Disclaimer: I have borrowed (stolen) these characters which are not mine and I plan on making them do horrible things. Like be friends with Draco. Ha! Take that, all you death eaters out there...
A/N: I had a bunch of questions about the last chapter, so we're going to have a quick sum-up... and you all have to promise that you won't feel bad if you didn't see it. m'kay?
Chapter fourteen and a half
Ron's Letter: Begin at the Beginning
Both your mother and I were happy to hear from you. Each of us is glad you are doing well. Gravely, I cannot answer any of your questions from your last letter. In the hope of offering you some guidance, I ask you to re-read that book you mentioned. Not that you need to, but your mother asks that I tell you to keep warm on your Hogsmeade visits.
At this time, work is going pretty well. There's so much to do, but I won't bore you with the details.
This job is so time consuming, and your mother worries after me. Hopefully, everything will work out and I won't have to work as hard in the future. Eventually, things will calm down.
Be sure to tell your sister that we love her. Each of us misses her as well. God, I can't believe you two are so grown up. I am so proud of both of you. Now is the time to buckle down on your studies. Neither of you have ever disappointed us. I feel I have the most wonderful family. Never has a man been truly blessed. Grapes are my favorite fruit.
The Unspeakables Book:The Veil of Voices.
Chapter 25: Tri-Humped Elephants, Very Evasive Impish Lemmings, Overweight Ferrets, and Volumes Of Incredible Creatures Employ Sorcery
So, you know what Chapter 25 is about? Are we okay now? Wunderbar! Moving on!
Of Memos and Messages
"Did anyone see Harry come back from detention yesterday evening?" asked Ginny as the group was leaving breakfast.
"I waited until around two this morning and he still hadn't come back," replied Ron. "I haven't a clue where he might be. Do you think he's still in with Snape?"
"Nope, not with Snape," replied Hermione, staring down the hallway at their Potions professor. "Quick, out of his way," she whispered loudly. The three pressed themselves up against the wall, and Snape quickly strode past them, without noticing. "He had a face like a demon, that one," Hermione said, jerking her head over her shoulder to indicate the greasy-haired, hook-nosed man heading for the dungeons. "Wonder what's irked him now? I hope it's not something Harry's said or done. That will make Potions difficult. Ron, we're going to be late!" Hermione tugged at Ron's robes.
"See you at lunch!" called Ginny, as she ran off toward Transfiguration.
Ron and Hermione turned the corner to the Potions room, expecting to see Harry and Draco sitting in their usual seats at the head of the class. But they weren't there. Hermione was more surprised when Snape started class without them. Snape made no comment as to why they weren't there, and his attitude during class was harsh. Hermione was almost sorry for Pansy when Snape called her 'indescribably stupid' and she began crying. Snape began berating her for being weak, and Pansy's sobs could be heard out in the hall. The rest of the class remained stock still, in the hopes that Snape's anger would not be directed toward any of them.
Hermione decided now was the time, while Snape's attentions were elsewhere, to use a spell she and Ginny had invented last year. Inscribius Ginny. Hermione thought very hard. Alpha 'Draco and Harry not in potions. Keep eyes open' Omega.
Ginny was watching Professor McGonagall demonstrate how to disguise your appearance. She had started with a small vanity spell, altering her nose so it hooked down. "Now, class. This is a difficult type of spell, not to be confused with a Metamorphmagus. Metamorphmagus' can alter their appearance very quickly, and completely and for a very extended period of time without the use of a wand or a spell."
Ginny was taking notes of McGonagall's wand technique. She thought that McGonagall's new nose bore a resemblance to Snape's. She smiled to herself, and re-read her notes. 'Slight upward flick of the wand, sweeping motion toward the nose. Draco and Harry not in potions. Keep eyes open.' Wait. What? Where did that come from? Ah, Hermione's Communication Charm. Where are Harry and Draco if they are not in potions?
Ginny didn't know what she could do at this point. She didn't know where Harry or Draco could be. But she began to worry. She responded, Inscribius Hermione. Alpha 'No news, eyes open' Omega.
Watching McGonagall, but not paying much attention, Ginny almost missed it. But there it was, flapping like a bird, hovering above the professor's left temple: a paper airplane. Ginny had been to the ministry with her father and knew that they used this technique for inter-office memos, but she had never seen it employed here at Hogwarts. But there it was.
McGonagall, startled when she saw it, stepped sideways. "Just a moment class," she commanded. Ginny watched as McGonagall peered down her now hooked nose and read the memo. When she was done, her eyes flicked immediately to Ginny. Ginny felt her heart drop into her stomach at McGonagall's knowing gaze. Ginny waited anxiously for some inclination to what McGonagall read in the memo, but no such luck. McGonagall simply laid the now motionless paper on her desk and continued on. By the end of the lesson, Ginny had worked herself into such a frenzy, imagining innumerable scenarios involving Harry, Draco and some other bad news, that she had not been able to alter her appearance at all.
