A/N
Christmas preparations and a short illness delayed this chapter, but now let's continue.
Thank you all for the nice reviews. Some of your questions/ideas found their way into my story again.
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Hogwarts Express
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King's Cross – 1st of September
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Harry
It was the day of departure and platform 9 ¾ was overflowing with students and their families. Hundreds of students were waving their goodbyes or trying to circumvent an annoying farewell kiss from their mother, aunt or grandma. The members of the pureblood families tried to show what 'proper public behaviour' was, despite the faces of some younger pureblood students telling an attentive observer that they would have liked an improper hug, too. More than one firsty was sticking to their parents with a frightened face: This all was too new, too much. More than one younger sibling, not allowed to go to Hogwarts, had to struggle to suppress tears because his older sibling departed. It was a calming picture, in Harry's opinion, proving that pureblood siblings were like every other. He knew how Astoria had been in the same situation a few years ago , he had seen her tears in Daphne's memories. It was one of the reasons he liked Daphne's younger sister even more after this summer.
Then there was Professor Snape. Roxanne had told them about some of the changes at Hogwarts, one of them being the fact that from now on there would be a teacher at the platform and later on the Hogwarts Express. Junior teacher Penelope Clearwater had already greeted them outside the hidden entrance to the platform. It was her duty to show the Muggle families how to enter the platform. Professor Snape on the other hand would be in charge during the ride. Now he was slowly strutting around, showing his infamous sneer and doing his best to terrify the firsties even more.
"Severus, please." Snape didn't stop for a second at Roxanne's whispered pledge but to Harry's surprise he nodded curtly and at least tried to smooth his features a bit. Perhaps there was still hope for him.
"I'll leave you now. I'm certain you want to go greet your friends without your old mum's supervision. See you later." Roxanne left while Harry and Daphne turned around, looking for their friends.
"Over there." Daphne followed Harry's gesture and found the well-known bushy hair of Hermione. They had gotten a bit tamer last year but still resembled a lion's mane very much, a fact Neville actually adored. He had even stopped Hermione from using too much of that Sleakeazy Potion. "Tame hair simply isn't you, Hermione. You'll never be tamed." At their side was Augusta Longbottom, but something was different about her. "Where's her vulture hat?" Harry asked in a whisper. Really – the hat she now wore wasn't anything fancy or fashionable, but at least she had stopped to wear that silly monstrosity. Hermione had promised last year to get rid of the vulture and apparently she had been successful.
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Interlude
With a haughty look on his face Percy Weasley said farewell to his younger brother. He would see him again in a few hours under different circumstances. Percy Weasley would return to Hogwarts as an important man. Madam Umbridge, Head of the Department of Control of magical creatures, trusted him and he didn't intend to let her down. She was one the most promising aspirants to follow Fudge as the next Minister and it could only be very positive for his career to have her at his side. Senior Secretary Percy Weasley – that had a nice sound.
He hugged his mother curtly and walked away, ignoring all the fuss around him on platform 9 ¾. Percy Weasley was above such idle and childish behaviour. Without a glance he passed Penelope Clearwater, not seeing the moment of sadness the young woman felt. Even seeing it, he wouldn't have understood the reason of her sadness: The kind of person he had changed into since he left Hogwarts. His former girlfriend was unimportant now. Someone like him needed to marry well.
Today was the first day of his career.
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Neville
"Mum is still at St. Mungo's, but by Christmas she should be home again." Neville's voice was low and teary. Augusta had already left again and Hermione was at her fiancé's side, supporting him with a one-armed hug. "Daphne, Harry, you know how stupid, silly and…"
"And incredible brave what you did was," Hermione continued. Even more than Neville she understood how risky the healing had been, but she still felt the overwhelming joy that had gripped her, watching the first real conversation of Neville and Alice.
Neville nodded, his face softening into a smile. "You're incredible friends, thank you a thousand times."
"I'm happy that we could help." Daphne smiled. Her smile was a bit forced as she felt a new wave of headache coming. Hopefully they would enter the train soon, so she could go to the loo and drink another potion. She hadn't told Harry about the headaches so far. He wouldn't be happy about it, and especially about the potions.
"I thought you wouldn't be able to do this for a few more years and then there she was, with open eyes, speaking with me." Neville smiled sheepishly. "She was speaking to me, Daphne, for the first time ever." Suddenly he stepped forward and gave Daphne a real bear hug: "Thank you."
"What's it, Harry?" Hermione had noticed Harry's odd expression while Neville was speaking with Daphne. She also noticed the little shake of Daphne's head in Harry's direction to stop him from telling them something. Something was wrong here. He struggled for a moment before he came to a decision.
"They'll know, Daphne. Like I they'll sense it."
