War Games

Chapter Two: The Assassin

It has been two weeks since Harry and Hermione's encounter with Vyrna, the amazon and her valkyrie. The day after the incident, Harry wrote to Sirius at Hermione's insistence. Apparently, she wasn't satisfied with what information they were given. What Dumbledore told them after Vyrna left and before they went back to the common room was simply a reiteration of the amazon's speech.

"I'm sure he can tell us more," Hermione had said, "And I'm pretty sure he won't be holding back, there has to be something more. I've been reading up on the warriors. It doesn't say much about them, it's all textbook material. Nothing about just who exactly they are or what they're like."

"You've met them, you must at least have a measure of what they're like." Ron spoke in a somber tone. He didn't feel too happy that he didn't get to see a warrior first hand. "It's funny though, I've never heard Dad mention them before."

"Exactly, I keep wondering why we've never come across them before. They are supposed to know some really powerful magic. They can summon creatures that can battle for them, like that valkyrie we saw. There's something Dumbledore didn't tell us," she said.

"Don't worry, I wrote to Sirius already, I reckoned he'd want to know about it anyway." Then Harry looked at Hermione, "Does this have anything to do with whatever it was the Valkyrie told you?" Ron looked at Hermione too, he felt curious as well. If she held this back for this long, it must be something big."

"I will tell you when we talk to Sirius, I know he'd at least have an idea what it meant, he gets around, he must've met warriors before. He'd know them on a first hand basis. He must have battled side by side with them before, or at least he knows about them. Or maybe he doesn't, then we'd be nowhere near an answer." She said all this very fast and she needed to inhale a large amount of oxygen, lest she pass out.

Ron and Harry continued looking at her.

"I'm sorry, it's something that's very confusing at the moment, it maybe just a mistake, I can't alarm you with something that may not even be an issue," she said apologetically.

"But you know that we'll always be there for you," Ron cried, "We can help you!"

"Don't worry about it," Harry said suddenly, "You don't have to tell us, I trust your judgment." Ron began to make violent gestures in the air, but Hermione ignored him and promptly gave Harry a huge hug.

"Thank you," she whispered, "at least one of you trusts me."

"I trust you! I just wanted to know," Ron protested.

"You'll know, just not now," she said as she patted Ron's back. They've both learned that Ron doesn't like it when things are kept from him. Just then, Pigwidgeon entered the common room carrying a letter that Harry knew was from Sirius. Ron and Hermione flocked either side of him and read from his shoulder.

Harry,

So you've met Vyrna, quite a knock-out isn't she -Harry and Hermione exchanged raised eyebrows, apparently he has a very weird taste in women-  I'm guessing it was Hermione who's asking for more information, leave it to her ask for more answers. She must be wondering why they're such a secluded bunch. It's true that they like to keep to themselves but wizards as well are not very fond of them. During Voldemort's time, a lot of them worked with him, not because they believed in anything he said or did, but because he paid them. A lot of  warriors are known bounty-hunters. They do a crime, collect their reward and disappear. There's also the challenge of their targets, the stronger the wizard, the more they're put on. They can be very blood-thirsty, all that killing, it has become second nature to them. Vyrna says that a lot of her fellow warriors fell to the dark side because of their addiction to the smell of blood. But not all of them are that bad, it's just that other wizards tend to generalize. The amazons have been helping us early since. They're not very friendly to men, usually just use them to pro-create. You have to prove yourself to them if you want them to respect you, you can't just pay them. Then there's the Palladin, very religious lot. They would never follow the dark arts. They specialize in defensive tactics, they would usually fight side by side with the amazons or the druids. Remus knows more about these druids, as they're the absolute form of a werewolf. They can control their transformations at will, even without a full moon. The barbarians, they're just a bunch of blood-thirsty idiots, that's why you should be weary of them. Blood-thirsty and stupid is a deadly combination. But they can be very helpful at times, and very loyal too, like pet animals. But the necromancers, I don't trust them. Vyrna seems to, she says that although they use dark magic, they will never use it to help Voldemort. They summon dead spirits and they can control demons. That just about spells evil to me. If you come across them, be very careful. There are other throngs of warriors, but Vyrna would not talk about them, she insists that they are no longer considered warriors as they have tarnished their good name.

