Long. Freakin. Chapter. Hope you all enjoy my gift before the premier, HA! ;D My film career is progressing at a crazy speed. I’m actually a little scared D: My schooling hasn’t prepared me for any of this. I can’t go into the things we’ll soon be doing due to legal purposes, but they’re big, they’re juicy, and I didn’t think I’d be handling music scandals so quickly on in this business. I have been teaching myself at a scary pace (I don’t have the luxury of not being able to do these things), but boy howdy am I learning quick (because I have no other option but to know and know NOW HAHA!) D: oh dear. I should be getting my bachelor’s degree in film come May 2010 (should be done by Christmas and the ceremony is in May, and god willing, I want to travel Europe between January and April when I’ll have the only ‘free-time’ of my life. HAHA better start looking for hostels and places to crash nao XD).

Keep up with me on my art site for randomness (link in bio). I’m a loudmouth and update that crap like near-daily, and post pervy fanartz and talk with friendz and generally be a nuisance :O haha!

Luv, FireV.

The Misadventures of the Weasley Brothers
by
FireValkyrie

Chapter 57: Liberation

It was well over a week since George had been put in the hospital wing. And several tense days since Live had wounded Malfoy. She was utterly frightened that he’d tell someone what she had done, but so far there wasn’t so much as a whisper of fault in her direction, and no noticeable hints had reached her ears. Fred and Lee had done their best to assure her that people would be too pumped up over going home for the holidays and partying the last few days of classes to care about Malfoy even if they’d seen what she’d done. Wounds weren’t so uncommon in Slytherin House anyway, though they were more commonly the inflictors of such. As Live still didn’t venture out on her own, she had to take their word for it.

“Even if anyone did see him in that state,” Fred had speculated, “the little ferret wouldn’t name you as the reason. His pride would never allow it.”

Live wasn’t entirely convinced but she thrived on the possibility that no one would learn of how sadistically she’d hurt Malfoy, and by virtue of that, learn the reason of why she had done it. She didn’t want to be seen as a victim for any reason. She was well tired of that. And she was more concerned over her reputation than the actions she’d taken.

Kara had more than convinced her that what she had done would no doubt benefit the future, and in retrospect to some of the stories she’d heard and things she had witnessed since entering Slytherin House, she was convinced. Not all Slytherins went bad, but over the years if bad behavior went completely unchecked, it made for an entirely rotten person by graduation. And by virtue of being a Slytherin, bad behavior-- unless caught- did go unchecked. It was just pre-emptive damage-control on her part. That was what Kara chalked it up to anyway. His matter was settled and all Live had to do was keep her magic in check a bit longer and try for semblance of normality amongst other students. He wouldn’t be bothering her again, Kara assured.

“You just have to last the rest of the week ‘til everyone goes home! Think you can do it? Though I know being normal already comes hard for you…” Kara had said with a chocolately smile of encouragement. Live wasn’t sure, but she would sure as hell try. She had more worries than Malfoy’s telling on her mind.

Her grades, for one, were suffering. While most professors had been rather understanding and allowed her to take make-ups at another time, Snape was someone she could not disappoint. She had little under three weeks to turn in a potion suitable to be presented to the Ministry of Magic, or he would fail her. She had no idea how that would be possible even if she did have a wand as there were bits and parts of her potion that she still didn’t have fully perfected. Kara suggested she attend the last week of classes at the very least, to get her mind back on schoolwork and off all the rather horrid distractions she was facing of late. Besides, in most cases the classes would be lax due to the upcoming holidays, so she wouldn’t be under any pressure, wand or not. And she had already proved she could be formidable, though it would be beneficial to not put herself in those kinds of situations. Live had to admit she couldn’t much fight that logic. And it would help to distract her from worrying over George if she tried to immerse herself back into the student body.

So as she agreed to attempt to get back to normalcy, Lee made it his business to escort Live to class the last few days before term ended for the holidays. People would be going home soon, and the castle would empty until the new year. He was glad for that at least. Until George woke his unconscious bum up, Lee would keep an eye on Live for him just like he’d promised. And once everyone went home for the holidays, there would be a lot less stress in that task.

In his seven years at Hogwarts, rarely did Lee see Slytherins stay behind during the holidays. Their house was filled with the sons and daughters of aristocrats and purebloods. They wouldn’t think to leave their children in Hogwarts when they could go away for the holidays. The winter parties and gatherings were highly political and not always festive. It was important for the families to be together, but for different reasons.

Not that Slytherin House was special from the rest. Most of the student body went home when given the leave. It was time to be with family and relax away from teachers. Though most students would choose home than staying at the castle for their holidays, the ones that did stay had run of the castle to themselves. Sometimes it could be lonely, but other times it was fun enough. There was still curfew and school rules generally still applied, but Lee could remember a few times he’d snuck away to the Ravenclaw dorms to be with a sweetheart who had stayed at school for that reason alone. Sometimes it paid to stay at school. Totally worth it.

But that time was still days away. Another school week, even with the approaching holidays and general festiveness, was still there to get through. The halls were packed with students trying to get in last minute papers and cram for final tests, though generally minds were elsewhere and not at all on their studies. There was a festive cheer throughout the halls of Hogwarts, though it didn’t reach everyone…

Live was drawing squiggles on her parchment in charms, not paying attention to the lesson at hand. She was so far behind and had tomes worth of reading to catch up with, so there was not much point to trying to fully grasp what was going on. And she was still reeling from the horrible weekend she’d spent in George’s bed. Nightmares, cold sweats, and waking up only to realize that she still had something to fear in Malfoy were leading to restlessness. And that George was indeed still hospitalized only made it worse. It was going to be a horrible Christmas.

“You want to skive off potions and get pissed on butterbeer?” Lee suggested as they left the charms classroom, trying to make her perk up though he knew she would never accept the offer. She was in far too dour a mood, though grateful that professor Flitwick was understanding of everything considering her person.

“No…I…Professor Snape expects me to be there….and I can’t risk pissing him off again.”

Lee shrugged as he led her through the crowd to potions. He hated these odd holiday schedules. With potions usually first thing in the morning, they never had to fight through crowds. This nonsense almost made them late to class.

As they walked in the door, Live’s stomach dropped as she spotted her seat, and sitting in the seat next to it was, of course, Putterly. She felt loathing rise up in her and almost turned right back around to walk out the door regardless of consequences, though Lee was a roadblock behind her. She frowned heavily and steeled herself, looking away when Putterly looked up, and she had a miniature panic attack in wondering if he would try to speak with her or not as they were walking to take their seats. She wasn’t sure she wouldn’t smack him right in his face for fighting with George, if not lose it and slug him one herself. Though she knew it had been her magic that had leeched George, Putterly’s row with the Gryffindor had been the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Lee marched Live right past her usual potions desk and to the back of the room. He put his book bag down and pulled out her chair for her, indicating that this was her new place in the class. He got dirty looks from the usual background dwellers who had been ousted and had to sit up front, but he didn’t care, and threw them a winning smirk. It took an incredible amount of control just for him and Putterly to be in the same room. He had skived off potions fully after George had been injured and thus had been absent quite a few sessions, but it was necessary to be here this last week of classes. He wasn’t happy about it either.

Lee plopped into his own chair and removed items from his bag. Live was breathing heavily from the surprise, though he tried not to draw his attention to it. He gathered that she had grown to loathe Putterly for what he had done to George. He didn’t know the half of it.

“Thanks,” Live murmured very softly, sitting behind her book bag that was propped up like a fortress wall before her. It hid her person from the nose down. She had been absent from class so long that her presence definitely garnered notice from the rest of her classmates. Putterly himself looked back several times, and Lee met him with a threatening glare for each offense. Unlike Fred, he hadn’t gotten a chance to take out frustrations on the bugger.

As Snape entered the room, it grew silent as it was wont to do, and he went behind his desk as was his usual routine. Looking up, he paused a moment in seeing Live’s blonde head at the back of his class. It came as two minor surprises to him: one, that she was out of place from her usual spot in his classroom, and two, that she was even there at all. He had not fully expected it, even if he had not personally excused her this week. If he cared at all that she was there, he did not show it. He went about his lesson plans after that, and regardless of the holidays, it was a very routine session.

Lee gathered up his things after class ended. For Live, it had been a frustrating class period. She had no wand and found herself highly useless, and this in itself frustrated her though it made her all the more grateful to be at the back of the room. She took a multitude of notes and listened to everything Snape had said, blocking out the glances her classmates threw her every now and again, and completely ignored Putterly’s presence. She had cut up things for Lee for the potion they were working on, and had tried to make herself useful, though she came out of the experience feeling downtrodden. She had heard snickers during class as they brewed. She had no doubt they were aimed at her and her lack of usual prowess.

“Let’s go,” Lee prompted, thinking a quick exit was best so she wouldn’t have to wait on Putterly to leave first, and also so he might not wallop the prick in passing. She nodded and followed after him, her things already well-packed away. They passed Snape’s desk, and she chanced a glance at him. She wished she hadn’t as he returned the look.

“Miss Hunter, welcome back.”

She stopped at his address and furrowed her brow. Was he making fun of her? Was he pointing out just how absent she’d been? He surely couldn’t honestly be welcoming her back to class. She took it for him pointing out her lack of attendance there of. “I’m…sorry, sir?”

“Do not forget that you have considerable work ahead of you, and I will not tolerate late projects.”

She realized she was letting her mouth hang open like an idiot at his succinct reminder, and closed it with a nod. He removed his attention from her in dismissal, and she went back to Lee with minor confusion.

“Was he mad at you?” Lee asked with genuine puzzlement as they walked away, upset to have been delayed. Though Putterly had high-tailed it out of there so there hadn’t been incident. Lee imagined he got the clue.

“I’m not sure,” Live said with bewilderment. “I don’t think so?”

“Count your blessings I guess…” he muttered, surprised himself that Snape hadn’t set down any special jibes at him today while brewing. Either the man was going soft for the holidays, or he was slowly losing it. Lee’s vote was with the latter. “Well, it’s lunch. Want to eat? Kara told me to return you to her.”

“Hmph. I’m not a book.” Lee grinned at that. Live looked up as if something had caught her attention, and noticed down the hall that Putterly was looking right at her. She was looking back, but frowned and looked away, taking a hold of Lee’s robe. She wasn’t ready to cross that bridge yet and would be happier to never see Putterly’s face again. She could only tackle so many hurtles at a time. “I think I’d rather go back to the Tower.”

Lee raised a brow and looked down the hall. His eyes scanned for signs of Malfoy or distress, but he didn’t see anything that might have upset her. He shrugged and decided to take her back. “Alright.”

oOo

The next day came a lot easier to her. It might have had something to do with Kara wrapped around her that morning that Live had no desire to stay in her bed. She’d been exhausted the previous night and had spent hours trying to will her magic to do what she wanted it to. She’d had no luck, unless piles of glass that had previously been bottles had been her intent. There were formulas she’d re-written that she hadn’t gotten a chance to test and Snape’s words had egged her on. But she’d had no break in controlling her magic without a wand. And she had no idea when her sister had snuck into her bed or octopused around her. She would make Kara help her with her work for that intrusion.

Lee took her to class yet again, and while she moped about how useless it was for her to be there other than to take notes, he kept reminding her that her attitude wouldn’t get her any closer to proficiency at wandless magic. He suggested that if she got a good enough handle on it, Dumbledore would allow her to retake a wand. Frankly she would have done so already if it were so easy. One couldn’t simply mail-order a wand. And there were no extras just lying around with those she knew. She would need special clearance to go and pick out a new one with Mr. Ollivander. Trying to do so in secret was just foolish, even she knew. Not to mention risky if the Death Eaters still had a mind to take her. She wouldn’t attempt leaving the castle walls for anything again. Not by her volition.

Lee had hospital period with Madam Pomfrey, but he promised he’d be back to take Live to her next class when hers let out. It was awkward for him sometimes as he assisted Madam Pomfrey. There was very little he could do about or for George, and otherwise he had normal duties and things to learn from her as he assisted in various medical tasks.

Mrs. Weasley was present most of the time he was there, knitting beside her son’s bed, and she’d given off from constantly crying a few days ago. Fred was in there often enough that he gave her more than enough to yell about in distractions. And when he couldn’t take any more of his mother’s chastisement (or worse, when Madam Pomfrey got in on it) then he offered up Ron or Ginny as replacements. What they were doing out of class or how they got away with it, Lee had no idea, but that Mrs. Weasley put up with it settled his mind.

He couldn’t think of anything else to say to Mrs. Weasley. George showed no improvement. However, Madam Pomfrey assured that the fissures in his magic were indeed closing. It just wasn’t something physically noticeable. Putterly hadn’t done that much physical damage to George in the first place during their duel, but he was pale as if he was sickly. It was just frustrating that they couldn’t see anything wrong with him and therefore had no indication of when he would wake up. It made Lee wish his hospital duties would end all the sooner for the lack he felt he was doing (and for the fight of temptation to join in Fred’s suggestions to draw on his sleeping twin’s face). At least he was keeping an eye on Live for George like he’d promised. He felt like he was doing something for the other seventh year at least. Aside from turning his person into graffiti.

