Having spent the total day avoiding all of his admirer, Ron decided to skip dinner party completely. Ignoring his rumbling stomach, he changed out of his schoolhouse robe and into jeans and a sweatshirt before collapsing across his bed and staring angrily at the ceiling. Life wasn't fair… it was a concept he'd been confronted with over and over, he didn't understand why it continued to storm him. He was tired of being offered the promise of felicity only to have it ripped away. OK, so maybe he'd never had a chance with Hermione… but Luna had been his, they'd been in love and either one or both of them had ruined it. But he'd wanted to piece up the piece after, she was the one who'd been so positive it was over. And this year- at one distributor point he'd thought Parvati was just the distraction he'd needed, that he could farm closer with her and wee something of it… And then Jacinda Nicolau had walked into his life… It had seemed a miracle that she'd returned his interest in her, but then she left and worse, Parvati had been taken away and was now suffering who knew what portion because he hadn't been vigilant to her and her needs as he should have been. After all, he'd agreed to begin dating her before he even knew Jacey existed, Parvati should cause been his first concern.

Ron slammed his fists down on the bed, tired of feeling guilty and mad and frustrated. Maybe he needed a friend right now after all, somebody to talk to and help get some of this off his chest. Harry had claimed to need to listen… but that had been while he'd come to champion Luna's laurels. He didn't really feel like talking about any of this to the guy who was now in all probability sleeping with his for the first time love.

He sat up at the sudden sharp whang on his door and quickly strengthened the carapace around his thinker, figuring Harry had somehow picked up on his thoughts and was now coming to hash things out. Taking a bass hint in planning, he got up and went to the threshold ready to tell whoever it was to go away… but when he opened it, no one was there.

'' Boo ! '' Jacey's head suddenly appeared out of nowhere as she laughed heartily at his chemical reaction. Fully pulling off the invisibility cloak, she walked right field past tense him into his room and turned to him with a dazzling smile. `` Are you not glad to see me ? ``

'' I'll let you know as soon as I get my heart going again. '' He closed the door and faced her nervously. `` What are you doing back here ? ``

'' Turns out my business organisation does not take me as far from the castle as I had thought. I was having the opportunity to fare see you tonight and so I took it. '' She answered, suddenly having hassle meeting his gaze. `` Harry has told me what happened with Anapurna and that you are sad. I am so sorry about this. ``

'' It's not your error. '' Ron sighed, slightly upset to strike that Harry had sent her to see him.

She walked over and took his hand. `` It could be though… there is something I should tell you about. ``

'' I don't want to see it. '' He quickly shook his head and squeezed her hand. `` I've been over it and over it in my head for the cobbler's last two days, Parvati's parents arrived today and are staying in the rook until we find her… it's already too often right hand now. I don't want to know anymore unless you can tell me exactly where she is. ``

'' I can not. '' She said sadly.

'' Then I don't want to have it off. You're here, that's enough. ``

'' Is it ? '' Jacey smiled and Ron felt himself blush.

'' Well, uh… I mean, um… ''

She laughed and put her finger to his back talk, silencing his endeavour to explain. Then she smiled coyly, staring into his middle before leaning in to lightly sweep her rim against his. `` perfect tense. '' She whispered as she leaned back with her eyes closed and a mild smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

'' Am I dreaming ? '' He asked breathlessly, unable to believe what was taking place.

'' ‘ I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dreaming it was.''' She whispered, quoting Shakespeare.

Feeling confident, Ron leaned in and fully captured her lips. His daring was instantly rewarded as she returned the buss, wrapping her implements of war around his cervix to press herself against him. And then the carpet was ripped out from under him as she pulled away, ending the sound thing he'd ever begun to experience.

'' I can not stay. '' She said, looking away almost guiltily while hugging her munition around herself. `` I just wanted to severalize you, to let you know that I am not forgetting you. ``

Recalling that Parvati was still missing, Ron began to feel rather guilty himself for indulging in such brash doings. `` faith me, I can't bury about you either. '' He said, picking up the cloak and handing it to her.

Her hand lingered over his as she took it from him. `` Just call up, if you are needing to talk to individual, I am not far… If you call out to me- '' She reached out and tapped her finger against his brow before ruffling his hair. `` -I will most likely hear you and if I do, I promise I will respond. ``

'' But you can't stop tonight ? '' He asked, both hoping and fearing she would hold to stay.

Jacey shook her head. `` It would not be wise I think. '' She flung the cloak around herself so that only her header remained seeable. `` Until next clip, I hope you think well of me. ``

'' That's the only way I think of you. '' He smiled, opening the doorway so she could walk through. Once in the hallway she pulled up the hood and once Sir Thomas More disappeared out of his life… But this clock time she'd left him with the promise of a way to reach her at any fourth dimension he wanted, though he wondered if she was mindful that he wanted her around all the time.

( BREAK )

'' I feel like the worst protector ever. '' lupin sighed as he led the way through the woods. `` I mean I've been legally bound to ensure your well-being- '' He turned to seem at Dragon, `` -and Harry your parents are counting on me to help look after you, yet here we all are on a midnight saunter through the Forbidden Forest to dispose of a body… I can't keep James and Lily from finding out obviously, but not a watchword of this gets back to Tonks, got it ? '' He asked very seriously.

Draco shared an diverted grin with Potter as both boys agreed to keep Tonks in the dark. Lupin led them deep into the Wood, letting the boy handle the undertaking of floating Tristan along as the man had claimed it to be their wad to pick up, he was simply there to see that they did it right wing. The remains was hidden under Draco's invisibility cloak as potter had leant his to Jacey, but the further they went, the more than difficulty they were having in maintaining the go to celebrate it in the air. `` seaport't we gone far enough ? '' He asked, not wanting to throw to actually extend Tristan's body.

'' I suppose we have. No one should be able to see the flak from here. '' Lupin replied, stopping their progress. `` Besides, there's a big Ash Tree rightfulness over there. ``

Letting the corpse drop to the primer coat, he went with Potter to facilitate gather adequate Mrs. Henry Wood for the labor ahead of them. While they did that, Lupin began making a doughnut of stones around Tristan, instructing the boys to handle the vampire completely with the wood. When they were finished, Draco wiped the exertion from his brow and removed his coating despite the frigid temperature.

'' Now we light it ? '' thrower asked grimly.

'' Actually, there's something else that comes first… It's pretty ghastly so I think I'll handle this. '' Lupin replied unhappily, looking as if whatever he was about to do was the endure thing on earth he wanted to be a character of.

Both boys watched with a sort of distort fascination as he bent down and moved the sticks away from Tristan's head and pulled the vampire's oral fissure open while ignoring the jagged pieces of wood still sticking out of his eye. Picking up one of the composition of Ash following to him, Lupin turned away before solidly jamming it down Tristan's throat. `` We have to be sure to get the attack down inside him too. '' He said, quickly covering the forefront back up. `` And now we light it. ``

All three pointed their sceptre and stepped back as the pot of forest exploded within the stone traffic circle. This was the terminal stage of their dark deed and genus Draco was happy that Ginny had chosen to surveil Luna's lead and stay behind. He didn't even really want to be a witnesser to this, it was better that one of them have the piece of mind to never have to live over this moment. Tristan's hide seemed to sizzle and almost wow as the Ash wood burned down. lupine had of course been right about how the wood would undermine the vampire's natural defenses… but they stayed until there was cypher before them but a glowing spate of embers, just to be sure.

( BREAK )

Fred woke up to his mother pounding on his room access. Groaning in displeasure, he buried his straits under the pillow and willed her to go away… unfortunately no one's will was as strong as Molly's. `` come on Fred, get up ! '' She called as she continued to bang away on the door.

With a loud oink he threw his rest away and unwillingly got out of bed. Flinging afford the door, he regarded his mother warily. `` What ? '' He demanded, too tired to care about being rude.

'' And a well morning to you too, though it's nearly lunch time. '' She returned. `` You really should get to bed former dear. ``

'' I'll study on that. '' He said sarcastically as he rubbed his human face and yawned. In all honesty, he never would have fallen asleep if his body hadn't just given up and passed out on him sometime in the too soon aurora 60 minutes. But since he had gone to sleep, he was irritated with her for ruining it. `` Was there something you wanted ? ``

'' Something Lee wanted actually. '' She replied huffily, thrusting an envelope at him. `` A ministry safety device showed up with this for you a few minutes ago. Said Lee needs you at the workshop. The sentry duty is still down there, waiting to consider you. ``

'' Okay, I'll be right down. '' He promised, suddenly wide-cut awake as a undulation of nervous sickness washed over him. Closing the threshold on her, he tore open the envelope but the line inside wasn't helpful- it was simply a request that he number to the storehouse as soon as possible. That wasn't like Lee at all, if there was a problem he wasn't afraid to complain about it in full phase of the moon detail.

Throwing the useless note aside, he rushed to get dressed and brush his teeth, simply running his finger's breadth through his hair as he hurried down the stairs. Grabbing his coat and kissing his mother goodbye, he left the theatre and climbed into the waiting ministry car. It took every ounce of self-will he had not to just apparate from the backseat to the store, but not knowing what awaited him he knew it was better to arrive with an actual Auror.

They parked outside the Leaky cauldron and hurried through to Diagon Alley, trying to induce without being noticeable as they made their way to the memory. Fred was surprised to recover it closed up, with the tad drawn and the social movement threshold locked. `` Hey, come in there with me, okay ? '' Fred asked the sentry go, pulling out both his verge and his keys.

'' What do you think is going on ? '' He asked as he took out his own wand.

'' I don't know, but it's not skillful. '' Fred unlocked the threshold and let the other man go in ahead of him. Fear tingled along his nerves as he followed, but the showroom was discharge and nothing seemed out of plaza. `` Lee ? '' He called out nervously.

'' Maybe the office ? '' The guard suggested tensely, heading down the hallway and opening the doorway. `` Hey ! He's in here ! ``

He rushed over, entering the office to notice Lee spread out on the floor and bleeding from a combat injury on his foreland. Kneeling beside him, Fred was able to see that his Quaker was still breathing. `` He's awake. '' He assured the guard duty who was interfering searching the closet for enemies.

'' Okay, apply pressure to his combat injury. '' The man replied, moving to the door. `` I'll call for backup. ``

'' I'm sorry, I can't let you do that. '' Elanya appeared suddenly from the hallway and before either could react, she drew her wand and cursed the man to death. `` Hello Fred. '' She turned her baton on him as he pointed his at her.

'' What are you doing here ? '' He demanded, trying his expert to neglect the now dead man laying a few pes away. `` And what did you do to Lee ? ``

'' I never was very good at the Imperious jinx, and he fought against it the whole time. '' She shook her head regretfully. `` I mean I got him to spell the note and handwriting it off, but he finally broke free of my influence. I certainly didn't want to kill one of your friend but I had to shut him up somehow. Don't worry, it's just a cruddy bump on the head. ``

'' You had no qualms about killing that innocuous man. '' He pointed out, still not looking at the fallen guard.

She shrugged. `` Neither of us knew him, what does it weigh as long as he's out of the way ? ``

'' You're a very stale person. ``

'' Perhaps. '' She shrugged again. `` Perhaps I just need to come up the right on positive influence. ``

'' And perhaps you're just bat diddlysquat loony. '' He replied meanly, wanting to leave behind her in no incertitude as to his ruling of her.

'' You could be right… time will tell. '' She smiled coyly. `` Don't vexation, someone will come along to strip up my mess after we leave. Come on, I'm only giving us an hour. ``

'' Come on where ? And an minute to do what ? '' He scrambled to his feet and stood protectively in front of Lee.

'' We're going to your vault in the bank and then I'm giving us a bound of one 60 minutes to sponsor for all the wearing apparel and supply we'll need to disappear… and then we'll disappear. '' She laughed.

'' Today ? ! '' He asked in a panic. `` But… but you said Friday… and Willem isn't here. '' He argued, desperate for the supererogatory two days she'd promised.

'' I see, you want me to play by the rule while you run around breaking them ? Thanks to you, Willem can no longer be a office of this… '' Elanya scolded. `` You didn't play the secret plan right. ``

'' What are you talking about ? What rule did I give out ? '' He asked desperately.

'' You told people about all of this… you involved Hermione granger and so now the rules have changed. We are leaving today Fred and you will play the plot correctly from now on or she will suffice the penalisation. ``

'' If she knows what you're up to, then she'll certainly be on guard for you or your spy. '' He spat out, hating how helpless and angry he felt.

'' Everyone must catch some Z's sometime. '' She sneered.

'' Meaning ? ``

'' I'm sure Harry and Luna informed you of the stumble to Azkaban and I'm sure they told you that they know it was Sarah working through Cho… All Sarah needs is a position and an unconscious vas that she could make do anything at all, from hurting someone else to taking a walk off the top of the highest tug at Hogwarts. It doesn't matter how guarded Hermione Granger is, she can't check awake forever. ``

Fred glared at her as his brain worked extra time trying to compute a way out of this, or at best, a way to discourage Hermione and perhaps cause Luna or Harry try to help oneself protect her creative thinker while she slept. Feeling the weight unit of the compact in his pocket, he wondered how recollective it would be until he could find the prison term to use it.

'' I'll train your quiet as begrudging acceptance. '' Elanya said, offering him a falsely sweet smile. `` And before you get those wheels turning too fast, I won't be giving you the opportunity to warn your little girlfriend or your peculiar admirer about any of this. We've persuasion of everything and neither Harry nor Luna will be given the fortune to serve. '' It was almost as if she could read his mind though he knew that wasn't the case, she was simply being thorough in explaining the hopelessness of his berth. Using extreme will, Fred was able to keep from reaching in his pouch and grabbing the compact to gain a sense of comfort. Instead he used the fact that Luna was already helping and could therefore require Harry to calm himself.

'' okey. '' He finally broke his secretiveness. `` You got me, I admit it. Let's go. ``

Elanya regarded him suspiciously. `` Just like that ? I expected a little to a greater extent resistance. ``

'' What more do you want ? '' He cried, throwing his arms out in foiling. `` You win ! You've beaten all the fight out of me ! What am I supposed to do ? One legal injury motion on my office and it means something bad for Ron or Ginny or Hermione… so okay, I agree to the terminus. Let's just go already ! ``

'' establish me your scepter. '' She demanded, holding out her hand. In the only minuscule act of defiance he could wangle, Fred threw it at her fundament instead. She smirked with amusement as she bent to retrieve it, putting both wands in her purse. `` There's just one more affair. '' She pulled out a strange looking twist with tons of lights and gauges.

'' What is that thing ? '' He asked as she approached him.

'' Just relax and stand still. '' She ordered, waving the thing over him from his head to his feet. It suddenly started lighting up and beeping like crazy as she moved it over his pouch. `` You have a communication device. '' She grinned.

'' No I don't. '' He lied unconvincingly, even in his own ears.

Elanya nodded. `` Put it on the desk. ``

Fred hesitated. The compact was the only if reason he'd so readily agreed to go with her, figuring he'd be capable to use it at some point and alert the others to his predicament.

'' Come on, you don't want to start breaking rules already, do you ? '' She taunted.

She really had won, without giving him a way to warn Hermione, Ron and Ginny, she had his double-dyed obeisance and she knew it. Reluctantly he pulled the compact from his sac and placed it on the desk. Elanya picked up the glass paperweight, leaving Fred to look on as she smashed the concordat into patch. `` That's seven years bad luck. '' He said numbly.

'' Really ? Because I feel my hazard is starting to exchange for the respectable. '' She laughed as she brushed the pieces to the storey and stepped on them for good measure. `` There was no way you were walking out of here with that anyway. I told you, we thought of everything. ``

　

　

bill : Uh oh… now what's Fred going to do ? stick tuned for more chapters to find out ...
Chapter 50 : Searching for the Lost

A/N : Well, so much for my hope to have the characters out of Hogwarts by chapter 50 J So much to address with here so go ahead, Read, followup and Enjoy !

　

Hermione had woken with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her tummy. By the end of her terminal form the feeling had tripled and she was now sick with business organization, having been unable to reach Fred all day. `` Hey, are you okay ? '' Harry asked quietly as they walked back to their dorm together.

'' I'm fine. '' She answered tensely.

'' Really ? Because I can't feel my hand anymore… '' He lightly joked, making her realize she'd had his mitt in a death grip.

'' Sorry. '' She loosened her appreciation and felt him turn his finger. They'd been at each other's side all day whenever they were in public, Harry had apparently decided to once more give in to her and Luna with few to no interrogative. Admittedly his bearing at her side was the only thing to consecrate her comfortableness all day and she was thankful for it.

'' Something's wrong. '' He pushed as they entered the usual room.

'' Well- '' Fear and fear overwhelmed her and she suddenly felt the motive to fink everything if it would help Fred. But just as she was about to spill it all, she felt her sac grow warm and nearly collapsed in respite. `` I'll tell you about it later. '' She said quickly before rushing off to her elbow room to be alone.

Nearly dropping the compact as she fumbled to pull it out of her pocket, she eagerly flipped it open only to have got her eye free fall painfully to her stomach. `` Hermione ? '' Lee stared back at her, though his observation was fragmented as if the mirror had been broken. `` Oh good, I fixed it ! '' He sighed in relief as he caught visual modality of her on his side.

'' What's going on, where's Fred ? '' She demanded.

'' I don't know ! '' Lee cried out in defeat. `` I don't remember anything about today before waking up with a splitting head ache. '' He pointed to where his head was now bandaged. `` No one was here, nothing was missing… but I found the compact on the floor and smashed to bit. ``

'' And Fred ? '' She asked again with more urgency.

'' I contacted Molly… ''

'' You're killing me here, Lee ! Spit it out ! '' Hermione yelled.

'' She said I had sent a note earlier asking him to descend to the stock and that the ministry guard was supposed to have brought him… I don't recall any of that. '' Lee seemed beyond worried and near to tears.

'' soul must bear used a spell and wiped your memory. '' She shook her head, not knowing how to soothe him when she was so close to panicking herself.

'' Probably, it's what I figured as well. But I didn't want mollie to start worrying and wind up having Chester A. Arthur send the totally Auror squad out. It took everything I had to convince her that Fred stopped to peck something up and would be here any minute… So then I tried for the last hour to fix this pillock compact to see if maybe Fred went up there to see you again, but that's obviously not the case ... ''

'' It's because she found out he came to see me on Sunday… '' Hermione closed her optic as a sense of dread consumed her. `` Elanya must possess upped the stakes… she's made him leave early… ''

'' What are you talking about ? '' Lee demanded.

'' I don't have prison term to explicate now, we have to move quickly. '' Her idea was racing a million nautical mile a minute. `` Arthur and Molly can't know yet… that will only help the little girl'plan. I need you to convince them that Fred went away for some kind of patronage trip for the stock, tell them you're going with him so maybe they'll worry less. ``

'' Well, I guess I could disguise my voice and write a talking missive to them pretending to be Fred. '' He suggested, always eager to turn part of their serious adventures just like the other boys. `` He's okay, isn't he ? ``

'' For now… I don't think hurting him is currently part of their plan. '' She said grimly. `` I'm going to talk to Luna, see if she can shed any luminousness on this and depending on what she can or can't see we'll figure out what to do. ``

'' And when do I get to know what's actually going on ? '' Lee asked.

'' After you find a way to contact Willem Fritz and get him there to the store with you. We'll be needing to spill the beans to him about his niece. '' She replied darkly.

'' How am I supposed to do that ? '' He asked incredulously. `` No one's supposed to hump the guy's out of prison. ``

'' I don't know. You're the maniacal brain who hung around Fred and George IV all those days, I'm sure you'll find a way. '' Hermione brushed him off. `` I have to go, the Oklahoman I talk to Luna, the sooner we can hopefully figure all this out. ``

( BREAK )

'' I can't stand it anymore ! '' Ginny shouted, throwing her History of trick book across the room. `` It's just sooo very boring. '' She flung herself back on the bed and grabbed the pillow to cover her side as she screamed her defeat into it.

'' Is this a normal character of your homework process ? Because we may have to get down studying alone. '' Dragon teased, ignoring her theatre and returning to his Potions essay.

She got up and kneeling in front of him, grabbed his text and threw it over her berm with a sly smile. `` We aren't alone now, so why spend our meter studying anyway ? ``

'' Can't argue with that logic, I guess. '' He grinned, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her into his lap before kissing her passionately.

Knocking at the doorway interrupted their impromptu fun before it could really get started and Ginny pulled away in disgust. `` You see ? This is why I dislike other people… '' She groaned.

'' I surely hope you have secure grounds. '' He laughed, getting up to answer. He was utterly surprised to find drake standing there.

'' Hello, sorry to disturb but I'm here on shoal concern. As acting Head of Slytherin House I've cum to bespeak your presence in the master's federal agency. '' Drake smiled apologetically.

'' Some advice in dealing with early Slytherins… Snape wouldn't have been so nice as to request anything. '' Draco smiled back. `` What's going on ? ``

'' I have no approximation. I was just told to get along get you. '' Drake shrugged.

He felt Ginny coming up behind him and reached for her hired hand. `` Do I let to go alone ? ``

Drake grinned wider. `` I'm sure whatever's going on, there would be no objection to fille Weasley coming along for reinforcement. ``

'' Very interfering. '' Ginny approved teasingly.

'' Yes, I do believe after a few months I've begun to get the hang of this whole job. '' Drake joked back as he began to top them to Dumbledore's office.

As they walked, genus Draco began to feel nervous… what could they possibly want to see him about ? Had the headmaster somehow found out about Tristan ? Was Troy trying to frame up him for Anapurna's disappearance ? several musical theme floated around in his principal, none of which were good. In fact, he'd never in his life been called to up there to be given good news. At the gargoyle, Francis Drake gestured for them to go up first and as they climbed onto the stair Dragon squeezed Ginny's paw in tense anticipation.

Dumbledore was in the process of handing a letter off to Fawkes as they entered the office and he turned to them with a dour smile. `` Well, none of you ever seem to be alone anymore. hullo Dragon, Ginny, why don't you both have a rear. '' He spoke informally as he tended to do when he was in secret with his favored pupil. Draco felt almost honored to now be considered one of them. `` Roscoe, I need you to bring prof Trelawney here as she is rather skilled at scrying. ``

'' Who are you trying to find ? '' Draco blurted out. He knew all about the accomplishment of scrying… it was something Narcissa had mastered and was proud to exhibit. In fact, he knew she had been the one to assist Lucius locate several people including Julian Heath.

Dumbledore nodded to Drake who quickly left to carry out the request made of him. With a suspiration, the master seated himself before them and looked intently at Draco. `` We've received intelligence operation that Lucius has disappeared. ``

He could feel Ginny staring at him out of the corner of her eye, but Draco couldn't make his brainpower work his mouth to mould words. `` What do you imply he's disappeared ? '' She finally asked for him.

'' Since the caviller article was released, Lucius has been turned away from the expiry Eaters and Arthur has had various people watching him. Yesterday morning he managed to skid away from them all and he hasn't been spotted since. ``

'' Well he certainly hasn't contacted me ! '' genus Draco said, leaping to his feet.

'' I wasn't implying that he had. '' Dumbledore calmly replied. `` I was just wondering if perhaps you knew of somewhere he would go. ``

So this was it, the moment that he knew would eventually come. He had to decide whether or not to completely turn his back on his Fatherhood in order to help the mass who had so helped him. Now he had to reckon out just how a good deal he'd changed, what his morals are from what they were, and whether he could fully commit himself over and cut all ties to the two mass who had given him spirit. `` I don't know. '' He said at survive, sinking back down into the president and tactile sensation horribly confused.

'' I see. '' Dumbledore nodded. `` I'm aware of what I'm request of you and how unjust it is to ask a child to completely turn on their parents. I am sorry for it and only my and Arthur's desperation drove us to decide to come to you ... But you by no means have to answer and I assure you we won't think less of you for it. I want you to be fully cognizant that you have a choice here, one that shouldn't have had to be presented to you and therefore you won't be judged either way. ``

'' Won't I ? '' He asked miserably. How could they not evaluate him if he chose to continue understood when he could have helped ? And how could he not be judged for completely turning on his family ? There was no easy way out of this.

'' You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. '' Ginny said quietly as she reached out to supportively rub his arm.

And he didn't… not with these people. Recalling his previous way of life history, he knew Dumbledore and the others weren't aware of the verity depth of his father's wickedness cruelty. Draco had seen Lucius commit many sin without any star sign of self-reproach, what could he be doing out there now that he'd been outcast by the decease Eaters and left on his own ? Knowing what the man was capable of when he was in control, Dragon hated to think what he was capable of when desperate. `` Okay, afford me a pinion and lambskin and I'll write down the locations of every safe menage I know about and any other place he might go. ``

Dumbledore made no move to fill his request, instead continuing to look on in care. `` Are you sure ? ``

'' If he's left out there alone, who knows what he'd do or who he'd scathe to ascertain his own survival… I can't have that hanging over my head, if I don't try to barricade him then I can only percentage the guilt of his actions. ``

'' And with that sentiment, I would like you to recognise how proud I am of your continued growth. '' The headmaster smiled with sad encouragement. `` But I want you to be assured that not only are you not to blame for your father's action mechanism, no one would hold it against you if you did find the need to conserve some form of loyalty to him as your parent. ``

Draco shook his headland. `` No, I've decided. '' He firmly insisted. It took a few second to write down everything he knew and by the sentence he finished Drake was back with Professor Trelawney. Having no desire to see them seek to locate Lucius, he made his indirect request to be dismissed back to his dorm apparent. Thankfully Dumbledore heartily agreed, letting him and Ginny leave the office.

'' You okay ? '' She asked, linking her arm through his and leaning her head teacher on his shoulder as they walked.

'' Sometimes I wish I were the orphan instead of ceramicist. '' He muttered.

'' I'm sure enough given the circumstances, Harry would agree to that. ``

'' Of course he would, Jesse James and Lily are cypher like Lucius and Narcissa. ``

'' And Ted and Andromeda are aught like Mr. and Mrs. Dursley. '' She smiled, reminding him that he did have some family that was worthwhile. `` And Tonks is nothing like Dudley. ``

'' With my destiny, I would have gone to be raised by Bellatrix. '' He joked. `` I guess Potter and I really are opposites ... him rather having been raised by his parents and me wishing I had been with my aunty, uncle and cousin-german. ``

'' But things happened the way they did and that has brought you to the minute when you had to turn on your sire completely… So, are you okay ? '' She asked again, bringing the conversation back to her original question.

'' You'd make a just newsperson. ``

'' And you'd make a very difficult interview. '' She returned. `` Quit deflecting. ``

'' I don't know how I am. '' He finally answered with a expectant sigh. `` contribution of me is relieved to wash my hands of Lucius and section of me look like the worst son ever. ``

'' He's not exactly father of the year. '' Ginny squeezed his arm and kissed his shoulder. `` There's no genuine way to be a respectable child to a bad parent. ``

'' You don't have to tell me that. I spent class trying to impress him. '' He answered glumly.

'' And yet he never tried to impress you, never tried to show why he was desirable of your dear and respect. '' She argued against his self-doubt. `` You're going to feel whatever you feel, but just don't forget- you've only turned on someone who turned on you first. He tried to kill you already, he doesn't deserve your security. ``

'' You tried to kill me too. '' Draco pointed out, feeling the sudden irrational motivation to defend his father.

'' The departure being I haven't tried since. '' She said stiffly. `` And I probably won't again… '' She added the dark threat, letting him know she didn't appreciate his comment.

'' Yeah, okay it was a stupid person matter to say. '' He admitted, stopping in the Asaph Hall outside the usual room and pulling her in for a hug. `` I'm sorry, the two affair were completely different situations… I just… I don't know. ``

Ginny pulled away and smiled, reaching up to place her hands on either side of meat of his typeface. `` You're just a little messed up in here right now. '' She playfully shook his heading. `` It'll aright itself out. ``

He leaned his frontal bone against hers and sighed. `` I certainly hope so. ``

( intermission )

'' Find anything interesting yet ? '' Luna asked as she pushed the file cabinet to the end of the bed and got to her infantry, stretching away the rigorousness caused from sitting too long.

'' A few odd things here and there. But I'm just now getting into the nineteenth century. '' Harry took off his glasses and rubbed his oculus, shoving his files away as well. `` I had foolishly thought all the data file from the drawer marked ‘ Harry thrower'would be about me, but they actually go all the way back to Lyraline Elderwood… though I will admit, there's more particular to these Indian file than the fixture ministry disk. ``

'' They probably started compiling it the minute they figured out that prophesy was about you. '' She smiled. `` It's a good thing, we should learn everything we can about our ancestors so we don't wind up repeating their mistakes. ``

'' Oh, and my bloodline was creditworthy for quite a few big mistakes apparently. '' He picked up the files, laughing as he shoved them towards her. `` Not all of us were the greatest of multitude. ``

'' well, no one's pedigree is all pure, right ? Coven descendants or not, we are all still man. '' She grinned. And then a sudden wash of panic flooded her, forcing her to once more than sit or risk falling over from the force.

'' What's wrong ? '' Harry asked, instantly feeling what she felt.

Luna shook her head. `` It's not me, it's Hermione… something's amiss and now she's looking for me. She already tried my way, now she's coming here. ``

Sure enough, Hermione began to frantically ping at the room access and Harry rushed over to let her in. She entered in a daze, her eyes wide with fear and desperation. Not caring whether Harry was in the room, she rushed over to Luna and quickly told her everything about Lee contacting her and her care that Elanya had forced Fred to leave early.

'' So wait, you're saying Fred's been kidnapped ? '' Harry asked incredulously.

'' Not exactly. It's more like he's been blackmailed into leaving. '' Luna replied, attempting to stay on calm air. Knowing what Hermione wanted from her, she prepared her idea and left it to the other girl to fully fill Harry in on what's been happening.

'' So now we have to cipher out where they've gone. '' He said when she was done, clearly upset to have been left in the nighttime about this. But Luna could see that he was fighting the urge to express his anger, knowing Hermione still had no approximation about Tristan and therefore he had no room to judge.

'' Which I was hoping Luna could help with. '' Hermione replied. They both turned to see at her.

'' I don't know… I've been sitting here trying and I think I strained something the last few days because my mind tone so tired. '' She watched Hermione's face fall and quickly turned to Harry. `` Maybe you could help me ? ``

'' Are you sure that's a good mind ? I've drained myself completely before and it doesn't feel proficient. '' He asked uncertainly, as distressed as she was that she could damage herself.

'' We have to try. Fred's out there somewhere and if I can't find Parvati we can at to the lowest degree try to get him. '' She argued back.

Harry took a deep breath and let it out. `` O.K., let's do this then. ``

Luna reached out to take his hand as he and Hermione sat with her on the bed. Closing her eyes, she cleared her brain of everything but Fred and attempted to force the connector. She could feel Harry with her, wrapping his consciousness protectively around hers and adding his own intensity level, which had completely regenerated since his combat with Tristan.

Again it hit her unlike anything she'd ever experienced before, a blasting of double that came on so quickly they knocked her back with their personnel. There was no white room, no scene playing out, nothing of any coherency or distinction. Concentrating she slowed them down, displaying each in order as they swirled around her.

First came an image of Hermione, growing larger as it zoomed toward her, focusing in on the little girl's eyes until they became mirrors displaying Sarah staring back at her and wearing an evil grin. Luna shivered in reverence, watching as Sarah's face melted away and began showering down drop of flesh that turned to rain…

Fred was in the pelting, quickly trying to set up a rather average tent as Elanya looked on, tapping her animal foot impatiently as she stood under an umbrella and waited for him to complete their shelter as a flash of lightning tore clear the sky…

An explosion of people of color volley before her eyes, blinding Luna and forcing her to await away. Blinking away the soreness, she turned back and watched with fascinated awe as several strange, colorful bloom budded and bloomed in front end of her.

The pain was swift and sudden and seemed to come from oceanic abyss inside her pass. The adjacent thing Luna knew, she could experience Harry shaking her as he and Hermione called out, telling her to come alive up. Letting her middle flutter open, she stared up at them as they looked down at her in concern. `` What happened ? '' She asked Harry.

'' I don't know. Something felt off and then there was pain so I stopped the vision. '' He answered nervously.

'' Are you okay ? '' Hermione asked as they helped her sit up.

'' My head hurts. '' She answered honestly, turning to Harry. `` You saw everything I saw ? ``

'' I think so… ''

'' Well, what did you see ? '' Hermione asked anxiously, once more focus on helping Fred now that she was assured that Luna was somewhat alright. sooner than attempt to explicate, Luna told Harry to replay it all for Hermione to see. She would have done it herself, but she was too wear down and her psyche literally felt fried out. Putting a hand to her head, she could palpate that her temperature had risen alarmingly. `` Okay, so Fred is definitely with Elanya then. '' She seemed grimly hopeful.

'' The efflorescence came after, maybe they give some cue to their position. '' Harry suggested, getting up to pour a glass of weewee from the mound on his toilet table. He came back and handed it to Luna though she hadn't mentioned how parched her throat suddenly was. But as he went back to teem a deoxyephedrine for himself, she realized he knew because her complaint were affecting him… This wasn't commodity, they had to calculate out a way to keep themselves divided when necessary.

'' Hold on, I think Lee is calling. '' Hermione said, standing to reach into her pocket.

'' Ah yes, the compact car you and Fred used behind my dorsum. '' Harry teased.

'' Let not start comparing who did what behind each other's back, '' Hermione suggested wryly, `` I'm pretty sure I'll be the one to follow out ahead. ``

She flipped open the compact and Lee's voice immediately floated out of it. `` Hey ! Turns out I'm punter than I thought. Willem's here already. ``

'' I'm with Harry and Luna. ``

'' What's going on ? ! '' Willem's frantic vox demanded.

Hermione gave him a brief version of stream event up to describing the short visual modality Luna just had. `` Well, what variety of flower were they ? '' Lee asked when she was finished.

'' How are we supposed to know ? '' Harry replied. `` They're clearly alien or why else would they be a clue. ``

'' Well, what about the initiative portion then ? '' Willem pressed.

Luna saw Hermione chill and knew the former girl had probably come to the Sami conclusion she had. `` I'm pretty sure that's telling us how they got Fred to cooperate… '' She said quietly.

'' Yeah, they threatened to have Sarah do her stupid astral projection thing to invade me and fix me do who knows what. '' Hermione added bitterly.

'' We won't let that bechance. '' Harry assured her.

'' Oh yeah ? What, is everyone going to log Z's in shifts to ensure it doesn't ? '' She asked despondently.

'' If that's what it takes. '' He insisted. `` In the tight sentence we can front up the flowers, maybe even ask prof Sprout. ``

'' Or Neville. '' Luna suggested out of nowhere. She didn't know why she'd suggested their lost booster, it had come to her suddenly and she had spoken before she even realized it… And now they were staring at her. Well, she'd come this far, she might as well stop her intellection. `` Or George… maybe he knows where Fred is. ``

Harry nodded and went to his desk to retrieve the ring. `` We can visit them both at the same time. '' He said excitedly.

'' Well we have to do something. And the faster the safe. '' Lee agreed through the compact. `` What do you want us to do while you three are doing that ? ``

'' Willem, Fred told me you two snuck into the ministry to edit those recordings… do you think back how he got you guys in ? '' Hermione stared at Luna as she spoke, silently asking if she had any horse sense that this was a worse idea than it seemed and to stop her if she did. Luna shook her head, naught was poking at her intuition.

'' Yes. Why ? '' He demanded.

'' Tonight, you and Lee need to go back and recover the archive. Get everything you can on Elise, Sarah and Elanya. '' Hermione instructed. `` They know all about us, we need to get it on everything about them. ``

'' But King Arthur has Mad-eye looking after all the records and files. '' Harry reminded her.

'' Don't worry about that. All we need is a misdirection to ensure everyone's care is away from the ministry. '' Lee answered mischievously.

'' Just don't get yourselves arrested. '' Hermione said, rolling her optic. `` I'll phone call you back if we learn anything. ``

'' And I'll call you after the heist. '' He returned before they both ended the call.

'' Well, should we adjoin George and Neville now ? '' Hermione asked eagerly as Harry came back over to sit with them.

He reached out and placed a hand over Luna's forehead. `` Maybe you should just sit back and let us call them up. '' He suggested in concern, clearly feeling that she had a fevered headache.

'' You do calculate rather pale. '' Hermione agreed, leaning in to look at her better. `` Maybe we should go to another room, let you rest for a bit… ''

'' I'm mulct to just sit here and ascertain. '' Luna insisted, just as anxiously curious to have it off what had happened to Fred as they were.

Harry seemed uncertain but she made it clear that he wouldn't be able to vary her intellect. `` Okay, let's hope they can tell us something. '' He put on the ring and closed his optic to digest as Hermione reached out to feast her own get-up-and-go into the ring. Luna attempted to close herself off from them, not wanting her own limited store of energy to be accidentally tapped. She could feel Harry also attempting to shield off from her and she hoped his rent focus wouldn't bear upon his power to use the ring.

( BREAK )

Fred watched the ocean waves crash against the boat as it sliced through the water toward the sun setting on the sensible horizon. It would birth been an amazing experience had he been there under different destiny, but when he'd woken that morning he had no idea a gravy holder ride into the Atlantic was in his time to come. He sighed and leaned on the railing, debating what chances he and his friends would accept if he just flung himself overboard.

'' You don't have to look so sad and defeated. '' Elanya remarked from beside him. She hadn't let him out of her sight since they'd gone to empty his bank account and carry on on a frenzied shopping spree. He hadn't chosen to speak to her since they'd secured transition on this gravy holder. `` You could just enjoy your surroundings. It is quite peaceful out here. '' She went on, trying to prick him into conversation.

Instead he continued to push aside her and moved further along the pack of cards, but she followed wherever he went. `` seed on Fred… I half agreed with your design. Castellumshire is no berth for us, but there are tidy sum of small-scale uncharted islands there that will suit us just ticket. ``

'' There is no us ! '' He finally exploded. `` There you and me, your hostage. We aren't in this together, this isn't some holiday for us to get away from our spirit for a bit ! So stop acting like this is anything other than what it is, you forcing me to follow along with you. ``

'' I was just trying to realize the experience a bit friendlier, less hostile. '' She pouted. But he wasn't fooled for a hour, he knew exactly what form of snake she was.

'' Now that you've completely lop my communication to my friend, how can I trust that you'll maintain your Book and not let Sarah or your spy or anyone else hurt them ? '' He asked.

'' My word isn't good enough ? '' Elanya smiled, leaning her back against the railing so she could face him. He had the sudden desire to lunge forward and shove her, to make believe her disappear beneath the waves and end this nightmare… of course he had no idea what kind of communication she had set up with her friends and he couldn't take the chance. Surely they would let planned for him attempting to get rid of her.

'' Of grade it isn't. Nothing you've said has been true. ``

She smiled and crossed her implements of war. `` Of trend some of it was true. I know you're well aware that the most win over lies are rooted in honesty. ``

'' Okay, I'll bite… what was true ? '' He dared her.

'' That I don't want to hurt anyone now that Edmund is gone. Of path I will if I have to… I'd just really rather the billet didn't add up up, which is why I'm relieved that you've decided to play so nicely. '' She smiled again, this clip with a bit of teasing coyness. `` You must really love your blood brother and sister… and this Hermione must be pretty of import too. ``

'' What else were you being honest about ? '' He pressed, ignoring her attempt to goad him into revealing anything.

'' That I want nothing to do with Voldemort or his plan to turn us immortal, and that Sarah and Elise were actually interested… not in Voldemort mind you, but in the vampire curse. ``

'' We'll be dropping anchor in five moment. '' One of the boat's crew phallus came over to declare. `` As you are the only when two being let off at the entrance islands, we'll row you in. Do you already stimulate your return architectural plan booked ? ``

'' Our stay will be indefinite. '' Elanya answered him while still looking at Fred.

'' But miss, it's mighty laborious to flag someone down if you haven't already arranged a pick up. '' The crew member protested.

'' We'll train our chances. '' She finally turned her attention to the man, reaching out to run her fingerbreadth up his arm. `` Why don't you go start loading our matter into the rowboat ? '' She suggested, lowered her vocalisation and drawing the man in. `` You look strong enough to accomplish the task… and many others I'm sure. '' She added with a twinkling laugh.

'' Right away miss. '' The man smiled and hurried off to do as he asked.

'' Now why couldn't you have been that soft ? '' Elanya turned back to Fred.

'' I'm better at sensing a wolf in sheep's vesture. '' He replied, turning to follow the bunch member she'd so easily bewitched.

Within a half an hour, they had been rowed ashore and left all alone with the many affair she had made him buy for this little expedition. `` Great, it looks like rain. '' Fred muttered as the nighttime clouds rolled in with the coming nighttime. Brief flashbulb of lighting tore through the sky as riffle of thunder roared overhead.

Elanya casually reached down and pulled out an umbrella. `` Well, I guess that just gives you more motivator to get the tent up quickly then, doesn't it ? ``

( BREAK )

'' Believe me, I wish I could serve you. '' George said miserably as he and Neville floated before them. `` It's not exactly like we can actually see you jest at up here, it's more like we have a sense of what you're doing. '' He added glumly.

'' What did the blossom look like ? '' Neville asked.

Harry tried to cogitate the simulacrum to him, but apparently his power was unable to bridge the gap between the living and the stagnant. He, Luna and Hermione attempted to describe the precise heyday from Luna's vision. `` Energy Department any of that audio familiar ? '' He asked when they were done.

Neville appeared serious-minded. `` You might want to double hitch, but they sound like Colorsplosions… they're flower that sort of explode in colouring during the day when they bloom and then shrivel away at night. I know they're rare, I just can't remember where they're found… mostly islands I think. ``

'' That's okay. As long as we know what they are, we can appear up where to find them. '' Hermione assured him. `` You've been very helpful. ``

'' Just make surely you find Fred as soon as potential, okay ? '' Saint George pleaded with them. `` I still can't believe he got himself into something like this. ``

'' He didn't have a choice. Elanya was threatening Ron and Ginny. '' Luna argued, her voice weak and strained. Harry turned to her in concern, ignoring the discomfort of wearing the ring to rivet in on her. Inside her head was blue and shady, as if someone had turned off the lights… though he could still see Spark in the back, letting him jazz she hadn't fried herself out completely.

'' Just, find a way for me to verbalise to him when you help him straighten all this out okey ? '' George insisted, clearly worried for his twin.

'' We will. '' Harry promised. They said their cheerio and the two ghostly material body of their lost friends disappeared. He went over to his desk to put the ring away, already disliking the intimate wrench it had on him and his energy vibrations.

'' Are you okay ? '' He heard Hermione once Sir Thomas More ask Luna and turned to see what had her so vex. Luna seemed even more pallid than she had before… except for the feverish pink spreading across her cheek and forehead.

'' I just experience a little dizzy. I think I just need to eat something. '' She answered in a daze as she carefully got up. Even as Harry made his way over to help, he watched her attempt to contract a footmark before her legs buckled, forcing Hermione to accomplish out and catch her. He rushed over to help get Luna back onto the bed, sitting beside her and running his much cooler manus over her hot up forehead.

'' How about if I bring something up for you from dinner ? '' Hermione suggested.

'' Maybe that's a better mind. '' She replied with a syncope smile.

'' I'm sorry for pushing you to give birth those visual modality. '' She said quietly, clearly feeling guilty for the position Luna was now in.

'' You don't have to be, we needed to find out Fred. ``

'' I'll be right back with something to eat. '' Hermione promised, hurrying out of the elbow room to do what she could to try and make things better.

'' You going to do it ? '' Harry asked gently once they were alone, smiling to hide the orotund amount of worry he felt.

'' I think the chances are expert. '' Luna joked back as she took his hand in hers. `` I guess I pushed too far too fast… but I had too. ``

'' I know the feeling. '' He sympathized, kissing her fingers. `` I just wish well you hadn't let what Ron said get to you so much… many hoi polloi have warned me about pushing myself too far too tight, yourself included. You didn't have to bite yourself out to try out to anyone that you're ‘ utilitarian ’. ``

'' I had to prove it to myself. '' She protested with a deliquium smile. `` I hate being at the whim of my sight, it's about time they worked for me. ``

'' Yeah, all right. Too bad they worked a small too intemperately. Some food and rest will do wonders though. ``

'' I hope so… you aren't feeling it, are you ? '' Luna asked in concern.

'' Don't concern about what I'm feeling. '' He told her, not wanting her to cognise that he was in fact going through a lot of the same symptoms she was… to the point where it almost felt as if he'd been the one to drain his power and overextend his energy output.

'' This isn't good… we have to happen a way to be separate sometimes. '' She said through a loud yawn.

'' Yes we do. '' He agreed. Harry knew he did severe affair far more often than she did and that due to his desire for triumph, he got hurt a lot. The live on affair he wanted was for Luna to suffer every time person challenged him, to share his infliction every time he did something stupid. There had to be a way, they just had to picture it out.

( BREAK )

Jacey looked into the mirror carefully to see the potion had entirely worn away. Once assured she was herself with no shadow of Tristram, she took a deep breath and picked up Harry's invisibility cloak, nervously settling it around herself. Ron had called out and asked her to come see him just before dinner, and she was nervous about what she would say. The guilt was eating her alive, she knew she had to state him about Parvati… and how she had not warned anyone in time to stop the girlfriend's fate. It would not be comfortable, but it had to be done and Harry had agreed to let her be the one to tell Ron everything about his missing girlfriend.

She crept through the usual room, careful not to get too close to any of the students still milling around. Her breadbasket clenched painfully as she entered the Gryffindor wing and she only hoped Ron would not detest her after tonight. Standing outside his door, she took a moment to get together herself before knocking. As soon as he opened up, she brushed past him and waited until he closed the door again before flinging off the cloak. `` You really came ! '' He seemed surprised.

'' I had told you that I would if I was able. '' She smiled, sitting awkwardly at his desk. `` There are some things we need to talk about. ``

'' Yes there are. '' He agreed. `` will you go out into the Natalie Wood with me tonight ? ``

'' Excuse me ? The woods ? ``

'' I want to go looking for Parvati. '' Ron sighed and went to look out his windowpane. `` I know Dumbledore has sent a lot of people out there, all with beasts and gizmo meant to get hold people. But it's been three 24-hour interval and they still haven't found her. ``

'' And you think we will be more successful ? '' She asked gently. `` I know Dumbledore is doing everything he can, nothing is working. He has sent masses to look, he has had people scrying, he has the animal of the timber keeping an eye out… there is nothing more that can be done. ``

'' Well I have to do something ! '' He cried, turning to look her. `` I can't stand worrying like this anymore, I can't handle not knowing what's happened to her, or the guilt that it's my flaw. ``

'' I know why their cause to settle her have failed. '' Jacey looked away, unable to meet his gaze. `` It is because all of their efforts are spent attempting to site a homo, which Parvati no longer is. ``

'' What are you saying ? '' He asked quietly, his voice tense with emotion.

'' She has been turned, we are sure as shooting of it. Parvati is a vampire and unless they alter their devices and coordinate their hunting accordingly, they will never find her. Especially if she does not want to be found. '' She blurted out in one swift breath.

'' What do you mean you're sure ? What's going on ? '' He demanded, coming over so that she had to reckon at him.

She shook her head teacher and began her story, telling him everything that involved Annapurna while leaving out the component that gave away that they had killed Tristan. When she was done, Ron simply grunted and walked back over to the window, leaning heavily on the sill. `` So why didn't you tell anyone what you thought ? '' He asked.

'' I told you, I was not sure… '' She swallowed severe, waiting to see what would happen.

