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Title: Sequere hic astrum
Pairing: Pansy/Ginny, Luna/Hermione, Ginny/Luna
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2200
Summary: On entering her third year at Hogwarts, Ginny discovers that she may join a secret only-witches organization. But joining means having to complete a complex magical assignment with several of her female schoolmates… which could have unexpected consequences on all of them.
Author's Notes: I do hope this suits your request. It was the first time I used the drabble approach and, as you know, it has its restrictions. I’ll be happy to expand in the comments on any aspects of the story that are just suggested or implied.
Notes: no beta, but thanks to K1K3R0 for helping with brainstorming. Slight AU, as in this story the Yule Ball takes place on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas. The title, “Sequitur hic astrum”, is Latin for “Follow this star”, I hope. I’m not a Latin expert.
Warnings: slight AU, femmeslash, a lot of next-gen (but necessary to the plot).
Title: 1. The Hints
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Ginny feels her mother and Hermione are looking at her in a strange way.
Ginny could tell something was going to happen. Her whole family had spent the summer giving hints that this year at Hogwarts would be exceptionally exciting. And strange though it seemed, she was starting to get the funny feeling that whatever was on the way had particularly to do with her. There was that mischievous look her mother gave her lately: an oddly happy, proud-of-her-daughter, bursting-to-tell-her-something look. She wasn’t giving it to her sons, nor to Harry Potter. Hermione Granger also was no longer treating her like a child, but rather looking like she was appraising her... What was on?
Title: 2. The Summons
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Ginny’s daydreaming is interrupted by a strange message.
Author's Notes: Magic in this chapter!
It was late and the common room was almost empty. Ginny tried yet again to concentrate on her homework. A week into her third year, she still couldn’t believe that the Triwizard Tournament would take place here, at Hogwarts. She played with her wand. She was the school champion; Harry Potter was finally noticing her... Suddenly her wand flew out of her hand and started writing fiery words in the air.
“Tomorrow night, find yourself in the common room at a quarter to midnight, ready to follow the female prefects of your house. Do not tell anyone else. Minerva McGonagall.”
Title: 3. The Night
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: When Ginny goes down to the common room, she finds she’s not alone.
Author's Notes: Jeanne is an original character, as none of the female Gryffindor prefects for that year are known.
The following day was a Saturday, and at half past eleven Ginny made ready to go down. To her surprise, her fellow roommates were also awake and dressing. And sure enough, when they reached the common room they found it was full of people… in fact, all the girls in the third year appeared to be there.
“Ok, witches,” said the eldest of the prefects, a girl whom Ginny believed to be called Jeanne, “make three groups. Quickly.”
The third-years complied nervously, and the three female Gryffindor prefects cast Disillusionment charms on their fellow students.
“Now”, said Jeanne, “let’s go.”
Title: 4. The Meeting
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: All the female third-years at Hogwarts have been secretly summoned … what for?
Author's Notes: Regan Rayne is an original character, as we don’t know who was Head Girl in that year.
Quietly they reached a large hall on the first floor, where they were joined by the third-years of the other three houses. Professor McGonagall was waiting for them.
“In your own time,” she barked.
Head Girl Regan Rayne from Ravenclaw cleared up her voice.
“Welcome, girls. We have summoned you here tonight to tell you about the Witchhood, which is short for the Witches of Hogwarts Sisterhood. Traditionally every Hogwarts female student joins in her third year and stays until she leaves the school. So now it’s time for your initiation, but first we need your promise for absolute secrecy...”
Title: 5. The Secret
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: In which we learn more about the Witchhood and its history.
Author's Notes: Have you noticed where the idea of the challenges comes from? *wink*
Unbelievable. A secret, all-female organization that existed within the school since the very beginnings. Its purpose had been at first to create ties between females, both to withstand male domination and to prevent inter-house wars. But it had been so effective that even now, when witches were powerful enough to claim equality openly, they still preferred to rule from the shadows.
Ginny was now entitled to join this secret part of Hogwarts, and to do so she had to design a challenge for other witches to fulfill. So Hermione had told her. She knew very well what she would ask.
Title: 6. The Initiation
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: The secret gathering place and shrine of the Witchhood is revealed.
Author's Notes: Magic in this chapter!
Two weeks later, all the women in the school, teachers included, assembled secretly inside the Forbidden Forest. Regan Rayne waved solemnly her wand, revealing a waterfall and a pond, eerie in the moonlight. In the middle of the waterfall two basins stood on a small outthrust of the rock. One was filled with eternal flames. The other was empty.
