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Ron was worried and it only grew with unanswered letters . Harry had said he’d send letters. Harry had promised to respond. Yet not a single reply was ever sent back.
Ron had thought, at first, that Harry had reconsidered their friendship over the summer. Harry had realized that Malfoy was right about Ron being “the wrong sort of wizard”. That was until he got a letter from Hermione saying
“Sorry Ron,
I haven’t heard from Harry either.
I sent him at least 5 letters this summer but I’ve yet to receive a reply.
I think something’s happened to him.
I don’t know too much about his aunt and uncle but with the way Harry talks about them…. It makes me awfully worried, Ron.
What do you suppose we do?
From,
Hermione”
Ron reread the letter over and over with a creeping sense of dread.
The Dursleys.
Bloody hell.
How could Ron ever forget!
Ron ran circles in his room. Harry could be in trouble. Ron had to help him.
The days passed in a dizzying rush and yet a week later Ron still didn’t have a plan to rescue Harry. Every Weasly had noticed Ron’s change in mood and each tried to cheer him up with varying degrees of success.
Ginny, who had noticed first, tried to distract him with quidditch. “If he can defeat Quirrell,” she remarked, after hearing Ron's adventures at Hogwarts and making Ron promise to introduce her to Harry, “he can totally survive a couple months with his relatives.”
“Cheer up Ron, you'll see him at school soon enough.” Percy told him.
Even the twins had tried.
“Look Roniekins-” said Fred
“We’ve noticed you’ve been sulking quite a bit.” George noted.
“And we’ve got-”
“The perfect remedy”
“We were thinking of-“
“Taking the ol’ flying car out for a spin”
“To get our seeker back”
“What do you say?” They exclaimed in unison.
For a second hope bloomed in Ron’s chest, only to deflate moments later.
“I don’t know where he lives,” Ron admitted, “we’d have to search all of Britian to find him.”
The twins didn’t have a response for that.
Ron’s parents had even promised to owl Dumbledore to check on Harry since he had placed Harry with the Dursleys.
“Look Ron, I know you’re really worried about Harry.” Said Dad.
Ron nodded. “So?” He pushed.
“So, your mom and I will owl Dumbledore and ask him to check on Harry.” Dad finished.
Ron’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Of course honey, and we’ll let you know as soon as he replies.” Mum said.
Ron would never tell anyone but, a tear might’ve been shed when he ran to hug them.
Finally, everything would be fine.
Two days later an owl arrived at the Burrow.
“Ron! It’s a letter from Dumbledore! Come down and read it! Shouted Mum followed by Ron hurriedly running down the stairs screaming “Coming! Don’t read it without me!”
Excitement coursed through Ron’s veins. Ron pictured the letter saying “Harry is fine, his arm was broken but he’ll respond to your letter tomorrow” or “Harry got grounded but will meet up with you in Diagon Alley”
“No need to worry, Harry is perfectly safe at the Dursleys” Ron read.
10 words. Dumbledore had only sent 10 words. And not a single one of them had alleviated Ron’s worries or answered his questions . Dumbledore had said he was “safe” not “happy” or “okay” or “bored” just safe.
Ron wondered idly, if Dumbledore had even checked on Harry at all.
“Thanks for trying.” Ron said numbly.
Neither Ron’s Dad nor Mum noticed Ron’s change in mood.
Ron went back upstairs to his room, grabbed a quill and owled Hermione.
“Dear Hermione,
I got back Dumbledore’s letter about Harry and it was utter bollocks. He only wrote ‘Don’t worry, Harry is perfectly safe at the Dursleys.’ and I know you think Dumbledore’s great and all but the letter my Mum sent was at least a page long, detailed with questions and everything. And he only sent back 10 words which answered none of them. And I bet he didn’t even meet the Dursleys. Especially if they’re as bad as Harry said.
I don’t know what to do. I feel like we’ve done everything. I even tried calling Harry again but his uncle just screamed at me and hung up. I feel like something bad has happened to Harry. You’re the smart one, do you have any brainy ideas to rescue him?
Your friend,
Ron”
“Dear Ron,
I’m a little upset. I really thought Professor Dumbledore would have more answers. But maybe he’s right Ron. Maybe the both of us are just overreacting when Harry’s fine after all. Professor Dumbledore probably knows more about this type of thing after all. I suppose he’s probably right.
Also, Ron just because I read books doesn’t mean I know what to do when one of your best friends doesn’t reply to your letters and lives with questionable relatives. I haven’t got a clue what to do next other than hoping to see him at Diagon Alley or wait until we go back to school.
I just hope he’s okay. Who knows maybe we’ll be laughing at our overreactions when this is all over.
From,
Hermione”
“Dear Hermione,
You know when you get that feeling in your gut, the one that's telling you that something’s wrong? I’ve been having that feeling about Harry ever since he didn’t reply to my letters. I’m worried out of my bloody mind.
I don’t believe for a second we’re overreacting because Harry would never do this. Harry would rather go to my house on foot to respond to my letter then let it go unanswered. This is the same guy who was willing to fight with a troll for a girl he barely knew.
