DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all other characters and locations belong to J. K. Rowling.
Chapter Twelve - Proclaiming Innocence
Draco was pulling his hand back to deliver another slap to Harry's already reddening cheek when an approaching rumble raised his head. His pale face flushed as the Red Lions came thundering around the corner of the bridge, their horses blowing hard and prancing as they were drawn to a sharp halt before the nobles. The two groups stared at each other quietly, only the hollow thud of shod hooves on wood breaking the silence.
"You could have gotten us killed." Draco hissed, pressing his face close to the raven-haired wizard's. Narrowed blue eyes met shamed emeralds, daring the other wizard to refute the statement. The blond shook his head and gave a soft snort of disgust, loosening the grip he had on the front of Harry's robes when the raven-haired wizard failed to respond.
Harry drew in a deep breath before closing his eyes and letting his head fall back against the bridge. He gave a slight nod, hands balling into fists as they fell away from Draco's shoulders. "I' m sorry," he murmured, knowing that the words weren't enough this time.
Shaking his head sadly, Draco slid slowly off Harry and stumbled toward Blaise and Pansy. "I don't care how sorry you are. We'd still be dead." He called back angrily, raising a hand and swiping at the blood that was drying on his face.
Eyes still closed, Harry groaned softly and shifted in the cold snow, ears picking up the sound of horses walking toward him. A gust of warm air had him cracking an eye open and peering at the muzzle of Hermione's gelding. Sighing, he lifted a hand and gave the horse a light pat before sliding his fingers through the nose band of its bridle.
"You're bleeding," Hermione said, her eyes fastened on the red puddle staining the snow where his arm had been resting. His grunt of acknowledgment had her rolling her eyes and pulling gently on the reins, commanding the war trained gelding to raise his head. In a show of easy strength, the horse pulled Harry to his feet. "Good boy." The witch cooed, giving the animal a playful slap on the neck as she threw her leg over his rump and slid to the ground.
"It's not that bad." Harry muttered, wincing as she grabbed his arm and jerked his sleeve up. He allowed himself to be pushed backwards until he felt something brush the back of his knees. Glancing over his shoulder, he found the broken carriage axle sitting forlornly behind him minus one wheel. Perching carefully on the wood, he peered down at the bite marks marring his flesh and cringed.
"Not that bad." Hermione scoffed, wand appearing in her hand as she looked at the injury with a practiced gaze. Gloved fingers carefully brushed aside cloth and smeared through blood. "It may scar." She warned quietly, frowning when Harry merely lifted a shoulder.
"Mister Potter." Severus Snape barked, his angered voice turning the heads of everyone standing on the bridge.
Sighing, Harry raised a hand and ruffled his dark locks, eyes downcast as he watched Hermione carefully heal his injured arm. Blood had been wiped away to reveal the torn flesh left by the dark wolf's fangs, the gashes angry and still weeping. A few flicks of the witch's wand reduced the injuries to nothing more than lines of pink skin.
Pushing away from the carriage axle, the raven-haired wizard gestured for the older man to follow him. He strode absently down the long bridge, kicking snow from his path before pausing near the far end of the wooden structure. Leaning against the railing, he watched Severus approach him, his hands fisting behind his back as he met the angered eyes of the dark-haired wizard.
"I wish to speak with you about your recent conduct toward my charge." Severus began, shoving his hands into the deep pockets of his robe. "It is unbecoming and unprofessional of a man of your station to act as you have been acting. You were hired to provide a service and so far you've done a miserable job of it. Numerous times have you put this company in danger on what seems to be nothing more then a whim."
Harry gave a slight bob of his head, chin raising as he watched his company move around behind the older wizard. He fought down the urge to smile as he observed Neville's wagging finger and the flicking ears of the pair of thestrals. His eyes shifted to Hermione and Ron, lips trembling as he watched the witch plant her hands on her hips and say something to the redhead who rolled his blue orbs and threw his hands into the air.
"If your behaviour continues to grow more careless and self-destructive I'll be forced to replace you as leader of this unit. As far I am concerned there are members of this company who are much more suited to your current position than you are. I will send you home, Mister Potter, do not doubt me or my intentions." The older wizard finished, his face flushed with anger. He gave a short huff of disbelief as he noticed Harry's inattention, hands balling into fists within his pockets.
"And what are you intentions, Severus Snape?" Harry asked cooly, his emotionless eyes drifting back to the taller wizard. He crossed his ankles calmly, dropping one elbow to rest on the high railing running the length of the bridge.
"To protect Draco Malfoy until my services are no longer needed. To ensure that he is kept safe and remains healthy. And I will do whatever I must to keep him that way, even if it means dismissing you and continuing this journey short a guard." Severus snapped, dark eyes blazing at the ease with which the younger wizard was taking the entire conversation. Shaking his head, he spun around and stormed back to where his charges stood clustered together.
