A/N: Hiya! I know I'm a day late, I'm sorry! Night work meeting got moved around *several* times and I got back later than planned last night. But tuck in and get ready for a new chapter of Time For Change. Mind the time jump on your way in!

1st of September 1995

Mighty Muggleborns Meet Minister of Magic

By: Rita Skeeter

While many of us are getting on with business as usual, leader of Muggleborn Alliance (MA) Edward Tonks along with a few of its members were able to meet with Minister Fawley this past weekend. It is known that MA has been pushing to allow Muggleborns to train for positions such as Healers, Aurors, or Professors. Careers such as these, as we all know, were traditionally reserved for Purebloods with very few 'Outstanding' Half-bloods in the mix.

Many Purebloods are up in arms with this movement. "We've already let those half-breeds have jobs with the lot of us," states an unidentified Ministry worker. "Now these [redacted] want to, as well? Who will do the lower-level work that needs to be done? Us?! They should be grateful we even allow them to have what they do. Their own community, their own little school. And if they didn't cause so many disturbances, we wouldn't need so many hard-working Aurors in their neighbourhoods keeping them in line."

According to an inside source, MA states they not only have the backing of all Muggleborn witches and wizards but also many Half-bloods and some Purebloods, several of the latter being of high status. While no names were mentioned, for their safety, I know we're all wondering why these Purebloods are so keen on getting their hands dirty.

After the meeting, Tonks was found outside the Ministry building. When asked why he's pushing for so much change Tonks told this reporter: "For the kids. For the future." When asked to elaborate, Tonks explained, "It was only two years ago that we passed a law that ensured my own daughter wouldn't be seen as illegitimate. There are many Half-blood children that came from the love of two people from two completely different backgrounds. It's not their fault that their parents fell in love and they shouldn't be punished for that.

"Thanks to the hard work of MA and Minister Fawley, my daughter could be an Auror one day… Or anything really. Anything she wants. Every Half-blood child can have this, not just the overly exceptional ones with top marks and connection. I want that for Muggleborn children too. I'm glad we were able to pass the integration law for Hogwarts but Muggleborn students won't be able to start careers they may want post-graduation. They're learning from some of the best professors in the world only to have low-income jobs as their only option after graduation. No. I want them to have the world, just like every Pureblood and Half-blood has now." [cont. page 9]

[cont.] Speaking of Hogwarts, MA aren't the only Muggleborns stirring the cauldron and shaking things up. Hermione Granger, seen in photo below with her Muggle parents at Diagon Alley, is causing quite the stir. Even with Minister Fawley allowing Muggle parents to visit Diagon Alley with their Muggleborn children, only few have tested the waters. Despite being Muggleborn and only knowing of the Wizarding World for four years, this doe-eyed young witch is rumoured to have top marks in her class at Hogwarts.

With permission from her Muggle parents, who were quite enchanted with my quill, I spoke with Hermione Granger while she was shopping for the upcoming school year. "I think the presence of Muggleborn students is slowly becoming the norm at Hogwarts. There have been a few bumps along the way but nothing we can't handle. Other Muggleborn students and I, like those who came in '91 and '92, have grouped together - a support group really - for those of us that are missing home or need a little more help understanding the magical world. The professors were a big help when we first started school, but the idea of the group is really a place to relax, judgement free. It's our own little home away from home while we're living at Hogwarts."

When asked about her studies and how it feels to be at the top of her class, Miss Granger responded: "I just try my hardest, that's all. I love learning and strive to be the best I can."

This Muggleborn may be small but her wit is as big as her hair.

Best of luck to all students incoming and returning to Hogwarts and to the final two classes of Gowdie Academy. Happy Studies!

Until tomorrow readers.

oOo oOo oOo

"I still can't believe you talked to a reporter," she heard Harry say over the voices around her. "Especially Rita Skeeter, you know how she is."

The Sorting had just ended with the last first-year getting sorted into Hufflepuff. There were so many new faces. Each time a new student was sorted Hermione would wonder which one she'd see at her meeting at the end of the month.