Daphne pondered about it for a moment and sighed defeated. "You're right." On Hermione's and Neville's questioning looks she continued: "I had nightmares after the healing. I have them still. I tried to hide them with silence charms and was effective on most parts. My family doesn't know about them. Only Harry – he was able to feel them through the link. You'll be able to feel them too, I assume." Her friends looked concerned now and Daphne tried to soothe their worries: "At Hogwarts you'll be too far away to feel much of them, don't worry."
Neville stared at her a bit flabbergasted. It was so Daphne-ish to worry about the feelings of others first. "For such a clever witch you're a bit dumb sometimes, Daphne."
Hermione agreed. "We're not concerned that we'll feel those nightmares too, that they'll disturb our sleep, but that you'll have them altogether."
"It was too early, wasn't it?" Neville asked quietly.
Daphne nodded after a moment. "Yes, it was. But we wanted to try it before the year started and a few nightmares aren't too much to get your Mum back a year earlier. It will be better in a few weeks." Once again she tried to calm her friends with her words; and once again she failed.
"And how to you intend to survive these few weeks?" Harry asked a bit angry. He was really concerned about her mental health. Despite Daphne's claims he knew how intense her nightmares were, how she woke up several times every night, screaming. Nel had forbidden her from using Dreamless Sleep Potions. "You have to endure them to get better. Otherwise it would be the same after every healing."
Daphne shrugged. "I don't know. I'll see."
"Perhaps we should talk with Roxanne."
"No," Daphne demanded. "She's concerned and angry enough already. You'll not speak with Mum. Promise!"
"Alright, I promise." Harry pouted. I only promised not to speak with Roxanne.
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Students
The behaviour of the Slytherin students hadn't been a surprise so far. Most glared at Harry liked they were mad because of the fact that he had survived Voldemort's rebirth. The younger ones gave the four teenagers a wide birth, while a few of the older students tried to show bravery through willingly bumping into him. Of all people it was Draco who behaved… no, it couldn't be called friendly, but at least civil. Pansy and Millie, as announced a few weeks ago, mostly ignored them. From the rest it was open hostility, at least something Harry could understand.
Something different were the strange looks from the other houses. Being away at Toledo had the disadvantage that they hadn't followed the smear campaign of Ministry and Daily Prophet. A new article had been published nearly every day about the 'demented Harry Potter and his dangerous friends'. Harry hadn't expected the impact of those articles, hadn't expected so many students to believe that nonsense. It wounded Harry that even among his housemates, there were some who believed the lies and glared at him. Even Seamus and Parvati, who owed their Prefect badge to Harry and Hermione, held their distance, Seamus glaring, Parvati with a bland face. Only when Seamus left the platform to enter the train, did Parvati suddenly change her behaviour and approached them.
"Congratulations, Parvati," Hermione tried to behave normally, despite feeling hurt. It was a bit of a hollow compliment with all four teenagers having refused to be a Prefect this year, but nonetheless she expected Parvati to be happy about it. Certainly she would be a better prefect than Lavender could ever be and perhaps she would learn a thing or two from her sister. For a moment she wondered how often it had happened in the past that twins had been Prefects in the same year.
"Thank you, Hermione." Parvati's short hug was a surprise. Even more a surprise was the sensation of her slipping a letter into Hermione's cloak. With a last wave Parvati left already. "What was this?" Neville wondered, knowing full well that Parvati wasn't all that close to Hermione. It had gotten somewhat better last year with her sister Padma spending time with Hermione and Daphne at the library, but certainly they couldn't be called friends. Hermione shrugged: "No idea." She decided to tell them later about the letter.
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Ginny
"Fred." Daphne greeted her favourite twin with a happy smile. "Tell me you had some ideas for exciting 'welcome the new year' pranks over the summer."
Hermione rolled her eyes, Arthur pretended not to hear the remark, but Fred and George indeed appreciated the enthusiasm of their favourite Slytherin. Since they knew about Dumble's meddling that had caused Daphne to be sorted into Slytherin – not Ravenclaw like it could be expected – they liked her even more.
"Certainly, darling," Fred hugged her heartily.
"We wouldn't dare to disappoint you," George agreed.
Daphne shoved Fred back, scolding him with a grin. "Stop that. I don't want to have your jealous girlfriend messing with me."
"So your jealous boyfriend is unimportant?" Harry asked with a pout.
"In comparison, certainly," Daphne shrugged. "Angelina is much more dangerous if annoyed." Fred and George agreed to that statement whole-heartedly, having experienced Angelina's temper in the past well enough.
"Hey, Ginny," Hermione meanwhile greeted the youngest Weasley who hadn't left her father's side. Allowing the girl a moment to prepare she stepped forward and hugged her. Ginny was tense for a moment, but relaxed after a while, allowing Hermione to hold her far longer than usual. She needed this, needed the knowledge and feeling that their friendship was still for real. Hastily she wiped away a single tear. I'm strong and not a little teary girl. Neville and Harry mimicked Hermione's gesture, even if shorter, and left it to Daphne to greet her properly.