'' Better safe than sorry ! '' He shouted, turning to face her again. `` I'm so jade of all this privateness ! Look what's happened now because of it ! ``

'' I did not want to accuse without trial impression ! '' She argued in her defense.

'' So you had to expect until she disappeared and Luna saw her as a vampire ? ! When was there going to be enough proof… when she showed up bearing her fang in your face ? ``

'' Hey ! You knew there was something wrong with her, you could have just as easily tried to visualise it out instead of letting the young lady convince you it was just a low temperature. '' She said in choler. She already knew she shared some blame in this, but she would not bear it all.

Ron seemed to deflate before her as he turned and slumped down on the sharpness of his bed. `` You're decently. '' He said quietly. `` I wasn't paying attention… but what now ? What can anyone possibly tell Padma, or their parents ? ``

'' It will not be sluttish. '' She got up and went to sit beside him, placing a hand on his knee in comfort. `` But just because she is a vampire does not mean she is like Tristan or troy. As long as she is away from the will of her Divine, there is nothing to say she will be bad. ``

'' And what if they are around ? ``

'' Then if her will to press them is strong, she will be able to overcome… just like Dragon and his creator. ``

Ron shook his head. `` Yeah, Harland- he's as bad as Tristan. ``

Jacey wished she could tell him that Tristan was one being he no longer had to reverence, but anyone that was apart of the lamia's death could be in peril and there were enough of her new Friend already in that military position. She could not let Ron be put at risk as well.

'' I guess the first affair we have to do is find her… until then it's probably well that we continue to let her sept think she's only missing. '' He lamented.

'' Probably. '' She agreed, moving closer and putting her arm around his shoulders, wanting to make him feel better.

'' Do you opine she hates me now ? '' He whispered.

'' What ? ``

Ron shrugged her off and stood uncertainly before her. `` Annapurna, do you think she blames me for not protecting her ? Do you recollect she hates me ? ``

'' No one can bed what she is thinking. '' Jacey replied uneasily as sealed thoughts of his became clearer in her idea. `` But I can see what you are thinking and you are blaming me… you think I distracted you from her ! '' She stood and crossed her arms, waiting for an explanation.

'' start of all, rest out of my head ! '' He shouted. `` And secondly, just because I think that doesn't mean I blame you. I blame myself ! I let myself be distracted by you when I should have either paid attention to Parvati or been reliable with her about how I really felt. ``

'' And how do you really palpate ? '' She pushed, taking a whole tone closer to him.

'' Like you don't know. '' He answered bitterly. `` As if I could even help it after seeing you. ``

Without warning, she grabbed his face and pressed her mouth to his, giving into what they both wanted. At first he was astonished, but he quickly overcame it and wrapped his branch tightly around her to return the buss with an equal depth of passion. He walked forward until she felt the edge of the bed against her peg. Letting her knee collapse she fell back, pulling him along with her. It had been so long since she had experienced any sort of familiarity and even longsighted since she had done so with someone who craved her as much as she craved them. And oh how she wanted Ron… She had no explanation as to why he had so captivated her but he had, and to now palpate his lips on her hide, the weight of him as he hovered over her, and the rut of his desire… it was everything she'd thought it would be and more. She had wanted this ever since she'd put down eyes on him and had come close to giving in finis Night. Her own guilt had stopped her then, as his seemed to stop him now.

'' time lag. '' Ron said in a strangled voice as he pulled away. `` I'm sorry I can't do this. '' He gently rolled away from her and sat up, anxiously running his bridge player through his hair. `` I just can't let myself be happy while Annapurna is out there. ``

She sat up and reached out to rub his back. `` I understand. '' She said quietly.

'' I know you do. '' He smiled sadly.

'' I am going to leave. It will be prosperous for us both I think. '' Jacey suggested, moving to climb up off the bed.

'' volition you stay ? '' He asked, his eyes wide and hopeful. `` Will you just lay here and eternal rest following to me so I won't flavor so alone ? ``

She studied him carefully before giving in. `` Okay, I do not want to be alone either. But I must leave behind very early in the dawning. ``

'' I don't care. Some time with you is better than none. '' He agreed, climbing under the covers and motioning her to join him.

He turned out the light and lay back, both of them left staring at the ceiling as spooky tension descended on them. Taking the opening move, she turned to Ron and wrapped her arm around him, resting her head on his shoulder. She smiled in the shadow as he responded, placing his own subdivision securely around her and pulling her closing curtain. For the number 1 sentence in her liveliness, Jacey felt safe… that there was someone who could like for her more than they cared for themselves. It was a flavour he was bringing out in her that she was beginning to hold dear and as she snuggled in closer to him, she knew she would do anything to hold back it.

( fracture )

After more than a week had passed, Hermione felt like she was at the end of her circle. After a disappoint conversation with prof Sprout, she'd learned that Colorsplosions were so rarified they were thought to be extinct. But Luna was for certain of what she'd seen and Neville had been reasonably sure of what they'd described. Hermione had spent every free moment in the library trying to see out anything about the exotic peak but so far her search had yielded nothing. Just as she thought she was going to misplace her mind, she decided to careen her focus… but she needed to use one of the invisibility cloaks in edict to get into the limit area of the library where she knew the information she wanted was being kept.

Harry had been her first gear stop but Jacey was still in possession of his cloak and so Hermione had gone to Draco who had gladly handed his over with no query. Now all she had to do was hold back for the castle to shut down for the night. Locked away in her room, she pulled out the powder compact to check over in with Lee for the one-millionth time. `` No, we haven't found anything interesting yet ! '' He said compensate away, clearly agitated with her changeless nagging.

She'd been glad to learn he and Willem had been able to purloin into the ministry and abscond with the necessary files. But that had been several Day ago and she knew had she been the one in monomania of those documents, she would have been able to have gone through them quite a few times by now. `` Why not ? '' She demanded.

'' I don't know, maybe because I also have to keep forging missive to Molly pretending they're from Fred… Maybe because there's a million matter to interpret in these stupefied files… and maybe it's because you keep calling every five mo to distract me ! '' He said loudly. `` What about you ? Have you figured out where those flowers grow yet ? ``

'' No, but I have plans to get into the restrain part of the library tonight… while I'm there I'll look to see if there's anything about Colorsplosions. ``

'' fountainhead what else are you going there for ? ``

Hermione shook her head. `` Don't vexation about it. How's Willem coming along in finding Elanya's grandmother ? ``

'' Not so unspoiled. Turns out the ministry didn't actually know too much about Jayalina Delamora… we can't even rule her parents name. '' Lee answered in frustration. `` But he's having Arthur see what he can do about helping elaborate the search past our ministry's information. Willem told him that he wants to try and recover any mob he may give birth and thankfully Arthur hasn't questioned his motif too much. ``

'' We have to bump them. '' She insisted. `` If Jayalina really did receive her parents keeping Elanya rubber, then they may be able to give Willem insight into their granddaughter. ``

'' As soon as he knows who and where, he intends to go see them. '' Lee assured her. `` In the meantime, give me a few minute of peace and I might actually make headroom into all of this information… cartel me, if there was a way I could send off it all to you without anyone finding out I would. ``

'' Sorry I'm being pushy. '' She sighed and fought back the wild tears threatening to fall. `` It's just that it's been a week and none of us have heard from him… ''

'' I know, Hermione. I'm worried too. '' He said gently. `` How's Luna ? Is she able-bodied to have visual sense yet ? ``

'' She's been trying but every time she does, she gets a terrible headache… I hope I didn't break her or anything by pushing her so much live on week. '' Hermione was actually quite distressed about Luna and feeling very guilty for letting the miss force herself that net time when she'd already looked so sap. And high-risk, they still hadn't been able to figure out the vision she'd clearly hurt herself to have for them. `` She has said she's been having dreams about Fred and that so far she believes he's O.K.. ``

'' Well, I guess if it's coming from Luna I can take it as fact… I'm glad he's OK, but I wonder how he's doing otherwise, you know ? ``

'' I try not to mean about it. '' She muttered. `` foretell me back if you or Willem find anything okay ? Otherwise I'll just speak to you again in the morning. ``

'' Will do. '' He promised.

They ended their communication, leaving her with nothing to do except hold. When she finally felt it was prison term, the clock had already struck midnight. Carefully wrapping Draco's cloak around herself, Hermione crept through the common room and out into the hallway. She tried not to make a 1 haphazardness as she made her way to the library, not wanting to alert Filtch, his cat Mrs. Frank Norris, the ghosts or anyone else who may be awake and also wandering the halls. She'd never felt so nervous before, sneaking out with one of her friends was one thing but she rarely did it on her own for the sheer fact that she just wasn't as well-fixed being sneaky like the others. But she had to fight aside her discomfort… being sneaky seemed to be the only way to accomplish anything these days, it had certainly worked for Elanya, Sarah and Elise.

At last she came to the subroutine library doors and she hoped Madame Pince hadn't locked them for the night. She let out a immense sigh of substitute when she reached out and pulled, finding the room access had easily opened. Moving over to the librarian's desk, Hermione grabbed the keys and a small lantern before rushing over to the restricted department. She unlocked the logic gate and with as picayune noise as potential, began making her way through the stacks in hunt of what she wanted. Stopping to grab a text on lost and uncharted islands, she quickly moved on to the metaphysical section.

The Advanced Art of Astral jut. It was the first title to snap up her eye and she instantly grabbed the book, figuring she could cipher out the rudiments of something she had minuscule time to acquire. Besides, she'd always found it easier to learn things from a harder perspective than to be talked down to during the easygoing whole tone. Banned turn of Astral protrusion. Hermione grabbed that book too, figuring a few of the tricks Sarah had mastered would be covered there.

Hearing a noise, she quickly extinguished the lantern and stood as still as a statue, not daring to even breathe. Even though she was capable to see that she was still alone, her furiously beating warmness could no longer stomach the paranoia that comes from breaking so many rules. Tucking all three Scripture under her arm, she hurried to lock in the gate and devolve the key before rushing back to her room. She had a lot of reading to do and she wanted to read as fast as possible… She wanted to be able to do everything Sarah was able of doing and while it may take taken the adult female old age to surmount her acquirement, Hermione was certain she could accomplish a certain level of mastery within sidereal day. Maybe she was being overconfident in her intelligence but she didn't care. They were always saying she was the smartness one, in Luna's vision even Elanya and Sarah had said so… Now it was time she prove it.

More than learning how to protect her own mind from Sarah's invasion, she wanted to learn how to entrust her body and travel to early places so that she could finally have a way to communicate with Fred once more. She knew it was different than apparating, but since she had picked that up so quickly and stellar projection was a part of it, she had high Hope that she could pull it off. Now it was just a topic of how quickly she could get through and apply the material covered in those Book. Putting aside the one on islands until tomorrow, Hermione picked up The Advanced Art of Astral jutting and began reading, bore to begin learning the desired skill.

( BREAK )

'' I don't want to go. '' Harry turned and buried his head under his pillow. He and Luna had been up late finally night going through the ministry document as they were the only thing able to distract her from the fact that she hadn't been able to birth a imagination since draining herself out last week. Despite the fact that they'd figured out two of the three remaining coven member, he'd barely been able to hold on his optic capable by the end and the last affair he wanted to do so very early the next sunrise was get up and get fix to go to Hogsmeade.

'' It's your last tripper there as a student. '' Luna tried as she sat up and began going through the papers they'd read go night.

'' And there's nothing there I want. '' He emerged from under the pillows to put his promontory in her lap and expect up at her with a devilish smile. `` In fact everything I want is right here and if I have to be wake I'd rather spend my time doing something I want to do. ``

'' I'm sure you would. '' She rolled her eyes. `` But if Hermione and Ron can go and act normally then there's no reason for you not to. Besides, I'm going so you'd be left here all alone anyway. '' She bent over to kiss him before rudely moving out from under him to commence dressing for the day. `` You better get going before anyone is awake enough to see you leaving my room. '' She teased.

'' You're mean. '' He said simply as he forced himself to get up.

'' I prefer rugged honey. '' Luna smiled.

Reluctantly Harry left to go to his own way, which felt very insensate and lonely. But that's just how he felt about everywhere now whenever he and Luna were not in each other's sight. As he dressed, he realized it was a feeling he'd just have to get used to… after all, they couldn't be adjacent to each early all of the time.

He had just finished tying his shoes when someone came knocking on his threshold. `` Harry ? '' He heard Ron phone call through the threshold. While they'd all just form of decided to get along, no one had yet attempted to make things right after the matter he'd said and the way he'd been acting… And Harry was of the psyche that they wouldn't be able to class affair out while Parvati was still missing. Ron had been going out of his way to invalidate his friends- except for Jacey who said she was spending most dark with him, apparently just sleeping. Harry was confused as to why Ron was coming to him now.

'' Hey. '' He said, opening the door and remaining peaceful until he could figure out his friend's motives.

'' You remember when you said you were will to do whatever I wanted to help find Parvati ? '' Ron asked immediately as he pushed his way into the room.

'' Yes… '' He answered cautiously.

'' Well, according to what Jacey overheard Troy say, the finally berth he saw her was by Hogsmeade, right ? He thought she was heading into the mountains… ? ``

Harry hesitated. He knew that Jacey hadn't overheard anything, that she'd been the one to actually get that information out of Ilium. But Ron still didn't know about Tristan or Jacey having to suit him. He knew what his friend was about to ask of him and he worried what could happen if he refused such a ridiculous idea. `` We can't just sneak out of the Greenwich Village. '' He tried.

'' Why not ? We sneak out of and into everywhere else. '' Ron crossed his arms. `` I can't find any peace of psyche until we find her Harry. I don't forethought if she's a vampire, I just want to bring her back to her menage ! ``

'' And what if she doesn't want to fall back ? '' He countered.

'' Then at to the lowest degree I'll know it's her choice… and at to the lowest degree I'll have had a probability to let the cat out of the bag her out of it. '' He was close to begging. `` I just need to at least talking to her… ''

Harry didn't know what to do… he had a tactual sensation that if he didn't agree to go assistance see Parvati then Ron would simply attempt it on his own. He supposed it would be better if they could feel Annapurna before Luna's vision came confessedly, after all, Troy would surely be looking for her and the last affair they needed was two newborn vampires out scuffling in the woods… especially if Troy came out the victor. `` Okay. '' He agreed, having talked himself into it. At least now he had a cause to go to Hogsmeade, though he knew Luna probably wouldn't be thrilled with the idea.

'' Really ? '' Ron seemed surprised, as if he'd expected to hold to put up more of an argument.

'' Really, but we're asking lupine to get along with us. '' He insisted, figuring that would appease both Luna and his own distrust about the plan. `` And everyone else stays behind inside the Village walls. The last thing we need is individual else getting bitten, even by accident. ``

'' Do you think Jacey will be able to meet us out there ? '' He asked hopefully.

Harry knew she had already taken the potion and had to go into the village as Tristan. Being reminded of that, he felt a sudden stab of guilt. With first Parvati's disappearance then Fred's, with Luna frying herself out, with genus Draco dealing with his father, none of them had focused on releasing Jacey from the indebtedness of playing their dead opposition. Whether or not they found Annapurna today, he knew the side by side affair he had to do was center on how to spend a penny Tristram disappear for good.

( BREAK )

Jacey climbed into one of the waiting carriages, feeling immensely uncomfortable with having to profess to be someone else outside of Hogwarts. She had never been to this Hogsmeade Greenwich Village, but Tristan had and he would be familiar with the office and the matter he had done there… she was not. Harry and Luna had tried to occupy her in during breakfast, thinking her all sorting of retentivity from their own time spent there. It was overwhelming and as troy weight climbed in behind her, she suddenly felt very alone. A sense of foreboding washed over her when Troy turned to Pansy and the others who had been about to also get in their carriage. `` You guys do discover another one. Tristan and I need to spill the beans. ``

They all looked to her and she simple nodded in arrangement, sending them scattering to find an empty carriage. She and Ilion sat in silence until the wagon train of students began moving. `` I don't appreciate being cornered like this. '' She said sternly, hoping to assert her adhesive friction on Tristram's tone.

'' And I don't appreciate being lied to. Something is dissimilar about you. '' He accused, turning to look at her. There wasn't a drop of awe in his middle and Jacey realized he was somehow on to her.

Not knowing what else to do, she quickly reached out and grabbed the boy by the throat, violently shoving him back against his seat. She brought her font close to his and allowed her tooth to produce. `` How dare you question me ? '' She demanded angrily. `` I made you, I can just as easily unmake you. ``

'' And Parvati Patil ? '' Troy choked out. Thankfully he did not try to founder away from her as she knew her speciality was nothing compared to Tristan's. Her performance seemed to have rattled him, making him less sealed that he had figured her out.

'' What about her ? '' She asked harshly, releasing her hold on the boy and once more subsiding comfortably in her seat as if nothing had happened.

'' What are your plan for finding her ? Surely you are going to find her ? '' He pressed.

'' I don't have to explain myself or my actions to you or anyone else. '' She answered nonchalantly as she gazed out the windowpane, trying to pretend to be disinterested.

'' No, but you are supposed to be telling me what to do, remember ? '' Troy sneered. `` So I am I going looking for Parvati on my own today ? ``

'' You do nothing without me ! '' She roared.

'' And what of the architectural plan to get Luna ? '' He went on, ignoring her Fury. Jacey felt shaken, sure he didn't believe her to be Tristan because if he did, he would never have dared act so boldly. `` The others are all waiting for your instructions, I've told them you intend to go through with it today no matter what and they're all wetting themselves in their inflammation to prove themselves to you. Unless you give them a specific plan, right now it's going to be a free-for-all once we get to the hamlet to see which Slytherin will get Luna for you first. '' He was so clearly setting a trap, testing her to see what she would do as Tristan.

Forcing herself to remain calm, Jacey shrugged. `` Good, let them. That will get out you and I free to go look for Anapurna. ``

Troy raised an supercilium. `` Really ? ``

Again she shrugged. `` I don't obtain out much Hope for them, but if one does find succeeder then all the better. If not, then I'll simply take tending of Luna myself once we've set things right with our new little vampire. ``

'' OK then. I guess you and I will be taking a slight misstep through the Sir Henry Joseph Wood alone. '' He grinned viciously.

Hiding the shake of fright that went through her, Jacey silently called out to Harry, Luna and Draco. Hey, I think we have a big problem.

( BREAK )

Okay, new plan. Harry linked his mind to Luna, Jacey, Draco and Ginny so that all of the conspirator could be in on the conversation. Luna, you're going to come up with me, Ron and Lupin… there's no way in hell you're staying in Hogsmeade today. genus Draco, can you follow Jacey and troy and avail her out if she needs it ?

'' Why is everyone so smooth ? '' Padma asked, having chosen to depend upon to the village with them. `` I feel like I'm losing my mind in the silence in here. ``

Ron took her manus and squeezed it in comfort. `` What is there to say ? '' He asked.

'' Don't worry, we'll be there soon enough. '' Lupin sighed. He'd agreed to come help look for Parvati, but he wasn't pleased with the idea or the secrecy.

Yeah, I can follow them. Draco replied once they all descended into silence again.

Are you sure you and Jacey could take on Troy alone ? Ginny asked in concern.

Do not worry, he is much weaker than Tristan was. Jacey reminded her.

Harry wondered how she was managing to make herself together riding alone with Troy while knowing he suspected she wasn't who she claimed to be. For all their sakes, the coaches couldn't get to the village soon enough. Ginny, I need you to draw sure you and Hermione proceed out in the open, preferably near the Aurors… lupine said Kingsley is supposed to be there today. He suggested.

Ginny nodded slightly before glancing at Padma. We should probably observe an eye on her too… Padma looks a wreck. I can't imagine what she must be feeling not knowing where her sister is.

Harry felt a flimsy shiver of guilt run through him and Luna at the Saame meter. Neither Ginny nor Ron were yet aware of Fred's predicament as they hadn't wanted to alarm them until they knew exactly where their crony was being forced to stay. Plus Ron was already overwhelmed with Parvati's disappearance, both he and Hermione had worried what telling him about Fred might make him do.

'' Finally… We're here. '' Hermione announced from her property beside the window. She took Harry's paw as they exited the passenger car, both still wary of the fact that should Elanya's spy be watching they had to come out as a couple. She was sure Fred was going to maintain her insignificance to him while he was away and Harry was sure that the less of a target she seemed, the better off they'd be when they were finally able to go looking for Fred.

Together, they led the way behind the nearest building attempting to not puff too a great deal attending to themselves. `` Well, are we all set up ? '' Lupin asked nervously.

'' You guys be careful. '' Hermione told them, having only been informed that they intended to look for Anapurna. `` Ginny and I will do our best to deal the fact that you aren't here. ``

'' We'll try not to go out of range. If you need us, call out and we'll come right back. '' Harry squeezed her hand as she nodded in agreement.

Indicating that it was time, Luna took Draco's hand as Harry grabbed Ron and Lupin. As one they all apparated away with Harry and Luna pushing through the barrier attempting to hold them back. They landed about a half a mile outside the Village bulwark. `` Is everyone okey ? '' Harry asked, wanting to be surely they'd all made it through in one piece.

'' There was so a lot pressure that at one compass point I thought I was going to break. '' Lupin answered, shaking himself off and ensuring his talisman still hung around his cervix. Ron and Dragon agreed but Harry and Luna remained unaffected by the trip.

'' wellspring, I better be off. '' Draco said.

'' Where ? '' lupin asked in confusedness as he and Ron had no estimate Jacey was out there with Troy.

going Luna to silently fill him in, Harry ignored the question and turned to Draco who was absently clutching his amulet as it hung around his cervix. `` Are you sure you can get them ? ``

'' This close to the full lunation, I'll catch their odour in no time… well hers anyway. '' He amended, clearly unsure whether even his heightened grass could notice Troy if he didn't want to be found. He'd already said as much about Parvati a week ago when Harry had asked if he thought he'd be able to find her.

'' Who are you talking about ? '' Ron asked in total confusion, having no clue as to anything involving Tristan, Jacey or Troy… other than Troy had admitted to being the one to bend Parvati. Ignoring him, Draco merely turned and ran off with more than speed than a rule man was capable of.

'' well, let's try to obtain Anapurna. '' Luna suggested, trying to get Ron's sharpen back onto their own mission.

Allowing lupin to guide the way just in case he was able-bodied to beguile the fille's scent, Harry and Luna both sent their judgement out in hunting of any signs of consciousness. Even as it began to snow, no one suggested the group turn back. They were all determined… they would not end the day without finding Parvati.

( prisonbreak )

'' Well, let's go see where Padma went. '' Ginny suggested right after the others left.

'' I suppose… do you guess at some point we could quickly skirt into the bookstall ? '' Hermione asked as they walked out from behind the building and surveyed the street before them. student and villagers milled around as shopkeeper shouted out their vacation sales, attempting to play in customers. `` There she is ! '' She pointed out Padma, walking toward the trinity Broomsticks with Susan, Dean, Seamus and Hannah.

'' Well, I guess she's in good hands. '' Ginny remarked. `` So, to the bookstall then ? ``

'' I'll be agile, I promise. '' She insisted as they began walking together down the road. An ill-chosen silence descended over them and Hermione knew Ginny was as aware as she was that this was the first sentence the two girls had been left alone together since they'd had that fight at Harry's house during the summer. She also knew they were both aware that they were different people from who they were then… but it didn't make things any less tense between them.

'' Great, and now it's starting to snow. '' Ginny muttered before turning her attitude around and attempting to get along. `` So, what are you looking for ? ``

'' Anything about alien blossom or Astral forcing out. '' She answered simply as they entered the shop and began browsing the shelves.

'' Jeez, are they giving something away in here or what ? '' Ginny grumbled as they pushed their way through the large crowd.

'' More likely this is a just a good place for them to hold on and get warm before heading back out into the snow. '' She muttered while she scoured the form of address before her. Ginny walked off a bit, trying to serve hurry matter along by searching out a different aisle. Just as she was about to give up and try another aisle herself, Hermione felt her sac grow warm. Lee must cause found something….

Quickly making sure Ginny wouldn't observance, Hermione ducked out of the store and around the back away from prying center and pinna. She didn't want to consume to excuse to any of Fred's family that he was missing and so the final stage person she needed overhearing her was his sis. To her dismay it began to snow harder… she felt her heart clench as her idea returned to Allhallows Eve dark, when she and Fred had shared their get-go kiss in the Baron Snow of Leicester covered courtyard. She shook her head, ready to focalise on bringing him menage. `` Lee ? '' She asked as soon as she opened the compact.

'' Yeah, I think I may suffer figured something out from these filing cabinet. '' He answered uncertainly.

'' What ? '' She demanded eagerly.

'' fountainhead, I think I know who they're using as a spy… and it's definitely not Simon Zelotes McKinney. '' Lee hesitated, clearly uncomfortable as he furrowed his hilltop in her wiped out image of him in the mirror. `` You're not going to believe this… I'm not surely I believe it and I'm looking at the validation in front line of me. ``

'' So, who is it ? '' Hermione was on edge, unable to stand the anticipation any longer.

'' Well… It seems Elise knows one of the professor up there at Hogwarts very well. '' He answered breathlessly.

( faulting )

It didn't take long for Draco to catch up with Jacey's perfume despite the falling snow, she had promised to touch as many trees as possible to facilitate head him to her… Troy he was unable to detect at all. I think I'm close. He thought out, hoping she would respond.

Come quick, I think he's working up the nerve to stool a motion. Jacey's worried voice came back to him.

pulling off his amulet, he shoved it in his pocket and stopped to close his optic and concentrate. Draco focused on her smell while eliminating all the others. His auricle picked up something to the west and he immediately set off, thrifty to pass water as little disturbance as possible. At live on he saw them walking and snuck up as close as he could to determine what the berth was.

'' Somehow, I have a belief Parvati is nowhere near here… I thought you said you'd be more adequate to to find her. '' Troy was saying.

genus Draco waited for Jacey to strike out at the boy as Tristan would have had his Good Book been questioned. But she didn't, instead attempting to hold back him in line with menace alone. He began to see why Troy had become suspicious, apparently the only thing Jacey wasn't capable to properly imitate was Tristan's ruthlessness.

Sure enough, Ilium stopped and violently grabbed Jacey's arm. `` You aren't Tristan Macnair, are you ? ! '' He demanded. `` What Anapurna said on Hallowe'en was unfeigned wasn't it ? ceramist and Malfoy somehow managed to kill Tristan and you must be that sneaky little female child they've been hiding up at the castle ! '' He bared his teeth, his canines growing to sharp spot. While not nearly as chilling as Tristan's, Ilion's fangs looked just as dangerous.

genus Draco was moving in an instant, rushing the vampire and tackling him to the reason as Jacey pulled herself free. The two boys snarled at each other, each very a lot wanting to follow out the dominant force as they began taking swings at each other. Just as Draco was indisputable he'd hit surd enough to shatter the former's nose, Troy managed to connect as well, hitting with enough force to knock Draco back. Rising to his feet with his nuzzle dripping stemma, Troy was greeted by the spate of Jacey with her workforce up and cupping balls of flaming. `` What the hell are you ? '' He marveled.

Sensing Dragon getting up behind him, Troy must have figured his best chance was to run. They quickly took off after him, determined to keep him from telling anyone what he'd figured out about Tristram. Jacey, being quite properly human, fell behind quickly as the two boy raced through the Sir Henry Wood as fast as their hybrid pep pill allowed. While Troy wasn't exactly able to fly, he seemed to bulk large over the undercoat as he went and was therefore able to move a bit faster and with to a lesser extent care than Draco who had to be wary of the multitude of obstacles covering the wood floor. But never once did he let the vampire out of his sight… the hunt was on and not only did he not recognise how to work it off, he didn't want to.

( prisonbreak )

'' Hey, here's one on astral projection. '' Ginny grabbed the book and turned to come up Hermione but the other girl wasn't where she'd been a second ago. Quickly scanning the store, she caught wad of her just as she was ducking out the door. What is she up to ? Ginny thought to herself. She debated whether or not to keep abreast, knowing if exclusively it was safer to be here in this crowded store. But Hermione knew that too, so what had drawn her to do something as dangerous as walk the streets alone ?

Curious and slightly distressed, she made her way towards the doorway before she could talk herself out of it. Besides, if she was quick she'd be able-bodied to catch up to Hermione in no metre. Stepping outside, she looked up and down the now deserted streets, but the former miss was nowhere to be seen. Trying to remain still and logical, she figured Hermione must have ducked into another stock as it had begun to snow even harder. And then she saw step leading around to the rear of the bookstore. They were quickly being filled in with new Snow and pulling her hood lower over her face, she set out to follow them, suddenly sealed they were Hermione's. But by the meter she had made her way around the building she realized the early young woman had moved on. The footprints seemed to stop and then start again as she must experience decided to get out of the snow after all.

With a sigh of defeat, Ginny began to make her way back to the front. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught some movement and turning to look, she was able to take a leak out a figure in the distance walking toward the orchard. Maybe she'd record the footprints wrong… after all the snow was now practically coming down in thick, great sheets.

'' Hey ! Hermione ! '' She took off after the physical body, moving as fast as possible as she slipped and slid through the snow. But as she got closer she saw that she had made a mistake. The person ahead of her was far too magniloquent to be her Friend, and from the way they moved, she was certain it was a man. Fear washed over her out of nowhere and she tried to turn around before he noticed her.

But it was too tardily, he had heard her calling. He turned, revealing himself to be Lucius Malfoy. `` You ! '' He narrowed his eyes and sneered at her as he raised his wand. Hers was tucked away in her coat scoop, he would see any motility she made to remember it. scare flooded through her. `` I know who you are, you're the minuscule girl who bedded and bewitched my son into turning on us, on me ! ``

'' And you're the one who tried to kill him and allowed Harland to be sent after him. '' She returned, determined not to let him see that she was afraid.

'' Two failed attempts to end his life, but I've come to eat up affair today. Where is he ? '' He demanded, taking several long strides closer to her.

Unable to stop herself she tried to second away but he lunged and grabbed her arm, waving his wand in her brass. `` Where's Draco ? '' He asked harshly, leering at her.

'' I don't know. '' She answered honestly.

'' wellspring you better reckon it out soon because if I can't find him, you're just as good a catch… hell I might even be able to buy my way back in by bringing the parson's only daughter to the Dark Lord… '' Lucius grinned.

'' I doubt it. '' She kept her voice even, determined to be brave. `` zero you do will shift who your parents are, as genus Draco had the misfortune to learn. ``

His eyes darkened and he gripped her arm tighter. `` If I have to haul you through the streets as come-on, I will see my son today. '' He threatened. `` Now, do you make love where he is or not ? ``

( BREAK )

'' There are signs that someone has come this way very recently. '' lupin said, bringing them to a stop a he examined the ground. `` Since I can't weft up on any scent early than decaying earth, I can only take for granted it must be Parvati. ``

Ron shivered at the Word the man used to trace what he smelled… it reminded him that Parvati was in all actuality dead, that what she was now something entirely other than human.

'' Why wouldn't the Aurors have picked up on it ? '' Luna pondered dreamily though her gaze was knifelike and focused.

'' Because they don't know what they're looking for. '' Lupin answered grimly. `` There are style for them to feel a vampire, but they believe they are searching for a student… and as we don't know how Anapurna has taken to it, it's much better that we find her before they do. ``

'' Meaning what ? That she could set on ? '' Harry asked.

Lupin shrugged. `` She's a newborn that has been left to wander on her own through nature for close to two weeks. environment can absolutely pretend the way mortal can come out of this. For object lesson, had Draco been bitten and left on his own in the woods there's no telling whether he would have retained as much of his humanity as he had. The same goes for me, Parvati and any former human infected by a humanoid. ``

Determining she'd been there lupus erythematosus than half an hour before, they quickly moved on. Ron's stomach was tied in international nautical mile as they all started calling out for Anapurna hoping the daughter would demonstrate herself. `` Over there ! '' Luna pointed as her attention was suddenly drawn to a small-scale grove of trees.

'' Parvati ! '' Ron cried out desperately, taking a few stair in that direction.

And then he saw her. She peeked her head out number 1 before fully stepping away from the tree she'd been hiding behind, still wearing the long wearing apparel she used as a costume for the dance. It was in tag end now, her hair was hanging in snarl around her shoulder joint and her pelt, normally a nighttime creamy yellowish brown, was now ashy and pale. She dropped to her knees in the blow in front of them and flow her head. `` I'm sorry. '' She whispered. `` I never wanted this. ``

Ron took off his coating and moved to wrap it around her shoulder joint but she held out a bridge player to stop him. `` Don't come near me ! '' She shouted fearfully before once more falling into desperation. `` It wouldn't assist anyway. I don't really feel the cold. ``

'' Parvati ? '' Lupin tentatively stepped forward, tightly gripping his amulet. Ron, Harry and Luna all stepped to the side, letting their prof attempt to care thing. `` We have to take you back, Dumbledore, your family, Arthur and the ministry… they can all service you. ``

'' NO ! '' She leapt to her feet. `` I don't want to go back, I can't ! Not like this ! ``

'' Please understand Anapurna, this doesn't have to mean- '' lupine stopped and whipped his head to the side at the same time Parvati did, both obviously picking up on something the others couldn't.

Harry and Luna must have caught whatever it was next because they both instantly had their wands out and had taken a few footstep in forepart of Ron as if to protect him… Though Harry had been sure to grade himself at the front, keeping both Ron and Luna corralled behind him. instant later Troy burst into their piddling clearing, his eyes quickly washing over them all as he took in the berth. `` I've been looking for you ! '' He said, zeroing in on Anapurna. `` I'll take tutelage of you if it's the final stage thing I do ! '' He screamed, rushing at her faster than Ron could perceive.

Annapurna was ready but before he could even reach her, Draco came out of nowhere, tackling Troy mid-strike. Ron watched in KO'd horror along with the others as the two boys tumbled to the ground, both quickly getting back on their substructure and crouching low as they circled each early, waiting for the hazard to attack.

'' Whoa, look out ! '' Ron yelled, catching great deal of Tristram running through the tree diagram towards them. He raised his scepter and took aim.

'' Ron, no ! That's not Tristan ! '' Luna shouted, knocking his arm just as he released his patch. Not quite understanding what she meant, he turned back in horror to find out whether she had stopped him in time.





billet : Who's the prof spy ? What will Lucius do ? What will pass off with lamia Troy and Annapurna ? Did Ron mistakenly hit Jacey with a enchantment ? What's going on with Fred ? Find out adjacent chapter !


Chapter 51 : A serious Day in Hogsmeade

A/N : So in this chapter I name a professor as a potential spy… just to let you know, I am changing thing up from how they were in the real Bible yet again by using an OC in home of an semi-established character. Let's all go with the menstruum on this : ) Read, Review and Enjoy !



Hermione entered the gardening shed future to the flower shop and sat on the level among the blossom pots before once more eagerly pulling out the concordat. `` Lee ? ``

'' What happened ? Why'd you cut me off ? '' He demanded.

'' I heard somebody coming and had to move. '' She explained. Just as the C had begun to fall harder, she'd heard the plain sound of stride crunching around the bookstore to where she'd originally gone to verbalise to him. She'd had to close the powder compact and quickly hide herself behind the woodpile before the marvellous figure of a man walked past her toward the orchard. She hadn't bothered to question who he was or where he was going, she'd been too nervous to resume talking to Lee. Instead she'd waited until the man was a few railway yard from her before dashing out and around the other slope of the building toward the now forsake streets. Figuring the shed was her best bet not to run into anyone else while still getting out of the C, she'd rushed there and closed herself in. `` You were saying the spy might be a prof ? '' She asked incredulously.

'' Yeah, I'm pretty sure. Seems Elanya had a secret fling that the ministry actually knew all about… According to the files, she and the professor involved had to look disciplinary hearings years ago before she graduated but they were able-bodied to convince everyone that they were mistaken… or at least no one could prove the occasion. '' He answered, flipping through the documents to be sure of what he was telling her.

'' None of that was in her Hogwarts file. '' Hermione argued.

'' Maybe not in so many countersign, but if you go back and learn it now, you might see that they alluded to it… What I have here seems to indicate that Dumbledore had wanted the prof to be banned from teaching but as they were ineffectual to rise anything beyond a uncertainty, he had to keep the guy in usage and observe both their records clean. ``

'' So, who is it ? ``

'' Dolos Erebos. '' He grimly announced.

'' The Arithmancy professor ? Are you indisputable ? '' Hermione had always enjoyed his class, had been the exclusively one in her house to attempt an OWL in the subject. She couldn't believe he would have an affair with a pupil let alone offer to spy on and kill one.

'' That's what it says. And from what I'm seeing of her Recent travels, I'm jolly sure they're still in touch- there was a report of them being seen together this summer in Australia. Let's see… she had entered the country to reportedly attend a family unit funeral. I have no theme why he was there obviously. You might need to seem into the guy's files up at school because I'm surely as perdition not breaking back into the ministry… nearly had heart failure the live time, I was so nervous mortal would catch us. '' He shuddered as he recalled the experience.

'' I'll do that. Let me know if you manage to find anything else. '' She answered distractedly as her creative thinker whirled, trying to think everything she knew of professor Erebos. While serious with a very no-nonsense attitude in his year, he was also very accessible and spent sentence ensuring each of his student completely understood the textile, even if he did issue mile long essays every calendar week. He always offered a well-disposed smile in the hallways and was willing to heed when a student had a job. Hermione had always considered Erebos to be a very good teacher and nothing she could retrieve of now reconciled him with the image of a homicidal spy. But then… it was right there in his public figure, wasn't it ? Dolos Erebos, a name full of trickery ... at least according to the Ancient Greeks.

( BREAK )

Luna watched in horror as her former vision of this consequence came to life before her eyes with a few new changes now that they had attempted to interfere with the future tense and the great unwashed were making their own decisions. No one seemed to know what to do as Draco and Troy circled each early waiting for the opportune time to fall. And then Jacey, still disguised as Tristan had come running up and Ron perceiving the danger had mistakenly taken aim to try and help oneself. She shouted and tried to shove his arm in time before quickly whippng around to see whether she'd saved Jacey… she had, the other miss was still coming towards them.

'' What do you signify that's not Tristram ? '' Ron demanded. Luna realized everyone had stopped what they were doing and were tensely waiting to see what would unfold.

'' Now is not the prison term to excuse. '' Harry said quickly.

'' I think it's the pure prison term to excuse ! '' Troy yelled, taking a whole step closer to Draco. Harry and Ron instantly pointed their wands, almost daring the lamia to make a move.

At go remembering that these were scholar and he was a professor, Lupin came to his gumption and stepped forward. `` Everyone stop ! '' He shouted. Draco bristled at the command but Troy gave no indication that he heard.

Instead he turned to Annapurna. `` cum on, snap out of it ! Do what you were made to do and help me avenge what they did to Tristram. ``

Parvati seemed unsure, her face showed she was concentrating hard. `` No. '' She said at last-place. `` There's nothing to revenge. He's not my superior. ``

'' But I am ! '' Ilium hissed. `` Now do as I say ! ``

'' Maybe you should have learned how to do this better before forcing it on me ! '' She screamed. `` I'll do nada you say ! ``

And then they were both in question before anyone could even perceive that they had moved. Annapurna and Troy clashed together, a tangle of tooth and chela. `` contain ! '' Luna shouted, knowing neither had heard her.

'' Harry ! assistance me separate them ! '' Lupin yelled, waving his wand. Harry stepped forward and focused, using his own big businessman to grab clutch of Troy and rip him from Parvati's grasp as lupine pulled her away. Harry pinned troy to the ground, allowing Luna to cast and bind him in place.

'' Hey ! '' Draco shouted. Luna spun around in time to see Anapurna lurch and attack him. She was on top of him on the flat coat and he was trying desperately not to hurt her while still keeping her nails and snapping Fang away from him.

Harry, Ron and Lupin rushed over to help but the young woman was in a feral state and any clock time anyone got too close, she'd snap at them as well. `` Stop now ! '' Jacey shouted. Still bearing Tristan's appearing, she stepped forward and allowed the flames to burst from her hands in warning.

Unlike Tristan, Parvati's skin wasn't impenetrable and could easily be burned. Her eyes were on Jacey's hands, transfixed by the fire. At death she seemed to total back to her senses, giving up her attack on Draco and rolling to the incline to allow him to stand. He quickly pulled his amulet from his scoop and put it on as he backed away from her, holding it firmly in his mitt. Luna knew they were lucky that he'd managed to hang up on to himself, it had to induce been difficult for him to separate Parvati from the vampire she now was. It was pass she'd lost herself and attacked him simply for what he was, her natural enemy… thankfully genus Draco had been given more fourth dimension to get used to his werewolf self.

'' I'm sorry. '' Annapurna said sadly as she sat before them in the snow.

'' It wasn't your fault. '' Lupin reasoned, though he was certain to go on his distance from her as he also clutched his amulet.

visual perception that the situation was under control, Jacey released the fire she'd been holding, her hands now hanging at her sides and smoking slightly. Luna held her breath along with the rest of her friends as Ron approached her.

'' Jacey ? '' He asked hesitantly, clearly unsure as the mortal before him looked everything like Tristan. `` What the hell is going on ? ``

( fault )

Ginny tried to pull her arm free, but Lucius dug his fingers in, refusing to let her escape so easily. `` This is your last chance, where's Draco ? '' He growled.

'' He's out in the Mrs. Henry Wood somewhere, he's not here in the village ! '' She shouted at him before turning and screaming at the top of her lungs, hoping to alert person to the fact that she was in difficulty. But they were so far from the building, and the thickly falling snow muffled her voice even more.

'' pudding head girl ! '' He shook her and once more pointed his wand in her face. `` Do that again and I'll cut your tongue right out. '' He threatened.

And not doubting that he would, she kept her mouth shut. affright was quickly settling in as she realized her silent calls for assistant were going as unreciprocated as her actual screams. Harry, Luna and Jacey must be too far into the forest and had gone out of range… at least that's what she hoped. Not wanting to make herself experience even unfit, she refused to suppose that they weren't answering because something had happened to them out there.

'' So, he's out in the woods. '' Lucius stared off thoughtfully, gripping her arm even soused. `` That's right field, the full lunation is only two days away… they probably don't want him mixing with the students too much. Let me guess, he's out there with Remus Lupin. '' He sneered. Ginny remained silent, neither wanting to affirm nor refuse anything he thought. He had no idea that Fred had found a way to assist with those talisman so she was perfectly willing to let Lucius believe Draco was more out of control than he was. `` Alright, we're going to sneak out of the village and go looking for them. It's better we go out into the woods anyway, LE chance of being seen. '' He licked his lips, eagre to have this showdown with his son.

She didn't fight as he pulled her along to whatever crack in the fence he'd snuck in through. Ginny very much wanted him to take her out there and unaired to Harry and Luna… she had to tell apart them to warn Draco. The last thing she was going to do was let Lucius deliver the chemical element of surprise.

( BREAK )

Having finished talking to Lee, Hermione slowly made her way back out into the small snowstorm. She instantly headed towards the bookstore, feeling guilty for leaving Ginny there alone for so long. As she walked, she began preparing her alibi for the other miss, trying to decide what to say to her and still not alert her to the fact that her brother was missing. It was cold and wet out, and Hermione was tidal bore to get inside and warm up despite having to lie to one of her friends once she got there ... But just as she was approaching the door, she could let sworn she heard somebody wow for help. What's more, she thought it sounded like Ginny.

The C was growing deeply, making it hard for her to channelize her way around to the binding of the building once more. She fell twice as she tried to run, and she shivered as her knickers where now completely soaked. Even though she hadn't heard another scream, she was suddenly sure that it was Ginny and she kept moving forward in time to see two trope far ahead of her, one dragging the other into the orchard. Hermione forced herself not to holler out, waiting until they were completely in the tree before going to surveil, pulling out her sceptre as she went.

'' Hey ! '' She heard someone birdsong from behind her.

turn, she found Crabbe and Goyle standing together. `` What do you two want ? '' She asked impatiently, gripping her wand tighter.

'' That's not Lovegood ! It's sodbuster. '' Goyle shoved Crabbe.

'' How was I supposed to be able to order through the snow ? '' He argued.

'' I really don't have time for an act from Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum. '' She called over the wind. `` Why don't you two just run along ? ``

'' Where's Luna ? We need to talk to her. '' Crabbe took a few menacing steps towards her, forcing her to rear her wand.

'' Do you see her anywhere ? I have no idea where she is. '' Hermione answered nervously. `` And I doubt you have any reason to blab out to her since neither of you are supposed to be in the village. You're supposed to be under firm arrest back at school. ``

'' And you're supposed to be with your friends… yet here you are, claiming to be all alone. '' Goyle taunted.

'' You really expect us to believe the others aren't close by ? '' Crabbe leered.

'' I have always expected very little from either of you. And yet you still have the ability to let down. '' She shot back, refusing to show fear in presence of these two moron. `` And I don't need anybody's help to be able-bodied to exact care of you. '' To raise her point, she shot a go at their feet, causing the snow to violently detonate up into their faces.

It was clear they would have liked to strike back, but their precariousness that they could really take her on was too a good deal. After all, they'd had age to see what she was capable of in class. `` Come on, let's go back to the village and expression for Lovegood. '' Crabbe suggested. `` Granger's useless to us at the moment anyway since Potter's not around. '' He added, as if they were leaving only because she wasn't worth their time.

She let them go simply because she knew Luna was nowhere near the village, though she did intend to warn both her and Harry that the Slytherins were looking for her. She tried calling out but soon realized they must birth moved far out of range. Waving her scepter, she dried her clothes as salutary she could before turning and continuing on to the woodlet, following the cryptical mental picture Ginny and her captor had left in the nose candy. At concluding, with her teeth chattering and her ramification all but numb, she came to a small cluster of George Bush that was hiding a newly made hole in the wall surrounding the village.

Hermione didn't know what to do. The cerebration of going out into the Sir Henry Wood alone while Annapurna and Troy were out there wasn't too appealing, not to observe she wasn't sure just how serious this closed book man was who had taken Ginny. But looking behind her, the persuasion of going back to the village alone while the Slytherins were out on the hunt club for Luna didn't seem like the smashing architectural plan either. She had no idea where any of her friends were or how long it would take before she was in range to contact them… and even if she did go after them, she was already so coldness, how long would it be until she actually caught pneumonia or frostbite ? But going back to the Greenwich Village to warm herself would entail giving up on Ginny and would make her feel like the defective somebody ever.

Tears of frustration slid down her cheeks, instantly freezing to her skin… she felt so hackneyed, so ready to apply up. She didn't know what to do. She sat down in the snow, giving into the indifference spreading over her. Pulling out the compact, she held it in her gloved handwriting wishing she could just open it and see Fred's face… to spill the beans to him and have him tell her it was alright and that she had to get up and go on. But that wasn't going to happen, only Lee waited at the other end and he had nothing comforting to extend. Never had she felt so alone.

( BREAK )

Harry had been off with lupine trying to decide what to do next when they heard Luna scream. He turned to see Dragon root for her out of the way as Parvati tore past them to aggress Troy, sinking both her pincer and teeth into his neck opening. He and Lupin rushed over at the Lapplander time Dragon did and they all grabbed an arm to get out one vampire off the other. troy weight, still bound in lupin's enchantment, could only writhe in pain in the ass as blood spewed from his cervix ... she'd torn his pharynx out. Parvati was fighting them, trying to get back to her quarry but they held on tight… though Harry could clearly see they'd been too late.

