The Three Keys

AN: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR DRACO
(Although I think Draco may own a piece of my heart)

A/N: THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO MY FRIEND ALEX25! SHE’S NEW HERE TO AFF, IF YOU’VE NOT READ ANY OF HER STORIES GO CHECK THEM OUT HERE AND AT FF.NET. Thanks Alex for your friendship and always fun banter and good constructive criticism. I know I can count on you for the truth…whether I like it or not! But that’s what friendship is yes? GRIN!

For anyone who is interested, my new chapter of ‘IT HAD TO BE YOU’ DM/HG sweetheart fict is now up! If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a peek. Hit my name at the top of the page and it will take you to my profile page, you can access the story from there. You may like it, if you’re into sugary sweet love stories.

OK, now for Keys update. Chapter 36 is officially being written as we speak. HOPEFULLY by the time I am done reposting all the chapters it will be ready to go. I’m optimistic that will be the case. In the meantime – enjoy the action!
Can’t wait to hear what you think! Cheers, Lorett

_______________________________________________________________

CH: 25 - DOMUS TOTALIS – BRING US HOME

Previously:

The boys were quite surrounded now as they edged toward the exit, hurtling spells and blocking curses for everyone in their path, trying to save anyone they could through the chaos and crush of people lurching about…

-----

“Tad,” Laurel’s voice was calm and uncompromising, “Get Tina and get out of here NOW. Turn around and walk out the door. Don’t look at anyone, don’t talk to anyone, run to your hotel and I’ll call you later….NOW!”

“But..” he faltered, “What about you?”

Laurel shrugged thinking of the first thing that came to her mind, “Me, I have diplomatic immunity! No one will do anything to me!...GO!”

Laurel took a deep breath and threw Death Eaters out of their way ensuring their safe passage until she saw them reach the outside doors. The exit was full of people screaming and clawing trying to get out. Laurel muttered “EXPILARMUS” and threw her hands wide at the doors and everyone exploded through them, like being shot out of a cannon.

Laurel had no idea how many Death Eaters were outside, she couldn’t worry about that now. She just hoped Tad and Teeny would make it back OK and eyeing the door to her freedom once more, turned back to the battle and began a silent prayer for them, for herself and for Draco, Harry and Ron…

_____________________________________________

Laurel squared her shoulders, fought back a palpable tremor of terror, pulled the hem of her dress up and freed her wand from its garter belt.

She surveyed the pandemonium. The dance floor was littered with bodies. Whether they were dead or alive, she had no idea, although she feared the worst. It didn’t take but a moment to find Draco, Harry and Ron. They were surrounded by at least 12 Death Eaters and were standing in a circle with their backs pressed together, doing quite well fighting off the menacing group closing in all around them.

As Laurel approached, she saw it happen before she could react. A tall Death Eater had his wand pointed at Harry and leveled a curse straight at his chest. Draco saw it too and moved in a flash in front of Harry who had not seen it coming and was hit low in his stomach. Draco doubled over, clutching his belly, all the color drained out of his face, he staggered for a moment and stood back up, wand in hand, eyes set and ferocious. The exact look Laurel had seen in her vision.

“NOOOOO!” she screamed, her voice unheard in the chaos.

The same Death Eater now raised his wand to Draco and she moved like lightning, shouting “Expelliarmus!” the Death Eater flew face forward toward the trio and landed with a hard thud face up, unmoving.

Laurel’s outstretched hand caught the Death Eater’s wand with a smart slap in her palm. Looking at the vile thing, she quickly stowed it in her garter belt and hissed “LIGARE PLENUS!” and a set of thick ropes shot out of her wand and wrapped around the Death Eater’s body. She stalked past him throwing her hand out in front of her, blasting anyone in her way, her eyes on Draco.

Draco looked up, he was hit….”Shit!” He staggered, gasping from the intensity of the pain that tore through his body and trying not to stumble as stars danced in his eyes. He caught his breath fighting to stay conscious and stood up refusing to show any weakness or sign of injury, arm outstretched, wand steady, ready to stop anyone else from hitting Harry. ‘If I go down, it’ll be protecting him…..Goddamnit, he’d better live….’

Draco looked at the Death Eater who had cursed him and watched as he raised his wand once again pointing it directly at Draco’s heart. He realized horrified, that he didn’t have the strength to block him - he was going to die.

Even though he was shaking so and fighting to stay conscious, Draco used every bit of his strength to stand tall and face his death like a Malfoy – proud and staring death in the eye…He edged himself closer to Harry and tensed waiting for the inevitable hit when…BANG! Draco’s eyes flew wide as the villain shot out towards him like a cannon ball, spun in mid air, and hit the ground face up in front of him. He looked down at the masked man on the floor and then up to see who had hit him… His mouth fell open, ’I KNEW IT!’…It was her.

“You,” Draco breathed, looking pale, very angry and shocked. Laurel stood in front of him her gaze intense, feral and then turned to his side and nudged her way in between he and Harry.

“Me,” she answered. “Can you fight?” Laurel caught sight of an advancing Death Eater on Draco’s left and cast her left hand out, yelling “Petrificus Totalis!” as the man fell face forward into the floor.

