Harry POV:

"A ball? A bloody ball? I would rather face fluffy again." Ron continued to complain as we left D.A.D.A. he'd been on and on about it since this morning when Dumbledore had made the announcement that a ball was going to be held in honor of the Triwizard tournament. As a way to get to know the other schools. I agreed, I thought the idea was a waste of time, as we had already been at school with them for just under three months. If they wanted unity they should have held this ball at the beginning of the year. Before fighting dragons together and facing Rita Skeeter's nasty lies.

"I think it'll be a good bonding experience." Hermione voiced from beside him, books clutched in her arms. Ron rolled his eyes,

"Well of course You do. You get to learn more about your precious Americans." Hermione spun glowering at the redhead. Harry desperately tried to avoid the glares they were throwing past him at each other.

Since the first task, Ron had been putting some pieces of the strange puzzle that was the students from Chirons Academy. Despite their protectiveness of each other and for reasons unbeknownst to Harry, him, Luna, and Hermione. They didn't really seem to socialize with any other groups. Ron had found this strange as the other two schools had integrated into Hogwarts friend groups separately or in small groups of three. Ron was convinced that he had seen the dark mark on Percy and Jason's arms, but in the dim light of the room, after the Hermione/Piper incident, none of them could 100% confirm the theory. In addition to being antisocial with others, which Harry didn't find strange as he also didn't like being around many of his fellow students, no one really seemed to know who they were, how they did magic, or anything about them really.

"Honestly Ron. I thought I'd told you to stop pursuing the idea that those Americans are death eaters. I am allowed to make friends with them in the name of sportsmanship." Harry glanced a look at his annoyed friend, no one knew anything about them except Hermione.

They'd had this conversation more times than he could count over the past two weeks since they'd nearly knocked the medical wing to the ground. And ever since then Hermione had been defending them tooth and nail, unwilling to budge on the fact that they were an enigma.

Ron snorted from his other side, stopping the two of them in the middle of the hallway.

"I'm quite certain that Stoll brother has more than friendly sportsmanship on his mind." Hermione's face flushed in anger and embarrassment. I spun my head to face Ron completely wide-eyed. We'd agreed not to pick fights about them anymore. Hermione's words were shrill yet quiet, which was infinitesimally worse than when she yelled at us.

"Connor. Is a good friend. And even if he did, I am at perfect liberty to deal with it as I see fit!" someone cleared their throat from behind Ron's tall form and like Merlin himself was working against her. Connor Stoll came strolling into our path with furrowed brows and a smirk.

"You called Mia?" Hermione flushed a deep Fuschia, swiping out with her book, smacking him in the chest with it. Eliciting a chuckle from the boy as he rubbed at the sore spot.

"What have I said about calling me that?" She hissed at him, Ron's face was pink now and his knuckles were white.

"Not too, but then again Hermione is much too long to say and you already shut down Herms." Eyes blazing at the older boys words she struck him once more, he danced out of the way laughing, running into Ron.

As if noticing us for the first time he greeted us, ignoring Ron's furious face.

"Harry! Ronald! How are you? Exciting things, dances, aren't they? Got anyone in mind to ask yet?" He gave a pointed look at my red-headed friend, who glowered back. Trying to defuse the tension between the two opposite males I nudged Ron and responded to Connor, in hopes of drawing his attention away from my angry friend.

"Not really. They only just announced it, surely people haven't been thinking about the whole aspect yet?" Connors face lit up like Christmas,

"Oh you have no idea, the other boys, the unlucky sods in relationships I room with-" he glanced over briefly to Hermione, speaking to her solely now "-learned that word from you-" he winked and nudged her before continuing his conversation with me. A quick glance at Ron showed his dislike for the brunette. "-they tried to ask what they were wearing with their girlfriends and every single one of them eventually told them to bugger off and ask like a gentleman." He barked out a laugh, Hermione giggling in response.

