Familiaris

Chapter 1

"NIGEL!"

The shriek of his name thrust Nigel into shock, and he didn't have enough time to brace himself before he was being tackled by Sally-Anne. After her arms were clung tightly around his neck, that was Susan and Hannah's cue to join in on the smothering. The Macmillan's looked up from where they sat in their tent and smiled. Ernie shook his ash blonde head as he continued to poke the small fire in front of him with a stick.

"Took you long enough." Pouted Sally-Anne, playing with his hair.

Then she turned to Justin who had arrived with Nigel and proceeded to hug him tightly. He didn't fight, but stood still with a withdrawn annoyed look on his face. Nigel left Justin's side and sat next to Ernie while having a look around. There were thousands of tents strewn out on the field and he couldn't help but feed off of everyone else's excitement. Like Ernie, Nigel was an obsessive fan of Quidditch, unlike Justin who preferred football. Nigel smiled happily as he waited for his first Quidditch World Cup game.

"So, like, isn't this cool?" giggled Sally-Anne running to his side, "Ireland is so gonna win."

"Think that if you want." Smirked Ernie, who was porting a Bulgarian Quidditch Team t-shirt.

Sally-Anne ignored her cousin, being that her comment had been directed to Nigel. But, he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

"You and Justin got taller." Commented Susan as she crouched down by Hannah who was trying hard not to stare at Nigel.

She lost her will and gave in looking over at Nigel whose head was hung down and his hair, just passed his ear lobes, was hanging in his eyes. She smiled to herself. She loved his hair. Nigel shrugged again.

"Don't even try," chuckled Justin, "I've been trying to get him to speak since my mum picked him up."

The girl's all looked at Nigel inquisitively. He kept his head down avoiding their stares. He observed his lap wishing he could keep it his hair long. He felt safe, oddly enough, when it would hide his eyes. He observed his gawky legs and knees, as they stuck out too much from his shorts, that were supposed to be knee length. He sighed, in annoyance. He needed to buy knew clothes again. The thought didn't bother him; he liked shopping. It was the fact that his physical changes were so dramatic. He wished sometimes that he was a girl. In his opinion they had it far easier.

"Nigel?" asked Mrs. Macmillan, "What are your parents up to these days?"

He looked up at her warily. He had to answer. He couldn't be rude to an adult. The Hufflepuffs leaned forward anxiously from where they sat.

"The usual." He mumbled in an awkward baritone.

Sally-Anne squealed with delight.

"Your voice!" she shrieked pointing with a smile, "It's all deep!"

She then proceeded to throw her arms around his shoulders as his face became bright red.

"Talk again!" she gushed, "It sounds so sexy!"

***

Lilah arrived at the Quidditch World Cup standing next to the family that had invited her; the Malfoys. Draco actually had invited her as an apology for his behavior the year before. But, Lilah knew his parents had made him do it.

They walked to their designated lot. Lilah was silent and had been since she arrived at their mansion earlier that day. She most definitely did not want to go with them, but grandmama was insistent and would not take no for an answer. Both, Lilah and Imogen agreed it was a bad idea, but nothing could shirk Grandmama's opinion. So, there she was, having to spend her holiday with the Malfoys.

Lucius set up their tent, by just flipping it out once. It popped out into a dome shape. It was average size and could fit maybe three people, maximum. Lilah felt a lurch in her stomach in the realization that she might have to sleep next to Draco. Lucius let Lilah enter first and her jaw dropped. Inside was an exact replica of the first floor of the Malfoy mansion.

Lucius entered, followed by his family.

"You'll be staying in the last room down the hall." He said to Lilah.

She smiled hesitantly and made her way quickly down the hall. She opened the door and heard a door open behind her. She turned to see the room opposite from her was to be inhabited by Draco. They scowled at each other and she slammed her door in his face. She then, threw her bag on the floor and fell face first on her bed with a whine. It was going to be a long weekend.

***

Nigel walked around the camp ground with Justin. They had to get away from the girls. Mostly Sally-Anne, who was insisting that Nigel should spout poetry to her with his new improved voice. Justin took him for a walk feeling his pain. Sally-Anne had put him through the same hell the year before when his voice changed.

