Enchantress of the Day and Night
Kneazle
Disclaimer: All characters/ideas belong to JK Rowling, Warner Bros., Scholastics, etc, K.A. Applegate's EverWorld, Fern Gully: the Last Rainforest, Mist of Avalon (the movie) and from Enchantress of the Stars by Sylvia Louise Engdahl, Cirque De Soliel. Also, mostly my odd dreams take some ideas, Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki, and from "Disney's Atlantis", Sweep by Cate Tiernan, and Circle of Magic by Tamora Pierce. Most information that is for the covens is based on Wicca, Sweep, The Dragon's Tapestry, The Prism Moon and The Taker's Key by Martine Bates, Circle of Three by Isobel Bird, and most clan information is from Sweep, Young Wizards Series by Diane Duane, Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, Hexwood by Diana Wynne Jones and Daughters of the Moon by Lynne Ewing. Information I use can be found at the following websites: Bibliomania, Wiccan.com and Feri.com. You can find other information just by surfing the net and looking for information on historical witches and wizards, and Wicca sites. [I made up all history and locations. All information will be composed at the end of the story on a final page with dedications and thank you's.]
Author's Note: please note that this story is an alternate universe and therefore, some characters MAY act out of character. They act according to their surroundings, or to the role they play, or to their history. ^_^. This story is also mostly MIXED COUPLES, but I promise that it will end up H/Hr, for sure. There will also be a couple of odd couplings, and because of the rating, there is some adult content in the story (sexual bantering, language, adult issues… etc).
Summary: AU – In a world where witches and warlocks battle over slavery rights, where no sex is seen as an equal, a precious few gather to change the races' views before the war between the two escalates into something that could be the beginning – or end – of an era. Previously titled "Of Witches and Warlocks".
Genres: fantasy, romance, action/adventure, and drama
Dedicated to: My beta-reader, Tim – thanks a bunch!
**-**
Chapter Four
Hermione awoke in the morning, stiff and still tired. She wasn't ready for a trip to the Mystical Lands, and was quite content and happy in the Talamancaian Woods – alas, the Priest had said there was danger in the woods, and it would be safest for them to move on… especially with the Enchantress with them.
It was Harry who roused her, telling her that they were moving soon. Hermione nodded, mumbled it was far too early but nonetheless stood and straightened her ruined pants and shirt. She yawned, purring like a cat as she felt the sore muscles and kinks unwind themselves. She then followed wordlessly Harry, watching him silently, contemplating.
He looks good with those pants on… Oy! Hermione! What in the Goddess' name are you thinking?? Hermione shifted her eyes guiltily away and nearly hit a low-branch. She ducked, but she could still hear Harry's soft chuckle. Growling, she didn't derail her next thoughts. Who does he think he is? Mr. Harry Potter, that's who – great warlock and to-be clan leader when Dumbledore dies. Humph… as if he could ever lead them. Okay, sure, he's brave, and charming and nice; but he's still a warlock and therefore he's aggressive and sarcastic, just like his best friend Ron. And yes, Harry looks good in brown suede pants… and off-white shirt… and black hunting boots… and… I think I'm falling for him… the realization hit Hermione like a griffin had been thrown at her. Her eyes widened and she stopped walking. She stared ahead, her mouth slightly agape; Harry seemed to realize that Hermione was no longer following him and he stopped and turned.
"Hermione?" he asked, confused. He looked down the worn path they were taking and saw Hermione staring ahead, like a statue.
He retraced his steps, stopped before Hermione and waved a hand in front of her eyes. "Hello? Anyone in there?"
Hermione snapped back to reality, blinking in the forest light. "Oh. Hello, Harry. Sorry about that, I was thinking."
"Don't you always," retorted Harry, grinning. He gently took her by the arm and began to lead her down to where Dumbledore had told Harry where the griffins were going to be. By an opening, by the Ocean of Ino and the Talamancaian Woods' west bank, a pen had been set up with griffins resting in it.
"They're beautiful," Hermione whispered in awe, looking at the blue-furred creatures. Unlike her coven's fiery gold ones, these were cool, dark and mostly blue.
"Water griffins. They're used to flying over water or around areas with more water than land," said Harry. He smiled at Hermione and continued, "Unfortunately, there are only two that Dumbledore could spare. That means we ride double."
"I'm okay with that," answered Hermione, smiling shyly. Harry blushed a little but coughed to mask it.
