Title: Willow's Salvation
Author: Rose
Email: buffybot76@hotmail.com
Genre: Crossover, HP/BtVS
Pairing: Willow/Snape, Harry/Hermione, Ron/Brandy(OFC), Ginny/Draco(maybe)
Rating: R, just in case
Summary: Willow gets some rehabilitating Hogwart's style
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. Willow and the Sunnydale group belong to Joss Whedon. The Harry Potter crew belong to J.K. Rowling. I am just playing in their playground.
Spoilers: BtVS: Season 7, Harry Potter: All the books, just to be safe
Distribution: If you want it, just email me and ask, I would be flattered if you did. Want it that is.
Feedback: Please, pretty pretty please.
Chapter 21: Abductions and Secrets Revealed
Draco Malfoy felt simultaneously nervous and excited as he entered The Three Broomsticks. He paused just inside the entrance, his eyes sweeping over the various tables, searching for a certain one. One that should be occupied by a particular redhead and two formidable wizards. He noticed Professor McGonagall, sitting in a nearby table with that Giles bloke. They seemed to be getting along pretty well. Draco caught sight of a flash of red hair in a far corner, and made his way over in that direction, passing by McGonagall and Giles' table along the way. Once he had reached the table, Draco's nerves really began kicking in.
"Hi, Draco. Glad you could join us."
Willow's greeting drew Snape and Lupin's attention to the new arrival. Snape was practically sneering as Lupin looked at Draco with a mix of curiosity and distrust.
"Why don't you have a seat, order a butterbeer." Willow offered, scooting over closer to Snape to allow Draco to pull up a chair and sit down.
For a long moment nobody spoke, and the tension seemed to drag on forever. Suddenly, the table jarred slightly and for some odd reason, Snape grunted. The Potions Master shot a look at the redhead beside him, then turned his attention to Draco.
"So, Draco, how is the Hogsmead trip been so far?" The question didn't seem quite sincere in Draco's opinion, but figured he should take what he could get. After all, it was Snape.
"Oh fine, Professor. Actually, I can't stay too long, I have things to do, and I want to pick up a few things before it's time to go back to the school." Draco replied just as Rosmerta came up, placing a tall glass of butterbeer in front of him.
"Oh? What things?" Willow's question caught Draco offguard.
"W-Well, you see... it's just that... it's sort of a surprise, really. F-for my girlfriend." Draco could tell by the looks that Snape and Lupin didn't quite believe him.
"Oh, well. That's okay, it's not like we don't eat together three times a day anyway, right? But since you're here now, go ahead and drink your butterbeer." Willow smiled sweetly before taking a sip of her own drink.
Draco returned the smile. "Sure, Willow."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Oh Rupert, I am so glad you asked me to accompany you today. I am having a most wonderful time." Minerva McGonagall's laugh caught the attention of a few of Hogwart's students who sat nearby.
The sound was so surprising that it caused a few to choke on the bite of food they were attempting to eat, and Seamus Finnigan to spew butterbeer all over poor Neville Longbottom. It was quite a shock to hear the head of Gryffindor actually laugh. To see her smile was a rare occasion, but to actually laugh out loud was unheard of. The man who was the apparent cause of this miracle was chuckling softly as well.
"Minerva, trust me when I say I am very glad that I asked you. I had thought that you would not appreciate the gesture."
"Oh posh, Rupert, it isn't everyday that a handsome man asks me out for a drink."
Both occupants of the table blushed at that. Just then, Rosmerta came up to the table and bestowed a beaming smile at Giles.
"So, see anything else you like?"
The innuendo was apparent to Giles. Unfortunately, it was also apparent to Minerval.
"No, thank you, he has everything he needs right here."
Rosmerta left in a huff, leaving Giles, who was currently gaping at Minerva. For her part, Professor McGonagall had just realized what she had said and was quite busy turning a few new shades of red no one had ever seen before. It was quiet at the table for a few moments as the two composed themselves. Giles was the first to speak.
"So... I have everything I need, hmmm?" The teasing in his voice was apparent.
Minerva took a deep cleansing breath before looking into the eyes of the man sitting across from her. "I don't know, Rupert. Why don't you tell me?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Well Willow, this has been fun." Draco Malfoy smiled at the grimaces that appeared on both Snape and Lupin's faces. "But, I'd best be off."
