33

Chapter 33: Another Round

Hasan fingered the smooth edge of the cracked glass. The Black Family Mirrors. Severus had sent one to him by an anonymous owl during breakfast to avoid unwanted suspicion. It had a message too saying that the other mirrors had been sent to Altair. He wasn't yet entirely sure why his father needed the mirrors so badly. Who did he need to correspond to that he couldn't with an owl or with the network floo? Maybe it was because the mirrors were secret- not something someone would suspect as being a communication device. Maybe because it was instantaneous?

Perhaps it was not so much of mistrust as it was of curiosity. Who was it that Altair communicated with? And why was it so imperative that he need such a reliable and fast mode of communication?

Hasan set the mirror on his bed as he returned to the task at hand: Hogsmeade. Halloween was to be the first Hogsmeade weekend for Hasan, but before he could even think of joining his friends he needed to have Altair's permission first. Knowing he was Altair's Pensieve made him hesitant in asking for this liberty. Hogsmeade was known to host some shady characters, it was away from the protection of the school, and a Death Eater was to be their chaperone. Granted, Altair did not know this last one, but Hasan was still unsure if he wanted to hear the answer. If Altair denied him, then it would be another stab in the gut. It would be Altair lying to him again, saying he couldn't do something because of this or that, when really it was because Hasan was too valuable as a container to lose! He set his quill to paper:

Dear (his hand hovered. Altair, he was about to write. But he always called him Dad. Was Father too formal?) Dad,

The Headmaster forgot to send Hogsmeade permission forms to us over the Summer Hols. He says that if we get written permission from our parents we can show it to our Head of House and still be allowed to go. I know you're very concerned about privacy, but you can just owl Professor Snape, right? Please think about it! All my friends will be going and there will be chaperones!

-Hasan

Hasan read it over a few times, wondering if perhaps he didn't sound a bit whiny in some places. He really wanted to go- that wasn't a lie; and he feared the implications of rejection. Honestly, Altair probably wouldn't read too much into it. It took him how long to figure out Hasan was an Animagus?

Hasan sent the letter that night. He received a response the next morning: I've contacted Severus. Be Safe.

.oOo.

The sky outside was pitch black, soul swirling black like millions of dementor cloaks swirling around and around. Neville shivered as he sat in the chair opposite the headmaster.

"-We will travel there in two weeks' time." Albus declared in a final sort of way. "It will not be pleasant. Nor will it be easy. I imagine it will test us both to our very limits. However, it needs to be done. This is war. And I will not have you go up against it alone."

"But, Albus..." Neville protested weakly, "Isn- Woul- That is to say, am I really the best candidate? Professor Moody is a trained Auror. Surely he would be able to go with you-"

But Dumbledore was already shaking his head. "Neville," he sighed in a grandfatherly way, "the knowledge that has been shared in this room is enough to put both you and me on the top of Voldemort's hit list. It is not to be thought of lightly. If we think of what could have been, what could be, why- why not add the whole Auror department to the list. The Ministry has prepared for Dark magical attacks, have they not? They have a department of Wizard officers, trained in combat, for wars! And yet I have not whispered even a hint of the truth. It is with trust and great faith that I am inviting you now, Neville, to accompany me in destroying Voldemort once and for all."

Neville swallowed. He had nothing to say to that. Yes, he knew that he should be honored to destroy a part of Voldemort's soul, but did that mean he was delighted at the prospect of travelling to some secret- most likely cursed- cave where Voldemort spent his miserable childhood vacations? Not in the least. It wasn't even that cold, yet Neville was frozen to the bone. If he were perfectly frank with himself, he was scared shitless.

"Professor, this...this cave that you've discovered. How do you even know that this is the right cave? Or that the horcrux is still there? How do you know he hasn't moved it? Or that maybe it was never there in the first place?" Neville desperately grasped at straws, hoping to find purchase. He liked being with the headmaster. He liked the attention. He liked going on privileged trips. But not like this. This seemed like a ticket straight to Death.

