"That is strange," Hermione said, during Transfiguration the next day. Harry was telling her about Riley's capabilities. He was trying to concentrate on his pillow that he was supposed to turn into a piece of parchment that said, Hello my name is Harry. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop thinking about Riley and Ron.
"Okay everyone, go off to your next class," Professor McGonagall told everyone. The classroom began to empty as Hermione walked up to McGonagall's desk.
"Professor?" Hermione whispered.
"Yes, Miss Granger."
"Has there been any news about Ron yet?"
"No, I'm afraid not." Professor McGonagall looked up at Hermione and sighed. Hermione turned around and followed Harry out the door, into the hall. The school seemed to be quieter, ever since Riley and Ron had been attacked. Fred and George weren't even getting into trouble anymore, which was hard to believe. The teachers even seemed less enthusiastic then usual. Ron's disappearance and Riley's death had taken a huge toll on everyone. At least one of the Weasleys was crying everyday, it was most often Ginny. Harry was sure there was nothing he could do. Hermione didn't agree. She was determined to save Ron, she felt that it was her job to save him.
Malfoy looked paler than usual as the days went on. Harry could tell he really liked Riley, more then he knew. Harry, who was usually very good at this stuff, was sure that there was nothing a couple of fifteen year old wizards, and witch, could do. Even Draco wanted to do something. He was saying that he wanted to kill Riley's killer as soon as possible. Everyday a new article or picture in the Daily Prophet featured Ron and Riley. People were beginning to believe that Ron would never be found and no justice would come to Riley.
Snape still hadn't let his secret out to anyone. It seemed that the only people who knew about Snape's acquaintance with Riley, were Dumbledore and Harry. They all knew better than to say anything about it to anyone. Malfoy had decided to adopt Sugarfoot and Mittens, who now didn't have an owner. The students have seen them roaming around the halls every day. Even the owl went exploring throughout the castle. Sugarfoot seemed to follow Hermione everywhere she went. If you walked into the library, you would see Hermione and right next to her would be a small gray cat looking up at her. Harry personally thought it was rather funny.
The end of May was approaching, and there was still no sign of Ron. Almost everyone in Hogwarts had classified him as dead. Hermione had still not given up on him though. Her nights in the Common Room were spent looking through books for any clues available. Draco would search the castle whenever he got a chance for any sign of Riley. They both were disappointed when they still hadn't found anything. Hermione became very grumpy and Malfoy wasn't paying attention in classes at all. To make it all worse Hermione was annoyed at Harry for not helping.
"There is nothing you, Malfoy, and I can do!" Harry would shout.
"You know what, I think you are scared! Scared that your best friend might be dead. How are we ever supposed to find him if we don't try?" Hermione would answer. Harry knew in his heart that Hermione was right. The Ministry of Magic had stopped searching, assuming that Ron was dead. One day in transfiguration Harry made it perfectly clear that he wasn't as together as he seemed. Harry was staring at the ceiling, thinking, and Professor McGonagall noticed.
"Mr. Potter would you please pay attention," McGonagall yelled, hitting her fist hard on Harry's desk. Harry nodded lazily and Hermione kicked him from under the table. He let out a yelp and glared at Hermione.
"Potter is something troubling you?" Professor McGonagall asked, just realizing that that was a dumb thing to say. Harry exploded.
"Is something troubling me? What do you think? My life is just so easy, is that what you think? Well it's not! Both of my parents are dead and now my cousin is dead! Voldemort is after me!" everyone cringed at the sound of Voldemort's name, but Harry went on, " I have already witnessed one murder, last year I found out about a godfather that I never knew about, and he is on the run somewhere where I can't see him, and he is being blamed for something he never did! My best friend is also missing and I've got two other friends that are driving me crazy, and between all that I have finals in a week! Don't forget Quidditch! I've also got a secret that none of you know and that if I told anyone somebody in this school would have my head, and no McGonagall you don't know about it either. Now do you think my life is so easy?" The whole class stared at him, amazed. McGonagall opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Harry got up and gathered his books. After taking one last look at McGonagall, he left.
He heard footsteps following him. Hermione had her books in her hands and was walking towards him. She looked down at the floor and then back up at Harry. Malfoy came running up and he to looked down at floor. Harry started laughing and they both looked up at Harry and then at each other, with puzzled looks.
"Would you two stop that!" Harry yelled, still laughing loudly. He stopped and looked at them both frowning.
"I've checked every inch of this school, even the girls bathrooms." Malfoy said, turning slightly pink with embarrassment.
"I've looked through all the books that I could think of, but there was nothing useful," Hermione whispered. Harry thought for a moment.
"You haven't looked at the restricted section though, right?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione. She shook her head, and she seemed to perk up a bit. Harry turned to Malfoy.
"You haven't gone to the third floor, have you?"
"No, but we aren't allowed…" Malfoy broke off and smiled.
"Exactly," Harry said, "That would be the best place to store a missing person." Malfoy and Harry smiled, but Hermione frowned.
"I'm sure the teachers have checked though," Hermione said, seriously.
"Well, I guess we'll have to check it again!" Harry said, running down the hall toward the stairs. His shoes clicked as he ran and he could hear Malfoy and Hermione following him.
Once they got to the third floor they opened the door to Fluffy's room.
"Whistle!" Hermione hissed at Malfoy, who had seen Fluffy and was now backing away. All three of them walked in once they saw that Fluffy was asleep.
"That thing is scary," Malfoy whispered to Harry. Harry nodded and started to feel around the walls.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked as Malfoy kept whistling.
" I'm checking for a door. There must be one around here somewhere…" Harry stopped. A key was lying on the floor. It was gold, and seemed to have rusted. There was also a red mark on it that looked like a window. Hermione and Malfoy walked over, still whistling. Harry pointed and both of them opened their eyes wide. Hermione picked up the key and examined. She suddenly gasped. Still holding onto the key she started crawling on the floor. Not knowing what she was doing, Malfoy and Harry just kept on whistling.
Finally Hermione screamed.
"I've found it!" The boys walked over to her, unsure what she was talking about. Harry peered down to where Hermione was pointing. A very faint mark was scratched into the wood.
"That's the mark that is on the key!" Harry gasped.
"Yes," Hermione answered, " I know what this is. This is the mark of a Pettroliama Cage. They are hidden worlds. Often the feature a waterfall or cliff, it really is quite strange. For some people they can just walk in a Pettroliama Cage and just think they are in an ordinary room, but for others it is different. We have the key and you Harry so most likely we will be able to enter." She got up off the floor.
"Alright we need to think of what the password might be. Malfoy keep whistling." She said. Harry thought for a moment.
"Carrot cake," he said. Hermione gave him a sort of pathetic look and then went on.
"Pettroliama Cage," Nothing happened.
"The great lord returns," Malfoy said. The mark on the floor filled the room with light, then a silver door suddenly appeared. Hermione and Harry both stared at Malfoy, mouths open.
"My dad has worked with these things before. Usually when a person creates one they make their password after them." He said, looking rather happy with himself. Hermione glanced at Harry and then went to the door.
"Ready?" she asked, breathing in deep. Harry who was still whistling stopped.
"Yes, and lets go," Harry yelled, once Fluffy started to wake. Hermione burst open the door, and they all climbed in. Light came from all directions and they could hear water thrashing against land. The smell of seawater and rock filled the room, and a huge cliff was at the other end of this big sort of room. Harry heard Hermione gasp and he looked over to where she was pointing. A boy was lying on the ground. His flaming red hair was visible and his face was covered with dirt.
"Ron!" Hermione, Harry, and Malfoy all yelled.