"Right," he grinned. "We're just waiting for Ron, who wanted to say goodbye to Ginny and his brothers before leaving. It'll be a non-stop flight there, you realize…"
"Harry, before landing, my coven and I had flown over the mountains, and into the heart of Talamanca. We flew for a day and a half before our griffins began to get tired. I think I can handle this."
Harry nodded, sure that she could. Together, they began to pack up light leather bags filled with provisions. Harry was securing his staff against the blue griffin, making sure that when the creature would lift its wings to beat up the staff wouldn't slip out.
"Oy!" called a voice. The two turned to see Ron darting through the forest down to where they were by the beach. "I'm all set."
"Good," nodded Harry. "Then we're ready to go."
"Not quite," came a new voice. The trio turned to see Dumbledore standing next to a young girl, around the same age as them. She was blonde, her features hidden by her cloak.
"My Priest," chorused Ron and Harry, making a fist with their right hand and placing it over their heart as they bowed.
Hermione stood awkwardly off to the side, watching Dumbledore and the girl. She nodded only, wondering what was going on.
Dumbledore's eyes danced. "Harry, Ron? Young Lavender Brown here is requesting to go with you to the Mystical Lands. She is from there, and wishes to return home as soon as she can. This is the easiest and simplest way for her to return home. Is it all right if she joins you?"
"I'm okay with it," said Hermione quickly. Though she enjoyed both warlocks' company, she was already feeling the pain in her heart – she missed Ginny dearly already.
Harry nodded and so did Ron. "We leave now," Harry cautioned, glancing at the young girl.
"That's all right," a smooth voice said. Elegant hands reached up and pulled the cloak down. Straight blonde hair cascaded down over her shoulders, with dull, pain-filled blue eyes.
Hermione looked at the young woman with the same expression that she was being giving. A simple nod confirmed it; they were both alone. Hermione vowed to find out as much as she could about this girl, but she realized it might be a hard task.
Harry watched Hermione glare – or stare? – At the other female witch of the group. He decided that it was enough and that they should be on their way if they wanted to reach the coast of Talamanca by night.
"Come," he said, getting on his griffin. He held a hand out for Hermione to take, which she accepted. She wrapped her arms tight around his waist, as she seemed to have a fear of griffins.
Lavender, the other girl, clambered on after Ron, disconnected and silent. Dumbledore watched Harry nod once at the Priest before the griffin rose. Hermione shrieked and clung tighter on Harry, burying her face in his chest.
Harry chuckled, but said nothing. He led the two griffins against the rising sun, not looking back once. It was important to him not to get emotional about his homeland.
"Your first time away?" asked a soft voice. Ron, Harry and Hermione all turned their heads to Lavender, who was staring simply at Harry.
He nodded. "I've never been to the Mystical Lands."
"It is like the Talamancaian Woods, sir. Nothing but the people are different," she informed him, using extreme politeness. Hermione raised an eyebrow.
Sir? SIR? She uses sir? She thought with a small, inward smirk.
Harry flashed a brilliant grin at Lavender. "Sir, eh? I like that."
Hermione's jaw dropped, but she turned her head away to hide the fact. She heard Ron snicker and she glared at him. He stopped without delay.
The rest of the ride was uneventful, and soon Hermione found herself dozing off. She hadn't slept well, for dream upon dream had plagued her mind the last night.
Hisses from snakes, red eyes, and fires… they all replayed in her mind. Sighing, she rubbed a fist against her tired eye, wishing that the black marks underneath would disappear.
"Hermione, you all right?" called Ron. She grimaced at the rough sound of Ron's voice. In truth, she thought him to be the most annoying, rude warlock she had ever met. Of course, that wasn't many, but he was certainly the most so far.
"You okay?" asked Harry. Hermione, with her cheek against his back, felt the rumble of his voice from deep within.
"I'm fine," she replied. She tried to find something to occupy her daylight escapade with Harry, Ron and Lavender, but as the three engaged themselves in a conversation she didn't understand, she allowed her mind to wander.
"Back in Talamanca, we have this sport that we play. It's all over the island… its called Quidditch," began Ron, talking to Lavender. "We have this wide field we play in and there's these different balls…"
"It's really a good game. Dangerous and exhilarating… it was brought over back hundreds of years ago from the Mystic Lands…"
Please…all this talking about this Quidditch rubbish. Why can't they talk of something more important? Like… what are we going to be searching for on the Mystical Lands? And why did Dumbledore wink at me before I fell asleep? All this and more caused a troubled Hermione to ponder over, but she didn't have to think too much at the moment.
