Chapter 141: Alondra Bracho & Rachael Jones

'Sometimes you have to take one for the team. It's what true friends do!
You don't let your guard down for them, and you give it your all! But I'm
preaching to the Choir right? You always put others needs before your own.
Just be careful, mija. Think before you act!'
-From Damion Bracho to his daughter Alondra Bracho on true friendships.

And then there were three," Alondra breathed as she rose to her feet and noticed, Ray and Erin on either side of her.

"Ok there, Allie?" Ray asked as pulled some stray red tresses from her face.

Alondra nodded and noticed that Erin wasn't on her feet. "Erin?" Alondra asked as she kneeled down and gently, but urgently, shook Erin's small shoulder. Erin didn't move or make a sound. "Erin! Erin, by the Fates! Erin, wake up!"

"She's knocked out, Allie! Come along, we have to move her from here quickly!" Ray reasoned with the panicked Alondra.

"O-Ok... I hope she's all right," Alondra mumbled, as she bit her lip and slowly draped one of Erin's arms around her shoulders and Ray did the same for the other. Together, both girls managed to hastily drape Erin's unconscious form by a large Tree.

Alondra made sure Erin was lying comfortably and was partially hidden from view of the Trolls. "Don't worry, Allie, we'll make sure those ugly things stay away from her," Ray piped up, noticing Alondra's concerned frown as she rose to her feet.

Alondra looked to Ray and smiled lightly. "Yes, of course. Watch out!"

Ray instantly back flipped away from Alondra as a club came flying at them. Alondra screeched and ducked. "Allie! I'll distract it and you knock it down with spells!" Ray ordered not too far from her as the Troll narrowed its eyes at them menacingly.

Alondra swallowed hard. "Sp-Spells? B-But, I-I... that won't work! I'm muggle born, I won't get them on the first try!"

Ray looked to Alondra hard. "Do it!" She ordered as she sprang into a cartwheel and the Troll moved towards her.

"Ray! Oh! Hey, you big galoot! Flipendo!" Alondra yelled as a swirl of golden light hit the ugly Troll square in the back. He roared and swung around immediately. His beady black eyes narrowing angrily at her.

Alondra swallowed hard and stepped back nervously. "Incedius!" She yelled as a dark red light gashed one of the Troll's arms. He roared furiously and came at Alondra at full speed. "Oh no!" She breathed as she sprang away from it in a flash.

Alondra's eyes suddenly flickered a deathly white. 'Damn mudbloods! So weak and pathetic!'

"No!" Alondra resolved angrily as a sudden gust of wind picked up around her as she spun around and glared at the oncoming troll. Narrowing her eyes at it, a flash of lightning struck in the sky and the heavens thundered from above. Tilting her head to one side the strike of lightning gashed his arm.

The troll stumbled back and let out loud cry. Alondra breathed in deep and smiled hauntingly. "Not so tough now, huh!"

The Troll growled, stood firm once again. Alondra swallowed hard and her eyes flickered back to their soft caramel state. Shaking her head she kept a close eye out for his next move. He seemed to pause, planning his strategy, then in one swift motion swung at Alondra, causing her to stumble back into a large and hidden thorn bush.

"Yaaaaaahhhh!" Alondra screamed painfully, as she felt the tiny and sharp thorns dig into her skin roughly, all around her.

"Alondra!" Ray yelled as she ran at her, not caring about the Troll for a brief moment. The Troll grumbled and turned in the direction where both girls had come from. His nose sniffing the air suspiciously.

Alondra bit down on her lip, holding back tears as she struggled to get out of the thorn hell she was pinned to. "R-Ray... No! Get away!" She managed to say, feeling sticky liquid on her arms, and legs.

"Allie, we gotta get you out of there!" Ray replied urgently as she struggled to stay in place and not just jump in to help Alondra out. She winced as she noticed, Alondra's punctured skin.

Alondra breathed in deep. She wanted to scream, wanted to close her eyes and let go of the pain, but looking up to Ray's grave features and worried eyes, she knew she had to be strong and help her friend. Holding back a whimper of pain and with swift speed, she sprang out of the bush and landed roughly on the grass by Ray. "Hells Bells! Ow," She breathed softly as she winced when Ray helped her to her feet.

"Allie, you're bleeding! You might have thorns embedded in your skin!" Ray told her as she examined Alondra's pierced arms and legs.

Alondra bit her lip. "I-I'm fine! Really, we'll worry about it later, Ray! Hey, Where's the Troll?" She suddenly asked as they looked about them.

"Oh no..." Ray suddenly mumbled as she looked back to where they had been.

"Erin!" Alondra gasped and both girls raced to where they had left their fallen friend. Sure enough, the Troll stood a few paces away from Erin's unconscious form. His snarly face sniffing the air.

"You hideous ogre! Get away from there!" Ray called as she rushed over and caught his eyes once more. The Troll sneered as he rounded on her. Alondra winced as she gripped her wand. Her body demanding to shut down from the searing pain all over her body.

Ray screamed as the Troll cornered her and swung at her. Alondra gasped and ignoring the burning pain, she sped in front of her friend protectively. "Wingardium Levio-" Alondra didn't manage to finish as she felt an impact against the side of her head and a million lights invaded her vision.

"Allie!" She vaguely heard Ray scream, as her own screams of pain echoed
around her. Her limbs weakened and she felt her knees give way from under her. Shutting her eyes, her body gave into the inviting darkness and she knew no more.

"Allie!" Ray screamed, running towards Allie, once again forgetting about the troll. It was the snapping of twigs that alerted Ray to the troll's presence. 'Okay,' she thought, 'you can do this, its just a troll,' one voice told her, the other responding with 'yeah a troll that's more than five times your size,'

"NO!" she screamed, loudly and quickly bent down looking for something sharp. Her eyes spotted a sharp jiggered piece of stone on the other side of the troll. Ray darted forward, using her small size and speed, she darted between the troll's legs, and threw herself into a dive roll, grabbing the piece of rock she wanted.

The troll whirled around, swinging its club, making Ray jump and duck. She needed to get closer to the troll, within striking distance for her, but out of it for it. Looking around frantically she spotted a low branch of a near by tree, she quickly made a run for it. The troll seemed to expect the move, its club swinging wildly behind her. One particularly close swing caught Ray's leg, tripping her, throwing her to the ground, she scrambled quickly to get up, adrenaline flooding her body, leaving her unable to tell if she was injured.

Taking a flying leap, Ray grabbed the branch, preformed a few spectacular gymnastics moves, and landed on the troll's shoulders. Holding on tightly with her legs, Ray grabbed the sharp and pointy stone, and repeatedly brought the sharp end down on the troll's head.

All Ray could think about was how much blood there was, she was covered in it, her face, arms, legs, everything, covered in thick troll blood, but it didn't matter because her friends were safe.

Dissecting herself from the troll, Ray ran over and checked on both Allie and Erin, she knew Allie needed medical attention, and soon, Erin seemed to be okay, only out cold, but Ray didn't want to take any chance.

Ray's head whirled around and ducked when she heard Cassandra scream,

"Ray Look Out!"

The club of the remaining troll hit the ground, inches from where Ray had just been, turning to look where Cassandra was yelling from, Ray yelled,

"I'll distract it," whilst jumping up and running past the troll, begging it to find her more interesting than the injured Allie. Ray saw Cassandra move into motion, her wand out in front of her and a curse on her lips.

Chapter 142: Cassandra Serenity & Rachael Jones

"Vacilloqui!" echoed from Cassandra's lips as she watched the mighty creature swing around for another go at Ray.

The lumbering troll was hit squarely in the head with a shot of sickly yellow light, which caused the creature to snap and snarl venomously. One arm continued to swing its club mindlessly while the other rubbed at the troll's now blurred vision. The conjunctivitis curse had nearly blinded the troll, but had not stopped him completely.

Ray ducked quickly as the enormous troll's club flailed about wildly, missing her by a mere two inches. Tucking into a tight tumble the light footed red head escaped to safety on the opposite side of the troll. Cassandra could see that she was covered in blood, both red and green. This meant that not only did she have troll blood on her, but human blood as well. The thought of her friends being hurt stung deep inside of Cass. She had been the one to say they should do it alone, if any of her friends were hurt it was her fault.

"Cass, watch out!" Ray screamed above the dim in Cassandra's mind.

Breaking from her self-hating thoughts Cassandra saw the stumbling troll raise its arm to swing its huge club down at her. Before she could raise her wand to say the next spell, however, the troll quickly turned its attention away. It was then that Cassandra noticed Ray had done another of her fine gymnastics moves and kicked the troll directly behind the knee.

The troll fell down on one knee; its club still raised high was brought down in a sweeping arch towards the other red head. Ray was quick, but the arch was wide and would either hit her directly or at the very least clip her side. Either way, the young girl would be hurt and again it would be all Cassandra's fault.

"Expelliarmus!" Cassandra shouted as the familiar blue light bolted from her wand's tip.