You say that something is bothering Hermione. I must admit that it is strange that she managed to speak with the Valkyrie. I don't know exactly how it works. Valkyries are not able to see or speak. They communicate through other senses. And Vyrna also mentioned once that it only responds to its master. I will need to talk to Hermione to be able to get to the bottom of this, although I cannot guarantee sure answers. I will be there during the Christmas holidays. Until then, try not to get into trouble.

Sirius         

"Well," Ron said after a they were all silent for a long time, "Does that help?"

Hermione took a deep breath, "I don't think so, I'm nowhere near an answer."

"Well what exactly were you wishing he'd say?" Harry inquired.

"I didn't know what I was expecting, but I'm pretty sure only Vyrna can settle this. I wish we can see her again." It was obvious she was exasperated and quite confused why she can't figure things out herself.

"Well, she did say she'd come back when the new moon rises," Harry said, Hermione looked hopeful.

"You know Harry, if what she said, if it is what I think it means, a lot of things could change for me, I don't think I can handle it on my own." Harry and Ron couldn't believe their ears, was Hermione actually asking them to help her? It didn't matter.

"Don't be so melodramatic," Ron put his arm around Hermione, Harry noticed Hermione tense up a little but Ron didn't seem to, "Whatever it is, the three of us can handle it."

"You've always been there to save our asses, maybe it's time to switch roles," Harry put in.

"It's wonderful isn't it, that we all became friends. I could have never imagined myself anywhere else than here, with the two of you. You two are my soulmates," she said this meaningfully, but the mood was ruined when Ron started sobbing in an exaggerated manner.

"I can't help it, that was so touching!" he wailed and began fanning himself with his hand. Harry followed suit.

"Oh, Hermione, I never thought we meant so much to you! Group hug!" and Harry and Ron enveloped her in two big bear hugs.

"Oh God, I hate you two!" she screamed as she struggled out of Harry and Ron's arms.

"You don't mean that," Harry said through chuckles.

"Yeah, for a minute there I thought you were about to say 'You complete me'." Ron snorted.

"Why can't I get girlfriends! Come on, let's get down to dinner!" she commanded, as she led the way through the portrait hole. "Boys!" they heard her mutter.

Once they were down the Great Hall, they saw that most of Gryffindors were already at the Gryffindor table. They sat themselves at three adjacent chairs and Hermione began serving Harry and Ron with helpings of Beef Stew. They were halfway through dinner when Professor McGonagall started calling their attention. It was then that Harry noticed that a large black dog was beside her. He looked at Ron and Hermione and knew that they noticed too.

"Students, I'm afraid that you will all have to continue your dinner in your houses," she said firmly, but Harry couldn't mistake the slight quake in her voice, "It is but a minor emergency, prefects, I entrust you to lead your housemates to your respective houses. It is very important that you all stay there. Please, heed our instructions this once," she said this to everyone but Harry, Hermione and Ron knew it was especially to them.

Hermione stood up and started giving instructions, as she was prefect along with Seamus Finnigan. "Alright, everyone follow us, first years stay in line, don't panic, and no running," she shouted at the top of her lungs. She turned to Ron and Harry, "Come on, I think it best if we follow McGonagall this once." They agreed with her. With Voldemort back, the stakes are higher and this is not time to act like the Scooby squad. None of them are that thick.

They were already on the second floor corridors when Hermione stopped abruptly when she suddenly said to Seamus, "I'm leaving you with them."

"What? Are you crazy? Where are you going?" Seamus freaked.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to explain right now," she said.

"We'll both get into trouble." Seamus was now frantic.

"Blame everything on me, tell them I threatened you, whatever, I have to go now." Hermione took a sprint back down the stairs. Ron and Harry followed her. Seamus yelled after them.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" But Harry and Ron didn't care, if Hermione was willing to go against teacher's direct order and risk losing her prefect status, then it must be very, very important.

"Hermione, what's going on?" Ron asked when Hermione finally slowed down. They were going down an unfamiliar hallway on the first floor. It was massive and everything seemed to be made of stone. Harry looked up at the pointed arches on the ceiling and noticed large stone gargoyles were hanging above them.

"Hermione, how do you know about this place?" Harry asked now.

"She's here Harry, Vyrna, I can feel valkyrie, it's the only way I could have found this place. I have to see her, I might not get the chance again. Haven't you noticed, it's not the new moon, I've gotten the impression that amazons are the kind of women that really do what they say. Something must be very wrong. And I don't think McGonagall has any idea what it is. I know that Vyrna would want me there."