“Let the Initiation begin,” said Regan.
Ginny stepped forward, her heart pounding. She drew out the small bit of parchment and Levitated it flawlessly into the fire. The flames glowed brighter. The Head girl nodded approvingly.
“You have proven yourself worthy.”
Title: 7. The Wait
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: More explanations about the challenges and the functioning of the Witchhood.
Author's Notes: By now you must have recognized where the inspiration for the challenges system came from! And no, I’m not talking about the Triwizard Tournament.
The tasks faced by the Witchhood members were not so different from the Triwizard Tournament, thought Ginny. A bit like the Goblet of Fire, the Shrine would mix the challenges and reassign them to groups of students capable of fulfilling them. Each witch had to perform skilled magic to retrieve her assignment, and then face the challenge itself.
Meanwhile, the school was bursting with excitement about the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations.
“There will be a lot of flirt-related challenges this year,” said Hermione. Third-years were eager for information, and she shared it willingly, remembering her own anxiousness the year before.
Title: 8. The Challenge
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: We finally get to know what Ginny will have to do, where... and with whom. Also more about how the Shrine works.
Author's Notes: Flying!
Halloween. Harry Potter had been chosen as champion, and Ginny Weasley needed to concentrate. She soared on her borrowed broom and landed on the outthrust, water-filled the basin and gazed into its depths. Her name appeared, followed by...
“Hermione Granger. Luna Lovegood. And...” she grunted, “Pansy Parkinson.”
In turns, the three girls visited the outthrust and uncovered the rest of the challenge.
“Design a spell and counter-spell that will make the receiver see the caster as the most attractive person on earth.”
To do it, they would stay on the rock island in the lake, after Christmas, for five days.
Title: 9. The Preparations
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione/Luna/Pansy
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: No story with Hermione in it can be complete without a lot of library-time.
They spent the following weeks reading books about spell-making, love magic, concealment magic, and survival in the wild. Working with people from different houses and years wasn’t easy: they had different mindsets, different schedules, and they couldn’t meet openly without raising eyebrows. It was good to have Hermione in the group. She did most of the research and conveyed the results to the others. Luna was weird, but refreshingly truthful. Pansy was clever enough to keep mocking them in public, but privately she was funny and eager to fit in.
Finally, the moment came for their stay in the lake.
Title: 10. The Cave
Pairing: Hermione/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Hermione amazes everyone... as usual.
Author's Notes: I know it took a long time to get here, but it was the only device I found to get the four girls together AND kind of buried under the snow for Christmas AND with a slight possibility of attraction occurring between them. I know I could just have written a plain love story with any two of them, but well... I like weird plots and you did say “any combo”. Also, this drabble was added after the rest of the story was written. It isn’t strictly necessary, but I thought it was good to have a faint idea of the settings in which they would spend five days.
They reached the island at night, carefully avoiding the ship of Durmstrang. The rock island was smaller than the Gryffindor common room and densely wooded. In the middle, following Professor McGonagall’s instructions, they found the entrance to the cave that was to be their home for five days.
As soon as they were in and the entrance was sealed, Hermione started waving her wand in all directions. Very soon a fire roared in the middle of the cave, their provisions were stored on newly carved shelves and their bedrolls expanded into comfortable mattresses. Hermione beamed.
“I learned some extra spells.”
Title: 11. The Question
Pairing: Hermione/Pansy
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: It can be kind of awkward to create a love spell.
Author's Notes: My take on how new spells are created.
“I’ve read all I could about spell-making,” said Hermione, calling them to attention. “First, you have to picture very precisely the effect you want in your head, and cast the spell using any of the standard words and wand movements for new spells. Then you must find through trial and error the incantation and wand movement that will most powerfully channel the spell you are inventing. The same process applies to create a counter-spell.”
“We know this, Hermione,” said Pansy impatiently. “We know what spell we want to produce. The question is: who wants to be on the receiving end?”
Title: 12. The Problem
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione/Luna/Pansy
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Slytherin bad qualities are good sometimes.
“We take it in turns”, said Luna.
They tried. But none of them liked the idea of casting an experimental spell on their sisters, nor that of getting a love declaration for it.
“I don’t feel anything,” said Luna, and Ginny lowered her wand despondently.
“It’s hopeless,” she said. “The only one who makes any effect is Pansy.”