They walked through hundreds of tents. Nigel feared they would get lost but Justin seemed not to care. They came across the Diggory tent. In front was the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, huddled in a circle around a fire, arguing over who would win. A blonde head looked up and smiled at Nigel.

"Hi Nigel!" the blonde girl called.

It was Kalinda Lockwood a fifth year Hufflepuff and Beater. She wasn't the most striking to look at and more often described as cute. She beckoned the boys over. The rest of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team was too engrossed in their argument to notice the new comers.

"How are you?" the doe-eyed Kalinda asked.

"Fine." Nigel said cheerfully.

She kept her eyes on Nigel, not once looking over at Justin. He began to say hi, but stopped. Nigel was around, he remembered. And because of that Justin was invisible to girls. He didn't really mind and laughed to himself, amused with the situation.

Kalinda had a dreamy look on her face as she began to stroke Nigel's hair. Justin wondered if Nigel's hair was a sort of aphrodisiac.

"I like your hair long," she commented softly.

"Thanks. My mum wants to cut it," sighed Nigel.

"No! Don't let her!" she gasped, "It's darling. You sort of look like Ced."

Cedric's layered brown head looked up and the conversation halted.

"Of course he doesn't!" snapped Cedric with a grin; "He's sexier."

The girls giggled and Cedric's merry blue gray eyes danced in the firelight.

"What?" he chuckled, "We all know how sexy Moon is. If I was a girl, I'd want him."

Kalinda flirtatiously pushed Cedric's shoulder. Cedric winked at Nigel who shook his head smiling. Cedric then returned to his conversation. Nigel watched as Cedric gained the attention of the girls and boys again. He was so charismatic and funny. Nigel wished he had the same self-assurance to be able to talk so freely of his opinions and crack jokes. It was no wonder to him why Cedric got all the girls.

After a while of Kalinda's Nigel petting and constant passes be made towards Cedric, Justin began to get antsy. So, the boys bid the Hufflepuff Quidditch team farewell and continued on their walk. They walked past the Finnigans, the Brocklehurts (receiving a coquettish smile from Mandy, Nigel's ex-girlfriend), and came across a group of red heads walking quickly in front of them

"I think I found the Weasley's." smirked Justin.

Nigel smiled and cupped his mouth.

"Ginny!" he called out.

Ginny turned and saw Nigel waving at her. Her body suddenly froze and she couldn't move, couldn't think. Why was she even in this field? Who were these red headed boys with her?

CRASH!

Fred and George slammed into her.

"Jesus Gin!" snapped Fred.

"Watch it!" growled George.

Ginny sheepishly apologized and the boys went on with their three eldest brothers. Ginny stood still and took a deep breath as Nigel and Justin approached her. She put her hand on her hip, then crossed her arms, then resolved to stop fidgeting and just wave back.

"What's up?" Nigel asked.

Nigel was slowly getting used to talking and he knew Ginny wouldn't beg him to read Shakespeare to her or announce out loud that yes, the boy was going through puberty. It was true that Ginny didn't mention his voice change. In fact she didn't mention much of anything, for she stood there in silence for a couple of seconds staring at his eyes.

"Ginny, you okay?" Nigel asked.

"Yes, I was just . . . er" She looked away, "Daydreaming. I'm fine. . . Hi Justin!"

Justin was taken aback and waved to her happily. A girl acknowledged his presence with Nigel near by! He couldn't believe it. He smiled down at his new favorite person, Ginny Weasley. He didn't blame the girls for ignoring him. He wasn't handsome or charismatic like Nigel. Rather gawky, with wild curly blonde hair, a long nose, and sunken dimples.

"So where's the rest of Weasleys?" asked Justin.

Ginny proceeded to take them to where her family and friends were. The boys greeted the group and sat down. Nigel fell into small talk with Harry and Hermione, while Justin chatted with Ginny, under close supervision of Ron.

"Guess who Lily came with?" Hermione asked Nigel.

"Who?"

"Malfoy," she sneered, "No one deserves that sort of treatment."

"Why did she come with him?" gasped Nigel.

"She said he invited her." Shrugged Harry.

