Minerva was pleased when Severus had come by two days later so they could talk. The next day she announced that she would be holding the tutoring sessions starting Friday night and continue them throughout the week. She mentioned that only students with acceptable academic scores and an Outstanding in Transfiguration would be allowed in the sessions. If the students' grades started to slip, they would be asked to leave. First years weren't allowed.

The trio was ecstatic. It narrowed the window of those allowed to join and they knew Ron would not be allowed to attend. Even if he copied his homework from Hermione (which she rarely allowed and hadn't at all this year), his classwork was often poor or he'd maintain Acceptables.

Harry was pleased that he was able to keep his head down in Potions and was actually doing well, he was receiving Exceeds Expectations. It was easier since he wasn't working with Ron, which upset the boy of course, but Sophie Roper, another Gryffindor.


Minerva was waiting on her desk in cat form for students to arrive. Ron was upset that he wasn't allowed to attend but Hermione, and somehow Harry, were. They even went with Luna!

Once the clock struck 6, she leapt off her desk and stood in front of the room. It was a surprising turn out, a bit larger than she would have imagined and began her speech.

"As I have previously stated: anyone who has lower than an Outstanding in Transfiguration will be turned away and should any students' grades drop below an Acceptable in their other classes will be asked to leave. Please be aware that it is an advance branch of Transfiguration that requires skill, practice, and plenty of patience. No first years will be allowed, I'm sorry. Becoming an animagus has the potential to backfire and cause the transformation to go horribly wrong," she narrowed her eyes that swept across the room with her warning, "All students who still wish to attend may stay."

A few students frowned while thinking, one first year was crying softly, but they left quietly. In the end only a third of them remained, it was a class of 18, including the trio. What surprised Harry the most was that Percy was amongst them, along with his girlfriend Penelope. They were the only Seventh years who decided to attend.

There were also 5 Sixth years, 3 Fifth years, 3 Fourth years, another Third year, and one more Second year. The other Third and Second year were the Greengrass sisters; Daphne and Astoria.

"I'm pleased to see some of my best students here," Minerva said, "As this is purely for your own benefit, once you are done or have achieved your forms Hogwarts and I will help you with the registration forms and fees. Now we must be realistic and understand that achieving your form always depends on oneself. It is much easier to obtain your form when you are being guided by another who has already achieved their form. Are there any questions?"

Percy raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley?"

"Will we have to hold a mandrake leaf in our mouths for a whole month?" he asked.

"Yes, but as you will be tutoring with me you will have the benefit of me helping you with a sticking charm. Some people prefer to collect tokens from nature, to help them get better in touch with their more primal side. I did not do this personally, but I have heard from a graduate of Uagadou* School of Magic that it helped them immensely. This is not me giving you permission to enter The Forbidden Forest," she answered with clarification.

He nodded importantly.

"We will start with the meditations," She began.

It turned out that they would be meeting with her regularly throughout the week for at least half an hour and the Friday sessions were truly the day they expounded their experiences and practice meetings until dinner. Minerva McGonagall would be extremely happy with her students, all of them were dedicated and were right on track, despite their age differences. No one complained or slacked as they all wanted to be there for their own gain. She was also pleased to note that none of their grades slipped at all.


Later as Harry was getting back from practice, having decided to shower in the locker room before going up to the tower, he walked into the common room as his witch was praising Crookshanks for catching a spider and eating it.

"Harry! You're back! Look we've got a Hogsmeade weekend coming up!" Ron said once he spotted the messy haired wizard, "You should ask McGonagall if you can go this time, the next one –"

"No, Ron," Harry said resignedly.

"Wha- why not!?" Ron asked shocked.

"Even if Sirius Black," Harry tacked on his godfather's last name to avoid suspicion, "wasn't after me, my form wasn't signed."

"Yeah, but if you explained –" Ron tried to start again.

"Ron, as fond as Professor McGonagall is of Harry, she still has to follow the rules. If she doesn't the board of governs could give her the sack. It's –"

"She did for him to play quidditch!" Ron shouted over her.

"Ron! Hermione is right. It's not about whether she likes me or not," Harry tried to explain carefully.

"It's more about him leaving the school grounds without parental permission," she sighed as though she was upset for him too, defeated, "It could get her and Hogwarts in a lot of trouble."

Ron looked at them back and forth confused and angry that they weren't trying more.

"I can watch Scabbers for you while you're gone," Harry offered.

The wizard was hoping he'd be able to bring the rat to Remus instead and having Sirius brought to justice before his godfather could do anything stupid.

