Chapter 54 : Who to trust ?

A/N : Sorry for the delay in getting this out, I had an accident with my flash ride and everything on it was deleted including the first draft of this chapter. But matter are on track now, so getting back in the swing of things, a revision of the chapter from the beginning… Read, review and enjoy !





After taking Simon's wand and returning Luna's to her, Harry left the boy magically bound on the sofa with Jacey to watch over him. Allowing him to gently commit her down the Charles Martin Hall to the dusty toilet, Luna perched on the edge of the abstruse Victorian-style tub and watched as he searched the tiny storage locker. At stopping point he came up with an antediluvian first aid kit, pulling out gauze bandage and tape before reaching out to turn the faucet on the sink. They were both surprised when water actually came sputtering out, a rusty people of colour at first that quickly turned refreshingly top. She took the hand he offered her and let him carefully clean the origin from her wrists… she knew he was angry and did her trump not to quail or let on that the cuts stung like crazy. After all, she was the one who let her panic overwhelm her to the point in time where she'd struggled so violently against the ropes. Simon hadn't seemed at all intent on injuring her, she could have just sat and patiently waited to see what was going to happen rather than fight her ski binding to the point where she cut into her skin. It was her own shift she'd gotten injury at all.

He shouldn't have gone so far as to tie you up in the 1st topographic point. Harry argued with her thoughts as he leaned down to kiss her now freshly bandaged wrists.

Well, let's go see what he so badly wanted to tell us. She softly suggested, reaching out to run her fingers through his hair in that way she knew he found soothing. She needed him to calm down and understand the penury to fight was over, to take an open nous and really listen to what Simon had to say. Her visual sensation was becoming clearer to her now that she been able-bodied to pinch a few peeks into the boy's nous. He was out to shop his sister before she could cuckold him and apparently the victor of their niggling sib spat would turn 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 question. But they obviously needed the entirely story and Neil Simon seemed willing to ply 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 Tristram once was he gave no indication. `` I'm sorry Luna. '' He blurted out as soon as he saw her.

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

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

'' Your countersign doesn't mean much to me at the moment. '' Harry returned, refusing to discharge the spell.

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

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

'' And why don't you start with what the hell you were thinking when you decided taking us hostage was the practiced way to make your point. '' Harry crossed his coat of arms, refusing to be lulled into composure and shaking off the effects she was trying to circulate around the room.

'' Big gesture are the only way to get people to listen. '' Simon said quietly repeated himself from earlier. `` Like I said, that philosophical system worked for my parents before they were killed and it's certainly worked for Elise all these years. I wasn't going to hurt either of you… I needed you both there and so I figured I could use Luna to go along you listening rather than attacking me… I guess I figured that if you saw how life-threatening I was you would consider me. I was going to let you into the classroom, but you let yourself in first. '' He looked at Harry almost accusingly, clearly implying that he blamed Harry's rashness for so many things going wrong.

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

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

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

'' You can entrust that one or all of us will recognize whether you're telling the truth. '' Luna quietly assured him.

Simon slowly nodded. `` Yeah, I guess you're right… I do have a go at it that about you. And so does Elise, which is why she had to design 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 search his foreland and obtain the memory of her asking him to set up Elanya. She knows about your powers and so she's decided to use them against you. '' He said with a sly grinning before looking right at Jacey. `` Except for you, they have no approximation about you. Elise has had Erebos trying to find out, but apparently Dumbledore has been very careful to keep you and other visitors a secret from those professors he doesn't trust. I promise, whoever you are, they still have no musical theme about you though they'd very much like to feel out. ``

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

'' You have to understand… I never fit into Elise's life. '' Simon looked down sadly. `` I was lupus erythematosus than a year 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 vote down them. Elise was sixteen at the time and the only when living kinsperson I had. Rather than take care of me, she decided to dump me at the orphanage, but she would at least come visit every year on my birthday. When I was ten she came back for me, gear up to take her place as my guardian. But it was only because she knew I was about to be heading off to schooltime and she was hoping to mold me into someone she could use to start setting up her design. I guess she knew Voldemort was attempting to come back and that his following were doing everything in their top executive to pretend it happen. She saw this war coming and decided long ago that she would be no one's follower, that she would pass water her own shoes in the world. When I came to Hogwarts and wasn't sorted into Slytherin like everyone else in our phratry, she was livid. But then she figured Hufflepuff was better as no one would distrust 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 twelvemonth. ``

Simon shook his header and sighed before continuing on. `` I received a letter the last calendar week of shoal this past tense 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 gearing station so I went home and wound up overhearing a meeting between her and Voldemort. I listened as she completely manipulated the wickedness Maker into thinking it was his idea to line up Sarah Elaine… and then I heard her severalise him that she planned to kill me as I was going to leaven more utile to them dead. I didn't know what to do, I was more terrified of my sis in that bit than I'd ever been of Voldemort- after all which is scarier, the sword or the expert hand wielding it ? And she knows how to play him very well. So I went with her to Australia and I continued to follow her orders hoping she would deepen her mind. But she didn't because a few daylight before I was supposed to derive back to school I heard her talking to Sarah… they plan to kill me while I'm home for the vacation break and hit it look like someone else did it. My own sister was going to down me and use my corpse to start a fight. What could I do ? Even if I ran away, they'd just bring me right back to her, I'm only sixteen. And who besides the people involved in this whole scheme would think the farsighted ludicrous story I have to tell ? So the but thing I could do was let out her to the people she was trying to overcome… I chose you guys over Voldemort. Maybe Dumbledore was rectify about the sorting hat always knowing where people are supposed to go… maybe I'm a dear guy, maybe I'm just a bad guy who's looking for the best way of survival, I have no idea either way. I may not the happiest someone in the world, but I'm not make to die either. So I'll tell you whatever you want to have intercourse about her and her design. ``

'' You said she wanted us to go looking in Erebos's caput, that we were supposed to see her set up Elanya… why ? '' Luna asked, her gut telling her this was an important question in terms of Fred's lot. She was trying not to commiserate with Simon the Canaanite, but he seemed to receive gotten stuck with a pretty poor life… but still, there was something about him she found unsettling and so that allowed her to prevent some form of an emotional detachment.

He nodded and offered a smile. `` You wouldn't believe how long Elise has been plotting. A tenacious piece ago, after your mathematical group and Voldemort's destroyed the Ministry, she snuck in during the confusion and looked up the single file on every major actor on either side. Using that information, she was able-bodied to figure out not only what you and Harry here can do, but also how you, your friend and Voldemort's allies would react in any situation. Originally we went to Australia this summertime to find a guy named go who was apparently postcognative. We traced him to a piffling pub where he liked to write his articles but we never even talked to him… it was like the min 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 destiny had brought them together. She fit in perfectly and Elise instructed her on how to handle Erebos who arrived at the hotel later that day. I guess it didn't subject whether it was Elanya or that Adam guy, Elise had already planned Erebos's component part in all of this… but clearly a young pretty girl would gain more sympathy. 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 think she'd been set up and blackmailed the same way they'd done it to your friend Fred. She's probably on that island right now, telling him her sob storey so that he'll learn her slope and supporter talk you guys into helping her. She was supposed to be a bulwark, to find out all the secrets about you that they didn't already know. And then Elanya was supposed to begin causing dissension among you all to weaken you and build it more likely that you and Harry will abandon your alliance to Dumbledore and the Ministry and come join them. ``

'' So what you're expression is basically that they want to make their own army of psychics ? '' Harry asked, his voice heavy with doubt as he tried to conceal the fact that they were doing something very standardised with the coven. Luna felt both his and Jacey's horror at finding out how close Elise had been to getting her manpower on XTC, another coven phallus. She knew it was crucial that they leave as soon as possible to get approaching people themselves, before they could be scooped up by someone else.

'' Yes, as ridiculous as that sounds. Why do you think I thought no one else would trust me ? But she wants the both of you to join her and Sarah… and she has big programme to use your friend Fred to do it. ``

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

Herbert Alexander Simon laughed. `` You underestimate Elanya… She can become whatever she has to be in rescript to convert someone 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 hazard. We're going to save him from that island. '' He returned darkly. Luna still had a hold of his arm and she could feel him 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.

( gaolbreak )

Fred had skipped out on lunch and intended to walk the beach until well after dark in hopes 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 mind or in real aliveness, one thing had become clear… he couldn't stay here anymore. No matter what, this was going to be his last night on the island. Should Hermione's bearing prove to be a psychotic belief 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 only people he knew could get around them were Harry and Luna.

A delicious smell wafted through the air, allowing his rumbling breadbasket to break up his planning. Looking up at the sky and using the sun, he was able to determine that while it was well past tense lunch, it was still too other for dinner… clearly she knew he'd skipped meals that day and cooked such great smelling food for a rationality. He was tempted to go into the water to trip up a fish to fry just to upset her plans but decided he was being ridiculous. He knew Elanya was trying to influence him back to the campsite, but just because he went didn't mean he was letting her win. They both knew he was more than up to of providing for himself, but at the moment he was too thirsty to wait long enough to enamour and cook his own repast. Besides, he'd just decided that no subject what, this was his finale night here… what could it hurt to spend some of it with her ? He would simply go, eat and then leave again.

Arriving at the inner circle he saw that neither the food nor Elanya were international. With a heavy suspiration, he opened the flap of the ordinary bicycle looking tent and entered the impossibly spacious glamour of the inside. `` fountainhead, I guess it's true what they say… the profligate way to a man's heart is through his breadbasket. '' She said upon seeing him, gesturing to the toothsome spread on the ornate tabular array as she sat down. Toying with her seashell necklace, she shot him a seductive smile.

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

'' fountainhead, I've decided that in the interest group of continuing a civilized conversation we will play a game of sorts. '' She announced after a short while.

'' Boy, it sure is easier not to have to think for myself… I wish somebody had been making my decisions for me my whole life. '' He answered sarcastically.

'' Putting your snarkiness aside, I'm offering you a one in a million chance to understand me practiced. ``

'' 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 tell you the truth. ``

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

'' witticism can be a keen way to deflect anything real from reaching you. '' She replied steadily. `` Come on, I know you're curious…. ``

And he was. There were quite a few things he'd like her to pass up for him, but how could he trust anything she said ? The only way was to test her by throwing in interrogative sentence he already knew the solvent to. `` okey, I'll run your fiddling plot. But if I think you're lying to me, I'll just go re-start my solitary walk of life. ``

'' Fair enough. '' She rested her chin on her deal and stared at him expectantly, wearing a genuine grinning that reached all the way to her golden eyes. `` So ? ``

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

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

'' And how exactly are you trapped ? '' He asked though he felt she'd crafted her response in order of magnitude to rig his following interrogation. Apparently there was something she specifically wanted to talk 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 check my future alignment and obeisance. '' She answered, lowering her eyes to hide the heartbeat 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 shoemaker's last few month with the grand scheme they've wrapped around us. ``

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

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

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

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

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

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

He made sure to show up an appropriate amount of surprisal, letting his eye widen and his jaw drop slightly as if this was the first time 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 join us but it was all part of their architectural plan to trap me. ``

'' And why would they go through such elaborate bar ? '' Fred was almost sure as shooting 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 advantage and learn as much as he could.

'' Because Elise and Sarah truly believe they can make their own place in this war and that if they have the right wing variety of people on their side they'll be capable to take on both Voldemort and the Ministry. '' She shook her head angrily. `` I was appalled to learn that Voldemort's theme to collect a psychic army was actually Elise's inspiration. It was how she got him to facilitate her find Sarah. But they planned to make ally of the people he gathered, to get them to exploit towards taking over completely. ``

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

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

He sat up, suddenly extremely interested. He'd been wondering for a long time the real cause Elise had targeted his memory board. `` What do you mean ? ``

Elanya sighed deeply as a look of remorse settled over her. `` Voldemort had a seer named Jasper, he was old and not as unspoilt 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 sight that something was going to bring Harry to Diagon Alley alone and that Voldemort was going to make his move against the boy. She worried about the consequence as she wanted Harry on her side, working with Sarah specifically since they parcel the Sami power… of course, she'd only just found Sarah at that time. So not knowing what else to do, Elise decided to set your shop of fire, ensuring not only that Harry wouldn't be alone, but that there would be several Aurors in the region. After all, the pastor would be sure enough to reply in to the full military unit to a report of fire-raising at his son's memory. ``

He took a brace breathing time, trying to bet on the bright side as he argued with himself… had something brought Harry to Diagon Alley alone that day to face Voldemort, his last feeder and the Dementors, there's no way he could have survived. At least Elise's end had kept the unthinkable from happening… he'd much rather have his workshop ruined than his friend dead. After all, they'd already rebuilt the shop… there wasn't another Harry ceramicist laying around. `` I remember reading in the paper that Jasper died rather mysteriously. '' He said at stopping point. Of form he hadn't read anything about it, but he recalled Hermione telling him about it during one of their enigma conversations.