Before Willow could protest, Professor Snape's silky voice interjected. "Yes, Malfoy. Do go on, I'm sure you can find more interesting things to- Ouch!"
Once again the table jarred, and Severus shot a glare at the redhead beside him. Willow simply glared back, causing him to roll his eyes and groan inwardly as he muttered. "Bloody annoying pixie." To Draco he said, "Please feel free to stay, Malfoy."
Draco would have laughed, but he feared the Potions Master would hex him for sure, so he simply smiled and declined.
"I'm sorry, Professor, but as I said before, I've got plans and I'd like to do a bit of exploring before it's time to head back to the school. It's been a pleasure, Willow."
Willow smiled brightly. "Yes it has, Draco. See you back at Hogwarts."
Draco nodded, bade Remus and Snape goodbye, then turned and left. After the Slytherin exited the Three Broomsticks, he crossed the street and proceeded, making sure he was not seen by any classmates or professors. Not stopping once at any of the various shops, he headed straight through until he neared the edge of Hogsmead, turning to head up the road that led off to the abandoned building known as The Shrieking Shack. Once he reached the building, he looked around cautiously. Seeing no one in sight, Draco quickly slipped inside. Once inside, Draco smiled as he closed his eyes and concentrated. He stood there for a moment, nothing happening. And then, slowly, it began happening. The change was almost instantaneous. One moment, Draco Malfoy stood in the middle of a room in the Shrieking shack, the next, a sleek silver wolf.
The wolf paced the length of the shack, stretching its legs and just enjoying the movement. Draco had been very proud when, after he had began secretly studying to become an animagus, he discovered it came to him quite easily. It had also pleased him when he had first saw his animagus form. He was a very striking wolf, if he didn't say so himself. He knew that if his father found out about this, he would try to use it to the Dark Lord's advantage. And that was the last thing that Draco Malfoy wanted. He could never really say when it had changed, but from the first time the young Slytherin has spoken to Willow, he had known that he could not hand her over to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
It felt as if something had bound him to the redheaded witch, and nothing he did would break the bond. He had been dismayed when during his first attempt to befriend her, she had blown up at him. Walking out of the Great Hall in anger, and then nearly getting herself kidnapped.
And then the time he had seen her out by the lake. He hadn't been sure he should approach her, but it had just seemed so natural...so right. And she had welcomed his company then, in that form at least. Of course, she hadn't known it was him, either, but still...
Now, after that encounter, she was willing to be friends with him in his human form as well, and it felt good.
*Yes,* he thought. *It really feels good to have a friend.*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Harry, if you and Ron don't get away from that Quidditch equipment right now, we're leaving you here."
Hermione, with her hands fisted on her hips and tapping one foot, shot a withering look at her boyfriend. Harry didn't seem to acknowlege her as he and Ron continued to admire the new Quidditch robes in the window of Dervish and Bangs. When the glaring didn't have an effect, Hermione threw up her hands and turned to the two girls beside her.
"I swear, I shall never understand boys when it comes to Quidditch." The bushy haired girl actually pouted.
Ginny and Brandy both giggled at this, for Hermione was not the type of girl to pout over anything save maybe missing valuable study time for the NEWTS.
"Oh, Hermione, come on. Leave them to their precious Quidditch robes. We can do some window shopping of our own." Ginny prodded, grabbing her friend by the arm and throwing a parting comment over her shoulder. "Meet you back at Honeydukes in two hours."
"Yeah sure, Ginny." Ron waved over his shoulder, but still didn't break his trance-like staring at the window.
Brandy glanced back at Ron a bit before hurrying to catch up with the other two girls as they made their way through Hogsmead. They stopped at various shops such as Zonko's Joke Shop, but didn't tarry long. They stopped by a dress shop and took in the various styles of dresses. It seemed like no time at all before the three girls found themselves not far from the road leading to The Shrieking Shack. Hermione hesitated when Ginny and Brandy began prompting her to go up to the house with them.
"Um, it's getting late. Perhaps we should head back to Honeydukes." Hermione protested, even as each girl took one of her hands in theirs and began pulling her towards the building.
"Oh, come on Hermione. Don't be a scaredy cat." Brandy stated.