Like an unseen hand, the enormous club was ripped from the troll's ragged gripe and sent flying towards Cassandra. If she had thought better of it she might have sent it somewhere else, but at present she wasn't thinking that far ahead. Jumping out of the way of the huge wooden weapon, Cassandra barely managed to move before it landed directly where she had been standing. The fall to the ground shot another ripple of pain up her already injured left arm.

Ray having had enough time to get away from the trolls grasp rushed to her friend's side. Her green eyes were wide with adrenalin and worry. Trying to help her friend to her feet she reached out to take one of Cassandra's arms, but found the wrong one. As Ray grabbed gingerly onto Cass's left arm she hissed in pain, the rippling pain turning to searing torment. Quick to see that her friend was hurt Ray changed sides and helped Cassandra to her feet with her right arm.

"Cass you're hurt," Ray warned as she helped the other red head stand.

"I know, but we've got to finish this last one off," Cassandra said with a strong determination in her voice, "no one else can get hurt."

As the two girls spoke the still blinded troll had managed to get to its feet again. Guided only by his sense of smell he was beginning to close in on the two girls, both smelling of copper and sweat. The stumbling creature no longer had it wooden weapon, but its own size and fists could do as much damage as any club.

"What do we do now?" Ray questioned with concern as she held on tightly to her friend's unhurt arm.

Nodding her head in resolution Cassandra turned to her friend. "I need to get one more spell off. Can you keep it away long enough for me too?"

Ray's green eyes hardened as she readied herself. "Of course I can," she said with perhaps more determination that she actually had.

She was swift into action, moving away from her friend with agile speed and grace. Ray had caught the troll's attention once again. For a brief moment Cassandra pondered the courage this young girl must possess. It wasn't time to think about such things, however, and Cassandra quickly found her wand where it had fallen in the jump to escape the flying wooden club.

Once the wand had been found Cassandra looked up to see Ray getting dangerously close to the troll's out stretched arms. The other girls attention was set on the creatures left arm, but behind her the right one was loomed too close. As it sung down at the petit girl Cassandra bellowed out her finally curse, every cell in her body willing it to stop the hand which was about to smash into her friend.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

The spell hit and with only inches to spare before it would have hit the unsuspecting girl the troll's right arm, along with its left, snapped to its side. Both legs snapped together causing the troll to rock slightly before it began to fall like a mighty tree in the forest. Magenta and Daniel, having finished off their trolls where on their way over when the troll began fall. The two hastily dashed out of the way as the creature crashed to the ground, shaking the earth on which they all stood.

The last of the trolls had been defeated and now lay helpless on the forest's floor. The group had done it, though not without some damage to themselves. Now they had to find the stone, before something else came to dispatch them.

Ray watched as the troll fell, watched as her two friends dashed out of the way, the impact of the troll hitting the ground knocked her off her feet, scrambling to her feet, Ray made a mad dash over to where Erin and Alondra were still unconscious, checking both of them over and over until she was satisfied that there was nothing else she could do. Walking back over to the group, she noticed that she seemed to be the only uninjured one.

"What do we do now?" she asked the group, "we need to get Alondra and Erin to the hospital wing, and soon."

Chapter 143: Daniel Smith

The four youngsters who were still standing eyed a scene of devastation. Five trolls had attacked. Four lay on the forest floor, either knocked unconscious or paralysed, and the fifth was gone and showed no sign of returning. But two of their number had also fallen, victims of the trolls' massive clubs. Smoke hung in the air, and the foul smell of spilt blood mixed with it.

"What do we do now?" Ray queried. She and Magenta were more or less unhurt. Daniel and Cassandra had taken punishment, but were mobile and capable of fighting. "We have to get Alondra and Erin to the hospital wing."

Cass also stared down at her downed comrades. Daniel knelt next to Alondra and put his cheek next to her mouth. "She's OK, I think. She's breathing, at least."

"Erin's all right, too," Cass reported. "But she's unconscious, and helpless. We can't just leave them here."

"No, we can't," Daniel concurred. "But we can't turn back, either. Someone needs to stay with them."

"I'll do it," Cass volunteered.

"But you need to find the stone," Magenta reminded her. "You know what it should look like, all we know is that it's red. Dan, why don't you do it?" Daniel was the fiercest fighter of the group, even if he wasn't necessarily the strongest (either physically or magically). With him there, the two fallen girls would be as well-protected as was possible.

"Dan's no nurse, and neither are you," Ray said, brutally accurately. "I'll stay with them. Dan and Magenta, keep Cass safe. All right?"

Daniel nodded. "Will do."

And so they left the scene of the furious battle: Daniel in the lead, wand held out in front of him like a fencer's foil. Cassandra walked behind him, and Magenta brought up the rear. The forest was full of strange sounds, but most of the dangerous creatures in it had been chased off by the trolls. Nonetheless, Daniel was taking no chances, he advanced slowly, eyes always moving, ready for anything. A few times, Cass considered pushing past him, but decided not to. Daniel had seen far more combat than she had.

About two hundred yards further on from where the trolls had accosted them, he stopped. There was a strange reddish glow coming from a small clearing. He advanced slowly, but there was nothing moving there. In the middle of the empty space lay a grey dais of what looked like marble. In the middle of that was a round stone pedestal, and floating above the pedestal was a dark red stone roughly the size of a walnut. It glowed with an inner light. "Cass," Daniel said. "Is that it?"

"What?" Cass queried, creeping forward. She saw the stone. "Uhhh... I don't know. I don't remember it being luminescent."

Daniel shrugged. "It's magical, isn't it?"

"So are you, but you don't glow in the dark," Magenta quipped.

"Bite me," Daniel retorted.

The three children crept forward onto the dais. "Do you think there are any spells around it?" Cassandra wondered out loud.

"How would I know?" Daniel queried, glancing around nervously. "But we have to get it sooner or later. It's what we're here for."

They all stared at the floating stone, then Magenta stepped forward. "I'll do it," she said.

Daniel stopped her. "No. It should be me," he said.

"Because you're the boy? Don't give me that," the girl said, and she pushed past him and reached for the stone.

Cassandra suddenly had a really bad feeling. "Wait! Don't..." she began, but it was too late. Magenta had already grasped the stone in her hand.

The moment she touched it, she was engulfed by an expanding cerulean blue glow, which quickly expanded into a sphere, large enough to cover Daniel and Cassandra as well. It didn't hurt, though it tingled a bit as they were enveloped by it. And then, all three of them felt a violent jerk behind their navels, the unmistakeable sensation of a portkey going active, and then they went sprawling onto the floor of a grimy subterranean chamber, landing in a heap of arms and legs and robes.

They quickly scrambled to disentangle themselves, not as easy as it might have seemed, given that they could barely see. The room was illuminated only by the sullen glow of a single torch, and was composed of a pewter-gray stone that seemed to absorb light.

"What the... what happened!" Magenta wanted to know, as soon as she was out from under Daniel (who, for once, had wound up on top).

"I don't know! Where are we?" Cass demanded.

"We're down below the castle," Daniel said. "I was here once. Snape said even his Slytherin's were afraid to go this deep."

The other two visibly swallowed. Slytherin's spent much of their time down in the dark and dank. If there were a place where even they feared to tread, it had to be pretty scary. "H-how do we get out?" Magenta queried.

Daniel went over to the door and examined it. He tried beating it, then kicking it. "Not by force. This door is at least three inches thick, solid oak. We'd need a tank to get through it."

"What's a tank?" Cassandra wanted to know.

"It's a muggle thing. I'll draw you a picture of one later. Or maybe have Dean do it." Muggle-born and raised, Dean would know what a tank looked like, and Daniel's artistic ability was laughable.

"Alohamora," Cass tried, jabbing her wand at the lock. Nothing happened. "It's magically locked, I think." Alohamora would defeat any simple tumbler-based lock, though it was useless against either magical or muggle-built electronic locks.

"Then we don't get out," Daniel said simply.

"You could try your sun beam spell," Magenta suggested.

Daniel raised his wand, but Cass caught his arm. "Burn the door? We'd asphyxiate long before he got halfway through it."

"Better than starving down here."

"Let's wait awhile," Daniel suggested, pocketing his wand. "Someone may come and let us out."

A long and uncomfortable silence ensued as the three stood around (the floor was wet and covered with green goo). Cassandra was still upset with Daniel, since she still had it in her head that Daniel had voluntarily told Magenta and Alondra her secret. Daniel was uncomfortable with her anger, and was feeling some of his own for Magenta. The latter wasn't really angry with anyone, but was wondering what the deal was with the other two.

The door handle rattled, and all three children drew their wands. A tall, silver-haired figure walked into the room, his own wand out and glowing with a brilliant golden light: Albus Dumbledore. He was flanked by McGonagall and Snape, both of whom also had their own wands out and lit (Snape's glowed a sickly green). Daniel and the girls quickly lowered their wands. "Professor?" Magenta queried amazedly.

"Hello, Miss Serenity, Miss Coldren," Dumbledore said. "Mr. Smith."

"What... what just happened?" Daniel demanded to know.

