"Young man, eavesdropping is a very naughty habit. You will have to
answer for yourself, the three of you as well. Don't think I don't see you
in the shadows."
"Er-I wanted to talk to my Headmaster and I thought I saw him go in there so I was waited to talk to him when he came out."
The others nodded energetically.
"Really? How many people does it take to deliver a message?"
"One. But-"
Renata stepped up. "He doesn't know his way around here so I was being helpful. I'm giving the three of them a tour, Professor."
"You!" The professor had a look of malice in her eyes. "Didn't you leave the school?"
"Yes. I came with the students from Hogwarts, for the Quiditch match. I'm the Keeper."
"We'll see about all this." She grabbed Harry's ear with one hand and Ron's with the other because he was nearest. As she had no free hands the Professor nodded at Hermione, "Why are you standing there? Knock on the door!" When it opened, she roughly dragged in Harry and Ron, both in much pain, the girls followed.
The Headmistress stood up. "What is the meaning of this? We are trying to have a discussion in here like civilized adults. Put those children down, Natasha." Michaela glared at her.
She let go. "I found this one," she glared at Harry, "eavesdropping with his accomplices."
Dumbledore stood up. "That's enough. Leave the students here and be on your way."
"I will, but see to it that they are properly punished."
"That will be for me to decide. They are my pupils. Off now."
Glowering and tossing her head, Natasha left.
"Explain yourselves."
"We were-"
"You had all better have a good explanation." Josephine frowned.
"We wanted to talk to you, Professor Dumbledore."
"About what?"
"I wanted to talk to my mom," Renata said. "I haven't seen her all day and so I wanted to find out if she was in here that way I could say hello."
"Well she is not in here so would you kindly be on your way?" remarked the green robed wizard.
"No, Natasha was right. Why didn't they just knock? They must have been listening to us. Some punishment must be in order. Let's keep them from the surprise tonight."
"No," Dumbledore said. "I want these four out of trouble. They will be required to attend tonight. Understand?"
The four students replied, "Yes, Professor Dumbledore."
"Harry, I want to speak with you later."
"Yes, Professor."
The students turned and as they left the Headmistress called, "And this time be far enough from the door that you cannot hear us."
They turned and left. When out of earshot, Harry muttered, "Let's go."
"Where?"
"Anywhere but here."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"If I don't do something, just think of what Voldemort will do to them."
"I want to leave too but Dumbledore will have thought of that."
"Then what do you propose we do?"
"Make a quick appearance at the party or whatever it is they've got planned, then we split. We should get back to our rooms. See you in a bit, I'll come when I've thought of something."
At five-thirty Harry heard the call come from the ceiling. "All students fourth year and above, be in the Dining Hall by seven o'clock. Be in dress robes if you have them. I repeat, fourth years and above, be in the Dining Hall at seven. Thank you for listening."
Ron looked up from the Chuddley Cannons book he was reading. "I wonder what whatever it is is. Did you and Renata set up everything?"
"Yeah. When we leave, if we're lucky, we shouldn't have any trouble." He thought, but when have any of us ever been that lucky?
"Good."
At six-thirty Harry and Ron changed into other robes. Harry's were bottle green and Ron's were a dark blue. Harry was pleased that the twins had gotten Ron nicer robes as he had asked them to when he gave them money to help start their joke shop for when they left Hogwarts.
"What is it we are going to, again?" asked Ron.
"A dance."
"Another one? Didn't we go to one last year?"
"Yes, we did." Harry gave a brief and halfhearted attempt to make his hair lie flat and then gave up.
"I guess we better go."
"Yeah."
Out in the hallway they saw Renata and Hermione. At first it took Harry a second to recognize them. Renata had curled her hair and she was wearing soft looking dress robes of an aquamarine hue. Hermione wore her hair up and was wearing pink, lacey dress robes. Both carried handbags to match their robes and wore dressy shoes.
"What are those for?" Ron pointed to the handbags.
"Thanks for saying hi first," Renata answered with a hint of sarcasm. "These are to hit you over the head with, numbskull. What do you think? These are not good getaway clothes. At some point we're changing. Let's go, everyone is leaving."
Hermione asked, "Renata, what band is playing?"
"I heard it was going to be the Celestial Siblings but I can't be sure. Someone else said it was supposed to be Celestina Warbeck, the singing Sorceress."
As they entered the Dining Hall, Harry was surprised. There were streamers on the ceiling that never stayed the same color for more than a few seconds. The candles were being held up by live butterflies that fluttered around the room. There were statues, fairies, and so many decorations up. There was also a large banner saying: FAREWELL, HOGWARTS STUDENTS.
"We should be seen by the teachers early so we can get it over with and leave," muttered Harry.
