Chapter 15

Too soon classes were back in session and we resettled into our old routines. At the return of all the students, Professor Dumbledore took the opportunity to make a change in the eating arrangements. Rather than have the students gather by house at a given table, he instructed that a table each was to be designated for First and Second Years, for Third and Fourth Years, for Fifth and Sixth Years and for Seventh Years, with any overflow from the first three tables sitting at the Seventh Year table. There was a lot of discontent and grumbling about this change, but no one dared argue the point with the Headmaster. After a few weeks, the students began to adjust and even began to intermingle houses more at their table, though Slytherins were naturally the most resistant to it.

Something else new was that I had gotten an idea from the Marauder's Map that Harry had shown me. He had explained how our fathers and Remus had compiled the information and after he showed me how it worked, it occurred to me to ask Moony's help on a way to make it easier to communicate with Draco. I had bought two blank journals and took them to him, explaining what I wanted to do. He helped enchant them so that Draco and I could each put a password on our book and no one else could open it to find anything written there, unless they opened it with the password. All they would see were blank pages. Draco and I could write in our own journal and the words would appear in both of them. The other person could then respond. We could leave messages in there indefinitely or we could delete them when we were done. Since Ginny was spending time with Draco also, I let her help me set the password on mine so she would be able to access it as well.

Quidditch was still in full swing and as we drew closer to the end of the school year, the rivalries heated up as the race for the House Cup began to be determined. One late March afternoon, Draco and I had been sitting watching the Gryffindors practice while we talked in the stands. As dusk began to settle in, the team called it a day and headed for the locker room. Draco and I began to walk slowly down the Quidditch pitch in that direction to meet up with Harry and Ginny.

Without warning, I was hit with a Stunning Spell from behind and Draco was knocked to the ground. Two beefy figures on brooms swept up behind me, each grabbing an arm as they started to climb. Draco staggered to his feet but couldn't attempt a spell without hitting me. Before they could get high enough, he jumped and caught hold of one of the brooms. They wrestled to hang onto me and keep climbing, while attempting to brush him off. Finally, when they were a good twenty-five feet up a booted foot caught him hard in the side and knocked him loose.

He plummeted to the ground, landing with a sickening crunch, all the wind knocked out of him. A few players had emerged from the locker room and saw him fall as the two brooms soared away. Ron and Colin Creevey raced over to the crumpled form, not initially knowing who it was in the semi-darkness. Ron skidded to a halt when he realized it was Draco, while Colin bent down to check on him. Draco finally had managed to suck some air back into his lungs and looked wildly up at Ron. "Get Potter!" he croaked. Ron stood rooted to the spot until Draco wheezed again, "Get Potter, now! They took her!"

Finally it penetrated to Ron just who had been with Draco during the attack and he ran to the locker room as Harry and Ginny were exiting. "Come quick, it's Draco. I think they kidnapped Deandra." He pointed to where Draco was struggling to sit up.

Harry stumbled to a stop beside him, fear in his eyes, "What happened?"

Draco forced out a brief explanation, and Harry jumped up frantically searching the skies, but saw no trace of anyone on a broom. He turned and raced for Dumbledore's office, leaving Draco there on the ground. Ginny hurried forward and smacked her brother on the arm, "Ron, help Colin get Draco to the infirmary." When he didn't move she snapped, "Now!" Begrudgingly, Ron helped Draco to stand, but Madam Hooch ran forward just then, having been alerted by another team member. She conjured a stretcher for Draco, and Ginny accompanied him to the hospital while Ron ran for the common room to find Hermione.

A short time later Dumbledore, Harry, Ron and Hermione converged on the hospital wing. By now Draco was breathing easier and Madam Pomfrey had begun healing his broken wrist, leg and ribs. As they approached, Draco hastily wiped his eyes, looking suspiciously like he had been crying. Ginny looked up from her spot by his bed.

