Hey Y'all!

So it's actually been a while since i updated this story, and just as long since i've opened up the document that has the story and uh (please don't hate me) I've actually had like 5 chapters just sitting there, not posted.

Sorry!

But i think I'll post a few chapters over the next few days to try and make up for it!

I have created a Fanfic Instagram acount (because why not) where i post my reactions to your comments and stuff as well as story updates.

(profile is a pic of my cat)

Anyway, no warnings for this chapter. Please enjoy!

"Com'n Harry, you're going to miss breakfast!" Ron complained as he threw open the curtains to his friend's bed. "Hermione's waiting for us in the common room, hurry up!"

Harry groaned as he rolled over, reaching to rearrange his even more skewed glasses. "Alright, give me a minute." Of course his ginger friend just smiled and left to go inform Hermione that Harry was on his way. Quickly dressing he followed the two down to the Great Hall, and sat down, listening to them bicker about Ron's latest charms assignment. Heaping food onto his plate, he briefly glanced at the staff table, and briefly caught Professor Umbridge's eye. Quickly he averted it only to meet Snapes. Apparently the world just didn't want him to eat that day as his stomach immediately rejected all thoughts of food.

Hermione must have noticed because she frowned at him but he shook his head, there wasn't going to be a change of his mind. She seemed disappointed and sent a glare to the staff table, particularly a rather pink professor, before continuing to nag on Ron.

He was glad when they finally left for their first class, Transfiguration. It was by far one of Harry's favorite classes this year, not because of the coursework, but because of the teacher. Professor McGonagall was one of his favorite teachers, mainly because she treated him like a regular teenager. There wasn't any fangirling over him being the boy who lived, was no treating him above or below everyone else, just treated him like everyone else. It was refreshing for a boy who was treated like dirt and then exalted above everyone else.

Hermione was rather quiet that day, didn't raise her hand as much as usual, and even her assignment to turn her mouse into a jewelry box wasn't exceptional, the metal looked rather dirty like it needed a polish. Ron noticed of course, he just couldn't figure out what the problem was. After their first class, they had herbology, then potions and finally Defense against the dark arts. If Harry was honest, he wasn't sure how he was going to last through the final two classes, one having to deal with Snape, and the other was going to be spent trying to keep Hermione in check.

Herbology passed quickly enough and the Gryffindors made their way down to the dungeons for potions and found a crowd of students in front of the door.

"No class today. Write a foot of parchment on the effects of the drought of death." Dean read from the parchment attached to the classroom door. "Blimey, and I was worried about the possible pop quiz Neville was blabbing about earlier."

"There was gonna be a quiz?" Ron groaned and slouched even worse than normal. "Glad we missed that."

"I wonder why Snape canceled classes?" Seamus asked, his hair was messed up again, possibly from an explosion in an earlier class. The boy just seemed to have an affinity for those.

Hermione glanced at Harry for a moment, an understanding lighting her eye. He wasn't exactly sure how the young witch could read that far into a simple canceling of classes but he was glad that she didn't say anything.

"I dunno, but now we have some free time before our next class, why don't we go to the courtyard? Weather's nice out." Harry suggested. He knew that his friends would enjoy the warm day out, it was rather nice for being in March, might not want to waste it.

The others agreed and the Gryffindors made their way up to the grounds and hung out in the courtyard. Someone had a game of exploding snap which Ron was teased into playing. While he was busy Hermione had come to sit next to Harry, who was just simply resting and doing small magic on a bench nearby.

"Does he know?" She asked, opening one of her many books.

"No. And I wanna keep it that way." He knew she was referring to Ron. It felt weird to keep him out of the loop, but Harry wasn't planning on involving Hermione in his issues either.

"Why? Harry just because it's happening to you, doesn't mean you are the only one who has to deal with it. We can help! Just let us talk to Dumbledore, he can help."

"I don't want to talk to him about it!"

"Talk to Dumbledore about what?" Ron asked as he sat down. Apparently he had won his last match and had decided to call it quits.

"About getting a different oculemcy teacher, Snape is just being too hard. It's weird to have him snooping into my brain." Harry interjected before Hermione could. She shot him a quick glare but said nothing to contradict him. Harry knew that while she disagreed with his thinking, she would keep her promise for the most part.

"Oh man, I forgot about those. You had one last night right?" Harry nodded. "Sheesh, is that why it took so long for you to go to bed? I don't think you entered the dorm room till after midnight." Ron sat himself down on the bench on the other side of Harry.

"Yeah, the lesson went on pretty late, but I also fell asleep in the common room." Looking up Harry realized it was close to the end of their surprise free time. "C'mon. We don't wanna be late for Umbridge."

They both groaned but Harry wasn't about to get another detention. Especially not so soon after Hermione found out. He planned on keeping his mouth closed through this lesson, showing the minimum amount of respect for the horrid woman, but enough to keep him out of trouble. At least for a bit.

"Alright students. Today we will be reading chapters 5 and 6 if you can get to it. Your homework will be to write a summary of what you read." She hummed before passing out the thick books that they had been reading all year. A chorus of soft groans was heard but it was quickly silenced.

Harry began to read, letting the words on the page tumble through his mind before being shoved somewhere he would undoubtedly forget. Next to him Ron was fidgeting while Hermione stared blankly at the pages. He was worried about her, scared she would try to confront the teacher about his treatment. While yes she was loyal about her promises, not telling Ron was different than not tearing into his tormentor. He wasn't going to let her out of his sight for a while if he could help it.

An hour later and they're dismissed, most of the kids flooding out of the doorway eager to leave the classroom as quickly as possible. Harry had watched as Hermione packed up her things and turned to leave and he made sure to follow her out, Ron in front of the both of them.

"Geez, you would think that she would change her methods by now." Ron grumbled as the trio made their way back to the common room. "Hermione is the only one with good marks in the class. You would think that the Ministry would still expect good results from their system."

"They're still worried about Dumbledore. Don't want him causing any trouble." Harry explained. "Not that it is exactly helping them or anything." The secret lessons for Dumbledore's Army were still going strong. Last week they had mastered Reducto. "Speaking of, should we have another meeting soon? I'm pretty sure most of us are available this Friday."

"Oh definitely." George Weasley interrupted from behind them. His brother, Fred, looped an arm around Harry's shoulder. "Gotta keep our skills up don't we teach?"

Harry smiled and turned to Hermione, a bit unsure if she would still be for the club. He was positive that after last night that she wouldn't want Harry to do anything against the school rules.

"Of course, we should work on Patronuses, I think the rest are about ready anyway." Hermione suggested.

"Splendid! Been wanting to cast one of them since your lots's third year!" Fred whooped. The twins ran off, either to keep working on their joke boxes or to spread the news about the meeting. Harry took the coin out of his pocket and announced the new date.

"Come on then, we have lots of homework due tomorrow." and with that Hermione pushed them into the common room.

And thats chapter 3!

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