A/N: I know, really, how long it took me to get this chapter out and I'm terribly sorry for the wait. Holidays and RL /sigh. Thank you Moonfairyhime for beta'ing.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own them and I'm not making money off 'em either. Darn it.

Chapter 42: Under the Bleachers

Harry turned his face towards the weak spring sun and sighed. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, his arms held out a little ways from his body as he enjoyed the feel of light on his face.

"Harry?" Draco slid an arm around Harry's waist, jostling the smaller boy slightly. "Want to head down by the Quidditch Pitch?"

The news that the students were going to be able to go out had been met by thunderous applause the night before – something even Harry could hear all the way in the Hospital Wing. Draco and his other Housemates had bounded up to his room right after dinner to give him the good news. Healer Fabing and Madam Pomfrey had not wanted to let Harry go, but with a handful of Slytherins and a few former Gryffindors, they managed to sneak the dark haired boy out of the Ward that morning.

Harry turned a small smile onto his boyfriend and nodded. "Yeah. It'll be good to see the Pitch – even if we can't play at the moment."
"Yes." Draco guided the smaller boy away from the ever-alert eyes of the Order members and down towards the locker rooms.

"Did the Headmaster say anything about us not going down the Pitch today?" Harry craned his neck slightly to see if anyone else was headed in the same direction.

"If he did, I did not pay attention to it." Draco flung out a hand and snorted. "Besides, it's the Quidditch Pitch! You-Know-Who's watchers are not about to sit around an empty arena and watch the grass grow."

"Then what are we about to do?" Harry canted a look at the blond.

Draco turned and leered outrageously at Harry. "We're going to do the traditional thing and snog under the bleachers. It's been a lifelong dream of mine, and now that we have the opportunity, I think we should take it."

Harry's laughter could be heard all the way up to the castle.

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"Would you just listen to those freaks?" Ron leaned against the wall of the castle, his expression one of extreme distaste. "It's disgusting."

Michael nodded, and then froze slightly at the sight of Percy Weasley strolling up to his younger brother.

"Ron." Percy's gaze lingered for a moment on the Ravenclaw. "Why aren't you out enjoying the sunshine?" Percy leaned against the castle wall next to his brother, their shoulders barely touching.

"I – uh, was just…er…" Ron shifted nervously, shooting Michael a panicked look.

"Ron and I were just talking." Michael studied the older Weasley, pushing off the wall to face him squarely.

"Ah." Percy met Michael's gaze and an amused smiled slipped across his face. "A perfect day for Quidditch, don't you think?"

Michael swallowed a smirk and nodded. "It is." He glanced towards the Pitch and faked a disappointed sigh. "Too bad games have been cancelled."

"Yes, too bad." Percy leaned back onto the castle wall and folded his arms across his chest. "It's also a shame that the Slytherins are the only ones going down to the Pitch today. It'd be a shame if they booby trapped the Gryffindor locker rooms, wouldn't it?"

Ron's gaze switched between the two wizards as though he were watching a dueling match. "But the Headmaster wouldn't allow that." Ron pointed out. "Besides, he's got to have some people down there, making sure no one tries to slip off into the forest." An ugly expression slipped onto his face. "Like Potter and the rest of his Slytherins."

"Well, isn't it a lucky thing that I'm the one who gets to watch over the Pitch today?" Percy winked at his little brother and turned to look at Michael. "I mean, the Headmaster assigned the duty to me, thinking that no one in their right minds would be at the Pitch today…much too close to the forest for anyone's liking."

"Well, no one in their right minds would go…which excludes Potter, that's for sure." Michael nodded slightly at the older wizard and turned a wicked smile onto Ron. "C'mon Ron. The day's wasting. Let's go see if we can find the others, eh?"

"Uh…" Ron frowned and glanced between the two wizards nervously. "Sure. Yeah." He pushed away from the wall he was leaning on and followed Michael, waving slightly at his older brother as they left.

He never saw the glint that entered Percy's eyes, nor the twisted smile that slipped onto his face as the two boys walked away.

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"Michael!" Ron hissed, tugging at the other boy's sleeve. "Why'd you say that? We're never going to be able to get down to the Pitch now…"

"Ron, would you shut up!" Michael tore his arm from Ron's grip and scowled at the Gryffindor. "Your older brother just gave us permission to do whatever we liked down at the Pitch you ninny! Now shut up and follow me."