"Uh... we found the Stone," Magenta said, offering it to Dumbledore. "The Sorcerer's Stone, I mean."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Keep it."

If Magenta's eyes had opened any wider, they might have popped out of her skull. "Professor!" she gasped. Daniel was equally amazed. Cassandra, however, showed no sign of surprise.

"It's not the actual Sorcerer's Stone," Dumbledore explained. "Just a simple piece of garnet, enchanted to glow. But very convincing, wasn't it?" He looked at the three question-filled preteens. "I'll explain the rest when your whole group is present," he said.

"Sir, there are three more," Daniel said. "In the woods. Two hurt, and a third looking after them."

"Miss Jones and your housemates have already been found," Dumbledore responded. "I sent Hagrid and Professor Flitwick to retrieve them twenty minutes ago; they should be receiving treatment by now." He beamed at them. "The trolls are also receiving medical attention; your group did considerable damage to them."

"But how did you...?"

"Patience, Daniel," Dumbledore said, aware that Daniel preferred to be addressed by his Christian name. "I'll answer all of your questions when we get to the hospital wing."

Daniel had been right about where they were. It seemed that the Hogwarts complex, in addition to covering vast grounds and soaring in high towers, went a long, long way down below ground. He had been made aware of that the first and only time he had dared cross Severus Snape in class. Since the Potions master hadn't had a pressing need for frog guts or rat brains or newt eyes, he had simply marched the offending boy down the stairs and locked him in a cramped mini-cell (known as an oubliette), thirteen floors below ground level. Daniel, a bit of a claustrophobic, had emerged from the cell trembling and faint, and had not been his usual self for days. He had been as good as gold in Snape's class from then on.

After climbing fifteen staircases (it was enough to make you wish for a good old muggle elevator), the six of them entered the hospital wing. Both Alondra and Erin were sitting up in bed, as was (surprisingly enough) Ron Weasley. His best buddy Harry was also there, but he was still out like a light. Given the light level and noise, Daniel was pretty sure that he was unconscious, rather than simply asleep. Also present were Matt (sick), Neville (recovering from some hex that Hermione had hit him with), and the older three Weasleys (visiting their brother). All in all, it was a pretty nifty little gathering. They still had the picnic basket, and some sweets had been delivered by the twins, so there was refreshment for those who wanted it.

Once they were quieted down, Dumbledore began to explain what had happened. He started with the quest undertaken by Harry and his two friends, who had been on the trail of the real Sorcerer's Stone. They had run a gauntlet of perils that had made even the troll horde seem tame by comparison, ending with the particularly thorny challenge of the Mirror of Erised, and Quirrell. It seemed that the Defence teacher had been carrying Voldemort under his turban. Only a strange protective spell that surrounded Harry had stopped him from taking the stone and using it to resurrect himself completely with it.

He then turned to the six students who had faced the trolls. "As for you, I'm afraid you fell victim to an additional security measure that was in place."

"The bartender in the Hog's Head?" Daniel said slowly.

Dumbledore nodded. "My brother, Aberforth. He was instructed to tell anyone who mentioned the Stone, or any valuable item at Hogwarts, the story about Hagrid becoming drunk and spilling the story of the mysterious space behind the unicorn paddock. There was a path, of course, but all it led to was a group of security trolls, as I'm sure you all deduced. And beyond them, I placed a specially modified portkey, designed to capture any treasure-seeker who defeated the trolls, and incarcerate him or her. I just wasn't expecting Hogwarts first-years."

"Indeed," McGonagall said. "How'd you find out?"

Shamefacedly, Daniel admitted having ditched his nannies in Hogsmeade and crept into the Hog's Head bar. Further questioned, he explained how he had escaped.

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Aberforth mentioned the smoke bomb incident. He thought it rather funny, though his patrons were less than amused."

"Well, I had to do something," Daniel said.

"Five points from Gryffindor for sneaking away from your group," McGonagall said crisply. "Consider yourself lucky."

"Awwww," Daniel said, though he did consider himself lucky. She could have as easily taken fifty.

Madame Pomfrey approached the group. "Excuse me, Albus, and the rest of you, but your friends need to rest. I suggest that those of you requiring treatment come this way, and the rest of you shuffle off to bed."

"Of course, Poppy," Dumbledore said. He was used to this: he had been a student at Hogwarts for seven years and a teacher for over a hundred, and had seen quite a few nurses come and go. And they all insisted that their patients needed to rest, usually when a conversation was at its most interesting. "Good night, then."

"I'll escort you to your dormitory," McGonagall said to Hermione and Daniel. The latter's relatively minor scraped and bruises had been erased by one of Madame Pomfrey's healing potions, and the former was essentially unhurt. "Come along, quickly. It's far past your bedtime."

Sighing, the preteens said their goodnights to their friends, then followed their head of house back up to Gryffindor.

Chapter 144: Rachael Jones

Ray watched as the rest of her group walked away, there was no reason for her to be scared, but sitting alone in the forest surrounded by dead or injured trolls, and her two unconscious friends, she felt very small and unsafe.

Surveying the situation Ray walked around to where the two girls were lying. Checking Erin first, she checked her pulse and breathing before turning her over looking for the cause of her unconscious state. Pulling her hand away, Ray noticed that she had fresh blood on her hand. Looking back to Erin, she found a fairly large amount of blood clotting in the girl's hair.

Ray's mum was a nurse, she had been made to take many first aid courses both at home and at school and knew more about first aid than one might think. Looking around Ray knew that a sacrifice was needed; Erin was the cleanest of the group.

Getting up, Ray ran over to the picnic basket sitting where the group first entered the scene. Rifling through the basket Ray found what she was looking for and ran back to Erin. Using the knife she had found, Ray cut the sleave off Erin's top, then cut it down the seam making a long temporary bandage. Smiling Ray wrapped the homemade bandage tightly around Erin's head, being careful not to wrap it too tightly.

Moving over to Alondra, Ray once again checked the girls pulse and breathing, she remembered that Alondra had fallen into a thorny bush. She knew there would be too many wounds for her to clean and dress. Checking the girl's head, she looked for the spot that the trolls club impacted with Alondra's head. Repeating the process of making a bandage, Ray wrapped Alondra's head, making the girl as comfortable as possible. Ray sat down between the two girls, hoping that the others were safe and would send help soon.

What felt like hours later, Ray heard a noise, one that didn't belong to the forest. Her head snapped towards the noise, she quietly got to her feet her wand pointed towards the noise. Adrenaline was still pumping through her system, moving quickly and quietly away from the two unconscious girls, Ray called out.

"Who's there?"

"Miss Bracho? Miss Jones? Miss Stephens?" she heard a familiar voice call.

"Who is it?" Ray called again, slowly moving into the clearing, trying to keep the fear from her voice.

"Miss Jones is that you?" squeaked Professor Flitwick, looking towards the girl who was covered in green and red blood.

"P… Professor?" Ray asked uncertainly.

"O' thank the heaven'," shouted Hagrid, moving towards the girl but still out of sight.

"Mr… Mr Hagrid?" Ray asked, "Can you both move so I can see you," she added wanting to make sure it was the teachers.

Stepping into the clearing, Professor Flitwick and Hagrid took in the scene around them. Four trolls unconscious badly injured or dead, the fifth having run off, with Ray standing amongst them her wand out in front of her. Sighing in relief at the sight of her teachers, Ray quickly explained what had happened, leading them to the two unconscious girls. Hagrid lifted Alondra and Professor Flitwick levitated Erin back to the castle, straight to the infirmary.

Shortly after they arrived at the hospital wing, Professor Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall followed by Dan, Magenta and Cassandra entered the room. Cass and Dan were ushered to Madam Pomfrey for their injuries. After listening to the explanations of what happened, Professor McGonagall offered to escort the group back to their dorms.

"Stay right there Miss Coldren," called Madam Pomfrey noticing the girl trying to conceal her limping. "Off to bed with the rest of you." she said dismissing the others. "Into that bed next to Miss Serenity," Ray heard Madam Pomfrey tell Magenta.

"Miss Coldren, you keep your rear on that bed. I'll be with you in a moment." Madame Pomfrey shot the ebony haired girl a fearsome look. Magenta sat back down. This was her third attempt to escape to the common room and nurse her ankle in peace, but, once again, Pomfrey had caught her.

Magenta sighed wearily and sat back on the bed. A squeal of pain escaped her lips. One wrong move and her ankle shot pain up her left leg. Bloody useless thing. What are ankles good for anyways, other than to be broken? Magenta by this point wasn't thinking very clearly. Exhaustion and pain had made her mind a bit foggy.

A half hour passed, and Magenta watched intently as Madame Pomfrey fixed Cassandra's broken arm and gave her a sleeping draft, then tended to Ron, Hermione and Harry, whom had shown up a bit earlier.

"Miss Coldren, wake up." Madame Pomfrey was narrowing her eyes at the sleeping girl. Magenta had fallen back on the bed, and dozed off.

"I wasn't sleep." she lied. Madame Pomfrey eyed her for a moment, but then turned to her ankle.

