Chapter 6

'The Weasleys were a strange bunch' is the first thought I had after I gained motor functions back. The pure shock of being hugged by a motley crew of strangers was enough to cease all ability to function let alone be social. We were currently eating a way-to-big-to-be-healthy dinner. I swear just the sight of all that food makes we want to puke. It didn't help that I was already so wound up to begin with. I managed only enough bites to find I actually liked it before the swarming pixies stole my appetite. I so didn't like being surrounded by the unfamiliar. And yeah, so maybe not all Weasels are strangers if you count going to school with them for 5 bloody years.

But that doesn't exactly count considereing we aren't exactly the best of mates let alone buds. Hell Potter was the only one that could pass as someone remotely familiar. The rest I didn't know half as well. I barely knew them and the things I did know about them was from observation alone. Well atleast they didn't suspect anything. I could get through this...right?

You'll be fine Dragon, relax. I am right here if you need me.

Yeah and I'm right here should you need healing. Oh but Trace is lucky he's not really here or he'd find himself suddenly able to steal Sr. Nicks dream. Seriously how could someone so smart be so dumb.

Don't be so dramatic Dray. Just be yourself, that IS why we created our glamors. So we could be free and real without hassle. Besides, anyone that meets the real you always have trouble not falling pray to the draconian charm. Pansy always did know what to say, becoming empathic was really just adding to those skills.

Put like that it seems silly to worry. I was pretty sure she manipulated some of my emotions but honestly, who was I to argue. I couldn't help but think this would go so much easier if I had her power. It really was a shame we couldn't share our gifts but, we can't be all powerful. Just one gift comes with enough to handle, thank you very much.

Exactly. She didn't have to sound so smug.

Aaand now that we got that settled, you really should clue back in the real world now Draco. The scary spoon wielding Weasley is talking to you. She wants to know if your ok. Count on Blaise to give a warning with a nice complimentary insult.

"...alright?"

I blinked, disoriented for a minute. She actually looked concerned. In a way that made me sad that she didn't know the real me. All she knew was a Lucius clone. I have no doubt that her tune would be drastically different if she ever met me without the glamor. If only becauee I look the part of the clone. Not to mention the act I had to put on to be a spy. Even I wouldn't like me, really.

But she's kind now. Do you really want to seem rude by being sooo, Malfoy. Thats not you Dragon, Illya is right, be youself. You have nothing to fear.

I bit my lip, looking around. They all looked a little concerned. Well exept for Weaslette, but she's her own category. Maha and Pans was right. They didn't know who I am and I didn't have to hide here. After all Lyra isn't afraid to be herself, she doesn't have any reason to hide. For the first time since I got here I gave an honest smile.

"I'm fine, thank you. I guess I was just a little bit nervous but I'm not. Not anymore." Only Luna didn't seem the least bit confused by my admittedly unusual words. She even gave me an encouraging smile and I knew I made the right choice. I did what I created Lyra for. I let go and just relaxed.

I felt I should've known the night wouldn't end well. But for once I felt totally and completely relaxed and safe. Usually, even in Lyra form there's always a cloud hanging above, sometimes its gray. Others times its black. It's never white though. I never thought it could be white. Sure with Maha and the rest of my family its never black but I still could never escape the worry or pains. As the oldest I naturally felt compelled to protect the others. They're the most important to me. So it was only natural that the cloud never left. It was wierd, for me to feel so light with the very people who would sooner kill me than hear me. Though I suppose its only natural. Despite the confusion and anxiety he inspires, Harry was the only one to ever free me so completely. To take that cloud and all its dark thoughts and worries, then shove it all where the wand don't spark. Times like these I allow myself to admit that my feeling go way deeper for Harry Potter than an enemy ever has right to claim.

I didn't know I was staring at the focus of my thoughts so intently. I didn't notice the smile that graced my face entered the gooey realm so disturbingly.

"Your a fake." It was the tone of voice more than the person that had me jolting to realty. Venom that poisonous needed ones full attention no matter how weak one thought the Weaslette looked. I should know better than anyone that appearance doesn't say anything about your strength. Its always wiser to put your best on the unknown than relax simply because you think the opponent is not worthy. Maha alwayed said that and it sure as hell kept me and the others from being killed on more than one occasion. It was a motto we keep close and follow religiously.

