A big thanks to HPLover747 who is my Beta and make sure that any spelling mistakes and oddities is kept to a minimum. I should have thanked her in the last chapter but I was in such a hurry to get it uploaded that I missed it. Thanks again.
And thanks everyone who reviewed.
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It was Ron who woke up first the day after, well technically it had been Harry, who had woken up from a nightmare at four in the morning. But he had managed to fall into some kind of half slumber and was therefore not coherent when Ron woke up. He didn't really feel like getting up so he stayed where he was – only moving slightly so Hermione's hair didn't tickle his shoulder. His arm had fallen numb because Hermione was sleeping on it, but still he hesitated from pushing her away. She seemed so peaceful like this, so young and when he saw his contented smile he could almost believe that she was an innocent.
Harry was sleeping on Hermione's other side, curled into a little ball as usual. Harry had had a nightmare tonight Ron was sure of it, even though he hadn't woken them up.
"Come on wakey wakey," he said patiently and watched amusedly as Hermione snuggled closer to his side.
"No no yet, m so tire.." she mumbled and drifted off to dreamland once again. Ron smirked mischievously before taking aim and heaving himself on top of Hermione landing close to Harry. Grinning widely he smacked a wet kiss on Harry's lips. Harry jerked awake and threw himself away from Ron, simultaneously casting a stunner which flew over Ron's head, who had ducked at the last second. He visibly relaxed when he saw who it was and fell back on his back.
"Wakey wakey sleepy head, it's a bright new day outside," said Ron cheerfully, ignoring Hermione's muffled screams from somewhere under him.
"I ought to transfigure you to a rat and give you to Crookshank, you bastard, giving me a heart attack first thing in the morning," grumbled Harry as he dragged a hand through his hair.
"Couldn't resist," smiled Ron and kissed Harry more gently this time. Harry broke away from the kiss and leaned towards the headboard, his arms crossed.
"Aren't you going to release her before she suffocates?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. In that second Hermione kicked up with her hips and managed to throw Ron off her.
"What the hell of a morning greeting is that, you great whale!" she hissed and glared at Ron who leaned back against Harry.
"Oi! I take offence of that, no one compares me to Dudley and walks away unscathed!"
Hermione only huffed but Harry could see the mirth in her eyes. His own annoyance was long gone and he hugged Ron from behind.
"What's the time? Can't be late first day in school," said Hermione, causing the two boys to mock groan.
"I can't believe that we will be going to school again!" sighed Ron.
"But at least this time our grades are bound to be better, and we don't even have to work for it, we can just fool around."
"We still have a lot to do, like researching the underage tracer and the aftermath from the war," said Hermione conjuring a hairbrush and starting to sort out her messy hair.
"We know Mione, but I was more thinking that we could act a little bit more like teenagers this time around. We are redoing our fourth year, we know the schoolwork, we know everything that's gonna happen. We don't have to spend time worrying about crushes, dark marks, or lethal tasks – we can be like normal teenagers for once," Ron tried explain.
"Normal teenagers? Hmm…wonder what that is?" said Harry amiably with a hint of sadness in his voice. "We never really had time to be teenagers," he said as he moved over to where Hermione was sitting and took the hairbrush from her. Gently he started to brush her hair, occasionally stopping to sort out a messy tangle. Hermione relaxed and leaned towards him when he started to braid her hair, once again marveling over the fact that he could make a braid.
"We can play Quidditch, help with Christmas decorations go to Hogsmeade, dating… um what more do normal teenagers do?" continued Ron, listing all the teenager stuff on his fingers.
"Ron is right, we have a golden opportunity to act really immature, let's say we're making up for our lost adolescence," said Hermione absentmindedly, her eyes still closed as she enjoyed Harry's ministrations.
"What happened to Mrs Black's portrait?" asked Ron suspiciously, rather unnecessarily asking one of their security questions.
"It is me idiot, am I not allowed to be childish and selfish? I have been mature and responsible for too long, I'm sick and tired of it."
"Mione is right, it's about time we can be immature, and just being back at Hogwarts again make me feel almost reborn," said Harry as he finished the braid which went to her mid back.
"Um loves, the clock's seven fifty, we really ought to get going if we want to be on time," said Ron who had cast the tempus charm.
"Need to get going then, Harry could you flame me over to my bed?" asked Hermione.
Harry nodded and gripped her midsection; closing his eyes he called forth the phoenix inside him. He felt peace and tranquility fill him as the consciousness of the phoenix claimed the forefront of his mind. As a phoenix, the absolute being of the light, he could never hurt an innocent. Ra, the name he'd given that part of his spirit, wouldn't allow it, not even when Traceless was in command.
The magic was the essence of pure Light and spread through his veins like the sun spread over the ground at daybreak. He gathered the magic inside him and focused on his destination. Magical flames consumed him and Hermione and when he opened his eyes again he was in another bed.
"See you in the common room in ten," said Hermione and gave him a quick kiss before starting to locate her things. Harry just nodded and flamed back to his bed, Ron hadn't moved but when Harry showed up again he stretched.
"If I were to get long hair would you braid it for me too?" he asked hopefully.
"Maybe, but I like your hair like it is," said Harry, feeling almost lightheaded as the presence of the phoenix remained.
Ron stumbled out from the bed and couldn't resist stretching again before disappearing into the bathroom. Harry followed a bit more gracefully and went to his trunk.
~Obi Wan Kenobi~ he hissed and the trunk clicked open. He had warded the trunk on the train with Hermione's help. Or maybe it was fairer to say that Hermione had warded his trunk. Now if someone touched it they would get stuck with a nasty curse that made the joints on the trespasser merge together. There was also a strong compulsion charm that forced anyone who touched it to run away screaming like a banshee. Those were the additional charms. The others; the alarm, locking charms, impenetrable charms, and Harry's favorite – the one making the trunk shrink and disappear should anyone touch it – were basic.
He found his robes inside as well as a few knives. He balanced the knives in his hand for a moment, pondering if it was wise to take them with him. It was not really necessary to have knives in Hogwarts. Nothing could possibly happen. He ended up hiding one small knife on his leg and one on his side. He'd rather be paranoid and safe than dead and sorry.
He had just closed the trunk when the hangings around what had been his old bed moved and a sleepy Neville stepped out.
"Good morning Neville."
"Morning…wait a sec! What are you doing up?"
"We have school today."
"I mean what are you doing awake? You always oversleep!"
"Not anymore, and also Ron woke me up."
"Okay," he said and stepped to the bathroom and tried open the door. "Hey who's in there? Come on open up. There are others who need to get ready," he said loudly as he banged the door.
