Somewhere on the other side of Britain, at number 12 Grimmauld Place, Remus Lupin suddenly slapped a hand over his ear. Nymphadora Tonks, sitting next to him, cut her eyes at him worriedly.
"Wotcher Remus! What's wrong with yeh?" Tonks demanded, dragging his hand down and peering at his ear.
"Nothing Nymphadora, my ears were burning that's all. Nothing to be concerned about." He replied, stroking her arm comfortingly.
"Somebody's been talking' about you…better not be those chits at the ministry…" Tonks's eyes ( a vivid purple) turned red at the thought, her skin turning burnt orange, and her hair a vivid blue. She looked like the flame on a candle turned into an irate young woman.
Remus looked on in amusement. "Tonks dear, I've told you a thousand times…"
"That you're not interested in any of those 'nice ladies at work'….blah blah blah…I've seen the way that Afolda woman looks at you!" Tonks huffed, leaning into him.
Obligingly he put an arm around her, "Her name is Mafalda and she doesn't look at me any particular way. Calm down, Nymphadora. You have my heart, no one else." Lupin smiled down at her, pressing his lips to her forehead.
Tonks smiled up at him, her hair reverting to its natural black, her eyes to the natural shade of blue. "I've told you , it's Tonks."
"Ah, of course." Lupin rested his head on top of hers, "I love you Nymphadora."
She didn't correct him.
…
The morning after their little 'party' in the kitchens the six teens groggily made their way to the Great hall. Draco and Blaise seemed none the worse for wear, while the two girls dragged in behind them, eyes squinted against the light. Being a Sunday the breakfast wasn't attended by the professor's who preferred to leave the rambunctious houses on their own under the watchful eyes of the Princes on the weekends.
"Just when you need an overcast day, it's gotta be bleeding sunny!" Pansy groused, summoning her sunglasses from her room. She slipped them on and sighed in relief. Ginny emulated her, and grinned weakly.
"I need coffee. A whole lot of coffee!" Ginny hissed grumpily, folding her arms and plonking down next to Draco. Obligingly a huge jar of coffee appeared beside her plate. It took both her hands to lift it and she chugged it in three gulps. When she set it back down the rest stared at her. She lifted one shoulder and waited for breakfast to actually start.
Pansy rolled her eyes and resumed her avid staring at the entrance hall. Damien entered a few minutes later, the same benign smile on his face that he had every day, a spring in his step as he slung himself into his 'throne'. He waved at the Slytherin table jauntily and Pansy lifted a hand back at him.
Damien glanced toward Ravenclaw, and was surprised to find only five puzzled looking students. He glanced back to the Slytherin table and motioned with his head at the near-empty Ravenclaw table. Pansy caught his gaze and glanced over.
"What the hell?" She yelped, drawing everybody's attention to the empty table.
The five Ravenclaws made their way across the room to kneel by Damien's chair. They had a heated discussion before Damien growled and stood from his chair. He stalked over to the Slytherin table and bent over Pansy, slamming his hands down on the table.
"It seems that Alex didn't make it to her Commons last night. The rest of the Flight is out looking for her. These five are the Nestlings, sent with some fabricated story for the Professors." Damien ran a hand through his hair rapidly. "I've got to find her. Can Hufflepuff count on your help? Ravenclaw needs the assistance."
Blaise was already halfway out of his chair, glancing between the two Princes. Needing no permission he walked out of the Great Hall, the doors slamming behind him. The rest of the Slytherin court watched him go, some of them rising to follow him. They stopped when they glanced back at Draco and saw the cold mask in place instead of the friendly look he reserved for his housemates. Silently they sat down, cowed by their Prince.
Draco was understandably conflicted. His second in command was already gone, off hunting for his Prince. He couldn't risk letting his house get injured or killed for one person. He also couldn't risk the political backlash if he did not answer the call for help. Deciding quickly he sent a glance to his Third and Fourth. They stiffened and watched him warily, awaiting his decision.
"Millicent, Pansy. Take the Bride back to the commons and keep her there. Do not leave the commons until I return. Do not alert the professors to anything out of the ordinary. Gregory, Vincent, Theodore gather the oldest and the most capable and meet me outside the forest. Move quickly, time is of the essence. Everyone else, stay here and eat your breakfast. Third years and below should place yourselves in conspicuous places so that the school does not look deserted. Fourth years, go outside and do something on the green. Dismissed."
The Slytherins leapt to their feet splitting into groups and dispersing quickly out. The Gryffindors watched in confusion as first half of the Slytherins then most of the Hufflepuffs left the Great Hall before breakfast even started.
Ron turned to Hermione in confusion, "Hey 'mione, where do you suppose they're going?"
Hermione glanced up and away again, "Who cares? Let's eat."