Rose had intended on giving Louis the potion as soon as it was complete, but a full week passed before she saw him again.

"Rose!"

Rose turned, startled. She had been on her way down to see how the Riders were doing. She had only seen them a few times over the past month, and though they had still been discussing the exhibition, they no longer sounded excited when they did so. It was as if they were just waiting for something else to go wrong.

Louis waved, his other arm snared around Arianna Burrow's waist. They both jogged down the gentle hill to meet her.

"Hey, Rose," he said with a grin. "You remember Arianna, right?"

"Of course," said Rose. "What are the two of you up to?"

"We wanted to see the dragons before they left," said Louis. "Word is, they're out of here before finals."

"What?" snapped Rose.

"I heard the Ministry wants them out of here before something happens to a student," said Louis with a shrug.

"They're not leaving yet," said Rose, a harsh edge to her voice. "We've still been working on the exhibition. You must've heard wrong."

"I've always wanted to see a dragon in person," said Arianna brightly. "I've seen them from afar, when you've all been working with them, but never up close. This will probably be my last chance for years."

"I was just going down to see how things were going," said Rose.

"May we join you?"

Rose nodded, and the three continued towards the edge of the forest together.

"Deasia seems to really have taken a liking to you," said Arianna. "She's sweet, isn't she?"

"She is," agreed Rose, examining Louis' face. "Louis, have you ever met her?"

"A few times," he said casually. "Come on, Ari, let's go see your dragons."

Lucky for all of them, Marco sat by a fire near the edge of the forest. He was blowing another glass dragon, forming the tiny legs with his nimble fingers.

"Don't startle him," whispered Rose, watching Marco work with a small smile.

"It's so beautiful," murmured Arianna, transfixed.

"Thank you," replied Marco loudly, startling Rose. "I find it relaxing. Rose, friends, if you will give me a moment, we will be able to talk."

Rose, Louis, and Arianna sat on an abandoned log and watched Marco work. A few minutes later, the dragon's legs were fully formed. Marco drew his hands from the flames and set the dragon beside him. Using a dirty rag, he wiped the sweat from his face, then turned to the students.

"Hello, Rose," he said warmly. "I was starting to think that you have forgotten about me out here."

"No!" cried Rose. "I'm sorry, things have just been so busy. Are there any updates about the exhibition?"

Marco glanced at Louis and Arianna, frowning. "It remains complicated," he said, guarded. "You see, your Ministry is worried about the students here being in danger."

Louis snorted. "Did any of them go to Hogwarts?" he asked. "It's not like the school has a stellar safety record."

"Louis," said Arianna, a warning clear in her voice.

"The dragons haven't hurt any of us," said Rose desperately, "and we're all being so careful! And the Riders, you're all being careful too. Nothing is going to happen."

"That's what we're trying to explain to them," said Marco, "but it's hard, understandably so. They're willing to let us remain for a while longer, if we agree to their conditions."

"Which are?"

"If any of the students get hurt...then they want to take our dragons."

"What?" cried Rose angrily.

"Can they do that?" asked Arianna, frowning. "Technically, couldn't your Ministry step in and stop them?"

"Not if any of the students were to be injured," explained Marco. "It took long enough for us to convince our own Ministry of the dragons' safety. If something were to happen..."

"But no one is going to get hurt," said Rose firmly. "We're all... we're all being so careful! That has to matter."

"It does," said Marco with a sad smile, "and we've decided to stay and continue working with you for as long as we can."

"And if something happens?" asked Arianna. "Could you really let them take your dragons away?"

Marco looked uneasily between Arianna and Louis once more.

"This is my cousin, Louis Weasley," said Rose, realizing she had neglected to introduce the two of them, "And Arianna Burrow, his girlfriend. You can trust them."

"I've dealt with foreign Ministries before," said Louis bitterly. "The French Ministry wasn't thrilled that my sister and I decided to go to school here and not Beauxbatons. They tried to make us give up our duel citizenship."

"We're not planning on staying if it gets to that point," said Marco softly. "If it looked like they were going to come and take the dragons...we would have to disappear."

