NationStates Jolt Archive

"Then we shall have to force his hand in some way that will be hard to resist. What are the things darksiders want most?" I asked rhetorically.

"Power," Kurt, Quatre, Eamonn, Chris and James said at exactly the same time.

"Right." I said. "And how can we lure Harry with the subtle promise of power?"

"We need something powerful, something he couldn't resist," Kurt said. "Shit, why did they have to destroy the Philosophers Stone? We could have used that."

"And I know a friend who could have used it." I said. "Would there be anything else? The Holy Grail, maybe?"

"And what could he do with that?" Kurt asked. "Damn I could use my godbrothers hammer right now."

I tried to remember what other legendary items would be likely. Excalibur? Nah, Harry already has the Sword of Gryffindor if need be. Hmm. This might be harder than it looks...

Eamonn's head hit the table. "Oh we really need Dumbledore," he said.

"Then perhaps it is good of me to drop by then," came a familiar voice.

Wonders never cease.

"By all that is magical..." I grinned till it hurt. "Professor Dumbledore."

Chris was too shocked to say much, though I could feel his joy, too.

Professor Dumbledore smiled as he crossed the floor. "What is it that you wish I was here for?" he asked.

The old man's aura was positively glowing, I could tell you that.

"W-we need some way to lure out Harry Potter and/or Lord Voldemort into the open so we could end this, once and for all." I said. "The deaths of his two best friends weigh heavily on me..."

"An interesting developement," he said, stroking his beard. "I have heard about young Mr Weasley and Young Miss Granger. An unfortunate revelation yes but perhaps if this fight is left to myself and the Aurors."

"Sir, with all due respect, I don't, I can't just stand by and let Harry and company continue their path of destruction." I said with determination and courage. "I don't know if you know already, but I am a Knight (Apprentice) of the Jedi Order, sworn to protect the innocent against the powers of darkness. I know full well what that means, even what I might have to do, but I will not give up, ever, if it means the Dark Lords' reign would end."

"It would weigh heavily my my conscience if you were to perish," Professor Dumbledore told him. "But if you were to fight him in selfdefence then that is a different matter entirely. However I warn against you to not go and look for him yourselves. You are to remain in Hogsmeade and to not go anywhere else, not even to the shrieking shack."

Before anyone could protest, the headmaster left.

I sighed. "I know he has our best interests at heart..."

"Yeah. It isn't going be pretty if we stay out of this." Chris said. "What now?"

"We go to the shrieking shack," Kurt suggested. "He dropped it as a hint."

"What?" I asked, then it clicked. "Oh, ho! Clever old man! Well, what are we waiting for?"

Kurt and the others stood up, "Of course he'll never admit to it," he said and led them outside.

Outside, we started heading for the Shrieking Shack, most prominently displayed in the third book. It still gives me the shivers how much 'reality', even a reality created by goddesses, is similar, and yet obviously different to the series.

Kurt walked in front of the other and pushed against the front door. The door creaked as it gave way and so he brought out his wand. So far so good as he led the others inside. Kurt looked for the stairs and slowly mad his way upstairs. With each step the stairs creaked. In a room upstairs, a figure waited.

"So the wannabe heroes have come for me it seems,"

"That's right." I said, wand out. "Game over for you, Harry. Surrender. I won't ask again."

A quiet laughter erupted from the figure. "I knew you lot were trouble from the start," he said. "Should have killed you when I had the chance." The figure raised his hand and a wand appeared pointing at Daniel. "Avada Kadavra."

I telekinesed a rock as the green bolt rushed towards me. It shattered the rock into small pebbles.

"My turn. Fulmenis!" I yelled, sending a bolt of lightning at Harry.

The figure dived out of the way as the wall behind him exploded from the lightning stike. The figure was quick to point his wand again, this time aiming for Kurt. "Avada Kadavra!"

Kurt leapt out of the way and took Chris down with him. The killing curse harmlessly hit the wall behind them.

"Spread out and surround him!" I ordered, and fired off a Fireball curse. My basic plan is to keep him occupied with me, so that the others can take him. I'm fast enough to dodge or block Avada Kadavara with objects, or my lightsaber if needed, since it's energy. And I have the stamina to keep up with him, flinging magical energy or Force energy when it suits me.

The others surrounded him as he fired off another killing curse.

I dodged left, and the curse shattered the wall. "Petrificus Totalus!"

