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So far... The reborn Hermione befriended Harry and Luna at a much younger age and even though Voldemort is no more, she has started to bring other dark wizards to her own form of justice – Alecto Carrow was the first. Now read on...
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Chapter 19
New Companions
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Luna's Surprising Letter
At the end of November, Luna's owl arrived with an invitation. On an empty shelf beside her desk, Hermione tipped out a few treats for the bird and closed the window against the wintry weather while it recovered in the warmth for the flight home.
Dear Hermione!
Daddy says Ginny's mum has agreed she can have a friend or two to stay over Christmas! Well, everyone knows that means three! I'm so excited! You'll love Ginny, she's so sweet and quiet! I want to be like her when I grow up but I have to keep my head and be a duchess or something instead. Mummy and Daddy will bring us and stop for dinner and perhaps tea as well before they go home. Merlin's ass knows what they'll do all on their own without me – but they said they'd manage and not to worry but just enjoy myself.
Hermione leaned back in her office chair and looked up at the ceiling of her headquarters, frowning. Luna never meant to be rude but she saw the world quite differently to everyone else. Would the Weasleys be offended if three of us turn up for Christmas? It'll be a big family gathering after all, and none of them know Harry or me. She continued reading:
Don't tell Harry yet as a surprise but I made him a nose ring for a present but Mummy says no, so I made it into a bouncy thing instead which Mum enchanted but I made it so it's from me. Don't you just LOVE Christmas with BEST friends!
A warm feeling spread through Hermione and she giggled at the thought of Harry with a nose ring. He'd probably have worn it too, so as to be polite to Luna.
What Mister Sirius said to Mummy about Harry's surname – I think we'd better remember and be careful, then there won't be any upsets, especially about – you know what. Oh, I do hope so! And it won't be Harry's fault anyway, will it? What with all these Wrackspurts, people can be so strange at times. They don't think clearly, you know. I was wondering about Harry Potter knickers for Ginny but Mummy says (I think because of you know what,) they're not appropriate to give a nice girl. Would you like them instead? Or a book? Then you can read about his exploits. I know they're not real adventures but I like pretending like your lady troll. In my mind I imagine it really happening but with Harry saving you instead! Wouldn't that be so dreamy and idyllic and chivalrous?
What did she mean about upsets, and Harry's fault? Hermione considered asking but if it was such a touchy subject perhaps she ought not to put anything in writing.
While she was pondering, Hermione watched until Luna's owl had finished the treats she'd spread out, then opened the window and let her out. A cold breeze made the young girl shudder and she quickly closed it again, watching through the glass as the bird winged away across the grey sky.
Hadn't Luna believed her tale about the troll? There had to be trust amongst friends – their lives would most likely depend upon it. Mmm... perhaps it was outrageous to expect anyone to accept a troll attack in Hogwarts as a fact – quite sensible not to, actually. Yes, good for Luna! She'd have to convince her eventually, but for now, what else had her friend got to say?
Early in the new year I shall become eight and old enough to start at Beauxbatons in September or perhaps the year after when I'm nine. Mummy is taking me to visit to gain knowledge and experience so I can decide which school I wish to attend.
Hermione almost dropped the parchment. She read and re-read the paragraph to make sure she'd understood it correctly. Could this be true? In her former life, Pandora had died when Luna was nine. Had that event somehow changed Luna's choice? Or perhaps Luna had attended Beauxbatons prior to her mother's death and after that switched to Hogwarts when she was eleven so as to be closer to her father? If Pandora lived, would Luna not then be at Hogwarts!
With an anxious heart, Hermione picked up her quill... then lowered it again. What could she possibly say to Luna? That her mum was going to be killed? Again, Hermione picked up Luna's letter and read further...
Mummy also asked Professor Dumbledore if I could assess Hogwarts but he said no.
This time, Hermione did drop the parchment – it fell from her unbelieving fingers, floated down to the carpet, and partly rolled itself back up into a scroll. Dumbledore had refused Luna a visit? Why? Many parents took their children before enrolling. Had this happened before in my other life?
