So the twins and Hermione showed him the map, how to activate and deactivate it, and pointed out how to get out of the school. They made sure he knew how to get in the tunnels, and discussed the best ways to go. Harry was still thinking sci-fi, and wondered if he could set up some sort of magical radar that would work like the map. That way he'd have one wherever he went. That would be so wicked.
"Well, I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to make my escape," Harry sighed, after looking out the window and seeing nothing but stars.
"Why?" Fred asked.
"The bank is closed, isn't it?"
"Harry, Harry, Harry, you live in the world of magic, which has sentient creatures that are not welcome to, or just can't, roam about during daylight hours. Do you really thing beings as greedy as goblins would pass up on such a market?" George asked with a sad shake of his head.
"Really? They're open? Great, let's plan my escape," he said, leaning forward about to layout his idea.
"Harry, you can't," Hermione said with a shake of her head.
"Why?" the amnesiac asked confused.
"It's after curfew, you'll be expelled," she answered at his muddled look.
"Your point?" he asked with lifting of his eyebrow.
"Right, I forgot, you really don't want to be here," she said biting her lip. This was a big step away from her comfort zone. But in her thinking earlier, she realized that she really didn't want to throw away three years of friendship simply because Harry gained a mind of his own. It was after all something she had been nagging him to do for years.
"Are you going to tell the teachers?" he asked, wondering what she was going to do.
"No. But, I won't lie, not for you or anyone," she said defiantly, remembering the horrible feeling the one time she lied to the teachers, but she couldn't put that at Harry's, or Ron's, feet since they didn't ask her to. That and she was so horrible at it, that she was surprised that they believed her.
"That's fine, I wouldn't ask you to," he said with a shrug. He would never ask a friend to break their morals. That's not what friends did, as long as she held her tongue then it was fine.
"Oh, right, well then, I'd better go, so I don't know your plan," she said hastily as she got up and headed for the door.
"Goodnight," the male voices said as one, making their owners chuckle. Then the boys planned.
Meanwhile in the headmaster's office, Dumbledore's POV
McGonagall, Snape and Sprout were sitting in the headmaster's office going over what they learned from the shopkeepers near the Leaky Cauldron. Albus had given them a list of who to talk to, so it was much easier then investigating the entire neighborhood.
"There really isn't much to report," Pomona said as she handed the written version of the questions she asked and who she had asked them to. The answers were on separate parchments. "The man at the coin shop said he exchanged some Sickles and Knuts for poor Mr. Potter, so he could get some food and shoes. He seemed right pleased that the lad was back at school."
"The man at Regale's Appliances said he chased Harry out of the store many times for loitering," Minerva reported, also handing in her written version.
"The lady at the library confirms that he was there many times reading fiction and fantasy novels, and comic books ," Snape sneered as he all but threw his report on to the desk. He knew even without his memory that the brat was too stupid to research.
"Very well, thank you all for doing this much," the Headmaster said politely as he shuffled the parchments into order. "I am sure that Bartemius will accept these. If not then he can do his own 'legwork', I believe is the word."
"Yes, well, I have classes to prepare for tomorrow," Snape said, standing and shaking out his robe. He then turned and left the room without looking back.
"I do as well," Sprout said as she too moved to leave, though she did stop at the door to say goodnight.
"Thank you again for your reports," Dumbledore said as they left, and then he looked at his transfiguration teacher, who remained in her seat, glaring at him.
"Did you speak to Severus and the Bloody Baron?" she asked primly, looking over her glasses, much like Albus liked to do.
"Yes, Damien says that he saw a young man in Gryffindor robes that night, but did not report it because…" the old man explained, giving her a rundown on what their stories were for the night in question.
"Do you believe them?" was her next question when he had finished.
"Do you believe them?" was her next question when he had finished.
"I am not sure, to be honest. If this had happened any other year, I would have stood by both of them unequivocally. Now, with Harry's name entered the tournament, his running away and his story to you…" he trailed off, lost in thoughts of conspiracies.
"I will keep my eye on Severus," she stated firmly. "I suggest you do the same for the Baron." She then nodded her head and stood from her seat indicating the meeting was over and left.
Dumbledore sighed, popped a lemon drop in his mouth and wondered when he had lost control of his school.
....
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