"I heard you on the train when you first said so, Harry," she responded, plating her food with goodies from the first feast.

"I mean, you flat out lied to her," he continued as his eyes read over the final paragraph. "But still-"

"I didn't lie!" she said in defence.

Harry looked at Hermione over his glasses, one eyebrow raised.

"Where did I lie?"

"Oh, so nooooow you want to listen," Harry started, poking at the potatoes on his plate. "Even though just a few hours ago, we had a compartment all to ourselves and you were ignoring me for your latest squeeze."

Hermione laughed as she cut her dinner. "I wish you wouldn't talk about my books like they're my boyfriend."

"Maybe you should stop treating them like your boyfriend and get a real one," Harry mumbled under his breath.

"Pardon? What was that?" she asked, her head tilted to the side and a small smile on her face.

"Me? I didn't say anything."

"Uh huh, sure you didn't."

Harry tapped her lightly with his elbow and went back to his dinner.

"Besides," she said, tone slightly defeated. "It's not as if I'll be dating anyone any time soon. So why not fill my time with books, both for fun and for studying?"

"Not this again, Hermione."

"I'm just saying-"

"No," he interrupted. "I'm not going to sit here and listen to you shit on yourself again."

"I don't shit on myself, Harry."

"Yeah, you do. All the time."

Laughter erupted towards the left of the pair. They turned to see the Weasleys sitting together. While the family wasn't particularly high in the Pureblood ranks, they were still very much off limits. No matter how much Hermione adored Ron's quirkiness, she knew that it just wasn't going to happen. She wasn't as close to Ron as Harry was. The two boys had met on the first day and became instant friends. Hermione had gotten to know him a bit during study sessions and she could have sworn he was flirting with her one time last year, but Hermione could never be sure. Mentally shaking her head, pulling her focus back to her dinner, Hermione caught sight of Harry in the corner of her eye.

"You're drooling," she commented nonchalantly.

Harry quickly sat upright and faced his entire body forward.

"You should try and talk to her this year."

"Who?" he asked innocently.

"You know who."

"I can't do that Hermione, you know that."

"And why not?"

Harry sighed and readjusted his glasses. "What have I got to offer her exactly? In this world at least?"

Hermione turned to face Harry, seeing the worry and longing on his face. "You can do so much more now. It's still rough for Half-bloods, yeah, but by the time we graduate from Hogwarts things should be a little easier."

"You don't know that Hermione, not for certain. I don't want to cause drama for her. Plus being interrogated by six older brothers, three of which are my mates, is not how I want to spend an evening."

A laugh escaped Hermione before she could stop it. "You're not asking for her hand in marriage. Just start off small. Ask if she wants to join our study group with Neville and Luna, or maybe just ask to sit next to her for a meal."

"And leave you to fend for yourself?"

Hermione bumped her shoulder gently with his. "You can't watch over me forever, Harry. I'll be okay for a meal or two. Besides, I'll have my 'main squeeze' to entertain me."

With a small chime ringing through the Great Hall, dinner was cleared and desserts were now available. Hermione scooped some strawberries in a bowl, adding a little cream and sugar while Harry reached for the sticky toffee pudding. The two ate in silence until both desserts were nearly finished.

"So, I have a question," Harry stated, eating the last spoonful of pudding.

"Ask away."

"Why don't you just ask Matthew out?"

Hermione paused for a moment. Matthew Clearing. The thought had crossed her mind once or twice. He arrived at Hogwarts the same year they did. Matthew was a kind Ravenclaw with a thick Welsh accent, dirty blonde hair and blueish-green eyes. He was also another Muggleborn, one of the other four that joined her that year. Hermione saw him from time to time in a few of her classes during her first year, he was quiet and a little shy but almost as eager as her to learn. She was officially introduced to him around November when he had a nasty run in with some of the students a few years ahead of them after a few of the Muggleborn students were identified.

