A/N: I like this chapter-it's the first one i had to write in ages! I'd done all the rest months ago! I've only written 2 more chapters after this, so if the updating slows down, you know why. As for reviews, thank you! We've nearly reached 300! Woohoo! Also, we've got some really clever reviewers out there. Over the last few chapters peoplehave beenpicking out little bits and pieces which are so entirely true. I wont say what though, it'd spoil it! So basicly, keep reviewing, and i hope you enjoy reading this chapter, as much as i enjoyed writing it! Always, Angel.

Chapter 24- Missing

Harry and Ron traipsed down the stairs, and trampled lazily into the common room. They positioned themselves in the appropriate arm chairs, and lolled their heads on their shoulders.

'Wakey wakey, rise and shine!' Hermione cheered, as she took a chair opposite Harry. 'Come on, wake up! Lessons start in twenty minutes!'

The boys grumbled in unison, and Hermione sighed.

'Boys.' She muttered to herself.

'Tell me about it.' Said Erin's friendly voice, as she appeared from around the corner. 'Dean told me he'd meet me for breakfast, and he didn't show up.'

'He's still in bed.' Ron mumbled.

'I gathered that.' Erin replied.

'Morning all!' Daisy exclaimed, and the boys grumbled once more. 'Well someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed!'

'We were up late doing Quidditch practice.' Harry explained. 'We stayed out a whole three hours after you girls left.'

'Well that's your choice.' Erin mused.

'But still…'

'Enough of the moaning.' Daisy demanded. 'Have any of you read the notice? It's Hogsmeade this weekend.'

'At last.' Erin smiled. 'A chance to go out and buy everyone's Christmas presents!'

'You mean a chance to buy more sweets.' Dean said, as he strolled next to Erin. 'Sorry I didn't meet you for breakfast, I slept in.'

'It doesn't matter.' Erin lied, blushing. 'Walk me to class?'

Dean led Erin away, without a goodbye.

'Bye Erin.' Daisy said, sarcastically. 'It's as if she just forgot we were all here.'

'That's love for you.' Ron mused. 'Talking of love, lets go get some breakfast Hermione.'

'There's no time.' Hermione argued, crossing her arms. 'Lessons are about to start.'

'Oh, go on.' Ron begged, using his best puppy dog eyes.

'I will if you promise to show me that pensieve tonight.' Hermione decided.

'Deal.' Ron said finally, but not looking to sure, before he led Hermione away.

'What Pensieve?' Daisy asked.

'Never mind.' Harry said, waving the question away with his hand. 'It's time for class. I've got to go.'

At the end of the school day, Harry was in a much better mood than the one he'd woken up in. Even though Christmas had never been his favorite time of year, he could slowly feel the Christmas spirit getting to him.

He'd received his first Christmas card of the year, (from a random 3rd year he didn't know), had his first mouthful of mince pie of the year, (he'd taken a visit to the kitchens), and had his first glimpse of this years Christmas decorations (In Filch's office).

Harry took his good mood with him to the common room, and even managed to have a pleasant conversation with Erin about House Elf rights.

'So if everyone would just donate a small amount to the Elf rights organization, everyone could have a house elf with holiday and pay.' Erin explained, in a high pitched passionate voice.

'It's a good idea, Erin.' Harry grinned. 'But I don't think it would go down to well with Wizards who have house elves for free.'

Erin sat thinking for a moment, flicking through the pages of her elf rights book. She reminded him so much of Hermione.

'What do you want for Christmas?' Harry asked smiling. It was a nice feeling, having a sibling to buy for

'Nothing.' Erin said simply. 'There's nothing I want.'

'There must be something.' Harry said.

'Nothing.' Erin repeated. 'What about you? What do you want?'

Harry tried to think of something, but nothing sprang to mind. He didn't want anything material for Christmas, just time with his family.

'I can't think of anything.' Harry admitted.

'See, it's not so easy.' Erin joked, and went back to reading her book.

Harry peered over her shoulder, and read the page too. It was a list of Elves names, and quotes of what they'd said on the subject of freedom. Harry was amused to see that they were all against freedom, pay and holiday.

'Erin!' Harry exclaimed, as a thought popped into his head. 'Ive just had a great idea!

'What?' Erin asked, closing her book sharply.

'How about instead of buying Christmas presents for each other, we buy some for the house elves.' Harry suggested. 'I mean, it would be a nice idea. We could buy them some decorations for the kitchen, or some books…'

'That's a great idea, Harry.' Erin grinned. 'I've got to go tell the house elves!'

'No, don't tell them.' Harry laughed. 'Let it be a surprise.'

'Oh, ok. I'll just tell Dusty. She'll know what everyone will like, and is great at keeping secrets.' Erin explained, standing up. 'This is brilliant! What gave you such a good idea! You're not normally so selfless at Christmas.'

'Yes I am.' Harry argued, and Erin gave him a funny look. 'I am now.'

'Right.' Erin said, looking shifty. 'Look, I've got to go.'

'Hey Erin.' Hermione smiled, as she took a seat opposite Harry. 'Are you alright? You look like you've just seen a ghost.'

'I wish.' Erin muttered, and swiftly left the common room.

'What's up with her?' Hermione asked.

'No idea.' Harry replied. 'So what brings you back to the common room? I thought you were in the library.'

'I was.' Hermione stated. 'But then Lav and Pav came in distracting me about tacky dress robes, and Ron somehow escaped. He still doesn't want to show me that penseive, and now I've lost him.'

Harry chuckled.

'You don't have Quidditch practice tonight, do you?' Hermione asked, and Harry shook his head. 'Ron is insufferable! He told me you did and that he'd have no time…never mind.'

'Why don't we head to dinner?' Harry suggested. 'Ron must be there. He never misses a meal.'

