For you people who were searching for an update -well, I made one, it just isn't here.

The truth is, I screwed up. I left out a scene. So chapter 5 is the update, and this chapter, which was once chapter 5, is now chapter six. But you wanted an update, right? Lol.

Big hug to all my reviewers!

xXx

Chapter 6: Discovery

"Hagrid!" Hermione screeched as the giant man entered the Leaky Cauldron. "I haven't seen you in forever - how are you?"

"Fine, Hermione…" he responded gloomily. "Hello to you, Ron. Where are your parents?"

"Dunno. They left, and didn't tell us where they were going. They don't tell us anything anymore…"

"Hagrid, are you all right?" Hermione asked worriedly, noting Hagrid's unhappy demeanor. "Have some cake, sit down…"

"Ah, that would be for Harry's comin'-back party, wouldn't it? Er… well, I'm not really feeling good, if y'know what I mean…"

"Hagrid… nothing's wrong, is it?"

'No, everything's fine. Just perfect. Now leave me alone, you two, or I'll end up tellin' you somethin' I'm not supposed to..."

"Hagrid - what happened to Harry?"

"Nothin', absolutely nothin'… He's with the Durseley's still, they just got a little delayed…"

"HAGRID!" Mrs. Weasely burst through the door. "Hagrid, is it true?"

"Yes, we we're too late, we couldn't…"

"Why don't we go into the other room," she suggested firmly, looking pointedly at Hermione and Ron.

"They don't tell us anything," Ron complained, once the door had firmly shut behind them. "Do they think we're children or something? This is ridiculous - I'm going to listen in."

"It's no good Ron…" Hermione said heavily. "Your mum put a silencing spell on the door."

Ron cursed. "She would, wouldn't she?"

"Ron, look - there's nothing we can do right now -"

"Unless we break down the door -"

"You know that won't work. But you know who might actually know -"

"Fred and George?"

"What are you saying about us?"

Ron and Hermione started visibly as the twins appeared from behind the bar.

"So startled to see us little bro?" asked George, grinning at at the two of them.

"Old Tom lets us come in the backway from time to time," Fred explained, winking. "The rest of the time, we let ourselves in."

"Well…" said Hermione, appearing to at last gathered her wits, "It turns out you have perfect timing, we were just going to ask you if you knew what was going on."

"Like what?"

"Like, I don't know Fred, Harry getting kidnapped?" Ron spat angrily. "Unless there's something more important going on in your lives."

"Wow…" said George looking gravely impressed. "That is rather important."

"I'm sorry Ron," said Fred, and he really looked it, "We had no idea. So how did you find out?"

"Hagrid. He's talking with Mum in the other room."

"You mean you can't get a simple secret out of Hagrid? Come on Ron, I thought you were smarter that that."

"Shut up, George," Ron said, reddening.

"Love to tease you," he said loftily, "but you've perked our interest. We'll -" Suddenly he nudged his twin in the rib and pointed.

"STUPIFY!"

All eyes turned to Captain Holly Short, lying motionless on the floor.

"Looks like some crazy gnome was trying to steal your broom, Ron…

xXx

From the moment Harry came to, he knew that he was in grave danger. His hands had been tied together behind his back, and something especially vile-tasting had been stuffed into his mouth. His wand was no longer in his pocket. All around him, he could hear low voices.

"How much longer?"

"Not much. Ten minutes, maybe."

"I don't see why we had t'double back," the same voice whined.

"That's 'cause you're stupid," the other explained. "It was a decoy - to make them think we were going somewhere else - like France."

"Why would anyone wanna go there?"

"Shut up. That's not the point."

"Then what is the point?"

"Just shut up."

There was silence on the boat. Not quite daring to, Harry slowly opened his eyes -

and was greeted with the eerie, glowing murk of the Thames River. Realizing that he must be in some kind of submarine, Harry searched the area, trying to learn something of his captors, opportunities for escape, and, most importantly, his wand. It was the latter that he found first. It was lying on a swivel chair next to a small metal desk.

Seriously doubting the intellegence of his kidnappers, and ascertaining that his only company was the dark shape lying near to him -bound and gagged as he was, Harry stared hard at his most prized possesion, willing it to come to him.

"Wilkes! It's lookin' like we're almost there!"

"Yeah…" said a voice near -too near- Harry, who immediately shut his eyes, feigning unconsciousness, "Only a minute or so now…"

Harry knew he had very little time. Wherever they were going, he knew there would not be another opportunity like this one. Summoning all his willpower, he urged his wand to come to him.

It surged into the air, and with a slight whoosh, buried itself in the polyester carpet near his hand. Harry immediately grabbed onto it. Incendio, he muttered, and allowed himself a slight smile as the magical fire licked its way through his bonds. He was wondering if he should help his fellow captive, when -

"All right, boys, were pulling up! Wilkes and Georges, go get the prisoners - I want the rest of you to help me."

Harry quickly stuffed his wand into his pocket, then closed his eyes with grim satisfaction, knowing that escape was yet a possibility. The important part of his work was done.

Will Harry ever escape?

How about Artemis?

Read on to find out!

While you're at it, you could also press the pretty blue button down there and write me a review. Just a suggestion, y'know… :)