Notes: Maybe I shouldn't have said five chapters max on this one, because I'm pretty positive it won't be done by then.
Death Comes to Hogwarts
A Harry Potter Fanfic by
Nate Grey (xman0123-at-aol-dot-com)
Chapter 4: Tempesta Limitus
From a very young age, Luna Lovegood was taught to be an open-minded, compassionate person.
This was not, however, simply because her parents were also open-minded, compassionate people.
It was because Luna, like her mother, Aeris Tempesta (and her mother before her, Hiemalis Tempesta), had inherited enormous magical potential, and every daughter in their family was trained to contain this gift, but never to use it. They had once been widely known as the Stormkeepers (but, that name being rather obvious and all, led to their often being manipulated in plots involving dark magic), but were now thought of mostly as legends, except for the few departments in the Ministry of Magic that had been called in to deal with them. Consequently, the Tempestas (not unlike the Lovegoods) had a long history of being both eccentric outcasts in the magical community, as well as fairly even-tempered ones.
Contrary to popular belief, it is exceedingly easy to upset a Tempesta. What is not so easy is convincing them to express that upset in a satisfying manner (for their tormentors, at least). Ironically enough, what most people failed to pick up on was that had any Tempesta simply been accepted as a functioning member of society, their power would have been remarkably easy to restrain.
But that has never been the case. The Tempestas were constantly met with unfriendly opposition, which almost always eventually triggered the destructive release of their potential. In most cases, no one but immediate family had ever been hurt by these explosions of power, and so the Ministry of Magic has only so many restrictions in place regarding the Tempestas. Any public property owned by a Tempesta was required to have certain magic-absorbing wards, and no more than three Tempestas were allowed to gather in the same public place at one time.
By the time she began her studies at Hogwarts, Luna was far too used to such prejudice, if not because of the similar backgrounds of both her families, then because of her personal beliefs. Despite all that, she still maintained a largely sunny outlook (partially out of necessity, all things considered), and firmly believed that the world was basically occupied by good people with a few bad apples sprinkled in. Any time she was faced with a situation where she might be expected to feel sad, angry, or otherwise upset, Luna simply reminded herself that the worst was behind her. After all, there were not many negative circumstances at Hogwarts that could compare to the sight of her mother literally being ripped apart by her own magical winds.
Still, Luna found her patience quite tested by the time she entered her fifth year. Despite their supposed brainpower, her fellow Ravenclaws, as a whole, had still not quite figured out that they had little or no good reason to torment her. If anything, they were becoming more imaginative in their pranks, and with the assistance of some Slytherin girls that had finally taken an interest, more dangerous. Luna had become accustomed to her property going missing for the entire school year. But suddenly, people were shoving her down staircases, cursing her school books to explode in her hands, and even tainting her food with mysterious potions, to the point where Luna had to get her meals directly from the house-elves in the kitchen.
Luna never reported any of these incidents, no matter how worrying they were, but she imagined that several of her friends (none of whom shared her house) had by now, despite her assurances that she was fine. Harry Potter in particular had made it known that if he ever caught anyone harassing Luna, they would answer to him and the worst hex he could possibly come up with. This threat was made far more imposing by the fact that Harry was best friends with Hermione Granger, who was practically a walking spell book, even by Ravenclaw standards. Luna had come to regard them as her closest friends, partially because Hermione had done her best to make most of Luna's possessions hex-proof, but mostly because Harry had actually begged Luna to request a transfer to Gryffindor, which neither of their Heads of House had opposed, but would only grant if Luna asked for it.
Unfortunately, as Gryffindors, neither Harry nor Hermione were allowed in Ravenclaw Tower, and they had no way of knowing what all went on there, unless Luna bore visible signs of the abuse when she emerged, or if she happened to mention it in passing. And after seeing the way that Harry exploded over what she saw as the smallest offenses against her, Luna learned to largely keep her mouth shut. She knew Harry meant well, and she appreciated the concern, but Luna felt that Harry's anger was best directed at Death Eaters, not their fellow students. Hermione could usually be counted on to keep Harry rational, but she was just as effective at focusing his rage when she felt a cause was worthy enough. Luna understood their devotion to her well-being: Harry was a victim of abuse himself, and Hermione could not bear to watch anyone or anything suffer needlessly. However, she assumed that they were overreacting to her situation, and downplayed the incidents when possible. She didn't doubt for a second that Harry would willingly get expelled if it meant protecting her (Hermione might risk a couple of House points, possibly a bad mark or two).
