Hermione had gone through the day feeling clean and alive. She was in school, Voldemort wasn't corporeal yet, the younger students that she liked were alive and happy. She hadn't started S.P.E.W. yet, but now had time to change the name and goals and had been thinking about it for a long time.
Now that she was technically older, she knew she was being hard-handed with the project and that wizards were extremely lazy and would keep referring to it as spew unless she changed the acronym. It would be much easier to do, especially since the elves weren't wary of her and she remembered all Luna had told her about them.
Thus she had decided that the Elvish Advancement Support Enterprise would be making an appearance next year. E.A.S.E. Ease. Let them make fun of that.
Harry laughed at her childishness and was amused with how sneaky she could be. He knew since she was the one who got their food and would never tell him how. After a year on the run, being ragged and stressed all the time he could understand her excitement. While he couldn't travel back in time with her while she went to her other classes, he was glad that he at least had all his classes with her. She took her notes dutifully as she was won't to do and he made an effort so he would later have them for his OWLs. If he did well enough, he wouldn't need Dumbledore to bail him out from Snape's expectations.
Meanwhile Luna had skipped to all of her classes, very happy with how her day was going. She had spent some time with Hermione of course and they kissed each other gently in one of the broom closets at the blonde's behest. Her witch's spirit was positively bright when she was done with her.
Hermione admitted it was a little awkward since the last time they had kissed, their bodies were more mature. However, Luna assured her they would do nothing but kiss and wouldn't snog until the following year, which Hermione could agree with.
Triads weren't strange in the wizarding world. Rare, especially in current times, but not strange. There had been plenty of times when a wizard had two wives, most purebloods refused to have a daughter be a concubine, and insisted on a second wife. With how hard it was for purebloods to conceive it was quickly accepted. Triads also proved to be magically strong couples. Their magic had to mesh well for it to even work in the first place.
Luna was extremely happy with Hermione, but Harry added to the mix would be fun. Should everyone just assume Harry was with them each separately instead of her and Hermione, well, that was their fault and she wouldn't tell them otherwise.
She was amused with the letter she received from Gringotts this morning, unaware that they would have one sent out so fast. But she was sure that they probably just sent the owl through the floo or something since it was considered a matter of most importance to those in the wizarding world.
Hermione had told Ron that she was going to the owlery to reply about the book from the letter she got this morning. He groaned while Harry said he'd walk with her. He still didn't tell Ron when he changed schedules and he wasn't about to tell him it was only yesterday night and let his friend think he did so over the summer while at the Leaky Cauldron.
Hermione just wanted an excuse to avoid the common room for just a little longer. She didn't think she would have the energy to argue with Ronald about Crookshanks and wanted a bit of a breather before that happened. She wasn't going to feel bad that her familiar was trying to kill a horrible little man.
Although she did her remind herself to do her level best about being sympathetic to Lavender and Parvati when her rabbit died. She knew that it was their favorite class and as much as she despised the fraud, she was their favorite professor. Besides even she felt bad when Umbridge tried to kick her out. The only thing she liked about her was even though she was frail, had a drinking problem, and was haughty, when Death Eaters stormed the castle she was one of the few throwing crystal balls at them to protect the students.
They were just about there when a door opened behind her revealing a blonde angel.
Once Luna closed the door she skipped over and hugged Hermione before skipping and kissing Harry innocently. Harry was pleasantly surprised however and kissed her back happily. They had glowed green and silver while Hermione watched happily.
"Hello, what did I do to deserve that?" Harry asked bemused.
"Oh, a bunch of things, but this one is because I'm happy to see you," she replied.
"We're happy to see you too," he responded.
"How was your day?" Hermione asked.
"Same as last time, minus the owl. I also spelled my belongings so the nargles can't get them," she stated.
Hermione looked at her closely before nodding, "Good," and gave her a quick kiss, "Although that reminds me…" she muttered the last part to herself.
"Not that we're not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?" Harry asked.
"I have to owl Daddy about my betrothals," she stated, "I'm not sure if they'd send one to him, not that I'm aware of since it was mostly a congratulatory letter, but I wouldn't keep that information from him."
