Chapter 8

An old friend

As always many thanks to my wonderful beta MooMooMavis, thanks for her support, her ideas and especially her patience.

Little question for you readers: Do you prefer to have Hermione able to go back and forth from her world to Middle Earth or do you want her to be stuck there and not able to come back?

I am open to both, but please let me know what you would prefer.

Ron and Ginny will have their comeuppance, but it will take some time.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

As always, I adore reviews, also constructive criticism is appreciated, so please read and review.

Love and (I hope you) enjoy

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Hermione was browsing books in the Charms section of the bookstore, while keeping an eye on her brother. David was sitting on a mushroom shaped stool in the children's section, avidly reading (or trying to anyway) a picture book about dragons, Bobo snoozing on his shoulder. Hermione had to snigger at the sight. If she didn't know better, she would think the child had placed a sticking charm on the owl's feet. The tiny bird hadn't moved a centimeter since he chose David in the owl emporium.

She had already selected a booklet about owl maintenance for her mother, it was written especially for mundane and first born magicals, which was very convenient for everyone. In the magizoology section, she had selected different tomes on Occamy and other serpents, including two small books written in Parseltongue.

I hope Harry will be able to translate these for me. I would love to be able to talk to snakes or other species of animals too. How could wizarding Britain think that the ability to talk to snakes is Dark Magic, when the snake is usually associated with healing, it's beyond my comprehension.

In India and China, Parselmouths are highly respected and admired. It's definitely time for the old generation at home, to take their collective heads out of their asses and accept change. I hope Kingsley will rise to the occasion and make the much needed changes in the Wizengamot and Ministry in general, without succumbing to the political pressure of the purebloods' faction.

Hermione's thoughts were running away from her, she shook her head and looked up to see that her brother was no longer where she expected him to be. Panicking a little, though she would not admit to it later, she turned in place, looking everywhere in the big bookstore until she spotted the little owl's head, bouncing in and out of sight, behind a row of low height shelves. Sighing in relief, she made her way to the runaway and stopped him in his path.

"David, I thought I told you not to walk around without telling me? Do you have any idea how worried I was when I couldn't find you?" She said gently but sternly, without raising her voice.

David looked at his feet, repentant, and said in a little voice, "I'm sorry Minnie, I didn't want to worry you. I finished my book and I was bored, so I wanted to look for a new one. Are you very mad?"

Hermione knelt in front of the now teary eyed boy and hugged him tightly. "I am not mad, munchkin, I was afraid. I just got you little brother, it wouldn't do to lose you now, would it?" She tickled his sides until he was a giggling mess and then stood up. "Did you choose the books you want? Shall we go pay and then look around a bit more?"

David nodded enthusiastically, almost dislodging a grumpy Bobo.

He pointed to a small pile of books on the children's table and took her hand. Hermione paid for David's books and purchased 14 of her own. She was shrinking them down at the counter to fit them into her purse, when she heard someone behind her.

"Granger? Hermione Granger? Is that you?" A male voice asked.

She turned around and her eyes fell onto someone she hadn't seen in years.

"Adrian Pucey? Merlin, what are you doing here?!" She exclaimed, happily hugging the smiling man. He returned her embrace, before swirling her around.

"You are a sight for sore eyes, little lion! Well…not so little anymore, I see." He said, not bothering to hide the appreciative way his eyes roved over the young woman in front of him.

"You can talk, you sneaky snake! Look at you, you must have a queue of witches at your door!" She chuckled, trying to get out of his hug. "Let me go, you buffoon! I am supposed to be mad at you for not writing to me for three years!"

Hermione felt a tugging at her jeans, she looked down and saw David staring at them with wide eyes.

"Minnie, who is he?"

She leaned down and took David's hand, stroking it reassuringly. "This is Adrian Pucey, a friend I haven't seen in more than three years. We were secret friends at school because his house used to be very mean to me."

David narrowed his eyes at Adrian when the latter held out his hand for the child to shake. "And who might this dapper young man be? A suitor?" he joked.

David carefully shook his hand and with a puffed chest said, "I am David, Minnie's brother. So don't think of being mean to her, because I will protect her! I am the man of the family now and it's my resposblity!"

He didn't like the way this man looked at his sister, or the way his arm was still on her shoulder. It was not the friendly, casual way Harry had with Minnie. No, it was like this Adrian was trying to claim a stake on his sister and he didn't agree with that!