Nigel felt a sudden inclination to jump up and search through the thousands of tents and find Lilah and save her from the evil clutches of Draco Malfoy. But before his heroic fantasies could be fulfilled a shrieking banshee like figure clad all in purple came flying down the field towards them and tackled Bill Weasley.

"Billeh!" the girl shouted happily as she straddled his lap causing him to fall back.

"Hi Cory." He grunted sitting back up.

The girl then turned towards Charlie and leapt onto him.

"Oh! Charleh too?" she giggled practically strangling Charlie then Arthur with hugs. "Both of yeh here! Uncle Arthur this is the best birthday present ever!"

"How are you Cory?" asked Arthur amused, "Your parents with you?"

Cory quit shrieking and was normal in tone and manner and pointed to a tent far off with a large Scottish flag waving from it.

"Aye, they are over there." She said.

Arthur smiled and proceeded to the tent. Then the girl looked back at the rest sitting and proceeded to tackle Harry, then Ron and made her way down the line screaming everyone's name with unswerving enthusiasm. When she arrived at Nigel he was a bit frightened, to say the least. She was the oddest creature he had ever seen. Long layered fringe of purple in front and golden blonde hair tied up in spiky pigtails. Her risque, to say the least, clothing and makeup were all purple. She had on the oddest attire complete with paten leather combat books, laced fingerless gloves, fishnets with rhinestones up the back, a bodice that laced in front, tons of bangles on each wrist and a choker with little spikes on it. She was beautiful, that is he thought she was underneath all the makeup. The girl looked curiously at Nigel who braced himself.

"Who are yeh?" she asked then looked over at Ginny seated next to him and gasped, "Are yeh Ginny's boyfriend?"

Nigel tried to answer as Ginny went red in the face.

"No Cory," squeaked Ginny, "This is Nigel Moon."

"Don't you remember," added Hermione, "Our first week of school, he was hiding behind a statue while Malfoy was torturing him. Remember? You saved him and turned Malfoy's hair purple."

"That was you?" Nigel and Corona gasped together.

Corona smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

"You were so cute!" she squealed, "All curled up in a little ball."

She let go to get a better look and began to turn his face from side to side.

"Damn look at yeh now!"

Nigel smiled weakly and Corona continued down the line. When she was done she sat happily between Bill and Charlie and flirted shamelessly with both of them. Nigel noticed they didn't seem to really mind.

"So, that's Corona Macfadden," mumbled Nigel to Ron.

"You still think she's the Heir to Hufflepuff?" chuckled Ron.

"I'm not sure what she is."

***

Lilah sat pacing in her room blasting her Vampire Boys MB, trying to escape the place she was trapped in. She had left only once before and ran into Harry. But Draco soon found her and dragged her back to the tent. So she stayed in her room or better yet, cage.

There was a knock on the door.

"What?" she huffed.

"We're getting ready to go." Snapped Draco.

"Finally." Lilah sighed.

She pulled out her wand and commanded the MB to stop and headed for the door. She opened it to find Draco standing right outside of it. They glared at each other and headed down the hall silently.

"Excited?" Lucius asked Lilah.

She shrugged in response and looked around the field.

Lucius went on to explain that they would be seated in the best seats available in the top box. Lilah whirled her index finger around away from his view and rolled her eyes. They had to walk through the woods for what felt like a half-hour. Other fans were giggling and laughing happily as they made there way to the stadium, annoying Lilah. But, when the group finally arrived, even Lilah smiled. She couldn't help but feel excited when she saw the large golden gates. They headed up the stairs all the way to the top.

They entered the box.

"Ah, and here's Lucius!" announced Fudge.

Harry, Hermione and Ron turned in their seats with displeased looks. Lilah met Hermione's eyes. They gave each other pitying smiles. Lilah couldn't believe this was the same girl she would have given anything to have publicly humiliated a few months ago. She scowled at Draco who was taking a seat while his father chitchatted with Fudge. It was his entire fault Lilah and Hermione had issues with each other. Lilah sneered at him and went to go sit by Harry. But, Lucius touched her shoulder lightly.

"Lilah, we're over her," he said with a forced smile.

