Hebrides and Romania

Of the three annual feasts that took place when all the students were present, the Halloween feast was the least formal. While the students were meant to sit at their house tables, many were walking about the Great Hall, chatting and joking with friends from other houses. Many members of the staff had joined in the socializing, taking advantage of the congenial atmosphere to become more familiar with their charges. The house elves had already laden the tables with mountains of fruits, cheeses, canapés and other assorted appetizers, which would soon be replaced by the main course. This would signal the end of the socializing and all present would return to their seats for the balance of the evening.

Harry and Ginny stood at the entrance admiring the decorations that had been put in place. As always, a thousand live bats circled and swooped in the air, weaving amongst the flaming orange streamers hanging from the ceiling. A hundred or more jack-o-lanterns floated above the tables, the glow from their candles providing soft illumination. In every corner piles of pumpkins and baskets of fall produce created an image of harvest time as dried leaves magically blew aimlessly across the floor. On the raised platform at the head of the hall two large pumpkins, big enough for a person to comfortable stand inside, flanked the lectern. They were draped in vines creating the impression of large nets holding them in place less they should roll uncontrolled about the room.

Harry looked at Ginny; they exchanged a smile and started to enter the hall when the massive oak doors of the Entrance Hall creaked open. Turning they were both surprised to see Luna entering the castle. She smiled and walked towards them, her usual dreamy look revealing nothing of what she was actually thinking.

"Hi Harry, hi Ginny. Looks like I'm not that late, I was worried I wouldn't get back in time for the main course. Dudley said to tell you he had a very good time today and that he'll write you as soon as he can. Guess I should hurry and get changed, bye."

"See you in a few minutes Luna," Ginny smiled.

Harry mumbled, "Bye," and gave a half wave as he watched Luna skip off. When she started her ascent to the Ravenclaw Tower he turned to addressed Ginny, "Luna just now getting back from Hogsmeade? I wasn't surprised when she and Dudley told us good bye and stayed in the village instead of walking back with us, but I didn't think she'd stay past her time. Just doesn't seem like her."

Making a sound somewhere between a snort and a laugh Ginny said, "Sometimes I don't think you know her very well." Seeing the look on Harry's face she quickly added, "Don't feel bad, Hermione is the same way with Neville. Look, I know you consider her a true friend, highly admire her loyalty, and have great respect for her powers and abilities, but do you really know anything about her? You'd be surprised how often she goes sneaking around to some dark corner of the dungeons or out to the Forbidden Forest. In fact I'm surprised you two never bumped into each other while you were wondering around. That wide-eyed faraway look of hers may or may not be intentional, but it serves as a great façade. I mean who'd ever suspect little scatter-brain Luna Lovegood of anything? You certainly didn't and it's safe to say you know her better than most. In fact I'd be willing to bet she's received as many detentions as you have."

Standing in silence Harry took a several moments to digest what Ginny had just told him. "Luna, our Luna, sneaking around the dungeons and the forest, why?

Ginny shrugged, "Usually looking for animals, and before you say anything it wasn't always crumple-horned snorkacks or things of that nature. In fact she's been credited with discovering a new type of spider."

"That won't exactly endure her to Ron but it does make sense. Are you sure about the detentions thing though, as many as me? I mean I did have my own personal nemesis."

"O.K. maybe only half as many as you," as they walked to the Gryffindor table a grin slowly formed on Ginny's face. Once they had taken their seats she leaned to Harry and whispered, "We could always break into Filch's office and check the records, if you're up to the challenge that is."

Harry turned to look Ginny in the eyes. He knew he needn't bother, that she wouldn't bring it up unless she was prepared to go through with it. Still he felt the need to ask, "Are you serious about that? If you are then I think we should make a little wager, If Luna has half as many detentions or more as me you win; less and I win."

It was now Ginny's turn to look into Harry's eyes, "Of course I'm serious, but let's wait until after next weeks quidditch match. No need to risk missing it. Just what sort of wager did you have in mind?"

