Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, settings, or plot points. If I claimed so I would have to cough up slugs in recompense.

A/N: I would like to explain something before this chapter starts. As we know Harry's increased perceptiveness has led to some serious changes to the school year, but none bigger than the prolonged split with Ron. The reason for this is, Ron had Hermione acting as a mediator last time to keep tempers from getting too high and allow for a quicker resolution between Harry and Ron.

This time Hermione has sided with Harry, thus forcing Ron to find his own way to the solution. Hence it is taking more time. This obviously will have an adverse effect on the trio friendship, but I assure all of you that it will come together by the end of the school year. Harry and Ron will have future trust issues but in other ways their friendship will be stronger. I have amended my former stance of Ron bashing, to reforming Ron. There is a marked difference between the two, and I think all of you will notice it in the following years.

To describe Ron Weasley as miserable would be an understatement of monumental proportions. If it wasn't the dressing down Harry had given him during the ball for being a jealous prat, it was the more private dressing down Professor McGonagall had given him as he exited the ball at the end of the night. It was true that Hermione had blown him away for the night, but the voice in his head told him that Hermione would never be his, because whether or not they would admit it; Harry and Hermione were just one of those unavoidable things.

Ron rolled out of bed, for once earlier than Harry, who was still sleeping with a goofy grin on his face largely thanks to the events of the previous night. As Ron looked at his one time best friend he realized that he needed to make some changes as Harry had discussed the prior night, or a good hexing would be the least of his concerns. The words of Harry's closing just a few short hours ago still echoed in his mind as he grabbed a change of clothes and stomped over to the bathroom to take a shower and perhaps find some answers, After all most of his best ideas came to him while in the bathroom.

Hermione opened her eyes slowly to find the bright eyes of Crookshanks looking at her expectantly from a scant few inches away. Having grown accustomed to similar wake ups in the past she wasn't startled at all as she rolled Crookshanks and his pot belly off to the side and pulled her covers back. Looking back at the ball from the previous night, a soft smile spread over her face, and her hair had been thoroughly mussed from sleeping the previous night. Releasing a fluttering sigh she dropped her legs off of her bed and slid her slippers on as she grabbed a robe cinching it off before wandering over to her wardrobe to prepare for another day.

Harry Potter on the other hand was having a nice lie in as he aimlessly had dreams about a giant treacle tart, a Quidditch match where all of the players flew on Hippogriffs instead of brooms, and a final dream involving Hermione wearing much less than she had been at the Yule Ball. With that in mind Harry woke up feeling better after a night of sleep than he could ever remember beforehand and rolled out of bed intent on getting a shower and starting Boxing Day with a smile on his face.

After a quick shower Harry sauntered down into the common room to find only a few people in the room, apparently others were sharing the same sentiment of having a nice lie in. He spotted Hermione sitting in her favorite chair reading the 300–year-old edition of Hogwarts a History he had given her for Christmas. Taking a seat by her bunny slippers he smiled and asked, "Anything interesting in there?"

Hermione pulled her book closer to her body in order to gaze down at Harry before she replied, "Yes, from the little I've read I can tell that the goblin rebellions have been seriously censored in our history texts and the newer editions of Hogwarts a History. This edition has a section entirely devoted to indentured servant witches and wizards doing the same job of the house elves now. Primarily they were Irish witches and wizards and even a few puritans were granted safe harbor at the castle in exchange for a servitude contract."

Harry nodded, not really having much to add to the train of thought before he looked around and quietly asked, "Are we going to work on our transformations again tonight?"

Hermione's lips quirked into a little bit of a smirk, it had becoming one of her favorite sources for teasing Harry knowing that she was progressing through the process much more quickly than Harry thanks to her skills in transfiguration. In fact, Hermione had a suspicion she might even be able to get her first glimpse at her form. Finally, she managed a reply, "Well one of us will be working on it anyways."

