Author Note: This chapter shows the repercussions of the ring recovery, a bit of description of a couple of the young ladies in the story. (including retconning a oopsie I made) The trip to the school and a surprise confession. All this and more tonight on Stripper Granger Chapter 9. Not my property I disavow any knowledge of writing this, owning it or otherwise even reading this.

===xxx===xx(Chapter begins)

The group had returned to Grimmould and changed back into their casual clothes. The lab that had been developed in the basement held the box they had retrieved. All of them stood around it warily watching it.

"Well it hasn't responded to anything so if the Horcrux is in there it's not radiating magic or other hazards through the box." Hermione explained.

"What is the object supposed to be?" Luna inquired.

"If I am correct this is the ring of the House Gaunt. An ancient family heirloom of theirs." Dumbledore explained.

"Well lets get the sword out and get ready to destroy this thing." Hermione declared.

Dumbledore looked hesitant, "Perhaps we could study it for a bit."
Luna raised her eyebrow, "Sir? You said these anchors are all that keep the Dark lord on this world. We should be destroying them as quickly as possible."

"Yes well this has some historical value and. Well maybe I could bring it back to the castle to study." He reached out to take the box but Luna batted it away from him down the table to Lavender who swept it up.

"Sir. You are acting rather emotionally compromised over this thing. Perhaps you should give us the sword and leave." Luna's voice had taken on a cold steely edge, "Either that or tell us the real reason you want the ring."

"And if you start calling it your precious I will personally kick your butt." Hermione declared, then hastily added, "Sir."

Dumbledore took a deep breath to calm and center himself it seemed before he nodded, "Yes you are correct. I should. What do you know about the Deathly Hallows?"

Luna was the only one who had a strong reaction, Lavender shrugged and said they were a children's fairy tale. Neville agreed with her. Luna though gasped and her eyes grew wide and white.

Luna shook her head, "No they are real. There are three of them, the wand, the stone and the cloak. Death herself gave them to the three brothers at the river Tanagra."

"Yes Miss Lovegood that is true. I know them to be real and a fact. I have handled two of them."

Luna gasped, "Harry's cloak and the Deathstick!"

Dumbledore cleared his throat, "You seem to be rather knowledgeable about these items."

"My father is a Quester." She quietly said with a hint of distaste.

"Ah. Yes. I suppose he would be." Dumbledore gently said.

"It is unnatural what he seeks. What you seek as well. It must never be permitted." The quiet soft bell tones of her voice had vanished to be replaced with a firm unyielding coldness. "They do not belong among mortals."

"That's not for you to decide. You are not aware of the circumstances."
"I am more aware of the pain that thing can cause than you are." She growled. Susan and Hermione edged slightly away from the waif who seemed more warrior at the moment.

"Now Miss Lovegood." Was all Dumbledore managed to say in an angry tone before Luna had leapt over the table to land in front of him, grabbed the sword of Gryffindor off of his belt then performed a flip backwards to run down the table to slice the box in half out of Lavender's hand before anyone could move.

An ancient gold ring fell out of the box clattering and spinning on the floor a brief moment before Luna's follow up leap allowed her to pierce the ring on the tip of the blade. A strange spinning ugly black smoke howled from the ring as it enveloped her. An icy cold wind threw open the doors and caused everyone in the room to shiver as it seemed to dissipate the smoke in a strange unearthly green balefire light.

Dumbledore dropped to his knees with an anguished cry. Fat tears bursting from his eyes. Luna dropped the sword and ran from the dining room without looking back. Harry immediately ran after her while Hermione and the others were frozen in shock.

===xxx===xx

Harry caught up with Luna on the top floor. She was curled into a ball crying heavy racking sobs. Harry had an idea why she was crying but not why she had done what she did. He sat next to her gently putting his arm around her waist.

Eventually Luna leaned against his chest as her sobs slowed down until with a great sigh she wiped her eyes on the bottom of her shirt. "I'm sorry Harry. I got your shirt wet."
"It'll dry. Are you okay?" He smiled at her softly.
"No, but I will be."

"Good. Do you wanna talk?"

"Not at the moment. Could we just sit quietly."

The two of them sat side by side for several minutes. Eventually they heard someone coming up the stairs.

"Hello Hermione." Luna softly called out.

"Hey. Are you okay?"

"No. But I am getting better. Thank you for caring."
"Hey I love you Luna. Harry loves you. So of course we care." She said kneeling on the floor in front of Luna.

Luna tilted her head before smiling softly. "I love the both of you as well."
Hermione smiled and taking a deep breath said, "Well you destroyed the ring. I'm not entirely sure you didn't destroy Professor Dumbledore too because he kinda dropped the scabbard for the sword and staggered off into the night repeating a word, maybe a name. I'm not real sure."

"It was probably the name of someone he loved that got killed." Luna matter of factly explained.

"How do you figure that?" Hermione cautiously asked.

"Because the ring contained the Resurrection Stone." She flatly said in a tired tone.

"The what?"

Luna sighed, "Let us go back downstairs. I will need to only tell this once please. Then I will need Harry to snuggle with me until dinner."

Hermione nodded, "Okay fine with me."