"Neville, there is always a chance that the horcrux is not located within the cave, but I have already scouted out the location his orphanage caretakers have indicated. I can sense the Dark Magic pulsating from its depths. There is a chance that a powerful dark magical artifact is not located within the heavily warded cave, but there is also a chance that Voldemort is just a misunderstood man. We cannot afford to take this chance! Neville, this is war. If I go alone, I will most surely die and the war will be lost. You are the only one with this knowledge that I trust to accompany me. In a way, you have the responsibility, the duty, to aid the war efforts."

Neville sunk lower in his seat. He had to do this. It was for the honor of the Longbottom family. For the House of Godric Gryffindor...

"I-What time?"

Dumbledore relaxed back in his seat. He had won this small thing at least. As Neville dismissed himself with a mumbled good-bye, Dumbledore turned his head towards the large glass window in his office. The black swirled, though nothing could be discerned.

If the locket was not within the Malfoy vault, then surely it had to be within this cave. He mind drifted to the incident with the ring...the footprints in the dust of the Gaunt House. It had crossed his mind before. Was there another hunting for Horcruxes as well? And had he or she reached the locket too already?

Not for the first time, Dumbledore wondered if it was all for naught. But just as he was about to retire for the night, a star sparked to life in the sky. A beacon of hope for the darkness of the world. That was how he liked to imagine himself...

.oOo.

Neville awoke with a splitting headache. He had this awful dream that he had agreed to go on a life gambling field trip with his happy-go-lucky lunatic of a headmaster. Then he realized it was not a dream, and his headache got a thousand times worse.

"What's wrong, sweetums?" Ginny cooed as Neville stumbled tiredly into the common room, head against hand. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"

"You look awful, mate!" Ron exclaimed most helpfully from the couch. Lavender, curled against his side, giggled as she slapped Ron's knee. Hermione gazed on disdainfully.

"I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't fall back to sleep." Neville replied lamely. "What do we have first? I'm surprised we aren't all late."

"It's a Hogsmeade weekend, silly! We're going to Hogsmeade!" Ginny laughed as she latched onto Neville's arm.

"Really? Thank Merlin!" Neville smiled. "I forgot to do my Potions' homework!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Now that everyone's here, can we please go down to breakfast now? I'm starving!"

"For a side of Theodore," Lavender snorted quietly into Ron's ear (though everyone could hear.)

"Well he does taste rather nice." Hermione quipped with a Slytherin air, leaving everyone gobsmacked in her wake. So it was with a rather smug look that Hermione entered the Great Hall that morning and plopped herself down unabashedly at the Slytherin table.

Only a smattering of kids was still at breakfast, as many had made a special point to eat early and then bolt off to Hogsmeade. For Halloween, the Great Hall was decorated in orange and black with real bats flitting around the ceiling. It was not fully decorated yet- the full effect was saved for the Halloween feast set for that night- but Dobby, who had lead the decoration committee, was quite pleased with it if anyone deigned to ask him.

At the Slytherin table sat Theo, Draco, Tracey, Daphne, and Hasan, but it appeared that the boys were in a sort of coma. After a few seconds at the table, Hermione could see why.

"I'm looking for a dress with long sleeves-"

"-like a princess-"

"-something orange?"

"-no. green-"

"-bright!"

"-something turquoise-"

"I have a tight budget-"

"No you don't!"

"-puffy?"

"-mermaid style-"

"-very muggle!-"

"-eww that's what brides wear?"

"-I think I'll set it with powder-"

"-look old- like a ghost-"

"-red lips"

"too bold?"

"kissing, leaves evidence-"

"-not talking about biting, right?"

Hermione was almost sure she zoned out of three fourths of the conversation. It wasn't that she was tomboy, or even that she was out of tune with her feminine side but these Slytherin girls talked fashion like she talked ancient runes. It was almost unreal. She turned to Theo with a sly smile.

"You'll never believe what I told the Gryffindors today..."

.oOo.

Draco was supposed to play the part of friend now, but all he could do was stare at Hasan. How was he to broach the subject of anything? The girls chattered in the background as each boy stabbed his respective breakfast disdainfully.

"So..." Draco began, "I suppose the girls want to go dress shopping today..."

Hasan shrugged.

