Darkness Rising: The Unicorn Hunt Chapter 17: Dinner, Reunions and Breakups, a harry potter fanfic

This one's for Altari - who read the whole story and told me all about it on Yahoo messenger - glad you liked it Al.

Chapter Seventeen: Dinner, Reunions and Break-Up's

She was in her favorite black jumper, sitting on the fallen tree branch in the moonlight. Justine was just beginning her fifth year at Hogwarts and it was a beautiful clear night. Draco would be here soon and she couldn't wait to see him. She smiled to herself and started humming the tune she had just heard as she walked past the choir room.

Hearing footsteps coming up behind her, Justine was delighted as she recognized the even, proud footfall of her boyfriend.

In her sleep, Justine twisted a little, wanting to wake so she didn't have to see the boy that she loved become the monster who had haunted her memories for two years.

Then suddenly the memory seemed to change somehow, and the dream became pleasant. Draco was there with her, holding her, smiling down at her, and she was looking up at him. "Draco, is this love?" she asked him.

"Of course it is," Draco told her, grinning gently.

"But is it true love?" Justine prodded.

"I think so," he hugged her, "What about you?"

"I hope so," she replied, and hugged him back. He kissed her nose.

"Besides, what's the difference?"

"Justine? Justine?" a voice was calling to her – his voice. She stirred, opening her eyes and looking up into Draco's concerned face. He was older than he had been in a moment ago, his face showing strain and anxiety, though Justine couldn't place what would be upsetting him so much… that's alright, she was awake now, and she could make it all better.

She smiled and the ice and frost that Draco had carefully constructed around his love for Justine for the last few years completely vanished, evaporating and leaving him fresh and new in the spring. This was the smile he had missed, the one that he only ever saw her use for him, a sweet smile, the curved bow of her mouth curved at the edges and a tiny dimple in her left cheek, "Draco?" she mumbled. "Are you sure this is true love?"

Justine then remembered why he looked older. This was the new Draco. She looked up at him, blinking hazily.

For a second, Draco's mind went completely blank – what the hell was she talking about? Then the conversation she was referring to swam up through the recesses of his mind and he was assailed with the feelings he had felt for her that night. "You dream about that?" he blurted out before he could think of something more diplomatic to say. 'Good one Malfoy,' he thought to himself, 'smooth.'

Justine blinked, then her eyes widened and she started struggling in his grasp, trying to break free, the embarrassment causing her hands to start sparking again. He tightened his grip on her as gently as he could, though it was hard, the satiny fabric of her dress reducing his ability to catch her, trying to keep her in his lap and calm her down and soon she succumbed and lent against his chest with a sigh, her forehead on his collarbone tucked under his chin.

"What the hell are we doing here, um, together? Weren't we meeting at midnight?" she asked.

"Um…" Draco muttered – what the hell was he supposed to say to that? That he had been late and in the meantime some guy she had dated had just tried to rape her?

Suddenly Justine went utterly still. Raising her chin slowly she looked up at him, her beautiful green eyes filling with tears as she whispered, "James – he tried to … you – I was waiting for you, and you didn't come! What's going on, how did you get here? I want my mum!" She curled up against his chest and started crying, convulsive sobs wracking her frame. Draco just held her and rocked back and forward, not sure if he should say something or what.

"It's ok. He's gone now. Harry took the block off your powers. Everyone else left, but because my magic is like yours, I stayed to keep you safe," Draco told her.

"You wanted to keep me safe?" Justine asked, her voice somehow reminded him of a drowning swimmer clutching anything that could keep her afloat. "You cared?"

"Of course I cared. I never stopped caring. I just used to mask that with hate … I'm sorry," Draco told her with complete honesty, still rocking her gently. Justine smiled slightly, the tears still running down her cheeks.

"I didn't, you know that right? I didn't do what … what you thought I did in fifth year … I wouldn't – especially not with Kris," Justine told him.

"You seem to like him," Draco offered.

"Kris's my brother," Justine replied. "In everything but blood."

"OK then," Draco said quietly, believing her completely. "So what now?"

Justine wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I still want my mum," she said, and tears began streaking down her cheeks again. Draco handed her a handkerchief from his pocket.

"Is your mum here?" he asked.

"She's with Severus," Justine replied, rubbing the cloth over her cheeks to scour away the tears. Draco calmly started running his fingers through her hair to help her clean up.

"You mean the woman in the blue dress?" Justine nodded, "We all thought that was his girlfriend!"

"Ew! No – she's his sister in law!" Justine exclaimed, and started laughing, hard and long, she tried to stop, but found she couldn't.

"I think you're a little hysterical," Draco remarked. "You should try to calm down before we leave the clearing – if your mum is at the party … do you really think it's a good idea to go back there? There's lots of people, what if your magic surges again?" he conjured a drink of water, and gave it to Justine, who tried to stop laughing long enough to take a sip, and suddenly burst into tears again.

"Do you really want to be laughing and crying when we go into that hall? Maybe we should just go to the boat, and I'll put you into bed and go and get your mother and bring her to you," Draco suggested, and suddenly found himself almost knocked over as Justine wrapped her arms around him.

"You can't leave me!" she said desperately.

"So how are we going to do this?" Draco asked, smiling a little.

"You're gonna knock me up on cheering charms – they got me through the first half of the evenings and they'll bloody well get me through the last of it," Justine informed him brightly.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Yes. And you are going to stay with me all evening, just in case something happens."

Ten minutes later they walked together into the Great Hall. Draco had charmed all the grime of Justine's dress, and she was restored to her former glory, and they looked around to see if they could spot anyone that Justine would feel comfortable with. Over on the far side of the Hall, the three Kallaix boys who had gone to the clearing, plus Mark, were standing around together looking mightily pleased with themselves.

Greg, Severus and Julia were standing together in a little knot, looking worried; they had picked up the basic gist when Kris had told Greg. When they spotted Justine and Draco heading straight for them, they hurried over to meet them – Severus looking very worried. Justine didn't even look at her uncle or the man she saw as the closest thing she had to a father in Australia. Without letting go of Draco's hand, she ran to her mother and threw her arms around her neck, leaning against her chest. Draco moved so that his arm wasn't in too much of an uncomfortable position and smiled slightly at Severus, then at Greg, looking somewhat nervous.

"Don't you think you should let go of the poor young man's hand?" Julia asked her daughter, who shook her head and clung to Draco's hand harder than ever, a look plastered on her face that reminded all present who knew him of a determined Calis that they let it go. Julia looked at Draco. "Is my daughter alright?" she demanded.

"I hope so, ma'am," Draco said.

Julia looked at Greg and Severus, "If you will excuse me – perhaps I should speak with her alone first..."

Neither of the men looked too happy with this suggestion, but both nodded in acquiescence with a mother's wishes and backed away. Julia led her daughter and Draco up to one of the top boxes and sat them both down, summoning a Fawn to provide with them soothing drinks. "Are you going to tell me what happened?" Julia asked her daughter.

"Not yet, in fact, I don't think you need to know the details, just believe me that I'm fine and all will be well " Justine replied, sitting very close her mother's side while not letting go of Draco. He couldn't help but to be a little proud of how well Justine was coping. He had a sudden memory of sitting in a darkened room with his mother, though it was morning outside, holding Narcissa while she cried and screamed like her heart was breaking. Lucius was a bastard, to say the least.

"Are you going to introduce me to the young man that you aren't letting go of?" Julia enquired suddenly.

"Oh. Mum, this is Draco, Draco this is mum." Justine said gesturing with her chin.

Julia's eyes darkened a little at the sound of Draco's name, but since her daughter seemed happy enough, she decided not to go into their past relationship right now, in fact, she had been watching the couple silently. A blind man could see something was between them. "I've heard a lot about you, Draco."

"I hope some of it was good," Draco remarked, and Julia was glad to see not a trace of cockiness, simply acceptance.

"It was once," Julia acknowledged with a small smile.

Draco nodded. He couldn't hope for more than that.

Ax watched Kris, Mark and Jeffery smiling smugly at each other, and had to admit that charming 'Asshole' across James' forehead and then locking him in the Hogwarts dungeons had been a rather good idea… and then Peeves taking him on as his own personal torment toy… but it wasn't good enough. Kris and Jeffery had both gotten their turns to hurt the little bastard, but he hadn't. Damn them …

Looking around, Ax spotted Severus and Greg looking a little worried and looking up at one of the boxes. He followed their gaze and saw Draco, Justine and Julia sitting together – so, Draco had been forgiven then. That was probably a good thing … but if he hurt Justine now, Ax wouldn't be stopping at marring his face – he'd chop out the little bastards black heart. But everyone deserved a second chance, apparently.

But Draco wasn't the main problem now – James was. Ax looked back at Severus and Greg, and a cold smile played at his lips. Yes, that would be perfect. Ax slipped away from his present company and headed towards the two adults. "Ax, hello!" Greg said, trying to sound jolly, but the note of anger in his voice was easy to find.

Just as he was about to answer, Jean Wadsworth approached them as well. "Is something wrong?"

"James tried to rape Justine," Ax saw no reason to blunt his words.

Both the men's faces darkened and Ax knew his words had had the desired effect. Kris may have given them a gist of the events, but his choice of words had more… impact. He couldn't hurt James now, but these two definitely could.

"What did Kris do to him?" Mrs. Wadsworth asked, voice utterly calm, but Ax knew that tone – she was so angry now that she was calm. That was scary. The last time she had spoken like that, three people had been expelled from Kallaix.

"Him and Jeffery beat James up," Ax replied with a shrug. "Miss, remember – this doesn't come under your jurisdiction. The act was only attempted and it didn't happen within the school grounds at Kallaix. The student trial will be held tomorrow, I imagine, and we will decide the outcome. Rest assured, we won't go easy on him."

"Where is James?" Severus asked.

"Locked in the dungeon's with asshole written across his forehead. It won't be coming off any time soon either, Peeves is having some fun." Ax smirked. Severus and Greg looked at one another and smiled.

"Excuse us," they said simultaneously and walked away. Ax was somewhat intimidated. "I wouldn't want to be James right now."

Justine had allowed herself to be removed from her mother, and Julia was on the dance floor with Remus, both laughing loudly at some memory. Draco thanked his new parent at that moment, even Draco could see that Julia needed to be calmed, and as Severus and Greg were busy, and Remus had known Justine's father and mother while she was pregnant, he was a great option. Julia would be fine, the men would have retribution, they would be fine. The Kalliax'ians would get theirs tomorrow at dawn.

But Justine still refused to let go of Draco, not that he had asked, and now they were slow dancing on the dance floor, her leaning calmly against his chest, utterly exhausted but refusing to leave the party until it was over, in true Australian style.

As the dance finished, and they headed away from drinks, in the hopes of this managing to wake Justine up a little more, a miniature cannon ball shot into Justine, wrapping very human arms around her waist and snuggling in against her back. "Tanya?" Justine asked, trying to free herself before she choked to death.

There was an incoherent mumble against Justine's back, which she took as a confirmation. "What are you doing?"

"Ax told me about James," Tanya mumbled into Justine's back. "'M sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" Draco enquired. "You certainly didn't coerce James into doing what he did."

"But I wasn't there," Tanya said.

"There were enough people there," Justine assured Tanya, "So I was fine, as soon as they arrived, which was right in time."

"OK," Tanya said, and let go of Justine, who turned to face her. There was a strange expression on Tanya's face, one that was both worried and surprisingly vacant.

"Are you OK?" Justine asked her.

"Oh, I'm fine," Tanya replied, a very dreamy smile wandering over her face. Without another word, she wandered off, the dreamy smile still on her lips.

"What was that about?" Draco wondered.

"No idea …" Justine muttered, looking after Tanya.

Ax stood on the balcony looking after Tanya as she wandered into the hall, feeling utterly confused. He watched as she spotted Justine and raced over to hug her, then as she wandered off again, that dreamy smile back on her face. He shook his head slightly – every time he thought he was getting somewhere with understanding women, one of them would come along and do something like this.

He had found her after Severus and Greg had gone off towards the dungeons, and had thought that she really ought to know what happened with James – there would be a trial in the morning, and rather than letter her stay behind the times, he had explained what had gone on in the clearing not all that long before.

Tanya had lost it completely, practically crying with fury, her entire body quivering with fury at what had occurred. She had been ranting and raging for some time, while Ax tried to calm her down, and ultimately failed. On impulse, and since nothing else was working, he leant in and kissed her gently.

It did have the desired effect – she calmed down very quickly. In fact, she completely froze, her entire body seemed to stop moving, he wasn't even sure if she was still breathing. She didn't kiss him back, but she didn't push him away. He pulled back, and she didn't move, so he kissed her again. Kissing her seemed different to kissing any one else he had kissed, but he wasn't sure why.

Suddenly Tanya seemed to recover from being frozen, and she pushed him gently away. Ax backed off quickly, hoping he hadn't scared her or something. But Tanya was wearing a very dreamy smile, and when he stepped away, she had turned and wandered off in a daze.

Ax shook his head as he watched Tanya continue to wander through the Great Hall, still with that dreamy smile. He certainly wasn't used to girls just turning and wandering off after he'd kissed them … or at least, not without some indication that they had enjoyed kissing and would like it to continue.