He stared at her stunned and looking woozy. ‘Was she doing wandless magic?’ He blinked several times and felt like he might pass out. Shaking his head and pushing the pain to the back of his mind, Draco turned to stop another Death Eater from hurtling a spell at Laurel.

Just then a huge Death Eater jumped in front of Harry and both she and Harry yelled “Expelliarmus!” at the same moment. Her wand spilling sparks of red, gold and orange and brilliant green sparks spraying from his, they merged and the sparks became one solid ray of bright gold light and hit the Death Eater square in the chest sending him rocketing back against the wall of the club. He took out two more along the way and left an indentation in the wall where he hit with a loud crash. He crumpled to the ground, dead.

Harry and Laurel stared at each other for a moment and turned back to the battle, amazement on their faces.

Draco stared in silence, not believing what he had just seen. Ron had his back to them and had not seen any of it.

Laurel turned back to Draco, “How bad is it?” she asked, eyes flashing, she was furious that she hadn’t been able to stop him from getting hurt.

Harry turned now and blanched…”LAUREL! What the BLOODY HELL….You…you’re a witch??”

“Not now Harry, you can be mad at me later.” She raised her wand and shouted a spell at another advancing Death Eater. They were all around them now, closing in.

“We’ve got them now!” sneered a particularly tall Death Eater near Laurel. Draco deftly grabbed her and with more strength that he thought he had pushed her back behind him. He knew that voice….He whispered something softly and a hiss of black smoke shot out of his wand and hit the man in the neck wrapping around it like a wispy scarf; the Death Eater fell to the ground, choking and gasping.

Laurel watched fascinated…’Dark magic for sure,’ she thought, turning back to him. “Draco, how bad is it?” she asked again, pushing him slightly behind her as she saw him pale even more.

“Bad,” he said. “Goddamnit, why didn’t you TELL me you were a witch???”

“Draco, I - I TRIED!!!...I TOLD YOU I could help!!! You just wanted to throw me out! Besides, would you have let me stay?” She moved him further behind her.

“HELL NO!” he hissed, edging himself out to try and block her again. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her if he could help it.

“Yeah, exactly my point.”

“Laurel…” Draco staggered a bit, but regained his balance quickly…”When I go down, use me to block you as much as you can. Don’t think about it, just do it, OK? Harry will get you out. Protect him as much as you can, he needs to get out of this alive. You understand?”

“What!...Draco, NO!!” she shrieked, “NO I most certainly will NOT use you as a shield!” Laurel simply could not believe her ears! “You stop thinking like that this instant! You’re going to be OK. I’ll keep you safe!” Her voice was shaking with worry and fury. “D-don’t you think we can make it out of here?” Her eyes were on the men surrounding them.

“No, I won’t. I’ll do all I can to make sure you do though.” Draco’s jaw was set, he had a solemn look in his eyes, he moved swiftly and cast a spell at another man coming near and Laurel saw it take more of the life out of his body.

Laurel’s jaw hung slack for a moment as his words registered. She promptly snapped her mouth closed her eyes narrowed stubbornly, ‘No way are you dying on me Draco Malfoy. No way.’ - “Can you apparate?” She blocked a curse and downed another Death Eater who landed at her feet and Laurel kicked him hard in the face. “BASTARD!” she growled at the masked man and glanced at Draco, waiting for his answer.

Laurel realized quite suddenly there were still people in the club, still screaming, still falling around them, the lights and disco ball glowing and spinning were making her dizzy. How long had this been going on? Only a few minutes she guessed, but it already felt like an eternity. “Draco?” she asked again.

“No.” he shook his head. “Besides, we can’t. We tried after Weasel showed up; they must have put up wards to stop us. Harry won’t leave anyway, he,” Draco winced and groaned, the pain was so intense, “he wants to keep as many muggles from getting hurt as he can.” He looked around dispassionately, his look speaking for him that clearly that plan was not working.

Laurel felt numb; panic was slowly winning the battle over her emotions and settling into her soul as the gravity of their situation hit her full force.

She hadn’t counted on not being able to apparate out and she certainly wasn’t going to just stand around here until they all got cursed and fell dead. ‘WHAT CAN WE DO?’ she thought frantically. Her body was quaking with fear and determination. Suddenly a thought came to mind. ‘Can I even DO THAT? Will it work with so many of us?’ She too looked around surveying the horror around her. There was not much they could do to help anyone at this point other than themselves she realized and with that Laurel made up her mind quickly. No time to waste on contemplations; this was a time for action. With her decision made she turned to Draco. “Ok then. I’ll just have to give it a shot.”

Draco glanced at her and she caught her breath at the look in his eyes, they were the color of storm clouds at dusk and were heavy with pain. “Give WHAT a shot?” he asked sounding breathless and tired.

Laurel felt a pang of fear for Draco seize her heart, she could see him deteriorating more and more every minute – she had to get them out NOW.

“I have an idea on how to get us out of here.” She forced herself to keep eye contact with him, Laurel was trying not to focus on the pain she could feel radiating out of his body in waves. It was making her stomach turn. She forced a quick grin; “I’m going to get us out of here.” she said sounding surprisingly confident even to her. “Draco, put your arm around my waist and hold on as tight as you can, OK? When I tell you, raise your wand and repeat what I say. Can you do it?” she asked, her voice urgent. “Draco, can you manage it?” He nodded.

