.

So far... The reborn Hermione launched the secret Cathesis League to fight Ministry corruption and Black Arc members, and Crest defensive training at Hogwarts where she is now in her second year. Ron rescued Padma from Macnair. She and Hermione were healed by Cadence. Now read on...

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Chapter 64

A Year To Live


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Agreement of Secrets

Astonishment, confusion, joy, and worry – every wave of emotion cascaded onto the fragile shoreline of the hearts and minds in the Blacks' residence: Hermione was alive again! Padma was fully healed! Shouts and screams and laughter mingled ... rose in volume ... then all faded to silence as present reality and consequences ascended to the forefront of everyone's concerns.

Hestia cuddled baby Cadence up into her arms. "Back to beddy-byes, sweetheart," she murmured in the young one's ear as they disappeared out through the kitchen door.

Sirius ran his hand through his hair in consternation as Hermione repaired the damage to her robes. Oh, she made a show of using her wand and feigning a struggle with the spell, but Sirius wasn't fooled. "Hermione... Ron, we need answers."

"Well, I..." began Ron.

Hermione looked towards Padma who was still deeply asleep on the trestle bed that Hestia had conjured, and said, "Perhaps if–"

Kreacher spoke from the door. "Mistress wishes to speak with Master."

"But... very well, then." Sirius paused at the door and looked back to say, "You'd better have a good story prepared when I return."

The two youngsters waited until they heard his footsteps fading up the stairs before looking at each other questioningly.

"Are you really alright?" Ron said anxiously as he joined his friend on her way towards Padma. He'd seen Hermione mortally impaled in the last hour yet here she was walking about. "No pain?"

"I'm fine, Ron, honestly," said Hermione. "Everything went dark for a while then... there was light."

"Light?"

"Just light. Like basking in a beautiful ocean of contentment. I was waiting, you see."

"Waiting? For what?"

"Just waiting. There was no hurry, no impatience, no desire, only a sort of... blissful completeness – yes, that's the only way I can describe it. Then... there was a tiny hint of darkness behind me, like night at the end of a brightly-lit tunnel, and I knew I could return to it if I wished, or continue on my way."

There was something so intimate, so sacred in Hermione's disclosure that Ron dare not ask where, but there was a suggestion of sorrow in Hermione's choice. "Why? Why come back, Hermione? There's nothing but grief here."

Hermione's voice fell to so soft a whisper that Ron could scarcely hear. "For Harry. ... I came back for Harry."

They stood together quietly then, observing Padma's gentle, relaxed breathing, and wondering what she might remember of her capture.

"I have to discover what she knows, Ron. I have to..."

His nod indicated he'd guessed what she was about to do, and why. He watched her focus on Padma, knew she was delving into her unconscious impressions of events. The action took less than a minute. "I've Confunded her very, very slightly, Ron," admitted Hermione. "She won't remember Snape stunning her now. She'll be slightly confused wherever she wakes up, but will know nothing about what happened. It's for the best, isn't it? Sometime we have to choose between what is wrong and–"

"–what is worse," Ron finished for her. "Hermione, I..."

"What is it, Ron?"

"I... oh, Merlin... I killed him. Macnair."

His face screwed up with the burden, and Hermione placed an arm around his shoulder. "Anything can happen in a dangerous fight, Ron."

"No, you don't understand... I killed him. Macnair. He'd surrendered, yet I... murdered him."

"Oh, Ron..." Hermione embraced him fully then, murmuring what comfort she could in his ear. "I wish I could say it's alright, Ron, but it's a pain I've carried myself more than once. Was it the knife?"

He nodded against her.

"The blade sensed your intent then. There was no easy way to stop it so your guilt is very minimal. I doubt you could have carried it out if I'd not given you the knife."

"But in that moment I truly wanted him... exterminated ... for what he'd done to you."

"There are many such times when a fierce hatred makes us wish someone dead, yet it's rare for most of us to continue wishing it. Do you regret it? Have you any remorse?"

Ron was sniffling a little. "Yeah. Most of me wishes it didn't have to have happened that way."

She stood back and looked down to his belt. "At least you retrieved the knife. They won't know who did it."

"The Black Arc, you mean? If they go there, they'll find Macnair skewered by his own snare. I accidentally dropped the lousy blaggard on it while trying to get him into the Floo. I cleaned everything else up. I reckon it'll look like an accident."

