"For heaven's sake, don't try to be cynical. It's perfectly easy to be cynical." – Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest.
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Where You Belong
Chapter 1
Andrea walked briskly to the library her mind jumping around her many varied thoughts. Once she got to the library she decided to just drop off her one book and come back later to work on her essay. It was then that Andrea realized that it was time for lunch but she really didn't feel like being around a lot of people so she headed to the hallway below the great hall instead of to the great hall. A quick stop to the house elves got her enough sandwiches to feed a small country and she headed out to the grounds. The early fall weather still held a slight glimpse of summer and Andrea wanted to enjoy it before it was lost.
Once outside Andrea wandered around the grounds munching on her lunch. When she reached the edge of the forest she peered into it curiously thinking of all the crazy things that were kept inside it. The forest had always fascinated Andrea but she never dared to step foot inside of it, not even for lessons. For as much as the forest intrigued her she always got the feeling that there was much evil inside of it. Andrea walked along the edge of the forest for a while before settling in a sunny yet hidden spot right on the edge. She was tempted to pull out her CD player that Ginny had charmed to work for her but she decided against it.
Andrea had been relaxing in her sunny spot for about a half hour when she heard an uproar of noise. Startled she looked up at the castle to see everyone who had a free period head outside to enjoy the weather. Andrea silently watched the other students for a while before pulling out her CD player hopping to relax in her own world for a few more minutes before she had to head to class. But as she was pulling her CD player out a rustling from the forest stopped her. Andrea froze listening for any other sound but she wasn't expecting what she heard. Voices, loudly whispering voices, were not more then five feet away from her. Carefully Andrea packed up her stuff planning to make a run for it back to the castle but the voices once again stopped her.
"Where is the brat? Wormtail for your own good you'd better pray that Potter is out here." The voice was so familiar that Andrea could recognize it anywhere, but what troubled her was why it was at Hogwarts in the forbidden forest.
"He…He's here…I-I s-swear." The second voice replied.
"Then where is he?"
"T-There…he-he's over b-by the l-lake."
"Good job Wormtail you finally got something right. Now we send Potter to watch his demise."
"W-what do…you m-mean Lucius?"
"I mean we send the brat back to see his parents die before he's even born."
"You…you mean c-change …his-history?"
"Exactly, our lord plans to get rid of that brat before he even becomes a problem."
Andrea stood rooted to the spot; there was no way she could flee now. Voldemort was planning on erasing Harry from existence again and she was the only one to stop the plan. Before Andrea could really think about it she jumped in front of Lucius's wand just as he was finishing his incantation. She was able to register the shocked, yet furious look on Malfoy's twisted face before all went black.
* * *
"I still don't understand how we could have not noticed someone in our year, who's also, happens to be in our house." Hermione vented as the trio walked around the lake.
"Well Hermione she is shy and doesn't try to socialize so it's not like we ignored her." Harry explained.
"I know Harry but still I feel bad."
"I don't think…" Ron was interrupted from thinking by a scream of pure anger coming from the forest.
As the trio was on the side of the lake closest to the forest they were the only ones to hear the scream. They quickly ran to the forest only to catch a glimpse of someone as the disappeared further into it. The three of them looked at each other trying to decide what to do when Hermione spoke up.
"Perhaps it was just Hagrid or a centaur that was annoyed."
"Hermione I don't think that was it." Harry cryptically answered.
"Well we don't know what it was so I suggest that we not go running after it, it could be another trap."
"I agree mate, we'd be better off to tell McGonagall or Dumbledore." Ron added.
"Well let's go alert them, then." Harry assented as they changed their direction and headed back up into the castle.
As much as Harry was still upset with the headmaster the other two convinced him that it was better to go to Dumbledore. Once they reached the entrance to Dumbledore's office they spent ten minutes guessing the proper password.
"Good afternoon what brings you three to my office?" Dumbledore questioned as the three entered his office.
Harry silently studied Dumbledore refusing completely forgive him for the last year. Hermione seeing that neither Harry nor Ron were willing to speak up she took control.
"Professor", Hermione began pulling Dumbledore's gaze away from Harry and to her. "We were walking along the lake near the forest when we heard an angry scream coming from inside the forest. We don't believe that it was Hagrid or a centaur, but we felt we should alert you instead of running after it."
"Very well what did this scream sound like?"
"Like a man's, a very angry man's scream full of frustration and anger." Harry automatically answered not removing his gaze.
"Well you were right to think that it wasn't Hagrid or a centaur because Hagrid is in Hogsmead at the moment and the centaurs are hiding themselves deep in the forest refusing to come anywhere near the edge of it." Dumbledore replied. "I'm not sure what it was but I'll be sure to check the forest for recent activity. Now why don't you three run along to class, if you hurry you might be able to catch the last half of it."
With that the three knew the conversation was over and they silently left the headmasters office and headed down to what was left of their Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
"Ah Harry, Ron, Hermione how nice of you to join the class." Professor Lupin exclaimed as the trio entered the classroom.
