9 - I Follow Him to Serve my Turn Upon Him
As soon as Snape walked into his office, Draco Malfoy stood up to face him.
"What the bloody hell happened?" he demanded to know.
"Crabbe and Goyle had their arses handed to them by a 5'3'', 115 pound girl. It's a bloody disgrace!" Snape growled. "Those two are completely useless. It's a pity the stupid Weasley girl was weak and didn't let Goyle die."
"Did she curse him?" Malfoy asked surprised.
Snape walked around his table and let himself fall on the chair. "It seems that Potter isn't the only one that has learned Muggle martial arts. I saw the Pensieve memory the Weasley girl submitted to the Aurors. It was remarkable. Not only her Muggle fighting ability, but the control that she has over her magic," he said with grudging admiration.
"I'll deal with her..."
"Don't be stupid, Draco," Snape interrupted, rolling his eyes. "Potter immediately suspected your involvement. You can be assured that he will take measures to protect her. Stay away from her until I tell you, and make sure you keep your untraceable wand hidden"
"I can..."
"Silence!" the professor screamed angrily. "As my apprentice and as a junior Death Eater, any disobedience will be dealt harshly by the Dark Lord himself!"
"Yes, Professor," Draco replied through gritted teeth.
"The Weasley girl is off-limits for now," the sallow professor said warningly, "but maybe you can practice your abilities with one of Potter's other friends. That sentimental fool is very fond of all of them."
"I want to take on Potter himself," Draco said eagerly.
"You won't challenge Potter until I deem you're ready," Snape answered curtly. "We don't need Slytherin House to be humiliated again."
"I think I'm ready..."
"You're not ready until I say so," Snape cut him off. "We'll have to postpone tonight's training session. The Dark Lord wants to see us."
"What for?" Draco asked nervously.
"He probably wants to know about today's attack," Snape answered. "He won't be pleased," he added significantly. "Be here promptly at eight o'clock tonight."
After Draco was gone, the DADA professor sat back on his chair to think about the things he had seen in the Pensieve at the headmaster's office. Something had definitely happened during the summer with Potter and his friends. He didn't know much about Muggle martial arts, but he was certain that it probably took many months, if not years, to achieve the level of proficiency that Ginny Weasley had displayed. The Weasley brat had calmly explained how the show of flexibility she had put on for Crabbe and Goyle had only been a ploy to stretch her muscles in preparation for what was coming. It was as if she "knew" what the two boys moves and reactions would be. The control she had over her magic, combined with her obvious power, made her a major threat.
Severus Snape carefully considered his next move. He was playing a dangerous game of double deceit, and if he succeeded, not only would he gain revenge over all his enemies; he would secure himself a place in the history books. He was trying to shape events in such a way that the two most powerful living wizards destroyed each other, while at the same time destroying the most powerful wizard of the next generation. If he succeeded the magical world would be at his feet.
Snape stroked his chin meditatively. Maybe the Weasley girl had to be included among those who had to die.
Later that night, Professor Snape and Draco Malfoy exited the castle using a Portkey. Luckily for both of them, Voldemort had recently tortured a Death Eater for failing in another mission, and his sadism was momentarily satisfied.
How could they have learned Muggle fighting so quickly?" the Dark Lord asked Snape.
"Last year, Potter was secretly training with a group of students inside Hogwarts," he replied. "I thought it was only magical defense training, but maybe they also trained in Muggle fighting. From what I've witnessed, there has also been a marked improvement in the magical knowledge and ability in the core group of Potter's friends."
"How so?" Voldemort inquired.
"The Mudblood Granger has always excelled, so she's not a surprise, but Neville Longbottom was nothing but a glorified Squib last year. Ronald Weasley, on the other hand, didn't know much beyond the required spell-work. He was too lazy to do more. This year, though, they're both excelling in their classes, including DADA. The Weasley girl always had extraordinary talent and potential if she applied herself, but she was not focused enough. Judging from what I've seen in the memories from the train incident and this afternoon, she has matured into her magic in a most extraordinary way. She has power and control, my Lord, and that is a very dangerous combination."
"What about the Lovegood girl?" Voldemort asked.
"She is a mystery to me as she is to everyone else, my Lord, but she is definitely not without talent or power."
"Why do you think they've improved, Severus?"
"My only guess is that Dumbledore has finally decided to train Potter and that he in turn is training his friends."
