Chapter five

Dementora

"You know, you surprise me, Jean-Luc."

Jean-Luc Picard looked up from his breakfast. "How so, Beverly?"

"The way you are dealing with our guests. To be honest, you're not exactly a champion with kids or even teenagers. And yet, you seem not have any trouble with dealing with them."  Beverly explained.

Jean-Luc thought that for a few moments. "That might because they didn't seem like children or even teenagers to me. I have seen it before. The latest time being on Bajor, just after the Cardassians left."

"I have seen it on the most tried planets. The kids don't have the time to be kids. And although I don't believe that's exactly the case with our guests, it's clear to me that they have seen and done a lot of things they shouldn't have to see or do… You know I have been spending some time with Miss Weasley every day. And she has told me quite some things about the events that take place in her world. It isn't pretty."

"Deanna told me about Miss Granger's reaction to Deanna's empathy. She said something about being at war. And if I understood it correctly, they are in the middle of it." 

"Yeah. A few nights ago Mr. Potter had a dream. He is linked with that dark wizard. When he woke up, he was in pain. Bad enough to give Deanna a big headache. And they believe that their opponents might have some tricks up their sleeve."

"We will have to wait…"

***

"SIRIUS LEE BLACK. RONALD WEASLEY. Get your butts over here!!!"

Harry poked his head around the corner to see where all the commotion was all about. He had to keep himself in check when a hilarious site greeted him.

Outside in the hallway, stood Hermione, Ginny, Beverly and Deanna. All were soaking wet. Hermione was looking furious, Ginny looked annoyed and the two officers were looking between being angry or laughing.

Harry let out a snort, causing Hermione to turn towards him. "Harry, where is your damn godfather and your best friend?" 

Harry emerged totally from his quarters and walked over to them. "I don't know, Mione."  he said.

"Grrrr."

"Computer, location of Sirius Black and Ron Weasley." Beverly said.

"Sirius Black and Ron Weasley are in Ten Forward." the computer warbled back.

Hermione turned around and marched of to Ten Forward, still soaking wet.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other. "Oh oh." Ginny snorted.

"They are in for it now."  Harry said. He quickly pulled out his wand, casting drying spell the remaining soaked females and hurried after Hermione, Ginny following just as quickly.

Beverly and Deanna looked at each other and also decided to follow.

***

"SIRIUS LEE BLACK. RONALD WEASLEY. You stupid immature gits. Are you also gonna act like that if Voldemort walks in over here? Or at Hogwarts? Are you also gonna drop buckets of cold water over him then?" Hermione started as soon as she entered Ten Forward.

Sirius and Ron looked up from their game of wizard's chess. "What happened to you, Hermione?" Ron asked.

"Don't pretend like you don't know what happened, Ronald Weasley. Your bucket of ice cold water happened."

Ron glanced at Sirius, who had a blank look on his face, but his eyes were sparkling. "Mione, I didn't do anything. I think you should ask that dog on the other side of the table." 

Hermione glanced over her shoulder, to find that the other had arrived already. "Counselor, is he speaking the truth?"

Deanna scrutinised Ron for a second, then nodded towards Hermione.

Ginny simply stepped towards her, wand out and muttered the same spell Harry had used.    

"Thanks Gin." Hermione said and then turned towards Sirius. "I don't get how you ever did become an Auror. Or even how you survived after managing that little trick…"

A soft blipping interrupted her. "All senior staff to their posts. We are entering orbit." sounded from Deanna's and Beverly's com-badges.

Hermione wanted to continue her tirade to Sirius, but Harry intervened. "Let's continue this in private." Suddenly a stab of pain shot through his scar. "And we need to talk."

***

"Then tell me how this is possible, Harry. You're scar only hurts when Voldemort is close by or when he is having very murderous thoughts. And the last are usually accompanied with visions." Sirius exclaimed.

"If Voldemort is close by, my scar would continue hurting. Mione, do you have an idea what's going on?"

"I don't know, Harry… Wait… how does your scar react when you're close to very powerful magic of Voldemort?" Hermione said.

"It had twitched once, but I haven't much experience in that area." Harry spoke.

"Let's just prepare in case for the worst. Wands on and some practical clothing seems like a good idea." Ron suggested.

"That seems me the best too." Ginny had been very silent until then.

The others agreed and headed out to change.

***

Fifteen minutes later they had met again in Sirius his quarters. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Sirius were dressed in their order clothes; loose night blue trousers, white tunics held together by belts and forest green robes which could be worn closed or open. They were hooded. Ginny was dressed in exactly the same outfit, but the forest green was night blue. All five wore black leather boots. Hermione and Ginny had pulled their hair back in braid.

Their wands were in wand holsters on their left hip and a dagger in holster on their right hip. And each of them carried an own weapon. Harry carried the Gryffindor sword; Hermione carried a magically collapsed boo-staff; Ginny carried a holster of arrows and a magically collapsed bow and Ron wore a small axe. Sirius also had a sword.     

"Did your scar hurt again?" Ginny asked.

"Nothing."

***

They spent quite some time talking. But it was a forced conversation.

