Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter JKR does and always should.
~ Nevermore ~
~ Chapter 4 ~
Raven drew the string of his bow tight, waiting half a second to aim before releasing the enchanted arrow given to him by the elves. It was something else to believe that he could aim so unmistakably well with a bow and arrow. It was by far much better then anything he would ever accomplish with his wand.
"Testing you eyes I see." Said Mad Hatter as he entered Ravens domain hidden in Gringotts bank.
"Of course." Replied Raven turning to look at his friend. "I trust you managed to smooth everything over with the elves."
"I wouldn't say smooth because, there really was nothing to smooth. The Lost boys were on good terms with the elves for quite sometime now. They were almost thrilled to have an ally like us."
"So this is a long term alliance then."
"Oh trust me it will last to the end of eternity if the elves want it too. Personally I don't want them as enemies but now we're tied to them. I guess I shouldn't complain but the lost boy were always the loners."
"Perhaps it won't be as bad as you fear. It could be good for us and our reputation."
"What reputation. Every witch, wizard and squib knows we're the bad asses of the wizarding world, why change it?"
Raven shook his head. "We could be so much more, we're smart and resourceful. We could run this world if we wanted to."
"But domination has one flaw."
"And what would that be."
"We can't blame others for our problems then!"
"True so true, but we could be so much better then Fudge. So do we have a name for our magical alliance?"
"Oh yeah, we are dubbed the squared alliance and guess what our symbol is!"
"Gee I wonder, could it be a square."
"Right you are old boy. Do you really think we could run the Wizarding world?"
"If we can't undermine it, no one will." Laughed Raven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the Magical society alliances are customarily sealed with magic tattoos that bind a person to a group. For instance Lord Voldermort's Death Eaters all carry the dark mark, which proves their alliance to him and only him. But unlike the Death Eaters dark mark that doesn't ever fade or disappear there are others that do.
Take for instance the Gringotts Goblins, they all carry a mark of the bank but it is usually faded so light it's unnoticeable unless there are special events taking place or Gringotts is under attack. The Lost Boys in their in alliance with the elves were obligated to receive the binding tattoo that would forever seal their agreement. The Elves in turn would do the same thing and the magical alliance would be completed with the seal of approval guaranteeing that none will stray. Of course every fool proof plan has a loop hole as seen by Snape's betrayal of the Death Eaters, luckily for the lost boys though betrayal wasn't and never would be an option.
~~~~~~~~~~
Easter was over and once again classes were in session at Hogwarts, the air smelled of spring and the nearing summer and Ginny Weasley anticipated summer with a burst of thrill and grain of salt. Her training with Professor Snape had progressed farther then she thought it would, in the short time they had worked together. She knew all the basic sword drill and most of the advance drills too. Of course she had to use her spying skills to keep things under wraps and was discovering that she was in fact quite the little spy. She often practiced her spying skills on Fred and George and even Ron sometimes, she knew what pranks Fred and George had planned for the next few days and had even though of her own little pranks to play back on them. Ginny scrapped the idea of playing pranks on her brothers almost immediately because of the delicate balance she had to keep. She didn't need to fail before she began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco Malfoy just couldn't wipe the smug look off his face as he strolled down the lawn toward the care of magical creatures class. The giant oaf's beast would soon be put to death thanks to his father influence. Draco only hoped that he would be half as powerful as his father was. There was no doubt in Draco's mind that he father could be the next Dark Lord if he wanted to, of course he wouldn't make the same mistakes as You-Know-Who did. The class was boring for the most part but Draco didn't care, he was too wound up in his thoughts planning how he would wiggle his way into the Lost Boys hearts.
Class wasn't quite over when Professor Dumbledore himself approached Draco with a letter clutched in his arm.
"Mr. Malfoy I have some disappointing new for you." Said the Headmaster grimly. Draco looked at him curiously and waited for and explanation.
"Since Hagrid will no be dismissed as a professor your father has decided to transfer you to Drumstrang. I wrote him requesting that you at least finish out the school year but he was insistent that you be transfers immediately. So I must ask you to go and pack, as your father will be portkeying here later to pick you up and take you to your new school. I wish you luck at you new school."
"Draco grinned slyly. "I'm sure I'll be just fine. Thanks professor." Draco picked up his books and strode off from classes without looking back.
"At last" he thought as he reached the front doors to the castle. "The time has come." Draco almost ran the rest of the way to the dungeons.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"What?!" Exclaimed Ron the next day at breakfast. It had taken almost 24 hours for the news of Draco Malfoy's transfer to Drumstrang to circulate the school. Most students were filled with glee at the news that the rich pureblood was gone and some people (such as Fred and George) even went as far as to hold a party in honor of getting rid of one git. Now if only they could get rid of Snape all would be well.