"No, we shouldn't. We check in once at the beginning and once before we leave so they know we were here," replied Renata. "Come on, the music is starting and I like this song."
"No, thanks. I don't dance."
"What? You don't swim, you don't dance, what do you do all day? Play Quiditch and do homework? You're boring. Come on. Dance with me. It will be fun."
As soon as a few more people were on the floor dancing where the tables had previously been, Renata and Hermione pulled Harry and Ron onto the floor.
Renata took the lead as the dancing started; Harry was surprised to find that she was talking. "We should all be seen by a few teachers just to be sure they know we're here. If only one or two of them see the four of us they could forget. What do you think of this music?"
"It's okay I guess."
"I can't believe we're going home tomorrow."
"I thought you felt you were already home."
"Yeah, well, I still love it here but I'm beginning to miss Hogwarts, a little bit anyway. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that people are missing? They've been gone all day. I guess no one noticed because they were all getting ready; you know, deciding what to wear, what makeup should be used, how to style their hair.it's not bad but as far as I'm concerned it gets boring if that's all a person thinks about. The song is over, Harry, let's find Ron and Hermione."
Ron and Hermione were already seated at a table and they'd just gotten some dinner. "Good. You're here. Sit down."
Renata grabbed a plate on the table and picked up the serving spoon from the middle of the table. "Mashed potatoes." The plate the serving spoon had been in filled with mashed potatoes. Renata piled them on her plate then put the fork back and requested chicken. After she had the chicken she picked up her own silverware and started eating.
As they all ate, they spoke.
"So, students and teachers saw you and can vouch that you were here if anybody asks?"
"Uh-huh."
Renata pushed her empty plate forward. "I figure we stay put the next couple songs, talk to some people, dance again, we can switch guys if you want-I don't really care-then we take a break, dance a third time and leave before anyone knows we're gone. Plenty of people, faculty and students, will be able to guarantee that we were here and it might take a little longer for them to realize we are gone. We'll go, find the missing students and my mom, and all be back before morning."
"Why are we going, again?"
"And where?"
"We are finding them and we are looking where the fish told us to."
"The fish didn't tell us where to find them."
"No, but we've got a really good guess."
"The band is taking a break let's go talk to people. When the next song starts, dance with whoever you happen to be standing near," Renata said, rising from her seat.
Harry got up and went to find someone to talk to. The first person he saw that he recognized was Rory, but it took a few seconds to realize it was her; Rory's hair was in two braids put up and crowning her head, the blue robes she was wearing went well with her hair.
"Hi, Harry."
"Hello. Nice hair."
"Thanks, it gives me a headache though. Who are you here with?"
"Er-"
"The four of us came as friends," Renata said coming up from behind Harry. "Me, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. What about you?"
"You want truth? I came with Francis. Poor guy. No one wanted to come with him and he was looking lonely so I asked him."
"How long did it take you to do your hair?" asked Renata.
"Not as long as yours." Renata gave her a skeptical look. "Really. I had help. I just braided it in two braids and wound them around my head. Okay, it took a while but not as long as yours. Why did you bother curling it?"
"I didn't want to get a headache from putting it up but I wanted to do something to it."
"Why would you get headaches from putting your hair up?" asked Harry.
"Your hair is too short to realize this but hair weighs a lot and if you pile it all on top of your head for too long it makes your head and neck sore."
Harry went off again, leaving Renata to talk with Rory.
"Harry!"
He saw Dean and Seamus sitting down and waving him over.
"How are you doing?"
"Tired of this."
"Bored stiff."
"Me too."
"You don't seem to be."
"Yeah, you looked like you were having fun talking and dancing."
"Who did you guys come with?"
"Susan"
"Hannah. They were going to ask Justin and Ernie but they couldn't find them so they asked us instead."
"I noticed you got a date," Dean pointed out.
"No, I didn't."
"Harry, you're here with Renata. Or are you here with Hermione?"
"Neither really," he said embarrassed. "Renata and Hermione came with Ron and me as a group thing. All friends. Easier than all of us looking for dates on short notice."
"I still say you lucked out," Seamus said, looking to where Renata was talking with Rory and another girl. "Last year you got one of the best looking girls in our year and this year you've got a great-looking date again." His eyes lingered on Renata moment.
"I've got to go. I said I'd dance again," muttered Harry.
"See you."
The song was starting and Harry noticed that Hermione was nearby and he couldn't find Renata. She had said to dance with whoever was nearest, so Harry went up to Hermione.
"Dance?" he said rather awkwardly.
"Okay."
Harry was glad the song was short.
They found Renata and Ron and the four made their way to a table and sat down.
"Time check."
Hermione looked at her watch, "About eight fifteen. I think we should stay another half an hour."
"What do you mean 'another half an hour'?" came a voice.
