Familiaris

La Luna: Chapter 5

Lilah and Nigel stumbled out of the classroom. Nigel fixed his hair, as Lilah adjusted the collar of her dress robe. . However, as they walked back into the common room, instead of being euphoric like Nigel was as they walked back to the common room, she was fuming.
How can he be this way?

She was supposed to be the experienced one! The dominator. She glared at him from behind, as they advanced back to the common room. She vowed, then and there, not to let that ever happen again. No man was ever going to have power over her. Ever.

Nigel walked into the Hufflepuff common room alone. Only two people were in it. Sally was standing on the sofa, gloating, next to a seated Susan.

"Then, when we finished dancing, Cedric kissed my hand and went back to Cho! Booyah!" Sally shrieked.

Susan shook her head with a smile and noticed Nigel, and waved.

"Will never wash this hand ever again!" swooned Sally-Anne jumping off the sofa. "Oh, hi Nigel!" she waved furiously.

"Did you know I love Cedric and am going to marry him?" Sally-Anne giggled, running over to Nigel.

"Congratulations!" he announced and hugged her.

"So," she mused, "What took you so long? Oh my God! You missed Justin and Hannah getting caught kissing by Snape. Poor things are in so much trouble now."

Sally-Anne put her arm around Nigel. "What were you doing anyway?" she asked.

"Nothing," he shrugged.

Sally stopped giggling and stared at him. "Yeah right," she said, pounding her fist on her hip.

Nigel sighed and headed for the stairs.

"You were with her, right?" snapped Sally.

"If you mean Lilah, then yes," he snapped, staring forward.

"Calm down, Nigel," sighed Susan.

"Sorry," he mumbled and faced Sally-Anne. "Don't start, please."

"Fine," giggled Sally, "Dude, I'll be a perfect angel."

"Sal, I mean it," he said warningly.

"Okay, okay," she sighed.

Nigel walked up to her.

"Look I want you to get on with Lily," he mumbled.

"Nigel, I don't have to like all your friends," Sally-Anne huffed.

"But, she's . . . my girlfriend now."

Sally-Anne stepped back.

"Why?" she gasped.

"Because I want her to be!"

"But she's . . . Nigel, what were you thinking?"

"Sally..." Susan warned.

"But, she's a Slytherin!" shouted Sally-Anne. "She'll be just like the rest of them! She'll use you!"

"You can't judge her by her house. That's not fair!" snapped Nigel.

"But, she's so manipulative!" continued Sally-Anne in what was becoming a very loud rant. "And two faced! And, you know, she's like a slut!"

Nigel's eyes flickered wide in anger.

"Sally," he said in a deep curt tone, "Shut up."

"Shut up?" she gasped.

He didn't answer her and stared at the floor.

"Shut-up!" Sally-Anne repeated in a shriek, " Fine! I am only looking out for you! When she rips your heart out just like the rest of `em don't come crying to me!"

Sally-Anne pushed Nigel causing him to stumble back.

"Dumb ass!" she shouted, her eyes tearing.

Then she turned and ran to her room. Susan looked at Nigel pityingly and walked over.

"I'm gonna go check on her," she mumbled and headed for the stairs then turned back. "You know she just doesn't want to see you get hurt."

"I know," Nigel mumbled. "But, she isn't even trying to see it from the other side."

"Maybe so, but Nigel," Susan sighed, "Neither are you."

She turned and hurried up the stairs, leaving Nigel alone. He threw himself onto the sofa and stared at the fire.

"Why wasn't she put in Gryffindor?" he muttered to no one in particular. "She certainly has the temper for it."

"Nigel?" whispered a soft voice.

Nigel jumped, as Viviane appeared sitting next to him.

"V-Viviane," he stuttered. "Could you please stop doing that?"

"Sorry my lord," she sighed.

Nigel huffed, "Look Viviane this isn't the best time, and I haven't got your crystal yet."

"I know," she said sadly, placing her hand on his.

Nigel suddenly felt dizzy.

"I'll get it. I promise," he whispered.

"I know you will. I have faith in you," she whispered back.

She smiled softly and scooted forward, whispering in his ear; "Moody keeps it in his top drawer in a wooden box. Alohamora, I believe would work to open it."

"Alright," he breathed, feeling his eyes growing heavy.

"Goodnight," she whispered and disappeared.

Nigel popped his head back up, fighting the fatigue. He pulled his body up and dragged his feet, as he made his way to his room.

* * *

Lilah sat down for breakfast the next day. Blaise was already there and of course he was reading a book.

"So how's married life?" he smirked, looking up from his book.

"Can we not talk about that?" she huffed.

"What's wrong?" he asked, closing his book.

"Nothing," Lilah sighed.

"Lily," he said, "Listen, first rule in dating: You have to actually fancy the person."

"I do," she insisted. "I do. Right?"

"Why are you asking me? You should know."

Lilah whimpered and buried her head in her arms.

"Bad night?" asked a voice.

"Bugger off!" Lilah grumbled without looking up. She knew it was Draco.

He shook his head at her and sat down across from Blaise and Lilah with his breakfast.

"What's wrong? Just realized you were getting hot and heavy with Moon last night?" he smirked.

Lilah lifted up her head, "Who told you that?"

"What would your uncle say?" Draco sighed to himself, "I mean you are rather young and he is well after all a mudblood. I don't think he will be too keen on this. That is . . . if he knew."

"Don't you dare!" she hissed.

"Me? I wouldn't dream of it," he drawled, "But sadly not all people are as confidential as me. Or shall I say not all girls."

Lilah glared at Draco, and he nudged his head towards the professor's table. Lilah looked over and gasped in terror, as Pansy Parkinson was talking to her uncle and pointing towards the Hufflepuff table.

"That little ugly two faced twat!" Lilah screamed, slamming down her hands on the table.

"I wonder who told her to do that?" Blaise mumbled, looking at Draco.

"Why would I?" he smirked. "I have nothing against dear sweet Lilah."

Pansy had already left Snape's side, and he was glaring at his niece. Lilah looked over at Blaise, desperation in her eyes.

"What am I going to do?" she whimpered.

"Break up with Moon?" Draco suggested.

"Stay out of this!" she snapped.

"Just trying to help," Draco replied.

"You'll just have to face it Lil," Blaise said patting her shoulder, "Sorry."

"Malfoy, just hope I don't find out something you really don't want everyone to know," Lilah hissed.

Draco quit smiling then, took a deep breath, and reapplied his smirk.

"I have nothing to hide."

* * *

Nigel walked into Defense Against Dark Arts, at a slight distance from the rest of the Hufflepuffs. News traveled fast about him and Lilah. His friends believed it their duty to snub him in order to teach him a lesson. They all took their seats; Nigel sat next to Ernie, who was the least angry with him out of the group.