Hermione blew out a long murmur, "whoaaaa... A fitting end..."

"But what now, Hermione? What do we do now? How do we explain Padma to her family? And to Sirius and Hestia?"

"We must find a way to keep it all secret, Ron. We can't reveal anything to draw attention to ourselves and we can't expose Snape yet – if at all – until I know if he's working with Dumbledore or not. He stepped over the line – delivering Padma to them – but they might have misled him that it was for a lesser purpose."

"Unlikely."

"I agree. But somehow we must find a way to persuade Sirius and Hestia to keep quiet about all this. How? Let me think for a–"

–Aculus sped down and alighted on Hermione's shoulder. "Shush, Mistress! Here they come!"

Footsteps could be heard descending the stairs outside. Hestia came through the doorway followed by Sirius. "Is Padma still sleeping?" said Hestia.

Hermione nodded. "Listen..."

"Look, you two," said Sirius, "we have to–"

"–Let me ask them, Sirius," said Hestia. "Let's all sit down and finish our tea."

Once they were all seated comfortably, the two children looked expectantly at Hestia, fearing the worst.

She sighed. "Ron, Hermione, we need to beg a favour." Again she paused. "It's Cadence. We're desperately afraid that if news leaks out, we – that is, she would be deluged with people seeking healings. Thousands would flock to our door – billions if the whole world knew. But we want her to have a normal childhood. Once she has grown to womanhood then she can decide for herself what she wishes to do with her life – we will support her – but for now we want to protect her. Suppose a gang like the Black Arc got wind of her abilities? They'd stop at nothing to take her for themselves. As well as healing their most serious, even deadly, injuries, they might try to force her to bring back the most foul of wizards, Voldemort and others. We doubt it is possible to restore anyone except those whose souls have not yet departed, but they might try – and try most cruelly."

Hestia's eyes were imploring them now. "We – Sirius and I – are begging you to keep our secret. Can you do that? Tell no one?"

Startled at the turn of events, Hermione said, "Of course we will, but can you in turn keep our part in this night secret?"

Sirius frowned. "If we could. But once Miss Patil tells her parents what's happened, you'll–"

"–Padma won't remember anything of the last year. I was thinking–"

"–A year!" said Hestia. "How can she have been missing a year? There's been nothing in the news."

Ron cried, "Olive Hornby was missing for fifty years without anyone knowing!"

Hermione said, "The potion, remember? Even Padma's own family didn't notice she was missing – though her twin sister, Parvati, has felt troubled and confused from time to time without knowing why. They might know now, of course, many people will if they're awake and think of her."

Sirius put his hand on Hestia's arm. "Do you recall how strange we felt that day when Ron became noticeable again? We'd not given him a thought for months – no offence, Ron."

"None taken," said Ron, then added morosely, "Even my own mother scarcely noticed I was missing, apart from sometimes weeping without reason."

Hermine continued, "Have you any robes of Harry's that might fit Padma? – not school robes. I was thinking that if you wake her in the streets near here, you could say you found a strange girl wandering about as you were returning from... somewhere or other? Call the Aurors?"

Both Hestia and Sirius stared at Hermione. It was Sirius who spoke first, and he was shaking his head. "Her parents will need to know what happened to her – and Padma herself has the right to know."

Hermione sighed and shook her head. "But... it's complicated."

"What are you into, Hermione?" said Hestia. "Maybe we can help. Perhaps if you explain the events leading up to your arrival here? Or Ron?" she added turning to the boy who had been gazing into the empty fireplace during this conversation.

Hermione had to choose carefully what to say. "Padma was kidnapped by the Black Arc," – both Hestia and Sirius gasped – "and her lower skin removed for some evil ritual. Apart from that, I can guarantee she has not otherwise been harmed because they themselves forgot about her once they gave her the potion, and they never had any further interest in her. She has been unconscious all this time. Her family and friends did not miss her and she herself has not aged a single day."

"How do you know all this?" said Hestia.

"Oh, Hestia, you know I sometimes 'see' things! – that she'd been taken by the Black Arc, but I didn't know where. All I knew was a Floo address which turned out to have a deadly trap set.

"Yet you didn't see that coming?" Sirius said dryly.

"I only have glimpses, but I don't need second sight to know that if you report Ron and me, then our lives will be in great danger."

Hestia said, "Is Harry involved in any of this?"