"You told me that the old fool had no intention of mentoring Potter," Voldemort said with rising anger.
"Dumbledore's original plan was to just let Potter blindly sacrifice himself and that by some miracle, the love of that sacrifice would destroy you, my Lord, but the boy apparently thinks he can live. He isn't going to play along. Dumbledore might have had to change his approach."
"The insolence of Potter knows no limits," Voldemort said angrily. "How come you aren't sure of what Dumbledore is doing. Why the bloody hell do I have you in there, Severus?"
"The old coot loves to keep secrets, my Lord, you know that," Snape answered calmly, "but the sentimental poof still believes that I've been redeemed by the love of that Mudblood, Lily Potter. Give me some time and he will tell me everything."
"He better," Voldemort said menacingly, "otherwise your usefulness to me is minimal. If Dumbledore is mentoring Potter, he will have to be killed." There was silence in the room, which was broken when the Dark Lord turned towards Malfoy. "I have an assignment for you, Draco," he said with amusement. "If you succeed I'll give you other tasks. If you don't... well... suffice to say you better not fail. You have until Yuletide to accomplish it."
"But... but..." the Malfoy spluttered.
"There is a person who has been hiding from me for a long time. He thinks he's safe where he is at right know, but you will prove him wrong..."
After talking to Draco for several minutes, Voldemort ordered the blonde Slytherin to leave the room. "If you fail, you will be punished. If you succeed, you will be on your way to becoming part of my inner circle. Now get out of my sight before I have you flogged for having such stupid friends," he said before dismissing him.
After the terrified Draco was gone, Snape spoke.
"That's probably too big an assignment for young Malfoy, my Lord."
"If the arrogant fool fails," Voldemort said with a hissing laugh, "I'll enjoy torturing him in front of his father. It will be my punishment to Lucius for getting the prophesy destroyed. The time for Dumbledore to die is getting nearer, Severus. Be ready to act. I'm setting up the pieces to take over the Ministry and Hogwarts simultaneously, but I still need some time for everything to fall into place. I want to destroy all hope among wizardkind with a single stroke."
The Dark Lord strolled pensively "The Destruction of the Vanishing Cabinet has been a blow to my plans," he continued. "While Dumbledore lives, the protections of the castle are too strong to penetrate by conventional means, but once he is dead, my most trusted Death Eaters will infiltrate it to capture Potter and his friends. They'll bring them to me for a public execution. After they're gone, all hope will crumble and my control will be absolute. No one will dare challenge me."
"A brilliant plan," Snape said bowing deeply. "I beg you to allow me to be present when Potter and his whore are torn to pieces. Oh, the torture! Let it be slow, my Lord."
Voldemort laughed absently, imagining the moment. "In the meantime, we'll keep fear and terror alive with random attacks on Muggle and Wizarding targets. Keep me informed, Severus. If you don't fail me you'll achieve your lifelong dream. You will become the Hogwarts Headmaster."
Snape smiled internally, relishing on his ability to fool Voldemort just the same as he could Dumbledore. His ambition was much bigger than the snake faced Dark Lord imagined.
OoOoO
A week after the attack on Ginny, Harry was called to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore informed him that as he had suspected, the Board of Governors had reinstated Crabbe and Goyle to the school. After giving him the news, and letting him vent for a while, Dumbledore took Harry Pensieve-diving once more.
Harry was still upset about Crabbe and Goyle after they resurfaced. "I thank you for sharing your memories of Voldemort, Headmaster, but if you expect me to become Professor Slughorn's pet student you will have to give me a lot more information. You might enjoy the thrill of finding and keeping secrets," he added a little harshly, "but I don't have time for your games."
Dumbledore looked indignant. "I assure you, Harry, this isn't a game."
"You obviously suspect something," Harry said firmly. "Tell me what is it that you suspect and I will decide if it's worth my time; otherwise, find someone else to blindly play your cloak and dagger games. I won't do anything just because you say so, Professor."
It was annoying for someone so used to unquestioning adulation like Dumbledore to be challenged and be asked for explanations by someone so young. It would be a lot easier if the Chosen One was a dependent, obedient, emotional weakling, but that wasn't the case anymore. He paced around his office weighting his alternatives before finally turning to Harry.
"Have you ever asked yourself how Voldemort survived in this plane of existence after he was hit by his own rebounding killing curse?"
Harry had never before pondered the question, and he realized how stupid it had been not focus on that important fact. Voldemort hadn't died in the normal sense of the word because no one could return from the dead as a physical being.
