The Knights Of Walpurgis

Prologue

28^th June

Harry mate,

Hope you're alright. It was great to see Professor Lupin, Tonks and the others at Kings Cross, wasn't it? I thought your fat uncle would explode when Mad Eye Moody 'had a word' with him.

Listen, Harry, I know you tend to keep quiet about stuff, but you shouldn't. Not with me or Hermione, anyway. If you want to talk, about Sirius or anything, you know where to find us.

What d'you reckon the chances are we'll get called up to help Dumbledore sometime this summer? I hope so. It's miserable here. Mum's still really upset about Percy. He still hasn't come home. I know us Weasleys are stubborn, but he was supposed to be the sensible one.

Suppose I'd better get going. Bill's bringing Fleur Delacour and her sister Gabrielle home tonight. Mum's a bit weird about Fleur. She's years younger than Bill. Still, it'll be cool to see them all again. Me and Gabrielle can talk about old times, waiting for you to save our lives. Seems like a long time since that happened. Still Mum'll be putty in Fleur's hands once she sees Gabrielle. She's always wanted grandkids, and this'll be the next best thing.

Even if we don't get involved with the other stuff, d'you want to come and visit later in the summer? I don't reckon Dumbledore would let you come soon, but I'll get Mum and Dad to ask when you can come. Hope it's soon. It's pretty boring here.

Speak to you soon,

Ron

*

2^nd July

Hermione,

Have you heard anything from Harry since term ended? I'm worried about him.

I spoke to Mum and Dad. They say Harry needs time to get over Sirius. I hate him having to be alone.

He hasn't written yet. I sent a letter a week ago... I'm probably just being stupid, right?

Hope you're okay,

Ron

*

3^rd July

Harry, how are you doing?

Listen mate, I was wondering if you had any instructions for us over the summer? I know that I was a latecomer to the DA and all, but I want to keep in training. Tell the truth, I'm probably safer than most living out here, but me dad's a Muggle, and I don't want anything happening to him. If I have to fight, I will. Mam's a bit unsure still, but it won't hurt for her to get in practise, right?

Anyway, drop us a line if you can give us any help. I reckon I'll dig out Professor Lupin's old notes, and that nutter Moody's too.

Hope you're having a good summer,

Seamus

*

4^th July

Ron,

How are you? I'm sure Harry is okay. He's very, well, Harry about things like this. He'll talk when he wants to, and not before. Still, I'm glad you've written to him. I did wonder if I should write, but I wasn't sure.

I may write later in the week. Will you let me know if you hear anything? I'm staying with my gran at the moment. She doesn't know I'm a witch, so I had to run out into the garden when I saw Pigwidgeon. Still, he's a clever little owl, isn't he? He knew not to come into a Muggle house.

My parents have gone away for a second honeymoon. I don't know why they had to go now. They have all year when I'm away at school, and now as soon as I come home, they go away. Nice, isn't it? Still, I haven't seen gran since the summer after first year. Mum and Dad haven't mentioned where I go to school, so she doesn't know about magic. They've left it up to me who I want to tell. What do you think I should do?

How's everyone else? Is Ginny okay after breaking up with Michael Corner?

Please write soon,

Hermione

*

5^th July

Hermione,

It's the same here as at Christmas. Mum's still upset with Percy, and Dad's furious, even if he doesn't show it. I know they're trying to make things alright for me and Ginny. Fred and George are helping out a lot. They've officially opened their shop now - we went for the opening on the first but of course they've been selling stuff for ages - and they're still at home at the moment. George says they want to see how it all goes before they decide if they move out or not. Mum isn't happy, though. She doesn't want them to go at all.

Still, Bill and Charlie are happy enough. Bill brought Fleur and Gabrielle home a few nights ago - remember her? Fleur's little sister. She's starting at Beauxbatons next year - and Mum really seemed happy. Charlie's still out in Romania, but he's talking about coming home soon. I think he's worried about Mum, and he wants to have a word with Percy, I imagine. Typical older brother stuff.

Ginny's okay. Trust me on this. She spends most of the time down in the village. I think she's found herself another boyfriend. Keeps going on about all these new friends she's made and, well, there's always Luna Lovegood. That girl is seriously weird. And she lives close enough that she's always dropping in. She keeps looking at me like she's measuring me up. It's a bit off putting, to tell the truth.

