Part VII

Taking the steps two at a time, and running elegantly down every corridor and around every corner. When they reached a blank wall deep in the dungeons, they were puffed out. Muttering the password, the wall opened to reveal the familiar common room lit with greenish torchlight and a low ceiling that extends under the lake. Bent over and trying to catch their breath, the girls clothed their stomachs as a couple of fifth and seventh years looked on in curiosity.

Meanwhile, in Draco's private rooms the three boys were holding a bottle of firewhiskey each when they realised the common room was unusually silent. Icy silver, brown and obsidian clashed, instantly they boys rose from their positions to make their way to the common room.

Once there, Draco caught sight of his slightly breathless cousins and other students milling about in the common room. ''Leave!'' the blonde said imperiously as the younger students trembled in their boots and scampered off.

The seventh years merely quirked their eyebrows and refused to move from their spots. Cassie, recovering from her breathlessness, rose to her full height and walked over to the unwanted students. ''If you think Draco's father is dangerous, you clearly haven't met Rabastan Lestrange.'' she drawled. ''Leave! Now!'' ''I'd listen to her, if I were you.'' Lyra drawled from where she stood next to Draco. ''Her patience, power and need to play with her food before she eats rivals only Aunt Bella's.''

The seventh years quietly yet swiftly moved to the dorm, as they left they glared angry holed in the back of the girls' heads.

''Now, what is so important that we had to clear out the commons?'' Draco asked, barely masking his intrigue. Every so often, only in front of his cousins, he would let his guard down. Settling on one of the couches in between Blaise and Adrian, he looked to his cousins for an answer.

The girls stood directly in front of the boys before a large down of magic engulfed the group. Muffliato and silencing spells, as well as repelling charms, now protected them from prying ears and nosy Slytherins.

''It was a necklace, a cursed one.'' Lyra said as the boys just looked back at her with questioning eyes. She huffed in annoyance when Cassie began in her place. ''The package Nott was carrying, it had a cursed necklace encased in black velvet.''

Their eyes lit up in understanding, then completely losing all energy the slumped on the couch. They sat there for sometime before Adrian asked what was on all their minds. ''How'd it look like?''

Pulling out their wands out once again, the summoned forth the very memory. Holding the memory with her wand, Cassie waited for Lyra to summon their personal pensieve.

Pouring the substance in the revolving plate, they invited the boys to join them as they plunged their heads into the pensieve.

Landing in the memory the boys quietly followed the girls. Exchanging glances, the boys wondered silently what the drama was about. All their questions silenced as they stood in the doorway of the Transfiguration classroom where stood the golden trio, the Heads of House for Slytherin and Gryffindor, as well as a hovering necklace. Draco's eyes bulged as he recognized the artefact.

''... Lucky to be alive.'' the boys heard the Potions master drawl, missing the first half of the sentence as they were in quiet shock.

Stepping from the memory the students looked decidedly shaken. ''What in Melon's name was that necklace?'' Blaise asked the collective in a soft whisper, his eyes landing on Draco who looked like his mind was working overtime.

''Borgin and Bourkes.'' Draco and Lyra announced simultaneously, smiling at each other. ''That, it was in Borgin and Bourkes the last time Father and I passed.'' Draco continued.

Eye going unfocused and blurry, Cassie's voice dropped an octave and had a raspy time to it. ''The one who He fears most shall die my forced hand. Attempts, of them there will be multiple. All is not as it may seem.'' Her eyes refocused and she shook her head. The others were staring blankly at her. ''What happened?''

Adrian, for the life of him, couldn't stop himself from blinking owlishly. ''I believe you just told a prophecy.'' He said only loud enough for the five students to hear, for the dome of protective magic had dissolved after she had given the prophecy. A scratching noise could be heard as Lyra wrote down what had been said.

They all began thinking. About the meaning of the prophecy, about Nott's odd behaviour and how the two might have a tenuous link.

The common room was quiet.

