A/N- *storms around the room, ranting* Bloody JKR! She killed him, she
killed him! And almost everyone loves him, too! How could she?!
Er, Beth? You need to type the next chapter. Besides, I'm still here, you don't have to take what she says for gospel.
I know, I know, Sirius, but I'm still mad at her. (to readers) As you can see, I've read Order of the Phoenix and I'm royally hacked off. So I'm going to continue this fic as if the book was never published, cause I can't stand to have Sirius dead or stuck with such awful bigots and arseholes for family. There, I said it, and I've gotten some of it out of my system. Therefore, I will now proceed with the chapter. Thanks go out to all my reviewers, you give me the courage to go on!
Bonds of Pain
Chapter 19
In which there is practice, final transformations, and a shocking article
Severus raked a hand through his hair and sighed when his fingers came back thoroughly soaked. Either my water-repellent charm isn't as good as I thought, or someone thinks it's ruddy fun to put holes in it. The former was as unlikely as the latter was probable. After all, he was supervising Quidditch practice for Gryffindor.
"Professor Snape!" His head jerked up at the sound of his name. One of the Tyrbinn twins-a pair in line to pick up when the Weasley twins graduated-zipped towards him on a borrowed school broom, Beater's bat in hand.
"Duck, sir!" the first-year shouted. His reflexes on a hair-trigger as usual, Severus curled into a ball and slipped to the floor between two rows of stands. Seconds later there was a loud crack! of bat on metal. Looking up, Severus saw the first-year boy climb back onto the battered broom.
"Bloody dangerous game," the Potions Master muttered. The only reason he had agreed to watch the practice for Minerva and Xiomara zoomed across the pitch in front of him, nearly seventy feet from the muddy grass. Draco's near-white locks almost shone, making him a beacon in the rain. It was impossible to tell if the teen held the Quaffle against his scarlet robes, but the activity of the golden-robed starting Chasers around him led Severus to believe his godson was trouncing the more experienced players at their own game.
The Gryffindors were playing a scrimmage match, pitting the reserve team (Weasley, Malfoy, McDonald, Tyrbinn, Tyrbinn, Buell, and Creevey) against the starting team (Johnson, Spinnet, Bell, Weasley, Weasley, Weasley, and Potter). The only reason the starters were anywhere near being competition for the younger players was the fact that their Keeper was able to block most shots. Granger, who sat in the announcer's box, was keeping score. Severus was sorely tempted to join the girl and get out of the downpour.
A fat raindrop eventually made its way through the slender man's water shield and plopped in the middle of the book he was trying to read. He let loose a strangled scream before standing. Growling to himself, Severus stomped into the nearby stairtower and climbed until he emerged in the sheltered box at the top.
"Ruddy British weather." he grumbled. The brunette sitting at the rail jumped in surprise, managing to fall off her seat.
"Professor!" Hand to her heart, Granger scowled at him, and he flinched. That was a moderately frightening expression when worn by the smartest Gryffindor he had ever encountered. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
Rolling his eyes, Severus claimed one of the middle benches against the wall and stretched his legs along the worn wood. "I'd much rather be at home than anywhere near this blasted country in this weather."
"Really? And where might 'home' be?" the girl asked, her tone scathing.
"One of the many small islands in the Aegean, actually, Miss Granger. I inherited the Manor, and it's always been my favourite place." No, he didn't care for the glamour of living in Paris, Rome, or any of the other hundreds of cities bustling with human life. His quiet island soothed him at every visit. The wild-born horses and the island's native creatures were enough company for him, and salt air proved sufficient to prevent colds.
"Greece? I've been to Athens. I wish I could just prowl around the ruins and explore. Mount Olympus had the most exhilarating view, as well." Merlin, the girl could be a walking advert for the Greek tourism department.
"You haven't really seen Greece until you stay in one of the little farming communities in hill country, where they still live their lives as the ancients did." Those hamlets accepted wizardry as normal, for the most part, sometimes relying on it in times of need. He didn't need to dress up as a Muggle there, nor did he have to deal with much Muggle technology. So he had a computer. That didn't mean that he got along with electronics. He counted himself lucky that it still worked, let alone that it was in "wonderful condition" according to his former student.
"I wonder if Mum and Dad would be up to another trip to the Mediterranean." From the sound of things, Granger would leave him alone for now. Severus happily returned to reading his book.