===xxx===xx

When they finally came downstairs Luna was greeted by smiles and a few hugs from Lavender and Susan.

"Did I injure you?" Luna asked Lavender with some anxiety.

"No. I'll need to work over my manicure a bit but nothing vital got hit." Lavender smiled at Luna to show no bad feelings.

"Are you okay?" Neville asked her worriedly.

"I am well enough for now."

Accepting that Neville moved so she could sit down.

Seamus hearing Luna say she was well gave a low whistle, "What was all that ninja moves there Luna. Ye moved like a squirrel on speed."

Luna looked at him with her unblinking silvery blue eyes until he slunk back against Katie Bell. "That was an unfortunate emotional response."

"Ah. Alrighty then." Seamus said with feeling.

Hermione cleared her throat giving Seamus the look of doom before turning back to Luna, "Luna hun can you explain to us what you meant by a Quester and these Deathly Hallows?"

Luna smiled with a brief nod, "Yes. They are real. The Tale of the three Brothers is more than just a bedtime story that mother witches," Her voice gave a slight hitch, "tell their children from Beedle the Bard. It is a historical fact."

The pure-bloods in the group murmured among themselves for a moment before Luna held her hand up causing them to immediately fall silent.

"Those who grew up in muggle homes would not know the tale. To sum it up three brothers arrived at a wide and deep river. There was no bridge built across it as the muggles could not. There was no boat as the river flowed too fast and too treacherously. They used their magic to cross the river on a conjured bridge which cheated death. The brothers bragged and congratulated themselves on their cleverness and power attracting the attention of Death herself. She came to them and offered to reward them each with one wish."

The crowd was transfixed by her voice as she wove the tale, "The eldest brother wished for a wand that would make him invincible, unbeatable in battle. Death gave him a branch she had broken from a nearby Elder tree. It is called the Deathstick, not just for how many people have died over the millennia from it but those who owned it as well. All who have claimed it have died violent deaths due to betrayal and trickery. Never in combat though as was the agreement with Death."
"The middle brother wished for a stone. The Resurrection Stone that brings the spirit of someone from beyond the veil to our realm. Only it was cursed for Death does not allow the spirits of those who have gone beyond to return. Those spirits that are called are only a reflection of their true selves, a cold parody that suffers more and more the longer they remain in the land of the living. The shade draws the life from the one who called them to sustain themselves. Causing the summoner to grow more and more distant from their lives, their living world, to descend into hopeless madness, until they too cross over in death."
"The youngest brother was wise and humble. He asked for an item that would allow him to hide from Death herself. To enable him to travel without Death following him. She frowned but gave him her own cloak. He wore it often until one day as an old man he removed the cloak and gave it to his son. Greeting Death as an old friend she welcomed him into her bosom in peace."

The room was absolutely silent except for the ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner of the room. Luna was staring off into the distance lost in thoughts. Hermione looked at Harry thinking about the cloak he treasured.

Lavender's mouth had opened into a large O before she closed it suddenly to say, "That stone. The stone in the ring that Dumbledore wanted it was the Resurrection Stone. You destroyed the Resurrection Stone!"
"Yes. Yes I did. And I would return all three of the items to her rather than see any mortals claim them."

"Yes but if you had managed to reunite the items you would become the Master of Death." Ernie whispered into the room in a hushed tone.

Luna shook her head. "No one even knows what that means. No. the items are better off removed from the hands of mortals. I do not feel any regret for destroying the stone. Too many have sought it." She sniffled a little bit. "My father sought it. After my mother died he became a Quester. One who sought the Hallows. I would not have my mother's soul disturbed like that."

Ernie looked at the floor abashed at the tone in her voice. The pain her words carried inside them. The others nodded chagrined. "I'm sorry Luna." Hermione said. "I didn't realize your mother had, passed."
Luna nodded slightly, "Yes. Mother was an extraordinary witch but she did like to experiment. Unfortunately one day something went wrong and she died most horribly. I was nine and watched her die." Her voice was a ghost. "I still miss her and feel sad, but I also still feel her love and its not like I won't see her again someday."

Soft gentle tears rolled down her face before Harry bundled her to his chest. Picking her up he nodded to everyone and carried her out of the room.

===xxx===xx

Harry woke up holding Luna in his arms. He was a little bit confused as he had fallen asleep holding her. He blinked several times before he managed to see the clock on the wall and that it was almost dinner time.

Stroking Luna's hair he whispered softly her name until she began to stir. "Hello pretty girl. You feel better?"

"As better is a relative term the answer is yes." Luna sighed against Harry's chest.

"Okay. You wanna go down and have some dinner or get Winky to bring us a plate?"

She sat up and stretched, "I should probably socialize as our friends will be rather concerned about me."
"Well you did give us a slight bit of a scare."

She smiled with a soft amused chuckle, "Yes, probably Professor Dumbledore the most."

"Yeah a bit."

===xxx===xx

Coming down they heard Susan and Hermione arguing.

"Look at me I look like a stuffed sausage." Susan was griping.
"The bodysuit is supposed to fit snugly."

"Mione this thing is so tight I'm showing a cameltoe."

