War & Peace: HP Style

Chapter 5 – What Kind of Man You Are

This chapter is dedicated in its entirety to LadyVoldemort87. Without her this chapter might never have been written, and the song Decode by Paramore may never have been used. Thank you, V, for inspiring me and keeping me on track with this story!

The truth is hiding in your eyes
And it's hanging on your tongue.
Just boiling in my blood.
But you think that I can't see
What kind of man you are...
There is something I see in you.
It might kill me.
I want it to be true
Decode - Paramore

Sunday, October 14th
Room of Requirement

"Before we begin, I'd like everyone to note we have two new additions to Dumbledore's Army. Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. Ginny, Neville, I would appreciate it if you could take them over to that corner and just go explain what we've worked on already. I'm sure they'll know most, if not all, of the spells already. The rest of you, we are still going to practice casting defensive spells as fast as possible, especially when attacks are coming from all angles." Harry stepped down from the steps and into the rest of the room. He watched as they broke off into groups of four and began to make note of who needed to work on what.

As he circled the room he kept an eye on where Ginny and Neville were talking to Malfoy and Zabini. The Slytherins seemed completely at ease in the conversation and Harry was satisfied that he had chosen the right people to bring them up to speed. Ginny was smiling slightly at something Zabini was explaining while Neville was catching Draco up on all they had done so far. Now if only the others would be as accepting as Neville and Ginny. However that was not to be.

Harry was on the opposite side of the Room of Requirement when he noticed Ron and Michael Corner break away from their group. He tensed when he saw them approach the foursome talking in the corner. Ron was rather abrupt, grasping Ginny's arm and placing her behind him. Michael was just as rude to Neville, practically shoving him out of the way so that he and Ron were now face to face with Draco and Blaise. Harry hurried over, hoping to stave off a confrontation that could only go from bad to worse.

"Oi, Malfoy, what's the matter? Daddy no longer paying your way? Guess he couldn't buy you a top spot in You-Know-Who's army after the ministry locked away his money." Ron was standing face to face with Draco, fists clenched at his side and his face going red with anger. There was no way he could allow this Death Eater filth to even breathe the same air as his baby sister.

"Weasley, I don't need my father's money to buy me anything. I have my own. Now get out of the way so I can finish explaining a few things to Longbottom." Draco's teeth were clenched as he spoke. He knew that it wouldn't be a good idea to respond with anger but if Weasley kept going, things were bound to get physical.

"Look at that, Ron, apparently they aren't going to fight." This from Michael, who was eyeing Blaise. "Zabini here must have a good reason for being here. Maybe it's because his mother has had so many lovers, he's not sure if he truly is a Pureblood or not." In a flash Blaise and Draco had their wands trained on Michael. There were many things that could be said of Laurida Zabini, that didn't mean they would allow these two imbeciles to get away with it.

Harry chose that moment to literally place himself bewteen the four students. With Harry standing in front of their wands, they had no choice but to lower them. Harry's voice was low, but firm when he spoke.

"Ron, Michael you may have issues with Malfoy and Zabini. Now is neither the time nor the place to deal with them. There are too many other things that we need to deal with here. There is war on the horizon and we need all the help we can get. Myself, Hermione, Luna, Seamus, and Hannah all were present for their questioning and we all agreed that their reasons for being here are sound."

"But Harry...." interrupted Ron. "They could have....."

"No, Ron, they couldn't have, there is no way to avoid the effects of Veritaserum. Hermione did the research, remember? Now let's all get back to work. We need to be prepared. Ron, Michael, please leave Ginny and Neville to finish their conversation with Malfoy and Zabini."

Ron exchanged a look with Michael and they both shrugged. Ron couldn't believe that Harry had just, for all intents and purposes, defended those arrogant gits. Harry definitely had changed this year, he wasn't the same and Ron had no idea what to do about it. He was also irritated that Harry had basically taken him to task in front of a group of their peers. That was unacceptable. Ron gathered his things and stormed out of the room.

Michael, too, was chafed at how Harry had acted and so followed Ron out. He wasn't going to waste time when he was sure the chances of Harry winning the war were slim to none. Besides, hadn't he only joined to be closer to Ginny, only to have the stupid bint dump him two days later?

Harry watched as Draco, Neville, Blaise and Ginny resumed their conversation. The others had stopped what they were doing to watch the confrontation. Harry motioned for them to resume practicing and went to sit on the stairs that lead to the exit. Propping an elbow on his knee, he rested his chin in his hand and thought about plausible ways to deal with Ron's thick headedness. He was at a loss for ideas.

"Harry." At the sound of his name, he glanced up and into the concerned eyes of Luna Lovegood. The diminutive blonde sat down next to him. "You know my father always says that anything worth having is worth working for."

"A rather normal saying for your father, yeah?" As soon as the words slipped out Harry felt bad. Luna had never been anything but good to him, even if she did have some rather fanciful notions. "I'm sorry, Luna that was uncalled for. I'm just at a loss as to what to do."

"It's alright, Harry." Luna reached out and took one if his hands in her own and gently rubbed her thumb over his palm. A jolt of electricity ran through Harry at her touch and he turned surprised eyes Luna's way. She seemed lost in thought as she kept up the gentle ministrations on his hand so he did not speak. However, the sensations she was causing turned more erotic as she softly ran her fingers up and down the length of his forearm. Harry could feel himself getting hard and he tried desperately not to imagine her stroking another more private part of himself.

