Feallan Steorra

Chapter 15: His Sneaky Weapon

Author's jibberish: Down with Orion Morell! He should die! Grr!! Okay, most of the spells were made up by me (again, thank you Latin Dictionary). Also, remember when Harry made his Aunt Marge puff up without a wand (PoA)? He could do magic without a wand…just with a wand, it's more refined…please keep that in mind for future events =)

            Anger and fear filled Harry's eyes.

            "How about one of my happy Unforgivables," Orion snickered. "It will be very lovely to see Hermione die, her face frozen in fear. So lovely, with her eyes wide open and her mouth agape. Too bad Potter, you'll never know how she fee--!"

            Suddenly, Ron jumped Orion from the back and pinned him down. "Get the hell off me you blasted fool!" The wands fell from his hands and Hermione scrambled to the floor, grabbing them. "How the hell did you both get free?" Orion asked in disbelief.

            "Junct!" she exclaimed, holding the white wand at Harry. Cold chills ran through Harry's body and he was able to move again. He took his wand from Hermione and they stood, watching Ron and Orion in a fury of fists. Orion managed to kick Ron off and grunted, wiping his bloody lip. He watched Hermione mutter "Utterance loqui," returning Ron's voice. Ron was sporting a nasty black eye, chest heaving in anger. Orion only smiled. "So…three against one? I thought Gryffindors played fair."

            "Only if their opponents are deserving," Ron snapped.

            "I see…" Slowly Orion got to his feet.

            "Give up," Hermione hissed.

            "You're out-numbered," Harry added with much disdain.

            Orion shrugged casually. "Oh dear…I don't think so. Right, Darling?"

            Hermione locked eyes with him. "What?"

            "Pupanimus," Orion said, staring at Hermione. Suddenly, she began to scream, falling to the floor.

            Immediately, Ron went to her side. "What did you do to her?!" he exclaimed.

            Orion just snickered.

            Harry watched in horror as Hermione's eyes snapped open, holding the wand's tip to Ron, she hollered "Caderbini!" Ron hovered in the air for a moment, and then slammed against the ground twice. She quickly stood, white wand in hand and slowly backed up towards Orion.

            "A little trick you can't learn in Hogwarts," Orion explained. "The control of a soul…in my personal opinion, stronger than the Imperius Curse."

            "Cheater," Ron grumbled, getting up.

            "Not really, I'm just evening the odds," Orion smiled proudly. He approached Hermione from the back and stroked her brown locks. "Perfect…"

            Hermione looked at Ron and Harry with blank, emotionless eyes.

            "Leave her alone," Harry demanded, boiling.

            "Well, we can't all have out way, can we?" Orion sighed. "If that were so, I would have been able to kill your friends. I find no pleasure in excess death…well, maybe a little, but my main objective is to get you, Potter."

            Orion snapped his fingers and Hermione exclaimed "Incedio!" A spark of fire came out of the wand and Ron and Harry barely dodged it.

            "Stop hiding behind Hermione and fight your own battles!" Ron exclaimed.

            Hermione returned to a stationary position, feet shoulder-width apart, wand tightly gripped in her right hand.

            "I'll make a deal with you," Orion proposed. "You, Weasley, walk away and stay clear of this area and I will release Granger here of the curse."

            "Why the hell should I trust you?" Ron snapped.

            "Because," and Orion swiftly grabbed Hermione by the neck, digging his fingertips in her skin. She did not respond; she did nothing but stare straight ahead.

            Ron quickly jumped and it took all of Harry's strength to hold him back. "Don't Ron!"

            "Get your bloody hands off her, you little--!" Ron steamed.

            "Get out of here, Ron," Harry said.

            Ron stared at him in absolute shock. "What? Have you lost it, Harry? Leave you alone? That's like suicide!"

            "But he's got Hermione! It may be our only chance," Harry told him.

            "He's got to be lying, though!"

            "We don't have a choice," Harry lowered his voice. "Besides, I need you to find a way out of here and get help. There's a port-key, an origami paper flower, a few meters back. It should take you back to Hogwarts. I need you to go, Ron."

            As much as Ron didn't want to leave Harry's side, he reluctantly nodded. "Alright, dammit, alright. I'll come back…" Ron's eyes glanced at Hermione and then turned back to Harry, "for both of you. Don't get dead." And before he changed his mind, Ron ran into the woods.

            "Good, good," Orion nodded, gently releasing Hermione's neck. Harry winced; he could see her gasp heavily for air. "Don't worry, Potter, I won't kill you." He snapped his fingers again.

            "Caderbini!" Hermione shouted and Harry plummeted to the floor twice. She returned to her previous stationary position.

            "Just kick you around a little. After all, my master would really love to kill you." Orion gently ran his fingertips down Hermione's wandless arm. Watching him touch Hermione in such a way made Harry's chest burn. "How long have you two been friends?" Orion asked. He wasn't answered. "Smart, attractive in her own way, I suppose, caring…you really have no idea, do you?"

            Harry narrowed his eyes. What's that lunatic talking about now?

            "You have to admit she did look beautiful at the Yule Ball…"

            What was he getting at? Harry felt his stomach twitch.

            "She did have a sweet kiss," Orion took her hand. "What do you say, Darling? How about a nice memory charm and you could stand by my side?"

            "Shut up!" Harry bellowed. "Don't you dare!"

            "'Dare' what, Potter? What if I want Granger for my own?" Orion asked. He kissed her wrist. "She could be of great use to me." His eyes angled towards Harry, who was clutching his wand so tightly, it might snap. "Jealous, Potter?"

            Jealousy? No, that couldn't be it… "You won't take her…" Harry snarled through his teeth, "I won't let you. Release her from your spell."

            "Only if you defeat her," Orion smiled.

            Hermione held her wand erect in front of her face and bowed. "Duel Darling. Win but don't kill him. That pleasure should be given to my master." He watched Harry stand there, silent. "Duel, Potter, or she dies!"

            Slowly, Harry bowed slightly, barely lowering his head.

            "Now," Orion smirked devilishly, "we shall see the true strength of the Boy Who Lived."