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A/N: Sorry for the long update :(
Chapter Two – Diagon Alley
Sunlight streamed through the forest above. A big black dog trotted over and licked the human's face. The human was lying on the forest floor, completely naked with bruises and cuts almost everywhere. The man showed little response. The dog nudged him again. The canine padded slowly around him as if inspecting the wounds. Slashed skin, blood, bone and night sky bruising. The owner of this beaten and battered body was in for a whole lot of pain.
But he was still unconscious.
Unsure of what to do the dog howled in his ear. The echo ricochet through the wood filled with chatter. An eerie silence settled. A bush suddenly took life, rattling, rustling, squirming. Twigs swayed from an unfelt breath of air. An unfortunate leaf fluttered gracefully to the dirt.
Then all was still.
Known for its curiosity, the animal stalked over. One wet nosed prodded through the vegetation, clawing at dirt. Quickly it snapped his jaws.
The bush squealed.
It erupted in to an all out war: the bush and the dog. Scrambling for victory, it sprang over the bush and snarled. Sat, in a hollow in the bush, was a small cat, preening. Intermittent hisses and the occasional swish of the tail warned the dog off. It may be smaller, but it can be meaner.
"Snuff…" Heard the dog. Loyally it immediately trotted over and pawed at the human. "Snuff…"Groaned the mortal. i Uhhhhh… oh it hurts. Am I lying on dirt/i He thought.
He moved his mouth but no sound came out. A strained crackle, which was meant to be words, escaped. The dog soon realised, the man was in so much pain he couldn't even speak. Passing the feline off as just a cat, the dog transformed. Stumpy digits were now long fingers, and the nose was no longer wet.
It was human.
"Shhh… Don't speak Moony. Be still," Said Snuff. With feather fingers, he rolled his friend over to his back. "Bloody hell…" he breathed. Moony gasped in pain and looked to Snuff. Pain squeezed his insides and turned them into knots. Agony washed over him in waves. Moony was in pain and now Snuff knew why.
Two very long, very deep cuts seared into his abdomen and stomach and one rib was broken and poking through flesh.
"La la la la la!"
"LA DE DA DE DA DE DA!"
An unusual sight would have greeted anyone who happened to look out his or her window on this Friday morning. A redhead known as Ronald Weasley was sitting on a swing. And singing. Now anyone who knew this young chap would certainly know one thing. No matter how many talents he possessed, singing wasn't one of them. So anyone looking outside their window would not only cry with laughter but cringe at the horrid sound escaping from his mouth. A sound, most would rather had stayed put. Bright sunshine illuminated the Earth and shown like a spotlight on Mr Weasley. Lime green leaves emitted a sharp glare and windows reflected everything. The boy was swinging happily, singing and thinking to himself. My girlfriend is sooooo cute. Oh I just love Hermione!! he thought.
Suddenly in the blink of an eye, the world change. Thunder clashed overhead, wind whipped leaves off branches and the swing rocked wildly. Jumping off the swing Ron dashed for the door. But it was locked. Tugging on the handle, he gave the door a frustrated kick. Emotions mounting, he let out a cry. A face appeared in the window. Molly Weasley, Ron's mother was standing watching him.
Soon others joined her.
After five minutes Ronald had his entire family, including Harry and Hermione staring at him. "Come on guys!! LET ME IN!" Yelled Ron.
Thunder crashed and lightening flashed. The people through the glass started giggling. "W-What are you laughing at?" he said with a frown on his face. Eyes drawn to look down her did. And the sight shocked him.
He had no clothes on.
"Ron! Ron! Ron, wake up!"
Ron Weasley awoke to someone screaming. Groggily, he raised a hand to his head and closed his mouth. It was then that he realised, the screaming was coming from him. A searching face peered into his. "Ron? Are you ok? You were thrashing and screaming 'Come on guys, let me in'."
"I'm fine,"
"Are you sure?"
"ARG! I'm fine Harry!" He snapped.