Laurel leaned toward Harry and he leaned close, their arms brushing each other’s. “Harry, I’m going to try a spell to get us all out of here; Draco’s hurt and it’s bad. Put your arm around my waist and hold on, repeat the spell when I say so. Tell Ron…..”

Harry’s eyes were fierce. “We can’t apparate out, we already tried.”

“Draco told me, but this may work.”

The anger and anxiety were etched in his voice when he spoke, as he cast tortured eyes around them, “There are still so many people in here. They need us!”

“Harry, the Death Eaters are here because of us; if we leave they will, too!” Laurel yelled, ‘I hope,’ she finished silently, thrusting her left hand out again and throwing a Death Eater back...He landed on his rear end and bounced back up, advancing again.

“Harry, we need to get out of here NOW, mate! We’ve done all we can, there’s not enough of us to do any good!” Laurel heard Ron shout from behind her.

“OK.” Harry agreed finally, casting a desperate, hopeless look at all the innocent victims sprawled around the room.

Laurel grabbed Draco’s arm and put it around her waist, “Lean against me Draco, let me shoulder your weight.” She felt him hesitate. “Don’t worry, Draco, I can handle it.” He winced, but did it.

“Ready?” she yelled, “On my word.” The boys kept their wands out protecting her as she spoke softly, “Vadere domus potissimum amicus.” She took her wand and made a large arcing motion, encircling the four of them and with a loud sounding swoosh red, gold and orange sparks shot out of her wand and a golden half bubble appeared above them. It was translucent and brilliantly bright, blinding the Death Eaters momentarily because of the darkness of the room.

Now she shouted it loud and clear, “VADERE DOMUS POTISSIMUM AMICUS!” and the ground around them began to quake. “NOW!” she yelled to the boys.

In unison, all four raised their wands and shouted, “VADERE DOMUS POTISSIMUM AMICUS!”

Laurel, Harry and Draco’s wands each shot out a stream of golden light. The three beams met in the center of the half dome with a thunderous crack as a thick, white hot flash of light appeared and a blinding golden beam formed with a force of power that surged through all four of them as the three wands shook violently.

It took all of Laurel’s strength to hold her wand tight. She was instantly afraid that Draco would not be able to hold onto his but forgot quickly as she watched transfixed as the light encircled them completely creating a sphere around the group and began to whirl around them swiftly, quickly building up speed faster and faster. The force of the whirling orb whipped up the bodies of the club goers strewn about the floor, tossing and flicking them aside. The Death Eaters around them were tossed about as well, knocked off their feet as they screamed and were blown back against walls, tables and anything in their path.

The bubble began emitting a terrible, high pitched wail that left those Death Eaters not knocked out from the power of the blows clutching their ears with pain. Inside the four stood, shaking violently from the energy surging through them, arms locked around each other and wands raised together. They felt themselves lifted and were suddenly hurtling at lightning speed out of the club as it vanished in a frenzied blur of color and blackness, streaking away from them like a demon in the night…

A low, intense howling began deep within the center of the bubble and radiated out in waves, making their bodies pulsate with the rhythm of the sound as their wands literally surged from the power. They felt themselves now plunging downward with an impossible force, the wind whipping their faces and stinging their eyes.

‘My God, we’ll never be able to stop in time; we’ll be crushed with the force of impact!’ Laurel’s thoughts struck her like ice water across her body and she felt her wand slip just a bit as she lost her concentration. Instinctively she grasped the wand tightly, her knuckles white with the pressure.

Then before she could think about it, another thunderous BANG pounded against their bodies as they slammed with a bone jolting crash onto solid ground.

Draco looked like he had been hit square in the jaw, his arms flew wide open and he stumbled backwards falling against a wall and crumpling to the ground. Harry (always light on his feet) only lost his balance, falling to his knees, while Ron landed hard on his right foot and rolled his ankle screaming as it snapped; he hit the floor writhing in pain.

Only Laurel remained standing, her legs planted wide and firm, wand held high, chest heaving, with eyes cast up looking at the golden bubble as it continued swirling and whirling. Slowly it started wobbling to one side and becoming distorted looking as another low wail pulsed from within. The walls around them began to shake, and a large round oak table with a towering flower display directly in front of the group hurtled sideways and fell over with a resounding crack as splintered glass and water showered them.

The sphere began fading away then slowly, losing its brilliance until it looked thin and silvery, like a soft soap bubble. Then it was gone. The wailing continued and echoed in the room a moment after the bubble faded, and then the winds died, then silence.

Harry watched Laurel as the last of the bubble disappeared and then sprang to his feet looking at her in complete amazement.

She was a sight to behold, for unbeknownst to her as the last of the bubble faded away, one thin golden beam shooting out brilliant sparks remained attached to her wand as if holding it up and in turn holding her up, as she gazed at it transfixed. Her brown eyes were lit from within, her tumultuous hair glowing amber in the light as it haloed her head and body. With her chest heaving and her legs planted strong and wide, she looked like a Greek goddess to Harry and it sent a current of desire shooting through him that scared him.

