Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.

Chapter 22 - -- Hogsmeade

After the ball, the quartet returned to the Head's quarters, expecting to find Draco. But as usual, the door to his room was closed and he didn't answer when they knocked. The next morning, the students chattered about Mason and Madison. The girls talked about the different instruments he played and how many different dances he knew. The boys talked about Madison. The whispers less pronounced as the two teenagers entered the great hall. Mason made his way over to next to Lavender and Madison veered off to sit with Draco. Rowan was pleasantly surprised as Draco blushed a bit before he moved over to let her sit, before he poured her a cup of coffee.

The seventh years were to go into Hogsmeade that day. Madison and Draco planned to walk together; after a short conversation with Mason about the importance of keeping his sister safe if he wanted to continue to walk upright. He left with the quartet, as they were now called, Neville, and several Gryffindor girls. 'Rather pleased with himself,' Rowan thought smugly. She would meet them later at the Three Broomsticks pub for a Butterbeer.

The teens made their way down the long path that separated Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Madison insisted that they walk with Mason and his friends. Draco was not pleased. Mason loved watching the birds, rummaging in his backpack; he pulled a small guitar out and started strumming.

Madison turned to her big brother, "I didn't know you brought that!" she laughed and jumped on Draco's back making him carry her a little way down the path. Draco, surprised at this, blushed briefly, and then hitched her up a little more securely, his laughter genuine as he playfully turned around and she held on to his shoulders. She whooped and yelled as Draco ran and played with her.

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and jumped on their own boyfriend's back. They sang to Mason's tune, enjoying the freedom of a simple early-winter walk.

As they entered the town, Madison was in awe of its sights. She wanted to go into every shop. Dragging Draco playfully by the hand, he joined her. Mason heard music and decided to go see who or what was playing; Neville joined him. The quartet was seen going into the Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer.

Madison entered a little shop full of jewelry. Draco stood back and observed the excitement on her face as she looked at the different charms. She had noted the bracelet her mom wore and that she would receive when the time was right. Draco had never been interested in a woman before, in what she thought, who she was. He was only after a good snog and that as often with the boys as with the girls, but with Madison… there was something more. He actually cared about her smile. He wanted it to continue. He wanted to be the reason it was there. She motioned him over to a case. "What are these?"

The woman behind the counter noticed her question and explained that the locket would hold anything. It could be put in or taken out at the owner's leisure. Madison thought it was brilliant! When the woman asked if she could wrap it up, Madison said no, but she would be back before Christmas. Turning, Madison noticed Draco smiling. "I like it when you do that, the smile does amazing things for your face," she said bluntly, as she reached to touch her face, he blushed. She wondered if he had ever blushed before.

They continued from shop to shop, looking at various wizarding items that Madison had never seen before. Draco patiently explained, or let the merchant explain them to her. Near four o'clock, they had left Fred and George's new store to meet a group of Slytherins. Pansy Parkinson walked to Draco and pulled him by his collar to get him close enough to give him a deep passionate kiss. Madison just watched, amused, at the spectacle this girl was making of herself. The boys in the group started cat-calling and clapping. When Pansy was through, she let him go. Looking into his eyes, she made some off-handed remark about being happy his dad was home.

It was then that she noticed that he was still holding Madison's hand. She looked down his arm to the hand clasped with this girl she had never seen before, up Madison's arm to meet her eye to eye. Madison raised her eyebrows with a laugh. Pansy shrieked "MADISON? A Muggle? Draco, how could you?" Goyle and Crabbe, having been on the receiving end of Pansy's temper tantrums, stepped back; Pansy side-stepped to Madison with a sneer and said "What. Are. You. Doing. With. My. BOYFRIEND?"

Madison smirked then waved her hand in front of her face. "Would ya' like a piece of gum? Your breath reeks." Pansy screamed. The Slytherins laughed. The boys were thoroughly enjoying seeing Pansy getting hers. Madison continued smirking a little before continuing, "If he wants you, it's cool with me. He and I are friends. If it's never more than that, I can deal. But be warned," Madison narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice, "should he decide he wants me, you can be assured I will kick your pompous, pure-blood, English ass all the way to France if you kiss him again like that…" she reached up to Pansy's collar, instead of grabbing it, she flattened it, "Do we understand each other?"

