Challenge: Write an AU you haven't written before: Muggle AU

Prompts:

(quote) Adventure is not outside man; it is within. - George Eliot

(song) The Fighter - Keith Urban

Word Count: 2,957

Beta(s): Big thanks to Verity, Saturnine and the Ballycastle Bats team^^

THE FIGHTERS

"Adventure is not outside man…" Dumbledore, as usual, opened with a quote from George Eliot.

"… it is within," chorused his students.

Harry, Luna, Hermione, and Draco looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They were of the same opinion that the Director of Recreational Arts Therapy needed a new quote to start their sessions.

"That's right!" the Director responded with enthusiasm. "People often inaccurately confine the word adventure within a boxed definition such as a rush of adrenaline, or a thrill-ride to make us forget about our pedestrian lifestyle. But people often neglect that adventure is also the struggle within ourselves to find what makes us a better person."

Draco turned contemplative and scribbled something in his journal. It was mandatory that they all write something in their journal before going to bed for Psychological Assessments. Just like it was mandatory for the four of them to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner together for Social Correctional Therapy aka The Buddy System.

"I want you to consider your thoughts on the matter using art as a creative outlet," Dumbledore continued. "Tell your story using music, painting, drawing or sculpting and ask yourself: What adventure within yourself would you like to undertake? The road towards healing or the path towards destruction? As usual, the points you get today will be accumulated to your monthly assessments. The top three groups that have the most points will get to go out and spend the day however they like, and of course, with escorts not far behind, so, no, escape isn't possible," he added sternly, directing his gaze towards the notorious Weasley twins. They had tried escaping the institution many times, though always unsuccessful, and they would always be brought back to their cells with more punishments than any other delinquent's could stomach; and yet they always wore shit-eating grins that made the custodians feel like they lost somehow.

Dumbledore left the students to their devices and the four unlikely friends gathered at once on one, long table and got started.

"You know," Harry started, as he took some clay from the shelf, "the Weasley twins might be trying for top group so they could try escaping again. Goodness knows their buddies Jordan and Angelina will help them."

"They'd be brought back in again anyway," Hermione said, quite sure of herself, like always, whilst continuing to scribble on a paper with charcoal.

Harry had thought her annoying when the Director first made her part of his group for the Buddy System. He still thought she was annoying, but now, he saw her charm after working together for so long.

"We better win this month," Luna whined softly, as she mixed blue and green paint on her palette. "I want to go hiking and breathe the mountain air again. This place gets stuffy the longer I'm confined here."

Hermione felt for her. Out of the four of them, Luna had been here the longest. She was added to their group because no one else wanted her for a buddy so the three of them took her in and protected her as best they could.

"It's not so bad," Draco disagreed. "I agree, it's stuffy, but I'd rather be here than go back out there. I'm only just beginning to understand for myself what's right and wrong. If I go back, I'm sure my father would indoctrinate me all over again," he explained whilst composing a song.

They all sighed. Being detained long term inside the 'Hogwarts Juvenile Correctional Facility' was bittersweet. Harry initially thought they would be lying about all day in a prison cell to rot like 'dirty criminals', but he was pleasantly surprised when he found the accommodations adequate; the beds were clean; the restrooms were satisfactory and their education wasn't neglected.

The downside was; they had to clean some areas of the facility in rotation, wake up early in the morning for drill exercises, stick to the buddy system and attend counseling sessions, psychological evaluations, and behavioral correction programs.

They were also given various animals to care for, like they weren't slammed with activities already. Harry's charge was an injured Snowy Owl he called Hedwig, Hermione's was the ugliest, squashed-faced Cat she called Crookshanks, and Draco's was a Ferret aptly named Ferret. Luna was never given one because her drug-addled mind convinced her that she already had a pet, a Crumple-Horned Snorckack, whatever that was, and called it Rolf.

"Luna!" Hermione giggled. "You're drifting off again."

"Huh- what?"

"You were being all dazed and floaty again. I wouldn't have minded, but we have to turn in our artworks in precisely forty three minutes."

"Oh, sorry." Luna smiled impishly. "It's the Nargles pulling my thoughts away again."

"Again," Draco rolled his eyes. "there are no Nargles. Really, you've been clean for months now. Are you still getting flashbacks?"

A flashback is the sensation of re-experiencing the effects of a drug after the true effects of the drug have worn off. Some addicts have flashbacks even years after going clean.

Luna struggled with substance abuse and was forcefully admitted to the juvenile center by her own parents when they found out that she started stealing expensive things from their house to buy more drugs. They even found that she started selling drugs, too.

"Uh-huh. This time I was hallucinating about a school for Wizards called Pigfarts. I suppose it's good that I know I was just hallucinating, because it was located on the moon."