"You have my attention," Harry replied earnestly.
"I suspect that the reason Voldemort didn't die in the true sense of the word, is because he still had a piece of his soul in the plane of the living. Allow me to show you another memory. Harry."
After they resurfaced from the Pensieve again, Dumbledore walked around his desk and opened a drawer. He pulled out a black leather-bound book and threw it on top of the ornate desk. "Do you know what that is?"
"That's Tom Riddle's diary," Harry answered surprised.
"It was also a Horcrux." the old wizard explained. "A vessel that contained a piece of Voldemort's soul."
Harry nodded slowly, with growing comprehension. "But I destroyed it..." he said confused. "There must be another Horcrux!"
"The question is not if there is another one, but how many," Dumbledore said pulling a ring out of the drawer and putting it on the table. "This ring belonged Marvolo Gaunt, the father of Voldemort's mother. The Gaunt's are descendants of Salazar Slytherin, and this ring passed from generation to generation within their family. It contained another piece of Voldemort's soul in it. Destroying it was difficult..."
"Why?"
"The Horcruxes have a powerful enchantment that preys on the weakness of those who touch them. It feeds on that weakness. In the case of Ms. Weasley it exploited her insecurity and her crush on you. In my case, it latched on to my vanity and my hidden desire for power," Dumbledore admitted with embarrassment.
The old wizard cast a spell on his left hand, and gradually a blackened and shriveled hand became visible.
"I've been wearing a glamour on my hand since the summer," he said as he applied it again. "It helps avoid uncomfortable questions, and it's important that our enemies don't know I'm weakened. That knowledge could embolden them."
"Will it heal?" Harry asked with obvious concern for the old wizard.
"I'm afraid not, Harry. This is very dark magic."
There was a prolonged silence broken by Harry. "I still don't understand why you want me to befriend Professor Slughorn."
"I suspect that contrary to what that memory shows, Tom got some important information from Horace. The memory we've just seen is false, Harry. Knowing the truth is critical. It's also critical that Voldemort doesn't suspect that we know his secret. If he were to find out, he would probably take additional measures to protect the rest of the Horcruxes."
"Of course," Harry said pensively.
"Professor Slughorn was bitterly disappointed that you didn't accept his offer to join the Slug Club. Regardless of what you may think of him, he does have an eye for talent".
"He invited Ginny, Hermione and Neville to join, but he didn't invite Luna or Ron. We didn't want them to feel left out," replied Harry.
"Four out of six isn't bad," Dumbledore said reasonably. "Going to his dinners will give you a chance to question him, and hopefully get the information we need."
"I'll talk to him," Harry said to the Headmaster. "We'll accept his invitation tomorrow."
OoOoO
The next day, after their training and sparring session was over, Harry gathered his friends in a circle. He repeated to them everything that Dumbledore had said to him about the Horcruxes.
"You have to put this information in the innermost circle of your Occlumency shields," Harry told them soberly. "I think all of you can understand how critical it is that Voldemort doesn't suspect that anyone knows about his Horcruxes."
"How are you going to convince Slughorn to give you the information if he hasn't given it to Dumbledore?" Hermione asked.
"I'll use Veritaserum and Legilimency if necessary..."
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed reprovingly.
"This is life or death information, Hermione," he said firmly. "If Slughorn doesn't help us, he is helping Voldemort. He needs to be dealt with accordingly."
"Hear, hear!" Ron called out approvingly as Neville nodded forcefully.
"We'll accept his dinner invitation for this weekend and have a serious... talk... with him afterwards. Anything else for today?"
"Yes," Hermione said excitedly. "We think we're ready to try summoning the planetary angels."
Each of the girls reached inside their school bags. Luna pulled out six Lamen and handed one to each of them. They were small metal pendants, craftily inscribed with an ensign and a sigil in the letters of the Enochian alphabet.
"Each of the Lamen is inscribed with the ensign of your planet," Luna said happily. "Mine has the sigil of Levanael, the angel of the Moon, and it expresses my qualities: mystery and intuition."
Hermione pulled out a large wax disk, and transfigured one of her books into a small table that she placed in the center of the circle. "This is the Sigil of Ameth," she said placing it on the table.
It was circular, and it contained a heptagon that contained a seven pointed star that contained another heptagon, which contained a pentagram. The edge of the outer circle was inscribed with forty pairs of letters and numbers, and the edge of each concentric figure was inscribed with letters and words.
