Disclaimer: Tchah. Are you joking?


And we feel like rain
When the words all sound the same
In the lifeless corners of this empty frame
Though we feel let down
By the same old autumn breathing
Winters curse is just around the bend
With our hands all tied
To the blades of their design
We are armed and ready to commit this crime

-Feel Like Rain- Motion City Soundtrack (Band)


Does This Feel Wrong To You?
issalee

The assembled Death Eaters milled about the ballroom in the rather secluded home of the late Regulus Black. Their talk was light, and chatter was filling the air. Were it not for the fact that they were all dressed in their Death Eater's robes, it would have seemed like a normal, airy cocktail party.

A sudden hush descended on the room as the ash double doors atop the huge double staircase opened. Out floated the ever-mad Bellatrix Black, wearing robes of black, normal wizarding ones. She faced the assemblage, leaning ever so slightly on the rail.

"Death Eaters!" she called. "Today is the dawning of the new day and age! Today, our Lord Voldemort will be avenged, and his successor will take in hand his goal in life, to eradicate those unfit to live in this world! Those who cannot be mingled with our kind!"

Bellatrix smiled, her red-painted lips standing out terribly across her wicked face. "I present to you, our new Dark Lord…Lucius Malfoy!"

The blonde, icy-eyed man strode regally out of the darkened room, and surveyed the quiet peoples below him. "You are all inferior, now," he said, smirking. "This is my century, millennium, and age. You are all mine." He made a discreet motion behind him and brought out his final, secret weapon.

Tynan had dressed especially for this occasion. Her dress was such a deep red, it seemed as though her entire body was stained with blood. It was tight-fitting, beginning as what seemed to be a corset before lengthening. Her long hair was swept up into a bun with several tendrils falling gracefully from the holes of the net keeping it still. Small, perfumed roses dotted her golden locks. She was wearing a red, red, lipstick, and as she raised her hand so Lucius could kiss it, a single ruby ring glinted menacingly in the lamplight.

Lucius turned back to the obviously awed crowd. "My sister, Tynan Malfoy. Some of you, during the first war, may have known her more commonly as Crimson Tynan."

A loud buzzing sprang through the room, and behind Tynan's carefully orchestrated features, she smiled with glee. Obviously, she was well remembered and still feared.

Perfect.

Lucius silenced his new followers quickly, and began to address them. Bellatrix stood, still leaning upon the railing, observably lost in her own bloody musings. Tynan's mind began to wander.

This was what she had yearned for since she was a child; being a Malfoy meant much more than just marrying and raising more purebloods for the families to come. No, she had been special since the day she was born, and her parents knew it.

Lucius Malfoy was born on the fourteenth of December, on a cold, cold day and squalling like a normal babe. Near six years later, on the twenty-fifth of December, his younger sister Tynan Zayn Malfoy had been born, and no matter what the Healer had done, the babe hadn't cried until three weeks after she was born.

That was their first sign she wasn't normal.

The next came in rushed memories; blowing up and totally decimating the house of someone her father was mad at, hanging every single doll by their necks with twine when she was mad at her friend, the mysteriously dead small pets that turned up whenever she was upset with someone…all this before she turned four. By that time it was obvious that with her wide blue eyes and honey-blonde hair she'd be even more beautiful than any of her other family members.

What Tynan remembered most of her childhood was the old crone who her parents had hired to teach her, afraid as they had been that someone might seek to take advantage of her. Their one mistake was in also letting the woman teach her the most advanced of spells, which she rapidly understood. During Lucius' last year at Hogwarts Tynan was tutoring him in the ways of magic and mystery, which he had never known.

So it came that one day, she knocked her teacher out with a few well-placed spells and snuck out of the house, following her big brother out to God knows where he was going. There, in a leaky pub, she first discovered the presence of Lord Voldemort. Her brother spoke in low whispers across the table to a powerfully built figure under a cloak, whom no one dared look twice at. Outside of the pub, after Lucius Disapparated, she had prepared to follow, but someone had grabbed her.