"Aren't you going with your girlfriend, Loon- Luna?" Draco asked tentatively.

"She's not a third year," Hasan told him, deadpanned.

"So you'll be looking for her?" Draco tried.

Hasan looked directly into Draco's eyes. What was he playing at? Was he really ready to fix this relationship?

"Luna said that she was making her own dress. She's quite skilled or so I've heard." Hasan said.

Tracey upon hearing this, let out a wail. "You know we can buy her a dress, right? She doesn't need to go through making one from scratch!"

"Yeah, it'll just be a loan! She can pay us back in bits! Or just borrow one of ours!" Daphne chimed in.

Hasan looked flabbergasted. They were never this enthusiastic when talking about Herbology, but suddenly they just couldn't contain themselves.

"Well I for one think it rather sweet that Luna wants to do something herself," Hermione said.

The Slytherin girls shrugged. Making things was nice, but what was nicer than spending a few galleons?

"Draco, you're taking me, right?" Tracey asked, batting her eyelashes.

"Well, when you put it like that," he laughed. "No, I already told father I would so-"

"Real romantic, Dray," Tracey pouted playfully. "And how about you Daphne? Guys, I've been trying to get her to spill the beans for weeks, but she hasn't budged!"

Daphne let out an awkward laugh. "Sorry, but there's really nothing to tell."

"So who are you going with?"

"No one."

"Liar!" Tracey laughed. "Well, since Luna won't be coming to Hogsmeade and Daphne here refuses to cooperate, I think that Hasan can accompany her as her pseudo-date for dress shopping. Aren't you excited, Hasan?"

"Overjoyed," he smiled. He met Daphne's eyes, but she flushed in embarrassment and looked away. Hasan was unsure of what to make of it. He nonchalantly glanced up at the Head table, where Mad-Eye and Remus were indeed missing from their posts. Snape made eye contact briefly before looking away.

Hasan was so used to battling the demons of his mind...but nothing could have prepared him for the monster called Dress Shopping.

.oOo.

Severus Snape was not one for walking in the beauty of Nature and the wonderful bone-biting air, but necessity compelled him. According to Luna- a most reliable source- Bellatrix had managed to meet up with both Draco and Barty during school hours. Didn't Sirius know how to keep attendance? Apparently not.

There were many things on Severus' mind- none of them good. Why was Bellatrix making contact with Draco? Was there a conspiracy within the ranks? Was there news the Dark Lord did not deign to tell him? Perhaps she was making a family visit? Or maybe Draco's task had changed?

And did Draco really believe his Aunt? What side was Draco really on? He had started acting more sociable lately, albeit awkwardly, but it was certainly a vast improvement from what was. Could this 'change of heart' be considered part of a plot? Or was he returning to the fold. Severus doubted it where Bellatrix was involved. That deranged chit poisoned everything he touched- one of the main reasons Severus never invited her for tea...

Snape continued on his journey into the forbidden forest, passing where Hasan had found Luna a few nights ago. He had to give it to the boy, he was sensitive when it came to Luna's whereabouts. It was almost enough to melt Snape's heart from the literal bitter cold. Sure, he could cast a warming spell, but there was something about being in the raw power of nature which jolted his senses awake. He stepped deliberately, careful not to make any noise. As he ventured even deeper into the woods, a most peculiar sound caught his attention:

A humming.

Was it possible that he was not the only one out here? Did the word "Forbidden" mean nothing to these mongrel children? Screw Nature! Severus whipped out his wand, cast a warming and silencing charm around him, and crept nearer with the agility of a spy. The humming became louder and louder as he approached, but just as he reached the source of the noise, it stopped. And the forest became quiet.

"Professor, can you reach that one? I'm much too short."

Carefully, oh so carefully, Severus inched around the tree to glimpse Luna Lovegood, a basket in one hand, and a finger pointed up to somewhere above Severus' head.

Snape would not let his surprise flit across his face. "What?" he asked sharply.

She made a gesture, indicating that she couldn't hear him, and he immediately took down the silencing wards, flushing in embarrassment.

"What?" he repeated more calmly this time.

"There, right there above your head. It has caught the light now. Can you get it for me?"