Shocked I turned to her, I'd never heard her giggle at anything before in my life. She'd laugh and scold and reassure us daily, but giggling was more of what the other girls in her dorm did. Ron noticed as well and he looked like he was about to say something he was going to regret, in a desperate attempt to keep the already thin peace I cut in before he had the chance.

"Well they are dating, aren't they? Wouldn't it just be assumed they would go together?" Connor shook his head at me smiling, before placing his hand on my shoulder like I was a lost first year trying to find the potions classroom.

"Well sure, they won't say yes to anyone other than their significant others. But my dear young padawan wizard, every girl deserves to be wooed." He smirked once more at me before turning to Hermione.

"Speaking of-"

For one brief moment, I was entirely positive that he was about to ask Hermione to the ball and would have to drag Ron away kicking and screaming. Luckily for us, he merely grabbed her hand,

"Mia, I have a friend who would like to speak with you." he did a mock bow causing her to flush and laugh, Ron growled beside me.

"Honestly Connor, you play too much. Stand up." he followed orders with a large smile and a wink.

"Yes well, my friend sent me over here in hopes of not embarrassing you with his own presence. Unfortunately for the both of you-" he spun her in a quick twirl, causing another laugh and growl.

"-I don't follow directions well. Plus I really am quite the trickster and can't help but mock others for my own enjoyment. So without further ado-" He then stood up straight and offered her his arm, a twinkle in his eyes as he made his voice deeper as he spoke,

"Let us go for a walk. I shall bring you to him." Laughing she obliged to his advances. Connor dropped the act instead of turning to us,

"Right, I promise to bring straight back to you. So you may continue your argument on whether or not I have an ulterior motive with your bushy-haired friend." for the third time she smacked him looking affronted.

"Ouch Mia, aim somewhere else other than my chest, that hurts. Harry, one last thing, Percy and Will were looking for you at breakfast, they want to talk to you around 9 tonight." I nodded, ignoring the accusatory glare from my best friend,

"Thanks for telling me, I'll go see what they want." He nodded,

"Ronald, nice to see you." And with those parting words, he led our friend off as they whispered frantically to each other. I watched them leave, smiling. Hermione had told me once that she'd always had trouble making friends, that between the Weasleys and I, we were the closest friends she'd ever had, I knew exactly how she felt. Dudley, for as long as I could remember had threatened anyone who wanted to be my friend. I was glad she'd found such a good one to get her out of her shell. No matter what Ron thought, and how suspicious some aspects of the students were. Hermione was smart, the smartest person I'd ever met, if she thought they were trustworthy, who was I to tell her otherwise.

Ron snarled from beside me,

"As I said before, he wants more than friendship for sure. 'Every girl deserves to be wooed' what a prat." I said nothing, I may not have agreed with him but I'd only just got him to stop being angry with me, I wasn't about to jeopardize that. Instead, I put a hand on his shoulder, turning him towards the great hall for our study period, as I began to walk,

"Come on Ron, we'd best get started on the transfiguration homework before Hermione gets back, and scolds us."

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They were walking back from Transfiguration, Hermione had run off again this time with Piper and Hazel in tow. Smiling and laughing, which had made Ron sour once more.

"What do you thinks gotten into Malfoy?" I heard myself ask, I wasn't sure where the thought had come from, let alone why it came out of my mouth. But the thought that Malfoy or his crew hadn't bothered us in a month was concerning and I'd seen him and two of his duo doing something for others when the students from Chirons Academy went down in Divination. Ron didn't even bother to look up at me, instead grumbled his response,

"Dunno, don't care. As long as the blond twat stays away from us I try not to give him any more thought than I have to." I nodded, still not entirely sure why I cared. My next words did the same as the first, just throw themselves out of my mouth,

"It's strange, ever since Nico and Will started hanging out with them. He's practically ignored us other than the odd scowl directed at us and the distribution of his damn buttons. He's been civil, as much as a Slytherin can be, let alone Malfoy. I wonder what kind of secrets he's hiding that he fears Nico DiAngelo spilling them." Ron's face lit up like he'd just been told the elves were making him a whole chicken and mashed potatoes for the rest of his life. His grinning face stopped me in my tracks in the middle of the hall.