Hermione crossed her arms and nodded in understanding. She was aware of how open the Lovegoods were with each other, sometimes embarrassingly so. As it was the bonds were initiated and now on file with Gringotts. Hermione didn't have anyone else on her account with Augusta Longbottom listed as her magical guardian. She didn't tell anyone, but muggleborns were given the option of choosing one from the list of magical families that volunteer or the Headmaster. Then again, no one asked.
Hermione was so taken with Minerva for sticking up for her, letting her parents know that she could kill them, that she had asked if she would be her magical guardian. The witch was so flustered that someone would want her to be their guardian over a family with other children that she admitted if she could she would, but had a friend who was also strict who she would get in contact with who was not on the list. Barely 24 hours later she had an owl from Lady Longbottom herself, who had agreed to be her magical guardian. That was how she knew Neville on the train.
"If they do, I'm sure I'll find out tomorrow morning," Hermione said with a shrug.
She liked Augusta. She was very firm, no nonsense, and straightforward. She was kind in her own way, but very exacting and had explained the why's to Hermione as best as she could with the limited amount of time they had together. She corresponded sparingly with the older woman as she was a busy witch.
"Your parents?" Harry asked gently.
"No," Hermione said shaking her head, "Lady Longbottom, Neville's gran: Augusta Longbottom, is my magical guardian so any magical correspondence goes to her first before anything goes to my parents. She decides what to share with them, but has asked me what I want since she's a strict pureblood and while not prejudice, she's wary of muggles. I told her they don't care about anything besides my grades, so it would be a waste of parchment and time."
Luna nodded.
"If that's true why did you obliviate them and hide them?" Harry whispered as he tied his owl post orders to Hedwig.
"I didn't want anyone to think they could hold my parents against me. Never mind the fact that it would expose my homelife," she shrugged, "Besides what does it matter? The Order rehomed your relatives."
Harry was a little disturbed by the answer, but watched as Luna nodded in agreement again. He thought about it. The Order never asked if he cared if they were rehomed or not, they just did it. They didn't offer the same to Hermione, she had to do it on her own. He admitted while he didn't like his relatives, he didn't want them to be handed over to Death Eaters, so he could kind of understand.
The next day at breakfast Harry had received his post. It was everything he needed for Runes, which was perfect since he had it later that day, and a letter from Gringotts. They sent 3 owls to carry it all. Ron noticed, but didn't say anything since he also saw the owls that he got that had books and some other stuff. It all looked like school things so he didn't bother, although he was curious since Harry hadn't told him what other class he picked. The green eyed wizard didn't say anything as he stuffed them into his bag and went back to eating, much like he would when he was originally 13.
He also noticed that Luna had received another Gringotts owl and watched her spell it much like she did with the last one. He couldn't help but glace up at the head table and wonder if the Headmaster had gotten a letter similar to his.
Hermione however did not receive a letter and was looking rather pleased about it.
Things had been a little different, some of it better than others. Since Malfoy was never injured, he attended all his classes and Harry remembered soon that he wouldn't have to help the spoiled prat with his potion and he wouldn't be able to postpone the quidditch match. That would give him something new since the game was all about skill. If he asked nicely maybe Hermione would put the impervious charm on his glasses again for the match.
He also noticed that Hermione was handling the time turner better than she had last go round. She merely excused herself to the loo, as though nothing was wrong. He also noted that she wasn't struggling under all her books like she used to, and debated asking her to do the same for his bag.
Harry had to admit that he liked that Hermione was no long harried about her school load and held herself with confidence that she had grown into. Her teeth were smaller like they were when they were older and he had to wonder if she went to Pomfrey early or did it herself. He even noticed that her hair wasn't the mess it usually was. It was now just wild curls instead of a bushy mass that existed on her head.
It wasn't until later that he realized what day it was until he watched Snape try to poison Neville's toad and Hermione helped him under her breath without even pleading with Snape to let her. She had grown out of that habit as they got older and since it was a new year no one would notice anything was amiss and assume it was just her growing up.
