Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Doctor Who, just the plot to this story.
Chapter 20: Worry Throughout Hogwarts
~ HARRY ~
"Professor McGonagall, we need a word."
"Excuse me, Potter?"
"We need to talk to about something important. It's a matter of Amy's… ability."
McGonagall pursed her lips, showing that she understood. "Very well, Potter. Weasley. Follow me to my office." And so they did. Through the crowded hallways, Harry and Ron closely followed behind Professor McGonagall to explain their problem concerning their friends.
As soon as the entered her office and the door had shut, Harry went into a rant explaining the last time he and Ron had seen Hermione, Ginny, and Amy. He was only compelled to stop when McGonagall raised her hand to imply silence was needed.
"Yes. Yes, Potter. I am well aware of our current situation..." Harry's Transfiguration professor had a look of despair spread across her face. "Professor Snape informed me this morning that Miss Pond was not in his office when he returned. Professor Dumbledore and I, right away, looked more into what had happened. After breakfast in the Great Hall, we also noticed the absence of Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, and… another student."
"Another student?" Ron asked. This was the first time Ron had spoken this morning; the last time his sister went missing was four years ago when Tom Riddle had possessed her and forced her to write out her own death sentence. It was no shock that Ron was, again, worried for his sister's life. "Could that other student have to do with the disappearance of Ginny, Hermione, and Amy?"
"There is a possibility, Mr. Weasley. But when I tell you the name, I pray that you do not jump to any rash conclusions," she said, glaring pointedly at Harry.
"We promise, professor."
McGonagall sighed. "It is Draco Malfoy."
Harry walked briskly in the direction of Snape's office in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
"Potter. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Snape sat at his desk grading papers, not even looking up at them.
"Where were you last night?" Harry demanded. "Why weren't you with Amy?" Snape looked up from his papers and narrowed his eyes. "Potter, I do not believe you should talk to me like that. But, to answer your question: I had some business to take care of for the Headmaster. If you do not believe me, then you can ask him yourself."
"What sort of business?"
"The type that is not yours, Potter. Now, get to class before I give you detention for all of next week."
Harry only partially obeyed Snape: Harry did leave Snape's office, but he did not go to class. He opted to meet Ron in their dormitory.
After their meeting with McGonagall and hearing the name 'Draco Malfoy,' Ron needed some time to cool off. For all Ron knew, Ginny could be held hostage by Malfoy, and he couldn't do anything to help her.
Harry reached his dormitory, but as he entered, he saw that Ron was staring at something in front of him. It looked like a letter floating in the air. A howler, Harry thought. He had once been on the receiving end of a howler, as had Ron, but what had Ron done now?
"Weasley, it's Malfoy. Please, don't throw the letter away yet! Listen, your sister, Granger, and I are being held captive in the dungeons at Malfoy Manor. I know you probably don't believe me, though, so just listen to your sister..."
"Ron, I'm here and I'm fine. As much as I don't want to believe it, Malfoy is not the bad guy here — Voldemort is. He is here and he took Hermione. He's interrogating her or something and we need help. We don't know where Amy is, but Malfoy thinks that she's here somewhere. We need you and Harry to come save us. And please hurry… Hermione's in danger. She was already covered in blood cuts when we woke."
"Let me talk to them again… pay attention, Weasley. Malfoy Manor is in the center of Wiltshire but is hidden with a simple cloaking spell: the Fidelius Charm. In the envelope is a photograph of what the dungeon here looks like. Use it to try and apparate here. I know you probably haven't learned how to apparate yet, but you need to try. If you find you're starting to doubt yourself, just remember: Hermione and Ginny are here. Good luck, Weasley."
The letter ripped itself to shreds, but not until it shot a photograph in Ron's direction.
"Ron..." Harry managed. Ron whipped around wand in hand, tears in his eyes. "Oh, Harry. It's just you. Did you hear all that?" Harry nodded. "Why would You-Know-Who be holding Malfoy hostage in his own home? And Hermione and Ginny? What does he want with them?"
"I… I don't know Ron. But this is serious. We have to go back and talk to McGonagall again. She'll know what to do."
Professor —"
"What is it now, Potter?" She turned and looked at him; as soon as she glanced in his eyes, she understood, yet again, that it was a serious matter. "What is it, Potter?"
"It's about Amy. And Hermione, and Ginny, and Malfoy. We know where they are." Ron handed McGonagall the remains from the howler he had received. McGonagall read through the letter and looked at Harry and Ron, tears in her eyes. "This is very serious, Mr. Weasley. How was this letter delivered to you if they are imprisoned in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor?"
"Well… it was sort of just… there… on my bed. Waiting for me."
"Waiting for you? And am I right to believe that had Mr. Potter not suggested you find me that you would've just, gone off to rescue them?"
"Professor, all due respect, but that's my sister there. If you don't think I'm gonna —"
"Yes, Weasley, I know. Trust me, after seeing what you, Potter, and Granger have done over these past six years… I know," McGonagall explained. "There are Order of the Phoenix members posted around the school's perimeter. I will notify them about the situation immediately. For the rest of the day, I suggest you boys stay in your dormitory."
"Professor," Harry challenged, "if you expect us to sit around and wait —"
"That is exactly what I expect, Potter," McGonagall shot. "These are very dangerous circumstances. There are four of my students out there being held by Lord Voldemort himself; I am not letting two more go after him!" McGonagall shuddered. "Now. Go to your dormitory. Stay there until dinner and you will go straight to bed afterward. I will make an announcement at dinner to everyone else. Now, go."
"Professor, I —"
"Go, Weasley. You too, Potter."
She looked at them with sympathy. "I assure you, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. You have my word that Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, and Miss Pond will be returned back to Hogwarts safely. Please wait in your dormitories until then."
Harry and Ron, for the first time ever in their lives, followed the direct orders of Professor McGonagall and made their way to their dormitory.
