Band of Gypsies

Chapter Eighteen

Harry stumbled from Dumbledore's office numb with shock. He didn't notice that students were swarming the halls as he walked along. Suddenly it seemed that there were too many people and to much pressing in on him. Instead of turning towards the Great Hall and to dinner, Harry escaped through the front entrance and walked down to the lake. He was half-way around it when he felt the familiar weight and talons of his owl, Hedwig.

"Oh! Hedwig!" he stroked her. "You have to go back to Dumbledore." She bit his ear in irritation and Harry could feel blood run down his neck. Removing her from his shoulder he stretched his arm. "Go! Go!" She took off and flew off into the sunset. He stood staring after her until she was gone.

"Harry?" a voice behind him spoke.

He turned. It was Hermione.

"I knew it was you," Hermione said. She stood watching him, her eyes shining.

Harry was too overwhelmed. He didn't react. She was on him in the seconds it took for him to draw breath. He hugged her back and buried his face into her hair. The months of pain and sadness and worry spilled out.

He was relieved that they stood in the dark. He told her everything and left nothing out.

When he finished he watched her face.

"Oh, my!" she said. She continued to hold his hand and squeeze it. "We have to tell Ron you know. He would never forgive either of us if we didn't. He loves you too, Harry."

He nodded. "Yes, I agree. But you do understand Hermione the risk that both of you will have to live with. This is so delicate, if news gets out too soon all I've done will be useless. Lots of people are going to be hurt, it could go badly and our advantage would be gone."

"Yes, I think I do understand," Hermione murmured.

"Hermione you have to tell me honestly if you think Ron can handle all of this. He can't tell anyone, not Fred or George or Mr. Weasley or anyone."

Hermione turned. He could see her face in the moonlight. "He's changed Harry. We both have. After losing you, I think we both grew up. I mean, it didn't feel real, even after we had the fight in the Department of Mysteries.. We didn't experience Sirius' death like you did. It just felt like we could never be in danger as long as Dumbledore was around. But we've been at Gimmauld Place all summer, Harry. Your not the only one whose in danger now. We all are. It's not just your war anymore."

Harry studied her face in the dim light and remembered the conversation in the library. "I could use your help," he said.

They planned a meeting to talk to Ron. Harry had long since given his Invisibility Cloak to Snape and knew that he really needed it more and had not asked for it back. Yet under the strict rule, Harry didn't want Ron or Hermione to get caught out of bed at night. Nor did he want to be caught. They agreed to meet in the Room of Requirement where the Defense Association continued to hold their meetings.

It was a lot harder than his trips to the forest and the caves had been. Harry usually found those trips safe from curious eyes and he supposed that Snape had made that possible. This trip was definitely not sanctioned by Snape. If found, Harry jeopardized his stay at Hogwarts.

Sneaking out from the darkened Slytherin common room, Harry made his way up the steps wishing that he still had the Marauder's Map. He could use it to find Peeves or even Mrs. Norris. With fingers crossed, he crept down the corridors and up a stair case to third floor and wasn't disturbed. He felt the tension in his body as he walked back and forth in front of the area, thinking, I need to find a place to meet Ron and Hermione. It's really important.

The door appeared as expected. Harry glanced down the hall and when he heard no one he entered.

Ron and Hermione stood beneath a lamp, the only one lit in the room.

Harry noticed that the room was different. It didn't look the same as it did when he had taught Defense Against the Dark Arts to his friends. This time it was smaller and cozier like a sitting room.

Ron remained where he was, skepticism written all over his face. "You'll have to prove to me who you are?" was all he said.

Harry stared at him, thinking. Ron did look different, almost defiant. Harry wasn't sure he was going to be able to say anything that would convince him who he was.

"Ron..." Hermione began, but they both turned to her. She quieted immediately.

"The first day we met, on the Hogwarts Express. You showed me Dumbledore's card in the chocolate frog. You said you collected them." Harry stopped. Ron continued to stare at him. "You were the only one there when I got my dad's Invisibility Cloak from Dumbledore Christmas morning. " Harry waited, too. Then, he said, "You looked in the mirror of Erised and saw yourself as Quidditch captain."

Ron shuddered visibly, but remained still.

"I'm not going to stand here all night and wait for you to decide if I'm who I say I am or not!" he said. "You can believe what you want." He turned and took a step toward the door.

"Harry?" Ron spoke.

"What?!" Harry whirled around. He was angry.

"You always did have a hair-trigger temper, mate!" Ron was over to him and hugging him.

Harry was still mad and, happy, "Do not!"

Hermione stood in the shadows, tears glistening in her eyes. Harry glanced over and reached out an arm; the other hugging Ron. She joined him, so that they were three.

Harry slipped into the Slytherin common rooms in the dark and made his way to his bed. Malfoy lay quietly asleep his bed curtains open. Harry sighed in relief and slipped between the covers. He fell asleep, all but one burden removed from his heart..

He had told no one about the infiltrator.