Disclaimer: It's still not mine, not mine not mine, no money here… just fun, fun, fun.
Chapter Twelve: Dread and the Room of Requirement… To Shag or Not to Shag.
The next morning, the boys had whispered, snickered and gulped too much for Hermione's ears to bear without rolling her eyes.
The girls were feeling a bit singled out at the sudden choice of lecture.
Perhaps it was the one too many times in which Professor McGonagall, Sprout, or Pomfrey would approach individual girls and say "I'm here if you ever need a woman to talk with," or the like.
"You know you can come to me with anything," Professor McGonagall had said to Hermione and it nearly put her over.
She had always talked to her mom, though awkwardly, and the 'sex talk' was 3 years ago. At least her mom had given her a mature book after their talk and taken her to the doctor for a private conversation about matters she felt too personal to bring to her mother. No icky videotape to talk down to her and judgmental looks from her teachers.
Hermione trusted Professor McGonagall with a lot. She had a good deal of respect for her too, a both intelligent and fine witch. But she just couldn't imagine her ever confiding in her about sexual matters, especially if they involved her current interest. The professors truly did not recognize that they didn't have promiscuous behavior of epic proportions on their hands.
---------
Monday's potions class was thankfully ordinary by comparison to the first two weeks of school. Severus Snape had continued with his lectures on antidotes and tinctures, his curiosity satisfied by the potions produced by his last class without a single annoying comment from Miss Granger. He had appeared before the Dark Lord when he called with a pitifully small list dominated by the younger students, students which Lupin had told him were unsuitable for any type of spell involving virgins. The bout of 'crucio' was worth it. At least it bought him more time.
"They still could, however, pick the occasional bellflower," Remus had chided. The Bellflower joke was being pushed too far amongst the staff and thankfully had been dropped once it was known how few girls were left at Hogwarts who could claim the ability to perform that benign task. Snape was extremely disconcerted that the book was no where to be found. He had really needed to come to some clue about the origins of Voldemort's plan and he hadn't explained himself to anyone. No details. Absolute control. That was the way of the Death Eaters, especially since his first fall from power. Remus had thankfully read through much of the first half and was beginning the second half, though the details of the enormous volume were foggy without the aid of notes. Remus had glanced at it a long time ago, reading the first half for his DADA lectures, but most of those pages entailed torture methods. Snape sighed— known…and Remus had detailed simple spells and potions which only used virgin's blood— unavailable, or spells to protect said virgins— also amazingly missing from the class seated before him.
The students cleaned up their cauldrons and bottled their antidotes for testing, Hermione finishing first but cleaning up last. Snape noticed and figured she was probably offering the subtle opportunity to mention something about tonight's lesson as discretely as possible. Usually the students were tripping over each other to leave.
He looked up at his student and said, "Miss Granger, tonight at seven. We'll discuss Hoffines work and I'll give you some new literature to read on Gesupelte."
Hermione nearly choked on her breath. She had already read as much about the little known potions master as she could get her hands on, and was eager for more. Hermione hoped this meant that Snape would share more about his book with her. He hadn't mentioned the work of Gesupelte directly and she hoped it would be safe to bring what she knew up, seeing that she knew of him before he even had mentioned it.
Returning at seven, notes in hand she plopped onto her usual spot at the couch in the small den. The fire was already crackling and there was tea made at the end table for their use. The room had obviously been cleaned— by house elves probably, she winced. But she had never seen Snape interact with any house elf and had in fact avoided the house elves at school whenever possible. House elves were largely used by pureblood wizarding families, but Hermione could not imagine Snape employing the use of one. She had founded S.P.E.W., The Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare, though her attempts to free the house elves of Hogwarts last year was a lesson in futility. She had hung up the club at the end of last year, the mission of the organization and it's lagging membership paled in comparison to the daunting tasks which now faced the young witch.
Snape assumed a relaxed position in his chair, his robes hung over his chair in the classroom. He was wearing his formal button up suit. In black one could never go wrong, but with Snape's usual dour expression he always looked dressed for a funeral, or a Death Eater meeting. He poured a cup of Darjeeling tea for himself and then gestured to her and Hermione nodded.
Taking the cup, she blew on it as he began, "Miss Granger, there are actually potions masters who employ a bit more practical and efficient approach to use of ingredients than Masters Hoffines or Armeaus."
"You're meaning Nicholas Gesupelte?" She threw the first name out casually.
"So you found a reference?" Snape asked a bit surprised. He had just mentioned his last name, and only this morning.
"I read him two years ago." Snape arched an eyebrow. "I was looking up information on the Wolfsbane and there was a footnote referencing his work, mind you— it was so tiny. They had scarcely mentioned his name at all. He proposed the idea of micro-potions, developing the first tiniest instruments to measure very small accurate amounts of roots and herbs. He studied how small the quantity of several main ingredients could be before they lost their beneficial properties, and then performed the research again so that if larger quantities were needed, what additional properties were sought after in those circumstances. It was a shame the scientific community didn't recognize his sound theoretical framework more then, I imagine they didn't know as much about how short supply might become." She was on a roll now, talking with her hands, the urgent look of annoyance on her face at the injustice of it. "It seems they were only interested in researchers who could produce new potions, or stronger strengthening potions. It was all about abundance. I mean, Muggles have no concept of what they were— huh, still are doing to the natural rainforests. Hindsight is 20/20 you know? Now, his methods are so commonplace they seem ordinary, yet everyone forgot his name and didn't continue his work," she finished, drinking her tea.
She spoke as if everyone talked about Gesupelte. Snape was entirely beside himself, inwardly that is. Gesupelte, the great unknown hero of the scientific community, being read by this girl when she was barely past sixteen… well, thirteen or fourteen because of the damned time turner. Merlin.
"Gesupelte is a very remotely mentioned scholar, and I feel my decision to take you on as a student confirmed by the fact that you had bothered to read him at all," he admitted. It was a complement and there had been no ugly backhandedness to it.
"Thank you, sir. Are you wanting for us to explore other specimens of plants and analyze what their smallest useful quantities are or find substitutes for more widely used rare plants and ingredients?" Hermione was quick. Nowadays, she didn't stammer and blush but got straight to the point.
"Yes," was his response and it earned him a laugh. He continued, "It would make sense to study the aspects of the ingredient and what properties are most useful for a solution and then identify a substitute."
"Sounds like a problem for a chemist," Hermione surmised.
"My dear Miss Granger, you are looking at one," Snape responded proudly. They talked well into the evening, adjourning at ten. Hermione hadn't known how far he had taken his education, he had even studied for a while at a Muggle college for postgraduate coursework with a prominent Muggleborn chemist. They talked about Gesupelte, speculated on which potions they should try first. Of course Snape had several in mind already, but that didn't stop Hermione from making several recommendations of her own first.
Hermione slipped and mentioned a potion she was very eager to see improvements made for: Veritaserum. It was mentioned heavily in his book, but Hermione didn't blush too much at her slip, it was a logical conclusion for anyone to make and he didn't seem to be surprised at her bringing it up. Snape hinted at several concepts in his book and she was careful to make notes of which ones those were so that she could maintain her ignorance of the rest of his work. It would be a very fine line until his book was released. Maybe he would let her read his research soon, then she wouldn't have to pretend and continue lying to him.
