Walking through the castle and up to the seventh floor, Hermione and Harry watched with amused smiles at the first year Gryffindor's oohing and aahing over everything in their path. It was easy to pick out the Muggleborn students as their eager faces and awed words belied their limited knowledge about all things Magical.

Hermione remembered her similar reactions six years ago.

It was hard for her to acknowledge how much had changed in her world, even if a part of her was grateful for it. Both she and Harry had grown up with no knowledge of magic, no connections to this world and yet somehow magic had found a way for them to find each other again after all they'd lost as babes.

While she'd never believed much in the ways of fate, divination and prophecy—the truth of the matter was—there were times that she'd actually wondered if there wasn't some truth to those disciplines.

At least more than she'd given it credit being.

Once they'd reached the Gryffindor common room, Harry gave his speech on what to expect, where the dormitories were and they both wished the firstie's a good evening. Sally came up and hugged Hermione again and she smiled and told the young witch she was glad that they were Housemates. When Hermione introduced Sally to Harry, her brother had smiled—reiterated Hermione's words practically verbatim and watched in amusement as the little witch headed upstairs.

When the room was cleared, Harry grabbed her and led her to their favorite spot in front of the fireplace.

"She looks almost exactly like you did, first year."

Hermione chuckled and nodded, before her expression took on a more contemplative quality. Harry, who never missed much, asked her what was wrong.

"Nothing...at least I don't think so?"

"I noticed Malfoy at dinner. What was up with that?"

Hermione turned sideways on the couch to face her brother and sighed. "It was strange actually. On the train I overhead Sally being harassed by two Slytherin students. I only heard the name Selwyn though. He called Sally a mudblood."

Harry's expression darkened ominously as he ground out, "And this has to do with Malfoy, how?"

"That was the weird part. I was around the corridor, so they didn't see me but Malfoy overheard Selwyn say that word and then I heard what sounded like Malfoy pushing Selwyn against the compartment wall. He told the younger wizard not to use that slur again and to spread the word. Then I heard Malfoy talking to Sally and his voice was kind. It was the oddest thing."

Harry's expression went from angry to apoplectic in the space of a minute.

"Malfoy? Draco Pureblood Malfoy told another Slytherin not to use that word? I'm sorry did I just wander into the Twilight Zone?"

Hermione laughed and nodded emphatically. "When Selwyn called him out on his hypocrisy, Malfoy even admitted he'd used that word regrettably but it ended now. At the sorting he watched Sally almost fondly and then mouthed the words...'she's you' to me. He looked almost sad."

Harry just sat back dumbstruck. Never in a million years did he think that Draco sodding Malfoy would ever stick up for a Muggleborn.

"He's up to something."

Hermione gave her brother a dubious look.

"Why do you always think Malfoy is up to something?"

"Because the git usually is and it's never good."

Hermione shook her head in exasperation. "Harry, whilst I don't exactly trust Malfoy I can't see how this benefits him in the least. You know how hateful most Slytherin's are in general. They openly taunt those they see as 'lesser.' I don't imagine Malfoy's actions are going to go over well in his House."

"Don't tell me you're feeling worried about him."

This caused Hermione to guffaw loudly and Harry just smirked at how amused his sister looked.

"Merlin, No! He's an insufferable prat but I don't hate him. I don't trust him either. But Voldemort is gone Harry, and that might change a few things and I'm going to attempt to keep an open mind. After what Adrian shared with me over the summer, I'm not going to jump to conclusions anymore—especially about Malfoy."

"You're serious?"

"Yes. Please try to leave him be, this year. I know you two have a contentious history too—but I just want to have a normal year for once."

Harry just chuckled at his sister's naïveté. "Hermione, I hate to burst your bubble but you're a Sorceress. Normal isn't in the cards."

She stuck her tongue out at him playfully and watched as Harry grinned and blew her a kiss. He then stood up and did kiss the top of her head in parting.

"I'm heading up. Go to bed Sister mine and I will see you in the morning."

"Fine."

Hermione watched Harry go and she stared back into the fire for a bit. She could feel her magic humming along her skin. Holding her hand out, she watched as the flames erupted from her hand and licked like a lovers caress along her skin. She sighed and pulled back her powers, feeling a bit out of sorts.

