Chapter Seven: Ashley's Adventure

Ashley looked around at the area she had appeared in. It seemed like a small forest or maybe a large preservation area. She whipped around at the sounds of growling and saw a huge black bear behind her. She quickly changed and the look of confusion was obvious on the bears face.

"Who are you intruder?" the bear growled.

Ashley lowered her head to show the bear she meant no harm.

"My name is Ashley and I'm a witch. An animagi to be specific. I come to humbly ask the help of any and all bears willing to assist in the defeat of the Dark Lord." She said calmly.

"Yes…I know your kind. You chose to change into one of us. But I still must wonder why you would come to us for help. Is you magic not strong enough? Would you have us sacrifice ourselves for your purpose?" the bear asked.

"It would be to protect all of your animal brethren. Please consider it. If the Dark Lord rules he will destroy you all. Nothing will be left except for him and all those loyal to him." Ashley said once more.

The bear scoffed at her. It was obvious that this bear held much power in the forest. If she could win him over then maybe she could get their help. Perhaps this may be easier than she thought.

"I am Kinu. If you believe that we were easily swayed then you are wrong. We bears are much more intelligent than you humans think." Kinu said slyly.

"Please. I only ask of you those who are brave enough to fight and all those who are willing. We beg your assistance."

"I shall tell all I know of this. They will all assemble here and I will give you chance to try and win them over. Some may be much harder than you think. You must be here or they will return to their homes." Kinu said before lumbering away.

Ashley sighed. This probably wouldn't go over all that well. She didn't realize how proper a system the bears had. Perhaps she should have chosen a different animal to transform into? Oh well. She hoped there would be at least a few bears willing to keep their world safe from Voldemort. Even if only one was willing they would still be better off than with no help at all.

Soon bears of all different sizes and colors surrounded her in the forest. A low rumbling was echoing as all of them spoke of what they were here for. Most of them looked confused and worried. Some though looked as if they knew why they were here.

"Everyone!" Ashley yelled.

A silence overcame the forest rather quickly. All the bears looked at her intently and awaited the reason that they were all gathered.

"Go ahead witch. Tell them why you wish to speak with them." Kinu said haughtily.

"I am Ashley. I am an animagus from the wizarding world and I come to ask for your help. As you all know Lord Voldemort, the Dark Lord, is trying to take over and convert everyone into his followers. They are killing anyone who is brave enough to try and defeat him. We've been trying for many years to defeat him but he has become too powerful. We need any help we can get. Those unwilling to fight alongside us please step down." Ashley explained.

Many bears backed away. Mothers pulled their cubs back and fathers prevented most from moving though at least eight stepped forward. She was grateful that at least some of them were eager but she did wish that more of them had offered to fight.

"I thank you for your bravery. Please follow me and I will apperate us to our destination." Ashley said as she hurried deeper into the woods.

Soon the trees had grown so thick around her that she could barely move. The perfect apperation spot. She waited as all the bears lined up and looked at her curiously.

"I need each of your names so there will be no confusion." Ashley said.

"Kola."

"Jack."

"York."

"Luko."

"Kiff."

"Kuno."

"Star."

"Koko."

"Okay now I want everyone to circle around me. Make perfectly sure that you are touching me. If not you'll be left behind and I can't return."

The bears nodded and circled around her. It felt odd to Ashley that there were bears all around her. Especially with large paws touching her. She sook her head and concentrated on the apperation. Soon she had arrived with quite a few loud pops. Everyone stared at the bears and appeared dumbstruck by the fact that they couldn't spot Ashley in the group. With a smile she stepped forward and changed back to a human.

"These are the wiling from the bears. Kola, Jack, York, Luko, Kif, Kuno, Star, and Koko." Ashley said pointing each of them out.

"Hey." Draco said.

A few of the bears grunted a response but he couldn't understand it, not being able to speak bear. He looked at Ashley who laughed.

"They said hello." She said.

"We have a camp a little ways away for you. There will be more animals arriving so we assumed we would keep you apart." Lupin said prominently.

"Lupin quit being so much like Percy! I'm Tonks just to let you know guys." Tonks said to the bears.

