-1Chapter 17- Gone Missing?
The rest of the D.A. walked into the foyer and watched as their bags disappeared. They were talking amongst themselves and the hall was filled with a dull roar. Harry's sensitive ears picked up every word and trying to tell the conversations apart was giving him a headache.
"Welcome everyone. We'll show you to your rooms and let you get settled. Afterwards we'll meet back up in the living room and discuss what's to happen next." Harry said load enough for all to hear. The conversations stopped when they realized it was Harry who spoke. "I'll explain everything. First, if the guys would follow me and the ladies, follow Hermione." They broke off into groups and headed upstairs.
The girls were down the right side of the hallway, then the master bath, and the boys to the left. Harry led them to each of their rooms. They were small but held the necessities. A bed, desk, dresser, and their trunks at the foot of the bed. After the last of them were led to their rooms Harry met Hermione in the living room.
She sat on the couch with a book in her lap. Harry smiled; some things never change, as he sat across from her in a chair. She looked up and put her book on the table next to the couch. "Hey, umm…we still have a conversation to finish if you want?" She asked.
Harry sighed and ran his hand through his hair, a habit of unease he always possessed. "Hermione, I rather spare you the gory details of my stay in hell, if you don't mind." He said. She looked upset, almost hurt by him not opening up. He was sparing her, by telling her what he saw and experienced, she wouldn't be the same. He somehow thought she would treat him different.
"Harry, if the Dursley's treated you like they did and you could tell me, how is it you're dealing so well with something so much worse?" She asked leaning forward.
Harry looked up at her confused. Who were the Dursley's? And what had they done to him? At his confused look Hermione understood. He didn't remember that much. If that was true then it was possible that by only being surrounded by the magical world he didn't remember the muggle world and his time there.
"Harry?" She asked but before she continued the group began to come downstairs and fill the living room. Harry stood and went to stand by the entrance. Once everyone was there, he explained what was to happen.
"I'm glad everyone was able to make it safely. Now that I'm back from my mission, the D.A. is going to resume its training. My goal is to get everyone combat trained. Once that is complete we'll set up patrols and protect the streets. Hopefully this will draw out or have the death eaters retreat. Either way they will be dealt with and this war will begin to come to a close. Tonight you will be able to rest and relax. Tomorrow it will all begin. Not only will you learn physical combat from Tonks and I, but magical as well from Hermione and Remus. Your days will be split in two. Physical in the morning allowing a break at lunch, then magical in the afternoon, followed by a night study and practice in the library. Within the next few months an army will be ready for deploy."
The group broke out into murmurs until one raised their hand. "Yes, Susan?" Harry called her out. The group looked uneasy at to what his answer may be.
"I take it we'll be facing Voldemort by your side?" She asked.
Harry folded his arms and looked over the group for a moment. "No. You will be facing the death eaters. The fewer that fight beside me in the end; the less that risk death. Those that will that will travel the last few steps with me, towards the end, will not train with you. Know this; I will face Voldemort alone, in the end. It won't be an easy journey." He said.
A few looked relieved, some still looked scared. Soon, he hoped, they would be harden warriors. A sad twist of fate, but one necessary to win this war and save their loved ones. Hopefully he could spar them the horrors of death, that maybe they wouldn't come out scarred.
"I'll see you all sometime tomorrow. I have a few things to take care of but Tonks will round you all up to begin. I suggest a good night's sleep so you'll wake in time for breakfast. 5 a.m. sharp." He said.
The group was quiet as Harry left. Hermione followed him upstairs and to his bedroom. As she walked into the door she saw him doubled over in pain.
Harry gripped his forehead in agony. His scar felt like it was splitting open and that his brain would erupt inside his skull. He felt someone touch his shoulder, and ask if he was okay. He pulled away from their touch and worked his way toward his desk. As another wave of pain hit him, he lost his footing and slammed into the corner of his desk, knocking off his books.
"Harry!!" Hermione exclaimed in horror as she tried to reach for him again. He stood tall and wiped away the trail of blood from his nostril. He brushed her off again as he began to scramble around his room and gather supplies. "What are you doing?" She asked. She couldn't hide the worry in her voice.
