Disclaimer: I do not have any ownership rights whatsoever of Harry Potter. You may also refer to me as 'The-One-Who-Has-Not'.
Chapter 4: The Last Gift
The doors to the Great Hall closed slowly, the hinges creaking and grating on all the ears inside. A metallic 'clack' sounded when the latch slid into place and everything was silent again. Murmurs began amongst the tables and within seconds, the noise accustomed to the Hall at breakfast returned.
"No way!" shouted someone from Ravenclaw.
"Is that even possible?"
"What happened to Umbridge?"
"Did Potter replace her?"
"What about Dumbledore?"
Above all the queries and excited murmurings, it was one particular statement which brought Hermione Granger out of her stupor.
"What in the bloody hell just happened?" asked Ron. "Is that, I mean, how did he… Can Harry even do that…?"
Hermione, though still shocked, was about to make a passable attempt to answer when Dean leaned over.
"Who cares if he can or not but did you see McGonagall's face?" he asked excitedly. "I thought she was going to have a heart attack and then I could have sworn Harry was going to get it bad but then she just plays along!"
Ron hesitated.
Nobody ever praised him for being a fast learner but he wasn't stupid either. It took him awhile to come onto the fact strange things happened to his best mate, there really wasn't a better way to put it. With a Philosopher's Stone, varying sizes of snakes, a killer tree and a Tournament rigged to do the same, Harry had an impeccable resume for title of 'The World's Unluckiest Bloke.'
This stunt wasn't helping him either.
Ron glanced at Hermione and was surprised to find her eyes hazy although they were starting to clear. There had been only one other time Ron could remember seeing a mentally stunned Hermione which was when Harry had been chosen as a Hogwarts champion.
'Funny that,' he mused. The situation was different, but the circumstances were oddly similar. Something smelled on the side of rancid and if Ron hated anything, it was spoiled food.
"Ruddy amazing Harry's standing, I'll give him that," he finally replied. Ron had also learned not to jump to conclusions, or at least, hold his tongue until Hermione started talking.
"Wait just a minute," said the witch, finding her voice. "Are you saying it was all an act and you don't believe it?"
Ron shrugged noncommittally while Dean voiced his thoughts, "It almost has to be. How else did Harry get away with what he did? Someone obviously summoned him to the head table and McGonagall played along, while weird it fits. Peeves knew about it so what else could it be but a prank?"
Hermione pursed her lips together in frustration. While she was proud Ron hadn't jumped the gun, Dean's words ignited a logical maelstrom.
Hermione remembered seeing Harry's face at his suddenly missing seat, the utter shock at being pulled towards the front of the Hall and most importantly how sick he looked when he realized where he was. The surge of frustration practically made his eyes glow, an easy giveaway to Harry being surprised.
If it was all a joke as Dean suggested, then the emotion she saw was acting on Harry's part and good acting at that. If her facilities hadn't been compromised by the suddenness of it all, she may have realized the sticking point of it sooner.
Someone had cast a spell and to think for a moment it could have been one of the professors at the Head Table was a testament to just how big a loop she had been sent through. The spell which beckoned him was not the summoning spell either, as the male Gryffindor believed it to be. Harry stopped midway, hadn't he?
A summoning wouldn't do that.
Furthermore, Madame Bones along with the Board of Governors seemed to know Harry was the Headmaster. Could it have all been a setup and what about his response to Madame Bones? Few others might have seen it, but Hermione knew her best friend and something was clearly not right with him. Was he under the Imperius curse?
'Not likely,' she thought dryly so then what in Merlin's name was going on?
Hermione shook her head and tried to munch out her frustrations on a muffin. She absolutely hated not knowing something important and the feeling was amplified since it dealt directly with Harry. How many times had he gotten hurt or was in trouble when strange things started happening around him?
'That insufferable 'saving people thing' pulls a blanket over his eyes and he goes crap shooting in the dark to try and help.' She shivered in anger, 'Oooh he just makes me so mad sometimes! Why can't he just stay out of trouble!?'
This happened several times before, where Harry's qualities would ignite an incredibly hot anger and she'd come close on many occasions to screaming at him to wake up and get a good whiff of logic. The fire would ultimately die out and she'd remember the why behind her reaction. If it wasn't the mental image with his look of hurt or frustration that'd smother her fire, it'd be her own thoughts instead.
'I have to help him,' she said as a grim determination settled over her gaze. 'I can't let him go alone.'
Since the end of first year, Hermione realized Harry would almost always be in some kind of danger. No matter what he did or how hard he tried, people would always want to get to him for one reason or another. This was especially driven home last year when no one believed him and everything went wrong in the Third Task.
