Harry Potter's Visum et Disiderium

A/n: Ok! I am so sorry that I haven't updated on time with this chapter, but my husband just left for Katrina relief (he's military) and I didn't get to write for a while, plus my beta is back in school... evil school, so my update time frame might be a bit longer from now on.... but it'll still be within a week or two. I'm not going to turn into one of those every few month updaters! So thanks to Alex for betaing it! And Enjoy! And review, cause I'll respoond, I always do!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I write for practice not profit.

'The road is long

With many a winding turn.

That leads us to who knows where

Who knows when.'

Neil Diamond, He ain't Heavy, He's my Brother

Chapter 6 - Train of Fools

Harry collapsed against his seat, exhausted. Across from him sat Ron, who was sitting and strangely silent. Luna accompanied him, but as usual her face was hidden beneath an upside down copy of The Quibbler. The trip to the Hogwart's Express had been a rushed and disrupted one. Twice they had to turn back, first because Harry had forgotten Hedwig's cage, and second because Hermione had forgotten her journal. When they finally arrived at Platform 9 3/4's, the train had been ready to pull away. Harry and Hermione had rushed aboard, Hermione dragging Harry to Ron's compartment and shoving him and all their things into it before heading off for the Prefect's meeting.

So Harry sat quietly for a moment, uncomfortable with the silence between he and Ron. What am I supposed to say to him? Hey, how was your summer? Oh by the way, I was just a tad depressed/bitter/angry at my party, so sorry for ignoring you? Harry struggled to think of something to say to Ron as he stared out of the compartment window. His thoughts were interrupted however, by Luna finally glancing up and her shout of laughter. Both Harry and Ron jerked their heads up and stared at her, as she continued to laugh so hard she was clutching her sides.

“Oh, Ron! I'm so sure that the two of you are thinking exactly the same things.. if you could see the identical little expressions on your face...” Luna gasped out. Suddenly she sat up, completely serious once again. “ I suggest you two work this out by the time Hermione gets back, as she'll be really angry if you don't.” she stated in her usual dreamy tone before burying her face in her magazine once again. Harry's eyes widened at the thought of what Hermione would say to them if they still hadn't made it up when she got back. Glancing over, he saw a similar look of fear on Ron's face.

“Well, er, Harry. I'll say many things about Hermione, but she's a right terror to deal with when she's angry. What do you say?” Ron's voice was hesitant as he spoke. Harry stared at him a moment before grinning at him.

“Well, I love her and even I don't like dealing with her angry!” Harry spoke in a wry tone. Ron chuckled roughly at this statement. “ Seriously Ron... this summer, I was – well... I didn't-”

“Don't worry about it Harry! I don't even want to consider how I'd be if I was you!” Ron spoke quickly. Harry heard Luna snort from behind her magazine, followed by a muttered comment about Ron's temper being more than enough to deal with. The tips of Ron's ears turned red at this, as he glared over at his girlfriend. “You know, Luna, the whole point of saying something under your breath is so that others won't hear it!” Ron spoke in a mock angry voice. Luna just peeked over her magazine and blew Ron a kiss in response.

“Ron, I do want to apologize though. You did nothing to me specifically, it's more that you were there, you know? I really am sorry.” Harry spoke lowly, as Ron just waved it off with his hand.

“So, how was your trip to Italy?” Ron asked, waggling his ginger eyebrows suggestively. Harry laughed and began filling Ron in on his summer thus far. Ron interjected with such gems of wisdom as 'Lurky?!! Oh man, - house elf named Lurky! That's just too-' he was cut off at that point by his laughter. When Harry moved on to his vision however, Ron's face became serious, and Luna's appeared as she lowered her magazine.

“Well, “ stated Luna in a soft voice, “what did Rowen and Snape say when you asked them?” Harry looked startled at this question.

“Well, er, I forgot to ask, actually.” he admitted. “We were so rushed this morning because I kept forgetting things, and Hermione and I overslept. I was so tired due to lack of sleep-” Harry was cut off by Ron's expression of mischievous glee.