Hermione began to pace up and down between the potions and equipment shelving but unconsciously so – her mind was thinking at a furious rate. So far, nothing in this new life she had seen was different except it could have been changed by one of two events: Riddle failing to make Horcruxes, and... herself being reborn. Was it possible that her acquainting herself with the Lovegoods might cause Luna to be sent to Beauxbatons instead of Hogwarts? Pandora was extremely intelligent. Hermione always had the impression she knew more than she was letting on. Could it be she wants to keep Luna away from me without making it obvious and hurting my feelings? It seemed unlikely to Hermione, but she had to be sure.
Back at her desk she began writing in her log book. She must try to discover why Dumbledore had refused Luna a Hogwarts visit – might that have annoyed Pandora enough to look at alternatives? Which came first? Luna's message brushed against her ankle and she picked it up.
I'm so happy I can hardly write anymore so I'll say au revoir (that's French!) and merci beaucoup for everything which is changing my life.
Luna
Hermione blinked. Had Luna already committed herself to learning the language of her new school? Didn't she want to be with her best friends at Hogwarts? Dumbledore said no... I'm so happy? It made no sense – but this was Luna and who could predict or comprehend how she thought? The question was, how much dare she ask the girl at Christmas? It was a long time until the September following that, and Hermione did need to make a visit to Hogwarts herself before then. Yes... plan, prepare, and proceed.
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The Big Box
The large crate labelled CAUTION! LIVE ANIMALS! scarcely fitted within the confines of the bell tower where Hermione had just arrived. With the added burden, the Apparition had been more exhausting than usual so, after carefully examining the ventilation meshes were secure and not obstructed, she sat down tentatively on top of the big wooden box. But careful and quiet as she had been, the scratching and pattering of little clawed feet within was alarming. She waited for the creatures to settle then picked up the Daily Prophet she had brought to read on the way.
ANOTHER DIAGON ALLEY BREAK IN
Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Madam Bones meets today with shopkeepers to reassure them that there is no organised 'crime wave' to worry about but merely an occasional 'splash in a puddle'. We at the Daily Prophet are not so sure. Yesterday's theft of several quality cauldrons is the fifth break-and-entry in as many months.
INGLETON TO RESIGN BEFORE END OF YEAR
Despite convincing evidence, growing suspicions concerning the Ministry Christmas party fund have finally caused Paul Ingleton to...
Hermione sighed and riffled carelessly through the final pages of small shop adverts. Solutions for Squibs, accompanied a beaming photo of a fat lady waving her wrist from which hung a charm bracelet. Budget Brooms, showed a rather tatty broomstick flying high over the moon. Garden of Eden headed a smiling photo of–!
A commotion from the box beneath Hermione did not distract from her delight! The picture was of the big man whose hair she'd filched from the barber's shop! What good fortune! She'd hoped to find him again without waiting for weeks in the hairdressing salon, for although she'd hundreds of hairs preserved, they wouldn't last forever, and she'd grown rather comfortable within her regular disguise. It felt strange to gaze at the photo of her alter ego resting back peacefully against a small tree behind his store and blowing little puffs of smoke from a long, elaborate pipe. Around the border of the quaintly-animated picture, tiny white flowers were budding, blooming, withering, then blossoming again repeatedly.
"HURRY UP!" came a high voice from the crate, startling Hermione into action. She ripped the page from the newspaper to check the shop address later and thrust it into a pocket of her man-size trousers before continuing the next stage of her Apparition...
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The Last of Alecto
Anticipating that a Devil's Deep prisoner might one day launch a surprise attack, Hermione had planned to always ease invisibly through the furthest rock face and survey a cell before revealing her presence to its inmate.
CRASH!
Magically weakened by the burden, her dematerialised state was close to its limits, so to preserve her power she let the box slip the moment she came out from the rockface.
"WATCH IT!" cried the crate.
"Who's that!" Alecto Carrow came storming across. "Oh... you..."
"Who'd you expect?" said Adam Brown. He gestured towards the big container. "I've brought you a Christmas present."
Carrow stared disdainfully at the crate. More than a score of eyes stared back at her through the ventilation holes.
"I'm not stayin' 'ere," Carrow said flatly, ignoring the container after only a few moments. "I'll give you an address. But I want your word first. Fifty-thousand Galleons. Take me there."