“Draco’s been ignoring me for years,” replied the Slytherin girl darkly. “He’s taking me to the Yule Ball, if I have to hex myself a hundred times.”
“That is a powerful motivation,” said Ginny, thoughtfully. “Maybe you should think about Ron, Hermione.”
Title: 13. The Argument
Pairing: Hermione/Luna, Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Hermione and Luna have a different view on things.
Author's Notes: Now this is implied, but being stuck together in a small, closed and uncomfortable place must be a tough test for their nerves. The tension we see in this chapter is at least partly due to that.
“We’ve already lost one day,” fretted Hermione.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t follow this method,” said Luna. “Maybe we should try some different words. These don’t inspire me.”
“You want to cast a spell without knowing any of its elements?” asked Hermione incredulously. “Tampering with magic can have disastrous consequences, I thought as a Ravenclaw you would be smart enough to know!”
“I know,” said Luna icily. “My mother died in an experiment. That doesn’t mean you should follow the rules when the rules don’t work. I thought as a Gryffindor, you would be brave enough to know.”
“Oh, no,” sighed Ginny.
Title: 14. The Spark
Pairing: Ginny/Luna, Ginny/Pansy
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: When Hermione and Luna refuse to cooperate, Ginny and Pansy decide to take matters into their own hands.
Author's Notes: Warning: it gets hotter in this chapter.
Luna sat in a corner muttering incantations, while Hermione looked crossly the other way. “Look, you two, we have to work together.”
“Hermione wants everyone to follow her directions. That’s not working together,” replied Luna calmly, and Ginny couldn’t argue with that.
“Okay. Pansy! I want to get this spell, and I don’t care if I declare undying love for you a dozen times in the process.”
“Same here,” said Pansy, grinning.
“Fine. Let’s practice together. You first?”
Pansy waved her wand at Ginny Weasley, who suddenly found she wanted nothing more than to kiss this brave, funny, resolute girl.
Title: 15. The Power
Pairing: Pansy/Ginny
Rating: PG
Word Count: 100
Summary:
Author's Notes: Femmeslash.
Pansy and Ginny were locked in a fierce kiss. Luna watched them with mild interest, Hermione with open-mouthed astonishment. If she was amazed at the shamelessness of their conduct or the effectiveness of the spell, none could tell.
Ginny pulled apart, staring passionately into Pansy’s face.
“I love Harry, but I swear you’re the most attractive person on earth. I can’t understand how that git Malfoy doesn’t see it.”
“Now that means the spell works,” laughed Pansy. “I feel so powerful, it’s great. I don’t want to take advantage, though.”
“There’s a solution,” said Ginny, and she lifted her wand.
Title: 16. The Confession
Pairing: Pansy/Ginny, Hermione/Pansy/Ginny/Luna
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: How do you find a counter-spell when the spell feels so good?
Author's Notes: Femmeslash. More on what it’s like to be stuck together in a cave.
For several hours, Ginny and Pansy were completely oblivious to their surroundings. It was a full day before they summoned the courage to try for a counter-curse that would end their bliss. And another day before they removed enough of the spell’s effects to be themselves again. When they did, the four girls laughed at each other in embarrassment.
“We couldn’t do anything,” said Hermione. “Only the caster can remove the spell.”
Later that night, as they lay huddled together to keep warm, Pansy asked:
“Ginny? Did you mind?”
“Honestly, no. It felt good to be kissed.”
“For me too.”
Title: 17. The Surrender
Pairing: Hermione/Ginny, Luna/Hermione
Rating: PG
Word Count: 100
Summary: Hermione gets more than she expected and Luna amazes everyone… as she does, sometimes.
Author's Notes: Femmeslash and an unexpected (implied) revelation. I also wanted to fit some of the tried incantations in this drabble, but the word count was so limited that even the words of the final spell didn’t make it in! However, at least you know now what the title means.
They had now tried dozens of incantations and movements.
“It’s still too weak,” sighed Hermione in frustration. “It will only work if the target is willing, stays still and keeps eye contact with the caster.”
“Like that’ll happen,” said Ginny.
Luna, who had kept out of everything since her row with Hermione, now flicked casually her wand. Hermione felt her knees go weak. She knew it was madness, but Luna was so desirable that in spite of herself she moved forward, knelt down and kissed the pale-haired girl’s lips. Luna returned the kiss slowly, voluptuously, expertly.
Ginny and Pansy stared.
