Luna Lovegood, was currently bent at the waist, her upper body hidden within the refuge of a massive plant growing aside one of the school's stone walls. Her wand was before her face, alighting her search within the green leafy plant's innards using Lumos. From an outsider's perspective it seemed that the plant was glowing from her use of light in the post dusk air.

It was only by chance that Cho Chang was able to see the two figures creeping along side the castle while she was atop her broom. She was still the Ravenclaw's seeker and thus was known to spot movement quite easily, even in the dark. She spied two skulking figures making their way towards the lit plant; she knew from earlier observation just who was within said plant.

"Oh, I'm fine Cho, thank-you very much for asking. I'm only looking for friskies, apparently they like the spaces between a plant and stone wall. By daddy doesn't believe any are at Hogwarts, but I wanted to see for myself." Were the younger girl's exact words when Cho had asked what she had been doing.

Cho sailed a little higher into the air and silently made her way towards the two figures. As of now she had no confirmation of their identities, but she had a hunch. Carefully, she positioned herself above them and listened to their harsh whispers.

"Are you sure that's her?" Came a plaintive question.

"Of course, who else would be doing something like that?" Came a replied hiss.

"Alright already."

From their voices Cho knew them to be Ron Weasley and Seamus Finnigan. She narrowed her eyes. They were going to gang-up on Luna, something she felt they had little right to do. For a moment she wondered if this is how Cedric normally felt when defending the younger years. Ron's next statement sealed their fate in her eyes.

"Y'know, looking at her bending over makes her rear look right nice." Ron spoke with speculation.

Silence was his answer as Seamus leaned forward to inspect said derriere. "I have to agree with you on that one mate." Came his leering response.

Cho produced her wand. Pigs. A particularly mean hex came to mind. She decided she would be using it on Ron, considering his sister had been the one to show her it. With malicious glee she waited for them to creep closer.

Dean had his wand before him, its tip quivering with his nervousness. Ron's was the steadier of the two. They raised their wands and Cho's clear crisp voice filled their ears. "Engorgis Mucus."

They whipped their heads skyward with their eyes going wide with surprise. Ron pulled his wand around trying to counter, but failed as the sick looking spell struck him in the nose. Horror dominated his face as he felt his bogies come alive and struggle their way from his nostrils. Once free a few of them grew wings and quadrupled in size, fangs glistening in the faint moon light. He screamed in an unmanly manner as they attacked his face and ears.

Seamus was frozen in disgust, a half-thought spell on his lips, his wand pointed towards Cho, who was looking immensely pleased with herself. She then raised her wand and muttered the word: "Tarantallegra."

The blue spell struck Seamus in the chest and his legs reacted immediately, beginning to move without his approval in a discordant dance, jostling and jerking his hands about. One such violent lurch caused him to release his wand. His only verbal response was to begin yelling, as his prancing feet took him away from the wall.

With all the fuss happening it was no wonder that Luna Lovegood popped her head from within the bush and arched an eyebrow as Seamus danced away and Ron bolted from the scene; followed closely by three large angry mucus clusters. Cho noted the number and sighed, remembering Ginny had managed a dozen of them.

"Hello again Cho." Luna said brightly, obviously not in the least surprised by her two classmates antics. "Still flying this late at night?"

Cho beamed at what she had accomplished with such ease. "Yeah, I like flying alone at night, lets me clear my thoughts."

Luna nodded her understanding. "I s--"

Cho, sensing a warning about some fantastical beast coming, spoke quickly. "I already know Luna and I appreciate the warning, but I'm already got protection." She patted her empty pocket.

Luna's eyes began to twinkle with amusement as she cast them in the direction of Seamus and Ron. "I was going to say watch out for them in the future, considering who you just jinxed." She gave the embarrassed seeker a half smile.

Cho paled and felt horrible. "Er…yeah, right."

Luna chuckled, it sounding like chimes in the clear night. "But, I'm also glad you're prepared against Laughing Daffies." She spoke conversationally and turned to skip away, her hand waving Cho a good-bye. "Ta ta."

Cho sat ten feet in the air upon her broom completely flummoxed. "Laughing Daffies…?" She muttered. Could Luna have been making fun of her? Making a joke at her expense? She remembered that half-smile and twinkling eyes, but it being Looney Lovegood she just was not sure.

