Yes I'M HERE! I hope the people that actually read my story are overjoyed that I have decided to update! Truth is some shitty stuff has been happening here lately so I haven't had the time…but this afternoon I was free and chemistry-labless so I decided what better to do then continue my story??? So, without further ado, I present to you, (sorry inner-cheesy poet broke free) CHAPTER FIVE!!!
Chapter 5 : Missing
BACK AT THE CASTLE
Dumbledore peered at the mass of students from behind his half-moon spectacles. The Sorting was completed and everyone seemed to be present; so he gracefully rose to his feet. A hush fell instantly over the Hall and hundreds of flushed, happy faces turned to listen. He began, his voice booming jovially over the crowd, "Welcome friends, to another year here at Hogwarts. I hope that everyone's holiday was fulfilling and enjoyable. But alas, you are now back at school and must work hard and study late! Especially those taking their OWL and NEWT examinations this year," he added, "But let us not talk of such things and ruin our hardy appetites, I say let's feast!
All the golden plates unanimously filled with food.
"Tuck in," said Dumbledore, blue eyes twinkling.
The students savagely grabbed at turkey, mashed potatoes, and other assortments of delectable sustenance, loading their plates with food they couldn't possibly finish. However, Harry Potter sat still, jaw set, bouncing his knee and tapping his fork nervously on the table. His friend Ron Weasley, who was currently attempting to out eat Crabbe, shot him a wary, side-ways glance.
"Somethink ughhp 'Arry?"
"What?" Harry said looking dazed.
"It's juss, 'ou look wowreed," Ron finally swallowed, "Mate."
Harry grabbed hold of a napkin and wrung it with his hands, "Hermione hasn't showed up yet," he confessed shakily.
Ron looked around having just noticed, "You're right!" He looked thoughtful then continued, "But don't worry, I bet she just couldn't wait one more second to visit 'the library,'" he mocked, batting his eyelashes, and then scoffing disgustedly, "It's sick really, the attachment she has to that place."
Harry scowled, "I'm serious Ron. What if something's happened to her? I could never forgive myself; I really should've stayed with her." He looked at Ron but found that his friend was extremely preoccupied with his meal and hadn't been listening. This left Harry to his thoughts and he was becoming overbearingly nervous. 'He had a lot of enemies, Voldemort for instance, what if he had found out about Hermione and had kidnapped her to get to him? What if there weren't any carriages left and she was trying to make her way to the castle all alone in the dark? She could unknowingly wander into the forbidden forest! She could be attacked by wolves! SHE COULD BE OUT THERE, DYING!' Harry ran a hand through his hair and relaxed his neck. Thinking about ridiculous, life threatening scenarios was not going to help. He lifted his head and looked in the direction of the Slytherin table. Something was going on; Pansy looked angry and was screaming at Crabbe and Goyle, Blaise Zabini was peering around the hall anxiously, and Marcus Flint was cracking his knuckles dangerously. Harry did a double-take; something seemed to be missing from the 'Oh-so-wonderful' snotty-clan. Comprehension slowly dawned on him, the Slytherin's seemed to be one annoyingly, stuck-up, blonde brat short. Harry jumped up from the table alarmingly sending pumpkin juice flying, 'This was the last straw. Hermione and Malfoy missing at the same time was definitely NOT a coincidence. Something was undeniably wrong.' Harry marched down the aisle between the tables, towards the teachers. His angry escapade had attracted attention and numerous eyes followed him on his way to the teacher's table, it wasn't often a student approached them, and never during a meal. He finally reached his destination and craned his neck to meet Dumbledore's gaze. Under the piercing blue eyes he seemed to lose some of his nerve. Harry cleared his throat,
"Professor Dumbledore Sir?"
Dumbledore stared at him curiously, "Yes Harry?"
"Something has come to my attention and I thought you'd like to know," he wavered. The Hall had become strangely silent and the students strained their ears to hear the conversation.
"Well, what is it?" Dumbledore inquired, his bushy eyebrows raised.
"It's Hermione Sir. She's missing, I haven't seen her since I got on the carriages to the school and it's terribly unlike her to be late," he stated.
Dumbledore rested his head on his hand thinking, "You're quite right Mr. Potter, but I believe Ms. Granger is not the only student missing from the Feast. It seems Mr. Malfoy has also decided not to join us this evening."
