A/N: Hello my dear faithful readers, it's that time again when I try to delay you from reading the next chapter with my rambling. Why you ask? Because I am evil like that. Honestly I want to finish off second chapter as soon as I can so that we can move on to third year, that's where my original story will start (Between us I haven't even started it yet) though I'll keep the major event sames like triwizard tournament. Or I might change it, who knows? I am a creature of instinct. Beside I love to annoy you people. To a limit that is. Don't want you people running off now do I? With that pretty long muttering, I shall give way now to the next chapter. Without further ado ladies and gentlemen i present to you...
Chapter 10
Harry, Ginny and Luna were sitting in the Room of Requirement the next day. After they had found the dead body of the student they had wasted no time in informing Professor McGonagall. Harry and Luna had stood guard while Ginny went and brought Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall had gone pale at seeing the mangled corpse and immediately sent for Professor Dumbledore who had arrived there in no time flat. Dumbledore's eyes had twinkled briefly when he saw the three students standing before turning to the bloody body. He had declared him dead as soon as he waved his wand over him. It was followed by an intense interrogation session in Dumbledore's office. The three friends were glad that their Occlumency shields were now far enough to block Dumbledore's penetration. Next day the death of the unfortunate student was announced to the whole student body and only then did they come to know that the student who died was Colin Creevey.
Colin Creevey was a first year Gryffindor. He was a cheery and exuberant person very much in awe of Harry. He did make Harry quite uncomfortable but he was not a bad person at all.
"Did you notice that odd twinkle? It looks like Dumbledore may know who this heir is," Harry observed.
"And even then he is not doing anything despite having a student killed," Ginny questioned.
"Well that's who Dumbledore is," Luna said calmly, "That just gives us even more of a reason to us so we could stop him from ruining anymore lives just like yours."
"Of course Luna," Harry said, "Still it enrages me to think how less he thinks of his own students."
"You shouldn't be bothered by what Dumbledore is doing Harry," Ginny advised, "Rather we should be focusing our strengths on finding this heir whoever he is."
"You know there was one thing interesting about the body," Luna remarked.
"What's that Luna," Harry asked curiously.
"The way the body was mangled it didn't look like some curses did it rather it looks like some big animal tried to rip him into shreds," Luna observed.
"Could it be the beast of the chamber," Ginny said.
"More than likely," Harry remarked.
"So not only we have an insane killer on our hand but also a beast that can easily kill a person," Luna said calmly.
"So it would be in our best interest to catch this heir as soon as possible," Harry stated.
"True Harry but how will we capture him?" Ginny asked, "It's not like he had left any clue for us to follow. It's almost like he isn't even alive. It looks like the work of a professional."
"So we just need to capture him in the act," Harry suggested.
"Err Harry? You do know what you are suggesting right?" Ginny asked.
"Of course Ginny, I am suggesting that we use our cloaks to patrol the Hallways whenever we have a chance so that we can be there to capture him when he strikes again," Harry said grinning.
"But Harry he has a powerful beast with him and for all intent and purposes it could be a magical creature," Ginny argued.
"But it couldn't be too big right, I mean he is hiding it somewhere in Hogwarts," Harry said.
"Not only that but it is going to cut into our training time," Luna said.
Harry frowned at that. He really couldn't afford to be lax in this department. The training was way too important but they needed to catch the heir too.
"So how about this that we look out for the heir from 9 p.m. to 12. How does that sound?"" Harry asked.
"Mm three hours? We would be really lucky to catch the heir," Luna said.
"Okay then the idea is out of the window," Harry said sighing. He really liked the idea but there were just too many difficulties with it, "What should we do then."
"We try to find who the heir is," Ginny declared.
...
And that's what they did. Now their time was not only spent training but also in library trying to figure out who the heir would be. Right now the group was sitting in a table in Hogwarts library with every single book that even mentioned Slytherin around them. Most of these books though were full of rubbish and very few facts.
"Hey girls, listen to this," Harry said snorting, "according to this author Salazar Slytherin is still alive and he is manipulating the ministry from the shadows. Seriously? Is that even possible?" Harry shook his head.
"Well people publish all kind of rubbish you know," Ginny said with a sigh.