Adam eyed the woman closely. Clearly she'd been rehearsing this over the last few weeks of solitude, but the address might be precious information.
"No deal, Carrow. You should–"
The stamping of a foot and a scream of rage echoed around the great cavern but Carrow still showed traces of a bruise on her face, and made no other move. "Damn you in hell for all eternity, Brown!"
"You should have answered questions eight and nine. A little remorse might have helped your cause but you've never shown any."
"I need to talk," said Carrow.
"Before you make your decision, you should let me open your present." Adam took out his wand and turned to the crate.
Carrow blinked, then gasped. "No, not that. I meant how often can we talk. There's no guards except you, is there, and you only come once a month! I need more talk than this you misbegotten lump!"
Adam shook his head very slowly and was about to remind her he'd never return after this one visit, then changed his mind. "That's why I've brought you company."
A wave of the wand and the crate opened out, releasing a colourful flock of parrots which, with a noisy flapping and squawking, flew up and around to inspect their new quarters. Only one blue and yellow bird remained upon the broken frame of the box, squinting and blinking around nervously.
"WHA–?"
"Show them kindness and you can teach them to talk – some already know a few words. Information is almost certainly in the enchanted book I provided; it has a huge section on both Muggle and magical zoology, pet-keeping, and so on."
Carrow's expression darkened. "You're mad!"
"I'll give you ten minutes to consider, and then I am going to execute you."
For a while, the only sound was the flapping of wings.
"Think you're up to it?" Carrow came closer and thrust out her chest, daring Adam. "Go on then, if you think you're hard enough!"
Without a flicker of emotion, Adam instantly pointed his wand. "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
With a squeal of terror, Alecto leapt aside as the panels of the crate noisily exploded into splinters and the parrot that had remained perched thereon fell dead.
"Ten minutes," repeated Adam, remorselessly. He didn't mention that, unlike the others, this particular bird had been conjured.
Two minutes passed.
"There's talkin' in that book," Alecto finally said meekly. "It talks an' there's story people talkin'. I never heard nor even seen talkin' in books before. Illustrations too. That Monty Crisso..."
Adam was astounded. "You've never read fiction before?"
With a shake of her head, Alecto looked up at the parrots which were finding themselves perches in the craggy rock face up near the bright magical sky.
Seeing her interest, Adam said, "They're not ordinary parrots." His eyes searched for one bird more darkly-coloured than the others. "Hey, Tom!"
"SHUT YER FAT GOB!" squawked the parrot.
"See?" said Adam, "They're your sort of people."
"And they'll talk to me?" said Alecto, in wonderment.
Adam nodded.
"Why'd you... why'd you care?"
"Care?" said Adam, in some surprise, then his face twisted up by old memories and he thundered, "CARE? I don't give an arse about you or anyone like you, Carrow! The birds are only so I don't have your sanity on my conscience! All I care about are the hundreds of people who you'd torment and kill if you weren't permanently out of the way!"
"You don't know what I'd do! I might–"
"I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'D DO, YOU FOUL, LOATHSOME COCKROACH!" bellowed Adam, raising his wand and striding forward. "Time's up! Choose or I smudge you into nothing right now! The wand crackled and sparked ominously.
Carrow stumbled back a step or two, then began sniffling and weeping. "Sod off then, Brown. I don't need you. Nobody needs scum like you! I PREFER RATS TO YOU. Birds is luxury." And she turned and strutted away.
Adam stared wonderingly after her one last time then, after vanishing the remains of the conjured bird and container, he sped away up through the mountain granite to breath deeply of the clean, pure air.
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The New Luna
Hermione looked on in surprise as the Lovegoods Apparated into the Grangers garden on the mildest Christmas morning for years. A smart new felt hat and dark green dress robes for Xenophilius, a well-presented Pandora in a pale coffee coat dress, but look at Luna! The straggly hair had been magically brushed out and now shone with a silky enchantment. Furthermore, Hermione noted, it was neatly trimmed back to shoulder blade length and secured on top by an Alice band. In a new, stylish red dress, the girl was hardly recognisable – and not a radish nor bottle cork in sight! Clearly Mrs Lovegood was intent on making a good impression.
