Familiars

Chapter 1

'Nothing Here'

Disclaimer : I'm only playing in the World that JKR created - I own nothing nor do I profit from it.

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Hermione stood in the center of Poppy Pomfrey's office, watching said Matron bustled about and giving out instructions. It was the second time she'd heard these instructions, but she didn't have the heart to tell the frazzled witch.

Naturally Hermione was thrilled to get the chance to learn and show her knowledge and skills, even if it was med wizardry and potions. She did wish, however, that she didn't have to go back and forward to the dungeons and the hospital wing. Traveling up four floors in Hogwarts with expensive and volatile potions did not seem like a safe idea, but then again the Headmaster and Madam Pomfrey both seemed to have faith in her, she'd just have to not let them down.

Madam Pomfrey had told her that they had cleared and cleaned an empty room for her usage after school hours to work on the list. She had also been given along with that what seemed like an unnecessary list of precautions. This room was situated at the bowels of Hogwarts, which was well out of the way of the rest of the populous, so as not to be interfered with students and well out of the way of Professor Snape ('and wrath' she added mentally').

She was to work after dinner to 10pm all week and Saturdays leaving Sundays free to her disposal until she completed the list. Hermione was also told that if the work load got too much for her, then she was to tell the Headmaster and he would seek out someone else to aid Poppy. But this was 6th year and NEWT's weren't till 7th year, even though that didn't stop Hermione from studying already, she was Hermione Jane Granger! ('Hogwarts resident bookworm and know-it-all' she snorted to herself.) She wouldn't let a little extra work get in her way.

And that's what she told herself as she made her way down towards the dungeons.

Because of the curfew restrictions on the students, Hermione didn't really know how creepy the dungeons were at night. Her prefect route never led her down there; it was always the upper floors and towers. She had her suspicions as to why Professor McGonagall would keep her away from there, but never asked her Head of House. She had realised that being a muggleborn and a Gryffindor near Slytherins, always, was a bad thing.

The first two nights travelling back and forth between the dungeons and the hospital wing went well. The Halls were eerie but still. On the third night travelling back to her dorm room was when she felt a quick brush of wind sweep by her. Of course the dungeons were dank and cold but there wasn't something right with that, it was as if someone was moving by her.

The next night the presence persisted to stay with her through the dungeon corridors. At first Hermione thought it was one of the many ghosts of Hogwarts, but on the fourth night Hermione heard the silent shuffle of shoes on stone.

It wasn't a ghost.

Whatever Hermione's mysterious stranger was she didn't know, they never made themselves known to her. Every now and then the stranger would get just a little bit closer each time, just a little bit more nearer and each time Hermione's pace would quicken. She tried to ignore it but the whole situation left her mind screaming at her to run, thinking she was being irrational she ignored the thought. She wouldn't behave like a scared little 1st year she had told herself forcefully.

There was nothing 'sinister' about the strange presence. At first, Hermione merely assumed that he/she/it was curious.

However, during the second week the presence would come close enough to touch. And touch her it did.

Now and then whilst walking back to her dorm Hermione swore she could feel the feather light touch of a hand, sometimes on her arm or shoulder and once or twice she thought she could feel warm breath on her neck and hair as she stopped to inspect her surroundings.

She had told Harry and Ron about the presence following her at night once but they joked, saying ,'Maybe Snape's got a fancy for you 'Mione' or that she'd got herself a stalker.

She had scolded them wearily for talking about 'Professor Snape,' but the comment of a stalker left an uneasy feeling at the back of her head and pit of her stomach.

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"Come on Hermione. Ron's got a point," Harry argued on the Saturday evening as they went down to the Great Hall for dinner.

Ron had started arguing with Hermione that she was spending too much time working on the hospital wing potions for Madam Pomfrey, "You need a break."

Ron nodded profusely as they walked through the doors, "See, 'Mione, even Harry agrees with me. You gotta come to Hogsmeade tomorrow with us!"

"Ron, no." She sighed. "Look. The longer I spend on this, the faster I get it done. Plus learning how to brew medical potions properly may and probably will save one of our lives in the near future." She looked pointedly at the two boys who both nodded resignedly and sat down across from her at the Gryffindor table.

There was an easy silence over the trio; each to their own thoughts as the students piled into the hall.

Hermione was just helping herself to some toast when Ron blurted, "But what about us?" pointing his fork of sausages at her accusingly. "You never have any time for us anymore! Your either turning into a female Snape with ruddy potions or your doing Homework! What about us?"

Harry knew that Ron had went too far the moment he re-opened his mouth, to put his foot in it rather than more food, and sunk back in his seat far enough away from Hermione's pointed glare and furious expression.

Outraged, Hermione flew to her feet, "What about you Ron? Didn't it ever occur to you that there are more important things to consider than the next Hogsmeade visit and chocolate frog cards?" Her voice was no louder than a whisper yet they both heard every word hissing from her mouth in the noisy hall. "Did it ever occur to you that I'm doing this for your sake as well as my own?! One of these potions could eventually save your sorry hide one day not to mention another person! Not everything revolves around you Ronald Weasley so stop being so selfish!"

Harry's eyes had travelled between his best friends. During Hermione's reprimand Ron's ears were turning pink to scarlet in indignation. He gaped like a gold fish that Dudley had once upon a time, in front of the petit form of the Brunette, trying to think of something smart to reply back.

For poor Ron Weasley, what normally blurts out of his mouth in the heat of an argument is neither smart nor witty, especially when out of jealousy.

"I - I…" You could tell he was grasping at straws, "If - if you'd rather spend time with the Greasy Git and those slimy prats down in the dungeons instead of with us then fine! Fine!"

Harry groaned internally and put his head in his hands. Ron sat there stunned at the fact that Hermione had just shoved an apple in his mouth angrily and marched out the halls doors. He was never going to learn was he? Harry thought miserably.

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A.N: Of course Ron isn't stupid - but the big green eyes monsters got him. It does tend to make you do and say stupid things.