A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.

Chapter 24

May 29, 1994

Hospital Wing, Hogwarts, Scotland

Astoria kissed Luna on the top of her head. They had come back to the Hospital Wing as soon as they could. Luna had fallen asleep on her shoulder. Astoria doubted she had slept last night. Harry was holding Astoria's hand as he sat up in bed.

"Who was kissed," he asked her.

Yesterday had been pandemonium. The Aurors had let the dementors go to chase after Black on the outskirts of Hogsmeade after seeing a black dog. What happened was nothing short of terrifying. They swarmed through the gate of the school, finding students walking to and from the castle or just wandering the grounds. It was all over the Daily Prophet today. Two students and an Auror had been kissed before the Ministry got control of the dementors.

"Miles Bletchley from Slytherin and Doris Irlam from Hufflepuff," she told him.

He was not a fan of Bletchley, but he never wished the kid to be killed. Well, not seriously though.

He nodded, looking around the ward. He was not the only patient today. Three other students were in beds. All of them hurt trying to get away from the dementors.

Hermione was in the bed next to Harry. She had to have a bone in her leg regrown after falling and being trampled when a few dementors had swarmed the Three Broomsticks. Her and Neville had been leaving when it happened. Neville's patronus had saved many in town.

Hermione was reading the Prophet. "This is awful," she said from next to them. Neville had been called to the Headmaster's Office after breakfast and still had not come down.

"I am sure this will make a huge stir at the Ministry. Having two purebloods kissed like that will not be glossed over," Astoria told her.

Hermione scrunched her brow. "And if it had been two muggleborn?"

"Then I doubt the dementors would have been returned to Azkaban. There would be a stir. Maybe a few would lose their jobs in the DMLE, but that would be it. The furor would die in a month or so," he said. His mum had gone over how she and his friend were viewed by those in power. He had seen it.

The girl huffed. "Instead, this one might cost Minister Fudge his job."

"He did sign the order to post them here," Astoria responded.

"There is an article in here that the Head of the DMLE opposed the Dementors here," Hermione said turning a page in the paper.

Harry shifted and winced as the arm in the sling shifted. "How bad does it hurt," she asked. His arm had been broken and chewed up enough that Madame Pomfrey had a hard time healing it.

"It's fine," he told her.

Luna shifted and she tightened her hold around the girl's shoulders. "Harry, how is it," Astoria pressed.

"It hurts, alright," he said.

"Madame Pomfrey said you could have another round of potions soon," she told him, concerned for him. He had used the couple of seconds he could have used to defend himself to protect her and Luna.

He sighed and leaned back on the bed, letting go of her hand.

"Who was the other dog?"

Hermione put the paper down. Astoria didn't know what to say. The one he had described as Black was the one to save him. She had seen the dog jump right through the magic Harry had cast around them before tackling the other one.

"Why do you think it was another animagus," Hermione asked.

"Its eyes were human," he told her.

"Why would Black save you? I thought he wanted to kill you," Astoria asked.

"He had a chance over Christmas and he did me no harm," Harry said to her.

Harry's eyes looked up and she turned to see Mrs. Potter. "That is a question I would most like to have answered," she said to them.

"Did you talk with the Headmaster? Where is Neville," he asked her.

"Neville is with Lady Longbottom for a while. Hermione, how are you feeling?"

"Much better, Mrs. Potter. I think the Skele-grow has finally finished," Hermione said.

"I am glad you are well. And you, Harry?"

He hesitated for a moment. "It hurts," he told her. "What did the Headmaster say?"

She had to admit she was curious. Mrs. Potter looked around. The other two students were near the door. Madame Pomfrey was nowhere to be seen.

"The grounds had been warded against letting the damned dementors in, but when the gate was open, the Aurors were supposed to guard it. It was the only point they could enter, supposedly. They never should have been here in the first place," she said bitterly. "Fudge is a corrupt idiot."

Astoria felt the same way. "Why did they have so many," Hermione asked. "The Prophet said there were well over a hundred outside of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts."

