Chapter 2
“I don’t think our efforts are helping.” Harry mumbled the next morning. Once again Ron hadn’t shown up for breakfast.
“He’ll be okay.” Ginny assured. “Just give him a little more time.”
“I’m glad you’re so confident.”
“It’s like we keep telling you Harry,” Fred cut in. “This will blow over. He used to have times like this when we were younger. He’d go all quiet and Mum would think something was wrong.”
“And take him to the doctor.” George picked up when Fred paused. “Which wouldn’t help. Then something would distract him or he’d just come out of it on his own.”
A moment of silence enveloped their area as Hermione walked in and made a beeline to join them. She noticed Ron’s absence and frowned.
Pulling out her chair, she was about to say something when Harry cut her off.
“I think the only thing that’ll help is if Katie let him join the team,” he said.
“I don’t think she’ll do that, she already made her choice,” Ginny commented, reaching for her drink.
Harry sighed, racking his brain for anything that would get Ron on the team. Suddenly he remembered something. It was crazy, but it might work. His eyes lit up with excitement.
“Wait, I know a way!” He exclaimed.
“Are you all right?” Fred asked edging away from him as Harry smiled broadly.
“Substitutes! That’s what he could be, a substitute, in case someone gets injured or sick before a game! Remember my first year when we didn’t have a substitute Seeker?”
“Ah, there aren’t any substitutes in Quidditch.” Fred reminded them.
“Not DURING the game.” Harry stated. “But there is no rule about it BEFORE the game begins.”
“Ah, we see,” the twins said in unison, their eyes glinting with mischief.
“Although, Ron couldn’t be your substitute. He stinks as a Seeker.” George pointed out.
Harry shook off the comment, continuing enthusiastically. “But if there’d been one more person, Wood wouldn’t have had to forfeit the game. It wouldn’t matter if he was good at the position or not, he’d just have to play!” Harry leapt up too excited to sit any longer. “I’m going to see Katie.” This was great! If he could only convince the captain that a substitute was a good idea then everything would be perfect. They’d get a relief player, Ron would be on the team and Harry would have his friend back.
“You may have a point Harry,” George mused. “After all, the Slytherin team looks pretty nasty this year.”
“Having an extra player would be an ace up our sleeves.” Fred agreed. Harry didn’t need to hear any more. He headed off to find Katie. If all went well he’d have good news for Ron by the beginning of their first class.
As he hurried back to Gryffindor, Harry suddenly realized Ron hadn’t been in his bed that morning. He’d assumed that he’d gone to breakfast, but obviously he hadn’t. Or maybe he’d just gotten there really early and Harry had missed him. That was more likely since no one had heard him get up. Oh well, no time to wonder about it. I have to find Katie.
Katie was actually on her way to the Great Hall, so Harry ended up turning around and walking back with her. He told her his idea. She thought about it for a few minutes nodding every so often as he pointed out the pros of having a substitute.
“Muggle teams always had substitutes in case of injury or illness,” Harry argued. “Why shouldn’t we? There’s nothing in the rulebook against it as long as the substitution is before the game, right?”
“Not that I can remember,” Katie replied shaking her head. “I’ll have to talk to the rest of the team, but it sounds like a good idea. I wonder why we’ve never done it before?” she mused as they walked.
Thrilled, Harry couldn’t wait to tell Ron that he had a second chance to make the team. Hurrying to his first class he sat waiting for Ron to show. He never did. He didn’t appear for their second class either. By lunch Harry was worried. Maybe he’s really sick and went to the hospital wing, he thought as he bypassed the Great Hall heading instead for the hospital wing. Jogging down the corridors, he hoped Ron was all right.
Three-quarters of the way there he ran into a roadblock.
“Running in the halls, tsk, where’s a teacher when you need one?” Draco Malfoy drawled, tapping a finger against his chin.
“Out of my way Malfoy, I need to see Madame Pomfrey.”
“Really?” Malfoy arched one pale eyebrow. “Not feeling well?”
Snarling, Harry strode towards Malfoy purposely. Surprisingly Malfoy moved aside. Once passed Harry broke into a run again. He’d gone only a few yards when he heard footsteps behind him. He didn’t have to look behind him to know who it was. Malfoy was dogging his every move. Unable to shake the pesky Slytherin, Harry continued to the hospital wing.
Staring at the two boys, Madame Pomfrey shook her head at Harry’s inquiry.
“Mr. Weasley isn’t here,” she said briskly. “Nor has anyone spoken to me about him.”
“Um…well, thank you,” Harry murmured. He didn’t like this. Where was Ron? Turning away, he plotted his next course of action. I think it’s time I spoke to Professor McGonagall.
“Well, it looks like Weasley ran away.” Malfoy jeered as Harry started off to McGonagall’s office. “Couldn’t take living in your shadow I guess.”
“He didn’t run away,” Harry snapped. “He must be here somewhere.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Malfoy said, a smug smile settling on his face.
“Shut up Malfoy.” He growled, turning to give him the dirtiest look he could muster. They glared at each other for a moment before Harry looked away. He had to talk to the professor.
Knocking on her door a few minutes later, he prayed that Ron was there, talking to her. It was a slim chance, but maybe…
“Yes Mr. Potter? Mr. Malfoy?” The Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor asked upon opening the door. “Shouldn’t you two be on your way to class?” Harry looked guilty, but this was important.
“Professor. Ron’s missing. He wasn’t in class and he isn’t in the infirmary.”
“Strange. Have you checked the library or the dorms?” She suggested.
“Hermione checked there between classes and didn’t see him. He wasn’t at breakfast either and he wasn’t in his bed this morning,” Harry told her. McGonagall frowned. “It’s like he vanished.”
“Vanished?” McGonagall suddenly looked sharply at Harry. “Really?” Harry nodded. She took her eyes off the two students and thought for a moment. “I should report this to Dumbledore.”
“I still say he ran away. Ran away with his tail tucked between his legs.” Malfoy said feeling pretentious.
“Let us hope that it’s something as simple as that.” McGonagall replied. “If it’s not then we could have a serious problem on our hands. Mr. Potter, you and Mr. Malfoy should go or you’ll be late for Potions class. Here are two passes that excuse you.” She dug into her robes and produced two small slips of paper. “Now I must go see Dumbledore.” With that she gave them the notes and ushered them down the hall.