Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This sad fact is somewhat mitigated because the fifth book is done!!!!!! And, (even better) It's long.

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It was Colin Creevy. He had a bloody lip and and a face drained of any hint of color. he started to say, but Johann slapped a hand over his mouth, dragged him into the house, and slammed the door. Hermione? What are you doing here? Dumbledore told us your mum was sick.

I think a better question is: what are you doing here? Hermione replied.

I don't know exactly, I . . . I don't remember. . .

You lie. Johann gave him a long look.

No I can't I . . . I . . . They'll . . . get him . . . Colin was shaking.

Who will?

Hoods, dark hoods. . .

How did you get here?

They kidnapped me, in London, I was going home for, for Christmas.

They left you here?



This won't do at all. Hermione, Remus, we are going to have to leave, tonight. They know too much.

What about Colin?

He'll have to come too.

Come where? Colin asked.

East. East. Poland for tonight. I've a portkey. We'll go now and save questions for later. Johann produced a weathered board from a closet. Everyone did some hasty packing, and they were gone.
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The middle aged witch whose kitchen they landed in did not seem at all disturbed. All right then, four of you. My Johann, you have friends, extraordinary! Whatever will happen next. And one a werewolf, how unique! Well then, how about tea all round, and baths for you two, she sniffed at Johann and Colin. It was wonderful to feel babied and bossed around for a few minutes. Hermione could almost pretend she was at Ron's.

Colin was first in the bath. Hermione and Johann had a whispered conference (Remus listened, but wasn't up for much talking). Colin Creevy! Who took him and what did they do to him? Hermione's words tumbled over each other.

Who? If only we knew. Not death eaters, no, not so stupid as them. What did they do to him? Veratiserum certainly, torture, probably.



Why do you think?

Harry Potter.

Yes, of course. It all comes back to him, poor boy.

But why Colin? Ron, Cho, Ginny, Dean. . . They seem more likely.

Clearly only seem. Nothing they do is without reason.



I agree.

I'm so confused. Now Harry's officially all mixed up in this. He who must not be named and deatheaters weren't enough. What does Harry have to do with the Runes anyway?

You will know soon enough.

Soon enough. You love being all mysterious, don't you. I think now is soon enough.

Have you ever heard that genius is eternal patience?

Hermione closed her mouth. Remus laughed.

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Now Colin was back. Shaky but clean and not so bloodless. Ask nothing mouthed Johann as he left the room. Colin clutched the mug of tea he was handed. They kept asking about someone named Vera. I didn't know. I had nothing to tell them. What's going to happen now?

I don't know. I'm sure Dumbledore will tell us, probably he can arrange a portkey back to school for you.

Can you tell me what you're doing. Who's that man who found me? He says the queerest things.

His name is Johann and he's very strange.

Oh. You're not going to tell me anything else are you?

Well, no. But you can tell me all about Hogwarts what have I missed?

Hogwarts. Hmm. Well Snape has been walking around as if something grand has happened. He gave five points to Ron one day Ron. Harry has been kind of quiet. He meets with Dumbledore a lot.

Has Malfoy done anything particularly repulsive?

No more than usual. Too wimpy to pick on much but Hufflepuff first years.

Remus smiled at this and Hermione went over to him. His arm settle comfortably around her waist. Colin raised an eyebrow, but neither of them noticed.

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A letter whizzed in the bathroom window to Johann. Hogwarts seal.

Dear Johann,

Keep the boy with you. Look and think, and you will see why. I've begun talking to Harry. He understands.
Stay safe,

-Dumbledore

So it begins, he mumbled. We need Geat and Iberia. And, his thoughts continued, we need that boy out of his Hogwarts robes and a nice bottle of hair dye. Why didn't we think of this earlier?

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Harry Potter was alone in the common room. His face was grave. He had masses of parchments and books scattered on the table in front of him. Harry Potter felt old, as old as Dumbledore. What was he to do? What could any of them do?

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a/n: So was this too confusing? Longer chapters are really a priority now, but my ideas wander kind of all over the place.