Yes, yes, another short chapter.
I know! I apologize!
I'm trying to update more frequently but since my time is limited due to school
the chapters are shorter.
I'm working on getting a schedule set up to balance school and writing but it's slow going.
Special announcement!
This chapter is officially dedicated to one of my best friends,
a person who I've been proud to call my Sissy for almost 10 years.
She announced today that she is expecting!
Twins due in May 2016!
I'm so excited and happy for her.
She has tried for so long and now her dream of being a mother is finally coming true!
As usual I, unfortunately, own nothing.
The couple finally moved from their position in the center of the common room. They knew that as soon as Ron made it to the infirmary Professor McGonegall would be called and then the two of them would be pulled for questioning as to the incident. Both of them highly doubted that the shunned third of their trio would be truthful about the events of the evening. Indeed, they were fairly certain he would paint himself as the victim and say that the two of them had attacked him without provocation. Turning, Harry met Neville's eyes and nodded for him to follow as he laced his fingers with Hermione's and led her out of the common room.
Harry could feel his magic pulsing, knew they were running out of time to escape the castle. Something about Ron's behavior had been bothering Harry for a while now but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Knowing that time was of the essence he picked up the pace, leading the other two down one flight of stairs after another before finally coming to stand before that bare stretch of wall he knew hid the Room of Requirement. Pacing quickly he asked for a place to hide for a brief moment of time before leaving the castle.
As the doors appeared, the raven-haired teen quickly shoved them open, pulling in his girlfriend and holding the door open for Neville. As soon as all three had cleared the entrance, Harry slammed the doors shut and bolted them.
Looking around at the room Harry smiled as once again the castle had gone above and beyond. The Room of Requirement had transformed to look like a study with a love seat and chair facing each other in front of the fire. It was a warm and welcoming environment and the raven-haired teen silently thanked the castle for it. His nerves were absolutely shot and he needed to reign in his emotions and plan.
Meeting the eyes of the other two in turn, Harry moved forward still holding his girlfriend's hand and dropped down onto the loveseat, pulling her down with him and slipping an arm around her waist.
Taking his cue from his friends, Neville moved over to claim the chair across from the couple. The round-faced boy knew that there was a reason he was here but thought better than to push Harry for details.
The three sat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts before Harry finally spoke, calling out for a house elf. "Dobby!" He said, looking the small elf over as he appeared.
"Yes Master Harry Potter Sir! What can Dobby be's doing for you?" The excitable creature asked animatedly.
"Dobby do you trust me?" Harry asked, making eye contact with the elf, his face impassive and distant.
The small creature almost looked affronted at the question. "Of course Master Harry Potter Sir!" he squeaked. "Dobby be trusting Harry Potter! Why would Mister Harry Potter Sir doubt Dobby?" the elf said, almost on the verge of tears.
"I need your help Dobby." Harry said by way of answer. "Hermione and I are in danger and we have to escape. We must leave here tonight and I am trusting you with the information of why but first I need you to go to Gryffindor tower and pack all of our belongings please." He continued, his face softening slightly. "Only you would I trust with this, Dobby. Our safety is in your hands. No one must know we are gone until we are far from here."
"Dobby will do as Mister Harry Potter Sir asks!" Squeaked the elf. "No one will know and Dobby will be making the beds look as Mister Harry Potter and Missy Mione is only be's sleepings." He said, bobbing up and down. "Dobby keeps the three ofs yous safe!" he squeaked causing Harry to almost flinch. He had forgotten that the house elves being of familial magic would know what had happened.
Neville looked at the little elf in confusion. Why was he in need of protection? Moving his gaze up to rest on his friends he raised an eyebrow in question as Dobby popped off to complete the request given to him.
"Neville…" Harry began, faltering with the actual words, knowing that anything he said could put his friend in a bad position. He didn't feel right asking the boy to keep their secret at his own risk. Looking into the earnest face of the fellow Gryffindor, the boy he had shared a dorm with for years… he knew that to keep him in the dark and run with no explanation given would hurt Neville more. He was a kind hearted and loyal person but he hated being seen as weak for it. Harry would not insult him with a lack of faith. "Hermione is pregnant…" He finished, his voice trailing off as he took in his friend's reaction. Hoping that his faith had not been misplaced.