The next few weeks past relatively quickly, as the autumn began to chill in the castle. Penny excelled as usual in her lessons, including Defence Against the Dark Arts where nobody seemed to dare recount the event with the Boggart, except in whispers away from Penny's hearing. Professor Moody continued to have an unnerving interest in the young witch, frequently making excuses to make her linger behind class to speak with her. Penny would answer his questions shortly with a bite of impatience, trying not to reveal too much more than she had already let slip. She shared Juno's scepticism of the odd Professor, and had no desire to befriend him.
Hermione had been in the library from the very first day and Penny had found her reading Hogwarts: A History with an unexpected level of irritancy for her beloved book.
"I thought you would have memorized that even without photographic memory by now" Penny said smiling as she sat opposite the bushy haired witch.
"Hi Penny" Hermione said glancing up "It's come to my attention it may actually be 'A Biased History'" She said huffing as she flicked the page over. When Penny gave her a questioning look she went on "There is nothing I can find in here that even hints that there are hundreds of unpaid abused slaves in the castle" She said looking at Penny expectantly. Penny met her eyes peering into them, seeing an image of a pitiful creature crying at a man's feet.
"You mean the house elves?" She replied unconcerned "Well who did you think made the food?" Penny said a note of disbelief in her voice "Gawp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration, you can't make food from nothing" She said to an increasingly irritated face.
"I never thought about it" Hermione said frowning "But that's not the point!" She went on, feathers ruffled by the implication of ignorance. "The point is they are slaves with no rights and nobody has done anything about it!" Penny raised an eyebrow at the bushy haired witch as she carried on, driven by indignation "They live in constant fear because if they disobey an order, however ridiculous they have to then punish themselves. It's sick!" Hermione finished, slamming the book shut with vigour. "I will not stand by and let it go on anymore!" Hermione finished glaring into Penny's amused face. Penny stared at Hermione, a rush of affection for the older witch and her passion to always do the right thing. Before she could form a response however Penny's attention was diverted as she noticed Ginny enter the library. The redhead spotted the two of them sitting at the table and her eyes narrowed, before she turned and went down one of the rows of bookshelves. Penny rolled her eyes and rose, waving away Hermione as she opened her mouth to undoubtedly ask an awkward question. Penny found Ginny amongst the bookshelves, examining the books before pulling one off the shelf and flicking it to her desired chapter. She didn't look up as Penny approached but the dark haired witch saw her jaw clenching as she reached her.
"Don't!" The redhead snapped causing Penny to withdraw the hand she had gingerly placed on Ginny's waist. Penny sighed as Ginny snapped her book shut and went to past the dark haired witch. Penny's arm reached across and blocked her path causing Ginny to glare up at her, Penny's growth over the summer suddenly apparent. Standing a head taller than the redhead, Penny looked down at the glaring brown eyes, frowning at the jealousy in Ginny's eyes.
"How many times do I have to tell you nothing is going on with me and Hermione?" Penny snapped impatiently.
"Please. I saw how you were smiling at her" Ginny scoffed accusingly, shoving Penny's arm out the way, but even as Penny's arm gave way she grabbed Ginny's shoulder and shoved her against bookcase in irritation.
"If you are so worried about me cheating on you, why don't we let everybody know about us? Whatever us even is! Will that prove I don't want to be with Hermione?" Penny hissed down at Ginny, her face hovering inches from the fuming redhead. Penny saw panic flicker across her eyes at the suggestion they reveal their relationship.
"You wouldn't" Ginny said, the fire in her eyes vanishing replaced by nerves. Penny released her, disgusted and exasperated. "Penny…" Ginny said, her voice suddenly softer as she looked pleadingly at Penny who scowled at the floor. "Penny I'm sorry…I just…" Ginny trailed off as Penny sighed again. There was a moment of silence between them as Ginny continued to stare at the taller witch who glared at the floor. Taking a nervous step towards her, Penny felt a soft hand under her chin, raising her face to meet her eyes. "Penny?" Ginny asked again, staring into the bluey green eyes, which softened in despite herself. She could never stay mad at Ginny.
