Ginny sipped her peppermint hot chocolate, and took some time to ponder. Seating face to her, the Hogwarts matron repeated her question.
"Are you the unknown vigilante who knocked out that Durmstrang boy? The poor lad had a concussion, a bloody nose, and none of his possessions on him."
"Well, it's certainly a thief if he's missing his watch and his money. Not someone who would happen to see a young Durmstrang man sexually assaulting a Beauxbatons woman."
Pomfrey had the decency to stop for a second.
"I didn't mention a watch."
Ginny picked an invisible lint on her pants.
"I've opened to someone about what is happening to me," she announced, changing topic with something she had meant to discuss with Poppy for a while.
Now, she had her mentor's attention.
"Hermione will help me. We've decided to start planning."
"For what?"
Ginny summoned her Patronus to call Hermione, and the brunette was there in minutes. She knew that Ginny was planning on talking to Pomfrey today after all.
The redhead served them all a new cup of chocolate, and soon started explaining the highlights of their plan. Hermione frowned when she realized Ginny was purposefully hiding some details to the matron, but trusted her friend had her reasons. After etching their strategy, Ginny concluded.
"We are planning for war, Poppy. He's back, I can feel it. I have no plans to sacrifice Harry or let that psychopath win. This time, we will stop this, even if it means getting our hands dirty."
The nurse cried out, "You're too young to think about war or getting your hands dirty."
Hermione was the one who answered, sombre.
"I've found myself quite gifted at Legilimency. I've seen in Ginny's memories the dreams of a young Voldemort for mudbloods like me. I will do anything for it to not happen."
She paused, before deciding to end the debate.
"Due to peculiar circumstances, we are both off ages, and will soon be joined by Harry himself. So will you help us?"
Poppy was puzzled at first, until Ginny explained the unplanned consequences of the time turner and the Triwizard tournament. Ginny's smirk was mirroring Hermione's.
"This is how we're going to win, Poppy. You underestimated us, and the dark side will do the same. After all, why would children win the war when their parents couldn't?"
Pomfrey shut down the young women's glee quickly.
"My dear children. I wish I could help you in your endeavour. But your decision to not talk to the headmaster about your plan directly conflicts with my responsibilities as the matron of Hogwarts."
Before Ginny could protest, Pomfrey enunciated slowly.
"My post obliges me to be loyal to Hogwarts and to its headmaster. I can leave my role to be part of your resistance. Or I can choose to remain here and help all students, including you, should they wish medical assistance."
To add insult to injury, the nurse concluded
"I would also like you to reconsider sharing the information about this 'contract' with mister Potter. The headmaster shared with me years ago that he performed a blood ritual. Thanks to Harry's mother's sacrifice, Petunia Dursley's blood protects Harry against Who-Know-Who.
If he is emancipated, we all know he won't spend his summer when he needs to be."
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Hermione and Ginny were drinking again, but the firewhiskey had replaced the hot chocolates from the afternoon.
"I should obliviate her. She's going to give us away," started Hermione.
"I put a gagging potion in her chocolate," replied a sloshed Ginny. "She won't be able to communicate verbally, mentally or otherwise about what we shared with her."
Hermione asked, eyebrows in her hairline, "You knew about this?"
"I assumed so. For her defense, I've never shared some of the worst things you've seen in my head, so she doesn't know."
"She was in the war though, and she's a doctor. She knows."
Ginny took another shot, and stood up. It was time to go back to the Gryffindor dorm.
"She saw a lot of hurt. But she didn't see them doing it. Didn't feel them doing it. And didn't do it herself."
Hermione hung her arm around her friend's shoulder.
"I'm still bummed about Harry, I wish we could tell him the truth."
Ginny offered, hoping to bring comfort to her friend, "It gives us more time to prepare. So when it comes, we might have a solution to break the connection. Make deeper connections. Collect more dirt."
Hermione tried to act professional when she suggested adding Rita Skeeter to the list of personalities to blackmail.
Ginny wasn't completely surprised. To be honest, she actually was not surprised AT ALL.
They trained together after all. So Ginny could see under Hermione's mask, although she had to admit her masks were near perfect now. Ginny thought fondly for a second how they enjoyed playing the role of two very eager students obsessing over classes all the time. They looked so overbearing that all the boys, including Ron and Harry, refrained from asking for help.
Ginny liked working with Neville though, and actively sought his tutoring in herbology. Neither her nor Tom had a green thumb, and everything she tried to grow would die. Neville mentored her during the weekends, and proved an excellent teacher. Ginny and Luna were now head to head in herbology for their year.
Being that unapproachable was also the easiest way to scare everyone at school from approaching them too much during the week. Their golems were safer with less interactions. And then, during the weekends, they could take care of Harry.
Ginny returned her attention to Hermione, and asked, her face blank,"That's a great idea, Hermione. However, we are quite busy with the few targets we already have. Can this wait, or might we need the blackmailing material for Mrs Skeeter sooner than later?"
Hermione had the decency to look away for a second. But she didn't blush when she returned Ginny's stare.
"It all depends on Mrs Skeeter's attitude."
Ginny looked at her friend, smiling. Hermione looked dangerous in front of her. This was a woman scorned, and already attracted to power.
What she could do if she put her mind to it…
Hermione blinked, and the dangerous woman was gone. It was the young woman who wore her heart on her sleeve who looked back at Ginny. "We need to solidify a position in the media. I know you mentioned Luna could get us a way to the Quibbler, but the more the merrier right?"
And with that, Ginny smiled and decided to help Hermione. Her friend knew when to stop. She trusted her with her life.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
After the second task and Skeeter's last article, Hermione was working herself up while they exercised in the Chamber of secrets.
Ginny stopped her session for a second, apparating a towel to press on her forehead. She looked at Hermione.
"Why do you care about what other people say about you? You're the most brilliant person I've ever met. I mean, they literally dubbed you 'the smartest witch of her generation' at 13.
When you are so above the crowd, people will be jealous, or envious. It comes with the territory.
They'll spread rumours about you, or try to profit from you. Truth is, they don't matter. The earlier you realize you are the one who matters the most, the better you will feel."
Hermione hugged a sweaty Ginny very closely after her rant. She sighed.
"I just hate that this flying cockroach can stir the public opinion to hate someone they don't even know."
"I get it. You know, we don't have to blackmail her, we can kill her if she's too distracting."
Hermione looked at Ginny, horrified, "What are you asking me to become, Gin?"
Gin spoke with a half-smile,"Efficient. So, are we stomping on her?"
Hermione shook her head quickly, "No, I'll find a way to stop her. Just give me some time."
"I will give you until the end of the summer. After that, Rita will be a footnote in the newspaper."
"Fine, but then we should stay here and spend the rest of the year with Harry."
The brunette chewed on her lips with worry. "I'm not sure how much more pressure he can take."
Ginny hummed when they reached out the Fat Lady portrait.
"I knew this woman was bad news all the way when I saw her swishing towards Harry. Fine, we'll stay. I need more time with Poppy anyway to work on one of my projects.