Alright, real quick. The last chap, it was a lot more painful for Draco because he had to relive the Cruciatus Curse, so when he got that memory back, it was like he was reliving it. Hermione didnt get hit by the Curse, so she was spared most of the pain. Keep in mind that getting memories back is still painful so yeah! Here's the next chap, hope yall like it, despite it's short length, hehe...

Chapter 14

[Previously]

"I...remember..." Hermione said, her eyes fluttering open. She bolted upright in her chair, her eyes now nearly bugging out of her head.

"I remember!" Hermione yelled in triumph as she skipped out of the room happily. Dumbledore shook his head and chortled merrily. The portraits of headmasters and mistresses past all beamed approvingly at the empty doorway.

[End]

Hermione ran into the Great Hall, passing by a group of startled Ravenclaw girls. She ran up behind Harry, and wrapped her arms around him as she kissed him on the cheek. Harry jumped in his seat from the kiss as Hermione did the same to Ron. Ron blushed cherry red from toes to ears, nearly spitting out his pumpkin juice.

"You alright, 'Mione?" Ginny asked as Hermione attempted to squeeze the life out of her.

"I'm just great guys! I've just taken to heart what you guys said the other day about us not spending so much time together, and I just wanted to make it up to you,"

"With kisses and hugs?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Well...yeah!" Hermione said.

"Fine with me!" Ron said. Hermione smiled at him fondly.

"You should probably sit down and eat something, girl, we've all got class in like ten minutes," Ginny warned as she picked up a cornbread muffin and handed it to Hermione.

"Thanks, but I'm really not that hungry," Hermione said, taking a bite out of the muffin.

The minute Hermione finished her muffin, she stood up and gathered her things.

"Come on guys! It's time for transfiguration!" she said cheerily while she beckoned her friends to come. Harry and Ron bent down to pick up their things, and whispered to each other.

"Is it me or is she way too cheery this morning?" Ron asked.

"It's not you. Something's up. Maybe she's starting to get into the Christmas spirit?" Harry whispered back. Ron shrugged.

"You guys coming or what?" Hermione demanded as she stood by , Hermione!" Ron said.

Together, Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way up to the first floor, where their transfiguration class was held. Professor McGonagall sat behind her desk, waiting patiently for the remaining students to file in. Looking as regal as ever with her small glasses and tight bun, Professor McGonagall sat with her hands folded on top of her desk.

Once each desk was occupied by a student, Professor McGonagall stood up to address the class.

"Good morning students! Today, we will learn how to transfigure your partners into animals. You may choose between a feline, a rat, or an owl. Keep in mind, you will transfigure your partner, show them to me so I may grade the process, and then you shall immediately change them back. Any infringements of the rules, and you'll have Dumbledore to speak to," McGonagall said in a threatening voice.

"Now, for today only, I'll let you choose your partners," McGonagall paused for the raucous hoots and 'Yeahs!' that followed.

"Just remember what I said about the rules!" She yelled as feet stamped around, and desks squeaked as everyone ran to find a partner.

Hermione looked over to her left and saw Ron and Harry giving her apologetic looks before they turned back to talking about their transformations. Hermione turned semi-frantically to her other side, and nearly fell over.

"Luna?!" Hermione yelled, as said girl was only about a foot away from her.

"Want to be partners?"

"Heh. Sure!" Hermione said.

"So what do you want to be? An owl, a cat, or a rat?" Luna said, sitting down Hermione.

"Hmm...Let me think about it. What do you want to be?"

"An owl," Luna said definitely.

"Alright, now let's see, the incantation...transfigure owulrus!" Hermione shouted. A puff of smoke exploded around Luna, and when it cleared, a tiny black owl sat perched on the edge of the desk. It hooted happily and Hermione jumped up and down clapping. Luna, as an owl, flapped her wings, and started to take off around the room. Everyone looked up, 'oohing' and 'ahhing'.

"Nicely done, Miss Granger!" Hermione heard from over her shoulder. "You may turn her back,"

Hermione smiled widely at her favorite professor and nodded furiously. After Luna flew around the room a few more times, she settled back on the desk. Hermione muttered the incantation, and once again, a cloud of grey smoke engulfed the Ravenclaw girl...err...owl.

The smoke cleared and Luna stood there, grinning from ear to ear.

"That was...fantastic!" Luna said, bursting with happiness.

"Really?"

"Yeah! I felt so free, just flying around the room. I did feel a small urge to eat a little red rat though," Luna said, blushing at her last comment.

