Chapter 1

Ginny was out for a night-time wander around the castle, she had a knack for not getting caught out past curfew, she supposed it was from years of sneaking round her elder brothers. She was just coming to the entrance hall; she was hoping to sneak to the kitchens for a midnight snack when she saw something move in the corner of her eye. Taking a closer look, she saw a student hiding around the corner, clearly waiting for her to wander past, it was Harry.

'Harry?'

No response.

'Harry? where are you going?'

Harry sighed coming out of his hiding place and responded 'I'm leaving'

'leaving? what do you mean leaving? leaving where?'

'I'm leaving Hogwarts, I'm not going to stick around and be Dumbledore's war weapon anymore, I'm leaving and you... you can't stop me'

'please don't leave Harry we... no... I need you, not because you're a weapon but because you're the kindest person I know, you have no idea how much your loved, and it's not just because you always seem to save the day, you're a genuinely kind human being and I can't lose you, my life would be infinitely worse for it'

'Ginny... listen...' started.

'No Harry, you listen I'm not letting you leave this damn castle. And especially not by sneaking off in the middle of the night. Not even saying goodbye.'

'Ginny I'm going, and you can't stop me'

'I'll tell a Professor; you'll never leave in time.'

'you do that Ginny, I hope I see you again soon' and with that Harry turned and walked at a fast pace to the exit, turning at the door he gave Ginny a half smile and then continued on his way out of Hogwarts'

Ginny started to panic, who was the closest Professor? Who could she get to quickest? She needed to get someone to stop Harry, he couldn't leave. She decided on the dungeons being the closest, Professor Snape seemed like the type to stay up late too. She quickly rushed through the entrance to the Dungeons and made her way to Professor Snape's rooms.

Every step she took was another second lost, another second in which Harry would be further away, she sped up and nearly slid past Professor Snape's office. She banged on the door, but there was no answer, she banged again but louder, still there was no answer. She tried the handle, but it wouldn't budge so she went to bang again, but before her fist made contact with the wood, she heard a voice from behind.

'Miss Weasley, would you mind telling me what you are doing trying to break down my office door at eleven thirty at night?'

'Professor Snape...' Ginny turned in surprise. 'It's Harry, he's running away, he's left Hogwarts and he's not coming back'

Snape's face remained unconcerned, 'The hero of the wizarding world is running away? How ironic. Thank you for your exciting information Miss Weasley, I'll be sure to inform the headmaster in the morning... You, however, are out past curfew, that is 50 points from Gryffindor and a detention tomorrow evening'

'Sir, this is important, please you need to stop him'

'And why... Miss Weasley... would I stop my biggest headache leaving the school? He's just like his father, always looking for attention, he will likely be back in the morning, no doubt disappointed we didn't send someone to nurse his emotions like a child'

'Sir, what has Harry ever actually done to you? You are an adult and he is a child; do you really have that much contempt for him just because of who his father was to allow him to go out into the world with death eaters about?'

Snape looked taken aback, he hadn't expected this from the youngest Weasley, he just stared at her with a loss for words.

With no response, Ginny continued 'Well, I'm going to go and find a Professor who actually cares for the welfare of their students, before Harry ends up dead'

Ginny ran past Snape and back up to the entrance hall, where she was met with the sight of Mad Eye Moody, pulling none other than Harry Potter by the scruff of his neck.

'Harry, your safe, I'm so glad'

'No, I'm not safe' Harry responded, I'll never be safe until I'm away from this lot'.

'aye lad, you'll be so much safer out there on your own with no protection, a sitting target for death eaters' responded Mad Eye sarcastically.

'well at least I wouldn't be used as a weapon'

'no, you'll just be used as target practice for unforgivables instead' Mad eye retorted.

Ginny watched as Mad Eye continued to drag Harry along in the direction of the headmaster's office, to her surprise, Snape was now standing along with her, he must have followed her up from the dungeons. Without saying anything they both followed the two struggling wizards up to the Professor Dumbledore's office.

At the gargoyle statue Mad eye gave the password 'rainbow drops' and the spiral staircase appeared which the four started to climb. Once at the top, Snape knocked on the door, owing to Moody having his hands full. A few seconds later the group were told to enter by a tired sounding voice.