Friendship, Loyalty, And Love

Friendship, Loyalty, and Love

Chapter 7:

Plans

After Ginny’s alarming announcement Seamus and Dean had both hurried out after their roommates. They hoped to catch up with the other boys before they started causing a scene, or rushed out to try something stupid, like a rescue mission with no supplies and no information.

When they reached the Hospital Wing, however, they discovered they needn’t have worried. Slowing down outside the door they heard sounds of muffled crying, but not much else. Seamus pushed the door open and saw Lavender Brown, Hermione’s roommate and study partner, sitting up in one of the beds, quietly weeping, and Harry and Ron standing next to her, looking serious.

"Please, Lavender," Harry was saying as they entered the room. "You’ve got to tell us what happened."

"I’ve . . . I’ve already told . . ." the girl sniffed out through her tears.

"Lavender," Ron started again, clearly in a rush, but Seamus interrupted him by crossing the room and settling down on the girl’s bed. He wrapped his arms around Lavender and pulled her into a hug. At this show of compassion she started to whimper a little more, and Seamus could feel her shaking in his arms, but he didn’t pressure her.

"Seamus," Harry said. "We need to know."

"Not now, Harry," Dean put in. "Give her a little bit. Let her calm down." The tall boy came across the room to stand by his roommates and lightly rested his hand against Lavender’s back.

Harry and Ron clearly didn’t like this, but seemed to realize that they weren’t going to be able to get any information from Lavender until she calmed down anyway, so they both settled into chairs to wait. Luckily they didn’t have to wait long.

Lavender seemed to regain control of herself and soon sat up, pushing Seamus away. She rubbed at her red eyes and gave one last sniff, then looked over at the other three. "Well," she said. "What do you lot want? I’ve already told all of the professors, they’ve gone to search the castle for Hermione, so it’s not like you can do anything."

"We just want to know what happened," Harry said, trying to look calm and relaxed, but failing miserably.

"Of course you do," Lavender sounded a little sarcastic now. "You’re precious Hermione’s been taken so . . ." but she cut herself off. She scowled down at the sheets that had been laid across her legs, then looked up when Dean started to rub her back. "I’m sorry," she said. "I don’t mean it. It’s just . . . I mean . . . I . . ."

"It’s ok," Seamus said. "You’re ok." He smiled to try and reassure the shaken girl but she just sighed.

"I know I’m ok. I’m ok, and they’re not," she gestured to the other occupied beds in the ward. "I’m ok and Hermione’s missing, and you guys want to help. And I want to help you." Harry and Ron both leaned forward in their chairs and Dean settled down onto the other side of the bed as Lavender started to talk.

"We were working in the library, you know that, right? Of course you do," she answered herself. "You were supposed to come meet us," and she looked at Ron, who blushed and scowled. "Anyway, we were working on Herbology, trying to finish they essay Professor Sprout assigned us last week. When we got to the library Hermione took me to a table in the back, behind the stacks. It was really close to the Herbology books, and Potions, which is why she wanted to work there and it was quite because we were separated from the rest of library by the shelves. I was kind of nervous about this, what with the attacks and all, but Hermione just told me not to worry. So I tried not to. But, I kept hearing little scratching noises, or people walking past the stacks, and I’d get upset again."

Lavender paused, and seemed to be thinking, chewing on her lip for a little bit, then continued. "Every time I heard something I would look up and Hermione would see me, and tell me not to worry, or tease me about being so jumpy. But one time I heard a little scratching sound, and when I looked up I saw something. It was just a rat, running along the floor, but it startled me so much I screamed. " Harry and Ron exchanged glances at this piece of news, clearly thinking something of it, even though from Lavender’s next words it became apparent that she didn’t attach any importance to the event. "When Hermione asked what had happened I laughed a little bit, and said ‘Oh, I just saw a rat, it startled me,’ and she got this really strange look on her face. She said something, I’m not sure what, something like ‘A rat? It couldn’t be . . .’ then got up to check on what I’d seen. I tried to relax and get some work done, telling myself not to be so nervous all the time, when all of a sudden there was a great pain on the back of my head, and the next thing I knew, I was here." She seemed to realize that this story, though it was all that had happened to her, wasn’t going to be enough to satisfy the boys and so she continued.

