AUTHOR NOTE: Had pointed out a couple of name mistakes and verb action as well as pronoun disagreements. Edited and reposted. Not a new chapter.
"So what would happen if he tried to do that ritual with a non-virgin?" Hermione asked looking straight at Harry.
"Well according to the research it would cause a backlash and destroy the soul anchor that was being used. With a chance of destroying all the souls connected to that soul. If the writings are accurate."
Hermione got her thinking look on before shaking her head, "We've already told everyone that Harry's had sex with Ron and Ginny. It won't work."
"A simple purity spell would reveal the truth of that." Lavender pointed out.
"True if they wanted to check."
"There was a Slytherin girl groping Ginny in the bathroom this morning. I doubt it was merely a clumsy attempt to feel Ginny up as her aura had some strange indicators in it. I think she has a sensitive ability."
"So they will probably keep checking." Ginny sighed in disgust.
"It is possible given your familial bloodlines."
Veronica was looking very worried, "I don't want my soul eaten. I don't want my soul eaten." She was quietly repeating as she seemed to be working up to a full blown panic attack.
Lavender pulled her into a hug and whispered something into her ear and held her until she began to cry.
Snape walked in at that moment and rolling his eyes made a disgusted growl. "What hyperbolic drama is going on now?"
"Hey she just found out the dark lord wants to eat her soul. I think a bit of empathy is in order." Harry growled back.
"Yes I am aware of that. However I am certain you will provide her the required..comfort."
Harry glared at the crass man as Hermione got a thoughtful look. He continued though, "The appropriate precautions are available from Madam Pomfrey. Now that that drama has been resolved shall we get on with the more important task of destroying one of the dark lords soul anchors?"
Dumbledore chuckled, "Yes Severus, although young life is very important as well. The young lady only gets one chance to make the right choice with this."
He gave a derisive snort as he pulled out his potion equipment. Setting the heavy metal flask on the bench. He glared at everyone until they took several steps back. He pulled out the needle and placed several drops on the outside of the locket. When nothing happened other than the venom was drawn like mercury to the stones. He glared at the locket before turning to the headmaster, "It is as I feared the stones are snake stones. They draw any venom into themselves and neutralize it. It is one of the properties of Connemara marble."
"So we shall have to find a way to open the locket then."
"I believe so. The Dark Lord must have developed his anchors over time. The diary was probably his first which was why it was so pitifully easy to destroy."
Hermione flexed her fingers saying sarcastically, "That was easy?"
"Yes. As you see he took steps to prevent basilisk venom from destroying the case. It is alchemical gold which is as strong as goblin steel. And it registers as magically inert. As in it does not interact with magic any more so than lead. So this is far more difficult to destroy."
Harry gave a sad exhalation at that, "It needs to be opened. It's like a particularly tough nut."
"Yes. Do you have any theories as to how it might be opened?"
"Probably like the Chamber." Harry slowly said.
"That does make sense. Salazar did have a rather high fondness for snakes. Highly odd for someone from Ireland."
"Well get ready to spray it." harry said stepping closer.
Snape frowned but drew out several more drops of the venom. Harry looked at his friends and then whispered to it "open"
Apparently it was not password protected or otherwise required some trigger phrase as the locket snapped open so suddenly Harry jumped back expecting it to explode or something to leap out. What was much worse was the eye, the hideous blood red slit pupiled eye in the locket was staring at him. Looking into his very soul and whispering things. Whispering that nobody actually loved him. They were just using him. That's the only reason they wanted him. The Dursleys, Dumbledore, Luna, Hermione even all just wanted him for what he could do for them or give them. He tried to fight the whispers but they made so much sense, it was all clear to him. All he had to do was put on the locket and he could control them. They would kneel before him.
Hermione went to go to Harry when she heard the whispers, the call that she could be a queen among mortals. Those bitches that teased her in school all of the ones who laughed at her could be trod under her feet. The filthy muggles holding her back. Keeping her from knowing things. The deep secrets of the universe could be hers all she had to do was put on the locket.
Veronica heard the voice telling her she would be powerful, she could have Harry all to herself and the other girls would accept it knowing she was the most loving, the most worthy. All she had to do was put on the locket. Put on the locket and the others wouldn't matter she would have her harry forever.
Ginny heard the voice and she screamed in her mind. She recognized that voice. It had called to her to write her soul into the diary. It had tried to consume her. It had made her want to do things. She screamed but it whispered to her that it was pointless to resist. All she had to do was put on the locket. Come and put on the locket little child and you will be a goddess. You will have power and be strong. When she recoiled and tried to resist it became a cruel voice again. No more sweetness and honey. You will be mine. I shall come for you in the darkness, I shall come for you no matter what you do. I feel that I have been here before. I will be here again. Wear the locket and be mine forever. She screamed. She screamed to try and drown the voice out but it was too strong.
Everyone snapped out of their visions Harry and Hermione were both reaching for the locket. Ginny was curled in a ball on the floor screaming at the top of her lungs. Veronica was standing there in a stuperous smile her hand gently rubbing her right breast while tears streamed down her face. Neville was visibly trying to control himself while Snape was curled on the floor crying huge heaving sobs.
The needle containing the venom was buried in the locket's interior a strange saffron jelly was oozing from the foamy thick interior. A strange burnt sulfurous smell filled the room in a thin haze.
"WHAT THE BLOODY FUCKING HELL WAS THAT!" Neville suddenly roared.