Anyway, that's all the news from the Burrow. Have you told your gran about magic yet? Maybe I can come and visit and we can do some spells for her. I bet Dad could swing it with work.

Still no word from Harry. Write soon, yeah?

Ron

*

7^th July

Ron,

I'm sure there's more going on then that. I'm sending a letter to Ginny as well. If she has a new boyfriend, I want to know all about it. And no, you're not allowed to read what I've written. Honestly, Ron, you know you're as big a gossip as Parvati and Lavender.

Now, I've not told Gran anything about magic. I would like to see you, though. I'm not very far from the Burrow here so maybe you can come and visit? You could stay for a couple of days. It'd be fun to show you around the Muggle world a bit, for a change.

I take it that there's still no word from Harry? It's been nearly two weeks now and he's usually very good about replying to letters. I do hope he's okay. I think I'll write as well. Maybe the Dursleys have blocked his post? I can't see how they would have done, though, after Moody scared them at Kings Cross.

Anyway, I'd better go. I have to get up early tomorrow. Gran wants me to help out at the old folks' home. She keeps calling them layabouts, but I suppose when you're eighty-seven and walk five miles a day to keep fit, anyone who's in a home might seem to be a bit lazy.

Well, good to hear from you. Don't pick on Ginny, boyfriend or not.

Write soon,

Hermione

*

7^th July

Ginny,

Do you have a new boyfriend? Ron says you've been spending a lot of time in the village, and he thinks you've met someone new. Now, I know as well as anyone how much you can trust Ron about things like this, but still, he has to wake up at some point, right?

Anyway, what else is happening at the Burrow? Ron says there's nothing much going on, but you know what he's like. It's not that I mind having to write to both of you, but I half-wish that Harry or someone was there to give me a full, unbiased report on everything.

Speaking of Harry, have you heard from him? I know you're not very close, but he hasn't written to Ron or me yet. I hope he's not bottling it all up, but I don't suppose he can talk to that dreadful family of his.

Please write back soon. I want to hear everything!

Love,

Hermione

*

7^th July

Harry,

I have just got back from a whole day helping my Gran at the old folks' home. Can you believe my parents have abandoned me? Charming, isn't it?

I suppose I'm being silly complaining about it, but I did want to see them for more than a day before they disappeared off to Florida for a month. Still, it's nice seeing Gran again, even if I do have to pretend to be a Muggle while I'm here.

I hope you're okay. I'm sorry that I haven't written sooner, but as soon as I got home, mum and dad whisked me off to gran's, and of course I don't have an owl of my own, so I've had to send Pig off with three letters, not that the little thing seems to mind.

Anyway, are the Dursleys treating you properly? Don't hesitate to write to Dumbledore, or Remus or even Moody if they're being, well, themselves. And you can write to Ron or me if you want to talk about anything, even what happened at the Ministry, I hope you know that.

Please write back soon.

Love,

Hermione

*

9^th July

Hermione,

Coming to see you sounds cool. Anything to get out of here for a bit, although I suppose once I get back, I'll have Dad on at me about all the Muggle stuff.

I don't reckon that those ruddy Muggles Harry lives with have done anything to his post - they wouldn't dare, you're right - but Ginny reckons he's just adjusting, whatever that means.

And yeah, 'course I know what it means, but I'm not sure I know what it means. I know Harry has to come to terms with Sirius being gone and stuff, but the way Ginny says it makes it sound really complicated and stuff, like there's more to it than I know.

Anyway, this is making no sense. I've got another letter to write, anyway. Write back soon, and maybe I'll be able to reply with something that sounds a bit less like Loony Lovegood.

Ron

*

10^th July

Hermione,

I only just got your letter. Ron shoved it behind the bread bin. I think he thought it was a love letter or something. Some hope!

No, there's no new boyfriend. Ron says he mentioned my friends in the village, but he's being silly. I see Luna and Colin sometimes, but the Muggles who live around here think that we're a weird family.

Anyway, who cares about boys? Well, I know you do. One boy, anyway. As for him waking up at some point, well, I told you two years ago that you shouldn't hold your breath. I still think that you're ill if you want to date Ron, but I'm not really someone to give relationship advice.