Theo had warned her that her magic would start feeling a bit different the further she got away from her initial transformation and she hadn't really used a lot of magic this summer. Standing up, she opened the common room door and disillusioned herself before making her way towards the Astronomy Tower.

Once she reached the steps, she silently made her way up to the top and out onto the parapet. The stars were out and she moved over to the railing to stare up into the night sky.

She had done a bit of mediation over the summer to try and center herself—focusing her magic and it had helped somewhat. The strange thing was, she wasn't scared of heights anymore. Because of her telekinetic abilities, she couldn't fall easily and she could walk out into the air as if it was nothing more than walking along the street.

Climbing over the barrier, she held her hands behind her—gripping the iron railing before taking a deep breath and walking out into the open air. She moved effortlessly, closing her eyes and feeling the wind move around her. She could smell a myriad of fragrances on the wind—as well as the scents from the water below. After a bit she opened her mind and called out for Theo.

A few moments later, she heard him respond.

"Hermione," the voice was amused, "what are you doing?"

"I'm up at the Astronomy Tower."

"Okay...that doesn't answer my question though."

"My magic feels a bit off. So I'm taking a walk."

There was silence for a few moments and then she heard a sigh. "Please don't tell me your hundreds of feet up in the air walking around?"

"And if I was?"

Again more silence before Theo's voice spoke up and he sounded exasperated. "I'll be there in a few."

"M'kay."

Down in the sixth year Slytherin dorms, Draco watched Theo as he fell into some kind of trance. When he finally opened his eyes, his expression looked both amused and exasperated.

Then he stood and put on his jumper, grabbed his wand and made to move out of their dorm.

Checking the time—Draco noticed it was nearing curfew.

"Where you going Theo?"

The Nott Heir just shrugged. "Gotta do something. I'll be back soon."

"It's almost curfew mate."

"I know, but this can't wait."

Draco caught Blaise's eye and the Italian just smirked knowingly, mouthing "Prewett"and Draco had to agree.

"Is everything okay?"

Theo sighed and shrugged again. "Dunno. I gotta go. If I'm not back at curfew, keep a lookout."

Draco just nodded and watched as the other wizard left their dorm looking a bit unsure. When Theo was gone, Blaise spoke up.

"What do you think that was about?"

"I don't know but did you notice he was almost in a trance for a few minutes?"

Blaise nodded. "Yeah, weird."

"Maybe." Draco's curiosity was peaked and he desperately wanted to follow but figured he might not be welcome to do so.

He'd let it go for now.

Theo discreetly left the common room and went to cast a disillusionment charm when a deep voice stopped him cold.

"Mr. Nott," the baritone of their new Defense Professor caused Theo to inwardly groan. "It is almost curfew. Shouldn't you be heading back inside the common room?"

Theo turned to face his Head of House and sighed. "Normally I would, but something has come to my attention."

"And that would be?"

Theo just rubbed his hand over the back of his neck and knew if he didn't give Snape the truth—his Head of House would escort him right back to where he didn't want to be.

"Hermione is up at the Astronomy Tower. She let me know her magic is feeling a bit off."

Snape lifted an eyebrow at this before he replied, "And just how would Miss Prewett advise you of such a thing?"

"She's able to talk to me...telepathically."

"Excuse me?" By the tone of Snape's voice it was clear he didn't believe him so Theo shared what had transpired over the summer and Snape's expression became thoughtful before he sighed in defeat.

"Come along Mr. Nott. If Miss Prewett trusts you enough to seek out your counsel than perhaps it might be advisable for me to escort you there."

"Thank you Sir."

Snape didn't respond—he just turned, robes billowing and led Theodore to the place he needed to be.

Hermione at that moment was sitting down in the air, legs crossed Indian style as she breathed in and out deeply. She could feel her magic as it swirled around her like an aura of flame and heat. It was comforting but also moody. She could feel its emotions as is edged around her consciousness—almost as if it was confused, agitated.

Unsettled.

As she continued breathing in and out, she didn't notice her aura expanding slightly nor the flames that were circling and hovering over her skin and hair as she rotated in the air, but Theo did—as did Professor Snape, who just stared at the witch and breathed out, "Fascinating."

