A/N: It's been brought to my attention that readers who are very familiar with canon might have been confused about that final scene in the last chapter. In canon, Dumbledore knew Sirius had returned and recommended that he stay in the cave outside Hogsmeade; here, Sirius returned without saying anything to Dumbledore. This will be important later, but I haven't spelled that out yet. I've edited an earlier chapter to make that clear.

Recommendation: This chapter's recommended fic is "All Hallows Eve," by apAiden. Harry's been on the run for six months and comes to visit his parents' graves one last time before disappearing from the wizarding world forever. However, one witch is determined to get him to see reason — and to see what's been in front of him all along. H/Hr.

Chapter 33 - Good Vibrations

Sunday, February 7, 1995, Morning.

"Hermione," Jasmine said nervously as they entered the commandeered classroom, "I hope you're right about this. Are you sure this is a good idea?"

After she sealed and silenced the door, Hermione turned to Jasmine and said soothingly, "It'll be fine, Jas — you'll see. I seriously doubt she'll get offended at our asking. The worst she'll do is say no."

Jasmine seated herself and fidgeted a bit, thinking back to the discussion they'd had before Hermione set up this meeting.

"Jasmine," Hermione had said a bit tentatively after waking her up Saturday morning, "I had another idea about where to get help with your... you know, issues. I was thinking that it might be useful to talk to Fleur."

Yawning as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, Jasmine said, "OK, I'll bite — how?"

"Well," Hermione said as she shifted to a more comfortable position on the bed, "we started out with me explaining my perspective, then I had you start reading some of the more explicit passages from Pureheart's book, and of course you've also been reading the books my mother sent. One thing that they all have in common is a positive message about your body — that neither the body nor physical pleasure are things to be ashamed of."

"OK..." Jasmine said, still confused.

"And from what I can tell," Hermione went on, "Veela have a similar perspective. They don't all agree on the details, but the underlying message seems to be very similar. The advantage of Fleur is that she's someone about our age who can explain such a perspective personally and even answer questions. The books can't do that."

Jasmine grinned and said, "What, Hermione Granger is touting a source of information above books? Say it isn't so!"

"Prat!" Hermione said, though with a smile as well.

Jasmine sighed then, saying, "I'm not sure that I really want to tell her about what happened to me. I know that she said she'd be willing to take an oath about our secret, and I suppose we don't have to include that, but still... that's not something that I just want to discuss with random people."

Putting her hand on Jasmine's, Hermione replied, "That's OK, and you don't necessarily need to. All we need to do is ask her general questions. We don't have to tell her why. If, after listening, you feel you want to tell her, then I'll support you. If not, then don't. I'm hoping that a conversation with her will help regardless."

Perking up a bit at that, Jasmine said, "I guess that makes sense. Asking her questions on this topic will still be a bit embarrassing, but I suppose that's something I need to deal with, too. If I can't even talk about it, I'll never be able to do anything about it."

Now that she was actually sitting in the classroom, however, Jasmine found that some of her resolve had evaporated, and she had to remind herself firmly that she needed to get past this stuff for Hermione's sake as well as her own.

Wondering where Fleur was, Hermione reached into Jasmine's bag and pulled out the Marauders Map. Upon activation, she saw that Fleur was pacing back and forth outside the door. "Oh, Merlin!" Hermione exclaimed. "I didn't even think when I silenced and sealed the door!" Jumping up, she ran over, undoing her spellwork along the way. Quickly pulling open the door, she stammered out apologies as she invited Fleur into the room. Jasmine was right behind her, offering explanations.

When the three witches got back to the table, they found it covered with special breakfast treats and drinks, many of which were French in origin. Once again, the two English witches suspected Dobby and Winky while the French witch simply assumed that the other two were exceptional hosts.

"To start with," Hermione said after they had all served themselves something to eat and drink, "I wanted to ask if you had learned anything new, either about this connection Jasmine and I share or about the strange events during the Imbolc ceremony."

