Disclaimer : I don't own anything beyond Mary and the plot of this story… Not mine… all hers… Unfortunately…
Author's note: I know… I know… it has been a long time… a very long time… As I said before, it's not easy to work on an already written story to make it better… And on top of that, my two betas are on strike (just kidding… ). Anyway, I've no excuse but laziness to present to my fellow readers. I hope to accelerate the rhythm somehow from now on…
Ah, and before I forget, English still isn't my mother tongue… So if you don't understand something you can always ask by email and if you spot some spelling or grammar mistakes, please excuse me in advance…
Chapter 3: Reactions
Hedwig did a quick flight towards The Burrow. The life and death of her master could maybe depend of it. She arrived at The Burrow some hours after Harry departed from Privet Drive. Not loosing one second, Hedwig swooped in the room where all the Weasleys where busy having a pleasant dinner. Hedwig moved toward Ron, letting him take one of the letters. Then, without waiting for a reward (as it was always the case when she arrived at The Burrow), she left to deliver her second message of the day.
Ron immediately recognized Harry's handwriting. He was a little surprised to receive a letter from Harry so earlier in the holiday. They were apart for four days only. It didn't smell good. He opened the letter. Colors seemed to leave his face when he read the letter. Seeing him so pale, Molly, Arthur, Ginny, Fred and Georges knew this could not be anything good. Everybody was looking at Ron. Finally taking the silence around the table and the stares of his family, Ron looked up at his family and said with a little distress in his voice: "It's Harry… he's gone…" Letting the message fall on the floor, he ran to his room. "I must warn Hermione of this… We have to find Harry as soon as possible…" He quickly grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote down a few words to Hermione.
Some hours later, Hedwig was arriving at the Grangers residence. Hermione, as usual in the beginning of the summer break, was in her room, busy with her holiday homework. She was the top of her year every year since the beginning at Hogwarts. It was no wonder. She worked hard for it. Homework was also a way to avoid thinking. Particularly thinking to a certain green-eyed boy who was making her life a living hell. She was so into her subject that she at first did not heard the owl that was at the window. Only at the second "hoot" from Hedwig did she turn her head. Recognizing Hedwig, she though: "Well, news from Harry… So weird so early in the summer break". Harry was generally not allowed to use Hedwig to sent mail to his friend. The muggles he lived with were so restrictive on him… The holidays were running since four days. What possibly had he to say now? He had barely spoken to her the whole year. Hermione didn't have a good feeling about that letter. Hedwig landed on the desk of Hermione, letting her get the message tied at her leg. Then she headed herself to a perch that was there for the owls that were visiting Hermione.
Hermione opened the envelope and read the short message Harry had send. Letting the parchment fall on the floor, she put her hands to her mouth to restrain a cry of angst. Harry, her best friend throughout those six years, Harry was gone somewhere, visibly with no idea of come back in his head. Quickly thinking, she grabbed the letter and read it once more. She could have touched the silent despair that Harry had put in his words. Her first thoughts were that Harry was going the commit some unfixable mistake. The mere thought of learning about Harry's destiny in a newspaper was intolerable for her. She could not bear the fact that Harry would commit suicide without even speaking to his friends… Then maybe, the fact that they have been quite apart this sixth year was maybe the cause he only wrote a letter… The sixth year wasn't exactly like the other. She had a lot of time to herself in the library, Harry being involved with Mary and Ron with someone else. Harry had met Mary in the train ride to Hogwarts. In less than a week, she was his girlfriend. Of course this had hurt. A lot. She always had a big crush on Harry without letting him know. She was happy with her role of best friend and sad that Harry was only seeing her as his best friend and not as a potential dating target. How many time did she dreamed that Harry was actually considering her as the other girls in school… But she was stuck in her best friend role. It sucked… The relationship between Harry and Mary was suspect to her since the day it begun. This girl was fast. Too fast. She quickly removed Harry from his friends, wanting Harry for her exclusively. She quickly removed Harry from other girls too, making it clear that Harry was hers and hers exclusively. Some girls remembered it vividly. She quickly removed Harry from his past too. He seemed happy with the situation. Not really concerned with what happened around him. He was like… bewitched… And now what… Mary had obviously played with his feelings and then she had stomped his heart with her feet. The bitch… And as Harry had felt that he was separated from his friends, he had not dared call them to the rescue. "So much testosterone in those boys" she though. What would she have given to hold Harry in her arms? To listen to him. To feel him close to her… Her crush had turned in a huge love during the sixth year. She was oh so jealous of Mary and now she was going to be so there for her friend, if she could find him that is. She was lost in her thoughts when another owl came through the window. Looking up, she recognized Pig, Ron's owl.
