First off I have to say that I'M SO SORRY FOR HOW LONG THIS HAS TAKEN. I had exams and then I was half drowned in holiday homework, which I still haven't finished, and then I had writer's block and FF.net was acting up so I couldn't post this. I also have to apologize for the extreme crappiness of this chapter, I tried I really did. Also I think that I stuffed up the spelling of Snape and McGonagall's first names if I did would someone please let me know the correct spelling? I'm working on the next chapter of this right now too so it wont be nearly as long coming as this one was. I'm thinking sometime in the next week or so. Once again thank-you to everyone that reviewed last chapter and no flames for this one please.
Disclaimer: DON'T OWN!
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Chapter 7
Back at Hogwarts.
"I can't take all this waiting any more" Ron shouted, jumping up from the plush armchair that he had been sitting in and startling the other silent occupants in the common room. Many of the Gryffindors had been strangely quiet for the two days that Harry had been missing for; each fearing the worst had befallen their housemate. By far though the most worried were Ron and Hermione, the two had rarely slept at all. Hermione had nearly chewed off all her nails from the anxiety and Ron had almost worn a hole in front of the fireplace from his non-stop pacing.
"Why haven't they found anything yet I thought that locating spells could find anything?" Ron said, fists clenching and unclenching by his sides as he resumed pacing up and down.
"And you know what's the worst thing?" Ron continued "we can't do anything, not a damn thing! Just sit back and wait. What if he's hurt? Dead? Dying? And he's so far away he can't get help"
"Ron" Hermione said starting to look ill at Ron's words.
"And he could be stuck with Malfoy!" Ron was near shouting now, ignoring Hermione's pleading looks, his face turning redder and redder.
"They both disappeared together right? What if they ended up stuck somewhere together, that slimy git could attack Harry and no one could stop him."
"Ron please" Hermione tried once again to get him to stop, these thoughts beginning to really upset her.
"What if he already has, what if Malfoy killed Harry, I wouldn't put it past him, and left his body somewhere where no one would ever find him, we could never see him again we-
"RON SHUT UP!" Hermione suddenly yelled out causing everyone to jump, Ron included, and whirl around to face her opened mouthed.
"Ron please stop talking like that." Hermione softly said her eyes filling with tears "please just stop."
Ron sighed and then fell back into the chair he had been previously sitting in. He rubbed at his temples, an attempt at calming a surfacing headache, and took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry Mione." Ron said quietly, eyes downcast "it's just that I'm really worried."
"I know I'm worried too." Hermione answered.
"We all are." Dean spoke up from his position on the floor. There were a chorus of agreements from those in the room, and sniffing Hermione managed a small smile, somehow comforted by how many of those shared their concern for Harry.
"Maybe someone should go and see if the teachers have found anything yet?" Seamus suggested. Ron nodded and slowly got back up.
"I'll go, I can't stand just sitting and doing nothing." Ron said "you coming Mione?"
"Yes" Hermione said pulling herself up, absent-mindedly smoothing down her robes. The two clambered through the portrait hole and silently made there was through the many corridors until they stood in front of the gargoyle blocking the entrance to Dumbledore 's office. Ron gave the password (Lemon Sherbet) and together they entered the eerily silent headmaster's office. They were greeted with the sight of three very tired looking teachers; McGonagall, Snape and Dumbledore all hunched over a tatty looking map that was spread over Dumbledore's desk. A gold pendulum was hanging between them, Snape was muttering some form of spell and the three were watching the wide circles the pendulum was making over a particular area of the map.
"They must be getting desperate if they're resorting to using methods of divination now." Ron murmured to Hermione to which she nodded. It was no secret that Snape and McGonagall shared a strong dislike of divination.
"Don't even bother asking, we haven't found anything yet." Snape tiredly informed them without looking up. Ron's shoulders slumped in disappointment.
"Nothing at all?" Hermione pleaded.
"I'm afraid not Miss Granger." Dumledore said standing upright.
"Can we help at all; we have to be able to do something." Ron asked desperately.
"Unfortunately not Ron" Dumbledore said walking up and placing his hands on Ron's shoulders in a comforting gesture.
"I understand your concern but there really is nothing that you two could do, We are working on finding them and when we do we will immediately inform the both of you." He looked them both in the eyes searching for understanding. He knew the Gryffindor's were all anxious, he had also received visits from the some of the Slytherins inquiring about their missing housemate. He had told them all the same thing. There was no news yet and to go back to their dormitories and wait until there was. He wished he could offer them something more, but he couldn't.
"It would be best if you would go back to your common rooms for the time being." Dumbledore said "We will let you know." He repeated firmly.
Ron and Hermione sighed in defeat and nodded slowly, eyes downcast as they turned and left. The teachers watched them go, silent for a few moments before McGonagall spoke up.
"Why didn't you tell them the truth Albus?" She questioned quietly.
"Oh yes and the truth would have really calmed everyone's nerves wouldn't it." Snape drawled sarcastically. McGonagall shot him a glare.
"Severus is right Minerva." Dumbledore interrupted before an argument erupted between the two house leaders.
"If we told them that we had found them and where it would only serve to heighten their worries." He furrowed his brows together.
"That place holds the darkest and most dangerous of creatures and without even their wands for protection..." Dumbledore trailed off worry etched into his face.
"Do you even think they're still alive?" Snape asked. Both teachers looked towards the headmaster.
A long pause reigned.
"We can only hope." Dumbledore replied looking towards the map on the desk.
The gold pendulum was still swinging in lazy circles around an expansive area of forest located many miles from Hogwarts. He sighed.
"We can only hope."