"Of course. It's not like you'd know it wasn't real with a school named Pigfarts." Harry murmured off-handedly. They were used to her hallucinations by now, which were usually followed by bouts of severe withdrawal. Harry pretended to be absorbed with his sculpture whilst keeping her in his periphery, looking out for any signs indicating she needed help.

"Does that mean that Director Albus Dumbledore is just another hallucination? It is a rather weird name," Luna asked.

"Oh, he's real, I assure you. Though, I think he's just using an alias, not a real name. See, I have a theory that he's a reformed crime lord," Hermione mused.

"Oh, Hermione. You and your theories. I guess your counseling sessions haven't had the desired effects yet, hmm?" Draco smirked.

"I haven't stopped believing in free dissemination of information, if that's what you mean. There's always serious stuff going on, and the public deserves to know, but they don't, because it is all being swept under the rug. And for your information, my theories are always backed by substantial data."

"Yet it landed you in juvie, along with the rest of us," Harry grinned at her.

"It wasn't my fault that powerful people have too many secrets they want to keep buried. I just exposed them and all their lies," Hermione argued.

See, she was a dangerous hacktivist. She had successfully hacked the government servers, hacked a bunch of politicians' accounts, releasing all she found to the public. She was finally arrested, after multiple failed attempts, when she unintentionally left a small digital footprint that was traced back to her. Their group wasn't allowed internet access because of her. Not that they were allowed gadgets to begin with. The others were allowed ten minutes internet time every week in the computer lab, though.

"Sensitive information should not be released for a reason, you know," Luna interjected. "You nearly sparked a civil war."

"Well, it didn't happen! Judge Snape made it appear like I had committed a serious offense! It was completely blown out of proportion, I assure you. I just happen to have very powerful enemies, that's why I lost the trial."

Draco was silent. Judge Snape was his godfather and was supposed to be tried by him so he could get an easy out. Unfortunately for him, the jury knew of his connection with Snape and was tried by a different judge. It was a last minute decision so his father hadn't the opportunity to bribe him. He was tried for possession of heavy firearms and tampering of evidence. His father was the leader of a crime ring and had extensive drug cartel holdings, but for some reason, nobody found any substantial evidence against him so he always evaded arrest. Draco was just unlucky they found one of his father's stash of firearms while he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Since they can't arrest the father, they incriminated the son.

"Snape was my judge, too!" exclaimed Harry. "My trial was unfair as well, it was for an accident!"

"Uh-huh," Hermione snorted. "You commited damage to property, arson, drunk- driving, driving without a license, need I go on?"

"It was a dare! I only downed a single can of beer…"

"What a lightweight!" Draco joked in an aside.

He glared at him and continued, "My cousin just liked to poke fun at me and dared me to drive! I had a sudden burst of recklessness because of the alcohol so I drove the car. I ran through their house by accident when I swerved hard to avoid a black puppy. I didn't know that the gas tank would explode, burning the house with it."

"Mmhmm," Luna hummed in undisguised disbelief.

"Well, now that I hear it myself, it actually sounds bad, but I swear it was all an accident. But the judge didn't even see that because there were no CCTV's around. I had a clean record and it was the first time I caused something very regretful and Snape still called me a menace to the society that needs correction!"

His dad, a police officer, couldn't do much, especially when his Uncle Vernon pressed charges against his own nephew, and they had no proof to show that it wasn't intentional.

"Yeah, because running through a house and burning it is preferable to running a puppy through," Draco commented drily.

The three gasped angrily.

"How could you say that, you cruel piece of dung!"

"At least the house was just a property that can be replaced! The puppy had only one life, you soulless monster!"

"How dare you call yourself a human being!"

"Oh, alright, alright. Jeez." Draco relented. "You're awfully uptight about killing puppies."

"You, foul git! Let me murder you instead and see how you like it! Someone get me a car! I'll run you over with it!" Luna practically yelled.

Draco studied her for a long second. She was sweating profusely despite the cold, her eyes looked crazed and watery, and her hands were shaking. She was having one of her rare violent withdrawals.

Luna began breathing erratically, her eyes rolling back. Before she could hit the ground, Draco acted fast and gently restrained the girl while Hermione called for help. Harry removed any dangerous objects within reach, as they were taught by her doctor.

They moved as one as Luna was led to the infirmary, leaving their artworks unfinished.

When Luna came to, she found her friends anxiously standing beside her bed.

"I'm sorry," she sniffed, knowing full well that they were saddled with a burden like her.

Draco wiped her tears and felt relieved enough to joke, "Don't worry, I can restrain you for as long as you need. My muscles are enjoying the work out." Then, in a more serious tone, he added. "Even after you're cured, I'd be there for you and make sure you never shed a tear."