The black-haired beauty grabbed Ginny's hands and squeezed them gently. "I'm happy to see you, Ginny." Not letting go of the hands she addressed the twins, shooing them away. "Go and find Lee. I expect at least three pranks until the end of the week." With a mocking salute the twins departed, George hesitating for touch longer, only following his twin after another nod from Daphne telling that Ginny would be okay.
"You shouldn't encourage them;" Hermione scolded Daphne, not able to fully suppress her own smile. Daphne only grinned: "Says the girl who created a dozen pranking potions last year." She turned around to Ginny again: "You'll stay with us for the ride, okay?" Ginny shuddered shortly, the tenseness leaving her body at last: "Okay."
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Arthur
"I really don't want to insult you, Arthur, but how are you even able to do your work with that lack of knowledge?"
"He was right, you know," Arthur sighed. "I'll spend the next month with Dr. Michels and his wife in the Muggle world. I hope I'll learn enough to do my work properly in the future. What troubles me the most is the fact that I never realized in the past how sparse my knowledge was about that part of the world." He sighed again even deeper than before. "What an impression must I have made to your parents, Hermione?"
Hermione shrugged, but couldn't deny that it had been bad. Arthur had behaved like a giddy teenager, or better like a toddler on a sugar rush, annoying her parents at their last meeting with all kind of silly questions. "It was a bit weird, I admit. They told me later that they felt a bit like a family of cavemen or like exhibits at a museum."
"That's what I feared, but it will be better next time. Your books helped me to prepare for my internship. It will be great."
Harry still had his worries about letting Arthur loose on the Muggle world, but for now he offered a supporting smile.
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Fleur
"Bonjour, Fleur."
The French family certainly caused more than one head to turn and not only most of the teenager boys were staring, quite a few of their fathers and uncles followed the example of their kids, much to the annoyance of their wives, who shot some glares in the direction of the Delacours. Fleur and her mother were used to that reaction and tried to shield Gabrielle, while they approached Harry and his friends. Fleur's father followed them a few steps behind, a bit straighter than last time but obviously not yet the head of the family again.
While Daphne and Hermione started to speak with the Delacour sister – Daphne very fast and fluently, Hermione a bit slower and her French more school-like – Harry watched them attentively. Fleur and Gabrielle were similar to each other – both sharing those incredible blond hair, the impressive blue eyes, the pale flawless skin and the incredible beauty of their mother – but yet they were different too. Fleur was very tall and slender, with a small bust and the overall body of a model. Gabrielle on the other hand was small for her age, a bit stockier and the shoulders and arms of a girl that spend much time swimming. While Fleur was very controlled in her behaviour, Gabrielle showed with every step that she had a large underlying energy that wanted to express itself. A bundle of energy, Harry thought with a smile.
"Do you feel a bit dumb, too, Harry? I mean listening to our girls speaking in something that's certainly not a real language but more like birdsong," Neville asked with a low voice.
Harry only shrugged. "Don't know about you, but I feel really clever." On Neville's quizzical look he continued: "Despite my deficiencies I've been able to catch the most wonderful girlfriend and in moments like these I leave it to hear to speak French while I lean back and pretend to be a kind of silent philosopher."
Neville thought about that for a moment and agreed: He could live with that.
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Gabrielle
"We'll care for her, Fleur," Daphne calmed her friend. "We've spoken with a few other girls and there will be someone in every house, should Gabrielle ever need help. Hermione agreed, thinking about Luna, Susan and Astoria. All three had promised to watch out for Gabrielle and help her not to feel too forlorn at Hogwarts.
"I'll be there for you, too, Gabrielle," Ginny assured. "I'm in Gryffindor like Hermione and I'll start my fourth year today, so I won't be so occupied with studies this year like Hermione, who will take her OWL. Don't hesitate to ask me for help. I remember quite well how it was to start at Hogwarts without knowing anyone."
Hermione watched Gabrielle and Ginny closely. Yes, Ginny would know the turmoil in Gabrielle's heart and the youngest Delacour seemed to feel that too. Her smile showed that she seemed to trust the older girl. Perhaps Gabrielle and Ginny could help each other.
"I'll write you and Hermione will do the same, I'm certain. Only don't expect more than a three-liner from Harry and Neville." Harry pouted a bit and Neville mumbled something like "I've gotten better at that writing business."
Fleur welcomed Daphne's statement with a happy smile: "And I'll visit you as often as possible. I know that Gabrielle won't be allowed to go to Hogsmeade, but perhaps I can meet you from time to time."
"Certainly," Daphne nodded. "We'll do that."
