"Duck!" Called Damian, as a particulary nasty looking hex flew in Hermione's direction, the girl hit the floor and spun, throwing a stunner at her attacker, another spell flew her way and she rolled, coming up on one knee she fired several spells, only to have them deflected. A stunner hit her in the chest and she crumpled. "Simulation off." Damian said quietly. The battle scene around them faded, leaving only Hermione and the lifeless manequin that had knocked her out. Sliding his arms under hers, he pulled her to the corner of the room, sitting her down on a beanbag. Turning back to the mannequin, he said, "Simulation repeat." and he was fighting. The scene around him dipicted a delapidated building, but that didn't matter, what mattered was his faceless attacker. A beam of yellow light flew by him and he fired a response in cherry red. Leaping onto a pile of rubble that was likely just a chair, he fired multiple shots at the dummy, leaping off , he rolled, firing spell after spell as he went, before, with a final flourish, he fired a 'stupify' at the dummy and the simulation ended.
A clapping broke the silence that had been filled by nothing but heavy breathing, Hermione Granger had woken up. He turned and bowed, and was rewarded with a chuckle.
"That's your fastest time yet, it's a shame the others weren't here to see it." Damian grinned, ruffling up his hair.
"Yeah, but it could have been better..." he said, Hermione snorted,
"Way to make me feel like even more of a failure." she said, roling her eyes, Damian glanced up at her,
"Sorry." He said, she grinned, letting him now that she was only kidding, and he felt himself relax. Throwing himself down on the beanbag next to hers, he shut his eyes, tilting back his head as he caught his breath, there was a rustle from Hermione and then she said,
"Mint?" his eyes flickered open, he nodded eagerly, she placed a powdery muggle sweet in his hand and he threw it into his mouth like a pill,
"Thanks," he chewed the sweet, "I-" whatever he was about to say next was drowned out as the door banged open.
"Did someone say mint?" came Neville's voice. The boy's question was closely followed by echoes from the people behind him,
"Longbottom, move your lardy arse out of the way so I can get into the goddamn room!" came a girl's voice,
"Daphne, impatience is bad for the mind, it leads to wrackspurt infestations..." Luna's dreamy voice called
"But behind Neville's said 'Lardy arse'..."
"Is the possibility of sweet minty goodness!" chorused the twins, there was the click of a camera and then a laugh,
"Hey Neville," called Susan Bones, "Collin just took a picture of your butt!"
"I wanted to see if it was lardy!" came an indignant squeek,
"Will you plebs get out of the way." came a drawl,
"Cann it Zabini, I will end you." Romilda threatened,
"Bring it on, half pint." came the response.
Hermione shut her eyes, massaging her temple she called, "Neville, are you going to come in?" said boy blinked then nodded, throwing himslef down on a beanbag he groaned. The others followed suit,
"So how was detention?" asked Damian, Daphne Greengrass squeezed her eyes shut and scrunched up her face as an answer, he snorted,
"Terrible..." said Neville, "Two hours with Filtch. He should not be allowed to work in a school." Hermione smirked,
"Well you guys shouldn't have been pranking, then." she said, shaking her head solomnly,
"Woman, the only reason you weren't in detention too was because you were on the goddamn computer system watching us with Damian. You planned it!" Susan huffed, eyes glittering,
"Susan... You wanna calm down?" said Ernie tentatively. She glanced at him and smiled easily,
"Who's not calm?" she asked.
"Damian, your mum was looking for you, by the way." said Daphne, "I heard her asking around for you." Damian scolwed, clambering to his feet he said,
"Well, I better go, see you guys later." the kids waved and he turned and exited the room, as the door swung shut he heard Neville ask,
"So Hermione, how about those mints...?"
Damian wandered down to his parent's quarters, he stood outside their door for several minutes before he finally knocked, the door swung open and Damian peered down at his mother, he wasn't sure when he had become taller then the majority of his agegroup, but he towered over most people, so he didn't mind. His mother smiled when she saw him, and he couldn't help noticing how tired she looked, there were deep bags under her eyes and her hair contrasted sharply with her sickly pale face.
"Damian," she wrapped her arms around him before pulling him into her room, "Sit." she gestured to a chair. Damian did as he was asked and looked up at his mother, "I wanted to talk to talk to you. Dumbledore would do it himself but he's been very busy recently, we need you to be careful next year. We are hosting a Triwizard Tornament. I'm sure you know what that is, right?" at her son's nodd she smiled sadly, and continued, "There will be unfamiliar people, some of which have death-eater backgrounds, and we need you to tread carefully. We are aiming to determine all who are threats and give you a file, but as your mentor says..." she looked at him, smile toying at her lips,
"Constant vigilance..." Damian said in a monetone.
"That's right." His mother smiled.
Ok, that's the next chapter. Damian has networked and made some new friends, you'll see how that plays out... I love the guesses and questions asking how Harry is going to survive. I wont answer but I'd be delighted if anyone actually gets it, so I'll give you readers a hint. The means for Harry's survival was introduced many chapters back...
And that's all that I will say.
please read and review.