"Dad, where's mum?" Rose spotted her dad with Bill and Fleur. "Where are Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry?"
"Something came up at Hogwarts. You are all coming home with us." Ron answered and waited for all of the questions.
"Anything interesting, Mr. Weasley?" Scorpius Malfoy came to stand between Rose and Albus.
"Scorpius Malfoy, didn't see you there." Ron had to bite his tongue. Even after the events of the last year, he still didn't quite trust the Malfoys. "I don't know details, I was told to get the kids home."
"Bet it had something to do with spiders." Rose giggled.
"Hush. Ron smiled. They all teased him about his fear of spiders. He went up against Death Eaters and the Dark Lord without question, but spiders terrified him.
"Hey, Dad, can Albus come over?" Scorpius asked as Draco entered the store. They were in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the store George and Fred started after they left Hogwarts. George and Ron co-managed the store now. The kids never knew their Uncle Fred since he was killed during the Battle of Hogwarts. Ron had been an Auror for a couple of years after Hogwarts but then made the decision to join George at the store.
"Only if it's alright with his parents." Draco smiled and then nodded at the adults.
"Maybe some other time. If there's an issue at the school, we probably won't be able to reach them." Albus replied.
"Issue at Hogwarts?" Draco looked at Ron. He shrugged.
"All we know is Harry, Ginny, and Hermione left with the new Care of Magical Creatures professor." Bill said.
"I have a feeling it has something to do with acromantulas…" Ron shuddered.
"Giant spiders? Cool!" Scorpius said. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Amethyst said the reason she was late meeting us had something to do with them, so there's a good chance." Fleur agreed.
"Amethyst?" Albus asked. "As in Amethyst Abbott?"
"You know Amethyst Abbott?" Bill looked at his nephew.
"I know of her. She appeared in one of mum's books. She was in mum's year at Hogwarts… a Hufflepuff." Albus answered. "Mum lost touch after they finished school, but said she recommended her to Uncle Charlie as a temporary research assistant."
"She was a member of Dumbledore's Army and fought alongside Ginny and the others at the Battle of Hogwarts." Harry walked in on the tail end of the conversation.
"Daddy!" Harry's youngest ran up to him. Lily was the spitting image of her mother. James and Albus took after Harry.
"Lily…" Albus and James shared a look and then rolled their eyes. "Where's mum?" Albus continued.
"Still at Hogwarts." Harry looked at Ron. "Go to our place and get the kids' stuff for school."
"You're not seeing us off tomorrow?" James asked. Harry looked at his eldest son. "You've never missed…"
"I know. We will try to meet you at King's Cross Station before the train leaves. If not, we will see you at Hogwarts. This issue may take awhile." Harry mussed James' hair.
"Dad, can I stay with Scorpius?" Albus asked after Scorpius nudged him.
"Actually…" Harry looked at Draco. "I was hoping Draco wouldn't mind lending us a hand. Bill and/or Fleur, too?" He looked at the three.
"Draco?" Ron looked at Harry.
"If you were't terrified of spiders…" Harry raised an eyebrow at his best friend.
"Is it really acromantulas?" Scorpius asked, intrigued. Harry nodded. "Cool."
"Bet he enjoyed Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures…" Harry laughed and looked at Draco.
"That he did." Draco smiled and shook his head. "If Ron doesn't mind having Scorpius as well, I can certainly help." In truth, as soon as he'd heard the name Amethyst Abbott he was wondering how he could get to Hogwarts early. Amethyst had been his only true friend at Hogwarts. During his time as a Death Eater he had pushed her away. She was upset but she hadn't argued. She started sending secret, self-destructing notes up until Dumbledore's death. Amethyst was from an old wizarding family but was not considered a pure-blood. Her father was a pure-blood, but her mother was a muggle. From what he understood, her mother had died right after childbirth and her father moved them back to Godric's Hollow to be near his family. It had been easy for Draco to understand why Amethyst had been sorted into Hufflepuff. She made an effort to get to know the real Draco… the one he hid from everyone – including – his family. His indoctrination into the pure-blood superiority prevented him from ever being anything more than friends with Amethyst. After he became a Death Eater, he knew she deserved better. He was also sure she had never seen him as anything but a friend. Even as accepting as she was, there's no way she would have cared for him in that way. They only met in secret so Draco doubted anyone knew they have been friends.