"When I woke up Madame Pomfrey was here. She told me not to worry, that I was going to be ok, and that because I’d screamed out Madame Pince had gotten to me before whoever attacked me could give me any of the potions they gave to Justin, Mandy, and Lisa. I asked her how Hermione was and she got confused. I asked again if Hermione was ok, if Madame Pince had gotten to us before she could be dosed either and all of a sudden her eyes widened. ‘Do you mean Hermione was working with you in the library?’ she asked, and when I said yes she looked really alarmed. ‘Oh no,’ she said. ‘I’ve got to tell Professor Dumbledore.’ She started to leave and begged her to tell me what had happened to Hermione. She just looked at me as said ‘My dear girl, I don’t know. We didn’t find Hermione with you.’ Of course, I got really upset, started to cry. I think she would have tried to make me drink some sort of potion and go back to sleep, but she had to hurry off and talk to the Headmaster. That’s when you all got here." At the end of her story Lavender dropped back against the pillows which were piled at the head of her bed. She looked like she wasn’t done crying for the night, but her pride seemed to keep her from continuing while her classmates were watching.

"Well," said Dean, breaking the silence that had filled the room. "I don’t think you need to worry to much Lav. Things will work out all right." Lavender looked at him as though he were mad, and the black boy shut up, staring at his two roommates on the other side of the room, who had taken to whispering between themselves.

"Um," Harry finally said, looking up and noticing that he and Ron were being watched. "I’m glad you’re ok Lavender, and um . . . we need to go." He and Ron both stood up quickly and started for the door, but Seamus stopped them, reaching out his hand and grabbing Harry’s sleeve.

"You ought to get some more sleep Lavender," he said. "But Harry’s right, we should to leave before Madame Pomfrey gets back and throws us out." He shot her a reassuring smile, which he noticed didn’t seem to get him anywhere, but stood up anyway, still holding onto Harry’s sleeve. "I hope the night goes alright for you, I’m sure you’ll be fine. We’ll see you when they let you come back to the tower, ok?"

"Yeah, right," Lavender snorted. "I don’t mind you guys running out, hell, if you come back with Hermione I’ll be glad. But don’t pretend I’m an idiot" Ron tried to look innocent, as though he had no idea what she was talking about, but pretty much failed. "Don’t bother," she told him, sounding annoyed. "Look, saving the day is what you guys always do, so go on, go get her back." She waved her hands at them, as though shoeing them out of the room then settled herself further into her pillows.

Dean grinned at his roommates stunned faces, and patted the girl on her hand as he stood up to leave. "Sleep well," he said. Then joined the other boys as they left.

As they made there was down the hall they ran into the formidable Madame Pomfrey, coming back to look after her patient. She stared at them, then gasped out, "Boys, what on earth are you doing here? It’s not safe!"

"Don’t worry," Seamus said. "We’re just going back to the tower now." But as he said it he let go of Harry’s sleeve, gesturing in the direction of the Gryffindor dorm. Harry, who had seemed lost in thought, at this release suddenly bolted down the corridor, Ron close on his heels. "We’ll be ok," Seamus said, quickly. Then, before the medical witch could say anything he and Dean shot after their two friends.

Harry and Ron were both fast runners, but Dean’s legs were just as long as Ron’s, and Seamus had the energy to run marathons, let alone dashes through the school, and they soon caught up the other boys’ lead.

Slipping past them as they rounded a corner, Seamus planted himself firmly in Harry’s path and Harry, rather than run the other boy over, pulled up in front of him. Harry opened his mouth, clearly about to protest but Seamus cut him off. "Don’t be stupid Harry," he said, angry. "You guys can’t just run off and look for her. You’ve got no idea who’s behind the attacks, no idea where they’ve taken her, or what sort of defenses there will be. This is suicide."

"Oh come on," Harry said. "We know exactly who’s behind the attacks, and where they’ve taken her. You saw that letter from Malfoy’s father." Ron looked confused, clearly not understanding the reference but Harry went on. "And now I even know how they’ve been doing it. Damn Wormtail!"

"Whoa," said Dean. "Where did that come from?"

"You heard Lavender," now it was Ron’s turn. "She saw a rat running around in the library, and when Hermione went to look for it she got hit on the back of the head by someone. How many rats have you ever seen in the castle? There’s no way there would have been a wild rat in the library, Madame Pince would never allow it."

"You don’t know that’s what it was," Seamus argued. "It could have been some student’s pet."