It's so frustrating that sometimes you’re the only one who gets how scary this is. How nerve racking it is not knowing whether or not he’s okay.
But you’re right about one thing, we have to wait now to see Harry at school to ever know for sure.
I wish it was nothing Hermione, I really do.
Your increasingly anxious friend,
Ron”
Now that Ron was sure that there was no other thing to do but wait Ron started getting desperate. Ron started praying to every god he didn’t believe in for Harry was okay and that even if he wasn’t in this moment, that he would be soon.
He’d begun chanting it like a mantra in his head “Please keep Harry safe. Please let Harry be okay. Please let me see him again soon”
But with every letter, because Ron had started sending them daily, and every lack of response, Rons hopes plummeted.
Nothing his family did or said could make him feel better. Nothing Hermione wrote could cover the ever churning void of worry that nestled close to Ron’s heart.
Time slowed and only moved slower, and slower with every moment. And Ron spent every excruciatingly slow moment worrying.
September first finally rolled around and Ron felt the best he had all summer. He was going to get answers, he was going to see Harry. Everything was going to be okay.
Ron said his goodbyes then loaded onto the train, waiting.
“Hi Ron, any sight of -“ Hermione started, opening the compartment door.
“No,” Ron interrupted, “have you?”
“No.”
The two sat in silence before starting a dull conversation that quickly tapered off. The train had already started to move and Harry still wasn’t on the train.
A tear ran down Hermione’s cheeks, quickly followed by another. “I’m really scared, Ron,” She whispered.
“Me too.” Ron murmured, feeling tears of his own burn in his eyes.
They spent the rest of the train ride silent.
Ron and Hermione sat next to each other on the Gryffindor table, searching. The other students had started to notice that a person was missing on the Gryfindor table.
Ron half-watched the sorting ceremony. (He only really cared about Ginny’s sorting.) He clapped at the appropriate places, especially at Ginny who got into Gryffindor.
Whispers of “Where is he?” filled the Gryfindor table but nobody got as panicked as Ron and Hermione did.
The sorting ceremony ended with far more whispers than usual but not enough for the teachers to pick up on. Ron and Hermione walked to the Gryfindor common room in a numbed silence and went to their respective rooms, both of them not really hearing the chatter going around them.
The words “He isn’t here” repeated in a constant loop in Ron’s head along with “Where is he” and “What happened to him” and “I’m going to murder the Dursleys.”
Ron kept looking over at the empty bed where Harry was supposed to sleep as if looking at it would bring Harry
The first day of classes was duller than last year, which could be attributed to Harry’s disappearance and how Ron was now a second year and was far more used to Hogwarts than he had been last year.
Every class was the same, the professors would check attendance and every professor would say “Harry Potter….. is Mr. Potter present?” And the class would look around for a moment or two before saying “No?” And whispers would break out.
By the end of the day, with Hogwarts rumor mill, every student and teacher knew that Harry was missing and each had a reason that varied from plausible to outrageous.
“I heard he fled the country and went to Ilvermorny instead”
“I heard he’s selling dragons on knockturn alley”
“I heard he’s got expelled”
“I heard he got sent to Azkaban for an overuse of nimblies” Said Luna Lovegood.
Everyone stared at Luna Lovegood, then ignored her, choosing instead to come up with even wilder ideas than Luna.
Dumbledore had the nerve to look pensive and confused at the Hogwarts feast, if Ron hadn’t sent a letter to him months prior.
Unbeknownst to Ron a staff meeting was called to rectify this issue.
“I think the brat couldn’t take the pressure of school and preferred being pampered by his relatives.” Professor Snape suggested.
“No need to make rash assumptions, Severus.” Dumbledore said.
“Does anyone know where Potter would be? Or why isn't he here?” Professor Mcgonagall asked.
There was a murmur of “No’s”
Dumbledore looked guilty. “I have a theory, Mr. Weasley had sent me a letter over the summer regarding Mr. Potter's disappearance” Dumbledore started, the twinkle in his eye going dim? “he’d mentioned how Mr. Potter hadn’t been responding to his letters all summer. I’d assumed they’d got in some kind of spat, as friends often do and disregarded the letter. I now see that was a foolish thing to do.”
Professor Mccgonagall glared daggers at Dumbledore.
“I told you they were the worst sort of muggles around. I warned you didn’t I Dumbledore and it seems that Mr.Weasley did too,” Mcgonagall fumed, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a student to pick up.” Mcgonagall left the room.
Professor Flitwick looked shocked as did the other professors.
“Meeting Adjourned.” Professor Dumbledore said.
Professor McGonagall was still fuming even as she walked out of Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall waved before walking into Hogsmeade to apparate to Privet drive.
Professor McGonagall gasped as she saw bars on the outside of Number 4 Privet drive.
Professor McGonagall had choice words to tell Dumbledore when she brought Harry back.
She knocked on the door. The door opened and Professor McGonagall was greeted by the face of Petunia Dursley. Petunia looked Professor McGonagall up and down with a sneer.
“We don’t want any of your kind here.” Petunia said.
“I’m here to pick up Harry.” Professor McGonagall said, opening the door and letting herself in.
“You're going to have to wait until his punishment is over.”