"Alright, but make sure you keep that monster away from him," Ron said irritably, "He's sleeping in my bag right now.

Harry decided not to say anything as he went ahead and started to work on his star chart as Ron slid his over so he could copy. Harry knew from last time it was right and had no issues copying. Hermione merely rolled her eyes at him.

Crookshanks started flicking the tip of his tail about. Knowing what was coming Hermione started to lower her book so she could place it to the side so she could gather her pet. Soon the orange cat leapt as he sunk his claws into Ron's bag trying to get the man hiding as a rat.

"OY! GET OFF, YOU STUPID ANIMAL!" Ron hollered as he swung his bag trying to get the huge cat off to protect what he assumed was a normal rat.

"Ron, don't hurt him!" Hermione shouted, as the common room watched the commotion.

Peter crawled from the top of the bag and ran through people to get under an old chest of drawers with Crookshanks hot on his tail.

"CATCH THAT CAT!"

George had tried to grab him, but the feline was too slick for the twin. Hermione however was able to grab him after she let him swipe at the foul man a few times.

Ron bent down and grabbed the animagus by his tail and shoving him in Hermione's face "Look at him! He's skin and bone! You keep that cat away from him!"

The redhead was furious as he forcibly shoved the rat into his pocket.

"You can't be mad at a cat for chasing a rat. All cats chase rats," she sniped, "I saw a few other familiars bringing their catches to their owners in the Hall for Merlin's sake."

"There's something funny about that cat! Not that you care! He's got it in for Scabbers! He heard me say he was in there!" Ron shouted.

Some of the Gryffindors started to giggle around him.

"Scabbers was here first AND he's ill!" Ron shouted before turning tail.

"Scabbers isn't even on the approved list of animals allowed at Hogwarts for that reason," Hermione snarled behind him, petting her large cat.

She went to plop down next to Harry with Crookshanks still in her arms.

"Good boy, Crooks," Hermione murmured to her familiar, "Good boy."


Ron was still in a foul mood the following day and Hermione was not going to even pretend to be concerned.

When it was finally time for students to give McGonagall their permission forms for Hogsmeade, Harry went to support his friends instead of beg to be allowed. There was a commotion in the front of the line

"Ask her, Harry!" Ron said in a loud whisper.

Harry gave Ron the side eye and shook his head. He refused to be goaded into anything by the prat ever again.

Lavender was crying big fat tears with Parvati holding her and consoling her as best as she could.

"What's wrong, Lavender?" Hermione asked, Ron and Harry had joined her to get a look at the spectacle (well Ron did).

"She got a letter from home this morning. It's her rabbit, Binky. He's been killed by a fox," Parvati whispered, answering the other witch.

"Oh no! Lavender, I'm so sorry!" Hermione said, remembering the pain of not being able to find her familiar.

"I should have known," Lavender wailed, "You know what day it is?"

"October 16th," Hermione said slowly.

"The 16th of October!" Lavender cried, agreeing, "She was right! She was right," she sobbed.

"Who was right?" Hermione asked, already knowing.

"Professor Trelawney, she's the Divination professor," Parvati answered again.

"She said – she said 'That thing you're dreading, it will happen on the 16th of October'!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Hermione said again, "Was he old?" She refused to be so callous to the other witch. She had died at the hands of Greyback. When she thought about it hard, she remembered the dreaded feeling one associates with death and regret that she didn't know the witch she had roomed with six years better.

"N-no, he was just a b-baby," she sobbed.

"Oh, Lavender," Hermione said as she went to the other side of Parvati and hugged the young witch. Parvati looked at the other witch with surprise, but was grateful that her friend had the extra support.

She was happily surprised when Hermione had later asked if they wouldn't mind teaching her beauty charms, like how to charm her nails so they'd look like they were painted. It helped Lavender since Hermione had given her the go ahead 'beautify' her and it distracted the witch enough to help with her grieving process.


Finally, Halloween had arrived and Harry dreaded it. While he knew this year nothing bad would actually happen, he was still loathed to enjoy the day. Hermione had talked with him yesterday while he was escorting her to Runes that he should spend the day with Luna and she would bring back goodies for the both of them. Harry had agreed and gave her some money despite her protests. She did promise to sneak him a butterbeer from the Hog's Head since she knew they had the choice of mugs or bottles.


Hermione went to Hogsmeade, sticking around Lavender, Parvati, and Padma this go around. She was still fighting with Ron and after letting Lavender and Parvati have at her, she preferred to keep anyone from thinking she was on a date with the redhead, even by chance. The twins were just as excited and happy to spend time with each other that Hermione couldn't help but smile. She knew not all twins were like that, but from what she saw so far in the magical world it seemed like twins could be just as different and still be extremely close.

