Disclaimer: No, not all of this is mine ::readers collapse in shock:: several of these thing you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling and the first world of Harry Potter that she created. Everything else is mine and if you take it without asking me, I shall hire hit men and come find you.

*`*`*`*`*`*

What I choose to do is of no concern to you and your friends

Where I lay my hat may not be my home, but I will last on my own

'Cause it's me, and my life, it's my lie, it's my life

Chapter Five: First Actions

Thalia walked on and on in the hallways. She wasn't going to the great hall, why eat without your friends? She wasn't looking for Lily; she was probably still brooding over that dream. She wouldn't be looking for James because she hadn't talked to the others yet and therefor didn't know he was missing still. So what was she looking for?

Snape

She wanted to get a head start on their plans and sleeping the day away wasn't going to accomplish a thing (it was already seven in the morning for heaven sake!). She quickly found him right were she thought he'd be. Lurking around the restricted section of the library.

"Thalia, what a surprise, I don't think you're supposed to be in here. If you leave now I won't tell Madam Prince you snuck in." He said in a sickening sort of voice that was obviously supposed to be pleasant.

"Stuff it Snape, Pixie-sensei gave me access to the whole library so I could research the debate I'm conducting. Why so anxious though? Do you have permission so be here?"

"Yes, the potions master, Malfoy, gave it to me."

"Ah, of course… and what are you researching?" Before Snape could hide his books Thalia grabbed them. She quickly scanned over the covers and hastily assessed the situation. 'Looking up werewolves and Naturals, crap, why couldn't he be an idiot?'

"Err, why are you looking up these things?" she said, handing him the books back and fidgeting slightly

Snape's eyes narrowed, "No reason, just a sudden interest I suppose. Do you think your fascinating new mythology teacher knows anything about such topics?"

"Midnight?" Thalia said, purposely letting her voice rise an octave before setting her face in a calm mask. "Most likely, she does specialize in magical beast too, being one herself. Though I don't think you should bother her about it if it's just an interest. And since when do you get access to the restricted section of the library on a sudden interest?"

"Oh, Professor Malfoy is just evening out a favor I did for him."

"What? Let his slime ball of a rich son of a bitch hang around you?"

"Exactly."

"Fine, if favoritism is your game then the playing fields are about to be equal. You had better watch your back, Snappy old boy, I take no shit." She leaned against the back wall of the section, ready to make a quick exit if necessary

"Oh, don't worry Karasuko…neither do I."

Thalia raised her eyebrows dully.

"By the way, that's a lovely last name, Japanese yes?"

Thalia nodded vaguely and turned sideways, scanning the shelf for books she could use.

"Standing for?"

"You already know." She said without turning around

"Of Course I do sweetie." He touched her cheek and moved closer; Thalia's patience snapped. She started to do the same to his wrist, then stopped, long enough to give him a message.

Snape's mind was whirling, Thalia's eyes had lit up golden and she grabbed his wrist and spun around so that she was behind him. "I don't know what fowl game you plan on acting out Snape, but you better watch it," she whispered in his ear, practically hissing. "We don't lose, it could take us years and years, but we don't lose." She released her grip and was gone; through he could have sworn he heard a door slam. 'She must know a secret passage,' he thought rubbing the wrist that was starting to swell. 'I should go see Madam Pomfrey about this, damn that girl.

*`*`*

Thalia wondered into the Great Hall and found Lily and James calmly bickering over the bacon, 'They never change!' She thought frustrated, 'I hope Sirius finished that project, we need to get moving.'

"Hey guys," She said sliding in next to Lily.

"Hey, where were you? I thought you be waiting for me after last night."

"What happened last night?" James asked through a mouthful of egg.

"Nothing that concerns you, Prongs." James stuck out his tongue but remained silent. Thalia, just as they had hoped, had no idea this was a heavily rehearsed act. She did however raise an eyebrow and wrinkle her nose. "In the Library, unfortunately in the company of Snape."