Pansy saw red, she wanted to do was to hurt Madison; screaming out an animalistic scream, lunged forward to grab Madison. Madison tore her hand out of Draco's, reaching her fist up at the same moment and connected with Pansy's nose. The break of her nose and snap of her head was audible as she fell back into the group clothed in green. Peering down at her, she said, "I tried to warn you. I have no problem with you, but I won't be attacked. I will hurt you should you try that again." Looking up into the faces that held her attacker, she added, "That goes for the rest of you. Do. Not. Piss. Me. Off." Turning, she quickly winked at Draco, deciding he was more handsome than ever, turned away from him, her back to the crowd and strolled away.

Draco watched her go; a mix of admiration and respect following her. He turned to his one time friends. "What the hell was that all about Pansy? Why would you think I wanted ANYTHING to do with you anyway Parkinson? You are a COW. As for the rest of you, I would think twice before I picked on the new kid if I were you. You think her right hand is mean, her left is deadly. Her brother is bigger than you Goyle. Together they would hurt all of you without breaking a sweat. Leave them alone." With the practiced dramatic swirl of his cloak, he followed Madison into the Three Broomsticks.

When he entered, he saw the six of them sitting together. As he neared, Harry started clapping loudly. The other Gryffindors joined in, as did the kids from the other houses. Madison had paused just long enough to listen to what he said to his house mates. She had wasted no time in telling the group about breaking Pansy's nose and Draco yelling at her as she walked off.

Mason stood up, meeting him half-way across the crowded pub. Draco wanted to flinch, to look away from this big American, but instead, he straightened his shoulders and looked Mason in the eyes. Mason broke into a big grin as he neared the smaller blonde. He slapped him on the back and said "Way to go Slytherin. We might make a Hero of ya' yet!"

The next two hours were filled with memories of Draco and Harry's long feud. They laughed as they remembered Ron belching slugs. Draco actually apologized to Hermione for ever calling her "mud blood." Ron took a moment, in front of his friends, to thank Draco for his help with Hermione last year. Draco looked to his feet for a moment and accepted his apology.

As the left the pub, the first signs of darkness crept over the horizon. Without warning, the people in the street began screaming. Loud cracks were heard from every area. A little boy fell on the sidewalk as he ran from something. The lanterns in the street went out. The cold descended upon them. Madison looked to her brother. "What's happening?" She held his hand.

Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Draco all took out their wands. Draco joined them without hesitation, shoulder to shoulder against what could only be a combined Dementor and Death Eater attack.

Mason concentrated all his emotion on his sister being safe. Looking into the grey eyes, he hissed "Help them," Madison nodded. She held Mason's hand harder as she thought good thoughts toward the five wizards and witches in front of them. They both thought of themselves as a shield that would keep the others from harm. They did not feel the same way about Dementors. They were being held at bay. The shield that Madison and Mason conjured surrounded their backs as Madison heard "EXPECTRO PATRONUM" from the group in front of them.

They opened their eyes to see five silver animals bounding their way up the street to the floating creatures. Mason turned his head to look behind them. Turning and forcing Madison to turn, he said "Keep protecting them Mads." She concentrated like she did before a Physics exam, only on keeping her friends safe from all angles. The energy flowed between her and Mason. The golden light shield that they both saw in their minds manifested itself around them. The adults in cloaks began to fire colored lights at them. The shield absorbed most of the curses, diluting them. Very little could get through the glow surrounding them. The five young wizards were now shouting for everyone to get inside.

The DA members shouted charms at the Death Eaters, while others picked up the children of Hogsmeade and shielded the adults who were too scared to do anything. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny were using every hex and curse they could think of to rapid fire at the opposition. The speed of which was too fast to be seen by the human eye. Quickly, the hooded adults began to fall. Mason and Madison kept thinking about how strong the shield could be.