"Hi, Dan," Renata greeted.
"We're all tired, so we don't know how much longer we're going to stay out here."
"Ren, I know you. There is no way you are tired already, this doesn't end 'til midnight."
"I'm not, but these three are party poopers." She turned back to the other three. "Another hour, please?"
Ron faked consideration of an answer to her question. "Maybe.okay.an hour. An hour and a half at the most." He pretended to stifle a yawn.
Dan looked over to the far side of the room, "I've got to go. Ellie's waiting."
"You came with her? Like a date?"
"Me, Tim, and Joe all came with her here. It just happens to be my turn to dance with her. See you guys later."
Renata said quietly to his retreating back, "Don't be so sure."
Hermione whispered, "Half an hour and we are gone."
Two songs later they were up and dancing again. As they danced they moved near a side exit, by the time the song ended they were outside.
Harry heard footsteps. "I think we'd better go."
Rory came out, panting. "They are coming!"
"Who's 'they'?"
"The teachers! Get out of here! Fast!"
"How do you know.?"
"You're obviously leaving. I'll keep them away while I can, but.go now! Are you leaving on foot?"
"We hid some brooms. See you later," Renata gave Rory a quick hug.
"I hope so." She turned and went back inside.
"We're leaving now. Let's get the brooms." As quickly as they could they got the brooms from inside the tree house where they'd been hidden all afternoon under the invisibility cloak.
Harry had brought his Broom Servicing Kit with him to California, fortunately it had come with a compass and Harry had put it on his broom.
"Any maps?"
"I've got one here. Let's go now before someone comes after us."
"I really don't like flying," Hermione said, looking a little pale.
"Unless you want to stay here, you've got to come and you've got to come on a broom."
"I'm coming."
With the aid of the compass and the map they started off. Looking back, just a short while later, Harry couldn't even see a dot of the school in the distance. They'd been flying for almost an hour with very little conversation when Renata said, "We've got to land and take a break."
The others agreed. When they reached the ground Renata told the boys to go away.
"What?"
"Why?"
"I should think it was obvious. These robes are uncomfortable for flying; we want to change. Now go on, we're going over to the bushes but we want you boys at least 50 yards away and your backs turned. Here." She threw each of the boys a bundle that she extracted from her handbag. "We brought you better robes too, put these on when you go over there. If we even think you try and look at us I'm going to turn you into toads. Blind toads!"
A little embarrassed, Harry and Ron went away. They changed into the Hogwarts robes and cloaks that Renata had given them. Harry shivered; it was cold out here. The two of them sat behind a large tree and waited for the girls to call that they could come back.
"Great, let's check the map and keep going." Renata spread the map out on the ground, sat down, read it, and when she was satisfied the brushed the dirt off the jeans she had put on.
As they rose back into the air Harry noticed a change in terrain, it was desert mostly with Muggle roads here and there. They stopped several times to get their bearing and make sure they were on the right course.
They'd been flying for a while again when Harry noticed something on the ground.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"People."
"Muggles?"
"I can't tell."
"We better lose the brooms then and get out of sight. Fast."
"Look there's a ditch down there." As quietly they could they landed in the ditch and looked out over the edge. There were nearly a dozen people in dark robes walking together and wearing masks on their faces. Harry recognized the masks, but he didn't dare speak.
Instead he mouthed the words, "Death Eaters!"
Silently they watched as the Death Eaters stalked off into the distance. Before he'd realized what he was doing, Harry had climbed out of the ditch and was following them.
Harry thought he heard the others hissing behind him but he went on anyway. Then, he tripped. So intent was he on following the Death Eaters he tripped over a rock. The others used this time to catch up.
"Harry, what were you thinking?" Hermione asked in a horrified but barely audible whisper.
Equally quiet, Harry replied, "What I had to. Now let me up." Ron and Renata were holding him to the ground, pinning his shoulders so he couldn't even move.
"No. You can't go."
"This is something I've got to do. Let me go."
"Harry, think this through."
"No. He killed my mum and dad. He killed other people. He kidnapped innocent people from our school. I'm doing this. I don't care whether or not I get killed or expelled or whatever. I am doing this." Harry sat up, and pushing the others off him, he stood up. He began walking quietly in the direction the Death Eaters had taken. He saw them again. They were assembled and appeared to be in a discussion. Harry found a sizable rock to hide behind and listen.
"Well, any word?"
"None. He thought the boy would have come long before this. Maybe he's not as loyal to his friends as we thought." Harry recognized the voice as that of Luscious Malfoy.
"Well, your son better stop whining soon or he'll be killed off with the others." Harry knew this voice to belong to the man known as Wormtail, whose name was Peter Pettigrew.
