A/N: I OWN NOTHING. Thanks to all the reviews, Please keep them coming. Pretty Please. Remember, criticism is always welcome, but flamers aren't. Here's the next chappie ENJOY! YAY my longest chapter, and the easiest to write. :)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Gryffindor common room was a silent place to be that night. None of the occupants had much to say. The only noise that could be heard was the scuffling of clothes or shoes against the couch or carpet, as the occupants moved to put themselves in a more comfortable position.
It was very late, but everyone refused to give in to sleep. It was more calming and peaceful just to be near one another, even though there was not much going on in that moment. Their only thoughts were on Harry and his recovery.
They all knew that Harry was lying to them when he told them he was tired. They just figured that he wanted to be alone. They would too if they were in his position. They valued his friendship more than all the galleons in the world. He was their protector, and never once did his loyalties to them ever waver. So they would show him the same treatment as he did to them.
"Hey anybody in the mood for a game of wizards chess." Ron asked from his spot on the floor. The mood in the common room was way too grave for his liking, considering that his best friend had finally woken up and soon things would turn back to normal. He felt like they should be celebrating, not acting so solemn. He could not tell what everyone's problem was that night.
"No." The voices rang across the room from several different places.
"Hey if you want something to do, you can help me with my Arithmancy assignment." Ginny called across to her brother from one of the desks.
"Gin, you know I've never taken that subject before. How on earth do you think I can help you with that." Ron looked startled at his sister, as if she had grown an extra head.
"Ohhh, Ginny, I'll help you, Arithmancy is my favourite subject." Hermione nearly knocked over George in her excitement to help Ginny do her homework. "Isn't Professor Vector the all time greatest. He has to be the smartest teacher Hogwarts has." Hermione gushed.
Ginny shuddered; realizing too late that it was a bad mistake mentioning anything to do with Arithmancy. "Actually Hermione, I think I figured it out. I don't think I need help, after all."
"No, no, Ginny, truly it's ok. I don't mind helping. I already did this class. With my help you'll be done in half an hour at the most."
Ginny turned pleading eyes on her three brothers. They all turned away, not meeting her eyes.
Hermione reached across the table and grabbed Ginny's assignment before Ginny could protest. "Ohh I remember doing this one, it's really easy Ginny, all you have to do is…"
"I really hope you don't plan on giving her the answer Miss. Granger." Professor Dumbledore called out to the oblivious teenagers.
Hermione blushed and covered her face with her thick bushy hair. "No-o-o, sir." She stammered. "I was just helping Ginny with her assignment."
"Help is all well and good, but there are boundaries that one shall not cross. It can become a thin line between helping and cheating. Please keep that in mind Miss. Granger."
"I will Headmaster."
"Good."
Everybody turned around to stare at each other. Nobody could figure out why Dumbledore was there, unless he just came down to berate Hermione on the limits of helping.
"So I guess you're wondering why I'm here." Dumbledore asked his blue eyes twinkling.
Not a soul in the room was able to find their voice. They all could sense that even with the Headmaster's twinkling eyes, something else was wrong. They nodded, waiting for whatever would come.
Dumbledore made himself comfortable on one of the pouf chairs by the fireplace. "Why don't you all join me?" He asked. He drew up three more chairs out of thin air and placed it around his with his wand. Fred and George sat in the remaining poufs and Ron, Ginny, and Hermione sat in the recently conjured ones.
"The reason why I came here tonight is because of something grave that happened in the infirmary moments after you all had left this evening." Dumbledore waited for the onslaught of screams that was sure to follow. He was quite taken aback when there was no response from any of the people in the room. Then it dawned on him that their glazed looks were not from lack of sleep, but from fear, for their friend.
"Harry somehow managed to get out of his bed last night. How I don't know, considering the charm that was placed on his blankets. He should not have been able to even lift a finger, but that's beside the point. Unfortunately he was left by himself without any supervision. That was my fault and I take full responsibility for that." Dumbledore struggled with the next part. He was not sure if he himself could say anything, however, if Harry was going to heal than he would need all the friends he could get. "Now before I continue, you must all understand that what Harry has been through is very disconcerting, and he has been trying to deal with it the best way he knows how. With that in mind Harry tried to take his life during the night, he almost would have succeeded if Mr. Potter did not come right at the last moment and heal Harry's wounds."