"I don't know, Hermione. It was a disaster waiting to happen. The Wizengamot is meeting in a special session today to go over this."

"Are they going to depose Minister Fudge," Harry asked.

Mrs. Potter frowned. "I think that highly unlikely. I think they will try to shift the blame to the DMLE. There are still many that support Fudge, even if there is going to be hell for him to pay with his backers. Most will not look on this kindly that a Pureblood Scion and his betrothed where Kissed."

Astoria blinked her eyes. She had not known Bletchley was engaged. Not with the way he seemed to have a different Slytherin girl on his arm every few weeks. She also found it odd that the betrothal had not been announced. The girl had been sixteen, old enough to be in an official betrothal.

"It shouldn't matter," she said with anger. If it had been Hermione, Astoria was thinking she would have lost a very good friend. One that would have hurt to lose. She didn't want to think about losing the other two.

"I agree, Astoria. Harry, I have told the Headmaster he may speak with you. If at any point you want Professor Flitwick or Remus or if you don't want to discuss anything, he is to stop. Is that understood?"

"Yes, mum," he said.

"Luna and Hermione, that goes for you too. Xeno has given me permission to be your guardian while out of country and your parents have given me Magical Guardianship of you, Hermione. Astoria, I will make sure your parents send an owl as soon as I get back. "

"Yes, Mrs. Potter," Luna said, still curled up against her. Astoria had not realized Luna had woken up.

Hermione looked at Harry's mother. "Mrs. Potter, I did not know there was a difference? My parents weren't my guardians already," she asked confused.

Mrs. Potter sighed. "Again, one of those things that muggleborns are not really told about. Technically, unless a Muggleborn has been specifically given over to a Magical Guardian, the Headmaster is your guardian. Most times it is handed to your Head of House once you are sorted, but it seems that did not happen with you, Hermione."

Hermione frowned. "I don't understand."

"Don't worry about it for now. I have talked with your parents and the paperwork was filed with the Ministry over Easter. If something happens, you are to ask for myself or Lady Longbottom. Either of us have the ability to speak for your parents," she said.

"Mum, why did Black save us," Harry asked.

Astoria looked at him. His face was set and she could tell he was thinking. There was a way his green eyes looked when he was.

Mrs. Potter sighed. "I don't know, Harry. I need to talk with a few people. I don't want any of you going anywhere near the Forbidden Forest for now. I would prefer for you to stay close to the castle until he is found and captured."

Luna shuffled. "I like walking the grounds. I want to see Buckbeak a few more times."

"Don't go unless Hagrid or someone walks you down there. The Aurors found traces of camps not too far into the forest. Someone or multiple people have been in there watching over the grounds. Just stay close to the castle for now, Luna," Mrs. Potter said in a kind voice.

"Harry, I will let Madame Pomfrey know you need some more potions. She thinks all your wounds will be healed enough for you to return to class tomorrow. Send Hedwig tomorrow to let me know how you are. If anything comes up, find your Uncle Remus."

"Sure, mum. Are you leaving?"

"I need to go talk to an old friend in the Ministry. He is expecting me in about an hour," she told her son.

He nodded and let his mum kiss him on his forehead. "I want you all to be safe." She did the same with Luna and her. Astoria blinked. Only her mother or father had done that before. Well, Harry a few times too.

When she left, Hermione picked up the Prophet again. Astoria watched Harry as he fell into deep thought. Luna sat up and took Harry's hand. He looked up to her. Something passed between them that Astoria didn't understand.

"I know, Luna," he said to her. "I won't let you get hurt though if I can help it."

"Why didn't you throw him into the lake or make him fly away? Heliopaths would have taken him," she said.

Harry smiled and shook his head. "I didn't think of that."

Astoria looked at them before Harry met her eyes. It was not the same communication as Luna and him shared, but she could see the concern and gratitude in his eyes. It was like he was thanking her for protecting Luna without saying anything. She gave him a weak smile. Astoria had been protecting both of them. It had been Harry who really saved them though.

