Phoenix

Running Out of Options

I hit the ground hard, but managed to roll just in time to have my back hit the ground instead of Harry's head. Harry rolled off me, panting, on to grass and scrambled up at once. I took a shaky breath, and stood up as well.

We seemed to have landed in the corner of a field at dusk; Hermione was already running in a circle around them, waving her wand.

"Protego totalum ... Salvio hexia ..."

"That treacherous old bleeder!" Ron panted, emerging from beneath the Invisibility Cloak and throwing it to Harry. "Hermione, Kendra, you two are geniuses, total geniuses. I can't believe we got out of that!"

"Cave inimicum ... didn't I say it was an Erumpent horn? Didn't I tell him? And now his house has been blown apart!"

"Serves him right," said Ron, examining his torn jeans and the cuts to his legs. "What d'you reckon they'll do to him?"

"Oh, I hope they don't kill him!" groaned Hermione. "That's why I wanted the Death Eaters to get a glimpse of Harry before we left, so they knew Xenophilius hadn't been lying!"

"Why hide me, though?" asked Ron.

"You're supposed to be in bed with spattergroit, Ron! They've kidnapped Luna because her father supported Harry! What would happen to your family if they knew you're with him?"

"But what about your mum and dad?"

"They're in Australia," said Hermione. "They should be all right. They don't know anything."

'You two really are geniuses," agreed Harry fervently, "I don't know what we'd do without you two."

She beamed, and I would be lying if I didn't puff up a bit at the praise.

"What are we going to do about Luna?" I asked. "And I don't think we should hold a grudge against her father, his only daughter got kidnapped. I can't imagine what that would do to a parent.

Harry deflated a bit. "I reckon you're right. Well, if they're telling the truth and she's still alive –" began Ron.

"Don't say that, don't say it!" squealed Hermione. "She must be alive, she must!"

"Then she'll be in Azkaban, I expect," said Ron. "Whether she survives the place, though ... loads don't ..."

"She will," said Harry. "She's tough, Luna, much tougher than you'd think. She's probably teaching all the inmates about Wrackspurts and Nargles."

"I hope you're right," said Hermione. She passed a hand over her eyes. "I'd feel so sorry for Xenophilius if –"

"—if he hadn't just tried to sell us to the Death Eaters, yeah," said Ron.

"Go easy on him," I sighed, sliding my wand back into my pocket.

"Just cause you're used to getting sold out and kidnapped doesn't mean the rest of us are," snapped Ron.

I stared at him, frowning slightly. "Fuck you?"

Hermione pulled me away, glaring daggers at Ron over her shoulder.

"You sounds awful high and mighty for someone who just decided to show their face again," she snapped venomously at Ron before she turned fully away from him.

Harry looked warily between Hermione and Ron. "Let's just make the tent."

We put up the tent and retreated inside it, where Ron made Hermione tea as a peace offering, and awkwardly apologized to me as he poured gave me a cup. I sighed and told him it was fine. After our narrow escape, the chilly, musty old place felt like home, safe, familiar and friendly. It didn't seem right to hold a grudge.