Adrian was seriously doing his best not to laugh at the little man's posturing, unfortunately he lost his battle when he heard Hermione snigger. They looked at each other and laughed, David looking cross and stomping his foot.

"I am sorry munchkin, I didn't mean to laugh at you." Hermione said, drying a tear from her eyes. "Adrian has always been kind to me, even if we had to hide our friendship. He was in fact my second friend at school, even before I became friends with Harry."

Adrian was nodding at her and, when he looked at her, he knew she was thinking of the day they became friends.

-0-0- Flashback -0-0-

She was crying in the bathroom. She had been at it for a couple of hours now, but she couldn't help it.

She had hoped coming to Hogwarts would mean acceptance and easy friendships with children that shared her talents, but the only one talking to her was Neville, a shy boy she met on the train.

I really thought it would be different here. At my primary school, I was never accepted because of my intelligence and bossiness, the other children only coming to me for help with homework. They only ever used me, never wanting to come to my birthday party or inviting me to theirs. I was the walking encyclopedia, and it looks like it's going to be more of the same here.

What am I doing wrong? Should I act all frilly and talk about boys like my roommates? Or maybe read up about Quidditch, it seems to be one of the favourite subjects to talk about here. I can ask Madam Pince if she can show me some books on the sport.

Why are the other children so cruel? That Ronald Weasley has been unpleasant since we met on the train, and I was only trying to help him today. There was no need to be so nasty! But nobody said anything against him, so they must all think the same! Oh no!

That last thought brought a fresh wave of tears. She was just washing her face, to try and diminish the redness around her eyes, when she heard a ruckus in the corridor and the door slammed open, letting a panting boy in, who immediately shut it behind him.

He was breathing hard, eyes closed, whilst leaning against the closed door and muttering between pants, "damn Peeves, why didn't I take the other staircase? Because the third floor corridor is now forbidden, that's why… from the pan into the fire with that blasted poltergeist!"

Hermione released a giggle at his mumbled words, causing him to open his eyes in shock. He hadn't expected anyone to be in there. It was lunch time, why was this tiny girl in this room alone?

Looking around, he realized he was in a bathroom. "Please tell me you are wrongly in the boy's bathroom…" he pleaded in embarrassment. Hopefully his mates won't find out he had to hide from Peeves in a girl's bathroom.

"Sorry, I am afraid this is the girl's bathroom, but if it's any consolation, nobody ever uses it," the little girl said with a hint of compassion in her voice. "It's haunted by a ghost, so it's pretty much always empty."

"And where is this ghost now?" Adrian asked curiously.

"She left a little after I came in. She said I was moaning worse than her and she couldn't take it…" Hermione answered dejectedly, without looking up.

"Oh, this must be the famous Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. I've heard about her from some girls in the common room…" He trailed off when he realized what she had said and really looked at her, "you were crying, weren't you little lion? What's wrong?"

He was being kind and Hermione didn't know what to do. It would be nice to vent to someone, but he was a Slytherin, and everyone in Gryffindor said, you couldn't trust a snake.

But they are also the same people who constantly belittle my brain, and mock my study schedule. I'll admit I can get a little carried away when I study, but this is first and foremost a school. And magic is so fascinating to study, the theory is almost as captivating as the practice. I really should talk to Professor Flitwick about my bluebell flame charm, maybe I can tweak it a bit to radiate more warmth...

"Little lion? You still in there?" Adrian waved his hand in front of her eyes to catch her attention.

"Oh sorry, my thoughts have a habit of running away from me. My name is Hermione Granger, pleased to make your acquaintance."

"I'm Adrian, Adrian Pucey. Now that we are not strangers anymore, tell me your troubles, maybe I can help." The young man said, taking a towel and placing it on the floor, before sitting on it. He patted the towel to invite her to sit next to him, but she was still reluctant, memories of pranks and fake friendships still fresh in her mind.

"Why are you being so kind to me? I thought Slytherins hated Gryffindors and muggleborns. I am both, so shouldn't you be trying to hex me instead of comforting me?" Hermione finished with a little sob. She didn't want to scare this nice boy away, but she couldn't risk trusting him if he was going to stab her in the back.

