Wanted: Love
Ch7: Cornelius Fudge
"He's lying! Everyone could see that, right?" asked Sirius as he transformed back into a human once they reached Dumbledore's office.
"That was easy enough to notice." agreed Molly.
"You can't force Harry to admit to something he doesn't want to and until he does there is nothing we can do nothing against the Dursleys." said Dumbledore, sitting in his chair.
Sirius looked outraged, "Just look at the evidence! We can't let that lousy good for nothing-"
"Wizarding prosecution is the only way we can handle them. There is no way to prove anything to the Muggle courts now that his scars are healed and I'm certain that the Dursleys have cleaned Harry's room. Yes, the wizard courts are much more efficient, though, they are not very keen to take on prosecuting Muggles without liable evidence. If Harry doesn't agree to testify against his relatives then there's no point in bringing it up." said Dumbledore.
"God dammit! There has to be another way!" Sirius shouted.
"Harry is in the process of healing, both mentally and physically. He needs to come to the decision to talk about it on his own will, which I'm sure he will in time." said Dumbledore. Sirius looked like he was ready to take drastic measures to handle the Dursleys at any second; they all seemed to notice this.
"Harry will be fine. He can come stay with us over the summer break. . .once we get our home back, that is, right Dumbledore?" asked Arthur.
"Indeed, I wouldn't dream of sending him back to those relatives of his." said Dumbledore. Sirius seemed somewhat appeased by this and settled himself into a chair.
"Now, what was this business about Voldemort?" asked Dumbledore. Sirius told him everything Harry had told him the previous day.
"So Voldemort has finally set his sight on Harry. . ." said Dumbledore. The silence of the room was so complete that you could have heard a pin hit the floor.
"Do you think the Ministry would give us an Auror to keep an eye on him?" asked Molly.
"Probably but I wouldn't recommend it. We don't want anymore people than necessary know about it. Having a fully equipped wizard following him every might raise a couple eyebrows." said Arthur.
"Well we can't just leave him to walk around by himself. We still don't know how Harry ingested the potion in the first place, the only creatures awake at that hour of the night are the owls and rats." said Molly. Sirius and Dumbledore suddenly became very still.
"Of course. . .that makes perfect sense." said Dumbledore softly. Arthur and Molly looked at him.
"I can't believe Wormtail would do this! And to James' son!" Sirius roared, "That good for nothing back stabber has gone too far this time!"
"What. . .?" asked Molly. "Pettigrew! Peter Pettigrew! He's an Animagus, a rat, very fitting." said Sirius, muttering the last part.
_~_~_~_~
The rest of the week passed by quickly. After Dumbledore made the announcement of the Halloween Ball the school had gone crazy with anticipation. People were asking each other out left and right. Dumbledore had told them that there had been a mistake and that Harry was, indeed, alive.
"How can you mistake someone being dead? I bet he is!" declared Malfoy.
His hypothesis that Harry was dead was quickly squashed because he was now well enough, according to Madame Pomfrey, to have anyone visit. Just about everyone who visited him brought some kind of a gift and the pile of get well presents on the bed side table was so large that Madame Pomfrey had Ron take some back to the boys' dormitories so they wouldn't topple over onto Harry.
Ron, Lavender and Hermione sat in the common room, doing their homework. Visiting hours were over as Harry needed to eat and have his last bandage replacements. Tomorrow he was getting out, two days before the ball.
"Harry has no idea how good he has it." said Ron stretching, "This essay is going to take me forever." Harry had private tutoring every night by each of his professors so that he wouldn't get too far behind and, thanks to Madame Pomfrey who insisted that he needed to rest his mind, he didn't receive any homework.
"Yes and no. I wouldn't fancy spending an hour of one on one Potions with Snape." said Hermione, looking up from her Transfiguration homework. Ron and Lavender laughed.
"Yeah, especially if you're Harry. Good thing Sir-er, Snuffles is there to keep him in line." said Lavender, quickly correcting herself.
"I don't know, I was kind of hoping Snape might do something to earn him a bite in the arse." said Ron smiling, "Ugh, I've had enough of this for one night. I'll finish it tomorrow." With that Ron pushed his books and parchment off his lap and stood up.
"Must be getting late." he observed as they were the only ones left in the room.
"It's eleven thirty. We should be getting to bed." said Lavender packing up her things and standing up.
As she started to pass him, Ron grabbed her hand, "Wait, Lavender, I need to talk to you."
Lavender turned around, stifling a yawn, "What is it?"
Ron bowed and kissed her hand, "Would you go to the Ball with me?"
Lavender laughed, "I would have thought you knew the answer to that."
Ron smiled, "Formalities, my dear." Lavender laughed again, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Hermione averted her eyes from the two and felt a faint blush creep to her cheeks. Forcing it back down, she packed her things and stood up. The two lovers simultaneously stopped their kissing and turned to face her.
"You know, Hermione, I don't think Harry has anyone to go with yet." said Lavender with a smile.
Hermione blushed, "Why are you telling me?"
"Come on Herms, we know you like him." pried Ron.
Hermione brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear and stared at the ground, "No I don't."
"Go on, Hermione. You know you want to." urged Lavender. Hermione glanced up at them then quickly hurried up to her dormitory without a word.
"I think we have some work to do." said Lavender staring after her.
"Got that right. Stubborn as a mule, that one is." said Ron slinging his arm over her shoulder. Lavender giggled and pushed him away then hurried up the stairs after Hermione. Apparently Juliet needed a bit more of a push.
"Hermione?" asked Lavender pushing the door to the sixth year girls' dormitory open.
Hermione was on her bed, pretending to already be asleep. Lavender smiled and shook her head.
Closing the door behind her, she walked over to Hermione's bed and sat down, "What are you so scared of?"
Hermione didn't respond and Lavender sighed, "Come on, Hermione. You can talk to me." Hermione sat up and leaned against the headboard.
"What if says no? I'd just be ruining our friendship." she said, her voice choking up.
"First of all you're never going to know if you don't ask. Second, that won't happen, and thirdly that's not all you're worried about, is it?" asked Lavender. Hermione bit her lip and turned her head to the side.