"But – but –," Ron stuttered, stumbling over his feet as he trailed after the Ravenclaw.

"Honestly, Gryffindors." Michael shook his head, grumbling under his breath. "C'mon Ron!"

Nearing the Pitch, they slowed, wands held tight in their fists, listening for any sound of their prey. They finally spotted them under the Slytherin stands, Draco seated on a small bench with Harry on his lap, the two of them laughing quietly over something too soft for Ron or Michael to hear.

"It'll be nice to play Quidditch again," Harry slid off of Draco's lap and took a few steps towards the pitch, his eyes on the goal rings. "I miss it."

Draco stood behind him, resting his hands on the thin shoulders. "It will be nice when all this mess is over."

Michael caught Ron's eye and nodded. They burst into the small area, their wands pointed at Slytherins.

"Petrificus Totalas!"

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"Sirius? Have you seen Harry at all?" Remus poked his head around the corner and looked into the sitting room. "Sirius?"

"No, I haven't." The animagus looked up from the map he was studying and shook his head. "He's probably outside with Draco, though."

"Hmm." Remus' head disappeared back into their bedroom. Sirius stood and followed his lover into the room.

"Why?" He leaned on the doorjamb and watched as Remus prowled the room nervously.

"I don't know." The werewolf's eyes gleamed golden in the dim light. "I just have a bad feeling."

"It'll be alright, Moony." Sirius stepped forward and caught the wiry man in his arms. "Just relax. We need to be alert and rested, not tired and out of sorts. He's fine, he's with Draco and the other Slytherins. I highly doubt anything will happen to him."

Tension still thrummed through Remus' body. "I know what you're saying is probably true." With a sigh the werewolf's body slumped into his lover's embrace. "But I still think something's wrong." He turned his head towards the window, shifting from foot to foot. "I don't know why."

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Hagrid had buried Fang's body as close to the hut, the small marker he'd set up for the hound visible from a window near his favorite chair. The half-giant sniffled into his teacup, wiping at his eyes with an already sopping red hanky.

He set his cup aside with a sigh, standing with a groan and moving over to the fireplace to check on his stew. He winced as his knees creaked and popped, the right one almost giving out on him as he lowered himself down to taste his food. His left hand automatically went out to the side of the hearth, where Fang normally lay, soaking up the heat from the fireplace. His breath caught in his throat and he dashed at his eyes once again. It's just not the same without him here. He cleared his throat and shook his head, his frizzy hair sticking to his damp cheeks.

As he limped back to his chair he paused, staring out the window with a frown. He crossed the small distance and flung open the other shutter, resting his hands on the sill, blinking rapidly.

The animals were leaving the forest.

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"Albus?"

The Headmaster looked up from the pile of papers in front of him, staring over his glasses at Minerva. "Yes?"

The Deputy Headmistress stepped up to the large desk, a rather think red envelope in her hands. Albus sighed, his shoulders slumping as he took the Ministry letter and broke open the seal.

His mouth tightened with every line he read. He set it down on his desk, on top of the other piles and took off his glasses, throwing them onto the stack of papers without a care. Minerva raised an eyebrow at him.

"The Ministry has seen fit to tell me that whatever Dark Magic the Slytherins have been using has caused a severe reaction in the muggle world." Albus pushed his chair back and stood, moving to the window and looking down at the happy faces of the children playing on the grounds. "Apparently the old places of worship have come back, eradicating the buildings that were built over them. Gods and Goddesses have allegedly been spotted at these sites." He leaned against the cool stone of the castle, his hands resting lightly on the ledge. "It seems as though the muggle world has found itself in quite a quandary and the Ministry is blaming the Slytherins for it."
"Ah." Minerva crossed the room to stand at his side, watching the children with him. "Does he have any proof?"

Albus contemplated her for a long moment before shaking his head. "He suspects, that is all. They haven't been very circumspect about the books they have been studying, however, and the rumor mill churns daily."
"There's no way to stop…anything they may have done." Minerva tucked her hands into her sleeves and shrugged. "They have broken Ministry law, though."

"No, they haven't." For the first time in weeks Albus' eyes regained a touch of their former sparkle. "They haven't deliberately gone out and invoked deities in the presence of muggles. What they have done is completely legal – and endorsed by the more tradition bound families in the wizarding world."