Snape looked behind him, feeling stupid. What was there to see but trees? And oh dear, how was he supposed to find his way back?

"I said above your head, Professor. See it?"

"What am I-?" But then he saw it- unicorn hair. Snape turned around to face her again, examining the contents of her basket. "You are collecting unicorn hair?" he asked her steadily, knowing what use and misuse they could be put to. "For what?"

Luna smiled, "It's a surprise." she said. "Now, can you help me?"

Severus moved slowly, delicately plucking the hair from the branch and placing it in her proffered basket. This was so unreal. Didn't she know each piece sold for fifty galleons? Or that she could simply ask Hagrid and be done with this tedious harvesting?

As if sensing his thoughts, Luna said, "Hagrid's cabin is locked. It has been for months now. Besides, I wouldn't want to take any from him. He went through the effort of collecting them himself! I have to do the same."

"How...Gryffindorish. Well, in light of being lost, I think I can stand to help you for a bit."

Luna beamed at him.

"You know, you're a lot more pleasant when you're not in that stuffy dungeon." Luna remarked.

Snape huffed. "I'm still your professor, you know."

"But I'm talking to you as Hasan's friend, and as Hasan's friend myself I have to say the dungeons really take a number on your health."

"Why thank you, Miss Lovegood," Snape said dryly, placing another hair in her basket.

"And since I am Hasan's friend, I only think it's right that we friends of Hasan stick together."

Snape nodded mindlessly. This girl was crazy if she thought the big greasy bat of the dungeons was going to be her best friend.

"I'm serious!" Luna protested haughtily. "You know he tells you more than he tells me, right?"

"I find that hard to believe," Snape snorted.

"No, it's true," Luna said in that thoughtful way of hers. "Last year he tried to give me the diadem of Ravenclaw, but stopped himself at last minute."

Snape stopped in his tracks. "Dia-"

"Yes, it was very nice of him to think of me," Luna sighed. "Did you know he didn't even tell me as much? He gave me nothing, but my Inspiration worked it out months later. I don't even think he has it anymore."

"Are you quite sure it was the diadem of Ravenclaw?" Severus asked, his blood running cold and not from the weather.

"Quite sure." Luna said, looking up at him concernedly. "You know something, don't you?" she said, eyes narrowing.

Severus nodded. There really wasn't any point in lying to her. He just didn't have to tell her the whole truth. "It is a good thing that Hasan did not give you that diadem. It's cursed." He remembered vividly the conversation he and Dumbledore had a year ago. The Dark Lord was fascinated with the school's history. Voldemort had split his soul...

"Whew, that's a relief." Luna said, much to his surprise. "I was starting to worry he didn't like me that much."

"I don't think he likes anyone a lot," Snape said blandly.

Luna bent down to collect another silver thread. "I don't think that's true. He just hides it better than most. For example, Draco Malfoy is tearing him apart right now. So is Neville. He can see their struggles and can't understand why they can't just...not struggle. He's black and white like that."

"I thought he was full of grey tones," Snape disagreed. "It's never black and white for him." He grimaced as he thought of how nothing with the boy was straightforward. Stupid Altair- it really was all Altair's fault.

"Grey...tones?" Luna repeated, holding up another silvery unicorn hair. "Hey, Professor, in your professional experience can centaurs and unicorns mate?"

Snape blanched. This was going to be a long afternoon.

.oOo.

Hogsmeade.

Ginny watched as Cedric and Cho shared a kiss over a mug of hot chocolate in Madam Puddifoot's window. What she wouldn't give for Neville to give her some of that!

"Neviiilllle! I'm starving! Let's go in Madam Puddifoot's!"

Lavender, upon hearing this, tugged on Ron's arm too. Needless to say, all four ended up within the small coffee shop. Neville let himself be tugged around, but he was growing unhappier by the minute. It was pure humiliation when a freakin' naked cupid flew over them with sparkly red confetti. Ginny cooed at the cuteness. Neville smiled weakly. As it was a shop for couples, Lavender and Ron had departed to one side of the room, leaving Ginny and Neville alone in the back.

