Made the classic mistake of getting the next two chapters after this one done before having a clue about this one. DUH! But should work out.

Anyway, same as always...All mistakes are mine.

Please R +R (They're big hugs to me!)

Chapter 9.

The Quidditch match was well under-way when Bumblebee found the perfect hiding spot to watch. By now the light frost that was covering the ground had turned into a thin layer of snow now that the skies had opened and the first flakes were falling.

Crounching comfortably on the hillside the young Transformer heard a shrill whistle blow and clapped with excitement hearing the roar of the crowd and the teams of green and red dart off in all different directions.

Amongst the noise he could hear the commentary provided by Professor Witwicky, "It's going to be a great game, folks. Both teams appear to be on top form. Slytherin Chasers have got the Quaffle...That was a good shot from the Gryffindor Beater, but better luck next time. Here comes Slytherin..."

A loud gong sounded and the students wearing green cheered.

"Goal for Slytherin!"

Bumblebee sat crossed legged, resting his chin in his hands as the match continued. The loud gong sounded numerous times he lost count. He cheered and winced along side the students as goals were scored or when players got hurt.

"Slytherin need to find the Snitch fast if they hope to beat Gryffindor, so far the little golden wonder has not yet been spotted by either Seeker." A beat, and sounds of muttered conversation, "Hold on folks, uh...I've just been informed that the Snitch has managed to break through the barriers around the grounds and...uh-huh..."

Bee leaned forward as it became aparrent something was wrong. What happened? Were they going to stop playing? What was a Snitch? His attention was focused so intently on the game, that he didn't notice the small tweeting sound drifting through his audio receptors until said sound was followed by the lightest fluttering of wings. The young Scout turned his head towards the noise and blinked at the source of it.

A tiny flying ball in gold, no bigger than a walnut, flickered in his line of vision. Bumblebee let out a soothing coo, reaching out a hand (palm side up) towards the flying ball...

"Folks, we have an amazing development happening here. The Headmaster has agreed to lower the barriers around the Quidditch Pitch, and surrounding area, for a short time. Two ex-Seekers are preparing to hunt for the missing Snitch. Let me hear you scream for...Potter and Malfoy!"

...The booming roar that erupted from the stands was but a dull buzz to Bumblebee, who was watching the Snitch fly around his hand. With a final, tired chirp, the little winged ball dropped like a dead weight into his palm, it's silvery wings folding around it body...

"I'll be damned...Did you see that?" A voice said somewhere above him.

Bee's head shot up. Infront of him, dressed in the same red and green robes, flying on brooms, were Harry and Draco. Bee released a happy giggle, if he could, he would be grinning.

Harry grinned back, "Well done, Bee! You caught the Snitch. You just won the game!"

"I...WIN?" His radio croaked, he looked down at the sleeping ball. Another giggle, "BUBMLEBEE... for the win! Whoop-whoop!" He danced in his seat, singing. "You can't touch this!"

Draco landed next to him and patted the Scouts' arm causing him to stop," Yeah, but you gotta give it back now. Dumbledore said we only had a little while before the barriers take hold again." Bee lowered his hand, presenting the Snitch to the ex-Seeker. Draco stepped back, hands raised. "Nope. Harry and I can't touch it, if we do then it's game over. It's has to be you, Bee."

Harry, now on Bumblebee's other side, pointed his wand upwards, releasing a shower of blue sparks. "Right. They know we've found it and are,supposedly, drivng it back." Pocketing his wand he gestured towards the brightly coloured pitch and then looked up at Bumblebee, "Throw it as hard as you can that way. The Snitch should wake up before it reaches the pitch, just in time that it's basic instincts to avoid capture kicks-in." A devious grin crossed his lips, "Let Gryffindor's Seeker work for once."

Draco smirked at the raven haired boy, "Why, Potter...That is positively Slytherin of you." Harry winked back, earning him a chuckle. "OK Bee. When-ever you're ready."