Harry and Hermione ate dinner in the Great Hall, but to Hermione's annoyance, Ron was nowhere to be seen.

'I don't get it.' Hermione sulked, as they left the Great Hall an hour later. 'Where can he be?'

'Have you lost Padfoot, Hermione? Seamus asked, pouting mockingly.

'As a matter of fact, I have.' Hermione said. 'Have you seen him?'

'Nope.' Dean replied. 'But we're heading to Snape's office. We'll let you know if we find him there.'

Dean and Seamus wondered off, pulling fireworks out of their pockets. Harry sniggered, wondering what they were up to.

'So you think it's funny?' Hermione asked Harry, crossing her arms. 'Why can't he just be mature about it? We need to see this pensieve.'

'You just can't stand not knowing something, can you Hermione?' Harry mused, and Hermione shrugged.

'Well, I suppose. And it is about me, so…' Hermione tailed off.

'Heya.' Ginny smiled, approaching Harry and Hermione. Harry was surprised for a moment, as Ginny never approached them without her crowd of admirers.

'Hi.' Harry replied, smiling.

'Are you two going to Hogsmeade at the weekend?' Ginny asked, politely.

'Of course.' Hermione replied, naturally. 'I still have to get my dress robes.'

'Me too.' Ginny said. 'Why don't we go together. I need some help choosing, and I know you have great taste.'

'Sounds great.' Hermione said, with enthusiasm. Their conversation almost reminded Harry of the way they used to talk in the other world.

Before Harry knew it, the girls had turned off down a corner with a girly 'good bye,' and left Harry quite alone.

Harry found his legs carrying him off in a random direction, not quite knowing where he was being lead. After a few minutes of walking and thinking, Harry arrived at the end of a corridor, facing a door with a stain glass window.

Harry put his hand on the door knob, thinking admiringly of Hogwarts and it's many undiscovered passages, and opened the door.

Behind the door was the herb garden, which had always been out of bounds to students. Harry took a few steps outside, and breathed in the evening air, before strolling over to the gate.

It was winding and metal, and reflected the inky purple sky almost perfectly. Harry brought out his wand to undo the lock, but no spell would work. After a few minutes of contemplation, Harry wandered over to the left of the garden, which lead right into the forbidden forest.

Harry put his wand away, an idea suddenly sparking in his head. He picked a star to spot, and changed almost effortlessly into a Stag.

He raged through the forest, the moss slipping at his hooves. He took laps around the pathways and leapt over the green, before his human instincts kicked in, and he began to try to find the quickest way out. Of course, that's easier said then done. Harry trotted hopelessly in circles, before a noise made him stop.

It was the swishing of a cloak. Harry knew it was, he recognized it shadowed against the hooting of owls, and the whistling of the wind. Yet Harry knew he must be wrong.

He took a few more steps, before hearing it again. It was unmistakable. Harry wasn't the only wizard in the forest.

Harry ducked down as the swishing got louder, but kept his eyes on the dimly lit pathway. A long shadow danced across it, at walking pace, and within seconds, was gone.

Harry felt a shiver run down his spine, and suddenly felt his stomach turn. Before he knew it, he was changing back to himself.

Harry stood up, righting himself, and wiped his muddy hands on his robes, before running to the path, and in the opposite direction of the shadow. Harry knew that being alone in the forbidden forest, as a human, wasn't safe, and luckily found his way out of the forest unnoticed.

Once back inside, Harry traipsed up to Gryffindor Tower, and straight into the common room. He took off his robes, which were drenched with cold sweat, and threw them onto a table, before running over to Hermione, wanting to tell her what had happened.

'Where is he?' Hermione asked Harry, in an accusing tone. Harry looked blankly at her. 'Ron? Where is he? Don't tell me you haven't seen him.'

'Sorry Hermione.' Harry said, falling into a chair, his mind now on Hermione's latest problem. 'I haven't seen him. He's been gone for-'

'Hours. I know.' Hermione said softly, sitting down, fidgeting with her skirt. 'Do you think he's avoiding me?'

'Avoiding his fake girlfriend?' Harry said, as jokily as he could. 'Now why would he do that?'

'Maybe because he doesn't want to change things.' A low voice said behind them.

Ron emerged from the boys staircase, and strolled slowly round Harry's chair with a pensieve in his hands. His head was hung sadly, as he placed it upon the table, and knelt down beside it.

'Now I'm only doing this because you'll never let it go if I don't.' Ron said generally, but it was obviously aimed at Hermione. She looked eagerly over at Harry, who nodded his head, and they both got closer.

'I didn't want you guys to see this, and I still don't.' Ron explained, swirling round the memories with his finger.

'What can be so bad about your memories?' Hermione asked Ron, interrupting him from his speech.

'Look.' Ron said turning to Hermione. 'These memories weirded me out a bit, and I don't want them to do the same to you. I like things just the way they are.'

'Me too.' Hermione said honestly, putting a hand on Ron's lower back. 'But I can't see what difference memories can make.'

'You'd be surprised.' Ron said, going back to the pensieve. 'They made a difference to me, so they're bound to make a difference to you. I just hope they don't make a bad difference. I like you as my fake girlfriend, and my best friend. I don't really want to loose you as either.'

'It wont change anything Ron.' Harry assured him.

'It will.' Ron argued, emotionlessly. 'I just hope this all works out well.'

'It will.' Hermione assured him, as all three put their fingers on the edge of the bowl.

'I'm doing this for you Hermione.' Ron said, looking her seriously in the eyes. 'Promise me you'll think about this.'

Hermione nodded, and on the count of three, Harry, Ron and Hermione, dabbed their fingers into the pool of swirling colour and time, and were lifted back to a past they didn't remember.

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