CHAPTER EIGHT:
( the plan to steal )

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

VENUS ADORES OCTOBER PURELY because of the students being allowed to head to Hogsmeade— thankfully, she has not been banned from attending despite being sent to detention more times than she can count. Then again, this has been in the old times when Hogwarts used to be her home and when she would hang out with her cousin and all her friends. Ever since sixth-year, many employees, workers, and customers have gone missing and as she walks with Lizette by her side, she sees that clearly. A fresh breeze of wind passes through them sending shivers down her spine because before leaving Lizette warned her to take something warm and, well, you know how Venus is! Instead of chattering and holding onto her arms to prove her best friend a point, Venus freely skipped onto the steps in front of her and twirls around.

Lizette stares at her amusingly while asking, "What are you doing?"

The curly-haired girl brightens up at the question. She stops her movements and dramatically bows down toward her auburn-haired friend, holding out her hand suggestively. Their eyes meet and Lizette smiles at how ridiculous Venus is acting at the moment. They are standing in the middle of High Street with Venus attracting attention from every side— most students know that the Gryffindor girl is an odd person, but they still watch in interest. Lizette notices the looks and blushes in embarrassment. "V, you're causing attention," she mumbles quietly, keeping her gaze onto the floor.

Venus raises an eyebrow before urging her to grab her hand as she asks, "Liz Lewis, will you do me the honor of dancing with me in the middle of the streets?"

"I-I don't think that's ideal," Lizette coughs, not liking the way people are staring at them. Venus does not waver her stare away from her and smiles warmly.

"Just one dance, and by then you'll forget they're even staring at you," Venus proclaims excitedly. Lizette seems hesitant before telling her, "But there isn't music playing."

Knowing her friend is just trying to make excuses because she thinks everyone will laugh at her, Venus points her wand from where she sees a radio and the music increases in volume scaring off some customers. Or else I'll tear up this town, the random song continues playing. Lizette stares at her with a sharp look before sighing and giving in.

Venus squeals excitedly before immediately twirling her friend around. Lizette laughs in surprise before she is brought close to Venus and the two girls hold on to each other, dancing around in the middle of High Street with curious eyes watching them in awe. Lose your blues, everybody cut footloose, right after whoever sings that part goes, Venus hears the sound of a guitar playing off and she copies its movements even without knowing how the beat actually goes. She closes her eyes in relaxation when the movements feel like she is finally breathing. The two girls jump around each other without a care of the world and their dancing only stops because Venus tumbles back.

The Thomas girl groans when she finds herself in the ground, her back right on the cold ground aching in pain since it is what broke her fall. Lizette gasps in alertness and bends down beside her in worry. "Are you alright? Oh, I knew we shouldn't have done that!" Lizette frowns, her hands parting Venus's curls to the side.

Venus stays in the ground with her eyes closed for a few seconds before she begins laughing. "I wish someone took a photograph of that— did I make a face? I feel like I made a face," she questions curiously, slowly getting herself into a sitting position.

Lizette rolls her eyes gently and helps her up, a slow smile regaining on her face. "Yes, you made a face," she agrees, letting out a small giggle with her friend. Venus smiles triumphantly before fixing herself up to look as before and locking her arms with her.

The two girls walk around the area together until they met up Tiberius— who bought flowers for Lizette and cue the blush appearing in her cheeks. Venus, that always notice their obvious 'dance' around each other, slips away from their view and finds Seamus along the way.

"I bet you three galleons they will get together before Christmas," Venus smirks, holding out her hand to complete the bet with Seamus. Her friend raises an eyebrow at the obvious challenge before exclaiming, "You're on, V. May the best win."

Venus drags Seamus into one of the music-styled shops and brightens up. She raises an eyebrow interestingly before her ears perk up when she hears, "Revivo, what light joke have you got for us today?"

Her mouth opens in shock and she grasps Seamus's arms while pulling him closer to the radio. She recognizes that voice! After listening to it for five whole years at Hogwarts,  she knows it is the one and only, Lee Jordan! Seamus seems to recognize the voice as well as he shares a look with her of surprise.

"Ah, well," another familiar voice enters their ears, "We've heard Hogwarts had got into some bouncy situation! I do hope they restock in all their carrot supplies soon."

Venus grins widely at the pun one of the Weasley twins made. She is not sure which one, but either way, she knows they are referring to the little stunt she pulled a while back. It took forever for the rabbits to disappear seeing as Professor McGonagall made everyone else think she had no clue where the source of real rabbit was (despite Venus knowing for sure that the rabbit was at her room most likely being fed). Lasted for a good three days before she made them disappear.