As suddenly as it started, it stopped. Loud cracks could be heard throughout the village of Hogsmeade. The shield flickered and collapsed as Madison fell against Mason when their hands were separated. Mason fell to the ground, unable to support Madison's weight. The DA members were binding those stunned Death Eaters which were left behind. Dumbledore appeared with other members of the order as the fight ended. The Aurors, including Mad-Eye Moody, arrived and would take a total of twenty three people to Azkaban to await judgment.

Dumbledore looked at the brother and sister who lay on the ground, neither were moving. Draco pocketed his wand and, in a panic, had dropped down beside Madison. He pulled her towards him. The tears flowing freely as he whispered for her to be okay. Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned their backs, spreading their cloaks to shield their friends from prying eyes. Ginny had knelt beside Mason and was trying to wake him. Dumbledore, handed Draco a long chain, it extended to all seven of the children. Dumbledore muttered "Portus" and with a flash of blue, they vanished.

Once calm was restored, the Death-Eaters were arrested, and the seven gone, Dumbledore turned to Neville. "Can anyone tell me what happened here?" Neville told the story about the shield and the Dementors and Death Eaters.

The others confirmed what they saw. The headmaster suggested that they follow him back to the school. Just outside the gates, he turned to his students. "Can everyone hear me? Good, good. Please, everyone, look at me." With a tiny wave of his wand, the entire group of seventh year wizards and witches stared blankly back at them. "Everyone had fun today?" He led them back into the castle, the chattering of everything except two Americans who had proven their worth to their friends, simply by believing in them.

Inside the Hogwart's hospital wing lay the two teen-agers on separate beds. Five more stood quietly waiting for something to happen. One healer bustled from her office to her newest charges. One mom waited silently for their recovery. The doors to the hospital wing opened. Arthur and Molly Weasley, Dumbledore, Lupin, and McGonagall entered. Snape sealed the room so that no one else could enter. As the group moved toward the lone parent, the teens looked up from their concentration. Remus passed out chocolate to the students. Harry nudged Ron and Ginny, who walked to their parents. Harry knew he would be welcome, as would Hermione, but he had just watched them fight more Dementors than they had ever seen, but he doubted it was more than attacked them that night with Sirius. And he had felt strength unlike any he had felt before. He reached to Hermione and drew her into a hug.

Hermione was worried. It was important that these two friends wake up soon. As Harry held her, she reached to Malfoy. Her touch was all she had to offer the new friend. He responded to it and stepped in closer to the two. Just being close helped ease his frustration as he watched Madison and Mason breathing across the room.

Rowan finally broke the silence. "Would somebody tell me why my children are not awake? What the hell happened down there? Somebody needs to tell me something."

Mason spoke as in sleep-talking, "I don't care what happened anywhere, SHUT UP, and let us get some sleep." With that, he turned away from her and went back to sleep. Everyone in the room laughed with her as Remus hugged her. When he released her, she was swept up into the arms of Severus Snape, he held her and whispered encouragement in her ear. The past tense moments of uncertainty passed with glee.

They left the tired ones and went to the Great Hall. Everyone was hungry. The teachers went to the head table; Draco joined the quartet at the Gryffindor table for the first time in his school career. Whispers broke out across the hall when he chose not to sit with his house mates; stopping only as Dumbledore stood. "Glad to see you each back and safe. Today's show of solidarity against invaders makes my heart leap with faith that this school can one day be united. The spells thrown at the invaders were impressive. I would like to give a round of applause to every seventh year in Hogsmeade today."

The hall rang with thunderous applause. Once it died down, he continued. "Today I witnessed something which I never thought I would live to see. Neville Longbottom drew the DA into the open. Fighting, throwing curses and charms at the unwelcome guests. When he turned to see a small boy who had fallen and about to meet a Dementor, I watched Neville Longbottom take a deep breath and yell for his Patronus to come to save the child." Everyone took a collective breath. The five looked at one another then back to Dumbledore. "I watched two Slytherins help to hold the other younger children at bay while others joined in the fight. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff showed their determination with keeping the townspeople safe by rushing in to help the others. The fight today was fierce. I must tell you that you were all very lucky.