She spun to meet the cold, flat eyes staring at her; green, and hidden by a too long face. "Who are you?" The man asked her, nearly hissing the words out. Tynan immediately shook free of him, and placing her wand at his throat, narrowed her eyes.

"Who are you?"

She didn't know it then, but that question saved her life. Voldemort thought her amusing; he decided she would do well to join his rising ranks. Tynan accepted, unable to find an alternative at the moment and still in that curious stage of childhood. Besides; she felt strangely drawn to this man, as though she were meant to know him. This would come into play later.

She was eleven years old. Voldemort took her under his wing, a rare move for men of his disposition, and he taught her most everything her knew. She branched away from his brand of power, which was to live long and learn slowly. Tynan experimented with the magic of other creatures besides wizards, injecting and ingesting them, and as the blood of these other beings came into place, so did her Inheritance.

She was to become a veela six years later, but the transformation came early. She remembered the excruciating pain she felt, lying on the silk sheets of her bedroom in Malfoy Manor, writhing in agony as not only her veela characteristics came into place, but those of the beasts she had placed her. From Demiguise to Griffin (which she suspected the wings were from) she inherited their abilities, albeit watered down ones. She was still sane when she emerged from the room a full month later, aching and still weak, but ready to rend; it was the day before the first attack that sparked the First War.

Tynan remembered their formation; she in the front, right behind Voldemort, shrieking with joy behind her mask as she felt the blood rushing through her veins. She slashed out, using not just Avada Kedavra but spells that sorely wounded or bloodied. She did not enjoy quick jobs. These were the murders kept out of the newspapers, for fear of total chaos, but everyone knew her.

The madness came much later, only a few weeks before the fall of the Potters. Voldemort called her to him, and as she entered the room, smirking, she was immediately struck down. Robes snaked around her, binding her around the waist. She didn't struggle, instead watching with a scowl on her perfect face, aching to scratch and bite, but holding herself back.


Voldemort approached her slowly, wand still raised. "How is it," he whispered, as he bent to see her better. "That you somehow managed to do such things?"

"You're a bastard," she snapped. "I know why I'm here. Avery's been complaining about it for ages now—I'm showing off in the field, killing too slowly…"

"That's not it." Voldemort said, apparently unperturbed about her words. "You've been trying to accelerate your powers into maturing, forcing them beyond their point; you've nearly succeeded, have you not?" At her shocked look, he tapped the side of his head.

"I know much more than you think, Malfoy." The bindings slithered back, and she grabbed the side of his head, as though she was going to smash it against the wall. (A/N: He still looks like Tom Riddle here, so…think of him as Hotness, not Snaky-ness) Voldemort pulled a little away, and their lips met.

Tynan pulled away first, smiling a little dazedly. "You're my Intended? All you wanted was a kiss?"

"No." The Dark Lord stood, offering a hand to her. She took it willingly, and he wrapped an arm around her waist as he spoke in low, velvety tones, the same tones he would later use on one Ginevra Weasley. "I want you to stop what you're attempting to do."

Tynan stiffened in his arms and attempted to push him away, but he only held on tightly. She felt his wand pressing into the nape of her neck, and she cursed herself for leaving hers in the waistband of her pants. Voldemort smirked evilly.

"I don't want to have to use force. Understand, I feel the pull, but I can easily ignore it. The Veela is not in my blood. All that is needed is a simple draining of some of the magic you have in you. I can't have anyone be stronger than me, you see?"

She reeled back, as though stunned, and he loosened his grip. It proved to be a mistake as in a moment; she had smacked him and was holding her wand as his throat, eyes narrowed. "I hope I never see you again," she hissed. "I hope your blood boils long and hard in your veins—your conquests will never be true ones!"

"Crucio!" Voldemort shouted angrily, and as the blonde fell to the floor, screaming with the force of the spell, he kicked at her repeatedly. "You're a stupid slut! You don't understand anything, do you? I'm older—wiser—and I'll always be better!" He flicked his hair from his eyes, panting heavily, and nodded shortly at her.

"Stay here until you've learned your lesson." Voldemort said. He swept out of the room, slamming the door behind him and without removing the spell.


