Chapter 54 : Who to Believe ?

A/N : Sorry for the time lag in getting this out, I had an accident with my shoot movement and everything on it was deleted including the first rough drawing of this chapter. But affair are on raceway now, so getting back in the lilt of things, a rewrite of the chapter from the beginning… Read, critique and enjoy !





After taking Simon's sceptre and returning Luna's to her, Harry left the boy magically bound on the couch with Jacey to watch over him. Allowing him to gently deplume her down the hallway to the dusty lavatory, Luna perched on the bound of the inscrutable Victorian-style tub and watched as he searched the tiny cabinets. At last he came up with an ancient first aid kit, pulling out veiling and tape before reaching out to wrick the faucet on the sink. They were both surprised when water actually came sputtering out, a hoary colour at first that quickly turned refreshingly clear. She took the hand he offered her and let him carefully clean the origin from her wrists… she knew he was angry and did her best not to wince or let on that the cutting stung like weirdo. After all, she was the one who let her scare overwhelm her to the point where she'd struggled so violently against the R-2. Simon hadn't seemed at all intent on injuring her, she could have just sat and patiently waited to see what was going to happen rather than struggle her ski binding to the point where she cut into her skin. It was her own fault she'd gotten hurt at all.

He shouldn't have gone so far as to tie you up in the number one place. Harry argued with her view as he leaned down to kiss her now freshly bandaged wrists.

Well, let's go see what he so badly wanted to narrate us. She softly suggested, reaching out to run her finger's breadth through his hair in that way she knew he found soothing. She needed him to quiet down and agnise the need to contend was over, to receive an open mind and really listen to what Simon had to say. Her vision was becoming clearer to her now that she been able to sneak a few peek into the boy's mind. He was out to rat his sister before she could bewray him and apparently the victor of their little sibling pettifoggery would become Harry's ally. From her warning she knew Harry was already leaning toward Elanya if not Elise and Sarah… and that had to be because of what they'd seen in Erebos's head. But they obviously needed the whole story and Simon seemed bequeath to provide it.

Together they walked back into the parlour and Luna was relieved to find that Jacey was back to being herself as the potion had completely worn off. If Simon was alarmed by the fact that a unknown girl now stood where Tristram once was he gave no indication. `` I'm sorry Luna. '' He blurted out as soon as he saw her.

'' That's easy to say now that you've been caught. '' Harry muttered, glaring at the boy as he slumped down on the other lounge. `` So ? Let's hear it, what's this big revelation you have to parcel with us ? ``

'' Can't you undo the binding spell ? I promise I'll just sit here, I won't do anything. '' Paul Simon pleaded.

'' Your word doesn't mean much to me at the moment. '' Harry returned, refusing to let go of the spell.

Simon sighed and nodded. `` Yeah, I guess I can see why. ``

'' Just say us what you have to say ... '' Luna said, sitting succeeding to Harry and locking her gaze on Simon. She pushed the flavor she wanted to visualize outward and watched as both boys visibly relaxed, though Harry alone knew what she was doing as he was the exclusively one aware of this small extra power of hers. She just wished she had better ascendency of it.

'' And why don't you start with what the hell you were thinking when you decided taking us hostage was the adept way to ca-ca your percentage point. '' Harry crossed his arms, refusing to be lulled into calm and shaking off the upshot she was trying to spread around the room.

'' Big gestures are the simply way to get multitude to mind. '' Paul Simon said quietly repeated himself from before. `` Like I said, that philosophy worked for my parents before they were killed and it's certainly worked for Elise all these years. I wasn't going to ache either of you… I needed you both there and so I figured I could use Luna to keep you listening rather than attacking me… I guess I figured that if you saw how grave I was you would conceive me. I was going to let you into the classroom, but you let yourself in first. '' He looked at Harry almost accusingly, clearly implying that he blamed Harry's rashness for so many things going wrong.

'' What did you really expect me to do when you go around tying people up ? '' He returned angrily. Luna reached out and grabbed his arm to keep him from leaping to his understructure in indignation… she knew they all had to rest rational and sort through this, it was important.

'' It doesn't issue, you'll never believe me now. ``

'' Why ? Because you are now the jailed one instead of them ? '' Jacey scoffed from her station leaning against the wall.

'' You can trust that one or all of us will get it on whether you're telling the truth. '' Luna quietly assured him.

Simon Zelotes slowly nodded. `` Yeah, I guess you're right… I do lie with that about you. And so does Elise, which is why she had to project so carefully. I know you figured out the spy is Erebos. But what you don't know is that she wanted you to see it out… so that you would research his promontory and bump the store of her asking him to set up Elanya. She knows about your magnate and so she's decided to use them against you. '' He said with a sly smile before looking right at Jacey. `` Except for you, they have no idea about you. Elise has had Erebos trying to find out, but apparently Dumbledore has been very careful to hold open you and former visitant a mystery from those prof he doesn't faith. I promise, whoever you are, they still have no idea about you though they'd very much like to find out. ``

'' You don't need to worry about her or who she is. '' Harry said, noting to Luna and Jacey that they had to be measured not to say her name in strawman of the boy. `` Just tell us why you've apparently decided to become on your sister. ``

'' You have to understand… I never fit into Elise's life. '' Simon looked down sadly. `` I was less than a year old when our parents were killed… even after Voldemort was gone they, like so many others, refused to kibosh fighting and were cornered. Rather than be captured by the Ministry, they forced the Aurors to wipe out them. Elise was 16 at the time and the only living family I had. Rather than ask care of me, she decided to dump me at the orphanhood, but she would at to the lowest degree make out visit every year on my natal day. When I was ten she came back for me, cook to take away her place as my guardian. But it was only because she knew I was about to be heading off to schooltime and she was hoping to mold me into someone she could use to start setting up her plans. I guess she knew Voldemort was attempting to come back and that his followers were doing everything in their power to make it encounter. She saw this war coming and decided long ago that she would be no one's follower, that she would make her own place in the humankind. When I came to Hogwarts and wasn't sorted into Slytherin like everyone else in our family, she was livid. But then she figured Hufflepuff was better as no one would suspect me there. For years I did everything she asked me to do because she threatened to leave me again if I didn't and all I knew was that I never wanted to go back to the orphans' asylum. But everything she wanted seemed harmless and nothing she asked of me made any sense… not until this year. ``

Herb Simon shook his head and sighed before continuing on. `` I received a letter of the alphabet the conclusion week of schooling this yesteryear summer from Elise telling me we would be departing for Australia the mo I got back. Well, she wasn't waiting for me at the wagon train post so I went home and wreathe up overhearing a meeting between her and Voldemort. I listened as she completely manipulated the wickedness Lord into thinking it was his idea to find Sarah Elaine… and then I heard her enjoin him that she planned to kill me as I was going to prove more utilitarian to them dead. I didn't know what to do, I was more panicked of my sister in that present moment than I'd ever been of Voldemort- after all which is scarier, the sword or the expert hand wielding it ? And she knows how to play him very well. So I went with her to Australia and I continued to accompany her orders hoping she would vary her idea. But she didn't because a few days before I was supposed to come back to schoolhouse I heard her talking to Sarah… they plan to kill me while I'm household for the holiday pause and make it count like person else did it. My own sister was going to pour down me and use my corpse to start a scrap. What could I do ? Even if I ran away, they'd just land me right back to her, I'm only sixteen. And who besides the the great unwashed involved in this unhurt scheme would consider the retentive ridiculous level I have to tell ? So the but matter I could do was expose her to the people she was trying to overcome… I chose you guys over Voldemort. Maybe Dumbledore was right about the sorting hat always knowing where people are supposed to go… maybe I'm a good guy, maybe I'm just a bad guy who's looking for the best means of survival, I have no mind either way. I may not the happiest person in the earthly concern, but I'm not ready to die either. So I'll tell you whatever you want to get laid about her and her design. ``

'' You said she wanted us to go looking in Erebos's head, that we were supposed to see her set up Elanya… why ? '' Luna asked, her gut telling her this was an important question in terms of Fred's fate. She was trying not to sympathize with Herb Simon, but he seemed to have gotten stuck with a pretty miserable life… but still, there was something about him she found unsettling and so that allowed her to keep some sort of an emotional detachment.

He nodded and offered a grin. `` You wouldn't believe how yearn Elise has been plotting. A long spell ago, after your group and Voldemort's destroyed the Ministry, she snuck in during the confusedness and looked up the files on every John R. Major participant on either side. Using that data, she was able to figure out not only what you and Harry here can do, but also how you, your champion and Voldemort's allies would react in any spot. Originally we went to Australia this summer to discover a guy named Adam who was apparently postcognative. We traced him to a niggling pub where he liked to save his articles but we never even talked to him… it was like the minute she saw him, she knew he wasn't what she wanted. That's when Elanya approached us. Apparently she'd been living there with her nanna who had recently passed away and when those two girls met it was care portion had brought them together. She fit in perfectly and Elise instructed her on how to handle Erebos who arrived at the hotel later that day. I guess it didn't matter whether it was Elanya or that Adam guy, Elise had already planned Erebos's persona in all of this… but clearly a young pretty girlfriend would gain more understanding. The item was that when you all figured out he was the spy, you were meant to see Elise talking him into using Elanya, you were meant to conceive she'd been set up and blackmailed the same way they'd done it to your friend Fred. She's probably on that island right now, telling him her sob story so that he'll admit her side and assistance speak you guys into helping her. She was supposed to be a jetty, to learn all the secrets about you that they didn't already know. And then Elanya was supposed to begin causing discord among you all to step down you and make it more likely that you and Harry will desert your bond to Dumbledore and the Ministry and come join them. ``

'' So what you're saying is basically that they want to create their own army of psychics ? '' Harry asked, his voice heavy with doubtfulness as he tried to hide the fact that they were doing something very similar with the coven. Luna felt both his and Jacey's horror at finding out how close Elise had been to getting her hands on Robert Adam, another coven member. She knew it was crucial that they leave as soon as possible to set out approaching mass themselves, before they could be scooped up by somebody else.

'' Yes, as pathetic as that sounds. Why do you cerebrate I thought no one else would conceive me ? But she wants the both of you to link her and Sarah… and she has big plans to use your Quaker Fred to do it. ``

'' Except that Fred isn't just going to live with whatever Elanya tells him. He's no idiot. '' Harry argued.

St. Simon laughed. `` You underestimate Elanya… She can become whatever she has to be in order to convince someone of something. If she, Elise and Sarah have been able-bodied to fool Voldemort for so long, then who is Fred Weasley to hold out them ? ``

'' They won't have a opportunity. We're going to save him from that island. '' He returned darkly. Luna still had a hold of his arm and she could feel him become even tenser as he felt more things were growing beyond his control.

'' I wish you luck with that. I really do. '' Simon grinned.

( BREAK )

Fred had skipped out on lunch and intended to walk the beach until well after nighttime in Leslie Townes Hope of avoiding Elanya until tomorrow… tomorrow when Hermione had claimed they would be coming to get him. But had she been here ? He just didn't know what was literal anymore. But whether he'd seen her in his mind or in real life, one thing had become clear… he couldn't stay here anymore. No thing what, this was going to be his last night on the island. Should Hermione's presence prove to be a hallucination and no one came for him, then he would come up his own way out and go to her. He knew he couldn't apparate, he'd already tried and discovered that like Castellumshire, the Gateway Islands also carried anti-apparation magical spell and the only if citizenry he knew could get around them were Harry and Luna.

A delectable olfactory property wafted through the air, allowing his rumbling stomach to interrupt his provision. Looking up at the sky and using the sun, he was able to mold that while it was well past lunch, it was still too early on for dinner… clearly she knew he'd skipped meal that day and cooked such bang-up smelling food for a intellect. He was tempted to go into the H2O to overtake a Pisces to fry just to swage her plans but decided he was being ridiculous. He knew Elanya was trying to charm him back to the campsite, but just because he went didn't mean he was letting her win. They both knew he was Sir Thomas More than capable of providing for himself, but at the moment he was too hungry to look long enough to catch and cook his own meal. Besides, he'd just decided that no topic what, this was his last Night here… what could it hurt to pass some of it with her ? He would simply go, eat and then give again.

Arriving at the ingroup he saw that neither the food nor Elanya were outside. With a lowering sigh, he opened the pother of the ordinary looking tent and entered the impossibly spacious glamour of the inside. `` fountainhead, I guess it's true what they say… the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach. '' She said upon seeing him, gesturing to the yummy banquet on the ornate table as she sat down. Toying with her seashell necklace, she shot him a seductive smile.

'' Whatever you say. '' He muttered, sitting as far from her as he could before beginning to pile his plate. `` Thanks. '' He said without looking at her, too well trained by Molly to be completely rude. They ate in silence and he could feel her becoming steamed, it only made him more comfortable.

'' Well, I've decided that in the pursuit of continuing a civilized conversation we will play a secret plan of sort. '' She announced after a short while.

'' Boy, it sure is sluttish not to have to think for myself… I wish someone had been making my decisions for me my unscathed spirit. '' He answered sarcastically.

'' Putting your snarkiness aside, I'm offer you a one in a million hazard to understand me better. ``

'' Who says I want to ? ``

She smiled, ignoring his position. `` I'm going to let you ask me whatever you want about anything and I promise to tell you the truth. ``

'' And I'm supposed to believe you ? '' He raised an eyebrow. `` Exactly which one of us do you think is the screwball one, because I've been casting my vote for you for awhile now. ``

'' sense of humour can be a groovy way to block anything real from reaching you. '' She replied steadily. `` seminal fluid on, I know you're curious…. ``

And he was. There were quite a few things he'd like her to bring in up for him, but how could he confide anything she said ? The only way was to test her by throwing in questions he already knew the answer to. `` O.K., I'll play your petty game. But if I think you're lying to me, I'll just go resume my solitary walk. ``

'' Fair enough. '' She rested her chin on her hand and stared at him expectantly, wearing a genuine smiling that reached all the way to her prosperous center. `` So ? ``

'' Why are you doing this to me ? '' He blurted without thinking it through. It was the affair that was most on his mind and so the motion had burst out of him before he could really plan what he wanted to say.

'' Oh Fred… I'm not doing this to you, I'm doing this for you. '' She dropped her gaze slightly as a hint of sadness overcame her. `` Everyone is trapped by something… We're both captive right now, so why not make our Cage the best it can be- a beautiful island paradise ? ``

'' And how exactly are you trapped ? '' He asked though he felt she'd crafted her resolution in order to manipulate his next doubtfulness. Apparently there was something she specifically wanted to blab about and was in the process of directing the conversation. He allowed it simply because he was curious, but he forced himself to recollect that he knew what she was doing.

'' I thought I had fairly bought my way into something when really it was all set up to see my future alliance and obedience. '' She answered, lowering her centre to hide the flash of embarrassment that passed through them.

'' Meaning what ? '' He pushed, intrigued despite himself.

Elanya sighed and shook her chief. `` I've always considered myself to be pretty clever… I'm sure you used to mean the Sami about yourself. Well, let's just say that Elise and Sarah have humbled us both the last few month with the grand scheme they've wrapped around us. ``

'' The difference being that you helped them do it to me. '' He said angrily, brushing off her attempt to get him to empathize with her.

'' Only because I had no choice ! '' She protested. `` When they told me that I had to take you away while they set up things in London I tried to get out of it, I really did. But that's when Elise told me the accuracy, that she'd tricked me and I wasn't even close down to coming up even for the assistance they gave me in getting rid of Edmund. ``

Pushing his home base aside, Fred leaned forward on the board and decided it was time for him to turn the conversation his way so that he could test her honesty. `` And what did you guess you had already done to repay them ? ``

She hesitated as if she really didn't want to tell him. But then she shrugged, remembering that this had all been her musical theme in the first property. `` I thought I had provided the spy… but it turns out he and Elise have a long story together and bringing him into things had always been a part of her plan. They set it up so that he and I would run into each other… I had thought I was being so careful, making for sure I would go into this not owing anyone anything. ``

'' Who's the spy ? '' He pushed, already knowing the answer… that is if Hermione's abbreviated sojourn hadn't been some sorting of delusional mirage.

Elanya met his eye and offered a sad smile. `` Well, what can it injure ? It's not like you'll be able-bodied to warn anyone back at Hogwarts. It's Professor Dolos Erebos. ``

He made indisputable to show an allow amount of surprise, letting his eyes widen and his jaw drop slightly as if this was the first metre he was hearing this. `` Really ? A professor ? ``

She nodded slowly as she carefully studied him. `` I met with him in Australia and he was everything Elise had told me she'd been looking for. I had thought I was the one convincing him to link us but it was all piece of their plan to trap me. ``

'' And why would they go through such work out measures ? '' Fred was almost sure she was telling the Truth so far… Hermione had certainly indicated that Elanya may be in hassle and now the girl was confirming it. He just didn't know why she was telling him all of this, but he may as well use the situation to his advantage and learn as much as he could.

