Chapter 3
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The lounge was bathed in darkness except for the occasional flash of lightning outside the windows and a single lamp, which spread a golden glow over a shabby looking and very dusty chase lounge. Harry, Hermione and Ron sat in front of a pacing and informative Lupin. He explained to the three of them that the Order of the Phoenix had decided it was high time that they called in help, especially after the discovery of five witches bodies in Regents Park station last week.
"How do we know that these murders weren't caused by muggles?" Harry asked, uncertainly.
Lupin grabbed an edition of the Daily Prophet from the mantel behind him "Because two puncture wounds were found on the victims' necks and not to mention all of the victims' blood had been drained"
"Vampires," Hermione stated, astonished "But are we certain that these deaths aren't ritualistically related?" she asked as she poured over the contents in the Daily Prophet.
Lupin nodded "We are very certain that these deaths have nothing to do with any kind of ritual. We know this because what the Prophet has neglected to tell the public is that the Dark Mark had been present at the scene of the murders"
Ron blanched "You're not serious, but that would mean that…"
"…They're working for Voldemort," Harry finished, an uneasy feeling beginning to form in the pit of his stomach.
"Well, that's what The Order thinks," Lupin paced back and forth across an ancient looking rug "The question is, why?"
"Well, power for one thing," Hermione said. "Vampires aren't commonly know has the higher evil, they're usually the bottom feeders when it comes to the hierarchy of evil"
Ron stared at her in bewilderment. "Im not even gonna ask how you know that"
She ignored him and continued. "Bright side!" she said cheerfully. "Vampires can't come in unless they are invited in"
Ron coughed and looked at her incredulously. "What if they just waltz on in!" he practically yelled, panic setting in. "I can't see that as a bright side to things!"
Hermione sighed in frustration. She still didn't understand why Ron continuously had problems in believing the things she said, it's not like she would just say things that she had no idea what she was talking about. "Oh, for God's sake, you don't get it!" she hissed at him.
Harry took Hermione's hand in his, "Calm down," he said soothingly.
She smiled at him and nodded, "I will try again," she composed herself. "You have to actually welcome them into your home to bring down the magical and invisible barrier that keeps them from crossing the threshold. This rule has been around for centuries, I don't know why but it just has and it seems to work."
Harry piped up. "Oh and also, they can only come out during the night. So you are usually safe during the day"
Ron went into panic mode again. "Usually!" he practically yelled, his eyes wide "What does usually mean?"
Harry suppressed the urge to laugh at the site of Ron's beetroot colored face. "Well when it is a really overcast day, like before, the vampires can come out because very little sun is reaching past the clouds"
Hermione looked at him, surprised and proud. "How do you know that?"
Harry pretended to be hurt by her question. "You're not the only one who reads, I do too"
Hermione raised an eyebrow and narrowed her eyes. "I know you Harry, the only book that I have seen you read for recreational purposes always has something to do with Quidditch"
"Ok, fine" He, said admittedly. "But, I had to do something over the holidays didn't I? Because, I tell you sitting around being bored is very…well, boring. As the word so plainly suggests"
Hermione laughed, "See, doesn't it feel good to tell the truth?"
Harry glared playfully at her. "Burst my bubble why don't you"
Ron snorted out a laugh, but fell quiet as soon as he spotted the looks Harry and Hermione gave him. "So, how do you kill vampires?" he said hurrying on, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the couple at the other end of the couch.
Hermione narrowed her eyes at him before she answered, "Stake through the heart, sunlight, fire, holy water, and beheading"
Ron looked at his friend, shocked. Though not at what she had just said, but shocked at the fact that she knew a lot about vampire lore. "Hermione, why can't you read normal books every once in a while? You know, like a Quidditch book"
Hermione glowered at him. "Why can't you read a book every once in a while, huh? Maybe something that isn't about Quidditch. Although knowing you the book would probably be a 'My First Word' book. Something that isn't to strenuous, something that won't hurt that delicate mind of yours"
Ron opened his mouth to retaliate but he knew better, so he clamped his mouth shut and just stared at her in complete and utter shock.
"Ok, moving on now," Lupin said, his voice slicing through the tension that had rapidly filled the room.
"Yes, good," Harry said, feeling very uncomfortable. "So, who has the privilege of putting their life at risk to help us?" he said sarcastically but truthfully.
He was very grateful to the person who was coming to help but what he didn't like about this situation was that they had to risk their life to do so.
