The Scorpius Alto-Cumulus

Pain, jagged and sharp, slammed into my body. I was burning, burning, burning in a flame that never ended – I was vaguely aware of a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream that pierced the formerly quiet cemetery. Only the ragged heat in my throat let Numberita know that the scream was, in fact, emitting from my own mouth.

The force of the blast slammed me backwards a good eight yards, my right arm – my wand arm – pinned against the splintered remains of a headstone and contorting into an unnatural angle with a sickening snap as the rest of my body crashed on top of it. The broken stone bit greedily into my skin, crimson drops welling easily to the surface as I wrenched my leg from the marble's grasp. Numberita was spinning, the cemetery blurring in and out of focus as I struggled to retain consciousness.

Blearily lifting my head and wincing when the movement aggravated the gash lining my right cheekbone to chin, I struggled to make out Ragnuk's form through the whirling mess of fog and smoke that drowned the air.

Please let him be gone – please let this have been worth it. Coughing hoarsely as the soaring dust irritated my throat, I glanced quickly over at Seth. Luckily, the wolf statue had shielded him from most of the explosion, although I could make out a thin layer of debris covering his lower legs. The steady rise and fall of his chest reassured me, and I shakily propped myself up with my left arm, using the jagged remains of the nearest tombstone to support my weight.

Where was my wand?

Quickly scanning the cemetery, I groaned when I saw that it had landed a distance at least nine meters away from me. I could barely stand, let alone walk.

Suddenly a flash of ice blue light emitted from the right, and I sank down to the ground hurriedly, the stone biting into my flesh once more. But I didn't need to – the light was aimed at the destroyed remnants of a marble statue about five meters to my left. A small, shadowed form sprang away from the statue right before the light hit it, scattering the stone once more. Lifting my good arm to shield my face from the agitated dust and shrapnel, I craned my neck to see the caster of the spell.

The fog shielded the face of the caster, but I'd recognize those lean legs and determined stance anywhere – Al. Relief washed over me, shielding me from the agonizing pain I had felt before. Al was here – I was no longer alone. How did he get here? How did he escape Greyback?

My thoughts were soon interrupted by the sounds of several pairs of feet pounding and sliding against the crushed stone, and I could just make out through gaps in the fog the forms of four sprinting boys appeared, each one tightly clutching a wand and sending twin spurts of red light forward.

Wait. Ragnuk! Remembering the small form that had escaped from the statue, I half-ran, half-hopped to my wand, tripping over the shattered stone and branches littering the crumbling dirt ground as I moved. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ragnuk and Al exchanging rapid volleys of blindingly bright spells.

A flash of silver – Scorpius was slashing his arm forward, distracting Ragnuk with a quick Flipendo before he could attack Al from behind. And there was Wood, his wand blasted from his hands as he tumbled over a hidden tombstone. Hugo was next, sending rapid Stupefy spells at Ragnuk. Ragnuk deflected each easily, his wand a blur as he spun from target to target. How was he deflecting five people so easily? It was impossible!

Pale gold darted in – Lysander, tears streaming down a grimly set face as he hurled a swift punch to Ragnuk's gut. Lysander, slamming into the ground in a cloud of red as Ragnuk shot a Sectumsempra in retaliation.

I shook my head, forcing myself to look away and swallow the cries threatening to choke me from the inside. No. I was of no use if I just blubbered by the side – I needed to get my wand.

Almost…there…

Got it! Clutching my wand's battered surface with triumphant fingers, I allowed myself a brief second of self-congratulation before turning and assessing the situation rapidly.

Ragnuk sent a red stream of light that exploded in the place where Al had been just two seconds before – Sectumsempra. I bristled at the dark spell, but Numberita couldn't help but wonder at Ragnuk's power – sure, goblins were exceptionally gifted even without wands, but how was he so untouched? Examining his small body, I noticed no visible cuts or scrapes. He must have cast a quick shield charm – but how? Bombarda was a very powerful spell, especially at such a close range.

What kind of magic did he have?

A lull in the battle – Ragnuk was twirling his wand, moving it in rapid successive movements that blurred together in the darkened gloom of the cemetery. "Imperio," he hissed. Ice froze in my veins, stifling my heart as pure panic gripped me – who had a medallion? Hadn't we checked everyone for medallions? I was frozen, paralyzed, helpless, watching with bated breath as the five boys froze. Who would be controlled?

Seconds trickled by as slow as years, tension cutting the air—

-And suddenly Al was on his knees, his arm shaking violently as his wand moved upwards to point directly at Scorpius. Scorpius, his best mate since first year. Scorpius, who froze, his wand held limply at his side. Scorpius, the boy with the silver eyes and aristocratic nose he was so proud of.