'' Because Elise and Sarah truly believe they can make their own place in this war and that if they have the right form of people on their incline they'll be able to take on both Voldemort and the Ministry. '' She shook her head angrily. `` I was appalled to learn that Voldemort's idea to collect a psychic USA was actually Elise's brainchild. It was how she got him to assist her breakthrough Sarah. But they planned to make friend of the multitude he gathered, to get them to work towards taking over completely. ``

'' So that's how they learned about Luna ? ``

She nodded. `` And Harry ceramicist too. At first Elise and Sarah didn't care who lived or died in conflict while they quietly plotted their own rising. But when Harry started showing his potential and they learned Luna Lovegood was a seer, they knew they wanted them. It's why Elise burned your workshop in Diagon Alley during the summertime. ``

He sat up, suddenly extremely interest. He'd been wondering for a long time the real intellect Elise had targeted his store. `` What do you mean ? ``

Elanya sighed deeply as a face of remorse settled over her. `` Voldemort had a seer named Jasper, he was old and not as near as Luna seems to be. But that didn't matter to Elise, he was all she had and so she'd already convinced him to give his ultimate allegiance to her over Voldemort. He told her that he'd had a vision that something was going to bring Harry to Diagon Alley alone and that Voldemort was going to prepare his move against the boy. She worried about the outcome as she wanted Harry on her side, working with Sarah specifically since they share the same power… of course, she'd only just found Sarah at that time. So not knowing what else to do, Elise decided to set your shop of fire, ensuring not only that Harry wouldn't be alone, but that there would be various Aurors in the expanse. After all, the minister would be sure to reply in full moon force to a report of fire-raising at his son's store. ``

He took a steadying breath, trying to look on the shiny side as he argued with himself… had something brought Harry to Diagon Alley alone that day to face up Voldemort, his Death Eaters and the Dementors, there's no way he could have survived. At least Elise's destruction had kept the unthinkable from happening… he'd much rather have his shop class ruined than his admirer dead. After all, they'd already rebuilt the shop… there wasn't another Harry Potter laying around. `` I remember reading in the theme that Jasper died rather mysteriously. '' He said at last. Of course he hadn't read anything about it, but he recalled Hermione telling him about it during one of their secret conversations.

'' There was zippo mysterious about it. Jasper made the Sami mistake I did by intellection he was an equal in their plans. I guess he was scared enough to want to recount someone about his vision, but he chose the untimely multitude. He saw his own death though not the hand that brought it to him, and then he saw your friends up at Hogwarts using that silly ring to try and contact him from beyond for selective information. He thought it was Voldemort that was going to end his biography so he went to Elise who saw her opportunity. Sarah may not receive a sceptre, but she has mastered many other skills, first and foremost her stellar expulsion. They decided to drink down him so that she could merge with his consciousness and transport herself in his billet when they called him… When it never happened, they guessed that Luna must have seen something and stopped her acquaintance from using the ring. It only made them desire her on their side more, especially since they'd so hastily let rid of Jasper. ``

Fred's mind was reeling. So many things were coming together now, it was impossible that she wasn't telling him the true statement. But his instincts were screaming at him that something deeper was going on. `` Why are you telling me all of this ? ``

'' I don't really know. '' She smiled, crossing her arm and leaning forward. `` I guess I'm tired of you thinking badly of me. I've never gone so long being so thoroughly ignored. Maybe I figured that if you saw that I was as a good deal a victim of their plotting as you are, then perhaps you'd treat me expert while we're stuck here together. ``

'' You made yourself a victim. '' He stated firmly, once more decide to keep himself from empathizing with her. He remembered her once telling him that the advantageously way to perpetrate of a lie was by mixing in the truth… It was clearly a acquisition she had mastered.

Elanya looked away, but even in profile he could see a mixture of disgrace, sorrow and anger settee over her characteristic. `` Yes, I suppose I did. ``

He couldn't help himself, he had to know. `` If you were so intent on killing your father, then why didn't you do it yourself, without involving them ? ``

'' You think I haven't tried before ? ! '' She yelled as she leapt to her substructure and began pacing in agitation. `` Edmund Fritz was a high-profile man who was extremely paranoid… and rightly so. I certainly wasn't the only one who wanted him suddenly and he made certainly that it was nearly impossible to get to him. I was scared to use my unfeigned individuality as his girl to give out to him… I knew that my female parent had sent me away and died trying to protect me because he wanted to use me, to deal me over to Voldemort in a never-ending quest to gain favour from a man who favored no one. I didn't want her to die in vain but it soon became clear that my literal name was going to be the only affair to get me near him. But I knew I couldn't go in alone, that I needed individual strong backing me up in case something went wrong. ``

'' And that's what Elise and Sarah promised you. '' He said quietly, watching her grow more tump over as her tarradiddle went on.

'' It was only after the deed was done that I found out they had wanted to get rid of Edmund anyway. Apparently he'd become jealous of the attention Voldemort was giving the girls and so he was doing his full to undermine them. They figured there was too well a hazard he'd figure out some part of what they were up to and so they knew he needed to go. They must give birth tracked me down, found me in Australia… my grandmother had just died and I'd just gone back there to spend her cobbler's last few days with her… I was in a vulnerable situation and Elise showed up offering me the chance to do the thing I'd been wanting for years. ``

Fred had been careful during the whole conversation, wanting to pick up on any signaling of knavery. For the first-class honours degree clip he found one… her vocalisation had gone up slightly in volume. It could be due to her tuck excitement as she recalled these effect, but he had the nagging feeling that things hadn't happened exactly as she described. What did it count how she and Elise came to join military unit ? Why lie about it ? But he couldn't ask these question and expect any sort of answer. His only hope was to go on and hope he could piece it all together himself. `` Do you regret killing your father ? ``

She stopped pacing and turned to look him straight in the eye. `` Not for a single moment. '' She steadily replied. `` I only regret that I couldn't have been more patient and found a way to do it by myself. When I tried to second out of this whole thing, when I told them I didn't want to be a voice of kidnapping you… Elise made it very clear that despite the treasonably evidence I left at the shot, she could very easily tie me to my father's last. I have no dubiousness that she would send me to Azkaban without a second gear thought. So I had to choose, a jail cell locked away with the monster or stranded on an island with you. I took the well sounding punishment. ``

'' But if you hadn't killed Edmund, you never would have had to make that option. '' He argued.

'' Maybe, maybe not. They could have got found another way of ensuring my cooperation if they really wanted to. The important affair to note here Fred, is that regardless of whether it was me or person else, you would stimulate always wound up on this island. '' She seemed frustrated. Clearly this wasn't going the way she wanted, he wasn't giving her the reply she'd expected…

But then he wasn't going to earmark himself to be like all the former masses she'd been able to wrap around her finger's breadth, he'd always been determined to be stronger than that from the first-class honours degree second she'd walked into his shop. `` You're probably right… We'll never know though will we ? ``

'' Do you hate me ? '' She asked quietly, taking him by surprise.

'' I thought I was the one who got to ask the questions. '' He said with a nervous laugh.

Elanya smiled. It was a slow up coyly confident smiling as she reveled in the fact that she'd finally unsettled him. `` And I've answered them all. Can't you answer just one for me ? ``

'' That wasn't part of the deal. '' He stalled.

She slowly walked over to lean on the edge of the table in front line of him. `` You know, there's only two reasons you won't answer. Either you do hate me but you're too much of a gentleman to say it… though we both know that you're more than willing to tell anyone exactly how you feel about them. So the only other explanation is that you've realized you don't detest me and just can't bring yourself to include it for some mystic grounds. ``

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms as he regarded her with false assurance. `` Or I've simply decided it's respectable not to go through life sentence hating anyone. Of course of action, I could always make an exception if you'd upkeep to push the military issue. ``

'' Has anyone ever told you that you're completely frustrating ? '' She asked with a tight smile.

'' Many times over. '' He grinned easily, once more enjoying that he'd managed to rumple her feathers by not playing directly into her hand.

'' I'm going for a walkway. '' She announced, standing up and taking a deep breath. `` I cooked, you can clean. '' She added before leaving the tent.

Fred looked around feeling completely off sentry duty. She'd never left him alone in the tent before, which had only led him to conceive that she had things to blot out from him here. But clearly her defeat with his want of gullibility had caused an oversight on her behalf and he knew he needed to take advantage of it. He raced to her room, pulling back the flap that separated the space from the rest of the tent and taking a cursory look around before carefully proceeding to go through everything. Ensuring he returned affair to the way he'd found them, he went through all of her hooey hoping to hail across a communication device of some kind… or even just, his wand. After a long and exhaustive search, he came up with neither.

( BREAK )

Harry stared at Simon, trying to determine exactly what he thought of the other boy. He just wasn't sure… he couldn't get past the extreme the guy had gone through in rules of order to have a elementary conversation. But then, had Simon been right ? Would they have listened had he simply approached them and asked to talk ? He shook himself out of his thoughts, refusing to let his anger and confusion make him do anything stupid. `` How do we know that having you tell us all of this isn't part of the plan ? '' He asked. After all, if Elise had gone through so much, then why wouldn't she go even a step further and air in the clown ? Surely she didn't expect them to take St. Simon seriously even if they did bonk he thought he was telling the truth… or at least the truth as she wanted him to fuck it.

He sighed and shook his school principal. `` I had a feeling you'd ask me that. All I can say is that I only know what I've seen and heard. She certainly hasn't told me to come in to you and I doubt she realizes I know that she wants to stamp out me. But has she somehow directed things so that I would come talk to you, I just don't know… anything is possible with her. ``

'' So as far as you know, Elise's whole plan is to meet as many psychics as she can and then fight both sides of the war, hoping to derive out on top ? '' Luna asked quietly and with far more control over herself than Harry could oversee. But he tried to remain calm, to retrieve that they needed to roll in the hay what they were up against… she still had her handwriting on his arm, trying in vain to help him be successful in relaxing though he could sense her edginess at what she was hearing.

'' It's part of her architectural plan. '' Neil Simon seemed a bit uncertain for the first clock time since he'd begun talking. `` I guess even I don't know everything, but I figured if I told you enough, you'd be able to at least block off her doing me in. And yes, I really believe she'd murder me if it helped her cause… She ensured they got rid of Jasper simply because she wanted you Luna, she knows you're a better seer than that old man ever was, you've already helped thwart hers and Sarah's plans a few times. She was trying to avail Voldemort capture you, though she had no design of handing you over… she wants to convince you and Harry both to join her. '' Again he looked directly at Jacey. `` And if she knew you were a firestarter like her, she'd lack you too. ``

'' I am not anything like your miserable sister. '' Jacey said defensively as she cupped her hands together and began rolling them until she had developed a tidy fireball between them. She lifted it over her head and brought it down, engulfing her integral body in flaming as she stood there smiling at them. `` I am much more brawny. '' She laughed, extinguishing herself and leaving no meter reading that anything out of the ordinary had just transpired.

Herbert A. Simon swallowed hard as he stared at her in disbelief… clearly he'd never seen his sister do something like that before. `` sound. '' He said at last. `` Someone should be. They already knew Harry was solid than Sarah, that's why they had to make sure he lost his magnate before they tried to talk to him. ``

'' You're talking about what happened at Azkaban ? How could they possibly know that they weren't going to kill me with that Psychohemia potion ? '' Harry asked in aggravation. They all knew Marvin Neil Simon was telling them the the true, but he just didn't like what he was hearing anymore now that it was going against what he knew had happened. But then, he was quickly learning from the other boy that there luck of things he didn't know about the things that had been happening to him, his booster and his enemies. Elise had apparently been pulling several different drawing string for quite awhile.

'' Because they'd convinced Jasper to work on for them long before then. '' Simon answered carefully. `` True the old guy told Voldemort that some decision was going to lead you to the prison house and right in front of Cho, but it was Elise who made the darkness noble think it was his idea to use Sarah's gift to try and take you out. But Jasper assured her it wasn't going to toss off you, that you were going to get supporter in sentence to save your lifespan but not your power. ``

'' Except Sarah did nearly belt down us at my aunt and uncle's mansion. '' Harry replied, hiding the phantom pain he felt in his hand and leg where he'd been stabbed all those months ago. Glancing at Luna out of the corner of his eye, he remembered her font covered in blood after Sarah kicked her and how her arm had been broken while trying to keep Sarah from killing him. `` She didn't seem too concerned with convincing us to join her then. '' He added angrily as everything from that night came back to him including Ron nearly being burnt to a crisp.

'' Yeah well, as I'm sure you've noticed, the only trouble Elise has in partnering with Sarah is that the woman is More than a little imbalanced. She was only supposed to torment you, it was your muggle syndicate she was supposed to kill in front of you… on Voldemort's guild, not Elise's. But I guess something about them reminded her of all those people she was forced to live with growing up and she came to resent you for putting up with it… She began to really see you as weaker than her and so she alone decided in that consequence that she didn't want you to join them. At least, that's how she explained it to Elise after they broke her out of the hospital and woke her from the coma. Trust me, Elise let her have it for deviating from the program and nearly killing you both. Anyway, Sarah said she really lost command when Luna came in with the ring… she wanted it and they all knew Voldemort wanted it and so obtaining the ring became her main priority above all else, including her refuge as well as yours. By the way, after finding out that you all got out and managed to capture her for a short sentence as well as get your power back, she no longer thinks you're weak. ``

'' I'm flattered. '' Harry said sarcastically.

'' Does she bed that we went into her memories while she was unconscious ? '' Luna asked, squeezing his arm as business organisation overwhelmed her.

But Simon stared back at her in surprisal, allowing them to instantly relax. `` No, not that I'm aware of. I certainly had no melodic theme you'd done that… what did you see ? ``

'' Do not worry about that, we will be the ones to ask the questions. '' Jacey said with authority.

'' What about Cho ? Where does she fit into all of this ? '' Harry picked up where they'd just left off, thinking that what they had seen in Sarah's head at least confirmed that the female child were working together behind Voldemort's back.

He sighed and nodded. `` Well, she's plotting with Sarah only. But whatever plan those two had going, it was in place tenacious before Elise reconnected with Sarah. In fact, I remember Elise trying to talk Sarah into dropping Cho but she had insisted the fille would be valuable again once they broke her out of Azkaban. My guess is that if they manage to get Cho out, Elise will ascertain the opportunity to get rid of her as soon as possible. Just because she and Sarah are close confidants doesn't mean they wouldn't betray each other in a bit if it meant furthering their own agenda. dedication means nix to them. '' Simon the Canaanite said bitterly as he struggled against the spell holding him in home. `` Will you let me go now ? Please ? '' He pleaded.

We have to get back anyway… Dumbledore is looking for us and I think we're in a lot of trouble. Luna said. Harry turned to seem at her and realized she had that far off expression that meant she wasn't completely represent in the room.

'' amercement. '' He waved his verge and released the former boy from the binding.

Neil Simon leapt to his metrical foot to quickly stretch before eagerly reaching into his pouch and pulling out his flask from which he took a foresightful gulp. `` Phew, I needed that. '' He said, wiping his lip with his sleeve. After another swig he seemed LE shaky and nervous.

'' We have to get back to the school, are you going to be okay ? '' Harry asked Jacey.

'' I will be just o.k.. '' She assured him with an promiscuous smile.

'' What are you going to tell them about me ? '' Simon asked, suddenly scared again. `` I never intended it to turn out this way ! I was going to unlock the doorway, I didn't mean for you to actually damage the school ! ``

'' Yeah, this is all my fault. '' Harry rolled his optic. `` upright restrain your mouth shut when we get back there and let me do all the talking. '' He reached out and roughly grabbed the boy's arm before apparating back to Hogwarts with Luna a few moment behind them. They were sure to arrive behind Hagrid's hut where the chances of being seen were very slim.

Silently, they all three made their way up to the castle, running into Hermione in the courtyard. `` Where have you been ? And what are you doing with him ? '' She demanded, eyeing Simon suspiciously.

'' It's a yearn story, Mione. '' Harry sighed. `` We'll tell you after we deal with Dumbledore. ``

She nodded and led the way through the foyer to the Headmaster's office. `` Just so you're cognisant, Dumbledore has all the prefects out looking for you guys but I think he knows you leftover school grounds. '' She warned them. Sharing a look with Luna, she and Harry both decided to let Hermione enter first, hoping the great deal of a good scholar would mince the old wizard's mood. `` Sir ? I've found Harry, Luna and Simon the Zealot. ``

'' See them in Miss farmer and then you are dismissed. '' He replied from behind his desk. Hermione let them take the air past her before she closed the room access and bolted down the stairs. Dumbledore gestured to the three chairs in presence of him and waited until they settled themselves. He looked at all of them, but it was light up he was addressing Harry alone. `` What did you recollect you were doing damaging the school like that ? ``

'' It was an accident. '' He quietly answered.

'' I have no doubt that it was. '' Dumbledore said, his voice shaking as he tried to hide his ira. `` Why would you do this Harry, when you're so close to being done here ? This isn't something I can cover up for you. ``

'' So don't. I'll go fix it. ``

He shook his chief. `` It's not that simpleton. Like the ministry and certain other building, deception isn't enough to revive the terms. It must be rebuilt by script to maintain the strength of the magic spell we place upon our school. And even if you did fix it, my hands are tied in wish to how we can address this, especially after I've pushed so toilsome to have the recently disappeared Tristan Macnair expelled. ``

'' What are you saying ? '' Luna asked nervously.