A few seconds later a disgruntled Ron stepped out. He glared at Neville but didn't say anything.
"Finally, what were you doing in there? Measuring your manhood?"
"Not really, Harry the bathroom is yours," said Ron and stood so Neville couldn't enter the bathroom. Harry happily skipped inside winking to Neville who tried to shove Ron to the side. He could just as well have tried to move a mountain as Ron remained unmoving, his werewolf strength making him stronger than normal humans.
"Don't say a word," said Ron in a low and dangerous voice when Neville opened his mouth to object. Neville's eyes widened slightly and he closed his mouth, huffing in annoyance as he backed away.
"You're acting strange," he muttered so low that Ron knew he was not meant to have heard.
Ten minutes later they were on their way to the great hall having met up with Hermione in the common room. There weren't many students in the great hall when they arrived. Mostly it was Slytherins and Ravenclaws, so they could speak somewhat undisturbed (although it didn't prevent them from erecting a silencing ward around them).
When most of the Gryffindor table was full came Mac Gonagall and handed out the schedules.
"What's this! I've muggle studies!" said Harry irritated as he scanned his paper.
"That's better than me, I still have divination," said Ron in a low grumbling voice as he stared at the schedule in disdain.
"Miss Granger could you visit me in my office after class today?" asked professor Mc Gonagall who had handed out all the schedules and was now heading back to the head table.
"Sure professor," smiled Hermione but didn't ask what for. Giving Hermione one of her rare smiles she looked over to Harry and Ron who were still sighing over their schedules.
"Is something the matter Mr Weasley, Mr Potter?" asked Mc Gonagall who heard them since they had removed the silencing ward.
"No professor, we are just a little bit disappointed in the courses we chose," said Harry in a pleasant voice.
"How so Mr Potter, I'll have you know that you can't change your electives," she said in a no nonsense voice. Harry got the impression that she had to deal with students who regretted their electives every year.
"Not even Divination?" asked Ron. "It is after all a subject that requires some level of gift in the Sight, and after one year of studies I can safely say that I don't have the sight. Isn't it a waste of time for me to continue it? I'm sure it would be much more productive for me to take muggle studies or ancient runes," said Ron in a polite voice.
Mc Gonagall stood still and stared at Ron in silent contemplation for awhile. When Ron calmly gazed back with no trace of uncertainty or fright she relented.
"I will talk to the other teachers and see what they say, I'm quite sure that students have changed courses before," she replied her dislike of Divination clearly winning over the prospect of having all the Gryffindors trying to change their electives.
"Nice going mate," said Harry and slapped his back.
"You didn't want to try change muggle studies?"
"Na, doesn't feel much for studying now, and besides couldn't it be nice to study muggles from a wizarding perspective?" he finished by repeating Hermione's reason for taking Muggle Studies so many years ago.
Their first lesson that day was Herbology with the Hufflepuffs, and Harry felt some strange sense of familiarity when collecting Bobotuber pus, like it was a reminder of a time when he had been just an ordinary student.
After that came Care of Magical Creatures so they walked down towards the forbidden forest. Hagrid was standing outside his hut, one hand on the collar of his enormous black boarhound, Fang. There were several open wooden crates on the ground at his feet, and Fang was whimpering and straining at his collar, apparently keen to investigate the contents more closely.
As they drew nearer, an odd rattling noise reached their ears, punctuated by what sounded like minor explosions and the trio was forcibly reminded of what kind of creature they would be studying today.
"Mornin'!" Hagrid said in his normal kind voice but Harry thought he detected some kind of sadness and weariness in his voice. His normally warm and friendly eyes were filled with anxiousness as he looked over the class. "Bes' wait fer the Slytherins, they won' want ter miss this – Blast-Ended Skrewts!"
"Come again?" asked Neville wearily as he cast a suspicious look at the crates.
Hagrid pointed down into the crates.
"Eurgh!" squealed Lavender Brown, jumping backward.
Harry looked to his side and saw Ron and Hermione with small amused smile on their faces. Blast-Ended Skrewts truly were disgusting creatures – more so when they grew to the size of a few feet and their teacher expected them to walk with the little monsters.
"On'y jus' hatched," said Hagrid proudly, "so yeh'll be able ter raise 'em yerselves! Thought we'd make a bit of a project of it!"
"And why would we want to raise them?" said the cold voice of Draco Malfoy, signaling that the Slytherin had arrived at last. Beside him were Theodore Nott and Blaise Zabini. The girl, Celeste was walking behind them together with Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson.
They waited for Hagrid to reprimand them for arriving late but to their surprise Hagrid just looked nervous.
"I mean, what do they do?" asked Malfoy. "What is the point of them?"
Hagrid opened his mouth, apparently thinking hard; there was a few seconds' pause, then he said roughly.
"Tha's next lesson, Malfoy. Yer jus' feedin' 'em today."
"Actually Professor," said Hermione cheerfully and the class turned to stare at her. "Isn't it true that the poison in their sting is very useful in healing potions, especially potions designed for Dark fire curses?"
No one seemed to want to contradict her, probably because of her reputation as a know-it-all. Hagrid sent a warm smile towards her as he continued the lesson, now visibly more confident. "Yeh hea' the lady Malfoy, evry cretur' 's good fo' sumthing. Now, yeh'll wan' ter try 'em on a few diff'rent things - I've never had 'em before, not sure what they'll go fer - I got ant eggs an' frog livers an' a bit o' grass snake - just try 'em out with a bit of each."
"First pus and now this," muttered Seamus as the class tentatively stepped closer. Harry, Ron and Hermione chose one each and sat down on the grass. They knew somewhat what to do with the unfriendly little monsters, seeing as they had been breeding them during the war. Blast-Ended Skrewts really were one of the main ingredients in healing potions and even though the trio never had been the ones to take care of them, they knew that they ate rotten meet for some peculiar reason.
"Know any charm to make food rotten?" asked Ron as he poked his Blast-Ended Skrewt.
"No, that was never my priority," said Hermione as she cast a Scourgify on her hands to remove the slime from the frog liver.
"Just put the liver in the sun, it will get old and start smelling in no time," said Harry lazily as he leaned back on the grass and watched the rest of the class struggling with their charges.
It was not until the end of the class that Hagrid came over to them. He had been busy chatting away with Rose and Neville who seemed to be very friendly with the half giant. He had also had to tell the Slytherins to feed the Skrewts, unsuccessfully one might add, as the Slytherins acted more rudely and arrogantly towards Hagrid than they ever had done.
