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To Conquer Fear

The following week passed quietly. And while Ronald Weasley was running his mouth here and there about Slytherins and how they were starting to completely overhaul their Quidditch team and how stupid it was. I enjoyed watching Hermione and Daniel reel him in, or at least try to.

As for the Quidditch team itself... well, I'd decided to play that year. My family was healthy and I didn't really see a reason not to. Although... to be perfectly honest. While I love the game, personally I enjoy the flying more than playing. But at least Slytherin would have a seeker to challenge my dearest little brother which was really the most important part of the matter. I would have at least preferred Chaser but what can you do. There was always next year.

On a side note, I'd had to sent both of my familiars back home to my mother. Mia because she couldn't fly freely with all the Dementors moving about. And Lutain because... well really much the same reason. His usual hunting trips to the forest had often been cut short or completely cancelled ever since we'd returned to the castle.

So naturally I harboured him no ill will when he declared: "Master, I wish to return home to the den. These creatures make me sick."

Meanwhile Susan had warned me that a serious talk was coming my way. As we were in school and privacy was hard to come by, at least for the two of my girls that were not in Slytherin. Hannah and Sue were not happy. I had expected as much, and would need to figure out a way to 'join' with them as well. Tracey had made it clear that she would body bind me and secure me to a bed on christmas eve if I tried to refuse her. Which needless to say I had no intention of doing. She'd been very gracious about Daphne going first when she'd asked me before her.

Soon enough, the comfortable peace of monotony that had set in over our first week back at the castle was violently interrupted when a certain Professor decided that it might be a good idea to air out everyones greatest fears. I mean doesn't that sound like fun? Haven't you always wanted your entire school to know what exactly it is you fear the most in the world?
Some times, it's hard to tell whether Hogwarts is a school or an insane Asylum. Who hires these people, seriously?... uh. Wait... I found the fault in the system. Don't let the senile insane old man run the place... yup, that might just work.

Defense Against the Dark Arts

They were excited... I mean they are Gryffindors but still. You can face your fears in your own time! Be brave... be an idiot. Just do it away from me. No reason to foolishly involve the entire school. There was only one thing in the magical community that was worse than mentioning the Dark Lords name at the dinner table. And that was the Hogwarts rumour mill.

Lupin surely thought himself a great teacher when he swung his wand and played music in the background. Many of the students at least seemed to respond positively. I guess it did have a point. The music was supposed to remind you that this was not serious, that it wasn't real. Whatever the Boggart showed you... was just that. The creatures defense mechanism. And in no way an actual threat. Which of course doesn't make the creature any less dangerous.

Many of the things to turn up were pretty straight forward, oversized long legged hairy spiders, bloody ghosts, magical creatures like vampires and banshees. These were children and the very worst fears, which would have been more closely described as existential crises were yet in their future.

Malfoy vehemently refused to step forward. I might have been imagining things but I swear he kept on glancing over to me with what I can only describe as an expression of utter horror. Warms the heart really... to know that I've made an impact in someones life. Both Blaise and Theo grinned savagely at Malfoy before he quickly turned away.

Hermione was told she'd completely failed her exams by McGonagall, Ron got the spider, Theo saw a troll, Blaise saw his mother on the floor apparently killed. Both Trace and Daphne had a manticore as their greatest fear. This goes back to a good night story Cyrus Greengrass once told the girls when they'd been much younger that didn't go over too well. Neville was unlucky enough to have his fear of Professor Snape revealed for all to see and nearly dissolved into tears before daringly dressing him in clothes his grandmother usually wore. Which all Slytherins knew wouldn't help him with our head of House at all. I was actually looking forward to seeing how Snape would retaliate for this one.

I expected quite a few fears from my brother. From failing James Potter to our dead little sister. What I did not foresee, was him fearing the most obvious of them all. Thus, it was that day... in a classroom full of third year students that the Dark Lord celebrated his return to full power, albeit of course... only for a moment.