Title: 18. The Screen
Pairing: Luna/Hermione
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Where the wisdom of Ravenclaw is too much for Gryffindor.
Author's Notes: Warnings: bombshell! If you didn’t get it in the drabble above, now you should. Also: new magic!
Luna flicked her wand again, and Hermione staggered backwards, horror-stricken.
“How in the name of everything did you do that?”
“It’s not in the books,” said Luna. “But I can show you.”
She touched the tip of the wand to her head and waved it away. A swirl of silver flew through the air, expanding until it filled one side of the cave. They watched mesmerized as Luna’s wand aimed at a moving, back-turning, unsuspecting Hermione.
“I felt a bit bad doing it, because I like kissing girls,” said Luna conversationally. “It was kind of a dilemma.”
Hermione looked sick.
Title: 19. The Lesson
Pairing: Luna/Hermione, Ginny/Luna
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Where Ravenclaw beats Gryffindor for honour, Hufflepuff for kindness and Slytherin for determination.
“You had no right to do it!” she screamed.
“I thought you needed a lesson,” said Luna simply. “You’re good with spells, but you only believe in what you see. That’s dangerous, it makes you vulnerable. You were unprepared for my spell, because you thought it was impossible. Someone really evil would use that against you. We’re sisters, I don’t want you harmed.”
“It was awesome, Luna,” said Ginny. “I’ll never say that I don’t believe in Scrumpling Norcacks again. I swear.”
“You mean Crumple-Horned Snorkacks,” said Luna.
“Exactly. By the way, you need to show us that memory trick.”
Title: 20. The Ball
Pairing: Hermione/Ginny
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: In which Pansy gets her wish… and her revenge.
“So, you didn’t use it,” said Hermione, watching Harry stare at Cho Chang.
“No. I wouldn’t wish that spell on anyone I cared about. Besides, I want him to notice me for my own sake.”
Hermione nodded, sipping her drink.
“Viktor looks really fond of you,” said Ginny, impressed.
Hermione blushed.
“Well, I did use the spell. Not that it was necessary. But I really thought it would make the evening more enjoyable for him.” After a pause, she added, “There’s Pansy dancing with Draco. I can’t believe she’s put on her ugliest dress.”
Ginny chuckled.
“Slytherins will be Slytherins...”
Title: 21. The Friends
Pairing: Pansy/Hermione, implied Ginny/Luna
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: In which Slytherin mentality rubs off on Gryffindor.
Author's Notes: This drabble was also added after the rest of the story was written. The idea was to show the benefits of the Witchhood, and also to introduce another femmeslash pairing in the story (to atone for the briefness of the first two).
Pansy and Hermione met for a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks.
“You know, I’m so grateful to the Witchhood. I never thought having sisters from different houses could mean so much to me.”
Hermione smiled.
“How’s it going with Draco?”
“Lovely,” said Pansy, a wicked grin spreading over her face. “How are Ginny and Luna?”
“Very happy. Ginny won’t use the spell on Harry, but she says she needs kissing experience for when he’ll notice her. I wonder if you’re a good influence for her.”
“Me! Why?”
“Seems quite a Slytherin-like attitude to me. Still, Luna obviously doesn’t mind, so…”
Title: 22. The Solution
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Finally, Ginny holds the key to achieve her wish.
Author's Notes: Again, I wish I could have given more examples of what the other Witchhood sisters had been up to, but space was too short *sigh*. Also, let me hint that the choices I made (the spell that Ginny gets, as well as the fact of having the girls design a love spell, and not a love potion) follow a long reflection on practical and ethical issues concerning the use of magic. If you wish, I can tell you more about it in the comments. Thanks for reading!
Summer had come. Once again, the female half of Hogwarts was assembled before the waterfall, to witness the results of the year’s challenges. There were all kinds of clever, useful or simply beautiful magic: as Hermione had predicted, love-related spells and potions were in plenty, but there were also defensive spells, healing potions and all sorts of ingenious artifacts for knowledge or daily life.
Group after group performed, till...
“The Confidence Charm is a self-casting spell that will boost the caster’s confidence for several hours, thus enhancing her best qualities and making her more attractive…”
Ginny’s eyes filled with tears.
Recipient: The
rarepair_shorts CommunityTitle: Sequere hic astrum
Pairing: Pansy/Ginny, Luna/Hermione, Ginny/Luna
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2200
Summary: On entering her third year at Hogwarts, Ginny discovers that she may join a secret only-witches organization. But joining means having to complete a complex magical assignment with several of her female schoolmates… which could have unexpected consequences on all of them.
