DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

A/N:chuckles softly: I never realized so many people were interested in Harry's sex life or lack there of… Last time… this is not a shipper's story.

Chapter 34

On the Way to See the Wizard

Harry, Ginny, and Hermione quickly followed by Ron set off down the corridor, looking for an empty compartment, but all were full. Luckily, the one at the very end of the train had Neville and Luna in it. They invited the quartet to join them.

"Good," said Hermione. "Ginny, Ron and I are supposed to go into the prefect carriage soon."

Harry smiled brightly. "Congratulations, Ginny. A prefect, huh? I guess Fred and George were disappointed…"

Ginny groaned. "Don't I know it. They spent half of their time telling me to hand in my badge before it was too late to be redeemed."

Hermione looked to Harry and stated imperiously, "You will be letting us know what's going on when we get back right?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, Hermione."

She acquiesced and lead the way to the prefect's carriage, Ron and Ginny hurrying after her. Harry shook his head. Some things never change, he thought.

Harry looked to Neville. "So, Neville. How was your summer? Good?"

Neville bobbed his head. "Yeah. I got a new wand, too. Mr. Olivander told Gram that my Dad's old one wasn't suited to me at all. He thinks it may have been some of the reason for all my troubles. Hopefully, this one will be much better. I can't wait to try it."

Harry grinned at his excitement. "Maybe Hermione should look out then." He turned to his other companion. "How 'bout you Luna? How was your summer?"

Luna gazed up at him a serene expression on her face. "Daddy and I went to Sweden this summer but were unable to catch a Crumple-Horned Snorkack."

Harry smiled softly and returned her gaze. "Maybe next time."

She shrugged and went back to reading. Harry settled down in the seat trying to figure out just what to tell his friends. Surely, they had some idea of what was going on, but he had no idea if they knew of the power struggle going on in regards to him. He was also a bit concerned at what Hermione's reaction would be to the rift with Dumbledore. He knew she always had a weakness for authority figures, but hopefully Umbridge had done something to cure her of her absolute belief in authority figures always being right. Harry was still musing in his thoughts when Ron, Hermione, and Ginny arrived back in the compartment. Before they even sat down Hermione turned to Harry"Where have you been? What happened? What's going on"

Ron chuckled. "Geez, Hermione at least let him answer a question before you throw another at him."

Hermione glared at Ron. "Fine. Where have you been?"

Harry blinked a bit unnerved by her tone. "Er, I can't TELL you where I've been but I've stayed with Remus. I had a blow-up at my aunt's and Remus came and got me."

"What do you mean you can't tell us" Ron blurted out.

"Think Ron." Hermione snapped. "The order couldn't FIND him and he can't TELL you..."

"Fidelius..." Ginny whispered.

Harry nodded. He fidgeted under their gaze and searched his mind desperately trying to think of how to change the subject.

He brightened suddenly and smiled mischievously." So Ron, you get my note"

Ron smiled widely. "I sure did." Then he added indignantly"I can't believe they never told us. We could have been practicing all last summer. We at least got to do some mag–"

"Ron." Hermione interrupted loudly, tilting her head to indicate Neville and Luna.

Harry sighed. "I'm sure they won't rat you out Hermione. Relax."

Neville looked at the rest of them confused; Luna seemed oblivious to the conversation around her, instead focusing on the upside-down Quibbler in her lap.

Not to be deterred, Hermione pieced a glare at Harry. "So? What exactly is going on, Harry?"

He winced under her stare. "Er, what do you mean?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Harry!"

It amazed Harry that while Hermione guarded her secrets so closely apparently his were free game. "Er, okay … I needed to get away from everything, Moony helped me … Can I tell you the rest when we can be somewhere a bit more private?"

He looked to Neville. "You too, and Luna if you want. You guys have already risked your lives for this … you deserve to know…"

Hermione looked at him closely. Ron had finally had enough. "Leave him alone, Hermione. Later." Determined to change the subject he turned to Neville, "So, mate, how was you holiday?"

