Chapter 54 : Who to think ?

A/N : Sorry for the time lag in getting this out, I had an accident with my flash drive and everything on it was deleted including the maiden draft of this chapter. But things are on track now, so getting back in the swinging of things, a rescript of the chapter from the beginning… Read, recap and enjoy !





After taking Simon's baton and returning Luna's to her, Harry left the boy magically bound on the couch with Jacey to ascertain over him. Allowing him to gently pull her down the hall to the dust-covered lavatory, Luna perched on the edge of the deep Victorian-style tub and watched as he searched the tiny cabinets. At last he came up with an ancient first aid kit, pulling out veiling and tape before reaching out to turn the faucet on the sinkhole. They were both surprised when weewee actually came sputtering out, a rusty coloring at kickoff that quickly turned refreshingly clear. She took the paw he offered her and let him carefully clean the blood from her wrists… she knew he was tempestuous and did her best not to wince or let on that the cuts stung like crazy. After all, she was the one who let her affright overwhelm her to the decimal point where she'd struggled so violently against the Mexican valium. Simon Zelotes hadn't seemed at all intent on injuring her, she could have just sat and patiently waited to see what was going to chance rather than fight her bindings to the stage where she cut into her hide. It was her own fault she'd pose hurt at all.

He shouldn't have gone so far as to tie you up in the first place. Harry argued with her persuasion as he leaned down to kiss her now freshly bandaged wrists.

well, let's go see what he so badly wanted to tell us. She softly suggested, reaching out to run her fingers through his hair in that way she knew he found soothing. She needed him to cool off down and realize the motivation to fight was over, to bear an outdoors psyche and really heed to what Simon the Canaanite had to say. Her visual modality was becoming clearer to her now that she been able to sneak a few peep into the boy's mind. He was out to betray his baby before she could betray him and apparently the victor of their small sib fuss would become Harry's ally. From her warning she knew Harry was already leaning toward Elanya if not Elise and Sarah… and that had to be because of what they'd seen in Erebos's head. But they obviously needed the whole story and Herb Simon seemed willing to provide it.

Together they walked back into the front room and Luna was relieved to encounter that Jacey was back to being herself as the potion had completely worn off. If Simon the Canaanite was alarmed by the fact that a strange daughter now stood where Tristram once was he gave no indication. `` I'm sorry Luna. '' He blurted out as soon as he saw her.

'' That's gentle to say now that you've been caught. '' Harry muttered, glaring at the boy as he slumped down on the early sofa. `` So ? Let's hear it, what's this big revelation you have to contribution with us ? ``

'' Can't you undo the binding trance ? I promise I'll just sit here, I won't do anything. '' Simon pleaded.

'' Your Good Book doesn't mean much to me at the moment. '' Harry returned, refusing to release the spell.

Simon the Canaanite sighed and nodded. `` Yeah, I guess I can see why. ``

'' Just order us what you have to say ... '' Luna said, sitting next to Harry and locking her regard on Simon the Zealot. She pushed the feelings she wanted to project outward and watched as both boys visibly relaxed, though Harry alone knew what she was doing as he was the only one aware of this little supererogatory power of hers. She just wished she had better controller of it.

'' And why don't you start with what the hell you were thinking when you decided taking us hostage was the expert way to make your point. '' Harry crossed his arms, refusing to be lulled into calmness and shaking off the effects she was trying to spread around the room.

'' Big gesture are the only way to get people to hear. '' Herbert A. Simon said quietly repeated himself from earlier. `` Like I said, that philosophy worked for my parents before they were killed and it's certainly worked for Elise all these years. I wasn't going to offend either of you… I needed you both there and so I figured I could use Luna to proceed you listening rather than attacking me… I guess I figured that if you saw how serious I was you would believe me. I was going to let you into the classroom, but you let yourself in world-class. '' He looked at Harry almost accusingly, clearly implying that he blamed Harry's rashness for so many things going wrong.

'' What did you really look me to do when you go around tying hoi polloi up ? '' He returned angrily. Luna reached out and grabbed his arm to keep him from leaping to his feet in indignation… she knew they all had to quell intellectual and variety through this, it was important.

'' It doesn't matter, you'll never believe me now. ``

'' Why ? Because you are now the captive one instead of them ? '' Jacey scoffed from her place leaning against the wall.

'' You can rely that one or all of us will sleep with whether you're telling the accuracy. '' Luna quietly assured him.

Herbert A. Simon slowly nodded. `` Yeah, I guess you're right… I do know that about you. And so does Elise, which is why she had to project so carefully. I know you figured out the spy is Erebos. But what you don't know is that she wanted you to figure it out… so that you would look for his principal and find the memory of her asking him to set up Elanya. She knows about your superpower and so she's decided to use them against you. '' He said with a sly smile before looking right at Jacey. `` Except for you, they have no idea about you. Elise has had Erebos trying to line up out, but apparently Dumbledore has been very measured to keep you and other visitors a undercover from those professors he doesn't cartel. I promise, whoever you are, they still have no estimation about you though they'd very much like to find out. ``

'' You don't need to worry about her or who she is. '' Harry said, noting to Luna and Jacey that they had to be thrifty not to say her gens in social movement of the boy. `` Just tell us why you've apparently decided to bend on your sister. ``

'' You have to understand… I never fit into Elise's life. '' Simon looked down sadly. `` I was less than a yr old when our parents were killed… even after Voldemort was gone they, like so many others, refused to stop fighting and were cornered. sort of than be captured by the Ministry, they forced the Aurors to kill them. Elise was 16 at the time and the sole living sept I had. Rather than take care of me, she decided to dump me at the orphanage, but she would at least fall visit every year on my birthday. When I was ten she came back for me, ready to rent her topographic point as my shielder. But it was only because she knew I was about to be heading off to school and she was hoping to mold me into soul she could use to start setting up her plans. I guess she knew Voldemort was attempting to come back and that his followers were doing everything in their power to make it materialize. She saw this war coming and decided long ago that she would be no one's follower, that she would produce her own place in the world. When I came to Hogwarts and wasn't sorted into Slytherin like everyone else in our family, she was livid. But then she figured Hufflepuff was better as no one would mistrust me there. For years I did everything she asked me to do because she threatened to go forth me again if I didn't and all I knew was that I never wanted to go back to the orphanage. But everything she wanted seemed harmless and nothing she asked of me made any sense… not until this year. ``

Simon shook his head and sighed before continuing on. `` I received a letter the last workweek of school this past summer from Elise telling me we would be departing for Australia the minute I got back. Well, she wasn't waiting for me at the wagon train station so I went home and wound up overhearing a group meeting between her and Voldemort. I listened as she completely manipulated the Dark Godhead into thinking it was his idea to find Sarah Elaine… and then I heard her tell him that she planned to kill me as I was going to prove more useful to them bushed. I didn't know what to do, I was more terrified of my sis in that import than I'd ever been of Voldemort- after all which is scarier, the sword or the expert hand wielding it ? And she knows how to play him very well. So I went with her to Commonwealth of Australia and I continued to follow her purchase order hoping she would change her brain. But she didn't because a few solar day before I was supposed to come in back to school I heard her talking to Sarah… they plan to obliterate me while I'm family for the holiday breaking and wee it look like someone else did it. My own sister was going to kill me and use my corpse to pop out a fight. What could I do ? Even if I ran away, they'd just contribute me right back to her, I'm only sixteen. And who besides the people involved in this whole scheme would trust the retentive pathetic story I have to tell ? So the only thing I could do was expose her to the multitude she was trying to overcome… I chose you guys over Voldemort. Maybe Dumbledore was rightfulness about the sorting hat always knowing where masses are supposed to go… maybe I'm a sound guy, maybe I'm just a bad guy who's looking for the proficient means of survival, I have no idea either way. I may not the well-chosen somebody in the earth, but I'm not ready to die either. So I'll tell you whatever you want to know about her and her plans. ``

'' You said she wanted us to go looking in Erebos's head, that we were supposed to see her set up Elanya… why ? '' Luna asked, her gut telling her this was an significant question in price of Fred's fate. She was trying not to sympathise with Herbert Alexander Simon, but he seemed to get gotten stuck with a pretty miserable life… but still, there was something about him she found unsettling and so that allowed her to keep some variety of an worked up detachment.

He nodded and offered a smile. `` You wouldn't believe how prospicient Elise has been plotting. A farsighted spell ago, after your group and Voldemort's destroyed the Ministry, she snuck in during the confusion and looked up the file cabinet on every major player on either face. Using that information, she was able-bodied to picture out not only what you and Harry here can do, but also how you, your friends and Voldemort's friend would react in any situation. Originally we went to Australia this summer to find a guy named disco biscuit who was apparently postcognative. We traced him to a little pub where he liked to compose his clause but we never even talked to him… it was like the minute she saw him, she knew he wasn't what she wanted. That's when Elanya approached us. Apparently she'd been living there with her grandmother who had recently passed away and when those two girls met it was the like fate had brought them together. She fit in perfectly and Elise instructed her on how to handle Erebos who arrived at the hotel later that day. I guess it didn't matter whether it was Elanya or that Adam guy, Elise had already planned Erebos's part in all of this… but clearly a Danton True Young pretty girl would gain Sir Thomas More fellow feeling. The point was that when you all figured out he was the spy, you were meant to see Elise talking him into using Elanya, you were meant to cerebrate she'd been set up and blackmailed the same way they'd done it to your friend Fred. She's probably on that island right now, telling him her sob story so that he'll take her side and help blab out you guys into helping her. She was supposed to be a mole, to study all the secrets about you that they didn't already do it. And then Elanya was supposed to start causing discordance among you all to weaken you and make it more belike that you and Harry will abandon your alliance to Dumbledore and the Ministry and come join them. ``

'' So what you're saying is basically that they want to create their own United States Army of psychics ? '' Harry asked, his voice heavy with uncertainty as he tried to obliterate the fact that they were doing something very like with the coven. Luna felt both his and Jacey's horror at finding out how close Elise had been to getting her hands on Adam, another coven phallus. She knew it was crucial that they leave as soon as possible to set about approaching people themselves, before they could be scooped up by individual else.

'' Yes, as absurd as that sounds. Why do you opine I thought no one else would conceive me ? But she wants the both of you to join her and Sarah… and she has big plans to use your Friend Fred to do it. ``

'' Except that Fred isn't just going to admit whatever Elanya tells him. He's no idiot. '' Harry argued.

Paul Simon laughed. `` You underestimate Elanya… She can become whatever she has to be in order to win over person of something. If she, Elise and Sarah have been able to arse around Voldemort for so long, then who is Fred Weasley to withstand them ? ``

'' They won't have a prospect. We're going to pull through him from that island. '' He returned darkly. Luna still had a hold of his arm and she could experience him become even tenser as he felt more things were growing beyond his control.

'' I wish you luck with that. I really do. '' Simon grinned.

( BREAK )

Fred had skipped out on lunch and intended to walk the beach until well after dark in Bob Hope of avoiding Elanya until tomorrow… tomorrow when Hermione had claimed they would be coming to get him. But had she been here ? He just didn't know what was substantial anymore. But whether he'd seen her in his mind or in real life, one matter had become clear… he couldn't stay here anymore. No issue what, this was going to be his last dark on the island. Should Hermione's presence prove to be a psychotic belief and no one came for him, then he would line up his own way out and go to her. He knew he couldn't apparate, he'd already tried and discovered that like Castellumshire, the Gateway Islands also carried anti-apparation charm and the solely hoi polloi he knew could get around them were Harry and Luna.

A delicious smell wafted through the air, allowing his rumbling stomach to interrupt his preparation. Looking up at the sky and using the sun, he was able-bodied to determine that while it was well past lunch, it was still too early for dinner… clearly she knew he'd skipped meals that day and cooked such not bad smelling food for a grounds. He was tempted to go into the weewee to view a Pisces the Fishes to fry just to upset her program but decided he was being cockeyed. He knew Elanya was trying to lure him back to the camping ground, but just because he went didn't mean he was letting her win. They both knew he was more than capable of providing for himself, but at the second he was too hungry to look long enough to catch and cook his own meal. Besides, he'd just decided that no thing what, this was his last dark here… what could it hurt to expend some of it with her ? He would simply go, eat and then result again.

Arriving at the summer camp he saw that neither the food nor Elanya were outside. With a heavy sigh, he opened the flap of the ordinary looking tent and entered the impossibly broad glamour of the inside. `` well, I guess it's true what they say… the profligate way to a man's heart is through his abdomen. '' She said upon seeing him, gesturing to the scrumptious facing pages on the ornate tabular array as she sat down. Toying with her seashell necklace, she shot him a seductive smile.

'' Whatever you say. '' He muttered, sitting as far from her as he could before beginning to pile his plate. `` Thanks. '' He said without looking at her, too well trained by mollie to be completely yokelish. They ate in silence and he could finger her becoming steamed, it only made him more comfortable.

'' Well, I've decided that in the pursuit of continuing a civilised conversation we will fiddle a biz of kind. '' She announced after a short while.

'' Boy, it sure is comfortable not to own to think for myself… I wish someone had been making my conclusion for me my unharmed life. '' He answered sarcastically.

'' Putting your snarkiness aside, I'm offering you a one in a million chance to understand me salutary. ``

'' Who says I want to ? ``

She smiled, ignoring his mental attitude. `` I'm going to let you ask me whatever you want about anything and I promise to assure you the truth. ``

'' And I'm supposed to trust you ? '' He raised an eyebrow. `` Exactly which one of us do you consider is the dotty one, because I've been casting my voting for you for awhile now. ``

'' Humor can be a great way to parry anything real from reaching you. '' She replied steadily. `` Come on, I know you're curious…. ``

And he was. There were quite a few things he'd like her to crystallise up for him, but how could he believe anything she said ? The only if way was to quiz her by throwing in questions he already knew the solution to. `` Okay, I'll play your piffling plot. But if I think you're lying to me, I'll just go resume my troglodyte walkway. ``

'' bazaar enough. '' She rested her mentum on her helping hand and stared at him expectantly, wearing a genuine grinning that reached all the way to her prosperous eyes. `` So ? ``

'' Why are you doing this to me ? '' He blurted without thinking it through. It was the thing that was most on his mind and so the question had burst out of him before he could really design what he wanted to say.

'' Oh Fred… I'm not doing this to you, I'm doing this for you. '' She dropped her gaze slightly as a hint of sadness overcame her. `` Everyone is trapped by something… We're both prisoner right now, so why not make our John Cage the best it can be- a beautiful island paradise ? ``

'' And how exactly are you trapped ? '' He asked though he felt she'd crafted her answer in order to manipulate his next dubiousness. Apparently there was something she specifically wanted to let the cat out of the bag about and was in the summons of directing the conversation. He allowed it simply because he was curious, but he forced himself to think back that he knew what she was doing.

'' I thought I had fairly bought my way into something when really it was all set up to ensure my future tense alliance and obedience. '' She answered, lowering her center to conceal the New York minute of embarrassment that passed through them.

'' Meaning what ? '' He pushed, intrigued despite himself.

Elanya sighed and shook her head. `` I've always considered myself to be pretty clever… I'm sure you used to call back the same about yourself. Well, let's just say that Elise and Sarah have humbled us both the last few months with the grand scheme they've wrapped around us. ``

'' The difference of opinion being that you helped them do it to me. '' He said angrily, brushing off her attack to get him to empathize with her.

'' Only because I had no selection ! '' She protested. `` When they told me that I had to take you away while they set up affair in London I tried to get out of it, I really did. But that's when Elise told me the truth, that she'd tricked me and I wasn't even close to coming up even for the assistance they gave me in getting rid of Edmund. ``

Pushing his photographic plate aside, Fred leaned forward on the table and decided it was meter for him to deform the conversation his way so that he could examine her silver dollar. `` And what did you think you had already done to return them ? ``

She hesitated as if she really didn't want to tell him. But then she shrugged, remembering that this had all been her theme in the 1st lieu. `` I thought I had provided the spy… but it turns out he and Elise have a long history together and bringing him into things had always been a role of her program. They set it up so that he and I would run into each other… I had thought I was being so deliberate, making certain I would go into this not owing anyone anything. ``

'' Who's the spy ? '' He pushed, already knowing the answer… that is if Hermione's brief visit hadn't been some sort of delusional mirage.

Elanya met his eyes and offered a sad smile. `` Well, what can it hurt ? It's not like you'll be able to warn anyone back at Hogwarts. It's Professor Dolos Erebos. ``

He made sure to show an appropriate amount of surprise, letting his center widen and his jaw drop cloth slightly as if this was the first time he was hearing this. `` Really ? A prof ? ``

She nodded slowly as she carefully studied him. `` I met with him in Australia and he was everything Elise had told me she'd been looking for. I had thought I was the one convincing him to join us but it was all component part of their plan to ensnare me. ``

'' And why would they go through such dilate quantity ? '' Fred was almost sure she was telling the truth so far… Hermione had certainly indicated that Elanya may be in trouble and now the girl was confirming it. He just didn't know why she was telling him all of this, but he may as well use the place to his vantage and instruct as much as he could.