Harry cracked a tiny grin and replied, "Some of us aren't naturally gifted at transfiguration. I still think I'm doing pretty well though." Hermione gave him a conciliatory smile and nodded as she slid out of her chair and sat down against the chair and leaned into Harry as she began to read to him about some rumored hidden chambers throughout the castle.

Ron had spotted Hermione in the common room when he had finally come down, and without a second thought he raced out of the portrait hole before she could even notice his presence. For once deciding against breakfast Ron aimlessly wandered the castle in an effort to find the root of his problems. Of course, considering the look was inwards it was a very short search.

The problem Ron had was that all of his emotions were all over the radar, which made it nearly impossible to pinpoint where to start. He still felt betrayed by his friends for going to the ball without telling him, ashamed for feeling that way considering all he had put his friends through during the year, and oddly enough heartbroken that for every sign pointed in that direction that Hermione had picked Harry after all. Ron might not be a genius but even he knew that his friends were going to make a long run of it together, they complemented each other too well not to.

As Ron rounded a corner near the exit leading to the greenhouse he ran into Malfoy, who was for once without the aid of his two bodyguards. Ron tersely grasped his wand and spat out, "What the bloody hell are you doing so far away from your snake hole Malfoy?"

Draco smirked and arched his eyebrow before he responded, "Weasel, weasel, weasel I know you're heartbroken over the mudblood picking Potter over you, but why all the hostility?"

Ron scowled and said, "Oh shove off Malfoy."

Draco sensed weakness so he continued to prod, "I know this shouldn't surprise you, everyone has been waiting for something to happen between those two all year. Of course maybe if you weren't so busy trying to make your friends your enemies you'd have figured it out awhile ago." Ron's scowl only deepened as Malfoy continued to needle, "It's quite pathetic really weasel, the one thing in your life that wasn't a hand me down and you're mucking it up."

Ron groaned and ran a hand through his hair testily, but Malfoy's smirk persisted before he started to walk again and turned over his shoulder as he sneered, "One of these days weasel."

Ron blinked and a moment later Malfoy was gone. Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment he forgot to even question why Malfoy would be in the greenhouse in the first place. The only thing Ron was thinking, was What the Bloody Hell Was That?

That night Harry was the one to show up last as he stumbled upon Hermione spread out on the couch as Crookshanks was getting a rather thorough tummy rub. Only by the grace of the pugnacious half kneazle was Harry spared a nice scratching for interrupting said rubbing. Harry and Crookshanks were on considerably warmer terms than Ron and the feline were, and this was one of those circumstances where that was properly asserted. Crookshanks had seemingly developed a sense of when Hermione needed to get down to work, and he rolled away from his witch just as Harry asked, "So, ready to go then?"

Hermione smiled at Harry and nodded before she began to describe the new limitations on what transfigurations they could perform.

The process to becoming an animagus was a long and difficult one, that could be accomplished one of a few different ways. The most common way was the form that Harry and Hermione were practicing themselves. For those with forms, progressively more and more difficult self transfigurations were designed to lubricate the transfiguration pathways in a witch or wizard's body that ultimately led to a spontaneous transformation when enough progress had been made.

Hermione pulled her wand from her pocket as Harry did the same and they slowly worked on transfiguring their fingers as a warm up. It was plain to see that Hermione was better at this seeing as how she had finished both hands in the time it took Harry to do one hand. She looked over at Harry and smirked slightly, although she was quite proud with Harry's work, and it had show up in a vastly improved mark in transfiguration for her dearest friend.

Just as she was about to move on to transfiguring her entire hand she felt a strange tingling sensation all over her body before she felt her body slowly shift and lengthen before she stopped and was on all fours. Harry was looking at her in wonder before he shook his head and transfigured a chair into a long mirror. Hermione felt her whiskers twitch as she looked into the mirror and for the first time saw her form of a jaguar with reddish brown fur and the telltale spots coinciding with the specific species of cat.

