DISCLAIMER: Refer to previous chapter.

Chapter Two: Luna's Ghost

Ginny dumped her bag by the front door and yanked off her robe, tossing it on top of the bag. She walked through to the kitchen and opened the fridge.

"What shall we eat?" she asked her relatively flat stomach, "Hmm? Some cake? Brownies? Chocolate slice? Lamingtons? Egg sandwiches? Ham and cheese sandwiches? I think we have enough food here to feed a wedding party. What do you think?"

"Who are you asking?"

Ginny jumped and spun around calming down as she saw Hermione walking in from outside, "Oh… Hermione. I was talking to my baby. Did you get time off work?"

"I got fired actually because of the time I had off in Egypt. I don't really care anyway. I have the elections to worry about. They are in February."

"When are you starting the campaign?" asked Ginny selecting the tray of chocolate slice and placing it on the bench.

Hermione shrugged, "Not sure. Maybe next week. I can spend this week on organizing slogans and what I am all for. So, you got time off?"

Ginny nodded, "Two weeks. I can help you, if you'd like."

Hermione nodded and selected a slice as they ate in silence. Neither really knew what to say to the other, despite both finally saying goodbye too Luna in their own way the night before. Hermione silently flicked through the Daily Prophet, while Ginny looked through a catalogue with a baby-clothing sale occurring that week.

Ginny knew she needed to tell all her family and friend's her and Harry were going to become parents in June but she didn't want to cause anyone to feel like they had to celebrate her news and forget about Luna. Especially Ron. Hermione glanced over at what Ginny was doing and frowned a little.

"When are you and Harry going to break the news?" she asked curiously.

"I don't know. Maybe once everyone has had a chance to calm down after everything. And I bet Mum would kill me for not telling her sooner about the pregnancy."

"She would understand I think. You know, you and Harry don't have to move out. We have two spare bedrooms… not including Luna's room."

"I know. Is Draco planning on moving in completely?" asked Ginny, "He practically lives here anyway."

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. We haven't discussed it."

Ginny just nodded sensing it wasn't something Hermione really wanted to discuss at the moment. Ginny shifted the conversation back to the baby with ease and the two talked about which room would be appropriate for the child. They picked out clothes in the catalogue but Ginny scrambled to hide it as her mothers voice sounded in the entry hall. Hermione slid it under the Daily Prophet and smiled at Molly as she walked in with a container of warm beef stew.

"I figured you two wouldn't be up for cooking," said Molly kindly, "Is it your day off for you both?"

"No," said Ginny, "I got time off and Hermione wa-"

"Got time off as well," cut in Hermione, "Two weeks like Ginny here."

Molly nodded, "Well perhaps it will do you both good."

"Have you heard from Ron?"

"No. Bill sent a letter saying he had tried to spend time with him but Ron in unkind words told him to leave him be."

"He just needs time," said Ginny, "We all do."

Molly nodded and quickly plastered a smile to her face, "I should leave. Your father is due home from work soon. Enjoy the stew and I will pick the container up tomorrow."

Molly left with Ginny and Hermione frowning at Molly's sudden departure.

Ginny looked up at the clock curiously, "It's half past four. Dad doesn't get home till six."

"Maybe she has some things to do," replied Hermione placing the stew in the fridge with the other trays of food.

"Or she is hiding something."

"That too."

Hermione returned to reading while Ginny munched on another bit of chocolate slice. She knew something was definitely up and that her mother was in on it.

"You don't know anything do you?" asked Ginny.

Hermione gave a small nod causing Ginny to look at her in surprise.

"What is it?"

"I heard it last night. Draco, Harry, your mother and my mother were talking in here. There's another one," said Hermione, "Another witch like us."

"A replacement?"

"I didn't hear everything said. Just that some witch is one of us and Draco has to find her and train her to control her powers… believe me Gin, I am far from happy about it."

"Luna isn't even cold in the ground and already bloody destiny has thrown another blow at us!" cried Ginny in anger, "She can't live here. She may be like us but she is not one of us."

