Annalise

Chapter 24

**Fred's POV**

"What do you mean she's not here?"

I'm staring in horror at Lucas.

"Well, she was a voluntary patient, which means she could leave at anytime..."

"Did she say where she was going?" I demand.

"Well, no..."

I turn and walk away in a daze. Annalise is out there somewhere, who knows where. Someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, but I can't see anything merry about it. I head to Mum's, feeling completely lost.

**Annalise's POV**

"He's coming around," I tap Harry's face and he blinks blearily.

"Annalise?"

"Merry Christmas!" I say, "you're alive!"

"Barely," Hermione mutters, still patching him up. Harry struggles to sit up and rubs his head.

"You came with us?" he asks, looking at me with big eyes.

"Not entirely on purpose," I say, sitting back, "Hermione and I reached you at the same time and she disapparated."

"You would have left her there?" Harry asks Hermione reproachfully.

"Hey, she saved both our lives," I say, as Hermione looks offended, "show a little gratitude."

"Sorry," he says, "thanks, Hermione. Hey, where's my wand?"

We exchange a glance and Hermione fishes out the broken pieces.

"I'm sorry," she says as Harry looks at it in horror, "I tried to fix it, but..."

"Wands don't work like that," I say, "we can get you another one."

"It's fine," he says, his lips thin, "fine."

I glance around the space and shiver.

"Are we staying here?" I ask, "if we are, maybe some protective spells?"

"Yeah," Hermione nods, "come on."

She shows me how to put up the tent, and which spells they use.

"Where exactly are we?" I ask as we sit in the tent, sipping tea.

"The Forest of Dean," Hermione says, "I came here with my parents once, camping. It was just the same..."

She trails off, looking sad. Harry is staring at the pieces of his wand.

"So, how is the mission coming along?" I ask, "have you found any of the horcruxes?"

"Yeah, we found the real locket," Harry says, pushing it towards me. It radiates evil. I don't touch it.

"But we don't have anyway to destroy it yet," Hermione says.

"How is everyone back home?" Harry asks, looking at me hopefully. I'm about to tell them I haven't seen anyone other than Fred in months, but they're both looking at me almost desperately.

"They're all great," I lie, "everyone is keeping really well, fighting however we can."

"That's good," Hermione says, smiling. Harry also looks relieved.

The next morning Hermione places a pile of books in front of me and tells me to start reading. It takes hours to settle down, but once I do, I find myself taking in every word. The sun sets and Hermione starts making dinner.

"Where's Harry?" I ask, stretching. She looks around the tent, then pokes her head out and calls his name. I follow her out.

"Harry! HARRY!"