Chapter 4 – The Morning After
In Gryffindor tower, Professor McGonagall was collapsed in an armchair formulating her next steps of action while Septima made regular patrols to ensure that all the Gryffindors were still sleeping or bound. At 5 am, Minerva felt that much of the magical tension caused by the alignment had passed and she prepared for the next step in bringing Hogwarts under control. Standing up, she pointed her wand at her throat, incanted 'sonorous majorous' and then began speaking as her voice magically spread throughout the whole castle.
"Good morning everyone. This is deputy headmistress McGonagall. As you are aware, we had some very strange magic affecting the castle last night. This was due to a rare astronomical occurrence that was predicted, but whose effect was not fully realized. That effect is now passed and I am authorizing all house heads and those assisting them to begin releasing their students. Students are to return immediately to their individual dorms, rest and clean up before breakfast at the usual time. Attendance will be mandatory. I will be providing more details then."
With that, McGonagall finished and waved her wand to cancel the amplification spell. Nodding at Septima, they turned to begin waking up and freeing the Gryffindors.
Two hours later, all students filed down to the Great Hall. Many seemed a bit dazed and a lot trudged forward with downcast eyes, unwilling to face what had happened the previous night. As everyone sat at their house tables, the room was unusually quiet and somber. Professor McGonagall stood at the head table and, when all were seated, she began speaking.
"Good day everyone. You all have had a couple of hours now to collect yourselves and begin to try understanding what occurred last night. First, to explain in simple terms what the actual cause was. Last night a rare alignment of Venus, Mars and Earth occurred at the same time as the lunar eclipse, which amplified the effect. If you want more details, Professor Sinistra can provide them. The effect we all experienced was severe tension combined with heightened libido. And, yes, I said all. The staff of the castle are just as human as the students, but we are a bit better equipped to fight the effect. Next, you need to know that this particular alignment will not occur for another six hundred plus years." That bit of news brought a collective sigh from most of the room.
Professor McGonagall continued. "Now, I need to address how we all move forward after this. First, I want to emphasize that I felt this as much as you and it was very powerful magic. Do not chastise yourselves or others over the actions of last night. I advise everyone to talk to anyone you were involved with and explain your feelings. I cannot emphasize enough that we need to move forward from this. We cannot allow friendships to be ruined or house fidelity damaged. I know it will be difficult, but please know that your house heads will be available as needed for any assistance or counsel you need. Next, a subject which is difficult, but needs to be addressed. I realize that the nature of what happened last night means that precautions that would usually be taken might not have. Madam Pomfrey will have the hospital open immediately after breakfast and I would encourage anyone in need of emergency contraception measures to make their way to the hospital wing. The first twelve hours are critical and I urge you not to delay. In addition, Madam Pomfrey will be available for any other minor injuries incurred during last night's events. Finally, I am exhausted, as I know the rest of the staff is and I am sure you are as well. Classes today are cancelled, but the Quidditch match tomorrow is not. Since today is Friday that will give everyone a chance to recover. That is all I have. Please eat and get some rest."
As the professor's speech finished, the Hall began to rumble with the murmur of many conversations. A subdued air remained, but lessened as the food appeared and everyone began eating. After breakfast, everyone filed out to return to their houses. Minerva had moved to the main doors to watch as everyone exited. She was concerned, and watched for anyone who looked overtly distraught. Thankfully, she saw a lot of concern and worry, but nothing that would make her think that a student was upset enough to be a danger to themselves or someone else. She did notice quite a few couples pair off and leave talking.
The rest of the day passed quietly with most students sleeping through lunch and then spending the rest of the day catching up on homework. In the Gryffindor common room, Harry was trying to study and failing due to the fact that Ginny was several seats away and they hadn't talked since being released from McGonagall's incarcerous spell hours earlier. Harry had just listed a date for the 14th Goblin War as 2602 instead of 1602 and Hermione had had enough and decided to intervene.
"Harry, unless you are predicting a new goblin war in about six hundred years, I think you might want to correct that. And you really need to focus, but I don't think you will be able to until you talk to Ginny. Ron and I had a good long talk and it helped."
Harry looked over at Hermione, who was sitting quite close to Ron and holding his hand under the table. Ron looked up and smiled at Hermione and Harry rolled his eyes as he replied. "I don't know Hermione, how did you and Ron work it out?"
Hermione regarded Harry. "Ron and I aren't embarrassed about last night, but we're going to back our relationship up a bit and see what happens. Now. Go talk to Ginny!" Harry sighed, stood up and made his way to Ginny.
Harry tapped Ginny on the shoulder and she turned around with a smile as Harry began to speak. "Gin, can we go talk somewhere?"
Ginny nodded, stood up, and followed Harry out of the portrait hole. They made their way to a nearby classroom and Harry tried to untie his tongue and start the conversation when Ginny started instead.
"Look Harry, I know last night wouldn't have happened under normal circumstances, but I don't regret what happened either. I think we need to slow down our relationship a bit, but I don't want to lose you. Harry, I've loved you for years. Last night was amazing and after we've given ourselves some time, maybe I'd like to try a repeat performance, but can we please return to what we had? I don't want to lose you."
Harry let out a shuddering sigh. "Thank you Ginny. I love you and I've been scared all morning that you would hate me." Then he opened his arms and Ginny folded herself into him. They stood there for an unknown length of time when Professor Vector found them.
Professor Vector stepped into the room and smiled at the young couple. "Ah yes hello Potter, Weasley. I'm on patrol duty and have to ask that you return to your tower. Professor McGonagall doesn't want any pairings meeting by themselves for a while. Are you both okay?"
Harry regarded the professor before replying. "We are now professor, we just needed to talk. We'll go back now." The professor smiled and watched them as they exited and went back to the Gryffindor tower.
Meanwhile, in an alcove outside Ravenclaw tower, Roger Davies had pulled Luna aside to talk. Luna stared at Roger dreamily as he mustered the courage to speak.
"Um, Luna, I wanted to talk to you about last night. I want you to know that I'm not normally like that. I mean, we hardly know each other and I never would normally take advantage…"
Luna interrupted him. "No worries Roger. I've been watching you for a while. I'm glad that the moon fairies finally got us together."
Roger looked a bit confused. "Moon fairies?"
"Oh yes, they were obviously at work last night. A normal alignment wouldn't have done all that. Professor McGonagall doesn't believe. That's why she didn't mention them. But some of us know better. Now Roger, what do you want to do about us? I know you weren't your usual self last night but I quite enjoyed it and wouldn't mind continuing."
Roger looked at Luna and grinned. "Will you be my girlfriend Luna?" Luna said nothing in reply, but reached up and pulled Roger to her.
Ten minutes later, Professor Flitwick found them snogging and quickly broke them apart. "Now, now you two. We've had enough of that. Back to the common room." Roger smiled and took Luna's hand as they returned to the Ravenclaw tower.
The long Friday eventually came to an end with only one major incident. Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle both appeared in the hospital wing for treatment of large, purple boils covering their faces. Professor Snape questioned them and found that a talk they had with Millicent hadn't gone well and she apparently was not interested in continuing their threesome. Crabbe and Goyle had tried to persuade her and had landed themselves in the hospital. Snape seemed to think they deserved what they got and did not pursue the issue further.