Harry, with his own hair recently combed but already springing up tufts here and there, stepped forward from Hermione's side, hesitated for only a moment, then grasped Luna's nicely-manicured hand and gave it a squeeze of welcome. "You're super! This is going to be the best Christmas ever!" he said, and Luna giggled.
"You'll love Ginny's house!" she cried. "Mummy! Tell them about Ginny's house!"
Pandora laughed. "They'll see for themselves in a few minutes."
Still adjusting to her changed appearance, Hermione gave Luna a hug. "We're really looking forward to meeting the Weasleys. Thanks, Luna!" She turned to Xeno, "Thanks for getting us invited, Mr Lovegood."
"Not at all, not at all!" beamed the man.
The small group chattered for a minute or two. Hestia gave her son a tearful goodbye kiss. "Be a good boy, Harry! Remember to change your socks and pants tomorrow morning like I told you!"
"Oh, Mum!" cringed Harry, suddenly appearing very interested in kicking away a few twigs that lay on the feebly-sunlit path.
Mrs Granger gave Hermione a hug and a nod of understanding. Mr Granger and Sirius waved from the backdoor.
"Shall we, then?" said Pandora, holding out her hands which Luna and Hermione took, while Harry clung onto Xeno.
With a last few shouted goodbyes they were gone, and the garden felt very empty.
"First time he's been away from home at Christmas," Hestia said to Anne, biting her lip as they walked back to the house.
"He'll be fine," said Sirius. "They'll all be fine."
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Befriending the Weasleys
Mrs Weasley smiled as the guests Apparated into view, scattering several fat brown chickens that had been pecking their way around the yard. " 'Dorry! Xeno! You must get yourself a Floo connection one of these days! So much easier!"
Mr Lovegood muttered something about ash, but Pandora replied with a big wink, "Now, Molly, we've not all got high Ministry connections like the Weasleys!"
Mr Weasley snorted and grinned. "Good to see you again, Pandora! Ginny, say hello to Luna and her new friends."
"Hello," the little red-haired girl who'd been hiding behind his cloak said shyly.
"Merlin..." said Mrs Weasley, counting up the children, "you're all staying?"
Luna nodded with vigorous delight. "This is Hermione and Harry – we're best friends!"
"Well, we'll fit you all in I dare say," said Mrs Weasley. "Come into the warm..." She led the way towards the backdoor of an impossibly tall, crooked home which appeared to be held up by magic. Luna clapped her hands and nudged Harry with a told-you-so in the ribs. Hermione laughed. Ginny held back behind her dad who was coming in last.
They were almost inside, Harry actually had one foot in the doorway, when Mrs Weasley whirled around and stared at him. "Did Luna say, 'Harry'?" Her smile had disappeared and she stepped forward to examine him more closely. Her eyes widened. "You're... Harry Black!"
"Everyone thinks that," said Harry with a grin, "but I'm not. I'm Harry Potter."
"But you're a Black now." A wand poked handily askew out of Mrs Weasley's flowery apron pocket – very close to her fingers...
"Molly..." Mr Weasley said quietly, gesturing towards the stove further inside the kitchen. "I think your stockpot's coming to the boil. Bill! Come and take our guests into the parlour."
Startled, Mrs Weasley half-turned to her husband. "But, Arthur..."
"It's not spoilt. I'll help you with it."
While Mr Weasley stood by the oven, softly talking with an arm around his wife, Bill, who Hermione had not noticed in the far corner, guided the visitors through the kitchen and into the living room. She stared at the book in his hand; he must be studying hard for his NEWTs this year. So young! Not a scar on his face. A thought occurred to her as they moved to the other room, would there not be a Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts? Wouldn't Bill meet Fleur this time around?
There was no time to pursue that concern; before her, exchanging greetings with the newcomers, were Ron and the twins – though Hermione's attention was entirely drawn to Charlie. Oh, God, sweet Charlie, dear Charlie... Physically, she saw the youth now, but her mind forever beheld the man adamantly refusing to betray her hiding place – even when Macnair opened him up with a cruel severing curse. Charlie must have known that once his runes had safely concealed her, he himself could never escape. How she now yearned to pour out her gratitude as she'd never been able to before. Yet still she could not release that burden, not here, not now with this boy and his family looking on. I must not cry. I must not cry...