One of the Hogwarts students – or possibly Saul – would have undoubtedly spiked the drinks by now, and Tanya was heading straight for the drinks table, seemingly utterly unaware that this would have happened. Ax shook his head – she hadn't come to nearly enough of the Wentworth parties to realise that spiking occurred somewhere around eleven at night. With a sigh, Ax headed off to make sure she didn't drink the spiked stuff.

By the time the ball started to break up, they had made it quite a few hours into the morning, and everyone was staggering around, drunk with the desire to sleep. Ax and Tanya were being careful to avoid each other, neither of them sure what was going to happen next, or sure exactly what they wanted out of the relationship that might be able to develop …

Draco was the only non-Kallaixian who was coming with them, because Justine had still not let go of him. No one who didn't know what had gone on between Justine and James seemed to have even noticed his absence. A short time before they reached the boat, Justine's grip on Draco tightened, and then she fainted.

Draco half turned and caught her, lifting her into his arms and continuing walking down the wharf and onto the cruiser. Kris, who was directing all of the new students to their beds for the night looked at Justine and Draco, then smiled slightly and gave Draco some directions.

"Which room would that be?" Draco asked.

Kris smiled faintly as he replied, "Justine's. See you in the morning, the trial is set for sunrise."

"You trust me in her room all night with her in a state like this?" Draco enquired in surprise. He had seen Kris's over-protectiveness in action on several occasions now, and he was shocked – to say the least – that Kris would let him anywhere near Justine, particularly after what had occurred earlier.

"She trusts you," Kris told Draco, "That's enough for me. Now move along – you're blocking the gang-plank!"

Draco carried Justine to the room he had been given directions to and lay her down on the bed. Her grip on his hand didn't loosen, so, with some trepidation, he sat down beside her, hoping that she would react badly when she woke up in the morning. His mind was still alive with a wash of happy memories of his former relationship with Justine, memories that he had deliberately put out of his mind in the years passed. He leant one elbow on his knee and watched her sleep, and then decided that sleeping in that dress, although one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen, was not a good idea…

Draco stood and wandered around her room, tracing a hand down the side of the black gown she had worn to the Hunt Feast. Damn, he wondered if he could get her back into this now he could hold her, the night of the Hunt feast all he had wanted to do, as much as he had hated himself for it, was sweep her into his arms and dance with her, kiss her, be with her…

Then he saw her dressing table and smiled - on it lay her head girl badge for Kallaix, next to a toiletry bag, make up kit and some other girly things. He picked some of them up and looked them over, smiling as he encountered a satiny caramel coloured bra tossed haphazardly across the back of a chair. He saw some sheet music with runes and spells spread across a bench and decided that was her sorcery notes from the songs they had performed earlier that evening. He was reading through one of the pages of the song that he liked to think of as his, when Justine rolling over caused his attention to be drawn back to the girl herself. He walked over and gently lifted her into his arms, undoing the halter behind her neck, careful to hold the dress in place, then pulled a sweater from a nearby chair that was large enough to fit her as a night gown over her head, slipping her arms in place and down around her hips before pulling the gown off. Then he removed her jewellery and shoes, gently stroking that satiny skin of the nape of her neck and the arch of her foot. Rather proud of himself he charmed off all her makeup and slid her into the cool sheets, removed his jacket, tie and shoes, sliding in next to her and taking her gently in his arms.

Draco fell into a light, peaceful sleep …

He woke again as the watery light of pre-dawn seeped through the window in Justine's birth on the cruiser. He had half-woken periodically through the last few hours, if she moved or made noises, worried she would have nightmares. But now she was peacefully lying in his arms, her hair in the pillow behind her and her cheek resting on his arm, facing him. He reached out and flicked a piece of her hair off her face gently.

Justine stirred as she felt his finger lightly brush across her face, and her eyes flickered open. She looked at Draco, for a moment forgetting the events of the night before and starting in surprise, then, when he gently lay his hand over hers, she remembered, and turned against his chest, not crying, but obviously seeking his support. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.

Not really caring how he came to be in her bed, but glad Draco was there, Justine sighed, her mind was racing at a thousand thoughts a minute, the events of the night before and their consequences today were at the forefront. The trial was to be held at an hour past sunup, which meant that she would have to relive the whole ordeal... God why did Kallaix have to have this sort of Judicial System.

"Draco?" she asked tentatively.

"I'm here," he said, holding on to her tightly. "I'll be here for as long as you need me."

"Really?" Justine looked up at him, entirely confused about the entire situation, and what the hell she should do next.

"Really," Draco assured her.

Justine smiled and reached up trace a finger along his jaw line, along Ax's scar, then looked up at him. "Does this mean we're friends again?"

Justine's question threw Draco somewhat, how to answer that? "Yes, I think we are..."

Justine seemed to take it for whatever value it possessed, because she closed her eyes, snuggled her head deeper into his arm and closer her eye's. Draco felt peace like he hadn't for years, just laying there holding her, and realised that Justine was right. For the last few years all he had focused on was the passion and love that he had lost, when one of the greatest things in all that he had lost had been her friendship.

He drifted to sleep.

"Where are they?" Tegan wondered, pacing up and down the library on the cruiser. She, along with the rest of the Kallaix Court were standing around, waiting for Justine and Draco to appear.

James wasn't present yet either, but three members of the football team had gone to find him and fetch him from the dungeons ... no one was too sure where Justine was, however.

Suddenly, the door opened and Justine strolled onto the deck, leaning against Draco Malfoy's side, his arm around her waist, and holding her hand, both of their hands resting on Justine's hip. She looked remarkably relaxed after what had happened the night before.

Tanya was standing in one corner of the room, staying out of the way because she was too emotional and if she started speaking, she wouldn't be able to stop ...

Justine let Draco lead her towards a chair between himself and Harry, who had arrived a while ago, and had been chatting to Kris until now, and before she sat, Kris gave her a huge bear hug, which made her smile a little.

She was wearing a white tee shirt and jeans, as she looked around, Tanya noticed every one of the Australians not on the panel give her looks of support. Tanya leant her own by shooting her a bright smile. Tegan walked over behind her, squeezing her shoulder.

Tanya let her support show in the smile, and hoped Justine would understand that she didn't dare say anything just yet.

Suddenly the door opened and James was frogmarched into the room by the football players and forced into a seat. The moment she saw him, Tanya's eyes narrowed, and she had to force herself to stay in one position and not run over and slap the idiot.

Tegan didn't seem to feel any such restraint, and the second that she saw James, she gave a wolfish growl and launched herself at him, her eyes narrowed, teeth bared in intense dislike. For a moment her wolf nature took over, and she could only think that this male had harmed one of the females in her pack. Although Justine was the Alpha-female of the human pack, Tegan was the protector, and in the wolf's mind, being the protector meant that she had to destroy the thing which had come to attack her pack.

She managed to almost get to him before Saul appeared in front of her and Kris grabbed her by the arm.

"Tegan, you'll make this worse, take your revenge later, but get off the boat for now," Kris said quite calmly, dragging her backwards as James cowered behind a footballer.

Tegan glared at him one last time and snarled as she stomped off, Saul following to make sure she was ok.

Kris composed himself and returned to his role as head boy of the school, a role Tanya had only ever seen him fall into a few times, but she had to admit, when he did, she could tell why he was a Steelwell. An aura of calm power surrounded him as he; Ax and Jeffery climbed into the pulpit and gestured for everyone to take their places.

Jeffery began the proceedings. "You will be judged by Kris, as head boy, Alexander and I. The hearing will start immediately after we take our places, then you will appoint a speaker, who will, in an unbiased way, argue your case. You have been witnessed committing a crime illegal, heinous and despicable. You actions not only disgust your fellow school mates, but also severely harmed the well being of our Head Girl. Your actions will be now Judged…"

"She led me on!" James cut in before Jeffery could say anything else.

"You will be silent until instructed otherwise," Kris interrupted harshly. "You are accused of attempting to rape another student who has made it clear that she is disinterested in you. You are further accused of acting violently towards this young woman prior to the attempted rape. These are not the actions of an innocent man, they are in fact punishable by 'out of school' charters in the School Law. I warn you, as I over see these proceedings, if you push me, I will send for the authorities." His face was a mask of fury before his unemotional one fell deftly into place.

Ax, who had been staring down his nose at James took over at this point. Tanya could see in his face, though she wasn't sure others could because it was drawn into an unemotional mask, under the surface he was seething. "You are not to speak unless given leave to, or, as Kris has instructed I may do, I will hold you contempt of this court and pass you onto legal authorities. The Aurors would love this, I'm sure." He looked around the room. "James, you may now pick your speaker, and may I advise you to choose well, for punishment is certain in this crime"

James suddenly seemed to realise he wasn't going to get out of this by playing the poor victim and stood straight, wincing only a little and holding his side, where, little be known to the rest of the group, Severus Snape had cursed him the night before. He grinned maliciously up at the heads table and then looked around the room, finally settling his gaze on Isaac.

He sneered and said in a dramatic voice "I call sixth year prefect Isaac Thorpe-Townsend to speak for me if he will."

Isaac looked angry for a moment, the sheer audacity of James calling him was astounding. It was well known that Isaac was fair and a good speaker in trails, almost as good as Jeffery had been in sixth and fifth years. Then, his choice made, he stood, walking to the bar. "I accept the right to speak on behalf of my schoolmate, James, although I do so out of obligation, not respect."

Ax grinned and nodded. "Duly noted Isaac, as I know you to be familiar with the case you may begin when you are ready."

Isaac took a moment and turned and said in a clear voice. "Fellow school mates. Not a single person here can say they have never made a mistake when judging what another person was thinking. James has expressed that he honestly thought that there was something special and worth pursuing between himself and his accuser, Justine Snape. Thus I ask first that she take the stand."

Justine stood and walked calmly to a spot near where the three judges sat, where all in the room could see her clearly, and Tanya had to admit that in positioning himself where he had, Harry had indeed been clever. Both he and Draco were directly in front of her.

Tanya could see that her eyes were trained steadily on Isaac though, remarkably calm. Tanya knew that Justine just couldn't handle negative emotion, though right now she looked serene.

Isaac began. "Justine, did you, by meaning or by action, lead James to believe that you could be anything other than plutonic friends, since his arrival from Kallaix academy for the Hunt?"

Justine calmly stated, "No, on more than one occasion I stated as such to him."

Isaac had a small smile playing around his mouth now. "But do you think that James believed that there would be more?"

Justine nodded slowly, "I think that in his own twisted way James saw me as some sort of trophy, that he honestly thought that if we were together he would have it all."

James, sitting on the other side of the room, muttered contemptuously, "We would have. We would have ruled Kallaix this year but your ruined it all!"

Ax shut him up simply by clearing his throat and looking angry, then gestured for Isaac to continue.

"Justine," Isaac said, "I want you to tell me about the night in question, last night, and tell us exactly what happened."

She nodded slowly and it was obvious she was choosing her words. "I received a message to meet someone, not James, in the clearing at midnight, and I decided to go, in an attempt to clear the air between us. I endured the ball under cheering charms because I was not well and made my way to the meeting place. When I arrived James made it evident to me that he had followed me, and he informed me that he was under the misconception that the sorcery we had performed had been a show for him."

Justine paused and looked at Draco. They hadn't yet discussed any of their feeling s or what had happened before the attack, and he was watching her with an intense expression. Tanya could see tears forming in her eyes now.

"When I told him the song I sang was for Draco Malfoy, he attacked. He, he um, slapped me," Justine looked at the ground and a tear fell from her eyes, quickly followed by a second. "Then when I tried to run he caught me and punched me hard in the stomach and then pushed me up against a tree by the neck. He was yelling at me all the time, but then he kissed me, it was rough. He said he could make me want him. He pulled up my dress and tried…."

She broke off. Her face had gone chalk white and her hand resting n the railing of the ship was visibly shaking.

"When… I stopped him he got angrier. He said that he would have me, and he threw me around a bit and then hit me on the head, I fell to the ground… he followed and was trying to… he punched me and then everything is blurry." Tears were falling down her cheeks but she still managed to look calm.

Isaac smiled at her gently and nodded and she went to sit down, Draco immediately gathering her up in his arms and she sniffed into his shirt front. Tanya stealthily made her way around the room, only half listening as she head Isaac go for a 'unstable state of mind' defence.

She edged up behind Justine and knelt down behind her chair, tapping Justine on the shoulder. "Psst"

Both Justine and Draco turned to see who it was and Draco smiled at her before facing the front again, letting Justine twist, his arm still around her, to face Tanya.

"What's the matter sweetheart?" Was Justine's immediate whispered response.

Tanya grinned wryly, "I came to ask what I can do for you, I just wanted to make sure you were happy."

Justine smiled and reached out to hold Tanya's hand. "I'm going to be ok, the boys will deal with this fairly and then we'll win the hunt ok?"

Tanya heaved a huge sigh and looked up to where a very serious Ax was watching proceedings. Justine followed her gaze and watched as Ax momentarily looked at Tanya, his gaze softening to a small smile before his attention was drawn away again.