As soon as Ilion stopped moving, his eyes glazing over with death, Parvati went gimp and gave up her struggle to get away. `` I was so hungry… '' She said quietly, both sad and determined as the boy's line of descent dripped down her chin and stained her fingers. `` Better it was him than any of you. ``

Harry shook his head… Luna hadn't described any of this in her vision. Apparently Parvati was making her own alternative right along with everyone else and changing the future- hopefully for the better.

lupine appeared dazed. I've never known of a neonate to turn so quickly on their creator. He thought to Harry, trying to ready logic of what he'd just witnessed. I suppose he did empty her out here… and he was a newborn himself. He took out his handkerchief and handed it to Luna to fall in to Annapurna so she could attempt to clean house herself up.

'' Now what ? '' Ron asked as he and Jacey rushed over. The potion had worn off as she hadn't had the hazard to withdraw another dose and so she was once more looking like herself… which only seemed to take a shit Ron more upset, as if being confronted with evidence of everything they'd told him suddenly made it all admittedly to him.

'' Just calm down. '' Harry said, his mind whirling as he attempted to form good sense of the things he'd just seen. `` Let's all think about this rationally. ``

Ron shook his caput angrily. `` Okay, how do we rationally explain Troy not coming back to the castle with everyone else ? ``

'' Why would we have to ? The last person he was seen with was Tristan. '' Draco argued.

'' Exactly. '' Harry said grimly as it clicked together, how they could use this tragedy to their vantage. `` Tristan will be the one to let to answer for Troy, if Jacey plays it right, she could generate Dumbledore a way to finally expel him for just cause. ``

'' And me ? '' Parvati asked miserably. `` How are you going to tie up this on the loose end ? ``

'' You must come back with us. '' Lupin once more insist. `` There are many who live almost completely normal animation with the lamia expletive, there's no reason you can't do the Lapplander. ``

Anapurna shook her brain. `` I can't, and I won't let you take in me. Tell my parents, Dumbledore and everyone else I'm dead ... I may as well be anyway. ``

'' What about Padma ? '' Ron asked quietly as he slowly approached the girl.

She turned to look up at him with tears in her eyes. `` Yes, I do want to see her one more time before I disappear… ''

'' I can't in serious moral sense let you just run off on your own. '' Lupin sighed. `` There is a place I know of where you can go… a settlement that takes in new vampire and helps them adapt to a formula life. I will not tell your family you are bushed, but I am willing to let them go on to remember you are missing until you are in a amend material body of mind to resolve how you would like to go forward. ``

'' Where is this seat ? And how do you have intercourse about it ? '' Ron asked doubtfully.

'' I don't know where it is, for obvious reason my sort would never be told no matter how in control we are. But it is my job to get it on these things exist and I know exactly who to contact to take her there. '' Lupin replied defensively before turning back to Parvati. `` I can have them fit you outside Hogsmeade by daybreak. ``

She nodded slowly, clearly having no upright design. `` okey. ``

Harry sighed in relief before realizing they still had the matter of disposing of yet another body. `` What about him ? '' He gestured to Troy.

'' fountainhead, I suppose we spread out and find an Ash tree. '' Lupin said slowly. `` Any wood could work for him, but let's get Ash just to be indisputable. ``

genus Draco was the first to spot the mathematical group of Tree they needed and they quickly went to help gather enough wood to cover Troy's body. Once they'd accomplished the project, Jacey stepped up and pointed her finger, emitting a watercourse of fervency that instantly lit their grim bonfire.

Harry ? Luna ? He vaguely heard Ginny's phonation whisper through his mind. Turning to Luna he saw her nod to betoken she had heard it too. Reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder, he was nearly knocked off his feet as their merge Department of Energy amplified Ginny's upstage telephone call. HARRY ? LUNA ? Can you get a line me yet ?

Ginny ? What's amiss ? Luna answered anxiously.

Lucius Malfoy found me while he was in the village looking for Dragon. I told him he was out in the woods so now we are too. I can't get away from him ! She desperately reported.

Where's Hermione ? Harry asked.

I have no idea. Ginny said quickly. She walked out of the bookstore and I haven't seen her since.

Can you get Ron and Jacey back to Hogsmeade by yourself ? Harry asked Luna.

I believe so. She replied uncertainly, not happy with the idea of splitting up their group even more.

okey, when you get there stay near Jacey if you can and try to avoid the places you know the Slytherins might be. Try and find Hermione and Kingsley and joint with them. He was uneasy about Luna going back to the small town without him but he couldn't exactly have her and the others stand out here in the Mrs. Henry Wood with a vampire who was barely in ascendancy of herself. Hey, Guy ? We have a thin job. He thought out to everyone but Ron, bracing himself for Draco's reaction to the news.

( BREAK )

Jacey watched as Ron walked away from the others and knew he was beyond angry… there may not even be a password strong enough for what he was feeling. It was a dark mixture of fury, betrayal, disgust, guilt and outrage. He knew as everyone prepared to leave alone that there was now something else he was not being told… but seeing how he was reacting, she felt Harry had made the right decision in not telling him that his sister was in the clutches of her swain's father. For all they knew, Ron would turn his emotional tirade on Draco and blame him for what Lucius had chosen to do. And seeing how badly Dragon himself had taken the news show, Jacey knew it would be bad if Ron tried to start anything. `` Hey, I am grim I did not tell you I was pretending to be Tristan. '' She said softly as she approached him.

Ron shook his head. `` All those dark you came to see me as yourself… and I had no musical theme that I was still with you everyday… how could I have not known it was you ? How could you give lied to me so easily ? ``

'' It was not easy. And I did not lie exactly. ``

'' You said you were leaving the castle ! '' He angrily turned on her. `` That you were doing things for the coven ! And really you were taking over the life of the vampire you helped kill ! ``

'' I said I had to go away but that I would be close by ... that was entirely confessedly was it not ? '' She argued. `` Once I was Tristan I was not myself and therefore I was gone, but I was never further than a few hallway from you. And I did do this for the coven… Harry and Luna are coven penis are they not ? Tristan wanted to work Luna and hand her over to Voldemort- not only would that own been bad for the coven, it would have destroyed Harry, how could I not have got tried to help terminate it ? ``

He let out a bitter joke. `` Yeah, Harry, Luna, Hermione, Fred, Ginny… you're just like everyone else, always able to find justification. I'm tired of being on the outside ! ``

'' We wanted to hold you safe… I wanted to maintain you safe. This is why we did not secern you ! '' She said, knowing he did not think it a honest enough reason.

'' And what's everyone not telling me now ? Why are Harry, Malfoy and Lupin really staying out here ? '' He countered.

'' They already told you, they're staying to avail me. '' Anapurna said quietly from behind them. They spun around to front her, both surprised by how easily she had crept up on them… Jacey more than Ron as she had not sensed the vampire to be anywhere near them. `` Sorry to interrupt, I couldn't supporter but take in. ``

Thank you for keeping the mystery about Ginny. She thought out.

He's already dealing with plenty right now. Parvati thought back, her part tense and full of venom. Jacey was immediate to recognize the former girl did not like her at all, and it was directly as a result of the familiarity she seemed to share with Ron… A green-eyed vampire… She did not hump what to think, though she was struck by the ridiculous idea that Parvati had laid call to him first. And seeing how he instantly softened his attitude, it was clear the guilt he felt over the missy's fate was strong, bonding him to her in an obligatory alliance.

'' I can remain too. '' Ron offered.

Parvati shook her header. `` No, you go help bump Hermione. She and Luna are going to need you to take care after them… but will you do me a favor ? will you please adjoin me outside Hogwarts tonight with Padma so I can sing to her before I leave ? ``

'' Yes. '' He instantly agreed. `` Whatever you want. ``

Jacey felt uneasy knowing he would probably do anything Parvati asked now… that his own engagement would cause it nearly impossible to deny her. And she could understand- driven by a desire to please rather than by guilt, she would do anything for Harry or Luna… and she would do anything for Ron as well. But what she could not and would not do, was grant herself to be bested by a vampire. As soon as she was done being Tristan she intended to make things right with Ron and impatient to prepare that happen, she was prepared to begin ruining the Macnair reputation the minute they returned to school.

( BREAK )

'' Be careful. '' Harry warned one live metre, reaching out to grasp Luna's hand. They were standing alone, lupin had pulled Draco aside and they were talking quietly to each other while Ron, Jacey and Parvati conversed off in the distance. Taking the opportunity, Luna wrapped her arms around Harry's waist and held herself close against him, already hating that they were about to be separated. He ran his script up her back, taking her face in his hand and leaning down to kiss her deeply.

'' We will. '' She promised quietly as they broke apart and rested their headland together. Wanting to hide her own discomfort, she offered a small smile to try and salve his worries. After all she wanted him focused on himself while out looking for Lucius, not on her.

'' Well, I drank the potion, I guess it's time to point back. '' Jacey announced as she, Ron, and Parvati returned. `` I will do my honorable to speak to the Slytherins. '' She promised.

Parvati stood near Ron though she didn't allow herself to get too close. `` Don't forget what you promised. '' She said quietly.

He nodded and shuffled his feet. `` I won't. We'll be there this evening. ``

Luna felt bad that they hadn't told him exactly what was going on, having not wanted to horrify him with the fact that Ginny could be in problem. In fact, he'd only been told that Harry, genus Draco and Lupin were staying behind to check Parvati could find her way back to the castle and she couldn't assistance but palpate it was a bad estimation not to tell Ron. But at the same fourth dimension she didn't want him to tag along and possibly get hurt in his despair to help his sister… It was bad enough Harry and Lupin would hold to be keeping Draco in check.

Luna quickly leaned up to osculate Harry again and assured that Jacey had completely turned back into Tristan, she reached out to catch her and Ron and whisk them back to the Greenwich Village before she could change her idea. They arrived outside the Shrieking hovel, the alone place she was certain there would be no student. Sure enough the plaza was deserted, and even though the snow began to let up as they walked they soon saw the streets of Hogsmeade were pretty practically open of people.

The first thing Luna wanted to do was happen Hermione, she was worried about what had happened to her friend and she knew Harry was too. Closing her eyes, she tried to focus in on her while Ron and Jacey stood ticker. `` Well ? '' Ron asked after a few moments. `` We can't standstill here all day and let citizenry see us hanging out with ‘ Tristan ’. '' He added, clearly still bitter about being kept in the dark.

'' She's in the plantation and we'd meliorate hurry. Something's really wrong. '' She told them, coming back to herself after a dark and alone tripper through Hermione's head.

They ran off, letting her take the lead as she followed the young lady's dim stream of consciousness. Running through the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and right up to the wall, Luna frantically pushed the bushes aside to disclose Hermione huddled into herself as she sat in a hole. Her teeth were chattering and her rim were dismal, her face red and raw from the common cold. The small fire she'd made for herself was dying out and she had clearly been prepared to let it. `` Hermione ! '' Ron rushed to pull her to her metrical unit, wrapping his sleeve around her in an attempt to offer warmth.

I couldn't decide what to do, leave or stay. Hermione looked at Luna, unable to make her mouth configuration give-and-take as she shivered. Her eyes were so despondent, so lost and unsure.

It's okay, you aren't alone anymore. Luna assured her, stepping up to fuddle her arms around the girl as well. Jacey quickly broke off various branches, laying them down and lighting them in a giant star blaze, her magic fire yet again rendering the Baron Snow of Leicester inconsequential and therefore making her flaming impregnable than the one Hermione had attempted to use to continue herself tender. Luna and Ron moved her closer, wanting to help their booster melt out.

Why is Tristan here and lighting things on firing ? Hermione asked, her center full with fright while her voice maintained a numb indifference.

It is me, Jacey. She answered for herself.

It's a long story I'll tell you about later. Luna added.

Again Hermione looked to her and her alone. Please don't leave again. She begged. Her mind was a jumble of a batch, even she didn't know what she was thinking anymore other than that she was scared, cold and alone.

I won't. She promised, holding her friend tighter as they edged her even closer to the fire for more warmth.

Once sealed her flames were properly contained, Jacey turned to them. `` I will go gather as many Slytherins as I can and try to get them to contribute up their lookup for you. '' She told Luna. `` Once I have I will let you know that it is good to come back into the small town. ``

'' Well be agile about it. '' Ron said angrily. `` Hermione needs to get indoors. ``

'' F-feet f-fr-frozen. C-can-n't w-walk. '' Hermione stammered out through her chattering teeth. Jacey took off in a boot with Sir Thomas More than her worry driving her. It was all the way that she didn't want to be around Ron while he was displeased with her.

'' What were you doing out here anyway ? And where's Ginny ? '' Ron demanded as he fed more Wood to the fire. Luna and Hermione looked away from each former, neither wanting to come up with an resolution to that. But he caught on anyway, realizing they were both keeping something from him. Luna watched as a shadow passed over his cheek and she knew he had reached his breaking percentage point with concealment, that this was the terminal straw. He balled his hired man into fists at his face and strode up to tower menacingly over her. `` I said, where's my sister ? '' He said in a quiet yet threatening tone.

( BREAK )

The second ceramicist had told him what Ginny had said, Dragon saw red. He had to take the air away from the group to pucker himself, to come to terms with the fact that today may just be the day he had to pop his father… And it would sure as hell come to that before he'd let Ginny get hurt. Taking respective deep breaths, he urged the others to plan faster, wanting nothing Sir Thomas More than to find Lucius and let him screw what a mistake it was to put anyone, especially Ginny, in the middle of their transmitted feud.

He felt lupin come up behind him and turned to front him. `` exactly remember to try and go on yourself in control. '' Lupin said gently as he reached out to reassuringly crush Draco's shoulder. `` And retrieve, Harry and I are going to be with you… nothing is going to pass off to Ginny and we won't let you or Lucius do anything either of you will regret. ``

'' Why is he here ? '' Draco asked miserably. `` I gave Dumbledore all the room I knew how to find him, why haven't they caught him yet ? Why is he still disembarrass to derive here and torture me ? ``

He shook his heading. `` I have no mind. But when we catch him, we'll hand him over to the Aurors in the hamlet. ``

'' That's if everything goes well. Lucius isn't one to play by the formula. ``

'' Neither are you and Harry. '' He reminded him. `` There's a lot about you that your Church Father won't be expecting Dragon, and that's his own fracture because he placed limits on you in his own mind. I'm just glad you've managed to testify to yourself that you're more than he ever thought you could be. Don't let him goad you just because he doesn't think you're dangerous to him. ``

'' I just want him to entrust Ginny alone and disappear out of my life. '' He said, shrugging him off and crossing his arms defiantly.

'' And we will take a leak that fall out, but in a way that doesn't end with anyone else dying today. '' lupine insisted.

'' Hey, they left for Hogsmeade. '' potter said as he and Parvati cautiously approached them. `` I'm pretty sure as shooting I've caught Ginny's consciousness… if you're ready. ``

'' Of grade I'm ready, she's already been with him too long. '' Draco took a deep hint and prepared himself.

'' And you're sure you can get back to Hogwarts ? '' Lupin asked Parvati.

She nodded eagerly. `` Yes, just go so that I can be alone to get ready. '' Draco knew what she meant… she was going to find something to eat before occur cheek to face with humans again.

potter reached out and snap up hold of him and lupine, apparating them away and to where he sensed Ginny to be. Within sec they were Roman mile away back near the village, but no one was there. `` We must make just missed them. '' lupin pointed out the deep footprint in the snow.

genus Draco sniffed the air and instantly picked up the deliquium scent of the coconut lotion Ginny used. He raced ahead of the other two, grimly eager to once more face his Father. Seeing them ahead in the distance he slowed and waited for Lupin. Leaving thrower to cover them, the two lycanthrope removed their amulets and placed them carefully in their pockets where they wouldn't make contact with their skin. Dragon could still feel the outcome of it and longed to throw the affair far away from him… but he knew better. Without the Wolfsbane, the amulet were the only thing keeping them sane in these last two day before the moon and he needed that in gild to ensure he keep back his wits and didn't accidentally hurt the wrong person.

Without a Word of God to each other, they allowed the Hugo Wolf to waken within them, heightening their signified and setting out to do what they were meant to- hunt. Breaking off from each early they noiselessly moved over the snow in face-to-face focus before running line of latitude, looking to encircle their target and leave no escape. Ginny, we're here. Draco heard thrower silently call out to guarantee her as Lucius continued to drag her unwillingly along behind him.

As soon as he was assured they were all properly situated, Draco gave the signal and he and Lupin leapt from behind their Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with their wands out, trapping Lucius from either incline and the front. He leapt back in surprise, clutching Ginny closer to him and spinning around to find Potter behind him brandishing his wand with several heavy ramification circling in the air around him. Backing up against a tree as they all three closed rank, Lucius swung Ginny into his body and crushed his arm against her pharynx to keep on her from escaping while using her as a sort of human shield. He waved his scepter at all of them threateningly though his eyes were locked on Draco. `` I've been looking for you, son. '' He said as a dangerous grinning spread across his face.

genus Draco could see Ginny shivering and knew it was more than the low temperature, she was clearly scared about what was going to happen. He wanted to keep himself together, to sustain her disquieted about herself and not him… but facing Lucius, seeing the hatred his father now had for him, he couldn't plosive speech sound himself. Pulling the amulet from his pocket, he angrily tossed both it and his wand in the Baron Snow of Leicester and threw his arms out tauntingly. `` I'm right here. ``

( BREAK )

Crabbe and Goyle were the first two Jacey found, which made gumption seeing as how they were forced to wander the streets in order to not be seen and thus reported for breaking their house collar. As Tristan, she ordered them to meet as many of the others as they could and take in them meet her in the Shrieking Shack. Quickly going from building to building, she found the residue of the Slytherins and gave them all her parliamentary procedure before heading up to the deserted house herself.

When she entered the dust-covered parlor, she saw that about everyone was already there. A few strayer came in after her and she was sure to gaze daggers at them to let them be intimate she was displease. `` Everyone pay close tending because I've already had a bad day and I'd hate to induce to progress to it speculative by repeating myself. '' She looked around to guarantee all aid was on her. `` troy weight and I ran into some problems while out looking for Anapurna Patil. Suffice to say, neither of them will be joining us and it is best that you all forget they even existed. '' A low murmur of confused voices rang out and she knew she'd have to yield them more. `` All you need to roll in the hay about the billet is that they became unruly and I was forced to deal with them. ``

'' None of us can regain Lovegood. '' Pansy said cautiously. She was clearly as eager as the others to ask about Troy, but thankfully they weren't as perceptive as the vampire had been and her threat were enough to keep them in check… for now.

'' It's just as well. '' Jacey waved her off. `` I had arranged a merging in order to hand her off only to learn that my mission has changed. ``

'' The Dark noble doesn't want Lovegood anymore ? '' Millicent asked doubtfully.

'' I didn't say that. '' She snapped, startling the early female child into silence. `` There are a lot of affair going on that none of you can even begin to comprehend. I suggest you stop trying and simply mind and follow orders, 50 you wind up like troy weight and Annapurna. '' No one dared speak and she nodded in approval. `` That's more like it. Now, our main object lens is no longer Luna Lovegood… instead it is being left to us to visualize out who the mystery girl is that potter and Dumbledore are hiding at the castling. It seems the shadow Lord has taken a special interest in her. ``

Jacey knew Harry and Luna were going to be upset that she was turning their attention on herself… but she figured this was the best way to keep on everyone safety until they could leave school at live on. After all, how could the Slytherins possibly find her when she was busy hiding right in front of them ?

( rift )

Luna was stunned into taking a footmark back, away from Ron. She'd never seen him so wild before. `` I don't know where Ginny is. '' She answered honestly.

'' You right not be lying to me. '' He said, stepping forward and forcing her to call for another footprint back.

'' I'm not ! '' She yelled, upset to be so scared of one of her friends… of someone she'd once loved. `` I don't know where she is, but Harry, Draco and Lupin are with her. '' She admitted, hoping that would be enough to propitiate him. But of track it wasn't.

'' So await, they lied about why they were staying out there ? '' He roared, shouting in her human face. `` What the bloody hell is going on ? ! And how does my babe fit into it ? ``

'' St-stop yell-yelling ! '' Hermione shouted out of nowhere. Having been so involved in their argument, they'd forgotten she was still there, hunched over the fire with her men spread out over it. `` W-w-whatever's hap-happened to G-Ginny isn't Luna's f-fault and th-the others are out th-there looking f-for her, s-so you sh-sh-should be grateful. If you w-want to b-bl-blame s-someone f-for something hap-happening to Ginny, th-then bl-blame m-me. I'm th-the one w-who ab-b-bandoned her in th-the bookstore. '' She stammered out as she shivered.

Ron was nearly shaking as he attempted to moderate his passion. `` And why did you do that ? '' He asked through clenched teeth.

'' T-to t-talk t-to Lee. '' Hermione looked directly at him. `` Fred s-sent him up h-here w-with s-some quest-t-tions ab-about th-the quickcures and I st-st-stepped external t-to help f-figure it out. '' She lied smoothly, her anger helping force her into remaining calm and believable. After all, now that Ron knew Ginny was missing, there was no reason to alert him to the fact that Fred was as well. He'd been exposed to sufficiency true statement today… one too many actually, if his rapidly reddening face and darkening heart were any indication.

'' Don't talk to me, either of you. Not unless it's to let me know Jacey has given the all sort out to go back to the village. And after, I don't want to talk to any of you at all. '' He said, turning his spinal column on them to go sit alone on a tree soapbox a few yards away. Clearly he still cared enough not to desolate them, but the aura of his anger was suffocating.

Luna carefully sat beside Hermione in the region Jacey had cleared away of snow. `` Are you okay ? '' She asked the other girl who's dentition were still chattering as puffs of air passed through her blue lips.

'' J-just re-really c-c-cold. '' She answered. Lee figured out who the spy is. She thought, not wanting to drop zip talking.

And ? Luna prompted.

It's prof Erebos. He had an amour with Elise while she was here at school though no one can rise it. Lee believes there's grounds that they've continued to stay in contact. Hermione quickly explained.

Well, I could certainly see him more adequate to of killing someone than Herbert Alexander Simon. Luna answered. nil came to her saying they were wrongly and so she had no understanding not to accept Lee's research as a plausibility. But Simon the Canaanite is working for them somehow… That she was sure of. Intuition had been poking at her since she'd agreed to dance with him at the Costume ballock, now it was downright shoving her in it's imperativeness that there was something off about that boy.

After awhile, Jacey finally called out to silently say Luna that it was as safe to enter the village as it was going to get. She helped Hermione to her feet and left it to her to tell Ron that it was metre to go. Despite his proceed fury, he silently stomped over to avail Hermione paseo. Together they guided her between them, eager to finally get her out of the cold. Glancing behind her past the wall, Luna hoped Harry was alright out in the Sir Henry Joseph Wood though she was more than positive that she would have intercourse instantly if he weren't.

( shift )

Ginny tried not to search directly at Draco as Lucius pressed his arm against her pharynx, not wanting him to see just how scared she was. After all, she wasn't being hurt, Lucius seemed more concern in using her as a surety or shield than hurting her. But seeing Draco take his amulet and throw it away, seeing the violence in his oculus that had built up after years of dealing with his father… she had no idea what was about to materialise but she was horribly afraid that this wasn't going to end well.

'' I'm right here. '' genus Draco taunted his father, clearly trying to get him to guide the bait and release Ginny.

But Lucius was no idiot, he'd been surviving for a long sentence and knew that she was the only matter keeping genus Draco, Harry and lupin at bay. He wouldn't let go of what was currently keeping him safe and the others at his notion. `` Yes you are, wandering in the woods like an animal. '' He sneered at his son. `` I'd have thought thrower would get put you out of your misery by now… Apparently he's no dissimilar that his foolish male parent and your female parent's moronic cousin-german, keeping around a wild beast because they're too spineless to do the right thing. ``

Ginny couldn't supporter the diminutive screeching that escaped her as Lucius dragged her along to the English to duck away from the thick offshoot Harry had sent flying at him as he insulted James, Sirius and lupine. Looking up, she saw several more offset still dancing in the air around Harry as he glared down Lucius, almost daring the man with his gaze to say something else derogatory about the people he loved. `` Careful ! '' Draco shouted, upset that Ginny could have been hit as well.

'' It was just a warning. '' Harry said with put on calmness. `` It didn't even get near them. ``

'' It is my reason that you allowed Harland Myers to shack secretly in your house for a decade. '' Lupin said stiffly, stepping slightly between the boys and Lucius to hold anything else from happening. He appeared calm, only his oculus indicated the loathing he had for the early man. `` Where was your spine then ? Why would you have let somebody so severe to you and your family infiltrate your life ? ``

'' brand no mistake, if I had a choice in the subject, Myers would cause never come near my business firm. '' Lucius answered bitterly. `` As it is, he proved useful all these geezerhood later… except none of you did what you were supposed to ! I should experience figured they'd let Dragon endure, after all, they kept you around all these year. Quite outlived all your protagonist, haven't you ? '' He taunted. Lupin remained unsounded but Ginny could see the fury written in every line of his aspect. Draco and Harry were holding their breath as they stood alert, waiting… they were all waiting for their probability. Lucius went on, his own ire slowly leaving his control. `` Of course there always more to still withdraw away- your protagonist's son and his Quaker, your blushing bride… your new make-shift son. You think I don't know that you signed your epithet to papers claiming charge of Draco ? ``

'' What do you care ? '' Draco snapped.

'' I care ! '' Lucius shouted violently, squeezing down his hold on Ginny without realizing it. She reached up to pluck at his arm and retrovert her entire flow of atomic number 8, but his grip was tight and all she could do was struggle to extend breathing as the others closed social status further. `` hitch back ! '' Lucius warned them as he turned his wand on her. `` Two words and her biography is over before any of you can stop me. '' He turned his attention back on Draco. `` Whatever happens, you are a share of me, my human body and bones, my cistron. And now not only have you willingly allowed another folk to be creditworthy for you, you've completed your betrayal by telling the Minister where to recover me ! I may have tried to pour down you genus Draco, but I expected more of you. You should have come and found me yourself if you wanted revenge, but I see spending so much metre with these people has made you weak. ``

'' No, you were right field. I am still your son and here we are font to face… but you're the one who's still hiding behind someone else. Are you that scared of me now ? '' Draco yet again taunted his sire, wanting him to release Ginny and come after his real mark. She shivered, scared that he'll lose and even more affright about the more likely outcome- that he'll win. Either way, after today, she knew Draco was going to be different.

( fracture )

Ron sat inverse Luna and Hermione in front of the fire in the Three Broomsticks. Despite the revelry and gaudy voices all around them, they three remained dumb each lost in their own thoughts. Again he wished he could sustain been the one to read head, that he could rip surface those female child pass and learn all the secrets they were still keeping from him. He felt torn in a million unlike pieces and didn't know what to sense first, which resulted in a continuous shift of anger, lugubriousness, guilt feelings, obligation, jealousy, betrayal, and confusion.

His head still couldn't fully comprehend what had happened to Parvati or what he'd seen her do to Troy. He'd never stopped blaming himself since she'd disappeared, and then finding out Jacey had been to blame as well… that she had known what was possibly amiss with Annapurna and hadn't said anything… it had been overwhelming. Today had sufficiently blown his psyche. How could Jacey have got slept beside him each Nox knowing that she was lying to him everyday ? And her understanding for keeping him in the dark was the Lapp bull Harry and Dumbledore had been feeding them for years- to keep him safe. But he didn't finger very protected.

spoilt than his wrath and confusion over Jacey, it felt there would never arrive a time when he'd find peace over Parvati's fate… how was he supposed to live on his life sentence knowing he'd allowed hers to be destroyed. She'd seemed so hopeless out there in the Sir Henry Wood, so resigned to an perpetual sprightliness of forlornness. How could he forgive himself or Jacey for any of it ? Tristan and Troy, the two really responsible for were dead and the only one left to blame were the living who had allowed it to occur. Ron dropped his head in his hands, unsure of everything except that he was tired of thinking.

'' Hey, have you guys seen Dean and Padma ? '' Seamus asked, walking up to their understood trio and taking in their somber faces. `` Whoa, who died ? ``

'' I haven't seen them, but I think they're at Honeydukes. '' Luna answered softly, never raising her gaze from the floor.

'' I'll go with you to take care for them. '' Ron offered, needing a present moment away from the girls. After all, one had left his sister and let who knows what encounter to her and the former was Luna, who he just couldn't make point or hindquarters of anymore… he was torn, wondering if perhaps he was actually starting to hate her. After all she was the easiest to blame for everything going awry, from her visions or lack of them to her untouched ability to proceed a privy to her swooping in on Harry and shaking up their completely group. It didn't affair if Hermione claimed that without Luna she and Harry would have still broken up because he knew it wouldn't have happened. Fred nor anyone else could have turned her foreland if she wasn't certain Harry no longer wanted her and Ron didn't worry how much they protested to the perverse. And now because Hermione was busy chasing Fred's commendation, she'd left Ginny to an uncertain fate… He turned to look at both daughter, trying to hide some of what he was feeling about them. `` You two are planning on staying here in these exact spots, right ? ``

'' I'm certainly not going back outside until it's time to go back to schooltime. '' Hermione muttered, sinking further into her seat to get her fundament closer to the fervidness. She was examining her fingerbreadth, which were the Saame bright pink as her impertinence, scent and os frontale. Ron found he was relieved to not to see any obvious star sign of frostbite… hopefully she'd warm up and at worst, come out of this with a bad cold.

Satisfied that they were safe in the crowded inn until the others came back, Ron left without another word to either of them. He walked preceding Jacey who was sitting as Tristram at a board by the room access with pouf and Millicent. It was sort out she'd come there to facilitate keep an eye on him, Luna and Hermione should anything go wrong. He ignored her completely as he went out, finding it didn't much bother him that he had to affect to dislike her ... after all, there wasn't much pretending at the moment. Lost in his own oral sex, he followed Seamus down the road to the candy store.

The snow had stopped and Ron looked around, hoping to catch plenty of his sister as hoi polloi once more began filling the streets. But of course she wasn't here safe in the Village. She was out there in the Grant Wood in some kind of untold danger and his Quaker had decided he didn't need to know about it. He took a few deep breaths to try and settle down himself, not wanting to alert anyone to the fact that Harry and Ginny weren't where they were supposed to be unless he had to. As mad as he was, Ron trusted Harry to pick out care of Ginny… and campaign come to shove, he trusted Draco to as well. With Lupin completing the trio, he knew his sister's welfare was in good hands- he just wished he knew what was going on.

'' There they are… '' Seamus said as they entered Honeydukes, pointing to a back rampart where Dean and Padma were standing and talking very close together. Ron let out an involuntary shiver as he recalled the finale time he'd been in this store. They'd avoided it the last few time they'd come to Hogsmeade for a reason after all, none of them wanted to remember what had happened there cobbler's last yr or anything else about that struggle. Ron straightened himself up and prepared what he was going to say to win over Padma to provide the castle with him tonight without rightfield out telling her about Parvati…

( suspension )

Harry held his breathing spell as Draco continued to taunt his Father-God but again Lucius refused to pick out the come-on. All any of them needed was one chance, one mo where Ginny could discontinue free but it was apparent he wasn't going to have it to them. For all his difficult talk, it was crystallize Lucius was the one who was most scared as none of them were hiding behind anyone else… Draco had even thrown his wand away, though Harry wished he had held onto the amulet. After all they wanted to conquer Lucius, not toss off him.

'' I'm not scared of you. '' Lucius sneered.

'' essay it ! '' Draco shouted. `` Stop hiding behind a young lady and come try to end my biography if that's what you want ! I'm not scared of you either ! ``

'' I suppose that's why you told them about the rubber houses ? ! '' He yelled back. `` Imagine my surprise when the one I'm at is surrounded and I'm forced to struggle my way out ! And then every single place I go to after is already swarming with Aurors. Your mother would never dare, but you ! You're just spineless enough to station individual else to clean up for you. So I came here to establish you what it's like to be a man and confront your demons… I came here looking for you Draco. direct your new friend away and I'll let the curate's daughter go with them. ``

'' That's not going to happen. '' Lupin said quickly. Neither he nor Harry was going to leave Dragon alone with Lucius. `` You have no move to pretend here, think about it. You can't apparate without leaving a trace and these Sir Henry Joseph Wood are already swarming with Aurors looking for a missing pupil. It won't take practically for them to find out you wherever you go. No one is going to let you hurt Ginny or try to smart your son. And no one is going to let genus Draco pain you either, that's something he shouldn't have to carry on with. ``

'' As if he could anguish me. '' Lucius spat out. `` I know my son better than you ever could. I find it nonsensical that within a few month you seem to cogitate you can just waltz in and foster parent the little snake. Keep one thing in judgement, he may now be a vagabond dog like you, but you are not his family. I am. ``

'' And so is Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin. '' genus Draco shot back. `` For better or worse, he married into this family… in fact, he's your nephew by marriage which makes him my cousin and a member of the only share of this family I wish to go to. I don't even know you, and I don't tending to any longer. ``

Harry watched a dark shadow liberty chit over Lucius's face. He knew that despite whatever the man felt towards his son, he believed him to be his to dole out with. `` You've disappointed me your unit lifespan, I don't know why I expected today to be any different. Look at how weak you've let yourself grow… Tell me, if I ended all of their lifetime right now what would you do ? Would you violently avenge them or would you just sit down in the C and cry ? '' It was clear he was upset to learn that there were people Draco was willing to put before him. Even more, he was upset to learn that there were people who actually cared about what happened to Dragon while he was left completely alone and on the run.

'' That's an impossibleness and there's no need to ponder the unsufferable. '' Harry said. His mind was growing tired with keeping the limb in the air and though he could feel Luna sending him her strength and energy, he knew something had to be done soon. Okay, we need this to end. He thought out to his friends.

I couldn't agree more. Dragon's strangled reply reached him. He was clearly having trouble holding himself in arrest and Harry could almost see the more primal and instinctual thoughts of the brute inside him as it prepared for it's chance.

'' I've lived long enough to eff that there is no such matter as the unsufferable. '' Lucius said aloud, ignorant of the fact they were all conversing around him.

'' So then the question is, how much longer you'll be living. '' Draco returned.

When I give the signal, I'll stroke another subdivision. When he ducks, Ginny, I want you to kick, burn whatever you have to do to get him to loosen his grip if not let go completely. Harry told her.

I have absolutely no problem with that. She replied though her awareness seemed dimmer.

Draco instantly picked up on the distraint in her vocalization. So let's do this then !

delay ! I want to be trusted we cover all the angles so no one gets hurt by accident. Harry insisted, trying to remain calm himself. Lupin, as soon as he moves, disarm him. And Draco… just don't pour down him, okay ?

We'll see what happens. He thought back darkly.

I'm ready when you are. Lupin said, either unaware or dismissive of the violent feelings Draco was experiencing.

'' The Lapplander question could be posed to you. '' Lucius replied to Draco's spoken lyric. `` Whether I end you today or soul else comes for you tomorrow, you will not be around long. There are too many looking to ruin you my son. You've made far too many of the wrong kind of enemy. Clearly you were better off when it was only Potter's core out menace you had to deal with. ``

'' I'm still breathing. '' Draco replied coolly as an explosion of revenge swirled within him. `` intelligibly I'm not as bad off as you might think. ``

Now ! Harry shouted in his mind, whipping the biggest Tree branch directly at Lucius so he could see it coming. Like before the man tried to duck out of the way, dragging Ginny with him. But this time she was ready for it. As soon as Lupin shouted `` Expelliarmus ! '' she bit down on Lucius's arm. Moving with the grace of a professional dancer, she swung her human elbow back at the same sentence she kicked her leg, catching him in both the gut and kneecap and sending the man sprawling. Luckily she managed to wheel out from under him and before he'd fully touched the terra firma, Draco was on him and wrapping his script tightly around his forefather's throat.

'' No ! '' Harry raced forward with Lupin, both desperately pulling at Draco's Fe suitcase. zilch they were saying could progress to him, he was in his own globe now. Glancing behind him, Harry saw Ginny furiously digging in the Snow and knew she was trying to come up the amulet they'd all foolishly let Draco drop away.

pull lupin away, Harry wrapped Draco protectively in his creative thinker before pulling with everything he had, sending the boy flying through the air to land gently a few yards away. Then he quickly turned to bind Lucius in place. lupine rushed over to Draco, pulling off his amulet and kneeling to grade it over the boy's top dog before leaning down to quietly talk to him. Harry reached out to break Ginny from going over. `` I don't care how for certain we both are that he won't hurt you, this is something Lupin needs to help him with. '' Harry said gently, wrapping his coat of arms around her as they both watched their friend attempt to bring in Draco back from the edge.

'' They should have drank the wolfsbane before coming out here. '' She shook her head angrily. `` Drake should give had it make. ``

'' Draco wasn't supposed to take the talisman off, they didn't think they'd need it until tomorrow and we weren't exactly expecting Lucius. '' Harry answered. `` Are you okay ? ``

'' Yeah, my arm hurts a bit from being dragged around but I don't think he was very interested in hurting me, it was clearly genus Draco he wanted. I just let him conceive he was out here alone. '' She said with a small smile.

Something poked at Harry's hunch and he turned to see Lucius had rolled himself several metrical unit to snaffle grasp of Draco's discarded wand and detached himself of the binding placed on him. `` Petrificus Totalus ! '' Harry shouted but Lucius shielded just in time, whipping his own spell back at Harry. He shielded, protecting both him and Ginny as she pulled her wand out and spud a stunner. Again Lucius shielded before pointing the verge at the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree next to them. Harry grabbed Ginny's script and pulled her out of the way, shoving her to the ground and throwing himself over her before casting a carapace as a shower bath of Sir Henry Joseph Wood and snow rained down from the explosion.

lupine rushed forward with his own wand out sending while so fast Lucius could only harbour himself. Draco came up and took his father's wand from Lupin, joining in the cast as Harry and Ginny unburied themselves from the sound dust. Harry caught the spark of light from the quoin of his eye and turned to see Lucius pull out and throw two small dagger with great velocity and accuracy from behind his shield.

Harry couldn't come both and was only able to intercept the one that had been flying straight at Dragon's heart, using his mind to push it off course where it buried its entire length harmlessly in a tree. The sec hit its target, embedding itself in Dragon's leg. He fell to the side with a grunt of botheration. Once again, Harry kept Ginny from rushing over, keeping her carefully behind him as he focused on Lucius who was obviously worried that he'd once more been stopped from killing his son. The man waved his wand with a expand while shouting an unfamiliar incantation.

'' Harry ! '' Ginny shrieked. He turned to see her fighting off the tree diagram that had suddenly come to aliveness and reached down to grab her. He tried to help but by this time he was now fighting off the branches himself. Lucius had bewitched the tree diagram to serve him, keeping Harry and Ginny busybodied while he quickly turned back to Draco.

'' Look out ! '' Harry shouted a warning to lupine who was crouched over Dragon trying to make sure he was okay. Hearing him, they both looked up to see Lucius pointing his wand at them.

'' I will not allow you to birth my son. He is mine to let inhabit or die. '' Lucius sneered down at lupine before waving his scepter. `` Avada- ''

'' NO ! '' Draco roared, shoving Lupin away and ripping the dagger from his own leg while ripping the talisman from his neck and hurling it far away. Fuelled by wild human violence and calculating animal instinct, he leapt to his feet and lunged at his father, driving the brand trench into the man's belly.

Everything and everyone stopped moving including the bewitched trees. Harry saw Lucius's eyes acquire wide with shock and something almost like pride. genus Draco still had his hand on the handle of the dagger as he glared his father down. `` Guess I'm adequate to after all. '' He said quietly.

Harry felt Ginny drop to the ground and once More looking for the amulet and he let her, figuring it was best both wolfman had them back. Besides, it kept her busy. He certainly wasn't going to try going near Dragon at the mo and he wasn't going to let her either. lupine picked himself up off the ground and being the merely one in the post to reach out to genus Draco he did. `` semen on. '' He said gently. `` Now we can use up him to Albus. ``

'' You'll engage me nowhere ! '' Lucius burbled out. `` Now my son and I will finish this ! '' Before anyone could stop him, he grabbed Draco's shoulder and they were gone in a flash as he apparated them both away.

'' Dragon ! '' Ginny leapt to her groundwork and ran to the empty spot where they'd just been standing.

'' That was stupid. '' lupin muttered. `` We have to happen them before the Aurors do. And they'll be sure to be heading this way now that they'll have an push trace to look into. ``

'' Why not let them determine Lucius and Draco ? '' Harry asked. `` They'll be able-bodied to necessitate Lucius into custody and we'll be done with it. ``

Lupin shook his head. `` No, they'll take away Dragon too. He has no control right now, there's no telling what he'll do if individual unfamiliar to him tried to come between them. They won't feel at him like we do, all they'll see is a humanoid out of control… faith me, I've been arrested several times for much less in my unseasoned years. ``

'' Dumbledore wouldn't let that find. '' Ginny said, more to assure herself than them.

'' He won't have a option. '' Harry answered grimly.

'' Exactly. And if they find Draco out of dominance so close to both Hogsmeade and the shoal, they'll blame me and revoke mine and Tonks guardianship… I won't be able-bodied to help oneself him and he'll be lost in the endless red tape of bureaucracy. ``

'' So, where did they go then ? '' Harry asked. `` I mean, Lucius was hurt, he couldn't have gone far. '' He sent out his mind and caught a timid ghost of Draco.

Lupin sniffed the air and pointed south toward the village and the mountains. `` That way. I can faintly smell Lucius's blood. ``

( disruption )

And that's it, there's nothing else you're leaving out ? Hermione asked.

After Ron had left with Seamus, Luna had taken it upon herself to silently recount Hermione everything that had been happening. After all, if Ron now knew there was no reason she couldn't… especially if they were planning to have Tristan disappear as soon as potential. She could separate the other little girl wasn't mad, that she knew she was guilty of keeping secrets just as large involving the entirely thing with Fred and Elanya. But she was hurt that they hadn't trusted her and there was zip Luna could do to stimulate that better.

That's it. So now Jacey just has to take the rap as Tristan for Troy's disappearance and hopefully we can end this… until or unless someone connects it to us. She answered, absently staring at the students around them, jealous of their simpler lives.

poor Parvati… no wonderment Ron feeling so terrible. Hermione took another sip of her hot chocolate.

There are a lot of reasons for why he's so turn over, she is one of them. She said glumly before turning affair around and focusing on her Quaker. `` So, are you okay ? '' She asked aloud.

'' Finally starting to palpate warm and I can wiggle all my fingers and toes so I think I'm okay. '' She answered, staring off into the fervency. `` I don't have intercourse what happened to me… it was like I couldn't make a decision so I just choose to do aught at all. ``

'' We all lose ourselves for a little while and we're all dealing with so much… even you had to bankrupt eventually. '' Luna reached out to rub Hermione's berm in comfort.

'' Do you reckon Ginny's okay ? '' She asked quietly, her guilt over leaving the other girl alone quite apparent.

'' I have no reason to think otherwise- '' She cut herself off as the bellow started in her ears.

'' I guess you spoke too soon. '' Hermione said, having recognized the signaling of a coming vision.

Her eyesight blurred, whatever it was, it was coming fast no matter how severely she tried to hold it off. I can't do this out here in figurehead of everyone. She thought out desperately. Hermione took her arm and guided her through the building and down a tenacious hall to the back privy, settling her down on the pocket-size waiting couch before locking the door.

Luna let herself go, giving into the vision… her 1st since she'd fried out her judgment. She was excited in a way, as this had to intend she hadn't broken herself. It was the white way, a incisive, lustrous interlingual rendition than ever before. Harry was beside her and instantly Sarah, Elise and Elanya were there, reaching out their arms and beckoning them to come over. She felt a pull, a desire to go and see what they had to pop the question. Simon suddenly walked by, much closer than the others and grinning at her menacingly as he too reached out a hand to her and her alone. Harry disappeared from her slope and she recoiled, once Thomas More aware of herself and the fact that she wanted nada they had to offer. But that moment of doubt, she knew that was a cue as a lot as anything she was being shown… This full warning was clearly for her alone and she had to pay close attending to everything.

Coming out of it, she felt featherbrained and extremely hungry. `` hold on, just wait here and get your aim. '' Hermione said, looking at her in fear. `` I'll go get you some juice or something equally sweet, I think your blood sugar might hold dropped… you're awfully pale. ``

Luna lay back down and gratefully let her go, trying to take a breather through the discomfort she was feeling. But Hermione had only been gone a few present moment when a deep sense of foreboding washed over her. Forcing herself to her pes and ignoring the giddiness, she suddenly felt the need to be back in the master elbow room with lots of mass. Opening the threshold she peeked her top dog out and instantly felt somebody else nearby. She rushed to close the door, but someone collided against it and began trying to push their way in. `` seed on Luna ! I just want to babble to you ! ``

She recognized Simon the Canaanite's voice and shoved harder against the room access to keep him out. `` Go away ! '' She pleaded.

He managed to get his fundament in the door, ensuring she wouldn't be capable to lock him out. `` Just a simple conversation, that's it, I promise. ``

Not knowing what else to do, Luna closed her eyes and apparated herself away to the first place she thought of- the plantation. It was unclutter right away that she'd made the wrong alternative as her coat was still sitting on the couch by the nice fond fire at the Three Broomsticks… but she'd wanted to get as far from Simon as possible and this was where she'd injury up. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself and began to quickly make her way back to the inn. No one was supposed to be able to apparate around the village and luckily she'd figured out that the hint she and Harry left when they did so went unnoticed by the Aurors… But still, she couldn't just come out back at the inn, anyone could see her do it and she knew it was always proficient to hide your strengths as well as your weaknesses. Quickly linking head with Hermione, she told the girl what had happened so that she wouldn't be caught unawares by Herb Simon. Jacey, keep an eye on Hermione. I had to duck out but I'm on my way back. She thought out, wanting as many multitude to know the situation as possible.

She had just reached the bookstore when two masses jumped out in front of her. She leapt back, startled to find Crabbe and Goyle, both looking half frozen as they'd clearly spent all of their time outside. `` Hey feeling, we finally found Lovegood ! '' Goyle nudged Crabbe.

'' Yeah, when we aren't supposed to be looking for her anymore. '' He grumbled. Luna remained silent, not wanting to reap their attention as she reached in her spinal column sack for her wand… but it wasn't there. Either she'd left it with her coat or she'd dropped it in the privy while struggling to keep Marvin Neil Simon out.

'' Aren't we ? '' Goyle countered. `` Tristan said she's not the main priority, but she's still a target isn't she ? ``

'' I don't know… I suppose. '' Crabbe scratched his head.

Letting them figure out whether or not they were supposed to apprehend her, she slowly backed away before turning and replete out running back toward the orchard. `` Hey ! Get her ! '' She heard one of them yell, not stopping to look back and see which one or whether they were gaining on her. scare set in and with the cramp in her side, her quick-frozen limbs and her racing heart, she knew she wouldn't be capable to outrun them no matter how lightly her slight stature let her fly across the snow. She could hear them barreling after her, it was only a matter of prison term before they caught her. Seeing the rampart ahead, she closed her eyes and thought herself on the former English of it. Within moment she was back outside the hamlet and running through the woodwind with no idea where she was or how far she'd sent herself.

Sudden intuition flooded through her and she knew she was going the damage way. Her metrical foot toppled out from under her as she tried to block them and she slid forward down Alfred Hawthorne through the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. She raised her weapons system to protect her human face, wildly trying to take hold of onto a outgrowth to slacken her advance. They all broke in her deal and she let out a loud scream as she felt the basis pin out from beneath her as she slid right over a large cliff. Turning she made a desperate grab and caught the end of a jagged tree beginning sticking out from the face of the cliff. Staring down, she felt her breadbasket leapt into her pharynx as she perceived the priming coat a few century feet below her. She screamed again, outloud and in her head, hoping Harry or anyone else was near.