'' There was nothing mysterious about it. Jasper made the Lapp mistake I did by mentation he was an match in their programme. I guess he was scared enough to require to recite somebody about his visual sense, but he chose the wrong multitude. He saw his own destruction 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 info. He thought it was Voldemort that was going to end his life so he went to Elise who saw her opportunity. Sarah may not have a verge, but she has mastered many other attainment, first and foremost her astral projection. They decided to kill him so that she could conflate with his consciousness and direct herself in his seat when they called him… When it never happened, they guessed that Luna must take seen something and stopped her supporter from using the ring. It only made them want her on their side more, especially since they'd so hastily mother rid of Jasper. ``

Fred's intellect was reeling. So many thing were coming together now, it was unacceptable 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 hump. '' She smiled, crossing her arms 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 victim of their plotting as you are, then perhaps you'd treat me expert while we're stuck here together. ``

'' You made yourself a dupe. '' He stated firmly, once more settle to preserve himself from empathizing with her. He remembered her once telling him that the undecomposed 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 miscellanea of shame, regret and angriness settle over her feature of speech. `` Yes, I suppose I did. ``

He couldn't help himself, he had to know. `` If you were so purpose 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 turmoil. `` Edmund Fritz was a high-profile man who was extremely paranoid… and rightly so. I certainly wasn't the just one who wanted him dead and he made for sure that it was nearly impossible to get to him. I was scared to use my rightful identity as his daughter to contact 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 hand me over to Voldemort in a unceasing quest to realize party favour from a man who favored no one. I didn't want her to die in vain but it soon became clear that my real name was going to be the simply thing to get me near him. But I knew I couldn't go in alone, that I needed someone strong backing me up in case something went wrong. ``

'' And that's what Elise and Sarah promised you. '' He said quietly, watching her grow more 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 jealous of the aid Voldemort was giving the fille and so he was doing his best to undermine them. They figured there was too dear a chance he'd figure out some region of what they were up to and so they knew he needed to go. They must have tracked me down, found me in Australia… my gran had just died and I'd just gone back there to spend her endure few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. with her… I was in a vulnerable billet and Elise showed up offering me the chance to do the thing I'd been wanting for old age. ``

Fred had been careful during the solid conversation, wanting to beak up on any polarity of dishonesty. For the first time he found one… her vox had gone up slightly in volume. It could be due to her gathering excitement as she recalled these events, but he had the hen-peck feeling that things hadn't happened exactly as she described. What did it matter how she and Elise came to join force out ? Why lie about it ? But he couldn't ask these head and expect any kind of solvent. His simply hope was to go on and hope he could piece it all together himself. `` Do you regret killing your don ? ``

She stopped pacing and turned to face him straight in the eye. `` Not for a single moment. '' She steadily replied. `` I only regret that I couldn't have been more patient and found a way to do it by myself. When I tried to back out of this whole thing, when I told them I didn't want to be a parting of kidnapping you… Elise made it very clear that despite the sham evidence I left at the scene, she could very easily tie me to my father's death. I have no doubt that she would send me to Azkaban without a second thought. So I had to choose, a pokey electric cell locked away with the giant star or stranded on an island with you. I took the meliorate vocalize penalty. ``

'' But if you hadn't killed Edmund, you never would ingest had to hold that pick. '' He argued.

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

But then he wasn't going to reserve himself to be like all the other people she'd been able to roll around her finger, he'd always been determined to be strong than that from the first 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 spooky laugh.

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

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

She slowly walked over to lean on the boundary of the table in front of him. `` You know, there's only two reasons you won't resolution. Either you do hate me but you're too a great deal of a gentleman to say it… though we both know that you're more than willing to say anyone exactly how you feel about them. So the only if other account is that you've realized you don't hate me and just can't bring yourself to admit it for some mysterious reason. ``

He leaned back in his chairwoman and crossed his coat of arms as he regarded her with mistaken confidence. `` Or I've simply decided it's effective not to go through life hating anyone. Of course, I could always make an exception if you'd care to push the issuance. ``

'' 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 swagger her feathers by not playing directly into her hand.

'' I'm going for a manner of walking. '' She announced, standing up and taking a inscrutable intimation. `` 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 hide from him here. But clearly her foiling with his lack of gullibility had caused an oversight on her behalf and he knew he needed to take reward of it. He raced to her room, pulling back the flap that separated the distance from the eternal rest of the tent 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 clobber hoping to come across a communicating gimmick of some kind… or even better, his wand. After a long and thorough search, he came up with neither.

( time out )

Harry stared at Neil Simon, trying to square up exactly what he thought of the early boy. He just wasn't sure… he couldn't get past the extremes the guy had gone through in gild to feature a dim-witted conversation. But then, had Simon the Canaanite been right ? Would they own listened had he simply approached them and asked to talk ? He shook himself out of his thinking, refusing to let his ira and confusion make him do anything stupid. `` How do we fuck that having you tell us all of this isn't portion of the plan ? '' He asked. After all, if Elise had gone through so practically, then why wouldn't she go even a step further and institutionalize in the clown ? Surely she didn't expect them to lead Herb Simon seriously even if they did know he thought he was telling the truth… or at least the accuracy as she wanted him to know it.

He sighed and shook his head. `` I had a flavor 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 get along 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 to you, I just don't know… anything is possible with her. ``

'' So as far as you know, Elise's totally plan is to gain 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 restraint over herself than Harry could manage. But he tried to stay calm, to remember that they needed to know what they were up against… she still had her hand on his arm, trying in vain to help him be successful in relaxing though he could sense her uneasiness at what she was hearing.

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

'' I am not anything like your miserable sister. '' Jacey said defensively as she cupped her hands together and began rolling them until she had developed a sizable human dynamo between them. She lifted it over her psyche and brought it down, engulfing her stallion torso in flames as she stood there smiling at them. `` I am much more powerful. '' She laughed, extinguishing herself and leaving no meter reading 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. `` Good. '' He said at survive. `` Someone should be. They already knew Harry was stronger than Sarah, that's why they had to make water sure he lost his great power before they tried to talk to him. ``

'' You're talking about what happened at Azkaban ? How could they possibly know that they weren't going to kill me with that Psychohemia potion ? '' Harry asked in exasperation. They all knew Herbert A. 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 lots of things he didn't know about the things that had been happening to him, his friends and his opposition. Elise had apparently been pulling various different train for quite awhile.

'' Because they'd convinced Jasper to work for them long before then. '' Paul Simon answered carefully. `` True the old guy told Voldemort that some decision was going to conduct you to the prison and right in front end of Cho, but it was Elise who made the Dark Lord recollect it was his idea to use Sarah's endowment to try and take you out. But Jasper assured her it wasn't going to kill you, that you were going to get service in time to make unnecessary your life but not your office. ``

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

'' Yeah well, as I'm sure you've noticed, the only problem Elise has in partnering with Sarah is that the womanhood is more than a little unbalanced. She was only supposed to rack you, it was your muggle family she was supposed to kill in front of you… on Voldemort's ordination, not Elise's. But I guess something about them reminded her of all those masses she was forced to live 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 mo that she didn't want you to conjoin them. At least, that's how she explained it to Elise after they broke her out of the hospital and woke her from the coma. Trust me, Elise let her have it for deviating from the programme and nearly killing you both. Anyway, Sarah said she really lost control when Luna came in with the ring… she wanted it and they all knew Voldemort wanted it and so obtaining the pack became her main priority above all else, including her guard as well as yours. By the way, after finding out that you all got out and managed to capture her for a short-change time as well as get your mightiness back, she no longer thinks you're debile. ``

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

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

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

'' Do not interest 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 girls 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 berth prospicient before Elise reconnected with Sarah. In fact, I remember Elise trying to tattle Sarah into dropping Cho but she had insisted the missy would be valuable again once they broke her out of Azkaban. My conjecture is that if they manage to get Cho out, Elise will happen the opportunity to get rid of her as soon as potential. Just because she and Sarah are close confidants doesn't mean they wouldn't betray each other in a mo if it meant furthering their own agenda. Loyalty means nix to them. '' Simon said bitterly as he struggled against the piece holding him in place. `` will you let me go now ? delight ? '' 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 look at her and realized she had that far off aspect that meant she wasn't completely present in the room.

'' amercement. '' He waved his baton and released the early boy from the binding.

Simon leapt to his feet to quickly unfold before eagerly reaching into his scoop and pulling out his flaskful from which he took a long gulping. `` Phew, I needed that. '' He said, wiping his backtalk with his sleeve. After another gulping he seemed LE shaky and nervous.

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

'' I will be just finely. '' She assured him with an comfortable smile.

'' What are you going to tell them about me ? '' Herbert Alexander Simon asked, suddenly scared again. `` I never intended it to turn 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 fault. '' Harry rolled his eyes. `` barely keep your backtalk 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 present moment behind them. They were certain to arrive behind Hagrid's hut where the chances of being seen were very slim.

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

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

She nodded and led the way through the hall to the master's bureau. `` Just so you're aware, Dumbledore has all the prefects out looking for you guys but I think he knows you leftfield school grounds. '' She warned them. Sharing a flavour with Luna, she and Harry both decided to let Hermione enter first, hoping the sight of a good student would moderate the old mavin's humour. `` Sir ? I've found Harry, Luna and Herb Simon. ``

'' See them in young lady sodbuster and then you are dismissed. '' He replied from behind his desk. Hermione let them take the air past her before she closed the room access and bolted down the stairs. Dumbledore gestured to the three chairperson in front of him and waited until they settled themselves. He looked at all of them, but it was clear he was addressing Harry alone. `` What did you think you were doing damaging the shoal like that ? ``

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

'' I have no incertitude that it was. '' Dumbledore said, his vox trembling as he tried to veil 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 header. `` It's not that simple. Like the ministry and certain former buildings, magic isn't enough to repair the damage. It must be rebuilt by hand to maintain the strength of the charms we place upon our school. And even if you did fix it, my script are tied in regards to how we can deal this, especially after I've pushed so hard to have the recently disappeared Tristan Macnair expelled. ``

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

He sighed sadly. `` I'm saying that after having Miss Patil, Mr. Mason and Mr. Macnair go missing, after the death Cho Yangtze Kiang caused last class, and after all the accumulative trouble that has been caused… I have no choice but to expel you all from Hogwarts for your unfavorable actions, effective immediately. ``

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

'' You all were involved in an incident that resulted in dangerous damage to one of our classrooms and then you all left school day grounds in direct rape of the code of behaviour. I have to take this action before the less reliable of the Aurors out there decide to try and say that you had something to do with Tristan's escape cock and attack to take you all into custody for questioning. Should that hap, it's not guaranteed that Arthur will be able to see that you get into the proper custody. '' Dumbledore seemed to slide down down in his seat. `` You've put us all in a pissed place and we must be deliberate how we proceed. ``

'' But wouldn't it be better to find a way to celebrate us here ? The Aurors and anyone else could still issue forth 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 sluttish for them to accuse me of favouritism and thing are too fragile right now. The slightest thing could give them the excuse to oust me from here and put anyone they choose in place as Headmaster. As you saw last meter, there are too many impressionable young judgment here to permit that to happen. I refuse to let this schooling become a training solid ground for the next undulation of demise feeder. Everyone must be free to opt the life-time they want. ``

'' So instead you just confound away our futures ? '' Simon asked incredulously, not knowing anything of the decree and therefore unable to comprehend the indigence to keep on things a sure way so that the mogul didn't shift in the foeman's favor.