She vowed to help him when at all possible, to do her best and push herself to previously unknown heights in order to protect him. Her unnatural drive to help Harry had been disturbing at first, but eventually she came to recognize it as some form of attraction. What kind exactly was something she still didn't quite understand and was grappling with what it all meant.
Grumbling under her breath while kicking her confused emotions out of the way, she stood up. "Friends first," she mumbled and started to pack up.
"Where you going Hermione, no classes today remember?"
Frayed nerves were urging her to swat Ron over the head but it wouldn't have been fair. Instead she did her best to sound only half as annoyed as she was, "Honestly, Ronald. I'm going to the library and since we have the day off, it's a perfect opportunity to go over all my notes for finals next week."
He eyed her back as she stalked off before shaking his head and muttering under his breath. Of course he knew where she was going; she went there every time something went wrong with Harry.
XX
Luna sat in her usual spot at the Ravenclaw table observing the morning's events with rapt attention or as others would say, staring out into oblivion. She watched Harry's odd maneuvering to the head table without surprise or concern, but inside she was giggling like mad.
To her eyes and ears, Mai appeared and vanished his seat while laughing merrily. She then lassoed him with a yellow whip of magic before yanking him towards the front of the Hall. Mai's reaction to the students' laughter was almost as entertaining as what was happening to Harry at the time.
She was brought out of her musings when Hermione got up rapidly, scraping the bench along the floor and Luna just barely caught sight of a scowl on her face. She frowned, watching Ron study her retreating form for a moment before turning to Dean and shrugging his shoulders. Hermione on the other hand stalked off, likely to the library.
Luna sighed and her eyes cleared slightly as Mai appeared in a seat opposite hers.
"Hello Luna! Did you enjoy the show?"
Said girl giggled, "I did, but I don't think Harry enjoyed it so much."
"Oh... Do you really think so?"
"Well to a degree. Why, is something wrong?"
Mai shrugged, "I only met Harry earlier today and I don't think we started out on the best of terms. I was hoping he'd enjoy putting everyone in their place for once, you know, shoe on the other foot and all."
Luna looked thoughtful, "I believe he enjoyed it at the end and you shouldn't trouble yourself so soon. Harry's very difficult when it comes to establishing trust. You may have pushed it slightly, but I see no reason to worry."
Mai managed a smile, "I was just being hopeful I suppose."
Luna grinned too, "You got that from me it seems."
"No doubt."
They beamed at each other before settling into a comfortable silence. It wasn't until Luna consumed several slices of toast before Mai spoke again.
"You know, I'm surprised you haven't said anything yet."
It was Luna's turn to shrug, "I wanted to but I assumed you'd tell me eventually. You did seem upset a few moments ago so I figured an additional moment or two of silence would be best."
"Who got that from whom?"
"I'd argue me from you as your patience can far outpace my own but at this point it's a circular reference so no point in delving further," Luna replied with a little smirk on her lips.
Two hands raised into the air in defeat, "All right, all right! You're no fun sometimes, you know?"
Luna stuck her tongue out playfully, "Tell me, Mai. What happened to your hair? I didn't know you followed Witch Weekly."
A snort answered her, "Hardy har har Miss Lovegood but no. Blasted thing is rubbish, you know that."
"Of course I do, but what I don't know is why your hair is a different color."
Her twin smiled sheepishly, "This would be a byproduct of my introduction to Harry. Oh, and I apologize for using you as a medium last night. Hogwarts really didn't leave me a choice and it was convenient."
Luna huffed, "Indeed it must have been. I felt caught in a dream when you left. It's nothing to be worried about though, especially since Hogwarts needed you and I would gladly do it again to help. I assume they spoke briefly?"
"Through me, yes. The bonding has started."
"Wonderful news! We digress however and perhaps I should have been more precise. What I should be asking is, why that color?"
Mai leaned onto the table using a hand to prop up her head, "I honestly don't know. I expected something akin to silver and black, not such a twisted shade of brown that changes. The changing bit started right after Harry and I parted ways which only makes it stranger."
Luna watched in interest as Mai's hair started with a light brown which grew dark to jet black and then with splashes of silver appearing in the strands before being run over again by the brown.
"Odd," Luna remarked and Mai consented. "Does it bother you?"
"Yes and no. I want to know why, but I don't think it matters at this point."
The Ravenclaw mumbled agreement and went back to her breakfast. For a while, Luna was focused on her notes, poring over subtleties she discovered during her studies. She was nearly lost to the pages when she heard Mai hiss in surprise. Startled, Luna looked up to watch her grumble under her breath before their eyes locked.
"Luna? Would you be willing to help me?"