"I'll have the Lover's Liquid Lust with a side of Sexy Sugar and Couple's Cream," Ginny told the girl who came around.

"Uh- just water for me-" Neville said nervously, when he was swiftly kicked under the table.

"Actually, he'll have the same as me." Ginny smiled.

"Alright! Two Lover's Liquid Lust with sides of Sexy Sugar and Couple's Cream, coming right up!"

A cupid flew overhead and snatched the order from the waitress' hand. Neville's face was flaming. Looking past Neville, Ginny could clearly see Cedric and Cho going at it. She returned her attention to her boyfriend.

"So, Neville dear..."

.oOo.

As Tracey tried to get Hermione into a somewhat "Girly" mood, Daphne was becoming more miserable by the minute. Draco and Theo announced they were heading to this small boutique down the street, when Hasan said he'd be with Daphne getting a drink.

As the four left, Hasan turned to Daphne who was by this time quite curious.

"Are you thirsty?" Hasan asked her.

Not wanting to go dress shopping right away, if at all, Daphne nodded.

"Okay, Madam Puddifoot's it is then!" Hasan smiled at her, much to her horror.

"Hasan! That's for lovers!" she hissed, eyes darting wildly around in case anyone overheard and got the wrong idea.

"Exactly," Hasan smirked, "Everyone will be too engrossed in each other for anyone to pay any mind to us. You seem down. This is the ideal place to talk in private."

Catching on, Daphne nodded. "Oo-kay then, but I'm just getting water, nothing too lovey-dovey."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Hasan grinned.

Daphne took one step inside the coffee shop and promptly vomited a little in her mouth. There, right there in the entrance, was Cedric and Cho. Or Cho and Cedric. Or Chedric. So closely were their limbs entwined. Yes, their clothes were on. No, their hands were not kept to themselves. And yes, a heard of very amused cupids were sprinkling them with red sparkly confetti. Daphne carefully tip toed around them and headed straight for the back corner. Once the two were seated, she sent a Slytherin glare to Hasan.

"Never again." she said.

"Well, you had to admit I only had the best of intentions. Sorry if the atmosphere is uncomfortable, we can go somewhere else."

Daphne shrugged. "I'm a Slytherin queen. I don't get uncomfortable. I'm just saying that you owe me one."

Just then, a girl came around to ask for their orders.

"Two waters." Hasan answered quickly.

"Are you sure you don't want a Shared Spring? It has one large reservoir and two ends for straws!"

Daphne sent the girl a dangerous smile. "Two waters will be all, Miss."

The girl jotted down the plain order disdainfully and nearly punched the cupid that came flying by with the force of her thrust.

Daphne let a ghost of a smile grace her face.

"You weren't lying were you?" Hasan asked suddenly.

Daphne froze. "What are you talking about?"

"When you said you didn't have a date. You weren't lying, were you?"

The Slytherin shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"I keep telling her, but she won't listen."

"You know you can ask someone, right?" Hasan said.

Daphne actually laughed at that. "Hasan, you can't just walk up to someone and-"

"Why not?"

Daphne fixed him with a look. "You really don't know do you?"

"Know what?"

She sighed. "Hasan, there are these unspoken rules about asking people out for a night. It's traditionally the guy's responsibility anyway, but that rule is changing a bit. But not in high class society."

"And you are...high class?" Hasan asked harshly.

"No, that's not what I mean!" she protested, wringing her hands. "No, it's just that if a girl asks many guys, they might all talk and say the girl is desperate, or has low standards. It could paint a bad picture for her reputation. That she's undesirable if no one wants her. I'm also in Slytherin, so there's an expectation that I must go with someone within my own House."

"...You know this isn't marriage, right? You can just ask-"

"But Hasan! I can't! Can't you see? I don't even know who is going with whom. It's humiliating if I ask someone already taken..."

Hasan looked at her as if she had grown another head. Guys were used to rejection. Why was it such a big deal for her?

"But you want to go with someone, right?" Hasan asked.

Daphne nodded miserably. "But it's not the end of the world if I don't. I just...he's already taken." She rested her head on her hands and sighed.