"I don't mind." Neville quipped before Hermione exasperatedly said, "The codpiece will cover that. And its not THAAT bad."

"I might as well have it painted on. Wallpaper fits more loosely." Susan.

"You look just fine. You're worrying over nothing." Neville's voice came again just as Harry and the others walked in.

Hermione still had her back to them fussing over Susan's bodysuit. "Look I fit it to you exactly. You tried it on before we processed it and you didn't complain."

"Yeah because it didn't fit me THIS tightly." She growled in exasperation. "It must have shrunk."

"I don't think so." Hermione crossed her arms under her bosom.

"Well I didn't grow." Susan crossed her arms over hers.

"It looks the same as it did before we treated it." Hermione huffed.

"Oh Hi Harry. Would you tell Susan she looks fine." Neville was shaking his head in frustration.

Harry studied the 5'4" tall girl. Her large F cup breasts had been compressed by the pockets in the suit to small grapefruit, her waist was the wide thick swell he had seen a few times around the house here. The curve of her belly compressed by the suit too. The wide hips and round apple bottom on full display as the suit fit over them tightly. Harry sighed as he did agree that there was a definite bit of snugness in the crouch of her suit. Not any more than any of the other girls had with their suit.

"Well Harry? You going to say something or just stare." Lavender laughingly called out.

Susan was blushing slightly while everyone else was grinning at him. Even Luna had shaken her head in amusement as she walked over.

"Uh yeah. You look great Susan. I don't see a problem. Although when did you become a blonde?"

"Oh. Neville has a thing for blondes so I used a spell to change my hair color." She explained.

"Oh. Okay. But yeah I've never thought you looked bad, so why the sudden self-consciousness?" Harry asked moving over to start the dinner cooking.

Susan sighed looking in the large mirror, "I guess this suit just highlighted everything and I feel unpleasant about myself."
Luna looked at her with her head titled, "You've been walking around the house half naked like the rest of us, in front of Harry and Neville without becoming self-conscious before."
"Yeah I know but you guys I. Well I feel comfortable around you guys. I mean Neville and Lavender love me and you three are like family so I don't think about it. Wearing this I'll be going out in front of people. I hate that as I see how people look at me. Hannah and you guys are about the only ones who really accept me for me."

Luna nodded in comprehension, "Ah. I see. That's why I don't worry about their acceptance or opinion. I am me so that's all I can be."

Susan smiled at Luna, "Well I'm not as confident as you are. I could never strip down in front of everyone like you."

Hermione bit her lip before grinning, "I bet you if you did they'd not have a problem. You're not disgusting. You're very cute and huggable and good looking."

"Yeah right Neville's the only one turned on by my body."

"Harry has an erection from his staring and examination of your body." Luna pointed out causing Harry to make sure he was behind the counter from them. His blush though he couldn't do much about.

"I bet Seamus and the other boys in the group would get turned on too." Lavender agreed.
Neville snorted, "Seamus gets turned on by any girl that's breathing. I'm not sure he's a fair judge."

Harry laughed, "Yeah his motto is big or small he's gonna love em all."

Lavender joined in the laughing, "Or at least as many will have him."

Susan began to chuckle, "Okay. Okay. I give up. I'll try and relax but I'm still not going to get up on that stage in front of everyone."
Hermione gave the girl a hug, "I wouldn't try and force you. All I want is you to be comfortable and happy with who you are. Luna's got the right idea."

Susan looked at herself in the mirror a bit more, "Well it is comfortable I guess."

===xxx===xx

By the time they were ready for school the primary team had full combat suits and the secondary teams at least had their body suits.

"Wow. These are like a second skin." Katie said moving through the stretch routines Hermione had taught them all. Her athletic body on fine display in the tight body suit.

"Yeah. It looks tight enough on you that I'm having trouble breathing." Seamus told her with a grin.

Hermione laughed as Susan worked through her moves as well. Noticing that Seamus and Ernie both watched her move. Bill was standing to the side, "On this floor all your boots should be sounding like a stampede of oxen. Why are you so quiet?"

"Oh I put a muffling charm on the soles of the boots to reduce the noise. Make it so we can sneak better." Hermione proudly explained.

"You really still need to talk to Crown Procurement about this."
"We're prohibited from contacting the muggle government except through the proper channels of the Ministry" Susan explained, "Which right now they are not overly fond of cooperating with the muggle government. Auntie is working on getting the Death Eater sympathizers out but many of them are really entrenched in there."

"Fighting the power base within the laws is a long uphill road." Bill nodded.

"Yeah. But Auntie wants to make sure that the rule of law is upheld as much as possible. She studied history she says and too many times a violent overthrowing of government leads to a much worse government taking its place."

"Tue. The French Revolution, the War of the Roses, the Civil War. Fall of the Czars, Germany. History is replete with it. Sounds like your aunt is a smart woman."

"She is sir. I think you'd like her."

He gave a mixed expression before chuckling. "You guys are going back to school tomorrow. You ready for that?"

"I think so. One of the reasons the body suits fit so tightly is so we can wear them under our regular clothes and robes. The rest of the suit we can shrink and put in a pouch on the belt to have on hand." Hermione explained to him.

