AN: Thanks for being patient while I was away. I didn't get to do as much writing as I would have liked, but here's a bigger chapter to satisfy you (hopefully) while I work on the next one. Thanks for all your wonderful and helpful reviews, too! xx


Chapter Nine: The Youngest Yet

Hermione was still attempting to study a half hour later when Ron entered the prefect common room, seemingly in a better mood. He spotted Hermione reading and headed over, taking a seat beside her.

Hermione, unsure of how to act, lowered her book to show she was listening, but didn't look at him.

"Hermione..." Ron began, "I think we kind of got off to a rough start, don't you think?"

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle, and softening at Ron's uncertain, bashful tone, she leaned into his shoulder warmly, "It's okay Ron... I suppose it's just... new, and everything seems to be happening all at once..."

She sat up, and considered Ron seriously, "I mean, first there's this... this room, and our new teacher, we're starting our N.E.W.T.s, dealing with Harry..."

"Who," Ron interrupted, "Is in much better spirits, by the way." He smirked, and Hermione blinked.

"When we went up to Gryffindor Tower, I was expecting a nice, quiet game of Wizard's Chess," he said, leaning back in his seat, "But as soon as we walked through the portrait hole, he walked straight over to Ginny, pulled her up from her seat and in front of everyone, asked her to be his girlfriend!"

Hermione gasped in delight, and clapped her hands over her mouth.

Ron continued, "I had no idea he was going to do it, but I suppose we did kind of nag him about it before."

"That's wonderful!" Hermione replied, then slightly uncertainly, "Are you sure you're okay with it?"

Ron shrugged, "Well... Harry's my best mate; I don't think there's anyone better for her... Although," he added, grimacing, "It was kind of weird when they kissed."

"They kissed?" Hermione squealed, "In front of everyone?"

Ron shrugged again, and repeated, "It was weird."

Hermione giggled, "I think it's terrific!"

She paused; her expression grew serious and, meeting Ron's eyes in a firm gaze, and leaning in ever so slightly, she murmured, "...Is this weird?"

Ron gulped, but got her hint. He lifted a hand to her hair and kissed her soundly.

Hermione couldn't help but feel reassured by the way she felt during that kiss. She felt comfortable and dismissed all of her earlier doubts. They had made up, and it felt right. Hermione Weasley... the thought drifted across her mind, and she broke away from him, slightly choking, slightly giggling.

"What's the matter?" Ron asked her, panicking as though he had done something wrong.

"Oh," Hermione dismissed, "I'm sorry, nothing... I... I'm just... just happy." She smiled, and reassured, Ron continued to kiss her.

In fact, Hermione had been a little surprised at the image of herself being married to Ron, but then again, she had never thought about that stuff... ever. She was only sixteen, for goodness sake! There was plenty of time to worry about all that later.

"Oh," Hermione said, pulling away from Ron, "Did you hear about Neville...?"

Ron frowned, gesturing that he had not.

"He's with Hannah!" Hermione told him, and Ron raised his eyebrows, impressed, "That was quick!" He said, before chuckling, "Blimey! Everyone's pairing off! You'd think it was a full moon or something!"

Hermione laughed, "What?"

Ron blushed, "Oh, you know... Mum always said it... when it's a full moon, people get... you know, romantic."

Hermione raised her eyebrows, amused, but didn't say anything, making Ron blush harder.

"Well ...Oh never mind, forget I said anything!" He pouted, and Hermione just laughed, "I'm sorry, I'm not trying to make fun of you... It's just... it is funny!"

She wiped her eyes and said, "Actually, I'd like to go and see the new couple," referring to Harry and Ginny.

Ron groaned, "I just came from there, you can go if you want," Not unkindly, and gestured for her to leave.

"Honestly," he continued, as Hermione looked at him questioningly, "You go, I can hang around here for a bit."

"You sure?" Hermione asked, and Ron nodded, giving her a chaste kiss.

Hermione smiled, and stood to leave, "I'll be back in a bit, then."


Hermione walked along the corridor, feeling very relaxed and most definitely not as stressed as she had before. She heard voices around the next corner, but did not really pay attention until her ears spiked at the unmistakable giggle of Pansy Parkinson. Hermione groaned – surely Hogwarts was big enough that she didn't have to run into her so often?