As soon as the orb disappeared Laurel dropped her wand and went lax. Harry caught her immediately and held her close. Her eyes were open and she glowed like she had been hit by lightning.

Harry heard screams then from somewhere behind him and looked around to see a beautiful, middle aged woman wearing a black pants suit running toward him, her dark curls (so like Laurel’s) flying about her face, her eyes blazing and wand out in front of her. “LET GO OF HER NOW!!” she commanded, screaming.

Harry’s heart was thudding so loudly in his chest that he actually couldn’t hear her very well, but he got the gist and eyed her calmly as he wordlessly lowered Laurel to the ground.

Ron watched the woman from his spot on the floor, mouth open as she passed him without a glance and rounded on Harry.

“Step away slowly and drop your wand NOW,” the lady growled, her eyes vicious.

Harry dropped his wand; it clattered loudly on the floor as he backed away, his hands held in front of his chest.

“JACK!!! JACK!!!” the woman bellowed, “JACK, COME QUICK!”

Harry suddenly had no voice; he simply stayed quiet, as he was very sure that if he moved even a muscle the woman would kill him on the spot.

“You, Red,” the woman seethed, “Don’t even think about reaching for that wand or you’ll be dead before you touch it.” Her eyes never left Harry.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Ron said through clenched teeth. “You Okay, Harry?”

Harry nodded, eyes on the lady. “Yea mate, you hurt badly?” he croaked.

“I think I broke my ankle.” Ron said as hot tears of pain slid down his face.

“Who the HELL are you?” the lady said venomously.

Harry opened his mouth to answer just as a tall, dark-haired, very handsome man, about Harry’s height, came barreling down a rear hallway. He was wearing a tux and an undone bow-tie and was out of breath as he began to speak…”Maggie I had to get the Prime Minister…..” he gasped as he took in the scene and his eyes fell to the girl on the floor, “NOOOOO! LAUREL!” he screamed, his terror evident.

He blew past the woman, Maggie, and sank to his knees at Laurel’s side, hoisting her up into his arms shaking and crying, “Laurel, LAUREL!” he bellowed, cradling her tight into his chest, “Laurel can you hear me! LAUREL!”

Laurel blinked then and her eyes came back into focus slowly, she sat up with a start flying out of John’s arms and looked around dazed. “DADDY!” she screamed as her eyes landed on her father and she flung herself at him, crying and clutching him close. “OH MY GOD, WE DID IT!!” she beamed, grinning at her father then up at Harry, “Harry!!” Harry’s eyes had not moved from Laurel’s mom and she looked past her dad then to see her mother’s icy glare fixed on Harry, her wand pointed squarely at his chest.

“MOM! OH MY GOD, PUT THAT THING DOWN!!!” Laurel jumped up instantly and stood in front of Harry, her arms wide. “This is HARRY POTTER, Mom, and we just got him the HELL out of a club full of Death Eaters!”

“Draco, tell her…” Laurel looked for Draco, as did Harry, he’d forgotten about him in the confusion. Their eyes found him lying unconscious against a far wall, his long legs spread wide out in front of him and his body slumped forward with his head in his chest and his arms hanging loose at his sides. He looked quite dead.

A terrified, hoarse scream ripped from her lungs as Laurel ran to his side, “DRACO!!” she gasped, “OH NO, NO DRACO!!!” she sobbed, her heart twisting painfully in her chest as she dropped down next to him and gently pulled him away from the wall. She didn’t notice Harry come up behind her and bend low to look at him. Laurel put Draco’s head on her lap and looked at his pale face smoothing a lock of hair off his forehead as her lower lip trembled and fat tears began rolling uncontrollably down her cheeks, spilling onto his eyes and nose. “Draco…” she whispered, shaking, “Draco, please, please open your eyes. Draco…”

Draco sputtered and his eyes fluttered briefly as he looked at her. A trickle of blood slipped from the corner of his mouth and Laurel cried out. She was speaking to him, he knew, but though he tried desperately, Draco couldn’t make out what she was saying. Her head was low and he knew she was yelling, but his head was so fuzzy, he tried to say her name, “Lauuulll,” as his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he slipped back into unconsciousness.

Laurel looked like she was going to pass out; she was horribly nauseous and clutched frantically at Draco’s shirt by his waist. She felt something hot and sticky and pulled her hand away from his shirt and screamed again as she saw it was covered in blood. Laurel gagged and her hand began shaking terribly as she stared at it. Harry blanched as he caught sight of Laurel’s bloody hand and realized that Draco was seriously injured. Laurel’s mom came up beside her then and pushed Harry out of the way, kneeling beside Laurel and looking at Draco. “What happened to him?” Maggie’s voice was tense.

“He took a hit in his belly,” Laurel whispered, voice quivering, her eyes glued to her blood covered hand. “I saw it, he, he jumped in front of Harry. Harry, he didn’t see it coming…. I knew it was bad, Draco said it was, but, it...” she stammered, “He didn’t fall or cry out. Why is he BLEEDING?" Laurel dropped her hand then to her dress and immediately wiped the blood away and looked back at Draco, her entire body was trembling now as she stroked his face gently. "He, he saved Harry’s life. It would have hit him right in the heart. Oh my God.” More tears.

