They had been given a good two hours on their own! The rest of the gang, save Luna who was brushing up on her confusion spells, had gone out dress shopping and left the pair on their own. She had needed his loving touch, his comfort, but now their peaceful moment was slipping away and she hated it... She wanted more time! She wanted to feel Jess close to her once more, Rory just needed him again, she just needed the peace he offered...
The shower water turned off, from the double bed Rory could hear Jess sliding the glass shower door open, stepping out, then sliding it closed again. The smell of his sweat was still present on the sheets, and on her bare skin. She ran her hand absently mindedly across her forhead, sweeping her messy hair form her eyes.
"Why do you think Draco made a room of requirement?" Jess asked as he walked into the room, he had a towel hugging his waist as he dried off his hair with another.
"Somewhere to gather his thoughts I suppose..." Rory contemplated as Jess walked around the room.
"Then why is their a double bed and a bathroom in here? And why are the walls red? And why are there candles? Seems a little sexy for thought collecting..." Jess went on, he walked onto the bed and his eyes ran over Rory's body hungrily. "But suits our purposes," he added with a growl.
"That's the thing, we wanted a room like this, so the room changed to suit us, but its probably entirely different when Draco's in here." Rory said, she gave Jess a smile as she sat up in the bed and brought the sheets around her, outside the snow fell hard, it was a cold afternoon and promsied to be an even colder night.
"I can't believe we have to go to the ball tonight," Jess sighed as he to sat on the bed next to Rory. He wrapped the towel around his neck and began to throw his arms around in the air as he pretended to dance, his eyes were crossed and his tongue was sticking out of his mouth. "I'll look like an idiot!"
Rory laughed in spite of how she felt inside, her mind wasn't worrying about dance moves, she was thinking about how well Luna's confundus charm would work, or how well the forged invitations would work... Would they gain anything from this evening or was it something to keep them occupied, to make it seem like they didn't abandon the fight.
"Hey babe," Jess said, he sensed her sadness and held her close. Rory felt sick with anxiety, she curled up against Jess as her mind spun. He kissed the top of her head and kept holding onto her with strong arms.
"I know Luna's smart but what if they have spell reversers?" Rroy asked suddenly.
"You're stressing out and it isn't helping you or anyone else, just try and calm down!" Jess said, still not letting go. "And Luna is working around the clock on preforming the heavy duty spells isn't she?"
"She didn't even go out dress shopping with the rest of them, Ginny's buying her dress," Rory said.
"Ah Luna," Jess drawled, he rubbed his eyebrow with his finger. "You know she doesn't like me, right?"
"She thinks you're bad," Rory replied. "You are clouded by those nasty things she talks about, apparently anyway."
"Where does she get off?" Jess said angrily, as much as he pretended not to care about what people thought about him – he hated how Luna didn't trust him. Rory felt a tinge of pity for him, Jess had worked hard to gain respect of Stars Hollow, of Luke, of Rory, even of Harry. So she hated how Luna could just deside he wasn't trustworthy. "Her boyfriend's a dick!" Jess exclaimed.
"You just have to prove to her that you're the trust worthy and loving man I know you to be," said Rory, rubbing her hand on his bare chest, feeling his abs ripple under her fingers.
"I've tried," Jess sighed.
"As much as you tried to prove it to Harry? I don't think so..."
"But Harry is more important, he's your twin borther, and he's slightly protective!" Jess pointed out, Rory granted him a nod, Harry was protective of the people he loved. "So was your dad..."
"And you convinced him too," said Rory proudly. She still rememberred the day that Sirius clapped Jess on the back, gave him a friendly smile and stated - 'I like you boy, I don't know why, but I do! And I'm glad you're with my daughter – you clearly love her.' Jess smiled too as the memory flicked trhough his mind.
"I'm glad you didn't need convincing," Jess said as he turned round and covered her mouth with his own.
"We don't have time, Jess!" Rory giggled as he nibbled her earlobe. "They'll be home any moment!"
"It's exciting isn't it," Jess murmured as he continued to kiss Rory's neck. "I'm glad we did our shopping earlier, we wouldn't have this time together."
"And now that times up, come on up we get," Rory said bossily, but neither of them stopped, Jess conitnued to kiss her and Rory just smiled.