"I can stay with Ron, he might have his hands full with six kids… plus their belongings." Fleur said. Bill agreed as did Ron, knowing he had a hard enough time with just his two.
"However, Draco, no offense but I'd rather not pay a visit to Malfoy Manor…" Ron spoke up.
"I will have someone drop his things off at King's Cross in the morning." Draco replied. He didn't blame them for not wanting to visit the manor. Their first and only visit hadn't been pleasant.
"Thanks." Ron nodded.
"We better be getting back to Hogwarts." Harry said after everything was settled. Bill and Draco put their hand on Harry's shoulder and they disapparated to Hagrid's cottage.
"Did you tell…" Hermione started but then noticed standing next to Harry.
"Ron and Fleur are with the kids. I told them if we don't make it to King's Cross in time then we will see them here." Harry replied looking between Hermione and Ginny. "Where's Amethyst?"
"You really should get up to the castle, Amethyst. That looks bad." They heard Hagrid on the other side of the cottage.
"I agree." There was another voice.
"Just wrap it, Neville. I'll deal with it later." Her voice sounded annoyed and tired. "How are the babies? Did we find them all, Hagrid?"
"Some are minor injuries. Others are more critical; we could still lose a few…" Neville's voice trailed off.
"There are still two missing." Hagrid finally spoke again.
"I thought as much." The group turned the corner and saw Amethyst leaning against a fence post with her right arm wrapped in gauze. Blood was starting to show.
"What can we do?" Harry asked. Hagrid and Neville looked at them but Amethyst kept her eyes down. Orion was sitting at her feet, gently poking her with a paw.
"It's going to be okay." Ginny laid a hand on her shoulder. "What can we do?"
"Apart from going deeper into the forest…" Amethyst looked at her.
"The later it gets, the more dangerous the forest becomes." Hagrid explained Amethyst's hesitation.
"Maybe if we broke into teams, we could cover more ground. I just want to recover the babies." Amethyst looked up at the sky. The sun was setting.
"Hagrid and Neville can stay here. The rest of us will head back into the forest." Bill said. "Will you be alright with that arm?" He nodded to Amethyst.
"It's just a scratch." She remarked ignoring Hagrid's huff.
"Okay, Draco and Amethyst, myself and Ginny, and then Bill and Hermione. If you find a baby, shoot green sparks into the sky and head back to the paddock. If you run into trouble, shoot red sparks into the sky." Harry said as they got to the tree line. He looked at Draco as that probably sounded familiar to him. They all nodded and then entered the forest.
"…" Draco watched her out of the corner of his eye. She hadn't reacted to seeing him so he figured she didn't recognize him. He almost didn't recognize her… it wasn't until her saw her eyes that he knew for sure. She had been given the name "Amethyst" because of her eyes. She was the only person – magical or mugglle – he knew that had bright purple eyes. They were contrasted with her fair skin and garnet red hair.
"Aracnis!" A stream of dark purple light flew from her wand, striking and acromantulas on a foot. He barely saw it before she cast the spell. "I really need to work on a stronger spell… one at a time is going to take too long." She said more to herself. She wanted to talk to Draco but knew she needed to stay focused. The darker the forest got, the more dangerous it became.
"Aracnis!" Draco hit a giant spider on the butt. "How many are there?" He asked but he wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"Thousands probably. Not all full grown. Most of them are still small. There may be a couple hundred the size of a car." Amethyst took a deep breath and stopped walking. Draco put his back against hers.
"…" All he could hear was their breathing and rustling leaves in the distance. Suddenly there was a muffled cry to his right. It didn't sound human.
"There." Amethyst heard it too. She took slow, cautious steps in the direction it had come from. Draco continued to scan the area for giant spiders. Amethyst used the tip of her wand to carefully scatter a pile of leaves. "There, there, little one." She calmly cooed at the baby hippogriff. She scanned the area for any signs of it being a trap before picking the baby up. She cradled it against her chest as Draco slowly guided her back towards him.