As was their arrangement Harry cast the same spell forcing an animagus to revert back to their human form and Hermione quickly reappeared although panting slightly from her first successful transformation. Harry smirked and said, "I don't think there are too many jaguars in Scotland, or all of Britain for that matter."

Hermione was still panting heavily but a very pleased smile had crossed her face, part in satisfaction for managing her transformation so soon, and part in anticipation to find Harry's form sooner with her added help. Focusing on the feeling of change she had when she first successfully transformed she once again managed the transformation revealing a unique looking jaguar. This time she focused on her expanded feline senses and could detect an odor that was uniquely Harry before she looked into the darkened corners of the room and could see things she hadn't been able to a moment earlier. Glancing back at Harry, who was still working on his transfigurations, he would glance at her in wonder and admiration occasionally in a way that reminded her so much of the bedraggled young boy she had met for the first time on the Hogwarts express three and a half years ago.

Concentrating on that same feeling she managed to successfully transform herself back to her human form, and while her exhaustion had reached new levels she managed a faint smile as she said; "Now we just have to work on your transformation Harry, and we can focus solely S.P.H.E.R.E." Harry nodded excitedly and continued to transfigure his body, hopeful that it would be sooner rather than later.

By Sunday the castle had finally begun to settle from the excitement of the holidays, and the additional excitement that the ball had brought. Harry and Hermione were sitting in the great hall enjoying breakfast when the daily prophet arrived and a copy was dropped into Hermione's lap.

Hermione pulled the paper up and began reading before a soft moan came from behind the paper. Harry arched an eyebrow and leaned back to see a picture of Hagrid that was plainly fabricated showing their gentle friend flailing his arms about and frothing from the mouth. The article read:

Half-Giant is One Half Too Much

By: Rita Skeeter

Sources have revealed that the current Professor for Care of Magical Creatures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is in fact half-giant in ancestry. Professor Rubeus Hagrid is shown above during one of his typical episodes when he enters into the tell tale rage of his giant heritage.

When asked students chimed in on their opinion of the Hagrid, "All I know is that last year one of the students was seriously injured and he wasn't even sacked for it." Marcus Flint Slytherin 6th year.

It is of public record that Professor Hagrid was sent to Azkaban Prison nearly two years ago for suspicion of involvement in a rash of attacks throughout the school. For both instances Hagrid has been freed thanks to heavy political maneuvering by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

Perhaps most troubling was the public snapping of Hagrid's wand nearly fifty years ago whilst Hagrid was a student at Hogwarts. Under suspicion for involvement in the death of a student, Hagrid never faced a trial and was given haven at Hogwarts working as a caretaker for the grounds.

This reporter is left to ponder, how many more similar stories of unnecessary danger mixed in with education can be found at Hogwarts and with the obvious dangers presented why does Albus Dumbledore seem to be going out of his way to keep Mr. Hagrid so close to children?

Harry blinked before he turned to Hermione and asked, "What's the big deal about being half-giant?"

Hermione smiled in understanding and replied, "There is yet another stereotype that giants are wild killing savages. Of course, like most of the other stereotypes it's complete rubbish. Unfortunately, most people buy into these stereotypes and I don't see a way Hagrid will be able to keep his professorship after this."

Harry frowned as he glanced up at the staff table to see Hagrid conspicuously absent from his usual seat by Professor Flitwick. Harry turned back to Hermione and asked, "Fancy a trip down to Hagrid's hut?"

Hermione glanced around looking for Ron, any of Hagrid's friends should be there to lend support as she was quite certain Hagrid would be feeling depressed about the business. Ron however, was once again absent and a tinge of worry colored Hermione's thoughts based upon Ron's exceedingly strange behavior since the Yule Ball. After giving up the effort as lost she turned back to Harry and gave him a small frown but nodded as they both stood and walked towards the exit of the great hall.

After grabbing their winter cloaks Harry and Hermione trudged through the holiday snow, passing a couple of snowmen and some other more obscene snow sculptures across the grounds towards Hagrid's hut. Upon reaching the hut Harry called out, "Hagrid let us in; we'd like to talk to you."