"What- what if I'll never be okay?" she said, fear clouding her face.

Hermione hugged her tight and said, "We'll find a way. You will be okay. It takes time but you'll be alright."

"But what if I relapse? I have friends back home and they are all addicted to hallucinogens."

Hermione hugged her tighter to prevent her from having a breakdown but it was Harry who spoke. "They aren't really your friends then, if they keep making you take dangerous substances. You know what it does to people; you know what it does to you. But don't worry, if they try hooking you up again, I'll fight them for you." Then he sang cheekily to lighten the mood, "When they're tryna get you baby, I'll be the fighter."

"Keith Urban?"

"Featuring Carrie Underwood," he confirmed.

"Nice."

"We'll be fighters for each other," Hermione agreed. "Sooner or later, we'll be out. And we'll keep each other sane."

Harry Potter, Journal Entry #156

Having to socialize with underage criminals under the Buddy System was distasteful to me at first since I believed that I should not even be associated with the term 'juvenile delinquent' as they had rightfully earned. So I kept my distance and watched and kept interaction to a bare minimum. But as the days progressed, I saw what a hypocrite I was being and saw them for who they were.

Luna was just a sweet girl ruined by substance abuse. She was ruined by the people claiming to be her friends as they fed her drugs that would have lasting negative side effects to her mind and body. Yet, she acknowledged her faults and is currently fighting to straighten her life. I realized that I needed to learn from her and acknowledge that the accident was my fault. It may be unintentional, but it was the stupid recklessness in me that landed me a spot here.

Hermione was a woman with an iron will. She may have questionable ideologies, but she was a loyal friend and a fierce fighter for what she thinks was right. I have no doubt that I can count on her to be our friend for the rest of our lives and I resolved to be like her in that regard while helping her understand that hacking is considered as a cyber-crime. Goodness knows the counselors are doing their best to drill that into her brain without avail, so I don't really think I'd be much help.

Draco, on the other hand, was someone I tried to avoid. I disliked him on sight. His father was a crime lord, he was filthy rich from unfair gains and still managed to look good. In the long run, I understood that he was raised to believe that criminal acts are justifiable provided they get away with it; that it was a profitable business worth the risk of staining your soul to gain power over political and social matters. He lived in a toxic environment that helped shape his beliefs. And yet, he is willing to risk it all for the sake of learning the truth for himself. He thirsts for understanding and wisdom and aspires to be a musician, willing to forsake a multi-billion empire for the sake of integrity. I'm still annoyed that he even managed to improve himself while I blamed the world for my stupidity. Transforming himself to be better was an adventure that I couldn't have achieved had I been in his place.

Seems like Dumbledore's favorite quote finally rubbed off on me. I may be imprisoned right now, but the adventure I'm taking, intertwined with that of my friends, is a journey no amount of travel could ever cover.

Draco Malfoy, Journal Entry #184

Today, I learned that puppies' lives are more precious than houses. If a puppy's life is worth more than that, then surely, a human's life is worth more than all of what my father has in his coffers. I saw him kill a man once for a meager price and I never even batted an eye. But now that I know that it wasn't right, I will do the right thing and do something about it. I think I'm more than enough as a witness against my father's crimes. When I get out of here, I'll ask for Hermione's help in hacking his bank accounts and any incriminating files that he had hidden. Maybe, I could help give justice to the family that had to grieve for a man robbed of his precious life. I understand that it will be hard and that there's still a lot for me to learn, but I will fight for what is right.

Luna Lovegood, Journal Entry #379

I've never felt so safe and reassured. My friends have taken me under their wings and they continue fighting for me and with me, to become better versions of ourselves, to balance one another. I was on the brink of giving up and shutting down before they found me and gave me the courage to fight back. So, no matter the pain, I will fight with all I have so I will be stronger. That way, I'll be the fighter for them too.

I have a lot of demons to face, but I've got friends who won't let me fall, who will wipe away the tears in my eyes, and who will hold me tight when I get scared. They are friends found in the most unlikely place, all of which are disturbed delinquents, but real friends nevertheless.

Hermione Granger, Journal Entry #131

I'll have to find a way to convince my friends that my actions were right. I have discovered vast corruption within the Parliament- all organized by a man, rumored to be the real Prime Minister. Cornelius Fudge was just a puppet, and I had solid evidence that the corruption stems from a small-town baron, named Lord Riddle. But, I don't want to be alone in this fight. If only I could get my hands on a computer…

George Weasley, Journal Entry #427

After repeated experimental attempts at escape, we have now perfected a plan to finally succeed. It is now fully operational and ready to be implemented.

Fred Weasley, Journal Entry #427

Massive breakout attempt will commence two hours before dawn. Let the mayhem begin!

**END**