Hasan sighed too. Girls. Too confusing. After a while, the two just sat there in silence. Daphne looked lost in thought, when Hasan began eavesdropping on the surrounding conversations:

"Don't you like your Lover's Liquid Lust?"

"It's not my favorite."

"Want to order something else?"

"Not really...Ouch! Why do you keep kicking me?"

"Why are you acting like this?"

"You just kicked me!"

"No! I mean the fact that you don't want to even try ordering something new."

"Fine! I'll get something if it makes you happy!"

"URGH! That's not the point!"

"Then tell me what is!"

"I-"

"What? Say it!"

"I think we need to take a break..."

"...you're breaking up with me?...Look, I'll forgive you if you just take me to the Yule Ball, okay? We can forget this even happened..."

"I-"

"Why can't you talk to me? Hey! Are you even looking at me? What are you-? Are you looking at HER?"

Hasan could feel something was about to happen. His eyes widened as glass crashed against the floor. He watched Daphne's face as she continued to have that distant look...wait, was she looking at-?

"NEVILLE! I'LL SEE YOU AT THE YULE BALL." Ginny stormed angrily out of the shop, tripping over Chedric most ungracefully. Everyone turned to watch the Boy-Who-Lived die of humiliation.

As Neville ran out after Ginny, Daphne abruptly stood up.

"I forgot I left something somewhere-" Daphne called breathlessly as she sprinted out into the cold.

Hasan was left alone as his water was brought to him by a very sad looking cupid.

"Love is unpredictable, isn't it?" the cupid lamented.

.oOo.

Daphne ran after Neville, spurred on by that uncontrollable force called Stupidity. Maybe she was more Gryffindor than she ever cared to admit. Luckily, she didn't have to run far because Neville was out of breath in seconds...

"Stop chasing me, Ginny!" Neville huffed, hands on his knees.

"-It's not. It's Daphne."

...Daphne? Neville's mind went haywire. She couldn't have possibly heard Ginny all but shout he had been staring at Daphne the whole time, right?

"I...you dropped this." Daphne lied, quickly taking some red confetti from her hair and offering a pile to Neville. He turned around slowly, knowing he hadn't dropped anything, and grinned slightly at the pile.

"Thanks." he said. "But I think I dropped them on purpose."

"Oh really? I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want some red confetti."

Neville paused. Had she just...made a joke...to him? His head was not screwed on right today- Curse Dumbledore!

Act cool, Neville. He told himself, She's been over your house before, remember? You're friends! Just friends! You can talk with her without seeming weird!

"So... I guess you heard...Ginny and me." Neville said lamely.

Daphne nodded. "Sorry, but it was rather loud."

"You're going with Hasan?" Neville asked. "I wasn't expecting that. Maybe I can go with Luna then..."

"NO!"

"What?" Neville appeared startled.

"I-I just meant that-" Daphne muttered. She took a deep breath. "Hasan is going with Luna, he was just kind enough to take me out today to go dress shopping since I don't have a date yet...oh shit. Hasan's still in there! I just abandoned him, didn't I?"

Neville nodded slightly. He didn't want her to go...what was this feeling? Neville stared at her retreating figure as Hasan emerged from the coffee shop. Hasan made direct eye contact with him causing him to blush and look away. He hadn't been extremely polite to Hasan recently...

Neville put his head down and continued to walk down the street. Why was he so attracted to Daphne? She was a Slytherin for Merlin's sake! Dating her would be like... betraying his cause! And why was he thinking about dating already? He hadn't even had the balls to ask her to a dance—a dance which he may or may not be going to with Ginny. And...did he even break up with Ginny?

He had wanted to. He had tried to. He had intended to. But did he? She seemed to think otherwise. And maybe that was good because she was a Weasley! Dumbledore would want him to keep his love interest within the Light side! And when did Dumbledore become a part of his choice in women? Eww. He did not want to think about that.

Was he betraying everything he knew just for a pretty face? He didn't even know Daphne very well if he were honest with himself...Just when he was about to head back to Hogwarts, a fist came flying out of nowhere! His nose split open with an agonizing crack, blood gushing uncontrollably from such a small cavity.