"We'll be there soon," came the reassuring voice of Harry. Hermione nodded, once, a confirmation, and returned back to her staring out at the green blur of trees below them.
Harry glanced back at her once, then at Ron, who shrugged. Lavender herself was taking in the sight of everything around them, and the oncoming coastline.
The rest of the trip was in silence. There was no need for talk, as each being was lost in their memories. Memories they didn't wish to share.
**-**
Hours later, they landed at the outskirts of the Talamancaian Woods, the waters growing stormy in the approaching weather.
"We should take shelter," advised Harry. Hermione glanced over at him as she slid off their griffin.
Why? She wondered. She could easily create a shield bubble, and they would be able to stay inside of it with the griffins. They wouldn't get wet, nor would they get hurt if anything should happen. Instead, she followed Ron, Lavender and Harry towards a fallen tree trunk.
The trunk was large and rotted, but hollow and a perfect place to hide. The griffins would be fine lying on the ground outside it, like a camel during a desert storm.
Hermione soon crawled in, ad rested her back against the squishy moss that crew on the inside of the trunk. She found herself sitting between Lavender and Harry, and felt her defenses build up around her. She wasn't used to this close proximity, and she was getting tense.
Harry felt her tense up, and turned to face her. "Calm down, it's just a storm."
"It's not that," she replied through clenched teeth. Shuddering, she bit her lip before replying, "I'd rather be out there than in here". That would've been too cold, and she had found herself striving to be on Harry's good side.
Instead, she found her eyes closed, her breathing slow and deep. She was meditating, getting closer to the elements that were around her. The roaring of the waves intensified around them, crashing onto the beach with twice as much force as normal.
Around them, the wind howled, whipping branches back and snapping some. The sky was covered with dark gray clouds, clouds that hung low in the sky and filled with water waiting to be released.
Seconds later, the storm reached the coastline of the Talamancaian Woods. At first, there were only a few drops of water hitting the roof of the trunk. Then, the onslaughts of droplets were unleashed; the water pounded the trunk, the storm a full out riot of the elements.
Lavender burrowed herself deep into her cloak, and Ron placed an arm around her shoulders, keeping her warm. Harry was looking out of the opening of the trunk, watching the tide rise slowly.
Hermione couldn't take it. She was a witch, meaning she was in tune with nature. That was her magick. Warlocks were more regular, spell magick, but the forest, the elements… they were her home. She felt much more safe out there in the middle of a storm that cooped up like an animal in a den.
She leaned forward, and began to claw her way out of the trunk, past Harry. He barely noticed her leaving until Hermione placed a hand on his knee to push her forward.
"Hermione, where are you going!" he demanded, grabbing her around the waist. Hermione began struggling.
"Let me out!" she cried, straining against Harry's hands that were clasped securely around her waist.
"What? Into that storm?" he asked, "Are you crazy??"
Hermione stopped struggling, looking back at him. She wouldn't say that she'd feel better out there, not too his face at least. Instead, she turned her head away and sighed.
"Harry, just let me go," she pleaded, facing him again. Harry swallowed, glancing back at Lavender and Ron who were watching them with wide eyes. Thoughts raced through his mind.
Should I let her go? What if she gets hurt? I'd never forgive myself… she's a powerful witch, she can take care of herself…her magick could not work with all this untamed power around us… Finally, he made his decision.
He let go of her, and she clambered out of the trunk quickly.
"What the bloody hell did you do that for?" demanded Ron, facing Harry.
"She wanted out. She knows what she is doing, Ron," replied Harry, narrowing his eyes. "If you want, you can go out there after her. I'm not stopping you."
Ron swore under his breath but didn't move. Harry nodded. "Just what I thought."
Lavender gasped, pointing out of the trunk. "Look!"
Harry turned, expecting to see Hermione in some sort of distress. However, he saw her sitting calmly on the beach, lighting a fire, some weird sort of bubble around her. Her hair was not flying about in wind, nor did the water that pounded hard against the ground affect the fire.
"Hermione!" Harry called, but his voice was lost in the wind. She seemed to have heard him, turning her head slightly, and tilting it. Without a second thought, Harry scrambled out of the trunk with Ron shouting after him.
