Disclaimer: Okay, Harry Potter and Co. belong to one JKR. The plot and other characters belong to me.

A/N: Melissa, thanks for your review, it was really nice, but, trust me. . . I have a long way to go before I ever think of writing a book. Lord Elrond of Hogwarts, Heh, you know me all too well, oh, and FYI a Medium is a person that can talk to Spirits, or in Melody's case, one that can talk to the Gods, a go between, sort of. Is anyone wondering why Melody is so. . . necessary, why it is necessary to protect her? Well, don't fret, my friends, you will be finding out soon, trust me, things are not exactly as they appear. Heh, now that you're thoroughly confused, on with the show!

Double Trouble

Chapter Twenty-Two

Hermione grinned at the timid group of First Years, standing in the middle of the Great Hall, waiting for their turn to get sorted. Melody clapped her hands along with the Sorting Hat's song. Many of the Gryffindors had been shocked, to say the least, when Hermione strolled in with a child on her hip. She and Draco had deemed it necessary that no one connect the child in any way to Draco, no one knew that she was Draco's little sister except Pansy, Vincent, and Gregory, and, of course, the Weasleys and Harry. So, it was decided that, for all purposes, Melody was Hermione's sister. As to why she was at Hogwarts, it had been decided that Hermione's parents had some sort of shady deal in America and Hermione, being the girl's sister, had opted to take her with her to Hogwarts, with Dumbledore's blessing. . . hopefully.

"Hermione!" Ron hissed, drawing her attention away from the sorting ("Reese, Jacob". . . "Hufflepuff!"), jerking his thumb at the girl. "What is *she * doing here?!"

"Mum and Dad asked me to keep her." She answered, glaring at Ron. "Remember?!"

Ron caught the hint of urgency in her voice, and nodded in response, shooting a questioning glance at Dumbledore. She sighed, "After the Feast." He nodded again, his fears allayed for the moment.

When the last First Year was sorted, ("Zewellyn, Trina". . . "Ravenclaw!"), Dumbledore stood, calling the attention of the students. "As you all may, or may not, have noticed, we have a few new faces adding to the staff this year. Back as the Professor of DADA, Remus Lupin." Enthusiastic applause ensued from all tables except Slytherin, "And as the History of Magic Professor, we have Sirius Klab." Dumbledore hid a smile, as the female population giggled and oohed over the new professor. "Charlie Weasley will be the Professor for Care of Magical Creatures." An audible sigh of relief washed through the throng of students, many of whom remembered Hagrid's 'Special' animals. "And last but certainly not least, Bill Weasley as the Professor of Curse Breaking." A wave of applause rippled through the Great Hall, "And now, tuck in!" And with that, the food appeared on the table.

Hermione filled Melody's plate, then glanced around the Great Hall, searching for her cousins. A shriek of rage erupted outside the doors, and then an eerie sort of silence descended. In walked her cousins, followed by a ridiculous looking Peeves, complete in a pink frilly dress.

"Now, I suggest you apologize to them!" Danielle demanded, her hands on her hips.

"I'm sorry the ickle Firsties can't take a joke!" Peeves spat.

Skylar smirked, "Not good enough, poltergeist!" And with that, the pink dress turned into a cute bunny suit. The Great Hall was in stitches, many collapsing on the floor.

"Alright! I'm sorry! Now, get this blasted thing off me!" Peeves begged, his pallid cheeks tinged with something that could have been a blush, had he been able to blush.

"Fine, but don't do it again." Raya growled, waving her hand dismissively. Once released from the stasis of the spells, Peeves zoomed away, blowing a raspberry.

Elizabeth grinned evilly, then waved her hand. Another shriek of rage sounded from somewhere deep in the castle. "What? I couldn't resist. . ." She explained to her sisters glares. Then she spotted Hermione. "Hey, Hermione!"

The four made their way up to the Gryffindor table, all eyes in the hall locked on them. "Hermione, next time, stick around to show us where we're supposed to go. The boys," Elizabeth gestured to the four guys up at the Head Table, "Decided to leave us to fend for ourselves."

Hermione grinned, "Well, you found your way fast enough."

"It's in our genes, the innate sense of direction." Danielle grinned, then noticed they were being stared at. "Um. . . are we interrupting something, because if we are, we can go find that Poltergeist again. That was fun!"

Hermione smiled, "What exactly did he do?"

Raya grimaced, "He cornered the kids just before that one woman came and got them, and was all like taunting and making fun of them and stuff. You'd think death would mellow you out. . . but no. . . not that one. So, we made him apologize." At the astonished looks of everyone, Raya shifted uncomfortably, "It's not like it was hard or something. You guys make it seem like we committed some sort of sin, or maybe did something heroic. All we did was charm him so that his clothes looked. . . like they did."