"How's it goin? Non o the others have managed to feed em yet," asked Hagrid as he leaned down to look at their Blast-Ended Skrewts.
"We got a theory we wanted to try, Professor," said Ron as he carefully pushed one of the Skrewts back and went for the liver who had started smelling in the sun. The Skrewt immediately started eating the liver. The straw looking mouth looked really creepy, and the trio preferred to look somewhere else.
"So Professor, how are your other little friends doing?"
"My other friends?" asked Hagrid and stared at them guardedly.
"Yes, Fang and the thestrals, and how about the hippogriffs, do they still live in the forest?" asked Harry curiously.
Hagrid's face seemed to close off even more and he replied harshly.
"The hippogriffs 'ave bin mov'd deeper into tha forest, they won't b' joining anymore classes."
"Why not! It was absolutely amazing when we saw them last time, we learned so much," said Hermione, confused over Hagrid's behavior.
"I don't think it's right to bring them where they get hurt," said Hagrid in a thick voice and prepared to leave. "Nice work wit the Skrewt, e likes yeh."
"But they are all okay, they must like it in the forest," said Ron, trying to cheer Hagrid up.
"How about Buckbeck?" asked Hermione quietly, having remembered the events in their third year.
"E was executed in the end of last term."
"What! No, they can't have!" stuttered Ron, making almost a goldfish impression. Harry and Hermione felt the same amount of disbelief. The rescue of Buckbeak had been one of their most certain victories. The memory of them saving both a godfather and a doomed hippogriff from the ministry had always managed to cheer them up no matter what.
"Yeah, it was that Macnair and his axe," said Hagrid his voice almost cracking.
"That's horrible, I'm so sorry Hagrid. Buckbeck was so wonderful, he didn't deserve that," said Hermione as she made a move to give him a hug. A warning look from both Harry and Ron made her hesitate and in the end she just put a comforting hand on his arm.
"'That's what I said to e committee, bunch of stuck up old geezers."
"Well they should have listened, Hippogriffs are not dangerous, just proud. If Malfoy had listened to your instruction then everything would have been fine."
"Well it's all too late now, I jus' hope e's som'where nice. But I'm sure e would have liked yea." Hagrid nodded at them and continued to Seamus and Dean who were chasing around their escaping Skrewt.
The trio looked after him feeling as though someone had just stolen away one of their victories. And Buckbeck was dead now – there was nothing they could do to change that.
"I really wish that Harry, Ron and Hermione would have helped save Buckbeck," said Hermione when they went up towards the school again.
"How would they have managed that?"
"They had a time turner, and even if they didn't they could have at least tried. If it had been us we would have figured something out!"
"They were on their own and probably didn't even know that Buckbeck was to be executed," said Ron.
"Hey, since when did you become our voice of reason?" asked Harry lightly, trying to lighten the mood.
"Poor Hagrid," sighed Ron, still unwilling to let the subject go. "He must feel awful. He loves all his little friends."
"Maybe we can visit him this weekend?" mused Hermione and looked her watch. "We need to split up, I have Arithmancy now."
"I have Divination," groaned Ron. "Mc Gonagall couldn't change it yet."
"Well I bet you could come up with some believable predictions, don't you think?" smirked Harry. "Who knows? If we could instate you as a true Seer then maybe we could have a legitimate excuse for interfering and knowing things we shouldn't."
"Nice plan, except for the fact that I won't be another Trelawney, I would like to keep my sanity."
"It was just a thought. Just imagine her reaction if you were to predict the dragons?" They arrived to the entrance hall and Harry stared confusedly at the different corridors. "Um Mione where is the Muggle studies classroom?" asked Harry, realizing that he didn't have a clue.
"It's on the fifth floor, the door is on the other side of the door."
He arrived to the Muggle studies classroom ten minutes later and found the door. Not thinking Hermione's instructions the least strange he turned from the door and grabbed an invisible door handle on the opposite wall.
I really love Hogwarts. What other school would ever try and hide the classrooms? he thought fondly as he entered. There weren't many students inside and the absence of the Slytherins was obvious.
"Ah on time for once Mr Potter?" asked a slightly teasing voice from the front and Harry turned to see Charity Burbage, the young blonde teacher who Voldemort had killed personally. I make it sound like some kind of honor that he killed her himself, thought Harry disgusted when he realized what he had thought. But then again it was an honor; it meant that you had become a big enough threat towards him that he dealt with you himself.
"We will be working in pairs today and seeing as we are uneven we'll have to have three in one group. Is there anyone who can have Potter join up?" asked the Professor and looked imploringly over the classroom.
No one answered. As the silence dragged on, Harry held his face impassive but after awhile he allowed a look of boredom to enter it. It reminds me of preschool, he reminisced as the students stared unashamedly at him, no one willing to let him join them.
"Hey now!" frowned the professor when no one volunteered. "Very well then I'll decide, Mr Hopkins Mr Aubrey make some space for Mr Potter," she ordered and looked at the two Hufflepuffs.
Said Hufflepuffs groaned as they shuffled as far to the left as was possible all the while glaring at him. One of them leaned forward and hissed at him. "Okay Potter, if you're going to be with us then you have to keep up. We tell you what to do and you do it! Got it?"
"Don't worry I won't lower your grades," he replied sarcastically.
"No you won't."
"So that's settled…now this lesson we will be speaking about muggle economy and how it compares to wizarding economy. Let's start with some basics. Does anyone know what muggle money is called and the exchange rates?"
Most of the students raised their hands and a brown haired girl was called upon.
"It's called pounds and the exchange is five pounds on one galleon," she said in shy voice.
"Correct, now muggle economy is a lot more complex than the wizarding one. Could any one care to guess?"
Actually finding the situation somewhat interesting Harry raised his hand ignoring the indignant groans from his workmates.
"Wouldn't it be because muggle affairs are not restricted to shops and companies but also involve stocks and shares?"
"Um you are correct Mr Potter. It seems like you have read during the holiday. However, it was not really the answer I was looking for…now can someone else make a guess?"
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"Oh dear Merlin! I have never seen such an unfortunate combination!" gasped Professor Trelawney two tables away. Neville Longbottom glared up at her in aggravation as she held up his star map where he had written down the position of the planets at his birth.
"What now!" he asked exasperated. "Because I think it there should be a limit for how many times someone can have a painful death."
"Technically you should only be able to die one time but you are the Boy-who-lived Neville, I'm sure Death can make an exception for you. After all, we don't want you to miss out on your death by rampaging hippogriffs or my personal favorite – being poisoned by a fangirl who mistakes a Heart stopper potion with an Amorentia," said Rose causing half of the class to snigger.