The practice match stretched on, with neither Potter nor Creevey spotting the Snitch in the continued downpour. No matter who caught the prize, it looked as though the reserves would win. Draco and the two younger girls were beyond the talents of the female trio that had seemed unbeatable just two years earlier. As the faint light of day dimmed, there were more near accidents in the muck, until Potter blew his whistle to call the match. Instead of landing outside, the payers simply flew straight into the locker rooms, trying to get warm and dry as soon as possible. Granger left the box, opening a large blue parasol when she emerged some metres below. She sprinted across the field to meet Brown, who had been watching from near one set of goals.
"Blasted rain," Severus grumped as he stood. A sneeze from nowhere nearly doubled him over. How long would it be before he could spend all year at home?
Still muttering to himself, the lanky wizard left the pitch and made his way back to the castle through the sheets of falling water. He sneezed several times before he reached the doors, determined to use some of the Pepper-up he had brewed but not yet delivered to the infirmary. Then, once he stopped steaming, he would float the lot to its destination. He had already measured out doses into phials and corked them; all that remained to do was the delivery itself.
Two thirds of the way to his lab-on the second floor, contrary to rumours he had heard for years-he could have sworn he heard the yowling cry of a jungle cat. Frowning and dismissing his suspicions, he continued down the hall. Ten steps later, the unmistakeable roar of a dominant lion shook the walls.
"What in the name of all the household gods is a lion doing in the school?!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry flexed his claws before lifting his right front paw to clean between the pads. The Quidditch team had not been out in the rain since they entered the locker rooms. Weeks earlier, as the weather was beginning to turn, Harry had leaned against one of the open lockers and triggered the opening of a secret passage that the Marauders had obviously never found. Upon exploration, the tunnel proved to end behind a tapestry on the second floor, less than a hundred feet from the Dream Team's empty classroom and right next to Myrtle's bathroom. Gryffindor hadn't walked in the rain since.
Over the past day, Myrtle had been out and about, leaving her bathroom unoccupied while in search of her murderer. Few had noticed this absence, though McGonagall had asked-and been told-what happened.
A rumble built in Harry's massive chest as he looked at his friends. They had reached the point where they were almost into their final Animagus forms. Hermione had turned one wall of their classroom into a mirror so they could see their new selves from head to toe- or tail.
Harry had been the first to completely change. Two minutes later, a slight popping noise heralded Ron's change into a truly massive lion, his rufous mane tousled.
"Ron. You're absolutely gigantic," 'Mione said, awe in her voice. "It's like Aslan come to life." She put a hand on the peak of her boyfriend's shoulders, having to reach just above her head to do so. Draco, his hands folded behind his back, paced around both Harry and Ron as the two felines stood side by side.
"Harry's big, about the size of a large tiger. Ron, however. your shoulder's at five foot six, give or take an inch or two." Harry, with his newly sensitive hearing, registered a pleased rumble from his red-haired friend. Smiling inside, the black panther let loose with a hunting cry. Chuckling, the blond human waggled a finger in his ear.
When Ron's rumbles began to build seconds later, Harry winced. With those lungs, a roar in the smallish room could burst human eardrums.
~Draco, you and the girls had better cover your ears but good. He's gonna roar!~ His warning caused the other boy to clap his hands over his ears and motion for the girls to do the same. It was none too soon, as Ron exercised his vocal cords. The windows shook, and everyone cringed.
{Bloody hell. I bet the whole school heard that.}
~I'm not taking that bet. I am changing back, though.~ Harry concentrated and was back in his human form with a small pop. Ron followed suit, his human face flaming.
"Sorry. Didn't realize it'd be so sodding loud," he apologized. Instead of rebuking him for language as usual, Hermione just hugged him.
"You're beautiful as a lion, love. Marvellous." Harry rolled his eyes, but no one noticed. Ginny grinned before narrowing her eyes and frowning, and with a slight pop became a red-and-brown songbird. She flew over to Harry and lit on his finger before trilling a sweet melody.
"Cardinal, I think," 'Mione mused, looking at the bird. "Female, of course. The males are completely red."
Lavender grinned, winked at Draco, and closed her eyes. Pop. The large cotton-tailed rabbit tried a few short hops before settling herself on the blond boy's feet.
"You're at least the size of a hare, Lav," Harry remarked. "Not that many would notice unless you were around other rabbits." The long ears waggled in what he could swear was a laugh. Draco blinked down at the furry lump on his feet.