War was inevitable. Not exactly a bloody war, but a prank war. Save this one carried stronger undertones than ones of the past. Between rival teams there was a sense of aggression and passion, letting the hotblood push one's mind. In this one there was a chiller feel to, where cold logic was directing the hexes and in some cases curses. There was as well a finality to the situation, along with a dark undertone. And the opening shots were fired by two coordinated groups, banding together this once to show those trying to upset the balance their places.

The first group was Neville and his entourage, save for Dean Thomas who refused to participate in any way. The others frowned at his decision, but Neville respected it. The ones Neville chose an alliance with surprised his friends. He reached out towards Draco Malfoy and his circle of friends. Crabb, Goyle, Blaise, and Pansy. United they would break the ones who they felt had wronged them. In a single day they would strike.

In the late night meeting between the two groups they had listened raptly with attention as Draco, beyond furious, gave hints and tips to the naïve tricksters to be. Neville and his crew were inexperienced when it came to retribution, and thus listened as the Draco heir spoke of making sure this time they go one step further. To make sure they learn their lesson. As the four Gryffindors left the meeting Draco eyed his own followers and cast them a malevolent grin. "Here's what's really going to happen."

Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, Cho Chang, and Dusty Desert. Their targets were set and had been chosen.

Cho Chang was speeding down the stairs, her bag flapping awkwardly behind her. Her friend Marrietta Edgecombe beside her, trying to keep up with her physically fit housemate. Snatches of their conversation could be heard as they descended. Unlike Cho Chang, Marrietta had never attended Dumbledore's Army, Cho having Cedric with her that first time.

Pansy smiled and waited until they passed her before jumping from her hiding place and crying: "Impementia."

Cho had just stepped onto the top of a flight of stairs when the spell hit. The result, her bag flew from her hands as she tripped and fell down, crying out in pain as her body struck stone time and time again. Marrietta whirled about to catch who had done it but was hit with: "Expelliarmus!"

Her wand disappeared from her hand as she was thrown down the stairs following her companion.

Pansy waited a moment and began to inhale and exhale quickly, making herself purposely short of breath. With the effect in place she put on her features a dismayed expression. She rushed down the stairs exclaiming. "Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod! Are you alright? Say something!" She was panting and beside them each after racing down the stairs. "Stay here! I'll go get help!" She ran away acting frantic.

Ron had wanted either Luna or Cho, his embarrassment of the situation screaming at him for retribution. In the end he was handed Luna. He waited for an hour in the Great Hall until he saw her patting her stomach before standing and leaving at a sedate pace; a small smile forming on her lips.

Ron counted to ten and followed, his stride purposeful and determined. This loon was not going to slip past him again! He had consulted with Draco, seeing if he had any good suggestions. Most had proven darker than he could stomach, but Draco had provided something to satiate his need for vindication.

He trailed her for a few minutes until she left the building, deciding to venture onto the grounds on her free period. Ron smiled maliciously. Perfect.

He waited for her to go beneath a tree, he had originally been going to use a ceiling fixture. He ran forward his wand raised and the spell leaving his lips. "Incarcerous!"

Luna whirled around, her hand going to her wand tucked behind her ear. She had managed a small motion when the spell struck and she was wrapped in ropes. Ron whooped aloud and ran to her, gloating.

Luna's face was passive, but a curiosity lurked in her silver eyes. "So you were going to try and hex me that night, weren't you?"

Ron grinned. "Yep, had to show you who you were talking to."

She looked confused. "I was talking to Neville."

Ron sighed. Neville was right, she was batty and twice as dense. "Listen, the way you talked to him was impolite and such an infraction can't be stood. I mean, if you'd first talked to him nicely, then this wouldn't be happening."

Her face became guarded. "All I did was ask a question—"

"Oi now! None of that!" Ron exclaimed, ducking down to snatch a wand from her hands, where she had been trying to reach it. He straightened and glared at her, his temper rising. Shove this rubbish! "Remember to blindfold her Weasley, it'll make it harder for her to guess where the next one'll come from, making her fear it more."

"Obscuro." Ron said and a blindfold appeared around Luna's eyes. He then muttered a levitation spell and hooked her into the tree by one of his ropes binding her.