No – the cry caught in my throat, and I lurched forward, Numberita scrambled for a suitable spell - something, anything to stop a tragedy from happening—

Ragnuk smiling gleefully, Scorpius frozen, Hugo and Lysander lying on the grounds, Wood picking up a Quaffle-shaped rock and hurling it at Ragnuk, who redirected it with a casual flick of his wand—

Al clutching at his head, roaring, "NO!" and flinging his wand to the side. Ragnuk, frowning in displeasure and bringing up his wand to point directly at Al-

An arrow of bristling golden light stabbed Al's arm and he clutched at it with a muffled cry – I sprang forward, rage staining the world red.

In the corner of my mind, Numberita whispered that I risked permanent damage if I cast another spell – at this point, I was running on emergency supplies. Any magic I cast now would be coming directly from my life force; in other words, each spell would shorten my lifespan forever.

I pushed the thoughts away; none of that mattered.

"Confringo!" I bellowed, whipping my wand forward with my left hand. The movements were a bit clumsy, but they did the job; a bullet of concentrated light sped at Ragnuk. Seeing the attack, Ragnuk moved to dodge to the left – I scowled, furrowing my brow as I concentrated, my surroundings melting away until I saw was Ragnuk. I directed the spell to follow his movements –

And Ragnuk fell, his small body crumpling to the ground as the spell exploded against his bare skin. Al was there in a second, casting a quick Incarcerous and summoning ropes that gleamed like quicksilver in the moonlight and encircled the goblin's body snugly. He bent down, his movements a tad jerky as he avoided straining his wounds, and plucked the wand from Ragnuk's unconscious form.

I struggled to keep my eyes open, white-black dots popping in and out of existence towards the corners of my eyes. I swayed slightly on my feet, feeling faint at the major blood loss I suffered.

"Adela!"

I smiled blearily at the boy with the emerald eyes and tousled black hair who had captured my heart before sinking to my feet, my wand dropping from my limp hand and clattering across the blood-stained ground before coming to a stop a few inches from Seth's unconscious body.

Peace…

Then darkness.

xxxxxxxxxx

"-Goblins?"

The voice was high and had a no-nonsense quality to it.

"Yes, they've managed to recruit the werewolves as well."

This voice was deeper, frustrated undertones running through the words. Why did it sound so familiar?

"Heavens, the poor dears – so young, too! Who is this child?"

"Adela Lancaster. Apparently this young girl was quite the leader during all this."

Something soft and cool brushed my arm gently. I shifted slightly but didn't open my eyes, still blearily drifting along the stream of unconsciousness. Drifting, sliding, sleepily swimming through blurred backgrounds.

"A Lancaster?"

"Apparently this generation is much better than their parents. Rose tells me Adela was an invaluable part of this whole endeavor."

A pause in the conversation – then, a hushed, "How is she?"

"According to Malfoy, a fractured right arm, several severe burns lining her face and torso, a sprained ankle, and a cut on her face that took thirty-two stitches to seal up."

"Merlin!"

More silence.

"—Any leads?"

A frustrated sigh, then muffled shuffling noises as someone began pacing.

"No. One second he's there, the next he's gone – how is that even possible? The wand's disappeared as well."

"I-"

A door opened, the wood whispering softly against the linoleum followed quickly by light clicking noises as someone in heels entered the room.

"Hermione!"

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley."

"Dear, how many times do I have to tell you? Please, call me Molly – you are a member of the family now."

"Yes, Molly. Harry – Draco wants to speak to you. There's been a - a complication with Al."

No reply – just hurried movements as the man yanked the door open and exited the room swiftly.

Al. Somehow, that name snagged on Numberita. Why was it so familia-

Al.

I struggled to open my eyes, but it felt as if fifty hippogriffs were sitting stubbornly on my eyelids. Al. Al. Al. Slowly I felt myself being pulled from the safety of the murky unconscious and into the harsh reality of bright hospital lights and scratchy sheets, the world where innocent kids were killed and power-hungry goblins willingly pitted friends against friends and sadistic werewolves thirsted for blood and revenge.

Al. The name brought forth a wave of memories, and I fidgeted as I struggled to pull myself together and wake up. I spotted a glimmer of blue and green and the scent of fresh pine as a memory from a few weeks ago overcame Numberita-

"You git!"

Al laughed, bending down to press a quick kiss to the top of my head before quickly scampering out of my reach again. I scowled, stamping my foot childishly as I reached for ol' Bessie, which Al held high above me.