They walked for what seemed like an eternity when they finally reached a two large oak doors that had the same pointed arch as the ceiling.

Hermione had a hesitant look on her face but that quickly vanished and was replaced with a look of determination.

"Let's go in." She motioned for them to follow her. She pushed the large oak doors open and brought to light the people inside. Harry didn't know quite what to expect but what he saw was beyond his imagination. The room, just like the corridors they just passed, was made entirely from stone. But there weren't any gargoyles adorning the walls or the ceiling. Instead there were huge tapestries hanging from the banisters that had the same pointed arch design as the door and halls. The room was otherwise empty except for a very rusty rectangular table at the center. And the people standing around it were the queerest Harry had ever seen. There was Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore who were facing the door. Then there was Sirius Black and Remus Lupin standing on the right side of the table, who Harry would've been happy to see if his attention wasn't all on the four other people. There was Vyrna, and then there was this very thin, slightly bald man with graying hair, in gray robes that resembled a monks. There was a sword slung on his back. Beside him was a very large man whom Harry would have mistaken for a half-giant. He was wearing clothes that must be taken from some sort of animal, probably a wolf. He wore a huge metal hat with horns sticking out on either side, there were all kinds of clubs and axes on his belt. Harry wondered how he could carry all these, especially that he seemed a bit drunk. Steadying him was a funny looking man in a yellow jumpsuit. He was very tall, almost as tall as the large man, but also very thin. Beside him was a surly looking man whose face was paler than Malfoy's. There was not a single hair on his head or face and he had cold gray eyes. He was wearing an armor that looked like they were made of bones.

"What are you three doing here?!" They heard a squeaky voice behind them, they haven't noticed Professors Flitwick and Sprout were standing on either side of the door.

"Ms. Granger, did I not tell you to stay in your common rooms! You should know better!" It was McGonagall's voice, full of disappointment. Surprisingly, Snape wasn't suggesting they be expelled or given three years of detention. But he was looking at them in a curious manner. There were much commotion between McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout. It was Vyrna who broke through all this.

"Silence, I called for her, so you are not to question her presence. If she deems it important that her companions be here with her, then you will respect that." Everyone followed what Vyrna said, but this time, he noticed that there were traces of fear on the Flitwick's and Sprout's faces. McGonagall looked shocked but was calm after a while.

"Miss Granger, may I ask how you found this place?" Snape intervened, finally finding his oily voice.

Hermione was speechless, she didn't know whether it was wise to tell Snape that she could communicate with Valkyrie. "Did I not make myself clear? How she came here is not a matter of importance, and even if it were, it would not concern you." Vyrna's voice was venomous and Snape knew he was very much in danger of receiving the wrath of an amazon and immediately shut his mouth. Ron couldn't help grinning.

"I am glad that you were able to find me. I trust you have a few questions in your mind. Even though Sirius hasn't been able to put a lock on his quill," she glanced at him meaningfully, "I know you haven't come across the answer you seek. Perhaps valkyrie was right. I admit that she has wisdom far beyond my reach." No one in the room understood what they were talking about, but Hermione and Vyrna didn't seem to care.

She now spoke to Harry. "I expect you would want to be acquainted with my friends, and I as well would like to get to know yours."

"Oh, um, this is our friend Ron, we told him about you so he knows," Harry said, a bit awkward with the situation.

"Hullo," Ron said weakly as he waved his hand at them.

"Do not worry, I am not one to despise people based solely on their gender, despite what Sirius has told you. Also, I assume you to be very honorable men, as you have gained Hermione's trust." She then turned back to the four people standing behind her.

"You do remember that I told you about other kinds of warriors, this man," she motioned to the man in monk robes, "is Tamerlane and he is a palladin. This huge man here, is Erik, a barbarian, beside him is Kimo, he's a druid, and lastly, Noel, he's a friend of mine, a necromancer." Each nodded at the turn of their acknowledgement. Then Vyrna went on and introduced the three of them, "This three children," Harry winced at being referred to as a child still, "are Harry Potter, I know you have heard of him Noel although you deny it, his friend Ron and this is Hermione, the one I've been telling you about."

