New Beginnings

Chapter 8

Harry wasn't sure whether it was the potion or something else but Ron had been unconscious for two days. 

He didn't worry about too much, he was going to kill Ron anyway and it meant there wasn't any annoying screaming either. He was already prepared for escape attempts but no one could get out of the Chamber without parsel and one had to be very specific at the main pipe and ask for stairs.

Hilariously no one noticed that Ron was missing for the first day, by the second everyone was starting to become suspicious. The lack of the boisterous, hot headed ginger wasn't unwanted but did turn the rumour mill. And it was only Wednesday.

Harry's current favourite was that Umbridge had murdered him in detention and thrown the body into the lake for the giant squid to eat.

Hermione had acted like it was blessing, going on about the lack of stupidity around her with the normal condescension however the next day had come into the boys dorm to drag Ron down only to find the empty bed.

After that she'd squeaked out an excuse of going to the library and probably went to Dumbledore instead. Ginny herself was pretending Ron was playing a massive prank but was obviously becoming more worried than she let on. The youngest boy never being known to do anything that could be consider a prank or even purposely funny. That was the twins area of expertise.

With everything fresh in the students minds, especially after last year with Cedric, Harry figured he'd need this be exposed to the outside and especially the Weasley family as a whole. But there was no one he trusted enough to make a big hit. The only person being Rita who'd Hermione had kidnapped.

Harry, on a stroke of genius, convinced Parvati that Hermione had taken his pet beetle and got the girl to retrieve it for him.

"Here Harry, but quick question why would she take your beetle." Parvati frowned, a bit confused but still happy to do Harry a favour. She handed over the jar easily, eyeing the tiny beetle with curiosity.

"Ah she was just making a good habitat, had read something about bugs. You know 'mione" Harry grinned, rubbing the back of his neck and saw the moment Parvati believed him. "Hey i just want to apologise for the dance last year, I was a jerk."

"That's alright, I met a cute French girl so it doesn't matter." Parvati waved it away beaming. "Bye Harry."

Harry dumbly stared after her, thrown by the turn of events. Recovering, he quickly exited the common room and took the jar all the way to the Whomping Willow, hoping no one saw him with it in the castle. Unluckily he had to resort to stuffing the jar up his jumper at one point.

He got her into the Shrieking Shack, making absolutely sure no one saw him as he entered.

"Why?" Rita asked the second she was freed. After glancing around in disgust.

"I need your help and unless you want to go back into that jar you will."

Rita glared but it wasn't effective.

"Anyway Rita, I thought you lived for a good story."

"Like what?" Her interest piqued. Shoving her cracked glasses higher onto her nose. Harry decided he buy her gold ones if the articles went above and beyond, normal ones would be fine for now.