Lilah pursed her lips and stomped over to sit by Draco. She slouched in her seat and cursed all the excited cheering fans in the stadium.

"That isn't a very flattering face," smirked Draco in her ear.

"I would so like to hurt you right now," she groaned.

Draco opened his mouth to retort but Ludo Bagman ran in.

"Everyone ready?" he exclaimed.

Everyone nodded in anticipation. And with that he charmed his voice and began to announce the arrival of the mascots. Lilah rolled her eyes and leaned back not caring what came onto the field. But, when she heard that hypnotic sound she couldn't help but sneak a peak. She saw several beautiful women dancing on the field. They were very pleasing to watch and Lilah somehow felt better. She saw something rapidly shift next to her. She looked over and Draco was standing on his chair in a manner of a pirate in a crow's nest.

"Er, Malfoy?"

Draco had this absentminded smile on his face.

"They're calling me." He sighed.

Lilah began to laugh.

"I'm sure they are."

He nodded with the same stupid smile.

"I must join them," he announced and hopped off his seat.

"Be my guest," said Lilah showing him the way to certain death with her arm.

Draco began to run but was held back by his waistband. Narcissa had a firm grip on him and pulled him back into his seat.

"Draco, stop it," she ordered.

"But, mum they are calling me," he whined.

"That's nice dear." She sighed. "Just stay in your seat."

"Okay." He sighed and turned to Lilah and giggled, "Hi."

Lilah rolled her eyes and looked away.

"I made new friends," he said cheerfully.

Lilah began to laugh and felt his hand painfully squeeze her neck. She turned quickly with a yelp and noticed that Draco wasn't touching her at all. She looked around. She didn't see anyone nearby except for a little house elf who was standing by her seat. She looked up nervously at Lilah and tried to run off. She didn't go very fast and had an odd sort of limp. Lilah knew very well that elf wasn't the culprit and kept looking around. The feeling in the room was eerie all of a sudden to her. She knew very well that someone or something had grabbed her. Maybe, it was Draco. She looked over at him. He had jumped up again and tried to pirouette in the small space between his seat and the one in front. He lost his balance and fell flat on his face.

Maybe not.

***

The game in Nigel's opinion was the most exciting experience of his life. He and Sally-Anne cheered loudly as Ireland beat Bulgaria, much to Ernie's dismay. They talked loudly over and over again about how great Krum was, even though Bulgaria lost. The group made their way back to the Macmillan tent and celebrated loudly into the night.

Nigel looked around with his friends giggling next to him around the fire as the stars came out. He wondered where Lilah was. He had been really good not looking for her every five seconds. But now that the game was over he had nothing to distract his mind with. He hoped she was having a good time. Even though that would be too much to hope for considering she was with Draco Malfoy and his family. He shook his head. He wouldn't think about her. It was stupid to be this way. The girl didn't fancy him back. He needed to get over her and get on with his life.

"Nigel you want some more tea?" Hannah asked holding the kettle.

He shook his head.

"No thank you." He said looking towards Hannah, and there she was.

Lilah was standing right behind her. She waved hesitantly.

"Can I join?" she asked meekly.

"Sure." He chirped, his heart racing.

He made a place for her next to him. Lilah smiled at everyone and they all pasted on smiles for Nigel's sake. Even Sally-Anne behaved herself. Hannah put the kettle down and made an excuse to go into the tent.

"Brilliant game, huh?" Lilah asked Nigel.

He nodded.

"Yeah. It was brilliant." He said, "How has your summer been?"

"Boring. Have been stuck for the whole day with the Malfoys." She sneered.

"I heard." Nigel replied sympathetically.

"I'm doing all right." She sighed, "Dra-Malfoy isn't that bad. . ."

"I don't trust him." Nigel interjected. "You shouldn't have to be with him."

Lilah blushed and changed her tone quickly.

"True I don't trust him either." She pouted, "I sometimes feel frightened being over there."

Nigel almost put his arm around her, but decided not to.

"You shouldn't have to be where you feel scared. You could stay with us." Suggested Nigel.

Sally-Anne almost yelled out her disapproval, but instead clenched her fists in silence.

"No, I wouldn't want to intrude." Sighed Lilah.