Lupin looked from Ron to Harry and Hermione. "I'm glad someone asked that question. Have any of you heard of the Charmed Ones?"
"Whoa!" Hermione more or less yelled. "You're not serious, the Charmed Ones?"
Lupin smiled, "I am serious. I knew I could count on you, Hermione"
"Hello, care to share?" Harry asked. "Anyone?"
Hermione looked at him. "Harry, the Charmed Ones are the most powerful witches in the world, probably even more powerful than Voldemort himself, or almost anyway"
Lupin nodded in agreement, "They have saved the world at least two dozen times over the past eight years, and have vanquished countless numbers of demons and warlocks"
Harry couldn't help but smile at the promising prospect that the Charmed Ones could be all they needed to win this war, but he still had his doubts.
"This is good, this is very good," Ron said hesitantly, still a little nervous about voicing his opinion around Hermione. "When do they arrive?"
"The Charmed Ones and their Whitelighter will be arriving tomorrow morning, I believe" Lupin answered. "They were going to arrive later on tonight but we received word that they have been delayed, apparently one of the sisters had to go out and buy winter clothing. But, they are not the only people that we are hoping can help us win this war, we are also trying to contact the current Vampire Slayers"
"Erm…don't you mean Vampire Slayer, as in one?" Hermione said, quite confident that she had gotten her facts right. "Into each generation a Slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires and demons and to stop the spread of their evil…"
"…Then when the current Slayer dies the next is called," Lupin finished the prophecy for her. "But for some reason that all changed about nine and a half years ago"
"What happened?" Harry asked, leaning forward in his seat.
Lupin shook his head. "I don't know, we will have to ask them"
"Ok," Harry nodded, letting this new information sink in, then he asked, "So, when you say trying to contact them, you mean you haven't found them yet?"
"Err…yes, that's right," Lupin nodded solemnly. "We have narrowed down the possibilities of where they might be. They are either in Los Angeles or in Cleveland, a city in the U.S state of Ohio"
"Here's a question," Ron said uncertainly. "What if they don't wanna be found?"
Lupin considered this. "That's quite possible, but it won't do us any good to give up on the search"
"I hope we can find them soon, the more help the better. We're gonna need it," Harry yawned. "Well, at least we know that Voldemort will have to attack at night if he's gonna bring his vampire pals along with him"
It was at this moment that Mrs Weasly chose to stick her head out from behind the lounge room door. "Come on you three," she said. "Its off to bed with you"
"But mum…" Ron began to complain but Mrs Weasly interrupted.
"No…you are going to bed right now," she said in a stern voice "You have to be up bright and early tomorrow so you might as well stop complaining"
Lupin nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's getting late," he said, checking the clock on the mantle behind him, which read eleven-thirty "Off you go"
Harry, Hermione and Ron slowly got up off the couch and followed Mrs. Weasly out into the hall. Mrs. Weasly bade them goodnight then went back into the lounge. Harry, Hermione and Ron silently climbed the stairs up to the second floor; they stopped outside of Harry and Ron's room.
"Vampires!" Ron whispered, "This should be interesting, g'night Hermione"
"Good night," she said to his retreating back. She then focused her attention on Harry "Are you alright?" she asked, concerned.
"I'm fine," He rubbed his hand up and down her arm in a comforting way. "It's a lot to take in, but I'm fine"
"Vampires working for V-Voldemort, Slayer's who don't wanna be found, and three super witches"
Harry laughed. He loved how Hermione could lighten up a situation with a casual and witty little comment that perfectly fitted into the conversation.
Hermione yawned, "Im going to bed," she kissed him softly. "Goodnight, Harry"
"Goodnight"
Harry slowly walked into the dark and musty smelling room he shared with Ron. It was quiet except for the occasional rumble of thunder and Ron's loud snoring, both fighting to be louder than the other. He sleepily changed into his pyjamas then slid between the white, crisp sheets and placed his glasses onto the bedside table. He rolled over and quickly drifted off into a deep and dreamless sleep.
Minutes later, or so it felt like to Harry, he was awoken by what sounded like a bomb blast as a bolt of lightning struck a church steeple not far from number twelve Grimmauld Place. Harry felt like going back to sleep but he knew it would be no use, so he quietly climbed out of bed (so as not to wake Ron), grabbed a gray shirt and blue denim jeans out of the closet and headed to the shower. Ten minutes later he arrived at the kitchen to the enticing aroma of bacon, eggs, toast and pancakes cooking on the stove.
