What a Witch Needs

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your kind words. I’m sorry to anyone that thinks Harry is too mean right now. I hope you understand his duel personality is necessary for this plot. This chapter consists of many different scenes that are necessary to push the plot along. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I can claim no ownership of the characters and places used in this fiction and make no money from it.

Thank you to gardengirlgarden and Narcissa Black for beta-ing this chapter!

Loyalty

Neville stood gazing at his mother as she lovingly unfolded a gum wrapper, smoothing it over her knee. She was always the same whenever he visited, busying herself with mindless tasks and smiling shyly at him. He wondered if she even knew who he was.

Neville’s grandmother had taken him here, to St. Mungo’s, to visit his parents before he caught the train back to Hogwarts. Holiday break had come to an end, and this was the last thing he had to do before returning for tomorrow’s start of classes. It always dismayed him to see that there was no change in his parents when he visited. Not that anyone had ever promised that they would recover, but in his heart he always held hope that they would, even just a little. But nothing had changed, nothing ever changed.

There were changes at St. Mungo’s however. The beds were being filled by casualties of the current war. Neville looked around at the visiting families. Sad faces, pale with sorrow, looked back at him. He knew what they were going through, their hearts torn and left hollow by the absence of loved ones.

Looking upon the faces of children was the most difficult of all, children clinging to relatives and scared by the once beloved faces of their parents, faces that were disfigured or devoid of expression.

Neville’s eyes focused on a small boy, clinging to his older sister, weeping as his once secure world had disappeared overnight with the attack on his parents. How many more children would have to grow up without parents?

Neville shut his eyes, anger filling his breast at the injustices committed against good people. It was not to be borne! This was not to be borne!

He opened his eyes and looked into the face of his grandmother who was getting ready to leave and take Neville to the train station. “We should leave, Neville. It’s almost noon.”

“Gran,” Neville said, “I have something to tell you.”

The old woman studied Neville’s expression. He seemed different somehow, more confident. “Yes, Neville?”

“Harry Potter has been teaching me the Dark Arts, well, not just me but the whole D.A.,” Neville said, looking at his grandmother’s face for a reaction.

She nodded and said, “I suspected as much.”

Neville was a bit surprised that she didn’t seem to be bothered by that information. It gave him even more courage to go on. “I’m going to use it, Gran. I’m going to fight alongside Harry when the time comes. I can’t… I won’t sit by and watch others fight for me when I’m capable of helping them. I was able to help Harry at the Department of Mysteries last spring and I’m even stronger now. I want to fight, Gran.” Neville looked towards the crying boy once more and then said, “I have to fight.”

His grandmother remained quiet as Neville spoke. It wasn’t the words he was saying that surprised her, it was his conviction. She was no longer looking at Neville the boy, she was looking at Neville the man. Pride for the man in front of her filled her heart and her chin lifted as she examined him with new eyes.

Neville thought she was getting ready to release a tirade of reasons why he could not fight and he straightened his back, making himself taller, and said, “I love you, Gran, but there is nothing you can say that will change my mind. If I do not do my part in this war and let others die for me, I will never forgive myself.”

Gran’s eyes filled with tears and she said, “I’ve never been more proud of you, Neville, than I am at this very moment.”

OOOOOOO

Ron felt a sharp slap on the back of his head as he was getting ready to board the Hogwarts Express back to school. “Ouch!” he exclaimed, turning to glare at Fred and George who had just apparated onto the platform to see him off. “What was that for?”

“For being a fool!” George replied, angrily. “Are you really going to listen to Mum and Dad? Harry’s trained you up, been your friend for years, saved your sorry arse countless times and now you’re going to turn your back on him when he needs you most?”

“They’ll pull me out of school if I join up with Harry,” Ron said in his own defense.

“You’re a fucking pussy, Ron,” snapped Fred. He rapped on Ron’s head with his knuckles causing Ron to smack his hand away hard.

“They are only saying that because they want to keep their wittle Ron-a-kins safe,” George said. “It’s time to grow up, fuck face. Do you have your own brain in that thick skull of yours? Make your own decisions in life!”

Fred pointed a finger in Ron’s face, “I swear, Ron, if you screw Harry over, I’ll hunt you down and kill you before any of the Death Eaters do. George and I are joining Harry!”

Ron opened his eyes wide and stared at his brothers, “What! You two are turning dark?”

Fred glanced at George and then back to Ron. “For now, yes, we are,” he nodded. “If we have to use dark magic to win this war, that’s what we’ll do! When the war’s over, we won’t need to use dark arts anymore.”