"I knew that there was very little information available on Salazar Slytherin but seriously it's almost like there is nothing known about him. All these books say are that he and other three founders were good friends but they disagreed on the teaching of muggleborns so Salazar left claiming that his heir would fulfil his job." Luna said.
"Still Hogwarts library is our best bet," Harry said shaking his head.
"Actually Harry no," Ginny said slowly.
"What do you mean Ginny?" Harry asked confused but it looks like Luna had caught what Ginny was thinking.
"Really Harry are you so dumb?" Ginny deadpanned.
"Hey I am not dumb, just because I didn't get the same idea as you doesn't mean I am not smart," Harry protested.
"Yes Harry it does," Ginny said smugly.
"Are you going to tell me or not?" Harry said exasperatedly.
"Okay Harry alright, there is this little room that we know of," Ginny began only to be interrupted by Harry.
"The Room of Requirement," Harry said excitedly before groaning, "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Because Harry you are dumb," Ginny replied with a superior expression before breaking down in giggle only to receive a glare from Madame Pince.
"What are we still doing here then?" Harry asked with a glare, "Come on let's go," Harry said before getting up with an armful of books to take them to their places. Ginny and Luna too got up to help Harry.
...
"REDUCTO," Harry shouted as the man in front of him shredded into pieces. He immediately ducked behind his hiding place as three more curses flew towards him. He looked towards where Ginny and Luna were hiding before motioning them to attack at once.
Right now Harry and the girls were in the room of Requirement doing simulation training. Luna had come up with the idea of using real battle simulation as a way of training and Harry had to admit that it was a pretty good idea.
As for the idea of using Room of Requirement to trace the lineage of Salazar Slytherin it actually worked but the line had ended at someone name Tom Marvolo Riddle son of Tom Riddle and Merope Gaunt. Who this Riddle was, they had no idea but they intended to find out.
"STUPEFY," the three shouted simultaneously incapacitating the three men in front of them before cautiously moving forward. Right now Room of Requirement resembled a ruined city destroyed by the death eaters with Harry, Ginny and Luna the only survivors fighting against the death eater. They have been stuck in the same scenario for the last two weeks but still had to clear it.
The three turned the corner only to be confronted by seven death eaters who immediately started firing curses at them.
"Shit," Harry exclaimed before diving for cover, the girls doing the same.
"REDUCTO," Ginny shouted aiming the curse at their feet effectively unbalancing them. Harry and Luna took advantage of the moment shot a blasting hex and a fire spell at them taking out all the opponents between them. But before they could move forward, they heard curses from behind and even before they could turn they fell to the ground and the scene faded revealing the room of requirement.
"We failed again," Harry groaned before getting up and sitting on the sofa.
"We shouldn't have stunned those targets," Luna speculated.
"Yes," Ginny agreed, "Stunners are way too unreliable. The opponent could wake up any moment and besides they are mostly useless in large scale battles when you are fighting multiple opponents."
"Complete decapitation of the opponent is necessary," Harry frowned, "even if we are stunning the opponents we should make sure they cannot fight any more at least.
"Well I think that's enough for today," Ginny declared, "Who's up for an afternoon snack, I am feeling famished after that simulation."
Harry and Luna nodded before they made their way to the door to the kitchen that appeared, ready to enjoy the generous hospitality of the house elves.
...
"Hello Hagrid," The three chorused as they made their way in the Hagrid's hut and in front of the welcome fire
"O it's you three! Come in! Come in!" Hagrid said beaming at them.
The three shook off their heavy cloaks and sat in front of the fire.
"Ye' three sit here I'll make some tea fer ye'"," Hagrid said already putting the kettle on the fire. The three sat happily in the chair chattering till the tea came.
"So how's the school goin'?" Hagrid asked while pouring the tea.
"It's going good Hagrid," Harry replied while taking a sip of tea, relishing the heat as it washed down his throat.
"Well except for the chamber of the Secret part," Luna remarked.
Hagrid staggered a little bit at hearing about the chamber almost spilling Ginny's tea making the three students suspicious instantly.
"Hagrid do you know something about the chamber?" Ginny asked suspiciously.
"Me? Why would ye even think' that. I don' know anythin' abou' the chamber," Hagrid answered obviously still shaken.