Today was the day of the boggarts. He hoped that he was able to keep his fear of the dementors. He never liked them and he hated hearing his mother scream when they were around. Harry couldn't help but wonder if they were his phobia while they followed Remus to the staff room.
"Leave it open, Lupin. I'd rather not witness this," Snape said with a sneer before getting up.
As he was about to leave the potions master couldn't help the parting shot, "It's possible that no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Granger is hissing instructions in his ear."
Hermione smirked at the older wizard while Neville turned red. Last time it had embarrassed and angered her, but since she was older she could see Snape's side of things. It was annoying to have students not learn from their failures, but she also didn't want Trevor to suffer. Although for the life of her she couldn't wonder why Trevor went to class with the other boy.
Remus raised his eyebrows. "I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the first stage of the operation," he said, "and I am sure he will perform it admirably."
Remus went to stand next to wardrobe in the back of the room. Naturally as soon as he got in range the wardrobe gave a sudden wobble, banging off the wall. "Nothing to worry about," said Remus calmly after a few people had jumped backwards in alarm, "there's a boggart in there."
Neville gave Remus a look of pure terror, and Seamus Finnigan eyed the now rattling doorknob apprehensively.
"Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces," Remus said. "Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks. I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon, and I asked the Headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third years some practice.
"So, the first question we must ask ourselves is, what is a boggart?"
Hermione put up her hand as she did last time. "It's a shape-shifter," she said. "It can take the shape of whatever it thinks will frighten us most."
"Couldn't have put it better myself," Remus said and Hermione beamed at him.
"So the boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door. Nobody knows what a boggart looks like when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears. This means that we have a huge advantage over the boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?" Remus asked with an encouraging smile.
Harry noticed that while Hermione held her hand up, as was expected of her, she didn't bounce on the balls of her feet.
"Because there as so many of us it won't know what shape to take," Harry answered confidently. Something that he realized he had been lacking. Life and death situations apparently caused confidence, who knew?
Harry and Hermione watched as Remus taught his lesson and mimicked him as they were supposed to as good students.
Hermione was next to last and ready to stand in front of the boggart. Just before Harry like last time. While she knew that it was a good lesson, and better to do this while kids were normally still afraid of spiders, such in the case of Ron, or mummies, snakes, or the like. She hoped Remus was letting the older students do this lesson in private, then she remembered it was specifically for third years.
However, when he called for Neville a second time when she knew the lesson would finish, she stepped in front of him. She was curious. Before Remus called time, she stood firm in front of the boggart and watched it change shape and paled while the rest of the class broke into gasps and screams, and a few students losing the contents of their stomach. A detached part of her noticed that even though Remus had mentioned he had seen a headless corpse as someone's boggart, even he was stunned.
Before her wasn't McGonagall has it had been all those years ago when she went up against it in secret, it was Luna and Harry. Both of them were a little older than they were now, both emaciated. Roughly to what Harry and her were during the run.
Luna was pale, ashen grey, her bright silver eyes lifeless and her body nude. Later she would be thankful that her hair was long and matted with blood so no one could see her breasts. She was covered in lacerations, words cut and burned into her body with something wrapped around her neck. Her stomach was slit open, bits of her intestines pooling out and laying on her thighs, and there was a lot of blood between her legs, she was laying on the boggart Harry. His body was also lifeless, but he was at least in pants with a belt wrapped twice around. He was also covered in small cuts, but his throat was slit, deep enough that it looked like someone was trying to decapitate him and failed and one of his eyes was gouged out. It was then she noticed that it was his intestines that were wrapped around Luna's neck.
The boggart Luna turned her head towards Hermione.
"Her-mi-o-ne." the voice was a shallow whisper, which broke Hermione out of her shocked trance.
"No," Hermione whispered brokenly before her voice turned harsh, "No. No, no, no, NO, NO!" she ended up shouting, her hair waving about in an invisible wind.
She stepped threateningly towards the boggart, her face twisted into a harsh sneer with hate darkening her eyes, "RIDDIKULUS!" she shouted at it, pouring massive amounts of magic into it. Unlike everyone's whip like crack hers sounded like sharp thunder that followed lightening. Last time she had run from her boggart. She would not leave them though. She would never leave them.