The Ravenclaw blinked several times and then closed her notebook. This sounded like it was going to be important. "Of course Mai; what do you need?"
"Harry's already facing trouble due to Snape's careless demands," she spat out and Luna raised her eyebrows.
"What happened?"
"Snape invoked an old clause from the charter which binds professors to the school. He challenged Harry's credentials and we can't sit here and let that go unanswered." Mai took a breath or two to quell her anger. "Harry will need guidance, but only for a time. The castle will eventually take care of the rest but not until after the examinations thanks to Snape's stupidity. We need a backup plan."
"This sounds most unfortunate. What did you have in mind?"
"I need you to introduce me to Hermione."
Genuine surprise flashed across Luna's face before a guarded look came over her, "For what purpose?"
"Have you noticed they make quite the pair? Sometimes completing the other's thoughts?" Mai frowned as Luna's expression harden.
"You want my opinion on their compatibility." It wasn't a question and the tone left no room for guesswork on Luna's disposition. "I'm not here to play matchmaker, Mai. I won't do that to them and I don't see how this even applies."
Mai's shoulders slumped, "Luna, as much as I don't like saying it, this is more important than what they may or may not feel for the other. Harry must make it through the challenges, unscathed at best or reasonably so at the worst. I want an opportunity to try and convince Hermione and then Harry to perform Coetus."
Luna's jaw dropped but she quickly recovered. "You want to forge a mind link between them, that's your aim?"
The hissed response would have been enough to make Mai wince, but she was getting fired up as well. "Yes, in point of fact. Preferably a temporary one, but a possible outcome would be a more permanent link. Did you see Harry wince several times? Notice the pain he tried to hide and did so quite well? Those headaches were moments when Hogwarts or I tried to help him by putting words or knowledge into his head to be used at the right time for his benefit."
Luna bit back a retort.
"We shouldn't even be discussing this, but Umbridge forced it upon him! We had to get involved, a link had to form between us which allowed Hogwarts to start bonding to Harry, to protect him. A dream would have been the 'normal' way or just him being alone somewhere in the castle but no, instead he was being tortured and we needed something different."
Mai sighed, running fingers through her hair. "The bonding isn't as strong as it should be and Harry is getting headaches because of the botched manner this is all progressing in. Neither I or Hogwarts are in a position to really help him now." She looked back into Luna's eyes, "But Hermione is. Their natural closeness will make it far easier on Harry then if Hogwarts or I tried to force the matter. We could if we wanted, but the end result would be the same if not worse if Snape manages to win."
Luna held firm, understanding the arguments but not liking them. "Apart from the other dangers of using this method, you do realize it will look like you're trying to sway Harry's actions by manipulating Hermione, right?"
Mai looked tired, "Which is why we tell them the truth and make sure they know manipulation is not my intent, or yours. I don't want to do this anymore then you do, but we can't just sit here and allow Snape to ruin what has yet to begin. Harry can do so much good for the school Luna, let alone the students and people who live here. He just needs a chance to do so."
Luna's eyes were crystal clear, a silent testament to how focused she was forcing herself to be. "Alright, but there's not a stone we're leaving unturned for what we're telling Hermione and Harry. They will be told everything and while I don't like it either way, I'll do it for Harry."
The two stared at each other, each with fire in their eyes before they both deflated at the same time.
"This is hardly fair to them or their friends," Luna whispered. "Who knows what it would do overall?"
"I know," Mai replied, "It wasn't my first choice, yet I see no other way at least not with the time frame we've been given."
"How soon?"
"This coming Thursday, he needs to be ready by then."
Quietly, Luna began to pack up. Mai had phased through the table and was standing next to her.
"I'm sorry to ask you of this. If I knew of another way, I'd take it."
Luna waved her off with no ill-feelings, "It's up to Harry and Hermione if they want to partake in this. I cannot deny the benefits, especially given the circumstances but I would still rather they didn't." Her voice cracked, "It's a terrible thing to watch, if one of them were to be lost."
Mai nodded sadly and hugged Luna from behind, "I'm so sorry," she whispered before phasing out. The Ravenclaw tilted her head to the side, nudging her friend in thanks before Mai completely vanished and Luna slung the backpack over her shoulder.
Hermione would likely be knee deep in books for some time and she had to prepare for the what the not-so-distant conversation would demand of her, thus finding the Gryffindor could wait. Luna was so focused on the impending discussion, she missed the snide comments about her talking with imaginary friends as she left the Great Hall.
XX
The Library was often a place overlooked or scoffed at by most students who entered Hogwarts.
