One morning Ursa sits at the Gryffindor table for breakfast. Her hair had clearly been run though with her fingers multiple times and she can barely keep her eyes open.

"You look like you haven't slept." Ron says.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asks.

"I haven't slept." Ursa says. "Between Quidditch practice, homework, and nightmares I haven't gotten much sleep recently. Which reminds me I'm going to miss the next meeting of the D.A. Snape has us booked to practice during it."

"He has it booked so much we're having trouble getting time to practice." Harry says.

"He's trying to make sure we win but all he's doing is wearing us out. About ready to jinx him next time I see him."

"I would love to see you jinx Snape."

"I know you would."

***

"And Malfoy has the Quaffle!" Lee Jordan shouts as Ursa bumps Alicia and steals the Quaffle. Ursa notices a Bludger coming at her and prepares to dodge it, just for Crabbe to get in between and hit it away. She flies across the pitch, dodging Angelina's attempt to get the Quaffle. Ursa throws the Quaffle at the right goal post. Ron dives after it and barely misses. "Ten points to Slytherin!" The game continues.

Ursa notices Draco and Harry going after the Snitch. "Come on Draco." She mutters before focusing on the game again. Ursa watches as Harry catches the Snitch. She spots Crabbe whack a Bludger at Harry. Ursa dives for Harry but is too late to stop it. The Bludger hits Harry in the back and Harry falls the five or six feet to the ground. Ursa and Angelina land next to Harry. "You okay?" Ursa asks as she helps Harry up.

"Yeah."Harry replies.

"It was that thug, Crabbe." Angelina says. "Hit the Bludger after he saw you had the Snitch."

"Did you like our song Potter?" Draco asks as he lands.

"Draco shut up." Ursa says. "And don't think you aren't in trouble for that song. How did you manage to do that behind my back?"

"You spend so much time with your friends it was easy." Draco says and Ursa rolls her eyes. "We wanted to add more verses but we couldn't find words that rhymed with fat and ugly. We wanted to sing about his mother. Couldn't find room for useless loser for his father." Ursa notices Fred and George realize who Draco is talking about.

"Leave it." Angelina says. "Let him yell Fred. He's just a sore loser."

"Of course you like the Weasleys, don't you Potter."

"Draco I swear to Merlin I will curse you." Ursa growls.

"Spend holidays there and all. Can't see how you stand the stink, but being brought up by Muggles even the Weasley house smells okay." Harry grabs George and Ursa helps.

"George it's not worth it." Ursa whispers. She notices it's taking Alicia, Angelina, and Katie to hold Fred back.

"Or perhaps you remember what your mother's house stank like, Potter, and Weasley's pigsty reminds you of it-" Harry releases George and he sprints at Draco. George rips himself from Ursa at the same time and sprints at Draco too.

"Harry! George! No!" Ursa, Alicia, Katie, and Angelica yell as Harry punches Draco in the stomach. Harry continues to punch Draco and George joins him. Ursa manages to pull George back and Madam Hooch uses an Impediment Jinx to get Harry off of Draco. Ursa looks down at her brother without pity.

"What do you think you are doing?" Madam Hooch screams. "I have never seen such behavior. Both of you to your Head of House's office." Harry and George storm off the pitch. Ursa reaches down and pulls Draco.

"Get up you bloody idiot." Ursa snaps.

"Miss Malfoy!" Madam Hooch exclaims.

"Just telling the truth Madam Hooch." Ursa shrugs.

"Escort your brother to the Hospital wing please."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Then take yourself and Mr Crabbe to your Head of House's office."

"Yes ma'am."

Ursa takes Draco to the Hospital wing before going downstairs to Snape's office. Crabbe is leaving as Ursa arrives. "Fighting?" Snape exclaims.

"Why am I in trouble?" Ursa asks. "I was pulling George off Draco."

"Because to us it looked like you were fighting too."

"I would never beat Draco. Maybe jinx him a bit but not beat him."

"Fine. You aren't in trouble."

***

Students scream and run as a griffin roars above the courtyard. Dumbledore sees it from his office. "Fawkes find Ursa!" He yells. "Quickly!" Fawkes finds Ursa in the Great Hall and she follows Fawkes to the entrance courtyard.

"What's going on?" Ursa says as she approaches the closed front doors. Dumbledore and McGonagall are standing in front of the doors. Dumbledore opens the door slightly and Ursa sees the Griffin. "Holy shit that's a griffin."

"Do you think you can help?" Dumbledore asks.

"I'll try." Ursa answers. "Keep everyone inside and close the door behind me."

"You cannot seriously be sending a child out there Albus." McGonagall says.

"Miss Malfoy is special remember."

"Trust me." Ursa says. "Or don't. I'm going out there either way. Keep Umbridge inside and from trying anything." Ursa slowly opens the door and walks into the courtyard. She walks towards the griffin, hands above her head, and someone closes the door behind her. "Hello." Ursa says to the griffin. "I am not here to hurt you. My wand is in my robe. My name is Ursa, what is yours?" The griffin looks at her. "Right. You probably think I am a little mad. I can understand magical birds species and species that are part bird."

"Comus." The griffin answers.

"It is nice to meet you Comus. I want to keep everyone safe, including you. May I ask what you're doing here?"

"There is something that belongs to me in this castle. It was stolen from me this summer. I believe the person who took it is here too."

"Are you completely sure it's here?" Comus growls and takes a step towards Ursa. "Okay, okay. I am sorry for questioning you. I am willing to find the item and return it to you, if you will leave us alone."

"I do not trust you."

"I understand. I do not trust you either. What can I do to help you trust me?"

"Leave something with me. A collateral. The thing that means the most to you."