"And don't forget the parental visiting days," Hermione interjected, earning a round of confused stares. Rolling her eyes she explained: "Didn't you read the Hogwarts letter?" Making a defeated gesture she wondered: "Why do I ask? Naturally you didn't. It's one of the changes. There will be visiting days for parents from now on. It is meant mostly for the families of Muggleborn, but certainly you could visit too. I don't know how and how often, but Headmaster Flitwick will certainly explain tomorrow. You'll be at Hogwarts tomorrow, Mrs. Delacour?"
"You mean the open day tomorrow? Certainly I'll be there."
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Hogwarts Express
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Trolley
The express had left King's Cross one hour ago. It had been a very pleasant hour for the six teenagers, with mostly Ginny explaining to Gabrielle how Hogwarts worked, who and how the teachers were and how to find your way to the classrooms despite magical stairs and other hindrances. Harry had left the compartment after a while, leaving Daphne and Neville speaking about Alice Longbottom and her recovery, while Hermione mostly listened quietly to Ginny. A year ago it would have been nearly impossible for her to stay silent and simply listen without adding a comment here and there. Instead she would have gone on and on with all kind of details, certainly boring to death the young girl. However she had changed a lot since then, a change she knew to owe to Neville. She was thankful for this. It had done much to improve her sereneness and contentment. Even Professor Snape had observed this change and made a remark about it – a more or less friendly remark even, by his standards.
"Some sweats?"
The all too well-known elder lady had opened the door and pointed to her trolley. She had been on the train four years ago already and sometimes Daphne wondered if Agatha already had bought sweets from her. The top rack was overflowing with all kind of sweets as always, but the lower ones – a bit hidden – drew Hermione's eyes. There were the new goods, something Roxanne and Poppy had been adamant to implement with all the other, greater changes. My parents would be happy to see those apples and cucumber sandwiches, Hermione smiled and bought a round of them.
"They don't sell well," the lady sighed. "But it's time that they are available at least. I should have added these years ago."
It was no surprise that Gabrielle was more interested in chocolate frogs, while Ginny gathered a bag of Berti Bott's Beans, but at least both didn't sigh too loud when Hermione placed a sandwich each in their laps. "Bon appétit!"
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Severus
"Professor Snape? May I have a minute of your time?"
Severus wasn't in a good mood. Nothing too awful had happened so far, but the simple fact that he had to play nanny for all these students – especially the younger ones and their parents – had been enough to sour the whole day for him. Even Penelope Clearwater, who had proven quite some patience in handling him in the past months, had left their compartment after a while, to "speak with the prefects". Now the one student he needed to speak but certainly didn't want to had disturbed this short moment of peace. Only the polite question – very unusual for the Potter-brat and certainly caused by some unpleasant or bold request – stopped him from simply evicting the boy.
Severus gestured him to take a seat and with a wave of his hand closed the door. Harry was startled by the unexpected noise, proving that he was more tense and jumpy than usual. Severus raised one eyebrow when Harry started to cast some privacy spells, some of them far too sophisticated to believe he had learned them by himself. The Pinegrew rearing was showing apparently.
"What do you wish me to do, Mr. Potter?" Hopefully it wasn't about the past, the prophecy or his parents. While Severus knew that he had to speak about it with the brat, he wasn't very eager to do so. Sometimes he hated his conscience.
For a second Harry was surprised, but then his lips showed a weak smile: At least he's speaking to me.
"Now, please, Mr. Potter. I have things to do."
Students to harass, for example, Harry suppressed a grin. "Sir, I assume you know about Alice Longbottom's recovery?"
"Yes," Severus nodded. "Miss Greengrass was able to release her frightened mind from the grip of insanity – or so Poppy told me. Apparently you were a part of that process."
"Only a very small one," Harry responded. "Daphne did most of it."
It could have been false modesty, but Potter seemed to be honest and there was no small amount of adoration in his voice. Perhaps he is really different from his father, Severus mused, gesturing the boy to continue.
"You're an accomplished Legilimens, aren't you, Professor?" Harry asked carefully, hastily continuing as he observed Snape's frown: "I only ask because that would allow you to understand the working of the human mind better than others, perhaps even better than a traditional healer like Madam Pomfrey."
"I devoted some hours of my studies to the human mind, yes." Severus worded carefully.
This hurdle cleared, Harry started to explain how they had been able to heal Alice Longbottom. Severus' face showed no readable reaction, but he was more than a bit impressed. He knew that this kind of mental, of so-called spiritual healing was possible – in theory. That Daphne Greengrass had been able to do so – even with Potter's help – at her age and with this amount of success was incredible.
Roxanne has a very fine daughter there, he thought, a bit envious that the same couldn't be said about him. I wonder if Astoria will be equally impressive later.
"There were… repercussions," Harry continued with some trepidation.
"What kind of repercussions?"
"Daphne has very strong headaches. She's taking potions. Daphne tries to hide them but I nicked one of the bottles."
He presented the nearly empty bottle to Severus, who after a short examination explained: "That's a very strong potion, not appropriate to be taken for more than a few days."
