Chapter X – The Patroni
Time passed and Christmas break approached and so did another Hogsmead visit. By now Harry and Ginny had settled into a routine; they continued to be just slightly friendly in front of others which wasn't difficult now that they could easily communicate mentally whenever they wanted to.
Ginny used her own room as a closet since she was sleeping in Harry's bed every night. She would say goodnight to her roommates and close herself in the bed behind the curtains; then don the cloak and sneak to Harry's room. In the morning she would go directly to the girl's loo as if she simply got up before the other girls.
Harry was angry that Ron, Hermione, and the others in his year got to go to Hogsmead and he didn't. As the day of the second Hogsmead visit approached Ginny said, "Harry, if you want to go to town so badly; why don't we just put you cloak on and sneak out?"
"You're forgetting the Dementors," Harry said "they guard everyway in and out and they're not fooled by the cloak; they can feel our presence. I know I don't want another run in with them until Lupin shows me how to repel them. How about you?"
"Your right," Ginny said "maybe if we stay in bed all day I could cheer you up some? We planned to have sex all day last Hogsmead weekend and got sidetracked by Lupin. I have a couple of new positions I want to try while we have lots of energy instead of at night when we're tired."
"Not that they're not fun to try; but where do you learn all these sex positions?" Harry asked.
"Hermione has a muggle sex book called the Kama Sutra" Ginny said. "She never could get Ron to try anything new; and now that they broke up she has no use for it at all so she let me borrow it. I think that's why she's been asking such intimate questions about our sex life; she wants to know if these positions are fun."
That Saturday, after everyone else had left for Hogsmead Harry and Ginny were heading to his room when the twins stopped them. "We can guess what you two have planned;" Fred said looking up the stairs toward Harry's room "but we thought you might like to do something else for a change."
"Like what?" Harry asked. "And why aren't you two gone to Hogsmead?"
"We're going soon;" Fred said "and perhaps we'll see you two there."
Now Harry was interested and asked, "What are you two talking about?"
George pulled out an old piece of parchment and tapped it with his wand saying, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
A map of Hogwarts appeared on the parchment and little dots labeled with people's names. "It shows everyone in the castle and on the grounds." Fred said. "It also shows these." Pointing to the map Harry and Ginny could see passages they never knew existed; passages that led to Hogsmead.
"This one is caved in and impassable," George said. "And this one starts at the Whomping Willow so I wouldn't advise using it." Fred added. "But this one opens from the hump on the Humped Back One-eyed Witch statue on the third floor and leads straight to Honeydukes sweet shop."
"It great," Harry said "but why would you guy give up something this good?"
"We have it memorized," Fred said "besides we think it could be helpful to you since now you have our little sister to protect. It will allow you to see if anyone dangerous is around."
"We'll look for you in Hogsmead."
As soon as the left Harry said, "I'll get my cloak; that is if you want to go. We could still spend the day in bed."
"Let's go," Ginny said "we can always be in bed together but we won't be able to go to Hogsmead again for months."
It took nearly an hour to walk all the way to town where they came out in the basement of Honeydukes shop. They pulled the cloak on and snuck up the steps into the shop which was filled with students including Ron and Hermione. Though not sleeping together; they were getting on well enough again to come into town together.
Harry and Ginny stepped out of sight behind a shelf and removed the cloak; then walked out into the crowd where everyone was so taken up with all the merchandise that nobody paid attention to them until they spoke to Ron and Hermione.
Hermione admonished them for breaking the rules by coming to town. She hissed at them like an angry goose, "Harry you don't have permission and Ginny you're only second year; if you're seen by a teacher you'll get detention for months. And you're in danger from Sirius Black; you have no protection if he catches you out here."
When she ran out of reasons they shouldn't be in town Harry said, "We don't care Hermione, Sirius Black isn't likely to be in town with this crowd so we're staying and we're going to enjoy ourselves."
They toured the town and shops ending up in a pub called the Three Broomsticks where they got their first taste of a drink called Butterbeer. As they drank a group of teachers walked in along with the Minister of Magic; if Harry and Ginny were spotted they would be in all the trouble Hermione warned them about.
Hermione pulled her wand and made the Christmas tree slide over between them and the table where the teachers sat so Harry and Ginny couldn't be seen by the teachers; but the teens could hear what was being said by the Minister of Magic.