"Verdimillious!" Green sparks shot into the sky from Draco's wand and they made their way back out of the forest. He kept his free hand on her waist, keeping her close. "How is it?"
"Hard to tell. Alive, at least." She had to stop herself from really leaning into Draco. As soon as they reached the tree line, more green sparks lit up the sky. "That's two." They made their way to the paddock and she could make out the silhouettes of adult hippogriffs along the fence line. "Hopefully this will be all the excitement for tonight."
"Neville." Hagrid spoke softly when he noticed Amethyst and Draco enter the paddock. Neville stood quickly and hurried to them. Amethyst handed him the baby hippogriff and then turned to face the forest.
"Something doesn't feel right." The hairs on the back of her neck were standing up and a chill ran through her. Draco noticed how tense she was. Before anyone could say anything, red sparks shot high into the sky. "Come on!" She and Draco ran towards the forest.
"Amethyst! Draco!" Ginny yelled when she saw them. She was clearly in a panic. Hermione was holding something close to her chest.
"What happened?" Draco asked.
"Acromantulas grabbed Harry. Bill went after them. We were just exiting the forest. We were…" Ginny was barely holding it together.
"Neville!" Amethyst yelled. A few moments later he came running up to them. Behind him were two adult hippogriffs. "Take the baby back to Hagrid. Then meet us back here. It's Harry." Neville took the baby from Hermione and did as he was told. She glanced between the hippogriffs and could make out the form of a small knealze. "Orion, stay with Hagrid."
"What are they…?" Draco nodded towards the adult hippogriffs.
"That's Flamebeak and Silvermist. Parents to most of the babies and the alphas of the herd." Amethyst replied. "They're here to help." Neville came running back towards them. Flamebeak approached the group first. He was a pinkish roan in coloring with some more bronze colored feathers around his beak. He was also a very large hippogriff. Silvermist was a stormy grey and only slightly smaller than her mate. "Hermione, Ginny, and Neville, you will ride on Flamebeak while Draco and I will ride Silvermist. Once we rescue Harry and Bill, shoot green sparks and Hagrid will send two more hippogriffs." They all bowed to their respective hippogriffs before climbing on their back.
"…" Draco hesitated. He looked up at Amethyst and then climbed up behind her. They headed deeper and deeper into the forest.
"Where are we going?" Neville asked quietly.
"Following Harry and Bill's scent. It looks like we're heading towards the acromantulas' den." Amethyst replied. An uneasy feeling was settling over her. She had never been to the den and knew enough to stay well clear of it. "Wands ready, we're getting close."
"Aracnis!" They heard Bill in the distance. The hippogriffs stopped a safe distance away and the group dismounted. They cautiously made their way towards Bill's voice; constantly scanning the dense trees. They saw Bill and Harry standing in a small opening with their backs to each other. They were surrounded by acromantulas of varying sizes. Draco glanced at Amethyst and noted her expression. She was about to do something stupid, but he wasn't sure what. She raised her wand.
"Lumos maxima!" A bright light jumped from the tip of Amethyst's wand and the giant spiders scurried into the darkness. "Run!" They all took off running towards the hippogriffs shouting "aracnis" and pointing their wands randomly in different directions without looking.
"Verdimillious!" Ginny shot green sparks into the sky. Two more hippogriffs came towards them. "Hagrid jumped the gun, I'm glad of that."
"Wait, where's Amethyst?" Draco hadn't noticed when she dropped behind him. They looked around but she was nowhere to be seen. "Harry, you're injured, get back to Hagrid." Harry tried to argue but Ginny pushed him towards one of the new hippogriffs.
"Hermione and Neville, you get going too. Neville, you might want to send word to Hannah." Bill added. Knowing he needed to send word to his wife as soon as possible, Neville didn't argue. Hermione, reluctantly, went with him knowing it was safe to travel in at least a pair still.