The figure dodged that, but taking note of Harry's break in concentration. Kurt held up his wand and too shouted, "Petrificus Totalus!"

The Gryffindor had no chance to counter the hex and instead froze up, toppling to the ground.

"Good job, Kurt." I said, taking Harry's wand with the Force. "Looks like you're finished, Harry."

"Thank fuck for that," Kurt sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Ok, let's get him out of here." I said, binding his arms and legs with rope before levitating him.

"Yep, the Aurors will deal with him," Kurt said, leading them back outside.

Already they saw Tonks and Professor Dumbledore heading toward them.

"Oh wow," Tonks screamed with delight. "You caught him."

The headmaster nodded. "Of course," he said before looking at the boys. "Now is the time for us to take him."

"Give him a good dose of that Truth Serum." I advised with a small smirk.

Professor Dumbledore nodded and turned to take Harry away. "Oh and I do believe it is safe to return to your common room," he then said.

"Ahh, good idea." I said. Arm in arm with Chris, we headed back to the castle, our first job as 'junior aurors' done.

"I'm knackered already," Kurt said, putting his arm around Quatre. "Need more sleep I think.

Eamonn grimaced.

"You know, I'm thinking..." Chris said.

"Yeah?"

"We work on Patronus. I have a feeling we'll need it."

"All right. Let's do that tomarrow, I'm bushed." I yawned.

When we reached the commons room, and then our dorms, we fell asleep within seconds of each other, literally falling on our beds in our clothes.

Eamonn found he couldn't sleep. He wasn't sure how long he had been lying there, it felt like hours. Fed up with just lying around, he went out into the common room to practice some spells. He found he would be doing it alone since the common room was empty.

I actually ended up waking up a bit earlier than usual, in predawn hours. Entering the common room, I noticed Eamonn casting spells.

"Can't sleep either, eh?" I asked.

Eamonn looked up as a spell fizzled out on the the end of his wand. "Nope," he replied. "Just still buzzing after yesterday really."

"Yeah. Such a change from what we were used to..." I said. "But anyway, I was wondering..."

"How long has it been, since you last wielded the lightsaber?" I grinned.

"Just before the teachers tower was blown up," Eamonn said.

"You...have it on you?" I asked, pushing aside furniture with the Force.

Eamonn held up his lightsaber and nodded. "I have it with me always," he smirked.

I nodded, and my own was immediately in my hand. "Freestyle or Kata?"

"Don't mind," Eamonn shrugged. He hoped they wouldn't wake anybody up.

"Very well." I said, and ignited the familiar silver blade with a touch of the Force, for it was not an ordinary lightsaber with buttons, but a rare Force lightsaber, and set it to the lowest intensity. I saluted, and readied into an en garde.

Eamonn ignited the blue blade. He the readied himself for Daniels first move.

I lunged forward, thrusting the blade towards Eamonn.

Eamonn jumped aside and with his lightsaber, he pushed Daniel's blade away.

With a flick of my wrist, I brought the silver blade down towards his leg in a feint, then upwards towards the midsection.

Eamonn quickly moved to use his blade to block Daniels move.

I grinned evilly, as I increased the tempo of my Form II strokes, thrusting and parrying with practiced efficiency.

Eamonn did his best to counter act each move Daniel made. He soon made an offensive move and aimed for Daniels midsection.

That's a close one! I thought as I parried the blow. I hopped back, and changed stances, going into a high guard and began circling, trusting the Force...

Eamonn eyed Daniel up, preparing for his next move. He considered his options, offensive or defensive. Already he knew Daniel was going for the offensive so he would have to be defensive and wear his opponent out.

I struck, my silver blade a blur as I swung for Eamonn's neck.

Eamonn easily ducked out of the way and aimed for Daniel's midsection.

"Again?" I asked as I blocked it. "You're getting predictable."

Now, with both hands on my hilt, I started a series of strong and fast blows, of the Form IV style.

Eamonn grinned as he fought off Daniels latest attack. Not quite going to plan, he thought. No matter he would just have to adapt. Times like this we wshed he was as agile as Kurt was. He pressed foward attacking Daniel with all his might.

Ahh, now this gets interesting... I smirked, as I locked blades with Eamonn in a shower of sparks.

Eamonn triend pushing Daniels blade away to give him an opening to swing at his neck.

"Nice try." I said, ducking the blow, and thrust my left palm out, catching Eamonn in a telekinetic blow.