Harry, Ron and Hermione had so much questions in their minds but they hardly know where to begin, everything seemed to be happening so quickly. Fortunately Vyrna noticed the perplexed looks on their faces and decided to give them the low down. "You are wondering why four warriors have converged here of all places, but as you are already here and as it concerns you, especially you Harry, I might as well tell you. We have obtained information that there will be an attempt of an attack here at Hogwarts, tonight. We are not certain of the enemy's plans, our informant has been...intercepted." she paused a while. "It would be difficult for an army to infiltrate the grounds of Hogwarts with all the wards guarding it. But nonetheless, the four of us have decided to station our mercenaries, they are all camping inside the forbidden forest at this moment, we can never be too careful."

"Where's valkyrie?" Hermione asked, noticing that the glistening woman was missing.

"She just Apparated towards the forest. I had asked her to stand guard there."

It was then that Dumbledore said something for the first time since the three of them entered, "I am certain that we can all be safe here, not too many people know of this particular place. You will not be able to find it unless you know it is there or if someone has led you as in the case of Miss Granger. But I do not feel at ease with your plan Vyrna, that I should hide here and not go out there and stand guard with everyone else."

"I thought that you, of all people would understand, you are much too important to perish at such an early stage of this war. If anything happens to you, a lot of your fellow wizards might fall into pieces and our cause would be lost," Vyrna explained.

"Of course I knew that, I just wanted to make sure that you didn't think I was a helpless old man." And he chuckled heartily. Harry, Ron and Hermione couldn't help but grin, it was just like Dumbledore to crack jokes at such a moment. But McGonagall did not find this funny and looked severely at him and continued. "Professor, don't you think that it would be safer for the children to remain in their common rooms, don't you think there is much more danger wherever they are present." They did not know who she meant by "they" but Noel did, apparently.

"Please do not talk as if we're not present, what else do we have to do to make you wizards realize that we are here to help you, if we wanted to kill you, we would have done so without incident an hour ago." He spoke in a very low tone but they could all feel the rage that came with it.

"Calm down, Noel," It was Tamerlane that spoke, "I am sure that all Minerva meant was that wherever we go, danger follows us, which is quite true."

"Yes, that is true," Kimo interjected, "but rest assured that these children, especially these children will be much safer where they are near enough for us to protect them." he was still holding up the very drunk barbarian.

"You can say that Kimo because they don't look at you and loathe you just because of the methods you use." Noel was definitely aware of that most wizards don't trust him.

"Noel, this is no time to air our grudges," said Vyrna, she faced McGonagall, "Minerva, I would offer my life to protect these children, just as much as Noel would. He is my most trusted friend, he has never once failed me and he deserves every bit of your trust."

McGonagall was silent for a long while but she finally decided, "I apologize if I said some things that may have offended you sir, but I am only looking  out for these children, just as everyone in this room."

Noel did not speak and only nodded. It was obvious that he was still not appeased by McGonagall's words. Harry knew how he felt, when he was in his second year at Hogwarts, everyone suspected he was the heir of Slytherin just because he could speak parseltongue. He all of a sudden felt a little annoyed at McGonagall and everyone else at how they treated Noel.

Vyrna looked from McGonagall to Noel, and spoke, "Noel, I expect that your emotions will not override your judgment, that much I know you can do." She paused, "It is what warriors are expected of. We did not come here to settle our differences, but we can put it aside to enable us to defeat the enemy."

"She is right Minerva, you know better than to judge someone based on what they appear to be," said Dumbledore. "Now Vyrna, do you have anything else to discuss." But Vyrna was not listening, she was running towards Dumbledore and was about to leap on the table.

"Sirius," she cried, motioning her eyes towards the top ceiling on Dumbledore's left. Sirius understood and quickly pointed his wand in the direction that Vyrna pointed, "Impedimenta!" This was not enough to slow down the dagger that shot through the air, but it gave Vyrna enough time to catch it with her right hand as she flipped in the air. She landed on the floor kneeling on one knee and her left hand balancing her. The dagger was inches away from Dumbledore's temple.

"Shield's up!" cried Tamerlane and they noticed a white mist dome form around them.

"It's too late, she's inside, I can smell her." It was Remus' voice.

"He's right," Kimo said, "good senses."

"Valkyrie's not here, how are we going to locate her!" There was desperation in Vyrna's voice. But Noel was quick to respond.