"I'm going to have to get this boot off. This may hurt." Madame Pomfrey went down to the end of the bed and carefully lifted Magenta's foot. Magenta cringed, but made no noise. "Here, bite on this." The nurse handed Magenta a wet washcloth. "It's primitive, but it works. Now, on the count of three, One... two..." Magenta screamed into the cloth as Madame Pomfrey pulled the boot off. The pain was almost nauseating. This was Magenta's last moment of consciousness before she was awoken hours later in a bed in the Hospital wing.

"Miss Jones?" asked Professor Snape, "I'll return you to your dorms," he added.

"Thank you Professor," Professor McGonagall said to Severus.

Walking back to the dungeons Severus watched Ray, she seemed more distant than he had seen her before, Hagrid had pulled him aside after everyone was in the infirmary, explaining what they had found, especially how they found Ray.

"Will you come back to my office Ray?" he asked hoping that she would know what he was saying.

"K," she answered in an eerily dead voice.

Turning so they went to his living quarters, he walked in silence until they reached his door. Holding the door open he whispered the password, and led Ray inside.

"Are you okay?" he asked, sitting down on in his armchair. He wasn't sure how to go about this conversation, only that it needed to be done.

"I'm fine," she said flatly, "Can… Can I have a shower please?"

"Go have one then we'll talk," he said sending her to the shower.

Standing under the flowing water, Ray felt all energy leave her. She knew she had been running on nothing for quite awhile. Leaning against the shower wall, she washed the troll and human blood off herself, got out of the shower and wrapped herself in a huge black fluffy towel and walked back into the lounge room, planning on asking Severus to get her some clean clothes.

She suddenly felt weak, stiff and sore, stumbling over a piece of rug, she was shocked to find herself surrounded by strong warm arms. She was lifted up and carried over to Severus' favourite armchair, he lowered them both into the chair and held the small girl tightly in his arms, trying to comfort her.

Severus had never seen Ray like this before; it was like she had withdrawn her emotions from being let out, and he knew that she needed to let them out, only he didn't know how.

"Ray what happened?" he asked gently. "Please tell me?" he asked quietly. They sat in silence, Ray going over the events, and Severus patiently waiting for her to answer. Over an hour later she started talking.

"We were looking for the stone, Dan had heard someone was going after it, and we didn't want Harry to get in more trouble," she explained quietly. "When we got there, their was five huge security trolls, when they saw us they attacked, Dan and Magenta went after two, and Cassandra went in the opposite direction with two."

"What happened next?" he prompted, when Ray went quiet again.

"Erin was knocked out by one it nearly got Alondra and myself as well. We moved Erin to safety then went after the last troll. Allie fell into a bush of thorns then was hit in the head by the trolls club and passed out," Ray answered calmly, not wanting to go on. "I… I couldn't think of any spells to help me, and if I could've they wouldn't have worked, I'm not good with a wand." She gushed, getting steadily more worked up.

"What don't you want to tell me Ray?" Severus asked.

"I had to keep them safe, no one else was there to help me, I had to protect them," she said adamantly, as if not saying it to Severus, but telling herself. "I found a piece of sharp rock, and managed to get on its shoulders. It was trying to hurt them!" she exclaimed loudly, tears now pouring down her face.

"Its okay Ray, your not in trouble, just tell me what happened," Severus soothed, rubbing the girl gently on the back.

"I… I… I killed it," she finally said, sobbing loudly, "I brought the rock down on its head over and over again until it fell to the ground dead," she whispered, tears pouring down her face, not able to look at Severus, not wanting to see the disappointed look on his face.

"You did nothing wrong Sweetie," he soothed, "shhhh."

Eventually her breathing evened out, and he knew she was asleep. Standing up he carried her over to the made up lounge and laid her down. Leaning over to cover her, he noticed her one of her legs was badly bruised and sitting at an almost awkward angle.

Picking her up again, Severus carried her to the hospital wing, ignoring the strange looks from professors and students along the way. Explaining to Madam Pomfrey what had happened, and what he had found, they awoke the girl to give her some dreamless sleep potion and went about setting the well and truly broken leg.

Severus sat down in the chair next to Ray, he would be here when she awoke, he would always be here for her.

Chapter 145: Holly Ethers

Dear Diary,
I still can't believe that Grandmamma is dead. Father's all I have left now. If you could be mad at people for dieing, I would be. Detention wasn't that bad. From what I saw, it must have been pretty exciting for the other group. Holly

Dear Diary,
Draco is such a bleeding git! I mean, not that he wasn't already. He felt he had to

Grandmamma, and I swear I would have punched him it weren't for Snape showing up. Holly

Dear Diary,
I failed my Potions test. Father went ballistic! Not that I care anymore. Holly

Dear Diary,
Today I was in the Library looking up a potion to write about for extra credit. I figured it was end of the year potion that we would do. Turned out it was a second year advanced potion. I was reading it, and a second year boy was looking for it. Since he needed it for class work, not just for bringing a sorry grade up, I naturally let him have it. Holly

Dear Diary,
I did well on my Charms test. Maybe that will get Father off my back. Holly.

Dear Diary,
I swear! Draco knows how Mother died. Most likely because Father told Mr. Malfoy. I HATE being a Slytherin's daughter. I'm expected to hate the people I share my house with. I have to ignore those who aren't purebloods, and instead have to be friends with jerks like Draco. AND to make things better, that jerk knows more about my family than I do! If he knows more about my life than I do, than it can't be much of one. Holly

Dear Diary,
Mira, one of the maids, sent me a picture today. She found it while cleaning out Grandmamma's room. It was a picture of Mother and Grandmamma. Mother was wearing a necklace I've never seen before, and Grandmamma showed me all of her jewellery, and gave me most of it. I wonder what happened to it. Hermione was sitting next to me when I got the owl, and she asked who it was from. She thought Mira was Father's girlfriend! Isn't that funny? Anyway, when Hermione heard Mira was a maid, she said "Don't you have house elves?" I had to explain to her why Father got maids. Actually, I don't know why, but I told her what Grandmamma told me. "Having maids when you have house elves, is making the impression that your rich, when you could make the exact same impression if you bought lots of fancy foreign fruit. The fruit would be better, anyway, maids have no nutritional value whatsoever." Doesn't that sound like Grandmamma? Holly

Dear Diary,
Draco was being a royal git again. I had to remind him of my yearly tradition of socking him. Haven't got to do it this year though…. Yet. Holly

Dear Diary,
Remember that boy in the library I told you about? I was looking for it when he returned it, and he asked me what I needed if for, since I was a firstie. He offered to help me with it. Since I need all the help I can get in potions, I accepted. His name is Adam. Holly

Dear Diary,
I was in the common room today when Adam showed up with his second year buddies. There's Gary, Alex, Courtney, and Arion. (I call them the A crew, since most of their names begin with A) Poor Arion had a bit of trouble last year with a fire, and she had to work really hard to keep up. Adam showed me some Holly

Dear Diary,
I passed the potions test! I won't tell Father that Adam helped me on it yet. He'd disown me. He'd say "Ethers don't accept the help of mudbloods!" But Father is an old wind bag! Holly

Dear Diary,
Arion showed me this song, and its really quite pretty. She's teaching it to me. Its about an Irish druidess called Cliodny. Whether or not I spelled it right, I'll never know. Holly

Dear Diary,
It's almost time for exams, I'm so nervous. Adam said he's help me, but he's busy with his own exams. I hope I pull through. Holly.

Dear Diary,
I'm doing well in transfiguration. McGonagall is a stickler, but she is fair. Holly

Dear Diary.
Arion and I wrote a song. It sounds Irish, but that's just to me. Holly

Dear Diary,
Do you remember Parvati and Lavender? Well they're giving me a time simply because I know Adam! Apparently "how you ended up spending time with that cutie" is beyond their mental capacities. Then again, most things are. Holly

Dear Diary,
Grades are getting better. Maybe things are turning out for me! No, wait, scratch that. Never jinx it! NEVER! Holly

Dear Diary,
Remind me to kick Draco so hard in the legs he'll look like Flitwick. During transfiguration he "accidentally" poked me with the needle he transfigured, and it made my toothpick catch fire. But it was a very dry toothpick, so my quill caught fire. Neville Longbottom was sitting next to me and his sleeve caught fire, causing him to accidentally hit me in the face. I fell over, and knocked over the desk behind us, and one of the people behind me got a nasty bruise. I think McGonagall knew it wasn't my fault, but she still took five points for disrupting class. Adam thought it was hilarious. I didn't. So I did get to punch someone this year, even though it wasn't Draco and it wasn't that hard. Holly

Dear Diary,
Arion, Adam, some of Adam's friends, and I had a chess tournament. Adam won, but I didn't do that badly myself. Holly

Dear Diary,
I got an owl from Gringotts (spelling? I'll ask Arion, she's a great speller) Apparently it was supposed to be sent to me oh-so many months after her death. I haven't opened it yet though. I'm waiting until the train ride. I want to hear from her before I go home. Holly

Dear Diary.
Sorry for all the short diary entries, but I've been so busy lately! The end of the year is coming so quickly, and I still remember sorting like this is my first full day! Holly

Chapter 146: Magenta Coldren

The sun was brilliantly shining on the Monday before the students left Hogwarts, some to come back the next summer, and others for good. It was a warm, mid-June day, the perfect day for a soccer match.

