Author's notes: Here's Chapter Two, which has kindly been Beta'd by the wonderful Sderai. Thank-you very much for your help. A link to her own work can be found in my favourite authors, and in my profile when I figure out how to put in a hyper link.
Thanks also to dreamerswaking and gorgeousbrowneyesslash for their reviews. I really appreciated them.
I'm sorry to anyone who tried to leave an anonymous review last time and wasn't able to. I have corrected that.
This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter Two.
16th June 1999
A loud bang woke her. Several more followed rapidly on its tail. The shocked noise from the other bed in the room told her it had woken Ginny too.
Hermione glanced at her watch, twelve-thirteen. Brilliant. She'd been asleep barely half an hour and they; Ron, Ginny and herself, had a long day before them. She dragged herself out of bed and pulled on her dressing gown, barely noticing that Ginny was doing the same thing across from her.
On the landing she could hear Ron coming down the stairs from his attic bedroom. Mrs Weasley was already half-way down the staircase towards her, Mr Weasley close behind. The banging continued as she let her friends parents pass her before joining Ron who was following in their wake.
Ahead of her Mrs Weasley spelled the lights on as she entered the kitchen. As soon as they came on the banging stopped. Mr and Mrs Weasley approached the door almost cautiously, both holding their wands ready.
"Who's there?" Mr Weasley called out furtively.
"Please, you don't know me," a young female voice called back. "My name is Samantha Scofield and I know where Harry Potter is."
A shocked silence fell over the kitchen and time seemed to stop. Could this be it? After nearly six months, could they find him?
Hermione wanted to be hopeful, to get excited. But months of false leads had made her cynical. Why would this be any different than the dozen false leads they'd followed yesterday?
A little logical voice in the back of her mind said the others had been sent by owl, mainly anonymously. No-one had ever tried to break down the back door in the middle of the night. Unwillingly, a tiny seed of hope germinated. .
The silence was broken by the visitor calling through the door again. "Can you let me in please? I can here things scurrying round out here and I'm too young to use my wand…"
Mrs Weasley came to herself very quickly. Wrenching open the door she ushered in a plain girl with dark brown hair who looked at them all nervously. Mrs Weasley guided her over to the table and pushed her down into a chair.
"Oh you poor dear, you're freezing. Fancy coming out in the middle of the night without wearing a coat. I'll make you a hot chocolate, I'm sure everyone else will appreciate one too."
As she bustled around, Mr Weasley, Ron, Ginny and Hermione took their seats at the old pine farmhouse table. Each one of them looked expectantly at the young girl who had literally blown in the door, while she kept sending apprehensive glances through the window.
"What's out there anyway? I could here something in the bushes, and I thought it was mice or something, but then they started pulling at my jean leg…"
"Our garden is home to some rather cheeky gnomes I'm afraid," said Mr Weasley as he polished his glasses. "They are quite impossible at times."
"Oh," Samantha muttered, embarrassment colouring her cheeks. "Now I feel really daft for pounding on the door so hard."
Mrs Weasley settled a mug of steaming hot chocolate in front of Samantha and gradually passed others around the table. She then settled herself and everyone drank from their cups, an awkward silence settling over them.
Hermione wanted to ask questions, but she also wanted to keep this tiny shoot of hope for a little while longer, before it was crushed mercilessly again. A sideways glance at Ron showed that he was barely keeping a rein on his impatience. She knew that it was only believing that Harry was out there somewhere, happy and whole, that kept him from being eaten alive by guilt.
Ron had been the last to speak to Harry. Well, argue would be more accurate. He'd found him with Draco Malfoy and had exploded, taking the betrayal of his sister as his own. It had been a flash in the pan. Within the hour he had cooled down, ready to apologise, but by then, Harry was gone.
Ginny had been very different. She'd taken the news of Harry's affair with Malfoy surprisingly well. In fact she'd thanked Malfoy for taking care of Harry when he wouldn't allow anyone else, and kissed him on the cheek. Oh she'd cried in private of course, even raged about the injustice to Hermione, but she loved Harry enough to let him go.
Hermione hadn't yet processed that Harry had been in a physical relationship, if nothing else, with Malfoy. She'd taken the statement as fact and filed it away, focusing more on the fact that Harry was missing. She could deal with everything else as soon as she knew he was safe and sound.
Predictably Ron was the first to break the silence, "Where is he?"