Harry leaned to Ginny; as he whispered his idea her eyes first opened wide with surprise, then narrowed with resolve. When he finished she didn't hesitate to answer, "We have a bet."

"A bet on what?" Ron asked as he slid onto the bench next to Harry. "Wait, never mind, I probably don't want to know." He turned his attention to the appetizers covering the table and began spreading baked brie with lingonberries on a biscuit. "Anyway, if it's any good, Hermione will know about it and tell me later."

The feast was soon underway in earnest, the house elves had gone overboard with a hunter's theme. The main course consisted of roast venison, game hens and salmon, all served with heaping mounds of roasted root vegetables. Once everyone had eaten more then their fill the tables magically cleared, the dirty dishes and empty platters instantaneously replaced with clean place settings and a plethora of tempting puddings. Looking over the assorted cakes, tarts and fruit pies Harry settled on spotted dick, to which he added a generous portion of custard.

The desserts were allowed to linger on the tables as coffee was served and the evening's entertainment began. Ron absentmindedly slipped a slice of pear tart onto his plate as Professor Flitwick assembled the choir. Harry couldn't recall a time when they sounded better as the Great Hall was filled with joyous melodies. When the choir had finished several students took turns presenting short skits, some dramatic, some comedic. It was during the last of these skits that Neville Longbottom made his way from the head table to Gryffindor table.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, are you enjoying the evening?" They all indicated they were and Neville nervously shuffled in place before continuing, "That's good, look I'm afraid I have some bad news. All four of you have to report to the greenhouses first thing after breakfast tomorrow for detention and Gryffindor will be knocked five points each."

Their attention was now pulled from the entertainments and fully on Neville, "What! Why?"

Neville fidgeted with a tie that wasn't there before answering, "You all left the boundaries of Hogsmeade. Look you're not the only ones in trouble. I wasn't going to say anything about it, but Professor McGonagall found out somehow. She gave me a royal telling off, seeing as how I'm a member of staff, witnessed the whole thing, and didn't do anything about it. You know, she can be pretty scary when she isn't pleased with you."

"You're preaching to the choir there mate," a disgruntled Ron muttered.

A brief amused smile flashed across Neville's face, "Right, well I've got to head over to the Ravenclaw table and deliver the news to Su, Kevin and Luna."

"But Luna didn't leave Hogsmeade," Harry protested.

"No, but she was late returning to the school. I'll see you in the morning."

The four Gryffindors watched Neville's back as he made his way across the room. Ron, who for the first time ever had managed to make it through the first two months of the term without getting a detention, pushed his third desert to the center of the table. "I'm going to bed."

"Hold on, I'll go with you," Hermione announced as she stood to join him. Before Ginny or Harry could react in any way she shot them both a steely glare, "Oh shut up, both of you."

The following morning the seven censured students assembled in the entry hall before trudging off to the greenhouses. The mood was somber as they crossed the courtyard, their combined breath hanging in the air like a cloud tracking their every move. As they crossed the yard Harry spotted Haydon Piper, Albert Albert and a girl he recognized but didn't know, gathered in the corner farthest from the castle. All three had their wands drawn and appeared to be trying to cast spells on each other. Harry pointed them out to the others and excused himself to go say hello. Approaching he watched the young witch point her wand at Haydon and attempt a disarming spell with no affect.

"What are you three up to?" Harry's sudden appearance caused the three first years to jump as they spun to face him.

"Oh, hi Harry," the adrenalin coursing through his veins caused Haydon to speak faster then usual, "We were just practicing our magic."

"Don't you think Expelliarmus is a little advanced? Harry smiled at Haydon and glanced at the other two who seemed to be trying to memorize the top of their shoes. "Who are your friend's? I remember Albert's name from the sorting, kind of hard to forget actually." Albert blushed and Harry continued, "I also remember the young lady, but I'm afraid I can't recall her name."

