Thanks to Cool-Kittie, chocolate-watermealon and beefywpac for reviewing. ^_^ On with the fic!

Hermione sat quietly in the Gryffindor Common Room holding the newly acquired puppy on her lap. She absently stroked its fur, then jerked her hand back suddenly as she realised just what or who was on her lap. The puppy looked at her with liquid eyes. Hermione sighed. Does he even realise what's going on? It doesn't seem like he knows who he is. Maybe his mind's asleep in this form…so, perhaps he'll act like any other normal puppy... Her musings were interrupted then by the sound of the portrait hole opening.

Lavender and Parvati walked over to where Hermione was sitting. "Is it true?" Lavender asked immediately.

"Hello to you too," Hermione said. She looked at the two friends, who had expressions of awe plastered on their faces. "Is what true?"

"Did you cast a spell on Draco Malfoy?" Parvati asked impatiently. Hermione wordlessly held up the puppy.

"Aw, he's so cute!" squealed Lavender, reaching out. She took the puppy from Hermione's arms.

"That's not exactly what I had in mind," Hermione muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Parvati asked curiously.

"Um, nothing," Hermione said hastily. "I mean I didn't want to have to waste time taking care of him."

"I'll do it!" Lavender piped up.

Somehow, I don't think that's a good idea. Hermione looked up at Lavender. "Sorry, but it's part of my punishment Lavender. I'll just get into even more trouble."

"Oh yeah," Lavender agreed. "By the way, did I tell you that Professor Trelawney told me…" At the words 'Professor Trelawney' Hermione's brain switched off and she absently took the puppy from Parvati's arms and set him back down on her lap.

"Hermione, are you listening to me?" Lavender said then.

Hermione snapped out of her reverie. "Uh, yeah."

"Well anyway, the Professor said that she predicted that you would do that," Lavender continued.

"Predicted I'd do what?"

"Alter one of the students!"

"Well, she could've said something earlier," Hermione muttered sourly.

"She couldn't interfere!" Parvati objected loudly. "Just because you have the gift of foresight doesn't mean you should use it for personal gain. But then, if you hadn't quit Divination, you'd know that."

Hermione grimaced. Oops, I think I managed to offend them again. Oh well, it's not my fault that they think the sun shines out of that woman's crystal ball! "So," she said trying to change the subject, "have either of you seen Harry or Ron?"

"Yes, they're on the Quidditch pitch practicing." Lavender said. "They're pretty happy that Potions got cancelled."

"So am I!" Parvati enthused. "That's got to be the worst subject. I mean, it isn't even real magic is it?"

Hermione assumed an expression of serenity. Yeah, and I'll bet the fact that you can't brew a simple memory potion influences your viewpoint greatly. "Well I'd better go back to my room. I don't want to be here when the whole house comes in."

"Too late," said Lavender as the portrait hole opened once more.

Hermione looked over at the entrance as most of the Gryffindors came in, including Ron and Harry, clothed in heavy Quidditch robes. Not giving the others a chance to ask any awkward questions, I'm sure they'll get all the answers they want and more from Parvati, she called to Harry and Ron, motioning for them to follow her and made her way to her room.

"Good thing Prefects get their own rooms," Harry said as they reached Hermione's room.

Hermione flopped down onto her bed. The puppy took a few tentative steps forward towards Hermione's pillow. Then Hermione asked a strange question. "What am I supposed to call him?"

"What?" Ron said in surprise. "You call him Malfoy of course."

"It doesn't seem right, calling such a sweet-looking thing that."

"Sweet?!"

"Sweet-looking," Hermione corrected.

"I think I can see what you mean," Harry said, watching as the puppy jumped down from the bed and padded softly over to a ball of wool. He brushed his nose against it gently, rolling it across the pale carpet. "Just call him Draco," Harry added.

"I thought it was cats who play with balls of wool," Ron said.

"That's right," Hermione replied. "It belongs to Crookshanks."

As if on cue, the great ginger cat leapt smoothly onto the bed. "Where did you come from?" Hermione murmured, stroking his ears.

Ignoring his mistress, Crookshanks bounded off the bed and landed directly in front of Draco, who was still playing with the ball. Crookshanks hissed loudly and raised a paw, claws extended.

"Crookshanks, no!" Hermione yelled.

Draco immediately forgot about the ball and bolted. Crookshanks gave a yowl and chased after him. "Crookshanks!" Hermione said again. She threw her arms around the cat's middle, forcing him to halt. Crookshanks squirmed desperately trying to get away. Hermione passed him to Harry. "Hold him, please."

Harry clutched the cat firmly in his arms. "Feels weird, helping Malfoy."

"At least your cat can tell an enemy when he sees one," Ron said.

"Ron, it's not funny! What would happen if Crookshanks hurt him?" Hermione said worriedly. "Lucius Malfoy would have a field day."