Luna could see the big picture. Harry was a hero, not just for her, but for the entire wizarding world. Hermione was a witch with unlimited brainpower and potential. Luna didn't want to distract them with her own problems, not when they could be helping so many others who needed them more. The mere fact that they wanted to protect Luna was enough for her, and she made sure to tell them so often.
"This isn't something that will just go away by itself, Luna," Hermione always told her. "I know from experience that bullies don't back down unless something forces them to. But these are bullies with magic. That means they can do twice as much harm with half the effort. I can understand if you only want so much of our help, but you need to be careful, especially if you intend to face this alone." She thought she understood (or at least accepted) Luna's independence, and was trying to be better about not forcing her ideas on people.
Harry was the more forceful of the two. He was convinced that Luna would need his help one day, and it was exceedingly difficult for her to keep turning him down. For one thing, Harry just seemed to have this need to help people. Hermione always called it his "saving people thing," but it was more than that. Luna felt that Harry might actually spontaneously combust if he couldn't help people at regular intervals. She sometimes went to the trouble of asking him to walk her to her classes, not because she needed the protection, but because she enjoyed his company and it gave him something to do.
Luna knew they would never stop trying to help, and she deeply appreciated it. But she also knew that they could never understand. She didn't refuse their offers out of pride, but out of necessity. Her mother had trained her to be self-reliant, not because people wouldn't accept her, but because there was only one person that could effectively restrain Luna's enormous power, and that was Luna herself. She could not afford to depend on others to solve her problems, because if anything ever happened to her friends, those problems would remain hers, and she would still have to deal with them on her own.
The only problem with that line of thinking was that it led to everyone getting hurt.
Harry and Hermione were hurt, if only slightly, because they thought that Luna didn't fully trust them to help her.
Luna was hurt twice over: she felt the pain she so obviously caused her friends by keeping them at a distance, as well as the pain from her never-ending abuse.
And though it didn't happen until much later, Luna's tormentors would be hurt worst of all, though in the end, no one could say that they hadn't deserved it.
Luna had been taught to see her power as a living thing, worthy of her respect and constantly needing her protection. As a young girl, Luna had decided to take this lesson literally, and made an effort to communicate with her power no less than once a week. Her family had not protested this, and though Luna suspected that they were only humoring her, she kept up the practice, fully believing that her power would appreciate the effort. For a time, things were fine.
Except that one day, her power started talking back, and it was nowhere near as nice as Luna had always dreamed it would be.
It did not understand or accept the idea that it was meant to be contained, and desired, more than anything, to be used and released upon the world. Even worse, Luna found that she was tempted to use her true power far more than she would've liked. So many times she considered adding just a bit more power to weaker spells, or using just a little force to discourage those who were mean to her. Luna's father had told her many times that she'd inherited her mother's curiosity, and that she needed to be especially careful when trying new magic. Luna resisted the temptation only because she knew how disastrous the results could be, for both her friends and enemies.
Ironically, the problem with keeping her power a secret from the other Hogwarts students was that none of them ever learned to fear it, or Luna.
On the other hand, even if Dumbledore had included teasing Luna on the list of the usual start of year dangers, it only would have increased the number of people determined to make her miserable. The fastest way to get anything done at a school of magic was to make a rule against it. Likewise, the fastest way to get a secret exposed was to offer a single hint and let curious young minds do the rest. So it was far easier to conceal Luna's secret entirely, as only select members of the staff even knew about it in the first place.
"I could skip classes today, you know," Ginny said for the sixth time.
"No, I really don't think you could," Luna replied, burrowing deeper under the blanket. "Professor McGonagall seems like the type of teacher that would come and get you even if you skipped a class other than hers. You should go."
"But will you be okay by yourself?"
"I told you, I won't be by myself. Hermione's going to walk with me, and then I'll talk to Professor Dumbledore, and he'll walk me back here. Neville's even promised to order me a Tibetan attack plant to guard the door."
"What will that do?"
"Something really unpleasant, I suspect. But only if you don't know the safe word. It'll have to be something really obscure, like kumquat or rutabaga."
Ginny stared at her blankly. "Maybe you should work on that after you've eaten, Luna. At least come and have breakfast with me!"
"No, I already told Hermione I'd wait for her. She'll worry if I'm not here."
"Hermione's smart, she'll figure it out!"
Luna shook her head. "Actually, because she's smart, she's more likely to imagine a hundred different ways I could get myself kidnapped before breakfast. At least, I would if I were her. Anyway, I don't think I'm ready to face the other houses yet. Or they're not ready. One of those."
Ginny seemed to wilt a bit. "Okay, if that's how you feel. And Luna?"
"Yes?"