"Quiet. He can get to you as well. I think it's good my boy is being scared. He's a pathetic little ninny. He could use some nerve."
"I just hope the Dark Lord gets back here soon so we can be done and go home."
"Don't let him hear you complaining. You know the punishment," warned an unfamiliar voice.
"You shouldn't even be talking. I'm surprised they allowed you back."
"I've done worse than you have. He can't afford to lose me. Unlike you slime I went to Azkaban for him. I remained loyal. You all denied involvement and took up with the Ministry. When will that wretched boy get here?"
"Soon enough."
"Well when he does get here, no spoiling. The Dark Lord wants him alive and whole."
Mister Malfoy said bitterly, "Of course, the Dark Lord gets all the fun. I want Potter dead and I wish to kill him with my own hand. But no matter, what the Dark Lord wants, he gets. One way or another."
A figure appeared in their midst.
"McNair, any sign of him?" one of the Death Eaters asked the new arrival.
"None, yet. The prisoners are waiting at the chasm. The Dark Lord is growing restless and will likely throw one in soon, come if any of you care to watch. I'm sure another will be set up somewhere as bait." Without another word he vanished.
"I'm going, it's about time we got some sport out of this." Then all but Pettigrew and the Death Eater who had boasted undertaking Azkaban for Voldemort were gone.
"When do we get to leave?" asked Pettigrew sullenly.
"You don't leave him twice. I'm surprised he let you and those mongrels get away with leaving once. You won't be so lucky if you try again. He doesn't forgive easily."
Behind him Harry heard a soft crunch on the sand. He saw no one but noticed some sand shifting in a line coming toward him. Harry kept absolutely still except for his hand reaching for his wand.
Right beside him, Ron's head appeared as he flipped down the hood of the invisibility cloak. In a voice so quiet Harry was barely able to make out the words Ron told Harry what had happened. "We started to come after you but then this rattlesnake came out of nowhere and bit Hermione."
"No!"
"Quiet. Renata is back taking care of her in the ditch where the brooms are hidden. They're waiting for when we need a getaway. What did you find out?"
Just as quietly, Harry relayed his story to Ron in as few words as possible. "There were more here, they just left. The students they took today are still alive but they are getting bored and they want to kill one until I show up."
Harry heard footsteps and voices again.
"Quiet, you. I'm sure I heard voices. This way." Harry listened as the other man and Pettigrew drew closer. He and Ron through the cloak back on themselves and waited.
When the two came and found nothing, they were bitterly disappointed. They sat on the boulder and waited.
Beneath the cloak, Harry looked at Ron and nodded. As quietly as they could, they stood up and crept away; they didn't head in the direction of the girls, they couldn't bear to go back, instead they continued onward the Harry had been going. Harry was tempted to send a spell back over his shoulder at Pettigrew but he held himself back as he knew it was too risky.
It wasn't long before they came to a long crack in the ground. There were many cracks there but this one seemed to continue for a long time and it grew wider.
Harry began to hear voices again and he saw people. There were those around who were in dark robes and masked; there was a man in a chair, and there was a row of people in chains, more than a dozen of these.
The man in the chair spoke.
"That one. He's been frowning at me since he got here. Come here boy." He snapped his fingers. Harry recognized the cold, high-pitched voice, but all the same he looked at the speaker. The speaker seemed to be lounging in a chair. He was thin and frail looking snakelike red eyes and a large snake was circling his chair.
When the man had snapped his fingers the chains of one prisoner separated from those of the others and then prisoner seemed to be dragged against his will be some invisible force to where the man was sitting.
"Do you know who I am, boy?"
"Yes," he said.
"Then why have you frowned at me all day? Disrespect can only be repaid in like." He took out his wand. "Crucio!"
Harry knew the burning pain that the boy must have running throughout every inch of his body at that very moment, making him feel like he wanted to die, but he couldn't. That curse couldn't kill. The man laughed as the boy collapsed. "Goyle! Make him stand." One of the masked Death Eaters came and by holding his shoulders forced the boy to remain on his feet. This man was Gregory Goyle's father.
The man smiled malevolently. "Did you like that? There's more you know. But I grow bored. Come, what is your name?"
The boy simply frowned.
"Speak now or I shall start again," warned the man.
"Terry Boot." He said at last, staring at the man in the chair.
"Boot? I almost feel bad to have to do this to a pureblood, but since you are no use to me I must." The man pointed his wand at the chasm and it began steaming. "Crabbe! Throw him in." The man watched with amusement as another Death Eater picked up Terry and hoisted him over his shoulder and he turned toward the chasm.
Harry couldn't take it anymore; he ran out and left Ron under the cloak.
"No! Let him go!"
"What's this?" asked the man. "Harry Potter, you've come at last. How delightful. Come to me. Say hello."
