A/N:  Well, it's about 5 days before CoS is released here in the US, and I am quite looking forward to it.  That thought alone helped me get past the minor problem I had with this chapter.  I hope it was worth the wait.

Everything Changes

by T.K. Yuy

Chapter 14- A Crimsons' Duty

They walked into the Hospital Wing hand in hand, and took a seat in the waiting room.  Madam Pomfrey was still busy with Crabbe and Goyle from Slytherin's practice earlier that day.  Not that Draco had anything to do with the two of them getting pegged by the bludgers, but that's the way things stood now, and the two Captains were not so quick to piss off the MediWitch.

"I'll be just a moment." she called out.

"Take your time, Madam Pomfrey, we're not in any hurry." Harry called back, linking his hand with Draco's from around the blonde boy's back.

"Ah, Harry, what brings you and Mr. Malfoy here?"
"I told him." was Draco's reply, and he leaned into Harry.

"And you're alive to tell the tale.  You see, dear, I told you he'd be level headed about it."

"Yes, Ma'am, you did."

"Please, it's just Poppy.  I'll be seeing quite a bit of you over the next couple of months, so formalities are a trite bit useless, if you see my point."

"Of course."

They were quiet for awhile before Madam  Pomfrey made her way back out to the waiting room.  She took one look at the couple and smiled, motioning for both boys to take a seat in her office.  The complied, and she cleared her throat.

"I take it neither of you are here for a chat on the matter?"

"I know quite enough about my Mate's condition, thank you Poppy.  No, what we're here for is to ask if you would accompany us to see the Headmaster."

Nothing like getting straight to the point, Harry.

"You are a MediWitch, and I'm assuming have dealt with a pregnancy before, and well…" started Draco, playing with his shirt.

"We're not entirely sure how Dumbledore will react to the news.  He wasn't overly pleased when I informed him of my being Lucifer's heir, so you can see our dilema."

"Yes, yes, of course.  Albus has taught his share of Noir Veela, both male and female, and taught their children, but I do not believe he's had the pleasure of having one carry a child while under his tutelage.  I can see where this would be quite the shock to him."

"Then you'll come with us?" Draco's eyes were hopeful.

"Yes, dear, of course I'll go up with you.  Wouldn't want anything to happen to the two of you, now would I?"

She checked on Crabbe and Goyle a second time, told them both that she would be right back, and then headed out into the hall.  Harry and Draco waited for her to lock the door before following her to the Gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office, and at the inner door, waited until she'd gotten all the way inside before continuing.

"Ah, Poppy, what may I do for… Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy."
"I am sorry to disturb you, Albus, but the boys have something they'd like to tell you."

"And you would be here because…?"

"Professor, I think you should sit down." Harry said, letting Draco step forward.

The blonde haired man looked back at Harry, who nodded, and then at Poppy, who smiled and made a 'go on' motion with her hands.

"Professor Dumbledore… how much do you know about Noir Veela?  Or rather, the male half of the line…"

"Enough to guess where this is leading, Mr. Malfoy.  How long, Poppy?"

"Since just before Halloween, Albus." the MediWitch answered, wringing her hands together.

"You both realise what problems this will cause?  Neither of you have completely balanced, and now a child is going to be throwing what precious progress you have made, right out the window."

"Draco didn't –WE- didn't know this would happen.  For Merlin's sake, Professor, how could we!?"

"You'd do well to watch your tongue, Mr. Potter.  I am still Headmaster of this school, and regardless of your standing, I am still in power here."

"We don't oppose that, Professor, we're just saying that due to my mother's constant neglect and my father's abuse, how was I supposed to know what I am?" Draco countered, "I didn't know I was a Noir Veela until I met Ormand, and he didn't even tell me I was capable of carrying a child.  Do you assume that just because I am, I should automatically know these things?  It's not as if my ass starts bleeding every month for a week, or did that-"

"Draco, that's enough."

All three men looked at Poppy, who was standing between them, and Fawkes seemed to smile.  He'd known the MediWitch for nearly as long as he'd known the Headmaster, and he loved her dearly.  She'd helped students out of more messes than he had saved a mortally wounded person, and in the birds' eyes, that was saying something.

