn't have yelled at me. But, then again, I should have told you. I just…well, couldn't. Ashamed, I suppose. Didn't want you to think badly of me.
Tell Monie I'm sorry. And Gin. And everyone else.
Just don't come after me. It would be a very bad idea. Very.
As for throttling some sense into me, I assure you I have plenty of my own. No need to try and shake it out of hiding.
Again, I beg you not to follow me. If you're already trying to, forget it. Send Fawkes or Saeln or Hedwig. But don't come yourself.
- Harry
Severus scowled at the letter and growled, "The little scamp…"
"He wants us to come after him."
Everyone turned to look at Saerry and said the same thing.
"What?"
Saerry nodded and said, "He told us not to come after him three times. And he said it would be a bad idea if we did so. Why would it be a bad idea? And why would he tell us not to come three times?"
"Because he doesn't want us to?" suggested Draco.
"WRONG!" bellowed Saerry in a loud voice that made them all jump. "He wants us to come after him."
"How do you know that," asked Ginny.
"It's what I would do. Let us say Harry is being held against his will. The person holding him – let's call them Bob – captures Hedwig and tells Harry to write back."
"Bob?" Ron goggled at Saerry, earning a fierce scowl.
"Bob tells him to write back and tell us not to come after him. Now, Harry writes back but he adds in code. Pieces that would set off to us that he does want us to come after him. Such as telling us not to come after him three times."
"What about it?" asked Sirius.
"The number three is magical. It's said that if you make a promise thrice, you are bound to fulfill it. If someone knocks on a door three times, you are bound to answer it."
"But that would mean he doesn't want us to come after him since he said it twice."
Saerry shook her head and said something to Hermione before continuing.
"No, it doesn't. You see, he tells us it would be a bad idea to come after him. Now, what does that compel you all to do?"
"Go after him anyway," mumbled Hermione.
"Exactly!" Saerry beamed at the others, ignoring Ron's 'She's gone mad' Look. Severus half-smiled and said, "Very well. We continue on tomorrow. For now, let's get some rest."
There were nods all around and silence fell upon the makeshift camp.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Accido!"
"Again!"
"Accido!"
"Again, boy!"
"ACCIDO!"
"AGAIN!"
"ACCIDO!!"
Harry collapsed against the stone wall, breathing hard as he stared at the dark blood littering the marble floor. Slytherin smirked and patted his shoulder, causing him to flinch involuntarily. The older wizard didn't notice.
"Perhaps we shall make something of you yet, boy."
With that Slytherin vanished through a doorway, snapping his fingers as he went. Two house-elves appeared a moment later, immediately starting to clean the floor. Harry quickly fled from the entrance hall into the portrait room, which was his sanctuary in the huge castle. He collapsed in a chair close to Anderius' portrait, who was sitting on the ground and playing Speed with Lucas.
"Speed!"
"What! How? Your cheating again aren't you, Lucas?"
"Can't stand to lose, aye, Anderius?"
"Oh, shut up and deal again. Harry! Oh my… You don't look too good."
Harry smiled weakly at his ancestor, who blanched.
"That bad?"
Anderius nodded and asked, "What did he do?"
"Had me learning the Accidious Curse until I got it perfectly. There's goat blood all over the entrance hall."
Both Anderius and Lucas winced. Lucas asked, "He's just going to leave it there?"
Harry closed his eyes and replied, "The elves are getting it. Which is good."
"Why?"
"Because I think I'll lose what little I had to eat earlier if I saw that corpse again."
Lucas shook his head and Anderius said, "Just be glad you didn't eat goat for lunch."
"Ha ha ha. Very funny, Derius."
"Yes, I thought so too."
Harry cast a mild glare at Anderius, who shrugged and gave him a half smile. Sighing, Harry closed his eyes again and wondered if Hedwig had gotten to his father yet.
Accido – Destroy
A/N: Speed is an actual card game. My cousin's were here for my birthday and were playing it, so I decided to use it. I have no idea as to how to play it so don't ask.