She gasps when realizing this means that the twins and Lee have created some sort of... radio? Venus recalls sending them a letter of how her prank went and they seemed pretty enthusiastic with the results claiming they see nothing but big things in her 'pranks'. Quite honestly, it is an honor being praised by them! She never felt the surge of happiness pass through her as she usually just admired their pranks, but to be the one conducting them? Brilliant! Venus takes a few steps forward toward the employee.

"How much for that radio? Or any like it with that station?" Venus questions excitedly, her eyebrow raised curiously while she is jittery in her place across from him. The man stares at her in surprise before he holds up his finger to indicate for her to wait. She does as told and watches as he head down the path to grab another radio.

The man glances around the store suspiciously before he lowers his voice and whispers, "This station is meant to be a secret. Listen closely toward the end to hear the password for the next one."

Venus widens her eyes at his words before nodding firmly. "Yes, sir," she agrees quietly. She takes out the right amount of money before she gets out of the shop with Seamus by her side. "You heard that! It was Lee and George... or Fred, I'm not sure, but it was them!"

"Yes, V, I know their voices," Seamus chuckles. "That's brilliant... they're doing their own part in entertainment. You reckon they will give us more credible information than the Daily Prophet?"

"With the Ministry being..." Venus murmurs quietly, trailing off toward the end as she glances toward the stores that are shut closed. Seamus does not need her to finish the sentence already knowing the words. "Anyone else is credible than them."

Her eyes wander toward her friend when she notices his quietness. Seamus is staring past the Honeydukes store (which by now has lost some color of vibrance due to the war occurring around them— some employees have been lost) with a look of confusion. Venus follows his gaze and appears taken back by Zabini and Nott being inside. Well, not at that. Nott has Zabini in a close hold with one of his hands while the other is pointing at a few treats. Zabini is scowling in annoyance (which is not new) but is either way still doing as he is being told (Venus does not know what that is).

"Do you really believe uniting the houses is what will help Harry?" Seamus's voice brings her attention away from the Slytherins. Venus recalls her last encounter with them and despite having left in a bundle of anger, she still has faith they will see her view. That they are good people despite of all that is happening (even Malfoy has a chance, it is never too late!).

Venus grins at him. "Of course," she answers surely. "It is a bit lunatic listening to a hat's warning, but I'm not rather sane, am I?"

"You and Luna would be great together," Seamus comments with an airy chuckle.

"Oh, that didn't work out last year," Venus murmurs. She ignores the way Seamus snaps his head toward her. "She's rather abstract. Beautiful and kind, but unsurprisingly, we are not each other's type."

Seamus makes a face of surprise. "Unsurprisingly? Venus, you two are basically made for each other," he points out confusedly. Venus rolls her eyes at his claim and wraps her arm with his.

"We both are not sane, but we just don't work. Trust me, last year we ended up underneath a charmed mistletoe and she's pretty and all but—"

"You kissed Luna—?"

"— we didn't fit," Venus finishes loudly. "Mutual rejection is what I call it."

Seamus hums with interest. "What is your type then?"

Venus furrows her brows curiously. "I... I don't know," she murmurs quietly. "I find a lot of people attractive. Especially the Slytherins— I have a theory that they take this potion filled with—"

Knowing she is about to go on with her theory, Seamus interrupts her, "Slytherins, ay? Is that why you've been heading on with Zabini? Merlin, please him and not Malfoy. Wait, no. I prefer Nott... slightly. Only a tad. Less than..." he makes his two fingers touch to show how much he is better than the rest. Venus squints her eyes unsurely before snickering.

"Good thing the prettiest one of them is Pansy Parkinson then," Venus smirks with a pleased tone. Then, it slowly drops from her face. "Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to like girls— or Gryffindors. Or me."

Seamus offers her a genuine grin. "She's missing out then. You're the most wicked cool, V. Just don't tell Dean I told you that."

.･:*:･ﾟ'✫,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

THE REBELLION HAS STARTED and Venus knows that. At night, a few kids sneak out of their dorms with others keeping watch and they tag a few stuff around the Great Hall. No one admits anything and all they get is a show of an outrageous tantrum done by the Carrows as always. Except, this time their precious Headmaster is sitting in the expanded table for the professors with the same black robes and greasy hair. Venus glares at him the entire time while stabbing her food with a fork and everyone else watching her uncomfortably. She has already planned his murder in her head over twenty times, but she has to keep in mind that her job is not to cause death but a tinge of happiness.