"Albus, I understand your concern, the boys do as well, but they –we- did not come here to be lectured on their lack of balance.  And if I may be so bold, I think that their ability to even bring a life into existance without that balance is saying something."

Dumbledore just smiled at her, the twinkle back in his eye as he nodded in apology.  He knew what she was saying was true, but he also knew that the two were not ready for something with so much responsibility.  Harry had enough on his plate as it was, dealing with the Necromancers and the Council of Change.  Of course now the Protectors had been introduced into the whole situation, and that was quite enough Albus thought, for a boy of merely 17 years to take on all at once.  The look on Harry's face said that he thought otherwise.

"I have delivered three Noir children, Albus, and from a professional standpoint, that's a lot more than some MediWizards have."

"Correct you are Poppy, but I must admit, this is a bit much, don't you think Harry?"
"Not at all, Headmaster.  Considering how many times I have cheated Death, and defeated Voldemort, I think that handling Power related affairs and a baby should be no problem.  Of course there is that little matter of the meeting with the Council I missed on the 31st, but I suppose Draco can vouch for me, what with him being on the Council and all."

"What?!" Draco nearly shrieked, "You are not insiuating that I get you out of that jam, are you Potter, 'cause I most certainly will do no such thing!"

"You're related to Ormand, Draco, there's no way you could not be involved.  And they will have to be told of your condition as it is, so you might as well get it all over and done with.  For all you know, you having a baby could work to our advantage."

"Screw you and your bloody logic, Potter!  Liona will skin me alive, and that Fala, she doesn't much care for me either."

"They're women, Draco, what do you expect?"

"Hmph."

"If the two of you are quite finished." Dumbledore interjected, moving to take an official looking paper our of a filing cabinet. "I assume that Mr. Malfoy will be moving in with you, Harry?"
"I won't have it any other way.  The Gryffindors have already accepted him, and I will not send him back to the Slytherin dorms –his own room or not- with him in his condition.  I dare think what they'd do if they found out."

"Point well taken, Harry.  If you would both sign here please."

They signed the paper, and Poppy stepped up to sign another blank, not even needing to be asked.  Fawkes made a happy chirp, and flew to Harry's shoulder, atempting to play with Draco's hair from his perch there.

"All I will need now, are the signatures of your Head of House.  From both of you."

Both boys looked at eachother and sighed. 

"Snape could prove to be a problem." Draco said, "As my Godfather, he is legally my guardian.  If he disagrees, I have no one else that can over rule him."
"On the contrary, Mr. Malfoy.  I do believe you are related to a certain Dragon King…" Poppy said, looking at him with a mischievious smile.

"Oh, wonderful.  Can't get the desired result out of him, so I turn to his lover.  What a way to get the Potions Master pissed."

"That's what Ormand'll be there for, luv," Harry joked, "to calm him down."

"Or make him-"

Dumbledore silenced them with a clearing of his throat, and they nodded before leaving his office.  It was then that he looked at Poppy with a smile on his face.

"You knew, didn't you?" she asked.

"No, not at the beginning, but their reactions are what I would've expected them to be.  They've grown up so fast, Poppy.  So fast that I hardly remember them as boys."

"The Necromancers will be asking for their protection, won't they Albus?"
"They will not ask, no.  They will do it themselves, as they have always been doing.  Nathalie has just written to Kain, and from what I understand, he is to be coming here in a few weeks time to collect her."

"And the Blood Stone?  Surely the boys know that it will do more harm than good?"
"If they don't, then they will when he arrives.  Kain will not hand over the Stone.  He knows what it means if he does."

"Albus, do you think that Harry knows about the Stone's other purpose?"

"No, Poppy, I do not.  And I pray that he does not find out."

~!*!~

Draco walked into the Slytherin Commons, making it a point to ignore Pansy, who was sitting in his favorite armchair, reading a large black dragon hide covered book, bound with silver bands at the spine.  He knew she'd gotten into his room once or twice, but as far as he knew, there had been nothing taken.  It seems he'd been wrong.