---------------
By Wednesday she had a nine feet of ideas on their project, and really felt so far like he was listening to her, not treating her as an equal yet, but encouraging her explore her own ideas. It was more than she expected, but then he stormed out of the Great Hall after lunch and approached her between classes with a somewhat terse dismissal. Snape had resumed his normal, irritated disposition. Hermione was beginning to think after Monday's compliment, someone had kidnapped him and replaced him with a Polyjuiced imposter. Ah, but there he was after all. Greasy git extraordinaire. Joy.
Hermione went through another week of classes without Pansy summoning her for a late night meeting. It was just as well, their homework was picking up and her Prefect duties were keeping her busy. She had Snape's class to boot, and thankfully only had the extra reading and discussion on Monday. He had cancelled Wednesday's meeting abruptly. After further thought, perhaps he might have been called away to a Death Eater meeting, especially with the results of last week's rather remarkable potions outcomes. That gave her an odd sense of satisfaction. It was satisfying because her plan had worked. It was odd because it wasn't the truth, and they still weren't technically out of jeopardy yet. Pansy kept reminding her of that. She didn't really want to have to think about the group just yet. She was wanting to postpone that decision to the last possible moment.
But alas, during library time Friday night her clasp was charmed and there was a meeting scheduled immediately following the first Quidditch match of the season on Saturday. It was Gryffindor vs. Slytherin, sure to be a wicked match between such furiously competitive teams. Harry and Ron had been on about it all week, getting Ginny's nerves up with her first season as chaser among such a bunch of brutes. Injuries were expected. Hopefully any brawls following the match would be met with some leniency from the teaching staff.
Luna Lovegood had kept her impressive Lion hat which roared. Hermione had thought she fancied Harry at first, but then came to the conclusion after speaking with her that she was just a good person. Harry hung around with her on his own after the first DA meeting. After the events of the previous year, and the very candid conversation she had about her own mother, Harry felt a certain bond with the girl. Loony Luna Lovegood had an honorable nature, despite her reputation for flakiness. She rooted for everyone, and people sadly did not treat her as she treated others. Luna spoke often of things that did not exist but also spoke to Hermione of her interests in Advanced Charms and Transfiguration. In fact she was already performing several advanced charms at a Newt standard, experimenting with magical objects of protection and ones that could improve portkey travel, following in her mother's footsteps. With her technical explanation of complex wand movements, Hermione was certain that Luna's placement in Ravenclaw was dead accurate. Luna's descriptions went far beyond swish and flick— they were more along the lines of poetry and physics.
Gryffindor once again had dreadful Beaters, now that Fred and George were out of the league, which meant it was no match against the Slytherin thugs. Ginny scored two goals, only narrowly missing a bludger aimed at her head. Harry decided that it was in all their best interests for good health if he could catch the Snitch as soon as possible. He was fortunate to be distracted by Ginny's escape from the bludger and saw ahead of him Malfoy chasing the Snitch, both hurtling right towards him. Draco was too focused on the tiny golden ball and hadn't seen his nemesis at all. Harry laughed and remained stationary on his broom. The Snitch was coming straight to him and comically appeared to be afraid of Malfoy's pursuit as he chased the winged ball down the field. The Snitch flew straight into Harry's grasp. It was totally unfair. But legal.
The game had ended and Malfoy fumed. The victory was a bit anti-climatic, but it was beautiful. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle only refrained from hexing every one on sight because it would mean docking house points. Gryffindor had a victory party scheduled that night and Ginny ran straight for the Room of Requirement after the match, not changing out of her Quidditch robes, inciting some angry looks from the Slytherin members. She truly should have been wearing athletic wear for the meeting, but of the boxing variety.
The meeting seemed to go on forever while the girls argued shamelessly over each prospective member.
"What's wrong with Marietta? What do you have against her?!" Lisa Turpin yelled.
To everyone's astonishment it was Linda who spoke up, "Wasn't she the one who ratted out the DA last year? She's untrustworthy! She had SNEAK written across her face for three days until Madame Pomfrey could get it off!"
"Big mouthed bitch," Millicent added. Ginny fumed along with Susan who was quickly shedding her shyness for a serious grip on her wand.
"Stop it with the language!" Hermione shouted. "We didn't start this group so that we could bash each other. This is a democracy. We're all virgins here, we are all at risk, so stop being so high and mighty. You're not the only ones with an interest in how this turns out!" Pansy said nothing. She wouldn't disagree with her classmates but wouldn't publicly agree with Hermione yet. She was correct.
"Yeah, like you knew Melanie," hissed Roberta, kicking in her two Sickles.
"I know Melanie," Luna quietly said, putting it in the present tense. "She likes apples and the squid in the lake. She calls him Hermit because he likes to hide. Melanie likes magical creatures but doesn't tell anyone because you don't much care for Hagrid." She said this while pulling on a stray thread on her rather colorful skirt. "She has a special interest in Herbology and had a crush last year on Neville." Luna's soft voice broke the angry spirit of the group.
They had been arguing for an hour now on the nitpicky characteristics of each candidate for membership. Luna's little speech provided an appropriate intro for Pansy's interjection.
They were running out of virgins. It seemed funny to Hermione that Pansy would be the one to ask them to have faith.
----------------
The next week flew by as well and Hermione slept through her worry trying to block out the inevitable discussion that would take place the following Saturday. Snape had Hermione review all laboratory tests regarding the chemical make-up of certain potions ingredients that week. She was thrilled to look at it, but the data was truly boring even to her. They were beginning with the evaluation of a Calming Draught and the function of a pinch of the active ingredient, powdered moonstone.
It was Friday and their big meeting was tomorrow after Hogsmeade weekend.
"Hermione?" Ginny whispered form the door. "Are you up?"
"Yeah." Her friend whispered back and Ginny sat on the foot of her bed. "Any ideas?"
"Nope. You?"
"Not a one," Hermione said weakly. Not one alternative to getting shagged.
"Any prospects?"
Hermione let out a 'you've-got-to be-kidding-me' huff.
"I think Anthony Goldstein likes you. I saw the way he looked at you the last DA meeting," Ginny offered.
"You are not helping. Anthony is no more interested in me than… he was looking at my…" Ginny was smiling. "Oh, quit it, I'm not interested. Just because he likes me doesn't mean he's ready to jump in the sack. What about Harry?" Turnabout was fair play.
Ginny blushed immediately. "He…. well, we met this evening…"
Hermione got excited, finally something good was happening to someone that didn't involve danger, ridicule or docking of house points. "Ok, spill."
"He was really nice, Hermione. It's like the whole stupid boy phase is over. He stuttered, you know? Kind of weird seeing him be the one nervous around me." Ginny hid a grin but couldn't prevent it from eventually flooding her face.
"That's great, Ginny." But Hermione was feeling a bit jealous she had no one to bestow her affection on. She immediately felt guilty for her feelings of envy.
"Harry kissed me goodnight…" Hermione gasped, "…on the cheek," Ginny added. "And he told me he was looking forward to Hogsmeade tomorrow." Ginny bit her lip. Harry had just grazed her hand with his and sent her nearly to a place of dizzy confusion before retiring to bed. Ginny had wandered straight to Hermione's room too wired for sleep herself.
