Courage

-83-

Book: Courage
Chapter 83
Word Count: 7583

When they arrived at the castle and hurried to take their places at the Gryffindor table, Layla looked for Harry. But Harry was not there.

"Hermione," she said, turning to her best friend, "where's Harry?"

"I don't know," Hermione said anxiously. "He didn't make our carriage. I thought maybe he was with you or Professor Slughorn, but..."

Layla followed Hermione's gaze to the staff table, where Slughorn was chatting animatedly with Professor Dumbledore. It suddenly seemed very odd that an Auror had been waiting at Hogsmeade Station, wondering where Harry was. She and Hermione shared an anxious look.

"Parvati has asked me to sit with her, Lavender, Dean, and Seamus," Ginny told Layla. "Are you going to sit with us, Lay?"

"Not tonight, I don't think," said Layla. "Probably tomorrow morning."

"Okay," Ginny then went and sat beside Seamus while Layla sat with Ron and Hermione.

The first years entered, the Sorting Hat sang it's song, the first years were sorted, and the feast began, but throughout it all, Layla and Hermione simply stared at the main entrance to the Great Hall, willing Harry to enter.

Dinner had almost ended and Harry had yet to appear; Hermione was almost standing at the table, anxiously scanning the hall. Ron grabbed her sleeve and pulled her back into her seat.

"He'll be here soon," he said, and returned to eating his chicken. Hermione picked up her copy of Advanced Potion Making and smacked him on the arm. "Ow! What was that for?" demanded Ron.

"Will you stop eating?" Hermione nearly shouted. "Your best friend is missing!"

Layla found she had to agree with Hermione, but Ron simply nodded towards the main doors to the Great Hall and said, "Turn around, you lunatic!"

Harry had arrived, and he was approaching the Gryffindor table, looking perturbed and with congealed blood all over his nose.

"He's covered in blood again," said Layla. "Why is it he's always covered in blood?"

"Well, it looks like it's his own this time," Ron offered helpfully. Hermione smacked him again as Harry sat down at the table beside Layla, opposite Ron and Hermione.

"Where've you — blimey, what've you done to your face?" said Ron, goggling at Harry along with everyone else in the vicinity.

"Why, what's wrong with it?" said Harry, grabbing a spoon and squinting at his distorted reflection.

"You're covered in blood!" said Hermione.

"Here—" Layla raised her wand, said "Tergeo!" and siphoned off the dried blood.

"Thanks," said Harry, feeling his now clean face. "How's my nose looking?"

"Normal," Layla chuckled.

"Why shouldn't it?" said Hermione anxiously. "Harry, what happened? We've been terrified!"

"I'll tell you later," said Harry curtly.

"But—" said Hermione.

"Not now, Hermione," said Harry, in a darkly significant voice as dinner disappeared from the table to be replaced with pudding.

"You missed the Sorting," said Layla, as Ron dived for a large chocolate gateau.

"Hat say anything interesting?" asked Harry, taking a piece of treacle tart.

"More of the same, really," Layla shrugged, "advising us all to unite in the face of our enemies, you know."

"Dumbledore mentioned Voldemort at all?"