LUCKILY I completed this chap while I was...indisposed. Have not finished 14 yet, though...I'm having a very bad case of writers block. I know what is going to happen, I just don't know how to word ANYTHING. It's extremely frustrating.

This is a fairly length chapter, about the time span of a day, but a lot happens, so I hope it's enjoyable =)

She couldn't find the blasted thing anywhere. Not under the covers of her bed, not anywhere in her luggage bag, and not in her pockets. Pandora couldn't believe she had lost her wand the morning she was supposed to leave for the Burrow, and she was quite sure she would need it at some point. Her dorm mates had tried to help her earlier this morning, but it seemed a simple spell had escaped their minds as they searched, a spell that Pandora remembered once they left Gryffindor tower...a spell that, like all of them, required a wand. Which she was currently looking for as she crawled on her hands and knees to search under all the beds. She winced as she leaned on her elbows to search the separate dimension that was beneath the four-posters, the pain still fresh and sharp from the day before. Her face was ghost white from loss of blood, despite a blood-replenishing potion, and her arms, legs and back felt seared to the bone.

A hasty knock on the door made her jump, causing her head to bash the underside of Hermione's bed. Rubbing her sore skull and cursing out loud, she stalked to the dormitory door and opened it with vigour. Ron blinked at her scowling face.

"How may I help you on this fabulous morning in the girls' dormitories?"

"Ah, Pandora. Cheerful as the morning sun, I see."

Pandora stuck her finger in front of Ron's face. "Not in the mood now, Chuckles. I am trying to find my bloody wand."

Ron grasped her finger with his whole hand. "Not polite to point, Ms. Witte."

Pandora huffed angrily and released his grip on her finger before her hands attacked the top of his worn out trousers.

"Oi! May I ask what you think you're doing?"

Pandora's hands fought against Ron's as she searched every inch of the wizard's fabric. "I. Need. Your. Bloody. Wand."

Ron finally got a decent grip on her wrists and forced them in front of her. "Which one?"

Pandora raised an eyebrow and glanced at his chest to see the end of a wooden stick poking out of his front pocket. She slowly reached her restrained hand toward him and slid his wand out of its home, waving it enticingly in Ron's face. "Don't flatter yourself, Ronald."

Turning to face the room, Pandora poised the foreign wand against her cheek as she scanned the room.

"Bloody hell," Ron's voice raised an octave as he spoke. "you can't just pad down a bloke's trousers like that without a bit of notice first!"

"Sorry, did I awaken the beast?"

Ron's eyebrows met in confusion, soon followed by rising in understanding. "I...err...I mean, no...no, of course not but...still...give a bloke a warning."

Pandora smirked and muttered, Accio Wand as her first and most obvious choice of words but grinned in triumph when her own gnarly wand flew gracefully into her hand. Turning to face Ron again, she tossed his own wand back to him and gathered her travelling bag and personal rucksack.

"Lost your wand, did you?"

Pandora rolled her eyes as she passed Ron and headed down the stairs. "No, Ron, I lost my elephant."

Ron scoffed. "You really are in a bad mood this morning."

Pandora shrugged and pushed her way through the portrait hole only to be stopped by Ron as soon as it closed behind them. "Oh, I know what it is. You're nervous, aren't you?"

She ignored him and continued down the corridor as he spoke.

"I'm right, aren't I? You're meeting my family...all these new people. You probably haven't even had a real Christmas in years..." Ron nearly bumped into Pandora as she stopped in her tracks, her back tense and her head stiff, and he ran his hand through his hair. "I'm...I'm sorry, that was too-"

"No, you're right. Spot on, really. I refuse to let such silly worries ruin my time at your family's home."

Ron placed his hand on her shoulder, gulped, and kissed the side of her head. "You'll...like it there. I promise. It'll be fun. I'll be there, after all."

He mentally sighed as he felt her relax and even caught the tiniest of grins. "Always so full of yourself, Ron."

"No. Not always."

:::

Ron sat impatiently as Pandora ate her food as daintily as always, though he noted her posture was fading as she leaned slightly over the table. She had gotten better since that night she confessed everything to him. She no longer sat stick straight and she seemed to enjoy her food more, although she was still rather out of place at meal times when she was surrounded by people shoving their own meal down their throat.