-oOo-

June 9, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Exams were almost over. Tomorrow afternoon they had their Runes exams, and then he could relax for the last week before they went home.

They sat in the tall grass just outside the Training Grounds Gatehouse. They were doing as his mum had told them and not straying far from the castle. He knew Luna didn't like it much, but she respected his mum.

Today, it was just them out here. Astoria had gone off with Daphne for something and Hermione was somewhere with Neville after they had finished their exams. He suspected that they may have finally started to date, but didn't want to tell any of them. He could respect that.

Otherwise, Hermione probably had dragged him off to the Library as she did her final studies for Arithmancy and Runes, which was the more likely scenario.

Luna hummed as she ran her hand through is hair. He wasn't sure how his head had wound up in her lap, but he wasn't complaining. She was pleased that Buckbeak had won his appeal. He suspected his mum had something to do with that after Luna and Hermione had written her after the first trial.

Even as content as he was to have the sun on them and to know there was only one exam left, he felt like he couldn't rest.

There had been no sightings of Black or the other dog for almost three weeks. Aurors roamed the grounds, but not in the school. He could not shake the feeling though as though they were still being watched. He also felt like he needed to keep up his vigilance every time he saw some of the scars on his arm. Some of the bite wounds had been bad enough that Madame Pomfrey had not been able to keep them from scarring.

"Your wrackspurts are almost gone," she said quietly.

He smiled and opened his eyes. She was looking down at him, her sky-blue eyes matching the sky behind her blonde hair. He felt his inside squirm to look up at her.

"Good," he said.

She smiled and looked up. He found he didn't like that. Her eyes were a much nicer color than the sky above her. "Harry," she said, gently guiding his head to look towards the quidditch pitch.

He looked to see a few owls flying over the pitch. It looked like they were flying in weird patterns. "What are they doing," he asked. He sat up to see one of them trying to claw at a white owl. "Is that Hedwig?"

"And Archimedes," she said.

He was up and running, his wand out, before Luna could protest. He was not going to let his owl get hurt. "Harry," Luna called out behind him. She ran after him.

It must have been in between patrols, because there were no Aurors around. He ran for the pitch as fast as he could. He saw the small owl fall and Hedwig flap away, but not gain any height. They had fallen just outside the pitch.

"Harry," she called out, sounding further behind. He was torn for a moment. He needed to get to Hedwig, who was landing closer to him. He slowed enough for Luna to catch up to him. "Harry, we should go get a teacher."

He scanned the grounds and woods. He would not be surprised like that again.

Archimedes glided down to Hedwig. The big eagle owl snapped its beak at them as they approached. "Easy there, boy," he said, looking around. Hedwig was on the ground, her wing obviously hurt.

"Luna, do you mind getting Hedwig," he asked after petting her head. She was holding her wing in a funny way and pushed her head into his hand.

"Come on, girl," Luna said softly taking Hedwig onto her arm. "Harry, we have Hedwig, let's go. I don't like the feel."

Harry looked around. Archimedes was still dancing near their feet. "Luna, where is the other owl?"

"I think we should just head back to the school," she told him. Harry frowned. It took him a second to figure out what was bothering him. Luna would never leave a hurt animal.

He raised his wand, looking around. "Where is it?"

Someone sighed and stepped out from behind a rock near the pitch. It was a woman with light brown hair, dark eyes, a beat-up dress and robes, as though she had not had a clean pair of clothes in a while. Blood had stained the woman's sleeve where a long gash had opened it from her shoulder to her wrist. "You really should have listened to the girl. My idiot brother wasn't supposed to have attacked you," the woman said.

Harry's wand was moving as the woman's suddenly appeared in her hand. "Stupefy!" He yelled it out. The woman had to dodge to avoid his spell, as though not expecting him to cast at her. Ropes shot out of her wand. "Incisus," he said, watching his spell cut the rope before it could reach them. It was the cutting spell Professor Sprout had taught them. Her wand had already been moving and a series of red spells race towards them. He flicked his wand up. "Aedificate Murrus," a wall shot out of the ground, blocking the spells.