He was telling them about Sirius Black and why the ministry expected him to come to Hogwarts. Not only was Sirius trying to kill Harry, the minister explained that Harry's parents had been friends of Sirius; in fact they made Sirius Harry's godfather. When Sirius went over to Voldemort he told him where the Potters were living and so he was responsible for Harry's parents' deaths. Sirius also killed another of the Potter's friends, Peter Pettigrew, before the ministry arrested him.
As the minister was talking Hermione noticed Harry's chain begin to glow; Harry had put his hand to his neck and was holding it like Ginny had at the Quidditch match. That memory made Hermione look at Ginny; she had her wand out and was half standing looking in the direction of where the minister had just finished his story.
Hermione knew Ginny was about to shoot a hex at the minister but, being on the other side of the table, was too far away to stop her; so she said, "Harry, look at Ginny."
By then Ginny had stood all the way up and what she was thinking had moved from the background in Harry's mind to his consciousness. Before Hermione finished her warning Harry had already grabbed the back of Ginny's jacket and pulled her back down.
"No." he said to her "You can't do it."
She looked furious and said, "But Harry, Fudge knew all along what happened to your parents and he didn't tell you the truth. The ministry had no right to keep such important information from you; he deserves to be hexed."
"I'm just as angry Ginny." Harry said. "But hexing the Minister of Magic in front of a group of teachers isn't going to change anything; just get us in trouble. And he's not the only one to know the truth. Dumbledore must know; and one day before class Malfoy asked why I wasn't out looking for Black. He said he would if it happened to him. His father must know and told him about Black and what he did."
Hermione asked, "Did you learn any more about those chains? Just now both of yours were glowing; but neither of you was in danger."
Ginny answered, "I was angry; about to cast a hex at the minister. Harry thought the chains act like a wand to funnel our magic; maybe the glow means several things. It glowed when it protected me from Malfoy, and now when I was angry."
"Mine was hot and glowing to." Harry said. "I was upset about what the minister said; but didn't plan to hex him and get in trouble."
Hermione said, "Maybe yours was just warning you that Ginny was upset. Maybe it does other things to; you two let me know about anytime your chains react. It could be important when they begin to glow to know what may be causing it so you'll know how to react."
Harry said, "Good idea; but for now, Ginny, let's get back to the school. You need to calm down and I need time to think about this and what I should do."
After dinner they retreated to Harry's bed where they talked about what happened. "You're a good influence on me." he said. "Before we started to go together I probably would have smashed something or attacked the minister myself for not telling me about Black and my parents. But when I saw you about to do it my desire to protect you was stronger than my anger. I'm so happy we got together; I love you so much and need you so much."
After two rounds of very satisfying sex, using positions from the Kama Sutra they hadn't tried before, they cuddled together, and finally fell asleep in each other's arms.
For Christmas break most students went home to be with their families. Only a hand full like Harry who had no family stayed at Hogwarts. Ron had invited Harry to come to the Burrow for Christmas but everyone knew there would be trouble when Mrs. Weasley saw the promise ring. Though Ginny and Harry had discussed how they would break the news to her many times; they still had not come up with what they considered a good plan. Harry didn't want to upset Mrs. Weasley during the holidays so he declined Ron's offer.
Hermione also invited Harry to go home with her; but Harry and Ginny wanted to stay together and Hermione knew her parents would never let Harry and Ginny sleep together.
The only alternative was for Ginny to stay at Hogwarts with Harry. When she told that to her brothers, there was a nasty fight in the common room with Percy who insisted Ginny must go home and only after the twins threatened to petrify him until the new term started did he relent.
"Mother and father will be furious;" he said "and I'm not going to take the blame. I'll tell them I insisted you come home and it was Ron, Fred, and George that took you side. I'm sure you'll be getting a Howler as soon as mother finds out what you did."
"I'm staying here to." Ron announced. With all that had happened this year Ron and Hermione thought they shouldn't leave Harry for the holidays. Of course Ginny would be with him but if there was any trouble, like when Sirius Black had tried to get in on Halloween, Harry and Ginny might need their help.
That night Ginny decided she should write her parents so they would know she wasn't coming home rather than letting them be surprised when they met the train and Percy told them.
Dear mom and dad,
Professor Snape has given us a complicated homework assignment due the first day of next term. It will be easier to do the work here and Hermione has volunteered to help me with it since her parents are traveling and she was staying here anyway.
