She watched from the shadows as the three students left the pub. Golden eyes held a dangerous tint as her pink tongue darted out to lick the lollipop held in her grip. She looked on with a bored air about her as they conversed with each other for a moment, before splitting up and going up to people to speak with them. Each person they spoke to either sadly shook their heads or snapped an angry reply of some sort.

"Che. How silly. Asking potential victims if they know anything about the disappearances. How stupid! Not a smart move at all." Rhode mumbled childishly as she bit down on the sucker, enjoying the sharp 'crunch!' that it made. 'Just like bones when they snap.' She sneered in disgust as they kept asking the villagers questions. "Ugh! How idiotic can you get? By Earl, and I have to watch these fools?" She asked herself, rather insulted that she was asked to do this.

"Now, now, patience is of the essence, no?" A smooth voice call from behind her. Recognizing the voice, she turned with a smile. "Tyki! What are you- whoa, what happened to you?" She asked as she took in his appearance.

The normally dapper suit that he wore was ruffled and torn in various locations. His hair was a wild mess, and it looked like a very angry woman had walloped him right across his cheek with little thought about how it would affect his image. He had numerous scratches all over his body and he was leaning heavily on his cane.

"I just came back from a mission in China." He told her with a small smile. He didn't want to tell her he had to kill pandas. Rhode loved all adorable things and somehow he doubted she'd forgive him for this, even if it was a mission.

"You look like you been through quite the fight." She stated, obviously wanting to know more.

"Yes, well, even though I can 'choose' to touch something, it's harder to concentrate when you're going against multiple opponents." He muttered. "In any case my mission was a success. I just came to see what you were up to."

"The Earl gave me the most boring mission ever!" Rhode whined. "I have to observe those brats and if I see the chance, find a way to get them into the forest. I wish I could watch Allen." She sniffed; disappointed that she couldn't see her crush.

"Me too." Tyki said with a perverted smile. They spent a few moments fantasying over Allen in a rather dirty fashion.

In the bar, Allen felt a shudder run up his back. "Ug! Why do I feel like some perv just tried to watch me undress and someone else just tried to play dress up with me?" He asked himself before Cross kicked him in the head.

"Harry this isn't working, perhaps we should find another…" The voice broke the Noah's out of their daydreams. The Gryffindors had gotten closer to the alleyway but not near enough to see them.

"What do you suggest then? I'm doing the best I can." They heard a boy say in response.

"You have to get them into the forest?" Tyki asked Rhode in an interested tone.

"Yeah, it's a plan made up by that Snake Man. Top secret." Rhode replied with a yawn.

"Just pretend you're related to one of the victims." Tyki said with a shrug, but Rhode just shook her head slowly.

"Wouldn't work. It'd be too suspicious. Even they wouldn't be dumb enough to fall for that. All though. . ." She trailed off, looking over Tyki once again. A sly grin lit up her face.

"Hey Tyki, how good are you at acting?"

"This is getting us nowhere! Everyone's too afraid, thinking they'll be next. It was a good plan Harry, but if we want answers we need to change tactics." Hermione told him.

"I know Hermione, but I can't think of anything else that we could do!" Harry snapped back, clearly frustrated with their lack of results. "Maybe we should just go back to the Three Broomsticks." He said in a defeated tone.

"Cheer up mate. I'm sure we'll think something up." Ron encouraged as they began walking back. "'Sides, we should make sure Allen is ok." Before they could go save their friend, though, they heard sobbing coming from an alleyway.

"Uncle, uncle. . ." The three heard a little girl cry. Wands immediately out; they approached the alleyway and saw a young girl with short hair tugging at a man's body. "Uncle, please wake up!" she sobbed hysterically into his chest.

"What happened?" Harry asked as he ran up to her, Ron and Hermione on his heels. Red rimmed eyes peered up at him.

"I-I don't know." The girl hiccuped. "I went to buy some candy at Honeydukes. H-he was supposed to wait outside for me, but when I came back out, he was gone! I looked down here by chance. I almost missed him!" More tears fell. "Don't die Uncle!" She begged to the unconscious body.

"He isn't going to die." Hermione comforted her. "See? His chest is still rising, that means he's breathing." Right after she said this, the man let out a pained groan and opened his eyes.

"Where?" He asked sluggishly, looking at the world with blurry eyes. "Emily is that you?" He asked, talking to the little girl.

"Uncle Tim!" She shouted in joy, hugging him with all her might. "You're ok! I'm so happy!"

"Oof! Of course I'm alright! It's going to take more than a monster to take out your Uncle Tim." He told her, ignoring the pain her hug had caused.

"Monster?" Ron asked. The man turned to the three students.

"Yes. I was waiting for my niece when this monster dragged me into this alleyway." He said in a bewildered tone- as if he couldn't believe it himself.

"Did you see what it looked like?" Harry asked him urgently. This, the boy realized, could be the clue they needed.

"Why, it looked like a giant mutated panda!" The man gasped out in complete shock.

