Iuga Sortis III: The Beginning

Two

This year there wasn't an extra letter in his owl, and he couldn't help the feeling of grave disappointment. She'd tried her best to be supportive of him, but he wouldn't let his mood affect her great accomplishment of being named Head Girl.

"You deserve it, love. Congratulations on your appointment," he'd told her and stepped into the fire to go to Diagon Alley before she could make a reply.

He'd avoided her all day yesterday, getting the necessary supplies for the new school year. She, being his brilliant witch, realized he needed his space that day and granted it to him willingly.

Now he was on the Hogwarts Express, staring forlornly out of the window because his best friend was already at Hogwarts and his girlfriend was having a meeting with the new Head Boy and prefects--a meeting he should've been attending.

He was glad the Weasley temper was a famous thing, for people left him alone to sulk in peace. The old insecurities he had in fourth year were returning, and he wanted a moment to wallow in them.

Looks like not everything in my vision from the Mirror of Erised will come true . .

"You are still a prefect, Ron; you're just not the Head Boy . . ."

Ron sighed and turned to face her. Her warm, brown eyes were sad for him, and he loved her all the more. She walked closer and sat next to him. He rose and began to leave, but a hand grabbed his. Hermione stood and linked her fingers through his. He granted her a small smile, and her face relaxed immensely.

"And even if you're not Head Boy, you're still my king."

His smile broadened, and he cradled her cheek with his free hand. "Love you."

She grinned and stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips. "Love you."

"I'm sorry I've been such an arse."

She smirked. "Wouldn't be the first time, and it won't be the last."

He tried to glare at her, but it was mild and only earned him an eye roll and a giggle.

"I don't fancy you laughing at me."

"But at least you fancy me, right?"

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "How can I not? You're the smartest witch in the class, Hermione. I do fear you've put a charm on me."

"That can't be right. I would have chosen someone who could match my intellect if I wanted to waste a charm like that!"

Ron looked indignant. "I've matched your intellect loads of times, Miss Granger, even bested it!"

"Ha! You, who couldn't properly do Wingardium Leviosa your first year."

"I eventually got it right and saved you from the troll, or have your forgotten that?"

She chuckled low in her throat and gave him a smile. "I haven't forgotten. You're pretty unforgettable, Mr. Weasley."

He smiled and kissed her lips lightly. "So are you, Miss Granger . . "

She hugged him tightly, and Ron sensed a change in mood. "Ron . . . I'm Head Girl! Everything I've worked so hard to achieve has finally come to fruition! What am I going to do once we finish Hogwarts? I can't very well go back to being a Muggle! Magic is too much a part of me, and yet, I want to continue to study . . "

"You can go to wizard universities . . . Oxford is among the best--"

"Oxford? You mean Rhodes Scholars' Oxford?"

"Who?"

Hermione's eyes widened, and she gave a small yelp. "Oxford! Oh my! That's one of the most prestigious Muggle universities in the world!"

"And apparently it's a bloody good wizards' university as well. Percy was going to go until the Ministry called. Sometimes I wish he went on ahead."

"Oh no! Now my N.E.W.T.s are more important than ever! One can hardly expect to be accepted without top marks--"

"Hermione--"

"And professor referrals! All of them will be easy to obtain . . . but Snape--"

"Snape! Why do you need his bloody referral?!"

"Oh, come off it, Ron! He has a brilliant mind, and his class is the most exacting of all--"

"He's also the biggest arse of all!"

"He's an Order member, Ron!"

"Doesn't keep him from being an arse, Hermione!"

Hermione groaned and continued her mental checklist. "I have to do research . . . think about what field I want to pursue . . . McGonagall's career advice time wasn't as helpful as it could've been because of Professor Umbridge--"

"That beastly woman . . . shudder . . . good riddance to whatever hellhole she found."

"Ron! That's a terrible thing to say."

He merely rolled his eyes in response.

"But then again, I don't know if I want to be an Auror or not--"

"Me and Harry will be Aurors! We can Apparate now!"