Since Ron is also staying I felt it would be better for my grades if I stay here to.
I will miss you both very much and hope me not coming home for the holidays won't hurt you too much and you understand why.
Ginny
She decided a little white lie would be best; Snape did give her an assignment and she could have done it at home; but it would be easier with Hermione's help.
The morning after the train took Percy and the twins home Ginny got a letter, not a Howler, from her mother.
Dear Ginny
We are very sad not to be able to see you for the holidays but you father and I are proud that you're taking your school work so seriously. We are sending your presents but they may be a day late. I hope you're not disappointed if you don't get them on Christmas morning.
Love Mom
It seems Harry also got a letter from Mr. Weasley
Harry
Molly was quite upset that Ginny wasn't coming home for the holidays but I convinced her that Ginny's school work was important. However, you and I know both know she didn't stay a Hogwarts because of her work.
I hope you remember our talk the morning before you left for school. I would be most upset if you and Ginny were having sex; even if she was the one to start things.
Arthur Weasley
Harry felt awful and talked to Ginny, "I'm going to write your father and tell him about us. I think he'll take the news better than your mother and he may be able to give us advice on how to break it to your mom; maybe he can soften her up for us."
Ginny wanted to read Harry's letter before he sent it and signed it after she agreed it was the best way to break the news to her parents. She suggested they address it to her father at the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the ministry so her father would read it at work and her mother wouldn't be tempted to open it as she might if Hedwig deliver it to the house.
Mr. Weasley
After you've read this we trust your judgment about showing it to Mrs. Weasley. Yes, Ginny stayed here so we could be together; but she didn't lie, she does have a paper due to. She loves me and I love her. Please keep that in mind because there is something we feel we need to tell you.
We told you we got together last June because of what happened in the Chamber of Secrets which is true; but we never told you exactly what happened. Now we feel we have to be honest with you.
We can't explain how it came to be since we don't understand it ourselves; but you must believe everything I'm going to tell you in this letter is true. You can check with Fred and George they have seen some of the things I am saying.
After we came out of the Chamber of Secrets Ginny and I began to have the same nightmares at the same time. Something that happened there linked our minds together. Later we began to feel each other's emotions and finally each other's thoughts.
This is how we know we're in love, I can see Ginny's thoughts in my mind and she can see mine so we each know they other's true feelings. This caused us to grow so close I gave Ginny a promise ring and she accepted it; I believe you know what that means.
Now comes the part we're sure you and Mrs. Weasley will not be happy about. That night at the Leakey Cauldron Ginny came to my room so we could talk about what was happening to us and we fell asleep together. It was the first night in more than two months we didn't have nightmares; we had a common pleasant dream instead.
We discovered when we slept apart the nightmares returned but when we sleep together we always have nice dreams. Ginny has been sleeping in my bed with me since September; it's the only way we can get a good night's sleep.
We didn't know how to tell you and Mrs. Weasley because we know she thinks we are too young; and under normal circumstances we probably are. But what's happening to us is not normal.
Professor Dumbledore knows about us. At first he tried to keep us apart but as he watched and learned more about us he allowed us to stay together.
If you have questions we will try and answer them as best we can; but as I said we don't know much ourselves. We would like your understanding if not your blessing; and any suggestion of how to get Mrs. Weasley to accept our relationship would be appreciated.
Harry and Ginny
They expected Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to apparate to Hogwarts as soon as the letter arrived but they heard nothing all through the term break.
Christmas morning they woke to Ron's yell, "Oi, Ginny, Harry presents." Hermione had come from the girl's dorm and because they were the only Gryffindors that stayed in school they met where their presents were; around the common room Christmas tree.
Ron and Ginny's gifts, hand knitted scarves, sweaters, and gloves from their parents did arrive on time. Harry got Ginny gold earrings in a style similar to her chain, Hermione helped pick them out on the Hogsmeade visit. Ginny got Harry Quidditch pads; his had been beaten to shreds during his fall.
After all other presents had been exchanged, one other remained; one present that nobody claimed either as theirs or as something they got for one of the others; and its shape showed clearly it was a broom.
Hermione finally picked it up knowing it couldn't be for her; nobody that knew her would get her a broom since she didn't like flying. She looked at the tag and said, "Harry it's for you but there's no sender's name.