Minerva turned slightly, a small crease appearing between her eyebrows. "But Fudge can still make trouble for all of them, especially Harry, if he gets the press on his side."

"Let him try." Lucius' voice made both of them jump and turn towards the door. The blond was leaning against the doorjamb, a pleased smirk on his face.

"And do you know something regarding the press that we don't, Lucius?" Albus moved back to his chair and sat, lacing his fingers together in his lap.

"The Daily Prophet is under my control now, and as you know it's the most read paper in wizarding Britain." Lucius pushed away from the door and walked into the room, his arms still crossed smugly across his chest and his patent smirk firmly in place.

"That still won't drown out the other papers –," Minerva began.

"Don't worry about the other papers." Lucius' chin rose a fraction of an inch as he stared her down. "They'll be taken care of."
"Albus," Minerva turned the Headmaster, who merely raised a tired hand.

"I would prefer this done in a legal, appropriate way Lucius." Albus met the cold eyes evenly. "The last thing any Slytherin needs is more bad rumors floating about."
"Why Headmaster Dumbledore," the smile was small and vicious. "I'm hurt, truly. Surely you know I would never do something so…" the glint in his eyes turned evil, "malicious and purposely damaging to my reputation." Albus winced and looked away, conceding the argument to the elder Malfoy. "Have no fear," he all but purred and turned, sauntering out of the room slowly enough to have Minerva in a state when he was finally gone.

"Albus, I wish you would do something about how Mr. Malfoy treats –,"

"He is Lucius, Minerva." The twinkle had completely left Albus' eyes by now, and for that reason alone Minerva was ready to rip the elder Malfoy's hair out by the handfuls. "We are lucky enough to have him on our side. He is an invaluable tool, one I do not wish to lose." He sighed and picked up his glasses, slipping them back on with a slightly wince. "Thank you, Minerva."

She snapped her mouth closed and stood next to his chair, looking down at his white hair and blue cap for several minutes. She reached out and touched his shoulder lightly before turning and taking herself from the room, not looking back.

Albus never looked up.

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Rosmerta sat on the stone outcropping, her hands dangling between her parted knees, her head hanging low. Sweat ran in shiny rivulets down the back of her neck and she tugged at the laces of her gown, not quite daring to take it off and go forward only in her shift.

She used her sleeve to wipe her brow and sat up with a groan. The Otherworld sun was high and bright in the sky and no matter how hot and uncomfortable she felt her throat still tightened at the sight of it. We are coming back. She closed her eyes and raised her hands to the sun, giddy joy running through her. It is all coming back.

Her hands were caught in a calloused grip and she gasped, her eyes flying open in shock. She stared up at the silhouetted figure in front of her, squinting.

"Is this a proper greeting from a wife to her husband she hasn't seen in centuries?" The voice brought tears to her eyes and she yanked her hands out of the figure's grip.

"Lugh?" The figure backed up until she could see him, his dark hair and eyes laughing at her, his smile broad. She shrieked.

"You blasted son of a half breed cur!" She leapt at him, her hands curling into claws.

"Now, there's my wife!"

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Sasha and Seamus sat on the grass near the hot houses, safely hidden from the view of the other students. Sasha's dark hair gleamed in the sunlight even as she shivered at the slight chill of the waning afternoon air. Seamus picked up his wand and flicked a warming spell on her cloths – which got him another smile for his trouble.

"It feels so strange." She lifted her face to the sun and closed her eyes, her lashes dark against her pale cheeks. "To know that something so frightening is about to happen when you're out here, enjoying the sunshine."

"Yeah." Seamus drew his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around them loosely, resting his chin on top of his right leg. "But this is the first time you and I have been in the direct line of danger. Harry's been at this for years already."
Sasha opened her eyes and glanced down at him, her expression turning serious. "You're right. I hadn't thought about that." She let her gaze drift past him, chewing on the skin of her lower lip as she thought. "Do you think that's why he tries to do so much?"

"Who? Harry?" Seamus snorted. "I dunno. He's always been like that."

"Sad." She shook her head slightly, the overly serious expression fading as she focused on Seamus once more. "I don't want this day to end." Her smile was wistful and a touch scared.

Seamus let go of his knees and reached out for her, drawing her close to his side and wrapping his arms around her tightly. "It'll be fine, it will," he murmured into her dark hair, one hand carding through the loose strands spilling down her back. "Everything will be all right."
"Will it?" She trembled faintly as her arms locked around his neck. She buried her face in the crook of his neck. "A part of me is calm, but a part of me is scared too."