“Harry,” Maggie’s voice was curt and unfriendly, “help Jack get him up; we’ll put him on the couch. Laurel, you've got to get ahold of yourself. I need you to stay calm. Can you do that?" Laurel nodded and jerked her hand up to her face, brushing away the steam of tears still flowing. "Good." Maggie said calmly. "Go and open the doors to the den, it's all right, Dad will get your friend.”

Laurel looked at her mom for a quick moment and nodded. She laid Draco down gently, her reluctance to let him go evident. She moved quickly to her feet and opened a tall set of double doors, flicking on a light switch to reveal a huge drawing room with wide glass doors leading to a veranda beyond.

Harry turned to Ron, who was staring at Draco with a blank expression on his face; he looked pale and was holding his right leg.

“Don’t worry about Red.” Maggie snapped to Harry, “We’ll get him in a minute.” Her eyes never left Draco.

“My God, Laurel, what the hell happened?” her dad asked, stunned, as he looked at the destruction of the hallway they had landed in and then to the blond boy on the floor.

“Later, Jack” Maggie said tersely. “This boy is critically injured, he needs attention now.”

Jack looked at Harry. “You okay to help?” he inquired.

Harry nodded and they lifted Draco off the floor. He was terribly heavy, dead weight, and once Harry and Jack had hoisted him up Jack swiftly put Draco in his arms and carried him into the room.

“Over here,” Maggie said. “Laurel, help me with him, we need to get his shirt off and clean the wound. Harry, go and help Red and get him into a chair. His leg looks like it may be broken, so be careful.” Maggie turned her back to him and returned her attention to Draco.

Harry looked at her and fumed silently. ‘How is it that I’m always the bad guy when all I did was show up just like everybody else?’ His eyes narrowed as he spun around and went to Ron.

“You alright, Harry?” Ron asked, his eyes full of pain.

“Forget about me, what about, you? Can you get over there leaning on me or should I carry you?” Harry eyed Ron’s leg. “That looks bad.”

Ron’s ankle was swelling considerably as they looked at it and his foot was twisted in an ugly position. “It hurts like bloody hell, but I think if you help me up I can get to a chair.”

Harry bent over and they clasped hands and Ron grabbed Harry’s arm and elbow and they pulled, hoisting Ron up carefully. Ron gave a groan of pain and leaned heavily on Harry.

“It’s okay, mate, lean on me.” Harry clasped his friend around his waist and they turned slowly, Ron’s face cringing with pain, and he nodded. Harry began helping Ron edge slowly to the room and he heaved a thick sigh as Harry finally lowered him into a chair closest to the door.

Harry spun around then and went back into the hallway and picked up the four wands discarded around the floor and went back into the room. Silently, solemnly he placed Laurel and Draco’s wands on a table and handed Ron’s to him.

Harry and Ron turned their eyes back to the couch then and watched as Draco fought for his life. Harry felt a cold, sick feeling settling over him. He was only now processing what Laurel had said…’He stepped in front of HARRY and took a hit for him.’…. ‘He SAVED Harry’s life.’….. ‘He said it was bad.’ Draco hadn’t said a word to Harry to let him know. He hadn’t even heard him cry out, if he had at all. Harry wasn’t sure.

“Ron, did you see any of that go down?” Harry asked, still looking at the couch.

Ron shook his head. “No, nothing. Did you know Laurel was a witch?”

“No, and she didn’t say a word when…” Harry trailed off. He was going to say, ‘when she met me.’ But, how conceited did that sound? He had even seen her look at the scar, but she didn’t give any indication she knew who he was.

“No wonder she jumped when you said Malfoy’s name.” Ron voiced Harry’s next thought exactly.

“I was thinking the same thing. Malfoy’s bad name even followed him across the Atlantic.” Harry said. “She fooled me.” he admitted grudgingly. ‘If she wasn’t so damn pretty, I might have caught on,’ he thought.

“Me too.” Ron said, wincing in pain as he looked up at Harry. “Is Malfoy going to die?”

Harry scowled at the thought and rubbed the bridge of his nose wearily. He took off his glasses and sat down on the arm of Ron’s chair. “If he dies, whoever did this goes down. I’ll see to it personally.” Harry looked more brutal and fierce without his glasses and Ron blanched at the thought.

“Blimey, I hope he makes it.” Ron whispered.

----- -----

John looked at the boy on the couch and then to Maggie. “What do you need me to do?”

Maggie shook her head, “Nothing at the moment. Did you get the Prime Minister off?”

John shook his head, “No, he’s still here and I…”

“WHAT! Jack, you have to get him OUT OF HERE! He can’t see any of this! For God’s SAKE, HARRY POTTER IS IN OUR DEN!”

“Maggie,” Jack said quietly, “no one here KNOWS who Harry Potter is and you know I CAN’T get him out. I have a conference call about the trade agreement in three hours and we need to discuss it before calling the White House,” John finished.