Live on the other hand couldn’t wait for Lee to come get her. Of all the classes she should have skived off, History of Magic was one that was certainly more than acceptable. Thinking it would be a class she could spend most of her time in constructive thought had been a mistake. It was as if the ghostly professor had managed to suck the life right out of his class.

She had spent most the period half asleep in the back of class when a paper crane someone had made floated past her. Professor Binns certainly didn’t notice it, or any of the other planes, bats, and stars floating about the classroom from festive students. She was watching the flight pattern with her eyes, and a thought and a smirk came to her as she mimed shooting the crane down with her finger. It burst into flame and the ashes floated down like gray snow onto the head of another sleeping sixth year. She sat up as the maker of the crane whined and went about making another. Other people followed in her example and began taking shots at the various items floating about class without the ghostly professor taking one whiff of notice. The room was soon snowing ash.

Live looked about her, knowing she was responsible for the crane’s spontaneous combustion. It was the one trick she was rather proficient at doing, she suddenly realized. She had once combusted one for Kara inside George’s dorm for fun. Both without a wand, and without words. She hadn’t realized at the time that it might be key in teaching herself to get a handle on things without a wand, but now it seemed quite significant. Wordless magic was hard, wandless magic even harder, but this was a trick she could do!

Gathering up her book bag, she slung it over her shoulder and proceeded straight out the door without a thought to pretense. It livened things up for the students who were half asleep, wondering what in the world they themselves were still doing sitting there when she had walked right out obviously too bored to stay. Professor Binns certainly didn’t notice that she had left. One by one throughout the session, students disappeared. Come end of class, there wouldn’t be a single student left to dismiss.

Live was smirking to herself as she walked, a good mood filling her for the first time in a long while. She had found the key she needed to try and open the door to controlling her magic. She just had to push herself to do it, that was all. George would be so proud of her if he could see, she just knew. She would have to show him once he was out of hospital. Once he woke up.

She dampened her own good mood, mellowed by thoughts of George. She wanted to see his mother and apologize, but she was still too much of a coward. Fred had threatened days ago to clock her one-- even if she was a girl- if she told him she was sorry for what her magic had done to George even one more time. It wasn’t her fault. That’s what all his siblings were telling her. She thought different, but she had stopped voicing it. Ginny had actually clasped a hand over Live’s mouth and told her that there would be no more of that. Live held onto a hope that Mrs. Weasley would forgive her as quickly, even if it was a selfish hope and one she wouldn’t expect to deserve.

“Oh all people I thought I wouldn’t see before term ended!” a voice declared loudly as Live was spotted in the hallway, halted in crossing a perpendicular corridor. Vivian Monteclaire trotted over to her and embraced her as if she hadn’t seen her in ages, which-- as they were usually accustomed to seeing each other every day-- might have very well been true. “Where the hell have you been?” she asked into Live’s hair, hugging her tightly. “I ditched out on magical creatures but I didn’t expect to see you about, even during class time.” She loosened her hug on her friend to give her a sympathetic look in the eyes. “Hey, I heard, and I’m sorry about George…But he’ll be okay, you know? He’s a Gryffindor after all. And you know how bloody hard it is to get them down.”

Live halfheartedly smirked. Vivian didn’t know the full details of George’s incapacitation. Live wanted it to stay that way. “I know. I’ve been sort of keeping to myself. I’ve been sick,” Live told Vivian, a smile plastered on her face as both girls looked at one another.

Vivian held her at arm’s length and raised a brow. “It’s nothing I can get, right?” She grinned before Live could answer. “But so you’re staying in Gryffindor without him there?” Vivian raised her brow again in speculation to what must have been an incredibly odd thing for her to wrap her mind around. She had been out of the loop far too long for her gossip-loving nature. And with George currently out of the picture, Vivian was wondering why she hadn’t seen more of her friend. “Why aren’t you back with us? You wouldn’t believe how cocky Becca’s been lately. I think her dark side has finally awoken. It took six years but it’s here and it’s not going back.” Vivian snickered, and it caused Live to genuinely smirk. It was so like old times. Just like old times.

“Kara’s making me stay in the Gryffindor Tower,” Live lied through her teeth. “Forcing me to help her with potions and whatnot…Though I’m sure Becca is in all likelihood in a wicked mood because you and Pucey are as pervy as ever…”

Vivian’s look suddenly sunk. Live’s brow knit together. Had she said something wrong? “We had a fight.” Vivian gave Live a sort of somber look. “…I’ve been sleeping alone all weekend…and still…”

Live had to put one of Kara’s suggestions to rest. “…You guys aren’t, like, doing it in my bed while I’m not there, are you?”

“What? Ew Live, no. That’s like….that’d be weird.” She sort of snickered. “We do it in his bed if I have anything to say about it…” She grinned mischievously. “It gets him hot knowing his roommates are in the room.” She giggled with a forlorn smile as Live’s face turned red. This was news to her ears. “Hey it’s not like we don’t put wards all around the bed! I don’t want his roomies peeking or anything!” Live’s face was positively hot. Vivian’s expression turned haughty. “Don’t knock it ’til you try it yourself my darling dear.”

Live made a face at her suggestion. “Vivian, his twin brother shares the same room!”

Vivian raised a brow, not looking put-off. “Kinky.” Live snorted as Vivian linked arms with her and dragged her down the hall until they came to one of the open courtyards that was covered in snow. She deemed it a suitable enough spot to sit and chat. Vivian was kind enough to cast cushioning and warming charms before they both hopped up onto the divider ledge to sit on the stone wall. It was cold and white and quiet as the castle was mostly in class sessions. The air was chilled but they were warm where they sat. Live felt utterly at peace.

“So….you two knockin’ boots yet yourself?” Vivian asked, keeping the discussion away from her and Pucey.

Live rolled her eyes at her friend. “You don’t see me in what feels like ages….and that’s the first thing you want to know?” She rolled her eyes but answered herself beneath her breath. “But of course it is. I’m fine by the way. Battling dragons and chimera in my spare time, been helping Hagrid to breed a new species of super-blast-ended-skrewt. I was recently up for election for Minister of Magic but I turned it down because, you know, paperwork. So we hushed that one up so it’s alright if you didn’t hear about that. But nothing out of the ordinary for me otherwise. Thank you so much for asking Vivvie. How have you been?”

Vivian gave her a wry smirk. “So nothing out of the ordinary to report?”

Live rolled her eyes. There actually was a wealth of real info she could give her friend about how much her life had changed or what things she had learned. But this wasn’t the place, and she still was not free with such sensitive information about herself. “Goodness you are a sex fiend Vivvie. They have potions for people like you.”

Vivian looked a bit sad though Live was trying to lightheartedly tease. The other sixth-year Slytherin was affected by her spat with Pucey far more than she was letting on. “I’m cut off, Live,” Vivian related with a pout. She sighed and looked out at the snow. “It might be all well and good if you’ve never had any, but I need it. You have no idea how much stress I’ve been under lately. And we’re not speaking.” Live smirked at her friend’s sexual frustration and distress. Vivian gave her a side glance. “I guess that does mean you two aren’t doing it yet…Full, anyway. Nothing out of the ordinary there.”

Live leaned her head back against the stone she was sitting against. She offered Vivian a sort of sad smile. “No Vivian, for the last time.” She offered her a sort of wistful smirk. “There’s an awful lot you can do without doing it you know. So don’t treat me like a prude.” Vivian grinned and nodded in agreement and Live sort of smiled. She couldn’t be anywhere near George, but she would give anything just to be in his arms. “And I told you, I will officially owl both you and Becca when we do do it. I’ll also make sure it’s put in The Prophet.”

Vivian giggled. “It would make a nice Christmas gift to share you know.” She wriggled her eyebrows lasciviously at her friend. “I can’t think of anything better than shagging away Christmas.”

Live snorted. Not at the suggestion, but because it was her thought exactly. “It kind of makes thing’s difficult when he’s in the hospital wing, Vivvie.”

The other sixth year gave her friend a sympathetic look and put her hand on her knee. “I’m sorry, Live. And not just for the no bed-boogie part.” Live rolled her eyes with a weak smile. “You want me to go with you to visit him? I heard his mum and dad were there pretty often. Maybe….You want company visiting?”

“Nah, it’s alright,” Live told her for different reasons, thinking she had to speak with Mrs. Weasley herself at least at some point. It was cowardice on her part but she didn’t want an audience to what would no doubt be guilty apologies on her part. “It’s hard to be in the same room with his family.”

Vivian frowned. “Are they awful to you? Because you’re a Slytherin? I know their family’s been Gryffindor for years but I wouldn’t think…”

Live gave a sort of contrary smile. “That has nothing to do with any of it. They’ve been kind to me. I mean, I am going to marry their son.” Vivian gave an excited squeal at the mention, though she was already privy to the info. “I promise I’ll invite you to the wedding, by the way,” Live reminded with a smirk.

“Ooooh that’s so exciting! I still can’t believe you’re engaged,” she said with a dreamy look. Her expression turned somber, and Live knew it was no doubt due to thoughts of Pucey. “So…What’s the problem then?”

The silence of the hallways began to break. Kids were being let out of classes. Sparse few went past the two sixth year Slytherins sitting on the ledge, but didn’t pay them too much mind. The halls would be full again soon and snowballs would be flying for those who couldn’t keep a lid on their Christmas cheer.

Live watched a pair of Ravenclaws walk past until they were out of her sight. She lowered her voice as she spoke to Vivian. “Viv, it’s kind of my fault he’s in the hospital wing to begin with…”

“Live! Where in the name of Godric Gryffindor have you been?? Lee’s been having kittens trying to find you!!” Live and Vivian both turned at the aggravated voice that echoed down the hall and caught the attention of several students passing. Live smirked as she caught the bushy hair of Hermione making her way towards her, students parting like the Red Sea for the prefect. She looked out of breath and frazzled but relieved.

Live gave her a grin. She wondered where the girl had just come from. She hoped she hadn’t run all the way from class. Or knowing Lee, from the Tower. “I’ve been right here with Vivian, safe. Shit I’m sorry….I should have told Lee I ditched.” She realized that with everything going on, and how Lee insisted he had to be her escort (or else it would be Kara to reckon with), that her up and leaving without notice was irresponsible.

Hermione looked self-chastised at Live’s apology. She gave the other Slytherin girl a look and a quick “hi” out of manners before turning back to Live. “Well, I’ll let him know you’re alright. Stay put okay? You….We were really worried.”

Live smirked. Before she had been ambushed by Vivian, she was headed back to Gryffindor Tower. That detour apparently had made the fifth year Gryffindor before her quite nervous. With the current state of things, she hoped they hadn’t thought Malfoy had pulled something again. She wouldn’t blame them for jumping to conclusions. “Thanks.” She racked some of Hermione’s panic up to her lack of spell work. She’d have to work hard at it to de-stress them all. If she could protect herself without anything becoming too serious, like it had with Malfoy, then they wouldn’t worry so much about her.

“She can take care of herself,” Vivian spouted to the bushy-haired fifth year. “For a girl, Live has balls.”

Hermione looked startled at such a statement while Live gave Vivian a smack and laughed. Live didn’t think she was so strong, but Vivian thought she was something else. “I’ll stay put,” Live agreed, and Hermione went off presumably in search of Lee. She would have gone with had Hermione requested it, even wondered why she did not, but the fifth year witch was wise in knowing that Live frankly did not get out to see her friends much anymore. Or really do anything much she had since her wand being taken. No doubt this was something she needed.

“I have to admit, I’m surprised they’re taking such good care of you,” Vivian told her blonde friend, watching her in interest.

“Oh?”

“I don’t mean anything by it,” Vivian quickly corrected with a smirk. “I mean…well if it was a Gryffindor in Slytherin I don’t think they’d last a day….maybe with the exception of George, though we were never really public with that…Is it true you come and go as you please??”

Live nodded and laughed at Vivian’s amazed expression. It was a hard concept for the other girl to understand. “It kind of helps when family and friends of family are in that house,” Live said. “Though I know….Without George, I don’t think they’ll put up with me much longer. Oh, I don’t mean that his siblings would oust me,” Live corrected at seeing Vivian’s surprised look. “I mean, there was considerable grief when he brought me in there in the first place. Fred and Lee are nice enough to let me stay on but there are other seventh years who would sooner have me gone. Without him, my reason to be there is invalid and I’m sure they’re aware of it. I don’t think they’ll put up with it much longer. And I won’t make things difficult for his brothers and sister.”

“Well that’s just bollocks it is. And you’re certainly the only Slytherin I have ever seen to be dictated to by any Gryffindors.” Live laughed at Vivian’s fully puzzled expression. “Your sister wasn’t even an exception to that rule. It’s a shame, really. You’ve changed so much….” She grinned. “We miss you in our commons, you know.”

“I’ll survive,” Live told her. Vivian smiled. “Are you going home for the holidays?”

“Yeah…I was supposed to be spending the holidays with Pucey’s family…but I think I’ll be going home instead,” Vivian said with a wry look.

“You’ll make up,” Live told her earnestly.

Vivian shrugged. “How about you?”

Live smirked. “I can’t leave George. I’m sure he would have liked to go home for the holidays if not-- Well, I can’t go.”

