Penndragonne

by Tashasaphi

Sixth Year has arrived in a rush of blood and loss and Hogwarts. Harry finds himself feeling alone within a crowd, but with the help of a reluctant and strange new companion, can he find peace of mind once more? Dark but light and cute as buttons.

14. Chapter 14

Penndragonne

By Tashasaphi

Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I own all kinds of blisters. And a pair of scrummy sandals that don't like walking to the shopping centre and back. Hrm. Other than that, I am penniless and futile.

Year 6 and all is not well at Hogwarts. After a devastating attack on the castle, the world is turned topsy turvy for the work-stressed Harry, and he finds a new light in a new companion…A story of love, friendship and abusing ones minions

WARNINGS: SLASH!

Also warnings... : This story is quite dark. I think black becomes me.

A/N

Here it is, but save your squees. Draco's back next chapter.

Oh, and by the way, I'm not prolific enough to write the Dark Lord's character well. I will make all efforts to avoid it in the future.

This chapter is REALLY LONG, ok? Just so you know.

ALSO ALSO: I thank John Williams for writing the PoA soundtrack. It's the only reason you have a CH14. Also check out my one shot H/D song fic 'Cool'. It's new XD

BIG NEWS: WE REACHED 1000 HITS! YAAAY! We actually did it pretty soon in CH13. I'm so pleased. Follow this link for the kiriban you rightfully deserve!

http COLON SLASH SLASH www DOT deviantart DOT com SLASH deviation SLASH 21399848 SLASH

Now... if only we could get 100 reviews and get a kiriban... XD

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December was on the horizon, merely days away, and the first flutterings of damp sleet were noted on the faces of chilled students heading out to the greenhouses or across the grounds. All around, people were beginning to automatically wind down for the term- fatigue was setting in, and people were already counting the days until the end of term. A grand total of three Durmstrang students, out of the ten who had arrived, were still at the school. The other seven had been shipped to St Mungos, and their fates had not been revealed to the student body. Of the three that remained, two were out of the hospital wing. A minute, sickly looking first year, who had been bundled off to Ravenclaw, and someone a little less weedy who had joined Gryffindor. Ryan Abarov, family friend of the Malfoys, who had returned Silver to Harry during the escapade at Malfoy Manor. Ryan Abarov, whose sandy blonde hair, angelic porcelain features and rich hazel eyes had every female in the common room doing back flips to get him to notice them. Ryan Abarov who...

'...Doesn't appear to be doing any practical subjects,' Hermione mused. As she sat with Ron and Harry ion the common room, she seemed quite bright eyed and awake. Recently, she seemed to lapse in and out of strange trances, where she would become rosy cheeked, glassy eyed and very very lethargic. She often had to be escorted (as far as possible) to bed. Harry blamed over work- she was already doing eight hours of revision a week for NEXT YEARS exams. Ron, however, blamed a certain eastern European influence, whose appearance seemed to coincide with each of Hermione's funny Spells. He, therefore, was hardly speaking to Hermione and defiantly ignoring said eastern European influence. Harry had tried telling him he was being silly- now, for example, Ryan was sitting on the other side of the common room, helping Lavender and Pavarti with their divination homework, and Hermione seemed, if anything, perky.

'What's that got to do with anything?' Ron snapped. 'Why should we care what bloody subjects HE'S doing?'

'Because it's interesting,' Hermione grumbled, pulling out a complete timetable. 'Look. He's doing Divination, Ancient Runes, Myth studies, Potions, Arithmancy and Astronomy... you don't need a wand for any of those. Isn't that strange?'

'I take Myth studies, Hermione,' Harry commented, scanning over the rules of dealing with complicated or numerous injuries. 'And so do you. Are we strange too?'

'You're missing the point,' Hermione snapped. 'You take Charms, don't you? And Transfiguration. Ron takes Craft Magic and Defence against the Dark Arts. I take Creative Magic. Between us, we all do lots of different subjects, but using our wands. Ryan doesn't take ANY where he has to use a wand. Don't you find that strange?'

'Maybe he's a squib,' Ron snorted in an uncharacteristic show of malice.

'You really think a squib would have been able to get within a mile of Durmstrang?' Hermione jibed. 'Be sensible, Ron. Besides, he has to have some magic potential if he's doing potions and,' she sneered, 'divination, but to not do any subject using a wand is...' she sighed. 'really difficult to fit into the timetable, if nothing else.' Ron huffed, demolishing a chocolate frog violently.

'Maybe the courses here are different to the ones he was doing,' Harry offered, turning a page whilst Silver pushed his glasses further up his nose and went to refill the ink in his quill for a new section of notes. 'So, when he came here, he had to pick subjects whose syllabus was closest to the ones he was studying. There's no point in him picking up Transfiguration if his course still has him transfiguring teacups, or doing Craft magic if he's already able to whip up the Venus de Milo in his spare time.'

'Who cares?' Ron snapped, grabbing up his books and Chudley, who was stalking jellybeans. 'I'm going upstairs to study. It's too bloody noisy down here.' And with that he stamped off up the stairs in a frightful huff, slamming the dormitory door. Hermione rolled her eyes.

'His tantrums are really beginning to get on my nerves,' she growled, snuggling deeper into her arm chair. Harry sighed and raised his book to cover his face. He didn't need to get in the middle of another of their spats.

The following morning started with a free period for the boys. When they awoke, Ryan was not in bed, nor in the common room. This seemed to cheer Ron greatly, and no one really paid it much heed. Perhaps he had classes.

In fact, he did not.

'I was hoping we'd have the chance to meet,' a voice hissed in the darkness. It was high and aloof, yet chilling to all those present. Save one, who sat upon the floor, hands bound before him, eyes glinting fire-orange in the half-light.

'It seemed inevitable,' the captive replied, smiling a sharp grin. 'Especially after my... integration incident.'

'Is that what you decided to call it?' the voice asked airily. 'I call it damaging of my property. In case you weren't aware, beast,' venom dripped from every word. 'I rather liked that school where it was.'

'Nonsense,' the prisoner drawled. 'Durmstrang was a place of weakness. A school filled with inbred brats of mindless slaves, most of whom, if you hadn't already noticed, have defected to the third side of the modern equation.' There was a pregnant pause.

'Explain,' the voice hissed, red eyes narrowing on a sallow pale face. Orion leant his chin on one bound hand complacently, smiling vaguely.

'You harmed their offspring, and now they don't want to play with you anymore.' He chuckled. 'My lord... you are being usurped. Surely you have noticed the numbers dropping... less coming when called. More and more they bite back the pain and ignore you... loathe you... fear you, but don't respect you anymore.'