"Harry! That's brilliant! If we can figure out what DiAngelo knows about Malfoy he'll never bother us or Hermione again! Where do you think he is?" I shrugged,

"Who knows, Nico's pretty quiet. He doesn't like to socialize unless he's got Will with him. Connor said I have to meet Percy and Will at nine tonight, you can come along to ask if you'd like." Ron hesitated momentarily face drooping.

"I don't trust Jackson, I still want to know what that is on his arm. I'll come if not only for the blackmail for Malfoy but to also make sure they don't try anything against you." I shake my head at my red-haired friend,

"Ron, Percy wouldn't try anything, let alone try anything in the Gryffindor Common Room. McGonagall runs our house with an iron fist. She'd scare even the most hardened criminal with that stare she's got." Ron shrugged,

"Can never be too careful Harry."

"Either way we'll know Malfoys secrets by tonight." Just as we were about to leave when a drawling voice echoed through the hallway.

"Potter, talking about me are you?" I groaned turning back to find the very same blond-haired Slytherin we had indeed been talking about. Flanked by Crabbe and Goyle on one side, Pansy Parkinson and an uncomfortable-looking Blaise Zabini on the other. Malfoys sly smirk only grew as he walked closer to us.

"Bugger off Malfoy, I'll go get DiAngelo to put you in your place again." Malfoys face faltered when Pansy desperately snatched his robe in her hand. She had grown quite pale so much so that Blaise's uncomfortable face turned into a disappointed frown as he stepped forward towards his friend.

"Watch it, Weasley, I wasn't going to lower myself to your level. Salazar knows it's quite the fall from my high standing family manor to your blood traitor penniless lifestyle. But you've threatened me, and Nico or not we can't have you crawling your way up the food chain." Malfoy snarled in response. Ron's face turned a horrible colour of red as he began to storm towards him. I grabbed the back of his robes desperately, we didn't need to fight the prat, if we could just find out his secrets it would all work out. Getting ourselves in a detention before that happened wouldn't help our situation.

"That is unless Mummy needs a loan to feed your clan, she could certainly do with the shortage, couldn't she?" I heard laughs from behind me, the Slytherins were laughing at us, and in a split second I decided that it didn't matter that we could get dirt on the slimy git, I wanted to deal with him now. I turned with Ron's robe still in my hand as I yelled back at him.

Or we could just hit him, I let go of Ron's robe intending to storm their way. Only for the both of us to get knocked to the ground. I looked up at the body I'd run into.

Frank's towering figure had it's back to me, Hazel standing next to him, vibrating with anger. Frank's calm voice swam across the hall as Ron and I jumped to our feet.

"Draco, that's enough. You've had your fun, time to go to class." Malfoy seemed to consider it for a moment before he scowled, once more.

"Out of my way Zahn, my quarrel is not with you, but the buffoons hiding behind you. Hazel, it is good to see you, but stand aside, I have no wish to endure your brother's wrath because you stood between me, Saint Potter, and Weaslebee." Hazel shook her head,

"Franks right, you've gone too far. We are going to walk away now, and so will the rest of you." She gave a pointed look at the crowd that had stopped to watch our spat. Malfoy said nothing, but glared as Hazel turned to us and whispered 'leave'. With her back turned Malfoy bit out one last insult,

"Weasley, can't even defend himself. Needs his friends to stand up for him and his mummy." Frank turned to snatch Ron out of the air and taking a few steps back, as Ron went running ahead, with the intent to tackle or seriously injure the pompous ass. Hazel shrieked,

"DRACO MALFOY! Hold your tongue!" She then swung around grabbing my arm and tried to drag me with her. Seeing red I bit back at the blond Slytherin,

"Funny you're talking about mothers when yours looks like she's got a dung stuck up her nose." Malfoys back straightened and his eyes narrowed. Blaise glanced at his friend in trepidation, he pulled Pansy backward slightly. Hazel gasped from beside me,

"Do not insult my mother, Potter. You'll regret it." I snorted as Hazel shot one last warning look over her shoulder and began to drag me with her, to meet up with Ron who had just been released by Frank.