Nine o'clock came quickly and Draco made his way to the library strolling to the desk right beside a set of comfortable looking lounges. Letting his belongings think on the floor and table, he waited until Granger arrived for their three hour stint of study-1 hours each for tutoring and the Transfiguration project. His eyes slowly closing just as he heard whispers at the front desk, his head rolled on his neck and finally dropped onto his awaiting crossed arms. Hermione, who had just spoken to McGonagall for a hall pass for herself and Draco along with a chat to Madam Pince for access to the Restricted Section, found Draco asleep; her arms overflowing with textbooks. Silently putting the texts on the nearest couch and shrinking them to place the in her bag, she observed the slumbering blond. He looks so peaceful. And beautiful. She shook her head to rid the thoughts and began the task of waking the boy.

Sighing happily as he felt his hair being stroked and his shoulder being shaken softly, his right eye popped open only to be met with Hermione's lips. He jumped back almost immediately and righted himself. Examining the girl in front of him, he realised she had foregone the usual school robes in place for muggle skinny jeans, a light green top and a heavy white winter coat with her hair up in a ponytail. A casual satin sling bag thrown over her right shoulder bounced enticing on her hip a he heard the undeniable sound of books falling from the bag. She looked... well, gorgeous.

''I have a pass from McGonagall, you'll be back in your common room by 1 am.'' she said as he just continued to openly stare at her. ''Let's move to the Room of Requirement, we have more privacy there. Do I have something on my face, or perhaps food stuck between my teeth?''

Looking over their half written essays, Hermione noticed that Draco had made some good points that she was yet to make.

Animagus skill is a special type of transfiguration. It differs from general Transfiguration in 4 main ways:

First, and obvious, it transforms the body of a human into a body of an animal.

Second, it retains the mind of the wizard, as opposed to simple transfiguration of said bodies which leaves the brain capability of a target animal (e.g. no intelligence).

It does not require a wand or a verbal spell.

Target animal is always the same - like with Patronuses, you can ONLY assume one Animagus , which is determined by your personality

As noted above, Animagus skill is a special type of transfiguration. Under these circumstances, if students were to seek training, it would be classed as "Very Advanced" Transfiguration and MUST AT, ALL TIMES be supervised by and/or have private lessons with a good Transfiguration teacher/practitioner.

You don't require to be registered to participate in training. The primary reason for registration is to ensure the Animagi do not abuse their abilities, as the Ministry is able to keep track of them. Thus, until you actually obtain the ability and can practically complete the transformation; there is presumably no need to register.

Adding a few more points to her parchment just as side notes for addition. Not bothering with writing the whole paragraphs out, she merely whipped out her wand and cast a simply copying spell.

Becoming an Animagus is extremely difficult, and the transformation can go horribly wrong. Animagi can assume only one animal form, and that form is not chosen by them. Rather, it reflects a witch or wizard's inner nature. While in animal form, Animagi retain all sensory perception and cognition; however, their mental capabilities and feelings are lessened when transformed, becoming more like the animal. Thus, an Animagus when transformed becomes the animal whose form is taken, but with the added advantage of retaining some human qualities. All Animagi are required to register them with the Ministry of Magic. Another wizard or witch can use his/her wand to force an Animagus to transform back to human form, producing a flash of blue-white light in the process. However, this spell is extremely difficult and we shouldn't waste our time on it.

''Animagus transformation is usually done non-verbally and wandlessly. Unless another person is changing you, then it is verbal; a wand is needed.'' she explained. ''The spell is 'Cambiavo'. It means 'to change'. I've requested private sessions with Professor McGonagall.''

The blond mere nodded, as the room began to change the Professor walked through a newly materialized door.

The week trundled on until the time came for another potions class. ''Today,'' Snape began. ''We will be joined by the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, at the request of the Headmaster. He believes, when brewing highly volatile and strong potion, that it should be done amass; lest something go horribly wrong.''

The class groaned as more students joined cauldrons appeared just as the desks disappeared. ''Now, I will be splitting some of you lot up.'' he continued. ''Finnegan and Darling, McMillan and Thomas...'' he droned on as the student paired off.