Harry took it from Hermione and unwrapped it; a Firebolt, a world class Quidditch broom. He had looked at the one in the window of the Quidditch supply shop in Diagon Alley every time he passed by; but it was so expensive he wouldn't allow himself to give into the desire to buy it.
He searched inside the wrapping for the name of the sender but there was no clue. Harry, Ron, and Ginny were excited and couldn't wait to try out the broom; but Hermione was worried. "I don't think any of you should ride on that broom." she said.
"What," Ron yelled "Hermione, just because you don't like flying that doesn't mean the rest of us shouldn't get a chance to ride a world class broom."
"It's not that," she answered "but don't any of you think it's odd that someone would spend so much money to get Harry a broom and not give their name? We know several people are trying to kill Harry; what if the broom is cursed. What if it takes the first person to ride it really high and dumps them off, or flies at high speed into a wall, or it can't be steered and flies out to sea."
"You worry too much," Ron said "whoever sent it probably just forgot to put the card in the wrapping; or the card fell off before it was delivered."
Harry took the broom up to his room and he and Ron showered and dressed. Ginny and Hermione went to the girl's shower and after they were dressed went to the boy's room to meet them before going to Christmas dinner. Unfortunately Crookshanks followed Hermione and when he got into the boys room he went after Scabbers who had been sleeping on Ron's bed.
Ron and Hermione had been getting along better for the last few weeks; but now the old fight started again despite Harry and Ginny trying to keep the peace.
There were only seven students and five teachers at the Christmas dinner and when it was over Hermione said she needed to talk to Professor McGonagall so Harry, Ginny, and Ron returned to the dorm. They were talking about all the wonderful features of Harry's new Firebolt when Hermione returned with Professor McGonagall. McGonagall gave Harry the same warning as Hermione had earlier and confiscated his broom to check it for curses before she would let him ride it.
Harry was furious at Hermione; but Ron more so and made his anger plain. Hermione was so upset that her friends didn't see that she was only trying to keep Harry safe she retreated to the library except at night when she returned to Gryffindor tower to sleep alone as the only girl on that side of the dorms since Ginny of course slept with Harry. For the rest of term break only Ginny spoke to Hermione.
Ginny could see how badly Hermione was feeling and tried to convince Ron and Harry that Hermione meant well; but both refused to talk to Hermione unless she apologized, and Hermione who still felt she did the right thing refused to apologize.
When the other students returned for the start of the new term things didn't get better for Hermione. Almost everyone sided against her when they learned about Harry's new broom being confiscated because of her going to McGonagall. Nobody would talk to her; and now that classes resumed she also had the pressure of her enormous class load to deal with.
Ginny went to Hermione's room one night to talk; Hermione had been spending more and more time alone in her room lately. When Ginny knocked, Hermione asked her to wait a moment before telling her to come in. Ginny found Hermione alone in the room propped up against the pillows on her bed with nothing on except a short nightgown and a text book open across her hips.
"I've just been trying to catch up on all my reading;" Hermione said "I have so much to do with all my classes."
"It must be hard work;" Ginny said "before I knocked I could hear through the door that you were breathing hard and moaning. Don't lie to me Hermione; I know that you were masturbating."
Hermione started to cry. "It's been months since Ron and I broke up; I miss having sex with him. With all the work I have, I really do have lots of work, masturbating helps relieve the stress for a little while. I don't have any other way to relax. Maybe if Harry and everyone else didn't blame me about the broom I wouldn't feel so bad; but with all this bothering me I need some way to escape and this is all I could think of that helps.
Oh Ginny, I wish Ron would see my side of this argument about our pets. I do try and keep Crookshanks away from Scabbers but he's a cat; cats roam about and they do chase rats. I can't make him stop; and I can't give him up any more than Ron can give up Scabbers.
"That's why you've been asking me for intimate details about me and Harry." Ginny said. "You are trying to replace what you lost with Ron. That won't work; talking about sex doesn't relieve the urge, it makes it worse."
"I know," Hermione said "that's why I'm getting myself off so much lately; but that isn't really helping either. Even though Ron wanted to do the same old thing all the time; masturbating is still not as good as sex with him. And when I do it, I think of Ron, so I end up more frustrated. But what else can I do?"
"Other than making up with Ron;" Ginny said "I don't know. But you have to do something; you're becoming more agitated by the day and you're taking it out on everyone, including me."
