Chapter 14- Disappearing Act- PART 1

Lupin awoke earlier than usual on a Saturday, but he didn't mind, he had lots to be getting on with before they left for Malfoy Manor the next day. He rose carefully, forgetting for a moment that he was alone in his bed, just like every other day since Sirius had died. As soon as he realized he turned his head to look at the emptiness and felt so alone he considered crawling back under the covers to wait for the war to all blow over, to wait for the time when he would never have to care again, for the time when nothing else mattered apart from his grief.

But, knowing what the consequences would be, he pulled himself up to go about his business. House elves brought him breakfast not long after he was dressed and when he had eaten he decided it would be a good idea to go and see Dumbledore and Snape.

He walked down stairs and along corridors only concentrating on the route ahead of him and trying desperately not to think of anything else. It was becoming more difficult as the months went by, to try and forget but holding onto the memory at the same time. Which is why he needed a distraction, and so when he came to Harry and Draco's door he stopped, and decided that maybe he would pop in to see if they needed anything.

He knocked twice, and when no answer came looked at his watch. It was nearly 8am, surely they would be up and about now, in time for breakfast. He knocked again, and when he heard nothing from inside he pushed open the door and stared into the room.

Beds were made, curtains drawn, sunlight pouring into the room from the large window filling it with a wonderful feeling of warmth and happiness.

But Harry and Draco were no where to be seen, he couldn't hear the shower in the other room, and he could see into Alex and Willows section which had been empty since the incident with the Pendant.

"Maybe they went down to breakfast with the others and went with them to their dorms" Lupin shrugged feeling stupid for expecting two enemies to spend the day together when they didn't have to. He smiled to himself and was about to close the door when something caught his eye. On the table over in the corner by one of the beds sat a large piece of parchment with something attached to it. There was no other paper laying around that he could see, and so this piece seemed slightly out of place in the unusually tidy room.

He left the door way and made his way over to the table, intending on just looking at the parchment to see what it was, and stopped just in front of it.

It was a note from Harry, and just from reading the first sentence he knew this wasn't going to be good.

You are probably all wondering where we are at the moment since Draco and myself have disappeared without a trace. Well, this will hopefully explain it, that and a hell of a lot more as well.

As you can quite clearly see we aren't here, anywhere… we left last night to go and do our bit for this war. We have gone to Malfoy Manor to get the twins. We know its stupid and we know that it was dangerous, but none of you can understand how frustrating it was to just sit back here watching other people do my dirty work for me. Putting off the final Battle will only prevent the inevitable and I'd rather do it sooner rather than later. I'm sorry to be blunt but if I am meant to die I'd rather do it now when I'm happier than I've ever been than when everything has gone, everyone has either died or left me and I'm depressed and useless.

That's the way I see it. Unless I do something now, less people will die because of me.

Another thing I guess I will have to explain, the reason I'm so happy: People have probably seen that me and Draco are quite close nowadays, well…its closer than probably everyone except Hermione and Ron knows.

I've gone for him too…he wants his magic back so badly, no one can understand how he's feeling, even me, but I think I understand better than most.

So I know this note will be pretty shocking, and its going to cause a lot of fuss but its happened, we've gone, together…and I don't advise you come after us. If all goes to plan we'll be back before you find this anyway.

If we're not I'm sorry.

Tell Hermione and Ron I love them, no matter what, and that I'm sorry for being a bad friend

Tell Lupin I love him too

I've left you all a little something, just to add insult to injury.

Harry xxx

Lupin looked to the next sheet and noticed it was a photograph. Harry and Draco were together, cast in shadow, arms wrapped around each other in a loving embrace and they looked so calm, peaceful, like there was nothing in the world that could split them apart. Harry's eyes were half closed, and Draco was looking at him was so much love in his eyes Lupin was finding it hard not to cry. He'd seen that look before, in Sirius' eyes. He took a deep breath and put the photograph back behind the parchment, rolled it up, and ran out of the room to find Dumbledore.

"We cant just LEAVE them there!" Snape bellowed, he was fuming, but Lupin was guessing he was more angry about the fact his worst enemy and his best pupil were together than them actually leaving.

"Of course not Severus! That is not what I am suggesting. They could come back at any time, and its best we wait and see rather than leaving to find they have already succeeded, they are smart boys Severus"

"You have too much confidence in them Dumbledore" Snape hissed through clenched teeth

"You're right, I do" and an angry silence descended on the office.

Lupin had gone straight to see Dumbledore after finding the note, and people were sent for left right and center. Snape was asked to come, as were the remaining few from the last trip. Hermione and Ron were also called and had only just entered when Snape had started to shout.

"Uh, what's going on?" Ron asked, looking around the office at the gathering of people and wondering what the hell had happened. The explanation of Harry and Draco's sudden departure to go and find the twins shocked them both, neither of them were expecting that!

"They haven't left to get the Twins!" Ron snorted "Don't you see? Malfoy has kidnapped Harry, taken him to Voldemort and has left this note to explain it all! Its all a big plot! We have to go and get him back before they kill him!"

"Don't talk about peoples loyalties until you're sure of all the facts, Mr. Weasley. Draco hasn't kidnapped anyone and I can assure you that if he says he's fallen for Potter-" at this remark Snape pulled a face and paused slightly before carrying on "-then he has. Myself and Draco are on your side so don't start throwing the blame around"

Ron looked slightly taken aback, Snape had started to advance towards him and was staring at him with a murderous glint in his eye. So much so Ron was backing away and pulling Hermione with him.

Hermione just wrenched her arm free of Ron's grasp and sighed

"I believe that the note is a real one, no one could copy Harry's scrawl" she smiled fondly at the photograph and looked back up at the group of people surrounding her "Besides, Harry may be trusting but he knows who to trust and who not to. I wish I could have just thought of that earlier and understood slightly better. Im not saying I trust Malfoy, but I am saying that I don't think he would take Harry to you-know-who. I think he really does love him"

There was another silence while people mulled over what had been said. Hermione was staring blankly at the photograph of the two boys holding tightly to one another, it was so genuine.

"If they left last night, and they HAVE got to the Twins, surely they would have been back long before now"

Dumbledore sighed and stood.

"Alright, if you are ready Lupin would you prefer to leave as soon as possible to find them?" Lupin nodded his agreement and so it was decided.

"We're going as well" Hermione cut in before anyone could leave the office

"I don't suppose there would be much point in arguing, very well. Lupin, if you're happy?"

Lupin nodded his agreement and so it was decided.

If Harry and Draco were alive, they were going to need all the help they could get!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO amazingly sorry!

But…all this gd stuff has been happening… and…well… I'm just sorry! Lol!

I thought instead of finishing this chapter and leaving it even longer till I post, I'd post the first bit now. So here we are. Sorry its short.

I will try my very very hardest to get back on track after Feb, I have TONS of coursework to do atm and its all just catching up. You understand right?

Thank you to everyone again for reviews and keeping reading and not giving up…I give you extra big hugs and wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hope you all had a good xmas by the way! I sure did! Lol!

Laterz dudes xxxxxxxxxxx