See last week for everything, including Disclaimers.
Chapter Five
Missing
"I had another dream last night." Claire told Dumbledore in the empty classroom the next day.
"That doesn't surprise me, what was it about?" he asked her.
"I was fighting with someone, a boy, we were arguing about my hair. I couldn't really tell who the boy was though, it was dark." she paused, Dumbledore simply nodded, so she continued, "We just yelled at each other, he was upset that I didn't ask him before I changed my hair, I yelled at him for lying about it in the first place. Then I ran off, outside, I had just gotten to the forest when I was hit with a spell and fell to the ground. I couldn't get up, I was tied up or something. Someone said 'Perfect' and I glanced to see who it was and I was terrified. But before I could scream he had used a silencing spell. I tried really hard to scream and to break free, but I couldn't. Then I woke up."
"I see. Tell me, can you describe the man you saw?"
"I... I dunno. I can't remember. I'm sorry." Claire said, looking at the floor.
"Oh, no need to be sorry. I understand, I just wondered." he smiled.
"So, do you think it was another memory? Or just a dream?" Claire asked him, curiously.
"Oh, I know for a fact it was a memory, as was the last one."
Claire looked surprised, "But how do you know?"
"Well... the first one is really just a hunch, but I really do believe it was a memory. But this one I know because I remember the night you disappeared. Do you remember a couple weeks ago when I showed you a memory of mine in the hospital wing? The one where Ron told me you had disappeared?"
"Yes."
"Well, he had also told me that the reason you ran out was because you two had a fight. What he said fits your dream perfectly."
"Wow. But I don't think I want to have anymore of these dreams, they're horrible. Being chased, being captured, fights, screaming. It's not fun."
"I understand, but it's very important for you to remember, very important. So, how about we get on with it, shall we?"
"Yeah, I guess we should." she replied as Dumbledore took out his wand.
Year Five
Can you BELIEVE this? We have this horrible woman taking over the school, Professor Umbridge with all of her stupid educational decrees. It's so annoying. And then there's the fact that Voldemort's back, and we can't do anything about it. I feel so useless...
...Hermione got this great idea and Harry's agreed to it! We're going to start a sort of club to learn how to defend against the dark arts since that toad isn't do anything to teach us. We're going to meet with possible members in Hogsmeade this weekend...
...The DA is up and running! We've had a few meetings all ready and it's going great. I feel like I'm part of something now. It's great, not only are we learning to defend ourselves properly but we're defying Umbridge. Haha! We've decided to call ourselves the DA, as in Dumbledore's Army. It's wonderful, I've been having a great time. Amidst all this horror and anger and sadness, I'm doing something that feels good...
...We visited Sirius and the others over Christmas, it was fun. It took a bit of work to persuade my mom but she finally agreed to it. Mr. Weasley's been doing a lot better since his attack, I'm really glad. When it got closer to the end of break I noticed that Sirius was getting a bit less cheerful. I feel really sorry for him, being locked up in his old home. I wish he could get out more but that would be too dangerous...
...YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT. So much in such a short time! I can barely believe it myself. I've hardly had a chance to write, but now that I do I might as well tell it all. The DA's been revealed, Umbridge is gone, we went to the Department of Mysteries to save Sirius but he wasn't there, we were attacked by a bunch of death eaters, Sirius and Lupin and the others showed up to help us fight and... and... Sirius is dead. Everyone finally knows Voldemort's back but Sirius is dead. It's horrible. We're all very upset but I can't IMAGINE how Harry must feel. First his parents, now his godfather. He looked so sad when we got back. I hope he'll be all right. It's horrible.. it's really horrible... Sirius...
Claire could see tear drops on the page, she must've been crying when she wrote it. She picked up the diary and went down to the common room to talk to her friends as they did their homework. She found them sitting in the corner of the room so she sat down.
"Done reading all ready?" Hermione asked, glancing up from her Transfiguration essay. Claire noticed Ron had frozen up.
"For tonight, I just finished fifth year." she looked at Harry who smiled.
"I know what you're thinking, and I'm fine now, really."
"That's good." she smiled back at him.