Ginny attended the childish celebrations despite her yearning to practice her fencing skills. She had to keep up appearances after all, but something else was troubling her about Malfoy's sudden transfer, it didn't smell right to her and she was sure Draco would have bragged about it more too. That boy could keep almost nothing a secret, even if his life depended on it. And it was this very trait that kept the wheels in Ginny's head turning. Something was up and she would have to consult Myrtle about it, but for the time being it was time to make herself less suspicious by interacting with others.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven was in a dark and irritable mood; it was his night to watch the activity in Diagon alley while the Lost Boys raided. Guard duty to Raven was quite like the chores he use to do for his Aunt Petunia. He felt it was a waste of his obvious talents but wouldn't ever say that out loud. It was mandatory amount the wizard gang to keep watch once in a while so that your skills stayed sharp and others were not exhausted of the same job.
Raven jumped from building to building as silent as a cat, it was a dark tonight with only a sliver of moon in the sky. Jumping up on a small domed tower Raven perched himself beside a large stone gargoyle craning his head to see if anything was amiss. Had he been a second later he would have missed the movement in the dark shadows of the street below but his eyes were very sharp now and he could see a figure clothed in black much like himself hugging the shadows waiting for someone. Obviously the meeting had been arranged, as another figure portkeyed in not seconds later. This figure was not concealed by any dark clothing and Raven could clearly make out the pale blonde hair of Lucius Malfoy.
Raven almost snarled at the sight of the Death Eater but held his silences as was the custom of the Lost Boys and crept closer. Quick as he was though Raven only managed to catch the end of the conversation before the two departed and at that he only really made out one word. Dragon.
It puzzled Raven but he wouldn't dwell on it. Instead he would keep his eyes open and ear to the ground and hope that a solution to the puzzle would present itself. Looking down the darkened street once more Raven leaped to another building carrying on his patrol of the Lost Boys territory.
~~~~~~~~~~
The sun was rising by the time Raven caught sight of the other Lost Boys bounding towards him. Raising his wand he ignited the tip with a red glow and made it pulse in a sequence that seemed to send a message to the other Lost Boys, the group stopped for a minute to exchange a short message before they dispersed. Mad Hatter bounded over the rooftops towards Raven.
"What's the Problem?" Asked Mad Hatter when he was close enough.
"Perhaps a bit of trouble, I'm not sure." Said Raven.
"Care to elaborate a bit? I'm not a mind reader you know."
"Last night there were two Death Eaters in knot turn alley."
"No surprise there."
"One was Lucius Malfoy."
"So? How does this concern us?"
"That's just it, I get the feeling that something's up but I don't know how we tie into it."
"I don't know how you got that clue but if you say so."
"Look," Said Raven staring his friend straight in the eye "I don't know what it is but it's just a feeling, Lucius Malfoy wouldn't hold a midnight meeting for nothing. I did hear them say Dragon though."
"Raven your not giving me much to go off of here. Dragon? How does that tie in with us?"
Raven could only shrug. "Are we ready?"
"For what?"
"I mean are we prepared to defend ourselves against potential threats?"
"If you mean Death Eaters, then yes. One Lost Boy was attacked not long ago, don't worry Raven we won't be fooled by them." Raven shook his head as butterflies flew in his stomach. Perhaps it was nothing but he wanted to make sure.
"Okay then just watch out for dragons I guess, anything that could possibly be dragon must be treated with caution."
"If it'll make you feel better I'll put all Lost Boys on high alert to watch out for any dragons."
Raven nodded, it would be enough to settle his nerves for now anyway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was Thursday and that meant double potions for third year Gryffindors, but of course Draco Malfoy wasn't there so what could possibly be so bad? Of course Ron in his glee over the transfer of Draco had forgotten what a slimy git he had for a potions professor.
Snape stormed into the dungeon classroom with the fierceness of a dragon. Hate and evil practically radiated off the black haired man and no one in the classroom dared no speak. Turning around slyly Snape smirked at his shell-shocked class.
"It is truly tragic that such a hopeless class would lose its only decent potion brewer. Luckily for you we'll be brewing more simple matter so you can't possible blotch it up! Well, what are you waiting for get out your cauldrons! If you want to have a chance in hell of correctly brewing "itch be gone potion" before the end of this class then you best start now."
Snape sat down at his desk and watched with coal black eyes as the class quietly brought out their pewter cauldrons and textbooks.
"Who spit in his pumpkin juice this morning?" Hissed Hermione quietly to Ron.
"I don't know but I wish I had." Muttered back Ron, Hermione smiled at the dumb joke.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who Are the Lost Boys?
By: Amanda Clearwater
They seem to control most if not all of the wizarding underworld and yet stand unopposed. Aurors seem to fear this cult of young adults and teens while most people don't even know how bad this group really is. The Lost Boys have been responsible for countless robberies and acts of vandalism in Diagon Alley for the past ten years at least. There have been reports of dark figures being seen at night jumping from building to building, how is it that these wizard school dropouts manage seemingly impossible feats without proper wizarding licenses?