'You are an observant beast,' he responded dryly, petting the glinting scales of the serpent Nagini. 'Who leads them? Who started this farcical rebellion?' Orion pressed his lips together, eying the architecture.

'Surely you could find that out on your own, my lord?' His eyes flickered into the shadows where his questioner lurked.

'Perhaps I would like you to tell me instead,' he retorted. Orion gave him an almost piteous glance, before he stood up, admiring the domed ceiling.

'What, pray-tell, are you going to do with me?'

'What?'

'And, for that matter,' Orion went on, 'the culprit of this uprising?' Nagini shot across the floor, as if to strike, before shying back against the heat. The Dark Lord narrowed his eyes.

'Would you really like to know? It isn't pleasant.'

'Oh I live for gore,' Orion replied, lounging. 'I'm sure I wouldn't be too appalled.' There was a soft chuckle. It wasn't happy, but it was a chuckle none the less.

'For you, I was planning a cage to be shared with a troll. How does that sound?'

'Delightful,' Orion purred, licking his teeth. 'I do so love a challenge.'

'And for my betrayer, pain-'

'Mmm...'

'ruin-'

'Go on...'

'And annihilation.'

'Oh.' There was another pause.

'I do not seek you appraisal for my plans, halfbreed.'

'I didn't suspect you did,' Orion replied gently. 'I was only hoping for something grander from the infamous Tom Riddle.'

'Silence!' A curse shot out of a concealed wand, striking Orion in the chest, making him writhe and wail, foam at the mouth, claws and teeth and feathers and animalistic agony as he shrieked on the stone. Slowly, the pain subsided and Orion sank back against the floor, eyes closed, a giddy smile, crossing his face as he mewed in delight.

'Oh, my Lord...' he mumbled giddily. 'You're so much better at that than he is...' Lord Voldemort narrowed his eyes.

'And who might he be?' Orion's eyes fluttered open, full of half lit embers ignited by mischief.

'My master,' he whispered, 'and the cause of the dissention.' Slowly, fluidly, he got to his feet, glimmering with animal power and prowess as he stalked closer to his questioner. 'He is a mere ant compared with your excellence. I see that now. I had not known the meaning of power before now... I was lost in the darkness of ignorance, and now, you, my Lord, have awakened me to knowledge...' Voldemort said nothing as Orion fell at his feet, soft hands tracing patterns over his legs, nuzzling like an adoring pet against his thigh, seeking a hand that he might kiss. Striking him hard across the face, Voldemort sent him skidding away.

'You serve the leader of the cowards. You know his name and what he plots against me. You know all his secrets.'

'No,' Orion whispered, wiping blood from his chin and licking it from his fingers. 'But I can find out.'

'Tell me his name.'

'Why should I?' Orion mused, licking the last traces of blood from his lip. Nagini circled him, hissing. Voldemort smirking, flattened nostrils flaring.

'You could be the most useful of mongrels,' he whispered, smile widening as Orion hissed in dislike. 'Tell me his name, and you shall serve me as a most valuable accomplice.' Orion purred.

'And I shall have whatever I desire? Surely that's the part that comes next.' Voldemort raised his wand, but scowled when he saw the glint of longing in Orion's gleaming eyes.

'If it suits me,' he conceded. 'Now, the name.' Orion purred, glowing with delight.

'Of course, my master. The one you seek is Malfoy.'

'Malfoy?'

'Yeah. We didn't see him at the manor, did we?'

'Nah. And no one there had seen him either,' Harry sighed, tickling Silver's stomach, which showed, after little hassle, a clear blue line. He wriggled, before rolling over and butting Harry's hand tentatively, pushing himself under it into secure warmth.

'It's so odd,' Hermione mused. 'Blaise told me, in Arithmancy, that Lucius Malfoy had been granted a temporary release from his binding to allow him to visit Hogwarts again to look for Draco.'

'Urgh,' Ron snarled. 'I can hardly contain my joy.' Chudley was chewing on Ron's old quill. It was obviously it wasn't the first time. Harry smiled weakly. It was clear what Ron needed for Christmas.

'It's not as if he'll find anything,' Harry commented as he took an instruction sheet as the stack flew over his head. 'If Malfoy is still at the school, none of the professors have managed to locate him, and they know the school better than anyone. If Draco's found some hidey hole, they might never find him.'

'Good riddance,' Ron muttered. Hermione hit him, albeit gently. Hermione frowned.

'If he was in the school, he'd show up on the,' she broke into a stage whisper, '"map", wouldn't he?' Harry pushed his glasses up his nose.

'I guess so,' he mused. The map reminded him of too much pain, too many memories of loved ones stolen from pensieves. He honestly hadn't touched it all autumn.

'Can we check it later?' Hermione persisted. 'It'll be interesting, you know, just in case.'

'I bet he's not here,' Ron cut in before Harry had to try and fend her off. 'He probably escaped through one of the tunnels into Hogsmeade and ran. I know if I was feeling wacko I wouldn't want to be cooped up here. He's probably scratching out a living in a damp old cave somewhere.' Ron smirked a little. 'I hope it's inhabited by dragons...'

'Ron!' Hermione complained half heartedly.

''mione!' Ron complained right back, going glassy eyed. 'Don't spoil the moment. I've got the perfect mental image of Malfoy the caveman beating himself over the head with a bone...'

Hermione just rolled her eyes, taking Tigerlily out of her box. Hagrid was behind his hut, in the forest, fiddling with something he said was 'important'. Professor Grubbly-Plank was taking today off (visiting her sister in Hogsmeade), but she had stayed long enough to dole out some parchments on today's lesson plan, entitled: 'Extended Project Type F: Penndragones. Part IV: Obedience.' Harry read over this sheet briefly, scratching his scar thoughtfully. It had really stung earlier. However, all he had heard was 'TOM RIDDLE..' before the screaming and the pain began, and he was unable to decipher what howls of agony were inside his mind, and which were his own. Although Voldemort seemed able to shut Harry out of his mind in terms of clear, lengthily visions, these short spurts of high emotion seemed to still burst through. He sighed, trying to focus on the task he was now presented with. Hermione had just gone off on a new Velma the detective tangent, discussing the possibility that Draco had been transfigured by one of his classmates to hide him, or something like that. Harry ignored her, lifted Silver out of his lap onto the famous tree stump and tapped the now dozy dragon on the nose.

'Time to wake up and work,' he said softly. Silver blinked up at him through big grey eyes, before cheeping curiously. Harry put the sheet on his lap, scanning the top box again briefly.

