And Then There Were None

"Are the letters ready, Wormtail?"

"Yes...yes master, they are," Wormtail said hesitantly. "I picked it randomly sir, so that they won't suspect a thing."

"Good, and make sure you bring the people I've particularly asked you to bring. Is that clear?" He commanded.

"Yes... of course, Master."

"Excellent. Let the games begin." He gave a malicious smirk.

~~~~~~~~~*

"Can you believe him?" Ron asked with repulsion as they were walking back to the common room.

"Just let it go, Ron. He does that all the time, don't let him get to you," Harry said.

"Harry's right, Ron. Just forget about it. I mean it's not like he's ever going to change," Hermione said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Ron clenched his fists. "Stupid Malfoy...he's going to get what he deserves one day, I know it."

"Speaking of the fight, where were you, Harry?" Hermione asked.

Oh no, I knew they were going to say something about this.

"You disappeared just before the big fight scene between Ron and Malfoy broke out."

"Yeah mate, where were you? It was crazy! McGonagall was pulling me off Malfoy right while I was giving him a really hard kick to the shins! Serves him right. Not to mention that it was bloody brilliant seeing him suffer for once," Ron smiled gleefully.

"Bowtruckles," Hermione said as they reached the Fat Lady.

"And I think that was a really stupid move getting Gryffindor into more trouble," Hermione reprimanded. "You're just really lucky Gryffindor hasn't lost any more points than we should have."

"Come on guys, let's just sleep on it for today," Harry said swiftly. "I'm pretty tired so I'm going to go to bed early, okay?"

"Okay Harry. Sleep tight and don't think about Malfoy that much okay?" Hermione pleaded.

I doubt that'll ever happen.

"Alright, so I'll just meet you there, okay mate?" Ron told him.

"Right," Harry assented. Phew! That was close.

~~~~~~~~~*

"Something's coming. I know it," Moody growled.

Professor Moody has agreed to come back to Hogwarts and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts again. Dumbledore's eyes glistened and curiously stared at Moody.

"Perhaps...Do you think it's possible that this has anything to do with the crazy mishap in the Muggle world about some disappearances?" Moody suggested, a determined glint in his eye.

"It may be possible, Alastor," Dumbledore said. "After all, you are the Auror. But, is there anything that you'd like to discuss? Anything else you think I should know?" Dumbledore asked.

"No. Nothing else except this forewarning."

"Very well." Dumbledore twirled the tip of his beard.

"We should be expecting something soon Dumbledore. You can count on that," Moody said mysteriously.

~~~~~~~~~~*

Harry sat out on the windowsill in his dorm for a while, reminiscing about the event that happened before. Thank Merlin Hermione and Ron argue like that as often as they do, because I would have never gotten out of that situation, Harry thought, somewhat elated.

I mean, I couldn't say that I had been where I was because they don't know about that place. Even though they're my best friends, I couldn't tell them, not just yet.

Truthfully, Harry was in the secret part of the forest. No one knew about it because everyone just assumed that the Forbidden Forest was too dark and was nothing but the living place of the most terrifying creatures; or so it was known. It was also forbidden, but Harry didn't care just as long as he could get away and have a place to think. But that night something else happened.

In the Great Hall, Harry left just when the big fight scene was about to occur. It was mainly because he just couldn't take it anymore. So he left Ron and Hermione at the appropriate time, hoping that they wouldn't hear him. He got away from there and fled to his secret spot under the tree. He was leaning against the tree, when all of a sudden a figure was approaching in his direction. Harry quickly hid in the bushes until this mysterious person went away.

It was Draco Malfoy. He was injured and limping. How he knew about this place bewildered Harry. Draco soon fell asleep. At that point, Harry thought it was best to leave and meet up with Ron and Hermione.

I wonder what Malfoy is up to now. Maybe he's still under the tree. Harry sighed. God, I just wanted to hold him so much, back there under the tree. I wanted to kiss the pain away from him. Harry smiled to himself as he thought about Draco sleeping.

He looked so beautiful when he was asleep. It's amazing how Draco can act so cruel to people but look so pure and innocent when he's asleep.

Blushing, Harry sighed and thought, Draco... I just couldn't bear to see you hurt back in the Great Hall.

Suddenly, in the middle of Harry's admiring and reminiscing, the door opened. Harry quickly made a dash for his bed and pulled the covers over his head.

"Harry? Harry, are you asleep?"

Ron sighed. "Poor guy, guess he fell asleep. I guess Malfoy really got to him.

Yeah, I know how you feel mate. Malfoy. That git." Ron sighed again. "Well, sleep tight Harry."

Oh Ron, if you only knew...