Chapter 44 is now up at AoOO. For complete chapter and complete story, go to my profile here, and click on the second link.

From Chapter 44:

Harry buttered another croissant and dipped it into the yolk of his fried egg. As he took a bite, he noticed Padma directly across the Hall talking to the French girl who had seemed so interested in Hermione. Padma appeared to be gesturing towards the Gryffindor table, but before he could look away, they caught him and giggled. Fleur turned pink, and Harry blushed furiously, focusing his attention back on his food. Hermione appeared not to have noticed as she was busy devouring a pile of sausage and bacon as daintily as possible to sate her feline appetite for meat.

Ron was digging into a pile of sausage and bacon as tall as Hermione's, but dainty was hardly the word to describe his manner of eating.

Nobody could focus in classes that day, and the teachers all gave up trying. Except for Snape, who deducted another 5 points apiece from Ron and Seamus for gossiping in class. As soon as classes had finished, Harry wanted away from everyone. He was feeling trapped and all of the excitement had his nerves on edge.

"Come on Hermione, I need to get out of here for a bit."

"Are you alright Harry? What's wrong?" Hermione asked. She could feel the agitation rolling off him in waves.

"This... it's just a bit much for me. Today, of all bloody days. Why does this have to be happening today?" Harry growled.

Hermione understood. She curled her bushy tail around Harry, and they went to look for a peaceful spot near the Hogwarts boathouses. But there was no quiet to be had. A rowdy group of Slytherins and Durmstrang boys were gathered by the stone steps leading from the castle to the lake.

The raucous laughter and jeering voices chilled Harry, and Hermione's fur all stood on end. The group hadn't noticed them yet though, as their attention appeared to be drawn on someone they had surrounded. And the two young Gryffindors had a bad feeling about who it might be.

"Bit early for Halloveen dress-up is it not? Vot are you supposed to be?" snickered a tall sturdy Durmstrang with spiky blond hair.

"I did not know zey let Haff-Breeds into your school..." guffawed a stocky lout with a shaved head.

"Yeah, they'll let anyone-or any-THING into Hogwarts these days!" sneered Malfoy. "Mudbloods, filthy Animals..."

"Ow! Stop it, don't touch me there..." a soft girl's voice who Harry and Hermione both recognised squealed.

"Oh! Zat part felt human enough!" another Durmstrang with slick black hair gloated.

"Leave us alone! OH! Get your hands off us!" another girl's voice shrieked.

"Oh! You're right, Gehlen." Malfoy's voice leered...

"DRACO! Stop it. You're disgusting. I can't believe you. Leave them alone. What's wrong with you, you bastards. You're all revolting."

"What's the matter with you Daphne?" Pansy sneered. "I never figured you for a blood-traitor."

"This has nothing to do with blood, you slag! They're just girls - like you and me. This is just wrong. I hate you lot. I wish I'd never been sorted into Slytherin with you sick arses."

Harry and Hermione whipped out their wands as Daphne Greengrass pulled away from the group and dashed past them shamefaced and burst into tears. Harry was stunned. His face blazing in fury, he turned back towards the gang, his wand at the ready. Hermione's visage was picture of rage too, and she aimed her own wand.