"You shouldn't ridicule the predictions. They are warnings from the higher powers," said Trelawney in a scandalized voice. "Five points from Gryffindor," she added as an afterthought as if she just now remembered that she could take points away.
The two didn't seem too concerned with the missed points. As far as Ron had seen they were quite good at gaining them back. He turned his attention over to his own planet map and made the calculations.
Hmm, me being born when Mars and Venus is in a line and being fourteen years old will mean that my life will be uninteresting except for my death which will be part of a bigger picture I have no control over – seems like I am destined to be a victim then.
Out of curiosity he changed his age to that of twenty one and watched as all the charts and diagrams became all wrong. Trelawney would just love this, he mused as he saw how many death opportunities, possible betrayals and vital choices that suddenly appeared in his calculations.
He suddenly felt Trelawney come up to him and the strong scent of perfume accosted his sensitive nose. She leaned forward and studied all the horrifying predictions on his papers.
"Oh dear, it seems like you got everything confused…yes yes, in fact I wonder how this happened, Pluto and Mercury can't be this close. How did this happen?" she said in genuine confusion.
"I might have said that my age was twenty one," offered Ron, Trelawney made a coughing noise.
"Young man! The tellings of the planets is not something to be playing around with; you know that, you always showed such talent in this subject. It's a shame that your head of house won't let you become my apprentice," she continued in a wistful voice and gave him an apologetic smile.
Thank you Mc Gonagall!
"Very well if you change back your age then you will be on the right track, and a tip – be careful with the interference with the comets." Then she winked at him and continued down the table where Seamus and Dean tried to hide their giggles.
"Hey Ronnikins first time you got something wrong in divining, didn't the coffee tell you what to do in class today?" whispered Neville mockingly from the next table.
"Stupid!" interrupted Rose and swatted Neville on the arm. "Everyone knows that he gets his predictions from the bacon and egg, why else would he be stuffing himself like a pig every morning."
"True predictions come unbidden," replied Ron almost without thinking, remembering the only true prophecies he had known about.
"That was not what you said last year when you went on and on about how your breakfast told you how you were going to do on the exams. Tell us did you get full scores like you predicted?"
"Not really…" Wish my counterpart hadn't been sprouting stupid predictions, if I'm not the slugboy I'm be the fraud seer, he thought wistfully.
"I think that you are just as much a fraud as Trelawney is," whispered Neville in a low voice to avoid being detected.
"You never know, I for example See that someone will enter you in the tournament against your will. Have fun with that!" said Ron and hastily packed up his things as Trelawney dismissed them ten minutes earlier because somehow she divined that Peeves would show up.
I really shouldn't have said that, Harry will be so cross with me! he though grumpily as he walked down the ladder, escaping the chaos that had happened as soon as Peeves had floated in and started levitating crystal balls.
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Hermione watched her two boys hurry away to their different classes before she shook her head and turned towards the Arithmancy classroom on the fourth floor. She was not far away from the classroom when she turned around a corner and came face to face with a bunch of Slytherins – sixth year Slytherins to be exact.
She watched them like a hawk as she walked past and she could feel her body tense and prepare itself for an attack. That was why, when one of the Slytherins made a grab for her book bag, she was ready for it.
She jumped back and moved her bag out of their reach, all while keeping her eyes on the two who had stepped forward, the twins that she recognized from the Slytherin table. Both were tall and muscular and had handsome faces framed by dark wavy hair. A sudden feeling of unease swept over her as she studied them, realizing that they were dangerous – really dangerous and not just some ordinary school boys.
"Look a mudblood out on her own," jeered one of the twins, a dark malicious smirk on his face.
"Thought we taught you not to travel alone. Accidents could so easily happen, as we proved last year," one sneered as he fingered his wand, spurred by the mocking smirks on the rest of the Slytherins.
"How many times were you in the hospital wing? Must have been a dozen times, but what can you expect from a disgusting lowlife such as yourself," continued his twin and Hermione felt her patience start to run thin.
She was just contemplating to just make a break for it when there was a ruckus behind her and everyone glanced around as a group of loudly chatting Ravenclaws stepped around the corner. They didn't stop but she could see their eyes take in her defensive posture and finally the four Slytherin boys. There was silence for a second before they all averted their eyes and one boy started up the conversation again, the others picking on. They hurriedly left the scene without glancing back.
And people say that Gryffindor courage is worthless, growled Hermione as they left a potentially defenseless girl to a bunch of Slytherins – a mudblood fourth year girl with a bunch of pureblood supremacist sixth year boys.
"Touch me and I will personally disembowel you," she hissed and pointed her wand at them.
"Don't you dare raise your wand at us you filthy mudblood!" growled one of the twins and went for his wand, the others following his motion. They hadn't even bothered with bringing them out before now.
"It seems like the brain is not yet fully developed among the mongrels, I think it needs a lesson in humility," said one of the twins.
"Maybe transforming it into a slug would teach her to respect to her betters. At least she would be closer to where she belongs – the floor," chuckled one muscular boy with brown hair. She didn't recognize him either but he somewhat resembled Macnair.
She watched them warily, knowing that she wouldn't be able to take out all of them, maybe three but not four. She was no Harry, she wasn't even up to Ron's skills – having been the charm and ward expert during the war, she hadn't been forced to do much dueling.
"Petrificus totalus," said one of the twins.
"Protego," she intoned, remembering to say it out loud instead of doing it nonverbally.
"Think you can deny us our fun, little mongrel. Flagello!" said one of the twins.
Hermione's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Dark spell and she quickly erected a stronger shield. The orange spell soundlessly hit the spell and dissolved. She saw surprise on the Slytherins faces but she wasn't sure whether it was because of the spell itself or the fact that she had erected it at all – it was an above NEWT level spell after all.
"What? You don't think I learn anything all the time I spend in the library?" she mocked and dissolved the shield. She was just about to curse them when an angry voice cut through the air.
"What's going on here? Misters Lestranges lower your wands this instant!" the Arithmancy professor shouted outraged as she stormed towards them.
Lestrange? Shock and surprise filled Hermione's head as she heard the professor call the Slytherins and she found herself staring at them with unbelieving horror. It's not possible, but still, oh dear Merlin! She managed to get a hold of herself and stop herself from attacking them just when one of the Slytherins, Lestrange? opened his mouth.
"We were only going to show the Gryffindor a spell Professor," said Lestrange innocently as he backed up towards his friends, his brother following.
"Hmpf," growled the Professor but unable to prove anything she reluctantly let them go. "Very well, but magic is still forbidden in the hallways, a fact you should know after having spent five years in this school already. Now get out of my sight!"