"Because of your actions, twenty three people have left the ranks of Voldemort. They are in Azkaban waiting on their sentence. Hogsmeade lost no one. Hogwart's lost no one. For that, I am proud of you all."

With that finality, he sat down. The five stared at him, open-mouthed. No one seemed to realize that THEY were the ones who took care of the Dementors. Ron leaned in and whispered, "We'll talk about this later." The rest nodded.

Once the feast ended, they made their way back to the Hospital wing. Looking over at the beds, they saw both of the Americans sitting up and taking a horrible smoking potion. Madison grinned at Madame Pomfrey, "None for me thanks, I'm a minor."

Mason who had just finished his potion coughed loudly and laughed. "Come on sister dear, take what you need." Madison grimaced, wrinkled her nose, stuck out her tongue at her brother, and swallowed it all in one. Looking at her brother, she made a face that reminded him of a mouse and they both laughed. Madame Pomfrey, who was not known for her sense of humor, laughed with them.

Mason turned as he saw the "crew" walk towards them. Mom was trying not to cry, but he knew she'd be okay. Draco walked straight to Madison. Standing next to her, he said "You okay?" She blushed a bit and assured him that she was fine.

Rowan looked at Madame Pomfrey. "When can they get out of here?"

"Now, I suppose" she said in a low voice to Rowan, however, "their magic was seriously depleted today." Raising it louder, she added "They will need to take three different potions a day to resolve this situation. They should recover completely by Friday."

Rowan nodded. She shooed away the five and told the kids to get dressed. She left with the other adults and made their way to Rowan's common room. They were talking when they finally arrived. Mason grabbed a sandwich as did Madison, each munching while listening to the others. Snape and McGonagall left Dumbledore to talk to the children. He started to speak, but Rowan cut him off. "Not now professor." The man nodded and he too left the room.

Mason and Madison were excited at the prospect of magic being depleted. This meant that they had magic in the first place. However, no one really talked about this, and the rest of the week was uneventful. Draco had gone home after being sure Madison was fine, and wasn't scheduled back until Wednesday. The rest studied, or spent time with a Muggle professor pouring over tomes of old text. Rowan enjoyed the research with the kids. She noticed with a smirk that the two couples wandered off on occasion.

The following Wednesday, Draco strolled in from a visit with his parents. He didn't say much to anyone. Thursday morning, he wasn't at breakfast or lunch. Madison asked Professor Snape if he would accompany her to go to Draco's common room to see him. He agreed, and took her toward the Head's room, leaving her in the empty common room. She was quite alone until Snape reappeared, visibly shaken. "I'm sorry, he's not feeling well, he is… unable to come to see you. He asked me to … tell you… goodbye and good riddance."

Madison looked into the deep black eyes of the man and decided he was lying. She stood up and faced him. "Whatever, can I go or not?" He smirked and left her in the common room to make her own choice.

She walked in the direction from which he came. Finally, she saw the door marked "HEAD BOY". She knocked quietly. No answer. She opened the door. There stood Draco in his silk green boxers standing in front of a long mirror, turned awkwardly to see his back. His front was covered in long dark bruised. His legs had whelps on them. His torso and ribs were at a funny angle and his foot did not have any weight on it.

When he heard her gasp, he turned his head to see her. His eyes were black, missing at least one tooth, and his nose was bloody. He met her eyes then looked away. He hobbled to his bed and put on his green and silver silk robe. "Hello Madison." his breathing was ragged.

"You need a doctor." Madison walked further into the room. She watched him as he sat gingerly on his bed.

"I'll be fine." he said with a shrug. "Each breath gets a little… less painful. Really." his attempt at humor made her sick at her stomach.

She closed her eyes, concentrating until she could see her brother's face clearly. 'I need you in the Head Boy's room. Bring Mom and Poppy. Bring them now.' She could see him nod his head as the connection was severed. She sat carefully beside him as he tried to lean over to rest. He was covered in bruises; hand prints on his neck, his breathing becoming shallower.