"So tell me," Hermione brought them back to the topic at hand. "Do you think you're both ready to go from a peck on the cheek to sex?" Ginny bristled and left, but was thinking along the same lines. It was easy enough to fantasize about her almost boyfriend but quite a leap to make that a reality.
Neither of them slept a wink.
Hermione forced herself up from her restless position on the bed and claimed her shower first, entering the library at seven in the morning. Anthony Goldstein, the 16-year-old Ravenclaw Prefect was there and appeared to be waiting for her, anticipating her arrival at the library to get in some study before Hogsmeade.
"Hermione, good morning." The handsome dark-haired, brown-eyed boy stood almost a half a head taller than her, already possessing some of the qualities that would likely turn the heads of the ladies in his older years.
"Hi, Anthony. What are you doing here so early?"
"Well, I know it's late notice, but I was hoping that you might be free for Hogsmeade, well… after Hogsmeade to share a butterbeer with me on the front steps?"
Goodness, he had only come to see her. "I don't know Anthony, I have plans this afternoon." He looked disappointed. "That's very nice of you though. If I didn't have the… thing, I would be happy to. Maybe some other time?" She added quickly, not wanting to squash her only chance for a possible prospective… Oh, stop thinking about it.
"Oh well, I guess I'll see you then. Don't let them run all over you," he commented trying to pull in a bit of a joke to cover up his awkward feelings of rejection. She wondered to herself if he was really interested in her, or if Anthony had just heard the rumor being spread that she might be easy. That made her a little angry, but there were consequences for her decision to begin that tale and she was willing to accept that under the circumstances.
As she entered a row of defense against the dark arts texts she ran into Professor Snape who was searching for something. He, of course, had overheard the whole thing and was wearing a vinegary expression which reminded her of McGonagall's reproachful looks.
"Miss Granger, you are up early this morning." He saw the dark circles under her eyes and recalled the last few weeks. "Are you quite sure you can keep up with your classmates today, in such a opportunistic setting for mischief?" Hermione glared at him and clenched her jaw to keep her mouth shut. She didn't want their extra classes together to give her the false impression that she could get away with whatever comment she wanted.
"I'm sure everything will go well. I don't expect that any Gryffindor students will be a problem," insinuating that it was the students in his own house that were more apt to disappear.
"I will meet you in the Great Hall at ten then," he added. "I will be escorting the Gryffindors, and Professor McGonagall will be escorting the Slytherin group. The Headmaster thought that would ensure compliance and stifle any favoritism and exceptions made between students." Hermione gulped. Snape and her, escorting the students. "After all, romance is in the air," he said with thick sarcasm and well placed pauses in his speech for emphasis. "We wouldn't want anyone to go… unaccounted for."
"Well then, I'll feel certain that no one will feel compelled to stray under your nose." Oh! She meant to say watchful eye. Shit.
Snape slithered past her with his book, and left the library without a word except the scowl he wore. Hermione hated to think she had just alienated a man who was already ostracized in many ways by several people, and her last thought was whether or not she had taken enough time in the bathroom this morning with her hair. God, this crush thing was really taking too much energy to be considered remotely productive. But what else could she think about? She was going to patrol Hogsmeade alongside Severus Snape, and shortly afterward was going to endure the plotting from nineteen other girls about how, who and whether or not to get laid. How could she not put the two together?
The grouping of students was crowded and Professor McGonagall addressed the mob. "May I have your attention?" Students immediately quieted. Minerva was one who could ensure discipline with her firm tone. "Let me be absolutely clear that you are not to leave your respective groups. You must stay with your teacher, or staff member," she added looking at Filch, "…and prefect assigned to you. If anyone violates the rules set forth for your safety there will be no more Hogsmeade weekends for any of you."
All of the students looked around worriedly that one of them might betray their only privilege. "So, I am sure that each of you will take it upon yourselves to make sure all of you stay together?" Nods from everyone.
"Very well then," she said alongside the peacock, Draco. Pansy followed closely behind him. She was determined to pick up where the Yule Ball had left off two years ago. He was grossly lacking in any social graces then, merely wanting a date to the ball to prevent the embarrassment of going alone rather than actually entertain his beautiful date. She was determined to change that perception. Pansy had been a Prefect too and didn't miss her duties so much as the power she had to lord over other students and the look of status it offered. It seemed unimportant now when all she could think about was being safe. It was a strange clash of feelings— her genuine attraction for Draco was really dampened by her wish to end her life as an object to be used by the Dark Lord. Draco may very well follow in his father's footsteps, in fact she supposed that he was expected to.
McGonagall gave them both a bit of space as they walked the group of Slytherins toward The Three Broomsticks. Many students envious eyes were traveling toward Honeydukes, spying the happy Hufflepuffs who were permitted to travel there first to purchase sweets of all imaginable varieties.
"Are you slated for Quidditch practice today?" she asked, trying to make small talk. Pansy hoped she hadn't bruised his ego after the painful loss last week. Snape had snapped at them for not booking every available weekend sooner. He definitely wanted them to have the advantage next match.
"Yeah, but only until six. Hah! The Gryffindor's have to practice after dinner when it gets dark!" Pansy smiled weakly but this really wasn't what she wanted to be discussing. Draco was not as bad as he used to be in reading body language however. "So what are you doing this evening?"
Pansy was unprepared for that comment and didn't know what to say. "Nothing special, yet." She added 'yet' at the last, cursing herself for making herself appear far too available.
"Well then, maybe we could go out after dinner and walk the maze while it's still light out." The labyrinth was free of deadly creatures since the Triwizard tournament and was a popular place for snogging.
"Sure." Pansy for once in her life was totally speechless. Draco brushed her arm as they walked but made it appear accidental. She hoped he wasn't toying with her, a swift glance from McGonagall behind her reminded Pansy of the rumors which were spreading about some of the girls, including her. Well, she thought, there were rumors enough already from several boys in her class long before this year, but it didn't mean that everyone believed them.
"Save your Galleons!" Fred and George called out. "Weasley's' Wizarding Wheezes! Open all day on Hogsmeade weekends! You can't go to Diagon Alley, so we bring Diagon Alley to you!" The red-and-white striped twins looked like walking peppermint sticks and sounded like the old mustached ringmasters at carnivals… Step right up, yes little missy, do we have a treat for you! If I guess your weight correctly, you will receive a free Portable Swamp! Hermione laughed to herself, they were perfect for marketing and selling their wares to the masses.
She stopped halfway to their destination, and Snape grumbled. "This isn't on our schedule, Miss Granger."
"Are you telling me that you're eager to get to Madam Puddifoot's for a cup of pink tea in a heart shaped cup?" Hermione pestered. It wasn't even Valentine's Day but she could picture the place now. It was grotesque even by her own standards. "I thought you were concerned about lust-filled students venturing out on their own, sir."
Humph. He snorted. Snape had no desire to go to that atrocious tea shop. He instead stood with Hermione and the throng of students as they tested various chews, pellets and tonics. It was truly a grotesque sight as people threw up and got well, fainted and were revived. Firecrackers were noisy and had startled some in the group who weren't paying attention, but it was the experimental Winds of Change cracker which blew fiercely in the face of Snape and Hermione.
