Chapter 11

"Any luck finding this Natalie?" George asked looking over Harry's shoulder.

"Not yet, but we'll find her." Harry assured him. They had to; she may be the only way of finding where Ron was.

"She has to be more recent than 1940," Hermione said closing her book. "I found a bunch of Natalies in this yearbook, but all of them graduated."

"Mum sent another letter this morning. She's not doing well. Ranted through half and cooed the other. She's really scared we'll never get him back." George said glancing back at Fred who was shuffling up.

"We all are. Even Dumbledore." Hermione reached for another yearbook.

"Especially since he was here when Natalie disappeared. No one noticed she was gone. He probably feels horrible that he didn't notice earlier," Harry commented flipping a page.

"Well, we're going to go search the Quidditch pitch again. We might get lucky." Fred smacked his brother on the shoulder. George tried to kick him, but missed.

"Every little bit helps." Harry hoped he sounded positive. The truth was that as the days ticked away he wasn't sure Ron would return. They'd been calling and calling and still no sign of him.

After a half hour Harry gave up and headed outside. He needed some fresh air and time to think. As he wound his way to the ground floor he tried not to wallow in self-pity. He should've done more to keep Ron from becoming Nothing. If he'd thought of the substitute earlier or insisted that he go to the library with Hermione... His head swam with "if only's". There was so much he could've done, but it was pointless now.

"Hello Potter." An all too familiar voice sneered. Harry looked up to find Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle in front of him. "Still haven't conned Weasley into showing up?"

"Go away Malfoy." He growled. He didn't want to deal with him today.

"Are we feeling a bit grouchy today? Liven up, or you'll end up like your friend. Or maybe that's what you want?" Malfoy gave a sly smile. "It would certainly keep you from losing any more points for your house."

Harry narrowed his eyes at him, but wouldn't give Malfoy the benefit of a response. The jerk didn't deserve to be given the time of day! Instead he did an abrupt about face and went in search of an alternate route. For once Malfoy didn't follow or call out snide remarks. Instead the blond stood there shaking his head at Harry's back.

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"Why don't you go turn yourself into a ferret!" Ron yelled. Floating above the hallway, he glared down at Malfoy.

"I hate to say it, but Harry looks really bad." Miss Nothing muttered as she watched Harry retreat from the Slytherins. Ron's shoulders sagged.

"I know," he said quietly. "I should've come back sooner."

"That's my fault," she whispered.

"I don't blame you. I blame myself." He sighed heavily lowering himself to the hallway. "There has to be a way I can make it up to Harry and my family."

Ron watched Malfoy and his comrades continue on their way. Why couldn't Malfoy leave Harry alone? He was nothing but a heartless bully. Couldn't he see that Harry was upset? Anger rose overpowering his guilt. Just because he wasn't there anymore, that didn't give the Slytherin the right to march around and harass people. Didn't he have any idea of decency and a mourning period? He voiced these opinions to Miss Nothing who thought about it for a moment.

"I don't know. Draco Malfoy is a complex person, he only let's people really see one side of him. Just like Severus Snape." She pointed out lowering herself to the stone floor.

"And I take it you've seen a side to him I haven't?" She smiled broadly, scrunching her eyes slightly so that she looked feline.

"I told you I watch people, so I get to see sides of them they don't let others see. That includes you." She thrust her hands on her hips. Giving a toss of her head she turned on him. "I know how badly you want to be out of your brothers' shadows. I know how much Harry doesn't like being 'the boy who lived'. I know that there are times Hermione just wants to goof off and be silly like the other girls. So it only goes that I know that Draco is not such a one-sided person."

"You know a lot," he huffed. "But do you know if Nothing can be Something again?" Ron snapped glaring at her. He was feeling a bit put out by her sudden self-righteous tone. Miss Nothing gave him a shocked look.

"You'd want to? But isn't it nicer being Nothing? No schoolwork, you don't age, no death, you can do anything you want..."

"But you're alone. What if you hadn't been here for me? I'd be just as alone as you've been all these years. And being alone is the drawback to being Nothing." He retorted, looking into her suddenly fearful eyes.

"You'd look for a way back?" Her voice wavered. "After all we've been through, you'd leave me? I thought we were friends?"

"Yes and you're coming with me," he stated firmly. "I'm not leaving you by yourself. You're my friend too and friends should be together." She flashed him the warmest smile and Ron felt his face flush. "But before we try becoming Something again. I'm going to be petty and cruel. Willing to help me do something I've been wanting to do?"

"Which is?" She inquired raising an eyebrow.

"How much do you like the Slytherins?" He asked slyly.

"Why?" She responded suspiciously tilting her head to the right.

"Because I'd like to get even with Malfoy for EVERYTHING he and his buddies have done to me."

"Despite the fact I'd feel sorry for them later...I'm game. They occasionally need a lesson in proper etiquette." Miss Nothing nodded, an evil smile creeping across her face.

"Great! Let's go to Gryffindor!"