She pouted. "I'm still upset you and Harry have your Apparition licenses . . . you could've at least waited until I turned seventeen . . ."

He gave a half smile. "And give up the chance to pass a test before you? Not on your life! We wanted to savor the moment . . "

"Oh please."

"Besides, I can Apparate when I want . . . and where I want . . . I know the Head Girl wouldn't mind late night visits with her dashing, devilishly charming boyfriend."

She snorted. "Oliver Wood can't Apparate on and off Hogwarts grounds."

Ron seemed to tune her out. "I know you can't Apparate on--Oliver Wood?"

Hermione bit her lip and giggled at his reaction, and Ron felt his ears go pink. "Hermione--"

"You know you're the only Keeper for me, love," she said prettily, batting her eyelashes in an un-Hermione-like fashion.

"I damn well better be, Hermione; I have big plans for us and--"

"Big plans?"

He was sure his face mirrored hers--red as a tomato. He admitted to himself the train was not the place where he wanted to bring up the topic of their future, so he chose to divert the conversation.

"Since I missed the prefects' meeting, mind telling me who the Head Boy is and what was discussed?"

Hermione frowned. "Well, I don't know who the Head Boy is--he never came, which I don't think bodes well for the school if the Head Boy blows off responsibility like that."

Ron scowled. "That is odd. Maybe he missed the train, just as Harry and I did second year."

She raised her eyebrows, something she did when a thought came to her. "Or maybe, he's already at Hogwarts."

His eyes widened. "Harry! Dumbledore would pass over me for Harry? He wasn't even made prefect during our fifth year! I thought you had to be a prefect in order to be eligible for the Head Boy or Girl position!"

Hermione had an apologetic expression on her face. "Well . . . Ron . . . there's someone else at Hogwarts right now . . . someone who was a prefect for the past two years . . ."

Ron searched his brain then became angry. "Hell. No."

"Ron--"

"I refuse to have you around that git. He's a Malfoy, for Merlin's sake!"

"A Malfoy who, whether we want to admit it or not, saved your sister's life and is in love with her."

"Bugger that! I'll bet it's all some elaborate plan to get her to Voldemort! To get on our good side before he strikes."

Hermione shook her head. "Harry defended him, numerous times, and he almost hates Malfoy more than you do."

"That's odd, considering Malfoy stole Ginny from Harry--"

"Ron! That is not fair!"

"And now you're defending the tosser! He's the spawn of evil, the one who's supposed to take daddy's spot when he grows up! He's probably already a Death Eater--"

Hermione sighed. "We're going around in circles here. We already had this conversation, and we were proven wrong. We need to square with it and move on."

"I say it still doesn't make any sense."

"What doesn't make sense? The fact he's a god reincarnate, as well as your sister, Harry, and Nia?"

He frowned and separated from her. She grabbed his hand, and they sat down on the seat. "Why them, Hermione? Harry makes sense, but the rest of them, especially Malfoy . . . they makes no sense!"

Hermione shook her head. "I don't know, Ron, but Fate is a funny thing. Why make me a witch? Both of my parents are Muggles. It's essentially the same thing."

"Yes, but you're not evil like Malfoy is."

She quirked an eyebrow. "You're the one still taking Divination."

He felt the tips of his ears turn red. "But you know that's just a crock class."

She blushed. "Well . . maybe not. Ginny's dream was horribly accurate . . . Nia, I think, can See things as they happen, or even before. I think Trelawney is a crock."

Ron had a mock expression of shock on his face. "Hermione Granger admitting she may have been wrong? You-Know-Who must be somewhere now donating to a Muggle orphanage . . ."

She slapped his arm and rolled her eyes. "Be quiet, you!"

"And she slaps me because I'm right for a change!"

"For a change is right!"

He kissed her in retaliation.

"Mmm . . ." she moaned, when he separated from her and she licked her lips. "As I was saying, I think I want to investigate this more."

"You being wrong? I think I do, too."

She slapped his arm and glared at him. "Not that, or there would be very little to research. You being wrong on the other hand . . . well, let's just say people could earn degrees in that field of study."