"No, Voldemort," Harry retorted with more bravery than he felt.
"Er-I wanted to talk to my Headmaster and I thought I saw him go in there so I was waited to talk to him when he came out."
The others nodded energetically.
"Really? How many people does it take to deliver a message?"
"One. But-"
Renata stepped up. "He doesn't know his way around here so I was being helpful. I'm giving the three of them a tour, Professor."
"You!" The professor had a look of malice in her eyes. "Didn't you leave the school?"
"Yes. I came with the students from Hogwarts, for the Quiditch match. I'm the Keeper."
"We'll see about all this." She grabbed Harry's ear with one hand and Ron's with the other because he was nearest. As she had no free hands the Professor nodded at Hermione, "Why are you standing there? Knock on the door!" When it opened, she roughly dragged in Harry and Ron, both in much pain, the girls followed.
The Headmistress stood up. "What is the meaning of this? We are trying to have a discussion in here like civilized adults. Put those children down, Natasha." Michaela glared at her.
She let go. "I found this one," she glared at Harry, "eavesdropping with his accomplices."
Dumbledore stood up. "That's enough. Leave the students here and be on your way."
"I will, but see to it that they are properly punished."
"That will be for me to decide. They are my pupils. Off now."
Glowering and tossing her head, Natasha left.
"Explain yourselves."
"We were-"
"You had all better have a good explanation." Josephine frowned.
"We wanted to talk to you, Professor Dumbledore."
"About what?"
"I wanted to talk to my mom," Renata said. "I haven't seen her all day and so I wanted to find out if she was in here that way I could say hello."
"Well she is not in here so would you kindly be on your way?" remarked the green robed wizard.
"No, Natasha was right. Why didn't they just knock? They must have been listening to us. Some punishment must be in order. Let's keep them from the surprise tonight."
"No," Dumbledore said. "I want these four out of trouble. They will be required to attend tonight. Understand?"
The four students replied, "Yes, Professor Dumbledore."
"Harry, I want to speak with you later."
"Yes, Professor."
The students turned and as they left the Headmistress called, "And this time be far enough from the door that you cannot hear us."
They turned and left. When out of earshot, Harry muttered, "Let's go."
"Where?"
"Anywhere but here."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"If I don't do something, just think of what Voldemort will do to them."
"I want to leave too but Dumbledore will have thought of that."
"Then what do you propose we do?"
"Make a quick appearance at the party or whatever it is they've got planned, then we split. We should get back to our rooms. See you in a bit, I'll come when I've thought of something."
At five-thirty Harry heard the call come from the ceiling. "All students fourth year and above, be in the Dining Hall by seven o'clock. Be in dress robes if you have them. I repeat, fourth years and above, be in the Dining Hall at seven. Thank you for listening."
Ron looked up from the Chuddley Cannons book he was reading. "I wonder what whatever it is is. Did you and Renata set up everything?"
"Yeah. When we leave, if we're lucky, we shouldn't have any trouble." He thought, but when have any of us ever been that lucky?
"Good."
At six-thirty Harry and Ron changed into other robes. Harry's were bottle green and Ron's were a dark blue. Harry was pleased that the twins had gotten Ron nicer robes as he had asked them to when he gave them money to help start their joke shop for when they left Hogwarts.
"What is it we are going to, again?" asked Ron.
"A dance."
"Another one? Didn't we go to one last year?"
"Yes, we did." Harry gave a brief and halfhearted attempt to make his hair lie flat and then gave up.
"I guess we better go."
"Yeah."
Out in the hallway they saw Renata and Hermione. At first it took Harry a second to recognize them. Renata had curled her hair and she was wearing soft looking dress robes of an aquamarine hue. Hermione wore her hair up and was wearing pink, lacey dress robes. Both carried handbags to match their robes and wore dressy shoes.
"What are those for?" Ron pointed to the handbags.
"Thanks for saying hi first," Renata answered with a hint of sarcasm. "These are to hit you over the head with, numbskull. What do you think? These are not good getaway clothes. At some point we're changing. Let's go, everyone is leaving."
Hermione asked, "Renata, what band is playing?"
"I heard it was going to be the Celestial Siblings but I can't be sure. Someone else said it was supposed to be Celestina Warbeck, the singing Sorceress."
As they entered the Dining Hall, Harry was surprised. There were streamers on the ceiling that never stayed the same color for more than a few seconds. The candles were being held up by live butterflies that fluttered around the room. There were statues, fairies, and so many decorations up. There was also a large banner saying: FAREWELL, HOGWARTS STUDENTS.
"We should be seen by the teachers early so we can get it over with and leave," muttered Harry.
"No, we shouldn't. We check in once at the beginning and once before we leave so they know we were here," replied Renata. "Come on, the music is starting and I like this song."