A hush fell over the room. Harry watched the three judges descend to stand in front of James and make their decisions, each one having listened to the testimonies of the witnesses for the last forty-five minutes. Students had slowly woken up and filtered out to join the crowd on the deck for the last half hour, and now the deck was crowded with faces, all sitting or standing around to watch.

Justine was calm once more; sitting with Draco Malfoy, and many of the Kallaix girls were openly admiring Justine's ability to attract the hottest guys. Mark, Kris, and now Draco Malfoy: teen billionaire. Some girls got all the luck.

It was in fact, Kris who spoke first, stepping forward to stand before James with a sneer. "James, my Judgement is thus. You have behaved disgracefully here at Hogwarts, and when one considers that you are here as one of a lucky group chosen to attend this event as representatives of Kallaix Academy, I am left with no choice but to be entirely disgusted," Kris stepped closer to James, using his slightly taller hight to an advantage before continuing.

"Kallaix Academy represents utmost exclusivity and standards, and you have let the school down. You are on many of our schools sporting teams, where, as not only head boy, but also frequently captain, I hold supreme jurisdiction. Thus I decree that you shall be expelled from all teams, team games or events."

He stared James down as he saw James's eyes widen. It was common knowledge that James wanted to go on to join the pro football circuit, and being kicked off his school team for this incident would ruin all chance he had. James looked down in anguish and anger, shaking with rage, before Kris stepped past him, shoving him heavily with his shoulder as he passed, moving around the group to stand next to Justine, Harry and Draco.

Next Ax stepped forward with a small sadistic grin tilting up the corner of his mouth. "My judgement is thus – for your crimes against an innocent woman, I decree that you shall not be able to move within ten feet of her person without magical repulsion. I will cast the spell myself, right now."

Jeffery stepped forward to hand down his own verdict, "As a judge of the trial, I must agree with Kris, in that your actions while being an ambassador of Australia have been despicable. Kallaix is far too good for scum like you. Therefore, I decree that you are suspended for a month, and your enrolment at Kallaix will be appraised when you return, I suggest you use the time to assess yourself James, your current path which you are paving for yourself will only lead to personal ruination – I wouldn't care, but I don't like seeing so much potential going to such a colossal waste. Were you in any year but seventh, I would recommend expulsion. I am still uncertain as to whether or not such would be a bad idea, and will therefore delay my response for the moment. I further believe that, as your actions reflect so badly on our school, you will be removed from the position of ambassador and returned immediately to Australian soil, where you will pack your bag and leave the school. No appeal granted."

At that moment, Harry stepped forward, his face a mask of cold fury, "As a representative of the student body of Hogwarts, if I find you on our school grounds within the next hour, I will see to it that every student of Hogwarts knows that you are an affront to my eyesight, and that you are to dealt with harshly," with that, he turned and left the boat.

Draco watched his brother leave, then turned to face James, who was looking surprised at the fact that Hogwarts was taking a hand in his judgement, and then looked down briefly at Justine's hand, which was firmly clasped in his own, and spoke his own piece, "Where my brother speaks for the students, I speak with the authority of Hogwarts herself, and I add weight to my brothers words: if you are still here in an hour, I will ensure that you leave the grounds a dead man."

Then there was a brief commotion at the jetty, as Harry stalked back on to the boat, flanked by Malcolm Braddock and Leon, with the rest of DC and some of the regular DA members behind him, all with their wands drawn, obviously ready to act upon Harry's word. James paled, obviously not having believed that Harry had the intention of making good his threat.

"Leon and Malcolm will be sent with James to ensure that he is away from Hogwarts for good," Harry said, "I have informed them to use force if that is necessary in assuring that you do not return her. I have spoken with a Miss Wadsworth, the Headmistress of your school, and she has informed us as to where we may take him to remove him from our grounds."

Saul and Adam hurried forward, Kallaix's representatives for James' removal from the school. Ax, Kris and Jeffery, as the Judges, were not permitted to leave, and Ax merely cast the spell over James and Justine to prevent them from ever coming within several feet of one another until the spell was removed – and if Ax had anything to do with it, it never would

Justine sighed and watched as Harry and Draco spoke to the Aussie boys. She had been left in the care of Tanya and Tegan, who were flitting about making sure she was happy, while Alyson stood behind her, braiding her hair up for that day's hunt, making a small plaited bun at the nape of her neck after braiding two trails down the sides of her head. Jacque was getting sound equipment and such ready.

Draco turned around with a dark look in his eyes and saw her watching the group of boys, his face melting into a handsome smile. Her heart jumped in a little flutter and she smiled back, impishly gesturing that the other girls were driving her mad. He grinned and wandered over deftly moving the girls out of the way with a quiet, "Ladies, excuse us…" to take her by the hand and lead her over to the side of the boat where the group of boys were chatting, then lifting her to sit on the side railing of the boat, leaning on it next to her with an arm around her waist.

"I'm serious though, he has forty eight minutes to get off the grounds." Harry was stating to Ax and Saul, who had just returned from delivering James to the Headmistress of Kallaix.

"Wandsworth said the minute we wanted to, she would personally take him home, so I sent her on her merry way. I'm sure he's gone and we don't have to worry about him again … well, you don't, anyway." Saul replied, "Man I'd love to be a fly on the wall during that journey!" they had a small chuckle at James's expense.

Kris meanwhile, was standing next to Justine, and he suddenly jerked as though he had been shoved from behind. Adam and Jeffery, up on the top deck, began to laugh. Kris turned to find McEwan was standing purring slightly, though wary of Draco, as she had met Harry before.

Hello child, I stayed my anger for the last few days as I promised, and you too have delivered, Justine seems to be happy again. I thank thee for this, although the anger emanating from you this morning nearly made me rescind my oath.

Kris grinned and reached out far to scratch her eye ridges, "You did good Hun, and for the record, I hereby dub Draco as an Aussie, so he's cool to come on the boat like Harry, Sev and Ginny."

McEwan nodded her massive head and trilled a little at Justine, who obligingly turned to Draco. "This is the McEwan Dragon – McEwen, this is Draco Malfoy." Justine turned back to the conversation as the dragon turned back to converse with Kris.

You failed to mention the other flame haired boy, Ronald…

Kris nodded slowly. "Ron is not to be granted access to the boat, although he is not to be harmed, ok?" The dragon nodded again and went under the water.

Justine's eyes darkened a little, Harry could see, as he picked up the gist of the quiet conversation passing between Kris and the blue dragon. "Justine, can you tell me about the Australian dragons? I mean, how do you tap into the tame part of them, because all I see is wildness and draconic nature, which is the same as it is in British dragons, you seem to bring it almost to a human level."

Justine laughed a little and grinned. "Well they are most definitely not tamed; in fact, it would be entirely presumptions to even believe that the human level of relationships are higher than that of the dragon. But back when our school was founded with the help of these four species they shared something with us, and through trust and co-operation, over the years we have had higher and higher levels of oneness. My father went to Australia for that reason, he was in Australia studying the disk, and my mum was in seventh year, it's sort of pervy really." Justine giggled.

Draco thought for a moment before asking gently, "And they had a friend named Remus didn't they?"

Justine nodded. "He was my dad's colleague and friend, and I saw pictures of them. My mum stayed on at school after seventh year as a helper to the Sorcery prof. at that time, and I was the result. Mum found herself pregnant and her and Father were married, then before I was born, my dad died. I haven't had the chance to talk to Remus since I've been here though, I'm hoping he comes to see me, we did meet last night after all."

Harry nodded slowly, then brought the conversation back to a point that the explanation had only skipped over, "You said something about a disk? What's that? Remus certainly never mentioned it … then again, he never mentioned ever going to Australia either."

Kris and Ax looked at each other then back at the group. Kris spoke "Well, it is The Disk of the Dragon that gives our school its power and understanding with Dragons. It is believed to work as a medium between the higher figures of the school and its six dragons..."

Alyson walked off the boat after the trial with Saul and Adam, heading up to the castle for breakfast. She had, of course, told the others that they were leaving, but something in the back of her mind told her that she was worried, and was covering her back by accompanying the boys.

She looked around the all as they entered the Great Hall, seeing that the Hufflepuff table, which had looked so empty with only the twenty visiting Kallaix students at it, looked well and truly packed this morning, most of the Kallaixians having had sat, and the Beauxbatons students covering the first half of the table.

She took a seat next to Isaac Thorpe-Townsend, grinning as she saw him attack a mountain of Wheat-bix with gusto and, as she was sitting at the far side of the table opposite Adam, she could see that Pansy and Daphne had just entered also. It struck her odd that Daphne wasn't wearing her riding uniform, surely as Hogwarts head Huntress, like Justine, she should be getting ready and covering maps etc…

Then she saw the look of pure malice that Daphne shot at three people sitting at the Table. Ginevra Weasley, Luna Lovegood and Colin Creevy were dressed in the Hogwarts gear. Oh dear. It seemed that the petition had been successful after all and Daphne had been kicked off the Hogwarts Team. Colin and Ginny were pouring over maps of the Acromantula-Forbidden forest and Luna had her eyes closed, waving a hand over the map, seeming to try and absorb the specs spiritually.

She smirked a little and went back to her breakfast, munching happily through a plate of honey-smothered toast and a cup of tea. The Hunt would be much more fun if they had worthy opponents, and it would be interesting to test the skills of the new Hogwarts riders, considering that Ginny was the only one who had been on the team from the beginning. Still, she thought that the group would work well together.

Forgetting her earlier sense of worry she excused herself when she was done to return to the ship alone, deciding that although she had spent a fair bit of time alone studying the map in preparation for today, she may as well refresh and be prepared, besides, she had yet to braid her own, or Tegans unruly hair and she wanted to put on her uniform.

Just as she was about to leave, she wondered if she should invite Leon to spend the event with them too, since he seemed to have enjoyed being in the tent with the Kallaix students at more than one event, and, feeling diplomatic she climbed the massive staircase in the entrance hall. She stepped off the top step ran straight into Daphne and Pansy.

"You think you can mess with us huh?" Was all she heard before a mighty blow to the back of her head knocked her out, and she had the vague sensation of falling...

"This time you went to far, Dumbledore had better expel you Pansy, or I'll make the rest of your life a living hell…" Alyson tried to open her eyes but the light hurt them badly. She thought it may be Ax she caught a glimpse of, the blonde hair, but the voice was all wrong. Why was she on the bloody stone floor?

She tried to push herself up and managed to open her eyes again and found herself drowning in a sea of green. She could feel his concern for her, it radiated off him like a warm blanket, soothing the ache in the back of Alyson's head, "Please Alyson, you're hurt badly and you need to stay down, I'm here to protect you." Was all Harry said, and she closed her eyes and calmed down somewhat, though the yelling was still buzzing in the back of her mind like a continuous motor. It was Draco, she realised, and he was yelling at Pansy and Daphne for her.

Then she felt a presence enter the room that made her cringe. Anger. Pure anger. Ax's anger.

Kris and Ax had decided a late breakfast would be good, because that way they could take up half the table and finish all the maple syrup without feeling guilty. Honestly, who wouldn't take up such an opportunity? They joked loudly and made their way up to the Great hall, but were surprised to see a large gathering in the entrance hall.

Draco had Daphne and Pansy cornered back against the wall and was, well, really showing why he was known as the Prince of Slytherin. Then Ax looked down and flew across the room, to where Alyson lay at the bottom of the stairs in a small pool of silvery blood. Harry was sitting beside her careless of the unusual blood seeping through his clothes, stroking her brow and keeping her calm.

Ax strode over immediately, drawing his sword with one hand, and carefully picked up her arm and leant to check her heart rate, before looking up the stairs to where a little blood was spattered, and finally his eyes came to rest on the vase lying haphazardly across the top stair.

"Harry tell me what I think happened didn't happen," He heard Kris's voice behind him, and he looked up at Harry to try and confirm the story. All Harry could do was nod and glare at Daphne, before looking back to Alyson.

"We've send for Madam Pomfrey, she will be here any second… Draco seems to be dealing with those two quite nicely."

Kris stood and walked over to where Draco was holding out a hand that was glowing with a negative black energy, directing it at the now petulantly silent girls. Ax came to stand next to him, his entire being glowing and his eyes white, pupil less…

Kris just shook his head and quietly said. "Let me make this perfectly clear so that you don't misunderstand me. I'll use small words for your benefit. Point one - Alyson Deveréaux is the daughter of one of the most powerful Wizarding Lawyers in the Eastern Magisphere. Her father has offices all over America, though he is based in Sydney, and Alyson is his pride and joy. He will make you life hell when I tell him about this." At this Pansy screamed out,

"Lies, that cow is nothing, she has no power!"