"Luna, run," he yelled a second before the dirt wall exploded.

He ducked, having two spells fly over him. Luna spun around, sending off two spells he couldn't hear as the ground behind him blew up.

Running towards her, he grabbed her around the waist as she sent off another spell. The woman had fallen on an ice patch. He pulled Luna along. "Luna, go," he told her. Hedwig was squawking and flapping her wings as he pushed them towards the school.

A spell passed right between them as he pulled back. He turned. "Aedificate Murrus" he cried out again. This time the wall was twice as thick, but it was still dirt. He didn't have time to focus his transfiguration on something more substantial. Luna turned to come back to him. He held up his hand. "Ad portum ludum," he said. Luna tried to protest but her and Hedwig disappeared as they were sucked through a black hole.

His wand was pointed towards the wall, pouring magic into it to reinforce it. A second later it blew up, sending him flying and landing heavily on his back. The months of extra classes with Uncle Remus had done nothing to prepare him for someone who used wordless spells or could cast them so fast. He rolled over, trying to catch his breath before he suddenly snapped into a rigid stance on the ground. His arms where straight along his side and his legs stuck together.

The woman walked up to him, her hair in a mess. "You have more skill than I thought you would, Potter. Now to take you to my brother and find how to get Longbottom."

-oOo-

Hogwarts, Scotland

Luna fell back as though falling off a high wall. Harry's name had been on her lips before he had sent her through something she had never seen before. It felt like forever she was falling. She wrapped her arms around Hedwig before hitting the hard stone floor somewhere in the castle.

It had probably been less than a second, because almost as soon as Harry disappeared, she saw the lights of a torch. Hitting the floor knocked the wind out of her.

Hedwig squawked and moved away.

"Lovegood," Roger Davies called out. She tried taking in a breath and struggled for a moment before she could breathe again.

The Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain was at her side. A group of other students surrounded her. It was the start of dinner and many were entering the hall. "Harry. Someone attacked Harry."

She went to get up and Roger pushed her back gently. "Easy there, Lovegood. You're bleeding. Where did you come from?"

"The quidditch pitch. Harry. Hedwig was attacked," she said. She knew it was out of order, but it was how she thought.

Hedwig was trying to fly, but her wing was broken. "Get the owl," he said to Stretton.

"Harry is at the quidditch pitch," she said pushing herself up. Her wand was at her side and she grabbed it.

"What is going on here," Professor Snape snarled as he came out of the dungeons. Maybe a hundred students had congregated by now.

"Harry has been attacked! Help him," she begged the man with her eyes. She did not like him, but he was a Professor. It was his duty to protect his students.

The man had a hard look to him.

"Help!" Her voice held the despair she felt in it. "At the quidditch pitch."

Snape hesitated for a moment before his wand was in his hand. A doe patronus came out of his wand. "Tell the Aurors and the Headmaster there has been an attack on a student at the quidditch pitch. Lovegood, get up." The doe jumped, splitting into two and running off.

"Luna," Astoria called out, pushing her way through the students.

"Harry has been attacked," she told her.

"All of you into the Great Hall," Snape ordered. "Lovegood, come with me."

She grabbed Astoria's hand and went to get up. "We need to get to Harry. The woman had a very bad feel."

Astoria steadied her. "Luna, you're bleeding."

She blinked a few times. She noticed scratches on her hands as she did so. Blood was on her fingertips as she pulled her hand back from her head.

"The Aurors will handle it. Lovegood, you need to get to the Hospital Wing." Snape didn't sound as gruff.

The students had started to move, too afraid not to do what the Professor told them too.

"I will take her," Astoria said.

"Luna," Neville called out, coming down the stairs. "Why are you bleeding?" Hermione was right behind him.

"She says Harry has been attacked by the quidditch pitch. Professor Snape sent for the Aurors."

"We need to go now," Luna told them. By now, Harry could be dead.

Neville nodded and went to go out the doors. "Longbottom, where are you going," Snape asked.

"To save Harry," he said, he turned quickly before taking off.

"Not without us," Hermione said.