"Oh, *now* you contribute to converstation." Hermione grumbled, but finally conceeded and followed her friends up the road.
The three girls were engrossed in their banter and giggling and where thus quite unprepared for the figures that appeared, out of nowhere it seemed. Strong arms wrapped around each girl's waist and large hands clamped over their mouths, effectively muffling their cries. Hermione struggled for a bit, then bit down on her abductor's hand.
"Fuck! The little mudblood bit me!" The man who had grabbed her exclaimed.
As soon as the hand had left her mouth, Hermione made to scream, but it had barely begun to leave her mouth when....
"Petrificus Totalis."
The spell hit her, and if not for the figure holding her tightly around the waist, she most likely would have fallen as her entire body stiffened under the spell.
"Now, either of you give us any trouble and you'll be in the same fix. Do you understand?"
The figure that had cast the spell on Hermione moved into Brandy and Ginny's line of sight. Both girls' muffled gasps could be heard behind the hands still clamped over their mouths. Their attacker was dressed in long flowing black robes. A hood concealed the face, but both girls were quite sure that if the hood were to fall off, a silver mask would surely be seen. Terrified beyond belief, Ginny and Brandy both nodded in agreement.
"Good." The Death Eater sneered. "Now, let's go. We don't want to keep the Dark Lord waiting, now do we?"
With that, the man levitated the petrified body of Hermione Granger and led the way away from the Shrieking Shack. The two other Death Eaters who held Ginny and Brandy, herded the girls behind their leader.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Inside the Shrieking Shack, the silver wolf that was Draco Malfoy was just about to retake his human form, when his intense hearing picked up the distinct sound of a woman's cry for help. It had been cut off, but the acute hearing that came with this form was enough to alert Draco to a commotion taking place outside of the building. Making his way silently to a window, Draco peered outside.
*Oh, fuck!* He thought. *Death Eaters, and they have Granger and Weasley and some other blonde chit!*
Not quite knowing what to do, Draco began pacing. He came back to the window again just in time to see a Death Eater levitate Hermione and begin to walk away.
*Oh, FUCK! Now what? Wait a minute, I'm a wolf. I'll be able to track them. I can find out where they're taking them and then...then I can use our bond to call Willow to bring reinforcements.*
Proud of the plan he had devised, Draco waited until the Death Eaters were out of sight, then silently slipped out of the Shrieking Shack. With his nose to the ground, it wasn't long before his wolf's sense of smell had picked up the scent. It didn't surprise him in the least to discover that one of the scents was his own father's. He followed the scent, making sure to stay a good way back so as not to be seen. He tracked them into a deeply wooded area a good distance from Hogsmead, and then, they stopped. They were in a slight clearing carefully concealed by the foliage of the trees, and when Draco saw who else was there, he had to stop himself from literally turning tail and running.
*Oh no, Granger and the other two are really in trouble now.* He thought, as Voldemort appeared in the clearing and made to stand in front of the trembling girls. *Oh, I've got to get help here now.*
Concentrating, Draco felt his mind reach out, much like it had the other night. It stretched out, and for a moment he feared it wouldn't work. But finally, he felt his mind link with Willow's and he hastily began to speak.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Willow had been enjoying herself immensely. She had a handsome wizard on each arm and for once, she didn't feel the pull of the dark magic within her. Life was as close to perfect as she could have ever imagined. They were passing in front of Dervish and Bangs, and she was about to call out to Harry and Ron when it happened.
*Willow!*
The familiar voice that cried out in her mind made Willow falter in her steps. Snape and Remus looked at her in concern.
"Willow, what's the matter?" Snape asked in a worried tone. Willow held up a hand, gesturing for him to give her a minute.
*Lobo?* Willow thought back, now that she had identified the voice. *What is it?*
*Bad news, a group of Death Eaters have kidnapped Granger, Weasley and their little blonde friend.*
*Hermione, Ginny AND Brandy? This is bad... wait a minute, how do you know who Hermione and Ginny are?* Willow asked, suspicion filling her.
Draco panicked for a minute. Now was not the time for Willow to find out who he was. She would never trust him if she found out he'd lied to her about being the wolf. He thought fast, then came back with a sarcastic reply.