Draco carefully and deliberately reached around into his backpack and extracted the clipping that had fallen from the album a few days earlier. "'The Aussie Brat Pack Reigns'… I would say, girls, that you're screwed." He handed over the article and smirked. Kris nodded and merrily continued in his calm but deadly tone. "Point two – Alyson is like a daughter to my father, the Australian Minister of Magic, and he will make your life hell when he hears about this. Point three – Alyson is Justine's best friend, Ax's honorary little sister, hell, pretty much all of Kallaix Academy is going to make you life hell. There is no hope for you now. And the beautiful thing…"

Draco smirked and looked at the girls, and they both had sudden insight as to why he was in Slytherin. "I don't have to lift a finger and I will get to see your worlds fall apart, you screwed up bitches… have a nice life, or what's left of it…" And seeing that he had successfully terrified the girls he turned to where Pomfrey was quickly and smoothly healing lesions to stop Alyson's bleeding. Pomfrey began firing instructions at Kris.

Ax just stood dead still, his feet planted and sword arm extended to the girls so the blade lay parallel to their throats. "Let me just say, you detestable specks of human existence, that if I see you so much as BREATH wrong for the rest of this fucking conference, I will be there, and you will regret it."

Harry was holding her hand as Pomfrey woke her up. "Are you ok Alyson?" He asked her, watching her intently.

Alyson nodded a little woozy and let Ax swing her arm over his shoulder and pick her up gently. "Thank you Harry…"

Tanya stomped into the preparation tent feeling rather annoyed. With Alyson hurt, she had been pulled in to take her place as an archer, following Justine's newest grand 'plan', and when she had just come into the riders preparation area, the Hogwarts team had descended upon her and tried to drag her off again, having once more mistaken her for Ginny Weasley.

She was starting to get very annoyed about this, and since it wouldn't do to be mistaken for Ginny during the Hunt, she had decided that she would simply have to do something that would make her easily distinguishable from Ginny – her hair had to be changed. She only had two options, as far as she could see, and those were to either cut it or colour it. And there was no way that she was going to cut off the long red locks that were her most favoured physical attribute.

That meant she would have to colour it – this option was not nearly so difficult to contemplate, because tomorrow was the last day of the Unicorn Hunt, and she would be able to change her hair back to it's proper colour on the boat before they reached Kallaix tomorrow afternoon.

After a few moments of careful consideration, she decided on brunette – it would be easy to tell her apart from Ginny and it wouldn't be too much of a drastic change for her to deal with. Brunette it was.

Of course, she didn't have the slightest idea how one might actually use a hair colouring charm. She had read about them on occasion, but never really considered them, because she loved her hair just the colour that it was. Now she found herself needing to use one, without Justine around to run to for help. Justine, after all, had used a colouring charm practically every day of her life, and was a master of such things.

Well, it couldn't be that hard …

Justine and Tegan were standing at the starting lines with Alyson in unicorn form, her horn charmed to invisibility – the charm wouldn't hold for long, but hopefully it would hold for long enough – and Anubis was standing near by with Loki. As per the plan, Isis had been directed to wait for them in the tree line.

Now they were standing worrying about where Tanya might have got to. There was only a couple of minutes until they had to mount up and head for the starting line, and unless Tanya got herself over here very soon, there was going to be trouble. Just as the call went out for the riders to mount up, a small, slim figure with long very blonde hair flying behind her came racing into the area and leapt gymnastically up onto the back of the white horse, a very well disguised Alyson, muttering something about colouring charms, Justine and Tegan having already mounted with much more decorum.

As the horn sounded, calling the riders to begin to make their way to the starting line, which also meant that it was time to go over all of the equipment one last time – they had approximately five minutes before it was time to start. "What did you do to your hair?" Justine demanded.

"I got sick of being mistaken for Ginny," Tanya muttered, tugging a helmet on over her now white-blonde hair.

"So you changed to Alyson?"

"I was aiming for brunette," Tanya replied.

"Oh, so a more me and Tegan look," Justine concluded.

"Dammit, I just want to be me … but with Ginny around that's become annoyingly difficult."

Tegan and Justine both just laughed. "I'll fix your hair after the hunt," Justine told Tanya, "We don't have time right now – sound check has to be done for starters," she handed both Tegan and Tanya their earpieces and microphones. Justine and Tegan slipped theirs on with the ease of practice, but Tanya fiddled with hers a lot, not sure if it was sitting right. Finally Justine leaned over and adjusted it for her.

"Testing, one two," Jacque's voice came through.

"Uh, testing, testing," Tanya said, which caused her two companions to burst into laughter, before Justine started singing 'Home on the Range' rather loudly.

"Check," Jacque sighed.

As they directed the horses towards the starting line, Tanya kept her head down, checking her bow by stringing it and then unstringing it, before stringing it again, then checking all of her arrows, nocking each of them, one by one, just in case. She didn't need to check the saddle and bridle over because they she felt perfectly comfortable.

Looking down at her, anyone could easily mistake her for Alyson, carefully going over everything while her companions joked around – the Lady making sure that everything was perfect and ready for use. Justine was joking with Jacque about the selection of music, while Tegan was bitching quietly about what she was going to do to Daphne when they saw her the next time.

Over the loud speakers, the commentator remarked that the Kallaix students had registered a change in line up, due to the injury of one of their players, but that the change seemed to have been re-changed, and Alyson was back and recovered from some injury.

Music was blasting already from the sound pieces, deafening them to the voice while they all adjusted the sound levels so that they would be comfortable during the Hunt. Tanya turned her sound right down, so the words were only just distinguishable from the mutter in her ear.

Justine seemed to have turned her music right up and was bopping along to it, acting completely distracted and unproffesional, and Tegan had hers down low, her enhanced hearing not needing the sound to be particularly loud for her to hear it clearly. Then they were at the starting line and Jacque turned the music off until the event actually started.

Tanya was the only one who was paying much attention as they were informed the rules once more before the event began, just so that there could be no excuse for anyone to break them, after this, everyone was sent to the starting line. The Head Huntress – For Kallaix, this was Justine – was positioned with her horse's hooves on the line, with the other two riders in triangular formation behind her.

In the Hogwarts line-up, Colin had taken Daphne's place as the third rider – when the Kallaix students had been given the petition, they'd all signed it, then Justine had shown it to Greg, who had taken it to all of the Minister's and convinced them to sign as well, which they had all done. When presented with the petition, Daphne had had no choice but to step down as Head Huntress. Ginny had taken this position, with Luna and Colin at her back. They were perhaps not the best team of riders that could be found, having had never riden before, but they could work well together, and so hopefully they would do well.

The horn sounded, signalling that the event could begin. Tanya smiled happily – this was something she could do that would enable her to forget about Ax. All last night her thoughts had been almost dead, overwhelmed by the fact that Ax had … she stopped her thoughts there. She had yet to admit that he had done anything. She didn't know what she was thinking about.

Justine lead everyone straight for the tree line, and the moment they were through the trees, they all came to a stop, and Justine whistled, Anubis gave a soft sound of calling, and Tanya jumped down from Alyson's back and started quickly taking off the saddle and bridle. Alyson changed back to human form as Isis came out of the trees, touched her head against Anubis's, then trotted over to Alyson and Tanya, who quickly put the tack on her instead.

The moment Isis was ready, Tanya shrugged out of the vest she was wearing. It had a red X across the front of it and marked her as the target – in this event the objective was to try and take out all of the targets from the other teams, and to protect their own.

Each person in the team was armed with a set of arrows and their bows. Since it was obviously impossible to attack anyone with pointed arrows, these arrows were blunt and tipped with bunches of fabric that would activate a spell upon hitting a target. The first two times your target got hit, the screens in the control room would flash, and you would lose points. On the third time, the person would be knocked unconscious and the team would be disqualified. The one problem was that one team could not hit an opposition more than once – three arrows from different schools had to hit the target for disqualification.

"Nice hair," Alyson said with a nod, shrugging into the vest and then shifting form to that of a unicorn. Tanya lifted up one of her white-blonde locks and smiled faintly at the unicorn in front of her.

She saluted cheekily, "Thanks," then turned and bounded smoothly up onto Isis's back. Justine nodded to her, she nodded back, and the three of them set off. Alyson let out a soft call, looking for a unicorn herd to hang out with until it was time for her to cross the finish line with the group, most likely unharmed.

Justine led the team out a roaring gallop, trying to catch up with the other teams. She muttered instructions to Jacque, who conveyed the recording to the other two girls – that way they could converse as quietly as possible and still get instructions across.

"Well, now that Alyson is safe, you girls are going to head out and find some other teams to attack. We've already decided to leave Hogwarts for a little while yet … give them a chance – what with all the changes in line up, they're gonna need help. So, we're looking for Thundreds - they're our biggest threat."

It was a good thing that they had Llysanyins to ride – they had a whole lot more stamina than any other breed of horse, as well, they had intelligence that was more than that of most other non-human beings. The horses themselves watched out for dangers and avoided them, as well as knowing that they were looking for other horses.

"You have to change course – head due north for about twenty metres," Jacque instructed them suddenly, "You're headed for a patch of swamp."

Apart from occasional comments like this from Jacque, the group was travelling in relative silence, and whenever Jacque wasn't speaking to them, music was coming through in their ears instead. Tegan, like the horses, was keeping a careful ear and nose out for any approaching danger or other teams.

Even so, it was some time before they came across anyone, because they had been waylaid by changing mounts. The first team they came across was Durmstrang – Kallaix came up from behind. Durmstrang thought that everyone was ahead of them by now, and were not defending the rear. They were waiting for the first team to come back, so they could take people out as they headed for the finish line.

Justine raised her bow, mouthing, "Mine", and shooting their target straight in the back, then leading her team straight for the Durmstrang threesome, who were half turned, surprised by the sudden appearance of the Kallaix team from behind him. Just before they face to face, Justine threw a sharp left and the Kallaix team thundered passed and were gone into the trees before Durmstrang could completely figure out what had just happened.

The three of them exchanged a smile and continued on their way, Anubis and the mares carrying them to safety. Justine seemed extremely happy, back in complete form since the night before, and this had perked up the mood of the entire crew.

"Jacque sweetie darling sugar bunch," she cooed into her mike.

"Yeah, I'm here Justine," came the immediate response.

"Is my mother in the Kallaix tent, or can you see her?" Justine asked, "If no, can you please go send Kris or Saul to bring her over. I need to talk to her for a second."

"I'm on it," came the faint sound of Saul's voice in the background, Justine was just as glad that Saul was with Jacque again, because that meant that one person could leave the tent if necessary, and Jacque would always be there to help them out – Saul was cool, but he wasn't the best.

Justine smiled just as Tegan called for silence again, and using her werewolf hearing, picked up a riding group, some distance ahead, still out of normal sound range. She held up two fingers, and then waved them in a sort of nor-easterly direction. Justine quickly signed back for sound recognition, and Tegan gestured that they were trotting towards the goal, not hurrying, and from their footfall, weren't the Thundreds, who on their Arabians would be easily distinguishable.

Justine nodded and Tanya gestured that she would flank the team, Tegan claiming the shot at the chosen target. Justine nodded and they set off at a sudden, powerful and very fast gallop. They thundered up behind the team, who turned out to be the group from Villefort, and Tegan pulled her bow, grinning wolfishly, striking the girl marked with the X in the side as she turned to flee.

Justine suddenly pulled two arrows and shot them at once, both hitting the head rider, who was forced back and away as Justine pulled again, covering Tegan's back and riding out. Tanya flipped out of her saddle and sat on the other side of the horse, resting on her stirrup foot, balancing against Isis's side as she shot at the other defensive rider. Covering her team as they left, then using the Llysanyins speed to get away unscathed, she laughed loudly.

The group zigzagged for the next few minutes back and forth across the forest, shaking off any pursuit. Justine, who was watching the environ's closely, lead them into a shallow brook, and they walked down stream, the running water not only hiding their track's, but also masking most of their sound. Tegan hit the switch on the side of her head piece to signal the end of the silence and Jacque's voice cut through.

"Hey all, did you mark a target?"

Tegan let out a short laugh. "Grendwell, check!"

Justine could almost hear Jacque's grin as she said, "Sweet, oh yeah, Julia's here to speak to you . I'll put her on."

The microphone went quiet for a moment then Julia's musical voice came through. "Justine darling! Are you winning? Nothing's wrong is it?"

Justine smiled smugly. "Mum, of course I'm winning! I just wanted to ask you about a rumour I heard. Is it true, that you and Narcissa Malfoy had a punch up yesterday?"

Justine heard Kris in the background with his dad begin catcalling and teasing Julia as she obviously blushed. "Justine, let's discuss this when you get in shall we, I uh, had a disagreement with Miss Lupin yes, but it wasn't what your thinking."

Justine grinned, "Did you kick her ass mum, tell me please? I bet you'd rock in a punch up!"

"It was a slap fight, actually," Julia said loftily, and Justine broke out in delighted laughter.

"Justine, I would appreciate it if you would get your mind back on task and win the event, this is none of your business," Severus's voice cut across the line.

"Hey Sevie!" Justine grinned

"Nah, it's me again. Get back to work," Jacque started the music again and the team moved off. Justine sighed, figuring that two adults would have by now left the tent, and concentrated on the job again. She'd have to remember to ask her mother about it later.

"Hey Sevie," Saul said innocently, in parody of Justine, as Severus was about to leave the tent with Julia.

Without warning, and quite scaring everyone in the place Severus Snape lost his mighty temper. The entire atmosphere inside the tent darkened as he turned to Saul.

