Harry Potter; Fifth Year Unchanging

The Magic Carpet Inn; Part One



Harry fell away into the dark night, the wind rushing through his hair, stinging his eyes, and chilling him to the bone. He watched the ground rushing up to meet him. "1,2,3," he said out loud, and then he climbed on his broom. He was about three feet from the ground before he pulled out of his fall. He rose high above the Burrow, up into the night sky.

    The moon was full and Harry wondered vaguely were Professor Lupin was. Harry wanted to get as far away as he could while he still had the light off the moon and the thousands of stars to guide and hide him. He flew flattened to the broom, urging it to go faster. Harry had left his whole life behind him, the land, his friends, and his enemies. As he flew he didn't think about the danger he had just gotten himself into or the risk some people would take at finding him, friend or foe.

 

* ~*~ *

 

    Ron had just woken up to a cold room; it was colder then usually this morning. It had been colder than the summers before. It was a dark cold that only came with the dark arts. Ron gave an involuntary shiver.

"Why's the damn window open?" he mumbled as he pulled himself out of bed. He crossed the space to the window quickly, noting Harry's empty bed. "'Bout time he got up."

As the curtain danced in the wind, Ron saw the parchment under an eagle-feather quill Hermione gave Harry in his second year. Harry hated that quill. Ron's face paled upon seeing it there. With shaking hands Ron picked up Harry's note. He read the first lines of the note, and ran out of the room.

    He burst into the kitchen out of breath and shaking. Albus Dumbledore and Molly Weasley looked up when he came crashing into the room at 7:30 (a very abnormal time for Ron to get up at during the summer).

"Harry- Harry-gone. Left note by window," he panted out in between gasps for air. He handed the letter to Professor Dumbledore. His eyes skimmed its contents before he cleared his throat to read.

 

"Dear Mrs. Weasley,

    I've decided that I can't stay here anymore without the guilt of putting you in danger. I would not be able to live with myself if anything would happen to you or my friends at Hogwarts.

    I don't know where I'm going. I'm hoping that a change will help me forget what happened to Cedric. I don't think I will be coming back to Hogwarts when school starts up. Would you please tell my Aunt what happened? She says she knew you when you were a friend of my mum. Say good- bye to the twins, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Mr. Weasley, Professor Dumbledore, and Sirius."

 

    "This isn't good Molly. He could be anywhere by now. This note has the time on it, 2:30 a.m. We need to contact the Ministry, and get a search party going. He can't be to hard to find if he is on foot."

    "He's not on foot, he took his broom and Invisibility cloak with him," Ron looked at his mother to see how she was taking it. "Mom don't cry, he'll be back. He left all his stuff." Ron didn't really believe that.

    Hermione was standing in the doorway, with a very scared look on her face. Nobody had noticed her standing in her nightdress by the door until she spoke. She sounded far away. Ron thought she must be in shock. "We were all really hard on him, and I shouldn't have gotten so mad at him when he said what he said. I over-reacted, I shouldn't have hit him." Dumbledore and Mrs. Weasley turned to look at her with surprise on their faces.

    "You hit him!" Molly snarled at Hermione. "He has been through a lot without his friends turning on him. No wonder he didn't say good-bye to you three." She shot an icy glare at Hermione, Ron, and Ginny as she emerged from her room.

    She looked around, and you could see the scene resigster in her mind, and the conclusion dawn on her face. "He's gone isn't he? Harry's gone," she started to cry. She turned on her heel a went back into her room.

    "Oh dear, they shouldn't have found out like that, Molly. Ron, did he say or do anything that would tell us were he is going? Anything at all?" said Dumbledore.

    "No, he was really upset the other night when he work up from his nightmare," said Ron thinking about that night, wishing he had been there more for his friend.