One would walk down a miserably undecorated hallway to a lone archway at the end of the hall in the southern corridor of the castle, roughly halfway between Slytherin and Hufflepuff houses. It was an uninviting place as most students who weren't in either house never ventured this far without motive. While the obvious deterrents were the Slytherins, the reason for Hufflepuff to be lumped into the same category was something Luna had puzzled over for quite some time.
As she stood at the entrance she smiled sadly, looking over all the runes and glyphs adorning the arch way. It was in her third year she had deciphered the messages. Shortly after, she had pieced together why Hufflepuff was such an outcast. One inscription in particular, written in an old dialect, told of a forgotten truth.
Trwy Elga dwylo, y llyfrau hyn lleyg yma
"By Helga's hands, these books lay here," Luna said reverently and the runes glowed briefly before returning to their unpowered state.
It was due to Helga Hufflepuff that a Library existed at all, which had surprised the Ravenclaw. It was thought Rowena was the one to gift the castle with so many books, while in fact a large portion of them came from her dear friend Helga. Perhaps that was why the house was so secluded. Luna reasoned if she had given thousands of books to start the collection, it was likely students wouldn't want to be around her either.
She also discovered the Library wasn't quite as drab as it appeared and only those who uttered the inscription would see it as Helga did. The books and scrolls remained unchanged but it was the artwork, the color of the massive room normally hidden from view that was the real treasure.
Brilliant paintings hung on the walls depicting old tales of ancient wizards and witches far removed from the history taught in Binns' classes. The ceiling was charmed like the Great Hall except instead of showing exactly what one would imagine a sky to be it was shown in the painting style of the Awakening, the magical equivalent of the Renaissance. Luna often stared at the walls and the ceiling during her third year and was teased about it mercilessly but out of everything in this room: the books, the paintings, even the history, she enjoyed the floor more than anything.
Every time the magic rushed through her eyes, the floor would change landscapes. Sometimes it was a sandy beach with the ocean licking at the corners of the room with swells trying to wash away the sand. Other days it was of green fields with warm, welcoming grass just begging to be walked on and felt through the toes of your feet.
She giggled as she made her way past tall shelves. It was on more than one occasion Madame Pince chastised her for taking off her shoes. Pince even made it a habit to look Luna up and down for anything out of place before letting the young woman go about her business. Entertaining though it was, it started to wear on the Ravenclaw's nerves so Luna simply waited until she was in her little remote corner of the library before the offending shoes were discarded. The feeling of the sand or grass was just too inviting to be passed up.
To Luna's surprise and joy, she found Hermione one day in her own remote nook with her shoes taken off and placed carefully by the table. At first Luna thought it was just a coincidence and Hermione would likely be sitting for hours and just wanted to be comfortable. That belief changed when Hermione shuffled her feet and sighed happily in what appeared to Luna as rich green grass. She knew then Hermione had figured it out too.
Luna walked quietly to the corner Hermione claimed as her own. Just as she was rounding the last shelf hiding an old wooden table in the corner, she heard Hermione curse out, "Bloody hell, Harry! What have you gotten yourself into?"
It wasn't a statement of anger, which one would normally assume but of desperation which was saying something if Hermione was already getting desperate. As she came around, Luna found her with several large books stacked high on either side of her. Hermione's arms were crossed together on the table with her face buried in them.
She tiptoed towards her, wondering what would have the Gryffindor so worked up. The books on the table were all stacked neatly, their spines facing towards Hermione and thus Luna as well. She marveled as she checked off the names:
- Hogwarts: A History, Volumes 2 through 6
- A Laymen's Guide to Hogwarts
- The Founders
- Caretakers to the Headmaster: Official Positions of Hogwarts, latest edition
- Magical Artifacts: A Study of What, Where and Why
With each title, Luna's frown grew deeper, 'What have you been researching, Hermione?' Standing beside her, Luna gently placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder and the girl let out a surprised yelp, jumping in her seat. Once Hermione recognized who disturbed her, she let out a sigh of relief, "Oh, hello Luna. You startled me."
Luna squinted her eyes, catching the faintest of tears prickling her friend's eyelashes. "Good evening, Hermione. What are you doing here so late?"
The bookworm blinked, "What time is it?"
Luna flipped her wrist exposing a small watch, "Exactly eleven thirty-three p.m. I know the library is open round the clock due to exams but I thought you missing dinner was strange."
Hermione's stomach growled and she blushed slightly, "Really? I didn't realize I was here all day." She stretched while gesturing to the books, "I was just researching a few things."
"I can see that," Luna chirped, "but what exactly? Ways to help Harry perhaps?"
Hermione tried not to blush, "Is it that obvious?"
Luna giggled, "Why don't we go sit down and you can tell me what you're stuck on? The Clardons usually gather around flustered and upset girls, muddling their thoughts before making them despair. It's a nasty sort of business, but if a friend comes along, his or her presence is usually enough to make the Clardons scatter, so come, tell me what you've been doing."