After a few minutes of pushing into the forceful current of air, during which they were unable to see, Snape yelled for them to stop but his rumbling could not be heard over the howling wind. Fred and George quickly got the picture and finally the cracker had run it's course leaving only a light breeze. On the plus side, it had been a rather warm day. On the minus side Hermione's hair was a bushy mess of madness and she could feel how high it must have stood out from her head. If the wind had blown any harder, it might have gone permanently straight. Some students laughed, and it was hilarious. Hermione finally managed to chuckle at herself, though it was difficult in present company. Snape's hair, of course, looked the same as it did before the attack. How did he do that? Snape looked at her in amusement as Fred and George apologized to the Professor for the uncontrolled burst of nature.
Hermione blushed a bit and regained control of her emotions, reaching up to her hair blindly, tying and arranging it attractively on the back of her head with a clip she had fished from her pocket. With her hair out of her face, he could see Celtic knots dangling from her earlobes. They had probably always hung there, hidden from view by her normal untamed hairstyle. A wisp of wavy hair came loose from her twist and hung in her face, maturing her again to the age she had appeared to be that night at Rue Nineteen as Myra Winters. She was a beautiful young woman, and seemed out of place now amongst her younger peers. She didn't seem so interested in the things which occupied her classmates. Snape knew that the time turner had done more than advance her age— she had the sensibilities of someone far more mature than her years. Her shoulders back, she appeared taller than her height, carrying a startling confidence about her so easily shaken many years ago by a single harsh word. Now she had at least the good humor to laugh at herself. That was something that he in his youth had been unable to do.
They had spent too much time at the Weasley's joke stand and now many couples, namely girls, were upset that they didn't have enough time for a cup of tea and smooching at Madame Puddifoot's. Harry and Ginny didn't mind, as that was their original agreement. They picked up iced lattes to go and Hermione spied Harry slip his hand into Ginny's to hold it. Ron tried to stay back, feeling a little displaced by the couple, still not quite used to the idea of his sister and his best friend hooking up. Hermione bought Ron a frozen Cappuccino and handed it to him. The clinked their plastic cups together and drank to friendship. Hermione locked Ron into the hug of a close friend, instantly brightening his mood.
Gladrags Wizardwear was their next stop, but they couldn't enter with their drinks. Ron and Hermione sat outside on the steps to finish them in companionable silence while they slurped the coffee confection through pink straws. They watched the Slytherin group finally make their way to Honeydukes, the one reason Ron had been saving his money.
"They're doing really well aren't they?" Hermione gestured to the twins booth.
"Hmm?" Ron asked distractedly. "Oh yeah, yeah, they are. Even though Mum's not quite hooked onto the idea yet."
Hermione peered behind her doing another head count. Snape was inside and gave her a nod. "Well I'm sure she'd prefer for them to go to school, but they seem pretty self-sufficient. I hope they continue next year, if only to finish up. I'm sure their going to outsell Zonko's someday. Sooner if they keep this up… Ron? Hello Ron?"
Ron's gaze stayed transfixed on a girl standing before Fred and George. Hermione waved a hand in front of his face with a snap of her fingers to get his attention. "Huh? Oh, sorry."
"Ronald Weasley, is there something you're not sharing with your dear friend?" Hermione swatted him on the arm playfully.
"What do think about… Daphne?" He said a bit dreamily, a bit hesitantly.
"Greengrass? She's not my type." Hermione laughed. A Slytherin girl. She was nice enough, but poor Ron didn't stand a chance in the state he was in. "I guess the more important question is, what do you think about her?"
"She's… um… I mean she's…" Ron was stumped, still gazing at her.
Hermione patted him on the arm. "Keep working on that train of thought Ron, and I'll get back to you. I'm going to go inside." She rose and Ron finished the rest of his frozen coffee, tapping the bottom of the cup to get to the last bit. The contents at the bottom released all at once and it missed part of his mouth dribbling down his chin. Hermione was quick and handed him a napkin. Ron had hoped he was quick enough to miss Daphne's glance his direction. He turned a bright shade of red and thankfully, Daphne only smiled which made his blush remain for minutes longer.
Hermione made one pass through the rather pricey sales racks trying to keep all of the students in sight especially the girls. The cottage was large and there were several exits in the back, also dressing rooms that one could lose oneself in for far longer than the thirty minutes they had allotted to spend. Hermione fingered a few items as she walked by, thinking of a dress to wear for a special occasion like the Yule Ball. She had outgrown the ones she had and they were too youthful for her current tastes.
On her second pass the attendant had noticed her. Hermione had stopped in front of a beautiful formal silk cape and gown. The set was a lovely shade of deep midnight crimson, bordering on black with an almost burnished orange at the elegant hem, suggestive of a sunset. Her fingers danced over the silky sweetheart neckline and found the price tag. She took in a sharp intake of breath. Sixty five Galleons for the robe, one-hundred twenty for the matching cloak. Mercy. But it was 100% silk, and she could almost grin at the thought that Snape was in actuality purchasing this for her. It was his money after all, jingling in her sack.
"May I help you try these on?" Snape heard the saleswoman offer sweetly, "I daresay you have the figure for this lovely ensemble."
"Actually," said Hermione looking around, "I won't have the time here today." Some of the students were bored and already peering out of the windows at the other shops, while Lavender tried on every feathered hat in the store. She didn't have much time. "But can I exchange them if they don't fit properly?"
The saleswoman heart leapt a bit at the promise of a sale. When Hermione said she didn't have time the salesperson thought she was one more student whose eyes were bigger than her pocketbook.
"Of course dear!" exclaimed the saleswoman, happy that she could manage a sale of this magnitude on a weekend when all of her usual patrons had vacated Hogsmeade for the day, avoiding the noisy students like the plague. Marcie was the printed on her brass nametag.
Hermione looked at the tags again. "I don't suppose you have a sale coming up do you, Marcie?" She mentioned her name as a plea for leniency. Two-hundred Galleons was quite a bit of money for a single purchase.
The witch looked at Hermione and sighed. She didn't want to lose her commission the following weekend to another salesperson. "Next weekend is a half off sale for end of season, so just between us," she whispered low, "I'll give you my employee discount now. Is that alright?"
"Yes, ma'am." Hermione brightened. She smiled, wanting to run her fingers over the fabric one more time, but Marcie had already whisked it away, removing the tags and wrapping it up. Snape watched with mild interest at Hermione's obviously substantial purchase. He was standing near the door, looking ready to leave with the anxious group.
Hermione poured out Galleons on the scale provided until it calculated ninety-five. Snape was shocked she would carry around such a sum, but then perhaps she was expecting to come here. Hermione left with her shrunken purchase in her pocket. Hands free once again she met Snape at the door and motioned for the group to follow them to Honeydukes.
Hermione decided to forgo a purchase of chocolate on such a hot day, she had a bad experience before with that. Most students however were eating their fill of sweets right there in the store. Snape looked uninterested in most items, though he spied an enormous bag of Lemon Drops, likely specially packaged for the Headmaster's needs for quantity.