'' Because Elise and Sarah truly believe they can make their own piazza in this war and that if they have the aright kind of people on their English they'll be able to take on both Voldemort and the Ministry. '' She shook her headway angrily. `` I was appalled to get word that Voldemort's idea to pull together a psychic army was actually Elise's inspiration. It was how she got him to help her find Sarah. But they planned to cause allies of the people he gathered, to get them to work towards taking over completely. ``

'' So that's how they learned about Luna ? ``

She nodded. `` And Harry ceramist too. At first Elise and Sarah didn't care who lived or died in engagement while they quietly plotted their own uprising. But when Harry started showing his potential and they learned Luna Lovegood was a seer, they knew they wanted them. It's why Elise burned your store in Diagon bowling alley during the summer. ``

He sat up, suddenly extremely interested. He'd been wondering for a hanker time the real reason Elise had targeted his store. `` What do you imply ? ``

Elanya sighed deeply as a spirit of remorse settled over her. `` Voldemort had a vaticinator named Jasper, he was old and not as goodness as Luna seems to be. But that didn't affair to Elise, he was all she had and so she'd already convinced him to give his ultimate commitment to her over Voldemort. He told her that he'd had a vision that something was going to take Harry to Diagon alley alone and that Voldemort was going to micturate his move against the boy. She worried about the issue as she wanted Harry on her side, working with Sarah specifically since they contribution the Same power… of trend, she'd only just found Sarah at that time. So not knowing what else to do, Elise decided to set your shop of fervour, ensuring not only that Harry wouldn't be alone, but that there would be several Aurors in the area. After all, the minister would be sure to respond in full force to a theme of arson at his son's computer storage. ``

He took a becalm breath, trying to see on the hopeful face as he argued with himself… had something brought Harry to Diagon bowling alley alone that day to face Voldemort, his Death eater and the Dementors, there's no way he could have survived. At least Elise's end had kept the unthinkable from happening… he'd a lot rather have his shop ruined than his admirer dead. After all, they'd already rebuilt the shop… there wasn't another Harry Potter laying around. `` I remember reading in the theme that Jasper died rather mysteriously. '' He said at last. Of track he hadn't read anything about it, but he recalled Hermione telling him about it during one of their secret conversations.

'' There was nothing mysterious about it. Jasper made the same mistake I did by mentation he was an equal in their architectural plan. I guess he was scared enough to want to tell someone about his vision, but he chose the wrong multitude. He saw his own death though not the mitt that brought it to him, and then he saw your friends up at Hogwarts using that silly ring to try and contact him from beyond for information. He thought it was Voldemort that was going to end his life so he went to Elise who saw her chance. Sarah may not have a wand, but she has mastered many former skills, first and foremost her astral projection. They decided to kill him so that she could merge with his cognizance and send herself in his place when they called him… When it never happened, they guessed that Luna must experience seen something and stopped her friends from using the ring. It only made them require her on their side more, especially since they'd so hastily gotten rid of Jasper. ``

Fred's psyche was reeling. So many things were coming together now, it was impossible that she wasn't telling him the truth. But his inherent aptitude were screaming at him that something deeper was going on. `` Why are you telling me all of this ? ``

'' I don't really have a go at it. '' She smiled, crossing her munition and leaning forward. `` I guess I'm tired of you thinking badly of me. I've never gone so long being so thoroughly ignored. Maybe I figured that if you saw that I was as much a victim of their plotting as you are, then perhaps you'd treat me better while we're stuck here together. ``

'' You made yourself a victim. '' He stated firmly, once more mold to keep himself from empathizing with her. He remembered her once telling him that the best way to pull of a lie was by mixing in the truth… It was clearly a accomplishment she had mastered.

Elanya looked away, but even in profile he could see a intermixture of shame, regret and anger settle over her feature film. `` Yes, I suppose I did. ``

He couldn't help himself, he had to know. `` If you were so intent on killing your beginner, then why didn't you do it yourself, without involving them ? ``

'' You think I haven't tried before ? ! '' She yelled as she leapt to her feet and began pacing in tempestuousness. `` Edmund Fritz was a high-profile man who was extremely paranoid… and rightly so. I certainly wasn't the only one who wanted him dead and he made sure that it was nearly impossible to get to him. I was scared to use my true identity element as his daughter to reach out to him… I knew that my mother had sent me away and died trying to protect me because he wanted to use me, to hand me over to Voldemort in a never-ending pursuit to gain favor from a man who favored no one. I didn't want her to die in vain but it soon became light up that my real name was going to be the only thing to get me near him. But I knew I couldn't go in alone, that I needed mortal strong patronage me up in eccentric something went wrong. ``

'' And that's what Elise and Sarah promised you. '' He said quietly, watching her grow more upset as her story went on.

'' It was only after the human activity was done that I found out they had wanted to get rid of Edmund anyway. Apparently he'd become envious of the attention Voldemort was giving the girls and so he was doing his best to cave them. They figured there was too unspoilt a chance he'd form out some division of what they were up to and so they knew he needed to go. They must have tracked me down, found me in Australia… my grandmother had just died and I'd just gone back there to spend her last few Clarence Day with her… I was in a vulnerable place and Elise showed up offering me the prospect to do the thing I'd been wanting for age. ``

Fred had been careful during the whole conversation, wanting to plunk up on any signs of dishonesty. For the first metre he found one… her articulation had gone up slightly in intensity. It could be due to her gathering excitement as she recalled these consequence, but he had the hen-peck feeling that things hadn't happened exactly as she described. What did it matter how she and Elise came to join strength ? Why lie about it ? But he couldn't ask these questions and expect any kind of answer. His but hope was to go on and hope he could piece it all together himself. `` Do you regret killing your Church Father ? ``

She stopped pacing and turned to expect him straight in the eye. `` Not for a exclusive second. '' She steadily replied. `` I only regret that I couldn't have been more affected role and found a way to do it by myself. When I tried to back out of this whole thing, when I told them I didn't want to be a part of kidnapping you… Elise made it very clear that despite the false grounds I left at the setting, she could very easily tie me to my father's death. I have no doubt that she would ship me to Azkaban without a irregular thought. So I had to select, a jail cell locked away with the giants or stranded on an island with you. I took the better vocalise punishment. ``

'' But if you hadn't killed Edmund, you never would possess had to make that choice. '' He argued.

'' Maybe, maybe not. They could have found another way of ensuring my cooperation if they really wanted to. The significant thing to mention here Fred, is that regardless of whether it was me or person else, you would receive always wound up on this island. '' She seemed frustrated. Clearly this wasn't going the way she wanted, he wasn't giving her the response she'd expected…

But then he wasn't going to allow himself to be like all the other masses she'd been able to wrap around her digit, he'd always been determined to be stronger than that from the first moment she'd walked into his store. `` You're probably right… We'll never know though will we ? ``

'' Do you hate me ? '' She asked quietly, taking him by surprise.

'' I thought I was the one who got to ask the questions. '' He said with a flighty laugh.

Elanya smiled. It was a retard coyly confident grinning as she reveled in the fact that she'd finally unsettled him. `` And I've answered them all. Can't you resolution just one for me ? ``

'' That wasn't component of the deal. '' He stalled.

She slowly walked over to lean on the bound of the board in front of him. `` You know, there's only two reasons you won't answer. Either you do hate me but you're too much of a gentleman's gentleman to say it… though we both know that you're more than uncoerced to separate anyone exactly how you feel about them. So the lone other explanation is that you've realized you don't detest me and just can't bring yourself to admit it for some occult understanding. ``

He leaned back in his chair and crossed his branch as he regarded her with false authority. `` Or I've simply decided it's skillful not to go through life hating anyone. Of trend, I could always make an exclusion if you'd attention to push the outcome. ``

'' Has anyone ever told you that you're completely frustrating ? '' She asked with a pissed smile.

'' Many times over. '' He grinned easily, once more love that he'd managed to ruffle up her feathers by not playing directly into her hand.

'' I'm going for a walk. '' She announced, standing up and taking a bass breather. `` I cooked, you can scavenge. '' She added before leaving the tent.

Fred looked around feeling completely off safety. She'd never left him alone in the tent before, which had only led him to believe that she had thing to enshroud from him here. But clearly her frustration with his lack of credulousness had caused an oversight on her behalf and he knew he needed to take advantage of it. He raced to her room, pulling back the flap that separated the infinite from the sleep of the tent and taking a cursory flavor around before carefully proceeding to go through everything. Ensuring he returned things to the way he'd found them, he went through all of her stuff hoping to come across a communication device of some kind… or even wagerer, his sceptre. After a long and thoroughgoing hunting, he came up with neither.

( BREAK )

Harry stared at Simon, trying to shape exactly what he thought of the other boy. He just wasn't sure… he couldn't get past the extremes the guy had gone through in rules of order to consume a elementary conversation. But then, had Simon been right ? Would they give birth listened had he simply approached them and asked to tattle ? He shook himself out of his thoughts, refusing to let his anger and confusion make him do anything stupid. `` How do we fuck that having you tell us all of this isn't part of the plan ? '' He asked. After all, if Elise had gone through so much, then why wouldn't she go even a footfall further and send in the clown ? Surely she didn't expect them to take Simon seriously even if they did know he thought he was telling the truth… or at least the Sojourner Truth as she wanted him to live it.

He sighed and shook his nous. `` I had a tactile sensation you'd ask me that. All I can say is that I only know what I've seen and heard. She certainly hasn't told me to make out to you and I doubt she realizes I know that she wants to kill me. But has she somehow directed matter so that I would come talk to you, I just don't know… anything is possible with her. ``

'' So as far as you know, Elise's unanimous plan is to gain as many psychics as she can and then fight both side of meat of the war, hoping to hail out on top ? '' Luna asked quietly and with far to a greater extent control condition over herself than Harry could cope. But he tried to remain tranquillize, to remember that they needed to have intercourse what they were up against… she still had her paw on his arm, trying in vain to facilitate him be successful in relaxing though he could smell out her edginess at what she was hearing.

'' It's part of her plan. '' Neil Simon seemed a bit incertain for the offset sentence since he'd begun talking. `` I guess even I don't know everything, but I figured if I told you enough, you'd be capable to at least break off her doing me in. And yes, I really believe she'd murder me if it helped her cause… She ensured they got rid of Jasper simply because she wanted you Luna, she knows you're a better illusionist than that old man ever was, you've already helped bilk hers and Sarah's plans a few times. She was trying to help Voldemort seizure you, though she had no intention of handing you over… she wants to convince you and Harry both to join her. '' Again he looked directly at Jacey. `` And if she knew you were a firestarter like her, she'd lack you too. ``

'' I am not anything like your miserable babe. '' Jacey said defensively as she cupped her hands together and began rolling them until she had developed a tidy fireball between them. She lifted it over her straits and brought it down, engulfing her entire trunk in flames as she stood there smiling at them. `` I am much more powerful. '' She laughed, extinguishing herself and leaving no denotation that anything out of the ordinary had just transpired.

Herb Simon swallowed hard as he stared at her in disbelief… clearly he'd never seen his sister do something like that before. `` commodity. '' He said at survive. `` Someone should be. They already knew Harry was firm than Sarah, that's why they had to make sure he lost his powers before they tried to blab to him. ``

'' You're talking about what happened at Azkaban ? How could they possibly know that they weren't going to kill me with that Psychohemia potion ? '' Harry asked in exasperation. They all knew Herbert A. Simon was telling them the truth, but he just didn't like what he was hearing anymore now that it was going against what he knew had happened. But then, he was quickly learning from the other boy that there lots of things he didn't know about the things that had been happening to him, his supporter and his enemies. Elise had apparently been pulling several different bowed stringed instrument for quite awhile.

'' Because they'd convinced Jasper to work for them long before then. '' Herbert Alexander Simon answered carefully. `` True the old guy told Voldemort that some decision was going to lead you to the prison and right wing in strawman of Cho, but it was Elise who made the Dark master think it was his idea to use Sarah's talents to try and take you out. But Jasper assured her it wasn't going to wipe out you, that you were going to get assist in clip to save your life but not your big businessman. ``

'' Except Sarah did nearly wipe out us at my auntie and uncle's house. '' Harry replied, hiding the shadow pain he felt in his hand and leg where he'd been stabbed all those calendar month ago. Glancing at Luna out of the box of his eye, he remembered her human face covered in blood after Sarah kicked her and how her arm had been broken while trying to keep Sarah from killing him. `` She didn't seem too concerned with convincing us to join her then. '' He added angrily as everything from that night came back to him including Ron nearly being burnt to a crisp.

'' Yeah well, as I'm sure you've noticed, the only problem Elise has in partnering with Sarah is that the woman is Sir Thomas More than a fiddling unbalanced. She was only supposed to rack you, it was your muggle family she was supposed to kill in straw man of you… on Voldemort's ordination, not Elise's. But I guess something about them reminded her of all those people she was forced to endure with growing up and she came to resent you for putting up with it… She began to really see you as weakly than her and so she alone decided in that moment that she didn't want you to join them. At least, that's how she explained it to Elise after they broke her out of the infirmary and woke her from the coma. trust me, Elise let her have it for deviating from the program and nearly killing you both. Anyway, Sarah said she really lost mastery when Luna came in with the ring… she wanted it and they all knew Voldemort wanted it and so obtaining the gang became her chief antecedency above all else, including her safety as well as yours. By the way, after finding out that you all got out and managed to enamor her for a unretentive fourth dimension as well as get your power back, she no longer thinks you're weak. ``

'' I'm flattered. '' Harry said sarcastically.

'' Does she know that we went into her store while she was unconscious ? '' Luna asked, squeezing his arm as business organization overwhelmed her.

But Herbert A. Simon stared back at her in surprise, allowing them to instantly relax. `` No, not that I'm aware of. I certainly had no idea you'd done that… what did you see ? ``

'' Do not occupy about that, we will be the single to ask the interrogation. '' Jacey said with authority.

'' What about Cho ? Where does she fit into all of this ? '' Harry picked up where they'd just left off, thinking that what they had seen in Sarah's head at least confirmed that the young lady were working together behind Voldemort's back.

He sighed and nodded. `` Well, she's plotting with Sarah only. But whatever plan those two had going, it was in place retentive before Elise reconnected with Sarah. In fact, I remember Elise trying to talk Sarah into dropping Cho but she had insisted the girl would be valuable again once they broke her out of Azkaban. My guess is that if they manage to get Cho out, Elise will receive the opportunity to get rid of her as soon as potential. Just because she and Sarah are secretive confidant doesn't mean they wouldn't betray each other in a second if it meant furthering their own agenda. dedication means goose egg to them. '' Herbert A. Simon said bitterly as he struggled against the piece holding him in office. `` Will you let me go now ? Please ? '' He pleaded.

We have to get back anyway… Dumbledore is looking for us and I think we're in a lot of worry. Luna said. Harry turned to search at her and realized she had that far off expression that meant she wasn't completely give in the room.

'' Fine. '' He waved his wand and released the former boy from the binding.

Simon leapt to his human foot to quickly stretch before eagerly reaching into his pocket and pulling out his flask from which he took a foresighted gulp. `` Phew, I needed that. '' He said, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. After another gulp he seemed less rickety and nervous.

'' We have to get back to the schooltime, are you going to be okay ? '' Harry asked Jacey.

'' I will be just o.k.. '' She assured him with an sluttish smile.

'' What are you going to secernate them about me ? '' Simon asked, suddenly scared again. `` I never intended it to twist out this way ! I was going to unlock the door, I didn't mean for you to actually damage the schooltime ! ``

'' Yeah, this is all my geological fault. '' Harry rolled his eyes. `` Just keep your mouthpiece shut when we get back there and let me do all the talking. '' He reached out and roughly grabbed the boy's arm before apparating back to Hogwarts with Luna a few minute behind them. They were sure to arrive behind Hagrid's hut where the opportunity of being seen were very slim.

Silently, they all three made their way up to the castle, running into Hermione in the court. `` Where have you been ? And what are you doing with him ? '' She demanded, eyeing Simon the Zealot suspiciously.

'' It's a recollective tarradiddle, Mione. '' Harry sighed. `` We'll tell you after we deal with Dumbledore. ``

She nodded and led the way through the hallway to the Headmaster's agency. `` Just so you're mindful, Dumbledore has all the prefects out looking for you guys but I think he knows you leftfield school yard. '' She warned them. Sharing a feeling with Luna, she and Harry both decided to let Hermione enter first, hoping the sight of a just student would soften the old wizard's temper. `` Sir ? I've found Harry, Luna and Simon the Zealot. ``

'' See them in Miss Granger and then you are dismissed. '' He replied from behind his desk. Hermione let them walk past her before she closed the door and bolted down the steps. Dumbledore gestured to the three chairperson in forepart of him and waited until they settled themselves. He looked at all of them, but it was sack he was addressing Harry alone. `` What did you think you were doing damaging the schoolhouse like that ? ``

'' It was an stroke. '' He quietly answered.

'' I have no dubiousness that it was. '' Dumbledore said, his vocalisation quivering as he tried to veil his angriness. `` Why would you do this Harry, when you're so close to being done here ? This isn't something I can cover up for you. ``

'' So don't. I'll go fix it. ``

He shook his principal. `` It's not that simple. Like the ministry and certain other buildings, wizardly isn't enough to repair the damage. It must be rebuilt by hand to conserve the strength of the magic spell we place upon our schooltime. And even if you did fix it, my hands are tied in regards to how we can handle this, especially after I've pushed so hard to have the recently disappeared Tristan Macnair expelled. ``

'' What are you saying ? '' Luna asked nervously.

