A/N Could it be that all of your dreams are about to come true? To which I say yes, dear readers. We are approaching a very pivotal moment.

There have been a few days where I want nothing more than to post two chapters a day, but I refrain because there has to be some feeling of suspense. That being said, chapters 14 and 15 will be posted in the same day. These are two of the longest chapters in the story, even as far ahead as I've written. Chapter 14 will be posted that morning and chapter 15 will be posted that evening.

A little tidbit about this chapter, it is the only DA chapter and I was originally not going to do any, but an idea came to me so I ran with it and I am actually really happy with it. Some very important things happen in this chapter that I feel would have been out of place otherwise.

The First and Second Wizarding Wars were between Voldemort and the Order (which I'm not sure if it was called the Order at the time) Gellert Grindelwald's Uprising is when Grindelwald tried to take power.

Enjoy!

(disclaimer)

"Conjuring a Patronus requires your strongest memory. Let it fill you as you cast the charm, and if it's powerful enough, it will take a shape. If you can't get it on the first try, don't give up. It takes practice but I have faith you'll all get there," Harry spoke as he corrected the wand positioning of a few students.

Hermione thought for a moment about her most powerful memory. Briefly, she thought it was a memory of her and her parents on a ski trip over Christmas break. They had just had a snowball fight and Hermione had won. Her parents were laying on the snow, pretending to be dead as she held her arms up in victory. It brought a smile to her face before a different memory entered the forefront of her mind. The second letter she received from Bellatrix had said her charm was brilliant. She was used to hearing praise about her intelligence but coming from Bellatrix it meant so much more. She remembered the feeling of pride and elation at the words. Channeling that feeling, Hermione cast the Patronus charm.

Pure white light shot from the tip of Hermione's wand, pooling together before forming the beginnings of a shape. She kept her focus, knowing if she lost it the form would dissipate. Slowly it grew larger and more definitive. As the light congealed into a shape the other students watched in awe as the pool became a large panther. It sat, licking its paw before looking at its mistress in apparent amusement before play chasing Luna's bunny Patronus.

Whispered discussions pricked at her senses as the other members of Dumbledore's Army resumed practicing with renewed fervor. Luna's bunny was sitting contentedly on her panther's head and Luna was staring at them in amusement.

"Your panther is beautiful, Hermione," she airily spoke in the way only Luna could.

"Thank you, Luna. I find your bunny to be quite charming. It seems they enjoy each other's company quite a bit."

"Indeed. I wonder if the interactions of two Patronus charms reflect the casters."

"That would be an interesting study. It is not entirely unreasonable to believe, either. I'd like to think we're friends and it appears our Patronuses are as well. Thy take form based on our emotions so it stands to reason they would reflect how we feel about people."

"Obviously we're friends, Hermione. Sometimes I wonder if we would have met sooner if you had been placed in Ravenclaw. You certainly wouldn't be out of place there. But you have the heart of a lion, you just need to see it. You should not doubt yourself the way you do. When it comes down to it, you will make the right decision. You may be unsure now, but things have a way of working out the way they were meant to. When the time comes, I will be at your side."

Hermione was taken aback by Luna's impromptu speech. It was easy to forget how intelligent Luna was because of the things she said about creatures no one could actually see. There was a reason she was placed in Ravenclaw and she was more perceptive and powerful than people gave her credit for. Luna would make an incredible witch once their roles in life were solid.

"I-thank you, Luna. That means more than you think," Hermione finally said. She wasn't sure how Luna seemed to know but questions wouldn't yield any answers from the strange girl. She enjoyed Luna's friendship and was glad it would continue after her choice was made. Even though the blonde made little sense most of the time, she was very enlightening in her more lucid moments.

Harry's announcement of the end of the meeting for today broke Hermione from her reverie. Umbridge was desperately trying to catch them, so they needed to be extra careful. They would not meet again until after Christmas break. Partly so they could allow the situation to dissolve, but also because mid-terms were coming up and most people would be unable to make it.

After returning to the Common Room, Hermione helped Ginny with her Muggle Studies homework. She had just finished explaining how Muggle pictures were different than their pictures when Ammy started tapping on the window. Making sure Ginny was comfortable with the explanation, she opened her next letter from Bellatrix, setting the book to the side for a moment.

For My Lion

I apologize for my absence as of late. Plans need tending to and all that good stuff. I wish I could reveal more but I rather like being alive so, for now, I'll just have to hold my tongue. The Potion Man is correct. I will not lie to you but understand there are some things I cannot yet reveal. If you wish to talk in person meet me at the place where screams scare everyone away on your next Hogsmeade. I'll be there until sunset. The passage you are referring to was talking about soulmates.

Sincerely,

Your Dearest Friend, the Most Faithful

Hermione wasn't sure if she was ready to meet the most feared Death Eater. She knew she would not be harmed. Her life was changing so quickly and it was dizzying. To actually meet Bellatrix would mean there was no going back. Then she realized the moment she had opened the first book had been the point of no return. She didn't have to pledge her allegiance to the Dark Lord after a single conversation. If she didn't want to, she didn't have to choose either side.

The third book was bound in pristine white leather with gold filigree. Like the previous books, it had no title. Hermione was hesitant to touch the cover because it was in such perfect condition. Reverently, she opened the book, welcoming the distraction it brought.

Healing magic is most difficult to perform if a soul has been subject to dark magicks. A soul that has not been tainted by dark magic will be exceptional at healing. That is not to say that those who use dark magic can never use healing magic. There are circumstances where pure healing magic can be cast. If someone the caster loves unconditionally is injured in a way dark magic cannot heal, the dark witch or wizard may be capable of using pure healing. More often, though, those that use dark magic use dark healing, which is not as effective as pure healing. Dark healing will always leave scars that have traces of dark magic, effectively tainting the person healed so they will be unable to use pure healing. Pure healing, however, will only leave scars if the injury is immediately life-threatening and never runs the risk of infection. Both forms of healing have their uses, but it is suggested that those who use dark magicks avoid healing unless there is no other option.