"Um, Lav, my feet are getting a mite warm like this. Do you mind?" The ears flattened, but Lav hopped off to one side and became human again. A pouting human. Ginny the cardinal fluttered from Harry's finger and popped back into her normal shape before wrapping her arms around her boyfriend's waist.
"'Mione, it's your turn now. And Dragon's," Ron added almost as an afterthought. Despite nearly two months of working on friendship with the blond, the name "Draco" still carried venomously negative feelings for the Keeper, who used the English translation of the name for the boy.
At the comment from Ron, Draco raised an eyebrow. {Ha, I'll show him,} Harry heard his friend's mental bass mutter. Another pop sounded, and the aristocratic young wizard turned into a large albino boa constrictor with eyes of polished silver.
~Er, Draco, you're lots bigger than McGonagall's potion showed you.~ Even loosely coiled, the serpent was knee height and spread over three feet in diameter. Harry stood, stunned, as Lavender squealed and sat to stroke the cream-and-gold scales.
Mmm, the snake hissed, I could get used to this. Ooh, right there. Aah.
Enjoying yourself, mate? Harry asked in slippery Parseltongue. The triangular head snapped up, and the silvery eyes focussed on the dark- haired boy.
You. Argh. I forgot you were a Parselmouth. Draco the snake smacked his head with his tail tip. Quite amused at this behaviour, Harry chuckled, which set everyone else off. The blond returned to his human form once the group had calmed down.
"Now that I'm the last to transform," Hermione said, one hand to her brow in drama queen fashion, "I shall proceed apace." The hand dropped, one hazel eye winked, and a large barn owl stood in her place. It-or rather, she-made a shuddering motion that settled every feather on her back. Then Hermione fixed her large owl eyes on SkyStrike, perched atop a chair, and hooted. The hawk mantled briefly but then squawked back. The owl blinked and become Hermione again.
"I can talk to him," she breathed, awe in her voice. "I become a bird of prey, and I can understand everything he says. Ron, he hates how your room is a disaster and he wants a proper perch so he can stop damaging furniture."
Ron blinked and then smiled. "Right then, feathery mate of mine, we'll get a perch through Owl Order, and I'll clean some this evening." The elegant raptor spread wings and tail, making a vaguely happy-sounding cry. Ron chuckled. "He's been pestering me about that all day, but I wasn't quite sure whether it was him or my conscience putting ideas in my head." The group shared another round of laughter, opening the door and bound for the Tower five floors above.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Seating himself beside Lavender at the Gryffindor table for breakfast Tuesday morning, Draco felt slightly uneasy. He had heard Harry thrashing in the wee hours, but the sounds might have been the ordinary nightmare the younger boy had claimed. Sneaking a glance at his friend, he couldn't tell whether the other had told him the truth.
Sometime during his rasher of bacon, the morning post came. His eagle owl, Nightlife, landed with the Daily Prophet and waited for its master's reward. The faithful bird got a fair chunk of bacon before it flew off. As soon as the newspaper was unrolled, however, several nearby students dropped their silver in shock.
Azkaban Taken!
By Rita Skeeter
Early this morning, an attack on Azkaban prison by cloaked
wizards erupted into a deadly fight when Aurors stationed on the
island tried to defend themselves. The Dementors took the side of the
invaders, administering the Kiss to two top Aurors. As far as anyone
knows, the wizards who attacked were Death Eaters, leaving the Dark
Mark in the sky and killing those prisoners and staff they did not
take with them. Among the missing prisoners are the Lestranges and
Lucius Malfoy, all three convicted Death Eaters. Not a single
Dementor remains on the island, and officials fear that the creatures
are allying themselves once again with the minions of You-Know-Who.
Since the end of June, there have been rumours that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-
Named has risen again, supported by the testimony of Harry Potter at
the end of the TriWizard Tournament. Could this be true? The
evidence at Azkaban leads us to believe so. Why, then, did Minister
Fudge not reduce the number of Dementors on guard and increase Auror
strength? Surely he did not take the words of the Boy-Who-Lived for
granted? Why has nothing been done?
A photo had been printed between the headline and the article. It showed the Dark Mark hovering over a bleak cellblock, with occasional Aurors moving in and out, gathering evidence.
"Jesus H. Christ." someone muttered. Draco was in shock. Lucius and the Lestranges were free. He knew the Lestranges had tortured people to the point of insanity, and his mother was proof of how sadistic Lucius was.
