A.N. – Another chapter of sordid goings-on amongst our favorite group of teenage wizards. It's been awhile, hasn't it? Sorry about that. Real life intervenes sometimes. Anyway, this chapter isn't as smutty as some of the others, but it does involve a decided lack of clothing.

A blanket disclaimer: If you recognize it, chances are I don't own it.

Spirits Lifted

Harry and Ginny didn't have to wait long to find out what devious uses Myrtle was going to employ them in. The next morning, just after breakfast and before the first classes started, she interrupted the duo as they were leaving the Great Hall, still chewing on some muffins.

"I have a task for you to do," Myrtle said with an unnaturally large grin. Harry and Ginny both looked at her skeptically. "What? It'll be fun for you, two. Now, here's what you'll do…" And slowly, the grins on Harry and Ginny's face grew to match Myrtle's

xxxx

Ron and Hermione had decided to forgo breakfast altogether, and were sitting on the grounds under the cover of a grove of trees by the lake. Well, sitting would not adequately describe the activities going on, but suffice it to say a lack of clothing was involved.

Harry and Ginny, on the tip from Myrtle, has snuck outside and were now watching the proceedings from some nearby bushes under Harry's Invisibility Cloak.

"D'you think now's a good time?" Harry whispered to Ginny, thought hey were just about out of earshot from Ron and Hermione. Ginny cast a glance over to the lake, where they could see Myrtle peeking her head out of the water, also observing the happenings. She shook her head no.

"The boss's vetoed it," Ginny glumly said. "I'm all for just getting it done with."

"Wait till they're done!" Myrtle hissed.

"Well, you're not the one having to watch your brother in flagrante delicto!" Ginny retorted. Just then, the pitch of the cries from the tress changed, and everyone coughed and turned their heads away.

"Now?" Harry asked. Getting an affirmative nod from the others, he raised his wand and said "Accio clothes!" Ron and Hermione's attire zoomed off through the flora and landed in a pile next to Harry. In the post coital haze, neither Ron nor Hermione took immediate notice.

"Well, I wasn't planning on them just lying there unconcerned," Myrtle grumped. Indeed, Ron lay draped over Hermione, hair matted to his face. He looked ready to doze off. Hermione, for her part, looked just about ready to shove Ron off. The spying group's eyes lit up as she did just that.

"We have to get going. Class starts in 10 minutes," Hermione's words drifted over to the lurkers. She looked around their small clearing. "Ron, where did you toss our clothes?"

"Dunno," came the weary voice of the youngest male Weasley. "You look better without them, anyway."

"That's not the point! We need to get dressed and go!" Hermione was working herself into a tizzy. Ron looked non-pulsed. "Fine. You're no help. Accio clothes!"

Harry's eyes widened as he saw the pile of garments jiggle and attempt to take off. Ginny, showing a quick intellect, sat on the pile before they could escape.

Ron sat up then, the gravity of the situation hitting home. "They didn't come?"

"Does it bloody well look like they came?" Hermione put her head in her hands. "What I wouldn't give for Harry's Invisibility Cloak." This brought grins from those currently using it.

"We could just run for it," Ron offered.

"And have everyone see us as they're walking to class? Try again," Hermione seethed.

"I don't see any other options presenting themselves," Ron informed her. Hermione went into the think tank at this. Harry, Ginny, and Myrtle were trying to stifle their laugher.

"I like your brand of revenge, Myrtle," Harry said. "It's nice to see Hermione confronting a problem she can't solve readily."

"I've just thought of something," Ginny looked on the verge of cackling. "Why don't we toss our breakfast scraps into the lake? That way, when the squid comes up to grab them, those two will get soaked?"

"Not happening," Myrtle stated. "I want them to have to go back looking as bad as possible.

The same thoughts were flitting through Hermione's mind as well.

"Shall I just take a dip in the lake, then? I'd rather not be seen reeking of sex, and you've left me a mess, Ron." Ron did well to hide his pleased look at his accomplishments lest Hermione smack him. "Wait, there's no time. ARGH!" Frustrations were mounting, and time was dwindling.

"Hermione…" Ron ventured, putting a hand on her arm.

"Oh, sod it!" And with that, she took hold of his wrist and dragged him quickly out of their hiding spot, rushing toward the castle's doors.

"She jiggles," was all Harry could say as he watched the pair and their desperate flight. Ginny cleared her throat crossly and socked Harry in the arm, her sense of victory somewhat dampened with her boyfriend's comment. They got us as well, trailing along the same path Ron and Hermione had taken.

Harry and Ginny reached the doors seconds after their quarry did, and it was very quiet within. Upon entering, they could see why. A ring of students had formed around the naked duo, staring silently. Then someone wolf whistled, and a ruckus broke out. Ron blushed from head to toe, and simply wilted under the attention. Hermione had adopted an aloof pose, resigned to her fate.

McGonagall came around the corner from the Transfiguration hall after hearing the commotion. "What in Merlin's name is going on?" The student body parted slightly and afforded her a better view. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and swore under her breath. And from her own house, no less.

"My office. NOW!" she bellowed, and the cowed pair obeyed as swiftly as possible. "As for the rest of you, off to class. No dawdling!" She fumed off after Ron and Hermione.

After the crowd had dispersed, Harry and Ginny shirked the Invisibility Cloak and high-fived each other. Myrtle popped out of the wall she'd secreted herself in during the whole thing and attempted to reciprocate, but just gave the teens chills. With amicable waves, they parted ways sound in the knowledge of a job well done.

And, unseen by all, a beetle took off from the bank of hourglasses and flew away.