“Mm,” Vivian agreed. She gave Live a smile. “You know if they kick you out of Gryffindor, you’ll have full run of our commons.” Her grin caused Live to smile back. “By the end of this week it’ll be all yours. Just two days. You know, if you ever get tired of that Gryffindor rabble,” she said with a teasing smirk. “Also, me and Becca have been using your bed as extra storage, hanging up clothes and whatnot…so you’ll have to get through that.” Live grinned. “Will you eat with me and Becca today? Bint’s been trying me with this sudden new attitude of hers and I know a kick in the pants from you would put her back in order.”

Live laughed. “Surely it’s not that bad.”

Vivian pouted. “Something’s up, but she won’t tell me.”

“So your world has indeed crumbled without me?” Live teased with a smirk. Vivian grinned. “Maybe she has a secret boyfriend?” Live suggested. Vivian looked shocked.

“Absolutely not! How could she keep something like that a secret?”

Live was laughing. “Maybe it’s a sex change then,” she corrected with a grin. But Vivian wasn’t listening. She was stuck on the possibility that Rebecca finally had a boyfriend.

“Alright Live, you have got to see her today. I can’t get information from her the way you can.”

Live put her hand to the bridge of her nose with a smile. “Oh dear…You already have me doing your dirty work…”

“It’s not funny! What if it is a new boyfriend?? We have to make sure he’s good enough for her!!” Live was all laughter. Vivian pouted and got a wry look of determination on her face. “You know, you owe me back-taxes in grilling Becca and with general castle gossip. You’ve been away far too long.”

Live’s stomach hurt from laughing. “I promise we’ll figure it out!”

Vivian was fixing her with a gimlet eye, her expression one that threatened against Live not helping in interrogating Becca. Her expression changed as her attention was drawn to somewhere behind Live.

“Your bodyguard is here,” she said with a grin.

Live directed her attention to the way Vivian was looking to see Lee making his way none-too-discretely through some younger years. He caught her eyes, frowned, but then looked relieved as he pushed a fourth-year Hufflepuff from his path. He got a tongue stuck at him in response.

“You know,” he began as he was within earshot, “if you’d wanted to ditch in the first place, you could have let me know.” Live smirked at his frazzled appearance as he stood in front of the stone wall, giving Vivian a blaming look before looking back to Live. She didn’t know why he’d appointed himself her personal guardian, but she was grateful for a ready escort in and out of Gryffindor Tower. “If I let anything happen to you George would kill me. If Kara didn’t have her way with me first.”

“Hey Jordan-” Vivian immediately cut in. He raised a brow in her direction. “You don’t have a girlfriend, right?”

He gave Live an accusing look, wondering at what they’d been discussing previous to his arrival. He then gave Vivian a great old grin and leaned against the stone between them with his elbow, giving her his full, confident attention. “You and Pucey done with? ‘Cuz I’m your man!” He had two thumbs pointed at himself. Vivian gave him a dirty look.

“No me and Pucey are not done with,” she hissed with a glare. It was obvious to Live that Lee’s statement struck a nerve. It made the blonde smirk. “We need you to do a bit of recon for us.”

“What’s this ‘we’?” Live asked with a grin. “I haven’t cleared any of your unholy missions, Vivian.”

Lee had a brow raised and looked between both girls. “Is this something fun?”

“It could be,” Vivian cajoled with a too-sweet grin. Live shook her head with a smile. Her friends had gotten a lot more comfortable with Gryffindors as of late. Or at least, in ordering them around without worry. She didn’t think chatting to Rebecca would require anything Vivian had in mind for Lee.

“I said I’d talk to her,” Live reminded with a grin. “Don’t drag Lee into your schemes.”

Vivian stuck her tongue out at Live. “You have changed.” She then grinned with a snicker and hopped off the stone. “Alright then. I suppose I’ll see you later!” Live nodded as Vivian took her leave, Lee giving her an encouraging salute, not put off. “Remember your promise, Live!”

“I swear I’ll be there to witness you gorging yourself.” Vivian flipped Live off as she walked away. It made the blonde grin.

“So what’s going on then? I’m sure whatever she needs me for is preferable to what your sister puts me through…even if you say otherwise.”

Live smirked. “What an outlook on life, Lee. Since when do you prefer the company of Slytherins to that of Gryffindors? Fred will be scandalized.” He gave her a roll of his eyes. “She’s still dating Pucey so don’t get your hopes up.” She smirked and followed as he led the way back to what she presumed would be the Tower, mumbling under his breath the whole time.

There were an awful lot of students about chattering about the holidays as they walked. Live caught tail-ends of conversations about winter plans. It made her feel a bit down.

“You know, his mum keeps asking after you,” Lee spoke up after a while. It succeeded in drawing Live’s attention and thoughts. “She knows you can’t be in there, but I’m sure she’d like to see you just the same.”

“I….I know,” Live agreed as they walked. She gave a humorless laugh. “I’m trying to work up the courage to see her…”

“Well let me know when you’re ready. I’ll go with if you want.”

While she liked the idea of an escort, she didn’t like the idea of an audience to what would no doubt be a pathetic performance on her part. She had no idea except for apologies of what she could possibly say to Mrs. Weasley. “Tomorrow,” she steeled herself. “I’ll go tomorrow.”

“Sounds good then.”

oOo

Kara was sitting on the bed, holding Henry the pygmy puff in her lap and chewing some chocolate taffy. She was silently watching her older sister, who was sitting on the floor amidst some books and a bunch of papers, deep in concentration and trying to work her magic on some logs under a miniature cauldron. Her eyes were closed to block out visual stimulation.

Kara’s eyes perused the miniature piles of ash on the floor. In the past two hours her Slytherin sister had combusted sixteen paper cranes, five paper airplanes, and a bunch of paper ninja-stars and snowflakes Kara had made from her old potions notes. The time Live had spent between combusting them at will had grown smaller and smaller. In short, things lit up as instantaneously as if she had her wand back. She was getting a feel for the greater task of directing her magic without a wand through this little trick.

Kara made her try to light up larger and larger items. She had settled for giving her sister wooden logs when the sixth year had outrightly refused to catch a library book on fire. Frankly, Kara didn’t see fault in destroying Punitive Punishments and Underage Magickry, Twentieth Edition. There were nineteen other editions. They’d be doing the world a favor in getting rid of a copy.

Live’s even breathing combined with Kara’s rhythmic chewing were enough to put the pygmy puff in Kara’s lap to sleep, though from time to time it hummed in comfortable pleasure. Kara absentmindedly stroked the fur as she watched and thought, went over what larger things in the room they could destroy without the twins or Lee giving care, when she spoke up to Live.

“If that boils over, I won’t help you clean it up,” Kara spoke up for the first time in about an hour. She swallowed the sugary mass in her mouth.

Live’s eyes popped open. The concoction in the cauldron was bubbling up slowly but surely as the heat below it increased considerably. Live let out a shriek and grabbed a shirt off the floor in place of mitt to pull it off the flames that were indeed under the cauldron, but not supplied by the logs.

As Live searched for somewhere she could set the cauldron without burning a hole in the floor, Kara watched the flames sitting atop the wood. She recognized the spell as portable fire, though this one was containing itself right over its targeted subject. She gave a wry look to the not-burning logs.

Live was cursing beneath her breath as she came back to the logs and the fireball. She frowned looking at it, concentrated on imagining putting the flames out with her hands, but not actually physically touching it. The spell snuffed itself out. “Dammit.” She tentatively reached out her fingertips and took testing taps at the wood to test for heat. The logs were indeed hot, but not hot enough. There were some scorch marks but the wood had not actually burnt. She picked one up, tossing it from hand to hand in speculation. “Dammit dammit.”

“You made it nice and hot,” Kara pointed out.

“I was trying to catch the wood on fire,” Live corrected her sister’s praise sourly.

“It still did its purpose,” the younger blonde pointed out.

Live looked frustrated. “That doesn’t matter. It didn’t do what it was supposed to,” she said with frustration, hard on herself.

“Now you know how Seamus must feel all the time,” Kara snickered. Live huffed, not amused.

“The point isn’t whether or not I can do magic. I know I can. It’s whether or not I can control it.”

“Again, Seamus…” Live shot Kara a dirty look. “Well don’t get mad at me.” The older blonde huffed. “At least you can set up your own cauldron-fire. You can brew again.”

“Maybe I can brew again….Stoking a fire is something even muggles can do….Hmph. I need a break.”

“Maybe try something else…Wanna set Lee’s trunk on fire?”

“Why in the hell would I wanna do that? I’d sooner set your trunk on fire for all the thieving you do from me.” Kara frowned at her sister. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

Kara crossed her arms, her look intent on spite. “You missed lunch.”

Live blinked a moment trying to grasp Kara’s meaning and why it should impact her. Then her eyes widened. “Fuck! I forgot I was supposed to meet Becca and Vivian! What time is it?!”

Kara raised a brow. “Well past meeting them, I’ll tell you that much.”

“Shit…Vivian’s going to kill me. Why didn’t you say anything?!”

“You were concentrating so hard I didn’t want to disturb you. And look what you can do now!” she said enthusiastically. Live couldn’t believe so much time had passed, and moreover, that Kara hadn’t made her aware of it. She was already up and fixing her person, dusting ash particles from herself and looking for her shoes. “What’re you doing?”

“I swore to Vivian I’d go see her.”

“Do it tomorrow.”

Live shook her head. “I’m going to see Mrs. Weasley tomorrow…I don’t think I could deal with Viv and Becca on top of that.” Kara huffed as Live was buttoning her robes. She put Henry on the bedcovers and slid to the edge looking for her own shoes. Live was already opening the dorm room door.

“Wait up!” Kara called.

Live shook her head, her mind whirling from all the concentrating she’d been doing the past few hours and now on how she had missed her meeting with Vivian. She hated making a liar out of herself. She heard swearing as she went down the stairs, which faded as she entered the Gryffindor common room.

Several pairs of eyes looked up as she came down the stairs, and she suddenly realized that she was absent anyone to whom she would visually validate her presence with. The few in the common room were familiar with her lodging in there and didn’t make a bother about her, but went back to whatever they’d been doing previous to her arrival. Live decided to push on out the door and deal with coming back after she’d fulfilled her promise to Vivian. It was about dinner time. The girls should be in the Great Hall, and she was pretty sure it was the only chance she would get to sit with them again until after the holidays.

“Dammit what in the hell?!” Kara’s voice echoed down the stairs, moments later joined by her person. She wryly frowned about the common room seeing that Live did not wait for her. She huffed. “Did my sister leave without me?” she asked the room at large.

“She went out already,” a third year girl spoke up. “The Slytherin?”

Kara made an aggravated noise that made the girl decide she regretted speaking up. As the fifth year climbed into the portrait hole, she made yet another aggravated noise as people were trying to pass by her in coming in. She wanted out.

“Dammit! Back it up!”

“What the bugger is up with you, Kara? Move that big head,” Fred prodded as he tried to move by her. She steeled herself with arms and legs in the small space. It made Fred frown.

“What’s the hold up? I don’t fancy looking at your bum any longer than absolutely necessary, Fred,” Lee’s voice came from behind.

The fiery-haired seventh year grinned behind him. “You’ll look and like it. We’re having a road block issue currently,” he informed. He felt Lee’s hands on his back as the other seventh year pushed. “Oi! Whaddya think you’re doin’?”

“Clearing traffic. Shift it!”

“Quit pushing me Fred!”

“I’m not! And move it, Kara! Lee, quit touching me!”

“Both of you stop it! This is harassment! Back up!”

“It’s not harassment unless I touch your chest or something,” Fred spouted with annoyance. “Quit it Lee! That’s harassment!”

“Quit touching me Fred!”

“Make Lee quit touching me!”

“Lee?“ Kara shouted. “Quit it!!”

“Move it Kara!” came Lee’s voice from behind Fred. None of the three of them were willing to give up ground. Though Kara was losing precious inches to the determined seventh years blocking her way.

“I want out!”

“Well we want in! And we’re older, move it!”

Kara’s aggravated huff came again. She attempted to push Fred back, but looked over his shoulder in the small space to glare at Lee, the driver of the plow. Her frown, however, didn’t reach his determination to get into the common room. He could see people behind her watching the dealings with interest. They were making a spectacle of themselves. “Outta the way Kara!”

“I’m trying to follow Live!” she told them self-importantly. “She wouldn’t wait for me dammit!”

“Eh?” Fred asked. His expression took on a surprised look as he was suddenly falling backwards, Kara coming with him. They fell in a pile outside the portrait of the Fat Lady. They could hear her disapproving noises from the other side of the frame. Fred let out an “OOF!” when Kara’s elbow went into his gut.

“Where’d she go? We sure didn’t see her,” Lee addressed the pile of Gryffindor that contained Kara. The blonde looked up at him from beneath her hair with a frown. She pulled herself none-too-gently off Fred, but not without giving Lee a dirty look. Fred had one for his seventh-year compatriot as well.

“What the bloody hell Lee?!” Fred shouted. “Some warning would be nice!”

Kara shot Fred a dirty look as well and pointed a finger at him. “Harassment!”

He shot her an annoyed look. “You fell on me. I’m the one who’s been harassed here!”

“Where’d she get to?” Lee asked again.