"Yes, but you don't want to," Jess muttered between his kisses. Rory gave in with a sigh and kissed Jess's mouth passionatly. Suddenly they heard the front door open and the pounding of heavy booted feet filled the foyer, the door then closed. Rory and Jess drew away from each other and sat on the bed silently, waiting for the new comers to idenify themselves.
"Rory! Come out, come out, where ever you are!" Ginny's yell echoed up to the second floor. "I bought the most bloody brilliant dress!" Her voice seemed constrained by an extordinary amount of excitemant.
With a sigh Rory slipped out from under Jess's annoyed gaze and slipped on her red bra and undies, white traksuit pants and a black singlet from Old Navy. She turned around and saw him doing up his jeans.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. She felt the peace shattering between them, the moments were so short, and this one seemed even shorter... Rory loved their moments of peace and togetherness and felt depressingly lost when they slipped form her, and by the look of sadness that was displayed across Jess's face, she could see he felt the same way.
"Its ok, we have time to be us later, now you go be Rory Potter," Jess said. "I'll catch up." he busied himself with his belt clasp as Rory turned and pushed open the door. She was Rory Potter, it was hard to grasp that she, who used to only be Rory Gilmore, was now a Potter. She wondered what Jess meant by 'I'll catch up', was it just the fact he wasn't dressed yet, or was it something deeper?
"Rooorrry!" Ginny wailed, Rory wiped at tears that had fallen, and landed on the bottom step, Ginny beamed and ran from the crowd. "You need to see it, its brilliant!"
"You'll see it anyway, its time to get changed." Draco said from behind Ginny.
Rory cast a gaze behind the giddy red head. Her brother, Harry, was running fingers through his flat hair, as he flicked snow off his beanie, he gave Rory a small smile as if appoligizing for Ginny. Draco was putting away a pocket watch and moving away from Harry to find Luna.
"That took longer then I expected." Harry muttered, and Ginny gave a cry of happiness as she ran back to the foyer. Rory had known the youngest Weasley long enough to know that her childish enthusiasm wasn't stupidity, no, Ginny was far from that, but it was just pure happiness that she felt no shame to express. Rory knew that was why Harry loved her – he was always so reserved, afraid to show his feelings, and Ginny meerly exploded when a great deal of emotion came over her.
"So you got what you went for?" Rory asked him, they were left alone momentarily in the living room, Harry gave a short nod. "I'm nervous," Rory admitted, she flet stupid and childish saying them but she needed to say it out loud to someone who would understand.
"Its a risk," Harry nodded. "But if we stick together, and Luna pulls through, I'm sure we'll be fine." Rory heard his empty words and understood immedietly he was worried too, but knew not to say anymore on the subject.
"Look at these," Ginny called, strolling into the room, her hands weighed down with light blue bags from shops Rory knew to be very expensive. "Its all our clothes!" Rory gave a small nod, the whole plan, the dresses, the invites that now lay on the coffee table, the cunfundus charm, it was taking its tole on her and she felt so very tired. "Jess!" Ginny called, hoisting the bags in the air. "Look at what we got."
"Nice," Jess replied. Rroy turned around and saw him walking down the stairs, he gave gave Rory a subtle smile. "You getting changed yet, we have to be going in about an hour..."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Ginny muttered, she gave two bags to Harry. "You and Draco's tuxedos and things." she said softly, she planted a kiss on his cheek then walked off towards the girls' bedroom.
Rory remained standing for a few moments in the silent room, Jess was checking his watch uncomfortably and Harry was lost in his own thoughts. There was a nock at the door and Jess went to answer it. Luke followed Jess into the living room with a look of disgruntle across his face as he heaved a heavy box into the living room.
"Ah yes, the goods," Rory said, slightly disturbed by what she knew to be in the box.
"Where do I put them," Luke said disgustedly.
"Kitchen's best, but don't frighten Luna, I doubt she'll take to these things kindly," Rory said.
"No one should," Luke said and he tramped past and into the kicthen.
Everyone followed him quickly and Rory arrived in the kitchen in time to see Luna, pale faced, gawking at the box that had just boomed down onto the table. She walked up to it timidly and looked over at Luke.
"Don't touch it," he barked, and her outstrecthed hand recoiled immediatly.