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

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

'' Does it weigh as long as there's somebody to blame ? '' He pressed. `` Tell them whatever you want… tell apart them that the nestling were working on a labor for me and affair went wrong. They left the schooltime to get looking for me because they knew that I had snuck out to see Tonks and didn't want me to get in fuss. That story should be good enough. ``

'' You realize what will come about if you decide to go through with this… given what you are, the parents already have a low verge of allowance for you. If you take the incrimination for the destruction to the classroom, if you insist these scholarly person only left school to embrace up for you… then I'll have no pick but to terminate your employment here. ``

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

lupine reached out to grab his shoulder, using his considerable forcefulness to impel Harry back into his chair. `` I understand the result. 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 power to have you finish school. I can't just let you shaft it up with two hebdomad to go. He answered with a smiling. It'll be okay, Harry. I promise.

He held his breath and glanced at Luna and Simon out of the nook of his eye and realized lupine wasn't just doing this for him. The early two were only in their sixth year and he felt shamed that his brash natural action may cause them to suffer out on their instruction. Letting out the breathing time slowly, he turned to depend at the one-time adept, awaiting his decision along with everyone else.

Dumbledore took his time studying lupine before at last shaking his capitulum and rising from his behind. `` O.K., if this is the way you want it to be. I'll see to it that you are able to finish out the last two hebdomad of this semester, as it will be inconceivable to replace you on such curtly observation. It's been a pleasure to have you here. ``

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

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

'' Of form 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 pedagogy, 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 open 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 strain when I have another alternative ? So you see, I'm entirely positivistic that this is the right thing to do. ``

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

lupin reached out to reassuringly pat her shoulder. `` I have long ago learned to survive with other the great unwashed's misguided opinions of me. As long as I am in good standing with the people who know me, that's all that matters. '' He went to sit behind his desk and pulled out a bowl of blank parchment and a new 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 nook ? '' He teased, reminding them that this wasn't the starting time meter he'd helped get them out of their own mess. `` Plus Draco is going to involve guidance in navigating life out in the real earth where people don't take as kindly to what we are so I'm actually glad to have a understanding to leave my military position 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 in any case Hogwarts so I'm glad I get to come back. '' He added quickly when he saw the glare 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 excuse what really happened. '' Luna said absently as wrapped her arms around herself.

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

She and Harry shared a glimpse as Neil Simon looked down at the floor and shuffled his feet. `` Just a slight stroke caused by a simple misunderstanding. '' She said at final stage, lowering her weaponry and pulling the hems of her sleeves down.

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

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

'' It's a sad but true fact that adding your name to anything will instantly make it more perplex. But don't let it bother you, having enemies only means that you've stood up for something important. '' lupine answered with a blue-blooded smile. `` Now if you'll excuse me, I must write to my wife and inform her that we are soon to become a one income household for awhile. ``

'' You know that you and Tonks always have your way at my family. '' Harry offered, feeling it was the least he could do.

'' And we may just give to take you up on that. '' He laughed. `` The price of rent is ridiculous these 24-hour interval. ``

Leaving him to write his letter, the teens all stepped out into the hallway. As soon as the door closed behind them, Harry grabbed Simon up by the front of his robe and shoved him back against the bulwark. `` If I find out that you're somehow setting us up I swear to you that your babe won't have the opportunity to remove 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 eye wide and his heart banging wildly in his chest.

'' We'll see. '' Harry muttered before bringing his side in stuffy to Paul Simon's, tightening his grip and pushing against the boy's throat. `` From now on, if you think you have something you need to narrate someone, get heterosexual person to me because going anywhere near Luna or any of my former friends would certainly be the openhanded mistake you'll ever make in your sprightliness. ``

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

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

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

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

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

Harry went to the window and clutched the sill as he stared out over the school primer. He took several cryptical breaths before turning back to her. `` But you really are okeh, right ? ``

'' I'm fine, just a bit troubled by what we've learned. '' She gently assured him. `` I guess it's even more of import that we go get Fred before Elanya has the chance to convince him that her adaptation of result is the Sojourner Truth. ``

'' Couldn't it be ? '' He debated. `` I mean, I know Simon was telling us his version 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 nous is true ? Maybe they did recognize we'd name out who the spy was and that we'd want to look in his head… what if they used Simon to pass around around doubt so that we wouldn't know what to believe ? ``

'' Well, if that's the case then it seems to have worked, at to the lowest degree on you. '' She pointed out, smiling as he stared at her in utter confusion. `` 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 hesitating toleration. He'd learned his deterrent example about questioning her suspicion, if she thought Elanya wasn't the victim they were trying to portray her to be then that was most potential the way it was. `` Okay, so we go on with the August 15 that she's against us. ``

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

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

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

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

'' Almost completely convinced, what's haywire ? '' Luna went over to result Hermione to a chair.

'' It's just that… I so badly wanted to see Fred, to make sure he was okay. I decided to pattern my stellar ejection and to my surprise, not only did it work, he was capable to see me. '' She answered, nearly shaking as she tried not to cry.

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

'' Yes, but I also told him everything else ! I wanted to assure him that we'd taken care of everything so he could go forth 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 opposition ! ``

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

'' No ! '' Hermione leapt to her groundwork and turned to them in anguish. `` She's making him verbalize to her now ! He'd been refusing this unanimous clock time but I saw her threaten to send Erebos after Ron and Ginny if he didn't start public speaking to her. Don't you see ? I led him to think that she was just another cat's-paw in Elise and Sarah's game… what if he lets his precaution down ? What if she's able to win over him to trust her ? '' She stared at them in revulsion as every conditional relation of Fred trusting Elanya ran through her drumhead. `` What have I done ? '' She whispered.

( breakage )

As soon as it was dark, Fred grabbed his full bed roll and went down to the beach. Ensuring he was far enough from the tide, he set everything up and built a lowly fire, silently thanking his Father-God for teaching him how to do so the muggle way- without a wand. Sure it was the more difficult way to do affair, but at last his father's obsession with learning the why's and how's of all matter muggle had paid off. Once sure the blaze had caught, he lay back to appear at the wizard. 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 sure he was that he didn't want to be there when she did show up.

She'd told him so many things and enough of it had seemed not only to be likely but made too a lot 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 weigh ? And if it did, then why did it thing ? Elanya had gotten herself caught up in this, she was no guiltless bystander. Had she not wanted so badly to vote down her father, the early miss wouldn't have had anything to tempt her into accepting their whirl. On the other hired hand, he was now able to put himself in her shoes… why wouldn't she want to kill the man who murdered her female parent and was trying to use his own daughter to buy his way into the estimable good will of an evil man like Voldemort ? Even Willem had come to terms with the fact that his niece had killed his pal and was still willing to reach out to the girl as it was open even to him that she needed to be rescued… if not from Elise and Sarah, then from herself. So if Willem could forgive her, then who was he to judge her ?

Clearly he didn't think as badly of her as he'd thought anyway… why else wouldn't he 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 trouble telling citizenry 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 somebody wasn't exactly the same as liking them. After all, he knew he couldn't reliance her as far as he could throw her, but then, did that matter either ?

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

He sat up and whipped around to find Elanya standing in the tree diagram as if his mentation of her had forced her to materialize there. Her hair and wearing apparel were dancing softly in the rebuff breeze and her eyes glowed even more brilliantly in the syncope firelight. `` well, aren't you the law-abiding one. '' He said sarcastically.

'' I'm sorry I walked out on you sooner. '' She said, taking a few hesitant steps towards him.

'' Think null of it. I'm pretty sure enough our conversation was about done anyway. '' He brushed her off and lay back down again, closing his eyes and acting as if she were goose egg more than a pesky hoo-ha to him.

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

'' slumber wherever you want, what do I wish ? '' Fred made sure to sound annoyed, hoping that if she did sleep on the beach, she would prefer to do it far from him. He heard her soft footsteps as she glided through the sand and then felt her attempt to climb under the concealment with him. He sat straight up and scrambled away from her as he got to his metrical unit. `` What the blaze do you think you're doing ? '' He demanded angrily.

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

'' amercement, strike my stuff, it's all yours. I want to go for a drown anyway. '' He turned and walked straight toward the water, repeating Hermione's name 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 dark ! There could be sharks or any numeral of other dangerous things and you'd never see them coming ! ``

Despite the genuine concern for his prophylactic that he heard in her voice, he ignored her and walked straight into the water fully dressed. He continued on until his feet could just barely touch the bottom before deciding that was far adequate to discourage her from following him. turn, he began swimming analog with the shoreline hoping to go down far enough that she wouldn't caution to walk after him. He could barely see his hand in straw man of him and realized that is was more than the exercise that was making his center race. It was very blue 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 landed estate, crawling up onto the sandy beach and allowing himself to lie there and rest for a moment.

Now more than ever, he was determined to go out the island tomorrow. He couldn't drop one more day alone with Elanya, he was beginning to bury what was substantial and it was becoming more difficult not to fall into her stories. All he had to do was get through tonight. Climbing to his animal foot, he brushed off as much guts as he could and made his way into the trees to look for some form of shelter. Coming to the theme of the tallest mountain, he found a shallow cave. Gathering leaf, he quickly made himself a place to sleep before gathering adequate Wood to start a blast to keep him warm. Once again he silently thanked his father while hoping that he would get the probability to thank him in person very soon.

( gap )

Draco woke already feeling nervous… he didn't like lying to Ginny and while he may not know the demand details of what was going on, he had pieced enough together to make love that she'd be mad to con 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 have to lie anymore… at least not about this. It was wide-eyed really, while the professors and most of the students were down at the quidditch delivery enjoying the plot between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, Potter, Luna and Granger were going to whisk themselves away to rescue Fred from whatever mess he'd gotten himself into. Draco's job was to attain for certain neither Ginny nor Ron found out they were gone and more importantly, to keep back them both away from Professor Erebos who thrower had said was a spy and more than volition to wound someone.

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

'' I don't want to go watch that dullard game today. '' She said, climbing onto the bed and grabbing her pillow to prehend to her body. `` I don't want to be a part of anything to do with Ron at the consequence. ``

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

'' It's been almost a workweek ! '' She was clearly discomfited and had her pillow been Ron's cervix, she'd have already squeezed the lifetime 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 aspect she shot him, he quickly went on in Bob Hope of fixing his fault. `` I mean, he clearly wanted infinite and said the things he knew would push you all away… after all, he saw how well it worked for ceramicist finis yr. So why would he come in apologize unless he's fix to be around you all again ? ``

'' Well, thank you Healer genus Draco, the psychological science Boy admiration ! '' She said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

'' And since I like you so much, I'll only billing you half my convention rates for the excellent wisdom I have to bestow. '' He teased, quickly moving to enamour the pillow she whipped at him.

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

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

'' Go in for the kill ! '' She laughed, quickly kneeling over him and battering him over and over with the pillow. ineffectual to carry back his own laughter, he tried his best to return the attack. Reaching out, he caught her pillow and tried to twist it away from her so that he would be in willpower of all the plush ammo.

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

He leaned down to osculate her before quickly swinging his pillow one survive clock time, jumping off the bed with a foul grin as he avoided her return assault. He opened the door and instantly tensed having already been warned that the person on the other side was interested in harming Ginny. `` Can we help you professor ? '' He asked, closing the threshold slightly so that the man couldn't see inside.

'' Isn't it a bit incompatible for Miss Weasley to take a male visitor this early ? '' Erebos asked as he warily regarded Draco.

'' Isn't is a bit incompatible for a male person instructor to get unsupervised to a female bookman's way this betimes ? Especially one who already has a cloud of suspicion 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 headmaster. '' Erebos answered defensively. `` Not that I owe an explanation to any bookman. ``

'' fountainhead, Ginny isn't feeling well. She'll be in her way all day today… and I'll be here with her, taking care of her. '' He said meaningfully, allowing a pocket-sized growling to get out his pharynx lest the man block what exactly he was. `` You can give me the content, I'll be surely she gets it. '' With his senses heightened, he was able-bodied to find out rustling behind him as Ginny got out of bed and curiously made her way over to the door. Thankfully she was careful 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 regard to speak to Miss Weasley in soul. '' Erebos persisted. `` I am to see her up to his office. ``

'' And why wouldn't he send Professor McGonagall ? '' Dragon asked suspiciously. `` She is the head of the Gryffindor mansion and a much more likely campaigner to draw near Ginny on the schoolmaster's behalf than some prof 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 subject field Arithmancy.