"What are you doing, Ronald?" Luna asked calmly, swaying as she struggled with her predicament.

Her calm features irked him. She should be panicking by now! He shot a stinging hex at her and listened to her cry out in alarm.

Her struggles intensified. "This is no longer funny, Ronald. I believe you are taking this prank too far."

"My name is Ron!" He cried sending two more hexes onto her prone form. She cried again in mingled shock and pain.

"Ronald, please stop this and let me down, I am no longer finding any amusement in this." Her voice sounded strained, but her calm attitude and reference to his full name drove him further into a rage.

"My." A stinging hex. "Name." Another." "Is." Another. "Ron!" He shouted sending another and another and another into her. He was panting and sweating from his anger, and was only now able to her strangled whimpers.

Instantly, he deflated, the anger rushing from him leaving only an empty space where it had once been. He trembled and looked to his hands, unbelieving what he had just done. With a strangled gulp of air he sprinted away, cursing himself for ever listening to a Malfoy.

He remembered Malfoy's look as well when he had told him what to do and how to do it. He had almost looked feral and mocking. Weasley wondered if Draco had known Ron would react his way. Had he told him how to do this just to set the redhaired young man up?

Ron angered again at the idea and he ran still more with Draco's mocking laughter driving him onward.

Crabbe and Goyle both knew they were not that smart or very good with many spells. They did know that, once you got a wizard's wand from them, they would be easy prey to a few strong punches. Something the two of them excelled at. That is why they had been chosen against Dusty. Because both would have been a liability against Cedric or Harry.

They waited remembering Malfoy's instructions. "Remember his arm is quick. Try and break it off for me. He'll deserve it. He should be getting out of Ancient Runes around one and heading for his tower. Nab him and pull him into a deserted room, grab his wand and then go to town."

Dusty had a new glove covering his hand, and a sleeve hid the rest of his arm. He came around the corner, waving with his human arm at someone in the distance. He called something to them before walking down the corridor at a quick jaunt. Goyle plowed into him, knocking them both to ground. He found Dusty's wand and wrenched it away, tossing it behind him knowing Crabbe would nab it.

He then hauled the shocked teen into the room where Goyle clipped him in the head. Dazed Dusty fell to the ground where they proceeded to kick him, cursing at him.

Goyle nodded to himself and shut the door. He popped his fingers and nodded across the way towards Crabbe. "You ready?" He grunted.

The large teen nodded, an eagerness shining in his eyes. "Yep. You hold him, I'll pull."

Goyle came forward and grabbed Dusty roughly and lifted him by the scruff of his neck. He attempted to put him into a head lock, but he suddenly felt a wrenching pain in his arm. He cried out and released him, seeing Dusty's imitation hand squeezing his arm. He jerked as the pain increased. He reacted and punched Dusty in the mouth. The hand let go and Dusty went back, falling into Crabbe's arms.

Dusty jerked and spun around, his left hand balled together and striking Crabbe in the jaw. There was a crack and Crabbe backed away, clutching his bleeding mouth. Goyle aimed a kick into Dusty's chest that connected and floored the thin youth. Dusty cursed aloud and grunted.

While down there Goyle sent another kick to his abdomen. Dusty suddenly retched in pain. Before Goyle could kick again, the artificial hand jerked out and gripped his leg like a vice.
Goyle cursed but was unceremoniously pulled from his feet. He hit the ground on his shoulder, hard. Dusty stood on wary feet, trying to find a balance when Crabbe was upon him, wrestling and trying to take hold of the arm. He got it in a grip and tried to twist. To his dismay, he lacked the strength to do so. Dusty almost fell, but managed to jerk his arm away and out of Crabbe's clutches.

"Move!" Goyle shouted.

Crabbe looked up and literally hit the ground as he saw Goyle move his wand. "Sectumsempra!" He called aloud, remembering the spell from his father.

Dusty stared with fascination and shock as the spell came forward. That expression died as he felt something slice through his shoulder. He screamed in pain as he heard his metal arm fall to the floor with a resounding clang. He fell to his knees in a haze of red and lose, his other hand going to the wound to stem the flow of blood.

He heard a door open and knew the two goons had fled. It took him a minute to situate his mind through the various pains across his body. From there he drew himself to his feet and struggled from the classroom, calling for help in a strained voice.