"I need to do something. I'll be back after awhile, okay?" He said pulling out what appeared to be combat clothes. He dropped those onto his bed and went on a search for something else.
She watched as he pulled out his wands, their holsters, combat boots, a dagger, Griffendor's sword, and his firebolt. She grabbed his arm and stopped him in his tracks. "What is going on Harry? You're acting like you're off to war. Tell me please." She demanded finally tired of him pushing her away cause he felt like she couldn't handle it.
"Hermione, I'm sorry. I have to go to the riddle house." He said.
"Why would you need to go there?" She asked almost positive this was connected to what just happened to him.
He let out a deep breath and looked at her. "My scar's been hurting me. Voldemort's up to something and I can't wait anymore. I have to go after the next Horcrux."
She got that stern look on her face, "Why didn't you say anything? I'll go get ready." She said turning to leave.
Harry grabbed her arm and stopped her. "No, I won't put you in danger. You'll stay here and watch out for the others until I return." He said. She slapped him and he looked at her in shock, rubbing his cheek.
"I will not wait around here, wondering if you've been sucked off into another hell dimension or if Voldemort got you!!!" She yelled.
"Hermione, please. I won't get sucked off into another dimension or get killed." He said.
Her eyes watered as he rubbed her shoulders, "How can you promise me that? You don't know?" She said, her voice cracking.
"I can't know the details. However I do know that I will return to you." He said pulling her into a hug. He could only imagine how difficult the past year was for her. To not know if he was ever coming back. It was hard for him not knowing if he would see her again.
She looked up and it. Time stopped for both of them as their faces inched closer together.
"Harry!!! Draco's gone!!!" Ginny said bursting into the room.
They sprang apart, Harry immediately going into hero mode. "What happened?" He asked.
"He went out for supply's and received a note. It was from his father, saying that he was going into hiding with his mother and needed his help getting a safe place set up. He went off to help him and I haven't heard from him since." She said.
"When was this?" He asked pulling off his shirt to change.
"After breakfast, I realized you said his father was dead. I believed you but Draco didn't, not yet at least." She said. Hermione walked over and rubbed her back.
"Don't worry. I'll go after him. Know where he went?" He asked attaching his holsters and adding his wands.
"He was going to met him at the shrieking shack." She said. Harry nodded and shooed them out of the room so he could finish changing. The girls left and he heard them head downstairs as he pulled on his pants and change his boots. He shrunk his broom and sword, putting them safely in his pocket. No telling what horrors he could possible face. More than likely this was a trap for him.
He took the stairs two at a time. Hermione and Ginny were in the living room. Tonks and Remus were comforting her and reassuring her that Draco was okay and taking care of himself just fine. Harry walked in looking like a soldier and ready for combat.
"Harry, you can't be serious about going after him?" Tonks asked. He nodded and adjusted his holsters.
"More than likely a trap, I know. All the more so for you all to be ready. No one leaves this house, even if all hell breaks loose on the streets. That can be dealt with by the Order." He said
Tonks and Remus nodded. "I'll contact if I run into any trouble. However I'll have to fly, I don't remember how to apperate just yet." He said. Remus stood and grabbed his shoulder.
"Harry, maybe I should go with you. Watch your back and all." He said.
"No. Thanks but your needed here. I wouldn't trust anyone but you two to keep Hermione safe." He said. "I'll be back as soon as I can. I won't return without him." He said to Ginny. She looked up at him with tear stained cheeks.
"Be safe Harry." She said standing and hugging him. He returned her hug, and then locked eyes with Hermione. Everyone in the room noticed but no one said a word. He finally turned and left. Hermione pulled aside the thick curtains and watched as he mounted his broom and took off towards the sky, to be a hero once more.
Authors Note: Okay so here's a good chapter that I'll leave you with. I won't have time to update before I leave, have to get ready and all. I hope you like and are anticipating what will happen next. Let me know what you think and I'll have a chapter ready to go when I get back. Hopefully around July 4th or 5th.
Also my beta is sick. Hopefully she will be feeling better soon, and be back with us shortly.