Author Notes

Another viewpoint of the Welcoming Feast.

Chapter 2

Hermione took her place at the Gryffindor table sliding in between Harry and Ron, as Neville took the one opposite. Ginny settled in beside Harry, though turned her attention towards her own friends.

Sighing briefly she looked around the Great Hall. Every year she returned to this place of magic it made her smile, but this year it was tainted. Harry was trying his best, but sat side by side, his scent smelt of anger just as it had the last month.

Shaking away the melancholy, she turned towards the staff table, along the way her eyes caught thar of Fred Weasley. The older boy paused in his conversation to meet her gaze. He'd obviously been mid sentence as suddenly George roughly elbowed him in the ribs. Several other seventh year boys chuckled at the twins' antics cocking heads her way suggestively.

Resolutely keeping her focus upon the top table Hermione tried to tamp down the heat she felt colouring her cheeks. Seemed a trip to see Madam Pomfrey would be required soon. She'd need to see the matron for a batch of potions before her birthday. Another thing to add to her ever growing list of tasks, but it was important.

The summer hadn't been as bad, at least the first half when she'd returned to her parents. Their fairly large muggle home sat within a fairly suburban estate, with soundproof walls plus a garden front and back with high fences and electronic gates. It was as secure a location as she could hope to hide away. The entire attic was her room, bed pushed into a corner, desk under the circular eave window and bookcases on every wall. No home hadn't been the problem. The scents of her parents and housekeeper were familiar, safe, warm. Those of 12 Grimmauld Place however were in stark contrast.

Previous summers the Burrow had felt inviting, even with the scent of Alpha in the house, Molly kept the windows open to blow it out. Whereas Grimmauld was dark and smelt musty. The close quarters and constant stream of people coming and going had left her on edge. Much of the summer she spent it hiding in the library, the old leather bound tomes better company than her friends.

The events of Voldemort's return had effected Harry hard. His alpha hormones were all over, sending him into dark moods, anger or lust. Being returned to his aunt's, then the hearing at the Ministry following the dementors hadn't helped.

Then again, nor was having Sirius venting his own frustrations and mood swings. Though Harry's godfather, the pair still knew little of each other. They spent time at the top of the house with Buckbeak, discussing Harry's parents. Ron joined them often, the twins less so, listening in to recounting of the various misdeeds the Marauders accomplished. These hours brought laughter, but also pain after.

After one such session Harry had come to her in the library. Raising an arm, she offered him a place beside her. Sliding into the old leather couch the teens had sat in the quiet, a slow breaths, the crackling fire and the turn of pages being the only noises for some time. She'd been so distracted in her book, she'd not noticed the change in Harry. His nose brushed against her neck, ahis arms around he waist pulling her closer. Only when he'd growled and nipped at her had her focus snapped.

The boy she called brother was looking at her with lust darkened green eyes, that roved her form appreciatively. Freezing she stared unsure in that moment, what to do.

The library door banging open, broke Harry's gaze, the teen turning sharp eyes to Remus who stood there. Seeing her chance, Hermione leapt up, book in hand and scurried over.

"Molly says dinners ready," the werewolf stated, angling his body to let her past, yet his eyes stayed focused on Harry. Squeezing past she'd fled to the basement kitchen. The large table already packed with Weasley children and Order members. Harry and Remus didn't come down for another ten minutes, though when Harry took the space beside her, he apologised quietly. After that Hermione never spent time alone with him in a closed room, just in case.

Yet Harry hadn't been the only boy to notice her that summer. She still wrote to Krum, but they were friends, nothing more. He'd met a lovely companion after his return to Bulgaria and Hermione was thrilled for him.

No, it was Fred who started to check on her, draw her in to long talks about spells and potions. The twins were very intelligent, frighteningly so, but just tended towards mischief not grades. She witnessed some of her theories and idea come to life in new novelty items George and Fred created. She was even given a short contract to sign, so that a percentage of royalties from such items would go to her vault.

He'd also demonstrated Apparition. She was still another 18 months from getting her own licence, but knowing the theory was useful. The short side along trips from the library to kitchen were also appreciated.

A simpering female voice from the staff table drew her from her thoughts. Blinking rapidly she observed the pink monstrosity before her. Calling the woman toad like was an affront to all amphibians, but she was not a pretty sight.

Listening to the words, she quickly realised their newest DADA teacher would NOT be a good one as she'd hoped. No this toad-woman was a Ministerial flunky through and through, here to discredit Harry's claims and monitor the school.

Rolling her eyes she turned away, looking down at her plate awaiting the food appearing. In doing so she didn't notice the many pairs of eyes that watched her than evening.