"Love you, too, Hermione," he said sarcastically.

"Oh love, I'm teasing you, honestly," she said with a kiss to his cheek. "But I want to talk to Nia more. She's fascinating, don't you think?"

"You say fascinating; I say frightening. You heard what she did to Crabbe!"

"Not as if he didn't deserve it!"

"I'm not weeping tears over it either, but if she did that to someone of her house, imagine what she could do to a Gryffindor!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh honestly, Ron! You may have to admit not all Slytherins are bad."

Ron glowered at her.

"And besides, she was very worried about Harry and Ginny . . you heard her muttering while she was unconscious!"

He would admit the sight of Nia muttering and squirming in some sort of trance scared him--not only because of her unresponsiveness, but of the things she said. He held her the entire time, for he was the only one strong enough to do so. His heart cracked with every plaintive utterance Nia made.

"That was scary . . . to be able to see something so horrific and yet not be able to do anything about it," he admitted.

Hermione nodded. "Yes . . she cares about Ginny and Harry, Ron. You have to admit that much."

"She's friends with Malfoy," he said stubbornly.

"Your sister is in love with Malfoy. Now who do you think is worse for wear?"

He scowled. "No comment."

"And it seems Harry has feelings for Nia as well . . ."

His frown deepened. "And I still stick to the thought a spell has been cast over my best friend and my sister, which would cause them to have feelings for them! It's unnatural!"

Hermione's eyes went skyward. "Why?"

"You know! Slytherins think only of bloodlines and money! Ginny's poor, and Harry had a Muggle mother. It doesn't make sense for the Slytherin prince and his shadow to like Ginny and Harry."

"But remember what Dumbledore told us?"

"I remember, all right, and his explanation was typical Dumbledore--vague."

"Ron!"

He rolled his eyes. "The man speaks in riddles! There's no way my sister, Harry, and the Slytherins are gods! It makes no sense!"

Hermione sighed. "There's a reason for everything, Ron. There's a reason why your sister loves Malfoy, and he in return. There's a reason why Harry's the Boy Who Lived. There's a reason for Nia to be so well versed in spells and such, though she is three years younger than we are. I want to talk with her and Ginny both, perhaps learn that strange language she spoke when she healed your nose."

He wiggled his nose in response and touched it. "It was definitely not English, love."

"Exactly! I can study their powers, how they feel to be the reincarnates of gods . . . if their love is the cause of the reincarnations--"

"That's it!"

Hermione frowned. "That's what?"

"That has to be why Ginny thinks she's in love with the prat! It's the only logical explanation, mind you."

Hermione looked unconvinced. "I don't know, Ron. That seems highly improbable."

Ron was aghast. "You can't possibly think the ferret has feelings of his own for my sister!"

She shrugged. "I keep going back to the match Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw last year and seeing the look on his face as he talked to her, of her . . it was similar to how you look at me."

She was blushing now, and Ron never thought she looked more becoming. "That's a very powerful statement, love. Do you stand behind it?"

She smiled softly. "As much as I dislike Malfoy . . . I can't bring myself to discount his feelings for your sister--added to Harry defending him--it makes it all the more compelling. Malfoy may be a Slytherin, but he's not his father. Look at Snape and Nia; they're Slytherins as well, but they're on our side."

Ron's face fell. "Snape is still an arsehole."

"And Nia?"

He shook his head. "I don't know Nia that well, but it's clear there's something unresolved between her and Harry."

"And she's so young!"

Ron snorted. "So says the girl who went to the Yule Ball with a bloke four years her senior!"

"Better than being a last resort!"

He turned red but pulled her in his arms. "Never again will you be a last resort for me. You're the first and the only, love."

She quirked an eyebrow as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Do you stand behind that statement?"