In the dimmed lighting of the large ballroom, Tynan's hooded eyes narrowed just as they had that fateful day. Lucius' voice was still ringing in his big, booming tones, and as she straightened up a little self-consciously, a fresh wave of hate hit her.

How dare that self repressed little prick who called himself Lord Voldemort do that to her, just because he didn't get hugged enough as a child or something? He had kept her under the curse for three consecutive days, and by that time, she'd managed to reach the peak of her powers in an attempt to reduce the pain. Most of her magic had fled her body, and it was another two weeks before she could even perform a simple cleaning spell, and by then it was obvious her mind was shattered. That hadn't stopped Voldemort from taking her along with him on the Potter's raid.

The night before, Tynan had performed the same spell on herself that she'd just recently tried on Draco. Her ball of pinkish mist had been effectively destroyed.

She never regretted a moment.

Lucius was startled, to say the least, when midway through his speech his sister pushed past him and raised a fist in the air, eyes gleaming.

"We will rise up and eliminate the opposing forces! Death Eaters, join under me!" She cried. Her voice was caught up in the roars of approval and shouts of joy. Tynan turned back to Lucius, gathering her skirts around her knees in an impatient motion.

"You talk too much," she snapped. "Tell them to prepare; our first raid is tomorrow."

"So soon?" Lucius asked, surprised. "We haven't even planned—"

"I have." Tynan replied curtly. "And we'll discuss it later, but for now, just tell them. I have a score to settle with some old fools at that school you went to…"

"I want to help."

Both siblings turned to Bellatrix, who had straightened up. Her face was emotionless, but Tynan didn't miss the nervous tugging on the woman's sleeves. "I want to help, I—think I already know where this is going, anyways."

"Of course, Bella!" Tynan cried, grasping the older woman's arm. "Let's go, then, planning to be done." She dragged Bellatrix away, chatting as though they were old friends. Lucius rolled his eyes and turned back to the quieting crowd.

Lucius wasn't stupid. He knew what it was his sister wanted, what she had been ranting about doing since Voldemort was in power.

"My friends," he said, raising his hand. "Tomorrow, at first light, we attack Hogwarts!"

The cheering was deafening.


Draco awoke slowly, yawning widely as he opened his eyes. He was lying against something that felt amazingly comfortable, and he strained to move closer to it, but found he couldn't. His eyes grew wider as he realized what exactly his comfort object was.

He was lying in a very awkward position; Harry had his arms firmly wrapped about the blonde's waist, and Draco's legs were entangled in Harry's. The Gryffindor had his head resting on Draco's abdomen.

Draco wouldn't have wakened Harry, if one nagging worry weren't still on his mind. "Harry…" he whispered, running his fingers through the other boy's soft raven locks. "Potter, wake up. Potter…"

Harry nestled his head even farther into Draco's stomach, oblivious to everything (which meant he was the same asleep as awake). "Back to sleep…" he mumbled.

"Potter, we can't. It's a Thursday. Quidditch practice for Ravenclaw—they booked the field today."

"How…know?"

"I'm Head Boy. It's my job!" Draco squirmed a little. "Potter…if someone gets hurt or something and comes in and finds us like this…stop that!"

Harry was sighing softly every time he thought up a reason for him not to stay in such a cozy arrangement, and had unknowingly discovered Draco's secret: The Slytherin was ticklish.

"Ha—ha—ha—hahaha!" Draco wheezed, fighting to push Harry away. The raven-haired boy only smiled wryly and continued, adding his fingers to the mix. He only stopped when Draco shifted backwards, causing Harry to lose his source of warmth. Before he could start bemoaning this, however, he felt rather than saw Draco's body stiffen.

"What's wrong?" he asked, reflexively.

There was a moment of silence, before Draco turned back to him, gray eyes flashing with something close to disdain. "Don't you think it's weird, Potter, that we've suddenly become such great friends? Didn't you ever think of that?"

"Of course I did!" Harry said, surprised. Then he frowned. "Well…I only actually thought about that after the whole rejection thing but I haven't really had time to think about it until now."

"And what do you think?"