After a long moment of silence Hermione answered, "It's my fault. I knew there was something wrong but I didn't do anything! Who knows how long those Death Eaters had him? Who knows what they did to him? If I wasn't so thick headed then I might have been able to get to him in time! What kind of person does that make me?"
Lavender looked taken back. That certainly wasn't what she was expecting. Hermione, blaming herself for Harry's abduction?
"Hermione. . .it's not your fault. We all knew something was wrong and we didn't do anything either. Harry's not mad at anyone and he's certainly not mad at you." said Lavender.
"But he should be! He should hate me! Why does he always have to be like that!?" asked Hermione, now crying. Lavender glanced around the room, it was a good thing the other girls in their year were all heavy sleepers.
"Like what, Hermione?" Lavender asked.
"Everything! He's perfect! He always forgives us, no matter what horrible things we do? How could I even hope to mean anything to that?" asked Hermione, now reaching hysterics.
"Obviously you already do. You're one of his best friends, who knows," said Lavender smiling, "Maybe more. But you'll never know if you don't ask him." said Lavender putting a hand on her arm.
"I. . .I'm scared." said Hermione, sniffling.
Lavender laughed, "So was Ron when he asked me out. You should've seen him. I think he might have wet his pant if I said no. . .and look how it turned out!"
Hermione let a laugh escape from her lips, "Thanks Lavender."
"Hey, it's no problem. So. . .you gonna ask him?" asked Lavender.
Hermione took in a deep breath, "I'll try."
_~_~_~_~
The next day all close friends of Harry Potter were gathered in the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey was busy making a "few" last minute checks as she always did the day someone left her care.
"Aching gone from you chest?" she asked. Harry sighed irritably, she had just asked him the same question a minute ago
"Yes, it's fine. Can I go now?" asked Harry standing up.
"Not quite." said Madame Pomfrey pushing him back onto the bed, "Just a few more." Harry groaned and shook his head in annoyance. These proceedings had been going on for well over an hour now. His friends all looked quite amused as they had just strolled in a few minutes ago. Madame Pomfrey was checking his head now, which, surprisingly, had healed back to normal, without a hole.
"Poppy, I believe Harry was fine the first time you checked him over." said Dumbledore.
Pursing her lips, Pomfrey took one last look at him, "Any dizziness or aching and you're to come straight back here, understood?"
"Yes, ma'am." said Harry saluting her. Ron snorted back a laugh and Pomfrey walked away before he could mock her again.
"Finally, I'm free!" said Harry standing up and stretching.
"Harry, Sirius will be following you around the grounds. If Voldemort has Peter here to spy on you it's best if you have someone to keep an eye on you." said Dumbledore. Harry nodded and scratched Sirius behind the ears.
"I also must tell you that Cornelius Fudge will be coming to speak with you sometime this week." added Dumbledore.
Harry looked at him, "Why?"
"That is not any of my business. I didn't ask." said Dumbledore.
Harry searched through Dumbledore's eyes to see if he was hiding anything but found nothing so he shrugged, "Okay."
"Wonderful, let us make our way down to the Great Hall." said Dumbledore walking out of the room. The Weasleys, minus Ron, and Hagrid followed suit as Ron, Hermione, Lavender, Harry, and Sirius brought up the rear.
"What do you think Fudge wants with you?" asked Ron.
"Probably going to ask if I know anything about Voldemort." said Harry not really thinking about it.
"Makes sense." stated Lavender.
"So, what do you say we make use of those Wizard Wheezes Fred and George gave me? I've been meaning to get Malfoy back for spreading rumors about me, dead indeed." said Harry smiling deviously. Sirius gave a bark to show he quite approved while Ron, Hermione, and Lavender all nodded in agreement.
"Malfoy better watch his bloody back. Fred and George were working all summer on inventing a bunch of new tricks." said Ron. They reached the Great Hall and entered without thinking. Instantly, everyone one of the students, aside the Slytherins who were looking rather foul, started to clap.
"Did I miss something?" Harry asked his friends.
Ron scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, sorry. New rumor just started yesterday. They all think you defeated You-Know-Who."
"They what!?" asked Harry, completely exasperated.
"Yes, well, you know the Creevys. Always trying to put the famous Harry Potter up one." said Hermione. Harry groaned as they started to make their way to the Gryffindor table.
"This is all I need." he muttered to himself.
"Go on, Harry. Just enjoy it while it lasts." said Lavender.
Harry laughed, "Yeah, until they find I didn't then its back to the fourth champion popularity all over again."
"It's not so bad, Harry. Not as long as you got us. We'll stand by you!" said Ron in an overly dramatic voice which sent all those near into fits of laughter. A few minutes later a Hufflepuff third year came over to the Gryffindor table.
"How'd you do it, Harry?" she asked quietly, blushing under her locks of blond hair.
"Sorry to tell you, but Voldemort is still alive." Harry said. The Hufflepuff looked rather embarrassed and hurried off back to her table and instantly they started chatting wildly.
"And so begins my downfall." joked Harry.
"Happens to the best of us, Harry." said Lavender.
By mid-day word had started to go around that Harry, in fact, hadn't defeated Voldemort. Luckily, however, he was not be excluded for it and things were finally back to normal. Harry was back in classes with the other students and getting homework as well.
"I forgot how much they give you." Harry told his friends on their way to Potions.
"You think that's bad. I'm willing to bet Snape gives you extra work just to make up for all that you missed." said Ron.
"Gee, thanks for that cheerful thought." said Harry sarcastically.
"No problem." said Ron, clapping his hand on Harry's back.
They entered the dungeon and were greeted by Snape's sneering face, "Thought you could be late on your first day back, Potter? Five points from Gryffindor." Harry sighed inwardly, yep; things were definitely back to normal.
