A/N: Hi all. Well thanks for the wonderful reviews. Anyway without any more waiting, here is the next chapter!
DISCLAIMER: Refer to the previous chapter!
Chapter Six: Spitsters Strike
"Two lattes with caramel tart and chocolate slice?" asked the waiter.
"Yes," said Hermione taking her latte and caramel tart as the waiter placed them on the table. He smiled and left, "So… did you find it hard acting around like you didn't know who the Weasley's were?"
"Very. Molly is my best friend. It was always her, Willow and I at school. Joined at the hips constantly. Willow was in Ravenclaw but that didn't stop us from having a close friendship. We wanted the same for our own daughters but then we learnt what we were destined to do. We kept up that life for seven years… we couldn't do it any longer. So we left… there were letters between us but as our lives went on… Molly got married had all her children to worry about. I took up the muggle life and met your father and Willow met Jerry. I wanted you to grow up with a peaceful life."
"That didn't happen… with the Voldemort thing."
"No, but you were friends with the Weasley's'. There were a few times I had to stop myself from asking about Luna."
"Dad didn't want me to be a witch, did he?"
"He wasn't keen on the idea knowing what I faced. But here I am, telling you about everything."
"What was your favourite subject at school?"
"Ancient Runes."
"Mine was Transfiguration," said Hermione before her wrist stung. She rolled her sleeve back and saw Ginny's triangle hurting, "Ginny needs me. Sorry to cut this short, Mum. Maybe we can discuss it more another time."
Lynette nodded and Hermione left the café heading to the public toilets. After making sure it was completely empty, she left with a crack arriving home as Lavender arrived looking confused.
"My mark is hurting," she whined.
"They hurt when one of us needs each other. The top one is mine, the bottom right one is Ginny's and your's is the left one," explained Hermione before looking around, "Ginny!"
"In the kitchen," came the murmuring voice.
Hermione and Lavender headed into the kitchen finding Ginny busy mixing a bowl of cake mix. The oven was already baking something, which smelt like a lasagne.
"You need us for baking?" asked Lavender with a frown.
"No. I need to tell you both something I realised. It's important."
Hermione and Lavender looked at Ginny expectantly. Ginny poured the mixed batter into a round cake tin. She smoothed it out and placed it in the oven before sitting down on her stool.
"If we weren't a Power of Three my baby wouldn't be dead," said Ginny bluntly, "So, I want to walk away."
Lavender's mouth dropped open and Hermione looked at Ginny in disbelief.
"Can you be kind enough to repeat that for me?" asked Hermione quietly.
"I want to walk away."
Silence filled the kitchen. Ginny focused on her hands while Lavender fiddled with her bracelet. Hermione however was still looking at Ginny but no longer in disbelief. In fact she was shaking her head. She turned and stormed out of the kitchen with Ginny quickly following.
"Hermione, you need to understand," said Ginny panicking at her friend's anger.
"No you understand this," shot back Hermione spinning around to face Ginny as Lavender stood at the kitchen doorway not game enough to get involved, "Luna needs us! We need to help her! But you want to walk away from it all, forget about her? Dammit Ginny! Luna will kill Ron if we don't do something! I understand that you are angry and hurt and sad about losing your baby but you can't run away the moment you are hurt."
"You don't know what it is like loosing a baby!"
"But I do," said Lavender quietly causing Hermione and Ginny to look at her in a stunned silence, "When I was 19 I fell pregnant. I thought it was wonderful. Here I was, someone who has never been brilliant at something about to become a mother. I knew I would be brilliant at it. And then… it just happened. Almost three months in I had a miscarriage. No explanation for it, I guess I just wasn't meant to become a mother yet. I even had this dream… my grandmother told me that now wasn't the time. That I needed to wait a few more years before I would become a mother. I was so angry and hurt. I was lost as well… but now I accept it and agree with my grandmother. I will see my baby in the future when I am meant to fall pregnant."
"You're a brilliant reporter," smiled Hermione.
Lavender chuckled, "I wasn't then. I was the obituary person. Ironic huh?"
Hermione smiled as Ginny gave a sniffle. She hastily wiped her tears away and cleared her throat.
"When did you accept it?" she asked looking at Lavender.
"About two weeks later. But the hurt remains for a while."
Ginny nodded as the front door opened with Harry and Draco walking in talking about Quidditch, Draco holding a large bouquet of flowers.
