Is a Friend Indeed!


As evening fell and there was still no sign of Hermione, Harry began to wonder whether she had actually gone to spy on Malfoy or if, in fact, she had used his cloak for another reason.

A more Hermione like reason.

He was about to head for the library when Neville Longbottom came through the portrait hole looking despondent and carrying a stack of books. Looking around he spotted Harry and Ron and walked over to their table. Dropping his books with a thud, Neville dropped into a vacant chair.

"So," he asked "has anyone seen Hermione?"

Harry and Ron tried to muffle their sudden laughter at his question.

"What?"

Neville looked from one to the other in confusion.

"What's so funny?" he asked, miffed, as Harry and Ron continued laughing.

"Oh, no one's seen Hermione" Harry started, then couldn't continue for the laughter bubbling up from within.

By this time Fred and George had come over and hearing Harry's comment started laughing as well.

"Oh no" Fred said, attempting to be serious, "Hermione's completely out of sight."

At that, the peals of laughter echoed off the stone walls and Neville stared at them in consternation.

"Hermione said she would help me with potions study" he said, then looked towards the girls dorm. "Is she here or not?"

"We don't know" George answered, his eyes twinkling, "we haven't seen her."

Seeing the look of angry confusion on Neville's face, Harry calmed down enough to explain to him that Hermione had borrowed his invisibility cloak, hence the humour in being asked if they had seen her.

Neville still didn't look very happy, but he did tell them that Hermione had been in the library after dinner, but that he hadn't seen her since. Harry tried his hardest not to laugh, but gave up. Neville picked up his stack of books and trounced, somewhat awkwardly, up to his room.

Wiping his eyes, Harry grinned at Ron and his brother's, his sides sore from laughing.

"Well" said Fred, seriously, "I guess we'll just have to wait and see" then cackled merrily as he and George tried to come up with even more hideous jokes.

As it came closer to curfew however, Harry began to watch the portrait hole and worry. Except for during their adventures, Hermione was still rather a stickler for rules and so when Percy came through the hole, several older Gryffindor's with him, Harry felt his worry escalate when he saw that Hermione wasn't with them.

At curfew he went over to where Lavender Brown and the Patil twin's were sitting, looking over magazines. They looked up as he came over.

"Excuse me" he asked "have any of you spoken with Hermione recently, did she mention any plans?"

The girls looked at him in surprise.

"Well, just to study at the library and cram for exams" Lavender answered, then smiled at Ron when he walked over to stand beside Harry.

"Uh, would you mind checking if she's already in her room?" Harry asked politely.

Lavender stood up to go, making sure she brushed against Ron's arm as she went by. Moments later she returned shaking her head.

"She's not there, and her book bag and favorite sweater are gone as well."

"Well," Ron looked puzzled, "it can be cool in the dungeons."

"I suppose" Harry agreed, though he looked even more worried.

"Come along now, time for bed first years."

Percy frowned as none of them moved.

"Now!" he stated emphatically. "You have to listen to your Prefect" he spoke to them in an officious tone and stood, arms crossed and right foot tapping impatiently, until they all began to make their way to their dorms.

Once in their room, Ron whispered to Harry, so as not to disturb Neville who was asleep, "what do you think we should do now Harry?"

"We'll just have to wait. Hermione might be waiting for Percy to get out of the way before she comes through the portrait hole."

Harry sounded calmer than he felt, but it seemed to reassure Ron.

"'Kay, night Harry" Ron whispered then pulled closed the curtains on his bed.

"Night Ron" Harry whispered back and tried to sleep.

He did sleep though, because he woke suddenly, hearing his name being called. Looking around, Harry saw that Ron was asleep, so he decided not to wake him. Harry really missed having his invisibility cloak, but he pulled on his own cloak after throwing on pants and a sweater over his pajamas and slipped his shoes on, careful not to wake any of the boys. Once in the common room, Harry debated what would be the best thing to do. Realizing he couldn't just sit there and wait, he quietly went through the portrait hole and into the hallway. Hoping not to run into Filch or Mrs. Norris, Harry stuck to the shadows as much as he could as he made his way towards the library.

As it was Hermione, Harry felt that that was the most logical place to start.

Moonlight streamed through the leaded windows throwing a pattern in bright relief across the partly shadowed stone floor. Harry stopped at one window and looked out and saw that it was a full moon. Once in the library Harry went to the door of the restricted section, it was locked.

"Hermione" he whispered quietly, "are you there?"

No answer, and the library was very dark.

'Not here' he said to himself, and decided to head to the dungeons. He had been lucky so far, so Harry decided to push his luck a little further. Wherever Filch and Mrs. Norris were, they fortunately were nowhere near Harry, for which he was truly grateful. Making his way to the dungeons, Harry was almost relieved to see a light under the potions classroom door. Sneaking closer, he strained to hear any sounds from within. He got his wish, though not exactly the way he had hoped.

"Well, Mr. Potter, what a surprise."

Harry couldn't miss the dripping sarcasm as Snape glowered down at him, the light from the room throwing his face into shadow.

"To what do I owe this unexpected and after curfew visit, Mr. Potter?"

"Hermione.." Harry started to say, but stopped shocked as Snape stepped back suddenly and in the light from the potions classroom Harry saw that he had gone quite white.

"What about Miss Granger?"

Snape's voice was tight and a look of worry crossed his face. Harry looked at Snape in surprise, he thought somehow that Professor Snape sounded as though he were on the edge of panic and Harry had a sudden sinking feeling that somehow Snape knew something, and that it wasn't good.

"I was, uh, wondering if you knew where she was Professor."

Emboldened by Snape's attentive silence Harry continued.

"No one's seen her since after dinner and," Harry paused. He wasn't sure if he should mention about his invisibility cloak.

"And she has your invisibility cloak."

His voice was toneless and Harry wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement.

"Ah, yes sir. At least," Harry amended quickly "I believe she does."

"Alright Mr. Potter, I will make a search of the grounds, I'm sure she hasn't gone too far."

Harry wasn't the least bit assured, especially as Snape turned from him to hurry into the room, grabbing his cloak and a lantern before turning back to the door.

Harry knew he was extremely lucky that Snape hadn't taken any House points from him yet he was loathe to go.

"Perhaps I can help look for her Professor" Harry ventured, then stepped back as Snape loomed almost on top of him.

"Go, Mr. Potter" he said tiredly, "you are blocking my way."

Harry looked mutinous but he went, he had learned not to push too hard when it came to their Potions Professor. Scowling, Harry headed out of the dungeons, Snape close on his heels. In the main hall, Harry watched as Snape headed quickly for the door that led to Hagrid's hut, his black cloak swirling behind him as he rushed through the door without a backwards glance.

Harry watched him leave, torn, then with a resigned sigh he headed back to Gryffindor Tower and the sleep he knew would be long in coming.