He sighed sadly. `` I'm saying that after having Miss Patil, Mr. Mason and Mr. Macnair go missing, after the end Cho Chang caused in conclusion year, and after all the cumulative trouble that has been caused… I have no choice but to expel you all from Hogwarts for your unfavorable action mechanism, effective immediately. ``

'' You can't ! '' Harry protested.

'' You all were involved in an incident that resulted in dangerous damage to one of our classroom and then you all left schooltime grounds in direct violation of the code of conduct. I have to take this action before the less reliable of the Aurors out there decide to try and say that you had something to do with Tristan's escape cock and attempt to admit you all into custody for questioning. Should that happen, it's not guaranteed that Arthur will be able-bodied to see that you get into the right manus. '' Dumbledore seemed to slump down in his seat. `` You've put us all in a tight spot and we must be careful how we proceed. ``

'' But wouldn't it be better to find a way to keep on us here ? The Aurors and anyone else could still follow after us once we leave, but if we're here then we're more protected. '' Luna argued.

'' I agree, but if I didn't go through with this, it would be far too leisurely for them to accuse me of favoritism and things are too fragile right now. The slightest thing could give them the apology to kick out me from here and put anyone they choose in berth as Headmaster. As you saw survive time, there are too many impressionable unseasoned minds here to provide that to happen. I refuse to let this schooling get a training reason for the next wave of Death Eaters. Everyone must be free to choose the lifetime they want. ``

'' So instead you just throw away our future tense ? '' Herbert Alexander Simon asked incredulously, not knowing anything of the gild and therefore ineffective to grasp the need to keep thing a certain way so that the power didn't shift in the enemy's favor.

Suddenly the office door swung open behind them and Lupin came rushing in. `` Stop ! It's not their fault, it's mine ! ``

'' And do you really expect anyone to consider that ? '' Dumbledore asked tiredly.

'' Does it matter as long as there's someone to blame ? '' He pressed. `` William Tell them whatever you want… tell them that the child were working on a project for me and thing went wrong. They left the school to come looking for me because they knew that I had snuck out to see Tonks and didn't want me to get in trouble. That tarradiddle should be near enough. ``

'' You realize what will happen if you decide to go through with this… given what you are, the parents already have a low threshold of tolerance for you. If you take the blame for the destruction to the classroom, if you insist these scholarly person only left schooling to cover up for you… then I'll have no choice but to end your usage here. ``

'' No ! '' Harry protested, leaping to his feet.

lupin reached out to catch his shoulder joint, using his considerable effectiveness to force Harry back into his hot seat. `` I understand the event. I accept it. ``

Why are you doing this to yourself ? Harry asked pleadingly.

Because, I feel I owe it to James II and Lily to do everything in my baron to have you fetch up school. I can't just let you drive in it up with two calendar week to go. He answered with a smile. It'll be okay, Harry. I promise.

He held his breath and glanced at Luna and Simon out of the nook of his eye and realized lupine wasn't just doing this for him. The former two were only in their sixth year and he felt guilty that his brash legal action may get them to mislay out on their Education. Letting out the breath slowly, he turned to face at the older wizard, awaiting his determination along with everyone else.

Dumbledore took his fourth dimension studying Lupin before at last shaking his head and rising from his can. `` Okay, if this is the way you want it to be. I'll see to it that you are able to finish out the final two weeks of this semester, as it will be insufferable to replace you on such short notice. It's been a pleasure to have got you here. ``

'' It's been rattling being here. '' lupine assured him before quickly ushering the teenager from the office before the headmaster could deepen his judgement. Simon tried to break off from the group as soon as they were in the hallway but Harry reached out and grabbed his arm, ensuring he followed them. He still had a few things to say to the other boy. They walked silently down to Lupin's berth, though the older man was the only one who seemed to be in a respectable mood.

'' Are you sure about this ? '' Harry asked as soon as lupine closed the door.

'' Of line I'm sure. Otherwise I wouldn't have done it. '' He grinned. `` I had planned on resigning at the end of this year anyway. I really like teaching, but I'm certainly needed elsewhere and like you Harry, I hate feeling locked away here when there are so many things happening out in the globe. And with you and Draco leaving, there's really nothing to sustain me here any longer. Plus I don't like being away from Tonks for so long, her job already keeps us apart so why should I continue to let mine add to the tune when I have another choice ? So you see, I'm entirely positive that this is the in good order matter to do. ``

'' But you won't exactly be leaving here on the outdo of terms if you take the blame for this. '' Luna argued.

lupin reached out to reassuringly pat her shoulder joint. `` I have long ago learned to live with other people's misguided opinions of me. As long as I am in good standing with the multitude who know me, that's all that matters. '' He went to sit behind his desk and pulled out a axial motion of blank lambskin and a newly pinion. `` Besides if I were to stay here, then who would be out there looking after you all when you get yourselves stuck in a corner ? '' He teased, reminding them that this wasn't the foremost clock time he'd helped get them out of their own hatful. `` Plus Draco is going to postulate steering in navigating spirit out in the rattling reality where people don't take as kindly to what we are so I'm actually glad to have a intellect to leave behind my posture early. The fact that it helps you kidskin out is just a bonus. ``

'' Well I certainly appreciate it. '' Paul Simon said gratefully. `` I mean because I have no where else to go besides Hogwarts so I'm glad I get to number back. '' He added quickly when he saw the public eye Harry had shot him for speaking at all.

Lupin nodded and smiled. `` Think zilch of it. ``

'' It just seems unfair that we can't simply excuse what really happened. '' Luna said absently as wrapped her subdivision around herself.

'' What happened to you ? '' Lupin asked, finally noticing the bandages that peeked out from the sleeves of her school robes.

She and Harry shared a coup d'oeil as Simon looked down at the floor and shuffled his infantry. `` Just a little accident caused by a simple mistaking. '' She said at survive, lowering her arms and pulling the hems of her arm down.

'' I see. '' He shook his forefront and sighed. `` To answer your earlier musing… no one would listen if you tried to excuse what really happened. It's a play for exponent out there and no one is interested in the truth unless it gets them what they want. Too many things have been happening here, no one would take a student's word on anything when they barely trust what the professors and Dumbledore have to say. ``

'' Especially if one of the students is me, right ? '' Harry asked miserably.

'' It's a sad but true fact that adding your name to anything will instantly pee-pee it more complicated. But don't let it nettle you, having enemies only means that you've stood up for something important. '' Lupin answered with a aristocratic smiling. `` Now if you'll excuse me, I must compose to my married woman and inform her that we are soon to become a one income home for awhile. ``

'' You know that you and Tonks always have your room at my sign. '' Harry offered, feeling it was the to the lowest degree he could do.

'' And we may just have to take you up on that. '' He laughed. `` The monetary value of economic rent is absurd these days. ``

Leaving him to write his alphabetic character, the teens all stepped out into the lobby. As soon as the door closed behind them, Harry grabbed Herbert Alexander Simon up by the strawman of his gown and shoved him back against the wall. `` If I find out that you're somehow setting us up I swear to you that your sister won't have the chance to murder you because she'll never find your organic structure. '' He threatened, wanting to frighten off the boy into revealing whether he was truly trustworthy.

'' I promise I'm not setting you up ! '' He instantly replied, his eyes wide and his affectionateness banging wildly in his chest.

'' We'll see. '' Harry muttered before bringing his aspect in closing to Simon's, tightening his suitcase and pushing against the boy's throat. `` From now on, if you think you have something you need to tell someone, fare straight to me because going anywhere near Luna or any of my other admirer would certainly be the with child mistake you'll ever make in your life. ``

Simon nodded in agreement, clearly seeing in Harry's eyes just how a lot he meant his menace. `` I'll issue forth right to you ! '' He gasped out, reaching up to try and push Harry away.

He released the former boy and simply turned and walked away, knowing Luna was following him and feeling her disapproval. He waited until they were all the way back to his way before speaking to her. `` I'm not sorry about how I dealt with him. ``

She looked at him a moment before nodding slowly. `` okay. '' She said quietly.

'' I know you're mad at me… '' He began pacing, feeling all of the energy and adrenaline he'd been building up since she'd first called out to him get to bubble over as it tried to observe some way to escape.

'' Of grade I'm not mad… I'm not sure what I am. This has been a very strange day and I'm still trying to work it. '' Luna argued, sitting comfortably on the edge of the bed as she watched him walk around the room, allowing him to get out some of his pent up frustration.

Harry went to the window and clutched the sill as he stared out over the school grounds. He took respective deep breaths before turning back to her. `` But you really are okay, right ? ``

'' I'm fine, just a bit incommode by what we've learned. '' She gently assured him. `` I guess it's even more authoritative that we go get Fred before Elanya has the fortune to convert him that her version of events is the truth. ``

'' Couldn't it be ? '' He debated. `` I mean, I know Herbert A. Simon was telling us his version of the the true and I believe Elise and Sarah are that cunning. But what if their whole plan was tricking him into telling us all of this so we wouldn't believe what Elanya had to say ? What if they really are setting her up and what we saw in Erebos's oral sex is lawful ? Maybe they did know we'd figure out who the spy was and that we'd want to look in his head… what if they used Simon to circulate around doubt so that we wouldn't know what to believe ? ``

'' Well, if that's the shell then it seems to have worked, at to the lowest degree on you. '' She pointed out, smiling as he stared at her in utter mix-up. `` Personally, I think I believe him even though there's something about him that unsettles me… but despite that, I truly think Elanya is very a great deal working with Elise and Sarah. ``

Harry nodded in hesitating sufferance. He'd learned his object lesson about questioning her intuition, if she thought Elanya wasn't the victim they were trying to portray her to be then that was most belike the way it was. `` Okay, so we go on with the assumption that she's against us. ``

'' I think that's the safest for us… to assume she and Simon both are the enemy until they can definitively bear witness otherwise. '' She stood and came over to enfold her arms around his waist and hug herself against him.

He kissed the top of her pass and returned the embrace. `` I have no problem with that. ``

She pulled away and looked at the threshold. `` Hermione knows we're done with Dumbledore, she's on her way over here. ``

Sure enough an insistent knocking came at the door and Harry went to let her in. `` So ? What happened ? '' She demanded, walking in and turning to face them both. Together they pieced together everything that had happened and filled her in completely on what Simon had told them and what they'd concluded as a result. `` You're sure Elanya isn't being set up ? '' She asked, her aspect going white as she began to panic.

'' Almost completely cocksure, what's damage ? '' Luna went over to lead Hermione to a chair.

'' It's just that… I so badly wanted to see Fred, to construct for sure he was okay. I decided to practice session my astral sound projection and to my surprise, not only did it work, he was able to see me. '' She answered, nearly shaking as she tried not to cry.

'' You talked to Fred ? Did you let him know we were coming to get him ? '' Harry asked, kneeling next to her and taking her paw in comfort.

'' Yes, but I also told him everything else ! I wanted to assure him that we'd taken charge of everything so he could go out without worrying… including that we knew who the spy was ! I told him that you guys found out that Elanya was a victim of Elise and Sarah's secret plan too… he thinks she isn't the enemy ! ``

'' It'll be okay, Hermione. '' Luna said softly. `` We're going to get him tomorrow. ``

'' No ! '' Hermione leapt to her feet and turned to them in anguish. `` She's making him talk to her now ! He'd been refusing this whole time but I saw her threaten to charge Erebos after Ron and Ginny if he didn't start speaking to her. Don't you see ? I led him to consider that she was just another instrument in Elise and Sarah's game… what if he lets his guard down ? What if she's able-bodied to convince him to believe her ? '' She stared at them in repulsion as every implication of Fred trusting Elanya ran through her nous. `` What have I done ? '' She whispered.

( good luck )

As soon as it was glowering, Fred grabbed his entire bed roll and went down to the beach. Ensuring he was far enough from the tide, he set everything up and built a modest fire, silently thanking his father for teaching him how to do so the muggle way- without a wand. Sure it was the more unmanageable way to do things, but at survive his father's obsession with learning the why's and how's of all thing muggle had paid off. Once certainly the blaze had caught, he lay back to reckon at the stars. He didn't know where Elanya had gone, nor did he care… she hadn't returned from her base on balls and the farseeing she was gone the more certain he was that he didn't want to be there when she did show up.

She'd told him so many matter and sufficiency of it had seemed not only to be likely but made too much sense not to be confessedly. He was confused… If Hermione had really been on the island, then she'd told him thing that Elanya had completely admitted to. Did it matter ? And if it did, then why did it matter ? Elanya had gotten herself caught up in this, she was no innocent bystander. Had she not wanted so badly to kill her beginner, the other female child wouldn't have had anything to tempt her into accepting their fling. On the early deal, he was now able to put himself in her shoes… why wouldn't she want to vote down the man who murdered her mother and was trying to use his own daughter to buy his way into the good graces of an malefic man like Voldemort ? Even Willem had come to damage with the fact that his niece had killed his blood brother and was still volition to reach out to the female child as it was clear even to him that she needed to be rescued… if not from Elise and Sarah, then from herself. So if Willem could forgive her, then who was he to judge her ?

Clearly he didn't think as badly of her as he'd thought anyway… why else wouldn't he give birth just told her hated her ? It was the one thing that bothered him more than anything else. She'd been right in saying that he had no problem telling mass that he didn't like them, so why couldn't he just say it ? Annoyingly she had picked up on the merely reason… because he didn't hate her. But so what ? Not hating someone wasn't exactly the same as liking them. After all, he knew he couldn't cartel her as far as he could throw her, but then, did that matter either ?

'' So, you've decided to sleep under the stars. ``

He sat up and whipped around to find Elanya standing in the Tree as if his cerebration of her had forced her to materialize there. Her hair and garb were dancing softly in the slight picnic and her eyes glowed even more brilliantly in the swoon firelight. `` Well, aren't you the observant one. '' He said sarcastically.

'' I'm sorry I walked out on you earlier. '' She said, taking a few hesitant stone's throw towards him.

'' Think cipher of it. I'm pretty sure our conversation was about done anyway. '' He brushed her off and lay back down again, closing his eyes and acting as if she were nix more than a pesky ruffle to him.

'' It's so beautiful out here… and so relaxing. You have the right estimation sleeping here on the beach. Mind if I join you ? '' She called, her voice carrying her amusement.

'' Sleep wherever you want, what do I manage ? '' Fred made indisputable to sound bother, hoping that if she did catch some Z's on the beach, she would choose to do it far from him. He heard her balmy footfall as she glided through the guts and then felt her attempt to mount under the covers with him. He sat straight up and clamber away from her as he got to his animal foot. `` What the hell do you retrieve you're doing ? '' He demanded angrily.

'' Well, my mantle are all the way back at the bivouac and I'm tired now. '' She looked up at him with a coy smile.

'' Fine, take my poppycock, it's all yours. I want to go for a swim anyway. '' He turned and walked straight toward the water, repeating Hermione's name over and over in his head lest he give up himself to go back and do something stupid.

'' You can't go out there now ! '' Elanya called as she ran after him. `` It's dark ! There could be sharks or any numeral of other unsafe matter and you'd never see them coming ! ``

Despite the genuine headache for his condom that he heard in her interpreter, he ignored her and walked straight into the water fully dressed. He continued on until his feet could just barely touch the derriere before deciding that was far enough to deter her from following him. Turning, he began swimming parallel with the shoreline hoping to go down far enough that she wouldn't caution to walk after him. He could barely see his hand in movement of him and realized that is was more than the exercise that was making his substance race. It was very morose out here, and Elanya had been right… He'd never see an subaqueous blast coming. Quickly deciding he'd gone far enough, he began swimming towards land, crawling up onto the sandy beach and allowing himself to lie there and perch for a moment.

Now more than ever, he was determined to leave the island tomorrow. He couldn't spend one more day alone with Elanya, he was beginning to forget what was real and it was becoming more difficult not to pass into her stories. All he had to do was get through tonight. Climbing to his invertebrate foot, he brushed off as much sand as he could and made his way into the trees to look for some kind of shelter. Coming to the base of the improbable mountain, he found a shallow cave. Gathering farewell, he quickly made himself a shoes to sleep before gathering enough wood to start a attack to keep him strong. Once again he silently thanked his Fatherhood while hoping that he would get the luck to give thanks him in someone very soon.

( gap )

Draco woke already feeling nervous… he didn't like lying to Ginny and while he may not live the take contingent of what was going on, he had pieced enough together to recognise that she'd be mad to pick up they'd kept Fred's possibly being in trouble from her. But today was supposed to be the day it would all end and no one would have to lie anymore… at least not about this. It was childlike really, while the professors and most of the educatee were down at the quidditch sales talk enjoying the game between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, Potter, Luna and husbandman were going to whip themselves away to rescue Fred from whatever mess he'd gotten himself into. Draco's job was to make sure neither Ginny nor Ron found out they were gone and more importantly, to keep them both away from professor Erebos who Potter had said was a spy and more than than willing to anguish someone.

Taking a cryptic breather, he knocked on Ginny's door. `` set to go down to breakfast ? '' He asked as soon as she opened up. Seeing that she was still in her robe and pajamas, he realized she hadn't done a lot since she'd left his room earlier. `` I guess not. '' He said in answer to the understood look she gave him, closing the door as he walked in.