Rose's stomach sank. The Riders were putting so much on the line just to be able to stay and continue to work on the exhibition. She knew that there was a much bigger picture, but she still couldn't quite stop feeling like they were willing to give up a lot to help her and the three other students who were supposed to be riding.

"Can I- could I go and say goodbye to Contessa?" said Rose quietly. "In case you have to vanish?"

"They've all been very calm and well-behaved today," said Marco, a smile finally breaking over his face. "I won't accept that you're coming to say goodbye, though. You can come and visit with them if you wish."

He looked at Arianna and Louis, then sighed.

"Yes, you can come along," he said, reading their hopeful expressions. "Just stay close to me in the forest."

As they were picking up their bags, Tobias Krimp ran down the hill to meet them. His eyes were wide and excited.

"I saw you from up in the Castle," he panted. "Are you leaving? Did something-"

"Not yet," said Marco, "but possibly soon. We were just going to the enclosure now. Rose wants to visit Contessa."

"I'd like to see Vido, if I could," said Tobias.

"Let's be off."

As they were walking through woods, Tobias introduced himself to Louis and Arianna. He shook hands with a friendly smile and began to talk to Arianna about the history of dragons.

"You are both quite knowledgeable," remarked Marco. "Tobias, by being part of this program, you've written yourself a place in draconic history. Rose, you as well. This is the first program of its kind, and this school was our first stop." He frowned, then added, "No matter how it turns out, it will be remembered."

Marco had them wait at the edge of the dragon enclosure as he entered. Giovanni was petting Vido, who looked like he was sleeping.

Marco and Giovanni exchanged a few words in Italian. Giovanni looked nervous, but Marco was reassuring him. Finally, Giovanni waved the four students in.

"Rose," he Giovanni gravely. "Tobias. I'm sorry it's been so long."

Tobias grinned. "Don't be sorry," he said. "I've had a brilliant time. I mean, who goes to school expecting to ride a dragon?"

"I agree," said Rose. "It's been amazing, honestly."

Louis approached Isla, who sniffed his hair. He offered up his hands, which she licked eagerly.

"Please be careful," said Giovanni wearily. "If anyone else gets hurt-"

"They know," said Marco. Arianna joined Louis, looking at Isla in wonder.

Giovanni led Rose over to where Contessa was tethered to an enormous tree. She wore what appeared to be a muzzle.

"It's so she can't breathe fire or bite," explained Giovanni as Rose reached up to touch it. "They're… new to us. Maria is still opposed to their use… strongly opposed. But your Ministry advisor says that the Ministry will be more comfortable knowing they are being used."

Rose ran her hand down Contessa's smooth scales. They sparkled a bright crimson in the shards of light appearing through the trees. The dragon closed her eyes, and Rose hoped she was feeling content. If Rose were in Contessa's place, she would feel horribly confined, being chained to the ground instead of free to roam the skies.

After a few minutes, Giovanni lay a hand on Rose's shoulder. "We'll walk you out of the forest," he said sadly. "It is growing late."

She knew he was right. Though Marco didn't like the idea, Rose still felt the need to say goodbye to Contessa, possibly for good. As much as she tried to be positive about the dragons not injuring anyone else, the realistic portion of her brain forced her to accept the possibility.

"I'll miss you," she murmured to Contessa, meeting the creature's intense eyes. "Thank you for everything."

Tobias let Vido lap at his hands, smiling softly at the great dragon. After a few murmured words, Tobias lay hand on Vido's snout, then tore himself away.

"They're so beautiful," gushed Arianna as they walked back towards the Castle. "I'm so glad I got to see them. Thank you for bringing us, Rose."

"Of course," she said. "I'll be up in a minute, I just... Louis, I'll meet you in the common room, alright?"

She watched as Louis and Arianna continued on towards the castle. Tobias had remained by her side.

"I don't want them to go," she found herself saying softly.

"Me neither."