Magenta had slept late. Exams were over, and she didn't have to get down to the pitch until one, so she slept until noon. Alondra was the one to wake her.

"Wake up, sleepyhead!" she called cheerily as she burst into the room. Her long brunette locks were swept up away from her face and in a pony tail. She ware a short, pink mini-skirt with a matching tank top, but over it she had a pink sweat shirt. She smiled again.

Magenta glared at her best friend. Deciding to ignore the rambunctious twelve-year-old, she rolled over and pulled the covers up over her head. Alondra giggled.

"Oh, Magenta, come on! It's a beautiful day!" Alondra reached over and pulled the covers off Magenta.

Magenta shivered for a moment, then sat up.

"Alondra!" she grunted. Magenta had never been a morning person.

"Magenta, get up already!" said a new voice. Cassandra emerged from the door way. Her hair was down, flowing down her back. She wore a white tennis skirt and a blue blouse. She smiled sweetly at the bed-tousled Magenta.

Magenta slowly got to her feet, and went to the bathroom, leaving the two chipper girls behind.

The air was warm on Magenta's face as she headed down to the Pitch. Wearing her jean capris, soccer cleats, and white T-shirt that read "Neon gal" on the front. She smiled at the summer air and quickened her pace. She wanted to get to the pitch before Dan did.

Under her arm was her early birthday gift from her aunt. It was a radio, magicked to pick up muggle radio stations from all over the world. It also ran off a magical battery. In her purple and blue backpack was a soccer ball, a water bottle and a few six packs of cola that Cassandra had enchanted to stay cold (the soda was form her aunt.)

When she finally reached the field, a group had gathered, and Dan was included. Magenta mentally cursed her sleeping habits and headed over to the center of the field.

"Well, look who's decided to join us!" Fred called in sarcasm. Magenta glared at him.

"Sleeping a bit late, are we?" George grinned wickedly and tousled Magenta's hair. She swatted his hand away and turned to the rest of the group, which consisted of; Cassandra, Alondra, Ray, Oliver, Dean, Seamus, Neville, Lavender, Parvati, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Cedric, Holly and Erin. Magenta also noticed a dark haired boy whom she recalled was a Ravenclaw next to Daniel.

"Is this a soccer match or teatime? Let's get started already!" Daniel piped up. Magenta grinned wickedly as she unzipped her bag and produced an impressive-looking soccer ball. Daniel looked surprised and Magenta noticed the ball under his arm, the one she'd given him for Christmas.

"Do you want to use that one instead?" she asked, pointing to the ball. Daniel nodded a bit sheepishly and handed the ball to Oliver.

"Okay, kids, we need to play FAIRLY, I don't want any of your normal biting and kicking. I see one foul and it's over. Dean is my official advisor, so don't try to pull anything, now, let's begin!" Oliver called. Everyone vacated the field, and Oliver placed the ball in between Magenta and Dan, who were in the ready position. Then, he quickly whistled, then ran off the field, because the first years were already off.

Daniel was in possession of the ball, but Magenta was close behind. "Hey, Dan, you seen my back lately?" she called. Dan faltered and slowed just slightly and shot her a curious glance. "Check it out!" Magenta said, and sped by him, sweeping the ball with her.

Daniel recovered from the steal quickly and was behind her faster than the eye could see. But, he just wasn't fast enough this time around, because, as he was moving in for his steal, Magenta sent it soaring through his goal. She whooped in a small victory and gave the "Rock On!" sign to her cheering audience.

but Daniel had bounced back and was heading towards her goal. Soon, the score was one to both of them, and the game was moving too fast to catch. After a forty-five minutes of intense play, the two had had enough.

"Please, spare us!" Magenta said dramatically, wiping sweat from her brow.

"What's the score?" Daniel asked, leaning with his hands on his knees and breathing heavily.

Everyone looked at each other as the two first-years sat in the blazing son. "Score?" Alondra muttered quietly.

"Who was supposed to keep score?" Magenta was glaring at the group gathered in the stands.

"It seems we've forgotten!" George yelled wickedly. And both twins feel into gales of laughter.

"We've been playing like maniacs, burning up in the heat for almost an hour and you don't even know who's winning?" Daniel's voice was edged very noticeably with anger and irritation. Magenta started towards them, but Oliver stepped in front of her.

"Forget the score. Whoever makes the next goal is the winner," he said. Magenta nodded, as did Daniel, and once again, they were off.

Dan had possession of the ball first, and it took longer than she had expected for Magenta to steal it. She almost made it to the goal several times, as did Daniel, only to have it swept away. The final round went on for what seemed like hours, but it stopped immediately when both players were knocked over by an unknown new player.

Magenta and Dan stood shoulder to shoulder, staring as Dean Thomas streaked around the field, avoiding non-existent opponent and scoring one goal, then two, then three, and then Magenta lost count. Casting a side ways glance at Daniel, she turned and began to walk towards the stands, the shorter boy following.

"This is embarrassing." Magenta said dryly. Daniel nodded. There was a moment of silence, and in that, was when Magenta heard the unmistakable static of an untuned radio. Looking up, she realized that Ron and Fred were inspecting her radio. Magenta felt her heart lurch as it slipped from Ron's hands and began to fall to the ground, where it was sure toe break into pieces.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" Cassandra had had her wand out and uttered the spell faster than the eye could catch. Hardly six inches from the ground, the radio hovered in the air. Magenta quickly retrieved it, then set it down on the bench in the stands.

"Pheew... thanks, Cass." she muttered.

"Your welcome, now, would you mind telling me what it is, exactly?" Cassandra raised her gingery eyebrows.

"It's a radio, like the one Allie gave you. Only mine gets muggle stations..." Magenta trailed off. She tilted her head to the side and slowly tuned into one of the stations. A soft guitar rifted poured from the speakers, and she smiled, recognizing the tune. She sat back and relaxed. Slowly, everyone else around her fell into peaceful conversation with those around.

The sun was beginning to sink behind the mountains when Alondra piped up with her request.

"I think we should make a toast," she said defiantly, standing up and smiling.

"But we haven't got any drinks, silly." Cassandra giggled with Ray.

"Oh, I almost forgot! Yes we do!" Magenta dove into her backpack and pulled out the coke. Passing the red cans around, everyone clicked their open and waited.

"To surviving first year!" Alondra cried, raising her soda into the air.

"And Seventh!"

"And third!"

"And to a happy new term next fall!"

The clink of cans was loud but happy, and the silence that followed afterwards was comfortable. Magenta smiled as the sun disappeared. This certainly had been a difficult year. But, at the end of the day, Magenta wouldn't trade it for anything. Looking around at her companions, Magenta sighed with content and took another sip of her soda.

Chapter 147: Cassandra Serenity

Sitting alone in the magic room on the seventh floor, Cassandra gazed uneasily out the open window. Bright sunlight was cascading in through the open windowpanes bathing the familiar room in a cosy glow. The sky outside was clear and blue with only a few stray clouds adorning its picture perfect appearance. Fragrant scents of flowers could be smelled even from high above the wild flowers below. It should have been a perfect day for the young red head, but troublesome thoughts kept her from enjoying its beauty.

She had been sitting there, in front of the window, for most of the day. Her mind was drifting from thought to thought, all of which centred around her first year here at Hogwarts. So much had changed for her in just the simple span of ten months. Sometimes she wondered if she was the same girl at all.

The thoughts which currently troubled her dealt with some of her more recent adventures at Hogwarts. The search for the allusive Philosopher's stone, the fight with the trolls, and for some reason Daniel. He had been on her mind a lot recently. Their friendship was still not as strong as it had been before he had let her secret slip and this was part of the troubling thoughts which pledged her.

Daniel had been one of the two people Cassandra had first called friend. He was brave, kind, loyal, and even though she shouldn't believe it she knew he was trustworthy as well. Yet even with all this understanding she still hadn't been able to patch together the broken pieces of their friendship.

When ever she thought about the rift that was slowly forming between them a heavy weight seemed to pull on her heart. It made her feel sad and numb of emotion. She knew she didn't want to feel this way, but had no idea how to fix it either.

Taking in a deep breath the beautiful red head sighed with a heavy heart. Her crystal blue eyes staring off into the blue of the sky, wishing she could be free of the thoughts which never seemed to leave her.

It was the deep and familiar sound of a man's voice which broke Cassandra free of her reverie. "How come you're up here all by yourself?"

Looking to the door of the magical room Cassandra saw the familiar and handsome figure of George Weasley. His bright red hair slightly messed as well as his school uniform. A brilliant and tender smile shinning on his face as his deep brown eyes flickered with mirth.