*I was wandering through the forest and heard one of the Death Eaters call them that. Geez woman, the important thing is they've been kidnapped, not how I know their names. Now, are you gonna bring help or not?*
*Tell me where they are.*
By now, Ron and Harry had approached Willow, Snape and Remus.
"What's wrong with Willow?" Ron asked, looking at the redhead who seemed to be deep in thought.
Snape looked about ready to snap Ron's head off when Willow's head snapped up.
"We've gotta move." She said, grabbing a handful of Snape's robe in one fist, and Remus' in the other, and proceeded to pull them along behind her.
"Wait a minute!"
Harry's voice stopped Willow's forward movement, and the redhead turned back to face The-Boy-Who-Lived.
"Willow, what's going on? Where are you going? And don't lie to me because I'll know."
Willow sighed. "It's Hermione, Ginny and Brandy." She confessed.
"What do you mean? What's happened to them?"
"Death Eaters have them, in the middle of a forest a ways away from here. And no you will not be going Harry, so don't even think it." Willow put on her resolve face for good measure.
"Voldemort's there, isn't he." Harry's tone was nothing less than determined.
"No, Harry, you're NOT going."
"How can you say that, Willow? This might be the prophecy you guys have been talking about. You know, the one that *I'm* supposed to be a part of. How can you tell me I can't go?"
"Harry, I don't want you to get hurt." Willow pleaded. "Please. Just...stay here, okay?"
"Oh, come on Potter. Listen to reason for once instead of running off full steam ahead." Snape snapped. "Let us take care of rescuing Misses Granger, Weasley and Wingate."
Ron looked from Snape to Lupin and them back again before exclaiming. "Wait just a bloody minute, Are you saying you don't want us to go, but you two, who happen to HATE each other are gonna go off together to rescue Mione, Ginny and Brandy?!?" Ron looked back to Harry, a desperate look in his eyes, and moaned. "They're doomed!"
"No they're not, because we're going too." Harry stated firmly once more.
"OKAY!" Willow threw up her hands. "We so don't have time for this, we have got to get there, pronto. If you're so hellmouth bent on tagging along, come on."
With looks of determination on their faces, the five made their way out of Hogsmead.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
tbc....
Author: Rose
Email: buffybot76@hotmail.com
Genre: Crossover, HP/BtVS
Pairing: Willow/Snape, Harry/Hermione, Ron/Brandy(OFC), Ginny/Draco(maybe)
Rating: R, just in case
Summary: Willow gets some rehabilitating Hogwart's style
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. Willow and the Sunnydale group belong to Joss Whedon. The Harry Potter crew belong to J.K. Rowling. I am just playing in their playground.
Spoilers: BtVS: Season 7, Harry Potter: All the books, just to be safe
Distribution: If you want it, just email me and ask, I would be flattered if you did. Want it that is.
Feedback: Please, pretty pretty please.
Chapter 21: Abductions and Secrets Revealed
Draco Malfoy felt simultaneously nervous and excited as he entered The Three Broomsticks. He paused just inside the entrance, his eyes sweeping over the various tables, searching for a certain one. One that should be occupied by a particular redhead and two formidable wizards. He noticed Professor McGonagall, sitting in a nearby table with that Giles bloke. They seemed to be getting along pretty well. Draco caught sight of a flash of red hair in a far corner, and made his way over in that direction, passing by McGonagall and Giles' table along the way. Once he had reached the table, Draco's nerves really began kicking in.
"Hi, Draco. Glad you could join us."
Willow's greeting drew Snape and Lupin's attention to the new arrival. Snape was practically sneering as Lupin looked at Draco with a mix of curiosity and distrust.
"Why don't you have a seat, order a butterbeer." Willow offered, scooting over closer to Snape to allow Draco to pull up a chair and sit down.
For a long moment nobody spoke, and the tension seemed to drag on forever. Suddenly, the table jarred slightly and for some odd reason, Snape grunted. The Potions Master shot a look at the redhead beside him, then turned his attention to Draco.
"So, Draco, how is the Hogsmead trip been so far?" The question didn't seem quite sincere in Draco's opinion, but figured he should take what he could get. After all, it was Snape.
"Oh fine, Professor. Actually, I can't stay too long, I have things to do, and I want to pick up a few things before it's time to go back to the school." Draco replied just as Rosmerta came up, placing a tall glass of butterbeer in front of him.