“We’re not the only ones,” George added. “There’s a whole group of us gathering now. When the final battle comes, we are going to be there alongside Harry. That’s where you should be too, Ron. If you’re not, then you might as well go join Percy and the fucking wimps at the Ministry.”

The final whistle blew and Ron said, “I’ve got to go.”

“Don’t wimp out on us, Ron,” warned Fred before Ron climbed on the train.

OOOOOOO

The door opened and Severus Snape stood at the threshold, gazing at the back of the large armchair facing the fire. He knew the Dark Lord was there, though he could not see him at the moment.

“Come in, Severus,” the voice said from the other side of the chair. “Sit with me.”

Snape walked into the elaborate sitting room and made his way to a chair off to the side of the fire. Now he could see Voldemort in his present form, restored in body and health, petting an orange cat on his lap as he gazed at the crackling flames in the fire.

Snape bowed before he sat, saying, “My Lord.”

“Where is the key, Severus?” Voldemort asked.

“Lady Marlston has it in her possession,” Snape replied.

“At Hogwarts?”

“Yes, my Lord,” Snape answered.

“Get it.”

Snape fidgeted nervously, “It will be difficult…”

“Are you questioning an order?” Voldemort asked, stiffly.

Snape bowed his head, “No, my Lord.” He heard strangling and thrashing and couldn’t help but glance up to see the Dark Lord choke the cat with the hand he was just using to pet it.

“I will get it, my Lord,” Snape said.

“Good,” Voldemort replied, tossing the dead carcass of the cat into the flames and watching it sizzle before him. “Go then. And if you can’t get the key, then bring me the girl.”

Severus stood, wanting nothing more than to leave this room of evil and the stench of burning flesh.

OOOOOOO

Lucius watched as his wife fretted about the condition of Grimmauld Place, scurrying around their temporary home and ordering the Malfoy house elves to various tasks. Tonks had brought them from Malfoy Manor after listening to Narcissa rant for an hour.
Lucius strolled past the portrait of Mrs. Black in the hall and paused to look when she said, “Marius, is that you?”

“I am his son, Lucius,” he replied. “Do you not remember me?”

“You look like Marius,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

“Why, we are living here for now,” Lucius replied.

“What’s wrong with Malfoy Manor?” she demanded.

“It’s a little too exposed at the moment,” he said.

“Humf! At least you are pure,” she said, “Much better than the blood traitors and other vile residents of late.”

“Hmmm… well, yes,” Lucius said, thinking that perhaps he would be considered a blood traitor now. He turned away from the annoying portrait and took a familiar path to a hidden stairway. Opening a wall panel, he climbed the narrow staircase to the attic.

He reached the top of the stairs and opened a door that led to yet another door. When he entered the small, dark room, he lit his wand and looked about. He would have expected this room to be dusty with disuse, but it appeared that Sirius had used it before his recent demise as the linens on the bed were not moth eaten and dirty.

Lucius had spent a great deal of time here in his youth; many memories were made on that bed. He knew this space well, along with all its secret nooks and crannies. A question now burned in his mind and Lucius had to find the answer. Walking over to a wall, he tapped a pattern over the wallpaper and a compartment appeared in front of him. He opened the door to the compartment, relieved to see that Sirius had not moved the thing he was searching for.

He slid out a large, flat object that was covered with an old cloth. Propping the object against the wall, he unwrapped it, revealing the young portrait of his old lover.

The eyes of Sirius Black opened, looking at Lucius in surprise. “I never thought anyone would find this portrait,” he said.

“Who else would know of its existence?” Lucius replied. “You were beautiful when you were young, before the war, before Azkaban.”

Sirius looked at Lucius and said, “If you are here, in my house, then the worst must have happened. Voldemort has won?”

Lucius shook his head, “No, the war is still upon us.”

“Harry?” Sirius asked his voice crackling with emotion. “Is he still alive?”

“Oh, yes,” Lucius said, with a slow smile. “In fact, I serve him now. He is my Lord.”

Sirius stared hard at Lucius, “What are you saying?”

“You didn’t know?” Lucius said with mock surprise. “Harry Potter is a Dark Lord. There are two of them now. But hopefully, that will not be the case soon.”

“You’re mad!” Sirius spat. “You’ve awakened my portrait for this poor joke? You must be very bored, Lucius.”

“Oh, it’s no joke, love,” Lucius replied, calmly. “It’s common knowledge.”

“I want to speak to him!” Sirius demanded.

