Chapter 3

The week passed quietly. There was nothing more in the Prophet about Druids or anything related to the article they had read. Most of the students had left for the holidays. There were only four left in the Gryffindor tower: Harry, Ron, Hermione....and Kagato. Harry and Ron spent the days before Christmas playing wizard's chess. Hermione worked on their holiday homework. Kagato pretty much stayed in his room. On Christmas Eve morning, Hermione put her book down that she had started reading just after breakfast.

"Ron, I think it would be a nice gesture on your part, if you went up to Kagato's room tomorrow when it's time for Christmas Tea and asked him to join us."

Ron dropped his knight and stared at Hermione.

"Why me?"

"Because, you're the only one beside the Slytherins that's still making it hard on him."

Ron's ears went pink and Harry decided to stop the argument before it really got started.

"How about I'll go ask and Ron can come with me. Ok?"

Hermione tutted under her breath, but nodded. Ron just sat there. Harry kicked him under the table.

"Ouch! Ok, ok...I'll go with Harry."

Ron mutter 'bloody hell' under his breath and stared at the chess board. Now that his concentration was broken, Harry beat him, which didn't improve Ron's mood any. Harry thought a trip to see Hagrid might cheer Ron up, but when he looked out of the window, leaving the castle was out of the question. It was snowing so hard all you could see was white.

"How about we go and see Dobby. I'm feeling a little hungry. What do you say Ron?"

Ron shrugged.

"I suppose we could."

"I'm staying here. I need to get some work done....and you both should hurry. I've noticed that neither of you have started on your homework."

Ron stuck his tongue out at Hermione and left the common room with Harry.

They reached the portrait of the fruit without meeting a teacher. Ron tickled the pear and they both went inside. Immediately they were surrounded by elves, Dobby among them. He bowed.

"Harry Potter, what can Dobby do for you sir?"

Harry grinned, even Ron had started to smile.

"Do you have any of those pastries from breakfast?"

Immediately all the elves start rushing around the kitchen and quickly bring Harry and Ron more pastries than they can carry. Ron grinned.

"Thank you. So where are we gonna eat this Harry?"

Harry shrugged.

"I dunno. Back to the common room?"

"Sure. let's go."

Dobby stopped them.

"Please, Harry Potter. Stay and talk to Dobby some. Dobby has some time."

They both shrug and took a seat.

"So, what's on your mind Dobby?"

Dobby sat on a stool and stared at them.

"Dobby has been hearing things."

The elf twisted his cleaning towel.

"Like that there are students missing. Could Harry Potter tell Dobby if it's true?"

Harry and Ron exchanged looks. Harry swallowed.

"It is true Dobby. Why do ask?"

Dobby jumped off his chair.

"Dobby was afraid of this. Harry Potter and his friends must stay inside Hogwarts. It is too dangerous now. You must not go outside."

Dobby seemed to shudder.

"Er, why Dobby?"

Dobby looked at Ron.

"Because, it is not safe now. Dobby does not want anything to happen to Harry Potter or his friends. Now, Dobby has work to do. Harry Potter and his Weezy must go."

Dobby and the other elves shoved them both out of the kitchen. They looked at each other.

"What was that all about?"

"I have no idea Ron. Let's go back to the common room and tell Hermione."

They started back for the Gryffindor tower.