"No – well, only by association – as our friend."

Hestia and Sirius looked at each other. Sirius shrugged his shoulders in resignation, and Hestia scowled. Hermione knew she'd won the argument. They wouldn't want to risk Harry being in danger.

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A Stand Against Injustice

Less than an hour later, Hermione and Ron were back in their dorms at Hogwarts. Harry had covered for Ron by drawing the curtains around his own bed then creeping into Ron's bed. He'd burrowed his head and hair deep under the coverings and mumbled "Goodnight, Harry," then tossed and turned plenty of times so it was obvious Ron's bed was occupied. Of course, he'd stayed awake, and on Ron's return had pestered him with questions that the troubled boy was too exhausted to answer.

Parvati was woken early by McGonagall and went home with her father. Their whisperings were reassuring to Hermione, who, half-awakened, had drowsily overheard from her own bed.

At breakfast time, the Entrance Hall was more crowded than normal with students, all heading into the Great Hall or waiting for friends to go in with. Slytherins in particular mostly grouped near the Great Hall entrance to casually block and intimidate. Unconcerned, and maybe as a gesture of contempt, Seamus and Dean pushed close enough to jostle elbows on their way in, chatting with Lavender and a couple of Hufflepuffs. Olive was not far away either. She waved to Ron and ran to join him and his friends as they descended to the foot of the marble staircase.

"Something's up," she said, pointing to where Professors Sprout, Quirrell, and McGonagall were causing the logjam by apparently counting heads on the way in – the only means of being sure no one else was missing.

As Hermione scrutinised them, she noticed Dean winked back over his shoulder at Harry before disappearing inside.

"What was that about?" asked Hermione, her head still not clear from lack of sleep.

"No idea," said Harry, then added in a whisper hardly necessary in the hubbub, "Listen, are you two going to tell us anything about last night, or what? You've both been acting a bit... stiff since you came back."

"Sorry, mate, we can't," Ron said in a dull, dozy voice. "I told you last night we can't." Olive took his left arm supportively, and Ron placed his right hand over hers.

Hermione frowned then proceeded to hold Harry's arm in the same manner. "Harry, he's right. We'll tell you what we can, if and when we can."

Luna watched all this most carefully then slipped one hand inside Neville's arm and pulled his other hand onto hers. "You may escort me to breakfast, Sir Neville, if you would."

"Of course, your highness," Neville said with a straight face, but perhaps there was just a hint of a smile.

Ginny pulled a face and muttered softly to herself. "Guess I'm left to just tag along behind as usual..."

"Move along, you Slytherins," McGonagall could be heard saying. "No need to clog the door once you're in – get to your table. Everyone, move promptly to your tables as soon as you're inside – not you Potter. I want to see you in my office."

"What, right now?"

"Right now, Mr Potter! I'm sure you know why."

Harry's jaw gaped stupidly for several seconds, then, "I haven't the foggiest."

"GO!"

"Hermione," hissed Ron, "what's happening?"

"You have something to say, Mr Weasley?" McGonagall held up her wand for a few moments to stop other students passing her head count.

"No, Professor."

"Miss Granger, you, I also wish to speak with in my office immediately after breakfast. You'd better prepare yourself."

Now it was Hermione whose mouth opened slackly, but she said nothing and followed the others towards the Gryffindor table. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle moved to intercept them.

Draco hissed in passing, "Perhaps now you won't be able to drag him down to your level, Mudblood."

"Shut your mouth, Malfoy," said Neville, turning around with Luna still on his arm.

With a sneer, Draco eyed them up and down like he was inspecting a cesspit overflow. "So it's become formal has it? Baby fat arse and the babbling loony? How appropriate!"

"Take that back, Malfoy!" cried Neville, unaware that not only was Dumbledore observing, but most of the nearby tables were also listening, and Snape was striding towards him.

"Which part?" scoffed Draco. "The width of your backside or the absurd length of her crazy ravings?"

In a rage, Neville leapt at Draco, fist first. The knuckles raked past Malfoys' jaw knocking his head sideways. As he stumbled, Neville legged him over then knelt on his wand hand, pinning it quite painfully. "Apologise or– !"

"LONGBOTTOM!" roared Snape, dragging Neville up. "You deliberately attacked– !"

"–He started it! He's just a foul-mouthed bully!"