"It contains the Holy Names," Hermione said solemnly.
Ginny proudly pulled a shiny black object out of her bag. "This is the scrying stone or scrying mirror," she said putting it on top of the Sigil of Ameth. "It will help us communicate with the angels."
The obsidian that Harry had bought for Ginny had been shaped into a flat disk, and polished into a shiny black reflecting surface. He was astonished by the work and craftsmanship that the girls had put into these objects.
"Who will do the evocation?" Harry asked.
"We've determined that Luna is the only one with the talent to do it," Hermione said with a hint of disappointment. She still had a hard time accepting that anyone could be better at doing certain things than her.
They held hands, and concentrated their magical power on summoning their respective planetary angel. Luna started an evocation in Enochian language, and all of them were startled by how fluently and effortlessly she seemed to speak it.
Despite their years in the Wizarding world, Harry and Hermione still retained some Muggle prejudices. Harry felt worry when the scrying mirror became cloudy, and Hermione looked scared when bright figures started to hover behind each of them, but soon a sensation of safety and protection ended their apprehensions.
Hermione gasped when an angelic face could be seen in the scrying mirror. Harry thought that the bright, shiny figure floating over his shoulder was cool, but he still didn't see how it could help in the fight against Voldemort. Through Luna, they asked several questions.
Harry went straight to the point. "What kind of protection can they provide us?"
"They can protect us from demons, and they will fight for us when summoned," Luna answered. "Unfortunately, Voldemort and his Death Eaters aren't demons. The planetary angels are beings of the Light, and they can only fight the demons of the Dark."
"Can they provide us with information?" Neville asked.
"No, they aren't spies," Luna replied laughing. "They can provide us information about our spiritual powers and about the rites, but not about worldly things."
After a few more questions, the angels were dismissed.
Hermione was gushing with Ginny and Luna about the feeling of protection that had washed over her, and about how beautiful the angels were, but Harry was left feeling that the whole exercise had been a waste of time. He noticed that Ron was struggling to stop himself from making a sarcastic remark about it.
The next weekend, Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Neville went to Professor Slughorn's dinner. As Harry expected, The Slug Club was pretty much a mutual admiration society. The antics of Cormac McLaggen and Marcus Belby, who tried to outdo each other with tall tales about their families histories, made him gag.
Blaise Zabini was not openly hostile to the Gryffindors, and in true Slytherin spirit was playing Professor Slughorn's game of adulation and politeness. There were, however, two characters that intrigued Harry and his friends.
The Carrow twins, Hestia and Flora, were mysteriously silent during most of the night. Their serious expressions were a bit unnerving, but when Ginny talked to them they were straightforward and even friendly. They admitted without hesitation or embarrassment that Amycus and Alecta Carrow were their uncle and aunt, but expressed disapproval of their choices.
The conversation was for the most part boring for Harry's taste, but at least the food was good. The reunion concluded with a Butterbeer toast "to Hogwarts's brightest and best" from Slughorn. As the other started to file out, the four Gryffindors hung back until all the others had left.
"We would like to have a word with you, Professor," Hermione said politely.
Neville was a little more forceful. "You have some information we need, Sir."
"And we won't leave until you give us an answer," Ginny added a little too menacingly.
Harry closed the door and confronted the walrus faced professor.
At first Slughorn looked surprised by the ambush, but then he looked indignant. "Are you threatening me?" he asked angrily.
"I wouldn't want to resort to threats, Professor," Harry said in a conciliatory tone. "I hope you can see that our request is reasonable."
"The four of you will leave immediately or I'll report you to the Headmaster," Slughorn replied assertively.
"You helped Voldemort, the monster that murdered my family!" Harry said fiercely.
Slughorn was momentarily startled by the accusation, but made an effort to regain his composure. "I've done no such thing."
"Professor Dumbledore showed me the false memory you gave him of you and Tom Riddle discussing Horcruxes. Why would you give him a false, exculpating memory if you weren't hiding something?" Harry asked.
The potions professor looked surprised and scared by Harry's words. He silently turned and walked towards the bar. He opened a new bottle of brandy and served himself a glass. "This brandy is a present from Gwenog Jones, one of the most distinguished members of my club," he said with sadness, admiring the glass.
"Professor," Hermione spoke, "by keeping this information secret you may be helping Vol...Voldemort."