"They've worked so hard to get here," she continued. "It's not their fault if someone is trying to- to mess everything up for them! When the dragons are fine, they're- they're perfectly fine, they're not a danger to anyone."

"They're docile," said Tobias, nodding. "Vido has a bit of fire to him, but he's never so much as looked at me sideways. Birds, on the other hand, well, birds are fair game."

Rose smiled. "Contessa never went for the birds, at least not while we were flying."

"It was pretty scary," admitted Tobias. "He just started diving, and then I saw that he was going for this flock of little black birds. He must've snatched four or five of them right out of the sky."

They continued exchanging stories as they slowly made their way towards the castle. It was nice, having someone who completely understood what she was going through. As much as her friends tried, they always seemed to be barely repressing the opinion that dragons couldn't be fully tamed. They always seemed certain that something bad was going to happen. Tobias, on the other hand, was able to insist just as fiercely as Rose that they did not pose a legitimate threat.

They parted ways in the Main Hall. As Tobias' steps echoed up the stone stairs leading to the basement, Rose began ascending the stairs that would lead her to the seventh floor, still absorbed in the memories of flying.

She knew something was wrong the moment the portrait hole swung open before her. There was screaming coming from inside the common room, screams of a familiar voice. Rose clambered through the hole, ending up in a heap on the floor.

Dominique stood in the center of the room, clutching a limp velvet bag that Rose recognized immediately. Louis stood across from his sister, arms crossed defiantly. The rest of the common room stood in shocked silence as Dominique screeched.

"You are disgracing our family, our entire line! Do you have any idea what Mum and Dad are going to do when they find out?"

"They're not going to find out, because I've stopped," said Louis. "I know that, you know that, the entire room knows that now, thanks to you."

"Do not lie to me, Louis!" continued Dominique, not lowering her voice. "I could smell it on your hands when you entered the room. You were there getting your fix and I am tired of it!"

"You're acting like it's a drug," said Louis, "and it's not. It's an herb that I used to calm myself down. Stress due to the O.W.L.s and all."

Cameron entered the circle and lay a hand on Dominique's shoulder. "Dominique, let's just -"

"Do not tell me what to do when it comes to my family, Cameron Thornton," hissed Dominique furiously. "That is my brother. He is my responsibility."

Louis caught sight of Rose, still sitting in front of the portrait hole.

"Rose!" he exclaimed. "Where the devil have you been?" Before she could answer, he continued. "Could you please tell Dominique that I was with you all night?"

"He was," said Rose when Dominique looked her. "I wanted to see Contessa."

"Who?"

"One of the dragons," explained Rose, remembering how most people had not attended lessons long enough to learn the dragons' names. "He and Arianna came down with Tobias and I to see them."

"Tobias?" said Dominique, wrinkling her nose. "That Slytherin boy?"

"Dominique, please," said Cameron softly. "Come talk to me for a few minutes-"

But instead, Dominique stepped around Rose, slid into the portrait hole, and was gone.

Albus skirted around the dissolving circle as Rose stood. Reaching her side, he said, "Up to James and Lysander's room?"

"Yes."

As they climbed the stairs, Rose's temper grew.

"I mean, the nerve of Dominique, to explode like that in front of everyone! Honestly, you'd think she and Victoire were completely unrelated. And-"

"You weren't there for all of it, Rose," said Albus, stopping her. "There's a reason we need to talk."

Lysander was on his bed, flipping through the end of his Transfiguration textbook.

"I came up as soon as the yelling started. Seeing how Rose is here, I assume it didn't end well."

James entered the room before Rose and Albus could respond. He grinned widely.

"Great row, eh? Shame that Louis got the brunt of it."

"What set Dominique off?" asked Rose.

"Apparently Louis has been on some kind of herbal enhancers," said Albus soberly. "She found the little bag with his things while he was gone. When he came back, Dominique took one whiff of him and freaked out."

"That's when I left," said Lysander. "She started screaming about giving him chances and having him waste them - it was awful, really."

Rose was like Lysander in the way that she did not like escalated arguments. She would have gone straight up to her room and settled in with some studying, as he had done.

