"Uh oh, who's here Parvati," Harry asked, gulping slightly in trepidation.

"It's Professor Dumbledore, Harry."

"What, how is that possible? How could he have known to come here? If he's that good at knowing where I am, why does he need to keep me locked up all summer" Harry countered, as Dumbledore interrupted the room, causing Harry to pause in the middle of his stream-of-consciousness ramble.

"Why Harry, it was not courteous of you to leave Mrs. Weasley so abruptly without even a proper goodbye. She has been worried sick concerning your whereabouts, as we all have. And I do believe we must be getting back to the home, the hour is late," Dumbledore finished.

"With all due respect, professor," Harry gritted through his teeth, fully aware that he was speaking in front of Parvati, feeling somewhat of a need to keep up appearances, "I left the house with no intention of returning this summer. I would like to spend some time getting to know Stacy better, and you have not been accomodating of my only wish this summer. And so I had to make my own decision. So that's why I left. I'm not trying to make a statement here, I just have to do what's best for myself."

"Harry, are you aware of how selfish you are speaking right now? Sometimes, we must put aside our passions to"

Harry cut Dumbledore off before he could finish the statement, growing angry at his failure to communicate with the Headmaster, it was as if he had not comprenhended anything Harry was saying. "Yes, professor. I understand what you're saying completely. But I disagree with you. I have decided to spend time with Stacy, and that's the end of the story."

"Well, I see, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore responded, casting his bespeckled gaze in the direction of Stacy, "but perhaps we should no longer continue to burden Ms. Patil at so late an hour. I think we should continue this discussion at the house. Surely you could agree to that?"

"I'm not sure I trust you, professor," Harry countered, and at this, Parvati let out an audible gasp. Weren't Harry and Dumbledore supposed to be the closest of allies? The Daily Prophet treated the two of them like one in the same. Everybody knew that! But Parvati was interrupted from here thoughts when Harry continued with, "but I'm not so sure that you will let me leave the house once we get back there, and I probably won't get to see Stacy again if you have your way."

"Perhaps we shall compromise then. Ms. Clearwater can accompany us home, and she can remain with us until we reach a mutual agreement in proceeding forward. Would that be amenable to you, Harry?"

"Umm, err, sure, professor. Does that work with you Stacy?"

"I don't know, Harry. Where would we be going? It's not like I can just leave my parents to be run off with your Headmaster…"

At this, Dumbledore intervened, "Well, Ms. Clearwater, it appears as if you are quite prepared for a journey. I suspect your parents are not expecting you in the near future," Dumbledore finished, nodding to her suitcase.

"Okay, professor. That's fine. We can talk about it at the house. But I'm not sure how much that is going to help."

"Hey, Parvati. Is that you? What's all that noise going on down there?" Mr. Patil said, groggily coming down the stairs, having awoken due to the noise in the kitchen. "Headmaster Dumbledore, to what do I owe this pleasure? I hope Parvati is not in trouble for anything."

"Oh no, Jeremius, all is well. I apologize for wandering in at so late an hour. Mr. Potter here was visiting your daughter, and I apologize for our rather unannounced presence."

"Please, Headmaster. The pleasure is mine. Couldn't I trouble you for a cup of coffee or a drink? I'm sorry my daughter has been such a careless host."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Jeremius, but we really must get going. And your daughter has been an absolutely lovely host. My apologies for interrupting your sleep. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Harry, Ms. Clearwater, we must be going."

It was at this moment that Mr. Patil first noticed Stacy's presence in the house. "Oh Stacy, I didn't even see you there. What are you doing here?"

"Long story, Mr. Patil. Ask Parvati. I gotta run!" And with that, Dumbledore, Harry, and Stacy left the Patil home and began to casually walk down the well-lit street.

"Well, Harry, Ms. Clearwater, I do believe it's time to return home and retire for the evening. We can discuss what to do in the morning after a good night's rest."

"What? No way, professor. You said that we could discuss it tonight when we got back. I don't want to wait any longer, giving you time to scheme and come up with lord knows what. I want to discuss it tonight, otherwise we're not going back."

"That is fine, Harry. I just thought you would prefer some sleep after the night's festivities to cool down and-"

"I'm just fine, professor. I'd much prefer we figure things out tonight. And do I have your word that you won't kick Stacy out of the house without my permission?"

"Of course, Harry. On my honor, I will not ask her to leave the house without your permission. My apologies, Miss Clearwater, but these are tense times, and we must do our best to ensure the collective security of all."

Before Stacy could get a chance to respond to Dumbledore's declaration, Harry responded, "Yes, but that doesn't mean you can't treat her with respect. Let's just head back now, and figure something out."

"Very well, Harry." Stacy, Harry, please grab a hold of my arm. We're heading back now. And with that, both Stacy and Harry grabbed on to Dumbledore's robe, and Harry could feel himself being transported through space until he arrived back at Grimmauld Place. Upon returning, Harry immediately wanted to check to make sure that Stacy made it through apparating with the Headmaster. But as Harry looked all around Dumbledore and the entry room at Grimmauld Place, a sinking feeling hit his stomach- Stacy wasn't there.