Chapter 3 - Trapped in Amber
Hermione clearly felt the concern in Harry's voice as he enquired after her health, it was doing funny things to her insides. "I'm fine Harry, I've just not been sleeping well." She opened her eyes and didn't see his mesmerising green ones looking down at her. Instead, Hermione found herself flat on the floor, with her head laying on Luna Lovegood's lap.
"I think maybe I should have warned you first, Hermione. Then again, you probably wouldn't have believed me anyway."
She shot out of Luna's lap as what had happened came rushing back. "Harry?"
"I'm here Hermione, with you."
Looking around the room for her best friend, Hermione was reaching for her wand as she asked Luna a question. "How is this possible?"
Luna reached out and gently stopped Hermione drawing her wand. "Harry, let me try and explain it. You can shown Hermione anything that will help her understand. Like me, Hermione, Harry is a spirit rover."
"Harry's a dog?"
"No, Hermione, it has nothing to do with his godfather - and yes I know about Sirius. Also, like me, Harry didn't know he was a rover until he actually did it. Spirit roving allows your spirit, some would say your soul, to leave your body and go wandering. I found Harry wandering the corridors last night and invited him in, he spent the night with me..."
Seeing Harry's memories was a much faster process than listening to Luna's explanation. Hermione had seen his journey to and then from Azkaban, also his two disastrous attempts at making contact in the castle. She was about to enlighten him on a few points when Luna's last phrase struck home.
"You spent the night with Luna..." More memories added to her tirade. "...and had a shower with her this morning too?"
Luna decided to put a stop to this at once. "Hermione, did you have a shower this morning?"
"Of course I did, what has that got to do with anything?"
"Well, you will have just thought about it - and Harry will have seen your memory too - so we're now even." Hermione was blushing and spluttering but Luna wouldn't let up.
"You were the last thing your boyfriend thought of last night before I fell asleep, and the first person he thought of this morning when I woke up. He loves you very much. Harry offered to be my friend. Since that would make him my only friend, I am more than happy with that."
Luna could see Hermione having a conversation with Harry, even heard her verbally apologise to him repeatedly, she needed the couple to quickly get past this phase though. "I need you to help Harry, Hermione, his life is in very real danger. At the moment, I hope we all agree that saving Harry is the most important thing here. You might have to pass him back to me to allow you to think clearly."
From the time she'd set Snape's robes on fire back in her first year, saving Harry was the most important thing to Hermione too. She felt rather than heard a chuckle as Harry spoke to Hermione in her mind.
"Watching that memory was brilliant, thanks again Hermione. Eh, you do know I'm talking about the one where you set Snape's robes on fire? There are simply no words to describe how beautiful the other memory was I just saw."
While Hermione might have been blushing, she also wore a large smile. Harry found he could let Hermione view memories of Luna's he'd seen. Seeing the little blonde locked out of her dorm on a cold winter's night meant Hermione was always going to help Luna as well. She was still sitting on the floor, facing the somewhat strange girl.
"You might be right, Luna. As much as I love having Harry here with me, I certainly can't think straight and talk to him at the same time. How do we do this, and can I have him back later?"
Luna's smile was as genuine as any Hermione had ever seen. She was getting the impression from Harry that Luna didn't usually have much to smile about inside the castle. Luna leaned forward and kissed Hermione, the older witch felt the loss immediately.
"Oh!"
"I know, I can't believe how quickly I got used to having Harry with me, or how much I missed him when he was gone. We may have to ration him out between us until the end of term, we really need a plan for getting him in and out of Azkaban first though."
Hermione almost had to give herself a shake to get her mind back on the problem Harry had already told her about. "I will happily watch over your body while both of you go to Azkaban, and you now have two friends Luna. This throws up a lot of other questions though. How often will Harry need to make the trip? What happens on Saturday when we all go home?"
"Ideally, Harry should make the trip back every night. Once Harry gets the hang of roving, he should be able to visit either of us whenever he wants."
At that, Hermione had an idea. "Luna, how would you like to come home and stay with me for part of the holidays? I'll need to help my parents with decisions on our leaving Britain, I wouldn't want Harry not to be able to find me."
"Now that Harry has visited us, he'll be able to find us again no matter where we are. That was why he was able to find his way to Hogwarts, Harry thought of this as home. I'd still love to spend some of the holidays with you, I'll write to my dad tonight." Both girls and Harry were delighted with that, Luna had more to say though.
"You're taking this well, Hermione, Harry was worried you would want to run straight to Dumbledore with the news."
Her blush was back again. "That was my first thought when Harry was with me, I was soon persuaded otherwise. Harry forgiving me for him being dragged off by Fudge meant I was always going to agree with whatever he wanted. You're wrong about Ron however, Harry, he's been very supportive of me. Ron was trying to crack a joke, I almost cracked his jaw. I feel terrible about it now. Dumbledore too is trying to help, I just wish I could shake the feeling he has his own motives for doing so."
"Harry agrees with that, and also hopes you never get mad at him. He also thinks it's time to leave Britain... Can I come with both of you too?"
Seeing her face break out into a beautiful smile, Hermione reached out and took Luna's hand. "Of course you can, Luna. I'm guessing Harry just told you the exact same?"
Luna was nodding, tears of happiness welling in the corners of her eyes - she wasn't used to people wanting her company. Hermione gave her hand a squeeze before putting forward her plan. "You keep Harry until lunchtime, that might give me some time to get ready for having someone else inside my mind. I'll take him to dinnertime, then we'll head for this room Dobby showed you and Harry. There we can prepare for Harry to pay his own body in Azkaban a visit."
As all three agreed to that schedule, it was time to begin their day. Hermione wasn't sure if it was because she knew Harry was inside Luna but she just had to hug the little blonde before they parted. Hermione's 'see you for lunch' had Luna happily skipping to her first class. Hermione had decided she was finished with classes in Hogwarts, she would self-study in the library until they headed home on Saturday. Suddenly there was a lot of work to do before then. She would write to her parents and ask Hedwig to take that letter today, hoping the clever owl could do a quick turnaround by tomorrow.
-oOoOo-
It was an excited Hermione who was heading off to lunch, that excitement was due to knowing Luna and Harry would be waiting on her. She was going to spend the afternoon with Harry, a Harry who had forgiven her for those angry words in the infirmary. This was also a Harry who seemed to want her to be his girlfriend. This being Harry though, Hermione would probably have to do the asking. Letting him see a few of her memories might just be enough to give him the confidence to ask first, knowing she was never going to say no should help.
She found herself needing help as Pansy Parkinson led a group of Slytherin witches across her path, blocking the corridor. Davies and Greengrass appeared as if they would rather be somewhere else but Bulstrode was clearly spoiling for a fight.
"You think you're something special, Granger, we're going to show you what happens to mudbloods with ideas above their station..."
"Did someone write that out for you, Bulstrode? I can almost see Draco pulling the strings to make your mouth move..."
"You leave my Draco out of this, bitch. He wouldn't sully himself with the likes of you." Pansy was so angry, she'd practically spat that at Hermione.