The door flew open a few moments later. In walked Mason, Rowan, Madame Pomfrey and the quartet. Madison stroked her hair and cried silent tears. Mason reached her first. She couldn't talk. Madame Pomfrey came to them, gasped at Draco, turned and said, "We must get him to the hospital wing." Mason started to pick him up. But Harry stepped forward and asked him not too. Harry handed his wand to Draco, telling him this might hurt a bit, and as easily as possible, picked him up. Hermione covered him with a sheet from his bed, just as Harry turned and made for the exit. Harry carried Draco all the way to the hospital wing.

Because the Head's rooms were on the same floor as the Hospital Wing, there wasn't too far to go. Just in case though, Rowan and Mason ran ahead and made sure there were no witnesses. Ginny ran down the staircase, clearing the hall by telling everyone that peeves was on the loose and to run outside. Everyone listened and scattered. No one would be able to look up to the second floor railing and see Harry carry Draco. They arrived at the Hospital wing unseen by other students. The healer bustled closed the doors, and began to help him.

Rowan hung back, feeling a rage she had not felt in years. She felt each pump of her heart sending out the blood that fueled her anger. Oh yes, she was angry. She would find who did this and make them pay… dearly. 'It had to be his parents,' She decided silently, 'This boy had been beaten badly then sent back to school. How dare they?' She wondered if he was beaten for dancing with her daughter. Rowan turned to leave the hospital wing as Severus and Lupin entered. Rowan looked into those dark eyes full of concern for his student. She asked one question: "Did you have anything to do with this?" He looked at her and shook his head no. She left the hospital wing. Stopping in the front doors, she slowed her breathing; concentrating on Dobby who appeared to her. "Yes ma'am? Dobby is here as you asked."

"Dobby, can you take me to see the Malfoy's?" Dobby cringed as he heard his old master's name. "I need to see them right away, but I don't know where their home is. Will you help me?" Dobby slowly shook his head yes. Took her hand and with a loud CRACK appeared on the front porch. Looking into the eyes of a terrified elf, she told him that he could go. He hesitated, but left.

She used the great snake door knocker. An elf answered the door. "May I help you ma'am?" Rowan looked down into the face of another creature that had been terrified her entire life. Composing herself, Rowan asked to see Lucius and Narcissa. The house-elf complied and opened the door.

She was led into the front hall and into a formal sitting room. Lucius looked up from his glass of brandy into her eyes. Her brown eyes had become a light orange over the course of the last half hour. They flashed at him. "Where is Narcissa?"

"Right here," came a voice from a chair. She stood to see Rowan standing in her home, crossing the floor she made to confront her for being in her home; but as she saw the anger in this woman thought better of it.

"I want to know who hurt Draco." The blondes looked at each other, obviously frightened, but Narcissa was not one to be bullied in her own home however.

"We decided it was time to teach him the important lesson of classes. How important it is that he not associate himself with useless muggles." She almost laughed but caught herself. The door opened behind Rowan. She turned to stare into the snake like face of the villain from her dreams.

"Tom Riddle, I presume," Rowan's confidence not wavering.

"At your service, Rowan Lee Cowan Black, how good of you to join us," he responded, "Please do sit down."

"Perhaps after I have a little discussion with your two idiots over here," She pointed behind her to the two blondes, "once I finish my chat with them, please, feel free to have tea ready for us to share." she said casually.

Voldemort turned from the room, hesitated, turned to Malfoy and said "She was not the one to make an enemy."

"Oh, Tom?" he stopped in the doorway, "Did you have anything to do with the injuries the young master Malfoy sustained this past week?"

Laughing, he assured her he did not. It was all them. He left the room with a swish of his cloak. Rowan turned look at the two stunned faces of the people she came to confront. She walked quietly toward Narcissa, who stiffened under the haze of her orange eyes. Rowan drew closer. Step by step, she closed the gap between them. Looking into the silver eyes of Narcissa Black Malfoy, Rowan asked slowly. "Why is your son hurt so badly?"

