Following the O.W.L's and their adventure at the Ministry, the rest of the school year passed by almost lazily. Harry and Ron spent most of their free time in the Hospital Wing, spending time with Hermione. By the time she finally got discharged it was time to leave school for the Holiday.
"I can't believe I missed all of those lessons…!"
"We didn't cover too much, Hermione." Ron reminded her. "You got through your O.W.L's, didn't you?"
Hermione groaned. "Oh, don't remind me…" She said. "I've been having nightmares about those. I probably failed everything…"
Ron snorted. "Don't be ridiculous."
"I am NOT being ridiculous, Ronald-"
Harry was being rather quiet lately. Ron was not sure what the problem was. They had tried to get him to speak up about how he was feeling, but he refused to give them any answers. Ron and Hermione had spoken about it privately, and agreed that they should ease Harry into talking about his problems when he was ready. Ron felt that Harry was simply anxious to go back to the Dursley's while Voldemort was still on the loose, but Hermione believed that there was some deeper problem. Regardless of the cause of it, however, the two were deeply concerned for him.
"Guys…."
Ron looked up as Harry stepped up to them in the common room. "Yeah?" Hermione, who was reading a book nearby, perked up as well.
"Dumbledore wants to speak with all of us." He told them. "Before the Summer."
"Us?" Hermione repeated, baffled. "What does he want with US?"
Ron had a very good idea. He fingered the morpher in his pocket again, wondering whether his suspicions were true.
"He wants to talk about the Ministry, I think." Harry told them quietly. "That's the impression I had, anyway." He still looked really down.
Dumbledore had not just invited the three of them. To Ron's surprise Neville and Luna were standing outside of Dumbeldore's office, chatting when they arrived.
"Oh hello…"
Luna turned to them, smiling towards Harry radiantly. She had been hanging around them more and more, and despite the three's initial misgivings they all were beginning to see her as one of their closest friends.
"Hello Luna." Harry said. "And you too, Neville."
"Professor Dumbledore wants to see you as well?" Hermione asked, surprised. "Did he tell you why?"
"Nothing of the sort." Luna answered. "We were just sharing ideas, actually." Neville nodded, looking somewhat anxious.
"I'm… not sure what Dumbledore could want with me…" Neville murmured. Harry opened his mouth, as if to say something, before shutting it again.
"You were with us too Neville." Hermione said quickly. "You were a great help."
"Ah, here comes Ginny…"
The group looked up to see Ginny approaching them, a scowl on her face.
"I didn't keep you, did I?" She asked anxiously. "Sorry, Snape kept me late to lecture me about how he doesn't think I can pass my O.W.L's…"
"That's just like him." Harry told her, disparagingly. "Don't listen to him."
Ginny flipped her red hair back. "I don't."
The six stood and chatted amongst themselves in front of the stairwell for a couple of minutes.
"Uh, what now?" Ron asked, after the conversation died down.
"I guess we go up." Harry said grimly. "He's waiting for us."
He turned to the statue and uttered a brief password, and it sprung upward. He went first, followed quickly by Ron, and then Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and then finally Neville. They climbed up the staircase and stood crowded around the wooden door.
Harry knocked.
"Enter."
The group did so. They found Dumbledore sitting at his desk, the sorting hat propped up in front of him.
"Hello, hello." He told them, smiling. He did not bid them sit down. Instead he had them stand in front of his desk, staring straight away.
"Sir?" Harry asked. "What did you need to speak with us about?'
Dumbledore nodded, his expression grave.
"Times are changing, Harry." He said gravely, his eyes flickering over each of them. "It is becoming increasingly apparent that the coming conflict will not be resolved peacefully."
Hermione bowed her head, clearly looking a little rattled. "What are you trying to tell us, Professor?"
"These trying times are going to ask a lot of you. It is my greatest regret that your generation will have to bear the weight of our mistakes. It is time for a new generation of heroes to emerge. And I believe you six will be instrumental for what is to come."
"It is my belief that you six will become the next generation of Power Rangers."
Luna was staring at him, looking more surprised than Harry had ever seen her. Neville took a step back, knocking some books off of a nearby shelf. Only Ron and Harry were unsurprised.
"Sir…?" Hermione posed her question. "I… I don't understand. The Power Rangers aren't REAL, are they….?" She was trying to sound respectful, but Ron could hear the disbelief in her voice.