In a recent questionnaire asking what should be done to improve Diagon alley, many people reported that it was high time to put this crowd of thieves and teeny boppers behind bars. Others suggested that they be caught and rehabilitated, while others said feed them to the dementors. Whatever fate this notorious wizard gang faces it is sure that they won't go with out a fight. Lost Boys beware your time is soon to be at an end.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven snorted as he tossed the paper on a near by coffee table. Beware is right, if the ministry had any idea what they were up against they would have soiled their robes by now. The Lost Boys were more then just a bunch of drugged up wizards. They were smart and had form, they knew the in's and out's of society and all the loopholes to boot.
So beware was right, but would the Ministry of Magic heed it's own warning? Not bloody likely.
"Any luck?" Asked Raven as Mad Hatter stormed into his dwelling.
"None, it's like all the fencers on earth have just died or something."
"Don't worry too much about it, we'll find someone, perhaps the time just isn't right."
Mad Hatter nodded while sighing and plopping himself on one of Ravens couches.
"We've kept our ear's open for any sign of this dragon you were talking about but nothings come up yet."
"Just in case anyway."
"What should we do about the ministry though?"
"Hmmm" contemplated Raven, he wasn't that experienced at planning as Ron or Hermione would have been but he could come up with something. "We could take total control of it through a forced election."
"It's good but it's time consuming. It's hopeless and we still have the Death Eaters to deal with too."
"Well then we'll just keep on alert, a wars brewing you know?"
"Yeah I know."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"No the time to strike is now, not later. They are unaware and we'll catch them off guard."
"You seem so sure of yourself, yet you don't know that I have arranged for a spy."
"Hmm has he infiltrated yet?"
"Soon he will be, but not yet."
"Then we will wait for him to enter their clan and then we'll attack. It will instill some trust in our spy."
"You are cunning."
"Aren't we all?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco Malfoy was a bit miffed if anything else. He had been trying for days and days to locate the lost boys and yet they seem to be scarce as ghosts. But then again he had no idea what he was looking for anyway. Wandering down the extensive network of narrow streets that branched off from Diagon Alley Draco scanned the crowd looking for a sign, any sign, of the Lost Boys. A hint or clue, anything would have perked Draco's spirits.
Sighing dejectedly Draco entered a corner ice cream shop and ordered himself a fountain drink. He plopped into a booth against the window and looked outside. It was sunny and nice, hardly a day to waste. After all in London so many days were wet and dreary. He sneered in disgust as a girl walked by the window dressed in a skimpy robe and knee high boots. Obviously she has altered the robes herself; Draco followed the girl with his eyes as she walked up the street thinking how horrible her caked on black makeup looked. He took of sip of his drink and sighed, leaning back and relaxing for a minute, then it hit him. What was a teen doing here?
Draco flew out the door like a golden snitch with a seeker hot on its trail. He had to catch that girl, he had to, she could be the hint he was looking for!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco sped down the lane trying to catch a glimpse of the girl he had seen only minutes before. Then he caught sight of her spunky colored blue hair. Dashing after her Draco almost reached her went she disappeared around a corner. Running blindly around the corner Draco met nothing, the girl was gone and so was her trail.
"Bloody hell" Swore Draco kicking the ground.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course the girl had not gone as far as Draco had thought. If he had cared to look up not that many people do he would have caught sight of her sitting on the edge of the building. As Draco had suspected she was a Lost Boy and had been one for almost a year though she had never deeply involved herself with the Lost Boy affairs. She did her watch dog duties went when called and partied the rest of the time.
The Girl named Echo smirked as Draco swore she loved confusing people with the disappearing act the Lost Boys had perfected. But she was a bit curious too, why was he following her. Certainly not to get a date, he was a bit to young for that. But still the air smelled fowl and she was sure she knew this boy for somewhere, well perhaps not him but he did bare and uncanny resemblance to someone anyway. Carefully taking out an elf glass sphere Echo uttered an incantation. Mad Hatters head appeared in the orb.
"Yes?" He asked. "Was there trouble?"
"I was being followed."
"By who? Death Eaters?"
"I'm not sure, here I'll let you judge for yourself." Echo turned the orb to Draco giving Mad Hatter a clear image.
"Hmm, just a sec." Mad Hatters face disappeared and was replaced by Ravens.
"Do you know who this is?" Asked Echo, turning the orb back to herself.
"Yes, he's the dragon we've been looking for it would appear."
"You're kidding? The Dragon?"
Raven shook his head. "No, keep and eye on him, we'll dispatch a few other lost boys to intercept him. What's your position?"
"Crooked lane and Merridew, by the ice cream shop."
"Okay, watch him."
"You can trust me." Raven nodded and Echo terminated the spell turning her attention back to her task.