"I agree whole heartedly."

CO

"Fired?" cried Draco as Hermione sat on her bed reading as Draco changed from his work robes, "Mione that is ridiculous."

"I guess. My mother nor anyone but you, Gin and Harry can know," said Hermione, "I don't need anyone worrying about me. Besides, it will let me work on my campaign."

"Are you sure running for Mistress of Magic is something you can handle at the moment?"

"It's better then doing a boring job that let's my mind wander all over the place."

"Okay, okay. I was just asking. I'll support you no matter what," said Draco sitting on his side of the bed looking at Hermione.

Hermione closed her book and looked at Draco with a small smile, "I'm sorry for being so messed up."

"Hey, you have nothing to apologise for."

"I know but I have been pushing you away," said Hermione sliding over to him, taking his hand into hers, "I love you, okay?"

Draco smiled and kissed her briefly on the lips, "I know. So what are you doing tomorrow?"

"I might go see Jerry… maybe he can run ads in the paper for my campaign. Then I will get all the things I need to begin the campaign process. Ginny will help."

Draco nodded secretly glad that both would be out of the house when Lavender came to learn of her new destiny, if Hermione and Ginny chose to continue it and not turn there backs on it.

"Alright then," said Draco nodding again, "Sounds like you'll have a full day."

"When are you moving in?" asked Hermione suddenly, "You practically live here. I don't see why you need to keep the other apartment you have."

"I have a lot of stuff."

"And we have a basement and spare bedrooms to store things in."

"With the Unknown stuff I sometimes have to go to the apartment to meet with the Head Unknowns urgently."

"And what is wrong with meeting them here? We don't bite most of the time."

"It's just-" started Draco before Hermione cut him off completely.

"You don't want the whole complete move in commitment crap. You need somewhere to escape to in case things get hard," said Hermione standing up, "Sorry for bringing it up."

She left the room leaving Draco in the room silently. He did want to move in but he needed a place to train Lavender that was equipped for it and Hermione had strictly told him anywhere but here. He was only going to risk breaking the rules once the next day but after that he wouldn't.

CO

"So what do you think?" asked Hermione looking at Jerry hopefully the next day with Ginny sitting beside her trying to fight off morning sickness, "We can change it if you want too."

"No… I like it," said Jerry looking at the advertisement Hermione had worked on last night with Ginny and Harry. Draco had spent the night at his apartment after the slight tiff him and Hermione had.

In the centre was a respectable picture of Hermione smiling and waving with the slogan above in block red letters: HONEST HERMIONE. Underneath was a small introduction of her self and what she would change should she become Mistress of Magic, ranging from better hospital services to changing back laws the public didn't agree with.

"You are the type of person this country needs in office," said Jerry handing the page to Harold, "Get this on the front page. Tomorrow we will have it on page two till the end of the campaign. I'll do an interview with you next week and we will come up with other campaign pages so the public don't become bored with the same one."

"Great. I'm going to arrange to have a meet and greet speech at Flourish and Blott's next month," said Hermione, "And one at the Three Broomsticks a week after. Plus I will have posters up in store windows and chat to any of the public who see me in the street of course."

Jerry nodded, "Well I will get one of the photographers at all the events and get some more pictures taken of you. Do you think you can come in tomorrow?"

Hermione nodded, "Sure thing."

"Great. Well, we the Quibbler solely support Hermione Granger for Mistress of Magic."

Hermione smiled and after a few more minutes her and Ginny left for Diagon Alley. They both wandered in and out of shops with Ginny eyeing off baby gear. Hermione organised with shop owners to put her campaign posters and fliers in their store and arranged the date of the meet and greet speech night for December 13th.

"What do you think of this?" asked Ginny holding up a lemon coloured baby blanket with silk edges for Hermione to see.

"It's adorable. So you don't know what the sex is?"

"Not for a few more months. I don't want to know anyway. If Harry wants to know he can find out but I would rather be surprised by it-" Ginny stopped speaking and looked past Hermione's head with her eyes wide and her mouth partly open.