Moody went up front and began to write forcefully on the board with chalk. Nigel pulled out his quill and parchment, like everyone else. He copied what Moody wrote, which was a list of creatures like Veela, Sirens, Succubi, and Kelpies. Moody abruptly turned towards the class.

"These are just a few of the female creatures who can take on human form and lead men to their deaths," he announced. "Most of the young men in this room lack the common sense and years of knowledge to not be fooled by these creatures. The young ladies have a slightly keener sense of danger and that is why there aren't as many male luring creatures."

Moody walked forward looking around.

"Every culture has their share of these creatures. The Jews call her Lilith, and the wizarding pop culture I believe calls her Xenia."

Some of the students looked up a bit affronted.

"Yes, Xenia is a Siren," he continued. "Now she seems to be of such a far off related connection to the true Greek Sirens that she doesn't possess the desire to lure men to crash their boats onto rocks whilst singing to them from cliffs; but nonetheless, she still possess the power to control people with her voice."

"England itself has these sort of creatures. One of these, the Kelpie, usually is seen as a horse, but at times will look like a woman to lure men into the waters to feed. The most famous Kelpie lives in Loch Ness. Another well known, but barely seen of these creatures are of the Fair-folk or faerie. Not the pixie, not the fairy, which is spelled completely differently. But the faerie."

And he wrote it on the board.

"The faerie or fae as they are called in French, are just like you and me. They are magical humans basically. They are usually short in stature, have tanned skin and dark hair."

Sally-Anne coughed something that Nigel swore sounded like Lilah. He felt like pointing out loudly that Lilah was tall, but kept his peace. Moody glared at her for a moment then continued walking towards Nigel as he went on with his lecture.

"The faerie are said to have been the inventors of magic. They live in forests with a plethora of magical charms and hexes surrounding it. . If anyone not of the faerie blood enters, not only is it nearly impossible to come back, it also feels like another world. Time moves differently there and to eat or drink of the faerie food makes you a slave to their illusions. They are the masters of glamour."

Moody paused and looked directly at Nigel.

"So lads, be careful. For the faerie is very eye catching for a reason."

Nigel looked down and scribbled on his parchment as Moody advanced and stood right next to him.

"Moon, I was just reminded. Stay after class. I need to discuss something with you."

Nigel nodded, feeling his hand shaking, and Moody continued on with his lesson.

Nigel stayed after as Moody had asked. He couldn't imagine what he had done wrong. He tapped his foot on the floor waiting for Moody to acknowledge him. Moody continued to ignore Nigel for few more minutes while he jotted down a few things on a parchment and continuously glanced at his watch. Then he finally looked up.

"Ah, Moon," he said as if he hadn't expected him there, "I have a few things to discuss with you. You see I am a little concerned about-"

"Professor!" gasped Corona as she ran in cutting him off.

"You're late," Moody grumbled.

"I know. Sorry. I just came upon a big lead!"

Moody nudged his head towards Nigel and Corona chuckled and bit her lip.

"Step outside please," Moody muttered to her and headed out the door.

Corona winked at Nigel and followed Moody out the door. Nigel took a deep breath and sighed. He twiddled his thumbs for a few seconds; when he suddenly remembered the crystal. He looked over at the door, his heart beating fast. Could he do it quick enough? He knew he probably would never get another chance like this. He stood up slowly, still watching the door, and hesitantly walked towards the desk. Corona began to open the door. Nigel ran back to his seat as Moody called her back out and slammed the door shut. Nigel clutched his chest breathing hard.

He shook his head, mustered up all his strength, and ran to the desk. He opened every drawer but one. He pointed his wand at it, his heart racing and whispered Alohamora. The desk slid open and in it was a plain wooden box. Nigel grabbed the box and whispered Alohamora again. It popped open; sitting in it was a little blue crystal. Nigel tucked the crystal into his pocket, put back the box, slammed the drawer, and ran back to his seat. Moody didn't come in for a while, by the time he finally did Nigel was late for his next class and Moody couldn't remember why Nigel was even being held after. Moody wrote him a note, to be excuse his lateness, and sent him off.

Later that night, Nigel snuck back downstairs with the crystal in hand. He looked around to make sure no one was awake and stood in the center of the common room.

"Viviane?" he whispered, "Viviane!"

He looked around but saw nothing.

"Viviane, I have the crystal," he hissed.

He stood for a few more minutes but she didn't show. He sat down on the sofa to wait. After awhile he began to feel tired and had to fight to keep his eyes open. He was about to give up and go to bed, when a soft blue light began to emanate from the crystal. He held it up to his face and it grew brighter. He felt almost hypnotized, staring at the increasing light. Warmth rushed through his body and he felt euphoric.

Nigel suddenly dropped the hand holding the crystal, and his body followed. He lay in a deep sleep on the sofa; his hand still clutching the crystal. Then, Nigel felt his body being shaken and his eyes popped opened. He felt like he had just dosed off. Sally-Anne was looking down at him amused.

"Gonna have breakfast?" she smirked.

"Breakfast?" he mumbled looking around at all the students getting ready to start their day.

He stood up and felt his whole body ache and beg to return to sleep.

"You okay?" she asked.

He nodded, realizing it was the first words she had said to him in two days. She smiled, and he deduced she was okay with him now.

"Hurry up," she nagged.

Nigel nodded and hurried to his room. He changed into his uniform, and placed the crystal in the top drawer of his bureau.

All day Nigel felt a little under the weather and deduced he might be coming down with a cold. He was after all feeling a tad bit weak.

After dinner, he sat in the common room, emptying his school bag to do his homework. Hannah was sitting by the fireplace next to Justin, who was struggling unsuccessfully to get her attention. Susan was reading, as Ernie hurriedly worked on his essay for transfiguration. Nigel pulled out his parchment to begin his, when Sally-Anne walked in followed by Lilah. Sally-Anne hurried over to her friends and Nigel could hear her whisper grudgingly to Susan, "She followed me."

Lilah waved over to Nigel, who pretended not to hear Sally-Anne. He beckoned her over.

"Doing homework?" she asked.

Nigel nodded, "Yeah, but it can be done later."

He knew very well he should start on the essay, but the world seemed to stop when Lilah was around. Lilah looked a little nervous and sat down next to Nigel. He watched her, waiting for her to speak first but she just fidgeted with her hair.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Sure," she squeaked.

