It had almost been a week and there was no threat of danger against harry or the school, Endil found herself bored out of her brains, the lack of activity was making her slowly go insane. There was nothing to do except eat and wander around till classes were over, there would be some activity and then it would be gone again, it was excruciating. Endil was a creature of impulse, her senses were highly trained to be on guard 24/7, she needed stimulation before she started nawing her limbs off for entertainment.

Harry was still edgy around her, she had to watch what she said to avoid getting a tongue lashing from him. Ron was the same, he borded on harrys side one moment and Hermiones another, his indecisive nature frustrated Endil for it was hard to get his oppinion or imput on anything. Hermione was still brimming with questions, a half hour in her presence was enough to leave Endil feeling completely drained. To top that all off Draco had been lingering around, she caught him looking at her with such a hungry look it reminded her of the time she had been cornered by a pack of wolves, it was not a pleasent experience.

she found herself escaping into the forest for some hours, running or simply standing looking in the direction that she knew her herd was. Hermione had asked her why she left the castle, saying she was meant to be protecting harry! Endil simply replied that she was checking out the boundries, looking for any sign of danger. It was not entirely true but it was the only thing that would put the young witch at ease and when everybody was happy Endil was peaceful.

"Endil get up" The little chipmunk sounded like Hermione!

"Get up you lazy girl" Endil groaned as she was pulled from her dreams by the bossy voice of Hermione, rolling over the white haired guardian looked through blurry eyes to the teen witch. She stood dressed in normal clothing, her hands on her hips and a impatient look on her face. Her sleepy mind clicked, they were to go to Hogsmead today, thats why Hermione wasnt wearing her robes.

"I'm up, I'm up." There was a short struggle with the bedsheets before Endil was on her feet, Hermione gave her the 'be quick' look before exiting, probably to reek the same havoc on the boys. Endil muttered curses under her breath as she rubbed her face, the stone on her head glowed softly, magic flowing from the stone and creating clothing for her to wear. Much like how wizards and witches can congure up clothing, she creates it. She was happy with the faded blue jeans and white singlet shirt she wore, finding clothing that goes around the neck to constricting, a jumper was not nessecary as today was a unusually warm day.

Endil rougher her hair up while she walked down the stairs, her soft shoes made no sound on the steps as she moved. By the looks of the sleepy faces of the boys they had been enjoying a peaceful sleep as well, Hermione was rushing around the room, making a list of items she needed to get while at hogsmead. The boys looked over to Endil as she crossed the room, looking at each other and grunting 'food' then followed Endil down to the great hall for something to eat. Hermione joining them later on.

the great hall was bristling with excitement, all students were eager to get out of the castle and spend some time wandering around the many shops. They all sat in little groups, talking heatedly about where they were going first and what they were going to buy, they spoke so fast it was hard to catch a word. Endil was not all that pleased about Harry going to Hogsmead, she had heard about what had happened at the Quidditch cup and that was in a well protected area, what was to stop the Death Eaters from attacking in Hogsmead but despite her warnings Harry did not back down so Endil caved in.

The excitement had gotten to the boys, no longer were they sluggish with sleep but jumpy with excitement. they talked about going to visit Ron's brothers, the twins that owned a Joke shop. Harry spoke of visiting some sweet shop, saying that his stash was almost all gone and he needed to get more. Endil felt excluded, she knew none of the shops and had no desire to go, she had no money for it was never needed, to her this was a pointless trip.

after breakfast Mcgonigal stood from her place at the front of the hall, shouting orders for the students, ordering them to designated spots, readying them for the visit. Harry and Ron bounded towards the other 7th years, Endil trudging behind unhappily, Hermione was calm and collected as always but you could tell she was excited about the trip because she wasnt as bossy. It took a few minutes for the the rest of the students to meet up with the group before they were able to leave, each student chattering like squirrels as they scampered toward the direction of Hogsmead.