Haydon quickly made introductions, "Harry this is Gwen, she's from Godric's Hollow just like us. Gwen and Albert, I think you know this is Harry Potter."

Albert and Gwen both timidly said, "Hello Mr. Potter."

Harry smiled, "Please call me Harry." Haydon laughed and Harry turned his attention back to his young friend. "Just what do you find so funny?"

"I was just thinking how cheesed Vaughn is going to be when he finds out Al and Gwen get to call you Harry and he still has to call you Mr. Potter."

Harry laughed, "That's right, I did have a little bit of a go at him on the train. He was sorted into Ravenclaw right? I'll try to have a chat with him at lunch. Now, about the disarming spell," Harry took out his wand, "you need to flick the end of your wand ever so slightly. Like this," Harry flexed his wrist causing the wand tip to move almost imperceptibly. "Why don't you go ahead and try it on me."

Haydon looked at Harry, not certain he'd heard correctly, "You want me to try the spell on you? Are you sure?" Harry nodded and Haydon practiced the movement he had been shown a few times before pointing his wand at Harry. "Expelliarmus."

Harry's wand fluttered and almost managed to make it out of his hand. Smiling he walked to Haydon and tussled his hair. "Not bad for early days, keep working on it and you'll be winning duels against fourth years by the end of term. Now if you'll excuse me I need to catch up with the others. It was good to meet you Albert, Gwen. See you around."

"See you around Harry," all three answered in unison.

A smiling Ginny was waiting for Harry by the gate leading from the courtyard. She extended her hand to him as he approached and he took it into his own as they continued on their way. They soon reached the greenhouses and joined the others who were suspiciously eyeing two large piles of dragon dung.

A few minutes later they were joined by Neville who struck Ron as all together too chipper given the situation. "Morning guys, sorry you have to be here this morning but with all of you this shouldn't take long. Truth is Pomona, excuse me, Professor Sprout and I were going to have to do this today anyway, so as much as I hate to give you detentions it's really a good break for us."

"Lucky you," Ron mumbled.

Neville cleared his throat and continued, "As I was saying, this shouldn't take to long. Now if you'll each grab one of the spades leaning against Greenhouse Two, I'll show you what needs to be done."

One by one the others lumbered to Greenhouse Two and collected their implements before rejoining Neville in front of the dragon dung. "On the bright side, at least it's not steaming," Harry whispered to Ron who snorted despite his foul mood.

"Right," Neville began, "What we have here is dragon dung from the Romanian reservation and the Hebrides. For optimal use as fertilizer they should be mixed to get the full benefits from the different types. The pile from Romania arrives mixed, so what you have to do this morning is add the dung from the Hebrides, once they've been mixed you can use levitation to transport it all to the composting bin. Any questions?"

"Yes," said Su. "Why can't it be mixed with magic?"

"It's been tried," Neville replied shaking his head, "Just doesn't work as well. Maybe one day one of you good with spells types could work with one of us good with Herbology types and we could figure out a way. Anything else? Right, then have it. You should be able to finish in time to cleanup before lunch. I'll be in my office grading parchments, let me know when you're done."

The seven dug into their task with less than enthusiastic gusto. Luna, Su and Kevin shifted the Hebrides pile while Hermione, Ginny and Ron moved the Romanian. Not really sure how he managed to draw what he considered the short straw, Harry found himself turning over the rapidly growing combined mound. The job continued in a professional manner until Kevin inadvertently dumped a shovel full onto Harry's shoes. Despite Kevin's protestations that it was completely accidental, Harry didn't hesitate to return the favor. This prompted a response from Su, who was countered by Ginny. Initially the battle lines were drawn straight down House lines, but situation soon dissolved into general chaos and the casual passer by might very well have thought the shit had quite literally hit the fan.