Bumblebee stood to full height, took one last look at the sleeping ball in his hand before reaching his arm back and throwing the Snitch as hard as he could. The golden ball streaked through the air like a mini comet.

Draco nodded impressed. "Huh...You'd make a good Beater, Bee." Harry nodded in agreement. "Right, so how do we get back?"

Bumblebee squeaked, pointing to himself as his radio sang, "Take me home, country road...To the place I belong."

"So...You're gonna carry us? All the way back to Hogwarts?"

Bee snorted with a head shake. "I ain't no fool, dwag." He crackled, waving at them to stay back. Suddenly he started folding into himself. The small area filled with the creaking of metal and whirling of gears until a yellow beat-up Camaro stood before them. Bee revved up his engine before open both doors.

"What the...It's one of those Muggle horse-less carriage things. What magic is this?" Draco walked around Bee, admiring his new form. "I'm impressed."

Harry eyes widened in disbelief, "It's...It was you! You were at the holiday camp!"

"Harry? What's wrong?" Draco, who had placed both brooms into the car, quickly stood before him. His hands went up clutching the others shoulders. "Harry, you're shaking. Come on. Tell me."

Harry took a deep breath, "Bumblebee was there, at the holiday camp. He was the one watching over us before...before Merlina was killed. Why did you leave!?"

"Wanted to stay. Was ordered to go."

Harry wiped his face with his sleeve, "By who? Was it Merlina?" A game-show 'Waa-Waah!' came from the Camaro. "Then who?" Bumblebee was silent. Harry stood closer, "Bumblebee...Who told you to go?"

Bee remained quiet, then there came a loud amount of static and his head-lights blazed to life. Harry and Draco looked up, eyes widening as a big ghost appeared before them. It was tall, bigger than Bumblebee, mostly blue with red details and was wearing some-kind of helmet, like a knight, and in the same design as their necklaces. Was it his seal?

"A hologram?" Harry breathed. Draco looked at him slightly confused. "A Muggle-made ghost, like a Patronus for wizards." A nod. "Who is he?"

The hologram was still and then it started talking in a deep rich voice, and by doing so making the boys jump, repeating the message that made Bumblebee leave so suddenly on that fateful day:

"Brave soldier, you've done well locating Merlina, keeping her and her half of the Talisman safe. But dark times are coming. The Decepticons know where you are and are planning an assault. You must stop them at all costs. You must ensure Merlina hands over her half of the Talisman to a worthy successor before they attack.

If the worst happens, I have made contact with a human called Albus Dumbledore. He has promised to find and protect the Talisman,and its champion, at his school-Hogwarts- until the second half can be found. Which might be sooner than we anticipated. There are rumours that the second half of the Talisman of Hope, and it's keeper, have already been located. It is likely the two halves will be drawn to one another, and Hogwarts is one of the most secured places on Earth for harmonization to take place.

Head to the co-ordinates at the end of this transmission, find Dumbledore, wait for the new keepers to arrive and then do all you can to keep both halves of the Talisman, and their guardians, safe.

For a Scout, being entrusted with such a mission, you have shown great courage in these dangerous times.

I, Optimus Prime, am proud of you, Bumblebee and will be honoured to stand with you when the time comes. I await your signal. Until then be safe.

Over and out."

The image faded, leaving Draco and Harry looking dumb-founded at each other. They turned to the yellow Camaro. Harry was the first to find his voice.

"Optimus Prime? Is he your leader?" Bee honked once for yes. "And...A Decepticon, is that what killed Merlina?" Another honk. He rubbed his forehead. "I need to process this. How are you doing, Draco?"

Draco was nibbling his nails, pacing back and forth, "Let me get this right: Harry and I have been chosen to protect this Talisman. You're here to protect us from some bad guys. Dumbledore knows about all it. And by the sound of that message there's a big battle heading our way." He shrugged, "Just another year at Hogwarts, then."

Harry stared at him, "You're taking this well."

Another shrug. "When have we ever had a quiet year here? Should be used to it by now."

