Chapter Three:
"You're beautiful...so very beautiful..."
Hannah found the bouquet of pink roses on her desk in Potions on Thursday. Taking the card from its holder she read the short sentence that was in all the other bouquets and attached to all the flowers, 'You hold me.' Smiling to herself she held the card to her heart. Setting down her things she moved the flowers to the side so they wouldn't be in the way.
"Nice flowers." Ron said as he walked past her, a smug look in his eyes. Thinking nothing of it she opened her notebook and began to study the potions they were given yesterday for the pop quiz for this class.
"Been sending yourself roses again?" Cho Chang spat at Hannah when she walked in with her little gang of Ravenclaws. They glared at her and Hannah didn't know what to say. She had never been mean to her and she didn't want to say anything to her. Ever since Cedric's death she had become so cruel.
"No." Hannah whispered, rubbing her hand on her leg. She was damn nervous and she knew there was no need to be. She hadn't done anything wrong.
"Of course you have. No one would actually send YOU flowers. I mean LOOK at you. Who ever it was...don't worry. It was just a cruel joke to get at the poor little Hufflepuff loser." Cho shouted, mostly so that everyone could hear her. Hannah blushed and petted her hair down.
"I—"Hannah began but no other words came out. Cho laughed at her and the other flying monkeys joined in.
"Poor baby can't even say anything." As she walked by Cho bumped into the table causing the vase of roses to crash to the flower in a thunder of broken glass and noise. Hannah grimaced and Snape walked in. Perfect.
"I want this cleaned immediately Ms. Abbott." Snape snapped and Hannah burst into tears and fled the room, Ron close behind the fleeing girl.
"Poor baby can't even say anything." As she walked by Cho bumped into the table causing the vase of roses to crash to the flower in a thunder of broken glass and noise. Hannah grimaced and Snape walked in. Ron nearly broke his teeth he was gritting them so hard. What a BITCH Cho had turned out to be. He could still not believe Harry had ever liked her. As the vase came shattering to the floor Ron was already past the Gryffindor table and heading towards Hannah but Neville hand caught his arm.
"Not wise my friend." Neville said but Ron glared at him. "Don't. You don't need to get involved."
"Hell if I don't." Ron shouted and raced after her. But not before stopping in front of Cho. "Get a life you egotistical shrew."
Hannah had made to the girl's lavatory before she started the heart- wrenching sobs. They came out that she could barely breathe. She pulled off toilet paper and began to blow her nose when she heard the door open. Quickly she stopped her crying and listened. Suddenly her door opened and stood Ronald Weasley.
"Hey." He said and Hannah gave a weak smile. Gathering her wad of toilet paper that was now dragging the ground she sniffed.
"She broke that beautiful vase...and those flowers...they were so pretty..."Hannah whimpered. Ron walked into the stall and gathered the girl into his arms and kissed her forehead.
"Don't worry about the flowers. I am sure they are fine. Everyone loves Snape's dungeon." He said, she giggled into his sweater vest. "Better?" He asked, looking up at him she smiled shyly.
"Thanks. I look a mess don't I?" She asked smoothing her hair, or at least the best she could.
"You're beautiful...so very beautiful." Ron whispered as he took her lips into a kiss. Her unshed tears fell on his cheeks.
"I—I—"She tried but no words would come. "I'm glad you came after me." Hannah said.
"Me too." Ron replied smiling at her. Hannah smiled tears still falling; Ron looked at her and met her eyes. "How about we go to lunch now? The class is at lunch by now and we can go by the dungeons and get our things." He said and Hannah nodded and they walked from the girl's lavatory to the dungeons. Ron pushed open the large black door and walking in, Ron went to the front to grab his book bag and books. As he walked to where Hannah had sat, in the back, he saw her leaned down to where the glass and roses still lay, in a beautiful mass of pink.
"I should clean this up." Hannah said as she picked up one of the roses. It was still closed and had small glass shards on it, taking it in her hand she brushed the petals softly and held the flower to her heart.
"I'll help you." Ron said leaning down he started picking up the glass shards but was not paying one wit of attention and as he picked up a larger shard the sharpest end went right into his hand.
"Fuck." Ron snapped as he grabbed his hand as the blood began to gush. As he began the spurts of curses he saw Hannah flinched back from him. Then she finally noticed when the blood started to drip onto the floor.
"What happened? Never mind I know. Sit down." Hannah said as she led him to a chair. Settling him down, she took the hand into her own and pulled open the cut. Ron winced and eyed her. "Sorry. But I need to see how deep it is. You may need to see Madam Pomfrey." She said as she started, and tried, to clean the wound. "You are coming with me to my room. I have a first-aid kit my mother gave me."
"All right." Ron said jumping up from the chair and, with his good hand, grabbed her arm. "Ready?" He asked as she grabbed her bag. Laughing she took his hand and they walked to the Portrait Hole of Hufflepuff.
"Lemon drop." Hannah said and the portrait swung open. "Here we are. My room is just upstairs. Hold on and I will take you." Setting down her bag, she walked back to him and led him up to a room that held a bed, chest of drawers, and a small window.
"You don't have the devil stairs?" Ron asked. Hannah looked at him with a confused look and he laughed. "In fifth year we tried to go get Hermione. Well let's just say that the stairs KNOW that you are male and straighten out and I nearly killed Harry." Ron said and he laughed.
"We have those. But for the main dormitories. There are a few separate rooms and since I really don't—I decided on a single room." Hannah said pulling open a drawer and revealing the first-aid kit. She opened it and walked to where Ron had taken a seat. Kneeling she took the hand and began to clean it with alcohol. It burned and Ron hissed out his breath and Hannah apologized, "No worries. I bet it will feel better without all the blood caked around it." She continued cleaning and then went to bandaging. She wrapped the white gauze on the cut and after a few layers she cut it and laid it on the outer part of his hand.