The faces in the room looked at each other disbelieving. They all thought that it was some sort of sick joke. The person that the headmaster just described did not seem like the friend that they knew. They all knew that Harry would never give up on life. They had seen him through some of the worst times in his life and each time he fought hard, and he always came out on top.
"Great joke, Headmaster. So when's Harry getting released." Ron said almost hopefully.
"This is not a joke, I assure you all. He is right now in the hospital wing, and his release is uncertain."
Hermione began crying instantly in Ron's arms. Ron had tears in his eyes, but he refused to cry. Mentally he kept telling himself that Harry was fine, and his eyes refused to let his tears fall. Instead he concentrated on Hermione. He sat with her rubbing her back ever so gently, feeling her shuddering breathes each time. Fred and George just sat there stunned. They could not figure out why everything had to happen to Harry. This was even worse then the night they had gone to Privet Drive to save him. At least that time, it would not have been his fault; this time their 'brother' had tried to take his own life. Their faces wore an identical shade of pale white, not moving, not crying. Ginny was the only one who seemed to not have any reaction to Dumbledore's news. She could not believe him until she saw him with her own eyes.
They were all brought out of their reveries when Dumbledore seemed to continue with his speech. "However, I would think it best if you all went down and tried to cheer him up. My suggestion is that you all go outside and maybe try a game of Quidditch. That would make him happy, and it would help take his mind off of everything. Just try not to let on that you know what he did. He would not like it one bit."
Again all the faces in the room looked around perplexedly at one another. How could the headmaster tell them such news and act as if nothing happened?
"Now that's a joke." Ginny screamed from where she was sitting. "Harry can not play in his condition. Over my dead body will he be moved." Ginny's continued screaming made everybody cringe, even Dumbledore. Nobody now could deny that she sounded like Mrs. Weasley.
"Miss. Weasley let me ask you something." Dumbledore tried to get the young girl to calm down. All her yelling would wake the dead.
"What." She growled back.
"If you were the one who tried to take your life, and now you're sitting basically by yourself, would you rather be alone, where your mind could wander to about the next time you could be alone so you could take your life again, or would you rather have your friends by your side distracting you, having fun, acting your age?"
Ginny considered the question. On one hand she knew that deep inside she would want to be alone, she would not want anybody knowing, and if she was that depressed then she would want to be by herself to think about the next time, and how she could accomplish what she set out to do. This scared her more then when she found out that Tom Riddle was possessing her. The one person that she really cared for was by himself, and she knew what he was doing right at this moment.
"We'll do it." She said determinedly, shaking her head trying to get the previous thoughts out of her mind. It was the only chance that they would get to help save Harry's life for a change instead of one of theirs.
"No we won't." Protested Fred. "We already had to bring him here almost dead, we don't plan on doing it again." He seethed. Sometimes his sister could be so dense. "Harry needs to heal mentally before he goes anywhere."
"How do you know what he needs? The both of you have never really paid any attention to Harry before, except for the occasional banter." She pointed a long shaky finger at the twins.
"Know what? Do what you guys want exclude us out. We're not going to be the ones responsible for Harry having a drawback on his healing process." Fred was just as angry with his sister as she was at him.
"Ummm…. Fred…. I think it would be a good idea." George said softly. They usually never disagreed, but he had to side with Ginny on this one.
"Me too." Said Ron with a muffled voice, as it was covered with Hermione's hair.
Fred just glared at everybody he knew when he was defeated, and it was just one of those times.
Hermione did not say a word. She was still sobbing into Ron's shirt.
"Alright everyone since it's settled, you may take Harry outside. Tell Kingsley that he has permission, if there's any trouble you can reach me by floo in my office." With a small smile and a nod, Dumbledore vanished before their eyes.
"Let's go." Said Ginny. "We can use the schools brooms." She hurried out to make her way to the portrait of the fat lady, when she noticed that nobody was following her. "MOVE!" She shouted.
