Privet Drive

Chapter 2

Harry entered the empty common room and sat in front of the fire. "This evo..evol-thingy was only 'one' of several ways to protect me," Harry thought to himself. He could not even imagine what other protection had been put in place for him. His head was swimming, he half wanted to wake up Ron to tell him, but did not know if he could explain it all. Harry also wondered how Ron would feel. Ron's family had a clock that kept tabs on all of them; Harry had a team of wizards. Besides his past, why did so many people care if he was OK? He sank further into the chair, "Why me?" He said aloud to himself.

"Why not you Harry?" said a quiet voice. Harry jumped, spinning around to see who was coming in.

"SIRIUS!" Harry spurted out before he could stop himself.

"Shhh," said another voice, it was Dumbledore, "Accio Cloak," almost instantly the headmaster had Harry's invisibility cloak in his hand, draping it over Sirius's shoulders. "Now, that's a bit safer," said the headmaster. He bid them goodnight, before stepping back out of the common room.

Harry didn't know what to do. He had planned to say a thousand things the next time he saw Sirius in person, and twice as many questions. Harry did not know where to start. Sirius smiled, he looked tired, but better than Harry had ever seen him.

"How are you, Harry?" he grabbed Harry around the shoulders with a squeeze.

"Fine," Harry said, his toes 6 inches off the floor.

They sat, undisturbed, for hours. Sirius listened as Harry explained about the meeting with McGonagall, Dumbledore and Professor Paetulus, the scenes they viewed, his summer at the Dursley' s and about Prof. Paetulus getting the black eye instead of Iris. Harry started turning pink, "I'm sorry I didn't trust her at first. I should have known that if you trusted her... but... I was mad when I thought she was..." Harry trailed off.

"That's OK, sometimes it takes time to know who your real friends are. Trust your judgment Harry; it has done right by you so far," replied Sirius.

Sirius explained to Harry that a few of his close friends had learned of his innocence, those who implicitly trusted Dumbledore. This enabled him to eat regularly and have places to stay, even if it meant an occasional doghouse. Harry laughed at the last bit.

They talked well in to the night. "You better go to bed Harry, you've got classes in the morning," said Sirius.

"Yeah," answered Harry dully.

"Harry, not all of those who believe in Voldemort's return have decided what path to take. Things are still relatively quiet, learn every thing you can, and Harry? Enjoy Hogwarts, it's where I met my best friend."

With the next class a few hours away, Harry, Ron and Hermione walked across the lawn after lunch. Harry had his Firebolt in tow, "Quidditch practice hasn't started yet, has it Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Er...No, but we're meeting with Fred and George and they asked if I could bring my Firebolt," said Harry.

"Those two really were busy over the summer," said Ron, "I think they came up with 5 new trick sweets. Poor Ginny was afraid to eat anything unless Mum was in the room. They wouldn't say, but I think they got their money from Ludo Bagman somehow, 'cause they seem to have extra, they even got me a few things. It's a pity you couldn't come to stay with us this summer Harry. I wish I hadn't been there my self," Ron added, "With Mr. Crouch gone Percy's been murder. Apparently he feared his job was in jeopardy. He had good reviews on file, but Crouch hadn't stopped calling him Weatherby."

Harry filled them in on why he couldn't go to Ron's, and about most of the "detention", except for the embarrassing parts.

"That's impressive, who do you think helped Dumbledore with that stuff?" asked Ron. Harry was relieved by Ron's response and supposed that Ron's envy of his fame had started to wear thin after a few near death experiences.

"Oh look, it's Angelina," Hermione said. As they got closer, Ron noticed that the whole Quidditch team was there.

"A bit of news," George said, bowing to Fred.

Fred held up his hands as if reading from an imaginary scroll, "Our own Angelina is the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain!" Fred finished with a bow. Everyone broke out at once to congratulate her.

Angelina, blushing now, turned to Ron, "I will be playing keeper, so we need to have some tryouts to see who will replace me as chaser," Ron's mouth hung open.

Harry handed him the Firebolt and said, "I thought you might want to borrow this for your tryout."