"Draco, darling, where have you been?  I've been looking all over for you!"

"Funny, it doesn't look like that to me."
"It's late, and I wanted to finish reading this book.  Quite facinating, if you ask me."
"I didn't ask, and now I'm telling you to keep your pug-ish nose out of my business.  That book was –is- my Great Grandfather's, and I really don't think you want to mess with that."

"Oh please, you're Great Granda' is dead, everyone knows it."

"Oh really?  Do you remember the green-haired man in Snapes office a few weeks back?"

"Just before Halloween, right?"

"Yes."

"Then yes, I remember him.  Why?"
"That was Ormand, a member of the Council of Change.  He's also the Slytherin Dragon.  It just so happens that he is my Great Grandfather.  And as luck should have it, I'm on my way to see him, after I pack of course."
"Pack?  What for?"

"I've been given a private room."

"You already have one."

"Do I?"

"Of course!  It's just down the-"
"It can't be too private, if you managed to weasel your way in, now then can it Pansy?"

His eyes were cold as he glared at her, and he smirked as she took a step back.  With a yelp, she fell backwards into the armchair, the book falling to the floor with a thud.  Draco held his hand out and she watched in mute shock as it jumped up and flew to him.  Not a word was uttered as it was magically fitted with a silver strap lock, and as the homework he'd left at the table by the fire put itself in the respectful book and then in his bag.  Pansy Parkinson may have been a bit dense, but she knew wandless magic when she saw it, and as he summoned the bag to his shoulder, and made his way up the stairs to his room, knew that there was definitly something different about him.  Only problem was, she couldn't figure out what it was that had changed.

"I bet that Potter-bastard-'s got something to do with it!" she spat, collecting her things and stalking out of the Common Room.

She was just crossing the court yard when she spotted Harry talking to Professor Snape.  Ormand was with them, and his green eyes flickered up to her once before turning his undivided attention back to what Harry was saying.  Pansy shivered and walked a bit slower, straining to hear anything useful.

"What exactly are you saying Potter?" asked Snape, not bothering to look up at the girl as she neared.

"What I'm saying, Severus, is that considering Draco's current 'condition', Dumbledore, Madam Pomfrey and I think it best that he be moved somewhere a bit less… well, Slytherin."

"Whatever condition he's in Potter, you've put him in, and he should have no problems dealing with the rest of his House."

"Severus," Ormand started, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Draco's… do you remember Narcissa's brother, Loki?"

"Yes, why?"
"Think about it, Severus.  He's Noir.  His sister was Noir.  Draco is Noir…"

"You're not saying that… my God…"

Pansy passed, knowing that if she lingered, she would be found out, and she promised herself that she would figure out what the big deal with being whatever 'Noir' was had to do with Draco.

~!*!~

Jotting down a few notes from the book she had found in the Library, she quickly headed to the Owlry.  If her guess was correct, then her mother would have more personal information regarding the Malfoys.  She was best friends with Narcissa before she died.

"Dear Mum,

I hope my letter finds you well, as it has been

quite awhile since we've spoken.  I am in need

of a bit of information, concerning Narcissa Malfoy,

and her family.

From what I've found, she was a Noir Veela, and

in such, her son would be as well.  The only information

I have been able to find on the male half of the Noir line,

has been less than helpful.  Draco has changed, Mum, and

I feel his current 'lover' has something to do with it.  You

see, he's going with Harry Potter.  Of all the people in the

world, he had to choose POTTER!  Yech!

Any information you can give me would be most helpful.

If I do not hear from you first, I shall see you over the

Chrismas Holiday.

Love,

Pansy"

She reread her letter, and tied it to a tawny owl that had flown down to her.  She hoped her mother wasn't too busy to write out a reply.  She was still reconstructing the Parkinson Manor as she saw fit, and that took quite a bit of time and energy.  She was determined to have it ready by the time her daughter returned over the Holiday break.