Taking a few deep, shaky breathing place, she tried to sedate herself and apparate away but the scare wouldn't let her focus. Looking up, she saw the top of the drop only about six metrical unit above her with a few other littler antecedent poking through the fixed dirt. Fixing her grip, she swung her legs up, trying to becharm onto the outgrowth she currently dangled from. After four attempt she managed it, scratching herself horribly as she righted herself. Not daring to finish now, she carefully stood and flexed her numb fingers before reaching up for the future limb, ensuring she also found a sturdy footing to help wind herself up. It seemed to take forever but at last she was eye-level with the ground and was surprised to see two heavy iron boot standing before her. Looking up, she felt the shoemaker's last of her speciality leave her as she took in Lucius Malfoy's brutal grinning, his font marred with jagged scratches.

'' I know who you are. '' He said quietly, his grin widening even as he was slightly doubled over holding his haemorrhage stomach. `` Oh how comic fate can be… You're Lovegood's daughter aren't you ? You don't have to suffice, I know that you are. I already had his post burned down for that clause but I had no estimation just how very much a few words would ruin my life. I think it's only reasonable now that I completely ruin his… say with the loss of his other child. ``

'' Don't. '' Was all she could say, her awe and loathing of this man overwhelming her.

'' Why not ? I already killed your comrade, and in a very alike manner might I add. '' He laughed cruelly before lifting his foot and bringing it down on her frozen digit. She screamed feeling her already tenuous suitcase loosen even more.

( BREAK )

As soon as they arrived wherever it was in the woods that his father had brought him, Draco viciously pulled the dagger from Lucius's body. The man staggered back, a demented grin across his face that couldn't mask the pain in the ass in his centre. `` You think I haven't had worse. '' He spat out.

'' I think I'm about to give you worse. '' Dragon threatened, throwing the obelisk away and crouching in cookery of the attack. Now they were both completely weaponless, both wounded by the other and both on rival ground. Except they weren't and he smiled as he thought of all the way of life he knew he was going to best Lucius.

'' If you think you can. '' Lucius challenged, reaching in his pocket and pulling out a third dagger… apparently they weren't both weaponless, well it didn't bother Draco as he was still certain he would come out on top. `` I was saving this one just for you son. '' He lunged forward and swung, forcing Draco to pass over back.

immersion low and ignoring the pain in his leg, he tackled Lucius at the genu, bringing them both down into the C. He shouted in agony as he felt the dagger thrust his shoulder joint vane, his founder had stabbed him as they fell. Slashing out, his fingernails violently ripped across Lucius's face, tearing his flesh. Stumbling to his fundament, Draco reached behind him and pulled out the sticker. The human being in him wanted to jam it down Lucius's throat… the wolf in him had no melodic theme what the weapon was for and wanted to throw it away simply so it wouldn't be used on him again. He tossed it aside… there were no amulets here, no potions to control him. The humankind grew dimmer and he let it, already feeling the flowing of line from his wounding slow as he began healing himself.

He could reek the fear from the man as he climbed to his feet, vaguely he had a sense that this man was kin to him… but Draco also knew that the man had been cast out, banned from the ring and was therefore an enemy. A low admonition growl escaped him as the man faced him down. `` That's it Draco, act like the animal you now are. '' He smiled.

The words meant nothing. He could barely interpret their meaning any long, all he knew was that he had to end this threat to his pack. There was line of descent in the air, and it wasn't all his own. Baring his teeth, he crouched low and enjoyed the blanket look of panic in the man's eyes. Dragon was about to chance on when a sudden scream tore through the air.

He perked up instantly, recognizing the representative as one belonging to him, mortal he cared for. It was a hard fight, but genus Draco managed to bring a small piece of himself back and was almost startled to see his father before him. A instant ago, he'd been unrecognizable as anything early than prey. `` Well, let's go see what that's about, shall we ? '' Lucius said, becoming more confident as he realized his son was distracted.

He rushed forward but he was too former. Lucius had apparated away. Another shrieking tore through the silence, forcing genus Draco to move. He ran faster than he ever had before, hoping whichever of the young woman were in trouble he got there in time to help. As he went he forced his idea to get control over itself but that was inconceivable. Without the amulet, it was just too close down to the wide moon to turn off the wolf completely. So putting it to his advantage, he used his signified to guide him, at last catching Luna's smell. Carefully making his way down the steep slope she'd clearly slide down, he arrived in metre to see Lucius hovering over her as she struggled to hang on to the side of the cliff. `` Don't. '' Draco heard her plead.

'' Why not ? I already killed your brother, and in a very standardised fashion might I add. '' Lucius laughed, throwing his late iniquity against her family in her typeface as he lifted his base and stomped down on her fingers.

'' No ! '' He ran forward. Turning and seeing him coming, Lucius dove out of the way… but it wasn't him Draco was after. Lunging down to the earth, he reached over the side of the cliff and caught Luna just as she lost her grip completely. Her hand was icy cold, her digit too stiff to properly hold onto him. Feeling himself set out to slide over as well, he quickly kicked out and hooked his invertebrate foot on one of the trees before reaching down to firmly snap up her wrist.

'' well, well. What a compromising situation. '' Lucius sneered as he walked over to leer down at them. `` Looks like now I get two for the toll of one. Revenge on Xeno and the final end of my treacherous son. '' He laughed and cruelly lashed out, kicking Draco in the position and knocking the breath out of him. Luna screamed again as his clutches on her slipped and he struggled to maintain his detention. `` As much as I would love to draw this out, unfortunately I don't have all day. Your new guardian was right, I can let the Aurors trace me… especially not before I pay a visit to the Tonks and Lupin menage and personally give them my thanks for their engagement in turning my son so thoroughly against me. ``

Draco looked down into Luna's panic-struck face. He tried to apparate them away from this, but he couldn't find that part of his manhood that knew how. The wolf was too awake and at the same metre he had too much of himself in him to do anything useful. His instinct was to free up one helping hand and lash out at Lucius to hopefully knock him over, but he also knew he couldn't hold onto Luna with one hand… he couldn't rationalise her death for his founding father's. Lucius kicked him again and he felt his metrical foot Begin to slip. If something didn't happen soon, he and Luna were both going over… but if that happened, he sure as hell was going to bring Lucius down with them.

( good luck )

'' How a great deal farther ? '' Ginny asked anxiously as Harry suddenly stopped.

So many things didn't feel compensate to him at the moment, he was inexplicably panicked, scared and very stale. `` I think I sense them over this way. '' He answered distractedly, letting lupine take over the Leigh Hunt now that they were closer. Before they'd left in search of genus Draco, they'd been indisputable to recover both amulets… he hoped they were in time for them to prove useful.

HARRY ! Luna's voice tore through his psyche at the Saame time her scream echoed through the trees. He was moving in an jiffy, at last realizing everything he'd been feeling was because of her. He heard Lupin and Ginny calling out as they chased after him, but he ignored them. His heart was in his throat as he heard her scream again and then again. He was an idiot not to have paid attention to what he'd been feeling simply because he'd thought her to be safely back in the village… he should know by now that none of them were safe, ever.

He let his instinct template him as her scream once more echoed around him, seeming to make out from all directions… and then he heard Draco too, shouting in pain sensation. Coming to a absorb gradient, Harry made his way down as quickly and carefully as potential. It was earn a few hoi polloi had come this way and he knew he was in the right place.

Through the trees, he was able to see the edge of the cliff before him. Lucius was standing there, staring down with a demented grin as he yet again kicked Draco in the side of meat as he dangled headfirst over the edge. listening Luna screaming again, Harry nearly had a heart attack as he realized why Draco wasn't retaliating… Luna was dangling from his deal. `` Lucius ! '' Harry called out, slipping and sliding the rest of the way down while attempting to wave his wand.

'' Too late Potter ! '' He yelled. This time he kicked his son's leg, loosening his hold on the tree diagram and sending him and Luna over the side. Draco whipped around to grab his forefather's ankle joint, pulling the man over with them.





eminence : Wow… next chapter, the results of the Hogsmeade visit and the search for Fred, facial expression for it soon !


Chapter 52 : Coping With Disappointment

A/N : Read, Review and Enjoy !



Harry rushed to the edge of the drop-off, nearly going over the side himself in his panic. He'd sent his thinker out in an endeavour to take hold of Luna and Draco as soon as he saw they were going over… the senior Malfoy was an after thought. Peering down, he sighed in relief to see that he'd caught them all, though as he felt the waste pipe on his energy, he was more than willing to let Lucius go to save the other two. But using everything he had left in him and tapping into a bit of Luna's energy, he was able to float them all up and back on solid ground, his scepter instantly out and pointed at Lucius. He couldn't allow himself to be distracted with his care over Luna and Draco until the menace to them all was fully neutralized. `` It's over now. '' He said with authority.

'' It's never over thrower. Let the Aurors trace me, I will live to fight again ! '' He shouted. Dragon lunged at the same time Harry mold in an attempt to keep the man there, but they were both too late. Lucius had apparated away.

'' Harry ! '' He heard Lupin and Ginny calling after him.

'' Over here ! '' He yelled back before turning to his two friends still on the land. `` Are you okay ? ``

'' I've been better. '' Draco muttered, obviously upset that his father had escaped.

Luna simply nodded though she was huddled into herself, with no coat and her typeface, munition and hands covered with minor simoleons. Unzipping his coating, Harry helped her to her animal foot and pulled her into his organic structure, wrapping the cap around her small, shivering flesh. He could experience the iciness of her peel through his clothes and hoped his own body heat and coat would serve dethaw her out. He held her tightly, trying to fix himself really consider she was animated so that his pith would halt racing so painfully. `` What the hell happened ? What are you doing out here ? '' He asked quietly as lupine and Ginny crashed their way through the trees and downhill to them. She shook her head and merely pulled herself closer against him.

Ginny ran up to Draco, kneeling and throwing her blazon around him as her respite at finding him alive overwhelmed her. He held her back, his eyes at last softening as he reached to take the amulet Lupin quickly held out to him. Pulling away to slip it over his neck gave Ginny the opportunity to read bloodline of him and finding her deal crashing she immediately inspected his articulatio humeri. `` He stabbed you again ? '' She asked, her voice heavy with concern.

'' It was nothing, I barely feel it anymore. '' He answered glumly, rising to his feet and wrapping his good arm around her.

'' Where's Lucius ? '' Lupin demanded as he looked them all over for unplayful injury.

Harry and Draco both shrugged, each feeling different wave of anger and letdown. `` He disappeared, we tried to stop him but… '' Harry trailed off uncomfortably. They had been too distracted to focus on the enemy as they should cause and as much as he hated that Lucius got away, he was also thankful that Draco had adequate mastery over himself to put Luna's safety above his deep desire for vengeance against his father.

Lupin shook his principal. `` It's OK. I'd rather it end this way with you both breathing. '' He told both boys before looking at Luna who was still huddled inside Harry's coat with him. `` And what are you doing back out here ? ``

They all turned to Luna, interested to know what Harry had been desperate to find out since he'd first heard her riot. `` I had a vision. '' She said quietly before letting it all come out in a smother of word of honor, her relief pushing her into fully disclosure. `` Hermione, she brought me somewhere so no one else would see and when I came out of it I wasn't feeling well so she went to get me something… Almost as soon as she left I got a bad belief and so I made myself get up and protrude back to the dining domain but Simon the Zealot was waiting in the hall. The vision had involved him so I panicked and tried to lock him out. But he kept forcing his way in and I knew I wasn't going to be strong enough to hold the door so I just apparated away and wound up in the orchard… probably because it was the shoemaker's last place I'd been. I didn't have my coating so I thought out what happened to Hermione and Jacey and headed back to the inn. But Crabbe and Goyle were there and I didn't have my sceptre so I ran and they were catching up so I saw the paries and apparated past it to get away from them. And then I was just running, I didn't know where I was and then I just knew I was going the wrong way but I tripped and fell down the hill anyway and wound up going all the way over and luckily was able to grab that root down there. I couldn't apparate anymore so I climbed up and Lucius was waiting at the top… he recognized who I was and he was so mad about the quibbler article… '' Here she broke down, letting tears slide freely down her face. `` …he admitted it… He admitted he killed Kane. '' She buried her fountainhead in Harry's shoulder and allowed herself to cry. He held her tightly, not knowing what to say or do to make anything better.

'' He admitted it because he planned on killing her too. '' Draco angrily told Harry. `` He threw it in her face that he killed her buddy and then stomped on her finger's breadth as she hung there. Then I'm trying to root for her back up and all he can do is kick me until I can't time lag on anymore… You should give let him fall. '' He added in an almost accusatory manner. Knowing Dragon had been the one to check Lucius went over with them, Harry excused his step, unable to imagine what the former boy was feeling and unwilling to invade his head to find out. Besides, after hearing what he and Luna had to say, Harry also believed he should throw let Lucius plummet to his death.

'' That wouldn't have solved anything and as much as you might like to conceive it would, it wouldn't make any of you feel any better. '' lupine said seriously.

'' We won't know until it happens. '' Dragon shot back. `` I'm willing to take up the chance to see and I bet it would shit me find a lot better to know that I nor anyone else ever has to parcel out with him ever again. ``

'' And that's something we can discourse later. '' Lupin answered quietly. `` Right now we have to get out of here before the Aurors seed and try to blame all the disturbances in the Grant Wood on us. ``

( BREAK )

It was a miserably silent ride back to the castling and an insufferable metre spent in the master's government agency. lupin had insisted they go to inform Dumbledore of Lucius's appearance in the Village today if nothing else and so rather than closing himself into his elbow room as he wanted, genus Draco put up with a million doubt while Drake poked and prodded at his shoulder and leg. As soon as was possible, he escaped and hurried off back to the residence hall. He didn't want to be around anyone at the moment, he wanted to finger what he felt and not have to make excuses or account for it.

Locking the room access to his room, he stripped off the now undone clothes he'd been wearing and threw them in the corner before putting on the first thing in his drawer. Collapsing back on his bed, he thought about his life, his decisions, his newly found family and his father. Lucius was the connecting factor ruining everything else and Draco wished more than anything that Potter had just let him flow. He'd come so last to getting rid of his father by pulling him over the edge with him and Luna… It wasn't carnival that ceramist's sense of decency got in the way, after all, it would consume been the perfect meter to pop the man as no one would have had to feel guilty after everything his father had done that day. As thankful as he was to have his own lifespan and Luna's saved, he couldn't assist but find fault Potter for whatever Lucius was going to do next.

'' Draco ! '' He heard Ginny call softly through the door. He sighed and thought about pretending he wasn't there. Even her ship's company was more than he could manage right now… They hadn't spoken since she and Lupin found them by the drop and while he'd remained protectively at her position until returning to the castle, he just wasn't ready to face her and the knowledge that he was the reason she'd been in danger today.

But of course it wasn't in him to ignore her, she certainly hadn't done anything wrong and he didn't want her to think he was mad at her. `` Hey. '' He said as he opened the room access and walked back to decline down on his bed.

'' Hey. '' She returned gently, closing the threshold and coming to sit beside him. `` So Drake cleared you, huh ? '' She asked, clearly trying to trip the light fantastic toe around the theme she really wanted to bring up.

'' He didn't have to do much. I'd already healed myself over mostly… it's well-heeled to do that the closer it is to the moonlight. '' He explained what he didn't really understand.

'' fountainhead thank Merlin because seeing your blood on my hands… '' She shuddered as she held her workforce in nominal head of her and stared at them in remembrance.

'' Don't think about it. '' He said quietly, reaching out take her hands in his.

'' Are you okay ? '' Ginny asked in concern, no longer able to hold herself back. `` I mean I know that's the stupidest question in the world right now, but… '' She trailed off, not needing to say anything else.

'' You know, I think I'm so far from okay that I couldn't even tell you what that Bible means. '' He laughed bitterly. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and got a hold of himself and his misery, remembering who was with him and how thankful he was that she was capable to be there. `` I'm just glad you're okay. '' He turned to her and softened his tone. `` Nothing else matters right now and I really don't want to peach about it… Drake did sack you, didn't he ? ``

'' Yes he did. I'm perfectly fine, not even a scratch. '' She smiled tensely, as if she were trying to enshroud something. `` Of course of action, I'm not the one who was stabbed twice today… though I guess by this point it's something you're getting used to. '' She added, her smile turning genuine as she teased him.

'' Yeah, thanks for your help in getting me organize by getting in the low strike. '' He teased back.

She reached out and caressed his impertinence before grabbing his chin to pull his face down and lightly draw his brim with hers. `` I was so apprehensive about you out there. '' She whispered.

'' rightfield back at you. '' He returned, silencing her reply by kissing her again. He didn't want to let the cat out of the bag about Lucius or what today had meant. He just wanted to be grateful that his father hadn't taken away the one thing that currently meant more than his own life… he wanted to love her and be grateful for the privilege. There was always tomorrow to conduct with his interior daemon, new and old.

They both jumped as a sudden knocking on the room access interrupted them. `` Hey ! Is Ginny in there or what ? '' They heard Ron yell out.

Before genus Draco could move, Ginny leapt of the bed and strode over to suffice the door herself. `` What ? '' She demanded of her brother.

'' What do you mean ‘ what'? '' Ron returned, walking himself into the way uninvited. `` It's not till we're all up in Dumbledore's spot that I find out you were taken hostage by this creeping's father ? ! Are you okay ? ``

'' I was a lot better off before you came in here with that posture you've been sporting all day. '' She shot back, clearly upset that he was doing this here in front of Draco.

'' And I'm sure enough I was a lot substantially off before you wiped my memory ! '' He shouted accusatorily. `` That's right, they had to severalize me everything out in the woodwind instrument today. I know you helped them keep the architectural plan about Tristan a secret ! ``

'' So what ? '' She yelled back. `` You know now so get over it ! ``

'' I'm sure that's exactly what you would do if the situations were reversed. '' Ron said darkly.

'' Maybe, maybe not. But getting mad and yelling at everyone isn't going to solve anything. Everyone wants to walk on eggshells around you but I'm not going to do it anymore ! Didn't you tell me that once ? Why is okay for you to act out your nuisance but when I do it I must be losing my mind ? ! '' She yelled.

'' Because null I've done is stupidly dangerous, unlike the affair you still continue to do. '' Ron returned.

'' Look, it's been a long and hard day for all of us, you aren't alone in feeling trauma and angry. You want me to say I'm sorry for wiping away your memory, well I won't. It was what needed to materialise at that instant. Let's face it, you weren't handling the news show well to set about with and this is a very delicate patch they've got going here. You running around yelling at us about it at the top of your lungs isn't very helpful ! '' Ginny tried to thrust him back out towards the door but Ron remained firm. Draco shifted uncomfortably, suddenly overcome with gladsomeness that he was an only if child. This sibling squabbling was something he never wanted to let to get let alone be witness to. He wished Ron would just allow for already.

'' You really expect me to feel bad for being upset that everyone was lying to me ? '' He asked incredulously.

'' I expect you to accept your top dog out of your ass every once in awhile to see what's going on with former the great unwashed ! '' She shouted. `` I had to learn that the man doesn't revolve around me, it's meter you do the like big brother ! Didn't you hear the story up there in the office ? Lucius tried using the killing curse on Lupin while genus Draco and Luna nearly died ! ``

'' Oh I see, so I'm supposed to palpate bad that his beginner is a psychopath ! '' Ron yelled, pointing at genus Draco. `` It's not my fault his Church Father decided to drag everyone else into their fight ! It's not my fracture you continued your upchuck human relationship with him and therefore made yourself a butt ! And it's not my fault Luna's dad put that story in the paper in the start seat, commend ? That was Harry's brilliant mind and if Luna almost died because of it then he's the one to blame ! You all knew the hazard of exposing Lucius and you took it on ! Besides, it's Luna's fault she was even back out there today anyway ! ``

'' Get out. '' Ginny demanded darkly.

'' Excuse me ? ``

'' I said get out ! '' She repeated. `` You're talking about us all like we mean nix to you, like we're your enemies. Whatever's wrong with you, I don't want to talk to you again until you've straightened out your headway. ``

'' Maybe I'm just thinking clearly for the outset time. '' He said in a low voice, puffing himself up and using his height to tower over her. `` Harry, Hermione and I all became champion because we had no one else. That's not really true anymore is it, so maybe now I'm just starting to see everyone clearly for the showtime clock time. ``

Ginny didn't back down, she rarely did so with anyone, let alone her own brother. `` Yeah ? Does that admit me and Fred ? How about Bill and Charlie ? If you want to hate everybody right now then fine, do whatever you have to do. Just go away ! '' She once more reached out to thrust him at the door.

'' I'll go when I'm undecomposed and ready ! '' Ron yelled. genus Draco could see he was quickly losing his control and rose to his invertebrate foot just in character this got too out of hand.

'' I said get out ! I don't want you in here ! '' She pushed him again, also losing herself in her anger.

'' And I said no ! '' He finally snapped, shoving her back without knowing his own strength.

She stumbled, losing her terms in her surprise and Dragon quickly reached out to trance her, steadying her on her human foot before turning to Ron. `` She told you to go out. '' He said with false calm. `` I suggest you do so before I'm forced to establish you. ``

'' Stay out of this Malfoy. This is between me and my sister and unlike your phratry, we know how to keep on our disputes to ourselves. '' Ron shot back.

He clutched his talisman, remembering his hope to Ginny from months before that he wouldn't fight with Ron again if he could help it. The other boy was making it very difficult to restrain that promise at the import. `` Except this is my room and if you're going to have your petty syndicate dispute here then I get to say how far it goes and I've certainly had enough of it. ``

'' You two deserve each early. '' Ron muttered, glaring at them both before stalking out, slamming the threshold behind him.

Taking a deep breathing time to tranquilize himself he turned to see how Ginny was dealing with this recent growing of hereditary insaneness. `` I'm sorry. '' She said quietly as furious tears brimmed her eyes.

'' Don't be. By now I'm used to him having a fit of some kind when things go damage. '' He assured her, reaching out to rip her in for a hug.

'' He really should take learned some better coping skills by now… '' She said, resting her head against his shoulder. `` Maybe it's fourth dimension dad forced him to go see bay wreath. Either way I don't want to babble about it anymore than you want to blab out about today. ``

'' okeh then. '' He agreed fully. `` Let's just go to log Z's and wake up tomorrow pretending nothing ever happened. ``

'' You really think we'll be able-bodied to draw in that off ? '' She looked up at him doubtfully.

'' No, but it might stimulate it soft to find comfort later if we fool ourselves now. ``

She smiled and leaned up to kiss his buttock, his mentum, his oral fissure. `` Just being able to lay future to you is all the comfort I need. '' Taking his hired man she led him back to the bed, pulling back the sheets to climb up in and gesturing for him to conjoin her. He quickly got in, wrapping the blankets around them as they lay face to face.

'' I love you Ginny. '' He whispered, kissing the tip of her nose.

She smiled and brushed the hair back from his eyes. `` Well then you're lucky because I love you too. ``

He caressed her cheek before leaning in to gently captivate her lips. Running his hand down her shoulder, he felt her wince though he had a horse sense she was trying to shroud it. He pulled back and looked at her in concern. `` What's amiss ? ``

She shook her caput and smiled uncomfortably. `` Nothing. '' She assured him, reaching out to envelop her arms around him and pressing herself against him as a distraction. Draco caught her arm and sat up. She tried to pull away but he maintained a pacify but firm hold as he carefully rolled up her sleeve, ignoring her protests. respective saturnine finger-shaped bruises lined her arm from her elbow up to her shoulder. `` Drake already put something on that, he said it'll all be gone by tomorrow. '' She said, trying to sound casual but betraying her jumpiness. It was obvious she hadn't wanted him to know that not only had his father nearly killed him and Luna, he'd left evidence of his harshness with her. But there they were, the marks that showed him that Lucius had been none to appease while pulling Ginny along as his designate surety. `` It's certainly not as bad as being stabbed. '' She added, as he remained angrily silent.

Draco took a deep breath and nodded. `` Okay. '' He climbed out of bed and turned back to her, leaning down to kiss her deeply and passionately. Then he grabbed his shoes, sitting down in the desk chairperson to put them on before rising to catch his coat.

'' Where are you going ? '' She asked anxiously, crawling to the edge of the bed and kneel as she looked at him, her heart wide of the mark and full moon of concern. `` You aren't mad at me for not telling you… are you ? ``

His heart pushed against his ire as she stared at him like that. Going back over, he wrapped his arms around her shank and kissed her again. `` No, I'm not mad at you at all. '' He told her in a throttle vocalism as emotion overwhelmed him. He wasn't mad at her, but how could he possibly explain that her presence was making him desire to shout in Erinyes ? That being around her at that moment made him want to displume everything apart ? That he couldn't handle the smell of fear and concern that came with loving person as much as he loved her ? That all he wanted was to go back in metre and feel a way to ram potter to let Lucius fall ? He couldn't explain any of it, to her or himself.

'' I'm going to find Lupin. I think I need to go for a run in the woods. '' He said at finally, turning and walking out before she could protest. He had no intentions of finding the professor as Lupin was a all other person he couldn't be around at the moment. After all, what could he say to the man who had acted more like a father to him out there than Lucius ever had in his entire animation ? But he'd lied and told Ginny that to continue her from worrying. He really did need a run through the Grant Wood to assoil his head… but he needed to do it alone and though he didn't intend for any trouble, Merlin help the man or wildcat that chose to get in his way out there.

( BREAK )

Hermione had only enough patience to have Francis Drake and Madame Pomfrey check her over for hypothermia before rushing back to her room. She'd told them her merely complaint was a cold-shoulder cephalalgia but she had lied and she had a notion they knew it. They were healers after all. They'd given her several herbal tea appurtenance to subscribe to but she ignored it all, putting them on her desk and grabbing the invisibility cloak she still had in her self-control. She felt like she was burning alive with fever, but she did her considerably to put that at the back of her mind as she threw the cloak around herself and hurried back out into the hallway and toward the records room. She felt there was no metre to waste, she'd already let herself get overwhelmed once today by the beguilement of Fred's disappearance… she couldn't let it materialise again. Thankfully Ginny was okeh, but next time her error could get fatal consequences and that mentation was plenty to drive her forward into solving the puzzle. This time she disregarded the educatee single file and went to the door leading to the module records, knowing they detailed the life of every professor who had ever taught in Hogwarts. She found Erebos's information in no metre and tucking the file carefully under her arm she snuck back out, ensuring she locked the door behind her.

auditory sense voices, Hermione flattened herself against the wall and tried not to so very much as breath as the two seventh year Hufflepuff prefects came down the hallway, talking quietly to themselves as they made their finis rounds of the palace for the night. As soon as she was sure they'd passed, she allowed herself to breathe, gulping in air to her electrocution lungs while trying not to cough. Once in control she practically ran back to her room, slamming and locking the door behind her. Her throat was sore, her head was pounding and she was sweating from how hot she felt, but she ignored it all, immediately going to her bed and opening the file.

She knew what she was looking for and flipped right over to his medical records, aware that any fourth dimension a prof left the country they had to be examined by a healer upon their coming back to Hogwarts. And there it was, in Madame Pomfrey's barely legible scribble. Did patient depart the rural area ? Yes. Places the patient visited ? Sydney, Australia. intellect for trip out of the land ? Family funeral. Has affected role displayed symptoms of any disease contracted in travel ? No.

A kinsfolk funeral, the same reason Lee said Elise had given. Either one or both of them had lied… that left many options. The first was that there had been a funeral and they both attended the same one, which had it's own long leaning of implications. The second gear was that one of them had gone to the funeral and the early had lied simply so they could both be in the same place at the Sami fourth dimension. The third of course was that there was no funeral at all and they'd both used that as their intellect to go to Sydney, which begged the question- Why Sydney Australia ?

But what did any of this mean ? Nothing with these young woman was simple, so had they uncovered their spy or just another one of their many plots ? Feeling dizzy and nauseous, Hermione forced herself to put aside the papers and lay down. Tomorrow she'd try again, but her soundbox was making it clear to her now that she needed to rest. After all, she wouldn't be any assistance to Fred if she pushed herself while sick and put herself out on her expiry bed.

( falling out )

Luna had been dismissed back to her elbow room as soon as she was done giving her version of events regarding Lucius. It was the irregular time she'd had to severalize it and Harry had to get wind it and it wasn't any easier for either of them to bring in yet again how close she'd come to being another of Lucius's victims. The fact that Draco had without reluctance backed up her title that his father had admitted to murdering Kane meant a lot to her as she knew he was struggling deeply with what had occurred out in the woods that day. Dumbledore had agreed to instantly relay the data to Arthur and assured them all that this would also go a long way in helping to exonerate Willem's public figure. After telling Sir Francis Drake that she was fine and that her own herbal therapeutic would crystalise up the small scratches she'd received, she returned to her way feeling an odd sense of relief. One secret that had been plaguing her for year was finally being set right, Kane's death would be cleared up and her family could encounter a bit of closure.

Quickly changing clothes and applying a dose of the herbal unguent, Luna was left feeling alone and dying. For Sir Thomas More than an hr she paced her way, trying to expend her queasy energy as she waited. She wasn't quite surely what she was waiting for until at stopping point she heard the insistent knocking on her door. She knew it was Harry, he'd been held up in Dumbledore's office much to both their thwarting. They hadn't had a moment alone together since he'd saved their lives and she rushed to let him in now.

As soon as she answered he reached out to snaffle her face, desperately pressing his lips to hers as he kicked the doorway closed behind him. Their hands quickly explored each early, checking for good injury as they continued to kiss with uncontrolled rage. Luna felt grounded, rooted to the earth in a way that made her feel that she belonged, that she finally had someplace she could be safe in every horse sense of the word. Once more cupping her face, he pulled away to really get a good look at her. `` I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner. '' Harry said breathlessly as his quarter round traced the scratching on her cheek.

'' I'm sorry I panicked and put myself there in the beginning place. '' She smiled, repressing the shudder that wanted to run through her as she recalled what it had been like dangling precariously from genus Draco's hands as her own remained frozen and useless. She flexed her digit now and found they were fine, except the few that were bruised and hurting from where Lucius had stomped down on them. Sensing her irritation, he took her bridge player and studied it while carefully hiding his emotions with a blank face. But there was no hiding from her. `` Letting him come down wouldn't have changed the things he'd already done. '' She quietly responded to his iniquity thoughts.

'' But it would receive stopped all the things he's now out there free to do. '' He said with a suspiration, lightly kissing her fingers before going to sit on the edge of the bed. He hung his head and stared at the trading floor. `` It should feature been easier… ''

'' Why, because you killed Tristan ? It's a good thing that you aren't becoming more comfortable with taking lives. '' She insisted, sitting next to him and reaching out to rub his leg in reassurance.

'' And if he decides to come after you or Draco again ? Then what ? It'll be my fault, I could let ended it… And Draco thinks so to. '' He lay his drumhead down in her lap and looked up at her, imploring her to make sensation of it for him.

'' You can't combine anything Draco is thinking right now. '' She answered, running her fingerbreadth through his hair. `` We're all disappoint things couldn't be resolved with Lucius but I'm very happy that neither of you succeeded in killing the man. The Aurors are tracking him, that'll have to be enough… until or unless Lucius comes around again we have to rivet on finishing this thing with Tristan and more importantly, finding Fred. ``

He sighed and nodded. `` You're right… I know you are. We have to find him before Chester A. Arthur and molly become even more suspicious than I'm sure they already are of this business misstep excuse Lee dreamed up. I couldn't stand to see their faces if they found out one of their surviving children was in so much danger… ''

'' Yeah, and if we think Ron's mad now, just cogitate if he finds out we kept this from him as well. ``

'' Don't worry about Ron. '' Harry said, toying with the death of her hair as he ran the filament through his finger's breadth. `` He'll calm down once we can all start acting like ourselves again… Jacey will bring him around. ``

'' Maybe. '' She wasn't so sure. He seemed just as mad at Jacey as he was at the rest of them. But she didn't want to think about Ron or anything else. Without another Holy Scripture to each other, she and Harry climbed under the masking, substance in the assurance of each early's safety. Tomorrow would be there soon enough and they could vex about everything left hanging in the balance then. Tonight they simply held each former, regenerating their zip as they linked themselves together through their brain, not wanting to be separated even by eternal rest. It was a more insinuate act than any early Luna had ever experienced as they opened themselves up to each other and vulnerably bared everything that had ever passed through their heads, hoping to not only know each other completely, but to be able to dream together as well. She smiled as she drifted off, knowing it would only be a matter of moments before she saw him again.

( BREAK )

'' Okay, we're out here. Now what's this surprise you just had to show me in the middle of the night ? '' Padma asked grumpily as she and Ron stood out in the Forbidden timber a piffling ways past Hagrid's hut.

'' Relax. It'll be any arcminute now. '' He replied, wondering if maybe Parvati had lost her nerve. He shifted from fundament to foot up, hoping she'd come along soon… though this coiffe meeting was the solitary thing keeping his nous off the rather acute fight he'd gotten into with Ginny.

'' okay, you have exactly two minutes and then I'm going back in because I'm freeze. '' She insisted, wrapping her implements of war around herself while retreating further into her hood. `` I don't know why you brought me out here only to stand around waiting. What are we waiting for anyway ? ``

'' For me. '' Parvati said quietly as she emerged from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. She must have stolen some apparel in Hogsmeade because she was now dressed in gasp and a illuminate jersey. `` I'm sorry, I just wasn't certainly if I could go through with this. '' She said, her eyes tearing up.

Padma's mouth was hanging open in daze. And then without a Logos she flung herself forward, wrapping her arms around her sis who stood with her own coat of arms stiffly at her sides as she stared in panic at Ron. `` No ! Don't get too closely ! '' Anapurna cried, disentangling herself from her counterpart and taking several steps back. `` You don't understand. ``

'' You're damn right I don't. Where have you been ? Mum and Dad are up at the castle, they've come to stay until you're found… they'll be thrilled to see you ! Come on, let's get you inside, you're hide is like ice. Where's your coat ? '' Padma let out in one breathing time, once more moving toward her sister who only moved promote away.

'' You didn't warn her ? '' Anapurna asked Ron incredulously.

'' I didn't want to recount her anything about it. It would all be unspoiled coming from you. '' He insisted. He wanted to leave but knew he had to stay put, that he couldn't risk of infection leaving Padma alone with Anapurna while she was still so out of control condition of herself.

'' I can't come back to the schooltime with you. '' She sadly told her twin. `` And you can't tell our parents that you saw me… I just wanted the fortune to tell you… ''

Ron walked off to let them make a bit of privacy. He was sure to keep his scepter out and both little girl in his sight, but he already had his own reactions to Parvarti's plight to deal with, he didn't want to abide there and bear witness to Padma's. There was no way to tell how the girl would take the news, but judging from his remote view it wasn't good.

Choosing to snub them only let him dwell on his own wretchedness. He hadn't intended to fight down with Ginny, but finding her in genus Draco's elbow room just after being kidnapped by the guy's father was a bit more than he'd been make to plow. His worry for her had been quickly overshadowed by his ire with her. He was mad at everyone including himself… after all they wouldn't have been able to lie to him so easily if he hadn't been so uncoerced to go along. After Jacey came to him and confessed to possibly knowing that Tristram and Troy were trying to ferment Parvati, he should have insisted to bang the rest- he'd known she was still holding back. Instead he'd let his motive to feel comforted outweigh his demand for the verity. Perhaps he needed a rift from everyone he knew. His feeling for and about everyone were a jumbled slew, he knew he needed to subscribe to Ginny's advice and square away himself out before he could clearly see his Friend again. As it was properly now… maybe his sister had also been right about how he was beginning to feel about everyone, maybe he did regard them as the enemy and that was something he wasn't happy about. Something needed to change.

So he decided, starting tomorrow he'd completely length himself from his friends as he'd already started with his sis. He was tired of feeling suffering, and pushing away everyone was the only way he could see that would form it stop.

( pause )

It'll be okay. Jacey heard Lupin mean out to her as she entered the schoolmaster's
position, answering an early morning summons that had arrived for Tristan. She had been sure to take sufficiency of the Polyjuice potion, having been warned by Harry and Luna that the old maven was a lot sharper than most wanted to give him cite for… Though, it had made her flavour better to learn that Dumbledore had been fooled by the potion before, and with someone he knew way better than Tristan. Harry had insisted that if the man hadn't been able to tell the difference between a fake and tangible Auror Helen Wills Moody three years earlier, then it should be that much soft to fool him now.

'' Mr. Macnair, please come in and possess a rear. '' Dumbledore said tensely, studying her a petty too close for comfort.

Jacey forced herself to persist calm and focused on keeping the buckler up high school around her mind. She could feel Harry and Luna helping her buckler, as they were wide awake and aware of what she was doing… she had burst in on them in a panic as soon as she had received the banknote, suddenly uncertain that she could pull in this off. Remembering the pep talking they had given her, she offered an soft grinning and walked confidently across the room to sit in the chair next to the one being offered, knowing Tristan would relish in even that small bit of defiance. `` You wanted to see me sir ? '' She asked with off-key innocence.

'' It has just this aurora cum to my attention that Troy Mason is yet again missing. It seems he didn't return from Hogsmeade with everyone else. I was wondering if you could differentiate me where he is. '' Dumbledore replied steadily.

'' And I'm wondering why it would film you all nighttime to notice that one of your students has gone missing. '' Jacey shot back coolly as she maintained Tristram's attitude.

'' It seems a calculated exertion was conducted by the entire Slytherin house to cover up the fact that Mr. Mason never returned. They are all currently on probation while we investigate their potential interest. Of course none of them have pointed the finger at you. ``

'' Then why am I here ? '' She asked, keeping hold of her casual grin. `` I don't check in the Slytherin dorm and they haven't cited my amour in anything. So what makes you so certain that I can enjoin you anything about Troy ? ``

'' Ah, because Professor lupin was in the village yesterday and it seems the concluding person he saw Mr. Mason with was you. '' Dumbledore said, looking back and forth between her and lupin. `` Of course he could be mistaken as not everyone is always who they appear to be. ``

'' So what, you're automatically going to blame the lamia ? '' She was defensive, trying to concenter the old adept's attention on her as she reached out to help protect lupine's head from invasion as well, leaving Harry and Luna to protect hers. `` I'm not so sure enough that one rather coloured witness is sufficiency to guarantee accusation to… what exactly ? What is it you think may throw happened to Troy ? After all, he's disappeared all on his own before. ``

'' I have no estimation as to Mr. mason's fate. Which is why I brought you here hoping to clear a few things up. When did you live on see him ? ``

'' In the hamlet. '' She shrugged.

'' Can you be more specific ? ``

'' Hogsmeade hamlet ? '' She laughed cruelly, fully embracing the part she had to meet as it was the only way to get through this.

Dumbledore sat back and brought his helping hand together, staring at her over his fingertips. `` Okay Mr. Macnair. Where and what time would you say you cobbler's last saw Ilion mason yesterday in Hogsmeade ? ``

'' That's hard to say, there were so many mass there and we all had to split up and go indoors when that snowstorm hit… '' She dragged on being purposely difficult.

A rap on the door interrupted them and Healer drake entered. She'd only met the man once as herself and she knew naught about him other than that the others seemed to trust him. `` I've brought the truth potion you asked for sir. '' He said, holding up a vial as he crossed the room.

'' You can't use that on a educatee. '' She said redress away, trying to hide her terror. There was no telling what the headmaster would ask if she were under the influence of that potion, and she certainly did not desire to contribute him the chance of letting her find out.

'' Really ? The Headmistress who took my post here a match of yr ago found that using several unauthorized spell and potions against pupil served her honorable intent. And I do believe Dolores Umbridge was a member of your family's rather herculean booster at one point in time. '' Dumbledore said, obviously testing her.

'' That was then and this is now. '' She had very little idea as to the someone he was referring to. She had seen blurred persona of an frightful fair sex in Harry's mind… after the horrific detainment he had served with the woman, he had lumped her in with his aunt and uncle in his memories under the cozy heading People Who Have Wronged Me… Otherwise, she knew only that Umbridge had tried and failed to take over the school. `` If you use that on me I'll news report you immobile than you can pack your udder. I'm not Potter, I won't suffer in secrecy for the greater good. ``

'' You can be made to pledge this if you're no longer a student. '' Dumbledore returned. `` If I expel you- ''

'' Under what ground ? So what if I was the last one seen with Troy. He's a big boy and he makes his own decisions. '' Jacey sneered.

'' There's also the issue of prof Lupin seeing both you and Mr. stonemason outside the settlement limits while he was investigating a rather serious affray with some early student and an escaped Death eater. '' Dumbledore smiled and leaned forward on his desk. `` This places you in direct violation of shoal codification and as a educatee has come up missing as a result of your action, this has been elevated to a very serious issue of safety. As this is a time of war, the disciplinary topic in which you are tangled carries the good word of immediate projection and therefore I am allowed as master to use any non-violent means requirement to secure the information I require as it relates to the possible well-being of another educatee. It's all rightfield there in the Hogwarts Code of behaviour under the planning for running the school while under distress. Wartime is certainly classified and defined as being under distress and so I am granted more liberty than I would normally be bequeath to need vantage of. But I promise you Mr. Macnair, we can find our way through and around as many sound loopholes as you and your acquaintance have in the avocation to keep you here. ``

The potion won't workplace. She heard drake's unfamiliar voice heading through her head. Remus came to me this daybreak and with Harry's license told me who you are misfire Nicolau. I fixed up a placebo, there is no true statement blood serum in there. All you have to do it play along and give him what he wants to hear so that he can legally and without head send Tristan away.

She was careful not to look at him as he stood at Dumbledore's slope, keeping her gaze steady on the headmaster. `` fine. '' She said at last, deciding to trust the healer if everyone else did. After all, the man seemed to feel more loyalty to Harry and the others than he did to any of the grownup. `` commit me your stupid potion, but don't think for a second I won't be telling everyone about this. ``

'' William Tell whoever you like. As I've explained we are perfectly within our right wing. '' Dumbledore answered simply as he watched her roughly take the vial from Drake and swallow it down. She felt something start to come about and hoped the healer knew what he was talking about. The older ace was looking at her carefully, watching for some mansion of the potion beginning to work. Apparently he saw what he was waiting for and stood to render the test questions given to everyone who was subjected to truth potions. `` What is your public figure ? ``

'' Tristan Beauford Macnair. '' Jacey was sure to reply without hesitation, fighting hard to not smile as she said Beauford… after all, she doubted that Tristan would have found the name funny.

'' Now try to tell me that your name is Albus Dumbledore. '' He instructed.

'' My gens is… '' She pretended to contend before seeming to apply into the potion. `` Tristan Macnair. ``

Dumbledore nodded happily. `` Where is Ilium Mason ? ``

Again she pretended to struggle. `` He's out in the Sir Henry Wood where I left him. '' She said at last before indignantly rising to her ft. After all, Tristan would not give in easily and as much as she wanted this to end, she knew she had to take a crap it face real. She felt Harry sigh and then consecrate his reluctant approval as he realized she was about to extend playing her part. Both he and Luna understood the penury to keep Dumbledore's hands clean of this. They had all hoped for a more definite end today ... but they all also knew that Tristan would never roll over so easily and that alone could lift misgiving. `` And that's all I'll say as we are quickly surpassing the school's right wing and infringing on mine. Anything else you'd like to ask about Troy can be asked through my agency, should you determine to follow up on a legal matter on troy weight's behalf. Otherwise it's clear I've been as cooperative as possible here, above and beyond what was required if I do say so myself. Now, is there anything else, sir ? '' She shot him a pleasant smile, as if they had been chatting like old champion this completely time.

'' I guess not. You may return to your room and commence packing your things. I will be presenting my evidence to the Aurors who will then be seeking edict to claim you into custody. Until they procure these orders, you are confined to your dorm and the Great hallway for repast and banned from attending any family. As Head of the Slytherin house, professor Drake will be keeping a stopping point eye on you. A warning, should you finger the motive to seek retaliation for your present predicament. '' Dumbledore answered sternly, clearly at the end of his patience.

'' Well, I suppose I'll have to contend with that as I live it up here these last few daytime. '' She said threateningly, hoping that any wrongdoing while she was still here was immediately blamed on Tristram. `` I assume I'm dismissed ? ``

'' Yes, professor Francis Drake will see you back to your dorm. '' He gave an exhausted look at the other man who simply nodded in reply and moved to carry out his labor, ushering Jacey along with him.

'' Boy I hope you kids know what you're doing. '' Drake said quietly as they walked the halls.

'' So do we. '' She answered seriously.

( prison-breaking )

Harry and Luna spent a trade good half an hour assuring Jacey that she'd done just fine with Dumbledore, that they wouldn't have expected a great deal different had Tristan himself been there. After she finally seemed to relax, Harry sent out a message to all his booster, asking them to forgather in his room so they could all discuss a few things. more than anything, he wanted to propose to them all that they put the past few workweek behind them and front only toward the future… And he and Luna planned to commence by telling them all of the two former coven members they'd discovered before Hogsmeade happened and tore everything apart.

Hermione was the first to resolve the song as her room was the airless and she entered looking like decease warmed over. Her nose was red, her cheeks pink and her eyes glazed over with a slight fever. She had wrapped her mantle around herself for the short walk over and instantly went to lay down on Harry's bed as fatigue overwhelmed her. `` You look well. '' He teased.

'' Shut up. '' She grumbled from beneath the tidy sum of natural covering. `` Does Jacey know about Fred ? ``

'' That he is missing ? '' Jacey asked from her smudge on top of his tree trunk, still looking very much like Tristan. `` I have seen a few things about it in your minds but I have not said anything to anyone… especially Ron. ``

'' wellspring thank you for that. '' Hermione offered a half-hearted grin before instantly going into telling them of what she and Lee had pieced together, as if she had to get it out before she forgot.

'' Professor Erebos… '' Harry had seen something of this in Luna's remembrance of a conversation between her and Hermione the dark before, just as he had been able to see man of all of her memories. thought process of Quierrell, the fictive Moody and Snape, he could see how a prof could go so long without anyone knowing what they were really up to. `` Do you call back he knows where Elanya took Fred ? And why would Elanya foretell him her contact if Elise is the one who supposedly knows him so well ? ``

'' I have no idea if he knows where Fred is, but I think maybe these female child are playing each former as well as everyone else. '' Hermione said as she propped herself up into a sitting position.

'' No, I get the sense Elise and Sarah are very much in it together… it's Elanya and Cho who are more on the exterior. '' Luna replied thoughtfully. `` Maybe she was telling Fred the Sojourner Truth about some things… ''

'' Ginny and genus Draco are on their way here. '' Harry announced as a warning, silencing their word about Fred and his quandary with those girl. He got up to let them in, noticing the friction between them. Draco was wearing his pelage. `` Going somewhere ? ``

'' He just got back. '' Ginny answered unhappily as she went to sit with Luna and Hermione on the bed.

'' I needed to go for a run. '' Draco said simply, pulling off his coat and going to sit in the desk chair away from everyone else. An all night run. Ginny added in her head, her voice carrying both distress and concern.

'' Where's Ron ? '' Harry asked. `` He's the only one we're waiting for. ``

'' I doubt he'll be joining us. '' Ginny rolled her eyes and told them of the engagement they'd gotten into the Night before, leaving out nearly of the details in an effort to spare their notion for what Ron had said and simply summing up the gist of the argument.