Fleur hesitated for a moment, then answered, "Non, not really." When she saw how disappointed the other two were, she decided to add, "'Owever, I was told zat ze connection doesn't involve anything bad, either for you two or for anyone else. So zere eez nothing to fear." She was happy to see that this improved their mood, at least a little bit.

"Thanks, Fleur," Jasmine said, sincerely appreciative.

"The main reason we wanted to see you," Hermione said, "was to ask you... well, assuming you don't mind... to ask you about the veela views on intimacy, love, sex, and sexuality. They seem very different from the cultural norms here in magical Britain, but it sounds like they have some things in common with modern muggle society and... well, a book I've been reading."

Fleur was surprised, though she tried hard to hide it. She would never have expected to be questioned on this subject — not by these two, at least. Others frequently asked about veela and sex, but only as a means of confirming their prejudices that veela were nymphomaniacs who wielded sex-based magic (unless, of course, they were just angling for an invitation to participate). These two English witches, in contrast, seemed genuinely interested and devoid of prejudices against veela.

She also wondered how this might affect her mother's and grandmother's intentions towards them.

"Zat eez not a question zat eez answered quickly or easily," Fleur said slowly, trying to organize her thoughts. "Because physical contact and intimacy are so important to us, you are asking about something zat eez fundamental to veela culture and 'istory."

Distracted by her own thoughts, Fleur didn't notice the eager, hungry look that had settled on Hermione's face. Jasmine knew that if she didn't step in, they'd be here all week. "While a lot of that is probably really fascinating," Jasmine said, giving Hermione's shin a light kick, "we were more interested in the basics of how veela view intimacy and sex. The fundamentals, I guess." Because she was so focused on getting in front of Hermione's insatiable quest for knowledge, Jasmine didn't notice that she had been able to say that without embarrassment.

"Oui, I can do zat," Fleur said with a smile and quick nod as she focused back on the other two. Wondering briefly why Hermione was scowling at Jasmine, she began, "For veela, the ability to touch others eez essential. It eez like being able to 'ear or speak. Imagine being 'ere at 'Ogwarts, but not being able to 'ear or speak to anyone else. No communication at all with ze people you see around you."

Hermione's mouth opened in shock. "That's... I think I'd go mad if I couldn't communicate with anyone. I mean... just walking about, not being able to really interact? That's worse than being a ghost — at least ghosts can interact with others!" Jasmine looked just as horrified. Neither girl was much bothered anymore by their lack of popularity, but they always had each other and managed to hold on to a couple of friends. The idea of being completely isolated and ignored by everyone sounded like a nightmare.

"Oui," said Fleur, now with a very sad smile. "Zat eez what it eez like being a veela outside of ze veela enclaves. Among ourselves, 'olding 'ands, cuddling, and other forms of touching (zough not sex) are very much a part of our relationships with friends and family — physical intimacy eez not only reserved for romantic partners. Non-veela don't understand zis and usually interpret our attempts to connect to others as attempts to seduce zem. Zey only see intimacy and physical contact as sex, so we must learn 'ow to deny ourselves if we spend any time outside our secluded communities."

Growing concerned about their new friend, Jasmine asked, "How many other veela are here with you for the tournament?"

"None," Fleur answered. "I am ze only veela attending Beauxbatons right now. Few veela study outside our enclaves because it eez so difficult. I 'ave 'ad to work very 'ard to get used to ze isolation, and even so, ze negative effects make studying and learning especially difficult."

Jasmine and Hermione barely even looked at each other, their decision was made so quickly. Both scooted their chairs around the table and next to a surprised Fleur. When they each grasped a hand, Fleur involuntarily closed her eyes and moaned softly. Hermione smiled slightly and said, "You know, with reactions like that, it's no wonder people misunderstand veela."

