Hermione made her way through the halls of Hogwarts warily. She was very grateful that Neville was walking down to breakfast with her; no one should really be walking alone anymore.
This anxiety was different than all other fears she had of walking through the halls of the school. Not only did she have to dodge bullies like Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy on a daily basis, as well as the Carrows, but there were so many new booby traps hidden around the school, it was like having to dodge Peeves around every corner.
It was expected that the students wouldn't take to Snape's tenure as Headmaster overly well, and the addition of the Carrows to the teaching staff appealed to them even less. Thus, the students from three houses banded together much as they had beneath Umbridge's tyranny. The school revolted.
Fred and George must have been busy as Nifflers in a jewelry shop these days, with all the Weasley Wizard Wheezes Hermione came across in the school.
A few times a week, someone would let loose a Dungbomb in one of the Carrows classes or a Decoy Detonator in the Great Hall. Self-Propelling Custard Pies were left at the foot of the gargoyle guarding the headmaster's staircase, lying in wait for Snape to descend.
There were also products from the joke shop that eased the students' minds and made walking to class marginally less dangerous. Shield Hats were a particular favourite amongst Muggle-borns and 'blood traitors' and it was becoming a frequent occurrence for a hallway to suddenly be engulfed by sooty darkness due to the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. The latter was extremely useful when one needed to escape the wrath of the Carrows or the likes of Crabbe and Goyle.
Hermione wrote to the boys often and told them the support being shown for them – well, more so for Harry. Banners and graffiti, chants and songs… Hermione imagined this must have resembled school protests in the Muggle world, like some of the ones she had read about. Ron was immensely proud of all the students and almost wished he could be back to contribute his own artwork. While Harry was appreciative of the support, both he and Draco were more concerned that the students were putting themselves in harm's way needlessly.
Hermione had to agree. There were always those poor souls who were caught in the act. So far, all detentions were being given by Hagrid – per Snape's orders – but that did not stop the Carrows from inflicting their own punishments on the unlucky students they caught themselves.
There was often a constant stream of students to and from the Hospital Wing. To date, they were minor injuries. Madame Pomfrey had even suggested that all professors keep a jar of Weasley's Bruise Removal Paste in their classrooms for students with black eyes and such as well as a large supply of chocolate to counter-act the draining effect caused by so many Demenors roaming the grounds.
That morning, on their way to the Great Hall, the two Gryffindors passed several graffiti slogans on the stone walls of the school. Most of them used Snape and the Carrows as punchlines for jokes, but there were a few brave souls who supported Harry and denounced Voldemort, his Death Eaters, and the corrupt Ministry.
"What do you think of all these, 'Mione?" Neville asked casually, pointing to yet more slogans painted on the antique stones of the castle.
"As much as I appreciate their support for Harry, I can't say they're being especially intelligent," Hermione responded. "This will only prove to antagonize Snape and the Carrows. Did you hear what happened to the fifth-year they found with a can of paint? He ad to spend the night in the Hospital Wing."
Neville's face dropped. "I heard. Not that I think the Carrows particularly care, but isn't using magic on student against… all the rules? McGonagall gave that Death Eater disguised as Moody hell in fourth year for transfiguring Malfoy."
Hermione nodded. Although the memory made her smile a little, the Carrows' disciplinary practices made her more than a little disturbed.
They continued down the corridor and the sound of students eating became louder. The mid-September sky was overcast outside the tall windows of the Great Hall. Inside, many floating candles were lit to make up for the lack of natural light.
Seated in their usual place at the Gryffindor table, Ginny and Luna were already eating their toast and porridge. Despite the somber day, the two sixth-years seemed rather excited.
"Hermione!" Luna greeted the moment the brunette took her seat beside Ginny.
Hermione looked between Ginny, the excited blonde, and Neville. "What?"
The three shared a look and, together, exclaimed, "Happy birthday!"
Hermione's eyes widened and her jaw dropped in surprise. Oh my goodness, they remembered my birthday! With everything that was happening during the start of school; Harry and the two on the run, the Carrows terrorising the school, and Snape's new reign… she was truly touched they took the time to acknowledge something as small as this amidst the chaos.
"You all remembered?" she said with a widening grin.
"Of course!" Ginny said and leaned over and hugged her friend fiercely.
"How could we forget it? IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!" Neville's eyes glinted and he grinned.
"Well… with everything lately…"
"Hermione, we could never forget your birthday! Even if Nargles took all of our clocks and calendars, Wrackspurts erased our memories, and Skin-Walkers took over our bodies!"
"That's… a wonderful sentiment, Luna, thank you."
"Aaaaannnnnd… Tada!" Ginny announced as she reached beneath the table. She dropped a small pile of brightly coloured wrapped gifts onto the table in front of Hermione.
Hermione's jaw hit the table to the second time. "You got me presents?"
"Of course, we got you presents, 'Mione!" Neville said as he and Luna each pulled up their own gifts for the brunette.
"This one is from me," Ginny said and slid a large package towards her. It was wrapped in a lovely purple paper with butterflies fluttering around.
Hermione gingerly tore up one corner of the paper and slowly lifted the paper away. She found it such a shame and a horrible waste to tear at the beautiful, magical paper. It was so much easier opening muggle gifts.