"Okay and you've all been doing really great with your training." Bill complimented them.

"Oh yeah. Everyone can throw a Patronus now. Everyone is up to speed with the knife and hand to hand. So we just need to get the intelligence so we can have something to do other than just react."

"I'm still upset we haven't gotten around to apparation yet." Hermione frowned.

"All in good time." Bill said, "it took almost six months training before the Crown said I was smart enough to tie my own boots back in SBS. You gotta walk before you can run."

Hermione frowned, "I guess."

"I know you want it all and you want it yesterday. I had a captain like that. You either outgrow it or you get it outgrown from you." He gently reminded her with a familial hug.

"I know uncle Bill."

"Well I better leave you guys to your whatever you're going to do. Your folks still want you over for dinner Harry, Hermione. Don't forget."
"We'll be there." Harry confirmed.

Once it was down to the Harry, Hermione and Luna Harry sighed. Neville, Lavender and Susan had gone to get out of the suits and go have dinner with Neville's Gramma and Madam Bones. Lavender's parents had been invited over too Neville confessed as he felt his Gramma was going to want to discus their marital future.

"You coming Harry? I think Neville has the right idea." Hermione wiggled her eyebrows.

"Actually I was thinking of keeping the bodysuit on for a bit."
"ohhkay. That could be fun too." Hermione agreed.

"Actually I was wanting to go visit my parent's graves." Harry confessed quietly.

Luna came over and took his hand. Hermione nodded, "Okay. We can go do that. Are you going to be okay though?"
"Yeah. I think its finally time I go say hi. I've never been yet. I've never had the opportunity before."

===xxx===xx

The three of them took the Knight Bus to Godric's Hollow. Stepping off Harry looked around the village. Picking a direction he started walking with the two girls falling in line beside him. They were dressed in normal clothing over their bodysuits so they did not stand out.

Reaching a war memorial in the center of the village square they saw it shift into a statue of a man and woman, with her holding a baby. The base identified them as the Potters and memorialized their sacrifice on that night. Harry studied the statue for a bit before moving on.

They followed the directions from the memorial down a short lane to a ruined house. They felt the tingle of a Anti-muggle ward and SEP field over the yard. The signboard said it was the Potter home and location of the Dark Lord's defeat in 1981. Harry snorted at the overly optimistic tone the sign had and turned away ruefully shaking his head. Hermione looked puzzled at Luna who shrugged and followed Harry.

Soon they reached a quiet churchyard. Graves going back centuries filled the space with headstones. Harry ignored most of the families until they reached the one he sought.

Walking up he saw his parents names and dates inscribed into the stone with two quotes under them, 'Where your treasure is there will your heart be also' and 'The last enemy that shall be destroyed shall be death.'

"Those are very nice quotes. However Death is not our enemy." Luna observed.

"They're from the Christian bible." Hermione absentmindedly said in her knowledge imparting tone.

"Oh that explains quite a lot then." Luna quietly said.

Harry stood there not sure how or what to feel. Both girls took his hands and stood quietly with him. He stared at the stone trying to know which emotion would win. He was sad, frustrated, angry, upset, hurt and that was just the ones he could actually put a name to.

"Harry?" Hermione asked from his left.

"I don't know what I should feel. What I should do."

"You could say hello and introduce us." Luna suggested.

Harry smiled at Luna's simple straightforward idea. It seemed better than collapsing to his knees in a sobbing mess. "Yeah, that's a good idea."
"Mum, dad. Hello. I. I uh am sorry I never came by sooner. The Dursleys didn't exactly. Well I have had a lot going on too." Harry blinked back tears as his voice faltered. Luna squeezed his right hand gently. Her small soft hand a source of comfort and warmth. Hermione slid her hand from his to put it around his waist, leaning her head on his shoulder briefly to lend him strength to go on.

"Well. I should introduce my companions. This is Hermione Granger. And this is Luna Lovegood. They're both brilliant and wonderful and amazing people. I love them so much. And I wish I could be telling you this to your face. I wish you cold meet them as they're going to be a big part of my life from now on." Harry swallowed deeply as he ran out of words.

Luna knelt and brushed some leaves and grass off the stone, "Hello Mrs Potter. Harry is being rather modest in that he has not told you about how wonderful he is and worthy of our love for him. He has also been very brave and strong, helping others and fighting against the darkness. As your friend Sirius has no doubt arrived where you are he has probably already told you a great deal. I just wanted to let you know Harry has made me very happy."

Hermione sighed, "Myself as well."
"I didn't want to speak for you." Luna replied politely.

Harry chuckled with open tears, "I guess things are turning out better than they could have been but. I wish I had known you myself. All I have are what other people told me. I. I should go now as Hermione's parents are expecting us for dinner and I don't want to disappoint them. I think from what people have told me you would have liked them. According to Emma you met her once before." Harry chuckled to himself. "But that's not important right now. I. I'll do my best. Goodbye I'll come back again at some point. I'm not sure when but I thought since I had the opportunity I should do it now."

He fell silent and a small gentle breeze stirred his hair briefly as they said a small prayer before turning and heading back out.

