A/N: Don't own Potter and friends just this plot. I would like to thank all the reviewers. Most are thought provoking. I am writing this as it comes to me. I have some idea where this will go, but it will take time to get there.

Chapter 9: School Begins

Harry, Emma, and Hermione left early on Monday morning to get Harry registered on the first day of school. Harry was a little nervous because it was a new school, but he was also excited because he would be with Hermione and wanted to do well. There were no problems with the records that Emma presented, almost all of the disciplinary records were removed, and they were soon escorted to their classroom. The headmaster introduced them to Miss Tomas, (Toe-mas) their teacher, who in turn introduced them to the class.

"Most of you remember Hermione from last year, and this is Harry Potter. As I understand it, he is staying with the Grangers now. He will be with us for the remainder of the year. Please make him welcome."

The only seats available at the moment, were at the back of the class. As Harry and Hermione made their way to their seats, several snide remarks were made towards Hermione. Harry got his back up immediately.

"Let it go Harry." Hermione whispered.

"Beaver teeth got a boyfriend," was whispered from somewhere close by followed by giggling. Harry was used to snide remarks, but this was Hermione they were talking bout.

Hermione could see the stress building in Harry and placed a hand on Harry's arm. "No Harry. They're not worth it. Come on let's sit down."

Class settled down and Harry really appreciated the hard work that Hermione put in towards Harry's education. They were the only ones that seemed prepared for the school year. Even if his hand didn't shoot up as fast as hers did or as often, they always had their hands up to answer any question the teacher asked.

At first, the other kids tried to verbally pick on Harry. He heard four eyes, scar head, and bookworm most often. These just rolled off him like water off a ducks back. It frustrated them. It was weeks later when they found what would get under his skin. It was at the same time, weeks later that it seemed to Harry that the teacher often ignored the fact Hermione had her hand up for every question and it bothered him. He stayed in at the beginning of lunch one day, to ask Miss Tomas about this. He stood in the classroom a little unsure of himself, after all teachers had never listened to him before.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, what can I do for you?" she asked.

"Why do you ignore Hermione?"

Puzzled by his statement, she said, "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"A lot of times when she has her hand up, clearly knowing the answer, you refuse to call on her. Why is that?"

She thought about it for a minute. "I know she knows the book answers. When she answers it's like she is reading it right out of the book."

"It's still the right answer though isn't it?"

"Yes it is, but…"

"But what? Either it's right or it's wrong."

"It's not that simple. Any one can memorize a book, but what have they truly learned from it. If they can't understand the meaning behind the words, then the words mean nothing."

"Have you ever explained that to her? Have your ever took the time to get to know Hermione? Books and knowledge are her world, at least they were. Did you know it hurts her when you don't call on her? And then the other kids pick on her. Did you know that?"

She thought for a minute. "No, I didn't know any of that. Would you have her come see me after our last class today so I can talk to her?"

With a smile on his face he said, "It would be my pleasure," and walked out of the classroom to find Hermione.

Miss Tomas couldn't get over how polite the young boy was.

As unhappy as he was about the way Miss Tomas treated Hermione, it was nothing compared to what he was when he found her. There was a tree that they sat under during lunch that had always been her favorite. She was there now, only she wasn't alone.

"Where's your little boyfriend? Did you forget to pay him?" he heard one of the girls taunt her.

"What you reading bookworm?" one of the boys asked as he tore the book out of her hands.

"Give that back. That's a school book." She hollered.

"That's your problem now isn't it?" He said as he tore pages out of the book.

Harry got there just as he dropped the pages in a mud puddle. "You will pay for that book and you WILL apologize to Hermione. All of you." Harry said forcefully.

"And who's going to make us? You?" the biggest one said as the others laughed.

"If I have to, yes."

It wasn't long until they were all fighting. To be fair to Harry, he was dealing with four and he had never learned how to fight. Survival before meant being able to run faster. With Hermione's safety at stake, that was no longer an option.

When it was over, they were all headed for the headmaster's office, led by one of the teachers.

"Harry what got into you? Look at yourself? What's Dad going to say about you fighting?" Harry did look bad. His shirt was torn, he had a bloody nose, and probably several bruised ribs.

He smirked, "He'll probably ask if I won." He was rather proud for having stood up for her after all she had done for him.

Hermione looked at the ceiling exasperated, rolled her eyes, and murmured "Boys."

"Hermione?" he said softly.

"Yes Harry."