"Firmly and proudly, love," he said as he bent to kiss her. "Firmly and proudly."

~~~~~~~~~~

She ran into the professor's office, well aware she was late.

If only I had the power to tell the wanker no . . . but he's too far under my skin for that to happen!

The Sorting and Feast was very short this year; it was clear parents were sending their children to alternative wizarding schools for fear of Voldemort. As it was, the prefects' meeting afterward was brief as well, but the meeting with her boyfriend . . not so much.

"It's good to see our gifts to you came in handy, chile."

Ginny jumped at the sound of the voice and walked further inside the room. The older woman didn't look mad as much as amused. She smiled at the woman and sat in the chair before the desk. "Thank you, Professor. Your foresight was indeed helpful."

She scoffed at Ginny's words and shooed them away. "Chile, please. You may as well call me Jamilah--when you're ready, of course, but not in class. Can't be havin' a mutiny among my students. But you practically my grandbaby."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Speaking of my grandbaby . . . how is she doin'? The chile act like she don't wanna talk to nobody."

Ginny shrugged. "She's fine, I reckon. But why do you say she won't talk to you? You've had meetings and such."

Jamilah waved her hands again. "She'll talk to me about trainin' and things like that, but she won't talk to me about important stuff . . . like boys . . . she got a boyfriend yet?"

Ginny giggled and shook her head. "You mean have she and Harry admitted to each other their feelings?"

Jamilah grinned. "You a smart one . . . thank the Lawd."

Ginny's countenance fell. "No. At the very least, though, Harry's admitted to himself. That's a start, isn't it?"

Jamilah nodded. "Starts are good. But we need finishes. The war's gonna start soon, as you know, Ginny. Set and Voldemort will not wait for Nia to buck up her courage and admit her feelin's."

"But she is showing wandless magic, Professor."

"It's erratic and not as powerful as it could be. What she did to that Crabbe boy last summer was icin' on the cake. She's extremely strong, Ginny. She's just scared."

"Love is a scary thing . . ."

Jamilah grinned at her. "But it's so very important and powerful. Y'all need time to build up the links as well as train; that's part of the reason I separated y'all . . . you and Draco have been trainin' your powers, haven't you?"

Ginny felt her cheeks heat and squeaked out a yes. Jamilah seemed skeptical and stared at her for a few moments. The younger girl shifted under the stare.

"Are you two sexually active?"

Ginny was so taken aback by the question; she couldn't control her outburst.

"NO!"

Jamilah seemed unaffected by it. "But y'all wanna be, don'tcha?"

Ginny's eyes widened in disbelief at the conversation. "Professor!"

Jamilah chuckled. "We'll talk about it when you're ready, then."

Ginny didn't know if she was relieved or frustrated that Jamilah didn't press further.

"Uh, Professor?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"I understand love is an important force behind our magic, and you're worried about Harry and Nia not showing their full potential, but aren't you the least bit concerned of the age difference between them? He's a seventh year now, and a legal adult. Nia's still a child in the eyes of the law. If they fall in love, won't that potentially create problems?"

Jamilah sighed as she sat down in her chair. "Admittedly . . yes, I am concerned, and 'problems' are always a factor. But I know my baby is smart; she wouldn't do anythang that would put in herself a bad situation."

"Neither would Harry."

Jamilah nodded. "Harry is noble, of course, but nobility can get people in a world of trouble."

"You mean what happened between Professor Snape and Nia's mum?"

Jamilah's eyes clouded over. "That was necessary. I only hope nothing like that will have to happen again! We barely avoided it with you . . . I wouldn't stand it if it happened to my Nia . ."

"Harry won't betray her, Professor."

Jamilah gave a snort. "He has already, or did you forget the kiss he gave you?"

Ginny turned red and scowled. "No, I didn't forget."

"Neither has Nia. The chile is an emotional packrat--keeps everythang inside and forgets nothin'. She's strugglin' against her feelings for Harry."