"Are you sure?" urged Nigel.

Lilah nodded with a sweet smile.

"I'm sure." She sighed, "It's only for one more night. What could possibly happen?"

Nigel and Lilah stayed talking for a long time. The rest of the Hufflepuffs had gone off to bed.

"Nigel, don't stay up too late." Insisted Mr. Macmillan.

"I won't." said Nigel over his shoulder.

The Macmillans went to bed and Nigel and Lilah were alone. She knew she should probably head back, but why not freak out the Malfoy's for a while? She didn't care.

"So, nothing weird has been happening since we left school?" Nigel asked.

Lilah hesitated.

"Lily, you can tell me." He whispered.

Lilah looked over at the tents to make sure no one was listening and whispered in Nigel's ear about someone grabbing her in the box.

He didn't know what to say.

"I thought it was Malfoy at first, but he was off in veela land." Drawled Lilah.

Nigel thought for a moment.

"I don't know what it could have been." He sighed.

"That makes two of us."

They sat quietly for a moment and yet again Nigel felt the urge to hold her, but didn't.

"How are things at home?" Nigel asked changing the subject.

"Weird and boring as usual." Mumbled Lilah, "I asked my mum about what I told you Professor Lupin had said, about her past, and she ran out of the room in tears. So I decided to never mention that to her again. I guess I'll never know who my father was."

Nigel lay down on the grass.

"I know what you mean." He sighed.

"How? Oh, right you're adopted."

Nigel looked up at her and nodded.

"My adoptive parents have dropped hints and all, but never the whole truth. I mean I know my . . . well . . ."

Nigel sat up and came close to Lilah.

"You have to promise not to tell. Okay?" He insisted.

"Okay."

"Well, my real mum was well, she was married when she had me, but not to my dad. I am pretty sure that is why she gave me up."

"What about your dad?" Lilah asked quietly.

"I don't know, I think he was really young, like a teenager, and didn't know what to do."

Lilah thought for a moment.

"So we're in the same boat." She mumbled.

Nigel nodded and scooted closer to her.

"My adoptive parents refuse to say my real parents name's." Groaned Nigel, "I think my real parents wanted it that way. And I am not old enough to get the records. I have never even seen my birth certificate. I don't even know what my real last name is."

Nigel dug his fingers into the dirt.

"Neither do I." Added Lilah.

Nigel looked up at her. Their faces were so close. This girl who could relate to him in a way no one else could. He stared at her eyes in the moonlight. It would have been the perfect moment to kiss her, he thought. Some dark figures moved in the back and he was distracted. He looked over and saw some hooded figures run by quickly.

"What is that?" Nigel asked.

Lilah turned and saw the hooded figures running swiftly down the field. She shook her head. Something felt weird and both of them began to feel frightened as one of the figures faced them. It had on a white mask. Lilah clutched Nigel's arm.

"What the hell?" She gasped.

The figure stopped and beckoned something to it and pointed at Lilah. She began to shake.

"Lily!" snapped a voice from behind her.

She turned and found Draco standing, arms crossed, behind her. She turned back to see the figures, but they were far down, blending in with the darkness. Draco reached for her and grabbed Lilah's arm.

"My parents have been looking for you." He snapped at her.

"So."

"Come on." He urged and began to pull her up.

"Leave her alone." Growled Nigel.

Lilah pulled away and Draco pointed his wand at Nigel.

"Shut up mudblood." Draco sneered.

Nigel reached for his wand and pointed it at Draco. Draco's scowl turned into a smile and he began to laugh.

"Come one Lily." Draco smirked as he grabbed her arm again, his wand still pointing at Nigel.

"I'll go! God!" she snapped the sighed annoyingly, "Put your wands down."

Draco and Nigel did and Lilah turned to head back to the Malfoy's tent.

A shriek was heard. Lilah, Nigel, and Draco looked over and saw a blast of light shoot up from where the muggles who rented the lots lived.

"Death Eaters!" screamed Draco, "Death Eaters!"

The Macmillans rushed out as did many wizards and witches, form their tents.

Draco ran off holding onto Lilah's arm still screaming out, "Death Eaters".

