It had taken quite a few tries of different spells and charms to release her from the ropes. She had burned several holes through her cloak in the struggle. Thankfully, those particular death eaters were too thick to consider that she might be armed. She sighed in relief; he was still breathing...barely, but still breathing nonetheless.

The muggle, on the other hand, was slumped over in the chair, held up only by the ropes that tied him to it. She figured he was dead... she didn't have the courage to check, and she had to think of something to help Professor Snape--and quickly.

Kneeling over him, she tried to wake him. He only let out a quiet moan; that would have to do.

She only knew a few charms to help him. Why didn't I practice more advanced healing spells all with all the attacking ones? She wouldn't be able to handle this anyhow; she was too inexperienced. She needed to get to a hospital... not a muggle hospital. Curse wounds of this magnitude were too much for doctors to handle.

Or she could at least find another wizard nearby? How would she take him with her? Surely he couldn't walk. She could use the mobilicorpus spell to carry him along... no, she couldn't afford the risk of muggles seeing an obviously unconscious man levitating behind her. No, there was no time.

Maybe she could find an owl or some other bird to deliver a message to Dumbledore? No, she didn't want Snape in any more trouble. St. Mungo's? Yes... but it would take far too long.

She looked out the window, desperately searching for a solution. The naked trees swayed in the bitter winter wind, and night was falling at a rapid pace. Barren limbs scraped against the window, the wind howling past them.

That's it!

The Ravenclaw spirit in her had inspired her to discover new magic. She had been practicing incantations, and nurturing her kinship with trees. If she concentrated hard, and wanted it to happen enough, the targeted tree would awaken and move according to her will. This spell had only worked on small seedlings so far, but she had faith. She knew her need would bring her great power. The only problem was, this spell would only last for a while, depending on the size and health of the one she cast it upon. This was her last resort; she had to try.

Dragging him and her book bag outside with her, she searched the house's yard for the largest tree. Why were there so many fir trees when she didn't need them? Far off, perhaps 50 yards away, she spotted a large, goblet-shaped elm tree. She wasn't very strong, and a full gown man was not an easy thing to carry. After what seemed like an eternity, she reached it. She pointed her wand toward the roots and spoke, "Arboreus Exceocitum!"

A low rumbling sound could be heard, and the earth began to shake. The tree groaned and creaked loudly as its branches began to move. She quickly slipped off her glove and gently stroked the rough bark of the trunk. "Flexus," she asked, and the tree slowly bent down. She lifted Snape onto it, keeping him supported between the thickest branches. Quickly she climbed on, scraping her knees and tearing her dress in the process.

The sky was turning a darker gray. "Momenixus!" she commanded, and the tree pulled its roots from the snow covered ground. As she patted the limbs of the mighty elm reassuringly, it carried them off along the nearby dirt road.

Nearly an hour had past since they had arrived in the house, and she guess that they were about 10 miles away from it by now. For such large, heavy life-forms, trees traveled quite well. The sky hung over them like deep blue cloak, with twinkling stars scattered across it, reaching far and wide. Breathing in the fresh night air, she saw the headlights of a car up ahead.

"Strigo!" she shrieked. The tree came to an abrupt halt, nearly throwing them off with the force of inertia.

The car reached them, and the window rolled down to reveal a pudgy woman with bags under her eyes. "Can I be of any assistance?" She called out sweetly.

Lucretia tried to make them look inconspicuous. "Uhhh... it's... my uncle. He's... an alcoholic. Yes...that's it," she replied nervously.

"Do you need help, dear?" the woman asked.

"No, thank you... I can handle it."

"Okay... take care now!" she said, rolled up the window, and sped away.

"That was close," she whispered to herself. Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest. She glanced at Snape, who had finally stopped bleeding, and sighed. "Momenixus," she said, and the tree continued to walk down the road.