Suprisingly it did not take that long to get to Hogesmead, it was mostly due to the act that half the students were almost running int he general direction, the rest trudged through the melting snow. Endil lingered near the back of the group, staying as far back as she could get without being told to hurry up by the assigned teacher. Draco seemed to have the same idea, he lingered at the back of the group, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he walked at a leuiserly pace. At first Endil had thought it was trying to draw closer to her, but he had stayed at the same distance and pace the entire time, not speaking to her and it was nice.

The students yells signalled the comming of Hogsmead, Endil could see the many roofs of the shops appearing, soon the entire village was in view, people walked about happily, arms ladened with goods. Endil made sure to keep an eye on the three as they scurried about, dissapearing into one shop before hurrying to the next. She could see the many students scurring around, like the ants before winter, picking up supplies to keep them through the winter.

"People usually buy things when they come here, even ones like Weasly!" Endil turned her head slightly, locking gaze onto Draco's own.

"I haven't any money, I grew up in the forest we didnt need money."

Draco's face took on a look of dissapointment, not about her lack of money but more so about him not knowing. It seemed obvious that having grown up as a unicorn she would not have a need for money, such a simple fact had been severly overlooked.

"So what did you come here for?"

"My job." Both Endil and Draco looked over to see Harry, Ron and hermione dissapear into, what seemed to be, a candy shop. "Even if it means being dragged to a pointless place for me."

"So what you plan to sit here, like Potters faithful dog, wag your tail when he remembers about you and bound after him as you all return back to hogwarts?"

"Something like that."

Draco made a noise, that sounded somewhat like a growl, an grabbed Endil by the arm. Endil protested as he dragged her to some ill smelling inn, he opened the door and pushed her inside. Endil almost gagged at the smell of tabacco and alcohol, the smells clogged her head and made it pound. All the others were oblivious to the smell, not having her intense senses, and continued on like normal. Endil turned and made for the door, only to have Draco's hand on her arm stop her then guiding her to a table against a wall.

"Sit down and let me buy you a drink!"

"Why?"

"Because I can!" Draco called over a waitress and orded a butterbeer for himself and, grudingly, a water for Endil. "Must be a living hell to be Potter's shield"

"It has its downsides, yes, but I swore to protect him."

"Well that was possible the stupidest thing you could have done, he is like one large, dimwhitted, evil

magnet."

"You cannot attract evil and besides this is rich comming from a Malfoy, according to the woods your family is nothing but evil."

"You cannot label me for something my father has done!"

"Well your not exactly Mr Kind and Nice in school either, don't think I didn't see you trip that first year over in the hall way two days ago."

There was a pause in their arguement long enough for the waitress to put the drink down on the table, she either didnt see the two glaring at each other or failed to acknowledge it. Once the waitress was gone Draco spoke, his words hissed through his white teeth.

"I have a reputation to live up to."

"It's a pretty crappy reputation, you are as loveable as a toad."

Draco had said something after that but Endil had not heard him, her hearing faded out as her head spun. The smells and the heat were all getting to her head and it was making her feel faint as well as sick, she blinked a few times, focusing on Draco. The blonde was looking at her carefully, his face masked but his eyes shone with a small amount of...concern?

"im sorry...what...what did you say?"

"You don't look so good, your white...well whiter then normal."

"I think I need some fresh air."

Endil rose from the table, her legs shaking as they held her light weight. Draco must have sensed her weakness because he stood too, moving over to take her by her shoulders and help her too walk. Slowly they approached the door, Endil leant heaily onto Draco as she felt wave after wave of sickness.

"Oi, you forgot to pay for your drinks" Endil heard someone yell, then she felt Draco jerked and she guessed he had thrown some money over to the grumpy barkeep.

Draco pushed open the door with the toe of his expensive shoe, the clean, crisp air flowed through and overpowered the foul stences. Draco continued to hold her up, guiding her slowly over to a wooden bench infront of a small shop. Endil dropped onto the hard wood, one hand resting on her flopping stomach while the other was placed against her pounding head. Draco was crouched infront of her, hands placed on the wood on either side of her thighs.

"I'm sorry...the smells, alcohol and smoke it was all to much."