'' okay then, well I guess we'll just spill to him later. '' He replied, uncomfortable that his friend suddenly felt the pauperism to avoid them all. `` Listen, yesterday was a horrible disaster of a day for everyone. But we need to do as we always do and keep going past it, right ? I know we all have our own thing to focus on… but we'll be leaving school in a few week and we need to seriously start looking at searching for the coven as a reality. Luna and I went through some to a greater extent of the documents and found two more public figure, Adam Azibo and Ajala Kapoor. ``

'' So adding in you, Luna, Jacey, Gabby, Zachary Hill, Hasani Jumoke, Jie Chen, Nanami Aoki and Kavita Singh that makes eleven. There's only one more epithet. '' Hermione reasoned. `` Where are we going to find these two ? Who are they ? ``

'' Ajala is a xxx year old woman who has recently moved from India to Ireland for her oeuvre, which happens to be as weapons manufacturer. Her ship's company creates all the prick and weapons used by Aurors and with the rush of activity in and around England, they've doubled their efforts in the closest factory, which happened to be in Dublin. Oh and she's a Levithon. '' Luna recited from memory.

'' A what ? '' Draco asked.

'' A Levithon, someone with the power of self-transport. Basically it's like being able to fly. '' Luna shrugged.

'' I seem to remember from my muggle religious written report grade that there was a saint who had that power only they called it a miracle… St. Theresa of Avila, if I remember correctly, during the 16th century. '' Hermione looked at them all as they stared at her. She smiled and grabbed for a tissue to blow her olfactory organ. `` What ? I just remember it because it made me wonder- if test copy of her ability was so well documented, then why were muggles so loath to believe in the thing we can do ? ``

'' Okay, Ajala can fly, that's pretty cool. And the other guy ? '' Ginny prompted, moving them along from Hermione's brief theological history lesson.

Harry's own memory was wispy than Luna's and so he picked up the papers to be sure enough he didn't leave anything out. `` The former one, Adam, he's XXIII and originally from Egypt. His power is postcognition and he currently lives in Sydney, Commonwealth of Australia working as an fact-finding journalist. ``

Sydney ? Hermione perked up.

'' Well, I suppose it's W. C. Handy to be able to see the past tense when you're a reporter. '' Ginny said aloud as she rose to her pes. `` Listen, I appreciate that you want to help us all focus on early important things, but after last Night, I think I'd just rather have a few minutes alone. '' She added pointedly as she breezed past times Draco and walked out. He sighed heavily and got up, leaving without saying a give-and-take as he presumably went to fix whatever he'd done wrong.

'' I have a thought. '' Hermione said as soon as she was sure she was alone with Harry, Luna and Jacey. `` When exactly did Elise find Elanya and bring her into the fold ? ``

'' Sometime at the beginning of summertime, before she torched Fred's shop class. '' Luna answered, remembering her and Harry's stumble through Sarah's head teacher. `` Voldemort unknowingly brought her to Sarah after the girl were already plotting together. ``

'' And according to Erebos's track record, he left for Sydney the Same day school let out last year… what if he met up with Elise down there because they were looking for a postcognative to pull off whatever programme they have going ? What if they found Adam before Elanya and approached him first ? If he really is supposed to be a good guy then he would give of track turned them down, but Elanya had her own reasonableness to join them, right ? '' Hermione's eyes were broad as she tried to push aside her fever in an attempt to make her nous unite thing together.

'' Even if that were all lawful, how does it facilitate us rule Fred ? '' Harry asked gently.

'' It doesn't, but it does offer more validation that Erebos is the spy, doesn't it ? '' She returned excitedly. `` Who knows what he and Elise could stimulate told Elanya, they could consume pretended not to even live each former in order to assure they hooked the girl. What if he even approached Elanya alone ? That would explain why she felt he was her contact lens and not Elise's, wouldn't it ? And in Luna's vision, Sarah had teased Elise about a previous relationship, but not in a way that made it clear who she was talking about, right ? ``

'' I admit that it all seems to fit, but that does not have in mind it is true. '' Jacey said slowly. `` These young woman you have been dealing with seem to be very catchy. It would be foolish to shit assumptions. ``

'' You don't know Hermione like we do. '' Harry was justificative on Hermione's behalf. `` I'm bequeath to bet she's right about nigh of it if not everything… and there's a way to come up out. ``

Luna shook her school principal. `` If he is the spy, don't you think he'd be expecting that ? Simon the Zealot is getting helper keeping his brain closed against us and I'm sure Erebos is much more proficient at it even if he's getting assistant as well. Even if the three of us work together, there's zippo to say he won't feel us in there. ``

'' Edmund didn't. '' He argued.

'' And he wasn't aware that we would try to get in his foreland. I'm sure it's something Erebos would anticipate… if he is the spy, which I'm inclined to trust he is. '' She returned.

'' fountainhead it is worth trying, is it not ? '' Jacey joined Harry's side of the public debate. `` If we think he is mindful then so what ? What can he do about it other than tell those girls that we may be on to him ? It would be worth it if he knows where Fred has been taken and we are able to see it, yes ? ``

'' Yes ! '' Hermione instantly agreed. `` Tristan and I are the exclusively unity in 7th year who attend Erebos's course. Jacey can try it tomorrow while he's instruction and even if he figures out we know, we're out of here in a few weeks… there's nothing he can do about it. ``

'' Dumbledore banned Tristan from attending classes so Jacey wouldn't be able to get close sufficiency. '' Luna tried a different argument.

'' Since when would that stop Tristan ? He has already been told he is as good as kicked out, why would he not just do whatever he pleased ? I will go to that class tomorrow. '' Jacey answered for herself.

'' '' I don't know. '' Harry said, suddenly coming around to Luna's more timid way of thinking.

'' If he did find out we were on to him, I would never let him hurt Hermione or myself while we're trapped away in a schoolroom with him. '' Jacey said in reassurance as she picked up on his fears and doubts.

'' Oh, I believe you, I'd just rather it not have to come to that. '' He sighed. `` But I guess all we can parcel out with right field now is speculation until we get something more solid to leave us. ``

'' Fine. '' Luna gave in as well. `` But we have to be very careful. ``

'' Well that goes without saying. '' He agreed, moving to the door.

'' Where are you going ? '' Hermione asked.

'' fountainhead, I was going to let you three braniacs try to keep on piecing matter together while I went to talk to Ron. '' He answered. He'd felt distracted this whole time, half-worried about and half-angry with his absent friend.

'' You should probably not do that. '' Jacey said quietly.

'' Why because he's mad at us ? What else is new ? '' Hermione asked, decidedly rising to her feet and wrapping her blanket around her again. `` I'll go with you. ``

'' Well I want no portion in it until he is gear up to arrive talking to me. '' Jacey insisted. `` I will be in Tristram's room if you need me later. '' She waved so long and left the room.

'' What do you think ? '' He asked Luna and Hermione.

Luna shrugged. `` I agree with Jacey that it's a bad idea, but I'll go with you both to see if maybe we can achieve out to him anyway… he's very confused about everything right now. ``

So in reluctant concord, they left Harry's way and walked the short way down the hall to Ron's. He answered after the 3rd knock, staring sticker at them. `` What do you three need ? '' He asked meanly.

'' To blab to you… why didn't you come join everyone ? '' Harry asked, walking past him into the room.

'' I thought I'd made myself clear-cut by not going… I don't want to be around any of you at the present moment. '' Ron glowered, slamming the doorway shut after Hermione and Luna followed Harry in. `` I do have my own detached will you have it off. I don't have to be at your beck and squall like everyone else. ``

'' Whatever you say Ron. '' He tried to remain calm, to think back that his friend was hurting and needed them to be there for him.

'' Yeah, it is whatever I say because I'm tired of it always being whatever Harry says. '' He shot back.

'' What is your problem ? Just tell us what's wrong ? '' Hermione demanded softly.

'' You ! All of you are what's wrong ! '' Ron shouted, startling them all.

'' You can't rap everyone else for what's bothering you. '' She shouted back. `` At some compass point you have to stop and see that it's not always everyone else that's the problem, sometimes it's you ! ``

'' I can sense whatever I want just like the residuum of you. '' He replied. `` You're not so senior high school and right Hermione. You're the one we had to overstretch out of a hole yesterday nearly frozen… and why ? Because you lost your head over my buddy which, oh yeah, also allowed Lucius Malfoy to capture my sister ! In a gumption, everything Lucius was able-bodied to accomplish yesterday is your fault since you practically handed Ginny over to him to use as a hostage. Do you recall Fred would be impressed with that ? ``

'' Hey ! '' Harry yelled, interrupting the spew of hate Ron had been hurling at Hermione. Seeing her stung locution and the tears of detriment in her centre, it was hard to hold in mind that the former boy didn't know Fred was missing. `` That was completely uncalled for and entirely out of true ! ``

'' It's all true and she knows it ! '' He said angrily as he pointed to Hermione who looked away in shame and guilt.

'' Ron, please- '' Luna started.

'' Please ? please what ? '' He interrupted as he mocked her. `` Always so willowy and thin aren't you Luna… always the eternal victim… ''

'' What's that supposed to intend ? '' She asked defensively while mentally telling Harry to back off and let Ron get it off his chest.

'' Like you don't know ? Everything that happened to you yesterday was your own fault ! Maybe it's time you start considering your own alternative before lecturing everyone else on theirs. '' He sneered down at her. Harry was itching to make it break but again Luna held him back, telling him it was better that Ron not halt this all in no matter how often it may offend their feel. Ron went on, his back now to Harry as he fully faced Luna to uphold berating her. `` You're the one who decided to get away from Simon by apparating to the orchard instead of somewhere safer. You're the one who chose to get away from Crabbe and Goyle by returning to the woods where, surprise, damoiselle in hurt Luna slides over a drop ! ``

'' That was a series of circumstances ! How is any of that her fault ? '' Harry finally let out, unable to keep lull any longer.

Ron whipped around to face him. `` Hey, she's the one who decided it was in her best interest to leave the inn ! She was entirely safe when I left her with Hermione. ``

'' Exactly ! You left ! Where were you to help ? '' He shot back.

'' Talking to Padma, trying to calculate out how I was going to bring her to suffer up with her now vampire Twin Falls ! '' Ron roared out. `` Luna is no longer my responsibility to depend after commend ? She's yours ! And if it weren't for you, Lucius probably wouldn't have even had any interest in her anyway ! ``

'' Excuse me ? '' Harry asked darkly.

'' The pettifogger article… Lucius was very particular that the article was the reason he was ready to hurl her off a cliff. You're the one who came up with the idea and contacted her father about it without her knowledge. You're the one who made for certain Xeno had all the entropy and you're the one who talked her into going along with it. If I recall, Luna wasn't too happy about the article, thought it was a bad idea… Well you're the one who chose not to listen to her ! So putting it all together, it was your decision that nearly got her killed yesterday ! ``

Harry reacted without thinking, simply wanting to lash out and hurt the way he was now hurting. He hadn't even realized he'd swung his clenched fist until he saw Ron laying on the floor before him, glaring up as he rubbed his jaw. `` What's the affair Harry ? Does the truth hurt ? '' He taunted.

'' blockade it ! Everyone just bar ! '' Hermione shouted, her voice growing hoarse as she continued to reach it.

'' You're the single who barged in here to trouble me. '' Ron said, rising to his feet and pushing past her to look at his face in the lowly mirror hanging over his dresser.

Harry shook his head and simply walked out, going back to his own way and closing the door tightly behind him, wanting to shut out the world. To her deferred payment, Luna gave him nearly an entire hour to himself before coming to demand he open up and look her. He sighed and went to let her in, once again finding it impossible to deny her even as his ignominy and fury with himself made him only want to hide from her. `` You were right, going to talk to him was a bad idea… you were right every meter you said something was a bad idea… '' He told her, going to sit at his desk.

'' Harry- ''

'' I've learned my example though… I'll listen when you say that from now on. '' He interrupted as he hung his head and stared at his hands.

She walked over and moved his arms, settling herself in his lap as she comfortingly ran her fingers through his hair. `` The truth needed to come out about Lucius. '' She said gently. `` I may not experience liked the way you chose, but after seeing my father survive an attack only to still be so check that he'd done the flop thing… I long ago came to damage with the fact that it was dangerous. Everything we do now is dangerous, there's no getting around that. You can't blame yourself for what Lucius chooses to do. And without coming typeface to confront with him yesterday, we wouldn't have his confession about Kane. ``

'' It was too close for comfort… I thought I was literally having a heart attack when I saw you and Dragon go over the side… '' He leaned to rest his forehead on her shoulder, ineffective to meet her eyes.

'' Hey, I may have been scared, but I never for a minute thought I was going to die. I knew you were coming to avail us. '' She reassured him, still delicately stroking his hair.

'' How could you know I would get there in time ? ``

'' Harry… '' She laughed and made him look at her. `` Don't you think I of all multitude would know ? Don't you think I'd get some monition, some vision telling me the end was near ? Nothing at all came to me while genus Draco was holding onto me, that's how I knew you'd get there in sentence. '' She kissed his brass and he quickly turned to capture her lips. With one graceful movement, she turned herself and was now straddling him, throwing her subdivision around his shoulders as she deepened the osculation. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer against him, needing to feel that the integrity that only she could add as her light filled every discharge situation inside of him.

For a moment there he'd felt the world flop down around him as he'd taken in the truth of Ron's coarse wrangle, that his own activity months ago had put Lucius standing over Luna with the decision to let her live or die… The fact that the man would make probably gone ahead and crushed her fingerbreadth anyway simply because she'd seen him there think of nothing because Lucius had been very clear in his grounds for attempting to help her drop to her death. But she had come and just made it better with kind words of her own… She had been able to take away the big businessman his guiltiness had over him by simply asserting her impression in him and in herself.

Ron had no musical theme what he was talking about, Luna had never allowed anything to keep on her from fighting on and she was far from playing the victim. In fact in that moment, she was his sub, bringing him back from the harrowing bond of self-doubt. He felt her smile against his rim as she picked up his thoughts and knew that she liked how he saw her in his mind. I love you. He thought to her, a dewy-eyed program line that held more true statement and depth of emotion than anything he'd ever before talk in his stallion life.

No more than I love you. She assured him, breaking the kiss to look him in the oculus. And then there were no more wrangle left to say, nothing left that could express what either of them was feeling. And so he reached up to necessitate her back talk again, eager to let their minds and bodies say what their words and thoughts were ineffectual to articulate.

( interruption )

Ginny walked into her room, leaving the threshold surface as she was sure Draco had picked up on her non-to-subtle lead. Sure enough he came in a few minutes after her, quietly closing the threshold behind him and leaning against it, waiting to see what was to arrive. `` Really ? You stay out all night knowing that Parvati was still out there ? That Lucius could have come back ? I stayed up waiting for you, worrying myself crazy thinking of everything that could suffer happened only to find you sauntering in after Harry calls us all together ! You're bad for my nerve. '' She scolded.

'' I'm sorry you were worried. '' He said, shuffling his pes. `` I didn't mean to be gone all night but once I was out there, it just felt so good… running made me not consider, made me feel free I guess. ``

'' And I made you sense trapped ? '' She asked, hurt by the implication.

'' Not in the way you're thinking. '' He insisted. `` The full lunar month is tomorrow Night and so I already feel like I'm crawling out of my skin… like my total body is a Cage that's just barely keeping me inside. No lechatelierite or potion can take away that intuitive feeling. On top of that, it was too much to be presented with the estimation that my own forefather could get taken you away from me so easily… that I had something to lose that would completely ruin me. I'm not used to caring Ginny, but you make it easier… And now it feels like I care too much, you know ? Like my total existence rests on your welfare… ''

'' You think I don't know what that's like ? I'm the one who had your rake all over my hands yesterday. '' She reminded him. `` You think I wasn't ready to collapse at the intellection that you'd been fatally injured ? I never expected to care this much about somebody, let alone you. But now that we're here together, I can't imagine it any other way and I wouldn't want to. ``

He nodded and crossed his arms across his chest as a form of shield. `` As long as you know that I love you and that I don't blame you for any of this… I just can't be here, stuck in this castle correctly now… ''

'' Meaning what ? ``

'' After lupin was done with his meeting with Jacey and Dumbledore, I went to see him to request that we leave a day early like normal. '' He seemed to brace himself as he waited for her reaction.

'' I thought the power point of the talisman was that you didn't have to go out at all. '' She said slowly.

'' That's what Lupin said… But I don't think I'll wear that tomorrow… I think I would sort of like to let the beast run free for a bit, under the restraint of the wolfsbane of path. ``

'' Be honest… Should I be worried about you ? '' She asked quietly.

Draco seemed to shake himself off a bit, uncrossing his implements of war and putting on a smile that didn't quite reach his heart. `` Yesterday was a lot to call for in… I just need some time. ``

'' I knew… yesterday even while it was all happening, I knew you were going to come out of this dissimilar. '' She walked over and took his manus, looking up at him and feeling very much like she was pleading with him. `` I understand why… I just don't want you to be unlike with me. For full or unsound I like who you are with me. evince the residual of the world whatever you want Draco, but please just stay honest with me. ``

'' I'm trying. '' He whispered sadly, pulling her against him as he hugged her closing curtain. `` I just necessitate this time away… from you and myself. That's why I don't want to wear the amulet tomorrow… I don't want to stay myself right now. ``

'' And when you come back ? '' She asked, looking up at him hopefully.

'' It's not like I can walk away from you forever, you know. '' He offered a echt smiling this time. `` It seems I can't really picture any sort of life sentence without you in it. ``

'' Good. Because I'm scared you're going to try and do something misguidedly noble like leaving to ensure Lucius won't target me again. '' Ginny said seriously. `` Regardless what happened yesterday with him, I feel safer when you're around me. ``

'' What you feel and what is the existent reality are two different things. '' He reached out to brush her fuzz back before kissing her forehead. `` It's always going to be more serious for you to be around me… but I've long ago realized you're pretty much a target for danger with the conclusion you make and the people you associate with. Unless you're ready to concord to live your lifespan in a gurgle, I'm in it for the long haul to ensure that not only do you not get yourself killed, that no one ever again endeavour to hurt you to get at me… My leaving for good wouldn't keep Lucius from using you again to even me out, and it would crop just as well as it did yesterday because nothing as simple as distance can change the way I feel about you. But I need these two days now Ginny. For my own sanity. ``

She looked at him carefully, before letting out a deep breath. `` O.K.. '' She agreed now that she felt she believed he would come back. But part of her was still reluctant, still fearful that while out there he would change his mind and decide she was right off without him after all. `` Just remember, I'd Fall apart if you didn't come back. ``

'' Tuesday sunrise I'll be here. '' He promised. She wanted to believe him completely. But that humble hen-peck phonation that always seemed to shout out that she wasn't meant to be felicitous keep her from fully allowing herself to rely that the lure of the world beyond Hogwarts was weaker than the desire to regress to someplace he'd admitted he felt entirely trapped in.

( suspension )

Ron waited until late Sunday night, wanting to be for sure that everyone else had gone to bed in planning for their form the next day. As soon as his clock read midnight he got out of bed, still fully dressed, and made his way across the park elbow room to the Slytherin extension. He knew Tristan's room access was just past Draco's and as he raised his deal to knock, he hoped Jacey answered looking like the vampire as it would draw it easier to say the things he'd decided he needed to say to her. To the letdown of his mind but not his eyes, she opened the door looking very much like herself. It was amazing that she could look so sensational in unproblematic pajamas, but the silken shirt and pants seemed to hug her body just right, making her appear soft and curvy. Her hair was hanging in hazardous curls around her shoulders, making it tantalizingly decipherable that she'd just rolled out of bed. `` Was there something you wanted ? '' She asked softly, clearly aware of the tension and angriness he felt towards her.

He shook himself a bit, remembering that he'd made a conclusion and that he was determined to stick with it. `` I need to talk to you for a mo. ``

She gestured him in and closed the door, turning to confront him with nervous concern. `` Have you heard anything about Anapurna yet ? '' She looked down, and he began to wonder if she already knew why he'd cum to see her.

'' Lupin told me before he and Draco left that his contact lens had gotten a clutches of him to report that she had gotten Annapurna to the settlement and they were well. '' He crossed his arms and stared her down, almost daring her to fit his middle. `` As well as can be expected anyway, given the fact that she had to be taken away from her friends and syndicate to learn how to be a better lamia. ``

'' It is not all my fault ! '' She protested, once more raising her gaze. `` I am sorry for the function I played in it by not saying what I suspected, but I am not the one who targeted her, I am not the one who turned her and I am not the one who is letting my guiltiness destroy my liveliness ! ``

'' Of form I feel guilty ! '' Ron shouted. `` I was all wrapped up in thoughts of you while she was off being fed on or whatever it takes to turn someone ! She relied on me and I let her down, well I won't do it anymore. ``

'' Meaning what ? Have you come to differentiate me off the same way you did all your other Quaker ? ``

'' I don't have to. You aren't my friend, I barely know you. '' He saw that she was hurt badly by this and it hurt him to see it. He may not know her well, but this was certainly proving to be voiceless than it had been to say the things he knew would puddle his Friend mad at him. He wondered how Harry had been capable to go along this act up for so long close class when he was already get up to confuse in the towel at the ken of Jacey's upset with him. But if he wanted to be left alone, he had to ensure no one wanted to get at him. `` For a second I thought I wanted to live you, but you're as big a liar as Harry, Luna and Hermione. Besides, if I can barely remain firm to be around myself, how can I possibly be near you when the sight of you makes me think of everything that Parvati is going through because you didn't warn anyone ? ``

'' Okay, you have made your point. '' She said crossly. `` I think you should go before you say something I really can not forgive. Remember Ron, eventually you will get hold a way to move past what you are feeling… you do not want to completely burn off every nosepiece you have. ``

'' Maybe I do. '' He countered. `` It would realise it that much promiscuous to embark on over from scratch. ``

'' Why would you want to do that ? '' She pushed. `` Your friends, your family… they have always been there for you. Maybe not always in ways that you O.K. of, but you can only really fault them for doing what they thought was best for you. I know the affair you said to them today, the way you made them feel about themselves. I know that it is easier for you to make them call up badly of themselves so that they will forget they are mad at you for putting those thoughts in their chief in the starting time lieu. But what you are doing is cruel. Harry already feels so much responsibleness for everyone's upbeat, making him think almost losing Luna was his fault was a horrifying thing to do. ``

'' I wasn't wrong. '' He shot back, trying to essay that he was unmoved by her words. `` He's the genius behind Xeno releasing that report, everything that happens as a result of it is in some way his break. He provided the catalyst. ``

'' And even now after you have made that clear and nearly crushed him with that knowledge, he would lay down his life-time to save yours. '' She said angrily. `` You are letting what you feel make you act selfishly. However straight the thing you say may be, how is bringing it to anyone's aid a confirming thing to do ? Everyone needs a bit of denial to go on after so practically mindless and unending tragedy, even you. Taking theirs away from them, exposing all the affair they had repressed in order to keep open moving forward… you are hurting them more than they realize. And More than you realize. You have no mind what is going on between Hermione and Fred right now and the therefore the affair you said to her were devastating for her to discover. After finding her in that muddle so completely lost, you should have realized that she is in a very flimsy stead at the instant. ``

'' You're redress, I have no idea what's going on between Hermione and Fred. You know why ? Because no one tells me anything anymore ! '' He shouted. `` That's kind of my unharmed distributor point here ! '' He stalked over to the door, more angry with her now than when he'd come in. He wanted the luxury of focusing on his own aroused state, he didn't want to have to become aware of anyone else's. Of line he knew they were all hurting after recent events… but he wanted his pain to take in center microscope stage for once. He didn't want to have to substantiate that to each of them, their own pain in the ass was the most important… he didn't want to bear to admit that there were those among his admirer who may let deserved to palpate worse than he did. So what if that made him selfish… he was seventeen and this was the clock time to be selfish, to be young and responsibility-free, to not have to care about anyone but himself before growing up and having to get a job and start a family. He was tired and wanted the life of a rule stripling and the just way to achieve that was to distance himself from those that by design or desire were now forced to be to a greater extent mature.

'' Please do not just take the air out. '' Jacey said softly as he breezed past her.

'' There's nothing more to say and nothing Sir Thomas More I want to hear. '' He answered meanly, opening the door and walking out.

It wasn't until he reached his own elbow room that he finally allowed himself to take a breather. Facing Jacey had been harder than the others, perhaps because he'd been disappointed in her the most. Harry and the others he was used to getting the run around from, but he'd expected more from her. Ron had thought she was feeling the same way for him that he felt for her, but then she had so easily lied to him, siding with his friends against him immediately. And meanwhile, he'd lost a fille who really had tried to like about him to a dire fate… A fate that had been allowed to go on by the miss he'd allowed himself to be distracted by. Until he could forgive himself, he'd never be able to forgive Jacey… and at this point, he wasn't entirely certain he wanted to.

( prisonbreak )

Hermione lay in bed and stared at the cap. She was too hot to catch some Z's, though once she kicked off her covers she found she was suddenly too stale. She'd tried taking the herb given to her by the healers but they had only relieved her sore pharynx and stuffed nose. The headache remained, and she began to suspect that it had zilch to do with the frigidness she'd caught. Ron's parole were echoing in her head, making her doubt so many things… but she wouldn't let herself be swept up in it. She'd have plenty of clock time to feel bad once she was sure enough Fred was safe.

As a distraction, she focused her psyche on finding a solution. At first they'd all agreed that finding out where Fred was being kept was the most important matter, but she was starting to think otherwise. What good would finding him do if they didn't figure out a way to disencumber him from the gob that had forced him to pass on in the first place ? Nailing down the spy was the key… Erebos and Simon, it was important that they figure out how these two were actually connected to Elanya, Elise and Sarah. Once they were discovered, their threats would no longer harbor weight and Fred could be freed of the fear of Ron and Ginny being killed if he didn't cooperate. The adjacent stone's throw was something Lee and Willem could do for her in London… they had to be absolutely sure there was no proof to tie Fred to Edmund's end, nothing that Elanya could use to show he'd helped her in any way. The conclusion step was finding a way to end the threat Sarah had hung over Hermione's own head. Once that was done, there was cypher to wedge Fred to extend to collaborate and then they could find him and bring him home.

There was only one way she had been able to think of overcoming Sarah's skill with Advanced Astral sound projection and that was to become a comparable opposite. She'd already read the books she'd gotten from the library once… now it was time to say through them again to be indisputable she hadn't missed anything and then it would be time to practice. She turned on the light and picked up one of the books, figuring it was a better use of her insomnia than staring at the cap and worrying endlessly. She was determined that by the end of this calendar week she would be intimate everything Sarah knew about astral projection… That they will have neutralized the terror presented by Erebos and Simon… And that they will not only have found where Elanya took Fred, but also have a solid plan for how to contribute him back.

　

musical note : Next chapter, the hunt for Fred and some more things are brought to light. Stay tuned to find out what happens succeeding !

Reference to Helen Wills Moody and the polyjuice potion from Harry ceramicist and the goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling.
quotation to Dolores Umbridge from Harry thrower and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling.
point of reference to Quierrell from Harry ceramist and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling


Chapter 53 : And the Plot Thickens

A/N : Wow did this chapter claim a spell I wasn't expecting as I was writing, thus the title of the chapter… I guess we'll all see where this takes us now. Read, Review, Enjoy !





'' You're surely about this ? '' lupine asked as they watched the moon rise from beneath the trees.

'' I am. '' genus Draco answered steadily, clutching his amulet tightly as he waited for himself to be cook to transfer it. They had hiked all day in quiet yesterday, both subject matter to let the other be lost in their own thoughts as they left any trace of civilization far behind them. He'd been grateful that Lupin had allowed the silence to continue into the night and next day… he felt awkward around the man and didn't have it off how to talk to him anymore. Lucius had been cook to kill Lupin simply for agreeing to legally look after genus Draco and worse, he'd threatened to go after Andromeda, Ted and Tonks as well before he'd escaped. His male parent's inexplicable angriness and jealousy was obviously something Potter hadn't anticipated when he'd suggested this whole charge affair for them… none of them had. `` You don't have to come with, you know. You can hold back your amulet on and last out human… I took the potion, I'll be amercement. ``

'' I know. But I want to go with. '' He insisted. `` I've had to do this by myself for many years, and even when you think you don't want anyone else there, I've found it's always better not to go through it alone. I had James and Sirius… and because they kept me going, now you have me to avail you. ``

Draco shook his head. `` schooltime's over in a few hebdomad, I'll be moving back in with ceramicist I guess, since that's where everyone seems to go. I have the talisman and a sensory faculty of some form of control… you don't have to be there for me anymore. You can take in back your care and wipe off all traces that tie yours and Tonks name to mine. ``

'' I could, but why would I ? '' Lupin smiled. `` You can't always expect that mass will just give up on you when things get too hard Dragon. Not everyone is like that. You may think that it's difficult to afford yourself up to caring about others… but that's the easy character. It can be far more hard to spread yourself up to letting others care about you. ``

'' I just don't want it to be my shift if Lucius decides to go after you guys ! '' He said angrily, taking a few step away.

'' And it wouldn't be. '' He said gently. `` What your father chooses to do is up to him, but the bad blood between him and Andromeda goes back to before you were born. Her recent benignity to you is only the up-to-the-minute excuse for him to seek payback against her. Tonks has been in his sight for years as she was a part of several different investigations seeking to take him down. And after what happened in the Ministry of Magic, after losing Sirius, she had already sworn to aid get Lucius and the others if it was the last thing she did. I know you don't know your full cousin very well, but it takes a lot for her to second down from anything. '' He smiled as he thought of his wife. `` As for me, well, you've kind of grown on me. I'm certainly not scared of Lucius, and I wouldn't let him be the thing that has you pushing me away when it's realise you'd rather have me around. ``

'' I guess you've grown on me too. '' genus Draco mumbled. `` Which is why the last thing I want to be is a essence. ``

'' And you aren't. '' Lupin insisted. `` My family was always cold and distant, and they became even more so after I became afflicted with this curse. My whole life I had to make my own family, which is what I managed to do with James, Lily and Dog Star. After I lost them, I thought I was finished caring about people… And then I got the chance to not only fulfill and be near Harry, but to aid readable Sirius's name as well. Since then I've opened myself up and began making my own category again, up to and including falling in erotic love with and marrying Tonks. I care about all of you kids… and I certainly love Harry as if he were my own son. But you genus Draco, you have become individual crucial to me as well, someone I can ploughshare the most horrifying part of my animation with, someone who makes this curse easier to bear because now I have the province of guiding you through living your spirit with it. I'm not revoking my safekeeping, and it's not just because I think you still need me and Tonks and the semblance of category we can offer up you, it's also because I need you to be in my life sentence. ``

He didn't know what to say or even how he felt. He was still getting used to what it was like to have intercourse Ginny, how was he also supposed to handle the feelings that came with having convention family members who not only cared about him, but actually wanted him around ? lupin was related to him through marriage and a slip of paper, but in that present moment it felt as if he were everything Draco had always wanted but never had… don, chum, uncle, cousin and just protagonist all wrapped up in one software system and waiting for him to accept it. `` Okay. '' He said, not trusting himself to say anything else without betraying how emotional he felt.

Lupin laughed and patted his shoulder. `` Come on, let's let ourselves go for the night and just bask the run. We'll head back towards Hogwarts so we won't have as far to travel in the morning. ``

genus Draco nodded in silent agreement. Together they removed their amulet, storing them safely in their bags, of which they'd loosened the strap to suit their soon to be big variety. Stepping out into the moonshine, he wasn't quite sure what to expect… the transformation wasn't as painful as he remembered, though perhaps it was because this metre he fully embraced it, wanting the wolf to be free. Still retaining their own minds, they were now in foreign bodies and had to be deliberate as they remembered to welt the travelling bag to their backs. They shared a facial expression before Lupin threw his head to the lunation and let out a wild ululation. And then they were off, allowing the wolves to run and play while they attempted to deform off their man thoughts.

( BREAK )

As had become his custom, Fred woke early, just before the sun rose. Of track he had no idea what time that was, just as he had no idea how long he'd actually been on this island… he'd forced himself to stop counting days after the one-fifth one, finding it far too demoralize. Instead he had learned to focus on finding what small enjoyment he could while he was imprisoned. Those odd flowers growing here had become one of those things he actually liked and so he'd begun getting up before the sun, gladly leaving the lustre of the interior of their massive tent that seemed so ordinary on the outdoor. As he now normally did, he walked up the beach to where a low patch of the strange blooms grew wild.

Looking off into the horizon as he waited for the sun to glint over it, he let his mind wander… Wondering what his friends were up to, what Hermione must be thinking about his disappearing, whether his parents knew he was in bother, and most prominently ... how was he going to get himself out of this ? Hearing a loud squawking speech sound that still terrified him no matter how many times he heard it, he glanced up into the quickly brightening sky and saw the dark outline of those weird wight that enjoyed flying through the morning. He didn't know what they were and they never came finis enough for him to really see them, which was delicately by him as he wasn't about to go looking for them. They seemed to stick to the improbable mountains that made up most of this island and Fred had been sure to keep far away from there, choosing instead to stay near the beach where the vast sea reminded him of freedom.

At finale the sun came up, breaking entirely free of the horizon to begin it's acclivity through the sky. He eagerly turned back to the flowers, waiting for that first shaft of luminousness to touch them. At concluding it happened and his oculus danced as bud after bud bloomed in an explosion of color- vibrant pinko and purples, neon blues and light-green, deeply saturated Orange and yellow. It was breathtaking to lay eyes on, like a workplace of art coming to life right in front of him.

'' fountainhead, I figured I'd find you here again. '' Elanya said as she came up behind him. He ignored her as he'd been doing since that first night… he hadn't spoken a single word to her since setting up the tent. In fact, he felt like he was beginning to forget how to lecture at all as he'd never in his life been able to maintain silence for Thomas More than a few instant let alone however long he'd been stuck here… Though in a signified, it did make him happy to do it that his stubbornness and self-command were so strong. He knew it was beginning to incommode her that she was basically left talking to herself and as that was the only sort of victory he could achieve, he was deliberate to keep up his silence. `` Don't you get tired of watching them day after day ? '' She goaded.

He wanted to tell her that he'd be able to find more stimulating path to pass his time had she not forced him onto this island where the only form of amusement was the unusual beauty of nature… But he didn't. He simply got up and brushed the sand from his shorts before stripping off his shoe and tee shirt and heading down to the water for a swim. He could feel her following him and smiled to himself, happy that he was proving to be an annoyance to her. `` You have to let the cat out of the bag to me sometime ! '' She called as he walked right into the pee, letting the incomprehensible warmth of it sooth away the tensity he carried at all times now. `` Hey ! '' She shouted loudly.

He turned to find her ankle-deep in the water system. She'd taken off her dress and was standing there in a revealing bathing suit that he hadn't even seen her purchase with his money. The cloth was atomic number 79, nearly blending in with the deep tan she'd acquired while they'd been there and illuminating the honey-gold color of her eyes. The sun shone through her unloose auburn hair, casting a burnished nimbus around her. He bit the inside of his cheek, needing the pain to remind him that as good as she may seem she wasn't safe to let one's guard down around. `` Mind if I join you for a swimming ? '' She asked slyly as she posed effortlessly in front of him like a prosperous statue.

It was authorise she wanted some reaction and it didn't affair whether it was a defence or toleration of her crack. She was clearly starting to act out in an effort to manipulate him into doing what she wanted, which was speak to her. As a skilled prevaricator and operator himself, he knew the thing to look for and so he willfully kept his silence. Pretending he hadn't even seen her, he turned and dove into the soft waves before moving his subdivision and legs, gliding easily through the water supply without looking back. Everyday he managed to get further from the shoreline… not that he had any fantasy about being able to swim his way across the ocean. But as Elanya never went more than waist-deep into the water, he'd descend to realize she was probably not a very strong or confident swimmer. This meant that the only time he could be assured of being away from her was way out where she dared not go.

Feeling his English Menachem Begin to cramp and his limbs slow down, he stopped and treaded water supply, turning to ensure she had in fact remained on the beach. Even at this far distance, he could order she was wild as she strode back towards the tent. Breathing a sigh of relief Fred flipped over onto his back and floated, careful to mind that he didn't let the flow pull him further than he thought he could drown back. Allowing his head to dip so that his ears were below water where everything was muffled and staring at the sempiternal blue sky, he felt relaxed… peaceful… and very lonely. As much as he would like to look on the promising side of meat and savor the scenery of where he was, the idea that so many citizenry were probably worried about him kept him from doing so. He wished he were stuck on the island with Hermione, that this was some post-graduation vacation and she could be out here to enjoy this quiet instant with him.

He was concern that he didn't know what was going on at Hogwarts, but there was nothing he could do about it. Still, it was easier to cerebrate of the unknown region peril the others were going through than to focus on his own captivity… But he knew he had to initiate doing something to change his situation. As often as he wanted to preserve up this silent treatment that was making Elanya so mad, he knew he needed answer from her. His hands were completely tied while he was here, cut off from everyone and all selective information. But if he could incur out when they were leaving and when she planned on going back to London to attempt to use him against his friends and fellowship, then he'd be better positioned to come up with a programme. Getting himself off this island was useless if he didn't figure a way out of everything else as well.

intuitive feeling hungry, Fred turned and swam back to shore. Letting the sun dry him as he walked back to the tent, he decided to give himself one to a greater extent day to enjoy making Elanya mad… Tomorrow he would see how he felt about breaking his secrecy. After all, as much as he wanted to reason with himself, it was knockout to give up the only pocket-sized bit of magnate he had at the moment.

( BREAK )

'' ripe first light everyone ! '' Charlie greeted his year. Since Lupin and Draco had decided to leave, an impromptu switch up of category schedule was arranged to attain up for the missing professor, making for an entirely confusing Mon that Hermione had missed out on by staying in bed sick. Unfortunately, Lupin hadn't made it back in time Tues forenoon and that left the seventh class advanced program course of instruction to savor tutelage of Magical beast as the first moral of the day. Normally Hermione enjoyed Charlie's socio-economic class, even if she did let to send for him Professor Weasley. But between her concern over Fred, her still lingering illness and Ron glaring at her and Harry the unharmed time, she just wasn't in the mood for anything that distracted her from practicing astral forcing out. Perhaps she should have taken Harry's advice and stayed in bed again today, but being so close to the end of her time in schoolhouse she'd forced herself to get up, not wanting to miss out on anything that could give itself on a test. But her caput just wasn't in it and as Charlie began handing out piffling books to them all, she debated asking if she could be excused.

'' Now, my coming to learn here was a very go moment decision and so I didn't have time to get my say on your version inclination for this class. '' Charlie announced as he finished passing the playscript around and stood before them all. `` Today we start learning about creatures I have a particular speciality in- Dragons. '' He smiled, clearly excited to learn on something he knew so well. `` Obviously I can't bring any of them in to express you, though I'm aware that some of you have had rather cheeseparing encounters with a few unlike species. '' He grinned at Harry.

'' Charlie, this book has your name on it. '' Ron interrupted, not bothering to leaven his hand.

'' That's Professor Weasley while we're in class Ron. '' Charlie reminded him with a smirk. `` And yes, I just published it this summer though I didn't want to say anything until it caught on. A few years ago, I and a few of my colleagues were favourable enough to trip up upon a species of dragon that had long been thought to have gone out. We lived near and studied them and after, I wrote down what we learned. You are now all holding the results of that cause. ``

He went on and suddenly too curious and matter to to consider leaving class, Hermione began flipping through the Holy Scripture, eager to get a sense of Charlie as an author. The textbook was informative but it was the bright photo of the island where the dragons had been found and of the creatures themselves that really made the Word of God spectacular. Drawn in by a bright burst of color in the nook of one of the photos, she leaned in closer and was struck as she recognized the peak from Luna's imaginativeness. Her helping hand instantly shot into the air as she desperately waved it to get Charlie's attention.

'' Yes young woman Granger ? '' He grinned at her.

'' I was looking through the book… these peak in this video here, are they Colorsplosions ? '' She felt Harry perk up next to her and together they eagerly waited for an answer.

'' Why, yes as a affair of fact. As it turned out, these dragons weren't the lone thing we found on the island that had been thought to be extinct. Good job recognizing them '' He nodded encouragingly. `` There were several other works and animal specie on this island- ''

'' What island ? '' Harry interrupted, throwing his hand in the air as an afterthought.

'' One of the gateway islands that protect the route to Castellumshire. '' He answered suspicious of the sudden interest. `` I'm no leghorn, I simply rode with a clump of them and they knew how to get there. I personally couldn't even point it out on a map. ``

'' And are the dragons that live there dangerous ? '' Hermione asked, suddenly terrified for Fred.

'' Yes, but only if you disturb them. '' Charlie answered seriously. `` This species is called the Double-Clawed Winghorn, so named for the distich of very astute claws they use to perch and grapple prey and the saddle horn protruding from the peak of their wing. They live in gamey places, generally mountains… Which is where we found these lastly few. Our encampment was down at the substructure and as long as we remained down there, the Winghorns didn't bother us. It was only after we climbed up to analyse them more closely that they became vicious and highly protective of what they considered their molding. They attack in pairs and are highly intelligent and extremely adept, though we only saw ten of them in all. However, when left on their own it became bring in that they only came out to hunt in the very other good morning. The rest of the time they were contented to remain in their den. ``

Hermione pretty much tuned him out after that, not needing or wanting to hear more. Surely she had to be mistaken, for sure Colorspolosions had to grow elsewhere in the world… She knew all it would take to find out the truth was to run the mind by Luna and the girl's suspicion would tell them if this was the island where Fred was being held… but she was already pretty sure enough that it was. Of course it had to be, why wouldn't Elanya insist they go one of the few post anyone else dared to ? What were the odds another squad of flying lizard hunters would be stopping by now that they knew what was there ?

As soon as Charlie ended his class, Hermione raced back to her room, throwing aside the books on astral project to witness the one about cryptical islands that she'd also stolen/borrowed. She flipped through the varlet until she found an unveiling on the gateway islands… there were two some thirty klick apart that were estimated to be about a century km from Castellumshire. Despite this wide area, the book explained that for some reason, these islands proved to be unchartable and only a very temper sailor knew how to find them.

impression excited, nervous and terrorise, she rushed into the common elbow room where Harry and Luna were sitting on the couch, apparently waiting for her. `` Is this it ? Is this where Fred is ? '' She thrust the Scripture at Luna, begging her to say she was wrong… that Fred wasn't on an untraceable island that was occupied by dragons.

'' You've lost Fred ? '' Draco asked as he emerged from the Slytherin wing.

They all froze, unsure what to say or how to excuse. `` When did you get back ? '' Harry asked calmly as both a distraction and a way to buy time.

'' A few transactions ago. I was just on my way to tell Ginny before we all have to go to course of instruction. '' He answered, looking around at the three of them suspiciously. `` What's going on with Fred ? ``

'' He's on a business trip. '' Hermione said quickly, not knowing what else to say and figuring it was best to stand by with the lie already told. They may not have discussed it, but she, Harry and Luna had clearly come to a silent correspondence not to enjoin Dragon anything about Fred so that he wouldn't be put in the position of keeping it from Ginny.

'' Yeah, Ginny mentioned something about that. Apparently Mrs. Weasley sent a missive complaining all about it and the disconnected way he left. '' Draco said slowly. He was anything but dimwitted and it was clear he'd picked up on something being wrong. `` What does that have to do with you all not knowing where he is ? ``

'' Hermione had been talking to him through those compacts… you know, keeping in pinch. '' Luna blurted out.

'' rightfulness, but she came to us this dayspring saying she accidentally broke the compact. '' Harry agreed, picking up effortlessly on Luna's thought. `` She was freaking out because she had no idea where he was actually staying and therefore no way to contact him. ``

'' I had a vision that showed him on an island, though I wasn't sure which one so she went to bet up the things I described to see if she could figure it out. '' Luna added, rounding out their lie.

Draco ignored them and looked at Hermione before smirking and shaking his headland. He'd gotten to know them all well since joining with them, and had spent years before that spying on them to get a line all their secrets. He knew of the three, Harry was the give liar, though Luna was open when pressed… he also knew Hermione not only didn't like to lie, she wasn't always the most convincing at it. Letting Harry and Luna speak for her had obviously given him a clue that things weren't exactly as they were telling him. `` I see. '' He said at final stage. `` This is one of those, I'm-better-off-not-knowing, types of things… is that because Ginny is better off not knowing ? ``

'' Let's just say everything's fine and peg with that. '' Harry said.

'' Okay, I don't need to roll in the hay the particulars. '' Draco agreed. `` But if you need help, I've been looking for a understanding to practice session scrying. ``

'' Why ? '' Hermione asked.

He shrugged. `` You all said we need to focalize on getting ready to find the coven… Figured I'd like to have something utilitarian to bring to the table. Scrying is a attainment that runs in my family so I thought I could use it to serve you locate all those people. ``

'' skillful to have it off you plan to amount along. '' Harry smiled in encouragement.

'' I don't really possess anything planned once we're released from here. '' He admitted. `` I just think it's best I prepare for anything. Let me bonk if you need my avail. I won't citation to Ginny that Fred is currently… off the grid ? ``

'' I guess that's the topper way to put it. '' Hermione nodded. `` Thanks. '' He waved her off and continued on his way to secern Ginny that he had returned.

'' Yes, I think that's the place. '' Luna said, answering Hermione's earlier interrogative sentence once she was sure they were alone.

'' Good, so if we know what island he's on and Draco thinks he can regain where the island is, then there's no need for you and Jacey to go to Erebos's year today so she can try to get into his head. '' Harry said happily.

'' That was your mind in the first space ! '' Hermione reminded him.

'' I've had sentence to reflect on it. '' He answered defensively.

'' Either way, we still have to determine whether he's really the spy. We can't go saving Fred until we're sure we've shut down everything they're holding over his point. '' She argued.

'' I agree. '' Jacey said, emerging from the Slytherin annex as Tristram, properly dressed in schoolhouse gown and carrying a backpack. `` Are you ready to go Miss farmer ? ``

Hermione looked at Harry and saw that he was extremely distressed. She felt release in that moment… she didn't have to care what Harry thought anymore. She was willing to do whatever she had to in order to assist Fred, just as she'd done in the past for Harry, no matter how dangerous or stupid. They had to experience if Erebos was the spy so that they could stop him from carrying out Elanya's threats… if that meant placing herself in front man of the professor while Jacey tried to get into his psyche, then so be it. `` I'm ready. '' She answered confidently.

( geological fault )

Ginny answered the knock on her door right away and threw her arms around Draco, more than relieved that he'd returned as he'd promised. `` I wasn't even gone a full two day. '' He teased, leaning down to buss her.

'' It felt like much longer. '' She sighed, taking his hand and leading him into her room, closing the door for privacy. `` Are you okay ? ``

'' As a good deal as I can be I approximate. '' He answered honestly, taking a seat on the bed. `` I talked a few affair over with Lupin and it made me feel better… sort of. I'm just tired of everything always being so difficult. ``

'' You and everyone else. '' She smiled, climbing behind him and rubbing his shoulders. She could finger how much tension he was carrying and did her good to ease the extremum tension in his muscleman. `` But I guess if affair weren't difficult, we wouldn't appreciate the clip when everything is easy. ``

He relaxed into her custody, letting his head hang down as she massaged his neck. `` When has anything ever been soft ? We've all had to shin to get where we are and now we're struggling to stay there while the entire world seems to plat against us. ``

'' Being with you isn't such a struggle. '' She wrapped her arms around him and kissed the rachis of his neck. `` In fact, loving you might be the soft matter I've ever done even after all we've gone through together. I don't care how hard I have to fight back for us Draco, I think it's worth it. ``

He took her blazonry and turned to face her, studying her very closely. `` None of this… nothing I'm questioning or doubting has anything to do with you or us. '' He said very seriously before at end break into a grinning. `` You don't have to convince me that you love me, it's probably the lone thing I'm sure of anymore. ``

She nodded. `` I just thought you needed to hear it again. I can't think what you must be feeling after everything that happened with Lucius on Saturday… I just don't want you to go back to thinking that everyone is like him, that everyone will hurt or disappoint you in the long run. ``

He let out a pocket-size joke. `` Lupin said something alike. ``

'' Well, we can't both be wrongly, aright ? '' She grinned.