"Harry, I think we're in deep shite." The spectacled boy nodded gravely. Hermione sighed.
"I wish there were a way to protect my parents properly," she said. Ron wrapped a comforting arm around the brunette, and she put her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will take steps to protect all our families," Lav stated. She frowned, and Draco felt her slip her hand into his. He knew his cheeks were turning pink, but he didn't care as much as he would have.
"Um, Lav, would you go to the ball with me tomorrow night?" he asked quietly. He bit the inside of his cheek, hoping the honey-haired girl would say yes.
"Of course I will. You should have asked sooner, but we were a bit busy, weren't we?" The wry smile she flashed him went all the way to her twinkling blue-violet eyes.
"Yeah. At least they can dance now." He glanced at the other four students in their group. Harry and Ginny sat as close to each other as they could, their hands entwined. Ron and Hermione leaned against each other across the table, probably with arms about waists. Draco knew this was the start of frightening times for all of them, but the Weasleys and the Grangers were high-profile targets. The Grangers were Muggles, and the Weasleys had been staunch supporters of Dumbledore during the last reign of terror.
{Dammit, Draco,} Harry swore in their heads, {They're afraid. They're afraid for their families, and it's all Tom's fault. I swear by everything holy in this world, he will pay.} Draco blinked at his raven-haired friend.
~Calm down, mate. Deep breaths. Think happy thoughts.~ The blond put a comforting hand on the other boy's shoulder, and the fire blazing in the green eyes subsided to a calm flicker.
{Thanks.} The quiet thought drifted across the bond, reassuring Draco that the Boy Wonder had a grip on his anger again.
~I'll go talk to Dumbledore, shall I?~ Not waiting for a response, the ex- Slytherin stood, releasing Lavender's hand and stepping over the bench. He gave the others a reassuring nod and strode to the head table. The wizened man at the centre of the table saw him and gestured to the seat beside him.
As Draco took the offered seat, he noticed that the Slytherin table was quite a bit subdued, even when compared to the other Houses. He thought inside how many were closely related to Death Eaters and came up with far too many. His godfather needed to know, for he would be their best hope of keeping those students-and others-from turning to the dark.
"Professor," he said quietly, "many of my friends are worried for their families, especially Lavender, Hermione, and the Weasleys. Will they be protected in this war?" For war it would be. Harry would surely be the poster boy for the forces of Light, perhaps even fighting on the front lines. He would be there, right beside his friend, of course.
"Miss Granger and Miss Brown's families will be contacted today and offered sanctuary here. The Weasleys will arrive Thursday morning, including Bill, Charlie, and Percy. Your friends need not fear, Mr. Malfoy."
"Thank you, sir." The blond turned to go, but he stopped when he realized one of his mind's wool-gatherings had just borne fruit.
"Harry's in that prophecy!" he hissed. "I only now realized. He's the symbol of the Light, the sixth Dreamer in the rhyme."
"Indeed. Miss Weasley is the Healer, if she hasn't already told you of her 'adventure' yesterday morning. If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Weasley." The headmaster left the thought hanging, and Draco picked it up.
". is the raging one. We thought it meant temper, but Blood Rage works, too." A quick glance at his friends showed Ron's hawk greedily gulping fried ham as the redhead glared at it.
The blond rubbed his chin in thought. The coincidence of having three of the prophesised Dreamers in the Dream Team was highly improbable. On the other hand, if the Dreamers were the Dream Team, then everything fit. Not only did it fit, but it did so perfectly. He himself had changed sides when he realized what was at stake. Lavender had hidden her Sight for two years. Ron had the Blood Rage, Ginny was a Healer. Hermione seemed to file every tidbit of information she read or heard. Harry was the poster boy the Light rallied around, because he had defeated this foe before.
"Gods," he breathed. This was monumental. They needed to talk about this, just the Dream Team and SkyStrike, away from prying eyes and long ears. Excusing himself to the headmaster, he rushed back to the table with his friends and sat down, leaning forward. "Lunchtime, let's all meet at La Rue." They had agreed to use Harry's name for their hideout. No one could touch them once they slid down the "rabbit hole." The other five nodded their understanding. It was going to be a long day.
You know, something always happens to Harry on Halloween. First year, it was the troll, second year had the first attack, third year Sirius knifed the Fat Lady, fourth year Harry's name came out of the Goblet. What will happen this year?
