10 Departure

Harry growled out "Will you please shut the hell up Granger? You're beginning to remind me of Percy who has a stick up his ass as well. As far as the date comment, you aren't my date as I wouldn't touch you if you were the last woman on the Earth."

As she sat there in shock, Harry leaned over and whispered "Tell Meg that she took my breath away and that I…I can't do this. I've got some things to do. Tell her not to worry."

He took a deep breath and threw Cedric a wink as he rose from the table. With a polite "Excuse me, I'm suddenly not feeling so well." He then walked right out the door of the Great Hall abandoning his assigned date and the ball.

Before anyone realized what just happened and went in pursuit, Harry slipped on his invisibility cloak and exited the front doors of the castle. As he made his way across the grounds, he called for Dobby.

"Yes Harry?"

"I think now would be a good time to head to Gringotts. Do you think you could take me there?"

"Dobby can do Harry but we needs to get out of the wards."

"Will the headmaster know we've left?"

"Whiskers will know someone left. It maybe gives Harry enough time to get past the tellers."

Unknown to either one of them, someone was hiding in the shadows and saw Harry come out the door and slip on his cloak. He heard an elf pop in and then watched as two sets of footprints made their way across the grounds. Once they had moved off, Severus said "Good luck Harry."

As soon as they passed the wards, Dobby grabbed his hand and popped them to the lobby of Gringotts. As Harry approached a teller, he said "Greetings Sir, would it be possible for me to inquire about my family's holdings and see if my parents left a will?"

"I am surprised to see you here tonight of all nights Mr. Potter. I'm sure your requests can be met but I will need to summon your account manager as I'm sure he has already retired for the day. One moment please."

"Sir? I have limited time before someone comes looking for me. Would it possible for me to wait somewhere more private?"

The Goblin looked at him warily and asked "May I ask why someone would be looking for you?"

Harry nervously replied "There are those who would prefer that I don't know anything about my family. I have no doubt that they would stun me and lock me up somewhere in the castle."

The Goblin frowned "Surely you are exaggerating Mr. Potter."

"I may be but the fact remains that I have been kept ignorant my whole life of anything to do with my family. Growing up, I was told my parents were drunks who got themselves killed and me injured in a car crash and I didn't even know their names until Hagrid took me to get my school supplies."

The Goblin looked at him for another minute before saying "I can honor your request Mr. Potter. Our customers' privacy is very important to us so if you'll follow me, I'll lead you to a conference room where you can meet with Master Bearclaw."

"Thank you for your help."

"You are most welcome Mr. Potter."

****

Back in the Great Hall, Hermione sat there in shock as she had been dumped in the middle of the ball. It wasn't long before tears slowly rolled down her cheeks at the significance of just how far she had fallen in Harry's eyes. Never before would he have abandoned her and made her look like a fool or even spoke to her that way. To make matters worse, on orders from the headmaster, she had declined an invitation with Victor Krum to the ball. It was at this moment that she started to realize how much the headmaster had interfered with Harry's life and how it was bleeding over into hers as well.

Hermione was brought out of her thoughts as Professor McGonagall came over and asked "May I ask where Mr. Potter has gone?"

Hermione wiped her eyes which ruined her makeup and said "Harry wasn't feeling well and I assume he went to lie down. On that same note, I too have lost my appetitive and am feeling a little under the weather so if you'll excuse me, I think I will do likewise. Good evening everyone."

Hermione stood and slowly strolled out of the Great Hall and made her way up to her dorm room. She was deep in thought as her feet led her along a familiar path that ended in her dorm room.

As she removed her gown and changed into her sleepwear, she cast a quick glance in the mirror which showed her make up smeared face. She made her way into the bathroom where she washed her face.

She took a long hard look in the mirror and thought that no amount of makeup could ever cover up the shame that she saw on her face at what she had done to Harry. With tears once again running down her cheeks, she crawled into bed and started sobbing only to be joined by Crookshanks who jumped up and curled up next to his mistress to help sooth her.

Across the table, Viktor Krum was scowling as he watched the scene in front of him. He asked Hermione to the ball because he could see that she was alone and without support. She would have been an easy target to charm and then possible take back to the ship so that he could take advantage of her vulnerability. He was aggravated when she declined and then showed up with the younger champion. His mood started to lift as Harry walked out therefore giving Viktor another opportunity but it was soon dashed with the departure of his intended target.

Cedric had watched as Hermione walked away. He could see that Hermione was at a critical point in her life and hoped that she would choose a better path than the one she had been following. He caught Megan's eye and just shook his head letting her know that they would speak later.

With all the drama done for the moment, he turned back to his date and gave her small smile as he rejoined the other champions in conversation during dinner. As he was watching the scene around him, he noticed McGonagall walk over to the headmaster and whisper in his ear.

Once she was finished, he watched as he said something in return and then the Head of Gryffindor House walked out of the hall. Cedric smirked as he knew the fireworks were only about to begin.

...

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