"She what?" Ron exclaimed, "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure Ron," Hermione chided, "She said so herself, shut Malfoy right up."

Ron wrinkled his nose in disgust at the mention of Draco.

"Why'd you let him tell her anyway?" he chided back.

Hermione sighed, "She was bound to find out. I guess I just wanted her reaction so I could defend Lupin if need be, but she didn't think anything of him being a werewolf, treated it like it was a normal thing."

"She really dated a werewolf?" Ron asked again, obviously having some trouble digesting this information.

"It would explain Lupin's behavior," Harry cut in.

Ron was still on the fact that their newest classmate had once dated a werewolf, "Is that even safe?"

"Honestly Ron," Hermione scolded softly which caused Ron to scowl at her.

Harry stepped in as the peacemaker by saying, "If he was anything like Lupin it is."

"I don't know," Hermione mused obviously concerned, "He growled at me Harry. All I did was ask if he was all right and he growled at me. He actually growled."

"Lupin's never been short with anyone," Ron protested, "Except maybe Snape."

Harry frowned perplexed, "Lupin's never really been around any other werewolves. It must have come as quite a shock."

"If the Professors don't know everything about her," Hermione started, but settled into a puzzled silence.

"She's a mystery," Ron agreed with a shrug of his shoulders.

"I hope the werewolf she dated was like Lupin," Hermione stated obviously still considering this piece of information, "Some werewolves let the wolf take control, they can become quite animalistic. Others develop somewhat split personalities, where one is them and the other the wolf. The wolf side can be quite aggressive, abusive even."

"Do you suppose that's why she's here, something between her and this Oz?"

"No, she seemed at ease talking about him. The way she talked about him, the things she said, he had to have been like Lupin, more at balance with the animal side of his nature."

"Sometimes," Harry said slowly, "I wonder if Lupin is really balanced or if it's just a side-effect of the Wolfsbane."

"We're getting off track," Ron pointed out, "We came here to discuss the mystery that is Willow."

"Not make theories about Lupin?" Harry cut off, "I know, I was just saying."

"So what do we know? What are the facts?" Hermione prodded.

"She's from America," Harry supplied.

"She may have red hair, but she's not a Weasley," Ron stated.

When Harry and Hermione gave him confused looks he shook his head distastefully before continuing, "My loving troublemaker brothers Gred and Forge..."

He paused to roll his eyes, "Started this lovely rumor that she's our distant cousin. Don't believe it. I may have a huge family, but I've never seen her before. And let's not enter into the insane logic that is my twin brothers."

Both Harry and Hermione had to stifle giggles after Ron's little speech, he looked so comical. After Ron had a short laugh too Hermione turned back to seriousness, "All right then. She's from America. She's not a Weasley. What else do we know?"

"She's only just found out about our world." Harry stated then frowned, "Does anyone know how old she is?"

"She's got to have some power to come here," Ron pointed out, "Why didn't she go to an American school?"

"That'd be something to ask her," Hermione mused, "She's sad about something too. Something tragic must have happened before she came here."

Harry nodded his agreement, "She's very distant."

Ron frowned, "I wonder what happened."

"I don't know if we should bring it up," Harry started softly," with the state she's in over whatever happened. It might be unproductive, set her back from healing a bit."

"Do you think that might be why she's here, to heal?" Hermione questioned.

"Probably," Ron agreed.

"Then we do our best to help," Harry said with conviction, "Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

They settled into silence for a moment each considering the agreement that they just made. Finally Harry started gathering his things and turned to Hermione, "So we'll see you after Quidditch practice then?"

Hermione turned to him with a confused look, "Quidditch practice? Isn't it a little late in the season?"

Ron rolled his eyes, "We lose five players this year. My brothers, Johnson, Spinnet and Bell. Katie wants us to get extra practice in, decide who comes off reserves and by figuring out who works well with whom figure out who will be captain. She should just make Harry the captain, he's been on the team the longest."

Hermione frowned then said softly, "Lee leaves this year too, they'll have to find a new commentator as well."

Harry shook his head, "I don't think I'd make a very good captain Ron. I just want to concentrate on the Snitch. I think Colin's trying to get Lee's spot. He said something about it looking good on a resume when he tries to become a photo-journalist."

"Colin's weird," Ron commented shaking his head before smiling secretively and telling them, "I heard Wood's taking time off to come down and help Bell make her decisions."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Is he going to help her with our Quidditch team dilemma or snog with her the entire time?"

Ron's smiled broadened, "Probably a little of both."

"Honestly you two, you sound like a bunch of gossips," Hermione commented before thinking a moment, "Wait, Katie and Oliver? When did that happen?"

Ron laughed, "Whose the gossip now?"

"His last year," Harry told her," Come on Ron, I promised Dean and Gin we'd meet them in the Common Room and we'd all go to practice together."

"Oh!" Hermione said suddenly, "Harry would you tell Dean I want to know if we're still on for tomorrow?"

"Um, sure Hermione," Harry said confused.

"On for what?" Ron asked with suspicion.

"None of your business, Ron, ask Dean if you must. I won't have you laughing at me. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go pick up Willow from the Headmaster's office." Hermione told him with an air of importance as she scooped up her books and vacated the empty classroom they'd been talking in.

Harry and Ron exchanged looks.

"What do you suppose," Harry started to say.

Ron cut him off, "I don't know, but I have the sudden urge to play chess with Dean."

Harry shook his head, "Ron you know Dean hate's wizard's chess. Just ask him what they're planning tomorrow and be done with it."

Ron shot him a glare before telling him, "Chess will solve everything."

Note:

Wow, sixteen reviews. Kinda scary. And they've all been good too. I only hope you'll like what I have planned. The next chapter will be Dumbledore and Willow discussing Willow's first spell. Oh what fun that will create! Oh and yes there is a reason Hermione didn't mention Willow being a wandless witch, there will be an explanation later. Anyway:

WhiteWolf 3 - thanks.

Zan - thanx, hopefully you'll like whats to come. I love Draco/Ginny too.

Kennie Gajos - thanks.

Midnight - thanks

lime green lion - um thanks for the enthusiastic response.

SmilingAngel - thanks, and I'm planning more with the Lupin/Oz/Willow thing. Wait till you see what's in store for Snape.