Sighing, Fleur responded, "Oui, I know, but zere eez nothing I can do about it. The physical reaction to contact eez strong, especially when I have gone without for a while. It eez like 'aving been out in ze cold for so long, zen suddenly basking in ze warmth of a roaring fire. Normally, without ze contact, I feel uncomfortable, even itchy all over. Like ants crawling all over my skin. It eez very unpleasant, but I 'ave to accept it."

"Is it only physical?" Hermione asked.

"Non," Fleur answered, "our magic also reacts positively to regular physical contact. With it, our spells are a bit stronger and more effective. Regular touching and intimacy also do a lot to strengthen ze psychological, emotional, and physical bonds between us. It eez 'ow we express our love and affection for zose who are closest to us. It eez 'ow we know we are loved in return. But it eez not limited to much smaller circles of people like ze British magicals."

"So... regular physical contact makes everything better?" Jasmine asked, looking very thoughtful..

"Exactly," Fleur replied. "And zat is why such contact is integral to our magic and to ze way we live. Instead of small families in an 'ouse, we are usually two or three dozen family, friends, and lovers. Some simply cuddle and 'ug. Some are more intimate and 'ave sex with each other. It eez all different relationships, but zere eez always some level of affection, love, and intimacy among all in any 'ome. Everyone zere loves and eez loved by everyone else. And zey know it."

"So, it's never casual?" asked Hermione. "No... uh... flings or one night stands?"

Fleur's musical laughter rang through the room at that question. "Definitely not," she said, then paused to reconsider. "Well, If two veela who 'ave 'ad to live outside ze community for a while accidentally meet, zen yes, maybe something like zat would 'appen out of desperation for physical contact; but zat would be very, very rare. Normally, we build trust and affection firs,t and ze physical intimacy follows. Ze intimacy is only possible because of love, and ze pleasure, comfort, and strength we get from ze intimacy is fueled by love."

"Zis," she said, as she lifted their clasped hands off the table, "eez about as far as I would be comfortable going with ze two of you now. Even 'ugging you would feel a bit odd, despite my isolation. You 'ugging me when I transformed was an unusual situation."

"And... um..." Jasmine said, clearly uncertain about how to word her question, "is it specifically skin contact?"

"Ah, oui," Fleur replied. "Skin contact eez better. If you simply put your 'and on my shoulder, it wouldn't do nearly as much for me. Touching skin eez inherently more intimate zan touching clothing. It eez more personal. You can feel ze warmth and ze energy of ze other."

"So, it all comes down to love?" Hermione asked.

"Oui," Fleur replied with a broad, warm smile, "love eez ze critical ingredient. I do not love you, so 'olding your 'and does not 'elp me as much as it would if I were 'olding the 'and of my maman or sister. Sex with a stranger might be pleasurable, but it would not be nearly as wonderful as sex with someone I love. Sitting at 'ome, snuggling and cuddling with my closest friends, empowers and comforts me. Doing ze same with strangers would be... it would make me uncomfortable, I zink. It would not feel right, even if I desperately needed it."

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Touching and being touched by one whom you love is necessary for magic and for life; without zem, zere would be no magic in ze world and no reason to live."

Fleur wasn't sure why Hermione smiled so broadly at that last statement, or why Jasmine was looking thoughtfully down at the table. She was certain that she was missing something important, but she wasn't going to let it worry her. These reactions were similar to those the two witches had during the Imbolc ceremony, after all.

Somewhat surprisingly, they both seemed to be genuinely understanding and accepting of both her and of veela practices, which was unusual among non-veela, especially in Britain. She wondered if it was because they were both muggle-raised or if it had anything to do with the connection between them — a connection which she could tell was getting stronger.

I hope this bodes well for whatever Maman and Grandmere have planned, she thought to herself. I wonder what book she was talking about earlier?

Sunday, February 7, 1995, Afternoon.

When Hermione and Jasmine entered Professor McGonagall's office for their Sunday meeting, the Transfiguration professor was surprised to see them move towards the chairs in front of her desk rather than the more comfortable guest chairs which they had been using for conversation and tea over the past month. "I'm sorry, Professor," Jasmine said, "but we can't stay long like we usually do, and the reason is the topic we want to talk about. Unfortunately, I think we need to do so on an official level rather than a personal one."