Pandora set her fork down and glared at him. "If you're so damn impatient, then go to Hogsmead. I'll meet you there."

Ron sighed and ruffled his hair. "I'm not leaving you here alone, all right? Look at them...watching us like bloody eagles." His eyes scanned the perimeter of the room at the various Death Eaters patrolling the Great Hall and he looked down in sadness; the Great all Hall had been a place of happiness and delicious food and being surprised by the enchanted ceiling every time you walked in. Now the ceiling was always grey as Dementors flew about it, held back by several of the Death Eater's Patronus'.

The sharp sound of silverware on a plate returned and Ron watched Pandora as she finished her meal within a minute. She looked over at him expectantly. "We best hurry, Ron. The train leaves in only forty-five minutes." Rising from her seat, she grabbed her things and headed towards the doors, leaving behind a bewildered Ron. He quickly gained his wits, seized his trunk and raced out of the hall, meeting an amused looking Pandora in the Entrance Hall. They set out the great doors and down the path towards Hogsmead in companioned silence.

The small wizard town came into view and Ron gauged Pandora's expression as her pace slowed down. Her dejected look confused him until he looked up. The bright, frosty windows that were usually so full of decorations, magical gifts and people shopping were barred with wood and hasty spells and the doors were locked and chained while the surrounding shops were barren and ghostly, the paint peeling off of the fronts and structure cracking along the sides. Beggars garbed in muddy rags lined the once-bright-with-snow street and Death Eaters patrolled the lane, leering down at passing students. This was not the Hogsmead he remembered. This was the small town's graveyard.

"Is this..."

Ron only briefly wondered what Pandora's question was going to be before he started down the street again. The brown snow sloshed beneath their feet as they trudged between the broken windows of buildings and the croaked pleading of drifters. The warm steam from the Hogwarts Express could be seen from the distance and it was the only thing that kept Ron moving forward, wondering what they could possibly have done to the reliable train to render it unrecognizable. It was then when he heard familiar voices.

"...isn't it? It's just awful; they've corrupted the entire town."

Hermione.

"They corrupted the school, the ministry, the whole of bloody England...why wouldn't they take over one small town?"

Harry.

"There they are."

Ginny.

The three of them came into view as Ron and Pandora approached the train, which, to Ron's immense relief, hadn't changed at all.

"Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried we've all-"

"I'm sorry." Pandora interrupted Ginny. "I lost my wand."

Ginny shook her head in a scolding manner that reminded Ron distinctively of his mother. "You can't simply lose your wand, Pandora; it's like your third arm!"

Pandora raised an eyebrow at her. "Please forgive me, Miss Weasley. I shall refrain from losing my third arm lest you curse my toenails off."

Ginny flashed a cheeky grin and swept the hair away from her eyes with her hand. That's when he saw it: something shiny, silver and black and linked with a series of chains. "What's that, Gin?"

Ginny's eye turned cold as she glared at the chain cuff and explained. "Something to keep an 'eye' on us with. This stupid thing is supposed to keep track of us and make sure none of us run off and start a rebellion."

"Like a tracking device?" asked Pandora. Ron furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

Hermione shrugged. "I suppose that's the best comparison, though I have a feeling it will do something nastier than simply track you if rebellion or running away is what you're planning."

"Mighty intelligent for a Mudblood, you are."

Ron's blood ran cold; the voice belonged to the Death Eater who tortured Pandora. As the thought ran through his mind, he immediately prayed to Merlin that she would not say what he thought she would say.

"Mighty dense for a Death Eater, you are." His stomach turned to ice.

Every muscle in Ron's body tensed and he prepared to shift to Pandora's aid if the Death Eater had attempted anything. She winced as he seized her arm and cinched the chained cuff around her wrist. Before Ron could relax, Pandora was on her knees, groaning and clutching her side, and at that moment Ron found himself immobilized. He attempted to glare daggers at the black-cloaked man as he approached Ron, but his wrist was cuffed against his will. The heavy, silver cuff felt ugly and tainted on his body, as if it was affecting his skin and blood. The Death Eater sneered at him from under his cowardly mask and stalked away from the still group towards students who looked like they were trying to bypass the chaining. Ron felt free once more, as did the others, and he knelt down beside the raven-haired witch and helplessly looked into her eyes as she gasped for breath.