It knocked Eamonn back a bit, but he safely landed on his feet. He smirked and was thankful for the lessons from Kurt. He wasted no time and leap back at Daniel, attempting to knock his lightsaber away.

I sidestepped the blow, and spun behind Eamonn, ready to strike on his back...

Eamonn quickly twisted around and swung to knock away Daniels blow.

I stepped back, readying for another assault, when I noticed the sun starting to come up. "Looks like it's a draw...this time."

Eamonn smirked. "Best we stop, we aren't really meant to duel in the common room," he said. "Snape would probably have a fit."

I snapped a salute in reply, and extinguished my blade, just as Chris started waking up.

"Guess it's Hogsmeade for breakfast again," Eamonn remarked.

"Yeah. Any idea if classes will be up again?" I asked, as Chris came the commons room, putting on his shirt.

Eamonn shrugged. "We don't even know about the other teachers yet," he said.

"Therein lies the problem." Chris yawned. "Back to Hogsmeade, I guess?"

"And don't forget our plan." I said.

"Yeah, I won't." Chris said.

"You sound like you need more sleep," Eamonn remarked.

"Naw, I'm fine." Chris said. "Nothing a good Butterbeer can't fix."

Eamonn winced. "I've had no sleep actually," he admitted.

"Yeah, me either." I said. "I wonder what's up here..."

"Wonder if Potter did something to us as we entered the shrieking shack," Eamonn wondered.

"I would have felt something." I shook my head. "He's not that subtle."

"Even if it were airborne?" Eamonn asked.

"You're just paranoid." I said, starting to head down for a breakfast.

Eamonn looked over at Chris. "Am I?" he asked.

Chris thought for a minute. "Hmm. No. While there are potions that cause tiredness, it's not in Potter's nature to screw around with them, owing to his abysimal Potions. I think it's just the stress of the battle. We'll be fine."

"I hope you're right," Eamonn sighed. "Maybe I'll feel better with some butterbeer inside me."

"Let's go, then." I said.

The trio headed for the Three Broomsticks. Hogsmeade seemed strangely quiet, but then again it was very early in the morning. The witch from yesterday smiled at them as they walked inside.

"The usual, please." I said, slapping down a few Galleons.

Three butterbeers appeared in front of them. The old witch disappeared out the back.

"Never been here so early before," Eamonn yawned.

"Yeah. It's what, 7 am now?" I asked, checking my watch. "Yup."

Eamonn took a gulp of Butterbeer before saying, "It feels much earlier then that."

"Oh, well." I said, and grabbed a copy of the Daily Prophet. "Hmm."

Numerous Voldemort and Death Eater sightings, Fudge said to be sacked soon; Ah, here we go!

DARK PRINCE CAPTURED! The once-Boy who Lived with a troubled past has now been captured and brought before the Full Wizards Court. Details on Page 2.

DARK MARK SIGHTED IN DOVER! A sighting of the Dark Mark near the town of Dover has Ministry Aurors scrambling for leads in connection to the deaths of several prominent Muggle families nearby. Details on page 3.

"Hmm. So it seems to me that they're starting to build up trouble." I said. "After this, lets do the Patronus Charm."

"About time that useless lump was sacked," Eamonn remarked. "I bet Hogwarts will definitely close with you know who still at large and probably very pissed of at us."

"Maybe. I just hope it closes before guess who decides to pull a Saddam." I said, reading about calls to sack the Minister.

Eamonn just nodded. "Are they mentioning names to replace the Minister of Magic?" he asked.

"Dumbledore, of course, but everyone knows he will decline. Oddly enough, Arthur Weasley is named, so is Auror director Waltington." I said. "It's going to be either a mad scramble to be the one to be there when Voldemort falls, or a few brave souls fighting against the darkness when the Dark Lord finally pushes an open war, especially with the Muggles."

"Hmm. Dad's old friends with Waltington." Chris said. "They went to Hogwarts together."

"Interesting." Chris would have some good contacts if needed.

"Well Dumbledore declined before," Eamonn agreed. "However he might feel he should take the offer seeing how Fudge fudged the job, he might not want something like that on his conscience again."

"Yeah. McGonagall isn't bad in running the school." I said. "Be interesting to have Professor Snape as Deputy Head."

Eamonn shuddered. "Don't give me nightmares," he said. "It's bad enough being in his house."

He quickly downed the rest of his butterbeer.

I chuckled, as I finished the last of my own. "All right, you guys ready?"

"Sure." Chris gulped down his drink.