The Slytherins shuffled away but not before sending Hermione a look that promised that it wasn't over yet. She was still a bit unnerved from meeting a Lestrange in Hogwarts that she missed what Professor Vector said.
"Excuse me?"
"I was wondering if you are alright. They didn't do anything did they?" asked the professor as they started walking towards the classroom.
"No they didn't get that far, just normal threats and insults, I can handle it."
"You shouldn't have to handle it," said the professor Vector fervently. "I wish that you would at least let me report them," she continued and Hermione picked up on the tone that this was an argument they had had before.
"No I don't want more trouble…but if it gets worse I will tell my head of house," she added hastily seeing as professor Vector was about to protest.
"You said that last year and look how many times you ended up in the hospital wing, I am not saying that I know what happened all those times but… please tell me if it gets worse," she pleaded the last part.
Hermione nodded, feeling oddly touched by the caring she noted in the other woman, who was actually only ten years older than her. They hadn't been close last time around; it had only been a strictly student teacher relationship. That was apparently not the case here.
"I promise I will, but you won't have to worry, I got two friends this year that will help watch my back."
"I am happy for you. Books are great companions but they can't replace real friends. And we wouldn't want Hogwarts star student to develop school tiredness now would we?" she said in a cheerful voice before adding in a lower voice. "Besides you are my favorite pupil even though we are not supposed to have favorites. But then again, I think half the staff loves you already," she finished with a happy laugh before continuing in a more sober voice.
"Nice shield charm by the way, I didn't know that you were interested in that kind of magic, it's very advanced."
Damn, I had hoped that she hadn't seen that, grumbled Hermione as she answered to the praise.
"You don't happen to be interested in other kinds of shields…maybe warding?"
"Oh I love warding magic! I think I must have read the entire section about it in the library already," she said excitedly even if it was a lie. She hadn't read that part because by the time she started on warding Hogwarts had belonged to Voldemort. What knowledge she had had come from various pureblooded libraries they raided. Now that I think of it, it's going to be great to research what Hogwarts has on warding even though I suspect that all knowledge on strong wards will be in the restricted section.
"If that's so maybe I should grant you access to the restricted section, I am a bit into warding myself you see. I am no master – more like an enthusiast. If you want we could study it together and I'll give you a few pointers," she smiled.
"That's very nice of you, I'll make sure to study thoroughly before we start," she said, true excitement in her words.
"Wouldn't expect anything else from you Hermione," said the professor with a laugh and stopped. "So here we are. Ready for Arithmancy?"
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"You can't believe what happened!" hissed Hermione when she met Ron in the hallway. Ron simply raised his eyebrow and asked. "Wait for Harry?"
"Well it can wait," sighed Hermione impatiently. "How was divination?" she asked as they started towards McGonagall's classroom.
"As usual," grimaced Ron and Hermione smirked. "Only difference is that I am the star pupil in that class and no, I didn't take Harry's advice to heart."
"How amusing," drawled Hermione and almost burst into giggles as she saw Ron's indignant face.
"Oh you can laugh," grumbled Ron who had picked up on her mirth. In that moment Harry managed to catch up to them and they saw immediately that he was in a bad mood. He looked normal but they could see the dark look in his eyes and the rigid posture, a sign that he was controlling himself.
"What happened?"
"I am so sick and tired of being treated like a child!" he hissed and stalked past them almost forcing the others to run to catch up.
"Ah but wasn't that one of the things we tried to achieve here at Hogwarts?" asked Ron causing Harry to stop in front of an armor.
"Let me rephrase that – I am sick and tired of having everyone treat me like a garden gnome with below average intellect. It's like they expect me to act stupidly so they always assume that I will mess up… and I can't stand patronization." Harry finished his rant looking absolutely murderous.
Hermione, feeling that Harry needed a distraction, decided to not so subtly change the subject.
"I ran into a few sixth year Slytherins today…" she started and watched satisfied as their attention immediately focused on her, concern evident on their faces. "I'm alright," she said, answering their unasked question. "…they insulted me and tried to curse me, unsuccessfully so no need for revenge…"
"No need for revenge! I'm going to break every bone in their body...without the use of magic," growled Ron.
"There is more to it" interrupted Hermione darkly. "Two of them, twins, their name was Lestrange!"
"What? As in Bellatrix Lestrange?" gasped Harry.
"I don't know, could be some other relative, but we need to check it up. The way they acted…" continued Hermione but was interrupted as Harry made a sign with his hand. She abruptly put up muffliato and they continued down the hall.
As soon as they had continued around a corner, Ginny Weasley stepped out from the alcove she had been sitting in. She frowned at the strange things she had heard and she was more than a little shocked at how her brother had acted.
She glanced at her watch and took off towards an empty classroom, and without bothering to knock, entered.
"There is something strange with my brother!" she proclaimed to the occupants in the room sitting huddled on the floor. Said persons jolted up and tried to hide a wad of paper, but they visibly relaxed when they saw who it was. It was Rose, Neville and Matthew who, together with Ginny, was called the Lions Pride. The trio had learned during the welcoming feast that the Lions Pride were the successor of the Marauders, giving Fred and George a run for their money.
"Godric! Ginny! Don't scare us like that, we thought you were Snape," yelped Rose as she took out the book she had hidden under her skirt.
"I said there's something strange with my brother," she proclaimed again, and this time it got some reaction.
"What do you mean?" asked Matthew.
"Well, it's Harry and Hermione too. Ron threatened to break all the bones in someone's body, Harry grumbled about everyone treating him like a garden gnome and Hermione talked about meeting some Slytherins as if it was nothing."
"Not surprised by Harry and Ron, they are jerks. And Hermione must be getting used to the Slytherins by now," explained Rose.
"You'd think that she would get used to being attacked and put in the hospital wing all the time?" asked Neville incredulously.
"No but why doesn't she do anything about it? I mean, we have protected her from the Slytherins dozens of times and if she wasn't so annoying maybe more would help her, but she just continues being that arrogant know-it-all. If she changed then maybe people could stand being around her, but no she just has to act like she is better than everyone else, like they don't hurt her at all!"
"She was crying in the girl's toilet last year," muttered Ginny. "When I tried to help her she just brushed me off…she really is a stuck up…"
"Tell me again; why are we talking about the losers?" asked Matthew wearing a confused expression.
"Because they were acting strange! You should have seen them when she told them it was the Lestranges."
"Well yeah, the Lestranges are scary. Frigging maniacs the bunch of them," muttered Matthew.
