Esprit de Corps

Chapter 16

Harry opened his eyes and looked around at the familiar ceiling of the Hospital Wing. He sat up slowly, not wanting to make noise. He sighed in relief when he saw no one around. He wondered how long he'd been unconscious. Had Ron and Hermione not arrived yet? Where were Madam Pomfrey and Dumbledore?

He pulled out his invisibility cloak from his pocket. Thank Merlin Dumbledore was not aware that he'd brought it with him...

He put on the cloak and said softly, "Let me go, Hogwarts."

No, young Harry. You're supposed to stay here.

"I can't. I'll endanger you."

Hogwarts is safer that you can imaging, young one.

"I need to do this. I promise I'll come back when I'm needed."

Very well, child.

Harry Disapparated with a soft 'pop'.

Ron and Hermione listened in horror as Dumbledore told them what Harry had said to him. When he finished, Ron's fist came down on the table.

"The idiot! How could he? How could he leave us like that!" he hissed.

Hermione stared into space, saying nothing.

Ron stood up and started pacing. Several minutes later, he slumped down on the chair and sighed.

"What do we do now, Professor?" he asked. Dumbledore sighed heavily.

"I was hoping the two of you would answer that, Mr. Weasley."

"Hermione?" Ron asked.

She said nothing. Ron touched her shoulder.

"'Mione?"

Their wrists flashed and Hermione said in a deadpan voice what all three of them had felt, "He's gone."

Harry sat on the broken bed, memories flooding his mind. It was here that he had met his Godfather for the first time...

"I'm sorry, Sirius..."

His mind recapitulated the Ministry incident...then what had happened at Hermione's house...

All because of Voldemort...

A sudden, seething hatred filled his heart. Voldemort was the cause of all his miseries. It was Voldemort who had reduced him to this. It was because of Voldemort that he had not been able to live his life properly. It was because of Voldemort that his friends were in danger. Voldemort...

Harry's wrist flashed and the blossom burned black...

Lord Voldemort laughed suddenly as a black, burning, blossom appeared on his wrist. So, young Harry Potter had fled from his protectors...

"Give me your arm, Wormtail," he hissed.

Wormtail came forward, and extended his marked arm. Voldemort touched the Dark Mark on his arm, summoning his Death Eaters. They started appearing soon enough. The handfuls that were left after the previous days' fiasco, that is. When all of them were there, Voldemort stood up from his throne.

"I have a job for you, Severus..."

Severus Snape came forward, knelt and kissed the hem of his Master's robe.

"Yes, Master."

"I have located the Potter boy...he has run out from his sanctuary..."

"Yes, Master."

"I hope you will not fail me like the others did, Severus."

"I shall try my best, Master."

"Very well. He is at the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. Get him."

"As you wish, Master."

Snape Disapparated.

Voldemort turned to the rest of his minions.

"Follow him. Make sure he brings the boy here."