Harry, Draco and Ron: Vampire Hunters

Chapter VI. The power of the Ring.

High and mighty, alone we are Kings,
Whirlwinds of fire we ride,
Providence brought us The Crown and The Ring,
Covered with blood and our pride...

- Manowar, "The Crown and the Ring".

In the course of the next few days Harry found out the following:

1. Parvati convinced Ginny that this all was her fault and Ginny agreed to talk to Harry again. This felt like walking on very thin ice as while trying to be friends with Ginny again Harry could destroy his relationship with Cho (he was unsure of how to call it, so he referred to it just as "the relationship").

2. Hermione was not a fan of usage of swords it seemed, as she openly declared this to O'Brien at their next Dueling session. In response he had instantly organized a small magical dueling tournament for only those present, which ended with Hermione taking first place, Harry - the second and Malfoy - the third.

3. There was to be a full-scale magic & weapon dueling tournament, which would be organized for students of year four and up, within each year. It was to start in mid-November and to end by Christmas.

*****

Having finally settled on an approach to finding out about the ring's source from Ginny, Harry put the plan into action as soon as possible, so he had strategically placed himself at the table at dinner-time, so that he was sitting right in front of her.

"Hi there, Ginny," he said, trying to get her attention. "How's life?"

"Fine, I suppose," she replied, not lifting her eyes from the plate.

"Listen, I just wanted to tell you that Parvati..." he started, but she interrupted him.

"Parvati told me everything Harry, and I want to apologize for being such a fool," she said, looking up at him. Her eyes were red as if she was crying.

"Before you do, I'll give you another reason to hate me, so save your apologies for later, alright?" said Harry.

"Huh?" Ginny looked a bit taken aback.

"Where did you get this?" he asked, holding up the ring, careful not to let it slip onto his finger.

"Er... Why do you ask?"

"Because it was the reason why I blacked out over at the Burrow this summer. Because whenever I'm wearing I'm feeling very paranoid and act like I'm a Malfoy in disguise."

"What made you think so?" she looked like she was going to burst into tears right about... well, she did.

"Maybe that I broke Malfoy's nose on September the first? And did not feel very bad about it when McGonagall told me off for it? Or maybe the way I acted at the Welcome Feast when I made Parvati go redder than your hair is?" he felt rage boiling in and noticed that the ring did slip onto his finger after all. He stopped his rambling and pulled it off, dropping it onto the table.

"See? I was just holding it and..." he started, but was once again interrupted, as Ginny burst into tears.

"Hey, hey! Calm down, nobody's accusing you of anything!" he said, trying to make her if not stop then at least wail a bit quieter, as people started looking their way, trying to find the source of those wails. Ginny stopped, sobbed a bit and looked up at him.

"I-it's my fault, isn't it?" she asked guiltily.

"That depends. I'm taking this-" he nodded at the ring, "to McGonagall for examination. I promise that if you tell me where you got it, I will not tell her where I got it. Agreed?"

Ginny sobbed again and then nodded.

"That's the spirit. And please, could you wail just a bit less loud? It's just that Ron would probably think that you're pregnant from me and I refuse to marry you, and he will probably bludgeon me to death with a plate of something else and spend the rest of his life in Azkaban, so you're ruining two lives with your sobbing right now," said Harry. Ginny sobbed once again, a weak smile crawled upon her face.

"'kay," was all she could force out of herself, but she did stop crying.

"So, you got this ring over at..." Harry motioned his hand over to her, implying that she finishes the phrase.

"Borgin and Burkes," she said weakly.

"Exactly what I thought!" said Harry, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Sorry, have to run, have McGonagall to see. Oh, and wipe those tears away," he added as he was already ready to run off. "I'm not telling her anything about you. Actually, I'd kiss you, but Ron is looking at us and he'll kill me for that. Sorry, some other place, some other time, less crowded, okay?" the last words were accompanied by a mischievous wink.

Ginny smiled with a full smile, and upon her tear-filled face it looked as if the sun suddenly broke through the clouds in the midst of a heavy thunderstorm. Harry couldn't help but smile himself as he left.

*****

"So, Mr. Potter, you are saying that you found it in the middle of the road?" McGonagall said that with emphasis on every single word, as if to magnify the deep meaning that she did not believe a single word of what he said.

"Yes... I mean, no... Not exactly. You see, I was tending the garden - my aunt's garden - and I found it, somebody must've dropped it there, intentionally or not," Harry sure wished he had the ring on his finger then, it would make lying to McGonagall a bit easier, but the ring was in her hands now as she examined it.

"And you decided to put it on?"

"Well, you see, mid-teens is a tender age, at this age teenagers start worrying about their appearance, you know, the attractiveness... to... erm, members of the... the... opposite se... sex, you know," he started stammering suddenly as she pierced him with her usual strict gaze.

"Alright, Mr. Potter, professor Flitwick and I shall make a full test of this ring's magic, but while we're at it I suggest that you make up a better excuse. You may go now," she said finally.

"Yes, professor..." said Harry guiltily as he turned towards the exit.

