This part is basically very fun, a break from the boring stuff. Until, the end that is......We're getting closer to the end....
It's very looooooooonnnnng...

Reluctance Part 16

[Whoah. Where the hell am I?]

[In our heads] said Harry and Hermione in unison.

[How long do we have to stay like this. It feels kinda wierd.]

[We should wake up in a few minutes] said Hermione.]

[Great] said Harry [now all three of us will stumbling around like we've had too much of Madam Rosmerta's mulled mead!]

Hermione giggled. [Well Ron, we're in for a treat. We finally get to experience Harry's famous nightmares!]

[You're kidding right? That's part of the deal?]

[Yep. Whoever has the most powerful nightmares. And that would be, Harry. And we can also reach out to other people in our minds, but it's difficult.]

[Well] added Harry, [at least you won't have to ask why I look like I didn't get any sleep.]

[Harry, you're going to give me circles under my eyes!]

[We're waking up....]

*****************

The trio awoke and found themselves in a circle, as they had been before they fell into the coma.

[Jerk up your hands to break the spell!]

As they did so, the light shattered and broke. The trio felt an overvelming sense of loss of balance.

[This feels really wierd,]

[And you laughed at us!] said Harry.

Hey Hermi, I just thought of something. Exams. Harry and I won't have to study! Will have the living textbook in our heads!!]

[Sorry to burst your bubble, Ron, but first of all, Hermione wouldn't cheat. Second of all, the teachers know. They'll be putting tons of anti-cheating charms on us.]

[Damn. We can't win!]

[Nope] said Hermione, [Not with Dumbledore around!]

[I] said Ron, streching [think I'll go take a nap. Sleep this off.]

[Ooooooh, watch out for the nightmares Ronniekins!]

[Harry don't call me that! But now that you mention it, I'll think I'll skip the nap.]

They laughed. [Hey someone's gotta call you by your nickname, the twins aren't here.]

[Yeah] added Hermione. [I miss them. Ginny aswell. And Lee. All of them. I never got a chance to thank Angelina, Alicia and Katie for trying to save me from the lake. I hate being stuck in here. Cut off from the world.]

Harry put his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

"We'll get out of here soon, okay?" he said aloud, and then, he added, in his head, [I hope.]

Hermione may not have heard it, but Ron did. And he was desperatly hoping the same thing.

***************

"God. This sucks." said Alicia.

"Yeah" added Lee, sitting beside her in the corner of the common room.

Parvati sighed. "I sort of wish there were classes today. Give us something to do."

"Maybe if we ask Dumbledore" suggested Ginny, "he'll let us see them. They're probably bored as hell. Just like us. We haven't seen them since before Christmas."

"I don't think so Gin" said Seamus, slipping his hand around her waist.

"Hey, it's worth a try." said Fred.

"Yeah" added his twin. "I mean, the thirteen of us are the only students who know the real reason they're not here."

"So" said Angelina, leaning into Fred. "They're in danger. God knows, us seeing them won't help."

"Yeah." said Neville. "And besides, we're not allowed out of the common room. Haw are we supposed to get to Proffesor Dumbledore to ask?"

But at that moment, the portrait swung open and there stood the Headmaster.

"I am here" he started, 'to explain why you weren't let out of the common room today. Voldemort managed to leave us a little note on the wall. I think it's important for you to know what he wants. He was looking for Harry Potter. But I assure you he will not find him. We are all safe, without a daoubt. Classes will resume tomorrow. Do not be alarmed. Good evening, I will see you tomorrow morning."

He turned to leave, but Lavender5 called him back.

"Proffesor Dumbledore? Could you please come over here for a moment please?"

"Lavender?" said Dean "What are you doing?"

"Can't hurt to ask." she answered as the rest of the common room went back to it's buisness and the Headmaster approached the group in the corner.

"Yes, what would you guys like?"

"Well, uh..."

"We..."

"I..."

Finally Gwen asked.

"We know this really isn't the time to ask, but you said no one was in danger...so, we really really really want to see Hermione, Harry and Ron. We havcen't see them since before Christmas, and were bored out of our minds, so could we pleeeeeeeease see them?"

(A/N: Gwen is a made up character, she's in Ginny's year. Became good frienfds with the group. Basically, I was pairing up people, and poor Neville was all alone, so.....but she's nothing like him. Total oppsite actually. You'll see further on the in the part.....:) )

"Yeah, Proffesor, please." said Katie. "They're probably justy as bored as us."