"And yet you want me to bring them together?"

"For better or for worse, yes."

"She'll know what I'm trying to do."

"She's a Slytherin for a reason, Ginny."

"I don't know whether to treat that as a roundabout insult or not."

Jamilah laughed. "My baby was a Gryffindor--a flippin' good one, too--each house has their strengths and weaknesses."

"I wish people would realize that," she said sadly.

Jamilah had a knowing gleam in her eye. "By 'people,' do you mean your brothers?"

Ginny scowled and crossed her arms over her chest. "They can be the biggest prats sometimes . . . Ron in particular! Just before I came here, he'd been giving the evil eye to Draco the entire time during the prefects' meeting. It was all I could do not to hex him!"

"They love you and want to protect you, baby."

"I know . . . but I'm sixteen now! Shouldn't they trust my judgment? Draco's good, if still a bit spoiled and bratty--"

"A bit?"

Ginny sucked her teeth but laughed. "Oh fine . . . he's a lot spoiled and bratty!"

"Let's keep it real, chile. The truth shall set you free!"

She sighed in contentment. "But he's wonderful to me . . . he saved my life--figuratively and literally. I'd be so lost without him . ."

Jamilah grinned. "You sound like a character from my soaps . . love me some Days of Our Lives!"

"Soap? What kind of soap do you use that has characters in it?"

Jamilah laughed. "Aw Lawd, I forgot you were a pureblood. I meant soap operas, very melodramatic T.V. shows."

"Ah."

Jamilah shook her head. "But that's neither here nor there . . ."

Ginny hesitated a moment, and her cheeks burned. It would be awkward talking about this with Jamilah, but she really wanted to ask the question. "Professor?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"Is there something about the reincarnation that makes me want to be sexually active with him now?"

Jamilah gave her a weird look, and Ginny's embarrassment increased. "What you really askin' is why you get all worked up at the mere sight of him?"

Her entire face was red; she could feel it. "Yes."

"The link, Ginny. You've said that you loved each other, and the only thing left to do is to consummate that love. Your bodies yearn for each other constantly. It does have a lot to do with the reincarnation, but it's mostly because you two are so powerful right now."

"So we have to have sex to take the edge off? That just sounds like any horny, teenage couple."

"On the surface, it does . . . but there's another reason why I separated y'all from Harry and Nia."

"Oh?"

Jamilah nodded. "Your wandless magic is stronger when you two are together, but along with that, it's more erratic."

"I've been controlling it . . ."

"How long does the control usually last, Ginny?"

She blushed. "Not that long . . ."

"And why, Ginny?"

"Because we end up kissing each other or something like that . ."

Jamilah nodded. "Exactly. You two would do nothin' but distract Harry and Nia from their training sessions with your antics . . . possibly make them want to gouge their eyes out, and they need their eyes--mental note: get Harry contacts."

"Why does he need contacts?"

"Pettigrew and Voldemort will exploit any weakness they can find. Get rid of Harry's glasses, the boy becomes blind. We can't have a blind Harry Potter fighting the forces of evil, now can we?"

"But Dumbledore wears glasses."

Jamilah sucked her teeth. "Dumbledore also scares the mess out of Voldemort and Pettigrew . . . besides, I have it under authority Dumbledore wears them merely because he likes the way they look on him."

Ginny laughed. "He doesn't really need them, does he?"

"Nope."

A few more giggles escaped from Ginny before she sobered. Jamilah looked at her in a maternal fashion as confusion appeared on Ginny's face.

"So . . . are you saying you want me to have sex?"

The professor shook her head. "Never, Ginny. I never want you to have sex."

"But you said--"

"Sex will not solve your problems, baby. Consummation of your love will."

Ginny gave a sardonic laugh. "I cannot believe my professor is telling me to 'consummate' with my boyfriend."

"Believe me, I've had harder discussions with my own child about this sort of thing, and I remember wanting to die when my mother and Dumbledore talked to me about it--"

"Dumbledore? Why would Dumbledore want to . . "

"He's my grandfather, Ginny."

Her mouth dropped open. "Grandfather?"

Jamilah nodded.