Hermione blinked before realizing the futility of trying to beg off and smiled instead. She followed Luna to a pair of nearby lounge chairs, watching her skip and hum an unknown tune. Although they hadn't known each other long, the two girls found solace together in their love of books. Luna's whimsical nature sometimes clashed with Hermione's ordered one, but it didn't stop them from growing close.
Once seated, Hermione pushed a few stray curls of chestnut out of her eyes and took a few more seconds to compose her thoughts. "Well, as you're aware Harry is somehow the Headmaster so quite a few things must have happened since last night. I've been trying to make sense of it all, what with Umbridge's disappearance, Harry's silent appointment, the Professors' acknowledgement of said appointment along with the Board of Governors, not to mention Harry's change in character and behavior and,"
She would have continued and probably alerted the whole Library to her worries but Luna put a finger to Hermione's lips, surprising her.
"I gathered," smiled Luna while pulling back, "but that doesn't tell me what you're stuck on."
"That's just it! There's no apparent explanation, nothing in any of the books on Hogwarts or anything really gives a hint as to what's going on. Plenty of history on the school itself and a surprising amount about the school's structure. It's really interesting to see how much has changed throughout the years compared to now. That said, I can usually find something, a lick, a mere sentence, I'll even take a phrase at this point but there's nothing," she groaned while pulling at her hair before slumping into the chair.
Luna studied her as she vented, taking note of the frustration in Hermione's voice, the act of hair pulling, which Luna couldn't recall seeing Hermione ever do before, the now soft slump of her shoulders and the defeated sigh that just left her.
All in all, Luna was quite proud of her assessment, "So what's the real reason then?"
Hermione didn't answer right away, "I hate not knowing what's going on, especially when Harry's involved. His ridiculous chivalry! I swear if I find the one who hit him with the Vir Fortis hex I'll curse them into oblivion."
Luna barely hid a smirk, "I don't think he was hexed, as it seems to be a natural part of him. Though, you're still dancing around the crux."
Hermione stiffened and took a long pause, her voice small, "How can you tell?"
The Ravenclaw smiled warmly, "I can see things others cannot. It gives me an unfair advantage when trying to suss out details. Now what is really bothering you?"
Hermione gave a half hearted smile, "It's always been us three: Harry, Ron and I that is. Together we'd face anything, but last year was the first time we've really been split since coming here. I never thought Ron could become such a firm believer Harry would lie over a stupid competition."
Luna hummed in agreement, "Your arguments with Ronald are legend in Ravenclaw."
Hermione blushed but continued, "Well, even though we're still together it seems like we've never really mended the rift. Ron and I have our spats but we've more or less come to terms over the issue. Despite that, I don't think Harry and Ron ever flushed things out. Now Harry's the Headmaster and I don't know what's going to happen."
Luna nudged her, "And…?"
"Oh fine!" she grumbled, "I'm nervous about Harry moving on and not needing me anymore. Are you happy now?"
Luna's smile did nothing to ease Hermione's annoyance or deepening blush, "Very much, thank you and you shouldn't worry over something so trivial. True friends will always seek each other out even if time or circumstance separates them."
Hermione's anger deflated, "Thank you, Luna. I'm sorry for snapping at you, it's been a stressful day."
She smiled faintly, "What are friends for? Although I do confess, there is a reason I came here." Hermione nodded, urging Luna to continue and she was only slightly alarmed by the sudden darkness which crept into Luna's eyes. "There may be something you can do to help Harry."
"Really? Do you know what's happening?"
"To an extent, but there is someone else who can explain it better and I'd like to introduce you to her. First however, you need to know more about me and how I came to befriend this person."
1989 Sweden Countryside, skirting an unknown forest
Luna danced happily in a field of yellow daisies and white daffodils singing out a song with no words or any meaning. Following behind were her mother and father, smiling and laughing at their daughter.
"Mummmyy!" she laughed aloud, "Will we see the Crumple-Horned Snorkack today!?"
Mrs. Lovegood smiled brilliantly at her daughter, "I do hope so Luna, we are in the right spot for them so perhaps we'll get lucky tonight."
Luna squealed loudly and ran towards them, barreling into her mother so hard she was nearly knocked over. Eventually, they came across a small clearing large enough for an expandable tent and they set up camp. The day progressed lazily, the sun not too warm and the air not too cold. Sunset came and coated the sky in an assortment of brilliant colors.
Luna yawned sleepily, causing her mother to giggle, "Are they here yet?"