Dumbledore nodded. "They are indeed real, Miss Granger." He answered. "For hundreds of years they have fought to protect this school and everything in it. And now it is time to reawaken their powers for the next generation." He nodded to the stool sitting in front of his desk. "Miss Weasley, if you please…?"
Ginny Weasley stepped forward, disbelief in her face, as she stepped forward and sat down on the stool. Dumbledore picked up the sorting hat and carried it around the desk.
"Unbeknowest to most, the Sorting Hat has an alternative purpose." He told them. "It judges and evaluates every student that passes through these halls, and selects likely candidates to become Power Rangers."
He placed the hat on Ginny's head. She nervously looked upward at it. It had seemed so much bigger when she had put it on as a first year.
Ah yes…. Miss Weasley. You have grown up quite a lot since I last sat on your head. You have grown into a fine witch, I must say. You are popular and well liked among your peers, and you tend to excel at everything you try your hand at… your schoolwork could improve a bit however.
Ginny scowled.
Yet you have a fine future ahead of you, a fine future indeed. I still sense a little bit of insecurity regarding Mr. Potter and your feelings towards him, but you are handling your feelings very maturely.
Ginny wasn't sure whether to blush or scowl.
Yes…. You care deeply for him still. In face I would say your feelings have deepened as time has gone on. I suspected as much. You once feared Miss Granger would steal him from you, but you now consider her own of your closest friends. In fact you have always trusted and respected her, in spite of your different family backgrounds.
Miss Weasley, I have made my decision. Your temperament, passion, empathy for others, and your rejection of bigoted ideals has led me to believe that you would be the perfect-
"Pink!"
Ginny winced as something thumped on top of her head. She removed the hat in a hurry, causing the pink morpher to fall straight towards the ground. She stared at it, open mouthed, as Dumbledore took the hat from her.
"You are now the Pink Ranger, Miss Weasley.
She bent over and reached for the Morpher, her mind whirling wildly.
"Pink?" She repeated, baffled, as she brushed back her bright red hair. "I'm Pink?" She sounded somewhat annoyed. "I always wanted to be the Red Ranger…"
Dumbledore laughed. "We are in need of a great Pink Ranger, Miss Weasley. It takes several to make a team."
Ginny nodded. "Yeah…. You're right"
She clutched the Morpher in her hand as she stepped back among the line.
"Now… Perhaps Mr. Weasley?"
"Uh-" Ron reached for the Morpher in his pocket. Dumbledore shook his head. "For formality's sake."
Ron stepped forward, and allowed the hat to be placed over his head.
Ah. The new Black Ranger. Yes, I am glad I had the chance to see you again. I do not always get the chance to do so….
"Black!"
It was over before it even begun. Ron stood up and handed the hat back to Dumbledore.
"That was quick." Hermione noted, impressed.
He pulled the Morpher out of his pocket and showed it to the others.
Hermione stared at it, open mouthed.
"You were the Black Ranger?" She asked. "And you didn't tell me?" She sounded incredulous.
Before Ron could retort, Dumbledore went up to bat for him. "That is my fault, Miss Granger." He told her. "I asked Mr. Weasley to not mention his Powers to anyone that was not a Ranger." Hermine backed down, mollified somewhat.
"Perhaps you should be next, Miss Granger?"
Hermione, despite her initial skepticism, seemed downright ecstatic as she stepped forward and draped the hat over her head.
Ah, Miss Granger. Sharper than ever, I must say. Yes, yes. I must say, you were extraordinarily difficult to place during your first sorting, and things have become even more complicated as you have aged. You are ambitious, you are kind, you are intelligent, you are courageous… and with time, you have earned yourself true lifelong friends.
Yes… your friends. In spite of all of your other virtues, your love for your friends shines more brightly to me than anything else. When you were first sorted you had been lonely and isolated. Now you treasure your friends more than anything else.
I do not regret placing your Gryffindor. And I certainly do not regret considering you for Ravenclaw. However, as a Power Ranger, your qualities could only be suited for-
"YELLOW."
Hermione's mouth fell open in shock. The group in front of her looked even more surprised, Ron especially.
"The Hufflepuff Ranger?" Ron asked. He looked almost accusingly at her. "YOU?"