"Guess we should introduce ourselves huh? Well I'm Ron. This is Ginny, Bill, Charlie, Fred and George. They're my brothers. Then there's my parents." Ron said pointing them out.

"And I'm Harry." Harry said.

"Harry? Harry Potter?" Luko asked Ashley.

"What did he say?" Harry asked.

"He asked if you were Harry Potter."

"Yeah I am. Do the animals know about me too?" he asked.

"We know of your triumph over Voldemort. Everyone knows. Even the fish of the sea know of you. It is a great honor to meet you Mr. Potter." Luko said as he lowered his head in recognition.

The other bears nodded in agreement and followed suite. Harry looked at them confusedly.

"They say that everyone knows about you and that it is a great honor to finally meet you. They're showing how much they respect you by bowing."

Then one by one the bears left the camp and followed Lupin to where they would be staying. As soon as he left they settled down and awaited the time when they would fight.

Back at the other camp Harry and Ginny were whispering while the others sat silently by the fire awaiting the arrival of the others.

"Where have you been hiding out? I didn't see you around the Manor a lot." Harry asked.

"Oh…just about…besides I had to get away from that Katherine girl. It was totally obvious that she was hitting on you!" Ginny whispered.

Harry turned a light hue of pink but remained neutral.

"Really? I guess I was too busy looking for you to…I mean…really?" Harry said.

"Yeah…" Ginny said a bit unhappily.

"So um…what do you think of this whole Hermione/Draco situation? Think anything will happen?" Harry asked nonchalantly.

"Dunno. I think Hermione may like him and I know he likes her…I guess it just depends on what happens in the battle." She replied sadly, "I hear her sometimes…when she's asleep…she has nightmares too. I'm not sure what they're about though."

"Hermione? Nightmares?" Harry scoffed, "What could she possibly have nightmares about?"

"Something terrible…she whimpers and always wakes up in a cold sweat…it scares me sometimes…like its all real and whatever plagues her dreams might come out and hurt us…"

"Dreams like that are worse than dreams about being beaten…they're terrible…" Harry said softly.

"Hermione had those too." Ginny revealed.

"Who beat her?" Harry asked almost furiously.

"…I-I shouldn't really tell you. I shouldn't….shouldn't even be talking to you about this…"

"WHO?"
Ginny shivered at the sound of Harry's voice. So angry yet so compassionate. He was so devoted to his friends. It seemed like he would go to any lengths for them. Oh well. It was time someone else knew and harbored the burden as well.

"Her father." Ginny said.

"Then why are we trying to save him?" Harry retorted.

"Not that father. Her real father. He used to beat her. Back in second year. I walked in on her changing one time and she begged me not to tell. The Lavender asked me why Hermione would be mumbling 'No please stop…' and 'Daddy please mom didn't mean it' in her sleep. I talked to her and…"

"And?"

"Her real father joined up in a Muggle division of Voldemort supporters. That's why she wants to go. She wants to get her revenge on him for all those years of pain she was put through."

Harry couldn't believe it. So Hermione was getting revenge. His expression molded into one of sadness and he shook his head in disbelief. How could anyone be so cruel as to hit a child? He looked at Ginny whose expression mirrored his. She had harbored this ever since her first year at Hogwarts.

Meanwhile

Draco sat by the fire, poking it with a twig. He had been sitting here for an unknown amount of time. He was worried about Hermione. What if the wolves didn't trust her and they attacked her. It would be his fault for not being there to protect her. Oh if only he knew where she was! He could be there and help her. She was tough as nails but still she couldn't defeat a whole wolf pack alone. Being Hermione though she wouldn't want to, even if it would save her own life.

"What are you thinking about?" Ron asked carefully.

"Wha-? Oh…nothing…" Draco sighed.

"You're thinking about Hermione huh?" he asked again.

"What if she gets hurt?" Draco questioned frantically, "What if she gets killed? What if she never comes back?!"

"Hey calm down. Hermione can handle herself. I know she can." Ron said.

A/N: I would like to be forgiven for the title…in my head it sounded cute…oh well…I wont do it again…unless you ask me to…and if I can think of a k or h word for trip…hehe…anyway gotta finish the next chapter! The next one is Katherine's…part….kay see ya!