She was tearing down the corridor after being released from Umbridge's office. Knowing she had to get outside or to the room of requirements before she exploded in anger. Trying to take deep breaths and ignoring the deafening pounding in her head she seethed silently. How dare that bitch strike her. It was one thing to force the blood quills on them, that at least she used across the board. The students who found themselves in her detention falling prey to it. But this, this was different. She had slapped her in the face in front of not only Dolohov but a sworn Auror as well.

It was beyond unacceptable and she grinned evilly wondering if the toad realized how lucky she was to be alive. She had not let anyone touch her that she didn't give permission to since Crouch forced himself on her and she would be damned if she let the old crone get away with this. The fresh air hit her lungs like a welcoming hug as she tore across the lawn and headed towards the forest.

Watching Hermione disappear down the hall one way and Harry the other, the two brothers turned to look at eachother.

"You know I always thought we were meant for more than just the educational world brother mine." Fred said a wicked grin contorting his face.

Nodding at the retreating forms. "I do so agree dear twin, bigger and better things for sure."

He had watched Hermione leave with the others. Although she had acted calm and collected he could feel the ire in her magic. It was aggressively flaring out of her, he could feel it rub against his own searching for an outlet. Yaxley was saying his goodbye to Umbridge, and they walked together out of the room down the now empty corridor.

"So what do you think?" Yaxley asked him getting his attention.

Antonin sighed, turning his head from side to side to loosen the stiff muscles in his neck. "I think that witch has lost her mind. It's one thing to try to take over Hogwarts stealthily, it's another to physically attack a student in the presence of others."

Yaxley let out a deep chuckle. "And not any student at that. The Granger girl is betrothed to Rowles oldest boy, it's common knowledge. Not only that but she's a ward of the Blacks. That is two pretty powerful pureblood families behind her. If she wanted to I dare say she could bring the wrath of both down on the old toad." He laughed harder then lowered his voice a little. "Plus, I don't know if you know this but there is something special about her. The dark Lord himself has a vested interest in the girl. I've seen her in action, she is powerful that's for sure, but I don't know I think there may be more to it." He confessed.

"Hermione is an enigma." Antonin added. "I met her on her first day on the platform and I have spent every day since trying to figure her out. I am no closer today than I was then."

Yaxley laughed, giving him a hard pat on the back when they left the building. Antonin had looked from the corner of his eye and saw the small figure disappearing into the forest.

"Well I will leave you to it then," Yaxley said in way of goodbyes. "If you have any idea how to cure the old biddie let me know, I imagine she will be quite the pest as long as she is suffering."

Antoning nodded and watched as he twisted away. Instead of leaving himself he turned directions and headed into the woods after the witch.

The woods were cold and damp, the remnants of a late morning ain sticking to the fauna around her. She had one hand gripped on her necklace and the other twirling he wand. She left the slightly beaten bath to travel into the thicker section of woods far past where any other student would wander. Kicking a stone out of her path she smiled when she heard the sound of her familiar making her way towards her in the woods.

She heard two other sounds in the quiet of the woods that had her pausing her stride. Behind her she heard heavy footsteps. Someone, a male judging by the weight of the steps and the distance in time between them, meaning someone taller, was heading straight in her direction. Then ahead of her also making strides towards her was the thundering of hooves.

Centaurs.

Thankfully with Nagini close by she didn't have to fear whichever one reached her first. She stopped walking letting whoever it was on either side of her come to her. The branches snapped behind her and she turned her head to see Dolohov ducking underneath of a limb in his search for her. She offered him a small smile of hello.

"Malyshka, what are you doing out here by yourself?" He asked in loo of a greeting.

She went to answer but held up her hand to him in pause, hearing the hooves moving in closer. Dolohov, having heard them now as well, took a step closer to her, pulling her into his side. The tree line parted in a flurry as two grown centaurs burst through. Their long hair flowing over their human shoulders, both dark in color to match their horse-like bottom half.

Hermione squeezed Dolohov's hand in reassurance before taking a step closer to them.

"Hello Bane, Hello Magnus, I hope you are having a fruitful evening." She greeted them, giving them a small bow.

"Hello Hermione," The larger of the two said. "Magnus and I felt the presence of your familiar in the forest and came to see if she was finding you." He said nodding over to the side where Nagini was now visible and making her way over to wrap around Hermione.