Maggie paled. “I forgot…You need to keep him away from here. EVERYONE, away from here till I can get these kids up to bed and cleaned up. John,” her voice lowered to a whisper so the boys behind her wouldn’t hear. “this boy may die. You CANNOT have anyone around here. I need to get a hold of the Ministry immediately, we need to get Aurors to that club and…”

“Maggie,” John sighed heavily, interrupting her, “I have to get back. I’ll keep him away. Don’t worry about whom you have to get over here, just take care of it. We’ll get through.” He gave his wife a sympathetic smile, looked nervously down at Draco and clutched her shoulder, then turned to Laurel. “You feeling okay, sweetie?” His voice was low and concerned.

“OH God, mom, dad, I’m so sorry,” Laurel gushed, feeling incredibly guilty now. “The situation was dire, I had to get them out. They were trying to KILL Harry! This was the only thing I could think of to get us all back to a safe place together. We couldn’t apparate, they set up some kind of ward and Draco was too injured to do it anyway and….Oh, I’m sooo sorry.” Tears began flowing anew.

“What spell did you use, Laurel?” Maggie asked.

Laurel hesitated, searching her mother’s face, she sighed finally, “Domus Totalis.”

Maggie’s mouth gaped open, “Laurel that’s, that’s a VERY complex spell, it was a risk to try that…” She eyed her daughter; “You brought three others with you using the Domus?” She was truly amazed; Maggie didn’t think that was even possible.

Laurel nodded. “I just didn’t know what else to do.” her eyes never left Draco as she spoke, “He, Draco told me he was going to die…I just…I needed to get him out, get us all out. I went on instinct…”

“Laurel,” Maggie’s voice was soft now, “you remember what we told you, yes?” Laurel nodded, eyes still on Draco. Maggie continued, “If you need to use magic around muggles, I’m sorry, Jack and it’s important, which I would say this certainly was, you don’t EVER feel ashamed or bad. You saved everyone’s life here. Do you understand?”

Laurel looked at Draco and whispered “Maybe not everyone.” The one she most wanted to save….

“Well,” Maggie said, “let’s get a look at him and see what we can do.” She really didn’t have a good feeling about his injuries; they looked severe, but best to keep that to herself for the time being.

Once Laurel had gotten Draco’s shirt undone and they managed to clean some of the blood away from the wound, Maggie whispered hollowly, “This is ugly, dark magic.” Her eyes were filled with sadness as she picked up her wand and muttered, “Reparare Secare Corporues.” A thin wisp of gold light shot out of her wand and touched Draco’s wound. They waited and watched as slowly, very slowly the gash on his side began to close up. It took a long time and Maggie looked worried.

“Why is it taking so long?” Laurel asked feeling her mother’s concern and trepidation for Draco.

“Because this is a very deep wound; this was meant to rip Harry’s chest open, I imagine.” Maggie shuddered. “Whoever did this was a monster.”

Laurel gagged and turned away.

“Laurel, why don’t you go sit down?” Maggie said softly. “I know you’re not good with blood…”

Laurel shook her head vehemently. “No way. I’m not leaving him.”

At Laurel’s passionate response, Maggie looked up in surprise and eyed her daughter closely. “Laurel, have you met this boy before tonight?”

Laurel head shot up guiltily, tearing her eyes away from Draco momentarily. “No.” she said truthfully. But at the look on her mom’s face she fessed up. “I… I had a vision earlier tonight and…and he was in it.”

Maggie’s response was immediate. “WHAT!?!”

Harry and Ron both looked up from their conversation on the chair and paled. Maggie shot a glance at them and said more calmly, “It’s fine, Draco looks to be getting better.” She turned without a second glance to the boys and back to Laurel, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“What was your vision about?” her voice was low and angry.

Laurel looked taken aback. "I…I saw Draco. His eyes, rather and” she paused, wondering whether or not to tell her mom about the feelings she had felt of his and decided against it. She knew her mom would blow a gasket if she found out Laurel had met a boy whose very real thoughts of death and dying were going to happen to him tonight, since she’d seen (sort of) what he was wearing. Laurel knew damn well it was the same suit from the vision the moment she’d seen it and if her mom knew she didn’t hightail it out of there with trouble inevitable... She might very well kill Laurel on the spot herself.

“And what, Laurel?”

“Well, he, he’s important to me….I don’t know how, but I know he is.”

“Important how?”

“I just told you, I don’t know how. I just FELT it in the vision, and in the moment I met him. It was like nothing I’ve ever felt before.”

“How do you know it was this boy, if you only saw his eyes?” Maggie asked reasonably.

Laurel gawked at her and then realized she’d not seen his eyes. If she had, she wouldn’t have asked that question. Draco’s eyes were mesmerizing, amazing and completely unique.

“He, he has silver eyes.” Laurel whispered.

“Silver eyes?” Maggie parroted.

Laurel nodded her head yes. “They’re the color of polished silver and blue, so beautiful…”

‘Uh oh.’ Maggie looked worried now, not because of the boy’s condition, but because of the tone in Laurel’s voice. Maggie knew that tone well. It was the same one she got when she spoke about John early in their relationship, when everything was fresh and hot and exciting. The voice of new love…

Maggie took a deep breath and looked down at Draco. “Well,” she said smartly, “we’d best get him healed up so I can see these amazing eyes of his.”

