Harry stared at the note dumbfounded. His first thought was Malfoy, but there were several flaws to this. One, Malfoy couldn't get into the Gryffindor common room and two, why would Malfoy ask to meet him?
His heart sank as new thoughts came into his head. Could be Voldemort he supposed, after all Pettigrew had slept in their dormitory for three years. Harry knew he had to find Hermione, she'd know what to do.
He got dressed as quickly as he could and then, still clutching the note, ran down the stairs. Hermione was already up reading through her books.
"Hermione!" Harry said with relief handing the note to her.
"Harry, what-?" She paused her eyes skimming through the note. She stood up.
"We have to go to Dumbledore." She said firmly.
"But-"
"No buts. We've got to tell him Harry. This is serious, whoever has done this could get suspended." Hermione replied, looking him straight in the eye.
"You think its Malfoy too then." He said glumly.
"Well all the facts certainly point to him." Hermione said, glancing at the note again. "Of course, I can check if Dumbledore gives me some of Malfoy's homework to compare the hand writing with."
"Yeah," Harry nodded. "C'mon then."
The pair walked briskly across the common room, through the portrait hole and along the corridor. It took them less than five minutes to reach Dumbledore's office.
"What's the password?" Hermione said suddenly realising the obvious.
Harry glanced around.
"Maybe Flitwick or someone is in the staff room?" Suggested Harry.
"I'll check," Hermione said hurrying off. "Don't go anywhere, Dumbledore might come out."
Harry paced around the feeling of frustration growing the longer Hermione was. He hated the fact that he couldn't do anything, even if he went after Ron now he wouldn't be there.
Hermione returned with Professor McGonagall ten minutes later.
"Mr. Potter! Miss Granger has just informed me of what's happened. Show me the note!" McGonagall said, as she got closer, holding out her hand. She read it almost as quickly as Hermione had. "Oh my-"
She turned to the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office door.
"Fizzing Whizzbee!" The gargoyle jumped aside allowing them to run up the staircase to Dumbledore's office. Se knocked and entered, walking briskly to Dumbledore's desk. "Professor Dumbledore, look at this."
Dumbledore took the note and looked it over calmly. Harry and Hermione stood beside the door, unsure of whether to approach or not.
"Professor McGonagall," Dumbledore looked up suddenly, his bright blue eyes flashing. "Gather the pupils in the Great Hall and tell them to remain there. Then you, Professor Flitwick and Hagrid are to join me in a search of the castle. The rest of the teachers shall make sure the pupils stay in the Great Hall."
Dumbledore stood up, walking over to Harry and Hermione.
"You two will come with me. We have some talking to do." Dumbledore led the way out of his office.
Once in the corridor Professor McGonagall hurried off to the Great Hall.
"Now, Harry, do you know of anyone who might wish to hurt you or Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore said calmly, a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Apart from Voldemort the only people who hate me are Snape and Malfoy." Harry replied, not wanting to sound accusatory, knowing that Dumbledore would only tell him 'innocent-until-proven-guilty' or some such thing.
"Just as I thought. We will go straight to the room of requirement then. Wands at the ready." Dumbledore said walking towards the stairs. Harry and Hermione pulled their wands out, following.
They reached the length of corridor where the room of requirement could be found and paused.
"Harry, if you would," Dumbledore gestured.
Harry walked past the wall three times, his eyes shut desperately thinking please let me find Ron, please let me find Ron! A door appeared and Harry stepped forward to open it.
"Wait." Dumbledore said. "Let me, just in case."
Harry nodded and stood back as Dumbledore, wand raised opened the door. It was dark in the room and Dumbledore didn't move into it.
"Lumos," He muttered, looking around. It looked like a normal classroom and there was no sign of Ron or his captor.
Dumbledore walked in carefully, followed by Harry and Hermione. The searched but could find nothing to suggest that Ron had ever been here.
"What's this?" Dumbledore muttered to himself. Harry and Hermione looked up. Dumbledore was looking at something written on the blackboard, his wand held up.
Thought you'd come early did you? Well I'm not here and neither is your lover Potter. You'll have to keep searching, but to make things a little fairer I'll give you a clue. The Forbidden Forest makes a great hiding place.
Harry and Hermione both stared.
"I think we shall be taking a little jaunt into the forest," Dumbledore said, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Whoever is behind this shall be severely reprimanded."