Author's Notes: I do hope this suits your request. It was the first time I used the drabble approach and, as you know, it has its restrictions. I’ll be happy to expand in the comments on any aspects of the story that are just suggested or implied.
Notes: no beta, but thanks to K1K3R0 for helping with brainstorming. Slight AU, as in this story the Yule Ball takes place on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas. The title, “Sequitur hic astrum”, is Latin for “Follow this star”, I hope. I’m not a Latin expert.
Warnings: slight AU, femmeslash, a lot of next-gen (but necessary to the plot).
Title: 1. The Hints
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Ginny feels her mother and Hermione are looking at her in a strange way.
Ginny could tell something was going to happen. Her whole family had spent the summer giving hints that this year at Hogwarts would be exceptionally exciting. And strange though it seemed, she was starting to get the funny feeling that whatever was on the way had particularly to do with her. There was that mischievous look her mother gave her lately: an oddly happy, proud-of-her-daughter, bursting-to-tell-her-something look. She wasn’t giving it to her sons, nor to Harry Potter. Hermione Granger also was no longer treating her like a child, but rather looking like she was appraising her... What was on?
Title: 2. The Summons
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Ginny’s daydreaming is interrupted by a strange message.
Author's Notes: Magic in this chapter!
It was late and the common room was almost empty. Ginny tried yet again to concentrate on her homework. A week into her third year, she still couldn’t believe that the Triwizard Tournament would take place here, at Hogwarts. She played with her wand. She was the school champion; Harry Potter was finally noticing her... Suddenly her wand flew out of her hand and started writing fiery words in the air.
“Tomorrow night, find yourself in the common room at a quarter to midnight, ready to follow the female prefects of your house. Do not tell anyone else. Minerva McGonagall.”
Title: 3. The Night
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: When Ginny goes down to the common room, she finds she’s not alone.
Author's Notes: Jeanne is an original character, as none of the female Gryffindor prefects for that year are known.
The following day was a Saturday, and at half past eleven Ginny made ready to go down. To her surprise, her fellow roommates were also awake and dressing. And sure enough, when they reached the common room they found it was full of people… in fact, all the girls in the third year appeared to be there.
“Ok, witches,” said the eldest of the prefects, a girl whom Ginny believed to be called Jeanne, “make three groups. Quickly.”
The third-years complied nervously, and the three female Gryffindor prefects cast Disillusionment charms on their fellow students.
“Now”, said Jeanne, “let’s go.”
Title: 4. The Meeting
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: All the female third-years at Hogwarts have been secretly summoned … what for?
Author's Notes: Regan Rayne is an original character, as we don’t know who was Head Girl in that year.
Quietly they reached a large hall on the first floor, where they were joined by the third-years of the other three houses. Professor McGonagall was waiting for them.
“In your own time,” she barked.
Head Girl Regan Rayne from Ravenclaw cleared up her voice.
“Welcome, girls. We have summoned you here tonight to tell you about the Witchhood, which is short for the Witches of Hogwarts Sisterhood. Traditionally every Hogwarts female student joins in her third year and stays until she leaves the school. So now it’s time for your initiation, but first we need your promise for absolute secrecy...”
Title: 5. The Secret
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: In which we learn more about the Witchhood and its history.
Author's Notes: Have you noticed where the idea of the challenges comes from? *wink*
Unbelievable. A secret, all-female organization that existed within the school since the very beginnings. Its purpose had been at first to create ties between females, both to withstand male domination and to prevent inter-house wars. But it had been so effective that even now, when witches were powerful enough to claim equality openly, they still preferred to rule from the shadows.
Ginny was now entitled to join this secret part of Hogwarts, and to do so she had to design a challenge for other witches to fulfill. So Hermione had told her. She knew very well what she would ask.
Title: 6. The Initiation
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: The secret gathering place and shrine of the Witchhood is revealed.
Author's Notes: Magic in this chapter!
Two weeks later, all the women in the school, teachers included, assembled secretly inside the Forbidden Forest. Regan Rayne waved solemnly her wand, revealing a waterfall and a pond, eerie in the moonlight. In the middle of the waterfall two basins stood on a small outthrust of the rock. One was filled with eternal flames. The other was empty.
“Let the Initiation begin,” said Regan.