"Miss Tomas wants to speak with you after class today." He said sheepishly.

"What have you done now?"

"You wound me Hermione. What makes you think I did anything?"

"Harry? Aren't you in enough trouble?"

"Honest Hermione, I'm not in trouble with Miss Tomas." He held his hands up in front of him in surrender. "I maybe with you though." He whispered. He wasn't sure how she would take it when she found out he had talked to their teacher about her. He was only trying to help her after all.

When they had finally been admitted to the headmaster's office and he asked what had happened, they all tried to speak at once. All that is, except Harry. He remained quite in the back of the room. The headmaster noticed that he was the only one not trying to make himself heard and he was the worst looking one of the group.

"You there, in the back. Step forward." Harry reluctantly stepped forward. "What is your name? Tell me your version of what happened."

"Harry Potter, sir. I wasn't there for all of it."

"Well tell me what you do know."

"Well, when I arrived where we normally eat lunch, one of the girls was teasing Hermione that I wasn't around and she couldn't keep a boyfriend without paying him. Then the big olf here took her book, tore the pages out of it, and threw it in the mud. I told them they would pay to replace the book and then they would apologize to her. That's pretty much when punches started to fly."

"Miss Granger, is that true?"

Hermione was studying her shoes, "Yes sir."

"I'm surprised at you, Miss Granger. Always before, you came to us for help."

"Yes I did and I would have this time too, except Harry's not the type to trust teachers. Besides, has my coming to you stopped the bullying that I face everyday?"

"Is it truly that bad?"

"Yes, although this is the first time it got so physical, the verbal abuse is the same."

"Are you the only one?"

"I doubt it," she sniffed. "I'm sure that even some of these people have been teased or bullied in one form or another."

"Surely it's not that bad." The headmaster placated.

"Did anyone ever make fun of you while you were growing up?"

"Yes, I'm sure we have all experienced it at one time or another."

"Did it hurt?"

"At the time, yes."

"Imagine that happening everyday. Imagine going to people you trusted and they fixed the problem for that day. Then imagine what you would look like if you had to go to those same people day after day for the same reason. What do you think those people would think of you?"

He thought for a few minutes, letting what she said sink in, "They would probably think of you as a whiner."

"Exactly. There is no way for us to deal with bullying without looking like crybabies, so we say nothing." The last part of her statement was very soft.

"I will look into this, I promise Miss Granger." He wrote something on a pad of paper.

"Now to deal with today's altercation. All of you will serve detention tomorrow after classes are over for the day. This will give you time to inform your parents that you will be late leaving school. Another altercation and you will be suspended for three days. John Sullivan, you will pay for the book you destroyed. Now go to your class."

It was a solemn group that left the headmasters office. Somewhere thinking about what was said, others were plotting revenge.

"That was quite a speech in there, Hermione." Harry whispered.

"Thanks Harry. I probably wouldn't have if you hadn't stood up for me out there at lunch."

"You're stronger than you think, Hermione."

The rest of the day passed without any more remarks whispered. When the final bell rang, "Miss Granger, may I speak with you for a moment?" Miss Tomas asked.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I'll wait for you in the hall." Harry said.

After Harry had gathered his books and stepped out, "It would seem you have found your Prince Charming." Miss Tomas said.

Hermione looked at her puzzled, "Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Mr. Potter is quite protective of you, Miss Granger. Damsel in distress and all that."

Hermione blushed, "I'm sure you're mistaken, Miss Tomas."

"Am I? Taking on four lads in your defense, talking to me about neglecting you in class. I don't think I am wrong."

She tilted her head slightly to the left, a puzzled look on her face, and asked, "How do you neglect me in class?"

"Mr. Potter noticed I have a habit of passing over you when the class is asked a question and wanted to know why. He said it bothers you when I do that."

"I just assumed it was to give others a chance to answer, even if it is wrong or incomplete."

"That is part of it, but not the main reason."

Hermione was curious now, "What is the main reason?"

"As I told Mr. Potter, anyone can memorize a text book and recite the answers, but a true scholar examines the meaning of the words they read. When you give an answer in class, it's as if you are reading right out of the book. What I want is for you to think about what you have read and form your answer from that, not just the details. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I think so. It may take a while for it to sink in, but yes, I think I do. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me, Miss Tomas."

"Any time Miss Granger. If I were you, I would find a way to thank Mr. Potter properly. He cares a great deal for you. Good day."

