Inseparable

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

Tom woke up alone in the dorm room, he guessed that the others had woken up earlier and went to sit in the common room.

Tom got dressed quickly, wanting to have an early breakfast as today was the day of the second task. He quickly went down to the common room where indeed his Knights were sitting in one of the corners of the room.

Tom scanned through the group in search of Harry and noticed that he wasn't there. Maybe he went to the library or something.

"Have any of you seen Harry this mourning?" Tom asked.

"Harry, I thought he was still in the dorm room," Abraxas said.

"The dorm room is empty now."

"He was definitely there when we left," Cygnus said.

"Maybe he managed to sneak past its arms left the common room already," Abraxas thought.

So they left the common room and headed for breakfast, hopefully, Harry would already be there.

They went to the great hall and sat at the Slytherin table.

Harry wasn't there.

Tom was worried; it wasn't like Harry to disappear so suddenly.

"Don't worry," Abraxas said sensing Tom's unease, "he'll show up soon."

Tom slowly finished eating his breakfast and got up to leave with his Knights when they finished.

It was close to lunch and Harry still hadn't been found.

Tom couldn't take it anymore so he went to Professor Slughorn's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Slughorn called.

Tom opened the door and went into the office.

"Oh, hello Tom," Slughorn said, "shouldn't you be getting ready for the second task?"

"I know Professor, but I can't seem to find Harry and I was wondering if you knew where he was?"

"Harry, oh yes, I know where he is. Don't worry, he'll be back in time to watch the second task. You should really start to get ready."

"Yes Professor, but I think I'd feel more comfortable if you told me where he actually is," Tom said. He felt as if there was something that Slughorn wasn't telling him.

"I, um, sent him to do a task for me. Now, don't worry and prepare for your task."

With that, Tom left, still thinking that there was something that wasn't being said.

Tom went outside to the Black Lake, where he was told the second task would be taking place.

He had his wand in hand, ready to cast the spell which would allow him to breathe underwater and swim better. The spell was one he found in the chamber of secrets, and it was basically a spell version of gillyweed, which he was not ever going to ever put in his mouth.

It was a dirty weed, grown in some sort of garden. Gardens had worms and slugs and germs. He would not put that into his mouth.

Tom had been thinking what it was that could have been taken. Tom didn't have many important possessions, so he guessed he would be looking for something small.

Tom walked onto the small wobbly pontoon, where the other two champions were already standing and waiting.

Andrei was scowling when he saw him. Tom didn't really care though, because that's all Andrei seemed to be doing now.

He gathered the other champion as she actually smiled and said "hello" like a normal person. He greeted her back and got ready for the task.

Tom looked behind himself where everyone was sitting and watching them. He scanned the crowd looking for Harry. He still wasn't there. Tom swallowed back his worry and hoped he would show up.