Minerva pursed her lips as the two younger witches sat down on the other side of her desk, and she took her own seat on her side. "Very well," she said to them in a more formal tone of voice, "Why don't you tell me what's going on."

While holding Hermione's hand, Jasmine proceeded to relate the events that had occurred during their Potions class the the previous Friday: Malfoy's attempt to sabotage her cauldron, her blocking it, and Snape's accusation that it was she who was the would-be saboteur, docking her a large number of points and giving her a week's worth of detentions.

"We're already incredibly pressed for time," Hermione added at the end of the story, "Jasmine even more so than I am. This is taking a lot of time away from our extra studies, and that's why we'll need to cut this meeting short. As much as we enjoy it and benefit from it, we're already falling behind after just two days and need to make it up."

Minerva was furious, but she wasn't quite sure whom to be most furious with. There was Severus, of course, who clearly went overboard. Then there was Albus, who had been allowing this situation to fester for years and had been preventing anyone else from stepping in to make things right. She was reflexively inclined to be upset with Miss Potter for getting into trouble yet again, but if her story was correct then it genuinely hadn't been her fault this time. Finally, there was herself because she knew that in the past she had never batted an eye at similar situations; had she made an effort to do something sooner, perhaps things wouldn't have degenerated to the point they had.

Sighing, she said, "I'm sorry to hear about this. If what you told me is correct, and there aren't any other important facts that you're unaware of, then it looks like your punishment was unjust. Unfortunately, professors aren't allowed to interfere with the punishments assigned by another professor. If I could rescind Professor Snape's punishment of you for this, then he could rescind any punishment I give Mr. Malfoy."

Neither of the younger witches was happy about that, and it showed clearly on their faces.

"I share your anger over this," Minerva said to them. "It's a good policy, but it's obviously one that is ripe for abuse. The only one who can change it is the Headmaster, and I really don't think that he will. He's also the only one who can revoke your punishment, Miss Potter, but I don't have any faith that he'd do that, either."

Jasmine sagged in her seat, obviously disappointed, while Hermione said, "No, we don't either. We're also not really surprised. We wanted to let you know about this, but we didn't have a lot of hope that you'd be able to do anything."

Minerva nodded, then said, "Well, I suppose you two should get going. If you have as much to do as you say, you shouldn't let me keep you any longer."

After the two had left, Minerva found herself to be a bit more disappointed than she would have expected. Apparently, she thought, I'd been coming to look forward to these conversations quite a bit. Perhaps opening up like I have been has been good for me? Well, I may not be able to rescind Miss Potter's punishment entirely, but that doesn't mean there's nothing that I can do...

Sunday, February 7, 1995, Night.

After finishing their new occlumency and legilimency exercises, Jasmine stopped Hermione from leaving for her own bed. "What's up?" Hermione asked.

"Uh, Hermione, do you, uh..." Jasmine stammered, "do you, you know, um, touch yourself?"

Under any other circumstances, Hermione would have blushed and run, or blushed then slapped the person and run. However, she had been half expecting such a question and trying to prepare herself for it. As awkward and embarrassing as it was, this was not something she could shrink from — not if she wanted to help her girlfriend get past the issues created by the Dursleys.

At this late date, it wasn't enough to simply say that this wasn't something to be ashamed of, it had to be shown by example. Well, maybe not exactly by example, Hermione corrected herself, we aren't that far along in our relationship! Yet. But I need to demonstrate that I'm not ashamed of it if I'm going to help her.

Taking a deep breath and screwing up her Gryffindor courage, she looked Jasmine right in the eye and said, "Yes." Merlin, Hermione thought, I don't think I'd be able to admit that to anyone else for all the gold in Gringotts. Not even to my mother!

"Why?" Jasmine asked.