~!*!~

Two days later, just before she was to ready to head up to bed, the same tawny owl she'd sent off flew into the Common Room.  It carried a small brown paper wrapped box and a letter.  She quickly untied it and sent the owl on its way, ignoring the fact that she hadn't rewarded it for its speedy return.  She tore open the package and stared at it.  There was a vial of clear liquid in the box, which was ornately decorated in glittering jewels and silver swirls.  Opening the letter, she got answers she did not expect.

"My dear Pansy,

I'm not surprised that you haven't found anything on

the male Noirs.  Aside from being extremely rare, they

are also extremely valuable.  Assuming that Draconis is

indeed a fully functional Noir, his changes can most

certainly be attributed to his choice in lovers.  You see

m'dear, all Noir Veela, be they male or female, can

have children, and if my hunch is correct, then our dear

Mr. Malfoy is probably carrying Potter's child.

Watch him for a few days, his hands especially.  Much like

an expectant mother, he'll hold them in front of his stomach,

possibly even rub it.  You also want to watch for a faint glow

at his abdomen.  Veela are famed for a glow from the child.

The vial I sent you, is to take care of it, should that be the

problem.  There are two ways it can be used.  He can either

drink it, or it can spill over his stomach.  The first way works

diluted, the second must be done straight.  Make sure he's not

using oils on his skin though, or it will not take.

I do hope this has helped.  If you need anything else, please, do

not hesitate to ask.  I have more vials of the potion should you

need it.

All my love,

Mum"

Pansy's eyes teared, and then narrowed.  She was not going to let Potter take Draco from her.  And she most certainly wasn't going to let Draco carry Potter's child.  She would make him see what a mistake he was making.

~!*!~

Severia looked up as the door chimed, and she smiled.  She hadn't been expecting to see her brother in Hogsmeade for another two weeks, but his visits were always well received.  As the foul look on his face registered, she frowned.  Pointing her wand at the door, she locked it and flipped the wooden 'open' sign to 'closed'.  She motioned to the back room, and he nodded.  Once seated, she conjured a pot of tea and some small tea cakes.

"Do I want to ask what's happened?"
"Draco's expecting."

"Expecting?  As in…"

"Yes."

"Oh dear… does Harry know?"

"Yes.  It's almost a month since conception."

"And the Council, do they know?"
"Ormand told them at the last meeting.  Liona was not pleased."
"I could've told you that.  She's always been old fashioned."

"Fala is on her side.  Brock agrees with Ormand and myself, that their affairs are not any of the Council's business, but unfortunately, the women are being overly stubborn abou it."

"They've both completed their Changes, so what concern are they of the Council?"

"Apparently, Liona's argument is that because Draco is on the Council, and because Harry is Lucifer's Heir, they have every right to be involved.  It's not everyday that someone with Harry's Power brings a child into the world, let alone with someone with Draco's responsibility to both his own and Harry's Power."

"As the Heir, they have to listen to Harry, don't they?  I mean, it was Lucifer who brought about the Change in the Wizarding World, and without him, the Council of Change wouldn't exist."

"Without the Necromancers, they would not even be alive, Severia.  Liona is treading on thin ice with Nathalie, and Teek wasn't overly pleased with her either.  It's only a matter of time before Kain gets fed up with all of it and revokes her immortality."

"Can he do that?"

"He's the oldest Necromancer to date, and the head of the Order of the Dragon, he has the authority to remove even a Necromancers Power.  Not that something like that would blow over too well with the Powers themselves, but he can do it."

"And with Nathalie's new appointment, she as the authority to advise such a movement, doesn't she?  If she thinks Liona will become a major threat to Harry and Draco, let alone their child, she can tell Kain such, and he'll have to see into the matter himself."

"Exactly.  Nathalie doesn't remember much since her initiation into the Orders, but she knows enough to know that Harry's extremely important."

"She doesn't remember Lily and James?  How could she not?"

"Considering how she failed to protect James… do you think Kain would allow her to remember that?  It would make her even more… intense, I suppose."