"Yeah," snarled Ron. "Mine."

"Ron’s right, it has to have been Pettigrew," Harry put in. "He’s probably been using his animagus form and the secret passages my father and Sirius found when they were all going to school here. Hermione was right," and now Harry sounded defeated. "I should have told Professor Dumbledore about all the passages on the map."

"I wouldn’t worry to much about that," Ron said. "Right now I just want to go get Hermione back."

"Look," Dean said. "I agree that it might be Pettigrew behind the attacks, and maybe that’s what Lucius Malfoy was writing about when he said there might be an extra guest at the manor over Winter break, but I think it’s going out on a limb to assume. . ."

"I don’t," came a voice from behind the boys. The four of them turned to see Draco Malfoy, leaning against the door of one of the classrooms they had ran past in their race. "Really, it sounds just like something my father would come up with."

"Malfoy!" snarled Ron, and the red head started to leap for the blond, seemingly quite happy to try and kill the son of the man who he thought had taken his girlfriend, but Harry stopped him, grabbing hold of his shoulder and pulling him off balance.

"Don’t Ron, it’s ok," Harry said. Ron looked at Harry as though he were insane, but Dean moved up to stand next to his other arm, ready to help restrain their volatile roommate.

"I take it, Malfoy," Seamus said, keeping his tone light, but with a hint of menace. "That you still don’t know what your father is up to?"

"No," the blond replied. "But I think Harry’s logic is sound. It certainly seems like the sort of plan my damned father would come up with; sneak an assailant onto the grounds, attack random helpless mudbloods," Seamus scowled at this and Ron’s hands clenched convulsively. "Finally nab Potter’s best friend and spirit her off to the Manor, to hold and possibly torture until he comes to save her and get caught in the defenses."

"What are you going to do?" Dean asked Harry, watching him over Ron’s shoulders. "You need to tell Dumbledore your suspicions about Pettigrew, and Malfoy . . . Malfoy senior that is. Once you let the professors know they can rescue Hermione and . . ." but Dean knew it would be in vain, and Harry cut him off precisely on cue.

"No," he said, in a quite and dangerous tone. "I’m going to go rescue her. It’s my fault she ended up in this mess. I’m the one they want to get, not her, and if someone else shows up, well, who knows what they’ll do."

"You’re insane Potter," Draco spoke up. "You’re going to attack an enclave of fully trained wizards, all of whom hate you on general principal? You’ll never make it."

Seamus scowled at the Slytherin. "We’ll manage," he said in an angry tone.

"We?" Harry asked, and Dean echoed him.

"Of course," said Seamus. "We’re going with you. You’re going to need the help."

Dean gave a little sigh, then nodded. "Exactly," he said, sounding resigned. "Assuming you’re right, and you probably are," he conceded, "then Lucius Malfoy is setting a trap and you’ll need all the back up you can get." Ron nodded at this, relaxing a little bit now that the focus was off of Malfoy. "But," Dean added. "You have to tell Dumbledore. At least about the rat. The other students may still be in danger and the professors need to know what’s happening."

"I hate to say it," Ron said. "You know I don’t like turning to the teachers, but Dean’s right. Wormtail may come back here after he takes Hermione to Malfoy, and Dumbledore needs to know what’s going on. But look," he added after a pause. "You could just send a note by owl. Then we could head out tonight, not have to wait till you can see him."

"Yeah," Harry finally sighed. "All right. I’ll send him an owl."

"Well, write it fast," Draco piped up. "We’ll need to move quickly. It’s a full day journey to the Manor and we don’t know what they’re planing to do when she gets there. Plus they can apparate and cover ground faster than we can."

"And what makes you think you’re coming?" Ron asked dangerously.

"You need me," was Malfoy’s simple answer.

"Yeah right," Seams said, still not sure if he trusted the other boy. "We need you like we need a knife in the back."

"You’ll never get through the Manor’s defenses without me," Draco argued, shrugging off the insult. "I grew up there, I know the grounds like the back of my hand. Go on your own and you won’t stand a chance."

"Sure, you know the grounds," Ron said. "And you’ll know just how to lead us into a trap."

"Malfoy’s right," Dean put in, surprising Ron. "We’re going to need help." Seamus looked ready to protest but Dean cut him off. "Look, do any of you even know where the Malfoy home is?" he asked, and the other’s fell silent.

