Ginny was having coffee with Harry Potter, the saviour of the wizarding world. It had taken five letters to convince him to allow her into his sanctum – a tiny two-room house surrounded by a large garden filled with chickens, vegetables and fruit trees. Harry sat awkwardly, looking everywhere but her face. She sighed.
"Harry, I've come here for your help." Ginny knew it was not the best way to introduce the subject, but it was sure to get results. Even now, Harry found it hard to say no to people who needed help. Which was why he secluded himself away from everyone who might ask.
Harry scrubbed a hand through his hair. "I thought you might be. What am I supposed to do this time, Ginny?" His shoulders were slumped, and his face was lined more than it had been last time she had seen him.
"I'd like you to wear this for me." She held up the earring she had made: she had covered the pearl with a thin layer of gold, assured by Hermione that it would not change the effectiveness of the magic. Harry took the earring warily.
"What strings are attached with this?"
Ginny fought the urge to sigh. "None, Harry. Just wear it. It's got a bit of a charm on it to make you happy, but it's nothing intrusive."
"Nothing like sixth year, hey," he mumbled, barely loud enough for her to hear; but she did, and she knew she was supposed to. She sat still and waited while Harry turned the golden bauble over. With a sigh, Harry waved his wand at his earlobe, then threaded the earring through the hole he had created.
"There, done. I suppose you've charmed it so I can't take it off?" His look was accusing, but at least he was looking at her face now.
"No, Harry. You can take it off whenever you want to."
Harry peered into her face, but saw only weariness. He shrugged, finished his cup of coffee in one motion. "Anything else I can help with?"
Ginny bit her cheek to keep from speaking sternly at the man. "Well, you can tell me where Luna is."
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Hermione grinned despite herself. She had been talking with Blaise Zabini for three quarters of an hour, and had barely noticed the time passing. His smile was quick and surprisingly white against his dark skin, and his jokes were even quicker and more surprising. She hadn't told him why she was there, yet, and he hadn't asked.
While she was taking a sip of tea, Blaise leant in closer to her. "I wonder, Miss Granger, if we will ever get around to talking about what it is you came for." His tone was light, and the sparkle in his eye told her he was curious. Putting her cup down, she began to consider her words.
"Mr Zambini," she began, then laughed at the face he pulled. She continued, "I have a proposition for you."
He gave her a look that made her skin tingle, and she rushed on before she could consider it. "I have recently come into possession of quite a rare article – one which brings good fortune. But I am not a selfish person, and I… want to share the luck." She held up the gold earring for him to consider.
Blaise took the gold drop from her fingers, making more contact than he needed to. He didn't seem to notice, however; he was intent on the earring. Turning it over in his hand, he pinned her with a direct look that wasn't as friendly as he had been.
"I know what this is, despite its disguise. I also know what would happen if certain of my… friends… discovered that I was in possession of it."
Hermione clung to the hem of her top. She forced her face to remain calm, though she wasn't sure she was succeeding. "It is important that these items are spread among many different people, of different backgrounds and beliefs. Much damage was caused by one political group holding all influence for a long time."
Blaise examined the earring for long, silent moments before he met Hermione's gaze again. "Miss Granger, I will wear this item. I hope that my… friend… will not notice. But I want something in return."
Slytherin, Hermione thought as she fought to keep herself calm. "I will do my best, but I can't promise anything before I know what it is you want."
A sly grin touched his face, then was gone. "I would like to take you out for dinner. And I would like to get in contact with my former head of House."
Hermione's gaze fell to her lap. Go out for dinner? Well, he was charming enough. A glance at her left hand reassured her that Ron wouldn't mind. He was gone from her life. And Snape… she could get in contact with him, though she dreaded the thought. But they needed him to wear that pearl.
Hermione met Blaise' dark eyes. "I would love to go out to dinner with you. And I will see what I can do about your former head of House." He nodded, and escorted her to the door.