Ginny stepped forward, her heart pounding. She drew out the small bit of parchment and Levitated it flawlessly into the fire. The flames glowed brighter. The Head girl nodded approvingly.
“You have proven yourself worthy.”
Title: 7. The Wait
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: More explanations about the challenges and the functioning of the Witchhood.
Author's Notes: By now you must have recognized where the inspiration for the challenges system came from! And no, I’m not talking about the Triwizard Tournament.
The tasks faced by the Witchhood members were not so different from the Triwizard Tournament, thought Ginny. A bit like the Goblet of Fire, the Shrine would mix the challenges and reassign them to groups of students capable of fulfilling them. Each witch had to perform skilled magic to retrieve her assignment, and then face the challenge itself.
Meanwhile, the school was bursting with excitement about the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang delegations.
“There will be a lot of flirt-related challenges this year,” said Hermione. Third-years were eager for information, and she shared it willingly, remembering her own anxiousness the year before.
Title: 8. The Challenge
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: We finally get to know what Ginny will have to do, where... and with whom. Also more about how the Shrine works.
Author's Notes: Flying!
Halloween. Harry Potter had been chosen as champion, and Ginny Weasley needed to concentrate. She soared on her borrowed broom and landed on the outthrust, water-filled the basin and gazed into its depths. Her name appeared, followed by...
“Hermione Granger. Luna Lovegood. And...” she grunted, “Pansy Parkinson.”
In turns, the three girls visited the outthrust and uncovered the rest of the challenge.
“Design a spell and counter-spell that will make the receiver see the caster as the most attractive person on earth.”
To do it, they would stay on the rock island in the lake, after Christmas, for five days.
Title: 9. The Preparations
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione/Luna/Pansy
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: No story with Hermione in it can be complete without a lot of library-time.
They spent the following weeks reading books about spell-making, love magic, concealment magic, and survival in the wild. Working with people from different houses and years wasn’t easy: they had different mindsets, different schedules, and they couldn’t meet openly without raising eyebrows. It was good to have Hermione in the group. She did most of the research and conveyed the results to the others. Luna was weird, but refreshingly truthful. Pansy was clever enough to keep mocking them in public, but privately she was funny and eager to fit in.
Finally, the moment came for their stay in the lake.
Title: 10. The Cave
Pairing: Hermione/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Hermione amazes everyone... as usual.
Author's Notes: I know it took a long time to get here, but it was the only device I found to get the four girls together AND kind of buried under the snow for Christmas AND with a slight possibility of attraction occurring between them. I know I could just have written a plain love story with any two of them, but well... I like weird plots and you did say “any combo”. Also, this drabble was added after the rest of the story was written. It isn’t strictly necessary, but I thought it was good to have a faint idea of the settings in which they would spend five days.
They reached the island at night, carefully avoiding the ship of Durmstrang. The rock island was smaller than the Gryffindor common room and densely wooded. In the middle, following Professor McGonagall’s instructions, they found the entrance to the cave that was to be their home for five days.
As soon as they were in and the entrance was sealed, Hermione started waving her wand in all directions. Very soon a fire roared in the middle of the cave, their provisions were stored on newly carved shelves and their bedrolls expanded into comfortable mattresses. Hermione beamed.
“I learned some extra spells.”
Title: 11. The Question
Pairing: Hermione/Pansy
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: It can be kind of awkward to create a love spell.
Author's Notes: My take on how new spells are created.
“I’ve read all I could about spell-making,” said Hermione, calling them to attention. “First, you have to picture very precisely the effect you want in your head, and cast the spell using any of the standard words and wand movements for new spells. Then you must find through trial and error the incantation and wand movement that will most powerfully channel the spell you are inventing. The same process applies to create a counter-spell.”
“We know this, Hermione,” said Pansy impatiently. “We know what spell we want to produce. The question is: who wants to be on the receiving end?”
Title: 12. The Problem
Pairing: Ginny/Hermione/Luna/Pansy
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Slytherin bad qualities are good sometimes.
“We take it in turns”, said Luna.
They tried. But none of them liked the idea of casting an experimental spell on their sisters, nor that of getting a love declaration for it.
“I don’t feel anything,” said Luna, and Ginny lowered her wand despondently.
“It’s hopeless,” she said. “The only one who makes any effect is Pansy.”
“Draco’s been ignoring me for years,” replied the Slytherin girl darkly. “He’s taking me to the Yule Ball, if I have to hex myself a hundred times.”