'Mutated panda?' The three thought together and couldn't help but think of the first Transfiguration class they had with Allen.

"Yes! I'm recalling things a bit better now." Tim told them as he closed his eyes in concentration. "It spoke to me. It said it needed to take me to the forest near the school by tonight. Its master commanded it."

"Oh, Uncle Tim! That sounds horrible! How did you escape?" Emily gasped out, pale as a corpse.

"I fired a spell at it. Goodness, what did I use? I can't recall, I was so panicked. Well whatever it was, it scared it away." The man said, patting his niece on her back in comfort. "Come now Emily, let me up."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Hermione asked, concerned for his health.

"Yes, yes." He chuckled good naturedly as he stood on unsteady legs. "A pop over to the local healer's and I'll be good as new."

"Do you need us to escort you?" Harry asked him.

"Hmm, I think we'll be alright. Besides, you three are from Hogwarts, right?" At their nod he continued. "Don't you have a curfew?"

"Oh! Yes, we have to be back soon!" Hermione replied after checking the time. The group walked out of the alleyway and split up with the students going to the Three Broomsticks and the uncle and niece going to the healer.

"Thanks for all your help!" Emily yelled with a happy wave before they disappeared around a corner.

"Well, looks like we have a lead." Ron said in excitement as they entered the bar.

"I'm just happy he was alright." Hermione sighed in relief. "How horrible would it have been if he had died?"

"But he didn't." Harry pointed out, not wanting to imagine the man dying. "And now that we know where that thing was going to take him, we just need to explore the forest tonight. I still have my invisibility cloak."

"Just one problem mate." Ron piped up. "Dumbledore put wards up around the forest. Besides is this worth the risk of expulsion?" He asked, reminding the other two of the Headmaster's opening words.

"We won't get caught." Harry said firmly, eyes determined. "And if we do. . .I'm sure he'll understand." He finished resolutely.

"I don't know. He sounded serious. . ." Hermione trailed off on a worried tone. Somehow, she had a feeling if they went into the forest, that Professor Dumbledore wouldn't be lenient. A loud crash pulled them from their thoughts.

"What? Get back here, you little cheat!" They heard an enraged roar from the corner of the room. Turning to see what the problem was, they blinked in surprise at the white blur running towards them. They paled when they realized it wasn't planning on stopping and yelped in pain as it ran right into them, sending them all to the floor.

"Ow!" Hermione and Harry groaned as they hit the ground.

"Hey watch it!" Ron yelled at the person sprawled a few feet away. "Allen?" He gaped when he realized who it was. At the mention of his name, panicked eyes shot up to meet the trio's. Faster than they could blink, the short boy was already up and at the door before turning to look at them.

"What are you waiting for? Run! Run before the beasts eat you!" He screamed at them before zooming out the door.

"Beasts? What is he on about?" Harry growled, rubbing his head. The three froze when they heard an animal like snort from behind them. Slowly, as one, they all turned to gaze upon two of the hairiest, most feral looking men they had ever seen in their young lives.

'Oh.' They all thought together. 'THOSE beasts.'

"You friends with that cheatin' brat?" One snarled out, cracking his knuckles. "That's all well and good, you can pay for him skimping on us." He said with a grin, showing his rotten teeth.

"Uh, look! Beautiful women!" Harry said desperately, pointing his finger to where Cross was sitting. With both of the men's attention turned that way. Harry shot up and ran towards the door, Ron and Hermione on his right behind.

They ran all the way to Hogwarts and sped up even faster when they heard enraged yelling behind them. They only slowed down a tad when they saw the Hogwarts gate.

Entering through, they found Allen right behind the gate, breathing heavily, lying flat on his back.

"What did you do to those blokes?" Ron wheezed out, tired from running.

"Please don't make me bring up bad memories." Allen heaved, staring at the darkening sky. "It's bad for my health. And if you must blame someone, blame Professor Cross."

"A mutated panda?" Rhode laughed, clutching her stomach. "Of all the things you could have said you pick that? She gasped out, tears running down her face.

"Quiet you." Tyki muttered, trying to hide his embarrassed blush. "Pandas are frightening."

"No they're not!" Rhode said, slapping his arm. "Pandas are cute, especially the baby ones." Tyki was so thankful she chose that moment to summon her door, as it caused her to miss the shudder that racked his frame. Stepping through the door, they walked in silence.

"I hate them." Rhode said after a while. "I hate all those filthy humans."

"Every last one?" Tyki asked in amusement.

"Every last one. Except Allen." Rhode confirmed with a giggle.

"Ah, yes. Allen." Tyki muttered in a dreamy voice. "I like him too."

"Neh, neh, how our are plans going? I've been here for days waiting for those kids so I need to get caught up." Rhode whined, tugging on his sleeve. "I was all alone, couldn't even bring an akuma to play with, 'cause Allen was there."

"You'll be happy to know that our plans are running smoothly." Tyki said while lighting up a cigarette.

"All of our plans run smoothly." She said while giving him a bored look.