Ron said you invited him to see you at your gran's? I think you have to bite the bullet, Hermione. You've spent a year and a half being subtle. Stop it now. Ron doesn't do subtle. He never has, and probably never will. Besides, he's a boy. He thinks subtle is not burping out loud.

And I haven't heard from Harry. Why would I? I know you want him to open up more, but when he does, it's not going to be to me. Not now, anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if you don't hear from him at all these holidays. It didn't take a genius to see how close he was to Sirius. It was like having his Dad around, and we all know how much he wanted that. Now he's had that taken away from him again, only this time he's old enough to have felt how close Sirius and he were.

And yes, I've been doing a lot of reading these last few weeks. I think I've pretty much read everything in the local library now, even the trashy romances and clinical psychology books. I'm going to be going around Hogwarts applying labels to everyone I see. I'm just not sure if they'll be 'Long-legged, firm-thighed, hard-chested vagabond' or 'Commitment phobic who uses his looks to engage in meaningless short term relationships and leaves his partners broken hearted.' I won't even mention the labels that Ron's 'protective older brother' act is earning him. I know he tried to be nice at the end of last term, but it hasn't lasted.

Anyway, can you tell how bored I am? Like I said, I've read all the books in a two-mile radius, and, well, home isn't much fun to be in right now. Charlie's coming home soon, though, and Bill's around a lot more. I think that's helping Mum keep going, but Percy's not ready to admit he was wrong yet, even with Fudge owning up. I can't understand him. I probably don't want to.

Well, Luna's just arrived. She says hello. I think she quite likes Ron too, so you might have competition. I don't get it. Isn't one wonderful Weasley (Me!) in your life enough? Don't do it to yourself, Hermione. I can recommend you a quite nice Ravenclaw sixth-year, if you like.

Love,

Ginny

*

10^th July

Hi Ginny, it's Dean here.

Just out of interest, have you been saying something to your brothers about me? I just received a nasty letter from them threatening me with all sorts of stuff if I take advantage of you.

It's news to me that I'm in a position to take advantage of you. When exactly is this supposed to have taken place?

Anyway, write back to me and let me know what's going on, will you? It gets pretty boring here with nothing much to do during school holidays, and Seamus and Neville are both away at the moment.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Dean

*

11^th July

Hermione,

I just got a very strange letter from Dean Thomas, asking me if I'd told Ron that we were going out. Apparently Ron said something to Dean that, well, I think you can probably guess what Ron said. It seems that without you around, Ron's reverted to his typical idiot role again.

Any idea what I should say to Dean? It's a bit embarrassing to admit I used him to get a rise out of Ron. I do think he's quite cute - Dean, not Ron, obviously - and suppose I could flatter his ego a bit. Boys seem to like that.

Apart from that, nothing's changed since my last letter, obviously.

Speak to you soon,

Ginny

*

11^th July

Ron,

Ginny says you didn't give her my letter. Why on earth not?

Anyway, you're welcome to come and see me anytime. Just let me know when. I'm staying in Greenchurch at number 43, Winslowe Terrace.

Speak to you soon, and I hope you and Ginny aren't arguing.

See you soon,

Hermione

*

11^th July

Ginny,

If you think Dean's cute then there's no reason why you shouldn't see if he'd be interested in really going out with you. Did he seem very bothered by Ron's letter? He is rather attractive, isn't he?

I asked Ron why he didn't give you your last letter. Hope he passes you this one.

Maybe you can come and visit me here in Greenchurch sometime this holiday as well?

See you soon,

Hermione

*

12^th July

Hermione,

I was just about to write to Dean when I got your letter. I forgot to tell you! Ron didn't hide my letter, he left it out for me on the table, and Mum stuck it behind the bread bin when she was cleaning. I hope you didn't say anything too bad to Ron. It turns out that he didn't send Dean that letter, either. Apparently Fred and George have decided to start approving my boyfriends by trying to scare them. Ron actually helped me get a bit of revenge on the pair of... Well, you can imagine what I think of them, right? At least they're just doing it for fun. They don't seem to mind me dating, or maybe they're too scared to say anything about it to me.

