The missing boys ✔

Part 15: Running away

Ron didn't see what animal had attacked him until they were flying over it on Buck's back. He was dizzy, and he felt achy and strange, but he was able to focus enough to get a good look at it. It was barking and growling as it sprinted below them, its dark fur nearly blending in with the night.

Must be a grim, thought Ron. His head felt weird, like the time the twins had played "healer" and fed him a double dose of pepper-up potion.

It was a big dog with dark fur and teeth that burned like fire. That's what Percy said a grim was. Ron wondered if he'd die within twenty-four hours, like Uncle Billious had. The thought didn't scare him as much as it should have. He felt too tired to be scared. Buck was flying him to safety and the only thing he could really do was lean into the feathers as Harry called his name, trying to ask him questions. Pain shot up from Ron's forearm as Buck hit a pocket of wind. He blacked out and Harry screamed as Ron nearly fell off of the hippogriff. He held onto both Ron and Buck for dear life as the creature flew them to safety.

It felt like only a second had passed when Ron opened his eyes, though his body was quick to inform him that he'd been out for a while. He felt heavy, like a boulder was pressing him into the mattress. His head and stomach hurt too.

"Ron?" that was the frightened whisper.

Ron groaned.

"Ron?"

Ron groaned.

"Ron?"

He opened his eyes as someone shook his shoulder.

Harry was there, and he looked frightened.

"Ron?" he chocked.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked weakly.

"You got bit," said Harry, his eyes wide.

Ron felt pan in his right arm as he remembered. The grim, he'd been attacked by a grim.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked his friend as he struggled to sit up. "Where am I?"

"You're at Fletch's," whispered Harry.

Ron nodded, finally pulling himself up straight.

"Are you okay?" he repeated. Harry looked like something was wrong with him; he was so pale.

"Yea," said Harry, but he didn't look like he was telling the truth to Ron.

"What happened?" asked Ron. His arm hurt enough to make him want to cry, but boys didn't cry. Ever. Especially in front of a friend that looked so pale and upset.

"Fletch said I should let him explain," said Harry, not looking him in the eye.

Ron was about to ask more questions when a sharp feeling, like a punch to the gut, hit him. He put his hands to his stomach, feeling sick.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry.

"Need the lou, help me," Ron grunted, trying to stand.

Harry pulled Ron back onto his feet and had Ron swing an arm around his shoulder.

The pair moved carefully down the stairs. It was very quiet, none of the bar rooms were being rented at the moment and customers were non-existent this time of day.