"So you're the little Dragon Raven was on about." Muttered Echo hiding herself on top of the building.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco couldn't quite believe that he had lost the girl so easily. He had much doubt that she had apparated or even portkeyed, so she must have either run (though where to?) or entered a secret passage. Looking at the walls and ground he tried to discover where the passage might be. Of course it wouldn't be easy to find since no magical entrance really way. Trailing his wand along the wall and muttering revealing charms taught to him by his father, Draco was disappointed to find nothing.
He was stumped and that was really putting him in a fowl mood. Looking around again Draco caught a glimpse of something above him. It was too quick to really decipher what it had been.
"Probably a bird." He though moodily to himself. Taking another look around Draco gave up and headed back to the ice cream shop. Draco had almost reached his destination when a group of teens a few years older then himself intercepted him.
"A bit young to be wandering about aren't you love?" Asked one girl with long black hair braided and looped around her head.
"Some one might think you up to something being here by yourself." Snickered another.
"Shouldn't you be in school right now?" asked a third boy sneering at Draco. Draco more then anything else wanted to run away and just return to school but his pride held him fast. Plastering his most disgusted sneer on his face, he looked them up and down as if judging them.
"Shouldn't you take a bath?" sneered Draco
"You little brat."
"Honestly I though you were Lost Boy but now I'm not so sure. You look stupid." The Girl with braided hair reacted fast then Draco could follow as he was slapped clear across the face.
"Mind you manners you bloke or we'll mind them for you." Draco rubbed his face and sneered back at her again.
"Not any good way to treat a potential now is it?"
"A potential what? Lost Boy I think not, you ain't hardly anything. Perhaps you can cook for us."
"Or perhaps we can cook you?" Grinned one of the boys.
"Not so hasty, I might be of use. I can get you information."
"On what? The circus?" Laughed the other boy.
"No Death Eaters."
"Hmm, come with us love we'll show you the way to never never land." Laughed the girl strolling down the street. Each boy took one of Draco arms and dragged him off with them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I though you were going to take me to your boss?" Yelled Draco from the vault turned holding cell he had been shoved in.
"Not very good a listening are you mate? You don't think we just take you to meet Mad Hatter do ya?"
"We need a bit more information out of you then that." Laughed the girl flipping a braid over her shoulder.
"Hmm well it's no fair just asking me, after all I don't know who you are."
"Oh so you want to swamp information then. Alright, My name is Cheshire, now what's yours?"
"Is that your real name? Cheshire?"
"Of course."
"Hmm well I'm Dragon then." Cheshire was taken a back by Draco answer and turned to one of the boys who nodded and left the room.
"Dragon, really." Responded Cheshire. So this was Ravens Dragon then, how interesting, though Cheshire to herself as she continued to question Draco or as was to be known Dragon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Muggles would refer to this as a hoverboard, but we all know it's just a muggle snowboard that's been enchanted to fly. Still I like the ring of hoverboard so we'll stick with it." Explained an elf named Mythious or Myth for short, to Mad Hatter.
"It looks interesting but what practical uses does it present for us?"
"As you know elves are light footed and can jump like the lost boys do but we can't jump and aim all the time, its tiring and time consuming. It's our proposition to use these for archers."
"It sounds plausible. What's the catch?" Myth smiled.
"It's acquiring the Snowboards that's the problem. We can enchant them obviously though we need a bit of extra help for protection wards and such to make them fool proof."
"Hmm I think it'll work. Interestingly enough the Ministry of Magic has banned flying carpets and this is quite like a flying carpet. So since it's illegal it makes it more worth our while."
Myth chucked, "Anything to piss off the Ministry I see."
"Of course, we'll acquire as many snowboards as we can tonight and if more are needed then we'll get you more. As for the enchantments and wards ask Raven, he's excellent at wards, although he was a bit hopeless only last year. Oh would you mind teaching Raven a bit on archery? He's a natural at it but I think he could be even better with your help." Explained Mad Hatter. Myth nodded.
"Raven, we gave him an elfish bow and arrow to use. I'll go and see him now anyway ." Myth curtly nodded and walked off carrying his hoverboard under his arm.
Mad Hatter watched after him but was distracted as her communication orb floated up in front of him. Grabbing it out of the air he watched it glow and a Lost Boys face appeared in the small orb.
"Yes?"
"Mad we've found him."
"Who?"
"The Dragon, we found the Dragon."
~ End Chapter 4 ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Probably not the best place to leave ya all but oh well.
First of all about the hoverboard, it makes sense that they would eventually enchant one, after all they enchanted a car to fly not to mention a motorcycle. Why not a snowboard?
Next chapter: summer is on the way and Ginny still has a lot to learn, the date for her departure is coming up. The Lost Boys and Elves alliance is finally sealed and Draco is welcomed into the Lost Boys, though both parties seem to have separate agendas, it's down to the battle of wits. The Order is gathered and Sirius returns to Hogwarts.
Review if you want!
And big thanks to SAMI and Jeff as my beta-readers!