"Saul, while I have left the absurd nickname alone with Justine I will not tolerate it from you. From now on you will refer to me as Professor Snape or I will, as you are Justine's guest, accept Severus, as my name was given me, and as for the rest of you, if you cannot scrape together an abysmal brain cell and learn how to use the pronunciation my name, I don't understand why you would address me at all,"

His face was dark and stormy and every student in the place cringed, before Julia took his hand and led him from the tent. Greg having made his excuses and returned to the VIP room.

Kris broke the silence, "Damn, from what I see Justine's temper is just a smidgen of what the rest of her bloody family can do. She so got that from her Dad's side of her family."

Saul, who had moved closer to Ax, quite terrified when Severus had started yelling, quietly asked "What exactly do we know about her father?" Ax, who had been in Gryffindor for several years, understood completely how he felt, but years had passed since his first ever Potions lesson, and he was no longer scared of Severus's temper. It wasn't like he had been on the receiving end of it often, after all.

Kris looked at him. "I probably know as much as Justine, and it's not much. He was in Gryffindor, quite a few years younger than Severus, but with the same serious side. His name was Calis; Julia loved him, and he died before Justine was born, that's about all I know. I think that's all Justine knows."

"He was a great guy, looked a lot like Severus, but with softer lines and his mothers nose and hair, which I used to teasingly tell him was a blessing," came the voice of a man Sauls didn't recognise. He was of medium height with brown hair and the look of someone who recently took to looking after himself. By his side was none other than a shocked Draco Malfoy, who was staring at the man.

"I knew him when I taught at Kallaix with him, he was a great guy, a lot like Justine, as far as I can see. Passionate about his friends, quick to defend, short tempered and entirely too lovable. His favourite colour was green, and his eyes were exactly like hers. I don't know what else to tell you," the man shrugged slightly.

Ax, who seemed to know the man, quietly responded, "Thank you Professor Lupin, that means a lot to us…"

"It would mean more to Justine," Kris interrupted. "If you know all this, why haven't you told her? She's the one who really deserves to be hearing it!"

The man smiled, "In that case, I shall make a point of speaking to her after the Hunt. You are quite right she deserves to know as much as possible about her father – he was, as I said, a great man. Had I been aware that she knew so little, I would have come forward before now," with that he turned and moved away, leaving behind a tent full of very shocked Australians, and Draco.

"I came to see how well Justine is doing," Draco said firmly, smiling a little, determined not to concentrate on his step-fathers sudden announcement.

Saul bounced over and grinned, "She's kicking ass as usual. Wanna say hello? But bear in mind that we can't let you leave after this, in case you go and tell one of our rivals, since you are from Hogwarts."

Draco grinned and wandered over to where Jacque handed him a headset. He put it on and, pressing the button she indicated, buzzed only Justine's headset. Jacque warned him she may not answer for a moment if she was busy, and after a moment he supposed she must be in the hunt, and he was about to put down the head set when Justine's happy voice filled the tent.

"AHH YEAH! We just took down Beauxbatons something chronic, what's the matter sweetheart."

Draco grinned and turned his back on everyone dropped his voice. "Well, it's nice to be greeted in such a manner Miss Snape, although I was disappointed to not be given the opportunity to see you off."

Draco could tell she was surprised to hear his voice although she quipped back, "Well, Mr Malfoy, as I recall, you were up at the castle changing your clothing for the event, I had to be at the starting line to register my team. Its hardly my fault your so podantic about your appearance"

Draco smiled, "How are you doing? Are you ok?"

Justine paused and responded. "Draco, I'm good at this, no need to worry ok. I'm kicking ass!"

"Mr. Thorpe-Townsend has already informed me of this, in the same words, as I recall. Will I see you this afternoon?" He inquired coolly, hoping that Justine wouldn't pick up the… need, in his voice.

"I think me and Saul will be busy, but we should be able to find some time I think, hang on, CODE RED!"

The line went dead and Jacque calmly explained that they had encountered another team, gesturing for Draco to go sit with the boys while she checked out the situation.

Draco turned and looked over to where Kris and the others were lounging on chairs and tables laughing and joking and then back at Jacque, unsure whether she was kidding.

"Draco, come pull up a chair and tell us about the strip joint down in Hogsmeade!" Saul suddenly bellowed, spotting Draco's unease and trying to convey that he should be at ease.

Draco walked a little closer and grinned, "How do you know about Wand Shakers?"

Saul nearly fell off his chair. "Your telling me there really is one?"

Draco pulled up a seat as Kris handed him a cold Aussie beer and the group proceeded to laugh at Saul, before Draco stunned the group with a surprisingly detailed description of the strip joint. When all of them were thoroughly freaked out, he admitted that, in fact, there was no such place and he was only having them on. Which made everyone break down in laughter yet again.

"You're learning!" Saul told Draco as he caught his breath again. "Just get the accent right and we could probably make you an adoptive Australian!"

Draco grinned, "Seamus put a lot of effort into me, nice to know it paid off."

Tanya could tell by the way Tegan's back straightened and she turned sharply towards Justine, who raised a hand to halt the horses that something was up. Tanya saw Justine's hand lift to her cheek and she said very quietly through the microphone on her cheek. "Someone is about a hundred meters ahead, approach with extreme caution and keep Tanya as out of sight as possible, she is meant to be our target you know."

Tanya saw Justine grin and tuck her reigns under her left thigh, using her legs, with gentle squeezes and kicks to control the Llysanyin she rode. She lifted her bow and led the group stealthily, or as stealthily as horses of that size could move, towards her target, circled for a moment to put off the direction of their approach and put on a burst of speed, jumping a log and landing in a clearing, her arrow pointed in the face of Luna Lovegood, who held hers in a similar position at Justine.

Justine grinned and threw a quick glance around to see that Tanya and Tegan had flanked her into the clearing and were covering Ginny and Colin, both of whom were looking confusedly at Tanya, and admirably at Luna. Justine had to admit she had dome well to collect and cover Justine so fast.

"Hang on," Colin began, "Isn't that meant to be Alyson after all, and isn't she meant to be wearing her mark vest?" He gestured at his own, which was, by considerable skill from the last minute Hogwarts team, not marked, meaning they were in with a good shot.

Justine's grin grew. "Alyson is wearing our vest, Colin. What are you talking about?"

Tanya and Tegan had to smile at this, Justine was enjoying herself.

Justine focus moved back to Luna, who was relaxed, but not relenting with her mark of Justine. "Hey Gin. Good work on keeping Colin clear. How many have you marked?"

Ginny let her pride shine in her small smirk. "Three. We were the third mark on the Nhi lon team about a minute ago, we thought you were them. And I got Electra's girl, she wasn't too happy about it either."

Justine laughed. "I got the Nhi girl about fifteen minutes ago for the first shot on their team. They would have been removed from the forest by now."

She touched her right foot to Anubis' flank and he sidestepped in that direction, using his size to her advantage, Justine stepped into the rising morning sun, making Luna look up into it to see her. Tanya recognised the move and was admirable, she would never have thought of it, she would have just tried to run and hide or attack.

Luna calmly chose to mark Tanya instead. Smart move. She froze and continued to hold her bow facing Colin, but was aware of the blondes arrow pointed at her.

Justine who was now only marked by Ginny approached the girl. "We seem to have come to a stalemate of sorts. We only have half an hour left in the event and I haven't marked Electra's team, nor have I found the South African's of Grendwell. Three teams unmarked at the three quarter mark of the event isn't good enough. Thus I offer you an opportunity to deal so we may move on."

Ginny nodded and looked perplexed for a moment. "OK, Justine, I can see you're not going to tell us why you're cheating through your teeth and you don't have your rider wearing her vest, and I don't know how you're doing it because they're meant to have anti cheating charms. But this is how it's going to work. I won't call this in right now, and Luna, Colin and I won't shoot all your asses, and you will keep moving, and not mark Colin, cause if it were fair we'd mark you but we cant." She nodded with conviction.

Justine smiled and lowered her arrow, having to trust Ginny that Luna would drop hers. These mark arrows didn't piece skin, but damn they hurt if you didn't have a vest to stop it. "Deal. You're doing well Ginny, you are a great leader." Justine kicked lightly on Anubis' sides and he walked forward, and placed her heel on his left side, veering him off in that direction back into the trees. "And for the record, technically we're not cheating."

Tanya smiled and followed on Isis, waving to Ginny, who pointed to her hair with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. Tanya spoke into her mic, "She has spent far too much time with Malfoy, and she's adopted his bloody smirk."

A resonating gong echoed past Justine, the sensation feeling almost like a corporeal wave, just as the group entered the clearing where the unicorn herd was grazing, lead by a mighty stallion. Alyson must have calmed them, because rather than flee, they merely eyed the group of huntresses and took off into the tree's like ghosts, spectres of shadow melting into the foliage. Justine, Tegan and Tanya allowed them to pass before dismounting and leading their own horses over to join the pretty silver unicorn left in the clearing.

"Alyson my sweet, I know it's a stupid question, but being our mark for the hunt, I assume you didn't get shot?" Justine drawled, referring to her brilliant plan. The group discovered that even though Alyson had been subbed with Tanya after her injury earlier in the day, she was actually still allowed to hunt … a loophole in the rules that Justine was reluctant to use, but decided it was for the best. The rule had never been used or tested because not only would it slow your team down and make them and easier mark in this event, but mostly, subbed players were from injury or accident in the main hunt, thus the huntress who couldn't compete was not able to play on.

Alyson quickly changed into her human form, the silver of her young unicorn form changing to a riding uniform. "I wasn't even seen, this herd has so much to teach, riders just went straight by without even seeing us."

She was impressed by spending some time with the group of fine unicorns, and had felt so protected spending time with the herd. She wandered over to the remounting group and claimed her horse, Isis whinnying and rubbing her nose on Alyson lovingly. Tanya merely grinned and hopped up on the saddle behind Justine as Tegan walked around the front of Loki and glared at her.

"Listen up. If you misbehave I swear, your glue. Am I understood?"

Loki looked terrified and nodded her head.

Dinner that night was to be a spectacular event. The students of Hogwarts had been invited to sit back at their house tables and were told that they had to wear full uniform. Each of the schools had gotten a letter from Dumbledore inviting them to join the meal, wearing their school uniform, with the intent of allowing Hogwarts students to ask the students of the foreign school questions and tell jokes and generally make friends.

Ron had dragged Hermione out of the DA common room where she had been moping all day over Harry's leaving her to sit with the Kallaix students the night before at the Moonlight Ball. The two of them stood to one side of a group of friends watching the crowds. Hermione was sipping a glass of pumpkin juice. "This should be fun, hey Hermione?" Ron asked his friend, in an attempt at humouring her "Makes a nice change to the common room don't you think?"

She looked at him and smiled, "Thank you for making me come Ron … I thought I had them today Ron, with their abuse of that sub rule. I thought I had them."

Ron gestured with a hand. "I think it's diplomatic dinner of some sort," he said, "Justine invited me before…" he broke off and frowned. "I always knew this whole thing would come back and bite me in the ass, but I didn't know just how pissed off everyone would be. I was bloody fourteen and scorned."

Hermione held his hand and looked up at him. "Everything is going wrong, but we need to stick together ok? It's all those stupid Australian's fault, I understand. We just need to try and get Harry back, and make him see reason."

Ron looked down at her and smiled, "Do you want to know the really sick thing? If they would listen to reason for five minutes, this would all blow over…"

"It's highly unlikely," came a snide and dangerously low voice from behind them.

They both turned to see Harry and Draco standing three foot behind them, with a small group of Hogwarts students, among them most of the members of the DC. It was Draco of course, who had spoken, but Harry made no effort to rebuff the statement, and that hurt Ron more than anything else Harry could have said to him.

"What do you mean?" Hermione demanded.

"Well, if he had done anything else to try and drive Justine away, it would blow over, and I do mean anything, Ronald is only capable of the pitiful and weak – But instead Ron recruited help to instigate two years of hatred and bad feeling, destroyed the only love of my life and nearly killed Justine, the very girl he proclaimed to love. Anything else you did I could probably forgive you, but not that. Not when you hurt her as much as you did," Draco said calmly, but full of venom, then turned and stalked out the doors towards the lake. Harry watched him go in silence, and gestured briefly when several members of the DC would have gone after him, making them stay with him.

Harry then looked at Ron and sighed deeply, "This is getting out of hand isn't it? Look Ron, I know how you felt at the time, but seeing the reactions it's caused … You're still my best friend Ron, but I will never forget what I've found out in the past week or so, although I wish I could. As long as you know that, we can get on with life and go back to how we were … more or less… I guess… If that's what you want…"

"You think you can forgive me?" Ron's voice nearly broke, "You're the one who's been treating me like shit and siding with everyone else against me!"

"What did I do to you? I made a point of staying out of it when it concerned you!"

"Look, can we all just forget it?" Hermione yelled suddenly. "I'm sick of you constantly being like this, just forgive and move on!"

The boys just looked at each other and then away, neither willing to admit that he was in a position to be wrong.