Silence... Remus Lupin had stepped back and was nearly on his desk in fear of the snake faced man in the middle of the room. The reactions of the class spoke volumes. There were those amongst my Slytherins that were smiling. Cunning be damned huh? Alas I'd already known about Malfoy and his two flunkies. Pansy dissolved into tears, having a complete breakdown and was quickly followed by Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown. The Gryffindors huddled together around them seeking protection and comfort with each other.

My friends... my family all gripped their wands tighter. Readying themselves to do battle at my side. The memory still brings a smile to my face. Had this been truly him, we would have been killed within moments, without even the slightest chance of survival. My runes were growing stronger, as was my magic. But I was a 13 year old wizard and this had been Tom Riddle at the height of power. Whoever or whatever he became. At the time he was no less than an Archmage level Sorcerer.

"Kneel Potter." Malfoy's smile quickly vanished as his lizard brain triggered an automatic fight or flight response at the slow deep voiced drawl that was the Dark Lords voice. No need to tell you what he did right?

The black robe dragged along the ground as he stepped closer to my brother while nearly the entirety of the class filed out of the room in a blank panic. "You face your death, you cannot hope to match the Dark Lords full power." A light show... the Boggart was doing a good impression of a magical Aura. "I will kill you, your family... and everyone you've ever known. The memory of the great saviour will be nothing but a spec of dust on the History of my Ascension." It was at this point that the Boggard-Voldemort raised his wand, it's tip aglow with an all too familiar green light. Naturally he couldn't cast it if he wanted to. Boggarts were Tricksters and while we were captivated it would shortly attempt to run for it. It was about to do exactly that, when to my... utter and complete shock a rather powerful banishing hex hit the creature in the side and threw it to the back of the room.

Honestly... I hadn't even noticed he was still around. Granger was there rooted on the spot... staring and fighting with the terrifying realization that the nightmare of the Dark Lord she'd read so much about... was in fact true. Weasley was waiting... for 'a thing' to happen. As he would later go on and call it. 'A thing' always happened when they were in trouble. That thing... in the past, had been me of course. The shadow in the corner, picking his spot to turn the tide of battle.

This time however, it was Neville Longbottom who stood in the door, his face scrunched up with a look of pure concentration. Disbelieving of what he'd just done he slid to the floor. There it was... the spark that could make or break a man. A spark that might have made Hannah interested in him later down the road. Alas that ship had sailed a while ago.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Get up Daniel." He looked at me with glassy eyes, having been completely taken by the tricksters play. I pulled him up by his robe. "I said get up. Since when do we kneel to that..." I asked pointing to the creature who was now starting to change into my greatest fear. I've mentioned before that I have abandonment issues no? So it was no surprise that the Boggart took the form of a slightly younger Dorea Black.

"I should have never taken you in. You are failure. Just like your damned father was." My Occlumency shields protected me. As did Trace holding my hand an squeezing in for comfort. I raised my wand and flicked it towards the creature pretending to be my mother.

"Riddikulus." The thing exploded into fireworks instantly eliciting a chuckle from both of the girls. I then moved forward, I didn't stop flicking my wand. This thing had outlived it's allowances when it dared to show me my mother. "Lacero." I kept on repeating, hitting the black vapor that made of the Boggart. Cutting into and through it.

"Harry! Stop it!" Over my shoulder I saw Daniel flinch as I looked at him, I smiled while lowering my arms and turning towards him and the speechless Lupin before simply declaring:

"No." With a last flick of my wand the Boggart condensed and violently exploded leaving nothing of the creature behind.

I walked towards them... I saw Lupin take a sort of defensive stand next to Daniel. "I'd slap you if I didn't fear our families would take that further than it needs to be taken. But please tell me in all honesty how you... dear brother, expect to kill the greatest Dark Wizard since Grindlewald and Morgana herself if you aren't even able to face a mere copy.

Have to ask, all those stories... is it easier to kill him when he looks normal? In that case... perhaps there is something wrong with you. Or was it just the fear? Regardless you are a disappointment. Saviour indeed." I growled spitting to the ground angrily. Perhaps Quirrelmort looked innocent enough for dear old Danny. Maybe the younger version of Tom Riddle was just good looking enough so that Danny didn't think of him as truly Voldemort. I knew my brother was brave. I'd seen him fight impossible odds after all. The Basilisk wasn't childs play by any stretch. I do believe that Danny can kill a monster. I just think that he looks to Voldemort as a person. And that day... I knew that without help... wizarding Britain was doomed.

