Disclaimer: This is a non-profit tribute to the works of JK
Rowling who created and, together with her publishers and
licensees, owns the characters and settings elaborated herein.
A/N: Spoilers, seventh year fic, begun after OotP and not
compatible with HBP or DH. Thanks to all my reviewers and
especially to my previewers, Bellegeste and Cecelle and Lady
Memory.  Sorry for the delay. I had anticipated this chapter so
long that when I came to write it all my ideas had gone stale
and I had to labour at draft after draft till it began to gel –
and then do almost as many revisions in the polishing stage. I
hope you'll find it to have been worth waiting for.  It was cold
outside, even with cloaks and scarves and gloves. Hermione and
Hannah hugged themselves while Ron and Ginny stamped up and down
the porch. Only Neville and Luna seemed unaffected, Neville
standing with his hands in his pockets staring at the floor and
Luna staring dreamily up at the sky. Behind them, the door to
the Entry Hall opened.  "Hermione