Disclaimer: Basically the characters do not belong to me and if questioned I can produce documents to that effect – it'll have clauses, sub-clauses and I'll even initial it at the correct junctures and everything

Disclaimer: Basically the characters do not belong to me and if questioned I can produce documents to that effect – it'll have clauses, sub-clauses and I'll even initial it at the correct junctures and everything.

A/N: ::looks sheepish:: I'm afraid I haven't thanked my reviewers yet and I would like to say I have taken your reviews to heart and they have influenced my writing, who knows where it might have gone without you lovely people. God bless you all!! ::blows kisses::

Chapter Six: Preunion

Hermione, Ron and Harry climbed down the ladder in a dark claustrophobic tunnel. Apparently Hermione was discovering one of her chief fears besides failure, enclosed spaces. Ron wasn't exactly being comforting, but he obviously remembered how much she had teased him about his arachnophobia.

"We're almoft at de bottom," Harry called up to his friends with his wand between his teeth to cast light as he climbed.

"Maybe your mofther waf w'ong, 'Arry," said Ron, who also held his wand in his mouth. "Dis coul' be a dead end."

"Right that's it," said Hermione, beginning to climb back up.

"Come on, 'Ermione," said Ron, grabbing her ankle. "It'f not far."

Hermione sighed and they began to climb back down again. Harry glanced down into the gloom and took one hand off the ladder to wave his wand towards the bottom. There were barely a few metres away from the bottom, he took a few more steps down and jumped the rest of the way, landing in ankle deep water.

Ron landed next to him and Hermione climbed down the ladder right to the bottom. Harry increased the beam on light from his wand and peered down the tunnel. It was cylindrical and it's stone walls were polished down as though a lot of water had once rushed through here.

"Think sometimes there's still water down here?" asked Ron.

"The journal said that there used to be a diverted river running through here that used to feed all of the water pipes in the castle," said Hermione. "But then they dredged out the lake and they could use that."

"Better than Hogwarts: A History hey, Hermione," said Ron, grinning at her through the gloom.

"Which way, Harry?" asked Hermione, pointedly ignoring Ron.

Harry pulled out the parchment he had written the directions down on and turned it around a few times before turning in to the right, "This way and we'll get to the Crystal Cavern."

"Off we go then," said Ron intrepidly walking forward.

The three friends walked down the tunnel, their wands held before them to illuminate the passage. His mum hadn't written anything about any inhabitants, she would have done so if there were any. A little part of Harry was still reminding him that his mum had written her journal for about eighteen years and that anything could have found it's way down here.

"How far away is the Crystal Cavern then?" asked Ron.

"Well according to Harry's mum it's about two miles away," said Hermione.

"Should have brought brooms," muttered Ron.

They walked for quite a long time before they began to here rushing water. Lily Evans had written about this too and had given specific instructions. They continued walking until they came out into a wider tunnel and at the centre was a fast flowing river, the occasional crest of white forming on it's surface.

Harry felt along the wall and grabbed onto a large metal ring and felt the rust bite into his hands. He swung himself out, putting his wand between his teeth once more. Hermione came next as he caught the next ring and finally Ron.

"Oh, easy," said Ron sarcastically.

"We fhould 'ave brought b'ooms," said Hermione.

"Thank-you," said Ron.

"Woul't 'ave worked," said Harry. "Dere's too mufch magical interferenfe down 'ere – appawently. My mum said dat 'Ogwarts if built on a interfection of Ley-Lines."

"You're founding like 'Ermione, 'Arry," said Ron.

Harry felt his foot land on a ledge as he swung onto the next ring and he bent his head so his wand illuminated the ledge, it was the exit from the tunnel. He pulled himself onto it and pulled his wand from his mouth as he helped Hermione out of the tunnel too and then Ron.

"Down there?" asked Hermione, indicating the steep stairs that had been cut from the rock and worn down with age.

"I bet the Slytherins wouldn't go down here," said Ron as they descended into the darkness. "Or the Ravenclaws, or the Hufflepuffs… When it comes down to it it's more fun being a Gryffindor."

"There is a thin line between bravery and stupidity, Ron," said Hermione and Harry smiled into the darkness.

"That's what Professor Faber says," said Ron.

"Yes, she is a Gryffindor you know, you're allowed to insult your own house," said Hermione.

"I thought you were allowed to insult other houses," said Harry. "I mean I bet the Ravenclaws think we're dead thick and the Hufflepuffs probably think we're foolhardy and I don't want to even think about what the Slytherins think of us."

"I suppose so," conceded Ron.