This drew a sarcastic laugh from the lone Gryffindor in the otherwise deserted corridor. "So that's what this is about, Pansy. The only time I've touched your boyfriend was when I smacked him one last year. You're more than welcome to the little shit, he disgusts me."
The entire thing was about to kick off when a voice came from behind the Slytherins. "I've got your back, Hermione."
The five witches looked to see Luna Lovegood standing with her wand in her hand, the Slitherin quartet weren't impressed - and certainly not intimidated.
"Loony, piss off. This has nothing to do with you." Millicent turned back to face Hermione but Luna wasn't backing down.
"You start with Hermione, you'll need to deal with me too. She's my friend..."
"If you say so." Millicent charged at Luna, though didn't get very far.
A Petrificus Totalus was followed by an Expelliarmus and an Incarcerous. The trio of spells spat out of Luna's wand at incredible speed, and all hit their target. Millicent was in a full body bind before her wand then shot out her hand, the ropes tied her up as she was falling to the floor like a felled tree.
Luna deftly snatched Bulstrode's wand out of the air and had it tucked behind her ear before the large Slytherin smacked into the ground with bone shattering force. Luna's own wand still covered the three Slytherins who remained standing. "Anyone else want to try?"
While that might be Luna standing there, her actions were pure Harry. Something Hermione recognised straight off. With Harry/Luna now backing her up, Hermione was ready to face anything.
"What's the matter, Parkinson, odds not in your favour anymore? Personally I prefer two against three, rather than the one on four from a moment ago. Those are death eater tactics. They don't fight, just gang up and murder people. Is that what you lot are aspiring to be? Who wants to be first to show this mudblood what her station is? Greengrass? Davies?"
They couldn't even look at Hermione, far less answer her. "It would seem it's up to you, Parkinson. Whenever you're ready..."
"You're not worth bothering about, Granger..."
Hermione was now right in her face. "Then why did you try to ambush me in the corridor? Come near me again Parkinson and you'll find out what I learned training with Harry all year, a Harry who fought Voldemort to a draw before escaping. If you don't believe me, look your fathers in the eye and ask them that question. After all, most of them were there that night in the graveyard and witnessed what happened."
Pansy's mouth was moving but no sound was coming out, Hermione had one last thing to say though. "After Saturday, you'll never see me again. Stay out of my way, Parkinson, I'm done taking shit from the likes of you."
Hermione and Luna then walked off down the corridor, leaving the three Slytherins to deal with the prostrate Bulstrode.
"Oh, that actually felt good."
"You were brilliant Luna, I was in trouble for a moment there."
"That wasn't me, Hermione, I let Harry take control. To be honest, when he saw what was happening, I don't think I could have stopped him." Luna then seemed to have an internal debate but Hermione knew exactly what was happening, Harry would be apologising.
"You did the right thing... No, that's fine... I think it's my turn to stir the cauldron. That felt good watching you but I need to do this for myself."
Entering the great hall, Luna asked Hermione to keep a seat for her as she headed for the staff table. Her target was McGonagall.
"Yes Miss Lovegood, can I help you?"
"I would like a copy of the form to leave Hogwarts. I'm tired of all the bullying here, it's time to give somewhere else a try." Luna casually removed Millicent's wand from behind her ear and placed it on the table. "This belongs to Miss Bulstrode, she and three other Slytherins thought it was okay to ambush my friend in the corridors."
"That will be fifty points from Ravenclaw, and detention with me for the rest of the week."
Luna looked right at Snape, fighting down Harry's indignation. "I won't be doing any detentions, expel me if you like. As for the points, Ravenclaw never wanted me anyway so why should I care if you take points off them."
McGonagall tried to get the situation back under control, there were Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students present who would be leaving Hogwarts with a very bad impression of the school. "Miss Lovegood, if you were having problems you should have approached a member of staff for help..."
"Like you helped Harry Potter, straight into Azkaban. No thanks, Professor, I'm just going to leave Hogwarts. It has been made plain to me I'm not wanted here, why should I stay? I would advise anyone in the same position to get a form too. Voldemort is back and Fudge is an idiot, things are going to get a lot worse soon."
With that, Luna went back and sat for lunch beside Hermione. Dumbledore wasn't there and McGonagall was having to rein Severus in. When house points and detentions meant nothing to a student, they didn't really have any sanctions left. Expelling someone who intended to leave in four days anyway seemed a waste of time and effort - and was also a black mark Hogwarts didn't need.
It was barely a minute later when an enraged Millicent Bulstrode crashed into the great hall. The other three girls with her were clearly unable to dissuade the large Slytherin from her chosen course of action, far less hold her back.
Spotting her blonde target, she headed straight for the Gryffindor table. "Loony, you've got something of mine. Give it back before I break both your arms."
"Bulstrode, you couldn't take me with a wand, why should I be scared of you now?"
"Because I underestimated you before. Next time, I won't give you a chance..."
McGonagall had been moving from the instant the four Slytherin girls had entered the great hall, she now made her presence known. "There will not be a next time, Miss Bulstrode. You have detention with me every night until the express takes you home. That will also be fifty points from Slytherin, for each of the girls involved in this attack."
The Slytherin gem counter dropping two hundred points just made Millicent madder. "This little bitch has my wand, I want it back!"
"I have your wand, Miss Bulstrode, and it will be staying with me. I shall hand it to your professor for classes where it is required, they will collect it at the end of the period. That will also be another fifty points from Slytherin, and I'm prepared to keep docking Slytherin House points until you return to your own table."
Millicent was reluctantly moving but her anger stayed, forcing a retort from the large Slytherin. "Enjoy your power when you can, you won't have it much longer."
This outburst cost Slytherin another hundred points before McGonagall spoke to Luna. "Come to my office after lunch and I will supply you with the required form." That she then had three more requests for leaver forms just from her Gryffindors meant Minerva would have to take this problem to Albus.
With Luna losing fifty points from Ravenclaw, and then Slytherin dropping from first to last, Gryffindor was now in the lead for the House Cup. That not one of her cubs seemed to care about that was what really worried Minerva. Hogwarts could end up losing quite a few students before September the first. That the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons were witnessing this too wasn't helping Hogwarts' reputation either.
-oOoOo-
Hermione was sitting in the library when Ron found her. She'd managed to stop verbalising her end of the conversation with Harry but hadn't yet realised her facial expressions still acted as if she was talking with someone.
"Eh, Hermione, are you okay?"
"I'm fine Ron, don't look so nervous. I'm sorry about yesterday and promise never to do that again. I wish I could make it up to you..."
"Well, it did bloody hurt - getting me Viktor Krum's autograph would certainly ease the pain."
This actually got a chuckle from Hermione. "I'll bet it would, but sorry I can't help you. Viktor was put under the imperius curse for the last task, attacking Fleur and then Cedric - before Harry took him down. We all know he wasn't responsible for his actions but he can't even look at either me, Cho or Fleur now. It would be a lot less embarrassing for him if you went up and asked, rather than me."
"Not for me it wouldn't..." That this drew another chuckle from Hermione surprised Ron, and gave him the confidence to ask the next question. "So, no you and Viktor Krum then?" He was ready to beat a hasty retreat but her smile totally disarmed Ron.