Dumbledore pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his face. "I believe that was the soul piece's final defense. An attempt to entice us to wear the locket which would allow the soul to enter and take over. A rather cruel yet effective method."
Luna was stroking Ginny's back. Veronica shook her head and sheepishly looked around before kneeling by her sister. "Sir what's wrong with Ginny?"
Minerva rushed over and looked into Ginny's eyes which were wide open and staring straight ahead. She was shivering and her mouth was wide open but she had stopped screaming. "She's in shock. We need to take her to the hospital now."
"Very well please go."
They tried to get Ginny to relax her limbs so they could help her walk but she was clenched into a ball as tightly as she could her muscles resisting any attempt to uncurl her. She had retreated into herself Luna said. They finally had to levitate her in a ball and walk to the hospital wing with her. Veronica walking beside her with lavender on her other side.
Dumbledore looked at his potions master who had stopped crying and was wiping his own eyes looking at harry strangely he gave a flicker of a sympathetic smile. "You must remember that the Dark Lord is a master manipulator. He seeks your weakest point and preys upon it until you succumb. He has no mercy and no empathy. Your darkest pains and secrets are like sweet nectar to him. Anything you saw from this was nothing more than the whispers of darkness trying to seduce you."
Harry looked at Snape in surprise. He had actually sounded like he cared for a moment.
He gathered up the flask and sighing he looked at the headmaster, "Unless there is anything more pressing I shall retire to my quarters. I should like to remain undisturbed."
"I believe we would all like that Severus. I believe we all would."
With a nod to harry Snape gathered his cloak around him and marched out.
"As Severus said harry Tom is a master manipulator he seeks the pain in our soul. He finds our doubts and hidden fears and tries to exploit them. Don't allow this to cloud your relationships."
"yes sir. I. I'll try."
"I believe there is an empty classroom a few hallways over if you want to take a few minutes before rejoining your associates in the dormitory."
"Thank you sir."
=====xxxxx=====
Harry, Neville, Luna, and Hermione were sitting in the classroom quietly thinking when Hermione finally said quietly, "Harry what did it say to you?"
"It promised me power. It said some other stuff but it's all lies."
"Yeah man. It promised me power too. It promised to let me save my parents." Neville said sniffing a little bit.
"It promised me a family but I don't need it. I already have a family." Luna said firmly.
Harry pulled her into a hug.
Hermione nodded numbly, "Yeah it promised to make me a queen. It promised me power and the usual stuff. I wonder what happened to Ginny?"
"She probably reacted badly as she had already been touched by a piece of that thing before." Luna sighed holding Harry tightly.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" Neville asked in concern.
"I don't know. She may be."
"We should go to bed."
Hermione took and transfigured a couple of desks into a large bed and bedding. Harry understood and they snuggled in together. Putting the girls in the middle Harry and Neville holding them protectively.
=====xxxxx====
They woke up with lavender snuggled against Neville's back. She had joined them in the night and Neville whispering to Luna to move over was glad to see her.
The Quintet stretched and cast cleaning charms to compensate for their lack of being in the dorms.
"So How's Ginny?" Harry asked worried about their friend.
"She was sleeping comfortably when I left. Veronica was watching her. She's become a very fierce big sister."
"Well that's good. We should go see them" Luna.
====xxxxx=====
Reaching the hospital wing Madam Pomfrey glanced at them with a sigh. When she saw that none of them were injured she nodded towards the convalescent ward and went back to talking to a sixth year that had been having nightmares about dark creatures coming to eat her.
They came around the curtain to find Ginny still asleep. He features calm and restful. Veronica was sitting up reading a book. Hermione glanced at the title and smiled slightly when she saw that it was a book dealing with how to care for those with mental trauma.
Veronica looked up with her hand dropping off the book to her side. Harry figured her wand was tucked into her side pocket or on the chair beside her. "Hey we come in peace. How is everything?"
Veronica sighed, "She woke up a bit ago. She was scared and shivering. Said something about make it stop. Make the voice stop. Madam Pomfrey gave her a calming draught and she went back to sleep." She said while stroking her sisters hair.
"So she hasn't talked about what happened."
Victoria shook her head. "Nah. I'm sorry about how I reacted."
"It promised you something too."
She nodded. "It promised me Harry. All for myself."
Hermione took a sharp intake of breath. Veronica stopped her, "Don't. I know that's never going to happen and I'm really okay about it. Honestly. It would be selfish of me to try and break in and hurt you guys."
Hermione let out the breath she had taken but said "Okay. That's rather more mature of you than I was expecting."
Veronica shrugged. "I'm changed I guess in more ways than one. I've got to be a better me. I've got to be a big sister cause she needs me. The twins and mom and. They aren't going to understand all of this."
"No but we can." Luna said sitting on the bed so she could put her hand over Veronica's and Ginny's.
"Thanks guys. You really are the best."
=====xxxxx=====
By lunch Ginny had awoken again and was denying she had a problem. She refused to talk to madam Pomfrey or allow her to call her mother or the Healer's at Saint Mungos. She said she was fine and would not talk to them either. Professor Sprout had tried to talk gently to the girl but she shook her head vehemently so the head of Hufflepuff reluctantly counter signed the release. Ginny gingerly got dressed and joined her friends in the great hall. Veronica walking with her.