"No, thanks. I don't dance."
"What? You don't swim, you don't dance, what do you do all day? Play Quiditch and do homework? You're boring. Come on. Dance with me. It will be fun."
As soon as a few more people were on the floor dancing where the tables had previously been, Renata and Hermione pulled Harry and Ron onto the floor.
Renata took the lead as the dancing started; Harry was surprised to find that she was talking. "We should all be seen by a few teachers just to be sure they know we're here. If only one or two of them see the four of us they could forget. What do you think of this music?"
"It's okay I guess."
"I can't believe we're going home tomorrow."
"I thought you felt you were already home."
"Yeah, well, I still love it here but I'm beginning to miss Hogwarts, a little bit anyway. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that people are missing? They've been gone all day. I guess no one noticed because they were all getting ready; you know, deciding what to wear, what makeup should be used, how to style their hair.it's not bad but as far as I'm concerned it gets boring if that's all a person thinks about. The song is over, Harry, let's find Ron and Hermione."
Ron and Hermione were already seated at a table and they'd just gotten some dinner. "Good. You're here. Sit down."
Renata grabbed a plate on the table and picked up the serving spoon from the middle of the table. "Mashed potatoes." The plate the serving spoon had been in filled with mashed potatoes. Renata piled them on her plate then put the fork back and requested chicken. After she had the chicken she picked up her own silverware and started eating.
As they all ate, they spoke.
"So, students and teachers saw you and can vouch that you were here if anybody asks?"
"Uh-huh."
Renata pushed her empty plate forward. "I figure we stay put the next couple songs, talk to some people, dance again, we can switch guys if you want-I don't really care-then we take a break, dance a third time and leave before anyone knows we're gone. Plenty of people, faculty and students, will be able to guarantee that we were here and it might take a little longer for them to realize we are gone. We'll go, find the missing students and my mom, and all be back before morning."
"Why are we going, again?"
"And where?"
"We are finding them and we are looking where the fish told us to."
"The fish didn't tell us where to find them."
"No, but we've got a really good guess."
"The band is taking a break let's go talk to people. When the next song starts, dance with whoever you happen to be standing near," Renata said, rising from her seat.
Harry got up and went to find someone to talk to. The first person he saw that he recognized was Rory, but it took a few seconds to realize it was her; Rory's hair was in two braids put up and crowning her head, the blue robes she was wearing went well with her hair.
"Hi, Harry."
"Hello. Nice hair."
"Thanks, it gives me a headache though. Who are you here with?"
"Er-"
"The four of us came as friends," Renata said coming up from behind Harry. "Me, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. What about you?"
"You want truth? I came with Francis. Poor guy. No one wanted to come with him and he was looking lonely so I asked him."
"How long did it take you to do your hair?" asked Renata.
"Not as long as yours." Renata gave her a skeptical look. "Really. I had help. I just braided it in two braids and wound them around my head. Okay, it took a while but not as long as yours. Why did you bother curling it?"
"I didn't want to get a headache from putting it up but I wanted to do something to it."
"Why would you get headaches from putting your hair up?" asked Harry.
"Your hair is too short to realize this but hair weighs a lot and if you pile it all on top of your head for too long it makes your head and neck sore."
Harry went off again, leaving Renata to talk with Rory.
"Harry!"
He saw Dean and Seamus sitting down and waving him over.
"How are you doing?"
"Tired of this."
"Bored stiff."
"Me too."
"You don't seem to be."
"Yeah, you looked like you were having fun talking and dancing."
"Who did you guys come with?"
"Susan"
"Hannah. They were going to ask Justin and Ernie but they couldn't find them so they asked us instead."
"I noticed you got a date," Dean pointed out.
"No, I didn't."
"Harry, you're here with Renata. Or are you here with Hermione?"
"Neither really," he said embarrassed. "Renata and Hermione came with Ron and me as a group thing. All friends. Easier than all of us looking for dates on short notice."
"I still say you lucked out," Seamus said, looking to where Renata was talking with Rory and another girl. "Last year you got one of the best looking girls in our year and this year you've got a great-looking date again." His eyes lingered on Renata moment.
"I've got to go. I said I'd dance again," muttered Harry.
"See you."
The song was starting and Harry noticed that Hermione was nearby and he couldn't find Renata. She had said to dance with whoever was nearest, so Harry went up to Hermione.
"Dance?" he said rather awkwardly.
"Okay."
Harry was glad the song was short.
They found Renata and Ron and the four made their way to a table and sat down.
"Time check."
Hermione looked at her watch, "About eight fifteen. I think we should stay another half an hour."
"What do you mean 'another half an hour'?" came a voice.
"Hi, Dan," Renata greeted.
"We're all tired, so we don't know how much longer we're going to stay out here."