"Lavender, these were on the front steps for you," said Draco handing them to her before seeing a red eyed Ginny, Hermione with her arms crossed and Lavender looking rather calm, "Everything alright here?"
"Everything is fine," said Ginny with a bright, false smile, "I have a cake in the oven to check on."
Harry followed Ginny into the kitchen as Lavender quickly said goodbye and left with the colourful flowers in her arms.
Draco turned to Hermione and gave her a kiss looking her in the eyes after, "Is everything fine?"
"I think so," murmured Hermione before smiling, "I thought you brought me those flowers."
Draco grinned, "I'll bring you some tomorrow."
CO
Lavender arrived at her apartment and placed the flowers on her kitchen bench before taking the card. She opened it and read the message.
Never done this before, but will you have dinner with me sometime? – Oliver Wood.
Lavender read the card again believing her eyes were playing tricks on her. She grinned closing the card remembering how as a girl at school she had wished Oliver would ask her out on a date. She found some parchment and wrote back her acceptance and asking for a day and time. She tied it to her owl that she knew would find Oliver in no time. She placed the gorgeous pink and red roses in a vase and looked at them with a smile.
Now she had two men taking her on dates. Obnoxious, yet somewhat charming Bradley Leigh and handsome, amusing Oliver Wood. Lavender smiled wondering if Parvati had ever been in her situation before. She highly doubted it.
CO
Friday arrived with Ginny spending the day cooking and preparing for the next days dinner feast. Hermione was working hard on her campaign whilst Lavender was chasing the latest stories. All three were completely caught up in their own life taking no notice of other… magical things. That was until the Auror department got called into Diagon Alley.
"What is it?" asked Harry as a group of Aurors entered the meeting room.
"We just caught wind of something strange attacking men at Diagon Alley. No one knows what it is. These things come and go every hour striking down random men," said the Head of the Auror department, "Lee, show the photo's."
The group of men and women looked up at the shot being shown from a projector. Women dressed in long gowns were swarming down on a screaming man with spikes sticking out of their skin. Harry turned to Draco mouth opened.
"Sir, this isn't ordinary," spoke up Draco, "We can't deal with that."
"It's our job Auror Malfoy."
"Sir, can Potter and I speak with you in private?" pleaded Draco, "You really need to hear what we have to say."
The Head frowned at the pair before nodding, "Everyone wait here. Lee, take the photo down now."
Draco and Harry followed the Head into his office where his name stood out on the plaque on his desk- Harrison Pryce.
"What is it?"
"Those things are from another branch of magic all together," said Draco forcefully, "No Auror will survive against them."
"What makes you say that?"
"Have you ever seen anything like them before?" asked Harry.
"Never. But strange things happen all the time. They are probably from some country like… Italy or… or Belgium."
"They aren't. They are from England. All of them… over one hundred of them," said Draco, "They are from another form of magic. The extreme strand."
Harrison scoffed at the idea, "Extreme strand? Boy, I think you need to get more sleep!"
"Malfoy isn't lying sir. Those things are called Spitsters," said Harry, "And Malfoy isn't just an Auror."
"Potter," growled Draco warningly.
"If you want him to believe us, you have to prove another strand exists all together."
Harrison looked at Draco with a raised eyebrow. Draco gave a sigh and quickly left with a shimmer before reappearing behind Harrison the same way.
Harrison looked up at Draco stunned, "What was that?"
"Its called travelling the Unknown way. I am a guardian to three witches known as the Power of Three. These three witches are the only ones who can deal with the Spitsters. Don't send a team of Aurors, let me get the witches to deal with this their way."
"How do I know that what you did wasn't some random trick?"
"Sir!" came a woman's voice as she burst through the door, "They have arrived."
"I'll be out in a moment Celeste," replied Harrison, "Shut the door on your way out please."
Celeste left and Harrison gave a great heavy sigh.
"Look, if you send ordinary wizards out there, they will be killed," said Harry, "Just like Ron nearly was a few months ago. Trust us. We promise you the three witches will deal with this so no one will get hurt."
"Don't let innocent men get killed, sir," added Draco.
Harrison nodded, "Fine. But I am coming as well."
Draco nodded, "Potter, take Pryce to the alley. I'll get the witches."
Harry nodded and Draco left with a shimmer, startling Harrison once more.
CO
"Ginny, I am sure we have more then enough food," sighed Molly as Ginny went to make another form of salad, "If anyone wants a tomato free salad they can remove the tomatoes themselves."
