Author's Note: Sorry for the cliffhanger! Thank you for all the kind words and follows. I found out some bad news about a family member's health today. I needed something to distract me, so here's the next chapter sooner than I was planning. Thank goodness for distractions, or I'd go crazy.
Chapter 7
Hermione found Gryffindor Tower in chaos.
"Mione!"
Ginny appeared at her side, her eyes wide with worry.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," answered Hermione.
"It's another attack!" Fay Dunbar shrilled. "Luna found whoever it was!"
"Just like before," Dennis Creevey mumbled from the couch. His eyes were squeezed shut, and his arms wrapped around his legs.
Hermione frowned at her old roommate. Fay had never been one to keep her voice down. A glance around the room showed Gryffindors in various states of panic. So soon after the war, Hermione understood why their bravery might be lacking.
"Everyone quiet down," she shouted.
The silence that followed shocked her. This was Harry's territory. Hermione still wasn't used to being a leader.
"Right. Are all the prefects here?"
Six students stepped forward.
"Good," she continued. "Now you know the procedure for head counts. Once everyone is accounted for, I'll take Bell with me to the headmistress's office."
Murmurs broke out amongst the crowd, but they moved according to directions. Each prefect checked their assigned year of students, including Hermione who found the handful of seventh-agains with ease. For good measure, she cast a spell counting the number of persons in the room and felt relief when the correct number appeared above her wand.
"You heard McGonagall," Hermione said. "No one is to leave the tower. Prefects: I expect at least two of you to remain in the common room at all times to ensure compliance. Come on, Charlie."
Charlie Bell scrambled through the portrait hole after her. Only while walking through the eerily quiet halls did Hermione finally remember that she had chosen the prefect whose older sister had been attacked at the school only two years earlier.
"Drat, Charlie," said Hermione, glancing at the boy. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about Katie."
Charlie stared at his feet. "It's okay. At least she wasn't hurt permanently."
Hermione felt some guilt as she realized she had spent her evening with the person who had cursed Katie.
"Besides," Charlie added. "If you excluded anyone who was hurt in some way in the war, you wouldn't have anyone left to do anything."
Feeling the tug of comradery, Hermione blinked rapidly at her tears. Unable to do anything to help her situation, she had tried hard to keep at bay her biggest hurt: her parents. Knowing that she was surrounded by others who understood helped a bit.
"Thanks, Charlie."
In McGonagall's office, they found a handful of prefects looking on edge, and the headmistress in conversation with a balding red head.
"Mr. Weasley!" Hermione said, quickly crossing the room to hug the man.
"Hermione! Thank Merlin you're safe. Everyone in Gryffindor accounted for?"
"Yes. What's going on?"
Arthur Weasley glanced at the headmistress. "I'm here on Ministry business. To look into the series of attacks."
"Series," repeated Hermione. "So there's been another?"
"I'm afraid so," McGonagall said.
Charlie Bell stepped forward. "Who?" he demanded.
"Hestia Carrow."
Charlie reddened, then ducked back with the other prefects.
"Another Slytherin," Hermione said. "Did she see her attacker?"
"Unfortunately, the severity of Miss Carrow's injuries required an induced sleep," McGonagall said.
"Headmistress, this can't be a coincidence," Hermione said. "Two Slytherins. Both of them connected to prominent Death Eaters."
Mr. Weasley grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her further away from the other students. She couldn't help but glance up at the portrait of Slytherin's last headmaster and wonder what he would think of the attacks. Portrait Snape looked rather bored.
"You're right, of course," Mr. Weasley whispered. "But we don't want to spread panic."
McGonagall had moved towards them. "Miss Granger, you know that we are trying to foster a sense of unity amongst the students. Such allegations would only further the divide."
"It's not as if others won't make the connection."
"Of course, but that is why I am asking you to further your efforts."
"I'm already tutoring one of them," Hermione pointed out.
"There is more than one Slytherin," said McGonagall.
Hermione sighed. "Yes, Headmistress."
"Now," McGonagall said, turning to the other students. "I must speak with Mr. Weasley. Please return to your dormitories. All prefects are relieved of their patrol duties for the night."
The students shuffled down the winding stairs at the back of the room. Hermione caught sight of a puff of blonde hair tied back with a necktie. She caught her friend's arm.
"Did you really find her?" she asked Luna.
"Oh yes," her friend replied. "Not long after we left Professor Slughorn's postgame party."
Hermione pursed her lips. "So, in the dungeons."
"Yes. Why weren't you there? I hope a wheezle-mick hasn't given you a cold."
"What? No, Luna. I'm not sick. I just don't care for his little club."
"Oh, because he's head of Slytherin."
By now they stood in the hallway with only Charlie Bell and Michael Corner chatting a few feet away waiting for their counterparts. Hermione was grateful that the trembling Slytherin prefects had disappeared. How like Malfoy to send the youngest of his prefects out into the night.
"It's not because of Slytherin," spat Hermione. "It's because I find the idea of collecting elite students like prizes disgusting."
Luna gave a small smile. "If you say so. Everyone else thinks otherwise, and I know McGonagall wouldn't want that."
Hermione searched Luna's face. She wasn't sure if the girl was capable of such manipulation. Sighing, she shoved her bushy hair out of her face.
"Of course you're right," Hermione muttered. "When is the next gathering?"
"He said something about Halloween. We should be getting our invitations soon."
"Halloween? But Harry will be here," Hermione sighed.
"Oh, I'm sure he'd love to attend Slug Club again."
"Right," said Hermione, giving her friend another skeptical look. Luna was either very naive, or a master of sarcasm. "Well, good night."
"Good night, Hermione."
Luna floated down the hallway, followed by Michael.
"Oh, I almost forgot" Luna said, turning back. "I'm very glad your Hufflepuff girlfriend wasn't the one attacked, Charlie."
Without waiting for an answer, she disappeared around the corner.
"I...I…" Charlie stuttered, his face beet red.
"It's alright," said Hermione, patting him on the back. "She does that to everyone."