Ron had given special instructions to Pig: "You are going to get this message to Hermione. As quick as possible. Pig, the life of one of my closest friend is in your wings. You can stay at Hermione and wait for me… I won't be long". The words Ron a written on the parchment were not made to make Hermione feel better. But in the trio, if he was the arm, Harry was the heart and Hermione was the brain. If the trio lost his heart, then they could say good-bye to graduation… Not one on them would ever feel good again to study… Not that Ron cares about studying, he cared for his friend. And he knew that Hermione has had a big crush on Harry by the time. He even tried to ask her out, only to be gently but firmly said "No". That's when he understood. In the same time she said "no", she was looking at Harry with such a flame in the eyes that Ron was surprised his best friend Harry had not seen it… But he actually hadn't seen it and the trio had stayed a trio and not a duet with one more participant.
Ron knew that he needed Hermione to find Harry and bring him back. She was the thinker. She was the one with the knowledge. And more she was the one with a deep connection to Harry through her heart. Even if Harry did not realized it by the time…
Pig was gone through the window at the speed of a bullet fired by a gun. Giving up, for the first time of his life, his disarrayed way of flying. He had felt the worry in his master voice. It was like in an instant, Pig had gown up.
Hermione had recognized Pig and was getting ready to catch the bird in his fly, as usual. She was startled when Pig landed himself on her shoulder. He was so light. He let Hermione untie the letter, offering his leg to help her. Hermione was so surprised. Then, Pig went proudly towards Hedwig and stood besides her. Hedwig was looking at the young owl with a stunned look. Where was the little owl that usually was flying around without resting any moments?
The message of Ron was even shorter than the one from Harry:
Herm, (oh she hates when someone else than Harry calls her with a diminutive of her name)
Harry has got problems. I'm coming by floo to discuss the matter with you.
Your friend,
Ron
She was reading the end of the letter when she heard a huge sound downstairs followed by the scream of her mother who was startled to see someone coming through the fireplace. Ron had arrived… "Always doing something we can speak of for years and years later…"
In the same time, in the house at the number 6 on Privet Drive, Mrs Figg was doing very strange things. She was standing in front of her fireplace and was talking to someone whose head was only visible. This other person, this head, was no other than Albus Dumbledore himself.
"And this is all I know for the moment Albus"
"Let's resume Arabella… Harry received 2 owls yesterday evening. One of them was his own owl. This morning you had seen the window of Harry opening but no one was standing there to open it. So you assume that he was using his invisibility cloak. Then, you saw only two feet and then nothing more. And then, some minute later, the uncle of Harry was standing at the window yelling Harry had left… Is that correct?"
"Yes Albus. I found it weird… So I took the liberty of sending a spy in the Dursley house"
"A spy?"
"Yes, one of my friend was there, he is an animagi and can transform into a cat. He went to the room Harry was in. If he's right, Harry left with all his belongings, but without letting any clues on his final destination."
"Curious… Very curious… And so unlike Harry… However, please stay there for the moment and watch this situation for us Arabella. From your point of view, you are our best card to play if he comes back to Privet Drive"
"All right Albus. I stay here. But keep me informed on the situation, ok?"
"I will Arabella… I promise". On those words, the head of the Hogwarts headmaster disappeared. Some minutes later, the old Mrs Figg was back at her window, observing the Dursley's garden with much more intensity than usual.
Elsewhere, a rat was approaching of a big chair. Upon arriving, the rat transformed in a human again and kneeled before the man who was sitting in the chair.
"So then Wormtail, my trusted servant and spy, what good news are you bringing to me? Did you see the boy? Is our plan working as we have foreseen it?"
"Yes Master, I saw Mary's owl arriving by the boy. I heard him cry most of the night. And this morning, I saw him leave…"
"Perfect, if he does what we think he will do, the powers of this boy will be mine in no time. And then, I will be invincible…"
"You're already so powerful, Master"
"Shut up you flattering thing… With the powers of the boys, I'll reach immortality. Immortality. Do you know what it means Wormtail… No of course you can't… Me, Lord Voldemort, will reign upon the world… for ever…"
"Master? What if those friend of him are trying to held him back?"
