A/N: Hello, everyone :) New chapter is up. Calliope, Oliver and the girls try to deal with the war as best they can, but one of Oliver's teammate faces a family tragedy, Harriet fears that a colleague is under the influence of the Imperius Curse and Callie and Oliver are attacked by Dementors. But there's no evil without good, as we all know :)

Bellamort500- I'm glad you liked it so much :D Yeah, I hate the Dementors too...The worst creatures in the Harry Potter world for me

xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.

Gotta Dance 88- Yeah, now the serious things begin. As for Oliver's Patronus...you'll see ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Calliope loved St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. After the many sessions with Madam Pomfrey last year, she knew many things about the different cases and couldn't wait to train her healing abilities every day. Of course, Healer Foster, the regular Healer, was very strict with her and wanted Calliope to be perfect, but the young witch never complained. Finally, she had started to work and she was feeling well. Sometimes, though, conditions were difficult. Herbert Chorley, Muggle Junior Minister, for example. was in the Spell Damage Department after a badly casted Imperius Curse that had caused him to pretend that he was a duck. He was still acting strangely and he had even tried to strangle her once.

'You got the most interesting department' Lexi told her one evening, after work. She was training in the Artefact Accidents. 'Nothing happens with me, only the usual stuff, like cauldron explosions. At least the Healer is really nice, not like the one who's training you'

'Oh, well, every beginning is difficult' Calliope said with a smile, although Chorley's case was worrying her.

Despite being graduates, Lexi and Calliope were still meeting Phoebe, Elaine and Harriet even when they didn't have Order meetings. Phoebe had started working in the Ministry, in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and specifically in the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol and was devastated when she heard about Amelia Bones' death, whom she had met. Elaine was training as an Auror in the Aurors' Office, where she was seeing Kingsley very often, with whom she was exchanging coded news about the Order. Harriet was writing for the Daily Prophet, basically about attacks and disappearances.

Oliver was visiting Calliope several times a week. During these visits, they avoided analyzing the situation around them and preferred to joke around, reminisce events from Hogwarts or speaking about Quidditch.

'We're actually doing something against the Death Eaters' Oliver had stated. 'Talking about it will only increase fear'

And fear was, certainly, what ruled the wizarding world. Everyone had changed and was looking behind their backs, while almost nobody was walking alone. Mrs. Weasley, always protective of her family, was more irritable than ever and wasn't enduring reckless comments about Voldemort.

'And the children? What if my children get into some serious trouble again?' she wondered during a meeting.

'Molly, they will be fine' Remus consoled her. 'They are grown-up and mature now and know how to defend theirselves. As for Ron and Ginny…they're safe at Hogwarts, with Dumbledore and Aurors to guard them'

It was the first time he was present at a meeting for a long time, saying that he was on a "secret mission". Calliope hadn't pressured him for more information, but he seemed older and more upset than ever, with black circles beneath his eyes. Whatever this mission was, it was anything but easy. And Tonks looked very depressed as well, with her hair always brown-grey, which was making her look pale and sick.

The war is changing us all, she thought.

'Calliope, dear, will you stay for dinner?' Mrs. Weasley asked and then smiled. 'But of course you will stay'

'Gladly, Mrs. Weasley' Calliope accepted. It had been a long time since she had eaten a meal made by Molly Weasley and her own flat didn't have anything special. Besides, the warmth and the comfort of the Burrow was helping her feel better.

'I'm sorry, Molly, but I can't stay. I'll visit my parents' Tonks stood up. 'They're terrified and want to see me every day, to see that I'm safe'

She threw a secret look towards Lupin, who avoided her eyes, and went outside to disapparate. The others sat down to eat and Fleur started talking about her wedding with Bill, which would be next summer. Calliope knew that Molly didn't like her future daughter-in-law, but she was considering Fleur a very caring friend.

'And, Calliope, you and your friends are more than welcome' she smiled.

'Really? Thanks a lot, Fleur!' Calliope exclaimed. 'They will be so happy to hear it'

'Don't mention it. And you can invite that boyfriend of yours too'

'He's not my boyfriend' Calliope blushed. 'Just my best friend'

Fleur smiled, but didn't insist. The sound of the door opening was heard and Bill entered the kitchen.

'Did you leave food for me or did you lot eat everything already?' he joked as he sat next to Fleur.

'Here you are, dear' his mother pushed a plate in front of him.

'Bill, I invited Calliope and her friends to the wedding, do you mind?'

'Not at all' Bill smiled at Calliope. 'I had thought it was already settled. Of course you can come'

'You're living near to the hospital, Calliope, don't you?' Mr. Weasley wanted to know.

'That's right. It's only a small apartment, but I do like it, although I visit my parents every day, like Tonks does'

'Does your friend Lexi live with you?' Lupin asked with a smirk.

'No, she has her own apartment. She's a great friend, but I'm afraid that, if we were roommates, the house would fall into ruins with her untidiness'

'I can understand that' Lupin commented with a small smile.

'How is Harriet doing at the newspaper?' asked the twins, who had come as well.

