This story was originally going in a very different direction, hence the title, but I think I like where it's heading. It's unique and regardless of where it's going, I'm going to leave the title as is. I am so sorry for such a wait on this story to those who have followed this series for so long, but I hope this chapter makes up for it. Please enjoy!

The week was flying by very quickly, and the children took turns babysitting and feeding the baby griffin in Gryffindor tower. Everyone agreed to the name Ivan, and in four days alone, the baby had doubled in size, weighing nearly twenty pounds. Goat milk disappeared quickly from the castle, and the house elves had to restock, which meant the griffin had no milk for nearly six hours, resulting in a screaming fit. That day, Ron had to keep replenishing his muffler charm around the dorm, while Hermione and Harry tried to soothe the baby until goat milk was supplied to them. Everyone was thankful when a fresh bottle of warm milk appeared for them.

The children involved with the griffin would deny that raising the baby was a challenge. The baby slept while they were in classes and played with quills, loose parchment, and blankets while the students worked on homework. They would agree, however, that keeping the baby hidden from professors, students, and Sam was very challenging, especially when Prefects would check in on what they were up to, and Sam could mist in whenever he pleased.

The suitcase became a lifesaver and "Red Alert" became code for "hide the baby griffin in the suitcase and cover him with a blanket." Ivan thought it was a game, and gladly jumped in the suitcase and curled up, crooing as softly as he could while he waited for the blanket to uncover him and someone to say "Peek-a-boo!"

Meanwhile, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco began watching every professor closely. Someone had to have placed the griffin in the chamber, and all the professors were suspects. Harry quickly ruled out his father (though he never suspected him to begin with). Harry knew that if his father wanted griffin feather or talons, Severus would collect them legally from a magizoologist.

Hermione managed to cross off McGonagall after an encounter with the professor in her office. Hermione had just finished feeding Ivan when McGonagall summoned Hermione to her office to question why so many students hung out in the second-year boy's dormitory. It turned out that McGonagall was allergic to griffin dander, and the woman could not stop sneezing the whole time Hermione explained the new "study group" she put together.

Ron had asked Hagrid a thousand questions about griffins, and Hagrid was able to answer the majority. Hagrid confessed to wanting a griffin as a pet, but he also explained that griffins were endangered and that he would rather see them free in the wild. Griffins belonged to the sky, after all, he had said. Ron decided that Hagrid could not have been the culprit.

Nor was Professor Sprout. Neville had learned that lilies were toxic to griffins, so he managed to spark up a conversation about the subject. Sprout knew little about griffins themselves but explained why lilies would be toxic to many animals in general. She had shown no desire to talk about "filthy animals that trampled her gardens" and was therefore ruled out.

During Charms class, Draco discovered a miniature griffin figurine and had asked Flitwick about it. Flitwick demonstrated the charm fourth years were taught to animate the figurines, and he had shown Draco the rest of his animal collection. Harry still had the dragon figurine Flitwick had given him years back, and decided Flitwick was not involved with Ivan.

"This is harder than we thought it was going to be," Ron said, lying on his bed and reading the required passage for their DADA class the next day. "So far, no one is a good enough suspect. But what do we even do when we figure out who it is?"

"Report him to Dumbledore, I guess," Neville shrugged.

"And what if Dumbledore wants to get rid of Ivan?" Dean asked, pointing at the griffin attacking Seamus's wiggling toes under a blanket. "He's going to be our mascot, remember?"

"Maybe we can write up a good argument to keep him here," Seamus said, reaching down and picking up the griffin. "I bet Hermione could come up with some great pointers. Like him being hand raised and all for one."

"We'll deal with that when we get there," Harry said, sitting up on his bed as Seamus dropped the griffin on Harry's bed after superman-ing with the happy squealing baby. Harry stroked the griffin behind an ear, and Ivan crooed. After a minute, Harry crawled out of bed and set his complete homework aside. "We still have to figure out which professor is responsible for hiding his egg in the chamber to begin with. And how he even got into the chamber."

Ivan rolled around on the bed, fluttering his tiny, useless wings.

"We've narrowed our suspects down at least," Ron said, nodding his head. "We've got Lockhart tomorrow. And I bet that man knows a lot about griffins. They can be dangerous, and he knew a lot about kitsune."

"Which Sam is still very suspicious about," Harry said. "He told me that most people knew alcohol affected kitsune somehow, but only specially trained magizoologists back in Japan knew exactly what alcohol did and what the percentages had to be and all."

"Maybe Lockhart went to Japan for research."