Harry backed off and held up his hands. "OK! No need to bite my head off. I was only asking,"
The ginger head scowled back and threw back the covers. He grabbed his things and stalked to the bathroom. He was about to close the door when he suddenly span around, catching his mate grinning from ear to ear. Still scowling he stood arms folded and foot tapping. Waiting.
Chuckling, Harry raised his hands again. "I haven't done anything this time!" Giggling.
Cautiously he pressed the door. Hysterical laughter erupted from behind and Ron immediately stepped away from the door. "Oh you're so paranoid!" Exclaimed Harry.
"Of course I am! Especially when you're giggling like that!"
"I am not giggling. I'm letting out uncontrollable laughter," Said Harry. Who, to prove his point marched over to the bathroom, swung the door over and went inside. Half an hour later, he emerged fully dressed with dripping wet hair. "See? No harm!"
Ron tried not to look at his innocent face. He still wanted to blame him for chucking water all over him. But with those large, round eyes, begging for forgiveness how could he? Damn you. He thought before stalking off.
"D-don't worry. You're gonna be fine!" Stuttered Snuff. His hand floated above Moony's body and shook. Taking uneven deep breaths he tried to calm down. Sporadic groans erupted from Moony's throat and attacked Snuff. He licked his lips. Shaggy hair fell in front of his eyes. Oh my God, oh my God, Oh my God!! he thought. He gulped.
What was he going to do? There was no way he could take him to St Mungo's, but his friend needed attention now. Quickly he took off his shirt and tried to stem the bleeding in the gashes on his stomach. Moony repulsed. As if the mere touch of the shirt was a steel blade, the pain stabbed him. More blood washed up spilling onto Snuff's hands. All the while Snuff was getting more and more stressed. He was so wound up that he didn't hear the approaching footsteps. "Is everything ok?"
"Does he look ok to you?" He snapped. Suddenly realisation hit him: what if this person was a witch? The voice sounded female. His heart stopped beating. Breath hitched in the back of his throat. The woman bent down and put a hand on his shoulder. "Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked. He had no choice but to look her square in the eye.
Blink.
Nothing.
No gasping, no recoil in horror, no hand clamped over mouth and slight squeaking noises. Just blinking. Head cocked slightly to the side she smiled vaguely. "Well?"
Her voice was soft and was now holding the shirt over his friend's stomach; the blood flow was decreasing. "Em, yes. Could you please look after him while I go get help?" His voice was gruff. Impatiently, he waited.
"Of course. Off you go," She replied. Like a rocket he shot off in to the green sea. "Well, Mr Lupin. Quite a pickle we've got ourselves here. Am I right in assuming that was Black?" She asked, not really looking for an answer. The wide eyes and shocked expression was enough. "I'll take that as a yes. Liquid Paralysis!" She said and circled her wand. The blood stopped flowing. The hot liquid was now contained safely between the gaps of the wounds. But his rib and his arms and legs had a slight bluish tinge to them. Soon his head and stomach took the same shade: slowly it deepened, light blue, medium blue, deep blue. Her eyes roamed in her head. What had she done!!?? Think Luce think!! EM… Oh of course! No… That's not right. Uh…
All the while, Lupin was getting bluer and bluer. His blood was no longer flowing. His heart was pumping air round his body.
Sirius tore through the trees. Mint leaves fell in his wake. Birds screeched in protest and he looked back. Deciding he was far away from the girl and she wouldn't hear the crack, he apparated.
"COME ON RON!!"
"YOU'VE BEEN IN THERE FOR HOURS!"
"I have not!" he said indignantly.
"We were beginning to think that you were turning in to a girl in there Ronnykins!" Exclaimed Fred and George. Ron lunged. Breaking off into two parties the twins scarpered.
"Ha ha, very funny guys!" He yelled. Harry and Ron raced each other down the stairs, tripping over feet and grabbing for the banister. At the bottom they were puffing slightly. Up a head George grinned. Harry and Ron looked warily at each other before muttering, "Are they up to something?"