That wasn't a question Hermione had prepared for, instantly leading to the aforementioned blush. Fortunately, she managed to refrain from doing a runner as well.

"Uh..." Hermione replied, suddenly sounding and feeling a whole lot less articulate than she was accustomed to.

Trying to create some emotional distance from the subject, Hermione consciously shifted over into what her friends called her "professor" mode. She thought hard about the things she'd read and learned over the years before saying, "Aside from the fact that it's enjoyable? Pleasurable?" Jasmine blushed herself now and looked away as she nodded.

"Unfortunately," Hermione continued, "getting pleasure from that sort of thing isn't always easy or automatic for everyone, especially girls." Jasmine looked back at her in surprise. "It's true. Well, it's true for some, perhaps many. It's actually helpful to, uh, well, practice by yourself because it helps your body get used to the sensations, and it helps you learn what you respond best to."

Thinking for a moment about possible analogies, she said, "In some ways, it's like music. if you never listen to any music, you'll never know what kinds you like best. You have to try it before you can learn what you do and don't enjoy. After you've had enough experience you can guess in advance, but even then, you'll still never know for sure without trying first."

Understanding started to dawn on Jasmine's face, so Hermione decided to push her luck — and Jasmine — a little bit further. "Even if you and I had never gotten together, and even if you had never found that you like girls, you'd still expect to get into a physical relationship with someone — eventually. Right?"

Jasmine nodded, looking a bit confused at this change in direction.

"So you'd want to make them happy, and they'd want to make you happy. Well, how would they know how to make you happy? They'd have a much easier time if you already knew what you liked."

Jasmine looked thoughtful and said, "So if I were going to… to do something for you..."

"I already know what I like and can guide you," Hermione supplied.

"And if I want you to do… to do something for me..." Jasmine continued.

"I'm going to have a much harder time if you can't guide me," Hermione finished for her. "But if you can guide me, then both you and I will get much, much more out of it. So you see, Jas, making yourself feel good not only isn't something you should feel ashamed about, it is in fact useful or even necessary for future relationships. It doesn't make you a freak or abnormal. Just the opposite."

Not wanting to overwhelm the auburn-haired girl, Hermione ended things quickly by leaning in, giving Jasmine a slightly longer than normal kiss, then leaving.

Later, while trying to get to sleep, Hermione realized that she couldn't hear her girlfriend. This bothered her because she could always focus in on Jasmine's breathing and tell when she was sleeping, when she was awake, and when she was having a nightmare.

Worried, Hermione grabbed her wand and got out of bed. As she approached Jasmine's curtains, she stopped when she felt something familiar. Casting a quick detection charm, she discovered that Jasmine's bed curtains had been silenced and sealed — something she never did, not even when suffering from nightmares. Hermione had made her promise not to, just so she could be sure to be there when her friend was having trouble.

Confused and upset at first, Hermione started to wonder why the curtains had been silenced and sealed. After a moment, realization started to dawn on her. Slowly and quietly, she reversed course and returned to her own bed. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep this time, smiling as she realized that everything was definitely going to be better.

In Little Hangleton, everything was definitely getting worse for the baby-sized homunculus inhabited by Tom Riddle, and it screamed in agony. There was no physical pain afflicting the wretched creature; instead, it was pain lancing through its very soul. Riddle didn't understand this, however, because he didn't value his soul except as a means for remaining tied to this physical plane of existence.

His discomfort had been growing over the past few days, but on this night the pain which tore through the remnants of his soul was the worst that he'd ever experienced.

In fact, it was worse than even he realized, because the experience was starting to be shared by the fragments of his soul which he had left scattered across Britain.

Monday, February 8, 1995, Morning.

That morning, Hermione thought that Jasmine looked more refreshed and happier than she had in quite a while. Hermione thought she could detect a hint of embarrassment as well, but she had a pretty good idea of what was behind Jasmine's mood and couldn't risk embarrassing her further by interrogating her about it. No matter how much she might want to — and oh, did she want to! But she held herself in check. Barely.