“I’m telling Neville!” Kara threatened with pursed lips.

“Go ahead,” Fred told her without a care, rubbing his bum. If it was bruised, Lee would pay.

Lee took a hold of Kara’s shoulders, taking his job of keeping an eye on Live very seriously after the incident with Malfoy. “Where did Live go?”

Kara rolled her eyes. “For goodness sake, she went to the Great Hall. And I’m starving by the way!” she stated with greater importance. “She didn’t even wait for me!”

Lee sighed. “Let’s go then,” he said with a turn, leaving her behind.

“Oi, what about me?” Fred declared, irritated at being so quickly forgotten.

Kara turned around and stuck her tongue out at him. “You’re a harasser!”

He made a noise of affront. “Oi! If anyone’s been harassed here it’s me!”

“You can’t harass the willing. You’re pervy. You like it. Harasser.” She dragged out the word in a hiss.

He frowned but refused to be left behind. “Shut up Kara.”

oOo

Two days. Live kept repeating that to herself. Two days and she wouldn’t have to feel so nervous walking the halls or feel less like herself. People would be leaving for the holidays the day after next and any threats would be gone. And though she had hurried out in all fervor to go to the Great Hall to see Vivian and Rebecca, she felt her nerves rising, her body alert. The closer she got to the Great hall, the more people there were. She hadn’t been out around this many of her classmates by herself in ages. She felt edgy, though she was sure Kara would catch up to her any moment. That alone kept her wits about herself.

To those around her, she seemed as haughty and characteristically Slytherin as ever. She didn’t meet the eyes of anyone she didn’t need to, though a few of her friends waved obligatory hellos to her as she passed by. She nodded in acknowledgment but didn’t stop to chat. She had to first see if Vivian and Rebecca were in the Great Hall. If she couldn’t spot them, she would turn right back around and go back to Gryffindor Tower. She could apologize later.

The delicious smells of dinner and the sounds of multitudinous chatter reached her ears before she got within visual range of the Great Hall. The smells made her stomach rumble and she instantly hoped Vivian and Rebecca were in there as she would heartily appreciate grabbing a bite.

She entered the Great Hall and did a cursory glance around. She saw Hermione and Ginny at the Gryffindor table and inwardly smiled. It made her somewhat comfortable. Tones in the Great Hall were infinitely cheery and excited. The ceiling snowed down cold white ice flakes. She forgot how pretty it was. She glanced down the Slytherin table but didn’t catch sight of either Vivian or Rebecca. She was about to turn around and leave but then a waving arm caught her attention down the middle of the table, and she saw Rebecca stand up moments later with a grin, motioning towards her. Live smirked and straightened her posture to walk down the way past several other of her housemates.

Rebecca was smirking, and it didn’t take long for Live to spot Vivian sitting next to her, sulking. Live did a subconscious look around the long table for Pucey, but didn’t spot him. She did see several first and second year Slytherins chomping on sweets, and caught a few of the elder years give her speculative, judgmental looks, but she raised her chin high and reminded herself that where she spent her time and with whom was none of their business. She was feeling confident in being able to set things aflame, so she wasn’t particularly bothered by their snooty looks. She was on the receiving end of a gimlet eye from Pansy Parkinson. She made a note to herself to stick fish bones in the girl’s mattress during the holiday.

“Live! By Salazar’s snake I didn’t think we’d actually see you until after the new year,” Rebecca told the blonde as she embraced her.

Live snorted. “Vivian demanded my presence,” she informed, looking towards the other girl. She was surprised not to be on the end of a chastisement. She inclined her head towards Vivian. “Sorry I didn’t make lunch. I got a little tied up.”

“No bother,” she said gloomily.

Rebecca made room for Live and both girls sat down. “What’s wrong?” Live asked Vivian.

“It was a secret boyfriend.”

Live got a silly look on her face and turned to Rebecca. “Have you really got a boyfriend?”

Becca gave her a carefree smirk. “I did. We broke it off.”

Live was incredulous. Were they putting her on? “Are you serious?” She looked at Vivian. “Vivian?”

“As soon as we bloody find out about it it’s already over and done with. She spilled at lunch.”

Live grinned with amusement. She had only been joking that afternoon. “You’re serious?” She looked at Becca. “Who were you dating? Why did you keep it a secret?”

“Well, it was McVaken. I don’t think I need to explain,” she said with a snort. “Been over for a while actually.”

Live’s eyes went wide. “Putterly’s friend?”

“Yeah,” she said with a light blush on her face, looking a bit sheepish. Live sort of frowned, but tried not to hold it against her friend. “It wasn’t really going anywhere, and it was nothing serious.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You guys didn’t ask,” Becca informed with an obvious shrug and a drink of her pumpkin juice.

Live let out a nonplussed huff. She reached for a cookie on the table and decided to fill her mouth with it whereas words she might regret otherwise would come out. Vivian must have put the question to her and she simply answered. Live would have attributed Vivian’s funk to her lack of Pucey but she rather thought it favored more towards missing out on Becca’s “secret” while it was still fresh.

“You never cease to amaze me,” Live muttered between cookie bites. She took a drink from a goblet and tried to clear her head. Frankly she’d rushed down here for nothing. She turned her head towards the entry way, and as if she must have sensed them on some subconscious level, she saw Kara, Fred, and Lee standing and scoping out the hall. Kara pointed and then waved, followed by giving her sister a finger in retribution. Live smirked to herself. The younger blonde had brought the whole entourage.

She turned back to Vivian and Rebecca. “My ride is here,” she informed with a smirk.

“What? You’re not going,” Becca questioned with disappointment.

“Pugface is shooting daggers my way,” Live added to her reason to go. That, and a cookie after concentrating so hard on her magic had made her sick to her stomach. She didn’t think she could sit there with her nerves and eat a proper meal while worried she had to watch her back. And good food was what she needed, not the sugar she’d quickly chowed down. She wondered how Kara managed it.

“I didn’t expect she’d stay anyway,” Vivian informed Becca. She gave Live a look of accepted tolerance. “We’ll leave our Christmas gifts for you. Owl us if George improves. Or if you find a more suitable guy for Rebecca.” The two girls smirked.

Live realized Vivian had accepted that they wouldn’t be seeing each other again til after holidays. The other sixth year was even more perceptive of the situation than the blonde herself. And a whole lot more understanding than she would have thought. “I’ll send your gifts,” Live promised.

Vivian gave her a toothy smile. “I like large apology bracelets you know.”

“I hope you got her decent underwear,” Becca intoned. “Pucey tears all hers up….she looks positively homeless…or constantly victimized.”

“Shut up Rebecca!” Vivian said with a red face and a frown. The other girl only grinned. Live got up from the bench and hugged both girls at once.

“We’ll miss you. Be careful,” Rebecca whispered.

“Watch yourself,” Vivian also whispered. “We love you, you know.”

Live felt tears prick at her eyes as she absorbed their words. “I’ll see you ladies.” She stood and walked towards the Gryffindor entourage awaiting her, trying to ignore the too-interested looks from her housemates. Kara hadn’t wasted any time in standing, and was at the head of the Gryffindor table chomping down sweets. It was clear where her concern was. Live was glad she hadn’t gotten her sister any sweets for Christmas.

“That sure was a waste of time,” Fred muttered to Lee, fingering a firework in his pocket impatiently. He looked up. “Want to set this off in the first year dorms?”

Lee turned his attention to Fred, his interest piqued. “What’d ya got?” The fiery red head produced two candlestick-length striped tubes and three hair-dye bombs of Kara’s invention. Lee pondered the wisdom in this, fingering a blue-dyed dread of his own. “Sure, why not. Let’s make them festive-looking for a good send-off.”

A resounding SMACK! interrupted their ponderings and their eyes snapped forward in the direction of the noise. They found Live standing with back facing them as if she’d been turned around, her person being detained by the wrist by a taller, sandy-haired figure before her. A brightly red handprint burned across Jason Putterly’s face as Live brusquely shook his hand off hers, glaring. He let go, his own hand raised to his frowning face as she turned and left him, seething with anger.

Eyes followed her as she left the Great Hall, more eyes than just those of her own housemates, and Lee and Fred stood clear as she stalked right past them without a look or a word. They looked back at Putterly, who was still frowning deeply in whatever thoughts he was having, now the subject of speculation and interest in the Great Hall. He shot glares to anyone who made eye contact with him. Lee thought it was far less than he deserved. Fred thought it was funny as hell.

They didn’t wait around to amuse themselves further with Putterly’s embarrassment, but rather followed after Live at what they assumed was a safe distance. She quickly stopped and turned on heel to face them, directing her ire at them. Her eyes burned with intensity, but there were no tears to be found. She was pissed off. “I don’t need you two idiots following me everywhere I go!” she lashed out.

They paused, given good reason. She was angry. And when she tended to get angry, things tended to get broken. And quite frankly, Fred fancied that he’d rather like to have children someday. She then turned back around and continued on as they stayed put. Lee wasn’t sure if he should honor her ‘request’ to be left alone, or honor his promise to George to keep an eye on her. He looked at Fred.

“You think George would put up with that temper if she wasn’t so pretty?” Lee asked Fred. Fred grinned, his good-humor not ruined.

“Well from what I hear, the crazy ones are wildest in--”

“Who’s crazy?” a voice asked from behind. Fred turned around with a grimace to Kara’s sweets-besmirched face smiling up at him. Ginny was at her side, looking rather put off. Lee snickered at the bad timing.

“Your sister,” Lee told the fifth year with a grin.

“You gonna follow her?” Kara inquired of Lee with a slit-eyed look.

“She yelled at us. I’m still deciding.”

“You’re lame,” Kara informed, brushing past them to follow after Live. Ginny rolled her eyes at her older brother and his friend, following Kara.

Fred looked at Lee as the girls left. “Did she call us ‘pervs’ under her breath?”

“That might have been directed at you….I’m a little more discrete,” Lee said with a grin.

“If I remember correctly, Mr. Dally--”

“Shut the bugger up!” Lee quickly cut in, frowning. “Let’s go prank those first years.” Fred grinned as Lee stalked away. Score one for him.

oOo

“I’m alright, really,” Live was telling Kara in the boys’ dorm. Lee and Fred were keeping out and wreaking havoc in the first and second year dorms. Older years kept clear of the colorful war zone. Live was cleaning the room out of anger. The dorm was positively sparkling. “I…I feel good. It’s like I brought an end to something and I think he’s fully aware of that now.”

Kara nodded, though she didn’t look like she fully agreed. “Just be careful, please? I don’t trust him whatsoever. He fights dirty for--”

“--a Slytherin?” Live put to her sister with a raised brow. Kara looked cynical. “We all do, Kara. He’s not so different.”

Kara shook her head. “No, that’s not what I was going to say. He fights dirty in a dark way. Something about him unsettles me.”

Live took a piece of parchment and crumbled it into a ball with her hand, the other hand occupied with holding her pygmy puff. The paper caught fire and burned itself out, and the pygmy puff hummed as if in approval. Live let the ash fall to the immaculate floor. She offered her sister a grin. “Don’t worry.”

Kara wrinkled her nose. “You should have thought about setting him on fire.”

“Who said I didn’t?” Live replied as she bent and swept the fallen ash on the floor with her sock, wondering if her handprint would be imprinted longer than normal on Putterly’s face. She looked up at her sister through a curtain of hair. “I want you to help me get control back. Faster. This is going far too slow.”

“Want to use my wand?” Kara asked.

“Once I have more control again I think I’d like to borrow it, but for now I need to do without…I’m still too weak on my own, and even with your wand, my magic wouldn‘t fully behave…”

“Mine doesn’t like you anyway,” Kara told her with upturned nose. Live made an impatient face. “But I’ll let you use it when you’re ready if you trade me chocolate.”

Live smirked to herself. “Done.”

They were silent together, Kara chewing on a piece of candy. Live took the sock that had cleaned the ash off her foot, and tossed in towards the bed. She tossed its mate with it.

“Remember you’re the lion, Live.” Live looked up at her younger sister. “You said even after George’s magic burns off and you’re normal, Dumbledore doesn’t want you to rely on a wand. You’re still a multiforme, so I think you can do it. You’re plenty powerful.”

Live snorted. Kara wasn’t put off.

“You know, it’s rumored that Merlin was born a multiforme…even if that’s not supposed to be possible. And he was a great sorcerer. I don’t think control comes overnight but I think you’ve got a lot easier to work with. At least you’ve had a handle on a good wand.”

Live fully appreciated her statement. Kara believed she was still powerful even after George’s magic would be gone. How powerful, she couldn’t say, but powerful enough to warrant practice. Maybe powerful wasn’t the correct word. Maybe she had the proclivity to more discipline. If she was more disciplined with her magic, maybe after she had her wand back she wouldn’t have to use words to cast spells anymore at all. They would get her a new wand. With the money Live was promised if she completed her potion for the ministry, Kara would do all she could to help Live. Namely because, lord willing, her older sister might put in for her Jarvey fund. With the temptation of a ministry-used potion and a stipend for it, it gave Live all the more reason to get a handle on her magic. That Snape threatened to fail her also lit a fire under her.

“We have a long way to go if I’m going to finish that potion by the new year. And I’m no Merlin.”

