DISCLAIMER: Only the plot, Spitsters, Evillians and The Great Evil.

The Charmed Ones: Spitsters Rise

Chapter One: The Aftermath

"… wonderful person. Her smile was so bright and friendly. I can barely manage to go to work now knowing that I will never be greeted with her sing song voice and that one of a kind smile," shuddered Harold with tears rolling continuously down his cheeks. Beside him stood Jerry, Luna's father. He squeezed his long time friend's shoulder looking miserable but with no tears visible.

It was three days after the loss. Over one hundred people were standing in the backyard of the Charmed house for the wake. But one notable person was missing – Ron. No one had heard anything from him, not even Bill who had moved back to Egypt with Fleur the day after to be close to his lost brother. It had been Molly and Lynette who had broken the news to Jerry. They then helped him organise his young daughter's funeral and wake with Harold staying close to make sure Jerry didn't return to his old ways.

However, Hermione and Ginny had been quiet through it all. The reality of the situation had set in and both had gone silent. They had barely spoken three words to each other or anyone else. Draco had closed Luna's bedroom door to make it easier for the pair to go to their rooms and the attic. But neither had entered the attic since returning.

Draco and Harry looked at both women silently, each wondering the same thing: when were they going to speak? Ginny was seated under the old pine tree staring blankly at the far vine covered wall, while Hermione stood by the backdoor with her arms crossed over her black shirt as she looked down at the ground silent tears falling down her face.

"I can't stand the silence," said Harry quietly, "She won't even let me touch her."

"Hermione's the same. She blames her self still," added Draco, "Does Molly know Ginny's pregnant?"

"No. I don't want to make people feel they can't mourn. I'll leave it until Ginny is ready."

The pair fell silent as Professor Flitwick stood and spoke about Luna as a student at Hogwarts. Harry and Draco listened silently along with everyone else looking around at the people in attendance.

"Since when did Lavender Brown care about Luna?" asked Harry pointing to the dark blonde haired woman standing by the punch bowl.

"She is a reporter isn't she?" asked Draco as Lavender selected a brownie from the table before saying hello to someone she knew.

"Yeah. With the Daily Prophet."

"Maybe she is here to pay her respects to a fellow reporter."

Harry looked at Lavender curiously, "I'm going to find out."

Draco didn't bother stopping Harry and turned to Hermione. She was walking along the edge of Luna's herb garden and bending down, pulling out weeds threatening the baby herb plants. He walked over to her silently and stood on the other side of the garden.

"The oregano is looking good," commented Draco.

Hermione just nodded as she stooped down to remove another weed.

"Is that mint?"

Hermione shrugged and picked a small leaf off to smell, "Basil."

"Oh, well there you go. I don't know much about herbs and whatnot."

"It was Luna's favourite thing to do in the afternoon. She would spend hours tending to her garden."

"I know."

Hermione looked over at the tree Ginny sat under and looked away, "She's mad at me."

Draco frowned, "What makes you say that?"

"I just know she is. She blames me for not stopping what happened… there are so many ways I could have changed everything without even seeing the unseen premonition."

"You know it was destiny."

Hermione gave Draco a sharp look and crossed her arms again, "Destiny can be changed."

Hermione turned and stormed into the house, slamming the door shut behind her causing silence to cross the yard. Draco gave a sigh and rubbed his forehead and turned to Harry who was walking back over from his chat with Lavender.

"So, what did you find out?"

"Well, when she heard about the funeral she felt like she had to be here. Something inside her made her feel connected to our loss," said Harry rolling his eyes.

Draco glanced over at Lavender curiously, "Did she seem genuine about it?"

"Strangely enough, she did. Why?"

Draco shrugged. He couldn't explain it. He was feeling a pull inside him towards Lavender. He turned away and looked at the closed backdoor.

"So you and Hermione had a disagreement?" asked Harry.

"She thinks Ginny blames her for Luna's death. In other words Hermione blames her self."

"It was destiny."

"That's what I said. Hermione disagrees, saying destiny can be changed."

Harry frowned, "You don't think Hermione is going to do something… stupid do you?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know… try and bring Luna back from the dead maybe?"

Draco's eyes widened and he turned around looking for Lynette and Molly, "Where are they?"

"Who?"

"Lynette and Molly!"

"I don't know. Ask Arthur or Michael. They're by the fountain."

Draco weaved his way through the crowd, saying hello to those he knew before reaching Arthur and Michael who were discussing the fountains statue- a cupid with water sprouting from it's arrow tip.

"Sorry to bother you both," said Draco, "But have either of you seen Lynette or Molly?"

"They're inside organising more food," said Arthur, "Everything okay?"