Nigel couldn't understand anything. Everything was going so fast. Witches and wizards ran out of their tents hearing the screams. He turned back to where he saw the blast and saw the hooded figures walking forward with something over them. He realized people. He then remembered Draco dragged of Lilah. Nigel was torn and wanted to get her back, but knew he shouldn't leave the Macmillans sight. Ernie's father looked over and muttered something to his wife and she nodded. He then ran off in the direction of the Death Eaters, The rest of the Hufflepuffs stumbled out of their tents hearing the screams.

"All right everyone. Follow me." Mrs. Macmillan ordered. "We need to go into the wood."

Sally-Anne met Nigel's eyes, and he could tell she was scared. A feeling rarely shown by Sally-Anne. She ran over to him and grabbed his hand and they followed Mrs. Macmillan. They walked quickly trying not to get lost amongst the thousands of frantic wizards and witches. Nigel thought he would feel safe in the forest but he was wrong.

"What's going on?" asked Susan who was holding Hannah's hand.

Mrs. Macmillan looked down with a nervous wince at the girls.

"Death Eaters were out there." She whispered.

Susan's face became frozen with fear.

"What the hell is a Death Eater?" shrieked Sally-Anne.

"You-know-who's followers." Mrs. Macmillan hissed.

Sally-Anne gripped tightly to Nigel's hand at that comment. Justin exchanged nervous looks with Nigel. He, Sally-Anne and Justin were all of muggle lineage. For a very good reason they, most of all, felt unsafe.

***

Draco kept running, ignoring Lilah's questions and pleas. His grip was so tight that his nails dug into her arm. Try as she might, she couldn't free herself. They ran into the forest and past tree after tree. They came upon a clearing and he finally stopped. But, his hand was still gripped painfully to her arm. He looked around making sure they were alone and then let go.

"Now will you tell me what the hell just happened!" shouted Lilah.

"There were Death Eaters." Commented Draco matter-of-factly.

"I gathered that." She snapped, "Why did you take me off and start screaming?"

"To warn everyone." He smirked.

Lilah shook her head unconvinced and scowled. She had no doubt that the Death Eater who pointed to her was Lucius Malfoy himself.

"What are they going to?" hissed Lilah.

"How should I know?"

"Your parents are out there right? Why wouldn't you know?"

Draco just rolled his eyes and leaned back on a tree, looking rather relaxed. The lack of light around them made it hard to see, but she knew he was smirking.

She jumped as she heard a howl of pain behind her.

"What happened?" asked a girl's voice a little far off.

Lilah looked around unable to see and smacked he teeth for not having her wand.

"Ron where are you? Oh this is stupid-lumos!"

A light appeared and Lilah saw Hermione's wand coming towards her. A figure was lying on the ground and began to get up.

"Tripped over a tree root." Grumbled Ron.

Lilah was happy to have sane people near by. But didn't want Harry to see her alone with Draco in the forest. She tried to hide in the shadows, praying Draco wouldn't say a word. But that was too much to hope for.

"Well, with feet that size, hard not to," Draco drawled.

Lilah huffed and stomped over to him.

"Go fuck yourself!" snapped Ron.

"Language, Weasley," smirked Draco.

Harry saw Lilah and she smiled nervously. He nodded with a stern face. After a few more testy words between them and Draco, Harry and his friends hurried off. As soon as they were out of sight Lilah pushed Draco.

"You prat!" she snapped.

Draco sighed and stayed leaning contentedly against the tree.

"You really have a problem controlling you temper." He smirked. "You should see a specialist."

Lilah raised her hand to hit him in the dark, when she felt a smack across the back of her head. She screamed out in pain and turned around.

"Who hit me!"

"Lumos!" Called Draco.

"Show yourself!" she screamed.

She saw Draco walk up next to her with his wand illuminated. They looked around but no one was there. He looked warily at her.

"What happened?" he asked.

She was distracted from answering by a rustling noise. Draco pointed his wand in the direction of the noise, but didn't see anything.

"Someone hit me!" declared Lilah, "I swear!"

"Well it wasn't me," retorted Draco.