"Alright. I am going to yell for them to get my collateral. Will you describe the item and the person who took it while they do that?"

"Yes."

"Someone get Draco!" Ursa yells at the door.

"He was chubby, short black hair. He had a soft voice and seemed a little stupid. He insulted me. Called me a half-breed."

Ursa sighs. "I know exactly who you are talking about. Get Crabbe too!"

"He took a statue. A golden sun." Ursa nods.

"Ursa, Draco is here." Dumbledore says as he opens the door slightly.

"Okay Comus." Ursa says. "I am going to slowly back up and get my collateral." Ursa slowly backs up to the door. "Give me your wand Draco."

"What?" Draco exclaims.

"Now." Ursa growls and Draco hands her his wand. She puts it with hers. "Now come with me and keep your mouth shut."

"Are you serious?" Draco exclaims. "I am not going out there."

"Draco I am trying to protect everyone. You know I would never let anything happen to you. You can yell at me later, just do this for me."

"Fine." Draco grumbles.

"Put your hands up and follow me. And again, keep your fucking mouth shut." Ursa and Draco slowly walk back out into the courtyard. "Comus, this is my brother. I offer him as collateral. I would do anything to keep him safe."

"Alright." Comus says. "Go find my statue."

"You cannot seriously be leaving me here with this-" Draco stops before Ursa interrupts him.

     "Silencio." Ursa says with her fingertips pointed at him. Draco glares at her. "I told you to keep your mouth shut. I will go get your statue now." Ursa backs up to the door and goes into the castle.

"Are you really going to leave him out there?" McGonagall asks.

"Yes, Comus is sure both his statue and the person who took it is here."

"What's going on?" Crabbe asks as he walks up. "Someone needed me."

"You took a golden sun statue from a griffin this summer. Where is it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Crabbe says. Ursa draws her wand. "Okay, okay, okay, I'll get it."

"I'm coming with you." Ursa and Crabbe go to his dorm and Crabbe gets the statue. Ursa puts her wand back and walks outside. She keeps her hands up again. "Alright Comus. I believe I have your statue. I am going to place it on the fountain and back up to the door to let you look at it." Ursa does what she said and Comus approached the fountain. He picks it up with his talons. "Is that it?"

"Yes." Comus says. "You kept your promise so I will keep mine."

"Thank you." Ursa says.

"Thank you." Comus says. "Goodbye Ursa."

"Goodbye Comus." Comus takes off and flies away. Draco storms over to Ursa and glares at her. "What? Oh right." Ursa draws her wand and points it at Draco. "Finite."

"Are you completely out of your mind?!" Draco exclaims while Ursa puts her wand away and hands his wand to him. "It could have killed me and now everyone will know you can talk to magical birds and species that are part bird."

"What was I supposed to do? Let him rampage through the castle."

"Our parents are going to be pissed or proud. No in between."

"Probably pissed that I put you in mortal danger."

"Yeah you're screwed."

Twenty minutes later, Ursa is in Dumbledore's office with him and Umbridge. "Are you insane Albus?" Umbridge exclaims. "You sent a child to deal with a griffin!"

"I am fine." Ursa says.

"I did." Dumbledore says. "I knew Miss Malfoy was the only one who could handle the situation."

"She took down a griffin?" Umbridge questions.

"No, I made a deal with Comus." Ursa answers. "I get his statue back and he leaves us alone."

"Comus?" Umbridge asks as Fudge walks in.

"It's his name. I saved people."

"Ah Cornelius." Dumbledore says.

"What is this about a griffin attacking Hogwarts?" Fudge asks.

"Yes. A student stole a griffin's statue this summer and the griffin-"

"Comus." Ursa interrupts.

"Yes, Comus traced the statue here. Miss Malfoy defused the situation."

"You let a child fight a griffin!?" Fudge exclaims.

"No I got his statue back and he agreed to leave us alone." Ursa says. "Why does everyone automatically assume that I fought him? Or that I could not do it? I know my father has bragged about my power."

"Maybe because you're a child." Fawkes says.

"Oh be quiet Fawkes." Ursa exclaims.

"Someone's got a temper."

"And that is news?"

"No." Fawkes says. "Just wanted to point it out."

"You are annoying, you know that right?"

"So are you."

"Do not make me come up there!"

"Good luck. I can fly away. Unlike you who can't fly without falling first."

Ursa growls. "It is not my fault I cannot yet."

"Is she okay?" Fudge asks.

"They think you're mad." Fawkes says.

"I mean I am a little bit." Ursa says. "Comes with being a Black."

"Miss Malfoy can speak to magical bird species as well as magical species that are part bird." Dumbledore says. "She negotiated a deal with Comus. She got his statue for Comus and he left us alone."

"So she saved everyone?" Fudge questions.

"She put her brother's life in danger!" Umbridge exclaims.

"Draco is everything to me!" Ursa exclaims. "I would not have done it if I thought there was any chance he would die! Though I had to silence him so he would not offend Comus. Now. Are we done here? I have homework to do."

"You should never have sent a child out." Umbridge says.

"So you would have dealt with it?"

"Pardon?"

"Well if I remember correctly, griffins fall under Care of Magical Creatures and since Professor Grubbly-Plank is gone for the weekend, the next obvious choice would be Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"Well- I- um. Yes I would have."

"Miss Malfoy," Fudge says. "I thought you should know I will be alerting your father about what has happened."

"Draco may beat you too it but alright."

"Well I don't think there is anything left to discuss."

"But-" Umbridge tries to object.

"We will leave you to your work." Fudge and Umbridge leaves the room.

"My parents are going to kill me." Ursa groans.