Draco nodded and turned, heading back to the house. As he passed Harry, he gave his friend an exasperated look. Harry gave a half look of amusement before turning to speak with some person he knew from work.

Draco ran inside to the kitchen earning surprised looks from Molly and Lynette.

"Everything okay?" asked Lynette curiously as she sliced up a mud cake.

"Did Hermione come in here a few moments ago?"

"She came in alright. Everyone heard her."

"Okay… so is it possible to bring someone back from the dead?"

Molly and Lynette both stopped what they doing and looked at Draco stunned.

"Can you?"

"With enough concentration and determination but it could have dangerous consequences. Luna won't be the same person she was when she was alive," said Molly, "Look, you take these out to the people, Draco and Lyn and I will go check on Hermione."

Draco nodded and took the two trays of brownies and cake out, as Molly and Lynette hurried to the staircase not even bothering to ask how they knew what was happening with Hermione.

CO

The two women entered the attic, after checking every bedroom on their way up. Sitting on the floor with a cauldron in front of her with a variety of potion ingredients around her and a textbook that was literally humming was Hermione.

"What are you doing, Hermione?" asked Lynette as her and Molly walked into the room slowly.

"Creating something," mumbled Hermione stirring the red potion slowly.

"Is that the Ancient Book of Life and Death?"

"How'd you know?"

"I've used it before."

Hermione looked up at her mother in surprise, "Why?"

"Well, probably for the same reason you are."

"You were trying to revive the dead?"

Lynette nodded and sat beside her daughter, "I was trying to bring back Willow."

"L-Luna's mum."

Lynette nodded, "I had an unseen premonition. When Willow died I saw every single second of it. I know what you are going through and feeling honey. It's bitter and horrible… you hate yourself and think you could've changed the outcome… but it would always end up the same way. That person would die one way or another because it is destiny."

Hermione looked down at the rose petal she was holding, "I do feel responsible. I was the oldest. It was my job to protect Luna and Ginny. I want nothing more then to go back and make sure Luna lives, even if it means me dying… replace one life with another."

"I felt the same. But you will grow to accept it. You will never forget Luna and you will never stop missing her, but you will move on. Remember want Luna requested?"

"What?"

"Smile. Smile for her."

Hermione took a deep breath and looked at the mixture, "Could… could you throw it away? I need to talk with Ginny… apologise… or something."

"You have nothing to apologise for," said Molly truthfully, "You couldn't do anything to stop it. Luna made the choice to be the sacrifice. No one blames you."

Hermione stood and gave a short, half-hearted laugh, "I keeping hearing that but I don't believe it."

Hermione left the room silently and Molly cleaned away the half made potion and ingredients as Lynette closed the humming book and put it back in its proper trunk.

"I was wondering when you would tell her about your unseen premonition," admitted Molly.

"I was waiting for the right time," replied Lynette, "Its not easy to talk about. It never will be for me or Hermione."

"I understand Lyn. But I think you made her realise she isn't to blame. She just needs to admit it to her self," sighed Molly walking over to the spell book.

Lynette turned to Molly and saw her friend's confused face, "Molly, what is it?"

"The mark."

Lynette walked over and looked down at the cover, "Every triangle is still touching."

"Either Luna is still alive or something is up."

"Luna is dead. We all saw her body be carried out of the chamber by Ron," said Lynette, "Something isn't right."

"We can't tell the girls. They need to deal with losing Luna," said Molly, "But something is definitely up."

Lynette frowned, "Could there be another one?"

"This didn't happen when we lost Willow… either because we turned away from it before that or another reason all together."

"Maybe our mother's know something."

"You get the calling crystals and I will find the call."

As Lynette searched for a box with four crystals in it, Molly flipped through the spell book searching for the call to bring spirits to the present world. Lynette found the box and set the four crystals in place.

"Have you found it?" asked Lynette turning to Molly.

"Passed ones that we lost,

Bring your self to those you love,

Jessica, Lindsay, and Gertrude we call,

Enter our world, answer our call."

Lynette and Molly watched as three shimmering figures appeared in between the crystals. Jessica smiled at her daughter with bright brown eyes. Lindsay gave Molly a stern look before smiling pleasantly. Gertrude looked at the two with a kind smile.

"Willow says hello," said Gertrude.

"And Luna?"

"Not yet," replied Lindsay, "Her spirit most likely still has work to do before she can enter our realm."

"Well… that might be why the triangles are still touching then," suggested Lynette, "Perhaps her spirit is still with us keeping the magic activated."

Molly frowned, "But when Willow died the triangles turned away from each other, instantly."