'' It's just a unknown thing to get used to, having citizenry crusade to stay in my life… especially when it's proven so severe. '' He shook his read/write head and turned away from her again. `` I tried to commit Lupin an out. I told him to erase all shadow that linked his and Tonks's names to mine… but he wanted to continue on as my guardian. ``

'' Of course he did ! You don't think you're helping him contend with this solid wolfman affair the Same way he's helping you ? '' She asked, once more wrapper her arms around him and resting her Kuki on his articulatio humeri. `` Face it Draco… once people get to sleep with you, you're a pretty likable guy. And I hope you weren't preparation to try and form me the Saami offer as Lupin because you're as stuck with me as you are with him. ``

'' Don't I know it. '' He teased, turning to buss her cheek.

'' You're lucky to receive us both. '' She went on, smiling widely.

'' Yeah, I know that too. '' He laughed.

'' Well here's the character you don't seem to make love yet… we're lucky to stimulate you as well. '' She reached up and turned his face so that she could lightly kiss his sass. `` Maybe that's the persona you shouldn't forget. '' She whispered before fully capturing his back talk once more, make to welcome him back and prove him just how a great deal she'd missed him.

( BREAK )

'' Mr. Macnair ! I was told not to expect you in social class today. '' professor Erebos said as soon as Jacey entered his classroom. Hermione had been indisputable to go far a few minute before her as usual so that nothing would look suspicious.

'' I'm of the brain that my position here is still to be determined. '' She replied as Tristan, coolly taking a rear in the back row of the nearly empty schoolroom. Erebos simply shook his head and began his object lesson. Clearly the man was going to leave the act of disciplining the vampire to those with Thomas More power than he had. Jacey was happy to bump that the prof was more than a bit affright of Tristan.

Remember, restrain him busy. Ask doubtfulness so he is focused on you and therefore less able to focus on shielding his mind. She reminded Hermione.

I think I can handle it. She replied in amusement.

They waited until the deterrent example was half over, hoping that Erebos would be lulled into a false sensory faculty of security. You gear up ? Jacey thought out to Harry and Luna. She knew that by now they had stationed themselves side by side room access in Professor Flitwick's currently empty classroom.

Let's just try to be really careful, okay ? Harry asked desperately.

Giving Hermione the signal, Jacey watched in fascinated amusement as the other lady friend raised her hand and assaulted Erebos with rapid-fire enquiry. No Oklahoman had the man answered her once than she was asking for more information, Thomas More elucidation or more than item. Watching him turn flustered, Jacey waited until she was sure he was completely distracted by his eager bookman. Feeling Harry and Luna's comportment mingle in with hers, she propelled all three of them forward into the prof's head. sure as shooting enough, they found a fortress around his mind, as in high spirits and mighty as any of theirs. Picturing the three of them tiptoeing through the man's subconscious, she helped lookup for some way in.

There ! Luna whispered excitedly. Focusing on her, Jacey was able to see what she saw and cautiously zoomed toward the offer in the initiation. They slipped their way in, deliberate not to go out a trace of themselves. Flipping through the man's judgment as quickly as possible, they at last found what they were looking for.

*****

Erebos put the key in the door and entered the hotel way. Elise was already waiting for him, sitting in one of the chairs as she regarded him warily. `` It's been a recollective time Dolos. '' She said, offering a sly and seductive smile.

'' And I had thought it would be much longer. I thought we had agreed years ago to just be glad that we got away with having our unretentive clip together. '' He replied, angrily dropping his bag to the dry land. He didn't like being summoned like this, but the girl had a lot of dirt on him and she was entirely capable of ruining his life.

'' You thought a lot of things about me, haven't you ? '' She teased.

He cleared his throat and remained firm in his resolve. `` I'm married now. ``

She laughed. `` Actually you're in the appendage of getting divorced. Didn't you think I would hold up on you before making contact ? I also know things between you and the ex-wife are entirely unsettled… it seems she's battling you for full custody of the little rugrats you two bred. '' She laughed again, having seen the concern that instantly spread across his face. `` Relax Dolos, I didn't claim you here to rekindle old flame or to threaten your estranged family. ``

'' Then why did you call, and why have us meet here, in Australia of all places ? '' He asked nervously.

'' To make a proposition. '' She rose and walked over to the window, letting the sun shine through her sundress and bare a shadower of the form underneath. `` It seems you and I are in the lieu to help each former yet again. '' She added, looking at him over her berm. Everything about her was as appealing as it had been all those years ago, from her rather attractive appearance to the small-scale whiz tattoo that drew him into her oculus to the lead of danger she always promised to provide.

'' I'm listening. '' He said, entertaining the musical theme that perhaps rekindling old flaming wouldn't be the spoilt thing in the world.

She turned fully to him, leaning against the balcony rail as she spoke. `` I came here looking for someone… turns out the low gear one wasn't all that I needed him to be. But I have found a young lady with the right world power and a desperate need for revenge. My friends and I need her… after speaking with the girl, we've already come up with a plan on how to use her to our best advantage. The but affair is, she feels she has nothing to offer us. As it turns out, the girl does suffer some annoying morals and while she very much liked that we could move over her the way to kill her beginner, she was also hesitant in joining with us when she had no way to retort us. ``

'' She seems smart, doesn't want to be left in anyone's debt. '' He interrupted, thinking of his own situation. He was entirely indebted to Elise for how she was able-bodied to overlay up their social occasion all those years ago… it was why he had come here.

'' Whatever the display case, you need to be the thing she can render us… which works out wonderfully since I was eventually going to contact you on our behalf anyway. '' She grinned.

'' You keep saying our and we. Who else are you plotting with ? ``

'' A heartfelt old friend… perhaps you remember Sarah Elaine ? '' She waited as he nodded, indicating he vaguely remembered the girl who he'd only ever met during the run. `` She has her own fish on the hook, but her miss is useless as long as she's locked away. ``

'' So what do you call for me to do ? '' He asked, again feeling nervous.

'' Elanya Delamora… very young and very pretty… she's staying in this hotel. I need you to make it your business to run into her. I'm sure you won't have a problem convincing her that you find her very attractive and would do anything she wanted of you. Then I need you to casually slew into conversation that you work at Hogwarts… she'll take care of the rest. ``

'' How can you be for certain ? ``

Elise smiled again, this clip like a lioness toying with her prey. `` Because I'll see to it that she thinks you are exactly what we need. ideate her delight when she stumbles into you ! We'll let her think you are hers and hers alone and that only she can take you into the fold, it'll be her way of buying her way in. Later if she tries to use you against us, we'll simply tell her how thing really came about and that she hasn't even come close to coming up even for what we're going to help oneself her do. ``

'' So you want me to assist you fool and trap this girl ? '' He shook his capitulum. `` How naïve is she ? ``

'' Not at all actually. She is very well aware of how things work in my humankind, but like you she prefers to live on the outer edge of it, only dipping a toe in when it courtship her. '' Elaine teased. `` That is why we have to not only set up this exposit farce, but also be entirely convincing about it. ``

'' Which is why you told me to use a funeral as my excuse for being in the country. ``

'' Well, death makes to the highest degree multitude feel awkward and therefore there are less uninvited questions. ``

He sighed and sat down in the chair. `` And, what do I get out of this ? ``

'' Besides the pleasure of a renewed acquaintanceship with me ? '' She grinned. `` We will ensure that you get whatever you want out of this little divorcement conflict. ``

'' How ? I don't want Lilah hurt. '' He had a sudden sense of protectiveness come over him as he thought of his kid's mother being killed.

'' Relax. We have plenty of style of doing anything we want. It's all about knowing the flop people and calling in the the right way party favor. '' She assured him. `` After we deliver, all I'll need you to do is keep playing along with the girl. Once you get back to school, all you'll have to do is sustain an eye on a few choice students so that we know what's going on at all clock time. So, are you in ? ``

'' I don't know, are you leaving anything out ? '' He asked suspiciously.

'' You know me too well, Dolos. '' She said, once again offering a coy smile as she walked back into the room to put up before him. `` How do you feel about hurting bookman, possibly even killing one ? ``

'' I'd rather it didn't come to that… '' He swallowed hard. sure he'd taken a few lives back during the last war, but that had been because he thought he was doing right, protecting a way of life. After, when he'd gotten to have it off Elise and seen what the war had done to the children of his opposition he began to wonder if he did belong on Dumbledore's slope. It was a question that had haunted him for eld after. Perhaps this was his clock time to feel out… if he was able-bodied to threaten an innocent pupil, then surely he belonged on Elise's side of the war, on Voldemort's side.

'' No one wants it to arrive to that, and if everyone does exactly what they're supposed to then it won't. But I need individual who can do what is requisite should the function arise. '' She was studying him closely, obviously looking for house of weakness.

'' If you can guarantee Lilah won't be able-bodied to take my kidskin away, then I'm your man. '' He replied steadily. There were a lot of shady things in his past, some of them had been what finally pushed his wife away and forced her to seek sole-custody. He knew he'd do whatever it took to get what he wanted, and Elise knew it too… that's why after all these geezerhood, she'd get back to him. He could and would do this, and what's more, he felt like he'd enjoy it.

*****

Well, I guess that answers a lot. Harry said once they all cleared out of Erebos's head.

We're back. Jacey thought to Hermione. She saw that the girl was having trouble keeping up her barrage fire of questions and wanted to assure her that she could stop.

Suddenly the classroom threshold swung open and therapist Drake entered with an apologetic smiling. `` Sorry to interrupt. '' He said politely. `` I need to borrow Mr. Macnair. He's wanted up in the Headmaster's situation. ``

'' Go on Macnair. I told you that you weren't supposed to be here. '' Erebos crossed his arms and waited impatiently.

Jacey reluctantly got up, hearing Harry in her head telling her and Hermione that he and Luna were staying where they were until the class was over. She followed Drake down the hall, wondering what was going to happen. `` I hope this is someways part of your plan, because Dumbledore is really mad. '' He said as they walked.

'' In a sense. We want Tristram in as much trouble as possible. '' She answered, hoping she could withstand the headmaster's anger. The healer left her at the gargoyle and she now had to face Dumbledore's ire alone.

But of path the older wizard knew how to control his emotions and as she entered his office, she saw him regarding her with tempered eyes while speaking in a chill out representative. `` Mr. Macnair. May I ask why you openly defied my orders and went to class today ? ``

'' I got lonely. '' She shrugged, mimicking Tristram's nonchalant way of dealing with authority.

'' I see. '' He leaned forward and spoke softly. `` The Aurors have decided to take your pillowcase Mr. Macnair. They are applying for a warrant of arrest and as soon as it comes through I am to hand you over to them. Unfortunately, it may take a few days as we are still caught up looking for both Annapurna Patil and Troy James Neville Mason. Until that time we are finally able to rid ourselves of you, you are hereby confined to your dormitory. I suggest you use your last few days here to figure out exactly what you're going to secern the courtyard. You are dismissed. '' With a flourish, he disappeared, apparently not wanting to leave Tristan a chance to respond. She was left sitting alone in the office, contemplating what life was going to be like once she was once more entirely destitute to be herself.

( intermission )

Harry nervously waited for Hermione to pop off the classroom, hating the thought of her being alone with someone who wasn't quite certainly whether or not he was a psychopath. Luna was next to him and more than anything he wanted to reach out and take her hand, to feel the comforter she could bring him… but with so many students walking the halls, that was impossible. Not only had they both agreed it was best no one but their friends knew about them, he was supposed to still be pretending to be with Hermione in an effort to fool Erebos, Simon and anyone else who may opine she was a little too close to Fred. `` Well ? '' He asked as soon as she emerged.

'' Nothing happened, it was an ordinary bicycle social class. I can't be sure, but I don't think he felt you guys in his head. '' She quietly assured them.

He's coming. Luna warned them as she turned and walked away. Harry pulled Hermione to him, wrapping his arm around her shoulder joint just as Erebos came into the hallway.

'' Well, you were certainly inquisitive in form today Miss Granger. '' He said, stopping to grin at them.

'' NEWTs are coming up, I just want to be prepared. '' She answered quickly.

'' You know Hermione, always one to question all. '' Harry said proudly, leaning in to kiss her temple as she pushed herself closer against him.

'' Too bad I could never interest you in the subject Mr. potter. I think I would have enjoyed having you in my class as well. '' He said with a tight smile. `` You seem to accept so many gift, I'm sure you could just pluck the answers to any test rightfulness out of my head. '' He added meaningfully.

Harry felt himself terror. `` I would never do something like that. It's cheating. '' He answered steadily, not wanting the professor to receive any validation of his suspicions.

'' semen on, we have to go or we'll miss lunch and I'm starvation. '' Hermione said, playfully taking his handwriting and pulling him along as if she didn't sense the sudden tension.

He quickly followed her, gripping her hand so tight he was afraid he would break it. `` You are definitely going to have to quest something to get you out of that class. '' He said as they walked toward the Great Hall.

'' What happened ? Is he the spy ? '' She asked, though it was pass the professor's demeanor had already confirmed what she feared.

'' Yeah, to say the very least… we may not just be going to save Fred anymore. '' He answered. `` It seems that whether she knows it or not, Elanya has gotten herself just as trapped by Elise and Sarah as Fred. ``

( BREAK )

'' When are we leaving ? '' Fred asked unceremoniously as soon as Elanya emerged from the tent.

'' And a salutary dawning to you too ! '' She said happily. `` I see you've decided to come to your senses and public lecture to me. ``

'' When are we leaving ? '' He asked again, having decided those were the only Scripture he would allow himself to say until he received a definite answer.

'' I don't see why you're in such a big rush to get back… it seems your protagonist are already starting to draw a blank about you. '' She taunted.

He was curious, he wanted to ask what she meant… but he refused to ingest the bait. `` When are we leaving ? '' He asked for the third time.

'' Don't you want to cognize what I've heard from my beginning ? '' She asked coyly.

At this point, he was more have-to doe with with how she'd heard from her sources and filed away in his idea that he needed to encounter the prospect to search for her communication device. `` When are we leaving ? '' He smiled to himself as he saw her frown. Apparently this could have the potentiality to vex her as practically as his silence.

'' If you're concerned about getting back to Hermione farmer, I'd forget about it if I were you. '' She said cruelly. `` My source within Hogwarts has told me that he's find several matter to tell apart him that she and Harry Potter have mended their ruin family relationship. It seems she didn't quite appreciate you up and leaving her without a give-and-take of admonition. ``

Fred held himself together, forcing himself not to react. He knew that Hermione knew Elanya had already planned to thrust him away… he truly believed she was saucy enough to put two and two together once she was unable to reach him and material body out he'd been forced away sooner. But then… wouldn't she have done something to try and determine him ? He may consume stopped counting daylight after five, but he knew he'd been here for a yearn time… a few weeks at to the lowest degree. Shouldn't someone have come looking for him ? Whether or not what she said was true, he was determined not to let Elanya know she had shaken him. He stared her right field in the eye and grinned. `` When are we leaving ? ``

( BREAK )

Ron had spent four days successfully keeping his friends at bay. It seemed his words against them had worked and for dear or sorry, they were leaving him to sort it out himself. Of course, they all probably had some big secret to focus on and help sustain their psyche off of him, but the longer he went, the harder it was for him to continue to maintain the stance he had taken. After all, they still had each other and he was pretty much alone… just as he'd thought he wanted.

Not caring to sit by himself at dinner yet again, he'd decided to spend his Th dark in the library. He really did try to do prep, but he just couldn't focus and eventually found himself writing a missive to Parvati with the Leslie Townes Hope that Lupin could find a way to get it to her. He was three pageboy into explaining how sorry he was when someone's shadow fell over him.

'' Here you are ! '' Seamus exclaimed, pulling out a chair and sitting across from him. `` I've been looking for you all over, you know we have our foremost game Saturday, don't you ? ``

'' Yeah, I know. What is there to do until practice tomorrow ? ``

'' Practice tonight. '' He grinned. `` I got McGonagall to match to let us throw a nighttime practice so long as we had it wrapped up by ten. That only gives us three and a half hr ! Come on, I already told the team to meet us down there. ``

Ron looked down at his letter of the alphabet and sighed. Perhaps he did need a distraction, something that was now entirely his as he was the only if one of his close friends allowed to participate in quidditch in any way. `` Alright. serve me put these Good Book back, Madame Pince had a fit the last time I was here and left them lying all over the place. '' Shoving his own thing in his knapsack, he and Seamus grabbed the few books he'd taken out in hopes of completing his potions essay and went into the stacks to put them away.

'' Hey, do you find out that ? '' Seamus whispered suddenly.

Both boys stopped and listened. At last Ron picked up on whatever Seamus had heard… a gentle thud and serenity moaning. odd, they followed the auditory sensation a small deeper into the rows of shelves. Turning the corner they gasped in shock absorber at who they saw and what they were doing. `` I'd have thought you'd have intimately taste Padma. '' Seamus teased.

She and Dean leapt apart, wiping their backtalk and straightening their clothes as they realized they'd been caught. `` He was helping me find something. '' She said defensively.

'' In your mouth ? '' Ron laughed.

'' Shut up. '' James Byron Dean said angrily.

'' I've been under a lot of focus lately… '' Padma argued her case.

'' And he was just helping to relieve some of it ? '' Seamus asked innocently as a all-embracing, evilness grin scatter across his side. She rolled her oculus and walked away in a huff.

'' Thanks jerks. '' Dean grumbled.

'' Aren't you supposed to be heading down to the quidditch lurch ? '' Ron took his turn of events to tantalise their supporter. Shooting them each a dirty flavour, Dean brushed past them to go down to practice.

'' wellspring, that was interesting. '' Seamus grinned.

'' Seeing his face get all red like that… it totally made my day. '' He agreed, smiling back.

They put away the books and hurried outside to the sphere. Ron felt lighter than he had in solar day and was surprised to find that he could really enjoy himself with other acquaintance. James Byron Dean and Seamus and the all Gryffindor team were his electric outlet, his way of continuing to avoid Harry, Hermione, Luna and Ginny. Once they left here, he would deliver to figure something else out, especially since his kinfolk was currently living in Harry's house for an open sum of money of time. But he still had a little over two weeks to think on it. In the lag, he was content to take into account himself to revel the rarefied, completely worry-free moment he was experiencing.

( BREAK )

'' seed on, we're going to be late for class ! '' Luna grabbed Ginny's arm and pulled her off the lounge, barely giving her adequate meter to snap up her script before dragging her out of the common way where she and Draco had been lounging.

As soon as they were gone, husbandman came and took Ginny's vacated spot. `` Here. '' She spread a map out in front line of Draco and pointed to a small dot of an island. `` I finally found a map that shows Castellumshire. Somewhere within a hundred klick is the island we think Fred is on. ``

'' And you want me to do what ? '' He asked, looking up at her. Potter was standing behind her and it was vindicated they had been waiting for Luna to get Ginny out of the room before approaching him. `` You said before that you guys can't sail there even if you knew where it was. Isn't that the mystery of this island, that only sealed people can find it ? ``

'' Only certain people can rule it- by sea. '' potter argued.

'' We're thinking that if you can pinpoint it on a map, we can use the photograph in Charlie's leger to apparate there. '' farmer added hopefully.

Realizing they were serious, he took the map and stood. `` Okay, I'll try. But I'd rather do this in private if you don't idea. '' He strode past them to the Slytherin annex and down to his room. The go thing he wanted was the total pressure of thrower and farmer watching him try and fail. He wished he had never offered to help, that he'd kept his mouth shut and stayed out of it… especially since it seemed whatever was going on, they were dire that Ginny and Ron not get wind of it. But he had offered and they'd taken him up on it… now he had to actually attempt to scry, something he'd never actually done.

Spreading the map out on the bed, he wondered what he was supposed to do next. Of course he didn't have a pendulum, but remembering a time when Narcissa had lost hers, he still thought that maybe he could do this. Copying everything he'd seen his mother do, he pulled out a one strand of his hair… a firearm of the seeker. Now he needed a firearm of the sought after. Taking Charlie's Scripture, he ripped out the picture of the Colorsplosions and made a jam through the scrap. Looping his hair through it, he let it dangle in figurehead of him gear up for testing. With his mind, he focused on the newspaper publisher moving itself north… he was truly surprised when it began to swing and at first thought there must be a gentle wind. He quickly focused on moving the theme to the due east and nearly dropped it in electrical shock when it froze in midair and instantly swung the way he'd asked. So it had worked. He was thrilled but knew he had to be deliberate not to become overconfident.

Looking down at the map he let the paper dangle over the picture of Castellumshire. `` Okay, time to really put you to the test. '' He said under his breathing spell as he began focusing on narrowing down the search for the occult gateway islands.

The paper fluttered for a moment before swinging in a wide archway, making more and more precise circuit until it stopped short, pointing directly at what appeared to be vacuous ocean. He tried it three more times, always with the Saami result. You guys should get and see this. He thought out to potter, excited in spite of himself that he may have just solved something that even farmer had been unable.

He opened the threshold just as they both were about to knock, hurrying them inside. Picking up his strand of hair's-breadth, he once more demonstrated what the newspaper pointed to on the map, confident enough in himself that he could do it with an audience. Sure enough he got the Lapp final result and Granger rushed to circle the spot and write down the co-ordinate. `` And it's seems to be within one hundred kilometers. Thank you Dragon, well done ! '' She exclaimed, leaping up to hug him

He awkwardly patted her back before extricating himself. `` Think nada of it. And if Ginny ever finds out what you are all up to, I had nothing to do with it. ``

'' Agreed. '' ceramicist grinned. And then suddenly his expression turned to one of anger.

'' Harry, are you okay ? '' husbandman asked, having also witnessed the speeding with which Potter's mode had changed.

'' I've got to go. '' He said quickly before racing from the room.

'' Harry ! '' granger called after him, looking out the door as he dashed down the mansion house. `` What do you think that was about ? '' She asked, once more turning to present Draco.

He shrugged. `` Only he knows at this gunpoint. ``

'' I'd better go see if I can catch up to him somehow… '' She paused and offered a smile. `` Thanks again Draco. You have no theme how a good deal you've just helped us. '' And then she was gone, off to chase down thrower. He briefly entertained the cerebration of going with, but he just as quickly dismissed it. Clearly whatever the situation was, it was one ceramicist either thought he could manage alone or wanted to do by alone. If he'd thought he needed help, Draco didn't think he'd have hesitated to ask him. After all, they'd been finding it a lot more beneficial to work together lately. Instead he lay back in his bed to hold back for Ginny to be done with class, happily reflecting on his unexpected success. If this was what it was like to have thing go your way, then he was prepared to sit back and let it. But he would remain develop and ready should Lucius show his nerve again.

( fracture )

Luna ensured Ginny made it to social class before making up an apology for why she wouldn't be joining her. Claiming a dangerous stomachache as they approached the Gargoyle, she'd blamed intellectual nourishment poisoning and urged the other missy to go on up. She'd told Ginny that she had a great herbal remediation back in her room and it was her own geological fault for not taking it when the symptoms had first begun to present themselves.

Once alone in the manse, Luna straightened up and hoped she hadn't made her supporter too worried about her. But she had no time for class right now, she wanted to get back to the common elbow room and find out whether Draco was able to settle the island. She moved quickly down the hall, not wanting anyone questioning why she wasn't where she was supposed to be. And then it suddenly struck her, the smell of an oncoming vision. She quickly ducked through the skinny door feeling completely disoriented. Before her eyesight blurred, she was able to realise out that she was in an empty schoolroom. Dropping to her knees, she crawled forward, feeling her way to the professor's desk and hiding herself behind it. She couldn't let anyone find her alone while having a vision, it was too easy for them to remove advantage of her being so completely vulnerable. There were still far too many enemies walking the mansion to let one of them find her in a compromising situation in which she'd be unable to fight. The close thing she wanted was to make it easy for them to hand her over to Voldemort.

Giving into the vision, she was surprised to find it was the same warning as before. Once again she and Harry were side by side in the blank room and she felt the same draw as Sarah, Elise and Elanya beckoned to them. And then again Harry was gone and she was recoiling in revulsion as Simon the Canaanite approached, reaching out to her. Only this time, the ending was different. She was frozen in place as Simon the Zealot grew taller and taller before turning to stomp down on his sister and her friends who were now the size of it of mice. He turned and grinned as a syndicate of blood emerged from beneath his shoe and it was clear he had wanted her to watch. And then the room was spinning and once Thomas More Simon looked normal as he stood before her, reaching out to her as she shook in fear. Now it was Elise, Sarah and Elanya who grew large, crushing Simon to death beneath their feet. Harry was beside her again and the three women turned to beckon to them as if nothing had happened. Instantly she felt drawn into them again and only then did she bring in it wasn't her look it. It was Harry who was so will to take heed to what these frightfully women had to say while neither of them seemed to hold interest in Simon's message…

She shook her drumhead as she came back to herself already attempting to think this through. If she was being warned that Harry was bequeath to heed to something those missy had to say, then what was Neil Simon going to do that made him move around to them. Her head was spinning with possibilities and she suddenly wasn't sure what anything in the vision had been trying to secern her. She hated the Edward White room, where zero was absolved and everything was a puzzler. But this time the warning had definitely felt more intense and as her mind switched completely back into consciousness, a sharp bunko game of intuition stabbed at her. She felt for her wand in her pocket only to realize she'd put it in her bag, which she'd dropped somewhere after she'd entered the classroom. She felt another person in there with her and reaching out her brain, she sensed it was the very shoemaker's last soul in the humans she wanted to find… Simon the Canaanite McKinney. She tried to remain as still as possible.

'' I know you're in here Luna. I saw you. '' He called. `` I just want the chance to talk to you about a few things… why don't you come on out and we can make a nice, civil conversation ? '' She held her breathing space and continued to stay on still, hoping he somehow didn't know where exactly she was. `` Please ? This is the last metre I'm going to ask nicely. '' He warned. Still she remained understood, praying he'd just go away. `` Alright then, looks like you're choosing the hard way. ``

Luna shrieked as she felt the desk roughly slide away from her, leaving her completely out in the out-of-doors. She leapt to her substructure, not wanting to have to face him from the ground. He stood before her with a demented grin, brandishing his verge in one hand while tauntingly dangling hers from the early. `` It seems you dropped something when you came in. '' He smirked.

'' How nice of you to retrieve it… may I have it please ? '' She asked carefully, trying not to show that she was scared of him.

'' No, I think it's better if I hold onto it for you while we talk. I'd hate for you to get trigger happy and have a error before hearing me out. '' He went and closed the door, ensuring he locked it both manually and magically.

Harry, I think I may postulate some help here. Simon has me cornered in a schoolroom and he has my scepter. She thought out quickly.

I'm on my way. He replied instantly, his vox wickedness and grave. The hold out thing she wanted was Harry overreacting to this billet, but she wasn't sure she had another option… she was unarmed and unlike Harry and Jacey, her extra powerfulness lent her no trade protection. `` So, what do you need to talk about ? '' She asked aloud, trying to hold open her vox low and calm.

'' Quite a few matter actually. Why don't you take a seat ? '' He waved his verge, bringing the professor's chairman up behind her so quickly that she stumbled back into it. `` Incarcerous ! '' He shouted as she grabbed the limb of the chair in an endeavour to scramble to her feet. Before she knew what was happening, ropes appeared out of nowhere, binding her wrists and waist to the chair.

'' You can't do this, you'll get expelled. '' She tried to rationality with him. `` stoppage whatever this is now and I won't report you. ``

'' I just want to crap for certain you aren't going to run anywhere. '' He assured her, putting her wand in his air hole and pulling up another chair to sit in strawman of her. `` You and I, we may be able to assist each other. ``

'' I don't need any assistant from you. '' She argued, beginning to fall back the composure she'd been clinging to.

'' Maybe you don't see it yet. But you and Harry thrower both could benefit from listening to what I have to severalise you. It might make you both see things in a completely new visible light. '' Herb Simon returned. `` I don't want to hurt you, I want to be your friend. ``

'' This isn't the best way to make Quaker. '' She pulled against the bindings but they were tied tight. Her wrists began to burn off as she continued to struggle, the skin becoming raw as it rubbed against the ropes… but she couldn't just give up.

'' And I apologize for the inconvenience. '' He laughed, pulling out his trusty flask and taking a swig. `` But like I said, I want to micturate sure you really take heed to what I have to evidence you without you making the mistake of cursing me first. ``

'' Okay, well… you have my wand and my undivided attention. What do induce to tell me ? '' She wanted to cry in frustration as she felt the rope on her lead wrist loosen slightly. She continued to struggle, trying not to draw off nidus to the fact that she was making progress.

'' But it's not just your attention that I need. ``

'' Meaning what ? ``

He stood and came towards her. `` Hmm, looks like you're getting loose there. '' He reached to fix the ropes and she desperately kicked at him, trying to save him away as she attempted to wrench her left wrist unloose. She could find her skin scraping against the jumpy texture but she ignored it, continuing to fight him off as she tried to unfreeze herself.

He finally gave up struggling with her and took a few steps back, waving his scepter to tie her legs to the chairperson as well so that he could go up her without being kicked. Fixing the rope on her arm, he sat back in his president and let out a trench hint. `` Whew. You know, you're making this harder than it has to be. I'm not trying to hurt you, you know. You very much need to hear what I have to tell apart you. ``

'' So say it already ! '' She shouted angrily.

'' I will. '' He grinned and took another swig from his flask. `` I'm just waiting for Harry to get here. I figured I'd talking to you first but after the way you acted in Hogsmeade and how you are redress now, it's clear that you aren't quite as intelligent as I thought. And knowing that him and Hermione are a farce, I figured you'd be the best bait to keep him listening without bashing my brains in for confining you here. You did call for him to help, didn't you ? ``

'' No. '' She said quickly.

'' Hmm, well I think you're prevarication. '' He got up and turned to face the doorway as the knob began jiggling furiously. Paul Simon lifted his scepter in homework, turning to look at her over his berm. `` If fact, this must be him now. ``

Harry, he's waiting for you ! She tried to monish him as Simon moved to unlock the doorway. But she wasn't sure she was in time as she quickly turned her facial expression away to void the shower of wood, brick and cataplasm that came flying forward as Harry forced his way through, too impatient to wait for the doorway to be opened.

( jailbreak )

Hermione couldn't discovery Harry anywhere. He'd run off so quickly that she'd lost him before she'd even begun to give chase. Hoping he would call if he needed help, she returned to her way and once Sir Thomas More feast out the map. Looking at the spot they'd marked as the island, she decided now was as well a time as any to try her new power with astral projection. She wanted to be able-bodied to see Fred, even if she wasn't yet strong enough for him to see her vertebral column or for them to speak to each other.

Forcibly clearing her mind, she focused on the photos in Charlie's book… imagining herself on the island, on the beach, next to Fred. Closing her eyes, she began to feel weightless. Letting go of everything holding her down, she felt herself come liberate from her body and shoot through prison term and outer space. When she opened her heart again, she was under the lustrous sun and had to squint to make anything out. That was when she noticed she was vapourous, as she was able to take in the landscape through her arm. It was disconcerting, but the sight beyond herself made her bring in that she had done it. She was far from Hogwarts and on an island… or at to the lowest degree her consciousness was.

'' Great. Now I'm seeing mirages. '' She heard person mutter behind her. Whipping around she cried out in relief, running towards Fred until she remembered that she wasn't able-bodied to touch him. `` Fred ! It's really me ! I'm really here, sort of. '' She said happily, stopping just in presence of him.

'' A talking mirage ? '' He smiled, still not quite certain what he was seeing.

She rolled her eye. `` No moron, it's really me. I'd reach out and pinch you but I'm not sure how yet. ``

'' I don't understand… How is this possible ? '' He nervously glanced over his articulatio humeri. `` Is it really you ? '' He whispered.

'' I promise. '' She assured him. `` I'm just sorry it took so retentive. But we know where you are now and we have a plan to come get you… tomorrow. Can you build it one More day ? ``

He shook his heading. `` I can't leave- ''

'' Yes you can, we've figured it all out ! '' She said happily wanting to explain as quickly as potential. `` I knew Elanya must consume made you leave former and Luna forced herself to birth a vision. Draco scryed and now we can come get you ! You don't have to worry about the spy, we know who it is… Professor Erebos. And in Luna's vision, she saw what Sarah planned for me, so I learned all about stellar ejection to protect myself. Lee and Willem made sure as shooting there was absolutely zippo to tie you to Edmund… there's zero for you to worry about anymore. ``

Fred hesitantly reached out, but his hand went right through her. He shook his head. `` I don't know. It can't be that easy. ``

'' It's not… Elanya may be just as practically a dupe of the other miss'perfidiousness as you are. She thinks she's their peer but Harry, Luna and Jacey went in Erebos's forefront and found the truth. Either way it doesn't topic. We're coming for you tomorrow. She can stay and rot for all I care. ``

'' Fred ! '' They head Elanya call off in the distance.

'' You have to go, she can't see you here… if you're really here. '' He grinned, obviously trying to put her at relaxation. But she saw the discomfort he tried to hide and wanted to take in him with her right that moment. instead than leave completely, she glided over to the trees to watch.

'' Here you are. I thought I heard voices. '' Elanya exclaimed, looking exotic with her untamed haircloth, deep tan and flowing strapless dress.

'' When are we leaving ? '' He asked.

'' So what, you were here talking to yourself ? You'd rather talk to no one than me ? '' She asked indignantly.

'' When are we leaving ? '' Fred asked again, clearly ignoring everything the girl had to say.

'' You know, we're supposed to be using this time to get to know each other… you're stubbornness is really starting to piss me off. '' She glared at him, clearly having reached the end of her rope. `` I didn't want to have to recur to threats again, I was so hoping this would be a pleasant stay. But you better say something when I'm done talking and it had better be something early than `` When are we leaving '' or I swear everyone you care for will meet for the aggravation you're causing me. ``

Fred looked uncertain, clearly wanting to carry on pushing her buttons. Plus if he chose to believe his own middle and ears, Hermione had just told him that everyone he cared about was safety. `` How long will we be staying here ? '' He asked at last, unable to keep back his grin as he challenged her. Hermione could understand the sick amusement he was getting out of this… after all, she probably would suffer lost her mind had she been trapped for week on an island.

'' You really want to press me Fred ? '' Elanya asked threateningly.

He sighed and shook his head word. `` I had wondered how longsighted it would take for you to picture your true colors. I mean you get a little gravel and good away you're back to threatening innocent bystanders. ``

'' It seems the trump way to get what I want. '' She grinned triumphantly as he at stopping point broke the semi-silence he seemed to have been keeping.

Hermione felt a strong tug and knew her body was calling her backrest. She'd been gone too long and as much as she wanted to say au revoir to Fred, she knew she couldn't wait on any retentive. Against her will she was whipped back, her entire soundbox bounce as she reentered it. Opening her eyes, she adjusted to the feeling of being solidness once more. She felt dizzy, her head hurt and her stomach was growling in thirstiness. She felt she'd just walked for days without stopping to stay or eat, she was exhausted and every parting of her was sore.

Taking a moment to relax, she collected herself before carefully rising from her bed. Looking at the clock, she saw that she'd come back just in time for lunch and feeling trench hunger striving, she rushed down to the Great Hall hoping Harry and Luna were there so she could order them what she'd just done. But as she entered the room, she realized at once that something was haywire. Only Hagrid and Charlie remained at the Head Table to chaperon the students'meal while her schoolfellow all talked excitedly to themselves, some of them looking at her and raising a hand to whisper with more ardour. Taking a can across from Ginny and Draco she looked at them inquisitively. `` What's going on ? ``

'' No one knows for sure… but rumour is, Potter severely damaged a classroom before disappearing with Luna and Herb Simon McKinney. '' genus Draco replied, looking more than than a picayune worried.

'' What ? What do mean they disappeared ? '' She demanded.

He shrugged and Ginny took up the tale. `` All anyone seems to know is that there was a loud noise and when the Ravenclaw prefect went to investigate she saw Harry standing in the classroom with Herbert A. Simon while Luna sat in a chair in the back. She didn't get too beneficial a look because suddenly the two boys started dueling and she went to get help. By the fourth dimension they came back, everyone was gone. ``

'' It seems Tristan has disappeared as well. '' Draco added. `` The Aurors came to get him and he was just gone. I hope wherever Potter and Luna are, Jacey is with them. ``

'' Me too. '' Hermione replied distractedly. They'd just found Fred and now they were missing three coven phallus. Whatever was going on, it clearly wasn't good.

( severance )

Dumbledore had shown up unexpectedly at Tristan's door less than an hour ago to take a leak it have it away that the Aurors had finally secured their stoppage guarantee and would be around shortly to take the lamia into detainment. Jacey listened as she was warned as Tristan not to run, since charms had been placed around the shoal meant to discover the lamia hominoid coinage specifically. She had not let herself panic… she, Harry and Luna had planned for this. Having discovered that not only were they capable of apparating within the barriers but also that the Aurors could not trace them, it had been decided that when it was time she would apparate to the Shrieking shack. She would let the potion wear off and then remain there until it was prison term to go to London. Having grabbed the few things she owned, she had concentrated hard as Luna had taught her. And then she had felt a pull and when she opened her eyes again she was in the parlour of the Shrieking Shack.

Now looking around at the depressing décor, Jacey thought the place in desperate indigence of a sprucing up. She wondered if the Aurors had come yet and whether anyone realized Tristram was gone. Flopping down on the couch with a sigh, she silently called out to Harry, letting him know that she had fled Hogwarts and wondering whether she was too far for him to hear.

We're on our way to you and we need some help. Was his panicked reply.

She sat up in alarm. Apparently Hogwarts was still very much within their scope. What do you need me to do ?

skin. Then when you find the opportunity, aid us however you can. He simply replied.

( BREAK )

Harry stalked his way quickly through the Granville Stanley Hall, focusing in on Luna's energy to guide him to where she was. Ignoring the few scholarly person down the Asaph Hall from him, he desperately tried to wrick the handle of the classroom doorway. It wouldn't Budge. He knew this was the properly spot, that she was behind that threshold and he certainly wasn't going to let a stupid piece of wood rack in his way. Taking a step back, he focused his power, rolling it around in his psyche before pushing outward. He watched the threshold bend against the personnel and pushed harder. Harry, he's waiting for you ! Luna tried to warn him just as the Natalie Wood shattered inward, exploding off it'hinges and taking portion of the wall with it. Ignoring the screams from down the manse, he raised his wand and entered the classroom

'' Expelliarmus ! '' Simon shouted, forcing Harry to shield right hand away. But he'd heard Luna's word of advice and had been prepared. Simon fired piece after spell at him while he focused on his shield and waited for the rightfield present moment. Pushing his psyche out, he grabbed hold of the early boy and whipped him back against the wall. Stepping through the junk, Harry waved his wand in an endeavour to truss Simon in plaza, but he quickly shielded as he rolled to his feet and ducked behind the chair Harry now realized Luna was tied to. `` I just want to talk ! '' Simon called as he crouched behind Luna, tightly clutching her so that he wouldn't use his mind to throw away him around again.

'' You have a good story way of showing it. '' Harry replied angrily. Are you okay ? He thought out to Luna who was even now still attempting to draw out herself free.

Yeah. He hasn't done anything other than not let me leave… he keeps saying there's something he needs to tell apart us. She replied, her interpreter carrying more ira and curiosity than concern now.

'' I know what you both think of me now that you know I'm related to Elise ! '' Marvin Neil Simon reasoned, poking his head out over Luna's shoulder. `` I knew you wouldn't just sit down and talk to me, that you'd have no interest in what I have to say. But like I told her, we can help each other Harry. ``

'' So facilitate out now by untying her. '' He carefully replied, keeping his verge up in type the boy decided to restart their duel.

'' I can't do that until I'm sure you aren't going to hurt me. ``

Harry, I'm at the Shrieking hovel. The Aurors were coming for Tristan so I followed through on our program. Jacey's vocalization entered his head unexpectedly. Hearing footstep running down the Asaph Hall, Harry made a fast decision.

We're on our way to you and we need some service. He told Jacey in a panic.

What do you want me to do ? She answered instantly.

Hide. Then when you find the opportunity, avail us however you can. He said before turning his attending back to St. Simon. `` Well, we can't talk here… people are coming to see what's going on. Shall we go somewhere more private ? '' He asked quickly.

'' Like where ? ``

'' skin senses my berm and I'll bring you there. '' Luna told him, having picked up on Harry's programme. Now able to see the great unwashed shouting in the hall, Herbert A. Simon was forced to trust them and reached out to grab her shoulder. Together Harry and Luna apparated away, only to arrive in the apparently empty Shrieking hut. To his disappointment, the professorship and ropes had come as well, leaving her bound as St. Simon's human being shield.

'' This is all so unnecessary. '' Harry angrily told the former boy. `` I don't know what sort of masses you grew up around, but if you had come to us and asked to talk, we would feature heard you out… you didn't need to trick us into it. ``

'' That's tentative considering I've overheard Luna talking to Hermione about the imagination she's had of me. '' Simon returned before moving his attention to Luna in literal confusion. `` I have no melodic theme why you see me as an enemy in those sight, but I assure you I'm not. ``

'' And holding me against my will is the way to prove it ? '' She asked gently, far more in control of herself than Harry was. He saw that she was thinking one of them needed to remain unagitated and he felt guilty that it had fallen to her when she was the one currently tied up with rakehell trickling from her wrists where the rope had cut into her skin. He caught sight of Jacey as she slowly crept in from the hall.

Neil Simon looked at Luna for a moment before nodding to himself. `` It had to be that way, it's the alone way to get anyone's attention… with a big motion. That's what my father always said, before he was killed. And it's certainly worked for Elise. ``

'' We aren't like the citizenry you know. We're unforced to take heed. We'll pay tending to you. '' Luna practically cooed as she softly reasoned with him. Clearly she'd caught onto something in the boy's head that wasn't yet sort out to Harry.

St. Simon stood and took a few whole step to the side, unsure whether he felt the situation was enough in his control to actually let her go. Harry wasn't going to ease up him the opportunity to prepare the wrong choice. He silently gave Jacey the signal and she stepped out, drawing Simon the Zealot's attention as nut of fire erupted from her bridge player. He threw up a shield as she flung the number 1 fireball at him before attempting to hit her back with a piddle spell. Taking advantage of the boy's distraction, Harry quickly waved his scepter to undo the ropes and lunged forward, grabbing Luna's hand and pulling her out of the way just as the hot seat burst into fire. Simon fell back on the couch as he stumbled away from the sudden flare, not wanting to get burned.

Harry whipped around and instantly shot a binding spell, ensuring the other boy wouldn't move. Leaping to his feet, he made his way over to the lounge. Jacey extinguished her flame, waving her wand to put out the snatch of the house that had caught on fervour. `` Come on Simon Zelotes, prison term to bet on to Hogwarts and face the music. '' Harry insisted.

'' No ! '' Luna came over and placed a blood-soaked hand on his arm, forcing him to lower his baton. `` I want to hear what he has to say. ``



promissory note : O.K. then, side by side chapter we find out what Simon the Zealot has to say and the clue finally lead us to rescuing Fred.


Chapter 54 : Who to Believe ?

A/N : Sorry for the delay in getting this out, I had an accident with my flash drive and everything on it was deleted including the first draught of this chapter. But things are on path now, so getting back in the swing of matter, a rescript of the chapter from the beginning… Read, follow-up and enjoy !





After taking Simon's wand 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 overstretch her down the Charles Martin Hall to the cold privy, Luna perched on the bound of the deep Victorian-style tub and watched as he searched the lilliputian console. At finally he came up with an antediluvian first aid kit, pulling out gauze and tape before reaching out to turn the faucet on the sink. They were both surprised when water actually came sputtering out, a rust-brown colouration at start that quickly turned refreshingly discharge. She took the hand he offered her and let him carefully clean the blood from her wrists… she knew he was angry and did her best not to squinch or let on that the cuts stung like loony. After all, she was the one who let her panic overwhelm her to the point where she'd struggled so violently against the ropes. Simon the Zealot hadn't seemed at all intent on injuring her, she could take in just sat and patiently waited to see what was going to befall rather than fight her ski binding to the point where she cut into her hide. It was her own geological fault she'd gotten hurt at all.

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

Well, let's go see what he so badly wanted to secernate us. She softly suggested, reaching out to run her finger's breadth through his haircloth in that way she knew he found soothing. She needed him to calm down and recognize the need to oppose was over, to have an loose mind and really take heed to what Simon had to say. Her vision was becoming clearer to her now that she been able to sneak a few peeks into the boy's mind. He was out to bewray his sister before she could give away him and apparently the superior of their slight sibling squabble 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 brain. But they obviously needed the whole story and Simon seemed bequeath to provide it.

Together they walked back into the parlor 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 strange female child now stood where Tristan once was he gave no meter reading. `` 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 share with us ? ``

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

'' Your Good Book doesn't mean much to me at the moment. '' Harry returned, refusing to free the spell.

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

'' Just tell us what you have to say ... '' Luna said, sitting following to Harry and locking her regard on Simon. She pushed the feelings she wanted to send off outward and watched as both boys visibly relaxed, though Harry alone knew what she was doing as he was the sole one aware of this slight extra power of hers. She just wished she had better control of it.

'' And why don't you start with what the Hades you were thinking when you decided taking us hostage was the best way to hit your point. '' Harry crossed his arms, refusing to be lulled into calmness and shaking off the effects she was trying to scatter around the room.

'' Big gestures are the simply way to get people to listen. '' Neil Simon said quietly repeated himself from to begin with. `` 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 smart 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 serious I was you would believe me. I was going to let you into the classroom, but you let yourself in first gear. '' He looked at Harry almost accusingly, clearly implying that he blamed Harry's mindlessness 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 go on him from leaping to his feet in indignation… she knew they all had to stay rational number and variety through this, it was important.

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

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

'' You can entrust that one or all of us will acknowledge whether you're telling the trueness. '' Luna quietly assured him.

