The team which met several days later was certainly eclectic. The original group had professional additions of Daphne Greengrass, Miriam Strout, and Bill's wife. Luna attended for her own creature expertise and also because she and Rolf had not been separated for longer than a few minutes since their initial meeting.

As she was the one who had begun the inquiry some months earlier, Hermione stood before them and addressed her 'troops'. "Before we begin, I want everyone to be clear on their and each other's responsibilities.

"Curse-breaker Weasley will oversee the spellwork of Draco Malfoy and me. Under his guidance we will cast together in an attempt to simulate Dolores Umbridge's wand work. Should we be successful, the victims may be disorientated, traumatized, or distraught. Fleur Delacour-Weasley will use her Veela influence to calm them down enough to interact with. Once stable, Rolf Scamander and Luna Lovegood will then take over. Should they regain quickly the ability to transform back, Healer Strout is the one who can take care of injuries as well as administer preliminary mind healing.

"As for any who do not respond well or display feral or violent tendencies, Auror Potter has the authority to stun them for our–and their–protection. Solicitor Greengrass is here to ensure that their rights are not violated and also has offered to serve as their attorney should they wish to file suit against the Ministry."

Daphne shrugged. "It likely won't go far, as this abomination occurred during a previous administration, but I should be able to squeeze some basic medical, relocation, and living expenses out of them to keep the news from blowing up."

"Are we ready?" All looked at her and nodded, some grimly and some (such as Luna and Rolf) with eagerness. "Shields up, the rest of you."

Bill had the two stand shoulder to shoulder, shoving them even closer when they did so. "Now, let's start with a simple finite incantatum. Good, good," he murmured when the target began to quiver and glow, but when it did no more, he halted them. Ignoring Hermione's disappointed expression, he narrowed his eyes as he considered.

"Okay!" He clapped his hands. "Let's try to up the power. Finite incatatum duo," he ordered.

The vibrations increased in intensity and even more so when he ordered, "Maxima!"

Hermione was fearing that the plate would shake itself off the table and shatter when Bill grasped their wand arms and diverted their aim so that their spells met and twisted around each other before heading for the target.

The resultant explosion knocked even those behind shields off-balance, but there was no time to complain, as the room was suddenly filled with cats of all colors and sizes.

Fleur immediately began emitting her allure in an attempt to lull them into placidity. A few popped into their human form before violently vomiting, and the healer quickly attended to them. Several others, after a few minutes of being crooned to by Luna and Rolf, also regained their original form. Only a few larger ones, who appeared to be part-kneazle, had to be stunned by Harry. Seeing that Hermione and Draco were distracted in an unexpected way by the spell's recoil, Bill quickly transformed the table into an oversized cushion, where those unconscious could lie while being treated in their animal state.

"My word, Potter," Daphne stated after all of the victims had been transferred to the combined hospital and veterinary care center which Draco had arranged previously, "now I know that the Hogwarts rumours were true. Life is never boring around you and Hermione."

"Tell me about it," Harry stepped nearer, wiping his forehead with a sleeve, "but I'm not sure I like the latest excitement."

The lawyer smirked. "So you didn't care for the intense snogging session while we mopped up the mess caused by crossing the streams of their spells."

He shuddered. "I was afraid they were going to get into it on the floor, in front of everyone."

"I have always heard that there is a certain intimacy in sharing magic, but I never expected it to be so...graphic."

"Yeah, I imagine she won't think too kindly of me for stunning them as well."

"Trust me, I was seconds away from doing the same thing. Certain areas of life should remain private. Now," she looked around, "is there an empty room or office I can use? I have a legal writ to prepare which will shock the Ministry."

"Do you mind sharing?" Harry gave her a half-grin. "I have DMLE paperwork to file also. Between the two of us we can make sure nothing is left out."

"And nothing exposed that shouldn't be."

"'Exposed'!" He groaned. "I would enjoy the cruciatus over learning the colour of Draco Malfoy's underwear in that manner."

"Potter, he was not wearing any."

"That's what I mean!"

Hermione opened her eyes carefully. "Where–?"

"Ah, back among the living, I see?" A voice spoke at her side.

She turned. "Harry? What am I doing in a hospital?" She looked at the other beds in the ward. "And in a veterinary hospital? Wait!" She raised herself on one elbow. "Are those the ailuranthropes? The procedure worked?"

Her friend stared at her in perplexity. "You don't remember?"

"I just recall Bill making our spells cross and then–boom!" She wrinkled her nose. "If I wasn't certain he was a pureblood, I would swear that he had watched Ghostbusters. So," she shook her head, "we freed them?"

