DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.

Chapter 5 - Ludwyn's Lake

Draco stared down at Ludwyn's Lake, his mouth hanging open in shock. He caught the edge of the bench beneath him as the carriage tilted slightly, the thestrals and Neville trying to maintain a controlled descent. Glancing at Blaise, he saw the same stunned look gracing the dark-haired wizard's face.

"That is not a lake." Blaise hissed, eyes wide as he watched a wave break against the side of the small ferry moored closely to the dock. Beyond the small stretch of shore, dark waters rolled ruthlessly. Waves rose up and slammed against the rocks and sands, the noise of their meeting sounding like thunder.

Neville smirked and tugged his team to a halt, tying the reins to the bench and hopping down. "Ludwyn's Lake was cursed many years ago. It was said a man found his lover was visiting another man in Haardein while he was out working. Every day she would board the ferry and visit this other man. Not wanting to believe the gossip, he hid amongst the rocks of the shore one sunny day. Sometime later, to his horror, his young lover came down from the cliffs and boarded the ferry. He was heartbroken."

"He was so upset, he couldn't find it within himself to confront her. Promising himself he would never allow anything like this to happen again, he threw himself off those very cliffs he had watched his lover traipse down. When the woman returned, she was informed her lover had killed himself. Knowing it was her fault, she drowned herself in the lake one night." Ginny said quietly, her eyes locked on the thrashing waters. Turning to look at the pair, she grinned suddenly before heading toward the dock.

"When the people of Haardein awoke, the lake was shadowed and dark. The waters would not still, constantly rising up and slamming against the cliffs. Nothing they have tried has been able to calm the lake." Neville finished, open palm rubbing empty air in front of the carriage. Giving them a quick wink, he turned and headed to where the Red Lions were gathering.

Both wizards turned as the door to the carriage swung open and Pansy stepped down, her robes and skirts immediately catching the strong wind. Grinning at the pair, she slammed the door closed and walked forward to stand next to them, her gaze going to the churning waters ahead. "Are you going to be okay, Draco?" She asked softly, watching him carefully from the corner of her eye. Her dark blonde hair was pulled from its tie, long strands whipping across her face.

Draco shot her a warning look, hands clenching in the dark fabric of his cloak. Biting his lip, he nodded. "I'll be fine." He bit out, shivering slightly at the roar that filled the air as a large wave broke against the rocky shore.

Blaise crossed his arms and wiggled his toes in his boots. "Are you sure, Draco? I mean, we can tell them to find another way around. You don't have to do this." He murmured, paling under the sudden stare of icy eyes.

"I'm not afraid of a little water." Draco hissed sharply, nose jerking upwards arrogantly. His indelicate snort and posture screamed pureblood.

"That's not 'a little water'." Pansy pointed out mercilessly, gesturing with one hand at the white caps rolling across the water. "You couldn't survive the Mediterranean on a cruise ship. What makes you think you'll be able to take a rough lake in a little dinghy?"

Draco whirled around to stand facing the pair, hands going to his hips as his blue eyes narrowed. "Harry Potter is not the type of man who appreciates a weakness unless it's in an opponent. Do you think I'd endear myself to him if I demanded he find another way to Diagon Alley?" He demanded, cheeks reddening from the strong wind and cold. Shaking his head in anger, he whirled around and gave them his back.

"Fine, but we're not holding your hair back this time. You're on your own, Draco Malfoy." Pansy snapped, grabbing Blaise by the hand and dragging him back to the carriage.

Shrugging his shoulders, Draco crossed his arms over his chest and huddled into the warmth of his long cloak. "I can take care of myself." He whispered, glaring out at the choppy waters. Ludwyn's lake roared in disagreement, tall waves of water climbing the cliffs in the distance.

XxXxX

Harry stood at the foot of the dock the old wood ferry was moored to. His arms were crossed over his chest as he watched his team lead their mounts aboard. Behind him, BlackHeart gnashed his beak and stomped a shod hoof. Turning, the raven-haired wizard slid a calming hand over the animal's beak, whispering soothingly.

"Harry."

Closing his eyes, he turned and met Hermione's bright orbs. The witch stood before him, her horse shifting impatiently behind her as he watched his companions be led aboard. Sighing, Harry raised a hand and ran his fingers through his dark hair. "Yes?"