"If I help you, he might have me killed," Slughorn whimpered.
"If you don't, I will," Neville said fiercely to everyone's surprise. "Because of Voldemort my parents' lives were destroyed."
The startled and cornered professor took a sip of his brandy, and almost immediately fell stiffly to the floor. His limbs were paralyzed, and only his eyes and mouth could move. He groaned, but couldn't talk.
The Gryffindors stood frozen in shock for a moment.
"He's been poisoned!" Hermione screamed.
Harry looked urgently around the room. "There must be a bezoar somewhere in here. Help me look for it!"
"Wait," Hermione said stopping everyone. "I have a universal antidote."
The diaphragm and the heart of the professor were starting to fall under the effects of the paralytic poison. His breathing was becoming more difficult, and his heartbeat, which had been racing, now started to slow down.
The brunette pulled several phials out of a small beaded bag she was carrying around her neck, and quickly read the labels. She discarded about four to the side before finding the right one. She kneeled down next to the professor and pulled the stopper.
Hermione cradled the professor's head upwards, but just when she was about to pour the antidote into his mouth, a hand stopped her firmly.
"Not yet," Ginny said with a cold and dispassionate tone. "Not until he gives us the right memory."
The eyes of Hermione and professor Slughorn opened wide with horror.
"Are you insane?" Hermione demanded.
Harry kneeled down and pulled out his wand. "You have less than a minute, Professor," he said calmly. "Think about that conversation with Riddle, and give me a Pensive memory of it, quickly."
The obviously shocked Potions teacher blinked, and closed his eyes. A few seconds later he groaned and Harry put his wand to his temple.
"Extraho memoria," he said.
A silver tendril started to snake from Slughorn's temple to Harry's wand. Meanwhile, Ginny had picked up the phials that Hermione had tossed to the side. After reading the labels she poured the contents out of one of them, tore off the label, and gave it to Harry.
As soon as the memory extraction started, Hermione gave the professor the antidote. The effect was quick. Harry and Neville helped Slughorn to the sofa, and left to get Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey. The girls gave the Potions teacher some water and loosened his collar.
"Would you really have let him die?" Hermione asked hesitantly, several paces from the professor.
"Of course not, Hermione," Ginny replied smiling. "If that didn't work, we still needed him alive to pour Veritaserum down his throat."
The bushy haired brunette was shocked at first, but laughed softly.
"By the way... that's quite a First Aid kit you carry around your neck," Ginny said handing her three phials. "The bag has an extension charm, doesn't it?"
"Yes, I carry everything we may need in an emergency in it. I was thinking that you and Luna should have one also. A bit of redundancy couldn't hurt."
"That's an excellent idea." A mischievous smile lighted Ginny's face. "I'm afraid you will have to get a new supply of contraceptive potion. I had to pour it out."
Hermione blushed and took a quick glance to make sure that Slughorn was out of earshot. "I'm still collecting samples, Ginny... but it's getting more and more difficult not to... I just want to be prepared," she said looking at the floor.
Ginny put a hand on her shoulder. "I understand perfectly, Hermione... sometimes I feel like... but I haven't allowed Harry to do anything..." she disclosed hesitantly.
"Nothing?" Hermione asked surprised. "Nothing but snogging?"
"I'm afraid that if I give in to a touch, I'll probably give him the whole thing," the redhead replied shaking her head dejectedly. "I admire your self-control," she added sincerely.
Hermione chuckled. "You're the one with self-control, Ginny. I barely have any left. The last time, it was Ron who actually stopped it from happening."
Ginny looked surprised. She opened her mouth to say something, but reconsidered. "I think that's as much as I want to hear about you and my brother."
They were interrupted by the arrival of the boys, who had Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey in tow.
OoOoO
The next morning they met inside the Room of Requirement after breakfast.
"Seven Horcruxes?" Ron screamed.
"It makes sense," Hermione said calmly. "Some philosophers say that the soul has seven focus points in the human body: one for each of the senses, one for the voice, and one for our generative power. It's also associated with religion and God."
"That's what Voldemort thinks of himself. Isn't it?" Neville interjected. "He's a wannabe God."
"Exactly," Harry said. "That means there're five Horcruxes left. Professor Dumbledore thinks he is getting close to finding another one."