"Prat."

"Unoriginal. Pathetic, really," he said snidely. I scowled, turning away to stare at the Black Lake. Al and I had stolen outside to wander the grounds during an extended free period to relax and spend time together, but the git had decided to steal ol' Bessie. Which, of course, was a sure sign of war.

I began to make sobbing noises loudly, burying my face in cupped hands as my shoulders shook dramatically.

"I know you're faking," he said, but his words were a bit hesitant – ha! I hid my triumph behind my hands, instead resuming my cries at a louder volume.

"Crap, I'm rubbish with crying girls – er, Lancaster, I'm sorry," he said tentatively before prodding my back with ol' Bessie. Hehehe. I whirled quickly and tackled him, slamming the both of us into the cold grass of the hill we stood on. Neatly plucking ol' Bessie from his fingers, I smiled triumphantly from my perch on his torso.

"Got you," I crowed. He scowled from below me, his green eyes narrowing dangerously. He lifted an arm to trail liquid heat down my arm, his finger pausing at my wrist. I swallowed, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

"Did you?" he murmured softly, smiling wickedly up at me from below lowered lashes. Crud. I hated when the git did this – my cheeks flamed, and I struggled to slow my racing heart.

To bolster my will power, I gripped ol' Bessie tightly and said through gritted teeth, "Yes. I did."

"Mmm…" he said distractedly, moving his finger to trail up my arm again. I shivered before muttering, "Sod it," and bending down to capture his lips with mine.

Sliding my fingers through his wonderfully soft hair, I sighed softly when his arms reached up to encircle my waist, bringing me closer to his body.

"Prat," I murmured against his lips.

"I know," he whispered before bending his neck to kiss my collarbone. My whole body was tingling, my nerves pulsing with fierce electricity as I struggled to keep my wits about me.

Numberita was silent, shocked into a dazed stupor.

Crud. There went my only defense.

After a moment we pulled apart, I shakily slid off of my perch on Al's torso to lie down on the grass next to him. Intertwining our fingers, I sighed contentedly and gazed up at the lazily moving clouds high above.

"Oi! That alto-cumulus cloud looks just like Scorpius!" I bellowed after sixteen seconds, pointing excitedly at a particularly nice cloud drifting about 6,500 meters above us.

"You are such a Ravenclaw."

I shrugged, still raptly watching the cloud that had Scorpius's exact nose and haughty air down to perfection.

I shivered slightly, suddenly aware of the cool temperature – it was already almost the middle of December. The months had flown by in a blur of bacon, Al, and Sir Archibald's antics; it was odd to think that it was almost time for winter break.

"It's almost Christmas," I said.

A noncommittal grunt from the male department. Merlin, it sure was lucky that I'd picked such an intelligent conversationalist.

Sarcasm was fun.

"What do you want?" I tried.

"You."

I paused, stubbornly pushing down an amused smile. No, Adela. That wasn't funny. That was just sad. Do not smile do not smile do not smile –

I smiled.

"You did not just make the corniest line ever."

And suddenly Al was bearing down on me, his lips pulling back to reveal a self-satisfied smirk as he blocked my view of the sun.

"And if I did?" he murmured, his eyes lazily flicking down to watch my lips. I flushed before swallowing thickly and saying, "Then I think I'll need to whack you with ol' Bessie or something."

"You can try," he said cheerfully before snogging me once more. I closed my eyes, smiling softly as the trees rustled around us and the winter sun shone brightly.

Life was good.

My eyes flew open, meeting two pairs of startled brown eyes. The woman on the left was a bit plump but had a cheerful, motherly air to her, her curly red hair fading to white near the roots. The woman on the left had bushy brown hair that was tamed in a sensible ponytail, her bare face still managing to be beautiful.

My heart leaped to my throat – Molly Weasley and Hermione Granger-Weasley were two – no, one and two thirds – meters away from me.

"How are you, dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked kindly, hurrying forward to grip my left hand tightly. I paused to consider the question; Numberita registered a deep soreness in my abdomen and legs as well as a sensitive stiffness to my arm and face. Deep burn marks grated painfully against the thin shift the hospital had put me in, but it could have been much worse.

"I'm fine," I answered honestly.