'' Again, not that I owe an explanation to a student- '' He said tightly, clearly frustrated with this song and dancing they were engaged in. `` But she is already down at the quidditch rake assisting Madame hootch with getting the field ready for today's game. I was in the Headmaster's post for a confluence and so he simply sent me. ``

'' Well, Ginny is just too ill to leave her room. I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't want to take a chance her getting even sicker by forcing herself through these drafty hallways. If he needs to tell her something important, I'm sure he would bear no trouble paying her a sojourn. '' Draco said smugly. He grabbed the edge of the door to close it but the professor reached out to stop it from swinging shut.

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

'' That's unnecessary. '' genus Draco said calmly while holding the door so tightly in his hand he thought the Sir Henry Joseph Wood would shatter in his grip. `` I asked therapist Drake to finish by in the first place. He said it's a bad cold and recommended bed rest. '' He added in decree to queer the professor's New attempt to get Ginny out of her elbow room. He was indisputable Drake would cross for them if essential, after all, he'd done it many time before. preferably than let Erebos to come up with something else, he used his above normal force to slam the door shut despite the man's endeavor to sustain it open.

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

Draco quickly pulled his baton out of his pouch 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 part 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 horror and confusion.

'' Well… because they have plans to take on over the ministry. What upright way than to use the Minister's tyke against him ? '' He held his intimation. Technically what he'd said was true although that wasn't the reason the man had decided to make a move today. But why worry her promote by bringing Fred into it ? Especially since he didn't really know the full story or what exactly her comrade was involved in, only that Erebos was one of the slack ends the others had had to tie up in ordination 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 take a firm stand on doing something dangerously reckless in an try to help.

Ginny shook her head sadly. `` poor people dad… all he wants to do is make a remainder and now he has to live in constant veneration for us all because of it. ``

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

We may feature a trouble. Draco thought out to Potter and Luna.

What happened ? potter immediately answered.

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

( BREAK )

Harry had a horrible feeling about everything after talking to Draco. Why would Erebos throw come to try and get Ginny to go somewhere with him ? What were Elise, Elanya and Sarah preparation now ? Whatever it was, it seemed they were just in fourth dimension to go rescue Fred. At to the lowest degree the job of who was going to watch over Ron had been quickly resolved… after a nimble call to Jacey, she had agreed to don an invisibility cloak and knack around the quidditch pitch, just in casing Erebos tried to get a hold of a unlike Weasley.

'' I heard the pennywhistle. The game's started, can we go now ? '' Hermione asked eagerly. She was nearly beside herself with headache and had been since discovering that she'd given Fred misinformation. She'd attempted to figure herself back to the island respective times during the night but hadn't been capable to notice him again.

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

'' Why ? '' Hermione demanded impatiently.

'' Because Charlie wrote a volume all about how there are flying dragons on the island. I can't fit you both on my Calluna vulgaris and we need to give birth some way of escaping quickly if necessary… especially since you said you've read that there are anti-apparation magical spell. You and Fred won't be capable to apparate without one of us. '' He insisted, wishing the whole sentence that both little girl would just let him go by himself. But he knew Luna wouldn't allow that any to a greater extent than he'd let her do anything like this without him… the tilt wouldn't be deserving it as they'd both just end up angry and she'd wind up coming along anyway. As for Hermione- he knew in effect than to even intimate she stay behind, despite them all being aware of how emotionally distracted she was. Luckily he trusted they were both equal to and tried to let that thought relieve his discomfort.

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

'' Just select one anyway. '' He pressed with a grin. `` At the very least, Fred will bang how to fly it should the want arise. ``

'' Fine. '' She agreed with a heavy suspiration, grabbing the one closest to her. `` Can we go now ? ``

Harry took out his wand and waited as they did the Same. They had no idea where they'd wind up having only coordinate and pic to use to exhort 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 man and they all focused on the island. With a flashy tornado, they apparated away from the equipment shed and arrived somewhere else entirely. Feeling hard jumpy priming beneath his feet, Harry hesitantly opened his eyes to look around. His breath caught in his throat as he took in their environs. Um, I think we may take just picked the worst possible station to farming. He thought out to the girls, not wanting to shit any stochasticity lest they wake the ten Draco 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 tiresome for their interest, he carefully led the way, lightly pushing off from the ground and rising into the air.

Flying away from the mickle top and down toward the beach, he looked over his shoulder to check up on on the little girl. Luna seemed to have gotten the hang of things after having been in the air a few times before. But Hermione, who always chose to hold back her animal foot on the ground if it was an option, was clearly showing her inexperience. She tried to lower the Calluna vulgaris and suddenly lost control, letting out a loud shriek 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 accomplish it and she raised her blazon to cover her face as she went down through the trees.

'' Harry ! bet out ! '' He heard Luna call. Apparently Hermione's initial scream had aroused more than his veneration, it had woken the Dragon. He quickly whipped to the left as the one that had been silently stalking him stretched out to snap at him. `` They hunt in duad. '' Charlie's voice filled his read/write head and he instinctively pulled up, just barely missing the other dragon that had been waiting for him.

'' Luna ! ? '' He turned to search the sky for her and found her far out over the water as she tried her best to duck the four dragons chasing her while she clung to the broom.

He raced forward to help oneself only to actualize that the former six dragons had chosen to gang up on him as they perceived him to be the break throwaway and therefore the more severe to them. One popped up in front of him, forcing him to go low. He once more searched the sky, trying to catch his bearings… but this metre he didn't see Luna anywhere. Both she and Hermione had disappeared and now he was alone with eight dragons. Wait… eight ! He quickly began racing around the island, looking for any signaling of Luna and the two dragons that were obviously still chasing her. He flew between two of the beasts but unfortunately he wasn't prompt enough and he felt one's rump bang into the spinal column of his broom followed by the audio of a mysterious snap sound. The broom started to come apart in his hands and he did his best to hold it together as he raced toward the ground. He landed roughly on the beach, shaking off the pain as he picked himself up and ran toward the cover of the trees.

He could hear the animals landing heavily behind him, too large to realise their way through the dense Ellen Price Wood. Suddenly tripping, Harry tucked into himself to break his fall. Glancing back at what had knocked him over, he found the shattered cadaver of another ling though he had no idea whether it was Luna's or Hermione's. He looked around desperately but there was no one there.

( BREAK )

Fred woke to a gaudy scream. For a moment he was disoriented, forgetting completely where he was as he scrambled to his base. Looking around, he remembered making a temp protection out of the cave after escaping from Elanya. Another series of ear-splitting shrieks filled the sky and he looked up to see those mysterious creatures circling in the smart cockcrow cheer. They never came out this late… and they never flew so low. One swept over the tree above him, giving him a frighteningly clear view of what the creature actually was… a very large dragon with sharp claw, foresightful tooth and wide wings tipped with dangerous looking horns.

Panic gripped him as he stood there glacial, trying to retrieve everything Charlie had ever told him about these wolf. More than anything, he recalled his brother saying that dragons were tool of habit… So why were they acting differently now ? He didn't waste clip trying to figure it out, he had to make surely Elanya was okay, he couldn't let the solitary other soul on this island die… he didn't want to be here completely alone with these affair. He raced through the tree diagram back to the campsite, suddenly upset that he'd decided to journey so far from it in the commencement place.

existence sure to stay fresh himself deeply under the cover of the trees, he approached their tent and heard Elanya's phonation as she argued with mortal. Careful of where he stepped, Fred snuck up as close as he dared… she was standing with her cover to him and completely alone, but he could secern that she was holding something up to her mouth. `` What do you mean Malfoy won't let you near Ginny ? ! '' She cried out angrily. `` I gave you one simple task this morning… Well, you know what to do next. ``

Not waiting to see 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 hands, showing him they were abandon. `` Nothing. '' She said innocently.

'' Who were you talking to and how ? And why are you talking about my sister ? '' He tried to hide his panic, reminding himself that whatever was happening at to the lowest degree Dragon was doing his theatrical role in protecting Ginny from it.

More shrieks filled their air and they both glanced up in panic. Then she stared directly at him, her eyes filling with gloominess. `` I have no choice, you broke the dominion. '' She looked away, closing her eye against her regret.

'' What are you talking about ? ! ``

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

'' Don't do it. '' He insisted, pleading with her to give in and be the near person he wasn't quite sure she could be. `` I'll help protect you from Elise and Sarah, we can all keep you good. Just don't let them ram you into hurting my brother and sister. ``

'' You'd really do that ? '' She asked, taking an uncertain step toward him. `` You'd convince your friends to give me a hazard ? ``

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

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

'' We have to line up Harry and Luna and get out of here now ! '' She quietly insisted. `` I was damage yesterday, she's no victim… they're all working together to stimulate us want to help her so she can get in and convince Harry and Luna to link 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 matter if it's true ? '' He returned, placing himself between her and Hermione despite the fact that he was the only one unarmed.

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

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

Elanya nodded, a prankish smile spreading slowly across her grimace. `` I thought as much… I guess it's time to move to programme B. '' She quickly waved her wand, forcing Hermione to throw up a shield 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 baton and sent him flying away. He landed hard on his binding but barely felt anything as he forced himself to get up. `` Take it back ! '' He demanded.

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

'' claim Erebos and recite him to pass on Ron alone ! '' Hermione ordered, pointing her wand threateningly.

Elanya simply dropped the necklace to the flat coat and stomped on it, effectively destroying the communication device. `` What's done is done. You want revenge, fare and consider it. '' She dared them.



Federal Reserve note : Provided there are no more atrocious fortuity with my computer or brassy ride, smell for the future chapter soon !


Chapter 55 : An Island Escape

A/N : Without foster delay… Read, Review, Enjoy !





After crash landing Hermione sat up and was pleased to break nothing worse that a few scrape and scratches. Unfortunately the ling hadn't survived as well and lay a few foot away in patch. sword lily 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 answer her… A quick glimpse up through the treetop let her know 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 help them and they certainly were too distracted to come help her… it was up to her to see out what to do and she was determined that this not end up like Hogsmeade. She wasn't going to stop dead up with indecisiveness, there were too many the great unwashed counting on her and Thomas More than that, she wanted to try out to herself that she was capable of branching out on her own.

It was much hotter here than it was back at school and so the first base matter she did was pillage off her crownwork before she fainted of heat exhaustion. She knew that she had to start moving and preferably with a purpose. Using her verge as a locator, she made her way through the woods, trying not to appear anywhere but right in front of her. She didn't want to become distrait, she just wanted to get Fred and get the hell off this island. Within ten minutes of walking, she found herself at Fred and Elanya's bivouac. The two were talking and she heard Fred oblation to help the early girl if she would forebode to call off whatever she'd just threatened him with.

'' No ! That's part of her 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 overstretch her own wand 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 cracking affair he'd ever seen, making her feel more positive in the face of the early girl. `` Hermione ? '' He asked hesitantly before rushing over and wrapping his arms around her. As right as it felt to birth him hold her, she was careful to keep her wand up 50 Elanya decide to use the beguilement 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 have time to properly reunite later if they got themselves out of this now. `` I was wrong yesterday, she's no victim… they're all working together to clear us want to help her so she can get in and convince Harry and Luna to join them. ``

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

'' What does it count if it's honest ? '' Fred asked quietly as he turned and placed himself between the girls.

'' 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 offered them a dessert smile that dripped with vicious intentions.

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

'' I thought as practically. '' Elanya said meanly. `` I guess it's time to move to plan B. '' She quickly waved her wand, giving Hermione only seconds to throw up a cuticle around herself and Fred to deflect the spell. Before she could repay fire, the girl ripped off her seashell necklace and was already talking into it. `` Tell Elise and Sarah that Harry and Luna are here and then kill Ron. '' She instructed whoever was on the other end… most likely Professor Erebos.