Harry couldn't argue with that. "That's true." He clapped his hands together, rubbing them for warmth. "Let's head back to the castle and we can talk about this new information properly. I'm cold and need a hot chocolate."

Draco got into the passenger side while Harry slid into the drivers. Bee softly shut the doors and drove back down the hill-side. During the journey the snow had started to fall again. Harry was quiet, staring out of the window watching the scenery go by. Draco tried to start a conversation many times, but in the end just settled against the worn leather seating while Bumblebee be purred beneath them.

Hogwarts slowly appeared over the horizon and Bee started to slow as they got closer to the barriers. Just shy of Hagrid's Hut the yellow Camaro came to a full stop, his engine growling lowly. The two boys got out, grabbed their brooms and watched as Bee turned around and headed back into the Forest with a good-bye hoot.

Draco sighed hitching up his broom,turning towards the castle. He'd gone a few paces when he noticed that Harry hadn't moved and was still watching Bee's fading brake-lights. His charm seared hot under his shirt that he pulled it quickly, to avoid getting burned and glared at it, only for his face to soften reading the words: Comfort. Cherish.

Once it had cooled he tucked back under cloth and cleared his throat quietly, "Potter?"

Harry turned to him, his green eyes sad.

Looking into those emerald pools, the Slytherin realized that he didn't need words. He reached out to Harry. The Gryffindor looked his hand for a second before extending his own, clasping them together in a loose grip. Harry allowed Draco to tug him back to Hogwarts. As the Gryffindor's' pace slowed Draco tighten his hold, lacing their fingers. Harry raised his brows in question but Draco shook his head, pink dusting his cheeks.

"Good evening, boys."

Both boys stopped dead in their tracks. Standing before them, a gentle twinkle in his eyes, was Dumbledore. He glanced at their joined hands, a tender smirk appearing on his lips. How long he had been there they knew not, but it was a good bet he'd seen the whole thing...including Bumblebee.

The old Headmaster coughed, "I believe a conversation is in order." Harry nodded but suddenly yawned sleepily, his broom dropping from his hand. Next to him Draco was also having a hard time staying up-right. "But maybe not now. After the holidays, perhaps. Now..." A flick of his hand and the boys brooms took fight, heading back towards the Quidditch pitch, "...since you look dead on your feet. A long trip back to the castle might be impossible. Maybe you'd prefer…" Another flick and the lights came on in Hagrid's Hut, a warm welcoming glow in the darkness. "A flask of hot chocolate and clean pyjamas are waiting for you. I will make your excuses to your Heads of Houses. Good-night, gentlemen." A swish of robes and he headed up the hill towards the castle, "Oh, by the way," He called over his shoulder, Harry and Draco were halfway up the front steps, "when you see B-127 please give him my hearty congratulations on winning the match."

Harry snorted into Draco green-cladded back as they stumbled into the shack. Once inside they found two sets of pyjamas in dark grey (appropriate house symbol on the shirt pocket) and a big flask of rich cocoa. Changed and warmed, the two climbed into Hagrid's bed, Harry facing the window this time, burrowing under the blankets to keep out the chill.

Though he was tired, try as he might, Draco couldn't get to sleep. He turned so he was facing Harry's back and found the raven-haired boys shoulders shaking. Lifting a hand, he gently prodded Harry to get him to turn...And he did. Harry shifted closer so his head was under Draco's chin, arms tightly around his thin frame. Draco lifted his free hand, the other was back entwined with one of Harry's, into Harry's messy locks with soothing strokes to ease him into slumber. When Harry's breathing finally evened out Draco allowed himself a light nuzzle to Harry's forehead before he closed his eyes. Harry murmured in his sleep before settling again with a ghost of a smile on his lips.

As they slept, thin metallic tendrils crept out of the broken pieces of the Talisman, seeking out the other, attempting to become whole...

Was that an odd place to leave it? I don't know.

This went through so many versions, I kind of gave up.

Your humble servant. xx