"Why on earth where you there?"

"I wanted to see what steps he was taking, sorry to say that they seem to be the right ones. He was looking all of us up in the library. Animagi's and Naturals I mean. I memorized the titles of the books though, I think sensei has them, so we can know exactly what he knows and doesn't. I also gave him a sprained wrist, so he'll be a little pre-occupied for the rest of the day." She grinned

"Thalia! Hey guys."

"Hi." The rest of the drowsy gang had arrived and they lined up in their usual spaces at the table. "What did Thalia do now?" Clio asked, reaching for the toast.

"She sprained Snape's wrist."

"Did you sweetie?" Sirius said giving her a kiss on the cheek; Thalia marveled how different those words had sounded coming out of Snape's mouth.

"Yes, I did. Not to badly, just to warn him."

"And maybe enough to show him what kind of animal you are." Remus said worried.

"How many times am I going to have to tell you, think about the consequences!" Clio advised, shoving James hand off her plate as he tried to steel her bacon.

"Oh, come off it! There are about three million types of animals that can sprain a wrist."

"But a Raven can't…" Sirius said confused, "what are your other forms anyway?"

There was a resounding bout of whistling, looking through bags, and Lily sending James warning glares.

"Oh, come on!" They all wined as the girls continued to ignore them.

The bell rang soon after that and everyone rushed to the door to get to class in time.

"Please?"

"Got to get to class!" the girls answered racing toward the stairwell.

*`*`*

Halfway up, Clio turned to Lilly; "You charmed the bells, didn't you?" Lily just smiled and continued to run. She had, of course, charmed the bells. Just because they were working together now didn't mean the girls had to tell all their secrets, did it?

The guys all looked at each other as students rushed past them, "Is it just me, or are all of you getting a headache too?"

There was a large murmur of assent as everyone picked up their bags and sped for the lawn, care of magical creatures with the Ravenclaws was up next.

*`*`*

"What time is it?" Lilly said looking at Clio's watch during lunch.

"Time to finish up and head for potions."

All perspective parties groaned.

"Just great, we spend all day avoiding Snape to the best of our abilities (and may I say we have very good abilities) and now, we're going to be dragged down to potions and made to share cauldrons with him!" Thalia was positively fuming

"No use avoiding It." down they went, flight after flight of stairways to the appending doom that was Malfoy's potions class with Slytherin.

"You know, I researched it, and over the long, long years of Hogwarts, Gryffindor and Slytherin have been made to take Potions and or Care of Magical Creators together."

"Your point?"

"I begin to wonder if they don't want us to kill each other off, sticking the two major houses of rival in cramped class rooms just doesn't seem very wise."

No one could reply because they entered to class just as the bell began to ring and were assigned to pair up with the Slytherin's.

*`*`*

"Clio, have I ever told you lately that you're a genus?" Snape asked over the cauldron that Clio was regrettably sharing with him after she pointed out he was adding too much frog-spawn to his half. "No, you haven't. Not that I would need you too." Clio never looked up from her work. The fact that she knew very well the last time a Gryffindor told Snape he was wrong they had ended up in the hospital wing made her suspect that he was trying to oil her up.

"Of course not, your lover boy Remus, tells you, right?"

Clio chose to ignore that. Snape (wrongly) took it as a sign to continue. "What is it you see in those boys? Potter's full of himself and Black is certainly on the way to a private cell in Azcaban. That Petigrew boy is obviously a squib and well, let's just say that Lupin hasn't always been truthful to you, now has he?" Clio frowned slightly and shook her head. It was the closest thing to a response he'd gotten so far. His excitement rose and, looking like a viper, he slithered in for the kill, "You know, I know. Why not?"

"Why not what?"

"Come on Clio, I know you want to…he doesn't trust you. Why should you trust him? Just do it, spill the beans, you can take over."

"What are you babbling on about Snape?" Clio still didn't look up and was talking out of the corner of her frowning mouth.