"Better?" Hannah asked. Ron lifted his hands and flexed his fingers. He could still feel them so he took that as a good sign and nodded.
"Thank you. If you hadn't been there I would have surely bled to death." Ron said touching her cheek. Hannah sighed and smiled. Standing she moved to the window. She watched students pour out of the school. That meant classes were over for the day. They had missed the last of potions and lunch. What was everyone going to think? Then she remembered...the Hufflepuffs would be back to the common room soon.
"You need to leave. Right now." Hannah said rushing from her room. Ron ran after her and with his good hand caught her waist and spun her to him.
"Why? What is the rush?" Ron asked as he pulled her closer. Hannah tried to pull away but he was stronger and taller than she was and she couldn't.
"You must." Hannah said as she finally pulled away rushing to put her bag in her room. She couldn't have him found here. She didn't need the torment.
"No. Not until I get an explanation. You were all about to kiss me...or I you and then you command me to leave?" Ron asked.
"Well aren't we sure of ourselves? How do you know I was going to kiss you? Maybe I should just smack you right now." Hannah snapped crossing her arms.
"I would like to see you try." Ron said as he went to her in two steps gathered her in his arms and lowered his head. Hannah sucked in a breath as his lips met hers. She should have and would have pulled away if she didn't have the strongest feelings for him. And she knew he knew.
"I thought as much." Ron said with a smug arrogance about him. Hannah's eyes were wide and her hand came up and connected with his cheek.
"I want you gone. Now." Hannah said her breath heaving. Ron only nodded and left. Hannah sunk to the floor and tears flew freely and she knew that she had fallen in love. Why it had to be him and right now was beyond her.
Ron walked back to the common room of Gryffindor and threw his book bag across the room cursing himself. He knew, knew, that Hannah would never forgive him. He should have never kissed her, and in her room nonetheless. She was an innocent and he knew he had to take it slow for the fear of scaring her and he would rather die than see her scared and that is what scared him most of all. Wanting to die for a woman that he barely knew but had fallen in love with. Love. A word that he never in his life wanted or needed until this moment. Cursing he tossed a glass that had been settled on his bedside. Neville walked in and saw the state that Ron had out their room.
"Are you all right mate?" He asked and Ron shook his head and Neville realized it was going to take more than asking to nudge this out of him. "Want to talk about it?" He asked, Ron only looked up at him. His blue eyes clouded.
"No." Was his answer and Neville left it alone.
The three snuck from their rooms as instructed and headed to the Great Hall where they were to meet with Dumbledore and meet their newest member. Stepping into the Great Hall the only noise you could hear were Pansy's boot heels clicking. All three wore black, hoping to conceal them. Walking up to where Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Black and Lupin were aligned they walked to were four chairs were seated and each took one. Looking up at Dumbledore the meeting began.
"I believe you know why you are here." He spoke and they all nodded pulling out the crest that dubbed them part of the secret organization that protected the school.
"A new member? You think that it is necessary?" Blaise asked. Dumbledore nodded. Turning to McGonagall she began to speak.
"We believe that someone may know about one or all of you being part of the organization and a new member would bring new blood. She is very professional. She is capable of handling herself in any danger and has been trained by Snape himself. Being Muggle-born she has learned the art of fighting. Pansy you would be amazed at what she can do. Not as good as you I assure you but just as capable." McGonagall explained.
"You're not talking about—"Draco began. Dumbledore only put up a hand. Draco almost stood but he didn't.
"No. It is not Miss Granger. She is why we need the newest member. She needs to be protected. This was the one person I trusted with this." Dumbledore spoke. Just then the doors opened and walked in a blonde, short hair, crimped. Wearing pointed toe boots, tight jeans and a black sweater she walked up to stand behind Dumbledore.
"Abbott?" Blaise asked startled. Hannah smiled as she pushed back hair that had fallen in her face.
"Yes. All think I am small, shy, and not capable of taking care of myself, example the incident at Hogsmeade, but I am not really like that. I have been working for the Order since I started at Hogwarts. I was placed as keeper of Harry Potter but was replaced when Lupin started at the school third year that is when I started protecting Ronald Weasley. Tough job I assure you. Now I have been offered to protect Hermione Granger. Apparently Master Malfoy is once again out to kill the Motley Trio. And it is our job to stop it." Hannah told the three.
"You will be placed with one of the three. Blaise will handle Weasley and Draco, Potter." Dumbledore told them.
"Mrs. Parkinson is to watch Ginevra Weasley. We don't know if she is in any real danger but being a Weasley we want to make sure." Snape said. "No one is to know of this. You are to keep up normal appearances at school unless on mission. Pansy and Hannah have the Forbidden Forest in both the mornings and evenings to practice and gentlemen have the Hall at afternoons during classes and at evenings. You will not have any homework for the next two months or until told to do." He finished.
Potions began bright and early the next morning. A four-house class which filled the dungeons to near breaking point. They were broken into groups of three to make the Forgetful potion. Many noted the absence of both Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy. Starting on the potion most did not finish when it came time to clean up and fill a vile to turn in. Snape being aggravated by this gave all a nine-page essay on the potion including the first wizard to use the potion, make the potion, and first to have it used on. Groaning and slamming of textbooks occurred but were ignored when class was dismissed.
"I cannot believe he did that! My potion was perfect—our potion." Hermione said shoving her books into her bag. Ron watched Hannah leave and then turned back to shove his books into his bag.
"I'll be right back." Ron said rushing out of the room. Chasing Hannah down the hallway he caught up with her and grabbed her shoulder turning her around.
"Can I help you Mr. Weasley? I must stress that I have to get to class." Hannah said coldly.
"Hannah—I'm sorry." He said. Hannah snorted and ran a hand through her hair. Turning cold brown eyes on him she only shook her head.