"Come on Hagrid, you know you can trust us right," Harry encouraged the giant man.
Alrigh' but don' tell anyone that I told ye this okay," Hagrid finally relented.
All three eagerly nodded, excited to hear what Hagrid can tell them about the chamber.
Hagrid took a long sip of the tea from his bucket shaped mug before starting with the story.
"When I was a studen' 'ere in my fifth 'ear, the chamber was opened. I 'ad a pet then, an acromantula named Aragog. A beautiful one he was…."
"Wait Hagrid you had a pet acromantula?" Ginny asked shocked.
"Acromantula what's that?" Harry asked momentarily distracted from the story.
"They are giant spiders Harry, Nargles are not very fond of them as they tend to get entangled in their webs," Luna answered.
"I know that they aren't allowed in 'ogwarts bu' I couldn' 'ave lef' 'im, he woul' ave died from starvation," Hagrid protested.
"It's alright Hagrid what happened next," Harry said shaking his head.
"Student started gettin' attacked, people were very afraid and finally poor myrtle died, it was decided that schoo' woul' be shut down, then the Slytherin prefect riddle got suspicious o' me and followe' me to Aragog. After seein' Aragog he reported me to the teacher and I was arrested."
"Arrested?" Ginny said appalled, "How could they do that to you? Everyone knows you won't hurt even a fly."
"Thanks Ginny, Bu' at that time ministry was desperate to catch someone. Dumbledore bless his sou' he got me out and saved me," Hagrid finished his tale with another long swig.
On the other hand Harry's attention was caught by something else.
"Who was this riddle?" Harry asked.
"Tom riddle, 'e was the prefect back then. Never liked 'im. Dumbledore use' to keep a close eye on him till 'e vanished afte' graduation. Always reckoned that a smart guy like 'im woul' work at pretty high place in ministry."
"Tom riddle you say," Harry repeated sharing a significant glance with the other two. They had finally found a clue to the last heir of the Slytherin.
…
November soon gave way to December and chill rose in the air. Not just due to increase in cold but also due to the fear present in the air. A student had already died and no one knew who the heir would target next. All that the teachers could accomplish was stricter curfew and advising the students to always travel in packs. Harry, Ginny and Luna even with their best efforts could not discover anything else about Tom Riddle. All that they knew about him was that he was a prefect and a Head boy in Hogwarts but after that he vanished into thin air. No one knew what happened to him.
But right now the thing on the mind of the gang was the upcoming Christmas holidays. Most likely the castle would be completely deserted in wake of the ongoing attacks. Harry, Ginny and Luna were eagerly anticipating a whole castle to themselves. Ginny was not going because her parents were going to attend some conference in New York leaving the Weasley sibling in Hogwarts. Luna on the other hand had decided to spend the Christmas with her friends instead of with her father.
"We still are no closer to discovering who the heir is or what is his beast?" Ginny exclaimed. They were just returning from their training in the room of the requirement.
"Yes, even the Riddle lead was of not much use," Luna agreed.
"How could a student fifty years ago could open the chamber now?" Harry wondered aloud.
"The only way is if he was a teacher and the only teachers who are that old are Flitwick, McGonagall and Binns," Ginny said.
"And it couldn't be McGonagall or Flitwick. We can safely trust those two and I somehow doubt a ghost is doing all this," Luna replied.
Harry was just about to reply back when he was startled. The voice was back.
"Ginny, Luna, it's that voice again," Harry said frantically.
Ginny and Luna both whirled around to face Harry. Both had gotten a little bit ahead of Harry since he had stopped after hearing the voice.
"What? Where?" Ginny asked in a forceful whisper.
Harry appeared to concentrate for a moment before his eyes lit up.
"Come on, it's moving down this corridor," Harry replied before dashing off after the voice. Ginny and Luna too hot on his heels.
After several twist and turn and merlin knows how much time they finally came across two bodies lying down on the cold floor. Harry immediately spied something moving down the corridor. He wasted no time in reacting.
"Reducto," he shouted.
A shriek was heard before whatever it was managed to get away.
Harry swore under his breath before turning to face the girls who were tending to the bodies. Only now did he register that it was Fred and George.
"Oh Shit," Harry cursed again.