Later that class, they were working on a sleeping potion which they were to try out on a bunch of toads at the end of class. Neville, after hearing this, quickly put Trevor into his robe's pocket so Snape wouldn't suggest him using his potion on him. Despite the fact that he was still quite accident prone, Harry had to admit, Neville had learned to use his brain over the years. He now only could be seen in the hospital wing once every other week. Harry turned his attention back to Hermione and their potion. Lavender had insisted that she wanted to work with Ron and Ron quickly agreed, though Harry couldn't blame him. If he had a girlfriend, he'd try to work with her in class, too. But he was too distracted by Hermione to think about it. Hermione, who had always been the best Gryffindor in Potions was making mistake after mistake today which half the time Harry had only just caught. She was now chopping up a plant with rather roughly.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Harry whispered out of the corner of his mouth so as not to give Snape another reason to take more points off.
"Yeah. . .fine. . .why?" she asked.
"I don't know. . .you just seem a little. . .jumpy today." Harry said.
"Oh, well, you know." said Hermione, now adding the plant. "No! Not yet!" Harry said trying to avert the plant but it proved futile and the potion exploded.
As they were sitting on the edge of the Gryffindor's side, the potion hit just about all of the Slytherins and Snape. They all passed out cold on the floor.
Harry looked at them thoughtfully for a minute, "Hmm. . .at least we know it worked." All the Gryffindors minus Hermione, who looked rather embarrassed, burst out laughing.
"What do you think? Free class?" asked Dean. "Sounds good to me." said Ron standing up.
"Wait! Shouldn't we try to help them?" asked Parvati. The class stared at her.
". . .Never mind." she said. Those still awake packed their things and were about to leave when the door opened revealing none other than Cornelius Fudge and two Aurors.
"Oh dear, what happened here?" asked Fudge looking around the classroom.
"A slight explosion. . .it was just a sleeping potion, though." Ron quickly added.
"I see. . .I expect you were on your way to go alert Madame Pomfrey." said Fudge. Looking as though he'd rather not, Ron nodded and took off.
"Now, Harry. I do hope Dumbledore told you to be expecting me?" asked Fudge.
Harry nodded and dropped his things on the desk then turned to Hermione and Lavender, "Take those back to the common room for me?"
They both nodded and smiled, "See you later, then."
With that he walked over to the Minister of Magic and the two Aurors, followed closely by Sirius.
Once they were out of the dungeons Fudge spoke, "Nice dog you have there, strange pet for a wizard to have, though. What's its name?"
"Snuffles." responded Harry.
Fudge chuckled, "Snuffles, Harry?"
Harry shrugged as Fudge steered him into an empty classroom with a large black cauldron in the center. Harry stared curiously at it as Fudge nodded to one of the Aurors who in turn locked the door.
"Don't want to be overheard, do we?" Fudge asked, noticing Harry's puzzled look, "Now, I don't suppose Dumbledore told you why I wished to speak with you?"
Harry shook his head, "No, he said he didn't know."
"I see." said Fudge sitting down.
"Well, it's rather simple, really. I've heard that you might have been. . .mistreated at your aunt and uncle's home. As the Minister of Magic it is my duty to get to the bottom of it."
Harry looked thunderstruck. How did he know about that? Did Dumbledore tell him? Harry said nothing but instead found himself guided into a seat by one of the Aurors.
"Well?" asked Fudge.
"Well what?" asked Harry.
"Is it true?" asked Fudge.
"Is what true?" asked Harry automatically.
Fudge looked like he was beginning to get perturbed, "Did any of your relatives at anytime ever hurt you?"
Harry looked at Sirius but he looked just as interested. Surely, he wouldn't lie to the Minister of Magic.
Harry sighed; he wouldn't be getting any help from his godfather, "No."
"No need to worry about anything, Harry." said Fudge.
"I'm not worried." said Harry quickly.
Fudge cocked an eyebrow, "You are aware that you're lying to the Minister of Magic, aren't you?"
"I'm not lying to anyone." said Harry, his voice beginning to rise.
"There's no need to get all huffy with me. I'm just looking for a truthful answer." said Fudge.
"It looks like you're trying to find the answer you want. What goes on in my life is my business so butt out!" Harry shouted at him. He was tired of people trying to figure him out. He was sick of people asking him questions that he couldn't respond to truthfully. But most of all he was disgusted with the way people kept trying to push themselves into places he didn't want them.
"You are keeping something from me, Harry." said Fudge.
"No!" said Harry, quickly sitting back down.
"No one is leaving this room until we find out what is going on so you might as well cooperate." said Fudge. Harry said nothing, just sat there, staring daggers at Fudge.
"If you are not willing to work with us then I will be forced to take drastic measures." warned Fudge.
"You wouldn't do anything to me." said Harry in a voice of dead anger.
"I am the Minister of Magic; I never go back on my word. I don't wish to but I will if you continue to behave in such a manner." said Fudge.
"This is ridiculous! How many times do I have to tell you people I was fine!" shouted Harry, once again out of his seat.
Fudge sighed and motioned to the Aurors, "I am sorry, Harry."
The Aurors each grabbed Harry by an arm and carried him over to the cauldron. Sirius seemed to think that this was going too far, for he started barking loudly as Harry struggled against their grip.
'Just a little late there, Sirius.' thought Harry angrily.
He wasn't sure what they were doing but he was sure it couldn't be anything good. Once they reached the cauldron, one of the Aurors held both of Harry's arms behind his back while the other held his head over it.
"I am sorry, Harry, but as you are too young to yet have Vertiasium, this is the only way." said Fudge raising his wand.
Harry was beginning to think that Sirius knew what was happening for at that moment, right before Fudge said the spell, he bit his ankle. Fudge yelped and conjured a muzzle around Sirius's mouth. This didn't stop Sirius by a long shot, however, he still banged his body into Fudge, hoping to distract him. The Auror who was holding Harry's head conjured a leash and magically tied it across the room. For the moment, Sirius was out of the running. He was still jumping and growling, trying to get back to help his godson but it wasn't doing any good.
Fudge once again raised his wand at Harry but this time finished what he had started, "Memex Miserbious."