Suddenly a cheer broke out from the Hufflepuff table as the first of the guests for their table arrived. Kris and Alyson came in, each carrying a box, which they stashed under the table, before taking a seat and smiling around at the table. Alyson turned to Kris and grinned, "It's going to be fun tonight don't you think?"

Kris grinned, "Well, I'd bet you can put money on Saul taking off his clothing!"

Alyson shook her head and chuckled, shaking the hands of pretty much every boy and the table, each and every one fighing to sit near the new girl.

As the rest of the group entered the room, Alyson saw Justine smiling, but in flawless composure. Draco was walking beside her, watching her with a very intense look on his face. Suddenly, his hand darted out, and Justine shrieked and writhed as he tickled her, then turned to glare at him for a second, before composing herself and returning to her perfect self-control state.

Alyson waved jauntily at Draco, who must have met justine in the Entrance Hall, who nodded back as he seated Justine between Saul and Ax, opposite her and Kris, and made his way to the Slytherin Table.

Suddenly, Saul got up and dove across the table, grabbing Kris by the hips of his pants and wrestling him to the ground on the far side of the table. He triumphantly heard a click and pulled of Kris's belt with barely supressed joy. waving a belt that was made to look like car seatbelt in the air. On the back of the buckle was written 'not to be used as actual safety-harness', and Saul absolutely loved it. He wore it every week. And Kris had stolen it.

Justine reached into a pocket in her robes, and immediately lifted a camera that was never far away, taking a quick snap, just as Saul ripped the belt free of Kris's pants, a look of maniacal glee and triumph on his face, as he waved the belt around happily for a moment, then disappeared under the table to apply his prize, and make his ensemble complete. He was already wearing pinstripe pants and a white shirt under his robes.

"I love your shoes," A Hufflepuff girl gestured to her pretty mary jane heels,

"Aytheria's, wonderfull designer," she responded.

"Ooh! I love her shoes!" Alyson said delightedly, "I wore some the other night to the Moonlight Ball!"

Harry watched as Kris and Saul lorded over the southern end of the Hufflepuff table. Saul thrust his fist into the air and the group immediately started cheering wildly while Kris did the same, "Good evening Hufflepuff's!" Saul yelled, voice magically magnified, but still only just managing to get over the noise of the crowd, "Are you ready?" Immediately the crowds cheering changed to a thunderous, "Yes!"

As he watched, Harry saw a wave of sparkling magic, originating from the stage and washing over the crowd. As it washed towards his table, he automatically raised a hand, shielding himself, Hermione, Ron, Seamus and Leon, who had joined them for the show. As the magic washed over the top of his shield, he glanced at Leon, who was sitting to his left, "What was that?"

"A cheering charm I think, some sort of massed charm," Terry replied matter-of-factly, and at the opposite end of the group, Hermione turned to stare at him in surprise, then smirk slightly to herself, as Harry dropped the shield, allowing the remnants of the spell to fall over them. The smirk was lost as she smiled, suddenly feeling that everything was alright. She had them.

Ax smiled from his seat next to Harry, whom he had wandered over to say hello to, but his eyes were not his friends who were ragiling with stories of Kalliax football games, but rather focused on a pair of red-heads in the crowd. Ginny and Tanya were sitting in the middle of Daniel and Isaac, cheering themselves hoarse together. He found it rather amusing that Tanya should pick her look-a-like to hang out with, when this morning she had been frantically trying to be different to Ginny.

His eyes were drawn to the rest of the crowd as he searched for a face he knew would be in there somewhere. Kris was standing with one of the Hogwarts people, Neville, a boy who had been in Ax's dorm when he was at school, but whom he had never had much to do with.

"So, Neville, who do you think is a complete hottie at Hogwarts? It's McGonagall isn't it? You think she's beautiful don't you?" Neville let out an "Eep", and beside Ax, Harry was practically crying with laughter, which Ax judged to be a combination of cheering charms and mental image of Neville and McGonagall.

When Kris actually gave Neville a microphone, and he blushed even redder, saying, "Luna," very quietly, but since it was into the microphone, everyone heard it anyway.

Kris raised an eyebrow, "I'm off to find this Luna … back to you guys, when I find her, I'll let you know," Kris said in fake newsreader style as he disappeared into the crowd, leaving a very embarrassed Neville behind him.

Draco came out and joined Harry's little group part way through the introduction, wearing his Slytherin shirt, but with two badges, a badge proclaiming, 'Kalliax Head Girl' and his Hogwarts Head Boy badge.. Upon reaching them, he took out a hat and put it on Harry's head, saying, "Justine and I were messing around in her room this afternoon and said to give you this, apparently a baseball cap on you would be cool, I say you look cute."

"Cute?" Ax asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It means 'ugly but interesting," Draco said with complete poise.

"He discovered this last summer, and now everything is 'cute' … but never in the complementary fashion," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

"Shut up cutie," Draco replied completely out of character, making everyone laugh, "So, what have I missed?"

Completely collected, Ax replied, "Neville wants to get freaky with McGonagall."

"And Luna," Harry added, watching the far side of the room because Alyson was standing on her seat, miming goal posts with Justine so Kris could re-enact a spectacluar goal he had once made.

"Nice three-some," Ax decided, while Draco blanched.

As Alyson cheered Adam on as he explained Wentworth house, Draco turned to Harry and Ax, pointedly sitting as far from Hermione and Ron as possible. "Alyson is really beautiful Ax, you're a lucky man," he turned to Ax and smirked. "But then you also have the delicious red head. Both gorgeous gals at your beck and call."

Harry snorted into his drink and tried not to laugh. "I have to admit I'm jealous as hell, Alyson's quite um…" He gestured with one elbow towards the stage blushing.

Hermione's eyes narrowed dangerously, and she elbowed Harry in his now exposed side. "God, all you boys think about is girls!"

Draco saw a small ring of sparkly power radiate around Harry's eyes as he lowered his arm slowly, with a clenched jaw, then he looked at Ax and Draco with a looked that was pure Malfoy, "Yeah, well you're going to go see them after our NEWT's in June, spend some time down under, so to speak. You mentioned something about that this morning. You can get acquainted all you want with the ladies then – be sure to leave some girls for the Australian men, we wouldn't anyone getting jealous … would we?"

Draco read Harry's face like a book, and, taking his queues straight from Harry, and reparteed, in tones of over done politeness "Dear Harry, I believe my choice in ladies has been made, and I have no eyes for anyone else … although Malfoy International has holdings in Sydney, and I'm sure that they would be willing to accommodate myself and my brother … if you'd like to come along, that is?"

Hermione's face paled and she gasped, her eyes filling with tears, "Harry, I thought we were going to France in June after the NEWT's? Now you're chasing those girls home? What about me!"

Draco shoved himself upright from where he had been leaning back on the wall. "Whoa, Granger, hold it! You're being irrational, cant you see that? Harry is not your property, and the way you're behaving it's not a surprise he doesn't want to spend all his time with you."

Harry looked up as well, his face cold, "For a start, Hermione, you may have noted that I was only just invited to go on this trip. Had you been maintaining your usual level of intelligence and rationality, you would have realised that, in the last three seconds since receiving this invitation, I haven't given any indication of what my decision will be … but I'll say right now, unless you snap out of this, I'll be going with Draco … I don't understand you any more."

"If you'd just spend some time with me, you would!" she said, "I've hardly seen you this week, you don't seem to want to spend any time with me at all, you've completely turned on Ron over someone you only just met – overwriting a lifetime of friendship, I might add!"

Harry immediately jumped in, not letting her get started, "Someone I've only just met? I seem to recall meeting Justine some time before this week. In fact, she was your room mate for an entire year, Hermione, and you seemed to like her enough back then … in fact, when she arrived, your words were something along the lines of finally having a female ally in the Gryffindor dorms."

"That was before – we've all changed since then," Hermione replied, "She just swans back in there, setting all of our lives on edge, flirting with everyone, half of the boys in Hogwarts are chasing her, whether they've got girlfriends or not, and she's only leading them on! How can I not be worried about us?"

Harry looked down at Hermione and shook his head. How had the girl who, a week ago had been loving and kind turned, into this green – jealous monster? Almost unwillingly, he reached out and took her hand, "Um, Hermione, what's going on? I mean, I still love you, but this is ridiculous."

Draco, who had gone stony-faced at the comment of Justine being a hussy, suddenly walked forward and looked Hermione straight in the eye with malice, and Hermione shied back, believing that he was about to strike her, but he turned and stalked away, heading towards the Hufflepuff table without a word to anyone.

Harry looked down at Hermione and let go of her hand. "That was out of line you know, those girls don't deserve that sort of insult. Don't do it again ok? That's how they live, you've no right to judge them."

Hermione looked down at her empty hand and backed over to stand with Ron, who had remained silent up to the point. "You really are turning into him aren't you? Ordering me around, acting like a prick! He's even got you claiming that the Sorting Hat meant to put you in Slytherin! You're hurting me for fun…" Her eyes had a glazed look to them and she was shaking with tears till streaming down her cheeks.

Harry's face darkened and he took a deep breath before responding, "Do you even care how I feel in all this, how much all this hurts me? My girlfriend turns out to be a person I don't understand, or even know. How do I deal with that?"

Hermione's eyes widened as she realised what Harry was saying, what it all meant. She was about to loose him. "Oh god, you know everything about me… You know me better than anyone; don't do this Harry, please!"

Harry shook his head and sighed, "No I don't Hermione, and I never will." He turned and left.

Ron held Hermione back when she would have run after him, and hugged her tight. "Sweetheart, I'm going to take you back to the tower, you need to get ready for the debate's this evening, you're going to be up against Justine, and you'll have to be ready for that. I think we need to give Harry some space right now."

Julia Snapehad dropped into chat to the group, and had inspired Seamus to begin a wolf whistle competition in her honour, which had been taken out by a young lad form Nhi Lon Fohs, whose whistle could be heard clear to Hogsmeade without even the aid of a magnifing charm.

Justine teased the people talking to her from Beauxbatons and Hogwarts about their british or frenchaccents, and they teased right back cause she was Aussie, running through some Australianism like 'Mate', 'G'day' and 'That's a pearler!' Justine laughed and mocked them with "wot you dooin eh?"

"We don't say 'aboot.'" David, a Canadian by birth, said.

Draco stood near the wall with Ax, Harry, who was still somewhat downcast, and Ginevra Weasly. He watched the way this David flirted with Justine, and saw the way she accepted it, and as much as he hated it, he was jealous as hell. He now had to admit that when he had read through Justine's journal like photo album, he had been envious of the life she seemed to lead, and the number of men who seemed to be attracted to her in turn. She was his, wasn't she? They had tap danced around their relationship quite nicely, never asking question, or making an issue of the future, but Draco had to admit that he wanted it all. One day in her presence, and he was addicted, like she was a drug.

This morning when he had woken with her next to him had felt… right. He knew he didn't have competition from Kris, but what of Mark, or this David, or some other guy. He only had the assurances of Tanya that she was his, and was that enough for him?

He needed more than anything to speak to Justine. He needed answers.

Kris, who was once again wandering around the room, charmed his fake microphone and said, "You're never going to guess who I'm standing here with." He was wearing the small mischievous smile that he used when he was about to get up to something entirely naughty. "I'm standing here with Luna Lovegood," He smirked, "And Neville is just over there hiding behind Dean unsuccessfully."

The Kallaix'ians looked at each other delightedly on the stage and broke out laughing, while most of the crowd craned around to try and get a decent look.

Neville, it seemed, had gained the ability to turn the most phenomenal shade of scarlet Justine had ever seen as Kris said. "Ladies and Gentlemen, with no help at all from our young Bachelor I have successfully located the vixen of Neville's dreams."

Kris stood back and the camera panned to show Luna, the blonde girl with protrudent eyes that Justine had met during the hunt, but she now seemed to have lost her focus and was staring dreamily at Neville, then Kris, then back at Neville.

Neville emitted a sound somewhat similar to "Mmmfigump" And Kris threw his arm around his shoulders. Bringing Luna close to Neville tucked under his other arm.

"As you can see, young Neville is falling apart in the presence of this young beauty, but I, I you see am somewhat of a cupid, and I see it as my duty to get you, my faithful audience, a front seat view of the first kiss of our young Romeo, and his Juliet…

Justine watched as Neville's eyes widened to almost comical proportions, But Kris continued. "So come on guys, show us your stuff!"

Everyone began to cheer and clap to deafening proportions, screaming and wolf-whistling their heads off. And Neville, seeming to gather some sort of bravado, stepped cautiously over to Luna, took her hand and leaned close to kiss her gently. The crowd lost all sense and cheered them on.

Harry smiled. He felt free for the first time in almost a year, he hadn't realised just how clingy Hermione had been, and now that they were through he had a whole different outlook on things. Sure, he wasn't happy that he and Hermione had broken up, but he was sure this was the best move for the both of them, they weren't good together. He loved her, but he just wasn't, well, in love with her. That sounded corny even to his own ears, the smile slipped from his face and guilt washed over him. He should have let her down gently, he had known from the start this wasn't anything he wanted for life or anything, but now he was worried that he had lost the girl who had been his best friend for so long forever, and he may have lost that bond with Ron as well…

Shaking his head he followed the dwindling crowds up the stair case and towards the DC tower, a shower and a nap before the debates tonight would do him some good, he told himself lightly, and maybe even try to patch things further with Ron. Entering the tower he saw the red haired boy coming down the stairs.