The second he stepped out of the trunk, Harry knew it was a mistake. How could a witch, smaller and lighter than he, make it across the beach with this wind?? He planted his feet firmly apart, the wind lashing out at his face.
He could barely hear over the roar of the waves, the ones that were crashing just a few feet away against the beach. Sea spray was all around him, soaking him down to the bones. Chilled, he tried to take a step forward, the sand making him sink into it. Instead, he was nearly blasted off his feet when a strong gust of wind reached him.
He closed his eyes and took a small step forward, bracing himself and straining all his muscles. Another step, and only ten more to go. However, he lost his footing and skidded back a few paces, towards the woods behind him.
Grabbing on to the sand, he clawed at it, trying to dig himself into the ground. He lay flat on the sand, his cheek pressed against the cool sand. His eyes were shut tightly, and he resisted the urge to whimper.
Dad wouldn't have been this stupid…
Seconds later, he heard a crash. Above him, a thick branch had been broken off, and was falling directly towards him.
**-**
Draco scowled, realizing that Harry, Ron and the witch had already left. He was supposed to follow them, report back to his leader and mark that witch. He was supposed to be her shadow, but he missed his chance.
His cool eyes wandered around the campsite, pausing on the redhead female of the group. The little girl was the one who rescued him from the water, and was Ron's little sister.
As the idea began to form itself, he let his eyes watch what the witch was doing. Undoubtedly, she was a strong one. She could scry with fire, which was fickle and showed only what it wanted. She wasn't the Enchantress, though, but a good friend of hers. If only he could lure her away from the campsite… and then…
Then what? Asked a voice in Draco's head. What then, hmm? You've seemed to know what you want to do when arriving in the Mystic Lands.
I'll do what I have to, even if it means… his train of thought was interrupted as the redhead girl looked up, and caught his eye. He tried to smile at her, but she shot him a cold look and walked into the forest.
Ouch, Draco… burned! He chided himself, but got up off the rock he was sitting on and followed the girl. He pushed aside a few leaves and branches before coming across a river. On the other side of it, the witch was dunking a wooden bucket into the water and pulling it out. The water and bucket combined seem almost too much for the girl to handle, but she pulled it out of the water and began to make her way across the river.
Draco watched her silently, and by the time she reached the bank, she noticed him.
"Don't you have somewhere to go?" she asked coolly.
Draco considered it for a moment. "No. I don't."
"Then why don't you get lost?" she snapped. Draco faltered, placing a hand on his chest.
"Me? Get lost?" he asked, appalled. "Don't you want me around, fair maiden?" He stepped closer to the witch, bowed, and took her hand in his before kissing it lightly.
The witch pulled it from his grasp and snarled, "I bet you don't even know my name. Least of all remember it."
"It's Ginny," Draco said, thanking his good memory. The girl looked slightly impressed.
"Right." Instead, she placed the bucket down and put her leather shoes back on, making sure that they weren't falling apart.
They stayed in silence, until Ginny finally burst out, "What do you want??"
Draco stepped closer. "You."
"Me. You want me."
"Didn't I just say that?" he asked. "Or is there an echo here?"
Ginny burst out laughing, in his face. "I'm sorry – let me get this straight… some guy that hates my family just wants me out of the blue? That doesn't add up. Now, why don't you go and find yourself a nice siren, hmm?"
With that said, Ginny picked the bucket up, tapped Draco once on the chest and began to make her way through the forest, back to camp. Draco just stood there, stupidly, as he stared where she was last standing.
Coming to his senses, he turned and bounded through the dense brush until he landed in front of Ginny, blocking her path.
"What now?" she groaned.
"You fancy that Harry fellow, don't you?" Draco accused her.
Ginny was startled, speechless for a few precious seconds, but then a faint pink tinge appeared on her cheeks. "No."
"Then why are you blushing?" smirked Draco.
"I am not!" cried the girl, dropping the bucket as her hands flew to her cheeks. "Oh, bullocks!"
Draco stooped and picked it up for her, it swinging off his index finger. "Look. I know for a fact that he, Ron and that other girl left this morning at daybreak to the Mystic Lands."
"What? How do you know? Why?" stuttered Ginny, staring at Draco.
"Never mind how I know," he said, waving her off, "I just know, okay? Now, do you really fancy this guy?"
"Yes…" she said slowly.