Narcissa rolled her eyes and said "He will NEVER associate with non-magical people. He is a PURE-BLOOD WIZARD!"

"She's not a MUGGLE you sadistic bitch. Her father was a full-blood wizard… as am I. What does that tell you?"

"YOU are her mother, she is not pure-blood."

It happened so fast, Lucius missed it. He watched close as Rowan's hand shot up from her side at his wife; knocking her back into the chair. Rowan followed her closely, reaching to her forehead; she muttered "nevioruios agaitenia". Narcissa's eyes rolled in to her skull, a smile crossed her face. Rowan retreated with a small glow and touched her bracelet.

She turned to Lucius. Memories flooding her mind: his childhood name was Luke. They chased each other in their youth. He had sprayed her with water and fed ducks at their pond. She looked at him with the same orange tint to her eyes. "Why did you hurt your son the week he was with you? You were gone for months. He never stopped believing in you. He never once turned his back in the belief that was you."

He became stone silent as he listened to her words. He was only sure of the answer she wanted to hear. "It was Narcissa. She was angry when reports got back to her about your daughter at Halloween. She ranted and raved about it. Then the next day when he assisted in the counter-attack by the Death Eaters in Hogsmeade, it was really unacceptable behaviour. Surely you can see that Row..."

Rowan inched toward him. The air crackling as he backed against a tapestry older than his bloodline. He raised his wand to defend himself. Her hand rose for a split second and his wand flew out of his hand and across the room.

When she was close enough to feel the currents around her she said "Enough. Even if it was Narcissa," Rowan hissed, "You did nothing to save him from her. It is your fault as well as his. For that error in judgment, you shall suffer the same fate as she." He looked quickly at Narcissa's form. She was breathing but lifeless at the same time. Rowan reached to his forehead, muttered "nevioruios agaitenia". Luke's eyes rolled in to his skull, a smile crossing his face as his body slumped to the ground in a heap. Rowan retreated with another small glow and touched her bracelet.

She turned to leave, walking toward the front doors. The anger still coursed through her veins. As she approached the dining room, she found Tom Riddle sitting quietly reading the Daily Prophet and drinking a cup of tea. Rowan smirked at the sight. He met her gaze, nodded his head and returned to read his paper. "Draco is no longer a possession to be handed to you by his parents. You will leave him to me from this moment forward. You have taken too much from me in my life, and he will not be added to those losses." He smirked at her but before he could answer, she cut across him. "I must be going now. You might want to leave before the Ministry officials start appearing." He again acknowledged her, but said nothing. Rowan walked out of the manor and across the front lawn. With a snap of her fingers, she shimmered from Malfoy Manor and the next place she came to be was the headmaster's office of Hogwarts.

Rowan moved swiftly down the stairs and out the door, to the hospital wing, she walked, ever faster to reach her goal. She entered the room and walked past Dumbledore and the children to look down at the face of a healing Draco Malfoy. She reached her hand toward a chair and it came to her. The adults watching exchanged looks of concern.

The blue eyes behind the half moon glasses were smiling. Rowan leaned over him, whispering to Malfoy's unconscious form. Unheard, she urged him to use his magic to come back. There were things worth living for if he had the opportunity. Reaching to his face, she made her bracelet clink softly. Draco stirred. That was enough. She got up, gave permission to her daughter to stay the remainder of the evening and walked purposefully out of the hospital wing.

Snape followed her. It was not his best idea, but he had to know. "Rowan! Wait for me," 'You wretched woman' added deep in his heart, "Wait for me Rowan. We need to talk." She stopped and turned.

Rowan glared at him. Her eyes were still orange and her breathing sill irregular. Footsteps behind him gave way to a Mason and Remus. He saw his mother and stopped still. He looked from Snape to his mother. "Sir, I don't know you very well, and I don't know what you've done to add to her anger. But I can assure you that if you do not leave her alone, you will regret it more than anyone else will." Mason took a step back. He had warned the greasy haired man - what more could he do? He looked over his shoulder to Remus who gave a slight nod.

