The days passed quickly at both Grimmauld place and Hogwarts.
At number twelve with so many Order members coming and going on assignments, as well as maintaining their day jobs to avoid suspicion, it was difficult not to get swept up in all of the different things going on. They'd still made time to celebrate Laura's first Quibbler article being published though. Molly had insisted on making the tiny Gryffindor her favourites for dinner as a treat and what with Laura's overly large sweet tooth that meant an enormous plate of cookies for desert.
The blonde was torn between bursting with excitement at her first article being published and collapsing in relief that she'd managed to get it out. It wouldn't always be like that, she knew it would take time to get into the swing of things properly and there was no doubt in her mind that she'd get there sooner rather than later.
At Hogwarts many of the students were just beginning to get used to Umbridge's torturous form of punishments.
Harry, Fred and George had all had to suffer through writing that they wouldn't repeat their rule breaking activities until the words had fully sunk into their skin. Harry had faced three sessions, for speaking about Voldemort's return, whereas Fred and George had lightly gotten off with one for testing out some of their fireworks for a group of first years.
It wasn't long before the weekend of the first Hogsmeade visit of the school year though, the excitement was keeping the students spirits raised.
Hermione for one couldn't wait for two reasons. She and Ginny had been planning whenever they could and had decided on getting a group of trustworthy students together at the Hog's Head. The shabby bar wouldn't be as crowded as the Three Broomsticks meaning less people to overhear their conversation. This was going to be how they got Harry to agree to teach them practical Defence Against the Dark Arts.
The other reason was she had arranged to meet Tonks once they'd had their meeting in the Hog's Head. The Auror was going to wait in the Shrieking Shack so they could spend some time together without raising any questions.
For now though the frizzy haired girl was sat with her two best friends in the common room steadily working her way through an essay for Ancient Runes.
"This is bloody ridiculous" Ron grumbled scratching his head with the tip of his wand, "who thinks it's a good idea to write about common uses for uncommon charms?"
"Flitwick apparently" Harry sighed as he set aside his own length of parchment.
Hermione grinned and shook her head at the pair, "it's supposed to encourage you to research less commonly used charms, and the research practice will help when studying for your O.W.L's."
"Still bloody ridiculous" Ron grumbled as he scribbled down some more.
"At least we have the Hogsmede trip tomorrow" Harry tried to look on the bright side.
The reminder of what tomorrow was caused one of the world's brightest smiles to spread across Hermione's face.
"I think that's me done for tonight" she told the pair, picking up her parchment as she went, "I'll see you two bright and early tomorrow, night."
"Night Hermione" the boys replied in unison.
"She seemed pretty happy when I mentioned Hogsmede" Harry mused "must be bad this year if even Hermione's getting that excited about a day off."
Ron smirked, he knew tomorrow would be the start of them fighting back against Umbridge and the Ministry. Knew that his best friend would agree to teach them practical magic and of course he'd be bloody brilliant at it. He didn't know though, that that wasn't the only reason Hermione was excited about the coming morning.
"Wotcher Laura" Tonks greeted the younger witch as she sat beside her at the kitchen table.
"Morning Tonks" Laura replied cheerily.
"What's got you so cheery?"
"I got my first pay check" the young witch smiled proudly, "so I'm surprising Carmilla after work and taking her to dinner."
"Very nice" the Auror nodded with a smirk plastered across her face, "just make sure you don't do anything I wouldn't do" making sure to wink at the blonde in the most over exaggerated way she could manage.
"Well that doesn't leave much, there are very few things you wouldn't do Tonks" she shook her head at her friend, "what time are you going to meet Hermione?"
"I'm not meeting her for another hour but I'm going to make a quick stop by Diagon Alley first."
"Well I hope you have fun" Laura stood to leave, "I'm away out to do some research."
The younger witch left to go about her business leaving Tonks to her own devices. The Auror glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall and gulped down the last of her coffee, deciding it was time to get a move on and leave, grabbed her travelling cloak from the back of her chair. As she left the room, not looking where she was going, she ran, literally, into Sirius sending them both crashing to the floor of the hallway.
"Sorry Sirius" Tonks apologised scrambling to her feet before offering a hand to her uncle.
"That's alright no damage done" he smiled at her.
She let out a sigh of relief and checked her pocket watch, "Merlin's beard!" she yelled, really needing to get going.
She ran out of the house, slamming the door and leaving an extremely confused Sirius stood in the same spot, and apparated.
That went way better than she'd expected. He took a little bit of convincing but Harry agreed to teach them Defence Against the Dark Arts under the mantle of Dumbledore's Army. Things were going to get interesting and she was buzzing with excitement for the things that would come.
As for right now she had to lose the boys if she was going to go meet Tonks. Harry and Ron were discussing what to get from Honeydukes before going to get a Butterbeer while Hermione wandered just behind them. The boys came to a stop in front of the sweet shop before turning to their friend and asking what she was going to get.
"Actually there's some things I have to go do" she told them hoping they wouldn't ask too many questions.
"Like what?" Ron asked.
"Umm…." She needed to think quickly, "girl stuff" she squeaked.
Ron scrunched his face up while Harry responded "oh okay, you do what you need to do" nodding to himself, proud he was doing better than Ron.
"Thanks" she muttered before quickly walking off in the direction of the Shrieking Shack.
Harry slapped his friend on the arm "come on Ron, let's go in" the dark haired boy led the way while his friend continued to make his scrunched up face.
Phew, she really didn't want to lie to them but she couldn't really risk them asking too many questions so publicly that she couldn't answer right then. But there was no time to dwell on that now she more important things going on, like seeing her girlfriend for the first time in almost a month. She couldn't wait the thought of just seeing Tonks was making her palms sweat.
She ran across the field separating the edge of Hogsmede and the Shrieking Shack making sure to check behind her every so often to make sure no one could see her. She didn't need anyone finding out where she was going or Merlin forbid follow her. She pushed those thoughts out of her head for now though as she reached the door of the derelict building. Turning the handle she could feel the tell-tale signs of a fire warming her body and hear the soft lulling of music coming from what she assumed was a radio.
She ran her hands through her hair quickly hoping she looked presentable enough the taking a deep breath made her way up the stairs.
Hope you guys enjoyed!
Sorry about the long wait time between chapters but I am uploading again so I'll see you soon!