Having seen my brother not being mentally stable or trained enough to deal with a single tired out Boggart gave me a new perspective. Tom Riddle, could and would, use that weakness to his advantage and while I couldn't say exactly how he was going to do that. There was no doubt in my mind that he would. Which meant somehow, I needed him to learn Occlumency without being able to teach him myself. The answer to that... came instantly as I looked over. Hermione.

The next problem was presented by Peter Pettigrew. If Daniel couldn't kill the monster that had killed dozens... hundreds of Muggleborns and half bloods, the man who would have killed his entire family had they been in the house... What chance was there for him to exact revenge on the nobody that ratted out our home to said man.

I was violently brought out of my thoughts by Remus Lupin grabbing the front of my Basilisk hide robes. The chance of him having wanted to say something about me wanting to slap around my brother and being a bit mean about it were quite high, but I don't think it was his highest priority as he suddenly screamed from the silver I had the robe lined with exactly for this reason. In this case I'm happy to say my foresight was 20/20.

My mother has an old aquaintance in the Auror corp who likes to go off about constant vigilance... can't drop that around a werewolf now can I? Now that I think about it, I believe he was teaching both Cameron and Tonks at the time.

The robe wouldn't do much if he were to charge me while transformed but right now... there was no full moon. Only a man capable of being burnt by silver. Next thing I know there is Professor Dumbledore charging into the room with all Heads of House magic ablaze in his old eyes. I was honestly impressed. Wands ready and all. There was the man that did battle with Grindlewald... the wizard that was said to be the only living thing in this world to scare Lord Voldemort.

With Remus kneeling on the ground sobbing in pain nursing his right hand I turned to the teachers. Snape was on me in a moment. There was nothing more important to that man than protecting his own house. More so... much more so, than it was for any of the others. Granted in all other aspects he was a bit of a dick and failure of a teacher because of his blatant favouritism.

"The Boggart has been dealt with Professors." Daphne informed them brushing off my robes as Tracey linked her arm with mine before joining the party of ripping Remus a new one. It seemed I wouldn't be getting much of a chance to get my two cents in there too.

"I'd also like to place an official complaint to the school about the unbecoming behaviour of Professor Remus Lupin. Who as you saw coming in, laid hands on one of his students."

"Surely you think the poor man has already suffered enough, Miss Davis?" Dumbledore asked in his most grandfatherly tone with his eyes twinkling away happily.

Naturally he was talking to Slytherins and while Trace was a half blood she was raised on Pure blood knowledge. So neither of the girls at my side were having any of his bullshit.

"The fact that Hadrian isn't as gullible as the rest of this castle and has taken security measures preventing attacks from that... thing." Have I ever mentioned how refreshing and arousing it is to see the girls rip into people other than myself? No? Well then there you go. "That doesn't mean Mr. Lupin can get off without so much as a slap on the wrist. And if you think you can somehow sweep this under the rug... let me tell you that as soon as we get back to our dorms I'll be writing Lady Black a strongly worded letter about how certain teachers treated and behaved towards her son. Be aware Headmaster, that Hogwarts is far from being the institute of learning it once was. And I can assure you that a school like Beauxbatons could just as well teach us everything we need to know for our futures while providing a much safer environment to do so." The secret is not letting Tracey get a good start. Cut her off in the beginning otherwise she's going to be like a train, only getting faster and more vicious as she goes. Daphne smiled proudly at her best friend turned lover before she took my offered second arm.

"Or in other words, Professors." I said smiling. "Adieu." It was clear that Professor McGonagall was unsure whether or not to be impressed with us, or furious at the lack of respect we'd just shown to her, the other Heads of House and most importantly the Headmaster himself. I watched her scrunch up her face before seemingly relaxing therefore deciding that in this instance it was better to keep quiet and say nothing. Professors Flitwick and Sprout simply gave us a civil nod each as we left for our dorms without reprimanding us. While our Charms Professor seemed fairly proud and... although I might have imagined it. Regretful about us not having been sorted into the Ravens house.

