Disclaimer: In Ch 6
==============================================================="All right." Mr. Granger looked at Hermione. "Honey, your mother and I just don't feel that you're safe here anymore. We've been able to overlook the creatures you've encountered, although what you told us about the basilisk did alarm us. We understand that you will not always obey the rules, and will therefore get into trouble. But, this attack...we can't overlook it. If one group of students does it, who's to say that others won't try to do the same? You'll be safer at home, where we can protect you. In a regular school, with minimal contact with the wizarding world."

Mrs. Granger watched as both boys opened their mouths to protest. A glare from her daughter made them keep their silence.

"Is there anything you wish to add, Mrs. Granger?"

"No," she said coolly. "I think Hermione understands our decision." She gave her daughter a glare that clearly meant "Agree or else."

Ron was fuming. His ears turned pink, and he noticed Harry clenching his fists. If Mrs. Granger thought Hermione and her friends would just sit there and do nothing, she was wrong.

"Mr. Weasley?" Ron glanced at Dumbledore. "Would you like to explain your view of the situation to the Grangers?"

"Herm has been my friend since first year. And, well, the three of us are like the Three Investigators." He noticed the puzzled looks on the Grangers', and his friends' faces. Dumbledore, however, seemed to understand. "It's a Muggle children's series. My dad used to read the books to me. Anyway, Harry's the famous one, Hermione's the one who can get us out of trouble, and I'm the comic relief. That's how we work. I may tease Hermione a lot, but I still care about her. Not because she'll tutor me, but because she's one of my best friends."

"Ron's right. Without Hermione, Hogwarts wouldn't be the same. And Ron and I would probably be dead or in a lot of trouble. Hermione has saved our lives, and we've saved hers. The three of us get closer every time. We're a team. And if Hermione goes, then the team sort of fails." Harry paused a moment. "Hermione doesn't need to leave Hogwarts. Malfoy just caught her by surprise. And if she decides to stay, despite what you want, then I'm going to help her."

"Thank you, boys, for your opinions. But the choice lies between us and our daughter."
Mrs. Granger said icily.

"And I choose to stay." Hermione stated firmly.

"W-what? But, honey, you'll be safe at home. You can go to school with your old friends, and-"

"No." Hermione interrupted. "Mum, I belong here. I don't belong in Muggle schools anymore. And in case you weren't listening, Harry Potter is one of my best friends. See that scar on his forehead?" She motioned for Harry to push back his bangs. "That scar's from where Voldemort-"

"Honey, you've told us this already. Why do we need to hear it now?"

"Because, Dad, Voldemort hates Harry. Every time Harry escapes him, it makes Voldemort angrier. He hasn't started to target Ron and I yet, but he will. We're Harry's best friends. I'm not safe now, and I won't be until Voldemort is dead. That may never happen. But at least I'm protected at Hogwarts, and can learn magical defenses. If I return to living as a Muggle, I'll be in even more danger. Like it or not, I'm staying here."

Ron nudged Harry, and when he turned, mouthed "Wow." Harry grinned. Hermione had definitely made her opinion clear. And she had said 'Voldemort' four times.

Hermione's parents were stunned. Especially her mother. Hermione had never defied her in this manner before. It had to be the influence of the two boys.

"Are you sure this...Voldemort person cares if you leave the wizarding world?"

"Dead sure." Mrs. Granger winced at Hermione's choice of words. "Because I'll continue to contact Harry and Ron. If Voldemort doesn't, then his Death Eaters would. I'm Muggle-born and friend of their master's enemy. I'd make an ideal target. I'd rather be attacked here than die in the Muggle world."

There was an uneasy silence. Hermione's words had hit her parents hard.
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A/N: Well, there're the arguments. But will they let her stay?