"You know, my roommates used to tell me I was sorted wrong because I had the brashness of a Gryffindor and the compassion of a Hufflepuff. Unfortunately, they never said I had the brains of a Ravenclaw…" he added with a rueful chuckle, "and I may be a pureblood Slytherin, but I have absolutely nothing against muggleborns. I don't shout it in the halls, of course, self preservation is highly valued in my house after all, but magic is magic. Being pure doesn't mean your magic is stronger or weaker than that of a halfblood or a muggleborn. I heard about you, Draco Malfoy is always whining about a bushy haired Gryffindor beating everyone in all the classes. It irks him that someone with your background could be better than him, who had tutors and lessons since he could talk; it goes against the pureblood doctrine he grew up with: he is a pureblood, his magic is stronger and all that rot…"

Hermione listened to him talking and slowly relaxed and lowered herself next to him on the towel.

"Thank you for saying that," she told him, drying her tears on a handkerchief he handed her. "When I found out I was a witch I was so excited and hopeful. I always had problems making friends, the other children found me too brainy and bossy. I thought coming here would be an opportunity to find people like me, talented and driven."

She was almost panting now and Adrian wanted to avoid a new bout of tears, so he put his arm around her and patted her on the back.

"But you found out wizards and witches are, for the most part, lazy and unmotivated right?" She nodded smiling, finally someone who got it!

"Yes, I mean, we are studying magic, it's so fascinating and exciting. But all they do is complain about homework and talk about brooms and quidditch. I don't have anything in common with the girls in my dorm room, they are always prattling and gossiping about boys and make up, but I think we are too young for that. When I told them, they looked at me like I was snapping their wands, saying it's never too soon to look for a match. Is this what witches desire? To make a good match and nothing else?"

Adrian was looking at her, a little astonished. "You are a pontificating little thing aren't you? Did you even breathe during that rant?"

She blushed and looked away, "sorry, my parents always tell me that I have no filter and I tend to rant when I am annoyed," she meeped in a tiny voice.

"I don't care Granger, apparently you need to vent, and here I am. Judging by the noises outside, I'll say Peeves is still on the prowl, so I'm not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. I am offering you a shoulder to cry on, as long as you don't tell anyone."

She nodded quickly and looked up at him, "what year are you in Mr Pucey?" He chortled and told her to just call him Ade or Adrian.

"I am in my third year. You are a firstie right, same class as the albino whinger?" She said yes with a giggle, liking this description of the Malfoy heir.

"Is his father really that important? He is always spewing 'my father will hear about that' for every little thing that annoys him." She asked curiously.

"Lucius Malfoy is the de facto political and economical leader of the pureblood faction, so yes, he has a lot of power, also because he is on the school board. But, like his son, he is very prideful and strongly believes in his own self importance and superiority. I am sure they are going to be a thorn on your side if you grow up to be the powerful witch I think you can become."

She straightened her spine at the praise and beamed up at him.

"Now tell me what happened that made you seek refuge in this bathroom…" And she did, and that was the beginning of their friendship.

She never told anyone about him, about all they shared. He was her secret and she cherished him.

Adrian had sat with her on that bathroom floor for hours, only leaving around dinner time, when his stomach started to growl.

Ten minutes later, face and hands washed, she was just collecting her stuff when a troll smashed the door in…..

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Their friendship stayed strong throughout the years and even though she now had friends in her own house, Adrian was still her best friend. They met in secret, often in Myrtle's bathroom, much to the ghost's dismay, talking about anything and everything.

Adrian was the one who helped her find the book about Flamel and the polyjuice potion. He was the only one allowed to visit her in the infirmary when she turned herself into a cat and the first to know about her time-turner.

During holidays they often met in the muggle world, where Hermione could show him around and bring him to the cinema and attraction parks (which he loved) and the museums and libraries (which he pretended to love). In turn, he taught her about pureblood society, the little subtleties a Slytherin grew up with.

They were free to be who they wanted with each other, neither wanting the other to change or bow to the expectations of society.

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It was also with Adrian, whom she shared her first kiss.

It was her fourth year, the year of the Triwizard Tournament, or as they liked to call it, the year of the International Blunders.

Harry had miraculously survived the first task and was now panicking about the Yule Ball.