The old man thought for a moment. Voldemort wasn't going to attack to night. He could weaken the Fedelius Charm to let them in, and then put it back up once they were in. And Hermione, Harry and Ron hadn't seen their friends for a long time...

"Fine." he said. "You guys can spend the night in there with them. I'll come get you in the morning. Mow go get your stuff and meet me back down her in fgive minutes."

"Thank you thank you thank you!"

They ran upstairs to get their stuff.

*****************

"Hmm" said Angelina when they were in their dormitory, stuffing things into rtheir bags. "This should be fun. An sleepover wit the guys...."

"Yes, it could be. But we have some major coupling work to do tonight!" said Katie.

"Let's see" said Alicia, throwing in her make-up case. "We don't have to worry about Harry and Hermione, Ginny and Seamus. Ron and Lavender just need a little push."

"Our major problem is Gwen and Neville. She all over him but Neville's, well, scared."

"I'll work, it always does. The twins may be the best pranksters this school has ever seen, but were the best matchmakers!"

"I won't argue with that. Let's go, they'll be waiting...."

**************

"This is gonna be a blast!" said Fred, grabbing a few things and shoving them into his bag.

"Chocolates" said Lee, "Always work with girls." He shoved his secret stash into his bag.

George laughed. "We don't need chocolates, my friend. The girls will be d0oing their matchmaking things, right? We just gotta do is jump in get their attention."

Fred shook his head. "I have a feeling it'll be harder that that, my bro."

**********************

"But Ginny, he's really cute!"

"Gwen, I still don't know what you see in him. Yes he's cute, but I went to a ball with him last year. I tell ya, what a night mare! He's clumsy, and, well, I don't know. If you like him, so for it."

"That's the thing I've been all over him. He's like, terrified."

"Of course he is, Gwen! This is Neville. You're gorgeous Gwen. Cascading blond hair, violet eyes, grest bod. Just go a little slower, and he'll finally let you in.""

"Yeah, I guess. You're lucky. You've done the hard part with Seamus."

"Well I must say, I didn't have as much trouble as you......"

*********************

"Dean! She won't leave me alone!"

"Neville? What are you worried about? One of the most gorgeous girls in the school is after you. I really don't see a problem..."

"She kinda scares me..."

Seamus laughed. " Just ask her out! SHe'll say yes!"

"I mean, I don't know. Whay me? Whay doesn't she go after someone else?"

"Neville don't complain, that girl's some seriooous eye candy...."

***********************

"I can't wait to see Ron! I miss him."

"Girl, you don't miss him, you obsess over him. I can't remember the last time you didn't talk about him!"

"Well, waht about you and Dean, Parvati? There's gotta be something going on there....."

"I dunno, could be. Knowing Angelina,Alicia and Katie, there's bound to be more that one new couple tonight...."

************************

All of his students came down the stairs, talking excitedly.

"Come along then."

And so Fred, George, Lee, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Ginny, Gwen Parvati, Lavender, Dean, Seamus and Neville followed him down the corridor.

*******************************

The trio loved having their own house elf to cook for them. Dumbledore had sent them Dobby, after finding out they ate whatever they could find, which was mostly junk food. They also decided to talk out loud, because it was easier than always talking in their heads.

"Oh God,I'm so bored" said ROn, sitting cross-legged on the bed, opposite Hermione and Harry.

Hermione agreed. "Dobby better not keep making these cookies. So good but so fattening..."

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Harry called, getting up off the bed.

"Company!" yelled the Headmaster form the otherside of the door.

"Oh, come in!"

But it wasn't Albus Dumbledore who came through the door. It was their friends.

"Hermione!" yelled Katie,Alicia and Angelina, running to give their friend a hug.

"Oh God am I glad to see you alive!"

"Thank you guys for trying to save me."

"No prob. Why were you out there anyway?"

"Let's just say I was emotionally unstable" she answered, laughing.

*************

"Ron!"

Before he coould do anything, Lavender had jumped into his arms.

"I missed you so much!"

"I uh, missed you too, I think."

"Aww, look at ickle Ronniekins...."

"All grown up!"

"So" said Gearge, "What's it like being cooped up in here?"

"Just wait a sec," he said, turning to Lavender, who havee latched onto his arm. "I missed you, I really did, but I'm sure Hermione would like to see you, k?"

She reluctantly walked off, towards the other girls.

"It's basically been boring as hell. But our houase elf makes good food," passing them both a cookie. "It's like all we do. Sit around, talk and eat."

*****************

"Hey Harry, how's it going?"

