Hermione placed her head in between her hands and said, "Oh, my head."

Ron quirked an eyebrow at her before saying to Hagrid, "Anyway, I'd love to stay and chat but we're here on official Ministry business. Have to go see Professor Longbottom. Oh, Hagrid, you wouldn't by chance happen to have any unicorn hair lying about?"

"Sorry Ron," Hagrid answered while messing about with Shaggy, "jus' gave wha' I 'ad to Professor Slughorn tha other day. Said 'e needed it for potions or summat."

"Did he now. Guess I'll just have to give old Sluggy a visit then," Ron said. "Hagrid, would you mind watching Shaggy for a bit. Maybe take him down to the lake. He loves to swim and fetch sticks."

"I'd love ta Ron."

"Shaggy," Ron said reverting to his baby voice, "Do you want to play with Uncle Hagrid? Do you want to go swimmies?" Shaggy responded with violent tail wagging and jumping about in circles.

"Right, we'll see you in a bit Hagrid. Thanks," Ron said while turning and starting up to the castle. Hermione and Harry said their goodbyes. By the time they caught up with Ron and his long, quick strides they could hear him muttering under his breath. ". . .stupid Slughorn. . .stealing from Hagrid. . .stupid club. . .I'll sort him out. . ."

"Ron, what are you muttering about?" Hermione asked in a tone that implied he better answer the question or there would be consequences.

"Slughorn! I can't believe that pompous arse!" Ron exclaimed. "He 'borrows' things from Hagrid supposedly for his potions class and then he turns around sells them on the black market. With the money Slughorn has made Hagrid could have retired by now. And look after Grawp!"

Hermione, who always put Hogwarts' professors in the best possible light, replied, "I'm sure Professor Slughorn has a very good reason to ask Hagrid for those things."

"Sorry Hermione," Harry said, "Ron is right. Back in Sixth Year after I took the Felix Felicis trying to get the memory of Tom Riddle from Professor Slughorn I saw him take a bunch from Hagrid. Said he could get a galleon a strand. He also took acromantula venom from Aragog. Hundred galleons a pint for that."

Ron gave Hermione a self-satisfied smirk and was about to say something when they stepped into Hogwarts. Ron stopped with an awestruck look on his face. "Wow," he exhaled, "it's good to be back."

"It's this way," Hermione said shortly. She took off down the hall without bothering to see if Ron and Harry were following her. The three travelled to the dungeons and came to an ironbound door with a bronze plaque that read, "Professor Horace E. F. Slughorn, Potions Master." Hermione knocked and the door soon opened to reveal a short, portly man with a very large moustache.

"Ms. Granger! And Mr. Potter! What a pleasant surprise. Please come in, come in," Professor Slughorn said merrily while ushering the two into his foyer. Ron followed unnoticed. As Professor Slughorn engaged the two in conversation Ron began poking around the rather plush living quarters. Ron flipped open a box on the mantel and said, "Interesting."

"Uh, Rupert, can I help you with something?" the elder man asked.

Ron ceased his lookover of the room and turned sharply on the professor. "It's Chief Ron Weasley, Horace," Ron said shortly while pulling himself up to his full height. Hermione couldn't help but think he looked rather intimidating. Flipping up his ordinary wizard's robe Ron revealed a gold Auror's badge. Ron continued, "Special Wizarding and Tactics. As a matter of fact you can help me Horace. It's my understanding that you have in your possesion a skein of unicorn hair. I'd very much like to have it."

"Oh," sputtered the professor, "Mr. Weasley. I didn't recognize you with the beard. It has been awhile since we've seen you around Hogwarts. I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. Unicorn hair is a controlled item."

"It's Chief Weasley," Ron said stepping up to tower over the professor. Looking down Ron said, "I know Hagrid gave you a skein of unicorn hair yesterday and that you haven't had time to sell it. So, I'm going to give you a minute to try and remember where it is. After that minute I'm going to send a patronus to my team. Then we're going to toss your quarters. I've already found about half a dozen restricted items and I'm sure there are more. Then, I'm going to arrest you. Then I'm going to your home and I'm searching that too. By the time I'm done you should be spending your retirement in Azkaban."

Professor Slughorn's face went through several emotions: indignation, rage, worry. Finally it settled on a rather bland, innocent look. "Ah yes, Chief Weasley, I do recall Hagrid lending me some unicorn hair for a seventh year potion's project." The portly man walked to his private chambers returning with a handful of unicorn hair. "I hope this can help in your Auror work," Slughorn said magnomiously while hand the hair to Ron.

"I'm sure it will Professor," Ron anwered tersely stuffing the hair in his robes. The redhead left the room without saying another word. Hermione and Harry chatted with Professor in an attempt at damage control before leaving to catch up to Ron.

"I can not believe you Ron!" Hermione spat at the lanky redhead. "Threatening a professor. That's blackmail."

"The man's an ass Hermione!" Ron retorted, "He's been taking advantage of Hagrid for years! That and his stupid club!"

"Just because you-"

"Shut up!" Harry yelled. The two turned to him startled. "I don't need this! Could we just go see Neville please?" Looking guilty both Ron and Hermione nodded before the three friends headed down to Greenhouse 1.

A/N: I would like to thank Harry Potter Wiki for helping me keep this as canon as possible. This chapter written while listening to Puscifer. For those of you waiting for a more proactive Hermione please bear with me. In two chapters the bossy know-it-all we all know and love will be back. Thanks.