Mrs. Granger-Weasley approached the right side of my bed and opened her mouth to say something – what, I didn't know, because at that moment the door burst open, letting in the frazzled-looking forms of Rose Weasley, two Ministry officials, a blonde woman sporting a Quick Quotes quill and a cameraman, and the Minister for Magic himself – Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Ms. Lancaster, is it true that a goblin managed to break through Hogwart's wards?" the blonde woman asserted, pushing past everyone else to stand uncomfortably close to my face. The cameraman snapped a quick picture, the lights blindingly painful to my sensitive eyes. I winced, lifting my left hand to try and shield my arms. Hissing softly between my teeth when the movement pulled at the stitches lining my cheek, I said, "Yes."

The Quick Quotes quill worked furiously, writing out a paragraph much longer than my simple "yes."

"Did a werewolf-" here her nose crinkled in disgust "-really infiltrate Hogwarts? Why didn't you ask for help from the Ministry? Why selfishly try and tackle this by yourself? Wanted some glory, mm?"

I scowled, ignoring my pain and pushing myself up so that I was at least closer to her eye level.

"Listen, woman – you've said so many erroneous things I hardly know where to begin. First – your disgust when you said 'werewolf'? Not okay. This is the very reason they're angry with us – why do we treat them as inferiors for something they can't help? There are potion s now that allow werewolves to keep their wits about them during a full moon, so there's no reason to treat them with fear and disgust.

"Sure, the werewolf behind this is a right git, and I hope you lot-" here I gestured toward Shacklebolt and his flank of Ministry officials pointedly "-put his arse in Azkaban, but that doesn't mean all werewolves are bad. Voldemort was a wizard – does that mean all wizards should be feared as well? Second – we didn't ask for help because the goblin – Ragnuk – had medallions infused with the Imperius curse distributed among the student body.

"With just a flick of a wand he could control a student and direct that student to either kill himself or attack his friends and peers. We couldn't risk him setting these medallions off by sending for Ministry officials. Third – who are you to judge? You, with your Quick Quotes quill committing falsehoods and ruining the lives of who knows how many people and your blonde hair and your incessant thirst for the latest gossip – you don't know what it's like to see people die before your eyes," I hissed.

She blinked, looking stricken, before collecting herself and glaring at me spitefully.

"You'll regret this," she hissed quietly before straightening and snapping her fingers, the Quick Quotes quill and parchment disappearing into her colourful bag, and exiting the room with a swish of her violet skirt.

Uncomfortable silence followed her exit – I cleared my throat awkwardly, flushing a bit at the way the people in the room were staring at me unabashedly.

It was Mrs. Granger-Weasley who recovered first; "Merlin, I like you. After you graduate and have some training, you're more than welcome to a spot at my firm."

What? I couldn't help but grin widely at her words, ignoring the discomfort the motion caused as my stitches stretched. The Granger-Weasley firm was one of the most reputable and renowned law firms in the Wizarding World and had made a name for itself in defending those who wouldn't normally be able to do so, taking more pro bono cases than any other firm in existence. I'd never really thought about my career before, but honestly? After all the events that had happened, I wanted a way to prevent such bitterness from ever arising to such a degree again. I didn't want to become an Auror – no, I liked living my life without the constant threat of death, thank you very much. If I became a lawyer, I would be able to make a difference –

"I would like that," I breathed. Mrs. Granger-Weasley smiled at me before winking and shooing everyone out of the room until only Rose remained.

I sobered, meeting Rose's warm brown eyes solemnly.

"What happened?" I asked. She sighed before sitting down on the edge of my cot.

Wringing her hands in her lap, she said, "Well, Lily, Hugo, Dominique, Fred, and I ran to our places as planned. At around forty minutes past midnight, roughly a fifth of the students we watched produced medallions and began attacking each other. Adela…there was so much blood. We eventually managed to subdue them; Lily's amazing at stunning people, so she was invaluable to the process, but it took a good three hours to collect all the medallions. The Ministry's taken the medallions to study, but Adela – Al's in bad shape."

I froze; Al. How could I have forgotten?

Rose kept speaking, not noticing my horror.

"Apparently a shield charm exploded over him when Greyback attacked it; the shards of the foreign spell as well as Greyback's attack…his wounds are festering. Al…Al hasn't woken up yet."

A shield charm – my shield charm. Horror mingled with guilt as I slumped against the headboard, my eyes wide in dismay.

What had I done?

Author Note: What? Two updates in two days? ;D Yup, I thought because I was leaving later today I would post another chapter to tide you guys over c; Guys, now there are only two-three chapters left (ended up taking more chapters than I thought haha). Thanks for reading! As always, please please please review! I return all reviews with a teaser of the next chapter c;

The next chapter will be in Albus's POV to explain more about the events that Adela didn't know about (i.e. how he escaped from Greyback, what happened to Scorpius, etc)