~*~Chapter 5 - Mysterious Disappearance~*~
"Have you found him yet, Headmaster?"
"No, I'm afraid not, Poppy."
Hermione frowned and opened her eyes. She found herself staring at the ceiling of the Infirmary. But why was she there? Though she quickly remembered.
She sat up quickly and looked around. She let a sigh of relief when she saw Remus a few bed down from the one that she now occupied. That was when Madam Pomprey and Professor Dumbledore realized she was awake. Both looked more than slightly stressed.
While the nurse gave her a check over, the Headmaster began to question her. Hermione told them about the conversation between Remus and Peter, and how she went to the aid of her former professor. When she finally got to the point where she left Harry and was hexed in the back, Dumbledore stopped her.
"Miss Granger, did you see anyone behind Harry? Anyone who would be in the position to harm you?" he asked gently.
"No, sir. Why? Are Harry and Re-Professor Lupin alright?"
"Mr. Lupin will be fine, he is a bit bruise but he has endured much worse. Harry, however, is missing."
"MISSING? How can he be missing?"
"We aren't sure what happened, Miss Granger. All we do know is that you were the last to see him and that wherever Harry is, he either went willingly or he went under the influence of the Imperius Curse. My guess is the former, knowing Mr. Potter's resistance to that particular curse."
"Didn't any one else see anything? Can't you do a locating charm to find him?"
"Unfortunately, you were the last to come in contact with Harry. And as for the Locating Charm, we have tried, Miss Granger. The person who hexed you and Mr. Lupin knew what they were doing and where they were going."
Hermione opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by a familiar red head's arrival.
"Hermione! Are you alright?" Ron asked, concerned.
"I'm fine, Ron. Remus and I got hit in the back with some hex, no one but Harry saw who did it, but Harry's gone missing. Apparently, He went "willingly" with whoever the attacker was."
"Went willingly?" Ron asked. "Why would he do something that stupid, especially after 4th and 5th year?"
"That, Ron, is the million galleon question. We don't know, apparently I was the last one to see him before he left, and my back was turned when I was it, so I didn't see who did it or where Harry went."
"Hermione...." Ron started, hesitantly. "Do you think--You don't think that Harry could have done it...do you?"
"Done wh-oh" Comprehension dawned on her face. She frowned and then shrugged, "I don't think Harry would do something like that, but there is no telling whether or not he did. I didn't hear a voice when the hex was cast, so..." she left of.
Ron and Hermione looked at one another silently for a moment. It was Ron who broke the awkward silence. "Where do you think he went?"
"I wish I knew, " Hermione sighed.
"Dammit, Harry, why'd you decide to disappear? War is coming and we need you here!" Ron said shaking his head.
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