The following weeks were spent, as usual celebrating birthdays and exchanging letters with family and friends. Rosy happily told me about how well she was doing in school and how often she and Haley were now allowed to play together. I received a letter from Gaby Delacour in which she asked when she would be introduced to my brother. To which I answered: "When you learn manners." Which I believe put her out a bit, as I didn't receive another letter from her for the rest of the year. Meanwhile Fleur couldn't help herself but make fun of her sister. According to Fleur, Gaby had even cried a bit. A thing I'm not sure is true and is strongly denied by the younger french witch herself whenever asked about.

My mastery for Alchemy and Charms was going it's natural course with me advancing at a decent, but leisurely pace. I didn't try to push it and neither Nicholas nor Perenelle made me. I was still a student, and a child. And did in fact want to enjoy as much of my free time as I possibly could.

The Quidditch team training sessions were hard but fun. Theo, Blaise and Tracey had all gotten a spot on the team as the new Chasers. Trace being a bit of a surprise as she was undoubtedly extremely talented as a player, we'd seen her play privately before but never had much to compare to it. She could outfly Blaise and Theo, but not me. But that was just how it's always been. Seeing her fly against the rest of Slytherins was... well. Let's just say there is a reason why the team needed to play dirty to win. Something that ended with us joining, I assure you.

Finally Halloween and the first Hogsmeade visit came.

I believe I mentioned that I hate Halloween. Too many bad memories. And don't even get me started on Hogwarts, every year it's something else.

This year they came up with the idea of allowing students out of the castle that day. Natural I took it. Or that is to say... we took.

I would be taking my four girls, while Theo was taking Pansy which made Draco furious and Blaise who would be taking the Carrow sisters.

Most of the day was spent doing what I assume everyone did the first time in Hogsmeade. Visit every last one of the stores. Amongst them the Shreaking Shack which I happened to know was only there because of our resident werewolf teacher. It wasn't quite Diagon Alley but good for a days visit in any case. All of us stocked up on sweets and school supplies before getting into the Three Broomsticks to enjoy a Butterbeer.

"So what's going on with you two today? Hannah keeps fiddling with her hair and Susan keeps spacing out." Tracey asked.

"It's nothing... I hope. I got a letter from my aunt, telling me she was thinking about dating." Susan answered with a dark look in her eyes. Which meant she feared that her aunt was likely about to date Sirius. As the regent of House Bones, she needed to keep Susan updated.

"Did she actually tell you it's Sirius?" I asked.

"No, and that's what worries me. She asked my permission to date seriously. She didn't tell me who. But I can't very well say no, the woman practically raised me." I shrugged at her.

"Then make it understood that you expect her behaviour and that of her... suitor. To be worthy of the Bones name." Daphne threw in. Susan let out a long breath. That really wasn't the problem. She'd hated Sirius since the first time she'd met him and that was long before we ever became close. He was rude, mostly looked like a homeless person as he preferred to travel in his Animagus transformation and was just generally a womanizer.

"He broke her heart once, I don't want him to do it again." I chuckled at that. Roles reversed and all. This conversation should have been something Amelia had with one of her friends about Susan. Not one Susan should be having about her aunt. A group hug was shared to comfort her, after which Daphne pulled the girl onto her lap putting out her tongue at me.

"Your turn." I told Hannah ignoring Daphne who was pouting a bit at my lack of response.

"My mother wants to meet you. I mean really meet you as my boyfriend. Seeing as Neville... well, as much as the story of the Boggart impressed me, will never be of any interest to me. She's started looking for other potential prospects and arrange a marriage for me."

"I'll meet her if only to make her understand that this arranged marriage bullshit needs to stop. No offense but your family isn't so wealthy that any of the higher ranking ones would feasibly gain anything from an alliance with you. Apart, perhaps... from your seat in the Wizengamot." Hannah shrugged.

"You explained my options, so I'm not bothered by a few interviews with less than attractive boys. And if my mother were to do something so out of character as to actually try and force me into anything I'll play the part of the demure little princess with pleasure until the day of the ceremony where I will watch happily as she looses her magic." We all stared at her for a little. "What?"