'' No ! '' Fred started forward but Elanya waved her wand and sent him flying. Hermione took her opportunity and shooter various ravisher in quick ecological succession but the other girl was fast, raising her carapace in clip before attempting to dismiss back and disarm her. By this clip Fred had gotten to his feet and back into the thick of thing, forcing Hermione to stop her plan of attack so he wouldn't get hit by mistake. `` Take it back ! '' He demanded, stalking towards Elanya.

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

'' yell Erebos and tell him to pass on Ron alone ! '' Hermione said in as authoritative vocalization as she could muster.

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

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

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

She quickly waved her verge, yelling `` Protego Totalum ! '' and a few other incantations, turning the collapsible shelter into their own humble fortress ... they were come on spells she'd only practiced once in the safety of a classroom setting. She was truly surprised that she'd been capable to accomplish it here while her affection was racing and terror gripped her intellect. They could hear Elanya screaming at them from the outside, uselessly hurling turn after magic 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 stead apart. `` What are you doing ? ``

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

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

'' When it came to pass my money, Elanya spared no expense. Top of the pedigree everything… it's supposed to be like camping in the comfort of your home. '' Fred answered bitterly as he upended the icebox next. `` Aha ! '' He shouted, bending down to trump up a folded towel. Sure enough, his scepter was wrapped up inside it and Hermione instantly felt a shot of relief knowing that she wouldn't be the only one armed. His own ease was evident as he tightly gripped his wand and sighed deeply. Then he turned to her and gave her a smell that sent shudder through her physical structure. Without a Christian Bible he strode up to her and eagerly placed his hand around her neck, pulling her grimace to his so that he could passionately capture her lip. He kissed her with such depth and thirstiness that she was left feeling dizzy and had to reach out and catch him to keep her branch from collapsing beneath her. Wrapping his arms around her waistline he deepened the osculation even more before breaking it off and resting his head against hers. They were both pass on breathless and glad to once more be so close. `` I'm really beaming to see you. '' He whispered.

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

'' Yeah, well, I'll make it clearer when I have more clip to make my full stop. '' Fred grinned before turning serious once more. They could still try Elanya out there, doing everything she could to breach the protection charms Hermione had cast. `` We have to get out of here without her seeing. '' He said, letting her go and turning to sketch their impermanent stronghold.

'' I'm open to trace. ``

He scratched his head and turned to stare at her a minute before breaking into a smile. `` Of course ! If I can dissipate my own mother then it should be gentle 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 St. George had somehow come back to sprightliness. Shaking it off, she tried to smile in bread and butter. `` You really think she'll go after our doubling ? ``

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

'' fountainhead, I certainly don't have a proficient idea. '' She moved to hide herself behind the turned-over stove, as Fred took their silent image and instructed them to exit the collapsible shelter and just run as far and fast as they could.

Knowing that her charms would be broken as soon as the barrier was breached, he shoved them through the opening and quickly came over to crouch beside her just in slip Elanya wasn't fooled and decided to come search the tent. `` Here goes nothing. '' He whispered.

( prisonbreak )

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

When the account jumped far enough ahead in Gryffindor's favor, he decided it was condom to take a suspension and go down to the refreshment stand for some hot umber to warm up his insides. Making his way through the locker rooms, he took the expiration leading outside the arena and nearly ran into individual trying to make their way in. `` Oh, pardon me sir. '' He said, recognizing professor Erebos, Hermione's Arithmancy professor.

'' Not at all Mr. Weasley. It was you I was actually coming to find. '' Erebos replied with what was clearly an effort at a favorable grin… but the tightfistedness at the box of his rima oris 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 enough. There is a young woman out in the Sir Henry Wood who flagged me down and asked me to come find you. '' Erebos said, looking over his articulatio humeri at the Forbidden timberland. `` She wouldn't admit me to see her face, so I can't be sure… but she looked very much like Miss Patil, who has gone missing. I've come to witness you because she was so instant but I think I must also go to the Headmaster and inform him that one of his missing bookman has returned. ``

'' No ! Wait ! '' Ron pleaded, wondering what Annapurna was doing back here so soon. He'd only sent a letter off yesterday through Lupin, he wasn't even sure it had decent clock time to get to her so that couldn't be what repulse her to occur back. He had to speak to her before Dumbledore or anyone else could show up and direct her running. `` Just let me go see her first. ``

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

'' Please, I'll convince her to ride out. '' He promised with his finger crossed.

'' Okay, how about this ? I'll go with you into the woods to see her, I'll let you two have your second of seclusion and then we can all go to Dumbledore together. '' He offered. `` It's the sole way I'm assured that misfire Patil will return to where she belongs. ``

Ron reluctantly agreed, following the professor around the rear of the sphere to the Forbidden Forest. They walked pretty far into the trees, deepening Ron's suspicions to the dot where he was fix to release back. `` Parvati got your attention from way back here ? Why were you in the woodwind ? '' He asked carefully.

Erebos stopped and turned to him with his wand out and a demented smile across his typeface. `` Sorry for the magic trick Mr. Weasley, but Parvati isn't out here. I just needed a reason for you to come into the woods with me. ``

He swallowed the large lump of care and panic that had risen in his throat. `` Why ? '' He tried to keep his vocalization calm but wasn't sure he'd accomplished the task.

'' To kill you. '' The professor said simply as he prepared to cast the ultimate inexcusable curse. And then the man was screaming in pain as his wand burst into flaming in his handwriting, forcing him to shake off it to the ground.

Ron instantly reached into his sack for his wand before turning to recover Jacey standing a few thou behind him, her own wand in one hand and a large 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 hurt that those were the first Word of God he'd elect to speak at the sight of her.

They both whipped around as the strait of mortal clapping filled the air. Ron's eyes widened in blow as Elise McKinney stepped out from behind a large tree, slowly applauding them. `` Well done. '' She laughed.

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

'' Relax Dolos, I've burned you unsound than that when you've angered me less. '' Elise giggled before turning her aid specifically to Jacey. `` I had hoped you'd come. I was so very curious to find out who you are… but to see that you're like me, well that brings on a hale new proportion doesn't it ? But I'm not as easy to dispatch as Dolos. '' She said, throwing out her limb and producing her own fireballs in her helping hand. `` So come on, let's see what you're made of… we'll consider this your audition. '' She taunted.

( BREAK )

Luna just couldn't shake off the hold out two Dragon 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 puppet wouldn't give up the pursuit. She tried calling out to Harry but he didn't result, making her very nervous. She could finger that he wasn't hurt… but that was all, it was like a part of her brain had shut off and she was completely unable to put across with him… It was almost as if there was something blocking them from using their powers, or more precisely, their thought transference. The way she was flying, the way she was able-bodied to have a go at it where to go to avoid being hit by chela, dentition and tails… that told her that her precognative instinct were well in tact as she knew she certainly wasn't the sound flier.

She swooped low to avoid one Dragon and then quickly turned right to avoid the other. Her metrical unit skimmed the water system and she quickly pulled back up, making a tenacious arc around Castellumshire before heading back toward the Gateway Islands. Becoming distracted by a strange auditory sensation below her, she took the hazard and looked down only to encounter a lowly speedboat zooming through the H2O headed the same direction she was. Feeling the dragons right behind her, she decided to dip low, flying close enough only to see that there seemed to one person on board… a female wearing a hat and large sunglasses. intuition nip through her and she raced ahead, desperate to warn Harry.

At net she had returned to the island but he was nowhere in the sky… though the other eight Draco were. They were circling, clearly doing the like thing she was- looking for Harry. Figuring he must feature landed she went down, flying over the shoreline in Leslie Townes Hope that he would see her. She let out a surprised scream when two of the Draco suddenly grounded ahead of her, opening their jaws and waiting for her to fly at them. Fixing her grip as she'd seen Harry do, she made a tart left and headed back out over the water where four more dragons waited. Once again changing her grip, she zoomed straight up. `` LUNA ! search OUT ! '' She heard Harry thigh-slapper from far below her. Apparently he had seen her and ran out onto the beach to call in out.

It took a back 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 treetop had taken her by surprise. She raced upwards, high over the island hoping to turn a loss them among the fluffy flannel clouds. But before she could get herself quite that high-pitched, she felt one of the wight grab the end of her broom and commit her through the air. She lost her grip completely and felt herself begin to free fall. intellection as quickly as she could, she pointed her wand down and slowed her descent until she was capable to lightly site her feet on the ground. Her ease quickly gave way to all out terror as she realized she landed right back where they had started… the dragons'nestle. Only this time she had no Calluna vulgaris and she was completely alone.

( break )

Harry had just used his wand to piece the Calluna vulgaris he'd found in the Sir Henry Joseph Wood back together when Luna's shrieking echoed around him. He raced back onto the beach to catch an impossible sight- she was flying recklessly through the air as she tried to get away from all ten Draco. Seeing two of the beasts break off from the mathematical group and cover themselves among the trees he realizing what the rather sound creatures were planning to do. He tried calling out to her with his psyche but while he could still feel that constant connecter to her, it was as if mortal had cut a wire somewhere and all he could hear was a dial tone. Throwing everything he had into it, he cupped his workforce around his mouthpiece and screamed out a warning to her, hoping she was able to pick up him. If she did, it was too late. The other dragons had forced her to fly toward their trap and the two concealment leapt out to storm her. She bourgeon upwards but to no avail as one reached out and grabbed her broom. She fell off as the tool snapped the broom like a toothpick, making Harry's heart block for a minute. But this fourth dimension she had her wand and was able to slow her evenfall, 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 finish the final haunt on the heather. Hearing a motorized sound he quickly ducked out of the way as a boat carelessly drove up into the Baroness Dudevant, allowing a companion cleaning lady to climb up down and face him. `` Hello Harry. '' Sarah Elaine greeted him as if they were old Quaker, casually throwing her hat and sunglasses back into the boat.

'' I don't have clip for you. '' He said. Knowing she didn't have a sceptre, 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. `` caution to birth some help in retrieving her ? ``

Harry eyed her warily. `` Why, so you can just obliterate 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 time to argue… I know Luna certainly doesn't. '' She pointed to the remains of his Firebolt, long leave a few yards down the beach. `` Fix that up and Army of the Pure go. ``

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

( geological fault )

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

Of course she had agreed to help hold on an eye on Ron… she just had no approximation why. He had made himself very make that he wished to treat things on his own for awhile and she was tempted to back off and let him learn just how lots 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 imply her own as well. He had made a valid tip the other Nox, they did not know each former, 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 attractive force as she had already admitted that his letter is what ultimately made her decide to come here in the first place… she only hoped he would come to his senses long enough to-

She stopped dead in her running as she realized she may have arrived too deep. Just beyond the arena, she saw two fig slip quickly into the Forbidden timber and she was sure of at least one of their individuality. The other she only feared she knew. Racing forward, she let the cloak fall away as soon as she was within the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree business line so that she could run with to a greater extent stop number and less preventive. At concluding she came upon them and realized she had been correct on both score, Ron and Erebos were a few pace ahead of her. She could feel Ron's hunch and uncertainty as he was led further into the trees.

'' Parvati got your aid from way back here ? Why were you in the woods ? '' He asked. Jacey was angry on his behalf, upset that the professor was willing to use such an open injury to trick him into coming out here.

Erebos turned around wearing a cruel and evil smile. `` Sorry for the deception Mr. Weasley, but Parvati isn't out here. I just needed a reason for you to arrive into the forest with me. ``

'' Why ? '' Ron asked slowly, clearly trying to visualize 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 scepter and did the beginning thing that came into her mind… She set his wand on blast. He screamed in pain, dropping the matter as he cradled his offend handwriting to his body.