"There is a slight possibility indeed?" Voldemort was thinking, "Wormtail, you are going to spy a little more for me. Be up to date on their ideas, their situation, and the things they will do. Any unattended move can ruin our plans. And we don't need that for now… We don't want that for now…"
"I'll do as you want, Master"
"I hope so Wormtail… For your sake, I hope so…"
Hermione was flying over the steps. Her mother was slowly but surely on her feet again and she had welcomed Ron. Hermione was always gripping Harry's letter in her hand. Immediately, she saw the panic in Ron's eyes. He also was gripping a letter. The same letter she had received earlier. As soon as Hermione walked in the room, he started to speak: "Hermione, Harry and Mary has broken up… Harry is going to make something foolish…" Hermione interrupted him. She had raised the hand clutching the letter. "I know Ron, Hedwig bring me a letter from Harry. I bet they are similar… Question is what can we do about it?"
"I was hoping you'd know it!"
"Well, at first, we have to stay calm. He is not gone for a long moment. From my point of view, he had no intention to come by either one of us. He would be here by the time the letter reached us… I think that we should warn Dumbledore and Remus about this."
Since Sirius death, Remus had taken Harry as his own child… But as he was not family with him, nor a godfather for the matter, he couldn't have Harry to live with him officially. That's why Harry was stuck with the Dursleys. No matter what they will do, Remus has to be warned.
"Yeah, Remus and Dumbledore… Good idea"
Some moments later, they were at Hermione's desk writing on parchments. They first wrote to Remus:
Remus,
Sorry to disturb you in your activities, but Ron and I received a "goodbye" letter from Harry and we are very anxious. What can we do to help him? What are our next moves?
Hermione and Ron
Ron said:
"We need time. I'm going to ask Hedwig to bring this letter to Remus. We'll ask pig to bring the other letter to Dumbledore. While I attach this letter to Hedwig leg, just write the note to Professor Dumbledore."
Some moments later, Hermione was reaching Ron with another letter. The text was the same as for Remus. How else could they explain what was happening. They didn't even know what Harry was up to. Once Pig left with the letter, Ron turned to Hermione:
"What now?"
"Now, we wait."
"We wait? Sitting stupidly on our ass? Without doing anything?"
"Not exactly without doing anything. I want you to go back to The Burrow. Pack a little suitcase for two or three days. If Professor Dumbledore reacts the way I think he will react, we will found ourselves in Hogwarts before the sun goes down… So, be quick…"
Ron nodded and went to the fireplace and then, from the fireplace, to The Burrow. Without waiting for Ron to go, Hermione went back to her room. Without thinking, she packed a little back bag with some articles of clothing, some useful things. Her thoughts were directed to Harry. Her Harry. "Don't make anything foolish Harry Potter… think about me…". Of course, she knew that Harry was only seeing her as his best friend. No more, no less. In a normal time, she wouldn't have dared what she was thinking now. But, although he was in a deep despair and somewhere by himself, he was free… Thus her chances to win his heart were suddenly at their best. It was like a weight lifted from Hermione's shoulders… But before winning his heart, they will have to find him.
Since Sirius death, Hedwig was used to the journey to the house of Remus Lupin. Harry and Remus were exchanging mail at an alarming rate at the beginning. More slowly after Harry met Mary. She went straight to Remus house.
On his side, Pig was doing great. Never in his young life had he flown so quickly. Pig went into Dumbledore room just at the same moment Hedwig was entering Remus house.
Dumbledore and Remus were in deep conversation when the two owls arrived. Pig went to Dumbledore's shoulder. Hedwig landed on Remus extended arm. And so they read the message from Hermione and Ron at the same time.
Remus looked at Dumbledore. He was thinking. Quickly. Remus interrupted his train of thoughts: "Albus…" But Remus could not continue as Dumbledore had raised his hand to shut him up. He was already speaking: "Remus, could you please go to Hermione. Bring her and Ron here please. I want to know what they know and I think we must coordinate our research plans. I'll wait for you in my office." And the communication ended there.
Remus took one step backward. He turned to his room to pack some clean clothes and then he concentrated on Hermione. Generally, he preferred concentrating on a place than on a person but he had never been to the Granger's house. So he concentrated on Hermione. Once her image was perfect in his mind, he uttered the magical formula to apparate and with a "pop", he disappeared from his room.
