Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go, there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
Well, Harry thought, I have my information, now. It burns, and twists and turns inside me. But I have it now. Far more information than expected, less than I'd hoped.
Harry sat down at the Library table, it still being hours before supper. He started to list a full grouping of things that he'd have to do in order to leave. And then he started to list a full grouping of things that he'd have to do in order to stay.
Hermione sat down somewhere along the line, and she said, "Harry! Glad to see you!"
Harry looked wearily up at her, and said, "No one's investigating someone trying to murder me. They didn't call the bobbies, the cops, whomever."
Hermione's eyes only widened, "Why would they -?"
"Active suppression," Harry said firmly. "It looks bad if Hogwarts lets someone nearly murder the Golden boy."
"Surely someone's looking..." Hermione said.
"No, I asked." Harry said. "Look at these lists."
"Harry - this one is "How to Leave Hogwarts and Never Return!" "Hermione said, looking urgently at the other one, "And this one is "Steps to murdering someone before I die myself!" "
She looked a bit boggled, so Harry hastened to explain. "Historically, a sneak attack has been considered a prime tool of military strategy, and in my case, this would be a retaliatory response, so quite within the realm of the reasonable."
"But - but you can't!" Hermione said.
"Hence the other page." Harry said, setting the papers down, "We can call the one you don't like a "backup plan" "
Harry winked at her, and Hermione blushed slightly. "Harry! You have to talk to someone about this!"
"I intend to. Our head of house should suffice, should she not?" Harry said. What good was it to pretend to be a Gryffindor if it got you killed for rank stupidity?
"Can I come with you?" Hermione said.
"Only if you swear not to mention Snape." Harry said,
"Done." Hermione said.
And so, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger stood before McGonagall's Office. Harry knocked firmly.
"Enter, children." McGonagall's bright voice said.
They did, waiting respectfully for her to say something. Apparently, unlike Snape, that was the wrong thing to do, as McGonagall rapped out a crisp, "Well, what is it?"
"I could use a spot of your wisdom," Harry said.
"I'll do my best to provide," McGonagall said, her face turning slightly upward in a small smile.
"I'm considering leaving Hogwarts." Harry Potter said, as Hermione Granger looked distressed.
"Has someone been bullying you? Few decide to leave Hogwarts so early." McGonagall said,
"Bullies are bullies, and I won't escape them by transferring. Better to make them bleed." Harry said truculently. *
"Then why are you considering leaving Hogwarts? You seem to be doing well in all your studies." McGonagall responded.
"Why are you lying to me with questions?" Harry asked, "Someone tried to kill me. I wound up in the infirmary. Now, I find that this incident isn't even classified as criminal!"
"Mister Potter, I assure you that your rogue broomstick maneuvers are being investigated as we speak. Madame Hooch has custody of your broom, and has yet to deliver a summary finding - whether this was a prank gone wrong, or something more serious."
"In that case," Harry Potter said firmly, watching McGonagall relax a bit, "I wish to leave Hogwarts immediately. I may return once justice is served." This acting like a Gryffindor thing was actually quite fun!
"Mister Potter, I would strongly urge you to not be hasty. In fact, come along now, we'll take you to see the Headmaster." McGonagall stood up, looked at Hermione and said crisply, "Miss Granger, you may return to the tower, if you please." It was an order, and Harry saw Hermione swallow it, even if her hands were in fists the whole time.
[a/n: second post today. Leave a review! Harry's quite a lot more troubled by the fact that nobody cares that he almost got murdered.]
*Still need to work on being a Gryffindor, Harry!