Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

When Dragons Shed Their Scales

"... Is it really necessary, Xeno?"

Together in his spacious, airy guest room, the very tall blond wizard and the much shorter, equally blonde witch stare at one another. Beyond them is a window they've left thrown open to catch the fragrant herbal breeze, a view which presently affords a prime glimpse of the sun as it makes a speedy descent down and over the horizon line. As the two of them stand facing one another, they're bathed in rich, beautiful shades of orange and red.

Staring back at her with an expression of polite confusion playing across his face, Xenophilius Lovegood shakes his head, "... Necessary? Strictly speaking, of course not. But it feels unforgivably rude not to do so. In fact, I've probably already delayed this too many days as is. Surely you agree though. Don't you, Dora?"

He's right, of course.

At least he would be if the situation were in fact anything like he's been led to believe it is.

But of course it's not.

And he doesn't know -

Couldn't possibly know -

The matter at hand presently being debated is whether or not to go down for dinner; to join the company of all the former Slytherins as they gather for the evening. For though he hardly knows them - practically speaking by name and name alone - Xenophilius feels honour bound to go down and personally thank each and every one of them for helping him and Dora during their time of need.

Pandora however sees things from quite a different light given the shocking revelation she stumbled across last night.

The unforgivable treachery -

The mountain of lies!

To say nothing of the extreme danger Xeno may still be in just by being here -

Yes, not only is she absolutely furious with Amy, Henry, and Barty over everything she saw in the visions, she's above all else trying desperately to dissuade Xeno from going down to them.

What if they attempt something?

And who's to say they won't?

Henry's completely evil;

Barty's entirely unpredictable;

And Amy?

... If he was so desperate as to stoop to something so low before, what's to keep him from doing something absolutely unforgivable now that I've severed our ties?

"... Dora?"

Theoretically speaking, if the need arose I could probably defend us both.

Xeno's not a fighter, but they know I am.

Wand at the ready; the second a threat appears, blast our way out.

Likely doable, especially if Reggie and Evan are there to assist.

... But I'd much rather just avoid the situation entirely.

Above all else, I really don't want to see Amy.

So please - please - can the two of us not just slip away and head back home unnoticed?

Amy -

How could you?

Why, Amy?

Why did you have to -

"Dora?!"

Her mind and heart far, far away, she stares back at him blankly as her thoughts and mental calculations continue to race quicker and quicker.