Severia watched as her brother pulled a small scroll from his robes, and when he handed it to her, quickly read it over.  Her eyes widened and she looked up at him in shock.

"We're being activated?"

"Unfortunately, my dear, it is necessry.  As Crimsons, it's our duty."

"I know that, but to actually activate us?!  Do they actually think someone is going to attempt it?"

"Yes, and they have a feeling it's going to happen soon.  Teek says Nathalie's been complaining of headaches since the conception, but as we both well know, that should have passed long ago.  She feels it may be because of a threat nearing.  I agree with her.  My Watcher's Globe has been glowing red for two weeks now, but there's been no picture.  There is definitly something out there with menacing thoughts towards the two."

"Then you had better help me pack, because there is no way in hell I'm staying down here when they're up there."

"Albus has already arranged a room for you, much to my request."

"You know me far too well, Severus, far too well."
"You are my twin, so I would hope I know you well."

~!*!~

Hermione knew there was something wrong when she saw Severia seated next to Snape at the teachers table.  She hadn't completely figured out what Crimsons were, as there was very little documented on them, but she did know that twins were quite rare.  That was all she could get out of Hagrid when she asked him after they'd first met her.  And now she noticted that all the professors that Harry had told her were Protectors were wearing their pendants.  They were clearly visible for all students to see, and she knew that wasn't a good sign.  She tapped Ron on the shoulder, and when he turned to her from Dean, knew that he'd seen it too.

"Do you think Harry'n'Draco know that she's here?" he asked her.

"I don't know, but I do know that this can't be anything good.  What do you think is going on Ron?"
"I'm not sure, 'Mione.  Ginny said she saw her bringing a few trunks down to the dungeon.  I have a feeling that she's staying for awhile."

"Then this id definitly not good.  We've got to tell Harry."

"Tell me what, 'Mione?"
"Harry!"

They made room for him at the table, and Draco sat down next to him.  Both were dressed in their normal school robes, as the rest of the school, but there was something different about them.  Ginny was the one who picked up on it.

"Guys, what happened to the crests on your robes?"
"Hm?" Draco asked, looking up from his steak. "Oh, that.  Harry?"
"Right." Harry cleared his throat as he finished the mouthful of mashed potatoes he'd been working on and motioned for the three to lean in to hear him, "Despite the fact that we were sorted into Gryffindor and Slytherin, our Powers have somewhat over ruled that.  Should points be awarded to either of us, both houses will receive the points, and should they be taken away, all the houses will lose points.  Of course there is that little matter of us… going about our business that will award points to both houses…"

Ginny giggled while Ron snorted into his pumkin juice, and Hermione just flushed.  Draco rubbed his stomach soothingly as he felt the little hiccup of Power, and Ginny's face seemed to glow with wonder.  She met the Slytherin's silver-grey eyes and smiled sheepishly.  She knew about it, but even now, nearly a month after she was told it was definite, she was still in awe.

"Come on over, Gin." he smiled, letting Ron trade places with her.

She sat down excitedly, and Draco took her hand, placing it over his stomach with his own.  The glow was faint, but it twined around both their fingers, and Ginny giggled as the little bit of Power hiccuped again.  It felt like a tiny tickling flame.  Harry smiled and kissed his lovers cheek, taking his hand as they continued to eat.  Hermione thought now was as good a time as any to bring up Severia's being at Hogwarts.

"Harry," she started, "have you noticed Severia?  All the Protectors here at Hogwarts have their pendants on as well."

"We know.  Nathalie's alerted the Order of the Dragon.  Afraid there's someone trying to hurt Draco and I."

"But that would just be plain stupid!" Ron hissed, noting the way Seamus looked over at them. "And besides, nobody knows that you and Draco are… well, you know."

"What, about my condition, or about the Council and Lucifer?" Draco asked, sipping his water.

"Both."

"Just because we don't think they know doesn't mean that they don't have a clue.  There have been a lot of people around us as of late, Ron." Ginny pointed out, munching on a sugar roll.  "And while we're talking about this at the dinner table, does anyone have any idea how we're dealing with Christmas?"