Ginny nodded and put the bowl back in one of the numerous cupboards.
"Let the Daily Prophet bad mouth me," came Hermione's voice as she entered the kitchen with Lavender, "The Quibbler has more readers anyway. Scrimgeour is worried, that's why the Prophet is bad mouthing me," said Hermione before looking at all the bowls of food for the next day, "Did you invite all of Hogsmeade?"
Lavender's eyes widened, "The dinner feast! Oh Ginny I have a date!"
"Bring him with you," replied Molly putting a spell on the fridge to expend it on the inside, "There is more then enough food. I think the table with collapse from the weight, even with a spell to make it hold the weight."
"Who is your date?" asked Hermione.
"Bradley Leigh. But tonight I am going out with Oliver Wood," grinned Lavender.
"Two men in two nights," commented Ginny, "Impressive."
"Wood huh?" said Hermione, "Enjoy the Quidditch tactics talk, won't you?"
"Thank Merlin you are all here!" came Draco as he burst into the kitchen, "A major situation is happening at Diagon Alley as we speak. Five attacks already."
"Attacks?"
"Spitsters."
"Mum, you said they don't attack during the daylight. Where is Ron?" demanded Ginny worriedly.
"He was at home when I left," said Molly before leaving with a crack to obviously find Ron.
Hermione, Lavender, and Ginny both left a second later with Draco following. The four arrived at Diagon Alley to see people fleeing for shops as horrible, ear piercing screams sounded throughout the air. Harry ran over to them with a tall, man beside them.
"Who is that?" asked Ginny eyeing the man suspiciously.
"Our boss. We had to tell him to stop him from sending Aurors," said Draco.
"Blimey… you're Hermione Granger," he said looking at Hermione wide eyed.
"Good observation," replied Hermione, "We need to keep everyone in the shops… oh my gosh… Ron!"
The group whirled around to see Ron standing still as the Spitsters flew around him with Luna slowly lowering her self down to his height.
"Keep back," said Ginny to Harry, Draco, and Harrison, "Lavender, get ready to enter your first Power of Three fight."
Lavender nodded nervously as the three walked quickly towards the circling Spitsters. Draco, Harry, and Harrison ran back and hid behind a large stack of owl cages.
As the three witches neared the Spitsters they could see Ron literally shaking in fear with tears falling down his cheeks.
"I didn't mean to lie," pleaded Ron, "I never knew you were going to die."
Luna gave a shrill scream and shoved Ron through the air with him landing at the feet of Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender. The Spitsters all flew for him but came to a halt at the sight of the Power of Three.
"Come out to play in the daylight?" asked Ginny.
Luna stalked forward her blue eyes flashing with annoyance, "It would be wise if you left, unless… you want four deaths on your hands." Luna clicked her fingers and three Spitsters vanished before appearing with Draco, Harry, and Harrison in their tight grasp.
"Let them go," demanded Hermione in a steady voice, "Luna, I know you don't want to kill anybody."
"No… only him," she growled pointing to Ron, "Now. Let me ask you again – leave and let me do what I came to do."
The three didn't move, keeping their eyes directly on Luna. A low growl emitted from deep within Luna. She finally planted her feet on the ground and glared at the each of them.
"Rope!" she cried.
A thick rope flew into her hands before she swung it, smacking Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender across the face before flinging her hand out and wrapping it tightly around the three of them. She then swiftly stepped forward and shoved them backwards, sending the three flying backwards into the stack of owl cages. Screams from inside shops sounded as the three landed with a thud, Hermione stuck underneath Ginny and Lavender.
"Ginny… do something," grunted Hermione straining from the weight, "Tap into your power. We have to stop them from killing them!"
Ginny, who was on top, peered down the alley to see the Spitsters beginning to loom closer to all four men. Closing her eyes, she placed one hand on the rope. She sucked in a deep breath and let it out, imagining the rope burning. Sure enough the scent of smoke filled her nostrils. She opened her eyes and saw the rope burn right through before she yanked it off and helped Lavender and Hermione up.
Lavender shot a quick jet stream of water at one Spitster who was looming in on Harrison. The three ran forward but came to a sudden halt as a group of Evillians arrived. All six looked at them with grins.
"Not now," cried Hermione in frustration before waving her hand and knocking two out of her path with a strong torrent of wind.
"Want to know what it's like to burn in hell?" snarled Ginny as she heard Harry cry out in panic.
