"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Hermione screamed.

"Calm down Mya. You'll do fine. It's just your final practice before the first competition."

"Calm down?! Calm down?! Jus! Kelly STILL can't move in sync, Snape is giving twice as much homework, and Zambini is getting as bad as Malfoy!"

"Hey hey. Shhh. Sweetie, it's going to be okay." Hannah raised her eyes.

"Yeah, and you say you don't like her," she said to herself.

Justin! What if I don't make it?"

"You'll make it."

"What I fail potions?"

"You won't fail potions."

"What if I…"

"Don't worry Mya. You'll do fine." He stroked her cheek gently, wishing he could kiss her. Hermione sighed.

"I guess you're right."

"Ms. Granger. Your carriage is here!"

"I guess it's time to go." She kissed Justin on the cheek and an off and then turned around.

"Justin?"

"Yes?"

"Smile." Justin smiled at her.

"Show them who's queen!" Hermione giggled and shut the portrait behind her. Justin frowned. Another lonely week, actually longer. Hermione would be gone for two weeks this time. Sure he'd get owls, but it wasn't the same as seeing her smiling face. Shaking his head, he grabbed his book and buried his head into it, trying not to think of Hermione.

"Ah! I can't do this!" Justin slammed down his Charms book and rushed out. He was going to the clearing. He missed Hermione so much. Her smile to her laugh to the way her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Shaking his head, he sighed. He looked at the lake. Memories came flooding back before his sister died. They were much like Hermione. They were in children's skating competitions. He chuckled, remembering a little boy coming up and kissing her. His sister wiped her mouth later and yelled "Ewwww!" Then Voldemort killed her. He killed her because she was a muggle. Justin and his parents had gone to the store. It was his sister's birthday. His sister was sleeping. She was 10 at the time. When they came home, the Dark Mark was above the house. Justin had just finished his first year at Hogwarts and he fainted upon seeing that mark. Justin wiped away the tears. He thought of Hermione. He really missed her. She was the sweetest person he'd ever met.

"Hello Mr. Fletchley."

"Professor. So-sorr. I needed to…"

"None of that. This place seeks out those who need it."

"I don't understand."

"You know, when Lily was here, people were ever so cruel to her."

"But I thought she and James…?"

"Ah yes. James. He was the worse. It wasn't till 7th year where he changed and eventually fell in love with Lily. You see Mr. Fletchley, this place seeks out those who need it. For the most part, it is hidden. I didn't alone show Hermione this place. It found her." He looked out to the lake. "It helps provide answers. Think on that." With that, he was gone.

"Hermione! This is ridiculous!"

Hermione looked at her boyfriend, confused. "What?"

"This boy obviously has a crush on you."

"Don't be silly. And you didn't expect me to leave him all alone. He needs a friend Kelly. I'm dating you, Kel." She kissed him lightly on the lips. Kelly smiled.

"Well. OK. Let's go."

They skated out into the rink. Kelly had improved a lot. Cordelia groaned in frustration. Their first competition was coming up and Kelly just didn't do well in doubles.

"Kelly!!!"

"What Mione?" Kelly said exasperatedly.

"You have to stick to the rhythm. We have to be in sync."

"Why do I have to follow yours? Why can't you follow mine?" Kelly argued. Cordelia sighed. This was not good. Not only were they not matching, the couple was arguing, which was not only going to look bad in the competition, but she had a feeling the relationship was going to be affected.

"Kelly! We've been working on this for the past 2.5 months! We can't change it now!"

"Why not?" he challenged.

"Children!" Cordelia clapped her hands. "We have a competition coming up and we can't bring Hermione back before it as she has her exams coming up. Focus! Smile! No fighting. The judges look at everything!" Kelly glared at his girlfriend and was silent for the rest of the routine. Hermione tried not to be upset. What was happening with their relationship. For the past two weeks, there seemed to be so much tension.

They finished skating and silently fumed at each other, watching the other couples. She had a feeling Kelly was also being the overprotective boyfriend.

FLASHBACK

"I don't want you to see him."

"Whyever not."

"He likes you."

'Don't be silly. I'm dating you anyways."

"My point exactly."

"Kelly! He's lonely. Everyone is cruel to him. He needs a friend."

"Which is why he will fall for you."

"I'm true to you Kel."

"I know. But I don't trust other guys."

"Oh. So now I can't even be friends with Harry and Ron, is that what you are telling me."

"They have girlfriends."

"Can he help it if no one cares about him? How can you be so cruel. He needs a friend Kel. And just because I am dating you, I won't give up my friendship with Justin or any other guy for that matter." Kelly glared at her, grabbed her hand and pulled her to the rink.

"Just skate!" he said through clenched teeth.

That was two days ago. Today he was a little kinder, but she knew he wasn't happy.

Hermione walked into the common room to see Justin buried in Potions.

"Jus!"

"Mya!" Justin grinned happily. "I missed you."

Hermione laughed. "Well it's good to see you too!" She embraced Justin in a hug. "How've you been?"

"The usual. Studied. Went to our clearing. Ate. Slept Wondered why people are cruel and wondered how you were doing? How was rehearsal by the way?"

"Are people still being mean to you Justin?" He nodded. "I'm sorry."

"I'll live. Well tell me bout rehearsal."

Hermione sighed. "It was good, aside from the fact Kelly and I are fighting. I don't know if it's the tension of the competition that's gotten him worked up or what..He was just being really unreasonable."

"I'm sorry."

"Thanks Justin. Come on. I want to show you something. It kinda shocked me after seeing your Patronous, but it could be coincidence. Now don't tell. I' d be in huge trouble!"

"I won't tell Mya."

She led him into her room and shut the door, locking it behind her. Justin gulped. He was alone in a room with Hermione. Hermione smiled at him. "Watch."

A few seconds later where Hermione was standing was a beautiful golden eagle. Justin gasped. Hermione was an animagus. Her animagus was his Patronous. H reached out and petted its feathers. Hermione in her eagle form leaned into his hand. A few minutes later, she transformed back into her human form.

"Mya! Wow!You're an animagus and a beautiful one at that!" Hermione blushed.

"I'm unregistered, so you can't tell anyone."

"I won't, I promise, but on one condition," he said leaning close to her.

"What's that?" she whispered.

"Teach me how to become an animagus." Hermione pulled back and smiled.

"Of course. I wonder what you'll be. Your heart chooses your form."

Hermione spent the remaining weeks of the term helping Justin with his Animagus form. The talent show came and went. The fighting between her and Kelly still occurred, but had toned down a bit.

"Alright Justin. Let's give it a shot." A few minutes later, Justin was a beautiful phoenix. Hermione gasped. He was beautiful. Bad Hermione Bad, You're with Kelly. Justin made a beautiful phoenix. He looked up at her with curious eyes. What really confused her was the fact he took on her patronous. How is it possible that we both take on each others patronous? Justin, in his phoenix form, flew up onto Hermione's shoulder. Hermione smiled and stroked it lovingly. A knock on the door broke the moment. Justin transformed back. Hermione looked at him in awe, unable to speak. There was more insistent knocking.

"I'll just get that." Justin stuttered. He opened the door to see Dean.

"Justin?"

"Yes?"

"Hermione?"

He pointed inside the room.

"Harry and Ron are looking for you."

"Right." "We'll talk later," she whispered to Justin. She kissed Justin on the cheek and ran out. Justin's heart was pounding. He felt his cheek and blushed, walking into his room in a daze. Dean watched him. "You really have it bad, Mr. Finch-Fletchley."