"I know Professor!" said Harry franticly, "That's what bothers me. It's safe to say he doesn't think highly of her and I'm afraid something bad might have happened. What if Malfoy's done something to her?"
Dumbledore breathed deep and stood up once again, "Students, and teachers, it has come to my attention that some of your classmates are missing from The Feast. More precisely Mr. Draco Malfoy and Ms. Hermione Granger have not shown up to the Great Hall this evening although both were on the Hogwarts Express. If you have any attention please see me, otherwise the prefects will bring you to your common rooms."
The Great Hall became alive and buzzing with excitement, making assumptions about what the prestigious witch and wizard could be up to. Harry gaped at Dumbledore, not believing his lack of action to try and find Hermione. Was he not listening when he said she was missing with Malfoy?
As if reading his mind the headmaster answered, "I understand your concern Harry but the only person I need help from is you." Harry eyed him confused, "Don't you wish there was something that could simply show us the location of Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger?" Dumbledore looked at Harry expectantly.
A light bulb went off in his head, 'The map!' his mind exclaimed. Harry let out a short, "Oh!" Dumbledore beamed, "I'll meet you in the entrance hall in eight minutes Harry," with that he turned around to deal with the teachers and mischievous students.
Harry raced out of the hall and up to marble staircase towards the common room. He found a crowd of irritated Gryffindors and an infuriated Ron in front arguing with Fat Lady. Harry pushed his way through,
"Ron what's going on? Everybody's furious!"
Ron's ears were scarlet and his cheeks were flushed, "It's this BLOODY psychopath!" he motioned to the painting, "She won't let me in!"
Harry examined him doubtfully, "Well, have you told her the password?"
"No!" the portrait exclaimed shrilly, "He says he doesn't know it and I am under strict orders from Professor Dumbledore not to let anyone in unless they know the password. So unless someone can tell it to me I'm staying shut!"
"I'M A PREFECT!" Ron screamed pointing at his badge, "Are you too thick to read or something?? It states that RIGHT here on MY PREFECT BADGE!"
"Err Ron?" Harry interrupted, "Weren't you supposed to learn the new password from McGonagall?"
Ron's ears reddened, "Well yeah, but Hermione got the password so I thought I wouldn't have to worry but…" he faded out and looked at the floor. The Gryffindors glared accusingly at Ron and an intense moment of silence followed.
Harry was extremely anxious, he needed to get in to his dorm and get the map! He needed to find Hermione!!! "Ron!" he interjected, "I'm supposed to meet Dumbledore now, how about you come with me? I'm sure he can fix this."
Ron looked up at him, and his face had brightened; thankful Harry had saved his ass. "Of course! Good idea mate!" They tried to make their way through the crowd but were stopped.
"Wait!" exclaimed Dean Thomas, "You can't just leave us here! If Ron, our Gryffindor prefect, is going then we're going too!" Shouts of approval rippled throughout the throng of Gryffindors.
Harry balled his fists impatiently, now was not the time to argue, "Fine! Let's just go!" Ron and Harry jogged down the corridor towards the marble staircase with the whole Gryffindor common room trailing behind them. Ron chuckled at how ridiculous they must look, "Great plan Harry," he mumbled. Harry glowered at him, "Well I didn't hear you coming up with any ingenious ideas."
The numerous Gryffindors plodded loudly down the steps and teemed into the almost empty Entrance Hall. Dumbledore stared at them highly amused. "Professor!" called Harry, "I can explain!" Dumbledore gestured towards him, ready to listen. "You see Ron doesn't know the password so everyone is locked out, and I needed to get the-that thing for you so we could find Hermione but-"
Suddenly, the towering front doors violently crashed open! And who should appear but an injured Malfoy embraced with a frazzled Hermione Granger,
"HERMIONE!" Harry exclaimed.
Alright that's all I could muster tonight plus my mom is bitching at me to come set the table so that's it!!! I know this chapter was Hermione-and-Malfoy-less…well ALMOST. So I promise the next chapter will be stocked full! What conclusions will the student body come to seeing Malfoy and Hermione like THIS!?!?!?!?!?! I think it's safe to say the rumors will FLY in Hogwarts!!! REVIEW PLEEAASSSEE!!!!!!!