"Hermione? You're staring..." said Mrs Lovegood. She was looking very strangely at the young girl, and the clamour of greetings fell silent.
"Thsorry I... erm... N-Not usthed to lotsth of p-people..." With an effort, Hermione dragged her eyes away from Charlie. "I'm Hermione G-Granger. I'm very pleasthed to meet you all."
Harry stepped protectively forward half in front of her, rumpling his hair back from his forehead which, he'd found, usually distracted people. Quickly, laughter and other exchanges resumed and the chattering of separate groups overlapped one another. The Lovegoods gravitated to the kitchen door to view Molly. Bill had put his book down and was now demonstrating a glittery toy to Charlie: a painted wooden Snitch he was trying to hover.
Fred, who'd been trying to hide a plate of cherry cakes behind his back when surprised by the sudden arrival of the visitors, grinned at Hermione and Harry. "Well, I'm Fuf-Fuf-Fred and this is Juh-Juh-George, and over there is–"
George elbowed him. "What Fred means is, he's a prat and I'm George, and that's Ron. And, blimey, who're you? Are you–?"
"He is," said Fred, squinting hard to see the scar that had been partly uncovered by Harry's ruse. "Aren't you?" The question was more of a challenge.
"Aren't I what?" frowned Harry.
"Harry Black," chorused the twins. "Slayer of dark lords, master of the universe!"
"Oh, him," grinned Harry. "Well, yes, sort of. I'm Harry Potter."
"Cool!" they responded together, and while Fred celebrated by gulping down one of his cakes in a single mouthful, George continued, "And where's Loon–aaherm... Luna?" – he'd suddenly noticed Mr Lovegood stiffen at the kitchen doorway – "And who's this immaculate little blonde cherub you've brought instead?"
Luna giggled and had a swift answer. "Fame attracts fawning. I'm in disguise of course."
"Ah, the Crumbly creature you discovered," said Fred. "We read the article, saw the pictures, and bought the tee-shirts. We are now officially believers." He dropped to his knees with George and they bowed their heads in a worshipful manner. "Fruitcake?" offered Fred.
"You're making fun of me, aren't you?" said Luna sadly.
Despite the jibes, Hermione was quite relieved to hear the twins didn't sound broken in any obvious way. She turned to Ron who, at eight, was not yet taller than herself. "I bet we'll be in the thsame year at Hogwartsth. I heard all the Weasleysth get into Gryffindor. I'm hoping for Gryffindor too. Come and talk with usth." She scanned around for his sister. "Ginny too!" She held out her hands to them both.
Hermione guided all the children to the warm hearth from where she could see into the kitchen. Mr Weasley was apparently still comforting his wife. Pandora was also talking quietly to her. Mr Lovegood had kept this side of the doorway, wringing his felt hat in hand, wondering where to put it.
"It's since Uncle died," Ron explained in a whisper. "She thinks Aunt Lucretia – you know... well, Mum doesn't trust any Blacks now, and..."
"My parents are Blacks!" frowned Harry, propping his back against an armchair as he wriggled down cross-legged onto the carpet next to Hermione who was gawping with an undigested idea prompted by Ron's words.
Lucretia Prewett! Of course! I remember reading about her decades ago! she thought. Really secretive! Born on the dark side of the Black family – some said never left it – when she was killed by that strange ex-Auror – what was her name? Hermione looked to the patterns in the hearthrug for inspiration. Daggar–something! That was her! Big commotion because–
"You're far away again, aren't you, Hermione?" said Luna, softly.
My God! It was the day I was petrified by the Basilisk in second year! I was reading about it in the Daily Prophet at breakfast. Dagg... Daggard, yes! The news of Lucretia's arrest during the night only made it in time for the back page.
Hermione struggled hard to piece it together. Riddle's diary was... no, Ginny had stolen it back from Harry – that's right, and as we went upstairs he heard the voice in the pipes that Ron and I couldn't! That's when I realised the monster was probably a snake and... Oh. My. God! There was a much more sensational story breaking the next day! My petrification led to Hagrid's arrest and Dumbledore was removed from Hogwarts! I spent hours that summer catching up with the news. While interrogating Lucretia, Daggard claimed to have dodged Lucretia's killing curse from a concealed wand and Daggard's responding blast had accidentally killed Lucretia and damaged the wand beyond testing!
