Hey, everyone! Well, the wait is over for now.
This may be the last chapter for awhile as it's starting to slow down and the writer's block is becoming more of a problem.
However, I am not abandoning this story. It will be finished. I can't say how many more chapters there will be, but I do believe it is starting to wind down to the end.
But for now, sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Chapter 25
"Where is it, Ron?" Hermione screeched at the redhead. Her anger over what he had done being pushed to the forefront. It had been hours since the 'incident' (she refused to actually think about the vile act), and she had not been able to find Harry. She desperately needed to find him, explain what had happened.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Ron yelled back. He still sported a bright red print from the very pissed off witch in front of him.
"The map, Ronald! And if you tell me that you don't know which map I'm talking about, I'll give you a matching hand print on the other side and hex you into next week!"
"I don't know where it is!" he yelled back. "As far as I know, he could've given it to Merry!" He was more upset that the girl he had fancied for years did not return his feelings than the fact that she was yelling at him now. He knew she was just worried about Harry, and, if he was honest with himself, so was he. "Wait up, Hermione! I'll come with you." he called to her retreating back as she sprinted from the common room.
"Don't you think you've done quite enough?" she snapped out once he had caught up with her.
"No, I don't!" he shot back. "Listen, I'm the one who caused all of this so, I should be the one to explain and apologize."
"Ron, I understand that you feel responsible, as you should, but I need to find Harry myself." she sighed. "I don't know if he'll believe what I have to say, but I have to talk to him at least." She turned around to continue towards her destination, her mind worrying about Harry and what could have happened to him. Please let him be okay. She thought frantically. Hopefully, Merry would have the map or know where Harry was.
She pounded on the door, hoping that someone was there and that that someone was Merry. She was just about to leave after five minutes when the door cracked open and a coal black eye peeked out at the distraught witch. "What's wrong, Miss Granger?" came the sleepy and somewhat disgruntled voice. Hermione looked toward the window and saw that the sun had just barely set.
"Umm... I'm sorry to disturb you, Mist, but is Merry here?" she asked timidly.
"I'm sorry, Miss Granger, she is not. However," he said at her dejected look, "she should be back shortly. You may come in and wait if you would like."
Hermione looked around distraught once again before nodding and making her way into Merry's quarters. She was worried about Harry and hoped that he wouldn't do anything he would regret later. A few minutes later, the door opened, and a very tired Inuai came trudging in.
"It's official. I hate detentions." she sighed wearily, flopping limply on the sofa. "I swear, if I have to spend one more evening with those two lumbering bakas... Oh! Hermione! I didn't see you there."
"Merry, have you seen Harry?" Hermione asked hurriedly, hoping against hope that she wouldn't need to use the currently missing map.
"I can't say as though I have." she said thoughtfully. "Is there something wrong?"
"Oh, Merry!" the young witch cried. "He's disappeared! And I need to explain that the kiss meant nothing to me."
"Kiss?" Inuai questioned, looking to Mist for some help, but the Carpathian merely shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps you should tell me what happened."
"Ron found me in the library and said he had something important to tell me." Hermione sniffled, trying to dry her steadily falling tears. "He confessed his feelings for me, how he's fancied me for years and thought that my relationship with Harry was just a passing fling. And then... he, he."
"He kissed you." Inuai finished for her as realization dawned on her. "And Harry saw." Hermione merely nodded, tears cascading down her face.
"I tried to find him. I looked everywhere!" she said, her voice and mannerisms verging on hysteria. "But I need the map. You have to give me the map!"
"Hermione, calm down!" Inuai said sharply. "I don't have the map, but I may have an idea of where he is. Come on."
Inuai led the young woman toward a very familiar corridor and bathroom. As they walked in, she let out a sigh of relief. She had been right, and he had left the entrance open. "Looks like he's expecting you. Good luck. Oh, and Hermione? Try not to get caught on your way back." she said, handing her a bundle before walking purposely from the room.
"I don't deserve your forgiveness. I've been an utter prat."
"I know, but I can understand why you did it. I probably would've done the same thing myself."
"But, Harry."
"No buts, Ron." Harry replied calmly. "I've made my choice, and now you have to make yours. You can either accept my forgiveness, and we can go on being friends. Or you can reject it and continue to be a complete prat."
"Alright, Harry." Ron smiled at his best mate. "But I still could have really messed things up between you and Hermione."
"Perhaps, if it weren't for the open lines of communication we have. Now, let's go get some food before classes start."
"So, where did you go?" Ron asked nervously as they made their way to the Great Hall. He wasn't exactly comfortable with Harry's easy acceptance of what he had done.
