The Boy Who Lived

A Coven of Witches

They heard Andromeda say, 'I hope you not expecting us to dance naked at midnight, Cissa. I don't think I could cope with that at my age.'

Narcissa raised a scathing eyebrow at her sister. 'I'm not Bella,' she sneered. 'Besides, I imagine Hermione has a far better understanding of what we need to do.'

Molly muttered loudly, 'I don't think my boobs would cope with dancing around naked without a bra on... those days are long gone...'

'You make it sound like you once did,' said Pansy.

'You should try everything once...' said Luna dreamily.

'Everything?' asked Hannah.

'Well, most things... and always try to keep it legal...' said Molly firmly.

'You'd scar Victoire for life if you danced round naked now, mum,' joked Angelina.

'She'd scar me for life,' said Ginny.

'I fed you with these breasts, young woman, you should be more grateful. Why do you think they're the shape they are? They were once quite pert, I'll have you know, but seven children later and my figure is ruined...'

'...MUM! I don't want to hear.'

'Let it be a warning to you all,' said Molly but they all knew she wouldn't change it for the world.

'I'm not doing any howling at the moon,' said Pansy.

'Isn't it supposed to be a full moon for that?' asked Luna but Pansy dug her in the ribs with a sharp elbow.

'Thirteen is a rather unwieldy number,' said Hannah.

'We're not doing any dark magic are we?' said Hebe.

'Certainly not,' said Hermione. 'And no dancing or howling and we're definitely keeping all our clothes on.'

When Hermione stopped in the middle of the lawn that flanked the east and south wings of the hall, Luna said. 'No, Hermione. You know this is the wrong place. The aura is all wrong and out of balance. We need to be in the landscaped gardens on the north side, where the statue is.'

'Do you think so?' said Hermione, nonplussed by Luna's interruption.

'I know so,' said Luna. 'Come on everyone.' And Luna led the party around to the north of the hall.

'What statue?' said Audrey. 'Are we worshipping someone like in a paganistic ritual? Of course, that means we ought to have a blood sacrifice. There should definitely be a sacrifice.' The mousey woman looked strangely excited.

'We are not sacrificing anyone or worshipping pagan deities,' said Hermione forcefully and resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She was beginning to wonder if this was a good idea. Perhaps she could do this by herself.

Then she noticed that Talbot Cholmondeley and the Weasley men were following at a reserved distance. Clearly very wary but also very intrigued. She was definitely having second thoughts, apart from this was Minerva and that's why they were all at the Hall - trying to help in some way.

'We could sacrifice Amycus Carrow...' said Angelina. 'Or just his balls, at the very least.'

'What's going on?' asked Victoire.

'We're going to rescue Teddy's granny using the Magic of the Sisters,' said Fleur.

'Me too?'

'Absolutely you too,' said Narcissa. 'You're very important.'

'I don't want to be sacrificed? Aunty Audrey said there was going to be a sacrifice.'

'You're not going to be sacrificed,' said Hermione, glaring at Audrey, who winced. 'Though I will require a strand of hair from each of you.'