A/N: I know, I know, I'm going back on what I said before - that I'd update
in a certain order. But I just had the sudden urge to write more of this.
Not that anyone is reading....
Which brings me to my next point. Please, somebody, anybody, review!!!!!!!!!!!! I have NO reviews for this chapter! This story is my first fic, my baby, and although it is somewhat dull in the beginning, it gets better. I promise.
Maybe if I rename it, or make a better summary....
CH6: Escaped
~[Harry] could hear people running into the room, so he jumped in and shouted "Diagon Alley!" As he was whisked away he heard Voldemort's shouts of "NOOOOOOO" echo in the chamber.~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry fell out of the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron with a crash. He could hear screams around him, but didn't care. He just wanted to fall into nothingness. He was vaguely aware that someone was turning him over and telling him he had to stay awake. He opened his eyes and saw a familiar figure standing over him.
"Tom?" he whispered.
Tom's eyes widened in shock as he recognized who was on the floor of his pub. "Harry?" He turned to someone standing behind him and told them to get a doctor, quickly. The next thing Harry knew he was being hoisted up into a chair by the window.
"Harry, Harry, can you hear me?" Tom was lightly slapping Harry on the side of the face. "You have to stay awake!"
Harry mumbled "Get Dumbledore," before passing out again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Harry woke he was in one of the rooms in the Leaky Cauldron. He saw that Dumbledore was sitting in a chair next to him and a large black dog was laying at the foot of the bed.
"Professor?" Then, Dumbledore noticed Harry was awake.
"Good afternoon, Harry. How are you feeling?"
"I only have a headache." Then he turned to the large dog. "Snuffles?" When the dog heard his name, he sat up. Immediately upon seeing Harry awake, he jumped off the bed and turned into Sirius.
"Oh, Harry, I was so worried. Are you alright? Do you need anything? Something to drink? Another pillow?"
"Sirius, I'm fine. Really," he added at Sirius' skeptical look.
"You're missing for more than 2 weeks and then you're unconscious for 3 days, and you're just fine?"
"Right. Wait, I was out for 3 days?"
"Uhuh."
"Well, I'm alright. Though, could I got downstairs for some breakfast? Or lunch?"
"It's not a good idea for you to be...", Sirius started, but Dumbledore cut him off.
"If you're sure you can walk, you can go."
"Albus!"
Harry practically leapt out of bed. With a small limp he headed downstairs with the Headmaster and a dog following behind.
As usual, when Harry went downstairs the whole place went quiet. He went to the bar.
"Good day, Tom. Do you think I could get some sandwiches?"
"Of course, Mr. Potter. How are you feeling?"
"Just a small headache."
"Here drink this." He placed a small glass of bright purple liquid on the table. Harry saw that it was a headache-cure potion and gulped it down.
"Thanks." The last remaining parts of his headache went away as he ate lunch. After he was full, Harry turned to Professor Dumbledore.
"Um, what happened to Lisa? Is she okay?"
"She's fine, Harry. Just a little shaken up from being stunned. Actually, she, along with Ron and Hermione spend a lot of time here while you were unconscious."
Harry let out the breath he was holding and smiled. "Can I see them soon?"
"Of course. But, first, Mr. Fudge wants to speak with you. We should leave for the ministry as soon as you get changed."
Harry sighed. "Can't we just tell him I'm still unconscious? Or have gone mute?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "This is important Harry. He just wants to make sure you're alright."
"Really?" Harry raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Since when did he care."
"Just go get ready."
Harry limped up stairs to his room. He put on some of his clothes that must have been brought here from the Dursley's. Also, a new black robe that was draped over the chair.
After he was dressed he had tried to do something with his hair. Looking in the mirror he noticed, in addition to several scars on his arms, legs, and back, he had one that stretched vertically across his lips, on the right side of his face. He sighed, realizing he would have another noticeable scar. He went back downstairs to a waiting Dumbledore. The professor handed him some Floo powder. He threw it in the fire and was taken to the Ministry of Magic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry stepped out of the fireplace. He looked around. The ministry was a octagonal building. The walls were a blueish-white color and the rugs were purple. There were people in multi-colored robes rushing everywhere, some carrying papers and some working on varying magical objects. When Dumbledore arrived he took Harry by the arm and the set off to the left. As they passed many people waved at them, mostly recognizing Dumbledore, and stared after Harry. But Harry didn't notice this. He was busy looking around. Over each desk, the paperwork seemed to be floating and there were strange brightly colored balls flying around. He tugged on Dumbledore's sleeve.
"Professor, what are those?" he asked, as a green one zinged past their ears.
