Heroes of Hogwarts: Being Brave is Believing in Yourself

Chapter 39

At Camp Jupiter:
Luna ducked, threw an "Expulso" spell behind her, and hit the ground. She rolled to the left, cast another quick "Stupefy," and shot up like a a bullet. She leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding being shish-ka-bobbed, and took off running in the throng. She passed demigods standing their ground against the enemy, and helped them by using a "Confundus" charm, and ended up next to Neville.

"'Ello again, matey!" She said cheerfully.

Neville shot her a smile. They stood back to back, and spells, jinxes, and charms positively flew from their wands.

After what felt like forever, Neville yelled, "HIT THE DECK!"

Luna collapsed and fireballs shot out from Neville's wand. As the smoke descended onto the crowd of fighters, everyone was momentarily confused. Luna seized the moment and grasped Neville's hand, coughing.

"I...sent...the Patronus." Luna gasped. "Hermione's coming!"

Neville lightly kissed her cheek. "Good. We're going to need her."

The smoke started to clear, and the couples' predicament became all-too real.

Luna sighed. "Will things ever be calm?"

Neville laughed. "With us? No way, José."

He stood up and levitated some chunks of the aqueduct off the ground. He let them fall on some of the approaching enemy.

As Luna fought with all she had, she thought of what she'd seen today. Ginny had been captured. New Rome and Camp Jupiter had been submerged in a sea of Chaos. Very slowly, the demigods were fighting and slowly extracting themselves from Chaos's icy depths.

And it appeared they were being dunked back into the stinging sea spray with every new wave of enemy warriors.

"We. Don't. Even. Know. Who. We're. Fighting. Against!" Luna exclaimed as she flicked her wrist and sent fallen soldiers' swords into enemy arms and legs.

Just then, Hermione's Patronus vaporized in front of Luna, portrayed a quick message, and evaporated just as quickly as it had appeared. Frustrated she didn't hear any of the message, Luna screamed in rage. Usually she was very patient and whimsical, yes, but sometimes even the strongest need to let loose. As she screamed, waves of "Stupefy" energy flooded over the enemy. They fell to the ground. Neville caught Luna's eye.

"Didn't know you had it in you." He said calmly.

Luna frowned. "This is all we ever do. Fight. It's time we do something to stop it."

"What do you suggest-a Peace Treaty?"

"No, I was thinking more along the lines of seducing everyone to peace with candy."

"Hmm...maybe Chocolate Frogs?"

"Perhaps," Luna said, grinning now.

Neville simply tossed his head back and gave a laugh. "Ah, hex it!"

He sent a jinx towards a soldier staggering to their feet.

Luna slowly recollected her thoughts. Just as she was wondering where she could find some Crumple-Horned Snorksnack horns to give out for good luck, a blinding light made her squint.

"Hi," Hermione said as she Apparated in front of Luna. "How may I help you?"

Luna let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. "We need to find Ginny."

There was no doubt-they had to do that first. Ginny was their friend and an important member to their squad. She was always there for them; they had to return the favor sometime. Now was that time.

"Who did you see take her?" Paisley said as she stepped into Luna's line of vision.

"Er...some girl. And boy. The boy had blue eyes, bluer than you've ever seen. I didn't get a good look at the girl, though." As Luna talked, Neville joined them and cast a protective barrier around them.

"Let's go find Ginny, then. Who should we ask?" Paisley said, and made an expansive gesture with her whole arm.

Hermione laughed bitterly. "Pais, are you suggesting we ask the enemy to tell us where their headquarters are? Even that's too crazy to think of!"

Paisley tsked. "'Mione, 'Mione! Will you ever be irrational, and hope for once?"

Hermione crossed her arms. "What's the point of that?!"

Luna stepped in. "Let's just go with Paisley's idea. It's our best shot."

After a glare and a nod, the group made their way over to a wounded figure. It looked like a girl, with a helmet of silver with nonsensical engravings in it.

"Cheerio!" Neville said cheerfully. "Would you mind telling us some important information?"

The girl took off her helmet. Her silky brown hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her black eyes flashes violently. However, she was pinned to the floor with a spear through her leg, thanks to Luna's flick of the wrist earlier.

"Never," the girl grunted.

Hermione grimaced. "That looks like it hurts. Would you like some assistance?"

The girl snarled. "Get away from me, Mudblood!"

Hermione staggered back. Luna knew her friend hadn't been called that in a while, and the rude nickname reopened a lot of old wounds. But Hermione was interested in something else.

"How did you know that phrase? You hardly look like a witch." Hermione asked suspiciously.

The girl spat at her. "Back off!"

Paisley knelt down by the girl and held her wand threateningly in front of her nose. "Let me rephrase our requests-you give us whatever knowledge we require in exchange for your puny life."

The girl's violent barriers came crashing down. She put her hands over her eyes. "My brother was Ethan Nakamura! That's why I joined him! I needed help!"

Luna glanced at the others. They looked as confused as her. "Who? The point is, help us!"

Paisley prodded the girl's high cheekbones with her wand. "Yes," she said dangerously, "help us."

The girl stopped crying and peeked at Luna through her fingers. "Our base is aways away from here. L.A., to be exact."

Luna gaped at her. "Ginny wouldn't even be there yet!"

The girl smiled ominously. "We have... special ways of travel."

Neville nodded. "Thank you. Pais, let's go."

Paisley didn't even bat an eyelash. "If you're lying to us..."

She stood up, brushed off her jeans, and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

As the wizards grabbed hands and were about to Apparate away, the girl shouted, "Wait!"

"What?" Neville asked, exasperated.

"Vengeance will one day wreck you, and the dark side of the scale will tip. Horror and hate will taint all you do, and wherever you go!" The girl said as her finger clenched around her helmet.

Luna rolled her eyes, grabbed her helmet from her despite her screams and protests, and smiled. "Trust me, many have said that to me. So far I'm alive, and well. Thanks for the souvenir!"

She grabbed Hermione's hand, and they Apparated away.

"Um, Luna? We're not in the Bay Area anymore."

"To be specific, we're no where near the Bay Area."

"Or L.A."

"Well, we're in a pickle."

"It's sure green enough here to be one."

"Where are we, anyways?"

"I have absolutely no idea."

"Hermione!"

"Oops?"

A/N: HEHEHEEEE!!! The dilemma never endsss!!! Enjoy my unicorn cupcakes! ;)