"All this has made me realise I'm Harry's girl, I think I have been since first year. Now all I've got to do is get my hands on Harry before explaining that to him." Harry confirming that was something he was looking forward to just widened her smile.
Ron now wore a smile of his own. "The first part of that might be difficult but I'm sure you'll easily manage the second. When did you and Loony become friends?"
"Her name is Luna, Ron, and she's trying to help me get Harry out of Azkaban. She also covered my back when those four Slytherins had me cornered in a corridor."
"Her dad might own the Quibbler but no one believes a word of what's printed in there..."
Hermione and Harry hadn't even got that far in their planning, sorting their relationship out had kinda taken over. That would have to stop now - there was work to be done. "They might believe it, if the Quibbler had a letter from Harry."
"That would be impossible, he's in Azkaban - remember. If you could get a letter from Harry out of there, it would be far better having it sent to Madam Bones. She's head of the D.M.L.E. and my dad says not someone you would want to mess with. She was also the one who released that statement on Fudge and his under-whatever."
"Okay, so we need two letters. Thanks Ron, for all your help."
This had him laughing at his friend's determination, doing the impossible didn't seem to phase Hermione. "You know you're mental, right? Harry's in the most secure prison in the world but you're gonna get him to write letters, that is surely mental."
"Not mental, Ron, just difficult. If it was easy then everyone would be doing it. Can you ask Colin if he has a photo of Harry that we could use for this? It should preferably be recent, and one not seen by people before. Telling him it's to help Harry should get Colin moving."
He left Hermione looking better than she had in weeks, there was her old determination back in her eyes too. Ron wouldn't be shocked if his friend pulled this off. After all, the three of them had been doing the impossible together since first year.
"Why didn't you tell Ron about me?" Feeling her blush, Harry clearly saw the answer in Hermione's mind. "You're right. He wouldn't have believed you unless I transferred over there, and you don't want to kiss Ron. How is that different from kissing Luna?"
"Luna is our friend, Harry, Ron is too of course. She can tell the difference between transferring you and a kiss though, I don't think Ron could or would. I'm your girlfriend now, and I have no intention of kissing anyone else." She could feel his satisfaction at her last statement and Hermione pushed on with her idea.
"You took control of Luna to put Bulstrode down on her face in that corridor, can you take control of me to write a letter?"
"That's a brilliant idea. It would be in my handwriting, and you would still be able to help me word it."
They were just finishing up when Luna arrived. Rather than try and explain everything, and making sure no one was looking first, Hermione simply passed Harry over. It was only seconds later that Luna's eyes practically lit up.
"Oh Hermione, that's a fantastic idea. We need to keep it quiet though, the ministry might try and stop my dad printing it. Do you want to send yours off to Madam Bones now, or wait and owl both when Harry and I get the version for my dad written?"
"I think we'll wait and owl both together. I also think I should see Colin before we go down to dinner. You're right about keeping this a secret, something I forgot to mention to Ron."
"Let's just miss dinner and have Dobby bring us something in the room. That way we can get the letters owled quicker, and be ready to do what needs done tonight."
-oOoOo-
Albus stood helpless as two of his heads of house verbally went for each other in his office.
"That was a ludicrous amount of points to remove, you don't even know what happened..."
"That didn't stop you docking Miss Lovegood fifty points..."
"The girl is well-named - Looney. They were probably just chatting and she attacked, Miss Bulstrode had every right to be angry at having her wand taken..."
"Bulstrode practically threatened me with the dark lord, in front of the entire school too. What was I supposed to do? I won't kiss that bastard's robes, or kiss any of his followers' arses either..."
"Minerva, Severus, enough! Severus, if you don't rein in your Slytherins, there's no telling how many students we will lose from Hogwarts..."
"...and why is that a bad thing?" Both Dumbledore and McGonagall just stared at him, forcing Severus to explain.
"Miss Granger, in her own infuriating style, is actually correct. The way things stand at the moment, for her own safety she really has no other option but to leave Hogwarts - and the country. How many others in this school are in the same position? Isn't it better that they see that now, and use their summer holidays to do something about it."
This left Minerva flabbergasted, and intrigued Albus. Severus epitomised the values of his house, the headmaster wanted to hear details of what he was proposing.
"I will have words with my house, and tell them to tone down their behaviour. I shall point out that other students having to make trips to the infirmary are a lot harder to cover up - and will be punished because they will be caught. This should relegate any further attacks to little more than verbal skirmishes. I fully intend to hammer the other three houses with points removals however, whilst rewarding my Slytherins for knowing their own names. With Crabbe and Goyle, that is actually an achievement for them."
Seeing Minerva didn't appreciate his sense of humour, Severus pushed on. "It should drive home the message to those who would be in danger from the dark lord's return that the British Wizarding society is not a fair one, Potter currently languishing in Azkaban certainly lends credence to that belief. We know the dark lord has returned, and Fudge is blocking the ministry doing anything about it. Isn't it better they get a small taste of what that means in a somewhat controlled environment, rather than one day soon meeting the real thing head on."
"Severus, that is nothing short of brilliant. Don't you agree, Minerva?"
Before she could answer, Severus cut in. "Minerva, I need you to be angry with me when we're in public. You can see what's happening inside Hogwarts but are powerless to stop it. Slytherin needs to beat Gryffindor for the House Cup to send out the message that we want, also to cement my position with the children of the death eaters. Draco will take great delight in describing to his father how Slytherin won, and that Professor McGonagall was livid about it."
The headmaster agreed with that tactic. "It also puts out the message we are powerless to help. As Miss Granger so eloquently yet forcefully pointed out, something Harry has unfortunately firsthand experience of."
It went against everything Minerva McGonagall believed in, against the very founding values of Gryffindor House, but she was forced to agree. As Deputy Headmistress of a boarding school, her first duty was to the safety of her charges. With Fudge maintaining the ministry's 'he's not back' stance, the best way to ensure some of those students' safety was for them not to be in Hogwarts. She wouldn't have to act to be livid about the current situation, it would all be so very real anger she displayed.
This really hit home to Albus and Minerva just how helpless they really were, even inside their own school.
-oOoOo-
Hermione watched as Luna/Harry sat at the writing desk and worked on his letter for the Quibbler. Rather than the more factual version that would soon be winging its way to Madam Bones, they wanted this one to read somewhat like a newspaper article - something Luna was more able to help Harry with.
Hermione was concentrating more on the pictures they had received from Colin, that boy really had talent. The picture they chose to accompany the letter was taken just after the first task. Harry entering the Griffindor common room to a hero's welcome, still dressed in his torn tournament robes. It was quite the pose, Firebolt in one hand with a golden egg tucked under his other arm. He may be battered and bruised but the smile on his face was genuine. Only a few of his close friends would recognise that Harry's smile was more in relief than happiness.
The picture she really liked however was one of Harry and her, sitting on the floor of the common room with a book between them. Ron was on the sofa behind, though far more interested in the snacks he had next to him than any book. Hermione was sitting on Luna's bed and also admiring the picture of Luna and her late mother when the room provided an identical silver frame for the photograph currently in Hermione's hand. She slipped it into the frame and placed that picture beside Luna's.