Ron whooped, and jumped a foot in the air, "You sure you're not pulling my leg?" Ron asked, "I thought the tryout times were posted for next week?"

Angelina assured him, "Next weeks tryout will be open to everyone. We wanted to give you a crack at it with out the extra pressure of half the school watching."

"That way," Fred jumped in, "Think of the embarrassment we've saved you if you stink!!!" Even Ron joined in the laughter.

"You did really great Ron," Hermione said, trying to keep up, "Didn't he, Harry?"

"You did! I think they were impressed. You still have to see how you do against the others next week, but I'd say you've got an excellent chance!" As they walked up the marble staircase, Ron, with Harry's Firebolt over his shoulder, was absolutely beaming.

~*~ ~~*~~

"How's your plant doing Neville?" asked Harry.

"Pretty good, I think. A few more leaves grew yesterday. It's too bad I remembered we have potions today," answered Neville, even the thought of Snape didn't dampen his spirits.

"Only two days until the Quidditch tryouts. Wish me luck Neville," Ron bounced down the stairs to go to breakfast carrying 'Flying with the Cannons'. He almost bounded right in to Hermione, who was talking to Ginny in the common room.

"You could get into trouble," Hermione was saying to Ginny.

"For what?" Ron interrupted.

"Sharing homework with a boy in her class," answered Hermione.

"Do you fancy him?" Ron asked Ginny.

"No, I don't," she replied sharply.

"So don't then," Ron replied simply.

"Don't do what?" Harry had emerged sleepily from the boy's dormitory.

Ginny turned scarlet, "Ron," she said, panicking.

"Oh chill out," he whispered to her, "It's only Harry." Ron turned to Harry "It's nothing, just some brotherly advice."

In Potions, Snape had announced that the class had to brew an antidote for a sleeping potion. Neville, who had miraculously remembered the ingredients correctly, stood looking nervously at Professor Snape. Snape looked furious, as if Neville had deprived him of a chance to ridicule him, spotting Ron's smile he sneered, "Mr Weasley, you will be taking Mr. Malfoy 's antidote."

"I do hope I remembered all the ingredients," Malfoy said with an innocent tone. The potion worked, Ron did not fall asleep, but he was yawning for the next three hours. Neville, nervously, looked to see if Ron passed out and spilled his own potion. Snape, who wore a malicious grin, revived him.

(Later in the great hall)

"Oh he really enjoyed that!" Hermione griped, looking over to see Malfoy at the Slytherin table. He, Crabbe and Goyle seemed to be huddled together, talking in whispers and laughing.

"I'd like to see Malfoy 's face when I, I make Quidditch team," Ron said with a yawn mid sentence.

"You're not on it yet," said George, who had just come in to join them for lunch, "I've just been talking to Angelina, she says most can't fly worth a slug, but, there's one fourth year that might give you a run for your money. If its close you'll go one on one," Ron had no response to this, he seemed to have thought it was in the bag.

Walking to Care of Magical Creatures class, Harry and Hermione discussed Ron's chances of being chaser.

"Hello Harry, Hermione. Where's Ron?" Hagrid greeted them with a smile.

"He'll be here soon I expect," Hermione said, wondering what was taking him so long. "He said he had to drop off something in the dormitory," Harry added.

With 15 minutes left of class, Harry told Hagrid he thought Ron was worried about something, and that, maybe, Ron had lost track of time. Hagrid looked a bit insulted that Ron had missed his class.

"I won't mark 'im down as missing class. Firs' time and all," Hagrid puffed up his chest, "Mind ya, I won't cover for him again."

"Thanks Hagrid," said Harry.

"That was very irresponsible of him, not to show up to Hagrid 's class," Hermione said to Harry in the common room after dinner.

"Fred and George think he's off pouting. I'm going to look for him," Harry muttered.

Harry checked the Great hall, the kitchens, even the library, remembering Pig; Harry went to the owlry. Hedwig swooped down to him, "Hello Hedwig, I haven't seen Ron, have you?" She gave him a nip on the ear in response.

As Harry headed back, he spotted a figure around the corner carrying a book Harry recognized as 'Flying with the Cannons'. "Where have you been?" Harry hissed, as he got closer, Harry froze.