"Then come with me to the Mystic Lands. We'll leave this place and go after Harry and your brother. You can then be with Harry all the time, and I can be with the other girl," said Draco, his plan being set.
"The other girl? Hermione?" asked Ginny, "Is that who you mean?"
Draco nodded. "Yes, yes, Hermione. The other girl that was with them."
"I don't know…" began Ginny, looking down. "They probably went because the Priest sent them…"
"No he didn't!" shouted Draco, at his wit's end. Ginny stared, aghast at him, so he cooled down quickly. "I know he didn't," he tried again, "just trust me. You got me out of the water, and now I'm returning the debt to you. Come with me to the Mystic Lands, and I will do everything in my power for you to be with Harry, Second in Command of the Talamancaian Woods. Deal?"
Draco stuck his hand out, his eyes meeting Ginny's. The girl looked confused, but she also looked hopeful, thinking the options over.
Finally, after what seemed like ages, she said, "I've made my decision."
"Well?"
She reached out and shook Draco's hand. "You've got yourself a deal."
**-**
Seamus was sharpening his blade when Dean sat down beside him. The two were best friends and never separated. People often said this was because Dean owed Seamus his life, and when that debt had been paid off, Seamus then owed Dean his life, and so forth. They were always in the other's debt.
Dean had never paid attention to those rumors. In truth, he and Seamus just liked each other's company, and therefore were best friends.
"What's new?" asked Seamus, the second Dean sat. Dean looked over at his friend.
"You always seem to know when there is something happening," he commented. Seamus shrugged. "Anyway," Dean continued, "Ginny Weasley is missing, and so is Draco."
Seamus' hands stopped running a stone across his blade, he looked up. "Are you sure?"
Dean nodded. "Ginny went in to get some water from the Morria River a couple hours back and Draco was seen going in after her. Neither of them has come out yet."
"Hmm."
"What do you make of it?"
"Make of it?" laughed Seamus sourly. "I think that there's something going on that we don't know about. I think there's a reason why Ron, Harry and Hermione left this morning at daybreak. I think there's something really large going on, and we're left out of the knowledge."
Dean nodded, falling silent. "Should we ask Dumbledore about it?"
"The Priest?" Seamus asked, nodding. "Maybe. He should know what's going on." Seamus sheathed his sword and dropped the stone he was using into a leather pouch that hung on his right side. Together, he and Dean walked towards where Dumbledore stood high on a rock in the woods, watching the light from the sun fade away.
"Priest?" asked Seamus, bowing. Dean copied him, and together they rose when Dumbledore turned around, the twinkle in his usually happy blue eyes missing.
"Yes?" he asked, sounding tired.
Seamus and Dean shared a look, but pressed on. "Sir, we've heard of Draco and Ginny's disappearance, and of Ron, Harry and Hermione's absence. We wish to know what is going on."
Dumbledore looked at the two teens, sizing them up. Finally, he sighed, knowing they would find out sooner or later. "Boys… Hermione… she is the Enchantress."
Seamus gapped. "You mean… she is the one to fight the darkness and save us all?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes. Harry and Ron have been sent to the Mystic Lands to find Castle Lorien. There, Hermione shall remain and receive proper training until Lord Voldemort decides to show his face and start the battle. However, Harry and Ron do not know that she is the Enchantress. There is another witch with them… a Seer… her name is Lavender, and she can see thing before they happen. She is their guide."
"And what about us, then, huh?" demanded Dean. "What are we suppose to do? Wait here until the battle?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "No. I believe that you two should go and find my Knights."
Seamus and Dean were surprised. "Find the Priest's Knights, sir?"
"Aye," said Dumbledore, smiling down at the two teens. "They will help you on your quest. Once you find them, tell them you have direct orders from myself to track down the Enchantress. The Knights are devoted to the Priest and the Enchantress; that is what they were taught to do. When I die… Harry will become the next Priest, and he will become the leader of the Talamancaian Clan."
Seamus looked mortified at the thought of Dumbledore dying, while Dean looked confused.
"So, where are the Knights?" he asked.
Dumbledore shrugged, and began walking back to the campsite. "Here, there… they're everywhere. I believe that Captain Oliver is leading them. They were last seen in the Wycliffe area before being set free. Perhaps you should start there?"
Seamus and Dean watched Dumbledore walk away, leaving the two alone in the woods, a huge mission on their hands. Immediately after Dumbledore was lost from sight, the two scrambled down the rock and back to the campsite. They had much to do.