At the end of first DADA class in the new term Harry went up to Lupin's desk to remind him of his promise to teach Harry how to repel Dementors. They set Thursday night at eight and Harry said, "You do understand Ginny will be coming to?"
Lupin answered, "I thought you might want her to be there; but Harry this spell I will be teaching you is difficult for most adults. You are going to have a great deal of trouble with it and Ginny is a year younger than you. It might make her frustrated trying to do something way above her age level."
Harry said, "Except for us having different classes, Ginny is almost always with me; if Dementors come after me chances are she'll be there to. Ginny's memories are as bad as mine and she's as badly affected by Dementors as I am. Don't you think it would be better if there were two of us that could help each other repel Dementors?"
"Of course," Lupin said "I just want both of you to understand that it will be hard for you and harder for Ginny. I don't want either of you to start something and then quit because it's too difficult."
"You'll be surprised what Ginny and I can do when we work together." Harry said.
Thursday night Harry and Ginny arrived before Lupin who showed up a few minutes later lugging a large chest. "What in there?" Harry asked.
"A Boggart," Lupin said "for practice; I could hardly bring a real Dementor here."
"Now Harry, Ginny, what we will be doing is called the Patronus charm. It produces a sort of positive energy shield called a Patronus which will protect you from Dementors or even repel them if you can make it strong enough.
A Patronus will only last as long as you keep concentrating on it. That takes a lot of mental energy and that's why most people can't make a Patronus; and of those who can, most tire and lose concentration after a few seconds and the Patronus vanishes.
The spell itself is simple, Expecto Patronum; but to bring out the positive energy you must think of a happy thought as you say it, a positive feeling, and the happier the thought the stronger your Patronus will be.
Now, you two spread apart a few feet; recall your happiest memory and try the spell separately."
With their minds connected it seemed natural they both had the same happy thought, Ginny thought of Harry asking her to accept his promise ring, and Harry thought of Ginny saying yes. As each said the words Expecto Patronum silvery mist shot from the end of both wands.
"Not bad," Lupin said "now try it against a Dementor. Harry you get closer to the chest: if Ginny's closer the Boggart might turn into something other than a Dementor. Ginny, you wait for Harry to try first; then you'll get a turn."
When Harry was in position Lupin opened the lid and a Dementor rose from the chest. Harry said the spell and the silvery mist formed between him and the Dementor; but the Dementor pushed right through it.
Harry first saw his mother being killed as he had before; then for the first time he heard his father's voice call, "Run Lily, take Harry and run; I'll hold him off." Then Harry blacked out.
Lupin had been watching Harry closely and when he saw the Dementor push through Harry's shield and Harry pass out he yelled, "Ginny you try now." Nothing happened and Lupin turned to see Ginny also passed out on the floor. He produced his own Patronus and forced the Dementor-Boggart back in the trunk.
It took almost a minute to revive Harry and Ginny. When they could speak Lupin asked, "Ginny, what happened? The Dementor was going after Harry what made you pass out? I can't believe you were sacred for Harry's safety when you knew I was here to protect you both."
Ginny looked at Harry and he mentally told her to explain; "If we can't tell Dumbledore maybe we should trust Lupin."
She said, "You'll not believe me; but Harry's mind and mine are connected; what the Dementor makes him see I see too. Even if I was still in Gryffindor common room I would have blacked out the same as being here."
"That's nonsense;" Lupin said "it's impossible."
Harry said, "Ginny, go over to the far side of the room." When she was forty feet away Harry told Lupin, "Whisper something to me, something neither Ginny nor I could know, and Ginny will know what you said instantly."
Lupin whispered softly into Harry's ear, "I finished correcting Ginny's DADA test less than an hour ago and she got a hundred and ten percent with the bonus question."
From the other side of the room Ginny yelled, "I thought I did well; but a hundred and ten percent is unbelievable."
Harry said, "It goes the other way to; we'll switch places and you tell Ginny something."
When Harry was at the far side of the room Lupin whispered to Ginny, "When we were students, Harry's father had an invisibility cloak and we used it to sneak into Hogsmeade to buy sweets and Butterbeer after Quidditch matches."
From the other side of the room Harry said, "I have it now but I never used it to celebrate after a Quidditch match. Thanks for the idea."
Lupin said, "I didn't mean to give you any ideas that will get you in trouble; and how did you get your father's cloak?"
"Dumbledore gave it to me first year." Harry said. I think he did it so I could protect myself in case of trouble; but it was useful in helping me, Ron, and Hermione discover things about the Philosopher's Stone and the Chamber of Secrets to.