"Ok," Harry said finally. "You’re right, we will need your help, and if you’re offering then I’m not going to turn you down." The two boys gazed at each other across the hall, measuring each other up and trying to see where they stood with this uneasy truce.

Ron, however, wasn’t ready to put aside old grudges so easily. "Harry," he argued. "You can’t mean it. After all he’s done, there’s no way he’s actually going to help us. I can’t agree with this." He had turned to face his friend, ignoring the boy he was discussing, which was just as well because as soon as he started talking Draco started making faces at him.

"Ron," Harry said. "You don’t have a choice in the matter. Draco’s coming." Harry’s tone held a note of finality, and Ron shut up. Draco stopped making faces and considered his ex-nemesis.

When Harry turned to look at him he breathed in a second, then let out a sigh. "Ok, get your brooms and meet me down in the Entrance Hall. We need to head out tonight.

"And be quick," Harry added. "If you’re not there in an hour we’re leaving without you." Seamus couldn’t figure out who Harry was addressing this comment to, seeing as the four of them all shared a dorm, and Draco was the one member of the party Harry really couldn’t do without. However the other’s just nodded and they split up.

Hurrying back to the dorm Seamus noticed he hadn’t seen any of the professors or even Filch wandering around. He suspected they were all out looking for Hermione and he felt a pang that they were going to such effort when 5 of their students knew exactly where she had been taken and weren’t going to tell them. He brushed it off, much as they four of them brushed off the inquiring looks they got when they reached the dorm. They hurried up to their room and gathered their things. Making a quick wand check Seamus grabbed up the Nimbus98 he had and saw Harry getting his invisibility cloak out of the chest. Harry snatched up his Firebolt and checked to see that Ron’s Cleansweep, which he had inherited from one of the twins, was ok. Then Harry started for the door, only to be pulled up short when Neville rushed into the room.

"Ok guys," the other boy said in an aggrieved tone after taking in their activity. "What’s going on? What are you up to?"

"We’re going to go rescue Hermione," Ron said flatly, his tone brooking no argument.

"The four of you?" Neville seemed incredulous, although Seamus thought he detected a hint of jealousy that the other boy wasn’t being included.

"Yes," said Dean, seeming also to have picked up on the note in Neville’s tone. "And we need you to stay here. Make sure the others, Colin and Dennis and them are ok. And when Lavender gets back, probably tomorrow, don’t let her work too hard."

"And," Ron added, then paused and swallowed a little. "Take care of Ginny, ok?" Seamus grinned behind his hand at this, knowing Ron didn’t like to have to admit he couldn’t always be there for his little sister.

Neville sighed a little. "Right," he said, quietly. "I know I’m more use here, but . . . oh," he interrupted himself looking at the boy’s broomsticks. "Dean! You don’t have a broomstick."

Seamus could have smacked himself for forgetting. Of course Dean’s parents would never have bought him a broomstick, but Dean just nodded. "Yeah, I know. I’m going to take one of the schools."

"That’ll never do keep up with Harry’s Firebolt, no matter how much you try. Here," and the other boy hurried over to his own bed, pulling the broomstick he’d been given as a birthday present out and handing it over. "It’s not a Firebolt, but the FlyingEagle is a good broom."

"Thanks Nev," Dean answered.

"Take care guys, be careful." Neville gave them a quick look then glanced back down toward the Common Room. "You’ll never get out of here . . ." he started, then cut himself off. "Right," he said. "I’m going to go make a diversion. Can you guys come through in 10 minutes?"

Ron, looking surprised, nodded, and Neville took off back the way he’d come.

"Well," the redhead said, but didn’t seem to have anything to add.

Seamus just grinned at Dean, knowing that Neville and the two of them had startled their more active roommates with their willingness to be included in the odd world saving attempt.

"Right then," said Harry suddenly, throwing down the quill no one had noticed him take up and rolling a piece of parchment up. "When the 10 minutes are up I’m going to the owlery to send this. You guys make your way down to the kitchen. Malfoy said it’s a two-day trip, so we’re going to need some food." Dean nodded then went to the door that was standing open, listening for the promised distraction.

Soon they all heard the distinctive sound of a dungbomb exploding and the ensuing chaos as everyone fled the Common Room. "Ready?" Dean asked, somewhat rhetorically, and Harry just nodded, then led the way down the stairs.