"Oh? What things?" Willow's question caught Draco offguard.
"W-Well, you see... it's just that... it's sort of a surprise, really. F-for my girlfriend." Draco could tell by the looks that Snape and Lupin didn't quite believe him.
"Oh, well. That's okay, it's not like we don't eat together three times a day anyway, right? But since you're here now, go ahead and drink your butterbeer." Willow smiled sweetly before taking a sip of her own drink.
Draco returned the smile. "Sure, Willow."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Oh Rupert, I am so glad you asked me to accompany you today. I am having a most wonderful time." Minerva McGonagall's laugh caught the attention of a few of Hogwart's students who sat nearby.
The sound was so surprising that it caused a few to choke on the bite of food they were attempting to eat, and Seamus Finnigan to spew butterbeer all over poor Neville Longbottom. It was quite a shock to hear the head of Gryffindor actually laugh. To see her smile was a rare occasion, but to actually laugh out loud was unheard of. The man who was the apparent cause of this miracle was chuckling softly as well.
"Minerva, trust me when I say I am very glad that I asked you. I had thought that you would not appreciate the gesture."
"Oh posh, Rupert, it isn't everyday that a handsome man asks me out for a drink."
Both occupants of the table blushed at that. Just then, Rosmerta came up to the table and bestowed a beaming smile at Giles.
"So, see anything else you like?"
The innuendo was apparent to Giles. Unfortunately, it was also apparent to Minerval.
"No, thank you, he has everything he needs right here."
Rosmerta left in a huff, leaving Giles, who was currently gaping at Minerva. For her part, Professor McGonagall had just realized what she had said and was quite busy turning a few new shades of red no one had ever seen before. It was quiet at the table for a few moments as the two composed themselves. Giles was the first to speak.
"So... I have everything I need, hmmm?" The teasing in his voice was apparent.
Minerva took a deep cleansing breath before looking into the eyes of the man sitting across from her. "I don't know, Rupert. Why don't you tell me?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Well Willow, this has been fun." Draco Malfoy smiled at the grimaces that appeared on both Snape and Lupin's faces. "But, I'd best be off."
Before Willow could protest, Professor Snape's silky voice interjected. "Yes, Malfoy. Do go on, I'm sure you can find more interesting things to- Ouch!"
Once again the table jarred, and Severus shot a glare at the redhead beside him. Willow simply glared back, causing him to roll his eyes and groan inwardly as he muttered. "Bloody annoying pixie." To Draco he said, "Please feel free to stay, Malfoy."
Draco would have laughed, but he feared the Potions Master would hex him for sure, so he simply smiled and declined.
"I'm sorry, Professor, but as I said before, I've got plans and I'd like to do a bit of exploring before it's time to head back to the school. It's been a pleasure, Willow."
Willow smiled brightly. "Yes it has, Draco. See you back at Hogwarts."
Draco nodded, bade Remus and Snape goodbye, then turned and left. After the Slytherin exited the Three Broomsticks, he crossed the street and proceeded, making sure he was not seen by any classmates or professors. Not stopping once at any of the various shops, he headed straight through until he neared the edge of Hogsmead, turning to head up the road that led off to the abandoned building known as The Shrieking Shack. Once he reached the building, he looked around cautiously. Seeing no one in sight, Draco quickly slipped inside. Once inside, Draco smiled as he closed his eyes and concentrated. He stood there for a moment, nothing happening. And then, slowly, it began happening. The change was almost instantaneous. One moment, Draco Malfoy stood in the middle of a room in the Shrieking shack, the next, a sleek silver wolf.
The wolf paced the length of the shack, stretching its legs and just enjoying the movement. Draco had been very proud when, after he had began secretly studying to become an animagus, he discovered it came to him quite easily. It had also pleased him when he had first saw his animagus form. He was a very striking wolf, if he didn't say so himself. He knew that if his father found out about this, he would try to use it to the Dark Lord's advantage. And that was the last thing that Draco Malfoy wanted. He could never really say when it had changed, but from the first time the young Slytherin has spoken to Willow, he had known that he could not hand her over to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
It felt as if something had bound him to the redheaded witch, and nothing he did would break the bond. He had been dismayed when during his first attempt to befriend her, she had blown up at him. Walking out of the Great Hall in anger, and then nearly getting herself kidnapped.