"Hermione?" Harry and Luna exchanged glances.
Of course, the Hogwarts story and the fear of students being killed completely glossed over the rumours against Daggard and... There are no Horcruxes this time! No diary! No scandal! What if Daggard had taken advantage of the previous uproar about Hogwarts to quietly do away with one more Death Eater?
"But that means–!"
"That means what?" said Harry. "Hermione you've gone really pale."
She looked around at the staring faces, trying to refocus on reality but losing the connection she'd been about to make in her mind. The grownups were now discussing dinner arrangements and the older boys were arguing about a Quidditch manoeuvre, Charlie snaking the wooden Snitch back and forth to emphasise a point.
"It's alright," Luna sagely explained to Ron and Ginny. "Hermione knows things."
"Whoa!" said Ron, "That's how Fred and George have been this last year – spooky trances! I heard Mum say it's caused by Pooh Bear tea when you're growing up. I reckon they're better now they're old. They used to be nasty pigs to Ginny and me."
"Oh, poor Ginny," reacted Harry.
Ginny turned away to watch the flames dancing in the fireplace. Her cheeks looked hot and rosy in the glow. Hermione examined the little girl more closely. She was cuddling a hand-knitted ragdoll on her lap – no doubt a gift from her mother that morning who'd enchanted it to smile at the girl when reassurance was needed. The moment did not seem suitable for recruiting a resistance fighter against the dark forces threatening the planet. But Hermione saw something worse: a real baby – Harry's child – bloodied and lifeless, and the adult Ginny's body laid with it. Harry had begun dying in that dreadful scene too. He had loved Ginny – cared for her deeply at least. The loss of both his wife and newborn was the last straw heaped upon a crushing burden of guilt. Hermione braced herself. Who knew what the morrow would bring? Luna going to France? Neville further alienated by two more girls in the circle? And she might never see the Weasleys again, anyway! Seize the moment!
"Luna was right, I do know things," she said, allowing herself to get carried away with fervour. "Although we've just met, I know I can trust you all through thick and thin. And that is why I know I can give you secrets. But to do so we need to be best friends now, and not wait for years and years gradually getting together. Others too. We'll make a circle of comrades – all together! All for one and one for all!"
Harry and Luna nodded eagerly but Ron and Ginny looked wary and puzzled.
Hermione gushed onward blindly, driven by her inner vision and a sense of haste. "Ginny, you're younger but we won't leave you out, if that's what's worrying you. We need you with us."
Ginny bit her lip and hugged her dolly for comfort. "Ronnie?" she whimpered, "do I have to go away and live in H'miney's house?"
Ron frowned at Hermione mistrustfully as he put an arm round his sister's shoulder and said, "No, you don't have to do nothing you don't want to, Ginny."
Harry whispered in Hermione's ear, "You're being a bit bossy again. You're scaring Ginny."
"But..." She saw he was right: pushing too hard for fear of failing, for fear of seeing too many precious friends dead yet again.
"What Hermione means," said Harry, "is we want to make friends so we can look after each other as we grow up. So we're together and can help one another – not only now but when we go to Hogwarts. And if there are any bad people we can stick together against them. And best of all, we can play and have fun together too. That's why we only want good people as friends like Luna and you, Ginny. And you too, Ron. Hermione does know things nobody else can see. That's how she knows we need to be best friends now without wasting time. And that's why Luna and I want it too. Luna's already your friend, isn't she, Ginny?"
Ginny nodded and whispered something with her head down.
Ron said, "She doesn't see Luna very much because of..." – his voice fell to a mumble – "...bus fares and things and..." His eyes flickered briefly at Mr Lovegood who had now put his hat back on inside out, and was standing on one leg. If Luna had followed Ron's glance to its target, she didn't show it.
Hermione drew a quick breath. She'd forgotten that while Mrs Weasley had accepted Luna, she'd never strongly encouraged Ginny's association with the girl nor her eccentric family. Hermione had also not considered that neither the Lovegoods nor the Weasleys had money to throw away on frequent trips.