Fred and George jumped at her tone and hastily followed their younger sister out. Hermione needed a bit more persuading to get her to go.
After first trying to reassure her that Harry was fine, but still did not seem to work. Ron tried a different tactic saying that she could referee from the ground instead of having to play.
The others, who were waiting by the door, let out a burst of laughter, when the promise of refereeing was made. Hermione jumped off of Ron, wiped her eyes, and joined the Weasley's.
Ron mumbled something about how girls were so hard to figure out, as he joined his girlfriend and siblings. He knew today would end up being a very interesting day.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"If only he hadn't hesitated at first. If only he hadn't dropped the scissors. If only…" Harry sat in bed, considering that he could not move, the game of "If only…" was running amok in his mind. He knew that if he had not screwed up and wasted time, he could be with his mother and every other being that had died because of him.
His mother had said that Sirius, Hedwig, his grandparents were there, but yet it was not his time. "Well why can't it be my time? Why can't I finally be able to find some peace?" He hit his sheets with a clenched fist. Not that it did much, but he needed to find a release on his emotions.
"Sorry Harry, did you say something?" Kingsley Shacklebolt asked him from beside his bed. "I was reading the prophet. Did you know that crumple horned snorkacks really do exist?" He laughed.
Whatever Harry was expecting Kingsley to say it was certainly not that. "Do they? That's interesting" He said in a dazed sort of voice, brushing Kingsley aside. He did not care; he only cared about when he would be alone next. He had to finish what he started.
"No I just thought it would be amusing to see what you'd do if I told you." Kingsley got the hint and went back to the prophet. He knew what Harry was wanting to do, as an Auror, he had seen many witches and wizards try to take their own lives, usually they got sent to St. Mungo's long term ward, but of course Harry was a different case. It would not look good if the Saviour of the wizarding world got sent to St. Mungo's for a suicide attempt. At least Harry was well guarded and safe this way.
Harry had to think, he needed away out. His eyes searched the room. The only way was the window, but he knew that was stupidity on his own part. Kingsley would see him trying to escape without even getting a finger on the latch. He was too smart for that. He had to think.
Kingsley observed the young man on the bed; he knew the boy was thinking about the best route to escape. He had not made top Auror
for nothing. It had become so easy to read people, without having to be a legilimens; it had to do with the eyes. The old saying was true; the eyes are the key to a person's soul. That is what he read. And from the look on Harry's face, he was like a muggle who just got caught by a Death Eater.
"Kingsley I have to use the washroom." Harry tried. He had to it was his only escape. Once he was safely in the washroom he could try sneaking back out of the room, and out the door. Crawling would work. Kingsley would be none the wiser.
"Harry, you just went not even half an hour ago." Bemused Kingsley grinned at the boy.
"But I have to go again." Harry wined, hoping to become so annoying that Kingsley would just give in.
"Try to sleep Harry it would do you some good."
"What about a shower. I think I'm allowed to do that at least."
"You had one in the morning. You were asleep and Madame Pomfrey and I thought it would be best to give you one when you were sleeping."
"I am not a kid, Shacklebolt, let me out, or I'll I'll I'll…" Harry could not finish the sentence he had no idea what he would do. In his position right now there was nothing that he could do. He was helpless like a newborn baby, and he felt violated at the thought of someone bathing him without him being aware of what they were doing.
"C'mon Harry, you'll do what." Kingsley was used to this, when he rescued victims, they would always threaten him, but it would be themselves that they threatened and never him.
"I'll scream." He said. He was smart enough to know that everytime he screamed someone came running. At this point in time he did not care who it was, just as long as he was able to convince his rescuer that he would be alright if he was by himself.
"Please don't. I think my ears have finally had it. Not to mention I think Hogwarts walls will come crumbling down with another one of your famous yells." George said from the doorway.
Harry just glared at his friends. He did not want them seeing him this way. He could sense that they were told about what he tried to do to himself, and he felt so ashamed, yet, at the same time he felt betrayed, and angry.
"What are you guys doing here?" He refused to look at them; instead he kept his eyes focused on a small hole in his blankets.