Closing the door behind him as he entered he wandered over to sit beside the quiet girl. Cassandra marvelled at how he always seemed to know how to find her. Also at how he was always there when she needed someone to talk too.

"So gloomy face, how come you're up here all alone?" he questioned again his deep brown eyes staring curiously at her.

After a moment Cassandra looked him back in the eyes, her crystal blue orbs holding a world of emotion in them. "I just," she started, but then found there were no words to follow it. "I don't know," she finally managed with a sigh, "just thinking I suppose."

"Well what'd you want to do that for?" George jested with a warm smile and laugh.

His laughter seemed to be as contagious as his smile and before Cassandra could help herself she was smiling and giggling along with her friend. Laughing seemed to make the whole world brighter. The two red heads laughed merrily for a few moments before Cassandra could finally stop. Whipping tears of merriment from her eyes as she looked over at her wonderful friend.

"Thanks George," she smiled, "I really needed that."

"Any time" he replied, a slight tinge of pink coming to his ears. "So, what are you thinking about up here all by yourself then?" he asked with a more serious tone.

Cassandra felt her heart begin to tighten up a little again. "A lot of stuff actually."

"Like?" her persistent friend nudged again.

With some trepidation Cassandra felt herself begin to open up slowly. "Like," she began in a mocking tone, but became more serious as she spoke, "everything I've done here this year. All the people I've met and friends I've made."

"Doesn't sound to bad so far," George commented, "but why the sad face then?"

"I don't know," Cassandra replied honestly, "I guess I'm afraid that some of my friendship aren't going to last."

"Oh, I'll always be your friend Cass" he playfully joked while flashing a famous Weasley twin smile.

Not able to stop herself, Cassandra gave a small giggle and rolled her eyes. Still smiling, but looking a bit more serious George leaned in a bit closer to her. A familiar flip-flop in her stomach made her feel both nervous and giddy at the same time.

"If you're really concerned about a friendship, Cass," George said in a tender voice, "then go and talk to your friend. All you can really do it try and work things out. And if you don't try then you'll never know if you could have fixed what was wrong."

The seriousness of his tone and the tender way in which he spoke to her made Cassandra feel warm all over. George was many things, but above everything else he was wonderful friend and she knew he was right.

Standing up from her seat in front of the window, Cassandra looked down at her dear friend with a genuine smile and twinkle in her eyes. "Thanks George, I really needed to hear all of this."

On a sudden urge Cassandra bent down and wrapped her arms around the older boy hugging him tightly. After a brief hesitation he in turned laced his arms around her and hugged her back. He smelled like the woods around her home, of cedar and pine, it was a rich smell that lingered even after she moved away from him.

With her head nuzzled into his neck, Cassandra gave him one last squeeze before whispering to him "Thanks"

Cassandra had searched the castle looking for the person she knew she had to talk too. After her conversation with George in the magic room, she knew that she couldn't let the year-end as things stood now. She needed to talk to him, to find out why he told her secret and say how much his friendship really meant to her.

The Gryffindor common room was bare, as were most of the corridors. Even with a few more weeks of school left the castle seemed deserted everywhere. It wasn't until Cassandra began to look around the Quidditch pitch that she found the person she had been looking for.

Daniel Smith was sitting in the stands, his gaze locked on the scrimmage that was being played in front of him. Looking out at the players Cassandra could see Magenta, Oliver, Alondra, Fred, Ron, Harry, and a few other players who appeared to be from other houses. They were all having fun flying about with the Quaffle in a playful game of Quidditch.

When Cassandra approached the smaller boy she knew he could already sense her there. From the things he had told her about where he used to live she knew he had gained many skills for knowing when people where around him. Still he hadn't spoken to her yet and had only given her a small backwards glance. That seemed to sting somewhere inside of her.

"Daniel?" she questioned with a hint of hesitation in her voice.

The dark haired boy turned to look at his fellow first year; his eyes were a mixture of emotions and thoughts. "Hey Cass" he replied nervously.

Summoning up her Gryffindor courage Cassandra took the few steps that separated the two and sat down beside her friend. Inside she could feel her heart beating like a drum and her stomach already forming into knots. Why was it so hard to talk to people sometimes? This was one of her best friends after all and yet she still had no idea what she was going to say to him.

Chewing on her lower lip Cassandra's mind had been drawing a blank on what to say. It had all made sense back up in the magical room, but now that she was here she felt afraid of what might happen or be said. Daniel appeared to be in the same discomfort as he shifted in his seat.

"Cass listen," the dark haired boy said into the silence that had engulfed them both, "I'm sorry I told Magenta and Alondra about Christmas morning with you and George, but I didn't do it on purpose."

He spoke all at once and in a quick stream as if he had to get it out before she would cut him off. Cassandra didn't want to cut him off though, she wanted to hear this and know why. This had been the reason that their friendship was faltering and more than anything she wanted to know why.

"Then why" was all she could manage to ask, her voice wavering with emotion.

When Daniel looked at her with his steel blue eyes Cassandra felt like she wasn't able to move. There was a strong intensity in them that she hadn't seen before, it was almost overpowering. However, there was softness to the look as well, something of concern.

"Do you remember the night that Magenta, Alondra and I got caught in the storm and had to stay at Hagrid's?"

Cassandra nodded in reply to let him continue.

"Well, when we were there we kind of got into his apple cider, we thought it was just apple juice, but we were wrong. Then the girls started to tickle me, I think they knew something was up and I didn't mean to let it slip out, but I was being tickled!"

Daniel looked at the red head in front of him with pleading eyes. Cassandra could tell that she wasn't the only one that had been feeling the tension between them. What he saw when he looked at her was not a mask of anger or even annoyance, but a soft and tender smile. A moment later Cassandra was giggling to herself before she began to laugh out right.

Bewildered Daniel could only stare at her. "What's so funny?"

"Why didn't you just tell me that then?" Cassandra laughed. "If it was something so innocent why didn't you just say something? Did you think I would be mad?"

Still looking a bit confused Daniel shrugged. "I guess I didn't think about it like that."

Feeling like a great weight had been lifted off of her Cassandra beamed with joy, she now had her friend back and it had all been almost lost over a stupid little thing. On impulse Cassandra wrapped her arms around Daniel and hugged him fiercely. It felt so good to have that distance closed that she couldn't explain it in words.

With her arms still wrapped around his neck she smiled as she told him "Next time lets not let something like that get between us, ok?"

To her great joy Daniel nodded in agreement as she let go of him.

Chapter 148: Sebastian Stirling

Sebastian moved silently about his dormitory. The skies were dark outside, moonless and starless. Checking his trunk for all of his belongings he went to close it when it slammed down on his fingers.

"Bloody hell!" He scowled angrily. A bit louder than he intended. Sebastian looked about him at his dormant room mates, all seemed blissfully at peace in dreamland. "Lucky prats."

A soft hoot made him start and turn around abruptly. "Artemis?" He smiled. "Hey there pretty girl. Came for a midnight snack eh?"

Artemis hooted again and Sebastian went over to his trunk and pulled out a small bag of owl treats he kept around just for her. "You're spoiled you know." He chuckled as he fed the small owl a couple of treats. "Just like your mistress."

Artemis' shiny black eyes blinked and she flapped her wings proudly. Sebastian petted her and sighed. "Her thoughts were getting worse last I heard. Some new voice has found it's way into her mind. Look after her for me. She was pretty hurt from that troll fight as well. Why she goes and sacrifices her neck like that, don't ask me. I've always criticized her for putting others before herself. No one thanks you in the end...I don't care how much she claims her friends care."

Artemis suddenly pinched his fingers. "Hey! You nipped me!" Sebastian gasped. Artemis hooted proudly and went to charge at him again. Sebastian picked her up impatiently but couldn't help a smirk. "Why'd you nip at me? You're devoted to all those Saintly Gryffindor's too?"

The little owl flapped it's wings and nodded it's head. Sebastian exhaled heavily. "I figured. Well forgive me then. I won't speak ill of them in front of you."

Artemis nuzzled her beak into his hand. Sebastian smiled. "Well you should run off girl. I have to finish packing."

Artemis seemed to question his actions with her eyes. Sebastian sighed. "I'm not staying for the feast. I'm off tonight it seems. My parents planned a trip last minute and Professor Dumbledore has given me special permission." He sighed. "So be a good girl and...oh! Hey Artemis tell you what, come by Stirling Mansion in Harmony the day before the term ends. I have something I need you to deliver to Alondra. Can you do that for me girl?"

Artemis flapped her wings and went to perch herself on the dormitory window. "Thanks Artemis. See you soon then."

The white little owl took off into the night and Sebastian turned back to his packing task.

A rumbling nearby made Sebastian look up. "So why the devil are you up at this time of night Stirling?" Draco yawned loudly.

Sebastian pursed his lips together as he slipped on his black Slytherin robes. "To be honest, my friend, I don't even know. All I was told was that Dumbledore needed to see me tonight at this time and that my parents would be there... Sorry for waking you."

"No harm done. So why are your things packed away?" Draco asked again.

Sebastian sighed heavily. "Mystery trip."