"Me too." Seamus smoothed a hand down her back, holding her tightly for a long moment. "Me too." He rested his chin on her shoulder and closed his eyes. Whoever out there…if You're listening, please don't let Sasha get hurt. He opened his eyes and stared out over the bright grounds, the small breeze finally dying down and the warmth from the sun began to pink his hands and cheeks. He could hear the sound of the insects in the bushes and the smell of the fresh cut grass was heavy on the air. Please. He closed his eyes once more and fought down a shudder, pulling a surprised Sasha into his lap, grinning at her surprised laughter. Don't let me lose her.

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Gwyn ap Nudd stood at a crossroads.

The signpost had long crumbled away to dust and two of the three Gates near it were gone, their enameled arches broken and gray. He glared at the last Gate before turning and contemplating the intersection of roads. He moved to stand in the middle, staring at each road for long minutes before shaking his head and turning to the next.

His tattered velvets and fine linens he'd left behind. He stood as he had, so many thousands of years ago, in old leather armor with a sword strapped to his back. His battered black cape tried to wrap itself around his legs as he moved and his unbound hair he'd cut short, the ends falling into his eyes from time to time.

None of the roads called to him, as neither did the Gate. He planted his hands on his hips and glared, his temper rising. He turned in a slow circle on last time before snarling a curse and heading for the remains of the signpost. He contemplated it for a long moment then looked up into the Dark. It clung to the intersection, wreathing between the shattered remains of the old Gates and licking at the edges of the roads. He scowled at it, setting one foot on top of the ruined base of the signpost and stepped over it, into the Dark.

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"I can't see Draco." Severus was leaning against the window, his skin faintly pink from his time outside.

Lucius stepped up behind him, his arms resting on either side of the window, trapping the Potions Master in place. "He and Harry went out to enjoy the sunshine." He leaned forward, forced to bend slightly in order to rest his head on Severus' shoulder. Not that he'd ever tell Severus he had to slouch to do so – he valued his life more than that.

Severus frowned and shook him off, glaring at him before turning his attention back to the grounds outside. "Draco should know better than to go out with Harry alone." Severus' long fingers began to tap on the window ledge. "If something were to happen –,"

"Severus." Lucius pressed his lips to the heavy black hair. "They are fine. They have all of Slytherin looking out for them, they have the other Order members guarding the Wards. It is fine."
Severus shifted from foot to foot, his fingers still drumming away. "While I have absolute faith in our Slytherin students," his right index finger began a rapid beat against the stone of the window ledge. "Neither they nor the Order members know what they are up against."

"True." Lucius sighed and lowered his arms till his hands were resting next to Severus'. "But do you know what you're up against? Would it change anything if you were out there, running yourself ragged when in reality you need to save your strength for tonight?"

Severus' fingers stopped moving. "You are a smug bastard when you're right."

Lucius smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkling slightly. "Of course I am."

"You –,"

"Albus got a letter." Lucius cut the Potions Master off before he could launch into a rant.

"About?"

"The old places of worship are returning." Lucius slid his right hand around the slim waist in front of him. "Gods have been sighted by muggles."

"And the Ministry is in an uproar about it." Severus plucked at the arm around his waist, but his attention was elsewhere. "It will be hard for the wizarding world to conceal its existence after this – the sheer scope of memory charms that would have to be administered is staggering."

"True." The blond bent his head and touched Severus' shoulder with his lips, his kiss nothing more than a brush of skin on cloth. "Fudge is rather incensed."

"I'm sure." Severus grunted and wiggled in Lucius' grip – Not, Lucius thought with a smile, that he'd ever admit he was wiggling. He rolled his eyes and kept his arm in place.

"Albus seemed rather amused at the Minister's fit of pique."
"He would be." Severus gave another half-hearted wiggle. "Fudge's position is swiftly falling from favor. Your new editors of the Prophet have done a wonderful job in attempting to turn the tide in Potter's favor."

"Yes." Lucius spread his hand on Severus' chest, smiling at how much of the narrow torso he could cover with just one hand. "They work well. They have plenty of incentive."

"I'm sure." Severus pushed at the hand on his chest and growled. "Lucius!"

"Hmm?"