Harry drew back, sitting up and hugging his knees to his chest. "I don't know what to think anymore," he admitted. "I suppose I was just trying to save your life at first, and then it became more about—" he trailed off, leaving the statement unfinished.

Draco sat up too, looking more amused than anything else. "It became more about what? I was thinking last night, Potter, while you were sleeping."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying," Draco ground out, "That we're progressing pretty quickly, even though we're supposed to be mates. I haven't even honed a quarter of my powers!" Harry's eyes flashed, angry as he was, but he kept his voice cool as he answered.

"And is that supposed to be my fault? Come on, Malfoy. Think about it yourself, don't expect other people keep trying to find the answer!" he finished irritably.

Draco was quiet for a second before he smirked. "Maybe we're vying so hard for this because it's something we need right now." His smirk faltered, and was replaced by a sort of mournful look. " 'If you are willing to admit your faults, you have one less fault to admit'".

Draco looked up at Harry, the Malfoy mask carefully fitted in place. "Tell me, Potter, do I have any faults?"

"Oh, sure, you're conceited, arrogant, snobby, a prat, evil at times, and utterly loathsome—"

"Ok!" Draco interrupted, with the corners of his mouth twitching. "But I mean faults that are more theoretical than—er…whatever it was you were listing. You, for example, are very naïve. You think everything's always going to end up great if you try your best, and save everyone."

Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Draco held up his hand. "And I, Potter, am merely way too cynical for my own good. I don't believe in happy endings, I am so paranoid I believe there's a conspiracy involving the house-elves and our food, and I have no trust for anyone."

He smiled bitterly. "Not as good a match as everyone thinks, eh?" Draco swung his legs over the bed and walked over to his own, rummaging through a knapsack next to it, and drew out clothes. He went a little deeper and found his wand, all of these courtesy of Blaise and Pansy.

"You're right, Malfoy." Harry said, startling Draco so that he nearly dropped the clothes he was clutching. "We aren't such a great match. And we sure as hell aren't a willing one either. But we weren't complaining a few hours ago, were we?"

Draco turned around and found Harry to be grinning wryly at him, chin resting on a palm, elbow resting on his leg, and his other hand running through his hair. "I mean, people always say opposites attract."

Two dots of pink appeared on Draco's cheeks, and tucked strands of his hair behind his ears. At a momentary loss, he merely shoved on his slacks and shirt, stuffing his hospital robes under the pillow.

"Tell Pomfrey I left." He said shortly, still fuming as he stalked out of the Hospital Wing. Harry watched him go, green eyes sparkling. He flopped back onto the bed, smirking a little.

Shall I tell her you're a sore loser as well?

The mental shriek that was abruptly cut off made him give full vent to his amusement. The Hospital Wing echoed with gleeful laughter.


Draco stalked down the hall, cold-eyed and shaking with fury as strings of obscenities flowed from his mouth.

"Nice to see you stomping around."

He spun around, wand raised and ready to hex whoever had made the comment to oblivion and back again, but when he saw who it was, his wand was lowered and a true, grateful smile spread across his face.

Luna Lovegood was smiling dreamily at him. Today she had donned robes of the lightest purple, with dark purple radishes adorning the cloth. Her earrings were a pair of grapefruit juice bottles she'd been given by a Muggle friend and shrunken down. Her wand had forgone its usual place behind her ear and today seemed to be enamored with her belt hook, which was actually a black sash with several loose threads, and she was wearing purple ankle boots of what Draco suspected was Puffskein fur. He wondered for the nth time how she managed to get away with the outfit.

"Nice to see you too, Loony."

Luna smiled, not at all upset. "Oh, Draconis, must you always be so glibly mean? You're quite nice, I should know. Why haven't you visited me?"

Draco frowned. "I'm sorry, but it's been quite hectic for me."

"You just apologized."

Draco blinked. "Er…yeah."

Luna smiled kindly at him. "Oh, it's such a good influence Harry's been having on you, Draconis! You've been smiling more, I see, as your frown lines have disappeared."

"I had frown lines?" Draco said, kneading his forehead gently. Luna floated over to him and patted his arm gently. "Nothing to worry about," she said. "We all love you, anyways. Blaise told me what happened."