He sighed sadly. `` I'm saying that after having Miss Patil, Mr. Mason and Mr. Macnair go missing, after the wipeout Cho Chang caused last yr, and after all the cumulative trouble that has been caused… I have no pick but to expel you all from Hogwarts for your unfavorable natural action, efficient immediately. ``

'' You can't ! '' Harry protested.

'' You all were involved in an incident that resulted in severe damage to one of our classrooms and then you all left school evidence in direct ravishment of the code of conduct. I have to subscribe this action before the less dependable of the Aurors out there decide to try and say that you had something to do with Tristan's escape and attempt to take you all into custody for questioning. Should that happen, it's not guaranteed that Arthur will be capable to see that you get into the right script. '' Dumbledore seemed to slide down down in his seat. `` You've put us all in a tight office and we must be careful how we proceed. ``

'' But wouldn't it be better to find a way to go on us here ? The Aurors and anyone else could still come up after us once we leave, but if we're here then we're more protected. '' Luna argued.

'' I agree, but if I didn't go through with this, it would be far too well-to-do for them to incriminate me of favoritism and things are too fragile right now. The slightest thing could give them the excuse to oust me from here and put anyone they choose in situation as schoolmaster. As you saw last time, there are too many impressionable young head here to allow that to happen. I refuse to let this school become a education ground for the following wave of Death eater. Everyone must be free to prefer the life they want. ``

'' So instead you just throw away our futures ? '' Simon asked incredulously, not knowing anything of the Order and therefore unable to comprehend the want to keep affair a certain way so that the power didn't transmutation in the foe's favor.

Suddenly the office doorway swung open behind them and lupin came rushing in. `` Stop ! It's not their faulting, it's mine ! ``

'' And do you really ask anyone to believe that ? '' Dumbledore asked tiredly.

'' Does it matter as long as there's someone to find fault ? '' He pressed. `` Tell them whatever you want… secernate them that the tiddler were working on a labor for me and thing went wrong. They left the school to make out looking for me because they knew that I had snuck out to see Tonks and didn't want me to get in trouble. That floor should be good enough. ``

'' You realize what will fall out if you decide to go through with this… given what you are, the parents already have a low door of tolerance for you. If you take the inculpation for the death to the classroom, if you insist these students only left schoolhouse to cover up for you… then I'll have no alternative but to terminate your work here. ``

'' No ! '' Harry protested, leaping to his feet.

Lupin reached out to grab his articulatio humeri, using his considerable strength to force Harry back into his electric chair. `` I understand the consequences. I accept it. ``

Why are you doing this to yourself ? Harry asked pleadingly.

Because, I feel I owe it to James and Lily to do everything in my tycoon to have you finale shoal. I can't just let you screw it up with two week to go. He answered with a smiling. It'll be okay, Harry. I promise.

He held his breath and glanced at Luna and Simon the Zealot out of the corner of his eye and realized Lupin wasn't just doing this for him. The other two were only in their sixth year and he felt guilty that his cheeky actions may cause them to lose out on their education. Letting out the breath slowly, he turned to front at the older hotshot, awaiting his decision along with everyone else.

Dumbledore took his prison term studying Lupin before at live shaking his oral sex and rising from his seat. `` okey, if this is the way you want it to be. I'll see to it that you are able to fetch up out the final two calendar week of this semester, as it will be impossible to replace you on such scant notice. It's been a pleasure to have you here. ``

'' It's been wonderful being here. '' lupin assured him before quickly ushering the teens from the office before the headmaster could transfer his mind. St. Simon tried to discontinue off from the group as soon as they were in the hall but Harry reached out and grabbed his arm, ensuring he followed them. He still had a few things to say to the early boy. They walked silently down to Lupin's spot, though the sr. man was the only one who seemed to be in a full mood.

'' Are you sure about this ? '' Harry asked as soon as Lupin closed the door.

'' Of track I'm sure. Otherwise I wouldn't have done it. '' He grinned. `` I had planned on resigning at the end of this year anyway. I really like teaching, but I'm certainly needed elsewhere and like you Harry, I hate feeling locked away here when there are so many affair happening out in the world. And with you and Draco leaving, there's really nothing to keep me here any longer. Plus I don't like being away from Tonks for so long, her job already keeps us apart so why should I continue to let mine add to the strain when I have another pick ? So you see, I'm entirely positive that this is the right thing to do. ``

'' But you won't exactly be leaving here on the best of full term if you take the inculpation for this. '' Luna argued.

Lupin reached out to reassuringly pat her shoulder. `` I have long ago learned to live with former multitude's misguided opinions of me. As long as I am in honorable standing with the citizenry who know me, that's all that topic. '' He went to sit behind his desk and pulled out a roll of dummy lambskin and a fresh flight feather. `` Besides if I were to delay here, then who would be out there looking after you all when you get yourselves stuck in a niche ? '' He teased, reminding them that this wasn't the outset sentence he'd helped get them out of their own pot. `` Plus Draco is going to need steering in navigating life out in the genuine world where people don't take as kindly to what we are so I'm actually glad to have a reason to leave my billet early. The fact that it helps you kids out is just a fillip. ``

'' well I certainly appreciate it. '' Marvin Neil Simon said gratefully. `` I mean because I have no where else to go besides Hogwarts so I'm glad I get to issue forth back. '' He added quickly when he saw the public eye Harry had shot him for speaking at all.

lupine nodded and smiled. `` Think nothing of it. ``

'' It just seems unfair that we can't simply explicate what really happened. '' Luna said absently as wrapped her arms around herself.

'' What happened to you ? '' lupin asked, finally noticing the bandages that peeked out from the sleeves of her schoolhouse robes.

She and Harry shared a glimpse as Simon Zelotes looked down at the floor and shuffled his metrical foot. `` Just a slight accident caused by a dim-witted misinterpretation. '' She said at last, lowering her arms and pulling the hem of her sleeves down.

'' I see. '' He shook his nous and sighed. `` To answer your in the beginning musing… no one would listen if you tried to excuse what really happened. It's a play for power out there and no one is interested in the truth unless it gets them what they want. Too many thing have been happening here, no one would pack a student's word on anything when they barely trust what the professors and Dumbledore have to say. ``

'' Especially if one of the student is me, right ? '' Harry asked miserably.

'' It's a sad but true fact that adding your name to anything will instantly make it more rarify. But don't let it bother you, having enemies only means that you've stood up for something important. '' Lupin answered with a gentle smile. `` Now if you'll excuse me, I must compose to my married woman and inform her that we are soon to become a one income household for awhile. ``

'' You know that you and Tonks always have your room at my house. '' Harry offered, feeling it was the to the lowest degree he could do.

'' And we may just own to take you up on that. '' He laughed. `` The damage of rent is ridiculous these days. ``

Leaving him to write his letter, the teens all stepped out into the hall. As soon as the room access closed behind them, Harry grabbed Neil Simon up by the front of his robe and shoved him back against the wall. `` If I find out that you're somehow setting us up I swear to you that your sis won't have the chance to slay you because she'll never find your body. '' He threatened, wanting to dash the boy into revealing whether he was truly trustworthy.

'' I promise I'm not setting you up ! '' He instantly replied, his center wide and his heart banging wildly in his chest.

'' We'll see. '' Harry muttered before bringing his side in close to Simon's, tightening his suitcase and pushing against the boy's throat. `` From now on, if you think you have something you need to differentiate someone, hail heterosexual to me because going anywhere near Luna or any of my other ally would certainly be the magnanimous mistake you'll ever make in your life. ``

Simon nodded in agreement, clearly seeing in Harry's eyes just how a great deal he meant his threat. `` I'll come right to you ! '' He gasped out, reaching up to try and push Harry away.

He released the other boy and simply turned and walked away, knowing Luna was following him and feeling her disapproval. He waited until they were all the way back to his way before speaking to her. `` I'm not sorry about how I dealt with him. ``

She looked at him a consequence before nodding slowly. `` Okay. '' She said quietly.

'' I know you're mad at me… '' He began pacing, feeling all of the energy and adrenaline he'd been building up since she'd first called out to him begin to bubble over as it tried to find some way to escape.

'' Of course I'm not mad… I'm not sure what I am. This has been a very strange day and I'm still trying to work it. '' Luna argued, sitting comfortably on the border of the bed as she watched him walk around the room, allowing him to get out some of his pent up frustration.

Harry went to the window and clutched the sill as he stared out over the school soil. He took several rich breathing place before turning back to her. `` But you really are all right, right ? ``

'' I'm fine, just a bit disruptive by what we've learned. '' She gently assured him. `` I guess it's even more important that we go get Fred before Elanya has the chance to convert him that her variation of result is the truth. ``

'' Couldn't it be ? '' He debated. `` I mean, I know Marvin Neil Simon was telling us his rendering of the truth and I believe Elise and Sarah are that cunning. But what if their whole plan was tricking him into telling us all of this so we wouldn't believe what Elanya had to say ? What if they really are setting her up and what we saw in Erebos's head is confessedly ? Maybe they did screw we'd figure out who the spy was and that we'd want to appear in his head… what if they used Simon to disseminate around doubtfulness so that we wouldn't know what to believe ? ``

'' Well, if that's the instance then it seems to have worked, at least on you. '' She pointed out, smiling as he stared at her in verbalise confusion. `` Personally, I think I believe him even though there's something about him that unsettles me… but despite that, I truly think Elanya is very much working with Elise and Sarah. ``

Harry nodded in hesitating acceptance. He'd learned his deterrent example about questioning her intuition, if she thought Elanya wasn't the victim they were trying to limn her to be then that was most likely the way it was. `` okeh, so we go on with the assumption that she's against us. ``

'' I think that's the safest for us… to feign she and St. Simon both are the opposition until they can definitively evidence otherwise. '' She stood and came over to envelop her blazonry around his shank and hug herself against him.

He kissed the top of her head and returned the embrace. `` I have no problem with that. ``

She pulled away and looked at the door. `` Hermione knows we're done with Dumbledore, she's on her way over here. ``

Sure enough an insistent knock came at the room access and Harry went to let her in. `` So ? What happened ? '' She demanded, walking in and turning to face them both. Together they pieced together everything that had happened and filled her in completely on what Simon had told them and what they'd concluded as a result. `` You're sure Elanya isn't being set up ? '' She asked, her face going white as she began to panic.

'' Almost completely incontrovertible, what's wrong ? '' Luna went over to lead Hermione to a chair.

'' It's just that… I so badly wanted to see Fred, to make sure enough he was okay. I decided to praxis my astral projection and to my surprise, not only did it work, he was capable to see me. '' She answered, nearly shaking as she tried not to cry.

'' You talked to Fred ? Did you let him recognise we were coming to get him ? '' Harry asked, kneeling next to her and taking her hand in comfort.

'' Yes, but I also told him everything else ! I wanted to assure him that we'd taken fear of everything so he could exit without worrying… including that we knew who the spy was ! I told him that you guys found out that Elanya was a dupe of Elise and Sarah's plots too… he thinks she isn't the opposition ! ``

'' It'll be fine, Hermione. '' Luna said softly. `` We're going to get him tomorrow. ``

'' No ! '' Hermione leapt to her groundwork and turned to them in anguish. `` She's making him talk to her now ! He'd been refusing this whole time but I saw her jeopardize to send Erebos after Ron and Ginny if he didn't kickoff speaking to her. Don't you see ? I led him to believe that she was just another pawn in Elise and Sarah's game… what if he lets his sentry go down ? What if she's able to convince him to believe her ? '' She stared at them in repugnance as every implication of Fred trusting Elanya ran through her head. `` What have I done ? '' She whispered.

( geological fault )

As soon as it was sullen, Fred grabbed his intact bed scroll and went down to the beach. Ensuring he was far enough from the lunar time period, he set everything up and build up a small fire, silently thanking his father for teaching him how to do so the muggle way- without a wand. Sure it was the more difficult way to do affair, but at hold up his father's compulsion with learning the why's and how's of all affair muggle had paid off. Once sure the hell had caught, he lay back to look at the lead. He didn't know where Elanya had gone, nor did he care… she hadn't returned from her paseo and the longer she was gone the more sealed he was that he didn't want to be there when she did express up.

She'd told him so many things and enough of it had seemed not only to be likely but made too much sensation not to be true. He was confused… If Hermione had really been on the island, then she'd told him things that Elanya had completely admitted to. Did it count ? And if it did, then why did it matter ? Elanya had gotten herself caught up in this, she was no innocent bystander. Had she not wanted so badly to kill her forefather, the other daughter wouldn't have had anything to tempt her into accepting their fling. On the other hand, he was now able to put himself in her shoes… why wouldn't she want to pop the man who murdered her mother and was trying to use his own daughter to buy his way into the good seemliness of an immorality man like Voldemort ? Even Willem had come to footing with the fact that his niece had killed his comrade and was still willing to gain out to the girl as it was authorize even to him that she needed to be rescued… if not from Elise and Sarah, then from herself. So if Willem could forgive her, then who was he to judge her ?

Clearly he didn't think as badly of her as he'd thought anyway… why else wouldn't he experience just told her hated her ? It was the one matter that bothered him more than anything else. She'd been right in saying that he had no trouble telling mass that he didn't like them, so why couldn't he just say it ? Annoyingly she had picked up on the merely reason… because he didn't hatred her. But so what ? Not hating someone wasn't exactly the same as liking them. After all, he knew he couldn't trust her as far as he could drop her, but then, did that matter either ?

'' So, you've decided to sleep under the star topology. ``

He sat up and whipped around to incur Elanya standing in the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree as if his thought of her had forced her to happen there. Her fuzz and wearing apparel were dancing softly in the cold-shoulder breeze and her eyes glowed even more brilliantly in the faint firelight. `` Well, aren't you the observing one. '' He said sarcastically.

'' I'm sorry I walked out on you earlier. '' She said, taking a few hesitant dance step towards him.

'' Think nothing of it. I'm pretty sure our conversation was about done anyway. '' He brushed her off and lay back down again, closing his eyes and acting as if she were null Sir Thomas More than a nettlesome mental disorder to him.

'' It's so beautiful out here… and so relaxing. You have the right theme sleeping here on the beach. Mind if I join you ? '' She called, her voice carrying her amusement.

'' Sleep wherever you want, what do I wish ? '' Fred made sure enough to vocalize bother, hoping that if she did sleep on the beach, she would choose to do it far from him. He heard her soft step as she glided through the sand and then felt her attempt to rise under the covers with him. He sat straight up and shinny away from her as he got to his feet. `` What the inferno do you think you're doing ? '' He demanded angrily.

'' Well, my blankets are all the way back at the campsite and I'm tired now. '' She looked up at him with a coy smile.

'' amercement, take my hooey, it's all yours. I want to go for a swim anyway. '' He turned and walked straight toward the piss, repeating Hermione's figure over and over in his head lest he allow himself to go back and do something stupid.

'' You can't go out there now ! '' Elanya called as she ran after him. `` It's night ! There could be sharks or any act of other serious things and you'd never see them coming ! ``

Despite the genuine fear for his prophylactic that he heard in her voice, he ignored her and walked straight into the water fully dressed. He continued on until his understructure could just barely touch the bottom before deciding that was far enough to deter her from following him. turning, he began swimming latitude with the shoreline hoping to go down far enough that she wouldn't care to walk after him. He could barely see his hand in front of him and realized that is was more than the usage that was making his substance slipstream. It was very dark out here, and Elanya had been right… He'd never see an underwater flack coming. Quickly deciding he'd gone far enough, he began swimming towards land, crawling up onto the sandy beach and allowing himself to lie there and rest for a moment.

Now more than ever, he was determined to leave the island tomorrow. He couldn't expend one Sir Thomas More day alone with Elanya, he was beginning to forget what was real and it was becoming more hard not to fall down into her stories. All he had to do was get through tonight. Climbing to his feet, he brushed off as much sand as he could and made his way into the tree to attend for some form of protection. Coming to the base of the tallest mountain, he found a shallow cave. Gathering leafage, he quickly made himself a property to sleep before gathering enough woodwind to get a fire to hold on him strong. Once again he silently thanked his don while hoping that he would get the chance to thank him in someone very soon.

( BREAK )

Draco woke already feeling nervous… he didn't like lying to Ginny and while he may not know the accurate particular of what was going on, he had pieced enough together to sleep with that she'd be mad to learn they'd kept Fred's possibly being in trouble from her. But today was supposed to be the day it would all end and no one would have to lie anymore… at least not about this. It was mere really, while the professors and most of the students were down at the quidditch slant enjoying the game between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, Potter, Luna and granger were going to whisk off themselves away to rescue Fred from whatever mess he'd gotten himself into. genus Draco's job was to seduce sure neither Ginny nor Ron found out they were gone and more importantly, to prevent them both away from professor Erebos who Potter had said was a spy and Thomas More than willing to hurt someone.

Taking a thick breather, he knocked on Ginny's door. `` Ready to go down to breakfast ? '' He asked as soon as she opened up. Seeing that she was still in her gown and pajama, he realized she hadn't done very much since she'd left his room earlier. `` I guess not. '' He said in response to the understood look she gave him, closing the door as he walked in.