"It was more like they didn't know about them at all. They were surprised that they were students here at all," explained Ginny, her face confused as she tried to solve the puzzle.
"Okay that was strange, everyone knows about the Lestranges, Harry especially since they transfigured his hair to a snake nest," said Neville as a matter of fact. "Are you sure you read their faces right? Maybe they were just scared or something?" he suggested.
"No they were definitely confused; there was something odd about them."
"Maybe they are impostors," whispered Matthew in a conspiratorial voice.
"I'm serious, we should keep an eye on them," screamed Ginny and whacked Matthew on his head.
"Calm down woman!" moaned Matthew and rubbed his head while muttering something about redheads and temper.
"Yeah yeah, we will keep an eye on them," said Neville diplomaticly. "But first we need to plan our prank on the Slytherins, I reckon that we will need at least two buckets of Grubbler's Flashing Paint and then some charm to spell it invisible…" continued Neville and looked at Rose who had started to look through the charms text she had tried to hide earlier.
For once Ginny stayed out of the planning – her mind focused on three other individuals.
"They were not acting like themselves, they were somehow…darker," she muttered only heard by Matthew who rolled his eyes.
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"Ah Miss Granger come in."
Hermione sat down on the chair in front of the desk and looked up at the one who had, in another life and place, taught her to be an animagus.
"Oh no Miss Granger, let's sit on the couch like we use to," said McGonagall and sat down in a small sofa by the window. "Tea?"
"Yes please," said Hermione taking the offered cup while wondering why the normally so strict professor was so nice all the sudden.
"Did you have a nice summer?"
"It was very interesting," said Hermione dryly, wandlessly casting a detection charm over the tea. It came up negative and she took a small sip.
"I'm glad to hear it. Now I have thought over your predicament over summer…there is a group of fifth year Ravenclaws that have started a study group together, if you want I can talk to them about letting you join them."
"That's very nice of you professor, but why?"
"I know what you are thinking Hermione," said McGonagall with a patient smile, the kind of smile adults had when they knew something that children weren't privy to. "I know that you think you can go your entire school life by yourself but trust me it will be so much easier if you share it with someone. I know it must have been tough the first few years but there is no reason to give up. Everyone needs a friend, even the intelligent."
"Oh but I have friends, Harry and Ron. We started to exchange letters over the summer and we have grown really close," she said fondly.
"Mr Potter and Mr Weasley you say?"
"Yes, they are probably outside the door waiting for me."
"Well…I don't want you to feel doubtful over your new friends Hermione but I want you to be cautious. Make sure that they are true friends and don't have other motives."
"You think they're only with me so I will help them with their school work?" asked Hermione coldly.
"Think about it Hermione!" said McGonagall sternly as if Hermione was in some kind of denial. "You are the brightest witch in your year and Mr Potter and Mr Weasley are both in the other end of the ranking. I don't want you to be hurt by them."
"That was the most despicable thing I have ever heard in my life. You haven't only insulted my intelligence but also Harry and Ron. They would never hurt me, and would sacrifice their lives for me. If you truly knew them you wouldn't be coming up with such accusations," said Hermione, truly angry. The very idea that someone would question Harry and Ron's loyalty to her was laughably in her mind.
"My apologies if I have offended you Miss Granger, but it was only out of concern that I thought I should warn you. And if what you say is true how come they haven't approached you until now?"
"Maybe they were shy? Anything else?" asked Hermione, it was quite the unnecessary question seeing as she had already stood up.
"No you are free to go down to dinner," answered a slightly bewildered Mc Gonagall.
"Thank you professor, and I apologize for my outburst it was uncalled for, but I am bit possessive over my friends," she nodded towards her head of house and went out of the door. Mc Gonagall followed her only to face Harry and Ron.
Both of them raised their eyebrows at her when she seemed to scrutinize them. Whatever she was looking for she didn't seem to find in their emotionless faces. She almost looked like she wanted to step up to them to hiss some cliché threat.
"Something the matter professor?" asked Ron politely.
"No everything is fine, continue on," she said as she managed to snap out of it but called after them as they turned to leave. "Oh and Mr Potter, I received the letter from your parents. Expect to be summoned to my office in two months time to look over your progress."
"Sure Professor, I got Hermione to help we so it won't be any problem," he said cheerfully and watched somewhat confusedly as Mc Gonagall pursed her lips and hastily went back into her room after one last glance at Hermione.
"So what was that about?" asked Ron as he too had noticed the professor's strange behavior.
"She thinks that you are only friends with me so you can use me," she sighed and explained the meeting she had just had.
"Nice going there Harry, now she will think that we are emotionally blackmailing Hermione," said Ron teasingly.
"How was I supposed to know that? I'm trying to act like a teenager, remember," groaned Harry. "I'm starting to get a headache," he grumbled.
"You are starting to get weak, you big pansy," said Ron who had seemed to be in an unusual cheerful mood the entire day.
"I just hope that nothing else will happen," sighed Harry as they reached the entrance hall which was packing with students queuing for dinner.
"Weasley! Hey, Weasley!"
"Now you just jinxed us Harry," said Ron as Malfoy's voice rang out in the hall. Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned. Malfoy, Nott and Zabini were standing behind them, each looking thoroughly pleased about something.
"What?" said Ron amiably.
"Your dad's in the paper, Weasley!" said Malfoy, brandishing a copy of the Daily Prophet and speaking very loudly so that everyone in the packed entrance hall could hear. "Listen to this!"
"Further mistakes at the ministry of magic, It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."
Malfoy looked up.
"Imagine them not even getting his name right, Weasley. It's almost as though he's a complete nonentity, isn't it?" he crowed.
Everyone in the entrance hall was listening now. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on.
"Arnold Weasley was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ("policemen") over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene."
"And there's a picture, Weasley!" said Zabini, taking the paper from Malfoy and holding it up for everyone to see. "A picture of your parents outside their house, I believe – if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?"
The students were staring at Ron now, eager to see what he would do. To everyone's surprise Ron smiled before stepping up to Zabini.
"Do you mind if I take a look? Thank you," he said pointing at the Daily Prophet and taking it from Zabini before he had time to answer. "I rather like the picture. It's got a nice lighting. In any case it's better than your mansion of doom and gloom Malfoy," he said cheerfully as he looked at the picture.
"Says the one who lives in a rat's nest. Say Weasley, how does it feel being poor?"
"I don't mind, I'm sure you would cope too if the roles were reversed," said Ron in the same cheerful tone which seemed to annoy Malfoy. Harry was quite amazed at how far Ron's patience stretched today. His own was stretched to its limits already so he opted for staying quiet lest he would start torturing the annoying boy.