    "Well if he didn't say anything to any of you, I should go tell the Ministry. Dare say that Cornelius will like to know about this," his eyes sparkled as he spoke. "I should disapparate soon. Molly, don't be to hard on them. In fact, maybe you should all try to do something fun and stress free." Molly nodded at him before he disapparated.

    "Ron go get the girls please," said Mrs. Weasley making some more tea. Ron went to Hermione's room first. Her door was open slightly. He saw a head of red hair, thinking that it was Ginny he pushed the door open wider. He was shocked to hear Fred's voice in there, mingling with Hermione's sobs.

    "Hermione, it's not your fault. Come on, Hermione, smile for me," Fred said in a soothing low voice. He pulled her in and hugged her to him, stroking her hair.

    "I can't Fred. I feel too guilty. It's just...it's...oh I don't see how I can fix it," she said in a small voice that keep breaking.

It seemed to Ron that she couldn't find the right words to say. Ron couldn't believe what he was seeing as Fred pulled Hermione closer and kissed her. Fred kissed her on the forehead and moved down to her lips. He kissed her deeply and Hermione returned the kiss with just as much passion. Ron got the distinct impression that this wasn't the first time they kissed like that.

    Someone gently touched Ron's arm, bring redness to his ears for being caught spying on Fred and Hermione. "Ron, I don't think you should be watching this. It's not right. Come on," Ginny took him by the arm and pulled him away from the door, they went back to the kitchen.

    "Where's Hermione, Ron?" asked Mrs. Weasley, putt plates of bacon, pancakes, toast, eggs, and tea on the table for them. Ron told her about Fred and Hermione, earning himself a sharp kick in the shin from Ginny. "Fred is two years older then her. She will have to start dating guys her age or she will get a bad reputation." Mrs. Weasley rushed away to get Hermione. They heard Mrs. Weasley knock on the door, and shoe Fred out of the room.

    Ron and Ginny sat at the table, not speaking or eating their food, just thinking. They were lost in thought, wondering where Harry was, if he was okay, and how long he would stay that way. When he heard feet coming down the hall he pulled out of his thoughts. He saw Hermione following Mrs. Weasley.

    "Come on eat, we have a busy day. We are going to Diagon Alley to buy supplies. The girls are going to get their hair done, and Ron you are going to hang out at there until we are done. I'll give you some extra money to buy something," said Mrs. Weasley.

    "Really mum?" said Ginny with a squeal of delight. "Oh I will just love to get my hair done! Oh no, I don't know what to do with it!"

    "I'll help you think of something Ginny. Oh this is so exciting, I've never had my hair done by a professional much less a witch," Hermione said with a wishful look on her face. One could almost see the ideas for her hair forming in her head. "Lets hurry and eat so we can plan what to do with our hair."

    They ate in high speed, inhaling their food and slurping their tea. When they finished, they pushed in their chairs and ran towards Ginny's room. Mrs. Weasley called after them telling them when they had to be ready to leave. Ron had hardly eaten his food; he couldn't believe that they were going to have a day out when Harry was missing.

    "Oh Ron," said Mrs. Weasley sensing his unease. "Harry's fine. He just needs a day to himself, that's all. He'll be home soon."

    "What if he's not okay, mum? What if he's already hurt, or in trouble? How would you feel to know that when you were out getting you hair done, the Death Eaters had gotten him?"

    "Ron, don't you talk to me like that. You are going to come to Diagon Alley with us and the twins to buy your new school things."

    "Fine, I'll come!" Ron got up and pushed his chair into the table, making the tea slop out of the teacups. Ron ran up the stairs, making more noise then needed. George opened the door to his room as Ron reached it.

    "What's da matter?" asked a very groggy George. His hair was tussled from sleep, and his eyes were puffy from lack of it. "Why all the shouting and the stomping?"

    "Oh nothing. Harry ran away, Mum thinks we should go shopping, and the girls are going to get their hair done," said Ron, thinking about how much he sounded like Harry when he was upset after his nightmare.