"Nice going, Luke," Rory mumbled. Jess moved forward and blocked the box from view as he opened it. Rory moved forward so she could get a better look into the opened box where the black guns gleamed in the kitchen lights. Luke looked away from them and into Jess's eyes.
"Its all I could get," Luek rpelied. "Mind you, its surely enough, I don't think dinner jackets were meant to conceal guns."
"Hello," Rory said, "How do you think James Bond went around killing baddies if his dinner suits didn't conceal his weapons and silencers and such? Hmm?" Harry let himself laugh, but it was quickly ignored when Luna let out a sharp gasp.
"Guns!?" She cried, running forward and staring wide eyed at the artilary. "What on earth do you need guns for? These are bad!"
"Jess isn't magical, he needs these to keep his own if trouble strikes," Rory defended as Jess picked up a small revolver, Luna flinched.
"They aren't loaded," Jess said with a roll of his eyes. "Where are the shells?" Luke took out a long carboard box, opened it and inside were about twenty bullets.
"But bullet wounds are easily fixed," Draco pointed out.
"But it buys us all enough time to get away," said Jess.
"These are dangerous," Luna muttered, moving away from Jess and towards the girls bedroom.
"Come on, Luna," Ginny said, holding up the bags she still carried. "We have to start to get changed, coming Rory?"
Rory gave a sharp nod, she placed her hand momentarily on Jess's as he began to load his gun. He cast a glance towards her and they both smiled, the peace was reinstated between them. She truned and followed the shell shocked Luna and the giddy Ginny into the bedroom. She caught Harry's eye before she closed the door behind them, they shared a look of understanding apprehension. The plan was finally falling into place...
"Its blue," Ginny was saying happily as Luna dug her hands into the large blue bag, she pulled out a white dress box and placed it on her bed. "I hope you like it." Rory watched as Luna lifted out a blue dress, the top was tight fitting and strapless and the rest of it was puffed out with many layers of tule, it must have cost a bomb. The fabric was a light blue and reminded Rory of cotton candy.
"Its beautiful, I'm glad I left the choice up to you," Luna said calmly as she pulled the floor length dress out and pressed it to her body.
"Did you buy accessories?" Rory asked as she made her way to the closet wear her ball gown hung.
"Duh," Ginny said with a sigh. "Its what made us so late."
"You weren't too late," Rory said, hiding the fact she had wished they were a little later. Ginny wasn't fooled, she just rolled her eyes.
"Well I got you something, so you can stop holding the fact over me that I made you miss out on a few more goes on Jess." Ginny said presenting a leather case to Rory.
"That's gross, but thanks." Rory opened the case slowly and saw the sparkling red bracelet sitting in its satin bedding. She gasped as it sarkled up at her. "It just..." She was at a loss of words of how she wanted thank Ginny for the beautiful gift.
"Wow," Luna muttered as she too gazed at the onject.
"Yeah, its a bit much, but I thought I'd splurge," Ginny said easily as she took out her own dress box. "I mean I, and Harry, know that this has all been a bit rough... You deserve it I think."
Rory ran at Ginny and wrapped her amrs around her. "It has been rough, so thanks." she whispered as they shared the embrace.
"Hey, soon to be sister in laws have to stick together," Ginny replied quietly and that brought up a thought of Ron and Hermione. Rory felt a pang of sadness as she thought about how much she missed the couple... Ginny and Rory parted with sad faces, obviosuly thinking the smae thing. Rory just hoped Luna woudln't say-
"How far along is Hermione?" Luna said, she had her innocent face on that was hard to get angry at. Rory simply sighed and walked over to where her dress hung.
"I think 5 or 6 months now..." Ginny replied. "Ron must be so proud... I hope my big brother is taking care of her." The thought of a happy Ron and Hermione lifted Rory spirits, so much so that she brought out her dress with an extravegant swish and a large smile.
"Nice," Ginny said as she looked at the slinky purple dress that looked small enough to cling to Rory's body pleasantly. "But its nothing complared to this." Ginny siad dramatically as she lifted the top to her dress box and reveleaved the soft pink fabric, it was tight all the way down to the bottom where Ginny's knees would be, there it loosened fanned out to a long tail.
"Its a beauty," Rory said, slightly depressed her dress was shown up.
"I like yours," Luna said quietly as she slipped off her clothes.
