The Domino Effect [DRARRY]

4.

Not like I need to depend upon anyone, since I can see the lack of need for you to be here at all. - Nickleback

Ron was pacing back and forth in the Gryffindor common room. It wasn't like Harry to be gone all day, and he was more than a little worried. Sure, he was Harry Potter, and he was more than capable of taking care of himself, but what if something had happened to him?

After finally getting over his attack of nerves that morning, he'd showered and gone down to breakfast, half expecting to find Harry there. He hadn't, so after eating he'd gone down to the pitch and had a look around. No such luck there either. He figured that Snape must've found Harry and they were probably in his office or the classroom or something.

Wanting to know what was going on, Ron went back to his dorm room and looked for the Marauder's Map in Harry's trunk. Finding it missing, as well as the Invisibility Cloak, he surmised that Harry was either snooping somewhere in the school where he shouldn't be, or that he'd heard Snape was looking for him and he was hiding out. He figured he'd ask Hermione if she knew where Harry was, and then headed to the library to find her. He knew that she'd be there; she always was.

Of course, Hermione had no idea where Harry was, and after listening to Ron carry on about Snape and how Harry might be in trouble, she rolled her eyes at him and reminded him that Harry was seventeen years old, had faced down Voldemort on several occasions, and was in no danger from Snape to begin with. Then she told him that if Harry hadn't made an appearance by dinner they would look for him.

Well, it was now after dinner and there had been no sign of Harry.

"I just don't understand how you can be so calm about it, 'Mione!" Ron turned to her with an angry look on his face. "He's been gone since before I woke up this morning. Something could have happened to him!"

"Yes, that's true, Ron, but," Hermione reached out and laid her hand on Ron's arm, "we don't know that for sure. Both the map and the cloak are gone, so maybe he had plans. A girl he was meeting up with, perhaps."

"Or he could be off doing something dangerous and stupid for Dumbledore!" Ron exploded in anger.

"Or, he could be right here watching you make an arse of yourself," Harry spoke up from where he had just entered the room.

"Harry!" Ron strode quickly across the room toward him and punched him on the arm. "Where the hell have you been all day? Snape was in our room this morning looking for you! Snape, Harry! And he was standing over me when I woke up. It was a bloody nightmare I tell you!"

Harry cracked a grin and shook his head. "Sorry 'bout that, did he say what he wanted?"

"Only that you were to report to him immediately. Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"No, just some Order stuff," Harry lied. "It's no big deal; I'll go see him now and get it over with." Harry turned to go when Hermione stopped him.

"Harry? Where were you all day?"

"Oh, I was holed up in an empty classroom. Reading." Harry hoped she bought it, seeing as how he wasn't really lying to her.

Hermione looked at Harry skeptically but then, noticing his bloodshot eyes, seemed to be satisfied with his answer. "Alright then, Harry. We'll see you when you get back from your meeting with Snape." Harry nodded to her, grinned at Ron and then stepped back out into the hall.

Oh well, he thought, I wanted to see if Snape would give me a sleeping draught anyway.

~!~