Hrmione smiled at her embrace and patted down her head.

"Yes, she has been waiting for me. I have found myself confined to the forest of late and she grows restless waiting for me." She explained.

"You bring others with you?" Magnus spoke up, taking his time to look Dolohov over critically. Making a face as if he didnt know what he concluded about him.

"Yes, this is Antonin Dolohov. He is a friend. Dolly this is Bane and Magnus, they are generals in the centaur pack. Their father is the leader." She introduced them and Dolly gave a small bow like Hermione had before.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both." He said.

Bane nodded. "Any friend of Hermiones finds allies in the pack. She has always been a friend to the centaurs."

Dolohov gave her a look like they would need to talk about that later but just nodded.

"The centaurs have always been a friend to me." She gave them a smile of gratitude. "I wish others would understand the rich culture and divination practices you possess, there needs to be more taught to us than what we are told."

The centaurs gave out a loud huff and stomped thor front feet, sending clumps of mud and leaves scattering.

"The wizarding world needs to reform before it is too late. We have seen the signs and voiced our warnings only to be ignored." Bane growled. "And now that horrible creature who calls herself a witch has restricted our access to our own forest. She has moved the rune stones back again and now we are confined to mere acres of land. She is foul and karma will be after her soon."

Hermione nodded her head and a grin formed on her face. "She is the worst, she is who is responsible for confining me to the castle as well. In a perfect world she would be subject to pack justice. She has wronged many in this forest and the magical world itself."

Magnus nodded enthusiastically. "Agreed, if she would end up in centaur territory she would be dealt with accordingly."

Bane gave her a calculating look before nodding he too agreed with his brother's statement. Nagini hissed into her ear and she hissed back before turning back to the centaurs.

Nagini reminded me I need to be back before my absence is noted. It was wonderful to see you again, I do hope we see eachother soon. May your days be fruitful." She gave the same bow and Antonin repeated it as they received one in return before the centaurs turned and galloped back further into the forest.

She took Dolly's arm and turned him around leading him back to the path that would take them back to the school. They walked in silence for a few minutes, just the sounds of the forest to accompany them.

"Why did you follow me Dolly?" She asked, finally breaking the silence. She kept her head facing forward on the path not looking over to her.

He did turn his head though, and took in her profile. She had matured even more since the last time he saw her. Her hair was loose down her back in the honey brown ringlets that he loved to run his fingers through. Her eyes were lacking the normal shine they held and even though her cheeks were flushed from the cool air he could see the bruise forming on her cheek where that wicked witch had slapped her. She was out of uniform due to it being the weekend and was wearing muggle jeans and a jumper that was too large on her. It had a red H knitted onto the front but judging by the way she had to roll up the sleeves to have her hnd show he came to the conclusion it must have been Harrys. Even looking tired and run down she was the most beautiful witch he had ever seen.

"I wanted to make sure you were ok. I wasn't brought here by Yaxley, I was in the village looking for you." he confessed. "I ran into baby Rowle and he said you had been having a hard time, and wasn't allowed to leave or have owls. I admit I was glad to hear that since all mine had been returned. I just made my way down here, I was going to try to see you when I ran into Yax and he brought me with him. I had no idea what we were going for. I never expected to see you brought in or see you treated like that. Why haven't you done something?" He gripped her arm now forcing her to stop walking.

She looked up at him then and gave a small shrug. "You wouldn't get it because it is not a slytherin compulsion, but just believe me when I say it's better this way." She saw the look of confusion cross his face so she continued.

"Harry and I saw right away we were a target for Umbridge's wrath. Harry because she thinks he is Dumbledore's golden boy and me because I am the wretched little mudblood who reached beyond her means and somehow latched herself onto two noble and proud pureblood houses." She sneered and Dolohov went to interrupt her.

"Dont." She said holding up a hand to stop him. "I am not saying I agree, I am literally telling you why she despises me. She has mentioned it to me multiple times, its old news now." She rolled her eyes. "ANyways, Harry and I knew that no matter what we would be targeted, same with the twins once they started releasing their products to the school. So we decided if we could take her attention, force her to focus on us instead of punishing some poor first year she happens to come across while in a foul mood, well then we would. We have served nightly detentions, been stipped of any privilege including post, and even subjugated to using a blood quill. What she did today, that was calm in comparison."