But forget the cloak; do you believe us now about our minds being connected. We've been trying to figure out how it happened for six months now and still have no idea. We thought it's time to tell someone that might be able to help figure it out."
"I have to believe you;" Lupin said "I saw it with my own eyes. That's why you gave Ginny the ring and chain; you two know everything in each other's minds so you both know your feelings are true. How did you discover this power?"
"The week after what happened in the Chamber of Secrets we were talking and discovered we were having the same dreams at the same time each night." Ginny said. "Later we found out we could feel each other's emotions and thoughts."
Lupin said, "I don't know how we will make time to investigate this and teach you to do a Patronus and still do our normal class routine."
"We think the Patronus is more important." Ginny said. "We could be attacked again any time and need to defend ourselves. This mental connection has gone on for six months without a major problem."
"Well if you two have your strength back let's try again;" Lupin said "this time both of you at the same time."
When the Dementor rose from the chest, Harry and Ginny chanted the spell at the same time with their mental connection thinking the same happy thought. This time more than silver mist came from their wands. A large stag with enormous antlers came from Harry's wand and a large mare from Ginny's wand. Ginny's mare reared up on its hind legs and hit the Dementor with its front hooves. Harry's stag charged the Dementor and its antlers drove right through the Dementor's center. The Dementor exploded and disappeared.
"Incredible;" Lupin said "corporal Patroni from a twelve and thirteen year old. Were you connected mentally when you did that?"
"Yes," Harry said "we used the same happy thought."
"It seems that when you combine you thoughts your powers are much more than doubled." Lupin said. "When you're together you shouldn't have any trouble defending yourselves from Dementors; but you still need to practice separately in case you not together some time when attacked.
This showed you both have the ability; the question is can you use this ability without the other helping. That's enough for tonight; you've given me a great deal to think about. Let's meet next Thursday again and try some test to see the range of your abilities."
All through January and into February Harry and Ginny met with Lupin every Thursday. They could make their strong corporeal Patroni when they were mentally together on their happy thought and managed to produce them separately; though in a weaker form when the other person wasn't helping.
Lupin was encouraging; "Remember most adults can't make a Patronus; so for you two even a weak form is a great accomplishment. And you're both getting better with practice so don't get discouraged."
Once he had Ginny stay in Gryffindor tower but Harry was still able to make a strong Patronus as long as he and Ginny were both thinking their happy thoughts. It worked for Ginny to when Harry stayed in the common room.
"I wonder how far apart you can be and still be able to work together?" Lupin asked one night.
"We had common dreams when I was in Little Winging and Ginny was in Ottery St. Catchpole." Harry said. "That's over 200km; but when Ginny was in Egypt our dreams didn't match any more. We haven't been farther apart than opposite ends of the castle since we started feeling each other's emotions and thoughts so we have no idea how far we can sense each other."
Lupin took some time to have Harry and Ginny try other spells. When they worked together in mental contact the power of any of their spells was much more than when they didn't mentally link. "It's not like adding your both powers so a spell is twice as strong;" Lupin said "I'm guessing when your together your spells are somewhere between five and ten times normal strength. I'll devise more tests when there is time; and we should try and find what's causing this link in the first place."
Harry also had Quidditch practice several nights a week plus his normal school work. He was often exhausted but not as much as Hermione who continued her enormous class load. Almost nobody was talking to her yet since Harry's broom was still being held by Professor McGonagall. The next Quidditch match was rapidly approaching; and in the match he couldn't use the old school broom he was using for practice.
Finally five days before the mid February match Harry's broom was returned; nothing was found wrong with it and Ron took the opportunity to rub it into Hermione. "See," he said "you caused all this trouble for no reason."
Now that he had the broom back Harry tried to make up with Hermione who was crying after what Ron said. As Harry tried to comfort Hermione Ron went up to his room and in less than a minute returned screaming. He had his bed sheet in his hands and yelled at Hermione, "Scabbers is gone and look, blood and cat hair. Your cat ate him. You never cared about that cat chasing Scabbers; and you never really cared about me either. Don't ever speak to me again."
Hermione burst into tears again and ran to her room; Ginny followed to do whatever she could to comfort her.