Review cause it makes me happy!
Beth Weasley
Er, Beth? You need to type the next chapter. Besides, I'm still here, you don't have to take what she says for gospel.
I know, I know, Sirius, but I'm still mad at her. (to readers) As you can see, I've read Order of the Phoenix and I'm royally hacked off. So I'm going to continue this fic as if the book was never published, cause I can't stand to have Sirius dead or stuck with such awful bigots and arseholes for family. There, I said it, and I've gotten some of it out of my system. Therefore, I will now proceed with the chapter. Thanks go out to all my reviewers, you give me the courage to go on!
Bonds of Pain
Chapter 19
In which there is practice, final transformations, and a shocking article
Severus raked a hand through his hair and sighed when his fingers came back thoroughly soaked. Either my water-repellent charm isn't as good as I thought, or someone thinks it's ruddy fun to put holes in it. The former was as unlikely as the latter was probable. After all, he was supervising Quidditch practice for Gryffindor.
"Professor Snape!" His head jerked up at the sound of his name. One of the Tyrbinn twins-a pair in line to pick up when the Weasley twins graduated-zipped towards him on a borrowed school broom, Beater's bat in hand.
"Duck, sir!" the first-year shouted. His reflexes on a hair-trigger as usual, Severus curled into a ball and slipped to the floor between two rows of stands. Seconds later there was a loud crack! of bat on metal. Looking up, Severus saw the first-year boy climb back onto the battered broom.
"Bloody dangerous game," the Potions Master muttered. The only reason he had agreed to watch the practice for Minerva and Xiomara zoomed across the pitch in front of him, nearly seventy feet from the muddy grass. Draco's near-white locks almost shone, making him a beacon in the rain. It was impossible to tell if the teen held the Quaffle against his scarlet robes, but the activity of the golden-robed starting Chasers around him led Severus to believe his godson was trouncing the more experienced players at their own game.
The Gryffindors were playing a scrimmage match, pitting the reserve team (Weasley, Malfoy, McDonald, Tyrbinn, Tyrbinn, Buell, and Creevey) against the starting team (Johnson, Spinnet, Bell, Weasley, Weasley, Weasley, and Potter). The only reason the starters were anywhere near being competition for the younger players was the fact that their Keeper was able to block most shots. Granger, who sat in the announcer's box, was keeping score. Severus was sorely tempted to join the girl and get out of the downpour.
A fat raindrop eventually made its way through the slender man's water shield and plopped in the middle of the book he was trying to read. He let loose a strangled scream before standing. Growling to himself, Severus stomped into the nearby stairtower and climbed until he emerged in the sheltered box at the top.
"Ruddy British weather." he grumbled. The brunette sitting at the rail jumped in surprise, managing to fall off her seat.
"Professor!" Hand to her heart, Granger scowled at him, and he flinched. That was a moderately frightening expression when worn by the smartest Gryffindor he had ever encountered. "Don't sneak up on me like that!"
Rolling his eyes, Severus claimed one of the middle benches against the wall and stretched his legs along the worn wood. "I'd much rather be at home than anywhere near this blasted country in this weather."
"Really? And where might 'home' be?" the girl asked, her tone scathing.
"One of the many small islands in the Aegean, actually, Miss Granger. I inherited the Manor, and it's always been my favourite place." No, he didn't care for the glamour of living in Paris, Rome, or any of the other hundreds of cities bustling with human life. His quiet island soothed him at every visit. The wild-born horses and the island's native creatures were enough company for him, and salt air proved sufficient to prevent colds.
"Greece? I've been to Athens. I wish I could just prowl around the ruins and explore. Mount Olympus had the most exhilarating view, as well." Merlin, the girl could be a walking advert for the Greek tourism department.
"You haven't really seen Greece until you stay in one of the little farming communities in hill country, where they still live their lives as the ancients did." Those hamlets accepted wizardry as normal, for the most part, sometimes relying on it in times of need. He didn't need to dress up as a Muggle there, nor did he have to deal with much Muggle technology. So he had a computer. That didn't mean that he got along with electronics. He counted himself lucky that it still worked, let alone that it was in "wonderful condition" according to his former student.
"I wonder if Mum and Dad would be up to another trip to the Mediterranean." From the sound of things, Granger would leave him alone for now. Severus happily returned to reading his book.