His friends made their way to the bed. "We came to collect you for a game of Quidditch." Ron said, he cringed when he waited for an explosion to come out of his friend's mouth.
This was what he was waiting for. A chance to escape, once outside he could break out of Hogwarts and leave, never to return again.
"You're on." Harry shouted full of enthusiasm.
"Hold up one second." Kingsley's voice boomed. "Harry is not going anywhere. He is supposed to remain in bed. Now you can either stay here and talk or you can leave. I hear that Diagon Alley is having a street sale this week, why not check it out." He thought the mention of the sale would drive the girls in the room mad with desire, making them take the boys with them.
"We know, but it doesn't seem like much fun. We'd rather stay here and play Quidditch." Hermione piped in. They all gave Hermione a puzzled look, except for Kingsley who had no idea how much the girl hated playing the game. She just shrugged her shoulders as if nothing strange was said.
"Ok, what about Weasley's Wizard Wheezes? You both will eventually need to check up on that place." He tried again.
"We've got an amazing sales clerk, who was recently hired. She's taking care of the business." Fred answered.
"Listen you can't go outside, not with Harry. His father and Albus will have my neck." Kingsley could just picture the look on James Potter's face when he was told that Harry was outside on his broom.
"We have permission from the Headmaster, it was his idea in the first place. If you don't believe him you can fire call his office. And when that is settled, we will play Quidditch." Ginny said determinedly.
"Fine, and if you guys are lying, I am warning you now, visiting privileges are over, until Harry has made a complete recovery." Kingsley picked up the floo powder and dropped to his knees. "Dumbledore, did you tell the Weasley clan it was ok for Harry to play Quidditch?"
"Yes, Kingsley, I thought it would be a great idea in fact, get the boys mind on other things, better than staying in a room where he feels like he's being suffocated. Don't you think?"
"What about James? What did he have to say about this?"
"James is sleeping, he'll probably be out for quite awhile anyways, after last night. So he'll never know. Just tell them that Harry has to be returned in two hours and that will take care of James from ever finding out."
"But if he does, then it's on your head, Albus." And with that Kingsley Shacklebolt pulled his head from the fireplace. "You have permission, just be back in an hour and a half." He gave them an extra half an hour leniency, in case they got too caught up in the game.
"Great, now can somebody get me out of here?" Harry asked.
"Sorry mate." And Ron released his friend from the constricting blankets.
With a little help getting dressed by Fred and George. They all made their way down to the Quidditch pitch.
Kingsley Shacklebolt watching them disappear knowing full heartedly that this was going to end up being one bad mistake.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
After the fire call Dumbledore felt very pleased with himself. Soon enough the foolish boy would be feeling better, and he would have his "Saviour" back.
He did care for Harry, in a certain extent, but his main concern for the moment was getting rid of Voldemort, even if that meant using people to his own advantage. James was right. Harry was just a pawn, and each piece needed to move in a certain direction in order to win the game. And that is what Dumbledore was going to do was win the game.
He was very good at playing two people. Outside to the world, he was a loveable person, but here on his own, he could be just as vicious as the Dark Lord himself.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
James' eyes flickered open. He had no clue how long he had been out, but he had to admit that this was the best sleep he had in a long time. The dreamless sleep worked wonders.
Harry was safe as he could be, Dumbledore finally learned to stop meddling, and today he was going to take his son outside for a walk, he had a feeling that Harry would like that.
He changed his clothes, and went to the kitchens to get breakfast. As he was eating a nagging feeling was chewing at his stomach. It was like he was missing something important. He tried to remember what it was, but he could not place his finger on it.
"Can Dobby get you anymore to eat, Mister Potter, sir?"
"Hmm… No thank you Dobby. I'm fine." He buttered his last remaining piece of toast, took a bite, and slowly chewed the piece in his mouth. Something did happen; he knew that for sure, but what? Then the events from the night before flashed before his eyes. Harry lying in the bathroom, his arm split open, blood everywhere. His son tried to kill himself.