The Quintet surrounded and enveloped her as soon as she arrived. Her entire countenance relaxing and becoming calmer. Taking the food that Lavender put on her plate and eating it while talking softly about non-consequential things.
Professor Dumbledore watched them with with a degree of satisfaction that at least his favorites were all together. That the mistakes he had made would be taken care of and when he eventually passed the core group he was building would be able to take the reins and build things up again for the greater good. He thought of the bard's words that he had to be cruel to be kind. The world had a sickness that had to be dealt with. He had tried to do so as a young man and discovered that he only contributed to the sickness. Had helped it grow. He let his thoughts drift off towards the huge gaps he had purposely ripped out as they were so painful even he could not deal with them. He knew there had been memories there of course. He had been careful to excise only those memories he could stand to lose.
He was brought out of his reverie by a gentle shake on his elbow, "Albus" Minerva had called.
He looked at her and assumed his smiling grandfather expression, noticing the great hall was rather quiet.
"Welcome back Albus. Are you well?"
"No worse than any other 112 year old man."
"Minerva gave him a rather pointed expression with her arched eyebrow speaking volumes." he chuckled as he said that. Recognizing the look she gave him was deserved.
"My expression is a moot point Albus. You were staring at my lions for most of the lunch. You did not touch your food. Either you had a stroke or an out of body experience."
Sighing he shook his head, "Neither sadly. I strolled down memory lane. A much more dangerous and unpleasant excursion."
Minerva softened her expression and the grip on her friend's arm grew softer. "Do you want to discus it?"
"No Minerva not only do I come from a generation that discouraged such things but I'm not sure I would want to, even with as old and dear a friend as yourself."
She sighed, "Your desire to keep secrets is rapidly burning many bridges Albus."
"Yes I know. Let us hope though that at least a few can remain standing."
=====xxxxx=====
The Quintet had gone to a quiet room in the far empty reaches of the castle for their free period after lunch.
"You ever wonder why there are so many empty rooms and wings. I mean this entire wing is nothing but empty room after empty room."
"The castle was built for a maximum of almost 2000 students and teachers, plus their families and servants for the nobility. If there had been a siege the population could have reached 6000 or more. It was meant to be not only a school but a place of refuge. The founders lived during the middle ages. A dark time of plague, wars, religious persecution. The purges against magicals drove them into secrecy. Even if it wasn't codified until closer to modern times the magical communities had to live in secret and prevent their neighbors finding out. Which is why Hogsmeade is so far out in the Scottish Highlands." Hermione sadly explained transfiguring some of the pieces of furniture into a round table and seven chairs.
Harry took one of the chairs with a chuckle, "So who gets to be king Arthur?" he said looking at the three chairs on either side of him and across the table at the empty spot.
Veronica sat down about a fourth of the way around from him on his right, "Well dad's not here or he'd be happy to."
"I thought we said Luna was in charge of the coven thing." Neville said sitting at five o clock position at the table.
"I am the leader of the coven yes, but I think harry should be our war leader." She said sitting on Harry's right between him and Veronica.
"Do we really need a war leader?" Lavender said sitting on Neville's left across the gap and next to Veronica.
"War is coming Lavender. We cannot deny it." Hermione said taking the seat to Harry's left and gesturing for Ginny to take the last one between her and Neville.
"If that's the case maybe we shouldn't be here." Ginny quietly said looking at the chair Hermione had gestured towards.
Luna shook her head, "Nonsense Ginny Fate brought the two of you to our group for a reason. You will not weaken us by joining us."
"But he wants me. He wants to take over me. I'm a weakness."
"Harry us carrying part of his soul locked in a magical cyst Ginny. The girls are his lovers and I'm his friend, his brother. The dark lord wants to kill all of us. If you're our friend or not it won't change any of that." Neville said gently standing up and pulling the chair out for her.
She looked at him slowly. Moving towards the chair hesitantly she sat down and let Neville slide her chair in for her, he sat down beside her and smiled softly at her. Veronica looked across the table at them and smiled while Lavender merely reached across and patted his arm.
"Okay well as the knights are assembled and the table complete shall we begin?" Harry called out after Ginny had relaxed.
"You're taking this seriously Harry?" veronica asked turning at his tone of voice.
"Yeah. We better. Neville's right no matter what we do we are going to wind up fighting if not Voldemort at least his followers. Draco's already tried to get you to do things to us. I bet he was involved in the death of McCormick. I bet he's getting special training isn't he?"
"Yeah Peter taught us a few spells. I wasn't very good at most of them."
"Good enough to twist my legs all up."
"Yeah I know." Veronica rubbed the table with her head down in shame.
"Ginny Ron's trying to be a better person."
"I know but it hurt. It hurt so much. Not just physically but to have my own brother do that."
"I know. Looking back it hurts me too. I wish I could go back and change and stop all that but I can't so I'm trying to do good now."
"You've been working at it Veronica. You're doing much better than you were." Luna said comfortingly.
"Thanks."
"That's why harry is going to have sexual relations with you."
Hermione rolled her eyes, not in surprise as she was considering it herself, at the blunt way Luna put it.
Harry started coughing before he managed to stammer out "uh don't I get a say in this?"
"I suppose so harry. Timing, position, who gets to be on top. But it is obvious that removing Veronica's virginity would be denying an avenue for resurrection for Voldemort."
"And mine." Ginny said suddenly.
"I did not want to speak for you given the things that have happened."
"The almost rape of me."
