War Games

It was two days before Harry and Hermione's fifth Halloween at Hogwarts and they were sitting on the grass by the lake with nothing better to do on a free afternoon. Actually, Hermione had insisted on studying for the O.W.L.s but Harry wouldn't have it so they settled the argument with a game of exploding snap, needless to say, Harry won.

“Where’s Ron?” asked Hermione.

“Umm…probably practicing for the next game,” answered Harry lazily, his eyes closed feeling the last remnants of summer on his face, readying himself to get some nap.

“If he’d only spend as much time doing schoolwork as he does practicing, he’d probably get some decent marks,” she said rather tetchily.

“Hermione, it’s a matter of priority, you think the most important thing in the world is getting three-hundred twenty percent in charms, and Ron thinks Quidditch is,” he answered and propped himself up on one elbow, facing Hermione sideways. He knew that Hermione is in a talking mood and if he falls asleep, well, he didn’t want to think what she’ll do.

“Harry, we’re in school, remember, we go here to study, not to play some silly game that has no impact on our future lives whatsoever!” she snapped.

“Well, what if he plans to play professional Quidditch in the future,” he said calmly. For some reason, he really enjoys arguing with her. Whoever said boys his age didn’t enjoy an intelligent conversation.

“But Harry, professional Quidditch doesn’t guarantee a stable future. I mean, just because one loves to play it, it doesn’t mean that a team or league would automatically hire him. There is obviously very stiff competition and it might take a rather long time for him to succeed in that field, it would at least be good if he had something to fall back on,” she explained patiently.

“So you reckon he’s not good enough,” he said, narrowing his eyes, trying to get a rise out of her.

“Harry! How could you say that? What I meant was that there are a lot of able players out there! Ron’s my friend and I want what’s best for him!” she exploded

“Alright, you win, I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” he said resignedly, knowing that he would probably just relate to him what they talked about, which isn’t really considered talking.

“So,” he said, changing the subject “who are you going to the Halloween ball with?”

“Well,” she said, giving her answer a bit of a thought, “I haven’t decided yet.”

“Um, Herm, the ball’s two days away? Don’t you think you should start deciding?”

“Well, I’m not about to say yes to the first boy who asked me,” she said exasperatedly, “I mean half of them probably just wanted to ask me because it would look good if they went out with the girl Viktor Krum dated.”

“I don’t think going to one ball is considered dated, and what do you mean half of them. How many were there?” he inquired.

Hermione squinted her eyes and began counting with her fingers. “Seventeen, I think,” she blurted.

Harry stared at her in disbelief.

“Harry, don’t stare.”

Harry began to chuckle.

“Harry, please don’t laugh at my predicament,” she said, now very serious.

“Didn’t it ever occur to you that they asked you because you’re a very beautiful, intelligent and probably one of the bravest witches in Hogwarts and possibly in the entire Wizarding World,” he said, his eyes never leaving her gaze.

“Harry, don’t flatter me,” she said, as her face went from tan to bright magenta.

“I think you deserve flattering once in a while, what with Parvati and Lavender telling you otherwise all the time,” he said, tapping her knee. “So, do you at least have a clue on which of these seventeen guys you want to go with?”

“I don’t know if I want to go with any of them, I mean I really want to enjoy this dance, I don’t think I will be able to do that if I spend half the time trying to get to know my date, I mean that can be really awkward and besides I--” She stopped abruptly as if she had almost let something slip.

Harry caught on immediately. “And besides you what?” he said raising his eyebrow, attempting to look mischievous.

“Oh, Harry, promise not to tell anyone!” she wailed.

Harry raised his right hand with a nod.

“Well, I was hoping Ron would ask me!” she blurted turning crimson and covering her face with her hands.

“You have a thing for Ron!” he cried half amused and half shocked.

“Yes, please scream it out louder I don’t think Professor McGonagall heard you,” she said in a sarcastic tone.

“Sorry,”

“You sound so shocked, I thought you would have noticed, I mean you’re not as daft as Ron, you always know what I’m feeling.”