"With him out of the way, you're top dog, or should I say top owl?" Clio stiffened visibly, Snape leaned into her ear, "Stand up, shout it out. Remus is a-"

CLANG

Up went the potion ingredients.

Down came a tray.

Right square on Snape's head.

Clio's movements went by so fast that it looked like she simply spilled her things. Of course, Snape on the ground cradling his greasy head made it look a little more conspicuous.

In the back of the class, Thalia and Lilly were sharing a very large grin.

"Miss Aglaria, is there a problem?"

"No sir, I just spilled my tray."

"Sloppy child! See me after class for your punishment!"

"Yes sir." Clio wasn't upset. She had a perfect record, no other teacher in the school would agree to a detention for spilling your things. As professor Malfoy reared his ugly head to the other side of the class, Clio bent down towards Snape, "So, that's a sprained wrist, a partial concussion and two warnings: Leave us be."

*`*`*

The gang was half way up to the Gryffindor tower when, "Lily!"

"Erg, so close."

"Lily, I have a proposition for you." Snape said formally, glaring at his rivals over Lily's shoulder

"She doesn't want to hear it Snape, come on Lil'." James protectively tried to turn her away.

"No, I'll meet you guys later in the tower." The group reluctantly turned up to the stairway and left Lily alone to face Snape. "What is it?"

"You and Potter seem pretty cozy all of the sudden." Lily didn't take to the bate, Snape tried another tactic. "What are you doing tonight Lily?"

"None of your business Snape."

"Why isn't it?"

"Look, I'll do what I do every night. I'll eat dinner, I'll talk with my friends and then a I'll try to wade through all the homework your evil house head gave me."

"I could help you with that homework."

"I don't need help from you Snape, in case you forgot, I am the one of the best students at Hogwarts, and the other four are all in my house. So if I need help, I won't be rushing to your side."

"Tut, tut Lily, one of these days you'll be begging for my help."

Lily's eyes narrowed, "Listen Severus, I really doubt that you chased me through three corridors to offer me help with potions."

Snape blinked, no one called him by his first name, "To right," he said recovering. "I just thought you should know that I'll be watching you tonight."

"Why tonight?" Lily asked squirming.

"Because tonight is the full moon, lovers will be out. You and Potter planning to sneak out under that infernal cloak of his?"

"You don't know what you're talking about Snape, just keep your greasy head out of our business and you'll be fine."

"I don't think I could do that, not after such an inviting challenge as the one Thalia gave me this morning. I'll see you tonight, but you won't see me," and he slithered away.

***

Lily sighed in relief and turned around, smack into James, who pulled her into a hug. He had just enough time to whisper, "play along," before she pulled away, bewildered.

"Lily, what happened. Did he hurt you?"

Lily appeared confused for a moment, but recovered saying, "Um, no. I mean, I'm fine James."

"Come here baby, let's talk." James grinned, pulling Lily into an empty classroom. She'd never wanted to hit him so hard in her life. Well, in the last hour anyway. She decided, once again, that two could play at this game. "Oh Jamie! I think he knows!"

James eyes flickered to the door where a poorly concealed Snape was listening. "So what if he does?"

"So what if he does? We could get expelled that's all!"

"Come on Lily, this is making Remus happy!"

"Who cares about Remus! My reputation is on the line here!" James winced; Lily was too good an actress. She mouthed sorry to him before continuing, "Look James, me and you have been together for a long time, but I'm just not sure I can keep up all these lies."

"Lily, baby, do you think you can do this just once more? For the gang, for me?" Lily rolled her eyes mouthing something along the lines of, "you weirdo," before dramatically replying, "I think…no wait. I just can't anymore! Tonight's off, the girls and I are sick of this, if you go down, you're not taking us with you!" She broke into a sob and dashed out of the classroom. James pretended to look devastated until he saw Snape go and then high tailed it to the Common Room, looking for Lily and wondering if he was going to get punished for what they just did. He found her at the usual spot, arguing with Sirius about what he was, and was not, to do in the back of Divination, even if it was stupid subject.