"He's a walking Daily Prophet," Draco said bitterly. "I should crack him over the head and make him scatterbrained."

"Don't blame him, dear…" Luna said absentmindedly, eyes glazed over. "He was just trying to help. He found me camped outside of the Hospital Wing and waiting for your return; you worried me, you great brute."

Draco nearly dropped his knapsack in shock. Luna never called anyone names, even as a joke. It was then that he realized her wide blue eyes were a little misty; she was probably holding back tears. Draco reached out a hand, pushing back her hair a little awkwardly.

"Loony, don't cry over me. I'm trash, I don't deserve it."

She shook her head, and in a show of sudden down to earthy-ness, she lunged and hugged him. "Everyone needs someone to cry over them! You especially, Draconis." The corners of his mouth twitched upwards, and she drew back, eyes wider than before.

"Oh, Draconis, this is a monumental event! We're skipping breakfast today; you've just smiled! We're going out to the lake, I wanted to ask the giant squid if she had seen any Snacklers lurking about under the water. They're parasites, feeding off of other animals," she said wisely.

"You can understand the squid?" Draco asked, thinking of what the beast had been whispering to him in the rain-drenched days behind him.

"Oh, no, but I pretend." The corners of Luna's eyes crinkled as she took his hand. "Besides, I think you owe her a thank you for saving you and Harry."

"It's a she?"

"Of course!" Luna exclaimed as she dragged him down the hallway. "What else would you expect? Boys don't have babies, you know. I learned that very recently," she said seriously.

Draco eyed her for a moment, before curiosity overtook him. "It—she has babies?"

"Oh, no! She's too young. But she says she will when she finds a mate." Luna sighed pensively. "Mayhaps I'll find a mate too, Draconis?"

"I pity the man…"

"What was that?" Luna turned to him, head cocked to the side. Draco shook his head. "I didn't say anything. It was nothing."

"Than let's go!" she said, pulling at him even more as they trudged down the hall, his snide remarks and her dismissive laughter floating in the air around them.


Tynan surveyed the Forbidden Forest's outer fringe distastefully. They were miles and miles away from Hogwarts, but here was where her plan had to begin. She could easily get through the wards by herself, but she was brining along with her near hundreds of Death Eaters, and not all of them were present yet.

"Are you ready?" Lucius asked from her side. "Do you remember the plan?"

"I made it," she said petulantly. "How could I forget? You take your group and go through when I open the wards, and then distract the old fool. Bellatrix and I go through the weakened wards with our groups and split up, and attack the school."

Lucius glanced down at her, amused. "You don't sound happy. Aren't you just gleeful that you'll get to attack helpless, innocent children?"

"I'm ecstatic," Tynan murmured. Next to her, Bellatrix looked the picture, gripping her wand tightly with a feral grin on her face. The younger Malfoy steeled herself against the oncoming wave of pity she felt for the Black, and turned to her brother.

"Are you ready?"

Lucius opened his mouth, and then shut it. A flash of worry crossed in his eyes and he leaned closer to his sister. "Are you absolutely sure you sent out a notice to Draco? All the other Death Eaters have their sons and daughters waiting for them at the pickup site but are you sure Draco knows?"

Tynan nearly laughed. Her brother wasn't worried about Draco because he was his son; it was something more like producing an heir, she supposed. "Brother," she said, smiling. "Does it really matter if I did or didn't? You can always procreate, ugly as you are, and get another."

"Is he coming or not?" Lucius hissed, eyes narrowed and hands gripping her shoulders tightly. Tynan frowned at him, picking off his hands with her own delicate looking but strong ones.

"That, Lucy, depends on whether or not he is faithful."

She watched him carefully after this statement. He had two choices; to go after the hated childhood nickname and revert to normal behavior? Or to grouse about the lazy protection of his son, thus putting his new position in danger. Lucius' face was contorted for a moment, before he turned from her, robes whipping near her face. When he looked back, his Death Eater's mask was firmly in place, hiding his grief-stricken face.

"Attack the wards."