"No need to worry Harry," Luna stated calmly, "We managed to rescue them before anything serious happened. They are just stunned."
Ginny just mutely nodded before waving her wand over her two brothers, "Ennervate."
The twins groggily sat up before noticing the three younger students."
"Blimey Harry, Luna what are you two doing here?" Ginny's obvious exclusion didn't go unnoticed by the other two but they decided to let it slide for now.
"We were just passing by when we noticed you two lying on the ground and someone running. We tried to chase him but he was gone by the time we came here," Harry explained.
Fred and George paled at hearing that.
"Now we remember," one of them said, "it was the heir," a sharp intake of breath was heard from the side, obviously from Ginny. A somewhat unfamiliar emotion came on the twins face but before Harry could comment on it, it was gone.
"He was saying something about settling his debt over the years before he attacked us," the twins once again continued, " we tried to fight him but he was just too strong."
"Well I for one am glad that you two are alright," suddenly Ginny spoke. Harry though he heard a lilt in her voice, "I trust you two can find your way to the infirmary. We'll inform Professor McGonagall of this event. Come on Harry, Luna," With that she started walking toward the office.
Harry and Luna shared a look. Harry just shrugged his shoulders and was just about to follow Ginny along with Luna when a voice rang out behind them.
"Ginny," it was one of the twins. Ginny stopped where she was but didn't turn around.
"Can we talk to you for a bit….alone," the voice nervously continued. By then Harry and Luna had reached Ginny. Hearing that she went stiff.
Harry placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You don't have to if you don't want to," Harry whispered in her ears.
Luna too placed her hand on the other shoulder, "Or if you want we can be there with you, after all we are best friends."
Ginny took a big breath before replying, her whole body shook before she covered their hands with hers, "It's alright. They are just twins," she gave a forced smile, "Besides you two need to inform Professor McGonagall. I'll listen to them till then."
Harry nodded seriously, "If you say so," he turned towards Luna, "Come on Luna let's go."
….
The twins looked on as the body of their sister shook for a moment. It trembled their hearts like nothing else knowing that their sister, their little sister would hesitate to talk to them alone like that. And why wouldn't she? Honestly they were amazed that she didn't hated their guts by now. Hearing the tilt in her voice over her concern for them had surprised them and had given them a new hope. They had thought that they lost their sister to their foolishness a long time ago. That's why when an opportunity arose, a new hope shined in front of them to gain their beloved sister back, they had desperately clawed at it.
From as back as they could remember, Ginny was always belittled and berated, always looked down upon in favour of her other twin, Ron. The twins always knew in their hearts that it was wrong. There was always that part in their heart that would scream every time when she was berated, every time her mother would scold her. But they were young back then and didn't want to face the wrath of their mother. They didn't want to be singled out like her. So they did what any one would do, they suppressed that part of their heart and turned a blind eye towards her treatment. They started ignoring her and soon she faded into background, no longer an entity that they cared for or rather acknowledge the existence of.
After that they started attending Hogwarts and in no time at all whole Hogwarts knew them as the infamous twins, the prankster extraordinaire. They started revelling in the glory and forgot about her even more.
But then she came to Hogwarts. At first they ignored her like they used to at their home but it soon became apparent that they couldn't do it. Whenever they would see her laughing or even smiling with her friends, something would shake their hearts but they would shake that feeling off writing it off as a figment of their imagination.
Soon she even joined the Quidditch team and when she flew circles around them all along with her friends they were as much surprised as the other team members. And when the others had asked that why had they never told them about their sister when they would boast about any story remotely exhilarating relating to their sibling to everyone. They had no answer to that. It was then that they first realized what a horrible thing they have done. They have abandoned their sister when she needed them most.
But that was not all. They were twins. They prided themselves in their ability to make anyone laugh. When they would regale their story to the Gryffindor common room, the whole room would be rolling on their back except for one girl, who would remain sitting where she was as stoic as ever not a single hint of amusement on her face. This more than anything made the point sink. They had truly lost their sister.