She didn't know how to do it. Blaise and her had practiced her speech already. But now that she was actually in front of Nigel, she couldn't say what she had to say. She wanted to break up. They had only been going out for two days, but she knew it was a mistake from the beginning. She just wanted a boyfriend. She couldn't believe how stupid she was and she could hear Blaise's words in the back of her head, "If don't do it now, and wait, you'll bury yourself." He was right. Blaise was always right. She took a deep breath and turned to Nigel.

"Can we go for a walk?" she asked softly.

Nigel shrugged, "Sure, I'll go get my jacket."

He left his things and ran upstairs. Lilah sat silently waiting while his friends glared at her. Sally-Anne stood up and walked over quickly to Lilah.

"Hey," she muttered.

"Hi," Lilah replied coldly.

Sally-Anne sat down next to her and leaned in closely.

"Look, I know that Nigel really really likes you. I am willing to accept that. I will promise to be nice to you and all that crap, okay?"

"Uh, okay," Lilah answered.

"But," Sally added cheerfully, "If you break his heart, I'll kill you."

"Excuse me?" Lilah gasped.

"Have a nice walk," Sally said brightly, as Nigel returned from his room.

Nigel walked over to Lilah, "Ready?"

"Er," Lilah said her voice a little shaky, "Yeah."

She followed Nigel out, as Sally-Anne waved happily at them. Needless to say, Lilah decided to postpone her breaking up with Nigel that night, much to the confusion of Blaise.

"Well maybe he'll grow on me," she told him in their common room.

"Yeah and maybe Draco will be my bitch," Blaise smirked.

Lilah whimpered in response and rested her head on his chest.

* * *

If Nigel had thought that Snape was bad before, he was in for a big surprise. His first Potions lesson after the Yule Ball was a nightmare. Lilah had warned him that her uncle might be in a bit of a mood, having just given her an hour lecture on the evilness of boys. Nigel felt a little prepared, but not enough.

The class, which they shared with the Ravenclaws, began with a longwinded lecture on being a "Seer" and all that it encompassed, and how most of it was nonsense. Then the students began on making a potion that was to open one's senses to other minds. Nigel found it odd to be making a potion for something that the professor didn't even believe had power.

Nigel sat dazing off as he ground up his Dandelion root to add to the Yarrow that was boiling in his cauldron. The smell was pleasing and he felt lightheaded. The other students seemed to be feeling the same way. They all had glazed over eyes. They poured the powder in their cauldrons and a large puff of yellow smoke sprung from them. Nigel couldn't help but inhale and began to cough and gag along with the rest of the class. Snape nodded as if this was to be expected.

"Add in the Borage and Mugwart at the same time," he ordered the class.

Nigel took the herbs in his hand and dropped them into the cauldron. He looked around and felt his ears getting clogged. He pinched his nose and held his breath, but the sounds in the room grew even more muffled.

"Wait a few minutes and we will test the potion," Snape smirked. "Any volunteers? Want to know what people really think of you?"

No one raised their hand and Snape walked slowly around the class and stabbed his finger in the air towards Nigel. "Moon, you'll test it."

Nigel huffed and nodded quietly.

The cauldron bubbled for a few more minutes and the liquid turned to a mustard yellow. Snape handed Nigel a ladle and a cup. Everyone looked over at Nigel, eyes wide and excited. Nigel poured some of his potion in the cup and Snape called him to stand in front of the class.

Nigel didn't know what was about to happen, but he knew it wouldn't be pleasant. Snape was about to have some fun.

"Drink it," Snape smirked. "We aren't scared are we?"

"No, you said it was rubbish," Nigel muttered.

"Drink it!" Snape snapped, and Nigel chugged down the oddly sweet and sticky liquid. It was right from the boiling cauldron but cold as it slid down his throat. He stood for a second, waiting for something to happen. Then, the sound of his classmates suddenly went blank. He couldn't hear anything. He turned to Snape and told him he couldn't hear. But no audible words came to Nigel's ears.

His classmates leaned forward in their seats giggling.

"I can't hear!" Nigel shouted rather loudly again.

Within the blank sound in his ears a hush of whispers crept up.

"Bloody mudblood!" a girl hissed.

Nigel looked around and no one was talking to him, but he knew he heard a girl.

"He's so adorable even when he is acting like a git."

"H-Hannah?" Nigel called out.

Hannah sank in her seat.

"Stupid ass!" shouted a boy.

Nigel was turning around and looking up at Snape who was thoroughly enjoying the scene. It was beneath Nigel to beg Snape for help. He would just have to fight through it.

"Look at her!" spat Justin and Nigel knew it was Justin, "She's even goggling at him now!"

Nigel looked over and Justin was glaring at Hannah.

"If everyone doesn't stop laughing I am gonna bust a cap yo!"

Nigel looked over at Sally-Anne who was standing up fists clenched glaring at the class.

"How does it feel?" sneered Snape looking down at him, his lips not moving.

"You have no voice but everyone else does," Snape hissed in Nigel's mind.

Nigel wanted to run out of the class as the voices grew louder and louder. More then one child was laughing and yelling and cursing in his mind.

"Mudblood!"

"Git!"

"He's so beautiful!"

"I am gonna punch him so hard!"

"Limey bastard leave him alone!"

"Mudblood!"

Nigel tried to find the owner of that voice. She was the one that screamed the loudest.

"MUDBLOOD!"

Nigel put his hand to his head.

"Stop it!" Nigel shouted.

"Please professor!" Sally-Anne begged.

"Oh will you lot calm down," smirked Snape. "All right, fine."

Snape reached for a flask that was sitting on his desk and handed it to Nigel. Nigel swallowed the green liquid, which was bitter and tasted of mint. He coughed loudly and heard the class roaring with laughter. But, no hissing voices. No curses. No mudblood.

"You can go back to you seat," Snape sneered and Nigel ran back, ignoring everyone's stares, wishing to disappear.

When class was over, the Hufflepuffs walked out quietly. The one thing in Nigel's head, aside from sheer embarrassment, was the repeating voice calling him a mudblood. It wasn't any of his friends; he was positive it had to be a Ravenclaw.

"Nigel, are you okay?" Hannah asked softly.

Justin looked at them both, his anger rising.

"Han," Justin said voice quivering, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"All right," she shrugged and followed him.

The rest of the Hufflepuffs went ahead into the common room, Sally and Susan whispering.

"What's going on?" Nigel asked.

"What do you think?" Ernie huffed.

Nigel shrugged confused.

"Justin is gonna chuck Hannah!" hissed Susan.

"Why?" Nigel asked concerned.

His friends exchanged glances.

"Cause of you, numbskull," sighed Sally-Anne.

"Me?" Nigel gasped.

"She likes you or fancies you or whatever," Sally-Anne huffed.

"No she doesn't," chuckled Nigel.