"Potter, where have you been?" Snape said with a scowl.

"I was looking for Ron," answered Harry.

"Are there two Gryffindor students roaming the halls?" replied Snape.

"No, only me," Harry said despondently.

"Back to your common room, Potter," Snape continued, "Any later and I'd deduct house points from Gryffindor."

Harry returned to find Hermione waiting for him, "What about the Marauder's map?" asked Hermione.

"I thought of that already. I didn't get it back from Moody, I mean Barty Crouch." Harry answered.

Hermione paused, "Someone must have it. Moody, or Dumbledore?"

"Yeah that'll work. 'Excuse me, Professor, can I have my map back, the one that I used to break a 100 rules, so I can find my friend who's off pouting about Quidditch?" Harry's words were dipping with sarcasm.

"OK, but shouldn't we tell someone he's missing?" Hermione asked. Harry didn't want to get Ron into trouble if he was just sulking. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, but was afraid to voice it to Hermione.

(The next day)

Harry and Hermione sat outside Professor McGonagall 's office, trying to listen to Mr. Weasley through the door. When the door opened Harry almost fell in to the office, "Come in please Harry, Hermione," asked Dumbledore. They gave a summary of the day before, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall assessed the situation.

"I don't want to get her alarmed over some childishness, but, if you think Ron may have come to some harm Albus I should send for Molly right away," said Mr. Weasley.

"First we shall have a look around for him," assured Dumbledore.

Ginny sat with Hermione and Harry in the great hall, "You should eat," Hermione said to Ginny, who shrugged. Hermione, who hadn't eaten anything herself, gave up.

"Look," Harry nudged her in the ribs. Malfoy and his friends were looking at them and laughing. Fred and George came to sit with them.

"Where's Ron? We've got good news for him," said Fred.

"We don't know where he is yet," Harry said, looking worried.

Fred, shrugging it off, continued, "The 4^th year, who was up against Ron, is out."

"Yeah," said George, "He got caught cheating, and his Mum said he couldn't be on the team. So, Ron's the new Gryffindor chaser."

Hermione couldn't stand it anymore, "Do you realize your brother is missing?"

They laughed, "Yeah, like the time he hid in the attic from mum?" asked Fred.

Ginny stood up to get eye level to the twins, "Dad's here."

As if Ginny's words had been a bucket of ice water, the color left the twins faces.

By lunchtime, Mrs Weasley had arrived and Professor McGonagall was bringing her up to date. The head of each house had questioned their students. "Professor," there was a loud bang as Hagrid burst in holding his attendance sheet, "I should've reported him not showing up to class. 'Arry just told me, he's gone missin'."

"Hagrid!" snapped Professor McGonagall, "Calm down, the headmaster is with Mr. Filch in his office. I suggest you calmly go to see how you may be of some help."

Harry and Hermione spotted Hagrid walking briskly though the corridor. Hagrid was straining to sound calm, "Goin' to see Dumbledore and tell him Ron wasn't in class."

"Harry, could we ask him about the map?" whispered Hermione. They waited outside Filch's office, Hagrid and Filch left quickly together. Harry asked about the map, and if Draco Malfoy could be in on this, acting on his father's behalf. Harry really wanted to ask why the children of Death Eaters would be permitted at school.

As if he could read the expressions on their faces Dumbledore said, "I do not assume that a student will follow the same path as his or hers parents. As for your question about Draco Malfoy, he has been questioned, as all the students have. This is not to say that further inquiries won't be made."

"Now what?" Hermione asked, as they shoved through students on route to their next class. Harry felt a tap on his shoulder, it was Professor Paetulus and she had a small bundle under her arm.

"I have spoken to a friend of mine," she began, and Harry knew at once she was referring to Sirius, she handed Harry the bundle, continuing, "He gave me a little care package and he thought you might like this. Perhaps if you came around later I may have more to tell you. I've heard about Ron, I dare say it would be useless to try and teach either of you anything today, you are excused from class."

"Thanks," Harry answered, Hermione nodded.