"Always ready," Eamonn smirked.

"Alright, let's go." It was time to start Operation Patronus.

Eamonn stood up and waited to follow Daniel.

"Let's see. First, we'll need a boggart or something to help." I said, as we walked out of the pub.

"I don't think there are any about," Eamonn said.

"Damn." I said. "I guess we'll just have to create Patronuses without them. Next, we'll need a quiet room..."

"Dare go back to the Shrieking Shack?" Eamonn asked with a sly grin.

An eyebrow was raised. "Good choice."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Chris asked smugly.

"Another Dark Prince popping up in front of us maybe?" Eamonn grinned before walking off in the direction of the shrieking shack.

"Heh, maybe." I said, following.

"Just think it'll probably end up being someone like Percy Weasley," Eamonn joked, heading up the path towards the old building.

"Oh no, don't mention that name to me, ever." I laughed.

"At least that Fudge crony won't be around much longer..." Chris chuckled.

"I promise on this oak that I'll never utter that name again," Eamonn promised, placing his hand on the trunk of a nearby oak. "Fucking weasels."

"Hey, you didn't have to go that far..." I said, but shrugged as we entered the shack.

Eamonn just shrugged. "Been at Malfoys too long," he smirked. "So what room should we use?"

I looked around and pulled out my wand. "This one's ok. Alright everyone. Remember, the happiest thought or memory you can think of, and then Expecto Patronus, got it?"

"Right." Chris said, going through his memory for the happiest thought he could think of.

Eamonn nodded, he instantly knew what his happiest moment was.

My happiest moment...ah! It's a tossup between entering the Academy as my 12th year birthday present and flying in my X-wing with Dad. Maybe utilizing the Force will make it stronger...

"Everyone ready? On 3." I raised my wand. "1...2...3...Expecto Patronus!"

"Expecto Patronus!" Chris chanted.

Our Patronuses erupted from our wands in a splash of silvery-white light. Mine is a great and powerful tiger, with white and silver stripes. Chris' is an eagle, swift and fierce.

"Expecto Patronus!" Eamonn chanted.

Asilvery blob erupted from his wand and fizzled out.

"Bugger,"

"Hmm. You'd need a really strong good memory. Maybe thoughts if you're really pressed." I suggested.

"You don't always get the spell right first time," Eamonn scowled.

"True, true." I said, stroking the big cat before it disappeared. "Try it again, but this time, call up the Force at the same time."

"Expecto Patronus!" Eamonn yelled again.

This time a sleek silvery dragon erupted from his wand and flew at Daniel.

I ducked and rolled in time. "That's a good one."

"Hmm. So the Force accelerates the ability to use the Patronus." Chris observed. "Interesting."

"Yeah. It's interesting how much it could interact with magic..." I said.

"Helps with the concentration," Eamonn remarked.

"Right. So, what else can we do today?" I asked.

"Destroy Voldmort would be preferable," Eamonn joked.

"On the agenda, but it's easier said than done." I said.

"Unfortunately I think it's a case of him coming to us rather then us finding him," Eamonn sighed.

"Yeah. I'd say in the end, we'd win the battle," I said, heading back out fo the shack. "But there will certainly be quite a few casualties..."

"Theres always casulties," Eamonn sighed.

"How many, is the question." Chris said.

"If only Potter and his buddies didn't piss away their lives..." I sighed.

We headed back into Hogsmeade for some lunch.

Hogsmeade was now much busier with students milling about unsure what to do with their day. Eamonn looked around to see if Kurt and Quatre were around, but he couldn't see them as they entered the almost full Three Broomsticks. Fortunately there was one free table left.

Chris and I took the table with Eamonn, and we ordered some sandwiches and the usual drinks.

"So you got a plan for this afternoon?" Eamonn asked, slurping down a butterbeer. It still bothered him that neither Daniel nor Kurt had aged while he himself had aged two years.

"Not really." I said. "Other than practicing DADA, I'm not sure what we could do now. Unless there was a way of figuring out Voldemort's next moves..."

"That would be like trying to figure Azazel's next move," Eamonn sighed and slumped back in the chair. "An utter nightmare."

"That's my dad's job, though." I smirked. "This is ours, so we need to see how good the students are in a fight."

"Good idea, though Dumbledore might be thinking along that anyway." Chris pointed out.

"I don't think most of them would willingly fight Voldemort though," Eamonn said. "We'd have to find out those that would."

