With that final shot, Harry turned and left the Great Hall. The whole room was silent save for the sound of the echoing of great doors slamming shut. The persisted for ten seconds before Padma was out of her seat and running after Harry. A heart beat later, Hermione, Daphne, Ron, and Ernie followed her out. The entire school watched them leave.
As soon as the door swung shut again, a voice was heard.
"May I ask what in Merlin's name just happened in here?"
As one the student body and the teachers at the head table turned to the side entrance where McGonagall, Dumbledore, and Snape had just entered. The Gryffindor Head's lips were pushed together so hard they were white. The anger and disapproval were easy to see. Dumbledore looked like someone had just kicked a puppy. Snape just sneered.
"I will have an answer to my question," McGonagall demanded resembling a lion much more than a house cat.
....
Harry stormed out the Great Hall. The rational part of his mind knew he'd lost his temper. The stupid comment from that Slytherin arse wasn't worth his level of response. But it was everything since his return twelve hours ago - the scorn, accusations, and mistrust - he was past his limit. The two days away from Hogwarts made the cloud he'd been living under all too clear.
"Dobby," he called. In a pop the little elf appeared.
"Harry Potter sir call his Dobby?" the elf asked. Surprisingly, Dobby looked angry. Dobby must have caught his glance because he volunteered, "Dobby see what happen in Great Hall. Thems deserve all great Harry Potter say to them." The elf's loyalty almost made Harry smile.
"I need somewhere to go, Dobby," Harry said. "Somewhere they won't find me and I can release this anger without hurting anyone. I need some time."
Dobby looked excited. "Dobby know! The Come-and-Go Room! It gives what one needs!" Dobby grabbed Harry's hand and blinked away.
A second later, the doors to the Great Hall opened again as Harry's friends ran out but Harry was no longer in sight.
Dobby and Harry appeared in a distant part of the castle. Harry looked around and recognized some of the tapestries as being in the seventh floor hall. There wasn't much up here except for some unused classrooms and offices. Even students looking for a place to snog didn't come up here much it was so far out of the way. Still, if they searched the school there weren't any good places to hide on this floor. He said as much to Dobby.
"No, Harry Potter. The entrance to the Come-and-Go Room is secret! You must pass by here three times thinking about what you need and the door will appear."
Following the elf's direction, Harry walked up and down the hall thinking about what he really needed. And as he passed the third time the door appeared as promised.
With a smile at Dobby, Harry opened the door and was stunned.
The room contained an entire forest! He could smell it and hear the birds. A small path lead from the door into the forest. Harry stepped into the room and the door closed behind him and disappeared. He was shocked that he was now standing in the middle of a forest with no idea where he was. Tentatively he put a hand out and the door reappeared when he touched it. When he took his hand away the door disappeared again.
"It's a holodeck," Harry said in a shocked tone.
He moved a rock onto the path near the door to mark the exit before proceeding down the path. Just out of sight from the door he found a small cottage. A quick investigation showed it was fully stocked with food and a neat bed that looked rather comfortable. One wall also contained a book shelf filled with tomes on many magical subjects. Harry briefly looked through the book titles and was impressed. But his surprise was waning and he had a need to take care of before he could look at the books. But he did have to do one thing first.
"Could I make a mirror call, please?" he called out. A nearby wall rippled and a mirror appeared. He walked up to it. It seemed to be a standard model.
"Sirius Black," he said. Ten seconds later, Sirius appeared on the mirror with a grinning face.
"Hey, furball! How was the…." Sirius stopped and his face lost the humour. "What's wrong?"
"Yah, things here have gone to shite," Harry started. He quickly brought Sirius up to date on all that had occurred since Harry's return to Hogwarts.
"I had to get away before I killed someone, Padfoot. Bad as the shopping was, I think coming back here made me realize how much pressure I was under. I need to let loose but I didn't want you to worry when Dumbledore calls you." Sirius nodded his tanks but he looked worried.
"I had enough shopping," Harry adds with a vain attempt at a smile.
"Where are you?"
"Some place safe," Harry answered. "Dobby brought me here." Sirius nodded. He knew better than anyone how devoted the elf was to Harry. Dobby wouldn't take Harry anywhere that wasn't safe.
"Work it out and then call me," the Marauder instructed his godson. "I'll let your friends know and stonewall Dumbledore. Any ideas on the fairies?"
"A couple odd scents but nothing else. Too busy dealing with the idiocy that infects the castle."
Sirius smiled a bit. "Okay. Have a good run. Thanks for checking in."
"Thanks, Sirius." Harry ended the call.
Ten seconds later, the Beast suddenly surged out of the neat cottage with a roar that startled the nearby animals. Whether this was real or merely a simulation, the animals knew that something was on the hunt.
Dresden Omake
Harry enjoyed walking the halls of Hogwarts by night. The school had a stillness and quiet that he found relaxing. With the danger of the Unseelie in the school it might not have been the smartest thing to do but Harry needed some alone time with his thoughts. But just in case he had his wand ready.