"So this is what your nasty secret Crust meetings are all about is it? Well, we'll–"

"We're CREST, you great stu– you... MISTER Snape! And we're sick and tired of common garden pests like this one threatening kids and – well, we're not standing for it any longer!"

A dozen Gryffindors, mostly Crest members, rose up briefly from their seats, grumbling their agreement. A few of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs who could properly hear what was said added their shouts too.

"Longbottom! If nothing else, you will learn good manners and how to curb your vicious temper by serving tea to Mr Malfoy each and every day until the end of this term!"

Draco, displaying a bloody swollen lip as he clambered up, winced as a smug grin formed on his bruising jowls.

"I... I... what!" Neville cried, and his face was dark and menacing. "Why, I'd sooner – I'd rather – "

Draco was laughing. Anyone could see it was hurting his jaw to do so, but delight was temporarily numbing his reaction to it.

With family honour threatened, Neville's rage heightened. "A Longbottom will never serve the corrupt Malfoy lineage! We end this now!" A wand spat from sleeve to hand, and the proud boy swore an ancient oath: "DUELLUM! – I, Neville Longbottom, of the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom, so challenge Draco Malfoy of the Malfoy House!"

There was a long moment of shocked silence.

"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore was on his feet now. "There will be no unrestricted duels at Hogwarts! Mr Longbottom, would you please–"

"NOTHING can block a lawful challenge!" cried Neville, "except an unreserved and full apology – which I am entitled to refuse!"

Draco wasn't laughing now. Holding his painful jaw, he snarled, "Why you pathetic little nobody, do you have any idea who you're dealing with!"

"Then fight, you coward – else I claim the right to–"

"STOP!" thundered Dumbledore. "You will NOT claim or act upon the right to attack. ... A threat of death at Hogwarts is unacceptable so I am left with no alternative. Neville Longbottom is expelled. Draco Malfoy will return to his table."

The silence that followed lasted even longer than the first. Neville gaped at the Headmaster open-mouthed. What had he done?

"JE SUIS NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!" The voice was loud and clear. It was Luna's. "Where he goes, I follow."

More shocked silence, and not a little puzzlement. "What did she say?" ... "Did she says she's...?"

"JE SUIS NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!" Ginny moved to stand beside Neville. "I follow too."

"I AM NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!" declared Hermione, moving forward.

Ron and Olive responded as well – and so did several Crest members, repeating the declaration while only half-realising the implications. As it dawned upon each of them, their expressions moved through wide-eyed fear to steadfast resolution. And that proud straightening of shoulders triggered something new in Hogwarts history. More and more students were rising to their feet in support. Most of the Gryffindors and well over half of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were making their stand against injustice. A loud unsynchronised roar began repeating the mantra:

"I AM NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!"

Neville's eyes shone in astonishment. Luna took his hand. Snape, face swollen with anger, was looking towards Dumbledore. Professor Flitwick was murmuring something in the Headmaster's ear.

Finally, Dumbledore stood up and raised his hands for silence. "Very well. Even as Supreme Mugwump I do not have the right to stop a lawful family duel. However, I can postpone it at my discretion."

Flitwick looked up to remind him. "Only up to one year."

Dumbledore dipped his head in acceptance. "Therefore, the proposed duel of honour will NOT take place earlier than this same date next year. Perhaps during the interval, heads will cool and common sense prevail against such nonsense. That is all! I repeat, that is all! Please resume your seats and continue with your breakfast."

Hermione and Luna guided the astonished Neville to the Gryffindor table amidst much back-slapping and applause. Yet while there was an abundance of high spirits at the victory, Hermione and Ron were solemn. Ron was still coming to terms with the previous night's experience. Hermione was concerned for both him and Neville. Ron had killed an unarmed man, albeit driven by a bewitched blade. Neville had challenged a boy to an unrestricted duel; such fights only ended when one of the opponents was utterly disabled, but could lawfully end in death. Neither Ron nor Neville had been so aggressive until much older in Hermione's former life.

She sighed. Wasn't this early preparation what she had worked for? Or had she driven them too far?

"It's all falling apart, isn't it?" Ron murmured to her as he stared glumly at a slice of toast he didn't really want.

"We have to keep our eye on the bigger prize," said Hermione, more to suppress her own twinges of guilt. She pinged a finger against her goblet; it rang – though flatly like her mood.