"What are you doing?"
"If you have to ask –," The resulting squeak was not very loud, but the heavy grunt was. A whispered spell closed the door and it was locked with a flick of a wrist.

Lucius and Severus were not seen for the rest of the afternoon.

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Ginny sat on the edge of the lake throwing pebbles into the rippling water. The sun felt good on her back and a large pile of boulders were cutting off most of the slightly chilly wind.

"Gin?" Bill's voice was faint.

"Over here Bill!" She picked up a dark stone that had shots of quartz running through it. She held it up to the sun, squinting at it with one eye before chucking it as far into the lake as possible.

"Do you have any idea how long it took for that poor stone to wash up to shore?" Bill appeared at her side and stared down at her, an amused grin on his face. "What did it ever do you?"

She smiled at him, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Is something wrong?"

Bill's smile faded as he studied her face. He scuffed the slightly damp earth next to her with the toe of his shoe before shrugging and plunking himself down next to her. "Everything's fine, Gin."

"Oh, good." She nodded and turned back to the lake, her right hand groping for another stone. She peered at the one she had picked up – it was gray and white. Boring really. She cocked her arm back and was about to throw it when Bill spoke again.

"There's something wrong, but you're not telling me."

She let out a large gust of air and let her arm drop back to her side. She pushed her bangs out of her eyes and glanced at him briefly. "It's going to sound stupid," she warned, rolling the stone between her fingers absently.

"I'm sure it's not." Bill reached out and captured her right hand between both of his. "Tell me, Gin."

"Well…" she bit her lip and kept her eyes on the lake, an embarrassed flush spreading across her cheeks. "It – it's – well," she closed her eyes tightly. "It'sthatIdon'thaveaboyfriendthat'sall."

"Come again? This time in English?" Bill tugged at her hand.

She cracked an eye open and glanced at him, snarling when she saw the amused expression on his face. "You prat!" She pulled at her hand, but his grip was too tight.

"Gin!" His grin was almost escaping his control. "I'm sorry." The amusement faded slightly. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."

"You didn't." She took his momentary distraction to free her hand. "It's nothing. Never mind."

"Gin…"

"Look!" She snarled, flinging the rock into the lake as hard as she could. "It's stupid, I know, considering everything that's going on, but it's just that…" she trailed off, her temper leaving her as fast as it had come on. "I wish I wasn't the only single one around."

"Oh Gin." The amusement was back in Bill's voice and she grumbled at him for it. "You're not the only single person around. There're tons of them in the school, in the world…"

"Yeah, but it seems like I'm the only girl in the dorm without a boyfriend." She paused. "Or a girlfriend."

Bill opened and closed his mouth several times before sound managed to work its way out. "Oh –," he blinked rapidly. "I'm sure that's not true."

"Whatever." She scooted her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, resting her chin on them as she stared out over the water. "I wish I didn't have this stupid limp. All the boys are afraid to be around me."

Bill's expression softened. "That's not true, Gin."

"The homosexual ones don't count."

"Well, there's Sirius and Remus, and then there's me…"

"I meant romantically you twit!" Gin whacked him on the shoulder.

"I know." Bill scooted closer to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Would it be awful to tell you I'm glad you don't have a boyfriend?"

"Yes, but not if you start explaining yourself immediately. Then I might let you live."
Bill smiled. "You're my little sister, Ginny. A very large part of me doesn't want to see you grow up."

She turned her head and looked up at him. "You want to keep me a child forever?"
Bill colored and shrugged. "A part of me does." He broke their gaze and now he was the one looking out over the water. "You do realize that any boyfriend," he paused and glanced down at her, "Or girlfriend for that matter, will be thoroughly traumatized by Sirius and Remus, not to mention me."

Ginny threw back her head and laughed. "You wouldn't!"

"I might be persuaded not to, but Sirius?" He shook his head and grinned. "Nope, kiddo, no chance on getting him to back off."

The look of horror on Ginny's face was enough to send Bill into fits of laughter. "That's not funny!" She pushed at his shoulder, her eyes wide. "I'm never going to get a boyfriend!"

"Boyfriend?" Sirius' head appeared around the edge of boulders. "What boyfriend?" He rounded the corner with a stalk, Remus desperately holding onto his robe. "Someone wants to be your boyfriend?"

Bill and Ginny exchanged a glance, both of them rolling their eyes. "No Sirius." Ginny pushed herself to her feet, using Bill's shoulder as leverage. "No boyfriends here."