Hermione left the classroom and found Harry waiting in the hall, just as he said he would. She looked at him in a different light. She would turn her head and look at him for a few seconds every now and then.

"What?" he asked as he walked her home.

"Nothing, I'm just trying to figure you out."

"I'm not complicated Hermione. I'm just a guy." He said and gave her that lopsided grin of his.

"No Harry, you're definitely not just a guy."

When Dan and Emma came home that evening, Harry had already fixed diner, something he rarely did anymore. Emma was immediately suspicious, but she said nothing.

When diner was just about over, Harry asked Dan. "Can you teach me how to fight?"

"Why do you need to learn how to fight?"

"I pretty much got my butt kicked today and I don't want it to happen again."

"Oh. What happened?"

Harry explained what happened at lunch. "I will not leave her alone like that again." After which Hermione said, "We have to serve detention after school tomorrow because of the fighting."

"I was wondering why you fixed diner." Emma said with a knowing grin.

"Emma, you wound me," Harry exclaimed putting his right hand over his heart dramatically. "Do you think I would stoop to bribery?"

"Yes Harry. I do." She was delighted at the banter with Harry at home. Hermione had told her that he was still reserved at school

Harry stuck out his lower lip and pouted. Then he laughed.

"Yes Harry, on top of everything else I will teach you to defend yourself."

"May I join too." asked Hermione.

"Why Princess?"

"I got knocked about a bit today and I didn't like it any more than Harry. I want to be able to defend myself."

"It won't be easy. The physical training you have been doing will get harder." He warned.

"I don't want to have to depend on Harry every time something comes up. No offence, Harry. Plus, I will know he has my back and I will have his."

"None taken, Hermione." He was excited that she wanted to be able to protect herself as well as look out for him.

Dan thought about this for a long time, remembering what it was like to be bullied as a boy. If it was just Hermione he would not have considered it as it was unlady like to fight and like all fathers, he didn't want her to get hurt.

"Okay, I'll have to buy some more equipment to put in the basement. Then we will have to set up a schedule for training."

It was not easy to fit in the additional training in the martial arts. Their day started at five every morning for a run, then regular physical exercise before school. Studying and home work after school, the few chores they had, which mainly constituted keeping their rooms clean and doing the dishes and mild cleaning. What little relaxation they had during the week just got smaller.

Weekends were not empty either. Aside from exercising, Madam Longbottom came and for four hours every Saturday, she would teach all of them the rules, laws, and traditions of the ancient and noble houses as well as those for the general populace. On Sunday, Aunt Mini, as they came to call her, would teach them the principles and history behind magic. She brought several books on magic theory for charms, defense against the dark arts and transfiguration. They would have to wait on their wands until Christmas. She did give them some sticks that were the same size and weight as a wand so they could practice the movements.

"Do you think we are putting too much on the kids?" Emma asked Dan one day.

"Maybe, but they seem to be taking it in stride." Dan was deep in thought for a few minutes. "Maybe we should schedule a break for one weekend and get a way. Let the kids really have some fun. It's been a while since we went out as a family."

"That sounds like a great idea. Let's talk to Mini and Mrs. Longbottom this weekend and see what they think."

"Madam Longbottom, we realize that it may not seem like a long time since you started lessons with us, but we feel the kids need a break. Aside from what you teach us they have a very physical as well as academic schedule that fills almost every hour of their day. We would like to take next weekend off so the kids can have some fun for a change. We don't want to rob them of their childhood completely. Do you agree?" Emma asked after they had finished for the day. It was mid October and they wanted to get in this time before it got too cold to be out.

They watched as Harry and Hermione played tag with each other in the backyard.

The stern looking matriarch considered what she had said and what she had asked. "I know of their schedule and I can tell you I am amazed at all that they have to do everyday. There is not a pureblood child that would be able to keep up with them physically or mentally either. Harry is still a bit shy, and that may work to his advantage at first. I also agree that they do need some time to be children. My Neville is smart, and his magic is better with a new wand. I wish I could introduce him to Harry and Hermione. I think that they would have a good influence on him."

"I don't think there are many children that can keep up with them, but that is beside the point. They need a break and need to be with others their age. Especially Harry so he can see what a normal childhood is like. Why don't we speak to Mini and see if we can't get her to change her mind about him? I think it would be a good idea if they could get to know a magically raised child. It would benefit both I think. Would he be able to give the oath that the others gave for secrecy?" Dan asked.