"Uh thanks, Luna," Rory said timidly, how did Luna do that?
A little after an hour later they were all dressed and waiting in the living room as Harry and Rory went over the plan. Luna fidgeted with Draco's tie, he was hopeless at putting on his own, as she cast furtive gazes at Jess who adjusted the guns that had been strapped to various parts of his body. Ginny was staring out at the snow with a far off twinkle in her eye.
"Ok, the spell Luna cast will make us appear as new death eaters to everyone but to those who wish us nothing but good luck we appear as our true forms," Harry said. "Its a risky bet, but there may be other anti-Voldemort supporters in the crowd and getting their help would be very useful."
Rory picked up. "We will be walking out about a mile out of the town's limits to where a horse and carriage has been sent. If we leave now we'll be about 15 minutes early. Draco, I can't stress this enough – keep ahold of your temper! Your father will most likely be facing flack for your relationship with Luna, he's a prat but defending her honor would rather blow our cover."
"That goes for eveyone of us, they will likely be talking crap about someone we love, but sticking up for them in a crowd of death eaters is one of Harry Potter's no-nos." said Harry and Rory hid her smile, never one for pep talks she found it rather distrubing that she now had to give a lot of them.
"So are we jazzed?" she asked, the all mumbled a yeah.
"Are we beautified?" Ginny called out a loud yes and they laughed.
"Should we go?" they all cheered yeah and walked to the foyer, slipped on their heavy coats and rain boots, they would ditch them once their carriage arrived and walked out the fornt door in pairs. Jess and Rory walked hand in hand at the head of the group, followed by Ginny and Harry and bringinig up the rear was Luna and Draco.
"Rory?" called a familiar tall man at the other end of the street, Rory let out an exasperated sigh as Jess's grip grew tighter.
"Hi Dean," Rory said weakly. He ran over, his long limbs clumbsily wrapping around her in a hug, she cleared her throat and he withdrew. Dean wore his usual leather jacket and blue jeans, workman boots and brown thick woolen shirt. "You remember Jess," she said uncomfortably.
"Oh you still with him?" Dean blurted out and everyone went embarassingly silent.
"Yes, I went to Engalnd with her." Jess siad coldly, he certainly wasn't Dean's height but he tried his best to size him up.
"It just I heard a rumor you had dumped him in Engalnd..." Dean said shuffling his feet. "Well you're dressed nice!" he said loudly, Rory turned red as she heard Ginny snigger.
"Yeah, party to go to..." Rory replied.
"Yale types?" Dean asked and Rory shook her head.
"No, not really." they were silent for sometime.
"Have you met Jackosn's new green house man?" Dean asked again, trying his best to stop this turning awkward. "He's living up in your Mom's inn." Rory wished she could just run away, this was one topic she didn't want to discus.
"No," she lied quietly.
"Yeah, he has a fiance and she's pregnent, she's huge!" Harry let out a snort of disaproval and Dean truned a light shade of pink. "Well I mean the baby's getting big, not the actual girl!"
"We have to get going," Rory said quickly. "Have to get to the party!"
"Oh, well I'll see you round, yeah!" Dean called after her as Jess rushed the group off quickly.
"I'll see, yeah, bye!" she yelled after him. Everyone who followed said a curtiuos goodbye, except for Ginny who had errupted into giggles.
"Ex-boyfriend?" she asked once she had gotten ahold of herself.
"Yeah..." Rory replied. She offered a smile to Jess who was letting himself smrik, after all Dean had made a fool out of himself.
"Yeah, he's acted like Dean Thomas acts around Harry and I." Ginny said.
"Dean isn't that bad anymore, now that he's got his own girlfriend." said Harry. "But he was so bad at the beginning, getting flustered and babbling." Ginny and he chuckled as they walked on.
They finally arrived in a patch of bare woods, the black trees sprining out of the pure white blanket of snow. It had begun to snow, light now but getting heavier. Rory shivered as they turned into a large circle. Luna drew out her wand and a long list that had foreign words scribbled down. She took a deep breath and looked to Draco for reassurance. Then began to cast the spells upon them all.
After a few tense moments she gave a sigh of releif and ripped up the peaice of papaer and threw it in the wind and watched the white sheets blend with the snow flakes, if any one at the party found her carrying it they would know right away what she had done. "Ok, all done." she said simply.