Glancing over, Hermione could tell Harry was in control. She recognised the concentration on Luna's face as he/she wrote, along with the way he would casually move her hair to cover that famous scar - a scar that was on another forehead. Watching Luna with Harry's mannerisms would once have freaked Hermione out. After a day like today, it was going to take a lot more than that.
She had Harry with her for over four hours earlier, and what absolutely wonderful yet excruciatingly embarrassing hours they were. After her small taste this morning, she had at least some idea of what to expect this time.
There are thoughts and experiences inside everyone's mind that they never want another soul to see or hear, that all changes when you're sharing that same space with someone else. Thinking 'I don't want them to see that' immediately brought that thought/memory to the front of your mind - making it available for the other to view. Privacy simply wasn't an option, for either of them. Neither she nor Harry had any experience at shielding their thoughts, hence the excruciating embarrassment for both of them.
The up-side though was that she and Harry now knew more about each other than many couples who had been together for decades. Not only was their friendship still intact, Hermione actually thought it was now stronger than it had ever been. Both of them were also still very keen to pursue a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship when Harry physically got out of Azkaban. That relationship would hopefully begin soon, and certainly take place away from Hogwarts.
One thing was also certain, Luna would be coming with them as well. The little blonde Ravenclaw had impressed Harry, Hermione too after the memories she'd seen from her boyfriend to be. By anyone's reckoning, Luna had led a hard life since her mother died. Her father clearly loved her but, even without the debilitating grief of losing his wife, Xeno Lovegood seemed ill-equipped to raise his daughter on his own.
The bullying of Luna at Hogwarts was way worse than Hermione's experiences, even probably worse than what Harry had suffered while at primary school. What impressed Harry though was that Luna didn't seem to have one bitter thought in her head about what had happened to her. Luna's attitude was not to look back in anger, rather to look forward in hope. For someone like Harry, who's had so little to look forward to in his life, this was not just a totally new way of seeing your life - this was a revelation.
Hermione was drawn out of her musing by Luna sitting on the bed beside her, and then passing Harry over. "This is quicker than explaining what we wrote. It also gives you both time together until Harry and I need to head to Azkaban."
"Luna, Harry says you're worried about this trip?"
"Travelling well over two hundred miles on your first rove is unheard of. That a good part of that journey was over the sea too just makes it all the more extraordinary..."
"First time ever on a broom, McGonagall made Harry the Gryffindor seeker. Now he outflies dragons. That's just Harry, Luna. Stick around Harry long enough and you'll get used to it."
"We're still facing a round trip of about five hundred miles tonight. Before this, my furthest rove was about ten."
Harry was informing Hermione how nervous Luna was about this journey tonight, she also wasn't used to people depending on her. Hermione put her arm around their younger friend while they got ready to head for the owlery. "You'll be fine, Luna. Trust Harry to look after you, I know I trust you to do your best for him. You've been brilliant all through this, neither Harry nor I would have coped without you. I hope to hear back from my parents tomorrow, then the three of us can start to plan our summer together."
It was a much happier Luna who left the room to owlpost her father.
-oOoOo-
Luna's fears had disappeared before they had even crossed the Black Lake. She had never roved with someone else before, and roving with Harry was exhilarating. He was moving as speeds she didn't know were possible, and Harry's enthusiasm was simply towing her alongside him too. Even crossing the North Sea held no fears. As long as Luna was with Harry, she simply knew she would be fine.
She was actually glad the sun had gone down by the time they reached Azkaban, Luna only knew they had arrived when Harry began slowing down - his enthusiasm bleeding away the closer they got to the island prison. The jet black high walls of Azkaban seemed to fade into total darkness, as if even light couldn't escape from its possessive clutches.
Passing through the cell walls, Luna got a chance to glimpse real despair up close. Prisoners with no escape or relief from the relentless pressure of horrors visited on them by the ever present dementors. Most were curled into balls, all moaned in some degree of pain. Luna's anger also kicked in at seeing this, that the ministry had dared to do the same to an innocent Harry.
The pair were soon in the cell that contained Harry's physical self. Just as she'd guided him on how to leave hers, Luna now coached Harry's spirit back into his own body. She looked on as pain then contorted Harry's facial features. Between muscles cramping from the way he'd been lying, feeling the dementor effects and needing to use the bucket, Harry was in severe physical discomfort as soon as he became whole again.
He managed to hobble off the bed and relieve one part of his problem, which was the main reason Luna was currently holding back. Harry really got embarrassed at what Luna considered perfectly normal bodily functions. She knew that Harry's embarrassment would be off the scale if she was sharing his body while he was peeing into the bucket. With that task over, he flopped back down on the bed. It would take at least another ten minutes to work the kinks out of his muscles enough for him to move around the cell, and partake of the delicacies that passed for food and drink in this place.
There was some kind of slop in a wooden bowl, another similar bowl held what was presumably drinking water - they were really pulling no punches with their mistreatment of Harry. She was almost in tears at their very deliberate attempt to break her friend, Luna knew she would probably have a good cry about it later. After she noticed Harry was beginning to relax, it was only a moment later when he invited Luna in.
Luna spotted at once that Harry was again using happy memories to fight off the worst effects of the dementors. She would have to tell Hermione that the one of her in the shower really helped her boyfriend in his time of need. She was set to gently tease Harry about this when Luna felt another presence, something that wasn't a dementor. Whatever this was, its intentions were clear - to cause Harry as much harm as possible. She could actually see the tentacles of malicious evil reaching out for Harry's memories and trying to pervert them into something horrible.
Rather than helping Harry fight this attack, Luna tried to trace those tentacles back to their source. She found a part of Harry's mind that appeared crystallised - Luna couldn't think of any other word for it. The real shock though was when she spotted movement inside this malicious crystal. Like a creature trapped in amber, a pair of angry red eyes were focusing in on Harry's happy memories of Hermione.
Luna had never seen such evil in her life, it also took a moment to realise that the terrified screams she was hearing were actually coming from herself.
Chapter 4 - It's a Secret
Hermione lay in bed beside the blonde Ravenclaw who was rapidly becoming one of her best friends. That Luna was prepared to travel to Azkaban and help Harry saw her rocketing up Hermione's admittedly not overly long list of friends. There were people in their own house who had known them both for four years now, yet seemed only too willing to believe whatever crap anyone said about Harry Potter or Hermione Granger.
Luna had met Harry last night, Hermione not until this morning, yet already she felt close to this witch. That Harry had such a high opinion of Luna certainly helped Hermione form that bond of friendship, the quirky Ravenclaw though was rather easy to like. Once you got to see the real Luna, it wasn't such a leap to becoming good friends. Looking on as Luna's physical self lay there totally unresponsive, and completely defenceless, Hermione certainly understood the girl's insistence that someone she trusted should watch over her. Knowing some of the creeps in this school, a shudder of dread ran up Hermione's spine at the thought of what could happen if any of them found Luna while she was in this condition.