"The triangles are touching for a reason," spoke up Jessica, "There is another."

"Another what?"

"Witch. There were four of us who discovered the book and read the spell. But only us three were chosen," explained Gertrude.

"But when Willow died nothing happened like this for us."

"Because each of your had given birth to daughters already. They were already chosen."

"Who is this other person?"

"Her name was Melanie Smith. She married a man called Walter Holden."

"Holden… that name rings a bell," said Lynette looking at Molly, "Why do I know that name?"

"Sara Holden," answered Molly, "I remember her from Hogwarts. She was into all that Divination stuff."

"So," said Lynette turning to the three ghosts, "Are you saying Sara's daughter is now apart of the Power of Three?"

"When one dies before daughter's are borne, the second in line takes over," said Jessica with a nod, "You need to find her. She will have no control over her powers until the Unknown reaches her."

"Hermione and Ginny need some time," said Molly desperately, "They only just lost Luna. This other girl will be stepping into a position they won't want her in. And if Ron finds out… it's too soon."

"They might even choose to walk away," added Lynette.

"It's already done," said Lindsay, "She is chosen. You cannot change destiny."

"We must go," said Gertrude.

Molly and Lynette watched on helplessly as their mother's and Gertrude left with a slight breeze. The two silently packed up the crystals unsure of what to do.

CO

Hermione walked over to Ginny silently and looked at the people preparing to leave.

"We managed to get through today at least," said Hermione quietly, "Do you want a drink or something to eat?"

"Not hungry," replied Ginny fiddling with the hem of her sleeve.

"Okay."

Silence descended on the two as they watched people bid farewell and leave. Jerry managed to wave to them both before he left with Harold. Within minutes the yard was empty except for the mess that needed cleaning up.

"Come for the food but don't stay to clean," sighed Hermione picking up a plastic cup and napkin.

"No one wants to help clean up after a wake," said Ginny bitterly looking at the mess.

"Who wants to attend a wake anyway?"

"Well we just had to didn't we?"

Hermione didn't reply and both paid no notice to Draco and Harry heading inside to let them finally get everything out in the open.

"You blame me don't you?" said Hermione turning to face Ginny, "You think I should have done something, anything to change what happened."

"Maybe I do."

"I wish I did every single stinking minute! I wish I hadn't listened to Harry, I wish I had gotten there sooner… I wish Luna would just walk through the door and ask what's the problem! I wish I had been the one to die!" cried Hermione.

"No one should've died! Everyone should've just gone home!"

"I know… but no matter what. None of us would've left. We would all still be there battling those Princesses until we all died!" sobbed Hermione, "I should've protected you both. I should have been keeping an eye on you both or found a way to tap into the premonition… found another answer."

Hermione turned away from Ginny and walked over to the food trays. Ginny looked down at the ground with her own tears trickling down her cheeks.

"It was destiny," whispered Ginny twisting the hem of her shirt in her hands, "Luna knew it was. As much as I hate it I have to accept it. I don't blame you Hermione."

Hermione grabbed a stack of trays and took a deep breath, "I'll always blame myself."

She walked inside with Ginny turning away to look up at the cloudy sky. She took a deep breath to clam her self, but jumped as a hand gently touched her shoulder. She turned and looked at Harry silently before quietly stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him. Harry held her tightly, saying nothing. He knew Ginny just needed him to be there for her.

CO

"Is Ginny asleep?" asked Molly wiping her hands on a tea towel as Lynette put the last dish away.

Harry nodded and sat on the bar stool as Draco walked into the kitchen looking exhausted.

"Hermione's in the bath," he said, "It has been a long day."

"A long, sad, day," nodded Lynette, "Jerry is publishing Luna's last letter in the Quibbler tomorrow."

"That's nice," sighed Harry running his hand through his hair, "At least Ginny and Hermione talked. Even if it was bitter."

"It's a start at least," pointed out Draco, "Hermione knows Ginny doesn't blame her. Hermione just needs to stop blaming her self now."

"It took me a long time," said Lynette earning a confused look from Draco and Harry, "I went through the exact same thing as Hermione is going through. I saw Willow, Luna's mum, die. It took me nearly a year to work through my anger and guilt. I wasn't constantly bitter. I got on with life and come the anniversary… I'd come to see that I couldn't change what happened. I could only accept it and remember my close friend at her happiest."

"What was that?"

"The day she learnt she was pregnant with Luna."

Silence filled the kitchen as Molly made everyone a cup of coffee. The group drank silently consumed by their private thoughts.

"Actually we do have some news," said Molly earning a sharp look from Lynette, "They need to know, Lyn."

"Know what?" asked Harry.