A silvery liquid gushed out of Harry's ear and into the cauldron. He now knew what was happening, Pensieve. Harry's strength and will were renewed and he put up a vicious struggle but he was still no match for the Aurors. Five minutes later, the silver liquid stopped coming out of his ear and the Auror holding his head released it while the other one still held on which was a good call on his part. For he probably knew that Harry would try something drastic to destroy the Pensieve before anyone could see it. Harry was disgusted. How could they do that to him? He felt violated, betrayed and utterly humiliated.
"Why'd you do that for!?" Harry yelled at him.
Fudge smiled weakly at him as he went over to cauldron and stirred the liquid around, "It was for the best. You wouldn't cooperate with us, I didn't have a choice. Besides, this makes for much better evidence. We can see exactly what happened."
Sirius' growls and attempts at barks were ignored by all as Fudge went through several of the scenes. Harry could feel his face burning with embarrassment and anger.
Eventually, Fudge turned back around and Harry glowered at him, "See now, Harry, that certainly isn't nothing." Harry didn't know what to do. His mind was ripping in a million different directions but the one that seemed the best at the moment was get away. He had to get away from Fudge and his sympathetic eyes, the now curious looks from the two Aurors and the now silent Sirius. The Auror holding him had loosened the grip unintentionally and Harry used that to his advantage. He broke free of his grip, unlocked the door and ran out of the room.
He ran all the way back to the Gryffindor tower without stopping once. There was no one in the halls, he presumed they were all in class but he didn't care. All he wanted at the moment was to go jump off a cliff. He was beginning to wish he never escaped Voldemort. As he reached the portrait of the Fat Lady he reached yet another problem.
"Password?" she asked.
"I don't know! Let me in, you should know me by now or are you really that slow as to not recognize me after six years!?" shouted Harry. He hadn't been in the tower since the end of last year, how was he supposed to know the password?
"No password, no access." said the Fat Lady.
"God dammit! I don't know the freakin' password! Let me in, would you!?" he yelled, kicking the picture.
"Harry?" asked a voice behind him.
"What!?" he bellowed, turning around. Ron, Hermione, and Lavender were all standing there, looking at him curiously.
"What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing! Everything's just peachy! I just forgot the freakin' password and can't get in the god damn tower!" Harry shouted at them, "Now if you excuse!" With that he stormed off, back the way he came leaving three very confused Gryffindors behind him.
"What do you think got into him?" asked Ron staring after Harry.
"Obvious, isn't it? Must have had something to do with what Fudge wanted." said Lavender.
"I've never seen him that ticked off before. . ." said Ron.
"Should we go after him?" asked Hermione.
"I think one of us should." said Lavender smiling.
"Oh, honestly, do you really think this is the time?" asked Hermione a bit irritated.
"But of course, the only time." said Ron elbowing her.
Hermione groaned, "Come on." She grabbed both of them by the wrists and pulled them along with her.
They searched the entire castle it seemed and still couldn't find any trace of Harry.
"He always was good at hiding." said Ron.
"Well, at least we know he doesn't have the invisibility cloak with him so he can't avoid us by that." said Lavender.
"Should we get Dumbledore?" asked Hermione.
"I wouldn't bother. Harry probably just wants to be alone right now." said Ron.
"Yes, but you heard what Dumbledore said. You-Know-Who's after Harry now. He could be in trouble." said Hermione.
"I don't think-" started Ron but just then they turned the corner and bumped into none other than Dumbledore.
"Looking for Harry, are you?" he looked rather stressed and uneasy.
"Yes, but how did you know?" asked Lavender.
"Sirius has just told me what happened with Cornelius. I must say, I don't blame Harry for running off but we should still try to find him." said Dumbledore walking again, followed by Sirius (dog form) and the three students.
"Why? What happened?" asked Hermione, worry clear in her voice.
"I am certain you will find out soon enough." was all Dumbledore would say as they headed outside, "He isn't inside the castle."
"How do you know?" asked Ron. Dumbledore reached into his robes and pulled out a piece of parchment.
"The Marauder's Map!? How did you get that?" asked Ron.
"Once I found out that Harry had run off it seemed the quickest way to find him. I will return it." said Dumbledore, tucking it back away.
"So where is he?" asked Hermione.
Dumbledore smiled, "James would have been proud."
"Why, where is he?" asked Lavender. Something hit her on the head suddenly and she rubbed the spot where it had hit. Then bending down she picked it up, a wand. But not just any wand. . .
"Oh my god! That's Harry's wand!" shouted Hermione.
Author's Note: I know, I know, another cliffhanger. Sorry! I honestly don't mean to write these, it just happens that way! But I promise to put the next chapter up tomorrow! Writer's honor!. . .Well, anyway, what do you think? What happened to Harry? I know, I know! Read on if you want to find out! And guess what, it was a longer chapter! And the next two might be even longer! And for those of you who are just dying to see Hermione tell Harry she likes him. . .it's coming up soon! Yay! I'm so happy! I got to go write the next chapter! Oh yeah, I have a secret message for you. . .ready? Come here. . .WRITE A REVIEW! Thanks and see you next chapter!
Keitaya: This is your first time reviewing for me so I'll let you in on a secret, I already have up through chapter 10 written so I upload one a day! Thanks for your review!
Savi2070: Aw, you're making me flush. Thanks for the compliment! Harry and Hermione are gonna get together, as I said before, but it'll be another two chapters! Look for 10!
Otaku Freak: Yeah, Harry sure does seem to be having his share of problems, doesn't he? Well no worries, we all know how resilient he is. . .or is he? ::laughs insanely::
Panda Bear007: Thanks! Glad to know that people actually read my AN's and that Harry's in character!
Crk818: . . .You're scaring me, man. . .restraining order please! Lol, thanks for the review! I like to think I'm a frequent updater so you can count on me!
Otaku Freak: Yeah, Fudge is a big dork, ain't he? I don't really like him as you'll probably figure out in the later chapters. As for Harry. . .you'll find out soon enough!
PandaBear007: Ah, merci beacoup! Nice to know I'm well liked out there!
Vampire Lover: Suspense? Really? Well I guess you could say that. . .funny that no one's mentioned it before, though. Well I guess your wait is over!
Lalalala^^: Thanks for the review!
LittleEar BigEar's sis: Thanks! I appreciate the review!