Hermione knew she really should be sleeping, having no idea how long they would be, but she just couldn't. Yes she had certainly dozed while waiting on Luna and Harry but entering a deep sleep might see Hermione miss their return - that just wouldn't do. Knowing that Harry had safely returned might allow Hermione to have her best night's kip in weeks, there was no chance of that happening though before Harry and Luna were back in Hogwarts.
Luna's eyes suddenly springing open had Hermione jumping back in shock, her loud sobs soon had that direction reversed. Hermione was trying to pull Luna into her arms when she felt Harry enter her body and mind. Like Luna earlier today, Hermione didn't know if she would have been able to stop Harry taking over control of her body. Also like Luna earlier, knowing Harry wanted to help their new friend meant Hermione wouldn't even try to stop him.
She was looking at Harry's memories from tonight while he used her body to speak with Luna. Hermione quickly discovered Harry had no idea what was wrong with Luna either.
"Luna, it's Harry. Please speak to me, tell me what happened to get you like this."
Both girls were now wrapped around each other as Luna clung on, trying to draw as much comfort as possible from the contact. "Oh Harry, I'm so sorry. It was really horrible, and I had no idea what to do."
"The dementors can have that effect, Luna, I should never have let you come with me..."
"It wasn't the dementors, Harry, there was someone else in there with us. I recognised those terrible red eyes from your memory of the graveyard, Voldemort is trapped inside your head. It's Voldemort who was distorting your memories of Hermione while you fought against the effects of the dementors."
Now that Harry seemed to be in danger once more, Hermione reasserted control of her own body. The version of Harry in her head was actually too shocked at the moment to do anything about it. "Luna, you're not making any sense..."
"Hermione, for once I actually wish I was loony. I could see Voldemort but he couldn't see me - he didn't even know I was there. That's why I didn't answer any of your questions, Harry, I didn't want him to have any idea I was there with you."
"Harry says just knowing you were there helped him enormously. As you can imagine, he's a little shocked at the moment."
"Shocked would be an understatement, Hermione. I would have wet my knickers - if my spirit had been wearing any. The real horror though is I could see Voldemort's thoughts, just like we can see Harry's. It was really horrible but I knew we needed information if we were to help Harry, that's why I stayed so long. He was determined to cause Harry as much pain as possible, and his mind was wandering everywhere while he did. I know what that thing is in Harry's head, I don't know how to get it out though..."
Hermione felt Luna trying to snuggle in even more, she just held the younger witch tighter. This Ravenclaw had braved watching Voldemort's memories to help Harry, that in itself was one of the most courageous things Hermione had ever heard of - Harry instantly agreed with that assessment.
Luna was now barely speaking above a whisper. Since her face was buried in Hermione's neck however, she and Harry clearly heard every horrifying word.
"That thing in Harry is a horcrux. I had no idea what that meant until I saw an explanation in Voldemort's memory, it's a piece of Voldemort's soul."
Hermione was left to fill the silence that followed Luna's terrifying and disgusting revelation. "You might have wanted to wet your knickers, Luna, but Harry's currently trying not to throw up in my mind. To be honest, I feel pretty sick myself. How long has that thing been inside Harry?"
"Since he was a baby, Hermione. It's only after Voldemort touched Harry's scar last week in that cemetery that it has been able to exert any influence over him, and then only because Harry's surrounded by dementors - lowering his resistance. That's why Harry kept getting nightmares of Voldemort however, the original was unknowingly sending those visions straight to Harry through the horcrux."
Luna was actually shivering and shuddering, still shocked at what she had seen. "This wasn't a deliberate act, and the Voldemort who touched Harry last week has no idea it's in there. Voldemort wants to kill Harry, not realising he'll be killing a bit of himself too. That's what's got the piece of soul panicking, it now is aware and knows this."
Hermione was trying to offer comfort to Harry, while recognising that they needed to hear whatever information Luna had managed to get. It turned out Luna had managed to get quite a lot. "Have you any idea how this thing ended up in baby Harry?"
"The worst part of creating a horcrux is you need to commit a murder to split and then loosen a part of your soul. If you then complete the rest of the ritual, the end result is you have a soul anchor. He obviously intended to create one the night he murdered Harry's family, that part got stuck in Harry purely by accident. Murdering Harry's mother left his soul partition ready to be transferred, his curse rebounding meant the fragment had nowhere else to go. That's why Harry's curse scar never really healed, and also why it causes him pain while he's anywhere near Voldemort. As long as Voldemort has any soul anchors left, he can't really be killed. This was his method for cheating death."
"I said to Harry we need help with this, and he just exploded. He thinks Dumbledore already knows about this, something about Voldemort using Harry's blood to get a new body got the old bugger very excited."
"He must know about them, Harry actually dropped one on the headmaster's desk. That's what the diary controlling Ginny was, a horcrux. While Harry having one was certainly an accident, Voldemort had already very deliberately made more before that night. I got some information on them, we might get more tomorrow..."
"Harry just screamed at me that you're not going back to Azkaban with him, I certainly agree with that Luna..."
"...and you're both wrong. We need information on how to get that thing out of Harry, the person who put it in there would be the best source for that."
"Harry's suggesting we contact Remus and Sirius. We can trust both of them, and the Black library would be a great place to look for a solution too."
"That's a brilliant idea, my father could be a great help as well. He has access to a lot of information through his newspaper connections, my dad also knows about roving. I'm still going to Azkaban with Harry though. Not only is that our best chance of information, me being there helps Harry fight the bugger off."
Luna had drawn back enough so she could see Hermione's face as she said that. It was clear Hermione was having a debate with Harry about this, it was also clear what their answer was going to be.
"Neither of us like this, Luna, but we also can't argue that you're right."
This generated a weak smile from Luna, this however was nothing short of a minor miracle considering how she had felt earlier. "We Ravenclaws tend to win our arguments, it's hard to dispute facts and logic. I'd like to ask a favour though, can Harry stay with me tonight? Having him with me and cuddling into you might be the only reason I'll get any sleep tonight."
It was Hermione's turn to smile. A quick goodnight to Harry saw her then lean forward and pass him over to Luna. As they snuggled in, Hermione drew comfort from thinking the arms tightly around her were Harry's.
-oOoOo-
Hermione was sitting in the library, trying and failing not to show her horror as Harry passed on Luna's memories from last night. She may have had a book open in front of her but there was only one thing on her mind, or one person. Hermione certainly didn't begrudge Luna having Harry with her last night. After seeing what she witnessed, both she and Harry had already decided he would be spending the night with her again after their next visit to Azkaban. The information she was getting was unbelievable, Voldemort's darkest secrets were being laid bare to a fourteen year old girl - and thankfully he knew nothing about it.
Hedwig had returned this morning with permission for Luna to spend some of the summer in Crawley, delighting all three of them. Hermione had fussed over Hedwig, with plenty of bacon heading the owl's way. Then Hermione whispered to the snowy owl, asking if she was up for a trip to deliver an important letter to Sirius. Hedwig had puffed her chest out, proclaiming to the world she was ready for anything.
Today was Thursday, with the express leaving on Saturday. They were trying to arrange a meeting at the Grangers for Sunday, with Luna's father being invited too. Hermione didn't know how her parents would react to some of the stuff they would be hearing but it should at least set their minds to leaving Britain behind.