The battle raged for several minutes, leaving all seven leaning over their shovels, laughing between gasps of breath. "Well it's been mixed," Hermione noted, "Now all we have to do is gather it back up and move it to the bins. What started this whole mess anyway?" Harry and Kevin, who were standing with their arms around each others shoulders, offered up the explanation. Hermione looked at both of them and burst into a new fit of laughter, extending her leg she asked, "Why didn't you do like the rest of us and grab a pair of Wellingtons when you picked up your spades?"

Harry and Kevin looked at each other, looked at the others, and back at each other. For a brief moment it seemed like the chaos just might resume. Instead Kevin took Harry's shovel, "Here, why don't I take these back to greenhouse two, while the rest of you start floating this to the bins. Like Hermione said, I think it's mixed well enough."

The others agreed and soon the task was completed. They reported to Neville who had to repress an urge to laugh as he looked them all over. "Right, well thanks guys, you're released to go about your own business. One word of advice before you take off, take a shower, you all kind of stink."

Despite firmly believing that it would be well worth another detention to drag a professor through the composting bins, Harry resisted the temptation and joined the others as they walked back to their common rooms. At lunch he stayed true to his word, joined by Ginny he surprised Vaughn and his friends by sliding onto the bench next to them and eating his lunch at the Ravenclaw table. After a pleasant chat, during which the first years relished in the attention being shown to them by not just two seventh years, but two seventh years so well known, Harry and Ginny took their leave and went for a walk around the grounds. They eventually found themselves lying under a tree by the lake, watching wispy white clouds drifting above the bare branches.

Harry turned his head and looked at Ginny. To him she not only appeared to be deep in thought, but also worried. He rolled onto his side and brushed a windblown strand of hair from her face. "What you thinking about?"

Ginny turned, looked at Harry, and half smiled, "Nothing, just watching the clouds."

Harry considered accepting her answer at face value, but something in her expression told him she had a concern she really wanted to discuss. "You sure there isn't something else?"

Taking a deep breath Ginny pulled herself to a sitting position, her head down, her gaze firmly locked on her the ground in front of her feet, she whispered, "I worry about you becoming an Auror." She looked up at him and a single tear slid down her check, "Don't worry about it, you'd be a great one and I don't want to tell you what to do. It's just that when I saw you with Haydon and his friends this morning it made me think back to the start of Dumbledore's Army and what a great teacher you are. I couldn't help thinking how much safer a future that would be."

Harry sat next to Ginny and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "You're not the only one concerned with my career choice. Shortly before we left for school, Ron made it pretty clear he thinks I should do something else with my life. Although to be honest, I think he was more concerned with the Cannons finally having a winning season then my safety."

Ginny laughed a little sigh of a laugh and stared straight ahead. After what seemed like hours of silence she turned to Harry. "I know you don't like people telling you this, and coming from your fiancée it probably sounds obligatory, but you really are a very powerful wizard." Harry tried to respond, but Ginny cut him off, "I know you're going to say you almost always had help, or just got lucky, or only were doing what had to be done. But just stop and think for a moment, the one undeniable thing is you were successful. Maybe it was lucky sometimes and maybe it didn't always work out the way you planed, but you did succeed. Harry I've seen it with my own eyes; you can do things that the vast majority of people only wish they could do, and I've heard about things you've done that even more wouldn't dream of trying." Ginny went quiet again and Harry again allowed her time to collect her thoughts. Finally she drew a deep breath, "I guess what I'm really trying to say is that with your abilities, good heart and intelligence, you could do anything and be successful. Like I said, I don't want to tell you what to do, you deserve to do something that makes you happy, just think about it. O.K.?"

Harry grinned, "What nothing about my good looks?" Ginny's elbow found his ribs with a force that was on the high end of a friendly jab. "O.K., sorry, I will. To tell you the truth, I have been. I guess if I'm going to be honest, I'd have to admit the only thing concerning my future I'm sure about is that it includes you."