Seriously, the boy has no problems flying against a dragon, but the thought of having to talk to a girl and ask her to the ball, has him quaking in his sneakers…

Much to her surprise, Hermione had been invited to the Yule Ball by Viktor Krum, only a couple days prior. The quidditch hero was a silent, slightly grumpy boy. He liked to read and sit by her while she studied, without feeling the need to talk constantly.

She liked him but just didn't feel attracted to , she was happy to be invited at all, so she said yes and wrote to her mother asking for a ballgown.

She met with Adrian the day before the ball to exchange gifts, she had bought a huge variety of muggle candy and snacks for him. He had become addicted to crisps during their first summer together in the muggle world. Hermione still found it funny to see this proper pureblood go gaga for sweet liquorice and winegums.

Adrian met her in a little study room in the library, unknown to almost the whole school population. It was a cozy room, with a table in the middle, a little fireplace, a sofa and a couple of chairs and several bookcases.

Hermione had found it in her third year when she was trying to avoid herself during the overlapping hours caused by using the time turner, and since then, it became their favourite meeting place.

Adrian was waiting for her, sitting on the sofa, with a parcel on his lap.

"Hey little lion, how are you doing? Ready for tomorrow? I am still waiting to know the name of your date, who beat me to the punch?" Adrian said, only a little jokingly.

"Like we could have gone together Ade… they would kill you in your sleep and you know it. But if you really can't wait until tomorrow, I will tell you," she offered. Adrian thought about it for a minute and then nodded almost timidly, he wanted to know.

"I am going with Viktor Krum. He asked me the day after they announced the ball." Hermione told him, looking at her hands. "I didn't think anyone else would ask me, so I said yes. Viktor told me he likes me, that he used to come to the library hoping to find the courage to talk to me." Fidgeting with the box in her hands, she did her best not to look at her friend. She was afraid he would confirm her fears of it being some kind of prank, as there was no way a quidditch world star would like her, a bushy haired, plain nobody.

"Krum, seriously? Wow little lion, you don't do things by half do you? I can see him liking you though. He is a serious guy, a bit of a bookworm like you, and he really hates people doting on him only because of his fame. You don't care about quidditch so that would be a huge point in your favour in his eyes, and you are very pretty, even if you don't believe it."

Adrian was now in front of her, her back pressed against the door. He took the box from her hands and placed it on the table. He gently held her now empty hands in his. Due to his recent growth spurt, she had to crane her neck to look him in the eyes.

"It's easy to like you, Hermione, don't be so surprised. I am sure many people will have their eyes well and truly opened tomorrow night, seeing you on Krum's arm, all dolled up. But I want you to tell me the moment he makes you feel uncomfortable ok? He is already 18 and you are only 15, you don't have the life experience he has."

"But Ade, even if I told you, you couldn't do anything…"

"Don't forget, I am still a Slytherin, my dear. Just give me a sign and I will cause a distraction and you can get away from him. At least go to Harry, he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he is very protective of you." At her nod, he continued, "don't let Krum force you into anything. You have every right to refuse his advances if you don't want them. If I had had my way, I would have asked you to be my date the moment the ball was announced, you know that right?"

Hermione was looking at him in disbelief. "Really?"

He was so close to her now. Adrian held her gaze before his eyes dropped to her lips. His hands left hers and she inhaled sharply when they cupped her face, his thumbs softly stroking along her cheekbones.

He dipped his head and her heart started beating so hard she was afraid he could hear it. He stopped a hairbreadth away from her lips, silently asking for her permission. He felt, more than saw, the tiny nod.

He kissed her.

And she felt it everywhere. He was gentle and firm at the same time, pressing his plump lips to hers once, twice, thrice. Her eyes were closed, but she could feel his smile against her lips.

"I wanted to have your first kiss, little lion, before all the school would see the true you, beautiful and brilliant," he murmured, cupping her jaw with his calloused hands. "I would court you if I thought I was the right one for you, but I feel you are destined for another, and I wouldn't want to let you go."

"I don't understand Ade. You've never said anything that could lead me to think you would want something more than friendship." Hermione said timidly, her confused eyes boring into his.

He nodded, "I know Hermione, I had hoped we could be more after Hogwarts, but… I told you my grandmother was a Seer right?" At her scoff, he chuckled, "a genuine one. I have some of her gift. I can sometimes see or feel things about other people. It's how I knew I could trust you, and how I know I am not your end game. I have seen you with different people and if all of my visions come true, you are going to have a busy life, little lion. But, just not with me." He shook his head, a little sad, and moved his hands to her shoulders.