'Ok... in the exam, you have to show dedication, loyalty and physical prowess,' he explained. 'Physical prowess will be tested based on the measurements I take and the opinions of the examiners yadda yadda... ah! You have to complete four tasks on my command.'

'Gyak?' Silver enquired.

'I guess it's like telling a dog to sit,' Harry mused. 'Except, of course, you're not a dog.'

'Mwii!' Silver vehemently agreed. Of course, he wasn't entirely sure what he was, but the name dog certainly did not ring any bells. Harry squinted at the page.

'You have to "speak", "follow", "spit" and "come", it says here. Then there'll be the flying test, where you'll have to do as I say based on commands like "up", "west" or whatever the obstacle is... you think you're up for that?' Silver didn't say anything. Harry frowned.

'Well, it's tough if you're not.' Harry scanned the sheet. 'Ok...' He raised his wand, swallowing. 'Let's try these first. Castigus.' A misty hand came out of midair, took one finger and tapped Silver hard on the nose. He staggered back, squeaking in startled, sad tones.

'Oh! Sorry, sorry, sorry!' Harry cooed, scooping Silver up (he resisted a little) and hugging him close, stroking his nose and smoothing the straightening feathers of his wings. 'I'll try not to do it again.' Silver grumbled forgivingly, stepping gently back onto the tree stump before sitting primly, eyeing Harry suspiciously. Harry groaned, running a hand through his hair.

'Ok, the punishing Spell works. How about... Elogio?' Again the misty hand appeared. Silver, shied, but the hand tickled gently under his chin, before petting him kindly. Silver couldn't resist stretching and leaning into the caress, before crinkling his nose in disappointment when the hand vanished.

'That's a bit better,' Harry said softly, mimicking the hand for a second. Silver's velveteen scales radiated the warmth of his body into Harry's hand, sending endorphins pumping from his brain. Silver mewed, before circling the stump and laying down.

'Nu-uh,' Harry said, lifting him back up. 'No sleeping. You have to work now.' Silver growled, snapping at Harry's fingers.

'Castigus,' Harry said automatically, before regretting it when Silver began yipping at him.

'Gaaah...' Harry groaned. 'Silencio.' Silver, now rendered mute, resolutely turned away from Harry.

'Don't be difficult...' Harry pleaded, gently persuading Silver to turn around. The dragon glared at him, and for a flash of a second, Harry saw someone familiar in those narrowed, sulky grey eyes. Hurriedly, he ignored that thought.

'You have to do things when I tell you. It's part of the test.' Silver looked curious, but irritated. 'So when I say "come", for example, you have to come to me, OK?' Silver frowned, before nudging Harry's wrist with his nose.

'No, I can't use the bracelet,' Harry sighed. 'You have to walk or run over to me, and then stop in front of me. It says so here on the pamphlet.' Silver huffed. 'It does! Look!' Harry held up the pamphlet, before turning when he heard a soft laugh behind him. He turned to see Hermione smiling brightly at him, Tigerlily being petted by the Elogios Spell.

'You two are so adorable,' she said dreamily. 'I'm so glad.' Harry smiled weakly, colouring a little, before turning away to his troublesome Penndragonne, who was now eyeing Tigerlily with piqued curiosity, not to mention envy.

'L-Let's start with "Spit",' Harry decided out loud. He heard Ron protest when on the same command Chudley began drooling all over the redhead's robes. Silver eyed Chudley in indignant disgust.

'It means spit fire,' Harry added quickly. 'Either... balls, rings or another clear shape that you will be asked to explain...' Silver rocked back on his hind legs, swaying a little, before, with a great swallow of breath, belched a quick succession of flames into the air. They weren't totally round, and they weren't even in size, but there was no smoke, and Silver didn't wheeze. Harry smiled.

'Let's try "follow" next...'

Hermione had forgotten about the map by the evening. In fact, the next time she mentioned it was at the end of the week, on Saturday, which, incidentally, was the 4th of December, and the bi-annual Hogsmeade Winter Fayre. All students with permission slips had been let out to wreak havoc, sixth years and above being allowed a tentative late curfew (Harry noted a few Order Aurors lurking around. Kingsley Shacklebolt had forced himself not to wave in an awkward gesture that ended up with him scratching his bald head curiously.). As he walked down the high street (Ron and Hermione had peeled off into separate shops along the way, not without Hermione reminding him that she wanted to use the map tonight before she left) he noted the little stalls and booths, all quaint and small and homely, filled with wonderful home made, quality goods. Rubbing his eyes sleepily, Harry decided to walk up to Madam Puddifoot's for some tea (he cringed slightly at the memory of the last time he was in there), and then make his way back down. Silver seemed to agree with him. Harry had denied him coffee for the last time. At breakfast, his instinctual need for caffeine had caused him to upend the teapot in revolt, splashing scaling liquid over about seven student, before spitting angry fire at the nearest passing person... who happened to be Professor McGonnagal. She had deigned not to give Harry a detention, but had asked him specifically to bring Silver to the next transfiguration class with a terseness that had chilled Harry's blood. Silver, irate, was currently tied up in Harry's scarf, lest he get himself into any more trouble before Harry could slip him something to calm him down.

He sighed as he sat alone at one of the two person table, stirring his tea leaves mirthlessly, before pouring himself another cup. The little cafe was full of these irritatingly suggestive tables, and instead of irritating hearts and confetti, it was filled with mistletoe and decorations on a silver and leafy theme. One of the cakes on Harry's little three tiered stand had two fairies ice skating, who stopped, Charmed mistletoe and planted a smacker on each others lips... before, simultaneously, Harry stabbed his knife through the cake, and Silver took a hearty swipe at it. They looked up at each other.

'Nicely done,' Harry said, more brightly, before cutting the cake in two and watching silver gut his piece, before putting his nose back in the coffee cup. Harry sighed, looking out of the window as a light, fine snow fell, exciting the younger ones, who opened their mouths, trying to catch the tiny flakes, or ran around, arms spread like wings laughing. Harry frowned. Sixteen. He was sixteen, going on seventeen. When did that happen?

'Urgh,' he managed, checking for about the seventeenth time that Silver's coffee was white pale with the dilution of milk he'd demanded. Silver, desperate as he was, didn't seem to care. Harry began breaking up his cake with a fork, listening sulkily as the door twinkled open and closed from time to time, and the soft mutterings and gabble issued between the other customers.

'They need a new teashop,' Harry mumbled bitterly. Silver eyed him for a moment, before lapping another mouthful of coffee.