"Not that I know of." Replied Ron. Treading cautiously, they travelled to the kitchen. Eyes searching constantly they were relieved to find nothing amiss. Hermoine was sitting at the table, nose in book and eating at the same time. The twins were conspiring and Charlie was sulking. He shot a glare to the twins, who took no notice. Shrugging Harry sat down at the table and waited, observing the wooden kitchen: moving pots, stirring ladles and boiling water buzzed in the background. These, he was not interested in; the clock on the wall caught his attention. The clock had spoons with pictures of family members on them, and told anyone who happened to be looking at it where that member was. Most of the Weasleys were at home but Arthur's spoon was at travelling. Presumably he was going to the Burrow.
"Harry! Why don't you get something to eat, dear? We're going to Diagon Alley. Oh, that reminds me. We're using Floo Powder. I trust you know how to use it?" Asked Molly, smirking. The last time Harry had attempted to travel by Floo Powder, he ended up in Knockturn Alley. A murky, creepy, dark alley, filled with the dark arts. No respectable person went there - unless of course they needed to purchase Flesh Eating Bug Repellent.
"Erm, no thank you Mrs Weasley, and yes, I do remember how to use Floo powder,"
With a disapproved look she turned to her youngest son. Ronald had already started eating pancakes and syrup and was trying to shovel hash brown in to his mouth at the same time. Molly's expression darkened. "Ronald Weasley!" She shouted. Lurching forward and desperately attempting to dislodge the food now stuck in his throat he cringed. With big, round eyes, he looked to his mother. "Don't you dare eat like that again, you hear!! Never!"
Ron could only nod.
Once Harry, Ron, Hermoine, and the other Weasley's including Arthur arrived at Diagon Alley, they discovered they couldn't have come on a better day. Shops were sparsely populated and few people drifted along the concrete. The trio took a deep breath and stepped forward. Sauntering along they peered in shops that contained things they could never afford. Pawed glass glared harshly in the sun, but a faintly recognisable reflection stirred in the glass. Harry touched his friends' sleeves, and then motioned across the alley. Blocking the passage to Knockturn Alley, where the light never seemed to touch, was a girl and a boy. The boy was wearing a tieless shirt and a pair of well fitting jeans underneath his open robe.
"Who is that? I can't see," murmured Harry squinting.
"That's Malfoy isn't it?" guessed Hermione. She stood on her tip toes and jerked her head around. Giving the boy a look she added, "definitely,"
"Know who he's with?" enquired Ron.
"No, but I recognise her," He gave them a meaningful glance. "I have a feeling she's from my dream,"
"One of his followers! Gasped Hermoine, "but she …she looks so normal," she whispered.
"They usually do,"
The female girl had black, wavy hair and her dark clothes were the same. She wore a black halter neck top with a pair of black, cordless jeans. The girl spoke: "Listen, this could be risky! We need to play it cool."
"Does that mean I have to be nice to them?" Whined Draco.
"Of course not! Don't pout. It means you have to be nasty to us as well!" Explained the dark haired companion.
"Well that's easy! But I don't want to be evil to you, Hydra!" cried Draco pouting.
Hydra sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. Is that suspicion? She thought. Without moving her head she stole a glance at the three staring at them. Her forehead creased. Then she yawned.
The two arguing lowered their voices. Harry swore. The trio would have to get closer if they wished to eavesdrop. Casually they walked over to the opposite store.
Hydra suddenly saw the two identical ginger haired boys across the alley and smiled to herself. Nonchalantly she twiddled a lock of hair before pulling her self back into the conversation.
"Look, just spew out the warnings and anyway, they won't understand" Hydra whispered
Draco sighed and nodded. Things were starting to get confusing.
"You wearing your amulet as we told you to?" Hydra demanded.
"Yes of course I am. But I'm not sure about everything just yet."
"Don't worry just about that just now. Hey! I'll be right back, okay?"
"Huh? What's wrong?" But Draco never heard the reply, since the girl had already walked away. He sighed in frustration and quickly followed.