"Ahh!" As soon as Neville and Hermione were gone, they heard Amethyst scream.
"Come on!" Draco took off in that direction with Bill right beside him. "Aracnis!" They came to a dead stop when they saw a giant acromantulas hovering over Amethyst. Her wand was laying to the side and she hadn't been able to reach it. Draco also noticed the bandaged wrapped around her arm was completely soaked with blood. He ran to her and pulled her to him. Bill grabbed her wand and then they took off for the hippogriffs. Bill kept casting the aracnis charm in all directions. When they reached Flamebeak and Silvermist, he helped Draco get Amethyst, who was drifting in out of consciousness, onto Flamebeak. Draco climbed up behind her and Bill climbed onto Silvermist. Bill was barely on when they took to the sky. Once they cleared the trees, they were back at the paddock in no time.
"What happened?" Hagrid took Amethyst and carried her into his cottage. They all followed. "Merlin's beard…" He saw the state of her arm. He noticed that Bill had her wand in his hand. "What spell did she use?"
"Lumos maxima." Draco said. "What's going on?"
"I keep telling her to have Flitwick look at that wand…" Hagrid muttered but didn't Draco.
"Hagrid?" Harry was leaning against Ginny, who then made him sit down. They watched as Hagrid paced back and forth, Amethyst still in his arms.
"Here." Draco took Amethyst and laid her on Hagrid's bed. "What's going on?" He repeated but Hagrid didn't seem to be paying attention. Orion jumped up into the bed nudged Amethyst's left hand. It fell to where her palm was facing up and Draco could make out a scar that trailed up her arm. He traced it absentmindedly, remembering exactly how she got it.
"We believe her want is cursed – or jinxed at the very least." Neville spoke up. There was a blonde standing next to him who looked vaguely familiar to Draco.
"To be fair, it isn't her original wand." The blonde said. Her surprise at seeing Draco was evident. "It's her father's. She was disarmed by a stranger a couple of years ago. When she uses strong spells, a wound or two open on her arm. The stronger the spell, the worse the wound is."
"Is her father still alive?" Hermione asked.
"He died about four years ago." Hagrid seemed to snap out of his trance. "Hannah, do you have the potion?"
"Yes, but I'm almost out. I should have enough for tonight but I will need to brew more." The blonde approached Amethyst. Before he could do anything, a red object flew through the open window and landed on the back of a nearby chair. "Oh, well, hello, Ember."
"A phoenix?" Hermione gasped.
"Amethyst raised her from a hatchling – even before actually." Hagrid sighed with relief. "Ember comes and goes as she pleases, but usually spends her nights with Amethyst." They watched as the phoenix flew to the bed and laid her head on Amethyst's arm. When she was satisfied she flew over to Harry.
"I haven't had that happen since Fawkes after the Triwizard Tournament…" Harry watched as Ember settled on the headboard after crying on his leg.
"Why did her dad leave her his wand? They are usually buried with their owner or destroyed." Ginny asked. Hagrid, Hannah, and Neville all shrugged. Harry and Ginny both noticed that Draco hadn't once taken his off Amethyst. He was only absentmindedly petting Orion as he laid curled up next to his owner.
"Should I even give this back then?" Bill asked, holding Amethyst's wand.
"I wish we could say 'no', but it is too dangerous for her to be without a wand right now." Neville answered. "We've been having major issues with the acromantulas for the past six months or so and things have only gotten worse."
"She's been practicing wandless magic, but the protection spells and the aracnis spell have proven the more challenging and they are the most needed." Hannah added.
"She is also hesitant to believe that her father would have cursed his wand and then leave it to her. At the time of his death, she still had her own wand. It wouldn't make sense to assume that she would switch to his." Hagrid added.
"It's getting late and most of us have a big day tomorrow. Including Amethyst." Neville said after a while.
"I'll get back to the kids. That way at least one of us is there for them at King's Cross." Ginny said standing up. "Even if I'm taking the train with them…"
"Tell Ron and the kids I'll see them at the Feast." Hermione thought for a moment. "I wanted to talk to Amethyst about the acromantulas. If things are getting worse, we'll need to figure something out." Ginny nodded.
