Crimson Ink

To a Point

Last Time:

The magical felines mewed happily, but jumped in surprise as Rabastan rushed down the stairs, "I think Draco figured out where the last horcrux might be."

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In an instant Peter grabbed and chugged the Skele-gro Rabastan had in his hand, "Where?" He asked ignoring the sparks of pain that zipped through his ribs as the potion forced them to heal at unnatural rates.

The mind healer tried to give Peter the healing salve for his cuts, bruises and a few small burns on his body, but Peter shrugged it off apparently not interested in wasting time on minor injuries in this case, "It's just a theory, but it definitely makes sense." Rabastan said as he handed the other healing salves to his brother who would finish passing it around to those who were hurt. "It was the trap that tipped Draco off to it. Any gryffindor would have grabbed the tie directly, but a Slytherin had to grab the branch or risk breaking the rules-"

Lucius scoffed from his spot on the second floor landing, "That has always been the case. If we didn't do that the consequences will far exceed anything a gryffindor would get."

"Gryffindors don't realize that. They'd see it as our inability to take risks or a weakness." Rabastan explained and he could see realization dawn on everyone's faces. Minus the two faces still in the pensieve, of course.

Narcissa gasped softly, "Rules mean-"

"Points! I'm on it!" Peter exclaimed before racing passed Rabastan and poor Barty, who only just entered the manor, off towards the place where the vanishing cabinet was hidden. Lucius ran after Peter, but, much to Narcissa's annoyance, not to stop him. He went to help.

"Wait! You haven't healed-" Narcissa huffed as Peter disappeared around a corner with Lucius. She knew it was pointless to waste her breath at this point because he was long gone. She shot Barty a sharp look. "Why didn't you stop him?"

Barty paled, "... ummmmm I'm sorry?"" He said both very confused and slightly fearful. "So ... what'd I miss?" He asked, wondering why the elves were sealing up a hole in the floor and two people in a pensieve.

Rabastan sighed, "Long story."

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Harry suddenly bolted upright after a sickening feeling disrupted his sleep barely an hour after he fell asleep. It must've been around 5 or 6 hours after curfew and he looked around to try to discover what woke him only to find Vesta shaking against his side and hissing angrily. The fox seemed to be staring at the door and to add to the confusion whatever frightened her seemed to be everywhere outside. To be precise, her eyes flickered around as if she couldn't lock onto the enemy, but it was close enough for her to know that the door was the only way it'd get in.

"Vesta." Harry said with a gentle nudge, but was surprised to hear her growl even more. This was something he could no longer ignore. "Hide me." He said firmly hoping the fox would calm down enough to hide him and she did. Once he knew he was safe under the illusion he slipped out from under the sheets. Harry took the second wand that he kept on a hidden calf holster since Poppy took his other wand. Of course, injured people shouldn't carry wands.

One quick spell made it look like his hair was poking up from under the sheets. Anyone from a distance would think Harry was sleeping. He didn't want to show his face in case Dumbledore tried to look closer. A skilled wizard like him would spot a spell like that almost immediately especially with too much detail. When he and Vesta get out of the room, therefore out of Vesta's illusion reach, it will be enough to trick someone in a dark room

"Come on, Vesta." Harry urged her gently as he carefully moved around the bed .

'A nasty spell ... something isn't in balance.' Vesta answered through her illusion.