"You always are. Why don't you go tell someone who cares." Hannah said, taking his hand from her shoulder she walked away. Ron cursed himself. Why in the hell was she so pissed? All he did was kiss her; it wasn't like he accosted her or anything. Well at least not a lot.
"What was that about?" Harry asked when Ron returned to where Harry and Hermione stood near the dungeons entrance.
"Nothing. Let's just go." Ron said as he stalked away. Walking outside they set down their things down on the new snow that had just fallen and took a seat on one of the benches that wasn't already filled. Their next two-class period, which was Herbology, was canceled since the snow had frozen the classroom and Professor Sprout had to defrost their plants. So they pulled out their potions books and started work on the essay.
"I am never going to finish nine pages." Harry grumbled. Hermione laughed. "But we all know you will plus extra." Smiling she started to write.
"You could ask Sirius, he'll know." Hermione said. Just then they watched Draco and Blaise walk up to Hannah Abbott and pass her something, a box of some sort, and whisper something to her. Hannah then walked up to Pansy, apparently transferring information.
"What do you think they are up too?" Harry asked setting aside his books. Hermione looked up with eyes wide.
"No. It is none of your business." Hermione said but Ron and Harry were already standing. "No. No. No. You are not going to follow her." She said but they had already started after her. Hermione jumped up and followed. "Don't leave me. I have more brains than either one of you. I need to make sure you don't get your silly necks into any trouble."
"What do you mean?" Hannah screamed at Dumbledore. "You cannot and will not bring Dementors into this school. Not again. Do you not remember what happened last time you allowed that? They nearly killed Harry on the Pitch." She yelled Pansy stepped forward.
"You need to remember that the mission calls for us to actually travel to Azkaban and ask for these Dementors? Why us?" She asked.
"The men have been out far more and you two are the only ones that I can trust. Plus the men need to watch their contacts. I have placed Lupin and Black in charge of yours until you return. Which should be during dinner if you leave now. I have told your teachers and they will have notes for you in the morning." Dumbledore said releasing him. As they walked out of him office they ran into the trio.
"Hello Hannah." Ron said bowing slightly. Her eyes went cold, her back stiffened and lips went into a straight line.
"If you will excuse us gentlemen, Hermione, we are busy and are expected somewhere." Pansy said pushing past Ron and Hannah followed.
"They are sure dressed weird." Hermione said. Both were dressed in black, high heels on both and had a strange broach they wore on their collar.
"I wonder where they are headed." Harry asked. Ron smiled and rubbed his hands together. "Invisibility cloak?" He asked, as they turned to follow and hand fell onto Harry's shoulder.
"I would like to see you in my office Weasley, Potter, Granger." Dumbledore said and all three faces dropped.
Dinner was interrupted when Pansy Parkinson and Hannah Abbott returned to the school. Most didn't notice or care but at the Gryffindor table three knew that something was not of the ordinary was going on and they wanted to figure out exactly what it was.
"She's hiding something. Both are. We just need to figure out what." Hermione said. Pulling out a piece of parchment she scribbled something down and handed it to Neville. Nodding he wrote back and she placed it in her pocket. "Neville will corner Pansy tonight and see what he can find out. I will see what I can razzle out of Malfoy. Since Hannah won't speak to Ron we have nothing there." She explained.
"It's not my fault." Ron pouted. "She won't speak to me for some reason." Rubbing his hands together Hermione knew that he was lying.
"Where are you going? And so late at night?" Neville asked stepping from the shadows of the Great Hall as she passed by him. Jumping back she had pulled her dagger and was holding it on him but when she noticed who it was she replaced it.
"You have no business being here." She snapped as she slung her braid behind her. Neville laughed.
"And neither do you. I know you are hiding something and I want to know what it is and what it has to do with your bodyguards and Abbott." Neville said advancing on her. Pansy stepped back.
"None of your goddamn business Mr. Longbottom. Maybe I should hex you and get it over with." Hannah said pulling her wand on him and holding it at him. Neville's eyes widened and she smiled. "Thought as much. If the trio wants to know what we are doing so badly why aren't they here? Why are you?" She asked holding the wand at his cheek. "I would leave. Not say one word of this and pretend you never saw us." Pulling her wand down from him she pointed it at the door to the Great Hall.
"I'm not leaving. Not until I know." He said. Stepping forward Hannah once again turned the wand on him.
"Won't help if you are dead." She replied. Neville stepped back from her and smiled at her.
"I'm not leaving." He repeated. Hannah groaned and was going to full Body-Bind him when Ron came from behind her and stole her wand but was kicked square in the jaw when Pansy back flipped into him and Hannah took out Harry with her right leg.
"What the HELL!" Ron shouted as he rubbed his head. Hannah pulled him up by his collar.
"Get you arse out of here right now. You don't need to be here." Hannah said. Just then the lights turned on and Dumbledore stood at the doorway with Hermione who had shocked look on her face.
"The Dementors are in the school. We need to wake the entire school." Dumbledore told them and Pansy cursed out loud.
"We can't find Ginevra Weasley Headmaster." One prefect told him and he nodded. This could not get to the Zabini boy.
"Thank you. I want you to send Abbott and Parkinson out to look for her. I want them equipped with protective spells, is that understood? If they are not back in 20 minutes I will send in Black and Lupin. I have called the Order and they will be here in a matter of minutes." Dumbledore told the prefect who then went to Abbott and Parkinson.
"We understand. We will have her back in no time. Weasley and Zabini cannot find out about this." Pansy told the prefect. He nodded and went back to his house.
"We better get out of here before they notice." Hannah said and they snuck out with out so much as a noise from the other houses. Walking down the hallway the two stayed close together just in case and then broke apart to check out different places in the castle. Hannah went to the Gryffindor Tower and spoke the password, the portrait swung up and she walked in. Seeing nothing she started up the stairs that led to the girl's dormitories.