Hermione was so lost in her daydream about Harry that she did not heard to caracteritic "pop" of someone apparating. Remus saw this and smiled. As a former marauder, he cannot resist the urge to play a prank on Hermione… With an angry tone, he spoke to her: "So it's like this that you maintain a constant vigilance?" Hermione jumped backward, fell hardly on her arse. Remus was laughing out loud at this sight. He helped Hermione to stand up, always laughing…
"Remus, I should have know… Such a bad mischief can only be done by an old marauder."
"Sorry Hermione, I didn't want to scare you. Dumbledore send me to pick you and Ron up."
"So you got our message"
"Yup, at the same time… What's wrong with Harry?"
"If only I knew. Ron and I have received the same message.". She handed him the letters they got from Harry. Remus took knowledge of the letters. His face was pale when he read it. It sat down on the bed. Hermione sat down next to him. Seeing what could be called Harry's closest thing to a parent so aghast was worrying her at the highest level. Tears were coming to her eyes. She was to going to a deep despair... and if she was loosing it, who would find Harry?
Seeing her distress, Remus took her close by her shoulder. Sensing that he was caring for her too was too much for Hermione and the dam that was keeping the tears to flow was suddenly breaking up. She went crying on Remus shoulder. Between sobs, she confessed all those years where she did not dare to speak about her feelings to Harry. She conceded her unconditional love for Harry. Remus worked his best comforting words. Then he took her by the shoulder and made her look in his eyes. Some simple words left his mouth:
"Hermione, we are going to find him and to bring him back. And this long before he can make a fool of himself to the entire wizard world. But from you, I expect to be strong. And I expect a promise too. Promise me that the instant we found him, you will have a very serious conversation with him and you are going to repeat him the exact words you said earlier. I have the chance to have a wonderful friend in Harry. He is like the son I never had. I would like to have a chance to see him happy with you."
Very shyly, Hermione answered Remus:
"I promise Remus, I'll speak to him. The moment we find him."
"'That's the spirit I want to see…"
Harry was in no mood to make foolish thing. Not yet though. All he wanted was not being a charge for anybody anymore. No more being a danger to his friends and the one he loved. At the though of the one he loved, a face appeared briefly in his confused mind. A face framed with long bushy brown hair. A face where two magnificent hazelnut eyes were shining.
"What's the matter with me?" he thought "I'm here, on the road to Mary's house, to have a short but meaningful conversation with her, and the second later, I think of another girl. More of that… this other girl is my best friend… What's wrong with me". His goal was very simple: going to Mary's house, having a short conversation with her on the reasons of her breaking with him and then leave for ever, disappear from everyone life, for ever. He would give information later on, but not at this moment. That's the moment that another voice chooses to enter his mind. The voice was saying: "Don't make anything foolish Harry Potter… think about me…". It was Hermione's voice. He stopped his broomstick so quickly that he nearly fell from it. What was wrong with him? First he though about Hermione and the next thing he knows, he heard her voice in his head. "Oh boy, this is not good", thought Harry to himself. He brought the broomstick to the ground, in a small clearing. He was not able to continue to fly for the day. Too many thing were trotting in his head…
Ron went back to Hermione a few minutes after the dam breaking of Hermione's tears. His belongings were in a small bag and he had his wand in his hand. I was surprised to see Remus in Hermione's room but after a short explanation, it appears to Ron that regrouping their forces to find Harry was the best solution. Remus apparated them just beyond Hogwarts ground limit and they rushed into the castle to go directly to Dumbledore's office.
The headmaster was waiting for them to come and he rushed them to sit and tell their part of the story so far. When they finished what they have to say, he stood up and went to the fireplace. He took a pouch of blue power, send it to the fire and say "Arabella". Almost immediately, the face of an old Arabella Figg appears in the fireplace. He shortly discussed with her and then cut the communication. He then turned toward Hermione, Ron and Remus.
"Good. As you all heard it, Harry had not come back this evening at Privet Drive. And although I worry about him, I don't think he is in grave perils right now…"
"How is that" said a more than worried Hermione
"If we don't know where he is, there is little chance that our enemies are knowing it. While Harry is hiding, he will be hard to spot. I personally don't think we can do much this evening. Spotting someone using an invisibility cloak is very hard at day. It's almost impossible at night. So, I demand that for today, you all rest here. We'll wait tomorrow morning news to see if we can act and what we can do. Remus, you can sleep in one of the teacher's room, Hermione and Ron you have your respective dormitories. Get some rest, we are going to need it if we want to get Harry back in one piece and alive."
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