"You could be wrong," Ginny interjected. "It's possible that there're only four Horcruxes left to be found," she explained. "If Tom split his soul into the number of foci in the body, which is seven as Hermione said, then we have to take into account that one piece of his soul was destroyed when his killing curse rebounded when he tried to kill you. Does Dumbledore know what each Horcrux is?"
"Unfortunately not," Harry replied smiling at his brilliant girlfriend. "We can't be sure how many he actually made, but we better start working on a list of possible objects he might have used."
"Did they find out who sent Slughorn the poisoned brandy?" Luna asked.
"The Aurors interrogated Gwenog Jones under Veritaserum with her consent. She definitely didn't send the bottle. Whoever sent it figured that a Potions Master would have an antidote, so they used a paralyzing poison to prevent Slughorn from getting an antidote himself. It was sheer luck that we were there to save him."
Hermione harrumphed disapprovingly. "Did the professor mention anything to the Aurors about you and Ginny blackmailing him within an inch of his life?"
"No," Harry replied. "I think he feels relieved to have that off his chest. Confession is good for the soul."
"And good for his health," Ginny added.
Hermione harrumphed again, but the rest laughed.
OoOoO
The next week passed quickly amid growing excitement about the first Quidditch match of the year. As defending champions, Gryffindor was opening against Hufflepuff. Ron gave an impassioned speech during one of the practices about not underestimating the adversary and taking victory for granted.
The game itself was a rout. Ginny and Katie Bell put on a Chaser clinic, and before it was over, Demelza Robins has gotten into the groove and scored her first points from Gryffindor. Ron just allowed three goals, and Harry made a spectacular catch of the Snitch. Overall, it had been an outstanding team performance.
That night the Butterbeer flowed freely in the Gryffindor Common Room thanks to a generous donation from Fred and George. Amid the raucous atmosphere, Harry and Ginny sat cozily by the fire, keeping their affections mild as students stopped to offer congratulations for the game, and to comment on their favorite plays. The couple noticed Ron and Hermione sneaking out fairly early, trying to remain unnoticed.
The next Wednesday evening, Luna and Ginny went to Hermione's room for what had become their regular joint exfoliating and potion making night. As soon as they went in, they noticed that Hermione was nervous.
"What's the matter?" Ginny asked.
The brunette squirmed and blushed before speaking. "I can't exfoliate with you anymore," she said with a hint of guilt.
Luna and Ginny looked at each other with surprise. "Does this mean that you and Ron...?" the redhead hinted.
Hermione just nodded, and silently sat down. The two guests sat across from her on the sofa, and looked at each other trying to determine who would speak first.
"Did it hurt?" both of them asked at the same time.
The three girls laughed nervously at first, but then there was total silence.
"Not as much as I expected," Hermione said calmly a moment later. "I guess I had prepared myself for it to hurt so much, that it could never match my expectations."
"How did it feel... when it was inside?" Luna asked unblinking.
"After it stopped smarting, it felt incredible," Hermione replied dreamily. "There's no way to describe it. Words wouldn't do it justice."
Ginny had many questions, but she felt very uncomfortable talking about a sex life that involved her brother. She remembered noticing the slightly unnatural gait of her friend the morning after the game, and the next two mornings she had noticed the glow on her face. She figured that the stories about first time soreness, and of the positive effect on the skin of satisfying sex were probably true. It was a pity she couldn't tease her friend about it.
Hermione seemed to guess what she was thinking. "I won't discuss the details, but if any of you two have serious questions, I will answer them."
"You can exfoliate with us, Hermione," Luna said happily. "We'll just Accio the skin of Ginny and me when we finish. I still have a couple of questions if you don't mind."
The brunette smiled with relief. "I'm glad. Exfoliating with the two of you is the second most relaxing thing I've ever done."
Hermione froze when she realized what she had said, but the two other girls had caught on quickly and started giggling.
"There's no need to rub it in, Hermione," the redhead said with false annoyance. "We have a pretty good idea of all the fun we're missing."
Hermione gave her friend a significant smile. "No, you don't," she said playfully.
The three girls stripped down to their knickers and started to slowly exfoliate themselves, getting more and more relaxed as the minutes went by.
"Remember what you said about inviting the boys to join us?" Hermione asked languidly to Ginny.
The redhead chuckled. "I was only fantasizing, Hermione. Harry has never seen my boobies, and I definitely don't want the first time that he sees them to be in front of two other boys. Not to mention that one of those boys is my brother, who would probably have a fit."