“Well, I sort of knew that Ron had a little crush on you, that was a given, but I never thought the feeling was mutual. I just didn’t really think he was your type,” he said rather confused

“What made you think that? Well, aren’t you going to tell me anything. Is he planning on asking me between now and the thirty-first?” she asked hopefully.

“Um, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but…” he said, sitting up, he was a bit hesitant, he didn’t want to be the one to tell her, at least now that he knows that Hermione liked Ron.

“Can you just tell me, please?” she demanded although he could tell she was a bit anxious.

“Ron asked Padma to the ball.” Harry closed his eyes as if expecting Hermione to start throwing things at him. To his surprise, Hermione was very silent, for quite a long time.

“Hermione, say something,” he said, he all of a sudden felt that he’d rather have her screaming at him.

“Oh,” she said, quite out of it “Okay”

“Hermione, are you alright?” he asked, a bit worried. He knows how it feels to be let down by someone he likes, what after the Cho incident last year.

“I’m fine, Harry, what about you who’re you going to the dance with?” she said quickly.

He knew she wasn’t fine but he wasn’t about to pursue the subject. Things like this are better left alone.

“I’m thinking of going alone, I don’t think it’d be very polite to ask Cho…” he trailed off. He didn’t really want to go into details, it was a good thing this was Hermione, she seems to understand everything about him. “And I really can’t think of anyone else I want to go with. You know you should just go with one of those seventeen boys.”

“I don’t know, maybe I should just go alone as well and steal other people’s dates,” she said, smiling a bit. This relieved him. “I mean it isn’t really a formal dance, I heard Dumbledore got the idea from a party he saw while on vacation in Bali, so there’ll probably be no formal dances.”

Harry laughed as he tried to imagine Dumbledore amidst young partying tourists in the beaches of Bali clad in bikinis.

“You know what, I have a better idea,” he said as if on a sudden stroke of genius. “We can go together and wreak havoc by trying to break up as many couples as we can.”

Hermione laughed, one of those laughs that he loved. It was so natural, it wasn’t irritating like the giggles of Parvati and Lavender.

“So? What do you say? Want to drop all those boys for me?” he said in mock confidence.

“I’m sure Rita Skeeter will have a field day with this!” she said, laughing again.

“That a yes?” he asked again, sounding a bit more serious than he wanted to.

“That it is,” she said, imitating the seriousness of his tone. They burst out laughing and laughed all the way back to the castle.

It was the afternoon before the ball that night but Snape had every intention to make sure that they had the worst time possible at every second of Potions that day.

“At least we have something to look forward to,” whispered Ron to Harry.

“Weasley, ten points from Gryffindor, you should know better than to do mindless chatting in my class,” barked Snape.

Ron didn’t say anything but was looking daggers at Snape’s retreating back. They kept quiet for the remainder of the class. They were making a rejuvenation potion that replenishes the strength of the body and spirit. It was a very complicated potion and no potions master can be seen with stocks of it. They have been toiling with the potion for the last two months and today they were supposed to test it.

Neville looked more nervous than ever, the potion was supposed to turn a very bright color of pink. What he had was deep green.

While Snape went around checking their potions, Harry turned to Ron, “Does this look pink to you?”

“It looks more pink than mine,” Ron said pointing to his potion with a slight shade of red.

“Mister Longbottom you are the most pathetic student this school has seen. Five points from Gryffindor. And Miss Granger you should have helped him!” he roared.

Damned if she do, damned if she doesn’t, thought Harry. Then he went on to take five more points from Gryffindor because Hermione’s potion was too perfect and for being a show off.

They almost jumped in glee as the period went to an end and everyone stampeded towards the door not wanting to be left alone with Snape.

Harry and Ron bid Hermione goodbye as they went to their dormitories to get ready. Harry got out of the shower and found Ron not really knowing what to wear since dress robes weren’t appropriate for this ball which seems more like a party.

“Whassamatter?” Harry asked while Ron was rummaging through his trunk.