Pretty good" he said, giving Seamus and Dean high fives. "Where's Neville, anyways?"

The two boys shook their heads and pointed towards the couch in the corner. There sat Neville, looking absolutly terrified, with Gwen, who was all over him."

"Whoah, what did I miss? Looks like a lot."

Yeah, we don't get it either. But you gotta admit, that girl is tight. Serious eye candy."

"Oh yeah." said Harry.

"No argument there." finished Dean.

"hey!" yelled Hermione, Parvati and Ginny form across the room. "We heard that!"

"What have we gotten ourselves into?" asked Harry.

"We really don't know..."

*******************

"Hey" yelled Fred. "Who's up for a game of spin the bottle?"

There was a bunch of cheers, and one prominent groanm, from Neville.

Everyone paired off, Harry + Herm, Ron + Lavender, Neville + Gwen, Ginny + Seamus, Parvati + Dean, Katie + Lee, Alicia + George and Angelina + Fred. They made a large circle.

"Okay" said Alicia. "We're going to play seven minutes in heaven."

"What's that?" asked Neville, dreading the answer.

"When the bottle lands on you, you have to go into the closet together for seven minutes. And well, you xan guess the rest. Harry, we need a bottle."

He left, and then retuned with a bottle of Champagne.

"Uh, Harry, this bottle's full" said Lavender.

"I know. That's for drinking." and then, pulling out another bottle, said, "This one's for spinning."

"Harry, where'd you get this champagne. This is expensive stuff!" said Hermione, examining the bottle.


"Found it. Dumbledore prbably hid it. Oh weel. Finders Keepers. Let's drink it."

"Harry, what if Dumbledore comes in and we're all drinking champagne?"

"Hermi, you worry too much."

He passed out glasses and everyone poored themsselllves some bubbly.

"A toast" said Harry. "to friendship".

"And new love" added Angelina, giggling.

"And staying alive!" said Ron "That one's for you Harry. The boy who died won't do us any good."

"Yes" said Hermione, giving him a kiss. "I certainly can't kiss a dead boyfriend."

"Sure you can, Hermione!" laughed Fred. "You'll just wake up to someone very cold in the morning!"

"Fred!"

"Come on, let's play!"

The bottle was spun and it landed on Neville and Gwen.

Giggling, she pulled a reluctant Neville into the closet after her.

"Anybody got a watch?"

Fred nodded and set the timer.

The group listened to what was happening in the closet. It seemed Neville finally relaxed and Gwen was getting her way.

"Times up!"

The two came oout, grinned and bvlushing.

Next was Fred and Angelina.

Everything seemed to be going fine, until...

"Fred!"

"What?"

"Get your hand out of there!"

"Oh, sorry..."

After everyone had gone a few times, Hermione stood up.

"I think it's time for a movie"

"But Hermi" said Ron, "you said it yourself. You can't use electronic things in the castle. Too much magical interference."

"Yeah, but I never said you couldn't use magic to project movies... So what knid of movie do you guys want?"

"Horror!" yelled all the guys at once.

"Why do guys always want Horror?" said Alicia to the other girls.

"Because" whispered Katie so the guys couldn't hear. "They think they can score better that way. The chick gets scared, and they "comfort" them!"

"I don't have problem with horror" said Hermione, smiling.

"No, us either" said the rest of the girls, giggling.

"What are they laughing about?" Fred asked Harry and Ron.

"Beats me." said Harry "But I have a feeling it's about us."

"Is Dracula okay?" hermione asked.

There was an aggreement, and blankets were pulled out, Hermione cast the spell, and everyone snuggled up to watch the movie.

But no one saw Ron and Lavender sneak out and into the rose garden...

****************

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

"What the hell?"

Everyone was jerked from sleep by the banging ans shaking of the building. They untangled themselves from the blankets and each other to sit up. Harry got up from where he had been lying with Hermione and went to the window.

"Holy fuckin' Shit!

"What?" sais every one in unison.

"Voldemort! He standing right under the bloody window!"

"You're kidding, right?"

"Then get down!" said Hermione, pulling him to the floor.

"It's okay, he can't see us while we're in here. The Fedelius charm, remember?"

"Oh, right."

"Potter, I know you're in there somewhere. Come on out. I think i have something that belongs to you."

Looking out the window, everyone gasped.

There stood Peter Pettigrew, holding Lavender and Ron.



Oooooooh, another cliffhanger. Aren't I horrible. My computer crashed. Again. So I made this extra long because I haven't posted much lately.

Please Review, I'll have the next part up soon.

~Danie