"Pardon." It was safest to just go with the flow. Worked with the death eaters and it'll work now.

"Your a fake. You don't really care about Harry. You don't even know him. And besides I. Just. Don't. Trust. You." She poked the air near my chest with each word. "Harry's like a brother to me and I don't want him to end up with a wannabe diva."

By now the room was dead silent but I didn't notice, to busy glaring at the stupid red head. Merlin but she irked me.

"Well that's unfortunate." She narrowed her eyes. I frankly did not care. This bitch stepped over to many lines to be merciful. I was pulling out the big wands. Lyras face might be what I see in the mirror right now but I haven't lost the Malfoy mask.

"What, disgusted with his family now. You can fool everyone else and even Harry himself but you can't deceive me. Your no good. Just another slut making a complete fool of herself." Huuh, even she couldn't make a sneer work for a redhead.

I tried. I really did try to stay pissed and I was. Don't get me wrong I still hate her and she isn't exactly in my good books. I'm just more amused than pissed right now.

"Think this is funny. Do you even have brains." Against my better judgment my lips twitched.

"Actually this IS really funny. Do you even hear youself. You sound more like a jealous and jilted lover than a concerned sister. Honestly, I kinda hope you don't see him as family. Incest is not really something I'd recommend. But hey, whatever levitates your broom." She looked about ready to combust; she was so red. It actually did worry me a little. Though not enough to forget her words.

I never got to hear what her response was. The pain probably didn't last as long as I felt it did but it was all consuming. I didn't make a sound. I REFUSED to make a sound. Even if all I could see and hear was white, I didn't give in. It doesn't matter that my feet no longer wanted to support me.I couldn't scream. Screaming led to crying. Crying led to all the other emotions. Emotions I don't need. Not when I need a clear head when this finishes.

... Maha was gone. So were the others. I could always feel thier presence, like a net that twitches with every feeling, every thought. It allowed us to communicate. It allowed us to know when any one of us was in danger. It connected us to each other and our mother. We could turn it off. Lock it behind a cage, but we were always aware. No matter how we tried we could never fully seal it. We came to understand it, instead. It was the part that kept us together. We were never alone, even if no one was near. Maha joined that pool with her gift last night.

After a few much needed breaths I made to get up. Harry wouldn't let me, atleast not until Luna came and practically pushed him aside. She didn't need to tell me, one look in her face and I knew. She couldn't feel Maha either.

"It's like shes still there, still anchoring me But at the same time...shes gone." Her eyes met mine and I knew I wasn't the only one concerned. She was right. They were still there, still alive just buried. Almost as if someone forcefully reached in my head and yanked them in a metal box only to lock it and swallow the key. The realization did little to relieve me.

"We need to go back to hogwarts." She was shaking her head before I finished.

"We'll go back with rest of the students. It.. it's not safe there right now. Not while hogwarts is still recovering. Dark creeps in every corner shredding and tearing. Looking... Looking for the last child... hes already got the rest...they're safe... cocooned in love...used to much power... weak... stay away... the last... safe for now...can't help. ...protect the others...release the Dragon...help from those who once denied you...find them...together...save...destroy...voldermort meets him...no, NO...two evils can only be destroyed by the chosen one and Mothers children...the first will die but return with much knowledge... he will not remember but Dragon can change that... first to gain first to save, he goes where his hearts leads... love conquers and family knows...mind...connect...know...keys...unlock the box that never leaves you alone."

It was one thing to know Luna was a seer. Quite another to SEE it. Nevertheless I memorized every word. I almost toppled over trying to catch her when she finished. Honestly it was like tradition for a prophetess to faint after a vision.

"What the bloody hell just happened." Ron Weasley exclaimed.

I ignored him. Focusing instead on getting Luna to a comfortable bed in the nearest room. Only then did I allow myself a moment of panic. Closing my eyes flopped onthe couch and took deep breaths. Inhale. Exhale.

"That was a prophecy. Jumbled but a still a prophecy...I don't think it was about me." Of course Harry would come to that conclusion. Its true but still, most people think crazy before divination.

"Don't be silly Harry of course its about you. She specifically said The Chosen One..." At this point I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. No wonder Harry dumped the weaslette. Shes not even trying to see him as anything but a hero. The Golden Boy...It kinda makes me feel sad for her.

