An update, finally! I'm so, so sorry to have let this go without an update for so long. Hopefully this will make up for it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything that comes with it.

You Shine Brighter Than Anyone
Chapter 12

As Draco, Blaise, and Hermione descended the dark staircase Hermione began to feel a small sensation in the pit of her stomach. At first she was confused but soon enough she realized what was happening. Her eyes widened and her pace down the stairs quickened. Blaise, still relaxed from the Ketamine, stared at her half in alarm and half in a daze.

"Why in the world are you rushing towards the man who is going to get us in trouble?"

Hermione paused and locked eyes with Blaise first and then Draco. "I forgot that I took a G-spot. I feel like I'm going to start rolling soon and I would rather not be being chastised by Dumbledore while that was happening. Don't forget, you guys took some too."

Draco and Blaise looked at each other and then looked back to Hermione. Nothing more needed to be said and a moment later all three teenagers practically ran down the marble stairs. As the reached the last few steps they could hear a conversation going on out in the corridor.

"…so we just decided to get some fresh air."

"Are you telling me that the only thing you five were doing was getting some fresh air?"

At this moment the remaining three students out of the total five entered the corridor. Harry, still unable to support his own weight, was leaning against the wall trying to look as sober and awake as possible while Dumbledore stood a few feet away still somehow managing to look intimidating while in a sleeping cap. His cup of hot cocoa was still in his hand while steam rose from the cup into the dark air of the hallway. Theo was standing off the side of both Harry and the Headmaster but couldn't tear his eyes away from the steam. Although something in the back of his mind was telling him to act alert and normal the acid was interfering with his ability to comply. Hearing footsteps Dumbledore turned around.

"Ah, here are the rest of your friends. Maybe I can get a truthful answer out of them. Is there any particular reason that all of you are out so late? I know you are all equally well aware of the rules in place."

No one said anything, perhaps hoping that in the silence the issue would be dropped. Unfortunately Dumbledore was not one to give up so easily. As he looked at the face of each young student one in particular caught his eye.

"Draco Malfoy." Dumbledore said softly.

Draco brought his gaze up from there floor, where it previously had rested, and up to the Headmaster's piercing blue eyes.

"Y-yes Headmaster?" Draco winced at his own stuttering. His roll was finally kicking in and the clenching in his jaw was not only painful but was also making it embarrassingly hard to talk.

With a slight smile on his face Dumbledore used his index finger to beckon the slightly shaking young Malfoy heir closer.

When Draco stood directly in front of him Dumbledore began to take in all he saw. Draco's normally porcelain white face was flushed with a bright pink tinge and his normally sneering mouth was alternating between a slight smile and then a grimace as his teeth grinded in what must have been a very uncomfortable manner. His usually stunning blue eyes were barely visible because his pupils were so large that it was as if he had spelled his eye color black. Shaking his head Dumbledore began walking down the corridor, his long silver beard practically touching the ground as he went.

"So that's what you were up to. Come, children. Follow me."

Harry, Hermione, Theo, and Blaise all stared at Draco who simply shrugged his shoulders and began following the Headmaster down the dark and sinister looking corridor. They walked in total silence and soon came to one of the many moving staircases that could be found in Hogwarts. The small group began walking up one flight of stairs after another until they reached the end of the stairs. Before them was a blank wall which their Headmaster was standing in front of.

"You may want to hold on to the banisters," he warned. Quickly the slightly terrified but mostly high students gripped the banisters tightly. They were just in time as the staircase sudden swung to the complete opposite wall and secured itself with a dull thud in front of a portrait none of them had seen before. It showed a crystal clear lake surrounded by rare flowers and tall trees. A rainbow framed the sky and in the lake below there was a beautiful mermaid with multicolored scales and blonde hair.

Hermione, always the curious one, turned towards Dumbledore with a confused look

"Wait, aren't we being punished? We must have broken about ten rules tonight!"

Dumbledore looked at her over his wire framed glasses, his blue eyes sparkling.

"No, you five will not be punished. It's understandable that with the stress of your school work and fighting for the Light that you would need to find some kind of release. I'd just prefer that if you decide to partake in these kinds of activities that you would do it in a safer environment than a tower.

Hermione and Harry both blushed matching shades of crimson.

Harry was the first to speak. "I'm sorry Headmaster. You're right, that was irresponsible of us. It's the only secluded place I could think of though. Do you have another place in mind?" His words were warm, friendly, and without fear which was an effect of the ecstasy kicking in.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he turned back towards the portrait and stared at the mermaid who resided in the lake. When they had first arrived she seemed to be dozing off but when she saw them staring at her she became instantly alert.

"Hello there Headmaster. What can I do for you? It's awfully late for a visit."

"Hello Morveren. I've a purpose for this room finally. I'd like to open it up if you don't mind."

Morveren smiled winningly at Dumbledore. "No, that wouldn't be a problem at all." The door swung open at her words and revealed a large portrait hole.

Dumbledore turned back towards his rolling and tripping students with a slight smile.

"This place is for your use whenever you desire it. The password is 'haven', so do not forget it. It's past my bedtime so I'll be returning to my quarters. Have fun and be safe. Oh, and try not to wander about the corridors too much, hmm?"

At this Theo and Hermione had to laugh and with waves goodbye all five friends climbed into the portrait hole. Once they were all inside the door and swung shut behind them and closed with a soft thud. As they all looked about the new area their eyes widened and their minds swam. This was a haven indeed.

Hopefully it won't take me as long to write and update the next chapter.
Thanks for reading! Reviews are appreciated as always.