Snape considered his options, turning to the child he said "Thank you for that warning, I believe I shall listen to it and take this up another day." With that, he swirled his cloak and left the hallway.

Rowan was coming down from her anger. Her eyes fading to normal brown, she looked into the face of her son. "Thank you."

"Mom, you know you are going to get a headache over this one. That was one helluva show you put on in there. You okay?"

She reached out to grab him as she fell into his arms. "No...but don't tell anyone. Help me to my quarters." she whispered; and as he had always done, helped his mother as the headache overtook her.

Later, Mason and Madison looked over their mother. Mason looked at her charm bracelet. "Madison? Did she get new charms?" They looked like twin light bulbs that gave off a glow. Madison nodded.

Harry and Hermione entered the quarters. They had a thousand questions. Ron had stayed with Ginny and Draco. So far, no one from his house had noticed he wasn't where he was supposed to be. They had listened to the teenagers' conversation. Clearing his throat, Harry stepped into the bedroom of his favorite professor. "How is she?"

Mason locked eyes with his sister before answering "She'll… be okay. When she gets really angry, she usually ends up with a bad headache."

Hermione remembered her mother used to get headaches too. Some of them put her in bed for days. "Have you given her anything?" Mason nodded.

Rowan woke at 4:45 the next morning. Her head still ached dully from the anger she felt the night before. She slipped quietly from her room. As she passed the other rooms, she realized all the usual teenagers were still there. If she wasn't mistaken it was Friday. She left her quarters to check on Draco. She entered the wing quietly. Draco was still asleep, so she sat in a chair next to his bed. When he stirred, she spoke. "Draco?"

Sleepily, he rolled over to see who was speaking to her. "Oh, it's you… I had hoped it would be your daughter."

"Yes, I imagine you would. She is asleep in my quarters. She'll be up soon with breakfast, I have no doubt. How are you feeling?"

"Madame Pomfrey told me that the bones are healed but I may be sore the rest of the day. But Professor Snape gave me a pain potion so I won't really care if I am hurt or not. Plus it isn't supposed to make me sleepy."

They talked as the sun came up; Quiddich, house rivalries, the fact that Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Madison, and Mason had not left him alone for the past twenty four hours, little things. She told him stories of his father's youth. He snorted when she told him about a certain large goose that took a fancy to him. When the sun was set in the sky; the six teens walked into the hospital wing and brought breakfast.

Friday and Saturday, Draco was not allowed out of the hospital wing. He had attempted to stand after breakfast, but collapsed quickly. They decided to stay with him for a few hours at a time.

Sunday morning came with Rowan waking early. She woke her children softly and asked them to come with her. They dressed sleepily, followed their mother out the door, down the steps and out the front doors. The full moon shone brightly on a clear November morning. Rowan continued to walk to the outside of Hogwarts gates. Taking a deep breath, she asked the children to put their bags on their shoulders and hold hands. Then she asked them to concentrate on the basketball goal facing the next door neighbor's home. When it was clear in each mind, she mumbled 'Porticules' and within an instant, they were there; all three of them.

Because it was before six in the morning in England, it was only midnight in Texas. Rowan did not say anything to the kids other than being sure she was okay. Glad her neighbors hadn't decided to have the usual Saturday night party which would have spilled out to the front yard and made for way too many questions.

She walked into the house, hugged her brother and went upstairs. In a small hidden area of a corner of an unused room, Rowan found it: The book of her grandmothers past. Catrina's prophesies, spells, incantations, and thoughts. Each witch had given a piece of themselves for the next generation to receive. She looked around to be sure there was nothing else, and then returned downstairs. She sat with her brother and had coffee.

The kids, both getting things they wanted, left them alone for a bit. She told him what was happening over there. At first, he thought she was a bit insane, but quickly realized that she was telling the truth, regardless of how outrageous it seemed. He begged her not to go back, but she knew she had to. She gave him a hug as the kids re-entered the kitchen, she watched the same exchange between her kids and their favorite uncle. She hugged him once more and the three of them returned back to the gates of Hogwarts.