Waiting for the professor to enter the class, Hermione stared outside as leaves flew past the windows. It was now midway through October, but the air felt more like the end of November. So far, thirteen students had had encounters with the Dementors and much of the student body, as well as the faculty, were feeling the effects of the happiness-sucking presence of the ominous cloaked figures on a daily basis. Needless to say, chocolate was in high quantity in every classroom, dormitory, and the Hospital Wing. Students were even being advised to carry it with them between classes and during free-time. Hermione was positive that Honeyduke's was making a killing from all chocolate products whenever the students had a Hogsmeade trip. Luckily, there were as of yet no worse cases than a few students passing out; a professor was never too far away and managed to chase the demons with their Patronuses before any innocent souls were sucked from the lips of children.

They all jumped as the door slammed shut at the back of the large room, echoing off the stone walls, and rapid, impatient heels clicked up the aisle. With a swish of her long, flowing black robes of expensive fabrics, Black flicked her wand to the blackboard. The chalk rose and quickly scribbled an incantation. Expecto Patronum.

"I trust you all have heard of this spell?" she asked, though it was hardly a question as she did not wait for any actual response. "Good. Can someone tell me what it is used for?"

On habit, Hermione's hand shot up like a rocket into the air, nearly lifting her from her seat.

"Anyone besides the over-excited Granger here?" Black sighed, tucking an errant curl behind her ear. "Anyone, please?"

Slowly, Neville raised his hand beside Hermione.

The professor nodded at the young man. "Longbottom."

"It's the Patronus Charm. It protects the caster from Dementors."

"Very good, that is its main utility. This subject was originally planned for later in the term, but seeing as we've had another near case of the Dementor's Kiss on a student, I thought it would be prudent to have more eyes out there with the ability to use the charm. Does anyone know anything else about the Patronus Charm? Granger, will you please calm down! Give the others a chance." Seeing as no one else had any further knowledge they were willing to share, the professor begrudgingly gave Hermione voice. "Alright, go ahead."

Pleased, Hermione brought all knowledge of Patronuses to the forefront of her mind. "A Patronus is a magical guardian formed from the positive emotions and memories of the caster and transformed into positive energy, which a Dementor will feed off of instead of the caster. The Patronus of each wizard is unique, taking the form of an animal that is linked to their soul. Patronuses can also be a means of communication; transporting messages between wizards over long distances –"

"Thank you, Granger, that's enough, take a breath," Black said, waving her hand to cut the girl off. "Raise your hands; how many of you have cast the charm?"

Hermione's and Neville's hands rose confidently, as did the hands of all those who had been in Dumbledore's Army during their fifth year. None of the Slytherin's, however, raised their hands.

"I see. I take it you all learned it from Potter?" she inquired with a raised eyebrow.

The students nodded. "Well, let's see how good of a teacher he is. Everyone line up around the room. Think of a happy memory – the happiest you can think of. Move your wands like so and use the incantation Expecto Patronum."

Everyone did as instructed. Fitting herself between Neville and Seamus, Hermione focused on a happy memory. Mum and Dad used to take me camping in the forest of Dean. We would fish and have campfires and one time, dad caught poison ivy… I doubt they would remember any of it now… Blinking rapidly, Hermione lifted her eyes in preparation. Black stalked around the room, pausing at each student as they performed the spell for her. Occasionally she would correct a hand motion or suggest the student choose a stronger memory, but otherwise, she stayed rather silent.

Few of the Slytherin's were able to perform the silver mists of weaker spells, but most could conjure nothing. Beside her, Neville produced a soft mist shield, but she was sad he had not yet found a memory strong enough to create a corporeal Patronus.

"Granger," Black said, nodding for the young witch to cast her spell.

"Expecto Patronum," she said softly. Immediately, a silvery otter formed from a cloud of smoke the colour of moonlight and swam on the air around the two witches.