Dumbledore looked gently down at Draco and asked, "Mr. Malfoy please tell us what happened." Draco related the events as best he could remember them - the Stunning Spell, the two men on brooms who carried me away, his own efforts to prevent it before being knocked to the ground.

The Headmaster wore a grave expression as he told the assembled group, "If I'm not very much mistaken, this was no random kidnapping. They got who they came for. I'm afraid Miss Alleyan has fallen into the hands of Voldemort or his supporters. My guess would be they will try to use her to get to Harry."

Harry's face registered his panic, but clearly he had no idea of where to even begin looking for me. Hermione watched him for a moment, then said quietly, "Professor Dumbledore, would it be possible for Professor Snape to make the Wolfsbane Potion for Moony this month? It's almost the full moon." He nodded, but the question only served to increase Harry's distress as it suggested that I would not easily be recovered.

Dumbledore turned to him and lay a quieting hand on his shoulder, "Harry, we will do everything possible to find her as quickly as possible and to get her back unharmed. However, I'm afraid that for the moment all that can be done by you and your friends is to wait, and try to be patient. I will alert the Order to begin searching immediately." He hurried from the room.

Harry sank into a chair, just staring into space and Hermione ached to see him in such pain, but knew full well he would not be comforted until I was safely back with him. Another thought tugged at her consciousness, and she murmured, "Moony will want to know. I'll go tell him." Ron took her hand and followed her out, knowing he could not help Harry just now anyway.

After sitting for several minutes in silence, like a zombie, Harry arose and walked out of the hospital, not really knowing where his feet were taking him. Ginny reached over and took Draco's hand as they watched him leave. "It wasn't your fault," she whispered. "You did everything you could." Even so, another tear slipped from his eyes as he laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes tight.

Harry walked blindly for some time and eventually found himself standing in the middle of the common room, though he didn't remember the trip to get there or even opening the portrait hole with the password. He stared at the room that had become so familiar to him but now felt completely foreign. Not knowing what else to do, he climbed the stairs to his room, drew the curtains around him and lay down on this bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind still numb from the shock.

A half hour later, Ron found him, still lying there. "Harry? Come with me, mate." Harry didn't look at him, but Ron grabbed his arm. "Come on. You need to come with me." Obediently Harry got up and followed him, not really caring where they were going or why. Ron led him through the halls for some time until he vaguely realized they were in the corridor outside the Room of Requirement. Ron pushed the door open and led him inside. Hermione and Moony were waiting there, and Moony hurried over to him.

Moony could tell immediately from the look on Harry's face that he was out of it. As much as he wanted to be able to tell Harry that everything would be all right and that I would be safely returned to them soon, he knew that Harry's entire life stood as testament that it may very well not be true. I might not come back unharmed, or even at all. The thought caused him nearly as much pain as he saw etched on Harry's face. At last, all he could think to do was to embrace the boy, to at least let him know he wouldn't have to go through this alone. But he knew that it would be small comfort.

xxxxx

When I finally woke up, it was dark and I found myself on a cold, stone floor. There was a bit of moonlight coming through the window set high up on the stone walls. Hastily I searched my pockets but, not unexpectedly, my wand was gone. I felt around the room in the dim light until I found the bars. Apparently I was being held prisoner, but by whom?

I moved back over to the wall and sat down, leaning against it. I tried to piece together what I could of what had happened. I had been with Draco - where was he? Here also? I pushed away the possibility that he was dead, unwilling to contemplate that just now.

Then I heard footsteps and saw light beginning to shine along the walls outside the cell. Someone was coming; perhaps now I would get some answers, though I felt reasonably certain I wouldn't like hearing anything they had to say.

A small man appeared at the door to the cell, holding a torch. Behind him stood a man with a snakelike face and hard cold eyes. Slowly I stood to face them, trying to appear unafraid but knowing I was probably failing miserably at the charade.