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

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

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

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

'' Relax Dolos, I've burned you regretful than that when you've angered me less. '' She laughed again. Then ignoring both male, she spoke directly to Jacey. `` I had hoped you'd seminal fluid. I was so very curious to recover out who you are… but to see that you're like me, well that brings on a totally new proportion doesn't it ? But I'm not as easy to slay as Dolos. '' She said, waving her manus and producing her own fervor. `` So come on, let's see what you're made of… we'll regard this your audition. ``

Putting her verge in her sac so that both of her hands were devoid, Jacey let the flame flare out of her bigger and with Thomas More of a fly high than Elise's. Seeing that she had been one-upped, the woman did not hesitate to begin her onslaught, hurling ballock of flame one after the former. Engulfing her full body in fire, Jacey was able to absorb whatever Elise threw at her though she was starting to feel very warmly. Run before this gap ! She thought out to Ron, not wanting him to get burnt.

I'm a bit officious at the moment. He answered. She glanced over to find him alternatively trying to put out the flames spreading through the forest and dueling Erebos who had retrieved the burnt remains of his wand and was trying to make it work with his undamaged hired man. It seemed that every once in awhile the man was able to get the wand to do his spell which only distracted Ron from his impromptu attempt at being a firefighter.

She tried reaching for her sceptre 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 agitate fire with fervour. It was more than Ron's water system piece could keep up with and if they didn't recover a way to end this soon, there was no telling how far the fire would disseminate. She did her secure to focus on controlling and containing them to their small area but it lessened the amount of concentration she could hold to the genuine fighting and found herself more on the defensive attitude that she would have thought herself to be. She knew the fact that Elise didn't care where the fire feast was giving the char an border over her but there was nothing she could do about that, she had to do her topper to master the damage her power caused. Realizing they were going to need assistance and taking even more attention away from the battle, she called out to genus Draco as he was the only one left here that she trusted to ask for helper. She hoped he made it in time.

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

( break of serve )

'' What do you intend you have to go service Jacey ? '' Ginny demanded as genus Draco grabbed his coat. They'd been quietly lounging together in her way as they studied and she'd been enjoying the rather elusive worry-free moment… even if they had barricaded themselves in to nullify Professor Erebos.

Looking at his aspect, she could secernate he wasn't any more pleased with the idea of him leaving than she was. `` Apparently Elise made it onto the school day grounds and she and Erebos have your crony cornered out in the woods. '' He answered honestly, in too a great deal of a hurry to attempt lying. `` Trust me, the only grounds I'm going is because I know that Erebos is out there too. Even so, hitch in here and don't give the room access to anyone until I get back, OK ? ``

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

'' Please Ginny. '' He grabbed her by the berm and forced her to count at him. `` I'll be much more efficacious in providing the assistance Jacey and Ron need if I don't have the Saame problem out there that she does. ``

'' Meaning ? '' She demanded stubbornly.

'' Meaning she's in trouble because she's distracted by idea of Ron and anyone else being hurt… I can't be of much help if we add your welfare to our tilt of business. ``

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

'' We don't have fourth dimension to contend. For once just humor me and stay here. '' He pleaded.

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

He seemed untrusting but he had no choice other than to take over her agreement. Leaning in to quickly kiss her goodbye, he then turned and fled the room. Walking over to her windowpane, she waited until she saw him zip across the school grounds… he was faster than any human she'd ever seen and she could interpret why he liked going out to run so much- it must be out of the question to think when moving so quickly.

Picking up her coat she fled her room, rushing through the halls and out the front room access. She would hold on her promise not to play along after him… but she wasn't going to allow him to go alone. She entered the quidditch stands, climbing up to where the school stave sat. Unfortunately, the person she wanted to talk to was also sitting next to the person she'd hoped to avoid… but she couldn't go back, three life-time might be at stake, her brother's among them. `` Can we help you with something ? '' Lupin asked with a friendly smiling as she approached him and Dumbledore.

Warily eyeing the Headmaster, she took a rich breathing time and spoke to lupine. She knew it was best to keep mention of Jacey and Elise out of things with so many ears around and so she made her point as clear and concise as potential. `` Draco ran out into the woods to try and block up prof Erebos from killing Ron. They need help. ``

( BREAK )

Fred waited a just two second to be sure Elanya was gone before turning to lift the bottom of the tent behind them. `` It's now or never. '' He told Hermione. She nodded solemnly and taking her hired man, he led the way as they ran from the merely matter that had been capable to protect them. He tried to repeatedly call out for Harry and Luna but neither of them answered. `` It's like they can't take heed me at all ! '' He said aloud in thwarting as they carefully made their way through the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, keeping an ear out for any sign of Elanya shutdown in on them.

'' I think it has something to do with the energy theater of operations generated within all three islands. '' Hermione answered thoughtfully. `` I read about it in that book… it interferes with most pilotage tools, even the magical ace. It's the main reason it's so severe for people to find oneself these islands. Maybe it also interrupts that certain brainwave relative frequency Harry and Luna use to channel their telepathic ability. ``

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

'' Unless… '' She looked upward and he followed her regard. There were various dragon 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 protagonist were up there and in a lot of trouble. `` I guess we try to climb it. '' He walked toward the base of the mount until he heard a minuscule shriek of surprisal that told him that Hermione wasn't following. Turning he found her struggling to free her foot from a rather ugly looking flora. Originally mistaking it for some sort of bush, they had walked by unaware… but now the thing had spread it's leaves apart and was shooting out respective tentacle-like protrusions that were attempting snatch Hermione and perpetrate her in. He raced back over, wildly waving his verge. But the plant seemed to be immune to magic and zero 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 large rock and began slamming it down on the tentacles. The plant let out a miserable sound, indicating it could find pain. In an attempt to free herself, Hermione reached for another rock-and-roll and helped him tucker out the tentacles away. Grabbing her under her arms, he pulled her to her ft and they scrambled away before the unknown shrub could regroup.

'' fountainhead, 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 Weird I. Of class, other than in conclusion dark when he'd fled Elanya he hadn't ever come this close to the base of the mountains. He gave silent thanks that he hadn't passed by this thing in the dark.

'' Let's just hold open going. '' Hermione seemed shaky but square off and so he nodded and went on, this time ensuring they remained side of meat by slope. It was a short-change walk and looking towards the sky, they were able to see that the way to the top of the quite a little wasn't exactly direct up… that was a in force thing, making it less likely that they would light to their deaths while attempting this. `` Okay, we just need to retrieve the right place to start. '' She said logically as she stood back and studied the rocky wall and several different path up.

Fred took a different approach, walking right up to the passel and trying out the handholds and footing in a few plaza. Taking a few more steps to the left wing, he reached to rise up only to feel the rocks give way under his men. And then he was falling… falling… he slammed into the ground, knocking the breath out of him and sending shooting pains up and down his leg. `` Fred ! '' He heard Hermione screaming his name.

'' Yeah ! '' He called out as best he could as he wheezed and tried to get his breathing back to normal. `` I'm alive ! '' 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 declination. '' He shouted back, groaning in pain as he sat up to get hold of a look at himself. Feeling around on the dry land he recovered his wand and quickly lit it, reaching out to delicately examine his leg. `` I don't think anything's broken ! '' He assured her. No, not broken… just really banged up. He'd definitely landed on it incorrectly and he could see the integral thing swelling from his stifle down to his ankle.

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

'' Just pass on me a minute to pucker myself. '' Putting as little weight on it as possible, he slowly climbed to his feet. Only once he was standing did he realize he seemed to hurt everywhere including the shoulder that had been broken death year during the quidditch match against Cho. It felt like it had popped out of place… stuffing the can of his shirt in his rima oris to muffle any sounds of painfulness he might make, he grabbed his arm and roughly pushed upward. It hurt so badly that for a consequence he was capable to block all about his leg, but then came the signified of relief that told him that he'd achieved the result he'd wanted, his shoulder was back in it's proper place. Panting from the effort he wiped the fret from his nerve and took a few steady hint. `` Okay, prepare ! '' He called out.

Instantly his feet carefully left the dry land, leaving him to feel as though he were softly cradled in the hands of some invisible giant. He put his wand in his scoop as he rose up, wanting to throw both hands free to help pull himself clear of the surprisingly small-scale opening he'd fallen through. At last he was able-bodied to see Hermione, using her scepter to direct his progress. Reaching up, he grabbed the edges of the rocky possible action. `` I need you to hold back propelling me forward, I hurt my leg so I can't get a good grip with my feet. '' He told her. She nodded and doubled her concentration, trying to only feed him an extra hike as he struggled to pull himself barren. Now being forced to use all the long suit in his arm, he was glad that he'd gone swimming so much while he was trapped here and built up his muscleman a bit.

'' Expelliarmus ! '' soul screamed and Hermione's scepter was ripped from her hand and sent flying off into the Sir Henry Joseph Wood. Without her spell to aid him, he lost a bit of his grip and struggled through the pain to rule a foothold lest he devolve back down into the cavern. He scrambled to give onto the rocks despite how sharp they were… once he felt sweetheart, he was capable to await up and see Elanya staring at them with a extensive smile as she tauntingly waved her baton. `` I'm sorry it took so long to remove those doubles you sent running out… it seems you're a in force conjurer than I thought. ``

'' What do you need ? '' Hermione tried to reason with her as Fred struggled to use his injured leg to help bear on him through the gob. But the more than air pressure he tried to put on it, the more numb it seemed to grow… almost to the stage where he wasn't even sure it was there anymore. He tried to reach back for his wand but letting go of the rocks made him instantly slide backwards. He would need all the strength in his arms to pull out himself out and until he did, Hermione was left to face Elanya alone and weaponless. Feeling a new determination, he decidedly placed his invertebrate foot and pushed off with them, gritting his teeth against the pain. From there he was able-bodied to reach out a bit further… slowly but surely he began pulling himself out.

( BREAK )

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

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

'' I don't even roll in the hay who the hell 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 pes and pointed his baton with a water spell on the tip of his tongue and prepare to be used. `` So, her name is Jacey then is it ? '' She grinned and pulled out her own baton. `` What else can you assure me about her ? ``

Ron, I am okay. I just need a moment to retrieve and focus my energies. He heard Jacey's interpreter whisper through his head. Do not prosecute her… Draco is on his way to help.

audience that she was uninjured, relief swept through him so quickly his knee joint almost buckled out from under him. `` Nothing to say ? '' Elise asked, bringing his attention back to her. `` Dolos told me how you were the only if one to be seen with the mysterious palace invitee at the Costume Ball… he also told me how close you two appeared to be so I know you can tell apart me everything I want to know. Of line, seeing how reluctant you seem, I feel it's best I remind you that I could always force you to tell me. Though if we have to go that itinerary, I promise it won't be very pleasant for you. ``

'' What do you desire to experience ? '' He asked, hoping to buy time.

'' Everything about her that you know. ``

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

I know. Jacey replied calmly.

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

GET OUT OF THE WAY ! Jacey screamed in his head teacher and he saw her bounce to her base behind Elise who had once again raised her hands to conjure her fire. Before he could wave his wand to harbour, person roughly crashed into him, practically lifting him off his feet and carrying them both away faster than Ron thought possible. It only took him a present moment to actualize who had just may have saved his life.

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

As they approached the two girls still whipping fire at each early without lots charge as to what was around them, someone shouted `` impediment ! '' forcing Draco to trip and sending both boys sprawling to the ground.

Tightly gripping his verge, Ron leapt to his substructure as Dragon fought the spell he'd been hit with which was currently keeping him from moving any near to chafe. Erebos stood there, waving Jacey's scepter tauntingly. `` Looks like your admirer dropped this. '' He grinned. `` time to see how a good deal you've really learned while you've been here at Hogwarts Mr. Weasley. ``

There was no clip to be nervous, he instantly cast a shield having seen the man ready to throw a spell at him. Within a second he had retaliated by sending a freezing hex, but the professor took a page from Jacey and Elise's script shooting a stream of fire from his wand that met the spray of ice coming from Ron's. Using all of his denseness he repeated the spell, attempting to strengthen his position… but Erebos was just as square off and unrelenting.

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

And then suddenly the duel was over as Erebos was bound from mind to toe in social movement of him. Ron took several deeply breathing time and lowered his verge as Dumbledore and lupine came forward. The tour meant to keep genus Draco at bay had finally worn off and he slowly walked up next to him. `` Thanks. '' Ron said only garish enough for him to hear.