"Mystery eh? Well have a wonderful time and don't forget to write." Draco told him with a grin as he sank back inside his covers.

"Very funny mate. I'll see you, have a good summer." Sebastian told his friend neutrally and went to exit the dormitory.

Draco suddenly chuckled. "Oh Sebastian? Did you happen to mention your sudden departure to your mudblood?"

Sebastian froze at the door. Of all the things to ask! He should have known better. Sebastian wouldn't let him catch on though and shrugged arrogantly. "No. I don't think it's any of her concern to know. But if you're so worried about her, tell you what, take care of her for me 'til I let her know!"

Draco pulled a face. "If she wasn't a mudblood I would, but since she is, sorry mate."

Sebastian smirked. "I figured. No problem."

"Yeah she doesn't need me or anyone else watching her Sebastian. Ever since she got out of the infirmary, Ickle Diggorykins has been on her like fuzz on a peach! That bloke won't leave her side."

Sebastian breathed in deep, and shrugged. "Your point?"

"Jealous?" Draco suggested with a sly grin.

"HA!" Sebastian replied coolly.

"What ever you say Stirling. Good night!"

Sebastian shook his head and opened the door, exiting.

"Darling!" Diana Stirling exclaimed happily as she embraced her only son warmly.

"Mum! It's wonderful to see you. I missed you." Sebastian said into Diana's soft, fiery red, locks. Her sweet scent of honey and flowers flowing all around her.

Diana smiled and her emerald eyes gleamed. "You have no idea how much I missed you poppet."

"Sebastian." Alexander Stirling piped up as she patted his son's back lightly a sudden proud gleam in his grey eyes and small smile on his face. "Look at you. You've grown at least two inches! You look more like me everyday."

Diana beamed happily and Sebastian grinned. Compliments from his father were rare and when they were spoken Sebastian couldn't help but boast proudly. "Thank you father. Good to see you as well. But what is this about?"

Professor Albus Dumbledore stepped into Sebastian's view and placed a hand on Diana's shoulder lightly. Sebastian suddenly noticed that his mother was looking a little too pale. "Mr. Stirling." The professor greeted him with a smile.

"Professor Dumbledore." Sebastian greeted the elder man with a smile. To the casual bystander, Sebastian never communicated with the Headmaster. They were wrong. Of all the staff at Hogwarts only Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape and, unbelievably, Professor Minerva McGonagall had been the most supportive, patient, and kind to him.

"Oh darling. We're sorry we didn't owl you before coming regarding why all this secrecy-" Diana began to say when Alexander interrupted her.

"But now that it's done. We can tell you about it on the way." Alexander cut in curtly and looked to Diana closely. She bit her lip and nodded.

"I'd like to thank you, Headmaster, for all of your help and discretion." Alexander piped in shaking the Professor's hand firmly.

Professor Dumbledore's crystalline blue eyes seemed to darken and he merely nodded. "Glad to be of some assistance Alexander."

Diana sighed lightly and embraced the elder man warmly. "Thank you Professor. It was wonderful seeing you again."

"Always a pleasure dear. I do believe your son deserves an explanation sooner rather than later however." Dumbledore mentioned quietly and Diana frowned slightly, as she nodded.

Alexander narrowed his eyes annoyed at the older man. He hated when his orders were questioned. "Don't worry Headmaster. Sebastian will find out exactly what this is about soon enough. Come along Diana."

Diana half smiled at Dumbledore and slipped her hand through Alexander's arm. He grasped her slim fingers and placed a quick kiss on them. Diana looked to her husband with adoring eyes while Alexander actually gave her a, rare, genuine smile.

Sebastian turned to the Professor and embraced him. "Have a nice summer Professor. Thank you again for everything."

"And a nice summer to you as well my boy, I will see you September 1st. Oh and don't forget your readings and assignments." The jolly Professor winked. Sebastian grinned and nodded.

"Sebastian?" Alexander called again.

Sebastian turned and ran to his mother's side. Taking her hand for comfort, Diana placed a tender kiss on his head. Alexander then played with a ring on his hand and suddenly the world blacked out around them and the mystery trip had begun.

Chapter 149: Daniel Smith

Daniel eyed the olive drab duffel bag that he used to carry around his worldly goods instead of a trunk. Pretty much everything was in it, except for his pyjamas and toiletries and the uniform he was now wearing, which he would also wear on the train (minus the items that bore Hogwarts markings, of course). Although he still had the muggle clothes he had received for Christmas, they were patched and faded. He didn't want to arrive on the railway platform looking like a junior vagabond. The school's ever-helpful house-elves could do simple repairs, but they couldn't make old clothing new again. Daniel sometimes wondered how they could have anything to do with clothes at all, given that receiving it set them free. It was one of the many mysteries of the world he was now preparing to leave.

He felt a deep sense of sadness at his impending departure. It was similar to what he had felt when his third set of foster parents had hugged him fiercely with tears in their eyes, then left him at the group shelter in Los Angeles, when he was seven. Returning him to the state hadn't been their choice, he knew, but it didn't change the fact that he was being forced to leave the first real home he could remember. The memory had faded over the years, but it had always stood in his mind as the day his life's journey passed from light to darkness, like an orbiting spaceship crossing the terminator into night. And now, years later, it was happening again.

Oh, he would be returning, he knew that. He had passed all of his classes, and his behaviour was less of an issue than it had been at the beginning of the year. But, he did not relish the idea of two months back at Morning Sun. He had made some enemies there, who would undoubtedly be jealous of his good fortune. Hard times lay ahead. And not just for him, he forced himself to remember as he looked at Harry, who was listlessly packing his own bags. Daniel was not the most sensitive of boys, but it didn't take much empathy to know that his friend was feeling the same thing.

"All right there, Potter?" he asked, using the British expression almost without noticing. He had also picked up a trace of British accent.

Harry smiled at the question. "I'll be a lot better on September first."

"Yeah, you and me both," Daniel said with a sigh. "I wish we could at least be going to the same place."

Harry nodded agreement. "Yeah, really. I'd love to see what you'd do to Dudley and his gang if they hassled you."

"Nothing too major," Daniel said, which Harry knew meant that he wouldn't kill any of them. "But they wouldn't do it twice." Harry laughed at that, relishing the thought. It was too bad, he reflected, that it wasn't going to happen.

As Daniel fetched everything but his toothbrush from the bathroom, he paused to straighten his uniform and brush his hair. The leaving feast was semi-formal, so he wanted to look his best. He noticed that his hair had grown quite a ways, spilling over his shoulders and upper chest. He reflected that his last foster dad, the one who had applied an electric razor mercilessly to his young ward's head twice a month, would have had kittens if he had seen that cascade. He smiled at the thought, and then his smile curdled at the memory of how that placement had ended. He remembered none of the actual incident, but what he did know. . . he shuddered at the thought. How could he have done something so terrible, he wondered as he stared at himself.

"Hey, Dan," Harry said. "You going to the feast, or are you going to admire your reflection all day?"

"Well, seeing as how it's probably the last decent meal we'll get this summer. . . ." Daniel turned from the mirror and pushed the grim thoughts aside, not without difficulty.

Together, the two boys left their dormitory and entered the common room. Ron and Hermione were in one corner, engaged in one of their nearly incessant arguments. Harry rolled his eyes, then went over and joined them. The three left the room. Daniel's group was also present, the Gryffindor's anyway, seated on a couch and enjoying the fire. Daniel nodded to the three girls and flopped down on an armchair next to them. "Howdy," he said.

"Hey, Daniel," Cass said. Magenta and Alondra nodded.

Daniel smiled at them, saying nothing. There was no need. The warm camaraderie of the group was such that no words were required. He thanked his Maker that the misunderstanding over Cassandra's secret and the tickle feast had been cleared up. And he smiled at the memory of how he and Cass had gotten the other two back for their part in it.

He had not seen it take place, but Cass had told him everything. He had handed her the bottle of tickle powder, a fine product of Zonko's, and she had spread it on the other girls' sheets while they were getting ready for bed. Since the stuff was body heat-activated, the lights had been out and the dorm settling into sleepy-time when the giggles had erupted. Only after a good fifteen minutes had the stuff finally worn off, allowing them to get to sleep. After that, they had all agreed to call it even.

"You think we should head for the feast?" Alondra finally suggested.

"Yeah, I'm hungry," Daniel replied.

"Oh, big surprise," Magenta quipped. They were all aware of Daniel's fondness for food.

As they were gathering themselves, Oliver Wood hurried up to them. "Good, Daniel. There you are."

Daniel nodded. "Yeah. If this is about the Quidditch match..." Fred had taken a Bludger in the match, and Daniel had entered in his place. He and George had not proven to be a spectacular team; the nadir of their partnership had occurred when they collided in midair, moments before the Snitch was caught by the Ravenclaw Seeker.

Oliver shook his head emphatically. "No, I told you that was my fault. We should have had you practice with each of the twins. Professor McGonagall asked me to find you and send you to her office."

Daniel felt a chill, as he always did when he was aware that he had caught the attention of his head of house. "Did she say why?"