"Sorry professor we were talking to the Headmaster." Harry responded as they made their way to their seats.
"Quite alright. If you three could just stay after class is over so that I may catch you up on what you missed. Now where were we?...Oh yes vampires…'
* * *
Ginny was packing up her books when Professor Lupin caller her back.
"Ms. Weasley could I speak to you for a minute?"
"Sure." Ginny quickly finished putting her stuff away and told her friends to go on ahead and then she headed up to Professor Lupin's desk.
"Yes?"
"Is Ms. Brooke ill?" Ginny was a little startled by the question but answered it just the same.
"No why?"
"It's just she's never missed a class of mine and today she didn't show up for class and has yet to come to me to find out what she missed and I know that she's the type of student to do that."
"I haven't seen her since before lunch but I think she's kind of upset with me but I can ask Harry if he's seen her and let you know."
"Alright thanks."
"Why are you so worried anyway? If you don't mind me asking?"
Ginny watched as Lupin sighed and decided that she was digging too far into things and was about to apologize for her question when he began to talk.
"Look I know that Andrea's your best friend but something about her reminds me of someone that I went to school with; they even share the same name. Andrea was a dear friend of mine and she disappeared a few years ago, like all of my friends lately, anyway I feel like I need to lookout for her since I didn't do so well with my friend." Lupin explained.
Ginny listened to his story and understood what he was getting at. He wanted to protect Andrea and her friends from what he and his friends went through.
"There's more to it though isn't there." Ginny thought aloud surprising herself and Lupin.
"Yes Ginny there is. I got this feeling earlier that something happened. I don't know if it was to Andrea directly or not but I don't feel that whatever happened was something good."
"I'll find out if Harry's seen her and I'll let you know what I find ok Professor?" Ginny answered.
"Alright, thanks Ginny and please when were not in class call me Remus. I believe that after last year we're all close enough to call each other by our first names."
Ginny nodded her agreement and silently left the classroom deep in thought about what Remus had just shared with her. She smiled as she thought of Remus' last words; it was true her whole family was closer to a lot of the order. They had spent the last two summers living in the Black house, which was also the headquarters for the Order of Phoenix. During those summers she had grown close with a handful of the members two of those being Remus and Tonks, she had gotten to know Sirius as well but not as well as the others due to, well the end of last term. She had discovered that she had a lot in common with Remus and helped him with the loss of another of his close friends and in turn he had helped her get past the lingering nightmares and guilt she had about her first year at Hogwarts.
It wasn't until after dinner that Ginny was able to catch up with Harry.
"Harry!" Ginny called out as she neared his retreating figure. Upon hearing his name being called out Harry stopped and turned around to see who it was. Unfortunately Malfoy turned around as well to see.
"Well if it
isn't the littlest weasel. I see she's finally gotten the guts to ask wonder
boy out." Malfoy sneered as Ginny drew closer to Harry and Malfoy. Just as
Harry was about to respond Ginny spoke up.
"Oh shove off Malfoy it's
really getting old, if you actually knew anything you'd know that I'm dating
Dean Thomas." Without a second glance Ginny turned her back on Malfoy and faced
a slightly shocked Harry. "Harry have you seen Andrea?"
"Andrea? Is that another of Potters worshipers?" Malfoy interrupted.
"Malfoy Shut Up!" both Harry and Ginny yelled.
"Anyway Andrea…have you seen her?"
"Now that you mention it I haven't seen her since she was in the common room talking to you why?"
"Damn…she wasn't in any of you classes?"
"Not after lunch, and that's odd because she never misses classes. Why what's wrong Ginny?"
"Nothing yet I'm just a little worried, no one's seen her since she left the common room. I just wish I hadn't pissed her off because then I'd know where she was."
"What'd you do to piss her off?"
"I was a little to nosey today I think."
"Well I'm sure she'll show up soon or later. Come on lets head up to the common room."
"Alright."
Ginny followed Harry until they were on the floor of Remus' office and then she stopped Harry.
"What?"
"Harry I didn't tell you before because Malfoy was lurking about but Professor Lupin asked me to ask you about Andrea because he's worried something happened to her and I need to let him know that no one has seen her since before lunch." Ginny explained.
"Alright I'll go with you."
"Thanks Harry."
When Harry and Ginny reached Professor Lupin's office they heard voices inside so they knocked on the door to let those inside know that they were there. A few seconds later Professor Lupin opened the door and let them inside where they found Professor Dumbledore as well.
"Good evening Ms. Weasley, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore greeted.
"Good evening Professor." Harry and Ginny responded.
"Professors no one's seen Andrea since before lunch, I'm starting to get worried she's not like that." Ginny stated without preamble.
"There's no need to fret Ms. Weasley I believe you will all find your friend sooner then you think." Dumbledore mysteriously answered with that ever present and often annoying twinkle in his eye.