"I feared something like that and hoped you would be able to produce something healthier. According to Daphne's mentor she'll have her nightmares for at least a few more weeks and I fear it will be the same with her headaches."
"What nightmares?" Severus asked. This was all too familiar to him and reminded him of the days fifteen years ago, when he had to dose himself with painkiller and dreamless sleep potions nearly every night.
"She has nightmares about the healing," Harry explained with a halting voice. "They are very… disturbing obviously. Her mentor told her that she can't take dreamless sleep potions; that she has to endure them, to digest the experience to get really better."
Severus sighed. Poppy had said something similar to him. Yes, it had gotten better, but mostly because it was a kind of a hardening process. "Is there another way to help her?"
Harry fidgeted on his seat for a while, his behaviour doing nothing to better Snape's mood, but to Harry's surprise the Head of House Slytherin simply waited, his eyes even showing a hint of concern. Perhaps they were right and the greasy git really cares for his students. His voice only a mumble he responded: "It seemed to help her when she wasn't sleeping alone. I shared her bed at night – only to hold her, naturally." Harry's face was quite red now and with no small amount of amusement Snape asked: "And pray tell: does her mother know about those sleeping arrangement?"
"No," Harry wildly shook his head "and it would be better to stay this way." With much concern he continued: "Daphne doesn't want her mother to know about this. She doesn't want to concern her. Roxanne wasn't very happy about the healing – naturally she liked the result, but she thought it was far too early."
"I assume she's right about that."
"Yes," Harry shrugged. "However Daphne wanted to help and she has her own head."
That statement was something Severus would subscribe instantly.
"And you have only to look into Neville's eyes to know that the decision was the right one. We had to do that, despite the repercussions." Harry sighed. "I only want to help her now."
"I see." Snape pondered about the problem for a while. "I'll see what I can do in the matter… and I'll give her another kind of painkillers."
"Thank you, Sir." Harry was much more relieved now. He had been true to his word – more or less – and Daphne would get some well-needed help.
"You can thank me with some kind of repayment," Snape stopped his joy. What could the snarky man want to get in return? "In a few days, after we all settled in at Hogwarts, I expect your visit, Mr. Potter. We need to speak about something important."
That was all? Harry wondered: "Certainly, Professor."
"It won't be a nice conversation and I expect you to not like the content. Be prepared and try to stay calm – if that's possible for you."
Harry frowned but nodded after a moment. "It is – I exercised a bit in meditation. I won't demolish your office, Sir." The expression on Professor Snape's face told him how serious the git was about the unpleasantness of the intended conversation. Perhaps it will be about the past, him and my parents, he thought. However even without the help Snape promised, Harry would have accepted the invitation. It should be interesting.
"Good," Severus watched the boy in silence. Just when Harry wanted to leave, the Professor stopped him. "At Hogwarts, be careful around Mister Higgs." Harry frowned. He knew Terence Higgs, a sixth year Slytherin, who had been Seeker of the Quidditch team until Draco Malfoy bought his place. He had never been especially remarkable.
"He returned to the Quidditch team as a Seeker and since Draco lost a great part of his status this summer, apparently Mister Higgs attempts to become the new alpha male in my house."
"So that's the reason Crabbe and Goyle were following him around this morning."
"Yes, Mister Higgs apparently started to gather a band of sycophants around him, mostly of the less intelligent and more violent kind. I expect him to something stupid sooner or later and wouldn't like to see one of the Greengrass ladies get hurt in the process." So he wasn't concerned too much about other students, but Harry had to admit that Daphne and Astoria were in more danger than most.
"I'll watch out for them."
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Interlude
"You'll leave her alone… for now."
Bole and Derrick glared at the younger and smaller boy in front of them. They didn't like the idea of obeying such a weakling who was even a year below them, but their fathers had been adamant. If they wanted to get decently paid jobs next summer, despite their poor academic results, they needed an advocate at the Ministry. Higgs' father could be such an advocate, so they had to bite their tongue and obey. That Higgs was the new seeker and team captain, the one boy who decided about their positions in the team, only added to the importance of his voice.
"Perhaps later we'll have an opportunity to play with the ice ladies, but for now concentrate on other targets."
"Alright, we'll behave," Bole complied and Derrick nodded.
When Higgs had left, Derrick asked with a grumble: "What now?"
"Let's go and find something to play with."
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Balou
"Is everything all right?" Daphne greeted Harry on his return with concern in her eyes. He nodded and offered a small smile, sat down at her side and started to fondle Balou, who was resting in Daphne's lap.
"You look a bit envious, Harry," Ginny remarked with a grin and Neville had to agree. It was quite obvious that Harry would have liked a bit of quality time with his girlfriend, if only to care for her. Daphne was somewhat better now than at the start of the train ride, but Neville feared it had a very special reason. When Daphne returned from the loo, he smelled Yessenwood, a rare herb used in several strong potions, namely painkillers. It wasn't healthy to use it too often. He had to speak with Harry about it, later.