"Keep your fat mouth shut then, better yet go cry to mummy about it." Hazel gave a hard tug on my arm, turning me away from the group.

I heard a loud bang as a white spell went whizzing past my ear, Hazel screamed in surprise as the people around us ducked to avoid it. I spun on the spot taking my own wand out, ready to fight the ass.

Only to find Professor Moody shouting as he stormed towards us with his wand out trained at the Slytherins. Ron was standing beside me now, with a gleeful expression on his face as we stared at a white ferret that was quaking and squeaking in fear.

"That'll teach you for Hexing someone when their back is turned! It's cowardly!" The whole room had gone dead silent except for Moody's peg leg as he stormed into the area between us. He turned to me, his magical eye still watching the stunned Slytherin Students.

"Did he hit ya, boy?" I shook my head no, as a second ferret went running between my legs, this one was dark brown with a stripe of red, which was odd. It was squeaking too as it ran toward the trembling white one. Moody shouted,

"Leave Him Be Frank Zahn! He's got a lesson to learn!" Ferret-Frank ignored the warning as Moody spun his wand on the pair of them, what I had just realized was Ferret-Malfoy squeaked in alarm and tried to run between his fellow Slytherins legs. Ron snorted beside me causing Hazel to smack him over me. Glaring she began to curse in whatever language they all spoke. She then called out to Moody,

"PROFESSOR! You- you can't transfigure students into animals!" Moody ignored her and continued snatching Ferret-Malfoy from between students before losing him again as Ferret Frank ran around the ex-Auror was cursing out the both of them simultaneously now.

I smiled at the scene, which Hazel somehow saw because she smacked me next, in a very Hermione-esc way. It really was too bad she wasn't here, she'd love this.

Moody finally hit Malfoy with a spell that seemed to stick, as he threw him up in the air before dropping him to the ground. Repeatedly. The Ferret was squealing in terror as it rose and fell, twisting randomly in the air.

"I don't like people who curse others when their backs are turned! Cowardly, Stinky, Rotten, Horrible thing to do-" Ferret Frank suddenly turned into normal Frank who looked angrier than I'd ever seen the usually calm boy. Almost immediately he turned into another animal, at first I wasn't sure what it was until he roared.

Everyone around him scurried backward screaming. With the exception of Ron and myself who just stood there in shock. I knew Frank could turn into animals at will, but I'd never actually watched it happen, his body seemed to move morph, and twist into a new animal. I still wasn't sure how he'd managed multiple animagus forms, as he'd told us, but a lion seemed far fetched.

The roar was the loudest thing I'd ever heard, nearly everyone in the vicinity covered their ears. Moody even held a still squawking Ferret-Malfoy in the air. Suddenly McGonagall's shrill voice echoed through the hall.

"What is Happen- oh dear." She faltered at the sight of Lion-Frank drawing her wand, she still hadn't noticed the floating, bouncing ferret. Frank growled at her as Hazel ran between the two with her hands out. McGonagall's face dropped at the sight calling out to the girl.

"What- Miss Levesque why is there a Lion in my school?" Hazel's face was red, she was staring at Moody and Moody at her, wand still raised at Ferret-Malfoy.