As students passed by several of the Hufflepuffs gave them sympathetic looks, the Slytherin's were, mostly, looking like nothing was wrong. Malfoy and his cronies passed without even a glance towards Harry and Hermione.

"He knows something," Harry said.

"Look at her," Hermione whispered as she nudged Harry in the side. It was Pansy Parkinson, looking very anxious.

In the great hall, Professor Dumbledore came in from a side door at the same time as they entered.

"I have left word for Alastor Moody. Hopefully he will have the map," Dumbledore said.

"Excuse me, I saw Prof. Snape with Ron's book last night. If he could tell us where he got the book it might help us find Ron," Harry said, hoping that it didn't sound accusing. "Good idea, I will go and have a word with him," answered Dumbledore, Harry felt a wave of relief.

The common room was quiet. Harry spoke to no one; he glanced at Ron's empty bed and didn't bother to open the care package from Sirius.

Harry awoke early the next morning, to meet with Hermione in the common room. Ron's disappearance had taken a toll on him; Harry looked, and felt, like a wreck. He turned to Hermione, who seemed to be fresh and ready for a new day. It irritated him to see her so composed; she started explaining what she thought they should do first.

"How are you doing it?" Harry asked.

She looked puzzled at Harry, "Doing what?"

"You're calm, organized, you've even got notes," Harry's voice sounded irritated, "Like its all some extra homework project."

"If I'm not calm I'm useless. You're upset Harry..."

"AREN'T YOU?" he snapped at her.

Hermione put down her notes and rounded on Harry, poking her finger hard on his chest, "Look here Harry, you're new at this, and I'm not!" She spoke through clenched teeth, "When you were off against Voldemort and we had no way to help, or down some chamber for hours," her voice was trembling and Harry s mouth hung open. "How many times have Ron and I sat watching you in a hospital bed waiting for, praying for, you to wake up, or when that portkey brought you back with Cedric and you lay there, face down, in the grass looking dead!" Hermione' s voice rose with each sentence, grasping the lapel of Harry's robes there were tears streaming down her face, "Do you have any idea how hard it is to be your friend?"

Harry raised his arms around her and whispered, "I'm sorry, Hermione. I had no idea." She looked up at Harry and the tears were subsiding, "What if we don't find him?"

"We will," he said confidently, "We will." Harry looked down to his tear soaked shirt, there was an awkward moment and Hermione unclenched his robes. Harry cracked a smile at her and asked, "You're not going to blow your nose on my robes are you?"

She smiled back, "Oh, shut up."

Mrs. Weasley entered with a look of, you poor dears on her face, and said, "The headmaster has asked for all the students who had been in the library to come downstairs. Professor Snape found Ron's book there."

Dumbledore addressed a small group of students in the library. They all listened attentively, except for Pansy Parkinson who looked absolutely panic-stricken.

"Is there something you would like to tell us Miss Parkinson?" asked Prof Dumbledore. Pansy looked away to see Mrs. Weasley' s face and she sobbed in to her hands, "It was a joke, I didn't know it would go this far."

"Go on," Dumbledore said calmly. She told them she had found Ron in the library asleep. Malfoy had used unripe ingredients, so his antidote would only be temporary, Crabbe and Goyle wanted to put him in a broom closet, but Draco used a wardrobe in the next room.

"We looked in that room and there's no wardrobe in there," said Professor McGonagall.

"I know," she sobbed, "When Ron didn't turn up they got scared and went to let him out, but it had been moved."

Harry was in awe seeing Dumbledore move so quickly. He sent for Filch who explained where he had stored the furniture from the empty classrooms.

"I'd been clearing out to clean floors," Filch said as they raced up two floors to a storage room. The room was full of desks and chairs, and against the back wall were several large wardrobes. Dumbledore waved his wand and the desks and chairs moved against the walls, clearing a path. Mrs. Weasley ran to the closest wardrobe and opened it.

Ginny had reached the other wardrobe as it wobbled, "Ron!" She screamed, Mrs. Weasley was screaming too.

She had opened the other wardrobe and Ron had fallen out of it, "He's dead," she shrieked.

His lifeless body lay her arms.