    "Oh. Okay then." George went back into his room and closed the door. A second later the door ripped open and George stood there fully awake. "Harry's gone? Where did he go?"

    "Don't know, but anyway you need to get ready to go to Diagon Alley. We're leaving at nine o'clock," said Ron.

He continued up the stairs to his attic room. Once there, he dug around his room for his school list. When he found it, he flopped onto his bed to look it over, hoping that dress robes wouldn't be on the list.

    "Agh, not dress robes again," Ron moaned remembering the Yule Ball. Ron read his school list over and over wondering if he should get Harry his things. The letter Harry wrote came floating back to his mind. 'I don't think I will be coming back to Hogwarts when it starts back up.' Ron didn't see the point in getting his things if he had all ready decided that he wasn't coming back, but then again September first was a long ways off.

    Ron must have read over his letter for longer then he realized because Hermione was knocking on the door, trying to get an answer out of him. When her knuckles started to hurt she pushed the door open and saw him starring at the letter in his hand.

    "Ron?" she said softly. "We are all worried about Harry, but he'll be back. Dumbledore came back, he think it's a good idea for us to go out. He thinks Harry will be back tomorrow."

    "Does he Hermione?" he asked, she nodded her head in reply. "Or is he just saying that? Harry's never acted like this before, maybe he's cracked, broken down. Do you realize that someone has tried to kill him ever year of his life once he was eleven? Don't you think that can ware on someone, even the great Harry Potter?" Ron was speaking in monotone not really thinking about what he was saying.

    "Is that what this is about Ron? Are you jealous of Harry again? Do be reasonable! He hates the attention as much as you do," Hermione replied.

    "No Hermione! I'm not jealous of Harry. I'm worried about him. While everyone else is too excited about getting their hair done or buying new jokes, or whatever, I'm worried about him. It's seems that I'm the only one who cares." Ron got up and left the room, he went down the stairs, took a pinch of Floo powder, and tossed it in the fire. "Diagon Alley" he yelled as the fire ate him up.

    "Where does he think he's going? We weren't going to leave for another twenty minutes," said his mum. Ron twisted around to see Fred reach into the Floo powered pouch, and then The Burrow vanished. Ron leaned on the floor with a thump.

    "Ugh," he said as the wind was knocked out of him. When he had gotten his breath back he stood up and brushed the shoot off of himself. He moved away from the fireplace just in time, for Fred tumbled out and on to the floor. He helped Fred up and out of the way. Hermione came next. She almost made it with out falling, but tipped on a lose rock. Fred raced forward as Hermione let out a small scream. Fred caught her in his arms, and almost to quick for Ron to see, he kissed her on the cheek. Ron wasn't really sure if Fred did kiss her, so he didn't say anything.

The rest of the Weasleys came through the fireplace without anything happening. They made plans of when and where to meet. Mrs. Weasley gave Ron and the twins some money to buy their schoolbooks and some extra to spend on themselves or save. Mrs. Weasley and the girls went to the hairdressers. Ron didn't even know there was a place like that in Diagon Alley. Ron went to Flourish and Blotts, while the twins went to Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop to stock up on new jokes.

    When Ron entered Flourish and Blotts, he saw some Hogwarts students getting in some early shopping. Ron doubted that anyone knew that Harry was missing, but he was wrong; he hadn't seen the latest copy of the Daily Prophet. He walked down the dusty, crowded, and dimly lit rows of books. He pulled out his list of books and read it out loud.

    "The Standard Book of Spells: grade five, Advanced Magical Drafts and Potions, Advance Magical Guide to Transfiguration, Monster Book of Monsters: two, and The Inner Eye," Ron looked at the author of The Inner Eye and gasped "Professor Trelawney wrote a book! Oh, this has to be filled with rubbish."

    "I know, who would think the old bat could write a book?" said Hannah Abbott holding a copy out to Ron.

    "Hi, Hannah," said Ron taking the book she was giving him.