“In due time,” Lucius replied. “He’s very busy you know, raising his dark army and preparing for battle.”

“What of Dumbledore and the Order?” Sirius asked.

“What of them?” Lucius replied drolly. “They scurry around, cleaning up the wreckage of battle. They’re quite ineffective, you know. They are not strong enough to battle Voldemort, you know it. That’s why they need Lord Potter so much. They’ll ride on his coattails and then they’ll turn their backs on him once they get their merry little lives back.”

“Is that what you’re doing?” Sirius asked.

Lucius laughed at the thought of it. “My, my, Sirius, you truly have no idea how powerful your Godson has become. Turning my back on him will not be an option.”

OOOOOOO

Draco walked into the Slytherin common room to find Pansy on her knees, sucking off Vincent Crabbe. Many people were watching in amusement and some were waiting their turn with her. “That’s it, you little cum whore. You’re going to swallow my whole load,” Crabbe growled at her.

Draco heard a giggle and turned his head to see Millicent Bulstrode laughing at Pansy’s current situation. “What are you laughing at?” Draco snapped at her.

The smile left Millicent’s face and she shook her head saying, “Nothing.”

“Tell me, Millicent,” Draco asked, “are you switching sides as well? Or are you still a supporter of Voldemort?” The room went quiet as all heads turned to hear Millicent’s answer. She had already decided to switch sides, though she had thought that only Pansy would be punished for what happened to Hermione. It was all Pansy’s doing, even if Millicent had only known about it. Now Millicent was uncertain if she would escape punishment as Draco glared at her.

“I’ve… switched,” she answered carefully. “I’m supporting Lord Potter.” She looked around the room, wondering what was to happen to her.

Draco’s hand shot up and clasped the back of Millicent’s shirt, pushing her down to her knees as he announced, “Here’s another mouth ready to fuck.”

Millicent gasped and looked up at Draco’s smirking face. “You didn’t think you’d go unpunished, did you?” he said to her. “Don’t worry; I’m sure Lord Potter will give you less time on your knees. Pansy’s crime was much greater after all.”

Pucey had now walked up to Millicent, his cock already out in his hand. “Here you go, Millie,” Pucey said with a grin. “Let’s see if you’re as good as Pansy.” As Pucey stuck his cock into Millie’s mouth, Draco turned to make an announcement to the room.

“Clear your schedules for tomorrow night. You are now all members of the D.A.,” Draco said with a smile. “Have a good evening.” He turned went up the stairs to his dorm room, looking forward to a long, hot shower.

OOOOOOO

Harry lay on his bed listening to all the commotion as students arrived back at school and greeted each other in the Gryffindor common room and in the hallway just outside his door. The door flew open and Ron walked in, Lavender clinging to his side and giggling in happiness. They paused when they saw Harry lying on his bed.

“Oh, hi Harry,” Ron said. “Didn’t know anyone was up here.”

“Hi Ron, Lavender,” Harry said. “Have a good holiday?”

They both nodded. “How about you?” Lavender asked.

“Yeah, pretty good,” Harry answered. “I suppose you two were looking for a little private time?”

Lavender blushed and Ron said, “Well, yeah, been a few weeks, you know what I mean?”

Harry sat up and swung his legs over the side of his bed. “Yeah. I get it,” Harry smiled. “I’ll leave you two alone. Oh… there’s a D.A. meeting tomorrow night. It’s important,” Harry said as he headed for the door. “Have fun, you two.”

As the door shut, Ron sighed and a worried expression crossed his face.

OOOOOOO

Ginny and Parvati sat on Hermione’s bed and listened as Hermione recounted her adventures at Gringotts and Marlston. She didn’t tell them everything, of course. But there were plenty of ‘safe’ topics to talk about.

“Goodness, Hermione,” Parvati said, her eyes wide with wonder. “What are you going to do with all that treasure?”

“There is more there than I can spend in my lifetime,” she said. “I hope I can do some good with it. When the war is over, perhaps I can take a look at what needs to be done and help do it.”

Ginny smiled in admiration. “I think it’s wonderful that you’ll be able to do things like that. I’d love to see Marlston some day, it sounds wonderful.”

“It is,” Hermione smiled. “And I will invite you there someday, I promise.”

OOOOOOO

A/N Sorry for the lack of sex. LOL I had to get things moving at Hogwarts and elsewhere or this story would just be called “The Sex Castle.” (That wouldn’t be so bad… I suppose. LOL) We’ll get back to some steamy stuff ahead.)

Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter. Thanks!