Harry nibbled on his lower lip as he turned around and peered down into the frothing water rushing beneath the bridge. Closing his eyes, he locked his gloved fingers around the railing and prayed to Merlin that he would be able to keep his temper under control. Anger rolled deep within him, fighting to rise and consume him. To rebut every word that had the greasy haired wizard had thrown at him. Pushing himself away from the railing, he spun around and looked over his team, his company, his friends.
"Neville," he called, his feet already carrying him toward the stout wizard. "How are the boys?" One of his hands ran lightly over a glistening flank, soothing the thestral as it tossed its head at his quiet approach.
"Worn." Neville murmured with a smile, fingers combing through the tangled mane of Top. The thestral snorted loudly, snaking his head around and nipping at the wizard. Sighing, Neville gave the winged animal a light punch on the neck before turning to Tip, his hands running carefully over the thestral's chest and legs. "We're just lucky they didn't try and take off; that would have been a complete catastrophe."
"That's good. When you're done looking them over strip them both of their harnesses and cut the drive reins down to a manageable length; with the carriage gone someone is going to have to ride one of them." Harry ordered quietly, catching the edge of a leathery wing and slowly stretching the appendage out. When the wing unfurled without difficulty, he let go and stepped back, visually searching for any cuts or scrapes that might have gone unnoticed. "You'll ride the other of course, keep an eye on whoever is brave enough to cross their leg over a thestral's back."
Nodding, Neville released the hoof he'd been holding and straightened. "I'll cut down my summer cloak and make it into a saddle of sorts; provide them with a little more protection." He mumbled, fingers stroking lightly over Tip's neck.
Harry gave short nod, already backing away from the other wizard and the pair of thestrals. The Red Lions stopped what they were doing as he moved toward them, mouths closing and hands stilling as they observed his passive expression. A slight flick of his fingers had the group drawing closer and shooting anxious glances at each other. "A new problem has arisen with the loss of the carriage," he stated, dark cloak swirling around him as he shifted. He tipped his head to side and rubbed his hands together, the leather gloves whispering softly. Eyes shining devilishly, he offered them a slightly malicious grin. "Who wants to get a little closer to our traveling companions?"
XxXxX
Harry shifted uncomfortably in the saddle, delicately handling BlackHeart's reins as the hippogriff picked his way up the winding path leading toward White Forest. The arms around his waist tightened as the dark animal slipped on a patch of hidden ice, forcing the wizard to shift his weight in an effort to help the hippogriff regain his balance.
"Dumbledore is going to kill us." Ginny called, her mare trailing BlackHeart closely. She shot a questioning look over her shoulder as Draco let out a squeak of fear, his eyes on the edge of the cliff that dropped down and disappeared into the dark waters of White River.
"That's what you said last time!" Seamus hollered from the back of the pack, his booming voice spooking his mount and causing the animal to dance dangerously. Laughing recklessly, he tugged the reins and grinned mercilessly as Blaise clung desperately to the saddle behind him.
"And the time before that!" Dean yelled, urging his chestnut mare forward.
"I'm sure he'll understand it was an accident." Harry grumbled, clucking lightly as BlackHeart lashed his tail and bounced lightly in warning at the proximity of Ginny's mare. He leaned sideways and shot a look at the group following him up the path, bobbing his head as Ginny circled her mount to increase the space between them.
Hermione snorted, fingers tangled in her horse's mane as she allowed him to pick his way up the icy trail. "That's the same excuse we used last time." Raising her voice to be heard, the witch smiled as Ron chuckled into her ear. "And I don't think he believed us!"
"Hey! Those bandits set fire to it in order to distract us, in no way was that our fault." Dean argued, steadying himself as his horse tucked its legs and leapt lightly over a pile of snow.
"You could have attempted to put it out!" Ginny yelled. "It was the middle of winter and we were freezing. It was a convenient accident." Seamus reasoned, smirking as Blaise gasped loudly and wrapped an arm around his waist in search of something firm to hold onto.
"And the third one wasn't our fault; that brake was broken before we left." Ron added, smiling sweetly as Hermione glared at him over her shoulder.
"The fourth was an accident waiting to happen." Harry admitted, eyes on the expanse of forest growing closer with every stride. He narrowed his eyes as the witch behind him whimpered and clung to his cloak, the clasp riding up his sternum and digging into his throat. "That time we were honestly innocent."
"Innocent?" Hermione shot Seamus a look of disbelief and shook her head. "Innocent like the time that herd of goats managed to find their way into the Ravens barracks or innocent like the time all of the Snakes girths were cut before they went out on patrol?"
"You better not be giving them credit for our work!" Fred bellowed from above, his winged horse flapping gently to maintain some altitude.
"Yeah, Hermione. It takes us hours too perfect and execute these plans, the least you can do is lay the blame where it'll be enjoyed!" George roared, hauling his long cloak closer to his body in hope of gaining some warmth.