It floated around the corner with the long golden locks blowing in a non-existent breeze. Ginny hastily placed the blanket in Hermione's hands and weaved her way through the people and around the corner but whatever it was, was gone.

"Ginny?" called Hermione hurrying over to her after placing the blanket back on the pile of multi coloured blankets, "What's going on?"

"It was her," said Ginny turning to Hermione, "I swear it was her! That's twice I have seen her!"

"Seen who?" cried Hermione in confusion.

"Can we just go home and talk about this in private?"

"Okay… maybe you need a lay down anyway. You look exhausted."

CO

"Wow," said Lavender walking up the staircase behind Draco, "I never figured it to be this big. Then again, magic tricks the human eye."

"It does," replied Draco as they passed Hermione's room, then Ginny and Luna's closed door and headed up the final staircase to the attic, "This is the attic. This is where the book is kept and potion making things. Take a seat I have a lot to tell you."

Lavender walked over to the worn red couch and sat down looking around at the stacked trunks, rolled up rugs and bits of furniture. Draco picked up the spell book and handed it to Lavender.

"Open it up, take a look, and read what you want. Ask me any questions and I will give the most honest answer possible," said Draco.

"A Malfoy being honest… interesting concept."

Draco held back the roll of the eyes. He had heard the same comments throughout the past year from Hermione before finding love with her. Lavender opened the book and read through the names and frowned.

"How come this one has four names?"

"What?" frowned Draco stepping over and looking at the book.

Beside the names Gertrude Milton, Lindsay Andrews and Jessica West was now the name Melanie Smith.

"Melanie Smith was my grandmother," said Lavender looking up at Draco with wide eyes, "So you aren't insane and this is all real?"

"If it wasn't real then you obviously would have carved that mark into your skin on your own," replied Draco dryly.

Lavender gave him an annoyed look, "So… can I take this home, and read it?"

"No! If Hermione or Ginny found that missing they would lose their minds like crazy."

"Okay… then how can I learn anything?" asked Lavender giving Draco a raised eyebrow look.

"I know most of what is in the book. So meet me at 10c Quality Apartments at Diagon Alley everyday at 12pm. We can train there and maybe in the future I can make you meet up with Hermione and Ginny – once they have completely dealt with Luna's passing."

"Why can't they meet me now?" asked Lavender, "If I am one of them shouldn't I spend time with them?"

"Think about it Lavender," sighed Draco wondering why a ditz of all people had to be part of the Power of Three, "Luna is gone and you come along – taking her place without permission or anything. Imagine how that makes Hermione and Ginny feel."

"Oh… I see."

Draco nodded, "So, at the moment you are the last person they want to meet."

Lavender nodded in understanding, "Okay."

"It's nothing against you personally… just a very confusing time for them. Plus-" Draco halted as voices filled the hall down stairs, "They're home."

Feet thundered up the staircase with Ginny doing the frantic talking with Hermione trying rationalize with her. Draco dove towards Lavender and grabbed her hand to leave the Unknown way. But it was too late, Ginny walked in first followed by Hermione finding Draco leaning over Lavender with his hand in her's, their faces inches apart.

"Oh my Merlin," whispered Ginny as Hermione looked at the pair wide eyed.

"This is far from what it looks like," said Draco standing upright, "Show them."

"Show what?" asked Lavender completely unsure of what to do.

"Your wrist!"

"Oh," Lavender hastily rolled up her shirtsleeve and held out her wrist bearing the mark.

Ginny nodded and walked out of the attic, squeezing past Hermione.

"I think I should go," said Lavender quietly, placing the spell book beside her and leaving, "Nice to see you, Hermione."

Hermione gave Lavender a tight-lipped smile as the nervous blonde ran past. Hermione turned to leave the attic but Draco hastily appeared in front of her with a shimmer of cloud.

"Hermione-"

"Don't Draco. Just damn well don't say one measly word to me," snapped Hermione glaring at him.

"I had to make her believe!"