"I don't see it." Came a muffled voice.

"He has to have it somewhere around here." Came another voice followed by the sounds of ruffling clothes and small items striking a hard ground.

"I'm telling you, it's not here!"

"Come on, where could it be? He didn't take it into the shower with him!"

Cedric stepped out of the shower clad only in a towel tied around his waist, water running down his toned body. His hair was plastered to his face. In his dripping hand was held his wand. He stared at the two people before him with annoyance. "Yes, boneheads, I actually would carry it into the shower with me."

Two very shocked eyes regarded him. Before him was Seamus Finnigan and Cormac MgLaggen, their faces red and their wands held loosely in their grips. They shared a look and both said simultaneously. "Oh shit."

Cedric smirked. "Right, now tell me what you think you're doing before I start hexing the both of you."

They shared a look before speaking at once. "We were just supposed to teach you a quick lesson."

"Yeah, you know don't mess with us or something like that!"

Cedric sighed and shook his head. Pathetic.

"Expelliarmus!"

The spell took Cedric by surprise and he was hurled backwards into the tiled stall, his wand leaving his hand. He clutched his head after having landed unceremoniously. He looked up and Draco Malfoy stepped into view. "Actually, Diggory, I'm the one whose going to be teaching you a lesson." He smiled. "And when I'm done, we're going to take care of your little pal, Potter."

Seamus stepped up now looking nervous, not liking the tone Malfoy had taken. McLaggen, though, looked more than ready to follow the Slytherin's lead.

Cedric's face became stony. He tried to lunge forward, but Draco laughed and cast Crucio. "Join in gentleman, I've never seen what multiple Crucio's do to a person." McLaggen cast the spell, with a strange glint in his eye. Seamus just looked ill and turned a way, as Cedric's cries of pain echoed dully throughout the prefect's bathroom.

***

Harry Potter was worried, his gut screaming at him to be on his guard. He did not know why he felt this way, but it had saved his life in the past, and whenever it came upon him he knew to heed its warnings and be prepared. In this such instance it would not help him in the least.

The sun was setting and he was on his way towards the library to meet with Hermione Granger for a project they were working on in Herbology. The only reason he was taking the NEWT class was because Neville had insisted, though now he was regretting it. He turned a corner and looked to see Seamus Finnigan talking with Blaise Zambini in hushed tones, their wands out and gripped. Neither had seen him as he backed away to hide behind the corner and think.

Harry's stomach dropped as seeing them together, on the lookout for someone, did not bode well with him. It did not take a quick mind to tell him they were waiting for him. He breathed slowly weighing the options in his mind. The two of them were no chance against him, and he would rather not be late due to how much this project was worth.

His more paranoid instincts told him Neville would be stupid enough to set two people to watch the corridor alone, but Malfoy would not be. He would have someone in hiding. He nodded with a grin. To avoid the whole thing he would just take the secret passage in this hallway and get to the library via a more indirect route.

Humming quietly he pulled on a piece of armor's arm and watched as the wall pulled away to reveal a shadowed corridor. He lit his wand with lumos and entered it, not forgetting to step on one of the stones twice to close the door. He congratulated him at his clever tactic, again outsmarting the Slytherin.

Then he stopped in mid-step as light flooded the corridor from behind him, someone had opened the secret passage he had just closed. In stepped Seamus and Blaise, their wands pointed in his direction. They smirked and stopped. Seamus stepped on the stone twice and the door sealed all three in the corridor, Harry's wand the only illumination. A smile crawled up his face. "You're kidding, right?"

Seamus looked doubtful for a moment, but Blaise gave Harry a haughty look. "No, we're not."

Harry caught the emphasis and his neck hairs stood on end. He quickly whirled around and light flooded the secret corridor again, showing him how Malfoy had outsmarted him. He was surrounded and alone, cut-off from anyone interfering. The pureblood git had known Harry would choose the secret passage.

Neville walked forward with a sure gait, almost a swagger; he was yet unaware of the lengths his fellow conspirators had gone, that knowledge would eventually humble him, but right now Harry Potter was ripe for his vindication. Stepping up next to him was Draco, the light had come from his wand and hovered above all their faces, his grin was almost sickeningly sweet.