"Hey baby, great performance." Everyone's mouth dropped at the word baby and the fact that said word was directed at Lily. Their jaws dropped even further when Lily responded, "No problem Jamie, sweetie. You weren't too bad yourself."

"Am I missing something?" Sirius asked feeling James forehead.

"Yes!" The duo collapsed, laughing, into their seats and started saying things like, "Did you see his face?" and, "Did I ever, thought he was going to turn purple!"

"What happened?" Everyone chorused

"We just staged a little show for Snape. He now thinks the girls are staying at home tonight, and that Lily and I are two very dramatic and forlorn lovers."

"EH?"

"Brilliant isn't it?"

"Brilliant was not the word we were thinking of, no…" Thalia and Clio muttered, sharing concerned and doubtful looks with their partners.

"Hi guys!" piped Peter as he joined the group.

"Hey Peter, where have you been?"

"Hospital wing."

"We won't ask."

"Thanks."

*`*`*

About twenty minutes later, everyone sat on a couch in the Gryffindor common room. They had just finished comparing what they had all done and said that day. It seemed as if Snape hadn't managed to get any new information on them. Also, from what their sources said, he hadn't told Malfoy, Crabbe, or Goyle yet, and didn't seem to keen on the idea.

"I guess he realizes what idiots they truly are." Sirius said as he stared into the fire.

"Well, if he doesn't tell them before the full moon tonight then we're set. You guys can slip out a lot easier. As for slipping out, I'm gone," Remus got up and hesitantly started to make for the portrait hole, then spun around. "You know, you don't have to do this. It's getting far more dangerous than it started out to be, and I don't want you getting into anymore trouble on my account."

Lily waved a hand, "Remus, you're our friend, it doesn't matter how bad it gets."

"Besides, we're not going to let you have all the fun!" James grinned

Remus broke into a smile, but it quickly began to fade. "But, you've never seen me in this state, I do get kind of…"

"Freaky?" Sirius offered

"Odd," Peter suggested

"Werewolf-ish" James stated finally.

"Exactly." Remus confirmed.

"Remus, don't be stupid, we've been watching you guys in our animal forms since first year. I think you look quite dashing as a sheep in wolfs clothing."

Everyone laughed and Remus said, "Thanks Clio" and kissed her on the cheek.

After Remus walked out and the laughter subsided as Lilly looked at Clio's face, "Calm down Hon, it can't be healthy to turn that red!"

"Shut up!"

And a pillow fight commenced.

*`*`*`*`*

Down in the Slytherin Common Room, Snape knew something was amiss. James and Lily were sworn enemies, why the sudden change to the most dramatic couple in Hogwarts? He wrote it off as a small, miscalculated glitch. After all, his mind was to brilliant a thing to waist to spend his hours contemplating the dismal love lives of the Gryffindor's. But still…

"Malfoy!"

"Yes, Snape?"

"I want you and your goons to tag those insufferable girls that hang around James, Sirius and them. Don't let them out of your sight."

"We'll take care of it," Malfoy nodded, grinning nastily. "But why?"

"Don't concern yourself with particulars! Just do it!" Snape barked, bringing out his wand.

"Sure, fine, whatever, I'll go tell the others."

Snape calmed down as Malfoy slithered out of sight, 'He's been far too easy to control lately, something is amiss there as well. But soon, I'll be able to control those pathetic Gryffindor's too.'

*`*`*`*`*

In the girls' dorm room, an odd conversation was taking place:

"Just a little bit more! Push!"

"I am pushing!"

"Well push harder!"

*`*`*

The same seemed to be happening in the boys':

"Pull!"

"I'm pulling, I'm pulling!

"Almost have it…."

"YES!"

"The last boulder between our rooms is gone!"

*`*`*

They had decided to finish the passage; since staying close was more important than ever now.

"Do you guys think we can get through alright?" Lily asked poking her head in.