Balou ignored the small talk, but obviously agreed with the attention, turning its head to allow Harry to reach the spot behind its right ear, while the tomcat closely watched Ginny. He was still wary of the girl, hadn't completely forgiven her for what she had done nearly a year ago. Ginny, who had watched him for quite some time, seemed to understand this. It was her fault. It had been her temper that had prompted her to injure the tomcat back then. Coming to a decision, Ginny leaned forward, her hand slowly approaching the tomcat.
"Ginny, I don't think…" Harry was stopped by Daphne with a short message through their link. {"Wait and see. She wants to do this."}
Instead of touching the tomcat, Ginny offered her hand, not retracting it when Balou put his small paw on the hand's backside. Gabrielle watched the unusual scene with wide eyes, not daring to blink, to miss a single second. Slowly the tomcat bared his claws and still Ginny watched him only. She grimaced, but neither retracted her hand nor uttered a noise when Balou slowly scratched her, leaving deep and long gashes on her hand. Only when Balou drew in the claws, did Ginny lean back again.
Nobody wanted to comment the whole scene, only Daphne asked: "Shall I heal your hand?"
"No," Ginny shook her hand, only accepting a handkerchief from Hermione to bandage her hand. "I deserved that." For a while girl and tomcat watched each other silently. "You're the only one creature I ever willingly und undeservedly hurt, Balou. I'm very sorry about it and I'll never do that again."
Balou seemed to accept that and left Daphne, only to jump into Ginny's lap, ordering her without words to continue the fondling. Ginny happily obeyed.
.
Familiar
"Nel told me that Balou could become a healer cat."
Balou was sleeping in Ginny's lap, oblivious to the conversation about him and his future.
"She gave me this book. Apparently because he had been saved twice through healing magic, he had a special connection to that kind of spells."
Ginny listened, her face showing how uneasy she was to hear about that. The second time had been her fault. Because she had lost her temper, Daphne had to use no small amount of healing magic to rescue him. Poppy had told them later that without Daphne's talent to use very small and well-targeted spells Balou would have died that night.
"And this book is about what?"
"There are a number of rituals to bind a pet to you, changing the pet into a real familiar, its abilities dependent on the special type of ritual used and the nature of the pet and wizard."
"I read about those rituals," Hermione slowly interjected, her face a deep frown. "You have to be very careful with them, if I remember correctly. You have to use them on special days and there are some drawbacks."
"Yes," Harry sighed. "The most important drawback is the fact that the familiar is unable to survive the wizard's death."
"That's the reason Harry doesn't want to use it on Hedwig," Daphne continued with a slight growl. "He's still expecting to die within the next years." Her face showed all too clearly her opinion about the matter.
"I'm not," Harry growled back.
"You're too," Daphne hissed.
"No, Daphne, with you, Hermione and Neville at my side I expect to survive." He said this with so much conviction in his voice that his words calmed his girlfriend somewhat. "However expectation is not enough if Hedwig's life is on the line. If all goes well, I still can use those rituals at a later time. It's not like you and Balou. He could really help you with your healing."
"I would like to read that book sometime," Hermione remarked.
"I assumed you would," Daphne smiled, offering the book to her. "Perhaps you could have a look and then help me with the preparations?"
"I would love to."
.
Letter
The train had already entered the region of Scotland. Gabrielle Delacour was dozing, her head leaning against the cool window. Ginny was staring at the landscape deep in thoughts, her hand still fondling the tomcat, while the others were reading some books. Neville had noticed that Hermione wasn't actually reading, but only holding her newest book about transfiguration, pondering about something for a while. Now she looked up and leaned forward, her hand holding a letter and offering it to Ginny, who accepted it with a look of confusion.
"It's from Parvati's mother," Hermione explained with a low and serious voice. "She slipped it into my cloak on the platform as she hugged me." Her words got the attention of everybody. "What do you think about it?"
Carefully Ginny read the letter, her face turning pale. With a sigh and a beaten look she let the letter sink: "I really hoped she would see reason. For weeks Mum was telling Dad that she changed, that she wanted to apologize for her former behaviour. I hoped that she was serious about it, for him. I should have known better."
Their friends looked up from their reading material but stayed silent, waiting for further explanations. Slowly Hermione started to tell them about the letter: How Molly Weasley had invited a number of mothers to her interims domicile; how she tried to sway them to her side and push them into agreeing that their children joined Ron in an obscure 'school investigation group'. "Apparently Ron – with the support of an unnamed former Headmaster – intends to found this group to help his brother Percy. Percy's job is to examine the changes at Hogwarts."