Ch7: Cornelius Fudge
"He's lying! Everyone could see that, right?" asked Sirius as he transformed back into a human once they reached Dumbledore's office.
"That was easy enough to notice." agreed Molly.
"You can't force Harry to admit to something he doesn't want to and until he does there is nothing we can do nothing against the Dursleys." said Dumbledore, sitting in his chair.
Sirius looked outraged, "Just look at the evidence! We can't let that lousy good for nothing-"
"Wizarding prosecution is the only way we can handle them. There is no way to prove anything to the Muggle courts now that his scars are healed and I'm certain that the Dursleys have cleaned Harry's room. Yes, the wizard courts are much more efficient, though, they are not very keen to take on prosecuting Muggles without liable evidence. If Harry doesn't agree to testify against his relatives then there's no point in bringing it up." said Dumbledore.
"God dammit! There has to be another way!" Sirius shouted.
"Harry is in the process of healing, both mentally and physically. He needs to come to the decision to talk about it on his own will, which I'm sure he will in time." said Dumbledore. Sirius looked like he was ready to take drastic measures to handle the Dursleys at any second; they all seemed to notice this.
"Harry will be fine. He can come stay with us over the summer break. . .once we get our home back, that is, right Dumbledore?" asked Arthur.
"Indeed, I wouldn't dream of sending him back to those relatives of his." said Dumbledore. Sirius seemed somewhat appeased by this and settled himself into a chair.
"Now, what was this business about Voldemort?" asked Dumbledore. Sirius told him everything Harry had told him the previous day.
"So Voldemort has finally set his sight on Harry. . ." said Dumbledore. The silence of the room was so complete that you could have heard a pin hit the floor.
"Do you think the Ministry would give us an Auror to keep an eye on him?" asked Molly.
"Probably but I wouldn't recommend it. We don't want anymore people than necessary know about it. Having a fully equipped wizard following him every might raise a couple eyebrows." said Arthur.
"Well we can't just leave him to walk around by himself. We still don't know how Harry ingested the potion in the first place, the only creatures awake at that hour of the night are the owls and rats." said Molly. Sirius and Dumbledore suddenly became very still.
"Of course. . .that makes perfect sense." said Dumbledore softly. Arthur and Molly looked at him.
"I can't believe Wormtail would do this! And to James' son!" Sirius roared, "That good for nothing back stabber has gone too far this time!"
"What. . .?" asked Molly. "Pettigrew! Peter Pettigrew! He's an Animagus, a rat, very fitting." said Sirius, muttering the last part.
_~_~_~_~
The rest of the week passed by quickly. After Dumbledore made the announcement of the Halloween Ball the school had gone crazy with anticipation. People were asking each other out left and right. Dumbledore had told them that there had been a mistake and that Harry was, indeed, alive.
"How can you mistake someone being dead? I bet he is!" declared Malfoy.
His hypothesis that Harry was dead was quickly squashed because he was now well enough, according to Madame Pomfrey, to have anyone visit. Just about everyone who visited him brought some kind of a gift and the pile of get well presents on the bed side table was so large that Madame Pomfrey had Ron take some back to the boys' dormitories so they wouldn't topple over onto Harry.
Ron, Lavender and Hermione sat in the common room, doing their homework. Visiting hours were over as Harry needed to eat and have his last bandage replacements. Tomorrow he was getting out, two days before the ball.
"Harry has no idea how good he has it." said Ron stretching, "This essay is going to take me forever." Harry had private tutoring every night by each of his professors so that he wouldn't get too far behind and, thanks to Madame Pomfrey who insisted that he needed to rest his mind, he didn't receive any homework.
"Yes and no. I wouldn't fancy spending an hour of one on one Potions with Snape." said Hermione, looking up from her Transfiguration homework. Ron and Lavender laughed.
"Yeah, especially if you're Harry. Good thing Sir-er, Snuffles is there to keep him in line." said Lavender, quickly correcting herself.
"I don't know, I was kind of hoping Snape might do something to earn him a bite in the arse." said Ron smiling, "Ugh, I've had enough of this for one night. I'll finish it tomorrow." With that Ron pushed his books and parchment off his lap and stood up.
"Must be getting late." he observed as they were the only ones left in the room.
"It's eleven thirty. We should be getting to bed." said Lavender packing up her things and standing up.
As she started to pass him, Ron grabbed her hand, "Wait, Lavender, I need to talk to you."
Lavender turned around, stifling a yawn, "What is it?"
Ron bowed and kissed her hand, "Would you go to the Ball with me?"
Lavender laughed, "I would have thought you knew the answer to that."
Ron smiled, "Formalities, my dear." Lavender laughed again, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Hermione averted her eyes from the two and felt a faint blush creep to her cheeks. Forcing it back down, she packed her things and stood up. The two lovers simultaneously stopped their kissing and turned to face her.
"You know, Hermione, I don't think Harry has anyone to go with yet." said Lavender with a smile.
Hermione blushed, "Why are you telling me?"
"Come on Herms, we know you like him." pried Ron.
Hermione brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear and stared at the ground, "No I don't."
"Go on, Hermione. You know you want to." urged Lavender. Hermione glanced up at them then quickly hurried up to her dormitory without a word.
"I think we have some work to do." said Lavender staring after her.
"Got that right. Stubborn as a mule, that one is." said Ron slinging his arm over her shoulder. Lavender giggled and pushed him away then hurried up the stairs after Hermione. Apparently Juliet needed a bit more of a push.
"Hermione?" asked Lavender pushing the door to the sixth year girls' dormitory open.
Hermione was on her bed, pretending to already be asleep. Lavender smiled and shook her head.
Closing the door behind her, she walked over to Hermione's bed and sat down, "What are you so scared of?"
Hermione didn't respond and Lavender sighed, "Come on, Hermione. You can talk to me." Hermione sat up and leaned against the headboard.
"What if says no? I'd just be ruining our friendship." she said, her voice choking up.
"First of all you're never going to know if you don't ask. Second, that won't happen, and thirdly that's not all you're worried about, is it?" asked Lavender. Hermione bit her lip and turned her head to the side.