As the years passed, and the Muggleborn student numbers grew, they both saw the need to stick together. The bullying the students dealt with varied, but it wasn't until their third year when M.A.P (Muggleborn Alliance Pupils) was created. The final push to get this group going was when Elinor McCoy, then a second year Muggleborn Hufflepuff, had been tricked with a fake Valentine. It looked as if it came from fellow second year and Pureblood Hufflepuff, Gavin Blishwick. Apparently, his friends thought it would be a laugh, seeing as word got around about Elinor's innocent crush on him, but Gavin didn't see it that way. He embarrassed her in front of the entire hall at lunch that day. It was all too much for poor Elinor and she started to cry. Hermione ran to console her while Matthew confronted his housemates who had played a role in the charade.

Hermione really admired him after that but with the new protective role Matthew had over Elinor, they grew closer. She noticed Elinor's attention shifted to Matthew after that day, and Hermione decided she'd keep her distance to spare the badger another broken heart.

"I don't want to date Matthew," Hermione responded, coming back to the present.

"But you two spend all your spare time together, organising things for MAP. I thought something was there?" he asked her.

"It's M.A.P. Harry, not MAP."

Harry rolled his eyes at her, "You're focusing on the wrong thing."

"It's just not going to happen with Matthew," she shrugged one shoulder. "Or anyone here, to be honest."

"But Hermione-"

"No," she interrupted, waving her hand. "It's fine. I need to focus on school. I'll worry about dating after Hogwarts when I'm back in the Muggle world."

The last call chimed through the hall, the sound of voices seemed to multiply as students departed.

"Time to head up, I guess," Harry noted.

First year students started leaving first, following their House Prefects. The remaining students left in waves, while others straggled behind.

Hermione and Harry caught up with Ron, with him ending up to the right of her. Harry moved to the right of Ron, pulling him into a heated Quidditch discussion as they all departed. Hermione stayed quiet, not really having anything to add into the conversation. As she watched the two talk, Hermione worried that she might be keeping Harry to herself far too much. She didn't mind the big brother roll he'd assigned himself, but she felt like she was holding him back. As much as she would miss their time together, Hermione knew she wasn't staying in this world long term. Harry needed to make friends here he could rely on.

Hermione thought about the other people in her life. She had no problems with Elinor, but her head was in the clouds most days, so they barely talked. The other Gryffindor girls were… okay? She had a few conversations with Lavender and Parvati, but they never went too far past pleasantries. Ginny was sweet but tended to keep her distance, having her own friends in her year. Matthew was good company. He was struggling just as much as any Muggleborn was, but he never let it show. While this was nice and to be admired, it caused him to be overly guarded.

Hermione moved her focus to the redhead beside her. A small smile slid across her face as she saw the bit of chocolate in the corner of his mouth left over from dessert. Her sight of him was cut short when Hermione collided into something. She heard a small squeal as she stumbled back slightly, a pair of arms levelling her from the side. She looked to see Ron looking down at her.

"Are you alright, Hermione?"

"Y-yes. I'm okay, thank you," she replied shyly. She could feel the heat from his body through her robe.

"No problem," he said with a smile.

Hermione stood straight and turned to see what or who she bumped into.

Shit.

"Well damn, Pansy. If you wanted me, all you had to do was say," Blaise Zabini said with Pansy Parkinson in his arms.

She pushed away from him and scoffed. "Oh, as if Blaise. You couldn't handle me anyway."

Shit! Fuck shit, not now. Not today. Hermione stood there as if she had been hit with a full body-bind.

"Well?" Parkinson asked, snapping at Hermione.

She blinked hard, trying to focus on the girl in front of her. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Are you going to apologise or do Muggle parents not teach their spawn manners?"

Parkinson's voice carried and caught the attention of other students. Some openly stared as they walked by, slowing down to hear her response. Others full on stopped to snicker and whisper to others around them, pulling more students in. "I'm sorry, Parkinson. It was an accident. Are you… alright?"

"Maybe if you watched where the fuck you were going, we wouldn't be having this little chat."