"Castermill, on the Somerset Dorset border. He's living with a friend of mine."
The atmosphere became frigid. "With your friend," Ginny bit out. "WITH YOUR FRIEND, AND YOU DIDN'T THINK TO LET US KNOW BEFORE NOW? DID YOU THINK IT FUNNY TO WATCH US WORRY?" By the time she was finished she was standing, glaring at their mid-night visitor.
Samantha physically recoiled from the attack before squaring her jaw and standing up to confront Ginny.
"How dare you!" she hissed furiously. "You don't even know me and you immediately make baseless accusations. For your information I only found out today.
"And even if I'd known for months you have no right to judge me. Your friend is convinced he has no one who cares about him because no-one reported him missing. If you had thought to contact the police none of this would be an issue."
Once again a tense silence descended as Ginny and Samantha glared at each other across the table. Hermione barely noticed as she ran though Samantha's statement in her head. Why would Harry expect them to involve the muggle authorities? He was a wizard after all If he wanted to know how desperately they were searching for him why didn't he get a copy of the prophet? It just didn't add up…
"Why would Harry expect us to use the muggle please-men?" asked Mr Weasley.
Samantha sighed and slumped back down into her chair. "He doesn't know who he is. Nick, that's the name he's been going by, has no memories before the 23rd of December 1998..."
"Two days after he went missing," Hermione interrupted.
"When he found himself standing in front of Castermill's war memorial. Lou and Julian found him. He lives with Lou now."
"Can you tell us everything, from the beginning please dear?" Mrs Weasley asked, seeming to feel they could go on all night otherwise, and Samantha complied.
Hermione could barely believe that someone could have been receiving information about Harry all the time and not realising it. She found herself freely crying when she heard of the events in the pub that night, of the confused anger in her friend. Ginny and Mrs Weasley were in tears as well. Mr Weasley looked slightly horrified and Ron, well Ron looked as if he'd just been hit with a Harry sized bludger. Hermione slipped her hand into his and tried to pass her comfort and support through the small gesture.
"Are you sure it's him?" Hermione choked out, trying to sound calmer than she was.
"Oh yes. He has green eyes, messy black hair and a scar shaped like a lighting bolt on his forehead. Lou also said he had a written scar on the back of his hand, though she didn't tell me what it said."
"I must not tell lies," Ron's haunted, hollow tones intoned before he gasped and nearly lost all composure. "Oh Merlin!"
"And you left him there? Just like that? In a pub full of muggles?" Ginny's voice was soft in its accusations, but they were heard clearly all the same.
"What would you have had me do?" Samantha asked tiredly. "I was in a pub full of muggles, and even if I had dragged him off to a quiet corner it's not like I could offer proof. He's been safe with the muggles for months now, and I've known Lou since I was four years old. I know she'll take care of him.
"So I did the best thing I could think to do, I caught the knight-bus and came straight here. My mother is probably going out of her mind with worry right now."She said staring at the Weasleys clock with a puzzled expression, trying to work out how it told the time.
Then we must get you home," said Mrs Weasley, and she stood up from the table and stated busying herself clearing away the half-drunk hot chocolate. "Ron, Hermione, Ginny go and get dressed. We'll meet down here in ten minutes."
All three of them leapt from their seats, scrapping their chair legs across the flagstone floor. In spite of the tears drying on her face Hermione almost floated upstairs. They were going to see Harry.
Fifteen minutes later Ron, Hermione and Ginny were set and ready to go. Ron had already thrown up twice and was a worrying shade of green. Hermione stuck to his side like glue, wishing she had a moment to talk to him about it, but not wanting to delay seeing Harry any longer than they had to.
They were now in the kitchen with Samantha while Mr and Mrs Weasley got ready upstairs. Ginny was spreading the things she had gathered that would act as reminders of the wizarding world for Harry, checking if Hermione or Ron had any objections.
Harry's first Hogwarts letter, several wizarding photos of Harry, Ron and Hermione through their time at Hogwarts, a copy of the Daily Prophet from three days after his disappearance, a snitch they using for pick-up Quidditch in the orchard, and a very battered copy of Quidditch Through The Ages. They were small things, not very impressive magically, but unexplainable to muggles. Ginny had chosen well and Hermione told her so.
"Well I didn't want to overwhelm him too much," she said, dismissing the praise.