“Really?! Why'd you oversleep? Exactly what kept you up all night hmm?” Ron asked in a voice dripping with innuendo. Harry felt himself flush, as Luna became his unlikely savior.

“Didn't he just say he had a vision? I'm sure it woke him, and he spoke to Hermione about it.” she answered in a somewhat dry tone. Ron's face fell.

“Oh, well. Yeah. So has Hermione come up with anything yet? I'm sure the library will be her first stop after the sorting!” Ron said in a disgusted tone. Harry just shook his head.

“For your information Ronald Weasly, I will not be going straight to the library. I have my Head Girl duties to consider you know.” Hermione stated as she slid the compartment door shut behind her. She collapsed next to Harry, and leaned back against the seat, her expression annoyed. “ We'll go tomorrow after class.” she finished quickly. Harry stifled his laugh at this.

“So, how'd the meeting go?' Harry asked in a concerned tone. He didn't think that Hermione's expression was caused by Ron alone.

“Ugh, so ridiculous! I swear the Syltherin's get more annoying each year! To top it off; Ernie Macmillan is Head Boy, so I have to deal with his annoying 'I know what's best and am the most wonderful Head Boy to grace this earth' prattle!” Hermione huffed as she spoke. Harry winced in sympathy. Ernie Macmillan was another Fudge in the making, and Harry had dealt with him more than enough during the DA in fifth year. He reached out and stroked Hermione's back soothingly. She leaned into his touch, and seemed to relax a bit.

“Anyway, it's beyond the point. We have to start researching this Walpurgis thing as soon as possible. And that includes you Ron!” Hermione said, glaring in Ron's direction. Ron flushed at her implication.

“Of course I'm going to help! But we shouldn't just go off half cocked either! We should actually talk to Snape about it first!” Ron stopped, aghast. “I- I- can't believe I just said that!” Harry grinned over at Ron.

“Just proves that your finally accepting that Plan Step Daddy worked Ron!” Harry stated in a teasing tone. Ron just glowered at him. At that moment, conversation was cut short however, as the trolley Witch came by, and Harry nearly bought the whole lot. He and Hermione fell on the food, as they had skipped breakfast in their hurry this morning. The compartment was filled with companionable silence as everyone ate, which was later broken by talk of their last school year, lack of the threat of Voldemort, and what their plans were after graduation.

The train finally came to a halt at the Hogsmeade station there was the usual clamor for trunks, and they poured out onto the platform. Harry was heading towards the thestral pulled carriages when he heard a strong voice calling out for the first years. It was Professor Grubby-Plank, who Harry assumed would be taking over Hagrid's position this year. Harry felt a pallor cast over the day that had seemed so bright just moments ago.

As Harry trudged towards the carriages, he pulled himself up in one and sat down. He remained silent the entire trip to the school, as he stared out the window. Despite his high hopes for this year, he had almost forgotten what the defeat of Voldemort had cost him last year. Hagrid would never be here, never again. Harry felt his stomach sink at thought of no more Hagrid, no more tea at his hut, and no more rock cakes to pretend to eat. Harry's spirits began to sink the closer they drew to the school, passing by the very field that had held the final battle not three months ago. Harry stared out at the expanse blindly, feeling only a small warm hand slip into his and hold on tightly.

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Harry sat through the sorting sullenly, hardly paying attention to the sorting hat's song. It's not like it's advice helped us any last year he thought bitterly. His dark thoughts however were overcome by the loud sound emitting from Ron's stomach and Hermione's huffs and eye rolls at each one.

“Honestly Ron! You'd swear you were never fed, when I know for a fact that you just consumed your own wight in Chocolate Frogs!” Hermione snapped across the table at Ron. Ron's face turned red as he mumbled and looked down at the tabletop.

“Hermione, what is wrong with you? Ron is always hungry, and it's not as though he can help his stomach.” Harry admonished gently. Hermione had the grace to look slightly ashamed as she shot an apologetic look at Ron.