And then the time he had seen her out by the lake. He hadn't been sure he should approach her, but it had just seemed so natural...so right. And she had welcomed his company then, in that form at least. Of course, she hadn't known it was him, either, but still...
Now, after that encounter, she was willing to be friends with him in his human form as well, and it felt good.
*Yes,* he thought. *It really feels good to have a friend.*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Harry, if you and Ron don't get away from that Quidditch equipment right now, we're leaving you here."
Hermione, with her hands fisted on her hips and tapping one foot, shot a withering look at her boyfriend. Harry didn't seem to acknowlege her as he and Ron continued to admire the new Quidditch robes in the window of Dervish and Bangs. When the glaring didn't have an effect, Hermione threw up her hands and turned to the two girls beside her.
"I swear, I shall never understand boys when it comes to Quidditch." The bushy haired girl actually pouted.
Ginny and Brandy both giggled at this, for Hermione was not the type of girl to pout over anything save maybe missing valuable study time for the NEWTS.
"Oh, Hermione, come on. Leave them to their precious Quidditch robes. We can do some window shopping of our own." Ginny prodded, grabbing her friend by the arm and throwing a parting comment over her shoulder. "Meet you back at Honeydukes in two hours."
"Yeah sure, Ginny." Ron waved over his shoulder, but still didn't break his trance-like staring at the window.
Brandy glanced back at Ron a bit before hurrying to catch up with the other two girls as they made their way through Hogsmead. They stopped at various shops such as Zonko's Joke Shop, but didn't tarry long. They stopped by a dress shop and took in the various styles of dresses. It seemed like no time at all before the three girls found themselves not far from the road leading to The Shrieking Shack. Hermione hesitated when Ginny and Brandy began prompting her to go up to the house with them.
"Um, it's getting late. Perhaps we should head back to Honeydukes." Hermione protested, even as each girl took one of her hands in theirs and began pulling her towards the building.
"Oh, come on Hermione. Don't be a scaredy cat." Brandy stated.
"Oh, *now* you contribute to converstation." Hermione grumbled, but finally conceeded and followed her friends up the road.
The three girls were engrossed in their banter and giggling and where thus quite unprepared for the figures that appeared, out of nowhere it seemed. Strong arms wrapped around each girl's waist and large hands clamped over their mouths, effectively muffling their cries. Hermione struggled for a bit, then bit down on her abductor's hand.
"Fuck! The little mudblood bit me!" The man who had grabbed her exclaimed.
As soon as the hand had left her mouth, Hermione made to scream, but it had barely begun to leave her mouth when....
"Petrificus Totalis."
The spell hit her, and if not for the figure holding her tightly around the waist, she most likely would have fallen as her entire body stiffened under the spell.
"Now, either of you give us any trouble and you'll be in the same fix. Do you understand?"
The figure that had cast the spell on Hermione moved into Brandy and Ginny's line of sight. Both girls' muffled gasps could be heard behind the hands still clamped over their mouths. Their attacker was dressed in long flowing black robes. A hood concealed the face, but both girls were quite sure that if the hood were to fall off, a silver mask would surely be seen. Terrified beyond belief, Ginny and Brandy both nodded in agreement.
"Good." The Death Eater sneered. "Now, let's go. We don't want to keep the Dark Lord waiting, now do we?"
With that, the man levitated the petrified body of Hermione Granger and led the way away from the Shrieking Shack. The two other Death Eaters who held Ginny and Brandy, herded the girls behind their leader.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Inside the Shrieking Shack, the silver wolf that was Draco Malfoy was just about to retake his human form, when his intense hearing picked up the distinct sound of a woman's cry for help. It had been cut off, but the acute hearing that came with this form was enough to alert Draco to a commotion taking place outside of the building. Making his way silently to a window, Draco peered outside.
*Oh, fuck!* He thought. *Death Eaters, and they have Granger and Weasley and some other blonde chit!*
Not quite knowing what to do, Draco began pacing. He came back to the window again just in time to see a Death Eater levitate Hermione and begin to walk away.