"Nice one, Luna!" Ginny called hapily. "But I don't look any different, do I?" she directed the question to Harry and he shook his head.
"Well of course not," Jess siad louldy, puffing up his chest. "Luna preformed it so that anyone who wishes you bad luck sees you differently, none of us wish each other bad luck so we appear the same, smart move, Luna."
Luna gave him a smile and turned away, continuing to glance at him sideways, Rory knew he was trying to convince Luna he was a good guy, like she had suggested. Luna seemed a little wary of Jess but it had worked a little bit.
"Wait!" Ginny called loudly, Rory's heart gave a frightful lurch as she swivelled to stare madly at the red head. "We don't have names..."
"Oh shit," Harry said, kicking the snow. "I forgot all about that!"
"We only have five minutes," Draco said anxiously as he looked looked at his pocket watch. "I'll be Mercutio!"
"Mercutio?" Rory clairifed, not hididng her scoff.
"Got a problem?" Draco asked defensivley.
"Of course not, Mercutio!" Rory said and she and Ginny giggled.
"What are you called then?" Draco spat.
"I'll be Beatrix!" Rory said with a smile, Ginny rolled her eyes at Rory's lack of orginality.
"I'll be Trura Goldinstin," Ginny said with a twinkle in her eye. Even Harry had to supress the wide grin growing across his face.
"I'll be Robert..." Harry said dully, everyone gave a sigh. "What?" he asked.
"You aren't trying!" Ginny said, shoving him playfully.
"Well, I don't care what my name is..." Harry said.
"Fine," Rory piped up before anyone else could, she wouldn't miss the chance to rename Harry. "You can be Argon!" she said wildly.
"Ok maybe I do care what I'm named-" began Harry.
"Too late!" Rory said happily, they turned to Luna.
"I want to be called Noel," Luna siad simply. Rory liked the name, it suited her well.
"I'll be Davey," Jess said, before Rory could pick on the name a carriage began to draw near them.
"Get ready," Harry whispered and he brought out the tickets. "Its time to play hard ball..."
The carriage was a deep navy blue and had a gold frame and was being drawn by two large deep black Gypsy Vanner Horses, inside the black lace covered windows Rory could spot two people's shilloutes in the dim light from inside. A fat man at the front of the carriage leaned over the side and inspected the six of them.
"Eenvites?" he asked, his voice had such a heavy cockney accent it took moments of trying to figure out what he said before Ginny dived forward with the solid silver invites. One of his pudgy hands reached for them and took them from Ginny. He turned them over as he scrutenised their forged invites. Rory felt her heart in her throat where it beat quickly. The horses stirred slightly, the snow crunching under their huge hooves.
"Yer a beet young arren't ya?" He slurred, Rory wished she had subtitles as he slurred on. "Burt so arr those two!" he hooked a thumb at the carriage he drove. "Bet that's why a carriage wus sent, ye youngens carn't drive!" he roared with laughter. Rory and the group stood stock still and gawked at the man as his yellow teeth gleamed in his grin. "Well! Get een! I gotta schedule tu keep!"
They all exchanged looks then uncertainly made for the carriage doors. He made madea rushing movement with his hands so they all picked up their pace. Harry and Ginny squished in first and once Rory was in she sat on the leather bench with a sigh, she was so glad to be out of the cold night. She took in the black and gold interior with aw. The other two people who had been in the carriage were two girls, one had brown hair and a red dress, and large front teeth, the other had orange short hair and wore a black dress. They looked nice in their evening gown but they obviously didn't have as much money as Harry had given his group to shop for gowns.
The pair of them gawked at Harry and cast shocked furtive gazes at the rest of them as the carriage kicked into a fast movement.
"Harry," the brown haired girl asked with wonderment.
"No..." Harry replied. "I'm Lord Argon." The girl didn't seem convinced but shut her mouth.
"Nasty weather," Rory tried for conversation after a few moments. The two girls' open mouths had turned to ear to ear grins. The girl with orange hair turned to whisper something in the brunette's ear.
"Its rude to whisper," Draco pointed out.
"Y-you don't understand," the brunette began, "We're-" before she could finish her sentence the carraige stopped and the door swung open.