When Charlie had come to visit them at Hogwarts they had noticed his interaction with their sister. They had noticed how he would dote over her and how she was always smiling with him. At that point they had questioned themselves. Why? Why doesn't she smile with them? Why would she not even look at them like them? Why did they chose to abandon her? Even fully knowing the answer to that question they couldn't forgive themselves. Whatever the reason it certainly was not enough to break the heart of their little sister like that. They believed they had committed a crime so great for which there was no forgiveness and for that, for that they could only watch her from afar as she spent some happy moments with her friends and despairing that they would never be a part of their little sister life.
And today when she shook because of the possibility of them losing their life. They couldn't believe themselves but then she had begun to walk away and they realized that if they ever wanted to a part of her life like true brothers, just like Bill and Charlie, they had to take this chance. That's why they called her back, intent on giving it a try, even if that concern in her voice was just their imagination they wouldn't let this chance go. They would do whatever it takes to get their sister back.
…
"So what is it that you want with me?" Ginny demanded.
"It would be better if it was somewhere private," one of the twins replied.
"There's a secret passage just behind that tapestry," another twin added.
"Fine but better make it quick," Ginny said quickly, obviously not happy at being alone with them. The faces of the twins lost some colour at her tone but nonetheless they nodded and moved towards the secret passage. Ginny obviously was behind them.
Soon they arrived in an abandoned passageway that looked to be rarely used.
"So now that we are finally here what is it that you wanted to discuss with me?" Ginny said crossly.
The twins looked at each other obviously gathering their courage for the hard discussion that was about to come.
"Err Ginny we wanted to apologize, for you know…" one of the twins started.
"For, um, how you are treated at home and how we didn't do anything," the other twin finished lamely.
"Apologize?" Ginny's body went rigid for a moment before she exploded, "YOU WANTED TO APOLOGIZE? YOU THINK YOU WILL SAY SORRY AND EVERYTHING WILL GO AWAY. YOU THINK EVERYTHING WOULD BE ALRIGHT THEN?"
A single tear ran down her cheek and then it was like a dam had exploded as tears after tears came, no sign of them stopping anywhere. The twins wanted to engulf her and tell her that it was alright but all that they could do was stare at her helplessly as she wept, their hands clenched tightly at their sides.
"When Bill and Charlie would be off to Hogwarts and Dad at work, you two knew how lonely I was. Ron was the one who teased me and I never expected any sort of sympathy from Percy. But you two," she raised a shaking finger at them, "I thought you two were on my side. I thought you two understood what I was going through. But then," Ginny furiously wiped at her eyes, "You two betrayed me. Did you two have any idea how horrible it was? Did you have any idea what I went through knowing that you two wouldn't even look at me? You two were supposed to be my brothers. You two were supposed to protect me. But instead you abandoned me," Ginny sank to her knees shaking as she cried her heart all the time mumbling, "You two abandoned me."
The guilt that the twins were facing over their actions came back twice as hard as they listened to Ginny.
"Believe us Ginny, we never wanted you to go through all that?" one of the twins replied, Guilt showing heavily on the face of both twins.
"Then why," Ginny looked up furiously, "Why didn't you two do anything?" her voice grew weak as she came close to the end of the sentence, "It's not like I wanted you two to stand up to mother and save me. All I wanted was for you two to smile at me and talk to me a little bit when no one was present. That's all I ever asked? Was that too much for you?"
The twins could only look down in shame.
After what seemed like an eternity finally one of the twins answered, "For that Ginny we have no answer. Whatever you are saying is true. We are probably the worst brothers in the history. We never even tried to get to know you. We ignored you like you were just a piece…."
"And for that we deserve to be cremated," the other twin picked up, "All that we can say in our defence is, Ginny, we were naïve….."
"Even that is just an excuse," the other twin started," We were idiots back then, the biggest idiots in the world for not realizing we had such a wonderful little sister…."
"But now we have realized our mistake, Ginny, We know that you have right to hate our guts, but even then we would ask you for another chance…"
"Even knowing that it's too much to ask for we cannot let this sit. Please Ginny forgive us…"
"And give us another chance to be your brother," both twins finished together at the end. As they finished, both of them bowed their heads waiting for Ginny to speak.
Ginny could only look with wonder as her heart was filled with warmth over the twins sincerest apology. A smile slowly crept on to her face.
"Is that true?" she asked hesitatingly not wanting to believe what she was hearing.
