"This has got to be the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened in my life." Harry mumbled to himself. He, Hermione, Lily, and the three remaining Marauders were sitting in the Black study talking. "My face is going to be a perpetual red after this."
"Its nothing to be ashamed of." Lily soothed her son and his friend.
"Not at all prongslet. It happened to Prongs and Lils in the middle of our seventh year." Sirius said grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"What happened though?" Harry asked confused.
"Well, you started bonding with each other." James explained rubbing the back of his neck. "Its completely normal for Veela and their mates."
"If I were you two," Lily said but was interrupted by Sirius
"And she would know too." Sirius insinuated, grinning.
"I would be careful being alone around each other." Lily said finishing. She smacked Sirius upside the head. "Thats only when the bonding process really begins."
"Well, this was a riveting conversation but I am going to take my leave." Remus stated standing up. He grabbed Sirius by the robes and dragged him out of the room.
"Well, we said as much as we could say." James said, "Just make sure you two are careful. Don't want that happening at Hogwart's."
"There is nothing wrong with bonding but its a little soon." Lily explained as she stood up. "I just want you two to finish your last year at Hogwart's before anything too permanent."
~*~*~
"Hey Mia, you ready to leave?" Harry asked as he passed by her room. He sat down his trunk and stepped into her room. He saw her drop to her knees next to the bed and look underneath it. "What you looking for?"
"I book that I have." Hermione stated.
"Whats it called?" He asked as he saw a few books on the stand.
"I don't remember for sure. It has to do with dark and/or illegal potions."
"What do you need with that?" Harry asked shocked.
"I'm training to become a healer." Hermione explained standing up. "I need to know the dark and illegal potions so I know if a patient has been poisoned and what not."
"That makes sense. But its not like you to be disorganized like this. I mean you, losing a book? Unheard of."
"I know. It's strange." Hermione said shaking her head. "I put it in my trunk before coming here and I did not take it out."
"Well, it couldn't have just walked away, could it?"
"No. Oh well, Ill find it eventually or just buy another." Hermione shrugged, grabbed her trunk and headed to the door. "Now come on, before we are late for the train."
*
"Hey I almost forgot," Harry exclaimed on the ride to the train. They were seated in the back of a SUV with Lily and James in the front and with Remus and Sirius in the middle.
"What?"
"I got a letter from Ron," Harry stated. "I think you should read it."
Harry-
I know you and Hermione have finally gotten over your stubborn and hardheadedness and finally hooked up. I am actually glad that you two will stop being oblivious to what is really happening when it comes to that. Anyways, thats not why I am writing to you. Its kind of pertains to you and Hermione but its mostly about a little, jealous, red-headed witch that goes by the name of Ginny.
I saw her reading a very curious book earlier. I couldn't see what the title was for she hid it mighty quick. I have a feeling that she will either get back at you for dumping her or Hermione for "stealing my boyfriend". I am sure she will actually. Ive been keeping an eye on her, as have the twins and she is cunning but apparently she has been asking Mum for certain things. I would be very careful when alone, watch your back and don't eat or drink anything that she has given ya. I think it might be a potion of some sort that she will try to slip you.
Sorry that my little sister has decided to get vengeance upon you. I was hoping for a "normal" year at Hogwart's but whats normal anyways? See you soon, tell everyone I say 'ello.
-Ron
"I think she has your book." Harry stated. "I was thinking about your book when I remembered this and then I just put two and two together, you know?"
"Ya." Hermione sighed. "Why would she do this? I know she is jealous but that book is not for playing around."
"I don't know. I guess we will just have to find out."
~*~*~
"Hey guys!" Ron shouted across the platform. He was standing in a crowd of red heads, like usual. This time Luna Lovegood and her father were mingled in. The blond hair standing out in the sea of red.
"Hey Ron!" Hermione rushed over and hugged her other friend.
"Jeeze Mia, its only been what, a week? If that?" Ron stated laughing.
"I know." Hermione said smiling. They chatted about their week apart, Harry joining them shortly after making his way through the crowd that stopped him and his parents.
"Come along you three." Molly said bustling over to them. "The train is about to depart soon. If you don't hurry, you'll miss it."
The five teens gave the adults hugs goodbye and promises to write to them each week while at Hogwart's. They boarded the train and walked along the hallway looking for an open compartment. When they found one, Ginny immediately went off, claiming she was going to see her other friends.
"She's been a right one since we got to the Burrow." Ron said as he sat down. "I don't understand her lately. It's like she is not herself anymore."
"Tell us more about that book." Harry stated, he and Hermione decided to wait a bit before mentioning the book that Hermione is missing. No need to cause a panic with Ron right away. Especially since they have no real proof that she stole it.
"Well, when I caught quick glimpses of it it looked kind of old, leather bound I believe and it was black. There was no pictures on the cover at all."
Hermione sighed and shook her head, "I am afraid I know that book."
"You do?" Ron asked. "How?"
"It is one of my books that I had packed in my trunk. Today I noticed that it was missing."
"So she stole a book from you? Well it cant be that bad of a book right?" Ron asked
"Well..." Hermione started. "It is a book about dark and illegal potions."
"Why would you own such a book?" Ron asked, shocked.