''Oh dear, poor Sephy.'' Lyra whispered as she passed Cassie. ''He's gonna blow the whole class up.'' Blaise and Adrian sniggered pulling the respective girls over to their cauldrons.

Dropping the correct amounts of ingredients in the simmering couldn't, she watched her blond partner from underneath her eyelashes. Her heart began to thump unceasingly against her ribcage. The room suddenly became stuffy with a stifling and intoxicating heat. A peppermint scent filled the room and she felt immense dizziness and promptly fainted.

Draco, who had also been eyeing the brunette girl, sat stiff in his chair as he realised how attractive Granger had become. He glanced up and caught her staring openly at him from underneath her eyelashes. Did he not realise how tantalizing and seductive that made her look? He shivered in intense desire, the feeling washing over him like a gust of wind. Watching her again as she inhaled deeply with small smile of satisfaction, he noted the she seemed unsteady.

As if in slow motion he watched her fall forward, and thanks to his Quidditch reflexes he caught her in his arms with ease. Blushing as her skin came in direct contact with his, he asked for permission to send her to the Hospital Wing.

''Go on then, Mr Malfoy.'' the Professor drawled out loud before he bowed his head and told the boy to come immediately to his office after Ms Granger was out of danger and he was sure that she's be fine.

Snape, stopping at Zabini and Pucey's cauldrons, alerted the students of the same meeting that he had mentioned of moments ago to the Malfoy heir.

''Finnegan!'' Snape barked ''You dunderhead, you added too many rose petals.'' the Gryffindor boy in question sank back as his Ravenclaw partner stood up for him.

"I'm sorry, Professor Snape," The Ravenclaw's voice dripped with a cloying sweetness that her friends knew meant she was angry, "In a way this whole situation is my fault."

"Explain yourself, Miss Darling" His black eyes narrowed at her above his crooked nose. The spy was very good at reading people and he didn't buy her little miss sweetness act for a second.

"Well you see, Professor, I was just debating with Seamus about Potions. We recalled the speech you gave us all as first years about how you would teach us certain things. You remember the speech don't you?" she questioned her professor who seemed to be steadily gaining an irate facial expression.

"I am aware of it." He folded his arms in impatience waiting for her to get to the point.

"Well, we were just arguing on whether or not ''foolish wand waving'' could be useful in potions." she stated ignoring his tone and stance, she was going to immensely enjoy this slight interruption.

"You are aware, Miss Darling, that you do not use a wand to brew a potion." the Potions master drawled, impatience lining his already clipped tone.

"Yes, but I was trying to tell Seamus he could use his wand on me to make it less boring." Her reply was completely serious, pretending that the fact that the image of ''Seamus using his wand on her'' did not turn the Bat of the Dungeons green.

Walking down the hallways of Hogwarts with your arch-enemy's best friend was not how Draco envisioned spending his afternoon. It wasn't until this moment in time that Draco realised that Hermione Jean -don't ask how he knew her middle name, he get's rather defensive- Granger was almost as light as a feather; her skin was soft and silky. Images of the siren of his wildest dreams flashed through his mind as she whispered something that sounded like 'Peppermint' and then keened loudly as accidentally brushed his fingertips on the inside of the knees. A huddle of awareness shot up his spine.

Making for the Hospital wing as quick as possible, he deposited Hermione on the nearest bed and called Madam Pomfrey. He left her in the capable hands of the school's mediwitch and quickly made his water through the throngs of students who's had just exited their last class.

Knocking on Snape's door to his private quarters, he waited as he heard the familiar voices of his cousins and friends. The door slowly opened to reveal Snape standing rather ominously in the doorway. A hand gesture, several nods and five minutes later they were sitting at a table, the girls drinking Butterbeer and the boys cradled shots of firewhiskey.

After many hours of light drinking and friendly bickering, the five sat sedately wondering why on earth it had been Theodore Nott who had been chosen for the mission; his family seemed to be in the good graces of The Dark Lord.