Oliver shook his head. "No, she just said to find you."

"You haven't been in any fights lately, have you?" Cassandra queried, concerned. Daniel shook his head. "Then it can't be too bad."

"Maybe I flunked out," Daniel said, though he knew that was bull. He had already seen his marks, and all were well within the acceptable range.

"Guess you'll find out," Alondra said.

"Yeah," Daniel said. "I guess I'll see the rest of you at the feast."

Five minutes later, Daniel was knocking at Professor McGonagall's door. The Gryffindor head of house admitted him by waving the door open with her wand, then gestured to the chair. "Have a seat."

Daniel obeyed, feeling better. He knew from personal experience and others that the DH was out for your blood, she made you stand up while she unloaded on you. If she told you to sit, things were generally copasetic.

McGonagall continued; "Looking forward to summer?"

"No, ma'am," Daniel said, honest as he (nearly) always was.

"I suppose that's to be expected. Many of our students who don't have families consider this place to be their home."

"Or students with rotten gits for families," Daniel said.

McGonagall nodded. She knew who Daniel was talking about. "Yes. The reason for this meeting is for me to tell you that you won't be going back to the home you hailed from."

"I won't?"

"No. The headmaster spoke to Ulysses Grayson, the former Auror who helped Hagrid fetch you. He says that your escape was rather mysterious, and that having you return there would cause you to be heavily questioned by the muggle authorities."

"So what? Do I get to stay here?" Daniel queried hopefully.

His head of house shook her head. "No, that's not allowed. You'll be at a group home here in Britain. All wizard children stay there, but it accepts muggle children as well. You'll be meeting a lady named Natasha Grimes, who is the liaison between the Ministry and the child welfare system. She and I attended Hogwarts together."

Daniel nodded. "Can Harry come, too?"

Minerva McGonagall sighed. She had known from hearsay how difficult things were for young Harry Potter, of the hatred and cruelty that his relatives piled on him. Any number of wizard families would have been only too happy to adopt the boy and raise him as a son. Minerva would have taken him home herself rather than leave him on the doorstep of #4 Privet Drive. Dumbledore's foolish insistence that he grow up immersed in a living nightmare was as perplexing as it was heartbreaking. "That's not my decision," she said quietly.

"Oh," Daniel said. "Am I still riding the train?"

"Yes," McGonagall said. "You will meet Ms. Grimes at the station, and she'll tell you what to do."

"All right," Daniel nodded.

"Also, leave your broomstick and your cauldron at the foot of your bed. We'll arrange for their storage here." This was standard policy for children going to a place where there were uninitiated muggles, and limited storage space.

"My wand, too?"

"You may keep that." The universal right of a wizard to be armed at all times was unquestioned and absolute, and had been so for nearly 300 years. "Just don't use it. Is there anything else?"

Daniel shook his head. "No, ma'am."

"Then you may go," McGonagall said. "You wouldn't want to miss any more of the leaving feast."

"Right," Daniel said, and hurried out. Maybe there would still be time for him to find a seat next to his friends. He wanted them to be the first ones to hear the good news.

Chapter 150: Mathew Ford

Matt breathed a sigh of relief as he left the Ravenclaw tower with the rest of his house. The school exams were finally over, and he knew he had done well. Although the school year was also finished, and he knew he would miss Hogwarts over the summer, Matt was looking forward to be reuniting with his mother.

The Ravenclaws were heading to the Great Hall for the school feast. Rumours had been circulating within the castle that Harry Potter and two other Gryffindor's had gotten into serious trouble, and Potter himself quite severely injured, and as a result confined to the hospital wing. Visitors giving him their good wishes were restricted only to his closest friends. The other two who were involved, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, were ordered to keep tight lipped on the subject. Michael Corner, ever the sceptics, hypothesised that perhaps they had discovered a secret wing of the Castle, and that is why the trio now had taken a vow of silence.

In addition to this strange occurrence, it was well known that a group of first year students had taken it upon themselves to go down to the Forbidden Forest to find an ancient artefact. Professor Flitwick, head of Ravenclaw, had told Matt that they had got what they deserved for poking their noses where they didn't belong, and were lucky not to be killed.

"Y'alright there Matt?" said Terry Boot, meeting Matt as he turned the corner. "You'd better hurry up if you want to get a good place at the table, the other years are further ahead and they are bound to want to get the seats nearest the staff."

It was no secret that ever since the 'incident', the Hogwarts students, Ravenclaw or not, were eager to know what the staff were discussing. Matt had seen teachers talking with one another in dark tones, but when he got closer, they abruptly stopped. To add to the confusion, Professor Quirrell himself had vanished without a trace, and all Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons had been cancelled.

Matt's year thus far had been uneventful. He had established a friendship with Daniel and his fellow Ravenclaws, but had been to shy to approach any of the girls in his year, even though he had his eye on a few of them. He knew that any such relationship as an eleven year old would be foolish and would produce nothing, and so he decided to bide his time.

Matt had also found out who his enemies were. It appeared Professor Snape disliked him because of his intelligence, and a few of the Slytherin's joked about him constantly in the classrooms and the corridors because of his glasses. One of the Slytherin's, Vincent Crabbe, had once tried to attack him on the way to Transfiguration one morning – but thankfully for Matt, Dan was travelling down the same corridor at that moment, and the two friends took the opportunity to try out their levitation spells.

The noise in the hall dimmed to almost silence as all of the houses arrived, breaking Matt away from his thoughts. Every table was quiet as Dumbledore stood to speak. Matt couldn't help noticing with distaste that huge green Slytherin banners now hung from the walls. "Ladies and gentlemen," he started, "I am sure you have many questions, and I hope the speech I have prepared answers them. But for now, we must celebrate the end to yet another successful year! Let us feast!"

Food filled the tables and Dumbledore sat down, heavily in discussion with McGonagall and the other teachers – except for Hagrid, who mysteriously was no longer at the table. Matt frowned in confusion, just as he felt a heavy tap on his shoulder.

"Matt, I've got something ter show yer," came Hagrid's familiar voice. "The teachers are distracted right now sorting out what Dumbledore's gonna say, you need to come with me now. It's important."

Matt and Hagrid left the Great Hall as quickly and as quietly as possible. Out by the doors they met Daniel, who was looking as dubious as Matt himself.

"Ah, there you are, I was about to go back in," Daniel said. "Hagrid, what's going on?"

"No time ter explain, Daniel," Hagrid briskly marched the two outside and down the steps to the lawn. "It won't be long until the others realise yeh've disappeared."

He led them down to a part of the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest where Fang stood waiting. "Here, go in about four hundred yards or so. You'll see."

"Lumos," Daniel muttered, his wand now shining with an intense light, chasing the shadows of the forest away. Matt did the same, and giving Hagrid one last look, they advanced into the forest.

It did not take long for the two to realise they were being followed. Heavy, crunching footsteps sounded behind them. "Do you hear that?" Dan whispered, gripping his wand tighter.

"Yes. I just hope for our sake it's a Centaur and not another of those foul ogres," Matt replied, pushing a few branches out of the way. Daniel however was not so passive and threw the beam of his wand back to illuminate whatever was behind them.

"Argh!" came a scream. "Get that damn light out of my eyes!"

"Malfoy?" Matt said incredulously. "What are you doing here?"

"I think the question is, Ford, what YOU are doing here, away from the Great Hall! Ooooh, Dumbledore won't be pleased when he notices you've gone." Malfoy snickered.

"What makes you think Dumbledore doesn't already know, Malfoy?" Daniel spat. "We didn't get out of the Great Hall unseen just by luck."

"I don't give a damn about your childish fantasies, Smith. I've come here to get you back inside the Castle. Much as I would like to hear of your grisly death tomorrow morning, I have my orders." Malfoy cleared his throat, holding his wand out in front of him. "Stupe-"

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" Hagrid bounded heavily into the clearing where the three stood, Fang right behind him. "Malfoy, shut up and do as yer told. Matt, Dan, I'm sorry for leaving yer two alone. But it is something yer must see alone, Dumbledore asked of it."

Malfoy sneered, "You have no power over me, Hagrid. I go where I please. Lay a hand on me, and father will make sure you are sacked."

"Get your head out of yer arse for just one minute, boy. Yer father doesn't scare me. Yer lucky I don't stun you right here. But Dumbledore said that you have to go with these two." Hagrid gestured to Matt and Dan. "Go on ahead. You can't miss it."

Some time later Matt, Daniel and Malfoy, visibly shaken, arrived back inside the Entrance Hall. Hagrid, it seemed, had already disappeared, not having followed them into the secret clearing.

"So that's why there were so many trolls," Daniel breathed, eyes widened in shock.

"Yeah…" Matt stumbled towards the Great Hall. "The Stone wasn't the only thing Dumbledore wanted kept hidden. Those trolls were obviously guarding something."

As they went back to their house tables amongst their friends, Dumbledore stood up once more, his eyes twinkling familiarly, and the Hall once more descended into silence.

"Another year gone!" he began.