"Their Bubbles, Harry. The different departments use them to communicate to one another. Ah, here we are."
He had stopped outside a giant red door. The name 'Cornelius Fudge' was imprinted on it, right above 'Minister of Magic'. The secretary was stationed at a desk next to it, staring at them in awe.
"Yes, Mr. Potter and I have an appointment with the Minister."
The secretary nodded and her eyes flicked up to Harry's forehead. "He is expecting you. Right through there, Headmaster, Mr. Potter." And with that they pushed through the door.
They went into a golden walled office. Harry could see Fudge arguing with someone from the Hexes Department through the fire. He motioned for them to take a seat.
"Can we wrap this up, Delaney. It appears someone is here to see me."
"Of course, I'll send the paperwork straight up."
The fire went out and Fudge turned around. He cleared his throat when he saw who was standing there.
"Ah yes, Albus, good to see you. How are you feeling, Harry?"
"I'm fine Mr. Fudge." An uneasy silence drifted over the room.
"Didn't you have something you wanted to talk to Harry about, Cornelius?" questioned Dumbledore.
"Right, straight to business. Now Harry, I know you've been through a terrible ordeal, but I need to ask you a couple questions."
"Shoot," replied Harry.
"Well, first, there has been a lot of disappearances lately and I was hoping you would know where they held you."
"Sorry, I don't. I was stunned when they brought me in."
"That's quite alright. Now you didn't see any other prisoners there, did you?"
"Actually, I did. Two."
"Who?"
"They said their names were Marigold Senters and John Backon."
At this, Fudge did a double take. "You saw Senter and Backon."
Harry was confused. "Yeah, why? Who are they?"
"Marigold is our best Auror and John's head Obliviator. Their disappearance caused quite a stir. Much like yours did. People figure if the Death Eaters get you or someone who is trained in dueling, then they could get anyone."
Harry nodded his head. Now he knew why they would have gone after them. Voldemort's trying to upset the government. And it was working.
Dumbledore's voice broke Harry out of his thoughts. "If that's all, Cornelius, Harry needs rest."
"Of course, of course. Get better, Harry." The Minister showed them from his office.
"He was acting particularly nice. Do you think he's sick?" Harry said, once they were out of earshot. Dumbledore had to stifle a laugh, but his eyes were twinkling.
"No Harry. Although it's hard to believe, the Minister is somewhat human. Deep down at least."
"Very deep down."
They arrived at the fireplaces and were sent back to the Leaky Cauldron. As Harry stepped back out, someone wrapped him in a big hug.
"Oh Harry, I was so worried. I was revived and they said you were captured. Everyone thought you were dead. I had just talk to you all day and then you were dead. And it was in all the papers so I saw you're picture everyday. It was horrible." Harry looked down and saw Lisa sobbing into his shirt.
"It's alright, Lisa. Everything's fine."
"It's not just that. The day you came back I was here. I had gone to lunch with my older brother and then you came through the fire. There was so much blood. It..it...I..," she trailed off, crying softly.
Harry sat her down in a chair and crouched next to it. "Hey, cheer up. I hate to see you looking so sad." She gave him a weak smile. "There. That's the Lisa I know. Now, trust me. Everything will be fine. I promise you. I'll make sure of it."
Lisa stopped crying. "Thanks Harry," she whispered. "Oh, here I am, hogging you all to myself. There are three people over there who were just as worried as I were." Harry looked to where she was pointing. Standing there were Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Ginny gave him a smile, but was glaring at Lisa. Harry sighed. He knew Ginny had a crush on him, but he hope she wasn't going to hate every friend he had that was a girl. The strange part though, was that a similar look was mirrored in Hermione's eyes as well.
Hermione was next. She swooped down on him as soon as he was done cheering up Lisa.
"Oh Harry, when I heard that you disappeared, I panicked. I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. I realized how much I would miss you." Hermione stated tearing, too.
"Hey, why's everyone crying. I'm back, I'm fine, there's no reason to cry." He put a finger under her chin and made her look into his eyes. "Like I said, everything will turn out all right, Mione. We'll stick together and they won't win." Hermione wiped her eyes.
"I know. I was just scared I'd never see you play Quidditch, or laugh, or smile again."
"Well, I'm smiling now."
Hermione put a finger on his lips. "You got another scar."
"I know, it's becoming a bad habit of mine."
They pulled apart. Harry noticed that Ginny was clutching onto Ron's arm. He smiled at her. "Hey, Gin."
"Hey, Harry. You're alright?"