After a long moment of silence Hermione answered, "It's my fault. I knew there was something wrong but I didn't do anything! Who knows how long those Death Eaters had him? Who knows what they did to him? If I wasn't so thick headed then I might have been able to get to him in time! What kind of person does that make me?"
Lavender looked taken back. That certainly wasn't what she was expecting. Hermione, blaming herself for Harry's abduction?
"Hermione. . .it's not your fault. We all knew something was wrong and we didn't do anything either. Harry's not mad at anyone and he's certainly not mad at you." said Lavender.
"But he should be! He should hate me! Why does he always have to be like that!?" asked Hermione, now crying. Lavender glanced around the room, it was a good thing the other girls in their year were all heavy sleepers.
"Like what, Hermione?" Lavender asked.
"Everything! He's perfect! He always forgives us, no matter what horrible things we do? How could I even hope to mean anything to that?" asked Hermione, now reaching hysterics.
"Obviously you already do. You're one of his best friends, who knows," said Lavender smiling, "Maybe more. But you'll never know if you don't ask him." said Lavender putting a hand on her arm.
"I. . .I'm scared." said Hermione, sniffling.
Lavender laughed, "So was Ron when he asked me out. You should've seen him. I think he might have wet his pant if I said no. . .and look how it turned out!"
Hermione let a laugh escape from her lips, "Thanks Lavender."
"Hey, it's no problem. So. . .you gonna ask him?" asked Lavender.
Hermione took in a deep breath, "I'll try."
_~_~_~_~
The next day all close friends of Harry Potter were gathered in the hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey was busy making a "few" last minute checks as she always did the day someone left her care.
"Aching gone from you chest?" she asked. Harry sighed irritably, she had just asked him the same question a minute ago
"Yes, it's fine. Can I go now?" asked Harry standing up.
"Not quite." said Madame Pomfrey pushing him back onto the bed, "Just a few more." Harry groaned and shook his head in annoyance. These proceedings had been going on for well over an hour now. His friends all looked quite amused as they had just strolled in a few minutes ago. Madame Pomfrey was checking his head now, which, surprisingly, had healed back to normal, without a hole.
"Poppy, I believe Harry was fine the first time you checked him over." said Dumbledore.
Pursing her lips, Pomfrey took one last look at him, "Any dizziness or aching and you're to come straight back here, understood?"
"Yes, ma'am." said Harry saluting her. Ron snorted back a laugh and Pomfrey walked away before he could mock her again.
"Finally, I'm free!" said Harry standing up and stretching.
"Harry, Sirius will be following you around the grounds. If Voldemort has Peter here to spy on you it's best if you have someone to keep an eye on you." said Dumbledore. Harry nodded and scratched Sirius behind the ears.
"I also must tell you that Cornelius Fudge will be coming to speak with you sometime this week." added Dumbledore.
Harry looked at him, "Why?"
"That is not any of my business. I didn't ask." said Dumbledore.
Harry searched through Dumbledore's eyes to see if he was hiding anything but found nothing so he shrugged, "Okay."
"Wonderful, let us make our way down to the Great Hall." said Dumbledore walking out of the room. The Weasleys, minus Ron, and Hagrid followed suit as Ron, Hermione, Lavender, Harry, and Sirius brought up the rear.
"What do you think Fudge wants with you?" asked Ron.
"Probably going to ask if I know anything about Voldemort." said Harry not really thinking about it.
"Makes sense." stated Lavender.
"So, what do you say we make use of those Wizard Wheezes Fred and George gave me? I've been meaning to get Malfoy back for spreading rumors about me, dead indeed." said Harry smiling deviously. Sirius gave a bark to show he quite approved while Ron, Hermione, and Lavender all nodded in agreement.
"Malfoy better watch his bloody back. Fred and George were working all summer on inventing a bunch of new tricks." said Ron. They reached the Great Hall and entered without thinking. Instantly, everyone one of the students, aside the Slytherins who were looking rather foul, started to clap.
"Did I miss something?" Harry asked his friends.
Ron scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, sorry. New rumor just started yesterday. They all think you defeated You-Know-Who."
"They what!?" asked Harry, completely exasperated.
"Yes, well, you know the Creevys. Always trying to put the famous Harry Potter up one." said Hermione. Harry groaned as they started to make their way to the Gryffindor table.
"This is all I need." he muttered to himself.
"Go on, Harry. Just enjoy it while it lasts." said Lavender.
Harry laughed, "Yeah, until they find I didn't then its back to the fourth champion popularity all over again."
"It's not so bad, Harry. Not as long as you got us. We'll stand by you!" said Ron in an overly dramatic voice which sent all those near into fits of laughter. A few minutes later a Hufflepuff third year came over to the Gryffindor table.
"How'd you do it, Harry?" she asked quietly, blushing under her locks of blond hair.
"Sorry to tell you, but Voldemort is still alive." Harry said. The Hufflepuff looked rather embarrassed and hurried off back to her table and instantly they started chatting wildly.
"And so begins my downfall." joked Harry.
"Happens to the best of us, Harry." said Lavender.
By mid-day word had started to go around that Harry, in fact, hadn't defeated Voldemort. Luckily, however, he was not be excluded for it and things were finally back to normal. Harry was back in classes with the other students and getting homework as well.
"I forgot how much they give you." Harry told his friends on their way to Potions.
"You think that's bad. I'm willing to bet Snape gives you extra work just to make up for all that you missed." said Ron.
"Gee, thanks for that cheerful thought." said Harry sarcastically.
"No problem." said Ron, clapping his hand on Harry's back.
They entered the dungeon and were greeted by Snape's sneering face, "Thought you could be late on your first day back, Potter? Five points from Gryffindor." Harry sighed inwardly, yep; things were definitely back to normal.