"As if! I am a Malfoy, we only have the best of everything unlike you Weasley. You lot seem to pick up the lowest dregs, I guess that's why you landed with the squib and the mudbl..." he didn't get to finish the sentence because it was in that moment when Harry's patience snapped. He wasn't about to let some little brat talk down to his lovers as if he were superior.
In two fast strides he stepped close to Malfoy and gripped his collar, dragging the struggling Malfoy heir closer to his face and whispered.
"Careful Malfoy, you don't wanna go too far because if you do I will finally lose my patience and I will teach you about the true meaning of pain and humiliation," he hissed before pushing him away from him. Malfoy stumbled before managing to regain his balance and he stood and straightened out his robes.
"You think you scare me, Potter?" he asked scathingly, but the trio could see the unease in his eyes. "You are more squib than wizard, will you be the next caretaker at Hogwarts Potter because I'm certain that you won't be able to do anything else."
"Hey lay off my little brother!" came Rose's voice suddenly from the hall, signifying the arrival of the Lion's Pride. Rose, Neville, Matthew and Ginny glared at the Slytherins, obviously having only seen Malfoy's latest outburst.
"See Potter, you can't do anything without having your sister helping you out," said Malfoy, looking somewhat relieved now that normal predictable Gryffindors appeared.
"And what of you then Malfoy?" said Neville heatedly. "You don't dare do anything with out your little minions flanking you!"
"What can I say, I'm a Slytherin, not a brain-damaged Gryffindor."
"I would take bravery over a slimy snake any day," said Matthew.
"But we weren't speaking about bravery, you blood traitor. We were speaking about the utter stupidity and boldness among the Gryffindors," interrupted a new voice and they noticed the blond girl that had stepped out from one corridor and Harry noted that the students had divided up in houses with the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaws at the sides. Gryffindor stood opposite to Slytherin, flanked by the Lion's Pride, just as Malfoy, Nott and Zabini flanked the Slytherins. The girl joined Malfoy's crew and smirked towards Matthew who was positively fuming.
"Shut it Lestrange, this doesn't involve you," growled Matthew.
How many Lestranges are there in Hogwarts? thought three individuals at the same time, vexed but not overly chocked anymore. The three of them stood in the middle of it all and couldn't really escape anywhere – at least not if they wanted to stay unnoticed.
"But cousin, you are insulting my house, I have to retaliate," said Celeste Lestrange sweetly.
"You are not my cousin; remember my dad erased you from the family tree!"
"That blood traitor is no Black, not since he married a filthy muggle!"
"Don't you dare insult my mother!" screamed Matthew, now being restrained by Ginny and Rose.
"You are all being ridiculous," said Harry loudly as the insults continued to go back and forth between the two houses. Everyone's attention went back to Harry who just looked annoyed. "Just look at you! Insulting each other's house. At least you can insult each other. Insult Malfoy for being a bigoted pureblood or Neville for being an arrogant brat, just don't drag in the rest of us and our houses! Come on let's go," he said to Ron and Hermione who followed him, the crowd parting for them.
Suddenly Malfoy threw a curse at Harry's retreating back. Harry easily dodged the white curse Malfoy sent at him and he quickly span around. He didn't get a chance to curse Malfoy back however as a roar was heard.
"Oh no you don't laddie!" screamed Moody/Crouch as he marched up to them as quickly as his wooden leg would allow. Malfoy jumped and had time for one fearful expression before Moody/Crouch waved his wand and Malfoy was turned into a white ferret.
There was a stunned silence in the hall as everyone stared at the shivering ferret on the floor.
"Are you okay?" asked Moody/Crouch as his normal eye stared at Harry. Not feeling particularly fond or even intimidated of the Death Eater Harry only nodded tersely.
"Oh no you don't!" shouted Moody/Crouch suddenly as he turned around and stalked up towards Zabini and Nott who had tried to reverse the spell.
Malfoy squeaked in terror and tried to run away but Moody/Crouch pointed his wand at the ferret causing him to flow up in the air and sail towards the Defense teacher.
The scene played out exactly as it had last time around but this time Harry didn't feel any amusement from Malfoy's humiliation. The only thing he could think of was that a Death Eater was toying with a child, a Malfoy but still a child.
"I don't think so!" roared Moody, pointing his wand at the ferret again - it flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more.
"I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back's turned," growled Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, squealing in pain.
By now everyone was laughing at the bouncing ferret, the Gryffindors the loudest. The Slytherins with Celeste Lestrange in the lead looked furious but being unable to attack a teacher they turned to the Gryffindors.
"You think this is funny do you, Petrificus Totalus!" she screamed and sent the body bind towards Matthew who easily blocked it.
"It is funny Lestrange!" shouted Ginny as she sent back what looked like a hair coloring curse.
"Lets save Malfoy from the D,E," murmured Harry to Ron and Hermione who looked absolutely disgusted with how the situation had progressed.
"Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do…" said Moody/Crouch as he made the ferret soar high up in the air. The ferret squeaked in pain as it started to fall down again. Harry caught Hermione's eyes and she nodded resolutely. They needed no words to know what to do.
Harry waved his hand and complete darkness enveloped the room for a second. It wasn't shadow magic but dark magic. He had actually learnt it from Voldemort during one of their countless duels.
When the darkness disappeared the ferret was gone as well as Hermione. Moody/Crouch searched wildly around, his eyes spinning in its socket, but before he could do anything a new voice shouted out over the chaos.
"What's the meaning of this!" the entrance hall which had been full of fighting students immediately stilled as no one dared to challenge the strict transfiguration teacher.
"I was just teaching a lesson," said Moody/Crouch his eye still spinning around the hall trying to find the missing ferret. "But it seems like the little miscreant got away!"
"Little miscreant?" repeated Mc Gonagall faintly before her eyes widened. "That ferret! Don't tell me it was a student!" she gasped and stared at Moody who was still searching the room.
"Moody, we don't transfigure students, where is he? We must turn him back immediately!"
"He managed to escape, someone who knew dark magic managed to create a diversion," he said, his eyes settling suspiciously on Celeste Lestrange.
Lestrange was sporting red hair but managed to stare proudly back at the disfigured teacher, her eyes radiating defiance.
"I didn't do anything," she said in a haughty voice, somehow managing to look like an innocent little girl.
"No students have that kind of knowledge in dark magic Moody," defended Mc Gonagall.
"But some might have snapped it up from some of their… relatives."
"Enough of this now!" snapped Mc Gonagall. "We need to find the student before he gets injured. Everyone get into the Great Hall now!" she shouted in her no nonsense voice and the entrance hall slowly emptied.