Harry appeared next to Hermione. "Just chill out, Parkinson. She said she was sorry. Let's just leave it, we're all just trying to head to our dorms."

"Whoa, what's with the attitude Potter?" Theodore Nott asked as he walked up with the remaining member of their group - Draco Malfoy.

"No attitude, Nott. Just trying to wrap this up so we can all get on with our night."

"I'm not doing anything until the Mudblood apologises." Pansy's words caused the students around them to stir.

Hermione had heard this more often than she would like, but it was hard, knowing they meant it to put her in her place - below them.

Harry stepped forward, advancing on the Slytherin. Hermione grabbed his arm, preventing him from moving further. "They're not worth it, Harry," she whispered in his ear.

"Isn't that cute," Zabini noted. "Potter's little girlfriend coming to his rescue."

"Stuff it, Zabini," Harry said, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Are you sure they're dating, Blaise?" Parkinson asked. "Because I could have sworn, we caught her eyes on someone else at dinner," eyes shifting to the body behind Hermione.

Hermione didn't move from her spot, her hand that gripped Harry's arm tightened. She avoided looking at Ron at all cost, just in case luck was on her side and they'd stop talking.

"What was it you said in the Great Hall, Draco?" Pansy continued. "The mutt here was drooling like a dog over him, wasn't she?"

Hermione looked over to Malfoy with hesitation. He was leaning against the wall to the side, his stance was one of disinterest as he looked down at his perfectly manicured nails. He looked like he didn't care about a thing but he had clearly kept up with the conversation the entire time.

"Like a bitch in heat," he replied.

"Poor little Mudblood," Parkinson taunted. "Going after something she could never have."

Hermione was tired and already over this. It was her first night back from home and she just wanted to go to her room. If any more students crowded around them, they'd get the attention of the Prefects or worse, a teacher.

"Look," Hermione's voice came out harsher than she intended. "I said I was sorry, alright? That's enough. Let's just… drop it. You're fine and this doesn't need to be a thing. So let's just-"

Hermione tried to walk away with Harry but Parkinson blocked her path, taking a stance and continued.

"If you wanted to sleep your way out of the slums, you could have tried to aim a little higher. I mean, he's Pureblood but still… A Weasley?"

A chorus of "ooooo" echoed.

"Excuse you, Parkinson?!" Ginny exclaimed from behind Hermione.

Hermione turned around to see Ron slowly backing away, his face red with embarrassment. He kept going until he got to Ginny.

"Come on, Gin. This isn't our fight."

"No, Ron. She's shit-talking our family."

"Let's go Ginny! I'm not dealing with drama on our first night back," Ron replied, pulling his sister away from the group.

"Look at that. He's so weak-willed and still, even you aren't good enough for him," Parkinson cackled, eyes now glued on Hermione.

Hermione could feel the anger boiling up inside her as two scenarios ran through her mind.

"You're lucky they even let your kind in here with us."

One: Hermione could, like always, be the bigger person by walking away. She hated biting her tongue but it was the most mature and reasonable option. Don't feed into their taunting long enough and they'll get bored.

"The only thing you need to learn is how to respect me properly…"

Two: She could take out her wand and duel. The temptation was there but she could be expelled for duelling out of class.

"… and to stay in your place with the rest of the filth."

Pansy stood there, smirking as if she won.

"At least I've not been chasing around a guy for years that doesn't even want me." Hermione's face dropped immediately and it took everything in her not to cover her mouth with her hands. The words had just spilled out, as if she had no control over them!

"What did you just say?" Parkinson eyed her incredulously.

Hermione could hear the blood pumping through her ears. Four years of biting her tongue came to an abrupt end as the words formed in her mouth, pouring out for all to hear. "Just because you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, spending Daddy's Galleons every weekend to buy fake friends, doesn't make you better than anyone else."

Hermione could have sworn she saw Parkinson's eye twitch but she couldn't stop. "Just because you're a Pureblood doesn't make you better than me or anyone else at this school. You're not entitled to have us kiss your arse just because of your last name."

