Familiars Love

Chapter 20

Ron padded softly down the stairs from Gryffindor Tower. His mind was racing over the thoughts and possibilities of the meeting that lay ahead. Grinning he pulled his wand from his pocket and flipped it expertly, twirling it on one finger before sliding it up his sleeve and into the waiting sheathe. He turned down one of the main halls heading towards the Great Hall and allowed his mouth to fall open in shock. A slim figure with a head of pale hair glided along before him, with only Damien on his shoulder to protect him. Ron looked around the hall before smirking evilly and cracking his knuckles.

"Hey, Malfoy!" Ron snarled, stalking towards the figure that froze at the sound of his name. Turning slowly, Draco raised one eyebrow in a commanding expression before snorting indelicately at the oncoming figure. The falcon on his shoulder let out an indignant screech as he came closer.

"Well if it isn't the Weasel. Finally managed to climb out of your hole I see." Draco purred, fingers edging to where his wand had been placed before leaving the Slytherin common room.

"Rather it was from a hole than under a rock, Ferret." Ron roared, pulling his wand and aiming it at the Slytherin Prince. Malfoy mirrored Ron's movement and pulled his own wand in a slick and effortless maneuver. After a quick whisper to Damien, the bird flew off to go find help before this got ugly.

"Expelliarmus!" The two voices echoed through the empty hall as they tried to remove the other wand before their enemy could cast a spell. The clatter of light wood on stone faded as both wizards stood in shock for a moment, eyes following their still rolling wands before looking at the other.

"Well, that works for me Ferret," Ron stated, lunging at Malfoy who hadn't been expecting a physical attack. Ron's fist connected firmly with Malfoy's jaw, tossing the other wizard back against the wall. Draco's head connected with a sickening thump and he slumped to the ground. Ron smiled at the crumpled figure lying against the base of the wall, unconscious. Smiling happily over his easy victory, he planted one foot firmly in Malfoy's middle before proceeding to the Great Hall for dinner.

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Hermione sat at her desk in her dorm room, quill skating across the parchment before her. She had decided it would be best to write a letter to Meda rather than verbally attacking her again. Straightening in her seat, she looked back over her letter before smiling and rolling the paper carefully. Now for the final touch, she thought. Reaching into a small bag, she pulled out the ribbon she had purchased yesterday. Braiding the four strands of ribbon together quickly, she wrapped them around the roll of parchment, fingers fiddling with the loops of the bow before deciding it was perfect.

"Good luck to me." She murmured softly. She held the small roll in her hand, fingers brushing along the ribbon. Violet silk for Meda's eyes, emerald for Harry's, silver for Draco's, and a strand of white as a sign of peace. Hermione tucked the message into the pocket of her black robe, patting the pocket before heading towards the door. Sighing as she left the Tower, she hoped that the pair noticed the significance of the colors of the ribbon.

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Blaise ran through one of the dungeon halls looking for Draco, heart racing as he followed Damien as he flew quickly through the halls. Gliding up the stairs in an elegant but swift manner, he proceeded down the hall, the drumming of his boots echoing as he made his way toward the Great Hall.