She was looking at him with such trust and affection in her eyes, it was difficult for him not to ignore what he knew. He wished he could have her, this tiny diamond, with the biggest heart he had ever seen.

"I don't know what to say Adrian. Romance is still a new thing for me, I certainly hadn't expected anyone to like me... But you are and always will be my best friend, you know that right? And I am happy you were my first kiss, I would never regret that." She hugged him tight then turned around to pick up his present from the table.

Everything changed with Lord Voldemort's return at the end of her fourth year. Adrian's family left Britain and she hadn't heard anything from him since.

-0-0-0-0- End Flashback -0-0-0-0-

"I've missed you little lion. I understand why you never answered my letter, but it still hurt."

"What letter Ade? I never got a letter from you after you left. I assumed it was because it wasn't safe for your family… Have you been in Australia all this time?" Hermione was confused now, as she took David's hand, who was starting to fidget and sigh in boredom.

Adrian led them out of the bookshop and nudged them towards the candy shop next door, David suddenly becoming interested. They let the child roam the sweet shop, with instructions to select only three candies, and took a seat at a little table beside the door, where they could keep an eye on David.

After ordering drinks for both of them, Adrian turned serious and took her hand above the table.

"The last day of school, after You-Know-Who returned, I left a letter explaining what my family had planned, and our new address, with your ginger friend, Weasel or something. I never had an answer, so I assumed you were mad at me for leaving without telling you, and later I saw in the papers everything you went through together with Potter, so I didn't want to distract you."

He stroked her hands with his thumbs, "I knew from my visions that you would make it out alive, although the condition you would be in was never certain. I am very happy to see you safe, Hermione. I never expected to see you here though, why are you in Australia?"

She smiled at him, "I was going to ask you the same thing. I never received your letter Ade, Ron must have lost it somehow or forgotten it." She said pensively, missing the way his eyes narrowed.

"I came here with my family almost three years ago. My parents opened a winery and my sister and I enrolled at the Melbourne Magic Institute. I took my NEWT's there and then I auditioned for the Crazy Canberras, the local quidditch team, as a chaser. Coincidentally, we acquired a new seeker last year," he said with a sassy smile, "an old flame of yours…"

"Viktor?" she asked, surprised. "He wrote to me some time ago, something about changing teams, but you know how much interest I have in quidditch…"

And like that, they were back to their old banter, friends catching up with each other, until David came back with his arms laden with candy.

"Mum is not going to be happy, you know that right? I told you to pick three candies David, not half the shop…"

"Well, it's three sorts of candies, you never said if it was three pieces of three sorts…" She shook her head and glared at Adrian when she heard him snigger and mutter "Slytherin" under his breath.

They made their way to the counter after returning half the boxes David had selected. Hermione was tucking all the bags and boxes into her purse when she heard Harry call out her name. She felt Adrian stiffen at her side, and asked in a whisper "still a secret or are we coming out?"

Instead of answering, Adrian slung an arm around her shoulders and turned them around to face Harry and Helen.

"Hey 'Mione, sorry it took so long, they wanted to make sure Daning wouldn't be a danger to the public…" Harry trailed off when he noticed Adrian. He narrowed his eyes in thought until they widened in recognition, "Pucey?"

Harry looked from Hermione to Adrian in confusion, while Helen, recognizing the boy from summers past, went to hug him affectionately.

"Adrian, it's been too long, how are you?"

"Helen, it's good to see you. Hermione told me about John, my deepest condolences," Adrian said with a little bow.

Harry's jaw was at risk of touching the pavement, when Hermione took pity on him. "Ade and I have been friends since our first year, Harry, we just had to keep it a secret. We lost touch after fourth year when his family had to move for their safety. We just bumped into each other in the bookstore."

"Friends? Really? But 'Mione, he is a Slytherin…" Harry mumbled.

"Have you switched brains with Ronald? I don't care what house someone is in, as long as they are a decent person. Ade was my first best friend at Hogwarts, first ever actually." Hermione said incensed.

Helen intervened, wanting to avoid a disagreement between the two friends. "Adrian used to spend some time with us every summer, Harry. He is a good lad, a man now actually." She turned to Adrian, "you must come to dinner one of these days, give Hermione the opportunity to cook for you, and you can catch me up with all that happened in your life."

