Chapter Eleven: Plots and Conspirators


AN: Ta-da! I know it's been a long time coming, but with RL and writer's block happening, it took a long time to finish this chapter. I think (now) that this story will be wrapping up soon. There's only three or four chapters left, followed by the epilogue. I plan to be done with this story by the end of the year unless something comes up.


The next weeks passed without much change. Ariadne spent every other weekend in the Headmaster's suite and stayed the rest of the time in Ravenclaw Tower, thriving in her classes and in her new friendships. Her kitten, a black and white spotted thing she named Septimus, could be seen following her around after her classes. She also made sure to see her Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry on occasion, knowing that while the transition had been fairly smooth, she still needed to talk to them when she couldn't confide in her new parents.

Her parents, on the other hand, were beginning to have issues trying to conceal their relationship from prying eyes. While the strain seemed to add an exciting element to the relationship, there were times they wished they didn't have to hide their feelings from others. If Severus and Hermione had known how their relationship was an open secret shared by their friends, they probably wouldn't have fallen into the trap about to be sprung.


The Friday before the Christmas holiday was to begin, the conspirators met in the Potters' set of rooms, trying to get the story straight and wondering how they were going to catch the lovebirds off guard.

Josie, who had been almost reluctant to trick one of her favorite professors, said, "I honestly think it should be something simple. The more elaborate the plan, the more likely it is to fall apart."

Reyna snatched a biscuit from one of the trays that had been prepared for their gathering. She savored it and thought about what Josie had said. "I have to agree. The way she got me and Ron in the closet was by saying she was sure she had seen her toys in that closet and she wasn't going to leave until she got them. She proceeded to have a tantrum until we gave in and closed the door behind us." Reyna absently stroked her abdomen, feeling her child kick with enthusiasm. "It wasn't until we heard the lock click and heard her giggle, that we knew we had been set up."

"Well, Ari isn't five. If she was to throw a tantrum, I don't think either Snape or 'Mione will fall for it." Ron grabbed for a biscuit, only to have his wife smack his hand. Reyna had been on a kick limiting his sweets.

"I have an idea."

The adults looked at Eleanor. The little sprite had just turned seven before school had begun, and looked a lot like her Aunt Ginny. She climbed up into her daddy's lap and asked, "You wanna help Aunt Hermione and Uncle Severus get together like Aunt Josie helped you, right?"

Ginny smiled at her niece. "What's your idea, Elly?"

A grin promising a lot of mischief crossed the little girl's face. "We're going to have a Christmas party in the Room of Requirement because Aunt Ginny can't go anywhere. And when they go to set up… Bam!" She clapped her hands together. "We'll lock them inside until Christmas."

Josie tapped her chin as she thought about it, trying to find any holes in the plan. When she couldn't, she ruffled her niece's hair. "Apparently those mischief genes didn't go to waste on you." She grabbed out a spare piece of parchment to cement their plans.

"Harry should bring it up to Hermione, and she'll find some way to drag Snape into it." Ginny stretched a little bit. She had been confined to bed rest since September and knew Hermione would take sympathy on her friend. "If she balks at moving me, remind her that a change of scenery will do me good, and since it would be unrealistic for me to go to the Burrow, the closest thing would be the Room of Requirement."

"So when are we going to set this plan in motion?" Josie looked up from what she was writing. "I know it should be soon, but we don't want them gone for long." She looked down at her list of preparations and added, "I think we should let Professor Flitwick know what is going on. He is the Deputy Headmaster, after all."

"He already knows." Reyna snatched another biscuit and didn't say anything as Ron snatched one. "I told him what we were planning ages ago. It always helps to cover all the possible bases we can before hand."

"I think on we should do it on the twenty-third. That way we can let them out by Christmas and figure out what we want the room to do." Josie grabbed a biscuit for herself and thought for a moment. "Isn't that the day students go home for the term?"

"That makes it even more perfect." Reyna smiled to herself and added, "It also gives us less time to mess it up by over thinking it."


Over the weekend, Harry approached Hermione and let her know of the plan to have Christmas in the Room of Requirement so Ginny could partake in some of the festivities. "She's been holding up really well so far, but I know how disappointed she is that she can't go to the Burrow. I thought maybe you and Snape could help with the decorations."

"I would love to help, I just don't know if Severus would." Hermione knew she could possibly convince Severus to help, but I would take a lot of persuasion on her part.

"Just tell him that we want to celebrate Christmas as a family." Harry knew he was pushing it, but if he couldn't get her to bring Severus, the plan wouldn't work. "It's only going to be us; Ron, Reyna, and the kids; and hopefully you and Snape if he's worried about crowds."

"I can't make any promises, but I'll try to get him to come." She wrapped Harry in a hug and asked, "Have I told you how happy I am for you and Ginny lately?" She pulled away and smiled at him. "I know I haven't said it lately, but I am really happy for the two of you."

Harry smile back at her and said, "We plan on it happening on Monday after the students leave for the holiday. I figure you and Snape can meet me and Ron up there to set up and the others will be up afterward."

Hermione nodded and said, "I'll let Severus know."

Harry watched Hermione walk away and breathed a sigh of relief. Part one of their plan had gone off without a hitch. As long as both of them showed up on Monday, their plan could go off without a hitch.