'' I don't want to go ticker that stupid game today. '' She said, climbing onto the bed and grabbing her pillow to clutch to her physical structure. `` I don't want to be a role of anything to do with Ron at the here and now. ``

'' I guess I can understand that. '' He said slowly.

'' It's been almost a week ! '' She was clearly frustrated and had her rest been Ron's neck, she'd have already squeezed the living out of him. `` I just can't believe he hasn't come around to apologize to everyone for what he said. ``

'' Why would he ? '' Taking in the glowering facial expression she shot him, he quickly went on in hopes of fixing his mistake. `` I mean, he clearly wanted outer space and said the things he knew would push you all away… after all, he saw how well it worked for ceramicist last year. So why would he come up apologize unless he's ready to be around you all again ? ``

'' wellspring, thank you therapist Draco, the Psychology Boy Wonder ! '' She said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

'' And since I like you so often, I'll only charge you half my rule rates for the excellent wisdom I have to contribute. '' He teased, quickly moving to catch the pillow she whipped at him.

'' Well from now on you can keep your two galleons to yourself because your wisdom isn't even worth half that ! '' She taunted back, laughing as he ran over to return the pillow assault. She scrambled to grab her other pillow and swung low, catching him in the stomach.

'' Oh ! Direct hit ! '' He shouted and fell across the bed.

'' Go in for the killing ! '' She laughed, quickly kneeling over him and battering him over and over with the pillow. Unable to hold back his own laugh, he tried his best to bring back the attack. Reaching out, he caught her pillow and tried to wrestle it away from her so that he would be in possession of all the plush ammo.

A knock on the doorway interrupted their battle and they both looked at each other in surprise as they tried to catch their breath. Ginny lay back on the bed and stared up at him with a coy smile. `` See who that is, would you darling ? I'm not dressed to pick up company. ``

He leaned down to kiss her before quickly swinging his pillow one last time, jumping off the bed with a wicked grin as he avoided her return rape. He opened the door and instantly tensed having already been warned that the person on the other English was interested in harming Ginny. `` Can we facilitate you professor ? '' He asked, closing the room access slightly so that the man couldn't see inside.

'' Isn't it a bit inappropriate for Miss Weasley to have a manly visitor this former ? '' Erebos asked as he warily regarded Draco.

'' Isn't is a bit out or keeping for a male person teacher to come unsupervised to a female student's room this early ? Especially one who already has a cloud of suspiciousness around his name ? '' He shot back, having been informed of the professor's relationship to Elise McKinney.

'' I've come with a content from the Headmaster. '' Erebos answered defensively. `` Not that I owe an explanation to any bookman. ``

'' well, Ginny isn't feeling well. She'll be in her room all day today… and I'll be here with her, taking guardianship of her. '' He said meaningfully, allowing a small growl to escape his pharynx lest the man forget what exactly he was. `` You can turn over me the message, I'll be sure she gets it. '' With his pot heightened, he was able to hear rustling behind him as Ginny got out of bed and curiously made her way over to the door. Thankfully she was careful enough to continue herself hidden behind it, but still, a violently protective surge rushed through him and he knew only one thing, the only way the prof was getting in the elbow room was over his dead body.

'' The headmaster wishes to talk to young woman Weasley in individual. '' Erebos persisted. `` I am to see her up to his post. ``

'' And why wouldn't he send professor McGonagall ? '' Draco asked suspiciously. `` She is the head of the Gryffindor planetary house and a much more in all likelihood candidate to approach Ginny on the master's behalf than some professor wholly unrelated to her. She isn't even in any of your form. Why would Dumbledore beam you ? '' He knew Ginny probably barely recognized the professor as she'd rather chew her own arm off than study Arithmancy.

'' Again, not that I owe an explanation to a student- '' He said tightly, clearly frustrated with this call and saltation they were engaged in. `` But she is already down at the quidditch auction pitch assisting Madame hootch with getting the sphere ready for today's plot. I was in the schoolmaster's office for a get together and so he simply sent me. ``

'' wellspring, Ginny is just too ill to leave her room. I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't want to risk her getting even sicker by forcing herself through these drafty hall. If he needs to tell her something crucial, I'm sure he would receive no problem paying her a sojourn. '' genus Draco said smugly. He grabbed the edge of the door to close it but the professor reached out to give up it from swinging shut.

'' If Miss Weasley is in fact that ill, then perhaps she should go see Madame Pomfrey. '' Erebos suggested slyly. `` I know that if I go and tell her there is a sick student she will insist on seeing her. ``

'' That's unnecessary. '' Draco said calmly while holding the door so tightly in his hand he thought the wood would shatter in his bobby pin. `` I asked Healer Drake to finish by other. He said it's a bad cold and recommended bed rest. '' He added in order to queer the prof's new attempt to get Ginny out of her room. He was sure Drake would cover for them if essential, after all, he'd done it many times before. kind of than allow Erebos to come up with something else, he used his above formula effectiveness to slam the threshold shut despite the man's attempts to go on it open.

'' What was that about ? '' Ginny asked immediately.

genus Draco quickly pulled his wand out of his air hole and cast a silencing magical spell on the room, both as a forethought and to try and stall before answering her. `` Professor Erebos is a spy for Elise, Sarah and Elanya. '' He decided to set off with satinpod and go with it until he couldn't. `` They want him to get to you and Ron. ``

'' Why ? '' She asked, sinking down onto her bed in horror and confusion.

'' Well… because they have plans to take over the ministry. What ameliorate way than to use the Minister's children against him ? '' He held his breathing place. Technically what he'd said was true up although that wasn't the reason the man had decided to fix a movement today. But why worry her further by bringing Fred into it ? Especially since he didn't really know the total story or what exactly her brother was involved in, only that Erebos was one of the loose ends the others had had to tie up in order to go after Fred at all. He knew they were connected, just not how… but he'd be damned if he let her get hurt or killed because of any of it. Surely if she knew Fred was involved, she would insist on doing something dangerously reckless in an endeavor to help.

Ginny shook her head sadly. `` Poor dad… all he wants to do is make a conflict and now he has to last in incessant fear for us all because of it. ``

'' Seems to me the same could be said for everyone. '' He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. `` I've speculation that's just the terms you have to pay if you want to support up for something… the fear of losing everything. ``

We may have a trouble. Draco thought out to ceramicist and Luna.

What happened ? Potter immediately answered.

genus Draco quickly told them of Erebos's sojourn and the fact that he wouldn't be leaving Ginny's room at all that day. You're going to need someone else down at the pitch looking after Weasley. He concluded definitively, implying that there would be no arguing with his decision to barricade himself in with Ginny.

( gaolbreak )

Harry had a horrible feeling about everything after talking to genus Draco. Why would Erebos have come to try and get Ginny to go somewhere with him ? What were Elise, Elanya and Sarah provision now ? Whatever it was, it seemed they were just in metre to go delivery Fred. At to the lowest degree the problem of who was going to observe over Ron had been quickly resolved… after a quick call to Jacey, she had agreed to don an invisibility cloak and hang around the quidditch pitch, just in sheath Erebos tried to get a hold of a different Weasley.

'' I heard the pennywhistle. The plot's started, can we go now ? '' Hermione asked eagerly. She was nearly beside herself with worry and had been since discovering that she'd given Fred misinformation. She'd attempted to project herself back to the island various times during the night but hadn't been able to get him again.

'' Both of you grab one of those Calluna vulgaris. '' Harry told her and Luna as he tightly gripped his own Firebolt. They had gone down to the pitch with everyone else only to sneak off into the equipment shed to keep from being seen.

'' Why ? '' Hermione demanded impatiently.

'' Because Charlie wrote a Koran all about how there are flying dragons on the island. I can't fit you both on my broom and we need to accept some way of escaping quickly if necessary… especially since you said you've read that there are anti-apparation magic spell. You and Fred won't be able to apparate without one of us. '' He insisted, wishing the whole clock time that both young woman would just let him go by himself. But he knew Luna wouldn't allow that any to a greater extent than he'd let her do anything like this without him… the disputation wouldn't be worth it as they'd both just end up furious and she'd wind instrument up coming along anyway. As for Hermione- he knew better than to level suggest she stay behind, despite them all being mindful of how emotionally distracted she was. Luckily he trusted they were both able and tried to let that thought relieve his discomfort.

'' As long as we stay out of the mountains, it shouldn't be a problem. '' She replied, eyeing the old drill brooms warily as Luna stepped up to select one without vacillation. It was obvious which of them was more surefooted in their power to fly.

'' Just occupy one anyway. '' He pressed with a smile. `` At the very to the lowest degree, Fred will know how to fly it should the need arise. ``

'' amercement. '' She agreed with a ponderous sigh, grabbing the one closest to her. `` Can we go now ? ``

Harry took out his wand and waited as they did the same. They had no idea where they'd wind up having only coordinates and pictures to use to inspire their apparation to the island. He wanted them to be ready for anything.

As one he and Luna reached out to each take in one of Hermione's mitt and they all focused on the island. With a trashy quip, they apparated away from the equipment shed and arrived somewhere else entirely. Feeling hard bumpy ground beneath his feet, Harry hesitantly opened his optic to face around. His breather caught in his throat as he took in their surroundings. Um, I think we may deliver just picked the unsound possible situation to land. He thought out to the missy, not wanting to make any noise fifty they wake the ten dragons currently sleeping around them. As quietly as possible, they all three mounted their Calluna vulgaris, each suddenly glad that he'd insisted they brought them with. Going slow for their sake, he carefully led the way, lightly pushing off from the terra firma and rising into the air.

Flying away from the slew top and down toward the beach, he looked over his shoulder to check on the daughter. Luna seemed to have gotten the hang of matter after having been in the air a few times before. But Hermione, who always chose to keep her feet on the ground if it was an choice, was clearly showing her inexperience. She tried to depress the Scots heather and suddenly lost controller, letting out a forte scream as she suddenly zoomed toward the ground.

'' puff up ! '' He shouted as he raced after her. She tried to do as he instructed but couldn't quite achieve it and she raised her blazonry to cover her face as she went down through the trees.

'' Harry ! depend out ! '' He heard Luna yell. Apparently Hermione's initial belly laugh had aroused more than his fearfulness, it had woken the Dragon. He quickly whipped to the left as the one that had been silently stalking him stretched out to snap at him. `` They hunt in pairs. '' Charlie's vox filled his top dog and he instinctively pulled up, just barely missing the early flying lizard that had been waiting for him.

'' Luna ! ? '' He turned to search the sky for her and found her far out over the piss as she tried her topper to dodge the four firedrake chasing her while she clung to the broom.

He raced forward to facilitate only to realise that the early six firedrake had chosen to gang up on him as they perceived him to be the better aeronaut and therefore the more dangerous to them. One popped up in front of him, forcing him to go low. He once more searched the sky, trying to catch his bearings… but this sentence he didn't see Luna anywhere. Both she and Hermione had disappeared and now he was alone with eight tartar. Wait… eight ! He quickly began racing around the island, looking for any sign of Luna and the two Draco that were obviously still chasing her. He flew between two of the beasts but unfortunately he wasn't quick enough and he felt one's posterior knocking into the spinal column of his broom followed by the sound of a deeply cracking auditory sensation. The broom started to come apart in his script and he did his best to hold it together as he raced toward the ground. He landed roughly on the beach, shaking off the botheration as he picked himself up and ran toward the cover of the trees.

He could try the animate being landing heavily behind him, too large to piddle their way through the dense woods. Suddenly tripping, Harry tucked into himself to split up his fall. Glancing back at what had knocked him over, he found the tattered clay of another Scots heather though he had no idea whether it was Luna's or Hermione's. He looked around desperately but there was no one there.

( BREAK )

Fred woke to a aloud shrieking. For a here and now he was disoriented, forgetting completely where he was as he scrambled to his feet. Looking around, he remembered making a temp shelter out of the cave after escaping from Elanya. Another series of ear-splitting shrieks filled the sky and he looked up to see those orphic tool circling in the promising cockcrow sunshine. They never came out this late… and they never flew so low. One swept over the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree above him, giving him a frighteningly clear view of what the animate being actually was… a very gravid firedrake with sharp pincer, long teeth and wide wings tipped with severe looking horns.

terror gripped him as he stood there frozen, trying to commemorate everything Charlie had ever told him about these beasts. to a greater extent than anything, he recalled his brother saying that dragons were creatures of habit… So why were they acting differently now ? He didn't waste sentence trying to estimate it out, he had to make sure Elanya was okay, he couldn't let the only other person on this island die… he didn't want to be here completely alone with these thing. He raced through the tree back to the bivouac, suddenly upset that he'd decided to go so far from it in the first place.

being trusted to retain himself oceanic abyss under the cover of the tree, he approached their collapsible shelter and heard Elanya's articulation as she argued with someone. Careful of where he stepped, Fred snuck up as close as he dared… she was standing with her back to him and completely alone, but he could tell that she was holding something up to her mouth. `` What do you mean Malfoy won't let you near Ginny ? ! '' She cried out angrily. `` I gave you one simple task this morning… Well, you know what to do next. ``

Not waiting to hear more, Fred leapt out from the tree he'd been hiding behind. `` What are you doing ? '' He demanded as he stalked up to her.

She turned to him and dropped her script, showing him they were empty. `` aught. '' She said innocently.

'' Who were you talking to and how ? And why are you talking about my sister ? '' He tried to hide his panic, reminding himself that whatever was happening at least Draco was doing his constituent in protecting Ginny from it.

More scream filled their air and they both glanced up in terror. Then she stared directly at him, her eyes filling with sadness. `` I have no pick, you broke the rules. '' She looked away, closing her eyes against her regret.

'' What are you talking about ? ! ``

She pointed up at the dragons now circling dangerously low. `` The only if reasonableness they would leave their nest was if someone disturbed them… clearly we are no longer alone on this island. You were flop, your friends came after you… but that means you all have broken the convention and if I don't bring about the penalty for it then I'll be the one to receive it. I like you Fred, but your siblings'lives just aren't more important to me than my own. ``

'' Don't do it. '' He insisted, pleading with her to give in and be the unspoilt person he wasn't quite for sure she could be. `` I'll assist protect you from Elise and Sarah, we can all hold on you condom. Just don't let them force you into hurting my chum and sister. ``

'' You'd really do that ? '' She asked, taking an uncertain footprint toward him. `` You'd convince your supporter to give me a prospect ? ``

'' No ! That's part of her plan ! ``

They both whipped around to see who had snuck up on them. Fred couldn't believe his eye as his marrow raced with joy. `` Hermione ? '' She was standing there before him, looking far more real than the last time he'd seen her as she had her scepter out and pointed at Elanya. Forgetting everything else in his rest, he raced forward and threw his arms around her.

'' We have to incur Harry and Luna and get out of here now ! '' She quietly insisted. `` I was incorrect yesterday, she's no victim… they're all working together to constitute us want to help her so she can get in and convince Harry and Luna to conjoin them. ``

'' Who told you that ? '' Elanya demanded, reminding Fred that she was actually still there. She now had her verge out as well and was pointing it directly at them.

'' What does it count if it's true ? '' He returned, placing himself between her and Hermione despite the fact that he was the entirely one unarmed.

'' Well, I suppose you can't really argue with that logic… I take it you're just going to automatically believe her over me ? '' Elanya asked with false sweetness.

'' You aren't exactly giving me a reason not to at the moment. '' Fred replied, gesturing to the verge she still had pointed at them. He felt Hermione scope out and admit his hand as she used her other to go on wielding her own wand. Squeezing her finger, he hoped they found a way out of this.

Elanya nodded, a wicked grinning spreading slowly across her cheek. `` I thought as much… I guess it's time to move to architectural plan B. '' She quickly waved her scepter, forcing Hermione to contrive up a shield around them. It was enough of a distraction for her to catch the seashell necklace she'd been wearing since they arrived and rip it from her cervix before speaking quickly into it. `` William Tell Elise and Sarah that Harry and Luna are here and defeat Ron. '' She instructed.

'' No ! '' Fred started forward but Elanya waved her sceptre and sent him flying away. He landed hard on his backrest but barely felt anything as he forced himself to get up. `` take up it back ! '' He demanded.

'' Why should I ? You were warned of the consequences… Just because you have a werewolf protecting one doesn't mean we can't get to the early. Your brother will die. ``

'' Call Erebos and tell him to leave Ron alone ! '' Hermione ordered, pointing her wand threateningly.

Elanya simply dropped the necklace to the terra firma and stomped on it, effectively destroying the communication gimmick. `` What's done is done. You want revenge, come and involve it. '' She dared them.



distinction : Provided there are no more horrible accidents with my computer or fanfare drive, feeling for the next chapter soon !


Chapter 55 : An Island escape cock

A/N : Without farther delay… Read, reexamination, Enjoy !





After crash landing Hermione sat up and was pleased to disclose zilch worse that a few excoriation and scratches. Unfortunately the broom hadn't survived as well and lay a few substructure away in pieces. Glad that it hadn't been her to wind up that way, she shook herself off and got to her pes. She looked around nervously and called out to Harry and Luna but they didn't answer her… A spry glimpse up through the crown let her get it on why. respective dragons seemed to be swooping around in the air while letting out horrifying shrieking strait. With a broken broom she knew she couldn't do much to aid them and they certainly were too distracted to come helper her… it was up to her to cipher out what to do and she was determined that this not end up like Hogsmeade. She wasn't going to freeze out up with indecision, there were too many the great unwashed counting on her and More than that, she wanted to prove to herself that she was adequate to of branching out on her own.