"Ren, I know you. There is no way you are tired already, this doesn't end 'til midnight."
"I'm not, but these three are party poopers." She turned back to the other three. "Another hour, please?"
Ron faked consideration of an answer to her question. "Maybe.okay.an hour. An hour and a half at the most." He pretended to stifle a yawn.
Dan looked over to the far side of the room, "I've got to go. Ellie's waiting."
"You came with her? Like a date?"
"Me, Tim, and Joe all came with her here. It just happens to be my turn to dance with her. See you guys later."
Renata said quietly to his retreating back, "Don't be so sure."
Hermione whispered, "Half an hour and we are gone."
Two songs later they were up and dancing again. As they danced they moved near a side exit, by the time the song ended they were outside.
Harry heard footsteps. "I think we'd better go."
Rory came out, panting. "They are coming!"
"Who's 'they'?"
"The teachers! Get out of here! Fast!"
"How do you know.?"
"You're obviously leaving. I'll keep them away while I can, but.go now! Are you leaving on foot?"
"We hid some brooms. See you later," Renata gave Rory a quick hug.
"I hope so." She turned and went back inside.
"We're leaving now. Let's get the brooms." As quickly as they could they got the brooms from inside the tree house where they'd been hidden all afternoon under the invisibility cloak.
Harry had brought his Broom Servicing Kit with him to California, fortunately it had come with a compass and Harry had put it on his broom.
"Any maps?"
"I've got one here. Let's go now before someone comes after us."
"I really don't like flying," Hermione said, looking a little pale.
"Unless you want to stay here, you've got to come and you've got to come on a broom."
"I'm coming."
With the aid of the compass and the map they started off. Looking back, just a short while later, Harry couldn't even see a dot of the school in the distance. They'd been flying for almost an hour with very little conversation when Renata said, "We've got to land and take a break."
The others agreed. When they reached the ground Renata told the boys to go away.
"What?"
"Why?"
"I should think it was obvious. These robes are uncomfortable for flying; we want to change. Now go on, we're going over to the bushes but we want you boys at least 50 yards away and your backs turned. Here." She threw each of the boys a bundle that she extracted from her handbag. "We brought you better robes too, put these on when you go over there. If we even think you try and look at us I'm going to turn you into toads. Blind toads!"
A little embarrassed, Harry and Ron went away. They changed into the Hogwarts robes and cloaks that Renata had given them. Harry shivered; it was cold out here. The two of them sat behind a large tree and waited for the girls to call that they could come back.
"Great, let's check the map and keep going." Renata spread the map out on the ground, sat down, read it, and when she was satisfied the brushed the dirt off the jeans she had put on.
As they rose back into the air Harry noticed a change in terrain, it was desert mostly with Muggle roads here and there. They stopped several times to get their bearing and make sure they were on the right course.
They'd been flying for a while again when Harry noticed something on the ground.
"What is it?" asked Hermione.
"People."
"Muggles?"
"I can't tell."
"We better lose the brooms then and get out of sight. Fast."
"Look there's a ditch down there." As quietly they could they landed in the ditch and looked out over the edge. There were nearly a dozen people in dark robes walking together and wearing masks on their faces. Harry recognized the masks, but he didn't dare speak.
Instead he mouthed the words, "Death Eaters!"
Silently they watched as the Death Eaters stalked off into the distance. Before he'd realized what he was doing, Harry had climbed out of the ditch and was following them.
Harry thought he heard the others hissing behind him but he went on anyway. Then, he tripped. So intent was he on following the Death Eaters he tripped over a rock. The others used this time to catch up.
"Harry, what were you thinking?" Hermione asked in a horrified but barely audible whisper.
Equally quiet, Harry replied, "What I had to. Now let me up." Ron and Renata were holding him to the ground, pinning his shoulders so he couldn't even move.
"No. You can't go."
"This is something I've got to do. Let me go."
"Harry, think this through."
"No. He killed my mum and dad. He killed other people. He kidnapped innocent people from our school. I'm doing this. I don't care whether or not I get killed or expelled or whatever. I am doing this." Harry sat up, and pushing the others off him, he stood up. He began walking quietly in the direction the Death Eaters had taken. He saw them again. They were assembled and appeared to be in a discussion. Harry found a sizable rock to hide behind and listen.
"Well, any word?"
"None. He thought the boy would have come long before this. Maybe he's not as loyal to his friends as we thought." Harry recognized the voice as that of Luscious Malfoy.
"Well, your son better stop whining soon or he'll be killed off with the others." Harry knew this voice to belong to the man known as Wormtail, whose name was Peter Pettigrew.
"Quiet. He can get to you as well. I think it's good my boy is being scared. He's a pathetic little ninny. He could use some nerve."