"Ginevra?" Hannah called out but there was no response. Moving to the boy's dormitories she took the stairs two at a time and stepped into the room she suspected Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley of sharing. She stepped over clothes that were slung around the room. Looking out the window that was near Harry's bed she spotted someone...with blond hair. Turning quickly she ran from Gryffindor heading to Slytherin, as she ran she spotted Harry Potter running down the hall opposite her. "Harry!" She shouted and he ran to her. "Where are you going? It's dangerous. You are supposed to be in the Great Hall." She said and Harry grabbed her hand and shoved her into a corner.
"You aren't looking for Ginevra Weasley any longer. You have to help me find Luna. She ran from the Great Hall about twenty minutes after I saw you and Pansy leave. Pansy found Ginny, hiding from the Dementors, they had gone after her when she got lost when the students began to run when they found out about the Dementors." Harry said. Hannah looked at him and the worry in his eyes.
"All right, I'll help you. I saw someone out your window when I went to check Gryffindor; the person was a woman with blonde hair heading for the Forbidden Forest. It must be Luna." Hannah said and they ran to the back of the school and headed past Hagrid's hut into the Forbidden Forest. Pulling his wand Harry held it at the forest.
"Lumos!" The wand's tip began to shine and they walked into the dark forest. It then began to turn very cold. The Dementors knew someone was in the forest. Luna.
"We have to find her and now." Hannah said as she pulled her wand. Harry turned his head quickly when a branch behind them cracked. "Someone's here."
"We need to hurry." Harry said as they picked up pace. They were quiet but knew that Luna had to be close, as they moved through the forest they followed the cold air that seemed to indicate where Luna was. "It dropped a few degrees. This way." Harry pointed to the north, they saw the air chill, icicles started to form on the branches of the trees above them. They walked for about five minutes when they heard a whimper close to them. They started to run in the direction of the sound and soon enough they spotted a small figure on the ground. Pale blonde hair was astray as Luna Lovegood lay on the forest floor, her pale eyes opened and fluttered to Harry's face.
"Hi." She whispered and whimpered again. They looked down and spotted it. A tree had fallen on Luna; it had crushed both her legs. She lay still and would not move, looking to her right she spotted Hannah, squatted by the tree.
"We need to move it. I will get it off. You move Luna." Hannah said. Moving back some she lifted her wand. "Wingardium Leviosa!" The tree lifted a few feet off the ground and Luna's legs. Harry dragged her away from the tree and Hannah let the tree fall and ran to where Harry and Luna where. Together she and Harry lifted her and Luna put her weight on both. Holding Luna they began to make their way back when they heard another tree limb crack not three feet from them.
"Someone has followed us." Hannah whispered and Harry nodded, Luna began to murmur to herself as they began to walk again.
"I know who it is." She said and Harry looked at her. Turning she pointed away from her to a figure that jumped from tree to tree.
"What is that?" Harry said trying to get a better look; he saw it move closer and closer to where they stood. "Walk." Luna said digging her nails into Harry's back, they started up again; the castle was now in their sights. "It won't come near you if you move, walking, running, however you move, it won't come near you." Harry looked back and saw it at the tree to his right; turning back he looked at Luna. "What is it Luna?" Luna looked up at Harry and smiled. "It is a Tresben. Voldemort has sent them. They are afraid of both light and movement. No one can see them in the daylight, they are there, but you can't see them. They hunt at night, and show up silver in the moonlight. They are like Dementors but they're not. They kill on whim and feed on blood. Any blood. Human or animal. That is why we have to keep moving." Luna explained. They stepped into the sights of the school and into the lights that surrounded it and Hannah saw that the Tresben had stayed in the forest but was looking at them as they traveled to the doors. Pushing them open they first headed to the Hospital Wing. Dropping Luna off, Madam Pomfrey began to give Luna the formula to mend her bones. Then she turned to both Hannah and Harry. "I think we should get you two cleaned up. Dumbledore has set up all the children in the Great Hall, you can join them when your cuts are covered." She said and they agreed. Sitting on a bed Madam Pomfrey began to clean the cuts on both their hands and the cut Hannah had gotten from a tree limb when it had swung back and struck her in the face. Harry had cut his hands badly moving Luna from under the tree. Once there hands were covered Madam Pomfrey gave them both a change of clothes. "I think you both should go back to the Great Hall and get some sleep. I should tell you the Dementors are gone, an accident of them getting in the school. He-Should-Not-Be-Named set a trap making the Dementors think that whoever they wanted was in the school." She explained. "Will Luna be all right?" Harry asked and Madam Pomfrey laid her hand on Harry's shoulder. "Of course. Just some bone mending in her legs is all. Should be fine by morning." She said and Harry smiled. "Would it be all right if I stayed with her tonight?" Harry said and Madam Pomfrey nodded. Harry walked to where Luna now slept and pulled up a chair and sat. He took her hand in his and kissed it. Hannah smiled to herself, after a quick good bye to Madam Pomfrey she headed to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was still very loud when she stepped in, people turned from there sleeping bags when she walked in. Ron jumped up from where he was lying and ran to where she stood. Stopping in front of her he looked in her eyes. Smiling she fell into his arms for the hug that he was waiting to give her. "You scared me half to death." Ron said kissing her hair. Hannah laughed, and clung to him as he hugged her tighter. "Sorry. I had to go. Oh, I should just mention, Harry will be in the Hospital Wing tonight." Hannah said as she allowed Ron to lead her to where Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Ginevra Weasley were seated. "Are you all right?" Ginny asked pointing to the cut on her face. Hannah lifted her hand and touched the still sensitive cut. "Of course." Hannah said. Her hands were wrapped in white gauze and her cheek stung when she smiled. "Where is Harry?" Hermione asked, Hannah looked at her and smiled. "With Luna. In the Hospital Wing. She had an accident in the Forbidden Forest but nothing to worry about I assure you. Should be fine in the morning." Hannah said and allowed Ron to lay her down next to him and in a few minutes was asleep.