It was a lot hotter here than it was back at shoal and so the first thing she did was plunder off her jacket before she fainted of passion exhaustion. She knew that she had to bug out moving and preferably with a role. Using her wand as a locator, she made her way through the woods, trying not to attend anywhere but right in front of her. She didn't want to become unhinge, she just wanted to get Fred and get the hell off this island. Within ten minutes of walking, she found herself at Fred and Elanya's camping area. The two were talking and she heard Fred oblation to help the early girl if she would forebode to call off whatever she'd just threatened him with.

'' No ! That's constituent of her design ! '' She yelled, racing forward without thinking. Her wand was already out and so she quickly pointed it at the other girl to keep her at bay. It seemed she'd arrived just in fourth dimension to stop Fred from getting even more caught up in all of this.

She stopped short as she saw Elanya perpetrate her own wand out… realizing that Fred was unarmed, Hermione worried that he would get caught in the heart if they started dueling. He stood there and looked at her as if she were the bully thing he'd ever seen, making her feel more confident in the face of the other miss. `` Hermione ? '' He asked hesitantly before rushing over and wrapping his blazon around her. As good as it felt to have him accommodate her, she was careful to keep her wand up lest Elanya decide to use the distraction to her advantage.

'' We have to encounter Harry and Luna and get out of here now ! '' She quietly insisted, forcing herself to trust they would feature time to properly reunite later if they got themselves out of this now. `` I was wrong yesterday, she's no victim… they're all working together to crap us want to serve her so she can get in and convince Harry and Luna to fall in them. ``

'' Who told you that ? '' Elanya demanded, taking a few steps forward and pointing her wand more directly at Hermione.

'' What does it matter if it's on-key ? '' Fred asked quietly as he turned and placed himself between the girls.

'' fountainhead, I suppose you can't really argue with that logic… I take it you're just going to automatically trust her over me ? '' Elanya offered them a sweetness grinning that dripped with poisonous intentions.

'' You aren't exactly giving me a reason not to at the moment. '' He answered her as he gestured to the fact the she was waving her wand at them. Hermione realized in that moment that he hadn't completely given into believing Elanya, that he'd mostly managed to bank his own inherent aptitude. Feeling proud of him, she reached out her rid hand to take away his, wanting him to know that they were in this together now. She was comforted when he tightly held her hand in paying back, accepting that she was going to be there with him no matter what.

'' I thought as practically. '' Elanya said meanly. `` I guess it's clock time to move to architectural plan B. '' She quickly waved her wand, giving Hermione only seconds to befuddle up a carapace around herself and Fred to parry the spell. Before she could yield flack, the young woman ripped off her seashell necklace and was already talking into it. `` Tell Elise and Sarah that Harry and Luna are here and then kill Ron. '' She instructed whoever was on the other end… most likely prof Erebos.

'' No ! '' Fred started forward but Elanya waved her baton and sent him flying. Hermione took her chance and shot various stunners in agile succession but the other girl was fast, raising her shield in time before attempting to provoke back and disarm her. By this prison term Fred had gotten to his pes and back into the thick of things, forcing Hermione to hold her flack so he wouldn't get hit by mistake. `` Take it back ! '' He demanded, stalking towards Elanya.

'' Why should I ? '' She pointed her wand at him, keeping him from getting too close to her. `` You were warned of the consequences… Just because you have a werewolf protecting one doesn't mean value we can't get to the former. Your pal will die. ``

'' Call Erebos and enjoin him to go out Ron alone ! '' Hermione said in as authoritative part as she could muster.

Elanya looked directly at her and dropped the necklace to the ground, stomping on it and ruining their only luck to bid off the professor from killing Ron. `` What's done is done. You want retaliation, come and subscribe it. '' She dared them.

Hermione cast before she was even aware she was doing so, taking both her and Elanya by surprise. The girl had to parry rather than shield, sending Hermione's spell to shatter the tree diagram behind her. Seeing what a grievous tour she'd tried to use against her, Elanya stood and wiped the poop from her dress. `` Well, I suppose we've moved past mantrap then. '' She laughed wildly and searched for the baton she'd dropped in her haste to move out of the way.

Hermione felt Fred grab her arm and pull her into the tent. `` Shield it ! '' He yelled at her.

She quickly waved her scepter, yelling `` Protego Totalum ! '' and a few other incantations, turning the tent into their own humble fortress ... they were advanced spells she'd only practiced once in the rubber of a classroom setting. She was truly surprised that she'd been able to attain it here while her heart was racing and panic gripped her judgment. They could pick up Elanya screaming at them from the outside, uselessly hurling turn after turn at the collapsible shelter as she tried to get at them. `` I'm not sure how tenacious this will halt. '' She said fearfully, turning to see that Fred had taken to tearing the space apart. `` What are you doing ? ``

'' I'm looking for my wand… she took it from me but it has to be around here somewhere ! '' He replied desperately as he threw things over his articulatio humeri. He turned to the constituent of the tent that clearly served as the kitchen and started going through the cabinets.

'' You really have a stove in here ? '' She asked incredulously as he struggled to turn over the thing over.

'' When it came to expend my money, Elanya spared no expense. Top of the line everything… it's supposed to be like camping in the solace of your home. '' Fred answered bitterly as he upended the icebox next. `` Aha ! '' He shouted, bending down to scoop up a folded towel. Sure enough, his scepter was wrapped up inside it and Hermione instantly felt a shot of rest knowing that she wouldn't be the only one armed. His own relief was evident as he tightly gripped his wand and sighed deeply. Then he turned to her and gave her a look that sent chill through her torso. Without a Christian Bible he strode up to her and eagerly placed his hand around her cervix, pulling her face to his so that he could passionately seize her lips. He kissed her with such depth and thirstiness that she was left sense dizzy and had to reach out and grab him to keep her legs from collapsing beneath her. Wrapping his coat of arms around her waist he deepened the kiss even more before breaking it off and resting his head against hers. They were both lead breathless and felicitous to once More be so close. `` I'm really glad to see you. '' He whispered.

'' I couldn't tell. '' She teased, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

'' Yeah, well, I'll fix it well-defined when I have to a greater extent time to prepare my tip. '' Fred grinned before turning grievous once more. They could still hear Elanya out there, doing everything she could to gap the protection charms Hermione had cast. `` We have to get out of here without her seeing. '' He said, letting her go and turning to survey their temporary worker stronghold.

'' I'm afford to hypnotism. ``

He scratched his point and turned to gaze at her a moment before breaking into a smile. `` Of course of study ! If I can fool my own female parent then it should be wanton to fool Elanya. ``

'' What are you talking about ? '' Hermione asked, watching as he waved his wand over himself.

And then suddenly there were two of him and she had the restless feeling that Saint George had somehow come back to life story. Shaking it off, she tried to smile in backing. `` You really opine she'll go after our stunt man ? ``

'' Why wouldn't she ? '' He asked, waving his wand over her to conjure her up a double of her own. Moving hers to brook next to his, he studied them both closely. `` They look good enough to me. '' He shrugged.

'' Well, I certainly don't have a better idea. '' She moved to obliterate herself behind the turned-over stove, as Fred took their silent look-alike and instructed them to go out the collapsible shelter and just run as far and fast as they could.

Knowing that her charms would be broken as soon as the barrier was breached, he shoved them through the initiative and quickly came over to crouch beside her just in typesetter's case Elanya wasn't fooled and decided to occur search the tent. `` Here goes naught. '' He whispered.

( BREAK )

Being able to stand down on the field, Ron almost felt like he really was part of the plot and was thankful to McGonagall for letting him give birth this one belittled spell of what made him happy. He watched his squad fly together and was thrilled to see them pull ahead in the score, cheering them along as any good carriage would do. The blow had been magically cleared off the discipline but he didn't need it to be reminded that winter was on it's way, the day was clear and very cold. He huddled deeper into his jacket after applauding Seamus stealing the quaffle from the Ravenclaw chaser.

When the score jumped far enough ahead in Gryffindor's favor, he decided it was safe to fill a time out and go down to the refreshment stand for some hot hot chocolate to warm his inside. Making his way through the locker rooms, he took the exit leading outside the field and nearly ran into someone trying to make their way in. `` Oh, excuse me sir. '' He said, recognizing Professor Erebos, Hermione's Arithmancy professor.

'' Not at all Mr. Weasley. It was you I was actually coming to regain. '' Erebos replied with what was clearly an attempt at a friendly grin… but the tightness at the corners of his oral fissure indicated to Ron that something was troubling the man.

'' What about ? '' He asked suspiciously though he didn't know why he felt that way. Something about the professor seemed off somehow… he was uncomfortable just being in the man's presence.

'' I'm not exactly sure. There is a young woman out in the Wood who flagged me down and asked me to come find you. '' Erebos said, looking over his articulatio humeri at the Forbidden timberland. `` She wouldn't let me to see her typeface, so I can't be sure… but she looked very a good deal like Miss Patil, who has gone missing. I've come to find you because she was so insistent but I think I must also go to the schoolmaster and inform him that one of his missing students has returned. ``

'' No ! Wait ! '' Ron pleaded, wondering what Anapurna was doing back here so soon. He'd only sent a letter off yesterday through lupin, he wasn't even sure it had adequate time to arrive to her so that couldn't be what ram her to make out back. He had to talk to her before Dumbledore or anyone else could show up and send off her running. `` Just let me go see her inaugural. ``

Erebos shook his headway. `` I don't know, I think it's important… the girl's parents are still here hoping she'll be found. It's cruel to not tell them and take the chance that she'll run again. ``

'' Please, I'll convince her to stay. '' He promised with his fingers crossed.

'' okey, how about this ? I'll go with you into the Ellen Price Wood to see her, I'll let you two have your instant of concealment and then we can all go to Dumbledore together. '' He offered. `` It's the merely way I'm assured that girl Patil will return to where she belongs. ``

Ron reluctantly agreed, following the prof around the back of the arena to the Forbidden Forest. They walked pretty far into the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, deepening Ron's suspicions to the level where he was ready to turn back. `` Anapurna got your attention from way back here ? Why were you in the woods ? '' He asked carefully.

Erebos stopped and turned to him with his wand out and a demented smile across his aspect. `` Sorry for the deception Mr. Weasley, but Parvati isn't out here. I just needed a intellect for you to total into the woods with me. ``

He swallowed the bombastic hunk of fear and panic that had risen in his throat. `` Why ? '' He tried to proceed his voice steady but wasn't sure he'd accomplished the task.

'' To belt down you. '' The professor said simply as he prepared to cast the ultimate unforgivable jinx. And then the man was screaming in pain as his sceptre burst into flames in his hand, forcing him to drop it to the ground.

Ron instantly reached into his pocket for his verge before turning to recover Jacey standing a few yards behind him, her own baton in one hand and a large Lucille Ball of fire in the early as she angrily stared down the professor. `` What are you doing out here ? '' He asked in his surprise.

'' Saving you it seems. '' She returned, seeming hurt that those were the starting time give-and-take he'd chosen to speak at the lot of her.

They both whipped around as the strait of someone hand clapping filled the air. Ron's centre widened in shock as Elise McKinney stepped out from behind a turgid Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, slowly applauding them. `` Well done. '' She laughed.

'' The small bitch burned my hand ! '' Erebos shouted as he held the now useless extremity close to his body.

'' Relax Dolos, I've burned you worse than that when you've angered me LE. '' Elise giggled before turning her attention specifically to Jacey. `` I had hoped you'd come. I was so very curious to happen out who you are… but to see that you're like me, well that brings on a whole new proportion doesn't it ? But I'm not as easy to polish off as Dolos. '' She said, throwing out her arms and producing her own fireballs in her hands. `` So come on, let's see what you're made of… we'll weigh this your auditory sense. '' She taunted.

( BREAK )

Luna just couldn't shake off the hold up two dragons chasing her. They forced her to fly away from the island, zooming so far over the sea she could see Castellumshire on the horizon… still the beast wouldn't kick in up the following. She tried calling out to Harry but he didn't answer, making her very nervous. She could feel that he wasn't hurt… but that was all, it was like a part of her brain had shut off and she was completely unable to communicate with him… It was almost as if there was something blocking them from using their big businessman, or more precisely, their telepathy. The way she was flying, the way she was able to know where to go to forefend being hit by hook, teeth and tails… that told her that her precognative instincts were well in tactfulness as she knew she certainly wasn't the best flier.

She swooped low to stave off one Draco and then quickly turned right to avoid the other. Her foundation skimmed the water and she quickly pulled back up, making a farseeing arc around Castellumshire before heading back toward the Gateway Islands. Becoming distracted by a strange sound below her, she took the chance and looked down only to find a small speedboat zooming through the water headed the Same commission she was. Feeling the dragons right behind her, she decided to dip low, flying close enough only to see that there seemed to one person on board… a female wearing a hat and heavy sunglasses. Intuition shooting through her and she raced ahead, desperate to warn Harry.

At in conclusion she had returned to the island but he was nowhere in the sky… though the other eight flying dragon were. They were circling, clearly doing the same affair she was- looking for Harry. Figuring he must have landed she went down, flying over the shoreline in hopes that he would see her. She let out a surprised riot when two of the tartar suddenly grounded ahead of her, opening their jaws and waiting for her to fly at them. Fixing her travelling bag as she'd seen Harry do, she made a sharp left and headed back out over the water where four more firedrake waited. Once again changing her grip, she zoomed straight up. `` LUNA ! LOOK OUT ! '' She heard Harry scream from far below her. Apparently he had seen her and ran out onto the beach to call out.

It took a second too long for her to see what he'd tried to warn her about and so the yoke of dragons that had been laying in wait among the treetops had taken her by surprisal. She raced upwards, high over the island hoping to lose them among the fluffy snowy clouds. But before she could get herself quite that high, she felt one of the creatures grab the end of her broom and get out her through the air. She lost her grip completely and felt herself commence to free fall. Thinking as quickly as she could, she pointed her wand down and slowed her descent until she was capable to lightly place her feet on the basis. Her assuagement quickly gave way to all out affright as she realized she landed right back where they had started… the flying lizard'cuddle. Only this time she had no broom and she was completely alone.

( BREAK )

Harry had just used his scepter to piece the broom he'd found in the forest back together when Luna's scream echoed around him. He raced back onto the beach to catch an impossible sight- she was flying recklessly through the air as she tried to get away from all ten dragons. Seeing two of the beasts break off from the group and obscure themselves among the trees he realizing what the rather intelligent creatures were planning to do. He tried calling out to her with his mind but while he could still finger that ceaseless connecter to her, it was as if someone had cut a telegram somewhere and all he could discover was a dial step. Throwing everything he had into it, he cupped his helping hand around his mouth and screamed out a word of advice to her, hoping she was able to listen him. If she did, it was too former. The early dragons had forced her to fly toward their trap and the two concealing leapt out to surprise her. She shot upwards but to no service as one reached out and grabbed her broom. She fell off as the creature snapped the ling like a toothpick, making Harry's heart stop for a moment. But this time she had her wand and was able to slacken her fall, but when he saw where she landed his eye dropped entirely into his breadbasket. The dragon had seen her too and they all descended on their nest, purpose on ousting the intruder.

affright swept through him and he hurried to eat up the final mend on the Scots heather. Hearing a motorized sound he quickly ducked out of the way as a boat carelessly drove up into the sand, allowing a familiar char to stick out down and face him. `` howdy Harry. '' Sarah Elaine greeted him as if they were old friends, casually throwing her hat and sunglasses back into the boat.

'' I don't have time for you. '' He said. Knowing she didn't have a wand, he pointed his at her threateningly as he mounted the broom.

'' So I saw… seems your little friend fell into the incorrectly place. '' She grinned. `` charge to let some aid in retrieving her ? ``

Harry eyed her warily. `` Why, so you can just kill us both ? ``

'' Come now, let's put the past times behind us. We all act a bit irrationally sometimes. Besides, I thought you didn't have time to argue… I know Luna certainly doesn't. '' She pointed to the cadaver of his Firebolt, long draw a blank a few cubic yard down the beach. `` Fix that up and lets go. ``

He had no choice, he needed help distracting the tartar so he could fly in and snap up Luna. Handing Sarah the broom he'd been holding, he ran over and waved his sceptre, fixing his own Scots heather as best he could… at least it was in flying consideration if not properly calibrated for the safe flight possible. Together, they lifted off the ground, instantly making their way to the mount. Harry just hoped his desperation for help didn't wind up being his downfall.

( prisonbreak )

Jacey wrapped Harry's invisibility cloak tightly around herself and closed her eyes, doing her best to centre on apparating to just outside the quidditch pitch at Hogwarts. Of trend, she was still getting the hang of the unit thing and so while she did get herself to Hogwarts, she was no where near the domain. In fact, she wound up inside the castle, just beyond the doors to the Great Hall. With a suspiration of frustration, she made certain she was completely covered by the cloak before making her way outside.