"Hmm. I think you'll find, my friend, that when battle begins, there's going to be massed fire on the part of the students," I smiled wanly. "When push comes to shove..."

"we'll be ready." Chris finished. "Of course, there's the likes of Dementors..."

"Everyone who knows how to produce Patronuses would be involved there." I said. Maybe that lightsaber boomerang trick would work too...

"Yeah. Then there's the trolls, and lethifolds, and if we're unlucky, a dragon."

"That could be trouble." I said.

"I know how to deal with dragons," Eamonn said. "Theres a huge population back in Draconis Nightcrawlis."

"Cool. Only dragons we had to deal with were the sentient Core Dragons, and they tend to keep to themselves." I said. "Though you won't believe the number of would-be thieves that try to loot their vaults..."

"Roasted?" Chris smirked.

"to blackened crisps." I said.

"Dragons can be friendly or they can be quite nasty," Eamonn explained. "Quatre has a few pet dragons."

"Yeah, which is why there's a Division of Dragon Diplomacy in the State Department to deal with the Core Dragons." I said. "One of my far-flung cousins run it, I believe."

"Dragon diplomacy? They're that intelligent?" Chris asked, surprised.

"Yup. And they can speak and write and wield powerful magic on their own." I smiled. "It's a really interesting little subject..."

"And they make Kurts eating habits look civilised," Eamonn joked.

I chuckled, remembering how ours go and tear apart livestock, giving the ranchers a major headache every so often.

"If you look at his eating manners you could swear he was brought up by dragons," Eamonn grinned. "So much for princes having good manners."

"Hey, I resent that!" I mock-shouted, before laughing again. I don't like being called "Prince" but there's no denying my own royal heritage.

That only made Eamonn's grin even wider. "Oh yeah I forgot you were a prince as well," he remarked.

"Eamonn..." I growled. No one, but no one calls me a prince and gets away with it, except for my dad and other powerful Jedi who can slam me into a wall with a thought.

Eamonn reached for his wand, judging by the look upon Daniels face he was probably going to need both his wand and the force. Still he grinned.

The only thing restraining me was two things: the amount of potential collateral damage in the pub, and the fact that Chris also has his wand out with a smile. Effects from point-blank spells are not a sign of good health, even for a Jedi.

The witch saw the three of them with their wands out and the nasty look upon Daniels face and looked worried. "If you plan on fighting do it outside," she demanded.

Well, better chance next time. I put my wand away and walked out of the pub, whistling.

"I think that was a close one." Chris shook his head, as he put his own stick away.

Eamonn left the pub grinning to himself. He now knew the absolute best way to get Daniel mad.

"Bleh, before the week is out, I guarantee they'll blow themselves up." Chris muttered to himself, drank down his butterbeer, and then walked out.

Looking out at the crowd milling about Hogsmeade, Eamonn looked out for Kurt and Quatre. No doubt they were off somewhere doing stuff alone. He shuddered at the thought.

As for me, I cooled down a bit and watched the students come and go. The problem would come when Voldemort decides to make a stop here.

"So where to now?" Eamonn asked.

"Don't know. All I know, is that I'm still itching for a little...fight." I smirked, giving Chris the shivers.

Eamonn grinned. "Looking to pick a fight with the first person you see huh?" he asked.

"First evil person I see is going down. Hard." I promised.

"Would a Gryffindor do?" Eamonn asked.

"Hmm. Depends." I said. "I'm too honorable to beat Longbottom outright, just tossing him around with a twister's enough. One of the 7th years may be a good challenge..."

"Yeah but who?" Eamonn wondered. "I can never remember the seventh years over then the twins."

I shrugged. Fourth years and up provide a good challenge, but I don't know many.

"Or I could say the magic word," Eamonn grinned.

Chris suddenly looked like he wanted to duck and cover.

"Oh, no you don't, buddy." I said. "You do, and you're fried into next week."

"Guys, please..." Chris was ash-faced by now.

"Just kidding," he smirked. "Why don't you like being called that anyway?"

"Insane fans." I answered.

"Insane fans?" Eamonn wondered. "What the fuck are you on about?"

"Well, there's always a bunch of fanatics who do nothing but worship the Royal Family, and they're supremely annoying." I chuckled. "Of course, there's also there the fact that I don't like the stereotype of royalty being rich snobs. So I never use Prince in my titles. And I guess it carries over to me being ticked off whenever someone calls me a Prince."

"Hey Kurt uses his prince title and he is pretty much as far from a stereotype as you can get," Eamonn pointed out.