"YOU DUMPED MY SISTER YOU BASTARD!"

Neville could hear giggles in the background: "Get him Ronnikins! Get him good!"

"I-I-I-"

"I HATE YOU NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!" Ginny shouted, tears pouring down her face.

Daphne turned at the sound of commotion, gasping in horror as she saw the red pour around the boy. She was about to show those Gryffindor's the wrath of Slytherin, but Hasan held her back.

"Expecto Patronum!" he whispered...and Daphne gaped.

.oOo.

Draco had just finished paying for a rather expensive dress (which we should all note he was not allowed to see yet) when he took a step outside in the cold wintry air.

"Thank you so much!" Tracey gushed happily.

"You know I would've paid for yours too, right?" Theo nudged Hermione.

Hermione shrugged. "I have money." It wasn't that she was being stubborn and making a feminist point, well partly, but there really wasn't any necessity for Theo to be providing for her. It seemed old-fashioned, a bit sexist, and binding. She didn't need to owe him anything.

Just as the four were going to head back up to the castle for a nice cup of hot chocolate- for all were cold and very tired from their tedious day of shopping- a giant silver peacock went running past them, leaving ghastly silver tendrils in its wake.

"What the-?" Draco's silver eyes bugged out of his head. "Father?" he breathed. They watched the peacock stop some distant away, no more than a pulsating ball of silver, before coming back...with Professor Lupin in tow!

In the opposite direction, loud shouts were coming from outside Madam Puddifoot's cafe. Wails and shouts and gasps! As Lupin hurdled passed them, traveling faster than anyone could have imagined the old professor could run, the four chased after. What was going on? And who did that patronus belong to?

The scene that Lupin, Hermione, Theo, Draco, and Tracey happened upon was of Lavender and Ron shouting battle cries and Ginny screaming like a banshee. A small crowd had amassed around an unknown fallen figure. It seemed that everyone was too scared to do anything but watch. While everyone else was occupied, Draco's eyes followed the silver peacock up to its creator- up on the hill to Daphne who was next to Hasan. Wait, what? Hasan was holding Daphne back as the girl tried to claw her way out of his grip.

"KICK HIM HARDER!" Lavender cried.

"MORE MORE!" that was Ginny.

"UH! GRR! THAT'S FOR HURTING MY SISTER!"

"TAKE THAT!"

Was this Armageddon? Draco thought to himself. Who was the boy being beaten?

Suddenly, Hermione gasped. "It's Neville!" she whispered. "Ron's kicking him!"

But this still didn't explain why Hasan had a peacock patronus or why Daphne was being restrained.

"Everyone step away! Let me pass!" Remus commanded the students. When they refused to move, he got angry. "I said STEP AWAY!"

The crowd parted slowly, letting Lupin approach the broken bundle that was once known as Neville Longbottom. Lupin's nostrils flared. His wolf instincts caused him to bar his slightly pointed teeth. The crowd backed away faster this time. The werewolf turned his bright yellow eyes towards one Ronald Weasley who was by now blinded and made dumb by rage.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" Remus yelled. No one would answer, then, everyone erupted into chatter:

"HE-"

"GINNY!"

"BASTARD-!"

"-dumped her- saw it in Madam-"

"Kill him!"

"-wouldn't stop kicking!"

This was going nowhere!

"ENOUGH!" Remus shouted. "Mr. Weasley, Miss Weasley, and Miss Brown, follow me at once." Then, unexpectedly, he turned his gaze towards a boy on the hill- one whom no one had paid any attention to before. "Mr. Castell," Lupin said, "if you could please take Mr. Longbottom to get the best treatment. I will be with you shortly."

Draco watched as the three Gryffindors were led away with fists at their sides before watching Hasan descend to the common people. Skillfully, Hasan cast the stupefy charm, ceasing all of the boy's agonizing twitches, then he levitated Neville onto a stretcher. Daphne and Hasan walked up to the building together. Once safely inside the castle, Hasan turned towards the dungeons.

"Wha-?" Daphne asked softly, realizing they weren't headed towards Madam Pomfrey.