Tynan raised an eyebrow, motioning for Bellatrix to raise her wand also. "Are you sure?" she called over to her brother. He nodded coolly, and she, smirking, cried the incantation with Bellatrix and the other hundred-something Death Eaters.

"Tutela Abeo! Tutela Abeo! Deliquesco!"

Silver and gold strands rushed from their wand tips. The very air around them crackled with the force of the magic, and Tynan felt the rush of power go straight through her blood. She shrieked the words higher, faster, louder, and as her followers (she thought of them as such; Lucius wouldn't be around much longer, anyways) chanted along with her, her wings ripped through the cloth of the crimson cloak she had on to protect her dress. She had no mask; she was not afraid of justice.

A multicolored wall appeared, echoing with every hit. Behind it, several dark and gaunt faces were seen, fear hidden in their eyes. They fled quickly, however, as a loud ripping sound was heard. Tynan's power combined with the masses was shredding the wards, which had not been reinforced in a while anyway, to shreds.

Several large holes became visible in the rainbow-ish wall, and Lucius flashed a triumphant smile. "We attack!" he roared, and charged in. His horde followed him, thundering and cheering, forgoing all pretenses of being afraid.

Bellatrix and her cluster followed quickly and quietly, melting off into the shadows and heading to the right so they could circle around the school. Last came Tynan's assemblage, followed by Tynan herself. They stopped their chanting, sweating slightly with the force it had taken, and watched as the wall folded over itself. Flaps still hung open, sliced beyond repair, and Tynan smiled joyfully as she turned to face her entourage.

"Death Eaters," she crowed. "Welcome to Hogwarts!"


Draco and Luna were walking towards the lake when they heard someone call the former's name. They turned, and found Chloris, Carleigh and Carina flouncing down to them.

"Three-C," Luna greeted them cheerfully. Carleigh rolled her eyes, but Carina and Chloris returned her greeting. All three of them nearly smothered Draco, even Chloris, as they hugged him simultaneously.

"Nice to see you too," he gasped. "What're you doing out her?" he asked as they continued down to the lake.

"We—are mad," Carina explained as she flopped down by the lakes edge. Carleigh pushed her aside and took the spot, stretching as she continued for her friend.

"Blaise has been so caught up with courting Ginevra and vice-versa, we don't even have any time to prank him! Or tease! And Pansy's mourning cause Theo hit an oak tree while she hit a willow, so he's down for another few days."

"Love sucks," Chloris said wisely as she declined the ground totally and shimmied up the low branches of a weeping willow tree, nestling in the crook of them to read the book she had dragged along.

Luna grinned up at her. "It does not! It's a beautiful thing. Look at Draco; he's in love, and he's being," here she looked around, as though afraid someone might hear her, and lowered her voice. "He's being nice!"

The girls giggled whilst Draco looked sour. "I am not in love. Malfoys don't love; they put up with it." Carleigh rolled her eyes at him and threw a dirt clod, smiling as he ducked.

"You're in love, you stupid prat! Just admit it!" Draco opened his mouth, cheeks red, but Carina put up her hand. She stood up from the ground, and pointed across the lake.

"Does anybody hear that?" she whispered.

There was silence as everyone listened, and indeed, they noticed. There was an odd lack of sound coming from the Forest and its surroundings, as well as creatures. But even lower was a small buzzing of noise, sounding more and more like—

"Screaming!" Carleigh said, eyes wide. "Somebody's screaming!"

Draco's sharp eyes scanned the lakeside, and he saw flashes of light and felt the small, inconspicuous bursts of magic from across the other side. He waved a hand at Luna, who had stiffened next to him.

"Go get a teacher!" he hissed fiercely. "Snape, Dumbledore, Flitwick, anyone! Find them, now!" The Ravenclaw hesitated for the merest of moments, before Draco whirled on her, rage evident on his features.

"Now! And take the girls with you!" he cried.

"What?" Carleigh asked, askance. "No way! If there's something going on, I want to find out what it is!" She took of running, and a moment later, her twin had dropped down from the tree.

"Carleigh!" Chloris shrieked. "Come back!" The Slytherin girl seemed at a loss for a moment, before looking back and forth helplessly between the school and her sister's form. Than she too, started sprinting.