"I'd like to say I'm surprised, Granger, but I would be lying. You're such a perfect little know-it-all." If Hermione had not detected the hint of pride in the elder witch's voice, the brunette would have felt hurt by the comment. Why did some professors find it a nuisance that she was actually a talented witch? "This, class, is what a full-bodied Patronus looks like. However, the spell will only last as long as the caster stays focused on maintaining the memory." With no warning, the professor lunged forward into Hermione's personal space. Her sudden proximity caused a yelp from the young woman's lips and she stumbled back and would have toppled back over a desk, had the professor not grabbed her by the shoulder and waist.

Staring into impossibly black eyes, Hermione's heart raced. They're not empty, she reminded herself as she felt panic rise in her throat. The professor is too stubborn and hot-tempered, so full of fire… it's not her… Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her Patronus's form disintegrate and disappear in a puff of silvery smoke.

"You see?" the professor said, taking a step back and removing her hands from her student's body. Huh, never would have thought Granger had such a waist beneath the robes… "Try not to get distracted while fighting off Dementors."

The professor continued around the room. Only a few other students managed to perform a full-bodied Patronus. Beside her, Seamus's fox scampered briefly around the room, along with Lavender's Capuchin monkey and Ernie Macmillan's boar.

"I expect you all to practice the charm as often as possible. To pass this unit, you will need to perform at least the mist-shield form of a Patronus for a minimum of fifteen seconds. Congratulations to those who have already passed; I expect everyone to be able to perform at least a wisp of mist by next class. Dismissed." Arms crossed and leaning against the window sill, Black's eyes once again focus on Hermione's retreating form. I swear I'm going to figure you out, Granger. Students don't have secrets from me…


"I have to cast a full shield-Patronus to pass? What is she playing at! That's magic even some wizards out of school can't perform!" Neville vented in frustration as he and Hermione made their way to Herbology.

"Don't worry, Neville, we'll practice lots. I think she's actually trying to help, what with all the Dementors floating around," Hermione said reasonably.

"I suppose… but I can't think of something happy enough!"

"We'll worry about that later. Partner with me? It looks like Professor Sprout is having us work with something with fangs…"

Smiling, Neville gave her the name and described several properties of the plant on the table in front of them, thoughts of Patronuses vanishing at least momentarily.


"The sooner you cast the curse, the sooner everyone leaves!" Professor Carrow yelled at the trembling Lavender.

Pointing a shaking wand at Neville, Lavender attempted to cast the Imperius Curse on her friend to end her torment, tears streaming down her face. Very rarely did a class with the Carrows not end in tears.

Today, they had all been forced to cast the Imperius Curse on each other. At the beginning, everyone had refused – even some of the Slytherin's were hesitant to cast the spell.

"Do it, Lav, it's okay; it won't hurt," Neville reassured the girl, but instead of comforting the poor soul, his encouragement only made her cry harder.

"I-i-i-m-p-p-e-e – "

"Oh for the sake of Merlin, you sniveling wretch; cast the damned spell before I force you to!"

From her place behind Lavender, Hermione's blood boiled. This is not how professors teach… of course, he was no real professor, but Hermione still found herself shocked that the Carrows went as far as they did to torment them during class. And I thought Snape was mean to Harry… these two make him look like bloody Father Christmas… taking matters into her own hands, Hermione lifted her wand a fraction, so the tip was aimed at Lavender's quivering back. "Imperio," she whispered, and instantly, Lavender's body relaxed and, with a steady hand, the girl cast the spell on Neville, who began to do jumping-jacks, as they were instructed to force the students under the curse to do.

Before there was much time to investigate, Hermione released the other Gryffindor from the curse which in turn freed Neville.

Suddenly back in control her own body, Lavender's knees weakened and she fell to the floor confused. Hermione was instantly beside her, slowly helping her rise to her feet. "I helped you," she whispered in the girl's ear, "don't say anything or he'll hurt us."

Biting her trembling lip, Lavender gave a subtle nod. Hermione thanked Merlin the girl swallowed her pride and agreed to keep quiet.

"Finally! Alright, everyone out of my face before I Crucio the lot of ye."

Obediently, the students ran from the classroom, each rushing to their respective dormitories to digest the newest torture.

The Gryffindors, once some ways away from the classroom, slowed and marched along like soldiers returning from a day in the trenches. Inside the common room, they collectively released a sigh of relief. As of yet, the Carrows had not yet entered the dormitories to inflict torture, instead sticking to their allotted class-times and the unlucky students they pass in the corridors.