"According to his books, Lockhart's been everywhere for research." Harry held up a couple of Lockhart's required reading. The other boys snickered.

"So Lockhart is at the top of our list," Neville said with a nod. "Good thing we have him tomorrow for class."

"And we're definitely crossing off Professor Snape as a suspect?" Seamus asked, flipping through his potions book to begin on that subject's essay.

"I would know if my dad is up to something like that," Harry said with a glare, crossing his arms.

"Hey, I didn't mean any harm," Seamus assured Harry, holding up his hands defensively. "You have to admit, your dad would make the ultimate villain."

Harry rolled his eyes but offered a one-sided shrug. He hadn't seen much of his father in the last few days as the baby griffin demanded a lot of his time. He felt guilt wash over him; for hiding the griffin from his father and for not at least saying good morning to him at breakfast. He glanced at the large clock in the room and decided he still had plenty of time before curfew to stop by and say good night.

"I'll be right back," Harry said. "You'll keep an eye on Ivan, right?"

"Yeah, I get the next feeding!" Dean declared, snatching the bottle away from Neville's nightstand. Ivan saw the movement and sat up inquisitively, tilting his head at Dean, sniffing the air for warm milk.

"Good." Harry smiled, giving Ivan one last pet before running out of the room and out of the tower. He ran down to the dungeons and to his father's quarters, knocking hesitantly before opening the door, wondering if his father would even be in his quarters. He didn't think there were any scheduled detentions and office hours would be over at this point.

When he opened the door, he spotted Sam lying on his dog bed, paws in the air, sleeping contently. Harry smiled and tiptoed further inside, glancing inside his father's bedroom before finding the man in his study, writing away on a parchment.

"Good evening, Harry," Severus greeted, glancing up at his son with a smile.

"Hi Dad," Harry greeted, walking over to the man and giving him a one-armed hug.

Severus wrapped an arm around Harry's waist, pausing to reread what he had already written, absently running his fingers up and down Harry's arm.

"What are you working on?" Harry asked, peering down at the parchment only for his father to flip it over.

"Your test," Severus answered. He smirked at Harry. "I hope you've been studying well in that study group of yours."

"Yeah . . ." Harry looked down at his feet, scuffing the floor with his shoes.

"All right, what's wrong?" Severus asked, rubbing Harry's back. "I know that look—what's on your mind?"

Harry looked up and met his father's eyes, the man lifting an eyebrow. For a split second, Harry wanted to confess to everything he had been up to the last few days. Perhaps it was the stress of raising a baby animal no one had any idea how to properly care for. It could have been the stress of keeping that baby a secret from everyone. His father's eyes studying him did not help, especially since Severus could read him so well. Harry shrugged his shoulders, his stomach knotting suddenly.

"That does not tell me anything," Severus said. "Are you okay? You're not feeling ill, are you?" Severus placed a hand on Harry's forehead.

"No," Harry admitted. "Maybe a little queasy but I'm fine, really."

"Did you eat dinner?"

Harry nodded his head.

"Sleeping well?"

Harry nodded again.

"You had Quidditch practice yesterday evening, didn't you?" At Harry's nod, Severus narrowed his eyes. "It was raining then, as well, wasn't it?"

"It sprinkled some," Harry said.

"I'll advice Mr. Wood to keep his team from practicing in the rain."

"But sometimes it rains during the games. Storms, even."

"And I'll never understand why Madam Hooch does not cancel the games during such dreadful weather."

Harry smiled and leaned against his father. He felt better already just hearing his father fuss over his health. Severus carded a hand through Harry's hair, placing a kiss on the boy's head before pushing Harry to stand up. "Do you need a stomach soother? Pepper-up?""

"No, thank you," Harry said. "I feel better now. I guess I just needed to talk to you. It's been a while since we've just talked, and I wasn't in some kind of trouble."

"School is keeping you busy and out of trouble, as it should."

Harry laughed, his mind thinking about the little griffin back in his dorm. "I guess so."

"Is all your homework complete?"

"For this week."

"Very good. Would you like to spend the night down here or in your room?"

"Err . . ." Harry looked for a clock, wondering what was happening in his dorm at this minute. "Maybe not tonight. Ron needed help with his potions homework."

"Hmm. You may assist but I expect your friend to do most of the work. He will not learn if you give him all the answers."

