Runaway
By: Saphire Starlet
Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Harry Potter works, series, merchan - you get the idea! Please don't hurt me!
Summary: Takes place during the 5th book. What if Harry didn't heed Dumbledore's warning to stay at Headquarters? Harry's missing, the Order is in a panic, and two frantic Marauders are on loose. Now it's a race against time to find the Boy-Who-Lived before a fate much worse than death befalls him.
AN: I've always wondered what would have happened in the 5th book if Harry had runaway... I thought I'd post this before the 6th book comes out!
"Stay where you are."
"I haven't moved!" said Harry, his hand still upon the doorknob. "So what's the message?
"I have just given it to you, dolt," said Phineas Nigellus smoothly. "Dumbledore says, 'Stay where you are.'"
Harry stared in disbelief at Phineas Nigellus's portrait. There was no way that he would stay here and put all of his friends at risk... his godfather at risk. He let go of the knob and unlatched his trunk, taking the invisibility cloak, a little sack of money, his Gringots key, and stuffed a few chocolate frogs into his robe pockets.
Harry turned around and glared at Phineas's picture, "If Dumbledore wanted me to stay here, then he could have told me himself. I'm leaving."
And with that, Harry wrapped himself up in the invisibility cloak and opened the slipped out the bedroom door.
Phineas stared at the open door and heaved a weary sigh... he had to report this to Dumbledore. "I hate children."
Privet Drive... here I come. Harry thought dryly.
Harry made his way down the dark hallways of Grimmauld Place, occasionally peeking into the rooms to see his friends hanging Christmas decorations, and cooking dinner for that night. Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny were all siting in the living room by hearth playing Exploding Snap, and Mrs. Weasley was talking with Mr. Weasley while cooking supper.
Harry swiped at his eyes, telling himself continually that this was the right thing to do. They'd be safer without him here. What if Voldemort possessed him again? He couldn't risk attacking Ron in his sleep... or —
"Remus, I don't know what to do!"
Harry stopped and peeked into the Drawing Room where Remus and Sirius were siting in arm chairs by the fire, drinking some sort of holiday wine in their crystal glasses. Harry leaned in a little closer.
"Sirius.. I know this is difficult, but you've got to keep a clear head." Remus told him softly.
Sirius took up the bottle of wine and poured himself another glass. "Harry's being possessed, Remus! What happens if he doesn't think he can be with us anymore?"
Lupin sighed, "We've just got to keep reassuring him that he isn't a danger to anyone, and keep him out of the Order business."
"Do you really think that would work? Merlin! The kid went into the Chamber of Secrets in his second year. SECOND year! Do you honestly think we can stop Harry from doing the same thing?"
Silence.
"I'm just scared, I guess."
Remus heaved a sigh, "We're all scared, Padfoot. Harry's a strong kid, he'll be alright."
"But what if he's not!" Sirius urged, "Voldemort, my God! He could become possessed at anytime!"
"He'll know what to do, Sirius."
Harry had heard enough of this conversation. Tugging the invisibility cloak closer, he headed towards the door, carefully turning the door knob and then slipping out into the night, his wand clutched in his white knuckled fist.
Ron Weasley poked his head inside his shared bedroom, expecting to see his best friend lying in misery on his bed. And to be truthful, Ron couldn't blame Harry for acting this way. If he was being possessed by You-Know-Who then he would hide from the world as well.
"Harry, mom's just told us that din— "
The room was empty, and Harry Potter's trunk was opened, clothes strewn about all over the floor and the Marauders Map drifting serenely about on the floor in the breeze that the opened window let in.
Ron dashed out of the room, and then stopped on the landing.
"HARRY'S MISSING!"
His statement was followed by the slamming of the front door. And Sirius and Remus running out from the parlour. Sirius looked frantic.
"What do you mean, 'He's missing!'?" he hissed.
"Harry wasn't in his room! He's gone!" Ron told him, wide eyed and looking not a little bit scared.
"Pardon me, but I believe I know where he is."
Everybody's heads swung around the look at the Headmaster's head, which was wearing a regretful expression while bobbing in the fire place. Sirius lunged at the fire.
"Where is he?"
I hope that you enjoyed it! Next one up very soon!
Saph Starlet