"No, I wouldn't" Penny answered the loitering question making Ginny smile nervously. "After all Auntie Cissy would probably lay a dragon egg if I said I was dating a filthy blood traitor" Penny emphasised in a dramatic posh voice making the redhead snigger. The redhead glanced down at her lips before closing the gap between them. Penny made a soft noise of appreciation as Ginny placed a soft lingering kiss on her lips before pulling away. As they opened their eyes they both heard footsteps approaching and Ginny leapt back as if burnt. Hermione rounded the corner of the bookcases, looking between them as she approached, her mind clearly pondering.
"What are you girls arguing about this time?" Hermione asked innocently as she drew level with them.
"Penny said the Holyhead Harpies were a pointless team to support" Ginny said immediately, flashing Penny a convincing annoyed look, although Penny saw the twinkle of humour dancing behind her eyes. Penny forced herself to scowl even as she sniggered internally.
"Actually what I said was supporting ANY Quidditch team was pointless" Penny replied haughtily as Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You two are a nightmare, I've never known two friends argue so much, you are worse than Ron and I" Hermione said with an exasperated tone, missing the grin that flashed across Ginny's face at Penny's quickness on the up take. "You have read this haven't you?" Hermione asked Penny, holding out a book on Wizard and Beast relations. "Is there anything about our relationships with thousands of slaves?" Hermione asked after Penny nodded.
The weeks following were great for Penny, although she dealt with Hermione constantly badgering her to help with her new organisation S.P.E.W which she largely ignored. Aside from showing her how to create the letters on the badges Penny outright refused to be involved any further.
Her relationship with Ginny was the best it had ever been, her jealousy seemingly culled for now. They spent a great deal of time together, laughing and joking and pulling pranks on other unsuspecting students. Penny had purchased a tube of Instant Sticking Glue that Ginny and her had found multiple hilarious uses for, including putting a invisibly thin layer on door handles and watching Filch yell at students as they tried desperately to relinquish their hold. Another time Poppy Davies, a third year Hufflepuff had walked past as Penny intentionally dropped a copy of the smutty magazine Wizards Wands. The brunette had immediately scooped down to pick it up and found her hand stuck to a moving picture of muscular man's spinning penis on the cover. Ginny and Penny had to lean on the opposite wall as they shook with laughter.
"Hey Poppy!" Penny yelled between her laughter, as other Hufflepuffs attempting to pull the magazine out of her grip found themselves glued to it as well. "What do you call a Hufflepuff with two brain cells?" She shouted as a total of six Hufflepuffs were now stuck to the penis covered magazine. "Pregnant!" Penny finished, clutching her side as Ginny snorted beside her.
Juno was growing rapidly, becoming grumpy and snapping whenever she was due to shed. Moody had clearly told Snape about her as he had pulled her aside after a lesson to question her. He didn't however, seem too concerned, agreeing that she could keep her pet, so long as she kept her under control via Parseltongue, and allowed him to use her shed skins for his Potions cabinet. Although Juno spent most of her time with Penny, she did sometimes wonder off as her independence grew. Penny had caught a foolish Gryffindor fifth year Cormac McLaggen trying to shove a struggling Juno into a bag, apparently with some kind of self-righteous attempt to punish her for her misdeeds. A week's detention with Snape was worth it knowing McLaggen was stuck in the hospital, his head swollen to the size of a boulder. After that crowds would generally part respectfully to allow Juno through, out of fear for how Penny would react if they were to accidently injure the white serpent.
Towards the end of October Penny saw the notice about the European schools, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arriving the following Friday and listened with interest at the various rumours that swept the school. Draco could be heard boasting of his father's friendship with the headmaster there and how much he wished he had attended there.
"I wish my brother was still here" Ursula said sadly running her hair through her blonde locks "He would have been old enough to enter." Penny snorted derisively as she recalled the Quidditch captain she had jinx in her first couple months as a student.