Of course of action she had agreed to assist keep an eye on Ron… she just had no idea why. He had made himself very clear that he wished to handle affair on his own for awhile and she was tempted to gage off and let him learn just how much he needed his friends. But she could never do that and not only because she truly believed this man Erebos would kill him… She also could not vacate Ron because some portion of her knew that his end would have in mind her own as well. He had made a valid degree the other dark, they did not have it off each other, they had only just met and under the tensest of consideration. And yet… clearly they were drawn to each early. She was to a greater extent than leave to see what came of that attractiveness as she had already admitted that his letter is what ultimately made her determine to do here in the first place… she only hoped he would come to his senses long enough to-

She stopped dead in her tracks as she realized she may ingest arrived too late. Just beyond the scene of action, she saw two fig slip quickly into the Forbidden forest and she was for sure of at least one of their identities. The other she only feared she knew. Racing forward, she let the cloak fall away as soon as she was within the tree furrow so that she could run with more speed and less hindrance. At last she came upon them and actualise she had been correct on both accounts, Ron and Erebos were a few yards ahead of her. She could find Ron's suspicion and uncertainty as he was led further into the trees.

'' Anapurna got your attention from way back here ? Why were you in the woodwind ? '' He asked. Jacey was wild on his behalf, upset that the prof was willing to use such an overt wound to trick him into coming out here.

Erebos turned around wearing a cruel and malign smile. `` Sorry for the deception Mr. Weasley, but Anapurna isn't out here. I just needed a grounds for you to issue forth into the woodwind instrument with me. ``

'' Why ? '' Ron asked slowly, clearly trying to cypher out what was going on and how to get out of it.

'' To kill you. '' Erebos replied. Jacey saw his intention a instant before he raised his wand and did the kickoff affair that came into her mind… She set his wand on fire. He screamed in pain sensation, dropping the affair as he cradled his injure mitt to his body.

Ron pulled out his own sceptre before turning to figure out just what had happened. `` What are you doing out here ? '' He asked as his regard locked in on her.

'' Saving you it seems. '' She said stiffly, feeling hurt to still see ire under the surprise in his eyes as he stared at her.

The sound of someone slowly clapping filled the air. Jacey whipped around to find Elise McKinney coming out from behind one of the trees. She had never met the woman and only knew her from the memories of others, but she was sure of who she was seeing. `` well done. '' Elise laughed with genuine amusement.

'' The little bitch burned my mitt ! '' Erebos shouted, glaring at them all.

'' Relax Dolos, I've burned you worse than that when you've angered me lupus erythematosus. '' She laughed again. Then ignoring both male person, she spoke directly to Jacey. `` I had hoped you'd seminal fluid. I was so very peculiar to find out who you are… but to see that you're like me, well that brings on a whole new dimension doesn't it ? But I'm not as sluttish to off as Dolos. '' She said, waving her hands and producing her own fire. `` So come on, let's see what you're made of… we'll consider this your audition. ``

putting her wand in her pocket so that both of her hands were free, Jacey let the flames flare out of her bigger and with more of a flourish than Elise's. Seeing that she had been one-upped, the woman did not waffle to set about her flak, hurling balls of fire one after the other. Engulfing her entire soundbox in ardor, Jacey was able to absorb whatever Elise threw at her though she was starting to feel very warm. Run before this ranch ! She thought out to Ron, not wanting him to get burnt.

I'm a bit occupy at the moment. He answered. She glanced over to find him alternatively trying to put out the flame spreading through the forest and dueling Erebos who had retrieved the burnt remains of his baton and was trying to bring in it work with his undamaged hand. It seemed that every once in awhile the man was able to get the wand to perform his tour which only distracted Ron from his impromptu attack at being a firefighter.

She tried reaching for her verge but Elise only renewed her endeavor, making it clear that she intended this fight to be non-magical and leaving Jacey no choice but to fight fire with ardour. It was more than Ron's water spell could keep up with and if they didn't find a way to end this soon, there was no telling how far the flames would go around. She did her comfortably to focalise on controlling and containing them to their modest country but it lessened the measure of concentration she could give way to the actual fight and found herself more on the defensive that she would have thought herself to be. She knew the fact that Elise didn't attention where the fervidness spread was giving the cleaning woman an sharpness over her but there was nothing she could do about that, she had to do her best to command the damage her ability caused. Realizing they were going to need assistance and taking even to a greater extent attention away from the battle, she called out to Draco as he was the only one left here that she trusted to ask for helper. She hoped he made it in time.

'' Jacey ! '' Ron yelled, bringing her to the full attention back to the moment at mitt. Seeing that she'd been momentarily distracted, Elise had taken her luck and used everything she had to fool away a jet stream of ardor directly at her. She felt herself propelled backwards before her flames flickered out and everything went dark.

( BREAK )

'' What do you mean you have to go supporter Jacey ? '' Ginny demanded as genus Draco grabbed his pelage. They'd been quietly lounging together in her room as they studied and she'd been enjoying the rather knotty worry-free moment… even if they had barricaded themselves in to avoid Professor Erebos.

Looking at his face, she could tell he wasn't any more proud of with the idea of him leaving than she was. `` Apparently Elise made it onto the schoolhouse curtilage and she and Erebos have your Brother cornered out in the woods. '' He answered honestly, in too practically of a rush to attempt lying. `` cartel me, the only cause I'm going is because I know that Erebos is out there too. Even so, stay in here and don't afford the threshold to anyone until I get back, O.K. ? ``

'' Not okay. I want to go with. '' She insisted, moving to grab her coat as well.

'' Please Ginny. '' He grabbed her by the articulatio humeri and forced her to look at him. `` I'll be much more efficient in providing the help Jacey and Ron need if I don't have the same problem out there that she does. ``

'' Meaning ? '' She demanded stubbornly.

'' Meaning she's in difficulty because she's distracted by thoughts of Ron and anyone else being hurt… I can't be of very much help if we add your welfare to our leaning of concerns. ``

'' want I remind you again that you aren't an immortal god or even a superhero ? You're a formula guy who got stuck with a being a werewolf and are just as capable of burning to death as I am. '' She gripped his weapons system, unwilling to let him leave her sight.

'' We don't have time to argue. For once just humor me and stay here. '' He pleaded.

She stared at him a moment, letting the wheels turn in her head as she figured out what to do. `` Fine, go. I promise I won't follow you. Just be careful. '' She agreed at lowest, too worried about Ron and Jacey to keep him any longer.

He seemed suspect but he had no option other than to accept her agreement. Leaning in to quickly kiss her goodby, he then turned and fled the room. Walking over to her windowpane, she waited until she saw him zip across the schooling grounds… he was faster than any human being she'd ever seen and she could infer why he liked going out to run so much- it must be impossible to intend when moving so quickly.

Picking up her coat she fled her room, rushing through the halls and out the front door. She would keep her promise not to keep up after him… but she wasn't going to grant him to go alone. She entered the quidditch stands, climbing up to where the school staff sat. Unfortunately, the person she wanted to utter to was also sitting following to the person she'd hoped to avoid… but she couldn't go back, three liveliness might be at stake, her brother's among them. `` Can we serve you with something ? '' Lupin asked with a favorable smile as she approached him and Dumbledore.

Warily eyeing the Headmaster, she took a recondite breathing space and spoke to lupine. She knew it was best to keep mention of Jacey and Elise out of things with so many capitulum around and so she made her full point as clear and concise as possible. `` Dragon ran out into the Sir Henry Joseph Wood to try and arrest professor Erebos from killing Ron. They need assistance. ``

( open frame )

Fred waited a estimable two second to be for certain Elanya was gone before turning to lift the bottom of the inning of the tent behind them. `` It's now or never. '' He told Hermione. She nodded solemnly and taking her mitt, he led the way as they ran from the only thing that had been able to protect them. He tried to repeatedly call out for Harry and Luna but neither of them answered. `` It's like they can't hear me at all ! '' He said aloud in foiling as they carefully made their way through the Tree, keeping an ear out for any sign of Elanya mop up in on them.

'' I think it has something to do with the energy force field generated within all three islands. '' Hermione answered thoughtfully. `` I read about it in that book… it interferes with most navigation tools, even the wizard ones. It's the briny ground it's so hard for people to get these islands. Maybe it also interrupts that certain brainwave relative frequency Harry and Luna use to channel their telepathic power. ``

'' Whatever you say. All I heard is that we're stuck finding them the old fashioned way. '' He tried to use his wand to direct him towards the nearest living human being but the pudden-head thing kept pointing up. `` Or not. '' He muttered, finally giving up.

'' Unless… '' She looked upward and he followed her gaze. There were various dragons still out and they seemed to be attacking their own nest. `` You don't think… ? ``

'' I do now. '' He answered grimly, figuring the sole answer was that their ally were up there and in a lot of worry. `` I guess we try to climb it. '' He walked toward the base of the passel until he heard a belittled shriek of surprise that told him that Hermione wasn't following. Turning he found her struggling to relinquish her foot from a rather ugly looking industrial plant. Originally mistaking it for some kind of shrub, they had walked by unaware… but now the thing had spread it's leaves apart and was shooting out several tentacle-like bump that were attempting grab Hermione and get out her in. He raced back over, wildly waving his wand. But the industrial plant seemed to be immune to magic and naught he tried would make it stop.

'' Let go ! '' She yelled as she kicked at the works. Not knowing what else to do, Fred picked up a large Rock and began slamming it down on the tentacles. The plant let out a pitiful sound, indicating it could feel pain. In an attempt to unblock herself, Hermione reached for another rock and helped him beat the tentacles away. Grabbing her under her arms, he pulled her to her feet and they scrambled away before the strange bush could regroup.

'' wellspring, that was something new. '' He said as they caught their breathing space. He'd certainly never come across a plant like this before in all his time wandering the island though he'd definitely found some weird ace. Of form, other than survive dark when he'd fled Elanya he hadn't ever come this close to the al-Qaeda of the mountains. He gave silent thanks that he hadn't passed by this thing in the dark.

'' Let's just keep going. '' Hermione seemed shivering but ascertain and so he nodded and went on, this time ensuring they remained position by side. It was a scant walk of life and looking towards the sky, they were capable to see that the way to the top of the stack wasn't exactly straight up… that was a good thing, making it less likely that they would fall to their deaths while attempting this. `` Okay, we just require to find the right place to set off. '' She said logically as she stood back and studied the jolty wall and several different paths up.

Fred took a different approach, walking right up to the mountain and trying out the handholds and ground in a few places. Taking a few More steps to the left, he reached to climb up only to palpate the rocks give way under his hands. And then he was falling… falling… he slammed into the ground, knocking the intimation out of him and sending shooting pains up and down his leg. `` Fred ! '' He heard Hermione screaming his name.

'' Yeah ! '' He called out as best he could as he wheezed and tried to get his breathing back to normal. `` I'm live ! '' He assured her more loudly once he was able.

'' Yes, but are you okay ? '' She yelled down to him.

'' I think my leg broke my fall. '' He shouted back, groaning in pain as he sat up to take up a tone at himself. Feeling around on the ground he recovered his wand and quickly lit it, reaching out to delicately examine his leg. `` I don't think anything's broken ! '' He assured her. No, not broken… just really banged up. He'd definitely landed on it wrong and he could see the entire affair swelling from his knee down to his ankle.

'' I'm going to float you up. ``

'' Just yield me a minute to gather myself. '' Putting as slight weight on it as possible, he slowly climbed to his feet. Only once he was standing did he realize he seemed to offend everywhere including the shoulder that had been broken terminal year during the quidditch equal against Cho. It felt like it had popped out of place… stuffing the behind of his shirt in his mouth to tone down any audio of pain in the ass he might form, he grabbed his arm and roughly pushed upward. It hurt so badly that for a moment he was able to forget all about his leg, but then came the signified of relief that told him that he'd achieved the result he'd wanted, his articulatio humeri was back in it's proper plaza. Panting from the effort he wiped the lather from his face and took a few steadying intimation. `` OK, cook ! '' He called out.

Instantly his pes carefully left the ground, leaving him to feel as though he were softly cradled in the manpower of some invisible heavyweight. He put his wand in his pouch as he rose up, wanting to have both hands free to assist pull himself crystallise of the surprisingly little opening he'd fallen through. At shoemaker's last he was able to see Hermione, using her wand to address his advance. Reaching up, he grabbed the boundary of the bouldered opening. `` I need you to keep propelling me forward, I hurt my leg so I can't get a goodness hairgrip with my feet. '' He told her. She nodded and doubled her concentration, trying to only make him an spear carrier boost as he struggled to pull himself free. Now being forced to use all the strength in his arm, he was glad that he'd gone swimming so much while he was trapped here and built up his muscles a bit.

'' Expelliarmus ! '' Someone screamed and Hermione's wand was ripped from her hand and sent flying off into the woods. Without her spell to aid him, he lost a bit of his hold and struggled through the pain to find a foothold lest he fall back down into the cavern. He scrambled to hold onto the rock-and-roll despite how sharp they were… once he felt stiff, he was able to take care up and see Elanya staring at them with a wide smile as she tauntingly waved her baton. `` I'm sorry it took so foresighted to polish off those doubles you sent running out… it seems you're a better conjure man than I thought. ``

'' What do you require ? '' Hermione tried to reason with her as Fred struggled to use his wound leg to facilitate push him through the pickle. But the more force per unit area he tried to put on it, the more benumb it seemed to grow… almost to the power point where he wasn't even sure it was there anymore. He tried to reach out back for his baton but letting go of the rock'n'roll made him instantly slide backwards. He would need all the strength in his arms to pull himself out and until he did, Hermione was left to face Elanya alone and weaponless. Feeling a new determination, he decidedly placed his feet and pushed off with them, gritting his teeth against the annoyance. From there he was able to get to out a bit further… slowly but surely he began pulling himself out.

( BREAK )

'' Jacey ! '' Ron shouted but he was too recent. Something had distracted her prospicient enough for Elise to get in a direct hit, sending her flying through the air and leaving her crumpled in the snow. He tried to run to her but felt someone bbl into him, tackling him to the ground.

'' That's between them ! '' Erbos yelled, pointing his destroyed baton directly in Ron's face as he pinned him to the ground. `` This here is between us ! ``

'' I don't even have it away who the Inferno you really are ! '' He shouted angrily, gripping his wand and sending the man hurtling through the air away from him. `` Jacey ! '' He yelled again as he sat up and saw Elise bending over her.

'' She's indisposed at the moment. '' Elise called, straightening herself and turning to face him. He scrambled to his foot and pointed his wand with a water spell on the tip of his natural language and ready to be used. `` So, her name is Jacey then is it ? '' She grinned and pulled out her own scepter. `` What else can you tell me about her ? ``

Ron, I am okay. I just take a import to regain and rivet my energies. He heard Jacey's representative rustling through his principal. Do not engage her… genus Draco is on his way to help.

Hearing that she was uninjured, relief swept through him so quickly his knees almost buckled out from under him. `` nada to say ? '' Elise asked, bringing his care back to her. `` Dolos told me how you were the only one to be seen with the mysterious castle Edgar Albert Guest at the Costume Ball… he also told me how close you two appeared to be so I know you can say me everything I want to cognize. Of course of instruction, seeing how loth you seem, I feel it's best I remind you that I could always force you to tell me. Though if we have to go that itinerary, I promise it won't be very pleasant for you. ``

'' What do you want to know ? '' He asked, hoping to buy time.

'' Everything about her that you know. ``

'' I know she's a liar. '' He said quickly. `` I know I can't trust anything she's ever told me and so I'll gladly repeat every lie she's ever said and leave it to you to sort out the facts. '' He pushed himself to finger as genuinely angry as possible, wanting the woman to conceive there was no reason to think she'd be successful in using Jacey against him and vice versa ... or even amend, convincing Elise that she didn't want anything to do with Jacey. He felt horrifying, not just for what he'd said now, but also for the things he'd said in the past… and even after he'd uttered such horrible nonsense, she'd still come to try and help him. I'm sorry. He thought out. I'm sorry I said those matter, I just want us both to get out of this.

I know. Jacey replied calmly.

'' A good prevaricator can be of swell use. '' Elise nodded approvingly. `` Unfortunately, it seems you are of no use at all. ``

GET OUT OF THE WAY ! Jacey screamed in his brain and he saw her leap to her metrical unit behind Elise who had once again raised her men to complot her fire. Before he could flourish his sceptre to shield, soul roughly crashed into him, practically lifting him off his invertebrate foot and carrying them both away fast than Ron thought possible. It only took him a instant to substantiate who had just may induce saved his life.

'' We have to go back for Jacey ! '' He yelled to Draco who immediately turned them around.

As they approached the two missy still whipping blast at each early without much care as to what was around them, someone shouted `` Impedimenta ! '' forcing Draco to trip and sending both boys sprawling to the ground.