She huffed as she took hold of the morpher, which had a little badger engraved into it. "You heard it, didn't you?"
She got to her feet and stood among the others, staring intently at her new morpher, intently trying to figure out how to get it to work.
"Now… Mr. Longbottom?"
Neville stepped forward, somewhat reluctantly. Dumbledore smiled at him as the hat was placed on his head.
Make no mistake, Neville. You have become a true Gryffindor. However I can not place you as the Red Ranger. You simply have not grown into the role just yet.
Yes…. Unfortunately I feel as if you have not grown into the qualities to take on the responsibility of being a Power Ranger. Perhaps-
Of course. Neville thought bitterly. He would never be a Power Ranger. He reached upward and lowered the hat from his head. Dumbledore stepped forward and took the hat from him gently.
"It is alright, Neville." He told him. "You do not need to be a Power Ranger to do something great." Neville nodded, looking downcast, as he stood up and joined the others. Dumbledore stared at him for a while, wondering what to make of his expression, before beckoning forth the next student.
"Miss Lovegood…?"
Luna stepped forward, her expression blank and expressionless, as the hat was lowered across her head.
Ahh…. Curious, curious… you were remarkably difficult to place. You could have done well in Hufflepuff, and your dearest friends are all in Gryffindor. You are not an orthodox Ravenclaw, but I feel that I made the correct decision. When all is said and done you make a fine-
"BLUE!"
Luna's eyes fluttered open, smiling serenely as Ron and Hermione gaped.
"She's the Ravenclaw Ranger?" Ron asked, surprised, casting a look at Hermione. She, too, looked somewhat downcast at this news.
"Of course she is." Ginny told them. "She was sorted into Ravenclaw!"
"I'm a Gryffindor, and I was sorted as the Hufflepuff Ranger!" Hermione protested. Dumbledore stepped in, smiling.
"The Power Ranger sorting is meant to complement each other." He explained. "Your actual school house has very little bearing on how you are sorted as Rangers."
"But then what does?" Hermione asked, as Luna rejoined them, fingering the bright blue Eagle morpher in her hand.
"The Power Rangers are chosen to work together as one unit. A team, if you will. Not all Gryffindors are sorted into the house for the same reason… the Sorting Hat considered each of you for different houses. Being Power Rangers will likely bring your other extraordinary qualities to light."
Harry stared at Dumbledore, his lip tight. He looked somewhat white all of a sudden.
"Now Harry…" Dumbledore said gently, as he called him forward. "It is your turn." He stepped forward, somewhat reluctantly, and allowed the hat to be draped over his head.
The response was immediate.
"RED."
Harry flinched as a large object thumped onto his head. He pulled it away to reveal the Gryffindor Lion morpher.
"As I thought." Dumbledore said, smiling gently. "You led your friends into danger to save someone that you deeply cared about. Reckless, perhaps, but all heroes are."
Harry gripped the Lion Morpher in his hand. He did not answer.
"Being Power Rangers gives you extraordinary privileges." Dumbledore went on, addressing each of them in turn. "For example, you will be given the option to stay here at Hogwarts over the Summer if you so choose."
Harry's eyes shot him towards him, his eyes widened. Dumbledore smiled down at him before continuing.
"I will also take the liberty of exempting you from lessons-"
Hermione gave out a shocked choking noise.
"To a certain extent." Dumbledore amended. "In order to accomplish your Ranger duties, you will need to be ready to fight at all times."
"Fight?" Ginny asked, taken aback. "Us?"
She looked around at the group doubtfully. "We're just kids…"
Dumbledore nodded. "Power Rangers often are." He told them. "I understand that this is a major change for you…. for all of you. But if we hope to stand a chance against Voldemort, we will need you six to harness the Ancient Powers and restore order to our world."
The group stared at him. None of them could speak.
"You have a lot to think about, I'm sure." Dumbledore told them gently. "Please think it over."
….
Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione spent their entire evening sitting up in the Gryffindor Common Room talking by the fire. Luna was not allowed, being a Ravenclaw, and Neville was nowhere to be found.
"Power Rangers?" Ginny asked, disbelievingly. "Us?"
"I still can't believe they are even real." Hermione confessed, not looking up at them as she perused thick textbook detailing the history of the Power Rangers on her lap. "Let alone that WE were chosen…"
"I still can't believe you're the Yellow Ranger." Ron told her. She looked up at him, bristling.