"As long as you don't throw up on me your forgiven."

Draco studied her face for a few more moments, his grey stained eyes picked the fait coloring that was returning to her pale cheeks. Endil placed her hands on either side of her head, resting her elbows on her knees and took slow, deep breaths. Harry, Ron and Hermione, done with their day of shopping, choose this time to return.

"Get away from her Ferret." Harry yelled to Draco, catching both him and Endil off guard.

"Why should I Potter, I don't see you name stamped across her head."

"I said back off."

Harry drew his wand from his back pocket, at the same time Draco drew his own. The two stood, wand to wand, faces set in vicious sneers that only true enemies could create. Ron and Hermione made no move to stop this stand off, they both seemed equally bothered with the fact Draco had been standing near Endil.

"Stop this now the both of you" Endil yelled, getting to her feet rather quickly, causing a head spin she tried to ignore. "Harry, Draco was helping me from the Inn, I was feeling a little off."

"He only ever does something nice if he wants something back" Harry sneered.

"Not true Potter"

"Shut it Malfoy"

"BOTH OF YOU QUIT IT!" Endil yelled, growing tired of the stupid fighting between the two boys, from what she had heared they had been this way since the first year of school. The outburst made her stomach clench, head spin and for a moment Endil thought she would throw up.

"But Endil..."

"Sshhh" Endil hissed, she swore she had heard something in the distance.

"Endil!"

"I said shut up harry!"

Endil took a few steps towards the sound, her eyes flicking then locking on the area she guessed the sound was comming from. It was still to far away to hear properly, but it sounded something like a scream. Harry had put his wand away and stepped up beside Endil, his eyes watching her as she searched beyond the village. The rest off the group stood stock still, as if breathing would be enough to interupt the guardians concertration.

"What is it..."

"DEATHEATERS" came a frightened call from the entrance of hogsmead, witches and wizards all around began screaming, throwing their items onto the ground and running the opposite direction. Endil whipped around, seeing Dracos confused and slightly frightened look she confirmed that he knew nothing about this attack.

"We need to get out of here." Hermione yelled, her voice quivering with fright. "Harry you need to get out of here!"

"You three make a run for it, I'll take harry, it will be safer for you that way" Endil said to Hermione, Ron and Draco. Harry protested, arguing that he could take care of himself but Endil brushed him off, it was no time for argument.

"Stay safe the both of you" Hermione whispered, just aduible over the screams, she took Ron by the arm and pulled him away. Draco paused for a moment, as if he's soul was torn, Endil gave him a pleading look and Draco nodded, setting off after Ron and Hermione.

"There getting closer" Harry said, slight fear creeping into his words. Endil nodded, she could see the black figures approaching fast, her skin tingling as if she felt the darkness that amitted from them.

"We have to outrun them"

"There too close, they will get us"

"Like hell they will"

Quick as a flash Endil changed, she would easily out run them when she was a unicorn even with Harry's added weight. Harry looked at the changed Endil, he did not like this idea of riding off on Endil, dispite her changed form she was still Endil and he would be sitting on her back. Endil extended her front leg, allowing Harry could use it as a sort of step ladder. He had ridden the thresals and Buckbeak but they had been flying, it was different from running and sweaving, he wasnt sure he would be able to stay on. Unfortunatly Endil could not commnicate with Harry while in this form, otherwise she would have put his fears at ease, using magic she was able to help him stay on even at speeds faster then he had traveled.

"There he is!" came a cry, followed by a spell being yelled, Endil jumped back just in time to see a flash of blue hit the ground beneath her feet, smoldering the earth. Harry swore and Endil snorted, that shot had been to close for comfort. Harry knew that there was no other way, he placed his foot onto her leg and swung onto her back. Endil gave a snort, he had landed quiet heavily on her back, the added way was extremly uncomfortable for her, not to mention the death like grip harry had on her body.