He tentatively smiled and walked towards Ron. "We should talk, do you have a moment?"

Ron shook his head, rambling somewhat out of fear, and uncertainty Harry suspected, "Harry, Dumbledore wants you in his office, Hermione went to see him, and next thing I know people are being summoned. Justine, Saul and Kris are among the people, and according to Hermione, Kris is in a lot of trouble. I just want you to know I had nothing to do with it, I didn't want to case any more trouble with the Australians and I didn't go looking for it, but Hermione, she's convinced it's all Justine's fault you broke up just now, and she ran off to Dumbledore all hell-bent on revenge."

Harry took one look at his friend and knew that Ron wasn't lying, Ron was truly sorry for his actions, of this Harry was sure, but why would Hermione blame the Australians? He looked Ron straight in the eye and asked, "Ron, no matter what you think of me, you realise I class you as my brother as much as Draco right?"

Ron looked somewhat shocked, and slightly embarrassed at the mention of Draco, the one boy he did everything in his power now to avoid. Then what Harry had said sank in and his eyes teared somewhat before he looked at the ground, mumbling, "You're Malfoy's brother Harry, I know that now, I'm sorry I caused you that trouble. I just miss you is all…"

Harry grabbed his shoulder and made him look up. "Ron, for every ounce of me that is Draco's brother, there is one for you too. Without you to balance me I'll turn into a Slytherin, and you cant leave me to that fate!" Harry let out a small laugh and embraced Ron, and then pulled back, held out his hand and said "mates?"

Ron grinned and shook it, returning the credence of their bond. "What are we going to do bout' Hermione Harry?"

"You're coming with me to Dumbledore's office, because she is going to need you… Find Ginny, she'll need a friend. Somehow, I have to get her friendship back, and back up the Australians all in one move."

Ron grimaced. "I think she's upstairs with Malfoy, working on his speech for tonight. She also offered to drop his Duelling robes to the great hall for him after so he can lead the team in getting the place ready. Ginny tells me had feels guilty because he took the morning off, and had a spectacular time, leaving Hermione alone to do all the work. He got a summons too but I wanted to tell you first."

Harry looked towards the stair and told Ron, "Wait just outside, don't go near Draco without me. As strong as his bond to Justine gets the more he seems to be calming, but it's not strong enough for a one on one yet. I'll go for Ginny, but I think we'll leave him out of this one."

"Are you sure the team would look best in black Ginevra? I mean honestly, no joke, does my ass look great, or just good in these pants?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. Since the Hunt and Moonlight Balls where Ginny had supported Draco, and since their conversation about Justine, Draco had completely come out of his shell around her. They had an understanding since Ginny had backed Draco. Seamus was right; he was a funny guy when he wanted to be, even if he did still insist on calling her 'Ginevra'. She smirked and tuned to him,

"Draco, why ask about the entire team when your only worried about yourself? Personally, I think Leon and Harry will look dashing in these, with Harry's dark hair and green eyes, they'll give him such an aura of power, and Leon, with those big hazel eyes and light brown hair, he'll look quite dramatic." Out of the corner of her eye Ginny watched Draco's reaction as she went in for the kill, "I think you'll look rather washed out though, all the paleness against the black… somewhat, greyscale?"

Draco blanched and glared at Ginny, saw her very Slytherin smirk and threw a pillow at her head, nearly knocking her from the edge of the bed. "Ginevra, seriously, you're meant to be helping wench!"

Ginny tumbled back on the pillows laughing with mirth, she had finally gotten to Draco. Who would have known in her early years all you had to do was be his friend and he was fair game? "You'll look great in black Draco, regal, dominant and you know it, and your ass looks fine." He was wearing long tailored duelling pants and a duelling top, long sleeved, high collared with buttons running down to his waist. It was form fitting and Ginny suspected he knew he looked good, but was just fishing for compliments.

Suddenly after a knock on the door, Harry entered and smiled at the pair. "Ah, Ginny, I was wondering if you'd come with me for a moment?"

As she stood to follow him, Draco called to her retreating back, "Ginevra. Please don't forget, I need the bag delivered to me at the great hall at twenty to seven tonight!"

Ginny waved a hand and closed the door behind her with her wand.

Hermione stood next to Dumbledore's desk tapping her foot. It was five in the Evening and the exhibition put on by the Kallaix students in the Great Hall was finally over. Hermione was well aware that she was running on pure adrenalin, she hadn't been sleeping from stress and a very full schedule over the last few days, and Draco hadn't helped at all today, just smirked at her and told her he was 'taking the day off.' Inwardly Hermione screamed. The amount of fuss she had endured this morning while he relaxed with the Australians in their Hunt tent. Daphne and Pansy had lodged an official complaint against their being dismissed, which had lead to all sorts of worries, then their had been the press conference with the Daily prophet who had just wanted a points update for their daily issue.

Inwardly this made her calm somewhat. Hogwarts was winning now, a somewhat comfortable six hundred and fourteen point five to five hundred and seventy nine, their closest competitors. Frigging Kallaix, and Justine had won the Hunt this morning, this would affect their lead. Damnit! Was their anything that this girl wouldn't ruin? Hermione was supposed to enjoy being Head Girl, but since she had arrived Hermione had lost everything, even, she secretly suspected but didn't dare admit, her sanity. She shook her head.

Dumbledore was watching the play of emotions across Hermione face and didn't like what he was seeing. He now feared that in his quest to unite the Magai's, fullfill the old Prophesy, he had done the one thing he had never wanted to do. He had isolated and broken Hermione, his Head Girl and the one person he was relying on to give Harry support. A long conversation with the Delightful Jean Wadsworth this morning had left him with a whole new respect for the woman. She had stood by her students, but recognised that Justine, though she was a volitile personality,was something greater than she realised, and both agreed it would soon be time to link her fate to both Draco and Harry's. Then she had spilled and interesting revelation. The rumours Dumbledore had heard about Ax from the first night of the Hunt were true, when he had attacked Leon Necrose he had indeed summoned upon Sword Magai strength. This was an interesting revelation indeed.

Dumbledore sighed and reached one arm slowly to stroke across Fawkes' feathered head. The destiny of the light side depended on Harry taking this well, but he feared that his mistakes in the past would alter his judgement of today's revelations. Thus he had signed the summons forms for a specific few and sat next to where Hermione paced to wait.

First to enter was Harry, with Ginny and Ronald Weasly. Dumbledore saw them exchange a look and was certain they had come in here with some sort of plan, he could read it in Ron's face, though he was glad the fuss Ron had caused seemed to be dying down.

Ronald and Harry moved together to sit on a sofa on the far side of the room, before Ron spoke quite clearly, shocking Hermione, "Sir, I was unable to find Malfoy, perhaps he was with Justine and will arrive shortly."

The group fell into silence once more.

When next the stone griffin moved it revealed Snape to be leading Justine, Kris, Saul and Alyson, all of whom seemed to be following his lead, so when he moved to sit behind one long bench seat they all sat on it, except Kris, who as Kallaix Head Boy felt he had the right to know what they had done wrong, or right. Thought he suspected by the look on Harry's face, and Hermione's glare, it was wrong.

"Headmaster, I assume that by summoning us and requiring we bring our host teacher we are in some sort of trouble?"

Dumbledore pressed his fingertips together, making a conical and watching Kris intently, "We must wait for one more person, then we will discuss today's events Mr Crompton," And as if by cue, McGonnagal entered the room.

"Albus, I managed to find all the student requested but one, Draco is not in the so called DC tower room, nor the Slytherin Common room…" She looked perplexed, as though students being out of their place in these dark days tormented her.

Dumbledore however stood with a ghost of a smile and said, "My dear Minerva that would be because he is in the room of requirement practising putting humour into his speech with Seamus Finnegan."

At his Minerva nodded and sat next to Harry and Ronald.

Kris again cleared his throat pointedly and Albus could almost see Kris, indeed all the Kallaix students, fall into 'Student Trial' mode, when they were clear, to the point and very concise. "Headmaster and Teachers, I must again ask on behalf of my school, what reason do you have for summoning us to your office today. As much as I love our time spent here, it is becoming ridiculous, if we are so against your behavioural codes, why not just send us home?"

Hermione snapped. There was no other way to put it, she stalked across the room in a fit of temper and slapped Kris clean across the face. "YOUR IMMORAL! You had to do something against the law to even make people enjoy your little display today! Mass cheering charms have been outlawed since the 1700's in Britain, and you're under our jurisdiction!"

She raised her hand again but before she could swing down, Justine stood angrily and said in a clear but deathly quiet tone, which strongly reminded Albus of Severus, "Physical abuse is also punishable by law, even in muggle terms, but the aggressor always classed as the first to strike, so lay your hands on him again and you will deal with me" Hermione cried out in anguish and Justine squeezed hard on her fingers and pulled back, running over to stand next to Dumbledore, seeming to fall back on his strength, sobbing somewhat and glaring at Harry.

Dumbledore placed one hand on her shoulder and Ginny and Ron came to help her to a free chair, McGonnagal falling in beside Harry, somewhat knowing something was coming and offering her support silently. "Hermione, you and I both know that the law states that massed cheering charms are punishable by fine and an act of community service, but what you must take into account is the laughter. A standard cheering charm lasts an hour and a half. Our early dinner lasted from three to five, that's two. Mr. Crompton, Mr. Thorpe-Townsend, Miss Deveréaux and Miss Snape were getting some of the loudest cheering and laughter towards the end of their show. In these dark times we often don't get to have the fun nor freedom that the students of Hogwarts deserve, being in the epicenter of Voldemort's territories."

The Australians and indeed a few of the British in the room looked uncomfortable at the usage of the Dark Lords name, especially Alyson who could sense the evil dripping off the word. Justine looked covertly for Severus's hand, which was resting on her shoulder

"When I saw the joy on the faces of my students today, I was over whelmed with thanks for Mr. Crompton, for giving Hogwarts the joy it deserved, and so I say his community service is paid. Although I will have to enforce the fine, we will do so in a way that leads not unto the act being recorded, if you could find it to finance another maternity room at St. Mungo's, I know we are in need of it."

Kris nodded and stood. "Headmaster, and Hermione. I didn't know that the spell was outlawed; it just seemed like a good idea at the time. I will do as you have suggested, and I am sorry I have cause Hermione such grief. Please accept my apology."

Dumbledore nodded, his smile returning as he said kindly, "That was said well Kristopher. Thank you. If you like, I will expect you tomorrow morning at nine am for a floo conference with both your father and St. Mungo's."

"Headmaster!" Hermione screeched, "I certainly do not accept this abomination of a punishment. He is to do 100 hours of community service for this criminal act against our school, and the fine is several hundred galleons, I know, I looked it up!"

Kris rolled his eyes at her. "You dimwit, how much do you think a state of the art maternity suite is going to cost?"

Hermione fumed. "The only reason any one enjoyed the meal was because you hit them with cheering charms it was dull and… and the Gryffindor girls and I hated it!" She looked to Ginny for support, but was met by an uncertain look, Ginny it seemed, was not ready to lie to make Hermione feel better and she had had a great time.

Kris laughed condescendingly, "It would seem the Gryffindor girls were just fine with it, not that we were even at their table" he mocked her, "Or maybe your upset because you enjoyed watching me a little too much?"

Hermione blanched and poked a finger hard into his chest. "Not one, I repeat, not one of the girls today would ever want you without the charms, you pompous smarmy asshole!" And Justine stood. Kris would not take this well.

But before she could do anything, Kris turned, and swept Ginny up in his arms, leant her back and kissed her on the lips, making a slow, sensual show of it, before pulling back to observe the girl in his arms. "Tell her she's lying Ginny, when I'm in charge I can have any girl I want."

Ginny looked dazed, and Justine saw her expression turn form one of soft desire and caring to fear and pain. Damn Kris, he had used Ginny to prove a point and Ginny knew it. Her eyes filled with tears and she fought against Kris, beating his chest with her fists and crying out. Kris set her on her feet and let go, the anger bleeding from him as he watched her shocked. The room seemed frozen. It had all happened so fast, not even the teachers knew what to make of it. Ron's face however seemed to be changing. His eyes were bleeding of color, his fist curling into fist's that also seemed to radiate with a white-hot energy. He walked towards Kris and without a second thought, punched him clear in the face, catching his cheekbone. Kris stepped back, one hand flying to inspect the damage of his cheek, and as Ginny fled the room, he straightened and said, "Do you know what you're asking for Weasly?"

Ron's eyes thinned to slits. "Yes." Was his simple response and both boys lunged at each other.

Justine saw Severus and Albus move as if to break up the fight, and for reasons unknown to her, felt the need to stop them, so she drew up a shield of Magai energy to encapsulate the boys, with her inside.