"The 'Greater Good', you mean? But you said you came back for..." He looked around, hoping to see Harry on his way in. He frowned. "Why'd you think McGonagall didn't see you both together?"

Hermione shook her head and lapsed into inner thoughts, pumpkin-and-orange-juice-mix forgotten.

"There was a sorry scandal at Beauxbatons last year too," said Luna. "Remember, Ginny?"

"Do I ever! All the girls fancied him."

"I didn't," said Luna. "He was rather vain and too nice-looking if you know what I mean. And he made things up that weren't true."

"Imagine that," Ron said dryly, and took a bite of his toast.

"Yes, really," said Luna. "He claimed to have defeated creatures that don't even exist on dates when he was seen elsewhere with – poor Fleur, she was only fifteen."

Ginny said, "They should have stopped him before he – you know."

"Yes but did he?"

"I'm sure he must have. Everybody said so."

"But are they always right? He only got a réprimande sévère so that suggests not. And Harry's not even–"

"–Wha–! Whoa, hang on there!" Ron spluttered chewed toast crumbs. "What you on about, Luna?"

"Why, that Harry's not a Veela of course. Otherwise Hermione could claim she was entranced beyond her will." Luna sighed and snuggled onto Neville's arm. "It's so nice to be entranced beyond your will."

"Depends on who's doing the entrancing," muttered Ginny, loudly enough for them to hear.

"But, Luna, what's this got to do with Harry?" said Ron. "Hermione, do you get what she's on about?"

"Hmm...? What? Sorry... I was just wondering why Professor McGonagall wanted to see Harry separately."

Ginny sighed. "Luna thinks Mcgonagall regards it as inappropriate for you as a Potions teacher to have a relationship with a student – Harry, of course. I mean, you pranced in on his arm for all to see."

Luna looked bemused. "Isn't that what I said?"

Hermione was aghast. "My Goodness! Surely she can't... is that all it is? ... One student escorts another – touching hands – and one of them teaches a few lessons a week because the current Potions teacher is such a useless twit? Well, I suppose..." Her mouth twisted about as she sunk into more thought on the matter.

Deep thinking and conversation were both diverted by the arrival of owls winging in overhead. Hermione quickly scoured the morning's Daily Prophet. With her quill she ringed around for later reading a substantial three-quarter-page article about the proposed Muggle Protection Act, but discovered only a brief entry on the last page which mentioned Padma was missing. She exchanged silent nods with Ron as she pointed to it. No doubt the Patils had reported their daughter's absence, but Padma's return had been too late to meet the news deadline.

"Miss Weasley, could you please inform Professor Granger that Professor McGonagall wishes to see her immediately."

"Harry!" cried Ginny.

Harry sat down next to her, ignoring his usual empty place next to Hermione, muttering sulkily, "Apparently I'm not even allowed to have friends anymore."

"Harry! What did she say?" cried Hermione.

Harry savagely jabbed at a huge pile of sausages on a serving dish and tried to transfer one to his own empty plate, but it wouldn't shake off his fork. "Would someone please inform Professor Granger that Professor McGonagall demands to see her this instant."

"I've not finished eating!" Hermione slammed down her cereal spoon and rose to stamp a foot, glaring at Harry. "This conversation isn't over yet, Harry James Potter, not by a long way." She trudged out rather noisily.

For the first time in a long while, Ron managed a weak smile then reached for a bacon sandwich. "Ol' McGonagall'd better watch out is all I can say."

"Spill it, Potter!" Ginny said fiercely.

Harry sighed and lowered his voice. They all leaned forward to hear. "Someone in our dorms grassed us up. Said Hermione wasn't in her bed and my curtain was drawn so maybe I wasn't in mine either."

Ron gasped. "But you were there! In my bed, covering up for me!"

"I know, Ron, but you can see what it looks like!"

"So...?" mused Neville.

"So if Hermione and I are seen... you know, too close together again, she will be regarded as ineligible to teach, and we all rejoin Snape's Potions classes."

Neville groaned. "It can't be the same though. I won't put up with his insults, not after this year. I'd like to choke him with his own–"

"–Be careful what you wish for," muttered Ron.

Olive nodded, despite being unaware of all he really meant. "Dormitories are real gossip nests, but it's nice to be included. Mandy finally chatted with me this morning when I was getting up, then Lisa and Sue joined in. You were right, Ron, it just took them time to warm to me."