Susan shook her head and said gravely, "Yes she does."

The common room entrance slid open and Justin and Hannah walked in both looking upset. Hannah quickly went upstairs avoiding everyone's eyes. Justin looked over at his friends. Instead of his usual anger towards Nigel he looked over with heart brake. He walked over slowly, his head hung low.

"Hi," he mumbled to them. "I, er, need a hug I think."

Sally leapt off the sofa and took him in her arms.

* * *

Corona sat alone in the room she was sharing with Rita Skeeter. Rita was off "investigating". The room was a shambles on Rita's side. Her papers and clothes had been thrown all over the bed and floor. Corona's side was too clean to have been done by a sane woman. Everything was stacked and organized with such precise detail. Each article of clothing was folded perfectly in her trunk. The sheets on her bed were ironed. Her makeup was color-coded.

Corona looked around the room, bored. Rita rarely ever let her come along. She didn't really care but sometimes she wished to have something to do aside from protecting Harry. She didn't know how much longer she could keep up this cover. Pretending to be a sleazy reporter, instead of an undercover Auror, was rather mind numbing.

Corona sighed and went to her files to read some reports. Although she had read them already, and probably could recite them from memory, she needed to do something.

If only Charlie were still here.

Charlie had returned to Romania, to his work. At least if he was there they could have a few laughs. She smiled remembering Molly's letter, saying that Billy and Charlie would be accompanying her to see the third task.

She put down the file and headed for the door. She needed human interaction badly. She headed up the stairs towards the Ravenclaw common room to visit her little sister.

* * *

The weather wasn't as biting out anymore. The Hufflepuffs sat peacefully waiting for spring. The second task had gone and went. Every night, Nigel tried to find Viviane, but she never showed. As February drew to a close, he seemed to have forgotten about her, and spent most of his time mending his friendships and being with Lilah

Nigel walked down the stairs from his room chatting with Justin, who had lightened up a lot towards Nigel. The boys arrived in the common room, looking for their friends, and saw a group of Hufflepuffs bundled up with brooms. In the center of the group was Cedric.

"What are you doing?" Nigel asked.

"Gonna play Quidditch," Cedric replied, "Any of you want to join? No other team wants to play against us, so is just for fun."

Nigel felt an odd curiosity as to what it felt like to actually play Quidditch. He had always been a fan since he learned of the game. Yes, his flying skills were equal to that of a drunken leper, but he felt brave enough to agree to play. Hannah and Sally, who were sitting by the fireplace, met each other's eyes giggling and ran to their room to get a camera.

All the students who were playing were divided up into teams. Nigel was with Cedric's team as a Keeper. Cho was sitting in the bleachers next to Corona and her little sister Rhea, a second year Ravenclaw. Nigel's friends sat in the bleachers laughing knowing very well that Nigel had no sense of balance. But if he wanted to play then they weren't going to stop him.

"You know, I'm not very good," Nigel mumbled to Cedric.

"It's all right. None of us are," he smirked.

The Quaffle was thrown up and the game began. Cedric was soaring up high swirling around looking for the Snitch when Nigel distracted him. Kalinda had thrown the Quaffle right at Nigel and it was obvious he had no idea how to block it. He knew that, if he let go of the broom, he would plummet to the ground. Nigel spastically ducked, squealing like a girl, as Kalinda made a point. Cedric shook his head laughing and soared down to Nigel.

"Oi, Mini-C!" he called.

Nigel looked up with a pout at the name.

"You can use the broom to block," Cedric suggested.

"Er, thanks," mumbled Nigel.

"You look a little scared," Cedric said coming closer. "Look, the ball doesn't hurt. And just whack it with the bristles of the broom, if you don't want yourself to get hit. And don't worry about your hands. You can use any part of your body to block."

"Like your head!" shouted Kalinda with a grin.

"Sod off!" Cedric yelled.

Kalinda stuck her tongue at him, and soared to her team to discuss tactics.

"You got it?" Cedric asked.

"I think so," mumbled Nigel, looking down at the ground causing his voice to crack.

"Look on the bright side," Cedric smirked. "If you fall, those girls will wait on you hand and foot."

The Quaffle was thrown up again, and Cedric smiled at Nigel and soared back up. The game continued on, with Nigel falling off twice and only actually blocking one ball. But Kalinda said it didn't count because Nigel wasn't paying attention with his back turned. He just happened to be in the right spot when the Quaffle hit him from behind, causing one of his two falls.

The game ended with Cedric catching the snitch, and saving his team from a humiliating defeat.

"Kalinda, just wait!" screamed Sally-Anne as they entered the common room, Nigel leaning on her. "My lawyer will be sending you papers! Hurting my Nigey's pretty back. Disgraceful."

Sally-Anne stroked Nigel's back as Hannah helped him sit down on the sofa. Aside from the aches and pains and near death experiences of that afternoon, Nigel found he rather liked Quidditch. He wouldn't say no if asked to play again.

Cedric could tell by the look on the younger classman's face that he really needed to have more fun then just sitting around and talking. So, Cedric would play one on one with Nigel during the afternoons to help him build up skill. Cho would come and watch, and sometimes would help on the pitch.

By the time March arrived, Nigel was getting better. He wasn't by any means exceptional, but he was staying on the broom and could throw the ball while flying. The games between the boys became longer, and soon they were playing till the sun went down. Both boys would go back to the common room laughing with Cedric's arm around Nigel's neck, roughing up his hair.

"Double beauty, it's too much," Sally-Anne giggled, while taking a picture of the boys posing with their brooms after one of their games.

Cedric's fondness for Nigel was rather amusing to most. They were almost like brothers. Cedric invited Nigel everywhere, and discussed his tactics for the Triwizard tournament with him. They talked for hours even after everyone was asleep, in the common room. Cedric and Nigel confessed secrets and desires. Nigel asked Cedric for girl advice, because Lilah wasn't really paying attention to him, and Cedric asked Nigel for help in his muggle studies. Everyone was getting used to seeing them with each other all the time.

Everyone, but Cho.

Cho watched the boys chase after each other one afternoon on the Quidditch pitch. They had abandoned their brooms and were playing a form of Rugby instead. Cedric stopped, holding the Quaffle high above Nigel, who reached up and just grazed his fingers on the ball. She frowned to herself as Nigel jumped up and tackled Cedric, causing the older boy to fall and them to begin to wrestle each other for the ball. She didn't know why. Maybe it was just her being a catty girl, but she was really starting to feel jealous of Nigel. Cedric always was around the boy and inviting him to hang out with them. She didn't really mind him at first but now things were just getting weird.