*****

When he saw Ginny in the hallway, he motioned her to come to him.

"How'd it go?" she asked. She wiped the tears away, but her eyes were still red.

"Well. She didn't believe a single word of mine, but took the ring anyway. I didn't tell her about you as I promised."

"Thank you then," she said, and, to Harry's surprise, quickly stepped closer, kissed him lightly on the lips and stepped back. He looked at her as if she just said that she defeated Voldemort all by herself and gave unbreakable proof of that. She stood there for a moment or two and then ran off, giggling madly.

"Mental, that one," Harry thought, repeating the very same words Ron always used in reference to Hermione.

*****

Defence Against the Dark Arts was as fun now as it was back in third year, when Lupin also was the professor. Even though some students expressed concern with the fact that they liked Moody's way of teaching more; Harry, Ron and Hermione, being among the select few that knew that the Mad-Eye Moody that taught DADA last year was an impostor, preferred Lupin's way.

The topic of this day's lesson was werebeasts, not just werewolves.

"Lycanthropes are humans who can transform themselves to resemble normal animals or monsters. The term "lycanthrope" is actually a misnomer, coming from the roots lycos (wolf), and anthropos (man). A more correct term is "therianthrope," from therios (animal) and anthropos. However, since werewolves are the most common therianthropes, the term lycanthrope has gained much more popularity, and more common usage," Hermione recited. Harry marveled at the speed at which she pronounced all those complex words without a single mistake.

"Hours of practice, mate, even days!" whispered Ron.

"True lycanthropes are those to whom lycanthropy is a genetic trait; they breed with other lycanthropes and produce baby lycanthropes. Only true lycanthropes can infect others with lycanthropy. Infected lycanthropes are those whose lycanthropy results from being wounded by a true lycanthrope. There are also creatures known by some as "induced lycanthropes," whose shape changes are effected by magical items; these creatures cannot infect others with lycanthropy, though the magical items can be transferred to new owners. Some of the items are cursed, so that once they are worn, they cannot be removed without the application of a remove curse spell. Finally, there are "cursed lycanthropes" created by a certain spell, curse of lycanthropy," Hermione went on like a machine, not stopping and not giving mercy to those less capable of comprehending complex terms and ways. It was the first time (in DADA class that is) that Harry had actually doubted if his presence here was necessary, as Hermione made even the most intriguing things (like the traits of the so-called "latent werewolves" that were born completely human, having a human mother, a werewolf father and an unbearable character, and became true-born (that meant full control of their actions during the full moon and transformation at will) werewolves in their late teens) sound as dull as professor Binns' lessons.

To make the dullness of Hermione quoting various books (most of which Harry even doubted to be movable without magic) more bearable, he was looking around. This class they shared with the Slytherins ("Which sadist," Harry thought, "decided that it was a good idea for Gryffindors and Slytherins be in the same class?"), and it seemed that Malfoy was doing exactly the same thing Harry was, as when their gazes locked into each other, Malfoy's face did not even display the faintest trace of his usual "I hate you, Harry-sodding-Potter!" look, he looked more like he was falling asleep. Harry quickly looked away before Malfoy woke up and realized what he just missed.

*****

When the class finally ended ("It's a miracle!" yelled Ron), Harry pulled Ron and Hermione aside, giving them the short version of the story of the ring falling into his possession and its current state (but leaving the strange dream part and the part with Ginny kissing him out).

"It was a nice thing you did, Harry," said Hermione. "Covering up Ginny."

"Yeah, s'pose so," Harry replied. "Just tell me Ron, how'd she end up in Knockturn Alley?"

"I have exactly no idea. Maybe she sneaked off when we visited Diagon Alley?" said Ron.

"I think we'll have to ask her, there's no other way," Hermione said thoughtfully.

*****

"Hello, Ginny!" said Hermione, smiling.

"Hi," was the reply.

"Listen, Ginny, there's one thing we'd like to ask you about..." Harry said carefully.

"Yeah, and it's HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET INTO KNOCKTURN ALLEY???" Ron nearly yelled as Ginny shot Harry an accusing glare.

"Through Floo, remember? I missed the correct grate and..."

"... Decided that finding something to kill Harry with is a nice idea?" Ron was definitely overdoing it.

"Ron, stop. Nobody tried to kill Harry," said Hermione, but then added. "At least yet."

"And what if he did die?"

"Then you'd have the right to torture your sister for being forced into this. But since I'm still alive, luckily enough, I tell you - calm down," Harry kept his voice as low and as calm as possible. It wasn't an easy thing to do - calm a flared-up Ron.

"Alright. What do you propose I do?" Ron asked somewhat arrogantly.

"You calm down and sit down," Hermione said, but, as Ron went sit next to Ginny, she added. "No, over here!" and nodded at the armchair. After Ron sat down, Hermione carefully positioned herself on his knees, fighting hard between falling off and not giving Ron any unnecessary ideas.

"You two," said Dean. "Get a room!"

"Ah, shut up!" Ron yelled in response, just like a certain Muggle cartoon character, of which he probably never even heard.