'She's angry' Calliope frowned. 'I've never seen her so angry before. One of her colleagues acts weird lately and he says that they should hush all these murders, because it scares people even more. And…'

She stopped, because she didn't want to express her suspicions, although, when she, Phoebe and Elaine were informed, they had all made the same conclusion.

'Tell us, Calliope' Fleur encouraged her.

'Is it anything Harriet is afraid about?' Lupin added. 'We take everything into account'

'Okay, I'll tell you' Calliope gave up. 'He's following her. She's noticed him twice, but she thinks he does it for a long time. Maybe because she's writing about the disappearances and gives advices to the readers, but she also suspects that he's under the Imperius Curse'

'It could be' Mr. Weasley said. 'But, whether your friend is right or not, we have to be sure'

'Calliope, contact your friends at the Ministry, Phoebe and Elaine' Bill told her. 'They'll speak to the right people and they will handle it. And make sure that Elaine informs Kingsley'

'I'll do it, thanks, Bill'

'Calliope, dear, you must be careful as well' Mrs. Weasley looked at her with a worried expression. 'You and your friends all have important jobs that influence many people. And I bet that Bellatrix Lestrange told You-Know-Who that you battled in the Ministry, meaning that he won't exactly like you and the girls'


A light rain was falling on the streets of London and, together with the black sky, it was a perfect scenery for a horror film. That was what Calliope thought as she was helping Healer Foster to tend to a patient. At least, the light in the room was giving her a console.

'Even the weather isn't on our side' Healer Foster said bitterly. 'We are afraid that we won't live tomorrow and this rain makes everything only worse'

I love your optimism, woman, Calliope thought and didn't answer. Right now she wished that Lexi would be here, not a few floors downstairs. She would make a witty, sarcastic comment, which was what Calliope needed, not someone to remind her more about what was happening.

Meanwhile, Lexi was in the Artifacts Accidents, curing a wound that was caused by a broom crash, cursing under her breath. She wasn't blaming the patient for the wound, but her nerves were strained the last days. There was no light in the tunnel. Despite the Order's hard attempts, Voldemort's supporters seemed to have the control.

'Monsters' she hissed. 'Murderers, traitors, disgrace of human kind…'

'Healer Stone?' the patient said nervously. 'Are you not well?'

'It's okay' she smiled at him, complimented by the title. She was still training, but a stranger had simply called her "Healer". That was why she had chosen this job, to feel the happiness after healing someone, to have the pleasure of announcing to family and friends that their loved one was improving.

But when she left the patient to sleep, assuring him that he would feel better tomorrow, and walked up and down at the corridor, her worries came back. Only this day, before going to work, she had spoken with Elaine, who had told her that Kingsley had ordered her to check Harriet's weird colleague. He had said that, even if it wasn't the Imperius Curse, she had to guarantee her friend's safety.

" 'At least she isn't alone' Elaine tried to comfort her. 'Matthew lives with her and looks after her. It seems that he truly loves her, Lex, just like Calliope loves Oliver'

'Only that Harriet and Matthew have admitted it' Lexi commented. 'Anyway, how's Phoebs?'

Phoebe and Elaine were roommates and Lexi was thinking that it was positive. Phoebe was always gentle, always quiet, always offering a shoulder to cry on and Elaine, although not so reckless as Calliope, was there to give her courage and to bring the balances back.

'Phoebe is very well' Elaine smiled. 'The war changed her a lot. She has become more determined, she speaks more and she finally stands up to herself'

'I'm so happy to hear that' Lexi smiled back. 'It's good for her, otherwise this whole pressure with the Order would torture her'

'Now we're speaking about the Order' Elaine became serious 'Kingsley told me to tell you to watch out at the hospital. You never know who may be a disguised Death Eater, so, for God's sake, don't speak about the war or the murders to anyone!' "

'Hey!' a voice brought her back to reality. 'Earth to Alexis Stone! Get the message?'

'Shut up, Oliver!' she punched his arm hard and he winced. 'Don't you ever dare to call me Alexis again, got it?'

'What will you do?' he teased her. 'You're awful at throwing Quaffles and Bludgers!'

'Yeah, but I'm an expert of the Stunning Spell' Lexi grinned mischievously. 'And you don't want to be at the receiving end of it, do you?'

'No, no, I refuse, thank you very much!'

'And before you ask me, because I know you'll ask' Lexi winked 'your friend is still at the Spell Damages and she's fine!'

'Thank God' he sighed relieved. 'I'm worried for all of you, but Calliope…her parents…'

'Don't apologize to me, Wood' Lexi smiled slyly. 'I know more things than you think I know'

'Meaning?'

'That's for me to know' Lexi laughed 'and for you to stay in the darkness. And now, go to her. I know you came for her, anyway!'


Calliope was just dismissed by Healer Foster, when she felt two hands closing her eyes from behind. She was scared at the beginning, but then she realized that the hands were too gentle to belong to a Death Eater.

'Guess who I am' "someone" whispered in her ear.