Harry and her were batting ideas back and forth at speeds that were nearer table tennis than Wimbledon. That exchange was interrupted, not by rain but Professor McGonagall.
"Miss Granger, please accompany me to the Headmaster's Office."
At that, McGonagall turned and headed out of the library. Hermione was left with no other option but to follow on. She was debating with Harry what she was in trouble for now, not sleeping in her dorm last night being the clear favourite. If Hermione got pulled up on that point, Luna would be sneaking into the Gryffindor girls dorm tonight under Harry's invisibility cloak.
Entering Dumbledore's office, they discovered he had a guest.
"Ah, here's Miss Granger now. This is Madam Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
As they were shown to a seat, Harry and Hermione were mentally kicking themselves for not thinking of this possibility. Hermione was just going to have to play dumb, not something she was particularly good at.
"Pleased to meet you, Madam Bones. There's a Susan Bones in some of our classes, are you any relation to Susan?"
"Yes, Miss Granger. Although she's my niece, I am also her guardian."
Harry's comment had Hermione smiling, he was quickly told to shut-it as she was left having to explain that reaction to the three adults in the office.
"Sorry Madam Bones, a funny thought just struck me. At the slightest provocation, Draco Malfoy threatens the world and its shadow with his father. Susan meanwhile has a guardian who has real power, yet to my knowledge has never mentioned that connection once in the four years I've known her. It's just another piece of information that helps confirm my theory that, rather than the so-called elite being boastful, Malfoy is just a little turd."
While Dumbledore smiled at that, and Bones actually chuckled, McGonagall was not amused.
"Miss Granger, that is no way to talk about a classmate."
She just shrugged her shoulders. "I had to threaten him with my wand the morning after Harry was dragged out of here by the Minister. Malfoy thought it was okay to lay hands on my person, I explained the facts of life to him. Namely that if he touched me again, I would remove his manhood with a cutting curse. He retaliated by getting his girlfriend to set up an ambush in the corridors."
Seeing the shock these revelations were having, Hermione went for more of the same. "The headmaster sits behind that gargoyle while students fear to walk the corridors of his school alone. Is that why you're here, Madam Bones? I'm assuming Draco ran to daddy, trying to get me into trouble before I transfer out of here."
"You're leaving Hogwarts?"
"Yes, ma'am, tomorrow is my last day. I'm just trying to keep my head down and stay out of trouble until then. Isn't that why you're here?"
"No, Miss Granger, it's not - though I will be having a talk with the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall about that after we're finished here. My niece is one of those students who has to walk those corridors."
"Oh the Puffs never walk about in groups of less than three, Susan should be fine..."
Dumbledore tried to nip that particular discussion in the bud. "That is not why Madam Bones is here, she received a very disturbing letter this morning. We wondered if you would have a look at it for us?"
Hermione's eyebrows rose at that, until they gave her the information she already knew. "This letter allegedly originated from Mister Potter."
Amelia handed over the letter and Hermione did a good job of pretending to read something she helped write. McGonagall then clued Hermione in to why she'd been called to the Headmaster's office.
"Both the Headmaster and I think that is Harry's handwriting, and the facts written here match what we already know. We would like to hear your opinion of it."
"Oh it was certainly written by Harry, I've checked enough of his essays over the years to recognise it anywhere. These chicken-scratches that Harry calls handwriting are really unique to him, and I would reckon almost impossible for anyone else to forge."
Amelia was nodding at that, Dumbledore and McGonagall had basically said the exact same thing. "Since I'm sure you are aware of his current location, you can perhaps understand why we find this disturbing..."
"No, actually I can't."
"Miss Granger, Azkaban is a high security prison, especially the part Harry is being detained in…"
Hermione just had to interrupt, pointing out the facts of the matter to Madam Bones. "…illegally detained by an incompetent Minister and his toadies!"
Madam Bones pushed ahead with the question she came here to have answered. "That aside, we think it highly unlikely that a fourteen year old wizard could bypass our security to write this letter - far less have it sent to me. We were wondering if you could shed any light on the situation?"
This time Hermione smiled all on her own. "Madam Bones, do you think it's highly unlikely that an eleven year old wizard, with barely two months knowledge of magic, could take on a fully grown mountain troll? Harry did, otherwise I would be dead."
This news clearly rocked the witch, however Hermione was just getting into her stride. She wondered if it would be possible to have Madam Bones drop that monocle from her eye, Hermione was certainly going to give it a shot. "Harry also defeated Voldemort the same year, a possessed defence professor, Professor Quirrell, lost his life in that battle. What about single-handedly taking on a sixty foot basilisk when only in second year? Another defence professor, Professor Lockhart, lost his mind in that fiasco and Voldemort was stopped from returning again. It was Ginny Weasley's life he saved that time, I was lying petrified in the infirmary. In third year, Harry's corporal patronus chased away every dementor sent by the ministry to Hogwarts, again saving my life. What you see as highly unlikely, to me it's just my boyfriend being who he is - Harry Potter."
Harry was leading the cheering section in her mind, giving Hermione the confidence to face anything. In the stunned silence that followed those revelations, Hermione tossed another hand grenade into the mix. "I wouldn't be surprised if a letter resigning Harry from Hogwarts landed on the headmaster's desk. The Minister of Magic illegally throwing Harry into Azkaban seems a really good reason for him to leave Hogwarts and Britain behind. I've already booked my place in Beauxbatons for September, Madame Maxime made it very clear there would be room for Harry in France too. Apparently her school doesn't have giant three-headed dogs, Trolls, Dementors, Basilisks, Dragons or Acromantula - with no members of staff trying to murder the students either - it sounds wonderful!"
All three shared the thought that this girl clearly knew how this letter got out of Azkaban, Amelia though was currently looking to Dumbledore and McGonagall - intending to have some of those claims explained. Harry let out a cheer in Hermione's mind as Madam Bones' monocle was now swinging on its retaining cord.
McGonagall tried to get everyone's attention focused back on what really mattered here. "Miss Granger, surely you can see we're all trying to help Mister Potter. If you know anything at all that could help with this situation…"
Hermione wasn't buying that. "In this room, we have the head of Magical Law Enforcement and the Leader of the Wizengamot. Both know Harry's innocent yet he's still in Azkaban. Just how do you intend to help, Professor?"
Albus needed to know how Harry had managed this impressive feat, and he was sure Miss Granger had that knowledge. Acquiring that knowledge would be dangerous however, especially with Amelia and Minerva in the room. Albus' need to know outweighed his caution, he took a massive risk…
Harry was still cheering Hermione on when he spotted the intruder. Dumbledore had entered Hermione's mind and Harry's temper exploded. Like wanting to move faster across the sea and it just happening, Harry wanted to punch Dumbledore in the face - and it happened.
All conversation stopped as Dumbledore's head suddenly flew backward. He'd been casually leaning against his desk, trying to present a relaxing and trusting demeanour, Dumbledore now had to grip that desk to stay on his feet.