"It's understandable that you want that moment to be private," Hermione said smiling warmly at the redhead. "Don't think that I enjoy the idea of exposing my breasts in front of Harry and Neville. It'll be very embarrassing, believe me, but there are some rites in which we'll have to be naked in front of each other."
Luna raised her dreamy voice. "You realize that when the time comes, we'll be doing a lot more than just be standing naked in front of each other..."
Ginny stopped rubbing Hermione's back, but Luna continued rubbing hers. "I'm really hoping that won't be necessary."
"I'm also hoping it won't be necessary," Hermione interjected, "but just in case it has to happen, I think it would be better if we move in small steps so we can get used to being naked around each other. I'm not looking forward to having to explain it to Ron."
Ginny kept her gloved right hand on Hermione's back, and covered her face with her left one. "Merlin! The last time I saw Ron naked we were playing in the pond. He was nine and I was eight years old. You have any idea how bloody embarrassing that's going to be?"
"No more embarrassing than for me to be naked in front of Harry or Neville. Look, I don't want you or Luna to rush into anything, but after you and your boyfriends have become familiar with each other's bodies, I think we should convince the boys to join us."
"Neville has already seen my boobies, and I've already seen his prick," Luna said matter-of-factly.
Both Hermione and Ginny turned to look at the Ravenclaw girl with expressions of shocked surprise. There was an embarrassed pause, but they understood that Luna was simply being brutally honest as usual.
"You've been in love with Ron for a long time, haven't you?" Luna asked the brunette introspectively.
Hermione was intrigued by the question. "Yes, I have."
Luna looked down at her hands nervously. "I haven't been in love with Neville as long, but I think he can be my first and only one. That's important, don't you think?"
Hermione felt an intense fondness for the unusual Ravenclaw girl at that moment. "Yes, it's very important," she answered gravely. "Only one man will ever get the opportunity to be your first and only one, Luna, and you have to be sure that the man you give that opportunity deserves it."
Luna smiled brightly at the brunette. "You're a good friend. Thanks for the advice."
The blonde girl resumed rubbing Hermione's back. "When I'm with Neville my head feels like it's full of Wrackspurts," she said dreamily. "My brain feels all fuzzy, but in a very good way. I think he feels the same way."
Hermione and Ginny exchanged smiles before returning to exfoliating their backs and legs.
The three girls worked, talked and laughed till late into the night. Luna asked Hermione a few more questions, and it was clear that she was carefully considering the next step in her relationship with Neville. After Hermione finished brewing a batch of contraceptive potion, Luna accepted the phial her friend offered her in silence.
Ginny realized that Hermione and Luna had their own lives to live, and that they had to make their own choices; and even though they had said nothing to her that could be considered as pressure to do anything, Ginny felt herself pressured nonetheless.
Harry so far had been very patient and understanding despite the fact that it was obvious he longed for more contact. She couldn't help wondering how long he would remain patient, or how long her own will would resist.
OoOoO
The first Hogsmeade weekend finally arrived. It was a cold but sunny day for a change, and the Ministry Six walked down the stone path to the town in great spirits. Inside town, the three couples split up after agreeing to meet up at the Three Broomsticks for lunch.
Harry and Ginny walked around town holding hands and occasionally leaning into each other. They stopped by the Apothecary to replenish their potion making ingredients and predictably found Ron and Hermione at Honeyduke's with an impressive assortment of candy.
The two couples made their way early to the Three Broomsticks and sat down to enjoy some Butterbeer. Madame Rosmerta waited on their table personally, and solicitously made sure they quickly got everything they wanted.
They were having a good time when the first screams came from the street. A moment later Neville's mongoose Patronus dashed in through the window, followed closely by Luna's hare.
"Death Eaters by Dogweed & Deathcap!" the silver mongoose said before vanishing. The hare hopped forward. "Dementors, about a hundred of them!"
The four friends jumped up as one. "Stay together," Harry ordered. "Let's make our way to Dogweed & Deathcap."
The two couples pushed their way amid the frantic crowd. It seemed that people couldn't decide if they should stay inside and hide, or risk going outside to run away. When they finally reached the door they stepped into pandemonium on the streets.
Over the rooftops a few blocks away, unusually large and bright, hare and mongoose Patronuses could be seen keeping the Dementors at bay. They were sweeping in from every direction and some younger students were starting to become overwhelmed by the negative emotions awakened by the dark creatures.
