In which Fruit bats have sharp teeth

-This fallows right after Margret's rant at Fudge. We get a better understanding of Margret and a Cameo from our favorite Blond Slytherin.-

The next day the five Gryffindors spent all morning discussing what they'd heard. It was still so shocking, but explained a lot. They all decided that they needed to make sure Margret understood they cared for her, no matter what.
After the twins left Harry, Ron, and Hermione argued about Black. They'd known he was dangerous, but everything that'd happened last night and what they'd heard Dumbledore say really brought it home for them. Eventually Ron and Hermione decided not to let Harry out of their sight, in the event he did something stupid like seek out Black and kill him to get revenge for his parents and protect Margret. Harry was highly irritated by this, but he'd never admit to either of his best mates that he was actually considering doing just that.
They had planned to speak with Margret about what they'd heard, preferring to get over with then having it dragged out when she sensed something was wrong on her Empathic Radar. She'd told them on the train that she was a Telepath, but she'd never found anyone she could communicate with. She couldn't read minds-"the mind is not a book to be opened and read, but one could enter and experience a person's memories and surface thoughts,"* were her exact words-but she could sense people's emotions. She could also hear or experience what someone was thinking if she tried, but it was risky to the other person so she didn't do it much.
After two Slytherin/Gryffindor classes without a sign of Margret Harry got fed up. In the hall he confronted Malfoy who, with many snide remarks toward Harry and his nosy friends, admitted he hadn't seen her since Prof. Snape had taken her to see Dumbledore last night. Harry figured she'd been upset after her argument with Fudge and had gone to Lupin.
Upon entering Lupin's class he found he was right. Hanging from a perch beside Lupin's desk was a little fruit bat with its back to the class. Several students asked if the bat was the subject of the class, when Lupin said no they asked what it was doing there. He explained that the little thing was just in a very bad mood and he refused to let it sulk in his room.
While the rest of the class was confused Harry, Ron and Hermione understood, and so did Malfoy, according to his expression. Harry wasn't surprised. When Margret wasn't with Harry she was with Draco. Harry had noticed their constant interaction had softened Malfoy slightly. He was still a prat, but he didn't take every single opportunity to insult Harry and the other Gryffindors. And whenever he said or did something really foul Margret would either rant at him or just smack him up-side the head. Despite being constantly put in check Malfoy didn't push Margret away. Harry didn't know why, but he thought that maybe, just maybe, with Margret's guidance Draco Malfoy might actually become a good person, and stop being Harry's nemesis.
After class Harry, Ron, Hermione and, not surprisingly, Malfoy lagged behind. Once everyone was gone Malfoy walked straight up to Lupin's desk and started rummaging through his bag. Lupin watched in wonder, surprised by Malfoy's odd actions. A second later the boy pulled out a stack of parchment.
"You can tell me what happened when you like," He said to the little bat, "But tomorrow you take your own notes."
Lupin blinked at him, Batty shifting on her perch beside him. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," he said, with a soft smile, "That's very kind of you."
Malfoy flushed and turned away, not used to being thanked. "She'd do as much for me," He said, before leaving the room without so much as throwing Harry a dark look.
It was at that moment that Harry realized why Draco put up with Margret's chastising. Slytherins weren't known for their loyalty, so Malfoy probably didn't have many people he could count on, maybe not even at home. To have someone who had already proven they would run in head long to protect you was world altering for Malfoy. He would probably do anything to prove worthy of her friendship.
"Oi, Batty," Said Ron, poking the witch, "We want to talk with you." Margret didn't move.
"It seems she doesn't want to change shape at the moment," Lupin said with a small grin, "But since she hasn't flown off I believe she's willing to listen."
"I'd rather her be normal," Ron said, poking the bat, "Talking to an animal is just weird."
Harry noticed Lupin give a silent sigh, looking almost pained. Why was that?, he thought.
"YOUCH!" Ron shouted, jumping back from Batty holding his finger, which was bleeding, "She bit me! I thought Fruit bats ate fruit."