'' I don't want to go vigil that stupid plot today. '' She said, climbing onto the bed and grabbing her pillow to seize to her body. `` I don't want to be a part of anything to do with Ron at the consequence. ``

'' I guess I can sympathise that. '' He said slowly.

'' It's been almost a calendar week ! '' She was clearly frustrated and had her pillow been Ron's cervix, she'd have already squeezed the aliveness out of him. `` I just can't believe he hasn't come around to apologize to everyone for what he said. ``

'' Why would he ? '' Taking in the glowering feeling she shot him, he quickly went on in hopes of fixing his fault. `` I mean, he clearly wanted space and said the things he knew would push you all away… after all, he saw how well it worked for thrower last year. So why would he come apologize unless he's set to be around you all again ? ``

'' Well, thank you Healer Draco, the Psychology Boy marvel ! '' She said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

'' And since I like you so much, I'll only charge you half my normal charge per unit for the excellent soundness I have to bestow. '' He teased, quickly moving to catch the pillow she whipped at him.

'' Well from now on you can retain your two galleons to yourself because your wiseness isn't even worth half that ! '' She taunted back, laughing as he ran over to turn back the pillow assault. She scrambled to snap up her other pillow and swung low, catching him in the stomach.

'' Oh ! point hit ! '' He shouted and fell across the bed.

'' Go in for the kill ! '' She laughed, quickly kneeling over him and battering him over and over with the pillow. Unable to oblige back his own laughter, he tried his in effect to refund the attack. Reaching out, he caught her pillow and tried to writhe it away from her so that he would be in self-control of all the plush ammo.

A whack on the door interrupted their conflict and they both looked at each other in surprise as they tried to trance their breather. Ginny lay back on the bed and stared up at him with a coy smile. `` See who that is, would you darling ? I'm not dressed to incur fellowship. ``

He leaned down to buss her before quickly swinging his pillow one last prison term, jumping off the bed with a revolting grin as he avoided her return assault. He opened the room access and instantly tensed having already been warned that the soul on the other English was matter to in harming Ginny. `` Can we facilitate you professor ? '' He asked, closing the door slightly so that the man couldn't see inside.

'' Isn't it a bit inappropriate for Miss Weasley to have a male visitor this early ? '' Erebos asked as he warily regarded Draco.

'' Isn't is a bit incompatible for a male person instructor to follow unsupervised to a female person student's elbow room this early ? Especially one who already has a swarm of intuition around his public figure ? '' He shot back, having been informed of the professor's relationship to Elise McKinney.

'' I've come with a message from the schoolmaster. '' Erebos answered defensively. `` Not that I owe an account to any scholarly person. ``

'' Well, Ginny isn't feeling well. She'll be in her room all day today… and I'll be here with her, taking tutelage of her. '' He said meaningfully, allowing a small growl to escape his throat lest the man blank out what exactly he was. `` You can hand me the message, I'll be for certain she gets it. '' With his senses heightened, he was able-bodied to find out rustling behind him as Ginny got out of bed and curiously made her way over to the door. Thankfully she was heedful enough to proceed herself hidden behind it, but still, a violently protective surge rushed through him and he knew only one thing, the only way the prof was getting in the room was over his abruptly body.

'' The master wishing to speak to Miss Weasley in soul. '' Erebos persisted. `` I am to escort her up to his office. ``

'' And why wouldn't he institutionalise Professor McGonagall ? '' Draco asked suspiciously. `` She is the head teacher of the Gryffindor star sign and a much more in all likelihood candidate to go about Ginny on the Headmaster's behalf than some professor wholly unrelated to her. She isn't even in any of your category. Why would Dumbledore send you ? '' He knew Ginny probably barely recognized the prof as she'd rather chew her own arm off than field Arithmancy.

'' Again, not that I owe an account to a student- '' He said tightly, clearly frustrated with this song and dance they were engaged in. `` But she is already down at the quidditch pitch assisting Madame Hooch with getting the field ready for today's game. I was in the headmaster's office for a confluence and so he simply sent me. ``

'' fountainhead, Ginny is just too ill to give her room. I'm for sure Dumbledore wouldn't want to risk her getting even sicker by forcing herself through these draughty hallway. If he needs to tell her something important, I'm sure he would have no problem paying her a visit. '' genus Draco said smugly. He grabbed the bound of the threshold to close down it but the professor reached out to stop it from swinging shut.

'' If miss Weasley is in fact that ill, then perhaps she should go see Madame Pomfrey. '' Erebos suggested slyly. `` I know that if I go and tell her there is a sick educatee she will assert on seeing her. ``

'' That's unnecessary. '' Dragon said calmly while holding the room access so tightly in his hired hand he thought the wood would shatter in his travelling bag. `` I asked Healer drake to end by earlier. He said it's a bad coldness and recommended bed rest. '' He added in order to thwart the professor's fresh attempt to get Ginny out of her elbow room. He was for sure Drake would plow for them if necessary, after all, he'd done it many clip before. Rather than appropriate Erebos to come up with something else, he used his above normal speciality to mosh the door shut despite the man's try to continue it open.

'' What was that about ? '' Ginny asked immediately.

Draco quickly pulled his wand out of his pouch and cast a silencing charm on the room, both as a precaution and to try and procrastinate before answering her. `` Professor Erebos is a spy for Elise, Sarah and Elanya. '' He decided to start with Lunaria annua and go with it until he couldn't. `` They want him to get to you and Ron. ``

'' Why ? '' She asked, sinking down onto her bed in horror and confusion.

'' Well… because they have plans to require over the ministry. What wagerer way than to use the Minister's children against him ? '' He held his breath. Technically what he'd said was genuine although that wasn't the reason the man had decided to make a move today. But why worry her far by bringing Fred into it ? Especially since he didn't really know the full story or what exactly her brother was involved in, only that Erebos was one of the sluttish ends the others had had to tie up in purchase order to go after Fred at all. He knew they were connected, just not how… but he'd be damned if he let her get hurt or killed because of any of it. Surely if she knew Fred was involved, she would assert on doing something dangerously rash in an try to help.

Ginny shook her point sadly. `` poor people dad… all he wants to do is make a difference and now he has to live in unremitting fear for us all because of it. ``

'' Seems to me the same could be said for everyone. '' He sat succeeding to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. `` I've guess that's just the price you have to pay if you want to place upright up for something… the fear of losing everything. ``

We may have a trouble. Draco thought out to thrower and Luna.

What happened ? Potter immediately answered.

Draco quickly told them of Erebos's visit and the fact that he wouldn't be leaving Ginny's room at all that day. You're going to need somebody else down at the delivery looking after Weasley. He concluded definitively, implying that there would be no arguing with his determination to barricade himself in with Ginny.

( BREAK )

Harry had a horrible feeling about everything after talking to Draco. Why would Erebos have come to try and get Ginny to go somewhere with him ? What were Elise, Elanya and Sarah planning now ? Whatever it was, it seemed they were just in fourth dimension to go deliverance Fred. At least the problem of who was going to watch over Ron had been quickly resolved… after a quick margin call to Jacey, she had agreed to don an invisibility cloak and hang around the quidditch pitch, just in case Erebos tried to get a hold of a different Weasley.

'' I heard the tin whistle. The secret plan's started, can we go now ? '' Hermione asked eagerly. She was nearly beside herself with worry and had been since discovering that she'd given Fred misinformation. She'd attempted to jut out herself back to the island respective times during the Nox but hadn't been capable to find him again.

'' Both of you grab one of those brooms. '' Harry told her and Luna as he tightly gripped his own Firebolt. They had gone down to the pitch with everyone else only to sneak off into the equipment shed to go along from being seen.

'' Why ? '' Hermione demanded impatiently.

'' Because Charlie wrote a Book all about how there are flying firedrake on the island. I can't fit you both on my broom and we need to have some way of escaping quickly if necessary… especially since you said you've read that there are anti-apparation charms. You and Fred won't be able to apparate without one of us. '' He insisted, wishing the whole clock time that both girls would just let him go by himself. But he knew Luna wouldn't allow that any Sir Thomas More than he'd let her do anything like this without him… the line wouldn't be worth it as they'd both just end up wild and she'd idle words up coming along anyway. As for Hermione- he knew honorable than to even suggest she stay behind, despite them all being mindful of how emotionally distracted she was. Luckily he trusted they were both able and tried to let that thought comfort his discomfort.

'' As long as we stay out of the mountains, it shouldn't be a problem. '' She replied, eyeing the old practice brooms warily as Luna stepped up to select one without reluctance. It was obvious which of them was more confident in their power to fly.

'' Just remove one anyway. '' He pressed with a grin. `` At the very least, Fred will know how to fly it should the motivation arise. ``

'' Fine. '' She agreed with a grievous sigh, grabbing the one closest to her. `` Can we go now ? ``

Harry took out his wand and waited as they did the same. They had no idea where they'd farting up having only coordinates and characterisation to use to inspire their apparation to the island. He wanted them to be prepare for anything.

As one he and Luna reached out to each hold one of Hermione's hands and they all focused on the island. With a loud crevice, they apparated away from the equipment shed and arrived somewhere else entirely. Feeling hard rocky solid ground beneath his feet, Harry hesitantly opened his eyes to search around. His breathing place caught in his throat as he took in their milieu. Um, I think we may have just picked the worst possible place to land. He thought out to the girls, not wanting to make any noise l they wake the ten dragons currently sleeping around them. As quietly as potential, they all three mounted their brooms, each suddenly glad that he'd insisted they brought them with. Going easy for their sake, he carefully led the way, lightly pushing off from the ground and rising into the air.

Flying away from the mountain top and down toward the beach, he looked over his articulatio humeri to jibe on the girls. Luna seemed to have gotten the hang of affair after having been in the air a few clock time before. But Hermione, who always chose to proceed her feet on the ground if it was an option, was clearly showing her inexperience. She tried to lower the ling and suddenly lost ascendancy, letting out a loudly belly laugh as she suddenly zoomed toward the ground.

'' twist up ! '' He shouted as he raced after her. She tried to do as he instructed but couldn't quite accomplish it and she raised her weaponry to cover her face as she went down through the trees.

'' Harry ! bet out ! '' He heard Luna yell. Apparently Hermione's initial scream had aroused more than his veneration, it had woken the firedrake. He quickly whipped to the left wing as the one that had been silently stalking him stretched out to crack at him. `` They hunt in pair. '' Charlie's voice filled his headway and he instinctively pulled up, just barely missing the early Draco that had been waiting for him.

'' Luna ! ? '' He turned to search the sky for her and found her far out over the water as she tried her full to hedge the four Draco chasing her while she clung to the broom.

He raced forward to help only to bring in that the other six flying dragon had chosen to gang up up on him as they perceived him to be the beneficial flyer and therefore the more grievous to them. One popped up in movement of him, forcing him to go low. He once more searched the sky, trying to catch his bearings… but this time he didn't see Luna anywhere. Both she and Hermione had disappeared and now he was alone with eight tartar. Wait… eight ! He quickly began racing around the island, looking for any foretoken of Luna and the two Dragon that were obviously still chasing her. He flew between two of the beasts but unfortunately he wasn't quick enough and he felt one's tail end knock into the backrest of his broom followed by the sound of a mystifying cracking sound. The Calluna vulgaris started to come apart in his hands and he did his best to accommodate it together as he raced toward the terra firma. He landed roughly on the beach, shaking off the pain as he picked himself up and ran toward the masking of the trees.

He could hear the animals landing heavily behind him, too big to induce their way through the dense Sir Henry Joseph Wood. Suddenly tripping, Harry tucked into himself to break his surrender. Glancing back at what had knocked him over, he found the shattered remains of another Scots heather though he had no idea whether it was Luna's or Hermione's. He looked around desperately but there was no one there.

( gaolbreak )

Fred woke to a meretricious scream. For a moment he was disoriented, forgetting completely where he was as he scrambled to his feet. Looking around, he remembered making a temporary tax shelter out of the cave after escaping from Elanya. Another serial of ear-splitting screaming filled the sky and he looked up to see those mystifying animal circling in the brightly morning sunshine. They never came out this late… and they never flew so low. One swept over the trees above him, giving him a frighteningly clear position of what the tool actually was… a very large dragon with sharp claws, long tooth and wide wings tipped with grievous looking horns.

panic gripped him as he stood there frozen, trying to remember everything Charlie had ever told him about these beast. More than anything, he recalled his brother saying that dragon were creatures of habit… So why were they acting differently now ? He didn't thriftlessness time trying to estimate it out, he had to make sure Elanya was okay, he couldn't let the exclusively former individual on this island die… he didn't want to be here completely alone with these things. He raced through the Tree back to the campsite, suddenly upset that he'd decided to travel so far from it in the maiden place.

beingness surely to keep himself deep under the cover version of the trees, he approached their tent and heard Elanya's articulation as she argued with someone. Careful of where he stepped, Fred snuck up as close as he dared… she was standing with her back to him and completely alone, but he could tell apart that she was holding something up to her mouth. `` What do you mean Malfoy won't let you near Ginny ? ! '' She cried out angrily. `` I gave you one simple-minded task this morning… Well, you know what to do next. ``

Not waiting to hear more, Fred leapt out from the tree he'd been hiding behind. `` What are you doing ? '' He demanded as he stalked up to her.

She turned to him and dropped her hand, showing him they were empty. `` Nothing. '' She said innocently.

'' Who were you talking to and how ? And why are you talking about my Sister ? '' He tried to hide his terror, reminding himself that whatever was happening at least Draco was doing his part in protecting Ginny from it.

More screaming filled their air and they both glanced up in terror. Then she stared directly at him, her eyes filling with lugubriousness. `` I have no choice, you broke the formula. '' She looked away, closing her eyes against her regret.

'' What are you talking about ? ! ``

She pointed up at the flying dragon now circling dangerously low. `` The only when reason they would leave their nestle was if soul disturbed them… clearly we are no longer alone on this island. You were right, your Friend came after you… but that means you all have broken the pattern and if I don't bring about the penalty for it then I'll be the one to obtain it. I like you Fred, but your siblings'lives just aren't more important to me than my own. ``

'' Don't do it. '' He insisted, pleading with her to generate in and be the honest individual he wasn't quite sure she could be. `` I'll help protect you from Elise and Sarah, we can all hold back you safe. Just don't let them storm you into hurting my brother and sister. ``

'' You'd really do that ? '' She asked, taking an unsure tone toward him. `` You'd convince your friends to render me a hazard ? ``

'' No ! That's part of her design ! ``

They both whipped around to see who had snuck up on them. Fred couldn't believe his eyes as his heart raced with joy. `` Hermione ? '' She was standing there before him, looking far more existent than the last clock time he'd seen her as she had her baton out and pointed at Elanya. Forgetting everything else in his succor, he raced forward and threw his weapon around her.

'' We have to find Harry and Luna and get out of here now ! '' She quietly insisted. `` I was incorrect yesterday, she's no victim… they're all working together to make us want to aid her so she can get in and convince Harry and Luna to get together them. ``

'' Who told you that ? '' Elanya demanded, reminding Fred that she was actually still there. She now had her wand out as well and was pointing it directly at them.

'' What does it count if it's true ? '' He returned, placing himself between her and Hermione despite the fact that he was the just one unarmed.

'' Well, I suppose you can't really argue with that logic… I take it you're just going to automatically believe her over me ? '' Elanya asked with false sweetness.

'' You aren't exactly giving me a intellect not to at the moment. '' Fred replied, gesturing to the sceptre she still had pointed at them. He felt Hermione reaching out and take his hand as she used her former to persist in wielding her own wand. Squeezing her fingers, he hoped they found a way out of this.

Elanya nodded, a wicked smile spreading slowly across her face. `` I thought as much… I guess it's prison term to prompt to plan B. '' She quickly waved her wand, forcing Hermione to drop up a carapace around them. It was enough of a distraction for her to grab the seashell necklace she'd been wearing since they arrived and rip it from her neck before speaking quickly into it. `` William Tell Elise and Sarah that Harry and Luna are here and shoot down Ron. '' She instructed.

'' No ! '' Fred started forward but Elanya waved her wand and sent him flying away. He landed hard on his vertebral column but barely felt anything as he forced himself to get up. `` Take it back ! '' He demanded.

'' Why should I ? You were warned of the consequences… Just because you have a werewolf protecting one doesn't mean we can't get to the other. Your blood brother will die. ``

'' Call Erebos and tell him to exit Ron alone ! '' Hermione ordered, pointing her wand threateningly.

Elanya simply dropped the necklace to the ground and stomped on it, effectively destroying the communication device. `` What's done is done. You want retaliation, fall and learn it. '' She dared them.



short letter : Provided there are no more horrible fortuity with my figurer or flash drive, look for the next chapter soon !


Chapter 55 : An Island Escape

A/N : Without further delay… Read, followup, Enjoy !





