The Fall of Darkness

Chapter 8

Draco was quickly able to clear the room, not needing to use magic, merely pushing things into the corner. It was a large enough space for their purposes, once the furniture was rearranged.

"Who goes first?" He asked, standing in the middle of the room. Ron stepped forward, grinning and cracking his knuckles.

"I will," he said bravely.

"Try not to hurt him," Hermione said, pulling herself up on the stool and earning a glare from Ron.

"We are in a healing potions store." Harry said, grinning mischieviously. Hermione seemed to take that into consideration a moment, tilting her head to think.

"You're right, Harry! Try not to hurt him too badly then," she teased. Ron pretended to ignore his two best friends, stepping out into the center of the room with Draco.

"First," Draco said, crouching into a position much like a cat, his legs poised behind him, tail whipping around, hands only barely touching the ground- talons bared, "note my attack stance. All Veelas will use one very similar when dewinged, if they're worth their salt," he then stood, placing his feet to balance himself, one arm behind him, the other slightly outheld toward Ron, "if not, they'll stand much like I am now. Like a boxer. Come on Weasley, do your worst."

Ron charged at Draco head on, swinging to hit him, but Draco merely dodged the blow, whipping around with his leg to twist under Ron's and knock him to the floor. Draco's tail whipped, cracking again.

"and you're dead." Hermione said, sighing. She stood, taking Ron's place and approached Draco slowly, making him turn. Harry was proud, they'd all had the same training and she was really utilizing it.

"I suppose you're going to avenge your mate?" Draco said mockingly. Hermione only grinned, nodding. "Well, come on then." he taunted. She shook her head, watching him and judging his weaknesses. Then, she swung her foot around quickly, connecting with his ribcage. He grabbed her foot, flipping her into the air but caught her before she hit the ground, wrapping his tail around her quickly.

"Dead. Damnit," she said, laughing. Draco placed her carefully on the ground and looked expectantly at Harry. Harry just grinned, standing and slowly approaching slowly. He did much the same as Hermione.

"Scared, scar head?" Draco taunted playfully, easily circling with him. Harry just grinned back at him, his eyes watching Draco's tail swish behind him and his talons. "I've not got all night, Harry." Draco said, teasing again. Harry grinned, continuing to circle the blonde. Draco appeared a bit nervous for a minute, "I did kill both of your friends, you know, probably a lot more," Harry merely grinned.

"I heard your Chosen was a freak," he replied quietly. The blow struck it's mark and Draco swung one taloned hand at him, Harry grabbing it and flipping him onto his back- twisting to catch Draco as he did for Hermione before he hit the ground. "you okay?" he asked, Draco nodded- his tail coming up to wrap around Harry's neck softly.

"Dead," he said, sitting up, "though, if you hadn't caught me, I'm curious as to what would have happened. Again," he said laying back as Harry took the position they would have been in- had it been a real fight. Draco tail whipped around and Harry reached out to grab it, twisting it quickly around his forearm and pulling it around his shoulder, pressing his body into Draco's lower back. Draco emitted the another sound, crooning, but different.

"What's that mean?" Harry asked, easing off him.

"Pride," Hermione said, "you won." Draco nodded at Harry's shocked look.

"Remember to *always* watch the tail. It's our second defense, besides our wings. I could snap your neck, or slit your throat with it easily. I can also extend the tiny feathers on it, the way he has it right now- cutting the skin. That will be a last resort though as it takes effort and practice. So, the way he has himself where I can't reach and slash at him with my talons, is the best way to hold me, much like a lobster. Now is the time to either kill me or stun me- depending on your intent. Pulling on my tail, not much harder than Harry is, will also cause me a great deal of pain." Harry loosened his grip a bit when Draco said this, but remained pinning him down a moment.

"Fight over?" he asked, one eyebrow arched, inspecting Draco's tail, "your tail's a lot like your wings, you know. Very silvery."

"I'm aware. Fight's over, I'll behave." Draco replied, glancing at Harry over his shoulder, "and thank you, that's a very high compliment. Geroff."

Harry nodded and stood, reaching down to help Draco up. The blonde readjusted his clothing and turned to Ron, grinning,

"Again, Weasley."

They went that way late into the night, taking turns, until they were all reasonably good at fighting hand to hand. Draco stretched himself out, glancing at the clock on the nearby fireplace mantle and glancing back at the Golden Trio, all looking very tired.

"It's no wonder you're all so highly respected as Aurors, or that you're the Head Auror, Harry. You're all pretty good at hand to hand, we'll go over spells tomorrow. You're all more than welcom to stay here, I have no one else coming tonight- what with Millie having found her Chosen and Kestral gone to her Nonna's."

"Thank you, Malfoy, but I'm going home," Ron said, heading for the fireplace, "I need tea and my own bed. Hermione, you're welcome to stay and talk his head off- I won't mind. As long as there's tea." Hermione laughed, stretching her sore muscles out.

"No, I think I'll go home tonight, though I'll be back early in the morning, if that's alright?"

"Not a problem," Draco said, bowing to her dramatically.

"I'd rather not go home to Kreacher," Harry said, scowling, "if you're up to a couple drinks, Draco, we'll catch up and I'll crash here... if you don't mind."

"I don't mind, I'll drink you right under the table," Draco challenged, their old rilvary flaring up for a moment. Harry snorted,

"We'll see."

"You sure, mate?" Ron asked, turning away from the fireplace for a moment, "there's always our couch. Merlin knows there's no Kreacher there."

"Positive," Harry said, going to help Draco move the furniture back, "besides, if he's going to be helping us, I'd like to know a bit more about all this."

"Get off the job, Harry." Hermione said, rolling her eyes, and throwing floo powder into the fireplace. Saying her address, she was gone.

"You work too hard, Harry." Ron said, following her lead.

"Prats." Harry muttered once they were gone, grinning.