They carried on talking as they walked down the steps, catching each other when they slipped and trying not to imagine what horrors might lie at the bottom of the stairs now. When they reached the bottom of the stairs though they stopped talking immediately and simply gaped.

The Crystal Cavern was simply beautiful. The underground river they had climbed over came out into the cavern as a thundering waterfall, falling over the smoothed rocks. There was another river that entered the cavern too though and while one was tinted green with the limestone tunnels it passed through the second was red from the iron in the mountains. Red and green water crashed over the rocks and swirled together in the pool at the centre to great effect.

"Wow," said Ron, the first to speak.

"It's beautiful," said Hermione. "You can tell who made this place too…"

"Slytherin and Gryffindor," said Harry.

"Maybe this was one of the only thing they did together," said Hermione.

"Although I hate to disrespect the memories of the two of the founders of our school – last one in's a troll!!" said Ron.

All three kicked off their shoes and socks and pulled off their robes as quickly before plunging into the cool, mountain water. With shrieks and shouts they splashed around and dived down to the bottom, ducked each other under the water and jumped off the rocks. And when they realised it was six o'clock and they had classes in two hours they ran as fast as they could back the way they had come, promising each other that they would come back here again.

*****

Harry stepped out of the bathroom and tried to remember a spell to dry his hair before he got dressed. He gave up after a few minutes and just towelled himself down in the Muggle way. His two dress robes had been laid out on his bed and Trivia was circling his dragon hide boots suspiciously.

"Black or green, Trivia?" asked Harry, putting his boots down on the floor.

"Either would be wonderful," said Trivia's middle head.

"It is entirely your decision, Harry," said the left head. "I would personally chose the black robe though."

"The green robe matches your eyes, but Gabrielle is going in white and you will both look terrible if you were wearing green. The cut doesn't suit you either, it doesn't have any tailored flair in it that a good dress robe ought to have. Sadly your green eyes are your main feature and wearing a black robe would bring them out a little better, even if all the trouble is for nothing… And don't wear contact lenses – they make you look like a deer caught in the head-lights."

Harry smiled and began to get changed. There was a knock at the door and Gabrielle entered. Apparently she, nor her sister Harry had learnt, had never quite understood the idea of privacy. Harry had once spent a month with both of the Delacour sisters and had eventually resorted to putting a chair up against the door when he wanted a bit of privacy. Eventually Harry had become used to it and was quite okay with Gabrielle walking in on him at any time she pleased.

"Where did you get zat?" asked Gabrielle, sitting down on his bed.

"Get what?" asked Harry, putting on his wristwatch.

"Ze tattoo," said Gabrielle. "On your back."

Harry absently touched his back and thoughtfully picked up his black robe, "It just sort of happened…."

The tattoo was of a phoenix with it's wings spread across his back, more of a symbol than an actually image of a phoenix really. What particularly fascinated people about it though was not how he had got it, but why it changed colour and what the colours represented. At the moment it was flickering like living flame in a pale yellow tinged with blue at the feather tips.

"What is eet really, 'Arry?" asked Gabrielle.

Harry pulled his robes on over his head and Gabrielle didn't see the yellow flame turn green very slightly, "It is a symbol of something I had to give up a long time ago so that everything else in life wouldn't be forfeited… Unfortunately, in the end, I wasn't entirely sure if it was worth it – but anyway!" he added brightly, "it's all in the past now… Are you ready?"

"Yes," said Gabrielle, getting to her feet.

Harry looked at her properly for the first time and smiled broadly. She was a vision in white and gold, her long blonde hair flowing down her back in waves and absolutely perfect. There were a few occasions when Harry wondered if he ought to be in love with Gabrielle and this was one of them, but it was quickly dismissed as being a little too easy. Gabrielle and he clicked perfectly as friends and he knew it would never work if they were in anything other than an entirely platonic relationship.

"You are beautiful," said Harry matter-of-factly, smiling at her.

"Thank-you," said Gabrielle, kissing his cheek.

"When are we going then?" asked Trivia's left head.

Harry looked over Gabrielle's shoulder and laughed, "You aren't going anywhere, Trivia."

"What do you mean?" demanded the right head. "You'll ruin things without us – you always do. You are a complete incompetent when it comes to social occasions without us hissing in your ear."

"This is a formal Ball," said Harry firmly. "It won't look too good if I walk in with a seven foot long, three headed snake."

"Prejudice," snapped the right head.

"No – common courtesy, you'll scare the other guests," said Harry. "You're staying here. It's not like you'll be alone either – Pag's here."

"Ha! The Mad Magizoologist!" sneered the right head.