"You're beautiful...so very beautiful..."
Hannah found the bouquet of pink roses on her desk in Potions on Thursday. Taking the card from its holder she read the short sentence that was in all the other bouquets and attached to all the flowers, 'You hold me.' Smiling to herself she held the card to her heart. Setting down her things she moved the flowers to the side so they wouldn't be in the way.
"Nice flowers." Ron said as he walked past her, a smug look in his eyes. Thinking nothing of it she opened her notebook and began to study the potions they were given yesterday for the pop quiz for this class.
"Been sending yourself roses again?" Cho Chang spat at Hannah when she walked in with her little gang of Ravenclaws. They glared at her and Hannah didn't know what to say. She had never been mean to her and she didn't want to say anything to her. Ever since Cedric's death she had become so cruel.
"No." Hannah whispered, rubbing her hand on her leg. She was damn nervous and she knew there was no need to be. She hadn't done anything wrong.
"Of course you have. No one would actually send YOU flowers. I mean LOOK at you. Who ever it was...don't worry. It was just a cruel joke to get at the poor little Hufflepuff loser." Cho shouted, mostly so that everyone could hear her. Hannah blushed and petted her hair down.
"I—"Hannah began but no other words came out. Cho laughed at her and the other flying monkeys joined in.
"Poor baby can't even say anything." As she walked by Cho bumped into the table causing the vase of roses to crash to the flower in a thunder of broken glass and noise. Hannah grimaced and Snape walked in. Perfect.
"I want this cleaned immediately Ms. Abbott." Snape snapped and Hannah burst into tears and fled the room, Ron close behind the fleeing girl.
"Poor baby can't even say anything." As she walked by Cho bumped into the table causing the vase of roses to crash to the flower in a thunder of broken glass and noise. Hannah grimaced and Snape walked in. Ron nearly broke his teeth he was gritting them so hard. What a BITCH Cho had turned out to be. He could still not believe Harry had ever liked her. As the vase came shattering to the floor Ron was already past the Gryffindor table and heading towards Hannah but Neville hand caught his arm.
"Not wise my friend." Neville said but Ron glared at him. "Don't. You don't need to get involved."
"Hell if I don't." Ron shouted and raced after her. But not before stopping in front of Cho. "Get a life you egotistical shrew."
Hannah had made to the girl's lavatory before she started the heart- wrenching sobs. They came out that she could barely breathe. She pulled off toilet paper and began to blow her nose when she heard the door open. Quickly she stopped her crying and listened. Suddenly her door opened and stood Ronald Weasley.
"Hey." He said and Hannah gave a weak smile. Gathering her wad of toilet paper that was now dragging the ground she sniffed.
"She broke that beautiful vase...and those flowers...they were so pretty..."Hannah whimpered. Ron walked into the stall and gathered the girl into his arms and kissed her forehead.
"Don't worry about the flowers. I am sure they are fine. Everyone loves Snape's dungeon." He said, she giggled into his sweater vest. "Better?" He asked, looking up at him she smiled shyly.
"Thanks. I look a mess don't I?" She asked smoothing her hair, or at least the best she could.
"You're beautiful...so very beautiful." Ron whispered as he took her lips into a kiss. Her unshed tears fell on his cheeks.
"I—I—"She tried but no words would come. "I'm glad you came after me." Hannah said.
"Me too." Ron replied smiling at her. Hannah smiled tears still falling; Ron looked at her and met her eyes. "How about we go to lunch now? The class is at lunch by now and we can go by the dungeons and get our things." He said and Hannah nodded and they walked from the girl's lavatory to the dungeons. Ron pushed open the large black door and walking in, Ron went to the front to grab his book bag and books. As he walked to where Hannah had sat, in the back, he saw her leaned down to where the glass and roses still lay, in a beautiful mass of pink.
"I should clean this up." Hannah said as she picked up one of the roses. It was still closed and had small glass shards on it, taking it in her hand she brushed the petals softly and held the flower to her heart.
"I'll help you." Ron said leaning down he started picking up the glass shards but was not paying one wit of attention and as he picked up a larger shard the sharpest end went right into his hand.
"Fuck." Ron snapped as he grabbed his hand as the blood began to gush. As he began the spurts of curses he saw Hannah flinched back from him. Then she finally noticed when the blood started to drip onto the floor.
"What happened? Never mind I know. Sit down." Hannah said as she led him to a chair. Settling him down, she took the hand into her own and pulled open the cut. Ron winced and eyed her. "Sorry. But I need to see how deep it is. You may need to see Madam Pomfrey." She said as she started, and tried, to clean the wound. "You are coming with me to my room. I have a first-aid kit my mother gave me."
"All right." Ron said jumping up from the chair and, with his good hand, grabbed her arm. "Ready?" He asked as she grabbed her bag. Laughing she took his hand and they walked to the Portrait Hole of Hufflepuff.
"Lemon drop." Hannah said and the portrait swung open. "Here we are. My room is just upstairs. Hold on and I will take you." Setting down her bag, she walked back to him and led him up to a room that held a bed, chest of drawers, and a small window.
"You don't have the devil stairs?" Ron asked. Hannah looked at him with a confused look and he laughed. "In fifth year we tried to go get Hermione. Well let's just say that the stairs KNOW that you are male and straighten out and I nearly killed Harry." Ron said and he laughed.
"We have those. But for the main dormitories. There are a few separate rooms and since I really don't—I decided on a single room." Hannah said pulling open a drawer and revealing the first-aid kit. She opened it and walked to where Ron had taken a seat. Kneeling she took the hand and began to clean it with alcohol. It burned and Ron hissed out his breath and Hannah apologized, "No worries. I bet it will feel better without all the blood caked around it." She continued cleaning and then went to bandaging. She wrapped the white gauze on the cut and after a few layers she cut it and laid it on the outer part of his hand.