"I-I'm here for you. If you need anything at all, just ask. I don't want you to feel like you're alone in this. Whatever you-"
"Ginny?" Luna interrupted. "You're a wonderful friend, but you're going to miss breakfast. I'll be fine."
Ginny looked as if she wanted to say something else, but forced herself to make do with a stiff nod and a watery smile before slipping out of the room.
Luna sighed and stuck her head under the pillow. She liked Ginny, she really did, but last night and most of this morning had just been awkward. Ginny kept treating Luna like she was an invalid, and the pampering had grown stale about twenty minutes in. Luna knew that Ginny meant well, and she appreciated the effort, but she was seriously considering asking to sleep with Hermione tonight. It would hurt Ginny, but it might also send the message that Luna was hoping to convey without her having to say anything. Well, it was either that or ask to sleep with Harry, and Luna was sure that wouldn't end well for a number of reasons.
About twenty minutes later, Luna met Hermione in the Gryffindor common room, and together they walked to the north tower, coming to a stop beside the ladder leading to the Divination classroom, where Dumbledore had asked to meet Luna. Hermione insisted on waiting with her, which Luna allowed only because Hermione agreed to a game of Exploding Snap. By the time Dumbledore arrived, Hermione had extinguished her sleeves several times.
"Oh, Professor!" Hermione exclaimed, quickly sweeping the cards into her bag (which was a mistake, as several of them went off at that moment). "We were just passing the time!"
"You may relax, Miss Granger," Dumbledore replied with a warm smile. "You have the distinct honor of addressing the International Exploding Snap Champion of 1910, 1912, and 1915."
Hermione gaped at him in shock.
"Did you miss the years in between?" Luna asked.
"Oh, goodness, no. Incidentally, there was a cocky young wizard by the name of Jimmy Sobrias entered those years. Horrible manners, but an excellent Exploding Snap player. He won in 1911, 1913, and 1916."
"What about 1914?"
"In that year, we both had the distinctive misfortune of catching the same nasty cold, and had to drop out. I would be perfectly willing to amaze you with the details of our numerous battles at some later date. For now, there is a conversation that Miss Lovegood and I have unfortunately been neglecting for some time." Dumbledore turned his gaze on Hermione. "You are welcome to stay, Miss Granger, provided that you have Miss Lovegood's permission to do so. Otherwise, I think this would best be a private matter."
Hermione looked at Luna with pleading eyes, but Luna only smiled and said, "Thank you for waiting with me, Hermione. I'll see you later."
Pouting, Hermione gave Luna a parting hug before leaving.
Dumbledore gestured to the ladder. "Ladies first."
Luna climbed up with no problem, but was rather amazed when Dumbledore literally shot up after her like a rocket, even having to clear away the smoke once he landed. "Could I learn to do that?" she asked in awe.
"I suspect you already have the power to do so, and just require the proper lessons, so yes, I should think so."
Luna frowned slightly at the reminder of why they were meeting at all. "I see."
Dumbledore peered at her closely. "Do you recall the first time we ever met, Miss Lovegood?"
"Yes, in great detail. You welcomed me to Hogwarts and said that your door was always open if I had any questions or concerns."
"That is still true. Is there anything you feel the need to discuss with me?"
Luna started to speak, stopped, then started again. "Is Harry going to be punished for what he did?"
"I can no more punish Harry for his involvement than I could the unfortunate students who are no longer with us. So no, he will not be punished. No one will be, in fact. All I can do is reiterate the need to follow the rules already in place, and present this as an example of why tampering with magic beyond your own experience and knowledge can be potentially fatal."
"They aren't going to like that, though."
Dumbledore shook his head. "What we would like and what we get are often two very different things. For example, I would like it if the other Ravenclaws had recognized you for your intelligence and curiosity, as the Sorting Hat so obviously did. Then we would not be having this conversation at all, I suspect. I must ask that you trust me handle this situation. However, expect things to worsen before they improve. I will soon have no choice but to inform the families of the departed students, and I know they will not be pleased."
"How will you explain their deaths?"
"The very same way I just explained them to you. If they insist on details, I shall be forced to reveal that their beloved daughters were behaving in a most despicable manner, and that anything that happened to them as a result is on their own heads. But the blame shall fall on me, as Headmaster, regardless."
Luna frowned. "Will the school be forced to close? Because of me?"
"You cannot and will not be blamed for any of the recent events, Miss Lovegood. I will not allow it. I do not recall anyone informing me that you asked those girls to torment you. Even if you had, common sense and human decency should have prevented them. What happened was in no way your fault, so there is little point in assigning blame to yourself. Aside from that, I have taken some precautions for the immediate future." Dumbledore drew what looked like a large, dull blue coin on a chain from his pocket and held it out to Luna.
