The Forging of the Bonds

LunaIsCool

Story Summary:
Arthur and Lucius, Ron and Draco... the enmity betweent the Weasleys and the Malfoys has not ended with the defeat of Voldemort. But as Michael Weasley and Elizabeth Malfoy are start their sixth year, they begin to learn more than they ever knew about the past and about themselves, with the aid of their new DADA teacher... a hero unseen in wizarding Britain since the war ended...

Chapter 43 - Rise and Fall

Posted:
09/29/2007
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Chapter 43. Rise and Fall.

"Aguamenti!" Elizabeth shouted, pouring a stream of water over Mike. "Accio!" She caught his wand and handed it to him. "Narcosio!"

"Thanks." Seeing the small firebirds turn for another attack, they blasted them simultaneously with fountains of water.

"Gonna have to get new robes," Mike commented once that danger was over. "Thank you."

Elizabeth smiled. "You would do the same. Come on. We're almost at the top."

That was certainly the case. The branch was getting thinner, the wind stronger. Combined, these factors created a new problem--the instability of their support. They now had to climb very carefully, measuring every step or handhold. But they already could see, high above, the gleaming Triwizard Cup.

That happy sight, however, was marred by the other two teams, having gotten through their obstacles, climbing towards the prize as well. "We'd better hurry," Elizabeth said.

They were only twenty feet away from the cup when one of the Krum twins pointed at them. They were farther than they were, but closer than the Beauxbatons Champions. They had brought--or conjured up--ordinary ropes with hooks and were using them expertly. One of the ropes was already hooked at the branchlet closest to the top.

"Confundo!" one of the Bulgarians shouted. The spell flew towards them.

They were probably aiming for Elizabeth, who was in front. But the wind swung their branch at that moment, and the spell hit Mike in the face. He looked glazed.

"Hold tight!" Elizabeth ordered. Then, seeing the Durmstrang student raise his wand again, she aimed her own.

"Sectumsempra!" she shouted. The spell, aimed not at the enemy Champion, but at the tree itself, sliced off several branchlets, leaving nothing for their hooks to grab. The Krum twins slid down as the holds on their ropes' hooks were released.

Elizabeth looked down at Mike. "No," she said. "Mike, are you all right?"

"Yes," he managed.

"Finite Incantatem!" It had no effect.

She reached down. "Grab my hand," she said.

He did, and nearly fell. "Damn, damn, damn!" she cursed herself. Slowly, Mike climbed up, past her, and towards the top, supported by her the whole time.

"Now, try to climb yourself. Don't hurry--"

Maybe Mike would have done it, but another gust of wind shook their branch. Mike lost his balance and fell. Elizabeth grabbed his foot. She felt herself slide under his weight and grabbed a hold. Her wand fell down.

"I've got it!" Mike said. Daring a downward glance, she saw him holding her wand.

"Mike!" she yelled.

"The spell wore off. Just now!"

"What happened to yours?" she demanded.

"I dropped it. Sorry."

Elizabeth ignored him and looked up. The Cup was only ten feet away. So close... and yet, in the position they were in, so far. She wasn't strong enough to pull Mike up--she could barely keep her hold on him.

"Elizabeth!" Mike yelled. "Let me go!"

"What?

"Let me go! Get the cup!"

"No!"

"The Beauxbatons girls are already there! Get--"

"No!" Nothing would make her let go of Mike's foot now. If Mike missed the branch just below, he would plunge all the way to the ground.

Mike flicked her wand. Elizabeth didn't understand what he was doing until the sword slipped out of its scabbard and hovered up.

"Mike, what--"

Fatima and Dominique were approaching the Cup. Mike's face, Elizabeth saw, showed an almost inhuman concentration as he raised the sword higher, close to the top. Elizabeth could only watch.

Dominique Rossi was already extending her hand towards the Cup when the sword swung and sliced off the very tip of the tree. The Cup toppled away from the Beauxbatons girls, who screamed in frustration. Mike let go of Elizabeth's wand and caught the Cup.

The extra weight proved to be the last straw for Elizabeth. She released her hold and they both tumbled down.

Thud. Mike hit a branch with something. A second later, a pair of strong arms grabbed Elizabeth and slowed down their fall. The familiar sensation of broomstick flight gave her momentary relief. Slowly, they glided downwards, until Mike was gently laid on the ground. Only then did Elizabeth let go and got off the broomstick herself.

She turned to the wizard on the broomstick who saved them. It was Potter.

"Professor--" Elizabeth immediately turned away to look at Mike. She finally let go of his foot and looked at him.

"I... love... you," he whispered before fainting.

He loves me, she thought. And I... I guess I did fall for him. I love you too, Mike...

"Get him to the hospital wing," Potter ordered. As Mike's body was levitated, Elizabeth took his limp hand.

One of the wizards glared at her. "I won't let go," she declared.

"No, Miss Malfoy," Potter said, nodding at the wizard. "I don't suppose you would."