"Better?" Hannah asked. Ron lifted his hands and flexed his fingers. He could still feel them so he took that as a good sign and nodded.
"Thank you. If you hadn't been there I would have surely bled to death." Ron said touching her cheek. Hannah sighed and smiled. Standing she moved to the window. She watched students pour out of the school. That meant classes were over for the day. They had missed the last of potions and lunch. What was everyone going to think? Then she remembered...the Hufflepuffs would be back to the common room soon.
"You need to leave. Right now." Hannah said rushing from her room. Ron ran after her and with his good hand caught her waist and spun her to him.
"Why? What is the rush?" Ron asked as he pulled her closer. Hannah tried to pull away but he was stronger and taller than she was and she couldn't.
"You must." Hannah said as she finally pulled away rushing to put her bag in her room. She couldn't have him found here. She didn't need the torment.
"No. Not until I get an explanation. You were all about to kiss me...or I you and then you command me to leave?" Ron asked.
"Well aren't we sure of ourselves? How do you know I was going to kiss you? Maybe I should just smack you right now." Hannah snapped crossing her arms.
"I would like to see you try." Ron said as he went to her in two steps gathered her in his arms and lowered his head. Hannah sucked in a breath as his lips met hers. She should have and would have pulled away if she didn't have the strongest feelings for him. And she knew he knew.
"I thought as much." Ron said with a smug arrogance about him. Hannah's eyes were wide and her hand came up and connected with his cheek.
"I want you gone. Now." Hannah said her breath heaving. Ron only nodded and left. Hannah sunk to the floor and tears flew freely and she knew that she had fallen in love. Why it had to be him and right now was beyond her.
Ron walked back to the common room of Gryffindor and threw his book bag across the room cursing himself. He knew, knew, that Hannah would never forgive him. He should have never kissed her, and in her room nonetheless. She was an innocent and he knew he had to take it slow for the fear of scaring her and he would rather die than see her scared and that is what scared him most of all. Wanting to die for a woman that he barely knew but had fallen in love with. Love. A word that he never in his life wanted or needed until this moment. Cursing he tossed a glass that had been settled on his bedside. Neville walked in and saw the state that Ron had out their room.
"Are you all right mate?" He asked and Ron shook his head and Neville realized it was going to take more than asking to nudge this out of him. "Want to talk about it?" He asked, Ron only looked up at him. His blue eyes clouded.
"No." Was his answer and Neville left it alone.
The three snuck from their rooms as instructed and headed to the Great Hall where they were to meet with Dumbledore and meet their newest member. Stepping into the Great Hall the only noise you could hear were Pansy's boot heels clicking. All three wore black, hoping to conceal them. Walking up to where Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Black and Lupin were aligned they walked to were four chairs were seated and each took one. Looking up at Dumbledore the meeting began.
"I believe you know why you are here." He spoke and they all nodded pulling out the crest that dubbed them part of the secret organization that protected the school.
"A new member? You think that it is necessary?" Blaise asked. Dumbledore nodded. Turning to McGonagall she began to speak.
"We believe that someone may know about one or all of you being part of the organization and a new member would bring new blood. She is very professional. She is capable of handling herself in any danger and has been trained by Snape himself. Being Muggle-born she has learned the art of fighting. Pansy you would be amazed at what she can do. Not as good as you I assure you but just as capable." McGonagall explained.
"You're not talking about—"Draco began. Dumbledore only put up a hand. Draco almost stood but he didn't.
"No. It is not Miss Granger. She is why we need the newest member. She needs to be protected. This was the one person I trusted with this." Dumbledore spoke. Just then the doors opened and walked in a blonde, short hair, crimped. Wearing pointed toe boots, tight jeans and a black sweater she walked up to stand behind Dumbledore.
"Abbott?" Blaise asked startled. Hannah smiled as she pushed back hair that had fallen in her face.
"Yes. All think I am small, shy, and not capable of taking care of myself, example the incident at Hogsmeade, but I am not really like that. I have been working for the Order since I started at Hogwarts. I was placed as keeper of Harry Potter but was replaced when Lupin started at the school third year that is when I started protecting Ronald Weasley. Tough job I assure you. Now I have been offered to protect Hermione Granger. Apparently Master Malfoy is once again out to kill the Motley Trio. And it is our job to stop it." Hannah told the three.
"You will be placed with one of the three. Blaise will handle Weasley and Draco, Potter." Dumbledore told them.
"Mrs. Parkinson is to watch Ginevra Weasley. We don't know if she is in any real danger but being a Weasley we want to make sure." Snape said. "No one is to know of this. You are to keep up normal appearances at school unless on mission. Pansy and Hannah have the Forbidden Forest in both the mornings and evenings to practice and gentlemen have the Hall at afternoons during classes and at evenings. You will not have any homework for the next two months or until told to do." He finished.
Potions began bright and early the next morning. A four-house class which filled the dungeons to near breaking point. They were broken into groups of three to make the Forgetful potion. Many noted the absence of both Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy. Starting on the potion most did not finish when it came time to clean up and fill a vile to turn in. Snape being aggravated by this gave all a nine-page essay on the potion including the first wizard to use the potion, make the potion, and first to have it used on. Groaning and slamming of textbooks occurred but were ignored when class was dismissed.
"I cannot believe he did that! My potion was perfect—our potion." Hermione said shoving her books into her bag. Ron watched Hannah leave and then turned back to shove his books into his bag.
"I'll be right back." Ron said rushing out of the room. Chasing Hannah down the hallway he caught up with her and grabbed her shoulder turning her around.
"Can I help you Mr. Weasley? I must stress that I have to get to class." Hannah said coldly.
"Hannah—I'm sorry." He said. Hannah snorted and ran a hand through her hair. Turning cold brown eyes on him she only shook her head.
"You always are. Why don't you go tell someone who cares." Hannah said, taking his hand from her shoulder she walked away. Ron cursed himself. Why in the hell was she so pissed? All he did was kiss her; it wasn't like he accosted her or anything. Well at least not a lot.