    "It says here that it has everything you need to know to pass the O.W.L.s for her exam. Well I would hope the book would cover what's on the exam," she smiled up at him. They talked as they made their way around the cramped story as they got their books.

    "All I have left is Monster Book of Monsters: Two. What about you?" Ron asked Hannah.

    "Mmm me too, I also need 'Ancient Runes and What to do With Them," she said consulting her list again.

    "You're taking an extra class? How do you do that?" he asked.

    "Well there is enough room in the schedule for three extra classes," she flashed him a smile and they continued to walk to the front of the store where there were cages of Monster Books. "Excuse me, sir," Hannah said to one of the store clerks. "We need two copies of The Monster Book Of Monsters: Two."

    The man looked horror stricken at the thought of having to get two copies of the biting book. Ron couldn't help grinning as the man put on a pair of thick dragon hide gloves that went up to his elbows. He went over to the cages and opened one up, and using a walking stick, he got one of the books to bite it. He pulled the stick out and shook it until the book fell to the floor. The man repeated this process to get the second book out, by now Ron was doubled up in silent laughter.

    "What's so funning, Ron?" Hannah hissed at him.

    "He doesn't know there is an easier way to get these books," Ron hissed back to her, trying not to laugh out loud. "Er- excuse me Sir, but there is an easier way to handle those books-"

    "There isn't! They would have told us if there was. Now please I have others to wait on if there is nothing else you need."

    "Wait I'll show you," Ron stooped down and picked up on of the books. Before it could bit him he stroked it's spine. The book gave a quiver and lay open in his hand. "All you have to do is stroke it's spine, and it'll give you no problems."

    "Oh thank you so much!" the man rushed forward and hugged Ron. Ron felt his face burn red. "Sorry, sir," the clerk said when he had regained his composer and let Ron go. "Your books and the lady's books are on the house. Come along, I just have to write up a list of your books. Do you have all the books you need?"

    "I still need 'Ancient Runes and What to do With Them.' That's the only one I'm missing," said Hannah

    "Ah yes. A very good book, that one is," he said. He flagged down another store clerk and told him what book to get and to bring it to him in the main office. Then he motioned Ron and Hannah to follow him. He led him down twisting rows of books to the very back of the store. He knocked on the door, and when a stern sounding voice replied he opened a door and bowed them inside.

    Inside was a brightly light, dust free office. A little man, who looked surprisingly like Professor Flitwick, was sitting behind a grand desk. "Yes, Patrick?" he asked without looking up from his paperwork, as he continued scribbling away on a piece of parchment.

    "Well the young man here solved our problem that we were having with the 'Monster Books of Monsters' and I thought we should do something for them." Patrick said shifted nervously from foot to foot, like he did something wrong.

    "Ahh how did they manage that?" he said grinning up at them. The store clerk gave a small sigh of relief. He went through the story, and the manager nodded his approvement.

    "I see. I think they should get their books on the house. Yes that seems fair. Those books have been a nightmare, but the professor refuses to use another book. Just give me the books that you need and I'll put this down in my records," there was another knock on the door. "Come in."

    "I have the young lady's book," said the other store clerk when he entered the office. He put the book on the desk and backed out of the room. Ron got the impression that everybody was a little bit scared of the manager.

The manager took the book and added it to his list. "Well that seems to be in order. Thank you for your help. Good day to you all," he said as he handed the stack of books to Patrick.

    "Thank you Mr. Blotts." said Patrick. Ron looked at Hannah and raised his eyebrows in surprise of meeting Mr. Blotts; this action sent her into a fit of giggles. When they were back at the front of the store Patrick put their books in two big bags and handed them their books.

    They emerge out of the store and blinked in the bright sunlight. The sun was high overhead now. Ron looked at his watch and gasped. "We've been in there for hours. Its already noon."