Parkinson advanced towards her, wand drawn. Hermione stood her ground as she reached for hers. But before Parkinson made it to her, Malfoy stepped in between them.

She didn't realise how tall Malfoy was, but it was enough to hide Parkinson completely from her vision. Hermione backed away slightly, allowing her to keep an eye on her opponent's wand. She wouldn't let her guard down until Parkinson's wand was put away.

"That's enough now, Pansy. Let's go," he told her.

"You can't be serious Draco. Did you hear what she said to me?"

"I did. And now wands are out. It's the first night and we're all just a little tired. Let's schedule the cat fight for a later date, shall we?"

"I can't just let her get away with this!"

Draco reached out and slid a thumb across Pansy's cheek.

"I want to leave," he told her, his voice soft and deep. "Why don't you head down and I'll be right behind?"

"But-"

"Now, Pansy. Go,'' Draco commanded. He looked around at the lingering students. "All of you, leave." They quickly scurried away to leave the small group alone. Draco looked to Parkinson again.

"Fine," Parkinson replied in a huff, standing down. Parkinson looked past Malfoy's shoulder to Hermione. "Watch your back, Mudblood." Hermione watched as Parkinson turned away and walked towards the dungeons.

"You're welcome, Granger," Malfoy turned towards Hermione.

Hermione's head snapped to his voice. "For?"

Malfoy tilted his head in disbelief. "For preventing your murder. Or, at the very least, your expulsion."

"I could have handled it myself," she told him as she placed her wand inside her robe.

Malfoy looked at her blankly in response.

"I was han-"

"Stop," he waved his hand to dismiss her. "I honestly don't care. Now all you've done is either caused headaches for the three of us to deal with or these two sods will leave it for me to deal with it alone."

"Hey!" Nott and Zabini exclaimed in unison.

"The last thing I want is for her to be talking about you for hours on end," he continued. "So, again, you're welcome."

"Listen," Harry stepped forward, hand outreached. "Thanks for your help, Malfoy."

"No Potter, I want your girlfriend to say it," he replied, still staring at Hermione and ignoring Harry's hand.

"I'm not his girlfriend," Hermione folded her arms.

"So, you are trying to sleep your way to the top with Weaselbee?" Malfoy looked over to his friends. "Very interesting."

"No," she almost yelled. "Not that either. But thank you, for your help."

He looked at Hermione for a moment, eyes squinting in annoyance. "I won't be doing it again," Draco turned away and his flunkies mirrored him.

"Well, that was… something?" Harry chuckled. "Where did all that come from, Hermione?"

She gave him a one-armed shrug. "Years of keeping it to myself, I guess. I just sort of..." she trailed off.

"Yeah, I get it."

Hermione stood in disbelief. Her first night back and she'd almost got in a duel. The first time since coming to Hogwarts that she spoke her mind outside of her support group. Hermione was supposed to be a leader among the Muggleborns, set an example. But here she was, about to get into it with Pansy fucking Parkinson. Harry reached out and touched Hermione's shoulder gently.

"Hey, you okay?"

Hermione looked up at him and smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just get back to our common room. I want to sit in front of the fire and pretend that didn't just happen."

oOo oOo oOo

The weekend passed too quickly for Hermione. Before she knew it, Monday arrived and she found herself in second period Potions, sitting next to Harry and listening to the students voices around her. She looked around the room while Harry talked to Ron, who was sitting behind them. Things between her and Ron had, unfortunately, gotten weird after Friday. Yes, she was still embarrassed for getting called out for her crush. But even worse, Hermione was disappointed that he'd run off. As much as she wanted something to happen between them, he obviously didn't feel the same way.

Professor Snape entered the classroom, his face expressionless as he made his way to the front of the class. "I will thank you all for stopping whatever adolescent nonsense you're prattling on about. Face forward and close your mouths." He stopped at the front of the class and turned to the students.