Kara smirked, all sunshine and encouragement. “You can do it!”

oOo

Lee and Live were nearly late to potions the next day, though Snape was less than his usual punctual self, so they didn’t get points taken off. Live had fretted during the night about what she would say to Mrs. Weasley when she went to see her during the day. It also bothered her that she would have to see Putterly come class that morning after striking him the night before. It came as a small relief to her frazzled world that Putterly had not been in class. It put Lee in a great mood, even when Snape took off points for a messily-labeled bottle.

For the rest of the day, Live remained in the Gryffindor Tower instead of going to her other classes. She was tired, but she wanted to practice the things she and Kara had been working on yesterday, and deemed that more necessary and important that participating in the festive class time. She could progress quickly if she put her mind to things, she knew. And she would be far too exhausted if she attended lectures with everyone else. Her emotions were strained as well in what she would do in meeting Mrs. Weasley. She hadn’t been so close to the hospital wing since George had been put there. It would be her first time getting that close in almost two weeks.

“Honestly, I’m impressed.”

“What?”

“I said I’m impressed.”

“What’s so impressive about that?” Live asked as she bothered about setting up a cauldron on the bedroom floor. She had major headway to make in controlling her magic, but her first priority was being able to properly brew again.

“Well, you were able to reduce the heat,” Kara pointed out as she casually observed her sister work.

“So what?”

“Well, you’ve only been able to do flame-spells so far. If you made it less hot, it means you can do cooling spells too, right?”

Live put her finger to the bridge of her nose. “I made a change in the temperature. That’s not the same thing.”

“Well you were able to reduce the heat as much as you wanted to, right?”

Live huffed to herself and didn’t answer her sister. Though she supposed that she was right. She had been able to reduce the heat of the spell. But she hadn’t exactly figured out yet how to move the little flame-producing trick into other magics, like levitating her books or something. Though it had taken concentration to combust the cranes the very first time she had done it (out of pure amusement to disturb Kara) she didn’t have the time it would require to do it all over again with other spells.

Live sighed and took the cauldron off the heat. She wasn’t going to try any further tonight. “I’m going out.”

“What do you mean ‘going out’?” Kara asked as Live got off the floor and straightened up her appearance. She pet Henry once on the bed next to her sister before looking for her shoes.

“I’ll be back later. I do not need anyone coming with me, you got that?”

Her statement wasn’t good enough for her younger sister. “No. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to talk to Mrs. Weasley. I figure it’s about time. There are a lot of things I need to say to her.”

“You’re not going by yourself.”

“Yes. I am. I’m not giving a speech and I do not need spectators. And if you tell Lee to follow me, I will beat the shit out of you Kara. I’m not even joking.”

Kara’s expression indicated that she was gauging her sister, seeing how much risk there was in the Slytherin’s promise. She decided that she was quite serious. “I don’t think you should…”

Live sighed with aggravation as she pulled on her shoes. “For one thing, I think I’ve indicated that I can take care of myself,” she said, shooting her a look. “For another, I’m not waiting for you to go find Lee, wherever his holiday jollies have gotten him. If I put this off any longer it’ll be curfew. I don’t even know if his mother is still there.” She huffed as she shook out her hair and gave the younger blonde one last glance. “And thirdly, I can get around a lot faster by myself if need be. So stay the hell out of it.”

Kara gave her a deep frown as Live opened the door, and followed her out the dorm room, down the stairs, and to the portrait hole. “Don’t be stupid now, Live,” Kara told her, though she didn’t attempt to follow her out the common room portrait hole. She gave her a wry look. She knew Live hadn’t gotten anywhere near George out of fear of what she might do to him. And if Mrs. Weasley wasn’t about, she wasn’t sure how Live would even be certain. She wouldn’t put it past her Slytherin sister to not even knock on the door for that much closer it might get her. She thought at the very least she could be walked down there.

Live only sighed.

“Just let me back in if the password changes or I can’t get in for some screwy reason, okay? I’m not ready to take over Slytherin yet…”

“How long will that be?”

Live rolled her eyes. “Bye, Kara.”

With that, she left the common room and Kara behind. The fifth year blonde was frowning to herself. At least there was something to be made of Kitty Nimbles being utilized for Live’s own mobility. But Kara wouldn’t give her too long.

The blonde fifth year held Henry the pygmy puff close and went in search of Lee.

oOo

Live was surprised to see Mrs. Weasley outside the hospital wing. She had already been trying to come up with a way of how she would get noticed or make her presence known outside the hospital wing, not wanting so much as to touch the hospital doors to knock on them. Yet Mrs. Weasley was perfectly outside, as if she’d been waiting for her. Or perhaps she was just leaving. Live was stunned and couldn’t believe her good timing.

Or bad timing, as her nerves were shot and she was sick with trepidation.

Mrs. Weasley gave Live a smile as the blonde approached her. Surprise must have been evident upon Live’s face. “Lee Jordan told me you were going to come by today,” she informed.

Live’s mouth was open, but no words came out. She didn’t think Lee would have been so observant. She was thankful for that. Though what she had decided to say, including everything she wanted to apologize for, she couldn’t remember. All words left her. She was gaping stupidly. “I-I’m-”

Mrs. Weasley enveloped her in a full embrace, hugging the blonde witch in a motherly squeeze. Live felt tears prick at her eyes. She didn’t return the hug as she felt shame towards herself. If she were in her position, she wouldn’t want to be hugging her. Not for how she’d drained George. “I-I’m so sorry Mrs. Weasley,” she managed to quickly get out. “I’d never hurt George willingly-”

“Hush,” Mrs. Weasley told her.

Live was crying. “I’m sorry.”

She was hushed again, and brought closer to the fiery-haired woman who was giving her pats. “He’s on the road to recovery. Stop fretting,” Mrs. Weasley parroted the words to Live that her own husband had told her. She couldn’t help but fret over her children, but she didn’t want them to be doing the same. George would be alright. They just didn’t know when.

Live suddenly couldn’t get the image of George’s parents at the end of his hospital bed out of her mind. The day she’d barged in and they’d looked in such despair. It was the last time she’d been this close to the hospital wing. She wondered how Mrs. Weasley felt about seeing her since that day. “I-I….I…”

“Hush. Worrying won’t do anyone good.”

They were silent a while. Live was grasping at straws, feeling that every word that had left her mouth was utterly stupid. If Mrs. Weasley thought so, she did not indicate it. She felt horrible to accept the woman’s comforting embrace. She felt so guilty.

“I-I’m staying at Hogwarts,” Live informed, but cut her sentence short of further plans. Mentioning the holidays made her feel so guilty, and she didn’t need to do so to clarify her meaning.

The older witch smiled and let Live go a modicum to look at her. “I’m glad.” She took Live’s hand in hers, and looked at it. “He’s got on a silver one…” Live realized she was talking about the ring on her finger; the opaleye dragon scale ring George had made to propose to her. George apparently still had its counterpart on.

“I made that for him…Out of my pendant.”

Mrs. Weasley smiled. “I did think as much. It’s got green stone in a silver setting.”

Live flushed, feeling suddenly silly for some reason that George was wearing a ring of Slytherin-house colors while she was talking to the Gryffindor-bred woman. She wondered if the older witch would take offense.

“It makes me very happy that you love him so dearly.” Live felt tears prick at her eyes again, and couldn’t meet the eyes of the older woman. “You’re a part of the family, dear. Stop feeling guilty.”

Live held back a sob. She looked up. “B-but my magic took and took--! H-he looked sick but he never said anything t-to me!”

Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes. She actually rolled them in annoyance. “I have an idiot for a son.”

“If I’d have known--” Live pressed. “I should have felt-- My own stupid magic--!”

Mrs. Weasley sighed, resigned. “He definitely knew. He had to have known he was sick,” she spoke of George’s magical loss. “I’m going to put him back in this hospital once he’s better…Idiot always has to act tough. Him and his brothers…” She dabbed at Live’s cheeks with a handkerchief she produced from her purse, and took the blonde’s hand again. “We’ve spoken with Albus, and George would have known, so don’t feel so bad. He’s just an idiot, dear.” An involuntary laugh left Live. Mrs. Weasley looked aggravated the more she talked about it. “I tell you I’m going to thoroughly box his ears when he’s awake. They never listen.”

Live let loose a nervous chuckle, but she still felt horrid. “But his exposure to me-- I should have made him see Madam Pomfrey!”

Mrs. Weasley snorted at the idea. “I’ve spent my life trying to run these boys of mine. If you can do it, you have my full support.” Live smiled weakly. “They’re far too strong-willed….They get that from their father, you should know. Hmph. Thinks he’s too tough to see a healer. I really will box his fool ears.”

“I…I’m just…”

“You concentrate on controlling your magic, dear. Albus told us, and the best thing you can do for George is further your magic.” Live gave her a sullen smile. “Oh it’s such a hard task though, really…And for someone as young as you--”

“I’ll do it, Mrs. Weasley. I promise,” Live swore, thinking it was the one thing she could honestly hope to accomplish. “I’ve been practicing and I swear I’ll get control back again.”

The older witch smiled. “I’m glad.”

“I’m learning to feel again. If I can feel my magic, I won’t be able to do this to him ever again. I just have to try a little harder.”

Mrs. Weasley had a sort of dismal expression on her face. “You’ve got far too much on your shoulders for someone so young.”

“I do what I have to,” Live told her with acceptance, half-smiling.

The hospital wing door opened slightly and Live took a step back, removing herself from proximity. Mr. Weasley poked his head out the door. She hadn’t known he’d been in there.

“Hello,” he greeted Live.

“Hi Mr. Weasley.”

“How are you?”

“Fine,” she answered automatically, but bit her tongue from returning the inquiry. She had an idea as to how they were both doing.

“Will you be joining us for the holidays?” Live looked completely taken aback. Mr. Weasley looked to his wife. “Did I jump the gum, Molly?” he asked. Live’s mind corrected his muggle-gotten phrase with subconscious amusement.

Mrs. Weasley looked from her now-sheepish husband and back to the blonde. “Once George is out of hospital, we’d like to have everyone home for the holidays.” Her lips were pursed, and Live knew she was hopeful that George would wake before the holidays were over. Live hoped as much as well. “It would be nice to have everyone together.”

Live nodded, deeply touched that they wanted her with them even considering everything that had happened. She vaguely wondered if she was asleep. “I-I look forward to it.”

She smiled at them, and Mr. Weasley offered his arm to his wife. “Shall we, dear?”

“It can be boring sitting by myself, if you’d like to come again,” Mrs. Weasley prompted Live. The blonde looked trapped. “I mean outside the hospital wing of course.” Live relaxed a bit. “It would do to keep Fred from harassing his brother’s rest.”

Live giggled, eyes still moist, and shook her head enthusiastically. “Alright.”

Mrs. Weasley took her husband’s arm and Mr. Weasley bid Live a good evening. The blonde said her polite goodbyes, gave the hospital wing a wistful look, and then set off in the opposite direction. George’s parents watched her go.

“She doesn’t look good…” Mrs. Weasley confided to her husband.

“And there’s a lesson to you my dear. It’s over-fretting is what it is and it’ll happen to you too.” She shot her husband a quick glare while he laughed and patted her hand. “Our boys are strong. Don’t worry.”

She nodded. “I just wish they weren’t so stubborn…”

“They get that from you…”

“What was that?”

Mr. Weasley pressed a kiss to his wife’s forward and took her to leave with a laugh.

oOo

Live felt a modicum better than she had in quite some time. Speaking with Mrs. Weasley had lifted a huge weight from her chest. And she felt a little less guilty for what had happened. She felt angry towards George yet again, that he could have prevented his hospitalization. She wanted to smack him, and never let him go. She amused herself with thoughts of doing so once he was out of the hospital wing. She thought it would be so wonderful if he would wake before everything was over. They could finally focus on happiness instead of always having to scheme and plan. And with everyone gone, she wouldn’t have to worry about people like Putterly and Malfoy mucking things up for them.

“Haven’t I been warning you…?”

A chill went up Live’s spine as she rapidly turned all about herself, searching for the voice she’d heard. Her whole body was alert in surprise, but she saw no one, the hallways quiet and cold with the silence of winter. She was on edge for several more moments just listening before she decided that she was indeed quite alone. The only noise was her own breathing and a slight breeze from the drafty castle, but that was it. She wondered if she’d imagined it, or for that matter if she was more exhausted than she’d been realizing. But it still unnerved her.

She let loose a nervous laugh as her body pumped adrenaline through her. Her skin was slightly clammy, but she felt sort of silly, and calmed herself down, proceeding with getting herself back to the Gryffindor Tower.

The air was getting colder as she progressed, and she came to one of the open-air hallways. It was absolutely freezing. She could see her breath, and breathed extra hard a few times to see more. If Kara snuck her icy feet and cold hands into Live’s bed again, she’d kill her.

Coming to the ledge, she could see fresh snow falling and draping the courtyard in white. She leaned against it a moment and sighed, her mind as blank as the snowy canvas before her. She was tired and worn out, lost. The coldness of the stone was seeping through her robes and chilling her skin, the numbness it caused bringing with it bad memories. She straightened and perused the courtyard again. No one was out playing, but that wasn’t surprising. It was absolutely freezing, and it was dark. The sky was pretty with light snowflakes but no one would be out in this cold so close to curfew. She wondered if it would snow all night…and if she could manage to bring some all the way back to Gryffindor Tower to teach Lee and Fred an old lesson.

