(Mary's POV)

We arrived at the second floor corridor at ten minutes to nine. My nerves were kicking in; I jumped at every and any sound. If we were caught I knew we would be expelled.

"It was a smart choice on James's part to pick nine o'clock." Sherlock commented, "A silence charm is put over the entire school at nine."

I nodded in agreement. John looked at his watch and help up two fingers, Any minute now.

John reached out and took my hand whispered in my ear, "We'll be okay." I smiled; I really needed any support I could get right now.

We were standing behind a huge wooden bookshelf. There were at least ten in this corridor. Good for cover I suppose.

BING!

The clock tower started to chime, I counted with it 6,7,8,9. The final bell toll hung in the air and when it vanished a flash of yellow light blinded me, I brought my hand up to cover my eyes.

We've been caught! Anger pulsed through me I should have known better! Sherlock better be a fast runner!

Then as suddenly as it had came it disappeared.

"Look" Sherlock whispered.

On the floor in front of us was an old dead tree branch.

"It's a branch!" Irene shouted.

John put a hand over her mouth even though the charm was in effect, doesn't mean we shouldn't be careful.

"Yes, but now we need to know what it really is, Irene!" Sherlock look perplexed. He knelt net to the branch making sure not to touch it. After several odd wand movements Sherlock stood.

"It's a portkey."

He sounded worried, a very unlike Sherlock gesture, which sent me into near panic.

"A what?!" Jon asked.

"It is a an object that a spell is cast on to transport people whom touch it to a certain set area…"He paused, "I think James sent this here to us so it could take us where he really plans to duel us…"

I couldn't believe this. What was supposed to be my first duel of defense was turning into a "How much are you willing to risk" situation.

"Holmes we can't, what if this portkey takes us off school grounds? We can't get back in until tomorrow!" John's voice shook.

John was right, too much was at stake.

"We can get back inside after breakfast, not many people will notice our absence." Sherlock trailed off.

"Are you crazy!?" I didn't eve realize I was the one shouting until John put his hand on my shoulder.

"This" Sherlock said, gesturing to the portkey, Irene and John, and the whole corridor, "Is an adventure!" He stated, "and I'm really up for it. You don't have to come, I don't want you to do anything you don't want to but…I would enjoy kicking James's butt with my friends help."

He was serious. I didn't have to go, I could walk away right now. Go do homework or write my parents, but inside, Somewhere inside me that wanted adventure and to be with my friends, I knew that this was where I was supposed to be, where I was supposed to go, and who I was supposed to be with.

I sighed I looked at my friends faces, then spoke calmly and sternly, "I'm coming with you; I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to any of you."

John smiled, Irene hugged me, and Sherlock was howling with laughter. I smiled. I was the happiest I had ever been. My friends had my back and I loved them.

I looked at Sherlock he nodded.

"On the count of three." Sherlock said

"One" Sherlock's voice rang in my ears tension and the urge to run formed in my muscles.

"Two." John followed, I looked at my friends and I knew anything that happened, it would be okay I was with good people.

"Three!" I screamed before Irene could.

We sprang forward grabbing the branch and were swept off into the unknown.

Thanks for reading!

PLEASE REVIEW!

Let me know what you think!

~L :D