"The triangles are still touching."

"But Luna is dead," said Draco frowning, "They should be separated with Luna's faded."

"There is another one," sighed Lynette, "Our mother's had a forth friend who read the chant out, only three were chosen and the forth was a substitute."

"What does this mean?" asked Harry.

"The second in line has been moved forward… this new witch is part of the Power of Three now that Luna is gone."

"She's replaced Luna?"

"Not intentionally. It was her destiny to," said Molly.

"Who is she?"

"The daughter of Sara Holden… only we don't know who Sara married."

"Do we need to find out now?" asked Harry, "Can't Hermione and Ginny just have some peace to work through everything?"

"The witches powers are activated. She needs training or she won't be able to handle them," said Lynette, "Believe me, Harry, we wish there was another way. Draco, you need to find her before anything happens."

The kitchen door swung open startling everyone. Hermione walked in wrapped in a dressing gown and her wet hair up in a messy ponytail.

"Don't bring her here," said Hermione softly, "Train her but keep her away. I want nothing to do with any of it."

Hermione turned and left, the door swinging shut behind her drowning out the sounds of her feet thundering up the staircase. Draco sighed and left, quickly following.

"Wonderful time for Hermione to find out," sighed Lynette sipping her coffee.

CO

"Hermione," called Draco coming to a halt at the partly opened bedroom door.

He pushed it open slowly about to walk in but stopped as he saw Hermione pick up a photo with Ginny standing silently beside her. Stepping back he walked away leaving the two to finally say their goodbyes, in Luna's room.

"I feel like she is going to walk in at any moment," said Ginny quietly looking at the picture of her, Hermione and Luna laughing and smiling in the picture.

"I know. What do we do?" asked Hermione, "Do we pack everything up?"

Ginny looked around the room at the dress from her wedding still laying on the bed where Luna had placed it the night they left, "No… not yet. It's too soon."

Hermione picked up Luna's bracelet she always wore to work as Ginny found a box beside the bed away from the door. Kneeling down she picked it up reading her's and Harry's name on it.

"The wedding gift," said Ginny quietly as she removed the cover.

Inside was a small white cardigan with a silver rattle. Beside it was a note.

Love Luna.

"She knew," Ginny, whispered looking at Hermione, "Luna knew I was pregnant."

Hermione walked over and placed a hand on Ginny's shoulder as both looked at the rattle and cardigan in silence.

"We'll never forget her," said Hermione firmly, "How can we? She always knew what was happening in our heads before we did."

Ginny nodded with a smile holding up the cardigan, "Obviously."

CO

"Why do you even care about her? She wrote for our competitor- she ran the competitor paper," cried Rita Skeeter, who now ran the Daily Prophet.

"Which is why we should. She gave us a run for our money. I think it is only right."

"Brown, this is ridiculous."

"Well it should suit the paper then, shouldn't it?" Lavender wanted to cry but she bit her tongue and took a deep breath, "I think it is the right thing to do."

"Well we have space on page four. Take it to the printers."

Lavender smiled and left the office hurrying past Pavarti who gave her friend a confused look.

"Everything alright with Brown, Patil?" asked Rita coming down the staircase to the main floor, "These past few days she has been more eccentric then normal."

"I know. Ever since the death of Luna Lovegood she's been that way and I think she might've harmed her self," said Parvati, "She has this weird mark on her wrist I haven't seen before."

"What does it look like?"

"A circle with three triangle tips touching."

Rita frowned, "Keep an eye on her. I don't need journalists committing suicide on me. It won't look good for the paper or the ministry."

Parvati nodded and Rita left as Lavender came back looking pleased. She sat at her desk sorting through rolls of parchment glancing up to see Parvati looking at her curiously.

"What?" asked Lavender frowning a little.

"You've gone weird. Completely weird. What's with the thing on your right wrist?"

Lavender looked at the marking and shrugged, "It just appeared there. Listen, I am heading home. It's late and I am exhausted."

"You went to the wake didn't you?"

"So what if I did?"

"Lave you didn't even know Luna. You were one of the champions at calling her Looney Lovegood."

"That was Hogwarts Parvati. I have matured you know," sighed Lavender packing her bag and pulling her cloak on, "Maybe you need to do the same."

Parvati looked at Lavender open mouthed as Lavender walked out of the building with her head held high like always.

CO

"It is confirmed," said Healer West, "Your baby is due in June."

Ginny smiled and nodded, "I thought so."

"Is that a good thing or bad thing?"

Ginny shrugged, "I don't know at the moment. My family is dealing with a lot at the moment. But maybe by June things will be easier… a lot easier."