After quickly being informed by Harry what had just happened in her mind, Hermione dealt him a verbal blow that was every bit as painful to his pride. "You got me up here, on the pretence of wanting to help Harry, and then you tried to enter my mind? No wonder the country is in the state it's in, with both you and Fudge thinking laws don't apply to you. Harry and I will be leaving Britain just as soon as he's released, citing the Minister of Magic and Albus Dumbledore as the reasons why. Nobody will care why I'm leaving but we all know Harry is a different matter. You brought this on yourself, Professor Dumbledore. Raping my mind can never be justified - not even to help Harry. That you appear not to know this is just a symptom of what's wrong with magical Britain - and why we will both be leaving the country. Do not send for me again, I don't want to see any of you before I leave Hogwarts - whatever the excuse you manufacture."
Hermione stormed from the office, leaving Dumbledore facing twin storms of his own making.
"Albus Dumbledore, tell me you didn't just try to use ligilimency on a student of yours - a student who is legally still considered a child." Amelia only thought she was furious, that was until she heard his answer.
"She should not have been able to do that. I was merely going to glance over her surface thoughts…"
"…which, as Miss Granger may have just mentioned, is illegal. It's you who should be in a cell in Azkaban, not Harry Potter. I also want more information on some of the things Miss Granger just mentioned, otherwise I might just arrest you now. This is a bloody school, Albus, a school my niece attends. If I find out that she has to walk about the corridors in a pack, Miss Granger is not the only student who will be heading to France come September."
Meanwhile Harry and Hermione were having a discussion over what Dumbledore had just tried.
"Did he see you, Harry?"
"No, I think it's the same as Voldemort not being able to see Luna."
"That sounds about right. You can't see Voldemort and I never noticed Dumbledore. Did you really punch him?"
"I certainly wanted to. Not having a body though, I'm not exactly sure what I did. We both know how embarrassing it was to share thoughts, how dare Dumbledore think he could just help himself to your memories."
"My hero, even protecting my memories."
"Hermione, when I'm in Azkaban, it's only thinking of you that keeps me sane. I'm just returning the favour."
"Oh. Harry, that just earned you another I.O.U. kiss from your girlfriend."
"How many is that I'm up to now? I've lost count."
This had Hermione chuckling out loud, though she only spoke to Harry in her mind. "Don't worry, Mr Potter, I haven't."
Telling Luna what had happened saw her reach a decision. "Harry should stay with you all day. It's just not worth the chance Dumbledore won't try again, you need the protection Harry can give you."
"Thanks, Luna. You can have him straight after dinner when we hit the room, and he can spend the night with you too."
Both girls were happy with the new arrangements, Harry wasn't complaining either.
-oOoOo-
Hermione wasn't as surprised by Luna's return this time, just as the blonde Ravenclaw wasn't nearly in as much distress as she'd been last night. She still clung to Hermione though, Harry then joined his girlfriend to say goodnight before he would move over to Luna.
As Luna drew comfort from her physical contact with Hermione, she began to tell both of her friends the information she had gained from Voldemort tonight. "There's one of those disgusting things in this very room, well, at least another version of the room. There's a ring buried at the wrecked shack Voldemort's mother grew up in, another is a necklace hidden in a cave with a lake full of inferi guarding it. He gave one to Bellatrix Lestrange for safekeeping - it was a gold cup, and did the same with Draco's father. Malfoy's was the diary he set to control Ginny, that's also the one Harry's already destroyed."
"Harry was wondering if Basilisk venom destroyed the diary horcrux, why is that one still in his head? The same fang that finished the basilisk was in his arm. I can't think of any reasons to give him why it didn't."
"The crystal thing that contains Voldemort appears cracked, or scarred. Maybe that's a result of the basilisk biting Harry, I don't really know. If it had been allowed to kill Harry, I'm sure the horcrux would be gone too. It might be my imagination but there appeared to be a few more cracks in that crystal tonight."
None of them wanted to think what that could mean, Hermione pushed on with the problem they hoped to do something about. "Harry doesn't know if he'll still be a parselmouth when in control of one of us. Without that ability, we can't get into the chamber of secrets."
Although tired, Luna knew they would all sleep better with a plan in place for tomorrow. She released her comforting grip on Hermione and lifted her wand from the bedside table. A harmless little grass snake was soon slithering about the quilt, that was until Harry, by controlling Hermione, spoke to the serpent in parseltongue.
As she banished the conjured snake, Luna was pleased that was at least one problem solved. "Okay, so now we know we can get in there…"
"Luna, Harry's not sure how we would get out of the chamber. There must be a way, since Ginny was popping in and out for months, but Harry doesn't know it. Fawkes flew all of them out of there after Harry defeated the basilisk."
"What about if someone could pop us out of there? I was thinking if we called for Dobby, perhaps he could help us?"
At that, the eager little elf popped into the room. "Did Miss call for Dobby?"
"Oh Dobby, we didn't mean to waken you."
"Dobby was waiting, not sleeping. Dobby was hoping Harry Potter's friends would need him again. How can Dobby help?"
"We are hoping to enter the chamber of secrets to remove some teeth from the basilisk. There are more evil items like that diary out there, we need to find them and use the basilisk's fangs to destroy each one."
"Luna, Harry's just came up with a plan. If we destroy the one in Hogwarts, we could leave it on Dumbledore's desk. If we also left notes with information on the others, along with a basilisk fang for each, Dumbledore would surely find and destroy them. If everything was in Harry's handwriting too, it would drive Dumbledore nuts trying to figure out how it was done - and where all the information came from."
Luna thought that was a great idea, and also thought they had a method of making it happen standing right in front of them. "Dobby, could you deliver a parcel from us onto the headmaster's desk? It's very important though that he doesn't know where it came from, or how it got there."
Instead of bouncing up and down with enthusiasm, the elf was looking at the floor while nervously shuffling his feet. Those drooping ears were a dead giveaway that something was bothering him. "Dobby can do all that, but Dobby works for Hogwarts. If Headmaster asked Dobby right question, Dobby has to tell Headmaster truth."
"We can't have you losing your job over this…"
"Oh Miss Grangy, Dobby wouldn't mind. Dobby knows where Harry Potter's Grangy goes, Harry Potter will follow. Dobby only likes working in Hogwarts because Harry Potter is here."
Reading between the lines, Luna thought she could see what Dobby was angling for. "Dobby, would you rather work for Harry?"
"Dobby dreams of working for the great Harry Potter. Dobby wouldn't even take wages if Harry Potter wanted Dobby."
Harry and Hermione were having furious discussions over this matter, Hermione finally relenting to ask Dobby what he got paid at the moment.
"Dobby gets one galleon a month for working at Hogwarts, but Dobby would be happy to take much less to work for his friend, Harry Potter."
Harry tried to talk Hermione down from her outrage. "It's not the amount, Hermione, it's the symbolism. Dobby gets paid so therefore Dobby is a free elf. I know there's enough gold in my vault to employ Dobby for many years, we both well know this is something that would make the little guy very, very happy. There's also the fact that tomorrow - make that today now - is our last day in Hogwarts. How are we going to achieve what we need to do without Dobby's help? If you have a better idea then I will certainly listen to it."
Hermione had nothing and didn't resist as Harry gently took control again.