Ron frowned. "Yet they always chatted with you in your common room and at meals. Do girls have like a closed inner circle when they're in their, you know, nightgowns and–?"

Olive's face coloured slightly. "No, course not. I think they were just used to talking with each other and because my bed is in a corner they tended to overlook–"

"–What's grassed?" said Luna.

Ron stared at Olive, a new suspicion dawning in his mind. "So they squeezed in another bed in when you became noticeable after all those years? Or was it already there?"

"It means 'snitched'. Someone snitched," said Ginny.

Olive tried to remember. "I think it used to be another girl's bed – but they've never mentioned her."

Ron knew then it must have been Padma's, and anything connected with her would be mostly unnoticed – even Olive, who was compelled to use the bed and could focus on it. He bit his lip, wondering how to change the subject quickly. "Uumm..."

"No, nobody snitched," whispered Luna, "not intentionally. Dean was having a private chat with Lavender in the Entrance Hall. She probably asked Dean if Harry was with Hermione the night before, and naturally he'd mention the drawn curtains. Professor McGonagall could have overheard some of it – Draco too. That's what Draco meant when he said Hermione wouldn't be able to drag Harry down to her level anymore because McGonagall would stop them remaining close. And that explains why he set a prefect on Harry but not you and Ron. It's because he likes Harry but thinks we're a bad influence on him."

Ron said, "Wh–? How do you work these things out, Luna?"

"But it's obvious, isn't it? Draco stopped Harry from going to the dome of thorns because he knew it was dangerous, but he didn't stop the rest of you, and haven't you noticed? He's only rude to us when Harry is not around? Like this morning."

Neville swore softly. "I'll fix him next year. Since he's got such a big yap I'll master the mouth-eating curse so he can eat his own words."

"Erm..." said Ginny, tugging at his sleeve, "I think that curse doesn't just eat words. The mouth eats itself then everything else inside out."

"I know it does," said Neville, darkly. "I know it does."

Harry blinked, suddenly aware he was foolishly holding his fork with the reluctant sausage still clinging on the end. "Why me? Why's Draco polite to me?"

Ginny clutched and shook his arm. "You're Harry Potter, of course. Everyone admires Harry Potter, the Boy who lived."

The sausage finally fell.

.

Love or Duty

Hermione returned in a grim mood just as everyone was finishing breakfast and heading out for lessons. Neither she nor Harry wished to be the cause of all the Gryffindor second-years having to resume lessons with Snape.

"This is your fault, Dean," growled Ginny, as they all caterpillared their way to Quirrell's class, led by Harry, Ron, and Olive.

"I didn't see McGonagall in the doorway!" protested Dean.

"Neither did I," moaned Lavender.

"It's nobody's fault but mine." said Hermione, one step behind them at the back, chewing toast, " I should have known better. And tell Harry Potter to grow up and stop sulking – pass it on."

Ginny sighed and tapped Neville on the shoulder from behind. "Hermione says, tell Harry to grow up and stop sulking – pass it on."

"No, me! me!" cried Luna and she called forward to Sally-Anne and Fay, "Hermione says, tell Harry to grow up and stop sulking – pass it on."

Fay and Sally-Anne laughed. "Hermione says, tell Harry to grow up and stop sulking – pass it on."

"I CAN hear you, you know!" Harry shouted back. "Tell PROFESSOR Granger to go jump in the lake!"

And so the back-and-forth insults built up – entertaining the passing Slytherins no end. Quirrell was not amused. "Settle down now please and file into the classroom quietly."

As they did so, Harry craftily sneaked another look at the folded parchment in his pocket – a message from someone called Rosie. He fought down a smile.

.

—oOo—

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Author's Notes

Echo864 said about the previous chapter that it wasn't obvious that it was Cadence that healed Hermione and Padma. On re-reading, I agree. I try to avoid over-explaining in my stories, but sometimes over-subtleness can confuse or break the flow. So, I've added a few lines to make it clearer.

Erm... now I do have to over-explain! I'm sure one definition (probably British) of 'caterpillar' is a column of schoolkids side by side usually led by a teacher through the streets. The whole column doesn't march uniformly like soldiers but straggle, catch up, and bunch, straggle and bunch – like some caterpillars walk along. I can't find this definition anywhere on the net – let alone used as a verb like I've done.

Many thanks for all 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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