"GO!" yelled harry, kicking his heels sharply into Endils sides, and with a grunt she jumped forward. Harry gave a gasp at the sped that it happened, as well as the suprise of not being unseated, guessing this was some sort of magic from Endil. The deatheaters did not have a chance at matching her speed, she ran with such power that she suprised even herself and judging by the vice grip on her mane so was harry. To Endils suprise the speed she moved and the magic keeping harry on was extremly draining, to her horror she knew she would not be able to keep it up for all that long.

Sweat formed on her neck and on her flanks, turning her white coat to a light grey. There was a burning in her legs that she tried to ignore, it was getting harder and harder to keep up her speed. Endil had decided to do a large circle, lead her and harry far away from Hogsmead and bring her to the back of Hogwarts. The only fault with this plan is the distance, it was a long way to travel. To far for her tiring legs.

"Endil slow down, save your energy." Harry called, trying to be raise his voice over the pounding hooves and loud breaths. Endil tossed her head and slowed down, moving at a fast paced canter, it was a slower pace but it meant being out here longer, thus increasing the chances of being spotted. They were about half way there, she just had to push herself.

Endil was thrown to her knees, Harry slid up and was thrust into her neck. Her energy was long gone, her senses were dull and her balance was off. It had been the third time she had been thrown of balance, this time it was a ill placed hole. Endil gave a groan as she struggled to her feet, leaves and dirt sticking to her sweat covered body. Harry protested being on her back, he was extremly worried about her condition but her magic was still holding him in place, even if it was slightly weaker.

With a shake of her weary head Endil was up, moving her pace to a sloppy trot. They were almost to Hogwarts, she could see the castle, it was so close. Harry squirmed from on her back, he could feel her hold on him weakening and he was determined to get off her. His backside had become numb from the hours sitting on her, he had lost the feeling in his feet and his whole body ache.

"Let me off Endil" Endil shook her head. "look we are in the grounds, im safe let me off."

Endil was shocked by his words, they were in the grounds! she hadnt even noticed the large castle bearing down on her, was she that exhausted that she was unable to see what was before her eyes. The lowering sun cast long shadows on the grass, the sky was a violent shade of red, mixing with orange. It had been morning when they arrived at Hogsmead, there travel had taken them longer then previously thought, in her haste she had misjudged the distance and moved off track.

Black spots! Endil stopped dead in her tracks, since when had there been black spots in Hogwarts. The unicorn shook her head violently, she could not hear, there was a angry ringing in her ears that she could not get rid of. The black spots grew bigger and bigger, Endil backed up, trying to avoid them. She had never witnessed anything like it. They spots covered her ears, she could not see, she could not hear, was it magic? Endil reared up, her last bit of energy was used up trying to strick at the blackness. Her legs crumpled, her magic drained and she fell to the ground, avoiding Harry by mear centermetres.

"Will she be alright" The blackness was talking!

"She only fainted ronald, she's not dead!" Another voice.

"Then why is she still a unicorn?"

"Because she hasnt got the energy to change back yet."

Endil could feel a soft substence below her, her nose picked up the scent of wood. She was warm, something had been drapped over her body and she could sense multiple people around her. Endil opened her eye half way, soft light filtered in through a window high up, built into grey stone walls. Beneath her was wood shavings and a ragged blanket was covering her, in the corner was Hermione and beside her was Ron. Where was harry?

Her mind flooded with what had happened, Blac spots! Where they deatheaters, did they take harry? Endils tired mind was shocked with the idea of failing her mission, she would not be able to show herself to the herd knowing she was the reason for the capture of Harry. Endil attempted to get up, curling her legs under her body and attempting to rock herself onto her legs. Her plans were stopped by a over large hand being placed on her neck, another hand met with the other and together the body held her down on the wood shavings.

"ah..ah, save yah energy." Endil recognised the voice of the games keeper Hagrid. Endil gave a angered snort and struggled to overpower the large man, when it failed she attempted to bite him but it seemed this male was all to used to angered animals because he held her with a steady hand.

"Whats wrong with her?" Ron asked, face masked with concern as he watched Endil struggling to bite Hagrid and making some peculiar noises.