"Unless the tasks involve taking Bludgers to the head, or wrestling with a troll I don't think your brother would have stood a chance" Penny said causing the nearby Slytherins to chuckle. "Apparently that Cedric Diggory is entering, he is meant to be fairly talented." She inquired. Theo made a noise of disgust.
"The Hogwarts Champion, a Huffle Fluff?" He said revolted, blushing slightly as Penny smiled at him.
"But he is so handsome" Ursula said dreamily, Theo's pleased look vanishing as Penny made a noise of agreement.
The day after Penny sat in the library with Hermione, who once again raised the issue of house elves to an exasperated Penny.
"Have you ever considered" Penny began as her patience wore thin "That not everybody thinks the same way as you?"
"Obviously, that's the whole problem!" Hermione replied hotly, looking disgruntled as Penny laughed nastily.
"Yes it is! But only because you are too self-righteous to consider the fact you are only doing this to bribe your own conscience, not for their benefit." Hermione looked as if Penny had slapped her but quickly recovered, her eyes blazing.
"Well I would expect nothing less of someone who spent the summer with the Malfoys." Hermione snapped back, clearly scorned. "The whole enslavement started with purebloods like Narcissa Malfoy" Penny's eyes narrowed at the bushy haired witch.
"Don't bring her into this" Penny growled defensively.
"After all" Hermione went on recklessly "It's like you are against harming the defenceless"
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Penny shot back, her eyes flashing dangerously, knowing exactly what was coming.
"I heard about what you did to that muggle." Hermione said in a low accusing voice, flinching as Penny stood abruptly, drawing her wand.
"You don't know a thing about it" Penny retorted, the nearby bookcases rattling as she fought to contain her magic "Not that I give a damn about some Mudblood thinks" She spat venomously, taking satisfaction in the shock and hurt across the older girl's face before she flicked her wand at her things and swept out the library, purposely sending two first years ink bottles flying as she past.
Storming out into the grounds Penny paused considering before making her way up into the Owlery, her anger dissipating with every energetic step. By the time she got to the top, her rage had turned into a simmering anger and a twist of regret in her gut. Circling the Owlery she leant on the rails overlooking the grounds and sighed noisily.
"Penny for your thoughts" A dreamy voice said from behind her, making Penny spin, wand in hand. Nestled in the beams above her head, Luna perched amongst the owls looking quite at home. Putting her wand away Penny turned away not answering. "Still not good at letting the cauldron boil?" Luna asked as she made her way down from her perch, making Penny groan.
"What is it with you and bloody cauldrons?" She said as Luna dropped down to her height gracefully. Penny glared at the blonde, who said nothing but simply stared back unabashed. After a moment Penny grunted irritably and looked out to the grounds, her hands twisting around the rails. "I said something really out of order whilst in an argument" She admitted eventually but was met with silence. "I called Hermione a Mudblood" She said bitterly,
"What made you say that?" Luna asked, her grey eyes watching the dark haired witch's face so closely it was almost indecent.
"I was angry" Penny said evasively, cursing herself for opening up to this strange girl.
"Why?" Luna asked again to Penny's annoyance.
"Does it matter?" Penny snapped.
"It might to her" Luna said unfazed by Penny's outburst. "Understanding is often important for forgiveness." Luna said wisely as Penny stared at her, her perceptiveness unnerving her as usual. "By the way" Luna added suddenly reaching into her bag "I made this for you" She said pulling out what looked like a form of ugly dream catcher. It had a few of the orange radish like ornaments hanging from it, and feathers from an unknown creature hanging from the bottom. "I can't do much about your Boggart, but this should help with the nightmares" Luna said holding it out. Penny scrutinised the witch's face for a moment, before reaching out to take the odd creation from Luna.
"Thanks" Penny said weakly, baffled by the blonde's behaviour as always.
"You are welcome Penny" Luna said smiling "Explain why you lashed out to Hermione, I'm sure she will understand. You have your reasons, you always do." Luna finished before turning and skipping out the Owlery cheerfully, leaving a Penny stood staring after her mystified.