The twins only nodded their heads.
Ginny's smile became so big that one would say that she was smiling from ear to ear, the whole room became more bright as Ginny's smile became more radiant. She rushed over to the twins before catching them in a bone crushing hug, "Of course you idiots, you always were my brothers," this was her reply as tears streamed down her face albeit this time they were the tears of joy.
…..
Meanwhile Harry and Luna had informed Professor McGonagall of the latest attack. She wasted no time in contacting Madame Pomfrey to check on the twins. Harry, Ginny and Luna received fifty points for saving the lives of fellows Gryffindor. And a detention for being out of bound after curfew.
Like everything remarkable, the news of the failed attack by the heir spread throughout the school like wild fire and before long a thousand tales had sprouted up about the attack. Most of them spread and duly exaggerated by the twins themselves. Nonetheless the whole school knew that the trio was involved in the event. Which meant more stares and whispers. But they had already gotten used to it.
The thing on the mind of Harry and the girls was the attack on the twins. Quite frankly the latest attack had baffled them. They had not expected an attack on a pureblood family albeit a blood traitor one. This only meant that they didn't know enough about the heir even now.
While speculating this fact, the month of December flew by. Classes came to an end and before they knew it students were boarding the Hogwarts express and travelling to the relative safety of their homes away from the dark shadows that hung over Hogwarts for now.
But still seven students were staying behind and all of them were Gryffindors. After patching up with Ginny the twins had started to spend more times with Harry and the girls, telling them about the different secret passages they had discovered over the years and how they used them to prank others.
During all this Harry and the girls haven't forgotten about Hagrid. They still visited him almost weekly. Or when they could spare some time from their tight schedule. Honestly they enjoyed the company of Giant man very much to not go there for a long time.
Winter Holidays also flew by in the whirlwind of training, investigation and some fun and soon Harry found himself to be woken by two beauties on Christmas day.
"You know I could get used to being woken up by you two," Harry said waggling his eyebrows while getting up.
"Prat," Ginny hit him on the head, "Consider this a special Christmas privilege only."
"Ow, alright. No need to get violent here," Harry said while rubbing his head.
"Of course, although Harry if you want I can come to wake you up daily you know," Luna said eyes big blue eyes staring at him.
"You know Luna I was only joking," Harry mumbled afraid that Luna had taken it seriously. He actually didn't mind but was afraid what others would think.
"Oh," Luna replied blinking owlishly.
"Come on Luna let's go he still need to get ready," she sniffed the air, "wonder where this stench is coming from."
"Hey," Harry shouted indignantly.
"Of course Ginny it smells, stenchwhicher are known to get attached to young boys at night," Luna replied matter of factly.
"Thanks for your help Luna," Harry answered sarcastically.
"You are welcome Harry. I can help you in removing those stenchwhicher. They are rather hard to remove," Luna replied.
At that Harry's face turned completely red.
"Oh I am sure he'll like that," Ginny giggled, "Come on Luna let's go. I am sure he can manage by himself. Can't you Harry," she cooed at him.
Harry just blew a raspberry at her.
"If you say so Ginny," Luna answered getting up from Harry's bed, "Be sure to come fast Harry. We'll be waiting with your present."
And with that the two girls left.
Present. Harry still couldn't wrap his head around the idea of him getting present. Shaking his head he quickly got up from his bed and it was then that he noticed the snores coming from another bed in the dormitory. Harry once again shook his head. How could someone sleep through all this ruckus? He would never know.
…
In half an hour Harry was ready and sitting with the two girls in front of the warm fire in common room.
"Took you long enough," Ginny mock reprimanded him.
"Excuse me a guy has to take care of his cleanliness," Harry retorted.
"And you certainly need it too," was the instant reply by Ginny.
"You two almost look like a married couple," Luna said dreamily but then she frowned, "But there is something missing," her expression brightened, "Oh I know it's the curpolangers."
At first Harry and Ginny were quite flustered at Luna's comment but it was soon replaced by humour at Luna's sheer oddity.
"Although we mustn't waste any more time," Luna continued in a serious tone, "gobblers are known to steal your present if kept wrapped for too long."
"And we wouldn't want that now would we Ginny?" Harry said arching his eyebrows.