'I'm sure you'd rather we had a Starbucks,' Harry grumbled. Silver ignored him. That word, whatever it was, was in neither of his vocabularies, and therefore was unimportant. They sat in companionable silence, Harry drinking his tea thoughtfully, piecing together the last few years, focusing particularly on events occurring around this godforsaken teashop. He groaned again, taking a bite of the remarkably good cake, despite the murdered fairy twitching on the icing. It was then that he heard the giggle that chilled him colder than a winter wind ever could. His head snapped up, before snapping down again hurriedly. He tensed up, not sure whether to be embarrassed or angry. Cho. And one of her cohorts. And two dashingly handsome boys Harry wasn't sure if he recognised. Cho was laughing as one of them stroked her arm. Surreptitiously, Harry eyed her. She was, undeniably, very pretty. Pixie features, soft, handsome angles to her heart shaped face. She was a beauty. But, amazingly, Harry's stomach didn't flop. His heart didn't flutter. In fact, he just felt a little... he supposed it was a kind of hurt. He supposed it was a kind of nausea. He wasn't over it, but he wasn't feeling as bad as he thought he might. Cho did notice him. She looked straight at him in fact. He looked up to find himself locked with eye contact, before she jumped, stared straight through him, and looked over in another direction, commenting to her beau on the decor.

'Low, Chang,' Harry muttered with a small smile. It was almost funny, A girl about a million times more attractive than he was, and a year older, getting all a flutter because someone she kissed and screwed up with made eye contact with her. The four of them sat down on two little tables, about half way across the cafe from him, and he went back to his tea. One of the boys looked at him and snickered. Whether Cho had mentioned something mean about him, or he was bloke-ishly laughing at the guy who'd brought his bloody penndragonne to Madam Puddifoots, he didn't know or much care. His cheeks flushed a little, however, and he hurriedly poured himself the last cup of tea in the pot. Silver watched him quietly during this exchange, before looking over at the boy in question. When Harry looked up again, Silver had vanished.

'Silver?' he asked, aware that he couldn't be too loud. 'Silver!' There was a small creak from above his head, and Harry looked up, watching a tail swish from in the midst of a large bunch of winter berries.

'Get back here!' he hissed, but Silver ignored him, gliding effortlessly over to another bunch, and then another, before landing on the chandelier above the boy's head. The people at the table next to Harry (two witches in their mid twenties by the glance of it), were now looking in Harry's direction, curiously, having not spotted the runty dragon now surveying the people below with a nasty glint in it's misted eyes. Harry scraped his hands along his scalp.

'Don't do it,' he begged almost silently. 'It's cool. Just... don't...'

'GYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!' the boy screamed, leaping to his feet as something landed a top his head with a slap. 'GET IT OFF ME!'

'Drew!' Cho's friend was on her feet in shock. Cho was staring at her boyfriend in horror, before her eyes dragged slowly over to Harry, who was staring at the scene through gaps in his fingers. They moved back equally slowly as 'Drew' began beating his hands on his head, trying to dislodge whatever was on there. His hand came down hard on Silver's tail, and Silver yowled, biting down hard on the boy's hand. In agony, he screamed again, swinging his arm away and himself staggering back and upending a few of the (thankfully) empty tables. Silver flew off the boy's hand and skidded across the table in front of Cho, claws digging into the table cloth and wood below.

'Oh Merlin,' Harry managed.

'What the bloody hell is that!' The other boy snapped, going to swat Silver, before Silver belched several fireballs at the boy, snarling and spitting and arching and flapping like a wild thing. Which, in retrospect, wasn't too far from the truth. Harry, still clutching his head in horror, noticed the black band around his wrist.

'In my hands,' he whispered desperately into it. Nothing happened. Harry groaned, noting that one of the three knots Hermione had used to tie it on had become undone. Meanwhile, Silver was rearing and snarling as if he were Godzilla, stomping on hind feet and shouting back draconic obscenities as fast as 'Drew' could spew them, tangled in one of the other table's tablecloths. Cho was the only one still at the table, and when Silver turned to her, he was very quiet, staring curiously up into her pretty face. He watched slowly as she raised her wand, her face unreadable.

'Petri-' she began, before Silver spat fire at her, singeing her eyebrow and making her tip her chair over backwards. The two witches were in hysterics, clapping their hands. She got to her feet, fuming, as Harry gave up on the bracelet and managed to swallow his mortification long enough to get to his feet and try to sort this out. Cho glared down as Silver, who, with a grin and sadistic flick of his tail upended her teacup (which thankfully only had the trickle of milk in it). She fumed, making the noise of a steaming kettle, before raising her wand again.

'Cho-' Harry began, quickly traversing the tea shop, but it wasn't necessary. Silver, cockily bearing his teeth, puffed out another little pop of flame, which hit her in the hand, making her drop the wand and yelp. It clattered to the floor. Silver barked at her as her eyes watered and she snarled, and with a reptilian grin, snatched up her teacake and fluttered awkwardly back to Harry, landing in his hands and nuzzling against his robes, glowering smugly at the irate Chinese girl. She glared at Harry, shaking in outrage. And suddenly, Harry wasn't mortified. He merely cocked and eyebrow, slightly shaky hands being steadied by Silver's reassuring weight.

'Chang,' he said without falter.

'What the hell do you think you're playing at?' Cho spat as the others helped Drew up.

'Trying to get me back for not putting up with you longer?' Silver hissed nastily.

'Actually, I was having a pot of tea,' Harry struck back quickly, feeling a little irate at that last comment himself. 'I had a rough night's sleep.'

'Like I care!' Cho hissed. Harry, losing all respect for her by the second, could see she was almost forcing this anger. 'You've ruined my morning! Happy now!'

'Actually, it was the penndragonne that ruined your morning,' Harry answered flatly. 'Which I do apologise for. And no, I'm not happy. But, I suppose, since you don't care, you're not really interested in that aspect of my feelings.'

'Stop making this about you!' Cho shot back.

'Makes a change from it being about you,' Harry said quietly but clearly.

'You leave her alone!' Her female friend spat at him. Silver spat back a fireball and she yelped.

'That... thing,' Cho's voice dripped venom, 'has ruined our tea!' Harry sighed heavily and reached inside his pocket. He placed a galleon on the table.

'Get yourself some more then,' he said bluntly, before moving off towards the door. She stood in his way.

'I'm going to report that thing to Professor Dumbledore!' She growled, but it was higher than normal, like she was forcing it.

'I'm sure that'll be lovely,' Harry said dryly. 'Now if you'd kindly move, I have friends to meet up with.'

'Like Hermione Granger?' Cho smirked.

'No, actually.' Harry said with a smile. 'Blaise Zabini.' He moved past her as cleanly as he could, handing the money for his tea and Silver's coffee (distracted, Silver tried to grab and espresso, which Harry dragged him back from.) to a passing waitress.