The boggart was blasted into the closet and exploded; blood shot out from the closet splashing onto the floor in front of it.
People stepped back in fear at the look that hadn't left her face. Remus snapped out of his shocked daze, flicked his wrist and locking the closet before vanishing the blood from the floor.
"Class dismissed," he said gently, so as not to startle his students any further, "Please go to the Hospital Wing and ask Madame Pomfrey for a calming drought, all of you."
They quickly gathered their belongings and did as they were told. None of the Slytherins laughed or teased the muggleborn and the Gryffindors would only glace at Hermione, fear and shock still on their faces. Ron tried to have Harry leave with him, only to have the wizard roughly pull away from him and step closer to Hermione. Not to be deterred the redhead left with the rest of the Gryffindors, not wanting to be in the room any longer than necessary.
Hermione may not remember one of her previous deaths, but it was the worst thing that she could imagine that would happen to her little moon and Harry. She had never and would never doubt their love, but she was afraid to lose them in a horrible bloody fashion. It would pain her to lose them to death should they die before her, death was natural, but she refused for the cause to be anything other than a natural.
Harry walked up to the petite witch and pulled her into a firm hug breaking her out of her current frame of mind.
"It's okay, Hermione, it's okay. Me and Luna are fine, we're fine, I promise," he held her close.
Hermione turned in his arms and looked up at him, her eyes were quick and flighty, gazing upon his face, taking in the life that was there. She was so happy a few tears fell from her eyes before she fisted his clothes and pulled him close, smashing her lips to his as confirmation that he was alive.
Unbeknownst to them Remus watched as they glowed gold and silver, making him catch his breath. He had only read about such things happening and knew it was an extremely magical and private moment. He would keep this incident to himself, although he would have to tell the rest of the staff about the trauma the third years would be experiencing. He only thought he would have to worry about Harry and probably Voldemort or something equally as traumatizing, but he didn't think he would have to worry about the other younger students. That was an error on his part. He knew with how smart Hermione was that it would be something bad, which was why he hadn't called on her. He almost deducted points, but realized that she was already being punished.
He scolded himself for being just as shocked as the rest of the class, but he never thought he would have to worry about seeing Harry dead. Murdered. He wasn't merely dead; her worst fear was him being murdered. He was surprised not to see Ron there though as he had heard tales of the Golden Trio from the staff. He didn't know what Luna meant to her, but clearly she was more important than the redheaded wizard.
Remus knew that the two were young but it clearly wasn't about lust and it helped calm them both down. It was only a few seconds, but something righted itself in both of their chests.
"Don't you dare die on me like that, Harry Potter," she said lowly, her voice was hard and demanding.
"I won't. I'll do everything I can not to," he agreed gently before pressing his lips to her forehead.
She pressed her head against his chest and inhaled deeply, taking what was a greatly needed calming breath.
"I'm sorry for ruining your class, Professor Lupin. It was lovely until the end," Hermione apologized without looking at him.
"It's quite alright, Hermione," he sighed, "I knew that you and Harry would be scared of something that the others wouldn't, which was why I hadn't called on either of you."
She could do nothing but nod.
"I should have known you'd be curious." He tried for levity near the end, "Curiosity killed the cat you know."
"Satisfaction brought it back," she quipped with a smile on her lips.
Remus laughed before walking closer to them.
"I don't know if you know, but when you and Harry kissed you formed a bond," Remus said soothingly, "You glowed silver and gold."
He noticed Hermione turned to look at him through the corner of her eye without moving from her position.
"It's rare, but soulmates are a real thing. You've done one better though and you're bonded. You were literally made for each other, how's that? I'm sure you would have rather found out later in life since now you'll be considered betrothed, but at least you can rest easy that your relationship is magic blessed."
Harry was surprised, when he watched Luna and Hermione, they glowed green and gold. He figured Luna would be gold. He shouldn't be surprised though. Hermione would reform the world and try to bring equity to all those in it, starting with house-elves.