    "What! Oh no I was suppose to meet my mom at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor fifteen minutes ago. I've got to go Ron I'll see you on the train!" Hannah stood on her toes and gave Ron a quick kiss on the check and whispered in his ear. "I had fun with you." She was gone before Ron could say anything, lost in the crowd of people. Ron thought he saw her blonde hair, but wasn't sure.

    He walked around buying what he needed: quills, parchment, some jokes, and refills for his potion kit. He ran into some friends for school, but his mind was still on Hannah, mostly on what that kiss meant to her.

    Ron went into Eeylops Owl Emporium to get Pig some more owl treats. He was looking at all the different owls in their cages. Their big amber eyes followed him unblinkingly, giving him the creeps. He stopped in front of a cage that had a snowy owl that looked just like Hedwig. "That's it! I know how to find him!" Ron yelled when a plan for finding Harry came to him. As he ran out of the store, he gained many strange looks from the other shoppers. He left without the owl treats for Pig. He ran down the crowded street to the Leaky Cauldron. Ron had intended to get a butterbeer, but he had lost track of time somewhere between the bookstore and where he was now.

    He came bursting into the Leaky Cauldron and stopped died. There was the prettiest girl Ron had ever seen. She had shiny brown hair with a touch of gold that shined in the sun that was filtering through the dingy window. She was the perfect height for a girl. He felt his jaw drop when he realized that she was talking to his sister, who looked too grown up to be his little sister. The girl turned to face Ron and his jaw hit the ground. Hermione was waving at him. Ginny was doubled up in laughter that she couldn't hide.

    "Ron Weasley were have you been?" his mum came up form behind Ron, swing her purse manacling. "You are twenty five minutes late. I was so worried."

    "Sorry mum, I lost track of time." he said to his mum and turned back to Hermione and Ginny. "You look great Hermione," he said, Ginny gave him a deadly look that dared him not to say anything nice to her. "You look too grown up, Ginny, but your hair looks nice all the same."

    "Thank you," they said at the same time. Hermione blushed a deep shade of red when Ron didn't stop gawking at her.

    "Okay, time to go back. It's late," said Mrs. Weasley. "I hope you didn't forget anything, because we wouldn't be coming back." She handed the Floo powder to everyone in turn as they went through the fireplace.

Ron waited on the other side for Hermione to come out of the fireplace. "Hermione I need to talk to you. Come up to my room." She nodded her head and followed him up the stairs to his small room. They sat there for a moment before ether on spoke.

    "Yes Ron?" asked Hermione. Her face looked very clouded and she wasn't focusing on anything.

    "Is there something wrong Hermione?"

    "Why did Hannah Abbot kiss you?" Hermione didn't look at Ron as she asked him, but she couldn't hide the redness coming into her face.

    "How'd you find out about that?" Ron felt a little guilty even though he didn't do anything wrong.

    "Lavender Brown told me when she came in to get her hair done, Padma told Parvati who told Lavender. Did that make sense?" Without waiting for a reply for Ron she plunge on again. "Good. Now what was so important?"

    "Hold on a sec, the schools three biggest gossips know about that." Hermione just nodded. She still hadn't looked at Ron. "It will be all over the school before the welcoming feast begins.

    "Anyway I think I have away to find Harry," he paused to give Hermione a chances to react, but he didn't. He was starting to think that nobody cared what happened to Harry. "Well we have Hedwig. We can have her bring a letter to Harry; she'll be able to find him. She has found Sirius before and the Ministry can't do that."

    Hermione looked at Ron. She had tears running down her face. When she spoke her voice quivered. "Oh Ron!" she flung her arms around his neck and hugged him hard. He hugged her back, letting her cry on his shoulder. He stroked her soft hair, musing over how good her hair looked straight with gold highlights. She pulled back, but at first Ron was reluctant to let her go. "Speaking of Sirius where is he?" Ron shrugged his shoulders, happy not having him here at the moment. "That's a great idea to find Harry. Do you think Hedwig could find him?"