"I just hope the Dark Lord gets back here soon so we can be done and go home."
"Don't let him hear you complaining. You know the punishment," warned an unfamiliar voice.
"You shouldn't even be talking. I'm surprised they allowed you back."
"I've done worse than you have. He can't afford to lose me. Unlike you slime I went to Azkaban for him. I remained loyal. You all denied involvement and took up with the Ministry. When will that wretched boy get here?"
"Soon enough."
"Well when he does get here, no spoiling. The Dark Lord wants him alive and whole."
Mister Malfoy said bitterly, "Of course, the Dark Lord gets all the fun. I want Potter dead and I wish to kill him with my own hand. But no matter, what the Dark Lord wants, he gets. One way or another."
A figure appeared in their midst.
"McNair, any sign of him?" one of the Death Eaters asked the new arrival.
"None, yet. The prisoners are waiting at the chasm. The Dark Lord is growing restless and will likely throw one in soon, come if any of you care to watch. I'm sure another will be set up somewhere as bait." Without another word he vanished.
"I'm going, it's about time we got some sport out of this." Then all but Pettigrew and the Death Eater who had boasted undertaking Azkaban for Voldemort were gone.
"When do we get to leave?" asked Pettigrew sullenly.
"You don't leave him twice. I'm surprised he let you and those mongrels get away with leaving once. You won't be so lucky if you try again. He doesn't forgive easily."
Behind him Harry heard a soft crunch on the sand. He saw no one but noticed some sand shifting in a line coming toward him. Harry kept absolutely still except for his hand reaching for his wand.
Right beside him, Ron's head appeared as he flipped down the hood of the invisibility cloak. In a voice so quiet Harry was barely able to make out the words Ron told Harry what had happened. "We started to come after you but then this rattlesnake came out of nowhere and bit Hermione."
"No!"
"Quiet. Renata is back taking care of her in the ditch where the brooms are hidden. They're waiting for when we need a getaway. What did you find out?"
Just as quietly, Harry relayed his story to Ron in as few words as possible. "There were more here, they just left. The students they took today are still alive but they are getting bored and they want to kill one until I show up."
Harry heard footsteps and voices again.
"Quiet, you. I'm sure I heard voices. This way." Harry listened as the other man and Pettigrew drew closer. He and Ron through the cloak back on themselves and waited.
When the two came and found nothing, they were bitterly disappointed. They sat on the boulder and waited.
Beneath the cloak, Harry looked at Ron and nodded. As quietly as they could, they stood up and crept away; they didn't head in the direction of the girls, they couldn't bear to go back, instead they continued onward the Harry had been going. Harry was tempted to send a spell back over his shoulder at Pettigrew but he held himself back as he knew it was too risky.
It wasn't long before they came to a long crack in the ground. There were many cracks there but this one seemed to continue for a long time and it grew wider.
Harry began to hear voices again and he saw people. There were those around who were in dark robes and masked; there was a man in a chair, and there was a row of people in chains, more than a dozen of these.
The man in the chair spoke.
"That one. He's been frowning at me since he got here. Come here boy." He snapped his fingers. Harry recognized the cold, high-pitched voice, but all the same he looked at the speaker. The speaker seemed to be lounging in a chair. He was thin and frail looking snakelike red eyes and a large snake was circling his chair.
When the man had snapped his fingers the chains of one prisoner separated from those of the others and then prisoner seemed to be dragged against his will be some invisible force to where the man was sitting.
"Do you know who I am, boy?"
"Yes," he said.
"Then why have you frowned at me all day? Disrespect can only be repaid in like." He took out his wand. "Crucio!"
Harry knew the burning pain that the boy must have running throughout every inch of his body at that very moment, making him feel like he wanted to die, but he couldn't. That curse couldn't kill. The man laughed as the boy collapsed. "Goyle! Make him stand." One of the masked Death Eaters came and by holding his shoulders forced the boy to remain on his feet. This man was Gregory Goyle's father.
The man smiled malevolently. "Did you like that? There's more you know. But I grow bored. Come, what is your name?"
The boy simply frowned.
"Speak now or I shall start again," warned the man.
"Terry Boot." He said at last, staring at the man in the chair.
"Boot? I almost feel bad to have to do this to a pureblood, but since you are no use to me I must." The man pointed his wand at the chasm and it began steaming. "Crabbe! Throw him in." The man watched with amusement as another Death Eater picked up Terry and hoisted him over his shoulder and he turned toward the chasm.
Harry couldn't take it anymore; he ran out and left Ron under the cloak.
"No! Let him go!"
"What's this?" asked the man. "Harry Potter, you've come at last. How delightful. Come to me. Say hello."
"No, Voldemort," Harry retorted with more bravery than he felt.