"No!" Draco yelled. "No!" He lunged for Carina, who he was sure would follow, but she was already gone. "Go to Dumbledore!" he tossed over his shoulder to Luna, and then took off.

Luna, stunned, stood there for a moment. Then a high and frantic wailing filled the air, and she took a step back. Then another, and another, and another. Overcome with fear and worry, she took off running, heading for the nearest sanctuary, and nearest savior.


Harry was sitting up in his bed, smiling. Ron, Hermione, Seamus, Dean, Neville and Ginny had all taken it into their heads to skip breakfast in the Great Hall and bring it to him. He was greatly pleased, of course, and as he ate his strawberry (of course) pancakes, he chatted gaily with them. They, in turn, were overjoyed that Draco had left so they could eat in peace (except for Ginny, who was a true friend, and Hermione, who was empathic).

"So," Seamus was saying. "Me sister looks at me mum an' says, "Marry 'im? I'd sooner marry Dennis Rodman!'" Harry, Hermione and Ginny giggled, while everyone else looked at a loss. Ginny glanced around and her laughter faded a little.

"It's a Muggle thing," she said sheepishly, and picked at her bacon. "Yeesh."

Harry winked at her. "All right, Gin. We're just smarter than them, is all." Ron shoved him and the green-eyed boy lost his balance, falling off the bed and onto the floor.

"My foot!" he yelped, grasping at his cast. Ron looked guilty, whilst Hermione raised a threatening finger. Before anything could start, however, the doors burst open. Harry raised himself up using his crutches, and stared in amazement at an extremely disheveled and frightened looking Luna Lovegood.

"Luna?" he said. "What's wrong?"

"Draconis!" she gasped. "Chloris, Carina, Carleigh!" There was a sudden, earsplitting clapping sound, like thunder, and everyone looked over as a huge burst of green smoke went up, blanketing an area in the Forbidden Forest.

Luna pointed her finger at it. "Out there!"

Harry hobbled to the window, eyes wide as he saw Dumbledore sitting astride a broom (first time he'd seen it) and zipping into the woods. Hagrid, going at a loping run with Fang at his side, followed him closely this time.

"We're going out there," he announced, heart thumping in his chest.

"You're using crutches. You have a cast," Hermione told him, looking panicked. "You can't!" Harry faced her, eyes steely.

"You know a spell," he said, almost accusingly. "At least something temporary. Madame Pomfrey wouldn't have wanted it if it wasn't permanent, but there must be something temporary."

"Harry," Hermione tried, but he silence her with an utterly serious look.

"Hermione, please. There are people out there that Dumbledore doesn't know about! He could miss them!" The bushy-haired girl looked doubtful, until he clumped over to her and grabbed her hands in his, eyes misty.

"Please?"

There was silence for a moment as everyone held his or her breaths, but then Hermione sighed. She took her wand from her sleeved and leaned down slightly to tap his leg, muttering under her breath. The cast disappeared, and Harry tapped his heel on the floor experimentally. No pain.

"Right," he said, dropping the crutches and pulling on his sneakers. "Everyone stay here. I'll be back shortly."

"Such a Hero Complex," Ginny said shortly. She ignored Ron, who was glaring at her fierily, and stalked over to Harry's side. "We're coming with you. No buts!" she said, stifling his protest. "Or Hermione takes off the spell."

Harry glanced to his friend, who nodded, brown eyes gleaming. "Fine," he sighed. "But we've got to hurry and be careful! I don't want anyone to get hit!"

They all agreed and filed out, even Luna, who by now had calmed down enough to whisper to Ginny as the passed, "I wonder if we can have some of those pancakes Harry was eating when we get back."

She was to be sorely disappointed.


Oh, Gods, sorry no review replies. At the moment, am in process of...er...well it involves a Panic! At The Disco CD burned fpr me by Solizle, my parents not letting me go get the damn thing, me deciding to sneak out, Nikki-chan and M-chan getting involved so...well, I have espionage to do, and they're already yelling at me to get up and go already, while my parents are distracted by The Manchurian Candidate. THANK YOU, DENZEL!