The Slytherins stood indecisive for awhile before Celeste jerked her head towards the Great Hall in a silent command. The Slytherins who saw it all trotted into the hall, leaving only Lestrange, Nott and Zabini.
Harry and Ron walked past them as they went out of the entrance hall and managed to catch pieces of their whispered conversation.
"What about Draco?" said Nott worriedly.
"I don't think he wants us to go looking for him, but I don't like the idea of Moody finding him first," said Zabini as his gaze swept over the entrance hall in the hope of finding the small ferret.
"How dare he do that to Draco! Wait until I tell mother!" hissed Lestrange her eyes revealing the rage and resentment she was feeling. "We will make them pay for this!"
With that the Slytherins entered the Great Hall while Harry and Ron disappeared into an empty classroom. They found Hermione sitting cross legged on top of one of the desks, the shaking ferret struggling to free itself.
"Just turn him back," sighed Harry, all the previous resentment at Malfoy forgotten. Hermione did as she was told and Malfoy slid down from her lap and landed in a heap on the floor.
He made a quite pitiful picture as he lay shaking on the floor seemingly unable to look up.
"Are you okay Malfoy?" asked Hermione gently as she put a hand on his shoulder. He didn't answer and Hermione made a humming noise before waving her wand and casting a light calming charm on him.
Malfoy's breathing evened out and he sat up. His hair was all tussled and he was blood red in the face. It was not until now that he discovered that he was all alone surrounded by Gryffindors.
"What do you want?" asked Malfoy defensively, well aware of the fact that he didn't quite knew where his wand was.
"It is more of what we don't want. We don't really like seeing a fellow student, no matter how annoying he is, being hurt by a De…member of authority," said Harry while handing back his wand.
"I don't want any help from Gryffindorks," he sneered, conveniently forgetting that he was outnumbered.
"Well now you got it. Maybe you should act a bit more careful next time," said Ron curtly as he stared unimpressed at the Slytherin.
"Ron is right Malfoy, you are a Slytherin after all," said Harry and ignored how Malfoy tensed at this. "Slytherin are sly and cunning, and baiting people like you did is a very Gryffindor thing to do."
He looked over to Hermione who jumped off the desk and joined them at the door. Before they headed out he nodded towards Malfoy.
"Think of who you are and what you want Malfoy. When you get that part right act like a Slytherin and achieve your goal. Have a nice evening," he finished his rather deep advice and ignored the fact that Malfoy probably wouldn't have a nice evening after all this.
"That was a strange advice to give to a Death Eater in training. You could as well have told him not to have any scruples in torturing children," commented Ron as they walked towards the Great Hall.
"Malfoy never seemed so interested in following Voldemort," answered Harry.
"You think he might defect to the light?" asked Hermione.
"Anything is possible, especially if we are here to interfere. Maybe we can convince him to join the grey."
"Don't meddle too much Dumbledore," teased Ron, causing Harry to stealthily stick out his foot and trip Ron.
"Don't say such foul words Ron," warned Harry as he stepped over his sprawled form, Hermione following with an amused smile.
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The trio had only one more thing to do that day and they quietly left the table. Dinner had been quite a loud affair as three of the tables were happily retelling the story of what had happened to Malfoy. The only ones who didn't show any merriment were, understandably, the Slytherins. Malfoy, who had entered the Great Hall under whispers and laughter, sat sulking at the table, still a bit flustered. The other Slytherins were in the same mood as they glared at the rest of the students.
The trio left the Great Hall unnoticed and headed for the seventh floor. Hermione cast almost subconsciously a perimeter ward as they arrived to the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. Harry walked past the tapestry three times.
I need a place to hide something, I need a place to hide something. At the third time the door to the Room of Requirement showed up and they quickly went inside.
Like the last time they had done this the room was filled with enormous piles of hidden and forgotten objects. There were broken brooms, outdated books and oddly transformed teapots.
"The diadem was somewhere over there wasn't it?" asked Ron, gesturing vaguely towards a towering pile of chairs and umbrellas.
"I think so, let's have look," said Harry and the three of them started walking.
"It's actually quite interesting walking here when it isn't a battle outside," said Ron as he tried to drag a distant Hermione who had lost herself into an old tome.
"There are centuries of hidden books here. Some of them might be the only ones of their kind," sighed Hermione as she gave the books a wistful look.
"Don't worry Mione, we can come back here later, so you can find the rare tomes underneath all these sixty year old textbooks," said Ron but he gallantly took the book she had been immersed in and put it in his bag.
"Here it is!" yelled Harry suddenly who had walked ahead of them. They sped up and soon they were all staring at the diadem that lay innocently on top of the stone warlock.
"This is proof that the Horcruxes exist here too," breathed Harry and extended a hand to take it only to be held back by Hermione.
"There might be curses on it," she warned and raised her wand.
There hadn't been in their old dimension but they couldn't be sure if everything was the same here so Harry nodded and allowed Hermione to go through every detection charm she knew. It turned up negative and Harry gently touched the diadem.
"Fiendfire?" he suggested.
"I guess it's for the best. It's a shame to destroy such an old artifact though, but it can't be helped," sighed Hermione.
Ron had cleared away some space while they talked and Harry put down the diadem on the floor. Ron and Hermione backed away, knowing fully well the danger of Fiendfire.
Harry took a deep breath as he filled his mind with the intent of destroying the diadem. Fiendfire worked that way. It was impossible to stop until it had destroyed its intended prey. Nothing would stop it from devouring the diadem once he cast it, very much like what had happened to Hermione's parents.
He didn't even bother with his wand as he waved his hand and wordlessly summoned the Fiendfire. It appeared as a hissing fire serpent as it snaked around the diadem making it glow from the heat. The fire serpent tightened its coils until the diadem cracked. A faint scream emitted from the diadem, causing Harry's hair to stand. The fire serpent hissed incited and seemed to grow rapidly as it searched out a new prey. But before it managed to burn anything else Harry had quelled it.
"Well that was somewhat anticlimactic," drawled Ron as they all looked at the ashes from the once Horcrux.
"It was, wasn't it? just imagine one Horcrux gone, just like that," said Harry before hastily adding. "… not that I miss all the pain and hardships usually involved."
"We have already done it once before, of course it was anticlimactic – this is routine," said Hermione as she vanished the ashes.
"Only we can speak about killing soul pieces of a Dark Lord as routine," muttered Harry feeling relieved and strangely drained.
"I love our life, never dull or boring," said Ron, his high sprits refusing to wane.
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Took me ages to write this chapter but it's finally finished – enjoy!