The elder Lovegood smiled and Eskimo-kissed her daughter, "Not yet dear. Why don't you go lie down for a spell and if I see one I'll come get you?"
Luna pouted for a moment before smiling and hugged her mother tight, "Okay Mummy, but you better come and get me!"
The night had gone cold and Luna shivered awake as she pushed the blankets off of her. She grew frightened for a moment, feeling for the bottle cap necklace her mother made several hours prior and calmed when her fingers grazed one of the caps on her neck. She yawned and looked dreamily to the front of the tent. Night greeted her eyes and realizing how late it was, she jumped up and rushed to the entrance. Luna was about to call out when frightened voices halted her movement.
"Xeno! Don't move!"
"Love, watch what you cast! We don't know what the effects will be, not against a borack. Merlin, what is that thing doing out here of all places!?"
Luna couldn't see what this borack was, but she certainly heard it.
A deep, menacing growl sent shivers up her spine and she could hear this creature crunch over grass and flowers, stalking its prey. Her father, Xenophilius, said something out loud, most likely a spell but to Luna it was just a garbled bunch of words. A series of colorful lights erupted in the night and a loud pained howl tore through the air.
Her heart quickened, "Father?" she whispered but a terrible scream of pain answered.
"Xeno!" her mother cried and forgetting her fear, Luna tore out of the tent.
Just as the flap settled, the body of her father was thrown to her feet and she stopped cold. He was bruised, cut horribly and bleeding. A nasty gash nearly opened his stomach and the blood flowed freely. Her father's face was one of anguish and she could almost make out from his pale lips a silent cry for help. Luna had gone white and the next moment her mother was standing over them both.
She watched in fascinated horror as her mother's wand glowed and hummed, magic pouring through it in her efforts. In seconds, the blood was vanished, his face held color again and the cuts were all sealed but still raw. Just as hope started to swell in Luna's mind a loud roar sounded behind them.
The elder Lovegood looked into her daughter's eyes, "Be strong Luna and know I will always love you."
She kissed her daughter's head while lightly touching the bottle cap necklace. Not even a tear could form in Luna's eyes before her mother quickly turned and ran back into the darkness. For several terrifying moments, the world was quiet and only the growls of this creature sounded in the night.
But then the sky turned white and the air grew warm before a blast of magic threw both Luna and her father back into the tent. Before her body entered, Luna caught a glimpse of her mother standing straight and tall against a large black creature and time stopped.
Forever etched into her memory was that of her mother's form encased in a black fire and being eaten away. A painful scream of rage sounded from the creature, whose features were now clearly visible from the fire's eerie light. No sooner had these details been etched into her mind, time resumed and Xeno's body rolled out of the way inside, but Luna smacked her head on the ground and was knocked out.
The few tears that escaped Luna's eyes long since dried and Hermione removed her hand from her shoulder. She had put it there during the worst of it as a sign of comfort but in all honesty, Luna was surprisingly calm throughout. She would have brought the girl into a fierce hug but sensed Luna didn't want it, not yet.
"It was the last I'd ever see of Mummy and I never found any sign of her or the creature that attacked us. The ground was scorched but only in one spot and the flowers around it in a large circle were all wilted and dead. I can only assume she stood there before the end.
The following days were difficult. Mummy had healed Daddy, but he was left open to the elements and became sick. I was afraid to move him so I did what I could, or at least what a nine year old could from what Mummy taught me. After a day or so, I found the emergency portkey stashed away in our tent and prepared to leave. Just as I was about to activate it, something beckoned me towards the spot and it was there I received Mummy's last gift."
Hermione spoke for the first time in what seemed like hours, "A gift?"
Luna smiled although just barely, "I can see things other people cannot. I think it's the world between this one and the next because I saw an outline of Mummy one last time. I couldn't see her face but I could tell she was smiling at me. She waved, before disappearing; a mass of light joining back with the currents."
Hermione wanted to question what Luna meant but thought better of it. The two stayed quiet for a time and then Luna sighed loudly, her eyes losing some of their haze.
"I told you this for two reasons. First was for the emotional link necessary to introduce you to my friend." Luna frowned at Hermione's slighted look, "No, I didn't mean it quite like that. She can only reveal herself to people truly close to me, that's part of the requirement for the magic to work. I had to open a part of myself to you in order to satisfy the wards."
The young Gryffindor went from being hurt to completely shocked, "You mean to say there are emotional wards keeping her from showing herself? Who would force that kind of magic on a person?"
Emotional wards were frowned upon almost as much as blood magic. Activation required the wizard or witch to be in a very specific state for them to work and since no two emotions were experienced the same, the magic was finicky, unstable and very dangerous. Hermione was also awestruck. 'No matter how she looked outwardly, I could see the pain from retelling her story. She relived all that just to introduce me to someone? Why?'