'You can't just walk out like this!' Cho demanded. Silver peeped up at Harry, cocking his head.

'What is there to stop me?' Harry called over his shoulder, before leaving the shop with a tinkle of the door. He walked briskly, before turning the corner and slumping, exhausted against the wall. Silver's tiny, reassuring claws stopped digging into his palms, and he began to tremble. Silver wormed up his body and under his open jacket, pressing his head to the dip in Harry's neck, purring softly and nuzzling the skin, liquid eyes gazing up at Harry with reassurance and loyalty. Smiling, Harry took a deep breath and patted Silver gently, running a hand over the tiny body with loving tenderness.

'Thank you,' he whispered, hoisting the dragon onto his shoulder, letting it snake around his neck. In his sudden brash, perhaps even coarse actions, Silver had not only shown up the infallible she-beast that was Cho Chang, but he had managed to give Harry something that he now realised that in his boyish naiveté he never would have been able to attain for himself.

Closure. And for that, he was eternally grateful.

'Good Afternoon Harry,' Ryan called as Harry passed him. Harry merely smiled and waved, and tried not to laugh at the shockingly obvious covert operations of the entire fourth year who were walking from stall to stall up the street, with their eyes fixed surely on one dusty-blonde prize. Harry was actually on his way to meet Ron. Fred and George had a small marquee up somewhere in Hogsmeade, and Ron had promised to show Harry... once he'd found it. Harry had no intention of meeting up with Blaise Zabini. Blaise Zabini, on the other hand, had other ideas.

'Potter,' he said, stepping out in front of him. The penndragonne he was using for his course, Loki, was curled around his shoulders, now about three times longer than silver and several shades darker. His eyes, glossy Slytherin Green, locked with Silver's, but neither dragon snarled, Loki out of a lack of threat, and Silver out of a sense of propriety. After all, he was not a guard dog.

'Zabini,' Harry responded calmly. 'Having a good day?'

'Indeed I am,' he said calmly, Pansy Parkinson appearing at his shoulder. She looked better.

'We found a stall you might like,' Pansy said calmly. Harry shuddered. He was so in trouble now.

'Thanks for the offer,' he responded kindly. 'But I have to go and meet Ron...'

'Weasley can wait,' Pansy snapped. 'This is important.' Harry frowned, hand twitching towards his wand.

'Can't I at least go and tell him where I'm going?' Harry asked earnestly. Zabini's wand was out in a flash.

'ExSpelliarmus!' He said firmly, catching Harry's wand as Silver spat. 'And nice try. You don't even know where you're going.' Now Harry was really worried.

'Oh don't look so glum,' Pansy ordered, shoving him in the back. 'It's not going to be that bad.'

'Sure it's not,' Harry mumbled. He had a horrible feeling about this.

For once in his life, he was oh so glad to be wrong.

'George Saint? Breeder of top quality Penndragonne stock?'

'Recognised world wide for his prowess in the art and his commitment to conservation,' Pansy quoted off the bottom of the sign. 'He moved in last week. Come on.'

'Why the hell have you brought me to a penndragonne breeder?' Harry asked as Pansy dragged him along by the arm, Blaise walking lazily by his side.

'Actually, we were just going to kidnap the runt and bring him instead,' he drawled. 'but we figured you might get upset.'

'And no body likes a celebrity when he's angry,' Pansy concluded. 'Oh, stop pulling you ninny.'

'I still don't understand why you're taking me... or Silver here.'

'Silver?' Pansy asked, eyeing Blaise who nodded. 'Cute.' Silver snorted softly, head bobbing like a viper's as Harry trudged reluctantly towards the building. They passed through an invisible barrier, and the air was suddenly warm. Blaise shrugged off his mink lined coat.

'Is anyone going to tell me why you are ruining my perfectly good day out and dragging me here?'

'One, we've got a late curfew, so you can stop whining right now,' Blaise snapped. 'And why we brought you here is of little or no consequence to you. If, however, your inquiring Gryffindor mind needs to know,' Blaise looked at Harry with distain. 'We've brought you here to meet the man responsible for breeding the penndragonnes on our course.'

'Enchanting,' Harry growled. 'So, once again, why am I here!'

'Gryffindors,' Pansy groaned, hauling him forward despite her comparatively diminutive height. She seemed to be recovering from those injuries very well. That, or Harry needed to be privy to the Slytherins' workout.

'Potter,' she snapped. 'Listen to what we are telling you. We're not going to curse you, set Rubeus Hagrid's mangy monstrosities on you, force you to do anything degrading or possibly hazardous to your health. We are not going to harm you or your,' she fumbled on the word. 'Penndragonne in any way, shape, form, thing, object, Spell or potion. All you have to do is chill out and enjoy yourself. This won't take long.' She narrowed her eyes, glaring back at him as they approached the door. 'And if you keep incessantly yanking on my arm, Potter, I will be forced to petrify you and levitate you in. Do I make myself clear?' Silver made a whistling noise, blinking at Harry.

'Crystal,' Harry said, trying to pretend that Pansy Parkinson was not one of the most terrifying people he had ever met. And he was personally acquainted with Voldemort.

'Deary me, what's all the racket out here then?' said a cheerful age-roughened voice. Harry was shocked at the sudden change in Pansy's attitude. She released his arm, but it was clear that if he ran, he would be hexed within an inch of his life.

'Hello there, Mister Saint,' she simpered. 'It's awfully nice to meet you. My name is Pansy, and these are my dear friends Harry and Blaise.' Harry choked back an indignant snort.

'Oh,' the elderly man said, peering through little round spectacles. 'Is that one of mine?' Blaise's penndragonne wriggled out of his coat and fluttered over to Mr Saint, cooing. Blaise smothered a look of distain.

'We've come to talk to you about-'

'Oh, yes, it is you. There's a good boy, eh?'

'Breeeeeeee!' Loki nuzzled the old man's cheek.

'Excuse-'

'You've grown so big already! Just like your dad, eh?'

'Mrrrreeeee!'

'Excuse me, Mister Saint,' Blaise snapped before clearing his throat and taking a calmling breath. 'We've come to talk to you about this,' he gestured to Silver, who Pansy was eyeing silently. 'penndragonne. He's not one of yours…. We'd just like your expert opinion on him.' Harry glared at Blaise, trying to work out what he was playing at.

'Hmm,' Mr Saint pondered. 'I'm sure I could give him a quick look over for you.' He shuffled back towards the door. 'Well, some in, all of you. And please, call me George. Can't be doing with these formalities.' He vanished inside the cottage. Blaise, thanking him formally, followed. Pansy jabbed Harry in the back.