Suddenly Harry's scar burned again. He hissed and grabbed his scar. But before anyone had a chance to say something a familiar cold washed over them.

"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Ginny said.

"We have to get to the bridge. Now." Ron said.

"Wait. They are not here on the ship. Then we would have felt more effects than the cold." Hermione said.

"Doesn't matter. We have to get to the bridge."

The five ran out of the door, robes billowing behind them.

***

Some crewmembers looked weird at the three wizards and two witches running by, robes billowing out behind them.

A few seconds later they arrived at the turbo lift. They entered and normally they couldn't reach the bridge, but Hermione pulled her wand out and muttered some kind of spell.

The lift started to rise.

Ron looked at Hermione. "Which spell was that?"

"Something I made myself. It just takes away some enclosures around technology." she explained softly.

The computer signalled they had arrived on the bridge and the doors opened. When they entered they were greeted by very surprised faces.

***

Jean-Luc Picard looked at their magical guests. Something was going on, but it wasn't very clear what. "What are you doing here?"

The five didn't answer, but stared at the viewing screen. Hermione and Ginny looked shocked, Ron and Harry looked grim and Sirius' look was one of pure hate.

"What's going on?" he demanded again.

Hermione turned towards him. "Have sent people down?"

Jean-Luc felt her penetrating gaze. "Yes. But…"

"Pull them away now. Those creatures are Dementors. Not very pleasant ones…" Harry said.

A fresh wave of cold flooded over them. Harry faintly heard screams in the back of this head. Then he noticed the blue haze among the Dementors and twelve people appeared. He turned back to the captain again. "Pull them away now. These creatures suck away all your happy memories."

Jean-Luc hit his com-badge. "Picard here. Get the away team back now."

Two minutes later a reply came back. "Impossible, sir."

Sirius turned towards him. "Beam Harry, Mione and Ron and me down. We can keep the Dementors away from them long enough to get your people back."

"Sirius…" Ginny hissed.

Hermione turned towards her. "Gin, someone has to stay here to tell what to do with the after effects. You are the best in the medical area. And if a Dementor gets beamed up, someone needs to keep it in control."

Ginny nodded and the four other departed.

Then Ginny turned towards the captain. "Sir, I would like to suggest something. It would be best if they are beamed into a cargo bay. There it would be possible to empty the bay if there are many Dementors."

"I believe this is an excellent suggestion, sir. Cargo bay six is currently empty." Data supported her.

"Very well. Could you inform Doctor Crusher of what has to be done?" the captain said.

"Yes.  I am going to that bay in case of a Dementor comes along."

Then Ginny's look felt on Counselor Troi. She was shaking. Ginny herself was keeping her memories at bay, but she understood the cause. Quickly she made her way to the replicator, ordered a bar of chocolate and handed it to Deanna. "This helps a bit."

Before she ran away, she addressed the whole bridge. "Eat some chocolate when you feel the effects of the Dementors. It helps a little."

***

Harry, Ron, Sirius and Hermione felt the effects of the Dementors immediately. They quickly spread out around the group and all four roared: "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

From Harry's wand erupted the silver stag. Hermiones Patronus was a large silver Kneazle. Sirius' was his animagus form, a large bear-like dog. Ron's Patronus was a gigantic Iberian griffin.

The four creatures attacked the Dementors and started to drive them away.

While Sirius focused on his Patronus, he managed to hit com-badge. "Beam the crewmembers away."

***

Ginny was waiting at the entrance of the cargo bay, her wand out. In the hallway were Beverly and some medical staff.

There hadn't been a sign for the surface yet. But suddenly Sirius voice chirped trough her com-badge. "Beam the crewmembers away."

Ginny tensed a little when the blue glows appeared. To her relief only the twelve crewmembers appeared. She signalled the medical crew and they quickly cleared the bay.

After the crew had departed, only Ginny, Beverly and Alyssa Ogawa remained. Doctor Selar would handle the crewmembers.

The Vulcan had been very sceptical when Ginny had informed them about the chocolate. But Beverly had enforced her orders. Ginny still had gotten a harsh glare, something very rare for a Vulcan.

***

Beverly studied the girl face and posture. The girl was somewhat tense, but very alert.

To say that she was surprised when Ginny had stormed into sickbay was putting it mildly. Not only her hurry or what was going on, but the change in the girl's attitude. She was very businesslike, quick to the point and leadership skills were showing. She had seen her as a somewhat silent and reserved girl in large company, girly when with her friends or like when they had been with the four females this morning and gentle and caring when she helped out in sickbay. But she had never seen the 'soldier' inside her.

Now she thought about it… she hadn't it seen so much in the others either. Hermione appeared a studious young woman, but beneath the surface was a mischievous streak and some temper.  

She was forced to focus on the cargo bay again when five transporter signals appeared, effectively ending this train of thought.

***

Ron was relieved when heard the whine of the transporter behind him. Keeping the Patronus charm going in the presence of thousand or more Dementors was taking his toll.

It was becoming more and more difficult to focus on the memory of being reunited with his little sister after the kidnapping. Glancing around him he noticed that the others were coming closer to each other. He followed their example.

They were back to back when he felt a faint tingle running over his body and the world dissolved around him.