"Fire Golem!" just then a large creature that looked like boulders of rock put together and covered with mud and was apparently on fire though never actually burning down appeared out of nowhere.

"Locate the traitor!" Noel commanded.

Just then a shadow was forming out of thin air and slowly, it was filled with color and they saw a woman's form. She was wearing a red catsuit that showed off a shapely body. She looked no older than twenty and her black hair was cropped close to her head. She would have been very pretty if her black piercing eyes did not look so murderous.

"No need for that old necro, I'm not about to be smelled out by your odor-enhanced golem. Was it just me or did I really make you panic there miss mean, tough amazon?" She raised a mischievous eyebrow at Vyrna.

But Vyrna lunged at the woman with a spear in her right hand, piercing her left shoulder and nailing her on the wall. The black-haired girl barely had time to react but was able to slash Vyrna's cheek with a kryss. Vyrna quickly grabbed her arm and twisted it to a point when Harry wondered of it was possible to twist someone's arm like that. The woman did not cry in pain, but her face was twisted in horror and dropped the kryss unwillingly. Blood was gushing out of her shoulder.

"Now you tell us who you work and how you found us you traitorous bitch!" Vyrna screamed as she kicked the woman in the stomach.

"So we're no longer on first name basis are we, Vyrna. That's no way to treat your fellow warrior," she sneered.

"You are no longer a warrior! Tell me, how many galleons were you paid for Albus' head? You sicken me, Nastasha, you're not a warrior, you're nothing but a common murderer!" Vyrna shouted.

"Me? a  murderer, well so are you!" she answered.

"Do not compare me to you, assassin, I kill to protect!"

"Don't be so righteous Vyrna, you know what I mean." Vyrna winced slightly, but quickly regained her composure.

"I know nothing of what you speak," she grabbed her neck, "now you tell me who you work for and how you were able to reach this place."

"I have informants as well, although mine are much better than yours, that sorry excuse for a spy was so easy to rip from limb to limb." She smiled haughtily at Vyrna, "I killed her and it was all your fault." But it didn't have the effect she had expected. Vyrna remained unfazed.

"I will not trivialize her bravery by taking responsibility for her death, you would not understand, as you have no concept of a true warrior's honor," she continued. "Now tell me all you know or I pull your skeleton out from your anus."

"Ouch! Sorry, my memory must have slipped me." Vyrna tightened her grip at Nastasha's throat. "You really think you can threaten me amazon. I would rather die than lose to you!"

"You will tell me what you know!" Vyrna screamed at her face.

Suddenly they saw a silver object in the form of a skull shoot through the air and hit Nastasha squarely on the chest. Vyrna let go of her and she fell limply on one side with only the spear holding her up. She was dead. Harry stopped breathing for a moment, Ron gasped, Hermione couldn't bear to see it and hid her head on Harry's shoulder.

"Noel, why did you kill her?!" she looked incredulously at him.

"She would have told you nothing, and she would have killed herself sooner or later. I will not give her the satisfaction." Good or bad, all warriors are ruthless.

Vyrna's breathing was heavy and irregular, she looked as if she was ready to engage Noel in a battle. "You shouldn't have interfered," she said lowly.

"You know it's for the best. Do not let your emotions override your judgment," Noel said, giving Vyrna a piece of her own advice.

Vyrna nodded.

Tamerlane began walking towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. He kneeled in front of Ron "You should not have been allowed to witness that, I do not care what other horrors you've seen, you are still children." He took out three brown feathers and handed one to each of them, "Keep this under your pillows, it shall keep your dreams safe."

Harry accepted his gratefully, he hoped it would work, he never told anyone but he did have frequent dreams about Voldemort and that incident at the graveyard in Little Hangleton. 

"Don't worry it would work, I'm so sorry that you are having those dreams, but now these feathers shall protect you. And yes, I can read your mind, but only at will, I promise not to do it again. And don't worry, your secret is safe, has no idea." Tamerlane smiled at him and turned towards the professors and warriors that were now converging in one corner. After about ten minutes, Dumbledore held up both his hands and everyone turned to listen.