"It's Frank, professor. Mad-eye Moody over here turned Draco Malfoy into a ferret!" She pointed blindly at the withering white blob. McGonagall went paler and screeched,

"NO! Professor Moody, what were you thinking! Let him down at once!" She stormed forward, scattering students as they ran from her warpath. Moody immediately dropped Ferret-Malfoy, landing with a squeak. Moody had the sensibility to look down ashamed as McGonagall stormed towards him, mumbling like a scalded student,

"I was teaching. He threw a hex at Potters turned back." McGonagall glanced over at Malfoy, waving her wand, he once again turned into Malfoy. Hazel immediately ran to him, Frank stalked in a circle around Moody and McGonagall until his back was at the pair.

Malfoys hair was wild and his face was red in embarrassment and pain, his eyes were spilling silent tears as he stared horrified at his professors. Hazel was fussing over him while his fellow Slytherins stared on in shock.

"Teaching?! Alister! We do not use transfiguration as a punishment! We take away house points and award detentions. He should have been brought to his head of house for punishment! This is unacceptable behaviour from both of you!"

"Fine, he's a Slytherin. That's Severus Snape's house. I'll bring him to see the man." Both teachers turned to the strange pair that was Hazel and Malfoy. Hazel stood at the attention stepping in front of the blond maniac with anger pouring from her stance. Lion-Frank was still in front of her glowering, and once more a low growl sounded from his throat.

"I will not have Draco be alone with that man. You'll have to get past us. Yes, what he did was wrong and he should be punished. But he has just been thrown like a ragdoll and undergone a traumatic experience." My jaw along with every other student's hit the ground in shock. No one dared speak like that to McGonagall, even the Slytherins knew better. I had a sudden moment of fear for the girl.

"Girl, I am taking him to Snape." She glowered as the shadows increased around her slightly like they do for her brother. Lion-Frank growled in response, ears twitching.

That fear was short-lived when I heard what sounded like a stampede behind me, glancing back I saw Percy, Annabeth, Will and Nico racing towards us. Percy had left the rest of them in the dust and was at my side in an instant.

He took a moment to take in the scene around him, not seeming surprised in the slightest that there was a lion in front of Hazel. His eyebrows screwed up as he spoke solely to Hazel,

"Hey Hazel, what? Cat got your tongue." A ripple of laughter around the room broke the tense silence around us at Percy's joke. Even Hazel's mouth twitched slightly. Without removing her eyes from the shocked professors in front of her she explained,

"Harry, Ron, and Draco were having a horrid argument. Frank and I tried to steer the two away and Draco shot a spell off at Harry's back that missed. Mad-eye over here then turned him into a ferret and bounced him off the floor and roof repeatedly, while Frank was trying to calm him and get in Moody's path. He wasn't paying him any attention as a ferret so Frank turned into a lion-"

"Ah, I thought I heard a roar, thought someone had tried to steal Thalia's breakfast. Honestly, Frank, you've done better, you look like Hermione's cat but larger." Hazel's mouth pulled into a half-smile for only a moment before hardening once more. Ron snorted softly beside me at the mention of the flat-faced orange fur ball.

"-McGonagall showed up, turned him back. And now they want to send him to Snape with Moody. He is injured and I am not letting that man have him for a second." Percy nodded, surprising me when he placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You alright Harry?" I cleared my throat,

"Yeah, the spell missed, barely." His eyes darkened slightly when he frowned before taking another breath and stepping away from me, throwing a glance behind him to his other three friends were. Annabeth came over to me with a nodd, taking Ron and I's arms in her own. Nico and Will followed Percy right up to the Lion. Which was pretty brave, even if he was their friend.

Lion-Frank gave them no trouble, Percy even scratched behind his ears as he passed, with a giggle. Lion-Frank stopped growling to turn in surprise at Percy, who shrugged as he swung his arm around Hazel, who relaxed considerably.

"What? I've always wanted to pet a Lion, the opportunity arose, you know I have bad self-control." Lion-Frank snorted as it turned back into Frank-with-slightly-messier-hair, who was wearing a smile, despite the anger in his eyes.