She pulled her hand back from him. "So while I am grateful that you worried about me and tried to check on me I have to ask again.. Why? Last time I saw you, you were denying me yet again. And then total silence the rest of the summer. You can't keep doing this. You can't keep showing up in my life for brief stints only to turn me away again in a couple of months. I can't do that anymore."

He sighed. "It's not like I am trying to Malyshka, you know this. I never wanted to hurt you."

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with unshed tears and a sad face that more said disappointment than anger.

"That's the thing Dolly, you didn't have to try. I love you, you know this, Thor knows this. That doesn't just go away because you say it should. I unlike you cannot just turn my feelings on and off. So let me make this clear and easy for you. Until you love me for me, I can't let you in anymore. I have to protect myself and my heart from the damage you seem to have a knack of doing to it. I cannot just be your friend right now. Maybe in a few years, but even then I don't know. I can't pretend to see you platonically just to make life easier on you. If you are 'too evil' or whatever bullshit you want to spread to be with me romantically then you shouldn't feel right being my friend either." She gritted out. "I know before I told you I would give you time to decide, but I can't do it anymore. So here it is completely laid out. Make a decision by the time this school year is out, either love me or leave me alone."

When she finished her rant she looked up at him and he was staring with wide eyes. Clearly he wasn't expecting her to just explode like that. His mouth opened and closed a few times but no words came out. Seeing him looking so much like a fish and uncharacteristically stunned she couldt help the snort of laughter that left her mouth. Like a pressure valve once she let it go it seemed she couldn't stop, she bent over there and was cackling with laughter. The sound of it so far off from the shouting she had just did that Antonin approached her and rubbed small circles on her back, seeing it for what it was. A crack in her mental shields.

"I'm sorry." She choked out, rubbing the tears from her eyes.

"I didn't mean to go all mega bitch on you, this has just been a weird year so far. I came into this year expecting it to be normal and well it has been anything but. I am pretty sure the twins are trying to get themselves expelled, they don't need school after all, their post graduation plans have been set since summer. Harry has started a secret defense group so that we can learn real spells despite who has been teaching us. Then Dumbledore has gone MIA except to try to kidnap harry and brainwash him with his greater good speeches." She waved her hands around flippantly. "Then to top it all off we had career conferences and naturally Umbridge sat in on mine. When I mentioned I was hoping to be a curse breaker after I graduated she laughed at me. Like derisively. She said if I was lucky enough to keep Rowle then I would be spending the rest of my life as a broodmare, and that I needed to learn my place. But then she guessed that Thorfinn would come to his senses soon and move on to purer better blood and that if I was lucky I would end up with a blood traitor like Ronald. A family who in her opinion would not be tarnished by adding me into its fold." She sneered. "The bitch got what she deserved."

Antonins brows were permanently fused into his hairline at what he was hearing. He cleared his throat not knowing what to say but being hung up on her last words.

"What she deserved?" He asked.

She nodded. "Well she deserved worse honestly, but it will do for now. The twins even unleashed a portable swamp on the fourth floor for all her little toads to convene. The look of shock on her face when she first purged one out will bring me joy for years. It was risky to have it happen during my class but I didn't want to miss it." She gave an evil smile.

"Malyshka.." Antonin was in awe putting it all together. He had just witnessed her not even an hour ago under the influence of veritaserum saying she wasn't responsible.

"Oh, and here." She pulled a vial out from her cloak. "I imagine she is going to be a pain in Yaxleys ass until she is cured, and for some reason I have always liked that man. He will need this to give to her, you or he can take the credit I don't care. Just leave me out of it."

He absent mindedly grabbed the glass vial looking at it skeptically. "Malyshka, you did this? You cursed her?"

Hermione shrugged her shoulders looking at him with a sad smile. "She is kind, she is good, she is smart. I have told you before Dolly there is more to me than what meets the eye." She reached up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, patting it softly with her hand afterwards. "I didn't mean to be rude, but I meant what I said earlier. You have till the end of the school year what you want with me."

She turned and walked back into the courtyard leaving a thoroughly shocked and confused Dolohov staring after her.

