Standing beside the hunched over girl, Rolanda rubbed her back soothingly as she emptied the contents of her stomach at the base of the hog statue. Harry and George stood back, flinching with each sound of her retching. When she had nothing left, she wiped her mouth and turned to her friends, looking pale as the moon in the sky.

"Feeling better?" The flying instructor asked as she slipped her silvery-blue cloak over her shivering shoulders.

Hermione nodded, moaning in pain with each movement, "Slightly."

Watching as the young woman pulled the warm material tighter around herself. Looking away and to the other two companions, she noticed they were rubbing their hands up and down their arms trying to stay warm. "Maybe I should have let you grab a jumper before leaving," She muttered, scratching the back of her head, "If we hurry, we can get some hot chocolate before going to bed to warm us up." Wrapping her arm around the younger woman's shoulders, she waved the gates open.

Nodding jerkily, the boys followed the women as they hurried up the pathway to the castle. From where he was walking, Harry noticed the silhouette in the window of the Headmistress' office. As they came up to the stairs, he glanced at his two closest friends, glad that neither of them had noticed the enraged witch watching them from above.


Even though they were inside now, Hermione still shivered, especially as they passed the gargoyle guarding the Headmistress' office. It was as if the happiness was being pushed away, and the halls were filled with hurt and anger. Was something wrong with Minerva? Had something happened?

Shaking her head, she forced her worries away. Minerva was a strong witch; she could take care of herself. Sighing, she focused on the decorations lining the halls, noting the differences between Minerva's approach and Dumbledore's. Not as many ball-balls floated around, and the walls weren't covered in multi-coloured tinsel as they had been with Professor Dumbledore in charge. It was warm and welcoming. Before she knew it, they were standing in front of a large portrait of a witch on a broomstick.

"Hello Rolanda, I see you've got company." The blonde woman said, amusement weaving through her voice.

"Good evening Chelsea." Harry smiled.

"Harry dear, I didn't see you there. How are you?"

"Good."

Frowning at the short response, she turned to the man next to him, "And who is this delicious boy?" She purred, leaning forward on her broom.

Blushing, Harry looked down at the stone floor, "This is George, a friend of mine. George, this is Chelsea, she guards Holly's private quarters."

Nodding, George smiled at the blonde, "Nice to meet you m'lady."

"You too," She giggled before turning back to Hooch, "So who's your little friend?" She smirked, looking Hermione up and down.

"This is Hermione, she's just a friend." She stressed.

"Okay dear. What's your password?"

"Chocolate."

Smiling, Chelsea zoomed around on her broom as the portrait swung open, "I don't want to hear too much laughter, otherwise I'll come in and break up this little party." She said sternly, but the smile she gave them as they passed belied that.

"She will come in though if we're being too loud." Harry said, remembering the many times she had come in and told him and Rolanda off for keeping her awake.

"That she will." The hawk eyed witch agreed, "Now, I only have one spare room, so two of you are going to have to share."

Harry looked up at George and shrugged, "I'll share with George," He said as nonchalantly as possible.

Hermione smirked at him before turning to the older woman, "Where am I to sleep Rolanda?"

"In my room, I'll take the sofa."

Frowning, Hermione shook her head, "We're both adults, I'm sure we can share a bed." When Hooch looked like she was about to protest, she held up her hand, "I'm sure we can share Rolanda."

Hooch nodded dumbly, "Harry, some of your spare clothes are still in the closet."

Harry nodded and gestured for George to follow him.

"Now 'Mione dear, let's see if I can find you something to sleep in."

Following the older witch into the side room, Hermione looked around the room. The bed looked as if it was made out of dark oak with carvings of lovely little roses winding around the posts. The thick quilt was made from blue silk with silver stitching. Looking over in the corner of the room, a large painting hung from the wall with a beautiful gold frame. It was a portrait of a young woman, no older than twenty-five, with the brightest blue eyes she'd had ever seen.

"That was Amanda. She was my best friend all through Hogwarts, much like Harry is now." Rolanda said from her spot from the open doorway.

Hermione looked at her. "Was?"

Hooch nodded her head sadly , walking over to Hermione with a pair of green three quarter pants and a loose top. "She died in the first war against Voldemort. She was a strong witch, but Lucius Malfoy was stronger."

"I'm sorry." She whispered, looking at the ground.

"Don't be." Rolanda said with a small smile, "She died doing what she loved."

"Fighting?"

"No " Hooch laughed, "Taunting Slytherins." She handed the girl the clothes to change into, "The bathrooms just through that door." She said pointing to the door that was near the painting.

Hermione nodded her head in thanks and walked into the room. A few minutes later she came out to see Rolanda pulling a tank top on, covering her smooth, blemish free back. Stifling a gasp, Hermione cleared her throat nervously.

Turning around slightly, she smiled at her over her shoulder, "Would you like a hot chocolate now 'Mione?" She asked as she pulled the shirt down fully.

"Ah...sure." She ducked her head in hopes of hiding her red stained cheeks.

Laughing lightly at the nervous girl, Rolanda walked over to the door, pausing when she heard her gasp as her bare legs came into view. Turning around, she looked at the war hero and then to her black knickers, "What? I get hot." She said, before leaving the room.

Sitting in the living room, already changed, were the boys. They both looked up and smiled as she walked out and sat down on the sofa directly in front of the fireplace. Just because she said it gets hot, doesn't mean she couldn't enjoy the fire.

Georges smile turned into a gasp as he realized that Hooch was only wearing a top and knickers, much like Hermione had. Looking away quickly, he didn't notice the amused look on Harry's face. When he looked up again, he noticed that Hooch was sitting on the side closest to Harry with her legs tucked up and under her, while Hermione had taken up the same positon on the other end.

Smiling, he leant forward and picked up one of the mugs of hot chocolate that appeared on the table. Once everyone was settled and holding their own mug, they started talking about what to do the next day. Harry suggested going down to the Quidditch pitch and teaching Hermione how to play, but Hermione shot that down before he could even finish speaking, so she suggested that they go for a swim in the black lake. No one objected to the idea, so they sat back and drank the rest of their drinks before going to bed.

It had after all, been an emotionally draining evening for everyone.