"Babe... we'll make a Slytherin out of you yet." Tracey said grinning broadly and kissing her cheek making the blonde Hufflepuff blush fiercely.

We'd barely gotten back into the castle, somewhat late admittedly when a clearly unsettled Professor McGonagall told us that we would not be returning to the dungeons for the night. Halloween people. It's just the Universes day to fuck with Dany and I.

Apparently Pettigrew had a bit of a temper tantrum when the Portrait to Gryffindor Tower didn't want to let him in, slashed her up. So we were brought to the Great Hall to spend the night there safely.

The Great Hall

Percy Weasley, Prefect in charge... at least he liked to think he was. Looked around to see his work, he'd put the students to bed... some had grumbled yet still followed orders. That's how it was supposed to be. This was going to be good training for when he finally made Minister of Magic. Luckily for him wizard kind seemed to be fairly eager to follow anyone that was loud enough. Making it easy for him.

He moved along the corners of the room. Noting his brothers and sister, lying close to and huddled up with Daniel Potter and Hermione Granger.

In another he found Susan Bones and the young Abott girl holding on to two of the Slytherins. He was about to wake them and scold them for behaviour unbefitting students under his care when he quite suddenly felt magic coiling around him. He didn't know when it had happened and how he hadn't noticed before. But there was still one student awake. Something cold crawled over Percy's skin as he noted Hadrians now slitted eyes.

When the air around them vibrated with the sounds of low hissing Percy found himself back where he started at the teachers table. Having completely forgotten about the young Black heir and the girls. When he passed the corner for the second time, there was simply no one there.

He would never know that it was me who wiped his memories and set up a Parsel ward in our immediate area. What would be the point. I didn't remain sitting there all night because Pettigrew was in the castle. If he'd been anywhere close. I'd have seen it on my map. I remained there... because I had to be sure. Because I felt like it was what I had to do. The girls can take care of themselves... but whenever I could. I have been their protector. And it has been and will always be, my privilege.

6th November, Quidditch Match Gryffindor vs. Slytherin

Oliver Wood had most certainly not been the happiest kitty in all of Hogwarts. He hadn't been happy for a few weeks. Not since he saw Hadrian Blacks new team get formed. Not only rivalled their chasers their own now. They also had a decent seeker in Hadrian himself. And if that wasn't enough, the boy had bought his friends all new Silverlight brooms. He sighed. That was Karma... surely. He'd been ecstatic about the Nimbus Daniel Potter had brought to the team in his first year. Now they were going to be outclassed by the other team having the better broom. Naturally... there was no question that the chasers and Black himself were capable flyers as they had no trouble controlling their high performance brooms. He was normally not one to give up prematurely, but it sure seemed like this Slytherin team which relied on skill instead of dirty tricks was capable of just as well taking his cup away from him. And then... there was this shitty weather that wasn't going to help them even a sliver. He just hoped wanting to play this in this weather wouldn't back fire. This was probably their only chance to win this thing. Their skills might have been well matched but the brooms were going to make all the difference.

I smirked at Wood when the captains were called upon to shake hands. Flint knew his place. He was on the team simply because he was the oldest I didn't want to take the chance of a cup from him. As far as actual skill goes the guy might as well have been a cave troll trying to do wandless magic. "I want a clean game, careful up there the storm is picking up." We gave the light haired woman a nod. "Good, mount your Brooms." Madam Hooch said watching as we did just said and rose to the field. "Ready? Set!" The whistle sounded and my team was off.

Tracey went for the ball first as she'd tended to do in training. In a game of chicken, she most always won. She broke through the Gryffindor chasers, barrel rolled out of the way of a Bludger one of the twins sent her way and went right for the Gryffindor Keeper. Wood was ready. Only one problem, we were playing league Quidditch while the Gryffindors were still on schoolyard tactics. The throw from Tracey never came. Instead Blaise streamlined his way forward knocking Angelina Johnson harshly out of his way before getting a pass. Wood noticed too late that he shouldn't be watching my girl but the field instead. With Trace blocking his sight, Blaise broke off to the side as she threw him a sharp pass and scored the goal. Puddlemere calls this the 'Trojan Horse'.

