DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything to do with Harry Potter
I know, I know, y'all probably hate me for making you wait so long. I've been sick which killed my creative flow. Hope these two chapters make up for it. As always, reviews would be lovely :)
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Tears streamed down Harry's face, falling behind him as he drove Seamus' broom back down to the ground. The second his feet came in contact with the ground his body crumpled into a heap, shaking with each sob that escaped him. He felt pathetic like this. He knew he should by flying off somewhere or making a plan to get to Draco, but he couldn't. He couldn't bring himself to do anything. The will to move had been crushed by the sinking, empty black hole he felt in the pit of his stomach. Never before had he felt so lost. All he wanted to do was curl up and die.
He heard quick light footsteps run toward him.
"Harry?"
Hearing Susan's soft, hesitant voice sent another shuddering breath through him.
"He's gone. He's gone and I couldn't stop them. I couldn't save him. I promised him we'd stay together. I promised…I PROMISED HIM!!"
Harry's cries wracked through his body now, every quick ragged breath sending a spasm through his frame. Susan laid a delicate hand on his arm.
"We're going to do everything we can. We won't let them get away with this."
Harry whipped his head around and glared at Susan, making her jump in surprise.
"Well where the fuck were you when they DID get away with it?! I saw you run out of the room!"
Susan flinched, hurt.
"I did run out, but I had left to find the others to help. When I got outside, everyone was gone. I saw Percy over by the shed next to the house so I ran over to ask him where they were and if he could help. But when I got to the shed…" she faltered and swallowed, "I saw that he had his wand pointed to Hermione and Seamus. He had used a rope binding spell on them."
Harry laid his head back on the ground and fumed. "Incarcerous. The bastard."
Susan nodded. "I tried to reason with him for a while, but then he started throwing spells at me. I tried to fight him off, but they were coming at me so quickly I didn't know what else to do except run. So I…I took my broom and flew off. I'm sorry Harry, I know I should have stood up to him and tried to fight, but I was alone and I panicked and –"
Harry shook his head and sat up. As much pain he was in, he wasn't going to force the blame on someone who didn't deserve it.
"No, Susan, it's not your fault. It wouldn't have helped any if Percy had jinxed you too. I – wait, where's Hermione and Seamus now?"
Susan dropped her head and blushed. "I can't remember the counter curse…"
"Relashio" Harry muttered, standing up.
He trudged over to the shed and leaned all his weight on one of the sliding barn doors. It opened slowly to reveal Hermione and Seamus squirming on the ground, completely bound with old looking sailor's rope. Their mouths were gagged but you could hear their stifled protests against the rope.
With a swish of his wand, the ropes fell and draped on top of their bodies. They quickly stood up and brushed the heavy ropes off.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione caught him up in a hug, her eyes filling with tears. Harry just stood there, letting himself be hugged. "I'm so sorry! Did they hurt you?"
Harry winced in reply as she squeezed him a little too hard. Hermione stepped back as her hand flew over her mouth.
"Oh my god, they did! They took him, didn't they? Oh, Harry, they had no right to do this!"
"Yeah, well, they did it anyway, didn't they?" Harry shot back. Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but just dropped her head to look at her feet.
Seamus came over and put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Don't worry, mate. We'll figure somethin' out."
Harry just stared at the back of the shed. He wished he could be hopeful, wished he could believe that everything would be ok.
"You'd better tend to Neville and Dean inside" Harry mumbled, lost in thought. "They were unconscious when I left."
The three friends nodded and rushed out of the shed leaving Harry alone to try and process what to do. He found an old crate by the wall so he dropped onto it, his head sinking into his hands. He couldn't feel the tears anymore. He couldn't feel the sadness. He just felt…empty.
How was he supposed to free Draco? The only people who would even have a chance at it would be someone in the Ministry. Arthur had already been fired so the Ministry would never listen to him. Percy had joined forces with Fudge and he hated Harry now so he would never reconsider. No one else in the Ministry knew Harry well enough to overlook their loyalty to the magical government in order to help him. No one except…
Ron.
Harry lifted his head and stared off into space, running the possibility through his mind.
If I can get Ron to listen to me, he could get into the Ministry and try to persuade the council! He can help argue Draco's case! As long as he's willing to listen to me…
Suddenly empowered by the thought of his plan actually working, Harry crossed the shed floor to where he saw his broomstick leaning in the corner. He grabbed the broom handle confidently and strode quickly out of the shed. Then he thought of the others. Turning to look back on the house, he wondered if leaving without them would be the right thing to do. After all, look at what had happened when they tried to help him. No, it was too dangerous. He wouldn't risk their lives again. This was something he had to do on his own.
With one last glance at the house, Harry mounted his broom. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then shoved off from the ground and flew high into the air.
He would head for the train station soon but first, there was something at home he needed to get.
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I know it's quick, but things will start picking up again soon! Promise!