The doors slammed in Neville's face. "The Aurors will handle this. Greengrass, take Lovegood to the Hospital. Longbottom and Granger, to the Great Hall," Snape said angrily.

Luna looked at the man with tearful, puppy dog eyes. "Harry," she said.

"Yes, Professor," Astoria said. "Neville, can you pick her up? I think she should be carried."

She looked at Astoria, very confused why they would not be going after Harry. Neville took her in his arms before she knew what was going on. "Hermione, get Hedwig. We will be off to the Hospital, Professor."

Luna looked around dazed. Neville followed Astoria up the stairs before Snape could say anything else. A few students looked at them. When they were out of sight of Snape, they ducked into a hall. "Luna, where is Harry?" Astoria took out a handkerchief from her pocket and put it to her head.

"He sent me here. He was being attacked. Astoria, he's in trouble," she told her. Luna could feel it. She felt his fear. It was the only way she knew he was still alive.

"We need to find Professor Lupin," Neville said.

Astoria looked into her eyes. She tried to pass her feelings along. Harry just got it. Astoria did at times, she was getting better. The concern in the hazel eyes looking at hers made her know Astoria understood. "Let's go," she said.

"What about Hedwig. Her wing looks badly hurt," Hermione said. "Luna needs to see Madame Pomfrey."

"There isn't time. PROFESSOR!," Neville called out.

Professor Lupin had just passed the hall, probably going down to dinner. He stopped in mid stride, before turning. "Good evening," he started before sniffing. The man's smile faded and he stepped towards them. "Luna, why are you bleeding. What happened to Hedwig."

"Luna and Harry were attacked down at the pitch. Professor Snape sent for the Aurors and to Professor Dumbledore," Astoria told him.

The man's complexion paled. "How did you get here," he asked her.

"Harry made a portal. He is scared," she told him.

He looked at her for just a moment. "I want all four of you to get to the Hospital wing. Make sure Luna gets checked over," he said to Astoria. "Where did it happen?"

"The path from the training ground, almost at the pitch. A woman with light brown hair. She was an owl," she told him.

Mr. Lupin did a long blink. "I'm sorry. Did you say an owl?"

"A tawny owl. Looks like the ones the Prophet uses," she told him. "She had lots of dark spots around her and felt really wrong."

"Get to the Hospital now. Do not leave unless myself or Mrs. Potter come for you," he told them.

They were left there as he turned and started running towards the Training Grounds. A silver wolf ran the other way, jumping through the doors of the Main Entrance.

"I don't understand," Hermione said.

Luna started to sway. She was feeling lightheaded. "Neville," Astoria called out.

-oOo-

A run down shack

It was dark out. He was in a room, tied up with uncomfortable metal manacles on his wrists. The flickering light from a single oil lamp crept around the edges of a mostly closed door. All he could make out was half destroyed furniture, old take-out food containers and boarded up windows.

"What are we going to do with them," a man said. "After this, the Ministry will be all over the place. I can't even step out now."

"Well whose fault was that, you idiot? You were supposed to be in Hogsmeade and grab Longbottom. I don't really care about Potter," a woman said angrily.

"I want the boy and his mother dead. It is because of his father we've been on the run for thirteen years," the man said.

"Whose fault was that for not doing as the Dark Lord commanded," she asked.

Something crashed across the room. "I can't wait to shred you, Black. I want the bitch to watch me kill her son first."

"Stubby, that is enough. If we need to kill them, we kill them. We need Longbottom. That is what he wants," the woman said.

"Can I kill him too," the man named Stubby asked.

"No." A light from a spell shone. "Now, Black, how did you get into the school last year? And why were you in the school?"

He heard someone spit. "Crucio," the woman said and a man screamed. Harry shivered. He remembered what that felt like and never wanted anyone to go through that.

It only lasted a few seconds.

Harry tried to call on his power. He should be able to. Instead it felt like something was siphoning it off. His mum had never told him there was something like this and he had not read about it.