Across the room, Alyson felt something pull from just below her breastbone, and knew that her heart desired her to protect… Ron? She shrugged and had to answer the insatiable need of herself and when she felt the barrier grow to protect the boys he hastily stepped in. She drew an earring from her ear and slashed one fingertip, and flicked a drop of her blood at the Barrier, causing it to grow in intensity and power; no one could kill it now, only Justine. Ron was protected.

Dumbledore watched in shock and the fight ensued, with himself, Harry, Severus, Saul, and Minerva, trapped outside. Severus surged forward and in his first words since entering said to Justine though the shield, "Justine, if you feel the need to stop us from interfering, for Merlin's sake could you please break the fight up?"

Justine seemed to come out of a trance. Kris had Ron pinned and was screaming obscenities as he pummeled him, but Ron seemed to be running on a power not his own, and he was punching back, kicking and yelling too. Finally Justine ran over and shoved Kris in the shoulders hard, causing him to topple off the other boy. Ron jumped to his feet at the same time and as both boys ran for each other, Justine cast a polar charm on the boys, making them like magnets with opposite polar force who could run at each other all they wanted, but they couldn't get close.

"Kris, Ron, calm down ok. I know Kris had been a little insensitive Ron, and I know you think Ron has it coming to him Kris, but please, both… stop… it…" The force of both boys struggling, and the force field began to take its toll, and Ron managed to get real close to Kris and swing. Unfortunately he missed and caught Justine in the lip, which immediately began to bleed down the front of the green netting top she was still wearing. Her hands broke out in sparks and glowing.

The polar charm dissipated, but both boys stared in shock. "Bunny?" Kris asked, running to her side as she held her lip, tears streaming down her face. She weakly wrapped one arm around his waist, which he took as a good sign, her other hand trying to stop the flow of blood, the sparking wasn't helping.

Ron stood frozen. He had hit a girl. Out of anger he had hit a girl he cared about. Holy Shit, his mother was going to kill him. Justine was going to kill him. Holy Shit. Malfoy. He stumbled over to Justine and placed a hand on her shoulder, pleading that she was ok. The guilt tore him up inside as he got her blood across his hand. Alyson instead pushed her way between the boys, shoving them out of the way and lifted her chin, placing her bleeding fingertip on Justine's cut.

"I know it's gross, but this should stop the bleeding and swelling." She said to her best friend.

Justine just nodded, took a deep breath and pulled down the shield. "No one move" she said quietly, "This comes under Kallaix Jurisdiction. Kris, your accused of the same this we charged Ax with the other night, deliberately harming another student. I pass on to you the same punishment you gave him. Thus a warning will be noted in your school record, you will apologize to Ginevra Weasly then leave her alone. She may approach you, not the other way round and you may not address her in informal conversation. Am I clear?"

Kris nodded and pulled out a monogrammed hanky to dab Justine's chin, using his wand to make it ice cold so he cold relieve some of her pain. "I understand"

She turned her eyes on Ronald. "At Kallaix Academy I would have the power to suspend you for this, with some nasty side punishments for good measure. But, in all honesty, I wouldn't. What transpired today came about due to pent up emotions form actions dating back years. I want to say to you now, once and for all. I understand why you did what you did. We have always clicked, and made terrific friends. This is why it was so vicious when we were not. It's over Ron. I hold nothing against you anymore. Its in the past." She turned to Kris who nodded. "Kallaix will no longer hold a grudge on your name, and I would appreciate a 'hello' in the corridors now and then… well, until I leave tomorrow." She somehow now had managed to stop crying.

Both boys turned and shook hands, apologizing quietly to one another.

Dumbledore stood rooted to the spot. These student trials were spectacular indeed. The conflict between Justine and Ronald was resolved, as was this recent kafuffle. He cleared his throat, and Justine's eyes shot up. "Headmaster, I will return in a moment, but I just need to go see Ginny and make sure she is ok."

He nodded and Justine fled the room, Severus and Minerva's eyes a shocked mirror of his own reaction. But all was not well when Hermione, who until now had remained quiet said loudly, "He's going to get away with it again? Damnit Harry, Professor, DO SOMETHING! Kallaix can't get away with this… this attack on the Weasley's!"

This caused the most shocking event of all. It seemed Alyson's empathic power saw, and in an uncharacteristic move, as she usually didn't like confrontation because she embraced her Unicorn side, she stood and pushed it back, truly becoming the heiress to Deveréaux Lawyers. She walked clear in front of Hermione and said quietly. "You know what I am Hermione, thus you know my words to be true. Your accusations are rude, your behavior disgusting and you're now glaring with a mind full of revenge and anger at your own leaders. Have you lost your mind? A war is coming, we all know it, and you are begrudging Harry Potter, the boy many see as our last hope. He deserves your respect, no matter the decisions had made today, because I can fell friendship pouring out of the both of you for each other. If you have anger towards the Australians, let it not be for personal vendetta's, rather for the welfare of your school. Think hard before you speak in this meeting again, and know that I will know if you're not true to you own heart." Alyson reached out one hand towards Hermione and traced a hand down her cheek, at which Hermione shied away.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, watching the clock; He had forty-five minutes till the next event. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe we must all sit and wait for the return of Miss Snape. It is time to share some truths with you, some things you want to hear, some things, you may not.

Ginny had run to the lake, and was now staring terrified as The McEwan Dragon tried to comfort her newest 'Flame-Haired child'. Justine calmly walked to where Ginny was on the shore and sat straight down next to her on the bank.

"Ginny, are you ok?" Justine said quietly. Ginny had lowered her head to her knees, and wrapped her arms around her drawn up legs. She was a figure of dejection.

'Child! Tell me why you are blood soaked? What has happened to you' McEwan was now fretting, Justine could hear it. 'Kristopher told me that if I let things lie for the last few days and let him protect you all would be well, now you are injured?' Her anger was rising, So Justine turned and said to her "McEwie, I love you, but you are worrying unnecessarily, the injury was sustained during an event, by my own foolishness. Please though, could I have a moment with Ginny, we need to talk."

McEwan dropped her great head and nudged Justine's side before diving of content, sending waves rushing up the bank, wetting both Ginny's and Justine's feet and lower legs. Justine grimaced playfully and turned to Ginny to make a clever quip when she saw the girl was looking at her in horror.

"What really happened?" She whispered.

"Justine looked across the water thinking then back at Ginny. "It would seem that both boys thought you were worth causing a fuss over, and they had a bit of a fight, and then I accidentally got punched. No biggie"

Ginny's eyes widened, but at that exact moment a funny jingle could be heard, and Justine reached into her back pocket and retrieved a small metallic green flat box like thing, which she proceeded to open like a book and hold to one ear. "Hello?" She paused and a smile played across her bloody and battered lips. "…No Mark, I am quite fine, the charm probably heated cause I got… uh punched…" She laughed a little as a loud curse could be heard from the box thing, "…I have to go but I love you ok? Kiss kiss… mmm hmmm… Yup… I'm fine I promise… Yes I'll call you… Your coming? That's so cool. See you tonight then ok? Ciao…" and she closed the box thing and put it in her pocket again.

Ginny was staring in wonder. She had heard of these portable floo things, called 'mobilly phones' originally a muggle invention. "Was that? Mark Grey?" She asked in wonder. "Are you really dating him?"

Justine laughed, "If only you knew, but were here to talk about you now remember."

Ginny remembered and was instantly miserable again. Justine placed a hand on top of hers and grimaced, "He's really hurt you hasn't he?" At Ginny's sob she continued, "Ginny, I know it's hard but you have to try and not take this personally. Kris is from Australia, where guys are idiotic. He didn't realise he would hurt you. The painful thing here though is he should have known better, because he knows you like him."

Ginny's eyes flew up as though she would deny it, but upon seeing Justine's conviction she moaned, burying her hands in her red tresses, she sobbed out, "Oh Merlin! How many people know? This is even worse!"

Justine moved to crouch in front of Ginny. "Sweetheart, you need to act like this never happened ok? It's a bitch, but if you want his attention you need to make him feel bad. I wouldn't tell just anyone this, in fact I would be telling you to run, screaming, frantically in the other direction, as fast as you can. But I've seen the way he looks at you. Its not appraising, its not calculating, its appreciation. He admires your spunk, and we both know you have it, its just kind of weighed down by the embarrassment right now. So get off your ass and come back with me and make him feel like the jerk he is. Your too strong for this Gin."

Ginny was slightly shocked. Justine was right. She was acting like an idiot. She stood and brushed her robes down. "Is Ronald or Kris hurt badly, I know Medi-Aid."

Justine smiled and nodded. "That's better. Kris knows how to do Medi-Aid spells too. Ron might be worse for wear though. Lets move"

Ginny and Justine embraced and Justine was shocked when Ginny was suddenly pulled back and Draco stepped between Ginny and Justine, erecting a shield and pulling up her chin with angry, worried eyes. He lifted his hand and Justine felt a pull of Magai magic so similar to her own as he ran a finger tip across her bottom lip slowly, leaving her skin perfect once more, then he cleansed her of all blood. "What the hell did Ginevra do to you? I'll make her pay," he growled gutturally, glaring at the red head trying to get into Justine

From outside Ginny could be heard yelling her head off and Justine had to smile, when she had said 'find your spunk' this was what she needed, but Draco was pissed.

"Draco I'm fine, I wasn't fighting with Ginny, but we are in the middle of something…"

Draco grabbed her by the upper arms gently when she would have left, narrowing his eyes at her. "That wound had been treated with unicorn blood, Alyson is involved. Why is she involved? Justine, don't shut me out. I want to protect you," His eyes were so intense Justine was almost lost in them, a shudder ran through her as one of his hands on her upper arm ran down her arm, moving to rest on the side of her waist. "And why are your legs wet? Merlin! I just want to know what's going on" The shield pulsed and Justine nodded.

"Hermione told on Kris to Dumbledore for using cheering charms. We've been in Dumbledore's office. Then Kris kissed Ginny, and Ron got pissed off and punched him, and Kris retaliated and I got hit." She said in a rush.

Draco's hands sparked, identically to Justine's and his eyes darkened, the iris's loosing colour until they were black. "Kris hit you? Then Kris will suffer," Draco said in a voice so dark that Justine flinched. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, wrapping his arms around her, "I swear, no one will ever hurt you again Justine," and the shield dropped, he released her slowly and Draco stalked off, in the direction of Kris.

Justine blinked rapidly, Draco was going to make Kris suffer… but it wasn't Kris? Then she realised how what she had said had been interpreted. Damn, she had been so lost in his eyes she hadn't even given him details. She looked At Ginny who seemed to have come to the same conclusion. Ginny was terrified. Both girls tore through the grounds and encountered Draco at the front steps, Justine swung in front of him and faced him head on, reaching up to pull his head down and look him in the eye.

"Draco! It wasn't Kris who hit me, don't hurt him, he was trying to defend himself from Ronald…"

Justine watched in horror as the black in his eyes spread to encompass the white, "Ronald? He was the one who hit you?"

Justine stuttered, "Well yes, but he…"

The air around them pulsed outwards from Draco, throwing everyone but Justine from the vicinity; Justine was merely moved backwards and surrounded by a shield.

Draco's entire body was surrounded by an aura of dark magic, but where hers sparked a purple colour, his was sparking electrical white. His eyes were black, colourless and emitting small sparks of their own. They narrowed, looking towards Dumbledore's office. "Then Weasly will die." The air crackled and a thunderstorm rolled across the skies. Lightning striking the ground around Draco, scattering students who took refuge wherever they could, and when it cleared he was gone. Justine's eyes widened and she took off at a flat run for Dumbledore's office, parting the crowds with one hand as she went, Ginny at her heels.

The rain began to fall as foreboding thunder rumbled overhead.

buh Buh BUUUHHHHHH! This is Princess signing in!- lol. new chappie hot off the press for y'all - No one spotted the Fritz in the last few chapters... there was a prize for spotting him you know! Did anyone spot this chapters cameo? (coughAytheriacough)

Thankyou's:

The Crazy One - Thankies good lady! Your awesome Anne and you know it!

Mali-Caren - Your Welcome! Yeah, sorry we were gone for so long, but the chapters are uber long and we were going through the exam section of the Australian school year XD thus internet and time together time became aprecious resource. We're back on track now. Lol.

Evil Percussionist - Yeah, im all updating again like :D Thanks for following and reviewing love. VIVA LA CANADA!

Blade Knight - Your so Awesome man. :D no... really...

Freedom Star - hee hee hee - its always cool to read your reviews. Theyre short sweet and make me feel loved. Thanks for reading and reviewing :D

Padfoot's Godchild - Whoa. Your review was spectacular! I dont much like Ron and Hermione, which Wolfmoon constantly laughs about. Im like, "lets kill Hermione! She's annoying!" Harry and hermione are now officially over. YAY! And the prophesy from the squib (strokes her chin sagely) welllllll... thats for me to know... and you to read next chapter! thankyou for reviewing

Altari - (tackles in hugs) Your so damn awesome - lets chat again on Yahoo soon! Thankies for revieing (points to top of page) I dedicated to you O.O Did you seeeeeeeee?

Phoenixdor Dragonclaw - Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, keep it up, lol.