"So, you are awake," said a harsh, unpleasant voice. "It has come to my attention that you are important to Harry Potter. Knowing his propensity for playing the hero, he will no doubt attempt to rescue you - as soon as I let it slip to him where you can be found." He gave a menacing laugh and the small man with him chuckled slavishly at his words. The man moved closer to the bars, and told me, "But don't think we won't enjoy your company until he arrives. If there is anything Harry Potter hates worse than his own suffering, it is knowing that his friends are suffering because of him. And of course I wouldn't want to disappoint the dear boy...Crucio!"

A white-hot flame slammed into my body and I fell writhing and screaming to the floor. Every fiber of my being shrieked for death to release it from the agony, but there was no relief. The two men watched me for a few moments before releasing me from the curse. The man laughed coldly as I gasped in remembrance of the pain, my tears falling freely onto the floor. Still laughing, he turned and walked away, the smaller man racing ahead to light the way.

I don't know how long I was there - a few hours, a few days, a few weeks? I was given no food and felt myself getting hungry and thirsty, and weaker. And periodically they returned, to repeat the curse and revel in my pain, drawing as much pleasure from my screams as I was drawing agony. I barely seemed to recover a modicum of my strength and clear thinking when they returned and it all began again. I lost track of how many times they came.

Finally, however, they did not return as soon as usual and my head cleared enough to know I had to get out of there. I couldn't wait for Harry to find me, if he even could, though I realized full well they intended him to come and die there with me. Mustering all the strength I had left, I transformed into an owl, flew to the high window and set off for safety. Luckily, it was just after sunset when I left, so I would be harder to follow. I had been held on an island and it took all my strength to make it back to land and find a secure place to rest for a time. I had no idea where I was - what country? What city? After a few hours of rest I sought food and water, then began my journey home.

After flying some time, I found a city and was able to fly low enough to determine where I was. With that information I was able to set a course back to Hogwarts, but it was a long way off and my reserves were low. I know I flew for at least two days but I was fast losing ground physically. I was weakened enough that I found it difficult to hunt for food to sustain me. Most small animals were proving too quick for me to catch. So I pressed on. Late one night, by the light of a full moon, I saw the familiar spires and towers of Hogwarts in the distance. I headed for it, coming in over the Forbidden Forest. I almost made it, too. But when I set down by the lake to take a drink, I was too exhausted to continue. I collapsed there on the ground, unmoving.

And then a wolf found me. Not just any wolf. My friend. He set up a loud, mournful howl until finally someone noticed. Hermione heard the wolf as she sat by the window in her dorm room. Her dormmates were asleep, but she had been finding sleep difficult. The howl of the wolf attracted her attention and she could dimly see it silhouetted down by the lake. Suddenly her stomach lurched. Hastily she threw on her cloak over her pajamas and ran barefoot down the stairs and out into the night. She raced toward the howling wolf and came to a halt a few feet away, staring at it. It stopped howling and turned to her with a whine. And then she saw the owl on the ground beside it. She looked at the wolf and it whined again, but backed away so she could approach the fallen bird. Hermione could not have proven it rationally or found anything in any of her books to support her theory, but she KNEW that Moony had found Deandra. She gently picked up the bird and raced for the hospital wing.

Along the way, the halls were deserted much to her annoyance. Finally, just before she got to the hospital, she saw Nearly Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, cruising blithely along. "Nick!" He turned to her in surprise, "Miss Granger? You're out and about at an unseemly hour, aren't you?"

"Never mind that! Go wake Harry and tell him to come to the hospital at once, and then tell Dumbledore. I think we've found Deandra!" She turned on her heel and dashed off, and Nick hurriedly set about his assignment.

Hermione ran into the hospital wing, calling for Madam Pomfrey who scurried from her bed, loudly fussing about the disturbance. Not realizing the situation, she scolded Hermione for the uproar and for bringing her a sick bird. Hermione was finally able to catch her breath enough to explain that the owl was really an Animagus. Suddenly Madam Pomfrey let out another exclamation, "What on earth is that thing doing in here!"