"It's not that, it's just that you got Peeves good, and nobody's been able to do that, not even us!" Fred laughed, indicating his twin, "And we're the Pranksters Extraordinaire."

"Who are they?" "Where did they come from?" "Do you think I have a chance with the blonde?" Whispers ranged through the Hall, as every student contemplated the four.

"Erm. . . do you think we should introduce ourselves?" Skylar looked around, a bright smile plastered on her face, though her eyes belied her unwillingness.

"Well, here goes nothing." Hermione strode up to the Head Table, positioning herself squarely in front of it, startling some of the Professors. "Okay, listen up!" Hermione's voice rang through the Hall. "These girls are Raya," Raya waved, "Skylar," Skylar stepped forward, "Danielle," Danielle nodded, "And Elizabeth Trenton." Elizabeth smiled hugely. "They are my cousins from America, and are to be Assistant Professors." Dumbledore twinkled on sagely, when Hermione glanced questioningly at him. "And, they would like you all to kindly stop ogling them." At this the Quads blushed brilliantly, glaring at Hermione for all they were worth, as said girl trotted back to her dinner. Melody, by this time, was finished, and was currently napping in her plate. Hermione smiled.

"Well, girlie," Hermione lifted the sleeping toddler, "Looks like you've had a long day." She cradled her gently, quickly finishing what was left on her plate.

Dumbledore stood once again. "Well, as interesting as the evening was, it is time for us to turn in. Just a few last reminders, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden to all students, hence the name, and Filch would like to remind you that the list of Forbidden items is listed on the door of his office. Now, Prefects, if you would lead the First Years to your common rooms, everyone is dismissed."

Hermione shot a grateful look at Ron, as he collected the few First Years, only five in Gryffindor this time, and headed to the Common Room. She sat there for a moment, waiting for the Great Hall to empty, when Draco and his little gang sauntered over.

"Ready?" He asked wearily. Hermione nodded, and they set off for Dumbledore's office.

***

The six stood outside the Gargoyle, each racking their brains for the new password. "Oh, I know it." Hermione glanced at them, "Altoids." And with that, the gargoyle shivered, and jumped aside, revealing the stairway to Dumbledore's office.

"Well, let's go." The four started up the stairway, but stopped, hearing raised voices.

"Absolutely not, Albus! How can you suggest such a thing?" Mcgonnagal's voice carried down the stairs.

"I must agree with Minerva." Snape's silky voice joined hers, "That idea has to be your most preposterous."

"Well, let's see what the children think, Enter." The latter was directed to the five that stood on the steps.

Hermione entered hesitantly, repositioning the sleeping toddler, followed by an equally hesistant Draco, Pansy, Vincent, and Gregory.

"So, what is it you wished to discuss with me, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore held out his arms for the child, Hermione obliged, handing him Melody with a sigh.

"Well, on the train, Draco-" At this, McGonnagal was shocked, knowing the rivalry between her Golden Trio, and the Slytherin. "Pansy, Vince, Greg," McGonnagal started, they were on first name basis? "And I talked about the idea of them staying in Slytherin and came to the conclusion that it just wasn't possible. For many reasons, but first and foremost, some in that group would just love to hand these five over to Lucius and Voldemort. We came to the conclusion that they may fare better in Gryffindor."

Shocked silence followed her announcement as both Heads of House seemed on the verge of being ill. "But-" Dumbledore held up his hand. "Go on, Miss Granger."

"You see, we can't let them go back to Slytherin for the danger they are sure to face there from their Housemates. In Gryffindor, there are least six people that would protect them, myself included. They are, by far, safer in Gryffindor, than anywhere else. Ron and I are Prefects, and if Draco and Pansy could retain their Prefect status, that would give us extra protection." She said all of this in a rush, trying both to placate and soothe her Head of House, and try to convince Snape, who really looked like he wanted to strangle her at the moment.

"As scintillating as this conversation is, I'm fairly certain there are those in Gryffindor that would like to. . . dispose of Draco. . . as well." Snape fairly accused Harry.

"No!" Surprisingly it was Draco that defied Snape. "Harry. . . and I. . . while not exactly friends, are on better footing, and I-" He glared defiantly at Snape, "I would rather have him watching my back, rather than someone like, Zabini."

Snape couldn't decide whether he should be outraged at Draco's outburst or confused that he dared call the Potter boy by his first name. "If. . . that is what you choose, it is your folly."