"You mean Nia is--"

Jamilah nodded again.

"How?"

"Long story, baby, long story."

"This is too wild! It all makes sense now! Dumbledore is some sort of god, and so was his wife. I remember the gods saying something about it briefly."

"Yes. Dumbledore is the reincarnate of Thoth, who taught Isis much about sorcery and magic. Clearly, he cannot do as much now because he is Headmaster, which is why he left the task to me."

"And you are--"

"Sekhmet. I'm the reincarnate of a vengeful goddess, to destroy those who talk ill of the Father, the creator . . ."

"A wonder you are the DADA professor," Ginny said wryly.

"It serves its purpose," Jamilah said.

"And Nephthys and Isis are twins . ."

"Which is why you're practically my grandbaby. Nia wrote to me about you. You and Draco were the first people she talked to me about, and I knew everything was going to plan."

"How do you feel about Draco?"

"He's perfect for you, and my Nia. What better big brother could my baby ask for? And what better man to be the reincarnate of Osiris than he?"

Ginny frowned. "I did some research . . . Osiris didn't do much of anything in the way of fighting Set. He seemed to get . . . well . . . killed."

"That's true. But Osiris' powers were more in strategy. He's the ruler of the underworld, as you well know."

Ginny smiled. "He practically runs Slytherin House . . .and they live underground in the dungeons."

Jamilah grinned. "As I said--smart girl. But he is the weakest god, magically speaking, among you."

Ginny snorted. "He's not going to like hearing that."

Jamilah waved the comment away. "He'll get over it. But he does have one of the strongest Animagus forms of all of you."

Ginny took pause at that bit of information. "We're Animagi?"

"Yes. Two sky ones and two land ones . . . but one of Draco's forms is both aquatic and land."

"How so? Is he a snake?"

"No, he's a crocodile . . . Ironically enough, that would be you--one of your forms, anyway."

"Me? I'm a snake?"

"You are a Parseltongue . . ."

Ginny's mouth opened, but she snapped it closed quickly. "That can't be possible! That wasn't me . . . that was--that was him!"

Jamilah shook her head. "That was you, Ginny. He just awakened you to it."

Ginny became panicked. "But Parseltongues are evil!"

"Is Harry evil?"

She calmed down. "No . . he's not."

"And neither are you. Bear in mind, chile, that's only part of you. And how else would you know if you're a Parseltongue or not? When was the last time you came across a snake?"

Ginny laughed. "Does Umbridge count?"

Jamilah shuddered. "That horrendous woman . . gah. No, she don't. She more of the dog variety anyhow."

Ginny snickered. "Wow."

"Anyway. Yes, so the snake is one. But your primary Animagus is the vulture--the griffon vulture to be exact."

Ginny scowled. "Vultures? Vultures feed off carrion--oh, how fitting. A Weasley getting leftovers as usual."

Jamilah glared at her. "Don't ever say that. Vultures were among the most revered birds in ancient Egypt. Their wingspan is so vast people thought of a goddess encompassing her protection over them. Vulture eyesight is among the best, and they are loud and formidable. She is the eye for the pharaoh, soaring high above the danger to alert him to it. Vultures protect, love, and fight. It's a really beautiful bird."

"A vulture!"

"Would you rather be a roach?"

Ginny blushed. "Nope! Vulture's good!"

"Draco's other form is a bull."

Ginny snorted. "Now that's fitting!"

"I agree!"

"What's Harry?"

Jamilah rolled her eyes. "In a matter of no surprise--a lion."

"That's his primary," Ginny stated.

"Yes. His secondary is the elephant. Elephants were secondary to Apedemak, and he would often transform into one if circumstances called for it."

"Is the only reason Harry's a Parseltongue because of Voldemort, then?"

Jamilah nodded. "That's part of the reason. The other is because you taught him."

"I taught him?"

"Yes . . . Nephthys taught Apedemak Parseltongue. Nephthys learned it from Set, of course."

Ginny shuddered. "Ugh."

"History can't be changed, baby, only learned from."

"And it doesn't have to be repeated, either."

Jamilah smiled kindly. "Good girl."

"And Nia?"

"Hers is the black kite."

"She's a kite?"

"A kite is a type of bird. Kites are very small but powerful creatures, and they also feed off carrion, if that makes you feel better."

"Mildly."