The weeks had passed slowly. Day by day the castle grew darker and more oppressed as Umbridge climbed to her position as a high inquisitor and geban implicating new rules every single day. The hallways were silent, classes were all observed, they weren't allowed to walk the halls in groups of 3 or more, and girls and boys had to stay six feet apart at all times. Hermione had never been to a prison camp but she assumed it was similar to the hell that Hogwarts had become. During all of this Dumbledore stayed quiet. Hidden in his office while the rest of the school was held hostage. The only bit of light they had was the two times a week they met secretly in the room of requirements to practice defensive spells. It became the saving grace for all of them and they all looked forward to the days where they got to meet.

They were standing in the room of requirements taking turns firing spells at a practice dummy. Hermione had found old coursework books and had taken it upon herself to teach the yellow students the best that she could. Knowing there would be a practical assessment on their exams she didn't want to see anyone fail.

Ginny had just cast an impressive reducto at the dummy, blasting it to bits when a loud screech came over head. They all froze and looked up as peeves appeared in the room.

"The toad bitch is coming! The toad bitch is coming and she is hopping mad! She may croak when she finds you in here!" Peeves yelled out his warning causing mass panic.

"Boys!" Hermione yelled over the growing noise getting the attention of the twins.

"I believe it's time." She said to them with a smile. "We need one hell of a distraction."

They both looked at each other with large grins before straightening up and saluting her.

"Ask and you shall receive beautiful!" Fred said with a wink.

"Peeves, come with us please sir. We are about to give her hell!" George said and Hermione laughed when Peeves mimicked their earlier salute seeming all too excited to be a part of the plan.

They had all just poured out of the room when Umbridge turned the corner, her face red with anger as she spotted the large group gathered. Filch was right at her side sneering at the teens.

"Well what do we have here? A bunch of rule breakers. Hmm, I believe you will all be coming with me and explaining what it is you have been doing!" She demanded her voice even higher than normal.

When no one moved she drew her wand but before she could do anything a small sprk flitted across the room and landed on her nose, shocking her. Her arms flailed trying to get it off of her smoking skin. Then just as that one faded out a swarm of them took off through the crowd, the high pitched fizzing sound their only warning. Umbridge squeaked, turning around and trying to move out of their way only to find they followed her wherever she moved. She turned and ran down the hallway waving her hands around her trying to get rid of them.

The group moved with her following behind at a distance as her shrieks filled the staircases and hallways. The noise bringing the attention of the rest of the students and staff and before they knew it the whole school was watching the show. She ran into the great hall trying to get help. She yelled for Flitwicks assistance but the little professor only commented that he had not studied that particular magic as it was above his station. A play on the words Umbridge had used to belittle him when she shadowed his class.

Umbrudges pink outfit was tattered and torn with singe marks all over it as the last of the fireworks burned out. She turned around in a flurry rady to scold them all when the twins whooshed by on thor brooms followed by peeves. The boys dropped a handful of fireworks from their pockets filling the great hall with booms and sparks. The final move being a giant firework that erupted in the shape of a phoenix. Seeing the shape Dumbledore who had just entered the room gave a chuckle and clapped. Getting the attention of Umbridge. She growled at the aged professor.

"YOU!" She screamed. "YOU DID THIS! YOU'VE TAUGHT THESE.. THESE HEATHENS!" She accused him ready to make another statement when the phoenix let out a loud caw and descended down upon her. SHe screamed at the top of her lungs and ran from the room as fast as her stubby legs would carry her, leaving a trail of guffawing students and teachers in her wake.

The room cleared as everyone ran to the courtyard to watch the conclusion as the weasley twins saluted them all and told them the address of their new shop which would be opening soon.

Hermione was laughing watching them in their element when she turned and saw Harry being held by the shoulders by Dumbledore. He was shaking his slight, a dire look on his face. She watched Harry pale before Dumbledore released him and stepped into the open courtyard.

"Good luck this year students, I will take the blame for this. Remember that light can drive out the darkness no matter what the source." With a whistle his phoenix came to him and with a flare of flames he was gone.

She didn't have time to react before Harry had her by the arm dragging her back into the castle. His nerves shaking so bad her own arm was vibrating. He was speaking so fast she had to rely on her animagus hearing to make out everything he said. She was only able to make out the direct threat to Sirius' person before she pulled him to a stop, trying to get control of the situation.

"Harry calm down. We will find an empty classroom and I will call Tully. She can pop over and check on Sirius before we go galavanting across the continent on a death wish."