“Ron, I'm sorry... I just want this year to go well. I'm Head Girl and I guess I'm just nervous.” Hermione stated softly. Ron and Harry just looked at her as she spoke.

“Hermione, you're going to be a fantastic Head Girl! You've been preparing since first year!” Ron stated, shocked. Hermione shot him a small smile, which grew wider when the food magically appeared and Ron completely forgot everyone around him as he shoveled the food onto his plate. He looked up at Harry and Hermione's sudden laughter. “What's so funny?” he asked in a bewildered tone. Harry just chuckled harder.

“Well, I guess we missed Dumbledore's speech” Harry piled food on his plate as he spoke. He glanced at Hermione, who appeared to be lost in thought. Suddenly her face lit up.

“Oh! I think I've just remembered- but I'd have to check it out... and I can't go to the library right now!” Hermione wailed. She turned and grabbed Harry's arm forcefully. “Harry you have to go to the library for me. I need you to look up Dumbledore's defeat of Grindelwald, and Voldemort's first rise to power.” Harry must have looked a bit reluctant because Hermione's tone became more determined. “ You can take Ron with you! He'll help!” Harry heard a choking sound coming from Ron's direction at that statement. He sighed heavily.

“Alright Hermione. I'll go after dinner. I'm assuming this has something to do with...” Harry trailed off significantly. Hermione nodded frantically.

“Go now! I'll meet you there as soon as I can!” As Hermione spoke she practically pushed Harry off the bench. Harry reluctantly stood and looked at Ron who did everything to avoid Harry's gaze. Hermione delivered a swift kick to his shins under the table however, and Ron jumped up.

“Fine! Fine! I'm going! Just tell Luna where I went alright?” Ron spoke while standing. Hermione nodded in response, and gave them both a proud grin as they turned and walked out the entrance to the great hall. “Mental Harry. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Your girlfriend is mental!”

A few hours later Harry and Ron could be found hunched over and bleary eyed in the deserted library. Even Madame Pince isn't here right now Harry thought tiredly. Ron was slumped over a book across from him, half asleep and half awake muttering about the great Albus Dumbledore. Harry smiled, and glanced back down at the book he was currently reading The Rise and Fall of the Dark Ages. As Harry flipped through it's pages the phrase 'the Knights of Walpurgis' leaped out at him. Harry halted his flipping and gazed down at the book in shock.

“Ron!” Harry hissed. “RON!” Across the table Ron jerked awake. He saved himself just before he fell off his chair, and as he righted himself he glared at Harry.

“What?” Ron hissed back. Though the library was empty, save the two of them, they both spoke in hushed tones, as all the library portraits had been eying them with distrust since they entered the cavernous room.

“I found it! I mean, them. Right here!” Harry jabbed at the page as he spoke in an excited whisper. He glanced down and began to read aloud.

“The Knights of Walpurgis, so named after the Dark Lord Grindelwald initiated his Dark Reign on April 30 1932, on Walpurgis night, were the followers of Grindelwald. Grindelwald himself was defeated in 1945 by the great Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. It has been rumored however that his followers remained true to their cause and would gather yearly on April 30 to celebrate their cause. This theory has been wildly speculated upon, and mostly scoffed at. However, nearly thirty years later when Voldemort rose to power, his followers were also known as Knights. Many scholars theorize that Voldemort himself might have been an original Knight of Grindelwald's, but this theory has never been proved. Only after an attack on the Ministry of Magic in 1979 did Voldemort's followers change their name to Deatheater's, believing this would cause a great impact of fear on the general public. The Knights are named after the Saint Walpurga, who lived in..” Harry stopped reading here.

“It just goes on from there about this Saint whoever..” Harry trailed off and looked up at Ron who was wide awake now, and paying full attention.

“These guys worked for Grindelwald and Voldemort? Harry.... this is bad. Really bad.” Ron's voice was worried as he spoke.

Harry looked at him before standing up saying “We need to find Hermione.”