"We're going to head to Gladrags first," Lavender said, clearly letting Hermione know as she pulled the older witch from her wool gathering.

While Hermione would prefer to not, she nodded deciding she could change her personal style now. Her personal wardrobe would then consist of mostly neutral colors. It wouldn't be until Luna pointed it out much later that the petite witch was drawn to blacks and grays with splashes of color (mostly shades of red and green).

"I do want to make a stop by the bookstore, if you don't mind waiting 20 minutes after that though," Hermione replied.

She may have access to most books at Hogwarts the bookstore clerk would have to get to know her all over again. She wanted what she considered her books. She knew which ones would be available now and she had a few galleons, knowing which ones would be more important and which ones could wait. Hogwarts had an extensive collection, but it took her the majority of her time at Hogwarts to realize they didn't have all books accessible to the students.

Hermione spent most of the time with her fellow dormmates, surprised she was easily able to convince them to pop into the Hogs Head (just to see what it looks like!) and even more when they felt empathy for Harry and pitched a few sickles and knuts in to get him some things from the village. Sweets from Honeydukes was considered a must, Hermione even splurged and got deluxe sugar quills for her and Luna. Of course she got Harry his usual (not that the other girls knew). The girls even pulled enough together and got him a scarf.

While they were doing that Hermione made sure she got a few things for her girlfriend. Luna was a genuine soul who was very crafty. Hermione got her a few embroidery threads and beads surprised to find them at Gladrags Wizardwear. Luna only had what she brought and it would be a nice newness. Plus it was her little moon's birthday.


True to his word Harry held onto Peter while Ron went to Hogsmeade and as soon as he returned to the castle with him, used some of the secret passages to get to Gryffindor Tower sooner, he silently stunned Peter. Grabbing a dirty sock, he transfigured it into a cage and made sure it was solid and locked tight.

"Not this time," Harry muttered under his breath as he shoved the stunned animagus into the cage.

Harry admired his handiwork for another moment. The sock was transfigured into a trap cage, the kind he saw when people had problems with squirrels. Much more humane than what Peter deserved, but he wasn't out to look like a prick mistreating his "friend's" pet. Checking that it was once more solid and the rat wouldn't escape, Harry left the tower only to almost run into Luna.

"Hello, Harry. I'm glad you decided to put him in a cage, I was going to suggest we see Professor McGonagall now," Luna said, "Hermione will be a few hours still, so we have time, but the sooner the better."

Harry smiled at the blonde.

"Aw isn't that lovely." Said a portrait.

Harry closed his eyes and took a breath, the walls had eyes and ears. He was glad that while he was focused on the other students not seeing him, none of the portraits saw him either.

"Sure, c'mon," he replied instead of saying anything important.

Luna beamed at him before skipping ahead of him towards to Head Deputy's office and knocked.

"Come in," McGonagall's voice called firmly.

Luna opened the door and let Harry walk through before closing it behind them.

"Hello, Professor. I'm sorry to disturb you ma'am but I was wondering since you started teaching us about animagi that perhaps something was off with Ron's rat. Some spells that work on regular rats haven't worked on him," Harry fibbed the last part knowing that transfiguration laws would work in his favor.

Instead he was surprised when the elder witch sighed, "Mr. Potter, just because you cannot cast always correctly cast a spell does not mean –"

"Will you at least check, Professor?" Luna asked.

Minerva's lips thinned at being interrupted but huffed. It wasn't often that the odd Ravenclaw was wrong when it came to her intuition the staff was finding out, "Very well."

Harry quickly took out the rat and put him on the floor as his Head of House readied her wand. With a sharp look at the two students, who stepped back, Minerva cast the reversal spell and gasped when she saw who it was.

"Peter Pettigrew?" she asked herself quietly.

"Aurors."

Without her noticing Luna had stuck her head in the floo and went ahead and called aurors by her own leave.

Before she grabbed hold of the situation Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped through.

"What seems to be the problem again?" he asked as he walked through.

"We have a dead man living," Luna stated.

"What she means is we have Peter Pettigrew, alive," Minerva said.

"Impossible," Kingsley started.

"I would have said the same thing except he's here," she replied tightly, "Although I would have called the Headmaster, I suppose this does call for the aurors as he is now a person of interest."

Kingsley nodded and stuck his head through the floo and called for backup. Harry was pleased when he stepped back Amelia Bones stepped through.

"Oh my!" Luna gasped loudly, getting the adults' attention, "He has a Dark Mark!"