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

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

( BREAK )

Looking around quickly, Luna spotted a small first step across the snuggle the seemed to lead into the mountain. She instantly ran towards it though she was unsure even her short and slim frame could squeeze through. Intuition burned in her gut and she flung herself to the ground with a low scream of panic as she felt one of the massive brute fly over her. Flipping onto her rachis she shot a dish at the beast's partner as it swooped in to make it's own endeavour at catching her. The spell seemed to bounce off the firedrake's hide, having no effect early than to anger the beast even more. Luna quickly rolled to the side as it snapped at her before flying off to give the adjacent pair their turn with her.

Scrambling to her feet, Luna shot toward the cave opening. She was tempted to use her wand and blast the pickle heart-to-heart wider, but she worried that might possibly disrupt the stability of the flock. The finally thing she wanted was to escape the beasts only to be buried in a landslide or cave-in. Throwing herself forward, she was just barely able to extort through, turning her body sideways to hold it.

She screamed as she felt a sharp pang of pain and turned, using her wand to burn the dragon who had grabbed her arm before she could fully hide herself. This seemed to receive more effect than anything else as the beast let out a mighty shriek of pain and let her go. Pulling herself further into the crevice, she was led down a bit into a large cave where she tripped over something that rattled and rolled away from her foot. With a sick flavour in the pit of her stomach, she lit her verge and covered her mouth to give back the scream of horror she wanted to unleash. respective clappers littered the floor of the cave, and they seemed to go to both animals and humans.

Remaining near the opening, she turned her back so she wouldn't have to see any of it and instead focused on checking the equipment casualty done to her arm. Seeing two orotund bloody gashes in the arm of her coat, she shrugged it off feeling far too warm anyway. Tearing off the repose of the smash sleeve of the shirt she had on underneath, she examined her skin and found that, while painful, the cacography didn't seem to go too deep… While it had been happening, it had felt like her arm was nearly severed and she was Thomas More than a piddling relieve to take that wasn't the case. She quickly used the flake of fabric that had once been her sleeve to enclose the wound and squelch the bleeding.

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

'' I'M HERE ! '' She shouted back, forcing herself up through the narrow opening night to return to the nest. Peering out from the hole, she caught the out of the question sight of not only Harry, but also Sarah Elaine as they both zoomed through the air, working together to distract and dissever the dragons. Luna watched in amazement as Sarah flew past several bowlder, using her thought transference to knock them over onto the couplet of dragons that had been pursuing her.

'' Luna ! '' Turning her attention back to Harry, she saw that he kept swooping back and Forth River until he was able-bodied to cod all of the dragons back into the air. They may not be capable to communicate in their school principal at the second, but she knew him well enough to approximate what he wanted her to do. As soon as the last dragon had taken flight, she ran out into the open where Harry could see her. Putting her wand between her teeth, she threw her custody in the air as he passed over and struggled to adjudge on as he reached out and grabbed her. Her arm was on fire with painfulness as she struggled to climb up onto the broom with him as they'd done at Lairmore, but she tried to advertize 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 mouthpiece and turning to blast a flow of fire at the two firedrake that were just a few scant feet behind them, sending the animal to dive away.

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

'' What ? '' Harry asked, turning his head teacher slightly to get wind her bettor. She could feel his frustration at not experiencing the terminated approach to her thoughts that he'd become used to having… she knew he felt this way because it was the same take way she was feeling and it made them both uncomfortable.

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

( BREAK )

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 vigour and refuel her flame. 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 discover that she would add up to his rescue anyway.

And then Elise's cerebration overpowered his and she was able to see that the woman intended to get rid of the only someone there to witness whatever she had planned. GET OUT OF THE WAY ! She screamed at Ron, as she lurched to her feet. She watched in horror as Elise unleashed a fiery hell in his direction… which is the exact moment genus Draco swooped in, grabbing Ron and taking them both far beyond the scrap. Jacey was thankful that she now had one less thing to worry about. She reached for her scepter only to discover that at some point it had fallen out of her pocket. Cupping her hand, she formed a fast fireball and threw it at Elise, knocking the cleaning woman square in the back before she could get down herself on blast to imbibe the contact. This caused her not only to scream 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 people in the backrest. ``

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

'' Except there's obviously something you want that Harry and his allies can offer you. '' Elise grinned. `` order me what it is and I promise I can get it to you flying and with less 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 remain loyal and trustworthy to those who had so totally accepted her. She had already lived the life Elise was offering and had only recently been able to throw off the shackles of that sort of existence… The one where you could confide no one and everyone used everyone else to further themselves, the one where you always felt unaccompanied and scared and were forced into being someone you are not in edict to live. She was fix for the life that came with being Harry's ally and a member of the coven… She was ready for the kind of friendship you would adventure your aliveness for even after arguing and she was ready for the freedom of being able to say and do what she wanted, of being capable to manage about anything and everything, of being able-bodied to be herself.

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

'' So then you concede the fighting. '' Jacey challenged, brushing off the fair sex's poorly composed sale pitch.

'' I'm ding no such thing. '' She assured her, once more ignition herself on flaming in compositor's case Jacey decided to project another musket ball of flame. She stared past her and smiled before once more group meeting her center. `` It looks like Dolos is about to wipe out Ron. ``

Not wanting to give Elise the satisfaction of distracting her, she quickly conjured the heavy fireball she could and charge it flying at the fair sex at top speed, knocking her to the land. Circling around so as to never have her back to Elise, she scanned the trees for Ron and saw him and Erebos dueling as Dragon paced nearby, desperately trying to campaign off whatever spell was keeping him from moving forward to help.

Checking on her own foe in this fight, she saw Elise reach out from the footing and tip. Jacey leapt out of the way and used her arms to shield her head as the Tree next to her exploded in flames. `` ENOUGH ! '' A loud, authoritative vocalization reverberated through the Tree. Both she and Elise extinguished themselves and looked around curiously.

rilievo flooded through her when she saw Dumbledore and lupine rushing over to Ron, genus Draco and Erebos. `` wellspring, I guess this means it's clip to go. '' Elise smiled, shooting one Sir Thomas More surprisal blast of fire before turning and running off through the trees.

Jacey quickly dodged before running off after her. `` No ! break off her ! '' She shouted as the woman passed within a few feet of Dumbledore. But Elise was prepared and quickly set several Tree on firing as a misdirection to keep them meddlesome. Leaving it to the others to hold the flames from spreading, Jacey never slowed her pace and continued on in her pursuit. She thought she was alone until she felt Draco coming up behind her… and then he was passing her as he moved with impossible velocity. Do not let her piddle it past the shoal's limit ! She called out to him. Unlike her, Harry and Luna, Elise was ineffectual to apparate into or away from someplace protected by the protection charms… but if she made it yesteryear Hogwarts'edge, she'd be able-bodied to go anywhere.

Seeing that Elise was only yards away from escaping, Draco pushed himself a little harder and mad a savage diva, tackling the woman around her legs and bringing her to the primer. Jacey raced up to them, quickly shoving Draco away as Elise tried to retaliate. He threw up a shell around himself to throw off the fire. `` You have to let me get out, Harry and Luna's life story may depend on my helping them. '' Elise said after calming her wrath at being stopped so roughly.

'' What do you think ? '' Jacey and Draco demanded at the Saame time.

She reached up and pulled a minor disc from her ear and held it out for them to see. `` I've been in constant communication with Sarah since Elanya contacted Dolos and told him to let us know that your friends 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 dragons including reading the new book written by Charlie Weasley… those Dragon aren't the kind that breath flaming, they're scared of it. Now Sarah is trying to help, but they're only three the great unwashed against a horde of creature. If I don't go and help, two of your friends and one of mine might just become some misfortunate beast's meal. '' She smiled smugly at them as she walked backward until she was in a place she could apparate from.

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

Elise only grinned wider as she extended a hand out to her. `` seed with me Jacey. We can work together just this once in the interest of saving our friends'lives. After we can go veracious 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. Draco silently warned her.

I know it is. But I can also see that she is not lying about Harry and Luna being in problem. Jacey replied. Quickly making her alternative, she rushed to take Elise's deal and allowed the woman to whip them away before Dragon could quit them.

( BREAK )

Harry dodged to the left to escape the dragon only to have to curve immediately veracious to dodge the fireball that shot past them. Luna had abandoned her endeavour to use her wand and now held onto him tightly with both arms as it was open that his flying was the only thing that was going to get them through this. He didn't bother to distract himself with worrying about how Sarah was faring. She could be swallowed by a dragon or plumb bob into the ocean for all he cared, as long as he and Luna got out of this with their lives… Oh yeah, and Jacey who was inexplicably down on a gravy boat with Elise as both girls flung fire in the air to chase off the tool. He wished he could talk to Luna without turning and shouting, he wished they could discuss 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 mind but from Hermione, Fred and Jacey's as well.

'' Head down to the boat ! '' Sarah called as she zoomed past them to lightly land and looked up expectantly.

'' What do you retrieve ? '' He called to Luna as he continued to take a leak 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 dodge dragons with all three of us on the Scots heather ! ``

'' Then we'll have to shoot down and take the other broom back from Sarah ! Then we can go find Fred and Hermione and get the hell out of here ! '' Luna squeezed him tightly in reassurance and buried her face in his rachis in preparation for the sharp drop curtain he was about to build. Fixing his hairgrip he shot straight down, streaking past several dragon until he was low enough for Jacey and Elise to ship out attack flash to keep open the beasts at bay as he softly set his feet down on the bow of the small sauceboat. Sarah immediately started the locomotive 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 other to their feet.

'' Getting us away from here, what does it appear like ? '' She stared at him as if he were pudden-head before gesturing to the rear of the gravy holder where Jacey and Elise were still using their power to fend off the four firedrake spirit 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 joint. `` They're dead weight around your neck opening. 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 capable of taking care of themselves… and unlike you, I could care less whether they live or die. ``

'' I think this is far enough. '' Sarah said, once more turning off the engine and letting the boat drift through the water. They had apparently gone far enough to assure the firedrake that they had no intentions of returning to their nest. The wolf had finally given up the interest and headed back home. `` I didn't think it would take 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 get along after Fred and so he proved his starting time use to us… there's still more for him to do though. ``

'' We just never thought it would involve you this long to estimate things out… Tristan must get kept you all pretty preoccupied. '' Sarah taunted. `` Seems he's disappeared from the castle though. Can't waiting to see where he turns up following. ``

Harry, Luna and Jacey stole glances at each other… it seemed that Elise and Sarah didn't know anything about them having already killed Tristan. Yet again he wished he still had the power to go into their brain to see if it was true. `` 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 answer than Neil Simon had been able-bodied to provide.

'' We haven't yet decided whether we'll go through with that. '' Elise shared a grinning with Sarah as if they were sharing some private joke. `` We're still weighing the professional and cons of immortality… but it's of import to always come out agreeable to Lord Voldemort. '' She laughed.

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

'' It's simpleton, we wanted to show 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 early champion would give us the luck to really make ourselves listened to rather than just heard. ``

'' Big gestures are the solely way to micturate mass listen ... '' Luna quietly repeated what St. Simon had said to them when explaining his own actions.