"Snape." Hermione snapped, upset at his lack of faith, "Listen, you can't protect them every hour of every day, and now we have Melody to consider." Hermione indicated the toddler, who at this moment, was burrowed within Dumbledore's robes, a contented smile on her angelic tiny face. "It would be a FOLLY to deny that there is a certain, ah, risk in sending them back to the Slytherin dorms. They'd be gone within the hour. How. . . very adult of you to allow them to risk their lives." She sneered at the astonished Professor, fairly radiating power. It seemed anger was a trigger for her.

"Twenty points, Miss Granger, for lack of respect for a Professor." Snape glared at the girl. McGonnagal looked as if she wanted to protest, but was cut off by Hermione herself.

"Don't take points from me, you overgrown BAT!" She spat, "If you don't like the truth, you don't have to listen. Ignore reality if you want, Snape." She whirled on Draco. "You lot, come with me. You're going to be in Gryffindor whether not HE wants you to or not. I have your safety in mind. I would have thought your Head of House would have too." She was shaking with repressed rage. "Dumbledore," She whirled back on the older man. "If you please." She held her arms out for Melody. Once she had received the girl, she marched from the room, followed closely by the others.

In the hall, all of them was staring at her in amazement. "Hermione. . . you do realize that you talked to Snape, of all people, like that?" Draco asked her in awe.

"Of course I do. . . now, let's go, I'm tired." She shifted the sleeping girl and headed for the changing staircases.

***

Dumbledore barely suppressed a snort of laughter. "Well, Severus, it seems our minds have been made up for us. I would suggest you not anger her further, she is a little volatile at this point."

Snape sulked, "Fine, Albus, but I warn you, she does that again, and she'll be serving detention." He swept from the room in all his dark glory.

"Minerva?" Dumbledore addressed his deputy Headmistress.

"Yes, Albus. . . I know it's for the best. . . I know. . . it's just, oh, how I wish none of this were to be!" She grimaced.

"As do I, my dear, as do I."

***

Hermione stumbled into the common room, muttering under her breath about greasy gits and bats. Harry looked up from the couch, where he was sitting with Ginny. He looked surprised when the others followed in, but the surprise was replaced with concern when he saw the look of pure exhaustion and anger on his best friend's face.

"Mione?" He called to her quietly. She ambled over, flopping on the couch opposite Harry, "What's wrong?"

"She called Snape a Bat!" Vince answered, in awe.

"Yeah, told him that he was an Overgrown Bat, and said as Head of House, he should, at least, be worried about us." Greg added.

"Harry. . . um. . . we're. . . going to be here." Draco scuffed his foot on the floor. "We. . . need beds. . ." He looked at Harry imploringly. Harry sighed, it seemed as if the trio now had four new members. Strange, but, good, in it's way. Now, at least, he wouldn't have to worry about Mal- Draco, doing anything to him.

"I have a question." Pansy looked up suddenly. "Should we keep the. . . erm. . . rivalry up for appearances, so that. . . um . . . no one would suspect we were working together?"

Hermione smiled at Pansy, "We don't have too now, I meant it when I said that you were welcome here. You don't need to keep up pretenses in Gryffindor. Just be yourself."

Pansy gave a sigh of relief, then stiffened, "Er. . . Hermione, where am I going to sleep."

"I'd say that by the time you get to the dorms, there will be enough beds. I'm not sure about the boys' dorms though. With Seamus, Dean, and Neville in there, it's going to be a tight fit." Melody stirred for a moment, then settled down with a contented smile.

"Looks like she's going to be fine with you." Draco sighed wistfully.

"Draco, she's still your sister, no matter what. Even if we have to tell people she's mine. So, you'll get to spend as much time with her as you want. She'll be attending classes with us, anyway, you know. And now that you're in Gryffindor, I'm sure we'll have basically the same classes. All except Divination." Draco looked at her oddly. "Oh, I am NOT taking that class. No matter what. Silly fraud, I swear."

"Hermione-" Draco gasped, "You are not taking a class?" He grabbed his chest, faking a heart attack.

"Yeah, well, I have better things to do with my time." She sighed softly. "Where's George?"

"In bed, I suppose." Ginny answered sleepily.

"I am Not. I was waiting for you love." George answered, appearing from the stairs to the Boys' dorms.

"That's nice. . ." Hermione replied, her eyes drifting closed of their own. "Thanks. . ."

*____________________________________________________________________ *

A/N: Well. . . didn't get as far as I wanted, but it's much better than nothing, right? Don't forget to RR.

Love,

~Me~