"They are totally carnivorous. They also kill . . . they can't kill anything larger than a rat."

Ginny's eyebrow quirked. "Good riddance, Pettigrew."

Jamilah grinned. "My sentiments exactly."

"What's her other form?"

"The unicorn."

Ginny gasped. "You mean like the ones in the Forbidden Forest!"

The older woman shook her head. "No, Ginny. Those are of the European breed . . the kinds that dominate Western folklore. She transforms into their ancestor--Nia's unicorn has wings and no horn. It's a gold unicorn."

"Were they all gold?"

Jamilah shook her head again. "No, they weren't. They could be purple, white, green, red, black--but Nia will turn gold."

"How do you know?"

"Her eyes. Unicorns turn the color of their eyes. If she had blue eyes, she'd turn white, however. But she doesn't. If she had green eyes like Harry, she'd turn green. If she had brown eyes like you, she'd turn brown."

"Would she turn silver if she had Draco's eyes?"

"She'd be white."

"Oh . . . wow . . ."

"I know . . . but she doesn't know that yet. In fact, you're the only one who knows about the transformations."

"When will we learn this?"

"You and Draco will, because you have the magical power to do so. Nia and Harry have to wait a bit longer."

Ginny blushed. "Oh yes . . . the magical powers."

"We did go way off topic, didn't we?"

"Not that I didn't mind the detour . . ."

Jamilah regarded her for a moment. "I know . . . I know this is an overwhelming thing to learn, and cursed Western tradition has taught you to regard lovemaking as something taboo . . . bad even . . . but it's not. Why do you think Voldemort wanted an heir?"

"To carry on his whacked out genealogy."

Jamilah nodded. "Blood ties are a powerful thing, but love is more so. Why do you think your parents are so strong?"

Ginny smiled. "They love each other."

"Yes. And so were my grandparents."

"Dumbledore and his wife."

"I've heard stories about them . . . truly amazing stories . . Dumbledore wouldn't be half as feared if he didn't meet my grandmother."

"And I'll bet my brother and Hermione will be strong as well."

Jamilah nodded. "Very. Very competent witches and wizards, for a reason, have surrounded you, baby. Nothing is left up to chance."

"So . . . I have to make love with Draco now . . "

Jamilah shook her head. "You can't just 'go and make love'. You have to wait for the time to be right."

"But how will we know?"

"You will know. Trust me on that."

Ginny frowned. "Will I forget this conversation when I leave?"

Jamilah grinned. "Parts of it."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Three guesses to which part . . . and the first two don't count."

She laughed. "The only reason you'll forget is because you don't want to remember, Ginny."

Ginny blushed. "It's still weird to hear your professor condone such a thing."

Jamilah laughed shortly. "Believe me, honey, I'm doin' you a favor by removing this conversation from your memory! I couldn't look at my mama and Dumbledore for a good three months after that conversation."

"Will you Obliviate me?"

"No, chile. As soon as you leave that door, you'll forget."

Ginny stood then and felt a sense of sadness and loss envelop her. Jamilah smiled sadly.

"I know it's hard, chile, but it's for the best. Not even the gods knew about the power of consummation until after it happened."

Ginny's eyes widened. "That's why Snape had to--"

"Yes."

"It makes sense now!"

"Yes."

"Does Nia know about that?"

"No, and she can't know . . . not yet anyway."

"But why--"

"It's almost time for curfew, Ginny."

She realized that was a polite way to tell her to leave. Ginny smiled apologetically and inclined her head. "Thank you for meeting with me, Professor."

Jamilah came around the desk and hugged Ginny's shoulders. "My pleasure, honey. You will do great honor to the essence of Nephthys. Fate chose wisely."

With one last smile, Ginny left the office, and as she did, her head felt tingly. She frowned at the sensation but thought nothing more of it. She made sure her prefect's badge was showing as she made her way to the Tower. She muttered the password ("thestral") and walked inside to the common room. Ron and Harry were playing wizard's chess, with Harry enduring his customary trouncing whenever he played Ron.

"Where's everyone?"

Harry glared at the chessboard before greeting her with a smile. "They went to bed already . . ."