The surprise showed on his face and Remus was quick to reassure him, "There's nothing wrong with that. You should be receiving a letter from Gringotts soon, so be prepared for that. I won't tell anybody else since it's considered a private matter and it's impolite for anyone to ask about it. If someone does you can request that I be there. If the Headmaster asks, as much as I respect him, he is still not entitled to that knowledge. Am I clear?"
"Crystal, sir," Hermione said with a small smile.
She had worried that Dumbledore would have Remus in his pocket, but she was glad to know that his allegiance was to Harry first and Dumbledore second.
"I shouldn't be telling you this, but I doubt anyone else will, you can request private quarters because of your bond. It's encouraged in our world that intimacy makes it stronger. Something as simple as holding hands and cuddling," Remus supplied, "I hope you'll wait until you're at least a year or two older though."
"Thank you, sir. We appreciate it," Hermione replied, "I'll see if the library has a book on the subject."
There was a comfortable silence before Hermione broke it, "You know, Re- sir," she quickly corrected herself, "I'm sure what your students say don't matter much, but the house-elves can fix your robes. They won't unless you ask them to, otherwise they'll just launder them."
Remus's eyes flicked with mild surprise and appreciation.
"I did not know that. You're right I don't mind what my students say when it comes to my appearance. However, while I may be a dab hand at Defense I admit that household charms aren't my strong suit. I will have to ask them."
Hermione shot him another smile while Harry grinned next to her, "We'll see you next class, professor." There was a light teasing lit in his tone.
By dinner Harry and Hermione had received another letter from Gringotts and instead of opening them, they just put them away. It was starting to irk Ron that they weren't sharing their letters with him, and they had an idea why but refused to comment on it.
Soon there was nothing bad to say about Remus. He had apparently taken her words to heart and had the house-elves mend his robes. They didn't look tatty or have mismatch patches on them. Of course they didn't look new, but they looked carefully worn instead of the threadbare they had been.
Harry had put up with Oliver and his quidditch madness, but he had to admit to himself that he did miss his first Quidditch coach. He knew the older boy would go on to play professionally for his favorite team and couldn't help but feel pride for Oliver.
He did spend time actually working on Runes. It was new to him and he was happy to have something to actually do to pass the time. Harry was surprised that while he didn't have the knack for it like he did Defense he did understand it better than charms. It was his third favorite class. Transfiguration being second.
Hermione had been sitting in the common room with an advance book to pass the time while Harry was at quidditch practice. She was extremely thankful that she had always been known as a bookworm swot or she would be bored to tears reading the same things she had last time. While it was embarrassing at first Hermione put aside her pride and checked out a book on household charms.
Some of them would come in handy as she didn't know a lot of them on the run. She didn't think she would need to know how to wash clothes with her wand while on the run and it was a serious misjudgment on her part. The witch was pleased however to find that there was a spell to get rid of hair and it was simple.
Despite the fact that she loved Crookshanks and missed him just as much as Harry missed Hedwig (who he took to spoiling with treats at the breakfast table), she was not fond of randomly finding his hair in random places (or any hair for that matter). She was surprised where hair often ended up whether it be hers, Crooks', or even her dormmates'.
Luna had taken the extra time to make some jewelry that she would later give to Hermione and a necklace for Harry. While she enjoyed the more unique practical pieces to keep away creatures from doing her harm, she knew that Hermione was loathe to wear it. Harry would wear it only to prevent hurting her feelings. They still had protective magical properties, but would be more socially acceptable.
She also used her free time to meditate, working towards her animagus form. Hermione had told her McGonagall would be starting tutoring soon and she, much like her partners, was eager for something new. She barely needed her texts when she finished her homework, finished her practicals on the first time, and much like last time she flew under most people's radar so no one noticed.
The cat animagus didn't forget about the tutoring sessions she had to plan, but she was working on how to fit it into her schedule and around others'. Oliver was very fond of spontaneous practices and she still had to talk to him about some of his players (or one in particular) would be attending her tutoring sessions and he would not be able to hold practices then. She was also trying to do so for the other Houses, but Severus was brooding about Remus being on staff and had yet to get back to her. She told herself that if Severus did not get back to her by Friday she would talk the Slytherin Quidditch coach herself.