The practice match stretched on, with neither Potter nor Creevey spotting the Snitch in the continued downpour. No matter who caught the prize, it looked as though the reserves would win. Draco and the two younger girls were beyond the talents of the female trio that had seemed unbeatable just two years earlier. As the faint light of day dimmed, there were more near accidents in the muck, until Potter blew his whistle to call the match. Instead of landing outside, the payers simply flew straight into the locker rooms, trying to get warm and dry as soon as possible. Granger left the box, opening a large blue parasol when she emerged some metres below. She sprinted across the field to meet Brown, who had been watching from near one set of goals.
"Blasted rain," Severus grumped as he stood. A sneeze from nowhere nearly doubled him over. How long would it be before he could spend all year at home?
Still muttering to himself, the lanky wizard left the pitch and made his way back to the castle through the sheets of falling water. He sneezed several times before he reached the doors, determined to use some of the Pepper-up he had brewed but not yet delivered to the infirmary. Then, once he stopped steaming, he would float the lot to its destination. He had already measured out doses into phials and corked them; all that remained to do was the delivery itself.
Two thirds of the way to his lab-on the second floor, contrary to rumours he had heard for years-he could have sworn he heard the yowling cry of a jungle cat. Frowning and dismissing his suspicions, he continued down the hall. Ten steps later, the unmistakeable roar of a dominant lion shook the walls.
"What in the name of all the household gods is a lion doing in the school?!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry flexed his claws before lifting his right front paw to clean between the pads. The Quidditch team had not been out in the rain since they entered the locker rooms. Weeks earlier, as the weather was beginning to turn, Harry had leaned against one of the open lockers and triggered the opening of a secret passage that the Marauders had obviously never found. Upon exploration, the tunnel proved to end behind a tapestry on the second floor, less than a hundred feet from the Dream Team's empty classroom and right next to Myrtle's bathroom. Gryffindor hadn't walked in the rain since.
Over the past day, Myrtle had been out and about, leaving her bathroom unoccupied while in search of her murderer. Few had noticed this absence, though McGonagall had asked-and been told-what happened.
A rumble built in Harry's massive chest as he looked at his friends. They had reached the point where they were almost into their final Animagus forms. Hermione had turned one wall of their classroom into a mirror so they could see their new selves from head to toe- or tail.
Harry had been the first to completely change. Two minutes later, a slight popping noise heralded Ron's change into a truly massive lion, his rufous mane tousled.
"Ron. You're absolutely gigantic," 'Mione said, awe in her voice. "It's like Aslan come to life." She put a hand on the peak of her boyfriend's shoulders, having to reach just above her head to do so. Draco, his hands folded behind his back, paced around both Harry and Ron as the two felines stood side by side.
"Harry's big, about the size of a large tiger. Ron, however. your shoulder's at five foot six, give or take an inch or two." Harry, with his newly sensitive hearing, registered a pleased rumble from his red-haired friend. Smiling inside, the black panther let loose with a hunting cry. Chuckling, the blond human waggled a finger in his ear.
When Ron's rumbles began to build seconds later, Harry winced. With those lungs, a roar in the smallish room could burst human eardrums.
~Draco, you and the girls had better cover your ears but good. He's gonna roar!~ His warning caused the other boy to clap his hands over his ears and motion for the girls to do the same. It was none too soon, as Ron exercised his vocal cords. The windows shook, and everyone cringed.
{Bloody hell. I bet the whole school heard that.}
~I'm not taking that bet. I am changing back, though.~ Harry concentrated and was back in his human form with a small pop. Ron followed suit, his human face flaming.
"Sorry. Didn't realize it'd be so sodding loud," he apologized. Instead of rebuking him for language as usual, Hermione just hugged him.
"You're beautiful as a lion, love. Marvellous." Harry rolled his eyes, but no one noticed. Ginny grinned before narrowing her eyes and frowning, and with a slight pop became a red-and-brown songbird. She flew over to Harry and lit on his finger before trilling a sweet melody.
"Cardinal, I think," 'Mione mused, looking at the bird. "Female, of course. The males are completely red."
Lavender grinned, winked at Draco, and closed her eyes. Pop. The large cotton-tailed rabbit tried a few short hops before settling herself on the blond boy's feet.
"You're at least the size of a hare, Lav," Harry remarked. "Not that many would notice unless you were around other rabbits." The long ears waggled in what he could swear was a laugh. Draco blinked down at the furry lump on his feet.