After waiting a few moments Hermione tried in a softer tone, "Please Hagrid let us in; it's getting quite cold out here in the snow."

A moment later the door to Hagrid's hit swung open revealing their half-giant friend who looked like he had been crying a fair amount and from the smell of things chasing his tears with some Ogden's. Hagrid pulled out a large hanky and blew his nose letting out a loud trumpeting sound in the process. Hermione took Hagrid's hand and led him over to his chair before she asked, "Where is your tea Hagrid?" Hagrid pointed to a shelf and Hermione nodded with her head at the kettle, as Harry walked over and put the kettle on a small blue bell flame he conjured on Hagrid's magical range.

Harry walked over and sat on the arm of Hagrid's other arm chair before he said, "Hagrid, we read today's paper, and we just wanted to tell you that we don't think any less of you. I think it was you who told Hermione, there isn't a spell that she couldn't do. Well there isn't a person I'd trust more than you Hagrid. You were my first friend. I want you to know that."

Hermione smiled encouragingly at Hagrid, who appeared to calm some at Harry's words before he said, "Er yah sure it don bother yer none?"

Hermione jumped in and said, "Hagrid I had always suspected you had some giant blood, and it never bothered me before."

Harry shrugged and added, "I think you know us better than that Hagrid."

Hagrid nodded as the kettle went off. Harry grabbed the kettle and poured the water into the cups before Hermione handed them out.

Hermione frowned in thought before she asked, "Hagrid, I assume the headmaster sealed any files indicating you heritage to prevent just such a situation from arising. Have you mentioned your heritage to anyone lately?"

Hagrid flushed and an indignant expression crossed his face as he replied, "Aye I wer talking to Olympe."

Harry arched his eyebrow and asked, "Olympe?"

Hagrid shook his head and said, "Aye Madam Maxime." Harry and Hermione nodded as Hagrid continued, "It wers Christmas night and I managed ter ask Olympe to join me on a walk out by my hut. I guess I figured out she was half-giant like me about a month ago and took the chance ter talk her up about it. Of course she denied it and I might'r got a littah excited and yelled at her erbout it."

Harry and Hermione shared a look, and another puzzle piece about one Rita Skeeter snapped into its proper place. They were missing something big, but they didn't know what yet, it definitely had become a fly in their ointment.

The rest of the afternoon was spent reminiscing about old times and talking about the tournament and Harry's preparations. By the end of the afternoon they had managed to get a promise from Hagrid that despite his lost professorship he would continue as master of the keys and sit up at the staff table during meals.

By the time they returned to the castle night was beginning to fall, and the common room was already beginning to empty. Harry thought he caught a flash of red hair scurry up the stairs to the boy's dormitory just as they entered, but then he chalked it up to his imagination.

Harry sat down heavily and the couch and stared at the flames for a long moment before he pulled his mirror from his pocket and glanced around to see if anyone else was around. He saw Hermione in the corner furiously writing in a notebook of some sort and he waved the mirror around until she caught a glint of the light from the fireplace.

Hermione turned and spotted Harry waving the mirror and quickly folded up her notebook before walking over to the couch and folding her legs under her as she sat down. Harry smiled at her and asked, "What were you working on?"

Hermione blushed and said, "It's um not finished. I promise to show you first when it is."

Harry arched an eyebrow but decided to let the matter slide as he said, "I was wondering if you might want to join me for a chat with Mooney and Padfoot."

Hermione smiled and nodded as Harry called out, "Mooney" and a moment later Remus appeared on the mirror with a smile on his face. He looked somewhat haggard and Hermione whispered into his ear that the full moon was coming up in a day.

Harry smiled at his, well surrogate uncle and said, "Hey Mooney, I can see you aren't feeling to well, so I'll keep it short tonight." Remus nodded and waved his hands as a moment later Sirius poked his head into the screen.