"I guess…"

"You'd better not… I think I'll put some strengthening charms and transfigure some rocks into support seems. That way one of us won't get caught in a cave in."

"Well, how long will that take?" Sirius wined

"It'll be ready soon, I just need to look it over in this book…"

"Oh gimmee!" James grabbed the book Clio was showing them through the whole and scanned it over. "Support beams coming through!" He held his wand out with grandeur and frowned as all of them took cover. "Hey people, I know what I'm doing!"

As if to proof his words, several rocks grew into steel beams and fastened themselves around the passage. "See?"

"Great job James!" Lily said approvingly looking in the hole.

"Never thought I'd see the day…." Thalia trailed off dumbstruck.

Everyone was looking back and fourth between the two. "What!" Lily demanded.

"You just said, good job, to James!"

"Well, he did do a good job on the wall."

"So, you finally admit I'm better than you?"

"Shut up Prongsy, I still think you're a prick!"

"Am not!

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Oh shut up! I thought you guys had finally come to your senses, but I suppose that's to much to ask?"

"Damn strait." James said defiantly

"You idiot!" Lily crawled through the whole and smacked him.

"Ouch!"

"Lily, stop beating James and strengthen this wall will you?" Still beating James with one hand, Lily charmed the tunnel.

Clio sighed, "Close enough, I'll just finish it off here…." She took out her wand and set the whole passage in red floors, roof, and walls, making it smooth and so no dirt got on your robes when you crawled through, "…and to add a little comfort…" She mumbled placing gold pillows and the Gryffindor banner in it. "For the final touch, Thalia, please hand me your stuffed Lion."

"My what?"

"Just do it!"

"Okay…." Thalia went over to her bed and grabbed her golden lion with the red collar that Sirius had one at the fair in Hogsmead for her. "Here," she said handing it over.

Cleo set the stuffed Lion in the passage and waved her wand, it began to grow almost instantly. "Gryffindor lion, guard this passageway and the dorms it leads to. The password for entry is "Lily and James are in love."

"WHAT!" Lily and James hollered, stopping their beating on one another for a moment.

"Deal with it you two."

The golden lion nodded and shrunk back to the size of a teddy bear.

"A lot of good that's going to do" Peter said, glancing at the teddy bear doubtfully.

"He'll get bigger and more aggressive when someone tries to enter our dorms and the passage." Clio said proudly patting its head.

"Oh… and were did you learn that little trick?" Peter edged away from the passage slightly and sat on his bed.

Clio shrugged, "Around."

"Alright, let me have a go." Thalia jumped into the passage and instantly the cute teddy lion grew to monstrous proportions.

"State your business," it demanded.

"Don't take that tone with me Gryffy! I cuddled you one to many times for that attitude!"

The lion cocked its head in confusion and said, "Do you know the password? If you don't, I'll have to eat you."

Despite the fact that her own stuffed animal was threatening to eat her, Thalia had to laugh at its innocent declaration. "The password is Lily and James are in love and you're not supposed to eat me! This is my passageway!"

The lion, fairly confused, merely smiled and shrank back to its original size, letting Thalia pass.

The first thing she did was drag the kicking and screaming Lily and James apart and take away their wands. James had transfigured Lily's hair into snakes and Lily had charmed James's shoes so that he couldn't stop dancing a jig. Then she kissed Sirius on the cheek and said, "Man, all that work and your room is a mess. No idea of presentation I see?"

All around the room, clothes, homework and other objects relating to pranking were strewn. "What?" the boys' all asked defensively

"Please don't tell me this is clean." Clio asked, climbing through

"Well, if you're so spiffy, let's see your rooms."

The girls led the boys through the other side of the passage and into a tasteful and stylishly decorated, perfectly clean, room.

"How do you do your work, think up pranks, fight with us, train as naturals, and keep your room clean?"

"One simple and logical answer," Lily stated, "Girls."

"Are," Clio continued.

"Better." Thalia finished.

"That's helpful." James said bored

"Come on guys, back to your room, its lights out. Hey…where's Peter?"