"Tell Fleur I'll be home tomorrow. I want to make sure the paddock is well protected." Bill added. Ginny nodded again, kissed Harry, and disapparated.
"…" Draco turned his attention to Harry and Hermione. "There was so much happening earlier, but how are we able to apparate and disapparate?"
"McGonagall gave me specific permission under the circumstances." Amethyst said, trying to sit up. "I can only apparate near the forest and Hagrid's cottage. Because Ginny, Harry, and Hermione apparated with me the first time, they were granted a 24-hour permission. That is how Harry was able to apparate for additional help. No one els will be able to at all after the 24-hour mark. I can only apparate and disapparate when absolutely necessary and only to and from Diagon Alley." She swung her legs over the side in order to stand up.
"What do you think you're doin'?" Hagrid asked sternly. "You're stayin' here t'night."
"And where will you sleep?" Amethyst protested.
"I will set up a tent for us men while you ladies take my cottage." He replied.
"Don't be ridiculous, Hagrid." Amethyst stood up but Draco had to steady her.
"Amethyst, don't argue. For once listen to what we're telling you. You're staying here tonight." Draco said, pushing her gently back onto the bed. Everyone was silent for a moment, waiting for Amethyst's retort but it never came.
"Alright then. Bill, help me with the tent. Hannah and Neville, could you check on the babies and then the protection charms on the paddock?" Hagrid got to his feet. Bill, Hannah, and Neville followed him outside.
"Is that why Neville had to bandage your arm earlier?" Hermione asked, pointing at Amethyst's wand.
"Yes." Amethyst said matter-of-factly. "Tried a stronger aracnis charm but it didn't work."
"Why haven't you had Flitwick check the wand?" Harry asked. "At least you would know."
"I know, and I should, but the thought of being without a wand…" Amethyst shook her head. "I've been to Ollivander's multiple time a month since I was disarmed, but nothing…"
"So why?" Why stronger spells, especially when there are others around?" Harry asked. Some memory as nagging at him but he didn't know what.
"The memory of the last time I waited for someone else to react but it ended up getting someone killed." Amethyst turned to look at the fire as she drifted back to that memory." About eight years ago, I was studying beasts in Wales with my fiancé and his brother. We were hiking up a wooded trail to a possible sighting of Welsh Greens when we were attacked by a dark wizard." She kept he focus on the fire as she continued. "I was in the tent when the attack started. I went outside thinking I would just assist Mark, but as soon as I stepped outside I was hit by the impediment curse and then bound. I was aware of what was happening and I had to witness Anthony's, my fiancé, murder. It was then when I realized Mark was the one who cursed me."
"I remember that." Harry spoke, Amethyst looked at him. "Some wizard came into the Ministry frantic. I happened to be in the lobby at the time so I went with him. They two wizards had already left but Amethyst was sitting there with two kneazles and an older witch. The witch explained that Amethyst had been bound when they found them. With Amethyst's testimony, it didn't take long tracking down the suspects."
"What happened to them?" Draco asked. He was watching Amethyst who was watching the fire.
"Azkaban." Harry replied. He noticed how attentive Draco was being to Amethyst.
"Mark plotted with someone to kill his own brother?" Hermione asked.
"Apparently, tired of his brother's shadow. His brother always had what he wanted, including Amethyst." Harry answered. Amethyst laid down on her back and looked at Draco. There was a look on his face that she couldn't quite figure out. He laid his hand on top of hers and there was an understanding between them. They both knew what it felt like to lose the person they thought they would spend the rest of their life with.
"I don't think he was being completely truthful, but he is where he belongs." Amethyst looked at Harry. He nodded once.
"We should really get to bed. It's a bust day tomorrow." Hermione said, changing the subject. She could tell Amethyst didn't want to talk about it anymore.
"Right." Harry stood up. "Come on, Draco, they should have the tent set up by now." Draco squeezed Amethyst's hand before standing up. "Goodnight, ladies." He and Draco headed outside as Hannah approached the cottage.