Between her sobs, Hermione said to Ginny, "I did try to keep Crookshanks away from Scabbers, but I can't watch him all the time, I have classes and homework. Besides Ron has no proof Crookshanks did anything.
How could Ron say I never cared for him; I gave myself to him, we made love, I did everything he asked and now he says I never cared for him."
"He doesn't mean that." Ginny said "He's upset and saying things without thinking. I'm sure he'll apologize once he calms down."
"I don't care;" Hermione said "he said that to me in front of everyone in the common room. They all hate me because of Harry's broom and now they heard him say I never cared for him. Well now I really don't care for him or what he said; I don't need him or any of the others."
After Ginny left Hermione's room she went to the common room to think of a way to help Hermione. Harry had gone up to the room to help Ron search for Scabbers in case he was only injured and there hiding. The twins were talking with their friend Lee Jordan and Ginny sat staring in their direction lost in thought, not actually watching them, but staring in their direction for more than twenty minutes.
She didn't even realize that they had walked over to her until she heard George say loudly, "Well, are you going to tell us or not?"
That was when she realized the twins were standing in front of her asking her something. She said, "Sorry, what did you say?"
"You've been watching us for the past twenty minutes;" Fred said "and we want to know why. Did we do something, or do you want something?"
"Sorry again;" Ginny said "I wasn't looking at you; I was thinking and I guess I was facing you direction but didn't realize it."
"What's wrong Ginny?" George asked. "Are you and Harry in trouble again? If Malfoy is trying something again; we still have the pictures and recording of Malfoy we made in the loo before we confounded him. They have his confession where he admitted to blackmailing you and was going to rape you. So if he's bothering you we'll take care of him."
"No, it's not Malfoy." she answered.
"Did you have a real argument with Harry?" Fred asked. "Because we will talk to him to; nobody hurts our little sister."
"No, Harry and I are fine; wonderful in fact." Ginny said. "It's Hermione and Ron; you know they haven't been seeing each other for some time now and not having sex has been taking its toll on Hermione. Now I'm afraid this thing about Scabbers and Ron yelling at her will make her go around the twist totally. I'm trying to think of something I can do to help her."
"We noticed how miserable she's been." Fred said. "We get our heads chewed off every time we make any noise. But we thought it's because she has a lot of work and can't do it with us disrupting the quiet in the common room."
"That's true;" Ginny said "but it's not having sex with Ron for the past few months that has pushed her over the edge. You know how she is; she gives everything 110% effort and sex is no different. She loves the feeling and not being able to have sex is driving her crackers.
"Everyone likes how sex feels." Fred said. "I go around the twist if I didn't get some occasionally."
Ginny smiled and continued, "If she could get together with Ron for one night of good sex it would help relieve her stress. That's what I was thinking about; how to get her and Ron to make up. But neither of them will give an inch in their argument; I think it's hopeless."
There's another option;" George said "get Hermione a new boyfriend. Ron's not the only boy that thinks Hermione is pretty and would be willing to have sex with her. Set her up with someone else, maybe someone from another house. She could go to his bedroom for sex once or twice a week, relax and unwind, and nobody in Gryffindor would have to know."
"Maybe some other girl; but not Hermione." Ginny said. "She's still in love with Ron; miserable about them fighting but not ready to give up on him. She won't even date another boy much less have sex someone else."
"She doesn't have to date another boy to have sex." Fred said. "Tell her to just hook up for some stress relief; no emotional strings attached. She and the boy get a few hours of hot sex in and then go their own way until their ready for another turn."
"I don't think that can work either." Ginny said. "I know I love Harry and I couldn't have sex with another boy; and I don't think Hermione could either as long as she is still hung up on Ron."
"You say that now because you're getting all the sex you need from Harry to be happy. Don't have sex with Harry for a while." George said. "In a month you'll be ready to jump on Snape to get some. When kids start having sex and learn how good it feels and as you said how it relieves stress they can't just stop. That's why Fred and I look for a willing girl occasionally, we may not show it but we have stress in our lives and need to be relieved from time to time."
"Well that may work for you guys; but girls are different;" Ginny said "we need an emotional attachment. A girl can't just have sex with any guy unless she feels something for him."
"The girls we know can." Fred said. "They all know we're not ready to have a steady girlfriend; but they need it as much as we do. We stay friends and when we and the girls are both in the mood we enjoy each other and walk away. Maybe Hermione has reached that point where she needs sex so much she'll be willing to do it no strings attached."