Still, Ron seems to be a lot calmer this summer: It's really weird. I suppose I was exaggerating a bit in my first letter. In fact, he's barely said anything about Dean, and when I mentioned it to him, he just said it wasn't any of his business who I went out with, and he trusted me to pick someone better than Corner. I know that he talked to Bill quite a lot while Bill was staying here the first week of the holidays, but I didn't think that so much would rub off on him. It's a little bit unnerving, to be honest.

Anyway, like I said, I'm about to write to Dean. I think I'll sound him out about going out once we get back to school. I mean, you're right, he's definitely easy on the eyes, and he's really funny, as well. We talked quite a bit during the DA classes last year, so...

Right, enough. He's only a boy, and not worth getting too worked up about, right, Miss Prefect?

Speak to you soon,

Ginny

*

12^th July

Hi Hermione,

Yeah, if it's okay, I'll come along on the 15^th at about 10 in the morning? Fred said he'd drop me off - he's got a flying motorbike like the one Sirius used to have.

(And no, no word about Harry yet. It's been nearly three weeks now. Fred and George reckon they'll go see him if we haven't heard anything by the end of the week. I dunno, I mean, Dumbledore wpuld tell us if there was anything wrong, right? Still, I suspect that Harry would enjoy seeing a friendly face, 'though I imagine Tonks and Professor Lupin and plenty of others are keeping an eye on him close enough. Mum says that she's heard he's okay, too, so I guess that someone's checking on him, but it's a bit much how we're not being told what's going on with our best mate.)

Anyway, I didn't hide Ginny's letter. I don't know if she told you or not, but Mum shoved it away when she was cleaning. I can't control who Ginny dates, I guess I just have to trust her to pick decent sorts.

Besides, any idiot who tries anything with her doesn't know what he's letting himself in for. And when Ginny finishes with him, then the rest of us will have a go at what's left. Least, that's what Bill reckons, and it's certainly cut down on the arguments this summer. I knew that Corner bloke was no good, but would she listen to me?

Anyway, let's not get into that now.

See you on the fifteenth,

Ron

*

12^th July

Hi Dean

Sorry about my brothers. They didn't think my last boyfriend was up to very much and if they think someone's taken an interest in me... Ugh. Sorry.

Anyway, yes, I did say we'd started going out. I just said it to shut Ron up - I think he was trying to fix me up with Harry, can you believe him? - and I thought that if I said I'd started seeing someone else, he'd leave me alone. It didn't occur to me that word would get to the rest of my family and that they'd take it seriously.

Can I buy you a Butterbeer when we get back to school to apologise?

Ginny

*

13^th July

Hi Ron,

No, I've not heard from Harry, either. Have you asked your mum and dad if they've heard anything? I suppose they would tell you immediately, but still...

Ginny did tell me about the letter, and I'm sorry if I sounded like I was accusing you of meddling. I'm glad you've decided not to get in the way of her and any boy she might like, and I imagine that the reputation yourself and your brothers have will be enough to keep away anyone who'd hurt Ginny deliberately.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing you, and yes, the fifteenth will be fine. Fred's bike sounds very interesting: They must be earning an awful lot at the new shop to be able to afford things like that already.

See you on Monday,

Hermione

P.S. Tell Ginny 'Good luck!'

*

14^th July

Hi Ginny,

Sounds good. Maybe I can buy you a Butterbeer as well to say no hard feelings?

So, do I have to worry about your brothers, or have you convinced them it was all a joke?

Speak to you soon,

Dean

*

14^th July

Hermione,

Thanks for the Good Luck wish. I'm meeting Dean for a Butterbeer or two once we go back. See how easy it is?

I'd love to come and meet up with you, although maybe after tomorrow you and my brother will be busy... Ugh. No, don't tell me. I just had this horrible mental image of you two... Ugh.

Anyway, Ron wants to add a bit to this so I'd better keep it short.

See you soon,

Ginny

Aren't I good? I didn't turn over the parchment to see what Ginny wrote, despite the big grin she's been sporting since she got another letter earlier on today. Any ideas? Or is that me being as big a gossip as Parvati and Lavender again?

Fred bought his bike second-hand off an old wizard whose wife won't let him ride it anymore. Sounds like Mum and Dad in a way. Speaking of them, I have asked if they'd heard anything about Harry, but they say they can't tell me anything other than that he's okay, so... it's hard to be responsible and stuff when he's probably feeling rubbish and, knowing Harry, just making himself feel worse, but what can we do?