Hermione tried to remain calm on the way to their next stop, a tempting one for her— Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. She avoided going in, content to stay outside she kept telling herself, periodically looking in the window to count students. Her interests in this store were entirely too specific and her voracious appetite would be far too obvious for certain parties if she were to enter. She didn't trust herself here, and she could have a serious shopping problem on her hands if she was left to her own devices. You just spent quite a bit at Gladrags, she told herself. It was a small store and students wandered in and out, eager for their next stop— the Three Broomsticks. When Snape descended the steps, Hermione didn't even notice. She had become distracted by a particularly handsome feather quill in the window. It was horribly expensive— one of the finer instruments handmade by the Cross family. Once they had made their fortune in the Muggle world, they focused on their family business in the wizarding one. Snape was one to notice details and people. Hermione appeared utterly enchanted by the items in the window, so much so that the vendor was walking toward the door to greet her. Hermione noticed the subtle movement and waved him off. When she turned she was startled by Snape's presence. He was looking at her.
He wasn't embarrassed to be caught staring but quickly covered up the awkwardness with a biting remark, "Miss Granger, as fascinating as this trip may be, you have been here before and will again. Please focus your attention on your fellow classmates."
"Yes, sir." Hermione recovered herself and tried to redirect her thoughts to things besides his voice, height, eyes, and unnerving presence. He wasn't a terribly handsome man just to look at him, but the whole package radiated seduction.
Hermione and Snape didn't say much on the way to the Three Broomsticks. Hermione inhaled deeply and Snape thought she was taking in the fine day. But in fact the Weasley's had set off another Winds of Change cracker again and the breeze had caught Snape's musky scent. He smelled of sandalwood and potions ingredients. Snape's scent was familiar, and Hermione was a bit surprised that she could recognize it. It must have been the summer in that chair and in his den in the lab. It was then she began to think she was officially losing it.
She rejoined Ron, Ginny and Harry for a butterbeer to clear her head of desires which could never be acknowledged or satisfied. The Ravenclaw students strolled in behind, joining them in the spacious cottage there. Professor Sprout made the announcement that mingling was fine but in forty five minutes the groups would split again. Ginny noticed Hermione scan the group of Ravenclaw boys, discarding from her mind the boys already attached, and then made eye contact with Anthony. He smiled. Hermione excused herself, but part of her didn't want Snape to see her with Anthony after this morning.
She joined Anthony at a table, now that they could share their butterbeers alone. "Didn't think we'd get the chance to do this," he said. He had a deep voice and it was not at all unappealing. Hermione tried to focus on their conversation. He was a nice boy, and was her only prospect.
"Yeah, I'm glad we're here in a larger group. I think the students were a bit upset to be divided along house lines, I know many of them have friends in other houses."
"Do you think they'll revolt?" He drank his butterbeer with a playful smile after his jibe.
"Very funny, but you know, I think they just might?"
"What do you suggest?" Anthony voice dipped even lower and Hermione couldn't be sure if he was making a weak attempt at a double-entendre or just being manly.
"Actually I think we should have students sign up for groups no larger than a certain size so that people can decide who they want to go with. Though, I don't think that will help the Prefects much." Anthony smiled; she had considered the both of them.
Hermione didn't know what she was really feeling. The upcoming meeting was looming overhead and she didn't want to use Anthony if she wasn't genuinely interested. At the same time she wanted desperately to rid herself of her futile interest in Professor Snape. Anthony was nice enough, and offered to take her out on a picnic tomorrow for lunch by the lake. She accepted, and looked up. The students were already splitting up. Before she knew it the time had flown and Anthony got up from his chair, sad himself that their conversation had ended. He was very intelligent. Arithmancy was his thing and Hermione still held a keen interest in the subject as well. He talked about his family and friends easily, Hermione was impressed that she had managed to find someone his age so comfortable with himself.
The rest of the afternoon went without incident and Hermione tried to avoid looking at Snape. She attempted to think of Anthony, but all she could see were Snape's swirling black robes kicked behind him, his depression in the leather study chair at Headquarters, his silky deep voice, sexy even when he was hurling an insult. It was really unfair.
-----------------
In the Room of Requirement, Hermione looked at the faces of her peers in amazement, many of which she did not expect would be staring back at her. Hannah Abbott, the once silly Hufflepuff girl in pigtails, now with newfound confidence since the DA, was nervously sitting beside Susan. Susan Bones had brought her and obviously felt convinced of her interest and dedication to bring her before the group. All members had voted her in, after their heated conversations about the worthiness, dependability, and trustworthiness of each girl. Natalie, a Gryffindor in Hermione's year sat beside Susan quietly taking inventory of the unique diversity in their group. Tracey Davis, a seventeen-year old Slytherin and a known thief was agreed upon as well, along with Felicia Rosier and Dora Wilkes, both fifteen year-old Slytherins from families of Death Eaters.
Even though the Slytherin students obviously outnumbered the members from other houses, they clearly didn't care about that anymore. The pureblooded witches had a serious investment in the outcome of this group. The youngest member, Emma Dobbs, was in her Fourth year, just barely fourteen years old. Some other Slytherins stared at her, lingering a bit too long, likely thinking about Melanie. There had been no news on the missing and five weeks had passed since their mysterious disappearance. Sally-Ann Perks, "the perky prefect" also joined them, a ridiculously cheerful Hufflepuff who reminded most people of a loathed Aunt who smothered you, hugged and patted your arm invading personal space. She was miraculously solemn today. Hermione hadn't heard her story yet. It seems they all had one to tell.
Emma was sitting beside her good friend Laura Madley, also in her year and House. They were sitting under a table in the library to study, one of their favorite places they liked to hang out, undisturbed by anyone so they could both study and tell secrets. That was where Hannah had been approached by Susan and it was all over. They hadn't intended on finding any member so young but it was unavoidable: they were in the know, and surprisingly were immediately serious about joining. They both knew Melanie had gone and were extremely worried for her.
In the previous meeting, Pansy and Hermione had eventually lost their tempers, howling that Voldemort didn't care one whit which virgin he could find so long as she could be exploited, so why should they be so discriminatory against their own sisters if He wasn't? That settled matters quite quickly and slowly the threads of trust began to form and weave throughout the members of the group. So it was, that even Marietta Edgecombe, the traitor and formerly reluctant DA member had been voted in.
Orla Quirke came in last, the Ravenclaw who could was almost invisible from her introverted posture and study habits. She was in her fourth year, but missed a year due to illness making her fifteen and a half. She was quiet to an almost frightening level. People whispered about her being touched in the head, like she was a time-bomb. Classmates were afraid of her, but Lisa invited her and that was a high endorsement. Truthfully, her bout of illness took her away from her friends and she returned changed, more withdrawn, no longer in the classes with the peers she had been sorted with. Everyone thought Orla had changed, the truth was all was that the students had changed, treating Orla differently than they had before her absence.
"Let's get started," Pansy said. "All of you have been personally selected to hear a bit about what we all planning and I must say for all of our sakes, that it is not acceptable for any of us to talk with anyone about what is discussed here, under any circumstances. The walls of Hogwarts have eyes and ears, so what we discuss needs to be brought to this room. I know a lot of you are in the DA, and jolly good for you," she said sarcastically. "This is not the DA. All of you are here because we are all virgins and we are under attack. Hermione, you want to fill us in?"