Rolling her eyes, the witch drew in some loose rein and brought her gelding forward to stand next to Harry. The wizard had halted BlackHeart at the top of the incline, his narrowed eyes searching the shadowed path that lay ahead of them. "You're sure?" She questioned softly, running her tongue over her chapped lips .
"We're here now and going back will lose us too much time." Harry replied, legs tightening around the hippogriff's wide barrel. He shook his head lightly before sighing and pushing the dark animal onward. "Let's just get it over with."
The Red Lions drew their horses in close, knees rubbing together as they entered the dark forest cautiously. Fred and George brought their geldings to ground, hands dropping from reins to sword hilt without thought. All eyes scanned for danger, fingers twitching with every groan and hiss of shifting trees. Under their nervous riders, the horses pinned their ears back and chomped on their bits, tossing manes and lashing tails.
"I've never seen Theodore so mad." Harry said thoughtfully, his voice causing several of the team to gasp and grab for wands and weapons. Tense chuckles filled the air, the group laughing off the fear that had surrounded them since entering White Forest.
"He landed in the only mud puddle in the entire courtyard." Ron muttered, his voice tinged with the wistfulness of remembrance as he stared up into the leafless canopy. Birch and poplar trees bent with the slight breeze, their branches dragging against each other. Spruce and pine trees offered up the only splash of colour in the forest, dots of green amid an ocean of white and grey.
"Theodore Nott?" Pansy asked with interest, turning carefully so she could look back at the group. She met Blaise's eyes and arched a pale brow, wondering what thoughts were stirring behind the dark orbs.
"Yep," George mumbled, adjusting the position of his wand. "The fool made a pass at our little sister."
"I'm not little." Ginny said in exasperation, widening her eyes and shaking her head in disgust.
Waving his sister's comment aside, Fred smiled evilly and exchanged a look with his twin. "He got what was coming to him." Exchanging a knowing look of agreement, the pair laughed and urged their mounts onward.
"Theodore is a renowned player." Hermione explained, pretending she hadn't noticed the tensing of Pansy's shoulders. "He flirts and sleeps with anyone who will have him. After a while everyone got sick of his attitude toward the rest of the guards. He believed his noble blood made him better then us, more important and of higher rank. Things seemed to progress from there."
"Things?" Draco asked quietly, arms still looped tightly around Ginny's waist.
"Pranks, jokes, fights, call them what you will, Hogwarts became a battlefield. Each company took care of their own. We watched closer and trained harder. It's not admitted out loud but each company knows the strengths and weakness of the others, knows who handles what weapons, who has the fastest mount, who sleeps with who." Ginny murmured, pulling back on the reins and allowing BlackHeart to gain more space. She shivered and pulled her cloak closer to her body, sighing unhappily as the first flakes of snow fell from the sky.
"What does that gain you?" Blaise questioned, looking around as the Red Lions exchanged thoughtful glances.
"An edge." Harry said into the silence, his voice harsh in the stillness of the forest. "The tactical advantage that could allow us too win a battle against another company, should it ever come to that."
Draco narrowed his eyes at the response and curled his fingers into fists. "You train to defeat members of your own garrison?"
"Survival of the fittest. If it comes down to it, I want to be able to walk away with my friends alive. People like Nott and Boot, they don't care what happens to their teams as long as they get what they want." Harry raised a hand and indicated the quiet Lions, seeing the pride and smirks plastered upon their pale faces. "We're a family."
"Do you always put you family in danger, Mister Potter?" Severus barked from his place atop Tip. He clung to the thestral's back, face screwed up in one continuous wince as the animal ambled forward.
"Define danger, Snape." Harry bit out, gripping BlackHeart's reins tighter as it began to snow harder. Within minutes each member of the Red Lions was locked in their separate world of white, alone and desperately searching for one of their team mates. Silence consumed the forest as the blanket of dark clouds settled over the bare trees, depositing its burden upon ground, lion, and tree alike.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review.
illict-666 - I decided that for once the Red Lions (Gryffindor) wouldn't be all out enemies with the Silver Snakes (Slytherin) just for a change in tempo. I mean, competition is competition no matter who you're going up against and why not Ravenclaw? They always seem to fly under the radar anyway.
Peaceful Angel - Scientists say that our dreams are in black and white, which is really weird cause I always remember mine in colour but I suppose thats because its the way we see things.
Crystal Malfoy - lol, you don't have to wait til Saturday really, I generally upload at 10 p.m. on Friday night. Unless I'm lazy and spend too long sleeping and don't spend enough time writing, much like this week.
MAnny2003 - lol, I could. . . but I had to work Friday night so I think i deserve at least two full days of doing nothing.
NinjaoftheDarkness - He is coming off that way, isn't he?
MayuBlack - lol, I thnk I managed to answer all your questions with this chapter.
Jenny18 - I suppose I can try.