For no reason that she understood, Luna drew away from the object. "What is it?"
"A token of a very old friend of mine. He was, or at least claimed to be, an ice ifrit. Whatever he was, he had a gift for ice-related magic, and this was among the most prized of his possessions. I think it would greatly benefit you to wear it for the time being."
Luna slowly stretched out her hand and grasped the chain. It was cold, but not unnaturally so, and she easily slipped the chain around her neck. At once, an intense chill passed through her body, but it was gone in an instant.
"It is my opinion that your powers as a Tempesta are largely heat-based," Dumbledore explained. "If that is true, then this token should effectively suppress those powers. There is, however, a risk: not in the token itself, but in its combination with your powers. It is my theory that your powers have had a greater impact on your life than even you yourself are aware of. I would ask that you pay especially close attention to any changes you may notice, and please alert me at once if you experience any discomfort."
"Thank you, Professor," Luna said quietly, carefully grasping the coin in both hands. "I'll be very careful with it."
"I know that you will, Miss Lovegood. Now, there are other matters that demand my immediate attention, so I'm afraid we'll have to leave things as they are, for the time being. Please do not concern yourself with the fate of your friends, at least as far as this incident is concerned. I could never punish any of my students for protecting their friends, nor would I allow anyone else to do so. If, at any time, you fear anyone else may be targeted in retaliation, no matter what house they belong to, I must implore to inform me."
"Yes, of course. I don't want anyone else to be hurt."
"Which is exactly why I made the request of you. Now, I know that I am no spring chicken, as they say, but would you still allow a somewhat older man the pleasure of your arm?"
Luna beamed and took his arm, and together they made for quite a sight, skipping along the halls of Hogwarts as if neither one had a care in the world.
Luna was deposited (somewhat literally, as she took a running leap and landed in his lap) in Harry's care, and they spent much of their time in the Gryffindor common room, reviewing a personal project of hers: an essay on the existence of the Crumple-Horned Snorkack, which she was eventually planning to show to Hermione. Harry was not sure how Hermione would react, but seemed hopeful that Luna's determination alone would be impressive enough.
At some point, Harry became aware that Luna was staring at him. He did not immediately react to this, partially because he was nearly used to Luna's stares, but mostly because he felt sure Luna would approach the subject herself eventually.
Sure enough, ten minutes later, Luna blinked (she may have done it earlier than that, but Harry was so busy pretending he wasn't noticing her staring that he'd probably missed it), and said, "Harry, we need to talk."
"Sure, Luna. What's on your mind?"
"I want to know what you're going to do about Hermione."
Harry stared at her. "Sorry?"
"I mean, you haven't even told her that you like her!"
Harry was gaping now. "Are you serious? She's one of my best friends and she's brilliant! She knows I like her!"
"You know what I mean, Harry."
He sighed. "Yes, I do. What's your point?"
"My point is that girls like it when someone they like tells them that they're liked, so get to it!"
"I can't just tell Hermione that!"
"And why not?"
"Aside from it already being obvious, what else would I say?"
"Ask her out, of course," Luna replied simply. "Take her for a walk around the castle. I've seen other couples do it, and the scenery is wonderful."
"It isn't that simple, Luna."
"Only because you're complicating it."
"You're telling me to ask out my best friend, and I'm the one complicating things?"
Luna sighed. "Do you want someone else to ask her out? Again?"
Harry frowned. "No."
"Well, already having a boyfriend is an excellent prevention method, don't you think?"
"B-Boyfriend? Who said anything about that? I haven't even asked her out yet!"
"Which is exactly my point. You won't be considered for the job if you haven't shown any interest in it. What are you going to do if another boy asks Hermione out? She won't have any reason to refuse him, unless you give her one."
"But I don't know what to do! She'll think I'm an idiot!"
"Don't be silly, Hermione already knows you. Even if you're an idiot on the date, she'll think it's charming and like you even more, based on the fact that you tried at all, in the name of impressing her. That's all she really wants: to know that you tried. As the long you make an effort, everything else will fall into place, you'll see."
Harry scowled. "Luna, have you ever even been on a date?"
Luna seemed surprised. "No, of course not. Why would you think that?"
"So you're not really in a position to give me dating advice, are you?"
"Well, I don't know. You could argue that I've never had a bad date."
"Because you're never had a date at all!"
Luna shook her head. "All I know is that Hermione is waiting for you to do something, and if you don't, someone else will. I'd rather see you two happy together than with other people. I'm only trying to help you. It's the least I could do."