"In the early summer, it came to my attention from a good source that You-Know-Who it gathering a list of known virgins at this school," some gasped hearing this so plainly, "and that he may have already taken several students for that purpose." She tactfully mentioned this without specifying the missing. "Since that time, Pansy and I have been reading everything we can get our hands on about the use of virgins. The material is rarely printed and as I am sure you have heard Professor Lupin say, knowledge concerning virginal magic has been largely lost."
There was some murmuring among the girls, but it subsided once Hermione continued. "From what we've been able to gather, our best guess is that You-Know-Who plans to use an unknown number of virgins to bring down the wards of Hogwarts." More gasping and murmuring ensued. "We think it's likely that he is looking at students from this school. Most seventh year students here are no longer abstinent, and he is not able to use the younger students, thankfully."
Susan leaned over to Laura and Emma to whisper the meaning of abstinence.
"So it comes down to what do we do?" Pansy jumped to the ultimate question. "The choice is for all of us to get shagged and mark us all off his list, leaving him with not enough eligible virgins to choose from, or— and I wouldn't recommend playing this game, make it strongly appear that you have already had sex, by going to Madam Pomfrey to get a potion as well as spreading careful rumors about your reputation with a certain boy or boys." Some of the girls seemed a bit taken aback at the suggestion, particularly the youngest three.
Hermione hated it that she hadn't come up with another solution. "It seems that what he needs is virginal blood, so you wouldn't need to actually sleep with someone to rid yourself of this weapon," she said for lack of a better term. "Doing it yourself would prevent you from having to make that choice even though it may not seem very appealing." Many of the girls made horrible faces at her suggestion. Most of them thought if they were going to make that sacrifice, at least their first time would be at the hands of a man and not an object. Pansy glared at her, knowing that she was having problems with the decision on whether to shag or not to shag.
There was a clamor of discussion and then some yelling as people couldn't hear themselves think.
"QUIET!" screamed Millicent Bulstrode. "That's better. I don't see what there is to decide. I say, we're adjourned. Let's go get laid."
"Wait a second!" exclaimed Orla. "I'd like to know how Hermione came to know that You-Know-Who was even putting together a list." Everyone was stunned that she spoke, but it was a good question. Most had just taken Hermione at her word. Ginny wondered how she'd wiggle out of this one.
"I apologize, but I can't say." There was more dissention among the ranks and Hermione spoke louder. "We all are here because we are in danger; Hogwarts is in danger. I can't reveal my source because that person or persons also face the same danger."
"So was that what the whole bellflower thing was about?" Tracey said with some annoyance.
"Partly," Pansy responded taking the heat off of Hermione. "If someone is making a list our status would've been all over the school in no time. We don't know who might be making a list, but we suspect it might be Professor Snape."
There were more sharp intakes of breath from non-Slytherin students and whispering among the Slytherin girls who weren't children of Death Eaters.
"He might, he might not. Point is, we need to take this problem out," Pansy said.
"There are only twenty of us here, how can we stop him, what about the younger virgins?" Emma asked.
"He can only use girls who have already developed desire… for romantic interests. The stronger the desire, the stronger the magic becomes. The students under fourteen won't be useful," Hermione explained.
"What stops him from trying again next year and the year after that?" Marietta asked.
Hermione didn't have an answer to that, it was her own question two weeks ago.
Pansy answered. "Right now we have to concern ourselves with the present. We can't worry about what's out of our control later. Are there any more questions?"
Many more questions were bantered around and many girls fidgeted. After taking a vote, all agreed to lose their virginity one way or another. Hermione agreed to provide the youngest— and whichever other members required it, with the easiest method of breaking their hymen . They agreed to convene in two weeks. Pansy and Hermione agreed to remain available to talk if the others needed an ear.
Hermione was distracted at dinner and couldn't eat a bite. The other members didn't do much better.
Draco met Pansy at the front of the labyrinth but before they could begin, he was called away on Prefect business. Pansy's hopes for anything real or staged evaporated and she left for her Common Room.
Ginny met Harry in a small alcove where they talked about nonsense for a while, working out their nervousness. Ginny was still wired from the meeting and after Harry's third "What is it?", he settled for pulling her into a close embrace. She settled into his chest and laid her head on his shoulder to let the tears fall. He stroked her hair and rubbed her back. Harry didn't ask and she was grateful.
Millicent was on the prowl and looked around the Slytherin Common Room for a man. Her options were limited. She had beaten up most of her peers at some point or another. Leaving to plot in her room, she was faced with her own expression of ugliness staring back from the mirror in front of her. She never made any effort with her appearance. Disgusted but willing to do anything, she decided it was time for a makeover.
Despite the Quidditch party raging downstairs, Hermione sat motionless in her bed. She couldn't even find the interest to put on her new dress. She was numb. Most girls sat in their rooms paralyzed like Hermione. They had a whole two weeks. Some wished to get it over with as quickly as possible, but most wanted to postpone the unavoidable task.
The next day was Sunday and when lunchtime arrived she was famished. Anthony was sweet, and had packed a picnic basket he transfigured for their use with sandwiches they nicked from the kitchens. They spread a blanket out under an oak tree by the lake and talked about everything. Hermione felt is easy to talk about anything that would keep her mind off getting shagged, but she was sitting on a blanket with a boy who might be her potential mate. It made her shudder.
His intentions were genuine, and he appeared to be honestly interested in her, not because of some rumor. They drank lemonade and laughed about the last Quidditch game until they cried. It wasn't Hermione primary interest of course, but Harry's last catch while stationary in front of Malfoy was the stuff of legend. And when Anthony did his impression of the former graduate Lee Jordan, somewhat biased commentator of every match for years, Hermione was in tears and on her side.
"Harry's just waiting to make his move—wisely doesn't waste any energy that one—and here comes Malfoy, Harry's letting him do all the work for him, Will they collide?!" He tickled her, making her laugh even harder and he felt over in a fit of laughter when he couldn't keep up his imitation anymore, reverting back to his normal voice. He leaned in on his elbow, not talking anymore and Hermione met his gaze. Closing her eyes, she let him take her— his lips brushing ever so gently first, pressing a warm soft kiss to her mouth. She leaned in and continued the kiss, her mouth parted slightly and tasted the sour sweetness of the lemonade he drank with his lunch. It was nice.
Nice enough, that's what she would remember walking arm in arm with him back to the castle a few minutes later the blanket tucked under his arm and a basket in his left hand. It was tasteful, and brief. He didn't press. No awkward extension of a physical relationship which did not match their current pace of the emotional aspects of their dating.
He was a nice boy. He was nice. That's what she remembered.
She couldn't hurt him, couldn't use him like that. It wasn't him she was thinking of. Why didn't he approach her last year? Why didn't boys have good timing? WHY?!
Damn it.
Hermione sat in bed awake, tossing and turning, half asleep because she worried about what the next item she might miss. She had only just happened upon The Brownheimer Antidote reference. What if she wasn't as lucky next time? It killed her that she didn't have more answers, and that she had little time to come up with a different solution.