Ginny raised her hands up to shoulder height before bringing them smacking together. A wide stream of flame emitted from the booming clap sending the group into a pile of ashes. The three bolted forward but came to a sudden halt. All that met them was a dead body, or so it appeared.
CO
Hermione paced back and forth with everyone watching her silently. She took a deep breath and turned to face Ginny and Lavender.
"Hermione, rest," said Lavender.
"How can I rest?" cried Hermione in a high-pitched voice, "Draco is being operated on, Harry, Ron and that other guy are missing. I want to be here but out looking for Harry, Ron and… that other man."
"Mum and your mother are doing what they can with the Head of Unknowns help. They told us to wait here," said Ginny though she looked troubled clasping her shaking hands together.
Hermione resumed her pacing swallowing a lump in her throat. She stopped again and looked at Ginny and Lavender once more, "He should be able to heal himself."
"Healer Hall still has that healing balm you made. Don't worry," said Ginny again, "He will be fine."
Hermione nodded and took back to pacing as Lynette and Molly arrived looking grim.
"Any news?" said Ginny and her mother in unison.
Ginny paused from answering, as did her mother. Ginny gestured to her mother to speak wanting to know more then anything if Harry was all right along with her brother.
"They've been taken to the Underworld," said Molly grimly, "The Head of Unknowns are doing everything in their power to get them back here alive. What about Draco?"
"Nothing," mumbled Lavender before speaking up, "Surely we can do something."
"You have a date," said Hermione turning to Lavender suddenly, "With Oliver."
"I can't possibly go now. I'll just go send him a letter cancelling it. I'll tell him a family friend was in an accident and if we can go another time."
Lavender stood to go send her letter. Once she was gone Molly sat beside Ginny and wrapped an arm around her.
"Your father is sending letters to your brother's. He will be here as soon as possible," said Molly, "Harry will be fine, dear. And so will Ron."
Lynette gently touched her daughter's shoulder startling Hermione. Hermione gave her mother a small smile.
"How are you holding up?" asked Lynette.
"Barely. I have to-" Hermione halted as her mind was thrown forward.
A dull red glow emitted from the walls. Spitsters were circling everywhere, all looking at their prey. Harrison was knocked out, a bloody gash to his forehead. Ron and Harry however were trying to remain as calm as possible. Luna swooped down trailing her delicate finger along Ron's cheek in an almost loving manner.
Then it happened. Her nail lengthened and a long, bloody slash sliced through his throat. Ron was dead.
"Ron!" cried Hermione opening her eyes to see Ginny and Molly also standing beside her, "Luna is going to kill Ron!"
"We can't sit here any longer," said Ginny, "Hermione we have to go now."
"I know. Lavender, we have to go."
"Where?" asked Lavender who had returned at a run when she heard Hermione cry out Ron's name.
"Back home. There is bound to be something in the book," said Hermione thinking frantically, "Mum, Mrs Weasley, please stay here. Draco will need someone familiar here."
Molly and Lynette nodded and the three hurriedly left.
CO
Each arrived in the attic at the same time. Lavender and Ginny began working on different vanquishing potions as Hermione flipped through the spell book in search of something that would take them to the Underworld.
"Show me how to get to the Underworld," Hermione demanded the book. The pages flipped quickly and opened to the needed page, "Excellent. It says we will need the crystals. What are they?"
Ginny walked away from the table and pulled out a black case, "I found these some weeks ago when I was putting some of Harry's unused stuff up here. Four crystals."
Hermione took the case and set them out in a diamond shape as the book said. She walked back to the spell book and summoned a quill, ink, and parchment to write out the spell that would take them to the Underworld and back here.
"We can't let you go."
The three women looked up in amazement to see a woman and man dressed in long white robes with gold silk edging. The woman stood tall and proud with light blue eyes and red hair, whilst the man stood in a similar manner with a frown. His green eyes looked around at them all seeming to stand out with his grey, balding hair.
"Excuse me?" replied Hermione in disbelief, "And who made you the boss of us?"
"We are the Head of the Unknowns. There are more, but us two were sent," said the woman kindly.
"Right, well you obviously know who we are, but why can't we go?" snapped Ginny as she dropped crushed garlic into one of the potions.
"It is dangerous. The Spitsters are more powerful then you think."
"We got that message," said Lavender with a nod from Hermione and Ginny.
"My husband is down there and so is my brother," said Ginny angrily, "I will be dead before you two and your all knowing buddies will stop me from getting them back here – where they belong, alive!"