"You all right?"

Pandora managed to look intimidating even when in immense pain. "Bl-bloody blighter."

Ron shook his head as he helped her up. "Why did you have to poke at him, eh? You knew what would happen, Pandora..."

"I'm not gonna start pleasing these people. They need to be told off...disrespected."

"Not at the cost of your health."

"Then at what cost, Ron?"

They shared a meaningful look, and Ron understood what she was trying to tell him without words: she cared for the school, she cared for the people and professors who walked its halls, and she would do anything to defend it. Because, like Harry, Hogwarts was her home. It was her sanctuary, her first place of peace, where her friends lay their heads down at night. And her sanctuary was being attacked.

Like her sister had been.

Their silent conversation ended when Harry coughed awkwardly and tilted his head in the direction of the bright red train as the engine roared expectantly. Ron helped Pandora with her luggage and the two of them followed the others as they boarded the train and found a large enough compartment for themselves.

:::

"...you're all right with this?"

A laugh. "I actually am, Harry. Don't worry. I did some growing up during the summer." A pause. "I won't go into details."

"Err...good. Good."

Pandora was on the verge of consciousness as she groaned into the seat. Forcing her eyes open, she rubbed her face vigorously and attempted to sit up. She was surprised to find her legs raised on something and looked down to see what it was; this process caused her to jump and fall off of the bench onto the floor of the small room as she realized she had been sitting on top of Ron with her legs resting over his thighs and her head nestled under his chin. Her recent actions left him surprisingly undisturbed and he fidgeted around for a moment before settling into another comfortable spot. Pandora stood stiffly and tried her best to ignore the muffled chuckles of Harry, Ginny and Hermione,

"Err...right...is there a loo on here somewhere?"

Ginny nearly perfected a composed face. "Very end of the train."

Pandora nodded curtly and slid the door open to the long narrow hall. The moment she closed it, frenzied laughter could be heard through the thin glass and Pandora raised her chin in defiance and stalked down the middle of the warm train. She passed cabins full of recognizable faces, most tensed with worry and anxiousness, and walked though a few cabs that had an open feel to them. She even walked between what seemed to be two large rooms on either side until she finally met the end of the train and entered the female lavatory. Upon exit, she glanced out the very back window at the rough Scotland landscape. Trees rose everywhere amongst the rocky tundra and settled high into the mountains which were capped with fresh snow. The steam from the engine hung in the air like a pale, misty trail behind the train. Of course, since Pandora was having such a peaceful time looking out of the window, she had to be disturbed the moment she turned around.

"Ah, been a bit clumsy, I see."

Even without the drawling tone of Draco Malfoy's voice, the flash of white-blonde hair was unmistakably his. Pandora was surprised to see his face perfectly intact and free of blood and bruises. She kept her face as composed as she could while she looked into his steely gaze.

"And, I see you've been quite graceful."

Draco blinked and seemed to see her injuries for the first time as his eyes travelled around her face until they rested on a gash across her cheek that hadn't healed yet. He did something unexpected then, something that caused Pandora to leap away from his hand as he reached out to touch her face. He swallowed and his eyebrows met in confusion.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" Draco seemed to be lost in thought as his eyes unfocused on something behind her. "You're one of them, aren't you?" His eyes met hers then and Pandora saw a completely different expression than before; he looked lost.

"Not really..." He sounded unsure.

Pandora shook her head impatiently. "Right, just...don't touch me, all right?"

She made to brush past him but his hand on her arm stopped her. "Wait. Wait...I'm sorry, I've just...I mean-"

"Will you just spit it out?"