"So, it is decided then. Tamerlane and Erik shall be staying here at Hogwarts, along with the army that is set up inside the forest, now we really have to keep the students out of there. It is obvious that Voldemort is after me, knowing I am the head figure of the crusade against him." Dumbledore said this calmly and Harry marveled at his courage. "I would not want to put any of the students in danger that it is why we need to take extra precaution, we should thank these warriors for helping us with this," he added for the benefit of Flitwick and Sprout who still looked unconvinced. "Vyrna, along with Noel and Kimo has volunteered to do reconnaissance for us and try to find out the plans of Voldemort. Harry, you do realize that Voldemort is after you as well, that is why you need to be extra careful, you shall stay within the castle and within sight of your professors, that goes as well for you to Ron and Hermione." Harry nodded. "Remus, you can stay here in the castle, I am sure Severus will be glad to make Wolfsbane potion for you." Snape grunted. 

"If you don't mind Albus, I would like Sirius to come with us," Vyrna requested, "it is very helpful to have a wizard by our side."

Sirius beamed, "Of course, anything for you Vyrna." Vyrna's face was impassive, and Harry thought he was going to hurl.

"Good, good, now that everything is settled, I think it would be safer to move into another room. Harry, Ron, Hermione, I trust you would not want to part for the night, you can stay at the room right beside the kitchen." his eyes twinkled at this. "You must be starving, as you were not able to finish your dinner. Sirius and Vyrna will stay with you there." He looked at Hermione, "I know you've been wishing to speak to her, and speak to her you shall."

 Hermione looked as if she was about to cry, but she held herself and followed Vyrna outside the room. Harry and Ron were on her heels. Sirius brought up their rear. 

"Harry," Ron said, his voice was heavy, "I've never seen anyone dead before." Harry didn't know what to say, he wasn't sure what to say, as he felt as down as he was. He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Sirius'. He was trying to comfort the two of them, but he could not say anything. Vyrna, noticing the somber mood that enveloped them turned and spoke in an almost motherly tone.

"Ron, I wish I could tell you that you will get used to it, these are dark times and you will witness more deaths, but I beg you not to get used to it. When you see a dead body, remember how it feels, remember the sadness and hopelessness that came with it. Do not ever get used to it." Her eyes were moist but she held her tears back. "Come now, you must get your rest. We also have to turn in Sirius, we will set out for the east at the first croak of the rooster." 

Once they reached the portrait beside the one with the fruits, Sirius gave the little girl painted on it the password (sunshines and roses). Harry and Ron walked in, after them was Sirius. Vyrna said that she and Hermione would follow shortly.

Once they were alone, Vyrna began, "I have a story to tell you," she said.

"Please, go ahead," Hermione spoke.

"Before my mother, Queen Myrene, there was another queen of the amazons. She was proud and mighty and even my mother would not be able to beat her in combat. But she was different, her beliefs did not match the traditions of the amazons. She knew this and she made a choice and she decided to run, and erase the memory of the amazons from her past."

"What made her run away?" Hermione queried.

"I don't think I can tell you that just now."

"Did she fall in love with a man?" Hermione asked mischievously.

Vyrna looked at her, "In a manner of speaking." She took a deep breath, "I hope you will not try to look for more answers, not until it is time."

"I understand," said Hermione.

Vyrna turned to walk through the portrait and Hermione followed her. Once they were inside, they saw that the boys were sitting around a table that was set up for dinner. The house elves were busying themselves in one corner. Hermione sat beside Harry and he looked at her quizzically. "Tomorrow," she mouthed to him. He understood and Ron nodded as well. Just then they heard a loud crash of plates. It was Dobby. One second he was standing in the corner, the next he was fawning all over Vyrna.

"Oh! I is Dobby, so glad to meet you miss warrior. Dobby has heard of your greatness!" Dobby went on to gawp at Vyrna much to the amazon's apparent annoyance. The other house elves looked at him critically.

"Dobby, would you mind filling  this with jar with, um, water from the lake," Harry said, noticing that Vyrna was doing everything she can not to kill Dobby.

"Dobby would be honored sir Harry Potter." And with that he was gone.

"Are all house elves like that?" Vyrna asked, finally freed from Dobby's fawning.

"Just Dobby," Ron said.

"Yeah, he sure is one of a kind," Harry said.

"Maybe we should finish our supper and immediately retreat to our beds before he returns," Vyrna suggested. Vyrna began to eat furiously and stood up and turned to her cot. They stared at her as she left in a rush.

"I don't think she liked Dobby much," Ron said.

"At least she's not suggesting we strangle him," Harry said.