Marvin Neil Simon slowly nodded. `` Yeah, I guess you're right… I do know that about you. And so does Elise, which is why she had to plan so carefully. I know you figured out the spy is Erebos. But what you don't know is that she wanted you to figure it out… so that you would explore his point and find the memory of her asking him to set up Elanya. She knows about your superpower and so she's decided to use them against you. '' He said with a sly smiling before looking right at Jacey. `` Except for you, they have no idea about you. Elise has had Erebos trying to notice out, but apparently Dumbledore has been very heedful to go along you and other visitors a closed book from those prof he doesn't faith. I promise, whoever you are, they still have no mind 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 front of the boy. `` Just tell us why you've apparently decided to turn on your babe. ``

'' You have to understand… I never fit into Elise's lifetime. '' Simon looked down sadly. `` I was less than a twelvemonth old when our parents were killed… even after Voldemort was gone they, like so many others, refused to stop fighting and were cornered. kinda than be captured by the Ministry, they forced the Aurors to kill them. Elise was sixteen at the time and the only living family I had. Rather than make care of me, she decided to dump me at the orphans' asylum, but she would at least come visit every year on my natal day. When I was ten she came back for me, ready to lead her space as my shielder. But it was only because she knew I was about to be heading off to school and she was hoping to mold me into someone she could use to start setting up her architectural plan. I guess she knew Voldemort was attempting to follow back and that his followers were doing everything in their major power to piss it find. 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 blanched. 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 orphanage. But everything she wanted seemed harmless and nothing she asked of me made any sense… not until this year. ``

Simon shook his caput and sighed before continuing on. `` I received a letter of the alphabet the endure week of schooling this past summer from Elise telling me we would be departing for Australia the minute I got back. Well, she wasn't waiting for me at the caravan station so I went home and thread up overhearing a meeting between her and Voldemort. I listened as she completely manipulated the Dark lord into thinking it was his idea to find Sarah Elaine… and then I heard her tell him that she planned to pop me as I was going to prove more useful to them absolutely. I didn't know what to do, I was more panicky of my sis in that moment than I'd ever been of Voldemort- after all which is scarey, the sword or the expert script wielding it ? And she knows how to play him very well. So I went with her to Commonwealth of Australia and I continued to follow her Holy Order hoping she would exchange her mind. But she didn't because a few sidereal day before I was supposed to fall back to school I heard her talking to Sarah… they plan to down me while I'm home for the holiday gap and make it seem like person else did it. My own sister was going to kill me and use my corpse to start a fighting. What could I do ? Even if I ran away, they'd just wreak me right back to her, I'm only sixteen. And who besides the citizenry involved in this whole dodging would believe the long farcical story I have to tell ? So the only thing I could do was expose her to the people she was trying to overcome… I chose you guys over Voldemort. Maybe Dumbledore was powerful 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 endurance, I have no theme either way. I may not the happiest individual in the world, but I'm not quick to die either. So I'll tell you whatever you want to have a go at it about her and her programme. ``

'' 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 interrogative in condition of Fred's fate. She was trying not to empathize with Simon, but he seemed to have got gotten stuck with a pretty piteous life… but still, there was something about him she found unsettling and so that allowed her to celebrate some sort of an worked up detachment.

He nodded and offered a grin. `` You wouldn't believe how farsighted Elise has been plotting. A long while ago, after your mathematical group and Voldemort's destroyed the Ministry, she snuck in during the confusion and looked up the file cabinet on every John Major player on either slope. Using that entropy, she was able to cipher out not only what you and Harry here can do, but also how you, your protagonist and Voldemort's allies would oppose in any situation. Originally we went to Australia this summer to find a guy named disco biscuit who was apparently postcognative. We traced him to a little pub where he liked to compose his articles but we never even talked to him… it was like the bit 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 grandmother who had recently passed away and when those two girls met it was like fate had brought them together. She fit in perfectly and Elise instructed her on how to plow 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 part in all of this… but clearly a young pretty girl would gain more than understanding. The point 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 retrieve she'd been set up and blackmailed the Saame way they'd done it to your supporter Fred. She's probably on that island right now, telling him her sob floor so that he'll take her position and help mouth you guys into helping her. She was supposed to be a breakwater, to learn all the secrets about you that they didn't already know. And then Elanya was supposed to start causing discord among you all to weaken you and induce it more potential that you and Harry will desert your alliance to Dumbledore and the Ministry and come join them. ``

'' So what you're saying is basically that they want to make their own army of psychics ? '' Harry asked, his voice heavy with doubt as he tried to veil 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 ecstasy, another coven member. She knew it was crucial that they leave as soon as possible to begin approaching hoi polloi themselves, before they could be scooped up by mortal else.

'' Yes, as ridiculous as that sounds. Why do you consider I thought no one else would conceive me ? But she wants the both of you to join her and Sarah… and she has big program to use your friend Fred to do it. ``

'' Except that Fred isn't just going to accept whatever Elanya tells him. He's no half-wit. '' Harry argued.

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

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

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

( respite )

Fred had skipped out on lunch and intended to take the air the beach until well after shadow 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 real anymore. But whether he'd seen her in his intellect or in real life, one affair had become clear… he couldn't stay here anymore. No matter what, this was going to be his utmost night on the island. Should Hermione's presence prove to be a delusion and no one came for him, then he would find 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 charms and the entirely people he knew could get around them were Harry and Luna.

A delicious scent wafted through the air, allowing his rumbling stomach to interrupt his planning. Looking up at the sky and using the sun, he was able to see that while it was well past times lunch, it was still too too soon for dinner… clearly she knew he'd skipped repast that day and cooked such cracking smelling nutrient for a reason. He was tempted to go into the body of water to pick up a fish to fry just to bowl over her plans but decided he was being ridiculous. He knew Elanya was trying to tempt 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 expect long enough to catch and fix his own meal. Besides, he'd just decided that no matter what, this was his go Night here… what could it pain to spend some of it with her ? He would simply go, eat and then leave again.

Arriving at the bivouac he saw that neither the food nor Elanya were out-of-door. With a heavy suspiration, he opened the flaps of the ordinary looking tent and entered the impossibly broad glamor of the inside. `` wellspring, I guess it's true what they say… the fastest way to a man's spirit is through his stomach. '' She said upon seeing him, gesturing to the delectable spread on the ornate mesa 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 home. `` Thanks. '' He said without looking at her, too well trained by mollie to be completely primitive. They ate in quiet and he could experience her becoming riled, it only made him more comfortable.

'' Well, I've decided that in the involvement of continuing a cultured conversation we will bring a game of sorts. '' She announced after a short while.

'' Boy, it sure is well-heeled not to have to opine for myself… I wish somebody had been making my decision for me my unanimous life sentence. '' He answered sarcastically.

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

'' Who says I want to ? ``

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

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

'' bodily fluid can be a great way to head off anything existent from reaching you. '' She replied steadily. `` Come on, I know you're curious…. ``

And he was. There were quite a few matter he'd like her to clear up for him, but how could he trust anything she said ? The only way was to test her by throwing in enquiry he already knew the answer to. `` Okay, I'll play your little game. But if I think you're prevarication to me, I'll just go CV my nongregarious pass. ``

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

'' Why are you doing this to me ? '' He blurted without thinking it through. It was the thing that was most on his intellect and so the interrogation 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 regard slightly as a mite of sadness overcame her. `` Everyone is trapped by something… We're both prisoners right now, so why not score 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 answer in purchase order to manipulate his side by side question. Apparently there was something she specifically wanted to peach about and was in the process of directing the conversation. He allowed it simply because he was curious, but he forced himself to remember 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 respect. '' She answered, lowering her eyes to hide the flash of embarrassment that passed through them.

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

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

'' The departure 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 to coming up even for the aid they gave me in getting rid of Edmund. ``

Pushing his collection plate aside, Fred leaned forward on the table and decided it was time for him to twist the conversation his way so that he could test her silver dollar. `` And what did you conceive you had already done to give back them ? ``

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

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

Elanya met his oculus and offered a sad smile. `` Well, what can it smart ? It's not like you'll be capable to warn anyone back at Hogwarts. It's prof Dolos Erebos. ``

He made sure to show an set aside measure of surprise, letting his eyes widen and his jaw free fall slightly as if this was the foremost meter 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 bring together us but it was all share of their plan to trap me. ``

'' And why would they go through such elaborate metre ? '' Fred was almost sure she was telling the truth so far… Hermione had certainly indicated that Elanya may be in trouble 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 reward 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 kind of masses on their side they'll be able to pick out on both Voldemort and the Ministry. '' She shook her head angrily. `` I was appalled to learn that Voldemort's idea to hoard a psychic army was actually Elise's brainchild. It was how she got him to assist her breakthrough Sarah. But they planned to make believe allies of the masses he gathered, to get them to puzzle out towards taking over completely. ``

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

She nodded. `` And Harry Potter too. At first Elise and Sarah didn't care who lived or died in battle while they quietly plotted their own uprising. 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 store in Diagon bowling alley during the summer. ``

He sat up, suddenly extremely concern. He'd been wondering for a long prison term the genuine reason Elise had targeted his store. `` What do you imply ? ``

Elanya sighed deeply as a look of compunction settled over her. `` Voldemort had a seer named Jasper, he was old and not as good 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 loyalty to her over Voldemort. He told her that he'd had a vision that something was going to work Harry to Diagon alley alone and that Voldemort was going to progress to 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 like power… of course, she'd only just found Sarah at that clip. 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 several Aurors in the area. After all, the pastor would be for certain to react in full-of-the-moon force to a report of arson at his son's store. ``

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

'' There was nothing secret about it. Jasper made the Sami mistake I did by cerebration he was an equal in their plans. I guess he was scared enough to need to narrate someone about his vision, but he chose the wrong masses. 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 information. He thought it was Voldemort that was going to end his life so he went to Elise who saw her opportunity. Sarah may not bear a wand, but she has mastered many former skills, first and foremost her astral jutting. They decided to vote out him so that she could merge with his consciousness and send herself in his place when they called him… When it never happened, they guessed that Luna must have seen something and stopped her friends from using the ring. It only made them need her on their slope more, especially since they'd so hastily gotten 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 truth. But his inherent aptitude were screaming at him that something deeper was going on. `` Why are you telling me all of this ? ``

'' I don't really screw. '' She smiled, crossing her limb 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 much a dupe of their plotting as you are, then perhaps you'd treat me better while we're stuck here together. ``

'' You made yourself a dupe. '' He stated firmly, once more check to keep himself from empathizing with her. He remembered her once telling him that the intimately way to pull of a lie was by mixing in the truth… It was clearly a skill she had mastered.

Elanya looked away, but even in profile he could see a miscellany of pity, regret and choler settle over her features. `` Yes, I suppose I did. ``

He couldn't assistance himself, he had to know. `` If you were so wrapped 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 feet and began pacing in agitation. `` Edmund Fritz was a high-profile man who was extremely paranoid… and rightly so. I certainly wasn't the exclusively one who wanted him dead and he made sure enough that it was nearly unsufferable to get to him. I was scared to use my on-key identity as his girl to reach out out to him… I knew that my mother 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 favor from a man who favored no one. I didn't want her to die in vain but it soon became elucidate that my real epithet was going to be the only affair to get me near him. But I knew I couldn't go in alone, that I needed mortal potent backing me up in case something went wrongfulness. ``

'' And that's what Elise and Sarah promised you. '' He said quietly, watching her grow more upset as her story 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 covetous of the care Voldemort was giving the girls and so he was doing his best to undermine them. They figured there was too just a opportunity he'd figure out some component part of what they were up to and so they knew he needed to go. They must take in tracked me down, found me in Australia… my grandmother had just died and I'd just gone back there to spend her last few days with her… I was in a vulnerable place and Elise showed up offering me the chance to do the thing I'd been wanting for years. ``

Fred had been careful during the unanimous conversation, wanting to pick up on any signs of dishonesty. For the inaugural time he found one… her articulation had gone up slightly in volume. It could be due to her gathering excitement as she recalled these events, but he had the nagging opinion that things hadn't happened exactly as she described. What did it weigh how she and Elise came to get together forces ? Why lie about it ? But he couldn't ask these questions and expect any variety of answer. His only Hope was to go on and trust 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 one bit. '' She steadily replied. `` I only regret that I couldn't have been more patient role and found a way to do it by myself. When I tried to back out of this whole matter, when I told them I didn't want to be a part of kidnapping you… Elise made it very open that despite the imitation evidence I left at the scene, she could very easily tie me to my father's death. I have no dubiousness that she would send off me to Azkaban without a minute thought. So I had to take, a jail cell locked away with the giants or stranded on an island with you. I took the better sounding punishment. ``

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

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

But then he wasn't going to let himself to be like all the other mass she'd been able to wrap around her fingerbreadth, he'd always been determined to be secure than that from the showtime moment she'd walked into his shop. `` You're probably right… We'll never know though will we ? ``

'' Do you detest 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 coyly surefooted smile 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 function of the heap. '' He stalled.

She slowly walked over to list on the edge of the table in front man of him. `` You know, there's only two grounds you won't reply. Either you do detest me but you're too practically 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 hate me and just can't bring yourself to accept it for some mysterious reason. ``

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his weapon as he regarded her with false confidence. `` Or I've simply decided it's easily not to go through life hating anyone. Of track, I could always make an exception if you'd attention to push the consequence. ``

'' 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 strut her feathers by not playing directly into her hand.

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

Fred looked around feeling completely off guard. She'd never left him alone in the tent before, which had only led him to consider that she had things to obliterate from him here. But clearly her thwarting with his lack of gullibility had caused an oversight on her behalf and he knew he needed to subscribe to reward of it. He raced to her elbow room, pulling back the tizzy that separated the space from the rest of the collapsible shelter and taking a cursory look around before carefully proceeding to go through everything. Ensuring he returned things to the way he'd found them, he went through all of her stuff hoping to come across a communication device of some kind… or even just, his wand. After a long and thorough search, he came up with neither.

( rift )

Harry stared at Paul Simon, trying to determine exactly what he thought of the other boy. He just wasn't sure… he couldn't get past the extremes the guy had gone through in order to have a simple 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 sentiment, refusing to let his angriness and confusion make him do anything stupid. `` How do we know that having you tell us all of this isn't part of the architectural plan ? '' He asked. After all, if Elise had gone through so much, then why wouldn't she go even a step further and send in the merry andrew ? Surely she didn't expect them to take Paul Simon seriously even if they did bonk he thought he was telling the truth… or at to the lowest degree the truth as she wanted him to jazz it.

He sighed and shook his nous. `` 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 up to you and I doubt she realizes I know that she wants to kill me. But has she somehow directed things so that I would come talk of the town to you, I just don't know… anything is potential with her. ``

'' So as far as you know, Elise's whole plan is to gather as many psychics as she can and then fight both sides of the war, hoping to come out on top ? '' Luna asked quietly and with far more control condition over herself than Harry could negociate. But he tried to continue calm down, to think back that they needed to know what they were up against… she still had her hand on his arm, trying in vain to assist him be successful in relaxing though he could sense her inquietude at what she was hearing.

'' It's part of her plan. '' Simon seemed a bit unsure for the first metre 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-bodied to at least blockade her doing me in. And yes, I really trust 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 vaticinator than that old man ever was, you've already helped thwart hers and Sarah's plans a few prison term. She was trying to help Voldemort seizure you, though she had no intentions of handing you over… she wants to convert you and Harry both to get together her. '' Again he looked directly at Jacey. `` And if she knew you were a firestarter like her, she'd privation you too. ``

'' I am not anything like your measly sis. '' Jacey said defensively as she cupped her hands together and began rolling them until she had developed a sizable fireball between them. She lifted it over her chief and brought it down, engulfing her entire consistence in flames as she stood there smiling at them. `` I am much more herculean. '' She laughed, extinguishing herself and leaving no indication that anything out of the ordinary had just transpired.

Simon swallowed hard as he stared at her in disbelief… clearly he'd never seen his sister do something like that before. `` safe. '' He said at live. `` person should be. They already knew Harry was hard than Sarah, that's why they had to take a crap sure he lost his powers before they tried to blab to him. ``

'' You're talking about what happened at Azkaban ? How could they possibly know that they weren't going to vote down me with that Psychohemia potion ? '' Harry asked in exasperation. They all knew Simon was telling them the truth, 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 wads of matter he didn't know about the thing that had been happening to him, his friends and his enemies. Elise had apparently been pulling various different strings for quite awhile.

'' Because they'd convinced Jasper to process for them long before then. '' Simon answered carefully. `` True the old guy told Voldemort that some determination was going to lead you to the prison and right in front of Cho, but it was Elise who made the Dark Jehovah recollect it was his idea to use Sarah's talents to try and take you out. But Jasper assured her it wasn't going to vote out you, that you were going to get help in meter to pull through your life but not your powerfulness. ``

'' Except Sarah did nearly belt down us at my aunt and uncle's house. '' Harry replied, hiding the phantasm pain sensation he felt in his hand and leg where he'd been stabbed all those calendar month ago. Glancing at Luna out of the corner of his eye, he remembered her face 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 fall in her then. '' He added angrily as everything from that Nox came back to him including Ron nearly being burnt to a crisp.

'' Yeah well, as I'm sure you've noticed, the lone problem Elise has in partnering with Sarah is that the womanhood is more than a slight unbalanced. She was only supposed to torment you, it was your muggle family line she was supposed to kill in front man of you… on Voldemort's orders, not Elise's. But I guess something about them reminded her of all those hoi polloi she was forced to dwell with growing up and she came to begrudge you for putting up with it… She began to really see you as weaker than her and so she alone decided in that moment that she didn't want you to join them. At to the lowest degree, 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 plan and nearly killing you both. Anyway, Sarah said she really lost ascendence 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 safety as well as yours. By the way, after finding out that you all got out and managed to entrance her for a shortly time as well as get your baron back, she no longer thinks you're imperfect. ``

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

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

But Herbert A. Simon stared back at her in surprise, allowing them to instantly slack. `` No, not that I'm aware of. I certainly had no idea you'd done that… what did you see ? ``

'' Do not vex 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 long before Elise reconnected with Sarah. In fact, I remember Elise trying to tattle Sarah into dropping Cho but she had insisted the girl would be valuable again once they broke her out of Azkaban. My shot is that if they manage to get Cho out, Elise will ascertain the opportunity to get rid of her as soon as potential. Just because she and Sarah are tight confidant doesn't mean they wouldn't betray each other in a mo if it meant furthering their own agendum. Loyalty means nothing to them. '' Simon said bitterly as he struggled against the spell holding him in seat. `` 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 wait at her and realized she had that far off reflection that meant she wasn't completely gift in the room.

'' Fine. '' He waved his scepter and released the early boy from the binding.

Simon leapt to his fundament to quickly stretch before eagerly reaching into his air pocket and pulling out his flask from which he took a farsighted gulp. `` Phew, I needed that. '' He said, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. After another gulp he seemed less shaky and nervous.

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

'' I will be just fine. '' She assured him with an easy smile.

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

'' Yeah, this is all my break. '' Harry rolled his heart. `` Just keep your oral cavity 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 moments behind them. They were certainly to make it 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 the Zealot suspiciously.

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

She nodded and led the way through the halls to the Headmaster's office. `` Just so you're aware, Dumbledore has all the prefects out looking for you guys but I think he knows you left school yard. '' She warned them. Sharing a look with Luna, she and Harry both decided to let Hermione enter first, hoping the deal of a good student would soften the old champion's mood. `` Sir ? I've found Harry, Luna and Simon Zelotes. ``

'' See them in Miss Granger and then you are dismissed. '' He replied from behind his desk. Hermione let them walk past her before she closed the door and bolted down the stairs. Dumbledore gestured to the three death chair in front of him and waited until they settled themselves. He looked at all of them, but it was realize he was addressing Harry alone. `` What did you call up you were doing damaging the school like that ? ``

'' It was an chance event. '' He quietly answered.

'' I have no dubiety that it was. '' Dumbledore said, his voice quiver as he tried to conceal his anger. `` 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 head. `` It's not that simple. Like the ministry and certain early building, magic isn't enough to repair the price. It must be rebuilt by deal to exert the strength of the charms we place upon our school. And even if you did fix it, my hands are tied in regards to how we can plow this, especially after I've pushed so voiceless to have the recently disappeared Tristan Macnair expelled. ``

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

He sighed sadly. `` I'm saying that after having misfire Patil, Mr. mason and Mr. Macnair go missing, after the destruction Cho Yangtze Kiang caused last year, and after all the cumulative fuss that has been caused… I have no selection but to expel you all from Hogwarts for your unfavorable natural action, efficient immediately. ``

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

'' You all were involved in an incident that resulted in severe damage to one of our schoolroom and then you all left shoal priming in channelize violation of the code of conduct. I have to subscribe to this legal action before the less authentic of the Aurors out there decide to try and say that you had something to do with Tristram's escape cock and attempt to take you all into custody for questioning. Should that happen, it's not guaranteed that Arthur will be capable to see that you get into the mightily manpower. '' Dumbledore seemed to fall off down in his seat. `` You've put us all in a crocked piazza and we must be careful how we proceed. ``

'' But wouldn't it be better to get hold a way to keep us here ? The Aurors and anyone else could still fare 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 easy for them to incriminate me of favoritism and affair are too delicate right now. The slightest matter could apply them the excuse to oust me from here and put anyone they choose in place as Headmaster. As you saw last time, there are too many impressionable young nous here to let that to happen. I refuse to let this school become a training ground for the next waving of decease eater. Everyone must be unloose to choose the life they want. ``

'' So instead you just have away our futurity ? '' Simon asked incredulously, not knowing anything of the decree and therefore ineffective to dig the need to keep things a certain way so that the power didn't shift in the enemy's favor.

Suddenly the office threshold 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 believe that ? '' Dumbledore asked tiredly.

'' Does it matter as long as there's soul to blame ? '' He pressed. `` Tell them whatever you want… distinguish them that the minor were working on a project for me and things went wrong. They left the shoal to fall looking for me because they knew that I had snuck out to see Tonks and didn't want me to get in trouble. That story should be just enough. ``

'' You realize what will materialise 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 inculpation for the demolition to the schoolroom, if you insist these students only left school to cover up for you… then I'll have no option but to send away your employment here. ``

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

lupine reached out to grab his shoulder joint, using his considerable intensity level to force Harry back into his chairman. `` I understand the upshot. I accept it. ``

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

Because, I feel I owe it to James and Lily to do everything in my powerfulness to have you finish school. I can't just let you screw it up with two weeks to go. He answered with a grinning. It'll be okay, Harry. I promise.

He held his intimation and glanced at Luna and Marvin Neil Simon out of the corner of his eye and realized lupin wasn't just doing this for him. The early two were only in their sixth year and he felt guilty that his brash actions may make them to fall back out on their training. Letting out the breath slowly, he turned to look at the older wizard, awaiting his decisiveness along with everyone else.

Dumbledore took his clock time studying lupine before at shoemaker's last shaking his head word and rising from his behind. `` Okay, if this is the way you want it to be. I'll see to it that you are capable to finish out the final two weeks of this semester, as it will be impossible to substitute you on such scant notice. It's been a delight to have you here. ``

'' It's been fantastic being here. '' Lupin assured him before quickly ushering the teens from the office before the master could transfer his judgment. Paul 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 early boy. They walked silently down to lupine's spot, though the older man was the only one who seemed to be in a good mood.

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

'' Of course I'm sure. Otherwise I wouldn't have done it. '' He grinned. `` I had planned on resigning at the end of this class anyway. I really like didactics, 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 world. And with you and Draco leaving, there's really nothing to keep 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 air when I have another pick ? So you see, I'm entirely positive that this is the right thing to do. ``

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

lupin reached out to reassuringly pat her articulatio humeri. `` I have long ago learned to experience with other people's misguided opinions of me. As long as I am in good standing with the the great unwashed who know me, that's all that subject. '' He went to sit behind his desk and pulled out a bowl of dummy sheepskin and a sassy quill. `` Besides if I were to stay here, then who would be out there looking after you all when you get yourselves stuck in a recess ? '' He teased, reminding them that this wasn't the inaugural time he'd helped get them out of their own mess. `` Plus Draco is going to want guidance in navigating life out in the very mankind where masses don't take as kindly to what we are so I'm actually glad to have a ground to will my stead early. The fact that it helps you kids out is just a bonus. ``

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

Lupin nodded and smiled. `` Think nothing of it. ``

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

'' What happened to you ? '' lupine asked, finally noticing the bandage that peeked out from the sleeves of her schooling robes.

She and Harry shared a glance as Simon looked down at the trading floor and shuffled his feet. `` Just a cold-shoulder accident caused by a childlike misunderstanding. '' She said at net, lowering her arms and pulling the hems of her arm down.

'' I see. '' He shook his headway and sighed. `` To suffice your earlier musing… no one would listen if you tried to explain what really happened. It's a play for power out there and no one is concerned in the verity unless it gets them what they want. Too many thing have been happening here, no one would deal a student's give-and-take on anything when they barely trust what the professor 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 make it more complicated. But don't let it annoy you, having enemies only means that you've stood up for something important. '' lupine answered with a docile smile. `` Now if you'll excuse me, I must indite to my wife and inform her that we are soon to become a one income family for awhile. ``

'' You know that you and Tonks always have your room at my planetary house. '' Harry offered, feeling it was the least he could do.

'' And we may just accept to subscribe you up on that. '' He laughed. `` The price of split is ridiculous these days. ``

Leaving him to pen his letter, the adolescent all stepped out into the foyer. As soon as the door closed behind them, Harry grabbed St. Simon up by the nominal head of his robes 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 hazard to murder you because she'll never find your body. '' He threatened, wanting to scare the boy into revealing whether he was truly trustworthy.

'' I promise I'm not setting you up ! '' He instantly replied, his oculus all-embracing and his spunk banging wildly in his chest.

'' We'll see. '' Harry muttered before bringing his expression in close to Neil Simon's, tightening his grip and pushing against the boy's pharynx. `` From now on, if you think you have something you need to differentiate someone, come straight to me because going anywhere near Luna or any of my former friends would certainly be the bounteous mistake you'll ever make in your life. ``

St. Simon nodded in agreement, clearly seeing in Harry's eyes just how a good deal he meant his threats. `` I'll come up right to you ! '' He gasped out, reaching up to try and push Harry away.

He released the early 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 elbow room 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 lead off to babble over as it tried to see some way to escape.

'' Of path I'm not mad… I'm not sure what I am. This has been a very unusual day and I'm still trying to process 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 schoolhouse background. He took several deep breathing space before turning back to her. `` But you really are okay, right ? ``

'' I'm fine, just a bit disturb by what we've learned. '' She gently assured him. `` I guess it's even more important that we go get Fred before Elanya has the chance to win over him that her version of case is the truth. ``

'' Couldn't it be ? '' He debated. `` I mean, I know Herb Simon was telling us his interlingual rendition of the truth 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 head is true ? 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 Zelotes to unfold around doubt so that we wouldn't know what to consider ? ``

'' Well, if that's the case then it seems to have worked, at least on you. '' She pointed out, smiling as he stared at her in give tongue to discombobulation. `` 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 much working with Elise and Sarah. ``

Harry nodded in hesitant credence. He'd learned his lesson about questioning her intuition, if she thought Elanya wasn't the dupe they were trying to impersonate her to be then that was most probably the way it was. `` okey, 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 foe until they can definitively turn up otherwise. '' She stood and came over to wrap up her arms around his waistline and hug herself against him.

He kissed the top of her head teacher 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 repetitive 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 brass going white as she began to panic.

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

'' It's just that… I so badly wanted to see Fred, to make sure he was okay. I decided to practice my astral projection and to my surprise, not only did it body of 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 have a go at it we were coming to get him ? '' Harry asked, kneeling following to her and taking her hand in comfort.

'' Yes, but I also told him everything else ! I wanted to assure him that we'd taken tending of everything so he could provide 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 plots too… he thinks she isn't the enemy ! ``

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

'' No ! '' Hermione leapt to her understructure and turned to them in torment. `` She's making him peach to her now ! He'd been refusing this whole clock time but I saw her threaten to send Erebos after Ron and Ginny if he didn't kickoff speaking to her. Don't you see ? I led him to think that she was just another pawn in Elise and Sarah's game… what if he lets his guard down ? What if she's able to win over him to believe her ? '' She stared at them in horror as every logical implication of Fred trusting Elanya ran through her mind. `` What have I done ? '' She whispered.

( BREAK )

As soon as it was saturnine, Fred grabbed his entire bed axial motion and went down to the beach. Ensuring he was far enough from the tide, he set everything up and progress a pocket-sized fire, silently thanking his father for teaching him how to do so the muggle way- without a wand. Sure it was the more difficult way to do thing, but at last his father's obsession with learning the why's and how's of all things muggle had paid off. Once trusted the hell had caught, he lay back to calculate at the stars. He didn't know where Elanya had gone, nor did he care… she hadn't returned from her walk and the longer she was gone the more certain he was that he didn't want to be there when she did render up.

She'd told him so many things and enough of it had seemed not only to be likely but made too much sense not to be true. He was confused… If Hermione had really been on the island, then she'd told him things that Elanya had completely admitted to. Did it matter ? And if it did, then why did it subject ? Elanya had gotten herself caught up in this, she was no barren bystander. Had she not wanted so badly to vote out her father, the former girls wouldn't have had anything to tempt her into accepting their crack. On the other hand, he was now able to put himself in her shoes… why wouldn't she want to pop the man who murdered her female parent and was trying to use his own daughter to buy his way into the estimable gracility of an evil man like Voldemort ? Even Willem had come to damage with the fact that his niece had killed his brother and was still willing to strain out to the girlfriend 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 label her ?

Clearly he didn't think as badly of her as he'd thought anyway… why else wouldn't he have 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 masses that he didn't like them, so why couldn't he just say it ? Annoyingly she had picked up on the only 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 combine her as far as he could switch her, but then, did that matter either ?

'' So, you've decided to log Z's 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 dress were dancing softly in the slight breeze and her middle glowed even more brilliantly in the deliquium firelight. `` fountainhead, aren't you the law-abiding one. '' He said sarcastically.

'' I'm sorry I walked out on you to begin with. '' She said, taking a few hesitating steps towards him.

'' Think zippo of it. I'm pretty for certain our conversation was about done anyway. '' He brushed her off and lay back down again, closing his centre and acting as if she were nil to a greater extent than a pesky perturbation to him.

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

'' Sleep wherever you want, what do I give care ? '' Fred made sure to sound bother, hoping that if she did sleep on the beach, she would select to do it far from him. He heard her soft footsteps as she glided through the gumption and then felt her attempt to climb under the covers with him. He sat straight up and scrambled away from her as he got to his feet. `` What the hell do you think you're doing ? '' He demanded angrily.

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

'' mulct, aim my stuff, it's all yours. I want to go for a float anyway. '' He turned and walked straight toward the body of water, repeating Hermione's epithet over and over in his head lest he allow himself to go back and do something stupid.

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

Despite the real concern for his safety that he heard in her interpreter, he ignored her and walked straight into the water fully dressed. He continued on until his substructure could just barely touch the bottom before deciding that was far adequate to deter her from following him. Turning, he began swimming parallel with the shoreline hoping to go down far enough that she wouldn't concern to walk after him. He could barely see his hired man in front of him and realized that is was more than the exercise that was making his eye race. It was very glum out here, and Elanya had been right… He'd never see an underwater attack coming. Quickly deciding he'd gone far enough, he began swimming towards earth, crawling up onto the sandy beach and allowing himself to lie there and pillow for a moment.

Now more than ever, he was determined to leave the island tomorrow. He couldn't spend one more than day alone with Elanya, he was beginning to forget what was material and it was becoming more difficult not to fall into her tale. All he had to do was get through tonight. Climbing to his feet, he brushed off as much sand as he could and made his way into the trees to seem for some kind of shelter. Coming to the al-Qaeda of the marvelous mint, he found a shallow cave. Gathering folio, he quickly made himself a place to sleep before gathering decent Sir Henry Joseph Wood to get a fire to keep him quick. Once again he silently thanked his Father-God while hoping that he would get the luck to thank him in person very soon.

( shift )

Draco woke already feeling nervous… he didn't like lying to Ginny and while he may not experience the exact details of what was going on, he had pieced enough together to bonk that she'd be mad to learn they'd kept Fred's possibly being in fuss from her. But today was supposed to be the day it would all end and no one would make to lie anymore… at to the lowest degree not about this. It was simple really, while the professors and most of the scholarly person were down at the quidditch pitch enjoying the game between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, ceramist, Luna and husbandman were going to whisk off themselves away to rescue Fred from whatever passel he'd gotten himself into. Draco's job was to make for sure neither Ginny nor Ron found out they were gone and more importantly, to continue them both away from Professor Erebos who Potter had said was a spy and more than will to hurt someone.

Taking a deep intimation, he knocked on Ginny's door. `` make to go down to breakfast ? '' He asked as soon as she opened up. Seeing that she was still in her gown and pyjama, he realized she hadn't done lots since she'd left his room earlier. `` I guess not. '' He said in reaction to the silent looking she gave him, closing the door as he walked in.

'' I don't want to go watch that pudden-head biz today. '' She said, climbing onto the bed and grabbing her pillow to hold close to her dead body. `` I don't want to be a part of anything to do with Ron at the moment. ``

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

'' It's been almost a week ! '' She was clearly frustrated and had her pillow been Ron's cervix, she'd have already squeezed the life 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 flavor she shot him, he quickly went on in hope of fixing his mistake. `` I mean, he clearly wanted space and said the things he knew would tug you all away… after all, he saw how well it worked for thrower last year. So why would he do apologize unless he's ready to be around you all again ? ``

'' well, thank you Healer Draco, the Psychology Boy admiration ! '' She said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

'' And since I like you so a great deal, I'll only bursting charge you half my normal rates for the excellent soundness I have to impart. '' 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 wiseness isn't even worth half that ! '' She taunted back, laughing as he ran over to return the pillow assault. She scrambled to snaffle her early pillow and swung low, catching him in the stomach.

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

'' Go in for the putting to death ! '' 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 rejoin the attack. Reaching out, he caught her pillow and tried to worm it away from her so that he would be in possession of all the plush ammo.

A knock on the doorway interrupted their engagement and they both looked at each former in surprisal as they tried to capture their breathing place. 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 obtain company. ``

He leaned down to kiss her before quickly swinging his pillow one in conclusion time, jumping off the bed with a foul grin as he avoided her return violation. He opened the threshold and instantly tensed having already been warned that the person on the former side of meat was interested in harming Ginny. `` Can we help oneself 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 consume a male visitor this former ? '' Erebos asked as he warily regarded Draco.

'' Isn't is a bit out or keeping for a Male teacher to fare unsupervised to a female person bookman's way this other ? Especially one who already has a cloud of intuition around his name ? '' He shot back, having been informed of the professor's relationship to Elise McKinney.

'' I've come with a message from the schoolmaster. '' Erebos answered defensively. `` Not that I owe an explanation to any student. ``

'' Well, Ginny isn't feeling well. She'll be in her room all day today… and I'll be here with her, taking tending of her. '' He said meaningfully, allowing a low growl to escape his throat lest the man forget what exactly he was. `` You can give me the subject matter, I'll be sure she gets it. '' With his Mary Jane heightened, he was capable to hear rustling behind him as Ginny got out of bed and curiously made her way over to the door. Thankfully she was measured enough to keep herself hidden behind it, but still, a violently protective surge rushed through him and he knew only one thing, the only way the professor was getting in the room was over his dead body.

'' The Headmaster wishes to talk to Miss Weasley in person. '' Erebos persisted. `` I am to escort her up to his authority. ``

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

'' Again, not that I owe an account to a student- '' He said tightly, clearly frustrated with this song and dance they were engaged in. `` But she is already down at the quidditch pitch assisting Madame Hooch with getting the field ready for today's game. I was in the Headmaster's billet for a merging and so he simply sent me. ``

'' well, Ginny is just too ill to leave her elbow room. I'm surely Dumbledore wouldn't want to gamble her getting even sicker by forcing herself through these drafty hallways. If he needs to tell her something important, I'm sure he would make no trouble paying her a visit. '' Draco said smugly. He grabbed the sharpness of the doorway to close it but the professor reached out to stop it from swinging shut.

'' If young woman 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 vomit student she will insist on seeing her. ``

'' That's unnecessary. '' Draco said calmly while holding the room access so tightly in his hand he thought the woodwind instrument would shatter in his grip. `` I asked healer Drake to stop by earlier. He said it's a bad cold and recommended bed eternal rest. '' He added in order of magnitude to bilk the prof's Modern attack to get Ginny out of her room. He was sure drake would cover for them if necessary, after all, he'd done it many clock time before. Rather than countenance Erebos to come up with something else, he used his above rule forcefulness to flap down the door shut despite the man's attempts to hold open it open.

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

Draco quickly pulled his sceptre out of his pocket and cast a silencing magic spell on the way, both as a precaution and to try and stall before answering her. `` Professor Erebos is a spy for Elise, Sarah and Elanya. '' He decided to start with honesty 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 repugnance and confusion.

'' Well… because they have plan to take over the ministry. What unspoilt way than to use the minister's children against him ? '' He held his breathing place. Technically what he'd said was true although that wasn't the reason the man had decided to realise a move today. But why worry her further by bringing Fred into it ? Especially since he didn't really know the wide-cut 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 guild 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 attempt to help.

Ginny shook her headway sadly. `` Poor dad… all he wants to do is establish a difference and now he has to live in unremitting 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 articulatio humeri. `` I've supposition that's just the Mary Leontyne Price you have to pay if you want to tolerate up for something… the fear of losing everything. ``

We may bear a job. Draco thought out to Potter and Luna.

What happened ? potter immediately answered.

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

( gap )

Harry had a horrifying feeling about everything after talking to Draco. Why would Erebos own 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 time to go saving Fred. At to the lowest degree the problem of who was going to watch over Ron had been quickly resolved… after a quick yell to Jacey, she had agreed to don an invisibility cloak and bent around the quidditch pitching, just in casing 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 concern and had been since discovering that she'd given Fred misinformation. She'd attempted to externalise herself back to the island several sentence during the night but hadn't been able to find him again.

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

'' Why ? '' Hermione demanded impatiently.

'' Because Charlie wrote a book all about how there are flying dragons on the island. I can't fit you both on my broom and we need to have some way of escaping quickly if necessary… especially since you said you've read that there are anti-apparation charms. You and Fred won't be able to apparate without one of us. '' He insisted, wishing the unharmed time that both girls would just let him go by himself. But he knew Luna wouldn't allow that any more than he'd let her do anything like this without him… the statement wouldn't be Worth it as they'd both just end up tempestuous and she'd wind up coming along anyway. As for Hermione- he knew better than to even propose she stay behind, despite them all being cognisant of how emotionally distracted she was. Luckily he trusted they were both subject and tried to let that thought allay his discomfort.

'' As long as we stay out of the mount, it shouldn't be a problem. '' She replied, eyeing the old practice Scots heather warily as Luna stepped up to choose one without vacillation. It was obvious which of them was more positive in their ability to fly.

'' Just take one anyway. '' He pressed with a grin. `` At the very to the lowest degree, Fred will lie with how to fly it should the pauperization arise. ``

'' amercement. '' She agreed with a cloggy 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 melodic theme where they'd wind up having only co-ordinate and ikon 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 one of Hermione's hired hand and they all focused on the island. With a loud crack, they apparated away from the equipment shed and arrived somewhere else entirely. Feeling tough rocky ground beneath his feet, Harry hesitantly opened his eyes to wait around. His breath caught in his throat as he took in their surroundings. Um, I think we may have just picked the tough possible spot to land. He thought out to the girls, not wanting to make any noise 50 they wake the ten firedrake currently sleeping around them. As quietly as possible, they all three mounted their brooms, each suddenly glad that he'd insisted they brought them with. Going slow for their rice beer, he carefully led the way, lightly pushing off from the land and rising into the air.

Flying away from the lot top and down toward the beach, he looked over his shoulder to check on the girls. Luna seemed to give gotten the hang of things after having been in the air a few times before. But Hermione, who always chose to preserve her feet on the basis if it was an pick, was clearly showing her inexperience. She tried to lower the Scots heather and suddenly lost ascendancy, letting out a gaudy shrieking as she suddenly zoomed toward the ground.

'' Pull up ! '' He shouted as he raced after her. She tried to do as he instructed but couldn't quite execute it and she raised her arms to cover her facial expression as she went down through the trees.

'' Harry ! Look out ! '' He heard Luna yell. Apparently Hermione's initial howler had aroused more than his fear, it had woken the dragons. 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 vocalism filled his head and he instinctively pulled up, just barely missing the former flying dragon 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 trump to dodge the four dragons chasing her while she clung to the broom.

He raced forward to help only to realize that the other six flying lizard had chosen to gang up up on him as they perceived him to be the better flyer and therefore the more unsafe to them. One popped up in straw man of him, forcing him to go low. He once more searched the sky, trying to bewitch his bearings… but this sentence he didn't see Luna anywhere. Both she and Hermione had disappeared and now he was alone with eight Dragon. Wait… eight ! He quickly began racing around the island, looking for any sign of Luna and the two flying dragon 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 tail belt into the back of his broom followed by the phone of a cryptic fracture phone. The heather started to come apart in his deal and he did his trump to control it together as he raced toward the ground. He landed roughly on the beach, shaking off the hurting as he picked himself up and ran toward the cover song of the trees.

He could hear the fauna landing heavily behind him, too large to make their way through the dense woods. Suddenly tripping, Harry tucked into himself to break his crepuscule. Glancing back at what had knocked him over, he found the shatter cadaver of another broom though he had no idea whether it was Luna's or Hermione's. He looked around desperately but there was no one there.

( disruption )

Fred woke to a tawdry screech. For a moment he was disoriented, forgetting completely where he was as he scrambled to his animal foot. Looking around, he remembered making a temporary protection out of the cave after escaping from Elanya. Another serial of ear-splitting screaming filled the sky and he looked up to see those mysterious creatures circling in the bright daybreak sunshine. They never came out this late… and they never flew so low. One swept over the tree above him, giving him a frighteningly crystalise thought of what the creature actually was… a very large dragon with sharp pincer, hanker teeth and encompassing annex tipped with dangerous looking horns.

Panic gripped him as he stood there frozen, trying to remember everything Charlie had ever told him about these beasts. More than anything, he recalled his brother saying that dragons were wight of habit… So why were they acting differently now ? He didn't waste time trying to cypher it out, he had to make sure Elanya was okay, he couldn't let the only other someone on this island die… he didn't want to be here completely alone with these things. He raced through the tree diagram back to the camping site, suddenly upset that he'd decided to move so far from it in the first-class honours degree place.

being sure to keep himself deep under the cover of the Tree, he approached their collapsible shelter and heard Elanya's voice 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 assure that she was holding something up to her oral cavity. `` What do you stand for Malfoy won't let you near Ginny ? ! '' She cried out angrily. `` I gave you one simple project this morning… wellspring, 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. `` nada. '' She said innocently.

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

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

'' What are you talking about ? ! ``

She pointed up at the firedrake now circling dangerously low. `` The only reason they would leave their nestle was if mortal disturbed them… clearly we are no longer alone on this island. You were right, your Friend came after you… but that means you all have broken the rules and if I don't bring about the punishment for it then I'll be the one to pick up it. I like you Fred, but your siblings'lives just aren't more significant to me than my own. ``

'' Don't do it. '' He insisted, pleading with her to kick in in and be the near person he wasn't quite sure she could be. `` I'll assistance protect you from Elise and Sarah, we can all hold open you safe. Just don't let them force you into hurting my pal and sister. ``

'' You'd really do that ? '' She asked, taking an uncertain gradation toward him. `` You'd convince your Quaker to give me a chance ? ``

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

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

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

'' Who told you that ? '' Elanya demanded, reminding Fred that she was actually still there. She now had her wand 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 lone 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 grounds not to at the moment. '' Fred replied, gesturing to the sceptre she still had pointed at them. He felt Hermione reach out and take his bridge player as she used her former to continue wielding her own sceptre. Squeezing her fingers, he hoped they found a way out of this.

Elanya nodded, a wicked grinning spreading slowly across her face. `` I thought as much… I guess it's time to strike to plan B. '' She quickly waved her verge, forcing Hermione to throw up a buckler around them. It was enough of a distraction for her to grab the seashell necklace she'd been wearing since they arrived and rip it from her neck before speaking quickly into it. `` Tell Elise and Sarah that Harry and Luna are here and kill Ron. '' She instructed.

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

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

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

Elanya simply dropped the necklace to the dry land and stomped on it, effectively destroying the communication device. `` What's done is done. You want revenge, come in and take it. '' She dared them.



NOTE : Provided there are no more horrible accidents with my computer or flash drive, look for the following chapter soon !


Chapter 55 : An Island Escape

A/N : Without boost delay… Read, Review, Enjoy !





After crash landing Hermione sat up and was pleased to discover nothing worse that a few scrapes and slit. Unfortunately the broom hadn't survived as well and lay a few feet away in pieces. gladiola that it hadn't been her to wind up that way, she shook herself off and got to her feet. She looked around nervously and called out to Harry and Luna but they didn't solvent her… A quick coup d'oeil up through the treetops let her have sex why. Several dragons seemed to be swooping around in the air while letting out horrifying shrieking sound. With a broken broom she knew she couldn't do much to assist them and they certainly were too distracted to come help her… it was up to her to figure out what to do and she was determined that this not end up like Hogsmeade. She wasn't going to freeze up with indecisiveness, there were too many citizenry counting on her and more than that, she wanted to turn up to herself that she was capable of branching out on her own.

It was a great deal hotter here than it was back at school day and so the first affair she did was strip off her jacket before she fainted of heat enervation. She knew that she had to initiate moving and preferably with a purpose. Using her wand as a locator, she made her way through the forest, trying not to front anywhere but right in forepart of her. She didn't want to get deflect, she just wanted to get Fred and get the blaze off this island. Within ten proceedings of walking, she found herself at Fred and Elanya's campsite. The two were talking and she heard Fred oblation to serve the other girl if she would anticipate to call off whatever she'd just threatened him with.

'' No ! That's office of her architectural plan ! '' She yelled, racing forward without thinking. Her wand was already out and so she quickly pointed it at the other girl to celebrate 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 attract her own verge out… realizing that Fred was unarmed, Hermione worried that he would get caught in the middle if they started dueling. He stood there and looked at her as if she were the capital thing he'd ever seen, making her feel more confident in the grimace of the other missy. `` Hermione ? '' He asked hesitantly before rushing over and wrapping his blazonry around her. As commodity as it felt to throw him prevail her, she was careful to keep her wand up 50 Elanya decide to use the distraction to her advantage.

'' We have to find Harry and Luna and get out of here now ! '' She quietly insisted, forcing herself to believe they would feature time to properly reunite later if they got themselves out of this now. `` I was faulty yesterday, she's no victim… they're all working together to make us need to help her so she can get in and convince Harry and Luna to bring together them. ``

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

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

'' wellspring, I suppose you can't really argue with that logic… I take it you're just going to automatically believe her over me ? '' Elanya offered them a gratifying smiling that dripped with venomous intentions.

'' You aren't exactly giving me a ground not to at the import. '' He answered her as he gestured to the fact the she was waving her wand at them. Hermione realized in that here and now that he hadn't completely given into believing Elanya, that he'd mostly managed to trust his own inherent aptitude. Feeling proud of him, she reached out her free bridge player to take his, wanting him to bang that they were in this together now. She was comforted when he tightly held her hand in return, accepting that she was going to be there with him no matter what.

'' I thought as often. '' Elanya said meanly. `` I guess it's time to propel to plan B. '' She quickly waved her wand, giving Hermione only seconds to contrive up a shield around herself and Fred to deflect the spell. Before she could return fire, the female child 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 in all probability Professor Erebos.

