Chapter 10

They were in the library again. Hermione sat flipping through a book that dated back to the 1940's. It was a list of all the students and teachers that had been at Hogwarts between 1901 and 1940. Harry sat across from her with a similar book that dated from 1941 through 1980.

"It's all lists." Harry moaned laying his forehead between the pages. "House Cup scores, student names, professor names, it just goes on!"

"I know, but it's the only thing we have to go on right now. It's been nearly a week Harry. I don't know if Ron's coming back. Maybe if we find the other Nothing then we can try to contact her instead? I mean two people came back because they were bored, she might too," Hermione said staring at him. She flipped a page and began to read again.

"Fred and George don't remember anything about a student disappearing while they or their brothers were here," he said. "How are we supposed to find her?"

"By looking through these books. She has to be here somewhere. Keep reading."

Relenting, Harry continued to scan the pages searching for anything that might give him a hint. He knew the girl was at Hogwarts when Dumbledore was, but those were a lot of years to look through. Suddenly he had an idea.

"Hagrid."

"What?" Hermione asked glancing up.

"We should ask Hagrid! I bet he knows who it is." He stood up sharply and slammed the book shut. "We should go now when he doesn't have class."

"All right, you go. I want to stay here. Someone should keep looking." Harry nodded and took off for Hagrid's hut.

Crossing the grounds at a trot, Harry made it just as Hagrid was coming out of his hut. Fang yelped and wagged his tail as he bounded toward him. The Care of Magical Creatures professor spotted Harry and waved. They exchanged greetings and Hagrid expressed his concerns for Ron. Harry listened waiting for a break to ask him about the other Nothing.

"Hagrid, has anyone else disappeared like Ron?" He interjected after a long pause.

The half giant's face fell.

"Aye. There was one 'ere not that long ago. Sad story really. She didna have anyone callin' for her like Ron does. Nobody realized she was missin' til she'd been gone a week."

"How could that happen?" Harry demanded, shocked that no one had reported her gone.

"She didna have many friends. Quiet type. Orphan, her parents died her third or fourth year 'ere. I canna remember which now." Hagrid sighed. "Nice girl really. Too bad."

"What was her name?" He needed to know if he and Hermione were to put their plan into action.

"I donna remember her family name, but her given name was Natalie." Harry almost smiled. It was part of a name, which was more than what he'd had before.

"Thanks Hagrid." His confidence renewed, Harry turned around and ran back to the school. He had to tell Hermione so they could focus their search. It couldn't be that tough to find her right?

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Sitting on top of a large coral shelf, Ron watched a sea turtle swim by. His eyes traveled over the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Colorful fish darted about the masses of coral in search of food. Around him the ocean's current pulled the kelp to and fro in a relaxing rhythm. A white tipped reef shark glided near his feet trailing its prey. Off to his right Miss Nothing studied a cluster of anemones that a starfish was invading.

"I never thought I'd be able to see the ocean from beneath the waves." Ron commented as a small silver fish swam through him.

"I like it here; you can see creatures Something can't, at least not without help." She replied coming over to where he was sitting. Taking a seat next to him, she gazed out at the underwater paradise. After a while Ron could hear her humming a happy tune. It reminded him of a song from his childhood. Its upbeat tempo was contagious and she urged him to join her in dancing on the coral.

"Come on, don't look so down. You've got the whole world to explore and no one but me to see you act like a fool." Again she offered him her hand. He shook his head and she went about dancing on her own.

Several minutes later she flopped down next to him. Leaning her head against his shoulder she let out a sigh of contentment.

He wasn't content though. This isn't how it's supposed to be. He couldn't work magic, eat, talk with his friends, love or be loved by his family. In time he'd forget them he knew, but did he really want to? Miss Nothing had that, nothing. No memory, just habits that she couldn't explain and loneliness she tried to keep hidden. In his short time as Nothing, he'd only met her. It appeared Nothing didn't bump into to each other often.

"Do you miss it?" She asked after a time.

"Miss what?" He replied pulling out of his own thoughts.

"Miss being Something? You were one just a short time ago."