I shrugged. "Just don't call me Prince within earshot unless you are powerful enough to handle me."

Eamonn grin. "That a challenge?" he asked.

"You think you could survive me?" I answered.

"Sounds like you want to find out who powerful I really am," Eamonn smirked.

"I'll just referee, then." Chris said meekly.

"Perhaps." I answered Eamonn.

"There is alot you don't know about me," Eamonn said. "And I guess alot I don't know about you. So are you challanging me or what?"

"Hmm..." It would be interesting to discover the extent of Eamonn's powers...I smirked. "Sure."

"Ok then," Eamonn smiled, bringing out his lightsaber.

I brought out my own, and waited for Eamonn to strike...

Eamonn let the force flow through him as he plotted his first attack. He looked at Daniel his eyes suddenly darting to the left before he leapt at Daniel, launching his attack and aiming for the Jedi's neck.

I blocked the blow and returned a stroke for the legs.

Chris was amazed by the light swords, wondering how we were able to build such things.

Eamonn leapt up and cleanly avoided the blade. He instantly made aim for Daniels upper body.

Whoa, he's good! I thought, as I whirled to block the blow, and struck again.

Eamonn blocked the blow and tried to know Daniels lightsaber away. By now a crowd had begun to gather.

I ignored the crowd and concentrated on the duel, making sure that my lightsaber was not knocked away. Then, in a subtle application of the Force, I used the powers of the mind to wrap telekinetic energy around Eamonn's arms, trying to slow him down. This is the mental aspect of the duel, as I bring my powers to bear on him, even as I start a physical offensive on him.

Eamonn could feel the energy creeping around his arms. In that case he would do it his own way, Eamonn took one hand away from his lightsaber and held it outstretched, shooting force push to try and knock him off his feet. In any case it would hopefully break Daniels concentration and free his arms completely.

Now that's wandless magic! Chris grinned, as I stumbled for a second, breaking off the TK. But I recovered and blocked Eamonn's next blows.

Eamonn grumbled, there was no way that he was going to lose to Daniel. Using his strength he attempted to knock away Daniels lightsaber and aim a blow for his chest.

I just dodged the blow and then concentrated energy in my left hand. I then unleashed the Force Lightning upon Eamonn, with a smirk.

"ARRGGHH!" Eamonn yelled as the force lightning hit him and he could feel pain throughout his body. "You fucking bastard."

He concentrated all his energies into using force lightning on Daniel. Unaware that his eyes had turned yellow, he unleashed the force lightning upon him.

"You have unusual powers, my friend, but it won't help you now." I said, as Eamonn's own Force Lightning was captured by my hands and redirected into the sky. Though it did hurt, I didn't show it. Then I noticed his eyes glowing a bit yellow. Oh no...

"Enough!" I yelled, sending a powerful blast of telekinesis at Eamonn. I needed to end this duel, and fast.

The telekenisis blast pushed Eamonn back and he fell through some bushes at the side of the street next to the Three Broomsticks. The bushes rustled and from it came not Eamonn, but a large black dragon. Though in the magical world a dragon was a common sight, but here in Hogsmeade they were unexpected. That being the case, chaos emerged as inexperianced students panic and made a run for safety.

As the stampede of students soon left the two of us alone, I was quite amused by this interesting power of Eamonn. Perhaps he's an Animagus of some type...

I stood my ground, staring into the eyes of the black dragon. You really do have unusual powers, Eamonn...

Chris was, well, he was scared, I could tell, but I could see that he has his wand out. "Just in case."

I nodded, and waved for him to stand back. If the dragon attacked...

The dragon lowered his head and moved right up to Daniel. "Impressed yet?" he asked. "You wanted to see my full power, well now you do."

"Very impressive, bud. Very impressive." I smiled.

Smoke amitted from Eamonns nostrils as he raised his head.

"Eamonn!!" Kurt's voice cut through the air. "What the fuck are you doing?"

Eamonn quickly morphed back into his human form and looked sheepishly at Kurt.

Maybe he was about to attack, maybe not. I'm glad I'll never know. But it's still a cool trick, something that could be quite useful against any dragon the Death Eaters manage to bring to bear on us.

Kurt marched up to Eamonn and grabbed him by the robes and pushed him against the wall of the Three Broomsticks. "There is a fucking reason that we keep that ability from outsiders," he growled at the younger boy. "You know what Master Elanessë warned you the day he allowed you to go to the Jedi Academy instead of the Exetergrecia Academy like the rest of us."