Laurel’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears again. “Do you really think he’s going to make it?” She looked down at him; his breath was rasping in his chest, hollow and weak sounding. His skin was ashen and his face looked a little blue.

Maggie sighed again. “I think he may. He looks to be strong and healthy, so there’s a good chance.” With that she lifted her wand again and said, “Opplere Sanguis Plenus.” Maggie peered closely now; this was the hard part. If his blood would congeal and begin to replenish, he had a very good chance of a complete recovery. She was guarded though, as Draco had lost so much blood. There was in fact, a huge reddish-black stain on the couch where he lay. The blood had seeped into the couch, run down the front of it and puddled on the carpet at their feet.

Laurel’s heart ached at the site and she quickly averted her eyes as a new wave of nausea swept over her. “It should start working very soon,” Maggie said. It actually should have shown an immediate response, but Draco was severely injured, so it could take a little longer. As she thought this, she watched as color began to fill his face again, his cheeks pinking just a little and his breathing coming more steady and stronger. “Good, good,” she breathed.

Maggie looked up at Laurel and smiled, finally the smile that Laurel knew. “Oh, mom…” Her voice wavered and her hands flew to her mouth, as a shaky smile played at her lips. She threw her arms around her mom and cried openly.

Harry got up at this and came over to them. He gulped as he looked at the blood on the couch and at the floor. They couldn’t see that from where they were sitting, the women had blocked it all. He gave an audible gasp as he saw it and they both looked at him.

“I think he’s going to be just fine,” Maggie said smiling at Harry now. Harry instantly relaxed; Laurel’s mom had a beautiful smile. He never would have guessed it from the way she had scowled at him earlier.

“How’s Red doing?” Maggie asked.

“He’s in a lot of pain. We think he broke his ankle in the landing.” Harry winced now as his cut lip opened again and started dropping blood from the wound and then bleeding fresh. He’d hurt it when they landed in the hall and the big flower vase exploded in front of him, cutting his jaw, cheek and lower lip.

“Laurel, go help Red. You can fix a broken ankle right?” Maggie looked reassuringly at her, eyebrows raised.

“Yeah, I think so, I remember.” she said nodding to her mom.

“Good, you two help him. I’ll keep a watch on Blondie here and make sure he’s progressing well.” She smiled and winked at Harry.

Harry smiled now at her for the first time and Maggie gave him a good once-over. She watched as Harry eyed Laurel while she bent over Ron and began helping him off with his shoe. The look on Harry’s face was completely evident. She smiled, he was tall, dark hair, very good looking and what an extraordinary pair of green eyes. And the look in those eyes…‘Ah Blondie,’ she thought, ‘I think you may have your work cut out for you, if Harry has anything to say about it.’

Maggie turned back and took a good look at Draco now. She was a little perplexed, as she knew Laurel was a sucker for a pair of green eyes and black hair and when it was wrapped in a neat package like Harry…Draco was in fact gorgeous though, she had to admit. Stunning features, blond, fair skinned, not Laurel’s type at all though. She wondered what Draco had that Harry didn’t…

----- -----

Laurel came over to Ron and pulled up a chair in front of him, Harry jumped forward and helped her drag it over. She smiled up at him and then turned to Ron.

“Okay, Red.” she began, picking up her mom’s nickname for him. He in turn, turned beat red in the face and Laurel laughed. “Score! New nickname officially in place,” she teased. Harry chuckled behind her at the look on Ron’s face and shook his head a little.

She was feeling immensely better knowing that Draco would be alright, or at least it appeared that he wasn’t in immediate danger of dying now. And for the moment that was just going to have to do, he’d pull through - he had to.

“Let’s get this shoe off.” Laurel began gingerly, slowly to ease his shoe off his foot. She winced as he gasped out in pain. “Sorry” she breathed.

He shook his head wordlessly as the color drained out of his face. He had his eyes squeezed shut and was shaking a little.

“Ron, its all right if you want to cry. I know I would be,” Laurel said. He just opened his eyes and looked at her. It was then she noticed how very blue they were. A deep, penetrating blue and she smiled at him. “My, my, Red, you have incredibly beautiful baby blues,” she cooed. “Who knew all this time all the gorgeous boys were right here in England, and with me across an ocean…” She shook her head and whispered, “Diffindo” and Ron’s sock tore apart. His eyes flew open wide and he gasped in pain again.

“Sorry, Red, I hope you weren’t attached to that sock. I promise to spring for a new pair…. Now let’s look at this ankle.” Laurel held it carefully, cradling it in her hand and peered closely at it.

Harry leaned in too, “Wow, that’s worse than I thought.”

“Yeah, this is pretty bad, but no worries, Red. I fixed my little sister’s arm up when she fell out of our tree house. Now that was a BAD break.” Laurel shivered delicately remembering it. She looked at her wand on the table next to Ron and said “Accio.” It flew to her hand instantly. She pointed it at Ron’s ankle and said firmly, “Osso Fissare Totalis.” He let out a sharp cry as the bone snapped back into place and tears slid down his face as it began mending back together. “Sorry, I forgot to mention it would be painful…” she trailed off, blushing, and gave him a sheepish smile.