"I won't. Love you," Harry said, planting a quick kiss on his father's cheek. Severus wished him goodnight and gave him a warning to not miss curfew. Harry assured his father and ran out of his dad's quarters and back to the tower, giving the Fat Lady the password and making his way up to the dormitory. When he entered, he found everyone fooling around; Seamus and Dean tossing crunched up parchment back and forth, Ivan chasing after it on the floor, running to each bed eagerly. Neville and Ron were laughing on their own beds as they finished up homework. Harry climbed up on his bed, balling up parchment to join the fun.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was as boring as ever. Lockhart went on about one of his great adventures—this one about encountering a yeti. He danced around the room, reciting word for word what was written in his book. Harry and Ron tried to keep from falling asleep by passing notes back and forth between each other. Hermione took notes diligently, though of what, Harry wasn't sure. Sam rested under Harry's table as he often did in classes, though he used his front paws to cover his ears irritably.

Finally, class was over, and everyone began packing up their books as fast as they could.

"Mr. Snape, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger, if you could stay behind for a minute."

The three students in question paused, looking at each other curiously. When everyone else cleared out of the classroom, Lockhart pulled up a chair and sat in front of the three students. He smiled charmingly.

"I heard at the staff meeting that you three and Mr. Malfoy went on a bit of an adventure. Now, the headmaster didn't exactly specify the exact details, but he said we professors are to keep the second-floor girls' bathroom closed off. What a curious place to have and adventure, don't you think?"

"Oi, what's this about?" Ron frowned. "We already got punished for this."

"Oh, no punishment!" Lockhart shook his head and raised up his hands defensively. "No-no. You know I'm a sucker for adventures. I'd like to hear all about what you four did."

"We can't really tell anyone," Hermione said, gathering her books together.

"No worries, it can be our little secret." Lockhart winked.

"We're really not supposed to tell anyone," Harry said, stressing the "really." He pushed back his chair, motioning for Ron and Hermione to do the same. Standing up, he threw his bag over his shoulder. "The headmaster would expel us for sure. Besides, what does it matter to you."

"All I'd like to know is what you three were up to," Lockhart said, his voice sounding rougher. "It'd . . . make for a good story. I can include what you three encountered in my new novel I am working on. Did you find a secret room? Was there a way you found it? A rare artifact perhaps?"

"No." Hermione shook her head. "Nothing like that."

"We should really be going," Ron said.

"Not so fast!" Lockhart snapped, grabbing Harry's arm before they could all run out of the classroom. "You will show your professor respect and answer the question I asked you."

Sam lunged out from under Harry's chair and snapped at Lockhart, forcing the man to release Harry and jump back to avoid being bitten. Sam snarled, keeping between Lockhart and Harry as the children moved for the exit, his ears flat and his tails flicking.

"Sorry, Professor," Hermione apologized, holding her books to her chest. "We really can't say."

"Sorry about Sam," Harry said. "He's a bit overprotective."

With that, the three kids ran out of the classroom, Sam following at Harry's heels. They stopped and panted a few hallways away, Sam glancing back to see if they had been followed.

"I think he's the one," Ron said. "That was very weird."

Hermione nodded, slipping her books into her bag.

"Of course, it'd be the new defense professor," Harry said, shaking his head. "I should have known."

: What are you three talking about? Sam said, looking up at the kids.

"Wasn't that odd, Sam?" Harry asked the fox, hoping to change the subject. "That was very unprofessional behavior for a professor."

: I'll say. I should report this to Severus immediately. You three stay clear of him. What he said is very alarming. I wonder if he's . . . hmm.

Sam misted and flew down the hall without another word. Harry frowned, wishing he knew what the fox had been thinking. Lockhart's words were odd, considering that it didn't seem the man was in search of a griffin, but something else. An artifact. Even an egg doesn't exactly fall under that category. Unless Lockhart thought so little of other living creatures. That must be it.

"Now that we have a clue," Ron said, "and we're ninety-nine percent sure Lockhart put the egg in the chamber, what do we do now? Tell Dumbledore?"

"We need more clues than being interrogated by the professor," Hermione said. "Besides, he said nothing about a creature. He wanted to know if we had an object."

"But that doesn't mean he didn't also put the griffin in the chamber."

"No, but we're going to need more evidence than what happened in the classroom."

As the three climbed up the stairs toward the tower, they ran into Draco. He joined them as they walked up the stairs, and they filled him in on the events that happened in the classroom. Draco instantly agreed that Lockhart had to have been the one that kidnapped the egg.

"We don't know if he kidnapped the egg," Hermione said. "Someone else could have stolen it and given it to him."