“And when will that be?”
Petunia didn’t respond.
“Where is Harry?”
“He isn’t leaving with a freak like you.”
“Where is Harry?”
Petunia didn’t say a word.
“Petunia, this is not a request. Whether you tell me where he is or not, I am going to take him to school.” Professor McGonagall said.
“Fine but if-” Petunia started
“When,” Professor McGonagall interrupted.
“When you take him, just know that he’s never welcome back here again.” Petunia said with a sickly sweet smile.
“You truly believe I would condemn Harry with this place again? That I would let him live under your roof for another second? Petunia Dursley, there are bars on his window. That is abuse if I ever heard it. Either you tell me where his room is or-“ Professor McGonagall started.
“Upstairs on the right, the one with the locks. If you mean what you say then I believe we can come to an agreement. I don’t want to see him ever again but you do. Take him and leave.” Petunia interrupted in a rushed whisper.
“You disgust me.” Professor McGonagall said, walking up the stairs.
Professor McGonagall saw the locks on the outside of the door and knocked trying not to curse Petunia Dursely where she stood.
“Harry, are you in there?”
“Professor? Is that you? What’s going on? Was that you talking with Aunt Petunia?”
“Yes, Harry, it's me. I’m getting you out of here. I just had to have a……conversation with your Aunt.”
Harry laughed and the sound hurt her heart. His voice sounded hoarse with disuse.
She pulled out her wand and used “Alohomora” on the locks and pulled the door open.
She suppressed a gasp. Harry was thinner than she had ever seen him. His face was hollow and gaunt.
“Harry, did they feed you at all?” Professor McGonagall asked quietly.
“Yeah a little but I had to split it all with Hedwig.” He said pointing to the snowy owl.
“How did they feed you exactly?”
“Through there. The Dursleys aren’t nice, even I know that, but they aren’t monsters.” Harry said pointing to the cat flap on the door.
She was going to be sick. McGonagall purposely didn’t respond to the comment about the Durselys being monsters even though she thought that their treatment of Harry could be classified as monstrous.
“Where are your things?” She asked instead, looking for Harry’s school supplies.
“They’re in the cupboard under the stairs. How much school have I missed anyway? Was anyone worried? Did anyone notice?” Harry asked.
“Do you think I would be here if nobody noticed or was worried? You’ve only missed a day, I’m sure you’ll catch up soon enough.” Professor McGonagall reassured.
Harry looked relieved.
She “accioed“ Harry’s things. “Harry, why was your school trunk in a cupboard under the stairs?” She asked softly.
“The Durselys don’t like magic.” Harry admitted.
“How would you do your summer homework if your books are locked downstairs?” She asked.
“I was going to do it on the train, but I can’t exactly do that now can I.” Harry said, packing his clothes in his trunk.
“I’ll talk to your professors about getting an extension.” McGonagall said.
Harry’s head shot up. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” She said with a chuckle.
“Thank you Professor, for everything.”
“You’re very welcome Harry”
“Are you ready to go? You might want to say goodbye to this place.”
Harry nodded. “Why would I want to say goodbye to this place?”
“Your Aunt told me that you are no longer welcome here after I take you to Hogwarts. I’m sorry Harry.”
Harry’s eyes widened. “I don’t have to go back?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Harry grinned and hugged her tight. “Thank you so much Professor.”
McGonagall smiled. “Of course.”
There was a moment of silence as Harry broke away.
“Uh, Professor, how will we get to Hogwarts?”
“By apparating. I suppose you’ve never done a side-along apparition before?”
“No. What is it?”
“I think muggles call it teleporting. Hold my hand, and your things. Brace yourself, it's a little nauseating.”
There was a crack, and the two disappeared.
They arrived at Hogsmeade and Harry promptly threw up.
“I thought you said it was only a little nauseating.” Harry said.
“I might’ve underestimated it a little.”
“Might?! Wait where are we? This isn’t Hogwarts.”
“It's a wizard town in front of Hogwarts, you’ll be able to go here in your third year. We’re here because you can’t apparate inside Hogwarts. We’re going to do a bit of walking, follow me.”
Harry followed.
They reached Hogwarts during lunch which led to a bit of a commotion.
“POTTERS BACK!” someone shouted. And the hall was alit with chatter.
Ron and Hermione ran up to Harry, tears streaming.
“Don't you ever disappear like that again!-”
“-Worried out of my bloody mind why weren’t you responding to my letters-”
“- Are you okay you look awfully thin. I didn’t see you on the train or anything I was so scared-”
“-underage magic? Why’d you do it what happened-“
“I’m so glad you're here.” Hermione and Ron exclaimed in unison.
Harry laughed.
“I’ll leave the two of you to it. If you’ll excuse me, I must speak to Professor Dumbledore.” Professor McGonagal said, turning and walking away.
“You guys will never believe what happened this summer!” Harry started with a smile as the trio sat at the Gryfindor table. He didn’t care that onlookers were eavesdropping, that Draco Malfoy was sneering somewhere, that Snape was looking sad at Harry’s return. No, all that mattered to Harry in that moment was that after months of longing, he was finally home.