Will had sat beside the instigator of this scene while Nico stood beside him, with an unreadable face. Annabeth addressed the group from beside me. Her grip was firm but comforting, a strange combination for someone who sounded like she was reading from a textbook for Divination.

"Will, Percy, Hazel, and Nico will accompany Malf- Draco down to the hospital wing and then directly to Snape, where you two would be more than welcome to join them. Frank and I will take Harry and Ron here back to the Gryffindor common room so they can calm down as well. If that's all then we shall be going now." Moody glared at her, I watched Percy take a step forward only to be stopped by Frank who shook his head slightly and walked our way. I was like 80% positive he snarled at Moody as he passed.

McGonagall affronted by being told what to do nodded absently.

"A great idea, miss Chase. Everyone back to your days, Moody follow me." She nodded once before going back down the hall they came from.

Percy nodded at me with a smile as he turned Hazel around saying something to make her laugh. Draco was no longer on the ground but was now being fussed on by Will. Nico simply was staring at Draco, almost disappointed. Annabeth turned the two of us around as she spoke to Frank.

"A lion? Really? You couldn't have thought of something more common to turn into?" Frank flushed slightly at her testing tone.

"Well, I was having a conversation with Malfoy to begin with, before he was in the air. He was terrified, I just wanted to calm him. Then he was just screaming and crying out in pain as he hit the floor and roof." He rubbed the back of his neck,

"I kinda saw red and the Lion symbol on Harry's cloak and went with it." Annabeth burst into laughter as she led us away. Ron's face was a combination of shock and pure joy. Honestly, I was feeling pretty high-spirited too. Watching Malfoy bounce up and down had been the best part of my week.

We reached the common room, and Annabeth let go of us as she walked in. Connor, Hermione, and Thalia were sitting in front of the fire. They raised their eyebrows at us. Ron immediately ran to our friend. I cast one suspicious glance at Annabeth's face. She didn't look angry, but she hadn't let go of us until we were in the room. So I followed him as Ron explained what had happened to the trio. Connor looked like he'd been handed a piece of candy, Thalia was wearing a smirk, while Hermione looked shocked and affronted by the information.

"Draco Malfoy, the amazing, bouncing ferret. I want to remember that forever." He closed his eyes as if manually putting it in a folder labeled, BOUNCING FERRET. Connor and Thalia were now howling with laughter. Hermione smacked both of their arms lightly, she looked like she was hiding a smile though, she turned to me.

"Harry are you alright?" For the third time, I nodded walking closer.

"Yeah, it was wicked, Hermione. I've never seen the ferret look so startled or upset. That includes when you punched him last year." Connor and Thalia pulled themselves together fast and spun on my friends, eyes shining.

"You punched Malfoy?" Thalia questioned sounding shocked, Hermione shot me a dirty look before nodding. Ron continued on with a proud look on his face.

"It was brilliant! Honestly! She marched right up to him wand at the ready, he was whimpering backed into a corner. After I'd told her he wasn't worth it. She put away her wand turned her back and spun back around with the most poised and perfect punch I've ever seen! I have five older brothers and Ginny, that shouldn't be possible. He ran off howling, he never went to see Pomfrey and swore his two friends to silence about it. I've never been so proud!" Hermione flushed when Connor's gleeful face spun on her, he was practically vibrating now.

"He deserved it and was the reason an innocent hippogriff was going to be killed. We saved it in the end, but I hit his nose and-" She defended herself eliciting a cheer from Thalia and Connor. Connor even went so far as to pounce on her in a smothering hug.

"Oh Hermes Shoes, I knew you belonged with us! Did you hear that Annie? Mia punched someone in the face at thirteen! Oh, wait till I tell Travis and Piper! They'll have the time of their lives when they hear! Oh, I have to call home, tell everyone there! Brilliant! Just Brilliant!" Annabeth snickered from behind me and Frank seemed to be holding in his laugh, instead opting for a wide grin and a thumbs up at the bushy-haired girl being smothered on the couch.