"I told you not to bring her into this house! I'm not the only one who wanted that either! You saw Ginny's face!"

"Look I am sorry, it will never happen again," said Draco trying to remain calm and civilized.

"No, it won't," snapped Hermione in a deadly tone, "I never want to see her in this house again. No one is taking Luna's position and that is the final word of this matter – ever!"

Hermione pushed past Draco and headed down to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. Draco closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had seen Hermione angry before- heck she had slapped him in anger years ago. But he had never seen so much fury in her eyes till that very moment. He turned on the spot leaving with a shimmer and appearing in her bedroom finding her sitting on her bed looking down at the ground with tears streaming down her face.

"Just go away," said Hermione in a calm whisper.

"We need to talk."

"Maybe I don't want to talk. Maybe I just want to be alone and cry right now. Cry about Luna and my… my disappointment in you."

"I'm sorry, okay? I am truly sorry."

"I bet you never intended to get caught," said Hermione looking up at him, "I bet you thought you would get away with it and never have to tell me that Lavender Brown is the replacement or that she was here."

Draco nodded guiltily and Hermione shook her head looking away from him.

"What can I do to make you not hate me?" asked Draco desperately.

"I don't hate you," replied Hermione looking away from him still, "At the moment I just can't be around you."

Draco nodded and left with a shimmer. Hermione finally looked up at where he had stood and wiped the tears from her face. She needed space right now and Draco truly had let her down by not sticking to her request about Lavender Brown.

CO

Ginny sighed and glanced at her watch and saw Hermione had been in her room for near to half an hour since the slam of the door. Standing, Ginny headed upstairs to the door. She paused to hear any noise but eventually knocked.

"Mione?" she said, "Is everything okay?"

Ginny stood still hearing shuffling footsteps and the sound of the door unlocking. It opened revealing a red eyed, puffy cheeked Hermione.

"Oh… what happened?" asked Ginny leading her friend over to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I told him to never bring the other witch here… he did. I just can't deal with relationship crap at the moment Ginny! Every night I have nightmares of seeing Luna floating in the water… and sometimes other people are dead with her! I just want to focus on my campaign and take things slowly… I don't need drama!"

"Okay… I understand."

Hermione shook her head, "I don't even know if we broke up or if we just had an argument… I just don't know."

"Well what did you say before he left?"

"That at the moment I can't be around him."

"Sounds like you both just need time apart. Not an official break up… just time away to sort your self out."

Hermione nodded and sniffled before taking a deep calming breath, "So, do you want to explain this… thing you saw at the shop?"

Ginny nodded and they headed up to the attic. Hermione stood by the window looking out at the road as Ginny flipped through the book looking at pictures in silence.

"So," said Hermione, "What did you see?"

"I don't know. All I know is that no one else saw her! Maybe it was ghost… maybe not… all I know is it looked like Luna."

"You saw Luna?" frowned Hermione, "How is that possible?"

"I don't know… I just did. She was there… behind you. But she was different."

"How so?"

"She… was Luna… but she wasn't."

"Well if she is a ghost then there has to be an exception of the changes occurring after death."

"But," said Ginny looking up at Hermione, "If Luna became a ghost how come no one else ever saw her? She looked nothing like the Hogwarts ghosts."

"Did she have proper colour about her?"

Ginny nodded, "The blonde hair, the blue eyes eye's… but they held no warmth. They looked cold… full of hate. The Hogwarts ghosts have warmth in their happy expressions… what if she wasn't a ghost?"

"What if she was a figment of your imagination?"

"Hermione I have seen her twice! Both were extremely realistic."

"When was the first time you saw her?"

"On an operating table. A girl had drowned and suffered major internal damage. I looked at her and she had the blonde hair and everything… but when I looked back it was brown. Maybe my mind is playing tricks… I don't know."

"It seems suspicious enough. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't," said Hermione frowning curiously, "But if you see her again or if anyone else does, then we know something odd is happening."

Ginny nodded and looked down at the page she had her eyes on. Her mouth dropped open and she beckoned Hermione over.

