Chapter 15

Harry awoke as the sun rised. Buckbeak stood up, shook, and ruffled his feathers. Harry leaned up and stretched his arms. He rubbed his eyes and realized what he had done last night. He couldn't help but wonder if anyone was looking for him, let alone knew he was missing. Buckbeak looked at him hungrily. Harry was slightly frightened at the stare and got up.

He climbed down the cliff and walked through a lush forest, where he found a spring and many edible berries. Buckbeak followed and caught many ferrets for his breakfast. Harry found a nest and took an egg. He hurried away from it hoping the mother bird wouldn't find him there. He didn't feel like fending off an angry attacker.

He washed his face in the spring and looked up. There stood Ron, and not far behind came Hermione.

"Harry!" Hermione screamed and sprinted toward him wrapping her arms around him in a hug. Harry almost fell backward. Ron jogged over to them and smiled weakly. They both looked exhausted.

"What are you guys doing here?" Harry asked amazingly.

"Looking for you," Ron answered.

"We searched all night!" Hermione exclaimed.

"But why? How did you even know I left?" Harry asked.

"Well, we saw the bag under your bed. We could see a shirt hanging out from it so we guessed you were up to something," Ron explained, "Plus, Dumbledore saw you leave and told us to follow you."

"But how did you find me? Wait, Dumbledore? Why did he send you after me?" Harry questioned.

"We followed you on our brooms. Ron was about to give up but we still kept going," Hermione said ignoring the question about Dumbledore.

"But I didn't see him….did you happen to see a white ferret by any chance?" Harry asked. He knew it sounded stupid coming out but he had to ask.

"No Harry, we didn't," Hermione said slowly and very cautiously.

Ron gave Harry an unsure look, "Are you alright mate?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry said sarcastically. Hermione gave Ron a sideways glance and looked back at Harry.

"Maybe you need some food, Harry," she suggested.

"No, I've already eaten," Harry said quickly.

"Oh, ok. Well, Ron I think we should go try to find something to eat.," Hermione said as she pulled on Ron's sleeve.

"Wait," Harry said as he remembered he'd brought food with him. He reached in his bag and handed them the leftovers.

"Oh, thanks," Ron said. Harry just simply nodded and stared at the ground, his brow furrowed.

They stood there for a few moments until Harry suddenly came out of his trance and started asking questions.

"Why wouldn't he come after me himself?" he asked furiously.

"Well-" Ron started.

"Or he could have at least sent Sirius or Lupin. But I didn't see Dumbledore," Harry continued.

"Maybe-" Hermione began.

"Maybe that wasn't Dumbledore. Don't you think it's a little odd that Sirius shows up, then Dumbledore, both who are supposed to be dead. And they just come back as if they were never dead. Isn't that a bit strange?" Harry asked

Ron and Hermione stared off.

"Are you listening to me?" Harry asked.

"What? Oh, sorry mate, didn't know you were talking to us," Ron said. Hermione stood there looking at Harry.

"Never mind," Harry mumbled. It wouldn't do any good. They'd just think he was crazier than they already made him out to be. He got up and headed toward the cliff. Buckbeak, who was chewing on a ferret nearby followed.

"Harry, where are you going?" Hermione asked as she hurried beside him along with Ron.

"I'm going to find the horcruxes," Harry said.

"Have you gone mental?" Ron asked.

"NO! I'm not mental! Just because I killed that bloody Bellatrix you all think I'm some time bomb ready to go off!" Harry fumed and walked faster.

Ron stopped. Hermione tried to catch up but couldn't make Harry say another word. She ran back to Ron and said something Harry couldn't make out. He couldn't just leave them here, especially since he didn't know what he would be up against. But they weren't supposed to be here anyway. THEY followed HIM. But, who knew what was out here. He turned and didn't see them there. His heart began to race. He felt a nudge on his arm and jumped. It was Buckbeak. Harry patted his head and turned back in the direction of the cliff. He started walking again. Did he imagine them being here? Was he really going mental? He looked up in the sky and saw two brooms up over him. One was steered by a red head, Ron. The other carried a bushy headed Hermione. He smiled at the thought that he was pretty sane and had the company of his friends. He looked at the ground and almost stepped on a….white ferret. It screeched as Buckbeak dodged for it. Harry stared after it. Buckbeak watched it disappear longingly. Harry continued to walk and finally made it to the edge of the unknown forest. Hermione and Ron stood there holding their brooms. Buckbeak rushed to them and so did Harry.

"Alright guys, let's go to London where we can fit in," Harry said.

Hermione and Ron nodded. They jumped on their brooms ready to take off.

"Are you sure you want to ride those? I don't think they'll keep up with Buckbeak," Harry teased.

"Well do you have a better idea?" Hermione asked.

"Harry nodded his head at Buckbeak.

"Are you sure we can all fit on that?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, I think so. Come on," Harry reassured and climbed on the hippogriff's back. While Ron helped Hermione on, Harry's mind wandered to the strange white ferret he kept seeing all of a sudden. He couldn't even imagine bringing it up to Hermione and Ron. They wouldn't believe him. He didn't need another reason for them to be cautious around him.

"Alright, let's go!" Harry shouted. Buckbeak started off at a steady speed. He began gaining speed and opened his wings. Harry heard Ron say something that sounded a lot like "Bloody hell!" Hermione leaned into Harry and buried her face so she wouldn't see the height they were at. Ron whooped and hollered. Harry enjoyed the wind blowing throw this hair and rushing over his face. A wonderful sensation he would hate to miss.