After clank landing Hermione sat up and was pleased to get wind zero worse that a few abrasion and lolly. Unfortunately the broom hadn't survived as well and lay a few feet away in pieces. glad that it hadn't been her to wind up that way, she shook herself off and got to her feet. She looked around nervously and called out to Harry and Luna but they didn't answer her… A speedy coup d'oeil up through the crown let her fuck why. Several dragon seemed to be swooping around in the air while letting out horrifying shrieking phone. With a broken Calluna vulgaris she knew she couldn't do much to help them and they certainly were too distracted to come supporter her… it was up to her to fancy out what to do and she was determined that this not end up like Hogsmeade. She wasn't going to freeze up with indecision, there were too many people counting on her and Thomas More than that, she wanted to prove to herself that she was able of branching out on her own.

It was much hotter here than it was back at school and so the first affair she did was strip off her jacket before she fainted of heat energy exhaustion. She knew that she had to start moving and preferably with a purpose. Using her baton as a locator, she made her way through the woods, trying not to count anywhere but right in front end of her. She didn't want to become distrait, she just wanted to get Fred and get the infernal region off this island. Within ten minutes of walking, she found herself at Fred and Elanya's camping area. The two were talking and she heard Fred offering to avail the other girlfriend if she would forebode to call in off whatever she'd just threatened him with.

'' No ! That's region of her program ! '' She yelled, racing forward without thinking. Her scepter was already out and so she quickly pointed it at the early girl to keep her at bay. It seemed she'd arrived just in time to end Fred from getting even more caught up in all of this.

She stopped shortstop as she saw Elanya pull up her own scepter out… realizing that Fred was unarmed, Hermione worried that he would get caught in the middle if they started dueling. He stood there and looked at her as if she were the cracking affair he'd ever seen, making her feel more confident in the fount of the former girl. `` Hermione ? '' He asked hesitantly before rushing over and wrapping his arms around her. As thoroughly as it felt to accept him obtain her, she was careful to keep her wand up fifty Elanya decide to use the distraction to her advantage.

'' We have to find Harry and Luna and get out of here now ! '' She quietly insisted, forcing herself to believe they would have meter to properly reunify later if they got themselves out of this now. `` I was legal injury yesterday, she's no victim… they're all working together to make us want to help her so she can get in and convince Harry and Luna to join them. ``

'' Who told you that ? '' Elanya demanded, taking a few steps forward and pointing her wand more directly at Hermione.

'' What does it matter if it's true ? '' Fred asked quietly as he turned and placed himself between the girls.

'' well, I suppose you can't really argue with that logic… I take it you're just going to automatically trust her over me ? '' Elanya offered them a sweet smile that dripped with venomous intentions.

'' You aren't exactly giving me a reasonableness not to at the moment. '' He answered her as he gestured to the fact the she was waving her wand at them. Hermione realized in that import that he hadn't completely given into believing Elanya, that he'd mostly managed to bank his own inherent aptitude. Feeling proud of him, she reached out her free handwriting to take his, wanting him to experience that they were in this together now. She was comforted when he tightly held her manus in yield, accepting that she was going to be there with him no subject what.

'' I thought as much. '' Elanya said meanly. `` I guess it's time to move to program B. '' She quickly waved her wand, giving Hermione only seconds to throw up a shell around herself and Fred to deflect the magical spell. Before she could deliver fire, the girl ripped off her seashell necklace and was already talking into it. `` William Tell Elise and Sarah that Harry and Luna are here and then kill Ron. '' She instructed whoever was on the other end… most likely Professor Erebos.

'' No ! '' Fred started forward but Elanya waved her wand and sent him flying. Hermione took her opportunity and pullulate several knockout in ready successiveness but the other young woman was fast, raising her shield in fourth dimension before attempting to raise back and disarm her. By this time Fred had gotten to his feet and back into the thick of things, forcing Hermione to staunch her attack so he wouldn't get hit by mistake. `` exact it back ! '' He demanded, stalking towards Elanya.

'' Why should I ? '' She pointed her wand at him, keeping him from getting too close to her. `` You were warned of the consequences… Just because you have a loup-garou protecting one doesn't mean we can't get to the other. Your blood brother will die. ``

'' Call Erebos and recount him to will Ron alone ! '' Hermione said in as authorized voice as she could muster.

Elanya looked directly at her and dropped the necklace to the ground, stomping on it and ruining their only chance to call off the prof from killing Ron. `` What's done is done. You want retaliation, come and hold it. '' She dared them.

Hermione cast before she was even mindful she was doing so, taking both her and Elanya by surprise. The girl had to dodge rather than shield, sending Hermione's spell to shatter the trees behind her. Seeing what a serious charm she'd tried to use against her, Elanya stood and wiped the dirt from her dress. `` well, I suppose we've moved preceding mantrap then. '' She laughed wildly and searched for the wand she'd dropped in her hurriedness to actuate out of the way.

Hermione felt Fred grab her arm and perpetrate her into the tent. `` Shield it ! '' He yelled at her.

She quickly waved her wand, yelling `` Protego Totalum ! '' and a few other incantations, turning the tent into their own small fort ... they were gain ground magic spell she'd only practiced once in the prophylactic of a classroom setting. She was truly surprised that she'd been able-bodied to accomplish it here while her heart was racing and panic gripped her mind. They could hear Elanya screaming at them from the outside, uselessly hurling magical spell after spell at the collapsible shelter as she tried to get at them. `` I'm not sure how long this will concur. '' She said fearfully, turning to see that Fred had taken to tearing the place apart. `` What are you doing ? ``

'' I'm looking for my wand… she took it from me but it has to be around here somewhere ! '' He replied desperately as he threw things over his shoulder. He turned to the part of the tent that clearly served as the kitchen and started going through the cabinets.

'' You really have a stove in here ? '' She asked incredulously as he struggled to flip the matter over.

'' When it came to spending my money, Elanya spared no expense. Top of the line everything… it's supposed to be like camping in the puff of your home. '' Fred answered bitterly as he upended the icebox next. `` Aha ! '' He shouted, bending down to scoop up a close down towel. certain enough, his wand was wrapped up inside it and Hermione instantly felt a dead reckoning of easement knowing that she wouldn't be the only when one armed. His own relief was evident as he tightly gripped his wand and sighed deeply. Then he turned to her and gave her a spirit that sent shudder through her body. Without a give-and-take he strode up to her and eagerly placed his handwriting around her neck, pulling her look to his so that he could passionately catch her mouth. He kissed her with such profoundness and hunger that she was left feeling dizzy and had to achieve out and grab him to keep her stage from collapsing beneath her. Wrapping his arms around her waist he deepened the kiss even more before breaking it off and resting his straits against hers. They were both go out breathless and glad to once more be so close. `` I'm really happy to see you. '' He whispered.

'' I couldn't tell. '' She teased, leaning up to osculate his cheek.

'' Yeah, well, I'll build it vindicated when I have Thomas More metre to make my point. '' Fred grinned before turning serious once more. They could still hear Elanya out there, doing everything she could to breach the protection charms Hermione had cast. `` We have to get out of here without her eyesight. '' He said, letting her go and turning to survey their irregular stronghold.

'' I'm outdoors to suggestions. ``

He scratched his capitulum and turned to stare at her a moment before breaking into a smiling. `` Of course ! If I can fool my own mother then it should be easy to fool Elanya. ``

'' What are you talking about ? '' Hermione asked, watching as he waved his wand over himself.

And then suddenly there were two of him and she had the uneasy look that George V had somehow come back to life. Shaking it off, she tried to smile in funding. `` You really suppose she'll go after our two-bagger ? ``

'' Why wouldn't she ? '' He asked, waving his wand over her to put forward her up a double of her own. Moving hers to stand next to his, he studied them both closely. `` They look practiced enough to me. '' He shrugged.

'' Well, I certainly don't have a better idea. '' She moved to hide out herself behind the turned-over stove, as Fred took their silent doubles and instructed them to get out the tent and just run as far and fast as they could.

Knowing that her charms would be broken as soon as the roadblock was breached, he shoved them through the opening night and quickly came over to crouch beside her just in case Elanya wasn't fooled and decided to get along hunting the collapsible shelter. `` Here goes nothing. '' He whispered.

( BREAK )

Being able to stand down on the field, Ron almost felt like he really was role of the plot and was thankful to McGonagall for letting him have this one small opus of what made him happy. He watched his squad fly together and was thrilled to see them displume ahead in the mark, cheering them along as any good coach would do. The snow had been magically cleared off the field but he didn't need it to be reminded that wintertime was on it's way, the day was clearly and very cold. He huddled deeper into his jacket crown after applauding Seamus stealing the quaffle from the Ravenclaw chaser.

When the mark jumped far enough ahead in Gryffindor's favor, he decided it was safe to train a intermission and go down to the recreation pedestal for some hot chocolate to warm his interior. Making his way through the cabinet rooms, he took the issue leading outside the arena and nearly ran into someone trying to make their way in. `` Oh, excuse me sir. '' He said, recognizing prof Erebos, Hermione's Arithmancy professor.

'' Not at all Mr. Weasley. It was you I was actually coming to find. '' Erebos replied with what was clearly an effort at a friendly grin… but the tightness at the box of his mouth indicated to Ron that something was troubling the man.

'' What about ? '' He asked suspiciously though he didn't know why he felt that way. Something about the prof seemed off somehow… he was uncomfortable just being in the man's presence.

'' I'm not exactly indisputable. There is a young woman out in the Wood who flagged me down and asked me to come find you. '' Erebos said, looking over his shoulder at the Forbidden Forest. `` She wouldn't allow me to see her face, so I can't be sure… but she looked very much like Miss Patil, who has gone missing. I've semen to find you because she was so exigent but I think I must also go to the headmaster and inform him that one of his missing students has returned. ``

'' No ! Wait ! '' Ron pleaded, wondering what Parvati was doing back here so soon. He'd only sent a varsity letter off yesterday through Lupin, he wasn't even sure enough it had enough time to arrive to her so that couldn't be what drove her to come back. He had to spill to her before Dumbledore or anyone else could evince up and send her running. `` Just let me go see her first. ``

Erebos shook his head teacher. `` I don't know, I think it's important… the girl's parents are still here hoping she'll be found. It's cruel to not secern them and take the prospect that she'll run again. ``

'' Please, I'll convince her to remain. '' He promised with his fingers crossed.

'' Okay, how about this ? I'll go with you into the forest to see her, I'll let you two have your instant of privateness and then we can all go to Dumbledore together. '' He offered. `` It's the lone way I'm assured that Miss Patil will return to where she belongs. ``

Ron reluctantly agreed, following the professor around the back of the arena to the Forbidden woodland. They walked pretty far into the tree diagram, deepening Ron's suspiciousness to the percentage point where he was quick to rick back. `` Parvati got your attending from way back here ? Why were you in the Wood ? '' He asked carefully.

Erebos stopped and turned to him with his sceptre out and a demented smiling across his human face. `` Sorry for the conjuring trick Mr. Weasley, but Anapurna isn't out here. I just needed a reason for you to fare into the woodwind with me. ``

He swallowed the large gawk of fear and terror that had risen in his throat. `` Why ? '' He tried to keep his voice steady but wasn't sure he'd accomplished the task.

'' To belt down you. '' The professor said simply as he prepared to roll the ultimate inexcusable swearword. And then the man was screaming in painfulness as his wand fusillade into flames in his hand, forcing him to degenerate it to the ground.

Ron instantly reached into his pocket for his verge before turning to line up Jacey standing a few curtilage behind him, her own sceptre in one deal and a tumid ball of flaming in the other as she angrily stared down the professor. `` What are you doing out here ? '' He asked in his surprise.

'' Saving you it seems. '' She returned, seeming hurt that those were the first-class honours degree words he'd chosen to speak at the pot of her.

They both whipped around as the speech sound of individual clapping filled the air. Ron's optic widened in seismic disturbance as Elise McKinney stepped out from behind a with child Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, slowly applauding them. `` Well done. '' She laughed.

'' The picayune bitch burned my handwriting ! '' Erebos shouted as he held the now useless appendage close to his body.

'' Relax Dolos, I've burned you sorry than that when you've angered me LE. '' Elise giggled before turning her care specifically to Jacey. `` I had hoped you'd come. I was so very curious to incur out who you are… but to see that you're like me, well that brings on a whole new property doesn't it ? But I'm not as gentle to dispatch as Dolos. '' She said, throwing out her arms and producing her own fireballs in her custody. `` So come on, let's see what you're made of… we'll study this your auditory modality. '' She taunted.

( pause )

Luna just couldn't throw off off the last two dragons chasing her. They forced her to fly away from the island, zooming so far over the ocean she could see Castellumshire on the horizon… still the animate being wouldn't give up the chase. She tried calling out to Harry but he didn't answer, making her very aflutter. She could feel that he wasn't hurt… but that was all, it was like a persona of her wit had shut off and she was completely unable to communicate with him… It was almost as if there was something blocking them from using their powers, or more precisely, their telepathy. The way she was flying, the way she was able to know where to go to avoid being hit by claws, dentition and tails… that told her that her precognative instinct were well in tactfulness as she knew she certainly wasn't the best flier.

She swooped low to avoid one dragon and then quickly turned right to forfend the former. Her metrical unit skimmed the piss and she quickly pulled back up, making a long arc around Castellumshire before heading back toward the Gateway Islands. Becoming distracted by a unusual sound below her, she took the chance and looked down only to obtain a little speedboat zooming through the water headed the same way she was. Feeling the dragons right behind her, she decided to dip low, flying close enough only to see that there seemed to one person on board… a distaff wearing a hat and large sunglass. suspicion shot through her and she raced ahead, do-or-die to warn Harry.

At last she had returned to the island but he was nowhere in the sky… though the other eight dragons were. They were circling, clearly doing the same thing she was- looking for Harry. Figuring he must have landed she went down, flying over the shoreline in hopes that he would see her. She let out a surprised scream when two of the dragons suddenly grounded ahead of her, opening their jaws and waiting for her to fly at them. Fixing her clutches as she'd seen Harry do, she made a crisp left and headed back out over the water where four Sir Thomas More dragons waited. Once again changing her handle, she zoomed straight up. `` LUNA ! LOOK OUT ! '' She heard Harry screaming from far below her. Apparently he had seen her and ran out onto the beach to call out.

It took a indorsement too long for her to see what he'd tried to warn her about and so the pair of dragons that had been laying in waiting among the treetop had taken her by surprise. She raced upwards, high over the island hoping to lose them among the fluffy white cloud. But before she could get herself quite that heights, she felt one of the creatures grab the end of her broom and pluck her through the air. She lost her grip completely and felt herself begin to resign fall. Thinking as quickly as she could, she pointed her wand down and slowed her descent until she was able to lightly place her base on the reason. Her relief quickly gave way to all out panic as she realized she landed right back where they had started… the dragons'nest. Only this time she had no broom and she was completely alone.

( BREAK )

Harry had just used his verge to piece the Calluna vulgaris he'd found in the woodwind back together when Luna's riot echoed around him. He raced back onto the beach to take in an impossible sight- she was flying recklessly through the air as she tried to get away from all ten dragons. Seeing two of the creature break off from the group and shroud themselves among the trees he realizing what the rather intelligent puppet were planning to do. He tried calling out to her with his mind but while he could still feel that constant connective to her, it was as if someone had cut a conducting wire somewhere and all he could listen was a dial spirit. Throwing everything he had into it, he cupped his hands around his mouth and screamed out a warning to her, hoping she was able-bodied to hear him. If she did, it was too tardy. The early dragons had forced her to fly toward their trap and the two hiding leapt out to storm her. She slam upwards but to no help as one reached out and grabbed her ling. She fell off as the beast snapped the heather like a toothpick, making Harry's heart stop for a moment. But this time she had her wand and was able to slow her twilight, but when he saw where she landed his pith dropped entirely into his stomach. The Draco had seen her too and they all descended on their nest, intent on ousting the intruder.

terror swept through him and he hurried to finish the final resort on the Scots heather. Hearing a motorised sound he quickly ducked out of the way as a boat carelessly drove up into the George Sand, allowing a familiar spirit charwoman to skip over down and face him. `` Hello Harry. '' Sarah Elaine greeted him as if they were old booster, casually throwing her hat and sunglasses back into the boat.

'' I don't have time for you. '' He said. Knowing she didn't have a wand, he pointed his at her threateningly as he mounted the broom.

'' So I saw… seems your little Quaker fell into the wrong place. '' She grinned. `` caution to experience some help in retrieving her ? ``

Harry eyed her warily. `` Why, so you can just kill us both ? ``

'' Come now, let's put the past behind us. We all act a bit irrationally sometimes. Besides, I thought you didn't have time to argue… I know Luna certainly doesn't. '' She pointed to the cadaver of his Firebolt, long forgotten a few yards down the beach. `` Fix that up and Army of the Pure go. ``

He had no choice, he needed help distracting the tartar so he could fly in and grab Luna. Handing Sarah the heather he'd been holding, he ran over and waved his wand, fixing his own broom as best he could… at to the lowest degree it was in flying shape if not properly calibrated for the best flight possible. Together, they lifted off the undercoat, instantly making their way to the mountain. Harry just hoped his desperation for help didn't wind up being his downfall.

( recess )

Jacey wrapped Harry's invisibility cloak tightly around herself and closed her optic, doing her best to concentrate on apparating to just outside the quidditch pitch at Hogwarts. Of course of action, she was still getting the knack of the whole thing and so while she did get herself to Hogwarts, she was no where near the arena. In fact, she wound up inside the castling, just beyond the doors to the Great Hall. With a sigh of frustration, she made surely she was completely covered by the cloak before making her way outside.

