Chapter Thirteen: In Which Students Are Stunned
"I thought we'd settled that?" said Luna maddeningly. "We're flying!"
"Look," said Ron, barely containing his anger, "you might be . . ."
While Ron and Luna were arguing, Harry caught Hermione's eye. A moment of understanding passed between them and Harry mouthed something urgently. He just hoped she understood, because this whole silent communication thing wasn't exactly his forte.
Three people slumped to the ground. Ron looked around, bewildered. "What the —"
"Well," said Harry awkwardly, "I didn't want them to come with us so . . ."
"Brilliant!" exclaimed Ron. "Are we getting to the Ministry or what?"
"I dunno," Harry said. "It kinda smells fishy if you ask me."
Two people stared at him.
"What?" he said defensively.
"You were the one who was shouting at me for not even trying to save Sirius!" exclaimed Hermione.
"Yeah — well — I mean —"
"Oh, forget it," she said crossly. "Have you finally come to your senses then?"
"What in the blazes are you two talking about?" asked Ron, bewildered.
"Perhaps we should just talk about this calmly?" suggested Harry.
"Don't you dare lecture me about being calm!"
Harry and Hermione bickered. Ron turned to the heavens for help. The heavens did not reply.
"Hey guys?" asked Ron tentatively.
"What?" said the duo in unison.
"Isn't Sirius getting tortured by Voldemort right now?"
"Maybe, maybe not," said Hermione.
"Sounds like something we should investigate, innit?"
"Of course," said Harry.
There was a moment of silence.
"SIRIUS MIGHT BE GETTING TORTURED!"
Then they ran all the way to Umbridge's office, Floo-traveled to the Ministry and found it deserted.
"Of course its deserted. Anyone getting that spooky feeling right now?" said Harry dryly.
"T-R-A-P TRAP!" sang Ron nervously.
"Shut up, you two," said Hermione irritably. "I'm thinking."
The conversation lapsed into uncomfortable silence.
"Aha! I found it!" said Hermione, celebrating by doing a little victory dance.
Harry and Ron raised an eyebrow each.
Harry started, "Was that a —"
"Victory dance?" finished Ron.
Hermione crossed her arms. "Don't judge. I've been practicing that move for ages now," she said defensively.
"So?" Harry prompted.
"Well, you talked to Kreacher, didn't you?"
"I did."
"He specifically told you Sirius was in the Department of Mysteries?"
"He did."
"Am I the only one who sees a problem with that?"
"Spit it out, Hermione, we haven't got all day," said Ron nastily.
"Don't you see?" said Hermione excitedly. "If we assume Voldemort — oh, don't be such a wimp, Ron — didn't get into Grimmauld Place to snatch Sirius and that he just 'went for some fresh air' and got kidnapped, then why does Kreacher know where Sirius is? That can't be possible unless he's involved in it somehow!"
They considered this.
"I reckon Voldemort's trying to get Harry to the Department of Mysteries for some reason and Sirius is his bait," Ron said.
"Exactly! Now that we've established that Kreacher's an unreliable source of information, we need to recheck Grimmauld," Hermione said.
"No, Hermione! Sirius could be dying right now —"
"Or he could be perfectly alive and unharmed at Grimmauld Place," she said reasonably. "We're wasting time."
"So . . ."
"Long time no see, James," said Sirius bitterly.
They were standing in the Most Old and Dilapidated House of Black. Sirius was apparently not at the Department of Mysteries, unless he could be at two places at once.
"Uh — I'm Harry. Your godson, remember?"
"Ah yes. Of course. Harry's your name."
"It is," agreed Harry.
Then the fog cleared in his head.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"I kinda thought you were being tortured," said Harry off-handedly.
"Oh," Sirius deflated. "A deadly struggle for my sanity would have broken the monotony nicely, I think."
"Oh boy. This guy has some serious issues," commented Ron.
"Sirius issues?" chortled Sirius.
"When he starts making Sirius-serious puns, we know he's back to normal," said Harry dryly.
AN: That's the first time I've laughed at my own chapter. Fun fact: According to Google, that's a sign of my insanity. *Insert some evil laughter here* Oh wait, I'm doing it again. *Insert some more evil laughter here* Shut up, me.
And the previous chapter, well, most of you guys guessed right. Harry was missing from the class, and that indicates Polyjuice.