"I wanted to say I'm sorry." Hermione murmured softly, hands fiddling with the reins of her mount. Shaking her head, she wrapped an arm around her horse's neck and ran her hand lovingly up its velvety nose. "You'd never put any of us in harms way. You reacted exactly like Ron or I would have if we were in the same position."

Harry tipped his head, eyebrows arching as he stared at his companion. "Accepted." He said quietly, eyes drifting from Hermione to the purebloods arguing amongst themselves. He snorted as he watched Draco put his nose in the air. "Next time I give an order I expect you to follow it. I'm having enough trouble trying to protect Draco without worrying over what the rest of you are doing."

Hermione gave a small grin and looked over her shoulder at the blond standing alone on the shore. "I understand. We've got your back, Harry." Shaking her head over the raven-haired wizards distracted grunt of acceptance, she led her horse toward the dock. "He is kinda cute." She called back to him, lengthening her stride when his unblinking gaze returned to her.

Snorting, Harry hooked his fingers through BlackHeart's bridle and led him toward the ferry. A flick of his fingers had Neville driving the thestral team forward, carriage bumping over the stones in its path.

Minutes later, the black Hogwarts carriage was secured in the center of the narrow wooden deck. Blocks of wood were pressed against the wheels, preventing the carriage from shifting dangerously. Spells were placed carefully around the contraption, each strengthening the chains and safety gear locked into place. Trunks sitting atop the carriage had been shifted and repacked in an effort to better balance the ferry.

"We're ready, Harry." Ron called, waving his hand as he watched Dean and Seamus tie their horses in line. Snorting, the animals pranced angrily and tossed their heads. The whites of their eyes could be seen as the ferry rolled with the tossing waters, throwing them off balance and sending them bumping into each other. "Let's just get this over with."

Harry smirked at Ron's mutter, hand clamped around the railing circling the lower deck. Raising his eyes, he bowed his head quickly and watched as the ferry master waved his wand, releasing the boat from the dock.

The rocking of the boat worsened the farther out they got, waves climbing the sides of the ferry and spraying the group gathered on deck with a fine mist. Water sloshed across the wood, soaking boots and trailing cloaks. Horses cried nervously, riders attempting to calm them with soothing words and light hands. As they entered the mist hovering over the churning lake, a heavy rain began to fall.

"Are we having fun yet?" Ginny asked, her face pale as the ferry tipped at an impossible angle. She clung to her mare's saddle, white fingers locked around the leather breast plate.

"Define fun!" Hermione called across to her, hands tangled in her horse's mane. She grinned as Ginny rolled her eyes and pulled the hood of her cloak up. Water slammed against the side of the ferry, the spray shooting up and raining down on the trembling horses.

The sound of wood slamming had her turning her head and looking in the direction of the carriage. A figure huddled against one of the back wheels, bent over and retching by the look of it. Narrowing her eyes against the mist filling the air, she glimpsed pale hair. Sighing, she raised her gaze and searched for Harry. Signaling to Ginny, she let go of her horse and moved carefully over the deck. Clutching at the creaky railing, she slid slowly across the wooden planks in search of their raven-haired leader. She heaved a sigh of relief when she saw him standing with his legs braced between the twins.

"Harry!" Waving a hand to catch his attention, she shrank back into the shelter of the boat's second tier, slicking the water off her hair impatiently. Rolling her eyes as he approached gracefully without faltering, she pulled him closer by the shoulder and hollered into his ear. "Draco seems to be seasick! It's to dangerous for him to be out on the deck, what do you want us to do?"

Harry flipped his bangs back and rubbed his forehead. He glanced in the direction of the carriage and narrowed his eyes against the water pounding down. "How bad?" He asked, steadying Hermione with a quick hand as the entire ferry was jolted. His emerald eyes drifted back to the gloom surrounding them, the fingers of one hand smoothing up the wood of his wand in a comforting gesture.

Shaking her head in exasperation, she grabbed him by the sleeve and dragged him out into the downpour, tugging her hood over her hair absently. Dragging him down the deck while maintaining a firm grip on the railing, she halted in front of the carriage and pointed. Draco had one arm looped through the spokes of the front wheel, his head pressed against the wood. Even as the pair watched quietly, his entire form stiffened and he gagged. Frowning, Hermione glared up at Harry. The slapping of the carriage door waving in the wind broke the staring contest.