"Not always. Allen's pretty good at messing us up." Tyki pointed out. But it was ok. He forgave the gorgeous boy.

"That's true, but I'll forgive him." Rhode said with a secret smile. "Besides, he's special."

"That man, Voldemort, he thinks he's using us. He thinks we're fools." Tyki told her off handedly, just to see her reaction. Rhode couldn't help but snort at this.

"He's the fool. He's the one being used, but then again all humans are fools aren't they Tyki? Even Allen." It was more of a statement then a question, though it did have a sad ring to it near the end. Tyki only nodded in agreement before saying with a boyish grin on his face.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean they're not fun to play with." They both laughed at his statement.

"Come on, the Count's waiting for us." Rhode said as she opened the door.

"It is almost dinner time." Tyki replied causally as he walked out of the doorway and into a furbished dining hall. Rhode just smiled before entering herself as door behind her vanished.

"Earl!" She squealed as she hugged the round man sitting at the table.

"Hello Rhode. Did you do as I asked?" He asked as he patted her cheerfully on the head.

"Uh-huh! With Tyki's help we planted the clue in their heads." She said happily before pouting. "I think I deserve a year's supply of candy; that was a boring mission!" She whined childishly.

"You are positive about this?" Another voice hissed from across that table. Rhode looked and the pale man caressing his snake and smiled.

"Trust me." She said darkly, "They won't be able to resist. Not after the show we put on, right Tyki?" Ask the man who was busy filling up his plate.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. Won't be able to resist." He said distractedly as he began to eat. The Earl tilted his head to the side, his smile never leaving his face.

"Tyki-pon.' He called out cheerfully. "Why are you here?" The said man slowly sat down his fork and turned to look at the Earl.

"Eating?" He asked with a nervous smile.

"Have you done what I have asked?"

"Yes! It's done! Completed! Couldn't you tell by the state of my normally sexy clothes?" Tyki asked, sound slightly hysterical near the end.

"There, there." The Earl consoled, pinching the man's cheek like a child. "As long as it's done, everything's ok."

"What'd you make Tyki do?" Rhode asked, truly curious. "He won't tell me, meanie." She stuck her tongue out at Tyki who was rubbing his cheek.

"Oh I just had him take care of something for me, that's all. It was a small matter." The Earl chuckled at Tyki's offended look.

"Back to the matter at hand." Voldemort rasped out, regaining their attention. "You're positive they'll be in the forest tonight? You did target the right students, yes?" He asked suspiciously.

"Well duh." Rhode replied. "They'll be there, I can guarantee it. And of course they're the right ones. Messy black hair, green eyes, and a lightning bolt scar hanging around with a tall red headed boy with freckles and a girl with bushy hair. That sound right?"

"Ha, ha! Yes! Yes! Most excellent!" Voldemort boomed out. "My apologies for my doubts." He apologized.

"Why do you want them in the forest so badly?" Tyki asked because he seemed to be the one out of the loop.

"I want them destroyed." The pale man said softly. "I want their blood spilt on that dirty ground, their bones splintered and I want to hear them scream. Your akumas are not affected by magic, correct?"

"Yes. Not even Avada Kedarva can take out my precious machines." The Duke assured.

"I'll take your word. However, I have one request." Vodlemort replied.

"Oh?"

"Kill the two sidekicks if you want; they mean little to me; injure Harry Potter if you must but nothing more." Voldemort ordered as he stood up. "That boy's demise belongs to me and me alone. As I said, kill the friends but I will put him into death's embrace myself. Are we clear?"

"Of course." The Earl said with a giggle.

"Good." Voldemort nodded. "I shall take my leave now. It was a wonderful diner." With that said, he stalked out the door way and went to another part of the decaying mansion.

"He needs to get laid so bad." Tyki commented and received a whack in the head for his efforts. "Ow! What, I can't even say the truth anymore?" He asked, annoyed as he rubbed his head.

"Be polite Tyki-pon." The Earl scolded. The Noah of Pleasure just mumbled rude things under his breath as he went back to eating.

"Will you be there tonight?" Rhode asked as she twirled a piece of hair around her finger.

"I'll be in the forest, but I won't be at the show." The elder man replied as he wiped away a fake tear. "There's Innocence in that forest somewhere and we need to find it soon."

"There is?" Tyki asked incredulously. Here he thought they were doing this for shits and giggles.

"Oh yes." The Earl told him. "And while I don't expect Rhode to miss the show, I do expect Tyki-pon to come help me find the Innocence."

"But that forest is huge!" Tyki complained.

"Would you prefer to go back to China?" The Earl asked pleasantly.

"Uh-Oh my!" Tyki gasped out in a most gay way. "I seem to have become rather tired. Well, if I want to be of any use this evening, I should go to sleep right now! Good night!" He told his family as he dashed out of the hallway.

"Wow." Rhode said eyes wide. "What did you make him do?"

"Oh, he just took care of a little pest problem for me." The Earl said as he sipped his tea.