Even Susan and Hannah seemed to notice the improvement in Jasmine's mood, but that might have been because Jasmine was so chatty during the practical portion of their Herbology lesson. Jasmine was usually rather quiet during Herbology in an effort to avoid attracting negative attention from either the Hufflepuff students or the Head of Hufflepuff, Professor Sprout. That had remained true even recently after they'd gotten to know Susan and Hannah better, but today Hermione thought she was seeing a new Jasmine.

Her good mood took a hit, however, when they reached Care of Magical Creatures, a class they shared with the Slytherins. Jasmine was still in the middle of her week of detentions with Professor Snape, a fact which Malfoy couldn't resist taunting her about.

"Hey, Potty," Malfoy called out before Hagrid could get the class started. "You enjoying scrubbing cauldrons every night? It's the only sort of job you're fit for, you know. Once you leave Hogwarts, a half-blood witch like you won't be able to get a job doing anything but the lowest sort of witches' work. You'll be lucky if you end up scrubbing cauldrons and toilets by hand."

While he and his cronies laughed, none of them noticed the glares they were getting from Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis. Not even Pansy Parkinson looked very happy with him at that moment.

Tuesday, February 9, 1995, Late Morning.

Draco Malfoy usually had the good sense not to screw around during Transfiguration class — he knew that Professor McGonagall wouldn't let him get away with the things he regularly did during Potions. However, he'd recently been so happy at having been able to get the Girl Who Lived in trouble that he forgot himself.

That week they were learning the vera verto spell and using it to transform small animals into water goblets. On their first attempt, Malfoy and his partner, Theodore Nott, created goblets that still had tails and legs. Instead of reversing the spell as they had been instructed to do, Malfoy sent them scuttling towards Daphne and Tracey, who were sitting in front of him.

Professor McGonagall had been watching. "Mr. Malfoy! Mr. Nott! What do you think you're doing? Twenty points from Slytherin, Mr. Nott, for not following instructions and allowing Mr. Malfoy to use your partially transfigured object." Turning to face Malfoy, she continued, "Thirty points from Slytherin for you, Mr. Malfoy, and a week of detentions."

"But… but… why?" Malfoy sputtered, his face going red with anger.

"Isn't it obvious, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked. "For not following classroom directions and for misusing a transfigured object. Now get back to work."

She turned and began to help other students in class while Malfoy just sat there stunned. A couple of students, though, looked very thoughtful and wondered what might be happening.

Tuesday, February 9, 1995, Lunch.

"Minerva," came Snape's oily voice as he stood next to her seat at the head table, the opposite end of the table from where he usually took his meals. "May I sit with you during lunch? I'd like to speak with you about something."

"Yes," she replied without looking up from the copy of Transfiguration Monthly that she was reading while she ate.

After he had dished out his own lunch and began to eat, he said casually to her, "I was informed that you had to take points and give detentions to Mr. Malfoy today."

"Yes," she said neutrally.

Since she didn't elaborate, he continued, "Do you not think you were a bit harsh?"

"No," she said, still just as neutrally.

An uncomfortable silence began to take hold between them. At least, it was uncomfortable for the Potions professor; Minerva continued to read and eat as if he weren't even there.

Finally, he went on, "I'd like to take over his detentions, if you don't mind."

"Oh?" she asked.

Not waiting for another silence to develop, he answered, "Yes, I can supervise him while he does extra potions work. He's good enough that some can be given to the hospital wing, thus benefiting the school."

"So," she said, finally moving beyond monosyllabic responses, "not scrubbing cauldrons by hand, then?"

Snape stiffened slightly and only then seemed to realize that they were having a conversation about a very different topic from what he had come over there to discuss.

"No," he answered carefully, "Why do you ask?"