“I’m not sure Padma was in her right mind when she told me to wear this.” Ron held up a bright yellow Hawaiian shirt with Palm Trees and knee length khakis.

“Well, I heard Padma’s well acquainted with Muggle clothing, I’m sure she’s not about to let you wear anything that would make you look stupid after all, you are her date,” he said reassuringly. I’m really good at giving advice, he thought.

“I suppose you’re right,” he said as he began to change.

Harry put on a black collared shirt that Hermione got him, as he wasn’t accustomed to Muggle clothing either. It did feel good, where’d she say she got it again? Mike’s and Spencer’s? He went on to wear white draw string shorts and sandals.

“Hey, I never learned who your date was?” Ron asked out of the blue.

“Oh, Hermione and I are going together,” he said casually, as if it were to be expected.

“You and Hermione!” Ron shouted in shock.

“What?” Harry asked, confused.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were going together?!” Ron asked sounding indignant.

“Well, you didn’t tell her you were going with Padma, so why should I or her for that matter tell you we were going together? Frankly Ron, grow up!” He knew it was too much but he thought it was about time someone told him to.

Ron just stared at him, his mouth agape.

“What are you staring at Weasley?”

“Nothing, just that, sorry,” he stuttered. “I just thought something might be going on with you and…”

“Ron, nothing’s going on so relax, we just thought we’d have more fun going together, that way we can just relax,” he said this matter-of-factly. He purposely left out the details that led to the “date.” He reckoned Hermione wouldn’t want Ron to know.

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing, it’s fine, come on, let’s wait for them down stairs,” he said heading for the door.

Apparently Ron need not wait as Padma was already waiting downstairs. She was sitting with her sister Parvati and stood up once she saw Ron. As she walked towards Ron, a number of the male population turned their heads. Padma was wearing a very sheer ankle length dress. Inside you could see her white thong bikini. It was obviously made to attract attention to herself. Hermione was still nowhere in site.

“You go ahead, we’ll catch up,” said Harry.

“You know, Parvati doesn’t have a partner, maybe you could…” Padma trailed off.

“Padma, Harry’s going with Hermione,” Ron said, saving Harry from the embarrassment of saying it himself.

“Oh, I just thought.” But before she could finish Katie Bell, captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team squealed in delight.

“Hermione picked you!” she cried aloud. “You know a lot of the guys from my class kept wondering who she’s going with since she was turning everyone down. I mean practically all the seventh years asked her, no one in your year though, typical.” She tutted. “Probably intimidated by her intelligence, you must be the only fifth year who asked her, she must really like you. Every guy is going to want to be in your place.”

Great, more attention to myself, he thought.

“Umm, Katie, I hate to break you little Harlequinn romance fantasy but Harry and Hermione are going just as friends,” Ron interjected. Harry looked at him oddly. Did it bother him that he and Hermione were going together?

“How do you know about Harlequinn? I’m sure you two would look lovely together. Anyway, I better get going, Lee’s DJ-ing tonight so I’ll meet him there. Bye.” She waved as she clambered out the portrait hole.

“That is so weird, I mean no seventh year asked me!” Padma said in disbelief.

“Why would they?” Harry retorted in disgust. Padma glared at him.

“We should get going,” Ron said as he half escorted, half-dragged Padma through the portrait hole with Parvati sulking after them. “We’ll see you there, Okay?”

After five minutes, he was the only one left in the common room. He was about to raid the girls’ dormitories when Hermione came down.

“Did you wait long, I’m really sorry but my hair took quite a while?” she said as she rushed towards him.

He found himself grinning stupidly. Without the curls, her hair flowed to waist length. She wore her hair down, all sleek and shiny. It looked very different than when she had it in a bun. He thought he liked it better down. Now he knew what those seventh years saw in her. He guessed it took a bit more age to realize how beautiful she was. True, she wasn’t your textbook beauty, but there was something about her that makes you just want to stare at her which was what he was doing at that moment.

“Really, do I look that beautiful?” Hermione snapped him awake.