"Yes that." Luna said with a pained look.
"I. I think I could stand it with Neville or Harry. I know they care and won't hurt me."
Harry looked across the table at Neville who just shrugged. "Well it'll be your choice Ginny. I guess Veronica and I will be doing it at some point."
Hermione snickered, "Try not to get too excited Ronnie. You're still a friend with benefits now. Just those benefits got an upgrade."
"Okay sure. I'm just happy to be here and I know you're only doing that so the dark lord can't use us. Happens all the time you sacrifice a pawn to prevent their rook getting a good position."
"Hey you're not a pawn. And I don't think Hermione is going to kill me for saying that as a girl you've turned out rather good looking."
Veronica laughed, "Uh thanks harry. You're just saying that to be nice and make me feel better."
Luna turned and shook her head. "No veronica you are actually quite attractive. You have long flowing red hair, rather nicely developed face with pretty blue eyes, just a smattering of freckles, plump full lips, large bosom, a heart shaped bottom and legs. Very very long legs. It's like you're made of legs." She said breathlessly.
The breathless way Luna described her made Harry wonder just who was wanting to sleep with Veronica more. Ginny started laughing.
"Great she gets taller and sexier and I get shorter and fatter."
"Hey you're not fat. You're just pleasingly plump." Neville said with a grin.
"You have got to be kidding." Ginny said looking at him.
"I like curves."
Harry laughed at the way Neville wiggled his eyebrows at her with that.
"Okay lets just say that all of the girls in this room are very attractive physically to us one way or another and that neither Neville or I would turn any of you down."
Ginny blushed but smiled awkwardly.
"Well that means we will need to ensure they are not going to get pregnant. It would not do any of us benefit to have that happening right now." Hermione stated ever practical.
"Okay let's make this our headquarters and get settled in here. While we're at school this will be our hideaway."
The others agreed and set about making plans. Talking to Ginny and Veronica to make sure they really wanted to lose their virginity and understood they would not just be used and tossed away. They were going to be friends and family after this.
======xxxxx====
That evening before dinner both Weasley girls went to Madam Pomfrey to get a check-up and receive their monthly protection potions. Madam Pomfrey giving the usual speech and making sure they were going to do things of their own free will and not under duress.
Dinner Hermione and Luna placed Veronica on Harry's immediate right then glared across the room at Draco. Daring him to say anything. That Lavender had specifically put Ginny on Neville's right side was not lost on Draco either.
Draco was cursing Romilda for her blunt and blatant method. It must have tipped them off and they were going to rectify that matter. He would have thought that Ginny would have been more reluctant after that night but somehow they must have helped her over it. He knew those two white knights would never force themselves on a girl no matter what. They actually believed that silly tot about love being important and all that feck. Father had taught him that sex was just one more tool, one more weapon. People would either use you or you would use them. Nothing else mattered. He rubbed his finger where the Malfoy family ring would someday sit and imagined smashing harry Potter in the face with it. Wondering if the Malfoy family crest would leave an imprint or not.
=====xxxxx=====
The classroom they had commandeered had an attached professor's office with its own water closet. With some work and transfiguration they turned it into a nice bedroom. Harry, Veronica, Neville and Ginny were left alone in the bedroom to discus who was going to do what to whom.
"Hey I'm not doing anything in front of my sister now."
"We know Veronica. We're just making sure you two really want to go through with this. You have a choice. We're not going to force you."
"I already said I wanted to and if you want to then I'm not going to complain." Veronica said wringing her hands in front of her.
"Okay."
Neville looked at Ginny who took a deep breath and said, "Yeah but I want Neville to take care of me. No offense Harry. "
"None taken. Okay?"
"Oh-kay." She said hesitantly.
"Uh Veronica why don't we step out and let these two have the room?"
"They get the bed?"
"Well Hermione taught me this trick that involves the table and a levitation spell." Harry explained putting his arm around her waist as they left.
Ginny stood quietly after they left. Neville approached her carefully and gently. Stroking her hair softly.
"So uh. You want me to lie down on the bed or is there anything you want me to do?" Ginny spoke quietly with a slight tremble.
"If you don't want to do this. I'll understand. We'll find some other way to protect you from him."
She shook her head, "No I have to get over this. I have to." She swallowed
Neville just held his hand on her shoulder. Trying to be supportive. Trying to know what to say or do. Curse his stupid tongue. Harry always seemed to know what to say. How to smooth talk and make wisecracks. Make the girls laugh and comfort them.
Ginny buried her face in his chest so swiftly and suddenly that Neville almost lost his balance. She was crying softly. Not what he had expected after Lavender had practically torn his clothes off for their first time together. He held her in a hug and let her cry.
"I'm sorry Neville. Its not you. Its not fair."
He led her over to the bed so they could at least sit. "What is it?"
"The thing whispered that he will come for me. He will keep coming for me until I'm his. I'm scared that they won't ever stop. That they'll take my body away from me again. Its my body and I want to be in control of it."
He nodded. "I understand. I've heard a lot of stories about the Imperious and mind control from Mister Lupin."
"I know. I talked to him about being a werewolf. That's a scary life too."
"All life is scary." He said thinking about his mom and dad.
"I know."
Neville had a thought. "Do you still want to do it?"
Ginny smiled a flickering smile shyly. "Yeah you're handsome and Lavender has told me about your size. I'm not scared of that."
Neville sighed, "I'm not THAT big."