Her attention only wavers away from the man when Ginny taps her shoulder from behind her. Venus glances at her curiously noticing Neville beside her appearing confused as well. She narrows her eyes at them in wonder before nodding slowly when she notices Ginny motioning for her to follow. Venus gently pats Liz's arm to alert her that she would be leaving before heading to follow her two other friends.

Venus patiently waits for Ginny with Neville when the latter went ahead to the Ravenclaw table in order to bring in Luna. Once it was them three, they slipped out of the Great Hall and aimlessly wandered toward the courtyard that barely has a grasp of people walking by. Just as Venus is about to ask what they are doing, Ginny raises her finger and murmurs a quiet spell before motioning for her to continue.

"Is this a secret meeting or what?" Venus whispers unsurely. She shares the same quizzical look as Neville who only shrugs in confusion as well.

Ginny purses her lips and gives them a thin smile. "Possibly, yeah. We don't have to whisper, I casted the Muffliato Charm. Anyway, it's not really a meeting... but I trust the three of you more."

Venus looks at her in surprise. Repeating her own words, Ginny shakes her head and corrects, "Not that I don't trust the others, but it is best if what I am saying is only heard to limited people. Since you and Neville reunited the DA and Luna is my best friend—"

"I am?" Luna questions with a gasp. Ginny offers her a kind smile and nods assuredly before continuing, "I have to share something with all of you."

Neville and Venus share a look of confusion (while Luna is still grinning) before leaning closer to each other despite knowing that no one else can hear them.

"Before Harry went on the run," Ginny starts off, "Scrimgeour had gone to our house. He gifted these items to them, but I overheard him say that they will not be giving the—" she takes a quick look around before staring back at them, "the Sword of Gryffindor."

Venus raises her eyebrows in surprise. "As in the sword? Why were they getting it the first place?"

"Dumbledore gave it to them on his will. Then a few hours ago I overheard the Carrows talking about it being on Snape's office and I knew it had to be important but I just remembered why!" Ginny exclaims, a frustrated look on her face.

An absolute outrageous, but completely acceptable idea pops up on Venus's head. A slow smirk starts to grow and she glances at Ginny and Luna before turning to Neville. "How do you feel about becoming a thief?"

Neville widens his eyes in surprise before he stares at Ginny's mischievous face and seems to make up his mind. "Alright... What have you got?" Neville questions, glancing at Venus knowing by her face that she has an idea.

Venus turns toward Luna. "You are the greatest at causing diversions— you can help me distract Snape—"

"You're gonna distract Snape?" Neville cuts in with an incredulous expression on his face.

She raises an eyebrow at him. "I may have promised Ginny's brothers that I would indeed try to prank him if given the chance. He does not tend to spend his time here, but..."

"What are we going to do?" Luna questions softly and in that airy tone of hers.

"Snape is, unfortunately, a smart man. Though, I have that strong powder of darkness—"

"Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder," Ginny murmurs in recognition. She stares at Venus amused before letting her continue.

"So, we can use that toward the Great Hall where he is forced to clean, but during the darkness we must use our time to blow shit up—"

"We are not blowing up the Great Hall," Neville interrupts, his eyes widened in disbelief. Venus pouts at his rejection.

"Not like a bomb but dungbombs and fireworks! No one will see any of it coming so even when they get rid of the darkness they will be taken back by the sounds— oh! We can also overfill the school with that extra sticky carpet tape they just made which is currently on the testing steps but I told them I would write to them back how it works," Venus rambles, her eyes shining bright while the idea only ever expands. Ginny, Neville, and Luna stare at each other unsure how to react to the sudden plan Venus is building within the seconds that she opened her mouth.

When Ginny notices that she is close to finishing, she claps her hands together and announces, "Alright, then! You and Luna will do... all of that while Neville and I will sneak in and steal it."

Neville is still staring at Venus with an amused expression before shaking his head and saying, "So the four of us are going to steal that sword and send it off to any available person on Harry's side. You know any, Ginny?"

Ginny nods her head. "I have an easy access to Bill, yeah," she answers back hurriedly.

"This is possibly going to be dangerous... are you sure you're up for it?" Venus asks the three of them seriously, the smile on her face gone as she stares at them. Neville, Ginny, and Luna nod their head assuredly knowing the risk they are about to take. "We can't have anymore people join us... too suspicious and it will not be good since we're stealing, not attacking them."

Venus tilts her head curiously, her lips placed into a thin line wondering if her plan would be enough. Especially for a man who is as cunning and smart as Severus Snape... stealing the Sword of Gryffindor? Merlin, this has just begun to be more than occasional laughs.

▂✫⌒*･ﾟ

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
this was gonna be longer but i
have not updated in ages... no
pansy either but it's fine !!