"Dobby, would you like to work for me?" He never got to say anymore as Dobby was now on the bed and hugging Hermione/Harry while bouncing up and down.
The little guy then clearly had another thought. "Would Harry Potter like two elves? Dobby's friend Winky is not being well. Since her former young master killed his father, and then had his soul removed, Dobby thinks Winky doesn't want to live anymore. Dobby fears Winky might get her wish shortly. Being Harry Potter's elf would save Winky, only the great Harry Potter can save Dobby's friend…"
"Dobby, bring Winky here and we'll discuss it…" Dobby was already gone.
Harry was expecting an explosion but it never came. "Hermione?"
"Harry, as someone who has benefited from your saving people thing on more than one occasion, let's just see what happens here."
Luna knew Hermione's attitude to house elves from sharing Harry, she could only imagine the discussions going on between the couple. When Dobby arrived with his friend, she just had to say something though. "Hermione, please?"
Dobby was carrying Winky bridal fashion as she clearly couldn't stand by herself. The tears running down Dobby's cheeks were also an indication of just how bad the situation was. None of the three teens doubted Dobby's word that Winky had lost the will to live - the evidence was right in front of them.
Hermione also had tears running down her cheeks, whether they were from her or Harry neither knew or cared at the moment.
"Hermione?"
"Oh Harry, help her any way you can. Whatever happens, it has to be better than the way she is just now."
"Winky, can you hear me?"
The little elf could barely lift her head, far less solve the puzzle she was faced with. "You is nasty witch who wants to give elves clothes, yet I also see Harry Potter…"
"It's Harry who's speaking to you now Winky. Dobby has agreed to become my elf and I have room for one other. Dobby has told me his friend, Winky, is a good elf, would you like to be my elf too?"
This was met with silence until Dobby spoke to the elf in his arms. "Winky, the great Harry Potter wants you to join his family…"
"Winky cannot, Winky is a disgraced elf. Both Winky's old masters tried to harm Harry Potter, how can Winky not be disgraced…"
"My old master tried to kill the great Harry Potter too, yet Dobby is now a Potter elf. Like your old masters, my old master couldn't kill the great Harry Potter either. Dobby wants Winky to be a Potter elf too. Tell Harry Potter this is what Winky wants."
"Winky wants that, but I is disgraced elf…"
"Winky, Dobby here says you are a good elf. That's good enough for me. Do you want to be my elf?"
Winky nodded as Dobby brought her closer to the bed. Hermione/Harry put their hand on Winky's head as Dobby told them what to say.
"Winky, I take you as my elf." There was a soft glow and all could see there was now a spark of life in those large and expressive eyes that just a moment ago had appeared dead.
"Dobby, look after Winky until she is feeling better."
"Winky will be feeling much better soon, Harry Potter and his Grangy are both powerful with magic. That will help Winky more than anything." With Winky still in his arms, Dobby popped away.
"Are you okay with this, Hermione?"
"Harry, if it was alright to invite Dobby into your family, it was at least ten times more so to do the same with Winky. That poor elf probably wouldn't have lasted past the weekend. You just saved her life, how could I be angry at that?"
After saying goodnight, Harry passed over to Luna as both witches tried to get some sleep - tomorrow was going to be a busy day.
-oOoOo-
Luna and Hermione were having breakfast at the Gryffindor table when they found themselves being joined by Ron. That he wasn't immediately heaping food onto a plate told Hermione there was something going on here.
"Hermione, can I speak with you for a minute - in private?"
Ron looked expectingly at Luna as he said this, only for Hermione's hand to reach out and stop the Ravenclaw from going anywhere. "Ron, anything you need to say to me can be said in front of Luna too. She knows everything that has gone on between me, you and Harry for the last four years."
Hermione could see the blush travelling up Ron's neck, he was glowing red right to the tips of his ears. "It concerns Luna as well, but I don't think I can talk about it in front of a girl I don't really know."
"Considering it took you three and a half years to realise I actually was a girl, we don't have time for you to get to know Luna. We all leave Hogwarts tomorrow, so you might as well just spit it out."
Taking a deep breath, Ron did just that. "It's been noticed that you haven't been sleeping in your bed the last few nights. Parvati's twin is a Ravenclaw, she was able to find out Luna hasn't been in her dorm either. The latest rumour is putting those two facts together and making you out to be… you know…"
Ron was never going to be able to say it so Hermione spared his further blushes and helped him out.
"Girlfriends? Witches' witches?" Ron's nod saw Hermione smiling. "Well, we have spent the last two nights together."
His jaw almost hitting the table at that had Hermione and Luna both laughing, then Hermione got serious. "Did Parvati's twin happen to mention that Luna spends a lot of nights outside Ravenclaw, basically because those bullying bastards lock her out of her own house. We've found a safe place and spend our time together working on ways to help Harry. Luna is my friend, and I've already told you, Ron, I'm Harry's witch."
It was a much relieved Ron who then began reaching for food and filling his plate. Hermione was right as usual, he'd just gotten used to the fact she was a witch. Ron was honest enough to admit to himself that he wouldn't have a clue how to handle the situation if Hermione was a witch who liked other witches - instead of wizards.
"So, how's it going with Helping Harry? can I help too?"
"Sorry Ron. not only can't you help, I really can't tell you anything either." His redness this time wasn't caused by any embarrassment, rather the somewhat famous Weasley temper that Ron possessed in spades. Recognising the signs of an imminent Weasley meltdown, Hermione tried to head that catastrophe off.
"It's not that we don't trust you Ron, I know you would do anything to help Harry - you are already helping." This got his attention so Hermione gave him what information she could. "We got a letter from Harry to Madam Bones - remember that was your suggestion. She was here yesterday, wanting to know if I could tell her how we managed that. While she was speaking, Dumbledore decided to have a look inside my head and help himself to that information. He was discovered and blocked. I doubt he'll try that again, at least not with me. You on the other hand…"
Ron finished for her, quickly realising what Hermione was saying. "...Dumbledore could probably read me like a book. You can't tell me anything or he would soon know about it. What about Luna though?"
"Hey, you're Harry's best mate and I'm loony Lovegood, remember. They don't know I'm involved so who's going to waste their time trying to read my thoughts? I only need to stay out of their way for one more day before we'll all be out of here, and no one will find us today."
"So, where you'll be today is a secret too?"
This had Hermione smiling once more but his cryptic answer came from Luna. "Why Ronald, that was a very shrewd piece of thinking. Are you sure you shouldn't be a Ravenclaw?"
That Luna's question managed to halt Ron's forkful of breakfast on its journey to his mouth was a sure sign that their Ravenclaw friend had gotten under his skin. Harry laughing inside her head set Hermione off too.
With a grin, Ron continued to enjoy his breakfast. He'd been worried when sitting down but that laugh settled his nerves. Hermione was clearly in contact with Harry, why else would Dumbledore try to enter her mind. That Dumbledore might try to do the same to him meant Ron was glad he didn't know what was going on. He was almost in the same league as Hagrid at keeping secrets, and that was before knowing people could read your mind. Ron clearly couldn't reveal what he didn't know, therefore he couldn't possibly betray his best friends. Ron was happy with that.