Ginny laughed. When he gave her a wry look she apologized, "Sorry I grew up with brothers. Dick comparison contests were not an uncommon thing."
Neville chuckled, "Yeah I bet with the twins cheating too."
"Yeah Fred goofed up on an engorgement charm and wound up having to walk around for the rest of the day trying not to step on it. Mom refused to fix him saying it was a good life lesson."
Neville had put his arm around her and she relaxed into his shoulder.
"Do you love me?"
Neville looked at Ginny, "I guess. I dunno. I'm still trying to sort how I feel about all of this."
"Yeah having girls throw themselves at you is such a hardship."
Neville just scoffed. "Yeah especially when its me they are throwing themselves at."
"You're not bad. You're handsome and nice, and I feel safe with you."
"What about Harry?"
"I feel safe with him too but its different. I had such a crush on him and then getting to know him he's not the way I imagined him. He's like the big brother I wish I had. You're more like the way I imagined the boy-who-lived would actually be. It's hard for me to explain."
Neville nodded. They sat quietly for several minutes. She sat up and began to unbutton her uniform blouse. "We'd probably better go ahead and do it. Veronica's probably already been done and Harry's halfway back to the dorm."
"Uh. I think Professor Dumbledore told your head of house you'd be with us for tonight. At least Hermioen said she was going to talk to him."
Ginny froze not looking at him. Her buttons half undone. "Professor Sprout will know?"
"I don't know if she'll know about this but she'll know you were with us but that's good enough isn't it?"
She started unbuttoning again, "Yeah I guess."
Neville got an idea. Ginny was feeling helpless and out of control. He hated that feeling too and thought if she was in control she might feel better.
"Uh you want to be in control of this?"
"What?"
"You tell me what to do and how to do it and you be in charge. You take control of me, er I mean not control of me but you boss me around."
"You want me to do that?"
"Well if it makes you feel better?"
Ginny looked at him thoughtfully then nodded.
=====xxxxx=====
The next morning the group was gathered around their table. The house elves had given them breakfast. Veronica kept sighing and smiling causing the other girls to laugh. Ginny was quieter but still seemed happier as she sat and talked quietly to Neville.
When breakfast was over Hermione got an evil grin as she looked at Veronica. "Veronica Ginny I need your knickers please."
Ginny immediately frowned at Hermione but Veronica was just confused, "Uh they're the same ones from yesterday. I used a cleaning charm on them but why you want a souvenir?"
"No but I bet Draco would."
"Why would I want to give my knickers to him?" Ginny grumped.
"So he would confirm that the two of you are not virgins without having to get his pet psychic to feel you up again." Luna said nodding.
"It would send a message to him that you're not going to let him stop you from living." Neville said.
Ginny reached under her skirt and peeled them off throwing them on the table. "I hope he chokes on them."
Veronica laughed and did the same. "Yeah maybe we could get some of Fred's sneezing powder."
Ginny chuckled.
"What's so bad about his sneezing powder?"
"Every time you sneeze you fart." Veronica laughed.
=====xxxxx====
Draco and his cronies were walking down the hall toward charms when the Potter Pride met them. They stopped and sneered at each other.
Veronica stepped forward and put her left hand on Draco's shoulder. "Oh Drake. I was thinking about how things went and thought I'd give you a bit of a memento to remember me by."
He was fuming and looking like he was going to shove her down or something but he knew the moment he did the fight was on.
Leaning in so her words were only heard by Draco she whispered, "OH Drake Ginny and I had a WUNDRFUL night last night. Hope you enjoy these." She said stuffing the knickers into Draco's hand. Then turning to flounce off and take Harry arm. He sneered at Draco and went on.
Draco looked down at the Pink lacy underthings wrapped with the pale blue plain cotton ones in his hand. He growled and threw them to Romilda. "Dammit Poh-tahr!" Drawing his wand.
Harry stopped and turned. Other students on their way to or from classes decided that finding another corridor might be safer.
"Is there a problem Draco?" harry calmly asked as Veronica stepped to his right drawing her wand. The rest of the pride had already fanned out and drew their wands. Draco's squad decided to follow their example.
Draco's chest heaved as he counted the odds. Seven of them, even if Harry hadn't drawn his wand yet. Five on his team. Potter was the school favorite and father had forbidden him from getting caught this year.
Harry crossed his arms, "Well come on Draco. Strike me down. Smite me. Do whatever you think you were going to do."
Draco sneered at harry with his nostrils flaring, "No Potter. This isn't the right place or time. You'll pay for your temerity soon enough though."
"I keep waiting for you to take action and stop talking Draco. You're all mouth and no trousers."
Harry spat on the floor in front of Draco and walked away. Draco started to throw a hex but Romilda grabbed his arm. She shook her head and keeping her voice low, "Sire he is trying to provoke you. Its a trap. Calm yourself."
Draco turned and stomped off, skipping Flitwick's class was not going to go well but if he didn't one of the Potter Pals would have an accident. He got to thinking. An accident. He had found the first victim for his potions.
=====xxxxx=====
Snape was not in a good mood. Draco's petty posturing had irritated Flitwick who went to the Headmaster. Now Snape had to correct his godson officially. As it had almost turned into a full fledged battle in the corridor. Potter and his arrogance. Having deflowered the Weasley girls he had to rub it in Draco's face. Almost literally as the stupid girl had shoved her knickers into his hands. Declaring that they had circumvented the Dark Lord in as provocative way as possible. Now if Severus wanted to ensure that his godson would not do something too stupid he would have to steer him away from taking action. For a Slytherin Draco had far too strong a temper. And as for Potter as much as Snape had tried to forget how his father James was an arrogant cocky bastard and Harry was someone else it was times like that in the corridor today that he felt James had been reborn in his son.