'Just a few minutes of your precious time, Potter,' she hissed. 'Then you can go.'

'Why don't I believe you?' Harry snarled. Pansy narrowed the eye that wasn't covered by an ornamental eyepatch.

'Because you're stupid,' she commented dryly, before jabbing him again. 'Now move.'

The inside the cottage was narrow and cramped with big pieces of antiquated furniture. It reminded Harry vaguely of what a Grandparent's house should feel like, and also the burrow. The walked into the entrance hall, and then continued down a long main corridor with many doors going off it. All were open or ajar, and Harry was fascinated by the contents. One room had a huge fluffy bed in it, and on the end was a tangle of grey-gold bodies, snoozing together as two of the large serpentine grey gold creatures tumbled and played on the floor, ruby eyes flashing. Another room was full of shelves of nests, most with a fat, dozing penndragonne sitting on top. Heat blasted out of that room. Another room was completely dark, but Harry sensed that something was moving inside. A further two rooms were filled entirely with pillows and cushions and soft toys. The walls seemed to be padded thickly as well. Even the rafters, which criss-crossed the room lower and more numerously than was necessary, were covered in white padding. The reason became clear when the cheeping started. Dozens of tiny hatchling penndragonnes were tumbling and playing on the floor of the room, and larger ones were stretching their wings and preening, trying the glide between the rafters. Rooms like these filled the house it seemed. A home for penndragonnes, not for people.

'Here we are then,' Mr Saint said cheerfully, using a heavy, tarnished key to unlock the last door on the left. 'My office. Go in and settle yourself down, and I'll make us some tea.' And with that, he opened the door on the right and vanished up a flight of stairs. Harry watched him go, before being brought sharply back to reality when Pansy jabbed him in the back.

'In,' she demanded. 'Now.' Harry frowned at her and walked inside. She pushed him into one of the armchairs and snatched Silver off his shoulder. The Penndragonne shrieked indignantly.

'Hey!' Harry snapped. Pansy shot him a look.

'Not going to hurt it,' she grumbled, sitting herself down in one of the armchairs. Harry watched her closely, fuming. Silver wasn't writhing in her grasp. He was looking at her hands in a confused sort of manner, before raising his head gracefully and looking up at her face. He chattered mutedly, cocking his head. Harry's frown deepened when he saw her face, always hardened and stern, sort of melt. She smiled a heartbroken sort of smile, and Harry had to admit, she looked almost tragically beautiful. Silver turned neatly in her lap, blinking up at her, huffing a little. Pansy looked up at Blaise, desperately pleading with her eye. Blaise sighed, nodding, before flopping down into one of the chairs. She raised a hand and ran it over the penndragonne's head, neck and back with a featherlight care. Silver didn't really curve into her touch, but he didn't shy away, nor did he bite. Pansy's smile widened just a little, and she began smoothing a finger gently over the penndragonne's brow. Silver's eyes widened a little, before dropping and falling shut, he head drooping to rest on her hand. He purred softly. Harry shifted in his chair, irritable. Pansy chuckled a little as Silver swished his tail. Sure, he was enjoying the petting, but he wasn't about to completely sappy for anyone. Harry frowned, and opened his mouth to speak, but Mr Saint entered, levitating a tray of mugs and biscuits.

'There now,' he cooed, and Loki cheeped. 'Just take a mug and a biscuit and pass it on. I'll just get myself sorted over here.' He bustled over to a heavy mahogany desk, and as if by magic (pardon my pun) heads began to appear out of shelves and cabinets. A pair of large champagne silver Penndragonnes unfurled sleepily on the rafters, cooing like pigeons. The penndragonnes, of which there could have easily been twenty, were of all sizes, but generally more than a metre in length. An exceptionally large dark one hopped off of the chair behind the desk at Mr Saint's command and sat imperiously next to the tea mug, glowering. Mr Saint sat down, chuckling at the dragon.

'Don't mine Thor here,' he said affectionately. 'He's just sleepy. Now, what was it you wanted me to do again?' Pansy stood up, lifting Silver with her, who snapped awake from his dozing with a loud, irritated snort.

'Could you examine this penndragonne, Mr Saint-'

'Please, call me George.' Pansy tried not to glower.

'Ok then, George. Could you please examine this penndragonne for us?'

'Oh,' Mr Saint frowned. 'Is he sick?'

'We don't think so,' Blaise replied coolly. 'However, he didn't come in with the rest of the penndragonnes.' Blaise shot Harry a look. 'He's a pet.' Pansy placed Silver on the desk. He spun around and hissed at her, before snarling at Thor. Thor gave him an appaulked sort of honk, before soaring up into the rafters, between the two golden penndragonnes, chattering indignantly. Goerge hissed through his teeth.

'Ooh he's a grumpy one,' he mused, igniting a bright lamp with his wand. Silver hunched down into his shoulders angrily.

'That's not a normal trait,' Blaise mused, fingers steepled, 'is it, George?'

'Nope,' George murmured. 'You get a few prude ones, like Thor, and a few over enthusiastic ones ho can get a bit claw-happy… but this one's just plain angry.' George rubbed his forehead. 'Strange.'

'He's not always angry-' Harry cut in, but Pansy shot him a glare that silenced him. George picked up a pencil and poked Silver with it. The penndragonne snarled, biting down on it and sinking his claws in. George lifted the pencil, and Silver's fore quarters with it.

'S'not marked,' he mumbled. 'Where did you get him?' Pansy and Blaise looked at him. Harry rolled his eyes.

'I found him. Rather, my friend did.'

'A wild one.'

'We think so.'

'Where did you find him?' George persisted, squinting.

'Erm… around here,' Harry mumbled. Pansy and Blaiuse exchanged a meaningful look.

'In the castle, actually.' George gave Silver the pencil and gave Harry a stern look.

'Penndragonnes, especially ones this small, can't survive the climate this far north.' He gestured to Silver. 'His hide is pale too. He'd freeze, even in summer.' George sighed. 'And penndragonnes, wild ones I mean, don't like living in buildings. They only live in buildings with their keepers. Otherwise…' he gestured to a photo on the wall. 'They live in groves. Light and airy forests. I have a drop off point I use in the New Forest. There's lots of open spaces, as well as the greenery and space they need.' He narrowed his eyes.

'This penndragonne is a European variety, not found on the British mainland by choice. The light frame, the pale skin, the grace and perhaps the arrogance… I'd say he's from French stock.' Pansy looked pointedly at Blaise, who rolled his eyes.

'Oh,' Harry managed. George continued.

