First, I would like to say that this chapter isn't very long; in fact, it's sort of a starter for the huge chapter I have planned ahead. So apologies for that, but do enjoy this one, because I enjoyed writing it (:
Also, I have begun a new and modernized story, about the trio after the war facing more difficulties after a mass Death Eater break out. It's called the Devil's Tears and I have the first chapter up now, so I would really appreciate it if you checked that story out and review it, it only has 1 at the moment.
Current song: Preparedness by The Birds and the Bees
Alright back to story!
"You're not really going to be back by dinner, are you?" Harry questioned Hermione as he picked up with her fast pace.
"No," Hermione said, and Harry sensed guilt in her voice. "I feel terrible. I've lied to my parents enough as it is."
Harry said nothing, but nodded slightly. As they rounded by Ron's house, Harry suddenly stopped Hermione in her tracks. "Look, Hermione. We are all much worn out about what has happened…but I can't imagine how Ginny and the others must be feeling."
Hermione just looked at him. "So what are you saying?"
"We should lay low," Harry continued seriously. "I've been staying here for a while. They don't want to seem to talk about, especially not to me."
Hermione nodded, understanding where he was coming from, but her eyes suddenly widened. "Wait – you've been staying here? I thought you were staying at Sirius's house –"
Harry looked at the ground, cutting off her sentence. "Ginny told me this morning that Riddle's keeping it off limits – he doesn't want anybody suspecting anything about what happened to Sirius…big prat."
"I'm sorry," Hermione said quietly as Harry looked from the ground to her.
Harry nodded, then quickly changed the subject. "Shall we go inside, then?" he said, as he glided up towards the wooden steps on Ron's door. "After you, I suppose."
"Thank you," Hermione said, picking up her dress and giving three firm knocks on the door.
Harry prayed that Ginny would answer the door. She was the only one in the house who had a friendly attitude towards Harry; everybody else, including the twins, were subtly hostile. He was pleased when he saw her vivid hair come to view from the dingy window on the right, and as she answered them, her tired face lit up. "H-Hermione! You're alright!" she said, pulling her friend into a hug. Hermione smiled and as she released Ginny, Ginny caught sight of Harry and her face grew red. "Hi Harry."
"Hey, Ginny," Harry said, awkwardly waving at her with two fingers.
Ginny rushed on, "Eeverybody left with Mother and Father to Sir Kingsley's house to set things straight about – well you know," she said. "Come in, we can talk in my bedroom." As she hastily turned away, her usual pale cheeks still an odd shade of red, she rushed up the stairs.
"Harry," Hermione said, a sly smile set on her face. "Did something happen?"
"Wha - ? Psh, no, no of course not."
"Really?" Hermione said, looking at with one eyebrow raised.
"Oh, shut up," Harry said quietly, narrowing his eyes at her as she quickly stifled a giggle.
"Are you two coming or what?" Ginny's voice came from upstairs as the ceiling above them creaked.
"Yes," Harry and Hermione replied simultaneously, and they rushed to the stairs.
The minute Harry had clambered into Ginny's bedroom, he caught sight of a girl, about his age, with long, pale blond hair and prominent eyes with a dreamy quality. Before he could say anything, Hermione had said, "Luna!" and rushed over to the girl to give her a hug. Harry stood by and watched as the two girls embraced.
As they broke apart, Luna looked at Harry, and said, "You must be Harry Potter."
Surprised, he replied with, "Er, yeah."
"Harry, this is Luna," Ginny said, indicating her friend. "She goes to school with me and Hermione, she's the daughter of Xenophilius Lovegood…Riddle imprisoned her as an 'example' to show us not to speak of 'Harry Potter'. Neville and I broke her out."
Harry's eyes widened. "Neville?"
"I am surprised as well," Ginny said, smiling. "I met him one day going home from Lapifors, he said he knew Ron and you and his grandmother was part of the Order – we've been trying to weasel out any information ever since."
Harry walked over to sit on the bed to recollect the information. "It seems a lot has been going on since my disappearance."
"Quite a lot," Luna said, and when she spoke her voice, which was naturally dreamy, lifted Harry's spirits up a little.
"I'm, er – sorry to hear about your father Luna. I hear he is under house arrest," Hermione continued, shifting uneasily.
"It's quite alright," Luna said. "I'm very certain that once this is all over, I'll be able to see him. There's always a silver lining, that's what my mother always told me."
"Have you and Hermione gotten your powers back yet?" Ginny asked, concerned.
Harry shrugged, and Hermione shook her head. "No, I don't think so. Snape said the effects wear off after a couple of days. It's really just miserable."
As Hermione spoke, a hand shot up from the nearby window on Ginny's left; after the figure stepped into the house, Harry had screamed, "Neville!" as Ginny rushed to pull him up to safety.
"Neville, what the hell - ?" Ginny began.
"No time for questions," Neville said, panting as he set himself up straight. "I heard your family was out of town, so I came as soon as I could, because my gran's with them." His eyes darted towards Harry and Hermione. "Hey, Harry. It's great to see you here again. And Hermione, of course," he added at her.
"It's great to see you still in one piece," Harry said. "Ginny told me about a lot with what's going on."
"Ah, yes, we are rebels now," Neville said. "Although I, er, heard about what happened to you lot. That Lestrange had caught you and now she's gone loony and thinks Ron's you."
Hermione looked up at him. "You know Bellatrix?"
"She murdered my parents," Neville said, avoiding their gaze.
"I'm sorry. She killed my godfather as well," Harry said. "On Riddle's orders. She drained us of our powers and then tortured Hermione to try and get out which one of us was 'Harry Potter.'"
Neville's eyes widened. "All the better to get started," he said, standing up from the window sill. "When do we leave?"
Hermione stood up too, but out of shock. "Leave?"
"Yeah. To save Ron, and all of Hogwarts."
"Well, yes," Harry said, standing up as well. "But I'm not so sure there was a 'we'…"
"Ooh, we're coming as well?" Luna asked.
Nobody answered her.
"Look," said Neville. "I don't know what you're planning, but you can't just go fetch Ron like that. You're going to need help."
"And you've lost your powers," Ginny's defined voice said. "Try saving somebody's life without them."
Harry had been defeated. "I don't want to risk your lives."
"If it's for the future of Hogwarts, and to save my brother, then it is worth it. Don't question my decision," Ginny said to Harry, folding her arms over her chest.
"Well if it's any help, I'll come too," Luna said, standing up to walk next to Ginny. "I think the future of Hogwarts is rather fatal, don't you think?"
Neville went to stand in Luna and Ginny's united front, and said, his voice a little quieter this time, "You'll need all the help you can get, Harry. And we're not here to leave. We're here to fight."
Harry sighed in defeat then looked at Hermione, who had looked at him with a gleam in her eyes. "Alright," he finally said. "But don't say I didn't warn you. Just hurry up, get packed and get dressed."
Ginny's eyebrows raised. "Why?"
"Because we're leaving," said Harry. "Now."
Don't worry, the next chapter will be much better, I promise; that's when they actually carry out the rescue mission. But in the last part of my last chapter you can see why the mission could go wrong. I will try and update soon!
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