“That is a powerful motivation,” said Ginny, thoughtfully. “Maybe you should think about Ron, Hermione.”
Title: 13. The Argument
Pairing: Hermione/Luna, Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Hermione and Luna have a different view on things.
Author's Notes: Now this is implied, but being stuck together in a small, closed and uncomfortable place must be a tough test for their nerves. The tension we see in this chapter is at least partly due to that.
“We’ve already lost one day,” fretted Hermione.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t follow this method,” said Luna. “Maybe we should try some different words. These don’t inspire me.”
“You want to cast a spell without knowing any of its elements?” asked Hermione incredulously. “Tampering with magic can have disastrous consequences, I thought as a Ravenclaw you would be smart enough to know!”
“I know,” said Luna icily. “My mother died in an experiment. That doesn’t mean you should follow the rules when the rules don’t work. I thought as a Gryffindor, you would be brave enough to know.”
“Oh, no,” sighed Ginny.
Title: 14. The Spark
Pairing: Ginny/Luna, Ginny/Pansy
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: When Hermione and Luna refuse to cooperate, Ginny and Pansy decide to take matters into their own hands.
Author's Notes: Warning: it gets hotter in this chapter.
Luna sat in a corner muttering incantations, while Hermione looked crossly the other way. “Look, you two, we have to work together.”
“Hermione wants everyone to follow her directions. That’s not working together,” replied Luna calmly, and Ginny couldn’t argue with that.
“Okay. Pansy! I want to get this spell, and I don’t care if I declare undying love for you a dozen times in the process.”
“Same here,” said Pansy, grinning.
“Fine. Let’s practice together. You first?”
Pansy waved her wand at Ginny Weasley, who suddenly found she wanted nothing more than to kiss this brave, funny, resolute girl.
Title: 15. The Power
Pairing: Pansy/Ginny
Rating: PG
Word Count: 100
Summary:
Author's Notes: Femmeslash.
Pansy and Ginny were locked in a fierce kiss. Luna watched them with mild interest, Hermione with open-mouthed astonishment. If she was amazed at the shamelessness of their conduct or the effectiveness of the spell, none could tell.
Ginny pulled apart, staring passionately into Pansy’s face.
“I love Harry, but I swear you’re the most attractive person on earth. I can’t understand how that git Malfoy doesn’t see it.”
“Now that means the spell works,” laughed Pansy. “I feel so powerful, it’s great. I don’t want to take advantage, though.”
“There’s a solution,” said Ginny, and she lifted her wand.
Title: 16. The Confession
Pairing: Pansy/Ginny, Hermione/Pansy/Ginny/Luna
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: How do you find a counter-spell when the spell feels so good?
Author's Notes: Femmeslash. More on what it’s like to be stuck together in a cave.
For several hours, Ginny and Pansy were completely oblivious to their surroundings. It was a full day before they summoned the courage to try for a counter-curse that would end their bliss. And another day before they removed enough of the spell’s effects to be themselves again. When they did, the four girls laughed at each other in embarrassment.
“We couldn’t do anything,” said Hermione. “Only the caster can remove the spell.”
Later that night, as they lay huddled together to keep warm, Pansy asked:
“Ginny? Did you mind?”
“Honestly, no. It felt good to be kissed.”
“For me too.”
Title: 17. The Surrender
Pairing: Hermione/Ginny, Luna/Hermione
Rating: PG
Word Count: 100
Summary: Hermione gets more than she expected and Luna amazes everyone… as she does, sometimes.
Author's Notes: Femmeslash and an unexpected (implied) revelation. I also wanted to fit some of the tried incantations in this drabble, but the word count was so limited that even the words of the final spell didn’t make it in! However, at least you know now what the title means.
They had now tried dozens of incantations and movements.
“It’s still too weak,” sighed Hermione in frustration. “It will only work if the target is willing, stays still and keeps eye contact with the caster.”
“Like that’ll happen,” said Ginny.
Luna, who had kept out of everything since her row with Hermione, now flicked casually her wand. Hermione felt her knees go weak. She knew it was madness, but Luna was so desirable that in spite of herself she moved forward, knelt down and kissed the pale-haired girl’s lips. Luna returned the kiss slowly, voluptuously, expertly.
Ginny and Pansy stared.
Title: 18. The Screen
Pairing: Luna/Hermione
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Where the wisdom of Ravenclaw is too much for Gryffindor.