Hermione turned to see that the wolf had followed her inside. She smiled gently at it, then answered, "It's all right, Madam Pomfrey. He's a friend. He won't hurt anyone." Since this did appear to be true, the Healer made no further comment and took the bird from Hermione, just as Harry ran into the room, followed closely by Ron and then the Headmaster.

"Are you certain it's her, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore inquired.

"Well, no, I can't be sure. I've never seen her transform, but the wolf found her and set to howling to attract attention to her. I think he can tell." The wolf in question was hovering nearby, closely watching the proceedings.

Dumbledore turned to it and asked, "Remus?" The wolf's tail began to wave in acknowledgement, and the headmaster smiled. "Poppy, I do not believe Miss Alleyan has the strength to transform back to her human form. Will you assist me in doing it for her?" Pomfrey nodded and they lay me on a bed. Then both drew out their wands and performed the transformation spell to make me human.

Madam Pomfrey turned to the people gathered around and said quietly, "I'll need time to examine her. Wait over there, please." She waved to the chairs near the door and everyone moved in that direction except Harry, who stood anchored to the ground, staring at my unconscious form.

Gently Dumbledore laid a hand on his shoulder. "You, too, Harry. Let Madam Pomfrey help her."

I confess that I don't remember much of that night, or the following week. Most of what I know now came to me from Hermione, who patiently answered all my questions, though I sensed she was sometimes reluctant to do so.

My physical injuries were not very severe, mostly just cuts and bruises, and only the lack of food and water for a number of days and exhaustion provided much indication of what I had gone through. But somehow, once I escaped and knew I was safe, my brain shut down. Hermione told me how strange it was to see me sitting there impassively staring into space, not responding to any voice or face, not even Harry's.

If my kidnapping had been painful, it was even more so for him to get back this ghost who didn't even acknowledge his existence. Hermione said he cried, and he didn't care who saw. And he got angry. People learned to steer real clear of him since they never knew what might set him off.

The minor injuries healed, I slept off the exhaustion and I ate or drank whatever someone fed me. But I didn't speak and I didn't think and mostly I tried not to remember.

Professor McGonagall had finally convinced Harry to return to his classes, though apparently it was rather pointless since he just stared into space and heard nothing that was said. Hermione said that even Snape left him alone. Once or twice he would start to criticize Harry's inattention, but then just let it be. Hermione, for the first time in her life, didn't say a word about helping Harry. She pretty much wrote his essays and did his homework for him without comment.

Apparently about the third or fourth day, Hermione persuaded Dumbledore to let her bring Moony to see me. They had managed to get me up and walking, but it was rather like leading a robot around. If they stopped, I stopped. If they walked away, I just stood there. Hermione had convinced them to put a couch by the window so I could be taken down there and at least look out the window, perhaps hoping something would spark my interest. But I just stared, and said nothing.

And then Moony came. Ron and Hermione smuggled him in under Harry's invisibility cloak so he wouldn't be seen by anyone in the halls. It was evening and I was still seated by the window, staring. He came and knelt down in front of me, his already tired and worn face etched with worry and concern. He took both my hands in his and his thumbs gently stroked the backs of my hands. There was something soothing about that and my eyes flickered briefly. Softly he repeated my own words back to me from his hospital stay, "Hey you! Why don't you come out and talk to me."

I can't explain what happened then. For the first time in days I actually heard a voice, a familiar voice, a beloved voice. Tears welled up in my eyes and my arms slipped around his neck. "Thank you - for finding me," I whispered hoarsely. He came up onto the couch next to me and pulled me into his lap, holding me as if I were a small child who had skinned her knee. And I wept. And he said nothing; he just held me and made me feel safe.

Harry had apparently come in while this was taking place and it was with difficulty that Ron and Hermione kept him there at the other end of the room with them. "Not yet, Harry," Hermione said gently. "You still need to give her time." She said the expression on his face told her that his heart was breaking, and it almost broke hers to see it. So she put her arms around him and held him, and they waited.