"Maybe," Draco said, frowning in thought. "But he's our number one suspect now. There's no doubt about that."

"Now we just have to prove with concrete evidence that Lockhart is the one who put the egg down in the chamber," Harry said. "We do that, and he gets arrested for illegally harboring an endangered species."

Ron paused as they neared the Fat Lady Portrait. "Wait a second—isn't that what we're doing? Wouldn't we get in trouble too?"

"We saved the griffin, Ron," Hermione said. "We're making sure he is well-cared for. He'd be dead if we hadn't found him."

"Right," Ron said, though he didn't look at all convinced.

Everyone entered the portrait and walked up to the boys' dorm, no one paying any mind to Draco, having grown used to the Slytherin joining the second years in their study group. They walked upstairs and entered the dorm, everyone freezing at the sight that greeted them, mouths dropping.

The window was ajar, and curtains, bed sheets, and pillows had been shredded on all the beds. Parchment was all over the place with bite marks and ink splatters everywhere, imprints of griffin paws on the parchment, beds, and carpet. Quills were still floating to the ground, feathers from pillows caught in the slight breeze the window offered.

And sitting in the center of it all, was the little griffin, Ivan, holding a dragon tooth necklace in his beak, his tufted tail wagging behind him.

"Harry," Hermione whispered, "he has Sam's necklace."

"I see," Harry whispered back. "How did he get that?"

"Sam said this would happen," Draco reminded, keeping a hushed voice. "He said it would try to get back to us. All we have to do is get it from Ivan, take it to Sam, and explain that somehow it ended back up in Gryffindor Tower. We all vouch for each other, and Sam will understand."

"That's brilliant," Ron said. "But how do we get it from Ivan?"

"We keep quiet," Hermione said, taking a slow step forward, holding her hands out. "And slow movements. Hi Ivan. What do you have? May I see it?"

"Here pretty boy," Draco said, moving forward as well. "That's it, who's a handsome griffin? You are. Yes, you are."

"Stay right there," Ron said. "No surprises now. Who wants some scritches and scratches?"

"That's a good boy, Ivan," Harry said. "Stay. Nice and easy now. Would you like some milk? I bet you're hungry after destroying the room."

As the four came close enough to grab Ivan, the griffin leaped away and ran under a bed, Ron diving for him and reaching under the bed, feeling for the griffin. Ivan crawled out the other side and pounced around the room, his wings fluttering as he jumped on and off beds, the kids chasing him. He slid to a stop as Draco cornered him, but then dove between the blonde's legs are the boy tried to grab him. Hermione quickly filled the bottle with milk and shook it, the milk magically warming as it usually did.

Ivan paused and looked back at her, tilting his head with a loud croo.

"Here Ivan!" Hermione said, holding out the bottle. "Come and get it!"

Ivan smiled and took a step toward Hermione when the door to the dorm swung open. Seamus froze at the entrance, his moth dropping at the sight of the room. "What happened in here?"

"Shut the door!" Hermione shouted.

But it was too late. Ivan leaped out the door with the tooth in his beak, running down the stairs.

"After him!" Harry said, already chasing after the griffin.

"Sorry," Seamus apologized, watching the four run after the griffin, wishing he could help but he had a class to get to. He looked at the room and shook his head.

Thankfully almost everyone was in class with only two or three people in the common room. One person shrieked as the griffin leaped over her and slipped on parchment. The griffin fell off the table it was on and thumped on the floor. Shaking himself off, he growled at the table he fell off of, then squeaked when Ron came around the table and reached for him. The griffin slipped away and ran for across the room.

At that time, the entrance swung open, Neville stepping through when the griffin ran between his legs, tripping the boy.

"Oh no," everyone muttered before running after the griffin.

"Sorry guys," Neville said, tossing his school supplies down and running after Ivan with them.

Ivan playfully leaped around the halls, happy for new sights and sounds. He kept away from his pursuing guardians, thinking they were playing a game of chase. And all for the shiny object in his mouth. Ivan paused to glance back at them, flicking his little ear tufts before disappearing around a corner.

The kids froze when they heard a loud screech.

"Ivan!" Harry cried, running around the corner, the other four following his lead.

They turned the corner and slid to a halt with loud gasps at what they saw.

There, clutching the squirming griffin by the back of his neck, was Professor Lockhart, and the man smiled at the children.

"So much for not telling anyone, eh?" Lockhart said, admiring the griffin. "My, its bigger than I though it'd be. Its egg was worth a fortune, but now." Lockhart whistled lowly. "I can only imagine the fortune I'll make."