Grinning and with a sort of lightness in her step, she walked the hall around the courtyard, giving herself plenty of time to still grab some snow should she decide the effort worth the laugh. But that idea left her mind quickly as she halted, startled at the sound of footsteps in front of her. She recognized the figure and frowned. She had to figure she would see someone from her house. The footpaths she tread were the ones regularly used by Slytherin House to get to and from their commons.

But why it had to be Putterly after she was in such a good mood, she didn’t know. If he had any misconceptions about where their ‘friendship’ stood, she would have thought her strike to his face the day before would have made things clear. Even with the revelation that Becca had been dating McVaken, it sure as hell did not make them friends.

She steeled herself with a breath, her good mood ebbing for tolerant anger as she walked right past him, just far enough away from him so that if he got it into his mind to touch her, he wouldn’t be able to. He didn’t try, and she walked past without incident. His sigh echoed through the hall.

“I saw what you did to Malfoy,” he broke the silence. She stopped. He knew that would get her attention, even if she’d told him never to speak to her again.

“What do you think you saw? I haven’t done a thing,” she lied, her voice low. She turned to face him, watching his expression. She still didn’t know what became of Malfoy. If he was hiding in his dorm, if he’d been going to classes, or if he had told anyone outside the two morons who had been with him what she’d done. Just hearing his name irked her.

She also didn’t know how extensive the wounds she’d given him were or how many people knew about it. Putterly was a seventh year Slytherin. It shouldn’t have surprised her that he would know, she realized. She had wounded Malfoy late at night the weekend past. If he had gone back to their common room, anyone awake would have seen. But Putterly hated Malfoy. There was no way Malfoy would have told him that it was Live who wounded him. That meant others must know what she did. Her cheeks colored though her expression was stoney.

“I’m not judging you,” Putterly stated more comfortably, giving her no reason to lie. He half-smiled a closed-lip smile. He knew the two of them were not on good terms.

She frowned. She didn’t like this. It felt like he wanted to say something else, and she wasn’t in the mood to be blackmailed. She hit him hard yesterday. Very hard. The fleshy part of her hand still hurt, and if she’d at all managed to do the kind of damage she’d intended upon him, his face must still be in pain as well. He had to be plotting some sort of revenge. It was part of every Slytherin’s heritage.

She turned toe and started walking away, a shiver going up her back for her nerves as she realized she should not be here. She wondered if he would try to detain her. He didn’t.

“The Death Eaters almost had you,” he called after her, staying his place.

Live stiffened and stopped with shock at the mention of the shameful secret she wanted to bury. How did he know? “How do you know about that?”

“I know about a lot of things,” he told her with a thinking frown, seeing that he had gained her full attention. “We’re all hiding something. Everyone hides something from someone else. But things have a habit of being found out, Live.”

“I’m not hiding anything. You shut your mouth,” she told him, her insecurities rising quickly as her tone dictated the subject thoroughly closed. She turned. This conversation was going from bad to worse.

“I also know you’ve taken a life,” he said more softly, and she froze mid-step. Now that he definitely should not know. Not only did it scare her but it jeopardized her person altogether. Her heart skipped a beat. How did he know so much? What would she have to do about this?

“Yes, I know,” he told her easily, his tone without judgment. She was silent, back still turned to him, worried the fear would show in her expression. He continued as he had her full undivided attention. He was not keeping her there, but he had said the right things to make her stay. Neither of them were moving. “We all have our little secrets,” he said almost amusedly, looking at the stone floor, and then back at her back. Her blonde hair was down to her waste-- a stark contrast against the black of her robes. It kept his attention. “You have so much power, Live. You can make them pay for their arrogance. They’re nowhere near your level, you know.”

She turned back to him, a deadly look on her face- one wrought of emotional strain and ache, her desire to run away just as strong as her desire to shut him up. She wished beyond wish that she had her wand. There was no doubt in her mind that with a wand, she could wipe his memory clean without a problem. “It’s not your business.”

He sighed, speaking plainly. He was far too relaxed about the subject. His thumbs were hooked into his trousers’ belt loops as if he had all the time in the world to converse so amiably with her. “It wasn’t fair that they almost took you. It wasn’t right. Why not take them all down? You certainly have the power and they certainly deserve it. You’re powerful enough that it would be child’s play. You wouldn’t have to be alone in doing it.”

“Any power I had wasn’t all mine. And it’s none of your business,” she stated for the second time, worry eating at her. She’d been alone with him far too long for comfort already, and his prying was entirely disconcerting. Why? Why did he know so much? Who had told? What on earth was he getting at?

He sighed. “This is only the beginning of what you can do,” he told her, taking a few steps forward to look in her eyes. She didn’t like the look reflected back at her. “You can become so much more powerful! I know you can. It’s your fate if you’ll just own to it.”

She didn’t like the resolute tone of assertion in his voice; felt threatened by his confidence. “I am done with this conversation.”

“Wait--” He grabbed her wrist, stopping her, and she yanked it, but he didn’t let go. Not like he had yesterday, where there had been witnesses. It infuriated and frightened her. She still didn’t like to be touched, let alone by him, and especially not twice.

“Let me go, Jason.”

“Hear me out,” he cajoled with a slight frown, his tone entreating. “You don’t possibly understand, Live, how powerful you really are. Someone like you is bursting with power.”

“Power,” she spat the word, venom to her tone. He let her go, giving her a much-different look. She was scared by what he knew. What he shouldn’t know. More over, what she herself didn’t want to even consider. “You think it’s fun for me? The things I have done--”

“I know all about it,” he told her, his voice no-less confident or cowed by her own tone. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Live, but everything right. All the signs are there. You’re destined to be fantastic.”

“Shut up,” she told him.

He sighed. “Power like yours needs a proper match,” he said, getting to his point. “Weasley is nowhere near your equal. You can sense that much even if you think you can’t see the obviousness.”

She let out a humorless laugh, her tone mocking. “You think you are?”

He gave her a firmly resolute look, one she had never seen on him nor one she ever wanted to see again. Her confidence faltered. He smiled confidently, his tone one of amusement as if there was some secret joke she was not in on. He wasn’t insulted by her statement. “Perhaps. That’s up to you.”

She was starting to get angry. He knew too much, and that made him a threat. His arrogance was insulting. And what he’d done to George-- he had no remorse. Her blood was boiling and adrenaline was raging through her, attempting to provoke her to a reaction. She attempted to calm herself, her fingertips itching. She reigned it in. Her fingernails were biting into her palms and she forced her feet to remove herself from the situation. Her body was hot and his words had sickened her. It left dread in the pit of her stomach. This was an unwelcome and unexpected surprise. She forced herself to walk away. “You, are not my equal.”

She heard him exhale in opposition, then felt her body enveloped in a spell before she knew it. She was forcibly turned about-face, and would have fallen at the suddenness if she hadn’t caught herself. He had his wand out and was frowning at her. He cast no further spell, lowering it to his side, but made a point to scowl deeply at her.

“No, I’m not your equal,” he acceded flatly. “I am your better.” He informed her without prejudice like it was a fact she was ignorant of.

Her expression was one of surprise. She knew he was arrogant, but she didn’t think he was stupid. Knowing what he did, he should have known what her magic was currently capable of-- what George’s stolen magic could do. Until it burnt off, she herself was quite unstable and very frankly dangerous. She snorted haughtily. “You’re no better than Malfoy, and we all know where he stands in my opinion.”

She attempted to leave again, but he fired a spell right past her that caused her to halt and jump in surprise, too close for comfort. It hit against the wall some ways down and she heard the breaking of stone. She looked back at him at the warning. Though he did not intend to hit her with it, there was an angry expression upon his face.

“Don’t dare to confuse me with him,” he started, glaring at her. His wand was half-raised, ready to be used once more. She felt heat in her cheeks and anger in her stomach. “We are nothing alike. I didn’t want it to be like this, Live,” he told her, his tone hinting at remorse. “But I think you’re leaving me very little choice in the matter. How else can I show you? Weasley fell to me almost obscenely easily--”

“He wasn’t well!” she spat, which was a bit of an understatement and not at all a viable excuse between two Slytherins arguing about power. She felt stupid saying such a statement, even if it was true, and felt she had shamed George in admitting so. She added, “He’s far too honorable to not keep his appointments!”

Putterly scoffed. “Don’t confuse ‘honorable’ with ‘stupid’. I would have finished him if his stupid brother hadn’t interfered.”

Live’s heart skipped a beat. George had already been left in a dangerous state, thanks to her magic leeching him. He had been knocked down, according to Lee and Fred. If they hadn’t been there, lord only knows what Putterly might have done. Thankfully, they’d been able to jump in. “From the way I saw the results of that night,” Live started, earning his apt attention, “it was you who was quite more than finished.”

He frowned. “That was a minor hiccup that can always be fixed. I only wish you could understand how important you are to everything; how inconsequential he is. You’re the key.”

“You’re an asshole,” she said. “Leave us the fuck out of it.”

“Now see,” he told her, getting frustrated and aggravated. This was not going the way he had wanted it to. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

He raised his wand and she raised her hand as if to shield against whatever spell he was going to use. She would not be under another man’s control. Not again. Never again. She wasn’t going to be victimized in any way again.

Putterly smiled an odd smile as his arm paused in midair. He looked at his wand, and then at her. It was as if someone was grasping his wrist, pushing it back, not allowing him further momentum to cast his spell. Though he was not being touched. She looked back at him with mild confusion as to why he was stopping, not making the connection. He grinned at her.

“Very good, Live,” he told her with a frowning smile. His voice was not at all surprised. It was as if he’d expected this. “But you see,” he started as his wand hand began to shake, as if he was exerting greater force against an unseen opponent. “I’m strong, too.”

Her expression faltered. She felt a similar feeling to one of being overpowered, only she wasn’t being touched. She was confused, and as he brought his wand down in one fluid movement, she felt as if she’d been knocked off balance, and was then thrown down.

She was on the cold stone of the corridor floor, scared, but also confused out of her mind.

“I know it’s not fair, using a wand and all,” Putterly excused himself as he stepped towards her. “Not when you’re without. We can get you a new one later, by the way. But I cannot afford to be wasting time right now. And you don’t seem to want to listen civilly. It may not seem like it but I don’t want to make a ruckus, Live.”

She turned back towards him, glaring at him for all his arrogance, and flourished her arm out towards his person. He went flying backwards, doing a barrel roll through the air. He too landed on the cold stone floor with a grunt.

Live shakily got to her feet, her body thrumming with emotion. What did he mean he couldn’t waste time? What did he plan on doing? She considered running, but thought that that might result in the same consequence as it did with Malfoy. And she was tired of running. She was pissed off.

Putterly was back on his feet, looking at her as he straightened his robes and took a fresh grasp on his wand, as if the worst she had done was muss up his appearance. He smirked at her. She smirked back. His own grin slackened.

“Don’t assume I’m weak,” she threatened, not wanting this to carry on more than it needed to. She couldn’t back down, but she expected him to.

His smirk was back on his face. “Don’t assume I am.” He pointed his wand at her and cast another spell. She tried to get out of the way in time but it grazed her neck. The power of the spell left an impression of a cold burning feeling where it had gotten close to her flesh, but it disintegrated as harmlessly as water vapor as it hit the stone far behind her. Her skin wasn’t burned but felt odd where it had touched her. What spell had that been? It was high-up enough that he had been aiming for her head. Surely it wouldn’t have been deadly? She looked back at him calculatingly. He offered her a smile. “At least you’re faster thinking than him. Though I don’t know why that surprises me. You’ve always been sort of fun.” He paused to regard her, trying to speak through again. “He shamed you in how I defeated him, Live--” He stopped as he felt as if he’d been hit in the chest.

“You….do not,” she ground out unfinished, furious tears coming to her eyes. She couldn’t finish her sentence but her sentiment was clear. “Do not.”

He looked up at her. He threw another spell at her and she threw it away. It made contact with one of the stone columns and took out a chunk in the courtyard. He frowned as the gray pieces piled to the white snow. He looked back at her. “Do you even know what my duel with him was about?”

“I don’t need to know, and I wouldn’t trust a word from your mouth anyways,” she spat back, throwing something of herself at him in spell light. He blinked as something was dripping into his eye, and saw as it hit his robes that it was his blood. His forehead had been cut.

“That’s really enough, Live. This is getting unnecessary. Just stop it,” he said, throwing another spell at her which she easily threw away, but the second one he’d quickly fired off-- the one she hadn’t expected-- came hurtling at her and wrapped her from neck to toe in ropes. He was fast and fast-thinking. That was something she’d been unaware of.

She fell over, the ropes hardly cushioning her fall. She looked up as he was dabbing at his forehead with his sleeve. He wouldn’t be able to properly heal that without looking in a mirror. It was a nasty gash she’d given him, one that would require concentration to fix. No doubt it hurt.