Quatre tried to pull Kurt away from him. "Come on Kurt, they're only figments of the Norns no harm done," he said.

Kurt let go of Eamonn and looked toward Daniel. "He isn't, he's real and will be coming back with us with this knowledge," he replied.

"If there's a problem with secrecy, then you'll have no trouble from me." I said. "I can keep your ability a secret."

"Good because we have had to keep it a secret for centuries from outsiders who would exploit it," Kurt told him before looking over at Eamonn. "And you are a fucking idiot, to prove how powerful you are is no reason to break that secrecy."

Eamonn just nodded and looked at the ground.

While Kurt read Eamonn the riot act, I was talking to Chris. "Hey, thanks for sticking with me."

"No problem. You're my best friend, and you know what that means."

"Yeah, I do." I said. "And I would do the same for you."

"I would ask no less of you."

Kurt turned around to face Daniel once more. "Just remember you are to tell no one and should Eamonn think about using it in a duel against you or anyone else you are to tell us," he told him.

"All right, I will." After I clip the wings of said kid-turned-dragon. 'By the way, how did Eamonn get that ability?"

"He was born with it like many in our nation," Kurt explained. "Know you know what the Draconis stands for."

"Ah." I said. A race of humans with shapeshifting abilities is quite unique, and would fetch quite a prize for criminal gangs. No wonder secrecy had to be maintained.

"I do hope that you realise why we need to keep our abilities a secret," Kurt then asked.

I gave him an I-know-that-already look. "You're preaching to the choir now, Kurt."

Kurt just nodded.

"It wouldn't hurt to tell him anything he wishes to know," Quatre told Kurt as he comforted Eamonn.

"So how are you going to deal with the dozens of hysterical students who have seen what looks like a kid turn into a dragon?" I asked.

Kurt grimaced at the thought. "Could get McGonnagel to say that she had taught him to be an animagus," he sighed and glared at Eamonn.

"Could work, depending on how young a wizard can be to become an animagus..." I said.

"I think any age at Hogwarts can learn it," Kurt thought. "However did Eamonn actually change in front of them at first? Those students were too busy running off to notice him change back."

I smirked. "Well, I noticed his eyes was glowing yellow when he unleashed a powerful blast of Force Lightning on me, then I tossed him into some bushes over there and that's when he started changing. The students probably put two and two together and, well..."

Kurt nodded. "Maybe that's why they ran for it, thought Eamonn had awoken a sleeping dragon," he said. "In that case I'm going to The Tree Broonsticks for a butterbeer."

"Good idea. I could never get tired of the stuff." I said.

Kurt smirked to himself as he entered the pub and sat down. At least it was much quieter now as he watched Quatre bring Eamonn inside, who had gone very pale.

"So what's going to happen now?" Chris asked me.

"I don't know, really. Hopefully, things will calm down enough that the kids will forget about the ordeal, but that's wishful thinking."

Chris nodded. "Hard to forget a dragon appearing near the school."

"True, that. Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens..." I said, sipping the usual butterbeer.

Kurt looked over at Eamonn. "Look I'm sorry I got so angry but you have to remember that this has to stay secret," he told him. "You have to be careful where you morph between your human form and your dragon form."

Eamonn just quietly nodded as butterbeers appeared in front of them.

"You can talk you know Eamonn," Kurt told him.

"I don't feel like it," he replied, looking down at the butterbeer in front of him.

"Kurt don't be so hard on him," Quatre begged.

The prince hook his head. "I have to be," he said. "What happened out there could have happened in the real world and I'd shudder to think what would have become of him if it had."

"It must be hard trying to keep a big secret like that." Chris said.

"I guess it's manageable as long as he doesn't get pissed off, like how I managed to do to him." I shrugged. "Of course, there's no way we could use memory charms if there's a large crowd, like during the duel. I wonder..."

"Yeah?"

"You think Voldemort would try something like that? I mean, try something so magically powerful and open that there would be no way for the Ministry to wipe the minds of everyone who saw the attack or spell?"

"Hmm. Possibly, depending on how many Death Eaters he's got and allies as well. You think he would try something like that?"

"It's a distinct possibility, especially if they chose the right targets, like maybe Westminister Abbey or go after the Queen." I said.

"That would be nasty. Nobody would like an attack on Her Majesty, and I mean nobody." Chris said. I nodded in agreement. If Dad was attacked, he'd order a slagging somewhere, that's for sure.