"Um, Lav, my feet are getting a mite warm like this. Do you mind?" The ears flattened, but Lav hopped off to one side and became human again. A pouting human. Ginny the cardinal fluttered from Harry's finger and popped back into her normal shape before wrapping her arms around her boyfriend's waist.
"'Mione, it's your turn now. And Dragon's," Ron added almost as an afterthought. Despite nearly two months of working on friendship with the blond, the name "Draco" still carried venomously negative feelings for the Keeper, who used the English translation of the name for the boy.
At the comment from Ron, Draco raised an eyebrow. {Ha, I'll show him,} Harry heard his friend's mental bass mutter. Another pop sounded, and the aristocratic young wizard turned into a large albino boa constrictor with eyes of polished silver.
~Er, Draco, you're lots bigger than McGonagall's potion showed you.~ Even loosely coiled, the serpent was knee height and spread over three feet in diameter. Harry stood, stunned, as Lavender squealed and sat to stroke the cream-and-gold scales.
Mmm, the snake hissed, I could get used to this. Ooh, right there. Aah.
Enjoying yourself, mate? Harry asked in slippery Parseltongue. The triangular head snapped up, and the silvery eyes focussed on the dark- haired boy.
You. Argh. I forgot you were a Parselmouth. Draco the snake smacked his head with his tail tip. Quite amused at this behaviour, Harry chuckled, which set everyone else off. The blond returned to his human form once the group had calmed down.
"Now that I'm the last to transform," Hermione said, one hand to her brow in drama queen fashion, "I shall proceed apace." The hand dropped, one hazel eye winked, and a large barn owl stood in her place. It-or rather, she-made a shuddering motion that settled every feather on her back. Then Hermione fixed her large owl eyes on SkyStrike, perched atop a chair, and hooted. The hawk mantled briefly but then squawked back. The owl blinked and become Hermione again.
"I can talk to him," she breathed, awe in her voice. "I become a bird of prey, and I can understand everything he says. Ron, he hates how your room is a disaster and he wants a proper perch so he can stop damaging furniture."
Ron blinked and then smiled. "Right then, feathery mate of mine, we'll get a perch through Owl Order, and I'll clean some this evening." The elegant raptor spread wings and tail, making a vaguely happy-sounding cry. Ron chuckled. "He's been pestering me about that all day, but I wasn't quite sure whether it was him or my conscience putting ideas in my head." The group shared another round of laughter, opening the door and bound for the Tower five floors above.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Seating himself beside Lavender at the Gryffindor table for breakfast Tuesday morning, Draco felt slightly uneasy. He had heard Harry thrashing in the wee hours, but the sounds might have been the ordinary nightmare the younger boy had claimed. Sneaking a glance at his friend, he couldn't tell whether the other had told him the truth.
Sometime during his rasher of bacon, the morning post came. His eagle owl, Nightlife, landed with the Daily Prophet and waited for its master's reward. The faithful bird got a fair chunk of bacon before it flew off. As soon as the newspaper was unrolled, however, several nearby students dropped their silver in shock.
Azkaban Taken!
By Rita Skeeter
Early this morning, an attack on Azkaban prison by cloaked
wizards erupted into a deadly fight when Aurors stationed on the
island tried to defend themselves. The Dementors took the side of the
invaders, administering the Kiss to two top Aurors. As far as anyone
knows, the wizards who attacked were Death Eaters, leaving the Dark
Mark in the sky and killing those prisoners and staff they did not
take with them. Among the missing prisoners are the Lestranges and
Lucius Malfoy, all three convicted Death Eaters. Not a single
Dementor remains on the island, and officials fear that the creatures
are allying themselves once again with the minions of You-Know-Who.
Since the end of June, there have been rumours that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-
Named has risen again, supported by the testimony of Harry Potter at
the end of the TriWizard Tournament. Could this be true? The
evidence at Azkaban leads us to believe so. Why, then, did Minister
Fudge not reduce the number of Dementors on guard and increase Auror
strength? Surely he did not take the words of the Boy-Who-Lived for
granted? Why has nothing been done?
A photo had been printed between the headline and the article. It showed the Dark Mark hovering over a bleak cellblock, with occasional Aurors moving in and out, gathering evidence.
"Jesus H. Christ." someone muttered. Draco was in shock. Lucius and the Lestranges were free. He knew the Lestranges had tortured people to the point of insanity, and his mother was proof of how sadistic Lucius was.