"Of course not Harry," Ginny replied mirth evident in her voice.
"So Luna why don't we open Hagrid's present first?" Harry said turning to Luna.
"If you say so Harry," Luna said merrily before she picked up a package, the other two following her suit. There were no mysterious packages this year only the present from Hagrid, from each other and from Ginny's and Luna's Dad and a strange envelope from the twins.
Tearing of the wrapper off Hagrid's present, revealed long white hair.
"Hair? What are these for?" Harry exclaimed.
"Not just hair Harry," Luna replied focusing on the hair, "these are unicorn hair. They are supposed to help ward off evil."
"Really Luna, Wow. This sure is an amazing gift," Ginny exclaimed, "Although how did he come by these?"
"Well Hagrid is pretty friendly with the animals and I am sure there must be some unicorns in the forbidden forest." Harry answered.
"Here give me those hair. I know how to use them." Luna said quite seriously.
Harry and Ginny just shrugged and gave their hair to Luna who carefully put them aside before going up the stairs.
"What is she up to?" Ginny asked confused.
"Don't know," Harry replied shrugging his shoulders.
In a few minutes Luna was back but this time she was carrying three pieces of clothes, "As it happens," Luna started, "these will go nicely with my gift for you too. Why don't you open them?" she prompted them.
Harry and Ginny seeing no reason to doubt tore off the paper to find a bracelet each.
"These bracelets were said to house the great Stones of Awakening once worn by the Pharaoh of Egypt," Luna started explaining, "but without those stones they are just normal bracelets. My dad found them during his tour to Egypt. I thought they would go nicely with the unicorn hairs." During all this she was busy wrapping the unicorn hair in the clothes. "Here give me the bracelets please," Luna asked.
Harry and Ginny just handed over the bracelet without much question. They too were interested in knowing what she was doing.
As soon as Luna placed the cloth with hair inside the bracelet, a strange glow was emitted and the cloth became a part of the bracelet in the form of a stone.
"Oh my," Luna exclaimed softy, "it looks like the bracelet also has some magical charms on it." She placed the cloth in the other bracelet and the same thing happened.
"Here you go," Luna said handing over the bracelets to the other two, "merry Christmas,"
"Wow thanks Luna but are you sure that you should be giving us such a magical artefact," Harry asked amazed while rotating the bracelet on his wrist.
"Oh yes Harry I am quite sure," Luna answered with a smile, "These bracelets actually have no value except for historical. All the great magical deeds are linked with the Stones of Awakening but they are gone. I am sure this was nothing but just a magical charm placed on the bracelet to ensure that the stones would fit."
"That's all well and good Luna but what about yours?" Ginny asked curiously.
"Oh I also have one of these bracelets," Luna showed them her bracelet, "It just happens that there were rumoured to be three bracelets and my dad found all three of them together so I thought this would make a great gift as sign of our friendship. Three ancient bracelets just for the three of us." Luna smiled brilliantly.
She too placed her hair in the bracelet and like the other two they became a part of the bracelet.
"Well now then," Luna exclaimed joyfully, "as we are wearing the hair it will help ward off all those who are evil and will protect us from anything meaning us harm."
"I didn't realize unicorn hair could be so useful," Harry said with wide eyes.
"They only are useful if given willingly," Luna replied turning serious, "If you forcefully take it from them then they will lose all the charm and in some cases, if you earn the wrath of the unicorn, can even curse you, that's why the unicorn hair sold in the shop never works."
"I don't know what to say," Ginny answered amazed.
"I know Ginny," Luna said, "It really is a wonderful gift from Hagrid."
"Yours is pretty amazing too," Harry added, "And now I think it's time for Ginny's gift."
Ginny watched anxiously as Harry and Luna opened her gift.
"Oh wow Ginny, they are beautiful. I didn't know you could sew," Harry said breathlessly as he looked at the gift.
"Yes Ginny it is quite wonderful," Luna added. Ginny had given both Harry and Luna a woollen scarf each. Harry had an emerald one while Luna had a faded silver almost white to compliment her hair.
"I asked dad for the material," Ginny said delighted that her friends liked her gift this much, "I hope you don't mind me using Hedwig without your permission Harry."