Cedric always talked about Nigel. How funny Nigel was. How similarly they acted at times. How they had so much in common. She had to keep herself from yelling out, "Shut up!"

Nigel had the Quaffle in hand and ran off and was tackled by Cedric from behind and buried into the dirt.

It is just how boys are, she told herself. They like to play fight. There is no other reason for them to always be touching each other.

She shook her head. She was going mad. What was she thinking? Cedric fancied her. In fact he said he loved her just the night before. She buried her face in her hands with a whimper.

* * *

Lilah brought Nigel into her room. It was the first time he had ever been in there let alone the Slytherin common room. There was a scheduled trip to Hogsmeade that day and barely anyone was at the school. Both had decided not to go, to be alone with each other. Nigel felt he had been neglected her spending so much time with Cedric, but Lilah knew that she had encouraged it.

Nigel looked around, swinging his arms front and back. Lilah sat on her bed in silence. He waited for her to begin speaking and she waited for him.

She knew why she was nervous. She had decided to again try and chuck him. This time she had a pretty good excuse to use, and it wouldn't even be her fault. She took a deep breath and beckoned him towards her.

"Sorry about my uncle," Lilah sighed.

"It's all right. He never liked me anyway," he smirked sitting next to her on the bed.

"I mean if it is too much for you, I would understand. My uncle can be rather stubborn."

"Lily, it's okay," he sighed. "Honest."

Nigel smiled at her reassuringly and Lilah felt her stomach turn. The boy was not getting the clue. If she could get him to break up with her the Hufflepuffs wouldn't descend upon her like harpies. She would be the one supposedly with the broken heart then, not him. And she could freely dream of Harry, without feeling so trapped.

"It's sort of like the thing between you and Moody," Nigel sighed.

"Moody just hates me for no reason," Lilah growled.

"Yeah, I mean he usually has reasons with the likes of Malfoy and all," Nigel muttered, "I mean his parents were Death-"

Nigel suddenly stopped, realizing what Imogen was in her youth.

"Oh my god!" Lilah gasped realizing it too, "He hates me because of my mum?"

"It's possible," sighed Nigel.

"But that's unfair!" Lilah pouted crossing her arms.

Nigel put his arm around her, "It's not that bad."

Lilah tensed up and tried not to look at him. Nigel leaned forward to kiss her cheek and Lilah shrank away.

"You okay?" he asked pulling his arm back.

Lilah nodded quickly and smiled at him.

"Okay," Nigel sighed and looked down.

He stared at his feet, his hands folded. Lilah felt the guilt in her swelling. She really did care about the git even if it wasn't enough for a romantic relationship and honestly didn't want to hurt him. But, how could she do this without hurting him?

"What's that?" Nigel asked kneeling down to the ground and picking up something.

Lilah got off the bed and kneeled to his level as he held up her talisman.

"You found it!" she exclaimed.

"What was it doing on the floor?" Nigel smirked putting his arms around her neck and fastening the necklace.

"I must have dropped it," she sighed and met his eyes.

"That's a really important talisman, Lil," he lectured sitting down on the floor facing her.

"I know," she breathed.

Now that she thought about it, Nigel was extremely attractive and Harry, well, wasn't. So, she didn't really love him that didn't mean that she didn't want to snog him. Lilah scooted forward towards him and placed her lips on his. They began to kiss more feverishly and soon were rolling around on her floor.

* * *

The sunlight flickered over Nigel's eyes. He blinked them slowly opened and yawned. The Spring air flew in with the breeze. It was still a bit cold even though the sun was out. He rolled over on the grass and lying in a ball next to him was Lilah. They had both fallen asleep by the lake. He sat up taking heed as to not wake her.

He stretched his arms and was gad it was Saturday and no classes for two days. He shivered a bit from the breeze and reached for the jumper he was using as a pillow. He was about to put it on when he saw Lilah shiver in her sleep, curling her legs exposed by shorts closer to her chest. He crawled over to her and placed his jumper over her legs. He sat watching her. It was the only time she seemed to be peaceful. He smiled to himself as leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

He sat back up to look out at the lake and standing in front of him was Viviane.

"Viviane!" he gasped then lowered his voice to not disturb Lilah. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to know how you faired, my lord," she whispered.

He stood up and walked over closer to her to be out of hearing range from Lilah.

"I got the crystal," he mumbled.

"I know. I don't feel Moody's presence at all. Only yours now," she said blushing and looked down.

"Viviane, there's something odd about it. It keeps glowing," Nigel hissed.

"That means someone is close by that wants to steal it," she whispered back, urgently.

"Who would want to steal it?"

"A Slytherin," she hissed.

"I don't know who it could be," he mumbled.

Viviane looked at him pityingly and reached towards him.

"Nigel," she whispered stroking his hair. "I am sorry to have to make you have deal with these things. I truly am." She looked away her eyes getting glassy, "I just don't know where else to go."

"But, what do I do now?"

"Just keep the crystal with you at all times," she said. "I am trying my hardest to figure out how to break free."

"All right," he sighed.

"I am sure it wasn't your paramour, my lord," Viviane whispered shyly. "She doesn't seem the type to steal."

"Paramour?"

"Your lover, the girl lying there."

Nigel began to snicker, "She's not my lover. But, I know it wasn't her who made the crystal glow."

"But isn't she the one you dream about?" Viviane asked shyly.

"Excuse me?"

"You dream about her like a lover."

Nigel felt a creeping of embarrassment overcome him.

"How do you know about that? And besides," he mumbled avoiding her eyes, "Don't all boys do that?"

"I guess you are right," she sighed thoughtfully. "But every night? That's a bit odd."

"How do you know that?"

"Forgive me my lord, but I see your dreams and thoughts sometimes. I don't mean for it to happen but in my day I was a Seer."

Nigel nodded, "Oh."

"I will try not to. But they just come to me of you and her, in your bed."

"Viviane, please!" Nigel snapped then lowered his voice instantly as Lilah turned over and snuggled into his jumper. "Can we not talk about that?"

"Sorry, is just that it has been so long since I have seen any sort of love between anyone, let alone myself. I long for it at times and welcome false visions. Salazar never loved me."

Nigel didn't say anything and stared at the floor.

"I should go now," she whispered. "Remember guard the crystal."

"I will," Nigel replied with a nod and Viviane disappeared.

Nigel spent most of the afternoon and early evening with Lilah and didn't think about the crystal until he went to his room for sleep. He waited for the boys to go to sleep and crept to his bureau and got out the crystal. He hurried to his bed, pulled the curtains, and made it into an amulet with a charm he learned from Susan.

