To:Mistine: I'm glad that you're liking my story! It's taken a while for me to update, and for that I apologise! I wasn't really going for a tear-jerker sort of approach... but shrug that's cool.

LiLy MaLfOy13: thanks for commenting! It's really nice to get reviews every now and then. Hope you like this chapter!

And so it begins... again

Chapter 18

Hermione stood up from her chair, disbelief on her face. "What? Where?"

Ron took her hand and pulled her back down in her seat, trying to calm her.

"Professor?" Ginny prompted.

Dumbledore looked at them, a twinkle in his eye. "It seems that he has been residing in a park not far from his home."

"Please, Professor. When are you going to bring him back?"

He peered at them over his half-moon glasses. "We won't."

A silence settled, as the Headmaster's words sunk in.

Ron was the first to speak up. "But sir, that's just bloody stupid," he said, clamping his hand over his mouth when he realised he had just said "bloody" to the headmaster. "Sorry, Professor."

Dumbledore laughed. "Mr. Weasley, you must understand that we want Harry back at Hogwarts as soon as possible. However, we must first determine his situation. At the end of last year, he went through a lot of experiences that may have made him more... inclined to run away from what he has to do."

Ron pondered this, while Hermione jumped in.

"Sir, my sister said that Harry thinks that he knows where Voldemort is.""

"Yes, it seems that Harry's abilities have been developing rather quickly, and it would seem natural that he would try to use them more. We have contemplated that he knows where Voldemort is, and if that is the case, as it seems to be, we will simply follow Harry as he plans. Meanwhile, we must make our own plans to fight him."

Again, another silence settled, as each of them contemplated being in a battle against Voldemort.

"Now, I want you all to keep absolutely silent about this. This isn't something that I want spreading around the school. As you know, we have some students in this school with whom Harry is not on friendly terms." Dumbledore raised his eyebrows. "I'd like to talk to Professor McGonagall now, so..."

Ron, Hermione and Ginny got up from their seats and headed down, out of his office.

"What do you think?" Ron asked, after they had been walking for a while.

"Is Harry really ready to fight Voldemort?" Ginny asked fearfully.

"He's as ready as he'll ever be, I guess. It scares me though..."

Ron nodded. "Yeah. But we've got to be there for him when the time comes."

Ginny looked at her brother and her 'sister'. "What if it's not enough?" she asked, voicing everyone's thoughts.

"It'll have to be," Hermione said, resignedly. "We've got to be strong. We've been there countless of times. Now is the time when we've really got to be strong."

>>

"Harry... what are we doing with this Voldemort guy?" Miranda asked, not really sure if she wanted to know the answer.

"'We're' not doing anything. You're going to go back to your parent, then go to Hogwarts, seeing as you know enough about everything already... I'm not going to risk getting you hurt."

"Harry, I know how dangerous this is. But it's even more dangerous if you're alone."

"I've been alone my whole life," he spat in anger.

"You're an idiot you know that?" Miranda was clearly angry now, not understand why he couldn't see that he had people around him who cared about him: her sister, Ron and the rest of Ron's family, or so Hermione told her anyway. "There are so many people around you who care about you, who love you, and you just can't seem to see that!"

Harry broke down in tears. "I left them because I was scared that they would get hurt. Everyone I've ever been close to has died because of me: my parents, Sirius... I couldn't bear it if I lost them too."

"So forcing yourself to be away from them is going to make it any better?"

Harry lifted his head up from his hands and wiped his tears away with the back of his hand. "At least I know that they're safe," he said quietly.

"Harry, you can't do this alone. You know that. Don't push away the only people who can help you."

Harry nodded. "OK. Let's go." He got up and took Miranda's hand.

"Where?"

"Just over to the road. We're going to catch the Knight Bus."

Well, I've taken my time haven't I? Hope you haven't all fallen off the side of the world while I've been slowly doing this crappy and VERY short chapter... anyhoo... don't expect much word from me soon... though I would STILL appreciate reviews! ) hehee.. Love you all, and hope you're still there!