I guess Moony was there for an hour or so, then gently led me back to bed. "I'll come back tomorrow," he promised. He had to promise. He couldn't get me to let go of his hands until he did. And then my eyes slipped closed and I slept. Moony crossed the room to Harry and embraced him. "Don't give up hope," he told him. "We may get her back, yet." Hermione said Harry stayed for quite awhile and just watched me sleep.

The next day was Saturday, and Moony didn't even wait for Hermione and the invisibility cloak. He just walked right in, not caring if anyone saw him. He wasn't there long when Harry and Hermione showed up as well. As I hadn't had breakfast yet, they walked me down to the couch and Moony sat there feeding me, and having something to eat as well. Again Harry and Hermione watched from the other end of the room.

All Moony really did was hold me and talk to me. In the late afternoon, as the sun was beginning to set, he pulled me close and softly told me, "Whenever he's needed you, you were always there for Harry, sharing his hurt. He wants to do the same thing for you but you're shutting him out. It's already killing him to see you like this. Don't hurt him any more. Let him hold you - let him help you." Tears slid down my cheeks at his words, but I said nothing. He kissed my forehead and told me, "I'll come back tomorrow." I let him pull his hands free and walk away. I heard him leave the room and close the door.

The next thing I knew I had transformed into my Animagus form and took off out the window. Harry let out a yell and ran to the window, followed closely by Hermione. They watched with some alarm as I soared and dipped over the lake and over the forest, but finally I turned and headed back to the window from which I'd come. They stepped back to let me fly in and I landed on the couch. I merely sat there in bird form for several minutes and they began to move back to their spot near the door, to leave me alone. When I transformed, my back was still to them, but tentatively I called out, "Harry?"

I heard his breath catch in his throat and he stood uncertainly where he was, hardly daring to believe I had called him. I repeated the entreaty, "Harry?"

In an instant he was beside me, his arms around me, his face buried in my neck, crying. Hermione waited until my arms moved slowly around him and I began to cry also. Then weeping herself, she slipped quietly out of the room and left us alone.

We must have sat there a long time. Madam Pomfrey tried to chase him off and get me into bed, but we never even looked at her. Maybe she decided it wasn't that important after all. All I know is, she left us alone. And Harry held me. Eventually I did go to bed, but not alone. Harry crawled in next to me and we curled up with his arms around me. I think it may be the first time Harry had really slept since I disappeared. Oddly enough, though I was asleep, I suddenly seemed to finally be awake. I was aware of Harry's breathing on my neck, I felt his arms around me, I dreamt and finally I let go of something deep inside that had been choking me into silence all that time.

Eventually I remembered most of what had happened. Dumbledore helped with that. Eventually I went back to my classes and my life returned to normal. But for a long time, the Gryffindors got used to finding me and Harry sleeping together on the couch in the common room. We were still behaving, as I had assured McGonagall we would, but it took some time before we could sleep alone through the night. Now I understood better Harry's need to be near me after the incident at Malfoy's manor.

In a funny sort of way, this whole experience seemed to change quite a few things. The students in other houses were united in their sympathy and concern, and they forgot they didn't like each other. I had the feeling if Dumbledore had restored the original plan of seating by house, that many of them would have ignored it and still eaten with their new friends in other houses.

It took awhile for Draco to stop feeling guilty that he hadn't been able to protect me that day. I think Ginny was finally the one that helped him get over it. She's pretty amazing. Dumbledore asked her to do him a favor and help Malfoy with his lessons, since he couldn't write until his broken wrist was completely healed and he had trouble getting around with the mending broken leg. She just smiled at Dumbledore and told him he'd have to wait until another time to ask a favor of her - she was already planning to do those things so she couldn't do them as a favor to him! For once, I think Dumbledore may have been surprised - amused, but surprised.