Harry would later think back on the incident and laugh. Luna's acting was appalling, but the way her eyes were naturally in a perpetual state of surprised and dreamy gave the acting all the credence it needed.

Amelia stunned the wizard and had Kingsley cuff him for good measure.

"This doesn't make any sense!" Minerva finally shouted.

"It makes more sense than believing Sirius just turned on James," Amelia said, "I want him under vertiserum in 5 minutes, Shack."

"Yes, Ma'am."

With that Peter was dead weight hoisted to the tips of his toes and dragged out of the room like the criminal he was.

"I'll have to let the Headmaster know immediately," Minerva said.

"As long as he doesn't try to interfere with justice, I don't care who you tell," Amelia growled.

"Albus would never –"

"Albus Dumbledore may very well have sent an innocent man to Azkaban! I read the file Minerva. Bagnold, Crouch, and Dumbledore signed his papers that he was to go straight to Azkaban without a trial. I don't care who says what, that's what Sirius Black's file says."

Minerva took a step back as though she had been slapped, "Surely not."

"I wish I was joking, but I'm not. You can tell him if you want, but I would recommend that he find out when the time comes," Amelia replied, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Death Eater to interrogate."

"You two aren't to tell anyone what just happened here," Minerva snapped at them, pulling herself back together.

"Well I kinda have to tell Ron something, Professor," Harry said, "He'll think Hermione's cat ate him and I was supposed to be watching him."

"Then let him think that," she snapped, "I am sorry for the stress this will cause Miss Granger, but until the aurors settle this –"

"Or perhaps we can have a replacement rat?" Luna asked.

"Yeah, an older one," Harry insisted, "They had him for 12 years, and one that's in worse condition the better. But we can transfigure him to look like the other rat."

"That is a much better solution," Minerva closed her eyes and sighed, "The stress must be catching up with me if I thought my original solution was any solution at all."

"Even the best of us have silly ideas, Professor," Luna reassured.

"Right you are, Miss Lovegood. 10 points to Ravenclaw for thinking of a better solution."

Roughly 20 minutes later Harry had an old rat who looked like 'Scabbers' and was named promptly named Scabbers, missing 'toe' and all.

"Now maybe Crookshanks will leave him alone," Harry hoped, carrying the rat.

"It's possible, he does love Hermione after all," Luna agreed, "Crookshanks would try to go after any threat to our witch, it's in his nature."

Harry couldn't stop the grin that bloomed on his face when Luna said Hermione was their witch.


When Hermione returned, she surprised her mates with spoils from Hogsmeade, finding them in the library. They had a muffliato set up around them so they wouldn't bother Madame Pince. Harry was only mildly disappointed he didn't have tea with Remus this time around, but he enjoyed spending time with Luna.

Harry was mildly touched that the girls had gotten him a scarf, it was tempered though as he knew how wishy-washy they were. Every other year was something, but he bit his tongue when Hermione reminded him that they didn't have to. Luna was happily surprised with the birthday gifts from her bondmate and giddy about the sugar quills, quickly spelling them with anti-theft spells.

"Thank you, Hermione," Luna said happily and quickly pecked her girlfriend.

The brunette grinned happily in response.

"Oh no, did I miss your birthday?" Harry asked.

"It's today. I usually don't have any friends to celebrate with and Hermione usually spent time with you considering you tend to have horrid luck on this day," Luna explained calmly.

"Happy Birthday, I'll get you something –"

"The sugar quills are from Harry and I," Hermione butt in, "I used your galleons for goodies and a gift."

"Oh, okay," Harry said with a crooked smile, "I didn't put any thought into it this year, but I promise I will for Christmas."

Luna beamed in reply.

"Come on, let's drop these off and head to the feast," Hermione said, leading her significant others out of her safe haven and towards the Ravenclaw Tower.

The two lions waited patiently while their raven put her things away. She surprised them by throwing on her sleepwear under her cloak. They quickly decided it was a good idea and did likewise once they went to the Gryffindor Tower.

"Oi, Harry! There you are mate," Ron shouted, "D'you have Scabbers?"

"Yeah, right here," Harry said pulling out the transfigured rat from his pocket.

Ron quickly looked him over and shoved him in his top pocket. Harry released a subtle breath he didn't know he was holding.

"What's Loony doing with you?" Ron asked in a loud whisper.

"We met in the library," Harry said evasively.

"I can't wait for our sleepover," Luna hummed to Hermione, ignoring Ronald.