"Damn Albus." James thought as he ran from the kitchens to the hospital wing. Now he understood why he could not remember any of last night's events. Albus had mixed his dreamless sleep with a mind-altering potion, making last night's event seem unforgettable.
He got to the Hospital wing and made a beeline straight for his son's bed. He was positive that Harry would be sitting up in bed, pouting of course, but still in there. When he got to the bed at last he was taken aback when there was no Harry or Kingsley there.
In a nervous panic James started checking the different beds, in case Madame Pomfrey moved Harry during the night. He checked under the beds, in the closet, but still there was no sign of Harry anywhere.
More than just a nervous panic James was now ready for a full-blown attack. He had no clue where Harry was, and the person that was supposed to be watching him had disappeared to. There was no note; nothing to explain where Harry had went.
He had checked everywhere. There was only one last place to look. His eyes full of fear looked at the door in front of him. The lavatory.
That was the only place that Harry could be. He must have escaped the bed again, without any supervision Harry was free to do what he pleased, if he did get out.
James' hand slowly made it's way to the cold metal globe that was the handle. He pushed the door open, but as he did, he shut his eyes closed. He knew what he would see and he could not bear to witness it. He could just picture it. His son's still body, blue and cold, unmoving, lying down, emerald eyes cloudy and listless, an empty potions bottle lay in his limp hand. His son was able to finish what he started.
"Harry, no." He cried into the darkened room. He could not picture it; he could not go through with it. He could not, but he had to. If his son was dead than he had to be there for him even in death.
He counted very slowly to ten, trying to control his ragged breathing. He carefully opened his eyes, and let out a deep breath of relief when he found it empty. Yet there was still the problem of finding his missing son. Where could Harry have gone?
He left the lavatory and was making his way out, wanting to go to the Gryffindor common rooms, in hopes that his friends knew where he was, when a figure on a broom went zooming by the window in a far off distance.
Even though the person was far from sight, James was able to recognize who that person was immediately. Panic turned to anger at his son. Now he could understand why "Severus" was always mad at Harry. Harry did have a way of breaking the rules and getting out of trouble. This was the last straw; James was going to take matters into his own hands.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It was a perfect day for flying, clear blue skies, white fluffy clouds, and a nice summer breeze. From up above the world looked spectacular. It was heaven.
The six teens made their way to the Quidditch pitch. Harry sighed contentedly it was a beautiful day. He was so excited, that he even laughed as the others tried to persuade Hermione to play instead of referee, it turned out they were one man short, and they needed her to play.
"Mione if you play seeker I promise to give you the back rub you so desperately want." Ron tried to bribe his girlfriend.
"You will give it to me no matter what. Because there are also certain things that I can deny you Weasley." She bit back.
The twins snickered at their brother, and Ginny covered her mouth with her hand. Harry just rolled his eyes glad that something's never changed.
"If I agree to play, then I decide where we're going to go on our next date."
"Agreed." Ron took her lips in his, and kissed her deeply, sealing the deal.
Before heading out of Hogwarts they had figured out that they were one man short of even having two semi – made teams. With Hermione now in the game, each team would consist of three players: one keeper, one chaser, and one seeker. They had argued for a good couple of minutes about beaters, when five of the six agreed that it would be in Harry's best interest, and considering the lack of players playing the final vote was that no beaters would be used during the game.
Ginny left the group to try and calm Hermione down. Hermione was so nervous her teeth were chattering and her body was trembling. She hated flying. Ginny returned moments later carrying six brooms in her arms.
"Alright, everybody for themselves."
She laid the brooms on the ground and there was a mad rush of everybody trying to claim the better ones for themselves. Ginny of course got the nimbus, while the rest got either a cleansweep five, six, or seven. The only person who did not have a broom was Harry.
"That's not fair Gin. Why do you get the Nimbus 2000?" Ron whined.
"Because I'm the one who had to get them in the first place." She stuck her tongue out at him.
"Hey Harry there's still a cleansweep five, you can use that." George said. Pushing the broom into Harry's hand.
"Huh?" He looked at the new object in his hand; he was unaware that anyone was talking to him. He was remembering the firebolt that Sirius had given him, and he felt his hot tears cowering in his eyes. He would not cry not today, not when he was close again to finding his dreams. Soon he would be with Sirius and not have to ever think about his Firebolt.
