~Chap 7: Lost and Found~



The others were on a train to the Temple of Destiny as well. The driver told them he'd take them as far as the Forest of Fate, but they'd have to walk into the forest alone. Of course, they had agreed and set of for the search of Jake. Harry came from downstairs and saw Cho gazing longingly outside the window.

"Hey," Harry said softly behind her.

Cho back at him and then she stared straight ahead. She spoke to him, though she was looking in the other direction, "I want him back, Harry. I want him in my arms," she said sadly, hugging herself.

"Don't worry. We'll find him. I promise we will."

"It's just.I love him so much. I can't - "

"I know. I love him too." Harry sighed and hugged Cho, still standing behind her. "We taught him well. . . he's smarter than you. . . he's tougher than me.I'll find him. I promise."

"I know you will," Cho said quietly.

Cho sat down on the squishy red seats, and she placed both of her hands in her lap. A curtain of glistening black hair suddenly drew itself against Cho's face, making it hard to read her expression; you could only see her outlines. A tiny silver bead of a tear slipped down Cho's face and splashed onto her hands. Harry glanced at her - she looked so young, it reminded him of when they were all kids themselves at Hogwarts, going though heartbreak after heartbreak. . .but they'd survived that and they'd survive this. Harry placed his hand gently on Cho's and he whispered, "I promise we'll find him."

Ron and Hermione were watching as they saw Cho tilting her head onto Harry's shoulder, sniffing and weeping softly, mourning the loss of their son.

"You know, when we were kids, if something was wrong we'd always help Harry, we'd find a way - always. We've got to help him now, too. We've got to find Jake." Hermione said desperately. Ron nodded wordlessly. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When the driver stoped in front of the Forest of Fate, he wished them farewell with a sorrowful look in his eyes. This wasn't exactly helpful. Then they set off into the heart of the forest in search of Jake Potter.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jake slept for about 2 hours before being awoken by triumphant yells of, "Yes! Here he is! Here he is!" But it wasn't his parents. . .it sounded like. . .Jake's heart beat painfully fast as he sat up in the tree, frozen with fear. He saw a tall woman with ebony hair coming towards him and knew he'd been found.

"Cripes, these guys don't give up do they?" Jake muttered. He swung himself off the tree and landed with both feet on the ground. He ran and ran, looking backwards and seeing that Viksa and some other men were following her. They seemed to be helping her - "Great, she's got help!" Jake said aloud, his eyes wide. He ran and was cornered by Viksa. She stopped. And then he laughed evilly.

"Aha! You have the Necklace of Bad Fortune! If you do not get to the Temple of Destiny before the sun rises, you shall die!" she cackled.

Jake tried running a different direction, but no matter how he looked at it, he just saw himself trapped. He heard sound of people coming nearer and nearer to him, ready to attack. But then he heard a different sound.

"JAKE! JAKE?!"

"DAD?" Jake stopped and yelled backwards. Oh, oh, he couldn't stop, Viksa was coming right at him! He continued running, but he ran ran around, doubling back and he heard Viksa following him.

"DAD?" Jake proceeded to yell. "DAD! I'M RIGHT HERE! HEELLPP!!!"

Suddenly, out of nowhere, an arm grabbed Jake around the chest and picked him up.

"Dad!" Jake sighed with relief. Harry swung Jake onto his shoulders and shouted, "Hold tight, Jay!" And Harry dodged spells coming from behind him.