Of course she had agreed to help restrain an eye on Ron… she just had no idea why. He had made himself very clear that he wished to care things on his own for awhile and she was tempted to punt off and let him learn just how much he needed his ally. But she could never do that and not only because she truly believed this man Erebos would pour down him… She also could not forsake Ron because some character of her knew that his end would mean her own as well. He had made a valid period the early night, they did not know each other, they had only just met and under the tensest of circumstance. And yet… clearly they were drawn to each other. She was to a greater extent than unforced to see what came of that attractive feature as she had already admitted that his letter is what ultimately made her decide to come here in the first place… she only hoped he would come to his senses long enough to-

She stopped idle in her tracks as she realized she may accept arrived too latterly. Just beyond the domain, she saw two name slip quickly into the Forbidden Forest and she was trusted of at least one of their identities. The early she only feared she knew. Racing forward, she let the cloak fall away as soon as she was within the corner lineage so that she could run with more speeding and to a lesser extent encumbrance. At last she came upon them and realized she had been objurgate on both accounts, Ron and Erebos were a few yards ahead of her. She could feel Ron's suspicion and dubiety as he was led further into the trees.

'' Parvati got your attention from way back here ? Why were you in the forest ? '' He asked. Jacey was wild on his behalf, upset that the professor was volition to use such an receptive wound to play tricks him into coming out here.

Erebos turned around wearing a cruel and evil smile. `` Sorry for the deception Mr. Weasley, but Parvati isn't out here. I just needed a grounds for you to come into the Wood with me. ``

'' Why ? '' Ron asked slowly, clearly trying to figure out what was going on and how to get out of it.

'' To pour down you. '' Erebos replied. Jacey saw his intention a moment before he raised his scepter and did the offset thing that came into her mind… She set his wand on fervour. He screamed in pain, dropping the matter as he cradled his injured hand to his body.

Ron pulled out his own wand before turning to figure out just what had happened. `` What are you doing out here ? '' He asked as his gaze locked in on her.

'' Saving you it seems. '' She said stiffly, feeling trauma to still see anger under the surprise in his centre as he stared at her.

The sound of mortal slowly clapping filled the air. Jacey whipped around to find Elise McKinney coming out from behind one of the trees. She had never met the womanhood and only knew her from the memories of others, but she was sure of who she was seeing. `` Well done. '' Elise laughed with genuine amusement.

'' The little gripe burned my hand ! '' Erebos shouted, glaring at them all.

'' Relax Dolos, I've burned you worse than that when you've angered me less. '' She laughed again. Then ignoring both male, she spoke directly to Jacey. `` I had hoped you'd come. I was so very rummy to encounter out who you are… but to see that you're like me, well that brings on a wholly new property doesn't it ? But I'm not as easy to discharge as Dolos. '' She said, waving her men and producing her own fire. `` So come on, let's see what you're made of… we'll consider this your audition. ``

putt her wand in her scoop so that both of her hired hand were free, Jacey let the flames flare out of her bigger and with more of a boom than Elise's. Seeing that she had been one-upped, the woman did not hesitate to begin her tone-beginning, hurling nut of flame one after the early. Engulfing her entire consistency in fervour, Jacey was capable to absorb whatever Elise threw at her though she was starting to feel very ardent. Run before this spreads ! She thought out to Ron, not wanting him to get burnt.

I'm a bit in use at the bit. He answered. She glanced over to regain him alternatively trying to put out the flames spreading through the woods and dueling Erebos who had retrieved the burnt remains of his wand and was trying to have it work with his undamaged hand. It seemed that every once in awhile the man was able to get the wand to perform his spell which only distracted Ron from his impromptu attack at being a firefighter.

She tried reaching for her sceptre but Elise only renewed her efforts, making it sack up that she intended this conflict to be non-magical and leaving Jacey no choice but to crusade fervour with ardor. It was more than Ron's water magical spell could go on up with and if they didn't ascertain a way to end this soon, there was no telling how far the fire would spread. She did her best to focus on controlling and containing them to their minuscule area but it lessened the amount of assiduousness she could make to the existent conflict and found herself more on the defensive that she would have thought herself to be. She knew the fact that Elise didn't charge where the fervour bedcover was giving the charwoman an edge over her but there was null she could do about that, she had to do her proficient to control the scathe her power caused. Realizing they were going to necessitate help and taking even more attention away from the battle, she called out to Dragon as he was the solely one left here that she trusted to ask for help. She hoped he made it in time.

'' Jacey ! '' Ron yelled, bringing her full care back to the moment at hand. Seeing that she'd been momentarily distracted, Elise had taken her chance and used everything she had to shoot a jet stream of ardour directly at her. She felt herself propelled backwards before her flames flickered out and everything went dark.

( falling out )

'' What do you mean you have to go help Jacey ? '' Ginny demanded as Draco grabbed his coating. They'd been quietly lounging together in her room as they studied and she'd been enjoying the rather elusive worry-free moment… even if they had barricaded themselves in to nullify Professor Erebos.

Looking at his typeface, she could tell apart he wasn't any more pleased with the melodic theme of him leaving than she was. `` Apparently Elise made it onto the school reason and she and Erebos have your buddy cornered out in the Grant Wood. '' He answered honestly, in too much of a precipitation to attempt lying. `` corporate trust me, the only rationality I'm going is because I know that Erebos is out there too. Even so, stay in here and don't open the door to anyone until I get back, okey ? ``

'' Not okay. I want to go with. '' She insisted, moving to grab her coat as well.

'' Please Ginny. '' He grabbed her by the berm and forced her to look at him. `` I'll be much more effective in providing the help Jacey and Ron need if I don't have the Lapp trouble out there that she does. ``

'' Meaning ? '' She demanded stubbornly.

'' Meaning she's in trouble because she's distracted by thoughts of Ron and anyone else being hurt… I can't be of very much help if we add your welfare to our list of concerns. ``

'' indigence I remind you again that you aren't an immortal god or even a superhero ? You're a normal guy who got stuck with a being a werewolf and are just as capable of burning to death as I am. '' She gripped his weapons system, unwilling to let him give her sight.

'' We don't have time to argue. For once just humour me and continue here. '' He pleaded.

She stared at him a consequence, letting the wheels turn in her head as she figured out what to do. `` fine, go. I promise I won't follow you. Just be careful. '' She agreed at go, too worried about Ron and Jacey to celebrate him any longer.

He seemed suspect but he had no choice other than to take her agreement. Leaning in to quickly kiss her goodbye, he then turned and fled the room. Walking over to her window, she waited until she saw him zip across the school grounds… he was faster than any human she'd ever seen and she could interpret why he liked going out to run so much- it must be impossible to think when moving so quickly.

Picking up her coat she fled her room, rushing through the halls and out the look doorway. She would keep her hope not to follow after him… but she wasn't going to allow him to go alone. She entered the quidditch stands, climbing up to where the schoolhouse staff sat. Unfortunately, the somebody she wanted to talk to was also sitting next to the soul she'd hoped to avoid… but she couldn't go back, three lives might be at stake, her crony's among them. `` Can we assist you with something ? '' Lupin asked with a friendly grinning as she approached him and Dumbledore.

Warily eyeing the Headmaster, she took a deep breath and spoke to Lupin. She knew it was best to keep cite of Jacey and Elise out of thing with so many ear around and so she made her head as clear and concise as potential. `` Draco ran out into the woodwind to try and stop professor Erebos from killing Ron. They need avail. ``

( geological fault )

Fred waited a right two minutes to be sure Elanya was gone before turning to lift the bottom of the tent behind them. `` It's now or never. '' He told Hermione. She nodded solemnly and taking her hand, he led the way as they ran from the only thing that had been able-bodied to protect them. He tried to repeatedly shout out out for Harry and Luna but neither of them answered. `` It's like they can't hear me at all ! '' He said aloud in frustration as they carefully made their way through the tree, keeping an ear out for any foretoken of Elanya closing in on them.

'' I think it has something to do with the energy field generated within all three islands. '' Hermione answered thoughtfully. `` I read about it in that book… it interferes with most navigation tools, even the sorcerous ones. It's the principal reason it's so hard for citizenry to find these islands. Maybe it also interrupts that certain brainwave frequency Harry and Luna use to convey their telepathic abilities. ``

'' Whatever you say. All I heard is that we're stay finding them the old forge way. '' He tried to use his wand to aim him towards the approximate living man but the pillock affair kept pointing up. `` Or not. '' He muttered, finally giving up.

'' Unless… '' She looked upward and he followed her gaze. There were several firedrake still out and they seemed to be attacking their own nest. `` You don't think… ? ``

'' I do now. '' He answered grimly, figuring the only when answer was that their friends were up there and in a lot of trouble. `` I guess we try to mount it. '' He walked toward the base of the peck until he heard a small shriek of surprisal that told him that Hermione wasn't following. Turning he found her struggling to resign her infantry from a rather ugly looking plant. Originally mistaking it for some sort of shrub, they had walked by unaware… but now the matter had spread it's leaves apart and was shooting out various tentacle-like prominence that were attempting grab Hermione and pull her in. He raced back over, wildly waving his wand. But the plant seemed to be immune to magic and zero he tried would piss it stop.

'' Let go ! '' She yelled as she kicked at the plant. Not knowing what else to do, Fred picked up a large rock and began slamming it down on the tentacles. The plant let out a hapless sound, indicating it could feel pain. In an endeavour to free herself, Hermione reached for another rock-and-roll and helped him vex the tentacles away. Grabbing her under her arms, he pulled her to her feet and they scrambled away before the strange shrub could regroup.

'' Well, that was something new. '' He said as they caught their breathing space. He'd certainly never come across a plant life like this before in all his time wandering the island though he'd definitely found some weird ones. Of course of action, other than last Night when he'd fled Elanya he hadn't ever come this close to the base of the mountains. He gave silent thanks that he hadn't passed by this matter in the dark.

'' Let's just keep going. '' Hermione seemed shaky but determined and so he nodded and went on, this metre ensuring they remained side by side. It was a scant walk and looking towards the sky, they were able to see that the way to the top of the mountain wasn't exactly consecutive up… that was a good affair, making it less in all likelihood that they would fall to their deaths while attempting this. `` Okay, we just involve to retrieve the right hand place to take up. '' She said logically as she stood back and studied the bumpy paries and several different itinerary up.

Fred took a unlike plan of attack, walking right up to the raft and trying out the handholds and footing in a few places. Taking a few more steps to the left, he reached to climb up only to feel the rock candy give way under his hired man. And then he was falling… falling… he slammed into the ground, knocking the breath out of him and sending shooting pains up and down his leg. `` Fred ! '' He heard Hermione screaming his name.

'' Yeah ! '' He called out as best he could as he wheezed and tried to get his breathing back to formula. `` I'm active ! '' He assured her more loudly once he was able.

'' Yes, but are you okay ? '' She yelled down to him.

'' I think my leg broke my fall. '' He shouted back, groaning in pain as he sat up to choose a look at himself. Feeling around on the reason he recovered his wand and quickly lit it, reaching out to delicately test his leg. `` I don't think anything's broken ! '' He assured her. No, not broken… just really banged up. He'd definitely landed on it damage and he could see the entire thing swelling from his stifle down to his ankle.

'' I'm going to float you up. ``

'' Just dedicate me a arcminute to gather myself. '' Putting as little weight on it as possible, he slowly climbed to his feet. Only once he was standing did he bring in he seemed to anguish everywhere including the shoulder that had been broken endure year during the quidditch match against Cho. It felt like it had popped out of place… stuffing the bottom of his shirt in his lip to muffle any sounds of bother he might make, he grabbed his arm and roughly pushed upward. It hurt so badly that for a here and now he was able to block all about his leg, but then came the sense of substitute that told him that he'd achieved the termination he'd wanted, his shoulder was back in it's proper place. Panting from the effort he wiped the sweat from his face and took a few steadying breathing spell. `` Okay, fix ! '' He called out.

Instantly his invertebrate foot carefully left the land, leaving him to sense as though he were softly cradled in the hands of some unseeable whale. He put his wand in his pocket as he rose up, wanting to have both hands free to help pull in himself discharge of the surprisingly small opening he'd fallen through. At last he was able to see Hermione, using her wand to calculate his advancement. Reaching up, he grabbed the edges of the bouldered curtain raising. `` I need you to stay fresh propelling me forward, I hurt my leg so I can't get a honest clasp with my metrical unit. '' He told her. She nodded and doubled her concentration, trying to only give him an extra boost as he struggled to rive himself absolve. Now being forced to use all the strong point in his arms, he was glad that he'd gone swimming so much while he was trapped here and built up his muscles a bit.

'' Expelliarmus ! '' Someone screamed and Hermione's wand was ripped from her paw and sent flying off into the woodwind. Without her spell to aid him, he lost a bit of his clutch and struggled through the hurting to obtain a foothold lest he fall back down into the cavern. He scrambled to hold onto the John Rock despite how sharp they were… once he felt steady, he was able to look up and see Elanya staring at them with a wide of the mark smile as she tauntingly waved her wand. `` I'm sorry it took so foresightful to dispatch those doubles you sent running out… it seems you're a better conjure man than I thought. ``

'' What do you want ? '' Hermione tried to reason with her as Fred struggled to use his hurt leg to help push him through the hole. But the more than pressing he tried to put on it, the more numb it seemed to grow… almost to the tip where he wasn't even sure it was there anymore. He tried to hand back for his scepter but letting go of the rocks made him instantly slide backwards. He would demand all the strong suit in his sleeve to pull himself out and until he did, Hermione was left to face up Elanya alone and weaponless. Feeling a new determination, he decidedly placed his feet and pushed off with them, gritting his teeth against the painfulness. From there he was able to attain out a bit further… slowly but surely he began pulling himself out.

( BREAK )

'' Jacey ! '' Ron shouted but he was too previous. Something had distracted her farsighted enough for Elise to get in a direct hit, sending her flying through the air and leaving her crumpled in the snow. He tried to run to her but felt someone barrelful into him, tackling him to the ground.

'' That's between them ! '' Erbos yelled, pointing his destroyed wand directly in Ron's look as he pinned him to the ground. `` This here is between us ! ``

'' I don't even bed who the hell you really are ! '' He shouted angrily, gripping his sceptre and sending the man hurtling through the air away from him. `` Jacey ! '' He yelled again as he sat up and saw Elise deflexion over her.

'' She's indisposed at the moment. '' Elise called, straightening herself and turning to face him. He scrambled to his feet and pointed his sceptre with a pee charm on the tip of his tongue and gear up to be used. `` So, her name is Jacey then is it ? '' She grinned and pulled out her own wand. `` What else can you tell me about her ? ``

Ron, I am okay. I just need a moment to regain and concentrate my get-up-and-go. He heard Jacey's voice whisper through his forefront. Do not engage her… Draco is on his way to help.

sense of hearing that she was uninjured, stand-in swept through him so quickly his knees almost buckled out from under him. `` Nothing to say ? '' Elise asked, bringing his attention back to her. `` Dolos told me how you were the only one to be seen with the cryptic castle guest at the Costume Ball… he also told me how close you two appeared to be so I know you can tell me everything I want to roll in the hay. Of trend, seeing how loth you seem, I feel it's best I remind you that I could always squeeze you to tell me. Though if we have to go that route, I promise it won't be very pleasant for you. ``

'' What do you require to have sex ? '' He asked, hoping to buy time.

'' Everything about her that you know. ``

'' I know she's a liar. '' He said quickly. `` I know I can't confidence anything she's ever told me and so I'll gladly reduplicate every lie she's ever said and leave it to you to screen out the facts. '' He pushed himself to feel as genuinely angry as possible, wanting the adult female to believe there was no ground to think she'd be successful in using Jacey against him and frailty versa ... or even in effect, convincing Elise that she didn't want anything to do with Jacey. He felt atrocious, not just for what he'd said now, but also for the matter he'd said in the past… and even after he'd utter such frightful hokum, she'd still come to try and facilitate him. I'm sorry. He thought out. I'm sorry I said those things, I just want us both to get out of this.

I know. Jacey replied calmly.

'' A sound liar can be of great use. '' Elise nodded approvingly. `` Unfortunately, it seems you are of no use at all. ``

GET OUT OF THE WAY ! Jacey screamed in his head and he saw her bounce to her feet behind Elise who had once again raised her hands to bid her fervidness. Before he could wave his sceptre to shield, someone roughly crashed into him, practically lifting him off his human foot and carrying them both away faster than Ron thought possible. It only took him a moment to realize who had just may have saved his life.

'' We have to go back for Jacey ! '' He yelled to Draco who immediately turned them around.

As they approached the two lady friend still whipping fire at each early without much care as to what was around them, someone shouted `` obstructor ! '' forcing Draco to stumble and sending both boys sprawling to the ground.

Tightly gripping his wand, Ron leapt to his human foot as Draco fought the spell he'd been hit with which was currently keeping him from moving any tight to fray. Erebos stood there, waving Jacey's baton tauntingly. `` Looks like your friend dropped this. '' He grinned. `` fourth dimension to see how lots you've really learned while you've been here at Hogwarts Mr. Weasley. ``

There was no time to be spooky, he instantly cast a buckler having seen the man ready to throw away a turn at him. Within a 2d he had retaliated by sending a freeze hex, but the professor took a Sir Frederick Handley Page from Jacey and Elise's book shooting a current of fire from his wand that met the sprayer of ice coming from Ron's. Using all of his concentration he repeated the spell, attempting to strengthen his position… but Erebos was just as compulsive and unrelenting.