"So, when're you going to read the rest?" Ron asked as casually as he could.
"Oh, I'll probably finish sometime tomorrow. Dumbledore has to do something tomorrow so I have the day off." Claire told him.
"Oh." Ron said simply and went back to his Charms homework.
"Well, I'm done for the night." Hermione announced, closing her books. "I'll finish tomorrow since it's Saturday. You going to bed Claire?" she asked as she stood up.
"I think so." replied Claire, standing up also.
"Night guys." Hermione said to Harry and Ron.
" G'night." said Harry while Ron waved.
Claire smiled at them before she turned and followed Hermione to the dormitory.
"I can't find it!" Claire said worried as she searched the room for her diary.
"It must be here somewhere, you just had it last night." Hermione replied, replacing a pillow she had just looked under.
"Where did you last have it?" asked Lavender, who was helping them look.
Claire thought a moment, "The common room. I had brought it with me when I went to talk to Hermione, Harry and Ron."
"Then it must still be there." Lavender said.
Hermione and Claire went down to the common room and looked at where they had been sitting the previous night. It wasn't there.
Claire sat down, "Where could it be? It was right here! I need it!"
"Need what?" asked Harry who had just appeared in the doorway.
"Claire's lost her diary." Hermione informed him.
"That's horrible, where could it be?" he asked.
"I don't know, we've looked everywhere."
"I'm sure it'll turn up. By the way, have you seen Ron yet?"
"No, why?" Hermione asked, looking up from the chair she was searching.
"When I woke up he was already gone." he told them, "It's really weird, he usually waits for me."
"That is odd, maybe he was really hungry this morning?" Hermione suggested.
"Maybe." he said, considering this, "c'mon, let's see if you're right."
They arrived in the Great Hall a few moments later to find that Ron was there. They sat down across him and without him noticing, he seemed to be lost in thought. Harry cleared his throat loudly, startling Ron.
"A little jumpy today, aren't you?" Harry commented, "Where've you been?"
"Oh," Ron said, recovering, "you know, around. Why?"
"Just wondering."
"What's up with you today?" Hermione asked him, concerned, "You don't seem to be yourself."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, his voice a bit higher than usual.
"Are you hiding something?" Harry said jokingly.
"No... no of course not." Ron saiod quickly, "Harry, you better eat quick, we have Quidditch practice this morning."
"Oh right, I forgot." Harry said as he grabbed a muffin from the center of the table. He and Ron stood up, said goodbye to the girls and walked toward the door.
"I really hope we find my diary soon." Claire said, watching them walk away.
"I'm sure we will. I'll help you look after I finish my homework." she told her smiling.
"Seriously Ron, what's wrong?" Harry asked as they walked towards the Quidditch feild.
"Nothing, really." he replied, staring straight ahead.
Something slipped out of Ron's bag and hit the ground with a soft thud. Harry saw it and picked it up, "Hey, you dropped this..."
Ron turned, his eyes wide, he grabbed it quickly and shoved it back in his bag, but not before Harry noticed the red letters scrawled on the front.
"Ron... is that...?"
"No." Ron said sharply.
"It is. I saw it. Why do you have Claire's diary?"
"I don't." Ron said, breaking into a run.
Harry ran after him and grabbed his arm, causing both of them to fall to the ground.
"Get off of me!" Ron yelled, trying to get to his feet as Harry held him down.
"Not until you tell me why you took her diary! We looked everywhere for it this morning!"
Ron stopped struggling and just sat on the ground. He was breathing hard and staring toward the castle.
"Ron..."
"I don't want her to find out okay?" he told Harry angrily.
"Find out what?" asked Harry, confused.
"You know... about me and her." he replied, shifting his gaze to the ground.
"But, why not?"
"Because..." he paused, looking for the right words, "Oh nevermind, you won't understand." He got to his feet and continued walking to the field.
Harry followed him. "C'mon, try me."
"No." he said, "Just... please don't tell her I have it. Please."
Harry stared at Ron, considering it. He didn't know what to think, but he trusted his friend so he agreed, "Fine. I won't tell her."
"Thanks."
Will Claire fall in love with Ron again? Read and Review!