"Why?"

Ron snorted. "Hermione."

"What about Hermione?"

"Remember the power trip she went on when she first became a prefect?"

Ginny groaned. "No . ."

Harry nodded. "Yes. It's much worse."

"I'll go talk to her then," she sighed.

Ron gave her a grateful look. "Please? I really don't want to relive fifth year! She's absolutely impossible when she doesn't listen to reason!"

Ginny snorted. "I can't believe you are talking about reason!"

He sniffed and went back to the game. "Knight to C3!"

She and Harry shared a knowing look, and he snickered. "Night, boys."

"Night, Gin."

"Night, Ginny."

She gave both a kiss on the cheek and climbed up the girls' stairs. The door to the Head Girl's suite was partially open, and she knocked quietly.

"Hermione?"

There was no reply, and Ginny became slightly worried. She pushed open the door gently and peered inside. "Hermione?"

There was still no answer, and Ginny was starting to become worried. Ginny walked fully into the room, and she couldn't help but feel a bit envious. It wasn't any bigger than the other rooms in the Tower, but because only person occupied it, the room seemed humongous. True to Hermione, it was well organized and neat, the bookcase among the first things completely set up. Her trunk was open, with items still inside, and her bed was made.

"Hermione?"

"Ginny?"

She let out a squeak and whirled towards the voice. Hermione looked at her with confusion as she rubbed a towel through her hair. Ginny cursed her irrationality as Hermione stepped out of the bathroom door, where steam poured out. The older girl's skin was flushed from the shower she just took, and Ginny offered an apologetic smile.

"Sorry for intruding."

Hermione smiled good-naturedly. "That's all right. You seemed frantic."

Ginny gave a self-deprecating snort. "Well, if you talked to Ron, he would give the impression something was wrong with you."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "He must understand that I'm Head Girl now! I can't just blow off my responsibilities because he wants to play."

"Did you have a big row?"

Hermione pouted. "Not Yule Ball big, but it was big enough to send everyone to their rooms early. I feel awful, Ginny."

"And regardless of what was said, he still loves you."

She gave a small smile. "I know, Ginny. And Merlin knows I love him, too."

Ginny sat beside her and grasped her hand. "Believe in it, Hermione. It's a powerful thing."

Hermione smiled with a little frown. "Since when did you become so wise? Is that the goddess talking?"

She nudged her with her shoulder. "Partly. But it's me and common sense talking. Especially with my choice in men, I have to believe it's not all for naught."

Hermione seemed contemplative. "I believe in his love for you," she said after a while.

Ginny smiled and squeezed her hand. "That really means a lot to hear you say that. Thank you."

She chuckled a bit. "It is a lot to say it! Ron and I were talking about it on the train . . . I told him Malfoy looks at you the way he looks at me."

Ginny blushed. "Really?"

Hermione nodded and smiled. "Really. That's how I know he's sincere. No Slytherin could fake that much affection without having it be truthful."

"Gee, thanks!"

"Nothing personal, Ginny. I think Nia is a lovely Slytherin. I'm glad she didn't turn into a Pansy or a Millicent!"

Both girls shuddered at the thought. "I think Harry agrees with your sentiments, Hermione."

She looked conspiratorially at her. "You noticed as well, Ginny?"

"Want to help me get them together?"

Hermione seemed to hesitate. "I don't know, Ginny. Harry's not had much luck with women."

Ginny felt an irrational stab of guilt but shook it off. "That's because they've all been wrong for him. Nia's the one."

"Because of the essence of the gods?"

Ginny nodded. "That's part of it."

"Despite her being a Slytherin?"

She laughed. "Hermione, I do believe it's because she is."

Hermione seemed to consider this. "I want to get to know her better. In fact, I want to know more about this essence you have. I find it fascinating."

Ginny grinned. "You and your thirst for knowledge."

"Forgive me if I'm intrigued."

"I think it'll be good for all of us . . . to have a practical hypothesis as to why us."

"So you'll let me, then?"

Ginny smiled and held out her hand, which Hermione accepted gladly. "Welcome aboard."