"Which is why I think it should be just you and Dad who go to see him at first. And before you jump in," she continued, looking pointedly at Ron who had already opened his mouth to speak. "I'll tell you why. Mum would hug him straight away, she wouldn't be able to help herself, and we all know how Harry would react to someone he considers a stranger trying to do that.
"And Ron and I, well, we are both connected to the stuff that made him go. If he were to see us and it all come flooding back at once it could be too much for him."
"So what are you saying?" Ron asked with anger. "That we just stay here and twiddle our thumbs while Hermione and Dad go and see Harry. Merlin's Balls Ginny!"
Ginny gave her brother a look that said he was immensely stupid and spoke slowly in her reply. "No Ronald, Mum can contact Bill, Charlie, Percy and George because there'll be hell to pay tomorrow if they found out we waited to let them know. And we'll go get Malfoy."
"Malfoy?!" Ron said incredulously. "What on earth do you want to go get that great git for?"
"Because," Ginny explained calmly as she gathered Harry's possessions from the table. "He deserves to know we know where Harry is, that he's safe, and what's happened to him. Because whether you want to believe it or not he's been as worried as us. After all he knew better than us what was going on in Harry's head."
As Ron opened his mouth to argue Hermione placed a hand on his arm and interrupted him, "Ginny's right. You know she is. I'll talk to Harry, explain everything, and then he'll be prepared for any memories that you trigger."
"But Malfoy…" Ron tried to start.
"Is the one that was talking to Harry when he felt he couldn't lean on us. He was the one Harry didn't feel he had to be strong for. He became important to Harry, and vice- versa. He deserves to be kept informed.
Hermione turned away, dismissing Ron's further protests by asking Ginny "Could you let Malfoy know that I'll explain everything I can about their history, as well as their more recent companionship. Tell him I promise to stay as impartial as possible."
"Of course," said Ginny as her parents came back into the kitchen.
It took only a few minutes to explain their plan and Ginny and Ron departed for Malfoy manor immediately. Mrs Weasley turned straight to the floo and disappeared to Shell Cottage, leaving only Mr Weasley, Samantha and Hermione.
"There are no witches or wizards living in Castermill apart from me, and I'm not connected to the floo I'm afraid." Samantha said, speaking for the first time since she finished her tale. Letting out an involuntary shudder she continued, "I caught the knight bus to get here. Two hours on that damn thing, it was horrendous. I can't wait to learn to apparate next year."
"It's not much more pleasant I'm afraid," Hermione said wryly.
Samantha looked slightly sick, "But quicker, right?"
"Much quicker," Mr Weasley reassured her.
They left The Burrow to walk to the edge of the apparition wards they'd left in place since the war ended. The light of Mr Weasley and Hermione's wands spread a comforting circle of light around them, warding of the dark, moonless night.
"Do you know where you're going?" Samantha asked suddenly. Mr Weasley raised his eye brows at her, and she rushed to explain. "Not here, obviously, because this is your garden. Do you know how to get to Castermill?"
Mr Weasley sighed sadly. "Yes I do. I expect you remember the giant attack there. I was part of the Ministry's defence. I'll side-along apparate you Samantha. If you take my hand Hermione I'll guide you."
Samantha looked pensive, and Hermione could only assume it was because of the journey ahead of them. "Is this your first time?"
Samantha nodded distractedly.
"Don't worry. It'll be over before you can say Knight Bus."
Mr Weasley took their hands and Hermione turned on the spot as she followedMr Weasley's actions through. The familiar squeezing sensation over took her, quickly releasing her into the middle of a dark outdoor space. The atmosphere hung heavy and as Hermione's eye's adjusted she could see street lamps at the edges, silhouetting spooky shapes surrounding her. It didn't take long to work out they were in a graveyard.
"Okay, the cemetery. Brilliant. As if this night couldn't get any worse."
Hermione personally agreed with Samantha's unease. She only realised now, after four years, how frightening Harry's landing in the Little Hangleton graveyard must have been. She shivered.
"It's the best place to appear without risking notice by the muggles," Mr Weasley explained. "They don't like coming in here at night."
"Well," Samantha replied in even tones as she started quickly towards the street lights. "Neither does this witch."
They walked in silence until they hit the softly lit pavements. The streets were deserted, and pervaded by a sleepy sort of calm. Hermione drank in the atmosphere, the sights. She could see 'The Castle' ahead and smiled at the yellow exterior, and flowering hanging baskets that hung in regular intervals. Harry had been there only hours before. It seemed unreal.