Apparently not, Hermione answered herself grimly, and took in a deep, steadying breath.

Just as she rounded the corner, she heard Pansy saying, "It's a huge honour, you should be happy, and you're the youngest yet!"

Once around the corner, Hermione immediately saw who she was speaking to – Malfoy, flanked by his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. Hermione gasped slightly at being confronted by so many Slytherins.

Surprisingly, they did not see her at first. Malfoy was glaring at Pansy and spat, "It wasn't exactly my choice," before his eyes locked onto Hermione, and he immediately fell silent.

Pansy exclaimed, "Bite your tongue!" Before she followed Malfoy's line of sight and clamped her mouth shut herself.

Hermione had not stopped walking, but at this point she readied herself for any oncoming insults. Instead, Malfoy let out a "Bah!" and with a sweep of his cloak, marched off in the opposite direction. Crabbe and Goyle stumbled along behind him clumsily, and Pansy was left alone, standing awkwardly in the middle of the hallway.

Hermione couldn't prevent a small smile from escaping as she passed Pansy, enjoying the fact that she had just been downtrodden somehow by Malfoy. Once she was a safe distance away however, Hermione frowned and pondered what she had overheard. What could it mean?

Harry would want to hear about this, Hermione thought.


Indeed, Harry was very interested to hear what Hermione had overheard. He frowned, and leaned forward in his armchair, forcing Ginny to stand and move to his side, as she had been sitting in his lap.

"He should feel honoured? Youngest yet?" Harry pondered, rubbing his chin with his hand, before Ginny offered tentatively, "He's not... you know, a... a Death Eater, is he?"

Harry froze, and Hermione stuttered, "Oh my... My goodness..."

Ginny's eyes were wide, but it seemed she had hit the nail on the head.

Slowly turning to her, Harry said quietly, "You know, I think you must be right."

"It fits," Hermione groaned, clutching her chest, feeling shocked, "But... but he's only sixteen..."

Harry's eyes darkened, "Voldemort is stooping extremely low, if he's inducting kids into his service..."

"Well," replied Hermione, "He did say something about it not being his choice... Perhaps his father made it come about?" She slumped backwards into her armchair.

"No doubt," Said Harry darkly, "Lucius is an obvious favourite to his beloved Dark Lord. I don't even think he would blink twice at offering up his own son to score brownie points with the boss."

Ginny's chin quivered, and Harry snapped out of his reverie, turning to wrap her in his arms, "It's okay, Ginny. It's good we found this out when we did..."

"It's terrible," Ginny replied, slightly tearful, "I mean, I hate Malfoy but he's like... our age. War really makes you grow up fast, doesn't it?"

Ginny's words were truth and wisdom put together and Hermione felt a hole appear in the pit of her stomach. She winced at the uncomfortable feeling and sighed, "Unfortunately, yes Ginny."

Surprisingly, but not unwelcomingly, Ginny leaned forward to Hermione and hugged her tightly. Hermione glanced at Harry over Ginny's shoulder and was touched to see his eyes welling up slightly with tears.

"We'll all be okay," She heard herself say, patting Ginny on the back, "We all have each other and that's the way it's going to stay."

Ginny sniffled slightly and pulled back from Hermione smiling gratefully, and nestled quietly against Harry. Hermione noticed that a couple of other Gryffindors were looking at them curiously, wondering what could have caused such a mood change in the new, happy couple of Harry and Ginny.

Hermione cleared her throat and said quietly to Harry, "I think we should go and see Dumbledore."

Harry paused, then nodded sombrely, and giving Ginny a swift kiss on her forehead, stood with Hermione to leave.


They headed towards the Headmaster's office, unspeaking. Hermione knew that Harry already suspected wrongdoing from Malfoy, and did not really want to encourage any theories until they had spoken to Professor Dumbledore and heard what he had to say about the matter.

At one point, they passed Neville and Hannah, the latter giggling heartily and the former blushing, looking very pleased with himself.

Hermione looked back after them fondly, "Aren't they the sweetest couple ever?"

