DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Two - Meeting the Red Lions
The courtyard of Hogwarts was seething with activity. Amidst the clearing of the snow, the Red Lions frantically prepared for their sudden trip. With saddlebags to pack and horses to prepare, everyone was in a tizzy. Bumping shoulders and sharpening weapons, they mindlessly completed the duties that had become second nature to them. Within the hour, they were expected to depart for Diagon Alley with their nobles in tow.
One of the Hogwarts carriages sat in the center of the spacious area. Painted black, it had axles inlaid with cold iron and dragon scales for added support. The wheels had been changed with the falling of the snow, tiny spikes spotting the wood to assist with purchase on the icy slopes. Inside, the benches were thickly padded in emerald green fabric and there was plenty of foot room. Fit for long days spent sitting, the carriage had been custom built for Hogwarts several years ago.
Groaning, Neville rested his head against the shoulder of Tip. Snorting in disgust, the Thestral shook its head and squealed. The noise jolted the hungover wizard into action. Covering his mouth, he staggered out of the stable and stumbled around the corner of the building. Closing his eyes, he felt his stomach heave as he threw up.
"Hey!" The sharp yelp had him whimpering and raising fingers to his temples before sliding his eyes open in fear. Staring at the boots splattered with vomit, he cringed before raising his gaze. Terry Boot curled a lip in anger as he reached down and locked his fingers in the front of Neville's cloak.
Neville wiggled against the hold and leaned backwards, his shriek for help abruptly halted by a fist to the face. Stumbling backwards, he landed on his butt, eyes widening as Terry stalked towards him.
"What's going on?" Dean bellowed as he came jogging out of the barn. Seeing his friend trying to crawl away from the Eagle, he let loose a roar of outrage and rushed forward. Slamming into Boot, he jerked back his hand and struck the other wizard. The pair collapsed in a writhing, shrieking, roaring pile as someone knocked into them
"Dean!" Seamus screamed, grabbing the back of Boot's cloak and trying to drag him off the other Lion. Within seconds, both the Blue Eagle and the Red Lion barracks had been emptied. Not caring who they struck, the two companies swung at anything not wearing their colours. Horses squealed and scattered as people fell into them, tossing their heads and snapping reins in their efforts to free themselves. Watching from the safety of their bunkhouses, the Snakes and Badgers made quick bets on the outcome of the small war.
"That is enough!" Moody roared, erupting through the doors of the main building. Behind him, several other Captains rolled their eyes and waved their hands in dismissal before heading back into the warmth of the dining hall. There was no love lost between the Eagles and the Lions, both companies eager and willing to fight against the other if the chance arose.
Cheering from their barrack's, the Snakes clapped as Captain Moody valiantly tried to separate the squabbling pairs. However, as soon as he walked away from a pair he had pulled apart, they dove at each other and renewed their battle. It was in the middle of this that a carriage pulled by four matching bays trotted through the gates.
XxXxX
Harry ran a finger over the map and glanced up as Dumbledore nodded in agreement. There were many paths that could be taken to get to Diagon Alley. Each had both its shortcomings and its benefits. Taking the road winding through the North Pass was dangerous but would shorten their trip by two days. From there, the company would board a ferry and cross Ludwyn's Lake to the town of Haardein.
"I'm not sure about going through the White Forest." The raven-haired wizard murmured, rolling his wand around in his hand as he glared at the map.
"The only other option is to travel the borders of Lord Voldemort's territory." Albus responded, gesturing at the area of the map that glowed black. No one went near Voldemort's land for fear of death. The black wizard was said to dabble in the dark arts, torturing people ruthlessly in his search of knowledge.
Widening his eyes, Harry shook his head and slid a hand into his hair. "White Forest it is." He mumbled, just barely suppressing the shudder that rode him. Jabbing a finger at the map, he groaned over the impossibility of staying out of danger. "I can't believe this. Why the hell can't they just apparate in?" He demanded, taking a quick sip of the tea Albus had offered him upon first entering the office.
"Lord Malfoy is planning a surprise birthday party for his son and feels this is the only way to keep it a secret." Dumbledore explained, sliding a plate of chocolates closer to Harry and gesturing for him to try one.
Mouth falling open, Harry sat back in his chair. "Let me get this straight. In the name of surprise, my company is expected to haul this noble halfway across the country whilst trying to avoid Death Eaters and Fenrir Greyback." He snapped, slamming his hands down on the table. Sneering in outrage, he slid his chair back and stormed around the room.
"Smarten up, Harry." Dumbledore said patiently, refilling his teacup while ignoring Harry's grunts and grumbles. "Your team is perfectly prepared and trained for this sort of job. You may not have as much experience as some of the other companies but I always receive excellent responses from the people who employed you."
"That's not the point! What you're asking is practically impossible." Harry yelled, whirling around and staring at the older wizard. "If I lose one member of my team on this suicide trip, I'm done." Giving a final nod, he collected his map and left the room, pausing to scoop up his dark leather saddlebags and jam the crumpled map inside. Muttering unhappily under his breath, he decided to take the back way into the stables so he could cool off before he had to speak with his friends.