Feeling a light touch on her arm, Hermione turned to see Lavender's tear-stained face giving her a small, sad but grateful smile. "Thank you, Hermione. I don't think I would have been able to do it…" the girl admitted, a small hiccup in her voice. "I also want to say sorry; I know I've been a real… well, bitch to you since Ron and I broke up…"

"It's alright, Lavender," Hermione told her. "It's not fair what they're making us do… it's torture… it's animalistic and cruel!"

"But you're able to do it! You did it; you were strong enough to make me do it!"

"No, I wasn't strong, I was weak. I forced you to do something you were unwilling to do –"

"So he wouldn't torture me or anyone else! Face it, Hermione, there are only a few people here who stand up to them… you're one of them." Leaving the bushy-haired Gryffindor with this new information, Lavender ascended the stairs to the girl's dorm for some well-deserved privacy.

"She's right, Hermione," Ginny said, taking a seat next to where Hermione sat in bewilderment. "You're putting on a brave face and everyone's stronger for it. The Golden Girl is playing hero." The redhead gave her a small bump on the shoulder before turning her attention to the fire.

"She's right," Neville agreed, taking a seat on Hermione's other side. "I've been thinking… we need to do something… something big, to show these Death Eaters that they can't break us, that Hogwarts is ours and that we refuse to take this lying down!"

"What do you have in mind? The pranks and graffiti aren't enough?" Hermione asked, intrigued but lacking enthusiasm. I was supposed to keep my head down while here… so much for that nonsense.

"The pranks are good, but no, they're not enough. We should start Dumbledore's Army back up again! Keep teaching defense, maybe moving on how to fight the Imperius Curse and Patronuses and stuff!"

"So basically teach the whole school what Professor Black is teaching us?"

"Yeah, basically!"

"What about the first-years and all the younger grades? You can't expect them to be able to cast Patronuses and fight off Unforgivables!" Ginny argued.

"Then we protect them!" Neville countered.

"Then we have a more pressing issue," Hermione interjected before the young man could get any more excited and bring the attention of everyone in the common room down on them.

"What could be more important, Hermione? It's what Harry would do!"

"He's right, 'Mione."

"Professor Black has us working on Patronuses and to pass the unit, we need to cast a full shield Patronus. Neville needs some practice."

"Guess it would make sense for us all to be able to perform it before we teach it," Neville admitted glumly, his mood instantly evaporating at the mention of the assignment.

"'Course we'll get you there, Nev, don't worry," Ginny encouraged, patting his knee.

"Hello, everyone," a dreamy voice greeted them as a blonde witch with long, wispy curls took a seat beside Ginny on the end of the sofa.

"Luna, how the bloody hell did you get in our common room?" Ginny demanded in shock.

"I don't believe Professor McGonagall was very creative this year," Luna said happily. "Your password is Nargles. I found myself walking past your portrait the other day asking myself if the Nargles will hide the Carrows' wands from them when the portrait suddenly opened for me. I quite like your tower; very cozy."

"You have perfect timing, Luna!" Hermione said, deciding not to instigate the brewing argument that she knew was boiling beneath the redhead's surface by telling the blonde that their password was actually cor leonis. "We all need to help Neville with his Patronus for Defense Against the Dark Arts, would you like to help?"

"Of course!" she agreed with a brilliant smile. "Perhaps I can ask the Wrackspurts in his ears to say happy things to him. They're known to be little voices in our heads that make us think random things."

"We're also thinking of staring up Dumbledore's Army again," Neville whispered to the girl. "Once I can cast the charm, of course."

"That would be amazing! Like old times," Luna gushed, the excitement in her smile blinding. "Shall we use the Room of Requirement again?"

"Most likely," Ginny said. "Do you think the Carrows will know about it?"

"Dunno, we'll see if they catch us, shall we?" Hermione said, a defiant smile splitting her face. It did feel good to have a plan; to be proactive against the invasion of their beloved school. For too long, Hermione felt as though she was sitting on the sidelines, while watching as the boys played the game for her. It was time that changed.