Luna shook her head, "Not exactly, but I think you'll understand once you meet her. The second reason is the most obvious: we're here to help Harry. He already has a connection to her and through your friendship with him, that should provide what is needed to speak with Mai and do what we're looking to try."
Amusement briefly flitted over Luna's eyes as Mai came into focus in front of Hermione who screeched but quickly covered her mouth to stifle the rest.
Mai smiled meekly, "Hello, Hermione." Her smile faded though as she looked in Luna's direction. "I'm sorry you had to relive it again."
Luna's response was quiet, "This for the both of them. I'll gladly do anything to help."
This time, Hermione didn't hesitate to pull Luna into one of her Granger hugs before anything else could be said. While being held, Luna's strength waned and the young girl cried for her lost mother.
Mai stayed a step away, tears of her own for two completely different reasons. First for the pain her twin had to remember in order to introduce them and second for the amazing friend Hermione was being. Quite possibly the only friend and it was heartening to see Luna could count on someone else besides herself.
The tears eventually dried and Luna broke the dim mood with a fit of giggles, "Oh Hermione, I'm sorry. We're here to help Harry not help me help Harry."
Hermione squeezed her tight, "I'll help you anytime you need me, Luna. Don't ever forget that." Her words almost brought Luna to tears again but a sniff was all she let escape.
"Thank you," she whispered. The two separated and Luna turned to Mai, still wiping her eyes, "Why don't we start by telling Hermione what you are?"
"An excellent idea," Mai smiled and the two girls sat back down as Mai floated above them. "I'm a spirit of the castle, Hermione. Tied to Hogwarts in part through Luna's magic and bound by the castle's magic too."
"A part of Hogwarts?"
"Yes. To be bold, you could say I am Hogwarts but that isn't correct. Useful if you wish to put the fear of Merlin into someone but not true." The girls giggled. "I mentioned this to Harry actually: you could consider me an arm to the body, just another piece of the whole."
Luna tilted her head in thought while Hermione nodded, "Okay, I can follow that. I take it you've been friends for a while now?"
Two heads nodded at her.
"How did you meet?"
She was surprised by the faint blush tinting Luna's pale cheeks.
"Well, I might have been caught in a bit of a daze." Mai snickered but Luna ignored it, "I was looking at the currents, or what I see when I view the 'world between worlds.' It was the first time I used my gift here at the school."
"She got a little absorbed into what she was looking at," Mai added cheekily. "Have you heard of the Mirror of Erised? Same effect, but much stronger and Luna got pulled in too deep."
The lightheartedness dimmed as Luna explained.
"If it weren't for Mai, I probably wouldn't be here much at all. I get my 'Loony' look because I nearly crossed over into the world I can see. I sort of exist between worlds if it makes sense. It's not really another world per se but it's something different and removed from this place," she said while twirling her arms around her. "That's also why Mai looks like me. In order to pull me back, we had to merge briefly. She tends to take on the qualities of those she comes into contact with."
"Oh…" Hermione mumbled, her mind no longer working quite right. "I think I'm following, to a degree that is. What I don't understand is how this relates to helping Harry?"
Luna looked to her twin, "I think Mai should probably bring us up to date with what's going on first before we get to that," and they both turned their attention to Mai. The next half-hour was spent with the ghost girl telling both students what was going on.
Harry was currently bedridden primarily due to the castle attempting to tie herself to him and failing from Snape's interference. Mai went to great lengths to paint the potions master in a very poor light. 'Harry and Mai will probably get along just fine,' mused Hermione as she listened and couldn't help but chuckle at how Harry would readily agree with Mai's words.
"You're aware of a Wizard's Oath?" asked Mai. "The idea is the same, at least what Harry and Snape agreed to. Snape issued the challenge which Harry accepted without knowing the consequences. In short, it completely botched his ability to bind with the castle and is causing a load of trouble."
Hermione's mouth opened slightly in understanding, "Is that why he was acting strange, to my eyes at least?"
Mai scratched her head, "There may be some 'quirkiness' as a result of magics clashing and it could affect his mood but I'm honestly not sure."
She then launched into an explanation behind why Harry knew things he shouldn't and in the process, brought the two students up to speed. "If the castle had properly bonded itself to Harry, you never would have noticed anything was amiss. Sure, he'd be spouting things he never knew before but he'd be doing so with a confidence to fool you into believing he always knew what he was talking about. Watching Harry now is like a wizard trying to cast a spell while he doesn't actually believe he's a wizard to begin with."