"Ok, Ron, Harry, and Ginny, will be one team. Me, Fred, and Hermione will be another." George said as he mounted his broom. "Everybody mount your broom."
They all listened to George and mounted their brooms; they then flew into the sky and took their respective positions in the air.
"I don't like this." Harry could hear Hermione wail on the other side of the pitch. He felt sorry for her; she was already closing her eyes, not a good sign to begin a game with. He would miss her the most; well of course, besides Ginny.
A magical gong erupted to signal the start of the game. The balls were let go, and they flew. Harry saw the golden snitch for a mere millisecond and then it was lost. No sweat he would find it sooner or later.
Harry rose higher in the air watching the games progress. He saw Fred and Ginny go for the Quaffle. Ginny grabbed it just as Fred's fingers grazed the ball. She zoomed in the direction of Hermione's goal, and scored, ten – zilch. Hermione did not seem to care, she seemed happy enough to know that she was still alive. This was not what she would ever think of as fun, and this game was the easiest game a wizard/witch could play. A real game of Quidditch was ten times harder.
This is how the game went for an hour, until Harry spotted the snitch going past one of the many turrets of Hogwarts, leaving the Quidditch pitch far behind, but, yet, still visible at the same time. This was it if he was going to do it, now was his chance. He had the snitch where he wanted it. He zoomed on his broom and was glad to note that George had spotted the snitch to. He made to go as if to grab it, but purposefully fell off his broom.
The adrenaline that Harry felt while free falling was incredible. Nothing could stop him now, his friends did not have their wands on them and they would not be able to reach him in time. This was too perfect.
The other players stood frozen in time. They watched as Harry made to grab the snitch, and then horrifically as he fell off his broom. This was quite unusual for Harry because he had never had a fall like that before, unless they counted the time when the dementor's came onto the pitch in their third year.
They were all too far to go after Harry they would never in a million years make it in time. They did not know what to do. Harry had been right none of them thought of bringing their wands with them, Ron was able to remove Harry's blankets with a touch of his finger. The blankets were specially charmed so that anybody could move it unless it was Harry. It was a Quidditch game, and school was out, no wand would be needed. Besides, how much trouble could they get into at Hogwarts, one of the safest places a person could be?
"Harry." Ginny screamed from across the pitch.
Seconds after Ginny screamed Harry's body immediately started floating on it's own accord, not moving, stunned.
They all rushed over to their friend who was spookily floating in midair.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
James looked out of the window ready to go collect the boy and bring him back to his room. He was so furious. He could feel his magic radiating off of his body. He made his way down the cold stone steps of Hogwarts castle when he heard a girl shout his son's name. He ran back up to the window to see what was going on. He was ready to curse something, anything, when he saw his son's body fall to the ground below. With a wave of his wand James put a hovering spell mixed with a stunning spell on Harry's body. Harry's body stopped moving. Relief flooded his system now. He swore once he got his son back to safety he would kill him himself with his bare hands. These past few days with Harry had been more exhausting then the days with Harry as Severus. What a simpler time that was, and just for a fleeting moment James still wished he was Severus.
James accioed Severus' broom from his private quarters and in a flash was by his son's side. He pushed all the Weasley children away, as well as the Granger girl. When he had Harry safely in his arms. He flew them both away from the castle, of course he knew the children would try to follow him, but when it was safe he quickly apparated them away.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"What do we do now?" Hermione shrieked at them. "We should have listened to Fred when he said that this wasn't a good idea. Now we lost Harry, Professor Dumbledore is going to kill us. We'll be expelled for sure, and you two will never be allowed to come visit Hogwarts again. We'll be outcasts… We'll have our wands snapped, We'll."
"Hermione SHUT UP!" Ginny shouted at her friend. "First off we won't be expelled because if you didn't notice it was Mr. Potter that took Harry, and he has every right to, but what we do need to do is go talk to Professor Dumbledore and tell him what happened."
They all flew to the open window and headed for the Headmaster's office.
