If Wishes Were Snitches


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Chapter 7 Professor Binns' Last Lesson




It was unanimously agreed that sneaking up on a castle full of trained aurors would be foolish in the extreme. Ginny and Neville flew off to the Burrow to check for any signs of Hermione then they were to fly around the castle in an attempt at diversion. Harry, Luna, and Ron began their 'casual' stroll towards the front entrance. Luna took casual very seriously and Ron was huffing with impatience the third time she stopped to examine a flowering bush.


Harry bent over to look at the blossom. "Ron, we need to time our arrival to coincide with Gin and Neville's fly by. Try to look like you are enjoying yourself."


"Honestly Harry, do you think anyone would think I'd be on a horticultural tour of the grounds?"


"Well look for spiders then, there are several large varieties on this bush." Harry said.


Ron's head whipped around and he peered suspiciously at Harry. "Ha Ha, spider hunting sounds like much more fun. I'm so fond of the wee beasties."


Luna looked up at Ron. "They are fascinating, aren't they?"


"Sorry Luna, I was being sarcastic, Harry here was cruelly exploiting my only known weakness."Ron held out his hand to help Luna to her feet. She looked at his outstretched hand in surprise for a moment then placed her hand in his and he pulled her up. She smiled at him and murmured her thanks.


Harry frowned and turned towards Hogwarts. "Ginny and Neville should be near position. Let's head in."


They silently covered the distance. The front door swung open and Harry scanned the front hall. It was empty but Harry felt eerily watched. Sound seemed to be absorbed by the walls and as they moved up the stairs it was harder to maintain a casual posture. Harry chewed his lip and resisted the urge to duck his head and run up the hallway full speed. Ron and Luna seemed less affected by the whispering and rustling emanating from the portraits and Harry supposed it was due to his time away from the magical world and tried to relax.


Their first stop was the library. Fred and George were hunched over a table with assorted books and parchments spread around them.


"Alright,"Ron stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips. "Who are you, and what have you done with my brothers?"


The twins looked up and George said while stretching "Ohhh, look Fred, it's a few carefree youths here to mock our studiousness. Remember when we were that young?"


"Flee callow spirits of childhood past, we can't come out and play."


Harry and Ron moved over to the table to look over the work spread out while Luna wandered to the window and stood in the sunlight. "Are you trying to make up the whole year in one week?" Asked Ron picking up an essay and scanning it.


"Has Hermione been in to check on you yet?"Harry inquired with what he hoped was a casual air.


"Nooo, why?"


Harry shrugged, "We haven't seen her in a while. Has anyone else been in?"


Fred and George exchanged glances. "Well, Professor Weasley stopped by to pick up some History of Magic texts."


"He was looking flustered."


"Hair mussed."


"Tie askew."


"But he left an hour ago."George reached over and took the essay back from Ron. "I'll take that."


"You spelled rhizome wrong. There is no 'y' in it." Said Ron.


George glared at Ron. "Thanks." Fred leaned over and made the correction.


"So are we thinking Percy might be spending time with our dear Hermione, hmmm?"Asked Fred.


Ron and Harry blinked. "No we were more thinking Hermione stumbled across his evil plan of world domination and he is planning her demise."


"Oh. Well there is that. Either scenario works."


Luna eased over. "Let's try the History of Magic classroom."


"Right." Said Harry. "Let's go. If you two should happen to see Hermione attempt to break the imperious curse she is undoubtably under."



In the hall Ron turned to Harry and Luna. "Is it just me or does the world seem freakishly off it's axis? Fred and George studying. In summer no less. Hermione behaving girlish with Percy. Percy here at Hogwarts with his forked tail between his legs."


Luna gasped. "Oh Ronald. . . I didn't know your brother had a tail."


Ron laughed. "Yeah, tragic birth defect. Harry's cousin had a little curly one as well."


Harry looked at Luna and Ron during the exchange and although he was relieved Ron had found a way to deal with Luna's quirkiness he also felt spurt of jealousy that they seemed to be getting along so comfortably. He stepped between them and lead the way to the History of Magic classroom.


The empty quiet of the halls were beginning to bear down on Harry again. He was relieved to step through the door into the classroom. A quick glance showed nothing and Harry was about to recommend they try the kitchens to see if any of the house-elves knew where Percy or Hermione or both might be. But Luna had hurried to the teacher's desk at the front of the room.


"Oh, Professor Binns! I'm so glad to get to see you. . .yes, I heard. . ."


Harry started to step forward but was held back by Ron's hand on his arm. "Harry, do you see anything?" Ron whispered.


"No, I don't. Do you?" Harry whispered back.


Ron shook his head and the two of them tentatively walked up to stand next to Luna who was continuing to have a one-sided conversation with Professor Binns' chair.