Draco let her arm go but out of curiosity Pandora did not run off. "I've been raised to think a certain way...to look down upon anyone not born of Pureblood. My faith had been tested when I first arrived at Hogwarts and met Granger. Muggle-born, yet the most intelligent being I've ever known. But I though it must have been a fluke; they were all supposed to be walking amongst trolls, in my opinion. But when I met you, I thought there must be something to Muggle-borns because you are nothing like a troll."

Pandora stared at him blankly for a moment. "Is this your attempt at an apology? Because it's quite rancid."

Draco flashed a quick grin. "I don't do this very often."

"I noticed. Look, I don't know what your angle is here. I don't know what's going on in your mind. I am really quite confused as to why you've compared Hermione and me to a troll. All I know is that your face is perfectly fine and the rest of us on this train have something to show for our sacrifice."

Pandora managed to walk by Draco again without being stopped and staggered down the narrow hall of the train towards her compartment. The small groups' chatter was cut off instantly when she unintentionally slammed the glass door shut and slumped into the seat nearest the window. The four exchanged brief looks before Ron spoke up.

"The toilette being cheeky again, eh?"

Both Hermione and Pandora glared at him. "Ron, honestly!" Hermione turned to Pandora. "What happened?"

Pandora snorted. "How should one act when being compared to a troll?"

Hermione raised an eyebrow; Ron looked confused; Ginny shook her head in disgust; Harry said, "A bit like you are right now, I suppose."

Pandora laughed bitterly and resumed her gaze out of the window.

"Care to explain, or is this one for us to figure out?" asked Ginny.

All Pandora had to mutter was 'Draco' and everyone voiced their understanding, though Ron simply looked furious. "Why the bloody hell would he compare you to a troll? How would that subject even-"

"Ron-"

"-up? The bloody son of a-"

"Ron!"

"...slimy git."

Pandora's face softened as Ron boiled in his own frustration. "He...well. I think he was trying to apologize. To us." She looked at Hermione then. "It was quite horrendous, actually. Then he expected immediate forgiveness. I thought he had to prove it as actions speak louder."

Harry looked utterly bewildered. "Malfoy...apologized?"

"In so many words, yes."

"So he swallowed his heaping mass of pride and then...compared you to a troll?"

Pandora couldn't help it; she chuckled.

"That must have been one hell of a meal." Ginny mused.

Pandora's chuckle grew into uncontrollable laughter and one by one everyone joined in.

:::

Evening loomed over the cold landscape as the fog rolled in through the hills and surrounded the bright red train. Pandora's breath fogged the misted window with each exhale, subconsciously stroking the red hair lying across her lap. Ron had passed out in this position a little over an hour earlier, much to Ginny's dismay, who had his legs. Hermione had curled up in a ball and was leaning against the wall while Harry sat with his arms folded loosely over his chest, a far-off look in his eyes. It was quite a change from an hour ago, the compartment full of laughter and crude jokes and comical stories. "I see lights..." Pandora's drowsy sentence seemed to shake everyone out of their reverie.

"Get up!"

A hard slap on his legs by his sister caused Ron to jump up and nearly knock Pandora in the head. "Bloody-! What, Gin?"

"We're here, dear brother. At least I didn't pour water over your crotch this time."

Pandora snorted and covered her mouth, trying desperately to control her hilarity before she spoke again. "Let's gather our things, yeah? Before you give me too many ideas."

Their belongings gathered and hearts racing, the five of them stood and waited in the growing queue to leave the train as it shuddered to a stop in front of the station. Shouts for parents and children could already be heard before the doors even opened and the sound was nearly deafening when it did. A wave of people pushed along the cramped hallways of the train to run to their families. Pandora noted the anxious look on Ron's face and understood: no one has been in contact with the other since the Death Eaters arrived and they had been living in silent agony for months.

The crowd outside of the train wasn't much better as the small group seemed to be torn apart while they searched for the Weasley's. Neither Ron nor Ginny were anywhere to be seen and Pandora had no idea who she was looking for or even where she was going. If not for a small sea of red in the midst of brown and black, Pandora may have stood were she was until the crowd dissipated. She picked her way through the crowd towards the family until they came into sight, near a dark wall, and counted six with the characteristic red hair along with Harry and Hermione. She immediately felt out of place, as if she were intruding on something as she watched the woman embrace each of them with as much love as the last. She cupped Harry's cheek affectionately and looked up at that moment. Pandora found she could not move nor look away from her warm gaze and barely noticed as Ginny seemed to tell her something. She smiled fondly then and waved her hand, beckoning her to join them. So Pandora gathered her trunk and belongings and walked at a surprisingly steady pace towards the family.