"Does anybody know the password?" Ron asked, as they stared dumbly at the unmoving stone gargoyles.
"Nope not a clue, bro." George told his younger brother.
"We're not going to get anywhere by standing here. We can use the fireplace to call him." Hermione said in her know – it – all voice.
And that's what they used.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It was now almost time for them to return and Albus Dumbledore waited for news from Kingsley to let him know that he returned safely from his trip to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, and that Harry was in his hospital bed.
"Ahh Fawkes. You are a good Phoenix. Don't you worry my precious one, soon the dark side we'll be gone forever, I can feel it. Then we can all be free and happy." He gave Fawkes a treat. Fawkes took it gratefully and trilled her thanks to her master.
"Hum Hum." A voice in the floo made Albus jump in surprise. He was not expecting a floo call, and it sounded very much like Dolores Umbridge. He shuddered thinking of the toad like woman. She was probably sent here on news from the ministry.
He plastered a fake smile on his face, hoping that what she had to say would not take too long, he could not put up with her for great lengths. He turned around and jumped back in surprise. It was not Umbridge after all it was Ginny Weasley.
"Headmaster we need to see you immediately." She said urgently.
"Where are you?"
"We're all in the infirmary. Please, Sir, it's important."
"I'll be right there, but Ms. Weasley."
"Yes, sir."
"You need to move so I can get through." Dumbledore said chuckling.
Ginny's head popped out of the fireplace making it safe for Albus to go see what the problem was.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Albuslanded in the infirmary gracefully and took notice of all of the distressed faces looking at him.
Hermione was the first one to come to him, shaking, and obviously scared. "Please Headmaster. Don't expel us, we didn't mean for it to happen."
He raised his bushy grey eyebrows up at her amusedly. He had no idea what the young lady was trying to tell him.
"Will somebody please explain to me what happened?"
Loud strong voices rang throughout the Infirmary. Each telling the headmaster what happened during the Quidditch game.
When they were done explaining. The headmaster turned from them and without a word went back to his office.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
With the first shriek of "Harry" the miniscule dragon turned in his sleep. Now he could hear the distinct voices of the people in the room. His eyes opened and he noticed the sun high in the air. He had slept through the night and most of the day. He was going to be in so much trouble if the Dark Lord ever found out. The words "Harry's gone, Mr. Potter took him away" caught his attention once more. He looked around the room thinking that he was bound to see his wayward rival, but he was not there. Now not only was he in trouble he was one dead dragon.
He listened to the conversation, and heard how Harry fell off his broom, and James came to save him, and then they both apparated away. Somehow the topic changed to suicide, and then Draco finally understood that while he was sleeping not only did Harry vanish along with his father, but he also tried to kill himself last night.
At least now Draco was filled in so he could give a detailed report about the happenings at Hogwarts. He sighed a huge sigh of relief. And curled himself up and went back to sleep. He would be ready when the Dark Lord called.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
After leaving the party at the infirmary. Dumbledore paced his office. He was mad. James pulled one over on him. He had to do something. He needed to find James and then erase his memories, and then turn him back into Snape and have him arrested for kidnapping Harry. That could work. He had to inform the ministry at once. He was not worried about the ministry finding Harry before him, he would find him first, and the ministry just needed to have a heads up.
Yes, he did love both men very much, but the wizarding world was more important, and he was willing to gamble both their lives to save hundreds more. This had to be done.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The dark Lord sat in his throne watching the death eaters leave the room. He had called a meeting early in the morning and five hours later it finally wrapped up.
He was on edge today. During the meeting he felt a weird feeling wash over his body. He did not know where this feeling came from, but it made his feel nervous. His stomach felt like it was falling very far, but that was impossible because his feet were planted firmly on the ground. Then last night he also felt a weird sensation like something was digging at his arm, but when he looked down his arm was fine. He was confused, he thought the meeting would put everything straight, and maybe find out if there was a traitor amongst him, who had put him under some sort of curse, but when he legilimized everybody, nothing came up.