"Things will work out as they are meant to do. I've got to meet with Professor Sprout about the actual benefits of gnomes in gardens." With a small sigh, Luna stood and headed out the door leaving Harry to wonder if she had felt the pull between them as he had. Shaking his head to clear it of unbidden images of Luna, Harry focused once more on the problem at hand. How would he get Ron's head out of his ass so he could see the benefits of having Malfoy and Zabini on their side?

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~


Hermione sighed and rubbed her eyes tiredly. She had been in the library for what felt like hours, researching various ideas on where the horcruxes could be. Scrolls of parchment were rolled and crumpled around her, testifying to the amount of note taking she had done today. Glancing at her wristwatch, she noted the time and decided to leave off researching for the rest of the day. She packed up her things, slung her bag over one shoulder and headed out the door.

It was late, close to curfew and even though she was Head Girl, it wouldn't do to be caught in the halls by Filch. He'd been getting nastier than he ever had been lately, and she wondered briefly if there wasn't some potion to help improve the squib's dispostion. Probably not, she thought, though part of her felt bad that he had spent his entire life surrounded by magic yet unable to actually do magic himself.

It was late, close to curfew and even though she was Head Girl, it wouldn't do to be caught in the halls by Filch. He'd been getting nastier than he ever had been lately, and she wondered briefly if there wasn't some potion to help improve the squib's dispostion. Probably not, she thought, though part of her felt bad that he had spent his entire life surrounded by magic yet unable to actually do magic himself.

She rounded the corner and came face to face with Theodore Nott. Having not been expecting anybody, she jumped in suprise and took a precautionary step back which caused her to come up against a solid mass. Two large hands gripped her arms, and the voice of Gregory Goyle was heard in her ear.

"Hey, Theo, look whats come to us." His voice was deep, low and entirely too close for Hermione's comfort.

"I didn't come to you, stupid arse, now let me go." Hermione struggled in his ironclad grip. What could these two possibly need from her? They generally ignored her presence in favor of exchanging words with Harry and Ron. She had a sinking feeling that whatever it was it couldn't be good. She twisted, trying to reach a hand into her robes to grasp her wand.

"No, no, pet." Theo drawled. A sly grin forming on his face. He reached out and plucked her wand from her pocket, and twirled it lazily between his fingers. "You won't be needing this." Now unarmed, Hermione began to struggle further, and her breathing became erratic as she tried to loose the death grip that Goyle had on her upper arms. She knew she would definitely have bruises in the morning and hoped that would be all she had to show for this night's troubles.

"She's rather feisty, isn't she Goyle?" Theo asked with a leer that sent chills down her back.

"You ought to try standing behind her when she wiggles like that. Bet she'd feel better naked, for a Mudblood anyway." Theo and Greg shared a dark chuckle over the way Hermione immediately stood completely still.

"There is an empty alcove just over there," Theo pointed to a spot a few steps away, "let's get her in there and get this done with."

Hermione opened her mouth to let out a bloodcurdling scream, but Theo must have sensed she would do this and tucked a rolled hankercheif in her mouth, securing the ends at the back of her head. "Oh, pet, its truly a pity you can't ever shut that lush mouth of yours. I'd love to hear you scream while I took a your body for a ride."

Her heart rate accelarated at an alarming speed. This was Hogwarts, damn it!!! Things like this were not supposed to happen. Before she could try to squirm free, before she could blink, Goyle had her swung up in his arms and strode over to the alcove. He straddled the bench and placed Hermione between his legs, her back to his chest. His arms locked around her body, pinnng her own arms in place by her side.

Hermione kicked frantically. Her feet flew in any direction she could manage, and somehow she got lucky enough to catch Theo on the chin and send him flying backwards. He growled menacingly, "You little bitch, how dare you kick me!" He slapped her hard and her head whipped to the side at the force of the blow. Surely, there would be a bruise there as well as her arms. Her eyes widened in fear when Theo clamped his hands around her ankles, holding them still on the bench.

"You'll pay, filthy Mudblood. I've a gift for you from the Dark Lord." As Theo spoke Hermione's eyes widened in fear. She felt his hands maintain their grip but slide unerringly up her legs, stopping at her knees. God, Merlin, anyone, please get her out of this! "He sends his warmest ah, regards."

In one swift move Theo straddled her thighs, sitting on them to keep her still. "I'm going to remove the gag, bitch, and you best hold your tongue. Lord Voldemort doesn't want me using magic to control you, but he said nothing about violence." So saying, Theo reached into his robes and produced the vial and a sharp dagger. He used the dagger to cut the cloth from her mouth, then held it to her neck.

Hermione remained as still as she could. This was it, she was going to die. Harry and Ron would never forgive themselves, worse she'd never get to graduate Hogwarts or even help them locate and destroy the remaining Horcruxes. She watched as Theo popped the vial in his mouth and rip off the stopper with teeth. "Open wide, bitch." She began to tremble and shake.

"Please, please...don't...don't do this......there's..." She tried to speak but could barely get the words out. Theo pressed the blade deeper into her neck, nipping her and watching as a drop of blood slid slowly down her neck.

"I. Said. Open. Wide. Bitch" Theo bit out each word, barely restraining himself from cutting her more deeply. Hermione must have sensed how close to the edge he truly was because she opened her mouth without another word. Goyle's arms tightened even more as Theo poured the potion down her throat. The thick silvery liquid was bitter and she had to force herself not to gag as she attempted to swallow it all.

Once the vial was empty, Theo placed it back in his robes. A malicious smile formed as he smirked at Greg. "Now that the business portion of our evening is out of the way, what do you say we have some fun with the mudblood?"


A/N: Just a quick thanks to those that read and reviewed! Forgive me for not posting the next chapter sooner, I've been sick the last few weeks! Hope you enjoy!