"Eer we arr!" The caochman said, that was easy enough to understand. Rory cast a glance at the two odd girls before sliding out after Luna and Draco.
They were at the base of a long pure white marble stair case that had been inlaid into rough jagged rocks. At the top of this hill was a grand castle that appeared completely dark. Rory clasped tight onto Jess's hand as the coachman led them up the steep steps.
"I can't walk in heels," the brunette was whispering to the carrot top. "I wish she knew a better spell! This is humiliating."
"Well, this is all very stressful," the red head replied. "No need to get angry at her."
"But with them back its bound," the brunetted continued but she was cut off.
"Shh! We're at the doors." the red head hissed.
Sure enough they were reaching the big metal doors which served as an entrance to the eerie castle. A man in a green and silver robe with a tall walking stick with a hanging lantern was standing by the door nobs.
"Invites..." he said in a deep voice, the coachman walked forward and handed the man the silver invites. "Names..." he said again.
"Lord and Lady Argon," Harry said calmly, Ginny moved closer to his side.
"Mercutio Warn," Draco said.
"Noel Ridon," Luna said airly.
Jess squeezed her hand for support as Rory answered. "Beatrix Gellar," she said, she stole her last name from Paris, it was the only thing that was coming to mind.
"Davey Jones," Jess replied simply, Rory cocked him a smile.
"Narvana Pomme," the brunette said shakily.
"And I am Fran Toll," the red head replied with a wide smile.
"Follow me..." the doorman said. The coach man was walking down the steps back to his coach as the doorman turned and faced the door. He raised his walking stick and pounded it on the marble steps three times. Slowly the dark castle began to glow as light shone from out of the windows and the door man walked through the doors and passed easily threw as if the door wasan't even there, Rory followed quickly and found herself at the top of a grand staircase looking down onto a ballroom decorated with deep blue, green and silver. Many people in beautiful gowns looked up at the new comers.
In a deep voice their names boomed around the hall as they were sent one by one down the stairs cases. There was a band that was just finished setting up their equipment, everyone looked evil in this room as the six of them glided uncertainly through the crowd. They certainly didn't know who they were because Harry easily walked through the crowd without being killed, which Rory saw as a plus.
The band began to strike up a rather overdramtic tune and everyone turned towards the middle of the hall. Rory looked where they were but couldn't see anything until a man standing on a lone circular block of marble began to ascend until he was meters above everyone's heads. He had long platinum hair and looked like Draco, just maybe 20 years older.
"Dear god," Draco muttered, Luna held on to him tightly as Luscious Malfoy addressed the crowd.
"Hello my fellow fighters," he said in a grand voice, everyone gave a loud cheer, Rory joined in and even gave a little whistle, Harry looked at her oddly but when he got even odder looks for not joining in, he clapped along loudly. "We are here to kick start the new phase in our plan! Of course our Lord isn't going to be joining in on the festivities. We will enjoy an hour of partying before the heads of all major pure blood families will join myself in the meeting room to discus the annihilation of all the filthy blood that polutes our world!"
Rory grudgingly joined in on the loud exclamtion of cheers, shouts and whistles that eminated from the crowd, Ginny bit her bottom lip but Luna looked completely in charater as she hooted along with the crowd.
"Now please mingle, this is your last chance to try and spread your thoughts around!" Luscious finished then his block of marble sunk back down into the crowd.
"This is sick," Harry muttered to Rory.
"I hear someone knows where the two Potter kids are hiding!" someone behind Rory was saying.
"Well I hear they already know the date of the attack!" another exclaimed.
"Let's mingle," Jess whispered in her ear as he placed a hand on the small of her back and they, along with Harry, Ginny, Draco and Luna, began to swim through the crowd.
They finally came to stop at a group that seemed to be crowded around one man. The group parted a bit so Rory and her pals could get in and they saw that the main attraction was in fact Professor Severus Snape.
"I'm told that Potter's already dead," one woman said.
"You're a fool, woman! I've heard its only their blood traitor father," A man said loudly, Snape just stood with a placid face as everyone swaped ideas and theories.
"My son says that none of Harry, or his close firends have been to Hogwarts since Christmas," a woman cackled. "Probably got scared and fled!"