As he came over to her, she thought he might kick her and tensed her muscles preparing for the blow, but he squatted down to look and speak to her face to face. His wand was still in his hand, and he dragged it up and down the rope coils as if just to hear the thrum of wood on rope. That and their breathing were the only other noises in the hallway. “You know, had it been me, and Malfoy never would have touched you. Had it been me, no one would. You wouldn’t have had to undergo any of this. No killing, no hurting. All of this could have been avoided. I think even your scars…”

She struggled against the ropes, livid. She was laying on her hands and they were quickly going numb. She glared up at him. “So you knew and let it happen anyway?” she sarcastically threw at him.

He frowned. “No. But I wouldn’t have let it happen. It wouldn’t have been necessary. None of it. I wouldn’t have let the opportunity even arise. Slytherins know how to care for one of their own better than other houses, Live.”

“So now you’re suddenly all-seeing and all-knowing,” she stated with sarcasm, giving him an ugly look.

He snorted with a smirk. “Perhaps not.” He grinned at her. “But I have enough to go off of to know it would be different. Not that it’s too late. As a matter of fact it’s just a pity it’s taken this long but it’s definitely not too late. Weasley’s just made things difficult for me.” He stood and a drop of his blood fell onto her cheek. He bent to wipe it and she jerked her face away before he could touch her. He grinned. “With or without a wand, I’m still your better, Live. None can rival me, you must understand. It would be quite good for you, you know. I’m offering you a chance to be something amazing. My equal in power. And proper bloodlines. Come with me and we can take revenge and right all the wrongs together that shouldn’t have happened.” He acted as if he were offering her the chance of a lifetime. “You know you don’t belong here. No one here can understand that like we can.”

She lowered her head to the cold stone pavement, felt it cool her hot face, her adrenaline-laced blood pumping through her. She snorted, and a giggle escaped at the absurdity. She wasn’t sure if it was from pure fear or if she’d finally lost it. She was becoming a bit hysterical, and couldn’t control her snickers. Snickering laced with tears. What on earth was he thinking? Was he in league with the Death Eaters? She didn’t think so…

“What?” he asked at her chuckling. He raised a brow. The ball was in his court, but she sure had spirit. He had never expected her to be afraid of him. Though she ought to have reason, but she never showed it to him. He had to hand it to her. That was part of the reason he liked her. It helped that he liked her. It made everything else much more palatable to him. He bent at the waist, his hands on his knees, his wand in his fingers, waiting for her great punch line.

“You know…,” she started, speaking to the stone, “with or without a wand, I can still cast spells.”

He could see from placement in the ropes that she was either drawing her finger or her hand upwards. The ropes were splitting as if being cut with a razor knife from the inside. He chanced a look at her face, her pupils dilated fully black and the white of her eyes turning a red that seemed to spread from the pupiled darkness, flowing out and encompassing the white of her sclera. He took a few cautious steps back, not because he wanted to, but because his gut told him to. This wasn’t good.

She grinned at him as she shakily found her feet. She wasn’t nearly as scared as she had been, even felt a little giddy, and the expression on his face empowered her. He didn’t look quite as confident as he had a moment ago. The ropes that bound her lay sliced on the icy cold floor.

“It makes no difference,” Putterly told her as she stood there, her grin fading in place of a frown. He gave her a calculating look. So it wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d surmised. But she wouldn’t be all that he expected if it was. “You think I’m not aware of your power? I’m not stupid, Live.”

“You’ll think differently tomorrow,” she replied. He answered her with a spell, and she hurled one back at him. The two met in midair and disintegrated in a shower of blue and yellow sparks. It gave her a chill of pleasure. She enjoyed dueling. She always had. It was something she hadn’t gotten to do a lot of this school term. But now she was smiling.

“You’re keeping up quite well,” he told her. She frowned. “You’re not only powerful Live, but you’re beautiful. Even with the scars; even with those eyes. You must trust me on this. I know what I’m talking about. You’re key to everything.”

She paused in her actions. She was losing it. She knew she was losing it. But it was different than with Malfoy. She didn’t want to keep it. Her whole body was trembling. “Shut up.”

“What’s most amazing is that you’re not even a pureblood,” he continued, genuinely impressed. His wand was still raised, but he spoke pleasantly to her. “That’s why I can’t let this go. You’re quite exceptional. Please just listen to reason.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” she said with anger as she lobbed another spell and threw a partner with it. He shielded just in time. The spells destroyed stone somewhere that Live could not see. He knew too much. This was more than personal, and all bounds had been overstepped. He was dangerous.

“Enough playing around,” he told her, shooting a spell directly at her, the red light whizzing towards her bodily aimed.

She balked and caught it. She actually stopped and caught it in her hand. It made Putterly pause and take a step back. That wasn’t possible.

She cocked her head at him with a smug grin, crushing the red, angry orb she held in her palm. The light went out. “I told you,” she reminded. “We are not equals.”

Putterly frowned but didn’t have time to dwell on her statement. She threw so many spells at him with such speed that the air was lit in brilliant light. He could only dodge and block so many. How she could even conjure up so many spells he had no idea. Her mind was a lot quicker than he recalled.

And then she had him. She pinned him against a wall, the force of her magic crushing him against it. He was surprised at the strength of it, the magnitude. He had certainly never felt such force in his entire life. He couldn’t move. His wand was in his hand and he could not move it.

“You know what I did to Malfoy, don’t you? That it was me I mean,” she clarified with admittance. She could see in his eyes that he was fully aware of the fact. But he showed no fear. That upset her.

“I’m better than him. You think it bothers me?” his words were gruff with the pressure she was exerting on him. Stones around them cracked. He winced. “I think I’m better than that.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “Better?” she laughed. “Oh, I’ll give you better if that’s what you want.” He scowled at her, and she could feel that he was trying to move and undo her magic. But she smirked and increased the pressure. He was completely unable to suppress it. She felt like she was being egged on deep inside. She embraced it. He had overstepped all proper dueling etiquette. There were still rules to war. “George wasn’t given a proper dual on equal terms. But then, we’re not like that, are we? Slytherins, that is. We don’t play fair,” she reminded, her eyes getting darker as she looked at him. “It is his magic that’s in me. And right now I think it wants a little payback for all your dirty dealings.”

Putterly didn’t look impressed even though he was completely at her mercy. He fixed her with a hard look. His unwavering confidence insulted her. She hated the look in his eyes. “I told you, that magic is all yours. Every last ounce. Don’t think Weasley could best someone like me. In any form. Listen closely to me, Live: no one understands you the way I do, do you got that? Weasley couldn’t possibly get it.”

She gave him a venomous glare at his belittling of George, and gave her finger a swish towards him. He cried out as he felt the cut to his person, but he couldn’t make out the location of the wound.

“Puzzled?”

He didn’t know. Damn him but he didn’t know. But he did not feel right. That much he was sure. She could hear stone breaking and crumbling behind her from the pressure. She didn’t pay it any mind. She threw another slash his way. He cried out again, then looked perplexed.

“Do you like being at the mercy of another? To feel what George no doubt felt? Now you know what it feels like to be someone else’s pawn. I will not be yours. Not ever. Get it into your head and keep it there.”

He gave her a glare, not grasping the seriousness of the situation he was in. He was either incredibly confident, or incredibly stupid. “Power like ours belongs together. Your power and mine. We can only get stronger and then anything can be accomplished. It’s fate. You’re as powerful as I am.”

She laughed, genuinely amused. “Oh now I’m as powerful as you are. Don’t insult me with changing your words! You were never my better and you’re certainly not my equal.”

He scowled at her, and then cried out as the pressure was increased. His bones would break soon. Something inside nagged at her. She felt caught between wanting to finish him, and wanting to stop herself. It was a very familiar crossroads to her. Her fingers itched at the moment. She very suddenly released him, fully. He dropped to the floor, and it took a full moment for him to stand up on his own two feet.

She was visibly shaking. She had to grab herself to quiet the trembling. Her body was resonating with power and she was frightened, her conscience sling-shotting back to her. Her nails dug into her palms and the pain slightly gave her mind some sense. She gave him a spiteful look, but spoke in a threatening, pleading tone. “I am not a monster,” she said, more to herself than to him. This was not who she was. Her magic was too great for her. She needed it to burn off and rid herself of George’s excess she had taken, but not like this. Even if he deserved it, even if he had been making trouble and thought to make her part of it, she wouldn’t lower herself to it. “Leave right now. Get away from me,” she ordered. If she was left alone, she might be able to calm herself down. With the hatred she felt for him now, it was impossible with him in proximity.

He was breathing hard, in pain, examining her calculatingly with his expression. She didn’t look back at him, too fearful his eyes would provoke her. She was holding on to her sense of self with everything she had but she was going to lose it if he tipped the precious balance of her mind. Her whole body was alert and waiting for his offensive, though she wasn’t anticipating it in mind. She was fully concentrating on keeping herself stolid.

“You have to leave with me,” he said with a gruff tone, his body still reeling from her power. No doubt his ribs were bruised at the very least. His forehead and face were bloody.

“If you don’t leave right now, I swear to all that is good and pure that I will kill you,” she warned through gritted teeth, knowing she wouldn’t be able to control herself. It would land her in Azkaban, and she wasn’t sure if an insanity defense would hold up. She was losing it. “If you know my power then you know you’re about to die. Go away from me.”

“You still don’t understand,” he started, raising his wand and holding his ground. He wasn’t going to go through all this just to give up now. Everything was right. He knew tonight would pay off if he just hung in there. He had been putting way too much into this to stop now. “You do not have me beaten, Live. I’ll take you by force if necessary. Just calm yourself and listen.”

She looked up in challenge, met his eyes. So he wasn’t going to stop. He was one of those cases which didn’t learn. She hoped Kara would forgive her. She hoped George would forgive her. Because she couldn’t stop herself for much longer. She knew her own limits to control, and she was not a patient person. “I’ll give you the chance that you didn’t give to George, and I will not feel bad about this later. Stop me if you can, and I hope you can,” she threatened, knowing she wouldn’t stop until it was over, and that she could not stop herself. “If you can’t, you lose.” He felt another pain come to his forehead, and rivulets of blood began to drip in his eyes. He blinked it away, and she dropped her arms to her sides. She was out to hurt, no holding back. She’d give the magic welled up inside of her what it wanted.

With rapid fire she cast spell after spell at him, large, powerful spells making the corridor bright with light. They whizzed past in speed and color, landing one after the other just out of reach of their target.

“Shit,” he cussed beneath his breath, doing his best just to dodge what she threw. He couldn’t even get a shielding spell up proper. She was far too fast, and he realized he had gravely underestimated the necessary power to take her. Surely he thought if he could just hold out, just a bit longer…

She had him paralyzed, left standing in the hall like a pole. She had a hand up, keeping him there, and he was gasping as if there was no more air. But he couldn’t move at all. Couldn’t stop her. She couldn’t stop herself. Part of her was relieved. This little problem would be dealt with.

She suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe. As if her veins were constricting and tightening. She griped her own throat, gaping like a fish. Instantly she released Putterly and he stumbled, catching his breath in gulps as she fell to her knees on the floor. The stone was cold on her skin. She might have thought it felt good had she felt anything but pain. Her body was crying out. She needed air. Why couldn’t she breathe?! Why did her veins feel like they were on fire?!

She raised her face to Putterly, wondering what he had done. He looked back at her, griping his own neck and breathing with obvious relief and not without effort. He blinked twice as she stared at him with those red eyes. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination or not, but her pupils seemed far less black. As she stared up at him accusingly, trying to suck air, her eyes flashed green. She was shaking and fell over to the floor, weakening from lack of oxygen. Her body started to go numb and her vision was going. He came to stand over her.

“Losing your grip?” he asked her as she looked accusingly up at him. He smirked at her expression. “Don’t blame me, love. I think it’s safe to say Weasley’s magic has all but burnt up. You are one-hundred percent you once more. Only you.” She was making hoarse noises, trying to breathe, her whole body in pain. He was still breathing hard, observing the situation and holding his sore ribs. He knew if he’d just be patient that it would pay off. It finally had. “I’ve heard suddenly losing magic makes you extremely weak. That it will even affect your physical body. But you’ve been somewhat of a junkie, haven’t you? Gorging your magic on Weasley’s.” He snorted as if the idea disgusted him. “Weak magic too. I don’t think you’re ready to sustain that state with sudden withdrawal.”

She was gasping for air, barely hearing him. Then like a miracle, she was able to suck in a small bit. It lessened the black as her vision was starting to fade. Putterly had his hands on his knees, looking at her. She didn’t look back, so intent on pulling air into her lungs she was.

“You’re only you now, Live. Just you. You’ll get through it. Just calm down and breathe,” he encouraged, his blood dripping down his face. She hated him for those words, acting like he cared. She was more focused on sucking air into her lungs than listening to him. Her entire body hurt. “After depending on Weasley’s weak magic for so long, you must be hurting. It would take nothing less than this to clean you out. But don’t worry, you’ll get over it. I’ll see you through it. Just breathe.”

“..sh…tup…”

He grinned at her, his bloody face looking like some mock creature. She’d really made a mess of him, unable to tell what was just blood and what was wounds. She wondered if he even felt pain.

She was breathing much easier. Her whole body hurt. Her veins. Her head. She was weak as her body tried to use all the oxygen she supplied it with. Her vision was blurred. Putterly looked down at her.