"To the Chamber. It's the only place I can truly be alone to think things through." Harry had only been in the Chamber for a couple of hours when he figured everything out.
Flashback
Harry knew it must be getting close to curfew, but couldn't be sure as he had forgotten to put his watch on this morning. He had spent most of his time searching and exploring the expansive Chamber. He knew he probably hadn't seen everything the hidden cavern contained, but knew he would need to start mapping out all the tunnels and pipes to keep from getting lost.
He was climbing into the tunnel, now devoid of the snake skin and rubble from Lockhart's botched Obliviate, when he felt the tell tale tingle from the simple Proximity wards he had put up. A large smile lit his face as a familiar scent came to him on the breeze from the entrance. Harry quickened his pace, hoping to get to her before she took a wrong turn. Although she had asked many times to visit the Chamber, he had refused, not wanting her to see the giant Basilisk that had almost taken his life.
"Harry? Where are you?" Her voice was faint so he knew she was still at the bottom of the entrance. Harry ran the last few tunnels, wanting to be able to hold her in his arms again.
"Hermione!" he called as he rounded the last bend in the tunnel. She ran toward him with tears streaming down her face. The sight nearly broke his heart. "What's wrong, love?"
"I'm so sorry, Harry! I should've known what he was planning and stopped him, but I didn't. I'm so so sorry!" Hermione sobbed into his shoulder. Harry couldn't help himself and let a few chuckles escape. "Just what in Merlin's name are you laughing about?"
"I'm sorry, Mione. But it wasn't your fault. You have nothing to be sorry for." Harry said gently, cupping his girlfriend's face in his hands, causing her to look at him.
"But.."
"I've had enough time to think everything through. I know you played no part in what happened."
"So, what about Ron?"
"I'll talk to him. Don't you worry your pretty little head over it." Harry said, smiling down at the young witch he had come to love. "We should probably head back up before curfew."
"It's already past curfew, but I've got that covered, thanks to your mum."
End Flashback
"Good morning, Harry!" Hermione called from her spot at the Gryffindor table. "Good morning, Ron. I trust things went smoothly this morning."
"Of course, they did, love. Although I think Ron's still waiting for the other shoe to drop." Harry teased his tall, lanky friend, who looked like he was sitting next to an active bomb.
"Ronald, stop it!" Hermione snapped, causing the redhead to jump. "We're not going to suddenly decide to hate you."
"I know. At least, I think I do. It's just going to take some time to sink in."
"Everything okay here?"
"Yeah, Mum. Everything's just fine."
"Tell me what I want to know, old man." hissed a sibilant voice.
A seemingly broken man with long gray hair lay motionless on the cold, stone floor. To the normal eye, it looked as though he had passed on to the afterlife. But if you looked closer, you could see the subtle rise and fall of his chest. The menacing figure stood over the man waiting for any sign that he had heard him.
Sighing, he walked away from the figure on the ground. "I guess I will just have to find some other way to get the information I desire." the man hissed, walking to the only door in the room. After a quickly whispered command, he turned back to his captive. "Thanks in no part to you meddling, I can no longer enter the boy's mind. But that won't matter for long."
"You called for me, My Lord?"
"Ah, yes. Andrew, I'm sure you remember the renowned Albus Dumbledore." the man mockingly said, motioning to the broken man on the floor. The fox demon spared a cursory glance toward the floor before giving a curt nod. "I need you to extract some information from the old coot's head. Find out where the boy is hiding. I want him out of the picture before the year is out."
"Yes, my Lord." Andrew replied, bowing shortly. He motioned to two large, ape-like goons to pick Dumbledore up and take him back to his quarters.
"One more thing, Andrew. I want the old man kept alive. I wish to truly break the boy before I kill them both."
"Of course, my Lord."
Andrew stalked down the corridors towards his quarters. How dare he order me around like a common slave! This was the last time he let that maniac order him around. He had too many other people to torture and kill, but no. He was now saddled with the old coot. His sense of smell would be screwed up for months, and he was sure that it would take longer to get the smell of old man and lemon drops out of his quarters.
"Listen closely, old man. I do not have time to sit here and torture the information out of you." he said coldly to the former Headmaster. "So, to save us both a lot of time, why don't you just tell me what the closely guarded secret is?"
Dumbledore looked straight ahead, his eyes dull with no sign of the twinkle that was always there. Andrew sighed. "Fine, have it your way, old man. But for now, I have more important things to do." he said, getting up and heading for the door. "Make yourself at home, you're going to be here for awhile." And with that, Dumbledore was left alone.