Ginny nodded: "He told me about it, was all important and mighty. You know him enough to get what I mean. His boss, that Umbitch woman, will be at Hogwarts too from time to time. Percy will stay the whole year, more or less, at least a few days a week, so he told me."
"Why?"
"To interfere with the changes," Harry growled darkly, his voice telling how he thought about the idea.
Ginny sighed and shrugged: "Yes, apparently there are some 'concerns' among the upper echelons at the Ministry. They fear that Headmaster Flitwick will change too much too soon. You know: Forget all those important traditions that served us so well in the past - Percy's words, not my own."
"So he's a kind of spy."
"A denouncer…"
"A brown-noser…"
All teens giggled at that comment.
"Dad thinks the same about Percy, but he still loves him. So please, if you push him down the stairs, make sure he survives."
"Promised." The word was uttered like the restraint would be a big sacrifice.
"You should tell your father about this," Hermione's voice turned serious again. "However please don't mention the letter directly nor name Parvati's mum. She certainly had her reasons to deliver the letter on this way instead of simply owling me."
"I'll make sure he knows about this. And we'll keep an eye on my dear brothers." Ginny said we and she meant it: They were in this together.
.
Luna
After a short stop at Harry's group and a first conversation with the still a bit overwhelmed Gabrielle Delacour, Luna Lovegood – prime journalist of the Quibbler – slowly walked along the compartments. She wasn't certain herself why she hadn't stayed with Colin and enjoyed the ride, why she felt the urge to silently observe the other students. Be it Tracey and Blaise, the Slytherin prefects who didn't speak a single word with each other. Be it Millicent Bulstrode, who greeted her with a miniscule nod and ignored Greg Goyle who followed her like a lovesick puppy. Or be it a number of other Ravenclaw girls, who sneered at her but at least didn't insult her openly.
The friendship with Harry and the others had weakened her shield, Luna knew. She wasn't as impregnable as before to the stares and insults. However she didn't want to miss them anymore: Her friends, the first friends since Ginny. Luna's housemates had stopped to hide her things after Harry openly showed that he cared for her. Most of them even stopped to insult her – at least to Luna's face or in the presence of her friends. Still most of them avoided her, like her weird ideas would be contagious. The Quibbler articles had improved her situation a bit, her new fame, but with the campaign against Harry and every supporter of him that would change again to the worse, Luna feared.
I'll have to wait and see how this year will go on.
.
Mandy
"Leave me alone."
Luna instantly recognized that teary voice. It had been hunting her dreams for years. Even now, months after Daphne stopped the girl from harassing her, Luna sometimes woke up, shivering. Mandy Brocklehurst, like most of the Ravenclaw girls, had followed her for years with insults and petty-minded remarks about her family. She had stolen and hidden her things, pushed her into walls and down stairs, soaked her bed with disgusting fluids or itching powder and even threatened the few Ravenclaws who dared to speak normally with her. Mandy had been a real cow and even after Harry had stopped most of the other girls she had continued, only a bit more hidden.
A few days before the second task – Daphne had already been annoyed by the potion-induced behaviour of Viktor and Ginny and her fights with Harry – had been at the wrong place at the wrong time – or at the right place in Luna's case. Mandy had been especially awful and after insulting Luna and her father turned to remarks about the death of Luna's mum. Luna had been shocked. Even the other girls had never stooped so low, but before her tears had a chance to start falling, some furious whirlwind passed her and a second later Mandy went flying into the next wall. Nobody dared to stop Daphne as she bowed down and whispered something into Mandy's ear. Till today Luna had no idea what threats exactly Daphne had told Mandy, but the girl's deathly pale face was proof enough that it hadn't been something nice. Whatever Daphne had told her, since then Mandy stopped harassing Luna and even made an effort to avoid her.
.
Housemates
"Leave me alone."
Yes, it was her voice, but it lacked the usual spite, haughtiness and self-confidence. Instead Luna detected mostly fear, the fear of a rabbit in sight of a snake – or two snakes in this case.
"Behave and this won't hurt… too much." Bole sniggered, watching his mate Derrick closely, blocking the exit of the small luggage room to prevent the girl's flight. Derrick, his prank vise-like around Mandy's right arm, leaned forward to kiss her, something the girl barely avoided so far through turning her face away wildly. The boy frowned deeply. "Don't play shy. We all know what a slut you are. I'm certain every Claw-boy fourth year and up had his talons in your flesh already. It's too late to pretend to be a virgin."
With disgust Luna watched the scene. Even she had heard rumours about Mandy and her variety of dates last year. Some of the boys even claimed that they had gone the full round with her, but Luna didn't believe those idle boasts. Obviously Mandy had no qualms to snog a boy even in public and a bit of groping seemed to be okay to her, too. With a bit of luck these two boys wouldn't want more from her than that. Her clothes were alright so far, certainly they wouldn't rape her on the train.