He went to her and kissed her forehead. They had developed a closeness that made them so comfortable with each other that touching, hugging or little pecks on the cheek didn’t seem awkward anymore. He laughed at the times he cringed whenever she hugged him.

“Shaggidellic,” he whispered. “Padma would kill to have your curves. I mean she practically bared her soul, but I swear everything there was flat as a valley.”

“Well, I heard otherwise from Dean,” she said, grabbing his hand “We’d better hurry or it’ll be finished soon!”

Okay, so Padma was far from flat, but he did like Hermione better, she looked healthier, like she had a daily dose of vitamins. Padma looks like she hasn’t eaten in days. He also noticed that what Hermione was wearing was a lot more revealing than what he would have wanted. He couldn’t believe he missed it. She was wearing a yellow halter croptop that was lined with white on the borders. She had these cute little shorts that matched her top. He was glad that she had wrapped this around a yellow printed sarong, he thought the shorts were just a bit too short.

Once they were down by the lake, which was charmed to resemble the beaches of Bali, they realized that the party had already started.

“Look there’s Ron,” she pointed in the direction of the bar. “Let’s join them.”

“Are you sure about that?” asked Harry.

“Harry, I had a crush on him, I wasn’t in love with him,” she said with a smile.

Of course, how could he have been so dumb, why did he expect Hermione Granger of all people to mope around on something as trivial as that.

They made their way down to the bar, hand in hand. Ron was holding a coconut drink with a white straw, topped with a bright purple umbrella. His mouth was once more left agape at the sight of Hermione.

“You know that look suits you,” said Harry. Still holding Hermione’s hand.

“Shut up!”

“Hermione, you look different,” said Parvati listlessly 

“What do you mean different?” The voices belonged to Fred and George. “You look hot!” said Fred. George place a finger on her shoulder “Psssss! Whew!” 

Harry could see how relieved she was that it was the twins giving her the compliment rather than the very randy looking seventh years nearby. She knew Fred and George saw her as a sister.

They sat at a table with the other fifth year Gryffindors, Seamus Finnigan and Lavender Brown, Dean Thomas who brought Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Padma and Ron and then Parvati. Hermione smiled warmly at Ginny who blossomed over the summer. She was, like Ron and Percy, very tall but not at all gangly. In fact, she carried herself very well that sometimes Hermione envied her. She was one of the few girls that Hermione felt very close to. Sometimes she would find herself wanting to talk only to Ginny, not Ron or even Harry. There are some things that boys, even boys who are you are your best friends who know you inside out, can't understand.

"So, who's playing tonight?" asked Dean.

"Big Mountain," Parvati drawled as she sipped her avocado juice.

"Big Mountain? But aren't they a Muggle band?" Hermione asked rather confused.

"No, they just did the Muggle gig one time at a friends request, but now, they're focusing full time on their careers in the wizarding world," Parvati said after taking a big long gulp of her juice. "Never wondered why they disappeared all of a sudden?"

"Then that's perfect! I love their version of Baby, I love your Way!" she said clapping in glee. "I can't believe I'm going to see them live!"

Just then, the band came on stage. The lead singer went up front, pointed his wand to his throat and muttered "Sonorus." His hair reminded Harry of Hermione's usual bushy do.

"Good Evening Hogwarts! Happy Halloween, and a rather odd set-up for a Halloween dance. Well what else would you expect, from an even odder Headmaster. Good evening Professor. Never going to forget your Transfiguration classes," he said, winking at Dumbledore. "Well, let's get this party going!"

Hermione squealed in delight once she heard the sounds of the bass. The song began "Shadows grow so long before my eyes, far away, from the city..."

"Harry, please, dance with me!" she begged "The song will be over in a minute and it's the only one I want to dance to!"

"No one else is dancing, and I don't know how to!" Harry whined. Just then, Fred, Angelina, George and Alicia went to the centre of the floor and began doing some silly moves, which didn't really fit the music.

"That, answers your problem, now come on!" she said, as she pulled him out of his chair.

