This story is dedicated to my father and his friend 'Fat Matt', who
served together in Vietnam, and to all military personnel, past and
present. Often the military do a thankless job.
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Thanks Dad /center
I do not own Harry Potter or any canon characters. The plot and original characters belong to me.
Sixth year student, Hermione Granger enjoyed her last days of summer vacation reading her favorite book, Howarts a History. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley met up with her at Diagon Alley to get their school supplies a few days before the new term at Hogwarts began. The air was uncharacteristically hot and sticky, and it wasn't even noon yet. People were scurrying about, trying to get their kids ready for classes and doing last minute shopping, but there was a minimum of friendly conversation. War was looming in the distance, but for a few more days there was peace to be enjoyed.
The trio was to meet again on September first for their ride on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione was looking forward to creating with her Head of House a vigorous schedule. Hermione loved her academic challenges.
"Hermione!" Ron yelled, dashing across platform nine and three-quarters, sweeping her up in a bear hug and swinging her off her feet. He blushed as Hermione lost her breath and hugged him back.
"Ron, you can allow me to breathe, " Hermione laughed.
Before much time had passed, she saw Harry and Ginny crossing the platform to join them. Harry was a little pink as he rushed over to greet his friend; Ginny was forced to slow down due to the crowd of children and parents trying to get their kids on the train and saying their goodbyes.
"How was your summer with your parents, Hermione?"
Ginny finally caught up to her friends and piped in, "Yes, did you enjoy your trip to France?"
"Oh, yes, guys. I loved it. We visited famous art museums, went swimming in our hotel's pool, and the food was divine. Mom, dad and I haven't had so much fun together in ages," she said, hugging her friends and smiling. "We'd better go get our seats."
The train ride was uneventful as they chatted and caught up with each other's summer antics. When the witch passed their compartment with the lunch trolley, Ron bought Chocolate Frogs, Harry bought Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, and treated Ginny to Licorice Wands. Hermione didn't get any sweets, but she did not, however, say anything to her friends.
Later, when they were in the Great Hall listening to the Sorting Hat sing his song, Hermione was unsurprised to hear that the Hat's song included unity of the four houses, friendship and strength.
Headmaster Professor Dumbledore gave his speech. He still dressed outlandishly; tonight he was wearing a robe that had silver moons and stars and golden wands embroidered on it. There were no changes of the rules to note: no students were allowed in the Forbidden Forest, there was to be no hexing in the halls. Good behavior earned house points, bad behavior took points away, and of course curfew must be followed. He finally clapped his hands and announced that the feast could begin with the words, "Tuck in, all."
The plates, silverware, and food appeared.
There was so much ; beef in gravy that smelled heavenly, broiled chicken and new potatoes, several side dishes, a variety of vegetables, some boiled, dripping with butter and cream sauces.
Hermione looked up at the enchanted ceiling for a moment before filling her plate. The bewitched candles hovered around them, and the ceiling was full of stars twinkling. She glanced at Ron, who had filled his plate with enough food for several people. Hermione rolled her eyes and ate her dinner of chicken, potatoes and plenty of spinach. After the main courses were finished and no one thought they could possibly eat another bite, the desserts appeared; cakes, lavish with frosting, pies of apple, and all kinds of puddings, with plenty of whipped cream, and fruit and nut trays.
The boys were already talking Quidditch. They were very excited about the first match and which teams would be playing.
i Boys /i she thought. Hermione had no interest in Quidditch. She smiled when necessary, and thought about her schedule. She didn't make the same mistake as she had in third year when she had taken so many classes that she had to use a Time Turner. She had done well and loved the challenge, but it was very tiring.
Finally, dinner was over. The trio of friends got up, still chatting and laughing as they exited the Great Hall. Hermione, who was still thinking about her classes, bumped into someone. Stunned at her clumsy action, she blushed as she looked up and saw black. She realized it was Professor Snape, and began to stammer an apology when he cut her off.
"Fifteen points from Gryffindor," he snarled, venom dripping from his voice. He stalked away, his robes billowing behind him.
Ron and Harry made a face while Ron commented, "Snape is still a miserable git."
Hermione glared at him "That's i Professor /i Snape, Ron."
As they left the Great Hall, Hermione thought to herself, i 'Really, will these boys ever learn?' /i
Ron, Harry, Colin and Ginny began a game of Exploding Snap while Hermione started organizing her schedule. She was interrupted by Ginny's laughter. Looking up, she took great pleasure in the room, which was done in rich red velvets and gold braid trim on throw pillows and used as tie backs in the windows. Her eyes traveled the room to find the source of Ginny's laughter.
The group was sitting on the thick rug, which was smoldering a bit. Ron, who was an excellent chess player, wasn't very good at Exploding Snap. He had managed to make the deck explode while making his play. His face had soot on it and his eyebrows were singed. He looked surprised as Ginny muttered a quick, i "Reparo," /i trying not to cause any more attention to be drawn their way.
Still laughing, Ginny said, "Now that Ron has provided unintentional entertainment, we had better get some sleep."
Harry glanced at the clock. "Ron, she's right. We have Potions right after breakfast. No need to have points taken off for being groggy."
The boys headed for their dorms, and the girls to theirs. Everyone was happy as they headed for their beds.
First thing in the morning, Hermione prepared for classes. She took a shower, dressed, and gathered all of her supplies including extra quills, parchment and ink and made her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Just as Hermione was about to cross the threshold, she was grabbed painfully by the elbow. Looking up in alarm, she saw Crabbe, Goyle and Draco Malfoy. Crabbe pushed her into a niche in the wall and the three of them sneered menacingly at her. By the sounds and smells coming from the Hall, she knew everyone was more than a little bit occupied to notice the predicament she was in. Mouth set in a determined line, Hermione tried to reach for her wand.
"Watch it, Mudblood," Goyle said as they moved in closer.
'Oi, Hermione!"
It was Harry. Relieved, she saw both him and Ron hurrying towards the Hall. Draco smirked at her, gave a small nod to his friends and went in to breakfast. Draco's goons let her go and slipped into the hall for their meal.
"You alright?" Ron asked, deep concern in his eyes.
Hermione nodded and strode into the Hall with purpose. Having sat down with her friends, she ate quietly, not really wanting to talk about her encounter.
Potions class was difficult as always. Hermione as usual put in her best efforts and kept her potion accurate.
Other students weren't quite so apt with their potions. Neville obviously added his ingredients in the wrong order, turning his potion to a strange shade of burnt orange. Professor Snape yelled at him for his incompetence and assigned a detention. Ron and Harry's potion was the right color, but still a bit lumpy, so they were berated for a few minutes. When Professor Snape got to Hermione, he glanced at her potion and growled, "Acceptable," to her, even though her potion was textbook perfect. The Slytherin students smirked at the Gryffindor students. Professor Snape never stalked their side of the room as he did the Gryffindor, nor did he snarl quite as badly at their efforts.
All of the Gryffindor side of the class was grateful as they bottled their potions and left.
Hermione, who had still been packing her books, didn't notice that Crabbe had taken his time and trailed after her instead of leaving with Draco and Goyle.
Professor Snape, who had been smirking at the students evacuating his class as if demons from Hades were following them, frowned as he saw Hermione being followed by Goyle. i What is he up to? /i