"Um," Samantha began awkwardly, "I'll take you straight to Lou's house, no doubt they're still up, but there's something you should know.
"Lou was out walking her dogs with her mum and sister when the giants attacked. She was the only survivor, and she's fine now, but her appearance can be a little shocking to people who aren't used to it. There are scars all over her face, and her right arm is pretty much useless."
Hermione was shocked, appalled, she always was by the damage the war had inflicted on the muggle world, it was so easy to forget they had been unwittingly involved too.
"It's not that she's hypersensitive about it, she's fine, I really don't think it bothers her any more, but it can be jarring if you meet her unprepared."
"That's terrible," Mr Weasley mumbled inadequately, but unable to find anything else to say.
Samantha continued, "Lou's dad works away a lot, and I know that he went away today so it should only be Lou and Harry in. Though, after the events of tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if Julian is still with them."
"Who's Julian?" Hermione asked as they passed into a very dark passageway.
"He's Lou's best friend. Very protective of her, especially since, you know. And, according to my mum, he's extended that to Harry. He doesn't have much of a temper though, and honestly, he's a bit weedy."
They exited into a well lit muggle street on a hill. The houses were mismatched, as if they'd built one side of the street ten years after the other side, but it was generally well kept with mown lawns and neat flower beds. On the pavement was a chalk hopscotch grid, scuffed and marked where it had been well used throughout the day.
"This is it," Samantha said as she stopped in front of the only house in the street with it's lights still on. It was a pebble-dashed semi with a small front garden and a driveway leading to a garage. Through the living-room curtains they could see vague shadows moving around. Hermione wondered if one of them was Harry.
Samantha lead them up a paved garden path to the white PVC door. She pressed the door-bell, and Hermione thought that she might break apart from the anticipation.
It took a few minutes for the door to open. A few agonisingly tense moments where Hermione imagined the worst possible reception that Harry could give her. It must have shown on her face for Mr Weasley took her hand and squeezed it.
"It'll all work out," he muttered to her before releasing her.
The girl who opened the door was silhouetted it the hall light, but Hermione could see that her right arm was curled into her side. She didn't look at Hermione, or even Mr Weasley, but turned immediately to Samantha.
"I take it you have some sort of explanation. Where do you get off dropping a bomb shell like that and running away? I would have expected better of you Sammy." Her voice was harsh in it's condemnation, and Hermione was immediately grateful that Harry had found this person to look after him.
Samantha raised her hands in surrender. "I'm sorry, Lou. I really am, but I couldn't explain. So I went and found people who could." She gestured towards Hermione and Mr Weasley. "Lou this is Hermione Granger, one of Harry Potter's friends, and this is Mr Weasley, the dad of one of his other friends. Harry used to spend the holidays with the Weasleys.
"Mr Weasley, Hermione," she continued turning to them. "This is Lou Green. She found Harry and he lives with her. You can tell her, and Julian, anything. I would trust them with my life," she said significantly.
Hermione spared a glance at Lou who regarded them all suspiciously before Samantha spoke again.
"Well, I'm sure you don't want me getting in the way, so I'll see you around." She gave a half wave towards the door. "Bye Lou."
Hermione caught the girls arm as she passed. "Thank-you," she said trying to pass all her gratitude in those two small words.
"Your welcome," Samantha smiled and went on her way.
Lou ushered Mr Weasley and Hermione into a small square hallway. In the harsh light of the bulb Hermione could see the full evidence of Lou's injuries. She sent another silent thank-you to Samantha for warning them, and tore her eyes away.
There was a staircase directly in front of the door, but all was dark up there so Hermione turned her attention to the only door that led off of the hall. It was a traditional four panel door, painted white, with a brass lever handle. Nothing special but Hermione concentrated on every detail trying to calm herself with it's normality.
"I guess you better come in," Lou said softly before opening that door and leading them into a good sized living room.
And there he was. Sat on a terracotta sofa in jeans and t-shirt, clutching a mug with both hands. His messy black hair was threatening to fall forward into his eyes, and he was just so…Harry.
Hermione felt her eyes well up and a lump formed in her throat. She raised her hand up to her mouth as if she could physically retain the tremendous emotion with in her. Hermione saw the look of fearful apprehension in Harry's face and gave him a watery smile. "Hello Harry."
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