"You can't have him, he's not for sale!" Hermione snapped.

"Well it's not yours to decide that, now is it? You see, children, I go around the world meeting experts in al kind of fields, learning their stories, then stealing their stories. I quick memory charm solves everything. And this"—Lockhart held up the griffin—"I took from a magizoologist who rescued its egg from a mudslide. But here's my story: he did try to rescue the egg, but he got caught in the mudslide, and I had to save him, losing the egg in the process. Everyone bought the story, and I mean literally, and the magizoologist now resides at St Mungo's, but he is eternally grateful for my actions."

"So all your stories are rubbish." Draco glared.

"Not rubbish. Bestsellers. And the creatures that "I" encounter I usually end up selling for a little bonus money. That slaughtered werewolf—three hundred galleons. Those trapped ghouls—forty galleons each. This griffin, well . . ." Lockhart smiled at the baby that began crying out in pain from the hold Lockhart had on him. "This will be worth an easy thousand."

"You're not selling him!" Hermione yelled again. "He's an endangered species, he needs protection."

"Maybe you're right," Lockhart said, his cold blue eyes staring at the kids. He stepped closer to the children, tightening his hold on the griffin when he attempted to bite Lockhart. "Before I came here, Dumbledore begged me to accept the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor opening. And I almost refused. But then an informant of mine told me of a magizoologist surveilling the nest of newly bonded griffins, and a perfect place to hide the eggs in Hogwarts until a collector came for them. Too bad the mudslide I caused smashed the other two eggs."

Hermione and Neville gasped, while Draco and Ron glared, and Harry took a protective step forward in front of his friends.

"I got away with this one, getting into the chamber through an underground sewer system. Then, to my surprise, I learn that there is a kitsune here. Now that is a prized treasure. You don't find those outside of Japan. I was meant to come here. All I needed was to get the fox alone and I had the perfect way of killing him."

"You can't hurt Sam," Harry said. "He's way smarter and faster than you'll ever be!"

"Lucky for you, I don't need the fox or this pathetic griffin anymore." Lockhart threw the griffin at the kids.

Harry caught the baby, falling backwards from the impact, Draco and Ron catching him by the arms before he could hit the ground. Ivan curled up against him, shivering in Harrys arms. Harry stabilized himself and his friends released him. Harry hugged Ivan, then glared at Lockhart.

"I have found something worth more than any creature on this planet," Lockhart said. He held up Sam's dragon tooth necklace. "Something with power greater than our minds could ever comprehend. The Dragon's Tooth of Requital itself! In my grasp, it's surreal! It was thought to be a myth. And now it is mine."

"It's not!" Draco snapped. "That's Sam's, and only he can use it."

"It'll drive you mad," Hermione added.

"Mad with power, indeed," Lockhart smiled devilishly, admiring the tooth. "Imagine the possibilities. All the fame and power in the world. Everyone will know my name! I just have to plan this out perfectly."

"No!" Ron said, holding up his wand and stepping toward Lockhart. "We'll tell everyone about what you did to this poor griffin."

"And then," Draco said, lifting his own wand and standing next to Ron, "we'll tell Sam about the tooth."

"And," Hermione said, her wand raised as she stepped next to Draco, "he'll take it back from you, even if he has to burn you to the ground."

"You won't get away with this," Neville said, lifting his wand and joining the three.

Harry, with his hands full of the griffin, also stepped forward, wandless but unafraid, Ivan snarling at Lockhart in his arms. "We won't let you," Harry added to Neville's statement.

Lockhart stared at all the wands aimed at him and the serious expressions on the kids' faces. The man laughed out loud, startling the kids, but they didn't back down. Lockhart shook his head as he slipped on the necklace, his white teeth dazzling down on them.

"I see how this is going to go," he said.

Lockhart gripped the tooth firmly in his hand, his smile transforming into a glare as he said, "Get rid of them."

The tooth began to glow blue and a thick, bluish fog began to settle around everyone.

"Expelliarmus!" Draco shouted, only for his wand to jump out of his hand and fall to the ground, disappearing in the fog. Everyone's wand jumped out of their hand and Harry's fell from his pocket to the floor, all disappearing. The fog thickened at their feet and grew around them, rising up.

Lockhart smirked and walked away. Ron tried to chase after the man only to run into an invisible barrier keeping him in the fog. Everyone huddled closer together as the fog engulfed them, Harry tightening his hold on the griffin as he backed into Draco.