"Never better."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
The 5 friends spent the rest of the afternoon and evening talking. Finally, around 9:30, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny headed home (Hermione had been staying at the Burrow since Harry had disappeared). Then, Lisa left. Harry volunteered to walk with her, but she wouldn't let him while his leg still hurt. That night when Harry went to his room, he saw Dumbledore and Sirius waiting for him.
"Harry, I know this might be hard, but I need you to tell me exactly what happened since you were captured."
So Harry launched into details of exactly what happened. He told them about Voldemort wanting him to be his heir, about Marigold and John, and about his escape. When he finally finished it was 11 o'clock and he was about to fall asleep.
Dumbledore looked grim. "Well Harry you have again shown wisdom and courage beyond your years. I'm truly sorry you had to go through that. Get some rest." He started walking to the door.
"Actually, Professor," Harry stopped him, "There's something I want to ask you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Over the next couple of days, Harry spent most of his time in his room. Though it wasn't so bad. He and Sirius got to know each other a lot better. Harry told Sirius about things he and his friends did in their past 4 years at school and Sirius told him about his parents. Harry sent Amy and Fiona a letter with Hedwig, telling them what happened and not to worry. Moony stopped by on the 29th and told them that he would be teaching DADA again this year. They threw him a small party. Lisa visited a lot, too, and Harry told her all about Sirius. They seemed to get along quite well as Sirius reminded her of her little brother, Robert.
On the 31st, Hermione and the Weasley's came to buy their school supplies. Mrs. Weasley fussed over Harry for a ½ an hour before letting them go. He and Lisa followed the rest of them around as they bought everything. Finally, they only had to go to Flourish and Blotts. When Harry told Herm how many books he had read lately, she was very pleased.
"At least I'm having a positive effect on some people," she said, with a pointed look at Ron. He just stuck his tongue out at her and the group laughed.
Harry went up and down the isles and bought another book on dueling, one about defense curses, one about the Unforgivables, and 'Hogwarts: A History'. Ron cracked up when he saw this. Then he eyed the book on the top of the pile. It was one for Arithmacy.
"Why do you need that?" he questioned.
"I asked Dumbledore if I could switch to it the other night. I'm sick of having that old bat predict my death every time I step in her classroom."
Hearing this, Lisa exclaimed, "I switched from Muggle Studies to Arithmacy this year, too!" So she, Harry, and Hermione launched into a discussion about it, while Ron trailed behind, grumbling about 'breathing in poisoned perfume alone'.
Which brings me to my next point. Please, somebody, anybody, review!!!!!!!!!!!! I have NO reviews for this chapter! This story is my first fic, my baby, and although it is somewhat dull in the beginning, it gets better. I promise.
Maybe if I rename it, or make a better summary....
CH6: Escaped
~[Harry] could hear people running into the room, so he jumped in and shouted "Diagon Alley!" As he was whisked away he heard Voldemort's shouts of "NOOOOOOO" echo in the chamber.~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry fell out of the fireplace at the Leaky Cauldron with a crash. He could hear screams around him, but didn't care. He just wanted to fall into nothingness. He was vaguely aware that someone was turning him over and telling him he had to stay awake. He opened his eyes and saw a familiar figure standing over him.
"Tom?" he whispered.
Tom's eyes widened in shock as he recognized who was on the floor of his pub. "Harry?" He turned to someone standing behind him and told them to get a doctor, quickly. The next thing Harry knew he was being hoisted up into a chair by the window.
"Harry, Harry, can you hear me?" Tom was lightly slapping Harry on the side of the face. "You have to stay awake!"
Harry mumbled "Get Dumbledore," before passing out again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Harry woke he was in one of the rooms in the Leaky Cauldron. He saw that Dumbledore was sitting in a chair next to him and a large black dog was laying at the foot of the bed.
"Professor?" Then, Dumbledore noticed Harry was awake.
"Good afternoon, Harry. How are you feeling?"
"I only have a headache." Then he turned to the large dog. "Snuffles?" When the dog heard his name, he sat up. Immediately upon seeing Harry awake, he jumped off the bed and turned into Sirius.
"Oh, Harry, I was so worried. Are you alright? Do you need anything? Something to drink? Another pillow?"
"Sirius, I'm fine. Really," he added at Sirius' skeptical look.
"You're missing for more than 2 weeks and then you're unconscious for 3 days, and you're just fine?"
"Right. Wait, I was out for 3 days?"
"Uhuh."
"Well, I'm alright. Though, could I got downstairs for some breakfast? Or lunch?"
"It's not a good idea for you to be...", Sirius started, but Dumbledore cut him off.
"If you're sure you can walk, you can go."
"Albus!"