"We are going with you, Harry," said the left head.

"Just imagine the Ball; the dancers, the flirting, the gossip, the music! Oh, Harry, please let us come," cried the middle head.

"No way," said Harry, setting his jaw.

"You're embarrassed of us aren't you," said the left head. "It's not like you have such a select group of friends you know, we're the cream of the crop!"

"No, Trivia, you're staying here."

Harry took Gabrielle's hand and led her out of the room, shutting the door with a definite snap. Gabrielle gave him an odd look as they walked down the corridor and then down the stairs into the vestibule.

"What was zat about, 'Arry?" she asked.

"Nothing," said Harry, rolling his eyes with a sigh. "Shall we?"

Gabrielle smiled at him and they both disapparated from the vestibule with a resounding POP!

*****

"I wonder if Snape still hates us," thought Ron out loud.

"Probably," said Hermione.

The couple turned to look down the street to see if anyone else had arrived. They had all agreed before they can come that they would meet up together on the main street in Hogsmeade. Ginny and her boyfriend, Jonathon Murray, were sitting a little further down the street on a wall while they waited for the rest of their party.

"Why does Snape hate you guys?" asked Jonathon as he and Ginny joined the older couple.

"Pardon?" asked Ron.

"Well you're always saying that Snape hates you –"

"Harry," corrected Hermione. "He hates Harry, he just dislikes us."

"Yeah, but why?" asked Jonathon.

"Have you ever heard about Harry's grandfather?" asked Ron, looking down the street.

"Yeah – first class Chaser. Tristan Potter was one of the greatest Chasers England ever had," said Jonathon and Ginny winced at the less than subtle compliment to the Potter family.

"Well he may have been an excellent Quidditch player, but he was a bit of a –" said Ron slowly before he was cut off.

"A womanising bastard," said Harry, apparating next to Ron and making him jump.

"Damnit, Harry!" said Ron, recovering. "Give me a little warning next time."

"Sorry, Ron," said Harry, looking around. "Are we the only ones or have the others gone up to the castle and left you lot down here?"

"Fred and Angelina haven't arrive yet," said Hermione. "But the others are already up at the castle."

"A nice reunion – more of a preunion of course," said Harry and then suddenly remembered the gorgeous young woman standing next to him, "You remember Gabrielle don't you?"

"Nice to see you again," said Hermione, shaking her hand.

"Eet is a pleasure to see you again, 'Ermione," said Gabrielle with a smile. "But I do not zink I 'ave met you," she said, addressing Jonathon.

"Er – no, Jonathon Murray, nice to meet you," said Jonathon, who was gazing at Harry with a mixture of awe and fear.

"'Ave you not met 'Arry before eizzer?" asked Gabrielle.

"No," said Jonathon.

Harry turned his gaze from up the street to Jonathon and pinned him there, muttering a vague greeting. It had occurred to Hermione that perhaps Harry didn't realise his eyes could hold someone to the spot like that and that if you looked into them you could sometimes feel as though as you about to fall. At some moments it was fairly obvious that Harry knew everything there was to be known, at others he looked entirely naive of what he was capable of.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," said Fred, apparating with Angelina at the centre of the group. "Shall we be going?"

Hermione and Angelina rolled their eyes and all of the couples set off up the road towards the castle. Ginny and Jonathon were walking in silence while Jonathon gazed at Gabrielle and Harry, a beautiful French Seeker and one of the best Seekers in the world together, it was quite a sight. Fred and Ron were walking at the front talking about who George had brought and Hermione was left talking to Angelina. She would have killed to be good enough at French to understand what Harry and Gabrielle were saying though, but they were talking far to fast for her rather patchy grasp of French.

"'Arry tells me zat zere will a woman at ze Ball," said Gabrielle, appearing at her side. "A Sabine Cisseus, do you know 'er as anyzing ozzer zan ze German Seeker?"

Hermione and Angelina both smiled, "Oh yes," said Hermione.

"Very much so," said Angelina with a smile.

"She was Harry's first love," said Hermione, smiling. "They met on Dracomon Quidditch pitch, she complemented him and he fell off his broom with surprise. I think they were together all through their sixth year and right up to just before Easter in their seventh… Actually they were a really nice couple, it's a shame they broke up, but they did it on pretty amiable terms and they're still friends."

"'Ow could zat 'ave been so?" asked Gabrielle. "Zey would 'ave been at different schools would zey not? Ze German school is a Efeuburg, no?"

"Yeah well Harry was already on the England team wasn't he," said Angelina. "They saw him fly during the tournament and snapped him up like that. So he was always off at a practise session and England were touring Germany, so he got to see a lot of her."