Tightly gripping his wand, Ron leapt to his foundation as genus Draco fought the while he'd been hit with which was currently keeping him from moving any closer to chafe. Erebos stood there, waving Jacey's wand tauntingly. `` Looks like your friend dropped this. '' He grinned. `` clip to see how much you've really learned while you've been here at Hogwarts Mr. Weasley. ``

There was no time to be uneasy, he instantly cast a shield having seen the man fix to bewilder a magic spell at him. Within a second he had retaliated by sending a freezing hex, but the prof took a varlet from Jacey and Elise's book shooting a stream of fire from his wand that met the sprayer of ice coming from Ron's. Using all of his compactness he repeated the spell, attempting to beef up his position… but Erebos was just as determined and unrelenting.

'' ENOUGH ! '' A blast voice surrounded them.

And then suddenly the duel was over as Erebos was bound from head to toe in front of him. Ron took several deep breath and lowered his wand as Dumbledore and lupin came forward. The spell meant to keep Dragon at bay had finally worn off and he slowly walked up next to him. `` Thanks. '' Ron said only loud enough for him to hear.

'' Don't quotation it. '' He answered grimly.

Dumbledore walked over to stare down at his disgraced prof. `` wellspring Dolos, it seems I've finally caught you in something you won't be capable to babble out your way out of. '' He said with a svelte yet triumphant smile.

( open frame )

Looking around quickly, Luna spotted a small opening across the nest the seemed to top into the mountain. She instantly ran towards it though she was uncertain even her dead and little figure could squeeze through. Intuition burned in her gut and she flung herself to the ground with a humble scream of panic as she felt one of the monumental beasts fly over her. Flipping onto her back she shot a mantrap at the wildcat's partner as it swooped in to get to it's own attempt at catching her. The piece seemed to bounce off the flying dragon's pelt, having no effect other than to anger the creature even more. Luna quickly rolled to the slope as it snapped at her before flying off to give the next pair their play with her.

Scrambling to her infantry, Luna scene toward the cave opening night. She was tempted to use her baton and blast the muddle open wider, but she worried that might possibly break up the stability of the mountain. The last affair she wanted was to run the beasts only to be buried in a landslip or cave-in. Throwing herself forward, she was just barely able-bodied to bosom through, turning her body sideways to make it.

She screamed as she felt a knifelike knife thrust of painfulness and turned, using her wand to sting the firedrake who had grabbed her arm before she could fully hide herself. This seemed to experience Sir Thomas More effect than anything else as the animal let out a mighty shriek of pain and let her go. Pulling herself further into the crack, she was led down a bit into a expectant cave where she tripped over something that rattled and rolled away from her foot. With a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, she lit her wand and covered her mouth to arrest back the howler of horror she wanted to unleash. various bones littered the floor of the cave, and they seemed to belong to both creature and humans.

Remaining near the curtain raising, she turned her back so she wouldn't have to see any of it and instead focused on checking the price done to her arm. Seeing two large bloody slice in the sleeve of her coat, she shrugged it off feeling far too warm anyway. Tearing off the rest of the ruined sleeve of the shirt she had on underneath, she examined her skin and found that, while painful, the scratches didn't seem to go too deep… While it had been happening, it had felt like her arm was nearly severed and she was more than a little alleviated to pick up that wasn't the case. She quickly used the scrap of fabric that had once been her sleeve to wrap the combat injury and squelch the bleeding.

'' LUNA ! '' She heard Harry yelling desperately for her.

'' I'M HERE ! '' She shouted back, forcing herself up through the constrict opening to pass to the nestle. Peering out from the hole, she caught the out of the question sight of not only Harry, but also Sarah Elaine as they both zoomed through the air, working together to trouble and fraction the flying dragon. Luna watched in astonishment as Sarah flew past several boulders, using her telepathy to criticize them over onto the pair of Dragon that had been pursuing her.

'' Luna ! '' Turning her attention back to Harry, she saw that he kept swooping back and forth until he was able to taunt all of the dragons back into the air. They may not be capable to communicate in their heads at the moment, but she knew him well enough to guess what he wanted her to do. As soon as the last flying dragon had taken flight, she ran out into the open where Harry could see her. Putting her verge between her teeth, she threw her hired hand in the air as he passed over and struggled to hold on as he reached out and grabbed her. Her arm was on fire with pain as she struggled to go up up onto the Scots heather with him as they'd done at Lairmore, but she tried to push it out of her creative thinker until she was safely seated behind him.

'' You got it ? '' Harry called over his shoulder as she settled herself and wrapped her injured arm around him.

'' Just fly, I'll cast. '' She assured him, taking her wand from her mouth and turning to snap a current of fervour at the two Dragon that were just a few scant foot behind them, sending the beast to plunge away.

'' This way ! '' Sarah called almost gleefully, laughing as she dipped back down toward the water. As they descended, Luna was able to make believe out yet another small boat streaking toward the island. Sarah flew them down towards it and with ten firedrake fast behind them, Harry had no choice but to follow. Squinting a bit, Luna thought she was able to acknowledge the two masses on the boat and as soon as she made the connector she knew she was right. `` That's impossible… '' She said breathlessly.

'' What ? '' Harry asked, turning his head slightly to hear her better. She could feel his foiling at not experiencing the all over access to her view that he'd become used to having… she knew he felt this way because it was the Lapp precise way she was feeling and it made them both uncomfortable.

'' spotter where you fly ! '' Sarah happily called out a admonition as the air suddenly exploded in a shower of flame all around them.

( suspension )

While pretending to be injured, Jacey assured Ron that she was in fact OK before focusing on herself. She went into her own head, trying to gather her energies and refuel her fire. Sending her idea out, she heard him apologizing to her… I know. She answered him, and she did know that he genuinely felt bad for the way he had spoken to her only to discover that she would come to his rescue anyway.

And then Elise's thoughts overpowered his and she was capable to see that the woman intended to get rid of the exclusively person there to witness whatever she had planned. GET OUT OF THE WAY ! She screamed at Ron, as she lurched to her feet. She watched in repulsion as Elise unleashed a fiery blaze in his direction… which is the take moment Draco swooped in, grabbing Ron and taking them both far beyond the combat. Jacey was thankful that she now had one lupus erythematosus thing to interest about. She reached for her wand only to discover that at some level it had fallen out of her sac. Cupping her hand, she formed a quick fireball and threw it at Elise, knocking the cleaning woman lame in the back before she could light herself on flaming to absorb the contact. This caused her not only to scream in pain in the ass but more importantly, to completely forget about chasing after the boys.

She quickly lit and extinguished herself before turning to Jacey. `` And I thought it was only those on Voldemort's English who struck masses in the book binding. ``

'' You do not have it off me or what I have been capable of in the past… I could have just as easily joined the other side. '' Jacey replied darkly, trying not to let herself recollect of anything in her past.

'' Except there's obviously something you want that Harry and his allies can provide you. '' Elise grinned. `` secern me what it is and I promise I can get it to you faster and with less trouble that they ever could. ``

'' I highly doubt that. '' She thought of what she wanted and knew the only way to get any of it was to remain loyal and trustworthy to those who had so totally accepted her. She had already lived the lifespan Elise was offering and had only recently been able to throw off the shackles of that kind of existence… The one where you could bank no one and everyone used everyone else to further themselves, the one where you always felt alone and scar and were forced into being someone you are not in parliamentary law to survive. She was ready for the animation that came with being Harry's ally and a extremity of the coven… She was ready for the kind of friendly relationship you would risk your life for even after arguing and she was ready for the exemption of being able to say and do what she wanted, of being capable to give care about anything and everything, of being able to be herself.

'' Come now, there must be something. '' Elise prodded. `` Just think if you joined us, imagine the world after we win this war… we'll be able to shape it into anything we want it to be. It'll no longer be about magician and muggles, it'll be about those like us… those with power. It will be about psychics and non-psychics. You and I, we can cause as much demolition as we like here… but I truly think it would be in the dependable interest of all if we could get to some sort of agreement. ``

'' So then you concede the fight. '' Jacey challenged, brushing off the woman's poorly composed sales pitch.

'' I'm ding no such thing. '' She assured her, once more lighting herself on flame in case Jacey decided to give another ball of flaming. She stared past her and smiled before once more meeting her eyes. `` It looks like Dolos is about to pass over out Ron. ``

Not wanting to give Elise the expiation of distracting her, she quickly conjured the big fireball she could and station it flying at the woman at top speed, knocking her to the ground. Circling around so as to never stimulate her back to Elise, she scanned the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for Ron and saw him and Erebos dueling as genus Draco paced nearby, desperately trying to fight off whatever spell was keeping him from moving forward to help.

Checking on her own foe in this fight, she saw Elise reach out from the primer and point. Jacey leapt out of the way and used her weapon system to shield her head as the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree next to her exploded in fire. `` plenty ! '' A loud, authorized voice reverberated through the trees. Both she and Elise extinguished themselves and looked around curiously.

easement flooded through her when she saw Dumbledore and Lupin rushing over to Ron, Draco and Erebos. `` Well, I guess this means it's time to go. '' Elise smiled, shooting one More surprisal blast of flame before turning and running off through the trees.

Jacey quickly dodged before running off after her. `` No ! terminate her ! '' She shouted as the woman passed within a few feet of Dumbledore. But Elise was prepared and quickly set respective trees on fire as a distraction to keep them busybodied. Leaving it to the others to keep the flames from spreading, Jacey never slowed her step and continued on in her pursual. She thought she was alone until she felt Draco coming up behind her… and then he was passing her as he moved with inconceivable speed. Do not let her make it past the school's boundaries ! She called out to him. Unlike her, Harry and Luna, Elise was unable to apparate into or away from someplace protected by the tribute charms… but if she made it past Hogwarts'mete, she'd be able to go anywhere.

sightedness that Elise was only yards away from escaping, Dragon pushed himself a little harder and mad a baseless diva, tackling the woman around her legs and bringing her to the solid ground. Jacey raced up to them, quickly shoving Draco away as Elise tried to retaliate. He threw up a shield around himself to throw off the fire. `` You have to let me go out, Harry and Luna's biography may calculate on my helping them. '' Elise said after calming her ire at being stopped so roughly.

'' What do you mean ? '' Jacey and Draco demanded at the like time.

She reached up and pulled a small disc from her ear and held it out for them to see. `` I've been in invariable communication with Sarah since Elanya contacted Dolos and told him to let us know that your ally had finally arrived on the island to economise Fred. Now she's telling me that the dragons are awake and very much after Harry and Luna. We researched that island well before choosing it and learned everything we could about the flying dragon including reading the new book of account written by Charlie Weasley… those Draco aren't the kind that breathing time blast, they're scared of it. Now Sarah is trying to facilitate, but they're only three people against a drove of animate being. If I don't go and helper, two of your friends and one of mine might just go some deplorable puppet's meal. '' She smiled smugly at them as she walked backward until she was in a space she could apparate from.

Draco uncertainly raised his baton to blockade her but Jacey grabbed his arm. `` No. '' She said quietly.

Elise only grinned wider as she extended a hand out to her. `` seminal fluid with me Jacey. We can work together just this once in the interest of saving our Friend'lifetime. After we can go right back into another firefight if you'd like ... one far from Hogwarts where you can really go after me without worrying about what else is being destroyed. '' She offered.

Don't do it… it's got to be a hole. Dragon silently warned her.

I know it is. But I can also see that she is not lying about Harry and Luna being in trouble. Jacey replied. Quickly making her pick, she rushed to take Elise's hand and allowed the woman to whisk them away before Draco could quit them.

( shift )

Harry dodged to the left to break loose the Dragon only to ingest to swerve immediately in good order to duck the ball of fire that nip past them. Luna had abandoned her attempt to use her wand and now held onto him tightly with both arms as it was authorize that his flying was the only thing that was going to get them through this. He didn't bother to distract himself with worrying about how Sarah was faring. She could be swallowed by a dragon or plumb bob into the sea for all he cared, as long as he and Luna got out of this with their lives… Oh yeah, and Jacey who was inexplicably down on a gravy boat with Elise as both girls flung blast in the air to chase off the fauna. He wished he could verbalise to Luna without turning and yelling, he wished they could discuss their options and what they thought it meant that Sarah and Elise were there seemingly to aid. He felt dusty and isolated being cut off… not only from her mind but from Hermione, Fred and Jacey's as well.

'' top dog down to the boat ! '' Sarah called as she zoomed past them to lightly put down and looked up expectantly.

'' What do you think ? '' He called to Luna as he continued to make water his way though flack and dragons.

'' Jacey's down there alone with the both of them ! '' She yelled back. `` Like it or not, we have to go. ``

'' I can't be for sure to elude dragon with all three of us on the heather ! ``

'' Then we'll have to bring and take the former broom back from Sarah ! Then we can go find Fred and Hermione and get the hell out of here ! '' Luna squeezed him tightly in reassurance and buried her face in his back in cookery for the crisp drop he was about to bring in. Fixing his grip he shot straight down, streaking past several Draco until he was low enough for Jacey and Elise to send out flaming flare pass to keep the creature at bay as he softly set his base down on the bow of the small boat. Sarah immediately started the locomotive and flick forward, sending Harry and Luna both sprawling into the boat. She turned the rack and swung around, speeding away from the island.

'' What are you doing ? ! '' Harry demanded as he and Luna helped each other to their feet.

'' Getting us away from here, what does it look like ? '' She stared at him as if he were stupid before gesturing to the ass of the gravy holder where Jacey and Elise were still using their power to fend off the four flying lizard intent on pursuing them beyond the island.

'' No, we have to go back. '' He insisted. `` Hermione and Fred are still there. ``

'' So what ? '' Elise called over her shoulder. `` They're idle weight around your neck. Let them go. ``

'' Elanya is still there too. '' Luna argued.

Elise fully turned to them and smiled. `` So what ? '' She asked again. `` Unlike you, I trust that my ally are more than up to of taking care of themselves… and unlike you, I could care less whether they live or die. ``

'' I think this is far enough. '' Sarah said, once more turning off the engine and letting the gravy boat heading through the water. They had apparently gone far enough to assure the Dragon that they had no intentions of returning to their nest. The beasts had finally given up the avocation and headed back base. `` I didn't think it would hire all of this to get you to the island. '' She grinned.

'' You wanted us to come here ? '' Harry asked doubtfully.

'' Of course. '' Elise laughed. `` We knew you'd want to come after Fred and so he proved his first use to us… there's still more for him to do though. ``

'' We just never thought it would take you this long to figure things out… Tristram must have kept you all pretty preoccupied. '' Sarah taunted. `` Seems he's disappeared from the castle though. Can't delay to see where he turns up next. ``

Harry, Luna and Jacey stole coup d'oeil at each other… it seemed that Elise and Sarah didn't know anything about them having already killed Tristan. Yet again he wished he still had the power to go into their idea to see if it was reliable. `` I thought he was supposed to making you both immortal in Voldemort's figure. '' He said, not wanting to give himself away while at the Saami time hoping to get a few more than solution than Simon had been capable to provide.

'' We haven't yet decided whether we'll go through with that. '' Elise shared a smile with Sarah as if they were sharing some secret antic. `` We're still weighing the pro and bunco game of immortality… but it's important to always seem agreeable to Lord Voldemort. '' She laughed.

'' But we're getting off subject. '' Sarah reminded her. `` I do believe they were about to ask why we wanted them here. ``

'' It's simpleton, we wanted to render just how equal to we are in getting what we want and how strategic it would be for you three to link up us. '' Elise explained to them. We figured someplace far from the influence of Dumbledore and your other friends would give us the probability to really make ourselves listened to rather than just heard. ``

'' Big gesture are the solitary way to make multitude heed ... '' Luna quietly repeated what Marvin Neil Simon had said to them when explaining his own actions.

Elise stared at her in surprise. `` I'm glad you see my full stop. But clearly whatever was going on up at the castling was distracting you all from what we wanted you to do, which was come find Fred. It was taking so long that we figured sending in Dolos to rough in up Ginny Weasley would pull in you focus… plus Elanya had told us she was having problem getting Fred to cooperate so we figured it would be a win-win situation. Of course the stupid man is terrified of both Draco Malfoy and your Quaker Lupin for what they are, though he's too proud to admit it. When Dragon refused access to Ginny, making it clear that the simply way Dolos was reaching her was through a battle with him, our lupus erythematosus than courageous spy gave up. But then, to our delight we received word that you all had come to the island today anyway and we knew it was the perfect opportunity so Elanya ordered Dolos to kill Ron. Then after Jacey showed up, I told her you all were in trouble and so we apparated to my waiting ship and hopped in the speedboat to descend to your rescue. ``

'' So what happened back at Hogwarts ? '' Harry asked nevously, this time turning to direct Jacey who he'd left in charge of looking after Ron.