He groaned and whined a bit but eventually caved in.

"Ooh Baby, I love your way, everyday, yeah, I wanna tell you I love your way..."

Hermione led him to the center of the dance floor then she put both her hands around his neck and swayed in a rather silly manner. He found this particular dance rather enjoyable compared to his disastrous experience with Parvati last year. Probably because he wasn't following some rigid waltz steps. Instead, they were  just swaying the way they felt the sound should sway. He would twirl and dip Hermione playfully and she managed to go through this very gracefully. Much to his disappointment (and to his surprise at his disappointment) the song ended.

"Well, I've got my one dance from you," she said grinning, "you've been a wonderful date."

They stared at each other for a while, just grinning at each other, looking silly. Finally, she broke the silence.

"Let's get back to the table," she said, leading him back.

They were surprised to see that there was no one at the table. They saw a note written on a napkin. It had Ron's handwriting.

"Going to be busy for a while, don't wait up." It said, there was a smiley face at the bottom

Harry grinned, "Way to go Ron," he glanced at Hermione, "I mean, bad Ron, bad, bad Ron."

"Harry, I'm fine with this, of course I'm not too happy, but I'll live," she said with a sigh. "What do you think they're off doing?" she asked innocently.

Harry frowned at her. "What?" she asked.

"You really don't know?" he said, disbelieving.

She just stared at him. "You know, Herm, you're a lot more daft than we give you credit for?" She continued staring. "They're off snogging!" Harry spelled out for her.

"Oh!" she said as her eyes widened to the size of plates. Then as if it just sank in, she gave a tiny "oh" realizing that it was Ron.

"Well, where do you think the others are off to?" she asked, changing the subject.

"I'm guessing the same thing," he said.

"But Ginny's too young! Oh Dean is so going to get it once I see him!" Hermione growled through clenched fists.

"Hermione relax! Dean's not stupid enough to try anything, first there's Ron and of course, Fred and George. I mean those two will bury him alive before he can even say snog." he said.

"You're right, where do you suppose Parvati's off to, she doesn't have a date," she wondered.

"I know, so does Neville." Just then the most ridiculous thought struck them. They looked at each other and knew instantly what the other was thinking.

"NO!"

"You don't say!"

"It can't be!"

"Although if it is, it would be really funny!"

They doubled up in laughter at the thought of Parvati and Neville together.

"She must be really desperate!" Harry snorted.

"Oh come on, Neville's not so bad. He's cute in a mousy sort of way," she said, straightening up as she put one hand on her hip.

"Did I just hear you say Neville and cute in the same sentence?" he asked.

"In a mousy sort of way!"

"Alright, alright, mousy, if you say so. Now what do you suggest we do, because we still have..." He checked his watch, "five hours before curfew."

"Umm" she closed one eye and tapped her chin with her index finger. "Well there is a wonderful beach down there, we could have a picnic, I'm starving."

She grabbed her wand which was stuck waist of her sarong. "Accio! Basket" After a few seconds, a big brown, wicker basket came flying into view. Hermione caught it deftly with one hand.

"Nice Summoning charm," he said smilingly.

"Are you forgetting that I taught you that charm, don't you think I can perform it as well?" she said with one eyebrow raised. She began packing some pastries into the basket and wrapped chicken legs in napkins. She began to pack in kiwis and bananas inside when Harry interrupted her.

"Hermione, there's only two of us, you know?" he said glancing at the myriad of food now packed inside.

"Trust me, between me and you, this is just enough." She then sliced a large portion of the Tiramisu cake and placed it on a plate that she told him to carry along with a jar of pumpkin juice. When they reached a perfect spot that was just lit enough for them to see each other, a bit more quiet so they can talk but still hear the music from where the party was still going on.

Hermione set down the basket, and then pulled her sarong off and set it on the sand. Quite starving, they ate in silence. Harry was surprised to see the food was just enough for the two of them. He was reminded that he did eat quite a lot and for petite girl, Hermione had a voracious appetite. Finally they talked over a plate of Tiramisu, which was fast being consumed by Hermione.