"We have to help the younger students, Harry. They're sitting ducks!" Hermione pleaded.
Harry looked anxiously at Ginny, but the redhead nodded at him with grim determination. "We'll help evacuate the students, you two go help Neville and Luna."
At that moment several Death Eaters turned towards them from a side street firing indiscriminately at students and locals. Harry and Ron fired a barrage of curses that quickly incapacitated two of them. The others took cover behind a wall, but a Reducto from Ginny collapsed the wall on top of them.
Harry felt a chill to the bone and noticed that the Dementors had been attracted by the resistance the Death Eaters had encountered.
"Expecto Patronum!" he and Ron bellowed as dozens of the foul creatures started to swoop down on them.
The girls continued to gather and protect all the students they could at the same time that they fought off several Death Eaters that came from another side street. After Ginny and Hermione hit several of them with powerful bone breaking curses, the others retreated to get more help.
Without prompting, several students and locals tried to escape the effects of the Dementors and the curses of the Death Eaters by trying to make their way towards the four Gryffindors. Ernie Macmillan, Susan Bones, Zacharias Smith and the Patil sisters were among the students who gravitated towards them. Hermione ordered the DA members to take the most defenseless students towards the castle and give the alert.
The resistance of the four Gryffindors rallied the spirits of several of the locals, who now started to fight back. Madame Rosmerta kicked out several men hiding inside her establishment, beating them with a broom and urging them to fight, while allowing the injured and the helpless inside.
"Look!" Ginny screamed pointing to the sky.
The hare and mongoose Patronuses had lost their brightness, and they were now considerably smaller. As the four friends watched, the silver hare disappeared.
"They're in trouble," Ginny said desperately. "We have to get to them!"
They made their way walking swiftly, keeping an eye on all corners. An unfortunate group of six Death Eaters came forward to confront them just as the Gryffindors saw the mongoose Patronus disappear from the sky.
They couldn't afford to be engaged in a long battle and they knew it. The Gryffindors fired before the Death Eaters realized the danger they were in. Harry sent a cutting curse that made a sickening amount of blood spill out from the body of one of the Death Eaters. Ginny obliterated another one with bludgeoning curse. Hermione blasted one into a wall head first, and he fell down with his neck bent at an impossible angle. Ron hit the next one with a bone crushing curse and the foe fell in a shapeless heap.
The curses the two other Death Eaters fired towards the Gryffindors were blocked with ease. Seeing themselves at a numerical disadvantage they tried to run away, but Ginny hit one of them with uncanny accuracy while he was on a dead run. He fell with smoke coming out of a hole on the side of his head. They didn't bother with the other one.
They turned the corner.
"NOOOO!"
Ginny's scream was blood curdling. Several Dementors were hovering just on top of Luna's body. One of them had its foul mouth attached to the blonde girl's lips. As they watched, it released her, and Luna's body fell like a rag doll to the ground.
The Dark creatures moved towards the unconscious body of Neville. They all tried to cast a Patronus to protect their friend, but none could. Not one happy thought could be found among the four of them.
Bone chilling cold and despair started to fill all of them. Ginny's and Hermione's faces were streaked with tears, and their respective boyfriends tried to keep them on their feet. Harry knew they had no choice but to retreat; no other choice than to leave Neville to be kissed by the Dementors. He tried to pull them back, but he was starting to become overwhelmed by sadness. They all fell on their knees as more of the foul creatures started to swoop down on them.
Suddenly, a phoenix and a cat Patronus charged into the gathering crowd of Dementors scattering them in all directions. With a supreme effort, Hermione pulled out the beaded bag that hung around her neck. After searching a moment, she pulled out a phial that contained Elixir of Euphoria. She took a few drops of the yellow liquid before giving some to the other three. She then poured an even bigger dose down Neville's throat.
Even the Elixir of Euphoria couldn't bring them completely out of their sadness. Ginny walked towards Luna like an automaton and fell on her knees.
The body of her best friend was breathing, her heart was beating, but her eyes were completely vacant. The body was just an empty shell. Luna wasn't there.
Neville got up and saw his girlfriend lying on the ground. He ran towards her, and gathered her unresponsive body to his arms, screaming and crying inconsolably.
"LUNA... LUNA... LUNA!"
They gathered in a warm circle around Neville, but he didn't notice anything or anyone. He just rocked back and fort holding her body tightly. Screaming and crying.
"LUNA... LUNA... LUNA!"