'He's got his full set of teeth. For his size, that's very odd. He's small, under developed. His wings certainly aren't big enough. He strikes me as the kind of beast who isn't very confident or happy in the air on his own.' He smiled. 'He's happier with something to hold on to.' Silver finally spat out the pencil and swiped at George's hand. The breeder dodged easily. He caught Silver's head in conjured pair of tweezers.

'His eyes….' George frowned. 'Now that's a rarity.'

'Silver eyes,' Harry mumbled. George nodded.

'Yes… there's an oriental breeder who favours abnormal breeds. I think he has a grey eyed pair. His name's Tseng I think… lives in Venice.' George shook his head. 'But he brands all his stock at birth, just under the chin. Besides, he's focusing on breeding albinos at the moment. I think his grey eyed pair is a bit past their best now, anyway.' He leant back and sighed, releasing Silver who hooted angrily.

'Well, thank you,' Blaise said quickly, nodding to Pansy. She stood up, gesturing to Harry, who obeyed. 'That was very thorough.' George looked a little taken aback by this sudden move to leave.

'Oh… you're welcome,' he said politely. Harry rushed forwards and collected Silver up, who cuddled in to him, cheeping dolefully.

'We'll be leaving then,' Blaise said, walking out of the office. 'Come along, Potter.' George smiled as Harry turned to leave.

'He likes you,' he said with a smile. 'He seems a little… vacuous, but you calm him down.' Harry smiled bashfully.

'I try,' he replied. George smiled, taking off his spectacles to clean them. Thor dropped back onto the desk and began preening himself.

'If you're ever looking to breed from him, drop me a line,' he called as Harry moved to the office door. 'He'll make good stock when he's grown.' Harry nodded.

'Thanks!' he called, before hurrying out of the house. He shut the door with a click, sighing heavily. Pansy and Blaise were waiting for him. They grabbed his jumped and began shoving him forwards.

'Hey!' Harry complained/ They stopped as they got to the property barrier.

'Well, as nice as this has been, Potter,' Blaise sighed, stepping out into the snow. Harry frowned, shrugging on his coat.

'Whatever,' he grumbled, before storming off in the direction of The Hog's Head. Blaise watched him go, before sensing Pansy beside him, ready to burst.

'Well?' he said lazily. 'Happy now?' Pansy smirked.

'Ecstatically so, Blaise-dear,' she purred, before squealing. 'Did you hear him? He said-'

'That the penndragonne wasn't normal. Yes I heard him.'

'They can't survive in the wild this far north, they don't have grey eyes and he's under grown, but with perfect teeth. Blaaaaise!' Blaise rubbed the bridge of his nose.

'You're getting your hopes up.'

'Oh come on!' she snapped, batting him on the arm. 'Be reasonable, Blaise. I'm a grumpy invalid who hadn't gotten any chocolate yet due to operation abduct scarhead. Let this one inkling of joy into my miserable life.' Blaise rolled his eyes.

'Fine. All arrows point to it being him.'

'Blaise! Not arrows, proof! It IS him! There's no doubt about it.'

'There's plenty of doubt, Parkinson.'

'Zabini, you over-inbred prat of a pureblood. It's got his eyes.'

'Maybe it's his bastard love-child.'

'Blaise!' Pansy hit him again. 'That's gross and nasty and gross.'

'I apologise.'

'Good.'

There was an amiable silence between the two for a time.

'Ew,' Pansy finally managed, spluttering. Blaise cocked an eyebrow.

'What?' he asked dryly. Pansy grimaced.

'He was snuggling. Up to Potter. You don't think…'

'Pansy…' Blaise warned. Pansy's eyes twinkled, lost between glee and horror.

'That would be…'

'Troublesome, sick, wrong, impossible, gross, nasty and BELOW him,' Blaise snapped quickly. Pansy grinned.

'Not unless he bottoms.'

'Parkinson! So help me I will unforgivable you into next week if you don't shut up- oh goooood!' Pansy frowned as Blaise stormed away, massaging his temples.

'What?' she asked innocently. Blaise whimpered.

'Damnit woman,' he snarled, 'now I have mental images.' Pansy froze for a second before bursting into raucous laughter.

'Oooooh are they good?' she jibed.

'Ye-NO! NO! DAMNIT WOMAN!' Blaise stormed off into the bustling streets of Hogsmeade, an elated Pansy on his tail, howling with laughter.

While the snow fluttered gently outside in tiny grainy flakes, the students of Hogwarts took refuge inside the little shops and cafes of Hogsmeade, and the younger students inside the reassuringly imposing castle of the school. The window to the Gryffindor sixth year's dormitory was open, allowing the chill breeze to rush into the room, ruffling even the heavy curtains and drapes. The fire had been extinguished, and the room was dark, save for the shaft of faded light from the window. Ryan lay, sprawled across someone's bed, his head hanging off the other side. He was watching some spiders, who were frantically running to and fro, smouldering, obviously very distressed.

'You shouldn't lie like that,' said a voice as the room went dark. 'All the blood will rush to your head.' Ryan smiled wanly, and the spiders burst into flame.

'And since that is your area of speciality…' he drawled, rolling over onto his stomach and sitting up. He turned to the window, smiling as the boy climbed in through the window, wisps of smoke lingering on his clothes.

'Travelling by day,' Ryan mused, languidly switching into his natural form. 'You must have really wanted to see me.' Aquilla frowned.

'One does as one is told,' he said evenly. 'You seem well.'

'I am. What do you want?' Aquilla swallowed hard as Orion cocked an eyebrow.

'It's not a case of what I want,' Aquilla replied calmly. 'It's what Lucius wants.'

'And what would that be?'

'You know damn well what he wants!' Aquilla snapped, slumping onto a bed and drawing the curtains to block the light. 'He wants to know where the boy is.' Orion pondered for a moment, tapping two fingers on his lower lip. Aquilla watched, entranced.

'Tell him I'm still looking,' he said after pause.

'You'll have to lie better than that,' Aquilla snorted, running a hand through dusty hair. Orion crinkled his nose.

'Fine,' he growled. 'I've established myself at the school, and I've acquired a well connected informant. When she knows something, I'll know something.' Aquilla watched Orion's eyes as they admired long white fingers vainly.

'Anything else?' Aquilla asked, voice dry. Orion shot him a look playfully.

'For him or for you?' he purred. Aquilla frowned.

'Both,' he sighed. 'Lucius will want to know your theory as to the boy's location.' Orion said nothing, as if he had not heard Aquilla speak. Aquilla sighed.

'I'll tell him you think the boy is in the castle.' Orion whined.