'' He is fine. '' She assured him and Luna. `` Erebos may not be… last I saw, Dumbledore seemed extremely pleased to have him in hold. ``

'' It doesn't matter in the least. '' Elise assured them. `` Why else do you think I left the imbecile behind to whatever fate befell him ? Even if he decided to move around on me, he knows aught of any consequence… I've seen to that personally. And with only two weeks left for you all to be at Hogwarts, the man was entirely spendable. '' She stopped to smile at the faces they were all qualification. `` Oh don't aspect at me like that. He and I had a deal, I provided my section and he provided his. Just because he got fascinate doesn't mean I had any indebtedness to help… he made his choice to become involved in this and now he knows he was dealing in things far above his principal. ``

'' A poor moral to learn the hard way. '' Sarah lamented, shaking her head in mock brokenheartedness before smiling brightly. `` In any display case, we got exactly what we wanted even if we had to sacrifice Dolos. Now we know Jacey. ``

'' It's OK, Dolos was very in force at his job when he wanted to be. '' Elise cooed, reaching out to comfort Jacey who shoved her away. She went on as if Jacey wasn't staring sticker of hatred at her. `` He saw you and Ron at the Costume Ball, and putting two and two together, he figured you were the Same mysterious someone Dumbledore had been keeping in his office… the one Harry and all his Quaker made limited tripper up there to visit. We knew putting Ron's life in danger would make for you running, especially if Harry and Luna were interfering elsewhere. ``

'' But Erebos really intended to kill Ron ! '' Jacey protested.

'' So ? '' Sarah shrugged. `` Who is he in all of this ? He has no ability or title to greatness. ``

'' Regardless your public opinion of our protagonist, '' Harry stepped in to finish Jacey from punching Sarah in the look as it was top she very much longed to do, `` you've done all of this for no understanding. We obviously want nothing to do with you. '' He looked at Luna, hoping their connection to each other was strong enough for her to sympathize what he wanted her to do. Sure enough he saw her nod slightly and take a diminished step sideways toward the Calluna vulgaris Sarah had abandoned when she'd gotten on the boat. He'd never let his go even when he'd fallen and he now held it stiffly beside him, hoping Jacey would get the hint. Apparently, they didn't entirely need their telepathy to communicate with each other… just a total intellect of how they all thought. Jacey discreetly grabbed the cover of his shirt to designate that she was quick. It had taken a topic of seconds but they were ready and so he quickly swung his broom so they could hop on as Luna lunged for the other one and together they zoomed up into the sky, sure to move fast enough to outrun Elise's firing range.

'' Let's go find Fred and Hermione and go dwelling house ! '' Jacey shouted unnecessarily as they rushed back toward the island with the speedboat in hot pastime below them.

( BREAK )

'' What do you want ? '' Hermione asked, trying to hide the fact that she was scared.

'' If I knew that I would already experience it, wouldn't I ? '' Elanya sneered. She walked forward, making a diminished set around her as she inspected her from every Angle. `` So, you're the reason Fred never gave in to me… '' She came to stand directly in straw man of her, her golden eyes glaring with a virulent fire. `` I just don't get it. There must be something here that I'm just not seeing. '' She said with intentional meanness.

Hermione kept quiet, though there were about a million things that she would sustain liked to say in return. But without her wand, the in conclusion matter she wanted was to give the girl another ground to wish her dead.

'' nix to say ? '' Elanya asked quietly. `` That's OK, I have my own way of finding things out. '' She tightly clutched her wand before reaching out to grab Hermione's hand, the Same one Fred had held earlier.

Hermione watched in horror as the daughter's optic rolled up into her mind and she fell forward. Elanya still had her hired man in a last grip and dragged her down to her knees as she hit the ground… clearly she was having some sorting of vision of the past. Hermione tumbled back as she wrenched herself free. For a legal brief moment she considered going into the bushes to look for her sceptre but remembering her live encounter with strange foliage, she decided it would be best to take Elanya's before she woke up. She crawled over and tried to pry the young lady's fingerbreadth apart.

'' Not so fast ! '' Elanya screamed, coming out of her trance or whatever she was doing, tackling Hermione to the flat coat and shoving her sceptre against her throat. strangling and coughing, she pushed against the wand as she struggled to breath but Elanya had locked her arms and was unrelenting. She leaned in close to Hermione with an evil grinning. `` I saw all the memories you shared together. It was very sweet but not at all what he needs… I'm sorry but it has to end this way. ``

stretch recondite inside herself, Hermione gathered every bit of military strength she had and getting her branch under the former girl, she kicked out and managed at end to get her off. Grabbing at her throat in relief as air once more made it's way to her lungs, she struggled to her feet, not wanting to be caught unaware. Elanya was already standing and pointing her wand. `` You're right, what fun is it to just end your life like that ? '' She sneered as she dusted herself off. `` It's much more fun if you have the illusion of escape isn't it… go ahead, I'll give you a head start. Run. ``

'' No. '' She coughed out. Being forced to open all of her tending to the psycho fille, she had no musical theme whether Fred had fallen again and founder his neck, but she couldn't just leave… especially when it was most likely that Elanya would trip up her anyway.

'' fountainhead, that's your prerogative. '' She smiled with demented delight and got ready to cast. `` I wish I could say it's been nice knowing you. ``

Hermione closed her eye and waited for impact. `` Protego ! '' Fred shouted suddenly from behind her before shooting another spell straight at Elanya that sent her flying several railyard back through the tree diagram until she hit one grueling enough to pick apart her out. She turned to get hold him sprawled on the ground, sweating and panting from the effort of pulling himself free with a leg that even from here looked extremely swollen. `` Accio verge. '' He called tiredly in the counsel Hermione's wand had flown earlier. It shot into his script, which he held out to her as she rushed over.

'' Are you okay ? '' She asked, taking the sceptre and kneeling next to him.

'' I'm really not certain. '' He answered, groaning in annoyance as she helped him sit up. His work force were bleeding from the Rock, but other than that and his leg, null else seemed too serious.

'' Ferula. '' She quickly created a splint despite his assertion that nothing was broken. After all she couldn't exactly carry him, she needed him to be able to walk. `` That should avail. And we'll find an old offset or something for you to use as a cane to help put your weight on it. ``

'' Wonderful. '' He agreed, tightly closing his center as he presumably thought of the torture of being forced to move at all, let alone to walk.

'' We have to find Harry and Luna. They're the merely ones who can get us out of here. '' She pressed.

He nodded weakly. `` I know. Go find a branch and let's do this. '' He said, trying to twit himself.

They both kept an eye on the daub Elanya had landed as she ventured into the Tree to look for a piece of wood retentive and sturdy enough for their function. At last she found one and rushed back over to assist Fred raise to his feet. Throwing his early arm around her shoulders, he was eventually able to find a way to use both her and the make-shift walking stick to his best vantage as he hobbled along. `` Should we call out for them since they can't seem to get a line us in their heads ? '' She asked looking up at the sky and finding it empty.

'' I don't know… either it'll bring them to us, it'll bring someone else to us or it'll be useless because they were eaten by the dragons that now seem to give calmly returned to their nest. '' He answered gloomily.

'' Well, that's the variety of attitude that'll get us through this. '' She said sarcastically.

'' Sorry. '' He muttered. `` I think our best bet is to go down to the beach. If they're still out there somewhere, that's the advantageously plaza for them to see us. Calling out would only secernate Elanya exactly where we are. ``

'' OK then. '' She smiled.

He wrapped his arm more tightly around her shoulder and sighed. `` I'm gladiola you came to rescue me… I'm not used to playing the damsel. '' He grinned.

'' Yeah well, it's no picnic being the white knight either. '' She laughed. `` It's far too much force per unit area. ``

They walked on in comfy secretiveness, as happy as they could be given their situation. To his credit, Fred didn't request that they stop to rest until they'd actually made it all the way down to the beach and out in the open. Moving over to a grouping of small boulders, she helped him sit while keeping the rocks and piddle at their backs and their eyes able to see the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree line and anyone who may wander out of it. `` Did you hear that ? '' He asked after a curtly spell, shading his oculus as he searched the afternoon sky.

A whooshing speech sound came from above them and they saw Luna and Harry shoot through the air over the island. `` Is there individual on Harry's ling ? '' She asked, trying to figure out who it could be.

'' Who cares ? Now is the fourth dimension to yell and get their attending. '' He said, struggling to use the stone to help push himself to his feet. She leapt up to help and together they walked further away from the trees into the sand. `` Here they come again ! ``

They yelled and waved their hands until at hold out Harry caught sight of them and began flying towards them. Feeling something moving over her metrical foot, Hermione looked down and gave a small shriek as respective large sea crabs scuttled across the Sand towards them. `` Oppugno ! '' Elanya yelled from the trees, pointing her wand at Fred and sending the diminutive creatures she'd conjured after him.

Hermione tried to facilitate fend them off but suddenly found herself dragged backwards by an invisible force only to end up at Elanya's foundation. `` That should keep him busy enough for us to finish what we started. '' She leered down at her.

( BREAK )

These stunned crabs just weren't behaving normally, acquiring a mob mentality as they swarmed over each other to reach Fred. He tried to limp after Hermione and Elanya who had taken to dueling each other farther up the beach but between his already injured leg and the sharp pincer continually piercing the cutis of the good one, it was all he could do to keep from falling over. Using his wand and the joint he'd been carrying as a crutch to fend the fiddling pests off, he slowly persisted forward while looking to the sky to see why Harry and Luna hadn't landed to help them yet. He saw that they'd become involved in their own battle out over the ocean as a gravy boat raced toward the beach. Once of the people aboard was shooting fireballs and streaks of flaming into the air while the person riding with Harry returned the fiery onrush. Luna was swooping in, waving her wand and stirring up some waves in an attempt to go on the boat from reaching the island… but it was clear the person driving cared nothing about the boat, damaging it beyond repair as it was battered by Luna's go. He was so busy watching them that he wasn't quite watching where he was going anymore… bother shot through his foot as he felt himself step on one of the Phthirius pubis. Using the walking control stick, he tried to regain his proportionality but his foot sank into the sand and feeling himself going down, he stretched out his arms to break his fall.

Quickly flipping over on his back, he dropped the stick and wildly waved his sceptre but to no avail. The creatures were all over him in an New York minute, looking much larger and more furious now that he was eye-level with them. There were so many, he felt as if he were being crushed under their weight unit as they piled on top of each former, all trying to pinch and pierce his hide. He thrashed wildly, sending many of them flying away… but there were always more to take their place. affright settled over him as he realized that he was unable to get up and the crabs were taking the opportunity to swallow him.

( prison-breaking )

Luna gripped the broom tightly, terrified that she was going to pass off as the low of sight suddenly washed over her to give a warning of what was coming. It was legal brief enough that she didn't completely turn a loss consciousness but detailed enough to save her lifespan. Quickly dodging to the left away from Harry and Jacey, she turned to see a bolide explode where she'd been only a here and now ago.

'' You okay ? '' Harry called as Jacey gripped him blotto before turning to give the flames Elise was sending.

'' I'm fine ! '' She yelled back as she swerved another fireball. The sauceboat had snuck up on them and Luna was amazed to bring out that her vision had served not only to warn her of the ardour, but that for some reason those girls had decided they no longer deal if she lived or died. She wasn't sure what had changed, but from the way Elise continued to throw fire at her alone assured Luna that at some point, her spirit became less worthful to them than Harry and Jacey's… And so they were attacking her to distract them all from the fact that they were approaching the island where Hermione and Fred were clearly having trouble.

decision making to do what she could to keep them from once more reaching the beach and contain out whatever they had planned next, Luna swooped in low and used her verge to put forward up some violent moving ridge that tossed the short gravy boat around. She grinned in expiation to see Elise nearly fall overboard… unfortunately it wasn't enough to deter Sarah who drove on despite the destruction being caused to her sauceboat. She waved her baton again, strengthening the charm and creating expectant and Sir Thomas More beastly waves… and then she saw the larger ship on the horizon, quickly heading in their direction. Distracted, she hovered in the air for a import as she tried to figure out who could be aboard.

'' Luna seem out ! '' Jacey yelled at the same time her hunch screamed in her head to plough. She was less than a second too belatedly and the very back of her heather was caught in the fiery stream.

tone herself begin to plummet, she shot toward the beach. As soon as there was solid ground below her, she rolled off the broom only to regain herself surrounded by tons of pediculosis pubis. She quickly got to her feet but the beast didn't seem to have any interest in her and following their advance with her eyes she was able to see Fred further away, thrashing about as all of the crabs went about attacking him. Realizing what spell had been used, she rushed forward knowing there was nothing that was going to call in them off. Ignoring the one that pinched her as she reached down to aid him get up, she saw that one of his leg was in a make-do splint. Throwing his arm over her shoulder joint, she got a considerably hold and together they were capable to lift him off the ground and get him standing.

'' Thanks. '' He panted out, trying to take in his breathing time as they both used their sceptre to keep the Crab at bay. He pointed ahead of them, his eyes full with concern. `` Now blank out about me and go help Hermione… I can't move quickly enough. ``

She looked over to see the girl dueling heavily with Elanya. They both looked tired but other than a few scrapes and contusion they hadn't seemed to make any headway against each other… The landscape around them was a unlike taradiddle as tattered and extirpate trees littered the beach. Luna rushed forward, casting as she went and sending a dizzying duster after Elanya while yelling for Hermione to get out of the way. But before her charm could attain it's target, it was suddenly pushed harmlessly out to sea.

turning, she saw that Sarah had run the speedboat ashore and taken control of Luna's sandstorm before it could harm her friend. Harry and Jacey grounded as Elise jumped down from the gravy holder to connect Sarah on the sand. They all five stared at each other, tensely waiting to see who would do what first. On one position of their group, Hermione and Elanya had resumed their duel as they now each were trying to proceed the other from going to attend to their friends… on the other side, Fred was still stuck fighting with nature while struggling to hold on himself from falling over again.

The blaring auditory sensation of a ship's horn shattered the air and Luna nervously looked up to see how the Dragon took to it. Several gimcrack scream erupted from the nest but apparently they had sensed there was no direct scourge to them and remained safely where they were. `` It seems our drive out of here has arrived. '' Sarah grinned. `` Who's coming with us ? ``

( break )

Harry tried to follow Luna right away as he saw her ling catch fervidness, forcing her to ground, but clearly Elise was having her fun and kept him dodging flames as Jacey tried to retaliate from the spine of the broom. `` They are about to pull ashore ! '' Jacey pointed out, yelling in his ear.

'' Keep our path clear ! '' He instructed, tightening his adhesive friction and heading straight for the beach as she ensured Elise wasn't able-bodied to hit them. He landed as lightly as he could so that Jacey could get her understructure under her before hurrying over to Luna who had been trying to assist Hermione until Sarah stepped in.

He tried to intend, to figure out what to do next… it was impossible to contrive without knowing what everyone was thinking and as he, Luna and Jacey stared down Elise and Sarah, Harry found himself wondering how he'd ever managed before fully awakening that division of himself. A tatty horn startled him from his view and he looked out over the water to see a enceinte ship anchored and three rowboats full of mass making their way to the beach. `` It seems our ride has arrived. Who's coming with us ? '' Sarah asked, looking around at them all with a mad grin.

Jacey and Luna looked at each other and then to him, it was clear they were as turn over as he was that they were unable to contrive. `` Can we discuss this among ourselves ? '' He boldly asked… after all, as far as Elise and Sarah knew, they were all bounce to the island by the anti-apparation appeal and thought they could provide the only way out.

Elise eyes him warily. `` I'd be fast about making a determination. '' She reluctantly agreed, gesturing over her berm. `` Whether they like it or not, everyone aboard that ship is under our control… not to refer your two friends seem to be struggling quite a bit. ``

Carefully grabbing Luna's uninjured arm he pulled her and Jacey further away and lowered his voice so only they could hear him. `` Okay, Luna when I give the signal, run and catch Fred and get yourselves back to Hogwarts. Jacey and I will go get Hermione and follow right behind you. '' She instantly opened her mouth to protest but he shook his head and went on. `` If we haven't come back in ten minutes, then go get Lupin and Draco… go get Dumbledore if it makes you feel better… Just bring them back here to help. ``

She stared at him for a consequence, clearly unsure that this was the dependable plan. But it was the only one they had and she must have realized it. `` Fine, ten minutes and not a s more. '' She finally agreed.

'' OK then. '' Harry took her paw and held it tightly before turning to Jacey. `` I need you to stay fresh Sarah and Elanya back as ripe you can while I go help out Hermione… as soon as we're capable, apparate to the Shrieking Shack okay ? '' Jacey nodded and rubbed her hands together as she prepared to loose More of her power than she'd been able to in a more populated place.

'' Well ? '' Elise impatiently called from behind them. `` What's it going to be ? Come with us voluntarily or wait until our little minions row ashore to hale you to onboard with us against your will ? ``

'' Seeing as how there's still much about us that you don't know, we're going with alternative C. '' Harry answered. He felt Luna tense following to him as she prepared to run. `` Now ! '' He shouted. Jacey unleashed a towering wall of firing, sending it to encircle Elise and Sarah. The flames raged, flickering over seven ft luxuriously and with more strength than anything he'd seen her conjure before.

'' That will lead her a minute to deal with. '' Jacey grinned.

Harry watched Luna Benjamin Rush over to Fred and waited until she had grabbed his arm and apparated them both away before turning to help Hermione. `` Just keep on them occupy. '' He instructed before walking over to help take charge of Elanya and get off this island and back to Luna.

'' Harry ! '' He heard Jacey yell out a warning and turned to see respective prominent boulders flying at him. He ducked to the land and threw a shield around himself but it became quickly clear that Sarah hadn't been trying to kill him as the rocks settled and entombed him.

'' Cave Inimicum ! '' He heard Elise yell, strengthening the Rock and ensuring he was effectively trapped.



annotation : More to come soon !