"Now Ginny, tell us exactly how it happened," said Hermione...

*****

The story that Ginny told contained a daring escape from a wrong grate (here Harry winced painfully, as he once arrived through that grate accidentally), a merry chat with Mr. Borgin, and the fine way he had disposed of a ring that seemed to have been giving him trouble via selling it to Ginny.

"I suppose this was one of those things there are at his shop, you know - with little name tags that say "Do not touch, this item has claimed this many lives to date!" or something like that," Harry concluded.

"So now we wait for McGonagall to finish with it... I'm sooo sleepy!" said Hermione, her voice trailing off into a yawn, and, before she realized what she was doing, she made herself very comfortable right on top of Ron, and, to his horror, wrapping her hands around his neck and falling asleep almost instantly.

"I told you to get a room!" Dean said triumphantly. "Now you'll have to sit like that all night!"

"Who says I'm gonna sit here all night?" Ron asked angrily.

"She does," Ginny replied, giggling.

"Alright, get up, girl!" Ron commanded. Hermione seemed to be in too a deep sleep to wake up from that.

"There is a simpler way, you know," said Harry, pointing his wand at Hermione, "Enervate!"

She woke up with a start.

"Wha- whe- who- Did I fall asleep?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

"Well, yes, you did and would you mind moving?" said Ron as if his life depended on it. "I really want to sleep too, but I prefer my bed, thank you very much."

Grinning sheepishly, Hermione stood up, letting Ron go. He darted out of the Common Room and up the stairs to the dorms with lightning-fast speed.

"What was that?" asked a rather shocked Parvati that was just coming down the very same stairs.

"That was Ron and his ultimate reaction to my falling asleep in his lap," Hermione replied, oblivious to the mayhem and destruction that should follow after Parvati spreads this particular rumour about the school and Ron hears about it from someone else.

"Really?" The enthusiasm that lit up Parvati's face upon hearing yet another rumour about someone else's private life (Harry guessed that it was due to absence of her own private life) could be used to supply all of London with electricity for a year or so without failure.

"Here we go again..." Harry muttered darkly.

*****

The next day brought Transfiguration about, as McGonagall enthusiastically (what, knowing her, was quite rare) described that this year they will be part of an experimental program to test all of the students for Animage capabilities. That meant undergoing several tests, both written (for a psychological portrait) and magical (via spells cast upon the students) and lots and lots of other nasty stuff.

"The tests will start in the first week of October and hopefully be over by mid-November," she said. "Now I suppose you know that it's a one-time opportunity and it shouldn't be missed."

A single raised hand shot up from the crowd.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" McGonagall asked.

"Professor, if someone is discovered to be an Animage, what happens then?"

"Then, provided he or she wishes to do it, the training for usage of these abilities will start. This will not mean, however, that all those who are not capable of being Animagi will be relieved from Transfiguration lessons, as the Animage lessons are going to be added to your timetables as an extra weekly lesson. But, until the tests are over, all of the Animage-related issues will be taught in this class."

*****

"Sounds cool, doesn't it?" Ron asked after they left McGonagall's class.

"Yeah. No wonder the Marauders had to learn all that illegally, it wasn't simply taught here then," said Harry.

"Good thing we'll be taught that very legally," said Hermione. Ron frowned.

"You can be "Miss Always-Correct-And-In-Line", as for me - nah, I'd learn it even if still was illegal."

"What was illegal?" came a voice from behind them. It was Malfoy, nobody else had that drawling manner of speech. "Plotting to go about breaking more school rules, aren't you?"

"Sod off, or did you like having your nose broken?" said Harry, wishing he had one of those swords O'Brien kept in his classroom.

"Nah, it was nothing. Healed up instantly, you couldn't kill a fly, Potter, even if it wanted you to," Malfoy sneered in response.

"Alright, we'll settle this like men then. A duel. A real sword duel," said Harry, feeling a bit over-estimating himself, yet somehow assured of success. He was not aware, however, that Ron and Hermione's faces were of pure shock when he said that.

"Fine. O'Brien's place, next lesson, then. Your own choice of sword, till the first bleed," Malfoy stated.

"Till the first bleed from the torso," Harry corrected.

"Write your last will, Potter. You're gonna need it," Malfoy hissed before leaving.

"Harry, you are insane," Hermione said, her tone was such as if she was stating the oh-so-obvious.

"Tell me something I don't already know," said Harry grimly.

*****

A/N Here is one more chapter for your enjoyment! Sorry if it's a bit short, just had to cut it off here, or I'd have to put in the entire duel and this would become a double-sizer you'd have to wait for another week to read.

Anyways, Once again, thanks to all the reviewers: Irini, Technomad, lovelyginny, Squall, MinyMe, Lauren Malfoy, witchy babie 939, Aryiona, Racky, monkeymouse.

Next chapter: The duel, the Animagus tests and the Halloween celebration! Oh, and Draco will be getting more of the action from now on, keep your eyes peeled!

P.S. This is a slightly re-formatted version (for your viewing pleasure).