"Its a required book to become a healer. In order to diagnosis and treat an illegal potion or poison you must actually know which one it possibly be. This book gives antidotes, symptoms, how to make it, prevent it, history on it, and other things about it. Its not a dark book but if used the to actually brew the potions it could be." Hermione explained to Ron. Ron just nodded in understanding. "There are every known poison and spell from love potions to the cruciatus curse in potion form. I can't imagine which one she would use, on me or Harry."
"Well, I think I might have an idea." Luna stated.
"Whats that Luna?" Harry asked.
"Well, you two are together now correct?" Luna asked them.
"Yes..."
"She will probably try to harm Hermione in a way since she ''stole'' Harry away from Ginny." Luna stated as she read her Quibbler upside down.
"That makes sense." Ron agreed. As did the other two. Ron glanced at his watch. "Hey its around the time that we should get dressed in our robes."
Luna stood up and motioned with her wand. Her robes materialized. Hermione copied her actions and they continued on out of the compartment towards the loo.
"So how was your summer Luna?" Hermione asked as they walked down the hallway. "Leave it up to us to pick the farthest compartment from the loo." Hermione thought.
"It was fun. My dad took a vacation from the Quibbler and we went traveling to some of our family in Germany."
"What did you do?" Hermione asked intrigued. It took some time for her to get used to the quirky ways of Luna. But after awhile they became the best of friends. Aside from Harry and Ron, Luna was her best friend.
"Well, we visited them since we haven't had the chance to. We then went on a two week camping trip to find some crumpled horn snorcack that my older cousin Lynn said has been reported seen in the black forest. We sadly didn't find any but we found a few fairy rings!"
They both arrived at the bathroom and changed into the Hogwart's standard uniform. They continued chatting about their summers and theories on trying to locate the famed crumpled horn snorcack.
"Hermione?" Ginny Weasley's voice said from behind them.
"Ya Ginny?" Hermione asked. She was very suspicious of the red head. Not trusting her at all.
"Can I talk to you real quick please." Ginny asked. She stared at Luna, hinting at talking to Hermione alone.
"Yeah sure." Hermione said nodding. "Hey Luna, I'll only be a few minutes. Ill meet you back at the compartment."
Luna nodded, but gave Hermione a look that was quickly understood. Hermione walked into the empty compartment that Ginny motioned toward. She stepped in and whirled around, not wanting her back to the other girl. She discreetly gripped her wand, but put an air of nonchalance to fool Ginny. If she was going to be attacked, she was going to be ready for anything. This was something she learned the hard way during the war.
"What is it that you need Gin?" Hermione asked.
*
Ginny just stared at the older girl in front of her. She was completely calm and unguarded. Just how she wanted her. "I was just wondering if you were going out with Harry?"
"Why do you want to know?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I am simply curious."
Hermione shifted her stance a little. "She is nervous. I need to end this, before her guard dogs come looking for her."
"Really now?" Hermione stated.
"I am mostly making sure that the well being of the person I love unconditionally is cared for." Ginny said, pulling out the dramatics.
"Then ask him how he is." Hermione said, getting agitated. "I am going to go now."
Hermione headed toward the door, and the Red head let her by. She opened the door when Ginny said something, making her stop.
"Big mistake." Ginny had her wand out and pointed straight at the back of the older girl's head. "Didn't you learn from the war, never turn your back on someone?"
"Only on people that I fear." Hermione stated coolly, keeping her body faced toward the door.
"Turn around." Ginny snarled. She prodded the back of Hermione's head trying to get a rise out of the girl. She knew that Hermione had an explosive temper, one of her many faults. In her opinion.
"You don't want to do this Ginny." Hermione said calmly.
Ginny was watching her closely, making sure when she went for her wand that she could disarm her before she gets cursed. "You don't know everything."
"You right." Hermione said tensing. She was getting ready to grab her wand. She was at an disadvantage and Ginny knew it. She made a mistake and she was going to pay for it. "But do you really want to attack me?"
Ginny said nothing. She just continued to watch for subtle movements. Any second now and she would grab her wand. "I am not going to attack you. I am just saying that Harry is MINE. Not yours, nor will he ever be. I am just giving you a chance to back off now before you get hurt."
"You couldn't hurt me." Hermione said angrily. Harry wasn't a possession that people could claim.
"Watch me." Ginny said smirking. She was getting the girl angry, just like she planned. She watched as the older girl whirled around and pointed her wand in the her face faster than she expected.
"You come near me or Harry and its the last thing you do." Hermione stated coldly. She didn't shout, she spoke with coldness that sent shivers down her back. "I won't say anything about this little meeting if you back off now."
Ginny only nodded, shocked at the coldness of the girl. This was a Hermione that she never had the chance to face. She watched as Hermione backed out of the compartment and went down the hallway towards her own compartment.
"That didn't go like I expected." Ginny muttered angrily. "I will just have to go with my original plan. Sucks for Hermione though, but I did give her fair warning."
A/N: I am incredibly sorry that I took forever to update. I have been really sick. On top of having a friend almost being hospitalized and being behind in my art class. I know it is no excuse but it seems like I haven't been on the computer in awhile.
This chapter is a bit longer than I usually do but it's not as good (in my opinion). The action will progress once they get to Hogwart's. This will just be something that sets Ginny off.
I want to thank all those who reviewed and gave me more motivation when I was sick to drag myself to write this. If anyone sees any grammatical errors or anything please point it out and I will try and fix it ASAP.