"Ah…" The animagus opened his mouth and then snapped it shut, the fire quickly going out of his expression. "Ah, good? I think? But wait –," he turned to Remus, who had let go of his robes and was now staring at Sirius with his arms folded across his chest and his right foot tapping briskly. "I'm sorry?"

Bill caught Ginny as she fell, the both of them helpless with laughter at the sight of Sirius being chased by an irate werewolf in human form.

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"There, they're both bound." Ron sat back on his heels and wiped his brow. He looked up at Michael, swallowing with difficulty. "Now what?" His shirt was soaked through around the neck and under the arms; the area under the bleachers was very warm from the heat of the sun and very little of the brisk wind managed to get through the boards that surrounded them.

"Move back." Michael fingered his wand as he stared at the two boys laid out on the ground. His heart was racing in his throat and he felt slightly faint. I can do this, small bursts of colors began blooming in his vision. I can do this.

Ron rose from his squat and moved away from the boys, his blue eyes bright and nervous. "We need to get moving if we want to get them past the wards before nightfall."

"I know." Michael moved until he could see Harry's eyes. "Hello freak." He smiled at the dark haired boy, showing his teeth. "I hope you enjoy this." He raised his wand and pointed it at Draco, savoring how the green eyes widened and began to tear. "Avada –," He was tackled before the rest of the spell could leave his mouth.

Ron gripped his shoulders and shook him roughly. "What do you think you were doing?" Ron's eyes were wide and panicked. "That was the killing curse!"

"I know!" Michael surged to his feet and sent the larger boy tumbling. He flicked his wand at Ron, the petrifying curse rolling off his tongue with ease. He sighed and raked a hand through his hair, his wand gripped tightly at his side.

"You're such an idiot, Ron." He let his free hand drop to his side and he crossed the small space to stare down at the furious redhead. "All this time you thought Potter and the rest of the Slytherins were the evil ones." He squatted down next to Ron's head, enjoying the look of confusion in his eyes. "I'll tell you a secret." He bent down so his mouth was close to the redhead's ear. "The Slytherin House was the only one without a Death Eater spy in it. Even your precious Gryffindor House," he licked his lips and smiled. "Your precious Lavender helped set everything up."

Tears leaked out of the corner of Ron's eyes. Michael pulled back and smiled, tapping the redhead on the nose with the end of his wand playfully. "Just thought you ought to know."

Michael stood and turned to the other two boys. He stared down at Harry for a long moment before turning to back to Draco. "As much as I hate to admit it, Ron was right. I can't kill you with magic here on the grounds – not without alerting Dumbledore and the rest of the school. Oh no."

Michael spotted something in the shadows and his eyes lit up. "Yes, that would do splendidly. I've read about it…it'll look like you either had a fall or your precious boyfriend here," Michael sneered, "did it himself." He picked up a large rock the size of a grapefruit. He hefted it in his hand, testing the weight. He gripped in tightly, kneeling down with his knees on either side of Draco's chest, bringing the rock up over his head. The crack of the stone meeting flesh was sickening.

Michael smiled and stood, banishing the rock and removing the immobility spell from the blond. His smile grew bigger at the sight of the tear tracks on Harry's face. "Oh, dear." He shook his head and sighed, winking at Ron. "Looks like poor Draco hit his head." Fury burned in the green eyes and Michael chuckled. "Veneno dormio." Harry's eyes glazed over and his eyelids fluttered shut.

Michael then turned to Ron. He stood at the redhead's feet, nervously tapping his wand on his lips, thinking. "I can't very well leave you here…" He sighed and shook his head. "I'll have to get rid of you too. Too bad Harry and Draco will turn a horrible curse on you, making you mad. Appareo araneus!" Spiders boiled up from the ground underneath Ron, swarming his body. Michael smiled as Ron's eyes got impossibly larger, his tears making their way down his temples at a steady rate. "Have fun. See you in a while." Red welts were already appearing on Ron's fair skin as Michael turned and levitated Harry's unconscious body up and out the small enclosure. He kept his step light and quick as both he and his burden slipped into the shadows of the Forbidden Forest.

End Chapter 42

"Veneno dormio" enchanted sleep

"apparea araneus" appearing spiders

A/N: Thank you for all of the wonderful reviews!!!!