"I'll take care of it." He replied shortly, turning the collar of his cloak up against the water dripping off his hair. Placing a hand in the center of her back, he pushed her in the direction of shelter. "You're in charge."

"We'll see you in Haardein, then?" Hermione yelled, fighting the pull of the water that washed over the edge of the deck. A strong wind ripped at her cloak, the tug dragging the hood from her head and sending her hair billowing in the wind.

Harry merely nodded and raised his hand as he fought his way down the deck. He passed by Draco carefully, catching the waving wood and looking inside the carriage at the pale faced figures before closing and securing the door. The force of the waves beating against the side of the ferry threw him against the carriage, making him grit his teeth and gather his strength as he pressed out into the storm.

BlackHeart stood between the twin's mounts, all three secured at the back of the ferry under a small shelter. Cloaks coated with water proofing spells had been draped across the animals necks in an attempt to protect the feathers from the moisture. Both horses and the black hippogriff stood with their legs splayed, wings half-opened to assist in maintaining their balance against the rolling of the boat.

Clucking, Harry slid cautiously around the animals until he stood beside BlackHeart. Whispering, he loosened the ropes holding his head in place and backed him up. Checking over the bridle and saddle, he tightened the girth and turned to look out at the raging water. Rain fell in steady waves, making the deck gleam under its stinging touch. Raising his head, BlackHeart hissed and tried to back away from the door.

"Come on, buddy." Harry grunted, loosening his grip on the reins as the hippogriff rose up on his hind legs. Squealing, the animal flapped its wings and skittered nervously against his hold. "Down!"

Relenting with a disgruntled growl, the hippogriff lashed its tail and settled its taloned forefeet on the deck. Sighing, Harry glared back out at the pounding surf before flipping his hood up and stalking out into the rain, unhappy hippogriff following closely.

XxXxX

Draco shuddered and locked his freezing fingers around the wood of the carriage wheel. Rubbing one of the stubby spikes sticking out of the rough wood, he rested his head on his forearm. Rain dripped off the angled roof of the carriage, rolling down his cloaked back before dropping to the deck. Shivering, he tried to push his hair away from his face with stiff fingers, ignoring the memory of the words he had muttered earlier in anger. What he wouldn't give to have Pansy or Blaise huddled out here next to him. Coughing, he retched as the deck below him rocked with the waves thundering against the ferry's sides.

He jumped when a firm hand grabbed him around the upper arm, dragging him from his crouched position. Glaring into blazing emeralds, he shivered and tried to pull his cloak tighter around him.

Guessing his intentions, Harry drew the cloak tighter to the blond's slim body and jerked the forgotten hood into place. "Get up!" He barked over the wind, left hand hauling on the reins in his hand.

Draco paled as he was pulled to his feet and straightened, widening his eyes as the form of the hippogriff hurtled out of the gloom and slammed into the raven-haired wizards back. He grabbed anxiously at Harry's arms as the taller wizard staggered under the weight. "Are you okay?" His question went unanswered, the wizard before him seeming more focused on the animal bouncing around behind him.

"Keep your hood up and don't let go of the saddle horn." Harry ordered loudly, catching Draco by the sleeve and pulling him closer to BlackHeart. Hissing, he shot a warning look at the hippogriff before launching Draco unceremoniously into the wet saddle. The blond's startled shriek had him grinning as he bounced on one foot before swinging himself atop the large animal.

Draco's fingers grappled with the wet leather, attempting to find a firm handhold. The arm that locked around his waist was reassuring, as was the tight grip the dark-haired wizard seemed to have on the reins. Rain bit at his face as Harry pointed the large hippogriff into the wind, legs settling behind his.

Tossing his head, BlackHeart backed up quickly, almost sitting down on his hind legs. His wings opened and batted air, water spraying from the dark feathers. Roaring, the animal spun around and lowered its, wings pressed forward.

"Smarten up." Harry snarled, the hand he had resting on Draco's abdomen tightening in anger. Rolling his eyes over the animal's refusal, he drew his wand and pointed it at BlackHeart's head. A flash of magic consumed the hippogriff's face before vanishing, leaving behind a large hollow bubble. Hissing in approval, the hippogriff swung around and leapt neatly over the railing.