Hermione smirked, "That's actually a really good way to describe it." They sat in thoughtful silence for a bit before Hermione posed another question, "Why is the upcoming evaluation such a big deal? Shouldn't it just be a publicity stunt?"
"Normally yes, but this is an odd situation. Snape is bound to the Hogwarts' Charter and he is automatically given some authority on behalf of protecting the students and the castle. A load of bollocks I realize, but that's the way it is." Mai paused, before grumbling the rest. "The writ Snape invoked supersedes all other magical oaths dealing with Hogwarts, save a pure oath on magic alone."
"So basically, a very dangerous thing to dabble in without considering all the angles?"
Mai readily agreed, "Precisely. We add onto this mess Harry's involvement, as Headmaster he is also bound by the Charter and compelled to follow the oath. The problem being, he isn't fully connected yet since the castle has been delayed due to the conflicting magics. We have the castle trying, and trying harder each day I might add, to connect to Harry while Snape's efforts have produced a force which actively resists those attempts."
Mai watched as Hermione churned through the information, but it would be Luna who summarized it best.
"This all amounts to a magical tug of war where Hogwarts is essentially fighting itself. The Charter supports both Harry and Snape even though they are currently opposing forces."
Hermione remained silent for a few more seconds before agreeing, "How do the evaluations factor in?"
Mai began to float-pace in front of them, "The tests have been named as the means to settle the oath, making them a gatekeeper of sorts and acting in favor of both Harry and Snape. I have no idea how this will affect Harry later, but for now his abilities to control the castle are severely hampered. In short, the better he does the more access he is granted sooner rather than later." Mai sighed loudly, "24 hours; that's all Harry needed before the connection would have solidified but the whole process is skewed. I'm certain Hogwarts will eventually stabilize it, but this will take time."
She stopped pacing and turned to them, "Time we sadly don't have. If He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Name found out, I would expect us to be under siege shortly thereafter and I cannot even begin to describe the massacre that would follow."
Both Hermione and Luna paled with that admission. "Are we that vulnerable?" whispered Luna.
Mai bit her lip, "If push comes to shove I believe ways around the oath could be found, but it wouldn't be pleasant for Harry."
Hermione was beginning to see why things were in such a precarious state and why Mai was nearly frantic with worry. At the same time, she was also starting to feel a bit overwhelmed if only for Harry's sake. This was in a lot of ways a repeat of the Triwizard Tournament. "I realize he's asleep but were you able to mention any of this to him beforehand?"
At Mai's denial, Hermione gawked, "You've mentioned nothing?"
Mai held up her hands in defense, "Think about it for a moment. What would Harry do if I suddenly dumped all this on his lap?"
The Gryffindor frowned, "Okay, point, but he still won't like this. He hates it when people purposely leave him in the dark. Did you try to wake him?"
Luna was silently glaring at Mai although Hermione didn't see it, "I know and no I haven't," Mai replied. "I was hoping once I explain to you what you can help him with, you would also go over all this with him when the time comes. Believe it or not, what I have in mind would make many things easier."
Several cogs finally slid into place and started to turn in Hermione's mind. It was unfortunate said gears were causing quite the mayhem as they ground against her emotions, "What you want to propose must be interesting."
Mai winced when Luna 'harrumphed,' confirming Hermione's suspicions. "I admit, I wanted to convince you first before running this by Harry. If he'd listen to anyone, it'd be you."
Hermione flushed but didn't let it alter her stern expression, "You realize how much this looks like you're using me to control him, correct?"
Mai winced again, "I am and I swear to you that's not what I'm doing. In the end, it is entirely your decision along with his and there will be consequences either way. Do you want an oath to prove I'm not trying to pull one over on you because I would gladly give it."
The bookworm looked her new ghost friend over for a moment. Oaths were dangerous things, as Marietta Edgecombe was no doubt finding out and she as well if this new debacle was worth noting and it most certainly was. Hermione wasn't sure what an oath would do to a ghost, or a spirit of Hogwarts. If things were really as messed up as they were, another magical binding would probably be a bad idea, despite the assurance it would give.
To that end, Hermione had a fabulous idea, "Luna, what do you think?"
The Ravenclaw looked sadly at Mai, "What she says is the truth, Hermione. As much as I dislike the approach and from what I know and have seen of the magic she wishes to use, this is likely the best means to help. It's full of difficulties and dangers even though some will swear up and down their core it was the best thing to happen to them."
The overall picture was starting to become clear and Luna's confidence, albeit reluctant, was enough to sway Hermione in Mai's direction, "I don't like where this is going, but I've learned it's unwise to disregard things simply because of first impressions. That said, what do you have in mind?"
Mai managed to smile a little while looking to Luna who gave her support, "What do you know about Coetus, Hermione?"