There was no one there except for Mrs. Weasly, who was rummaging around in the pantry for something.
"Good morning, Mrs. Weasly," he said, leaning against the doorjamb as he did.
Mrs. Weasly spun around. "Harry, dear. How did you sleep?"
"Very well, thankyou," he yawned as he examined the empty room. "Is everyone still asleep?"
Mrs. Weasly started to magically set the table before she answered. "They seem to be, breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes," she said, then shuffled past Harry and up the stairs to wake the others.
Harry sat in the lounge while he waited for the others to comedown for breakfast. He kept thinking about the conversation that he had had with Hermione, Ron and Lupin the night before. Could the vampires enter Hogwarts? And if they could, what would happen to the many students who considered Hogwarts their haven? He did hope that they could contact the Slayers, because he needed to know how to fight a vampire, he need to know their strengths and weaknesses. He closed his eyes and tried not to think about it anymore.
He smiled when he felt Hermione's soft lips cover his own, instantly all of his thoughts were focused on her.
"Good morning," he said once they had pulled away.
"Hi," she smiled back, draping his arm around her and nestling into his side.
They sat there in a comfortable silence, listening to nothing but the sound of each other's breathing and the steady rhythm of rain on the windows.
Ginny poked her head in through the door and smiled at the two of them, she hated having to break them apart, but she had no choice. "Mum wants us all in the kitchen," she said happily. "Breakfast is ready"
Harry and Hermione reluctantly rose from the couch and followed Ginny to the kitchen where a banquette had been placed on the old oak table. Harry was very surprised to see Professor McGonagall sitting in one of the chairs, sipping at a tall glass of orange juice and reading the Daily Prophet.
"Hello Professor," Harry and Hermione said in unison, as they took their places.
Professor McGonagall looked up from the paper and set it down on the table, along with the orange juice. "Potter, Granger. How are you both this morning?"
"Good thanks," Hermione answered for them both as she buttered some toast.
"How are you?" Harry asked. "I'm a bit surprised to see you here actually"
McGonagall smiled "I didn't really think I would be here, I have been very busy with school stuff…" she trailed off.
Harry knew that she meant she was fulfilling the role of Headmistress, and also most probably trying to make sense of Dumbledore's office. All throughout the summer holidays Harry had been thinking about Dumbledore's death and how Snape had killed him, mercilessly.
"…Anyway," McGonagall said, "I've come to greet the Charmed Ones and also to put forth a proposition"
Harry didn't ask what the proposition was, for the reason that he knew he would find out in good time.
Ron came down and joined them at the table, just as surprised to see McGonagall as the others had been. He said hello then promptly started to eat his eggs, practically inhaling them.
When breakfast had finished everyone retreated into the lounge to await the arrival of the Charmed Ones. Mrs. Weasly bought in tea and coffee, with extra cups for their expected guests.
Harry, Hermione and Ron sat in a close nit group at the end of the couch, away from the adult conversations.
"I wounder if they're gonna be teaching at the school this year?" Ron asked, "'Cause there a two positions vacant this year"
Harry thought back to the previous year and how Professor Slughorn had taken over Potions class, but strictly under a one-year contract. Harry also knew that Snape would not be returning this year unless he had a death wish.
"McGonagall mentioned that she had a proposition for them, before you came in for breakfast," Harry said, curiously.
"Maybe they will teach Defence Against the Dark Arts," Hermione said, looking up from the Daily Prophet. "That would be very interesting and also very helpful to us"
Harry and Ron both nodded in agreement.
It was about five minutes before anyone of them spoke again. Hermione sighed and put the Prophet down on the end table. "No one we know is dead, Ron," she said before he could open his mouth. "And there has been no more vampire activity"
Harry frowned. "Maybe it was just a single attack, you know, not connected to anything else," he said, knowing that he didn't really believe what he had said.
Suddenly, tiny little blue orbs appeared in front of the mantle, forming into five people. There in front of Harry stood three petite brunette women, one carrying a child in her arms, beside the women with the baby stood who appeared to be her husband.
"Welcome," said Professor McGonagall happily. "Thank you all very much for coming in such short notice"
Professor McGonagall introduced everyone who was in the room, reassuring the new comers that there would be more people to meet later on tonight; she purposely left Harry and his friends until last.