“I expect you’re tired. Your skills are more than admirable, Live but you’ve used up far too much energy and magic. And I’m done wasting my time trying to explain things to you. We’re going, on my terms, and I’ll try to make you understand in time. You’ll thank me down the line.” He laughed. “I know people always say that, but you really will once you come to understand what I’m trying to do here. I’m sure you won’t like it right off the bat but if I can sit and explain it all, you’ll be glad it was sooner than later.”

As she stared up at his wand, the wood looking like a circular splotch against his palm, she drew in a much-needed full-lungful of air. It was as if everything had turned slow. She wondered if she would black out. The dark tip of the wand slowly flashed to life, power illuminating it as he began to cast a spell. Her vision faded and went black. Everything turned red and hazy. She saw a dirt hill before her, and a familiar man standing atop it. He gave her a lackadaisical shrug and sighed. “I warned you.” She was confused. What? What was happening? The man gave her a look. “This is how it will be then. You always choose the harder way.”

Her vision faded again, the man faded from her eyes. She felt cold stone beneath her, found herself looking at the tip of Putterly’s wand. She didn’t feel right. Her body resonated.

Then time caught back up with her. Putterly’s spell hit the floor with a resounding crushing noise. She had moved in time; dodged it at the left. It was as if her magic experienced a back draft. A sudden pulling back of the tide before the tsunami hit. She would not go with him. She would not be taken. She would make it clear that she should not be taken lightly. Her magic went feral.

“…What the hell?” Putterly said beneath his breath as he was left gaping at the hole his spell had made in the stone. He looked left, and she was picking herself up, standing. He gave her a shocked, slightly distasteful look, too slow in casting.

She smirked, feeling confident and knowing he could not possibly take her. She would be safe. She was looking at him without mercy, the pain she had felt fading and disappearing. “Jason,” she told him, pausing to smile at him as if in chastisement. “I told you to go away, but you don’t seem to get it. I’m better than you.”

There was a slight glimmer of worry and fear in his eyes. Something that had been absent the entire time she had been fighting with him. The air was electric with magic. He could feel the power and she hadn’t even done anything yet. He understood that he was in trouble. And that fear made him careless.

The corridor immediately erupted in spell-light and magic. Putterly ducked and dodged. Spells hit walls and sent stone flying. He threw his own spells one after another, trying to quickly incapacitate her. Cobras flew from his wand at her. She burnt them up before they could reach her. He tried from behind the stone ledge to encase her in a box. She dodged it, and in turn the ledge he was taking refuge behind decided to implode upon itself. He cast a spell and the opening in the courtyard stone grew in on itself, creating a wall. He began chanting, wiping blood from his eyes with his bloody hands as he built up a powerful distraction spell. The wall that had been growing and solidifying itself before him melted and he could see her blonde figure behind it. The heat caused the snow on the ground to turn to steam. Oddly enough grass grew up in its place. It took Putterly a moment in his chanting before he sprang from his position on the ground in realization, abandoning the spell. Roots thrust up from beneath the frozen earth and went at him. He destroyed them in a flurry of ice and dirt, but not before he was pierced by one, and threw an opalescent orb at her. She cried out as it hit her in the arm, her robes sleeve gone and her skin bloody. He threw a small red spell like a bullet at her, and she quickly ducked, holding her arm. He would not hit her twice. He barely had enough time to get a proper shield up before he was barraged with blue and violet spell light.

She was blacking out with her anger, losing consciousness as he was losing blood. The air was filled with smoke, debris, and noise. So much noise. So could barely hear over the pounding of blood in her ears. The snowy courtyard was being turned to slush and rubble. Putterly began casting more and more high-level dangerous spells, his previous ones not having any effect to slow her down. But it wasn’t enough.

oOo

“FIRE! FIRE!”

There were cries being raised in Hogwarts, and students who had been on their way to their commons for curfew were now coming out in droves with curiosity and interest as word was being spread.

Lee and Fred were coming back from leaving a rather decorative message on the front doors of the school. No one would forget to have a “Happy Feckin’ Holiday!” when leaving for the Express. Not after they passed the festive mess the two seventh years had made in good cheer. Fred thought the rather irate green-painted garden gnomes really made the cake.

“What’s all the ruckus?” Fred asked as students were chattering in speculation about what was happening. It seemed all the Gryffindors had gotten word or something, as the closer they got to their common room, the more packed the way got with students. “Have they seen our going-away present to the school already?”

Lee grabbed a sixth year Ravenclaw he vaguely knew. “What in the hell is going on??”

The guy looked like he wished he knew more. “There’s a fire down on the second floor, or it might be the third. I don’t know but the building is being blown to bits! The castle’s under attack or something.”

“What?! Under attack?? You sure?”

“Are you sure it’s not just a prank gone well?” Fred asked with a raised brow.

The Ravenclaw shrugged. “I was going to go have a look, we might be able to do--”

“All students back to your houses!” prefects were shouting. “Go back immediately! It is past curfew!” Hermione was among the prefects trying to keep students in order. Fred spotted one of the Hufflepuff prefects, and wondered what they were doing so far away from their commons. Though he couldn’t blame him. This seemed like the happening place to be.

“Haven’t you felt the tremors?” the Ravenclaw asked Lee.

Lee shook his head. They’d been climbing all over the place and had even used their brooms to pull off their little gift. They hadn’t noticed anything amiss.

“We were down on the first floor,” Fred informed.

“I felt that last one,” the Ravenclaw said. “I was laying in bed and I thought maybe we were having a snowstorm. I came out to check things out.”

“Lee! Lee!”

It was Kara’s voice, and Lee raised a hand to her as she pushed and shoved students aside to get to the seventh year. She was dragging Neville behind her, who looked completely upset about being a tag-along, not to mention nervous. “Live hasn’t come back yet!” Kara shouted with fright, keeping her grip tight on Neville’s hand as the crowd surged. They forced their way further into the throng of students, and Lee made a grab for Kara’s hand, but they got separated. He heard her indignant squawk followed by Neville’s name and some cursing. She was trying to get past some older years who frankly would not give her the time of day. He looked to Fred.

“What in the bloody hell is going on then?”

Peeves the poltergeist floated out through the ceiling, looking for all the world pleased. “Fire Fire!” he shouted. “Ooh what rotty rotters!” he sang in adding to the general chaos about him. He got the attention of more than a few students, and was pleased as punch for it.

Fred gave the ghost a look. “Is there really a fire?”

The specter spared him a grin. “Oh yes! Fires and sparks and rubble and light! Don’t go there Freddy Weasley, you’ll end up a fright!” he sang. Lee frowned as the poltergeist bounced about gleefully singing his tune. Fred had a wry look on his face. As if he would take orders from a ghost...

Lee looked around. He and Fred were being shoved by the throng of panicked and interested students. Some were scared, others curious. They weren’t sure what to believe, but no one was listening to the orders of the prefects. Some wanted to investigate. As a rumble was felt thoroughly this time, some students screamed. Others quickly made a beeline for the safety of their portrait hole. Though the resonant shake had been small, it was felt through the large castle.

“All students back to your houses immediately! Prefects keep them inside!”

“What’s McGonagall doing here?” Fred asked Lee over the din of voices.

“It must be serious,” Lee said. “Where’d--”

“Lee!” Kara called out from somewhere behind them. He looked and caught her back in the direction of the common room. The crowd had gotten her quite far back. McGonagall was a major obstacle between them and the confused students now. “Lee! Get to Live!” she shouted. “Go now!”

Lee thought for a moment. “You think Live could make such a ruckus?” Lee asked Fred as they pushed aside younger years and ignored McGonagall’s directives. “Or is the castle really under attack?”

Fred thought on that. He knew things Lee was not fully privy to. He knew some very specific things his twin had confided to him. He didn’t think Death Eaters would attack the school directly in trying to get to Live. Not, he joked to himself, when they could just as easily go for Harry. But then, she wasn’t big game like Harry was. And apparently Malfoy was certainly stupid enough to try things twice as they had discovered for themselves that weekend. Who said he wouldn’t be party to a third major attempt?

“We’ve got to get there now,” Fred told Lee, using him as a human plow and getting through the crowd. Lee’s complaints were nothing compared to the students being pushed aside and somewhat knocked over. Even with the rumors of what was going on, they still took offense to Lee’s jostling under Fred’s power.

As Lee sprouted horns, he turned an angry glare behind him. “Oi you! This is no time to be playing around! We’ve got an emergency! Keep your wand to yourself!” Though with horns on the top of his head it made him a far more effective plow. Students were practically jumping out of his way, and in no time he and Fred were running easily and unobstructed through the halls, following the shake of the foundation and the echoes of unmistakably battle noise.

As the air got colder, it got a noticeable scent to it. As they got closer to the sounds the scent and air got thicker, and they were stopped by Professor Sinistra, who had with her an injured Professor Flitwick. He had what looked like to Lee a major concussion. There was a bloodied cloth pressed to his head.

“Go back to your house commons,” Professor Sinistra spoke clearly and firmly. “This is no place for students.”

“What’s happening?” Lee asked, the healer in him taking over as he asked Professor Flitwick to see his head.

“A battle. Professors Snape and Tonks are handling it,” she said, entitled with the information, watching as the Gryffindor tried to do what he could to help the small professor before him. “It’s no place for students. Go to your commons. It’s past curfew.”

“Is the castle under attack or not?” Fred asked. He was given a sort of brief appraisal by the witch. He offered back a stubborn look.

“No, it’s not under attack,” she answered.

“Professor this wound isn’t that bad…But I think you have a concussion,” Lee told Flitwick. The diminutive man seemed a bit out of sorts and didn’t give too much of an indication that he was bothered with the boy’s assessment. “Don’t go to sleep.” Lee looked up at Sinistra. “Where did all this blood come from?”

She assessed the boy and pulled up the sleeve on her wand-arm to display a bloodied quick-wrap job. Her hand was wet with crimson from whatever wound was beneath. Lee looked worried. “It’s nothing to be concerned about,” the witch told him. She let her sleeve fall back down over her arm. “Now both of you back to your dormitories. You cannot stay here.”

“Are you all right?” Fred asked, wondering if he made a dash for it if she would be able to stop him.

“I cannot lift it,” she told him plainly. She helped support Flitwick to walk, who was a little out of sorts but generally alright. She didn’t use her wounded arm to help him along. She called backwards to the seventh years. “If either of you are still on this floor in the next five minutes, I’ll make sure your detentions are set for dawn when holidays are over. Get back to your commons.”

Lee and Fred looked at one another at her words.

“You know she always was one of my favorite teachers,” Fred said with a grin.

“Think she’s going to the hospital wing?”

“Well she’s not going to the berry picking festival…” They could hear the echo of an explosion. “Think she was serious? Surely Dumbledore will take care of things, right?”

Lee shrugged. “Who knows if he’s even in the castle. I’ve got a bad feeling about this…I need to make sure--”

“Lee Jordan! Fred Weasley! What are you doing on this floor?! Get back to the tower immediately!”

Lee and Fred were left looking at McGonagall like deer in the headlights. She looked on her last nerve. Her face held the expression that Fred had come to expect right before Madam Hooch whacked someone with her broom. He wondered how many Gryffindors had been on the receiving end before being forced back into their commons.

“What’s going on?” Fred asked.

“I do not have time to tell you tales Fred Weasley!” she quickly barked, walking past them in a hurry. “You will leave this floor or I’ll be writing home to your families about why you’re being expelled from Hogwarts.” She was gone as soon as she had appeared, and Lee and Fred wasted no time in following after her.

“She can’t really do that right?” Fred said as they stalked after her. “Dumbledore has to okay it, right?”

“Merlin I have a bad feeling about this…”

oOo

I promise promise promise we’ll see dear George next chap ;D You know, if Live hasn’t blown the whole castle to freakin’ bits XD BWAHAH! By the way, I really appreciate the reviews and support and everything else lovely and wonderful from you guys :D Your reviews seriously make me laugh and smile and make me feel uber-guilty about not updating, HAHA! I’ve been trying to get back to everyone in a timely manner (leave an e-mail if you don’t have a registered account here so I can get back to ya! :D) Seriously, I’m not one of those hoighty-toighty high-and-mighty authors. If you take time to say something to me, I like to get back to ya ;D Woo! HAHA seriously, I really appreciate your time ;D And to all the new readers (yes, I get notified every time someone adds this story to a favorites list or adds me to their author alert or whatever, hee hee and there‘s quite a few) thanks for checking me out and getting this far! O_O

I hope everyone has fun at the premier!! Guess who I’ll be going as? Hur hur…I’ll post up pictures in my artsite gallery if you want to see. I have a way better costume this year PLUS I’ve been doing a super-wonder woman workout so I look better too HAHA! Hee hee me and my younger sisters are going fully dressed. I’ll be putting dark marks on us too, BWAHA! I’ve converted a lot of people this time around. If the tats I sell in my shop are any indication, we have a nation filled with Death Eaters!!! ZOMG! D:

And as always (though I repeat it so you know the info still stands) I do have a mailing list if you want to be notified when I update (though if you have a account then it should tell you automatically but I know some of you like to just pop in now and then HAHA!)

T. Vaughn S.
FireValkyrie