Just Walk Away

Taking Action

Hogwarts was silent as dusk began to settle over the grounds. As the sun sunk behind the hills in the distance, the inhabitants of the castle found themselves drifting inside to end the day. The builders and cleaners that were working to bring the castle back to its former glory took a sigh of relief as they packed up to go home for the night. Those staying in the castle finished up their dinners and began to congregate into their respected rooms. However despite the calmness of nature around them, there was a quiet nervousness over a small but select group of people.

This group of people were still sitting in the Great Hall discussing the possibilities of where their hero, Harry Potter could be. He had left the castle two days prior to meet with the Muggle Prime Minister and still had yet to return. As his second day being gone began to come to a close, those closest to him began to worry.

Many speculated where he was at. Some felt that the Muggle Prime Minister felt threatened by Harry and had him killed. Others say that no one, especially a silly muggle could defeat Harry Potter and that he was probably just defeated dark wizards on his way home. These speculations of course came from his more adoring fans.

However those he considered friends and family were concerned for other reasons. Ron and Hermione knew that Harry could handle himself in a fight but they were unsure of why he would say away so long unless something was wrong. The Weasleys and the professors had similar thoughts.

The only ones whose speculations were unique were Neville Logbottom, Susan Bones, and Ginny Weasley. Neville and Susan, who Harry had spent much of his time with over the last week or two, knew that he had been having thoughts of doing something, although they were still unsure as to what. Ginny however, knew from her last conversation with her ex boyfriend knew that he had considered leaving the wizarding world and she was afraid that he had done so.

As the sky continued to darken, Professor McGonagall finally spoke. "Has anyone heard anything from him?"

Everyone shook their heads. Hermione gripped Ron's hand in hers tightly. "Something is wrong. He wouldn't just stay away like this without a reason." She looked to Kingsley. "What happened when you went to the Prime Minister's office?"

"He wasn't there. I even waited there for a few hours and he never showed up." Kingsley replied, his tone thick with concern. He was the one who set up the meeting with the Prime Minister. If something had happened to Harry....

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall sat up straighter. "Someone just entered the wards." She stated simply as she stood and made her way out the door. Kingsley, Ron, Hermione, and Neville followed silently gesturing for everyone else to stay behind.

They arrived at the front doors just as they opened to admit the one person that they were just discussing.

Harry stumbled through the door exhausted from his day. After learning the things he did and working with Ragnok and the Prime Minister to get everything ready, the only thing he wanted to do was go to bed. He had purposely stayed out just past dinner time in the hopes that he wouldn't run into anyone.

Therefore he was surprised and somewhat disappointed when as soon as he walked through the door he was greeted by the relieved shouts of his friends.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed as she finally caught sight of him. He supposed that he looked like quite a mess. After the Queen had given her consent to go ahead with the plan she had allowed the Prime Minister and Harry to stay at the Palace to discuss and finalize the details. Unfortunately there was much more detail then they had originally anticipated and so had very little time to rest. He knew that he probably looked very raged and tired and it didn't help that he was tripping over his own feet from lack of sleep.