I had to admit, my mind scares me sometimes. I don't like to think about what would happen if something like that happened. Most likely all-out war, plus many protests and attempted murders of the wizarding community by fundamentalists. As a Jedi, I would have a job keeping the peace, and that's what villains like bin Laden and Voldemort and others want: chaos.

Hearing them talk about his ability, Eamonn lay his head down on the table and sighed. "They talk about it like I'm the only one," he mumbled.

Quatre put a reassuring hand on the young boys shoulder. "It'll be alright Eam,"

I continued sipping butterbeer and talking to Chris about current events. It seems that he has a hunch that some of the terrorist activity (even the Daily Prophet reports on Muggle news; there's a whole section on it) may be magical in nature.

"My dad actually brought up the subject back in summer. Think about it, how else would a terrorist be able to get through those, uh..."

"Airport metal screeners?" I helped him out.

"Yeah. Things like that. Dad also said that several of the aurors in Iraq have investigated the various explosions and found that some of them have curse residue, along with the muggle explosives."

I nodded. Magic would make something like C-4 or TNT more potent than it already is. "Interesting. So you think that the Dark Lord may have approached the terror groups?"

"It's a possibility." Chris shrugged. "I mean you know more about muggle weapons than I do."

"Yeah. Pistols might be able to get past the wards and the effect that the magic-laden air has on electronics. Like wands, they'll be easy to conceal, although a good Summoning or Disarming charm could still get rid of them. Maybe rifles too, though they're not as easy to conceal." I added a quick explanation on how they work. "They use a small explosion to propel a metal bullet through the air and pierce the body. Depending on where they hit, they can be as deadly as a Killing curse or able to be survivable. Either way, you'll be on the ground bleeding."

"Hmm." Chris drank.

"How good are you with muggle weapons Chris?" Kurt asked.

"Not very. I mean I know about a few, but my wand is quite a bit more versatile than a pistol." Chris said.

"And for me a wand is easier to hold," Kurt grinned and held up his hand.

"Yeah, I can see that." Chris said.

Kurt laughed. "Yeah, normal finger guards are a little small for me," he said. "I can get specially made ones but I prefer a sword."

"Cool. Think you could take him?" Chris pointed his thumb towards me. I chuckled nervously, and descreetly made chopping motions, but Chris ignored them.

"With three swords definitely," Kurt smirked.

Quatre rolled his eyes

"Three?!" I asked incredulously. At best, I could fight with two blades. How the heck does he fight with three swords?

Kurt raised his tail, showing that he was holding his lightsaber and smirked. "See three," he said.

"Well, that's interesting." A prehensile tail is cool, too.

Kurt smirked as he put the lightsaber away. "Just the tip of the iceburg when it comes to my sword skills," he said.

"Show off," Eamonn muttered.

"Ah, it seems the pot is calling the kettle black." I grinned.

"Eam's just a little upset," Quatre said.

"His fault," Kurt remarked. "So about before, you think they will attack a muggle area?"

"Knowing Death Eaters, it's mostly likely that they will attack. Maybe start small with some relatively isolated village or town, then move up to the cities." I said.

"Probably," Kurt agreed. "If he's anything like my grandfather the Queen will disappear first."

"And that leaves..." I just had a bad feeling... "I think that we need to get to the Prince."

"I don't think they'll go after the royals," Kurt said. "He's more likely to attack a village like you said."

"Hmm, yeah." I said. But the feeling is still there.

"We'll have to see Tonks," Kurt suggested. "See if they'll put some Aurors to watch over them if they haven't already."

"That's a good start." I nodded. I just hoped the Ministry won't be stupid about this suggestion.

"Well there's the problem we're not allowed away from the village or the school," Kurt pointed out.

"Won't matter to me in the least." I said, knowing that I might be able to use magic without a wand, depending on how much I can self-train. "But for Chris, yeah."

He shrugged. "Depends on how badly you'd need me to back you up if things go bad. I might get my dad, too."

"I didn't mean using magic I meant we aren't allowed to leave," Kurt told him.

Now I understand. "Oh, now I see."

"Yeah just see what I mean," Kurt then said and then attampted to teleport away.

Instead there was a brief explosion of purple smoke but the prince stayed where he was.

"Anti-teleporting wards. Not bad." I said. I was wondering how Kurt was able to teleport in and out of Hogwarts...but I guess it's moot now.