Chapter 18: Further Investigations

Next morning Harry talked with Ron and Marcus in their dorm room.
"I've been thinking..." He began.
"Here we go!" Ron said under his breath.
"I think we should use the cloak." Harry stated in a matter-of-fact way.
"No way!" Marcus said. "If Dumbledore found out, he really would expel us."
"How's he gonna find out? We'll be invisible!" Ron said, enthusiastically, obviously eager to get some action again...
"I don't know..." Marcus continued... "How would we do it?"
"This is a Hogsmeade weekend, so we'll go through one of the tunnels on the Marauders Map." Harry replied.
"It's not a good idea."
"Well, put it this way, I'm going. I'm not forcing you two to come with me."
"I'm coming!" Ron perked up quickly.
"Coming where?" Neville asked from the other side of the room.
"No-where..." The three replied simultaneously.
"Now I'm really suspicious."
"It's not your problem Neville." Harry said, not wanting to get anyone else involved in the plan.
"Fine, but you know I'm always around if you need any help with anything."
"Okay..." Harry responded again, not quite knowing what to make of Neville's new attitude. He seemed much more confident, and maybe more mature. He watched Neville leave, then turned back to Marcus. "Are you in?"
"Harry, I don't think it's wise to..."
"What would you do if it was Hermionie?"
"Let's go." He replied instantly, and they picked up the gear and headed to the library to collect Hermionie.

"Not a chance, it's too dangerous." Hermionie put up resistance immediately.
"But you're the only one who knows where Cho was taken from..." Harry pleaded with her.
"No..." She lowered her voice as she noticed it becoming louder. "Dumbledore'd have you out of here faster than you could plead him not to."
"Hermionie... Please..." Harry was desperate.
"I'm sorry." She said, and walked back towards the common room. Ron turned to Marcus.
"Time to play the boyfriend card..." He said, slightly smiling.
"No, Ron, I can't..." Marcus didn't want to persuade her to change her mind, but then he looked at Harry as he sat on the floor, looking depressed. "Fine..."
Harry and Ron looked on as Marcus talked. After about five minute of Marcus and Hermionie "Discussing" the options, she walked back over to Harry, still sitting on the floor, and she offered to help him up. Soon the boys were under the cloak, and Hermionie walked with them to the tunnel.

Hogsmeade was less crowded than usual this week. Evidently the Daily Prophet had reported the disappearance in much detail. Hermionie did her best to walk straight, despite the fact that she was talking to the invisible men. The only complication that was encountered was that Neville turned up and started talking to Hermionie as they reached the spot where Cho disappeared. Neville was polite, but seemed to have business of his own, so he moved on quickly. The four surveyed the area for an hour before deciding that more library time would be a better course of action...