"You don't exactly watch what you eat, do you?" he said, looking at Hermione in amazement.

"Food is important, I need it for my brain to function," she said, through chomps of cake.

"Ah, so that's what happened to Parvati and Lavender!" he said as if he finally understood the meaning of the universe.

"You know, they are really very rare in our species, it's odd that I should end up with two as roommates," she said smiling.

Harry let her have the last bite since he knew she loved cake and she never did get enough as her parents were dentists.

He noticed Hermione crease her eyebrows. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I was thinking about Ginny."

"Will you stop worrying, Dean's not so bad and Ginny's really smart."

"No, I was thinking that she's probably making out with him right now and she's only fourteen, and I haven't even been kissed yet," she blurted. She was all of a sudden very embarrassed that she admitted this and to Harry of all people. And now I'm turning red, Great, she thought.

"Hermione, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, I mean you do have a lot more to think about other than the normal things kids our age busy themselves with." Which was true. The both of them led a far more complicated life. He wondered what his life would be like if he and Hermione never became friends. She'd probably be annoying as hell, and he, would he have survived? She saved his life more times than he can remember. He saved her from the troll, she saved him for everything else. No, he couldn't imagine his life without Hermione, without her, he would cease to exist. With only that in his mind he slowly leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. It wasn't friendly but neither was it romantic. It was simply a kiss that was unique for the two of them. He drew back slightly, his eyes still closed.

"I hope it's okay with you if I were your first kiss," he said.

"It was the most perfect first kiss one could ask for," she said smiling warmly at him.

She creased her eyebrows once more and asked, "Harry, who's your first kiss?"

Harry grinned mischievously, "You."

Hermione was just about to say something when an all too familiar voice interrupted her.

"Potter and Granger sitting in a tree..." It was Malfoy.

"Malfoy, do us a favor and bury your head in the sand, then inhale very deeply," said Harry, annoyed at this interruption.

"Can't blame you for wanting to snog the Mudblood Potter, she was probably first in line when God started handing out tits. If I didn't care so much that she's a Mudblood, I'd want to shag her too." He would have said all of this with much passion if Harry wasn't all of a sudden on top of him.

"Take that back, you little piece of --"

"Harry! Get off him now!" she shouted as she pulled him back.

"How could you let him get away with that!" he said as Malfoy scrambled to get up and began running back to where the party was. But she wasn't listening, her eyes were squinted at Malfoy's figure, she pointed her wand at him and muttered "Estripo!"

Harry's eyes widened as he saw Malfoy's sorry white ass running back to the party. He turned to Hermione who was now pounding her fist on the sand in a fit of mirth. "Hermione what was that?!"

"Oh, it was a trick spell that Fred and George taught me! It makes your clothes invisible for about fifteen minutes!" she said in between snorts. "He's going to be flashing everyone in that party and he won't even know it. Hahahaha!"

Harry has never seen Hermione laugh so hard. She was clearly enjoying it. Well, he did deserve it. All those times that she let him go with just a warning, she was just waiting for the perfect opportunity and it just presented itself. He joined her as she did a little jig of victory. Harry couldn't help grinning. He had his first kiss with the perfect girl and Malfoy was at this very minute flashing everyone down at the party. It was a perfect night. But of course he had forgotten the Potter-Granger-Weasley Halloween tradition, rooted in the basic idea of Murphy’s law, if anything can go wrong, it will. 

He and Hermione spent most of the night running and waddling their bare feet around the lake, which was fringed in white sand. Harry had never been to one that he was so fascinated with the waves lapping up the shore. Hermione explained to him how the moon affects the tides, which Harry really didn't care much about but he didn't dare tell her. He wasn't about to make her angry. The night was too perfect.

It was one hour before curfew when they decided to return to the castle. They were already wet and cold and the fireplace in the common room seemed inviting. They can have it all to themselves for an hour before all the other Gryffindors flocked back into the castle. They were going through the corridors past the Great Hall when Hermione stopped abruptly.