Later that class, they were working on a sleeping potion which they were to try out on a bunch of toads at the end of class. Neville, after hearing this, quickly put Trevor into his robe's pocket so Snape wouldn't suggest him using his potion on him. Despite the fact that he was still quite accident prone, Harry had to admit, Neville had learned to use his brain over the years. He now only could be seen in the hospital wing once every other week. Harry turned his attention back to Hermione and their potion. Lavender had insisted that she wanted to work with Ron and Ron quickly agreed, though Harry couldn't blame him. If he had a girlfriend, he'd try to work with her in class, too. But he was too distracted by Hermione to think about it. Hermione, who had always been the best Gryffindor in Potions was making mistake after mistake today which half the time Harry had only just caught. She was now chopping up a plant with rather roughly.
"Are you okay, Hermione?" Harry whispered out of the corner of his mouth so as not to give Snape another reason to take more points off.
"Yeah. . .fine. . .why?" she asked.
"I don't know. . .you just seem a little. . .jumpy today." Harry said.
"Oh, well, you know." said Hermione, now adding the plant. "No! Not yet!" Harry said trying to avert the plant but it proved futile and the potion exploded.
As they were sitting on the edge of the Gryffindor's side, the potion hit just about all of the Slytherins and Snape. They all passed out cold on the floor.
Harry looked at them thoughtfully for a minute, "Hmm. . .at least we know it worked." All the Gryffindors minus Hermione, who looked rather embarrassed, burst out laughing.
"What do you think? Free class?" asked Dean. "Sounds good to me." said Ron standing up.
"Wait! Shouldn't we try to help them?" asked Parvati. The class stared at her.
". . .Never mind." she said. Those still awake packed their things and were about to leave when the door opened revealing none other than Cornelius Fudge and two Aurors.
"Oh dear, what happened here?" asked Fudge looking around the classroom.
"A slight explosion. . .it was just a sleeping potion, though." Ron quickly added.
"I see. . .I expect you were on your way to go alert Madame Pomfrey." said Fudge. Looking as though he'd rather not, Ron nodded and took off.
"Now, Harry. I do hope Dumbledore told you to be expecting me?" asked Fudge.
Harry nodded and dropped his things on the desk then turned to Hermione and Lavender, "Take those back to the common room for me?"
They both nodded and smiled, "See you later, then."
With that he walked over to the Minister of Magic and the two Aurors, followed closely by Sirius.
Once they were out of the dungeons Fudge spoke, "Nice dog you have there, strange pet for a wizard to have, though. What's its name?"
"Snuffles." responded Harry.
Fudge chuckled, "Snuffles, Harry?"
Harry shrugged as Fudge steered him into an empty classroom with a large black cauldron in the center. Harry stared curiously at it as Fudge nodded to one of the Aurors who in turn locked the door.
"Don't want to be overheard, do we?" Fudge asked, noticing Harry's puzzled look, "Now, I don't suppose Dumbledore told you why I wished to speak with you?"
Harry shook his head, "No, he said he didn't know."
"I see." said Fudge sitting down.
"Well, it's rather simple, really. I've heard that you might have been. . .mistreated at your aunt and uncle's home. As the Minister of Magic it is my duty to get to the bottom of it."
Harry looked thunderstruck. How did he know about that? Did Dumbledore tell him? Harry said nothing but instead found himself guided into a seat by one of the Aurors.
"Well?" asked Fudge.
"Well what?" asked Harry.
"Is it true?" asked Fudge.
"Is what true?" asked Harry automatically.
Fudge looked like he was beginning to get perturbed, "Did any of your relatives at anytime ever hurt you?"
Harry looked at Sirius but he looked just as interested. Surely, he wouldn't lie to the Minister of Magic.
Harry sighed; he wouldn't be getting any help from his godfather, "No."
"No need to worry about anything, Harry." said Fudge.
"I'm not worried." said Harry quickly.
Fudge cocked an eyebrow, "You are aware that you're lying to the Minister of Magic, aren't you?"
"I'm not lying to anyone." said Harry, his voice beginning to rise.
"There's no need to get all huffy with me. I'm just looking for a truthful answer." said Fudge.
"It looks like you're trying to find the answer you want. What goes on in my life is my business so butt out!" Harry shouted at him. He was tired of people trying to figure him out. He was sick of people asking him questions that he couldn't respond to truthfully. But most of all he was disgusted with the way people kept trying to push themselves into places he didn't want them.
"You are keeping something from me, Harry." said Fudge.
"No!" said Harry, quickly sitting back down.
"No one is leaving this room until we find out what is going on so you might as well cooperate." said Fudge. Harry said nothing, just sat there, staring daggers at Fudge.
"If you are not willing to work with us then I will be forced to take drastic measures." warned Fudge.
"You wouldn't do anything to me." said Harry in a voice of dead anger.
"I am the Minister of Magic; I never go back on my word. I don't wish to but I will if you continue to behave in such a manner." said Fudge.
"This is ridiculous! How many times do I have to tell you people I was fine!" shouted Harry, once again out of his seat.
Fudge sighed and motioned to the Aurors, "I am sorry, Harry."
The Aurors each grabbed Harry by an arm and carried him over to the cauldron. Sirius seemed to think that this was going too far, for he started barking loudly as Harry struggled against their grip.
'Just a little late there, Sirius.' thought Harry angrily.
He wasn't sure what they were doing but he was sure it couldn't be anything good. Once they reached the cauldron, one of the Aurors held both of Harry's arms behind his back while the other held his head over it.
"I am sorry, Harry, but as you are too young to yet have Vertiasium, this is the only way." said Fudge raising his wand.
Harry was beginning to think that Sirius knew what was happening for at that moment, right before Fudge said the spell, he bit his ankle. Fudge yelped and conjured a muzzle around Sirius's mouth. This didn't stop Sirius by a long shot, however, he still banged his body into Fudge, hoping to distract him. The Auror who was holding Harry's head conjured a leash and magically tied it across the room. For the moment, Sirius was out of the running. He was still jumping and growling, trying to get back to help his godson but it wasn't doing any good.
Fudge once again raised his wand at Harry but this time finished what he had started, "Memex Miserbious."