Ginny gathered her things when class was dismissed, and had nearly made it to the door when McGonagall called out, "Miss Weasley? If you would be so kind as to stay back for a moment?"
Ohmigod. Something's happened to Harry. Ginny could not get this thought out of her head. She approached the professor's desk hesitantly.
"Do not look at me in such a manner, Miss Weasley. I am not the bearer of bad news. I just thought you ought to know that Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy will be in… detention all day today. I was notified," McGonagall touched the memo on her desk, "that you and your friends might be worried. Please pass on the information that they are locked up with the Headmaster in my office?"
Ginny almost cried with relief. "Of course, Professor."
At lunch, Ginny imparted her newfound knowledge to Ron and Hermione, who were as astounded to learn that Snape seemed to not be involved anymore. "Not only has the location changed to McGonagall's office, but they are learning now without him. He taught potions this morning, and it was awful," Hermione thought out loud. "Do you think they even slept last night?" she added as an afterthought.
"Knowing Dumbledore, and his tendency to push Harry, I doubt it," Ron said in full sympathy for his friend. "I hope he's letting them eat."
"Of course he's letting them eat, Ron!" Ginny thundered. "Don't be a moron." Ginny grabbed her things, and headed out of the Great Hall, leaving the others staring after her in bewilderment. On the other side of the door, Ginny leaned against the wall and heaved a great sigh. She closed her eyes and slid down the wall to sit on the floor. It was a few moments before she noticed a small hand tugging at her robes.
"Miss Ginny, friend of Harry Potter," a high croaky voice called.
"Oh, hi Dobby." Ginny responded weakly. "How are you doing today?"
"Miss Ginny is so kind to ask how Dobby is, so very kind. All of Harry Potter's friends are so kind to Dobby. Dobby is very well, Miss Ginny. Very well, knowing that Harry Potter is still safe in the castle and has such friends, Miss Ginny." Every time Dobby spoke Harry's name, his head gave a little bow, sending the tower of knitted hats on his head swaying back and forth.
"Did you need something from me, Dobby?" Ginny was too tired to handle Dobby's effusive praises today; she'd been through too many emotions for one morning. Agitation by house elf was one she was not ready for.
"Miss Ginny is so nice to Dobby, Dobby does not wish to burden Miss Ginny with a small request."
"It's alright Dobby, I am willing to help you if I can," Ginny prodded lightly.
"Oh, Miss Ginny. This favor is not for Dobby, it is for Mister Harry Potter." Dobby had Ginny's undivided attention when she heard this. "Dobby was lucky enough to bring Harry Potter and Headmaster Dumbledore their lunch today, so very lucky was Dobby, as they have been locked up with my former master all day. Mister Harry Potter wished you to know that he would not be returning to Gryffindor tower tonight. Both he and my former master will be sleeping in the infirmary tonight; due to what Dobby thinks are over-worked minds. But Dobby should not make conjecture of Harry Potter's weaknesses, no Dobby should not," and Dobby began banging his head against the gray stone wall that Ginny was leaning against.
"Dobby, you did not describe a weakness of Harry's, you were explaining how hard he has been working. You can stop hitting the wall now." Ginny pulled Dobby away from the wall.
"Oh, Miss Ginny you are so smart, Harry Potter's friends are so smart. Of course Mister Harry Potter works very hard."
"Dobby, why are you telling me about this? Shouldn't you be telling Ron and Hermione?"
"Oh, no, Miss Ginny. I have very specific instructions from Harry Potter. 'Tell Ginny Weasley where I'll be tonight and tell her where my invisibility cloak is hidden. Ask her to come at 9.'" Dobby repeated faithfully. "Dobby is to tell you that his invisibility cloak is in his trunk in his dormitory. And in Dobby's opinion, now would be a good time for Miss Ginny to retrieve the cloak, as everyone is at lunch."
Ginny jumped to her feet, "Thank you, Dobby, thank you so much! You are absolutely wonderful!" Ginny could see Dobby blush and smiled. "Harry Potter's friends are so nice to Dobby," Dobby mumbled in great appreciation of Ginny. He smiled at her, and with a crack, vanished.
Ginny ran toward the Gryffindor tower. She had to get that cloak.
A/N the second: And I'd like to say a big thanks to my reviewers! "THANKS!" to Karone-sakura, Festis, Elemental Dragon, and Lady Lily3! You guys make me so happy!
On a more personal note: My school starts soon (Tuesday! OMG). I will do my darndest to get these chapters up as soon as I can. I am making an Unbreakable Vow to finish this story. I will not disappoint you!