"What?" he asked.

"Didn't you hear something?" she asked him but her eyes were clearly searching for the place where she heard whatever it was that she heard. He had a sudden stroke of deja vu. 

"No, I don't think so. Hermione, are you ok?" But she wasn't listening.

"It's coming from here, it's this strange glistening sound," she said pulling him along one of the corridors. He noticed that they were going the way of Dumbledore's office. It might be just a coincidence.

"Hermione, how would you know a glistening sound?" 

"I don't hear it, I think, I can sense it." Now he thought they were definitely going the way of Dumbledore's office. Maybe, it's just one of Dumbledore's odd artifacts. Then how come Hermione can "sense" it and he can't? When they reached the portrait that hid the headmaster's office, Harry couldn't believe his eyes. 

Standing in front of the portrait was a very tall, blonde and well-built woman with long spear in her hand and appeared to be dressed for a war, a medieval war. And, his eyes, couldn't be playing tricks on him, a golden aura seemed to be emanating from her body. She turned towards Hermione.

"No," said Hermione calmly, "we're students here, we're not servants of the Dark Lord." Now why would she say that? Just then, Dumbledore came out of his office with a woman who looked very much like the one they just saw, except she wasn't shining. She looked at Hermione as if she had never seen one like her before.

"You girl," he noticed that her voice was a low alto, "Did you just communicate with my valkyrie?"

"Well, she asked me a question and I supposed it was only polite that I answer," she spoke, rather confused. "Am I not supposed to communicate with her?"

"But that is not possible," she said. Then she turned towards the valkyrie "Valkyrie, is this true." He noticed that the valkyrie just looked at her and there was no change in the expression of her face, neither did she speak, but this woman acted like she had gotten her answer. She looked at Hermione suspiciously. 

"Vyrna," Dumbledore spoke, "I believe we can get to the bottom of this, but we cannot speak here in the corridors. Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter, if you would follow me please."

Dumbledore led them towards his office. Vyrna had told the valkyrie to come inside with them. "We cannot have anymore others knowing of our presence," she said, but Harry couldn't tell to whom she was saying this. 

Dumbledore motioned for Harry and Hermione to sit down and they settled themselves on a long purple couch. But Vyrna remained standing while the valkyrie stood behind her as if ready to attack. He glanced at Hermione to see if she had any inkling as to what this all means. She appeared as perplexed as he was. 

"Vyrna," Dumbledore spoke "you may have heard of young Mr. Potter here." He appeared to be fairly amused with the situation.

"Warriors do not interest in the affairs of the wizarding world," she said stiffly. She was still staring at Hermione as if she was studying her. He felt Hermione shift uncomfortably.

"Of course," said Dumbledore, "Well I suppose I should introduce them, this here is Harry Potter, usually referred to as the Boy Who Lived." Dumbledore chuckled as if this was an amusing introduction. 

"He's not of importance to me at this moment," she said, while still staring at Hermione. "You, you can speak for yourself, what is your name and what  throng are you from?"

"My name's Hermione Granger, and I don't think I belong to any throngs," she said, unsure of herself.

"Do not worry, I do not wish to battle with you, I only..." but she was interrupted by Dumbledore.

"Vyrna, I'm afraid she's telling the truth, Ms. Granger here is no warrior and has never been one," he said firmly. "Now you two are probably very confused by now, let me intro..."

"I can speak for myself Albus," she said. Harry was surprised, he had never seen anyone who talked to the headmaster like that and it seemed that he was more than willing to do as he was told. "My name is Vyrna, born of Queen Myrene, from the throng of Tristam. I am an amazon. You, Hermione, is it, you were able to talk to my valkyrie, I would like to know how you were able to. Only amazons can communicate with them and only the one who summons the creature can talk to them or make them listen. You were able to stop her from killing you and your friend," she said, her lips curled to a smile.