Harry nodded pulling her into the first abandoned classroom he could find. She warded the door shut and called for her elf. With a pop Tully appeared before them.

"Good day missy! Good day mister Harry! What cans Tully do for you?" She asked after greeting Hermione with a hug.

"Hello Tully. Harry is afraid that something is wrong with Sirius. Can you pop over to grimmauld place and check on him for us to ease his nerves. We will wait here for you."

Tully nodded her agreement and with a snap popped back out of the room. Harry sighed and leaned his forehead against the wall.

"I just don't understand Mione. Why would he tell me this if it wasn't true. It was his last words as he was leaving 'they have padfoot at the place it is hidden' like can he get anymore cryptic? And then he just vanishes! What the hell is his deal!?" He groaned into the stones.

Hermione shook her head trying to untangle some of the curls that had grouped together in their made rush to get into this room.

"I have no idea Harry. Honestly I have never really understood what is going on in his head though so I am not one to ask. We will figure it out though. Just like we have for everything else." She laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

The pop signifying Tully's reappearance has them both jumping.

"Tully is back. Is went to Mister Blacks home but he not there. Tully ask grouchy old elf where he was and he says he was takens to the ministry!" Tully explained and Harry jumped again this time in panic and began pacing.

"Fuck Hermione! Fuck! He was right. What do we do? We have to go get him! They may have Remus too for all we know it was just the full moon he would be too weak to fight back! I have to go. You stay here and be safe. I have to go get them back." He was shaking he was so scared.

Hermione stood up and grabbed him by the shoulders to stop him.

"Harry James Potter if you think for a second I am letting you do this yourself you are insane. Now calm down and listen to me. If we are doing this we are doing it right. Calm yourself down and go up to your dorms. Get the cloak and some of the twins' darkness powder. We can use them both to get in and out unseen. I will go and get your broom from Umbridge's office and put it in my bag and we can meet in the hallway outside and take the pathway behind the one eyed witch into Hogsmeade and leave from there." She patted his shoulders when he started nodding along.

"Ok good. We do this together. Now deep breaths and walk out of here calmly. Do nothing to draw attention to ourselves."

Harry nodded taking a long deep breath in. Collecting himself the best he could he took one last look at her and opened the door.

"15 minutes." He said and she nodded watching him walk out of the door and down the hall.

Hermione turned to Tully.

"Tully go tell my father. Harry Potter and his Friends are going to the ministry to get the prophecy now. Tell him I'll do what I can to prevent it but no promises that it will happen. But I will steer them all clear of the one we don't want them to see."

The small elf nodded and grabbed her hand, kissing it.

"You'd be careful missy. Wes sees you at home soon."

Hermione took off down the hallway thankful the masses were still gathered in the courtyard after the wonderful display by the twins. She would have to thank them properly after all was said and done. She let out a sigh of relief when her presence revealing spell came back negative outside of the DADA classroom. With a wave of her wand she unlocked the door and crept it. Assuming Harry's broom was locked in her office as she threatened it would be, Hermione made a beeline up the stairs to retrieve it.

Tom was standing in Lucius' study looking over the paperwork he had drawn up to present to the wizengamot about a new headmaster. He twirled the Amber colored fire whisky in his glass and he made any changes he thought it needed. He barely moved a muscle when the little elf popped into the room with him.

"Master, Tully just cames from Missy. She has Tully bring you message." She said and Tom nodded.

"Go ahead Tully."

"Harry Potter and his friends is going to the ministry to gets the prophecy now. Missy wonts be able to stop them from gettings it but she's try and she keep them away from the other one."

Tom sighed and rubbed his brow. It was too much to ask that Dumbledore just go away peacefully he understood that now.

"Thank you Tully. I will make arrangements to deal with the aftermath. This isn't ideal but it's too late to do anything now."

The elf nodded and clapped her big ears before leaving the room with a pop.

Outside in the Hallway Bellatrix leaned against the wall with a wicked smile on her face. She was going to find Narcissa to tell her she was popping over to the Rosier place but now she had other plans.

The elf just told her Lord that the Potter brat was breaking in to get the prophecy. This was her chance to prove she was back to fighting shape and had more than enough to offer her lord. She clapped her hands in glee and she spun around the other direction towards her room. She would gather a few of the ones she knew needed redemption or that would follow her and they would prove themselves to the dark lord once and for all.