"I know it wasn't you! If it was you, you would be on the floor right now in a lot of pain!"Draco looked around again, then looked back at Lilah. She saw a glint of fear in his eyes as he held his wand over his head lighting the area.

"Want to go after them?" he asked with a tinge of uncertainty.

"No," she huffed.

"Curious," he mumbled to himself.

Lilah didn't care if it was Draco she was with. At that moment she was more afraid of who else was nearby and inched closer to his side. He looked over at her. She could here is breathing was picking up in speed.

Without warning, the sky became illuminated in green. Lilah and Draco looked up and instinctively gripped each others hands. It was the dark mark. They knew what it was. Both from families of Death Eaters, they didn't need it explained to them. Draco's hand slightly shook.

"I can't believe they actually used it," he gasped.

Lilah forgot again it was Draco with her and gripped tightly to his hand. That mark scared her more then anything she knew. More than falling from the observatory window. Her stomach clenched painfully and she began to shake.

"You scared?" Draco whispered.

"N-no."

"You're shaking," he commented softly turning towards her.

"I-I'm cold," she said quickly looking down and letting go of his hand.

"Lily," he whispered in her ear, "I'm . . . I'm scared."

Lilah looked up at him and could only make out his silhouette. His wand was still illuminated, but he held it away from his face. She couldn't tell by his facial features if he was lying. He sounded sincere. But Lilah still felt uncomfortable.

"You'll be fine," she commented and stepped back. "We should find your parents."

Lilah felt Draco reach out for her.

"They'll find us," he said quickly holding her hand.

Lilah pulled it away.

"II want to find them," she stammered.

Draco looked around and sighed.

"Fine." He Snapped.

"What's with that tone?"

"What tone?" he drawled.

"You don't have to get testy with me. I was just saying we should find them."

"God, I wasn't being testy! You really are something, you know that!"

"Let's just get out of here." Lilah growled walking off.

"Fine! Not like I enjoy being with you!" Draco shouted following her.

"Why won't you just leave me alone?" whined Lilah.

"Leave you alone?" snorted Draco, "You leave me alone! I always have to be so nice to you and for what? Don't think I enjoy one minute of this!"

Lilah threw her arms up in the air with a scream and continued out of the forest, not caring if she ran into Voldemort himself. She had to get away from Draco or else she was going to kiss him. Kill him, she corrected herself, kill him.

***

The ride back home was very quiet in the Fletchley's car. Nigel and Justin watched the scenery fly by without a word. Both boys weren't quite sure what had just happened to them. Nigel had never before felt like such an outsider. He felt completely naked and vulnerable last night; not at all magical. He guessed that is exactly what the Death Eaters wanted. Justin seemed to be having the same sort of problems.

"I wish sometimes I would have gone to Eton," sighed Justin, suddenly.

His father smiled sympathetically at him through his review mirror.

"You know I was registered to go there too," commented Nigel.

Justin smiled.

"That's funny." Justin chuckled, "We would still be stuck together. I just can't get away from you, can I?"

Nigel smirked, "But instead of being scared of Death Eaters we would be afraid we would run into the paparazzi as they hunted for Prince William on campus."

Justin nodded.

"Right now," he sighed, "I'd go for the paparazzi."

Nigel arrived finally at home and bid Justin goodbye, even though they would see each other again in a two days. He walked up the steps to the enormous Moon mansion in Chestershire. It was more out of the way from the Fletchley's house, in Hampstead, but the Moon's Hampstead house was being renovated, and the Kensington flat was being inhabited by Nigel's step sister Margaret, two years his senior, as she attended dance academy.

It was good to be back at home, with muggles. He felt somehow safer.

The next day, Nigel sped down the road on his skateboard. He propelled the skateboard pushing with his foot, balancing gracefully, with his hands in his pockets. His thoughts far off on his up coming fourth year at Hogwarts and fourteenth birthday, on the 28^th of September.

He turned down the street picking up momentum. He skated into the driveway, noticing a blue Vauxhall in the front. Margaret must be visiting. Nigel flipped up the skateboard with his foot snatched it into his hands and trotted into the house. He ran down the hall and up the stairs towards the top floor. Music could be heard drifting down the stairs as he made his way up.