Luna stopped them though and began to move across the yard before stopping at another stone. This one held a family name that was quite familiar to them but the first name was unknown. Arianna Dumbledore.

"She was only 14 when she died." Luna pointed out.

"Okay. I wonder if she was related to the headmaster."

"Dumbledore is not a very common name, Hermione." Luna observed.

"I suppose. Do you think this is who he wanted the Resurrection Stone for?"
"It would make sense." Luna agreed. She looked at Harry who was looking thoughtfully at the stone then over his shoulder at his parent's stone, then back again.

"I can understand the seduction of that stone. You did right Luna to destroy it." Harry shakily said in a tired voice.

She grimly nodded, "It was too dangerous to leave with mortals."

"Let's get to dinner." Harry said with a world weary sigh.

===xxx===xx

The ride back on the bus did very little to make Harry feel much better. When they arrived at the Granger's home Emma met them at the door and gave Harry a big hug when she saw his sad face and red eyes.

"Harry? What happened?" Emma asked brushing his hair back while he started crying into her cleavage. Emma looked at the two girls who hovered nearby, "Did something happen? Did you lose someone else?"
"No Harry visited his parent's graves today." Luna stated calmly.

"Oh. Oh Harry." Emma said brushing his hair softly. "It'll be alright. Let's go sit down."

Harry pulled back looking at her face with a weak smile, "Okay. Sorry I got your, er I got you wet."

Emma brushed the tears off her cleavage as she smiled, "Not the worst that's been down there. Now come on in while Dan gets dinner ready and sit down."

Harry and the girls followed Emma into the living room and sat on the couch. Harry took a deep breath and took Hermione's hand when she sat beside him. Luna curled herself against his legs, laying her head on his thigh.

"So you visited your parent's grave? I take it this was the first time."

"Yeah the Dursleys didn't want to go. They said. Well you know their opinion of them." Harry said
"The opinion of the Dursleys is about as valuable as a lace condom, and just as useful." Emma declared in a very negative tone.

Harry chuckled a little bit. "Yeah, and I never had a chance before due to other things going on. So I got the idea to go talk to them. To introduce Hermione and Luna to them."
"Bringing the girlfriends home to meet the parents eh? Not a bad idea." Dan joshed from the doorway.

"Yeah. Only I don't know if I felt what I should have."
Emma reached out and patted his hand, "Whatever you felt was normal for you Harry. There is no set pattern for grieving. No one grieves the same way."
"I don't remember them. They turned the house where it happened into a war memorial and I just looked at it and felt nothing. When I went to their graves all I felt was emptiness. Sadness that I never knew them. Anger that they were stolen before I knew them. And. Well confused I guess."

"All perfectly normal Harry. Although trying to feel all those things at once is going to cause you to explode if you try to hold it in." Dan said coming in to sit beside Emma on the arm of her chair.

Harry nodded, "I think I'm realizing that. Part of the confusion is that I feel better here with you than I have ever. Not at the Weasleys, not at the Dursleys. Not even really at Hogwarts. I feel like I finally have a family."
"Well I appreciate that Harry. We don't want to take away from any feelings you have for your own parents. I know you lost them very early but still they were your parents and didn't want to leave you I'm sure." Emma said causing him to sniffle deeply but nod. "But you're definitely family to us too."

"Thanks. Mum." Harry said softly.

Emma took his hand and gently held it, "Thank you Harry. I'll try to live up to that."

Harry nodded smiling through his tears as his family stayed with him.

===xxx===xx

The teens made arrangements with Dobby and Winky to meet them at the station in the morning with their things as they would be spending the night with the Grangers. They spent that night talking, playing a board game and generally trying to put the pain, the war, the threat of darkness as far from them as they could.

Going to bed that night Luna sighed in contentment as she complimented Emma on being a very good mother. Emma had moist eyes when she went to bed that night.

The next morning they had a happy breakfast and set out to get to the station. Stopping at the barrier the three teens hugged the two adults tightly before entering the world that one of them had a destiny to save, with the help of his closest friends.

Walking onto the platform Harry and the girls thanked the two elves for bringing their things to them and went to catch up with their friends. Harry looked around and did not see the distinctive Weasley red hair anywhere. They did see several Aurors watching the crowds and walking in pairs up and down the platform.

===xxx===xx

Sitting on the train Harry and his friends were discussing the upcoming year when the door opened. All six of them in the compartment looked up to see a tall attractive blonde girl standing there with a calm emotionless expression on her pale ivory skinned face. High cheekbones sat on either side of a sharp aristocratic nose. Ice blue eyes bored into Harry briefly before flickering over the others in the compartment. Hermione and the others had worn their bodysuits under their clothes unsure of what would happen.

"Hello." Lavender greeted the newcomers politely.

"Hello. I'd like to speak with Potter and his brides for a moment." She said in a perfectly controlled mezzo-soprano voice through heart shaped blood red lips. "Alone please."

Neville looked at the girl with a suspicious raise of his eyebrow. "And we should allow this because?"
"I am Daphne Greengrass." She said as if that should have been as apparent as gravity makes things fall.

Harry tapped Neville on the knee and gestured with his head towards the door. Neville frowned but stood, "Hey you guys want to go see if Katie has shoved Seamus in a luggage rack yet?"