Snape wondered if he replaced their prophylactic potions with fertility potions it would get the girls out of the school. Unfortunately that would ensure another generation of Potters sooner than he would be ready for. As if the current one was not causing him enough problems and pains.
The other problem was that Draco was given orders by his father that Snape had not been privy towards. Draco had refused to tell him anything when he hinted that he could help. Draco had said he didn't need the help of a trained lapdog. Showing that he still didn't trust that Snape was working for the Dark Lord. Then it seemed as Draco might be working along his own agenda. Gathering his own followers and associates. Draco was a fast learned and rarely made the same mistake more than once. His father's attentive punishments had taught him that.
Snape sat and rubbed the bridge of his rather prominent nose. One of the few things his father had given him that he actually appreciated. Considering it distinguished and Romanesque. One of the things his father gave him he really regretted was the desire to begin drinking. A thirst for alcohol which is what killed the man one day when Snape was younger. At least it had saved him the trouble.
His door announced someone to see him, expecting Draco he sighed and composed himself to glower over the child.
======xxxx====
Draco swaggered in unconcerned with the glower his godfather was giving him. He stood giving the barest amount of respect possible.
"Sit down Draco. We need to speak about the events earlier."
"What is there to speak of. Potter provoked me. I made an error in judgment. It has been resolved."
"In what way?"
"I went back to the dorm and was serviced by my women. Sufficiently to relax and realize that I have allowed Potter to get under my skin far too much."
Snape stared at the young blonde. As young as he was he already had the arrogant pride of his father and his casual lack of concern for others. He used people and threw them away. He would go far in the Dark Lord's regime if he controlled his temper otherwise he was going to die very young.
"Is there a problem sir?"
"Yes your behavior lacks the subtle manipulation and mastery required. It is obvious that you and Potter are at odds. If anything happens to him or his allies suspicion will fall immediately upon you."
"Unless I can find an ironclad alibi like having detention with a certain potions professor."
Snape raised his eyebrow, "We have already established a pattern of my being overly permissive of your behaviors."
"Well then perhaps that should stop and you should actually do your job as a professor then eh? Father has already given me instructions on what I am to do this year. I will do it for the honor of the Dark Lord."
"You are certain this is what you wish?"
"Yes I think tomorrow's potions class will be quite entertaining. Detention that night should be sufficient."
"Might I know what it is you have planned. SO I can give you some advice on how to carry it out."
"No father and mother may trust you however I do not. You are too cozy with Dumbledore and Potter."
"As I told your father I must maintain my appearances for my role. If I am to be an effective spy I must do so."
"If you say so. I'm not obligated to tell you my plans. You'll see soon enough."
"Draco. Please. I have been playing this game far longer than you have been alive. Allow me to help educate you."
Draco looked at him then sighed. "Fine. The plan is to lure a few Dementors into the castle after dinner tomorrow. Slytherin's will all be told to be safely in our dorms. Except a few sacrificial lambs that serve no real purpose." He said with a mad gleam in his eye.
Snape fought to avoid showing the horror on his face at the glee in his young godson's face. "You do realize the wards will not allow that. The Dementors are forced to remain outside due to the protections that have been activated."
Draco sneered haughtily, "Yes well there are facts that you are unaware of."
Snape was stymied. The boy would not make eye contact with him so he could not use the subtle legilemency to read the boy's mind he would have to use a more powerful version which might tip him off. The risk though would be worth it if it kept Dementors out of the castle. No sane wizard would support any plan that involved those things.
Snape wandlessly, silently cast the spell only to be blocked by a mind-shield. He recognized the energy of the shield as that of Narcissa. He should not have been surprised by that. Narcissa loved and doted on her son. Sometimes a bit too much in a borderline oedipal way Snape felt. But then she had been born a princess of one of the oldest and purest bloodlines in the wizarding world. The problem though was that they remained pure by marrying within the family often.
"Is there a problem sir?"
"No I was just considering your plan. The problems you will encounter. I will of course have to do my best to protect the school and the students."
"Yes yes I know. Father has already told me. I understand, I just don't agree."
"Very well. I will place you in detention tomorrow. Try not to do anything too injurious to others. We are working on the shrinking solution."
"I know. That's what will make it perfect."
======xxxxx======
Snape paced agitated watching the third year potions class with Gryffindor and Slytherin. Draco was chatting with Pansy as well as his two pet thugs. He could see that the Potter gang were doing well. Weasley and Finnigan had almost completed theirs. If Draco was going to do something he supposed he would have to give him the chance. Stepping in the back corner he began to berate Fay Dunbar and Dean Thomas for their potion. He had his back to Draco so he hoped whatever the boy was going to do would be soon. He heard a soft splosh that did not sound appropriate before a sudden uh-oh which was immediately by an explosive detonation.
Spinning around Harry saw Seamus blackened and chared his hair still curling whips of smoke but he did not see the Weasley girl.
"NOBODY MOVE!" He shouted.
Potter and his crew had already assumed defensive postures. Half of them pointing wands at Draco while the other have covered the room.