Harry and Draco exchanged looks, and Ron glanced over at Hermione before looking at his sister like she'd grown two heads.  Clearly it was only the girls that knew what she was talking about.

"There are more than just a few of us here now, and well, how're we going to celebrate?  Given current situations, I think we must take the Powers into consideration.  Right around the Winter Solstice the Powers do have a noticable flux." supplied Hermione, refilling her pumkin juice.

"And that means what?" Ron asked, finishing his 6th drumstick.

"It means that the baby may feel it, and it may be logical for all of us to stay here over the Holiday, for support.  And besides, the Council's going to be busy with the 'push' it gives some of the younger students, and we know that Ormand isn't available 24/7 when he's on the job." said Ginny.

The rest of dinner was eaten over conversations of Quidditch and over the next Hogsmeade weekend.  It wasn't until they were ready to head back to the dorms that it hit.

"Harry." Draco rasped, grabbing his lover's arm, "I- I don't feel too well."

"Sick to your stomach?"

"No, pain."

The normally faint white light under Draco's hand was bright, the green more noticable than ever, and he doubled over as his Power started to pull itself towards the baby.  Harry sat him down, and immediately looked around.  No one had their wands out.  In fact, no one had even noticed the glow.  Ron stopped Hermione and Ginny just as they were about to walk out of the Hall, noticing that Harry and Draco weren't with them, and the three ran back in.  Or tried to.  The flow of people slowed them quite a bit.

"Harry!"

Draco's scream caught the teachers attention, and Madam Pomfrey was on her feet, trying to push her way through the students to get to her patient.  Severia was physically parting them for herself, and then for Poppy when she reached the MediWitch.  Dumbledore stood there, watching with nervous eyes, McGonagall and Lupin on either side of him.  Snape looked around the room, and saw that there was one student not moving.  Pansy Parkinson stood by the Slytherin table, an evil smirk on her face.  The Hall was still emptying, and Nathalie, who had heared Ron shout to her that something was wrong, was extremely tempted to shift into her Dragon form to get through.

"Harry, please, make it stop!  Oh –FUCK!!"

"Draco, what's wrong!?  What happened?!"

"How the fuck should I know!  It kills!  I feel like something's ripping me apart inside…"

Ginny pulled out her wand, and quickly summoned a pitcher of water to herself, pouring a goblet for Draco.  He couldn't drink it while screaming, however, and Hermione was trying to part the crowd of people in the opposite direction so Severia and Madam Pomfrey could get through.  Ron thought quick and cast a cleaning spell at one of the golden plates on the table, and then transfigured it into a pillow.  He raised Draco's head (which he was thrashing about in pain) and put the pillow in his lap, then put the Slytherins head down.  Harry stared at him.

"Damn it Malfoy, stop screaming and breath!" the Weasely commanded.

"If it didn't hurt so fucking much, maybe I could, Weasel!"

A large crowd of people had stopped around the small group, watching with great intrest as Draco's robes disappeared in a flury of black, and his wings burst free.  Hermione had grabbed Poppy's hand and was dragging her back through the crowd.

"Everyone, make room!  Let me through please!" the MediWitch demanded, brandishing her wand. "Mr. Malfoy, what happened?"

"I don't fucking know!"

"Now is not the time for obscenities, Draco.  I can't treat you if I don't know what's happened!"

"He just doubled over, clutching his stomach, Poppy." Harry told her, holding his lovers hands tightly, the glow holding them both almost as tightly.

Severia pushed her way through, and Poppy took one look at her before moving out of the way.  The dark-haired woman put her hands over Harry and Draco's, and a bright red six-pointed star appeared on her forehead.  Her eyes glowed white, and the Power that flew from inside Draco was enough to tell her what was happening.

"SEVERUS!" she bellowed, standing up to look at her brother, "Absumere Spes was used!"

