The next day Penny visited the library and spotted Hermione sat in a corner, engrossed as usual in a book. As Penny approached she could see the top of the page.
'The correct way to prepare Lacewing flies?' Penny asked as she scanned the page 'What kind of potion you making?' Hermione let out a little squeak and the book crashed to the floor with a thud. She blushed deeply as she dipped down to scoop it up, looking very sheepish.
'Hello Persephone' Hermione said too politely. Penny raised an eyebrow questioningly.
'What?' She asked before realising and sighing 'No, I had nothing to do with that boy or any of the others.' She went on as Hermione still looked wary 'Don't you remember? Snape had me scrubbing out cauldrons all evening on Halloween for suggesting he improve his personal hygiene, so I couldn't have attacked the cat.' Hermione considered this for a moment.
'But what about the other two attacks?' She challenged
'Don't you think I'd need to be present at all of them?'Penny shot back, trying not to think about Colin Creevey's statue. Hermione didn't look completely convinced but let it drop. 'So what potion are you making?' Penny asked again.
'Oh erm…just general background reading' Hermione said, blushing. Penny could tell she was hiding something but choose not to press it.
Term ended and Christmas quickly arrived. Penny was surprised to see even she had received a couple of small tokens from her Slytherin crowd, whom she thanked. During the day she came across Hermione, who she presented with the signed photo of Gilderoy Lockhart. As she expected Hermione was beside herself, letting out a squeal and pulled her into a tight hug. Once she had realised her, Penny shifted uncomfortably as she straightened out her robes. Hermione's expression went serious as she looked concerned.
'I didn't get you anything' Hermione said looking upset. Penny shrugged and muttered about it being ok. 'No, I will find something to give you' Hermione said determinedly. Penny then left and returned to her house table, which was virtually deserted.
A few hours later Penny was wondering out the Great Hall when she spotted Crabbe and Goyle entering the dungeons, acting strangely. Curious she followed them, watching as they seemed to wander aimlessly. After a minute she realised she recognised their mannerisms and the distinctness of their thoughts, and a flash of images ran through her mind. Hermione looking up lacewing flies, the bulge in her robes that day and Snape's words echoed in her mind.
'The Polyjuice potion is capable of turning a person into the physical form of another' He had said. Amused she approached the pair.
'Up to no good Potter?' She hissed in Parseltongue, fighting back a laugh at his shocked face.
'How did you know?' He asked, appearing not to notice he had switched to the serpent's tongue.
'You think too much for Goyle. He on the other hand' She gestured towards Crabbe 'thinks about the same as Crabbe.'
'Do you mind talking English?' Crabbe's annoyed voice said as he looked between them.
'Manners Weasley' Said Penny looking at him sullenly 'Even Crabbe has them.' Crabbe's face twisted in anger as Harry quickly intervened.
'Will you help us?' He asked desperately 'Even if only to take us to the Slytherin Common room.' Penny looked at him for a moment before nodding her head.
'If you insist, but it's not Malfoy' Penny went on as Harry looked at her 'He may be a prick, but he hasn't got it in him to be a killer.' She said confidently 'But if you insist' she repeated, leading them down the corridor. After a brief moment with Percy, Malfoy himself had appeared.
'Crabbe! Goyle! Why are you hanging around with this Banshee cub?' He asked them, Penny glowering at him, Harry and Ron started mumbling something but Malfoy wasn't listening. 'I've got something funny to show you come on.' He said strolling off, leaving Penny alone in the corridor. Harry shot her an apologetic look over his shoulder before racing after Malfoy. Bemused, Penny followed slowly, reaching her dormitory just as Harry and Ron had gone charging out the Common Room like a bat out of hell. Not long later the real Crabbe and Goyle had emerged looking very confused. After an angry argument with Malfoy they had decided they must have been drugged with a Forgetfulness Potion, and then somehow gotten themselves locked in a broom cupboard. Penny giggled herself to sleep that night.
The next few weeks Penny helped Madam Pomfrey administer Hermione's medicine, as she had taken on the form of a cat. Penny couldn't help but giggle every time she saw the pointy ears.
'Oh shut up' Hermione said crossly as Penny was still giggling at the end of the first week.
'Pussycat, pussycat I looooove you' Penny sniggered before trying to back track as Hermione started crying. 'Oh come on, you still managed to brew a Polyjuice potion even if you put the wrong species in at the end!' Hermione quickly shhhed her, glancing towards Madam Pomfrey. She did however, seem a little brighter after that, especially when Penny informed her that this was better than any present she could have gotten her.
Even Ginny seemed to be more cheerful a couple weeks after Christmas, her and Penny spent more time together and her old spark seemed to return. Penny wondered if the lack of attacks was what was putting everyone in a good mood. This did not last however, after Harry had seemed less than pleased by her Valentine song, Ginny had retreated into herself once more.
The weeks after that were largely uneventful for Penny, she noticed Harry and Hermione seemed a little distracted but didn't question it. They were probably still trying to play detective she thought rolling her eyes. Why they seemed willing to put themselves in risk of trouble seemed beyond her, that was someone else's job surely?
Just after the Easter holidays there was a Quidditch match between Huffelpuff and Gryffindor, so Penny went to help Madam Pomfrey as usual. As they waited for the usual injuries associated with the sport to come in there was some commotion outside the Hospital Wing. A few minutes later Professor McGonagall and a few other teachers carried in two lifeless statues. The first was an older girl Penny had seen once or twice but didn't know the name of. The other was….
'Hermione' Penny gasped softly. As McGonagall left to fetch the rest of the school from the match, Penny sank into a chair next to Hermione, her legs and hands shaking with shock. She stared at the glassy expression, cursing the older witch's need to try and save the day. If she hadn't she might not have been attacked. Penny's grief quickly turned to anger as she wondered who had done this. She would find them, she swore silently to herself. Bending over Hermione, she gave her a light kiss on her forehead before quietly speaking.
'I will make them pay for this' She vowed to the older witch 'I promise.'