'But then he'll come up here!' he protested, pouting. 'I'm having far too much fun for him to come here and spoil it.' Aquilla's frown remained even and Orion gave in. 'Fine. But I'm not telling him where the boy is.'

'So you know?' Aquilla pursued. Orion laughed, getting to his feet.

'Of course I know!' he chuckled, walking over to Aquilla's bed, climbing on top of the mattress and fluidly straddling the half-breed vampire with alarming ease. 'It's my job to know, isn't it?'

'But you're not going to tell him,' Aquilla observed. 'Because you hate Draco.' Orion ran fingers in caresses over Aquilla's face, watching a flush rise to the unhealthily pale skin.

'Perhaps,' he toyed. 'Or maybe I hate Lucius.' Aquilla raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

'Or… maybe I just like it here.'

'Communal meals, communal bathrooms, communal bed chambers…' Aquilla snorted.

'Yeah, I'm sure you're loving it.' Aquilla purred out a laugh.

'Oh, it's not so bad,' he mused, lowering his lead slowly to Aquilla's neck, mumbling against the skin. 'It makes 'play-time' a lot more interesting.' Aquilla shied away from Orion's touch.

'Please don't tell me you're sleeping with a bunch of school brats,' he grumbled. Orion nipped him, grinning.

'Then I won't tell you,' he growled, before capturing Aquilla's mouth in a chaste, feverish kiss. As he leant into the creature beneath him, Orion broke the kiss, grinning. Aquilla trembled beneath him.

'You…' he whispered. 'You want the Malfoy fortune…'

'Yes…' Orion breathed, mouthing across Aquilla's cheekbone.

'And you'll kill the boy for it? Lucius isn't going to hand you an inheritance just because he's lost an heir.' Orion growled and Aquilla yelped in pain.

'Lucius is a fool,' Orion hissed. 'And precious little Draco is a weakling runt of a fool and whore.' He smirked. 'I'm stronger and smarter and more powerful than he'll ever be.' He snarled. 'However, it takes time to drum intelligent notions into a skull as thick as a Malfoy's.' He laughed in a deep hum. 'Lucius will thank me, when it's over. He doesn't know it now, of course, but that useless whelp is doing him more harm than good. Lucius is no leader. He was born to be a follower, to be behind the figurehead, pushing him ever forward, and reaping the profit rather than the glory. Now he's left Voldemort, he's just a struggling wannabe rogue with a brain full of pointless notions and battalion of idealistic cannon fodder. If he didn't have to care so much about that ridiculous boy,' Orion nearly spat the word with malice. 'He could just carry on. He'd be out of that house by now, back at the Dark Lord's side, doing his bidding. Doing his duty, Aquilla. But no… his stupid human emotions have overpowered his futile human brain, and he's turned to mush at the sight of a little Malfoy blood.' Orion bit down on Aquilla's neck possessively, sending heat roaring through half-dead veins. 'He doesn't know where the boy is. Soon, he won't care, and it won't matter.' His eyes flamed. 'I'll make it so it doesn't matter.'

'And what about Draco?' Aquilla cut in, breathlessly. 'If you're so… keen on this plan, you can't leave loose ends.'

'Draco?' Orion pondered, smirking nastily, eyes glittering. 'Precious little powder puff Drakey-kins? Who cares? He's out of the picture. Old news. The only ones still fussing over him are his parents and his housemates. The latter are easily and swiftly dealt with, and Narcissa can be easily distracted.' He ran hands down Aquilla's sides with professional finesse. 'Lucius can be made to forget, and then it's just a case of dealing with the boy himself. And he won't be alive for very much longer.' Aquilla shoved Orion off him, pinning him to the bed with one arm. His brow was furrowed.

'What did you do to him?' he snarled. Orion chuckled.

'I've just amplified the effects of what he's done,'Orion mused in an eery sing-song voice. 'He did it, you know. What Lucius asked of him.'

'He's an animagus?'

'Oh yes,' Orion laughed. 'Draco Malfoy the amazing Dragon runt.' Aquilla's eyes widened.

'The penndragonne at the mansion…'

'Clever little blood sucker,' Orion purred, caressing Aquilla's face. Aquilla pinned his arm lightning fast.

'Why is he dying?' Orion rolled his eyes.

'He wasn't ready. He was inexperienced, unbalanced and on his own. The first rule of metamorphosis is never do it alone, or at least, not until you've mastered coming back.' Orion sighed, trying to hide his impish grin, delighting in this scheme. 'He got stuck, and that Potter boy found him.'

'Harry Potter? The one who-'

'Yes, that Potter. And I found him next.' Orion snorted. 'He was already forgetting himself, giving into the animal. I just got rid of the boundaries. Made him forget faster. I'd give him… four, five months until he's lost for good.'

'For Merlin's sake, Orion,' Aquilla hissed after a disgusted pause. 'If you're going to insist on killing the brat, why won't you just do it and get it over with? Dragging it out… it's just sick.' But Orion wasn't listening. His eyes were locked on the door. Aquilla knew that stare all to well. Orion was working his magic.

'…come in…' he whispered, voice laced with potent magical energy. Aquilla's head swam, but he shook himself back to reality, letting Orion up as the door opened, revealing a girl in school uniform, carrying a satchel. Her eyes were glazed, her cheeks flushed. She looked confused. She was fighting.

'I heard everything,' she said, in a shaky voice. 'You… You're not human. You're going to kill Draco Malfoy.'

'Perhaps…' Orion drawled, winking at Aquilla. Aquilla rolled his eyes. Teenage girls were probably the easiest target for someone who worked in hormones and libido and lustful glances.

'I…. I'm going to tell Harry,' she said shakily. 'I'll find the spell, and turn Draco back… from being Silver, I mean.' She narrowed her glazed brown eyes. 'You won't get away with anything.'

'Won't I?' Orion mused.

'N-no,' she affirmed. Orion sighed, and Aquilla sank into the shadows of the room, shaking his head and heading for home.

'That's very noble of you,' Orion purred. 'I admire that in a girl.' He sighed, eyes flaming red and gold. 'Now, won't you come inside, so we can have a chat?' Her resolve was breaking. Slowly, reluctantly, she closed the doors and faced him again. Orion smiled winningly, beckoning her to his with a hand.

'I've so been looking forward to meeting you, Ginny. Hermione has told me everything about you.'

'Everything?'

'Oh yes. Now, come and sit down, and we'll see about that… chat.'

---

A/N

sigh I love Orion and Aquilla and Blaise and Pansy sooo much…

Draco's back next chapter. And I'll write some more Lucius smut to make up for my crapolaness, too

REVIEWS PLZ OK THANKYOU