~ Maab ~
~ Nevermore ~
~ Chapter 4 ~
Raven drew the string of his bow tight, waiting half a second to aim before releasing the enchanted arrow given to him by the elves. It was something else to believe that he could aim so unmistakably well with a bow and arrow. It was by far much better then anything he would ever accomplish with his wand.
"Testing you eyes I see." Said Mad Hatter as he entered Ravens domain hidden in Gringotts bank.
"Of course." Replied Raven turning to look at his friend. "I trust you managed to smooth everything over with the elves."
"I wouldn't say smooth because, there really was nothing to smooth. The Lost boys were on good terms with the elves for quite sometime now. They were almost thrilled to have an ally like us."
"So this is a long term alliance then."
"Oh trust me it will last to the end of eternity if the elves want it too. Personally I don't want them as enemies but now we're tied to them. I guess I shouldn't complain but the lost boy were always the loners."
"Perhaps it won't be as bad as you fear. It could be good for us and our reputation."
"What reputation. Every witch, wizard and squib knows we're the bad asses of the wizarding world, why change it?"
Raven shook his head. "We could be so much more, we're smart and resourceful. We could run this world if we wanted to."
"But domination has one flaw."
"And what would that be."
"We can't blame others for our problems then!"
"True so true, but we could be so much better then Fudge. So do we have a name for our magical alliance?"
"Oh yeah, we are dubbed the squared alliance and guess what our symbol is!"
"Gee I wonder, could it be a square."
"Right you are old boy. Do you really think we could run the Wizarding world?"
"If we can't undermine it, no one will." Laughed Raven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the Magical society alliances are customarily sealed with magic tattoos that bind a person to a group. For instance Lord Voldermort's Death Eaters all carry the dark mark, which proves their alliance to him and only him. But unlike the Death Eaters dark mark that doesn't ever fade or disappear there are others that do.
Take for instance the Gringotts Goblins, they all carry a mark of the bank but it is usually faded so light it's unnoticeable unless there are special events taking place or Gringotts is under attack. The Lost Boys in their in alliance with the elves were obligated to receive the binding tattoo that would forever seal their agreement. The Elves in turn would do the same thing and the magical alliance would be completed with the seal of approval guaranteeing that none will stray. Of course every fool proof plan has a loop hole as seen by Snape's betrayal of the Death Eaters, luckily for the lost boys though betrayal wasn't and never would be an option.
~~~~~~~~~~
Easter was over and once again classes were in session at Hogwarts, the air smelled of spring and the nearing summer and Ginny Weasley anticipated summer with a burst of thrill and grain of salt. Her training with Professor Snape had progressed farther then she thought it would, in the short time they had worked together. She knew all the basic sword drill and most of the advance drills too. Of course she had to use her spying skills to keep things under wraps and was discovering that she was in fact quite the little spy. She often practiced her spying skills on Fred and George and even Ron sometimes, she knew what pranks Fred and George had planned for the next few days and had even though of her own little pranks to play back on them. Ginny scrapped the idea of playing pranks on her brothers almost immediately because of the delicate balance she had to keep. She didn't need to fail before she began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco Malfoy just couldn't wipe the smug look off his face as he strolled down the lawn toward the care of magical creatures class. The giant oaf's beast would soon be put to death thanks to his father influence. Draco only hoped that he would be half as powerful as his father was. There was no doubt in Draco's mind that he father could be the next Dark Lord if he wanted to, of course he wouldn't make the same mistakes as You-Know-Who did. The class was boring for the most part but Draco didn't care, he was too wound up in his thoughts planning how he would wiggle his way into the Lost Boys hearts.
Class wasn't quite over when Professor Dumbledore himself approached Draco with a letter clutched in his arm.
"Mr. Malfoy I have some disappointing new for you." Said the Headmaster grimly. Draco looked at him curiously and waited for and explanation.
"Since Hagrid will no be dismissed as a professor your father has decided to transfer you to Drumstrang. I wrote him requesting that you at least finish out the school year but he was insistent that you be transfers immediately. So I must ask you to go and pack, as your father will be portkeying here later to pick you up and take you to your new school. I wish you luck at you new school."
"Draco grinned slyly. "I'm sure I'll be just fine. Thanks professor." Draco picked up his books and strode off from classes without looking back.
"At last" he thought as he reached the front doors to the castle. "The time has come." Draco almost ran the rest of the way to the dungeons.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"What?!" Exclaimed Ron the next day at breakfast. It had taken almost 24 hours for the news of Draco Malfoy's transfer to Drumstrang to circulate the school. Most students were filled with glee at the news that the rich pureblood was gone and some people (such as Fred and George) even went as far as to hold a party in honor of getting rid of one git. Now if only they could get rid of Snape all would be well.