XxXxX
Passing through the underground tunnel, he entered the small tack room and collected his saddle. The leather was deep black, marked with several silver highlights at certain intervals. Shouldering the heavy saddle, he left the room and closed the door. Tipping his head, he frowned at the yells and shrieks coming from the courtyard. Sighing, he shook his head when he heard Moody bellow in anger. Throwing his saddle over the wall of the stall, he smiled and whispered to his mount. Bending over, he withdrew a small package from the depths of his saddlebags. Unrolling it, he tossed the bloody ferret at the hippogriff and watched as the massive creature snagged its treat from air.
"How are you, BlackHeart?" He murmured, stretching out a hand to caress the animals feathered neck. His familiarity with the black hippogriff allowed him to approach and pet the animal without fear of being attacked. Sighing, he unlatched the stall door and entered the crowded space. Without a thought to the noise going on in the courtyard, he began to ready his mount for travel.
XxXxX
Draco's eyes widened as he followed Severus from the confines of the Malfoy carriage. He allowed Blaise to use his shoulder as a handhold as he climbed down from the carriage. Standing next to the carriage with his mouth hanging open, he ignored Pansy's repeated request for aid until she yanked on his pale hair. Still watching over his shoulder, he raised a hand and helped the witch down, smirking as she gasped in shock. Before them, a war raged on. Fists were flying and blood was running down faces as an older wizard bellowed threats and curses at the fighting soldiers.
"And you said this was going to be boring." Blaise accused Draco, blinking in amusement as a wizard yanked another's robes over his head before shoving him away and lunging at the next person who happened to bump into him.
Pansy hissed in sympathy as a witch with black hair yanked a hunk of red hair adorning the head of a witch dressed in black and gold. Shrieking in pain, the redhead stumbled away when a bushy brown-haired witch headlocked the black haired witch ruthlessly. "That must hurt terribly." She whispered, gritting her teeth as the redhead whirled around and slammed her fist into the black-haired witch's face. Dropping her burden, the brown-haired witch dashed off to help someone else.
"Animals." Severus snapped, twitching his cloak aside as two struggling bodies rolled past his boots. Glaring around, he turned his nose up and started to push his charges back into the carriage. "We're leaving. Your father can find another means of protection for us."
Stepping around his godfather and chaperone, Draco watched in awe as a pair of redheaded twins fought off a pair of wizards dressed in blue in perfect synchrony. "Amazing," he murmured. Quirking a pale eyebrow, he folded his arms. "I believe these guards shall be enough protection. Besides, I really don't want my father to have to go to the trouble of finding us someone else." Pansy's sharp inhalation had him glancing at her before following her gaze.
"Oh my." He said in appreciation. Standing in the stable doorway was a raven-haired wizard around his own age. Dressed in black and red, the wizard shook his head and frowned before stepping from the shadows. Trailing him was a large saddled hippogriff.
"Merlin!" Blaise gasped, his eyes locked on the black-beaked animal. Crooking it's neck the beast shrilled before opening large wings and launching itself skyward. The raven-haired wizard watched the animals flight path before rolling up his sleeves and gliding onto the battlefield. Within moments of his arrival, the fighters were scattered. Limping from the courtyard, the black and blue Eagles tossed empty threats at the panting Lions.
"We'd like to see you try that!" One of the redheads roared, shaking a fist above his head in warning. Standing in the now quiet courtyard, the witches and wizards dressed in black and red gave a half-hearted cheer while dabbing at the blood on their faces and knuckles.
"Would someone like to explain what just happened?" The raven-haired wizard asked, glancing around him.
Exchanging grins, the twins pushed a smaller wizard forward. Patting him on the shoulder proudly, they answered the other wizards question. "Neville puked all over Terry's new boots."
"Wonderful. Now, get your horses so we can leave. Hermione, see that Tip and Top are harnessed. Ron, saddle Hermione's horse when you're done with your pony." Orders issued, the dark-haired wizard stalked towards them with a serious expression on his face. "My apologies."
"No problem." Blaise and Draco said together, both offering their hands as they stared into glowing emeralds.
"Harry Potter, Company Leader." The raven-haired wizard murmured, grinning as his eyes traveled over the small group standing before him.
"Draco." Croaked Draco, tightening his grip on the tanned hand that slid into his. Shaking Harry's hand, he was deciding whether or not to let go when the hippogriff landed quietly. As the dark animal snaked its neck and hissed, Draco made his decision and backed up, releasing the callused hand.
"I'm Blaise, and this is Pansy." Blaise said in a shaky voice, sidling so he stood behind Severus who was glaring at Harry.
"Pleasure to meet you all. If you'd like to get into the carriage it will only be a short wait until we're ready to leave." Harry said, hitching a thumb over his shoulder at the black carriage.
"Please." Severus snarled, sweeping past Harry and giving the hippgriff a wide berth as he made his way towards the transport. Swinging the door open, he climbed in unassisted and beckoned his charges toward him. "Now."
Draco and Blaise rolled their eyes at the command but hitched their arms through Pansy's and trekked over to the carriage. "This is going to be the best trip ever."
A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review. I'm glad everyone seems to like the plot, I only hope I can pull the rest of the story off.
SasuNaru123 - lol, kinda knights. . .but maybe less noble and more wild.
fourth-face-of-the-goddess - They've never met face to face, maybe they have seen each other in passing but never actually exchanged names or shook hands.
wizli - So many plot bunnies, so little time.
Shakespeares Whore - Definitely going to be dominant Harry, just fits the way he's going to act toward Draco.