'' ENOUGH ! '' A booming vocalism surrounded them.

And then suddenly the duel was over as Erebos was bound from forefront to toe in front of him. Ron took respective deeply breathing space and lowered his baton as Dumbledore and Lupin came forward. The spell meant to keep Draco at bay had finally worn off and he slowly walked up adjacent to him. `` Thanks. '' Ron said only gimcrack enough for him to hear.

'' Don't mention it. '' He answered grimly.

Dumbledore walked over to stare down at his disgraced prof. `` wellspring Dolos, it seems I've finally caught you in something you won't be able to talk your way out of. '' He said with a slight yet triumphant smile.

( BREAK )

Looking around quickly, Luna spotted a minor hatchway across the nuzzle the seemed to extend into the raft. She instantly ran towards it though she was uncertain even her short circuit and slight frame could squeeze through. suspicion burned in her gut and she flung herself to the ground with a modest scream of scare as she felt one of the massive savage fly over her. Flipping onto her back she shot a stunner at the beast's partner as it swooped in to make it's own attempt at catching her. The spell seemed to resile off the tartar's skin, having no burden other than to see red the tool even more. Luna quickly rolled to the side as it snapped at her before flying off to ease up the next brace their turn with her.

Scrambling to her fundament, Luna shot toward the cave opening. She was tempted to use her wand and savage the muddle surface wider, but she worried that might possibly interrupt the stability of the tidy sum. The conclusion affair she wanted was to escape the beasts only to be buried in a landslide or cave-in. Throwing herself forward, she was just barely able to contract through, turning her physical structure sideways to make up it.

She screamed as she felt a sharp stab of pain and turned, using her wand to cauterize the dragon who had grabbed her arm before she could fully veil herself. This seemed to possess to a greater extent effect than anything else as the beast let out a mighty shriek of pain in the neck and let her go. Pulling herself further into the crevice, she was led down a bit into a larger cave where she tripped over something that rattled and rolled away from her animal foot. With a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, she lit her verge and covered her rima oris to hold back back the wow of repulsion she wanted to let loose. Several bone littered the floor of the cave, and they seemed to belong to both beast and humans.

Remaining near the opening, she turned her back so she wouldn't have to see any of it and instead focused on checking the damage done to her arm. Seeing two gravid bloody gashes in the sleeve of her coat, she shrugged it off feeling far too warmly anyway. Tearing off the balance of the washed-up sleeve of the shirt she had on underneath, she examined her skin and found that, while painful, the slit didn't seem to go too deep… While it had been happening, it had felt like her arm was nearly severed and she was to a greater extent than a little protruding to instruct that wasn't the case. She quickly used the scrap of fabric that had once been her sleeve to wrap the wound and quench the bleeding.

'' LUNA ! '' She heard Harry yelling desperately for her.

'' I'M Hera ! '' She shouted back, forcing herself up through the narrow down opening to return to the nest. Peering out from the hole, she caught the unacceptable good deal of not only Harry, but also Sarah Elaine as they both zoomed through the air, working together to distract and divide the dragons. Luna watched in astonishment as Sarah flew past several boulders, using her telepathy to pink them over onto the duo of dragons that had been pursuing her.

'' Luna ! '' Turning her care back to Harry, she saw that he kept swooping back and Forth River until he was able to taunt all of the flying dragon back into the air. They may not be capable to communicate in their heads at the moment, but she knew him well enough to approximate what he wanted her to do. As soon as the last dragon had taken flight, she ran out into the open where Harry could see her. Putting her sceptre between her teeth, she threw her hands in the air as he passed over and struggled to concur on as he reached out and grabbed her. Her arm was on fire with pain in the ass as she struggled to rise up onto the broom with him as they'd done at Lairmore, but she tried to push it out of her mind until she was safely seated behind him.

'' You got it ? '' Harry called over his berm as she settled herself and wrapped her wound arm around him.

'' Just fly, I'll cast. '' She assured him, taking her wand from her mouth and turning to fritter a watercourse of firing at the two dragons that were just a few scant feet behind them, sending the beasts to dive away.

'' This way ! '' Sarah called almost gleefully, laughing as she dipped back down toward the water. As they descended, Luna was able to make out yet another humble boat streaking toward the island. Sarah flew them down towards it and with ten dragons fast behind them, Harry had no choice but to abide by. Squinting a bit, Luna thought she was capable to tell apart the two people on the gravy holder and as soon as she made the connection she knew she was right. `` That's impossible… '' She said breathlessly.

'' What ? '' Harry asked, turning his straits slightly to get word her better. She could feel his thwarting at not experiencing the complete access to her thoughts that he'd become used to having… she knew he felt this way because it was the same exact way she was feeling and it made them both uncomfortable.

'' Watch where you fly ! '' Sarah happily called out a warning as the air suddenly exploded in a shower bath of flames all around them.

( prisonbreak )

While pretending to be injured, Jacey assured Ron that she was in fact okay before focusing on herself. She went into her own chief, trying to gather her energies and refuel her fire. Sending her mind out, she heard him apologizing to her… I know. She answered him, and she did have intercourse that he genuinely felt bad for the way he had spoken to her only to discover that she would come up to his rescue anyway.

And then Elise's thoughts overpowered his and she was able to see that the woman intended to get rid of the only individual there to see whatever she had planned. GET OUT OF THE WAY ! She screamed at Ron, as she lurched to her feet. She watched in horror as Elise unleashed a fiery blaze in his direction… which is the exact moment Draco swooped in, grabbing Ron and taking them both far beyond the engagement. Jacey was thankful that she now had one LE matter to worry about. She reached for her wand only to discover that at some point it had fallen out of her pocket. Cupping her hand, she formed a fast ball of fire and threw it at Elise, knocking the cleaning woman square in the back before she could light herself on fire to absorb the contact. This caused her not only to scream in pain in the neck but more importantly, to completely forget about chasing after the boys.

She quickly lit and extinguished herself before turning to Jacey. `` And I thought it was only those on Voldemort's slope who struck masses in the back. ``

'' You do not cognize me or what I have been capable of in the past… I could have just as easily joined the other side. '' Jacey replied darkly, trying not to let herself think of anything in her past.

'' Except there's obviously something you want that Harry and his friend can supply you. '' Elise grinned. `` Tell me what it is and I promise I can get it to you degraded and with less difficulty that they ever could. ``

'' I highly doubt that. '' She thought of what she wanted and knew the merely way to get any of it was to rest loyal and trusty to those who had so totally accepted her. She had already lived the aliveness Elise was offering and had only recently been able-bodied to throw off the trammel of that kind of existence… The one where you could trust no one and everyone used everyone else to further themselves, the one where you always felt only and scared and were forced into being someone you are not in order to pull round. She was ready for the life that came with being Harry's ally and a member of the coven… She was ready for the kind of friendship you would risk your life for even after arguing and she was ready for the freedom of being able to say and do what she wanted, of being able to care about anything and everything, of being able-bodied to be herself.

'' cum now, there must be something. '' Elise prodded. `` Just opine if you joined us, guess the mankind after we win this war… we'll be able to mold it into anything we want it to be. It'll no longer be about adept and muggles, it'll be about those like us… those with great power. It will be about psychics and non-psychics. You and I, we can cause as much devastation as we like here… but I truly think it would be in the best interest group of all if we could give some sort of correspondence. ``

'' So then you concede the fight. '' Jacey challenged, brushing off the woman's poorly composed sales pitch.

'' I'm dong no such thing. '' She assured her, once more lighting herself on flame in case Jacey decided to make another ball of flame. She stared past her and smiled before once more meeting her eye. `` It looks like Dolos is about to pass over out Ron. ``

Not wanting to give Elise the gratification of distracting her, she quickly conjured the expectant human dynamo she could and sent it flying at the woman at top fastness, knocking her to the dry land. Circling around so as to never have her back to Elise, she scanned the trees for Ron and saw him and Erebos dueling as genus Draco paced nearby, desperately trying to fight off whatever magical spell was keeping him from moving forward to help.

Checking on her own foe in this fight, she saw Elise reach out from the ground and point. Jacey leapt out of the way and used her weapon to shield her head as the tree next to her exploded in flames. `` ENOUGH ! '' A loud, authoritative vox reverberated through the trees. Both she and Elise extinguished themselves and looked around curiously.

easing flooded through her when she saw Dumbledore and lupine rushing over to Ron, Draco and Erebos. `` well, I guess this means it's time to go. '' Elise smiled, shooting one to a greater extent surprise blast of fire before turning and running off through the trees.

Jacey quickly dodged before running off after her. `` No ! terminate her ! '' She shouted as the womanhood passed within a few feet of Dumbledore. But Elise was prepared and quickly set several trees on flame as a distraction to keep them officious. Leaving it to the others to keep back the flame from spreading, Jacey never slowed her yard and continued on in her pursuit. She thought she was alone until she felt genus Draco coming up behind her… and then he was passing her as he moved with impossible stop number. Do not let her make it past the schooling's boundaries ! She called out to him. Unlike her, Harry and Luna, Elise was ineffective to apparate into or away from someplace protected by the protective covering charms… but if she made it yesteryear Hogwarts'margin, she'd be able-bodied to go anywhere.

Seeing that Elise was only yards away from escaping, Dragon pushed himself a fiddling harder and mad a wild dive, tackling the woman around her legs and bringing her to the ground. Jacey raced up to them, quickly shoving Dragon away as Elise tried to retaliate. He threw up a shield around himself to contrive off the fire. `` You have to let me entrust, Harry and Luna's sprightliness may depend on my helping them. '' Elise said after calming her anger at being stopped so roughly.

'' What do you mean ? '' Jacey and Draco demanded at the same time.

She reached up and pulled a little saucer from her ear and held it out for them to see. `` I've been in constant communication with Sarah since Elanya contacted Dolos and told him to let us sleep together that your champion had finally arrived on the island to save Fred. Now she's telling me that the tartar are awake and very much after Harry and Luna. We researched that island well before choosing it and learned everything we could about the firedrake including reading the new book written by Charlie Weasley… those Dragon aren't the kind that breath fervidness, they're scared of it. Now Sarah is trying to help, but they're only three people against a swarm of wolf. If I don't go and help, two of your friends and one of mine might just suit some pitiful fauna's meal. '' She smiled smugly at them as she walked backward until she was in a place she could apparate from.

Draco uncertainly raised his scepter to end her but Jacey grabbed his arm. `` No. '' She said quietly.

Elise only grinned wider as she extended a bridge player out to her. `` Come with me Jacey. We can work together just this once in the pursuit of saving our friends'lives. After we can go right back into another firefight if you'd like ... one far from Hogwarts where you can really go after me without worrying about what else is being destroyed. '' She offered.

Don't do it… it's got to be a sand trap. Draco silently warned her.

I know it is. But I can also see that she is not lying about Harry and Luna being in trouble. Jacey replied. Quickly making her choice, she rushed to take Elise's hand and allowed the woman to whisk off them away before Draco could stop them.

( BREAK )

Harry dodged to the left to hightail it the dragon only to own to slue immediately right to dodge the fireball that pellet past them. Luna had abandoned her attempt to use her baton and now held onto him tightly with both arms as it was clear-cut that his flying was the only affair that was going to get them through this. He didn't fuss to distract himself with worrying about how Sarah was faring. She could be swallowed by a dragon or plummet into the ocean for all he cared, as long as he and Luna got out of this with their lives… Oh yeah, and Jacey who was inexplicably down on a gravy holder with Elise as both girls flung fire in the air to chase off the creatures. He wished he could talk to Luna without turning and yelling, he wished they could discuss their options and what they thought it meant that Sarah and Elise were there seemingly to help. He felt cold and isolated being cut off… not only from her thinker but from Hermione, Fred and Jacey's as well.

'' headspring down to the gravy holder ! '' Sarah called as she zoomed past them to lightly land and looked up expectantly.

'' What do you think ? '' He called to Luna as he continued to make his way though fire and dragons.

'' Jacey's down there alone with the both of them ! '' She yelled back. `` Like it or not, we have to go. ``

'' I can't be sure to fudge dragons with all three of us on the broom ! ``

'' Then we'll have to land and admit the former broom back from Sarah ! Then we can go find Fred and Hermione and get the Hades out of here ! '' Luna squeezed him tightly in reassurance and buried her font in his back in readying for the sharp fall he was about to make. Fixing his handgrip he shot straight down, streaking past various dragon until he was low enough for Jacey and Elise to broadcast out firing flares to keep the beasts at bay as he softly set his metrical foot down on the bow of the modest gravy boat. Sarah immediately started the locomotive engine and jerked forward, sending Harry and Luna both sprawling into the gravy boat. She turned the wheel and swung around, speeding away from the island.

'' What are you doing ? ! '' Harry demanded as he and Luna helped each other to their feet.

'' Getting us away from here, what does it look like ? '' She stared at him as if he were stupe before gesturing to the rear of the gravy holder where Jacey and Elise were still using their might to fend off the four dragons design on pursuing them beyond the island.

'' No, we have to go back. '' He insisted. `` Hermione and Fred are still there. ``

'' So what ? '' Elise called over her berm. `` They're suddenly weight around your neck. Let them go. ``

'' Elanya is still there too. '' Luna argued.

Elise fully turned to them and smiled. `` So what ? '' She asked again. `` Unlike you, I trust that my allies are more than subject of taking caution of themselves… and unlike you, I could care less whether they live or die. ``

'' I think this is far enough. '' Sarah said, once more turning off the engine and letting the boat impulsion through the water. They had apparently gone far enough to assure the tartar that they had no design of returning to their nest. The beasts had finally given up the hobby and headed back habitation. `` I didn't think it would demand all of this to get you to the island. '' She grinned.

'' You wanted us to come here ? '' Harry asked doubtfully.

'' Of form. '' Elise laughed. `` We knew you'd want to make out after Fred and so he proved his first use to us… there's still more for him to do though. ``

'' We just never thought it would take you this long to figure things out… Tristan must have kept you all pretty preoccupied. '' Sarah taunted. `` Seems he's disappeared from the rook though. Can't time lag to see where he turns up adjacent. ``

Harry, Luna and Jacey stole glances at each other… it seemed that Elise and Sarah didn't know anything about them having already killed Tristram. Yet again he wished he still had the power to go into their idea to see if it was true. `` I thought he was supposed to making you both immortal in Voldemort's name. '' He said, not wanting to pay himself away while at the same meter hoping to get a few More answers than Simon had been able to provide.

'' We haven't yet decided whether we'll go through with that. '' Elise shared a smiling with Sarah as if they were sharing some buck private joke. `` We're still weighing the professional and cons of immortality… but it's important to always appear agreeable to Lord Voldemort. '' She laughed.

'' But we're getting off subject. '' Sarah reminded her. `` I do believe they were about to ask why we wanted them here. ``

'' It's simpleton, we wanted to usher just how capable we are in getting what we want and how strategic it would be for you three to get together us. '' Elise explained to them. We figured someplace far from the influence of Dumbledore and your other protagonist would give us the chance to really make ourselves listened to rather than just heard. ``

'' Big motion are the only way to throw people heed ... '' Luna quietly repeated what Simon had said to them when explaining his own actions.

Elise stared at her in surprisal. `` I'm gladiola you see my point. But clearly whatever was going on up at the castle was distracting you all from what we wanted you to do, which was come find Fred. It was taking so long that we figured sending in Dolos to rough in up Ginny Weasley would relieve oneself you focus… plus Elanya had told us she was having hassle getting Fred to collaborate so we figured it would be a win-win situation. Of course the stupid man is terrified of both genus Draco Malfoy and your friend lupin for what they are, though he's too proud to admit it. When Draco refused access to Ginny, making it illuminate that the only way Dolos was reaching her was through a battle with him, our less than courageous spy gave up. But then, to our delight we received word that you all had come to the island today anyway and we knew it was the perfect chance so Elanya ordered Dolos to defeat Ron. Then after Jacey showed up, I told her you all were in trouble and so we apparated to my waiting ship and hopped in the speedboat to come to your rescue. ``

'' So what happened back at Hogwarts ? '' Harry asked nevously, this meter turning to address Jacey who he'd left in charge of looking after Ron.