"I really don't know. I wish I could tell you but I truly have no idea," she said, a bit annoyed with herself for not being able to offer an explanation

"I do not sense any danger in you, so I do not have to kill you." she said blandly. She must have killed others before if she could talk about murder so commonly. "It is not my habit to take innocent lives, it's that idiot barbarian's job," she continued. "I do have one more question for you, how were you able to come across her here, Albus has informed me earlier that this part of the castle is never found unless it were sought out?"

"Well, I sensed or maybe heard, I really don't know, but I did seek her out when I felt a presence, I guess." It was so unlike Hermione to be so unsure.

"Curious."

"Please, professor and, er, Vyrna," Hermione said, her curiosity  taking over her. "May I ask what this is all about?"

"I guess we should tell her, Vyrna, it does seem to concern her and Harry as well," Dumbledore said. "Would you care to explain?" But she didn't need to be told, as she began explaining before he had the chance to ask her.

"You two are wizards and witches, my kind are warriors, you can perform magic and so can we, the difference is that we perform our magic through our weapons. We dedicate our lives in battling all kinds of dark arts. We were brought up to engage ourselves in war. We have powers that are unique to ourselves. I do not know of the other warriors powers, my most powerful one is my valkyrie. The other warriors known are the palladin, necromancer, druid and barbarian." She took a deep breath. "We usually don't ally ourselves with ourselves with you wizards, you lot are much too idealistic, not wanting bloodshed, when it is inevitable in a war. But in this case, we are facing a more powerful force even us warriors cannot handle, you," she said, looking at Harry, "you must know who I am talking about."

"Voldemort," Harry said.

"Brave soldier aren't you, other wizards would not speak his name, silly if you ask me," she said amused. "We are on both sides now, I came here to talk war tactics with Albus but it seems I am leaving with something much more interesting."

"Where are you going off to?" asked Hermione, she has apparently grown fond of the amazon.

"I have to speak with my mercenaries of course. And my fellow amazons would be very interested to hear about a certain quasi-amazon. If you are interested, you can learn much from our arts," she said, she too have acquired a liking for Hermione. "You don't mind, do you Albus?"

"She has potentials, what right do I have to stop her?" he said, rather pleased.

"I must leave now or the ship will sail without me. I don't want to be stuck with Deckard Cain, it's very annoying that he keeps following me." Then she took a ring from her belt and handed it to Hermione. "Keep this, it gives you extra strength, in case you want to teach someone a lesson that he will surely remember."

"Thank you," she said, slipping the ring to her thumb, as it was too large.

"Let's go Valkyrie," she commanded, going back to her warrior stance. "So long Albus, I will see you in when the new moon rises." The valkyrie followed her outside but not before stopping a moment in front Hermione. Harry knew they communicated again.

Once they were outside, Harry asked her what it was about. Hermione looked at him for a moment as if contemplating her answer. 

"I'm afraid, I can't tell you. It's a secret," she said mysteriously.

"Oh come on, we're friends, we share everything."

"Okay she said you looked cute, and she wants to go to Hogsmeade with you next weekend."

"There you two are, I was looking for you, do you realize what time it is?" It was Ron, he was sitting by the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room.

"Sorry, Dad, we must've lost track of time," he said jokingly. Ron must've missed the pun since he was still acting like Mrs. Weasley.

"LOST TRACK OF TIME, IT'S TWO O'CLOCK!" Ron yelled.

"You git, keep your voice down. You'll wake everyone up, let's tell him what happened." And so they did. For the third time that day his mouth was left agape.

"The valkyrie wants to go to Hogsmeade with you?" he asked Harry confused.

"Moron, I'm just not telling you something!" Hermione snapped.

" So you're keeping secrets from us now," he said, his face contorted in disgust.

"I keep secrets from you all the time. Besides, this isn't the right time yet, I will tell you when I'm certain," she said

They didn't question her answer. If there was anything Hermione gave importance too, it was being certain. If she thought this was for the best, then it probably was. It was already three o' clock when they finished and they set off for their dormitories. It was a good thing that it was Saturday the next day because all three of them needed much sleep.