"Does anyone know where Miss Weasley went?"
Seamus pointed at the floor, "She's down here."
"Miss Granger please activate spill protocols and rinse your fellow girl off. Then you and Potter take her to the hospital wing."
Yes sir." Granger said obeying him at least. Potter though was glaring at Draco.
"Potter?"
"It was Draco sir. I was too far to stop it but he threw something."
"Aww what's wrong Potter concerned about the little woman?"
"Malfoy..." Potter started before Snape stepped in front of him.
"To my office Malfoy. 50 points from Slytherin and you will have detention the next THREE nights. Potion safety is not a laughing matter. I thought I made that expressly clear?"
"Fine."
"Another 10 points for impertinence now move."
Draco got up and swaggered off to Snape's office. Potter and Longbottom watched him go while Lavender tended to Seamus' burns and Hermione rinsed off the now doll sized Veronica.
"Are they injured?"
"No sir it doesn't seem that they are."
"Very well. Take them both to Hospital you are excused."
Hermione picked up Veronica after using a drying charm on her.
=====xxxxx=====
Sitting on the bed Veronica was annoyed. Hermione had cast a Sonorus charm on her so that they could hear her voice once she had calmed down.
"Just relax Madam Pomfrey said it should wear off within the hour. You'll be back to normal by lunch."
"Why does this shit always happen to me?"
"It could have been worse. If you'd only had like one leg shrink or something. At least enough hit you to make all of you shrink, including your clothes."
"Well I'm going to take a nap. Promise me if I haven't gotten bigger by lunch you won't forget me."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Don't be so dramatic Ron. You'll be fine. We have to get to charms. So take care."
Harry took his finger and rubbed her back smiling, "Well if not at least you won't take up much space in the house."
Veronica gave a two finger salute and said, "Watch it bub or I'll climb you leg and bite your bollocks."
"Really" Harry said with a smirk and patted Veronica on the head.
=====xxxxx=====
They were heading to lunch when Veronica met them back to her normal size all over. She looked like she was ready to murder Draco. "Do you have any idea how annoying it is to be six inches tall?"
"No but maybe sometime we could try as it has some interesting potentials." Luna said with a curious expression.
Neville and Harry raised their eyebrows "Uh yeah we'll wait on that though when we have more time ok?"
"Oh certainly we should make sure that everyone is comfortable with regular sexual activities before we develop kinks and fetishes. Although they are perfectly normal and healthy expressions of one's sexual urges. With magic a great many more possibilities open up."
Harry put his arm around the blonde. "Okay Luna that sounds like a plan."
Neville just stared straight ahead and walked to lunch.
=====xxxxx====
The rest of the day was suspiciously quiet according to Harry. Draco seemed to have been cowed by being yelled at by Snape as he kept his head down and his posse did the same.
The dinner entree that night was fish or steak. With a lime sherbet for dessert. Everyone was laughing and talking and having a good time. Harry had promised Veronica he would inspect her to make sure everything got back to the way it should be. With Hermione's permission of course.
=====xxxxx====
By the next morning students across all four houses began to wake up sick. Feeling chills and fevers with a dry throat. A thirst that didn't go away no matter how much they drank.
In the Gryffindor third year dorms Seamus and Dean were ill while the girls Hermione, Fay and Veronica all went to sick call.
The professors even had a few fall ill to this malady. Flitwick, Pryce, Burbage and Babbling all report sick as well. Madam Pomfrey ran out of beds in the hospital wing and started putting everyone in the great hall as a convalescence ward.
======xxxxx=====
By mid morning almost half of the student body had begun to become dizzy and itching with a rash. Dumbledore called a meeting to see what was going on.
"Poppy what can you tell me about this. Almost half of the school is coming down with this."
"I'm not certain but I think it has something to do with last night's dinner."
"What about it?"
"Well last night the entrees were fish or steak."
"Yes I recall I had the lasagna."
"Well everyone who had the fish last night has begun to experience symptoms of this whatever it is."
"Are there any precautions we need to take?"
"I don't believe so as it must be food borne. Mister Potter shared bodily fluids last night with both Victoria Weasley and Miss Granger and he is not exhibiting any symptoms at all."
"Well bully for him." Professor hooch sarcastically exclaimed.
"No no this is a good thing. I sincerely doubt that Harry is immune to this so that means we are at least not facing the threat of the entire school succumbing to this."
"At least not yet."
"NO there will be no further outbreak." Severus Snape said striding into the room his cloak billowing behind him.
"What do you mean Severus?"
"I have determined what the cause is. It is Rumack contamination. The sauce last night the fish was cooked in was riddled with it."
"Rumack? What is that?" Professor Burbage was confused.
"Rumack is a type of fungus that grows in magical environments that are not kept sterile enough. It seems that the barrels of the sauce had been in such an environment."
"Is it serious?"
"I doubt he is involved as this does not seem his style." Snape glowered.
"No I mean this Rumack contamination." The muggle studies professor huffed.
Poppy nodded, "It is more debilitative than deadly for most individuals. The symptoms are what we have seen. A dry throat, fever, chills and then dizziness and a rash. If left untreated it will progress to muscle spasms and drooling as the digestive system begins to suffer. The final stages before the patient succumbs or recovers are extreme vomiting, diarrhea and uncontrollable flatulence."
