A New Beginning (Harry & Hermione from "Harry Potter")

Hogwarts

"Have you heard that Bellatrix Lestrange's wand was stolen?" said Neville to Ginny.

"Are you serious? Do you think it could be-"

"Yeah, I reckon it has something to do with Harry," answered Neville. They suddenly heard a noise. The portrait behind them was moving. Both Ginny and Neville turned around.

"Be ready," Ginny warned, pointing her wand at the portrait. "There might be someone dangerous."

The portrait opened. Luna was standing right in front of them.

"Luna! Where have you been? We have been so worried about you," bursted out Ginny, hugging her tightly. She looked concerned.

"Wait, who did you bring with you? Is that a Death Eater?" asked Neville, frightened.

"Ron?" pointed Ginny. "What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with Harry and Hermione?" It didn't seem like a question at all.

All the D.A. members began whispering between each other. They were all surprised to see both Ron and Luna coming from the portrait.

"Is it that obvious that I am Ron? I tried to disguise myself, you know, not to be spotted."

"No, actually. You just scared the heck out of me!" Neville responded.

"Answer my question, Ron. What are you doing here?" insisted Ginny.

Both Ron and Luna told all about how they both got into the dungeon. Ron specifically avoided talking about the Horcruxes. He knew that Harry wouldn't want him to mention them to anybody else.

"You idiot! Why did you leave them?" said Ginny, angrily. "Anyways, if you made up, it's okay. And I'm really sorry about what happened to you, Luna." She seemed upset.

"It's okay, Ron accompanied me inside the dungeon. It wasn't that bad," she said, looking at Ron.

"I still don't understand, what are you looking for in here? What is your plan?" asked Neville.

"I have been talking for quite a long time. You tell us about what you did here when we were away. Where the bloody hell are we?" asked Ron, changing the subject.

"We are in the Room of Requirement. You know, Snape being the headmaster was the worst thing that could happen to this school. Nothing is the same now. We knew that we needed a rebellion, and Ginny and I secretly organized the D.A. again. We haven't left here for two whole weeks," replied Neville.

"That's brilliant of you two," appreciated Ron.

"You still haven't told us what you are up to," Ginny kept saying.

"I cannot tell you, okay? I don't know the whole story either," Ron lied. He knew he wasn't supposed to mention the mission Dumbledore left for Harry. "I can just tell you that we are looking for something like an accessory that has to do with Ravenclaw, but I have no idea-"

"Ravenclaw's lost diadem?" Luna suggested. None of them understood what she meant.

"What is a diadem?" asked Ginny.

"Diadem is some kind of a shiny crown, like a tiara. It belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw."

"But where is it?" inquired Ron.

"It has been lost for hundreds of years, actually. I think it must be somewhere in the castle, but I don't know where it exactly is," said Luna to Ron.

"If only there was someone that we could talk to, I mean, for information. Someone that has been in this castle for ages," Ron wondered.

"Actually, I know that someone. Yeah, I know the perfect person for that. Follow me," Luna called out.

"Are you seriously going to leave this room? It is quite dangerous out there," said Neville.

"I have an alias right now, remember? Even you couldn't recognize who I was. I am now Dragomir Despard, a Death Eater. Imposturing someone from the Dark Side will make me less suspicious. Of course we need to be careful, but we need to take risks too. Besides, Harry left me the Marauders Map. I can see everyone here and can be cautious," said Ron.

"Okay, you two leave then. You know that you can always find us here. The Room of Requirement, thankfully, doesn't open for the Death Eaters because we specifically wished for it. But as you are not a real one Ron, I think it will open for you," explained Ginny.

"We will tell all the D.A. members that you are pretending to be a Death Eater so that they won't attack if they see you, okay? They have seen you coming out of the portrait, I think they will recognize you from now on," said Neville.

"Okay guys, see you! Ron, follow me," said Luna.

"Where are we going?" asked Ron.

"You'll see."

Ron was looking at the map while walking in order to make sure they were safe.

They arrived at a place in the castle where Ron had never been to before.

"Helena? Are you there?" asked Luna.

"Who are you talking-"

Then Ron saw it. It was a young woman's ghost, which frightened him.

"Hi, Luna! Oh, you brought a guest? I've told you that I don't like guests!" the ghost reacted.

"No, don't be bothered, he is a friend of mine," Luna comforted her. "Ron, this is Helena Ravenclaw, Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter. Ron has something to ask you, Helena."

"Hi Ms. Ravenclaw. I wanted to talk to you about the diadem. Do you know where it-"

"I don't know what you are talking about!" shouted Helena. Ron didn't understand.

"I didn't want to offend or anything, ma'am. I guess you have heard of You-Know-Who."

Helena's eyes widened.

"Do not mention him! He is the one that cursed my mother's diadem," shouted Helena. She was crying.

"Look, ma'am, I am on your side. I need to destroy it for it to be cleaned off the-"

"No! One has touched it before, no one should ever touch it again!"

"Helena, we are on your side," said Luna. Helena became quiet. She didn't talk for a while.

"I'm here to save the diadem from that curse, ma'am. But it's only possible if you tell me where it is."

Helena sighed. She had to tell them. That was the only way for the diadem to be cleared off the curse. She opened her mouth as if she was going to say something.

"It is where you find everything you need."

Ron thought for a while but it didn't take so long to understand what she meant.

"Thank you ma'am!" he exclaimed happily. "Luna, let's go!"

"What did she mean?" asked Luna. She was the one who was confused for the first time.

"The Room of Requirement."

"But how is that possible? The D.A. is inside!" exclaimed Luna. Ron was thinking the same. 

"Yeah, that's why we need to get them out of there. It's going to be hard but we need to risk it." Ron replied. "The war may have to begin now."