Ginny stifled a giggle at Ron's handling of Hermione and her put out look. As Neville began to answer Ron the tension that had been present since Harry made an appearance finally eased. They continued to make small talk for a bit until the door to their compartment opened. They all readied themselves, placing their hands lightly on their wands anticipating their visitor. Dean and Seamus stopped suddenly as they noted each and every person in the compartment was armed and ready.

"Yikes," Dean noted. "Now I know why we don't usually visit during the train ride…" Dean joked trying to lighten the tension in the atmosphere.

Ginny graced him with a brilliant smile much to Ron's dismay. "Sorry," she said, "You weren't who we were expecting."

"And who might that be?" Seamus asked wondering why they were all so on edge.

"Malfoy." Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Harry said all at once then they broke down in laughter.

"Oh." Seamus replied knowingly.

"The git stops by every train ride." Ron muttered.

Hermione chuckled nodding in agreement. "True, it seems so it wouldn't be the Hogwarts Express without his visit."

"Damn ferret." Ron muttered under his breath.

Dean looked somber. "The tension in here is almost as bad as it is at my house. My mother has been ranting since the rotten ministry sent that pamphlet out. I'm smart enough not to tell my parents anything about what is going on in the wizarding world, and they go and send something like that out. To say it came as quite a shock… She almost didn't let me come back to Hogwarts. How 'bout you Hermione? How'd your parents react?"

Hermione smiled. "I collected the pamphlet before they saw it. They know there is some prejudices in the wizarding world, that's about it and I don't plan on enlightening them."

Dean chuckled a bit and nodded. "Good plan." He looked towards Ginny, "Want to join us in our compartment so we can catch up?"

She smiled and got up to join them. Harry felt a pang in his stomach when Ginny left. He hoped that the cart would arrive soon. He must be hungry.

Just as the friends were settling back down, the compartment opened yet again. Harry and the others let go of their wands when the bubble-gum pink hair appeared. He smiled, "Hello Tonks.."

"Where have you been? Do you realize how much time was spent looking for you? I need you up front now!" Harry blinked taken aback from her rant until he remembered that she was not supposed to know where he had been.

Everyone in the compartment seemed taken aback at Tonks' strictness. Her demeanor was far from the happy-go-lucky auror that they usually faced. Harry got up slowly and allowed Tonks to march him to his doom. To his surprise Professor McGonagall herself was waiting for Harry in the first compartment.

"I don't suppose you will tell me where you have been all holiday, Potter?' she inquired.

"No, Professor. I can't," said Harry stiffly.

"Can't? What do you mean, can't?"

He held his breath a moment as she looked him over.

"Well you seem in better health then you usually do upon your return. Come in here, Potter."

He followed her inside the compartment. The door closed automatically behind him.

Professor McGonagall sat down, still watching Harry closely. Then she said, "Sit down and have a biscuit, Potter."

Harry stared a moment and sat down. Her tone so reminiscent of last year, Harry was beginning to wonder what happened to their brusque, strict Head of House.

"Potter, you need to be careful. If word of your going missing reached the public, it could have dire consequences. You do realize that like it or not you are a symbol to the Wizarding World?"

Harry swallowed. " I didn't ask for…"

"That is irrelevant, Potter, asked for or not, it remains a fact."

Her tone softened a bit. "I understand that your relatives are not remotely the ideal living arrangement, but might not it have been better to let someone know you were going to be missing?"

"I didn't know. It wasn't something I planned on," he snapped back. "Besides, do you really think Dumbledore would have let me leave?"

McGonagall said nothing but pushed the tin of biscuits towards him. Harry marveled at the silence his Professor emitted. Finally, she responded, "I don't suppose so. We shall see what he has to say when we arrive at the castle. I am to escort you immediately to his office."

Harry humped and got up to go.

"Potter, I need to keep you in eyesight until we arrive."

She startled a bit at the hostility in his gaze.

"Potter … Harry, please, sit down. I understand your reluctance but understand my position as well."

Harry grumbled a bit but then looked to McGonagall.

"I'm sorry you were placed in the middle of all this, Professor."

She gave him a half-smile. "Have another biscuit, Potter."