Sudden inspiration lit up her expression. "Which reminds me..." She scrabbled deep into her beaded bag and spotted her bus pass squashed below the several training wands she still had. It was quite a plain ticket she'd just renewed for the coming new year. Dare she copy it? Her voice ran away with her before she could even consider. "I was given several free bus tickets by my Dad's friend, Adam – he owns a big gardening centre in London so he gets lots of erm... free stuff. I know they're not much but..."
Making a mental note to replace them later with real ones, she pulled out four tickets and handed one each to Luna, Ginny, Ron, and Harry.
Luna examined her pass and squealed with delight. "Ginny! We can play whenever we want now!"
Ron blinked. "This is... 1989... Whoa! I can go and watch Chudley thrash Wimbourne in January and...!" He waved his ticket in the air. "These are for the whole of next year!"
"Oh, are they?" murmured Hermione. She let Harry peek at the trainer wands in her bag and they nodded some secret arrangement at each other.
"Yeah, thanks a lot!" Ron's delighted eyes remained fixed upon his ticket as if he was afraid it would fade away. "Say 'thank you', Ginny."
"Thank you," Ginny whispered shyly.
"So..." began Harry, looking round, "Hands up all those want to be best friends so we can look out for each other."
Ron's hand shot up. Harry and Hermione raised their hands too. Luna, who had been gazing at the ceiling for the past minute, did too.
"Ginny?" whispered Ron. "We're all going to be friends now, okay?"
"Okay." Coyly she raised her hand.
"Good," said Harry. "One of the first secrets I wish to share is HUGE." He looked at Hermione before continuing. "To look after each other we need magic but we're too young for grownup wands and there are lots of bogus trainer wands about. But, I've spoke to my dad and he managed to have some wands checked and registered officially at the Ministry and they have the Ministry stamp of approval. Who would like one to practise with?"
Hermione's hand shot up and so did Ron's "Yeah!"
"I'll have to ask Daddy," said Luna, getting up from where she was sitting on the floor.
Ron's hand sank despondently down. "Us too, I guess," he said. "Wait here, Ginny, I'll talk to Dad."
Harry and Hermione exchanged glances. "Remember to say they're official training wands that work only with spells authorised for children," said Harry.
"Why'd you cross your fingers, Hermione?" whispered Harry.
"For luck. It's a Muggle thing."
"Oh."
Ginny was looking at them with curiosity. The ragdoll was now in the crook of her arm and paying attention with Ginny's help.
"What's your doll's name, Ginny?" Hermione said gently.
"Minnie."
"That's a pretty name. And do the twins still tease you, Ginny?"
Ginny shook her head.
"Ah, that's nice to hear. Brothers should look after their sisters not mock them. Fred and George are really good at jokes but one can go too far. Everybody's good at something. For instance, Harry's a natural leader and teacher." Harry, astonished, was about to protest but Hermione shushed him and continued. "Luna's a dreamer – good with ideas and shrewd too – I mean she notices things and can work out what they mean. I'm good at knowing things that are impossible to know; secrets about what has not even happened yet and secrets about people too. For instance..." She leaned forward and whispered in the girl's ear. "You're getting really good at flying a broom and will make a wonderful Chaser, Ginny."
Ginny's eyes opened wide as saucers.
"Don't worry. Now we're best friends so your secret is safe. But think about hinting to your family – maybe you'll get your own broomstick one day."
"Harry..." Mr Weasley had come into the room. "Ron says you've some trainer wands?"
"Yes, Mr Weasley," Harry grinned. He rummaged in his bag. "Oh, did I give them you to look after, Hermione?" he asked innocently.
"Did you?" Hermione opened her bag. "Oh, yes, here they are."
She handed four to Mr Weasley who began examining them. Mr Lovegood had returned with Luna too, and he was frowning severely. "They're not safe, Arthur." He shook his head. "All these break-ins..."
But Mr Weasley, who was tapping them with his own wand then casting a test spell, said, "These are Ministry-approved, Xeno, look, see the spark pattern? Can't fake that. They're in perfect order." He handed them back to Harry.
"I don't know..." muttered Mr Lovegood.