    Before Ron could answer Mrs. Weasley called them down. Ron was glad it was finally dinnertime. He hadn't eaten anything that day, so he was starving. They dashed out of the room and down to the kitchen. Hermione stopped short, making Ron run into her. All the Weasleys were sitting around the table. Mrs. Weasley was the only one standing. Her eyes were flashing and with the long poker that she was holding she pointed to two empty chairs. Ron and Hermione quickly set down. Everyone at the table looked very nervous as Mrs. Weasley walked around the table, holding the poker like a sword. Suddenly she tossed the Daily Prophet to the table.

    Seven gasps followed the thud of the paper. On the front page in big bold font were the words: Harry Potter; Missing! Underneath the heading was a short story about what happened and Harry's good-bye letter. "Which one of you gave a reporter the letter Harry wrote?" Mrs. Weasley snarled at them.

    Ron noticed the dog under the table, cowering under it to get out of Mrs. Weasley's glare. "Sirius, show yourself!" barked Mrs. Weasley. Sirius came out of under the table and with a small "pop" he was back to his human appearance.     "Do you know who gave them Harry's letter?"

    "I did, Molly." Dumbledore was back. His eyes weren't twinkling under his half-moon glasses; in fact they showed fear as Mrs. Weasley spun around gripping the poker.

    "Professor Dumbledore! I-um-" She lowered her poker and the her eyes lost their angry flash.

    "That's quite all right Molly. Now when I was at the Ministry earlier it was brought to my attention that on the night of Harry's birthday, someone used an illegal curse," he paused to look around the table. Hermione gave a frightened squeak. He focused his eyes on Hermione and continued. "Does anyone know anything about this? Did anyone see anyone acting strange, like they were under the Imperius Curse?" He was still looking at Hermione, like he knew something that she didn't.

    "Somebody put the Curse on me. I couldn't see who it was. I couldn't fit it. The person had me hit Harry. They wanted me to get him mad, so mad that he would leave." She said all very fast. She had her head down and was wring her hands. When she looked up she had tears rolling down her face.

    Nobody spoke for a moment, everyone was looking at Hermione. She was very pale now and shaking with fear. Dumbledore cleared his throat to continue. "Hermione why didn't you say anything when the Curse was lifted?"

    "I was scared. He told me that if I told anyone he would use the Cruciatus Curse on me." She was now deathly pale, like she was about to faint. She was breathing short shallow breaths.

    "Hermione are you still under the Curse?" Hermione shook her had. "You need to tell us what happened. When the Curse was put on you, what did the person sound like, what did the person say, what did they make you do, and when did the Curse leave? You have to tell us all that you can," said Dumbledore.

    Hermione nodded her head and took a deep shuddering breath and told her story. "It was a male's voice that put me under the Curse. I had finished talking to Ginny about Harry. On my way down the hallway, someone grabbed my from behind. I'm sure it was Wormtail, because of the voice and the metal hand he used to muffle my screams. Before he put me under the Curse he told me that if I told anyone, he would torture me. Then he put me under the Curse. He had me get Harry mad and hit him. The Curse went away after I found out that Harry was gone."

"Oh Hermione. My poor dear." Mrs. Weasley came over and hugged Hermione. Hermione cried into her shoulders. Mrs. Weasley stroked her hair and said comforting words in a low voice. When Hermione's sobs died down some she pulled away from Mrs. Weasley.

"I'll start some supper now. Professor Dumbledore would you join us for dinner?" Molly asked. Dumbledore nodded. George went to find an extra chair. Mrs. Weasley hustled around the kitchen making dinner. Hermione slumped onto the table burring her head in her arms. Everyone else sat silent to shocked to say anything.

They eat in silence. As soon as Hermione finished picking at her food she excused herself from the table and went to bed. Ron didn't have much of an appetite anymore and he too went to bed. Not long after he left, everyone else also went to his or her own beds.