A silvery liquid gushed out of Harry's ear and into the cauldron. He now knew what was happening, Pensieve. Harry's strength and will were renewed and he put up a vicious struggle but he was still no match for the Aurors. Five minutes later, the silver liquid stopped coming out of his ear and the Auror holding his head released it while the other one still held on which was a good call on his part. For he probably knew that Harry would try something drastic to destroy the Pensieve before anyone could see it. Harry was disgusted. How could they do that to him? He felt violated, betrayed and utterly humiliated.
"Why'd you do that for!?" Harry yelled at him.
Fudge smiled weakly at him as he went over to cauldron and stirred the liquid around, "It was for the best. You wouldn't cooperate with us, I didn't have a choice. Besides, this makes for much better evidence. We can see exactly what happened."
Sirius' growls and attempts at barks were ignored by all as Fudge went through several of the scenes. Harry could feel his face burning with embarrassment and anger.
Eventually, Fudge turned back around and Harry glowered at him, "See now, Harry, that certainly isn't nothing." Harry didn't know what to do. His mind was ripping in a million different directions but the one that seemed the best at the moment was get away. He had to get away from Fudge and his sympathetic eyes, the now curious looks from the two Aurors and the now silent Sirius. The Auror holding him had loosened the grip unintentionally and Harry used that to his advantage. He broke free of his grip, unlocked the door and ran out of the room.
He ran all the way back to the Gryffindor tower without stopping once. There was no one in the halls, he presumed they were all in class but he didn't care. All he wanted at the moment was to go jump off a cliff. He was beginning to wish he never escaped Voldemort. As he reached the portrait of the Fat Lady he reached yet another problem.
"Password?" she asked.
"I don't know! Let me in, you should know me by now or are you really that slow as to not recognize me after six years!?" shouted Harry. He hadn't been in the tower since the end of last year, how was he supposed to know the password?
"No password, no access." said the Fat Lady.
"God dammit! I don't know the freakin' password! Let me in, would you!?" he yelled, kicking the picture.
"Harry?" asked a voice behind him.
"What!?" he bellowed, turning around. Ron, Hermione, and Lavender were all standing there, looking at him curiously.
"What's wrong?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing! Everything's just peachy! I just forgot the freakin' password and can't get in the god damn tower!" Harry shouted at them, "Now if you excuse!" With that he stormed off, back the way he came leaving three very confused Gryffindors behind him.
"What do you think got into him?" asked Ron staring after Harry.
"Obvious, isn't it? Must have had something to do with what Fudge wanted." said Lavender.
"I've never seen him that ticked off before. . ." said Ron.
"Should we go after him?" asked Hermione.
"I think one of us should." said Lavender smiling.
"Oh, honestly, do you really think this is the time?" asked Hermione a bit irritated.
"But of course, the only time." said Ron elbowing her.
Hermione groaned, "Come on." She grabbed both of them by the wrists and pulled them along with her.
They searched the entire castle it seemed and still couldn't find any trace of Harry.
"He always was good at hiding." said Ron.
"Well, at least we know he doesn't have the invisibility cloak with him so he can't avoid us by that." said Lavender.
"Should we get Dumbledore?" asked Hermione.
"I wouldn't bother. Harry probably just wants to be alone right now." said Ron.
"Yes, but you heard what Dumbledore said. You-Know-Who's after Harry now. He could be in trouble." said Hermione.
"I don't think-" started Ron but just then they turned the corner and bumped into none other than Dumbledore.
"Looking for Harry, are you?" he looked rather stressed and uneasy.
"Yes, but how did you know?" asked Lavender.
"Sirius has just told me what happened with Cornelius. I must say, I don't blame Harry for running off but we should still try to find him." said Dumbledore walking again, followed by Sirius (dog form) and the three students.
"Why? What happened?" asked Hermione, worry clear in her voice.
"I am certain you will find out soon enough." was all Dumbledore would say as they headed outside, "He isn't inside the castle."
"How do you know?" asked Ron. Dumbledore reached into his robes and pulled out a piece of parchment.
"The Marauder's Map!? How did you get that?" asked Ron.
"Once I found out that Harry had run off it seemed the quickest way to find him. I will return it." said Dumbledore, tucking it back away.
"So where is he?" asked Hermione.
Dumbledore smiled, "James would have been proud."
"Why, where is he?" asked Lavender. Something hit her on the head suddenly and she rubbed the spot where it had hit. Then bending down she picked it up, a wand. But not just any wand. . .
"Oh my god! That's Harry's wand!" shouted Hermione.
Author's Note: I know, I know, another cliffhanger. Sorry! I honestly don't mean to write these, it just happens that way! But I promise to put the next chapter up tomorrow! Writer's honor!. . .Well, anyway, what do you think? What happened to Harry? I know, I know! Read on if you want to find out! And guess what, it was a longer chapter! And the next two might be even longer! And for those of you who are just dying to see Hermione tell Harry she likes him. . .it's coming up soon! Yay! I'm so happy! I got to go write the next chapter! Oh yeah, I have a secret message for you. . .ready? Come here. . .WRITE A REVIEW! Thanks and see you next chapter!
Keitaya: This is your first time reviewing for me so I'll let you in on a secret, I already have up through chapter 10 written so I upload one a day! Thanks for your review!
Savi2070: Aw, you're making me flush. Thanks for the compliment! Harry and Hermione are gonna get together, as I said before, but it'll be another two chapters! Look for 10!
Otaku Freak: Yeah, Harry sure does seem to be having his share of problems, doesn't he? Well no worries, we all know how resilient he is. . .or is he? ::laughs insanely::
Panda Bear007: Thanks! Glad to know that people actually read my AN's and that Harry's in character!
Crk818: . . .You're scaring me, man. . .restraining order please! Lol, thanks for the review! I like to think I'm a frequent updater so you can count on me!
Otaku Freak: Yeah, Fudge is a big dork, ain't he? I don't really like him as you'll probably figure out in the later chapters. As for Harry. . .you'll find out soon enough!
PandaBear007: Ah, merci beacoup! Nice to know I'm well liked out there!
Vampire Lover: Suspense? Really? Well I guess you could say that. . .funny that no one's mentioned it before, though. Well I guess your wait is over!
Lalalala^^: Thanks for the review!
LittleEar BigEar's sis: Thanks! I appreciate the review!