"Well," she said while turning a page in her journal, "I'm sure that it would be very difficult to supervise both him making medical-grade potions and Miss Potter while she uses highly caustic cleaner to scrub out potentially dangerous potion residue from student cauldrons. Both require a keen eye and full attention from the adult doing the supervision. To make sure that no inadvertent mistakes are made, you know."

"Indeed," Snape said slowly. "Perhaps… perhaps if Miss Potter finished off her week of detentions with you, then I can devote sufficient attention to Mr. Malfoy."

Minerva nodded and said, "Yes, I think that will work. I'll let you inform Miss Potter and Mr. Malfoy during their Potions class this afternoon."

Snape didn't say anything, he simply gave her a short nod despite the fact that she still wasn't looking at him. No longer hungry, he stood up from the table and began to walk towards the side door out of the Great Hall when Minerva spoke again.

"And Severus," she said, finally turning towards him and fixing him with cold eyes. "That's a good idea of yours, having a student make potions for the hospital wing to benefit the school. As Deputy Headmistress, I'll be sure to talk to Poppy a few times over the next couple of weeks to find out how well Mr. Malfoy is doing under your supervision."

Once again, he simply gave her a curt nod, then turned and with a billowing cloak he stalked away, cursing Jasmine Potter and Draco Malfoy equally under his breath.

Tuesday, February 9, 1995, Afternoon.

"Potter!" Snape rasped as the students gathered up their books to leave at the end of their Potions class. "The rest of your detentions will be with Professor McGonagall. Go see her at the usual time."

It wasn't just Jasmine and Hermione who looked at him with surprise — Malfoy did, too, and even had the temerity to protest. "But why?" he demanded.

"None of your business, Mr. Malfoy," Snape responded, his voice even harsher than before. "And you'll be doing your week's worth of detentions with me." At the smug look that came over the arrogant boy's face, Snape added, "Half your time will be brewing, the other half scrubbing cauldrons. By hand!"

When he noticed that the two Gryffindor witches were still there, gaping at him, he practically shouted, "Potter! Granger! What are you two still doing here? Get out!"

They didn't need to be told twice and quickly scurried out the door, which immediately slammed closed with Malfoy still inside. Hermione and Jasmine looked at the door, then looked at each other, and both stifled a laugh as they started jogging through the corridor to get to their Defense class on time.

Hermione accompanied Jasmine to detention that night, and they were both allowed to use the time to do their homework and practice transfiguration, greatly easing the pressure that had been building on them.

Wednesday, February 10, 1995, Night.

Once Jasmine and Hermione started to consistently cast Lumos silently, they had to move their silent casting practices to earlier in the evening and to the Room of Requirement. Casting a silent Lumos in bed at night was one thing, but doing the same with spells like Relashio and Reducto, even if severely underpowered, would be another matter entirely.

Fortunately, once they achieved their first successful silent spell, the others came more quickly. Relashio and Reducto were first on their list because they could scare away or even harm opponents, though not too badly given the reduced strength of the spells when cast silently. Jasmine wasn't certain what she'd be facing, but she wanted some non-lethal options.

With only two weeks left until the second task, she finally started to get some results with both spells. She would have liked to have continued practicing until she got more consistent results, but Hermione pulled her away so they could work on their other projects.

Replacing silent spellcasting practice in bed at night was mental magics: occlumency and legilimency. Since it came right after wandless spellcasting practice, they were already a bit tired, but that didn't seem to have a negative effect on their meditation exercises. If anything it might have helped, because it was easier to let their minds become unfocused.

They hadn't yet really achieved anything with these exercises, but it was still early, and Sirius had warned them that it would take a while.

Friday, February 12, 1995, Night.

Hermione and Jasmine were sitting and reading on a couch in the Gryffindor Common Room when they were approached by Lavender and Parvati. Although the four witches had shared a dormitory for three and a half years, they'd never been close — their personalities were simply too different, and their relationship had deteriorated dramatically when Lavender and Parvati announced their belief that Jasmine had cheated to get into the Triwizard Tournament.