"Harry, I think we're in deep shite." The spectacled boy nodded gravely. Hermione sighed.
"I wish there were a way to protect my parents properly," she said. Ron wrapped a comforting arm around the brunette, and she put her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will take steps to protect all our families," Lav stated. She frowned, and Draco felt her slip her hand into his. He knew his cheeks were turning pink, but he didn't care as much as he would have.
"Um, Lav, would you go to the ball with me tomorrow night?" he asked quietly. He bit the inside of his cheek, hoping the honey-haired girl would say yes.
"Of course I will. You should have asked sooner, but we were a bit busy, weren't we?" The wry smile she flashed him went all the way to her twinkling blue-violet eyes.
"Yeah. At least they can dance now." He glanced at the other four students in their group. Harry and Ginny sat as close to each other as they could, their hands entwined. Ron and Hermione leaned against each other across the table, probably with arms about waists. Draco knew this was the start of frightening times for all of them, but the Weasleys and the Grangers were high-profile targets. The Grangers were Muggles, and the Weasleys had been staunch supporters of Dumbledore during the last reign of terror.
{Dammit, Draco,} Harry swore in their heads, {They're afraid. They're afraid for their families, and it's all Tom's fault. I swear by everything holy in this world, he will pay.} Draco blinked at his raven-haired friend.
~Calm down, mate. Deep breaths. Think happy thoughts.~ The blond put a comforting hand on the other boy's shoulder, and the fire blazing in the green eyes subsided to a calm flicker.
{Thanks.} The quiet thought drifted across the bond, reassuring Draco that the Boy Wonder had a grip on his anger again.
~I'll go talk to Dumbledore, shall I?~ Not waiting for a response, the ex- Slytherin stood, releasing Lavender's hand and stepping over the bench. He gave the others a reassuring nod and strode to the head table. The wizened man at the centre of the table saw him and gestured to the seat beside him.
As Draco took the offered seat, he noticed that the Slytherin table was quite a bit subdued, even when compared to the other Houses. He thought inside how many were closely related to Death Eaters and came up with far too many. His godfather needed to know, for he would be their best hope of keeping those students-and others-from turning to the dark.
"Professor," he said quietly, "many of my friends are worried for their families, especially Lavender, Hermione, and the Weasleys. Will they be protected in this war?" For war it would be. Harry would surely be the poster boy for the forces of Light, perhaps even fighting on the front lines. He would be there, right beside his friend, of course.
"Miss Granger and Miss Brown's families will be contacted today and offered sanctuary here. The Weasleys will arrive Thursday morning, including Bill, Charlie, and Percy. Your friends need not fear, Mr. Malfoy."
"Thank you, sir." The blond turned to go, but he stopped when he realized one of his mind's wool-gatherings had just borne fruit.
"Harry's in that prophecy!" he hissed. "I only now realized. He's the symbol of the Light, the sixth Dreamer in the rhyme."
"Indeed. Miss Weasley is the Healer, if she hasn't already told you of her 'adventure' yesterday morning. If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Weasley." The headmaster left the thought hanging, and Draco picked it up.
". is the raging one. We thought it meant temper, but Blood Rage works, too." A quick glance at his friends showed Ron's hawk greedily gulping fried ham as the redhead glared at it.
The blond rubbed his chin in thought. The coincidence of having three of the prophesised Dreamers in the Dream Team was highly improbable. On the other hand, if the Dreamers were the Dream Team, then everything fit. Not only did it fit, but it did so perfectly. He himself had changed sides when he realized what was at stake. Lavender had hidden her Sight for two years. Ron had the Blood Rage, Ginny was a Healer. Hermione seemed to file every tidbit of information she read or heard. Harry was the poster boy the Light rallied around, because he had defeated this foe before.
"Gods," he breathed. This was monumental. They needed to talk about this, just the Dream Team and SkyStrike, away from prying eyes and long ears. Excusing himself to the headmaster, he rushed back to the table with his friends and sat down, leaning forward. "Lunchtime, let's all meet at La Rue." They had agreed to use Harry's name for their hideout. No one could touch them once they slid down the "rabbit hole." The other five nodded their understanding. It was going to be a long day.
You know, something always happens to Harry on Halloween. First year, it was the troll, second year had the first attack, third year Sirius knifed the Fat Lady, fourth year Harry's name came out of the Goblet. What will happen this year?
Review cause it makes me happy!
Beth Weasley