He held it up to admire his work. The crystal twinkled a bit from the faint moon rays creeping through the cracks of the curtains. He placed the crystal around his neck and was over come with fatigue. He lay himself down and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, he woke up feeling groggy. He stepped out of bed and his knees buckled causing him to fall flat on the floor. Justin jolted up and met Nigel's eyes.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," Nigel mumbled as he reached for the chair by his bed to help him up.

"Klutz," Justin moaned and curled back in his bed pulling the duvet over his head.

Nigel began to pull himself up, when he noticed some sort of mark on his arm. He looked down and it looked like someone had been holding his arm and had burnt their handprint on him. He touched it gently but felt no pain.

"What on earth?" he gasped.

Nigel walked over to the large mirror on their wall examining his arm. His hand was shaking a bit. This was most definitely not normal and his insides yelled out in alarm. He knew something wrong was going on and that he needed to tell a professor.

He headed for the door ignoring the fact that he only had on pajama trousers, a t-shirt and no shoes. He walked quickly out the common room covering the mark on his arm to avoid questions. He ran down the hall and almost fell down as Viviane flew in front of him.

"Nigel!" she gasped, "What is wrong?"

"I need to talk to a professor," he protested.

"Please tell me," she begged.

"This!" Nigel snapped showering her his arm.

Viviane clasped her mouth in terror her eyes watering.

"What? What is it?" he asked.

"Someone is trying to steal the crystal! I told you! When they touch you they leave their mark!" she sobbed.

"Er, will it hurt me?" he asked.

"No, they will go a away as soon as I am free," she whimpered.

"Then they aren't anything bad?" he asked slowly.

"No," she sobbed and threw herself on the floor.

"Viviane!" he gasped, "Please stop. What's wrong?"

"I am putting you in danger!" she howled. "I am such a disappointment to my own family."

Nigel looked around praying that no one would see this: him in his pajamas and this ghost girl sobbing on the floor like a baby.

"Please stop," he begged.

"You must speak to you professor who teaches you how to fight the dark arts. He will help you," she hissed sitting up and grabbing him by the collar.

"But that's Moody!" he snapped. "You don't trust him!'

"I know, but . . ." her lip quivered.

She fell down on the floor again blubbering and gasping. Nigel sat down in a huff. He never knew a girl to throw a fit like this.

"It's hopeless," she moaned, "Hopeless."

"Moon!" shouted a voice from behind him, "What on earth is going on?"

Viviane shot up in the air and screamed. Nigel looked back and Moody was hobbling forward.

"What are you doing?" he repeated.

"Er . . . well . . . I . . ."

"Not you!" Moody snapped at Nigel and looked over at Viviane.

"Young lady," he growled.

Viviane dashed behind Nigel.

"Let me guess," he growled, "You talked this simpleton of a boy into stealing that crystal didn't you?"

Viviane peaked her head above Nigel and stuck her tongue out at Moody.

"Viviane!" Moody shouted, "Come here!"

"No!" whimpered Viviane, "I like Nigel better!"

"Come here!"

"Sir . ." Nigel began but was silenced by Moody's hand.

"Viviane do you want me to give you to a Slytherin?" Moody warned.

"You're not funny!" she shouted like a spoiled child. "Oh, all right."

She floated over to Moody head down and looked back at Nigel sadly.

"Please forgive her," Moody sighed, "She knows I am her protector. I discovered her during the great battles with Voldemort . . . Prisoner to the Death Eaters. But, this is the thanks I get?" he glared at her.

"Nigel is more attractive than you!" she pouted and stuck her tongue out again.

"Moon, hand me the crystal," Moody sighed and held out his hand.

Nigel hesitated but pulled the necklace over his head and handed it to Moody. Moody reached out and instead of taking the crystal grabbed Nigel's arm and examined it.

"Where did you get this mark?" he asked.

"I just woke up with it this morning," he replied.

"Viviane!" Moody growled, "You sneaky devil! Look what you have done!"

Viviane dropped her head and avoided Nigel's eyes, "I know. I'm sorry."

"Someone knows you have this," Moody growled to Nigel.

"They do?" he gasped.

"Well they feel its presence and are hunting you. Trying to grasp onto where you are. They usually a use a pendulum to locate you, and when they feel close they leave a sort of mark on you."

"Who is it?" Nigel asked eyes wide.

"I have no idea. I will report this to Dumbledore lad. But, not a word to anyone! It could be a teacher or a student."

Nigel nodded, "Yes sir."

Moody handed the crystal back to Nigel.

"The crystal will grant you protection even if it is what they are after. It's sort of your talisman. If I take it and they find out who you are you won't have a chance."

"But if I don't have it, then it won't matter," Nigel replied.

"No Moon," Moody chortled darkly. "Who you really are."

"Pardon, but who am I?" Nigel asked slowly.

"If you don't know, I'm not telling you," tutted Viviane sticking her nose up.

Moody watched Viviane amused and shook his head. He then turned to Nigel.

"Young Moon, this is why I said be weary of faeries," huffed Moody, "Her mother was one you know!"

"She's a faerie?" gasped Nigel.

Viviane looked ready to strangle Moody, "What are you doing!"

"Yes. I just wanted to make sure she wouldn't bother you with her histrionics. But no, her pretty face made you incapable of doing anything else but her bidding."

Nigel looked down.

"I know I am right," Moody chortled, "Did she weep and cling to you. Beg you to help her. Kissed you a few times I suppose. She's a mischievous sprite my boy."

"You're ruining everything!" shrieked Viviane.

"The boy needs to know," Moody said with a sneer. "All right, lad. Off with you."

Nigel stood in place with so many questions buzzing is his mind. Moody shooed him away with his hand and hobbled off. Viviane stayed floating it he air watching Nigel.

"Come Viviane!" Moody snapped.

Viviane glared at him, then looked at Nigel and smiled sweetly.

"I really do trust you more," she said softly.

Nigel didn't know how to answer. He wasn't sure he could trust her completely. She floated forward.

"I am sorry if I hurt you," she sighed.

Nigel shrugged his shoulders, "No matter."

Viviane turned and floated after Moody and suddenly turned back around and blew Nigel a kiss. He saw it soar towards him in a purple sparkling mist. He stumbled back as it touched his lips. The smell of the trees and air of the forest surrounded him and a stupid smile spread across his face.

* * *

It was late at night. Nigel walked into the common room quietly having successfully avoided Filch. He needed to not get into the habit of snogging Lilah at that hour. Sooner or later they were going to get caught. He tiptoed towards his stairs when he saw a figure on the sofa and froze.

"Viviane?" he whispered.

"Who's Viviane?" replied Cedric as he stood up and faced Nigel.

"N-no one."

Cedric nodded and sat back down. Nigel walked over in curiosity.