Hermione had to hide a grin, knowing that if things continued to play out that Sirius would be slashing the Fat Lady's portrait while they were at the feast and they would all be forced to sleep in the Great Hall.

"She's barmy, mate," Ron said.

Harry had to bite his tongue hard to keep from lashing out.

"She's nice and she my g- my friend," Harry almost slipped.

"If you say so mate," Ron grumbled, folding his arms harshly.

They split once they entered the Great Hall, Luna waving to her two mates, ignoring Ronald entirely. The feast was just as delicious as last time and the ghosts' synchronized gliding was just as entertaining. Hermione was still morbidly fascinated by Nearly Headless Nick's re-enactment of his botched beheading. Soon it was the end and everyone was set to go to their dorms, only the three time-travelers any the wiser.

Harry and Hermione tuned out most of the "excitement" having been through it before. Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes however when Percy importantly requested they let him through, reminding them all he was Head Boy. Once Peeves told them all it was Sirius who tried to cut open the Fat Lady though Harry and Hermione had turned about ready to go towards the Great Hall as instructed.

Thankfully they were joined soon by the other Houses and Luna made her way over to them, standing close to Hermione.

"The professors and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle," Professor Dumbledore told them as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick closed all doors into the hall.

"I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately," he added to Percy, who was looking immensely proud and important. To Harry however he just looked pompous.

"Send word with one of the ghosts." Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, "Oh, yes, you'll be needing…" with a wave of the elder wand he had the long tables arrange themselves against the wall and conjured plush purple sleeping bags.

Hermione, Luna, Harry, and Ron quickly gathered their own bags and made their way to a corner. It wasn't long before the other Gryffindors were telling the rest of the school what happened, Lavender and Parvati being the quickest.

"Everyone into their sleeping bags!" shouted Percy. "Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes!"

Hermione turned her back to the rest of the room, making a big display about setting out her sleeping bag to hide her sneer. As if teenagers were going to go to sleep in ten minutes after being told something even remotely exciting.

"It's okay," Luna said serenely.

"Why don't you go back to the claws," Ron sneered uglily.

"Because I want her here," Hermione snapped, helping Luna set up her sleeping bag close to hers.

"Geez, don't have to bite my head off," Ron grumbled, "At least Scabbers is here and I know he's safe from that monstrosity you call a cat."

The brunette opened her mouth before changing her mind and snapping it closed, huffing instead.

"That was rude of you, Ron," Harry said quietly.

"How was that rude?" the red head asked genuinely confused.

"Everyone else's pet isn't here, just yours," he pointed out, "So no one knows if their pet is okay but you."

There was a happy glimmer in the redhead's eye that had Harry subtly move his bag closer to Hermione and Luna. Even at 13 Ron didn't really care about anyone but himself. It was the one thing he had over everyone in the whole castle.

"Rats aren't even technically on the pre-approved list," a Hufflepuff grumbled before turning back and talking to their friend.

Percy heard this and blushed, knowing that he had Scabbers with preapproved permission before he was gifted an owl.

"The lights are going out now!" Percy shouted, "I want everyone in their sleeping bags and no more talking!"

"Hermione, want to connect our sleeping bags?" Luna asked in a whisper.

Hermione grinned at her mate and zipped open her sleeping back, before zipping it up and connecting it to her blonde mate's. They quickly snuggled in the darkness with only the ghosts for poor light.

This time around Hermione didn't bother getting frustrated with everyone's lack of knowledge about Hogwarts nor did she, Luna, and Harry participate in the conspiracy theories about how Sirius got in, having known. Instead of reassuring people that they were fine, she took advantage of the situation and snuggled her bondmate, somewhat sad that she couldn't snuggle Harry the same way.

"Hold on," Luna whispered again, and rolled over her mate.

"Harry, connect your bag with ours," Luna whispered low enough that Ron couldn't hear.

The wizard grinned and did exactly that, now able to snuggle with his mates. Luna however rolled back over Hermione, allowing the brunette to be in the middle, throwing a leg over the other two. Hermione meanwhile smiled and nuzzled her blonde before turning over and snuggling Harry, Luna now spooning her.

"Turn over so I can spoon you," Hermione whispered in his ear.

Harry didn't have to be told twice and let Hermione Granger spoon him.

They all closed their eyes, unaware that their skin was also emitting a soft, barely noticeable, glow, the same silvery color like that of the Hogwarts' ghosts.

Percy was about to break them apart when he noticed they were all asleep already. He would be telling a professor about the impropriety as soon as possible!

Percy however wouldn't remember after he turned his back on them that he was going to report them for some reason all through the night.


*AN: Pronounced: Wag-a-doo