When the fog reached the ceiling, the floor caved from under the five children, and they screamed as they fell, the world blackening around them.

The smell of salt drowned his nose. Harry blinked his eyes open, clutching his head and rubbing away the pain. Ivan crooed and jumped on Harry's lap, wagging his tail and nuzzling the boy. Harry pet the griffin briefly before looking around at his surroundings.

He was lying on a sandy beach, the tide from the ocean rolling in and out repeatedly, the sun beating down on them. It appeared to be a deserted island. In the middle of the ocean. His eyes widening, Harry felt around for his wand, digging through the sand, the griffin sniffing around as well, though unsure of what Harry was looking for.

A loud groan caught Harry's attention, and he swung his head in the direction of the noise.

"Hermione!" Harry called out, and he crawled over to her, shaking her slightly.

Hermione rubbed her head as she sat up and her jaw dropped when she opened her eyes.

"Are you okay, Mione?" Harry asked. "Are you hurt?"

"No, no," Hermione said, pulling away and standing up. She tugged on her hair as she scanned the island. "I'm okay. I am. I'm perfectly fine, we're just stranded on some deserted island in the middle of nowhere, but I'm fine, honest."

"It's okay," Harry said. "Really, we'll be okay. Someone will find us."

"Cree," Ivan said, looking up at Hermione. "Cree-croo."

Hermione picked up Ivan and hugged him tightly. "I'm glad you're safe. Where are the others?"

"Hello? Anybody here? Harry? Ron?" It sounded like Neville.

"Neville!" Harry called out, he and Hermione running for the trees. "Over here!"

Neville walked out of the trees, rubbing his eyes. "Oh good. I'm not alone. I've no idea what I would have done by myself. Are you guys okay?"

"We're good, and you?" Hermione asked.

"I think I'm good. Where's Ron and Draco?"

"I'm sure they're here," Harry said. "We must have all landed in different areas."

"Oh merlin!" Hermione cried. "What if they landed in the ocean?"

"I did," Ron said, coming from around the beach, his robe damp. "It was a very rude awakening. The sun has been helping me dry off. I was all the way on the other side of this island. I've been walking for a while—an hour, I think."

"Did you see Draco?" Hermione asked.

"If I did, we'd stick together I'd think. No sign of him."

Harry peered into the trees. "He's here somewhere. We have to look for him. Come on."

Harry bravely led the way inland, calling out Draco's name. Hermione passed Ivan to Ron; her arms tired of the heavy baby. The griffin tightly clung to Ron's robe, frightened by the strange sounds of the forest, birds chirping, snakes hissing. They walked for a while, Ron tiring quickly having walked the most out of the group. He passed Ivan to Neville and helped call for Draco.

Minutes passed until a still figure came into view. Harry squinted, spotting the blonde hair. Smiling, Harry ran ahead, the other three chasing him.

"Draco!" Harry greeted. "We were starting to think you didn't come to the same island."

Harry frowned when Draco said nothing nor did the boy move from where he was standing. Instead, Draco made eye contact with Harry, then looked down. Harry sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of a large constrictor wrapped around both of Draco's legs, its tongue flicking out curiously as it worked its way up.

Hermione covered her mouth to keep from screaming. Neville jumped back and Ron froze, wide-eyed. Draco remained still, though fear was evident in his eyes.

"Don't move," Harry said, holding his hands out toward Draco, who gave him a look that said, "Really?"

The griffin growled and kicked out of Neville's arms, leaping for the snake. The snake hissed at the approaching danger, relaxing around Draco's legs in readiness to escape. Ivan was quick however, and bit down on the snake's neck, yanking it off of Draco. Ivan released the snake, which remarkably was unharmed, and it lashed out at Ivan.

"Run!" Draco shouted.

Harry picked up Ivan and ran after his friends. They didn't stop until Neville tripped over a root, but they decided they were a good distance away and the snake had not followed them. Harry looked at all his friends. No one seemed hurt. Harry sighed and set the griffin down, shaking out his tired hands. Ron pulled Neville to his feet. Draco rubbed his legs. Hermione looked at Harry.

"What now?" she asked.

Harry shook his head. He had no idea where they were, how they got there, or how to get back home. He didn't know how anyone would ever find them. By the looks of it, they were in the middle of nowhere. He deeply regretted not telling his father about the griffin. How much of this could have been avoided if he had just confessed when he had seen his father that night? Even if he had just told Sam about the baby. How did it get to this? And what now?

Remember to review! I could not find the perfect remote island to trap them on, so this island is a made-up, tropical area.