.

To say that the residents of Gryffindor Tower were hot blooded was an understatement, there was a reason their House Crest was represented by a griffon backed with red and gold. Their association with flames was, while unspoken, accurate. Whenever anything happened in the tower, it never stayed secret for long because more than any other house Gryffindor's were passionate… and explosive.

Harry had never been very far away from the epicentre of such an explosion of tempers, so it was with some surprise to him when a howling fight broke out amongst the younger residents in the tower and he wasn't anywhere near involved. None of his friends were involved and neither was his new roommate. Gokudera Hayato looked just as surprised as he was.

"… Hayato can you put those away before Mrs McGonagall sees them?" he asked dryly, "They're just first years, they're not going to hurt you."

The silver haired boy muttered something that sounded suspiciously like he was saying 'It's not me I'm worried about' and clicked his tongue, making the fistful of dynamite vanished up a sleeve. Harry would have confronted him about it but a familiar voice cut into the heated argument that was happening downstairs in the common room.

"PUT YOUR WANDS AWAY OR I WILL CALL MRS MCGONNAGAL MYSELF!"

Hermione, that hadn't lasted long. Now that she'd involved herself he was going to have to see what was going on.

"— STOLE MY NEVER MELT CANDLE!"

"— WOULD NEVER STEAL YOUR STUPID CANDLE!"

"ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!" Hermione yelled over the top of the two screaming first years, who still had their wands out. She took a deep, fortifying breath and visibly calmed herself down. She turned to the first girl, a cinnamon haired, freckle-faced girl with tearful blue eyes and pinned her with a cross look. "If you're missing something, find an upper year and ask if they can summon it for you. It's not that hard. Don't go accusing someone without proof!"

"—but she…"

"No buts! What if you're wrong?" His friend demanded.

"She IS wrong!" The second girl exclaimed hotly, whipping her sparking wand forward. Harry didn't even have to move, Hermione yanked the wand out of her hand.

"And you, no cursing your housemates! No matter what they're accusing your of! We'll solve this and you're BOTH apologize to each other! So help me if you did take her candle though! Accio Monica's Never Melt Candle!"

For a few long seconds nothing happened, but soon something came flying through the air towards his frizzy haired friend, and it had come from the direction behind Harry.

From his dorm room.

Jaws dropped as Hermione caught the projectile and everyone in the common room and the spectators on the stairs leading down from the dorms couldn't believe what they were seeing. Harry felt himself break out into a cold sweat as all eyes turned away from the handful Hermione was holding to pin him with an incredulous look.

"… Mione? Could you try that spell one more time?" he asked hesitantly, nervously licking his lips. Hoping against hope that his friend had gotten the spell wrong. He'd been too short-sighted, lulled into a false sense of security. Of course he was going to be involved. When was he never involved?

Hermione hesitated, looked down at the subject of her summoning charm. "I— Okay. I mean…. I mean I wasn't thinking of… well, I could have— I suppose I'll have to…"

She set down what she was holding to try again.

"Accio Monica Lewis's Never Melt Candle?"

Meep chirped happily and leaned up in Hermione's renewed hold, aiming to bunt his head up against her chin. She leaned back to look down at her armful. "Harry? Why is your familiar registering as Monica's candle?" she asked, holding the baby shapeshifter out for him to take when reached for him. The happily purring cheetah cub answered that question while he was in the middle of being passed between them. The baby shapeshifter let out a disproportionately loud, lavender scented burp and tellingly licked its lips.

"… is there a spell to call a healer?" Monica Lewis asked into the sudden silence.

OoO

Written at the request of something for my lovely Araceil! Send her lots of love and cuddles! She deserves it all. XD