Shrieking, Draco buried his face in Harry's chest and grabbed futilely at the damp cloak his guard wore. His face reddened as he felt the wizard's chest rumble in amusement. The hippogriff's movements were jerky as he fought the strong wind, wings weighted by the water clinging to the feathers. The mist that resided over the lake prevented them from seeing ahead of them, they were flying blind for the moment.

"Are you okay?" Harry questioned, dropping the reins and wrapping the edges of his own cloak around Draco.

Draco sniffed and nodded. His stomach was calming already, no longer tossed and shaken by the waves of the Ludwyn's Lake. "Better." He croaked, peeping over Harry's shoulder and watching as the mist that had parted around BlackHeart's large form closed behind them. Closing his eyes, he settled his nose into the crook of Harry's neck and tangled his fingers in the cloak wrapped around his.

XxXxX

It seemed as if the church spire rose from the mist, just appearing before them without warning. The hippogriff tilted sharply and flared his long wings, preparing to land even as Harry gave him the signal. Settling with a jolt, Harry slapped BlackHeart on the shoulder in thanks and pointed his head in the direction of one of the small side streets. In his arms, Draco slept quietly. The streets were slushy and wet, mud sucking at the hippogriff's feet as they trekked onwards. Small shops sat silent, their owners having retired for the day.

The small pub Harry halted before was called The Wolves Run, its sign swaying in the wind. Harry glanced down at the blond in his arms, smiling gently at the peaceful expression the other wizard wore. Sighing, he looked at the grimy windows before swinging his leg over BlackHeart's withers and sliding down the animal's side.

"Wake up, Draco." He said loudly, planting the other wizard's feet on the ground and shaking him awake. The disgruntled expression on the blond's face had him fighting back a grin and pushing him toward the pub's entrance. "Don't talk to anyone."

Seeing his orders slowly being followed, he wrapped an arm around BlackHeart's thick neck and gave him a companionable rub on the beak. "Good boy. Let's get you settled in, BlackHeart." The pair plodded through the muck to the stable sitting behind the pub. Opening one of the doors, Harry pulled his wand free of its sheathe and waved it quickly. Small candles and lanterns leapt to life along the walls, brightening the warm interior. He pulled his saddle off and hung it over a stall door, freeing BlackHeart of his bridle and tossing it across the saddle.

Unlatching a door, he turned the tired hippogriff's head and gave him a light swat on the flank. Placing a bucket of water on a peg, he checked for food before giving the animal a last pat on the head and leaving the stable for the back entrance of the pub.

The Wolves Run was filled with chattering patrons, all watching the blond standing silently in the doorway. His arms were wrapped around his waist and his pale eyes were locked on the toes of his boots.

"Can I help you?" The bartender asked loudly, placing both hands on the bar and leaning forward with a raised eyebrow.

"You most certainly can, Remus." Harry said from behind the older wizard. Grinning at the startled yelp that escaped his father's old friend, he walked forward and threw an arm around the man's neck.

"Harry! How the hell have you been? And where are the rest of the Lions?" Remus demanded, slapping the raven-haired wizard on the back heartily. Grimacing at the smell of wet hippogriff that clung to the younger wizard, he drew back and smiled.

"I've been good, and the rest of the Lion's will be arriving in several hours, so prepare yourself." Harry said in amusement, pulling his cloak off and handing it to Remus. Still listening to the older wizard, he moved to Draco's side and pushed him toward the large fire burning in the hearth.

Freeing the blond of his cloak, he draped it over one of the seats at the table before pointing at wooden chair. "You can sit here, I'll get something for you to eat." Harry headed into the kitchens just off the bar, freezing in the doorway as he met the eyes of the individual seated at the round table.

"Hi Harry."

A/N: Thanks to everyone who took the time to review. I wish you all a Happy New Year!

imakeeper - lol, I would have been happy with a ferret. Hope you had an excellent christmas and got what you wanted.
firedragon-luver - Strange isn't it? That both my newest fics happen to have the word dragon in the title.
LandUnderWave - lol, kinda surprising, eh?