Margret shifted to her human self, dressed in her tattered jeans, loafers, and oxford shirt un-tucked. She was glaring at Ron, a dribble of blood trailing from her mouth. "Doesn't mean I don't have teeth," She said, pulling back her upper lip to expose a sharp canine, "For heaven sakes, Ron. Sometimes you're duller then a mallet."
Ron s ears turned red. "Well you-" He began, ready to insult her back.
"Stop it, Ron," said Hermione, stepping between them, "We didn't come here to start a fight."
"Then why did you come?" Margret snapped, irritated. She really was in a bad mood.
"Well we wanted to talk about ," Hermione tried saying, but it looked like she didn't know how to say what she wanted, "...that is we thought we should..." Margret turned to Harry, as Hermione seemed unable to form a coherent sentence.
"We heard your argument with Fudge," He said simply.
Margret's eyes went wide in alarm, then she got a pained look and leaned back agents Lupin's deck, suddenly looking worn and battered, her scars more prominent then before. "You argued with Fudge?" Lupin asked, alarmed, "Whatever for?"
"He accused me of helping Black into the castle," Margret said, looking at the floor instead of meeting anyone's eye, "I kind of lost my cool and all but cussed him out. I told him all the reasons I'd never help any of Riddle's supporters." Lupin looked pained and placed a reassuring hand on Margret's shoulder which she squeezed.
"Well, we heard every word of it," Said Harry, a little ashamed at eaves dropping.
"I see," She said, bracing herself for the worst, "N-now what?"
Hermione surged forward and hugged Margret, surprising her. "You poor thing," She said, holding Margret close, "It must have been horrible growing up with that on your shoulders."
Margret blinked, stunned. "You don't hate me?" She asked, dumbfounded.
"Of course not, silly," Said Harry, putting an arm around her, "Who your father is doesn't change who you are."
"Yeah," Ron said, with a nod, "But it does explain why the Slytherins are so chummy with you. I mean, they know, right?"
"Yeah," Margret confirmed, tearing up but smiling, "When I showed up they kind of expected me to take charge of things. Took me a week to convince them I wasn't going to be a dictator like Ol' Tom."
"That sounds fun," Said Harry, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah," She chuckled. Then she looked at the three of them teary eyed. She hugged them close, breaking down into relieved tears. "You guys are wonderful," She sobbed, hiding her face in Hermione's shoulder. They smiled at each other.
"Um," Harry said, once Margret had calmed down a little, "Fred and George heard you last night too."
Margret's head popped up, her face pale and frightened.
"They still like you too," Hermione said quickly, "They're just as worried as us."
"R-really?" Margret asked, looking a little hopeful.
Hermione nodded, blushing slightly. "I think Fred said something about a special surprise."
"Oh," Said Margret, looking away and blushing, "Th-that could be nice."
"You seriously like him?" Marveled Ron, "But isn't it maddening trying to figure out which is which? Even mum has a hard time of it most days."
"I can tell them apart," Margret said, whipping the tears from her eyes.
"How?" Ron asked, unconvinced.
"Profiling," Margret said, "I observe people to figure out their personalities and predict how they'll react to certain situations. I'm not as good as my mom was, but I'm better than most. They're some minor differences between Fred and George and I can pick up on them easy."
"Blimey," Ron said, amazed, "I thought it was your telepathy."
"Nah," Margret said, shaking her head, "I can only sense emotions, but someday I might be able to do more, I don't know."
"As much as I hate breaking up this moment," Said Lupin, looking sincere in his words, "If you three don't hurry you'll miss lunch."
"He's right," Margret said, looking at her watch, "You should hurry up. I'm gana stay here for the rest of the day, but I'll be in class tomorrow."
"Alright," Said Harry, picking up his bag, "See you at dinner?" She nodded her head, smiling.
"And thank you, you three," Said Lupin, placing a hand on Margret's shoulder, "The children Margret grew up with very unkind to her when they learned the truth. To know you aren't afraid makes me just a little less worried for her."
"Of course," Said Harry, smiling broadly, "She's my favorite cousin."
Margret jumped forward and hugged Harry. "You're mine too," She whispered back.

-So much fluffy friendship love here, it makes you feel all warm and Fuzzy. Draco's all shy about it, but Hermione isn't. Despite all the neglect I see Margret as the kind of girl that would jump at affectionate gestures, especially from Harry. They're such cute cousins.-