"Beautiful weather for a flight, ey Dany?" He was frantically trying to clean his glass from the flood of water come down. I heard him growl through the thundering above as I laughed and gave my hand signs to the team.

Gryffindor must have been slightly confused on why the team was advancing up to the goals without the ball. When Alicia tried to pass the ball to Katie Bell I broke flight and intercepted the ball before passing it with the back of my broom. "What the fuck?" Alicia cursed looking for Madam Hooch who shook her head and signalled for them to go on just as Theo scored the board.

"Learn the rules, sweetheart." I told her ascending back up. Interference Seekers were not played anymore. Simply because the Snitches had gotten faster than they'd been a hundred years ago. Last one played was by a french Seeker, one Lucien Soleil. A legend 20 years ago who played for the Quiberion Quafflepunchers.

It wasn't long before the game turned a bit more vicious, the sight on field worsened as did the weather to a point we could barely see a thing.

The honourable Gryffindors apparently weren't so honourable when they weren't the best team on the pitch for a change. They weren't exactly breaking the rules, but bending them to breaking point. Oliver Wood got so angry after Tracey scored her 6th goal against him he flicked the ball and punched it, as close as she was after scoring he might have as well attempted to punch her directly in the face. Both Crabbe and Goyle were about to retaliate with a Bludger when I stopped them. As much as I wanted to introduce Wood to the ground for his little stunt. This was Quiddich. And the rules said only hit the Keeper with a Bludger when the Quaffle is in his reach.

Blaise and Theo paid him back with a double play only moments later just before Katie Bell did a mad dash for our goals and got one behind Flint. It was then that Gryffindor called for a time out.

"What's the score?" I asked shaking the water off.

"360-210. They can't keep up with our brooms." Blaise said wringing his robes. "But damn... look at this storm."

"Alright, everyone line up." I tapped everyone with my hand on their head. A wandless drying and warming charm. Everyone shivered and Tracey went on to hug me.

"Thanks." I smiled and returned the hug.

"You've been amazing. You know that right?" She shot me a bright smile just before Madam Hooch came over.

"Gryffindor seems to want to stop the game. Citing the storm." My eyes narrowed, Gryffindor House hadn't stopped a game ever, not once in his history.

"Tell them fine, we'll take them forfeiting. We're up 150. I'm not surprised they're trying to cancel this now. We gave them their chance before the match. Wood insisted we play." I told her making her shrug. She seemed to have read their intentions as well. Didn't take long for the elder woman to come back. Surprise surprise... they didn't want to forfeit. Who would have thought...

Gryffindor scored... we scored. When Slytherin finally got it's 160th point the Serpent stands might have as well just exploded. They were in fact... loud enough to drown the thunder above. I could see Daniel now flying with an impenetrable charm to his glasses. About time someone helped my dear little brother out. We raced each other a couple of times around the goal boasts, trying to bluff and feint the other into the crashing. But it just wasn't going to happen.

We both recognized the sudden golden shimmer in the air as it revealed the location of the Snitch. Off like shots we raced up into the storms embrace, surrounded by the rumbling thunder and the buckets of water slashing against us. I overtook Dany easily as a sudden rush of ice washed over me. How did I get back into my Crib? Why was I so small?

"Thus I kill the prophecy." The cold drawl declared.

I broke through the clouds only to find myself surrounded by about a hundred Dementors.

"Dany..." I breathed heavily knowing full well that the fool was falling to his death in that exact moment. I allowed myself to be overcome by memories of the past. My family, my friends before then flashing the rune for light down my arm. "Expecto Patronum."

The silvery serpent rushed from my body, eager to fight the Darkness that wanted to take me as I all but slipped backwards from my broom. Quickly calling out to my broom: "Home!" The broom was unsteady but would carefully make it's way down to ground navigating the strong winds.

Me on the other hand... that was a different matter. I was falling.

Alright, a change of perspective was in order. I wasn't falling, I would instead think about it as involuntarily flying... down wards. Sounded better at least.