Harry practically leapt out of bed. With a small limp he headed downstairs with the Headmaster and a dog following behind.
As usual, when Harry went downstairs the whole place went quiet. He went to the bar.
"Good day, Tom. Do you think I could get some sandwiches?"
"Of course, Mr. Potter. How are you feeling?"
"Just a small headache."
"Here drink this." He placed a small glass of bright purple liquid on the table. Harry saw that it was a headache-cure potion and gulped it down.
"Thanks." The last remaining parts of his headache went away as he ate lunch. After he was full, Harry turned to Professor Dumbledore.
"Um, what happened to Lisa? Is she okay?"
"She's fine, Harry. Just a little shaken up from being stunned. Actually, she, along with Ron and Hermione spend a lot of time here while you were unconscious."
Harry let out the breath he was holding and smiled. "Can I see them soon?"
"Of course. But, first, Mr. Fudge wants to speak with you. We should leave for the ministry as soon as you get changed."
Harry sighed. "Can't we just tell him I'm still unconscious? Or have gone mute?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "This is important Harry. He just wants to make sure you're alright."
"Really?" Harry raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Since when did he care."
"Just go get ready."
Harry limped up stairs to his room. He put on some of his clothes that must have been brought here from the Dursley's. Also, a new black robe that was draped over the chair.
After he was dressed he had tried to do something with his hair. Looking in the mirror he noticed, in addition to several scars on his arms, legs, and back, he had one that stretched vertically across his lips, on the right side of his face. He sighed, realizing he would have another noticeable scar. He went back downstairs to a waiting Dumbledore. The professor handed him some Floo powder. He threw it in the fire and was taken to the Ministry of Magic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry stepped out of the fireplace. He looked around. The ministry was a octagonal building. The walls were a blueish-white color and the rugs were purple. There were people in multi-colored robes rushing everywhere, some carrying papers and some working on varying magical objects. When Dumbledore arrived he took Harry by the arm and the set off to the left. As they passed many people waved at them, mostly recognizing Dumbledore, and stared after Harry. But Harry didn't notice this. He was busy looking around. Over each desk, the paperwork seemed to be floating and there were strange brightly colored balls flying around. He tugged on Dumbledore's sleeve.
"Professor, what are those?" he asked, as a green one zinged past their ears.
"Their Bubbles, Harry. The different departments use them to communicate to one another. Ah, here we are."
He had stopped outside a giant red door. The name 'Cornelius Fudge' was imprinted on it, right above 'Minister of Magic'. The secretary was stationed at a desk next to it, staring at them in awe.
"Yes, Mr. Potter and I have an appointment with the Minister."
The secretary nodded and her eyes flicked up to Harry's forehead. "He is expecting you. Right through there, Headmaster, Mr. Potter." And with that they pushed through the door.
They went into a golden walled office. Harry could see Fudge arguing with someone from the Hexes Department through the fire. He motioned for them to take a seat.
"Can we wrap this up, Delaney. It appears someone is here to see me."
"Of course, I'll send the paperwork straight up."
The fire went out and Fudge turned around. He cleared his throat when he saw who was standing there.
"Ah yes, Albus, good to see you. How are you feeling, Harry?"
"I'm fine Mr. Fudge." An uneasy silence drifted over the room.
"Didn't you have something you wanted to talk to Harry about, Cornelius?" questioned Dumbledore.
"Right, straight to business. Now Harry, I know you've been through a terrible ordeal, but I need to ask you a couple questions."
"Shoot," replied Harry.
"Well, first, there has been a lot of disappearances lately and I was hoping you would know where they held you."
"Sorry, I don't. I was stunned when they brought me in."
"That's quite alright. Now you didn't see any other prisoners there, did you?"
"Actually, I did. Two."
"Who?"
"They said their names were Marigold Senters and John Backon."
At this, Fudge did a double take. "You saw Senter and Backon."
Harry was confused. "Yeah, why? Who are they?"
"Marigold is our best Auror and John's head Obliviator. Their disappearance caused quite a stir. Much like yours did. People figure if the Death Eaters get you or someone who is trained in dueling, then they could get anyone."
Harry nodded his head. Now he knew why they would have gone after them. Voldemort's trying to upset the government. And it was working.
Dumbledore's voice broke Harry out of his thoughts. "If that's all, Cornelius, Harry needs rest."
"Of course, of course. Get better, Harry." The Minister showed them from his office.
"He was acting particularly nice. Do you think he's sick?" Harry said, once they were out of earshot. Dumbledore had to stifle a laugh, but his eyes were twinkling.
"No Harry. Although it's hard to believe, the Minister is somewhat human. Deep down at least."