"How, Black! How do I get in and how do I get into Gryffindor. I can get on the grounds but not past the wards on the castle. You know how to get past the Aurors and Dumbledore," the lady said.

Harry struggled against the cuffs and ropes. If he could loosen them up or squeeze his hands through the cuffs. They were heavy and felt as though they had been made for adults.

"I wouldn't tell you even if you cut off my bollocks. I won't let you hurt those kids," a man said, his voice sounding coarse. "You already killed James."

The other man laughed. "I forgot, he doesn't know who our other guest is."

"Stubby, shut your trap," the woman snapped.

It had still been light out when they had taken him here. Since then, he had tried to get out after the initial panic they would kill him right away. It sounded like they still wanted to, but he would fight.

"Black, how do we get into the school," the woman asked again.

"You don't," the man laughed before he started to scream again.

It felt like minutes he heard Black screaming. Harry was trying not to shake as he struggled against his bindings. "Get the boy."

There were a few heavy steps and then the door was kicked open. "Time to play, Potter," a man said. In the light, Harry made out black, curly hair, dark holes where his eyes should be and a ratty wizard's robes.

He would have said something if he could have but found he could not speak.

The man came over. Harry's nose scrunched to smell his fetid breath and unwashed state. The man grabbed the base of the chair and back, lifting him and walking into the next room. It was a destroyed bedroom.

"Leave him alone," a man growled from the floor. He knew the man was Black right away. His robes were in even worse condition than the other two, the front of his shirt was ripped open and cuts on his chest still bled. The man's grey eyes looked at him concerned. His jet-black hair was long and his beard unkept.

In the light, the man's hair that was lifting him was more the shade of the woman's. "Here you go," the man said with a grin.

"We will leave him alone if you tell us how to get into Hogwarts," the woman said crouching down, to be more on level with Black.

Black looked at him for a moment. "What are you going to do with Longbottom?"

The woman smiled, and Harry wanted to get away. He moved his hands in the manacles. He did not want to be here.

"That isn't your concern. We just need him," she said sweetly.

"I thought you had died, Boardman. You are the one that led James and I into that ambush."

The man behind Harry chuckled. "It was such a sweet revenge. Though, you were supposed to die too."

"No," the woman snapped, standing up to grab the man's hand. "We need to know now how to get in. This is our last chance. Start on the boy."

Harry tried hard to control his breathing. He moved his hands against the overlarge holes, feeling the edge bite into his thumb.

"NO!" Black cried out desperately.

"Crucio," the man said. Harry felt the pain. It was needles all over his body. He closed his eyes as the pain grew, trying hard not to cry out. His body started to convulse and he whimpered.

"Stop," Black cried out.

The man kept going. He couldn't keep the cry in as the pain suddenly doubled.

"STOP! James!"

The pain stopped and he slumped over in his chair, panting. He tried to pull on his magic again. It swelled and then drained away. He felt the manacles heat up.

"You going to tell us then," the woman said crouching down and grabbing Black's face in one hand.

Black glared at her, as though he wanted his eyes to kill her.

"Again."

Harry screamed the second it started. It was not as bad as the Chamber, but it was bad. When it stopped, he had tears on his face.

"Now, Black, or I will really let my brother have his fun."

"You can't get in the way I did the first time. It is has been blocked." Black sounded strained.

Harry picked up his head, breathing heavily. Black was looking at him.

"Can't I start now? I still owe James for Millie."

She huffed. "Fine. Leave his face recognizable though."

Harry's eyes went wide and he started to struggle. The man came around to his front. "I like it when they squirm, boy."

"Leave him alone!" Black tried to move as the man moved to be directly before him.

"Shut him up," Stubby said. A silencing charm was cast on Black as he tried to struggle to get out of the ropes he was in

It was the worst thing he could do, but he fought. He spat in the man's face. "Don't touch me." The pain in his thumb was getting worse, but he felt like his hand was almost halfway out.