I quickly tugged my arms in and straightened out, then I flashed a pulse of magic to steady my position before breaking through the cloud cover. I heard screaming... from the Dementors, the stands... the teams? It was hard to tell, probably all of the above.

Looking at this logically. There were only a few possible ways this could go. 1: Someone skillfully caught both of us with an Arresti Momentum. Highly unlikely as we were falling quite fast and there were Dementors around feeding off the the wizards and witches spectating the match. 2: All the students around used mass transfiguration to turn the ground to jelly since I wasn't powerful enough to pull that off myself, at least not yet. This was even less likely. 3: Both my brother and I, hit the ground at full speed. Splat. Or... or I somehow figured out something else.

Cushioning charm? No, at the speed we were going we'd bounce off the ground after hitting something akin to fluid concrete. A few wind runes on my feet later I was at least catching up more and more with Daniel.

The only thing that might just help... I'd never tried. It was one of those things too dangerous for a growing magical core. I sighed. No time like the present.

Meanwhile on the Ground

"Dobby? You have to get out of the way." Tracey tried to pull as best she could but the elf simply retained his warm smile before gently patting his hand on her shoulder.

"The Mistress must be moving now. Dobby will be fine." The players forced her aside as none of the others were capable or even wanted to move the elf away. If he wanted to die so badly, they certainly wouldn't lift a finger to help.

"Dobby I order you to get out of the way!" The order from Dorea had more hold over him than that of the young dark haired Davis heir. Yet he stood his ground, watching the two descending wizards.

"Dobby has faith. Dobby knows what the master needs." The elf pulled back his hand, taking... what many would interpret as some kind of battle stance. The small creatures hand glowed ominously of the violet glow that was pure magic, it crackled from the condensed energy. When the pressure had built up sufficiently he threw his hand forward and with it an all mighty push of magically created wind that caught Daniel Potter and flung him upwards towards me. I closed my arms around my brother and spun us around as fast as I possible could with runes helping me along going off around my body just like I'd done to the Nightbus.

Dobby waited, I saw him there. Relaxed as ever, as if waiting for me to come home, perhaps that was exactly what he was doing and the rest of us had it all wrong. I closed my eyes as I knew we would hit the ground and Dobby only a moment later. I felt spells pass me, right by my ears, these people couldn't hit a Dragon if it was right in front of them.

The sound of shattering glass filled the air like a thunderous roar. Attempting to put the storm in it's place. For all those who'd grown up in a magical family, that in itself was not a good sign. The better you were at Apparition, the more silent the 'crack' would be.

Masters of the trade would often refer to their way as 'Blink Apparation' completely soundless, only leaving an after image of themselves behind. I wasn't taught, and I certainly wasn't a Master and the pain I felt was tuning out everything else around me.

Daniel and I hit the ground moments later, all I had needed to do was take away the velocity of our inevitable fall before transporting us to the ground. I'd managed all those things. The only issue now, as we were violently flung along the drenched grass, was the immense pain located on the right side of my body.

I heard a soft pop. And Dobby's voice squeaking a worried: "He's fine." But not above me. My eyes surveyed the area, finding my brother and my elf not far from me. "Pomfrey." I breathed suddenly coughing up violently. I could taste blood. There is a reason you don't apparate without a settled core. Splinching... is extremely painful.

The sea of students parted as my mother moved swiftly from the ranks above down to the ground. Tracey, Blaise and Theo were there first. They still had brooms. They thought I was about to die. I wouldn't, I was fucked up... sure. I had literally twisted my insides and was in fact bleeding from places I'd rather not think about. But this was... while not a normal occurance, certainly a treatable one for someone trained in Splinching Reparations. And dear Poppy was more than just a little skilled. "Your arm." Tracey noted with tears in her eyes. I smiled at her.

"It's around somewhere." Dobby, ever the dutyful friend and servant. Turned up with it on our way to the Hospital Wing. It'd be fixed in a couple of days, granted... they were a couple of very painful days but still. I'd survive.

At least having Occlumency lessons with Luna got a lot easier that way. Also, on a side note. Lily did not stay with Daniel but instead went to see me off to Poppy's care. I didn't miss it and did in fact appreciate it.