Harry chuckled at the sight and said, "Actually I think Hermione has something to show you."

Hermione smirked at Harry as he swung it around to show Hermione transforming into a leopard before transforming back a moment later. Remus was first to speak and said, "Remarkable."

Harry smiled and proudly said, "Took her less than four months to master it too."

Sirius' eyes bugged in his head before he asked, "How about you Harry?"

Harry's grin faltered slightly before he replied, "I erm am getting closer. Hermione seems to think I am a little over half way to accomplishing my first transformation."

Sirius nodded happily and said, "Hermione certainly is the brightest witch of her age. By all accounts you are doing quite remarkable as well. It took your father, the rat, and I a little over two years to master the transformation and we managed to practice during the summers too. So don't feel badly that you haven't mastered it yet."

Harry smiled slightly, feeling unaccustomed to the feel of parental or some strain of parental love, and managed a quiet, "Thanks."

Hermione noticed the slight shift in Harry's mood and said, "Well, seeing as how tomorrow is one of those nights for Prof-Remus, I think we should let you go. Both of you stay safe, and Remus, do remember to take your potion."

Remus smiled and nodded looking bolstered by Hermione's words as Sirius ruffled his friend's hair and said, "I'll take care of him lass, and now we have some time to think of a proper marauder nickname for you."

The image on the mirror slowly faded away leaving their reflection and Hermione softly asked, "Alright there Harry?"

Harry let out a breath and with a small smile said, "Yeah, I think I am."

The remainder of the holiday went by far too quickly for Harry's tastes as he resumed training with Moody near the back end of it and managed to learn some advanced shield charms, and cast all but the most advanced of them. Moody suggested some books to research for other means of swimming underwater, while they both still puzzled over what the thing was that would be taken from each of the champions.

Classes resumed for the second term of the school year and the first sign of changes were felt as the students were introduced to their new Care of Magical Creatures professor, Professor Grubbly-Plank. Professor Grubbly-Plank was a middle aged witch who always had a pipe in her mouth and she began her first lecture with a much more relaxed air than most professors they had come across.

"Welcome class, I am your new Professor replacing outgoing Professor Hagrid. Professor Hagrid has been a great help and I will continue his course outline for the remainder of the year. With one exception, we will not be continuing our study of the Blast-Ended Skrewts." A general cheer went through the class including Harry and Hermione.

Grubbly-Plank smiled and continued, "Today we will be studying a creature that only the girls of the class will be able to approach, Unicorns. Follow me to the edge of the woods, and the girls that wish to may hand feed them will be given the proper grains. Boys stay back and observe, note taking is suggested."

Hermione looked pleadingly at Harry who smiled and said, "Go on I'll take good notes for you." Hermione looked around quickly and gave Harry a quick peck on the cheek before running over to the grain stores and grabbing some feed.

As Hermione and the majority of the other girls concentrated on feeding the beautiful and pure creatures Harry took down notes every time Grubbly-Plank made a comment and smiled as he watched the girls play with the unicorns.

Class was beginning to wind down when Malfoy walked up behind Harry and said, "Hey Pothead, you're looking rather chipper for someone who has lost a pair of friends over the holidays. Maybe you got laid by the mudblood."

Harry rolled his eyes before he turned back to Malfoy and said, "Honestly Malfoy, I would almost think you were gay as much as you worry about my love life."

Malfoy pinked and couldn't muster an adequate response as Grubbly-Plank dismissed class. Harry spotted Ron off to the side glancing at him occasionally with a very thoughtful look on his face; he only hoped it meant that Ron was still trying to save the tattered remains of their friendship.

Charms class with Flitwick was the most interesting it had been the entire year, as the class worked on summoning and banishing charms. Harry had a flashback to the game he saw at the campgrounds during the world cup, and surprised everyone by managing to master the summoning charm Accio first, while Hermione mastered the banishing charm Remitto first earning more worthless points for Gryffindor house. The hourglass counters still functioned however, and Gryffindor house was for once in a commanding lead before the end of the school year.