"That little rats probably being berated by someone somewhere…" Sirius yawned.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm just kidding, he fell asleep in the middle of the pushing and pulling."

"What time are we due to meet?"

"In two hours, Filch will be past the great hall doors and you can sneak out under the cloak. We'll be waiting for you by the edge of the forest."

"You'd better be there."

"Oh don't worry, we will."

*`*`*`*`*

Three hours later, Peter, James and Sirius began what had become the monthly ritual in their last year. They waited until after the moon rose and slipped under James' cloak. Lily was waiting outside the portrait hole for them. "Good luck with your half," She whispered to James and the others as they passed, making there way towards the great oak doors at the front of the castle. By now, Remus would have begun his transformation, and by the time they reached the tree, it would be complete. They paused in front of the willow to change into their perspective animal forms, making sure to stay out of reach of its angry branches. Peter went first, skidding through the wild arms to get to the knob. No matter how many times they saw him do this, James and Sirius couldn't bear to watch. Even if they did tease him from time to time, Peter was their best friend, and they didn't need to see him get mangled, or worse. And this time, with all the extra pressure, they stopped breathing altogether. Finally, hearing Peter's squeaky single of clearance, they ran through the opening before it snapped shut. Huddled together they raced on each of their four legs to come into the "living room" of the shack, only to be greeted with a sight that had unfortunately become normal, they're best friend as a werewolf.

For a moment they just stared at one another. Sirius took four slow steps up to Remus' side and, together, they let out one, long and haunted howl. The first signal to begin the nights adventures.

*`*`*

The girls went over their altered plans one more time before setting off. Lily was to go downstairs claiming to use the Prefects bathroom (she had an all-night hall pass for being a Perfect in the running for the coveted Head Girl position). Then be seen by the Slytherin lackeys and possibly Snape himself and, if at all possible, slip the information about where the other girls were hanging out as well. Afterwards she was to head strait back before the moon came out, and let the boys out from the portrait whole. Clio was positioned in the owlry, looking like she was sending and note to her mum, when in fact, sending one to Thalia, who would be waiting for the signal in the Myths class room (Midnight-Sensei had allowed them use for it whenever they wanted). If found, Thalia would say she was studying. This in fact proved just how stupid the Slytherin Lackeys were, because anyone who believed that Thalia would spend her Friday night off studying was quit an idiot. Thalia would quickly fly to the waiting Lily; and together they would wait in the oak tree for Clio and eventually meet up with the boys by the edge of the forest. Confused? So were they.

*`*`*

Lily raced down the hallway, "How on earth did I get into all this?" Lily was all for adventure, but if anybody had told her that all of her actions in the past five years would lead to running up and down the virtually haunted halls of Hogwarts, LOOKING for Severus Snape. Then high tailing it to keep a date with three Animagi's and a werewolf; she would have not only said that they were crazy, she would have hexed them. Yet, here she was doing just that and the scariest part of it all was it made perfect sense to her. Stopping in front of the perfects bathroom, she checked her watch and muttered, "10:30, right on time."

Snape was in fact the Slytherin Perfect, much to Lily's disgust, and always passed the bathroom around this time on his, "Patrol."

"Evens," he said nodding to her in passing as he jotted down a quick note on the slimy clipboard that he always took along on his rounds.

"Snape," she responded just as mechanically, before turning to the bathroom.

It took him until he was halfway down the corridor before Snape realized the significance of what he had just seen. "Evens?" he said in a more conversational tone. "Don't you and your boyfriends have a date tonight?"

"What on earth are you going on about now Snape?" she replied, bored.

"Nothing, I just never knew you and Potter were such a thrilling couple."

"What does it concern you?"

"Professor Malfoy wants me to keep an eye on all of you."

"Oh, he does, does he?"

"Yes, and all of your little friends seem to be missing tonight."