"That's what I saw…. I swear," said Ginny pointing to the picture, "That is what Luna looked like."

Hermione looked at the picture and read the heading, "I think… I think it's time I spoke to Draco again."

"Hermione no. We can do this on our own, if she is this… this thing."

"If she is we will need his help."

"We will need the Power of Three," pointed out Ginny reading the information.

Hermione looked down at the picture, "We have the Power of Three. In Luna."

CO

Lavender looked out the window and down at the mark on her arm. She traced her finger over it as Draco walked in from his kitchen with two glasses of butter beer.

"So you and Hermione, huh?" she asked, "Never saw that one coming."

"No one did."

"Right. Look maybe we should leave this till tomorrow."

"No. You have questions that need answering and it's my job to answer them."

"Alright. So who were the first Charmed Ones?"

Draco began talking about the three sisters, giving Lavender the exact information he had given Hermione, Ginny and Luna less then seven months ago. Lavender took everything in with slow nods, stopping Draco to ask a few questions when she got confused.

"So… so how did Luna die?"

"It was destiny. Hermione knew someone was going to die because of a premonition she was on the verge of seeing, but couldn't see. Luna was the sacrifice. She was picked thousands of years ago to be the one to end the Princesses reign of terror. She gave up her life to save those of her family, friends… and the man she loved."

"Who was that?" asked Lavender quietly.

"Ron Weasley."

"Ron… Ron and Luna."

Draco nodded, "The perfect couple… no offence to whatever you and him had."

"High school romance. A silly thing that never lasts unless you are Ginny or Harry."

Draco nodded, "So, we will test your powers out tomorrow to see what they are."

Lavender nodded and stood up, "Midday tomorrow?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Lavender smiled and left. Draco shut the door behind her and sat back down looking at a picture of him and Hermione placed on the coffee table. Both were hugging and smiling at each other adoringly.

He didn't know what to do. He was doing the right thing as his Unknown position required him to, but his role as a boyfriend was making him betray everything.

He stood and walked over to the window looking down at the street. People were wandering along doing afternoon shopping. He walked away and picked up his discarded robe, hanging it in the closet by the front door. As he headed to his bathroom to get changed a knock came at the door.

"Hang on!" he bellowed making his way to the door.

He looked through the peephole and saw Hermione standing there looking at the hall around her. He opened the door and looked at her silently.

"Look, I need to ask you a question about something," said Hermione awkwardly, "Ginny would've been here but she has to wait for Harry."

"So I guess you want to come inside?"

"Well not everyone is allowed to hear what I have to ask you."

CO

"Are you sure?" asked Harry as Ginny explain the situation, "Is it even possible?"

"With extreme strand of magic, you never know," sighed Ginny as she opened the fridge, "I am starving like crazy. Those egg sandwiches look yummy."

"You hate eggs."

"Well the baby doesn't want me too at the moment," replied Ginny, "Hermione has gone to speak with Draco about it and see what he can tell her."

"But you said Hermione and Draco had an argument."

"Hermione is sucking up her pride and being the better woman and going to find out things that will help us with the Luna issue."

"That must be hard on her."

"I know. But I am sure she will be okay."

CO

"So," said Draco trying to break the awkward silence as Hermione sat on the lounge across from him, "You needed to know something that you couldn't ask me at the door?"

"Yeah. So tell me, is it possible for Luna to not have really died?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, lets put it this way – bluntly. The Spitsters don't have a leader. Can a female be a leader?"

"Yes."

"Could Luna have become the leader if she died in a bitter manner?"

Draco looked at Hermione with wide eyes and swallowed an invisible lump in his throat, "Yes… yes that is possible."

A/N: - EVIL MUSIC- So…. Is Luna the new leader? I know the answer, na, na, na, na, na! Please review. And Pirates of The Caribbean: At World's End… oh my gosh! It was awesome and, and… Johnny Depp with no shirt on…. Drool worthy! And Orlando Bloom… mate… he was HOT in this movie!

Until next time!

Love yas!

Love Coz!