"Red rat? Haha, must be Ronald," Hermione giggled. Both girls turned to see an auburn furred rat scuttling about on Harry and Ron's desk. Harry was standing there, holding his sides from laughing, while Ron the rat wobbled along, nibbling on the edge of some parchment. Luna and Hermione giggled in unison as they turned back to their own work.

"So have you decided yet? Rat, owl, or cat? I'd recommend being an owl," Luna commented. Hermione put her hand to her chin and looked up at the ceiling, where a few ruffled looking owls flew about, occasionally knocking into one another.

"A cat," Hermione decided.

"Alright, sit on the edge of the desk now," Luna commanded as Hermione did just that.

"Take a deep breath...Transfiguro Felinus!" Luna shouted, pointing her wand at Hermione. A cloud of black smoke billowed around Hermione, and she felt a strange twist. Her skin started to itch, but she couldn't see where her arms were! She felt a pull on her ears and cheeks, and a pinch above her bottom.

The smoke cleared, and she looked up at Luna, who seemed huge all of a sudden. Luna's eyes danced with light and happiness as she struggled to contain herself.

"Hermione! You're so...cute!" Luna squeeled. Hermione looked fearfully as a giant hand was brought down to come to stroke her back. Hermione closed her eyes.

'Wow, the feels really good. I'll have to pet Crookshanks more often,' Hermione vowed.

"Meow!" Hermione said, then her eyes widened. She couldn't speak English! Luna cooed louder, and Hermione frowned as much as her whiskered mouth would let her. She looked around, and saw Ron scurrying about on the desk.

Just watching the little red creature stirred something deep inside Hermione. Something...primal.

Hermione leapt across the tables, and paused a desk away from Ron and Harry's.

"Hermione?" Harry asked, reaching down to pet the cat. Hermione leaned in to Harry's hand, almost forgetting about Ron for a minute. But a small squeak brought Hermione back to reality. Her eyes narrowed, and she got low to the table, padding slowly over to the rat. Hermione sniffed the air. As a human she could never even hope to identify it, but as a cat it was all too obvious, the smell that permeated through the air and into her flaring nostrils. Fear.

With a hiss and a leap, Hermione lunged for Ron, batting him off the edge of the table.

"Hermione! No!" she could hear Harry yell.

"Hermione! Get back here! Stop!" Luna's voice screamed. Students around the class grew silent as they shuffled to see what was going on.

Hermione jumped down from the table top, landing squarely over Ron, who visibly trembled in her wake.

"Transfiguro regulare!" two voices were heard shouting. Once again, smoke permeated around them, and when it cleared, Hermione found herself pinning a very scared looking Ron to the ground.

"I'm so sorry, Ron!" Hermione sputtered in embarrassment, collapsing onto him so that she was hugging him tightly.

"Can I...get up?" Ron asked slowly.

"Oh yea...But, I'm really sorry about that Ron. I didn't mean to attack you,"

"It's ok, I know you didn't mean to," Ron said, pulling Hermione in for a hug. They separated when they heard a throat clear.

"Despite your attack on Mister Weasley," McGonagall started out solemnly, "That was an excellent transfiguration. Good job Miss Lovegood, and to you as well Mister Potter,"

Hermione sighed happily and smiled at Luna, who returned the grin.

A few minutes passed with the two girls just watching the rest of the class finishing up. They winced together when they saw the Neville turned his partner into a human with an owl head. Luna shuddered and turned to Hermione.

"So what was it like, being a cat I mean?"

"It was a rush. Being pet feels like heaven! And I felt really comfortable, because of the fur. The transformation was a bit strange, though," Hermione commented. Luna nodded knowingly.

"Alright, class dismissed!" McGonagall shouted in distress as she tried to help Neville's poor partner. Hermione shook her head.

"Oi! 'Mione! You going to lunch?" Harry asked. Hermione was heading the opposite direction.

"I'll be there in a little while, I just need to get a few things from my room," Hermione lied. Ron and Harry nodded, then headed down to the Great Hall.

Hermione saw a figure approaching the portrait ahead of her. She immediately recognized the slender frame of Draco, and she threw herself into the shadows. She inched up the wall, making sure not to be seen. She heard Draco murmur the password, and she snuck in behind him.

Draco was walking straight ahead when he heard a shrill voice shriek his name, with the solid sound of the portrait closing behind. He spun around, and found himself with an armful of Granger. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Draco supported her butt and lower back, and his knees buckled slightly under their combined weight.

Their faces were only a few inches apart and a blush crept across both their faces.

"I'm back," Hermione whispered before closing her eyes and kissing him soundly.

Hehe, okies there's the latest chap. I'll update later, if I have time. But for now, off to soccer. Later guys, and be sure to review if you liked it!! lotsa love

English-Foxlette