Lavender and Susan looked at Harry who nodded slightly before joining Neville. "Yeah. I think he's got a crush on her." Susan opined as they left.

Daphne seated herself primly and stiffly. Her perfectly manicured green nailed hands clasped in her lap. "You wanted to speak with me this summer Lord Potter-Black." She stated not asked.

"Yes. I'm sure by now you know of the expectation placed on myself to fight Voldemort."
She raised her hand stopping him, "There is a reason why many do not speak his name."

"Yeah they're afraid of him." Harry said quickly.

Daphne gave a small polite snort, "With good reason. In the last uprising he placed a taboo on his name. If anyone other than his marked followers used that name a team of Death Eaters would immediately apparate to the location of the one who spoke that name. Usually the one who uttered it would die or worse disappear."

"Okay. I'm still not going to stop using his name." Harry defiantly declared.

Daphne looked at him with a delicately arched eyebrow raised. "Either that is foolhardy ignorance, or rash bravery. Either way it is unsafe."
"My entire life has been unsafe. Saying his name is not really much different."
She conceded the point, "What do you want from myself?"

"Well its obvious you hear things, you observe what's going on and you are smart enough to fill in the blanks. We need information to take the fight to them." Harry implored her, "We need help. We can't do this all by ourselves."
She actually, briefly, looked surprised before she schooled her features again. "And why would I want to help you? What benefit would I get from doing so?"

"Well uh. What kind of benefit do you want?"

She leaned back with her left arm on the back of the seat and her right hand holding her chin in thought. Harry tried not to notice that this made her shirt stretch slightly across her high firm bosom. When she noticed Harry's gaze she frowned causing him to decide that eye contact would be a very safe thing to maintain.

"There are rumors that you either are or have formed the Dumbledore's Army club again over the summer."

Harry non-committally answered, "Maybe."

"Either you have or you have not. Judging by your comment earlier I would say yes you have."

"Okay yes we have." Harry confirmed, "I want to start taking the fight to them. I'm tired of reacting."

"And your precious headmaster is supporting this?"

Hermione this time coldly said, "We did not exactly leave him much room to refuse."

Daphne seemed to find that more impressive, "Now that is unexpected. Trouble in team Dumbledore?"
"Not exactly trouble, just more like a difference of opinion on a few things." Harry smiled brightly as he said that.

Daphne chuckled for a brief beat, "What sort of difference."
"Dumbledore is fighting to redeem the Death Eaters I'm fighting to end them. To vanquish them and their leader." Harry firmly said this time. Recalling the words of the prophecy.

Daphne smiled, it was just the barest hint at the corners of her mouth, "You would be willing to get your hands dirty?"

Harry swallowed but nodded, "I already have. I've fought him three times now. Each time was a draw but eventually I will win."

Daphne looked at him like she was examining him, making a decision. "So you're not going to play by the rules like Dumbledore and the Ministry?"

"Do the Death Eaters play by the rules?" Harry countered.

"True the only rules they have is to obey the Dark Lord's whims and try not to get killed."

"Exactly. Playing by the rules in the first war got my parents killed, almost got me killed before I'd even lived. Given the choice between us or them. I choose us."
Daphne stood up. "Very well Potter-Black. According to rumors there is a plot afoot in the castle. Draco is in it up to his eyebrows."

"What kind of plot?"
"To kill the headmaster." She said then turned to leave, "Oh. One more thing, pay attention to Draco's sartorial choices."

"So is this helping us?"
"I'll have to discus with my sister a few things. However I feel that we can come to equitable terms. I may have a few, favors to ask from you as well you understand."
Harry nodded, "I can live with it."

Giving a half smile Daphne nodded, "Good. I will contact you again, do not attempt to speak with me unless it is a dire emergency." Then she left the compartment.

"Well I see why she got the Ice Queen nickname." Harry said sitting down.

"Do you think we can trust her?" Hermione frowned.

"Maybe. Luna you think she can be trusted?"
"She seemed interested in helping."

"Well then I guess we'll trust her unless she gives us reason not to." Harry decided.

===xxx===xx

Neville and the others came back and discussed not only what Daphne had told them about the upcoming plot but Draco as well. They had seen him and his circle sitting in a compartment laughing about something. Millicent and Goyle holding hands, Pansy with her head in Draco's lap. Zabini, Nott and Crabbe rounding out the group.

"So what about his sartorial choices?" Harry asked.

"Yeah they're all wearing identical tight black turtleneck shirts with long sleeves under their uniform shirts. It looks rather stylish but strange as they are ALL wearing them. Even Millicent and Pansy."

"You don't suppose they copied off your bodysuit idea do you?" Harry asked.

"I don't know. I'd have to get a look at one of the shirts. If they did we must have a spy or leak somewhere." Hermione was frowning.

"You don't suppose Kreacher let them know do you?" Neville suggested, "He was rather loyal to the other team."
Luna shook her head, "No. Harry ordered him not to reveal any secrets of his house when he took his ring. As well as he's been working to improve his loyalty. I don't think it was him."

"Could it have been one of your family? I mean they are defenseless against magic Hermione." Susan pointed out.