"There's nothing wrong with that!" She snapped. Despite her words she sounded somewhat uncertain.
"I don't know about you, but I'm not happy being the Pink Ranger." Ginny told them, as she raised her morpher. Unlike the others it lacked a distinct Hogwarts Crest. "I mean, Pink is… not the best color for me."
"You would prefer to be Red?" Harry asked her. She grinned.
"Yeah!"
He threw his morpher at her. Surprised, she reached out and caught it. She yelped as it disappeared in her hand.
"Huh." Harry said, as he examined the morpher that had immediately returned to his hand. "So we can't trade, if we wanted to."
"At least we don't have to worry about losing them." Ron pointed out. Hermione was staring at Harry, her mind whirling. "Honestly I don't think Hermione should be Yellow. She should have been blue."
"Yeah!" Hermione piped up, surprising them. "Why was I not Blue?" She seemed downright incredulous. Harry and the others had suspected as much, although they did not bring it up to her.
"Who knows?" Ginny said grimly, as she waved the Pink Morpher in front of her face. "Oh, none of this makes sense… The Pink Morpher is supposed to be for Muggleborns and Muggles to use to fight alongside us. I'm Pureblood." She looked somewhat disgruntled.
"Are you saying Hermione should have been Pink?" Harry asked her. Ginny shook her head.
"No… No really." She said. "But it's weird, isn't it? I mean… why me?"
"Why any of us?" Harry asked them rhetorically. The other three gave him a look.
"You were obviously going to be the Red Ranger."
"Totally."
"Obviously."
Harry looked up at them, surprised. "What?" He asked. "No I'm not-"
"I'm sorry Harry." Ron interrupted. "But who was it that led the DA again? Who was it that led us to save Sirius? Who was it that survived You-Know-Who-"
"That doesn't make me a Power Ranger-"
"But it does make you a good fit." Hermione told him, exasperated. "Honestly Harry… We've been over this before."
"But I'm not a Power Ranger." Harry insisted. "I don't want to be-"
"You are now." Ginny told him. "Harry, this isn't a bad thing! Honestly this is the best thing that could have happened to you. Do you realize how many lives the Power Rangers saved last time?"
He had not.
"They were the main reason that You-Know-Who couldn't just summon Demons from Hell and wreak havoc." Ginny told him. "It's the only reason he was relegated to Great Britain rather than the rest of the continent."
"He still tried." Hermione corrected her. "But they were always soundly defeated…"
"We'll be going up against demons?" Harry asked, shocked. Hermione nodded.
"Yes." She murmured. "Power Rangers are so powerful that anything less couldn't even scratch them. Ron, you stood up to Voldemort while you were Morphed… right?"
Ron faltered. "I, uh…" He hesistated. "I don't think so…"
"He wasn't able to kill you on the spot." Hermione told him patiently. "He could have if he kept attacking you, but the Powers protected you through the worst of it."
"Demons are stronger than wizards, generally." Ginny intervened. "But the Power Rangers can usually make sort work of them."
She smiled.
"Or at least, the last generation did."
Harry gripped his forehead in his hands.
"We're really going to do this?" He asked them. "All of you… are you prepared?"
There was no hesitation. All three of them nodded.
Harry smiled at them grimly.
"Alright." He said. "We'll have to find Luna tomorrow and see if she feels the same."
…
Severus Snape kneeled down in front of Voldemort's throne.
"What is thy bidding… master?"
Nagini flitted in between Voldemort's shoulders, hand, and leg as he considered his loyal servant.
"Speak of Dumbledore."
"He is preparing his forces as we speak, my Master." Snape spoke in a dark, clear whisper. "The Order of the Phoenix has been rallied. The general public is still divided. Despite the assurances of the government, the public is becoming increasingly aware of your return."
"Pity." Voldemort breathed, as he stroked Nagini's head. "But it was only a matter of time."
"It has happened, my lord. The Power Rangers have been chosen."
Bellatrix, who was standing some distance away, gave a startled start. Voldemort said nothing.
"I see." He said slowly. "There was nothing that could be done about that." He stroked Nagini's head. "Our only reprieve is that they do not have the Slytherin Morpher. Their powers will be a fraction of what most other teams could manage. It is, however, regretful that Ron Weasley possesses the Black Morpher…"
He looked up at Severus. "Are you aware of the other Rangers' identities?"