Ron gasped out sarcastically, “Thanks so much!” (He’d forgotten how painful mending bones could be.)

After a few minutes of silence as Harry and Laurel peered at Ron’s screwed up face and eyes shut tight, she glanced at Harry and he shrugged and looked back down at Ron.

“Mate, how you feeling?”

Ron opened his eyes and looked up at them. When he spoke his voice was hoarse. “Better.”

“Red is a man of few words, I see,” Laurel stated, smiling at him.

Harry chuckled again and Laurel bent down and looked him in the face. “Ron, it’ll be better in a few minutes, I promise. You had a really nasty break. Did you fall at the club too? That ankle looked to have been aggravated beyond just the fall in the hallway.”

Ron nodded, “Yeah I did. I saw the Death Eaters when I was coming back from the loo; I ran back to get Harry and someone tripped me. I fell and twisted it. It was hurting, but I could stand, it wasn’t that bad. I heard it snap when we landed though and that bloody hurt!”

“Mmmm, I thought so. I bet it hurt. I’m so sorry, I was kind of hoping we would land upstairs in my room. That’s what I was concentrating on. That would have been a much softer landing. Carpeting….” she shrugged, “At least we’re here and we’re alive.” She looked over at Draco and her mom now.

“I’m going to go check on Draco. I’ll be back to check on my patient in a sec.” She winked at Ron and walked back to her mom.

The chaos of just about two hours ago had begun to die down and Ron and Draco were now safely out of harms way and recovering from their injuries. Laurel breathed a sigh of relief as she approached her mother. “How is he, mom?” she inquired. Her eyes still full of concern as they rested on Draco's still form.

“I think he’ll be just fine. He just needs to rest,” Maggie reassured her.

“But, he hasn’t opened his eyes yet, is that a bad sign?”

“Laurel,” Maggie began, she was tired and more than a little concerned for Draco, though she wouldn’t let that on to Laurel, least she worry unnecessarily. Maggie glanced over at Harry and noticed him wiping blood from his lip and wincing just a bit. “look at Harry. He’s still pretty banged up. Take him to the bathroom and clean those cuts up please.” She said. “He’s probably needs to talk to someone and if you can get a little more insight into what exactly was going on tonight it would help me out more in my investigation.” She gave her daughter a little shove in Harry’s direction and turned back to Draco.

“Is there anything more I can do?” she asked her mom.

Maggie shook her head. “Honey, he just needs to sleep now. As soon as I get him and the rest of you up to bed, I’ll get a hold of the Ministry. You’ll need to get some rest; tomorrow will be a long day. We’ll have to contact everyone’s parents…” Maggie faltered, “Uh, who is Harry staying with, do you know?”

Laurel shook her head, “No, I’ll find out.”

“Okay then. It’s going to be busy. I’ll need to hear everything from you, Laurel.” Laurel opened her mouth to speak but Maggie put up a hand. “Not now. I want you to go get Harry cleaned up and come back. You all look beyond tired and you need rest. We’ll talk in the morning.” She gave her daughter a big hug and a kiss. “Go take care of Harry.” Maggie squeezed Laurel’s arm and smiled.

Laurel sighed and walked back to Harry and he gave a lop-sided grin. “How’s he doing?” gesturing his head toward Malfoy.

“My mom says he’ll be alright. He just needs to rest.” She craned her neck back at them for a moment and turned back to him. “But you, mister, we need to get those cuts and scrapes of yours cleaned up, pronto.”

Harry felt a profound sense of relief flood over him and sighed heavily. “Look, Laurel,” he began, but she waved her hand breezily at him and pulled at his arm leading him toward the restroom down the hall.

“Red, how you feeling now?” Laurel asked.

Ron’s head was leaning back against the chair and his eyes were closed, he looked up opened his eyes and smiled, “Much better actually.”

“Good, now for heaven’s sake, don’t get up for a while. Just sit there and relax, Okay? I don’t want you injuring that ankle again. The bones take a while to heal and solidify completely.” Laurel said.

Ron nodded, “Will do, doctor.”

“I’m taking Harry to get these cuts cleaned up we’ll be back in a few.” Laurel smiled at him and turned with Harry pulling him out to the hallway, still holding onto his arm as they walked toward the bathroom.

As she glanced at him, he turned to her, his gaze deep and heated. She was surprised and sucked in her breath just a bit. Once again, Laurel realized she was nervous to be alone with Harry…

_____________________

A/N: Yes the spells are my own if you don’t recognize them….Questions, ask and I’m happy to answer! Thanks!

SPELLWORKS:
Okey-dokey kids, starting now I will put the definitions of my spells at the bottom of the chapter so you know what they mean. Most are just simple Latin words, some are a mix of Latin or Spanish. Anyway, the spells are for your FYI just so you know what the heck everyone is saying and since I took the time to make em up, might as well share them with you!

LIGARE PLENUS – To bind completely
DOMUS TOTALIS - Bring All Home / VADERE DOMUS POTISSIMUM AMICUS – Bring all friends/companions home
Reparare Secare Corporues – Repair the cut/torn body
Opplere Sanguis Plenus – Fill/refill blood completely
Osso Fissare Totalis – Fix bone completely