Enchanted By The Thought

THREE: Vanishing Cabinet

I just want to go somewhere where nobody knows my name.

Beth watched as Harry draped the cloak over them, his eyes flicking around to see if anyone had noticed. They all disappeared under the Invisibility Cloak that their father gave to him. The air shimmered around them; Beth saw the door open and close on it's own accord. She hesitated; follow them or find the others? She looked over at her friends, who were currently distracted by a weird slime. She nodded to herself before she slunk after the trouble-makers, silently padding along behind them. Puffle squeaked in her hands and she slipped him into the pocket of her robes as she trailed along.

It was not hard to follow them when you know what to look for. They pursued a familiar blonde-haired boy. Notorious for the name 'Draco Malfoy'. A ferret.

She almost lost them a couple times as they darted into darkness. But still, she followed because she could feel the curiosity burning in her brother. His emotions left a bright trail for his twin to follow. When she finally caught up to them, she heard them whispering and she strained to hear, frustration bubbling up. "That's him, isn't it?" She heard Hermione whisper, "Turning left?"

"Big surprise!" Ron muttered darkly.

She craned her neck around the corner and saw Malfoy glance around before scurrying down Knockturn Alley. "Quick! Before we lose him!" The girl heard Harry hiss and she could hear the faint sounds of footsteps.

She followed the sound, staying close to the shadows. She shivered as soon as she was forced to step in them. Knockturn Alley always gave her the major creeps. "Ouch!" Harry yelped and a sharp pain hit Beth. She flinched, surprised.

"Quiet! He's in Borgin and Burkes!" Hermione spat, another muffled thud echoing. Beth bit her lip to keep from giggling. Go Hermione. She felt the small twinge of annoyance her brother felt. She looked for the store that they were talking about; she heard it sold terrible things that people actually bought. She pulled her wand out and whispered under her breath. Malfoy's words drifted to her, slowly. "... you know how to fix it?"

"Possibly..." A raspy voice answered and shivered ran along her body at the voice. He sounded like the creepy guy you'd see ogling at passing girls.

"Can you?" Malfoy snapped, his impatience clear, even for her. What was he so anxious about?

"I'd need to see it. Can you bring it in the shop?" The voice answered slowly and deliberately. It seemed to not be taking Malfoy seriously.

"No!" Malfoy said quickly, sounding taken aback. There was silence and Beth's attention shot back to her brother as she felt his curiosity spike. She heard him whispering furiously to his friends. Suddenly, Malfoy strided out of the store, looking frustrated. Beth scrambled back from sight, slipping into the darkness. She pressed her back against the wall, holding her breath.

Malfoy glanced in her direction, as if sensing her. He slowed down, his hand inching toward the sleeve of his robe. She pushed herself harder against the wall, wishing desperately she could blend in. What if he caught her? Malfoy stopped completely, his eyes narrowed. Her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

The the air shimmered and Hermione appeared out of thin air, her eyes on Beth. She disappeared quickly once again but Malfoy glanced away, drawn to the movement; Beth took that moment to slip from the shadows. Malfoy was looking around him as Beth sprinted away, her heart racing.

Beth felt Puffle stir from sleeping and almost had a heart attack; she'd totally forgotten he was in her pocket. She rounded the corner and spotted Mrs. Weasley standing outside of Fred and George's store. She skidded to a halt and bent over, gulping in air. Her chest burned and she could feel a stitch in her side. Mrs. Weasley was anxiously looking around, along with a very worried Hagrid. She spotted Harry's twin immediately and the relief on her face was instant. "Beth! There you are! Thank Merlin. Have you seen Harry?" She noticed Harry wasn't beside Beth and the worry returned. Hagrid lumbered over to the smaller females, his eyes filled with fear.