"Well is there a treatment available?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes sir. We have some in stock but will have to send out for more. It will take us several days but most everyone should recover. Filius will be one of the first and not require treatment. Due to Goblins diet of fungus and roots he is less susceptible to this. He will result in some nausea and flatulence."
Minerva "Well if the worst we have to do is put up with having the windows open for a few days that will be a relief."
"The bigger question is if there are more surprises waiting in the store room."
Pomona as this is fungus related and Severus will be required to brew curing potions find some of your best herbology students and explore the storerooms it would be best to check everything for almost anything to be safe."
"Yes sir. Longbottom and Greene are among the top that are not ill."
"Good take your time and be thorough. Everyone else we had better get started getting the counter-agent brewed and administered. Minerva make sure the unaffected students are kept occupied as well."
=====xxxxx=====
Harry and Neville had been drafted to search through the storerooms for anything else contaminated or suspicious. They had been at it for several hours. Harry's mind distracted by the thoughts of his sick lovers.
"Damn this all. I never even heard of that Rumack stuff."
"Its not uncommon. Its a major ingredient in a purgative potion."
"Great. As long as we don't find any pluton poisoning I'll be happy."
"Hunh? That's from that show with the shiny bad guys that can't hit someone standing five feet in front of them?"
"Yeah and if something jumps out of a air duct shoot first okay?"
Neville just shrugged. Dan's idea of good entertainment ranged very wildly. From intellectual plays to something called science fiction movies. Just before they came back for the year Dan had shown them a movie about people being eaten by some creature. He wasn't as thrilled when Neville pointed out that a wizard could have just used a banishing spell and not spilt any blood at all. Then Luna analyzing the creature and pointing out the absurdity of even a magical creature like that existing.
"Harry you know Luna pointed out even with magic something like that couldn't exist. Besides which the triffids are far more realistic and scary."
"Yeah sure they're just big plants, a spray can of herbicide and they're history.." He stopped as the Probity probe he was using started making a warbling sound. He looked at the colors the probe was glowing. "Hey Nev what does this sound mean when coupled with a green, yellow, yellow, red band?"
Neville stopped and came over. Harry was standing next to pallets of sacks of quadrotriticale.
"I'm not sure. Green yellow yellow red is bad though. The red is in the deadly poison indicator position."
"That's what I thought. Great."
=====xxxxx=====
Sprout came into the potions lab. "Severus I need to know what's wrong with this grain." She said handing him a vial of the quadrotriticale.
"Why?"
"The probe reported a green yellow yellow red with a treble warble."
"I will have to check the book but I will analyze the wheat to confirm it."
"Quadrotriticale." The Hufflepuff corrected.
=====xxxxx=====
Dumbledore and Minerva were sitting in his office late that night.
"Half of the food stores are contaminated with one thing or another. The special wheat is poisoned with Pataki. The Fish sauce is filled with Rumack and the pumpkin juice has Sandbat Venom in it. Someone is trying to destroy us."
"Where did all of these items come from?"
"Diggory market services is where we bought all of the affected items. The pumpkin juice we have been using so far came from the Blyfield farms."
"Didn't they have a fire this summer?"
"Yes that's why we were unable to acquire sufficient barrels for the term."
"Should we send the unharmed students home?"
"The board has been notified and they will make that final decision. I think we can handle it as Poppy says most of the students should be over this within the next pair of days, the worst affected should recover by the end of the week. Filius is already up and ambulatory, though one should stay upwind of him."
"I know I encountered him in the corridor. He was laughing about how it reminded him of when he would visit his cousins in the warrens."
"Yes Goblin warriors are a great force for a multitude of reasons."
======xxxxx=====
Harry was on duty inspecting the new supplies being delivered. Margaret Greene was technically supervising the process as the house elves unloaded the large freight wagon that had brought the bags from the train.
He would run the probe over the pallets and hope that it came back quadrouple green. If so he would nod to Margaret and she would tell the elves to accept the pallet. It was slow but after being told about the poisons in the last wheat he was not going to take a chance. Veronica was feeling better and making crude jokes about her condition showing that you might change the body but the mind stayed the same, or at least the bad sense of humor. Hermione though was absolutely mortified by the way she was having to act, even though she was not alone. Harry had to agree with the twins who were working with Veronica to be able to produce the 1812 overture or Rule Britannia. Flatuly.
"So Margaret you doing ok?" Harry asked while they waited for the next wagon to arrive.
"Yeah." she sullenly grunted.
"Sorry I was just trying to make small talk."
"No I'm sorry. I was thinking. This situation. Its something bad. We have kids having to guard the castle and check all the food supplies. This is crazy."
"Well I guess we're going to have to do this more often to protect everyone."
"Yeah until someone takes the bad guys out."
Harry just nodded as he knew who was being expected to take the main evil out.
"Hey sorry I shouldn't have mentioned that after what happened."
"A lot of people lost family back then."
She looked down at the ground, "I know."
He looked at her, "Your family?"
She took a deep breath and looked at the driveway to see the wagon slowly making its way forward. The horses skittish after passing through the perimeter guard of Dementors.
"I lost my parents too. Just a few months before yours. Before they lost."
"Got murdered by Voldemort."
She shivered as he said the name.
"How can you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Say his name. Adults can't even say that name."
"If I refuse to say his name he gains power over me. He makes me afraid of any part of him he can make me afraid of all of him. I don't want to be afraid I want to be angry for what he did." Harry coldly declared as he watched the next wagon roll up.