"Well I hope so too," smiled Healer West, a guy with blue eyes, brown near black hair a country boy look about him, "Come back next month and we will see how things are going then Healer Potter."

Ginny nodded and left slowly making her way through the hospital. At her floor she stood at the reception bench staring blankly at the sign in book with her quill poised to sign her name in.

"Healer Potter!" cried a nurse, "You are need on the emergency floor!"

Ginny looked up startled, wrote her name in and rushed her way down to the emergency ward, "What's going on?"

"A drowning," said Healer Hall, "We can revive her but I need someone to keep and eye on the internal bleeding."

"Internal bleeding?"

"Her liver looks as it has been crushed and her veins surrounding it are teared."

Ginny took in the girl's appearance quickly; looking away as she gently pressed her side for any more injuries. Suddenly she looked back at the girl and stumbled backwards. Blonde hair, pale skin, closed eyes.

"Luna," whispered Ginny shaking her head as Healer Hall and the nurses looked at her curiously.

"Healer Potter?" called Bessie, "Is everything okay?"

Ginny looked at the girl again only this time she had black hair, not blonde, "Y-yeah… fine."

Ginny took a deep breath and went back to her job.

"One brutal drowning," murmured Healer Hall as they got her breathing again.

Ginny nodded, swallowing a lump in her throat as she pictured Luna floating in the chamber, face down.

"… Healer Potter? Potter!"

Ginny gave a gasp as she jumped, "She's dead."

"No… we are prepping her for surgery," said Healer Hall, "Healer Potter, come with me please."

Ginny followed the healer to the scrubbing room and opened her mouth to apologise.

"Don't. Look… Ginny, I know about Luna Lovegood. I think it would be wise of you to go see Gerard and ask for two weeks off."

"I can't afford time off Stevie. I'm pregnant and I need all the money I can save. Harry is working as well. We need money to set up a place of our own in Hogsmeade for when the baby comes."

"You can ask for paid leave. Take it, Ginny. You need to take a break."

Ginny nodded and left as Healer Hall hurried back into the room to get to work on the surgery.

CO

Draco looked at the name and address and sighed. He should've figured it out from yesterday when he felt drawn to her. He looked up at the set of apartments and wondered how he was going to make Lavender Brown believe him about everything.

"This should be entertaining," sighed Draco walking up to the door and ringing the buzzer for Lavender's room.

"Yes?" came her crackly voice.

"Ah, hi… this is Lavender Brown, right?"

"Err… yeah. Who is this?"

"Draco… Draco Malfoy."

"What do you want?"

"Well, it might have to do with a mark you might have on your right wrist."

"Umm… come on up."

The door buzzed and Draco walked in after the click. He headed up to her apartment and knocked. Lavender opened the door a few seconds later dressed in a pair of jeans and a baggy jumper.

"Come on in," said Lavender letting him into her small, yet comfortable apartment.

Draco gave a half smile and walked in sitting on one of the lounges as Lavender took her place across from him.

"So, you know something about this?" asked Lavender showing the mark before frowning, "Parvati didn't send you did she? You didn't become a counsellor of some sort did you?"

"No, no… I know about it because I know two people who gave the same mark."

"Right… who are they?"

"Ginny Potter and Hermione Granger. Luna Lovegood had the mark… but when she died you took her spot."

Lavender frowned, "Okay, I am officially confused."

"Look, it is like this. You are part of the Power of Three, from the extreme strand of magic. You have powers others dream of having. Luna died battling an evil force that would've caused a huge amount of devastation if the Power of Three hadn't stepped in."

Lavender frowned again, "Power of Three? Extreme strand of magic?"

"Look I know I must sound insane, but it's the truth… I can show you."

"You do sound insane. I am guessing you wound up in the St Mungo's crazy ward."

"I can show you," sighed Draco, "Tomorrow at 11am. Come to 642 Smeade Road. There is a book I want to show you that will tell you the truth."

Lavender sighed and looked at Draco critically, "Will it be worth it?"

"I swear. You need to see this because sooner or later your powers will grow to strong for you to handle on your own. I'll be the one to teach you how to use them. Just like I taught Hermione, Ginny and… and Luna."

"So, I will see you at 642 Smeade Road tomorrow at 11."

Draco stood and left. As he shut the door behind him he gave a sigh. This was far from easy.

A/N: Hi all. Well this chapter turned out better then I thought it would. I'm not going to completely rush the grieving process and you all learnt how Lynette knew about the unseen premonitions. The question is how will Lavender take to her new destiny and how is Ron going? Well that shall be discussed in the next chapter!

Until next time…

Love yas!

Love Coz!