Ginny attended the childish celebrations despite her yearning to practice her fencing skills. She had to keep up appearances after all, but something else was troubling her about Malfoy's sudden transfer, it didn't smell right to her and she was sure Draco would have bragged about it more too. That boy could keep almost nothing a secret, even if his life depended on it. And it was this very trait that kept the wheels in Ginny's head turning. Something was up and she would have to consult Myrtle about it, but for the time being it was time to make herself less suspicious by interacting with others.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven was in a dark and irritable mood; it was his night to watch the activity in Diagon alley while the Lost Boys raided. Guard duty to Raven was quite like the chores he use to do for his Aunt Petunia. He felt it was a waste of his obvious talents but wouldn't ever say that out loud. It was mandatory amount the wizard gang to keep watch once in a while so that your skills stayed sharp and others were not exhausted of the same job.
Raven jumped from building to building as silent as a cat, it was a dark tonight with only a sliver of moon in the sky. Jumping up on a small domed tower Raven perched himself beside a large stone gargoyle craning his head to see if anything was amiss. Had he been a second later he would have missed the movement in the dark shadows of the street below but his eyes were very sharp now and he could see a figure clothed in black much like himself hugging the shadows waiting for someone. Obviously the meeting had been arranged, as another figure portkeyed in not seconds later. This figure was not concealed by any dark clothing and Raven could clearly make out the pale blonde hair of Lucius Malfoy.
Raven almost snarled at the sight of the Death Eater but held his silences as was the custom of the Lost Boys and crept closer. Quick as he was though Raven only managed to catch the end of the conversation before the two departed and at that he only really made out one word. Dragon.
It puzzled Raven but he wouldn't dwell on it. Instead he would keep his eyes open and ear to the ground and hope that a solution to the puzzle would present itself. Looking down the darkened street once more Raven leaped to another building carrying on his patrol of the Lost Boys territory.
~~~~~~~~~~
The sun was rising by the time Raven caught sight of the other Lost Boys bounding towards him. Raising his wand he ignited the tip with a red glow and made it pulse in a sequence that seemed to send a message to the other Lost Boys, the group stopped for a minute to exchange a short message before they dispersed. Mad Hatter bounded over the rooftops towards Raven.
"What's the Problem?" Asked Mad Hatter when he was close enough.
"Perhaps a bit of trouble, I'm not sure." Said Raven.
"Care to elaborate a bit? I'm not a mind reader you know."
"Last night there were two Death Eaters in knot turn alley."
"No surprise there."
"One was Lucius Malfoy."
"So? How does this concern us?"
"That's just it, I get the feeling that something's up but I don't know how we tie into it."
"I don't know how you got that clue but if you say so."
"Look," Said Raven staring his friend straight in the eye "I don't know what it is but it's just a feeling, Lucius Malfoy wouldn't hold a midnight meeting for nothing. I did hear them say Dragon though."
"Raven your not giving me much to go off of here. Dragon? How does that tie in with us?"
Raven could only shrug. "Are we ready?"
"For what?"
"I mean are we prepared to defend ourselves against potential threats?"
"If you mean Death Eaters, then yes. One Lost Boy was attacked not long ago, don't worry Raven we won't be fooled by them." Raven shook his head as butterflies flew in his stomach. Perhaps it was nothing but he wanted to make sure.
"Okay then just watch out for dragons I guess, anything that could possibly be dragon must be treated with caution."
"If it'll make you feel better I'll put all Lost Boys on high alert to watch out for any dragons."
Raven nodded, it would be enough to settle his nerves for now anyway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was Thursday and that meant double potions for third year Gryffindors, but of course Draco Malfoy wasn't there so what could possibly be so bad? Of course Ron in his glee over the transfer of Draco had forgotten what a slimy git he had for a potions professor.
Snape stormed into the dungeon classroom with the fierceness of a dragon. Hate and evil practically radiated off the black haired man and no one in the classroom dared no speak. Turning around slyly Snape smirked at his shell-shocked class.
"It is truly tragic that such a hopeless class would lose its only decent potion brewer. Luckily for you we'll be brewing more simple matter so you can't possible blotch it up! Well, what are you waiting for get out your cauldrons! If you want to have a chance in hell of correctly brewing "itch be gone potion" before the end of this class then you best start now."
Snape sat down at his desk and watched with coal black eyes as the class quietly brought out their pewter cauldrons and textbooks.
"Who spit in his pumpkin juice this morning?" Hissed Hermione quietly to Ron.
"I don't know but I wish I had." Muttered back Ron, Hermione smiled at the dumb joke.
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Who Are the Lost Boys?
By: Amanda Clearwater
They seem to control most if not all of the wizarding underworld and yet stand unopposed. Aurors seem to fear this cult of young adults and teens while most people don't even know how bad this group really is. The Lost Boys have been responsible for countless robberies and acts of vandalism in Diagon Alley for the past ten years at least. There have been reports of dark figures being seen at night jumping from building to building, how is it that these wizard school dropouts manage seemingly impossible feats without proper wizarding licenses?