"Shes just annoyed, having a little tantrum." Hagrid said, moving a hand down her body to hold her rump in place, preventing her from moving herself to kick him.

"Harry's safe, hes in the castle with Dumbledore." Hermione piped up, those words froze the trembling guardian. He was safe, she had not failed!

"How'd yeh know 'mione?" Hagrid asked, his hands still holding her down.

"She's he's guardian, she ran her self to the point she faints from exhaustion and wakes up to only see Ron and myself. If I was in her situation it would be what I would be worried about."

Endil stared at the Hermione and ron for a few minutes, despite how annoying they were she was glad they were safe. The guardian closed her eyes, the struggle against the game keeper had takens up more energy then she had expected, she was still extremly weak from travelling.

"best leave her to rest some more" Hagrid spoke, taking his large, heavy hands off her. Ushering Ron and Hermione out before closing the door to the room, which she guessed was some common horse stall, it was degrating to know she would be sleeping out in something used to board a horse in. Was she not better. Endil found it was no use getting angry, she was tired and needed to rest in order to get back to harry sooner.

"Endil"

Endil snorted, in an annoyed angry sort of way, opening her eye to see Draco leaning against the stall door. He didnt enter nor did he seemed to know exactly why he came, perhaps he took a wander and ended up here, where ever here was. He seemed to be waiting for some sort of a verbal response to him, did he not know that she was unable to speak to him. With a few rocks and struggling on wobbly legs Endil was up, walking slowly, and unstabely towards Draco.

"your in a sorry state."

thankyou for your observation doctor. Endil thought bitterly, she didnt need to be told how bad she felt, she was experienceing it.

"If I was you I would have left potter to them." Endil gave a snort, pinned her ears back against her white skull and mock lunged at Draco. "I know, I know you have a duty." he held his hands up in defense.

Endil gave a low nicker, leaning her head against the door of the stall. Draco reached out, Endil watched him as he placed his hand on her white cheek and stroke it. Endil was confused, was he stroking her like he would a pet, was he looking at her and seeing some simple creature that needed petting to be happy. Or was he reaching out to the human Endil, did he have some sort of feelings for her.

"I was worried when you took so long." His voice was so soft, Endil closed her eyes immsering herself in his voice. "I know what Deatheaters do to their captives, you being a guardian would have made it worse."

His grey eyes moved slowly to the horn that extended from her head, his hand moved up to run his fingers over it. It was so cold to the touch, it was smooth except from the bumps that were caused by the swirling pattern travelling up to the very tip. The horn glowed softly as he touched it, giving off a slight heat that caused his fingers to tingle, he could feel the magic.

"They would cut this from your head, it could be used in many potions to make them more powerful." There was a hardness to his voice, Endil half opened a eye to look at the blonde. He had a look of disgust, whether it was at the idea of cutting out her horn or the methods of how it was done she did not know.

"you have to be more careful from now on, the deatheaters have a whiff of you, they know that there is something out to there protecting potter. You are now a threat to them and they are going to want to get rid of you and quickly. Promise me you will be more careful"

Endil was not suprised by this information, she knew from the beginning there would be a lsrge risk involved by putting herself between Harry and the Dark lord. She could not deny she was worried, she knew she it was in her blood to protect, her impulse was to throw her life down for that of saving Harry but she did not want to die. She had been given a taste of the world beyond the grass blades and crystal lakes, it was alien to her at first and extremly annoying but she found herself growing to love the complecity of this life. Draco was still staring at her, awaiting some animal sign that she would agree. Endil nodded her large head, watching Draco relax visably with the silent promise.

"I have to go, classes are starting." with that he was gone, leaving her with a memory of his soft caress of her cheek. Endil scoffed at herself he was a pureblood wizard, human and the son of a deatheater, she was a magical beast, neither human nor animal, her life was built on protecting. It would never work out, would it?

A/N: I apologise for the long wait, it seems the worlds been against me for the past week. My nan died and I just could not write for some time and then when I finally could we had computer problems! I also apologise for any spelling mistakes and other things, our computer crashed and I lost my writing program.