"Oh, come on, 'Mione, rip it!" Ginny yelled and leaned over and tore away half the wrapping.
Well so much for saving the pretty purple paper. With a defeated shrug, Hermione finished unwrapping. "Oh my gosh, Ginny, this is wonderful." She lifted the lid of the paper box and held up the beautiful blouse. It was periwinkle blue, the exact shade of her Yule Ball dress from fourth year. Embroidered stars twinkled over the material, adding a magical sheen to the garment.
"I know you eventually want to be a big-shot Ministry lady, so I thought you might appreciate a nice blouse to wear. Not that your sweaters and cardigans aren't nice, uh…" Ginny's speech slipped as she realised her unintentional insult to Hermione's Muggle wardrobe.
Hermione laughed. "No, you're right, Gin. I need to look professional, and this is perfect, thank you!" she hugged her in thanks.
Cheeks still tinted pink, the Weasley girl passed her another package. "This one is from Mum. She's had everyone's birthday and Christmas gifts made for months already since there hasn't been much to do but sit around the house and worry."
Hermione extracted a lovely lavender and cream coloured afghan blanket. She marveled at the softness of the material.
"Mum infused the tread with vanilla, so it should always smell fresh and comforting. I think she's worried you'll have trouble sleeping."
"I'll have to send her an owl, this was incredibly thoughtful." She passed a hand once more over the material and carefully re-wrapped it. It was such a small thing, Mrs. Weasley worrying that she wouldn't be sleeping well but it was such a motherly sentiment that it made Hermione's throat thick with emotion. I miss my parents so much…
"Here 'Mione, open mine next!" Luna passed her a small, square package and a much larger, heavier rectangular one.
"Oh, Luna… I don't know what to say!" Which was the most honest thing Hermione could think to say. The square package held a pair of Dirigible plum earrings, identical to Luna's own and the heavy package turned out to be several issues of The Quibbler, monthly editions dating back two years.
"I gave you all the edition of The Quibbler I could find that mention recent discordance in the Ministry as well as articles pertaining to You-Know-Who's return. I thought you might be able to link things together and help Harry with them," Luna explained. Hermione sat mouth-agape at Luna's thoughtful and pre-meditated rationality. "There are also some interesting columns about the effects of Blibbering Humdingers on a restless and sleep-deprived mind. I think Mrs. Weasley read those articles, which explains why she gave you the blanket."
Hermione stretched her smile wider and shared a look with Ginny, who simply grinned and shook her head. Beside Luna on the opposite side of the table, Neville was having a hard time containing his laughter. His face was red as he sniggered into his orange juice and chocked.
"Here, ahem, 'Mione," he coughed, still chuckling, "I think mine is the last one."
Hermione welcomed the change in topic, not wanting to inadvertently insult Luna's gifts, and accepted the parcel from Neville. "Medicinal Plants and their Uses for Common Household Injuries: Magical and Other – Neville this is perfect, thank you!"
"I thought it might come in handy; I know how you like to be prepared." He shrugged modestly.
"Thank you all, so much. I… honestly I had almost forgotten my own birthday within all the upheaval but this… this has been truly special." Hermione gushed and beamed at her friends in turn. She carefully placed each of her gifts – even the earrings – in her bag with the Undetectable Extension Charm, which she had taken the habit of carrying with her constantly.
"As much as we'd like to keep the festivities going, 'Mione, we should probably get to class," Ginny frowned and each of them rose from the benches and parted ways.
Today, Hermione made it through the day without incident.
Although the halls and the Carrows' classrooms were fair game, all students knew better than to let loose one of their pranks in another professor's class. Professors Black and McGonagall had both made it exorbitantly clear as to what would happen if some foolish student dropped a Dungbomb in their class.
In Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Black had returned to the subject of Unforgivable Curses. As she had stated last class, there were two curses that she could never prepare the students for. However, for the last, the Imperius Curse, she had reconsidered her position and decided to follow the example of a Death Eater's lesson plan.
They spent that class watching the professor cast the curse, taking notes on her wand movements and the symptoms shown by the victim whilst under the curse. Then they all practiced fighting her curse one after another as she made all the students do some embarrassing act or other. It was remarkably hilarious to watch Blaise dance the cha-cha – which Hermione believed was the professor's form of revenge for his insensitive comments during their last session.
As with Barty Crouch Jr. when he was disguised as Moody, no student was able to completely throw off the curse. By the end of the lesson, only a few students had had the will power to momentarily escape the fog of the Imperius Curse and fight against the professor's embarrassing pranks.
"Alright, everyone. I can't say that I'm pleased to be teaching a bunch of weak-willed pansies this year, but that was a fair try. By Monday I want half a roll of parchment on the different methods in detecting whether someone is under the Imperius Curse. Dismissed." Black waved her wand and the desks returned to their original positions throughout the room.
"You know, I nearly had it that last time," Neville said as he and Hermione left the classroom.
Hermione nodded along to his recounted how he almost dispelled the fog from his mind and felt an odd prickling sensation on the back of her neck. Turning, she saw the professor quickly move on to organising the papers on her desk, but it was clear that the woman had previously been watching her.
That woman is too suspicious for my own good…