"These three here are, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasly," she said.
The four strangers smiled at them, then Piper introduced herself, her sisters, Paige and Phoebe and her husband, Leo.
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before Lupin broke in. "I think that we should show you to your rooms before we brief you on our situation," Lupin said, directing them to follow him into the hall.
"Wow, that looks like some serious magic!" Ron exclaimed once the new comers were gone.
"It's a different kind of magic, much more unlike the magic that we are used to," Hermione said, matter-of-factly.
"But, powerful all the same?" Harry asked, indecisively.
Hermione smiled and nodded. "Yes, very powerful"
Lupin and the others returned and all settled into the chairs that were available. Mrs. Weasly poured them each a cup of coffee.
Lupin immediately got down to the business of Voldemort and the dire situation that needed attending to. He explained to them who Voldemort was and briefed them about the loss of the world's greatest wizard. He also explained to them about Harry's history, giving them a somewhat graphic account of the last three years, in which Voldemort had come back and also the fight in the Department of Mysteries.
Once Lupin was finished Piper spoke up. "This is one serious evil that you have here, something that by the sounds of it we have never seen before," she said, motioning to her sisters. "But, we will stay here and help you in any way we can"
The room seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief at the good news. "That's very good to here," Lupin said. "Very good indeed"
"Now, we must make arraignments for your accommodations at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said, gleefully.
Paige Mathews raised an eyebrow. "Hogwarts" she stated. "What's Hogwarts?"
"It is a school," McGonagall said matter-of-factly.
"A school!" she exclaimed. "You guys have a school for your magical community!"
McGonagall nodded proudly.
Phoebe Halliwell sighed. "I think I chose the wrong kind of magic," she stated.
Piper frowned, puzzled at the phrased Phoebe had just used. "How many different kinds of magic are there?" she asked Leo quizzically.
"Three," he said. "The oldest of them all is Wicca, the magic based on nature and the earths elements. Wicca is available to everyone and can be performed by anyone," He paused, thinking over something before he continued on.
"Then there is the type of magic that requires the use of a wand. Only the people that possess the skills to perform wand magic can take advantage of it. In this magic the uses of diverse potions, spells and incantations are required but not all of the incantations have to be said, they can be non-verbal.
"After this form of magic comes the newest magic of them all. This magic is restricted to the witches who have the strength to cope with a unique ability or a special power, if you will. Each of these special powers allows the witch to battle evil in his or her own way. Piper, Paige and Phoebe fall under this kind of magic. Each of the girls have a unique ability of their own"
Everyone sat in silence and processed the new information. Harry was stunned but excited just the same at learning that there were other types of magic out there.
Hermione politely raised her hand tentatively. "What powers do you guys possess?" she asked.
Piper smiled at the girl before answering. "I, have the ability to freeze time, by slowing down molecules and the ability to blow things up, by speeding up molecules"
Phoebe answered next. "I have premonitions, the ability to see a future or past event. I get these when I touch a person or an object, but not always. I can levitate as well and I am also skilled in martial arts"
"Then there is me," Paige said happily. "I can orb an object to me or to another place. I can also orb from place to place, very convenient for getting out of harms way"
Harry looked at them amazed. He knew that these withes were powerful from what Hermione had told him, but he had never expected them to be that powerful.
"When you arrived," Ron said in amazement. "Was that orbing?"
Leo nodded. "Yes it was"
"Wicked"
Everyone laughed, causing Ron to blush terribly.
Suddenly the atmosphere lightened somewhat and all of the nervous tension was gone. They all started asking inquisitive questions, each and every one of them wanting to know more about the other magical worlds.
Hermione tugged on Harry's sleeve and whispered. "See, I told you they were powerful people,"
He smiled and kissed her on the tip of her nose. "Yeah you did, and I have a feeling that more powerful people are on their way"
Hermione frowned. "How?"
"I dunno," he shrugged. "I just have this feeling. I could be wrong, though"
She wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned on him. "Lets hope your not"
Harry smiled, "Lets hope"
Hiya. How are you all going? Sorry about the long delay of this chapter but I thought it was high time to make the chapters longer. Again, I am sorry if there are any punctuation and spelling mistakes. There shouldn't be as I have read over it a numerous amount of times, but that doesn't mean that I haven't missed anything.
Also I would like to thank all you who have managed to read up to here. Much appreciated. Don't forget to Review, thanks.