***

Deanna stared at the viewing screen. The chocolate had helped a little like Ginny had said.

They had had quite a clear image on the bridge of their colleague's obvious pain. It was true what the wizards and witches had told them. The signs were before him. They had only received a message of Starfleet with the orders to check out the disappearance of hundred colonists on this planet.

Perhaps their guests knew what had happened with them.

Then she saw Sirius, Hermione, Harry and Ron arrive and the silver figures emerged from their wands. The shapes of Harry and Sirius' Patronus were clear with her, but Hermiones looked a little like a… tiger and Ron's looked a griffin or something.

And the silver creatures were working against those creatures.

***

Hermione was shaking. The energy was draining from her faster then she had expected. She had done the Patronus charm often, even in the presence of quite some Dementors. But this was like she had never experienced.

She had been shocked many times. She had been furious many times. The last time being when her parents wanted her to quit Hogwarts last year.

She had just been initiated in the Order of the Phoenix, when the message had arrived. Her parents had heard about Voldemort and wanted their daughter home for her safety. Still in her new robes, she had stormed over to Dumbledore and handed him the letter.

He had managed to calm her down and in the mean time also Harry and Ron had joined them, having heard what had been going on. Harry had suggested going now and talking to her parents and somehow they had convinced Dumbledore to come along.

So they had left Hogwarts and Dumbledore had apperated them to Hermione's house. There Dumbledore had introduced himself and Hermione had outlined her reasons for wanting to stay at Hogwarts. And also Ron and Harry had spoken

She smiled inwardly at what they had said.

"Mrs. Granger, I understand your fear for your daughter. But with Voldemort back, everyone has to do their part in defeating him. That includes Hermione."

That had been Harry.

"Mr. Granger, I can imagine that here might seem safer for Hermione. But because she is close with Harry she will be a target. Especially if she goes home. At Hogwarts she has other people who can help her fight. And she helps other people fight."

It had taken some time, but finally she had been allowed to stay at Hogwarts. But it hadn't improved the relationship with her parents.

***

Ginny tensed when again blue glows appeared. She counted five of them.

As the forms took shape, she stepped forward and roared: "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

The Dementor the transporter somehow had managed to get was immediately attacked by the large silver Pegasus that had emerged from Ginny's wand.

While Ginny held the Dementor of, Beverly and Alyssa helped the four other to get out the door. When they out the door, Ginny stepped back and slapped the knob to close the door.

Beverly hit her com-badge to give Data the signal to open the door. And Alyssa handed out bars of chocolate.

***

"You okay, guys?" Ginny asked when they had made their way to Sickbay.

Ron yawned. "Just tired. When we are finished I am gonna take a long nape."

Hermione whacked up Ron on the back of his head.  "How is the away team doing?" she asked.  

At that moment Doctor Selar choose to approach them. "They are fine, Miss Granger. I have sent them to rest. And your advise was valid, Miss Weasley."

Ginny rolled her eyes. Beverly saw it and grinned.

"Why don't go take your nap? Ginny, would you mind giving me a hand with my report? I need someone who knows more on the effect of Dementors."

Ginny nodded.

Harry turned towards Beverly. "Perhaps it's a good idea if we get the ship somewhat away from the planet. We are still feeling the effect of the Dementors. When we have rested, we will start searching for more permanent solution."

Beverly nodded.

Hermione, Sirius, Ron and Harry went to rest. Beverly put Ginny in her office and asked her to describe the effects of Dementors and the effects of chocolate. Then she went to get the data of the medical scans.

***

After a few hours the senior staff and the guests collected in the observation lounge.

Picard opened the meeting and then turned towards their guests. "What exactly were those creatures?"

"Those creatures are called Dementors. They come forward from the darkest places on Earth. They feed themselves with peoples happy thoughts and memories. When you stay in their presence for a long time, only your worst memories remain. You become as merciless as they are. The only charm that works against them is the Patronus charm." Harry explained.

"Why didn't we feel the effect sooner?" Deanna asked. "I felt the cold just before you came on the bridge, while we had already been in orbit for some time."

"Voldemort had put a shield around the planet. He dropped it when you were beaming people in."

"I have been looking for a spell we can use to shield the planet. But it's best if we or other ships don't come near the planet." Hermione said. "We don't know of a way to destroy so much Dementors at once."

"Which spell, Mione?" Ron asked. "I thought you were taking a nap."

"Wasn't tired anymore. Besides, when Ginny was ready we found it together." Hermione quickly said, shrugging her shoulders.

"I have something else to ask. Do you have any idea what happened to the colonists on the planet?" This question came from Riker.

The five glanced at each other.

"I am afraid they were killed by Voldemort. Or that they have gotten the Dementors kiss." Sirius said quietly.

"The Dementors what?"

The Dementors kiss. Under the hood they have some kind of mouth. They clamp it around the mouth of the victim and suck their soul out. The body still lives on, but the essence is gone." Hermione explained.    

"Doctor Crusher, how far are you with your medical report?"

"It's finished. Miss Weasley has given me a hand." Beverly said.

The meeting continued for some time, then they prepared the spell and cast it, hoping that Voldemort wouldn't break it.