Hermione knew what she was really afraid of. She didn't want to lose her virginity to a total stranger. She wasn't interested in any boys at school, and Ron was thankfully pursuing other interests. Ginny had Harry, and Pansy probably Draco (ewww!). Who did she have? Snape? Some sadistic old potions master who didn't know she existed beyond good grades and goody-two-shoes behavior? Hermione didn't think she was such a little naïve girl with no interests beyond books. It was a shame that was obviously the impression she gave to others. Harry and Ron came to her for problem solving and studying. And Ron said that 'she would never.' Never. That was a horrible thought, but she didn't think she'd be faced with a decision of this magnitude so soon.
Victor had been interested in pursuing things further the summer before last, but he was older and Hermione was unready to push the physical aspect of their relationship far beyond their actual emotional attachment. Victor and her were no more than good friends. Some serious snogging didn't make them any closer. At least Victor had been a gentleman. She was truly surprised he had kept up with their correspondence after that.
She walked to the Room of Requirement with her books, unable to sleep. She borrowed Harry's cloak, and he agreed, thinking she was going to the library. She slipped up to the fifth floor, narrowly avoiding Mrs. Norris. When she knew there wasn't so much as a spider looking her way she paced and opened the door.
A room full of dildos and other sexual devices stared back at her. She slammed the door, shocked that it would provide her with such an option. The thunderous slam of the door echoed through the hall and down the stairs. She blushed red, even though no one was around. She didn't want to lose her virginity to an object did she? And did that count? She guessed it did solve her problem somewhat, ridding her of the membrane containing the priceless weapon within. She wouldn't have to choose some boy to waste undeserved affection on. What else could she do?
She opened the door again and in the middle of the room was a piano with a book on it. She walked forward into the room again, wondering what solution next presented itself. The black bound leather book was the Holy Bible.
That's it. Just great. Let laid, masturbate, or pray. Those are my choices?
It was too late for her to think about why the room had provided what it did, but it did give her some respite. She hadn't played in several weeks and knew a concerto or two would calm her frayed nerves. She took her place on the bench, a replica of her piano at the Headquarters. She wondered in the back of her mind if it was the same one, if her piano there had mysteriously vanished but then shook off the thought. That would be too easy. She looked for music in her bench and then found the exact piece she was looking for materialize in front of her on the music stand. She let her mind wander as she played, comforted by the chords and hammering out her frustrations when the score reached crescendos.
She finally stopped after 40 minutes or so had passed, returning to her half of the book. She took out her quill, ready to jot down notes on what other potions and spells she wouldn't be able to perform, flowers she wouldn't be able to pick, animals she couldn't see or befriend once she gave up her power. She worked quickly, making notes of the titles and purposes of each potion or spell, and then skipping to the next. She could go back later. This book clearly wasn't common knowledge.
Hermione was outraged as she couldn't believe this information had been lost. The magnitude of some of the spells was overwhelming. She couldn't imagine what Pansy's section might have to say. Now that Pansy knew about wards, she felt strongly at this point Pansy had the more important half. The very thought made her shudder. Remus had discussed the loss of knowledge in class and she remembered her other purchase's remarks as well. Was this a power she really wanted to give up? Maybe she could find a way to collect her own blood and create these potent potions from it. It could be helpful in the war. It could help Harry. That was a better solution than any she had come up with so far.
She came upon the last page in her section and she skimmed it. Wall of Desire. It seemed fascinating and it was making a reference to somewhere else in the book, but as quickly as it's mention the page ended and— damn, but Pansy had the other half! She couldn't charm her clasp now, it was eleven thirty. Pansy would be asleep by now. But she took a chance and charmed anyway. Sure enough, Pansy was up the steps shortly, obviously having stayed up to read herself.
"I need to look at your half of the book, do you have it?" Hermione pressed urgently.
"Yeah," Pansy replied, pulling it from her own sack. She handed it to her and saw Hermione immediately read the first page.
"Have you read this?" Hermione asked feverishly and she digested the contents of the page.
"No, it wasn't complete, so I started at the next heading." Pansy shrugged and looked a bit confused as she noted Hermione's flurry of movement.
"Damn it, why don't these things have page numbers?!" Hermione cursed. "Have you read more on the wards? Did you read anything about spells of desire or casting spells on yourself?"
"Why? Need help in that department?" She snorted a mocking laugh. "A lust potion will do. Come on Hermione, you just need to get shagged. It's not complicated… you don't have to study. No grades." Pansy teased.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant, Pansy. Don't you even want to find out what He's up to? I figured there are probably so few references to virgins anywhere that this is probably one of the few texts left which mentions anything. It's probably in here!" She slammed the book down in frustration and stared at it. "We need to find out which spell You-Know-Who is working on. How many does he need? At least the spell that the Wall of Desire was referring to!"
"What Wall of Desire? …" Pansy said, but her train of thought was interrupted by the whoosh of pages as the book sprang open to the desired page. Hermione and Pansy were stunned. Why hadn't they thought of that before?
Hermione and Pansy peered down at the page. On the left was the end of a spell and the next one held a title for erecting powerful wards. They looked at each other and each read a page.
'It is of course preferred that most participants are willing, increasing chances for success. Approximately 25 units of blood is required from cooperative subjects. Gathering this can be difficult. Blood mixed with other substances, such as saliva or ejaculate, or blood collected from the floor, bed or other contaminated surface cannot be used...' Hermione paled considerably from the frankness of the text. At least it wouldn't be easy for Voldemort to exploit them.
'To Erect Powerful Wards: The same twenty are required as mentioned previously. Blood doesn't have to be gathered during the ritual though it is a valuable method of collection, the witches in question will expend their maidenhead during the ritual without losing their innocence, therefore blood collection is possible. Note: Wards erected by this group cannot be destroyed by blood of the same virgins. Pansy sat transfixed by her section of reading. Each virgin stands at the point of the pentacle, symbol of…
"Pansy, can I flip back?" She grumbled but released her hold on the book temporarily to let Hermione glance at the heading of the spell she was reading. Several pages back she read aloud, "Oh my God! Forceful Destruction of Ancient Wards. Could it be any plainer?!" They looked at each other in mutual panic and skimmed the spells requirements. "Quickly, pass me that quill," Hermione snapped, quickly jotting some mathematical computations. "How many does he need…" Pansy heard Hermione mutter under her breath. "How many…" Wow, there are two pages on hymen alone here. She skimmed, surprised at the revelation that not ever girl was born with a hymen, and that not even every membrane contained blood. Doing this by force would be difficult. "Twenty five units… At least thirty-five girls, if they were all born with hymen that contained blood," Hermione recited from her calculations.
"What are you talking about? You know how many from that?" Pansy asked excitedly.
"Yes. Yes! I'm sure of it. He'd have to kidnap at least thirty-five virgins to perform this spell." Hermione said with satisfaction.
Pansy was way ahead of Hermione and whipped out their list of virgins. "Only twenty of us or so need to lose our virginity to sabotage any opportunity for him to do that spell."
"What about next year, Pansy, and year after that? The third years will be fourteen in no time! He'll have a new opportunity every year!"