"Yes," he answered slowly, "and they are only the last few who haven't regained their human forms. Luna and Rolf are assisting your bespoke mind healer with the others. These," he waved a hand, "suffered a few more bumps and bruises but should recover their transforming ability soon."

"Was I injured too badly? Oh!" she exclaimed. "Draco, is he all right?"

Harry shuddered. "He's in the next room over. We segregated the males and females for a good reason."

"Oh, were the ailuranthropes a little frisky after being penned up?" she asked absently as she examined herself for any new scars.

"They weren't the ones being frisky," he muttered. "Look, Mione, as your oldest and best friend, I've got to talk to you plainly."

"Draco, are you ever going to make your move on Hermione?" Daphne asked the man who was trying to understand the medical report he had summoned.

His grey eyes shot to hers. "I care for her too much to push. I've engaged in a bit of flirtation, but the quaffle is on her end of the pitch."

"Idiot!" He didn't know that the former Ice Queen was prone to violence until she smacked the back of his head. "Hermione is not as obvious in her affections as, say, Parkinson during fourth year."

"I know that, but I could use a tiny bit of encouragement," he whined.

"Would almost stripping you naked in front of witnesses be enough 'encouragement' for you?"

"Yes, but I'm not that fond of public displays. And, where did you get that sort of imagination?"

"No need to imagine since I–and everyone else in the room–witnessed that yesterday." A slight smile curved her lips. "I thought Harry was going to join the were-cats in casting up his accounts. You two were beginning to distract the healer, so he ended up stunning the both of you. We both insisted that you be checked for potions."

Draco's face flushed in outrage. "I'd never do that!"

"Yes," Daphne examined her fingernails, "you and she came up clean. But, seriously, if you don't remember what went on yesterday, I think I'm going to need a stomach soother before telling you."

Hermione and Draco could not meet each other's eyes as Harry and Daphne escorted them home.

"Here," Harry pointed to the open door, "is where you two are going to sit down and discuss your–oh, Merlin, I can't believe I'm saying this–relationship."

"I managed to get a vow of secrecy from all those who were unfortunate to witness your demonstration of unbridled lust," Daphne informed them calmly. "I trust that there will be no such blatant displays in the future?"

"Salazar, Daphne, don't rub it in," Draco ground out. "Now, both of you–leave! This is our business."

"Wish you'd thought of that earlier," Harry groused as he and Daphne backed away.

"So, Hermione," Draco began, "I don't suppose that you'd like to go first. They do say that Gryffindors charge ahead."

She glared at him, hands on hips. "Some Slytherin you are; you weren't a bit subtle in your advances."

"As you were under some stress at the time, I will refrain from mentioning the fact that you made the first move at the holiday ball. But, not taking that incident in consideration, was the thought of being involved with me so distasteful that you ignored them all?"

"Morgana, no! It's just that…" She sat down on the couch and rubbed her forehead. "I tend to compartmentalize and I was concentrating on finding the ailuranthropes. I would have got around to you once that was settled."

He shook his head as he joined her. "You shouldn't suppress emotions like that. When the pressure gets too much, they tend to have an explosive release."

"I should have remembered," she replied sheepishly. "When I was first crushing on Ron in school, I got my feelings hurt and set a flock of birds on him in anger."

"Avis oppugno? Will you think too badly of me if I hope they were large birds of prey?" he inquired hopefully.

Hermione gasped out a laugh. "If I'd known then what I know now, I would have made them hippogriffs."

"Please!" He placed a hand over his heart. "That's a sensitive subject for me."

"Get off!" she scoffed. "You milked that scratch for as long as you could."

Draco gave her a scandalized look, then the two retreated into uncomfortable silence.

Finally, Hermione could take no more. "I'm attracted to you–greatly attracted," she confessed quietly, eyes on the floor, "but I'm not confident enough to trust that what I feel is genuine. I put up a pretty good front, but Ron really did a number on me."

After a pause, Draco let out a large breath. "Okay, I can understand your hesitation. Now, how can we overcome that so you return to the previous fearless Hermione Granger of song and story?"

She held out a hand, which he took in one of his. "Maybe just continue as we've been? Spending time with each other in conversation, going out in public together sometimes. Much as I dislike the nosy press, I need to get used to it or at least become inured to those busybodies."

"And maybe if we're seen in each other's company enough, it will finally sink in to Weasel that he needs to find his happiness elsewhere."

"At the rate he's going, he may never achieve that. Fleur told me that he's already stepping out on Lavender."

He shook his head. "The man never recognizes a good thing when he sees it. Well," he placed a hand on her cheek, "not that I regret that."