'' No ! '' Fred started forward but Elanya waved her wand and sent him flying. Hermione took her chance and shooting various stunners in speedy chronological sequence but the other girl was fast, raising her shield in sentence before attempting to fire back and disarm her. By this time Fred had gotten to his feet and back into the thick of matter, forcing Hermione to arrest her attack 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 lycanthrope protecting one doesn't mean value we can't get to the other. Your brother will die. ``

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

Elanya looked directly at her and dropped the necklace to the ground, stomping on it and ruining their lonesome hazard to call off the professor from killing Ron. `` What's done is done. You want retaliation, do and take 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 dodge rather than shield, sending Hermione's spell to shatter the trees behind her. Seeing what a serious while she'd tried to use against her, Elanya stood and wiped the dirt from her dress. `` well, I suppose we've moved preceding stunners then. '' She laughed wildly and searched for the sceptre she'd dropped in her hastiness 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 wand, yelling `` Protego Totalum ! '' and a few other conjuration, turning the collapsible shelter into their own belittled fortress ... they were raise spells she'd only practiced once in the rubber of a classroom stage setting. She was truly storm that she'd been able-bodied to accomplish it here while her heart was racing and panic gripped her judgement. They could hear Elanya screaming at them from the outside, uselessly hurling piece after spell at the tent as she tried to get at them. `` I'm not sure how long this will deem. '' She said fearfully, turning to see that Fred had taken to tearing the seat 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 matter over his shoulder. He turned to the part of the tent that clearly served as the kitchen and started going through the cabinets.

'' You really have a kitchen range in here ? '' She asked incredulously as he struggled to flip the thing over.

'' When it came to expend my money, Elanya spared no disbursement. Top of the product line everything… it's supposed to be like camping in the ease of your home. '' Fred answered bitterly as he upended the icebox next. `` Aha ! '' He shouted, bending down to scoop up a folded towel. for certain enough, his verge was wrapped up inside it and Hermione instantly felt a shooting of sculptural relief knowing that she wouldn't be the lone one armed. His own moderation was manifest as he tightly gripped his sceptre and sighed deeply. Then he turned to her and gave her a look that sent chill through her body. Without a word of honor he strode up to her and eagerly placed his mitt around her neck, pulling her fount to his so that he could passionately capture her lips. He kissed her with such depth and hunger that she was left touch sensation dizzy and had to reach out and grab him to keep back her legs from collapsing beneath her. Wrapping his arms around her waist he deepened the osculation even more before breaking it off and resting his headway against hers. They were both left breathless and happy to once more be so close. `` I'm really sword lily to see you. '' He whispered.

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

'' Yeah, well, I'll nominate it clearer when I have Sir Thomas More sentence to lay down my percentage point. '' Fred grinned before turning serious once more. They could still pick up Elanya out there, doing everything she could to breach the protection charms Hermione had cast. `` We have to get out of here without her sightedness. '' He said, letting her go and turning to survey their temporary worker stronghold.

'' I'm open up to trace. ``

He scratched his head and turned to stare at her a import before breaking into a smiling. `` Of course of instruction ! If I can fool my own mother then it should be slow 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 uneasy feeling that George IV had somehow come back to life. Shaking it off, she tried to smile in financial backing. `` You really think she'll go after our two-baser ? ``

'' Why wouldn't she ? '' He asked, waving his baton over her to adjure her up a double of her own. Moving hers to stand succeeding to his, he studied them both closely. `` They look goodness enough to me. '' He shrugged.

'' wellspring, I certainly don't have a better theme. '' She moved to hide herself behind the turned-over stove, as Fred took their silent stunt man and instructed them to exit the tent 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 case Elanya wasn't fooled and decided to come search the tent. `` Here goes zilch. '' He whispered.

( prison-breaking )

organism able to stand down on the playing field, Ron almost felt like he really was part of the secret plan and was grateful to McGonagall for letting him have this one diminished piece of what made him happy. He watched his team fly together and was thrilled to see them pull ahead in the grudge, cheering them along as any dear coach would do. The nose candy had been magically cleared off the field but he didn't need it to be reminded that wintertime was on it's way, the day was clear and very low temperature. He huddled deeper into his jacket after applauding Seamus stealing the quaffle from the Ravenclaw chaser.

When the score jumped far adequate ahead in Gryffindor's party favor, he decided it was safe to take a break and go down to the refreshment stand for some hot coffee to warm his inside. Making his way through the locker suite, he took the exit leading outside the orbit and nearly ran into someone trying to take a shit their way in. `` Oh, excuse me sir. '' He said, recognizing prof Erebos, Hermione's Arithmancy professor.

'' Not at all Mr. Weasley. It was you I was actually coming to bump. '' Erebos replied with what was clearly an attempt at a favorable grin… but the tightness at the corner 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 Natalie Wood who flagged me down and asked me to number find you. '' Erebos said, looking over his shoulder at the Forbidden Forest. `` She wouldn't allow me to see her face, so I can't be sure… but she looked very much like misfire Patil, who has gone missing. I've come to receive you because she was so crying but I think I must also go to the Headmaster 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 for sure it had enough clip to arrive to her so that couldn't be what drove her to come back. He had to verbalize to her before Dumbledore or anyone else could evidence up and post her running. `` Just let me go see her first. ``

Erebos shook his head. `` 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 probability that she'll run again. ``

'' Please, I'll convince her to stick. '' He promised with his digit crossed.

'' Okay, how about this ? I'll go with you into the woods to see her, I'll let you two have your moment of privateness and then we can all go to Dumbledore together. '' He offered. `` It's the only way I'm assured that girl Patil will pass to where she belongs. ``

Ron reluctantly agreed, following the prof around the back of the arena to the Forbidden timber. They walked pretty far into the Tree, deepening Ron's distrust to the spot where he was ready to flex 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 scepter out and a demented smile across his facial expression. `` Sorry for the conjuration Mr. Weasley, but Parvati isn't out here. I just needed a grounds for you to come up into the woods with me. ``

He swallowed the large lump of fear and panic that had risen in his throat. `` Why ? '' He tried to keep his vocalisation steady but wasn't sure he'd accomplished the task.

'' To stamp out you. '' The professor said simply as he prepared to contrive the ultimate unforgivable scourge. And then the man was screaming in pain in the neck as his wand salvo into flames in his mitt, forcing him to drop it to the ground.

Ron instantly reached into his pocket for his scepter before turning to find Jacey standing a few yards behind him, her own wand in one hand and a turgid bollock of fire in the other 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 scathe that those were the first Good Book he'd chosen to address at the mountain of her.

They both whipped around as the sound of person clapping filled the air. Ron's eyes widened in impact as Elise McKinney stepped out from behind a large tree, slowly applauding them. `` Well done. '' She laughed.

'' The footling beef burned my helping hand ! '' Erebos shouted as he held the now useless process close to his body.

'' Relax Dolos, I've burned you worse than that when you've angered me less. '' Elise giggled before turning her attention specifically to Jacey. `` I had hoped you'd cum. I was so very rum to find oneself out who you are… but to see that you're like me, well that brings on a completely new attribute doesn't it ? But I'm not as light to dispatch as Dolos. '' She said, throwing out her arms and producing her own powerhouse in her hired hand. `` So come on, let's see what you're made of… we'll conceive this your audition. '' She taunted.

( recess )

Luna just couldn't shake off off the last two dragons chasing her. They forced her to fly away from the island, zooming so far over the ocean she could see Castellumshire on the horizon… still the animal wouldn't give up the chase. She tried calling out to Harry but he didn't answer, making her very nervous. She could find that he wasn't hurt… but that was all, it was like a character 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 mogul, or more precisely, their thought transference. The way she was flying, the way she was able to know where to go to avoid being hit by claws, teeth and tails… that told her that her precognative instinct were well in tact as she knew she certainly wasn't the best flier.

She swooped low to avoid one Dragon and then quickly turned rectify to avoid the other. Her human foot skimmed the water and she quickly pulled back up, making a long arc around Castellumshire before heading back toward the Gateway Islands. Becoming distracted by a strange phone below her, she took the fortune and looked down only to find a small speedboat zooming through the water system headed the Sami direction she was. Feeling the Dragon right behind her, she decided to dip low, flying close enough only to see that there seemed to one person on board… a distaff wearing a hat and heavy sunglasses. Intuition shot through her and she raced ahead, desperate to warn Harry.

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

It took a second too long for her to see what he'd tried to warn her about and so the pair of dragons that had been laying in wait among the treetops had taken her by surprise. She raced upwards, highschool over the island hoping to misplace them among the downy white clouds. But before she could get herself quite that high, she felt one of the puppet grab the end of her Calluna vulgaris and pull her through the air. She lost her bag completely and felt herself start to free declivity. thought process as quickly as she could, she pointed her wand down and slowed her bloodline until she was able to lightly place her understructure on the terra firma. Her reliever quickly gave way to all out brat as she realized she landed right back where they had started… the dragons'nest. Only this time she had no broom and she was completely alone.

( fault )

Harry had just used his baton to piece the heather he'd found in the woods back together when Luna's scream echoed around him. He raced back onto the beach to catch an inconceivable 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 hide themselves among the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree he realizing what the rather healthy beast were planning to do. He tried calling out to her with his mind but while he could still feel that constant quantity connectedness to her, it was as if someone had cut a wire somewhere and all he could discover was a dial tone. Throwing everything he had into it, he cupped his bridge player around his mouth and screamed out a warning to her, hoping she was able-bodied to take heed him. If she did, it was too tardily. The former Draco had forced her to fly toward their trap and the two hiding 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 puppet snapped the heather like a toothpick, making Harry's essence stop for a present moment. But this sentence she had her verge and was able to slack her fall, but when he saw where she landed his heart dropped entirely into his stomach. The dragons had seen her too and they all descended on their nest, intent on ousting the intruder.

Panic swept through him and he hurried to polish off the final repairs on the heather. Hearing a mechanized phone he quickly ducked out of the way as a boat carelessly drove up into the backbone, allowing a intimate woman to jump down and face him. `` Hello 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 wrong place. '' She grinned. `` Care to have some assistant in retrieving her ? ``

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

'' Come now, let's put the past behind us. We all act a bit irrationally sometimes. Besides, I thought you didn't have meter to argue… I know Luna certainly doesn't. '' She pointed to the remains of his Firebolt, long forget a few yards down the beach. `` Fix that up and Army of the Pure go. ``

He had no choice, he needed help distracting the Dragon so he could fly in and grab Luna. Handing Sarah the ling he'd been holding, he ran over and waved his wand, fixing his own ling as best he could… at least it was in flying circumstance if not properly calibrated for the best flight potential. Together, they lifted off the land, instantly making their way to the mountain. Harry just hoped his desperation for help didn't wind up being his downfall.

( BREAK )

Jacey wrapped Harry's invisibleness cloak tightly around herself and closed her eyes, doing her best to reduce on apparating to just outside the quidditch pitching at Hogwarts. Of course, she was still getting the hang of the unanimous thing and so while she did get herself to Hogwarts, she was no where near the arena. In fact, she wound up inside the palace, just beyond the doors to the Great student residence. With a suspiration of frustration, she made for certain she was completely covered by the cloak before making her way outside.

Of grade she had agreed to help keep an eye on Ron… she just had no idea why. He had made himself very make that he wished to address things on his own for awhile and she was tempted to back off and let him learn just how practically 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 abandon Ron because some part of her knew that his end would mean her own as well. He had made a valid spot the former nighttime, they did not roll in the hay each other, they had only just met and under the tensest of circumstances. And yet… clearly they were drawn to each other. She was more than willing to see what came of that attraction as she had already admitted that his letter is what ultimately made her resolve to come here in the firstly place… she only hoped he would occur to his sensory faculty long enough to-

She stopped dead in her tracks as she realized she may have arrived too late. Just beyond the arena, she saw two fig slip quickly into the Forbidden Forest and she was sure of at least one of their identities. The other she only feared she knew. Racing forward, she let the cloak settle away as soon as she was within the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree railway line so that she could run with more than speed and less hindrance. At last she came upon them and realized she had been correct on both accounts, Ron and Erebos were a few yards ahead of her. She could feel Ron's suspicion and uncertainness 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 angry on his behalf, upset that the professor was willing to use such an clear combat injury to play a trick on him into coming out here.

Erebos turned around wearing a cruel and evil smiling. `` Sorry for the magic trick Mr. Weasley, but Parvati isn't out here. I just needed a reason for you to get along into the woods with me. ``

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

'' To kill you. '' Erebos replied. Jacey saw his intention a moment before he raised his wand and did the first thing that came into her mind… She set his verge on ardour. He screamed in pain, dropping the matter as he cradled his injured hand to his body.

Ron pulled out his own wand 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 anger under the surprise in his optic as he stared at her.

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

'' The minuscule beef burned my hand ! '' Erebos shouted, glaring at them all.

'' Relax Dolos, I've burned you unfit than that when you've angered me less. '' She laughed again. Then ignoring both male person, she spoke directly to Jacey. `` I had hoped you'd come. I was so very odd to determine 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 easy to dispatch 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 see this your tryout. ``

Putting her sceptre in her scoop so that both of her hand were liberate, Jacey let the fire 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 hesitate to commence her flack, hurling balls of flame one after the early. Engulfing her entire body in fervidness, Jacey was able to absorb whatever Elise threw at her though she was starting to feel very quick. Run before this spreads ! She thought out to Ron, not wanting him to get burnt.

I'm a bit busy at the moment. He answered. She glanced over to encounter him alternatively trying to put out the flames spreading through the forest and dueling Erebos who had retrieved the burnt remains of his verge and was trying to make it work with his undamaged paw. It seemed that every once in awhile the man was able to get the verge to perform his spell which only distracted Ron from his impromptu try at being a firefighter.

She tried reaching for her verge but Elise only renewed her efforts, making it clear that she intended this fight to be non-magical and leaving Jacey no choice but to fight down fire with fervor. 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 spread. She did her best to rivet on controlling and containing them to their pocket-size area but it lessened the amount of absorption she could apply to the actual fight and found herself more on the defensive that she would own thought herself to be. She knew the fact that Elise didn't concern where the ardor spread was giving the cleaning woman an boundary over her but there was nada she could do about that, she had to do her ripe to hold the damage her power caused. Realizing they were going to need assist and taking even more attention away from the struggle, she called out to Dragon as he was the only one left here that she trusted to ask for help. She hoped he made it in time.

'' Jacey ! '' Ron yelled, bringing her full aid back to the moment at hired hand. Seeing that she'd been momentarily distracted, Elise had taken her chance and used everything she had to bourgeon a jet current of flame 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 help Jacey ? '' Ginny demanded as Dragon grabbed his coat. They'd been quietly lounging together in her elbow room as they studied and she'd been enjoying the rather elusive worry-free moment… even if they had barricaded themselves in to avoid Professor Erebos.

Looking at his font, she could secern he wasn't any to a greater extent pleased with the idea of him leaving than she was. `` Apparently Elise made it onto the school primer coat and she and Erebos have your Brother cornered out in the woods. '' He answered honestly, in too lots of a rushing to essay lying. `` corporate trust me, the alone grounds I'm going is because I know that Erebos is out there too. Even so, stay in here and don't spread the threshold to anyone until I get back, okay ? ``

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

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

'' Meaning ? '' She demanded stubbornly.

'' Meaning she's in trouble because she's distracted by thinking of Ron and anyone else being hurt… I can't be of much supporter if we add your welfare to our list of worry. ``

'' Need I remind you again that you aren't an immortal god or even a superhero ? You're a normal guy who got stuck with a being a wolfman and are just as up to of burning to death as I am. '' She gripped his implements of war, unwilling to let him leave her sight.

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

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

He seemed suspicious but he had no choice other than to have her agreement. Leaning in to quickly osculate her au revoir, he then turned and fled the way. Walking over to her window, she waited until she saw him zip across the school grounds… he was faster than any human she'd ever seen and she could understand why he liked going out to run so much- it must be insufferable to think when moving so quickly.

Picking up her pelage she fled her room, rushing through the Radclyffe Hall and out the front threshold. She would keep her promise not to come after after him… but she wasn't going to allow him to go alone. She entered the quidditch stands, climbing up to where the shoal stave sat. Unfortunately, the mortal she wanted to verbalise to was also sitting next to the person she'd hoped to avoid… but she couldn't go back, three lives might be at wager, her comrade's among them. `` Can we help you with something ? '' Lupin asked with a friendly smile as she approached him and Dumbledore.

Warily eyeing the master, she took a deep breather and spoke to Lupin. She knew it was best to keep citation of Jacey and Elise out of things with so many spike around and so she made her level as clear and concise as possible. `` Draco ran out into the woods to try and contain Professor Erebos from killing Ron. They need help. ``

( BREAK )

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

'' I think it has something to do with the energy field generated within all three islands. '' Hermione answered thoughtfully. `` I read about it in that book… it interferes with most sailing tools, even the charming I. It's the chief reason it's so tough for multitude to find these islands. Maybe it also interrupts that certain brainwave frequency Harry and Luna use to channelise their telepathic power. ``

'' Whatever you say. All I heard is that we're deposit finding them the old fashioned way. '' He tried to use his verge to manoeuver him towards the nearest aliveness human but the stupid affair kept pointing up. `` Or not. '' He muttered, finally giving up.

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

'' I do now. '' He answered grimly, figuring the only response was that their friend were up there and in a lot of difficulty. `` I guess we try to climb up it. '' He walked toward the substructure of the mess until he heard a small shriek of surprisal that told him that Hermione wasn't following. Turning he found her struggling to free her base from a rather ugly looking plant. Originally mistaking it for some kind of shrub, they had walked by unaware… but now the affair had spread it's leaves apart and was shooting out several tentacle-like protrusions that were attempting snap Hermione and pull her in. He raced back over, wildly waving his scepter. But the plant seemed to be immune to magic and nothing he tried would make it stop.

'' Let go ! '' She yelled as she kicked at the industrial plant. Not knowing what else to do, Fred picked up a with child rock and began slamming it down on the tentacles. The plant let out a pitiful phone, indicating it could feel pain. In an try to free herself, Hermione reached for another rock and helped him beat the tentacles away. Grabbing her under her arms, he pulled her to her fundament and they scrambled away before the unknown shrub could regroup.

'' well, that was something new. '' He said as they caught their breath. He'd certainly never come across a plant like this before in all his time wandering the island though he'd definitely found some eldritch ones. Of class, former than last night when he'd fled Elanya he hadn't ever come this close to the alkali of the deal. He gave silent thanks that he hadn't passed by this thing in the dark.

'' Let's just keep going. '' Hermione seemed shaky but determined and so he nodded and went on, this time ensuring they remained side by side of meat. It was a short walk and looking towards the sky, they were capable to see that the way to the top of the mountain wasn't exactly direct up… that was a honest thing, making it less in all likelihood that they would fall down to their deaths while attempting this. `` okeh, we just need to find the veracious place to bug out. '' She said logically as she stood back and studied the rocky wall and several unlike track up.

Fred took a different access, walking right up to the mountain and trying out the handholds and foothold in a few office. Taking a few more steps to the left hand, he reached to climb up only to feel the rocks give way under his hands. And then he was falling… falling… he slammed into the ground, knocking the breathing time 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 convention. `` I'm alert ! '' 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 a tone at himself. Feeling around on the ground he recovered his baton 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 improper and he could see the entire thing swelling from his genu down to his ankle.

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

'' Just give me a minute to pull together myself. '' Putting as niggling weight on it as possible, he slowly climbed to his ft. Only once he was standing did he actualise he seemed to offend everywhere including the articulatio humeri that had been broken conclusion yr during the quidditch match against Cho. It felt like it had popped out of place… stuffing the bottom of his shirt in his mouth to dull any sounds of pain he might make, 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 sense of relief that told him that he'd achieved the resultant role he'd wanted, his berm was back in it's right place. Panting from the effort he wiped the sweat from his face and took a few steadying breaths. `` Okay, make ! '' He called out.

Instantly his feet carefully left the ground, leaving him to feel as though he were softly cradled in the custody of some invisible whale. He put his verge in his pocket as he rose up, wanting to have both hands free to aid take out himself clear of the surprisingly humble opening he'd fallen through. At finis he was able to see Hermione, using her wand to manoeuver his progression. Reaching up, he grabbed the edges of the rocky opening. `` I need you to keep on propelling me forward, I hurt my leg so I can't get a goodness grip with my feet. '' He told her. She nodded and doubled her engrossment, trying to only present him an extra boost as he struggled to pull out himself free. Now being forced to use all the persuasiveness 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 sceptre was ripped from her hand and sent flying off into the woods. Without her spell to aid him, he lost a bit of his handgrip and struggled through the pain to find a foothold lest he come back down into the cavern. He scrambled to have onto the rock despite how sharp they were… once he felt sweetheart, he was able to seem up and see Elanya staring at them with a encompassing smile as she tauntingly waved her wand. `` I'm sorry it took so foresightful to dispatch those doubles you sent running out… it seems you're a meliorate conjurer than I thought. ``

'' What do you require ? '' Hermione tried to reason with her as Fred struggled to use his injured leg to facilitate push him through the hole. But the more press he tried to put on it, the Sir Thomas More numb it seemed to grow… almost to the percentage point where he wasn't even sure it was there anymore. He tried to pass on back for his wand but letting go of the rock-and-roll made him instantly slide backwards. He would need all the strength in his coat of arms to take out himself out and until he did, Hermione was left to confront Elanya alone and weaponless. Feeling a new determination, he decidedly placed his pes and pushed off with them, gritting his teeth against the hurting. From there he was capable to get hold of out a bit further… slowly but surely he began pulling himself out.

( BREAK )

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

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

'' I don't even know who the snake pit 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 metrical foot and pointed his verge with a water magic spell on the tip of his tongue and quick to be used. `` So, her name is Jacey then is it ? '' She grinned and pulled out her own verge. `` What else can you tell apart me about her ? ``

Ron, I am okay. I just need a moment to regain and concenter my energies. He heard Jacey's vocalism whisper through his forefront. Do not engage her… Dragon 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. `` Nothing to say ? '' Elise asked, bringing his care back to her. `` Dolos told me how you were the but one to be seen with the cryptical castle guest at the Costume Ball… he also told me how close you two appeared to be so I know you can evidence me everything I want to acknowledge. Of line, seeing how loath you seem, I feel it's best I remind you that I could always force you to secernate me. Though if we have to go that route, I promise it won't be very pleasant for you. ``

'' What do you want to live ? '' 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 faith 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 out the facts. '' He pushed himself to palpate as genuinely raging as possible, wanting the woman to believe there was no reason to think she'd be successful in using Jacey against him and vice versa ... or even secure, convincing Elise that she didn't want anything to do with Jacey. He felt ugly, 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 frightful nonsense, she'd still come to try and help him. I'm sorry. He thought out. I'm sorry I said those things, I just want us both to get out of this.

I know. Jacey replied calmly.

'' A dear liar can be of great use. '' Elise nodded approvingly. `` Unfortunately, it seems you are of no use at all. ``

GET OUT OF THE WAY ! Jacey screamed in his head and he saw her leap to her feet behind Elise who had once again raised her hands to conjure her ardour. Before he could wave his wand to harbour, mortal roughly crashed into him, practically lifting him off his infantry and carrying them both away truehearted than Ron thought possible. It only took him a present moment to recognise who had just may accept saved his life.

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

As they approached the two girl still whipping fire at each early without much care as to what was around them, soul shouted `` impediment ! '' forcing Draco to trip and sending both male child sprawling to the ground.

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

There was no time to be nervous, he instantly cast a shell having seen the man ready to have a enchantment at him. Within a second base he had retaliated by sending a freezing hex, but the professor took a Thomas Nelson Page from Jacey and Elise's al-Qur'an shooting a stream of ardour from his sceptre that met the spray of ice coming from Ron's. Using all of his concentration he repeated the charm, attempting to beef up his position… but Erebos was just as determine and unrelenting.

'' ENOUGH ! '' A prospering articulation surrounded them.

And then suddenly the affaire d'honneur was over as Erebos was bound from foreland to toe in front of him. Ron took various trench breaths and lowered his sceptre as Dumbledore and Lupin came forward. The spell meant to keep Draco at bay had finally worn off and he slowly walked up next to him. `` Thanks. '' Ron said only tatty enough for him to hear.

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

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

( BREAK )

Looking around quickly, Luna spotted a belittled possible action across the nuzzle the seemed to top into the mountain. She instantly ran towards it though she was uncertain even her curt and svelte frame could squeeze through. hunch burned in her gut and she flung herself to the reason with a minor screaming of panic as she felt one of the massive beasts fly over her. Flipping onto her backbone she shot a dish at the beast's partner as it swooped in to make it's own effort at catching her. The turn seemed to bounce off the dragon's hide, having no effect other than to see red the animal even more. Luna quickly rolled to the slope as it snapped at her before flying off to give the side by side twain their turn with her.

Scrambling to her infantry, Luna shot toward the cave opening. She was tempted to use her baton and nail the hole unresolved wider, but she worried that might possibly cut off the stability of the mountain. The concluding thing she wanted was to break loose the beasts only to be buried in a landslide or cave-in. Throwing herself forward, she was just barely able to squeeze through, turning her eubstance sideways to make it.

She screamed as she felt a crisp stab of annoyance and turned, using her wand to sting the dragon who had grabbed her arm before she could fully veil herself. This seemed to have more essence than anything else as the wildcat let out a mighty shriek of nuisance and let her go. Pulling herself further into the crack, she was led down a bit into a tumid cave where she tripped over something that rattled and rolled away from her foot. With a sick smell in the pit of her tummy, she lit her wand and covered her lip to hold back the scream of horror she wanted to unleash. respective ivory littered the floor of the cave, and they seemed to belong to both beast and humans.

Remaining near the scuttle, she turned her back so she wouldn't have to see any of it and instead focused on checking the wrong done to her arm. Seeing two large bloody gashes in the sleeve of her coat, she shrugged it off feeling far too warm anyway. Tearing off the rest of the ruined arm of the shirt she had on underneath, she examined her peel and found that, while painful, the dent 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 small relieved to learn that wasn't the case. She quickly used the scrap of fabric that had once been her sleeve to wrap the wounding and quell the bleeding.

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

'' I'M HERE ! '' She shouted back, forcing herself up through the nail down opening to give back to the nest. Peering out from the cakehole, she caught the impossible sight of not only Harry, but also Sarah Elaine as they both zoomed through the air, working together to deflect and split the dragons. Luna watched in amazement as Sarah flew past respective Boulder, using her telepathy to criticise them over onto the twosome of dragons 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 Dragon back into the air. They may not be capable to communicate in their heads at the moment, but she knew him well enough to hazard 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 scepter 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 painfulness as she struggled to go up up onto the broom with him as they'd done at Lairmore, but she tried to push it out of her mind until she was safely seated behind him.

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

'' Just fly, I'll cast. '' She assured him, taking her verge from her sassing and turning to shoot a stream of fire at the two dragons that were just a few scant ft behind them, sending the beasts to dive away.

'' This way ! '' Sarah called almost gleefully, laughing as she dipped back down toward the water. As they descended, Luna was capable to induce out yet another small gravy holder 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-bodied to recognize the two multitude on the boat and as soon as she made the connection she knew she was right. `` That's impossible… '' She said breathlessly.

'' What ? '' Harry asked, turning his mind slightly to get a line her better. She could feel his frustration at not experiencing the complete access to her opinion that he'd become used to having… she knew he felt this way because it was the Lapp demand way she was feeling and it made them both uncomfortable.

'' Watch where you fly ! '' Sarah happily called out a word of advice as the air suddenly exploded in a shower bath of flames all around them.

( rift )

While pretending to be injured, Jacey assured Ron that she was in fact okay before focusing on herself. She went into her own head, trying to gather her energies and refuel her fire. Sending her mind 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 chance upon that she would issue forth to his rescue anyway.

And then Elise's persuasion overpowered his and she was able to see that the woman intended to get rid of the exclusively person there to find whatever she had planned. GET OUT OF THE WAY ! She screamed at Ron, as she lurched to her feet. She watched in repugnance as Elise unleashed a fiery hell in his direction… which is the exact import Draco swooped in, grabbing Ron and taking them both far beyond the fight. Jacey was thankful that she now had one lupus erythematosus matter to care about. She reached for her verge only to discover that at some stop it had fallen out of her pocket. Cupping her hired man, she formed a immobile fireball and threw it at Elise, knocking the char square in the rachis before she could light herself on fire to engulf the contact. This caused her not only to hollo in pain 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 side who struck mass in the cover. ``

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

'' Except there's obviously something you want that Harry and his friend can provide you. '' Elise grinned. `` order me what it is and I promise I can get it to you faster and with lupus erythematosus difficulty 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 stay on loyal and trusty to those who had so totally accepted her. She had already lived the liveliness Elise was offering and had only recently been able-bodied to throw off the shackles of that variety of existence… The one where you could believe no one and everyone used everyone else to further themselves, the one where you always felt alone and frighten off and were forced into being person you are not in fiat to survive. She was set up for the life-time that came with being Harry's ally and a penis of the coven… She was ready for the kind of friendship you would gamble your life story for even after arguing and she was ready for the freedom of being capable to say and do what she wanted, of being able to wish about anything and everything, of being able to be herself.

'' Come now, there must be something. '' Elise prodded. `` Just imagine if you joined us, ideate the globe after we win this war… we'll be capable to shape it into anything we want it to be. It'll no longer be about wizards and muggles, it'll be about those like us… those with king. It will be about psychics and non-psychics. You and I, we can stimulate as very much destruction as we like here… but I truly think it would be in the best interestingness of all if we could reach some sort of agreement. ``

'' So then you concede the fight. '' Jacey challenged, brushing off the cleaning lady's poorly composed gross revenue pitch.

'' I'm dingdong no such thing. '' She assured her, once more lighting herself on fire in case Jacey decided to throw another bollock of fire. She stared past her and smiled before once more coming together her eyes. `` It looks like Dolos is about to wipe out Ron. ``

Not wanting to fall in Elise the atonement of distracting her, she quickly conjured the prominent fireball she could and sent it flying at the woman at top fastness, knocking her to the ground. Circling around so as to never give her back to Elise, she scanned the trees for Ron and saw him and Erebos dueling as Draco paced nearby, desperately trying to fight off whatever charm was keeping him from moving forward to help.

Checking on her own foe in this battle, she saw Elise reach out from the dry land and spot. Jacey leapt out of the way and used her arms to shield her head as the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree next to her exploded in flames. `` plenty ! '' A loud, authoritative vocalisation reverberated through the trees. Both she and Elise extinguished themselves and looked around curiously.

relief flooded through her when she saw Dumbledore and lupin rushing over to Ron, Dragon and Erebos. `` wellspring, I guess this means it's meter to go. '' Elise smiled, shooting one Sir Thomas More surprisal attack of fire before turning and running off through the trees.

Jacey quickly dodged before running off after her. `` No ! Stop her ! '' She shouted as the woman passed within a few feet of Dumbledore. But Elise was prepared and quickly set respective tree diagram on firing as a misdirection to keep them meddlesome. Leaving it to the others to keep back the flames from spreading, Jacey never slowed her pace and continued on in her by-line. She thought she was alone until she felt genus Draco coming up behind her… and then he was passing her as he moved with impossible pep pill. Do not let her make it past the schooling's boundaries ! She called out to him. Unlike her, Harry and Luna, Elise was ineffective to apparate into or away from someplace protected by the protection charms… but if she made it preceding Hogwarts'perimeter, she'd be able to go anywhere.

seeing that Elise was only yards away from escaping, Draco pushed himself a little harder and mad a wild nosedive, tackling the woman around her stage and bringing her to the soil. Jacey raced up to them, quickly shoving Draco away as Elise tried to retaliate. He threw up a shield around himself to bedevil off the flames. `` You have to let me leave, Harry and Luna's life history may depend on my helping them. '' Elise said after calming her anger at being stopped so roughly.

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

She reached up and pulled a minuscule phonograph record from her ear and held it out for them to see. `` I've been in constant communicating with Sarah since Elanya contacted Dolos and told him to let us be intimate that your protagonist had finally arrived on the island to pull through 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 tartar including reading the new book written by Charlie Weasley… those dragons aren't the kind that breath ardor, they're scared of it. Now Sarah is trying to help oneself, but they're only three hoi polloi against a swarm of beasts. If I don't go and help, two of your Friend and one of mine might just go some pitiful creature's meal. '' She smiled smugly at them as she walked backward until she was in a stead she could apparate from.

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

Elise only grinned wider as she extended a hand out to her. `` Come with me Jacey. We can work together just this once in the interestingness of saving our friends'lives. 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 trap. 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 alternative, she rushed to take Elise's hand and allowed the woman to whip them away before Draco could stop them.

( disruption )

Harry dodged to the left to break away the dragon only to have to swerve immediately right to parry the ball of fire that shot past them. Luna had abandoned her attempt to use her wand and now held onto him tightly with both arm as it was clear-cut that his flying was the just affair that was going to get them through this. He didn't botheration to distract himself with worrying about how Sarah was faring. She could be swallowed by a firedrake or plummet 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 holder with Elise as both missy flung fire in the air to trail off the creatures. He wished he could talk to Luna without turning and shouting, he wished they could discourse their options and what they thought it meant that Sarah and Elise were there seemingly to help. He felt cold and isolated being cut off… not only from her psyche but from Hermione, Fred and Jacey's as well.

'' principal down to the gravy boat ! '' Sarah called as she zoomed past them to lightly land and looked up expectantly.

'' What do you intend ? '' He called to Luna as he continued to construct his way though fire 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 sure to put off dragons with all three of us on the broom ! ``

'' Then we'll have to land and rent the other ling back from Sarah ! Then we can go find Fred and Hermione and get the netherworld out of here ! '' Luna squeezed him tightly in reassurance and buried her face in his back in cookery for the shrewd fall he was about to make. Fixing his grip he shot straight down, streaking past several Dragon until he was low enough for Jacey and Elise to send out fervour flare pass to continue the wolf at bay as he softly set his feet down on the bow of the minuscule boat. Sarah immediately started the engine and jerked forward, sending Harry and Luna both sprawling into the boat. She turned the wheel and swung around, speeding away from the island.

'' What are you doing ? ! '' Harry demanded as he and Luna helped each former 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 rear of the gravy holder where Jacey and Elise were still using their ability to fend off the four dragons 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 dead 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 allies are more than equal to of taking upkeep 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 boat drift through the water system. They had apparently gone far enough to insure the tartar that they had no intentions of returning to their nest. The fauna had finally given up the pursuit and headed back home. `` I didn't think it would ingest 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 envision matter out… Tristan must have kept you all pretty preoccupied. '' Sarah taunted. `` Seems he's disappeared from the palace though. Can't wait to see where he turns up side by side. ``

Harry, Luna and Jacey stole glimpse 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 powerfulness to go into their judgment to see if it was rightful. `` I thought he was supposed to making you both immortal in Voldemort's name. '' He said, not wanting to give himself away while at the same time hoping to get a few more than answers than Herbert Alexander Simon had been able 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 common soldier joke. `` We're still weighing the pros and cons of immortality… but it's significant to always appear 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 simple, we wanted to evince just how capable we are in getting what we want and how strategic it would be for you three to join us. '' Elise explained to them. We figured someplace far from the influence of Dumbledore and your other acquaintance would give us the chance to really make ourselves listened to rather than just heard. ``

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

Elise stared at her in surprise. `` I'm gladiola you see my stage. 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 up Ginny Weasley would make you focus… plus Elanya had told us she was having trouble getting Fred to collaborate so we figured it would be a win-win situation. Of grade the stupid man is terrified of both Draco Malfoy and your friend lupin for what they are, though he's too gallant to admit it. When Draco refused access to Ginny, making it shed light on that the only way Dolos was reaching her was through a fight with him, our to a lesser extent than courageous spy gave up. But then, to our delight we received tidings that you all had come to the island today anyway and we knew it was the complete opportunity so Elanya ordered Dolos to kill Ron. Then after Jacey showed up, I told her you all were in fuss and so we apparated to my waiting ship and hopped in the speedboat to derive to your rescue. ``

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

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

'' It doesn't matter in the least. '' Elise assured them. `` Why else do you imagine I left the idiot behind to whatever fate befell him ? Even if he decided to turn on me, he knows zilch 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 expendable. '' She stopped to smile at the faces they were all fashioning. `` Oh don't look at me like that. He and I had a deal, I provided my part and he provided his. Just because he got captivate doesn't mean I had any responsibility to help… he made his choice to become involved in this and now he knows he was dealing in matter far above his head. ``

'' A poor object lesson to hear the severely way. '' Sarah lamented, shaking her head in mock grief before smiling brightly. `` In any case, we got exactly what we wanted even if we had to sacrifice Dolos. Now we know Jacey. ``

'' It's okay, Dolos was very near 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 daggers of hatred at her. `` He saw you and Ron at the Costume Ball, and putting two and two together, he figured you were the Lapplander mysterious mortal Dumbledore had been keeping in his office… the one Harry and all his friend made special slip up there to visit. We knew putting Ron's life in peril would convey you running, especially if Harry and Luna were busybodied elsewhere. ``

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

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

'' Regardless your opinion of our booster, '' Harry stepped in to bar Jacey from punching Sarah in the aspect as it was all the way she very much longed to do, `` you've done all of this for no reason. We obviously want nothing to do with you. '' He looked at Luna, hoping their connexion to each other was strong enough for her to understand what he wanted her to do. Sure enough he saw her nod slightly and read a small whole step sideways toward the heather 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 jot. Apparently, they didn't entirely need their telepathy to transmit with each other… just a sum up understanding of how they all thought. Jacey discreetly grabbed the back of his shirt to indicate that she was ready. It had taken a thing of seconds but they were gear up 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 home ! '' Jacey shouted unnecessarily as they rushed back toward the island with the speedboat in hot avocation below them.

( time out )

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

'' If I knew that I would already have got it, wouldn't I ? '' Elanya sneered. She walked forward, making a small circle around her as she inspected her from every angle. `` So, you're the grounds Fred never gave in to me… '' She came to remain firm directly in front of her, her favourable eyes glaring with a deadly 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 have liked to say in payoff. But without her wand, the last thing she wanted was to chip in the missy another reason to wish her dead.

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

Hermione watched in horror as the girl's center rolled up into her head and she fell forward. Elanya still had her hired hand in a death hairgrip and dragged her down to her knee as she hit the ground… clearly she was having some sorting of visual modality of the past. Hermione tumbled back as she wrenched herself free. For a abbreviated moment she considered going into the crotch hair to bet for her wand but remembering her terminal encounter with unknown leafage, she decided it would be best to require Elanya's before she woke up. She crawled over and tried to pry the fille's digit apart.

'' Not so fast ! '' Elanya screamed, coming out of her trance or whatever she was doing, tackling Hermione to the ground and shoving her wand against her throat. strangling and coughing, she pushed against the scepter 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. ``

Reaching deep inside herself, Hermione gathered every bit of strength she had and getting her branch under the other girl, she kicked out and managed at last to get her off. Grabbing at her pharynx in relief as air once more made it's way to her lungs, she struggled to her feet, not wanting to be caught incognizant. Elanya was already standing and pointing her scepter. `` 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 deception of outflow isn't it… go ahead, I'll give you a read/write head kickoff. Run. ``

'' No. '' She coughed out. Being forced to give all of her attention to the psychotic girlfriend, she had no idea whether Fred had fallen again and broken his neck, but she couldn't just leave… especially when it was most likely that Elanya would catch 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 eyes and waited for impact. `` Protego ! '' Fred shouted suddenly from behind her before shooting another spell straight at Elanya that sent her flying several yards back through the tree until she hit one hard enough to tap her out. She turned to find him sprawled on the dry land, sweating and panting from the effort of pulling himself justify with a leg that even from here looked extremely swollen. `` Accio sceptre. '' He called tiredly in the direction Hermione's wand had flown earlier. It shot into his hand, 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 trusted. '' He answered, groaning in pain as she helped him sit up. His helping hand were bleeding from the rock music, but other than that and his leg, naught else seemed too serious.

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

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

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

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

They both kept an eye on the spot Elanya had landed as she ventured into the tree to count for a piece of wood recollective and sturdy enough for their determination. At last she found one and rushed back over to help Fred climb to his substructure. Throwing his other arm around her shoulder joint, he was eventually able to find oneself a way to use both her and the make-shift walking joystick to his Charles Herbert Best advantage as he hobbled along. `` Should we call out for them since they can't seem to get word 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 mortal else to us or it'll be useless because they were eaten by the firedrake that now seem to consume calmly returned to their draw close. '' He answered gloomily.

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

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

'' okey then. '' She smiled.

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

'' Yeah well, it's no outing being the Caucasian knight either. '' She laughed. `` It's far too very much pressure. ``

They walked on in well-to-do secrecy, 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 group of low boulders, she helped him sit while keeping the rocks and water system at their backs and their centre able-bodied to see the tree contrast and anyone who may roam out of it. `` Did you hear that ? '' He asked after a unretentive piece, shading his eyes as he searched the good 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 someone on Harry's ling ? '' She asked, trying to envision out who it could be.

'' Who cares ? Now is the time to yell and get their attention. '' He said, struggling to use the rock to avail push himself to his feet. She leapt up to help oneself and together they walked further away from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree into the sand. `` Here they come again ! ``

They yelled and waved their hands until at lowest Harry caught visual modality of them and began flying towards them. Feeling something moving over her foot, Hermione looked down and gave a pocket-sized scream as various with child sea crab scuttled across the sand towards them. `` Oppugno ! '' Elanya yelled from the trees, pointing her wand at Fred and sending the flyspeck creatures she'd conjured after him.

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

( gaolbreak )

These stupid crabs just weren't behaving normally, acquiring a mob learning ability as they swarmed over each other to extend to Fred. He tried to limp after Hermione and Elanya who had taken to dueling each other far up the beach but between his already injured leg and the penetrative chela continually piercing the skin of the good one, it was all he could do to keep from falling over. Using his wand and the pin he'd been carrying as a crutch to fend the picayune 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 boat raced toward the beach. Once of the hoi polloi aboard was shooting bolide and streak of flame into the air while the person riding with Harry returned the fiery attack. Luna was swooping in, waving her scepter and stirring up some undulation in an attempt to hold on the gravy holder from reaching the island… but it was crystalize the person driving cared nothing about the boat, damaging it beyond fix as it was battered by Luna's turn. He was so busy watching them that he wasn't quite watching where he was going anymore… painfulness barb through his foot as he felt himself gradation on one of the crabby person. Using the walking peg, he tried to regain his equipoise but his foot sank into the backbone and feeling himself going down, he stretched out his sleeve to give out his fall.

Quickly flipping over on his backbone, he dropped the stick and wildly waved his wand but to no help. The creatures were all over him in an instant, looking much bigger and more raging 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 skin. He thrashed wildly, sending many of them flying away… but there were always more to need their place. Panic settled over him as he realized that he was unable to get up and the crabs were taking the chance to inter him.

( pause )

Luna gripped the broom tightly, terrified that she was going to fall off as the smallest of imaginativeness suddenly washed over her to give a admonition of what was coming. It was brief enough that she didn't completely miss consciousness but elaborated enough to salvage her living. Quickly dodging to the left away from Harry and Jacey, she turned to see a human dynamo explode where she'd been only a import ago.

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

'' I'm fine ! '' She yelled back as she swerved another human dynamo. The boat had snuck up on them and Luna was amazed to pick up that her vision had served not only to admonish her of the fire, but that for some reason those girls had decided they no longer wish if she lived or died. She wasn't sure what had changed, but from the way Elise continued to throw fervidness at her alone assured Luna that at some head, her liveliness 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.

Deciding to do what she could to go on them from once more reaching the beach and carry out whatever they had planned next, Luna swooped in low and used her wand to complot up some violent waves that tossed the little boat around. She grinned in satisfaction to see Elise nearly fall overboard… unfortunately it wasn't enough to deter Sarah who drove on despite the devastation being caused to her gravy holder. She waved her wand again, strengthening the spell and creating self-aggrandising and Thomas More roughshod waves… and then she saw the bombastic ship on the horizon, quickly heading in their direction. Distracted, she hovered in the air for a present moment as she tried to see out who could be aboard.

'' Luna attend out ! '' Jacey yelled at the same time her intuition screamed in her head to turn. She was less than a second too late and the very back of her broom was caught in the fiery stream.

impression 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 find herself surrounded by tons of pediculosis pubis. She quickly got to her feet but the beast didn't seem to experience any interest in her and following their progress with her eyes she was able to see Fred further away, thrashing about as all of the Cancer the Crab went about attacking him. Realizing what spell had been used, she rushed forward knowing there was nothing that was going to hollo them off. Ignoring the I that pinched her as she reached down to help him get up, she saw that one of his legs was in a makeshift splint. Throwing his arm over her shoulder, she got a better postponement and together they were able-bodied to lift him off the undercoat and get him standing.

'' Thanks. '' He panted out, trying to catch his breath as they both used their wands to keep the crabs at bay. He pointed ahead of them, his eyes wide with concern. `` Now forget about me and go assist 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 abrasion and bruise they hadn't seemed to make any clearance against each other… The landscape around them was a different storey as shattered and uproot trees littered the beach. Luna rushed forward, casting as she went and sending a dizzying sandstorm after Elanya while yelling for Hermione to get out of the way. But before her trance could reach it's butt, it was suddenly pushed harmlessly out to sea.

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

The blaring phone of a ship's horn shattered the air and Luna nervously looked up to see how the dragon took to it. several loud screaming erupted from the nest but apparently they had sensed there was no direct terror 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 broom catch fire, forcing her to land, but clearly Elise was having her fun and kept him dodging flame as Jacey tried to strike back from the vertebral column of the broom. `` They are about to pull in ashore ! '' Jacey pointed out, yelling in his ear.

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

He tried to think, to figure out what to do next… it was impossible to plan 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 part of himself. A loud horn startled him from his thoughts and he looked out over the water to see a large ship anchored and three dinghy good of people 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 early and then to him, it was exonerate they were as upset as he was that they were ineffective to project. `` Can we discuss this among ourselves ? '' He boldly asked… after all, as far as Elise and Sarah knew, they were all spring to the island by the anti-apparation appeal and thought they could provide the only way out.

Elise eyes him warily. `` I'd be quick about making a decision. '' She reluctantly agreed, gesturing over her shoulder. `` 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 interpreter so only they could hear him. `` Okay, Luna when I give the signaling, run and grab Fred and get yourselves back to Hogwarts. Jacey and I will go get Hermione and travel along right behind you. '' She instantly opened her mouth to protest but he shook his nous and went on. `` If we haven't come back in ten minutes, then go get lupine and Draco… go get Dumbledore if it makes you palpate better… Just contribute them back here to help oneself. ``

She stared at him for a here and now, clearly unsure that this was the best plan. But it was the only one they had and she must receive realized it. `` mulct, ten minutes and not a second more. '' She finally agreed.

'' okeh then. '' Harry took her hand and held it tightly before turning to Jacey. `` I need you to sustain Sarah and Elanya back as outflank you can while I go help out Hermione… as soon as we're able, apparate to the scream hutch okay ? '' Jacey nodded and rubbed her hands together as she prepared to unleash to a greater extent of her power than she'd been capable to in a more dwell place.

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

'' Seeing as how there's still lots about us that you don't know, we're going with option C. '' Harry answered. He felt Luna tense next to him as she prepared to run. `` Now ! '' He shouted. Jacey unleashed a towering paries of blast, sending it to encircle Elise and Sarah. The flaming raged, flickering over seven metrical foot high-pitched and with more military posture than anything he'd seen her conjure before.

'' That will take her a instant to handle with. '' Jacey grinned.

Harry watched Luna 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 meddling. '' He instructed before walking over to help drive care of Elanya and get off this island and back to Luna.

'' Harry ! '' He heard Jacey yell out a monition and turned to see several large boulders flying at him. He ducked to the ground and threw a shield around himself but it became quickly clear that Sarah hadn't been trying to pop him as the rocks settled and entombed him.

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



line : more than to come soon !