"Rose, Dominique mentioned what herb - Louis called it an herbal enhancer - Louis was taking at one point," said Albus. "Hegolith."

"Like what we gathered for class?" she said.

"Exactly. And isn't that when you started getting those rashes?"

Louis, sitting glazed-eyed and alone. Louis, adjusting her wand grip as they watched Quidditch practice. Louis, Louis, Louis.

"It all makes so much sense," she murmured to herself.

She hadn't been having a reaction to her potions ingredients, or something in the Transfiguration classroom. The last rash had come right after her visit to Enchanting Enhancements- and Rose remembered watching Deasia fill a bag for Louis only moment before touching Rose, showing off her new ring.

"What does?" asked Lysander.

The door opened and Ethan Durham entered. He gave Rose a questioning look before sitting on his bed.

"Tomorrow," promised Rose. "Albus, we should probably leave."

They said their goodbyes and returned to the common room. Louis sat alone, flipping through the Daily Prophet. Rose considered joining him, but she needed time to think about what they had just discussed. She only realized how tired she was as she sat on her bed, and her thoughts about hegolith quickly turned into dreams about dragons.

However restful her night was, there was no preparing for what came the next morning.

"Rose, you're going to take me to Enchanting Enhancements."

Rose nearly choked on her pumpkin juice. It was breakfast, and Dominique had just appeared behind her.

"What?" she coughed.

"You heard me. After dinner, we're going to pay Enchanting Enhancements a visit."

Rose's mind spun, trying to decide how to proceed. Finding it difficult to properly articulate her confusion, she once again said, "What?"

"I need to speak to someone there about my brother," explained Dominique. "A little birdie told me that you knew where to find the people I need."

Stealing a moment to ponder the matter, Rose took another bite of her toast. Chewing, she decided honesty was the best course of action.

"I really don't want to get involved," she said. "I mean, this is between you and Louis."

"Unless you want Louis to end up in front of the headmistress," said Dominique sharply, "you will help me. Tonight."

She stalked off angrily, her strawberry blond hair flying out behind her.

"I would do it," said Albus as Rose looked to him. "She needs answers, and maybe you can ask them about the reactions you've been having to the hegolith."

Rose wondered what had happened to Dominique. She had grown up a lot over the course of the year, that much was obvious. Rose remembered her first train ride Hogwarts, when Dominique and Louis were throwing Bertie Botts Beans at each other. Now it was a screaming match in the common room.

"I suppose I'll go, then," said Rose, still feeling uneasy.

She went through her day, growing more nervous by the hour. When Professor Randor called on her in Transfiguration, she had to admit that she didn't know what they were discussing.

"How unlike you," he wheezed, peering over his spectacles at her. "Are you well, Miss Weasley?"

"Yes," said Rose, her cheeks pink, "sorry, Professor."

By the time she reached the Great Hall for dinner, her nerves had brought on a wave of nausea. She pushed away her empty plate as the food appeared.

"Not eating?" said James, filling his plate.

"Not hungry," murmured Rose, pouring herself a glass of water.

Lysander gave her a questioning look, but said nothing. Rose noticed him watching her throughout the meal, especially when Dominique came over and gave her an expectant glance.

"I'll meet you back at the common room," said Rose, standing. Lysander shot her another look, which she pretended not to see.

Dominique wore fiercely determined expression and remained silent as Rose let her out of the Great Hall. Once they reached the main staircase, however, she stopped Rose.

"I'm sorry for what I said to you before," she said, her expression softening. "It's just - I'm worried about my brother. He's not a bad person, but right now he's a bit... misguided."

"I just thought he was stressing over his O.W.L.s," said Rose honestly. "I never dreamed he was using anything..." She trailed off, unsure of how to classify hegolith.

Dominique sighed. "It's not a drug," she said. "It's allegedly a harmless herbal relaxer. I've heard of a lot of older students using it occasionally, but Louis is addicted to it. He's in that state every day now."

"But I thought he said that he stopped," said Rose.