'' He is fine. '' She assured him and Luna. `` Erebos may not be… shoemaker's last I saw, Dumbledore seemed extremely pleased to possess him in detention. ``

'' It doesn't thing in the least. '' Elise assured them. `` Why else do you reckon I left the moron behind to whatever lot befell him ? Even if he decided to turn on me, he knows naught of any consequence… I've seen to that personally. And with only two workweek left for you all to be at Hogwarts, the man was entirely expendable. '' She stopped to smile at the faces they were all fashioning. `` Oh don't look at me like that. He and I had a great deal, I provided my piece and he provided his. Just because he got caught doesn't mean I had any debt instrument to help… he made his pick to become involved in this and now he knows he was dealing in things far above his brain. ``

'' A miserable lesson to learn the surd way. '' Sarah lamented, shaking her caput in mock brokenheartedness before smiling brightly. `` In any instance, we got exactly what we wanted even if we had to sacrifice Dolos. Now we know Jacey. ``

'' It's okay, Dolos was very good at his job when he wanted to be. '' Elise cooed, reaching out to comfort Jacey who shoved her away. She went on as if Jacey wasn't staring dagger of hatred at her. `` He saw you and Ron at the Costume formal, and putting two and two together, he figured you were the Lapp secret person Dumbledore had been keeping in his office… the one Harry and all his friends made extra trips up there to impose. We knew putting Ron's lifetime in danger would fetch you running, especially if Harry and Luna were in use elsewhere. ``

'' But Erebos really intended to wipe out Ron ! '' Jacey protested.

'' So ? '' Sarah shrugged. `` Who is he in all of this ? He has no power or claim to greatness. ``

'' Regardless your opinion of our friends, '' Harry stepped in to block up Jacey from punching Sarah in the face as it was clear she very much longed to do, `` you've done all of this for no cause. We obviously want nothing to do with you. '' He looked at Luna, hoping their connective to each other was strong enough for her to understand what he wanted her to do. Sure enough he saw her nod slightly and adopt a modest tone sideways toward the broom Sarah had abandoned when she'd gotten on the boat. He'd never let his go even when he'd fallen and he now held it stiffly beside him, hoping Jacey would get the intimation. Apparently, they didn't entirely need their telepathy to put across with each other… just a aggregate reason of how they all thought. Jacey discreetly grabbed the back of his shirt to indicate that she was fix. It had taken a subject of seconds but they were cook and so he quickly swung his broom so they could hop on as Luna lunged for the former one and together they zoomed up into the sky, sure as shooting to actuate fast enough to outrun Elise's firing range.

'' Let's go find Fred and Hermione and go home ! '' Jacey shouted unnecessarily as they rushed back toward the island with the speedboat in hot pursuit below them.

( respite )

'' What do you want ? '' Hermione asked, trying to hide the fact that she was scared.

'' If I knew that I would already get it, wouldn't I ? '' Elanya sneered. She walked forward, making a small circle around her as she inspected her from every angle. `` So, you're the reason Fred never gave in to me… '' She came to stand directly in front of her, her fortunate optic glaring with a deadly fervor. `` I just don't get it. There must be something here that I'm just not seeing. '' She said with intentional meanness.

Hermione kept quiet, though there were about a million affair that she would have liked to say in reappearance. But without her wand, the stopping point affair she wanted was to give the female child another reasonableness to care her dead.

'' cypher to say ? '' Elanya asked quietly. `` That's okey, I have my own way of finding things out. '' She tightly clutched her wand before reaching out to snaffle Hermione's handwriting, the same one Fred had held earlier.

Hermione watched in revulsion as the girl's eyes rolled up into her promontory and she fell forward. Elanya still had her mitt in a death bobby pin and dragged her John L. H. Down to her knees as she hit the ground… clearly she was having some kind of vision of the past. Hermione tumbled back as she wrenched herself free. For a brief second she considered going into the George W. Bush to look for her wand but remembering her last meeting with strange foliage, she decided it would be best to need Elanya's before she woke up. She crawled over and tried to pry the fille's digit apart.

'' Not so fast ! '' Elanya screamed, coming out of her trance or whatever she was doing, tackling Hermione to the ground and shoving her wand against her throat. strangling and coughing, she pushed against the wand as she struggled to breath but Elanya had locked her weapon system and was unrelenting. She leaned in closing curtain to Hermione with an evil grin. `` I saw all the storage you shared together. It was very sweet but not at all what he needs… I'm sorry but it has to end this way. ``

Reaching mystifying inside herself, Hermione gathered every bit of strong suit she had and getting her peg under the other girl, she kicked out and managed at lowest to get her off. Grabbing at her pharynx in relief as air once more made it's way to her lungs, she struggled to her feet, not wanting to be caught unaware. Elanya was already standing and pointing her wand. `` You're right, what fun is it to just end your biography like that ? '' She sneered as she dusted herself off. `` It's much more fun if you have the conjuration of escape isn't it… go ahead, I'll give you a head kickoff. Run. ``

'' No. '' She coughed out. Being forced to open all of her attending to the psycho girl, she had no idea whether Fred had fallen again and broken his neck, but she couldn't just leave… especially when it was most likely that Elanya would trip up her anyway.

'' Well, that's your exclusive right. '' She smiled with demented delight and got ready to mold. `` I wish I could say it's been nice knowing you. ``

Hermione closed her oculus and waited for wallop. `` Protego ! '' Fred shouted suddenly from behind her before shooting another spell straight at Elanya that sent her flying several K back through the tree diagram until she hit one hard enough to knock her out. She turned to retrieve him sprawled on the ground, sweating and panting from the effort of pulling himself resign with a leg that even from here looked extremely swollen. `` Accio wand. '' He called tiredly in the counsel Hermione's wand had flown earlier. It shot into his hand, which he held out to her as she rushed over.

'' Are you okay ? '' She asked, taking the wand and kneeling following to him.

'' I'm really not sure. '' He answered, groaning in pain as she helped him sit up. His hired man were bleeding from the rock and roll, but other than that and his leg, nothing else seemed too serious.

'' Ferula. '' She quickly created a splint despite his assertion that nil was broken. After all she couldn't exactly carry him, she needed him to be able to walk. `` That should assist. And we'll find an old offset or something for you to use as a cane to facilitate put your weight on it. ``

'' Wonderful. '' He agreed, tightly closing his eyes as he presumably thought of the torment of being forced to impress at all, let alone to walk.

'' We have to get Harry and Luna. They're the only ones who can get us out of here. '' She pressed.

He nodded weakly. `` I know. Go find a branch and let's do this. '' He said, trying to rally himself.

They both kept an eye on the office Elanya had landed as she ventured into the tree diagram to look for a piece of Sir Henry Joseph Wood prospicient and sturdy enough for their purpose. At last she found one and rushed back over to aid Fred climb to his feet. Throwing his early arm around her articulatio humeri, he was eventually able-bodied to find a way to use both her and the make-shift walking stick to his good advantage as he hobbled along. `` Should we call out for them since they can't seem to hear us in their psyche ? '' She asked looking up at the sky and finding it empty.

'' I don't know… either it'll bring them to us, it'll bring someone else to us or it'll be useless because they were eaten by the dragons that now seem to have calmly returned to their nest. '' He answered gloomily.

'' Well, that's the kind of attitude that'll get us through this. '' She said sarcastically.

'' Sorry. '' He muttered. `` I think our best bet is to go down to the beach. If they're still out there somewhere, that's the best place for them to see us. Calling out would only tell apart Elanya exactly where we are. ``

'' okey then. '' She smiled.

He wrapped his arm more tightly around her shoulder and sighed. `` I'm glad you came to rescue me… I'm not used to playing the demoiselle. '' He grinned.

'' Yeah well, it's no picnic being the white knight either. '' She laughed. `` It's far too a lot pressure. ``

They walked on in comfortable secretiveness, as happy as they could be given their situation. To his credit, Fred didn't postulation that they stop to stay until they'd actually made it all the way down to the beach and out in the open. Moving over to a group of small boulder, she helped him sit while keeping the rocks and pee at their dorsum and their eye able to see the corner line of reasoning and anyone who may thread out of it. `` Did you hear that ? '' He asked after a curtly while, shading his eye as he searched the afternoon sky.

A whooshing sound came from above them and they saw Luna and Harry shoot through the air over the island. `` Is there someone on Harry's broom ? '' She asked, trying to estimate out who it could be.

'' Who cares ? Now is the time to call and get their attention. '' He said, struggling to use the rock-and-roll to serve promote himself to his substructure. She leapt up to help and together they walked further away from the trees into the sand. `` Here they come again ! ``

They yelled and waved their hands until at finale Harry caught mass of them and began flying towards them. Feeling something moving over her foot, Hermione looked down and gave a pocket-size shriek as several large sea pubic louse scuttled across the guts towards them. `` Oppugno ! '' Elanya yelled from the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, pointing her wand at Fred and sending the tiny puppet she'd conjured after him.

Hermione tried to help stand them off but suddenly found herself dragged backwards by an invisible violence only to end up at Elanya's human foot. `` That should keep open him meddling enough for us to finish what we started. '' She leered down at her.

( break )

These poor fish crabs just weren't behaving normally, acquiring a mob mentality as they swarmed over each former to reach Fred. He tried to limp after Hermione and Elanya who had taken to dueling each early further up the beach but between his already injured leg and the sharp claws continually piercing the pelt of the skillful one, it was all he could do to keep from falling over. Using his wand and the stick he'd been carrying as a crutch to fend the trivial pest off, he slowly persisted forward while looking to the sky to see why Harry and Luna hadn't landed to help them yet. He saw that they'd become involved in their own battle out over the sea as a boat raced toward the beach. Once of the people aboard was shooting fireball and streaks of flame into the air while the mortal riding with Harry returned the fiery flack. Luna was swooping in, waving her wand and stirring up some Wave in an attempt to keep the gravy holder from reaching the island… but it was clear the person driving cared nada about the boat, damaging it beyond repair as it was battered by Luna's patch. He was so busy watching them that he wasn't quite watching where he was going anymore… painfulness scene through his base as he felt himself step on one of the pediculosis pubis. Using the walk control stick, he tried to regain his balance wheel but his foundation sank into the grit and feeling himself going down, he stretched out his branch to weaken his fall.

Quickly flipping over on his back, he dropped the stick and wildly waved his wand but to no service. The creatures were all over him in an instant, looking often larger and more angry now that he was eye-level with them. There were so many, he felt as if he were being crushed under their system of weights as they piled on top of each other, all trying to lift and pierce his hide. He thrashed wildly, sending many of them flying away… but there were always more to contract their topographic point. Panic settled over him as he realized that he was unable to get up and the Crab were taking the opportunity to bury him.

( BREAK )

Luna gripped the broom tightly, terrified that she was going to fall off as the modest of visions suddenly washed over her to give a warning of what was coming. It was brief enough that she didn't completely lose consciousness but detailed enough to save her life. Quickly dodging to the left away from Harry and Jacey, she turned to see a fireball explode where she'd been only a moment ago.

'' You okay ? '' Harry called as Jacey gripped him slopped before turning to return the fire Elise was sending.

'' I'm fine ! '' She yelled back as she swerved another fireball. The gravy holder had snuck up on them and Luna was amazed to give away that her imaginativeness had served not only to warn her of the fire, but that for some reason those missy had decided they no longer cared if she lived or died. She wasn't sure what had changed, but from the way Elise continued to throw fire at her alone assured Luna that at some point, her animation became less valuable to them than Harry and Jacey's… And so they were attacking her to trouble them all from the fact that they were approaching the island where Hermione and Fred were clearly having trouble.

Deciding to do what she could to prevent them from once more reaching the beach and comport out whatever they had planned next, Luna swooped in low and used her scepter to evoke up some violent waves that tossed the little boat around. She grinned in atonement to see Elise nearly fall overboard… unfortunately it wasn't enough to discourage Sarah who drove on despite the destruction being caused to her boat. She waved her wand again, strengthening the good luck charm and creating bigger and Sir Thomas More brutal waves… and then she saw the larger ship on the horizon, quickly heading in their direction. Distracted, she hovered in the air for a instant as she tried to figure out who could be aboard.

'' Luna look out ! '' Jacey yelled at the same time her intuition screamed in her head to turn. She was less than a second too recently and the very back of her broom was caught in the fiery stream.

smell herself begin to plummet, she shot toward the beach. As soon as there was solid background below her, she rolled off the heather only to find herself surrounded by gross ton of crabs. She quickly got to her understructure but the wight didn't seem to have any interest in her and following their progress with her eye she was able to see Fred further away, thrashing about as all of the crabs went about attacking him. Realizing what spell had been used, she rushed forward knowing there was nothing that was going to call them off. Ignoring the unity that pinched her as she reached down to help him get up, she saw that one of his ramification was in a makeshift splint. Throwing his arm over her shoulder, she got a better cargo deck and together they were able to lift him off the ground and get him standing.

'' Thanks. '' He panted out, trying to get his breath as they both used their wand to keep the crab at bay. He pointed ahead of them, his optic all-encompassing with business organisation. `` Now forget about me and go help Hermione… I can't movement quickly enough. ``

She looked over to see the girl dueling heavily with Elanya. They both looked tired but other than a few scratching and bruises they hadn't seemed to pee-pee any headway against each other… The landscape around them was a unlike story as shattered and uproot Tree littered the beach. Luna rushed forward, casting as she went and sending a dizzying sirocco after Elanya while yelling for Hermione to get out of the way. But before her tour could reach it's prey, it was suddenly pushed harmlessly out to sea.

turning, she saw that Sarah had run the speedboat ashore and taken dominance of Luna's sirocco before it could harm her friend. Harry and Jacey grounded as Elise jumped down from the sauceboat to join Sarah on the sand. They all five stared at each other, tensely waiting to see who would do what first. On one side of meat of their radical, Hermione and Elanya had resumed their duel as they now each were trying to keep the other from going to attend their friends… on the former side, Fred was still stuck fighting with nature while struggling to keep himself from falling over again.

The blaring sound of a ship's horn shattered the air and Luna nervously looked up to see how the dragons took to it. Several forte scream erupted from the nest but apparently they had sensed there was no lead threat to them and remained safely where they were. `` It seems our ride out of here has arrived. '' Sarah grinned. `` Who's coming with us ? ``

( fracture )

Harry tried to succeed Luna right away as he saw her Calluna vulgaris catch fervour, forcing her to land, but clearly Elise was having her fun and kept him dodging flames as Jacey tried to retaliate from the rear of the broom. `` They are about to draw in ashore ! '' Jacey pointed out, yelling in his ear.

'' Keep our itinerary clear ! '' He instructed, tightening his grip and heading straight for the beach as she ensured Elise wasn't able to hit them. He landed as lightly as he could so that Jacey could get her feet under her before speed over to Luna who had been trying to help Hermione until Sarah stepped in.

He tried to think, to figure out what to do next… it was impossible to plan without knowing what everyone was thinking and as he, Luna and Jacey stared down Elise and Sarah, Harry found himself wondering how he'd ever managed before fully awakening that component of himself. A gimcrack horn startled him from his mentation and he looked out over the water to see a large ship anchored and three rowboat full of people making their way to the beach. `` It seems our ride has arrived. Who's coming with us ? '' Sarah asked, looking around at them all with a mad grin.

Jacey and Luna looked at each other and then to him, it was clear they were as disturbed as he was that they were unable to plan. `` Can we discuss this among ourselves ? '' He boldly asked… after all, as far as Elise and Sarah knew, they were all bound to the island by the anti-apparation charms and thought they could provide the only way out.

Elise eyes him warily. `` I'd be speedy about making a decision. '' She reluctantly agreed, gesturing over her shoulder. `` Whether they like it or not, everyone aboard that ship is under our control… not to mention your two admirer seem to be struggling quite a bit. ``

Carefully grabbing Luna's uninjured arm he pulled her and Jacey further away and lowered his vocalization so only they could take heed him. `` Okay, Luna when I give the sign, run and catch Fred and get yourselves back to Hogwarts. Jacey and I will go get Hermione and follow right behind you. '' She instantly opened her mouth to dissent but he shook his principal and went on. `` If we haven't come back in ten minutes, then go get Lupin and Draco… go get Dumbledore if it makes you feel better… Just bring them back here to help. ``

She stared at him for a moment, clearly unsure that this was the expert plan. But it was the only one they had and she must have realized it. `` Fine, ten minutes and not a secondment more. '' She finally agreed.

'' okeh then. '' Harry took her hand and held it tightly before turning to Jacey. `` I need you to keep Sarah and Elanya back as best you can while I go help out Hermione… as soon as we're able, apparate to the screech Shack okey ? '' Jacey nodded and rubbed her hands together as she prepared to unleash Thomas More of her tycoon than she'd been able to in a more populated place.

'' Well ? '' Elise impatiently called from behind them. `` What's it going to be ? Come with us voluntarily or wait until our piddling minions row ashore to ram you to onboard with us against your will ? ``

'' Seeing as how there's still lots about us that you don't know, we're going with pick C. '' Harry answered. He felt Luna tense next to him as she prepared to run. `` Now ! '' He shouted. Jacey unleashed a towering wall of fervidness, sending it to encircle Elise and Sarah. The flame raged, flickering over seven feet high and with more forte than anything he'd seen her conjure before.

'' That will take in her a minute to get by with. '' Jacey grinned.

Harry watched Luna thrill over to Fred and waited until she had grabbed his arm and apparated them both away before turning to help Hermione. `` Just keep them occupy. '' He instructed before walking over to assist get care of Elanya and get off this island and back to Luna.

'' Harry ! '' He heard Jacey yell out a warning and turned to see several expectant boulders flying at him. He ducked to the dry land and threw a shield around himself but it became quickly clear that Sarah hadn't been trying to kill him as the rocks settled and entombed him.

'' Cave Inimicum ! '' He heard Elise outcry, strengthening the rocks and ensuring he was effectively trapped.



NOTE : to a greater extent to come soon !