Not once had either of them retracted their accusations, even going so far as to lump Hermione in with Jasmine in catty comments, though after the first task they had stopped repeating their accusations publicly. Jasmine and Hermione felt that they had probably recognized that they were wrong but were unable or unwilling to admit it. Relations between them had not improved in the interim.

That was why they were surprised that they were being approached in public now, though not nearly as surprised as they would be about the reason for it.

"Uh, Hermione?" Lavender asked tentatively. Parvati stood just to the side and behind her friend, both looking uncertain.

"Yes?" Hermione responded, her face an emotionless mask. Jasmine was no less unfriendly.

"Um, what's that you're reading?" Lavender asked.

Taken slightly aback at the unexpected question, she simply said, "Why?"

"Well," Parvati jumped in to say, "from what we've been able to tell from the cover, it looks really interesting, but it's not something we've ever seen before."

Now Hermione was completely befuddled — so much so, in fact, that she forgot to be cold towards them. Allowing a little emotion to creep onto her face, she closed the book over her finger to save her place and held it up, saying, "It's the most recent edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves. It's about women's health issues, puberty, the changes our bodies go through in puberty, pregnancy and other health issues later in life, sex, contraception, that sort of thing." Putting the book down in her lap, she looked back and forth between the two gossipy witches, openly displaying their curiosity, "Why? What's the big deal?"

"It looks like it must have a lot of useful stuff in it, yes?" Lavender asked.

Guessing that Hermione wasn't going to just keep providing information without having her own questions answered, Parvati added, "We thought that that might be what the book was about, but we've never seen any books that have so much information about that sort of thing. Our mothers only gave us really basic facts — what they thought we needed to know and no more. Madam Pomfrey doesn't give out much, either."

"And nothing really about some topics, like contraception," Lavender added.

"Oh," Hermione said, surprise and even a bit of sympathy now replacing her curiosity. "I had no idea."

She was about to describe how her mother had the previous edition and had sent her this one for Jasmine when Lavender piped up again. "Do you think we could borrow that when you're done?"

Hermione gave Jasmine a look: Did she just ask me what I think she did? Jasmine's own incredulity was apparent: Yes — the nerve of them! Hermione frowned and started to look more thoughtful: But if they don't have any other source for information like this... Jasmine's mouth opened in surprise: Seriously? You'd just give it to THEM? Hermione gave her girlfriend a chiding look: Some things transcend arguments and personal grudges. Jasmine slumped a bit in her seat but gestured to Hermione to get on with it.

Turning to Lavender, Hermione handed over the book and said cooly, "Actually, I was just rereading a section. Technically it's Jasmine's book, though I got it for her. Here, you can read it. Just be sure to give it back when you're done."

Suddenly she added, "Oh, wait," startling the other two witches as she reached into her bag and pulled something else out. "This is an earlier edition of the same book. The material isn't all the same, and the older edition has some very interesting stuff that was excluded from the newer one. Try to keep them together, OK?"

The eyes of both of the other Gryffindor witches lit up in happiness at all of this. While Lavender reached out and accepted the books, Parvati stepped forward slightly to say, "Thank you, we appreciate it. And, uh, we're both sorry. You know, for everything." Then both of them disappeared up to the fourth-year girls' dorm.

Hermione and Jasmine looked at each other, equal parts confused, stunned, and amused. "That was… different," Hermione observed.

"And a little surreal," Jasmine added.

"Do you think that qualifies as an apology?" Hermione asked, clearly not sure herself how that question should be answered.

"Not really," Jasmine responded slowly, "but at the same time, I really don't think we'll get anything better."

"So, should we let bygones be bygones?" Hermione asked next.

"No," Jasmine said firmly, "but we can treat them a little more civilly. We'll see how it goes."

"OK," Hermione responded as she reached into her bag for another book. "I can do that."

Neither of them had the slightest idea how much would change because of the Hogwarts Gossip Queens getting their hands on those muggle books.