Harry smiled half-heartedly, but nodded with his agreement. Hermione suspected that this latest information on Malfoy was worrying him more than he let on, and remained silent the remainder of the trip, leaving him to his thoughts.

As they arrived at the stone gargoyles representing the entrance to the Headmaster's office, Hermione exclaimed suddenly, "Blast! Ron doesn't know any of this yet..."

She turned hesitantly to Harry, "I think I should go and tell him. Do you mind seeing Dumbledore by yourself?"

Harry shrugged and shook his head. Hermione thanked him and hurried off in the direction of the prefect common rooms, holding her chest painfully.

The war is really here, she thought, stressfully, even inside Hogwarts! Oh please let Dumbledore help us.

She found the two statues of armour, impatiently pushed through the darkness and hurried up to Ron, who was lounging on one of the squishy couches in front of the campfire.

"Ron," She said breathlessly, and he looked up, startled.

"What is it?" He asked, standing up quickly and tripping over his own gangly legs.

Hermione couldn't help but giggle wearily at this spectacle but quickly regained her seriousness as she stepped towards him and buried herself in his arms. Ron held her softly, but Hermione could hear the concerned tension in his voice as he repeated, "What is it, 'Mione?"

Hermione pulled away from him, took in a deep breath and told him in a hurried, low voice what she had witnessed and heard.

"Bloody hell," Said Ron as she finished, "It sounds as though Ginny guessed right. What do you think Dumbledore will do?"

Hermione put a hand to her forehead and sighed, "Well firstly I hope he believes us…" She lifted her hand slightly and smacked herself on the forehead, "Of course he'll believe Harry, silly Hermione… I… I don't know, do you want to go and catch Harry as he leaves?"

"Sure," Ron said, and taking Hermione's hand securely, they left the prefect common room and headed towards Dumbledore's office.


Hermione and Ron hung outside Dumbledore's office impatiently until Harry appeared, looking slightly calmer. They rushed up to him, eager to hear what Dumbledore had said.

Harry relieved their impatience by speaking lowly but clearly, "Dumbledore actually did not seem very surprised," he began, "which doesn't surprise me in the least. He said he's spoken to Snape about it…"

"Snape!" Ron spat, interrupting him.

"…Who is spy for our side, remember?" Harry answered him with raised eyebrows.

Ron mumbled his assent and shrugged sheepishly, allowing Harry to continue, "And, Dumbledore reckons that Snape's going to do some digging about why Malfoy has been inducted so young…"

"To try and find out what he's up to," Hermione finished for him.

Harry nodded, "That's all Dumbledore would tell me, although," he added, "he did mention that he wanted to see me again tomorrow, so maybe he plans to tell me more then."

Ron nodded, but Hermione frowned thoughtfully.

"Just you?" She asked offhandedly, trying not to sound offended.

Harry's eyes widened slightly, realizing what Hermione was implying, "Oh… Well then, maybe it has to do with something else," he shrugged.

Hermione chewed at the corner of her lip but left it at that. Ron's stomach chose that moment to growl loudly and he looked up startled as Harry and Hermione burst out laughing, breaking the tense mood.

"Must be dinner time," Ron said sheepishly, and they headed down to the Great Hall.


They sat down at the Gryffindor table, and Harry reunited with Ginny, smothering her in fond kisses. Ron looked at them greenly and Hermione nudged him, reminding him that he was hungry. Ron immediately forgot that his best friend and baby sister were canoodling publicly beside him and tucked into the roast potatoes keenly. Hermione smiled fondly at Ron, before she noticed Neville sitting across from her.

"Neville," She greeted him warmly, and he looked up from his plate, surprised.

Hermione laughed, "In your own little world over there, I see?" And Neville blushed, "Sorry Hermione, I didn't notice you guys arrive."

"It's okay," Hermione brushed it aside, "You have every reason to be only thinking of one thing right now." She winked at him, and Neville turned another shade deeper, unsuccessfully trying to hide a wide grin.

Hermione giggled, and loaded her own plate from the usual scrumptious Hogwarts spread. Biting into some roast pumpkin, she felt rather warm and content inside and thought, Perhaps my first day at Hogwarts hasn't been so bad, after all.