"Very deep down."
They arrived at the fireplaces and were sent back to the Leaky Cauldron. As Harry stepped back out, someone wrapped him in a big hug.
"Oh Harry, I was so worried. I was revived and they said you were captured. Everyone thought you were dead. I had just talk to you all day and then you were dead. And it was in all the papers so I saw you're picture everyday. It was horrible." Harry looked down and saw Lisa sobbing into his shirt.
"It's alright, Lisa. Everything's fine."
"It's not just that. The day you came back I was here. I had gone to lunch with my older brother and then you came through the fire. There was so much blood. It..it...I..," she trailed off, crying softly.
Harry sat her down in a chair and crouched next to it. "Hey, cheer up. I hate to see you looking so sad." She gave him a weak smile. "There. That's the Lisa I know. Now, trust me. Everything will be fine. I promise you. I'll make sure of it."
Lisa stopped crying. "Thanks Harry," she whispered. "Oh, here I am, hogging you all to myself. There are three people over there who were just as worried as I were." Harry looked to where she was pointing. Standing there were Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Ginny gave him a smile, but was glaring at Lisa. Harry sighed. He knew Ginny had a crush on him, but he hope she wasn't going to hate every friend he had that was a girl. The strange part though, was that a similar look was mirrored in Hermione's eyes as well.
Hermione was next. She swooped down on him as soon as he was done cheering up Lisa.
"Oh Harry, when I heard that you disappeared, I panicked. I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. I realized how much I would miss you." Hermione stated tearing, too.
"Hey, why's everyone crying. I'm back, I'm fine, there's no reason to cry." He put a finger under her chin and made her look into his eyes. "Like I said, everything will turn out all right, Mione. We'll stick together and they won't win." Hermione wiped her eyes.
"I know. I was just scared I'd never see you play Quidditch, or laugh, or smile again."
"Well, I'm smiling now."
Hermione put a finger on his lips. "You got another scar."
"I know, it's becoming a bad habit of mine."
They pulled apart. Harry noticed that Ginny was clutching onto Ron's arm. He smiled at her. "Hey, Gin."
"Hey, Harry. You're alright?"
"Never better."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~
The 5 friends spent the rest of the afternoon and evening talking. Finally, around 9:30, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny headed home (Hermione had been staying at the Burrow since Harry had disappeared). Then, Lisa left. Harry volunteered to walk with her, but she wouldn't let him while his leg still hurt. That night when Harry went to his room, he saw Dumbledore and Sirius waiting for him.
"Harry, I know this might be hard, but I need you to tell me exactly what happened since you were captured."
So Harry launched into details of exactly what happened. He told them about Voldemort wanting him to be his heir, about Marigold and John, and about his escape. When he finally finished it was 11 o'clock and he was about to fall asleep.
Dumbledore looked grim. "Well Harry you have again shown wisdom and courage beyond your years. I'm truly sorry you had to go through that. Get some rest." He started walking to the door.
"Actually, Professor," Harry stopped him, "There's something I want to ask you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Over the next couple of days, Harry spent most of his time in his room. Though it wasn't so bad. He and Sirius got to know each other a lot better. Harry told Sirius about things he and his friends did in their past 4 years at school and Sirius told him about his parents. Harry sent Amy and Fiona a letter with Hedwig, telling them what happened and not to worry. Moony stopped by on the 29th and told them that he would be teaching DADA again this year. They threw him a small party. Lisa visited a lot, too, and Harry told her all about Sirius. They seemed to get along quite well as Sirius reminded her of her little brother, Robert.
On the 31st, Hermione and the Weasley's came to buy their school supplies. Mrs. Weasley fussed over Harry for a ½ an hour before letting them go. He and Lisa followed the rest of them around as they bought everything. Finally, they only had to go to Flourish and Blotts. When Harry told Herm how many books he had read lately, she was very pleased.
"At least I'm having a positive effect on some people," she said, with a pointed look at Ron. He just stuck his tongue out at her and the group laughed.
Harry went up and down the isles and bought another book on dueling, one about defense curses, one about the Unforgivables, and 'Hogwarts: A History'. Ron cracked up when he saw this. Then he eyed the book on the top of the pile. It was one for Arithmacy.
"Why do you need that?" he questioned.
"I asked Dumbledore if I could switch to it the other night. I'm sick of having that old bat predict my death every time I step in her classroom."
Hearing this, Lisa exclaimed, "I switched from Muggle Studies to Arithmacy this year, too!" So she, Harry, and Hermione launched into a discussion about it, while Ron trailed behind, grumbling about 'breathing in poisoned perfume alone'.