**-**
Harry was sure that he was going to be crushed to death by the branch. Instead, he felt something warm touch his hand, and the warmth spread throughout his body. He opened his eyes to see Hermione kneeling beside him, before she placed as much of her body over his as she could.
The bubble that he had seen around her was now around both of them. The wind that had been howling around him moments before had disappeared. Now there was nothing but an eerie calm. The rain had stopped splattering around him, though he was still wet.
He heard the branch hit something, the leaves rustling against whatever was between them and it. Seconds later, he felt Hermione get off him. He turned his head and saw her kneeling at his side, her hands pressing gently against a cut he received when he was blown off his feet earlier.
"You should be more careful," she said, removing her hands from his healed wound.
"You shouldn't have run out there!" he cried, wiping some hair out of his eyes.
Hermione stared back at him, feeling her anger build up. "Why shouldn't I have? I was doing fine out in my bubble by myself before you ran out, calling my name!"
"I was worried, okay?" he shouted, jumping to his feet. "I thought you would've gone and hurt yourself!"
"I was fine!" Hermione shouted back, jumping to her feet. She stood with her hands on her hips, her face tinting with anger. "I didn't need a chauvinistic warlock come out and help me!"
"I am not being chauvinistic!" shouted Harry, leaning forward to emphasize his point. "I was caring about you!"
"I don't need to be cared about!" Hermione shouted, feeling tears prickle the corner of her eyes. God, why am I pushing him away like this? She wondered. Oh yeah, everyone I care about goes and dies on me. That's why.
Harry felt like he had been slapped. "Fine. Fine!" he shouted. "You don't need my help. You don't need my protection. Yeah, okay then!"
Hermione bit her trembling lip but didn't say anything. She stared Harry down, and finally, she knew she had won. He turned and began to stalk back towards the trunk, when he realized he be swept off his feet again.
"Do you mind?" he asked coolly, pointing at the trunk. Hermione hmphed, stuck her nose in the air, and walked him back to the trunk.
However, by the time they reached, Ron and Lavender stood outside, waiting the return of the two. The wind had disappeared, and the clouds had rolled away, leaving a spotless, blue sky. The sun began to warm up the beach, and dried up all the water.
The bubble blinked out as Hermione crossed her arms.
"Wow!" whistled Ron, "That was some impressive magick, Hermione!"
"Thank you," she sniffed.
"Where did you learn to do a bubble shield?" asked Lavender in her soft, misty voice. Hermione looked confused, uncrossing her arms slightly.
"What do you mean? I thought everyone was able to do that," she replied.
Lavender shook her head. "No. Days and Nights cannot do that. Only extremely powerful witches or warlocks."
Hermione paled, a muscle under her left eye twitching. Oh my Goddess… do they suspect me to be the Enchantress? Do they know?
"Are you all right?" asked Ron, taking a step forward. Hermione nodded, though pale, and steadied herself against the trunk. Her eyes flickered up and she caught Harry watching her, concern filling his eyes. The second however, their eyes met, his turned cold and he turned away.
What have I done? She thought. I nearly spilled my secret, and now Harry is mad at me. Great job, Hermione. Keep this up and you'll be dead before you reach Castle Lorien.
She stood, and followed slightly behind the other three towards their griffins. Feeling like someone was watching her, Hermione turned, but saw no one.
Enchantress…
Hermione's eyes darted towards the darkest part of the forest, but saw no movement.
"Come on, Hermione, we're getting ready to go!" Ron shouted, from down the beach.
"Coming!" Hermione turned around and began walking back towards her friends, but the way the voice had hissed her title made her shudder with dread.
Enchantress…
Again, Hermione shudder, walking faster. Her body felt cold and clammy, like she was fighting something despite the warm tropical weather around her.
She slid on the griffin behind Harry, clinging to him. As they took off towards the sky, she took one glance back. She could make out a shape in the shadows, but didn't know what it was. But whatever it could be, she didn't want to find out.
**~**
A/N: WOO! That's been a while, hasn't it? God, I'm so sorry for the long wait – my beta reader had to get back to me with this and I've been so busy… I won a literary award, so my short story is being published and I have to go to a reading, and I'm so nervous about it… **tears at her hair** I hope that all of you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for sticking with it! ~~ Kneazle