"I'll keep your suggestion in mind." Ginny said. "But for now I think I'm ready to go to bed; I'm heading up to Harry's room."
The next day Hermione was in the common room at a corner table with a stack of books when Fred and George returned from dinner and started joking around with some other students who were relaxing after their meal.
"Will you two shut up?" Hermione yelled suddenly. "Some people have work to do and you're antics don't help."
They looked at each other, both nodded, and they went over and sat down across from Hermione. "Something wrong Granger?" George started. "You seem to be in a foul mood for the past few weeks."
"Maybe we can do something to help." Fred said.
"You can keep quiet and let me work;" Hermione said "that would help. I have all this work I need to finish by Friday."
The twins looked at each other and nodded again. "So it's all about your work;" Fred said "not something else."
"We were talking with Ron this morning at breakfast" George said "and noticed you're not sitting with him for some time now and we heard you two fighting last night. He wouldn't talk about it; but we also noticed lately he hasn't been in a good mood either."
"Perhaps, besides all your work; problems between you and Ron might also be weighing on your mind." Fred said.
"Any problems between me and Ron are none of your business." Hermione said.
"Oh, but it is our business." George said. "First, Ron is our brother, he's a prat, but he's our brother and if he's being stupid it reflects on us and the rest of the family."
"Secondly," Fred added "if Ron's stupid actions are the cause of your bad mood we have a responsibility to help you; after all, your mood has begun to affect everyone in Gryffindor. Look around, everyone is watching to see if you are going to hex us or something."
Hermione looked around; everyone in the room was watching her and the twins. After her talk with Ginny last night she realized she had to do something about her moodiness; everyone hated her again like at the beginning of her first year. Back then, everyone considered her an obnoxious know-it-all before Ron and Harry made friends with her and got everyone else to know her.
"Look guys," she said "you're right, besides my work putting pressure on me; Ron and I have broken up. I miss him; but there's nothing you can do to help. Either we will make up or not; but you can help either way."
"Is it just talking to Ron you miss; or is it having sex with him?" George asked. "You can't fool us; we know well that sex relaxes a person; and you miss it. That a big part of why you're in such a bad mood all the time; all you need is good night of sex to help you unwind."
"Well that's not going to happen," Hermione said with a sigh "as long as Ron is angry with me. So thanks for the advice but please let me get back to work now."
"Making up with Ron isn't the only way you can get some sex." Fred said.
"I know," Hermione said "but self-gratification just isn't the same."
"We're not talking about fingering yourself." George said.
"You're fixated on Ron." Fred continued.
"You need to broaden you view Granger;" George said "You may be smart in class but when it comes to the opposite sex you're not so bright. You're a good looking girl; there are other boys besides Ron, boys that would be willing to help you with your problem."
"I know that;" Hermione said "but wouldn't be the same with someone else; so thanks again but please leave."
"Come on Granger, you must know other boys from your classes; there must be at least one you think is nice." Fred said "Pick one and set a date some night, after a few hours in a private place you'll be back to your old smiling self."
"I love Ron;" Hermione said "well, right now not so much, but I couldn't just pick another boy to love like picking a new pair of shoes."
"We're not talking about love." George said. "We're talking about hot and heavy sex; a purely physical act between a boy and a girl. Actually you don't need to know anything else except he's a boy and his parts and yours fit together. When you're satisfied you walk away; maybe you see each other again if it was good, or maybe you find someone else next time you're in the mood."
"It works;" Fred said "we've tried it with many girls; we're happy, their happy, you'll be happy. Give it a try before you have a breakdown and they have to send you to St. Mungos."
After the twins left Hermione considered what they had said. They were right about needing to cuddle up, snog, and yes have sex with someone; like Ginny had been right yesterday.
"I'm fourteen now;" she thought to herself "and I've snogged and had sex with Ron for a few months. Since Ron saved me from the troll I've been in love with him; but I don't feel the same now, maybe I should look for a new boyfriend. Or at least like the twins suggested be bold enough to just pick another boy for sex? After all I'm not a virgin anymore so it's no big deal to do it with another boy; if I could do it with Ron, why not again with someone else. I enjoy sex; so why should I miss out on something I like just because Ron is a prat.
But which boy do I know that would be right for me?"
She got back to the work she needed to finish for Friday; but thought of enjoying sex again, and the faces of boys she knew, kept coming back into her mind.