"Uncle Bill is the only one that knows the details, or as much as he could understand."
Susan shook her head, "Okay but if the memory was pulled from his head intact he wouldn't have to understand. Whomever did it would just have to look at the memory."
"Maybe we could get Professor Lupin to check your family and make sure they've not been compromised. See if he can help bolster their defenses." Harry suggested.

"Alright. If someone has messed with my family though. They'll be lucky if I only use their testicles for castanets." Hermione glared out the window.

"It might just be a coincidence. Black is extremely slimming and stylish." Luna stated calmly while reading her Quibbler, "And it would help hide their dark mark."

Everyone looked at her suddenly, "You think they took the dark mark?" Harry asked.

"It makes sense. All of them have Death Eater parents, all of them are extremely bigoted and desire power for themselves. People want to be part of something bigger than themselves, especially if they feel it could benefit themselves." Luna replied glancing up from her magazine like she realized everyone else was still in the room.

Harry glanced at Hermione who nodded, "Okay. Looks like we have something else to watch out for."

She nodded her agreement.

===xxx===xx

Arriving at the Hogsmeade station they filed out to find the crowds being checked by professor Flitwick. He was running his wand over every student before they would be allowed through the gates.

Draco growled, "Great this is going to take all night. Some of us are hungry and would like to get to the feast already."
"Ye shut it Malfoy. The headmaster himsel' ordered this to be done to every student." Hagrid growled at Malfoy. "And the carriages arn't comin down until the lat one's been checked."

"What? Are you kidding me you giant oaf."

"Nah kidden ya tal. Now gawon an get checked ou." Hagrid growled. "All tha wanna ge throu tha gate are gunna get it. Dumbledore's orders."

"Oh even his personal pet Potter is going to get probed too?"

"I bet he'd enjoy it." Pansy shrilly snickered in a bad stage whisper.

Hermione sauntered up to the Ravenclaw professor before Hagrid could say anything else and said in a sultry tone, "I have utterly nothing to hide sir. Let's see if Malfoy can say the same." Pulling her shirt over her head to reveal the tight lines of the black bodysuit. The squat professor and the towering Hagrid both stared at her in shock as she quickly pulled her trousers off too. Tossing her clothes to the side casually she smirked at everyone, moving slowly and making sure they watched her.

Flitwick found his voice as Hermione reached for the seal at the neck of her suit, "There was no need to strip to your underwear Miss Granger. No need to go any further now. Please." He panted quickly.

"Oh. Sorry professor. I was just wanting to show that I have utterly nothing to hide. Nothing to be ashamed about." She said looking contritely at the professors with a pout.

"Yes well go on through and please put your clothes on Miss Granger. No need to be traipsing about in your chemise. Or whatever that is." Flitwick awkwardly stated. Hagrid shook his head before turning back to the first years and hustling them to the boats muttering something Harry didn't catch under his breath.

"Well you still need to use your wand to probe me sir." She huskily stated. Several of the older students chuckled and laughed as the professor turned red. Averting his eyes he waved his wand in the general direction of Hermione before gesturing for her to continue.

Draco stood glowering as Luna stepped up with her hands going for the buttons on her shirt causing Flitwick to squeak out "Go on through I'll vouch for you."

"No sir I want to be probed just as much as Hermione was. It's only fair. Only someone with a guilty conscience wouldn't want to be probed by you."

"Oh. Alright." The minute professor sighed and repeated the process he did for Hermione. The others then moved through with him reacting mostly the same. Harry and his friends stood on the other side of the gates by the carriages smiling at Draco and his friends.

"C'mon Draco. We went through the process. You have something to hide?" Harry sneered.

"I've got nothing to hide Potter." he stomped up to Flitwick and sneered, "Probe away professor."

The professor shrugged and followed the methods. Draco came through clean as did Nott and Blaise. Goyle had some kind of gloves the professor confiscated. Millicent caused the wand to make a strange warbling sound as it went over her deep cleavage. Flitwick looked at her strangely then asked her to remove whatever made the wand alert.

"I can't its my corset." She said arrogantly. The tall girl put her hands on her broad hips thrusting her large G cup bosom outwards. Her thick waist putting lie to the phrase nothing grows in the shade.

"None the less the detection spell has found something now either step aside and allow others to pass until I can get a female professor here or remove whatever you're attempting to smuggle in." Flitwick had recovered his authority and had drawn himself to his full height.

Millicent boredly sneered at him and with a shrug stepped to the side. Flitwick watched her for a moment then began to work on the other students to clear the backup.

"What was that all about Draco. Trying to smuggle something into the school down Millicent's blouse?" Lavender laughed.

Draco snorted but said nothing.

"You forget Draco doesn't like big soft breasts he likes small flat boyish ones." Hermione sarcastically declared. "I mean look at Pansy."

Pansy sneered at them. "My breasts are perfectly fine thank you very much. Some of us just do not need to flaunt themselves like common whores."

"Oh. You mean you actually have breasts? I thought those were an allergic reaction to a mosquito bite." Susan snarked.

"Some of us do like the more athletic build and not some fat cow. Mud-blood. Speaking of udders where are your fat-bags?" Draco sneered while holding his hand up to calm Pansy down.