'Ollie' she chuckled 'that kind of joke will never work, 'cause your accent is simply hard to be ignored'

'Damn it' he mumbled as he removed his hands. 'I guess I have to find something else'

'Ask Fred and George, I bet they'll find something' Calliope suggested, feeling the familiar warmth and confidence she always felt with him. 'How did practice go?'

'Pretty good' Oliver shrugged, but he became sadder. 'Although…one of the reserved Chasers plans to leave and hide. His sister was…was killed last week and now he's terrified'

'I'm sorry' Calliope whispered. 'It's difficult for us all and…and stay by his side. It will be good for him to know that he has a friend, and a friend as loyal as you'

'Thank you' Oliver smiled softly. 'Anyway, how are you doing? You look tired'

'I'm alright, Oliver. Work is hard sometimes, but I enjoy being a Healer, even a trainee one' Calliope replied honestly. 'Hey, if you're not busy…we could go home and talk. After all, you never know who overhears here'

'Sure!' Oliver said at once. 'I didn't want to go to my place yet anyway'

They walked through the silent corridors of the hospital without talking, listening to each other breathing, both lost in their own thoughts. Calliope sneaked a glance towards Oliver and, although she could still see the boy who was her best friend and whom she had fallen in love with, she could also see the spark in his eyes, the spark of passion and anger he had before Quidditch matches. He was affected by his teammate's family tragedy and was surely going through hell, like all of them. She hesitated for a minute, then took his hand and was happy when he didn't pull back.

They went out, to the cold street, illuminated only by the street lights. Calliope's apartment was very near and there was no need to apparate. And so they walked, still wordless, holding hands like a couple.

But, in a sudden, the air around them changed. The clouds on the sky became thicker, the lights switched off and the pools of water on the street turned to ice. It was so cold, that Calliope was trembling. Regaining her courage and trying to ignore the memories that had started to fog her mind, she pulled out her wand. The cold was so intense, that she knew, by instinct, that it was more than one.

'Oliver?' she whispered, her breath leaving a small cloud. 'Oliver can you…can you conjure a Patronus?'

'Yes' he answered. 'I've been training ever since you told me about Dumbledore's Army'

Then they saw them. Five Dementors, covered in their long cloaks and their hoods, with their rotten hands outstretched, were sliding towards them. Calliope heard screams in her mind, Bllatrix casting the Killing Curse on Sirius, Voldemort's pale face with the red eyes…

Concentrate, Bowden! Come on, a happy memory…Focus!

The moonlit sight of the Black Lake, back at Hogwarts. She and Oliver, all alone, looking at the stars and she was singing. Peace, beauty, pure innocence…

'EXPECTO PATRONUM!' they yelled.

Calliope's silver dolphin emerged from her wand, at the same time with a silver, proud lioness emerging from Oliver's one. The two Patronuses attacked the demonic creatures, causing them to fly away by the strength the animals were reflecting. The lights lit again, the ice melted and the Patronuses disappeared, leaving Oliver and Calliope behind, trying to catch their breaths.

'The worst Dementors I've ever lived!' Oliver gasped for air. 'Worse than the one that searched "Hogwarts Express" and much worse than the boggart I've been practicing with'

'Yet, you did a great job!' Calliope patted his back.

'So did you'

They practically ran the small distance to Calliope's home, longing for the known, safe environment. Oliver sat in the living-room, while Calliope was declaring that she would prepare hot chocolate.

'Just like Remus' Oliver's playful smile appeared on his face. 'Chocolate, necessary after being attacked by Dementors'

'Well, he's right'

'And are you sure you now how to prepare it?' Oliver laughed. 'Or will you poison me?'

'Shut up!' Calliope snapped, although she was smiling, placing a cup in front of him. 'And do as your Healer commands'

'Yes, ma'am'

There was silence for a few minutes, both trying to calm down. The chocolate and each other's presence, vanished their shock, but it didn't vanish the fear. And it wasn't only a Dementor, it was five of them. But there was also something else for Calliope, something that she hadn't paid attention at during the attack, but now it couldn't leave her alone.

Oliver's Patronus is a lioness.

Was it even possible? Even the thought was making her heart beat louder.

"My little lioness", that's what Oliver calls me. But…But his Patronus? No, no, it's probably because he cares very much for me, nothing else. Forget the scenarios, Bowden! The last thing you need now is making false hopes.

'Ollie, can I tell you something?'

'Sure, Callie' Oliver said. 'You know you can tell me anything'

Their eyes met, violet and honey brown, and the words slipped from Calliope's lips, although she was ashamed to admit it.

'I'm scared'

Oliver didn't react at once, but then he smiled consoling towards her and pulled her into his hug. Calliope cuddled in his arms and closed her eyes, feeling him stroking her arm.

'I know, Calliope. I know. I'm scared as well, trust me'

She nodded, a sign that she understood, that it didn't matter to her. She didn't pull away and he didn't remove her from his hug, until Calliope fell into a calm, dreamless sleep.

A/N: So, another chapter's over and I really hope you enjoyed it. Did you like Oliver's Patronus? Was it something you expected? Was it something you didn't expect? Next chapter will be up tomorrow :)