"Yes, I do. It's been fun and I've gotten to do things I never dreamed I'd be able to do, but I miss my friends," Ron said slowly. "Harry's a great guy and Hermione is nice, even if she is bossy."

"I can tell," Miss Nothing said resting her hand on his leg. "I used to watch you all. I saw when you went down the trapdoor past that three headed dog. You were all very brave."

"You were there during my first year?" Ron realized this shouldn't surprise him. After all, she'd told him that she hung around Hogwarts; she probably followed everyone.

"Yup, and your second, third and fourth. I show up every year the first of September. I've sat through more classes than most students, which means I've memorized most of the curriculum at this point." She laughed lightly. "Although, I notice you don't pay attention in Potions class." She sat up straight and fixed her gaze on him.

"That's because Professor Snape is teaching it." Ron groaned. "He hates Gryffindor."

"No, actually he hates people who don't follow the rules or his instructions. I saw him when he was a first year too." Miss Nothing answered wagging her index finger at him. "If you'd follow the rules, he'd be at least tolerable."

"You saw Snape as a first year! Oh Merlin, I would have PAID to see that." Ron chuckled imaging Snape at the Sorting Ceremony.

"Actually he was rather quiet. I felt sorry for him. It was hard for him to make friends and the Marauders kept harassing him. He might not be so bitter now if he'd had more friends or if James Potter had left him alone."

"I can't believe you felt sorry for him," he declared, staring at her in disbelief.

"Believe it," she retorted. "Actually for a time I thought he might become Nothing too, but he was so mad at Sirius Black and James Potter that it kept him from crossing over." She admitted, removing her hand from his leg.

It had never crossed his mind that Snape could get depressed or any emotion other than angry and cold. Having watched Hogwarts for so long, Miss Nothing must know more about those that attended than anyone. What else did she know? What secrets had she seen? Ron longed to know, but held back. It wasn't proper to ask her. Besides, she probably wouldn't tell him, at least not now.

"I was actually surprised you became Nothing," she continued not noticing his silence. "You had friends and people who loved you. They tried cheering you up. Harry Potter even asked the Quidditch captain about having you as a substitute Keeper the day you crossed over." She told him.

"He did what?" Ron jumped up. "He wanted me to be a substitute Keeper? He didn't have to do that! I mean, I could've tried out next year and..." He felt like such an idiot. Harry understood how much Quidditch meant to him!

"That moron didn't have to do that!" Ron shouted as guilt and regret drove spikes into his heart. Merlin! If I'd known! If I'd only known!

"But he wanted to. He wanted to see his friend smile again, therefore he was willing to do that for you." Miss Nothing stated standing. "He's that sort of person. I wish I had a friend like that. There's been no one. Only me." She said softly turning away from him.

"There must've been somebody." Ron whispered, but she shook her head.

"If there was, I don't remember," she replied sniffing. "I'm always alone. Then I saw you and...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Her eyes filled with tears.

Reaching forward, he pulled her to him. Resting her head in the crook of his neck, she cried. Deep sobs coupled with apologies filled his ears as he struggled with his own emotions. He'd been a fool to let Quidditch make him feel like nothing. It just hurt him those that he cared for. Miss Nothing had done the same decades ago and now she had no one. What had he done?

Hugging her tightly, he let his own tears fall. He felt her arms slip around him. They held each other, giving the other support.

"I'm sorry Ron." Miss Nothing whispered looking at him. "You were the first Nothing I'd seen in decades; I didn't want to be alone anymore. I took you away before anyone realized you were gone. I've been trying to keep you from seeing your family so you'd stay with me. I..."

"I understand, but I have to go back." Ron cut in. She nodded.

"I know. It's where you belong." Her voice was still sad. "And you. I'm not leaving you behind," he told her, smiling. "We'll go together?" She asked taking a step out of his arms.

"Of course," Ron answered, extending a hand for her. He wouldn't leave her behind. She needed a friend. "Shall we?"

She nodded once, whipping her eyes. Making to take his hand, she grinned wickedly and yelled "race you there" as she vanished. He bit his lip, muttered that she was a tease, and followed.