Her thoughts gone so far, Luna blushed deeply, suddenly deathly ashamed of herself. This behaviour was unacceptable as was her hesitation to help her housemate, irrespective of the fact that she hated the girl. To turn around now would stoop her to the same low level of those bullies – Ravenclaw and Slytherin alike.
"Leave her alone."
In her eagerness to compensate her former hesitation, Luna made three grave errors. The first was to step to close to them. The second was not to expect a violent reaction. The third at last was her trust in house loyalty.
As she stepped nearer, her eyes blazing, both boys turned around. Derrick loosened his grip around Mandy's arm, who – instead of staying and helping Luna – simply used her chance and bolted. Luna, confused by Mandy's reaction, watched her a second too long and had no chance to avoid the ham-like fist of Bole that crashed into her face. Groggily she tried to escape his ape-like arms while Derrick used the moment and disarmed her.
"Apparently we have a volunteer, mate."
.
Millie
Her mood was already bad because of her parents and Greg's behaviour – her housemate had started to stalk her since their parents had addressed the possibility of an engagement. She understood the reasoning. According to the tales of her father, there was a struggle ongoing among the Death Eaters, a struggle about the alpha male position. The competitors were mostly Lucius Malfoy and Anton Dolohov. Through the engagement of Millie and Greg her father would make a statement: Goyle meant Malfoy, since the Goyles had been allies of the Malfoys for generations. Understanding it didn't mean that she liked to be a chess piece in this political game.
Millie's face turned into a full power visage of rage as something small – small at least in comparison to her broad frame – tumbled into her. She didn't know the girl in the Ravenclaw robe, but obviously she was deathly afraid, something that didn't improve when Millie hissed in her direction: "Are you blind? I'm big enough, aren't I?"
With wide eyes the girl stared at her and slowly stepped backwards, her eyes going even wider as she noticed the Slytherin colours of her 'obstacle'. Certainly Greg's grinning face wasn't helping either. Millie stared in the direction the girl had come from, but there was nothing special to see. Just as she wanted to ask the girl "What's the matter?" Mandy escaped into one of the compartments, a compartment full of 'Claws. Instantly, according to her gestures, she started to tell them something about the big bad Slytherin girl in the corridor.
Most of the students thought Millie to be dumb and certainly she was no Daphne in the brain compartment. However she was able to think slowly but very carefully. The girl had been frightened, even more by her house colours. Millie remembered some of the boys speaking about the changes at Hogwarts and how they hated them. With the Dark Lord's return many pureblood families got the upper hand – at least in their opinion. Millie expected that there would be incidents between Slytherin purebloods and the rest of the school. Had someone already started with that nonsense?
Millie knew that it would have been prudent to simply stay back, to not investigate. However she had never been especially prudent. Even before Harry and Daphne promised to help her a few weeks ago, she had been against the changes and only obeyed because of her mother's pleas and because she knew that her father would make her mother pay for her disobedience. Slytherin had always been the house of ambition. Her ambition was quite simply and equally terrible difficult: Millie wanted to control her own life, something equally difficult because of her family status and her being 'only a girl'. She was a kind of merchandise in the eyes of her father and his friends, a future baby producer. With her lack of intelligence, beauty and grace she was even without the possibilities of a Narcissa Malfoy to lead an acceptable life.
No, Millie wanted to control her own life. The next step would be to act stupid now: To hell with prudence.
.
Rescue
Millie followed the corridor and reached the end of the wagon. She heard slapping noises and muffled cries. Speeding up she hurried around a corner and her blood started to boil. Everybody knew what a weirdo Looney Lovegood was, but that was no excuse to mishandle her like these two gooneys did just now. Several bruises and a black eye were visible. Some kind of badly cast silencing charm muffled the noises mostly, but didn't hinder Millie to see everything. Bole just slapped her again in the face, knocking her down, Luna's head hitting one of the stored trunks, because the blond girl had tried to push the hand away that wanted to wander under her blouse.
"Millie…" Greg whispered in the futile hope to stop her, knowing full well how his future fiancée would react.
The big girl ignored him and rushed into the storage room, pushing Derrick out of the way and into the nearest wall. Instantly Millie charged forward and grabbed Bole's hand, who just reached back for another strike. She dragged him around and kneed him in the family jewels. Despite her anger and surprise the fight would have gone bad very fast, with both boys being older, larger and heavier than her. They were used to solve problems with their fists unlike their more intelligent housemates. However to Millie's luck Greg ignored how stupid it was to start a fight with their housemates to help a 'Claw. Instead he charged after Millie – perhaps hoping to get some brownie points with her, perhaps simply to help his wannabe fiancée. Whatever the reason, the impact of his charge was impressive. Knocking into Derrick and pushing him into the wall a second time, it was only a matter of seconds until both bullies were unconscious on the ground.
Greg looked around and mumbled: "Oh, shit!"