"Yeah, even that foul army Potter started has disappeared, they started dropping off like flies once Potter didn't show up after the holidyas" a young man agrred.
"Maybe they're just collecting their forces to hit back hard," said a brunette, Rory recognised her from the carriage ride as Narvana.
"I heard that you, Snape, and others tried to ambush Potter on christmas, and only managed to wreck the house..." one man said in a gruff voice, Rory felt a chill go down her spine, was her home destroyed? Her new home that promised her a new life with her brother and Father, was it gone for ever?
"Well a source tells me," Luna piped up bravely. "That Potter and a select few students are living quite happily, that they are as strong as ever and meerly gathering forces to strike the dark lord for good!" Her eyes glanced to a man and Rory realised that Luscious Malfoy had joined the group.
"Who's your source?" he asked coldly in a voice sounding so close to Draco's.
"No one you would know, Malfoy," Luna said, Rory was floored, where was this courage coming form? She and others stared in wonder at Luna as she went on, Narvana strangely had tears of joy in her eyes as she watched Luna. "I hear you can't even trust your own son! Didn't he go behind your back and fall in love with... oh what is her name?" she asked, turning to Draco. "Mercutio, what is it?"
"It's Luna Lovegood, I believe, the daughter of the man who writes the Quibbler" Draco replied, the group around them erupted in laughter and Luscios went red with anger, Rory smirked and imagined how much fun Luna and Draco were having.
"That's the one! I hear she's lovely..." Luna dwelled.
"I hear they're moving in together!" Ginny piped up. "Completely head over heels, talking of marriage!"
"And to think..." Draco continued. "That's your son, Luscious, and he's found a life that you didn't pick!" some people braced themselves on their knees as they laughed hard.
"That's all very nice," Harry said. "But its all based on hearsay, none of you have some real cold hard, first-hand accounts..." he eyed Snape and Luscious.
"I do!" Luscious cheered, he looked desperate to salvage the situation, Malfoy needed to prove he was worth his high status in the death eater community.
"Go on then" Harry said, looking unconvinced.
"The Dark Lord is planning an attack, in March, near the girl's hometown," Luscious began.
"Where'd you get this information," Harry asked quickly.
"From the horse's mouth," Luscious replied simply, the group had fallen silent again. "Will you excuse me, I must get some refreshments." he walked off and Snape followed close behind.
"Rory," stuttered a voice behind her, she truned around and saw Narvana and Fran standing nervously behind her.
"I'm Bellatrix-" Rory began but Narvana shook her head.
"I can see you! You are Rory Gilmore," Narvana said. "And you're with Harry, Ginny, Luna, Draco and Jess."
"You wouldn't know who Jess was unless..." Rory began as it slowly dawned on her.
"Unless I go to Hogwarts," Narvana finished. The spell Luna had cast allowed only those who wished the group good luck to see their true idenitities, these two girl wished Rory and her group good luck, they were obviously anti-Voldemort supporters! Rory beamed.
"Who are you then! I don't recognise you," Ginny said, Rory glanced behind her and saw the other five behind her.
"Don't laugh," Fran said, Ginny shook her head and swore not to. "Its me, Fred, your big brother."
"Fred!" Ginny gasped. "I never thought I'd see you again!" she was almsot crying with happiness. "Hows George, Mom, Dad, Bill, Phlegm, Dale!"
"They're all fine, we got out on an emergency port key." Fred replied, Rroy let out a sigh of relief.
"What about our Dad?" Harry asked, Fred stared at him sadly then shrugged.
"He disappeared the moment the death eaters replied." he answered, Rory caught her breath in her throat, trying to find their father was like trying to catch smoke.
"We have time to discuss this all later," Narvana spoke up. "We can't stay here any longer, or we'll all be in danger."
"Why?" Rory and Harry asked at the same time.
"Voldemort will come out soon and cast a powerful decloaking spell on this whole room! We'll all be revealed." Narvana said.
"How do you know?" Draco asked.
"I overheard," Narvana replied simply. He held up a champagne glass importantly. "A portkey." she said simply, "We leave in two minutes."
"Where to?" Rory whispered.
"The room of requirement," said Fred. "Where else?"
(A/N) Reviews people, the end is near, I predict a possible 4 chapters... maybe five if you count an epilogue!
In the next chapter Ginny realises her changes...