Disclaimer: I don't own HP, but I own Shen so hands off!
Chapter 2 - Back
Even though the school was searched through more than once, the boy couldn't be found. Harry even searched for him on his map and went once again in the chamber of Secrets just to make sure the boy hadn't gone down there.
The boy still didn't showed up.
"Shouldn't we inform his family about this?", Harry heard Snape asking the headmaster, only to see this one shaking his head sadly. "The boy has no living relatives...", he explained.
"But shouldn't he have a guardian then?", Snape inquired. Again Dumbledore shook his head. "His mother died last year and they found him able to take care of himself... And he is indeed able to defend himself if he has to..."
On the third day after his disappearance a heavy thunderstorm came over Hogwarts. Everyone was happy to be able to be inside. Even Hagrid preferred to stay within the castle. When he had gotten here, he had luckily brought a second outfit with him, because his other was quite wet, leaving a trail behind, which of course made Flinch curse under his breath.
During this storm the huge doors to the main hall were thrown open during dinner. It was the missing boy. He was completely wet, looked tired and was carrying a quite big and wet bundle with him. "Madame Pomfrey... I need your help...", he managed to say.
When students rose to help him with is burden he stumbled backwards. "No.", he simply said and quickly took his leave with the nurse, Snape, McGonagall and the headmaster.
The nurse and the boy weren't seen until two days later, when both of them took part on breakfast for the first time since Liang had returned.
It was obvious to everyone that the boy didn't wanted to be there and snarled at anyone who dared to bother him. Once breakfast was over, he also left the hall like a thunderbolt, glaring at Dumbledore as if daring him to say something.
He wasn't seen on that day in any of the subjects either. It was Hermione who guessed that he might be in the infamy. "Why do you think so?", Harry wanted to know.
"Well, I thought about that thing he carried with him and it would be about the size of a human around our age, you know? Also I think he didn't wanted Madame Pomfrey to take a look at him, but on whoever he brought with him... And also I think that Professor Dumbledore doesn't quite approve of his doings lately... Did you see the glare Liang sent him just before he left?"
"... Should we go and check on him? We could check if you are right at the same time.", the boy-who-lived suggested. "I'm in.", Ron shrugged.
"Alright, then let's go before lunch.", Hermione said and the boys groaned. They had completely forgotten that they had to sit through their classes first.
The morning lessons seemed to be trice the length they usually were. Professor McGonagall even had to tell them to sit still, because they constantly squirmed in their seats.
Finally the last class was over and they hurried over to the hospital wing. "Madame Pomfrey.", they greeted her and she eyed them one for one. "None of you seem to need medical attention... Why are you here?", she replied.
"We wanted to make sure Liang is alright. He is here, isn't he?", Hermione said. The nurse hesitated. "Yes, he is here, but... I don't think he wants to talk to anyone..."
"Can we at last try?", Harry asked.
"Well, I guess it can't hurt... Come in.", she replied and let them in. "I'm getting him.", she told them and went over to a bed were the curtains were drawn around.
"Shen, Harry, Ron and Hermione are here for you.", the trio heard her say. A muffed sound - similar to a sob - came from behind the curtain followed by an annoyed "I don't care. Sent them away! I'm not leaving his side again! Dumbledore can say whatever he wants! I trust him!"
"Calm down, Shen. They are only concerned about your health."
"Well, they shouldn't! Up to now they never cared about the well-being of a Slytherin anyway!", the boy hissed.
Shocked the golden trio exchanged looks. This was definitely not the boy they had gotten known to. What had happened to make such a turn of personality?
A few words later Madame Pomfrey came over to them sadly shaking her head. "I'm really sorry...", she said and gently directed them towards the exit. Before they left Harry turned around again. "Madame Pomfrey, who is it that Liang brought with him?" The nurse shook her head at him. "I'd like to tell you, but I don't think either of them would approve..."
"Tonight I'll come back again.", Harry told them on the way to the great hall. "This time I'll use the invisible cloak... You coming with me?"
"I'd love to, but I don't think I'll be up to anything after Quidditch practice...", Ron apologized. "And I have three tests tomorrow... I think I'll study till late in the night.", Hermione explained, obviously sorry.
This was how it came that the boy-who-lived silently sneaked through the night towards the hospital wing, invisible thanks to his father's cloak.
He made it there without troubles not even seeing one single person on the whole way. This actually made him feel a bit uneasy for it had never had happened before. Of course it also could be that he was very lucky all of sudden, but not very likely.
Suppressing a sigh that was threatening to escape his throat he carefully pushed the door to the infamy open.
The curtain around the bed was still drawn and he could hear two people breathing calmly and relaxed. Carefully he let the door slide shut again, before he tiptoed towards the hidden bed.
Just when he was about to draw the curtain he noticed something was different. Before he had a chance to think what exactly was different, the curtain opened before him and Shen's golden eyes were looking into his.
"What do you want?", the boy spoke calmly, but there was a dangerous undertone within his voice. "I-I wanted to... to see if you are alright...", Harry replied surprised and a bit frightened.
When the Slytherin didn't reply he added. "And I guess I also was kind of curious whom you brought with you..."
The other boy suddenly looked tired and rubbed is eyes. "Look, I really appreciate your concern about me, thought it might not have sounded like it before... I guess, I was under some kind of stress and also very concerned for Dr- ... my guest... I won't tell you who it is yet and it will be revealed to everyone soon enough... All I ask from you and everyone else to give him some more peace... He needs to recover..."
Harry nodded. "Alright, I guess I'll see you sometime in the great hall soon?"
The other boy nodded, his hair falling into his face again. "Now get lost before anyone finds you here..."
Only when he entered the common room a thought that crossed his mind made him frown. How had Shen been able to see him?
On the next day Harry told his two friends about his nightly encounter. They too were surprised when he notified them, that Shen had been able to see him even thought he had been under his invisible cloak.