Hermione loved Potions as a subject, it was pretty close to what she thought Chemistry would be like had she attended secondary school back in the Muggle World. It was interesting to learn about how different ingredients worked together or against each other and the structure of it all gave her a sense of peace and control that she couldn't get enough of. But even with all that, she really didn't like this class because of Professor Snape.

He seemed to hate teaching or students... or both... Or everything? She didn't know, it was hard to tell. Plus, he really had it in for Hermione, Harry, and a few other students. It couldn't have been from her ignorance of the subject, as she had one of the highest marks in Potions classes since first year. Even if Professor Snape never called on her, though her hand was raised every class, there was no denying Hermione knew the subject well. Whatever it was, it annoyed her to no end. She didn't really need the words of encouragement he gave to his Slytherin students, but at least acknowledging her when she tried to answer a question seemed fair.

Professor Snape cleared his throat before he began. "Welcome to Fifth Year Potions class. By now, you know what this class is about and how to excel in it. Sadly, based on last year's grades, there are some among you who still need to have your hands held like you're First Years. Because of this, the administration has decided to change the structure of this class." He pulled out a piece of parchment and held it up to the class. "This year, I'm assigning your partners."

The sound of sucking teeth and disdain echoed in the classroom.

"Quiiiiieeet."

Silence followed.

"You obviously cannot handle getting work done properly whilst doing it with your friends so we're pairing people off based on skill. Those of you that are more advanced and can get the work done fast and efficiently, I will leave you to it. Complete your tasks and feel free to leave after. Some of you fall in the middle, you know what to do for the most part so I will be here for assistance when needed." He sighed deeply before continuing, making direct eye contact with a select few students. "Then there are those who cannot produce the simplest of Draught of Living Death and would not have survived these past four years without help from your more potion inclined friends. So, no more slacking off and hoping someone else will pick up the weight. Grab your things and stand in the back of the class."

Hermione placed her books and quill back into her pack before walking off to the back of the class with the others. She knew that Harry was decent at Potions, just not as good as she was. So even though she had hoped to be paired with him, Hermione knew the chances were slim.

"When I call your names, go to a station and sit with your partner. No complaints about who you're paired with because I honestly don't care." Clearing his throat and lifting the parchment up to his line of sight, Snape began to read the names off the list.

Hermione noticed that the list was in order of weakest to strongest in the subject. Many names she expected to hear at the bottom were there, while a few surprised her. Parkinson, for example, getting paired with Seamus Finnigan. Seamus was brilliant but didn't do too well in Potions. Hermione felt bad for him, having to be paired with Parkinson now. As the professor went on. Hermione was saddened at the fact that Harry wouldn't be her partner, instead getting to work with Dean Thomas.

It wasn't until only four students remained when panic set in for Hermione. It wasn't technically their fault that she has the highest grades amongst Parvati Patil, Draco Malfoy, and Theodore Nott but she had hoped for the sake of sanity that the houses wouldn't be mixed. Being paired with Parvati would open a better line of communication between the two, maybe starting a friendship she wanted to work on this year. But a Slytherin? She didn't want the headache.

"The next pairing is Mr. Nott and… Ms. Patil," Snape stated. Whispers broke out from the students as the two students took their seats. Hermione was left alone, standing in the back of the class with Draco Malfoy.

"And that leaves the highest-marked students in the class, Mr. Malfoy and Ms. Granger. Both of you, take your seats." Snape folded the parchment and placed it in his pocket. "Do try not to kill each other. I don't want to deal with the paperwork."

Snape turned away from the pair as Hermione and Draco made their way to the last open station.

Hermione sat rigidly as Snape began the discussion on today's topic. What the hell was the world coming to? How was she supposed to work with him? And more importantly, would he even be willing to work with her?

A/N: As always, sending thanks to my amazing team - alpha (anne_ammons) and beta (lydia6643)! Both of you do amazing work and make this story better for everyone ^_^

Thanks to you, reader, for reading this chapter. Like I mentioned earlier this month, this will be the last chapter of the month since I'm away for a week due to work and I'll be back on Dec 10th.