"Of course he said that. But he came over and clapped me on the shoulder, and his hands just reeked."

"But I was with him all night," objected Rose, then realized that wasn't quite true. She had been with Louis ever since he and Arianna ran into her, and then up until she stopped to talk with Tobias. There was plenty of time for him to stop and get his- what have Dominique called it?- his fix.

Dominique looked surprised when Rose led her to the second floor bathroom.

"Moaning Myrtle's room?" she said, her brows raised. "How very clever. And Myrtle doesn't cause problems?"

"I guess not," said Rose, thinking back to when she asked the very same question. "Well, then. This is it."

A small tinkling bell sounded when Rose opened the door. Before the door could swing closed, Deasia appeared beside them.

"Good evening, Rose!" she said cheerfully. "So good to see you back again. And if I'm not mistaken, it's Dominique, correct?"

"Yes," said Dominique warily. "How do you -"

"Oh, I follow Quidditch," said Deasia lightly. "I'm an avid fan. What can I do for you today?"

"I'm here about someone else, actually. My brother Louis."

Deasia's perky expression darkened. "Yes, I heard about the confrontation last night. News travels fast."

Rose ambled around the room as Dominique talks with Deasia. There was only one other girl there, and she remained behind the main counter. Hearing voices, Rose changed her course and approached the Potions section.

"She looks dreadful," drawled an unfamiliar voice. "They took her straight to St. Mungo's, they did. Their whole lot went with her."

"I knew this was going to happen!"

The response was in Riss' clear tone. When the next words came, they were from Mindel.

"How could we have known that everything would go terribly wrong? That he would use it on the dragons?"

"We can't stop it now," said Riss, "not with everything that has happened."

"But who would want to stop all this fun?" asked the eerie, drawling voice again. "It's simply dreadful, isn't it? Imagine if the Rider woman dies. Wouldn't it should be perfectly awful?"

"Nobody's going to die, Myrtle" said Mindel, but she sounded uncertain. "They'll take care of her at St. Mungo's, just like Hagrid."

"Oh, that was a nasty one," cooed Moaning Myrtle. "I followed him and took to haunting his room for a bit. They thought he was going to die too."

"This ends now," said Mindel, her clear voice shaking. "We're not selling any more hegolith. I'm done."

"Someone has to stop him before anyone else gets hurt," said Riss coolly. "We'll have to come up with a plan..."

Rose realized the girl behind the main counter was staring at her and hurried away from the potions section, pretending to be interested in a selection of pre-bottled potions by one of the draped windows. The conversation she had overheard had left her reeling.

Was Louis really the one who had been tampering with the dragons? She knew that hegolith affected a wizard's temperament, but would it alter the dragons' so much to turn them to violence? And Mindel and Riss had said someone had been injured, and she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that the woman they had been discussing was Maria.

But how would Louis profit from the dragons' changing moods and raging tempers? Even if it was joke a practical joke gone way too far, Rose couldn't believe that he would have continued after Hagrid was injured. But the dragons had still been experiencing their mood swings, and now it appeared that Maria was at St. Mungo's.

Dominique was rubbing her forehead when Rose returned.

"Thank you anyway," she said to Deasia, who nodded, her mouth in a tight line. "I think we'll just go, then."

"Have a good evening," said Deasia quietly.

Rose follow Dominique out, waving back to Deasia before the door swung closed.

"What did she say?" asked Rose.

It looked like Dominique wasn't going to answer. After a moment, though, she snapped, "Nothing."

"But -"

"They're not allowed to betray the trust of their clients," said Dominique angrily. "There's confidentiality involved. They can't alienate their customers."

Rose had to admit, it made sense. Still, something was nagging at the back of her mind.

"Maybe Louis is telling the truth," she said, trying to think out loud. "Maybe he really stopped."

"Then he would no longer be one of their bloody customers," cried Dominique, smacking a stone wall with her hand. "They would have been able to tell me."

There was no arguing with Dominique. In her eyes, Louis was guilty, and a small voice gnawing away at Rose's brain had to agree.