"It's alright. You can use her whenever you like. It's not I have anyone to write to," Harry said shrugging his shoulders, "And if I am going to get gifts like these then you can use her without telling me as much as you like."
"Prat," Ginny replied though obviously very pleased at the praise.
"Well now Harry's gift is the only one left from the three of us," Luna said in her usual dreamy tone.
"What's the holdback then Luna?" Ginny replied mischievously.
Harry could only watch nervously as the girls tore open his present He could only hope that the girls liked his present half as much as he liked theirs.
"Wow Harry they must have cost a fortune," Ginny breathed. In her hand was a stunning necklace matched by another beautiful necklace in Luna's hand.
"Not really that much," Harry replied sheepishly.
"Honestly Harry you need to stop spending so much on us," Ginny said exasperated. Nonetheless she rose up to give him a hug, "I love it." She said.
Her hug was followed by one from Luna, "It is quite wonderful Harry." Putting a goofy grin on his face.
Deciding to leave twins present to the last since it was addressed to all three of them Ginny and Luna opened the presents from their respective Dad. Ginny's dad had given her a red sweater while Luna's dad had given her some odd thing beyond the comprehension of Ginny and Harry but something that Luna was very happy to get.
Now the only present left was from the twins. Knowing the habits of twins to prank anyone Harry cautiously opened the envelope only to find that there was an old parchment with a letter.
Ginny, Harry and Luna,
We are having this conversation through this letter because it would have been too much for the two of us to give this beauty to you three in person. Even now while putting this piece of heart in here with this letter we cannot bear to be part from it (You can add more than a few tears here.) but knowing that we are passing it to fellow troublemakers make our hearts at a bit of peace with itself.
Now turning serious here (or as serious as we two can get). Honestly this little of piece of paper here (not this one the other one) was our greatest find in Hogwarts and what enabled us to successfully pull so many pranks without ever being caught (at least in the act). We know what we did to you Ginny was horrible and there is no redemption for that but knowing that you three love to explore the castle as much as we do does give us a chance for a little bit of pay back. We won't reveal what it is in this letter just tap the piece of parchment with your wand and say "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." And once you are done once again tap it and say "mischief managed," we hope that this will help in mending our relationship Ginny (And help you in becoming a better prankster)
Give them hell,
The beloved,
Prankster extraordinaire,
Like whom none has ever been born,
The Twins.
"Honestly those two," Ginny said with a small smile.
"Looks like they are making a sincere effort of reconciling with you Ginny," Harry observed.
"I am happy for you Ginny," Luna said with a smile of her own before giving Ginny a quick hug.
"Well let's see what it is," Ginny demanded.
Harry complied pulling out the blank piece of parchment. It was a bit faded and looked old. Nonetheless Harry drew his wand and tapped it, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
To the amazement of Harry and the girls lines began to appear on the parchment. The lines quickly rearranged themselves to form words.
"Moony, Padfoot, Prongs and Wormtail are proud to present to you THE MARAUDERS MAP," as soon as Harry read these words aloud the words vanished and lines quickly appeared on the map.
"It's a map," Harry said in amazement.
"Not an ordinary map, it's the map of Hogwarts," Luna breathed.
"Do you know what we can do with this?" Ginny said in excitement.
"Track the heir in no time at all," Harry answered with a smirk.
"I cannot wait for the students to return," Luna said with a feral smile of her own
…..
Rest of the days of the winter holidays passed without any special incident and soon the students have returned to Hogwarts. Forgetting the fear that had plagued them during the first term the students were busy in their usual light chatter.
"Snape, Why him of all on the first day of the New Year of a new term," this voice belonged to a special raven haired boy currently clutching those raven hair in his hands.
"Aww poor Harry, fates is so cruel on him," Ginny said while holding off her laughter.
"Oh shut up, why are you not affected by it?" Harry glared at her.
"Because I get enough satisfaction out of it by making the class miserable for him," Ginny answered while sticking out her tongue.
"Hush you two Dumbledore is about to say something," Luna said silencing both of them.
As Luna had said Dumbledore had just then stood up and motioned for the students to listen to him.
"It is with great regret that I inform you all," Dumbledore said while surveying the student body that was raptly listening to him
"That last night The Heir of The Slytherin struck once again."
….