Harry tensed and cast his eyes to the four wands trained on him. Seamus was passable in a duel, but Blaise was quick of hands and quick of mind, if not all that powerful. Neville was both good in a duel and had power, but was best when the odds were against him. Malfoy was strong and capable, but best when the odds were in his favor, like right now. All of this passed through his mind in the span of a second.

"You see now Potter the error of your ways?" Neville began, his tone condescending. "You couldn't leave well enough alone could you? Had to get your friends to stick their noses into my business. Had to finally speak out against me. I tried to protect you all these years…"

"Oh do shut-up, Longbottom." Blaise said with scorn. "I'm about ready to curse you instead of Potter at the rate you're going."

Seamus' wand hesitated from where it was pointed. He did not like people speaking out against Neville. Harry noted this and waited for an opportunity. What he missed was the looks passed between Malfoy and Blaise, hinting at this exchange as being planned between them.

Neville blustered and moved his wand towards Zambini and spoke righteously. "He must learn his place, just be glad our alliance protects you, or I'd have you learn yours, too." Harry had little doubt Neville could take Zambini.

Blaise scoffed. "Whatever. The others did not take near as long." His jibe was intended to remind Neville to mention Harry's friends.

Neville again rounded on Harry. "Alright, for the sake of speed, I'll tell you this alone Potter. Do not interfere with me again, or you and your friends will suffer more. Am I understood?"

"My friends?" Harry asked, the glowing embers within his mind now raging.

Neville smirked, and so did Malfoy, who stood waiting like a serpent readying to strike. He knew his only chance to nail Potter was if he attacked Neville first.

"Yes Harry, they have been taught a lesson, too. By now I'm sure they are well aware of their places and will think twice before striking out against me or my own again." Neville gave Harry a hard glare, himself unable to read the blank expression his once fellow was giving him.

Harry tensed, tossing his plan out the window as the anger or five years welled up within him and he sprang forward, brandishing his wand a spell of blue came hurling from it. Neville managed to react, but not quick enough as the spell struck him and he was blasted against a wall. From experience he was able to hold onto his wand as he next fell to the ground.

Malfoy fired his own disarming spell, but Harry dropped to the ground and avoided it. Panic entered Malfoy's mind instantly and he jumped away as Harry shot a spell his way. "Incendio!" Zambini cried as Seamus used a hair growing hex. Harry turned on the ground and came up onto his knees, his robes flashing to absorb the spells.

Hair and fire sprouted on him, and the flames grew catching the hair aflame. Harry waved his wand and a jet of water came shooting from it. With a quick arc the water smothered the flames and then he aimed its course at both the teens. They were hit in succession and blasted backwards from the pressure issuing forth from Harry's wand.

Harry then spun around, the water followed and aimed it for Malfoy. Draco had summoned a shield and was using it to block the water, but he had to buckle down and put his back into it. He turned his head, knowing Harry would notice, and shouted. "Now Longbottom!"

Harry's eyes sought Neville and only found confusion in his features to Draco's words. The lad was just getting bearings and standing up. Harry jerked his attention back towards Draco, realizing now the subterfuge he had fallen for. It was too late. A red jet struck Harry in the chest. His hand wand was emptied and the water stopped instantly. Draco caught the wand and smiled maliciously, his white teeth gleaming ferally.

"I think Longbottom, its time Harry learned his place." Draco raised Harry's wand and uttered: "Crucio."

Harry fell to the ground spasming.

"Zambini." Malfoy called heartlessly.

"Crucio." The dark-skinned boy intoned, his clothing wet.

Neville walked forward, his shoulders sagging. "I'm sorry Harry. I really am, but it's for the best." He glanced towards a wary looking Seamus. "C'mon Seamus, lets leave it to them."

The Irish teen nodded his head quickly and stepped around the writhing Harry Potter. As one the two turned their backs on their fellow housemate and left. As the left the secret corridor behind is when Harry howls of agony finally erupted from his lips.

A/N:: Well, that's it for now. I've got a good idea where this is going, and it will include Horcruxes and Voldemort and a little romance as well. The pairing for Harry will be Luna Lovegood, I hope there aren't too many objections but I always wanted to write one with them together. There aren't too many, but there are some good ones. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. +).