"Maggie, you up there?" he called.

"Yes." Answered a soft voice.

Nigel opened the door and stretching her legs against a dancing bar was a petite girl dressed in a maroon leotard and loose dance trousers. The CD player in the corner was playing Tchaicovsky.

"You're on holiday still?" Nigel asked entering her room.

The room was relatively large, with a mirror and a dance bar placed in just for her.

"I only have one class on Fridays." She sighed.

"Oh. So, when are mum and dad coming home?" he asked placing his skateboard against the wall.

Maggie shrugged her shoulders and walked over to the CD player and stopped the music. She then searched through her CD tower, found something that pleased her, and put it in. Her long brown hair was pulled back in a braid. She turned towards her brother and smiled as Salt N' Peppa came on. Her merry black eyes, shaped like her Japanese father's, twinkled.

"Wanna see what I learned last week?" she asked.

"Sure." Said Nigel standing to the side and watching.

Dance, especially Hip Hop/Funk, was a bond between them. It is what brought them together as siblings. When Joanne, and her new husband, who just happened to have the name as Nigel, adopted him, Margaret was anything but supportive. She was just getting over having a new daddy since her parent's split up when she was 5. But, now a new brother? And Nigel was weird. Very weird. Extremely quiet and shy. He barely spoke and when he did he would say odd things concerning badgers talking to him in his dreams. And she could of sworn, when she was little, to have seen him move the box of biscuits that were out of his reach by just staring at it.

At the time Nigel was enrolled in the same primary school as Maggie. Everyday right after class she would go straight to dancing school. Nigel would follow. The Winthrope-Moons didn't believe in nannies or having an eight-year old ride the tube or bus alone. So, Nigel would have to sit in the back while Maggie attended class. The teacher didn't mind, having taught Maggie since she was three and Nigel barely ever spoke that she often forgot he was there.

After awhile Nigel became bored with just sitting and having almost memorized the lessons anyway and joined in in the back. He slowly became more confident, even though it was a ballet class, and soon found out he really enjoyed dancing and much to his surprise was very good at it. He followed Maggie to jazz class, tap class, and their favorite, Hip Hop/Funk. At first she found him a nuisance, but the two began to form a bond at something they both loved and that their parents, both barristers, didn't quite understand.

Maggie began to count off the steps as she performed them. Nigel watched attentively and wished he still had time to follow her around, but alas his life had lead him down another road, away from dancing. But he hadn't lost his rhythm. After watching her a few times he joined in and the two danced around laughing and making up moves till their mum and dad came home.

"Tomorrow you begin term again, right?" asked Joanne at dinner.

Nigel nodded.

"Good thing you are friends with that Fletchley boy. All these horrid depositions have been piled upon me." She sighed, he dark hair cut short and layered. She had a thin and handsome face, with a carefree look in her charcoal eyes.

Nigel's father, who was called Morty after his middle name Mortimer to avoid confusion, smiled sympathetically at his wife. His brown hair was slightly graying at the temples. He had big brown eyes, a strong jaw and a narrow nose. He was still pleasing to the eye, but must have been very attractive when he was younger.

"I won't be able to see you off, either. This new case is burying me." He groaned.

"I understand." Sighed Nigel.

He knew that somehow they would be over come with guilt and figure out how to see him off. This happened all the time. Nigel knew all to well that to his parents, work was second to Maggie and him.

Maggie sighed, "I guess I will just have to torture you alone."

She smiled at Nigel and he stuck his tongue out at her.

"Are all your friends from your house going together?" asked Joanne pleasantly.

"Yes, mum." He said.

"What about your snaky friend?" Giggled Maggie.

Nigel rolled his eyes.

"She goes with her grandmother." He sighed.

"Aw. You won't be able to see your little girlfriend." Giggled Maggie

"She's not my girlfriend." He snapped causing his voice to crack.

Maggie laughed and Nigel wished he had never mentioned Lilah to her.

"Leave him alone Maggie." Warned Joanne, "Don't tease him about his little friend, what was her name?"

"Lilah." Said Maggie dreamily.

Nigel scowled at her holding his fork threateningly towards her. Maggie just laughed.