"No, my lord."
"Is Potter one?"
"Almost certainly. But I cannot say for certain. Dumbledore is keeping that information privy even from the likes of me."
"Potter must be one of the five." Voldemort breathed. "He has to be."
He clicked the throne with his fingers. "The Red Ranger… most likely." Voldemort mused. "I can see it now…"
He leaned forward, his hand outstretched. "Perhaps… we should find out for certain."
He raised his hand. Severus flinched as an aura of black magic appeared in between them. A vast circle of darkness and fire rose emanated from the floor, pulsing with an evil energy.
"My Lord-" Bellatrix stepped forward, clearly a little frightened. "Are you truly going to summon-?"
"I have no intention of sending my most loyal Death Eaters against the Power Rangers." Voldemort said softly, as a large, powerful claw rose upward and slammed itself onto the floor. "The time has come to utilize the forces of Hell."
Snape raised his head, a little frightened, as the claw bent powerfully. A freakish head emerged from the circle, gasping for breath. It glared at Snape hungrily as it pulled itself from its prison and reached its full height.
"Human!" It boomed, as it clicked its pincers together. "I have not had human in so long-"
"Calm yourself, beast." Voldemort said shortly from behind it. "He is not our enemy.'
The beast turned, taking in Voldemort in. Despite its appearance it was clear that it was a little surprised. "What are in the nine circles are you?" It asked rudely, as it raised its arms upward. Bellatrix, offended on behalf of her master, stepped forward.
"How dare you speak that way to our lord-"
"Beallatrix." Voldemort said calmly. "Stand down." Bellatrix did as she was asked, although she continued to glower hatefully. Voldemort considered the monster before him, his fist pressed against his face.
The Demon ignored Bellatrix. It stared intently at Voldemort. "Lord, is it?" It asked scornfully, as it clicked its mouth together. "The Lord of what? This dingy Manor?"
"I have been forgotten, I see." Voldemort said softly. "I cannot say I am surprised. It has indeed been a long time."
The thing laughed. "Forgotten?" It asked scornfully. "You are a just a man. Your kind are not even worth remembering."
Voldemort stood up. Nagini slithered off of his shoulders and onto the throne. It gazed hatefully at the demon, her head bobbing back and forth.
"I think you will find demon, that Lord Voldemort is far more than just another man."
The demon hissed, and lunged at him. Its powerful, vice like pincers descended upon Voldemort, intent on ripping him limb from limb.
It was over in a flash. Voldemort reached out and jammed his fist through the things chest.
"Ugh!"
It fell to its knees as Voldemort twisted his arm cruelly. Blood spurted from the wound, and onto the floor. Steam began to rise up from around them as the acidic blood burned through the floor.
"I could rip your heart out and eat it, if I so desired." Voldemort said softly, as he pulled away, The demon gasped, lurched onto its knees as Voldemort turned and sat back on his throne. Nagini immediately wrapped back around him, her tongue flitting over the blood on his fist.
The demon retched. "You…" It rasped. "Who are you?"
"My name is Lord Voldemort." Voldemort answered. "I am your master."
"Master?" The demon chuckled. "I would never serve a hum-"
Voldemort vanished. The demon flinched upright as Voldemort's hands fell down on his shoulders from behind.
"As I said before, I am more than a man." Voldemort intoned, as he squeezed its armor padded shoulders. The thing froze, shocked, as the pads shattered into pieces and fell to the ground at their feet. "I am your Master now."
The thing bent its head submissively. "Y-yes Master…" It said. "My Lord."
It fell to its knees. Bellatrix stared at it, open mouthed. No matter how many times she saw it, she could never quite grasp how easily the Dark Lord could cow even the most powerful of demons.
"Now." Voldemort said, as he strode past him. "I have called you here for a purpose, demon."
"A purpose, my Master?"
"Yes."
Voldemort sat on his throne again, smiling down at his newest servant. "Have you ever heard of the… Power Rangers?"
The thing looked up. Its fear gave way to excitement. "The… Power Rangers?"
"The newest batch of Power Rangers have risen. And it will be your task to deal with them."
The thing stood up.