He needed to speak with the younger Malfoy. Even though the meeting from the previous day went much better than he thought it would, he needed to make sure that everything was going accordingly down at the Hogwarts end. He needed to see him face to face, and he would.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Draco's small body gave a sudden lurch as he felt the pendant burning his neck. He forgot about that. From what he could sense his Master did not want a conversation, he wanted to see Draco in person.
He shuddered at the thought, but realized that he got all the information that he needed and all he really had to do was cover up the fact that he was sleeping the whole time. He felt a familiar tugging at his navel, and he supposed that the Dark Lord forgot to tell him that the pendant was also a portkey, and he was off to meet his Master.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Snape Manor was not really a Manor, but more of a cottage. Walking from the apparition point to the cottage, James forgot how beautiful it was. The flowers were in full bloom the little garden gate swung back and forth, and the arc was covered in white lilies.
He carried Harry into the house and up the stairs. He moved gently as to not jiggle his sleeping son. He removed the stupefy curse off of him, ready for when Harry awoke. It seemed, however, that Harry just fell asleep on their way there.
He moved them into the bedroom and transfigured Harry's clothing to pyjamas. He took off Harry's shoes and tucked him into bed. He kissed Harry's forehead and then as he exited he placed a ward on Harry's bedroom that would not allow Harry out, unless James himself had given Harry permission to leave. James knew that it was extreme, but he also knew that Harry falling off his broom was not an accident, he had seen Harry fly millions of times before that and knew he was an excellent flyer. No Harry jumped of his own free will. James took a quick glance around the room to make sure that when Harry did wake up then there would be nothing for him to hurt himself on. He closed the door gently behind him, and went to the gardens.
He needed to set up new wards, as the old ones were not as strong as it used to be. As well, tomorrow he planned to find a new residence. He was thinking perhaps, in a muggle village, where nobody would recognize him or his son. They could start a new life, and put the wizarding world behind them for good. He knew that the ministry would find out that Harry was gone and the faster they left Snape Manor the better. He never quite trusted Dumbledore.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"How may I be of service to you my Lord?" Draco spoke, as he knelt down, his head bowed before Voldemort.
"I have been having these strange feelings all last night and day Draco, and I need some answers."
"If I can help you, my Lord, you know I will."
"I know Draco. Now tell me has anything happened to Potter that I need to be made aware of?"
This was what Draco was waiting for, his Master was too smart. If he just answered what he knew then he would be safe.
"Yes my Lord. Potter tried to commit suicide last night, but was saved by his father at the last minute. Then today he got out of bed and went to play Quidditch with Granger and the Weasley's. When he fell off his broom, his father saved him again, but this time they disappeared." Draco told his story in one long breath. He took a quick glance at his Lord and wished that he were still a child.
Voldemort was angry. His eyes were slits, and he looked ready to murder him. Potter slipped through his fingers again, and the stupid boy did nothing to stop him. "Where were you? Why didn't you contact me at once? That was what the pendant was for."
Draco cringed the Dark Lord was not yelling, it was like he was under sedation. "I figured that I would wait to see what happened. I mean he came out alright. The Quidditch game I did not have time to react, my Lord, because I came here right away, before I was contacted by you." He lied hoping that the snake like man before him would not see through his lie.
"Liar. Tsk tsk tsk…" The Dark Lord shook his head. "I thought better of you little dragon. Oh how disappointed I am in you. You forget dear boy that I am a very skilled legilimens, and the only reason why you know of the news that you brought me is because you overheard a conversation. You were sleeping the whole time. Now let me show you what I do to people like you."
Draco became a trembling mass of flesh, when he felt the cruciatus curse hit his body. The curse was repeated for twenty minutes. When it finally ended he had a vague sense of who he was, but that was all. He could not remember anything else, who his parents were, or even who the man was standing before him.
"I'll inform your father of your tragic demise. I have special plans for you Dragon." Voldemort hissed at the confused boy. He did not expect an answer; he knew Draco was too far-gone. "Nott, McNair, take young Malfoy to the dungeons. See to it that he his heavily guarded."
Two heavy men entered the room, kneeled before their Lord and kissed the hem of his robes.
"Yes my Lord." They both said simultaneously. And they dragged the silver haired youth away.