In a recent questionnaire asking what should be done to improve Diagon alley, many people reported that it was high time to put this crowd of thieves and teeny boppers behind bars. Others suggested that they be caught and rehabilitated, while others said feed them to the dementors. Whatever fate this notorious wizard gang faces it is sure that they won't go with out a fight. Lost Boys beware your time is soon to be at an end.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Raven snorted as he tossed the paper on a near by coffee table. Beware is right, if the ministry had any idea what they were up against they would have soiled their robes by now. The Lost Boys were more then just a bunch of drugged up wizards. They were smart and had form, they knew the in's and out's of society and all the loopholes to boot.
So beware was right, but would the Ministry of Magic heed it's own warning? Not bloody likely.
"Any luck?" Asked Raven as Mad Hatter stormed into his dwelling.
"None, it's like all the fencers on earth have just died or something."
"Don't worry too much about it, we'll find someone, perhaps the time just isn't right."
Mad Hatter nodded while sighing and plopping himself on one of Ravens couches.
"We've kept our ear's open for any sign of this dragon you were talking about but nothings come up yet."
"Just in case anyway."
"What should we do about the ministry though?"
"Hmmm" contemplated Raven, he wasn't that experienced at planning as Ron or Hermione would have been but he could come up with something. "We could take total control of it through a forced election."
"It's good but it's time consuming. It's hopeless and we still have the Death Eaters to deal with too."
"Well then we'll just keep on alert, a wars brewing you know?"
"Yeah I know."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"No the time to strike is now, not later. They are unaware and we'll catch them off guard."
"You seem so sure of yourself, yet you don't know that I have arranged for a spy."
"Hmm has he infiltrated yet?"
"Soon he will be, but not yet."
"Then we will wait for him to enter their clan and then we'll attack. It will instill some trust in our spy."
"You are cunning."
"Aren't we all?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco Malfoy was a bit miffed if anything else. He had been trying for days and days to locate the lost boys and yet they seem to be scarce as ghosts. But then again he had no idea what he was looking for anyway. Wandering down the extensive network of narrow streets that branched off from Diagon Alley Draco scanned the crowd looking for a sign, any sign, of the Lost Boys. A hint or clue, anything would have perked Draco's spirits.
Sighing dejectedly Draco entered a corner ice cream shop and ordered himself a fountain drink. He plopped into a booth against the window and looked outside. It was sunny and nice, hardly a day to waste. After all in London so many days were wet and dreary. He sneered in disgust as a girl walked by the window dressed in a skimpy robe and knee high boots. Obviously she has altered the robes herself; Draco followed the girl with his eyes as she walked up the street thinking how horrible her caked on black makeup looked. He took of sip of his drink and sighed, leaning back and relaxing for a minute, then it hit him. What was a teen doing here?
Draco flew out the door like a golden snitch with a seeker hot on its trail. He had to catch that girl, he had to, she could be the hint he was looking for!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco sped down the lane trying to catch a glimpse of the girl he had seen only minutes before. Then he caught sight of her spunky colored blue hair. Dashing after her Draco almost reached her went she disappeared around a corner. Running blindly around the corner Draco met nothing, the girl was gone and so was her trail.
"Bloody hell" Swore Draco kicking the ground.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course the girl had not gone as far as Draco had thought. If he had cared to look up not that many people do he would have caught sight of her sitting on the edge of the building. As Draco had suspected she was a Lost Boy and had been one for almost a year though she had never deeply involved herself with the Lost Boy affairs. She did her watch dog duties went when called and partied the rest of the time.
The Girl named Echo smirked as Draco swore she loved confusing people with the disappearing act the Lost Boys had perfected. But she was a bit curious too, why was he following her. Certainly not to get a date, he was a bit to young for that. But still the air smelled fowl and she was sure she knew this boy for somewhere, well perhaps not him but he did bare and uncanny resemblance to someone anyway. Carefully taking out an elf glass sphere Echo uttered an incantation. Mad Hatters head appeared in the orb.
"Yes?" He asked. "Was there trouble?"
"I was being followed."
"By who? Death Eaters?"
"I'm not sure, here I'll let you judge for yourself." Echo turned the orb to Draco giving Mad Hatter a clear image.
"Hmm, just a sec." Mad Hatters face disappeared and was replaced by Ravens.
"Do you know who this is?" Asked Echo, turning the orb back to herself.
"Yes, he's the dragon we've been looking for it would appear."
"You're kidding? The Dragon?"
Raven shook his head. "No, keep and eye on him, we'll dispatch a few other lost boys to intercept him. What's your position?"
"Crooked lane and Merridew, by the ice cream shop."
"Okay, watch him."
"You can trust me." Raven nodded and Echo terminated the spell turning her attention back to her task.