Albus sat in the armchair for a few moments as though waiting for the other shoe to drop. Surely, they wouldn't leave him to his own devices. After sending out his aura to check for any traps or guards, he got up to explore his surroundings. The sitting room, where he had been left, was sparsely decorated in an Oriental style. No pictures could be found to tell Dumbledore about this man's past.
He quietly and slowly limped his way further into the apartment, his injuries making any and all movement painful. The Oriental theme seemed to continue all throughout the place, and Dumbledore began to realize that it was more than just decoration. He was from the Orient, Dumbledore was sure of it, and, if his guess was correct, Andrew was from the same region in Japan as Inuai. Now if only he could get a message to the Order, but it would be impossible without alerting Voldemort and his followers. Unfortunately, Snape had bee discovered as a spy last year and so, would be of no help to Albus at this point. He sighed to himself knowing that he would not be escaping from his new prison anytime soon.
Mrs. Greenleaf,
This letter is to inform you of the new laws that will be in effect as January 1st of the new year. All dark creatures must be registered with the Ministry of Magic under the proper level of risk.
Our current records show that your file has been outdated since your school days. Therefore, please report to the Registrar's office within the next two weeks to correct this oversight.
Best Regards,
Theodore Drake
Department for the Control of Dangerous Creatures
"What the hell is this about?" Inuyasha yelled, causing some of the early risers to look up toward the Head Table.
"I take it you received the same missive." Sesshomaru drawled.
"I'm not registering my family with those nutcases!"
"Oh, stuff it, Inuyasha!" Inuai bit out. "Nobody is registering. None of us are permanent residents of this country so, they cannot force us to register."
"So, what happens if they send the Aurors after us?" Kagome asked worriedly.
"Everyone here has diplomatic immunity from their ridiculous laws. Sesshomaru is the tai-youkai for Japan, Inuyasha is the second-in-command, and Inuai is part of the royal family of Mirkwood." Kagura commented knowledgeably.
"Exactly." Inuai said smugly.
"Well, dear sister, I believe you're going to test out that theory of yours soon."
"I'm sure that idiot who calls himself Minister will be knocking at the castle doors but week's end." Inuai said.
"I'll take that bet, sis." Inuyasha said, smiling at his twin.
"Minerva, surely you can see the danger you're putting these children in. This is the future of Wizarding Britain we're talking about!"
"I assure you, Mr. Weasley, that when I took this position, I made the exact same vow that Albus and every single Headmaster and Mistress since the Founders have made. I will not go back on that vow." McGonagal said firmly.
"I'm sure you mean well, Professor, but you cannot possibly, in good conscience, keep that creature and it's pack in the school with innocent students."
"And just what would you have me do, Mr. Weasley? Throw them to the wolves, so to speak? Inuai, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and their families will be staying until their teaching contract is up at the end of the school year. If they choose to renew that contract, I will gladly welcome them back with open arms." McGonagal stated firmly. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have a school to run. Good day."
"This isn't over, Professor." Percy shot back as he left the Headmistress' office.
"I don't believe it will ever truly be over." Minerva sighed to herself. This would only be the start of things to come. She got up and made her way toward the large fireplace. "Greenleaf quarters."
"What is going on, Minerva?" Filius asked concerned. He had never seen the normally stern woman so shaken up.
"I"m afraid I may have made things worse for us with the Ministry." she said softly, looking toward her Muggle Defense teachers. "I had a visit from Percy Weasley earlier today, and I told him that I stood behind you and your families 100%."
"While we appreciate the gesture, we don't want to cause any problems fro you and the school." Inuai said from between her brothers. "We've talked extensively about this, and we feel that the correct course of action is to take our families to Mirkwood, where they will be safe."
"But what of your classes? Certainly you wouldn't abandon the students in this critical time!" Professor Sprout said aghast at the thought.
"We wouldn't dream of abandoning the students." Sesshomaru said calmly. "Once our families are safely ensconced in Mirkwood, we will return to finish teaching."
"And what of these ludicrous laws the Ministry is trying to pass?" Snape asked perceptively.
"Feh! They can't do anything." Inuyasha scoffed.
"What my brother means," Inuai began before Inuyasha could get going, "is, we are prepared to do what is needed to 'protect' the students. Even if that means leaving the school."
"But you can't leave!" Flitwick squeaked out.
"Don't worry, Filius. Everything has been thought out. Even if we are forced from the school, we will continue to teach the students."
"How?"
"Perhaps I could field this question." Minerva said simply. At the siblings nod, she continued. "There are several secret passages onto the school grounds that Professor Greenleaf is well aware of. And if all else fails, I believe young Harry will be able to take over the classes."
"Precisely."
Blanket Disclaimer for A Hanyou's Life:
I do not own anything you recognize. If I did, I wouldn't have to worry about the economy.