The man ran his hand across his face before back handing Harry so hard he toppled over. His head was spinning as he was picked back up. The man grabbed his shirt and ripped it open. "It's been a while since I had one so young," the man said with pleasure. Stubby leaned over him, the man's hands on an uncomfortable spot on his legs near his crotch. The man's thumbs moved, making Harry feel dirty as he felt the man's tongue on his chest and snapped back. "Get off," he said in a panic.

"The less you struggle and yell, the quicker it will be," the woman said. "Are you ready to talk yet, Black?"

Harry struggled, trying to push his way back. The man grabbed his face with one hand and moved in to kiss him.

A flash of light sped past him. The woman was fast as the man jumped back. Harry tried to get away, pushing his chair. The woman spun and a stunner bounced off a shield. Stubby stepped back, casting a spell and tripping over Harry. Harry was knocked over. He had a quick glimpse of auburn hair and his Uncle before magic was being slung all over the room. Harry pulled his hand as hard as he could. His hand pulled through and no one heard him scream in the din. It felt like he had just ripped his thumb off.

Harry's magic came to his call. It was not the power he knew he had, but it was enough for him to cast a cutting curse on the ropes. It felt like something was still sucking his magic away.

A spell hit close to him and he rolled as the ropes fell away. He scrambled across the room, afraid of getting hit. A woman screamed. He didn't get far before Stubby grabbed his hair and Harry cried out as he was lifted off the ground. It felt like his hair was being pulled out of his head.

"Stop right now or I kill him," Stubby said pointing his wand into Harry's head.

His mum was on the other side of the room. Uncle Remus was by Black, who looked like he had been hit by at least one spell. He looked dazed. Harry and the man were in the doorway he had been taken through earlier.

"You hurt him anymore and I swear you'll wish you had died suddenly," his mum threatened. He felt her magic in the room.

"Melly, come on," he said to the woman against the wall. Harry let his magic reach out. Tears were streaming down his face at the pain in his head.

The woman didn't move.

"Melly," the man called to her. "Melly?"

"Ne me mori," he said quietly, not knowing how to get out of this.

His magic lashed out. It was like a whip cracked. The man jammed his wand into his head and the magic from the wand and his whip collided. It was a blue light and Harry was flung through the air, hitting bodily into a wall.

"Harry," his mum cried out.

"Don't let him get away," Uncle Remus yelled.

He slid down the wall, spots in his eyes. Uncle Remus started to cast and a dog barked out. Harry tried to pick himself up as his mum was suddenly at his side. "Where are those damned Aurors! Remus, stop! We need to stay with Harry."

She went to sit him up and he groaned. It hurt to move. She started running her wand over him. Uncle Remus stopped at the door. Looking back, he asked, "Is she dead?"

"I don't know. Harry, how do you feel," she asked him.

He looked at her. "Can I get this off," he asked, holding up the other manacle still on his left wrist.

She touched it with her wand and after a moment, it fell off with a solid thud. "I don't want you to move anymore."

He relaxed into the floor, laying on his side. He could do that. "I still have my Runes exam tomorrow," he told her.

"Don't you worry about that right now," she said soothingly as she ran her wand over him again.

"My head hurts," he told her as he felt like he was starting to drift off.

Uncle Remus stepped to the witch and then bound her in ropes before going to Black. The man looked unsteady as he sat up, Uncle Remus helping him. "Why didn't you tell them how to get in the school," he asked the man. His head head hurt a lot.

Black looked at him. "I am not a murderer," he said to him. It was the same thing his mum had said.

A moment later, a half dozen men and women in burgundy leather robes rushed in.

-oOo-

Aedificate Murrus = build a wall

Ad portum ludum = portal to the school

Ne me mori = Don't let me die

A/N: I reason Harry would be able to use a 'portal' to get Luna away because it is not Apparition nor it is portkey, two very specific forms of travel Hogwarts wards should prevent him from using. The books also state there is a broom flying ward at the edges of the Hogwarts Grounds. Where appartion seems to be described as a folding between two point, a portal is a link between two places, similar to apparition, but not quite.

A/N2: AU story, AU events. I also used a calendar for when the moon would really be full, it was a new moon June 9, 1994, so no werewolf.