Adrian was laughing now, and looking at Hermione in astonishment. "Hermione can cook? I remember when she tried to fry some eggs that first summer, and almost burned down the kitchen."

Harry sniggered at that, only to let out a yelp when Hermione punched him in the shoulder. She looked at Adrian and said with a haughty tone, "I'll have you know I can cook almost anything now, ask this sniggering prat here…" pointing to Harry.

David interrupted the bickering by telling his mother about his new books and candy, and about the self stirring pot he saw in a store window.

As the group made their way to the nearest bistro, Adrian gave his apologies that he couldn't join them for dinner. "I'm sorry, but we have a game this coming weekend, so we have practice every evening. Helen, it was a pleasure seeing you again, I can come to dinner next week if it suits you. I will write to Hermione and we can find a date that suits us all. Potter, a pleasure."

He shook hands with Harry and then he squatted in front of David, holding his hand for him to shake. "You are the man of the house now, take good care of them ok?" At David's solemn nod, he stood up and took Hermione in his arms.

"Viktor is going to be so jealous when I tell him I ran into you, little lion. I am happy you are safe and good, please write to me tomorrow, so we can meet and talk. I will send you tickets for the game so you can all come this Saturday, we are playing here in Canberra. Viktor will be ecstatic to see you. I think I might not even tell him you are here and just see his reaction on Saturday…" Adrian said wickedly, chuckling to himself.

"I will write to you tomorrow Ade, now that I found you again, I don't want to lose you."

"You won't, little lion. There is so much I have to tell you, and you must tell me everything you did in the last three years." He kissed her cheek and then, waving goodbye to them all, apparated away.

The quartet went to have dinner in the little bistro, Harry telling Hermione about all the tests the Ministry had to run on Daning, who was now sleeping wrapped around Harry's bicep, and David told them all about the different candies in the sweet shop, again.

When they got back home, Hermione gave Harry the books written in parseltongue, wringing out a promise from him to try and translate them for her. She also had a potions book for her mother, specific for mundanes, which made Helen very happy, she couldn't wait to try one.

David was out like a light the moment his head touched the pillow, his two stuffed animals carefully watching over him at the foot of the bed.

-0-0-0- At the Burrow -0-0-0-

My dear Harry,

Thank you for your last letter. I hope you are still well and don't miss me too much.

Give Hermione my condolences for the death of her father, and my family's too. I hope Ron is behaving and not being his usual self.

Here at the Burrow is everything quiet, too quiet without the noise the twins used to make.

George is usually at his flat with Lee, but when he comes to visit it is like seeing a shadow of his former self. He doesn't laugh anymore Harry, and I don't know what to do or say to make him feel better.

Mum is getting on everyone's nerves by constantly checking where we are and who we are with.

I baked you some treacle tarts, I'll be sending them with this letter…

Ginny stopped writing her letter when she heard someone enter her room and sit on the bed.

"Hey Gin." She turned in surprise when Ron greeted her, he was not who she was expecting to see. Glancing at the clock, she hoped she could get rid of her brother before Dean arrived.

"Hey Ron, what are you doing here? I thought you would be in Australia for another week at least."

"Yeah, that was the plan, but I kind of screwed up. Hermione did all she could to make me mad, and then they caught me with a girl, who told them all kinds of lies. I need some of your potion to give Hermy, because there is no way she will be with me without it now."

"You are a moron, Ron. You left Hermione and my Harry all alone again? What if they do get together this time? You are going to ruin all our plans with your stupid mouth!" Ginny was furious. Apparently Ron was even more of an idiot than she gave him credit for.

She would have to do something to avoid Hermione stealing her golden goose. She had to finish her letter and send her special tarts as soon as possible, it would not do for Harry to be without his potion for too long.

"I am going to try and prevent a disaster. Leave me alone now, I will talk to you tonight." She said snidely, shrinking down the box with the sweets and turning to her letter.

But first some fun with Dean. Plotting was such hard work, she deserved some relief.

A/N - some of you have commented on the slow pace of this story. Don't worry, it's going to pick up in tempo soon, but I need to build a solid foundation for Hermione (and Harry) before she goes to Middle Earth.

As always, please read and review, love you all.