Anyway, see you tomorrow,

Ron

*

It was a quiet Monday evening at the Burrow. Arthur Weasley was staying late at work while George and Fred had Disapparated after dinner to visit a friend. Ron was visiting Hermione for a few days and Ginny was writing to a school friend.

Molly Weasley felt that it was about the right time for her to put her feet up for a few minutes, read the latest issue of Witch Weekly, and have a cup of tea.

She had just finished the lead article - You Know Who: What The Ministry Isn't Telling Us - and lamenting the loss of the more frothy stories from the publication when the sound of a throat being cleared in the fireplace nearly made her spill her tea over herself.

"Minerva!" she gasped in surprise.

"Sorry to bother you, Molly," Minerva McGonagall said. The flames in the fireplace painted a fiery picture of someone who wasn't getting enough - or possibly any - sleep, and Molly looked at her in concern.

"Minerva, you don't look well, are you -"

"Later, Molly," McGonagall said sharply. "Are there many of your family at home?"

Molly blinked. "Well, Ginny and I are here. Everyone else is out."

McGonagall sighed. "Ron? Hermione?"

"Ron's visiting Hermione at her grandmother's. Minerva, what's wrong?"

"You'll have to send them an owl. We'll sort everything else out once you get here."

"Get there? You mean Headquarters?"

McGonagall nodded.

"But we're not supposed to go there, I thought, in case, well..."

McGonagall frowned. "Circumstances have changed," she said, bitterly. "I have received a message from Albus asking me to be here at Headquarters. Given the circumstances, I think as many of you as possible should come here as well."

*

Ginny was midway through a letter to Dean, frowning as she paused and chewed on her bottom lip. She tapped the feather end of her quill against her knee as she reread the letter up to that point.

15^th July

Dear Dean,

I think you'll be fairly safe from my brothers at Hogwarts, especially as Ron's the only one of them around. Still, if you see a horde of redheads descending on you, you might want to run... just to be on the safe side.

There's no need to buy me a drink as well, but it's very nice, so I won't say no. I suppose it's a bit early to be planning exactly when we'll go, especially as we don't know the dates of the Hogsmeade weekend. Still, it's a bit boring around here today, so forgive me if I ramble a bit. Everyone's gone off, even Ron. He's gone to visit Hermione, which would be good if it meant they were finally going to get together - I take it you lot have noticed the way those two act around each other?

She dipped the end of her quill into the inkpot and squinted out from the shade of the tree she was sitting under, waiting for inspiration to strike. In her limited experience, early conversations with boys were hardly models of scintillating wit, and she wanted to open up as much as possible to talk about, without overwhelming Dean with a huge roll of parchment. That, she thought, would make her seem too eager.

And I don't want that. Dean's nice, but lots of boys are nice. Let's see if there's more to him than a cute smile and funny jokes before I get my hopes up.

"Ginny? Ginny? Are you here, dear?"

Ginny craned around the trunk of the tree, looking back down the path towards the Burrow. She waved to Mrs. Weasley, who started up the path. As she grew nearer, Ginny noticed the worried expression on her face, and stood up to greet her.

"Mum? What's wrong?"

"Ginny, dear, I'm sorry, but you have to get some of your things together."

"What? Why? Are we -"

Molly cut her daughter short. "We're not in any danger, dear. We have to go to Headquarters, that's all."

"Headquarters? But, Mum, I thought we weren't going there in case Harry wanted to leave the Dursleys? Professor Dumbledore didn't want him having to go to Sirius' house."

"Circumstances have changed, dear. Now come on, we have to get packed."

Molly began to hurry back down the path, and Ginny scrambled for her things before charging after her.

"Circumstances have changed? What does that mean? What circumstances?"

Molly stopped suddenly, her slippers sending up a cloud of dust.

"Circumstances have changed, dear, because Harry has threatened to curse Mundungus Fletcher unless he takes him to headquarters as soon as possible."

Ginny rocked back on her heels, and Molly smiled a grim smile.

"Now, shall we get a move on? We'll need to send an owl to Ron and Hermione before we leave..."

She bustled off and after a short pause Ginny dashed after her.

To be continued...