"What was that about?" Harry asked when Ron returned to where Harry and Hermione stood near the dungeons entrance.
"Nothing. Let's just go." Ron said as he stalked away. Walking outside they set down their things down on the new snow that had just fallen and took a seat on one of the benches that wasn't already filled. Their next two-class period, which was Herbology, was canceled since the snow had frozen the classroom and Professor Sprout had to defrost their plants. So they pulled out their potions books and started work on the essay.
"I am never going to finish nine pages." Harry grumbled. Hermione laughed. "But we all know you will plus extra." Smiling she started to write.
"You could ask Sirius, he'll know." Hermione said. Just then they watched Draco and Blaise walk up to Hannah Abbott and pass her something, a box of some sort, and whisper something to her. Hannah then walked up to Pansy, apparently transferring information.
"What do you think they are up too?" Harry asked setting aside his books. Hermione looked up with eyes wide.
"No. It is none of your business." Hermione said but Ron and Harry were already standing. "No. No. No. You are not going to follow her." She said but they had already started after her. Hermione jumped up and followed. "Don't leave me. I have more brains than either one of you. I need to make sure you don't get your silly necks into any trouble."
"What do you mean?" Hannah screamed at Dumbledore. "You cannot and will not bring Dementors into this school. Not again. Do you not remember what happened last time you allowed that? They nearly killed Harry on the Pitch." She yelled Pansy stepped forward.
"You need to remember that the mission calls for us to actually travel to Azkaban and ask for these Dementors? Why us?" She asked.
"The men have been out far more and you two are the only ones that I can trust. Plus the men need to watch their contacts. I have placed Lupin and Black in charge of yours until you return. Which should be during dinner if you leave now. I have told your teachers and they will have notes for you in the morning." Dumbledore said releasing him. As they walked out of him office they ran into the trio.
"Hello Hannah." Ron said bowing slightly. Her eyes went cold, her back stiffened and lips went into a straight line.
"If you will excuse us gentlemen, Hermione, we are busy and are expected somewhere." Pansy said pushing past Ron and Hannah followed.
"They are sure dressed weird." Hermione said. Both were dressed in black, high heels on both and had a strange broach they wore on their collar.
"I wonder where they are headed." Harry asked. Ron smiled and rubbed his hands together. "Invisibility cloak?" He asked, as they turned to follow and hand fell onto Harry's shoulder.
"I would like to see you in my office Weasley, Potter, Granger." Dumbledore said and all three faces dropped.
Dinner was interrupted when Pansy Parkinson and Hannah Abbott returned to the school. Most didn't notice or care but at the Gryffindor table three knew that something was not of the ordinary was going on and they wanted to figure out exactly what it was.
"She's hiding something. Both are. We just need to figure out what." Hermione said. Pulling out a piece of parchment she scribbled something down and handed it to Neville. Nodding he wrote back and she placed it in her pocket. "Neville will corner Pansy tonight and see what he can find out. I will see what I can razzle out of Malfoy. Since Hannah won't speak to Ron we have nothing there." She explained.
"It's not my fault." Ron pouted. "She won't speak to me for some reason." Rubbing his hands together Hermione knew that he was lying.
"Where are you going? And so late at night?" Neville asked stepping from the shadows of the Great Hall as she passed by him. Jumping back she had pulled her dagger and was holding it on him but when she noticed who it was she replaced it.
"You have no business being here." She snapped as she slung her braid behind her. Neville laughed.
"And neither do you. I know you are hiding something and I want to know what it is and what it has to do with your bodyguards and Abbott." Neville said advancing on her. Pansy stepped back.
"None of your goddamn business Mr. Longbottom. Maybe I should hex you and get it over with." Hannah said pulling her wand on him and holding it at him. Neville's eyes widened and she smiled. "Thought as much. If the trio wants to know what we are doing so badly why aren't they here? Why are you?" She asked holding the wand at his cheek. "I would leave. Not say one word of this and pretend you never saw us." Pulling her wand down from him she pointed it at the door to the Great Hall.
"I'm not leaving. Not until I know." He said. Stepping forward Hannah once again turned the wand on him.
"Won't help if you are dead." She replied. Neville stepped back from her and smiled at her.
"I'm not leaving." He repeated. Hannah groaned and was going to full Body-Bind him when Ron came from behind her and stole her wand but was kicked square in the jaw when Pansy back flipped into him and Hannah took out Harry with her right leg.
"What the HELL!" Ron shouted as he rubbed his head. Hannah pulled him up by his collar.
"Get you arse out of here right now. You don't need to be here." Hannah said. Just then the lights turned on and Dumbledore stood at the doorway with Hermione who had shocked look on her face.
"The Dementors are in the school. We need to wake the entire school." Dumbledore told them and Pansy cursed out loud.
"We can't find Ginevra Weasley Headmaster." One prefect told him and he nodded. This could not get to the Zabini boy.
"Thank you. I want you to send Abbott and Parkinson out to look for her. I want them equipped with protective spells, is that understood? If they are not back in 20 minutes I will send in Black and Lupin. I have called the Order and they will be here in a matter of minutes." Dumbledore told the prefect who then went to Abbott and Parkinson.
"We understand. We will have her back in no time. Weasley and Zabini cannot find out about this." Pansy told the prefect. He nodded and went back to his house.
"We better get out of here before they notice." Hannah said and they snuck out with out so much as a noise from the other houses. Walking down the hallway the two stayed close together just in case and then broke apart to check out different places in the castle. Hannah went to the Gryffindor Tower and spoke the password, the portrait swung up and she walked in. Seeing nothing she started up the stairs that led to the girl's dormitories.
