Chapter four
Classes were a breeze; even without the persistent studying I had done in the week before session started. It seems the magic taught now was not as advanced as in our time, and we moved quickly through the course work.
Being one of only nine females in sixth year (three in Hufflepuff and two in Ravenclaw) we gathered a following. Suddenly I understood just how Harry had felt with this fan club. Potions with the Slytherins were the worst, as Malfoy and his counterparts seemed very interested in us. Except for Riddle, who was studious and blank.
After four weeks, I had finally had enough. Cygnus Black had me nearly pinned in the storage room for potions, trying to whisper in my ear. When he reached to touch my cheek, he received a shock to his hand. "Go away Black."
"How did you…"
Riddle tapped his shoulder. "Leave her alone. You have other things to be doing."
"Right. Yes." Cygnus straightened and backed away.
"Thank you," I said, turning back to reach for the ingredient I needed.
"He is shaming the Slytherin house, begging for a Gryffindor's attention." Riddle sneered.
I turned back around, and smiled, though it was more like baring my teeth. "What is your issue? The proper response is you're welcome. Try being a gentleman." With that, I shouldered by him.
The next week, we started practical defense lessons. Being paired with Skytherin house for defense, the four of us were the only females in the class. Naturally, the professor paired us up together.
While playfully slinging hexes back and forth, we heard Septimus bellow, "Come on, Malfoy. Not one of those girls would ever touch you, let alone de Gaunt. She's got taste."
I watched Abraxas make the moves for a slicing hex, and threw a shield around Septimus. The hex bounced off, and before it could ricochet, I called it to me. Pansy rushed to me, nudging my wand hand up. "That was close. No one's eyes were on you, or you would have some explaining to do over the fact that they don't know that shield spell and you did wandless magic."
Sure enough, the professor moved to me, asking me about my shield and how I absorbed the hex instead of being inflicted by it.
The sisters smiled as I went into lecture mode. "The spell is one…"I realized I couldn't tell them I made it. "my father used. He taught it to me so I could protect myself and my friends. It is 'Dissulto Detorqueo', and it calls whatever spell that hits the shield to bounce into the wand of the caster, giving them a boost in magic. It cannot be used malevolently. The boost can only heal or shield." The professor's mouth hung open.
"Very nice, Miss Degaunt. 15 points to Gryffindor for preventing harm. A true defense against a dark art." The professor later went on to deduct points from Malfoy and Septimus. With a half hour left, the professor moved a large chest into the room.
"What is in here?"
Ginny raised her hand. "A boggart, sir." He waved his hand for her to continue. "They show your deepest fear."
"Very good, now what is the incantation… Mr. Riddle?"
"Ridikulus." He seemed uninterested.
The professor nodded. "Then line up, and let's face our fears." Mark Wood faced a healer telling him he would never play quidditch again. She started to tap dance.
As the line moved, the realization that this could blow our cover hit my mind. Though it was too late. Luna was standing in front of the boggart.
It shifted to four men leering at her, trying to under their belts. I rushed to her, pulling her head into my shoulder. "Don't look," I whispered. Ginny and I had not arrived in time to save Luna from those muggle men. "Face me, you big bully!" Ginny and Pansy were right behind me. "Come on!" It shifted into the noseless face of Voldemort.
"You have failed! The world will fall! You are the cause for the deaths of those whom you love." He sneered,
Being a boggart forgotten, I shoved Luna to Pansy, and slashed out. A screaming cry came from the Boggart. "You will never get the chance to harm anyone again." Another one ripped from me, "You are the reason they are dead. You and your stupid games. But I've killed your soul."
A hand touched my shoulder, "He's dead, Hermione, and long gone." Ginny's blank face brought me back.
Pointing my wand, I sighed, "Ridikulus." He puffed into smoke. Looking at the others, straightened my uniform.
"I think I should take Hermione to the dorm. Luna as well." Pansy spoke softly. "Please excuse us." We hurried out the door; Accio's calling bags to our hands. None of the male population moved.
Dinner was spent making excuses. They wanted to know who the name was. Thankfully, they all had the tact to leave Luna alone; who had gone back to the withdrawn shell she seemed to reside in now. She was settled between Ginny and Pansy, and her eyes were so hollow. Mark Wood tapped her shoulder lightly after dessert.
"Miss Delacour?" he spoke softly, crouching down so he was shorter than her seated form and looked into her eyes. "Luna, come on now. Where's the bright eye lass we all love?" She smiled slightly.
"Hiding. She's scared again."
He placed a hand on hers, "Ey, I can see why. But you've got your friends there, and we lads would never let anyone hurt you. You're safe here."
She nodded and Pansy moved over some. "Please sit with us?" Pansy said and the boy settled into the group.
He looked thoughtful for a bit, and then sad. "My sister was… harmed. They ended up destroying her. She put an end to it herself a couple days after. You have to be stronger than that." He didn't look at Luna, but I saw her hand move to his under the table.
"I've seen my demons, Mark. Thankfully, my sisters chase them away when they get too close." She leaned to his shoulder, "And you do to, now. Thank you."
A/N: there is a little button down there that shows your support for this story. Press it, please, and let me know you are out there.