"Why are you up so late?" he asked.

Cedric looked up and smirked, "Why are you?"

His face was glistening with the moon rays showing he had been crying.

"You all right?" Nigel asked.

Cedric sighed and leaned back in the sofa. "No."

Nigel sat down next to him not sure what to say.

"You wanna talk?" Nigel mumbled.

Cedric shrugged his shoulders.

"It helps sometimes."

"I know," Cedric sighed, "I just feel a little overwhelmed."

"Oh, with the Triwizard Tournament."

Cedric heaved a sigh and brushed his fingers through his brown hair.

"It's partially that and partially my dad."

Nigel didn't respond.

"Does your dad push you too much?" Cedric asked.

Nigel shook his head, "Not really."

"My dad just wants me to be the perfect version of him," grumbled Cedric, "I mean I don't mind usually, but at times I just want to stop being perfect and be able to make mistakes."

"I sort of know how you feel," mumbled Nigel.

"How?"

"Well, you see I always thought that I had done something wrong or wasn't a good enough person. You see . . . I was adopted and I thought it was something I did. So, when the Moons adopted me I didn't want them to take me back, so I never did anything wrong. I was the perfect son. The perfect student."

Cedric observed Nigel eyes wide, "You're adopted?"

Nigel nodded.

"Do you, er, know about your real parents?" Cedric asked.

"Not enough."

"Do you know their names?"

Nigel shook his head, "I wasn't told enough. My only clue is the name Demetrius."

Cedric didn't speak for a while. Nigel wished he hadn't told him. People always felt awkward when Nigel shared his past, and he just wanted to be treated normally. Cedric took a deep breath and without another word went upstairs to his room. Nigel sat for a moment staring in the dark wondering what he had said wrong.

The next morning as Nigel headed downstairs he saw Cedric whispering to Kalinda.

"Er, Ced, are you okay?" Nigel asked as he walked up to them.

"Yeah, fine," muttered Cedric and hurried off with Kalinda.

Nigel watched them leave the common room pretty sure they didn't want to talk to him. He figured they were just having a private discussion and he interrupted. Nigel joined his friends, ignoring Cedric's snub, and headed for breakfast.

Hannah watched Nigel at breakfast like she always did. His head drooped down again and again. His skin was growing paler and he had bags under his eyes.

"Are you having trouble sleeping?" she asked.

"No," he answered with a reassuring smile.

Hannah took his word for it.

Later that day Nigel ran to the Quidditch pitch to play with Cedric as they always did, but Cedric wasn't there. That was when Nigel realized something was wrong. He went back to the common room, broom in hand, and started asking everyone he knew if they knew here Cedric was. No one seemed to have a definite idea.

"Maybe he is with Cho or the champions," Ernie suggested.

Nigel decided to listen to Ernie and ran to the Gryffindor common room.

"Harry!" he called as he entered.

Harry turned and faced Nigel. His eyes grew wide from how pale Nigel looked. Hermione and Ron both noticed it too but didn't say anything.

"Have you seen Cedric?" Nigel asked.

"No," muttered Harry.

"Oh, I couldn't find him. I thought maybe it was a champion thing or what not," Nigel said with a wavering smile, "Alright, well if you see him tell him that I'm looking for him."

"Sure," Harry said as pleasantly as he could, but he was feeling rather jealous that Nigel was hanging out with Cho a lot these days, because of Cedric. Bloody Hufflepuffs!

Nigel turned to leave the Gryffindor common room as Ginny and a friend of hers, Diamond Bell, walked in. Nigel waved to her. His sleeve of his robe crept down his arm and she saw something odd on it. He noticed her glancing at his arm and quickly dropped it and hurried out.

Nigel checked the great hall, the atrium, the lake and finally found Cedric sitting in a huddle with Kalinda in the library.

Nigel mustered up his strength and walked over.

"Ced, where were you?" he asked.

Cedric looked up from the book he was showing Kalinda and his eyes were icy cold. It was rather frightening.

"I had things to do," he mumbled.

"Are, er, you mad at me or something?" Nigel asked his voice very small and hurt.

"Look, I can't be playing games with you all the time. I'm not your family, mate."

Nigel felt his insides being cut open.

"What's wrong?" Nigel asked, "What did I do wrong?"

"Look just go and play with your little lower classmen all right. I have some real work to do," Cedric spat.

Nigel stood still, mouth hanging slightly open. What had happened to Cedric? He racked his brain for any explanation but found none. He turned, feeling embarrassed and insignificant, and hurried out of the library.

* * *

Corona sat outside Moody's office, waiting for him to finish class. Her hair was pulled back in several tiny plaits or blonde and purple hair. Her legs were curled under her and covered in tight purple leather trousers. She had on her purple boots, which she never seemed to depart from even when she went to bed, and a satin lavender bodice, over a loose fitting blue peasants shirt. Students as they walked by watched her with curious eyes.

She didn't notice them to busy lost in her own mind. She wished she had accepted Dumbledore's offer to teach DADA. It would have been so much fun, and she would have been able to hang out more with Snape. She couldn't, for the life of her, figure out why every time she entered a room he ran out of it. He was her favorite professor since she had gone to school and it hurt that he was so antisocial towards her. She sighed and wished to be 17 again and his assistant. Torturing the Slytherins, giving Severus hugs, flirting with Oliver Wood. Those were the days.

The door opened and the Ravenclaws departed. Corona waited for the room to be completely empty and entered.

"You're on time for once," Moody gasped.

"Aye," she giggled.

"All right, do you have anything new for me?" he asked.

"Aye, I think I have a pretty good idea what is going on," she sighed happily taking a seat.

"You do?" he asked amused.

"Yeah. Well the mark on my mum's shoulder is starting to show again. So Voldie is planning something."

"Voldie?" Moody chortled with venom, "Wait, what mark?"

"The one on my mum's shoulder," Corona repeated.

"On her shoulder?" he whispered with a smile.

Corona giggled and made her fingers walk on the desk in front of her. "You sound like a parrot."

"So Voldemort is planning something. We know this," Moody hissed.

"Well," Corona began, "The mark was shown at the Quidditch Cup which was just a warning. Then someone put Harry's name in the goblet and he has excelled in the first two tasks!"

"So?"

"So? So, someone is helping him, someone who is pretending to do it for Harry's benefit. They just want him to win. He isn't smart enough to pass these trials on his own. He is brave, but there ain't much common sense in that spiky head of his."

Moody looked a bit edgy but urged her to continue.

"So this is what I think: at the third task, since Voldie can't get to Harry, he is gonna somehow bring Harry to him. He could make anything randomly into a portkey with his little spy here, but he wants it to be done in front of everyone in the school, especially Dumbledore. I think it will probably be the trophy."