"Ginevra?" Hannah called out but there was no response. Moving to the boy's dormitories she took the stairs two at a time and stepped into the room she suspected Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley of sharing. She stepped over clothes that were slung around the room. Looking out the window that was near Harry's bed she spotted someone...with blond hair. Turning quickly she ran from Gryffindor heading to Slytherin, as she ran she spotted Harry Potter running down the hall opposite her. "Harry!" She shouted and he ran to her. "Where are you going? It's dangerous. You are supposed to be in the Great Hall." She said and Harry grabbed her hand and shoved her into a corner.
"You aren't looking for Ginevra Weasley any longer. You have to help me find Luna. She ran from the Great Hall about twenty minutes after I saw you and Pansy leave. Pansy found Ginny, hiding from the Dementors, they had gone after her when she got lost when the students began to run when they found out about the Dementors." Harry said. Hannah looked at him and the worry in his eyes.
"All right, I'll help you. I saw someone out your window when I went to check Gryffindor; the person was a woman with blonde hair heading for the Forbidden Forest. It must be Luna." Hannah said and they ran to the back of the school and headed past Hagrid's hut into the Forbidden Forest. Pulling his wand Harry held it at the forest.
"Lumos!" The wand's tip began to shine and they walked into the dark forest. It then began to turn very cold. The Dementors knew someone was in the forest. Luna.
"We have to find her and now." Hannah said as she pulled her wand. Harry turned his head quickly when a branch behind them cracked. "Someone's here."
"We need to hurry." Harry said as they picked up pace. They were quiet but knew that Luna had to be close, as they moved through the forest they followed the cold air that seemed to indicate where Luna was. "It dropped a few degrees. This way." Harry pointed to the north, they saw the air chill, icicles started to form on the branches of the trees above them. They walked for about five minutes when they heard a whimper close to them. They started to run in the direction of the sound and soon enough they spotted a small figure on the ground. Pale blonde hair was astray as Luna Lovegood lay on the forest floor, her pale eyes opened and fluttered to Harry's face.
"Hi." She whispered and whimpered again. They looked down and spotted it. A tree had fallen on Luna; it had crushed both her legs. She lay still and would not move, looking to her right she spotted Hannah, squatted by the tree.
"We need to move it. I will get it off. You move Luna." Hannah said. Moving back some she lifted her wand. "Wingardium Leviosa!" The tree lifted a few feet off the ground and Luna's legs. Harry dragged her away from the tree and Hannah let the tree fall and ran to where Harry and Luna where. Together she and Harry lifted her and Luna put her weight on both. Holding Luna they began to make their way back when they heard another tree limb crack not three feet from them.
"Someone has followed us." Hannah whispered and Harry nodded, Luna began to murmur to herself as they began to walk again.
"I know who it is." She said and Harry looked at her. Turning she pointed away from her to a figure that jumped from tree to tree.
"What is that?" Harry said trying to get a better look; he saw it move closer and closer to where they stood. "Walk." Luna said digging her nails into Harry's back, they started up again; the castle was now in their sights. "It won't come near you if you move, walking, running, however you move, it won't come near you." Harry looked back and saw it at the tree to his right; turning back he looked at Luna. "What is it Luna?" Luna looked up at Harry and smiled. "It is a Tresben. Voldemort has sent them. They are afraid of both light and movement. No one can see them in the daylight, they are there, but you can't see them. They hunt at night, and show up silver in the moonlight. They are like Dementors but they're not. They kill on whim and feed on blood. Any blood. Human or animal. That is why we have to keep moving." Luna explained. They stepped into the sights of the school and into the lights that surrounded it and Hannah saw that the Tresben had stayed in the forest but was looking at them as they traveled to the doors. Pushing them open they first headed to the Hospital Wing. Dropping Luna off, Madam Pomfrey began to give Luna the formula to mend her bones. Then she turned to both Hannah and Harry. "I think we should get you two cleaned up. Dumbledore has set up all the children in the Great Hall, you can join them when your cuts are covered." She said and they agreed. Sitting on a bed Madam Pomfrey began to clean the cuts on both their hands and the cut Hannah had gotten from a tree limb when it had swung back and struck her in the face. Harry had cut his hands badly moving Luna from under the tree. Once there hands were covered Madam Pomfrey gave them both a change of clothes. "I think you both should go back to the Great Hall and get some sleep. I should tell you the Dementors are gone, an accident of them getting in the school. He-Should-Not-Be-Named set a trap making the Dementors think that whoever they wanted was in the school." She explained. "Will Luna be all right?" Harry asked and Madam Pomfrey laid her hand on Harry's shoulder. "Of course. Just some bone mending in her legs is all. Should be fine by morning." She said and Harry smiled. "Would it be all right if I stayed with her tonight?" Harry said and Madam Pomfrey nodded. Harry walked to where Luna now slept and pulled up a chair and sat. He took her hand in his and kissed it. Hannah smiled to herself, after a quick good bye to Madam Pomfrey she headed to the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was still very loud when she stepped in, people turned from there sleeping bags when she walked in. Ron jumped up from where he was lying and ran to where she stood. Stopping in front of her he looked in her eyes. Smiling she fell into his arms for the hug that he was waiting to give her. "You scared me half to death." Ron said kissing her hair. Hannah laughed, and clung to him as he hugged her tighter. "Sorry. I had to go. Oh, I should just mention, Harry will be in the Hospital Wing tonight." Hannah said as she allowed Ron to lead her to where Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom and Ginevra Weasley were seated. "Are you all right?" Ginny asked pointing to the cut on her face. Hannah lifted her hand and touched the still sensitive cut. "Of course." Hannah said. Her hands were wrapped in white gauze and her cheek stung when she smiled. "Where is Harry?" Hermione asked, Hannah looked at her and smiled. "With Luna. In the Hospital Wing. She had an accident in the Forbidden Forest but nothing to worry about I assure you. Should be fine in the morning." Hannah said and allowed Ron to lay her down next to him and in a few minutes was asleep.