"He did say the best treatment, did he not?" Hasan replied. They descended to the dungeons, before knocking furiously on Snape's office door. It opened quickly, much to their surprise.

"What in Salazar's name?" Snape asked, feeling a headache coming on.

.oOo.

Severus was pressing potions into the worst of Neville's injuries when Albus Dumbledore unexpectedly and unannounced flooed into the room. Hasan was currently curled up on Snape's living room couch as Daphne sat quietly across from him on the floor, head in her lap. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had inadvertently caused this. Without her, Ginny wouldn't have gotten mad...

"Remus has just informed me that Mr. Longbottom has had an accident!" Dumbledore cried, stumbling into the room without his famed grace.

"More than an accident!" Snape sneered angrily. "Headmaster! They have beaten him to a bloody pulp because he spurned the young Weasley's advances!"

"Ginevra?" Albus asked, "She said nothing of the sort! She was concerned for the welfare of her boyfriend!"

Snape whipped around to fully face the headmaster, drawing himself up to his full height.

"Can you honestly look at him and say that Neville has simply fallen down the stairs? Two cracked ribs, a broken nose, a concussion, a fractured elbow! The list continues! We have several witnesses willing to testify that they saw Ronald Weasley beat him- resorting to such crude muggle tactics- including one Professor Lupin!"

"But-"

"No, excuses Albus!" Severus roared. "It is time to face the facts! Look at your golden boy! LOOK AT HIM! You have done this to him! YOU! By forcing this role upon him! Ginevra Weasley has become obsessed! Isn't it you who always preaches the power of love? Well here it is! Congratulations Albus!"

"Severus-" Albus held up a hand, weakly, beseechingly.

Both men forgot that Hasan and Daphne were in the room. Both men forgot that Neville was only temporarily stupefied and that his mind too was functioning quietly.

"YOU CREATED THE BOY-WHO-LIVED AND YET YOU REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS SAFETY!"

"This is beyond either of us, Severus! I need him to go with me to destroy One of them! I have found One and he is to come with me!"

Severus made a dramatic sweep of his arm over Neville's shattered body. "Yes! He's in mint condition to suffer even more at your hands, Albus!"

For the first time, Albus let his eyes fall upon the body; the body which lay on its stomach, stripped of its shirt. Bloody, bruised, helpless. A horrible gurgle emanated from his throat then- a choked sob.

"I shall go alone then." Albus said with obvious effort, words getting caught in his throat. "I am sorry. So sorry." He approached the hospital bed with careful, ginger steps. His twinkling eyes teared up even as his mind tried to comprehend the sheer emotion running through him. He had done this?

But Ron had said...But Ginevra had said...The Weasleys! The Gryffindors! They had come running into his office, with Remus looking like he could rip out Hell with his teeth, shouting that Remus was crazy! Remus was losing control- transforming! (They knew of his condition from being in the Order). They couldn't possibly speak frankly with such a man in the room! So Albus had dutifully sent the werewolf out, trusting his golden Gryffindors over the half-breed. He now saw that he was wrong.

They had spun him a tale of Slytherin victimizing Gryffindor, of Slytherins pushing Neville to his death. Of Ginny crying helplessly over his broken body. They had lied! The Gryffindors had lied like-like dirty Slytherins! The irony! Albus had not even once considered that perhaps Lupin looked as crazed as he did for all the right reasons. In all honestly, Albus thought that he appeared much the same way right now.

"Forgive me." Albus said shortly. And he began chanting a low string of Latin, words that Snape recognized but had never before used in practice because the ancient spells used internal magic more than the magic of the universe. Snape had half a mind to shove Albus aside and yell at him for being an idiot for trying to kill himself. But half of him felt that it was only right.

.oOo.

It was around midnight when Albus finally finished, nearly collapsing from exhaustion. Neville would need to spend a week in recovery still, but he was in much better shape than before...

Snape didn't have to agree with Albus to respect him. He let Albus sleep in his own chambers as Snape took the couch. Moments like these reminded Snape that he had indeed chosen the right side. That he had put his faith in a man who- while flawed- had the courage and commitment to try to fix things. In other words, he was confident that he had put his life rightfully in the hands of a Gryffindor.