Lily squirmed, "Thalia is studying in the Myths library, and Clio said something about owling her mum." Snape waited, "I have no idea where the boys are." She snapped and strode into the bathroom, slamming the door. At the same moment, Malfoy and his lackeys came into view.

"You three, I need you to guard this door tonight, when Evens comes out, tail her to the common room and make sure she doesn't leave the Gryffindor tower. I also need you to watch her two friends, Aglaria is in the owlry, and Karasuko-" Snape angrily rubbed his wrist "-is in the Myths class through the Great Hall."

Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle all looked dumbstruck, "How on earth are we supposed to tail all three at once?"

"Split up, you idiots."

"What about Potter and his groupies."

"I'll take care of them, just do what you're told."

Snape strode off in a huff, and Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle looked at each other, "I'll show him one day, mark my word, I will get Snape." Crabbe and Goyle gave the same response to this statement that they gave to all of Lucious,' a basic bout of nodding and flexing their muscles. "Goyle, you stay here, Crabbe, go tale Clio, I'll take care of Thalia."

*`*`*

Lily, who was eavesdropping on the opposite side of the door, heard it all. She couldn't believe it, one sleep charm through the door, and she was home free. After letting the boys' out, she could fly out of the first available window, and wait for the rest in the Old Oak tree. Goyle's last memories that night was of hearing a feminine voice mumbled a charm, and seeing a small shadow transform from a girl, to a wide winged bird, as his eyes involuntarily snapped closed. His next memory was of Snape and Malfoy simultaneously hollering at him for "Sleeping on the job."

*`*`*

Clio heard the thumping of Crabbe's huge feet a mile away. She hid the signal letter in her cloak and began to write a fake one to her mum. Crabbe came walked into the owlry and saw Clio sitting on the windowsill, busily scribbling away, she looked up when he entered and then went back to writing. He was undoubtedly dumbstruck, how on earth did you tale a person? He pretended to choose and owl and crabbed a near by piece of parchment. He looked up as Clio sent her owl out the window. She turned to him, saying, "Lovely night, isn't it Crabbe? To bad you'll be seeing it from the floor. Petrificus Totalus!" And so, with a body bind curse and a swirl of feathers, Clio was out of the Owlry and half way across the lake.

*`*`*

Thalia had just read over Clio's message when the door opened. She looked up eagerly, expecting Snape and hoping to finish her previous wrist work, but her face fell when Malfoy walked in. Not flanked, for the first time since he was six, by his cronies. Thalia barely had time to realize that this meant Snape was still not taken care of before he spoke, "Odd time to be doing homework, even for you."

"You should know by now that I like doing things the odd way." She set down her book and began ruffling through the shelves and boxes for a new one.

"How many of those bloody things have you read?"

"Eight so far tonight, eleven last night, ten the night before, and thirteen last Tuesday."

"I haven't even read that many this fucking year!"

"Why I am I not surprised?"

"What on earth could be so damn interesting?"

Thalia winced inside; did this guy really have to swear ever sentence? Maybe she would take Clio's advice and quit cursing…"Actually, it's the things that aren't about this earth that interest me." Seeing the blank look on Malfoy's face she continued, "I'm reading up on my heritage for the debate I have coming up."

"You're Greek?"

"Yes."

"And Japanese?"

"Yes"

"Well, what's so amazing about that?"

If the time hadn't been running short, Thalia would have taken him out, then and there.

"It just happens that I'm related to some very old families, have you ever heard of Artemis, Malfoy?"

"Doesn't ring a bell."

Thalia growled and made to leave, "Where do you think you're going?" Malfoy said, standing in her way.

"I'm going where I please."

"Oh no your not, I didn't want it to come to this, but you have to stay here." He pulled put his wand.

Thalia raised her hands to show they weren't near her wand. "What's wrong with you?"

"I'm under strict orders to keep you here."