Elise stared at her in surprise. `` I'm glad you see my point in time. But clearly whatever was going on up at the castle 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 bring in you focus… plus Elanya had told us she was having trouble getting Fred to join forces so we figured it would be a win-win situation. Of form the stupid man is terrified of both Draco Malfoy and your Quaker lupine for what they are, though he's too proud to allow it. When genus Draco refused access to Ginny, making it exculpate that the alone way Dolos was reaching her was through a engagement with him, our less than brave spy gave up. But then, to our delight we received word that you all had come to the island today anyway and we knew it was the gross opportunity so Elanya ordered Dolos to kill Ron. Then after Jacey showed up, I told her you all were in trouble and so we apparated to my waiting ship and hopped in the speedboat to come to your delivery. ``

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

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

'' It doesn't topic in the to the lowest degree. '' Elise assured them. `` Why else do you think I left the idiot behind to whatever fate befell him ? Even if he decided to turn on me, he knows zip of any consequence… I've seen to that personally. And with only two week left for you all to be at Hogwarts, the man was entirely spendable. '' She stopped to smile at the faces they were all fashioning. `` Oh don't spirit at me like that. He and I had a deal, I provided my percentage and he provided his. Just because he got caught doesn't mean I had any debt instrument to help… he made his option to become require in this and now he knows he was dealing in affair far above his school principal. ``

'' A pitiable lesson to learn the voiceless way. '' Sarah lamented, shaking her head in mock heartbreak before smiling brightly. `` In any grammatical case, we got exactly what we wanted even if we had to sacrifice Dolos. Now we know Jacey. ``

'' It's okeh, Dolos was very good at his job when he wanted to be. '' Elise cooed, reaching out to ease Jacey who shoved her away. She went on as if Jacey wasn't staring obelisk of hatred at her. `` He saw you and Ron at the Costume Ball, and putting two and two together, he figured you were the Same mysterious person Dumbledore had been keeping in his office… the one Harry and all his friends made special trips up there to visit. We knew putting Ron's spirit in danger would bring you running, especially if Harry and Luna were busy elsewhere. ``

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

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

'' Regardless your opinion of our Quaker, '' Harry stepped in to stop Jacey from punching Sarah in the side as it was bring in she very much longed to do, `` you've done all of this for no understanding. We obviously want nothing to do with you. '' He looked at Luna, hoping their connection to each former was firm enough for her to understand what he wanted her to do. Sure enough he saw her nod slightly and take a small step sideways toward the broom Sarah had abandoned when she'd gotten on the boat. He'd never let his go even when he'd fallen and he now held it stiffly beside him, hoping Jacey would get the hint. Apparently, they didn't entirely need their thought transference to transmit with each other… just a full understanding of how they all thought. Jacey discreetly grabbed the back of his shirt to argue that she was ready. It had taken a subject 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, for certain to motivate 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 interest below them.

( severance )

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

'' If I knew that I would already have it, wouldn't I ? '' Elanya sneered. She walked forward, making a belittled circle around her as she inspected her from every Angle. `` So, you're the ground Fred never gave in to me… '' She came to stand directly in front line of her, her golden middle glaring with a deadly blast. `` 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 cause liked to say in return. But without her wand, the survive matter she wanted was to leave the girl another rationality to wish her dead.

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

Hermione watched in horror as the lady friend's eyes rolled up into her caput and she fell forward. Elanya still had her hired man in a demise travelling bag and dragged her down feather to her knee joint as she hit the ground… clearly she was having some sort of vision of the past. Hermione tumbled back as she wrenched herself exempt. For a brief moment she considered going into the George Walker Bush to face for her wand but remembering her in conclusion encounter with foreign foliage, she decided it would be best to guide Elanya's before she woke up. She crawled over and tried to pry the girl's digit apart.

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

Reaching deep interior herself, Hermione gathered every bit of strength she had and getting her legs under the other miss, she kicked out and managed at last to get her off. Grabbing at her throat in moderation as air once more made it's way to her lungs, she struggled to her fundament, 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 illusion of escape isn't it… go ahead, I'll give you a brain start. Run. ``

'' No. '' She coughed out. Being forced to collapse all of her attending to the psychotic person girl, she had no idea whether Fred had fallen again and unwrap his neck, but she couldn't just leave… especially when it was most belike that Elanya would catch her anyway.

'' Well, that's your exclusive right. '' She smiled with demented delight and got quick to cast. `` I wish I could say it's been nice knowing you. ``

Hermione closed her middle and waited for impact. `` Protego ! '' Fred shouted suddenly from behind her before shooting another spell straight at Elanya that sent her flying several grounds back through the trees until she hit one concentrated enough to knock her out. She turned to get hold him sprawled on the terra firma, sweating and panting from the attempt of pulling himself spare with a leg that even from here looked extremely swollen. `` Accio baton. '' He called tiredly in the direction Hermione's wand had flown earlier. It shot into his helping hand, which he held out to her as she rushed over.

'' Are you okay ? '' She asked, taking the wand and kneeling future to him.

'' I'm really not for certain. '' He answered, groaning in pain as she helped him sit up. His work force were bleeding from the sway, but other than that and his leg, nothing else seemed too serious.

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

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

'' We have to find Harry and Luna. They're the only if 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 trees to look for a opus of woodwind instrument longsighted and sturdy enough for their design. At last she found one and rushed back over to facilitate Fred climb to his feet. Throwing his former arm around her articulatio humeri, he was eventually capable to find a way to use both her and the make-shift walking stick to his dependable advantage as he hobbled along. `` Should we forebode out for them since they can't seem to hear us in their headland ? '' 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 person else to us or it'll be useless because they were eaten by the Draco that now seem to birth calmly returned to their cuddle. '' He answered gloomily.

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

'' Sorry. '' He muttered. `` I think our C. H. Best bet is to go down to the beach. If they're still out there somewhere, that's the trump 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 shoulder joint 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 picnic being the white knight either. '' She laughed. `` It's far too much pressure. ``

They walked on in well-situated quiet, as glad as they could be given their situation. To his credit, Fred didn't petition that they stop to reside until they'd actually made it all the way down to the beach and out in the open. Moving over to a chemical group of small bowlder, she helped him sit while keeping the rocks and H2O at their backs and their eyes capable to see the tree line and anyone who may wander out of it. `` Did you hear that ? '' He asked after a short while, shading his eyes as he searched the afternoon sky.

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

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

They yelled and waved their hands until at last Harry caught sight of them and began flying towards them. Feeling something moving over her foot, Hermione looked down and gave a small shrieking as several large sea crabby person scuttled across the moxie towards them. `` Oppugno ! '' Elanya yelled from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, pointing her wand at Fred and sending the diminutive creatures she'd conjured after him.

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

( good luck )

These stupid crabs just weren't behaving normally, acquiring a mob mentality as they swarmed over each other to reach Fred. He tried to limp after Hermione and Elanya who had taken to dueling each other further up the beach but between his already injured leg and the sharp claws continually piercing the skin of the good one, it was all he could do to sustain from falling over. Using his wand and the stick he'd been carrying as a crutch to fend the petty pests off, he slowly persisted forward while looking to the sky to see why Harry and Luna hadn't landed to serve 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 fireballs and bar of flame into the air while the soul riding with Harry returned the fiery blast. Luna was swooping in, waving her wand and stirring up some Wave in an attack to stay fresh the boat from reaching the island… but it was make the person driving cared nothing about the sauceboat, damaging it beyond reparation 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… pain shot through his foundation as he felt himself tone on one of the Crab. Using the walking control stick, he tried to regain his correspondence but his foot sank into the Baroness Dudevant and feeling himself going down, he stretched out his arms to disclose his fall.

Quickly flipping over on his back, he dropped the stick and wildly waved his wand but to no service. The brute were all over him in an instant, looking very much larger 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 cabbage and pierce his skin. He thrashed wildly, sending many of them flying away… but there were always Sir Thomas More to engage their place. Panic settled over him as he realized that he was ineffective to get up and the crabs were taking the opportunity to entomb him.

( BREAK )

Luna gripped the ling tightly, terrified that she was going to come off as the humble of visions suddenly washed over her to give a warning of what was coming. It was brief enough that she didn't completely lose consciousness but detailed enough to save her life. Quickly dodging to the left away from Harry and Jacey, she turned to see a fireball explode where she'd been only a here and now ago.

'' You okay ? '' Harry called as Jacey gripped him tighter before turning to return the flame 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 describe that her vision had served not only to discourage her of the fire, but that for some reason those young woman had decided they no longer like if she lived or died. She wasn't sure what had changed, but from the way Elise continued to throw fire at her alone assured Luna that at some distributor point, her life became less valuable 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 keep them from once more reaching the beach and carry out whatever they had planned next, Luna swooped in low and used her sceptre to stir up some violent Wave that tossed the footling boat around. She grinned in expiation to see Elise nearly fall overboard… unfortunately it wasn't enough to dissuade Sarah who drove on despite the destruction being caused to her boat. She waved her verge again, strengthening the magical spell and creating bigger and more cruel waves… and then she saw the larger ship on the apparent horizon, quickly heading in their direction. Distracted, she hovered in the air for a moment as she tried to envision out who could be aboard.

'' Luna look out ! '' Jacey yelled at the Same time her intuition screamed in her oral sex to turn. She was less than a back too former and the very back of her broom was caught in the fiery stream.

Feeling 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 get hold herself surrounded by tons of crabs. She quickly got to her fundament but the creatures didn't seem to own 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 crabs went about attacking him. Realizing what spell had been used, she rushed forward knowing there was nothing that was going to address them off. Ignoring the unity that pinched her as she reached down to aid him get up, she saw that one of his pegleg was in a makeshift splint. Throwing his arm over her shoulder, she got a better hold and together they were able to lift him off the earth and get him standing.

'' Thanks. '' He panted out, trying to trance his breath as they both used their wands to prevent the Phthirius pubis at bay. He pointed ahead of them, his eyes wide with business. `` Now forget about me and go help Hermione… I can't move quickly enough. ``

She looked over to see the girl dueling heavily with Elanya. They both looked tired but other than a few scrape and bruise they hadn't seemed to urinate any headway against each other… The landscape painting around them was a unlike story as tattered and eradicate 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 spell could get to it's object, it was suddenly pushed harmlessly out to sea.

Turning, she saw that Sarah had run the speedboat ashore and taken ascendency of Luna's sandstorm before it could harm her friend. Harry and Jacey grounded as Elise jumped down from the boat to get together Sarah on the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin. They all five stared at each other, tensely waiting to see who would do what first. On one side of their grouping, Hermione and Elanya had resumed their duel as they now each were trying to continue the other from going to wait on their friends… on the other slope, Fred was still stuck fighting with nature while struggling to save 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 tartar took to it. Several loud shrieks erupted from the draw close but apparently they had sensed there was no direct threat to them and remained safely where they were. `` It seems our ride out of here has arrived. '' Sarah grinned. `` Who's coming with us ? ``

( breakout )

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

'' hold our itinerary clear ! '' He instructed, tightening his clasp and heading straight person for the beach as she ensured Elise wasn't able-bodied to hit them. He landed as lightly as he could so that Jacey could get her metrical unit under her before hurrying over to Luna who had been trying to help oneself Hermione until Sarah stepped in.

He tried to think, to count on out what to do next… it was impossible to design 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 portion of himself. A forte automobile horn startled him from his persuasion and he looked out over the pee to see a big ship anchored and three rowboats full 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 other and then to him, it was assoil they were as upset as he was that they were unable to design. `` Can we discuss this among ourselves ? '' He boldly asked… after all, as far as Elise and Sarah knew, they were all bound to the island by the anti-apparation appealingness 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 name 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 phonation so only they could try him. `` okeh, Luna when I give the signal, run and seize Fred and get yourselves back to Hogwarts. Jacey and I will go get Hermione and follow right behind you. '' She instantly opened her mouth to dissent but he shook his headway and went on. `` If we haven't come back in ten mo, then go get Lupin and Draco… go get Dumbledore if it makes you sense better… Just bring them back here to help. ``

She stared at him for a second, clearly unsure that this was the dependable programme. But it was the only one they had and she must have realized it. `` fine, ten proceedings and not a moment more. '' She finally agreed.

'' okeh then. '' Harry took her bridge player and held it tightly before turning to Jacey. `` I need you to keep Sarah and Elanya back as best you can while I go avail out Hermione… as soon as we're able, apparate to the screeching shack okay ? '' Jacey nodded and rubbed her deal together as she prepared to unleash more of her magnate than she'd been able 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 trivial minions row ashore to ram you to onboard with us against your will ? ``

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

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

Harry watched Luna kick over to Fred and waited until she had grabbed his arm and apparated them both away before turning to help oneself Hermione. `` Just continue them officious. '' He instructed before walking over to help have care of Elanya and get off this island and back to Luna.

'' Harry ! '' He heard Jacey yell out a warning and turned to see various large Boulder flying at him. He ducked to the ground and threw a shield around himself but it became quickly exculpate that Sarah hadn't been trying to kill him as the rock-and-roll settled and entombed him.

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



banknote : more than to issue forth soon !