"I'm surprised he passed his N.E.W.T.s," said Hemione, shaking her head.

"'Arry got a lot of zese N.E.W.T.s as I 'ave been told," said Gabrielle.

"Oh yeah," said Angelina, smiling. "He studied in the Quidditch stadiums and practised… I was amazed he managed it. Course he didn't get as many as he could have done, but he only wanted a Quidditch career and you don't need two dozen N.E.W.T.s for that."

They arrived at the main doors to Hogwarts and found they had been surrounded with waves of white flowers, each holding a little fairy, who flitted between the flowers visiting each other. It was quite beautiful and brought back Hermione's most pleasant memories of the seven years she had spent at Hogwarts.

"Hello, sweety," said the only woman in the world who could get away with calling Harry Potter "sweety".

Harry hopped up the stairs and embraced Medea McKinnon tightly before allowing her to comment on him, still smiling. Hermione rather liked Medea and after all Harry adored her. Medea was just so likeable, men loved her and women were in awe of her, Hermione couldn't help but like her.

"Remus and Lyca are here," said Medea with a smile. "And Brizo has dragged my dear brother out of his office. The kids are all back home, except Mnemosyne, she's up in Gryffindor Tower, you can nip up later and see her if you like…. Come on now you lot."

The group surrendered quite willingly to the Potions Mistress and followed her obediently inside. Hermione took Ron's arm as they entered the great hall, which was beautiful. The House-Elves had obviously been working very hard and Hermione had a suspicion that some of the students had been roped into helping out.

The long house table had disappeared and in their place were round tables where a party of people could sit and talk. An enchanted orchestra was playing on a stage at the top of the hall and some couples were already dancing beneath a canopy of flowers and sparkling leaves. It looked magical and no doubt was.

*****

The school was buzzing with rumours about the new Potions Professor, they had seen her before once or twice talking with Professor Snape in the Potions dungeon or walking with Professor Dumbledore in the grounds, but they had never strictly met her. Harry had, of course, and he had told Ron and Hermione quite a bit about Medea, but they were both keen to meet her for themselves.

"My father has told me a lot about her," Malfoy was telling his fellow Slytherins. "Basically her mother used to sleep with Dark Wizards to gather information on them. Of course none of them were stupid enough to reveal anything, but I'm sure she's a slut just like her mother."

"She looks like one," said Pansy Parkinson. "She was actually wearing jeans, aren't professors meant to be setting us an example/ And there were stained and all tattered, can't she afford decent clothing!"

"Her family are poor Purebloods," said Malfoy. "There's nothing worse than a poor Pureblood., am I right, Weasley."

Hermione and Harry both grabbed Ron by the back of his robes. Malfoy grinned at him and continued with his insults about Professor McKinnon, "She's the bastard of a Death Eater and unfortunately she takes after her mother. They killed all of the McKinnons in the end of course, the first family they killed. She was tortured and left for dead, Dumbledore must feel sorry for her – she can't be much of a professor."

"Really? Why not?"

Hermione had no idea how Medea had entered the dungeon or indeed how she had come up right behind Malfoy without him knowing it, but there she was and it was hilarious. Malfoy turned white as a sheet as the woman known through out the magical community as being very aggressive, even if they knew nothing else of her.

"You were just saying I am going to be a bad professor, Mr. Malfoy," she said with a smile that Hermione had seen once before in an aquarium.

"I – I," stuttered Malfoy.

"Was just about to suggest I talk with your house-master?" said Medea with the sort of smile the Wildebeest dreaded. "What a good idea. Thank-you for suggesting that, Mr. Malfoy. Would you care to speculate on which particular Death Eater I am the child of now? No? Well then perhaps we ought to begin with class then."

Hermione watched Professor McKinnon walk to the front of the class and then turn to give them all a real smile. She was, Hermione now realised, one of those women who were perfectly proportioned. One could actually imagine her conception involving mathematics at some stage. But you didn't realise it because of the way she walked and held herself.

McKinnon stalked around the classroom as though she were expecting attack or indeed about to attack. Fight or flee, Medea looked permanently poised to do either. It was the oddest way of moving and Hermione couldn't place why exactly it was so familiar.

A/N: The Ball will continue in the next chapter and I think we'll meet Celea Leone again, but I haven't decided yet so don't hold me to that. The first flashback was because I thought I ought to familiarise you all with the tunnels under the school since I mentioned them in Chapter Four (Fallen Defenders). And please review my story after you've read this, constructive criticism and advice will always make me rethink the direction of my story J