"Like hell you are!" 'Oops, there goes that resolution.' She reprimanded herself. "Look Lucious, you may be able to push your girlfriend around like this but-" Thalia paused as the clock chimed eleven. This was really bad, Snape was running loose and she was already late. It was time for an efficient escape. While Malfoy was still distracted by the clock, she made a quick hand gesture and his wand flew out of his hand to hers. Saying a quick jelly leg curse, she jumped out the window, turning into a raven as she did so.

*`*`*

"Its about TIME!" Was Thalia's only greeting. Both Clio and Lilly had been waiting for her in the old oak tree.

"Oh bite me!" Thalia, apparently, was in no mood to be yelled at.

"Someone beat us to it, what took you so long?"

Thalia's hand flew to her neck and she blushed, "Good and bad news. The good news is Malfoy has a serious case of jelly leg and might have minor balding when he's older." She grinned.

"And?" Clio prompted

"Bad new is, Snape's still at large."

"I know," Lily nodded, "but we have to find the guys before they do something stupid, like try to rescue us."

There was a murmur of agreement as Lily, Thalia and Clio (or Pele, Nut and Athens, as they were called in such forms) flew out from the tree and onto the roof of Hagrid's hut. Down below, three frightening figures and a rat loomed by the edge of the forest. Lily giggled as an idea formed in her mind and before the others could stop her, she had dove strait for Prongs.

*`*`*

From her perch above them all, Midnight-sensei noticed just how odd they looked then. Immerging from the woods was an owl perched on a werewolf, a Raven riding on the tale of a huge black dog and last, but certainly not least, a very irritated stag, with a glowingly smug Phoenix on its antlers. "Yes, they'll do just fine," she thought affectionately. "But what's the harm in guiding there way a little tonight?" Pixie Midnight quickly sent a burst of sparks over a certain special place in the forest before setting off back into the castle… yes, they'd do just fine.

*`*`*

"What was that?" Prongs asked, titling his antlers up to look, almost causing Pele to fall off of them in the process.

"Sparks." Pele answered irritated.

"I know that genius, why were they there?"

"Sparks just don't appear on their own, so either deep in the forest there's someone with a wand, or the Elves are up to their games…Imps could be at it too," Nut responded

"House Elves don't like Imps." Moony said, giving his first point of communication since his monstrous howl.

"Who said anything about house elves? I'm talking real elves."

"Elves? In our forest? But we've been all over that place and there hasn't been any sign that might imply an Elf." Padfoot was wide eyed

"Then there most certainly are elves in there, elves leave evidence in places they aren't, and you'd never know where they really were." It was amazing that while being a bird, Athens still could give her patented know it all look.

"But, why send out sparks now?"

"Major party time, looks like adventure found us!" Nut was hopping all over Padfoots' back, much to his annoyance.

Pele grinned, "Adventure, serious trouble…same difference I suppose." While they bounded off in search of the mysterious creatures, Snape stepped off the bottom step of the castle. He too had seen the sparks, and headed strait for them.

Oh the world has sat in the palm of my hand

Not that you'd see

And I'm tired and bored of waiting for you

And all those things, you never do

'Cause it's me, and my life,

It's my life,

It's my life

*`*`*`*`*

A.N. Yes, I am the queen of cliffhangers! ::cackles:: Excuse me, I got carried away. Many thanks to Rosewind Star for perfecting this chapter with me; may our brick walls crumble girl! And also to everyone who ever reviewed this. I posted it a long time ago, under the name of "The Animagi, bold, brilliant, and the Amazing," but in all honesty it was a mess. The fonts changed, the story line was slightly off and…well, you think I have grammar issues now? Ha! You should have seen it then. So I'm calling this affectionately Version 2.0 and here it stands. I'm going to complete this year at Hogwarts for our freaky crew and then who knows. I might try to say what happens when Harry comes in his fifth year to find out his Parents secrets…then again, I might not! The song is "My Life" by Dido from the "No Angel" album. I had a heck of a hard time deciding between this and the song "Slide" off of the same album. If you know the song and have an opinion about which you prefer, I'd love to hear it, who knows, you might change something in the story for the better. R&R!