"Hey, Hermione, I doubt she'd want to join spew now?" Ron jeered.

"How many times do I have to tell you it's not spew, it's S-P-E-W! And besides, I have more chances of recruiting her for spew than you do of getting Fleur Delacour of going out with you." Hermione threw a toothpick at him.

"Oh, yeah!" Ron said red in the face.

"'Oh, yeah!' what kind of riposte was that? This is boring, I think I'm going to bed." Hermione stood up and headed for the cot beside Vyrna without looking back

"I think she won that round mate," Harry told Ron while patting his back.

"She's getting better at this, I can't believe it!" Ron was still in shock.

"She's had a good practice," Sirius chuckled. He and Harry laughed at Ron's expense. The boys went on to talk about other things. They, of course, got around to the topic of girls. Ron told them of his little escapade with Padma. Harry prayed that Hermione was fast asleep. When it came to his turn, he opted not to tell them about the kiss he shared with Hermione, as he himself didn't know what it means.

It was past midnight when the three of them decided to go to sleep. Harry was very glad of the feather that Tamerlane had given them. He knew that he would get an undisturbed, peaceful sleep that night.

The next morning, Harry found Hermione sitting at the end of his bed, looking at him. This was very strange, "Hermione, what are you doing?"

She smiled, "I just realized that I've never seen you without your glasses before."

"Oh, well, I don't  think I look much different," he said awkwardly.

"No, you still look nice." Harry's stomach did a little lurch, so she thought he looked nice, not that it mattered.

"You do want to say goodbye to Sirius don't you?" she continued.

"What time is it anyway?" he asked, realizing that Ron was still fast asleep on the next bed.

"Quarter to five, the sun will be coming up soon." She went towards Ron's bed. "Wake up, sweetie." she said sweetly, Ron grunted, "Go away mom."

She faced Harry, "Guess that didn't work." She went to the edge of Ron's bed and kicked one of the legs supporting it. That worked.

"What's the big idea!" Ron said scrambling to his feet.

"Come on, let's say goodbye to them," she said without acknowledging his complaints. Hermione hid the fact that she liked Ron very well, Harry thought.

"How'd she get that strong?" Ron asked, wondering how she managed to break the hard wood leg in half. Harry thought for a moment. Of course, he thought.

"The ring silly, the ring  that Vyrna gave her!" Harry smiled at his quick thinking but then frowned. "Now she can probably beat the crap out of the both of us, we better not piss her off."

"What are the two of you waiting for, Christmas? I have news for you, that's still two months away!" Hermione scolded with her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"We're coming, we're coming, sheesh!" Ron followed her outside the portrait hole and Harry followed.

When they reached the entrance of the castle they saw Vyrna and Sirius talking. Kimo and Noel were just about to sling their bags behind them. They approached the group.

"We just came to say goodbye," Harry said "Well, goodbye."

"We'll see each other soon Harry, we don't plan to stay too long around the enemy's camp. They could use Veritaserum on me, we don't want that," Sirius said.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen to your godfather as long as the three of us are around," Vyrna said and Noel and Kimo nodded. Harry noticed a pink potion hanging from Kimo's belt, "Is that..." he began.

"It is, rejuvenation potion, very useful in times of battles," Kimo finished. "Heard that Snape fellow's been scaring you with it. The thing is it doesn't have an effect on wizards. Of course it can be very fatal to us if there was some sort of discrepancy. But he assured us that this one is fine and his best student made it." He smiled at Hermione. The three of them couldn't believe their ears, Snape called Hermione his best student?

"It is best we leave, that way, we can get there before noon," Noel said.

"Let's go, " Vyrna said, she gave Hermione a final look.

They watched the four adults disappear through the horizon. Hermione looked at her watch, "We still have three hours before breakfast, I suggest we use the time to review for the O.W.L.s."

"Hermione," the two boys whined.

"It's so early, let's just go back to sleep!" Ron complained.

"If you go back to sleep, you won't be able to wake up in time," Hermione reasoned.

"But..." he started again.

"But what?" Hermione raised an eyebrow and began cracking her knuckles.

"Nothing, as I said, let's study." Ron gulped. When Hermione was out of earshot, Ron turned to Harry.

"I say we chuck the ring in the river." Harry laughed, as if that's going to stop Hermione from forcing them to study.