"It will be an honor, my lord." It said, barely able to contain his excitement. "I get to battle the actual Power Rangers…"
…
"Tell me more about the Power Rangers."
Luna looked up at Hermione, blinking owlishly. "I'd be happy to." She said. "What would you like to know."
"Um, everything I've found in the library seems to be about the Hogwarts Rangers… But you mentioned another active team?"
"Oh yes." Luna said. "We don't know a lot about them, unfortunately. They seem to be rather secretive people. They first appeared to deal with the return of the Witch Rita Repulsa from her imprisonment on the moon…"
Hermione was lost almost immediately. She tried to follow along as Luna babbled about giant robots, aliens, and Green Rangers. Harry and Ron, who were sitting nearby, were snickering.
"So much for not believing in Power Rangers huh?"
Hermione ignored them as she continued asking Luna questions.
"They're in California?" She repeated. Already a quill was in her hand. "Perhaps we can get in touch with them…"
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea." Luna interrupted. "I mean, it's pretty obvious that their enemies are watching everything they are doing. If we did that that would make us a target. And before we have any real experience as Rangers… we'll just be a burden to the others."
Hermione lowered her quill. "O-oh…"
"You certainly know a lot about the Power Rangers Luna." Harry said. "Is it something your Dad covers in the Quibbler?"
"Oh yes, occasionally." Luna said, nodding. "He loves them…" She pasued, a faint blush on her cheeks. "I just… wish I could tell him." She fingered the Ravenclaw morpher on her wrist lovingly.
Harry smiled at her, despite his personal misgivings. Luna, at least, seemed already to have adjusted to the idea of being a Power Ranger. The others, not so much. And Harry himself… least of all.
Why did he have to be the Red Ranger?
Why did it always have to be him?
Why was he the one that had to fight Voldemort?
"I wouldn't mind teaming up with other Rangers." Harry admitted. "Honestly it would be reassuring having other people who know what they're doing with you… you know?"
Hermione sighed. "I feel the same." She admitted glumly. "But if it really is a bad idea to reach out…" She set the quill down dejectedly.
"It's not that bad guys." Ron told them, as he raised his own Black Morpher. "When I morphed, I felt… great. Like I could do anything. You'll be the same, I bet."
"Is that so?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow. "I wonder…."
"We need to try it." Luna decided immediately, startling them. She stared at them. "I want to see whether Ronald's theory is correct."
"Is that okay though?" Hermione asked, shocked "I mean… Dumbledore didn't tell us we could try to Morph-"
"Dumbledore isn't our leader." Luna reminded her gently. "Harry is."
The three turned to give him a look. He could feel the pressure on the back of his neck.
"Fine." He relented. "Let's fine Ginny and-"
The Morpher on his wrist rumbled.
Each of the Rangers raised their morphers, wide eyed, at the rumbling. "What's- what's happening?" Hermione squeaked, shocked. "Is it… are we morphing?"
"No." Ron said. "This is something else…."
Luna reached out a finger and prodded the centerpiece of the morpher. A bright light filled the air. A small, miniature image of London popped into view. Smoke was rising from the city.
"Oh no…."
Luna prodded it again, and the Rangers watched as the image zoomed in. A Monster was rampaging throughout the streets, laughing maniacally, fire bursting from the pincers on its arms, destroying buildings and property.
"Is that…" Hermione hesitated. "A demon?"
"It is." Luna confirmed, as the image faded away. "Our first enemy."
"Our first…?" Harry paused, swallowing nervously. "The Rangers' first enemy."
Ron patted his shoulder. "You okay mate?"
He did not feel okay. "Where's Ginny?"
"I'm not sure…" Ron admitted.
"Should we go without her?"
Harry surveyed them, before nodding. "Yes." He decided. "Ginny must have felt that too. She's probably on her way there right now."
…
"BLEGH."
Ginny gagged as she raised the sloppy gunk above her head. One more year of this… and she could drop Snape's classes for good.
"Be more careful, Miss Weasley." Snape snarled, as the sludge almost burst out of her cauldron. "Almost as hopeless as your brother."
She bit back her tongue. She wasn't willing to remind Snape that she had several brothers, none of them as incompetent at Potion making as Ron. But she was in trouble enough as it was and had no interest in pushing her leg.
The Pink Morpher rumbled in the bag beneath her feet, with its owner none the wise.