Moody dropped his quill.

"Where did you get this idea from?" he asked slowly.

"Oh, just popped in me head last night. Rita was being very loud and annoying and I wished that I could just Apparate away. But I knew I couldn't, and then I wished fer her to leave so I could make her glasses into a portkey, and boom it hit me," she said happily.

Moody stood up and walked over to her.

"I think you are being absurd," he muttered.

"But, it makes sense!"

"To you maybe?"

"Well I am sure Albus will agree with meh," she pouted.

"You haven't told Albus yet?" Moody asked, his eyes wide.

"No. Wanted to tell yeh first and make yeh so envious that I thought of it first!" she cackled.

Moody shook his head and stood high above the desk she was sitting in.

"You didn't bother anyone else, I hope, with this nonsense," he spat.

"No," she shrugged and stood up, "I'm hungry."

"Keep this little theory, though it is absurd, to your self," he grumbled.

Corona looked at him, wide eyed.

"Why if it's absurd Albus will just laugh," he replied.

`"Don't want you making him more paranoid then need be."

Corona thought about this for a second and nodded.

"Aye, I understand."

"You can go now," he growled and headed back to his desk.

Corona waved good-bye and skipped out of the office. Moody waited till he couldn't hear her boots clicking down the hall and began to scribble a letter, almost in a panic, to Lucius Malfoy.

* * *

Charlie Weasley lay in his bed. He had vowed not to think about her.

The wind howled outside and he could hear some of his Romanian coworkers laughing while getting very drunk outside. He knew he should probably go out there and socialize. It would help him not to think about Corona. But, he knew he wanted to.

The same thoughts and arguments entered his head: She was too young for him, he was 26 she was 21; she had been Bill's girlfriend for three years; she was completely insane. He knew none of the arguments would change his mind, though. He loved her and that was that.

He turned on his side.

"Petrificus Totalus!" hissed a voice.

Charlie didn't have a chance to react and soon lay frozen in his bed. Two figures cloaked in black with white masks walked over to his bed side and carried his body away.

Barely a few hours later Corona walked up to the Professors table during breakfast in England. Severus pretended not to see her.

"Hi Sevy," she said brightly.

He didn't reply and began to chug his tea. He pushed back from the table and walked away without a word.

"Oi!" she yelled but he didn't move.

Several students looked over as to what was going on. Corona stood stiff, arms straight at her side and hands in tight fists. She took a deep breath and stomped after him.

"Close!" she shouted as he opened the door.

He tried to go forward but the door swung back at him, hitting him in the face and locking him in. The Slytherins, who were closest, burst out into laughter. Severus in fury turned and faced the advancing Corona.

"Open the door!" he spat.

"Why are yeh being such a meany head?" she pouted.

"Open the door!" he shrieked.

Everyone was watching them now. Corona turned her head to the side like a puppy and giggle.

"Yer funny when yer angry."

"Corona so help me," he growled.

Corona gasped in happiness and embraced him.

"You remember my name!" she squealed, "Yeh haven't forgotten meh!'

"Who could?" he muttered trying to push her off, with such distaste as if she was a leech.

"Well now that we are talking yeh aren't going to be all mean right?" she asked flicking his nose with his finger.

Severus looked around his eyes begging for salvation to any of the teachers. But several of them were snickering and rather enjoying the scene.

"Why do I have to talk to you?" he huffed.

"Cause you were my favoritest professor here and I missed yeh," she pouted.

"Fine, I'll talk to you!" he shouted.

Corona began to jump up and down he blonde hair bouncing with her.

"Hurrah!" she screamed and wrapped her arm around his, "It's gonna be so much fun! Just like when I was your assistant. Remember?"

Severus was already regretting what he just said.

"Yes yeh have been snubbing me for the last five or six months I have been back, but I forgive yeh," she giggled and hugged him again.

A few Slytherin boys fell out of their seats from laughter. Severus glared at them and they immediately leapt back into them.

Corona happily tried to lure him back to the professor's table as an owl swooped in. It soared around and then flew at Corona. It dropped the letter next to her and departed. She let go of Severus and reached for it giving him the chance to run away.

"Wait!" she called after him, "We were bonding!"

Severus didn't look back and ran for his office. Corona sighed and opened the letter.

We have Charlie. Tell anyone and he is dead. If you want him back go to Romania. In the Oas Mountains is The Bixad Monastery. Go there to find him. Don't think about warning anyone before hand or telling anyone where you are going! He will be dead before you arrive. We have a friend near by you who tells us everything.

Corona stood in her spot frozen. She looked over at Dumbledore; he was talking to Moody, who was in very good spirits. Moody was never in good spirits. She watched them talk for a while and noticed he looked over at her a few times with inquiring eyes. She took a deep breath with a sneer and walked up to Dumbledore.

"I have to go away," she said abruptly interrupting their conversation.

"To where?' Dumbledore asked.

Moody watched her waiting for her response anxiously.

"Home. Mummy misses meh," she said softly.

Dumbledore blinked and nodded, "All right."

"Sorry Professor Moody, but I won't be able to stay and help you," she sighed.

"It's all right," he muttered and returned to his meal.

Dumbledore observed Corona's face. She looked at Moody then at Dumbledore. He didn't say anything, as she looked at Moody again nudging her head like a doggy on a dashboard. Dumbledore glanced at Moody then back at Corona nodding.

Watch him, Corona mouthed and turned and left.

* * *

The Dark Lord pulled Lilah into the room, making sure no one saw. She struggled but Harry was standing near by and helped the Dark Lord tie her into a chair.

"Let me go!" she whimpered.

"Shut up!" Harry shouted pointing his wand at her, "Silencio!"

Lilah continued screaming but no noise came out of her mouth.

"When Malfoy comes in and sees you, his beloved, dead in his room, then he will know very well we mean business," the Dark Lord whispered into her ear.

Lilah began to squirm more violently and her eyes teared up. A voice was heard down the hall and Harry ran to the door to listen.

"It's Malfoy," he hissed.

"Good," the Dark Lord smirked and pointed his wand at Lilah, "Goodbye Snape."

Draco opened the door. A flash of green soured through the room and he had to shield his eyes. When the light subsided he looked over in horror. Lilah lay dead tied up in a chair. Harry stood by the door his wand pointed at Draco and standing in front of Lilah, wand drawn, was Nigel.

Saffron screamed out from her trance. She looked down at the soup she was making and saw it was boiling over. She quickly lowered the flame and sat herself down breathing fast.

"This isn't happening," she whispered to herself, "This isn't happening."

She kept repeating the phrase over and over again until she broke into sobs.