"Maybe you ought to let someone else take care of Crookshanks for a while 'Mione," Harry said.

"Who? You've got already got Hedwig and Ron's got Pig."

"Maybe Hagrid will take care of him," Ron said then.

"Of course," Harry said. "Hagrid won't mind. I'll take him down there," he offered. "I was going down there anyway."

"Thank you," Hermione said as Harry half-dragged, half-carried her cat from the room.

Draco, who had been hiding underneath Hermione's dresser, chose this moment to come out. He jumped up onto Hermione's lap.

"I think he likes you," Ron said.

"Did you have to say that?" Hermione sighed then said, "Ron, is it just me? Or does he seem… well, nicer, like this?"

"What?" Ron said with a shocked expression. "You mean, that he hasn't made any sarcastic comments or insulted us recently? Hermione, he's a puppy."

"What I'm trying to say is," Hermione replied ignoring Ron's sarcastic outburst, "that I think he's not aware of what's going on; like his mind is asleep."

"So he's a proper dog then," Ron said. "That's actually a good thing. Means we can train him to do tricks. Hey!" he said, his eyes coming alight. "Maybe we can get him to bite Snape in the arse."

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed. She tried in vain to hold back laughter as the mental image of the puppy hanging off the back of Snape's robes formed in her mind.

* * *

"Poppy," Dumbledore said. "Have you received word of a cure yet?"

The Medi-witch shook her head. "I sent an Owl earlier this afternoon. I believe I should have a reply by tomorrow morning."

"Very well. Please inform me when you know." Dumbledore smiled gently and left the Hospital Wing.

* * *

Hermione sat down on the red-upholstered couch in her room, setting Draco down gently beside her. Ron had left barely half an hour earlier, full of ideas on how to train the puppy. "It's Malfoy remember! We're not supposed to train him!" she'd yelled. Ron had ignored Hermione and proceeded to find Harry and let him know all about his outlandish plans. Harry meanwhile, had had enough of animals (of the four-legged variety) for one night. Crookshanks had been difficult on his way to Hagrid's hut, and the scratches on Harry's face and neck spoke volumes.

Hermione heard a faint shimmering sound, and looked up as a piece of parchment appeared on her desk. "Accio parchment," she said automatically. She frowned as the parchment remained in place. Then she realised. I didn't get a new wand yet! Muttering sourly, she got up and retrieved the parchment. It was a note.

Miss Granger

Due to Professor Dumbledore's decision to allow all Gryffindor and Slytherin classes to take place together, it will be possible for you to attend all of your own classes. You must take Mister Malfoy along with you. However, he also takes Divination, a subject which you decided to drop. Therefore you will be expected to attend all Slytherin/Gryffindor Divination classes and to take notes accordingly so that Mister Malfoy is able to complete any assignments he misses when he is returned to his natural state.

The first Divination lesson is tomorrow afternoon, with Professor Trelawney. You will however, be excused from the morning's lessons so that you are able to purchase a new wand. Hagrid will be waiting for you after breakfast at his hut. He will escort you to Diagon Alley.

Professor Minerva McGonagall

"Oh great!" Hermione said looking at Draco, who was still sitting on the couch next to her. "Thanks to you, I have to go to Divination lessons." He looked back at her unblinking. His eyes were the same shade of silver they had always been. As she looked into them, she began to feel like she was drowning. She blinked, then shook her head trying to get rid of the feeling. "What was that about?"

Draco leapt from the couch and landed softly on the pillow. "Good idea," Hermione said. "It is rather late." What's wrong with me? I'm starting to act like it's a real puppy. That thing's Malfoy for heaven's sake! Argh!

Despite her mental qualms, Hermione made no objection when Draco made it obvious that he was planning to sleep her pillow. She went into the bathroom to change into her pyjamas. Even though he was a puppy, Hermione still felt uncomfortable about changing her clothes with him there. She walked back into her room, blew out the few lighted candles and slipped under the covers.

She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, but that night her sleep was invaded by strange dreams.

~*Dream Sequence*~

Hermione looked around. She felt cold, despite the brightly burning fire – no, a bonfire! What is that smell? She felt a wave of nausea hit her and she fell to her knees clutching at her stomach. It's like… burning flesh…

Weak-kneed, she got to her feet, holding onto a cane in front of her. A cane… where did that come from? She heard laughter coming from above her. She looked up but before she could see who the owner of the cane was, she felt a sharp pain on her back and she succumbed to the darkness. But before she completely lost consciousness, Hermione heard two words. "Filthy mudblood…"

Well I hope you liked this chapter. I know it seems kind of slow at the moment but I have loads of ideas – I just have to build up to it properly. J Please review and Happy New Year!

~*Lady Deathscythe*~  1st January 2003