"She said the chosen one and 'Mothers Children'. Also something about a box and the first." You could practically hear Harry trying to not grind his teeth.

"Don't forget the part about the Dragon and darkness. Lumping a Voldedork and the number two in one prophecy doesn't sound to hot either." Count on Granger to always have paper and pencil ready.

"Yeah that doesn't sound great, mate. This prophecy might not be about you but your certainly needed." Ron sure can state the obvious almost as much as Milli.

No one paid much attention to the 'duh' that came out of Weaslette mouth.

"Hmm, we already know Hogwarts was sentinent. She never talked to us but she did help. So Hogwarts fought something and ended up using to much magic to protect 'her children', whatever that means. Those children are captured but safe, ' cocooned in love' I can only assume its a barrier of some kind." Granger really lives up to her name.

"What about the Dragon?" Looks like Ron can be serious.

"Thats what we need to find out. I have an idea on the meaning of the rest but the dragon seems to be the main piece. Without it I can't be sure."

"Do you think its a person?"

"I'm not sure. 'Release the dragon' seems to indicate otherwise. I just dont have enough information to go on. We'll have to ask Luna when she wakes."

It's amazing how they can forget me so easily.

"Helped by those who once denied you." In a roundabout way I found that ironic. Question is 'can I trust them'? Prophecy or no I can't just tell them everything of the bat. Maybe just in spades. Little by little is the way to go as they say.

"Lyra do you know something?" Of course Harry was watching me. It was only natural. I am supposed to be his girlfriend. Though I suppose I have to end that particular lie. Pity, I was enjoying being his for once...I blame the panic for admitting that, even if it was only in my head.

"Lyra?" Ignoring the Weasel matriarch concerned tone I spoke, never looking at any one person. After all the ceiling has many spots to count.

"I'm not his girlfriend. I just didn't want the Wea... guess I can't say that anymore. I didn't want Ron to kiss me so I panicked. I kinda liked it though. Harry really is the best boyfriend, I think I might be jealous of whoever really has his heart, I hope she knows to keep it...Dragon, you were right in the first guess. He's a person and honestly I think you can tell who by the name itself." I waited, wanting to see if anyone paid enough attention to me as I did to Harry. It was a little surprising that Harry was the one to get it.

"Draco Malfoy, he always did seem like a dragon and his friends call him that, sometimes. When they think no ones paying attention."

Ok that's beyond rivalry, I should know. Surprise was what really got my panic under wraps and I looked at him. He was already staring, his green eyes vibrant and full of emotion that had hope gleaming in my chest. My breath caught and I looked away. That was a dangerous feeling to have, especially now.

"The ferret. Hmph then we're all doomed. Might as well dig your gave."

"Ron! That was uncalled for."

"Come on Hermione, Malfoy's a death eater in training. Hes just a clone. Not one thought in his head even belongs to him." I really hate the Weaslette.

"...I'm not so sure about that." What, I could understand Harry. Ok I could understand to a point. But Hermione, that one was new. Apparently, I wasn't the only one surprised. The looks on the Weasel family would've been comical if I didn't have the same look gracing my features. She was obviously nervous but she did not hesitate to elaborate.

"I know it sounds wierd but I think we misjudged him before we even got to know him. I think... No, I know theres more to him than being a carbon copy of his dad. Remember, no one bothers me anymore. Its like the slytherins actively avoid me. And Draco is the only one with that power. Prince of Snakes ring a bell."

"She has a point." Harry was ready to agree. For a minute there was silence, then. ..

"OH COME ON," Weaslette exploded " you can't honestly tell me your going to trust the FERRET! That's insane. Hes a snake. Practically the leader of snakes. Really Hermione he probably just called a truce with you to do something nastier later on."

"More like enacted the Granger off-limits law to thank her for helping him whether she was aware of it or not." I said wryly. I didn't feel so afraid anymore. Why do I need thier approval. Harry obviously beileves in me...and Hermione does too.

"What did she do to.." one Weasley twin said.

"..deserve such a grand honor!" The other Weasley twin finished. For a minute all I could do was stare, trying hard not to cry. They really were the weasel version of Aleta and Arella.

I really need to stop thinking aloud. I thought as they all stared at me with a questioning look. But it was just what I needed. With a deep breath I closed my eyes and droped the glamor.