Pansy wanted her reading back.
But Hermione wasn't done, she kept reading. "Oh. OH! Pansy look… in order to break the wards here, he needs to find virgins that have a connection to the school. He can't just pick anybody."
"That explains a lot," said Pansy quietly. "I just thought he was trying to make a point. You know, hurting the school by kidnapping it's students? It would be both an insult to Professor Dumbledore and it would hurt the magical community. It sends the message that no one's safe." Her voice seemed dead. They were more targets than ever. "Okay, Hermione you had your turn, times up." She yanked the book from Hermione's grasp and she seemed a bit hurt that Pansy would want to read anything different than what Voldemort was up to.
Pansy read quickly, not sharing the space that would permit Hermione to read along. "Hey, Hermione. Maybe you don't have to give your virginity up after all…"
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Maybe we should fight fire with fire." Pansy said seriously, eyeing her counterpart with a determined look. Hermione glanced over her shoulder and read.
"Oh no, I hope we're not too late!" exclaimed a frantic Hermione. Who had already fulfilled their pact?
Authors Notes:
I posted again quickly. Soon my beta will return. She has had computer troubles (and full time job et cetra...) I promise to re-post corrections (hopefully they will be few). Many thanks to The Klingon Mistress who has been very helpful and supportive through this process. Salut!
There are some gaps in the Harry Potter student body list probably due to the absence of the Sorting appearing in each and every book. So my apologies if you may notice that several members of the Twenty who are, in actuality third year students graduating in 2001-- I have made them fourth year students to make them at least 14 for purposes of the fic.
Eek! I'm bad, I know, but I wanted names we all recognized and that would be more appealing than me making up 10 new characters instead of 4. The four made up girls are Roberta, Linda, and the daughters of Rosier and Wilkes (Names which I thought would be recognizable from the books) all Slytherins. Sally Ann perks is a brief mention without House affiliation so I gave her one based on the sound of her name (Loony Lovegood, and too Perky Ms. Perks. I like Rowling's name choices. Sadly I don't have the knack for it.) Orla Quirke is also a brief mention and has no house affiliation assigned to her… so again… I picked! Isn't it fun?! Thank you, Harry Potter Lexicon.
And now, here is our list:
Hermione Granger- Gryffindor, 18 by time turner and Gryffindor Prefect
Ginny Weasley- Gryffindor, 15
Susan Bones- Hufflepuff, 16
Luna Lovegood- Ravenclaw, 15
Lisa Turpin- Ravenclaw Prefect, 17
Pansy Parkinson- Slytherin, 17
Millicent Bulstrode-Slytherin, 16
Daphne Greengrass- Slytherin, 16, and Slytherin prefect
Linda Wilkshire-Slytherin, 16
Roberta Yesenia Gonzales- Slytherin, 15
Natalie MacDonald- Gryffindor, 2001 age 15
Hannah Abbott- Hermione's year, Hufflepuff, 16
Sally Ann Perks- a Hufflepuff Prefect in Hermione's year, 16
Marietta Edgecombe- Ravenclaw, age 16
Orla Quirke- Ravenclaw, 2001 age 15 and a half
Felicia Rosier and Dora Wilkes 15 year-old Slytherins
Tracey Davis- 16, Slytherin
Emma Dobbs- 14 the youngest, 2001, in Hufflepuff
Laura Madley- Hufflepuff, class of 2001, age 14 and a half
The Prefects of all four houses are included.
Many thanks to you wonderful reviewers!!! Please still click below… in case you didn't notice, I do listen to you and make adjustments accordingly. Grin!
Nocturnus: I love the way you think. I'm totally with you there. I have friends who say the rosary and scripted prayers in certain circumstances, but I am sure most of Hermione's prayers to God are not scripted but written on her heart. Sometimes she gets quiet to listen for God's wisdom, as is taught in many classes regarding prayer. I think prayer is not merely asking for things or giving gratitude, but opening oneself to different possibilities and genuinely asking for guidance and not guidance from yourself. Hence when she approached Sister Mary Barrone she receives the assigned Prayer of St. Thomas (I believe it was) which calls to her. And as for feelings about virginity— it's such a personal thing. I think it's rare to see people who generally save themselves for marriage anymore, though I have had several friends who did. I live in the conservative South, and still, I feel we are pretty liberal here. In many ways the feelings about birth control, family planning and pre-marital sex aren't so openly discussed in many Catholic Churches here, particularly when you are receiving premarital counseling and waiting for the blessing of the priest. I even work in a Catholic Hospital. But what can I say? I am a liberal social worker; I can't edit what I tell my new parents just because of the institutional values, it conflicts too much with my ethics as a social worker… but I digress. Far more important to Hermione (than to stay chaste until marriage) is to be sure of her convictions and stay true to herself. Very Gryffindor.
SimplyScribbling- Oh yeah, but still stalled on Burden. In the club you'll see, no room for us or them, it's all for one and one for all. All or none. You'll see in the next chapter. And the dye just had to be washed off and charmed off. I haven't decided if or when Snape will hear of it. See I promise you wouldn't have to wait! As for Hermione's flip-flopping there is still a lusty, crushy teenage girl in there with adult feelings she can't quite accept. She wrote a poem about it, but couldn't really quite take it in. Ah, sweet denial.
Javen Green- Woo hoo, now posting for your reading pleasure!
Expected Aberrance- Thanks for the review! Keep reading! And no way would they let the profs know. NEVER.
Romm- She kind of kicked it around in her mind, but see Chapter Thirteen. It will address how Hermione handles that issue.
Azulkan2- Ah with the Crucio… tis the life of a DE. Poor Snape. Gotta love the sacrifice.
Althea Gray- Haha! I was laughing so hard at your joke about McGonagall.
Maxy- Thanks and I'm not telling. Possible are you kidding. I'm all about SS/HG.
Crissy- Cool! I hope I can keep tension up in the group[ as it evolves. I'm really the kind of person who'd say, "Can't we all just get along?"
Keket Amunet- Thank you. And while Hermione doesn't seem out of character now, I really tried to use her trip to Hogsmeade to show some of her more sensible nature and maturity emerging. She may slowly feel more and more like she doesn't fit in. Remember she's 18, most of her peers are 2 years younger than she and even when she was young she sounded like McGonagall.
Ezmerelda- Thank you for your observations. Snape had a lot of inner turmoil: Yay! There aren't many virgins to choose from, bloody hell Voldemort's going to kill me, and crap! Why are their so few virgins? Has the whole school lost their mind?
Rosmerta- I don't think he'd terribly old-fashioned per se, but he's pretty much believed that he teaches a bunch of dunderheads who wouldn't know responsibility if it bit them in the ass. He fights in a war where he feels all of the children take their freedom for granted and still behave as if the sky isn't falling. He may also be a little jealous that he hadn't been more careless in his youth. Poor Snape lost his innocent and naïve nature at a young age, exposed to too many horrors and an unhappy childhood to live in a fantasy. And here is more on the ROR, I may delve into it a bit more also… we'll see.
Tycho- We shall see. I'm dying to blab everything of course but you'll have to wait! Yeah, I like them kind of working against each other.