*Oh, FUCK! Now what? Wait a minute, I'm a wolf. I'll be able to track them. I can find out where they're taking them and then...then I can use our bond to call Willow to bring reinforcements.*
Proud of the plan he had devised, Draco waited until the Death Eaters were out of sight, then silently slipped out of the Shrieking Shack. With his nose to the ground, it wasn't long before his wolf's sense of smell had picked up the scent. It didn't surprise him in the least to discover that one of the scents was his own father's. He followed the scent, making sure to stay a good way back so as not to be seen. He tracked them into a deeply wooded area a good distance from Hogsmead, and then, they stopped. They were in a slight clearing carefully concealed by the foliage of the trees, and when Draco saw who else was there, he had to stop himself from literally turning tail and running.
*Oh no, Granger and the other two are really in trouble now.* He thought, as Voldemort appeared in the clearing and made to stand in front of the trembling girls. *Oh, I've got to get help here now.*
Concentrating, Draco felt his mind reach out, much like it had the other night. It stretched out, and for a moment he feared it wouldn't work. But finally, he felt his mind link with Willow's and he hastily began to speak.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Willow had been enjoying herself immensely. She had a handsome wizard on each arm and for once, she didn't feel the pull of the dark magic within her. Life was as close to perfect as she could have ever imagined. They were passing in front of Dervish and Bangs, and she was about to call out to Harry and Ron when it happened.
*Willow!*
The familiar voice that cried out in her mind made Willow falter in her steps. Snape and Remus looked at her in concern.
"Willow, what's the matter?" Snape asked in a worried tone. Willow held up a hand, gesturing for him to give her a minute.
*Lobo?* Willow thought back, now that she had identified the voice. *What is it?*
*Bad news, a group of Death Eaters have kidnapped Granger, Weasley and their little blonde friend.*
*Hermione, Ginny AND Brandy? This is bad... wait a minute, how do you know who Hermione and Ginny are?* Willow asked, suspicion filling her.
Draco panicked for a minute. Now was not the time for Willow to find out who he was. She would never trust him if she found out he'd lied to her about being the wolf. He thought fast, then came back with a sarcastic reply.
*I was wandering through the forest and heard one of the Death Eaters call them that. Geez woman, the important thing is they've been kidnapped, not how I know their names. Now, are you gonna bring help or not?*
*Tell me where they are.*
By now, Ron and Harry had approached Willow, Snape and Remus.
"What's wrong with Willow?" Ron asked, looking at the redhead who seemed to be deep in thought.
Snape looked about ready to snap Ron's head off when Willow's head snapped up.
"We've gotta move." She said, grabbing a handful of Snape's robe in one fist, and Remus' in the other, and proceeded to pull them along behind her.
"Wait a minute!"
Harry's voice stopped Willow's forward movement, and the redhead turned back to face The-Boy-Who-Lived.
"Willow, what's going on? Where are you going? And don't lie to me because I'll know."
Willow sighed. "It's Hermione, Ginny and Brandy." She confessed.
"What do you mean? What's happened to them?"
"Death Eaters have them, in the middle of a forest a ways away from here. And no you will not be going Harry, so don't even think it." Willow put on her resolve face for good measure.
"Voldemort's there, isn't he." Harry's tone was nothing less than determined.
"No, Harry, you're NOT going."
"How can you say that, Willow? This might be the prophecy you guys have been talking about. You know, the one that *I'm* supposed to be a part of. How can you tell me I can't go?"
"Harry, I don't want you to get hurt." Willow pleaded. "Please. Just...stay here, okay?"
"Oh, come on Potter. Listen to reason for once instead of running off full steam ahead." Snape snapped. "Let us take care of rescuing Misses Granger, Weasley and Wingate."
Ron looked from Snape to Lupin and them back again before exclaiming. "Wait just a bloody minute, Are you saying you don't want us to go, but you two, who happen to HATE each other are gonna go off together to rescue Mione, Ginny and Brandy?!?" Ron looked back to Harry, a desperate look in his eyes, and moaned. "They're doomed!"
"No they're not, because we're going too." Harry stated firmly once more.
"OKAY!" Willow threw up her hands. "We so don't have time for this, we have got to get there, pronto. If you're so hellmouth bent on tagging along, come on."
With looks of determination on their faces, the five made their way out of Hogsmead.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
tbc....