"Xeno," said Pandora, who'd been observing the proceedings, "if Arthur says they're approved then they're safe. Let Luna keep the gift."
"Mmm... very well, dear."
Luna ran to each of her parents and gave them a kiss before accepting her present from Harry. In vain, she searched her red dress for a suitable pocket, then pushed it beneath the Alice band behind her ear.
Ron was already cavorting and windmilling his wand about like he was sword fencing an ice skater.
"Stop, stop, stop!" cried Hermione, grabbing his arm. "You're going to take someone's eye out, Ronald!"
Everyone stared at her, including Harry who was silently mouthing something that looked very like "too bossy."
"Oh. I mean. Erm... I mean... like me! Yes, before this, Harry and I practised with sticks and uuh..."
"And Hermione jabbed me!" laughed Harry as loudly as he could. "I couldn't sit down for ages!"
Mr Weasley chuckled, and seeing his grin, Ginny giggled too. But Pandora wasn't laughing; she appeared to be deep in thought as she watched Hermione's expression.
Hermione lowered her eyes and tried to look as rueful as possible. "Yesth... thsorry..." Then she added. "You teach us, then Harry."
"Me?" Harry blinked.
"Yes," said Hermione, looking Harry in the eye with a mischievous smirk, "like you taught me with the erm... stick."
"Ah... umm... right." Harry knitted up his brow and raised his wand. "Well, this is an easy hex that everyone can do with a trainer wand. "You point the wand then up and loop around like this..." His eyes glinted impishly as he suddenly aimed at Hermione. "Titillando!"
Purple ribbons of light leapt out from his wand and wriggled around Hermione, who burst out laughing, dropped her wand and clutched her sides. For half a minute she squealed and squeaked and writhed, then, with the onlookers also roaring with mirth, she made a dash for the bathroom, chased by the slowly-fading ribbons which had now tickled her pink.
The twins were quite put out that they had not yet got their own wands but little Ginny soon had them shrieking with merriment once she'd picked up on Harry's guidance and mastered the spell. Ron and Luna were not far behind in tangling with each other in a tickling duel. By the time Hermione crept shamefacedly back into the room – to find everyone too involved to notice – even Percy, who had left his holiday homework up in his bedroom to find out what all the noise was about, was rolling on the floor with tears in his eyes.
"Come on now, Molly," Mr Weasley cajoled his wife back in the kitchen, "he's only teaching them a tickling hex..." – the sound of sneezing was now mixing with the laughter filtering through from the parlour – "...and erm... a sneezing charm. What harm can there be in that?"
Molly shook her head and sniffled, "A Black teaching curses to my kids... what next?"
Mrs Lovegood said, "Molly, has Hermione been here before?"
With a shake of her head, Molly sullenly resumed her preparations of the Christmas goose with a rather vicious thrust.
"Then how'd she know where the bathroom was?"
Molly froze, one hand up the goose's backside. Even Arthur frowned in puzzlement.
"I told her, Mummy." Luna stood in the doorway, twirling large, different-coloured mirror bubbles upwards from her new wand, each one showing a distorted, bulbous reflection of the people in the scene below.
Pandora looked at her daughter thoughtfully. "Luna, do you know what you're doing?"
"Yes, Mummy. They're mysterious but they won't hurt anyone, I promise."
There were several gentle popping sounds. Mrs Lovegood's eyes went upwards to where the bubbles were bursting harmlessly against the ceiling without leaving even a mark.
"Very well," said Pandora, "I trust you."
"Thank you, Mummy."
The oven door slammed noisily shut, and Molly Weasley cast an extra hot spell.
"Molly...!" frowned Arthur.
"I have to make sure the goose is well and truly cooked," snapped Mrs Weasley.
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—oOo—
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Author's Notes
I've gained ground on my chapter-writing this last week so I'm now aiming to publish every 8 days. That feels do-able without too much pressure. This first Book 0 is already over 100,000 words and there are a few more chapters yet. I can't wait to get to Book 1 and start at Hogwarts! Remember, no Voldemort so lots of new stuff instead!
Thanks to everyone for comments and reviews. These are most welcome and very encouraging. Let me know of any weaknesses or faults – I'm always trying to improve my writing so feedback is really useful. :)
– Hippothestrowl
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