By the second Saturday of the term the entire school had begun to gear up for the second task in around five weeks, as a Hogsmeade weekend was held. As Harry and Hermione boarded the carriages down to Hogsmeade they spotted Krum diving into the great lake, no doubt practicing for the second task.

Hermione spotted this and said, "Tomorrow we'll work on figuring out how you can breathe underwater aside from a bubblehead charm."

Harry frowned and nodded before he added, "We need to find out what kind of creatures are in the great lake too. I mean aside from the giant squid."

Hermione furrowed her brow before she said, "From what I've read Great Britain's inland bays are often filled with Grindylows and merpeople. But, you're right we should do some research to prepare for any surprises." Her expression grew guarded as she asked, "Have you figured out what they're going to take from you yet?"

Harry sighed heavily before he turned to Hermione and honestly answered, "I love my firebolt, but I wouldn't kill myself trying to rescue it underwater. From what I've reasoned, it will probably be a person we would dearly miss." Harry finished looking at Hermione very meaningfully, as the message was adequately sent. Hermione gulped and remained silent for the rest of the ride into Hogsmeade.

The next day found Harry and Hermione in the library poring through various books on aquatic magic, aquatic Herbology, and aquatic potions.

Harry had drawn the short straw and was reading the book on aquatic potions when he came across something of interest, "Hermione I have a potion here that is supposed to simulate the effects of Gillyweed for up to twenty minutes. What exactly is Gillyweed?"

Hermione's eyes widened as she opened the Herbology book and quickly leafed back to the index before she quickly leafed to a page and said, "Oh I think this could be the perfect solution. It mentions here that Gillyweed's effects last approximately one hour. If it takes you more than an hour to save me you can cast a bubblehead charm."

Harry frowned and asked, "Can I cast a bubblehead charm while underwater?"

Hermione nodded and said, "The bubblehead charm is a conjuration it would just change the water around your head into an air bubble." Hermione frowned and said, "Oh dear, this is an extremely rare plant. I'm afraid we'll need someone's help to get some."

Harry tapped his fingers on the desk before he asked, "Does it say what kind of shelf life the stuff has?"

Hermione scanned the passage once again and said, "According to this, the Gillyweed loses potency exponentially three months after being freshly picked."

Harry nodded and called out, "Dobby." A moment later Dobby appeared and Harry said, "Dobby I need for you to procure some freshly picked Gillyweed for me by the end of the week. Can you manage that?"

Dobby's smile nearly lit the room up as he said, "Of course Master Harry, Dobby be getting freshly picked Gillyweed by ends of the week."

Harry smiled and said, "Thank you Dobby, you will be getting paid for doing this outside of your work for the school. We can negotiate that once you've given me it though." Dobby nodded and vanished with a very soft pop, apparently understanding it was a library and loud noises were frowned upon.

Hermione looked at Harry and they shared a tired smile before she said, "Well that's one less thing to worry about." Of course for every one step they took forward it seemed fate would sent them back two, who said that destiny didn't have a sense of humor?

A/N: Minor shift this chapter, my question of the chapter comes at the end this time.

Do you think Snape is truly a traitor following the events of HBP, or is there more to the story than appears? Conspiracy theories with a little bit of backing are welcome. I might even respond with one of my own!

Thanks to all of my reviewers from last chapter, the response for this story continues to be the best of any of my stories to date. I hope all of you like Hermione's animagus form, I haven't personally read one where her form is a jaguar, but odds are it's been done somewhere else before. Harry's form will come between the second and third tasks. For those of you that think this is coming too fast, remember the marauders started the process as second years, a lot of the more advanced transfiguration was beyond them at that time.

Next chapter, Ron's education continues from the most unlikely of places (someone different), Skeeter strikes again, and the second task in all of its bloody glory. Thanks to all of you that have read and reviewed.