Disclaimer: sigh oh and Max is from Christopher Stasheff's Her Majesty's Wizard
Rating: You should know by now
A/N: This is where it starts getting tricky.
Chapter 20
Viper was just about to immerse the boys into her memory when a tingle went up her spine. 'Oh shit'
"Max get Harry here now!" A ball of impossibly white light sprang from Viper and into Harry's hologram. In a flash Harry tumbled out of the air and onto Draco knocking both boys unconscious. Not a moment too soon. Merely a second later Gryffindor tower exploded into dust leaving a rather surprised Headmaster at the foot of the stairs.
"Anything else?" The tiny pinprick of light danced around Viper's right ear.
"No Max." Viper sighed and looked at the two boys sprawled over each other.
"Mistress?" Dundanby looked mournful knowing that his beloved would be leaving him yet again.
"Not now." Viper's tone was gentle but it still cut into the creature causing him to leap into the ocean to hide his sorrow. She followed him with her eyes before bending down and scooping up the two boys.
'I can't fly with both of them. Not in this form anyway.' She backed up from their prone forms motioning to the dead that they should scoot away. Viper closed her bottomless eyes and took a deep breath centering herself for the return into her natural form.
Her body began to shimmer and stretch. Black wings sprang from her back, their leathery tips guarded by dangerously sharp hooks. Diamond hard scales covered her shifting body protecting her against any weapon.
Her stomach shot a wave of fire through her changing her inner workings. Her neck elongated and her hair turned into a spiky mane covering the vulnerable joint between her neck and head. Long talons poured over her fingers.
Facial bones reconstructed themselves replacing her dainty nose with a snout that steam escaped from. Only her eyes remained. The dead looked on in wonder as their Queen showed them her true nature.
Viper gently enclosed the boys in her strong talons and with a crack took off over the cliffs and through the enveloping mists.
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"Harry!" Both Ron and Hermoine were unable to control themselves. Hermoine sank to the floor in tears, Ron slumping down not far behind. Dumbledore stood silent watching the dust that was the tower dance in the wind as it came tumbling down.
The news was known by everyone in the school long before the somber groups placed themselves at the tables. There was not much talk no one had the heart to laugh. Uasi watched the students numbly go through their routines.
'This Harry must have meant a lot to them.' Silently he went out of the Great Hall and up the stairs. Construction of the new tower was already underway and with the help of magic it was halfway done. He turned to go back down the stairs when he found Hermoine standing behind him her eyes filled with tears.
"I...I just can't believe that he...he is really gone." She rushed to him and he embraced her giving off as much comfort as he could. Uasi kissed the top of her head and stroked her back, murmuring words in a gentle even tone.
Unbeknownst to the two a tall redheaded boy watched from the corner. His eyes filled with sadness and a hint of jealousy. The boy turned and trudged back to the Great Hall.
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Later that day Dumbledore called in an emergency meeting of the Order. Snape, McGonagall, the Weasleys and Tonks were the only ones available to arrive.
"Thank you all for coming. I am afraid this is not going to be a joyful meeting. As we all know Harry has been missing since the explosion of the tower." Mrs. Weasley took out a handkerchief and dabbed at the tears in her eyes.
"What you might not be informed of is that both Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy have been found strangled in their bed early this morning." Snape gasped and McGonagall's eyes widened at this announcement.
"Dead? Who killed them?" Snape's eyes were filled with worry.
"The Ministry was not sure although, I do believe if we think a bit on the emblem that was burned into the wall beside them that we might figure it out." Dumbledore took out his wand and drew a V with an S behind it in colorful smoke that hung dead in the air.
"Viper." Snape breathed.
"Viper indeed."
The members of the Order looked around uneasily. Viper though trusted by one and lusted after by another was still an enigma amongst their ranks.
A/N: This story is just so much easier to write than my other one...It needs more sex though. Also this story is going to be put on somewhat of a hiatus since I am busy creating Viper's world...which doesn't even have a name yet if you like you can help me out by suggesting something! Or you can just review...that is fine too