A/N: Brigid of Co. Mayo, well here's what happens next! I think you'll be thankful that this doesn't end in a cliffie! =) I'm REALLY glad that you're liking this, AND that you've come back to review! =)

ShadowOfMoonlight, 'special-er' sounds better! =) What's 'first honor status'? sorry, I'm an Aussie and I'm not really sure about these things…

Chapter 14:

"Mr Malfoy," nodded Harry sarcastically.

Lucius was at a loss.

Jugson made a move for his wand, but Harry beat him to it. "Expelliarmus!"

Jugson's wand clattered to the other end of the hallway.

"Let them go," Harry said, surprising himself with the strength and courage in his voice.

Lucius narrowed his eyes. "You can have the Aurors, but not the girl." As if proving his point, his grip on her body tightened, and she whimpered and she came out of her unconscious state.

Jugson let Tonks and Mad-Eye go.

"Let her go," Harry said forcefully. "What is she to you?" He didn't dare to hit him with a 'Stupefy' in case he missed and he hit Miranda.

Lucius gave a tiny sneer, as if he knew something that Harry didn't know.

Miranda shifted in his arms, Harry's eyes on her the whole time. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Mad-Eye make a move towards Lucius. He had to keep Lucius' mind on him.

"Let her go," he said again, this time his anger clearly showing.

Lucius gave a sadistic laugh. "No."

Mad-Eye was reaching up behind Lucius, just as Jugson made a move to warn him.

"Silencio!" Harry yelled, his wand pointing at Jugson.

Jugson's mouth moved, but no sound came out.

Mad-Eye had one hand over Lucius' mouth and the other grasping his hands behind his back.

Now that Lucius was held fast, Harry said, "Accio wands."

Three wands came zooming at him, to land neatly in his outstretched hand. Tonks moved forward to claim hers and Mad-Eye's, while Jugson made a move to take his.

Tonks, however, was faster than him. "Stupefy!"

He fell to the ground, unconcious.

Moving quickly, Harry stood in front of Lucius, his wand pointed at his throat.

Lucius, however, just smiled, his hands still holding Miranda.

"Let. Her. Go."

This time, Lucius paled. Harry knew that there was something that Malfoy wasn't telling him, especially since his eyes were so much like Miranda's.

Lucius reluctantly handed her over, still hesitating a little while he did so.

Harry then placed a Binding Charm on him and even let a tiny smile escape as he saw Lucius writhe on the floor.

"Potter. You'll pay for this," he spat.

Harry ignored him, and followed Tonks, Mad-Eye and a bewildered Miranda out the front door.

[Later]

Miranda, now recovered, stared at Harry for a long time. Once she had found her voice, she asked him, "WHAT just happened?"

Harry was uncertain of how he should answer this. It had never occurred to him that he would ever have to explain magic. Even though he had lived without it for 10 years, it had become as natural to him as breathing and talking. "Magic," was all he could say.

She stared at him for a while, which Harry thought to mean disbelief. He began to explain, words rushing out of his mouth.

"Magic, like spells and charms, potions and monsters. All those sort of things." He paused, the put out his hand. "Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived. Nice to meet you."

Miranda looked at his hand, then managed a small smile. She took his hand. "Miranda Granger, sister of Hermione Granger, accepted by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Harry gasped in surprise. Miranda at Hogwarts? Hermione's sister? But… "I thought your sister was Janey?"

"That's her middle name, you dope," she laughed. "I only call her that out of habit, to annoy her."

Harry rolled his eyes. "No wonder the two of you are always at each other's throats!"

Miranda laughed again. "Yeah, I supposed so," she said, her mood suddenly sad.

They sat in one of their comfortable silences, before Miranda spoke up again.

"Who were those other people?"

Harry assumed she was referring to Tonks and Mad-Eye. "They're Aurors. Basically, they work for-"

"I don't need an explanation Harry. I just wanted to know who."

"Tonks and Mad-Eye."

They had apparated back to the Burrow, to let Molly know that they were alright, under oath from Harry not to let her know where he was.

"They seemed like nice people," she remarked.

Harry thought about this, as he felt Miranda lean on his shoulder, falling asleep. He had never considered how people would feel after he'd run away. That was his problem. He did so many things without thinking of the consequences. Sirius… He pushed that thought to the back of his mind. He'd always miss Sirius, but he was over the grief now, he accepted that Sirius was gone.

His mind was telling him to go back home, go back to Hogwarts, where there were people who loved him, people who he loved. Ginny… But he shook himself out of his fantasy. He couldn't. Not anymore. He didn't want to lose anyone else. But you're losing them by running away.

A/N: I quite like this chapter… =) Hope you do too! Please RR… even if it's just to say "good" or "crap"! =)