Take Me As I Am

2 Choices

Harry, Ron, and Neville were gathered in the back potion room of Sirius's cottage. As the night went by they were coming up with a gameplan for tomorrow, everyone in agreement that they couldn't keep up the hide and seek routine they were stuck in lately.

Harry was on a muggle laptop, tracking the snowstorm while Ron and Neville created a mock map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. "We don't even know if we'll have to fight soon, why draw up all these battle plans just yet???" He asked, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

"Are you joking? Look what happened last year! And the years before that! Honestly Harry, at this point we need to be more prepared." Ron snapped, scribbling out all the secret exit doors and passageways around the castle.

Neville was nervously fidgeting with his red feathered quill, jotting down ideas for group safety on the sides of the pages. "I'd like to say we won't fight...but it seems like we don't get any breaks from danger." He shrugged.

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm sick of being the Golden Boy...all my friends and classmates in danger because of me or Draco." He sighed.

"Harry it's not your fault or Malfoy's fault...please don't blame yourself." Ron moved closer to Harry, leaning on his leg. "Besides, we might get lucky! What if they got tired of stalking us?"

Neville chuckled darkly, expressing his doubtfulness.

"It's very doubtful...I want to have a normal Christmas without being attacked thank you very much!" Harry growled in frustration, closing the laptop. "If this snow doesn't let up we'll be snowed in! Thank god for the floo passage Sirius set up."

Ron looked worried. "Can't Sirius get in trouble for having an unmarked floo network???"

Harry shook his head. "Only 3 people know about it, plus even if the ministry found out about it, for once their on our side as an extra pair of eyes and ears." He ruffled his fingers through Ron's messy red hair. "They'd understand."

Ron smiled at the comforting touch. "I havent seen it snow this much since our first year at Hogwarts."

Neville frowned. "I hope my Gran is taking proper care of the plants at home." He mumbled, doodling flowers in the corners of the page. "Do you think it's safe to go tonight???"

Harry dramatically shook his head. "Not a good idea, we should get everything situated in the morning and go early...I hope everyone who stayed at the castle is okay."

A large owl came busting through the house, crashing into the back room.

Ron ducked as the owl swooped down, crashing into the coffee table. "Bloody Errol! What are you doing here?!" He brushed the snow from the upside-down owls wings.

Harry furrowed his brow. "He's carrying a letter! Open it!" He nudged his back, Neville crawled over to them both to get a better look.

Ron took the letter, opening it. "It's from my Mum! I'll read it out loud."

My dearest Ronald,

Your Father and I have talked about the situation we are dealing with, requesting you come home immediately! We aren't allowing Ginny to go back to Hogwarts this year and the same goes for you, the risk is just too great to bear. We have been talking about taking a vacation out of London for the next few months, we are unable to accept the consequences of staying in range of danger.