Back at the teachers table, Minerva McGonagall felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.  Remus did as well, and he immediately looked over at Snape.  The Potions Master had a look of pure hatred on his face, and he could see a faint red line start to outline the star on his forehead.  McGonagall looked at him, and before she could open her mouth to speak, he leaped over the table.  But his feet never hit the floor.  Instead, a pitch black unicorn stood there, his crimson horn reflecting the light from the candles over head as he jumped to the Slytherin table.  Plates and food flew away from the table as he skid sideways before Pansy, his tail flicking back and forth angrily as he glared down at the frightened girl.

Hermione watched in shock as realization dawned on her.  Crimsons were what legend called The Devil's Steed.  Black unicorns with crimson horns and Powers that no-one lived to tell about.  Dumbledore was frozen to his spot at the table as the impresive creature used his horn to flick a vial out of Pansy's pocket.  It felt to the floor, but did not break.  The Crimson stepped down from the table, walked behind the girl, and reared, his feet smashing the glass into nothing but sparks of magical energy.

Severia climbed over the Gryffindor table, and shifted herself, her form now matching that of her brother.  Draco screamed again as another wave of pain washed over him, and the two Crimsons didn't waste any time.  They slammed their horns together, and the glittering red dust that came from the impact flew around them and then into an empty, clean, goblet.  They then touched their muzzles to the goblet, and a thick blood red substance filled it.  Changing back, the two quickly carried it over to Draco, and Snape forced it down the screaming boys throat. 

"Dear sweet Gods…" Poppy murmured, clasping Ginny and Hermione's hands in hers, "Please, let him be alright."

In a great burst of white, Draco arched, and his wings disappeared.  Harry had passed out atop him, and the other teachers pushed their way forward.  Severus motioned to Lupin to pick Harry up, and he took Draco.  Poppy lead them to the Hospital Wing, and they were placed in bed.  She magiced a warm blanket over them, and turned to Dumbledore.

"They should be fine, but the child… I won't be able to check it until Draco is concious.  Severus, what did Ms. Parkinson have to do with anything?"
"If my hunch is correct, Madam Pomfrey, you'll find that answer in the kitchen.  Albus, I dare say Ms. Parkinson should be expelled, and if she is not gone by morning, you may have to find a new Potions Master, because it is a Crimson's duty to protect not only Lucifer and his Mate, but their children as well."

"And you'd do well to have her gone, Headmaster, because I do not think Filch would like to be cleaning a bloody corpse from his floors." added Severia, watching as the two lovers unconsciously spooned themselves together.

Dumbledore watched as the glow that had died back in the Great Hall trickled out very slowly, and touched each of the hands on Draco's stomach before disappearing again.  With a heavy sigh, he turned to the Bloody Barron, who had flown in when he heard that there was something indeed wrong with his favorite student.

"If you would be so kind, sir, as to collect Ms. Pansy Parkinson for me, and meet me in front of my office?" he asked of the ghost.

"Is she the one who caused Mr. Malfoy such pain?"

"I'm afraid so, Barron."

The ghost nodded, and stalked off through the walls, a sour look on his face.  They heard Peeves start to laugh, obviously up to some sort of mischief, but suddenly stopped.  As quickly as the Barron had left, Peeves showed up, his normally always smiling face sad.  He stopped beside the bed, and looked at the two, then at Dumbledore, and finally at the Snape twins.

"Crimsons helped him, didn't they?"

"We did what we can." Snape said, crossing his arms.

"All we can do now is wait til they wake, and hope for the best." added Severia, putting an arm around her brother.

"Peeves," Lupin said, "please inform the other ghosts as to what has happened, in a quiet fashion.  I have a feeling all of you will be called upon by the Necromancers when they come."

"Necromancers? At Hogwarts?" questioned the startled spirit.

"Lucifer's Heir and his Mate have been attacked, they have to come.  And I have a feeling that Kain will be none too pleased with this turn of events."

Peeves seemed to pale at the mention of Kain, and quickly set about to do as asked.  No yelling.  No laughing.  No clattering of a suit of armor.  Peeves knew when it was most definitly not needed.

~TBC~

Well, a bit longer than some of the chapters have been.  I'm quite proud of this one.  Did anyone see this twist coming?  As usual, comments and questions are quite welcome.