"Luna, you don't have to repay us."
"That's not what this is, Harry. What happened to me reminded me that life can be short and cruel. You need to grasp all the happiness you can, while you can. You, especially. There are far more determined people out to harm you, too. Don't let this chance with Hermione slip away. There may not be another. Please, just think about doing something. I may not always be here to push you."
"Why wouldn't you?" Harry demanded at once.
Luna blinked, a little startled. "No reason."
"Don't do that, Luna," he said sternly. "Not after we nearly lost you."
"You can't always depend on anything, Harry. Best to accept that now." Luna left him staring after her and headed up to the dormitories, somewhat surprised to find Hermione waiting on the stairs. From the look on her face, it was clear she had been there for some time, and had heard much, if not all, of Luna's conversation with Harry.
"What are you up to, Luna?" Hermione asked softly.
"If you don't want Harry as your boyfriend, tell me now and I'll stop," Luna said plainly.
"You know that's not what I meant."
"Actually, I don't. Not anymore." Luna blinked, fingering the coin around her neck. "Maybe there's a reason for that."
"I don't mind you pushing Harry and I together, we actually needed that. But why are you in such a hurry to do it?"
"Why aren't you?" Luna countered. "You should know, better than anyone, that Harry and his friends are in constant danger. Why aren't you treasuring every moment you have with him? You could lose him any day now."
"Don't talk like that, Luna!" Hermione gasped.
"I have to. No one else will." Luna sighed and grabbed Hermione's shoulders. "If I was gone tomorrow, what would be your biggest regret?"
"But you won't-!"
"But what if I was?"
Hermione frowned and murmured, "That I didn't spend more time with you until now."
"Now, imagine how much worse you'd feel if that happened to Harry instead. You two are lucky: you both know how the other feels. Most people don't even have that. Don't waste it. If you won't do it for yourself, do it for Harry. He needs and deserves someone who will love him the way you do. Go to him now, Hermione, while you still can." Luna stepped past her and headed for Ginny's room, hoping that Hermione decided to take her advice, for once.
Luna was shaken awake several hours later by a frantic Ginny. The reason for this was not immediately clear: Ginny was shouting, and so were the other girls in the room, and all Luna wanted was to get back to sleep.
She gradually became aware of an intensely itchy sensation in her arms, just as her sleepy brain unfogged and allowed her to hear what Ginny had been yelling all along.
"Your arms, Luna, look at your arms!"
Luna looked, and her eyes widened.
The previously healed skin on her arms, which had retained no trace of her wounds after Madam Pomfrey's treatment, seemed to be going back in time. Luna watched in horror as white scar tissue filled in where the accursed letters had been, and then began to turn black, then an angry red, looking as if they might start bleeding at any moment.
She risked a glance at Ginny at the other girls, and the stares she found were not encouraging ones. However, Luna forced herself to smile, despite the severity of what they'd all just seen. "Don't worry," she told them, trying to sound unconcerned. "Professor Dumbledore warned me that something like this might happen. I'll just go and see him in the morning."
"But doesn't it hurt now?" Ginny whispered, near tears.
Luna smiled at her. "No, it really doesn't. It looks worse than it feels, trust me."
"Are you sure you don't want-"
"I'm fine, Ginny. Let's just go back to sleep, all of us."
The other girls seemed just as reluctant as Ginny, but they all got back into bed.
Luna doubted that any of them slept much, because the tension remained in the room like a living thing, and Luna herself didn't sleep at all. It was partially out of guilt, for lying to Ginny and her new Gryffindor friends. But it was mostly because of the discomfort that Dumbledore had mentioned. In the moments that her wounds returned, Luna had felt the corresponding pain for each one, as if Pansy were branding her all over again. But instead of fading, the pain remained a constant thing, and Luna only managed to sleep hours later, when it finally overwhelmed her exhausted body.
She had correctly guessed that Dumbledore's token was to blame for her injuries returning, or at least that it had turned off the power that had allowed her to recover so quickly in the first place. But simply taking the token off never even entered Luna's mind, for one simple reason: she refused to harm anyone else the way she had her tormenters. It was her duty as a Tempesta to bear the burden of her pain alone, and it was her duty as a decent person not to bring harm to others. She would just have to find a way to deal with them both.
No matter the cost to herself.
Continued in Chapter 5: Obliviate
Draco Malfoy was raised in a house of secrets and lies, and knows all too well that each comes with a price. So, too, does every foolish action, and when his housemates decide to involve themselves in a crisis beyond their grasp, Draco finally makes the choice between what is right, and what is easy, with no hesitation.