"You're Pandora?" Mrs. Weasley's face was drawn down in concern but traced with happiness. Pandora simply nodded. "Well, it's nice to meet you dear." If not numbed from shock, Pandora may have leaped away as Mrs. Weasley wrapped her arms about her shoulders. Hesitantly, she returned the hug, feeling a warmth spread through her soul that was oddly familiar, like meeting an old friend after years of separation. Pulling away, and cupping her cheek, Mrs. Weasley turned to her family.

"All counted for, then? One...two...eight, nine and...right, everyone follow me. We'll be Apparating home so please, stay close!" And she disappeared through the wall with Mr. Weasley. Pandora openly gaped at the pieces of brick that appeared to have eaten them until Ron explained.

"It's the only way to get to the train station. Can't just have one red train with 'Hogwarts' written on the front parked in the middle of Kings Cross."

Pandora nodded slowly. "So...Kings Cross is...in there?"

She didn't have time to scream when someone pushed her towards the solid wall and next thing she knew, she felt ice cold air pierce her skin and silence invade her ears, soon broken by the sound of Ginny chuckling directly behind her.

"Ooh...Gin, you'll be sorry you ever did that."

After the last five raced through the brick wall, the large group left the nearly barren train station and headed opposite of downtown London, down a bedraggled road with a still forest on one side. Pandora had been walking just behind Ron and his brothers, Fred and George, as they talked rather animatedly about some shop or other, and just in front of Harry, Hermione and Ginny. Suddenly experiencing the feeling of being watched, she looked up and into the eyes of the twins, the same mischievous grin spreading across their faces.

"Wha-"

"Only curious...what has our lovely git – err, I mean brother! – said to keep you around like he has?"

"He does have this tendency to stuff his mouth with his own foot at times –"

"- and what patience you must have to put up with his bleating – I mean endearing – complaints all the live long day."

They had fallen into step with Pandora, no taller than herself, and wrapped an arm over each shoulder as they spoke. Pandora eyed each of them in turn before speaking.

"You know, gents, I believe this man here has his hands full more so than I do. Now, my foot doesn't go anywhere unnatural, but I do possess a temper that could rival his."

They gasped in mock horror. "No! Surely a lovely lady such as yourself would possess the grace and elegance to control such a temper?"

Pandora chuckled. "He told you, did he?"

"Now, Pandora, I haven't the foggiest of what you could possibly mean."

"Oh, you will."

"Will you quit harassing her?"

"Don't mind him; it's his time of the month. I'm Fred, by the way."

"George, milady. Now, why don't-"

"Everyone! We are turning right in here! Stay close behind me; there's no worn path!"

Pandora filed in the line between George and Ron and stepped through the thick bush. The heavy set trees held the snow and gripped at their clothes and hair, but it wasn't a long walk before a clearing barely large enough for the group came into view and everyone huddled around.

"All right, you all know where to go?" Everyone nodded but Pandora.

"Mum, Pandora hasn't..."

"Of course, of course, she'll side-a-long with you, Ron. Ginny, you'll come with me – don't look at me like that, now, you're underage –"

"As if the Ministry will really care anymore –"

"- Fred and George, you'll -!" Pop. "- meet us...there. Right, off we go."

A series of pops sounded around Pandora and Ron until they were the last ones. "Keep your fingers and toes tucked in, yeah? Don't wanna go splinching anything off in the process."

Pandora raised an eyebrow at him. "You keep your Apparition as far away from my fingers as possible, you understand?"

Ron flashed a grin before grabbing her arm.

Another chapter gone...ok so I am ALMOST halfway done, just to give you guys a timeline...the next chapter will probably be half of the story. Thank you very much to all who have reviewed and subscribed and favourited...I really do appreciate you taking the time to read my ideas =)