Author's Notes: Warnings: bombshell! If you didn’t get it in the drabble above, now you should. Also: new magic!
Luna flicked her wand again, and Hermione staggered backwards, horror-stricken.
“How in the name of everything did you do that?”
“It’s not in the books,” said Luna. “But I can show you.”
She touched the tip of the wand to her head and waved it away. A swirl of silver flew through the air, expanding until it filled one side of the cave. They watched mesmerized as Luna’s wand aimed at a moving, back-turning, unsuspecting Hermione.
“I felt a bit bad doing it, because I like kissing girls,” said Luna conversationally. “It was kind of a dilemma.”
Hermione looked sick.
Title: 19. The Lesson
Pairing: Luna/Hermione, Ginny/Luna
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Where Ravenclaw beats Gryffindor for honour, Hufflepuff for kindness and Slytherin for determination.
“You had no right to do it!” she screamed.
“I thought you needed a lesson,” said Luna simply. “You’re good with spells, but you only believe in what you see. That’s dangerous, it makes you vulnerable. You were unprepared for my spell, because you thought it was impossible. Someone really evil would use that against you. We’re sisters, I don’t want you harmed.”
“It was awesome, Luna,” said Ginny. “I’ll never say that I don’t believe in Scrumpling Norcacks again. I swear.”
“You mean Crumple-Horned Snorkacks,” said Luna.
“Exactly. By the way, you need to show us that memory trick.”
Title: 20. The Ball
Pairing: Hermione/Ginny
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: In which Pansy gets her wish… and her revenge.
“So, you didn’t use it,” said Hermione, watching Harry stare at Cho Chang.
“No. I wouldn’t wish that spell on anyone I cared about. Besides, I want him to notice me for my own sake.”
Hermione nodded, sipping her drink.
“Viktor looks really fond of you,” said Ginny, impressed.
Hermione blushed.
“Well, I did use the spell. Not that it was necessary. But I really thought it would make the evening more enjoyable for him.” After a pause, she added, “There’s Pansy dancing with Draco. I can’t believe she’s put on her ugliest dress.”
Ginny chuckled.
“Slytherins will be Slytherins...”
Title: 21. The Friends
Pairing: Pansy/Hermione, implied Ginny/Luna
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: In which Slytherin mentality rubs off on Gryffindor.
Author's Notes: This drabble was also added after the rest of the story was written. The idea was to show the benefits of the Witchhood, and also to introduce another femmeslash pairing in the story (to atone for the briefness of the first two).
Pansy and Hermione met for a Butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks.
“You know, I’m so grateful to the Witchhood. I never thought having sisters from different houses could mean so much to me.”
Hermione smiled.
“How’s it going with Draco?”
“Lovely,” said Pansy, a wicked grin spreading over her face. “How are Ginny and Luna?”
“Very happy. Ginny won’t use the spell on Harry, but she says she needs kissing experience for when he’ll notice her. I wonder if you’re a good influence for her.”
“Me! Why?”
“Seems quite a Slytherin-like attitude to me. Still, Luna obviously doesn’t mind, so…”
Title: 22. The Solution
Pairing: Ginny/No pairing
Rating: G
Word Count: 100
Summary: Finally, Ginny holds the key to achieve her wish.
Author's Notes: Again, I wish I could have given more examples of what the other Witchhood sisters had been up to, but space was too short *sigh*. Also, let me hint that the choices I made (the spell that Ginny gets, as well as the fact of having the girls design a love spell, and not a love potion) follow a long reflection on practical and ethical issues concerning the use of magic. If you wish, I can tell you more about it in the comments. Thanks for reading!
Summer had come. Once again, the female half of Hogwarts was assembled before the waterfall, to witness the results of the year’s challenges. There were all kinds of clever, useful or simply beautiful magic: as Hermione had predicted, love-related spells and potions were in plenty, but there were also defensive spells, healing potions and all sorts of ingenious artifacts for knowledge or daily life.
Group after group performed, till...
“The Confidence Charm is a self-casting spell that will boost the caster’s confidence for several hours, thus enhancing her best qualities and making her more attractive…”
Ginny’s eyes filled with tears.
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Date: 2014-01-18 12:56 pm (UTC)I loved the insight on how spells are created, and the mix of Ravenclaw openness, Slytherin ruthlessness and Gryffindor boldness. When together, they can produce powerful combinations indeed. I also loved Hermione receiving a lesson in magic from someone else. Thanks for this fic!