"Oh I still have them. I just thought I'd dress down for the trip." Hermione ran her hand over her chest, "You know that way you don't wind up drooling too much."

"Yeah sure. The potion must have worn off. Well I've wasted enough time with you people I need to get moving." Draco grumped, "This is taking forever."

"Well you're more than welcome to start walking up to the castle you know." Neville chuckled.

"Its a mile. Are you kidding me? I'll wait for the carriages."

"Suit yourself." Hermione said tossing her hair and heading off towards the castle at a slow jog. The others shrugged or smirked at Draco then moved off to follow her. Harry paused to talk to Ernie to have him and the second squad stay and watch over the Slytherins. Then took off to

A few hundred yards up the lane Harry caught up with Hermione. "Hey. What was that all about?"

"I have a few things in my pocket I didn't want to risk being examined. I was trying to figure a way out of it when Draco gave me the perfect opening."

Susan was frowning, "I wonder what Millicent was smuggling?"

"I don't know. With her size it could have been anything at all." Neville observed, "You and her have the largest boobs in the school."

Looking down at her own cleavage Susan sighed, "I know. I tried wearing a minimizer but that just made me look funny. Way out of proportion."

Neville shook his head, "You look just fine the way you are."

Susan sighed but didn't reply.

"What has me curious is why Draco was so upset he wasn't going to get to the castle before the feast. I mean they had to know this would take a long time so they would be prepared. They'll hold the feast."

"I suppose they would. It does make sense."

===xxx===xx

The group was met at the castle front steps by the headmaster.

"Ahh good evening. I was informed that you had decided to take a lovely stroll before dinner."

"Yes sir. Is there a problem."

He took a deep breath but smiled at them, "No the problem has resolved itself. I was hoping I could apologize to Miss Lovegood."
"Apologize to me?" Luna said in surprise.

"Yes, Miss Lovegood. You were quite correct in your beliefs about that item. I was too seduced by it to think rationally or clearly. So can you forgive a foolish old man for being upset with you?"
Luna blinked several times processing the headmaster's words before she nodded, "I can and do. I am sorry for not discussing it with you."
Dumbledore laughed, "I have to admit the vision of you swinging a sword around was rather disturbing to me, however I would not have listened to your words. I fear I would have risked my life to use that item."

Luna nodded, "You're guilty over your sister's death."
Dumbledore tilted his head quickly at her in surprise. "You know of her?"

Hermione interrupted quickly, "We went with Harry to Godric's Hollow. He wanted to visit his parent's grave and we saw the graves of an Arianna and a Kendra Dumbledore.

Dumbledore sat on the stairs looking into the growing dusk, "My sister Arianna and my mother. Father was buried in another place."

"My condolences sir." Several of them said softly.

"Thank you. Yes she is the one I wished to speak with. To let her know I was sorry for the things that happened that day. For you see in my youth I became close to a person who I thought had a rather bright idea. A rather glorious idea that in my infatuation I did not think through. When they crossed a line too far I began to question things. They did not accept that, they would not have their actions questioned and we dueled. In the ensuing crossfire Arianna was struck by a spell. Only I do not know which of us cast the killing blow. I was cleared and my companion fled, abandoning myself in the darkest moment of my life."

Luna gave the headmaster a hug which surprised him as he stiffened briefly before patting her on the back, "Its okay sir. She will see you again. I'm sure she'll understand."
"Well, I hope so. Now as I have no doubt it will still be a few minutes before the rest of your classmates arrive perhaps you should go on in and freshen up before the feast?" Dumbledore politely suggested. His eyes glistened instead of twinkled.

"Yes sir." The six said politely as they moved inside.

====xxx===xx(Review responses)

Kelwin: Thank you. Hope you enjoyed the last chapter I did of Slide by Slide the series.

Jadesabrexiv: Draco will get his in the end oh yeah. His personality is such a wonderful one to write as I get to channel all the smarmiest jerkwads and arrogant bums I have ever met. Thank you on the birthday. I thought it would be the way they would celebrate the changes. Lupin is fun as he is such a polite and quiet guy when he doesn't have his monthly issue. Hope you liked the resolution of the ring issue. I did. And those are some interesting ideas. Could definitely be intriguing.

OfficerDonNZ: Oh of course he'll get his in the end, and not in the happy way. A polite, nice and respectful Malfoy? Not this time around. Lol.

IdlemanRPG: Yeah Susan is a redhead. I goofed but covered myself rather well in this chapter (Maybe. Lol) Hope you liked the description of her. I have notes on the changes from the actors I've made or the common fanon as well as my alterations for the second and third tier characters in my notebook. Millicent was also described in this one. They are very similar except Millicent is taller so her figure is a bit more stretched at least in school. Thank you for the compliment about Lavender and her looks. Beauty really is a matter of perception and cultural bias.

Dennisud: Ahh cool. Thanks. I am still working on the phoenix and some of the other ideas but my mind keeps drifting back to this one the easiest. Glad you're enjoying it. We met one of the sisters in Green. And oh yeah I haven't forgotten about our french connection. Just going to bring her in at a certain point later.