"So you're the little Dragon Raven was on about." Muttered Echo hiding herself on top of the building.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco couldn't quite believe that he had lost the girl so easily. He had much doubt that she had apparated or even portkeyed, so she must have either run (though where to?) or entered a secret passage. Looking at the walls and ground he tried to discover where the passage might be. Of course it wouldn't be easy to find since no magical entrance really way. Trailing his wand along the wall and muttering revealing charms taught to him by his father, Draco was disappointed to find nothing.
He was stumped and that was really putting him in a fowl mood. Looking around again Draco caught a glimpse of something above him. It was too quick to really decipher what it had been.
"Probably a bird." He though moodily to himself. Taking another look around Draco gave up and headed back to the ice cream shop. Draco had almost reached his destination when a group of teens a few years older then himself intercepted him.
"A bit young to be wandering about aren't you love?" Asked one girl with long black hair braided and looped around her head.
"Some one might think you up to something being here by yourself." Snickered another.
"Shouldn't you be in school right now?" asked a third boy sneering at Draco. Draco more then anything else wanted to run away and just return to school but his pride held him fast. Plastering his most disgusted sneer on his face, he looked them up and down as if judging them.
"Shouldn't you take a bath?" sneered Draco
"You little brat."
"Honestly I though you were Lost Boy but now I'm not so sure. You look stupid." The Girl with braided hair reacted fast then Draco could follow as he was slapped clear across the face.
"Mind you manners you bloke or we'll mind them for you." Draco rubbed his face and sneered back at her again.
"Not any good way to treat a potential now is it?"
"A potential what? Lost Boy I think not, you ain't hardly anything. Perhaps you can cook for us."
"Or perhaps we can cook you?" Grinned one of the boys.
"Not so hasty, I might be of use. I can get you information."
"On what? The circus?" Laughed the other boy.
"No Death Eaters."
"Hmm, come with us love we'll show you the way to never never land." Laughed the girl strolling down the street. Each boy took one of Draco arms and dragged him off with them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I though you were going to take me to your boss?" Yelled Draco from the vault turned holding cell he had been shoved in.
"Not very good a listening are you mate? You don't think we just take you to meet Mad Hatter do ya?"
"We need a bit more information out of you then that." Laughed the girl flipping a braid over her shoulder.
"Hmm well it's no fair just asking me, after all I don't know who you are."
"Oh so you want to swamp information then. Alright, My name is Cheshire, now what's yours?"
"Is that your real name? Cheshire?"
"Of course."
"Hmm well I'm Dragon then." Cheshire was taken a back by Draco answer and turned to one of the boys who nodded and left the room.
"Dragon, really." Responded Cheshire. So this was Ravens Dragon then, how interesting, though Cheshire to herself as she continued to question Draco or as was to be known Dragon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Muggles would refer to this as a hoverboard, but we all know it's just a muggle snowboard that's been enchanted to fly. Still I like the ring of hoverboard so we'll stick with it." Explained an elf named Mythious or Myth for short, to Mad Hatter.
"It looks interesting but what practical uses does it present for us?"
"As you know elves are light footed and can jump like the lost boys do but we can't jump and aim all the time, its tiring and time consuming. It's our proposition to use these for archers."
"It sounds plausible. What's the catch?" Myth smiled.
"It's acquiring the Snowboards that's the problem. We can enchant them obviously though we need a bit of extra help for protection wards and such to make them fool proof."
"Hmm I think it'll work. Interestingly enough the Ministry of Magic has banned flying carpets and this is quite like a flying carpet. So since it's illegal it makes it more worth our while."
Myth chucked, "Anything to piss off the Ministry I see."
"Of course, we'll acquire as many snowboards as we can tonight and if more are needed then we'll get you more. As for the enchantments and wards ask Raven, he's excellent at wards, although he was a bit hopeless only last year. Oh would you mind teaching Raven a bit on archery? He's a natural at it but I think he could be even better with your help." Explained Mad Hatter. Myth nodded.
"Raven, we gave him an elfish bow and arrow to use. I'll go and see him now anyway ." Myth curtly nodded and walked off carrying his hoverboard under his arm.
Mad Hatter watched after him but was distracted as her communication orb floated up in front of him. Grabbing it out of the air he watched it glow and a Lost Boys face appeared in the small orb.
"Yes?"
"Mad we've found him."
"Who?"
"The Dragon, we found the Dragon."
~ End Chapter 4 ~
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A/N: Probably not the best place to leave ya all but oh well.
First of all about the hoverboard, it makes sense that they would eventually enchant one, after all they enchanted a car to fly not to mention a motorcycle. Why not a snowboard?
Next chapter: summer is on the way and Ginny still has a lot to learn, the date for her departure is coming up. The Lost Boys and Elves alliance is finally sealed and Draco is welcomed into the Lost Boys, though both parties seem to have separate agendas, it's down to the battle of wits. The Order is gathered and Sirius returns to Hogwarts.
Review if you want!
And big thanks to SAMI and Jeff as my beta-readers!
~ Maab ~