Theo nodded and then whispered, "She showed me a bit of this over the summer, but it was a lot to process even then."

Snape hummed, as he watched the mesmerizing scene unfolding in front of him.

"She is trying to learn to control it. Which means it's becoming unstable. You did mention to her why that might be, yes?"

"I did. She was fairly good this summer though. You don't think it's because she's away from Adrian, do you? I mean...they've been seeing each other and this didn't seem to be an issue all summer."

Snape tilted his head thoughtfully before he asked. "When she showed this to you previously, was there an impetus...a reason why?"

Theo thought back and chuckled. "Yes. Hermione had just gotten Narcissa Malfoy's invitation to her garden party and she was livid. She didn't want to be anywhere near Draco and was rather emphatic in her disdain of all things Malfoy."

This caused Snape's lips to quirk even as he considered all the possibilities. Shaking his head after a bit Snape had to wonder just how powerful Miss Prewett was. He hadn't seen her initial transformation, but others had. Those people were forbidden to speak of it and now he understood a bit better why that was.

"Can you speak with her? Get her to come inside?"

Theo sighed and then closed his eyes...trying to reach his mind out to his cousin who seemed to be content in her own little world. When her eyes finally did open, they were filled with fire and she smiled.

"Come on Princess," he pleaded silently, "time to come inside before Professor Snape docks us both points for being out of bed after curfew."

Theo chuckled when he heard her grumbling in his mind and then grinned when he saw Hermione's aura expand slightly in annoyance. He could feel her irritation.

"Fine." She grumbled grumpily into his mind. "You're both no fun."

Theo choked out a laugh, which caused Snape to give him a questioning look. He just shrugged and said saucily, "Apparently we are no fun."

"Indeed." Snape deadpanned and then stood back in shock as Miss Prewett was suddenly right next to them both. He glanced out over the parapet and then back at the young witch with a look of incredulity.

"Impressive."

"I suppose the right answer is to say, 'thank you?' But I'm just grateful that you allowed Theo to come up here."

"It is after curfew Miss Prewett, and while I'd hope this doesn't become a common occurrence, perhaps it might be wise of you to discuss this with your own Head of House. I would imagine there will come times that you may need to keep yourself grounded and I'd rather not have the whole of the castle come crumbling down around me should you have a fit of pique or a complete loss of control."

Theo laughed while Hermione pouted. "I'm getting better. Really. I'm just trying to keep up on the meditation I did over the summer."

"Perhaps Occlumency lessons might be in order?"

"Are you offering Sir?"

"Obviously."

Both Hermione and Theo smiled and the young witch bowed her head in gratitude. "Then I will take you up on your generous offer, Professor. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt."

"No, it most definitely would not. Now let's return you both to your respective dormitories. I expect you will be discussing this with Professor McGonagall on the morrow?"

"Yes Sir."

The trio remained silent until they got to the Gryffindor common room and Hermione turned to thank her Professor. Snape just nodded and watched the witch move into the Gryffindor Tower.

As he walked with the Nott Heir towards Slytherin, Snape felt compelled to speak.

"Mr. Nott, as I am usually loathe to get involved in the personal lives of my students I find myself in an unusual position. I would ask that you come to me directly in the future should Miss Prewett find herself in need. I can contact her Grandmother accordingly."

"You don't think Professor McGonagall would do so?"

"Not without advising the Headmaster first and I am unsure that Muriel Prewett would be amenable to such interference from Dumbledore at this junction."

Theo smirked and nodded. "I understand Sir."

"Of that I have little doubt. Inside with you Mr. Nott."

"Thank you Sir."

Snape watched his student enter the dungeons and then made his way back to his office. He was in need of a stiff shot of firewhiskey.

As Theo walked into the sixth year dormitory, he was unsurprised to find his dorm mate's awake and awaiting his return.

"Everything okay?" Blaise asked and Theo nodded.

"It's fine."

"Prewett?"

Theo's gaze hardened at his mate and felt his hackles go up before he looked over at Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle who were all staring at him with equal expressions of curiosity.

He just nodded and left it at that. He wasn't going to discuss this with his housemates.

It wasn't any of their concern.