"We can only try to stop them Michael," said the woman, "We cannot literally stop them."
The man took a deep breath, "We do not condone what you are about to do."
"Guess how much we care about that?" muttered Hermione sarcastically ignoring the two unwanted visitors as she looked at Ginny and Lavender, "Almost done there?"
"Uh huh," said Lavender pouring a potion into a view small vials, "Alright… I'm done."
"Same," said Ginny corking her vials.
They walked over to Hermione and handed her a few before they moved to the centre of the crystals ignoring the disapproving look from the one called Michael.
Hermione held out the parchment and pointed to the chant they had to read out.
"Deep down under is where we need to go,
Take us to the home of the evil one we know,
Use our power,
At this time and hour,
Take us down to the evil power."
The four crystals all began humming before a bight blinding light emitted from each one. Beneath the three a hole formed before they dropped through it, vanishing from sight.
The woman smiled warmly, her blue eyes changing colour slowly. She turned to Michael keeping the smile.
"I knew we could not stop them Michael."
"Lily, this isn't a light matter," said Michael in annoyance, "You and your husband may have agreed to it, but that doesn't make it right!"
Lily's smile disappeared as a look of deep annoyance crossed her face, "Well, your son is not down there is he?"
She left with a swirl of her robes and Michael gave a sigh. His concern was the witches weren't prepared to face the Underworld without Draco's assistance.
CO
The three landed with a soft thud and stood up. Hermione jammed the parchment into her pants pocket and looked around.
"So, now what?" whispered Lavender.
"We need to find the Spitsters," said Ginny looking at Hermione, "You've been here before."
"I had Draco with me then," replied Hermione, "And it was a while ago. I don't generally come here on a daily basis you know!"
Ginny yanked her wand out, "Harry told me a spell he learnt as a triwizard champion. Show Me."
The wand warmed in Ginny's hand and pointed left. They quickly moved along the stone corridor till they came to a turn. Glancing around for anyone that could announce their arrival they ran up it following the wands points. They zigzagged their way through the Underworld hiding behind statues or corners when something came their way.
"We have been running around for an hour," said Hermione, "Ron could be killed already or at any minute."
"Keep your head on," replied Ginny, "I don't need to hear about the possibility my brother could become Running Headless Ron!"
"Who said anything about being Headless?" asked Lavender.
"I'm trying to make a point. Go with it," sighed Ginny as they walked quickly up another corridor before a loud shrieking scream come from around the corner, "Hello, we've found them."
Lavender took a deep breath as Hermione leant on the wall clutching her head.
"What is it?" asked Ginny worriedly.
"Lavender is nervous… you're worried and all of them… so, so angry," whispered Hermione closing her eyes a taking a deep breath. She didn't know what was happening but it was driving her insane. She stood up, trying to block out whatever was over taking her.
"Ready?" asked Ginny looking at Lavender and Hermione.
The pair nodded and they turned the corner walking steadily towards the entrance to the Spitsters domain.
CO
"He is really lucky we had the balm," said Healer Hall to Molly, Lynette and Arthur as she led them into a ward where Draco laid half awake, "He is a bit groggy but he keeps asking for Hermione."
Healer Hall smiled and left as Lynette walked over to the bed with a small smile.
"Where's Hermione?" he asked groggily.
"She would be here but something serious has happened. She had a premonition and had to stop it with Ginny and Lavender," explained Lynette.
Draco frowned and closed his eyes trying to sense the three of them; "I can sense them anywhere… where did they go?"
"The Underworld."
Draco's eyes widened and he tried to sit up but hissed in pain, cursing the Spitsters, "It's too dangerous… they could all die."
"You rest. We will try and find out what we can," said Molly before looking at her husband, "Arthur, make sure he doesn't move."
Draco glared at the two women but fell back against his pillows in defeat worry spreading through him. Molly and Lynette both left with a crack.
"Everything will be fine," said Arthur, "Lets see what's playing on the wireless."
Draco ignored Arthur focusing on trying to penetrate his senses through to the Underworld. He had to make sure they were fine. If they weren't he didn't know what he would do, except lose his mind completely.
A/N: So… a few surprises in that chapter wouldn't you say? Is Lily who you think she is? Why is she only revealing her self now? Will Hermione, Ginny, and Lavender survive in the Spitsters domain? Well review to find out!
Until next time!
Love yas!
Love Coz!